Skirmish The Black Nest Crisis: Mission to Draemidus Prime

[Tathra Khaeus]

Planet Interior
- The Tunnels
Allies: Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma
Enemies: Ala Quin | Tom Kovack | Vexander Graves | Aaran Tafo
Intent to Engage: Romi Jade | Jend-Ro Quill
Equipment: Axe | Armour

The gateway shut behind them, stepping into the Draeyde's tunnel systems was like stepping into an entirely new biome. The ground was uneven, layers and layers of webbing. A hive-like crust was layed thick after decades, droppings and fossils after the Servitors had came through, it was far more humid than the surface. The surface of Draemidus was like a melting pot, seething hot sand dunes mixed with black swamps filled with noxious fumes and acidic gas, topped by rock-faced charred mountains and storms of red energy. However here in the undergrowth the air was dense, hot and wet - the distinctive markers of lives, millions of them dormant in these caves.

"The Jedi know not what they've set loose on themselves." He lamented, his voice soft with disappointment. Kneeling down as his hand ran over the faintest markings of a boot print. His eyes flashed a solid gold as his vision shifted - realigned to show him the faintest ebbs of heat, also allowing him to follow their pheromones as well as their steps. They had been here, but sometime had past. They were between them and the Overseer, Ostak.

"Go Primarch, find the weakest among their ranks." He dismissed the aged Shaman, rising as he followed the tracks deeper into the tunnel. His hearts thumped in his chest, the hunt was on. Those whom had dared to make the insult of travelling to such sacred grounds as their home would not live to regret it.

Tathra moved fast, massive bounds across the tunnels as Draeyde followed in his step. Many of the original Draeyde had been trained by him personally, they had become the superior Draeyde. But the generations remembered their reason for existence. The bats swirled around him, the tiny creatures like black tendrils of ink at a distance. Golden eyes peered out from the mirage of Draeyde, they surrounded him like a shield.

He was getting closer, he could hear the sounds of combat. But it was the scent that caused his nostrils to flare, two were familiar but one in particular drew his ire. Tathra's eyes burnt like twin suns as his fist tensed with such force it nearly shattered the helmet of the fallen Jedi in its grasp.

"QUILL!!!" His words would echo through the caves, carried by reverberations as the bats parted from him - fear driving them to the walls. The growls of a predator rattled from deep in his stomach.

Tathra moved with speed, following the scent.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

As the bats learned their lesson, Quill laid off the Force Light and looked around for Romi Jade . The Jedi hadn't exactly scattered...but they weren't exactly together either. Fear quickened Quill's breath as much as the one-point-five effective gravities did. Disunity like this could get them all killed with spectacular ease, and they didn't have time to regroup.

"Tathra's coming!" he called, hoping he conveyed urgency rather than the panic that wanted to get hold of him. He spotted Romi belatedly, no more than ten paces off. "Master Jade, Tathra!"

The Drael patriarch's shout reverberated off the walls in all directions - it offered no clue as to which direction he was coming from. But superhuman rage resonated through the Force, a clear beacon even through the dark fury that permeated this world. With his lightsaber, Quill pointed toward the place where Tathra Khaeus would emerge from the gloom.

He cracked his neck and let go of his earnest wish to be elsewhere - in normal gravity, and not wearing a heavy backpack, and not on enemy home ground. Tathra and other Drael had left Quill with a good few scars and pushed him into a long convalescence, both physical and spiritual. He couldn't know if he was ready again, but he did his best to release the fear - and the fear of fear, the paralyzingly unrealistic expectations of oneself. He was afraid; so be it. He still had a job to do.

Fear turned to anger, an echoing challenge that sent piranha-bats wheeling away in confusion as surely as the Force Light had.

"T A T H R A K H A E U S!"​

 

[Ala Quin]

Alone it was only her life at greater risk, but when she heard the voice of one of the other Jedi following after she realized her increased responsibility. She turned about to see him wildly swatting the Draeyde bats. The swat was not a traditional tactic of the master bladesman or even the moderately experienced Jedi. Ala winced, unseen in the darkness. He was a Padawan.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Ala ignited her blade, lunging forward from her blades high-held opening stance to slice through one of the bats. It grieved the Jedi to have to do so. These bats were malignant only as a result of the corruption of the more sentient beings on this world. Those beings had a great deal to answer for.

"I was...going it alone," she said with a dry annoyance, before swiping upwards and to the left to clip the wing from one of the swarming bats around the Padawan's head, "going on a hunch that the factory was down this narrowing path."

