Weekend Treasure Hunt 26: In Purgatory's Shadow

[Tobias Wrynn]

Position: 1>5
Objective: Secure position and hold
Allies: Unspecified, TBD.
Enemies: Unspecified, TBD.

Wrynn signaled for the two men on point to advance into the room at the end of the winding corridor. Both men increased their pace to a quick jog, and Two called out, "Frag out!" across the comm as he snapped a small grade explosive from his belt and chucked it ahead. Several startled sounds came before the weapon gave a low squeal that grew into a scream. The sonic burst caused several figures that Tobias' HUD painted to clutch their ears in agony. "Take them," he commanded.

There were several cultists crowded around a primitive totem, a smattering of malnourished hostages at its foot. They were not tied, curiously. "Mind your aim," Wrynn instructed. "We have VIPs in the firezone." Three took the first shot, his gun set for single fire. Quick bursts of blaster fire were more effective in close quarters, but with the danger of firing on noncombatants, it could not be helped.

A cultist slumped the the floor in a pathetic pile. "Targets locked," the mercenary confirmed. "Four reds in the immediate area. Three hostages." He heard a gasp that the comm indicated had come from four. "Ael, what is it?"

"Human sacrifices," she murmured. Her finger pointed out ahead, where a mutilated carcass had been flayed and peeled open, its intestines and various other visceral accompaniment still spewing from the hollowed cavity. Wrynn frowned. "They're slaughtering-"

"Lock that down, Four," Two called, "we knew this was a possibility when we mobilized. We can mourn for them once the survivors are secured." Wrynn felt his stomach turn as the cultists slowly recovered from the total destruction of their equilibrium. One man screamed out in utter fury as a crimson hued blade erupted to life in his hand. Tobias reacted before Two had time to get carved in half.

The quick shot blew a hole in the cultist's face five inches in diameter.

"You two, stay alert." Wrynn did not leave room for rebuttal. His HUD had picked up the thermal readings just in time to afford a proper response. If he hadn't been wearing it, Two would have been dead. Three was already behind another, and his vibroknife tore deep into the jugular vein and prompted a waterfall of crimson to paint the floor.

"They like brutality," the Commando hissed, "I say we show them some brutality."

"Give 'em hell," Five agreed. The man palmed the head of a cultist, who was still shivering from his eardrums exploding and writhing in agony, With a twist and snap, the lesser man expired. "We need to fortify this position for other refugees," he added. "It appears to have accesses in several directions. This would make an effective choke point."

"Right," Wrynn agreed with a curt nod. "Three, Five, secure the southern and eastern corridor. Two, Four, press with me into the western room and see what we find there. If there are survivors, we need to corral them into this position and hold out until we can affect a proper extraction."

Three headed for the southern corridor and slid through the doorway. (Hallway leading to rooms 9, 10, 11) He took in the aesthetic, riddled with strange runes and various animal remains. The hallway tested negative for atmospheric poisons, so he unlatched his helmet and tugged it off. The dank air entered his lungs, and the commando almost gagged. "It reeks," he complained.

Those helmets were stuffy. Janson hated the things, and without Wrynn watching him, he decided that it would not hurt him to take it off for a spell. He looked around at the dusty hallway and felt a chill rip down his spine. "What the hell..."

Five stood vigilant at the crossroads, where the totem rested. His gaze remained glued to the eastern corridor, and his heavy repeater was trained on the threshold. He almost felt sorry for anyone who decided to wander through.

Almost.

Wrynn, Two, and Four halted their advance at the doorway to (Room 6). The three exchanged glances and Tobias gestured for Two to toss another sonic grenade. "Mark," the mercenary called. Two pulled the weapon from his belt and tossed it into the room. They engaged their sonic dampeners, and the low pitched whine began with a shiver. As it grew, the room they stood in began to shake.

The grenade broke into a banshee wail, and several cultists joined in the melodic suffering.

"Hold..."

