Welcome To The Machine [Incursion PvE]

[Zark San Tekka]

Location: Door 1 - Generator Room [member="Onyx"] | [member="Diamond"]
Allies: [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | Others
Objective: Destroy Heretek Turrets, Escape Evil Robot Death Trap


As the turrets receded back into the chamber's ceiling, the wires that formed Archim's crude scomp link also wound their way back underneath the folds of his billowing robes and into his chest cavity, out of sight. Uncertain if it had been the result of his efforts or anothers' attempts to either hack or destroy the defense systems, the Metal Lord had gotten nowhere fast in his own endeavor to penetrate the facility's more critical systems through what was apparently nothing more than a service access point. In the brief calm that followed, the crimson robed cyborg assessed his own physical status with emotionless precision.

In his dash for the far wall while the blasters were firing, he had taken a few stray glancing shots and one that had hit some minor subsystems. Not ideal, but with the amount of redundancies built into his artificial frame it would take a lot more than that to bring him down for good. Those around the Iskalloni had so far paid him little mind, apparently disarmed for the moment at least by his arrival in the company of the very talkative [member="HK-36"] and his lack of hostility to those of a more organic nature around him. Lord Calixis was most of the way through his self diagnostic when the Contingency's real trap sprung, and he realized their brief victory was but a hollow one.

It was a simple enough matter to shut down his aural implants, cutting off the source of the immediate disorientation from the array of sonic weaponry now barraging the occupants of the room. But turning them off wouldn't prevent the damage the concussive waves were inflicting upon his systems, and if this kept up chances are they would require serious repairs in order to function again. The same went for his other, more delicate inner workings, some of them critical to his life support functions. What it did accomplish, however, was in allowing him to react much quicker and with greater focus than many of those around him.

For the first time since he had arrived on this world, the mechadendrites hidden underneath his robes unfolded themselves from their standby position in the small of his back on his command. Four spider-like mechanical manipulating arms rose out from underneath the fabric, each with various tools at their tips, and the one with the autoblaster attached to its end powered up and began tracking based on the Metal Lord's inputs. Compact as it was, its destructive power was not astonishing, but almost as soon as the new threat appeared Archim began peppering turrets with blaster fire.

Already compromised by the vibrative force of the sonic torrent they were all enduring, it took his internal sensors longer than it should have to detect the hazardous foreign substance seeping into the room. With most of his power diverted to weapons systems, his scans struggled to identity the exact nature of the toxin.

"GAS!" his vocoder blared struggling to be heard over the extreme decibel level of sonic turret fire, although with his implants powered off Archim could not hear it, or any of the chaos all around him, "ORGANICS SHIELD YOURSELVES!"

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Location: Maintenance Tunnels | Path 1: Left Door | [member="Onyx"] | [member="Diamond"]
Allies: The Dark Side Team | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Torian Pierce"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

Spoiler

Left Side Corridor Occupants: [member="Allyson Locke"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Archim Calixis"] | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Captain Ironbeard"] | [member="Jessica Matthews"] | [member="Jorah"] | [member="Kaili Talith"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Tempest"] | [member="Zai Avery"]

It was almost too perfect. The blast door the First Order group managed to enter through closed behind them, almost as if it had been waiting, waiting for the last few souls to choose a path and closing the options behind them. A sigh escaped as she turned a glare to the offending door, the chaos in the corridor dying down almost simultaneously. The whirl of the turrets faded, the shots dying into an empty silence that left her ears ringing. A flash of red irises answered the nerves that coiled in her gut, the sheer silence, punctuated only by the quiet drone of the machinery around them, far more sinister and imposing than the riotous noise from before.

The hilt of her saber rested heavily in her palm as she waited, unwilling to activate the blade in such close quarters, but prepared for the next volley of attack from the Contingency. It was they who orchestrated this entire ordeal, the mixed group of people trapped in the confines of the corridor a snapshot of the reach this group had exhibited on the galaxy. Narrowed eyes began to light in the figures around them, flashes of Force Auras creating a tapestry of light within the Knight's mind as she waited for orders from the Master if Ren in their group.

No sooner had she begun her cursory examination, then the turrets returned, sliding out from the ceiling and the walls in a hiss. A dozen of them if her quick count was correct, Ara’s fingers tightened on her blade as she readied for another shower of bullets.

Instead of the heat and flash of gunfire, there was sound.

Eyes widened in surprise before slamming shut against the barrage, the girl collapsed to the floor, sensative ears unprotected from the sheer power of the sound. Heightened senses that were such a boon in battle, now became a linchpin in her armour, a flaw to be exploited.

As knees hit durasteel, the pain of the impact dwarfed by the shattering of thoughts and spikes of fire the onslaught sent through her mind, she somehow managed to hold onto Ba’Vanim, fingers and palm digging into the metal in agony. Tears leaked from her eyes as she fought back a scream, pulling power to her, darkness snapping around her as the Knight created an invisible barrier around herself, a futile attempt against the waves of sound, an instinctive act of self-preservation that was utterly useless.

Get...up...stop...kneeli-

Words fought against the tides of sound, Ara's mind pushing back with every ounce of strength she had, vision lost in reds and blacks as pain dominated her world. She was stronger than this. Had to be stronger than this.

 

[Armand Temi]

Location: Moving from secret passageway to Door One - Generator Room
Objective: Play with the sentients
Allies: [member="Diamond"] [member="Onyx"]
Organics: [member="Vereshin"] | [member="Pom Stych Tivé"] | [member="Allyson Locke"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Archim Calixis"] | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Captain Ironbeard"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Jorah"] | [member="Kaili Talith"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Tempest"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Zai Avery"]

When the energy ball disappeared, Rainbone cocked his head and sniffed the ground as a real dog would. Whether he actually detected any odors or it was just a canine behavioral thing imprinted in his AI, they would not really know.

He perked up his ears at the whistle and sure enough as the energy ball was released from Vereshin’s fingertips, the droid bounded down the other way and disappeared around the corner. Once he’d retrieved the ball, he shook it, causing sparks to fly from his metallic maw. As the Sith and Sorceress turned the door into energy particles which would cause it to be breached, Rainbone flew through, followed closely behind by the organics.

