Private Trouble on Kathora

[Naestra]

“Yes ma’am.” The Sergeant replied, before having his men form up behind the Jedi, their weapons out and ready to shoot anything that showed itself to be a threat.

“Understood Master.” Naestra said, already doing exactly that. Her mind reaching out to touch the nexus, the concentration of force energy on the planet was overwhelming. But she came to an immediate conclusion. “The nexus has definitely affected this area Master. I can’t sense any place within my range to sense that hasn’t been touched by the Nexus. It’s strange though, it feels like the Nexus is trying to speak to me, but I can’t understand what it’s trying to say. It’s like trying to speak with someone through a thick stone wall.”

The group would begin moving forward. And as they approached the dig site that they had detected the Sergeant was asked another question. He replied in an equally low tone, “Yes Master Jedi. There’s a large concentration of thermal signatures within the dig site. It looks like it’s occupied.”

As close as they were they were not really within earshot of the dig site itself. But they were definitely close enough to hear particularly loud sounds. And it just so happened that there was one to be heard.

A shriek came from the direction they were headed towards. It lasted a long while, and it sounded like someone in pain.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's amber eyes narrowed as she processed the information from both Naestra and the Sergeant. The nexus's pervasive influence was unsettling, but Naestra's description of it trying to communicate added a new layer of mystery. What message, if any, was it trying to convey? There were no answers now, but it reinforced the need for caution.

"Good work, Knight Naestra," Valery said quietly, her tone steady. "Keep focusing on it as we move. If it shifts or you sense anything more specific, let me know immediately."

Her attention shifted to the Sergeant as he reported on the thermal signatures. A large concentration likely meant they were heading into an active site—one that could be hostile. Her hand instinctively brushed against the hilt of her lightsaber, the familiar weight a small reassurance.

Then the shriek pierced the air.

The sound froze the group momentarily, its agonized tone cutting through the stillness of the forest. Valery's jaw tightened, and her gaze flicked in the direction of the sound. It wasn't close enough to be an immediate threat, but it was close enough to make her heart race with urgency. Someone was in pain, possibly worse.

"Stay focused and keep your formation," Valery ordered, her voice calm but firm. She turned to Naestra, her expression resolute as she pushed forward. "Be ready for anything."

She looked back to the Sergeant. "Have your team cover our flanks. Let's close the distance, but maintain enough space to react if we're ambushed."

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

Naestra hefted her halberd, gripping it in two hands now that they were heading into a most definitely dangerous zone. The heavy axehead of the polearm gleaming in the sunlight, ready for action. Naestra wasn’t the most skilled fighter in the galaxy, in fact she was sub par when it came to physical altercations, but her choice of weapon helped offset that, not many Jedi or Sith were prepared to fight against a weapon like hers, it could strike from further away, and occasionally reach over a block to strike the opponent even if they got their weapon in position to intercept.

Her focus remained on the nexus, but she wasn’t able to glean any more information from it. She could still sense the attempts at communication, but they were always muffled and suppressed, impossible to understand.

The troopers acknowledged the order, and obeyed, the four troopers splitting into two fireteams that took off to either side, within sight and earshot of the other groups, but far enough away that if one was attacked the others wouldn’t be in immediate danger, and still be close enough to get help from their comrades.

They drew closer, and a few more times that pained shriek would be heard. But then it stopped abruptly, and there was silence. They were only a half mile away from the edge of the site now. When they finally got to the edge they would peer down into the dig.

It looked almost like a quarry. A massive hole in the ground that was being dug out by a massive collection of people. They weren’t humans, they were however humanoid. At first glance they appeared larger than humans by a good margin, they had a variety of skin colors such as red, green, blue, purple, yellow and a few others. And each of them had a set of horns, ranging from one to four, sprouting from their foreheads. All of them were carrying various tools used for excavating.

Also with these strange aliens was more recognizable figures. Imperial soldiers. Sith troops. Many of them carried shock-whips, and frequently cracked them on the backs of these odd aliens. Making it clear exactly what had happened.

“Master… if what I can sense is to be trusted… the Nexus is under this site.” Naestra whispered, trying to remain focused as she observed the cruelty on display. The pain in her chest welling as she saw these people put to work, in conditions that she couldn’t even fully understand yet, but she could only guess were horrific. The Sith weren’t known for being kind to their slaves.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's amber eyes burned with intensity as she took in the scene below, her sharp gaze locking onto the horrific tableau unfolding in the quarry. The sight of the enslaved workers — beaten, degraded, and forced to toil under Sith oversight—ignited a fire in her chest. Her hand tightened instinctively around the hilt of her lightsaber, the weight of it a reminder of her duty to protect and to free those who could not fight for themselves.

