Twilight of Prophecy [TSE Dominion of Voss]

[Onrai]

The Eightguns moved to engage the incoming Voss fighters first. X-Wings, B-Wings, and A-Wings swiftly evaporated under the fire of the eight xaser cannons. After the initial pass, the Forges turned around, engaging the remaining fighters while the Eightguns turned in a wide arc, preparing to get back into the fray and engage the Voss fighters with another sweep. The Forges were far too maneuverable, having a turning circle easily inside that of any Silver Jedi fighter - their two heavy laser cannons were not particularly potent, but they were enough to keep damaging the enemy craft, keeping them off the otherwise unmaneuverable Eightguns that handled almost as sluggishly as an Aleph. The tag team approach was quite functional as the fighter cover was soon being wiped out. Soon the Ablution​ moved in, firing off its beams once more at a pair of Voss cruisers that soon evaporated under fire.

Vanessa continued to meditate in the chamber constructed within the bowels of the great warship. The battle was going well for now. She certainly wasn't one to have complaints.

 

[Vallory]

Objective: 2

Vallory was not one for combat. But she barely did anything these days, and this presented her a chance. A chance to prove herself to her master. She would tell her master [member="Vanessa Vantai"] of her exploits down here. Show that she could fight, that she could be a worthwhile apprentice...that was till she came to the battle with the rest. Vallory had been in combat before. Figthing...but this was overwhelming almost. She was beginning to think she had gotten herself in too much this time, gotten herself too deep. Explosions, blasters. She didn't catch sight of the others on the field, the other Sith nor focus on what was happening. As soon as she was down the ramp, all she did was run for cover.

What was she even doing? Running into this? She was proud and stubborn but this was foolish, what she was doing. Vallory was going to get herself killed unless she got her head in the game.

[member="Taeli Raaf"] [member="Darth Rixas"]

 

[Darth Rixas]

Oron smirked under his buy'ce as an immediate reply to [member="Taeli Raaf"], folding his arms across his shoulders again as soldiers and acolytes marched past them and pushed into the battlefield. They raised rifles and swung maces to obliterate the enemies of the Empire and expertly maneuvered and exercised practiced tactics to combat the League of Voss with a fervor that would make even the most rigid of observers impressed.

"My fun will be had in due time." Oron said as his orbs moved and landed on an apprentice whom sought cover from the return fire of a number of adversaries across the field. "Besides, we have blood to spare." The Sith Lord said regarding [member="Vallory"]. He didn't sense fear upon her. She would have reeked of it like spoiled meat in the trunk of a hot swoop bike and he would have had the source of it disposed, even in a moment like this. The young warrior instead reverberated waves of courage and zeal, albeit restrained by the circumstances and pace of the battle. Oron was not a teacher, trainer, or inspiration for anyone, and he never intended to be so for those whom viewed him as such, but he did enjoy observing real-time progression and problem solving.

"Focus. Quiet the cries of the weak and dying." Oron began, as he projected his voice into the Acolyte's mind via Telepathy. "Ignore the commotion of the desperate- and the weapons fired by the mislead mongrels of the League..Creatures of lesser footing are to never see a Sith out of position."

He wasn't familiar with this particular Acolyte, nor was he certain how receptive she was to inspiration but he was interested to see her reaction regardless.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Objective 1: Voss'ka and the Tower of Prophesy​

Current task: Air infiltration​

​

Earth-shattering booms rocked below as the Legion and the Voss'ka engaged in the seige of the tower. Fighting a people whose speciality was prophesy was difficult. This was why the Sith Empire played more than one card from their hand. Chains were closing to shackle Voss and bring it under control, and an invisible noose was tied around its neck as it backed further and further towards the precipice. As the jump pack was strapped to her back, Darth Ophidia stared down into the hellscape of flak beneath her. She was to fly through it.

Suicidal? Maybe.

Her shuttle was cloaked, hidden within a cloud and covered with stygium. It gave her something of a safe start to a perilous journey. She clicked the stealth field generator on and lowered the visor of her helmet. Her eyes closed as she crossed her hands over her chest and turned to face the interior of the ship. A breath draw, and she tipped backwards.

