The Broken Concrete Belly of Coruscant. (PM to join)

[Drogh]

Coruscant: Level 31 Affectionately called "Skraal Country"

What does Coruscant have? What value does it offer to this screaming galaxy? It's name, that is all that it is worth, that's all it's ever been worth. That name that has sung out though the generations "The Capital of the Galaxy", a symbol, a trophy that empires can waggle at their enemies. Yet at that cost of being a grand trophy, Coruscant has been sacked, conquered, destroyed and defiled. Twisted into a fleshy abomination, razed to the very ground, under countless brutal and heartless regimes. All this because of a name. Yet despite all this, Coruscant doesn't die, even when it should. This galaxy never lets things die, constantly trying to relive past glories instead of letting them go, so alas Coruscant still breaths. Billions call this home, hundreds of billions, digging their claws into the saggy festering flesh of this once great city, nothing more then an ancient relic. Above the once great streets are paved with broken bones and blood, tall piercing towers rump and dormant in defeat.

This is the legacy of Coruscant now, this broken thing. To be nothing more then a name countless will trample on, but rarely does the mind dwell on the horrors of the below. If the surface is suffering, then below is often far worse. As chunks of city fall down, to fill the endless heap of junk and rubbish, piling on top of each other. As countless suffer outbreaks of disease, as the poor conditions invite starvation and mutation. Chaos sweeps the streets as gangsters fight for what ever filthy corner of this forsaken planet they can, as the death toll gets ever higher. Yet, even further then that, when one goes to the truly apocalyptic levels, where toxic fumes fill the air, where horrific, diseased rat men rampage across the ground, infesting every small corner of this damned world. Deathly white mutants, known as the Cthon shriek across the dead levels, blindly raging an endless and meaningless war with ratmen as they fight each other to the death, for mere heaps of scrap. Yet oddly other sentients live here, the hardly known but horrific Pit, being a cradle to a deceased and corrupted "civilization", where the only currency is blood and slaves.

That is why Drogh was down here, slugging though soot and filth, dwelling among the very worst that Coruscant has to offer, standing in a lonely street, with the chattering of Skraal ebbing at the back of his mind, and the howling scream of Cthon bellowing out in the distance. He was here for the Pit. A place where he saw opportunity, where others only saw a curse. The only way he could get The Hand to help him was simply, a promise. @Ra'a'mah had promised him this, promised him the Pit and all it's glories, as little as they were. Yet he did not desire to control, not yet. He desired to use it, a hidden base of operations, buried so deep within the dying stone of Coruscant no one would ever find it. A place where horrific deeds could be drowned, under the silence of a thousand levels.

The smell of ancient carbon sang in the air, the smell of the droppings of both mutant and ratmen alike was more then choking. Drogh had to use the force to even be able to breath down here, it was a festering dump of pain and suffering, and Drogh couldn't help but enjoy it. As awful as it was, as forgotten and damned, it was beautiful in a sense. Seeing the decaying ancient stone, fumbling down and breaking, ancient metal eroded and rusted. Drogh insisted that he would be the one to navigate to the lowest levels, a beacon for all others to latch on. He went though nearly a thousand levels, some with quick ease, others with great difficultly, taking him days. Yet finally, exhausted and battered, he got down here, once again, his only home he ever had. "I'm here." Drogh whispered into his comlink. Now all that Drogh could do is wait for the others to come, to see his presence on their radars and come to his aid, besides, a promise is a promise.

Spoiler

[member="AD-8"] [member="Alexandra Feanor"] [member="Aren D'Shade"] [member="Bloodstone"] @Cythina Solus [member="Darth Kentarch"] [member="Darth Pellax"] @Deckor Willo [member="Edward Thane"] [member="Jairdain"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Kaine Australis"] [member="Lord Nexus"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Nemo"] [member="Rann Thress"] [member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Vulpesen"] [member="Zhin Zondaar"] [member="Zuri Ano"]

 

[Edward Thane]

Edward had always despised ecumenopoli, and Coruscant was no exception. Instead it was the standard by which all others would be judged upon. Some were better, some were far worse. As he descended into not the depths, but the abyss, of Coruscant he could not help but grimace.