"At least turn your saber back on. These things hate light!"

The bats began to turn on each other, and Ala stumbled back slightly in shock at their utter recklessness. Was it the Jedi that had turned them on each other? She could not see the main party to know. With bats having fallen to the ground, Ala disengaged her saber's blade and took the Padawan by the shoulder.

"There are far worse things in these caves than mere bats," she said while catching her breath.

As if it had been predicting the future, Ala's words became real even as they left her mouth. The tunnel lit up with an intense purple light, causing the Jedi Knight to duck downards even as the energ passed over head. The rock tumbled behind Ala and the padawan, close to sealing the path that she had intended to go. Just as the last of the purple hued aura faded, Ala glanced up to see a narrow gap at the top. That would be their way out. Maybe...

Glancing back she saw the approaching Shaman and its dark hound like being. Ala thought for a moment about reaching out to the Bryn, through the Force, maybe to reason with it. To negotiate. She shook her head quickly, with memories of her time facing Argaloth. She understood that Bryn'adul did not negotiate, or reason.

"Hi...my name's Ala," she said with an oddly calm, and playful tone to the padawan, "and I suspect that if we are going to survive this...we are going to have to do this together." No better time to get to know someone than when a Bryn Shaman and its puppy where bearing down on you.

"See that gap up there," she said pointing through the dimly lit cavern, "if you can get there, I can protect us...for a while at least."

With that, Ala turned and took a couple of leaps up the boulders, bounding towards the gap between debris and ceiling. She had to crouch, no, she had to crawl to make it through the gap. But she paused. Turning back towards the approaching Bryn, Ala held out her hand, closed her eyes and began projecting a protective field of Force energy around herself...stretching it far enough for one more person.

| Zaavik Perl | Aaran Tafo | Dagon Kaze | Jend-Ro Quill |
| Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Viers Connory | Tom Kovack |
| Kaska Arden | Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma |​

 

[Tom Kovack]

The woman barely had a chance to explain herself before the Draeyde bats began to turn on each other. Seconds later, purple energy lashed toward them, forcing both Jedi to duck for cover as rocks tumbled down, penning them in and cutting them off from the rest of the group. Amidst all the confusion, Tom couldn't afford to be annoyed with Ala's recklessness for placing them in this situation.

"Tom," he said by way of introduction. "Got it." Man of few words, at least under the circumstances.

He ran toward the rocks, Ala sprinting ahead of him and leaping from boulder to boulder with acrobatic ease. While she was already at the top of the gap, Tom was climbing the fallen debris. His ascent, lacking any boost in agility from the Force, was slow. Struggling, he paused for only a moment to catch his breath, and felt a tingling along his senses as the Shaman charged up another beam of purple energy. Scrambling toward the gap between ceiling and stones with a renewed sense of urgency, he hoped he could reach Ala's shield in time...

Spoiler: d20 roll result

d20 roll: 19

He reached the shield bubble with seconds to spare and grabbed Ala's arm, pulling her through the gap and into the light beyond.

Aaran Tafo | Ala Quin | Jend-Ro Quill | Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Zaavik Perl | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma | Ostak Cl'mana​

 

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: V
ALLIES: Bryn | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma
ENEMIES: SJC | Directly engaging Ala Quin | Tom Kovack | Open to ground engagement within the caves
EQUIPMENT: Ceremonial Shaman robes | Spitter Utility Bow (10x explosive arrows, 1x grappling hook)
COMPLEMENT: 1/2 Rhivaks

When faced with a single foe, the cowards still chose to flee up the perilous climb up the rock pile.
​

Weaklings like the pair of humanoid Jedi he faced reminded him further of the importance of his role. As a Shaman and an Overseer, it was his responsibility to use his considerable power to ensure that the Draelvasier domain remained stable enough to enable further conquests and extermination of such heathen. Their weakness, cowardice, and material reliance would be their downfall before superior strength and willpower.

~ Cover me. ~ ordered Ostak to his remaining Rhivak, speaking directly into its head with veins of invisible energy.