Air rushed past her, pulling on her robe as she spun wildly. Then, arms and legs splayed as she stabilised herself. A ship passed through her trajectory just above her, plasma thundering out of its guns before it too was cut down and sent crashing. The ground grew beneath her like an enormous embrace, waiting for her to accept death and embrace it in return. Well, not this day.

The rockets on her back engaged, kicking her forward before she angled herself down. Now it was a question of making a controlled descent. The speed of her rocket-powered fall made the coat of her cloaking device less than ideal, making her a shimmering and translucent target, but a target none the less. The fire on her intensified, but she was relentless. Ducking weaving, sharp turns and twists made her difficult to pin as she plummeted towards the Tower of Prophesy - A dagger going for the throat of Voss'ka itself

 

[Kalak the Raykkan]

Objective: Methodical Exploitation
Location: Serenity Valley
Nearby: [member="Tabigarashu Madara"]

An inclination followed of acknowledgement.

"Oh, yes, our tastes run in similar circles." If that smile could grown more toothy than it probably would have. He didn't mention his personal relationship with her, that seemed... rude. They didn't keep their affection for one another secret? Black Sithmas had been attended together and they had a rather public date on Raxus, after all, but Kalak didn't feel comfortable throwing that connection around for anyone to know.

No, not polite at all.

If she wished to share people she would do so herself. This was her Empire, no? "Modesty is a good trait, Tabigarashu Madara Hirou, but it is unnecessary here. A hero you are and you should be proud of it."

Another nod, before Kalak blinked.

"Oh- my apologies, that was quite rude of me. I am Kalak, they call me Kalak the Raykkan. An entrepreneur and business being." The restaurants of KalCo Cattle were slowly being planned out in Sith Empire space. It had been a challenging thing first- Ao had made it clear that they wouldn't be able to sample the produce from the local territories.

And Kalak had respected that.

But... now he had a meeting due with [member="Darth Carnifex"] and things were getting interest.

"Would you by any chance like a tour through my current operation here?"

 

[Tabigarashu Madara]

It was hard to tell with such a small creature, but when Kalak confirmed that Hirou was indeed a hero and should be proud of it, the Nezumi might have stood up a little straighter. They certainly did straighten their ripped jacket absently, brushing a bit of grass off of it as well.

When Kalak introduced himself, Hirou bowed, a neat and practiced gesture.

"A pleasure to meet you, Kalak the Raykkan!" They exclaimed happily.

Their head tilted slightly to the side.

"What sort of business? I would be delighted, but if you will allow me a moment to check in with my team." A bit of a small, rueful smile flickered over the Nezumi's face. "I suspect they do not need me in this particular venture, after all."

Hirou moved a polite distance off for a private conversation over their communicator. As it turned out, they had been missed, and they had just been organizing to find their missing agent. The lead they had been there to track down had been a false one, so now that they knew Hirou was safe, there was nothing else that needed to be done.

The Nezumi returned a moment later.

"I have an unexpectedly free afternoon," the creature squeaked. "So I would very much like to see your operation here, yes."

[member="Kalak the Raykkan"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​The hull of the heavily modified shuttle based off the Crestfallen soared through the skies the elite Death Squadron flanked it on all sides.

They were always one step ahead of their rival opp​onents in the League of Voss, their skill in the force coupled with their synaptic link ensured they remained on top. The temple was lit up with bright orange plumes of fire as the Starfighters targeted aerial defenses and defenders alike in preparation for the arrival of the Sith Lord. A series of explosions rocked the roof of the temple blasting a great hole in the roof, its debris falling within crushing those beneath in its might.

It was a lion's den of fanatics wholly dedicated to the league of Voss's cause each and every one of them willing to die for it. They would all get their wish. The [member="Blackblade Guard"] under the coordination of General Dietrich Marr made their way to the surface from stealth units to full blown brigades. They would be steadily approaching to slaughter everyone and everything until the League was but a smoking memory on this world. But he would make a surgical strike and slice off the head of the snake. The black hulled shuttle filled the hole created by the fighters, covering everything beneath in its shadow. As the ramp lowered his towering visage and storm of sheer darkness spilled forth, the black runeblade gripped firmly in his hand.

Today he came as a harbinger of souls, a reaper to collect the essences of this temples master and every other fool who dared to pass in his way.

He lept into the breach.

[member="The League of Voss"]
2

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Master, they've broken through the outer defenses!"