 

[Niysha]

Room: 3 > 6
Attn: [member="Zerka Tarash"]
Currently: Blind-leading the blind?

Okay, this girl was way too light to be real. Niysha could almost lift her without much difficulty, and her spindly-ass tiny arms were the sort of thing that you'd use to clean your teeth after eating popcorn. Even so, she held on tight. No reason to let the poor dear fall. She'd probably break, or something. She was probably made out of something fragile, like glass or a Sith Lord's ego.

High five! Most people didn't try to make physical contact with Niysha, let alone exhibit a feeling of camaraderie. That was new. Refreshing, even. Also now her hand stung, so that was a thing. High fives were such a weird freakin' custom. Why would you slap someone's hand in victory? Why not, like, hug them or something? Actually, no. Scratch that. Hugging was also invasive and uncomfortable.

Neuroses later. Reality now.

With a nod, Niysha took the girl's hand (eugh) and stepped through the tiny little gap. "I assume it's dark in there?" The Miraluka replied with a shrug. Light was one of those concepts that was difficult to grasp. "Watch your step. This entire hallway is a downwards staircase."

A few steps later, she was in range to See into the next room. "There aren't any people in the room ahead. Let me know when you can see well enough to move on your own." As cute as it was having a kid tagging along with her, it would be really nice to have both hands available to her. She had no idea what was down here, and the Force was being very uncooperative with her at the moment.

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Position: 2>8
Objective: Secure position and hold

Causstik Rahn and his commandos made their way up the staircase and entered a hall. They met no resistance as they casually strolled through. At the end of the hall was a bookcase which apparently hid this halls secret entrance. The Trandoshans pushed it over with a heave and heard a small squeak as the case apparently fell on top of somebody. The Trandoshans hopped through the gap guns a'blazing. Their were four cultist on the other side of the door way. Two were instantly mowed down, but the other two drew their blades. They deflected the few bolts that came there way and charged. The Trandoshans withdrew their own Vibro-blades and met the attackers head on. Meanwhile Causstik sat on top of the case keeping the poor soul trapped underneath quiet busy. When the melee was finished the Trandoshans laughed over the fallen enemies corpses. Mutilating them for trophies to bring to the Scorekeeper. Causstik and his band had lost a comrade, but that only meant more riches for the rest. Causstik lifted up the case with one hand and grabbed the hapless woman with the other. She swung her arms wildly and atempted to escape, but this only brought more laughter from the Trandoshans. They slapped a shock collar on her and made their way to a room with a very large door way at the end of the hall. (Room 8)

They entered the room and found three cultist at the ready with blades drawn. They charged. This time Causstik took two of them on personally. He lunged forward with a great leap and super man punched the nearest cultist in the face with a Beskar clawed hand. The mans head was crushed beneath Causstik's weight as they collapsed to the ground. Causstik was quickly assailed by another who atempted an over head swing. Causstik blocked it with his other hand then parried with a quick clawed punch to the guts. He brought his hand down while it was still within the man, effectively disemboweling him. Blood and large clumps of solids pored out of his gaping stomach and every other orifice in his body. The rest of his small party had jumped the third and were currently toying with him. He was surrounded. He'd face one then another Trandoshan would cut him from behind. Hissing laughter filled the air. The man collapsed defeated and the Trandoshans slapped another shock collar on him.

The room had a pillar in the center. Tied to it were about fourteen captives of multiple nationalities. More slaves. There were two stair cases which led upwards three steps then ended in a small platform. In the center of the platform was another woman praying to the idol atop the alter. A Trandoshan walked the steps and punched the woman square in the face. Hard. She fell to the ground and began weeping. Another shock collar was dolled out. The Trandoshans covered the door way some from atop the plat form other from beside the pillar. Causstik walked to the alter. Where are the riches? Where is the loot? Then he looked at the idol. Perhaps this is it? It was a grotesque serpent made seemingly out of bone and leather. The creature was horrifying to look at. Faces seemingly in agony were threaded along the length of its body and it seemed to have the mouth of a Sarlaac. It looked familiar. A wolf worm.

