The Rapture - Protectorate Dominion of Kaeshana

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]


Seemingly in a flash, it began and then it was already over. A trillion souls cried out in unspeakable agony and then they...vanished. Everywhere across the Galaxy people from all walks of life disappeared. 'Force gods' as well as mundanes, queens as well as beggars. There was seemingly neither rhyme nor rhythme to the disappearances. Kaeshana, homeworld of the Eldorai people, was not untouched by the cataclysm.




Suddenly the gleaming city of Santaissa seemed far less lively than it had been in the past. Traffic had come to an almost complete standstill. Across the city both Eldorai and foreigners had just disappeared. Entire military units of the Eldorai army, Firemane mercenaries and the Angelii suddenly found themselves decimated. Not by being struck down by an enemy. Or at least not by an enemy they could see. It was...deeply disturbing and reminded many an Eldorai far too strongly of ancient legends their people had so long believed in. Much had changed on Kaeshana ever since it had been forcibly opened up to the rest of the Galaxy. It had, though quite reluctantly, welcomed foreigners and embraced their technology. Once the planet had struggled to defend itself against savage pirate fleets, but now its soldiers wielded modern weapons and powerful bases with sophisicated planetary defence systems defended it against foreign invasion.



But now...all this seemed uncertain, vain, futile. The Tirathana Skyport, once a hug of commerce and a powerful defensive bastion that watched over Kaeshana in orbit, was all but deserted. In times of crisis, people seek hope from any source. Kaeshana, long a hotbed of tension, between reformers and religious radicals, was on the brink of explosion. Unrest and looting spread across the city, and the Dark Eldorai, an insurgency beaten years ago, reared its head again.



For how could these events be explained if not through the prism of religion? Had the Star Queen Tirathana the Seventh, once known as [member="Anya Venari"], not defied the will of the Goddess when she opened up Kaeshana? Truly the only redemption could be the one that could be gained through blood. And was this not a chance for the Eldorai to decide their national destiny once more, free of the human Protectorate?


Deep inside the ziggurat that served as the palace of the Eldorai Queen, Seraph Kaida Taldir was bent over a table that was filled with situation reports and maps. It was a map of the apocalypse, of chaos and disorder. An aide was giving a report to the taciturn, often cold Angelii officer.


"Those are the latest reports from Ashira's Crown about disappearances. Some of our units are only at quarter-strength. We've lost contact with the security forces on the Tirathana Skyport. Widespread looting and rioting in the Visitors' Quarter. Soldiers from the 3rd Regiment are in open mutiny. No word yet from the Grand Seraph. We fear...," the aide reported, sounding nervous and anxious.


Kaida cut her off before she could continue. "We are Angelii, we do not do fear, Host Leader. I want data on who we have available. To guard this palace and our bases. And then to restore order. 2nd Company Angelii and Ariane's Fist have reported in?" she asked, or rather demanded.


The Host Leader straighened a bit. "Yes, Lady Seraph. There's been attacks on the Fist's barracks, but they fought them off."


At least the Queen is secure, Kaida thought to herself grimly. If Anya had vanished, open civil war would be the result. "Get through to their commander and tell her we need her tanks here. Here. Chaos is breaking out. Word from Firemane?"


The Host Leader shook her head. "No, ma'am. All lines are cut. We have no word from Countesses Kerrigan or Alcori." There was a pause before she spoke up again. "Ma'am, with all respect, do you think this is the end foretold in scriptures? That the Great Goddess has called the faithful to her side and..."


"Left the rest of us to languish whilst the spawn of hell is unleashed upon us?" Kaida finished for her, snorting derisively. "I think we are facing powers we have never heard of before, using magicks to spread chaos and disorder. I think they want us to panic...and that certain people will exploit this to gain power. I think it's our duty to restore order...and shoot anyone who threatens Kaeshana. Our duty's clear, protect Kaeshana's people and the Queen. Now get going. If Firemane is not answering, send a team to requisition their equipment. Bolters, walkers, whatever."

 

[Vaena Askari]

The Goddess is my salvation, my shepard in the night. Whom shall I fear?



These words offered Lady Tarissa Cadalthor little comfort in these moments. Everyone was gone...the villa her family had called home was deserted. Her family gone. Across the entire planet Eldorai had been disappearing, seemingly at random. Or was it at random? Had the Goddess called the faithful to her bosom, leaving those who disappointed her in a world torn asunder? Would the abominations from the deep arise and drown Kaeshana beneath the ocean? Had she then failed the Goddess? She knew herself to be an imperfect sinner, like all people, but had she transgressed against her so strongly?



She steeled herself as she tried to regain composure. Anything else would be unbecoming for an Eldorai, a daughter of the highest Goddess Ashira. It was undignified. All of this, if it was truly her will, was a test of faith. Or it was the work of malicious daemons who sought to cause chaos and discord. No time to get wobbly. No guards anymore, for they had vanished as well. She heard noise as she surreptitiously walked through the halls of the villa, hearing footsteps and shouts.