The beast roared in response, swiftly charging up and firing a second shot from its horns at the center of the barrier erected by the female of the pair. At the same time, Ostak stretched both his arms outwards, releasing his spiritual energy out in all directions from the core of his body. Circles of purple light each about the size of Ostak's head began to fill the air around and above him, rapidly numbering in the dozens. The Shaman-Overseer stretched his ability further, sweat rising across his brow as the center of each circle started to glow pink, changing form. Out of each circle emerged the tip of a blade, each a projected replica of weapons Ostak had used in prior battles. Translucent pink replicas of glaives, axes, kukris, lances, machetes, vibroblades, and ornate swords seized from fallen heretics emerged from a total of eighty purple circles, the most that Ostak could maintain while keeping his body from being ripped apart by the outflow of his own energy. Using such a large portion of his power was a risk, but he knew that even the weakest of Jedi were not to be underestimated.

With a single pointing gesture, Ostak launched all eighty replicated blades upwards towards his pair of playthings and their fickle barrier in an immense pink flurry.

Spoiler: A rough equivalent of what Ostak is doing right now, in the form of two gifs arranged in order

NOTE: For those of you Fate fans out there, this is very similar to the Gate of Babylon, but not identical. Ostak is launching replicas of weapons he possesses, while Gilgamesh uses the originals. Consequently, Ostak’s attack is closer in form to summoning than the teleportation of the Gate.

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

DRAEMIDUS PRIME
ALLIES: Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana |
ENEMIES: Romi Jade | Ala Quin | Aaran Tafo | Tom Kovack | Jend-Ro Quill |
INTENT TO ENGAGE: Vexander Graves

"As you command, Sire." Drek'ma bowed his head slightly, left palm against his breast as he leaned down - forked tongue slithering between daggerlike teeth.

He stepped away, moving down through the tunnel. Hobbling rather, through its awkward grounds.

The Primarch was in his element.

The head of his order, hundreds of powerful Shamans at his heel. The Primarch was the most powerful beast master among his kind, and now all around him were millions of his friends. A forked tongued smile pierced the metallic gale expression on his face, hundreds of thousands of wings rustled in his presence. A breath that echoed in their minds as the Primarch outstretched an enveloping wave of telepathic energy.

The eyes of the Draeyde were his now, and the Jedi were separated. Easily done in an unfamiliar place such as this, a foolish mistake that would cost them their lives. They should not have come here, should not have revealed themselves so. Now they had nowhere to run, nor hide. He saw everything.

Drek'ma summoned the force, Draemidus was the site of many horrors and atrocities. Nothing compared to what this worlds old tortured soul had witnessed, he drew upon it. He commanded it. The force balled into a white orb from his palm, outstretching impossibly into a circular coven of pure energy.

The middle opened like a thin black veil, smoke clouding his vision as the same portal bld through the fabric of reality nearby the Jedi. From it, the force commanding Shaman stepped from one side of the tunnel system to another in a second.

 

[Lady Rowan Vale]

Location: Bridge of Bane of Lorell
Objective: I and possible II if the strike team needs reinforcements
Commanding: Bane of Lorell, 2 x Nova Cruisers, 17/24 (Docked on Bane, reloading and refueling, ETA to relaunch 7 minutes) x Torn'ikiir space superiority fighters, 41/48 x Miy'til Interceptors, approximately 90 Royal Hapan Marines standing by in dropships aboard the Bane

"Ma'am, enemy reinforcements are coming into range!"

Most of the resistance coming from the BUTCHER ATTACK CRUISER had died down, with the last of its fighter screen succumbing to the superior weaponry and piloting of her forces. There had been a few beats of almost calm as the remaining Torn'ikiirs finished their runs against the large Bryn'adul warship and fell back to the relative safety of the Bane's point defenses.

Rowan knew that it would be short-lived, and already she was preparing herself for the next phase of this engagement.

"Strength and position, please." She replied calmly. Her first Commander, the now Admiral Kaialina Fenholt , had taught her that is was important to maintain composure-even in the face of overwhelming odds. Her crew was looking to her for strength, and she would not fail them.

"Three capital ships, approximately five minutes from combat range. Approximately three-hundred enemy fighters on an intercept course, time to engagement range, twenty-seconds."

That...was a lot of fighers.

"Communications, contact the Fate and Destiny and order them to fall in on our position. We'll use our point defense cannons to protect each other."

"Confirmed," Replied her communications officer. "Fate and Destiny signal they are moving into position."

The two Nova Cruisers fell in behind the Bane, the three ships forming a rough triangle with the point perpendicular to the Butcher's broadside. They would use the large ship as cover from the incoming capital ships for as long as possible. Between the three ships, sixty rapid firing point-defense laser cannons began spinning up as the massive swarm of enemy fighters descended upon them.