 

[TB-705]

ATTACKER
Location: Room 5
Allies: Tai Fa
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"]

The metallic scent of blood filled Thengil's nostrils. The sound of battle intensified for a moment, punctuated by explosions and the squeals of the dying, then all grew still. Ahead, he heard voices.

Thengil picked his way through rubble before he came across the first corpse. His gait slowed to a prowl. He emerged from the winding corridor to the sight of scattered bodies.

Crouching low, the Cathar watched the group split up. Three to the South, one to the West and another who stayed near a totem in the middle of the room. The last watched the eastern corridor, head barely moving. Whatever their allegiance, these soldiers did not appear concerned with protecting their rear. No one watched the way from which they'd come.

A mistake.

The Cathar slunk forward with a preternatural silence until he stood behind the soldier who stood as lookout for the Eastern corridor. The shrill whine of a sonic grenade erupted from the direction of the larger group. In that moment, Thengil struck. Four hundred pounds of muscled feline wrapped an arm around the soldier and attempted to hold him close, while the other paw came up, vibroknife in hand, and sought to drag the edge of the blade through the warrior's throat.

The knife's internal generator gave off a quiet hum as it set the blade's edge vibrating fast enough to slice through tendons like butter and rip through bone.

 

[Tobias Wrynn]

Location: Wrynn and Four- Room 5.
NPCs:
Two-> Room 6
Three -> Room 10
Five ...
Six, Seven -> //Entering//

Allies: ---
Enemies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]

The proximity alert never went off, skewed by the effects of the sonic grenade in the next room. Wrynn watched their six as the other two prepared to advance into the next room. That was when he noticed it, albeit almost in slow motion. He cried out, but the sound of his voice was drowned by the blast. "Five!" the Mercenary tried in vain to warn his ally of the incoming monstrosity, and his pistol raised with all the grim finesse his training afforded him. His optics selected the target with intense precision, and the cybernetic selected an area of the creature's body that would be most effective with the threat of striking an ally factored.

Five let out a garbled sound as he was taken off guard, but his hands automatically ripped up to grip the offender's arm. It held him fast, and the heavy knew his days were numbered. There was no evading the strike that was to come, but he could assure that the target had a similar disadvantage. As blood spewed from his throat and the warmth blossomed across his flesh, the commando gave a surprised gasp and his mouth filled with crimson. His weight bore down on the Cathar's arm as the freshly made corpse slumped.

Wrynn fired off two shots, center mass. He knew there was nothing he could do to save his fallen comrade, but Tobias needed to ensure none of his other allies fell to the same fate. "Six, Seven," he called, "Five is down. You two need to get in here."

Whether or not the Cathar went down was another problem. Four twisted when she heard the sound of blaster fire at her side and her eyes went wide. "Bast!" she called out in despair. She lacked the presence of mind to train her gun on the assailant, but her body was poised for action. If the creature moved toward her, she would not hesitate. That much of her training was deeply ingrained.

"He's dead?" Three spoke in a flat voice as he raised his weapon and locked his helmet back in place. Part of him felt that his leaving had directly played a part in his friend's demise. "That's a shame."

Three raised his weapon as he pushed forward. "I'm looking for survivors down this way," he muttered. "Let me know if you need me to double back."

"Dead?" the new voice shuddered a bit. Her tone was softer than Four's, but Wrynn sighed in relief as Six came across his comm. "We're moving in. Eight will hold the Extraction point for us." Six and Seven hurried into the fortress, though it would take some time before they grouped up with the others. (2 posts) "Wrynn, did you get the bastard?"

"The next room is clear," Two announced as he fired several shots into cultists as they groaned and wriggled around on the floor. He kept his eyes forward, since the rear was covered by Wrynn and Four. He noted a strange tribal fetish that hung on the wall, a bit larger than any of the other strange decorum. Its gaze glowed a ghastly green, and he uttered a quiet curse. "Hey Wrynn?" he spoke into the comm. "I don't like this at all."

