The Eye of Madness || TSE Dominion of AG-8 Hex

[Sar-Ka-Roi]

"The Sith are ruthless and cunning, dangerous if they were left to their own devices I assume. But from what I have gathered the rowdiest elements are kept in line by the Emperor's will, his is a rigid example of what a Sith is meant to be, I suppose. At least that's what I've heard from the acolytes and knights I've had the pleasure of working alongside in the past, the youth seems really captivated with his Highness."

And while the news of certain actions like Munto City or Thyferra has always not settled well in his stomach, he never actually let it affect him negatively as those locations were so far removed from the Empire and what he considered to be his native lands. So what if some nameless faces were wiped out of existence, surely the Emperor had his reasons for doing so. He had led the Empire into an age of prosperity and of bountiful wealth, and every citizen he had come across was living in a secure and threat-free environment wherever the Emperor directed his influence.

Much better than the lawlessness beyond the frontier, or the despicable mob rule that epitomized foreign governments like the New Republic.

"Better a dumb creature than a smart person, I always said. At least you know the animal isn't thinking like you." He said with his own version of a smirk, his teeth shining in the dim lighting of the bridge as the partition opened and they entered the command deck. There were several other pilots already assembled, though the debriefing had not yet begun. They were all of various shapes and sizes, but most of them were distinctly humanoid like the Cadet SarKa had escorted.

Once everyone had assembled and were standing at attention, the Imperial Officer began to roll out the mission assignment. "This is to be a simple search and recovery mission, pilots. We've tracked the missing cargo vessel's ion trails to this remote part of the sector, but the trail has gone cold on the edge of a vast nebula. As a team you'll be required to comb the nebula for the mission vessels, visual scanning will be difficult so you'll need to rely more on your targeting computers. The lead vessel in question is a Vicar-class Cargo Frigate, the Lucidity. Should you locate the vessel, comm in and report back to the Silooth. You are not to dock with the lost vessel on any circumstance, do I make myself clear pilots?"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Dismissed, good hunting."

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Evaelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Alexa Morgyn"] | [member="Eshre"]​

 

[The Amalgam]

Post: 4

Objective: 3 (Survive battle with light side reflection)


The Reflection endlessly deflected the ferocious attacks of the person it mimicked. Soft blue met unfeeling purple in a near blinding clash of light.

The Amalgam's eyes had gone a feral yellow, deeply immersed in hatred for this reflection of herself.

This Lie wore her face. It was an insult. And it told more lies still.

The Amalgam did not think of herself as Uri's mother! She'd barely even been aware of her during her slumber, and Uri's weakness and lonliness and morality and everything disgusted her--she may respect Uri for her skill. But that was where it stopped--

Uri's green eyes stared at her rotten soul from within her brain and made the dark writhing thing shudder...

...with loss. With grief...

The Amalgam was too slow to stop the strike to her thigh, that left a small but dark quarter inch trench in her right thigh. The Amalgam collapsed nearly but her hatred kept her going, allowing her to ignore the pain and retreat, almost feral with homicidal fury at herself. At her weakness...

This obsession with a lonely, insane bounty hunter was far, far more twisted than even she had imagined.

"You truly are a wretched creature, Leejun." The Reflection said with pity. "The only creature in the universe you can relate to, and you must destroy her as you destroy everything you come across if you truly want to reach the next level of your power. And you will be more empty and lonely than even your own master was."

"I bring her to glory. I perfect her..."

"Excuses." The Reflection interrupted with a dismissive wave, giving a spin of her blades. "You need her. You need her to give you meaning. The Brain Demon needs her also, but not the way you do, so it allows you to indulge your obsession...for now, until it no longer needs you. Or her. You know this, deep down.

"Uri Udinia is no daughter to me!" The Amalgam hissed.

"Risidual anger. From when she rejected you the first time. Anger because you know you should be." The Reflection asserted, stepping forward, making The Amalgam back up against the rune-lined chamber.

"She is an heir, a successor, nothing more..." the shapeshifting fiend hissed, face half hidden in the shadows of the chamber, but what was visible displayed the partial decay she had suffered from such intense exposure to The Light.

"All of which make you responsible for her...just like a mother is towards its child. But you are too twisted to guide her to anything save an early grave..." The Reflection said, giving another flourish of her blade.

"Let go of your hate for the galaxy, Leejun..." the Reflection demanded. "Turn away from this insanity you've committed to with Uri. Its not too late, you still have a chance to embrace your better self. You can become me...You can have a meaningful existance like you've always wanted. You might even be able to convince Uri to forgive you one day...its a slim chance but there's hope..."

"I grew up in a place where the galaxy very clearly told my old self what it really was..." The Amalgam growled from the shadows, flourishing her one staff. "I would never lift a finger to save it as it is. Not for Uri, not for all the knowledge of The Bogan itself..."

"Then you are a fool! A vain fool holding onto a petty grudge with the whole of creation!" The Reflection exclaimed in pure disgust. She angled her blades at the Shi'ido, who went into a guard, revealing a sagging, half melted face from Ashla exposure.

"If you cannot or will not become me, than I cannot allow you to leave this room alive and go on to hurt others. I must protect Uri in the way you never could."

The Amalgam sneered at this. "Don't worry. After you're dead I'll do plenty for Uri..."