Then suddenly slugthrower and blaster rounds came her way and she was lucky to duck and seek cover behind a couch. Her powers, which never had been substantial, were greatly weakened ever since the disappearances had begun, and so she had not received a warning. The intruders were clad in military livery, most likely deserters who saw this as a chance to loot.


Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
In their blood the Goddess' will is written.


Taking a deep breath, she emerged from her cover briefly, squeezing the trigger. Blaster bolts shot out of her gun and one of the intruders cried out in pain and fell, then another. Enemy fire came her way and the couch was peppered and then blasted. Rolling under the fire she grabbed a grenade she had found and tossed it their way. Intruders dispersed and cries of pain resounded across the hall as a satisfying explosion was heard. Deaths were felt through the Force, though she cared not. More fire and she cried out in pain when a slug round hit her in the shoulder, another embedding itself in her knee. Tarissa fell to the ground, one hand clutching the open wound. Her gun fell out of her hand and the intruders approached her.


"The Goddess has judged us. Down with the oppressors and greedy aristos. Now we shall cleanse our land!" one of them called out triumphantly and gave Tarissa a very hard kick against the face that made her reel and knocked her across the ground good. Pure, unadulterated rage rose inside the Eldorai. Her powers were...weakened and it was difficult to manifest them, but they came to her in moments of extreme anger. This was one such case.



"Tie the queen up!" one of the intruders called out.


"Though darkness closes, I am shielded by flame," Tarissa muttered to herself very quietly. Then suddenly balls of fire manifested inside the palm of her hand. One of the attackers seemed to notice what was happening and raised her blaster, but by then Tarissa had already unleashed searing flames of scorching heat, bathing them in fire. Fire, the weapon blessed by the Goddess. It burnt and purified, cleansing all that was wicked.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
It had been a rare moment of privacy for them. Being Queen so often meant busy schedules, stress and drudgery. It wasn’t all sitting on thrones and commanding planets. It was the more mundane things as well.
Anya’s marriage had been entirely political, she had barely known Lord Malas beforehand they were betrothed. Yet here they were several years later. She had found that her affection had grown for him, and he was a worthy companion. And now they had some time alone.

However, just as they were about to kiss, he suddenly screamed and vanished! For a moment, the Queen stood transfixed as more screamed echoed out. Her Sciia convulsed at the sudden disruption to what humans called ‘the Force’.
Falling to her knees she was in shock…but then she remembered something more important. Driven despite the pain by maternal determination she threw herself through the door to the nursery and stopped.
Little Ariane was still there…asleep. Anya’s panic and tears turned to relief. It was selfish to think only of her daughter and not her husband, but she went to her daughter and patted her gently.
“Well…at least we have each other.”

She eventually found a guard and ordered them to guard her daughter whilst she found someone who could tell her what was going on.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Chance would have it that the Queen would happen upon Kaida. The Seraph looked stressed and in a foul mood, which could be expected. Yet outwardly at least she tried to appear as controlled and indomitable as ever. She was an Angelii, a soldier of the Eldorai people. It was unbecoming to appear anything else other than in control. Even if deep down she felt so much weaker than she had once been. Her control over what humans called the Force seemed impaired.



Yet she refused to let it show, and so when she heard the Queen enter she immediatey around and snapped to attention. The salute could only be described as bonecracking. "Your Majesty, it's a relief to see you're still here." Coming from someone else this might have been considered sycophancy, but Kaida simply did not indulge in that sort of thing.


"I've been unable to reach Lady Shaytari and have been trying to organise things. Entire army and Angelii have vanished, we're working on pulling available forces together to restore order. Fierce rioting has broken out in several districts. I suspect Dark Eldorai agitation. What's left of Ariane's Fist is deploying as we speak so that we can take action." she reported crisply. Straightforward, to the point, showing little emotion. That was what was safe and what she knew. Best not to show doubt or allow herself to feel it. "No word from the Protectorate authorities. Based on what we heard from offworlders, these disappearances are not just happening on Kaeshana."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth had woken sudden. Billions of voices across the galaxy, ripped from this existence and into another. The pain had been agonizing feeling the fear, the pain, the agony, and confusion as they were pulled from this world into another. They didn't join the force, at least it didn't feel that way to her. This did not feel like the death of billions if not trillions across the galaxy. This was something else entirely.

Stepping from her bed the redhead crumpled to the floor, sobbing. Still she was trying to deal with the pains she felt, the emotions of others that ripped apart the world around her. The redhead couldn't even see at first. Her eyes only saw hundreds of visions all at once, impossible to control as she screamed out in pain, unable to do a thing. She'd not need like that since she had been held in Wild Space. A good while passed with her on the floor, until she could draw upon the infinite strands of power and bring the visions under control. Finally with her walls up, defense against the emotions of others, she breathed heavily, catching her breath as she once more could handle it all.

