Wonder of the Galaxy - TSE Dominion of Nespis VIII

[Dante Sotari]

Cron Drift
Hollowed Out Asteroid

Dante's back slammed against the wall, breathing heavily. She could hear the echo of it in the feedback in her helmet- she knew that the mic filtered it out so it didn't go over the comms but it still felt like everyone in the group must be able to hear it. Then again, everyone else was probably in the same boat.

A small squad had been sent to check up on an asteroid that was emitting some signals it should not have been. Based on the size and the scans they hadn't expected anyone to actually be there. A relay station perhaps.

But no.

It had been brimming with marauders who, like a swarm of agitated hornet, had been incredibly displeased to be bothered by the squadron of Legionaries. They had the numbers, but the Legion had the training and the gear. It was only a matter of time... but lordy was it taking an age and a lot of sweat equity.

"Negative on reinforcements," Dante relayed over the closed comm channel, after receiving the same message from HQ. "Everyone's spread out, can't get someone here fast enough and anyway, apparently we have everything we need. We're going to set some explosives and pop this joint, nothing here the empire needs. Whatcha got on you, Bline? Davis?"

She scanned the hallway ahead of them. Nothing but bodies for the moment, but that wouldn't last.

[member="Djorn Bline"]

 

[Cle-Var-Ri]

It'd been a hot minute since Clever had last ventured outside of the Empire's boundaries. Excluding the occasional visit home, it'd been a good while since she last left Bastion. All that ambition she'd started with seemed to be dashed away when there was an almost constant stream of prisoners to hunt instead.

She'd grown lazy, enjoying a life of privilege that sadly didn't lend itself to as much carnage as she would've liked.

And now here she was, forced on this little trip. It would've been fine, a nice chance to spread her legs, if there had been enemy flesh to tear through. But no, the transport was as safe as could be. The reptile was condemned to a trip of stalking metal halls, almost hoping a crew member was deemed unfit for service.

Then she smelled it.

It was faint at first, the scent of a pray she so very much craved. Clever almost took it for an illusion, nearly turned and walked the other way. But curiosity demanded she continue. Instincts began to claim their place in the forefront of her mind as the scent grew stronger. The hunt was afoot. Suddenly well aware of how much noise her talons were making before, her pace altered, adapting that of a true stalk. She slinked about until she found the room in which the scent was strongest, peering her snout in the room. A tiny mouse stood, staring up at a towering bookshelf.

Clever grinned.

[member="Tabigarashu Madara"]​

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

“Copy-copy Ghoul-1.”

Probably wasn’t necessary but responses were usually important: make sure they knew her comms were still going strong or some other nonsense like that, but she didn’t dwell on it long, this was becoming less and less a time for idle thoughts not purely focusing on the field of asteroids and hostiles in front of her.

She quickly flicked comms, going back to talking to her Squadron: more importantly the wounded fighter next to her.

“Aye, you’ve done your part, fly with the ghouls! Won’t do much good sputtering along over here!”

She was nicer with her commands, it seemed: right now at least. How long that would last would be something coming engagements will test.

Once the wounded Mastiff made it’s way back to the coming forces Keira zipped her way along at the speeds she liked: breakneck and suicidal. With no enemy fighters in sight she went back to maneuvering the practically mind-field of asteroids this place had. A twist and a turn, a blast of laser cannons, the usual stuff. Of course, unbeknownst to her:

Her flying had just taken her right to one of the pirate frigates.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

Jairus was still annoyed that Vain had turned out to be alive.

Well.

It had worked out well in the end, but he had done his best to cover it all up and knotting the ends together. To realize that all that effort had been largely ineffective and for nothing? Just a shame. He trundled his way into the observatory where...... Doctor Vain was currently peering out of the viewport. Probably. The mask was kinda difficult to gauge even now.

"Doctor. Enjoying the scene?"

He stepped up next to her.

Weird how just the change in clothing made the difference in height so much more pronounced. He had grown used to it in their other personas. "Don't forget to be really really rude to me, Vain really didn't like me."

That thought was somehow extra amusing to him.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

It amused her when Kaine reacted in kind.