The Reflection sighed as The Amalgam attacked again.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Location: Velox-class fast frigate, Silooth
Nearby: [member="Sar-Ka-Roi"] [member="Evaelyn Zambrano"] [member="Alexa Morgyn"]

"My work is mostly expeditionary, and so I have a fairly close working relationship with the Armada"

Her's was the task of landing troops on enemy land and seizing it for the Empire. That was how she maintained her link to the battlefield and the violence that made her heart pump and her mind work. This meant she spent as much time with Armada personell as she did with the Legion, though she herself only held rank within the former. This was also why she had ships under her influence, albeit not under her direct command.

"They have gone up against the best of what the galaxy has to offer, purging the weak from their ranks and uniting the strong." "As long as you are an asset, they will have your back."

The gentlebeings of the armed forces were not so imbued with the dark side as their Sith commanders, but they definitely held some of the same discipline.

"While your superiors will say completing is what matters most, your comrades will see a reckless pilot as a danger to their self-preservation." "And once you have the trust of your squadmates, they will have your back no matter where, when, or what."

That was, in Joycelyn's mind, how one cultivated a strong and tightly knit military force, and how one kept it from falling apart.

"It seems you have missed the briefing."

 

[Jamie Lysle]

Location: Velox-class fast frigate, the Silooth
Allies: [member="Sar-Ka-Roi"], [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"], [member="Evaelyn Zambrano"]

Despite being on the capitol of the Sith Empire, the Bastionite had hardly run into any herself. She had heard stories of their cruelty of course, but it was all Jedi lies as far as she was concerned. The Jedi had never shown the people of Bastion any love in her life time, whereas her people had a deep engrained history of respect with the Sith. They could be cold and stern of course, a trait that Alexa found rather offputting, but they did value her people. She and her family were treated right and aside from that Karkhead of an instructor, she had never run into one that was threatening.

A black sleeve raised to the pilot's mouth as she covered a small giggle, not wanting to seem improper, as a response to the Tiss'sharl flanking her.

"Dumb animals are fun, but I can't say I mind the company of people." She said with one final smile to the raptor beside her. "One of the best perks of the job."

Alex gave one final nod towards her companion before she let out a grunt to clear her thoughts and expressions, taking a stern look before she fell in line for the briefing with the rest of her fellow pilots. She stood idle as the instructions were read, though her face contorted as her imagination came with what nightmares out here had taken hold of the ship.

It was pulled back to the commander as she saluted along with the rest of her division when he asked if they understood.

"Sir, yes sir!"

The Bastionite was preparing to go before another figure's booming voice brought all eyes towards her, Alex's gut sinking as she turned to look at the figure of a woman darn near twice her height. Alexa had never been the biggest in the room, often enough she was the smallest. But nobody had ever quite dwarfed her like the woman did now.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

He couldn't hear much. There was that silent drifting of noise on the wind, or lack thereof. Kole wasn't quite able to place it, but, by now, he'd really come to ignore it and allow it to peacefully coexist alongside him-- even if it went against his better judgement, or, once again, lack thereof. It was through his innate-- rather the opposite --ability that enabled him to pierce through the darkness to some varying levels, and his eyes glowed with each bit of reflective light that struck his iris. That light had only come from the RCD-01 Drone that hovered alongside the Android, emitting it's soft hum that seemed so loud in the current situation, shining it's torch through the darkness in an effort to allow it's would-be master to traverse such an unsettling environment.

Kole might have been designed and programmed, least initially, to serve an Empire faithfully and without question. But he experienced far more than any combat model droid might have in his short years, leading this journey with twists and turns that unravelled a truth and left so many things in the shadows. It proved as to why the Agent was even remotely capable of wishing to be somewhere else, with someone else, and not desiring nothing more than an accomplished task here and now aboard this silent station drenched in mysticism and fear.

His hands expertly fumbled over one another with precision, grasping at thin wires that had been forced together. The Drone brought light, and Kole brought access to somewhere entirely new. It was with a final spark that a door had hummed, forcing his eyes to dart in the direction of it as it's unlocking mechanism seemed to make use of itself.

Yet, Harper only ever saw a few feet in front of him. He had a long way to go to reroute power to this particular section. Not even he knew the specifics. Time. Time would tell. Kole sighed.

 

[Koda Fett]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

Errand Boy.

An awfully expensive errand boy covered in thick armour and armed from head-to-toe. He was from the ideal and picturesque notion of one, to be sure. Yet, it often proved beneficial when these seemingly simplistic tasks involved the securing of unknown properties for an anonymous individual on Bastion, warned for abyssal horrors that were likely out for blood. Fett was hardly a fool, and had arranged to be paid in advance. The Bounty Hunter had seen so many things that he shouldn't question anything that was rumoured to be potentially dangerous. Although, at the mere uttering of an abyssal horror that dwelled within the darkest regions of the space on the edge of the galaxy, he scoffed. Perhaps he was the fool he so desperately claimed he wasn't.

The Spear II thrummed so evenly as it coursed through this field of debris, drifting so aimlessly on a course to nowhere. It's lights pierced through the void, shining bright upon those that remained, proving to the Mandalorian that it wasn't the sole item that he sought. He had been informed of a specific crate, one that was large with the numbers '0782' imprinted upon it's side in bold and oversized lettering.