Rising to her feet, she headed to her comlink, and attempted to reach Siobhan and Tegaea, but there was no answer at Firemane, and then the villa she tried again. It was then that a few tears fell, as she fear they disappeared in the darkness with the others. Suddenly Coryth Elaris, the most brave woman felt suddenly alone and unsure. This world, this place ... She'd moved here for them, to be closer. Closer to her most dear friends and now suddenly she did not know where they were. For once Coryth did not spread out her awareness to reach for them. Daring to do that under these circumstances could be disastrous. It could lead her to falling unconscious, and being lost for a while. It was not something she could risk.

Finally shaken from her thoughts, as she heard quite the commotion. People fighting in the streets. She glanced to Mittens, as he whimpered in fear sensing her distress and concern. He licked her hand. "I know Mittens, but I have to go. There is something I must do." She said to him, though through the animal bond they shared he understood her feelings better than her words. A whimper followed again from the animal as she quickly changed her clothes, armed herself. Stepping outside, she ducked under someone firing a blaster in the direction of a small mob. Coryth leaped in her speeder and instantly headed for the Palace as fast as her speeder would take her with little mind to anything else. She was on a mission now.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

The Queen tried not to let her relief show at the appearance of Kaida.
“Not just Kaeshana? Strange. But we have other things to worry about as you know. Kaida, in the absence of Lady Shaytari, you are acting commander of the Angelii. Do whatever you need to do to restore order in the streets, I will try and get communications re-established with the Protectorate and with the rest of the planet. Have you heard anything from Firemane?”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Kaida shook her head. "No, Majesty. Calls to Firemane headquarters and the villa have not been answered. We suspect Lady Alcori and Lady Kerrigan have vanished as well, but we're trying to reach Jedi Master [member="Coryth Elaris"]. I've instructed a unit to head over to the Firemane barracks to try and reestablish contact and make sure their heavy equipment does not fall into the hands of renegades. If Dark Eldorai insurgents make a move, it'll be a prime target for looting."


Kaida's opinion on their Firemane allies was not particularly effusive and glowing. Partially this was simply because she frankly could not stand Kerrigan. But in the final analysis her assessment boiled down to simple practicality. She was not uncritical of them, but acknowledged they were allies of Kaeshana. Hence them potentially having vanished was...troubling. Especially because frankly you could not count on the loyalty of heavily armed mercenaries once their bosses were gone.

 

[Vaena Askari]

Cadalthor villa, a good deal away from the Palace.



Fire was purifying. Fire was the cleansing wrath of the Goddess. Streams of scalding flame had leapt forth from her hands and burnt what stood in her path. Throughout the room the heat increased as she instinctively bent and manipulated the air currents, shaping it to her will. For now at least she could feel strong and powerful, the personified wrath of the Goddess.



Looters fell to the ground as the sorching fire engulfed them or turned tail and fled, for they had sought easy prey and not a fight. It was probably good that they had run away because Tarissa was not in a good way at all at this point. In this cataclysmic situation it was difficult to call upon her Sciia, and even moreso because she was no master of these arts. So she slumped and keeled over, blood seeping out of her wounds. Likewise her hands were shaking and even marked by slight burns.


She took a very deep breath as she lay there, looking upon the wreckage that was stretched out before her eyes. She felt tired and looked the part, but she could not allow herself to give way. Rest could come when you were dead. Not when there was work to be done. Duty to Kaeshana demanded it. To Kaeshana and...before the attack began she had tried to call the Firemane villa, but no response. Had Siobhan and Tegaea vanished as well? Tarissa frankly could not stand Tegaea and viewed her as a thief who had stolen her property, but that did not mean she wanted something ill to happen to her.


Well, except sometimes! But if they had disappeared that meant that...their daughter. What happened to [member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]?


If Siobhan had been torn from this world by the whims of malicious daemons, she had to check up on the woman's daughter, find her. Resolve filled her and with a shaking hand she gripped a lighter, suddenly feeling more controlled and calm. Her knee was looking...very nasty. No surprise really considering how badly it had been mauled. Closing her eyes she concentrated intently, beads of sweat dripping down her face as she pulled on the tangled webs of the Force, pulling what power she had left to force the bullet out. A gasp escaped her throat when it was finally torn out and tossed somewhere onto the ground, while she bit down on a piece of cloth. The pain was terrible but she persevered and slowly but surely held the lighter against her wound.


Yes, Tarissa was so insane to cauterise her own wounds with fire. Given how shaky her control over her Sciia was, she did not dare use pyrokinesis. She bit down hard on the cloth to keep herself from crying out as she felt the heat of the fire, the hiss of flesh and blood sizzling against, pain surging through her very body. She was shaking and trembling as the flame burnt across her wound and gripped the wall to keep herself from falling over. After she was sure the bleeding had stopped she put the lighter away, using an improvised bandage to cover the wound, and slowly arose. She stumbled out of the apartment, past dead bodies and general mayhem, to find her speeder. Apparently it had not been stolen.