Vereshin’s instinct about the gas was correct, but while he was able to detect it in the secret passageway they’d been in, he would not be able to notice it here. All there were in this room were twelve turrets from the ceiling and some awful indescribable sound. There was also no visible way out.

Vereshin and Pom would also notice the multitude of galaxians who were also trapped in the room behind Door Number One. Rainbone let out a tentative woof, lava-orange eyes glowing and growled at the organic closest to him which was [member="Muad Dib"].

 

[Yaadri Osi-Yyn]

Location: Terminal Room
Team: Dark Side
Route: 2 | Right

The grand speech of the apparition annoyed Venthis. At this point, the patience of the young Sith was almost non-existent. The words rang around the room, bouncing off the walls. Silence wrapped around the room as the common-enemy spoke. Then it came to an end, various confused expressions scattered around the room. Venthis crossed his arms before he felt something gathering in the air.

He would use a practice he had learned while learning at the Sith Temple on Bastion, Detoxify Poison. Venthis could feel the gas burning away at his lungs before he would eject the foreign toxin from his body. Clearly focusing to continue the ability.

His finger would raise pointing to the group at random, raising his voice. "Find that button." He said, eyeing the controls himself for something seemingly sticking out as a possible option.

Some of the others would begin to choke, some dropped to the floor in agony. Venthis was able to remain on his feet while using the ability. Leaning against at one point, to maintain his focus. "Is there not anything, that looks different from the others?" He asked, clearly desperate. "There must be something, a clue?" It was obvious they would not be guessing but instead, it would be a puzzle of some sorts.

[member="Zircon"] | [member="Aster Rose Baelor"] | [member="Vindica"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Astromech DD2-R8"] | [member="Kor Vexen"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Caelag Vass"] | [member="The Slave"]​

 

[Ein Harper]

Objective: Tank Things, Sober Up
Enemies: [member="Onyx"], [member="Diamond"]
Nearby Folks: [member="Andorreth Vikar"], [member="Rekha Kaarde"], [member="Castor Ren"], [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"], [member="Samka Derith"], [member="Torian Pierce"], [member="Mishel Zanteres"], [member="Kyrel Ren"] [member="Vereshin"], [member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Jessica Matthews"], [member="Rainbone"], [member="Pom Stych Tivé"]

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMEQ0gNqB8E

"Can't we just use you instead?" The hunter fired back at [member="Audren Sykes"], "There's a premium on Jedi meat."

Did I just make that joke? I'm too high for this. Just answer the kid.

"I'm Jorah," came the simple answer.

The armor clad fellow gave the lad ([member="Zai Avery"]) a hint of a nod. His lips had parted to speak some other triviality, but [member="Muad Dib"]'s choice for action stole his attentions. The hunter watched the man with mild interest - more so in the rather suicidal manner he conducted himself. "That guy's got a death wish," he mused aloud, "Keep working on those turrets Zai. I don't think shooting them is going to accomplish all that much."

He gave a thumbs-up to [member="Atlas Kane"]. The kid was here now either way, and Jorah sorely doubted there was going to be a secure route of retreat. They'd do well to make good use of him while he was here. "Now, I'm gonna go ahead an-" the sound of quiet discord rang in his ears. The pain was both instantaneous and disconcerting. His teeth clenched as he recoiled into the thin strip of terminal that he'd deigned to call cover; fingers clawing at the sides of his helmet all the way down.

"Deafen."

All sound ceased for Jorah. The cacophony of carnage and the sickeningly high pitched noise were instantly silenced. Jorah's mental faculties returned with that silence. He peered out into the mass of packed bodies, blood, and laser fire. He saw [member="Archim Calixis"] seemingly expressing some information of relative importance to the group at large. Whatever the fellow was saying was lost to Jorah, though the message had gone understood on a more primal level.

"Oxygen."

The pressure in his suit shifted as it turned toward its own oxygen supply rather than that of the poisoned air around it. Two other groups entered the room.

It was too chaotic to tell just where [member="Ara Zambrano"] and the rest of the imperials had come from. All Jorah could tell was that they were probably going to be experiencing the effects of the toxin very soon, whatever those effects were.

"Why doesn't anyone ever wear helmets into combat situations anymore?" The former surgeon groaned as he peered up and over the shattered terminal. All around him were individuals exposed to the effects of that shrill noise. It wouldn't do to have them all shot whilst dealing with headaches.

His shields were fully active. Jorah frowned.

"I'm gonna sit in front of you and you're gonna finish whatever it is your doing. Not sure whether you're planning on bombing their power supply, or making them change targets or what, but -" he sidled over the terminal with a grunt, his mobility shield flickering to life as he exposed himself to the turret fire. The shields could withstand quite a few heavy blaster rounds before they fell, but he was going to be turned into paste either way if those turrets focused on him.

Hopefully they can figure something out while I die.

Charming thoughts. Jorah grinned as he rose to his full height in front of the terminals, shields flickering as he fired rather ineffectually at the turrets. A myriad of thoughts ranging from panic to cold excitement flowed through his veins, though the series of intoxicants he'd injected earlier served to dull such distracting sensations.

There was something rather surreal about standing in a world of carnage, and yet feeling entirely cut off from the situation all together due to the silence. Jorah decided that he liked it.

 

[Nima Tann]

Room 2: Main Facility Terminals
Allies: People in the room, [member="Tempest"] [member="HK-36"] [member="Vaylin"] [member="Astromech DD2-R8"] etc. etc.
[member="Zircon"]

She didn't expect the people in the room to cooperate anyway, but at this point they were just playing along with the Contingency's plans. Tension was getting higher, and the droids were probably having a laugh behind their screens. Oh well, Nima continued working on the terminal to see if at least something worked.

Nothing. Nothing at all. Until...

The holoprojector in the center of the room suddenly activated. A figure of a droid could be seen, and it started speaking. However, instead of answers, the speech was filled with mockery and more games. What do they gain by playing such childish games, Nima couldn't help but wonder.

