The Crusade Begins...

[Zhaelor Anor]

The (New) Yuuzhan'tar System​

Approaching Orbit...​

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The CorDuro marked freighter flew toward the mottled sickly green planet of Yuuzhan'tar, the home of the co-existing Yuuzhan Vong who remained in the galaxy following the war centuries ago, becoming domestic amid the new galaxy. Within the medium-sized transport, which was carrying imported supplies for the planet below, a pair of Duros manned the controls and another group of the species occupied the passenger area. Little was said between the gathered individuals, they were simply waiting, as the ship continued to lumber closer and closer to the supposed home of the once war-faring race.

"Permission to dock approved, Executor," The pilot announced, speaking Galactic Basic, as his large head swiveling to look back through the opening to the Duros behind. "We will be landing near Luminoss, said to house the highest population of the Vong."

Arms crossed, Duros features passive, the one known as Executor simply nodded.

"Land nearer the outskirt communities of the city."

And with that, the freighter continued its passage, ion engines burning hot as it approached the orbit of the planet nearby...

​

Later...​

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The ramp of the freighter lowered, bringing a wave of heat into the interior of the vessel. The Duros Executor walked down, heavy footfalls thudding, before the alien set foot on Yuuzhan'tar. For a moment he simply looked around, taking in the scenery, absorbing what was said to be the new homeworld. It was a poor substitute, filthy, covered in other species that brought nothing but taint to the name co-opted by a pathetic Vong collective.

A domesticated Vong collective.

The arrival of the transport hadn't gone unnoticed, as a small group of Vong guards approached. They wore clothing fashioned after the galaxy they lived, brandishing weapons similar to the Vong amphistaffs but with more modern variations in the construction. It even seemed there was some basic technology the domesticated Vong used, if the communications devices on their belts were any indication.

"Yun-Lingni greets you," Said one of the guards, who offered a bow. His visage lacked much of the signs of escalation. "Your delivery was expected days ago. And why did you not land in the central city?"

The Vong spoke near perfect Basic.

"Who is Yun-Lingni?" Asked the Executor, the Duros inclining his head as his large eyes narrowed. "Speak, now."

The Vong guards were put on the defensive, as they each grasped staff weapons tighter. The head Guard, who had greeted the group of Duros, took a step forward and placed himself within inches of the questioning Duros who showed little respect. His lip-less mouth sneered, sharp teeth chattering with each word.

"Our god, the herald of evolution and incarnation... what is it to you, Duros? Who are you to question us? Deliver our goods and be gone."

For a moment the Duros remained silent. Then the alien reached up, rubbing a finger along the edge of his lip, up toward his nostril... and suddenly the very skin of the Duros began to melt away, starting at the head, and flowing downward toward the ground as though pulled by gravity. As the false skin washed away, pooling at the newly revealed individual's feet, there was a single grunt of pain expressed by the Executor. He was no stranger to the effects of using a masquer, and had long since learned to suffer in silence. Straightening, there stood a tall Yuuzhan Vong, muscular but lean, dressed in chitinous armor and flowing cloak that began to spread its spiked extensions outward now that it was free of the masquer it had worn.

<<"I am Zhaelor Anor, Executor of the Yuuzhan Vong Empire,">> The Vong said in a low, guttural tone. His words were in the language of his culture. <<"And you do not dare speak to me of your false god, nor your domestication with the non-adherent of this world...">>

The guard blinked, mouth open, shocked. He stepped back, but suddenly felt a searing pressure in his chest... and glancing down, the guard saw the Executor's left arm had thrust forward, a pair of long blades extruding from between the knuckles on his clenched fist. Those same blades, from within his forearm, had impaled the guard fully...

<<"You are weak, you are corrupt, you are shamed... the true Yuuzhan Vong are now here, to claim this promised land, and your heretic kind will submit and re-convert to the true gods, or be slaughtered...">>

With a surge of strength, Zhaelor Anor lifted the dying Vong up into the air, suspending him on the blades. Glaring at the other guards, who were watching in disbelief and suffering from inaction, the Executor threw the soon-to-be corpse aside and contracted the blades back into his forearm. The corpse hit the ground with a thud.

<<"Reveal yourselves, brothers and sisters,">> Zhaelor Anor said, as he looked over his shoulder to the other Duros. <<"And prepare to deliver holy retribution on these heretic fools. Kill them all.">>

The false Vong guards began to charge the group, metal-staffs raised...