 

[Veino Garn]

Defenders Vex and Ogreek had been promoted from door-wardens over the past several years to Jensaarai representatives to Kaeshana. Ogreek had matured quite a bit for a Rodian in that period, and as a human, so had Vex. Master Defender Gan Koruk however, had not. He was an Anzati after all, and he didn't age at all anymore, even with his probisci cauterized away as not to be a threat.

Koruk stood at the window looking down at the chaos below. Fires raged and he could hear blaster fire in the distance. He frowned, and unclasped his case, turning to the other two.

"We are needed, Defenders, although our powers are lessened. Armor on." He strode to a portable cabinet in the center of their rented living room. He opened it and began pulling out his armor. Vex and Ogreek followed suit with different cabinets.
Fifteen minutes they were suited up. Three imposing figures in duraplast and cortosis weave armor. Simple intimidation should be enough to put down most resistance, and for those who refused, well, their powers weren't completely gone. And Koruk was an Anzati highly skilled in telepathy.

They strode to the door, Koruk at the lead, moving with a feline grace, not unlike that sand panther his armor was based off of. Vex's was more draconian in design and Ogreek's somewhat of a bantha.

"Our first mission, Defenders, is to locate the nearest Angelii forces and aid them in whatever way possible. See if you find their Force signatures. They'll be weaker than normal."

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

The Queen nodded. “Go to it Kaida, and good fortune.”

She turned to one of the few Angelii who were still loyally following her. “Talon, I want you to do a roll call of everyone left in the guards, then get the rest of the staff audited. This is a disaster, but that does not mean we have to panic. If you see the Jedi Master Coryth send her to me. Get going.”

Soon she was alone, and the Queen walked back to check on her daughter. Fortunately the guard was still there. Ariane slept on peacefully.

“It is well you are too young to know what is happening, little one,” she said softly. “Guard her with your life.”

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

Dropping from hyperspace was a small fleet of ships, nothing major but... it was what they could cobble together from the remains of the crews of the once proud Protectorate Navy. Once proud. They'd not been proud in some time. Skilled, yes, adept too. But the Protectorate had been in station-keeping for a long time. It showed now that everything was gutted. They just couldn't do everything they'd once made look so easy.

Hastings stood in the hangar bay, staring into the void to the planet below. An unimportant world, so far as he was concerned, but one important to others. Solidify the borders; build a buffer to the Fringe. Perhaps they'd rally yet.

A signal went out, establishing that Hastings' was here with troops from Fondor. He needed a SitRep.

[member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]
The communications room was largely undamaged. The only problem was, of course, that some of the technicians had vanished, and others were panicked.
The Queen strode into the room, ignoring protocol about not interacting with her subjects. This was no time for niceties.
“In the name of the Goddess, I command you all to listen!” she ordered. It had not been a nice day, and her temper was frayed.
“Get communications back online now, link us up to the Tirathana and see if anyone from the Protectorate is aware of our plight.”
A reply was not long in coming. “Majesty, there is a fleet in orbit above from the Protectorate!”

The Queen took the communicator. “Protectorate vessels, this is Exarch Venari, what is your status? Can you confirm that other worlds have been effected by these ‘vanishings’? We have some considerable disorder here and many important persons are missing, but we are attempting to re-establish control. We could do with some assistance if you can provide it.”

 

[Veino Garn]

Koruk held up a hand and the two stopped behind him, slipping aside out of the main street as a band of panicked rioters made their way down the street. The three ignited their lightsabers in a hiss and stepped out to confront them. The group turned, frozen rather in shock, and Koruk acted. Not with the Force. No, that was too unstable. With his own telepathic abilities to strip their ideas of themselves away and show their behavior in the truest light of what they were doing. How disgraceful. How uncivilized. How harmful it was both to them and their society.

Most drifted off, but a few remained, unfortunately as belligerent as ever. This would take some more... emphasis to complete. He bore down their minds, wrenching forth their deepest fears and flashing it before their eyes, or so they thought at least. They dropped their tools of the trade and sprinted away, screaming bloody murder.

Vex and Ogreek shivered slightly in their armor and deactivated the sabers. Koruk was the darkest pinnacle of the Jensaarai, him and his branch of mentalists dedicated to removing any possibility of Jensaarai secrets getting out. Nobody was quite sure what methods they used, but the thought of them chilled many of the more idealistic Jensaarai to the core. None wished to end up facing them. But for the most part, they kept to themselves.

The three moved on, reaching out with the Force to try and find any of the local Force users.

[member="Anya Venari"] [member="Sarge Potteiger"] [member="Tarissa Cadalthor"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Coryth Elaris]

It was as Coryth came to land near the palace that she saw the riots up ahead. Setting down in a relatively clear area she quickly leapt from the craft. "As if the day can get any worse... Not fraking possible." She grumbled.