These layers more than most truly revealed the beauty of the city-world. A plague-ridden corpse, covered in gleaming silver spires. The very foundations rotted and crumbled under its own weight. Choking toxic clouds and a lack of natural light robbed the world of life, forcing Thane to don a breath mask. Clothed in a thick uniform intended for harsh winters he thumbed a blaster pistol with one hand, and gripped the armrest of the descending landspeeder with the other.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Riamah]

If only one thing could be said about Ra was she kept her word. It was rare she ever gave it, but she had given it to Drogh. A certain location buried on Coruscant would be his. This goal was an ongoing one and now things were finally ready for it. All the pieces had been laid out, people hired, paid and their actions hidden from the galaxy at large.

The Dark Hand would have a presence across the galaxy. This touch of theirs would be light, but it would allow them the ability to function away from any prying eyes and grow.

With this small movement begun, she intended to use it to her advantage. Even if Drogh didn't want to admit it, she would be in her debt for this. Someday, Ra would call on him to pay her back. For now though, she would wait and call on his aid another time.

Wearing her suit, Ra blended into the darkness of the ways down here and avoided detection. When the message Drogh sent of his arrival, she nodded. Nobody was near to her and that was fine. Made it all the easier to sneak around.

"Where is the creature that is in charge?"

[member="Edward Thane"] [member="Drogh"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

@Ra'a'mah [member="Edward Thane"]
[member="Drogh"]

Not often was stardust the quiet type or the sneaky, however those rare times she was she made sure that she could be as quiet as possible. She disnt wear any heavy armor her normal weapons however were still on her two westars, her sabers, and her sword. Her outfit was something that could fit these parts a old outfit in fact a female tusken outfit something to hide herself

She slunk around the areas while carefully, now she remembered WHY she never wanted to go to the lower levels especially this far....rats literal walking rats and she could feel their hungry eyes on her, by the force she was never going this deep on this planet ever again

on the level ready when you need...no rush but please hurry I do not like these things staring

 

[Drogh]

Drogh stood still in the destroyed streets, his comlink cackling back at him, distorted and warped voices spitting back at him. Perhaps because he was so far low, the connection was suffering. Those who had arrived had come alone? They were to face an army of the most vile, the Dark Hand could only muster a few? A promise seemed to fall on shallow words, another slight to add to the ever bloated list. Still, some had come for his cause, although gratitude was hardly a word he would use. He could feel the ratmen glaring at him with their beady little eyes. Their ravenous hunger screamed and echoed across the dead stone and broken metal, their blood lust as hot as any sun, in one unison desire to feed. They were simply biding their time, stalling so more could fester around him. Drogh knew that they were here, stalking him and following him. "A rather friendly gentlemen know as Grauger Heart Eater controls The Pit, his men rule with a bloody fist." Drogh said. He had connections in The Pit, he knew of it's workings better then any outsider, he admired the place and it had grown on him, like a cancer.

The chattering, twitching teeth of the Skraal was audible now, like bones rattling against iron bars. It was a dreaded, starving song that made Drogh, uncomfortable to say the least. Now they had the numbers, now they were confident in their attack. From the broken towers, dozens and dozens of ratmen oozed from forth, like puss from a old wound. They shrieked and screamed, swarming around Drogh, circling a round him in frantic madness, none brave enough to make the first move. A ocean of brown fur and Drogh was about to drown. Drogh stood still, letting the ratmen run around him, there was no way to run or hide, eventually their gnashing little teeth would of torn him to shreds, but there was something he was counting on. Seconds before their greedy little fangs dag into his pale skin , a old grey rat emerged forth the sea of starving bellies and burning foaming mouths, stood a single, short aged rat. He wore a robe, bearing a skull of a rather large Cthon on his head, fashioned into some sort of helmet. He bore a stuff that seemed to have several skulls from several different species, all hanging by threads of robe, making some sort of awkward flail.