 

[Ehud]

Ah, Yuuzhan'tar.​

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My home, my lover, my quarrelsome spouse.​

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You have let yourself go, love.​

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Where is your drive? Where is your ambition?​

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Lost in weeds of metal and tech.​

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Let me help you stand on your feet once again.​

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​

Ehud did not join the Empire on the "Duros" ship. He had no need. He was already planetside, ingratiated amid the group of Yuuzhan Vong. This was his home, after all. The priest had been reared on the mucky ground he stood on. He'd grown up alongside these people, alongside the lesser species, alongside this stunted planet. It was beautiful at times, a place of mutual thought and understanding, where the Vong and the lesser-folk could coexist, sharing cultures and ideas. But Ehud understood that made the Yuuzhan Vong weak. It stopped them from living up to their full potential.

The liberators would change that. And he would help.

He walked amongst the Yuuzhan'tari that went to the ship, trying to mask the pestilent cold deep in his bones. He recognized many of them. The priests of Yun-Lingni, and the warriors of no importance. He knew their names, had conversed with many of them, gauging which he could turn to his cause. Their cause.

Two warriors of Domain Shai traveled with him, each clutching their amphistaffs with some nervousness. Ehud caught their eyes as they walked, and nodded solemnly, stepping forward. This was what needed to be done. For a stronger Empire. For a stronger life. For a stronger future. They understood that.

They all understood that as the ship landed, and the Duros departed. Ehud examined the creature speaking for a moment, and the disguise being shed. Ehud knew that face. He trusted it. The call to action was sounded, and the Yuuzhan'tari sprung to action.

Or, at least, the one in front of Ehud tried to. He tripped quickly, caught by a coral dagger between his unprotected shoulderblades. The older Vong's guards finished that one, then positioned themselves to protect the Godless Priest from counterattack. He simply reached down, and with two tugs, reclaimed his dagger.

<<"A true shame, to take the life of a brother,">> Ehud said, voice gravelly and weathered with age. He sadly cleaning the ritualistic dagger on his red robes, smudging them with black ichor. He regarded the body, as his guards fended off another pair. Perhaps he saw its eyes angle up. Perhaps he saw a plea for mercy.

<<"You are the first. But you will not be the last.">>

The dagger fell again. How could he wash his robes of all this blood?

- [member="Zhaelor Lah"] -

 

[Elafuh Thaal]

As the [member="Zhaelor Lah"] made his move she ripped free of her disguise, She despised taking on these disgusting forms even if its needed. The process in removing the shell as always was extremely painful but the look of shock and surprise on the heretics was enough for her to recover from the pain and call her Amphistaff and prepare for battle.

She snarled as she saw what these heretics did to there creations, Vong who dare to mold there sacred creations with the disgusting technological abomination deserved a fate worse then death and she took pleasure out of decapitating the heretics with her Amphistaff, Her staff spewed its venom into the faces of two heretics that came for her to blind them before slashing there necks with her claws.

As they fell the black ichor oozing from where she cut as she walked over there corpses and continued her killing spree, Using her amphistaff on one hand and her razor sharp claws as she moved forward as she continued slashing and brutally killing the Heretics that charged for them.

The time of these heretics is over...It was time for the Vong to return to there original glory once again and She shall see to it that it rises to its peak again.

[member="Ehud"]

 

[Alexandra Porte]

​

Traveling in the belly of the metal beast was not a pleasant experience, but a necessary evil to pull off their surprise visit to the "New" Yuuzhan'tar in the Outer Rim of the Known Galaxy. Ghorza Yim had been one of the chosen ones to accompany the Executor of the Yuuzhan Vong Empire to this planet the Untrue Vong called home... Well not for long.

A small smirk grew on the young shaper's cloaked face at the thought of how much fun she was going to have practicing upon heretics or other pathetic subjects that were unfortunate to have not died first in the cleansing of the Yuuzhan Vong's new homeworld to be.

When the time came, the Shaper Initiate too removed the masquer that of a Duros, relishing in the pain as it melted away so that it feed her fighting spirit. Ghorza shouted out in their language the battle cry of the shapers. <<"Fy'y Roog! Fy'y Roog!">>, then the Yim followed closely behind the adept shaper, [member="Elafuh Thaal"], whom she hoped to become apprenticed to soon.

They slaughtered with joyous rapture those that did not deserve to be called Vong. And, it felt like a righteous act for it was most important to preserve the true ways and the continued survival of their species as it should be.

[member="Zhaelor Anor"] | [member="Ehud"]​

 

[Zhaelor Anor]

​

The fight was brief, over in moments, as the more peaceful Vong guards crumbled under the ferocity of the warmongering Yuzzhan Vong from beyond the galaxy.

For his part, Zhaelor slew several using the deadly claws that extended from his left fist. Black blood and gore covered his entire forearm, and had spattered his torso, by the time he sliced down his last opponent. Standing over the corpse, a sneer on his face, the Intendant looked over toward the elderly Priest that stood with his own guards. There was a moment of consideration before the younger Yuuzhan Vong stood straight and retracted his fighting claws, flexing the fingers on the hand, before he spoke.

