Alkahest is Heresy (Darth Shadow)

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


Sumiko cocked her head to the side slightly as she pondered, knitting her brow together. Self-aware machine intelligences were both rare and dangerous. As someone who had experienced the Clockwork Insurrection and dealt with the homicidal droids of Archangel, she understood that well.


It was a struggle between keeping them shackled and making use of them. Of course, the same also applied to Souldrinker. "That is agreeable. You'll be given viewing access to our data matrixes," she said after giving the matter some thought and brought forth a datapad to initiate download procedures so that the machine intelligence could be freed. Appropriate commands were typed in as she linked her 'pad with the computer system. Needless to say she would be monitoring the AI closely.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
A small panel opened on the holograph to expose a strange crystalline matrix surrounded by a metal dodecahedron. This had numerous data connections on it, but naturally all were for ancient designs.

Legacy’s hologram flickered. “Transmitting power and interface requirements. Entering low power mode.”
It faded, the lights around the walls faded.

The device was large but could be easily disconnected and carried. Legacy had transferred the data to Sumiko’s datapad using technobabble. It specified the precise connections and power requirements.

“I guess that is our first objective. Is there another way out?” Illyria asked.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


And so, for good or ill, Legacy was feeed from its ancient Rakatan shackles and transferred over. Time would whether this was the most prudent decision! Data was transferred over via the awesome and indescribable power of technobabble.


This will either be very useful or come back to haunt me at some point. Or more likely both, Sumiko thought to herself. "Carry the device, I'll have a look around." After all, she was in charge and the Eldorai was less injured. There was not much to look at in the room, other than some technical devices and projectors that had long given up the ghost, and the occasional pulsing light.


However, her Force senses guided her to a spot in the wall. Pressing her hand against the wall, she found that it suddenly gave way, revealing another pathway. "Never pass up on a good cliche," she muttered as she stepped through.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria took it in her hands and cradled the device. It was quite heavy, for her at least, but manageable. Her hand brushed over the many surfaces of the device and she felt a power running through it which even removing the electricity supply had not diminished.

Walking behind Sumiko as the human opened the passage she followed her through until eventually they emerged from a panel in the side of the fortress. Had they known they might have skipped much trouble, but the panel in question had been well shielded.

“We should get this back to the ship and have your wound looked at,” Illyria commented.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


And so they went through the long, narrow passage and eventually emerged from the fortress. Well, this would've been convenient to know, Sumiko thought to herself. And miss all the opposition, slaughter and XP? Stop sulking. The Dark Side demands effort!


Maybe this was the sword temporarily breaking the 4th wall. Or a spirit talking out of the ether. Either way Sumiko felt a bit perplexed, but before she could realise that she was in the Matrix, Illyria spoke up again and she was pulled back into the present. "Agreed," she said curtly and so they presumably made their way back through the snow and mountains, eventually reaching the ship.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

When they at last returned to the ship, Illyria was able to put Legacy down on the table in the main room.
“Our next objective is the Puzzle Box…but we can wait until you are recovered,” she commented to Sumiko.

Her eyes drifted back to Legacy. “I wonder if your ship can provide the power needed?”

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


As much as Sumiko's well-honed sense of pride rebelled agains it, she could probably use a nod, so she gave Illyria a nod. Since neither of them were terribly oversexed, rest would probably not be an euphemism for worshipping the Goddess Ardarvia.


Her brown orbs focused upon the device that contained Legacy. "I think so. Temporarily at least. Best unplug it before we leave the ship, lest it get ideas and fly away!" At this point in time Sumiko did not have her shiny stealth ship yet, but the freighter should suffice for the time being.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

Even on one planet the variance in power and data connections could vary wildly, but presumably this pseudo-Rakata tech was a bit more flexible.
In any case it was eventually connected to a small portable generator. Whilst Sumiko tended to her wounds, Illyria worked on Legacy and was eventually rewarded with the flickering hologram.

“I detect I have moved location. This is the modern spacecraft of your species?” The hologram appeared to gaze around silently. “We had an agreement for data access. Please provide.”

Illyria glanced at Sumiko before reaching for a data jack.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Sumiko studied the hologram. It was difficult to gauge what the AI was capable of, which made this both a risk and intriguing at the same time. Fortunately she had her aptitude for technomancy if the machine intelligence decided to get rebellious. In other words a space magic handwavium way to pull the plug.


"Give it viewing access," she ordered Illyria.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
The data jack was connected into a port on the AI, the machine seeming to reform around it. The connection led to a small databank with no external connections.
“Analysing data. You are…human. Your race is ubiquitous, is the most numerous sentient species, rules the majority of states. You are…Eldorai. Your race is rare.”

Legacy continued to obviously pour over the files, but after a moment the link with the databank died.
“I have finished processing the five-million, four-hundred-eighteen-thousand data files in the database. Your cooperation is appreciated.”

The data jack was ejected from Legacy and fell to the floor.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Well, it did not turn into Skynet, so I count this as a success, Sumiko thought to herself when the data jack was ejected. Then she unplugged the AI and shut down all systems. Just in case all this data gave Legacy ideas and it decided to fly away with her ship. "We're done here. Take what tools you need, then we're off to find the Rakatan box." Presumably there'd be an annoying puzzle.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
“Have you ever seen one of these puzzle boxes? I have only seen pictures and read descriptions. They seem very dangerous, we must be careful not to open it.”
Unfortunately, due to who her and Sumiko’s writer was, they would be clearly getting sucked in at some point!