The sounds of battle could be heard even in the Inner Sanctum, the great tumultuous rumble as a gargantuan hole was blasted through the temple's roof. Already Antarian Rangers and Jedi Knights swarmed to the breaches, firing frantically as the Emperor's lap dogs descended through the fire. Sith vaulted over fallen debris, deflecting blaster fire as they closed in on their Jedi adversaries. The upper levels quickly became a battlefield of red, green, and blue flashes of energy as over a dozen different engagements played out amidst the chaos.

Master Kokkim closed his eyes, sighing deeply as the acidic smell of carbon scoring and burning flesh reached his sensitive nostrils. Through the Force, he witnessed the carnage above and he could feel the wrongness that radiated around the Shadow Hand.

It was beyond darkness.

The hate, the cruelty, and the sheer ferocity that encompassed this wound in the Force shocked even he, a master of the Force in his own right. Still, he did not let such revelations sour his resolve. He was the anchor in which the Jedi that fought for him and the ideals he espoused could rely on when the days seemed their darkest, and he could not allow them to see weakness.

He was strength.

He was the Light.

"Collapse all but one of the entryways, force them into a bottleneck. Let them spear themselves upon the tips of our blades, we will not let these beasts think themselves triumphant just yet."

His word became action as the Antarian Rangers and Jedi that remained with him sprung into action, relaying his commands across encrypted comms while finely measured explosives were placed along support beams and retaining walls. Soon enough all but one of the entryways into the Inner Sanctum would be closed off by several tons of broken steel and mountainous stone.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective 2 - Liberate the Gormak
Location: Assaulting the siege lines at Gorma-Koss

Allies: [member="Darth Rixas"] [member="Vallory"]

Regarding the acolyte behind cover, who seemed to be second-guessing themselves and why they were here, Taeli did not have time to play babysitter. She had little to no use in an acolyte that shirked at the first battle, nor did the rest of the assault force need it. If they couldn't pull it together, they would never advance as a Sith, forever doomed to middling roles or worse. Their attack had been signal for the Gormak warriors within the enclave, and they surged forth now to do battle with the League of Voss.

"Either join the battle or stay here in disgrace," she said to the acolyte.

With that, she ignited her lightsaber and joined in with the surging Sith forces against their enemies. Blaster bolts flew past her head, a plasma shell detonating nearby. She kept going, every swing of her lightsaber brought another Voss commando or rogue Antaran ranger low, a flick of her hand was another bolt of Sith lightning that reduced a squad a quivering or smoldering pile of flesh and metal. Her amber eyes burned brightly as she led the assault, searching for the pinpricks of light that would be Jedi.

 

[Kalak the Raykkan]

Objective: Methodical Exploitation
Location: Serenity Valley
Nearby: [member="Tabigarashu Madara"]

"Oh, my business mostly revolves around food and the exportation thereof." Kalak informed the smol mouse, before they scrambled away to make contact with their team elsewhere. The Raykkan was happy that he hadn't established a food processing facility here as he had first been planning. While the local fauna would have made a worthy addition to his restaurants... somehow Kalak didn't think it was likely that the Nezumi would have been very approving.

Best not to annoy the Saaraishash too much.

That was something Ao had been firm about.

Once Hirou returned Kalak nodded happily. "I would be honored and am glad." They started to walk- though for Kalak it was more of an awkward flop as he moved further into the camp. It was a modest encampment truth to be told, but a lot of Dalan (trees moving about) were present and... other creatures. For instance walking crocodiles that seemed to be half cyborgs and other beings.

None of them looked very nice.

"We only recently managed to acquire this piece of land. In the center of the Serenity Valley it is very close by to the source of a new sauce KalCo Cattle is planning on creating." He did not mention yet that the sauce was cultivated from orchids that were considered holy by the Voss.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​Into the breach they fell.

​The massive form of the Shadow Hand landed first cracking the stone under his sheer weigh, the sound of his plated armor shifting. All around him explosions rang out as worthy Sith and elements of the Blackblades dropp​ed into the breach right alongside him. One by one each hall was collapsed around them while their enemy provided suppressing fire against his forces. The tactical approach wasn't lost on him here the League was trying to contain the situation by forcing the Sith to funnel all of their forces through one hall. If they bottlenecked them they could create a kill pocket where numbers would count for nothing, and dice any foolhardy adversary who sent his troops right into the slaughter.