He pressed forwards on the sticks before him, further advancing through the cargo that trailed outwards. The Spear II's red console shining up towards him, reflecting from his armour and visor, offering a slight distraction from his intensive glaring. It seemed, as far as he could tell, that this crate had not yet drifted outwards. Fett was required to touch down within this large and ruined freighter and search inside. They rumoured pirates had done this damage, but the cargo would surely be gone. Koda hadn't a clue as to what it was, but wasn't afraid of no ghosts; nor did he believe in them.

Foolish.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Objective I: Investigate the Listening Station
Gear: Robes | Nan Quan | Howlys | Lightsaber
Tags: [member="Elias Zenduu"]
Nearby: [member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

The Sith courier exited from underneath the shadow of the star destroyer.

Framed on either side by droid TIE fighters, the transport slid across the silent, empty expanse. The shuttle arrived at the seemingly derelict station. Ostensibly, their mission was to discover what had happened to the crew of this station.

Realistically, they were here to staff and re-activate it. To that end, the boy's shuttle was packed with the scant dozen survivors from Luria that he had managed to conceal away before [member="Mythos"] had come through with his column of death and destruction. The listening post on the frontier of the abyss was hardly promising, but it was work for the Empire.

And work for the Empire meant that they would continue living.

That was as much as the young acolyte could do for them. Not insignificant, considering that Mythos' had cut a dead scar across their home planet -- in the middle of which, none of their homes or previous lives remained. Most of their families were dead. The listening station was, at least, a chance for life.

The courier landed inside of one of the hangar bays. As the loading ramp dropped, two stormtroopers emerged to form the security escort that framed the small, cat-earred youngling. The boy's black robe ghost just an inch off the floor, shifting about his small frame as he marched at the head of the disenfranchised Lurian refugees for whom this station would be their employer, their home, and their jailor.

Pausing a moment, the boy produced a holo-imager in the palm of his hand. A blue-scanline reproduction of the station was illuminated there, rotating around as the hologram zoomed in on their present location, then shifted again to highlight a particular section.

"The habitat ring is further within," the boy noted, returning the holo-imager to his pocket. Turning to look up at the stormtrooper to his left, the young Cathar said, "We will start there."

 

[Vestille Thumahra]

Vestille Thumahra | DRIZOTH​

---

---

​

---

Edge of the Galaxy​

Objective I :: Investigate the Listening Station, CONSUME WHAT REMAINS​

Nearby: [member="Kole Harper"] | [member="Micah"]​

​

The station was desolate, save for the encounters that the demon had savored and feasted upon.

Yet more would soon be arriving, the Sith Empire. He did not know if what he had done to reach this place had become public knowledge yet and, further more, if the incoming vessels knew that Drizoth had taken off across the galaxy and now found himself aboard this very station-- Bah, paranoia was for weaklings who couldn't stand up for themselves or felt threatened by the motives or power of others. This demon felt no such thing, only a craving and hunger most wild to which none would be spared from his wrath or his blade. Their blood was his for the taking; Republic, Empire, Light Side or Dark Side, all would fall victim to the tip of his songsteel messenger, the extent of his will. The General had a fine blade indeed, albeit corrupted-- Yet in the hands of Drizoth, the Executor's already standing taint grew only with the corruption of the demon that possessed it but that was not all. The body that had been graciously handed to Drizoth during the 'negotiations' with the beings beyond the door had begun to show signs of demonic presence, a metamorphosis that was slow thanks to the lack of consumption but the signs were no doubt there. Horns began to grow, the tongue began to extend and the head began to shift, the helmet that he had once worn became broken and useless, a fate that the rest of the armor that the figure was hidden behind would soon fall to.

It was only a matter of time.

This station was not the bounty that he had sought, rather the grave of many a poor soul that had befallen the horrors that resided upon the station. Yet... The Imperials would make a good substitute, yes. Those sent to investigate would become fuel for the transition to a new form, a fresh body to which the crusade of slaughter could begin properly. His heavy footsteps echoed through the otherwise derelict corridors, taking note of the eerie silence and the occasional gust of noise that came from an adjacent corridor or another. A sensation running through his system told the demon that he was not alone, something was watching him and his every move. Not just one thing but several, a creature that had a presence that felt alien, strange-- Not of familiarity but this did not stop the demon from advancing with his skulk through the halls of the station. The Imperials were to land soon and would be thrust into the mystery that surrounded the crown upon the edge of the Galaxy's light, peering into the dark abyss and stretched for eternity. If there was something here, it was not of this galaxy, something that did not understand empathy or cooperation-- Something that sought only the consumption of the souls of the living. To Drizoth, perhaps this was a worthy fight, something that had to be drawn out and beckoned into sight; the demon knew only one method to draw attention-- Noise.

A roar echoed through the hallways then. An invitation, a beacon aboard the derelict station-- The call to hunt was sounded and carried through the steel hallways that created a labyrinth within the dim lighting of the station.

"COME, CREATURES. COME AND FALL UPON MY BLADE! YOUR ESSENCE WILL BE CONSUMED ON MY PATH TO ASCENSION!"

 

[Mythos]

An invitation Mythos could never deny...