More often than not people were either repulsed or annoyed to her manner. She was okay with that. Part of the tactic, no? But it didn't truly surprise her that Kaine was different in that regard.

"Understandable." By now her creation had already snatched hold of the star dragon. This wasn't surprising either. Few could keep away from it. It was not a matter of speed, but a matter of duration. Few had the stamina to keep up with that. "I would begin with established sanctuaries all across the world. Segregated from one another, of course, to ensure security."

"At the same time I would investigating which mining operations are crucial, which are simply done because.... why not-" That last bit was done often in her experience. Once you told a corporation they could mooch off of governmental subsidies the more they mined? They wasted a lot. "And begin isolating them, fortifying, so they remain safe by the time that the wider world is opened up to my... creations."

A smile there.

It was clear that Cerbera had been considering this for quite some time.

"Thoughts, darling?"

 

[Kuzo]

She felt him before she saw him. They had muted some of their bond, keeping it below the radar with the agreement that it could be closed off- temporarily if need be. Neither of them wanted to do that, however, if it could be avoided.

Behind the mask she smiled, but she kept her hands behind her, clasped loosely.

Dear, I could never forget. Even without remembering you murdered her, dipping into her mind with the level of distaste she had for you was actually unpleasant. Woman had no taste. Though, in fairness, she hates almost everyone. It's strange how it can be personal and also... very not.

The message was amused.

"I would be enjoying it more if I wasn't being bothered by people asking stupid questions," came the response out loud. The voice distortion of the mask would take some getting used to.

How's that?

[member="Jairus Starvald"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Very thorough."

The Emperor's eyes were not set upon Cerbera but rather stared out past the transparent eyes that served as the living ship's viewports as it finally grabbed hold of the elusive Star Dragon they had been pursuing. Appendages too powerful for the Dragon to escape from drew it in closer to what served as its mouth, razor-sharp mandibles cutting through flesh as easily as a lightsaber cut through sheet metal before the dragon disappeared from the bridge's view.

"I appreciate your candor and your consideration in regards to the Empire's operations, Cerbera. This is a feasible and prudent solution to both of our desires, and I am positive that there will be little to no objections by the members of the Imperial Council." Especially not from [member="Darth Saarai"], who was often the voice of moderation in regards to the Emperor's potentially destructive mannerisms, serving as an anchor to keep the Emperor from doing something rash or undiplomatic.

"But tell me, what do you truly desire from the galaxy?"

[member="Cerbera"]​

 

[Tabigarashu Madara]

Hirou's head canted this way. Then that again.

Ears flicked backward. Swiveling.

Didn't take much to alert them that someone was there. A heartbeat. A loud breath. The barest click of something against the floor. Cocking their head, Hirou turned around, about to greet whomever it was-

HUH.

Black eyes widened, just a touch.

There were certain instincts that, no matter how high the Nezumi rose in the Empire, could not be quashed. Usually it was around felines (and Hirou could hardly be blamed), but very large, very clearly predatory reptiles was a close second as far as a Nezumi might be concerned. It was enough to raise the blood pressure- as well as the fur all long the line of their back and into a shiver of the tail. A few years ago, Hirou would have immediately bolted.

As it stood, they almost did.

Instinct, after all.

Instead they breathed in deeply. Blinked slowly.

"Hello. Your timing is excellent. Do you think you could do me a favor? The red bound book, second from the left. Do you think you could get it down for me? I would appreciate it ever so much."

[member="Cle-Var-Ri"]

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

Letting out a line of swearing that would make any mother proud, Keira quickly flicked her vessel around as fast as she could: just narrowly dodging one of the weapon systems of the frigate as it practically blaster that whole area to dust. Well, at least in her perspective it looked like that.

Snarling she made another rapid spin as laser cannon fire pierced the void of space around her, blasting asteroids to bit and showering her interceptor with fragments of near molten rock: seems the pirates were pretty upset. But who could blame them?

"I swear by even hell of Corellia if I don't get a damn medal for this..."

Pulling hard on the controls once again, that had become pretty common for this engagement it seemed, zooming right up and actually now going for the frigate, she wasn't going to let the ghouls get torn up by that thing: and it didn't take a genius to guess that all those guns would have no problem tearing those birds into ribbons....well....maybe they wouldn't have as much of a problem for one interceptor.