Fortunately, they got some valuable information. So, good news and bad news. They had a chance to escape the room if they could find the right button, which all seemed to be activated. And bad news, there were a lot... A LOT... of buttons, and there seemed to be traps waiting for those who pushed the wrong one. Odds weren't in their favor.

"It could be any one of them." She told to Tempest. "If they like to play games, there might be hidden ones. Try to look for those." Or they would put the correct button in an obvious place, but of course tracking down unique buttons was a better option as there were too many obvious ones. She started her search.

But there was something else... As more seconds passed, the air that was filtered by her armor felt... different. Weird even. She started feeling headaches, and it was getting a bit harder to breathe. In her HUD, new data popped up, showing that there were some dangerous content in the air. Poison? She wouldn't be surprised.

Fortunately, Nima knew how to deal with this from her Jedi training. She focused on the Force to detoxify the poison in her body, get it out of her system before it became more dangerous. Once it was dealt with, she returned to the search for the button. And after a while, her search was a success. So, she pressed that and hoped for the best.

It was the only thing she could do.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Astromech DD2-R8"],

"Well clearly had something to do with the situation."

HK quipped to the Astromech after the smaller droid got shocked for attempting,

"Are you still alright?"

After the announcement from [member="Zircon"] HK looked over to [member="Nima Tann"] and [member="Venthis Zambrano"] who were looking for the correct button to press,

"That Contingency Slave also told you to press the right button, considering how they seem to view you as idiots, it might be literal and the correct button is the nearest button to your right side at the time the message played, or to the right of the projector. However, if I designed this room I would have just made all of the buttons incorrect, which seems just as likely, but so far they seemed to be more focused on treating this as a game rather than worrying about how efficiently they deal with intruders."

The droid pointed out before shrugging,

"Either way, it is all pretty much guess work unless we can determine where each button send signals to when pressed."


HK looked aside to [member="Vindica"] then,

"Give them a second to see if the buttons do not work, otherwise, one of the mechanisms is over here."

He motioned to the wall next to the blast door,

"About half a meter in, past the armor and plating, you will need to jerk counterclockwise then pull down. If we can unlock the blast door, I can probably get the energy shield shut down by breaking down their emitters."


As HK waited for the events to unfold further, slightly bored, he could not help but think of his companion [member="Archim Calixis"] who arrived with him, perhaps in a way he disarmed Archim's presence and caused his group to pay him little mind, although HK would not be able to know that for sure. Either way, the droid missed his friend, wishing that the two Lords were still together. He longed for Archim's tender voice droning on about cultists, Machine Gods, and the way Force could influence droids. HK wanted to feel the soft touch of Archim's mechanical tendrils against his bone pale smooth faceplate and those weird beard-fang protrusions he had in resemblance of a Kaleesh war mask.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

Location: Power Generator hallway
Allies: [member="Jorah"], [member="Audren Sykes"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Andorreth Vikar"], [member="Jessica Matthews"], whoever else i forgot
Enemies: [member="Onyx"], [member="Diamond"]

Kurayami had taken longer than hoped to regain his bearings to a suitable level, but by the time he did the crack of the hypervelocity rounds had fallen silent. Those turrets retracted into the ceiling only to be replaced by another dozen. Again not any sort of plasma rounds, neither were these physical rounds though. These were sonic blasters. The sonic dampeners in his helmet kicked in, lessening the hoped for effect of disorienting him. Taking a moment of reprieve he used the Force to pull his shoulder back into alignment, pushing hard against the wall to put it back into its proper place with an audible pop. Many of the other sensors on his armor showed some sort of oddity, the sonar was taking longer to return to its source and the readings were slightly distorted. Overlaying the last 'normal reading with one of the most recent showed it wasn't an equipment malfunction. Something about the atmosphere of the room had changed, it was more dense. Then came the call from another. Gas. Thank the Force for rebreathers and environmental seals and filters. He could perhaps manage to at least buy a bit of time.

After making sure his shoulder would at least stay put for the time being, he took a moment to reload the pistol with ion rounds from a speed loader. The area of effect on these wasn't massive, and it wasn't meant to be. Hopefully it would be enough to at least put the turrets out of commission for a few moments. He calmed his mind, letting the dull ache of his shoulder and temple fuel his focus. As an extra layer of help, he linked the pistols to his HUD. Taking aim at the one closest to Jorah, he fired a single slug at the turret, before switching targets to the one directly behind the man. From there he moved back towards himself making sure not to rush any shot. If this didn't work he would simply try to pull them from their mounts, and yet he could feel the vibrations in the air growing more intense. It wasn't long before the other 5 rounds were gone from the Punisher pistol. While he holstered the one on his left side, he drew the one from his right hip, already loaded, though admittedly he couldn't recall if these were the API or ion rounds. Oh well, He braced himself again and opened fire at the remaining turrets. Shatterguns were a great help and the fact that these pistols ere .454's meant that they hit like few other rounds, but also that they kicked like you had just insulted their mother. He still had his saber handy in case it was needed but if these didn't work, he would kindly ask everyone to step back unless they would prefer shrapnel wounds. 40mm grneades did not play well with others and would possibly be one of the only ways to beat the turrets if the slugs didn't manage to for him.

He had been so focused on taking out the sonic annoyances, that he hardly noticed that the blast doors had closed behind them, or that there had been not one or two, but three new additions to the hallway. Where they had come from he was unsure, but he just shrugged and loaded an ion grenade into the underbarrel launcher, taking the time to work out the firing arc necessary to hit some of the farther turrets should they return to life.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Zircon"]

(just a not!DM post, Enyo is not in the room)


Master Tann had taken the initiative and tried to guess the right button. As the Twi'lek correctly surmised, the robots were toying with them for this or that reason. So they needed to get out so that their adventure could finally begin.


Alas, she had picked the wrong one. After all, things could not be too easy. Presumably there was actually a button that would open the door. This one is merely a narrator and cannot determine that.


Anyhow, on with the plot. So without further ado arcs of electricity came from the vents above her. These electrical currents were strong enough to inflict rather grievous harm, especially if there was prolonged contact.