When he burned the tree he sensed the owner of The Judicator, his old Makashi teacher, [member="Darth Pyrrhus"]. He should have known then the trail was cold, hard to tell with a Sith lile Tanek. The ship was clearly one of a kind, fit for the triumvir and their lord of knowledge. "But why?" That is the thought that troubled the Sith Magnus as he walked in the direction of his ancient teacher with his Axe swinging like a pendulum at his side. The aurodium armour was shined and polished to a prime, his helmet was always stuck in his under arm as he waltzed through the ship as if he owned it.

Why? Why did Tanek go to the Tree? What could he possibly want from that wretched pile of light? The very thought made him instinctively clutch the incomplete amulet of the Ancient Eye that hung around his neck. Did he know? Was he there looking for it too? If anyone had come across a book or a scroll pertaining the Eye it would have been Tanek, he was after all, the teacher of teachers.

As Mythos traded his ancient powers of Telekinesis, Sith Lightning and the power to conjure literal storms of power he gained in return an incredible and almost omniscient force sense to compliment his future sight. What threw him off this being a normal visit was pain... a fountain of it and it came from Tanek. It was the reason why the Axe of Adas was swinging like it did before taking life, it's blade bringing sparks off the durasteel it struck with each swing.

So many question yet no answers, only speculation, and the insecurity made him prone to violence. If Tanek was to fall, the Empire would feel his death strongly. Whatever was happening needed to be resolved.

Mythos stormed through the ship with eyes set upon the force signature of Tanek and flanked by his Anubian guard and the NSF strike team. If something here was attempting at the life of the Torgruta and it could be shot at, it was going to have a bad day. When the entourage of the Magnus and his warriors burst through the command port and surrounded the bridge they did so with speed and intent, Mythos leading the centre.

What he found was something that could not be shot at, whatever was creating this fountain of pain from Tanek could not be seen. His eyes were milky white, as those of a blind man seeking to gaze through the veil and detect this entity if it was ethereal yet to no avail.

He should have understood then why he had gone to the tree, the purpose of his search yet he could not yet place these pieces together. His Ax hit the ground simultaneously with his right knee. A scene played many years ago in Atrisia on the hunt for a certain Chiss Aristocrat.

"My Lord Pyrrhus." He said, flicking the golden hair from his brow while gazing at the dripping blood from the Triumvirs nails. "Something troubles you?".


It was framed as a question but it was not spoken like one.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Objective I: Investigate the Listening Station
Gear: Robes | Nan Quan | Howlys | Lightsaber
Tags: [member="Elias Zenduu"]
Nearby: [member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Kole Harper"] | [member="Vestille Thumahra"]

The pair of stormtroopers led the way.

The cat-earred Sith was at the head of the column of disparate refugees cobbled together with little else in common, other than being in the right place at the right time for the Cathar to have scooped them out of the way of [member="Mythos"]'s campaign of fire and brimstone on Luria.

A presence.

It was gnawing at the peripheral of his senses. He'd been conscious of it since before they had arrived at the station, but it had remained elusive. Undefined. He'd assumed it was some sort of Force ghost. A surplus of some incorporeal energies. The sound of the roar tearing through the interior would seem to have suggested otherwise, assuming that the two were connected. Or even one in the same.

The boy stopped, the black school robe flaring and shifting about his small form as the Cathar kitten spun. The roar was echoing through the catacomb of corridors. It was impossible to orient himself to where the sound might have origin. The station was a labyrinth of metal.

"Hold here a moment," the boy cautioned, as the stormtroopers returned to his side.

Dropping the hood of his cowl down to his shoulders, the young Cathar stretched his arms out in front of him. Drawing in a deep breath, the boy steeled himself as he closed his eyes. His hands and fingers articulated a series of arcane gestures, as the child's voice could be heard to utter a mantra in the arcane, forgotten language of the Sith.

His voice was soft, barely more than a whisper.

In his mind's eye, the Cathar kitten was traveling away from his body. An astral projection ferried through the Dark Side of the Force, traveling from one shadow to the next, as the boy peered into the abyss and stared out through the myriad of shadows as he explored the cavernous space station like a spectre from the deep and dark. [Force Shadow]

 

[Rakaan Horne]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

The Agent continued to traverse perpetual darkness, or so it had seemed. Kole had cautiously, and, admittedly, with hesitance taken slow footsteps. His brow had creased, forming lines in his forehead as his brow shifted over the highest point of his artificial eyes. It had been in both an attempt to see further and greater, but also in reflection of his quite visible discomfort. He may have had that Drone idly shifting alongside of him, providing a light, but it wasn't anywhere near as comforting as another Agent or Inquisitor. Harper had been spending more and more time alone on these assignments. He never thought to admit it, but Djorn was someone he missed in these moments.

Now how was that for someone so inorganic? Far more real than those whom created him gave such credit.

Kole had his attention stolen right from himself as his entire body swivelled in place in an attempt to witness whatever it may be that created such a horrific sound that echoed tremendously throughout the station. Had it been a Sith lusting after the blood of those rumoured pirates, or something else, something far more fearsome that was out for the blood of them? He hadn't known, and, truthfully, he hoped to never know. Harper's feet shuffled backwards as the beaming light of the Drone pierced through the darkness of the lengthy corridor, and Kole saw nothing. Nothing bar the soft-dim lights of panels in emergency-settings and such minor details that weren't even worth noting. It was the unknown that he feared more, for it was something he could not face.