At Rowan's command, the remaining Torn'ikiir and Miy'Til fighters retreated into the center of the capital ship formation, taking full advantage of the over-arching fire coming from their mother ships. The Miy'Tils would remain on alert, looking for any fighter craft that appeared to be making a run against any of the cruisers while the Torn'ikiir would land on the Bane for refuel and reloading. They would be needed once the capital ships were in range.

"Torn'ikiir squadrons landing now ma'am. Hangar estimates seven minutes until full force is ready for relaunch."

"Status on MAC's?"

"All three cannons are online and ready to fire, Ma'am."

Good. Sitting back in her chair, she watched out the main viewport as the first elements of the enemy fighter wing began to attack enmasse. Hundreds of rapid firing laser blasts fired off into space from the cruiser' point defenses and Rowan watched with satisfaction as several of the enemies exploded. Here and there, she saw a flight of Miy'Til's engaging enemy outliers, but the interceptor pilots knew not to get trapped inside the enemy formation. Let the point defenses to their jobs for as long as possible.

The time for dogfighting would come soon enough...

 

[Vexander Graves]

Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana | Romi Jade | Aaran Tafo | Ala Quin | Tom Kovack | Jend-Ro Quill
​

The Jedi Master kept fighting off the winged creatures above them... he did his best to do quick motions despite the harsh gravity he was battling. He has never been in a place like this before but over time at the caves, he grew kind of used to the pulling weight... what he didn't think is that it would be so taxing.

Jend-Ro did his best to keep the bats away, and he literally left sweat and blood to achieve such feat... the bearded man couldn't allow for his effort to go to waste. Although he was practically in the back, he charged forward when suddenly... a portal opened right next to where they were.

The man looked at it feeling the Force emannating from it... like a wind current flowing all of a sudden through a fan... like if it was just turned on next to them... however; he felt that such wind through the Force wasn't just there to aid them, quite the contrary; it was there was a bad omen for them through the Darkside.

Vexander was on it's way to the front and he diverted himself to be in top of the portal... and raised his lightsaber to his front with both hands wrapped around it's hilt, the cyan blade waiting for what was to come... and then he saw it... or him... a mountrous creature that materialized... emmanating dark side... it was a definetely a shaman of the Bryn'adul.

This was it, sooner than expected... now was the time for him to make the same sacrifice that Jend-Ro did so that others could carry on with the task at hand. With sweat in his forehead but still his darned cocky attitude, Vex spoke up "I got this! Move!"

And there, he waited... he waited to see where and how he had to defend the team for them to continue... it was that or take the offensive inmediately without knowing what this creature could do... a dangerous gamble that he wouldn't risk it. At least not yet.

 

[Ala Quin]

She was in an unfortunate position of having to learn of Tom's capabilities during such an event. Perhaps she should have done some background work on these Jedi while in transit. That was a thing to note for future adventures. There was an actual lump forming in her throat as anxiety rose in conjunction with Tom's slow ascent.

The blast from the Rhivak hit Ala's shield mere miliseconds after Tom entered its protective coverage. He grabbed her and pulled her with his momentum into a harsh tumble down the side of the cave in that the Draelvasier had previously caused. Ala closed her eyes, opened her mind and pushed out in the Force to try and slow her fall as much as she could. It was not overly successful. Each impact still left its mark, and in particular the grav-pack on her back took a beating. Once she finally rolled to a stop about half way down the pile of debris, she could feel the full weight of 5Gs pushing her into the ground.

Though there was plenty of downside, there was one benefit to Tom's ingenuity. The flying blade attack from the Draelvasier could be heard impacting the rocks that he had previously used as a hinderance to the Jedi. Now it protected them from his attacks, and hopefully for a time...from his advances.

A series of groans and moans proceeded from the young Knight, as she tried to make sense of where she lay. "Tom...Tom...are you OK? Can you...my...gravpack...can you see if it is...salvageable?" It seemed to be shorting, more than out completely. She could feel the pressure easing, and then increasing, which was actually worse becuase she couldn't settle with the constant compressions knocking the wind out of her.

They had to keep moving. Looking forward to the path she had previously chosen, she could make out some measure of less natural structures at the end of the cave.

| Zaavik Perl | Aaran Tafo | Dagon Kaze | Jend-Ro Quill |
| Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Viers Connory | Tom Kovack |
| Kaska Arden | Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma |​

 

[Tom Kovack]

"Tom... Tom... are you OK?"