<<"Priest, it is good to see you still maintain devotion to the Empire,">> Zhaelor said in a low voice, as he flicked his left arm to free it of some black blood. <<"I saw you with the guards and thought perhaps you had decided to turn your back on the True Way...">>

The Executor smiled, his teeth showing easily from between thin lips, as he bent down to retrieve the masquer on the ground not far away. Even though the disguise wasn't useful right now, it was still an invaluable for pre-invasion and further operations to spy. The masquer was placed into a small organic pouch on Zhaelor's hip, before he cleared his throat and regarded the others with a motion of his clean hand...

<<"We are the first of the Praetorite Vong sent before the invasion, so we speak with the authority of the Supreme Overlord and act on the Yuuzhan Vong Empire's behalf,">> He said, before looking back to the Priest. <<"Introductions will have to wait, time is of the essence. As we agreed years ago, it is time to meet and discuss with your settlements leaders... we will follow you, lead the way.">>

Now would be the most interesting moment prior to the invasion itself. Now the Empire would see how far the peaceful Vong had fallen, and whether they had any remaining fighting spirit or religious fervor to call upon for the coming war. Part of Zhaelor hoped they had none, simply so the Yuuzhan Vong didn't have to bother with questioning such a docile and unprepared people, but even the Intendant couldn't deny that every able individual was needed for what was to come...

 

[Ehud]

Ehud stood back for the rest of his fight, watching the bout with some interest. One of his guards went down in the scrap, flanked, tripped, and mauled by amphistaves. It was a waste. He spent too long convincing these Yuuzhan Vong of the necessity of the Empire. To have one of them fall so easily was a wake-up call.

If they had proper training, that man would still be alive.

The priest shook himself from his musing as the fight wound down, locking eyes with [member="Zhaelor Anor"]. While the younger Vong's eyes were full of confident intelligence, Ehud Jamaane's eyes were weathered. Tired. But full of some degree of hope. The object of that hope walked up and spoke to him.

"Gadma dar, Zhaelor Anor," the old man said, stepping forward and inclining his head. <<"I welcome you to my humble home. My apologies for the mess.">> His cheek pouches inflated to show happiness, but the gesture didn't reach his eyes.

He chose to ignore the fact that the Intendent Executor had doubted his loyalties, instead looking to the rest. He didn't bother to hide his melancholy, but he couldn't help but be impressed all the same. So efficient. So ruthless. So Vong.

He would be their guide on this planet. Perhaps in the sense of directions to Luminoss from the outlier communities. Perhaps in more beneficial ways. <<"Of course,">> Ehud rasped. <<"No need for introductions.">> He began to walk, at a brisker pace, toward the larger cluster of buildings that was Luminoss.

<<"There is a meeting in session now,">> Ehud walked with a confident, young gait, despite the wear-and-tear on his body. <<"I managed to convince some of the Intendents that a planetary tax standard was in their best interests. I scheduled the meeting two days ago. Two days of arguing over taxes is, honestly, an easy assumption, considering who is in charge at the moment.">>

<<"Not for much longer, I hope.">>

- [member="Ghorza Yim"] - [member="Elafuh Thaal"] -

 

[Tchurokk Yun]

Tchurokk was one of those that had acompanied Zhaelor. After managing to make contact with the Invasion Force well on their way. The disfigured and scarred Vong Seer could only grin, as he watched Zhaelor lead the others from the ship they had taken. To claim the settlement of the False Vong was the first steps on the path to enlightenment, towards the first steps towards the rebirth of the True Way. The only way that has allowed their people to prosper, to be both loved and feared. Centuries of shame will come undone when the Invasion arivves and unlike the first Invasion the galaxy was ripe to fall into the hands of the Vong.

When the group had all but disposed of the guards, the Warrior Priest had followed them long after the carnage was over, while yes he relished pain, warfare all the tenets of the true way, he was a spiritual and tactical advisor that answered to Zhaelor, the headress he wore symbolized his unique connection to the God, often heeding their wisdom and visions and thus in turn giving it to Zhaelor. Now the Gods have sent him signs. Signs of the galaxy being born anew, not as political refugees but as saviors and conquerers. To save the galaxy's inhabitants from themselves, and to have them reborn from the pain and the chaos that is rampent in the galaxy.

Following the group, to meet yet another priest who was in league with the Praetorite Vong. He whispered silently to himself. "Everything is going as the Gods have forseen, soon the great journey will be at an end for our brothers and sisters." He said continuing on with the group to the meeting.