Furthermore, metal tentacles suddenly sprouted from the floor beneath her, intent on seizing and restraining her by applying a crushing grip. They were very strong, tough and shielded so that the forking arcs of electricity would not muck with them.

 

[Jsc]

Sonic turrents appeared in the generator room. Interesting.


Jess cocked her helmet to ponder this change. Yet the barrage of sound threatened them all. So she reached out with the Force and first shielded herself from the noise. Putting a barrier between herself and the wild emitted vibrations.

"Why?.."

Why such a strange dungeon. Tunnels? Turrents? Spider spit? Jess had to wonder. Even as death came for them all. Why the roulette? Was this brave adventure all just some sick game?

"This isnt an infiltration. Were expected."

She frowned and reached out towards the nearest gun. Suddenly, it stopped emitting. Then was crushed. Snap! The strange machine destroyed by a higher religion. Without explaination. Without expectation. It all died the same.

"This is no game!"

Jessica threw off her dark helm and outstretched her arms to the Gods.

"Enough toys!"

She would destroy all of these trinkets. Crush them all, one by one. If only to show their tasteless overlords that Jedi Lords are no patient mice.

Jessica would save this galaxy. Even if she had break the very will of this steel machine to do it. ([member="Diamond"] )

 

[Evoros]

Door #1 - Power Generator

So many succumbed, dropped at the ceaseless soundwaves like they were bullets. It made Diamond smile to watch - but then, she was always smiling. Not a smile of madness, not the leer of a sadist. A smile that seemed normal. Too normal. Even human.

But she was not human.

So many succumbed, but some could withstand - the ones clad in armor, who'd sought the strengths of technology. So perfect that the ones who came as sentient creatures, as human beings, were the ones who fell first. That the ones enduring through the sonic fire were those who armed themselves with machines and took those timid few steps from their nature. But they were human too. It made them weak. It had to be punished.

[member="Andorreth Vikar"] had spotted gas and sent the Force towards pipes, trying to stop it. And the pipes were cut off at his command. In that sense he had succeeded.

In the other sense it was too little, too late.

Enough gas by then had spread through the air that stopping two sources might have annoyed Diamond, but offered little else in way of disruption. Anybody who breathed that air would breathe in the gas. But it did not hurt them. Perhaps they would feel a rush of lightheadedness, but amidst the torturous sounds flooding the room it would surely make little difference. And still, they were in no danger - at least, no more than they were already.

He taunted a screen before a blaster pistol cut off the feed. She smiled and kept watching. From where? His technology would not help him, but perhaps he could figure it out by himself.

[member="Archim Calixis"] had spotted gas and tried to warn his allies. Perhaps some of them could hear him. Diamond did not mind.

"Having fun?"

The noise was gone, replaced by a voice that was achingly serene. There was no face to go with it.

"It's okay. You can leave. It's quieter in the room next door. But I need you all to stop shooting. Destroying the turrets will mess things up for you more than for me, I promise."

Her voice faded with a buzz of static, and there was an ear-splitting mechanical screech to remind everyone what they had endured before they were left in silence to wonder. Hopefully they would listen to her, and think. That great skill for destruction of theirs that was so impossibly human would get them nowhere if they gave in to it.

They were against shards, after all. The great skill of the contingency was their technology. One of those turrets possessed the technology to open the second blast door - just a lever, but it was concealed. One person by themselves could not spot it no matter their skill. One person by themselves could not switch it no matter their strength. Because one human could not equal one shard. Two, perhaps. Two might stand a chance.

The painful sound was gone, but that feeling of lightheadedness grew.

Spoiler

[member="Allyson Locke"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Archim Calixis"] | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Captain Ironbeard"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Jessica Matthews"] | [member="Jorah"] | [member="Kaili Talith"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Tempest"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Zai Avery"]

TL;DR:

• Diamond is a meanie speciesist
• Everyone who doesn't have a super nifty helmet is breathing the gas, but it isn't doing anything yet except for making people feel lightheaded
• To get to the next room, people need to knock heads until they work out one of the turrets contains a lever, and activate it.

NOTE: Folks who didn't post since the last DM post, you're not too late! Make your posts soon for optimum Evil Shard Fun Times™.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Location: Generator Room with sonic turrets and noxious event staff gas
Allies: Lightside ravers
Enemies: [member="Onyx"] ~ [member="Diamond"]
Objective: Escape, then burn the Incursion's toybox

Sighing as the turrets came back for another round I simply flicked open a palm sized detonator in my right hand. I'd laced the sand with explosive residue and I was well and truly done being caged. Redirecting the sands towards the gas emitters and turrets with The Force I simply coated the emitters and turrets with explosive laced sand. Holding it there I looked towards Matthews who'd ripped her helm off in frustration at being caged. Couldn't say I blamed her either.... "Oiy! Matthews, boom time." With that I flicked open the detonator and pressed the button in triggering the explosive residue in the sands. At least one of those blasted sonic turrets was going down.

These machines and those controlling them were going to die. I normally didn't wish death on others but this had gone on far longer than it should have. I knew there were more surveillance so as I triggered the explosives I looked around and shouted loud enough for whatever surveillance to pick up "What's the matter?! None of you people have enough courage to actually face us? As it was the gas didn't stop me neither did the sonic blasters. Only a matter of time until all of us descend on you and yours and tear your toybox apart."

[member="Jessica Matthews"] ~[member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] ~[member="Rekha Kaarde"] ~ [member="Muad Dib"] ~ @Everyone else I forgot

 

[Zircon]

Route #2- The Right Side to the Terminal

Oh how the poor little organics danced for Zircon. They all just had their moments of panic and tried to think their way through their current problem. The answer was right in front of them, but they wouldn't know that. Most of them were afraid to press anything as they cowered before the prospects of their own demise. Sad really. Well it would have been if they were not organics. No they all just tried to be intelligent creatures and think through their current situation. One of the wannabe organics though had started to make plans of having one of their force using friends to unlock the blast door while he would try to destroy the shields. Normally such a plan might work if not for the facts that the wall was full of all sorts of gears and mechanisms related to traps, the blast door did not weigh so much it would require more than one force user to open it, and that the emitters were on the opposite side of the shielding from them. A clever little plan but one not clever enough for the current situation.

