The Stars Are Calling

[The Dark Man]

[ Theme ]

For as far as the eye could see, lay wastelands. The Dark Man couldn't say how far he had walked, but he measured it in days. He had walked for twelve days, all the while he knew the enemy was in hot pursuit. He pulled himself atop the downed vehicle of a cloud fighter, or at least he assumed it to be. He saw rotary wings, and a few had single engines at the rear. These cloud fighters littered the landscape in place of trees. Some had blaster holes dotting the hulls while others had been torn entirely in two. This was a graveyard of the slaughtered. Birds came by fixing nests into the bowels of these fighters, and he felt a sense of joy, that even in such places of death, life bloomed.

A howl echoed down through the valley, carried by the wind. The dried grass, long and wild, swayed against the fighters, as if trying to push them away. He knew what evil had done this, it was why he had come out here, to the edges of the galaxy, and beyond. To be correct, he knew he wasn't even on the galactic disc, he was outside of the galaxy, but not far enough to reach the galactic hyperspace interference zone. He had learned much in his time, but before he even found this planet, his systems in his starfighter had gone down. No recordings would be found. He had vanished. He was off the grid. He knew this planet to be home to one of the Primeval's many warlords.

He knew the Myneyrsh, one of the warlords servant-warriors, would soon catch up to him. He was old, tired and alone, not to mention outnumbered in the thousands. His enemies were many, well equipped, armed and they were mobile. He was outmatched, but that had never stopped him before. There had been many a time when the odds were stacked against his favour, and he still came out alive. If he had survived the Sacking of Coruscant, and the Tournament of the Gods, he could survive this. He climbed down, and moved into one the larger fighters that still had a relatively intact cargo hold. He pulled himself into a tight corner, and brought a crate to conceal his location.

{ [member="The Queen"] }

 

[HK-17]

He was out there, beyond her realm of sight. She stood, encircled by the elite of her Myneyrsh fighters, forming a ring of protection around her. The wind brought with it the scent of charcoal from the east, where they had burnt many kilometres of forest to root him out of hiding. They were approaching swiftly on the field where as far as the eye could see, sky fighters blemished the soil. She knew he could feel her presence emanating through the force like an malignant tumour upon the galaxy. Wherever she trod, death shall reign. A horde of Myneyrsh began a stampede towards the field, the much heavier albeit few in number Gen'Dai formed the vanguard. Her executor rose his chin and howled, followed by the howling of hundreds more. The Myneyrsh of this world were unlike those on Wayland, far more tribal, nomadic and above all else; fiercely loyal to their Queen.
​

[member="The Dark Man"]

 

[The Dark Man]

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate:
"To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."​

They were coming. In theirs dozens. In their hundreds. The ground shook and rumbled as they roared through the field. He took comfort in that they did not know his where-abouts, but these were talented scavengers and he suspected they would search every nook and cranny. This only confirmed his suspicions when the careful tread of a Myneyrsh began to thunder on the flimsy rusted hulling. Dust specks of rotted metal flaked down and blemished his skin. His already tarnished black robes were even more ripped and torn than they ever had been. Dirt and grime stained the black cloth, and his cloak had long since been left behind after his first encounter with the residents of this foreign planet. A set of spectacles sat on the brim of his nose, concealing the part of his face where eyes should be. He had lost them in a fight with a Princess of the Imperial Remnant, but he had ultimately won. More footsteps sounded, and they were inside the hold. He steeled himself, and made certain his blade was on his belt.

And when above the surges
They saw his crest appear,
All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry,
And even the ranks of Tuscany
Could scarce forbear to cheer.​

Rightous duty called upon him. He fell into a crouch, pushing his back against the wall and slamming his boots against the crate in front of him. It came barreling out, towards a single Myneyrsh, and toppled him over. The Force swelled and exploded into a leap, throwing the Dark Man across the hold and into a roll. He came up with the electronic growl of his now-activated lightsaber. Its electrum designed and wintrium hilt made it a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, and its blade was noticeably thinner and shorter than other lightsabers. Better used for more precise movements. The blade showered the hold in a golden glow. The Dark Man advanced, and only now did he realise that the creature had been wailing in pain. He didn't slash but thrust deep into the creatures heart, and felt the corresponding hot sting of a life becoming one with the Force.