[member="Ehud"]
[member="Zhaelor Anor"]
[member="Elafuh Thaal"]
[member="Ghorza Yim"]

 

[Elafuh Thaal]

Her blades retracted back into her wrists and her Amphistaff that finished killing the last of the guards slithered back to her and coiled around her right hand, She collected her Masquer and put it away into her pouch on her ribs before she gave a small respectful salute to the priest [member="Ehud"] whoe greeted them and told them of the meeting with the pacifist vong leaders.

She turned to [member="Ghorza Yim"] for a moment who kept near her and was a wild one during the fight with the guards, So far she was pleased with her performance and devotion and may speak to her later about her future but for now the time had come to meet with the leaders of this world and have them either submit or fall to the True vong empire.

@Tchurokk Yun

 

[Alexandra Porte]

​

They had taken out the 'domesticated' Vong greeting them fast and without mercy upon landing on New Yuuzhan'tar. These heretics didn't deserve any thing more or less, plus weakness needed to be culled as their pathetic fight showed.

Ghorza was not born into the warrior caste, but carried a warrior spirit within her being nonetheless. Perhaps it was one reason why the young shaper was chosen to join the privileged ranks of the Praetorite Vong.

The Yim had studied while on the long journey through the Intergalactic Void to the Known galaxy using a qahsas upon the Koros-Stokna that was her birthplace. Unlike their leader, [member="Zhaelor Anor"], this was her first time in the Promise Land. She had taken note of all the mistakes of the previous group of Praetorite's that caused their failings during the First Invasion of the galaxy... Ghorza would be ever vigilant and forward thinking to not let that happen again, if at all possible.

The snake-like weapon recoiled itself upon her arm after the last Untrue warrior was killed, then the Executor spoke to a Vong Priest, who had been living among the heretics it seemed. The Seer with them also spoke words of wisdom and guidance. There was conveniently a scheduled meeting of the resident Vong going on as the elders talked in tongue so that is where the group of Praetorite Vong would go next... to convince them to join them or die.

Gray-blue orbs caught the pleased gaze from [member="Elafuh Thaal"] as they began to move out to the location of the ongoing meeting. Ghorza gave a respectful nod to the older female, then put away her cloaker and fell in behind the adept shaper with expectations rising.

[member="Tchurokk Yun "]| [member="Ehud"]​

 

[Ehud]

Ehud led the group through Luminoss with an easy grace, as if he had walked it's grounds for 200 years. In actuality, it was more than that. By quite a few decades. He knew its streets in and out. He understood its people better than he understood himself. He didn't need a map to the Government Building, to the rotting heart of Yuuzhan'tar. It was built like every other Vong building, but had electronic lights. Ehud personally thought phosphorescence was easier on the eyes. He wouldn't hate to see that go.

<<"Now, must I emphasize the need for restraint?">> Ehud tried to keep the pleading out of his voice. Pleading didn't go over well with most Yuuzhan Vong. <<"These are still my people. Our people. No need for senseless violence. Let us save the violence for those who deserve it most.">>

​

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<<"No, a twelve-percent increase is far too much! How do you expect the Ten Percent to pay such a tax?">> A particularly gaunt Yuuzhan Vong stood from his seat, staring down an equally-gaunt woman across from him. The woman, to her credit, didn't back down from the man's bullying, instead staring him straight in the eye.

<<"I have half a mind to chop your head off here, worm.">> The Vong woman bared her teeth, cheeks flaring with rage. <<"Twelve percent is generous. It is a marked two percent down from when you brought this up yesterday.">>

<<"I would still be twice as intelligent as you with a worm's brain.">> The Vong man sneered, seemingly pleased with his own wordplay.

Ehud led the Imperial Vong to the center chamber. Everything here was lit with natural light, the seats, the clothing, the building itself naturally grown, as is the ancient way. Ehud leaned into the group of Imperial Vong, expensing what knowledge he could.

<<"That would be Intendant Zhai Marr, and Intendant Elkara Pof. Party chairpeople, if such a thing could exist here. They have not agreed on a policy in four years.">> Ehud shook his head, trying to remain inconspicuous with the newcomers. It seemed the political leaders hadn't yet realized the intrusion, even as some of the lesser-ranked Vong took note. <<"Intendant Marr, the male, is a man of finances. He cares more for amassing wealth than even his own people. Then there is Intendant Pof. The fire of rage that follows our people, with no enemy to direct it against. So she turns it on other Yuuzhan Vong.">>

<<"I doubt both of them make it out of this meeting alive.">>

If he were being honest. Ehud thought neither of them would make it out alive.

- [member="Ghorza Yim"] - [member="Elafuh Thaal"] - [member="Tchurokk Yun "]- [member="Zhaelor Anor"] -