"G-greetings Drogh." The ratmen spoke, all of a sudden the clustered hyperactive wave calmed for a moment, peace before the storm. Drogh looked down at the old rat, some one whom he knew. "Greetings." Drogh replied. "I-i-inform us, why are you here?" The Skraal said in his broken, chattering, vile tongue. "For a army." A squealing laughter screamed across the dead ruins of the lower city. Although the old rat reminded calm, a spark of interest in his eye. "You will not find army here Drogh." The Skraal responded, laughter shimmering in his tone. "I would offer you something in return." Drogh responded, the ratmens ears twitching, this time hearing him out. "The Pit." The beacon had been safe from Skraal influence, a lone dwarf star in a void of rotting darkness. "If you help me take it, I promise you flesh, power, and of course cheese." Drogh said, smiling under his mask.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] @Ra'a'mah [member="Edward Thane"]

 

[Crocell]

The clicking & whirring of the powerful scope was barely audible, but served to keep time with her heartbeat.

Hidden high in a mass of rubble, a shapeless mass lay covered in furs & small bits of stone; the perfect camouflage against whatever might come snooping up the crumbling mass of stones and rubble.

A violet eye peered through the small lens as her vision swept the twisted mass beneath her; she could see [member="Drogh"], see the shifting mass of the Skaal, and weighed her options...

Her finger rested along the frame of the powerful sniper rifle; the weapon was off safe, loaded, and ready to fire.

 

[Riamah]

It took only a few moments for Drogh to send a reply back to her. He provided the information she asked for without a tone of sarcasm or spite. It was a real shock to her to not hear that from him. Taking the blessing where it came from though, she took note of the information.

Now it was on her to find where he was hiding out, lynch some of his men and call him out...

 

[Vulpesen]

Another call, another job. Working for the Hand seemed to be a never ending list of tasks that filled his itinerary. But of course, Vulpesen didn't mind, especially when the mission at hand involved a bit of time alongside a certain miss Ra. No, the folks complaining about this were his advisors who were constantly at odds with his clandestine schedule as a member of the dark organization. Still, they understood the importance of connections, and while there were certainly unsavory characters within his organization, they were hardly what he considered evil.

Reaching the edge of the hole that led down into the lower levels, Vulpesen was almost deafened by the amount of energy that swirled around him, force signatures from every sort of being he could imagine. And somehow, amid all that, he was supposed to keep concentration. With a smirk, he calmed himself down, separating his life from the millions of others. He needed to get down there. And what better route than the shortest one? Behind him, the Vixen was stationed, waiting with its cargo of agents and soldiers in case he needed back-up. But for now he could handle it on his own, as was shown when he simply walked to the edge of the pit, keyed into his comlink... and jumped. "This is the Valde. I'm en route."

[member="Ivory Stroud"]
[member="Drogh"]
[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]
[member="Edward Thane"]

 

[Edward Thane]

Upon arriving at his destination, Edward hopped out of the landspeeder and looked over his datapad. Giving the dark and grimy place one simple look he drew out an old Galactic Alliance credit, exchanging it between his fingers in a practiced motion before setting off to meet the with the appointed.

Comm chatter concluded that others were already in the area or were making their way down, allowing Edward a personal sigh of relief. Stowing the datapad away he kept his right hand close to the holstered blaster. He would not be caught surprised by any of the unnatural creatures that existed in the depth of the ecumenipolis.

"I'm here." He called both through his comm and aloud, hopefully not stirring up too much attention. Lifting a hand up he flicked on the lights which connected to his face mask, scanning the darkness for any sight of movement.

[member="Ivory Stroud"] | [member="Drogh"] | [member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] | [member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Drogh]

The ratmen still, their filthy fangs showing, desperate and hungry to claw away at Drogh's thin bones. "How Drogh give us this?" The elderly rat spoke, the laughter had ceded, but now a voice that demanded truth. "I have friends," Drogh said, sounding both honest, yet undeniably sarcastic. The Ratmen gave a unsatisfied look, then a twist of rage took hold of the rat, his teeth bearing and his fingers curling. "We Skraal do not like tricks, dark one." The ratmen said, as the other Skraal began to close the gap, the tide of brown fur threatening to devour Drogh, as begging lips wept for meat. "I do!" Drogh said, loosing his composure, fearing for his life. "Look, why would I expose my self to talk to you if I did not have something to offer you?" Drogh said, pleading almost with his voice.