But they didn't truly understand how wrong of a choice that was against an enemy like him.

The last temple he attacked Prazutis demolished it under the power of a force generated storm of black energy. A bottleneck and a few broken halls wouldn't be enough to contain him. The Lord of Death activated the mag coils of his armor and was the first to charge headlong into the bottleneck with Daesumnor gripped in his hand. He thrust his other hand forward and let loose with pure blasts of dark side energy, their sickening red glow illuminated the walls in a ghastly sheen as they utterly consumed life contained within.

​The Shadow Hand crashed with the first wave of Jedi and carved a bloody swath through them. Most were not prepared for an enemy quite like him, or didn't know how to truly fight such an anomaly. Many of their warriors who dared to use aggressive styles were broken he was a death machine in close quarters combat, the runeblade claimed soul after soul in brilliant sprays of blood and gore from the dark steel blade spattering the walls and floor with the blood of the fallen.

​"Worthless vermin where is your Master hiding? I seek an opponent that may pose a challenge."

[member="The League of Voss"]

3

 

[Jantar Keltainen]

Objective IV
Post One

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmYB8VejrC8

The Silver Jedi. Jantar knew they were historically dark-sided hunters – although recent history cast them in a vastly different light. Given what they were about to do, Jantar had been briefed to anticipate that dark-siders might even thwart their efforts, given some were allies of the Jedi.

Not that Jantar cared – who she fought and why was largely immaterial. She sought knowledge and serving the Sith cause allowed that. So, she dutifully embarked upon dominions of planets she would never visit again – and defend territory she had no interest in.

Today it was Voss.

And the Sith had brought all of their toys. Space vessels with more than one prefix headed up the naval effort. That meant they were ‘really’ big. And the Sith carried numbers with them to – over fifty ships by all accounts.

Not that Jantar cared about these either. Yes, she ewas here to help. Yes, she was going to aid the Gormak. But she would do so on her own terms. By seeking any trace of existence of Sel-Makor.

He was known as darkness itself. The annihilator. The devourer. What was not for Jantar to like?

History told that Sel-Makor was a mysterious dark side entity that resided in the Dark Heart on the planet Voss.

So she was headed for the Dark Heart. It was a ruin located deep within the twisted regions of the Nightmare Lands on Voss. The few texts she could find spoke of the site as a complex maze of chambers. In addition, it was claimed that a vast series of underground corridors resided at the Dark Heart. It was said that the area was filled with corrupted monsters and ancient secrets.

Her anticipation was palpable.

The Sith Lord Nerrethel had spent two years researching texts and studying the Dark Heart. Following an attempted visit to the Dark Heart himself, Lord Nerrethel was found dead on the borders of the Nightmare Lands with the only words of his expedition being “it sees”.

Was she scared? Of course she was. She was dedicated, not stupid!

Was she going to change her mind? Of course not – she was steadfast in her thirst for knowledge after all.

 

[Tabigarashu Madara]

Hirou walked with the Raykkan. If they noticed the strange gait, they made no sign of it. Certainly did not call attention to it.

The camp was small but neat, and filled with a variety of creatures Hirou was unfamiliar with. Despite their threatening demenour, they knew they were safe here. Hirou had learned from working with the Sith to not judge a book by its cover. To give people the chance to show the truth in their eyes before assuming it matched the exterior.

Perhaps they were a bit less trusting with cats, however.

But they did try.

"We Nezumi have simple tastes," Hirou admitted with a touch of chagrin. More than once Tai Fa had attempted to introduce them to certain 'higher cuisines' only to be met with the same enthusiasm for that food as any other. That is to say, great enthusiasm, but very little differentiation.

Hirou paused, head tilting to the side. It took a moment to process and then-

"The sauce grows here wild?" The creature asked with genuine interest and curiosity.

[member="Kalak the Raykkan"]

 

[Dante Sotari]

It was easy to miss in the chaos of the battle. When forcers fought forcers, dueling lightsabers and throwing the Force like it was nothing more than a simple tool, there was little room for the Legion. That did not mean, however, that they weren't there.

From a kilometer away from the battle raging, Dante Sotari, agent of the Saaraish within the Legion, lay on the rooftop. On her stomach, she sighted through the scope of her rifle.