 

[Mishka Larraq]

Planet: Renegar
Location: Approaching the Complex (Room 2)
Objective: Infiltrate Sith Complex, Gather Intel, Take Nessessary Actions, Nick a Book or Artifact,
Allies: NA
Enemies: NA
Neutral: [member="Causstik Rahn"], [member="Aeshi Tillian"]
NPC's: 1x Valiant Ursine Companion w/ child sized Beskar'gam: 1x Holdout Blaster, 1x Beskad

Mishka could see the entrance now. Partially hidden behind a winding path of boulders and thick shrubbery lay an opening set against the mountainside. A thick wood and iron door had been secured over the tunnel opening, but it had since been knocked down. And probably very recently. <Looks like it was once a mine.> Mishka thought to herself as she approached the opening, crouching down once she arrived at it to run her fingers across the wooden door that lay upon the ground, scorch marks and still-cooling metal marking where someone had recently used a cutting torch.

Inside the tunnel, not far from the fallen door, three bodies lay crumpled upon the dirt and stone floor of the tunnel. All male. The stink of charred flesh hung in the air. <Probably blasters.> Mishka thought, though she'd have to roll the bodies over if she wanted to find out. While she wasn't exactly fond of the idea of touching a Sith Cultist, dead or otherwise, she figured she should at least check them each for a pulse. The last thing she needed was a hostile popping up behind her.

A gentle tug on the hem of her dress got her attention and Mishka turned to look at her small Ursine Companion, his helmeted head not too far in height from her own while she was crouching. "Me-" Mishka began in a whisper before the body language of the small creature fully registered with her. One hand was tugging on her dress while the other was pointing back along the trail.

Footsteps. Heavy. Regular. Multiple.

<A squad marching at double-time.> Mishka thought to herself. <Sheb.>

Her blonde hair whipped through the air as her head snapped left and right, searching for a place to hide. In spite of the boulders and shrubs that helped to keep the doorway blending into the mountainside at far distances, there was nothing even remotely close to a good hiding spot in the immediate area. She could try and hide in a bush... but she was standing on dirt and gravel and had no time to try and hide her footprints.

The footsteps were getting closer. Too freaking close.

<Sheb!> Mishka's internal dialog screamed as she grabbed the Ursine with her left hand and ran through the doorway. Again, her head snapped left and right as she searched for a suitable hiding place, her hair flailing in her wake.

Nothing. There was no where to go and if she tried to run ahead, hoping to find a place to hide before the approaching squad caught up with her, she ran the risk of finding herself surrounded by two hostile forces instead of one.

<Sheb.> Mishka thought again as her eyes stopped and stared at one of the bodies in the room. An idea came to her that she instantly hate, but it was the only idea she had. With footsteps growing both louder and closer, Mishka tossed the Ursine into the corner, grabbed the nearest full-sized human male corpse by the shoulders, and rolled his body on top of her own.

<This is a terrible idea.> Mishka thought to herself, holding her breath as the stampede of boots entered the room.

<How the heck did that work?> Mishka thought to herself as the stampede of boots continued into the complex.

Mishka rolled the body off of her and gasped for air as it thudded back onto its chest. <Dead. Definately dead.>

Sighing, Mishka looked towards where she had thrown the Ursine to find it standing and staring silently at her. "Jorhaa'ir naasad." She said to the Ursine, before rolling herself over, picking up her pistol (that she had apparently dropped when she moved the body) and rising to her feet. With a simple 'come along' gesture towards the Ursine, Mishka continued into the complex.



TLRD: While examining the front door, noticed [member="Causstik Rahn"] approaching and ducked out of the way (reacting to his earlier post of moving into the complex) to explain them not encountering during his approach. Coming up behind [member="Aeshi Tillian"].

Mandoa Translation

Spoiler

"Meg?" / "Me-"
"What?" / "Wha-"

"Jorhaa'ir naasad."
"Speak nothing."
"Not one word."