"I-." His voice was cut off, a blood curdling scream, several of them, human and yet twisted, deformed and broken. A scream that sang the song of years of rejection, depravity and degeneration. "THE BLIND ONES COME!" screaming Skraal signaled, yelling out frantically, as some shoved and pushed to avoid the oncoming slaughter. "Hold!" The old rat spoke, even the cowardly stupid Skraal respected him, being nearly 18. "Drogh, you die with us fool, perhaps we help you." The Skraal said, grasping some degree of sarcasm, "You'll see you old rat, I have friends, they'll come, I hope." Drogh said, his voice becoming some less full of conviction and hope, as he saw those twisted deformed silhouettes ran across the broken buildings, slowly surrounding them. The Skraal had formed a defensive circle, a shambles of a formation but the best one could hope for.

He drew his trusted DL-18 blaster with one hand, and a simple slug thrower "revolver" from another. As the hordes of the white, pale faceless hordes came clashing against brown fur, as gnashing teeth met razor sharp claw. Tails were cut, heads rolled, eyes gouged, teeth shattered, it was a truly chaotic sight and Drogh was terrified, beginning to remember why so few ever came down. "I need support, now!" Drogh said, his voice drowned out by squealing and screaming.

[member="Edward Thane"]

[member="Vulpesen"]

[member="Ivory Stroud"]

[member="Riamah"]

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Crocell]

[member="Drogh"]

And there it was...

Ivory had been studying the small meeting between her companion, and the rat creature, her finger feather-light on the trigger of her rifle...

She had been waiting, her heartbeat slow & breath measured, for the moment when everything would go to hell - and finally, it came.

She centered the powerful sights of her rifle directly on the creature which had been speaking with Drogh only just a moment before; unable to hear at such a distance, but clearly unconcerned with the words being said. The small dot in the scope's reticle rested center-mass of the rat creature, and Ivory's finger began taking up slack.

.....*Boom*

The weapon fired a powerful blaster-bolt, providing precision fire out to a considerable range; her first bolt struck the rat creature just below its' heart, scorching the creature's flesh and killing it immediately; burning a hole through its' ribcage and turning its' heart & lungs to vapor. She never took her eye from the scope as she swiveled, remaining in position on her belly, placing the reticle over another rat-like creature, this Skraal carrying a large metal pipe which had been sharpened at one end to a vicious spike. She fired twice, the first bolt striking the foul, mangy cur in the center of its' spine and pitching it forward onto its' belly, where it did not move again.

The second bolt missed, kicking up a spray of dust and shards from the ground a few feet from Drogh's position.

Now, Ivory would begin firing - engaging enemies one at a time, covering the dark one & helping to keep him alive.

 

[Vulpesen]

"Yeeeeeee-haaaaaaaw!" The word were ripped from his throat, fading into the rushing wind as he descended faster and faster. He could feel his coat billowing out, threatening to tear from his body. And if not for his mask, he was certain the wind wold push his eyes back into his frontal lobe. Side to side, he weaved through the air, narrowly avoiding transports and speeders which honked in defiance of the flying fox.

Eventually, he would see it, the large marker stating that he was arriving at floor 31. Flipping up to put his feet first, Vulpesen called upon the force. Underhim, the force would create a whirlwind to slow him down. It was a bit slower than usual, given the terentatek underlayer on his coat which prevent him from direct affecting his own torso but still, he managed to hit the ground safely without going splat. It was right about then, that he heard Drogh's final panicked statement. "I'm coming, just don't die!" Dropping onto all fours, the Zorren sprinted off, calling once more on the force within him to boost his speed.

[member="Drogh"]
[member="Ivory Stroud"]
[member="Edward Thane"]
[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]
[member="Riamah"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Vulpesen"] [member="Ivory Stroud"] [member="Drogh"] [member="Edward Thane"] [member="Riamah"]

She had found a place to get away from all the wandering eyes, she sat waiting as she checked over her weapons one last time before resting agaisnt a wall....she wasn't to far away least she didnt think so maybe a quarter mile away at that...enoygh that the force rang out with what felt like hundreds of beings in a massive wave. One of the reasons she didnt like visiting the lower levels, because the amount of people down her ethe amount of those forgotten was...ridiculous.