Oh how he longed to be elsewhere, within the company of someone specific. But, that part of his life was over, and she was gone. She was gone at his own doing, too. He had done all he could, but he could not contain her any longer-- he could not allow himself to do so, and thus, they parted ways. Kole often pondered as to where she had gone, surely leaving Bastion, and it plagued his dreams. He missed the way she casually placed her hand over his own, the way in which she looked to him for an answer to anything, and how she so poorly pretended to sleep when he awoke in the early hours of the morning. It was for the best, though. He couldn't afford to die on a station such as this and leave her with nothing, but this way he could give her a chance to live without him; to learn to.

Nevertheless, Agent K-001 had since moved onwards from both scenarios, one with a stronger lingering presence than the other.

[member="Vestille Thumahra"]

 

[Koda Fett]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

​It was as if sound had entirely vanished, taken from him as if it were any semblance of freedom that he desired through his service to a Republic turned Empire. Yet to be lost to time, but simply to memory of those that had not lived then. He had grown increasingly tiresome of those that had, regaling many in tales of a time since passed. Fett desired nothing more than that particular past to be buried, and buried deep. Could they not let such sleeping dogs lie, and cease this torment upon a Clone that remembers it in such vivid detail? No, perhaps not. It may have been of a time they were fonder of, and who could blame for their preference? Certainly not this Bounty Hunter.

He looked out to those pieces that drifted so aimlessly in their motions. They had once banded together to create a larger portion of this carrier-freighter, but since broken away to enable easier access for would-be thieves and those that otherwise sought such treasures that slumber in their chests. Koda heard nothing more than his own breathing within his infamously designed helmet, stained with scratches and scorches, least of all a dent resting above his visor. A meagre clunk echoed through his armour, signifying that his magnetics had indeed activated. The Mandalorian could feel weight once more with each step he took.

His gaze panned so idly throughout the torn apart hangar, observing the finer details that lay untouched within. Fett had certainly been no fool, but even the intelligent fell victim to stupidity for one reason or another. He stared intently at the evident damage caused, and despite it's peculiar nature thought nothing more than the rumoured pirates. For one who had battled both Jedi and Sith more times than most of his 'colleagues', he was unwilling to reach into their religions for answers in regards to this.

Yet, he most certainly should of.

Fett pressed downwards several times against a keypad, illuminating each key after every press. It, in time, opened a door only to reveal another. It had been a process repeated, but not before closing the door behind him. Now, met with oxygen, gravity, sound and stench. A foul one, at that. His eyes had not betrayed him here, and it was clear that such a rotten smell departed the rotting corpses ahead of him; ravaged. He knelt down beside one, investigating it's wounds and general state.

It was clear to him that this wasn't the work of mere pirates, and that made his grip tighten around that Carbine of his.

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Bnar VII​

​

A rusted fence cried as it wavered with the wind. Flickering neon lights above and wet duracrete told Fiolette that this was probably a bad idea. Sith-Imperial Armada above was the boot on the neck of the people here. Bend the knee or perish, they chose the former over the latter and here she was walking the alleyways behind a strip mall. Cold crisp winter air chilled her to the bone, the wind was not kind. It cut through her jacket like a thousand little knives. A speeder awaited her near the end of the alleyway.

Bnar VII's capital Srosa was fairly typical for most modern planets, an array of aliens, humans, cyborgs and still it held a unique culture. Climbing into the speeder, Fiolette was greeted by another admiral, a general, and someone who she presumed to be an Inquisitor. All part of a delegation set to meet at the capital building, the large centralized pyramid in the center of the city. Notes had been handed out by a diplomatic aide. Surface harbors were plenty for Srosa, a massive island that relied heavily on star and surface ports to move goods across the planet.

While unusual to send so many dignitaries for what would have been a nominally swift takeover. It seemed the Bnari wanted to work out something of a deal. Thus, the Sith Empire would hear what they had to say and see if what the Bnari had to offer would suffice.

 

[Sar-Ka-Roi]

With the debriefing over, the pilots scurried off to the flight deck to board their fighters and prepare for launch.

SarKa managed to reach the bay faster than the other pilots, his saurian physiology designed for speed on the open plains as a callback to his people's primitive past. His own starfighter was specially designed for his unique shape, with extra space added for his tail and the controls augmented for use of his clawed digits. With the press of a button, the top hatch popped open and the lieutenant slipped inside, closing the hatch behind him as he sat down in the pilot's chair. He went through his pre-flight routine through sheer muscle memory, powering up his engine as he slipped his flight helmet over his head and completed the air-tight seal.

Once everyone else had accomplished the same, the green light was given as the squadron's leader thundered out of the hangar with everyone else on his tail. The onboard navigation computer allowed the other pilots to coast in synchronization with the lead pilot, ensuring that they didn't break formation or outpaced him as they approached the nebula.

Now that they had breached the interior of the nebula, orders were relayed to each pilot to ensure that the nebula was combed as thoroughly as possible. SarKa received his and confirmed his understanding over the comm, "Raptor Seven acknowledging Raptor Leader, breaking away to conduct the sweep." He and the others broke away from the formation, staying within visible proximity but wide enough that they could cover as much ground as possible without any gaps.

The search was on.

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Evaelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Alexa Morgyn"] | [member="Eshre"]​

 

[The Amalgam]

Post: 5

Objective: 3 (Gain wisdom, defeat light side reflection)

The Amalgam hissed out of nothing more than murderous fury as she assaulted the hated reflection from every angle she could think of, but the Reflection could anticipate any move made, and her blows hit nothing but air or blade, the sounds of their clashing ringing out in the square chamber.