Her voice was low but carried an undeniable edge of steel. "Slavery," she said, the word dripping with disgust. "The Sith are forcing these people to dig their way to the Nexus. They're exploiting them to unearth whatever darkness lies beneath this place."

Her lips pressed into a firm line as she turned to the Sergeant. "We need to handle this carefully. If we charge in recklessly, we'll put those people at risk, and the Sith forces will have the advantage."

She crouched low, gesturing for the others to follow her lead as she scanned the terrain. Her mind worked quickly, formulating a plan of approach. "First, we'll need to gather more information about their numbers, positions, and defenses. Sergeant, have your team spread out quietly along the perimeter. Look for any weaknesses in their formations or signs of reinforcements. Stay out of sight and report back immediately."

Valery turned back to Naestra, her voice firm but carrying an undertone of trust. "Knight Naestra, keep your focus on the Nexus. If anything shifts — if the energy strengthens or lashes out — you need to let me know immediately."

Her fiery eyes swept over the quarry again, taking in every detail — the whips, the tools, the desperation etched onto the workers' faces. "When we move, we'll strike swiftly and decisively. Our priority is to secure those people and neutralize the Sith forces without letting this dig go any further. The Nexus cannot fall into their hands."

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

“Y-yes Master.” Naestra said, maintaining her focus on the Nexus, at least as well as she could with the sight in front of her. Then something pinged in her head, her senses picking up something. “Master. Something’s coming. Something dark.”

Right as she said this, even before the troopers could begin to fulfill their orders, they would hear the rumbling of a ship’s engines, a Sith shuttle making its way to the surface, with two other transports, one to either side, coming down to a landing platform that had been built to one side of the excavation site.

It would seem the overseer had arrived.

The shuttle landed, and the ramp lowered. The two transports unloaded their troops, rounding out to a whole company of soldiers. And from the shuttle itself stepped two figures that were unmistakably Sith. Likely a master and their apprentice. One was a male Sith Pureblood, and the other a female human. And they, with their soldiers, began making their way further into the excavation site.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's eyes narrowed as the Sith shuttle and transports descended, their engines rumbling ominously. Her gaze locked onto the two figures stepping out — unmistakably Sith. The Pureblood exuded power and authority, while the human apprentice lingered close, her presence sharp and predatory. The soldiers pouring from the transports added to the oppressive weight of the Dark Side flooding the area.

"Change of plans," Valery said, her voice low but commanding. "Sergeant, keep your men hidden. Track their movements and find weaknesses — especially around their command structure."

She turned to Naestra, her tone firm. "Knight Naestra, focus on the Nexus. Their presence might agitate it, and we need to be ready for any reaction."

Her amber eyes returned to the scene below, taking in the growing challenge. "We wait until the Sith move deeper into the site. Once they're separated from their reinforcements, we'll strike fast. Priority is securing those workers and cutting off their support. The Sith can wait."

With a steadying breath, she glanced at the team. "Be sharp. There's no room for mistakes."

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

Naestra watched the two Sith descend into the further reaches of the site. Their dark presence was definitely agitating the nexus. Even Valery, preoccupied as she was with assuming command, would feel the tremors.

It was definitely calling to something.

“It already is Master.” She reported all the same. “I’m not sure what the nexus is doing, but it’s definitely doing something.”

That something had also been felt by the Sith, who now looked out at the perimeter. And the Pureblood began to give out nonchalant orders to his soldiers, and several of them with flamethrowers made their way to the edge of the site, and stood ready for something to come, while the rest readied their blasters, and the slaves got to the ground and covered their heads.

Their own troopers were still inspecting what was going on around them. Hoping to spy these weaknesses that Valery wanted discovered. So far nothing, but they were expecting something as it was, though clearly not them. They were still secret for now. So what were they bracing against?

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery felt the tremors rippling through the Force, sharp and unsettling. The Nexus was stirring, its energy volatile and unpredictable under the influence of the Sith's presence. She didn't need Naestra's confirmation to know something was happening, but the Knight's words brought a sense of urgency to the situation.