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7
Objective: Instill control.
Allies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | The Cultists.
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"]
|3|

"Your desire, my Lord." Dhaman spoke, his voice slightly muffled as he huddled against the floor. The Kiffar wasn't pleased, this much was certain, yet it was within the nature of the Sith and the nature of the Darksiders to look for power. When they found it, they'd either try to claim it or allow themselves to be subjugated - either death, victory or postponed defeat... it was a rare few who would willingly march to their death, if they were given a perceived way out.

"Find friends, young warrior.​

Convince them of this true path.​

Then follow the boom."​

​

"Boom?" The Kiffar whispered questioningly.​

​

"Boom. The fire rains.​

You will know it, when you hear.​

Move fast, young warrior."​

​

Dhaman rose up quickly, bowing fast, before turning around and sneaking through the path laid open towards chambers eight. His friends were there and they... they might listen to what was said, possibly.​

​

"You mentioned power.​

Where is it, my old friend Vnut?
I am busy."

The ursine bear revealed a statue of some sort resting in the palm of his hand. It was strange, twisted in the corners and when you stared for too long it grabbed at your eyes. Made you feel strange things, yet, Lord Fa knew power where he saw it. The Thirriken refused the urge to grab at it, simply inclining his beak.

Vnut knew what it meant and the statue disappeared once again, now in the folds of his armor.

They moved. Out of Room 7, leaving naught behind, before entering the corridor the young Kiffar had just left in pursuit of possible allies at Chamber 8.

Gunfire... ah, yes, the eternal sounds of war.


"Move with our friend, Vnut.
I will see what its about.
Stay vigilant, yes?"

Vnut nodded, then left towards chamber 8 as well. In reply the Thirriken, the Space Peacock, Lord Fa became one with the shadows and noises of war. His silk robe fluttered gently through the air as he moved and came across a peculiar scene; his Lion-Friend, [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] with a bloody corpse at his feat. Then two humanoids, one firing at him, while the other... was simply staring- yet her stance spoke of aggression.

Fa would not deny Thengil his pound of flesh from [member="Tobias Wrynn"].

But he would amend the situation. The Sith Thirriken flew through the air, the edge of his tall blade already trailing with him, true, the neck was the most gentle part of most humanoids. This was his goal -- to cleave right through, sharp, sharp edge edging past tendons, muscles and fiber.

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

(Realized a error in my last post meant to be nine)

Room 9-adjoining hall

She cpuld hear the distant sound of battle now, she gave a smile a s she started focusingher heat towards the chains, trying to get them hot enough, when that didn't work she drew the force in to regain energy and sighed a s she focused on filling the chains with the force, she felt every Crack slowly be filled, she kept focusing as the two were looking out at the battle that grew closer and closer she finally had the cracks filled and expanded them shattering them, one guy turned quickly and got a rught hook enough to Crack his skull, the other looked over as she drew her leg back and kicked him in the stomach causing him to fall and gasp trying to get a breath, her gun arm transformed quickly by quickly it was 5 seconds before she pointed at him and unloaded

She sighed as she looked to the door, she didn't wanna waste energy and pulled her foot back and kicked the door off as she started walking out" alright let's hope I find someone who is friendly....

She said and started heading down to the right to go to 5

@whoever is in five

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Causstik and his Trandoshans sat in room eight. What were they doing? Absolutely nothing. Causstik had become fascinated with the idol. He studied it, held it, even tasted it. Still he could not figure it out. The rest of his war band sat boredly starring at there new slaves, making faces at them, growling, even an occasional blaster bolt. All in a effort to make them squirm. One of the cultist prisoners decided he had enough. He stood said something in a strange language and charged. The collar around his neck beeped rapidly then exploded. The Trandoshans laughed uncontrollably at the resulting gore and giblets.