"You are a plague where ever you walk..." the Reflection chided, enraging the Shi'ido, "A cursed shadow, dreaming too long and too desperately to eacape the reality of what you are."

"I am a preacher of The Bogan. I carry its wisdom where I step. I help the Sith tear down all that men and women know to make something better. I am not a curse. I am not evil. I am simply abiding by my beliefs." The Amalgam countered, her face sagging more and more on the left as her body started to decay. It was not as serious as the threat from the Talisman, but it was not far from it.

There had to be a weakness, some trick she could use. But it was becoming more and more obvious a direct assault was useless.

The Amalgam jumped back and let loose a severe blast of lightning, throwing all her hatred into it.

The Reflection blasted it back with her own Electric Judgement, the green and purple lightning fighting each other, making a great glare in the center.

"The harder you fight me the stronger I become. I'm the doubt Leejun. I'm that which secretly writhes in you, regretting what its become. Regretting it will never be able to make up for all the pain its caused to so many people. The pain its caused to dear Uri, the only creature we relate to."

"You are nothing but the sweet lies of Ashla. I will not yield!" The Amalgam roared at her reflection.

"Than why are you losing?" The Reflection asked, her lightning pushing back her real counterpart's own energy. "Give in Leejun. You've spent your existence flirting with the light in your every infiltration. How can you be secure in your beliefs if you don't actually try it for yourself and see if all that garbage The Congregation told you is the truth?"

The Amalgam screamed as she lost the lock and was blasted against the walls of the inscribed chamber. She felt her insides wrench, decaying a little further.

She struggled to rise, but The Reflection was already there, jamming her hand against The Amalgam's stomach.

"Surrender..." the Reflection pleaded, and The Amalgam screamed as her dark nature fought against the spreading presence of the light in her body, the Reflection's hand seemingly phasing through the Shi'ido's stomach.

It was corrupting her, trying to rework her very nature, trying to drive out the malice and awaken the soul buried in the shadows. She fought it with every ounce of rage she could muster, managing to pull away, one of her purple blades scratching one of the enchantments on the wall to her right.

The Reflection cried out as a scorch appeared on her shoulder.

The Amalgam stared and then grinned. She slashed the wall again.

The Reflection yelled, a scorch appearing on a green armored thigh.

The Shi'ido staggered up, attacking the wall viciously...

(Conan The Destroyer theme plays)

The Reflection screamed as a large trench wound appeared on her stomach, making her buckle over in pain.

The Amalgam darted to each wall, tryinging to stay out of the Reflection's reach, slashing repeatedly into the enchanted walls. The Reflection tried to blast her with judgement but the blast was now so weak that the Shi'ido was able to catch it with her blades.

"Leejun...don't...if you stop me, you will never get Uri to forgive you. To accept you. You will throw away any chance you have at a family at all..."

The Shi'ido was silent a moment.

"She doesn't have to love me in order for me to make her better. Make her beautiful..." the rotting creature said in a quiet rasp...

"Poor sad creature..." The Reflection remarked on her knees, by this point covered in burns and scars.

"Unlike us...she already is...you will fail..."

The Amalgam had heard enough. She stabbed an important looking etching, written in a circular fashion.

The Reflection screamed as bright blue light erupted from her skull, spreading, turning moltens as her body began to break up and then exploded in green flame.

The Amalgam felt herself ripped towards the center of the chamber, a sudden infusion of red lightning hitting her, feeding her weakened cells dark power. She regenerated in seconds but it was painful in the extreme. She lay on the ground a couple of seconds, writhing in pain.

She heard The Brain Demon's voice in her head.

Welldonemybeautifulbrilliantsadistdoyouhavetheanswertothatwhichyousought

The Amalgam could only nod in pain. It wasn't physical, at least not just physical.

It was the crushing knowledge that she felt something for another.

She saw someone as hers. Her personal creation, even though it was not so.

And with feeling came conflict...but it would not be enough to sway her from guiding Uri, no matter how it hurt...

...for either Uri...or her...

For the first time ever, The Amalgam was confronted with the idea that some sacrifices for power and glory could still be painful. It also led to another rotten truth...

The Amalgam had been lucky in a sense. Growing up with nothing had made sacrifices easy to make.

But gaining something during her sleep, gaining that heir she had sought for so long...

...and now no longer quite so eager or in a hurry to speed the process up.

Thisisyourtruetestmysweet.Youmustsacrificetheonlycreatureyoulovetoyourambitionsandshatteranychanceofhereverforgivingyou.Iwillaidyouinyourquest.


The Amalgam spasmed as her mind was reached into by her patron spirit...she felt some of its essence course into her, reinforcing her poisonous spirit with its wisdom from the dark shadows of the spirit realm it crawled in...


(Core Lightning strength increased)

New Force Lightning Rank: 3

 

[Vestille Thumahra]

Vestille Thumahra | DRIZOTH​

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​

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Edge of the Galaxy​

Objective I :: Investigate the Listening Station, EXTERMINATE THE WEAK​

Nearby: [member="Kole Harper"] | [member="Micah"]​

​

Oh this station was alive alright, home to the damned and the abyssal horrors that now made their sanctuary here.