During their descent, Tom had somehow managed to become separated from his gravpack. It lay a few feet away from him, a little dinged up but still intact and functioning.

Subjected to the brunt force of the planet's gravity so soon after being battered by rocks, Tom struggled to lift his head. His hand seemed to liquify and ripple before his eyes, splayed fingers flattened by the gravitational pull. Hearing Ala's voice, he tried to hide the sorry (and extremely weird) state he was in from her. It would be too difficult to explain, and they didn't have the time anyway.

He dragged himself over to his gravpack, relishing the restoration of order. His body no longer felt like quivering jelly, and his melting flesh was able to reform, holding its original shape again. That didn't mean he wasn't injured, though it was mostly bruising and scrapes. "Chit..." he muttered, rising up onto his hands and knees.

"Can you... my... gravpack... can you see if it is... salvageable?"

Her pack was flickering like a faulty lightbulb. Tom crawled over to the device. "I'm gonna be honest with you," he said, rising to his feet. "When it comes to technology, I'm about as useless as... as I am at fighting." He chuckled grimly. "So if this doesn't work, I got nothing."

He hit the gravpack at an angle so that it (hopefully) wouldn't hurt the woman wearing it. It sputtered, and then against all odds, started working again. Well, the lights were on, anyway. "Whaddya know. Feel any better?" he asked.

Aaran Tafo | Ala Quin | Jend-Ro Quill | Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Zaavik Perl | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma | Ostak Cl'mana​

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

DRAEMIDUS PRIME
ALLIES: Ostak Cl'mana | Tathra Khaeus
ENEMIES: Ala Quin | Aaran Tafo | Tom Kovack
INTENT TO ENGAGE: Vexander Graves | Jend-Ro Quill | Romi Jade

As the Primarch walked through the portal, a shy glow of cyan illuminated the details of his pale brown garments. A human male Jedi stood before him, blade drawn to face him. A calm smile was broad across his piercing toothed mouth, forked tongue slithering between the gaps as he stared down the Master. He could feel him, a strong and experienced Jedi. Too few of those left, he had killed so many.

"Smile, child of the Jedi. You are bout to die and become a child of Khaeus. Your death will serve us, go in peace knowing this." His words, genuine and true as the pearl-white orb in the helm of his Staff glowed, the portal shutting behind him.

The Draeyde from the tunnels came in the hundreds, like black tendrils that could clean a skeleton of flesh in seconds. They moved through the ceilings of the tunnel, a tendril of the tiny creatures heading for the backs of each Jedi he could feel. From his staff, a swamp of white life draining energy would pour out to attack the Jedi Master directly in front of him.

 

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: VI
ALLIES: Bryn | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma
ENEMIES: SJC | Directly engaging Ala Quin | Tom Kovack | Open to ground engagement within the caves
EQUIPMENT: Ceremonial Shaman robes | Spitter Utility Bow (10x explosive arrows, 1x grappling hook)
COMPLEMENT: 1/2 Rhivaks (currently engaging Ala & Tom at full strength)

Ostak's projected blades decimated the landscape, breaking up the shattered rocks even further.

Yet the pair of vermin tumbled their way behind the larger pile, momentarily evading his strike.
​

Letting out an audible sigh, Ostak made an additional gesture with his fingers to halt his barrage of blades. Instead, their tips stayed just outside their summoning portals, eighty new blades standing alert for their next release. Even the weakest of the Jedi cowards were a crafty bunch, and it seemed as if their agility would allow them to outmaneuver the Shaman-Overseer's raw power. But if he could pin them down in a single location, then overwhelming them would be a simple task. To achieve such a goal, Ostak turned to his Rhivak once more.

~Go, hunt.~ called Ostak to his Rhivak.

The beast let out a roar of excitement, rushing forwards. In a single leap, its powerful legs launched it ten meters up and onto the vast pile of fallen rocks. Crushing stones underfoot and smashing through small boulders with its resilient horns, the Rhivak arrived at the location of the Jedi in a mere fifteen seconds. Seeing how small and helpless its prey was, the Rhivak let out a roar of excitement and leapt to land on top of the pair, claws and teeth bared.