Her amber eyes flicked to the Sith Pureblood as he barked orders, his soldiers moving with disciplined efficiency to secure the perimeter. Flametroopers took up positions along the edges, their weapons angled toward the shadows as if anticipating an attack from the wilds or some unseen force.

She shifted her attention to the Sergeant, her tone sharpening. "Their defenses are getting tighter. Those flamethrowers mean they're preparing for something they can't see. I doubt it's us, not yet. Keep your men in position, but if you spot anything unusual—movement, tech, a pattern in their defense s— I want to know immediately."

Valery crouched low, her lightsaber still clipped to her belt as she surveyed the scene below. Her mind worked quickly, piecing together the best approach. The Sith were tense, their soldiers clearly bracing for an attack they hadn't yet identified. That meant they could still exploit the element of surprise.

Valery's eyes returned to the Pureblood and his apprentice, the oppressive weight of their presence pressing against her senses. Her jaw tightened. The moment for decisive action was drawing closer, and when it came, she was ready.

"Stay hidden until we have no choice but to engage," Valery said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We let them make the first move. If the Nexus reacts violently, we focus on protecting the workers and using the chaos to cut through their defenses."

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

The flametroopers waited at the ready, their weapons primed for whatever they thought was coming. And they didn’t have to wait too long. A few moments passed with tension high, but then the ground began to shake. And around the perimeter grew vines, Thorny and thick and impossibly fast-growing. Moving around as if they were sentient, and making their way towards the imperial troops. The flametroopers began spewing their weapons’ payloads on these vines, and they caught fire.

The imperials were ready for this, though they were definitely struggling to keep it under wraps. The vines growing faster than they burned and grabbing ahold of a number of troopers, who were in turn caught in the flames that engulfed the vines. Then the screaming started, as the imperial troopers were set alight and began to burn in their armor, as well as having thorny vines weave their way under their armor and begin to constrict around them. Ordinarily their armor would be flame retardant, but with the vines actively causing breaches in that armor it wasn’t so good at its job.

Interestingly enough the vines did not assault the slaves who were keeping their heads down. It seemed only to pose a threat to the imperials, who had disrupted the nexus’ resting place.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery felt the ground tremble beneath her feet, the vibrations resonating through the Force like a warning drumbeat. Her amber eyes widened slightly as the thorny vines erupted from the ground, their growth unnaturally rapid and disturbingly deliberate. The air grew thick with the acrid smell of burning vegetation as the flametroopers unleashed their weapons, but it was quickly overpowered by the sharp scent of scorched flesh and the agonized screams of soldiers ensnared by the vines.

She crouched lower, her sharp gaze darting between the chaos unfolding below. The vines were relentless, surging forward even as flames consumed them. They coiled around the Imperials, their thorns piercing through armor with brutal efficiency. The cries of the burning soldiers clawed at Valery's resolve, but her focus remained on the workers — miraculously untouched by the vines.

"It's the Nexus," Valery murmured to Naestra, her voice tight. "It's defending itself against the Sith's presence. The workers aren't being attacked — they're not the threat. The vines are targeting the Imperials specifically."

Her jaw tightened as she turned her attention back to the Sith Pureblood and his apprentice. The dark figures stood amidst the chaos, their oppressive energy unfazed by the carnage around them. It was as though they were daring the Nexus to do more, their presence taunting it further into rage.

Valery turned her head slightly toward the Sergeant and his team. "The Nexus is fighting back. Use the distraction. Move your men closer to the workers — focus on securing them. Be ready to extract them as soon as we engage the Sith."

It was time to move.

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

The trooper nodded, “Right away Master Jedi.”

Immediately the troopers began to approach the edge of the dig site, weapons ready. And prepared for the carnage about to ensue. Naestra gripped her own weapon nervously, her fierce looking helmet only partially hiding her anxiety. Her weapons and her armor had been primarily experiments, meant to help her learn the ancient Je’daii arts of alchemy and force imbuement. They weren’t really made because she anticipated violence. She was more reliant on her armor than her blades, and her hesitance to engage in battle was showing. She was a scholar, not a fighter.

But the time for action was here, and she swallowed the nervous lump in her throat, determined not to disappoint the Grandmaster who was with her. They had people to save. She couldn’t afford to freeze up.

Naestra was particularly nervous however at the presence of Sith. Sith had a tendency to be more dangerous than Jedi in direct confrontation. And she was a sub-par fighter even among the Jedi. What chance did she stand against even a half-competent Sith Apprentice?