It was then as she spun around a sudden grouping of more people had emerged, looking particularly angry. "Oh, right .... Ask and ye shall receive. I swear if there is a deity of the Universe, I just know somewhere it's freaking laughing right now." The tiny woman said with a sigh as they seemed headed straight her way. You're a total trouble magnet. Yep, not even going to argue this time. Shoulda brought Mittens. Yes, bringing the Nexu to Eldorai court, like that can't go wrong at all. I never said it wouldn't go wrong, just that I thought it was a good idea. Hush you. I'm done talking with myself. You always say that but ... SHUT UP! Yes, mistress. Bite me. Sorry biting myself is a little counter productive. Point.

Even she wasn't a complete fool, and knew that on an entire raging crowd on her own was a most unwise thing to do. Though this would not stop the little redhead as it was looking like she'd not be getting in the palace without dealing with this crowd or the one behind her.

Lesser of two evils? This time, there wasn't one. She chose the on coming crowd rather than the one between her and the palace gates. Somehow the sense she got, was the force wasn't right. Not within her, and not in the outside world. It was a most strange feeling.

Choice? Ummm... Ain't exactly time for this sweetheart, either run or fight. That's the choice you have fight or flight.

It felt like forever as the crowd advanced. Surely there was someone outside, a guiding sign? But the stars were not exactly aligned in her favor.

Flight. Coward.

Coryth bolted as she ducked for cover.

Not listening to the backseat driver. Well now, I'm offended. Good. Shutting up yet? Nah.... this is completely amusing. Talking to myself, yes highly.

It was in that moment that Coryth spotted a few Eldorai Angelii ahead of the rioters and kept her head down as she ignited her saber. Though this time, she had to admit that it completely felt foreign in her hands. Even that familiar inscription against her hand felt so strange now. Has it really been that long? Yes.... And so, she came to join alongside the Angelii at the head of the crowd, doing her best to bat away stray fire, stray elbows, and somehow maintain some illusion of control upon herself. Something that entirely wasn't in her without the complete backing of her dominance in the Force. She was a master at the subtle arts of mentalism and illusion and now without that full power she felt naked, wrong in every way.

[member="Veino Garn"] | [member="Anya Venari"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

"Lord Protector gone, Exarch [member="Anya Venari"]. I'm First Captain Hastings of the Inquisition, currently field promoted to Vice Admiral as we establish contact with survivors. Communications down across the grid. Too many people gone too quick." That was her answer, alright. All neat and wrapped up in a tidy little bow. A tidy little bow wrapped around a whole empty box of air. "What do you need and where do you need it. We don't have much, but we can assist."

Dropships were being prepared, but nothing was going to be launched until they knew where they were going. Or that they could actually help. Who knew, they may just have to leave and return later with more vessels depending on the severity of the assistance needed.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]
"Well then, Admiral, I guess we have a lot of work ahead of us. We require medical supplies, fast moving transport ships, and some of your communication devices. We've managed to rally enough Angelii and soldiers to hold our ground for now and try and combat the unrest. My people believe this is the end times and that judgement is upon them. We need to show them that life goes on, that this is not unique to Kaeshana. Thank you for all your assistance. If you can, come down to the palace and meet me."

One of the Angelii by [member="Coryth Elaris"] turned to her. "Are you the Yedaii called as the Coryth?" she asked in slightly mangled basic. "The Queen desires you to be upon her," she added, doubtless to Coryth's embarrassment. Basic was a language with a few odd nuances not present in Eldarai.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

City of Santaissa,


[member="Veino Garn"]

Coincidentally, the three Jensaarai would happen upon a small unit of Angelii who, just as they, seemed to be trying to make sense of what the hell had happened. Several rebels had been cut down and slain by their blades, now their corpses lined the streets. The Angelii wore their imposing crimson battle armour and carried sarixi blades and bolters. Immediately upon having seen the three Jensaarai, one blonde-haired Angelii quickly raised her boltgun at them. "Halt, aliens. Are you for or against the Queen!" she demanded aggressively, clearly on edge.


Fortunately an Angelii Talon, who apparently was the NCO in command of this small group, quickly pulled the soldier's bolter down before any incident could occur. "Stand down, Wing Leader! I recognise them. They're the Jensaarai representatives," she said, voice firm, though she probably mangled the pronounciation of the order's name a bit. Basic was not a native language to the Eldorai, though it was being increasingly taught in colleges. "You want to provide aid, offworlders? We've been trying to make your way to the palace. Traitors like these have risen up in rebellion," she indicated the dark Eldorai with her blade.



At the Palace

[member="Anya Venari"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


Seraph Kaida Taldir was...not in a good mood. As a matter of fact, she was probably the angriest she had been in ages. Truth be told, she usually tended to be a calm and controlled person, often stoic to the point of appearing like a cold ice queen. To an extent, that impression was true. Her 'ironclad' self-control was also rapidly getting tossed out of the airlock.