In the meantime, Ostak took a much longer approach walking around the perimeter of the pile, unable to move any faster due to the toll maintaining his projections took on him. If the Rhivak could hold the Jedi down for just a few minutes, then it would provide the perfect opening for the Shaman-Overseer.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Planet Interior
- The Tunnels
Allies: Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma
Enemies: Ala Quin | Tom Kovack | Vexander Graves | Aaran Tafo
Intent to Engage: Romi Jade | Jend-Ro Quill
Equipment: Axe | Armour

His pace slowed as the call was answered. The Jedi Master was here, his voice echoing through the tunnels as Tathra made his approach. The black biome ahead curved, a red light slowly emerging from the depths - the edge of periphery as he closed the distance between them. A primal roar like crackling fire emanated from deep underfoot. The feral Draeyde scattered in fear, flying past the Jedi and Shamans alike with great urgency as the tunnel was bathed in red, choking out the light of the saber as the thundering steps drew closer.

Aureate eyes peered out from the black, the metal of his arms glowing against his silhouette - reflecting the seething red that bled from the Axe's blade. The Titan's eyes, even without iris' were clearly set on the Jedi Master before him. That rage cooled at the sight of him, not affected by soothing presence nor glad to see him, but a hate calmed by spiteful smugness.

Once again, the Jedi Quill was before him. But this time he was not alone, other Jedi had come to his side. A grin almost came to his features.

"Bold. Bold and stupid, Quill." The Jedi would die here, Tathra was going to enjoy it.

 

[Krarolk T'manu]

POST: V
ALLIES: Byrn | In vicinity: TBD
ENEMIES: SJC | Engaging boarders: Dagon Kaze / Kaska Arden / Loske Treicolt | Engaging spacers: Lady Rowan Vale / Samatharis
EQUIPMENT (Krarolk): In Signature
COMPLEMENT: Zealot Elite Squad (Krarolk, Abvor, & Zealot Commander)

BUTCHER ATTACK CRUISER - Glorious Zeal
Armor = 68%, Sentinel Battery Charge = 0 53 100% 83%, pointed at Bane Of Lorell
Phedrak Complement: 6 341/40 (engaging all hostile naval units)

Shipmaster Meldera began his counteroffensive.
​

"Recharge the cannon and recalibrate the engines so we once again target their flagship." ordered the Shipmaster. "With air superiority restored, it should be safe to fire once more before reinforcements arrive."

The ship's gunners and engineers rapidly sprung to action, a yellow glow once again emerging from the vessel's bow. Power was swiftly restored to the Glorious Zeal's engines, most of which had survived the bombardment. The resulting thrust rotated the cruiser eight degrees to the left, reversing the list created by the original torpedo strike and putting the hostile flagship directly in the path of the Zeal's main gun. With air superiority restored and the hull integrity of the cruiser still stable despite the beating it had taken, the Shipmaster was confident that the next shot would not miss or be interrupted. After all, even the Jedi couldn't block a Servitor Sentinel.

Hundreds of Phedraks continued to swarm in pursuit of their objectives. Amidst the dedicated fighters, 120 of the 240 Phedraks broke away from the Zeal, moving to engage the fighters intercepting the Phedrak fighter-bombers. They split further into two swarms of 60, attacking the hostile formation from their left and right in an attempt to pin them within a vast swarm. The surviving fighter-bombers turned around upon releasing their first rocket salvo and fired their remaining rockets at the rear of the cruiser formation, unflinching despite several rockets and Phedraks succumbing to point-defense fire.

The moment each remaining Phedrak fighter-bomber released the last of their rockets, they were able to regain their original unhindered mobility and joined the fighter swarm nearby in intercepting the interceptors, cannons blazing.

BOARDING PARTY
ZEALOT ELITE SQUAD: 3/3

Krarolk and his Commander raised their hands up just as the explosion shook the entire corridor.
​

Barriers of green and blue held back the blast, sparing the trio from harm. However, with the explosion consuming the grenades left behind by the fallen Grenadiers, Abvor was deprived of ammo to maintain his barrage. Worse yet, the Jedi had chosen to use the distraction of the explosion to rush directly at them, rather than retreat and give them an opening for their ranged weapons. However, the trio had another major advantage. Their physical strength was far greater than that of the humanoids, and their imbued weaponry allowed them to block the blades of light the Jedi carried. Ultimately, it was only in mid-range that the trio was at a disadvantage.

Realizing this, the Commander let out a battle cry, prompting the trio to charge at the enemy with glaives and axes raised, the Commander channeling her power into her fists.

​

 

[Starlin Rand]

Narrowly evading the attack cruiser's cannon, Starlin had been forced into evasive maneuvers for a full turn during the space battle, fleeing and scattering fire at the fighters which chased him. He finally circled back around to find the cannon recharging once more, hundreds of Phedraks swarming, and the Hapan Battledragon firing at them.