With weeping and with laughter
Still is the story told,
How well Horatius kept the bridge
In the brave days of old.​

The world came crashing down upon him. They had heard the dying cries of their brood, and where once before they swept through the field and onwards, to wherever they had thought him to have fled, they came back, returning with a fury that could not be quenched. The Dark Man exploded out from the hold, lightsaber in hand. One of the aliens came at him with vibroblade, the Dark Man quickly dodged with the twist of his hips. He brought his golden blade down, cleaving through chest plate and flesh, and once more the hot sting resonated through the Force as the body crumpled to the soil. Amidst the chaos that began to unfold, careening into total anarchy, he spied the Queen among them all, and surrounded by her guard. He moved with haste, cutting his way towards her like a child with scissors and paper. He was barraged with the lives he took, and he knew well that it would take a toll on him. He closed in, he pushed himself off the ground and manoeuvred up, over and to land within the ring of guards. He spun his body, torque his muscles and attempted to deliver a kick to the Queens jaw. Kill the snake; remove the head.

{ [member="The Queen"] }

 

[HK-17]

The Queen scanned the horizon and saw the downed cargo sky fighter in the distance, looming from the grassy plains like a castle of rust with giant smokestacks and a golden plasma blade pulsing deep inside. Beyond the field of fighters lay the lavender shoreline of a toxic sea. A howl came but was quickly cut-short, and her people knew where this Jedi was. They came for him with the surge of a tide, looking to wash him away into the darkness. But he was powerful. He walked out into the darkness that threatened to engulf him entirely, a brilliant illuminating light of hope and courage. He cut through her hunters and guardsmen with a rare ferocity, and she watched from within her circle of protection. Finally he emerged from the shadows at the periphery of the graveyard, sprinting out from behind wings and fighter hulls. He launched himself high into the air, too high for any normal being that was not attuned to the Force. He landed, and she saw his body already in motion, spinning. She ducked low, avoiding the kick, bent her knees and swept her arms at his solitary leg that kept him standing, and if successful, she would bring her elbow down against his nose as he fell.

[member="The Dark Man"]

 

[The Dark Man]

His foot came out from under him. He felt himself fall, inadvertently losing the grip on his lightsaber as the crack of her elbow landed on his nose. He felt the bone break and the pain reverberated throughout his body. The pain only flared when he hit the ground, instinct guided him, and he rolled back. He came up onto his feet, surrounded by the guard. He began to churn out a series of blows to the Myneyrsh, open-palmed strikes that would keep them at bay. He launched himself up, and thrust his foot backwards, attempting to catch the Queen off-guard. She had moved like lightning and struck like thunder.

{ [member="The Queen"] }

 

[HK-17]

The Jedi moved like a typhoon, striking down those around her swiftly. He moved with finesse and skill, but his engagements were poor, misplaced and terribly judged. He was too caught up in taking down those around her that when he thrust his foot back, striking her in the chest and knocking the wind out of her, she curling her arms around the thigh. She yanked back, hard, attempting to drop him to the ground as he would lose balance. Some of her guards who had been struck down rose back onto their feet, rubbing their heads. They spoke among one another in short, quick bursts of alien language before reaching out to a camera drone that had been following them. It was recording the whole process. They fixed the camera drone specifically on The Queen and on the Jedi. The Queen reached behind her back, taking out a wicked blade. its jagged surface reached out for the fleshy throat of the Jedi, and she spoke, "To the Ession, and to Romeo Sin, this is your warning." The Myneyrsh would attempt to bring the Jedi onto his knees, and she would yank the blade against his throat. "We are an army of the chosen dead. Our will is such that we find strength in the gaze of death. Where we tread, death will reign, and the future will be painted in tones of fire and shadow. Your world will burn like the rest. More will die if you come after us, Parmi Miemant is next."