Eventually the first button was pressed, and results ensued! A twi'lek woman had pressed one of the wrong buttons and one of the more personalized traps were triggered. It was a glorious show that got loads of laughter from Zircon. How entertaining the Organics and Friends show was turning out to be. It was so much fun for the droid that it decided to have a little fun itself. The holoprojector would activate once more and the image of Zircon would appear. It said over it, " Congrats! The first button has been pressed and it was incorrect! Such a momentous occasion that will be sure to go down in the records of Galactic History! It wells me up with so much joy and historical fervor that I can't help but feel we should celebrate together!" Several drones came into the room from their nests in the walls and flew around over everyone's heads. Suddenly they all began to beep in a rapidly growing fashion until they all exploded. Glitter and confetti and shrapnel, hot and sharp shrapnel, began to rain down over the entire floor. As this happened Zircon said, " Glitter for everyone! We did it! We found the wrong button!" And then the image just disappeared leaving the entire room once to its own devices.

Zircon chuckled to itself as it watched the room from its monitor. Oh what fun this day had been. If it was lucky enough perhaps they would all die from glitter poisoning, which it was sure was a thing. If not though, there would be glitter in places none of them wanted it to be for a long time to come. The shard decided it should see how things were going on the other end of things and sent a message to Diamond. " Diamond you organic looking nightwalker! How are things going? Did your organics figure you out? Mine are much prettier now. I covered them with glitter and confetti and shrapnel."

Spoiler

[member="Diamond"] [SIZE=12pt][member="Venthis Zambrano"] [member="Vindica"] [member="Astromech DD2-R8"] [member="HK-36"] [member="Aster Rose Baelor"] [member="Ylva Solveig"] [member="Nima Tann"] [member="The Slave"] [member="Tempest"] [member="Kor Vexen"] [member="Caelag Vass"] [member="Vaylin"] [member="Darth Venefica"]

[/SIZE]

 

[Marcus Faust]

Location: Route 2, [member="Zircon"]
Objective: Don't die

"That wor-" He cut himself short, not as gas began to seep in, as he could more than handle the detoxifying of the air, but as red-hot shrapnel rained down. Instantly his eyes cut to [member="Aster Rose Baelor"], [member="Ylva Solevig"], and their compliment of guards. His hand shot out as he attempted to keep the shards from raining down on their group, and an instant later his other shot out in order to protect himself. While he managed to prevent any major damage, his stupidly selfless act had cost him a dear few milliseconds, and as such a rogue piece of the jagged metal tore into his robes and left a singing cut on his forearm.

Stifling back a grunt of pain, he shot a hateful glare at [member="Nima Tann"], she'd been impulsive and reckless. And it could've cost them all much more than just a few cuts.

"No one press anything else until we're sure there's no other way."

Vindica's voice would echo loudly, a twinge of anger in his tone as he set down the fragments of metal he'd stopped. [member="HK-36"] had presented a possible alternative to him, and he intended to try it before the group risked death once again. Reaching out in the force, he found the mechanism the droid had specified and forcefully twisted it counter-clockwise, then gave it a swift jerk downwards. If he was lucky, that would open up the blast doors, and spare them from any more surprises the droid had in store for them. He fething hoped so anyway.

[member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Caelag Vass"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Kor Vexen"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Route: To the Left | Generators
Team: Lightside

Spoiler

[member=Onyx] | [member=Diamond] | [member="Captain Ironbeard"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Jessica Matthews"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member=Jorah] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Darth Filiae"] | [member="Allyson Locke"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Archim Calixis"] | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Kaili Talith"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member=Tempest] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Zai Avery"]

It wasn't long before still others began arriving. The first was a group of three, easily sensed and heard. And apparently slow on the up-take, the lightsaber was ignited as they came within view of the rest of them, most notably Audren and those with him. Ignorable. Those behind her though, were not. A larger group, more varying strengths of Force power, and all of it dark. Though he'd be wrong, the Jedi thought it might be Contingency forces. He had very little information on such forces other than they appeared in the forms of droids yet could use the Force.

So he stepped into the room entirely. As he did, both turrets retracted. He wasn't able to see how badly either was damaged, if at all, but was aware that the lightsaber had missed both. Without the guns shooting, the quiet was almost palpable. Other than the talking of course...someone always started talking. To one side, Kurayami was putting his own shoulder back into the socket, something else that didn't need to be cared for. Seconds later, he received a small glimpse of the future, of turrets and pain. The Sephi reacted instantly: his gaze swung up and around and his threads of Force power tightened into a full shield.

It wasn't enough.

With a whir, a dozen or more turrets revealed themselves. The thought that he wouldn't be able to block everything crossed his mind just before pain erupted. Audren was able to keep his focus for all of a half second before the pain drove him to his knees, long enough to note that none of the turrets he could see had fired. Then the gathered shield was dissipating into nothing as his left hand became glued to his ear. The pain only intensified, and he dropped his lightsaber entirely to try and cover his right ear too, an instinctive and entirely automatic response.

Sephi earlobes were larger than that of a human, and as a result more of the sound was funneled into his ear. Thank goodness his hearing wasn't magnitudes stronger than a human, just slightly better, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to keep what focus he had. Though his head seemed to take the main brunt of the attack, the sound waves were indiscriminate. His armor was vibrating, along with his innards. It wouldn't do much, but as the intensity increased the damage would begin to become evident. Yet he would not be cowed by this.

The Master's eyes blazed, not with anger but with intent. Before he could lash out through the Force, a shout could be dimly - impossibly - heard above the other sounds: a warning about gas. Grimacing in anticipation, the Sephi forced his hands away from his ears and grabbed at the mask he'd brought with, tucked into a rather large pouch. It was a matter of a second to pull it on and activate it, but by the time he'd done so the sound had cut off. The mask hadn't done that, it didn't come with audio control. It was replaced by a voice commenting that the next room over was quieter and they should stop shooting, since continuing would be worse for them than for the Contingency.

