Under 12 Parsecs [SSC Dominion of Kessel Hex]

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Nima Tann"]

It was probably for the best not to tell Sumiko too much. She liked Nima well enough, but would have few scruples about exploiting any information for her own advantage. After all, she'd broken Sochi's confidence. Mind you, she valued the Twi'lek more, but was still fairly amoral.


"Well, that's a pity. Kaine killed the Silvers' first grand master, didn't he? I hear the Heavenshields have this rivalry with him, though they don't seem particularly proactive in taking him down," she spoke contemptuously. "Anyhow, their blindness is their problem."


The tremendous noise caused by machines made her wince slightly, for it abused her ears. They still had quite a journey ahead of them and the mines were infested with rabid creatures that craved human flesh. "I'd be interested in studying the outbreak, yes. My hypothesis is that it's the product of dark alchemy. Not that I plan on dropping a plague on a population centre or something similarly cliched," she idly stroked an ornate ring on her finger. Dark power radiated from it.

 

[Nima Tann]

"Indeed, we have more important things to do now. They will see eventually." She said with a sigh, sadly talking about them wouldn't change much, as they would continue their blindness. Besides, the mines wasn't the place to sit around and talk that much! Anyway, she nodded with a smile about her comment towards the plague. After this kind of helpful information, it would only be fair to give a sample of the virus to her. And personally not knowing Sumiko that much, and her dark and mysterious nature, she knew that Sumiko was indeed a clever one, and wouldn't risk doing such a thing like she said as there were many witnesses here and her involvement with this would be heard immediately. Even if they didn't do something about it, Nima would. And Nima was not that nice in the battlefield. "Many of the files say the plague's a work of Sith alchemists. Maybe you heard about the recent events, that gave them a little courage." Then she nodded. "You didn't hear it from me." The voices of the machine was mixed with the creatures coming closer to their location. Meanwhile, Nima activated her lightsaber, and let out a little smile. "So, shall we?"

It was going to be interesting to fight alongside Sumiko once again, even though the last time wasn't a physical one. The Firemane soldiers were indeed very useful in the battlefield, but the mines were very narrow and dark, which would decrease their effectiveness as the group she took were mainly rangers and taking aim in such place was difficult. Or lets just say the writer wanted to have an epic "Two friends moving towards the target, cutting every creature in their way" kind of scene as the team was reunited once again. That was probably the case. Anyway, one of the creatures jumped towards Nima from the darkness, teeth ready to bite and claws ready to tear, and it was met with the sweet embrace of death as Nima reflexively swung her lightsaber and cut the creature in half. With the painful scream, the other creatures which wasn't aware, was now aware of them and started to run towards them. Their voice were excited, like they were happy to see them. Well, extra food for their stomach, who wouldn't be?

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

The narrowing and twisted turns of the tunnels down into the mines were certainly proving to be a challenge, but alas even tunnels and mines with treacherous floors would not halt the Firemane train. Although Charlyra could no longer fly through the air with her Ataru flair she was grounded with Shii-Cho. Ice using a thunderous bark that echoed off the walls, alerting those ahead to the cacophony of destruction headed their way. Swing, swing, bark, flame, bolt, flame, the trained kept chugging along.

Matthieus using the Firemane standard bolter let loose a ferocious set of rounds into the creatures ahead of her. Flamers would take over and ensure nothing was left. Charlyra's lightsabre led the train with Ice's howls as the whistle and coming down through the mines the group grew closer together keep themselves upright as their feet found it hard to find purchase along the loose rocks and gravel of the tunnels.

She heard Master Tann, "about that, I believe we've become more than acquainted with these creatures. Jedi Sykes has taken his rangers to seek the Padawan, where are you?" She questioned as she leaned all the way back to miss a creature's claw and Matthieu's bolt tore clean through the creature's skull. Hitting the ground flamers finished the job she threw her sabre up toward a creature coming for Ice, Ice kicked up with his back paws like a horse bucking her lightsabre came back to her.

Up ahead the could see a set of purple lekkus, and Ice knew exactly who it was. His paws hit the dirt and he was going full speed ahead and so the train followed him, sets of boots could be heard behind him with Charlyra force speeding through cutting down at a creature just to Ice's left. Bolters flew forward making contact with more. "Master Tann, a pleasure to see you again," Charlyra greeted and looked over, "did you bring a friend?"

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Nima Tann"]


Ghouls, ghouls everywhere! The creatures were numerous and their hunger was seemingly endless. However, though their fury fuelled them, it also turned them rabid. This was not conducive for a tactical approach and logical thought process. They were a weapon of terror, that was it. But still dangerous in numbers.


The mines were narrow and dark, which posed difficulties for the Firemane soldiers, but fortunately their helmets had infrared vision. Moreover, flamers and bolters were area of effect weapons. What came into being was a cacophony of destruction when the troopers pumped the charging ghouls full with bolter rounds. One soldier had the presence of mind to fire a flash round with her bolter, creating a blast of bright light that blinded the beasts. At closer distance, flames engulfed the creatures, causing pained screeches and cries.


However, several still charged on, which was quite ghastly sight when a burning ghoul leapt upon a soldier. At close distance, ghouls spat putrid rot from their mouths. The vile saliva had qualities similar to acidic venom. A beast pounced at Sumiko and she swung her blade to slice its legs off, but when she moved to strike the beast down a blast of the vile substance hit her. She winced in pain as flesh on her hand seemed to melt away. Sickly green and yellow light emanated from her hand and enveloped the creatures when she drank from the fountain of the Dark Side, giving in to her fury. As their putrid life force was sucked out of them, beasts were turned into desiccated husks and fell.


A new player had joined them, bringing reinforcements. The young woman seemed about Sumiko's age. Her Force burnt brightly, like a blazing star. She seemed familiar with the Twi'lek. "You're with Firemane, yes?" Sumiko said by way of greeting, breathing in deeply.

 

[Nima Tann]

Well, underestimating the Firemane troops was a mistake, as they were most helpful in this little battle where a lot of hungry beasts were out to get them. The two on the front and troops covering them from the back, they managed to carve out a way for themselves towards the machines. The dead mines got livelier as there were a lot of flames and bright lights involved, but in the end, all the creatures were either dead, or the lucky ones who survived would be dead in minutes from the bloodloss. They weren't zombies after all. Anyway, ready to progress, she heard some voices coming from the other pathway, which she prepared herself for another wave, yet it was Ice... and then Charlyra appeared with the backup. Anger built up in Nima for a second because she ordered him to stay put in the ship... This time his goofy face wouldn't work as it was way more serious than his rebellious behaviour. "We will talk about this later." She said in the coldest tone possible, which Ice responded with a whine. Then Nima turned to Charlyra, with a nod, ignoring Ice's several attempts to make her pet his head.

"It's great to see you as well, Charlyra." She was happy to see all of them alive and well, but of course she was a bit angry towards Ice because she was worried about his well-being. One can say Mom Nima intensified for that moment. Yet, they still had a mission to do, and these things would be spoken later at a more comfortable place. Oh, she almost forgot! "Sumiko, this is Charlyra. Charlyra, this is Sumiko." Then she added. "Yes, Sumiko is a friend of mine. She is here to help us about the virus." Half truths, Nima was a bad liar, but half truths she could handle.

Meanwhile, Ice gave up trying and moved towards Sumiko, and started to sniff the woman. He had a lot of blood on his fur. Nima sighed out of worry, but then looked at somewhere else, still playing the angry mother card. Besides, he seemed fine, right? Right?

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Charlyra Araano"]