But dammit she was lieutenant Keira Cerdulan, and she was going to prove that rank was damn well worth it. Pulling hard on the acceleration she kicked her fighter hard again, zooming right towards the enemy frigate before veering left and engaging into a roll as a few of the pirate fighters locked onto her...perfect. An even better idea flew into her head, now turning back towards the trench of the frigate, engaging into another swirling spin as the enemy cannons started flaring: every single one that missed hitting right into their own ship. Idiots weren't going to stop though...she knew pirates well.

"Come on you SpiceHeads! Step up your game!"

And it seems almost as though if on command multiple red lights began to flare across the display of her interceptor: they had locked onto her with a good handful of proton torpedoes...well...once chance to make this work.

Keeping on course Keira gritted her teeth, 200km...100km...80km.....once the torpedoes reached close enough she violently veered out of the trench works, a deathly and completely silent screech of metal across metal followed as her interceptor slid against apart of the frigate. But she had done just what she had wanted to do: the Proton Torpedoes had no time to react and slammed right into the frigate, she watched the things do their damage and fire burst from the thing...but it was still kicking.

Turning against and sending herself slamming against her seat she kicked it again, going for the back of the ship: gods she hoped she got this right.....making a quick U-turn after passing up the ship: looking right at the frigates engines, making a rare prayer to every single god she had picked up during her travels across the stars she flicked a switch and sent her concussion missiles flying: aiming for the fuel line for the engines...they zoomed on along through the stars before colliding with the ship....

Then came the fireworks.

She had done it! Igniting the fuel lines of the thing, not even knowing how much internal damage that had caused a massive explosion rocked the back of the vessel as a chain reaction set off in the poorly maintained thing, more and more lights of the fires tearing the ship apart flew out into space as another explosion rocked it: that had been by far, the most lucky shot she had ever made.

Letting out a grossly unprofessional cheer she flew on past the wreck of a ship: letting out a few more blasts of the laser cannon to knock out those few ships that had survived.

And behind her, the ship died. Hitting off it's final explosion as the main fuel storage exploded, sending debris and the ruins of asteroids to the stars. A fine addition to the drift.

 

[Djorn Bline]

Cron Drift
Hollowed Out Asteroid
Allies: [member="Dante Sotari"]

Sweat covered his face. Combat fatigue hadn't consumed Djorn yet, but he ached.

What was supposed to be a simple investigation task and see if they could plant the Empire's banner here, everything went south as they were greeted by a horde of angry marauders. Recon and Intelligence never warned them about this. All they did was pick up signals emitting from this asteroid and that was it, and they sure did their job in an excellent manner.

Sarcasm.

"So much for fething recon, those karking fethers," Bline said to himself, angry at the whole situation at hand. Angry at the incompetence of his assigned superiors.

And worst of all came Dante's comms. He wasn't angry at her, rather at the message she relayed out to the others. They were alone and would receive no help from HQ.

Wonderful. All they could do was blow this ice cube stand as Dante stated.

"I've got nothing here, save for some scum I'm entertaining," he replied back to Dante, while popping out of cover and firing shots at his opposition before coming down. Saw one marauder fell down lifeless.

"I've got a few dets and charges, you got a place in mind to set up shop?"

 

[The Amalgam]

Objective: 3 (Reach [member="Mythos"] )

The Amalgam gave a simple "Understood." to [member="Vaylin"] and as the shuttle landed she waited, having used her suit's cloaking unit to vanish temporarily during the briefing, and departed from the others without a word once the door opened, the only sign of her departure the small sound of a footstep on the shuttle floor. Epsilon 9's hangar was dirty looking, like a lot of hangars in The Underworks.

And here she was, being sent into the muck again, she thought as she ventured deeper into the station, counting the minutes she had left on her stealth unit, making quick, efficient time with each second, navigating the station's walkways with the remains of directional maps posted on the wall, cramped and reminding her of the alleyways she had once navigated without a thought in the depths of Coruscant. The place was naturally dark, almost a permanent night time in some sections, and the scars of the galactic scale catastrophy had been everywhere in those days.