Her planet was being torn apart by a disaster she barely understood. Legions of Reavers she could deal with? Been there, done that. Hell, she had faced Lotek'k, the titanic Terror from Beyond, and lived to tell the tale. But this...no, she could not think that way. She could not allow herself to think that way. Kaeshana would fight, Kaeshana would be right. And anyone who tried to drag it into chaos would be shot. Not because of a false Goddess, not because of a Queen or a bunch of aristos, but because of Kaeshana. If there was a goddess whom she worshipped, then it was her country.


"Seraph, intruder alert at the outer perimeter. Rioters and Dark Eldorai are trying to break through! Some of the Angelii have turned traitor and joined them," an Angelii Talon, which was the Eldorai equivalent of Sergeant, called out to her. So it had begun already. Well, any renegade would be met with Kaeshana valour and Kaeshana steel.


"To the outer perimeter. You and you with me," Kaida responded, voice turning ice cold, as she indicated a couple Angelii. "Kill anyone who tries to come through these gates. Where's Captain Lenora?" she demanded, referring to one of her subordinates.


"She...took her life, ma'am. She was possessed by madness and believed it was the rapture," the soldier admitted as she increased her pace to keep up with Kaida, who was rushing out of the palace towards the gates to help secure the perimeter.


"Then she was weak," the Seraph snapped coldly, in a voice so frosty it could freeze galaxies. "We cannot give in to despair. This is not the Goddess' work, but trickery. Kaeshana expects every Eldorai to do her duty. Any word from the team sent to Firemane?" she asked as she again increased her pace. She could hear the sounds of gunfire and the loud bark of bolters, along with the clash of blade upon blade.


"They came under fire as they tried to get to headquarters. Some mercenaries turned traitor," a Host Leader threw in. Now they were outside and Kaida could see the mayhem stretched out before her eyes. Defensive emplacements and barricades had been set up. Bolter rounds and blaster bolts flew everywhere, it was almost impossible to make yourself heard over the cacophony of sound caused by the battle as Angelii and rebels engaged one another, accompanied by loud detonations of explosives. "A Ariane's Fist platoon has come through, ma'am. They say they'll be here in twenty minutes."



"We don't have twenty minutes," Kaida said grimly. Looking to her Angelii she took her lightsabre from her belt and ignited it with a snap-hiss. The yellow blade gleamed in the sunlight, humming as if calling for the blood of those who sought to pull her nation into chaos. Their reasons did not matter. Kaeshana could not be allowed to down. "Squad one through nine form phalanx!" she called, her voice being transmitted into every single Angelii's helmet. "Remaining squads secure the flanks and provide cover. E-webs and shattercannons to the flanks. Keep up a steady volley."


With commendable speed they formed into a dense wall, Taegis shields forward, first rank with Sarixi drawn, rows behind with their Sarzmigari prepared. In battle they would close on the enemy in tight formation, absorb the enemy charge whilst the rear ranks used their spears, then break into open order to fight. With their shields they could deflect incoming rounds to an extent and those amongst the Angelii equipped with firearms such as bolters and blasters would keep up an overwhelmning volley of fire to root out enemies. There seemed to be a lull in fighting but then swarms of renegades broke cover and approached the defence lines of the Angelii. They were led by a procession of priestesses who came bearing sanctified banners with religious symbols emblazoned upon them, along with icons.


"Angelii, we are Eldorai like you, children of Ashira. The end times are upon us and the Goddess is calling the faithful into the heavens. I beseech you, see the evil you are serving and repent. Anya the Heretic has turned on the faith and abandoned our people to the oppression of human monkeighs. She no longer believes in the Goddess! Join your sisters and cleanse our motherland of traitors. Otherwise we will all be..."


The Priestess did not get any further because in a flash Kaida grabbed her blaster pistol and fired, hitting her straight in the head. The woman toppled and fell to the ground, her head a badly burnt mess. Some of the Angelii had visibly been affected by her words and looked uncertain at Kaida, but she gave them no pause. There could be no doubt. "Kaeshana expects every Eldorai to do her duty. Fire!" she cried out, shouting to make herself heard.


"Slay all heretics and monkeigh lovers! To kill them is not a sin, it is the path to the Goddess!"


A hailstorm of shot and shells came down upon the Dark Eldorai. Kaida took her position in the firing line, taking up a shatterboltgun. Loaded, charged up and then she pulled the trigger and fired, causing a resounding boom that resembled the fire of a cannon as an super-powered explosive bolt leapt out and blasted aside the cover of the renegades, along with tearing apart several of them. Shattercannon and bolter rounds tore through the air, on both sides Eldorai fell to the brutal onslaught, as no quarter was being given. There would be no pity, no prisoners.


With her control of the Force impaired Kaida relied on the cover one of the battle sisters provided with her shield rather than try to use her lightsabre to reflect rounds. As the rebels began lobbing grenades she tried to concentrate intently and finally managed to summon a telekinetic blast to toss them back. Sniper rounds whizzed past her, one grazing her cheek and she winced. Then there was the dull thunk of mortars as shells rained down upon the defenders, several of them being blasted badly by the detonations and with Kaida herself being thrust back by the ensuing blast.