It didn’t matter. This was her duty. If she failed than innocents would continue to be hurt. Terrified as she was she wouldn’t allow herself to be ruled by fear. She had a job to do.

So with shaking hands she prepared to move on Valery’s command.

Meanwhile the brambles were already beginning to lose. They were just plants against burning Promethium. Not to mention it would seem the soil had been intentionally toxified to make it harder for plants to grow. This had been a recurring problem.

But the brambles had in fact done a number on the troops present, and is likely the reason for the reinforcements having arrived. And they could likely anticipate more before too long.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's sharp gaze remained fixed on the unfolding chaos as the troopers began their advance, their movements deliberate and cautious. The oppressive energy of the Sith lingered in the air like a heavy fog, mingling with the acrid scent of burning vines. Every fiber of her being was tuned to the Force, ready to spring into action at the first sign of a shift.

Her attention flickered briefly to Naestra, and she noticed the tension in the younger Jedi's posture, the slight tremble in her hands. Valery softened her expression, offering a quick but firm nod of reassurance. "Stay close to me," she said quietly, her tone steady and encouraging. "You don't have to face them alone. Trust in the Force, and trust in yourself."

The vines were losing their battle against the flametroopers, their withering remnants curling into ash. The soil's toxified state was evident — this land had been desecrated by the Sith to strip it of its life and vitality, and the brambles' resistance, while fierce, was fleeting. But the distraction had served its purpose. The workers were still unharmed, and the troopers were closing the distance to secure them.

Valery's attention snapped back to the Sith Pureblood and his apprentice. Their presence loomed, dark and unrelenting, and the Force trembled in warning. She could feel their anticipation, their hunger for confrontation, and it only steeled her resolve.

"We move now," Valery said firmly.

Without waiting for a response, Valery stepped forward, her presence in the Force radiating confidence and control. Each step carried her closer to the Sith, the heat of the smoldering vines and the shouts of the troopers fading into the background as she prepared to face the darkness ahead. The Force exploded underneath her not a second later, sending her across the distance with immense speed.

When she made her landing, she was sure she had drawn their attention.

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

Naestra looked up at the Grandmaster as she spoke, listening to her words of encouragement. She nodded meekly, her confidence not fully boosted. But she would follow Valery into the fray all the same. “Y-yes Master. I will follow you.”

Naestra followed Valery as she leapt through the air to land in front of the Sith. Naestra did the same, gathering force power in her legs to launch her across the distance with the Grandmaster. Her heavy weapon raised above her head to bring the axe down on the Sith Master. Most fighters weren’t prepared for such a heavy weapon to be brought down on them by a force user. And it was incredibly hard to block with a lightsaber.

Falling Avalanche was already a powerful blow. And Naestra had selected a weapon that made it even more dangerous for the opposition.

Then the troopers began their work. A fusillade of blaster fire cut through a number of the Imperial infantry as they made their way to the slaves to get them up and moving. Since rescue was their primary objective, they weren’t looking to take the dig site. They didn’t have the numbers for that.

So far everything was going well.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery landed with precision, her lightsaber igniting with a snap-hiss as her blade hummed to life. The Sith Pureblood and his apprentice turned toward her, their dark presence swirling in the Force like a storm. Her amber eyes locked onto them, unwavering and fierce, as she raised her saber in a defensive stance.

The air crackled with tension, the moment hanging in stillness before Naestra's leap broke it. Valery's gaze flicked briefly to the younger Jedi as she descended, her heavy weapon arcing through the air with crushing force. The sheer power behind Naestra's attack drew a flicker of surprise across the Sith Master's face, forcing him to adjust his stance to meet the blow.

Valery seized the opening.

Using the Force to propel herself forward, she became a blur of motion, her saber spinning in a controlled flourish that aimed to drive the Sith apprentice back. Each strike was calculated, probing their defenses while keeping the Pureblood engaged with Naestra.

"Good!" Valery called to Naestra, her voice sharp but encouraging as the younger Jedi's attack pressed the Sith Master. As the troopers began their coordinated assault, the chaos in the background worked to their advantage. Blaster fire cut through the air, striking down Imperial infantry and keeping the enemy forces disoriented. Valery's awareness extended to the workers, still unharmed as the troopers moved to secure their safety.