She'd been such a fool, showing restraint in those days. She'd never stolen more than what she needed, never killed more than she'd had to. And all she had gotten for her restraint was being kicked. Hard. Into piles of garbage, food...

...corpses...

The Amalgam forced away those memories, unsure why they were coming to the surface now...she'd long since made her decision. She'd been making that decision for centuries, long after her civilian self, a lonely, ignorant shapeshifter named Leejun Forrwiirmeni, had been left to the wayside.

The seconds to her stealth unit's shut down continued as she went as fast as she dared in the stealth field, already having been forced to avoid four patrols of heavily armed Mandalorians, her Stealth Carbine grasped tightly in her hands. Uri also used the Stealth Carbine...another troubling thing they had in common.

The Amalgam knew she had been putting it off. The Brain Demon had never refused to answer a question asked. She knew she should ask why she hated the bounty hunter, why those green eyes hurt her. She hated the pain Udinia's stare was inflicting. Would have killed a Star Destroyer's worth of people to make it stop. (Though please take into account that this was also partly because she was bloodthirsty.) But still the rage went on, as well as the maddening need to corrupt Uri into a Sith...while totally hating her.

As she spotted a Mandalorian standing attention at a hatch she needed to go through to reach waste disposal, she readied her carbine in a center-axis relock position while stealthed, knowing she had maybe thirty seconds left before her stealth unit failed, and knowing she'd have to use dead reckoning as she pointed the carbine in front of her, aiming, she hoped, at his helmet's visor. She moved very slowly to avoid ruining her shot and get the very best chance at hitting him.

She froze as seven Mandalorian's marched past her, nearly brushing against her, making her blood go cold with surprise and she went stiff, waiting until she knew they were out of earshot while the seconds dangerously counted down.

Fifteen left. She resteadied her rifle, took a deep breath at the last five seconds, and squeezed the trigger.

The visor exploded and melted as the invisible, silent bolt passed through it, right as her stealth field failed and she would have to wait a half hour for it to recharge, unless she used the Force for stealth. Opening the hatch, dragging his body through, and stuffing it behind some machines as she moved forward, finally reaching the waste disposal administrative section, that connected to the outside. The disposal, from what she could see as she moved through the shadows inbetween its server farm, the cool air reaching her through her suit, listening to one of the Mandalorians talk at a work console monitoring the asteroid's condition.

"Sensors picking up strange movement on the surface..." one noted.

"Could it be a glitch?" The other, monitoring the mechanical jaws that flushed the garbage to space asked.

"No. Too continuous. I think we should..."

"Hi, boys!" she called out in a false, over perky manner in her cold rasp.

The armored man yelled as The Amalgam shot him in the visor as she had with the first kill, risking damage to the barrel by quickly firing again at the second one and blasting him in the visor also silently. They may have been Force Hunters, but that was all the more reason to cheat and kill them before they could know what was happening. Force Hunters were in the same bind as the ones they hunted, they had to know you were there if what they learned was to be of any use. And if you popped up unexpectedly while they were worn down by watching garbage fly into space...how much was that training really going to have a chance to help?

The Shi'ido quickly went to the monitoring stations, typing in some commands to leave the shutters open for Mythos to get through. If he was Sith she would smile and introduce herself. If he was anybody but an ally of the Sith...this was gonna be a quick, but fun death by lightsaber.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"], [member="Anden Fancelo"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

It was the sole proof that your attraction for me wasn't genetically decided. So, I suppose her hate has a scientific purpose as well.

"There are no stupid questions, Doctor, just impatient people." Deflecting that neatly as they stood there. Next to one another, not touching in the physical, but even still his presence brushed against her gently. Jairus knew why she was doing this. He didn't... disagree with it. Strictly speaking. But neither did he have the full-throated agreement she had grown so used to. This would take a toll on them. He knew it. She knew it. Even with the time spend away as Irajah.

Things wouldn't be the same anymore.

It surprised Jairus to find him sad about it.

That is good. Like you are swatting away an annoying bug. You should include something personal now, I think.

 

[Kuzo]

A small spike of amusement.

Was that really an option on the table? That I was attracted to you because of genetics. Jairus please.