Took aim.

And fired.

With the chaos and danger of battles between force users, it was easier to miss the incoming sniper bolt.

Dante didn't wait to see if it had taken its target. This wasn't an assassination mission where a certain face required extermination. This was merely a point and shoot job. Take down anyone who left themselves vulnerable to such a strike.

Breathing in, she re-sighted.

And fired.

 

[Kalak the Raykkan]

[member="Tabigarashu Madara"]

Simple... tastes?

Kalak didn't truly understand that, could not understand that. His taste was the most refined weapon, tool, equipment that he possessed... it was that way for most Raykkans as far as he knew. If you did not eat, you did not live as far as Kal was concerned. But the Raykkan wasn't here to teach the Nezumi about food palette and all the other neat little things that made eating so enjoyable.

No.

Instead Kalak was here to give a... tour, he supposed.

"One cannot argue with taste, i reckon." Very diplomatic and neutral, yes? Good. That was exactly what he had been going for here. "Oh." That made him blink for a brief moment.

Hirou seemed rather earnest about the question.

"No, no, we take plants that grow here naturally, extract what we need from it and make a sauce out of it." A glance towards Hirou. "Would you like to see one of those plants?"

 

[Jantar Keltainen]

Objective IV

Post Two

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNwGVgfkcgI

Jantar’s plan was simple – if a little foolhardy, especially for an acolyte.

Firstly, she located the Nightmare Lands. The overgrowth in of the forest was dense, and the she sensed immediately the sway of a corrupt influence. Everything was tainted – flora and fauna alike. Even for a dark-sider, the oppressive feeling was palpable – and equally uncomfortable. So, she did what she always did on these occasions – she embraced it.

Soon, given the directions she’d gleaned from the few documents in existence, she came across the Lake of the Unseen.

It was located in the north-eastern corner of the Nightmare Lands, east of an area known as the Darkstone Grove. She knew it was likely to be frequented by Vorantikus. They were apparently fearsome predators. Unlike many Sith she knew, she had no desire to run into one – to in some way prove her worth as a fighter. Instead, she kept a watchful eye for them and any hint of the blue
large bipedal, caused her to use her Nightsister magick to effectively disappear between in a green mist.

The closer she got to the Dark Heart, the stronger the taint felt, and this confirmed – if nothing else – that she was on the right path.

Finally, she spied the damaged shrine. It had been partially obscured by foliage, to the extent that it could only be seen from certain angles.

Her ambition was simple – at least it seemed that way if you said it quickly. She intended to find a way to access the Spirit World. It was said few had accessed it – but records show (or at least suggest) a number of Voss Mystics had been there and had left a datacron behind – something to do with the Infinite Empire. If what she had read was true, she could enter the Spirit World by meditating in front of a special tablet. And one such tablet was located here.

All she had to do was: find the tablet, meditate appropriately, not get eaten whilst in the meditative state, stay alive in the Spirit World, find a way back.

Jantar took in a deep breath. It had seemed such a good idea when she set out.

 

[Tabigarashu Madara]

Honestly, Hirou wasn't much interested in plants. But it was clearly important to their new friend and that meant that it mattered to Hirou!

"Oh yes please," they answered, nodding.

The feeling was genuine. One of Hirou's favorite things was when other people were excited over something. It didn't matter what it was, or if the Nezumi cared about it at all. The interest of the other person was enough to make it worth the time and effort.

Hirou trundled along with Kalak to the edge of the camp. A patch of the plant in question were growing in a small, irregular clump. Thick stems, pointed leaves and small white and blue flower, nodding gently in the easy breeze of Voss's afternoon. Hirou tilted their head this way and that. The flower was held above their head by several centimeters by the arching stem.

The Nezumi's nose quivered slightly, breathing in deeply.

"It has a lovely fragrance," they said, looking up farther at the Raykkan. "What are they called?"

[member="Kalak the Raykkan"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"If a challenge is what you desire, monster. Then I will happily oblige you."

Master Kokkim stood at the far end of the hall, two of his four arms crossed over his barrel chest while the others held his lightsabers down at his sides. Around him were a variety of aliens, each of them dressed in the traditional garb of the Silver Jedi Order. They held aloft their lightsabers, silver blades ignited in various stances as they eyed the servants of the Dark Side with the greatest contempt, their mouths curled in disgust as they felt the radiating evil that oozed from the Shadow Hand and his cohorts.