She spat out blood as she emerged, eyes locking on the rooftop where the snipers were and on the mortars further ahead. "Get a Silaqui-Gunship to take them out. Now!" she barked out the order, which was acknowledged by the Angelii handling comms. "Try to reach Ariane's Fist and tell them to bring up their walkers and hit the enemy in the rear." On both sides the Eldorai called upon their powers as telekinetic blasts of fiery, scalding heat were swept across the battlefield, along with surges of powerful winds. The earth shook under the massive pressure as terramancers harnessed their powers to manipulate it and cause minor quakes. Though it seemed somewhat impaired as one Dark Eldorai sought to call upon her fire magic, but then suddenly cried out as instead of blasting the enemy it incinerated her and her powers failed to put it out.


"Use your Sciia sparingly. Combine your powers for greater control!" Kaida ordered as she kept firing, rounds being pumped out of her bolter. Driven back by the firepower being shot their way the renegades seemed to be pulling back to their defensive positions, though the Angelii had taken casualties as well for both sides had modern weapons this time. Then suddenly ripples could be felt through the Force when the Dark Eldorai suddenly joined to summon a massive whirlwind, a desert splitter that was meant to sweep across the battlefield in a powerful vortex, gathering up dust, debris and smashing the loyalists.


Over the loud howl of the wind, Kaida yelled to make herself heard. "Angelii, join with me. We shall drive it back!" Thus she sought to harness her Sciia. To muster up the necessary concentration was very difficult and she felt so much more diminished than she had been before, but she would not relent and soon more Angelii joined her as they combined their powers. Beads of sweat dripped down her face and she felt the start of a painful headache beating against her head as the raging winds came their way, seemingly grabbing anything that got in their way. Then reaching out with her mind she seized it, forcing her will upon the massive wind. And willed it to be driven back. Such was the exertion that she dropped down to her knees, but faced with a counterforce provided by the Angelii the Dark Eldorai casters seemed to lose control over the wind as it raged across the battlefield, smashing many of them and with surges of lightning sweeping through the sky. Dropping her bolter, Kaida activated her lightsabre again and motioned to the loyalists.


"For Kaeshana!" The cry was taken up as one line of Angelii charged across the ruins and took up melee combat. Moving as a unit they cut down several of their enemies before they could form, but then the battle began in earnest and the Angelii broke into pairs, one to attack, one to defend the other. Eldorai fought Eldorai, sarix clashed with sarix, Taegis shield was bashed against Taegis shield and cries were heard as on both sides fighters were cut down by sarzmigars. Kaida quickly lost track of how many she fought and how many fell to her blade, how many injuries she sustained as she hewed down enemies with her lightsabre or bashed them with her shield or used it to block surges of lightning and fire. A massive ball of fire shot towards her while she was busy cleaving a traitor Angelii from shoulder to belly. The fire scorched her badly and sent her flying, but tapas sprung into action and her Sciia cooled her. Stretching out with her mind she poured her energy into draining the pyromancer's heat from her body. Her opponent struggled against the onslaught of cold, but Kaida's will was stronger and her opponent soon fell, nothing but a frost-shrouded corpse as she had been left drained. A surge of coldness was unleashed by her powers, as giving herself completely to battle and forgetting how wonky the Force was, she unleashed a blast of cold upon charging traitors.


Then Kaida suddenly found herself get gripped by coldness as seemingly out of nothing an ice block began to form around. Her limbs slackened and turned sluggish and before she could do anything she was encased. Oxygen...no longer reached her and she futilely struggled against the block, trying to bash it open before brain death set in, before, fortunately for her, it was shattered by stray bolter rounds, making her tumble out and fall to the ground, greedily trying to suck in oxygen. Then she managed to roll just about quickly enough to avoid a sarix coming for her head, though it crashed into her shoulder and the impact made her reel. A powerful kick came for her face and she fell, but as her attacker brought her blade down for a final strike Kaida's hold-out bolter fired and an explosive bolt made polite contact with the attacker's skull. Overhead the roar of engines could be heard as a Silaqui-class Gunship swooped down, unleashing a hailstorm of laser rounds upon enemy mortar crews and snipers, which was soon followed by a volley of missiles.

 

[Vaena Askari]

An uncomfortable silence reigned when Tarissa finally reached the estate of the Kerrigan-Alcori Clan. It made her even more uncomfortable. Making her way through the city had been a harrowing journey. Looting, Eldorai fighting Eldorai. She had even come across a particularly ghasly scene where an Eldorai dripped oil over her body and then incinerated herself with fires cast by herself, clearly believing that the End of Days had come and death was the only way to escape the collapse.