[member="The Dark Man"] [member="Graxin Rade"] [member="Romeo "]Sin

 

[The Dark Man]

He had miscalculated, and his error became aware instantly as he hit the ground with a thud, taking the earth to his chin. It jarred his teeth and brought upon a horrid migraine. He tried to shake it free but before he knew it he was being pulled onto his knees, then words he couldn't register. A knife came across his throat, and he forgot to breathe. The Dark Man shuddered, blood spilling, cascading down his black robes. His spectacles fell from his nose, broken and shattered, landing softly in the grass. A thousand sensations flowed through him. The Force curled itself around him, smothering him in its warm embrace. He remembered to breathe, tried to gasp but only found liquid in his lungs. He gurgled, and a brilliant flash of light erupted through his force sight. He tried to talk, but nothing came to his lips. A single last thought resonated throughout. Darkness consumes, but, I shall mark the abyss with eternal fire. He fell forward into darkness. Limp.

{ [member="The Queen"] | [member="Graxin Rade"] }

 

[The Red of Sinner]

[member="The Dark Man"] [member="The Queen"] [member="Graxin Rade"]

Romeo knew not what this was, but something was peeping on his holoscreen. Tapping a button would make a gruesome scene appear. The man from Ession was on his knees, and "THE QUEEN!" Romeo slammed his hand down on the table before him. The woman stood next to him, and with a sudden motion, slit his throat.
"DAMN IT!" He would rise to his feet, and read the man's lips.
He gritted his teeth.
Her words echoed in his head, filling him with anger.

 

[Placeholder 0123]

And so Ekul Selah was dead. Another of Graxin's only friends gone to the fourth death cult to grace the galaxy in the past year. They were popular, at the least.

The Archlord would fix that.

He was just returning from the ACA space enroute to the summit. There the Mando'ade would join forces with the Reformation, and hopefully the Silver Jedi as well. The One Sith would tremble at their coming.

The Reformation didn't need their allies to deal with this. Graxin had fought the Horde in its heyday, played the eternal game. People died, it happened. Still, Ekul's death tied his stomach in knots. He caught a glimpse of the entity known as the Queen--beautiful and elegant in her violence-- and received a word of warning.

The Dark Man's loss hurt. Graxin had grown used to the older man's counsel. He knew Ekul had a family, they would need to be informed in one way or another.

For now though, he would deal with this 'queen'.

"Shlurk." He grumbled, tearing his eyes away from the holo screen aboard the bridge of the Ge'hutuun.

"It will be dealt with Grax'thor. I will crush her bones and drink the marrow. The Graug hordes will do as you will." Shlurk, a three meter tall Graug with an affinity for the Dark Side boomed. He happened to be the Archlord's right hand on any business with the Graug.

It was rare Graxin would utilize the Graug. They were the most brutal warriors in the galaxy . The Graug had brought the Republic to its knees; Graxin had killed their leader and been named their overlord. They were zealously loyal and lacking of any moral compass--and they particularly enjoyed eating their victims.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm my friend." The Archlord reached up with a gloved hand to tap his old friend on the shoulder. "But I will not waste our people's lives on this. Send Lord Shaxx and Master Ozamu. Recover Ekul's lightsaber. Find this queen's home world. Take a fleet, and glass it. Leave nothing alive, wherever her people are coming from."

"Glassing...with the Hades ships?"

"Aye, the Hades."

"Are you sure you want to destroy all life on the world? We might conquer it, use it for a new colony."

"This will be a statement. I will not go through another Horde. You will glass all population centers of her 'people'. They are a danger. I want them destroyed before we do battle with the One Sith."

Shlurk bowed his head. "As you will."

There was a brief pause in the Archlord's motions. He breathed a heavy sigh, and turned about toward his childhood friend.

"If Shaxx and Ozamu find a solution other than complete annihilation, let me know. I'd prefer to preserve life...but we will not function on reactions."

Shlurk said nothing more. The Graug turned about, and marched off to find those needed; his massive lightsaber swaying behind him.

Graxin settled back into his chair, and grumbled a quiet curse. He felt so very tired as of late.

"Sorry Ekul. You were a good friend. A good Jedi. Your work won't be in vain."






[member="The Dark Man"] [member="The Queen"]