 

[TB-705]

ATTACKER
Location: Room 5
Allies: [member="Tai Fa"]
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"]

The blade sliced through the soldier's neck. A warped gargle issued from him, then the ultrasonic vibrations along the quivering length shredded the larynx. Hot arterial spurts gushed over Thengil's paw. Frantic, dying hands scrabbled for purchase, or relief. Thengil growled low and held the man close. Blood soaked the fringes of his mane a shade of scarlet.

A flurry of feathers erupted from the eastern corridor, drawing Ri'shajirr's attention away for an instant. So, the bird escaped. Impressive.

The high whine of a blaster charge barely proceeded the impact of a bolt of superheated plasma against Thengil's right side. The exosuit's fibers dispersed the energy, leaving the fur beneath scalded instead of charbroiled. White wisps curled from the point of contact. The Cathar spun in the direction of the shot, reflexes preternatural. A second bolt landed with a sizzling slap against the chest plate of the still-clutched corpse.

Eyes of amber fixed on the origin of the fire: a human male.

Thengil bared a set of yellowed fangs. "More chaff for the threshing."

Cadaver held like a shield, he advanced on the human.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7 NPC: Corridor 7 to Room 8
Objective: Continue Control
Allies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | The Cultists.
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"]
|4|

~ Intermission ~​

Vnut heard the blaster shots coming from behind him, yet he did not turn around to aid his employer.

Years ago, back when he had first been hired by Lord Fa, he made the mistake of ignoring orders and assuming that his Lord was a helpless little space chicken. That was the day he earned the scar across his left eye and learned that a little unassuming peacock could be a devil in battle.

He took another look at the little idol in his hand: rubies for eyes, they twinkled as the bleary lights shone on them and for a moment the ursine bodyguard had a distinct feeling they were watching him. He shook his head and quickly made the statue disappear again into the folds of his clothing; they had a bond, Fa and him. He was the protector against steel and the Thirriken would guard him against the magicks.

A pact.

It suited Vnut fine. What did not suit him fine was finding half a dozen cultists standing maybe... four-five meters away from the door to Chamber Eight, surrounding their new Kiffar warrior friend who was waving frantically with his hands while speaking rather quickly.

"We aren't fighters, Dhaman." One of them whispered, while sending guarded looks over his shoulder to the door of chamber 8. "It's bad in there, I felt it."

"He is." The Kiffar pointed to Vnut, who was standing just a meter away from them. The group of cultists looked at the ursine creature, then at one another, before one of them shrugged.

"We are beset on all sides, brothers, it's this or death."

They nodded and then moved to stand around the Balinaka.

"What is-"

"Trust them." Dhaman spoke quickly. "We don't have a lot of time."

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Niysha"] [member="Zerka Tarash"] [member="Tai Fa"] [member="Tobias Wrynn"] [member="Causstik Rahn"] [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] [member="Stardust Raxis"] [member="Mishka Larraq"] [member="Arla Balor"] [member="Aeshi Tillian"] [member="Fatty"]

Eleven idols of various descriptions, one in each of the most significant rooms, began to glow. It was not a pleasant glow, not warm or comfortable or wholesome in any way. The light was greenish, whorled with blood red. It drew the eye inexorably, filling hearts with dreams of...treasure. With avarice, and certainty that the idols were keys to hidden riches.

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Room 8

Causstik's Trandoshans watched as a cultist approached the room. They stared at him with amusement as he waved his arms in the air like a mad man. Well if he was mad he would be all the easier to take as a slave. Two Trandoshans approached the man with a shock collar, excited grins on their face. Then they reared back in surprise as a Balinaka accompanied him into the room.

"Huh, who the hell are you. What do you want?" One of the lizards asked while the rest trained there guns on the uninvited visitor.

Causstik still stood at the alter his complete attention focused on the malformed idol. It began to glow! It pulsed with life of its own. Causstik was completely caught in it's mesmerizing grasp. It promised treasure, glory, and power! All the while the voices in Causstiks head kept telling him something was off about these idols. Their promises are lies. Beware.