However her thoughts were shattered, comm went off in her ear as she pushed off the wall and began running quickly,sounded like a party over where drogh was and as much as she wanted to just abandon him...she had made a promise and even if he was like he was stardust wouldnt break that promise...only because she wanted him to owe her. Turning down a alley as her HUD picked up movement coming all around, she looked up to see some sort of mutant! Lets she called them that, they seemed to be heading towards drogh but quickly noticed herself jumping down, wasting no time stardust drew her sabers and spun quickly slicing two down as she continued to press forward...despite the fact she was being chased by faceless freaks

 

[Riamah]

Her arrival had gone unnoticed so far, but that was her way. She was a shadow, a former assassin and had training on getting in or out. Certain things just stuck with a person and like a glove, Ra refilled into this position.

Located in the heart of the Pit, she waited on Drogh to call out. He had taken it on the job of calling for assistance and they weren't liking his intrusion it seemed. Listening in on the conversation going on through her helmet, she knew he would need support. Thankfully, Vulps announced he was incoming and this would allow her to continue on with her quest to get the head of Grauger.

If she could not get his head...at least she could capture him personally.

Along with her, she had ​brought some men. These men were trained in various ways. Guards keeping an eye on her and others built for purposes she could only imagine. Today though they were with her to help with this mission. Once the information she needed was given to her, she sent some ahead to scout and clear the area for her.

Moving out, she stopped in her tracks when his plea came through.

"Vulps, I am not near enough to him to help. I'm further in."

Drawing attention from a​nother area was Star and Ra heard what was going on around her sister. Drogh may not like the other woman, but maybe after today he would. United at the moment with the same goal, he might appreciate the Hand better.

"Let's get moving. Once Drogh gets his additional support, we will meet up here. Let's get our man first so he can be dealt with."

Their presence had not gone unnoticed and she smiled as she sensed the shadows gathering. A storm was about to break...she and the men around her were the eye.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Vulpesen"] [member="Ivory Stroud"] [member="Drogh"] [member="Edward Thane"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Chaos... that was the Valde's first thought when he finally reached [member="Drogh"], and [member="Ivory Stroud"]. All around the pair, he could see the Cthon filling the area, moving to overwhelm his companions and he knew at once why Ra had suggested he move to help this man rather than join her in her own advance. "Excuse me, this is a private meeting!" The Zorren's voice boomed as his palms outstretched. He might not have particularly liked Drogh, but he was a member of the hand, and as such, he was sworn to protect him. In this spirit, a spray of golden lightning leapt from his fingers over the pale crowd. One after another, Vulpesen ensnare the monstrous creatures in a net of electric judgement. He wouldn't kill them. He wasn't about to break his code for such filth... but they certainly wouldn't be fighting for a while once he was done.

[member="Riamah"], [member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Edward Thane"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh saw the sea of gold sprawling out, as spastic and twitching pale bodies that fell on the floor. Their howling painful shrieking scream was immense, carrying both great anger and agony, the scream of the forsaken. The Skraal all stood in silent awe, looking at the bright eyed Zorren as some sort of deity, not before long beating and biting the twitching and convulsing Cthon. Soon the broken ground was filled with these charred, broken and gnawed corpses, Skrall taking of leg and limb for trophy, or a snack. "Y-y-you have good friend Drogh." A Skrall said, dressed in beaten rags, forced around his deformed waist by a piece of old rope. "Yes, and with these friends, we can take The Pit, together!" Drogh said, his voice actually commanding, instead of the bitter dreadful mumble that he was so used too. Yet Drogh saw something very disturbing, the former old rat he was talking to was blasted to pieces, his chest burst out, all his organs on display. He looked to the broken formations of ancient metal and stone, someone was out there. "Everyone get to cover, some one is out there!" Drogh said, rushing underneath some old rubble, hopefully shielding him self from whom's ever sight it was.