She breathed in deeply beneath the mask. She knew there was disappointment in him. They had not kept any of their feelings on this hidden from each other. Honesty, in all things. Even when it wasn't easy or comfortable. He had known from very early on that she would not change her mind about her goals in this arena. She had been upfront about it from the beginning. Again, honesty. No lies, not between them.

Ultimately, it had been lies that were the genesis of her hatred of the Zambranos. And now they would reap what they had sown.

"You wouldn't know patience if it bit you on the ass."

Is it weird that this is a little fun?

Raj wasn't typically rude as a baseline. Not for the sake of being rude anyway. Not without compelling reason.

[member="Jairus Starvald"]

 

[Anden Fancelo]

Anden Fancelo​

---

​

---

Cron Drift, Epsilon 9, Shuttle​

Objective: (III) Collect data, eliminate HVTs.​

Working With: [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="The Amalgam"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Mythos"]​

​

The Lieutenant kept his eyes on the map, examining the shape of the routes. He'd look over to some of the troopers within the squad, before glancing back to the two sith as they discussed what idea to push through. It was a quick exchange of ideas, as Vaylin provided the plan to those within the shuttle.

Once done, he nodded in agreement, he had no suggestions to give. The plan was good enough and he trusted the sith, the people he's rarely seen in battle to pull their weight. The way Fancelo saw things, they were not to be underestimated anyways. But the entities that they will be fighting against, are best against force sensitives. Maybe that's why he was requested along with a squad of troopers.

The squad of troopers made their final preparations, weapons now on their hands. Facing the exit door of the shuttle, now ready to file out once the light was green. Fancelo hoistened his pulse rifle, and spoke.

"Once we step out this shuttle, I want a perimeter! 360! And we'll move out once told. That understood?"

The squad chimed in reply. "Yes sir!"

The troopers were at the ready, whether the sith or the Amalgam were ready. Was up to them.
They're probably ready too...

 

[Mythos]

Location: Epsilon9 Force Hunter Facility
Objective III: Hunt The Hunters, collect the data.
With: [member="Anden Fancelo"] [member="Vaylin"] [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="The Amalgam"] [member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

Once he began to sprint momentum began to take it's intended path, he was making time and then some once he controlled his breathing. With a few leaps he jumped over the disposal unit and noticed that all was not like he left it before. There was movement on the inside, there were subtle changes in the lights outside the facility, things others might have missed but not an Assassin. There was no time to dwell on as he made his way to the facility with frightening speed, taking the route blocked by the mountain that the disposal unit was built into.

There were many exists to the facility but the shuttle closest to him was a few meters from cover, as soon as he entered and the sensors closed the gate around him he thought one two things would happen. If his allies had taken over the place already he would be let inside or if someone had taken the command center the way would be clear, if not, he would have to find another way inside possibly now having altered the enemy.. it was a mighty big risk. As big as a risk as it was and being cut off from the force by his own design he was not surprised where the inner doors were open and he was granted passage inside, leaving the sealing chamber through a two story stair platform to his left and entering the facility itself.

Even if they did have a force sensitive here who could identify him it was too late now, he was inside and now he tore off the almechized filth covered leather limb by limb. "Much appreciated" He said staring at the holo-monitors, now clear who he was and where he was to the entire team. Mythos smiled and brandished the large Valkyr steel sword as he turned a corner and let it fall with all his might on the neck of a Mandalorian splitting him nearly in half, going through and striking his ally beside him with his elbow.

Beskar was good when forged by a Mandalorian in the same way that his blade was skilled with crafted by a Valkyr and it was. He was a primitive style fighter with a focus on the most aggressive fighting form of all the seven forms. He dove into the hallway ignoring the ysalamiri or any other type of force inhibiting factors falling entirely on the survival aspect of his fighting style that he developed when he was severed from the force. Even if they were force sensitive it meant that they also could not use the force, they would have to fight as equals as the ancient way, it was a battle Mythos knew he would win.​

 

[The Amalgam]

This wasn't some ordinary assassin they had dug up, The Amalgam observed with increasing interest as she watched [member="Mythos"] enter the facility through her monitoring equipment, feeling the strength of the Dark Side within. She'd have bet her own ship that was the presence of a man who'd ruled a world. Or killed one.