The demon's challenge was echoed throughout the station, the metallic hallways amplifying the roaring words to fall upon the ears of whoever cared to listen. He could smell them, yes, yet that was only their presence at its most basic value and gave no insight just to who these people were other than living beings and their connection with the Force. Yet that of which was living, no doubt personnel of the Sith Empire, the presence of something much more sinister roaming the halls lingered upon the tip of his tongue; exotic but by all means dangerous and alert to his location as their signatures began to close in, the sound equal to howling wind filling the hallways as the repugnant creatures grew closer and closer. It was a slow process, their movements equal more to a graceful glide as opposed to the hunger-ravaged scurries and rushes of what one would equal a wild animal. Drizoth stood between the Imperials and the deeper reaches of the station where whatever unspeakable horrors made their residence, yet it seemed that they would soon come face-to-face with one another one way or another. Many would worry themselves with the fact that they were pinned between two hostile forces but the demon merely reveled in the fact; the compact metallic hallways made it hard to maneuver and escape-- A perfect killing ground for one such as he.

Human or horror from the darkness of the abyss, both would fall before him, their essence feeding his eternal hunger. The latter made its appearance first.

From the hallways, the lights began to fizzle and break as the creatures made their appearance from the darkness that followed in their wake; creatures floating above the ground carried upon themselves cloaks made of rags, natural clothing made from none other than their own flesh as their faces of tendrils and eyes focused entirely upon that of which was made of dark side energy made manifest. The silently moving entities ranged in several in number, called out from their sanctuary by the beast that sought nothing but to leave a blood trail in its wake yet to these creatures from beyond the void, the majesty of the natural killing machine was entirely lost, seen as merely an intruder for what they had laid claim to and nothing more. A stand-off was to begin, the only movements made in those choice moments were merely more of the creatures making their presence known. In the face of it all, a sneering laugh was issued towards the creatures, followed by a roaring question that echoed throughout the hallways;

"THIS IS WHAT BROUGHT THIS STATION TO SILENCE? PITIFUL. YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS GIVE YOU LITTLE CREDIT, ABYSSAL SPAWN, FOR IT WILL NOT SAVE YOU."

And that was that. The demon charged forward, only to be brought under the assailing forces of the creatures that stood before it. Each raising their hands and forming energy of unknown power before flinging it towards Drizoth, striking his frame and causing him to stumble back some as the effects of the attack left their scorching marks across his chest; the whispers of madness filling his senses and blinding him as if the words themselves were binding in their nature. This of course left Drizoth reeling, stumbling as he began to remember what pain felt like, the sensations of the energy lashing against his figure and giving the sensations of such was a feeling that he had grown all too reminiscent of, perhaps even longing to feel it once again-- Being a spirit trapped within a host had only sated some of his desires but this? Full control? Connection to everything? It felt wonderful, a bliss that was generated even by something that most would sense as negative but that was not all. Rather than succumb to the sensations and the maddening effects of the energy he had just been hit with, this instead powered the demon, feeding mental reserves and a blood-lust longingly wishing to be tapped into. This desire, this frenzy that sought to be unleashed found its opening-- A monstrous roar screeched across the station as he charged with the intent to clash into the creatures of the abyss, sword in hand swinging and slicing violently as unholy entity scrapped with unimaginable horrors.

The sound of the corrupted songsteel sending ripples of noise equal to a harrowing bell toll with every strike.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

It came once more; it was as if it were some piercing shriek that echoed throughout the dreaded halls. It reverberated off of each and every wall, finding it's way towards Agent Harper and his relatively passive-- for now --drone. It wasn't entirely capable of comprehending such a sound in the way that Kole had, and that was a shame. It meant that when the Agent hastily turned instinctively, the Drone simply had not. It's light remained ahead, illuminating those halls in which they crept, and Kole was left to brave the darkness alone after he had come to a stand still. He felt fear, yes, fear in those things that he had not known and dared not to. The Android briefly closed his eyes and softly shook his head from left to right as he turned back in the direction he once was traversing. It was nothing he should be concerned with, or so he had told himself.

It did sound far enough way, after all. Kole, albeit with discomfort, could elect to ignore such demonic disruptions. Regardless of how irrational that sounded.

He sped along if but for a moment, coming alongside the Drone that unintentionally left the Agent. Kole cast a momentary glance to an item that wrapped itself around his inner-forearm, rotating it to witness a dimly lit screen that illuminated upon completing it's rotation. It appeared to be a guide, a map of sorts. It told him where he was going, at least. Harper snapped two fingers together, allowing a click whilst both offering a brief and sharp whistle as he flicked his head towards the direction of a doorway. It was evident as to where he was going, and now the Drone knew exactly that. It hovered right before him, cautiously entering a room.

Kole didn't quite know what it was, but he smelt something rather foul. It hadn't been on the decomposed sort, but instead mechanical and unnerving. Certain things seemed out of place and in a state of disrepair, or so he had been lead to believe once that light cast itself over the room. His face scrunched in upon itself in disgust, the back of his free hand attempting to cover his nostrils, and his right still pertaining that blaster. All he could do was look for now, what with so many options at his disposal.

Awfully complicated.