As they left the ship they found they would be heading via super teleporter to a much more remote area, deeper within the bowels of the planet, but not yet in the most deepest realms.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


In the light of the, how shall we put it, history the Rakatan had with the Eldorai, this quest was quite ironic. Alas, both Sumiko and Illyria were unaware of it! Regardless, Sumiko nodded. "The Inquisition found one on Lehon. A stormtrooper got sucked in. The previous occupant was quite insane. Alas, the device was damaged and we couldn't replicate the technology," Sumiko said conversationally, as if having a mind prison was a totally understandable thing to aspire to.


Anyhow, once again they activated a super teleportation device and were beamed up. Or rather beamed down in this case.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Those damn stormtroopers and their bucket helmets! They seemed eternally fated to be bait for every trap in the universe.

Regardless, they trekked on, passing into a vast cave. Unlike the above snow it was positively stifling down here. A vast volcanic pit lay at the centre, but fortunately they had only to skim around the edge of it. Unfortunately there were some rather nasty beasties roaming around.

One stood right in their path, the Dark Side strong with it, twice their height and bearing fangs and claws which could tear them to pieces.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Well, this kind of sucked, to be honest. Before them stood a massive, primeval monstrosity whose aura radiated dark side energies. Large enough to crush them beneath it and endowed with claws that could easily cleave them in twain. After all, it was an unspoken rule that all ancient tombs be filled with beasties.


Sumiko's first instinct was to try and twist the creature's mind through illusions, but as she discovered when she tried to dig into it, the monster resisted her mental talons, much like a terentatek would. So as the beast let loose a blood-curdling, animalistic roar and charged towards them, it was time for Plan B.


"Distract it, I'll try to get behind it and stab it," she called out to Illyria. Plan B involved using her minion as bait.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Gigantic primeval monsters were the bane of this writer’s Belsavis experience on TOR. Their unfortunate ability to knock one back led to more than a few tumbles into lava.
Regardless, the giant beast would now be faced by Illyria. Since clearly it was the job of the minion to be the bait, she activated her lightsabre, and called on her Sciia.

The ground beneath the monster started to flex and tremble, sinking the creature’s feet into it like quicksand. Sadly, the beast was much faster and infinitely stronger than could be stopped by this. With a bellow it tore itself free and bore down on Illyria, tusks out to impale her.

Leaping aside, the Eldorai slashed at the tusk but found it was resistant to even a lightsabre. As she backed off she wondered where Sumiko had gotten to, and as the creature moved in again she readied the lightsabre to aim at the eyes.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Illyria was being a good minion and playing bait. So far she had not been impaled or eaten by the primeval monster. While the beast was focusing its attention upon filling its belly with an elf-sized meal, Sumiko had actually been able to skirt past it and avoid the seriously dangerous parts.


She crouched and, letting the Force flow through her muscles, leapt onto the back of the creature. Her lightsabre snapped into her hands and the crimson beam sprang to life with a snap-hiss. With all her might, she stabbed down and violently plunged the blade into the spot where the skull joined the neck. Her assault caused a horrible shriek that tore the air and the beast angrily swung around to try and get to her, trying to make her lose her footing and fling her off.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
The problem with ancient primeval monsters was that they tended to be very tough. Sumiko’s attac certainly hurt it, but it was not fatal. Enraged, but unable to get her off, the cunning monster instead backed up against the cavern wall, trying to crush her against it, if Sumiko jumped off it would be able to turn and try and gore her.

Illyria meanwhile was no longer the target for the beast, so drew her lightsabre and hurled it like a sizzling Frisbee, slicing first one leg, then the other. The hide resisted the lightsabre partially but it still tore deep, bloody gouges in its legs so it faltered before it could smash Sumiko back into the rock.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Alas, the naughty beast was woefully uncooperative. Not only did it refuse to die due to having an absurdly tough hide. It also tried to crush her against the cavern wall! Sumiko's balance had already suffered from it trying to swing her, now white hot pain seized her as the beast slammed her against the walll.


Her armour kept her from being squished and she held on to one of the beast's spines to keep herself from tumbling down. However, her lightsabre had fallen out of her grasp and landed somewhere on the ground. Time for a new plan. Or rather an update of the previous one.


Inquisition taught its acolytes to be proficient in conventional weapons and think of solutions beyond the Force. So Sumiko quickly plucked a thermal detonator from her belt, set the timer and firmly wedged it inside the hole her blade had caused. "Illyria, get away," she called out to the Eldorai and in the same moment jumped off the beast. Hitting the ground hard she rolled and broke into a sprint to avoid being stomped by the monster or ending up inside the blast radius. Boom.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Though it was not perfectly placed for all the explosion to be contained inside the beast, the barium charge vaporised much of the creature’s head.
With a strangled roar it collapsed twitching to the ground.

Illyria walked over to where Sumiko had fallen and helped her up, calling the woman’s lightsabre to her hand and returning it.

“I hope there is not another such monster,” Illyria commented feelingly.