Yet, in hearing of their dead comrades, their mutilated and horrific yell of the blind ones howled across the dead and ruined rock. More would come, soon and in great numbers, even with their primitive savagery, they would be overwhelmed. "You will tell others, run along and bring me back your entire tribe, we shall gather at The Pit." Drogh said, as he hid, a equally scared Skraal, looking at him. Yet a sinister cruel smirk emitted from his lips, a threat to make sure they heeded his words. "If you do not, I will bring down a hell on you like you've never known." If the Skraal had not seen that great feat of power, he would of bitten Drogh's face off, but with meek hesitant nod, he scattered off, along with his brethren, darting off into the broken ruins.

Drogh turned away to look at his "friends" a term that he held with bitter contempt, he did not like that he needed them, but even Drogh was aware he couldn't do it alone. Yet he wasn't about to lower him self by thanking them, or even showing the smallest amount of gratitude, he didn't have too. "I might have died had you been any later." Drogh yelled, waving his arm for him to join him in cover,. "Oh and Ra's 'sister'." Drogh said, deliberate and obvious skepticism and sarcasm poisoning the words. "I'd love to catch up and chat, but if we don't leave now, we could be dealing with thousands of these faceless things, we need to go now." Drogh said, as the mutated cries got louder with each moment. "Do we have transport?"


The Pit.

A dark deranged part of the Coruscant, a vile festering place where the line between sentient and non was blurred. It was a broken city within a broken city. The streets run red with madness, lines of loyalty and land were paved with blood as warlords fought for the smallest of streets. Constant skirmishes were not uncommon, and war painfully frequent, it was a wonder it had not cannibalized it's self yet. However, for a few mouths, years or even decades a "Lord" might proclaim his dominion over the shattered city, the blood may spill slightly less for a time. A current warlord, Grauger had maintained surprising control over his city, killing any who dared oppose him, yet it didn't matter how many hearts he took, more and more would rise up against him. This was their culture, their tradition. Yet, the only thing that would ever unite the city was against the Yuuzhan Vong. Yorik Coral coiling it's self around broken skyscrapers and old rubble, twisting them into fleshy stone abominations. Every year it seems the eldritch influence of the Vong grow, as the pit is slowly choked by flesh.

Yet within the center of it all, the last standing sky scrapper of The Pit. Grauger sat on the top, on his throne made of old wood and butchered steel, a fine layer of the flesh of his enemies coating it, making it ever so comfortable. The Skyscraper was torn in half, the dead wind blew across his hair and beard, overlooking his dreaded city. He might have been a lord of the most vile, poor, disgusting city on Coruscant, but it was his. He was Lord Of The Pit, and the Lord of The Pit, was scared. He didn't show an ounce of it, he had that hard emotionless look, like the ancient stone that surrounded them, but he could feel his reign being threatened, something worse the any Warlord. "M-m-my Lord." A deformed human, he had a club foot, a deformed face, as if he was christened in acid when he was born. Great broken eyes that stared meekly, and a titled jaw spoke words that could barely muster, "The Vong, t-t-t-hey have been gathering, your subjects report that their attacks have become more f-f-f-frequent, we slaughtered many of them, but we fear it is time.." The messenger said, his wheezy, stuttering hazy voice. "Why was I not told sooner?" Grauger said, his voice tranquil and steady, yet harboring a great rage.

The servant forced a nervous smile on his defeated, moldy lips "I-I-I do not know m'lord." Grauger left his throne of merged metal and flesh, walking towards the edge, looking down at his city. He could smell the ancient polluted air, the sunless sky offering naught but blackness, only below were the any shambles of light, old distorted fires and ancient lights that sparked the last bits of life they had. It was so dark down here, he began to think, how much of his life had been sent in total darkness. Grauger stopped these meaningless thoughts, thinking at the matter at hand. The Pit hated him, only his war band was truly loyal and even they had disobeyed him before. But, everyone in the Pit, no matter what grudges you held, you always hated the Vong more. The Pit would untie against them, as they always had done. "We go to the Proving Grounds, we rally anyone able to fight, tell them, the time has come." Grauger said, as he dismissed the messenger with a wave of his hand.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Ivory Stroud"] [member="Edward Thane"] [member="Vulpesen"] [member="Riamah"]