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7 NPC: Corridor 7 to Room 8
Objective: Fight Fight Fight
Allies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | The Cultists.
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]
OOC: My bad, man. Didn't notice someone else was already in room 8. I edited my last post, so your posts weren't invalidated!
|5|

~ Intermission ~​

They weren't warriors, that much was clear to Vnut. Oh, the robes hid their frames mostly, but the Balinaka had been around humanoids for a long time and could recognize scholars from the drop of his hat. Yet, there was power in their eyes, reflected by the gestures their arms made as they closed towards them.

"This will make you powerful." One of them said, slissing through his sharpened teeth. A Devaronian, by the looks of the horns leaving the shadows of his cowl.

"Quite powerful." Another one agreed, before touching the fur on his back. It burned. The pain felt good which was strange, but Fa had told him to take care of this situation. And for some reason the Thirriken wanted the help of these cultists, so he would do whatever was necessary.

"If you survive," The third one, a female twi'lek - all green with orange and red tattoos around her neck - cautioned. "We might even make it permanent."

The next three seconds passed fast as he crumbled to his knees. Weight suddenly gripped at his shoulders, eyes burned and a beast rose up through his throat. He gritted his teeth, yet all he wanted was to rip and tear.

"See that?"
"Mmmmhmm, yes this one will work fine, indeed."

"Focus!" The Kiffar warrior shouted to them, but it was the bear who reacted. He suddenly rose; too fast for the bulking frame he was carrying around. Arms like tree-trunks pushed the cultists away, gently, oh so gently, but the eyes burned as they focused on the door of chamber 8.

Four big steps took him to the door -- the Kiffar followed in his wake, while the cultists seeped back into the shadows -- he pushed it open.

Lizards.... no, Trandoshans. Same difference.

"Your death." Vnut growled out, before his form blurred and appeared half a meter before the first lizard. A big meaty trunk already lashed out to punch the enemy in the face, send him flying into a few others. They had guns, he needed to have speed and control the situation.

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Room:8

The bear punched the Trandoshan in the face and his head caved in accordingly. His body went sprawling backwards and his comrades laughed at him. They laughed at him. Something was in the air. The Trandoshans seemed not to care for death at all. Prolong exposure to the idol had caused whatever was in the atmosphere to enhance their blood lust. Effectively sending them into a mad killing frenzy. One Trandoshan withdrew his vibroblade and cut the head off a slave in one fell swoop. A geyser of blood jetted out and the Trandoshan giggled in delight. Two Trandoshans that were upon the elevated alter area fired down upon the bear while two by the pillars withdrew their blades and charged the bear. The remaining two charged the scholarly type behind the bear creature. They'd make short work of them. At the sounds of battle the seven foot four hundred pound Causstik peeled his eyes from the idol and stared at the bear attacking his troops. He stood and readied his fist

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

Location Moving from room one to hall approaching room 4
Allies: Unknown
Enemies unknown


Movement the sound of the unknown as [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] moved around her she barely saw him, she wondered if her systems needed checking. She moved one step and a pause as she looked around the hall looked empty her readout showed nothing but was it lying?

She took another step, feth, right now she wished for company [member="Cole Dagos"] would do nicely he seemed to enjoy battle and allowed her to be herself as she moved. But she did not know where he was right now. She swallowed hard trying not to let that little flutter of her heart, her fear took too deep a root as she turned the corner and saw an entry to another room.

But there was something more, a glow an erie glow that registered and yet didn't, what was that? A trick of this place? She inched along the wall until she could see into the room. She pulled off her buy'ce to look with her own eye, she felt light headed, she felt that everything was just around the corner somewhere in here all that she ever dreamed of was just within reach.

She stepped closer to the glow then she could see it, was it bleeding, was that some omen of what the cost of the dream was? Would it cost her blood, or someone elses?

 

[Aeshi Tillian]

[member="Mishka Larraq"]
Room 2 entranceway
--------------

Aeshi leaned against the wall, hissing through her teeth as blood ran down her arm. For a chunk of steel, those old swords were still dangerous weapons. Pain flared up and through her arm, spreading across the rest of her body. She tore a strip of cloth from her shirt, dabbed it in her canteen, and tied it around the cut. She'd put some bacta on it later. Things were still going on here- and she needed to take care of it.