At the second, quick blast of sound he almost ignored the warning and ripped out the speakers anyways, but stopped himself and instead thought. The droids weren't even treating them as a threat...it was like they were being given puzzles designed to distract them while herd them further in. They couldn't go back: not only would they fail the objective but the blue lightsaber that had triggered the turrets hadn't done the damage that was expected. So far they hadn't even seen a single enemy combatant, merely defensive systems. A single intelligence, maybe a small number of them, was actively inhibiting a larger force.

"We are being distracted with puzzles and herded along a pre-designed path. The game needs to be changed."

He could barely hear himself through the ringing headache, but he had to hope that others - especially those with helmets - could hear better. As he contemplated how exactly that could be done, his gaze fell on the canine droid that simply hadn't been there before. Given the turrets coalescing from walls and gas from the vents, it wasn't impossible that there were other passages besides those easily visible. That might be to their advantage.

"And where did that come from?"

 

[LT-137]

Location: Maintenance Tunnel -> Antechamber (Route One - Left.)​

Objective: Act as Escort for the Knights of Ren.​

Allies: The First Order and Friends (Team Darkness.) - [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | @Everyone Else.​

Enemies: The Contingency - [member="Onyx"] | [member="Diamond"] | @Others.​

Equipment: See Biography Page - Equipment Listing.​

Trapped. Sergeant Pierce should’ve seen this coming, especially as he was in the rearguard. The way that the mechanical whine had reached a crescendo after the first of the Order’s strike-team had passed through the opened door and entered the slightly cavernous chambers beyond. When the door began to close, and the sounds of hypervelocity rounds echoed throughout the corridor, the Sergeant was one of the first to start chomping at his allies heels to rush through the door. While he was certain that his life would be saved by these supposed gods and their mastery over the force, the Stormtrooper would rather take his chances in a room one would consider a target rich environment.

At least then, should the enemy present themselves, he’d have plenty of meat shields to stand behind whilst he put his service weapon to the test.

When the door had closed, and the others of his strike-team had filtered into the chamber, the Stormtrooper was the only one unconcerned with the auto-turrets and their spray of fire. Instead, his attention was directed to the door that had sealed behind them. Running the length of the door with his gauntlet, and palming a nearby access terminal, the Soldier surmised that it would take some time to either carve his way through the armoured portal, or he could waste his only thermal detonator and atomise the thick, tracked slabs. While the thought was an entertaining one, it would’ve been an effortless display of power that would ultimately lead them nowhere.

When the Stormtrooper had peeled his textured glove away from the blast door, his combat armour’s integrated sensors began blaring a multitude of warnings forcing the man into action. His fingers gripped the service weapon tighter and forced the atmosphere within his suit to seal - allowing the Soldier to breathe the stagnant air stored within his helmet’s oxygen tanks. It tasted of harsh, purifying chemicals and left the palpable taste of lemon on his tongue every time he inhaled. However, the seal wasn’t fast enough, as the restorative underlay beneath his armour chimed a merry tune. While it was unable to devise a serum to counteract the effects of whatever it was that now began to dissolve in his bloodstream, the onboard systems would be able to recommend a course of action.

As the poison began to take effect, and the Stormtrooper’s grip on his weapon wavered ever so slightly, the auto-turrets retracted into their housings, either sparking or damaged beyond all hope of expedient repair. In their place, several turrets had revealed themselves and began filling the chamber with a disorienting barrage of sonic shrieks. While the active aural dampeners and sonic cancellation fields had softened the concussive blasts discharged by the turrets, it was still enough to drop the soldier to a knee. He was… lightheaded and felt like he needed to take his helmet off to breathe. He wanted to be free of his… No. To remove his helmet in combat was folly, and especially when… when the suit’s toxin alarms had yet to silence themselves.

The Stormtrooper fought against his own, ailing body, forcing it to comply with his iron will. The struggle, coupled with the toxic gas and the disorientating sonic blasts had left the soldier in a weakened. No. He couldn’t be weak. Not with everything he had gone through, not with all the horrors he had survived… He needed to fight. He needed to stand. Gritting his teeth and feeling the strenuous echoes of effort ripple through his muscular form, Torian fought against his weakness and forced himself to stand. He felt as if the weight of the world adorned his shoulders, and pressed down upon his with titanic force.

“Get up,” He growled within the silence of his vacuumed sealed armour. “Not like… this.”

It was when he reached his feet, that the broadcasted noise abruptly ended. The turrets retracted their emitters and went into a momentary standby mode, allowing the Stormtrooper to feel a rush of relief flow freely through his veins. He wanted to chase after the bliss, to ease himself of his burdens, to force his armour to inject himself with a flood of combat stimulants. However, as the mechanical voice replaced the echoing shrieks, all thoughts of drugging himself were cast aside. Whoever that was, Torian had a feeling that they were enjoying this little game and watching some of the Galaxy’s greatest heroes, or blackest villains squirm under their gaze. No matter, the Soldier thought to himself...

Let them watch.​

Let them see what’s in store for them.​

As his strength began to recover, and as the words of this mechanical creature were accented by another high-pitched shrill, Torian found himself slowly moving towards the newly opened door. :: Destroying everything isn’t getting us anywhere. :: He stated aloud, addressing those that deigned to listen to his words, utilizing his battle armour’s vocabulator to broadcast his voice through the toothy grin that dominated his helmet’s grim visage.

:: We all came here for our reasons, and it seems they’re toying with us. We don’t know the rules of whatever sick game this is, but I have a feeling this… thing… will tell us in the adjacent chamber. :: With a hidden smile cast over his shoulder, and back towards the newly opened door, the Stormtrooper continued - doing his best to mask his slightly weakened words. :: Perhaps if we played their game, but on our - ::

His words were cut short by the sudden introduction of the newest pawn atop this ever-shifting board. It moved and acted with an almost domesticated canine grace, yet was clad from head to toe in ever adjusting armour plating. Clearly, with the way it moved and the myriad mechanical gestures it made - that wasn’t something profoundly cyberized. From what he could see, it was an entirely automated droid that was programmed to shroud itself with wolfish grace, and should it be threatened, the Sergeant fully expected the creature to react appropriately. Thus, despite every instinct in his body screaming for him to raise his rifle and shoot the iron-shod beast until it was nothing more than molten slag - Torian doused the rising aggression boiling within his veins. Perhaps this creature meant them no harm, or perhaps it merely wanted to take the time to view which of those poor unfortunate souls within the chamber would make the mightiest morsel.