 

[Koda Fett]

AG-8​

BRAXANT SECTOR​

​

Everything had become stale. Fett had cautiously traversed these monotonous corridors as they soon began to blend together, as if nothing had changed and the Bounty Hunter had become destined to roam them forever. He might of believed that if not for the scarcely placed viewports that offered a glimpse into the void beyond, and these inklings of the vessel he shifted so uneasily through. It took a lot to unsettle Fett, but discomfort and fear were not one-in-the same- no, not here. He believed himself above fear, incapable of understanding it as if he had conquered it. It might of been true, but he might not of come face-to-face with the very things he fears most. Beasts, both Man and Creature, had been slain with ease and satisfaction. Yet, it might of been something else that Koda Fett found most terrifying; something that lay dormant in the most deep and dark corners of his heart and mind- untouched, and undisturbed.

He peered right through his T-Visor, and past the various displays that had made themselves known across his HUD. Fett witnessed a literal hole, as if something had torn straight through several floors both above and below. It might have been natural curiosity that had drawn him to the edge, but it didn't seem to matter. Fett shifted his feet, no longer magnetised to the flooring beneath him, to the very edge. He leaned right over, staring straight down. He had seen nothing that he hadn't already; more levels that seemed identical, but a pile of metal so jagged and wild that lay at the bottom. That, and something bright. It teased the Mandalorian as it concealed itself within a crate, seeping through the cracks that had been made. Koda had allowed his Carbine to be slung right over his shoulder, resting there as he began his descent. Hands and feet positioned with care as they clambered down a hazardous path, weary of potential beasts that lurked within.

Koda gripped at the large crate's door, sliding his fingers within before reeling it back with the added strength that crushgaunts provided. It creaked and whined, but eventually provided a hole large enough for the Bounty Hunter to enter and sate his curiosities. He had been disappointed, however. He had known that it was not the item in which he sought from the crate alone, but to see an Imperial locked away in stasis had been certainly surprising. Yet, it had it's uses. And, as the dearly departed Jango had said, 'Trust no on, but use everyone.' Koda had that very intention in mind when he forced this Imperial to awake. The machine had hissed and blown out steam, reviving the slender figure of a Navy Crewman. It's eyes had taken some adjusting to, and it grunted with discomfort. But, ultimately, it spoke. "Are they gone?" He frantically spat before furthering, "Have you killed them?"

The Bounty Hunter lofted a brow beneath his helmet, curiously cautious. "They?" Koda questioned, certain that the answer was to identify the attackers. "Those t-things!" The Imperial struggled, lurching forwards from the pod only to collide with a crash on the metallic flooring as Koda merely stepped aside. "You have to get me out of here, I'll do anything." It claimed, sluggishly rising to their feet with their voice reeking of desperation.

"Crate 7-9.2. Take me to it." If anyone had known the location of them, it were the crewman who so cowardly concealed themselves in stasis. Perhaps they believed they could be left alone, or found when this vessel was picked for parts. Either way, Fett knew their uses. He hadn't found any of these 'things' yet, but the more time he spent lurking, the higher the probability had become.

 

[Iago Zacarias]

Location: On a boat
Objective: Locate missing vessels
Tags: [member="Kaalia Pavanos"]


Dagorn was not one to go out on investigations such as these, considering it really wasn’t something he trained in nor was it on his resume. He was more the type of Trandoshan where someone would point at what to kill and would accomplish it. Be paid in credits and, best of all, awarded by the Scorekeeper.

Get two prizes with one stone.

Only problem was, was that this operation he was hired by the Sith Empire wouldn’t get him any Jagganath Points. He would be compensated with his payroll by the Sith, but it wasn’t enough to cover the Points he could be earning for himself. He’d have to at least kill one living sentient to take some points under his belt. However, with investigating missing vessels the chances were slim. Something to snarl at in displeasure.

There were, however, two Sith Lords in the back of his freighter that could be killed; and considering that they are beings highly adept in the Force the Scorekeeper would reward him handsomely, not as much as a Wookiee. He could kill them, yes, but he opted against it. He was disciplined enough in order to see what the future of this mission hold in store for them. Maybe there was some fresh meat ready to be slaughtered. Just maybe, though it didn’t stop him from considering one of the Sith Lords as prey.

 

[Shade of Decay]

Location: On Dagorn's Boat
Objective: Have tea while Dagorn locates missing vessels
Associates: [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] [member="Dagorn"]

While Dagorn contemplated the philosophical effects of piloting a freighter to search for other freighters and how it would relate to his afterlife, Tsisaar sat on a chair sipping tea. He wasn't alone, of course—there was another Sith back there with him—but thus far the conversation had been somewhat dry. "So, tell me more about Krest," he suggested, coming up with a new topic to hopefully engender better discourse. "During my only interaction with him, he never even managed to finish brewing the tea he'd started before something else called him away, so I'm afraid I don't know him particularly well—we've already moved farther along in this than I ever got with him."

Not hard to do, when the only interesting thing that had happened during that discussion was Tsisaar getting to see the Sithspawn that Krest kept in the waters near the academy.

While he waited for a reply, his thoughts drifted back to the Trandoshan piloting them. He wasn't entirely sure why they were riding along with the bounty hunter, though at least the accomadations were comfortable enough. Hopefully the giant lizard wouldn't get them stuck in the middle of a fight with pirates, if there were any around. Maybe if this doesn't pan out for him we'll be able to go investigate the station. That could prove interesting, so long as there weren't any undead on it this time.