This had to be...put to an end. Order had to be restored. But first she had to check up on a dear friend and her daughter. She steeled herself as she approached the villa, though for a moment she felt a surge of relief when she saw that it still seemed intact. Her heart sank when through the Force she felt naught but death. Her hand enclosed around her sarix as she drew her blade and stepped through the door. Before her was a sight of pure mayhem and carnage.


Much of the villa had been wrecked and it gave the impression as if someone had exploded a directional bomb inside it. Doubtless looters had been here already. But what particularly caught her eye, as she walked through the halls, were dead bodies that were littered across the floor. Eldorai, perhaps looters, perhaps followers of the Dark Eldorai, lay there with their throats ripped out, their heads missing, pieces of their armour simply being torn apart. Others had blades driven through their body or their innards had spilled across the carpet. Shrapnel or small, very sharp objects had been driven through veins or organs.


Tarissa bent down when she came across the head of a Dark Eldorai...apparently missing several metres from the rest of the woman's body. "Siobhan?!" she called out loudly. There was no response, only that damned silence. "Siobhan? Galina? Tegaea?" Stil no response. Right, stay calm, do not panic, keep control. Easier said than done. If whichever abominations were behind these disappearances...could get to Siobhan? But who had slain all these people then? She bolted, quickly heading up the stairs for the couple's bedroom...but there was no one.


No, she would not let tears drip down. She would get answers...somehow. Suddenly she heard noise, a pained gasp and spun around...only to find a Dark Eldorai slumped across the carpet next to the bed, trying in vain to get up. Tarissa was immediately upon the woman and gave her a very hard kick that knocked her back down. "Where is Kerrigan?" she demanded, sheer anger radiating from her.


The Dark Eldorai gasped and struggled for air, but then laughed, though the motion seemed to cause her pain. "That queen? You another monkeigh lover! What a disgrace. But you're...too late. The Butcher is gone...very far away. She's dead."


Tarissa tensed slightly, then took a step back. The Dark Eldorai looked almost smug, then cried out in pain when Tarissa rammed her sarix into her shoulder, stabbing her deeply. Blood splattered her blade, but the noblewoman did not care as she pushed her weapon further in. "You lie. Who else would have killed your brethren? Where is she?"


The Dark Eldorai cried out in pain as Tarissa twisted the blade. "Go to hell. The Goddess punished her. Go on and kill me, paradise awaits...aaargh..."


"Only if I let you die. You see...that monkeigh is very dear to me...so I might just as well torture you. How long can you last? You stand at the gates to the underworld. Will you sully Her kingdom with lies? Where is Kerrigan?" Tarissa demanded, her eyes alight with righteous fury. She felt strong burns spread across her hand but she did not care. The pain was welcome and she lashed out...and unwittingly began to make the Dark Eldorai's blood boil.


"Aaargh...stop...she...we...attacked...she said she was going to save her family...and no one would..."


Tarissa finally managed to get some control and relented, ceasing the pyromantic onslaught, though she kept the blade stuck in her prisoner's knee. "Continue," she spoke very coldly.


"No one would get in her way...don't know where she...went..."


"Thank you," Tarissa said, then she abruptly pulled the blade out and chopped the Dark Eldorai's head off. With a thump it fell upon the ground and she slumped against the bed. Suddenly she was again feeling the depth of her injuries and she looked down upon her hand scorched hand. Then she gripped her comm, punching in the frequency to call [member="Anya Venari"]...

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth heard her name, and only dared to spare a glance. And if it had been any other time, she would have turned and stared for a moment .... but even in the heat of what was happening she couldn't help but turn a lovely shade of lobster red, more than a little embarrassed. That bothers you? Seriously brain, this is not the damn time. Yes it is. No. Yes. No. Go away.. The tiny redhead was just slightly embarrassed about most sexual comments and this most assuredly counted even if it was not intentional.

"Yes, I'm Coryth." She lifted her saber batting and incoming blaster bolt back into the fray, with all the annoyance of a redhead who had some place to be and hardly enough time to deal with the rioting crowds and Dark Eldorai. "Right queen.... umm, where?" After all, if that was the destination might as well get there before a few holes had been placed into her body where they were not anatomically and naturally supposed to be. It was about that moment went Coryth felt a bolter round graze across her shoulder, forcing her to cry out. So much for getting there in all one piece. That might have been wishful thinking on my part. Ya think?! Seriously? Go away.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

The three Jensaarai tensed as the rifle began aiming their direction, but relaxed as it went back down as the NCO asked if they were to aid.

"We are, yes." Vex answered, looking at the bodies on the ground. He tapped a hand on his armor considering while the other two waited. "We'll go with you to the palace then. See if we can contact our comrades elsewhere."

"Indeed," Koruk added, walking towards them, "All our communications are disabled. We have no way of getting into contact with either Protectorate command or the enclave on Susefvi." He swept the streets in his gaze with crossed arms. "What assistance may we lend you in this dark hour? You seem to have the rebellious forces well under control."