The apprentice snarled, their red blade clashing against Valery's with a shower of sparks. Their movements were aggressive but sloppy, the telltale sign of someone trying to prove themselves rather than master their craft. Valery's strikes became sharper, more precise, pushing them back step by step.

"This ends here," Valery said coldly, her voice carrying the weight of the Force as she launched into a quick series of strikes designed to disarm and disable her opponent.

Naestra ​

 

[Naestra]

Naestra, encouraged by her early success and the words of her Grandmaster, continued her onslaught of blows. The first overhead strike having forced the Sith Master to evade rather than block, which he quickly took advantage of. Naestra was physically strong to be sure, as much of a bookworm as she was she still knew how to handle her remarkably heavy weapon, especially when compared to the near weightlessness of lightsabers. But that didn’t altogether make up for her lack in experience. Because the Master, being a Master indeed, sidestepped the downward strike, and even striking the back of Naestra’s weapon to drive it into the ground, and plant the axe head in the dirt. Leaving Naestra woefully defenseless in only a split second.

The Master’s blade cut up towards Naestra’s face, and it skidded off of the Force Imbued metal. Naestra jammed her palm into his chest, the force push launching the Sith back through the air. She took the time that gave her to pull her weapon from the dirt.

Naestra was suddenly very thankful for her experimentation. Her armor made her a veritable Juggernaut in this fight, despite her comparative lack of fighting skill.

The apprentice facing off against Val had a grin split across her face. She ignited her lightsaber. And in her off hand a lightwhip glowed to life. This would force Val to be extra careful, as light whips were incredibly tricky to defend against. With her saber focused on parrying she would crack her whip at the Grandmaster, intending to let the flexible blade wrap around her guard and cut her in half. Or force her back.

The duel being young meant that the Jedi and Sith would be occupied. But the gunfight was already going their way. The Nexus sensed help was near, and a fresh wave of vines had come to help turn the tables in their favor. So the evacuation of slaves was made significantly easier. And was well underway.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's amber eyes narrowed as the Sith apprentice ignited the lightwhip alongside her saber. The crackling, flexible weapon was a rare and dangerous challenge — unpredictable and difficult to counter. But Valery had faced such weapons before, and she wasn't one to be easily overwhelmed.

As the apprentice lashed the whip toward her, Valery's blade moved in a blur, intercepting the energy strands with precise deflections. The whip snapped around her guard once, threatening to tighten, but with a sharp twist of her wrist and a burst of the Force, she managed to disrupt the energy field, forcing the apprentice to retract it.

"You're bold," Valery said coolly, her tone cutting through the chaos. "But boldness without control will be your downfall."

She advanced, her movements fluid and calculated as she drove the apprentice back. Every crack of the whip was met with a parry or a dodge, her focus never wavering. Valery's strikes alternated between lightning-fast jabs and sweeping arcs, designed to keep the apprentice off balance. The lightwhip required space to wield effectively, and Valery was determined to deny her that advantage.

Across the battlefield, her awareness brushed against Naestra's presence. She felt the younger Jedi's burst of Force energy as it hurled the Sith Master away, giving Naestra the moment she needed to recover her weapon. Valery smiled faintly, a flicker of pride in the midst of the duel.

The vines surging from the ground added to the chaotic symphony of the battlefield, turning the tide further in their favor. The workers were being evacuated, the troopers holding the line with renewed vigor. But Valery's attention remained locked on her opponent.

The apprentice lunged, saber and whip working in tandem. Valery sidestepped, her blade flashing out in a counterstrike that grazed the apprentice's shoulder, forcing a hiss of pain. She pressed the attack, each movement precise and relentless, aiming to disarm and disable before the apprentice could regain the upper hand.

Naestra ​

 

[Helen Lupercal]

Interestingly enough, the apprentice was keeping up with Valery better than most, displaying quite the aptitude for form III. However she was definitely on the back foot and was not in much of a position to be counterattacking. And she was rapidly accumulating injuries.

“Slaves have been successfully evacuated Master Jedi.” Would sound over their comms, the troopers having done their duty and evacuated the captives. And not a moment too soon.

Naestra had been doing well on the outset, but a niche weapon and the element of surprise wouldn’t be enough to maintain the advantage against a Master. And that became very clear, very quickly.

Naestra was rushed. She moved to stab him as he approached, but a spark later and he was inside her guard, and a moment later Naestra screamed as she was subjected to a torrent of lightning.

---

Valery Noble