The Amalgam had never known what it was like to rule a world. She knew what it was like to rule her ship, certainly. Was that the same thing, just on a grander scale?

If one had asked her whether or not she wanted to rule a world, her answer would almost certainly have been no. Some Dark Siders are cut out for it, like Palpatine, (though let it be said that a great many scholars of the man had long posited that the manner of his death suggested otherwise) and some people were like Maul, best used in the Field.

The Amalgam, of course, due to both vanity and a hubris that would eventually become more trouble than it was worth, naturally considered herself in neither category.

She was a evangelist. A traveling preacher for The Bogan, spreading its glories to others, preferred awakening people to the Darkness in themselves, sometimes by guile, sometimes by Force. Riches did not matter to the Shi'ido. The Bogan had more to offer just scratching the surface than the shiniest aurodium coin--

Uri's green eyes blinked in the Shi'ido's head, making her back lock up a second in pain. Back to the mission.

The Amalgam grabbed her sonic blaster as Mythos expressed appreciation for being let in from the void. She of course proceeded down cautiously, as she was no longer hiding her presence and went to join her Sith 'ally'.

She could see the Sith she had let in wasn't wasting any time as she went past the parts of his armor he'd torn off, covered in filth. The smell confirmed her earlier theory about where he had hidden aboard this station. What a wonderful new smell he had discovered!

As she went through the halls she went about more cautiously, as she saw panels in the walls opening up a head and revealing Ysalamiri on artificial branches she stepped back, knowing if she got any closer she'd be severely weakened. Her strength, her body depended on its presence. Take it away and she was a starving creature.

Thankfully, her Dashade Sonic Blaster was set to maximum. She never took chances when Ysalamiri were present. She made sure they suffered first, then died.

The lethal sonic bolts traveled with a scream down the halls, hitting the creatures. She smirked as she watched the almost too powerful bolt break apart their tissue, some of it just turning to ash on impact. One bolt usually did the trick with these creatures. She methodically shot all of them before even daring to truly go down it, and even then tried to keep her senses alert for places her senses simply could not go. Mythos had left bodies so it made him easier to follow. Surely he'd feel her own dark presence approaching, the seething, thick corruption that sustained her as the curvy woman finally got out her lightsaber staff as she spotted Mythos in combat, shooting two Mandalorians on a catwalk above about to take him with her sonic blaster. Why nobody invested in these types of weapons more astounded her at times. She had never figured out why even the Mandalorians did not seem to focus on sonic defenses much. Sound doesn't care if you are in armor. And when the fatal sound can break apart matter...

She smiled as she saw a group of Mandalorians challenged her with vibroswords. She holstered her pistol and stretched out her hand as they approached.

"The Unholy Spirit tastes my foe's gamey flesh."

The construct of her patron spirt manifested, a snarling, faceless, emaciated Togrutan woman with purple skin bounded to the Mandalorians as she sprinted in the opposite direction to engage two others, splitting her staff in half for a more aggressive approach as she attacked with extreme speed. One guy was unlucky and caught a swipe from the spiritual construct that spilled his intestines open and he was tackled to the ground, suffering several more painful and fatal gashes before the construct that had brutally murdered him was dispersed by sword attacks from the Mandalorians who then turned their attention back to the Amalgam, who had already killed her first two opponents, and did not hesitate to throw purple lightning as a heavy bolt from her hand, smacking into one and knocking him backward blocking and parrying two heavy attacks from Mandalorians on both sides, slipping back into her more defensive tactics, manuvering and parrying the blows that increased in frequency and speed, her purple blades dancing in protective circles around her body. Her version of Niman barrowed much from Soresu. Her twin blades and agility filled in the gaps to her method...

She really should make a go of studying actual Soresu she supposed, parrying a blade and scissoring off the arm that held it. But while she admired form three she felt it was too passive, and therefore, too ashla for her taste.

Mythos's rather fantastic application of Juyo though...that was where the money was at...

[member="Vaylin"] [member="Anden Fancelo"] [member="Kaalia Pavanos"]