Only time would tell.​

 

[Luther Lewis]

Location: Power Generator Room
Team: Lightsiders and those travelling left
Nearby: | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Allyson Locke"] | [member="Anya Malvern"] | [member="Captain Ironbeard"] | [member="Ailuros"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Kaili Talith"] | [member="Jessica Matthews"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Darth Filiae"] | [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Mishel Zanteres"] | [member="Torian Pierce"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

Summary of Actions:

Spoiler

• Hesitated in placing explosives because he couldn't identify the console's internal components
• Was powerless against the sonic attack and was deafed after the attack subsided
• Packed away his equipment and sat in shock

Zai swore profusely as he poked around the terminal. The wiring was superb, and he was having difficulty identifying the function of any of the components. He was debating loading up the most important looking parts with the charges when [member="Andorreth Vikar"] suggested saving the explosives. "I think he underestimates the number of these I have..." Zai muttered. He had a point though, better to try and shred the console with the least amount of firepower. He had [member="Jorah"]'s seal of approval as the mercenary encouraged him to continue his work. 'People who ask me to destroy stuff?' he thought. 'I could use friends like that'.

His train of thought was interrupted as [member="Atlas Kane"] approached. Zai instinctively tensed up. He didn't trust force-users, regardless if they were Jedi or Sith. The masked man loomed above him. Zai gave him a cursory glance and continued to fiddle around, feining nonchalance. He doubted the Sith was convinced however, he could probably hear Zai's pounding heart. To his surprise the Sith simply told him he was out of place, and that he should stay behind others, where it was safe. Startled, Zai struggled for words. "I...I..." he was interupted by clanking sounds coming from around the room. He strained to look, but couldn't get a good view. He reached for his blaster and-

~PAIN~

He gasped as a deafening sound enveloped him. It tore into his head and cut his mind to shreds. He collapsed onto the floor, unable to hear his own screams above the sound. He clutched at his forehead, trying to rip the noise out from his skull. There was nothing but pain and noise and pain and noise and pain and pain and noise and pain and...

Just as suddenly it had started, it ended. Zai lay on the floor: tears streaming from his face, his ears ringing. He'd clutched at his temple so fiercely that he had carved bloody furrows in the skin, and his throat was raw from the screaming. He looked around, dazed. Other people were reeling from the noise as well, although some seemed perfectly fine. He felt very light-headed.

Out of morbid curiosity, he clicked his fingers next to his ears. He could hear nothing over the sound of a low ringing. The only thing he learned as he brought his fingers back into view was that his ears were bleeding. Feeling like he was moving in slow motion, he packed up his explosives and strapped his backpack back on. He sat still, breathing heavily, trying to recover any semblance of normality before he journeyed further into what was starting to feel like his own tomb...

| [member="Diamond"] || [member="Onyx"] |​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Location: Door 1 - Generator Room [member="Onyx"] | [member="Diamond"] | [member="Rainbone"]
Allies: [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Atlas Kane"] | [member="Andorreth Vikar"] | [member="Torian Pierce"] | [member="Zai Avery"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Jessica Matthews"] | Others
Objective: Assess the Situation, Employ Animal Handling Algorithms

Even through the haze of ozone kicked up by continuous blaster fire, Archim's visual systems were capable of clearly perceiving his surroundings. Sentients from across the galaxy reeled under a hail of sonic blasts, those with helmets and heavy armor standing like bastions among the anarchy as they had an easier time withstanding the concussive assault. But with his aural implants still deactivated, the world around him was silence. Cries of apparent alarm, distress, and anger went unheard and unrecorded as the Metal Lord focused on eliminating the immediate threat, precision targeted autoblaster fire chipping away at the sonic turrets' armoring.

There was a sudden relief on his system stress tolerances, and the sonic waves his sensors were capable of perceiving and translating into visible phenomena began to lose coherency as the ripples faded away. According to his readings the decibel level in the chamber had fallen drastically, so Calixis knew it was safe to reactivate his aural implants. A disorienting wave of digital tinnitus washed over him as the damaged subsystems came back online, fading slowly as the Iskalloni cyborg re-calibrated some settings until it was only a dull, persistent ringing sensation in the background. The organics around him were in mid conversation, and from the gist of things it seemed he had missed some sort of transmission from their quarry.

The gas was still a problem, for those without natural or artificial defenses against toxins critically so, but for the High Enginseer of the Mechanicum the threat was less immediate. His artificial frame's internal life support was capable of screening out most toxins from the air it required to keep what little grey matter and spinal column was left of Archim's unaltered form. If he stayed here long enough, eventually the gas would in all probability overwhelm the system's scrubbers, but for now at least he was as protected from harm as the troop of stormtroopers that had been bringing up the party's rear.

By now Lord Calixis had picked up enough from the multitude of voices in the room to understand that the others were operating under the assumption that this was some sort of puzzle or game, likely based off the contents of the message that he had missed. And yet, everything the galaxy had experienced of this new threat seemed to suggest unmistakably droidlike precision. Droids didn't play games, so what was the purpose of this one? Not a puzzle, he speculated, but an experiment. It was possible that they were being probed, tested for strengths and weaknesses, to see how they would react when surprised or under duress. But to what end?

A growl announced the arrival of the newest variable to the equation, and Archim diverted processing power back to his immediate surroundings. Slowly retracting his mechadendrites, the mechanical spider limbs folded themselves back under his robes and into their standby position nestled into the small of his back. Moving towards [member="Rainbone"] cautiously, the Metal Lord performed a passive scan on the robotic canine while keeping his distance.

"Nobody. Move." his vocoder emitted softly but clearly, and his optical implants swiveled a few millimeters from the droid in the direction of [member="Muad Dib"], "Remain calm. I am going to attempt to override its friend or foe programming. If I am successful, I believe it will recognize you as its Alpha."