Or maybe she didn't. Nothing was stopping her from leaving. She had been led here for a purpose, however. Dreams of her parent's face in captivity. It was possible they were still alive, even after all these years. But this place was full of death- it had begun to permeate the Force, lending a sickening pall to the already dim air. What if her parents really had ended up here?

If she left, she might never find them. But they could easily enough be already dead. She spat a curse and rose to her feet. A squad of Trandoshans had passed by without paying her much attention, which she appreciated. So they were definitely inside at least. She really didn't want to deal with them. They were a pain to take care of, and if she had indeed ran across their leader before, he was as vicious as they came and there was no combat droid here to hold him off.

It would just be her and... she paused.

Someone was coming up behind her. Aeshi half-turned, blood stained sleeve clearly visible.

"Who're you?" She called out, voice rather tight and strained. "I can tell you're there. Heard you move the bodies. Good call, by the way." Actually, Aeshi could sense the person through the Force. A presence, but nothing too specific.

She bit her lip as another flood of pain washed through her arms. She'd have to start carrying med supplies on a daily basis now. Never quite needed it before.

 

[TB-705]

ATTACKER
Location: Room 2->8
Allies: [member="Tai Fa"]
Enemies: [member="Causstik Rahn"]

Interlude.

Unit 666 wheeled into the subterranean bunker. Slowly it spun, then faster in an effort to achieve its directive.

Designated outcome: death of hostile meat bags.

Awareness: I am the terror that rolls in the night.

The droideka plowed past militants with great speed and force, central processors calculating until it reached the designated hallway. It promptly rolled into domiciliary compartment no. 8 and unfurled into its tripod base.

Photoreceptors swiveled back and forth, taking in the presence of glowing objects that did not register within its programming. Anomalies. Inconsequential. Achieve the directive.

Triple Six's deflector shield sprang to life and it pointed both upper appendages in the direction of the designated hostile. The appendages terminated in repeating blasters.

"Roger, roger."

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7 NPC: Room 8
Objective: Fight Fight Fight
Allies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | The Cultists.
Enemies: [member="Tobias Wrynn"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]
|6|

~ Intermission ~​

​

Fire burning across his side, blood on his cuff.

It felt good.

The Vnut had never experienced this before in a fight. The fire burning through his veins, that raced him by, that made him want more and more. He stepped to the side, one of the blades swishing at him and cutting thinly into his shoulder - more blood, but that was only good, was it not? - the ursine creature took advantage of the closed quarters nature.

He'd grab the Trandoshian who had cut him, use him to deflect any further blasts at him, before throwing him back at the ranged combatants higher up.

Vnut had a cut in his shoulder, one of the bolts had burned through his side, yet... two or four were down... difficult to count in the heat of battle.

His attention was not with the Kiffar nor the... droid? It was leveled at the biggest Trandoshan in the room. He grunted, grinned widely with blood on his teeth and then beckoned to him.

Come and face your death.

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Room: 8

The situation was getting out of hand. The attackers were becoming annoying. They were distracting Causstik from the only thing that mattered. The idol. Causstik no longer cared for anything else. While his troops fought the droid and the bear Causstik walked over to the prisoners still chained to the rooms center pillar. He unchained them and they began running for the door. As the majority of them reached the door Causstik took cover behind the pillar and withdrew a detonator from his belt. He pressed down on the button and the collars still locked around the would be slaves necks exploded. The explosions incinerated anything near by. His troops and anyone else caught in the blast would disappear in a mass of blood and flame. Body parts and organs flew through the air and streams of blood marked their trajectory. Causstik merely sat behind the pillar as the explosions rocked the room and blood pooled at his feet. He withdrew the idol once more and stared into its captivating eyes. Nobody was going take his prize away.

[member="Tai Fa"], [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]