Pitching his ship downward, he dove under the battle, glimpsing explosions like fireworks over his head. Then the Phedraks spotted him and initiated pursuit, a squadron bearing down on his position. He leaned back in his seat, hands gripping the controls, taking deep breaths as he surrendered, surrendered to the Force...

When next he opened his eyes, it was amid the wreckage of his pursuers. He kept sweeping by, luring the droid-manned fighters away from the swarm, whittling away at their numbers while the bigger fish blasted the rest.

Lady Rowan Vale Samatharis Krarolk T'manu​

 

[Samatharis]

Obj 1: P5
Loske Treicolt | Starlin Rand | Lady Rowan Vale | Krarolk T'manu
​

Sam played the clock now. Everything was about time.

Strafing down the spine of the Battledragon had worked to scatter the squad of twenty. Their reformation, inhibited. It was then that Samatharis noticed that some of the fighters were also bombers. So she quickly retasked to intercept their payloads in flight. The next time she strafed the Battledragon, it was to destroy any incoming rockets with impossibly precise cannon fire. Surprisingly, this did not earn her the special ire of the remote enemy fighters. Though, It was perhaps easy to understand that their onboard computers did not comprehend how a rocket barrage in mid-flight could be intercepted without a screen of laser flak. So perhaps they did not prioritize her interference completely. Either way. Her strafing run was wildly successful in circumventing a portion of the incoming rocket fire. The Battledragon's Hit Points would be thankful.

Meanwhile, the swarm adapted to a pincer formation in a good attempt to pin the allied forces within the Hapan's tight cruiser formation. Sam meanwhile, followed Starlin Rand's example. She maneuvered along the z-axis unappropriated by the swarm's pincer and continued to punish any enemy fighters that found themselves on the skirt tails of the swarm's attack pattern.

Sam played the clock now. For the boarders on that cruiser and the allied forces trading hit points for air superiority. Everything was about time.

 

[Vexander Graves]

DRAEMIDUS PRIME
Enemies: Ostak Cl'mana | Tathra Khaeus
Allies: Ala Quin | Aaran Tafo | Tom Kovack
Engaging: Primarch Drek'ma

The beast revealed himself... a monster filled with darkness and vicious desire to decimate the Jedi team, he was not there to delay their progress, he was there to destroy all of them and decimate the Jedi team to the ground.

A smirk came to Vexander's mouth as the Primarch taunted him with words about his demise... it was clear that this man didn't know the bearded Jedi enough... he didn't intend to die today and he would make sure that the others could have their own lives as spoils.

"You'll realize that Jedi do not serve darkness in life or death, you WILL be disappointed at the end"

As hundres of Draeyde came pouring in, Vex's demeanor changed and he frowned a bit at the fact that he wouldn't be able to deal with all of them, they would have to be dealt by another Jedi since he had his hands full at this moment.

Focusing deeply on the being in front of him, he began to quickly assses the situation and quickly figured that the great strenght and gravity put Vex at a disadvantage in sheer power and instead, this had to be dealt with skill and Force Power... in just a second... a beam of white light came straight at him... a power that he had never seen before but that he wouldn't be left there standing figuring out what it would do to his flesh or life essence.

Knowing what chances he had, Vex just tried to perform something that he had never attempted and didn't know if it was possible or effective... in just the blink of an eye, he just reached out to the Force and used his Force Concealment technique... the strongest power he had and the one that gave him his title as Jedi Shadow. When he concealed himself from view, and cloacking his Force imprint allowed the man to jump to one side with great effort due to the gravity but compensated by the suit he was wearing... knowing that this trick had to be used in a smart way, Vex just released his hold in Force concealment when he was out of the way of the lightning and reappeared in front of the Primarch.

Vexander smiled as he managed to pull it off... it seemed like if he had teleported.

"I assume that you have never faced someone like me before"

With that said, Vex once again used Force Concealment and disappear completely. Being careful he just moved diagonally a few meters and released his Force technique appearing for a second before he disappeared again... and he continue to do that a couple more times in order to close the gap between both and have him to melee range. As soon as he could, he released his cloaking technique and with a quick sweap from the left, he thrusted his lightsaber in a lunge to the beasts torso, hoping for the blade to land.