Mindful of Lord Hunter Killer's persistent warnings about interfacing with strange operating systems, the cyborg remained on high alert as he attempted to establish a connection with the synthetic creature. His vocoder activated again, but this time the only sound that issued forth was a pattern of clicks and electronic static. The statistical probability that this would prove to be a very bad idea gave Archim a newfound appreciation for the merits of ignorance.

 

[Kaili Talith]

Interacting with: [member="Diamond"] // [member="Allyson Locke"]
Approaching: Generator Path

([member="Andorreth Vikar"] // [member="Ara Zambrano"] // [member="Archim Calixis"] // [member="Aryn Teth"] // [member="Atlas Kane"] // [member="Audren Sykes"] // [member="Captain Ironbeard"] // [member="Castor Ren"] // [member="Jessica Matthews"] // [member="Jorah"] // [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] // [member="Kyrel Ren"] // [member="Mishel Zanteres"] // [member="Muad Dib"] // [member="Rekha Kaarde"] // [member="Samka Derith"] // [member="Tempest"] // [member="Tmoxin Temi"] // [member="Zai Avery"])

The door had closed with a bang behind them. Of course Kaili’s heart would be pounding at her chest and threatened to rise out of her throat, but she was committed now. There was no backing down at this point. A glance of worry fired off at Allyson for a moment before fading into a happy smile. It wasn’t herself that Kaili worried about, and perhaps that was pretty obvious. The two of them would continue to follow along the hallways to catch up with the others. Figures came into view, a high-pitched noise slithered into their ears.

Grimace. Wince to the side in pain.

It was a first. Kaili cursing rather than blessing her good hearing.

Hands moved up to cover her ears, but something in the air…

Gas. Arms wrapped around Allyson and forced them down into a crouch to preserve space and energy. They squatted, embraced and let the sound be thrown off by the walls of Kaili’s little protective bubble.

It seemed the situation was over? Kaili was not quite sure, but the sound was gone. Giving Allyson a moment to prepare she nodded her head and spread her hands before her to cause the shield to disappear. A voice seemed to seep into the room. The girl stepped up to the crowd to listen.

Fun? No. Leave? No. That was a clear lie. Didn’t take a lot to figure it. Some of them decided to jump right to their destructive tendencies. Boom time? Wrong time.

“Are you people for real?” Kaili stepped up to the group. “Blowing this up? What if that destroys the trigger we are looking for?”

Scolding was never really allowed to happen. Droid doggo. Kaili was obligated to turn around and look in marvel, and of course, tentative fear. It would seem one of the friendly — Kaili hoped — droids decided to approach it. As much as she wanted to trust the droid approaching him... Droids were the reason they were all here in the first place.

“Wait. Friend or foe. Alpha…” She whispered as her eyes set on the turrets in their sockets. “The turrets.”

Hand extended towards the turrets one after another, her mind extending itself and beginning to seek an understanding of the turrets. Maybe even hoping to find a secret or two. To know your enemy was half the battle. If she could get anything from them, a creator’s imprint, or access to the IFF circuits, or just the smallest of clues who they were dealing with…

Kaili continued seeking the answers she hoped for.

---

TL;DR:
- Kaili and Allyson is now in the room with the rest of the group
- Kaili almost scolded people wanting to use explosives
- OMG A CUTE DROID PUPPER- er, maybe not. Still amazing though.
- Decided on Mechu-Deruing the turrets seeking to find out what they are instead.
- She is seeking oddities to exploit for survival.

 

[Vereshin]

Location: Door 1 - Generator Room
Allies: [member="Pom Stych Tivé"], [member="Kaili Talith"], [member="Zai Avery"], [member="Rainbone"], @Other folks
Enemies: [member="Onyx"], [member="Diamond"]

In the moment Rainbone leaped through the doorway, Vereshin grabbed Pom's wrist and phased after him, while the droid breached the weakened matter before them. The sorcerer and sorceress landed on their feet in the next room and met the many faces of the sentients trapped with them. Soldiers and knights, droids and bounty hunters, all manner of galaxians greeted them in the hallway and Vereshin found himself coiling next to Pom amidst the throng of people. Almost as soon as they entered, Pom and Vi were thrown off their feet by a deafening cry produced by an array of turrets mounted on the walls.

Vereshin did not like loud noises.

The sorcerer grasped his ears so fiercely his nails dug into the side of his head. He moaned shrilly while the noise of the turrets turned every coherent thought in his mind to chaos. Voices sounded amidst the noise, but they sounded very far away. Grabbing the ends of his scarf, he pressed the fabric against his ears in effort to block out the sound even more as he felt Pom's hands grip his shoulders. His head swayed back and forward while the noise from the turrets diminished before ending entirely.

A calm voice replaced the sound and wavered over the doomed sentients. As he tried to stand, Vereshin thoughts began to muddle and his legs grew weak. A feint nausea overcame him as the gas continued to seep through. His energy exerted and his head growing light, managing another phase through the next door would be impossible. Vereshin enjoyed puzzles, but his concentration failed him in his current state and he felt himself lean into Pom's side as he tried painfully to think.

"She's right, the trigger needs to be handled delicately, or else we risk trapping ourselves here." He said in response to Kaili who rejected Zai's approach. Numbers and spells coursed through Vereshin's head in indiscernible patterns as he combed his thoughts for a solution amidst the migraine throbbing through his skull. As the seeping gas began to overcome him, he flopped into Pom's side and slid a hand around her waist while he tried to grip her clothes, sliding down the leather of her coat and onto his knees. As he knelt on the floor, Vereshin began to channel the Force, ignoring the pain and closing his eyes while he conjured a barrier of energy around himself.

The gas began to subside in the small area surrounding himself which grew larger as he rose to his feet. Holding his palms against the air, Vereshin widened the barrier to shield both himself and Pom from the effects of the gas to allow himself time to think of a solution to escaping the room. He stood upright by Pom's side and slipped a hand behind her back and around her waist, moving in closely while he discretely maintained the small sphere of energy surrounding them and blocking out the gas.