"You have soiled the galaxy for far too long, and when the Empire has been driven from Voss I will send your head back to the Emperor as a warning." He raised the longest of his lightsabers, gripping it with both of his right arms as twin blades of cerulean ignited from either end. His left two arms held the other lightsaber, which was noticeable short and only produced a single silver blade from the end facing the Shadow Hand.

"Attack!"

The Silver Jedi Council sprung into action, vaulting over debris and their own dead as they rushed to attack the servants of the Empire. Kokkim launched himself high over the battle, souring through the air only inches below the corridor's ceiling as he came down straight for the Shadow Hand. His style was a combination of Niman and Vaapad, utilizing his double-bladed lightsaber to unleash a whirlwind of slashes and swipes while his top left arm used the Force to rip chunks of stone from the walls and hurtle them at Prazutis' back. He kept his single lightsaber in a defensive position with his lower left arm, waiting for the opportunity to pierce the Shadow Hand's side if given the opportunity.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Darth Rixas]

Objective 2
Nearby: [member="Taeli Raaf"], [member="Vallory"]

Standing in lue of the acolyte's silent reply, Oron turned to Taeli who then gave the young woman an ultimatum between attempting victorious actions in battle or accepting shameful defeat in her stalemate with conflict. A notion that didn't turn Oron off. It was a much more direct and simple approach than his own, but could potentially be more effective, if not yield the same results in a different manner. It was dependant on which of the two she was most receptive to. Either way, if the acolyte didn't have the stomach for war, both of their words would prove fruitless regardless. They'd have their answer shortly, depending on if she advanced with the two towards eliminating the Voss or not. Regardless, a smile folded across his mocha features as he watched Taeli ignite her weapon and engage in the skirmish before them. He apprecaited differences among allies. It was when everyone thought and acted the same that elicited negative responses from the Sith Lord. Followers of the Dark Side were a people of variety and spice, afterall.

Everyone has their methods. He thought to himself indifferently.

His sapphire helm turned towards the acolyte once more and a short chuckle bounced from his chest before he advanced forth into the fray. Weapons holstered, he utilized only the Force and his crushgaunts as he propelled himself at speeds too quick for his opposition to track and landed blows upon the League's infantry that warranted more support than they currently had. Blaster fire from the soldiers at his flank shot down a myriad of Voss as he approached the lines, allowing for the Sith Lord to enter mellee range with little contest. Once there, doom was unraveled upon them as fist and feet connected with pawn after pawn- rupturing organs, cracking skulls, and obliterating armor as his body became emboldened with the strength of the Darkside to indiscriminately punish those he encountered. He was an instrument of physical harrow, striking his foes with a ferocity that halted only when the cries nearest him drew tired and quiet.

It was in the next moment that he heard the sound of lightning crack on the battlefield. A glance in it's direction gave him sight of a group of Voss, slumping to the ground, armor blackened and charred, with wisps of silver grey smoke rising from their bodies-obviously the work of Taeli. Satisfied with the carcasses littering the vicinity, he let loose a guttural, attention-grabbing grunt from under his helmet. The soldiers nearest him looked towards the Sith Lord and Oron pointed past [member="Taeli Raaf"], commanding them to advance in her stead to confront those preparing to engage them at the next line of defense. For they certainly were.

 

[Kalak the Raykkan]

[member="Tabigarashu Madara"]

Many species needed to learn expressions, tone, word choice and the sort to figure out the feelings of those they interacted with.

Raykkans didn't need to.

Of course... Raykkans usually didn't care about the feelings of those around them. It was different in this situation though, because Hirou was not just some sort of mammal that needed to be attended to. A member of the Saaraishash and a true hero in fact. It would be best to tread lightly and maintain this connection of business. That would be good business, no?

Kalak studied the Nezumi impassively as they explored the flowers and in that moment the Raykkan found amusement.

They were definitely... cute. "Mhm, many think so, yes." Kalak didn't air his disagreement. That would be rather impolite, no? "The locals call it the Neri Orchid, but I am still considering a more... marketable name for it."

"More difficult than expected."

Head tilted.

"Do you have any names by any chance? The sauce is very... hmmm, I'd say citrus-y."