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

DRAEMIDUS PRIME
ALLIES: Ostak Cl'mana | Tathra Khaeus
ENEMIES: Tom Kovack | Ala Quin
INTENT TO ENGAGE: Vexander Graves | Romi Jade | Jend-Ro Quill

Indeed, Drek'ma was surprised as the Jedi vanished from thin air. His perceptions grew dark, the Draeyde that intended to attack the Jedi splitting off into dozens as the Shaman's hold on them wavered. His eyes now affixed on where the Jedi had once stood, he could not sense him. An assassin's ability perhaps, one of a cowards many techniques.

His head shifted as if on a swivel when the Jedi reappeared, full of snark and misplaced confidence. He had given away his secret as he dodged, blinking in and out of existence as he came close to the Primarch. The Shaman assumed a fighting stance, holding his Staff in two hands as he readied himself.

The force swelled within as he fuelled his body with the force, the Staff glowing like brimstone with energy as he moved to swing the Staff to meet the Jedi's lightsaber as he reappeared the final time. However, he played the Jedi's own game. In a blink of an eye, the Primarch teleported away in a blink as the Jedi entered his lunge.

The Primarch returned in a flash of white energy, reappearing directly behind the Jedi Master already swinging as he had been before. Drek'ma's attack was full of momentum and speed, the upper length of the Staff barrelling toward the spine of the Jedi.

 

[Vexander Graves]

DRAEMIDUS PRIME
Enemies: Ostak Cl'mana | Tathra Khaeus
Allies: Ala Quin | Aaran Tafo | Tom Kovack
Engaging: Primarch Drek'ma

A bright light of white in the middle of a dark tunnel, how could someone actually miss such an event. Sure, he tried to catch his blind spot and take advantage at the lack of protection and defense the Jedi had in that particular spot.

Perhaps it would have been wise to disappear again but, truth be told; this technique was still unfinished and it caused a lot of concentration to mantain it for quite a long time in a sustained fight... the fact that he managed to pull it off this first time against this being was quite the feat for Vex, and he actually hoped for it to work in the first try against this monster.

Through the Force he felt the future movement of the staff that this Primarch was wielding... he felt like a faint blow like if someone released a slight breath in his bareback. Knowing what that actually meant and how the Force was guiding him; he just rolled over his left food leaving the lunge without completion and moving as fast as he could his back out of the way. The task was rather hard due to the gravity, but he managed to pull it off.

Using the same spin to his advantage, the Jedi brought his lightsaber in a lateral sweep knowing that the move of this being would leave his left shoulder open to attack.

 

[Ala Quin]

​

"I'm gonna be honest with you, when it comes to technology, I'm about as useless as... as I am at fighting. So if this doesn't work, I got nothing."

Ala grimaced under the body crushing affects of the gravity fluctuations, and did not find it within herself to chuckle, or even pass comment. It was the best she could do just to stay conscious.

"Whaddya know. Feel any better?"

And you know what? She did. The gravity seemed to have returned to the slightly more than normal state it had previously been in. She stood up, feeling the lightheadednes starting to subside slowly. But just as she found her footing, the gravpack sparked and the gravity increased, not to five times but it seemed the power was shorting and she was knocked her knees under two times gravity. And then as quickly as it had gone poorly, it reverted back to being more manageable.

She stood, tilted her head wryly at Tom. "Well. It would almost seem like the universe thought we were having it easy..."

As if timed to coincide with the thematics of the quip, the rocks behind them began to crumble under the weight of the charging Rhivak.

"...ah, fragnabbits." She muttered, with an exasperated roll of her eyes.

She knew the dangers of these beasts from her studies and training in the enclave on Jakku. They were fearsome beasts, and she knew that defeating one would be a challenge, but even worse was in defeating it they could easily be wiped out by the following 'self-destruct' feature hardcoded into ther DNA. It was a vile measure, and one of the signs of the Bryn'adul's true callousness.

The beast was going to be through before they could truly regather their wits.

The Rhivak jumped at them. Without a moment to hesitate, Ala did all she could think to do. She followed suit and jumped up to avoid the Rhivak. As she spun through the air, her lightsaber ignited...and her gravpack sparked.

The gravity spiked again, throwing Ala into a rapid descent towards the legs of the creature. Just as she was about to hit the ground, her gravpack returned to its normal state, and she sliced through two of the Rhivaks legs. The impact of the fall knocked her off her feet, her hair grazing her saber blade and giving herself a unexpected trim.

| Zaavik Perl | Aaran Tafo | Dagon Kaze | Jend-Ro Quill |
| Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Viers Connory | Tom Kovack |
| Kaska Arden | Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma |​