Dominion Blow Ye Winds Fringeward | TSO Dominion of Challenge Hex Beta

[Lirka Ka]

Taul

The world of Taul is no stranger to dangerous weather, acid storms have ensured that not even simple plants can live on its surface as the only refuge from corrosive rains and melting winds is either tucked away underground or through the use of environmental shields. Still, the Sith Order has established many facilities meant to harvest the world's natural assets and some urban centers alongside them despite the difficulty of settling on the world.

A call for aid from the planet's governor initially raised alarms for a potential invasion however those were quickly silenced as the threat was explicitly detailed not as an incursion from enemies of the Sith or even an uprising from some disenchanted populace, but rather from the planet itself.

A massive storm has formed on the world, a hurricane of wind and acid that threatens to scour flesh and structure alike. Evacuations are being considered but for the moment most of the planet's population is being withdrawn into a handful of the largest settlements in order to focus more power into a few shields rather than spreading it around to several smaller ones. This should hopefully hold off the great storm, however alternate means of combating the conditions such as evacuation are being considered as a precaution.

With war on several fronts igniting once more, the Glitterstim that Taul provides will prove essential in keeping our war machine properly funded. Secure the resources and income sources before the storm corrodes them away, concern for the populace is secondary.

Objective 1: Corrosive Hearts

The planetary governor as well as some of the world's key administrators and other officials have decided to hold up in the capital city in some show of solace with their populace, transmitting their calls for aid and rescue all across the Sith Order as they bunker down and prepare to face the great storm.

What form that aid comes in is up for debate however, debate that the governor cannot take part in and as such has been left up to the arriving powers to decide. A meeting has been arranged at a trade station in orbit of the world, with all options being considered for perusal. Should evacuations take place? Should the shields of the remaining urban centers be supercharged somehow in order to better fend off the weather? Is there some technological marvel which can beat back the storm before it has a chance to do much damage?

Objective 2: Bug Hunt

While normally fauna conservation efforts are hardly a concern for Sith worlds, the Spice Spiders of Taul and their Glitterstim webs have been essential to the planet's economy and as such have been corralled into several major caves and nests across the planet. While normally these nests are fairly secure, the acidic storm has hit one of the major corrals hard and as such the spiders have been let loose.Casualties among the miners have already occurred, with the remaining survivors cowering away in what few bulkheads and bunkers remain intact, however their survival is not a priority.

Instead the objects of interest are the containers of Glitterstim that have been harvested from the nest have been scattered across the facility by the storm, not to mention the spiders themselves are in mating season and have been dragging their eggs out of the nest and into the wider facility. Recovering the containers to ensure their valuable product isn't lost for the war funding is important enough to warrant a mission into the storm-wracked nesting facility. The spiders will not take kindly to interlopers in their nest, slay all that you must and retrieve what you can before the storm melts it all away.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Objective 1:

The Emperor did not arrive as the corpse, he was a star sector distance from Taul as it was, preoccupied with graver matters. However, the importance of his world's safety was paramount, so he would deign them with his presence. A man had been delivered to the station under guard, carrying with him a chained box. Some might remember him as the Jedi Master Ordan Tel - but he stooped to where he once strode. Buckled inwards, he was carved with Sith ritual markings and a box chained to his wrist. He carried it with care, like all that ever mattered was in that box, but the strength he once posessed seemed only barely able to hold its importance.​

​

This Avatar would sit, or be forced to sit by the guards that moved with him. His gaze was afraid, never meeting anothers in the room as his lip quivered and his hands shook. Gaunt fingers carefully pried open the box and revealed a black orb that failed to shine, or even reflect light at all. It was a black void that the Jedi Master picked up, then cradled in his hand. He whispered something, a prayer perhaps, to the orb then went silent.​

​

He shook for a moment, jerking as he let the orb fall to his lap. His eyes shone now as the orb, black voids in the shadow of his their once bright blue spark. The Emperor's voice did not leave the man, it was his own - aged and ragged, but carrying the presence of he who led the Sith.​

​

"I have not come to make your decision, I have simply come to observe how you make it. Carry on - I want to know my Empire is in good hands."​

​

Tag | Open​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Tag: Skye Mertaal | Open
Taral-type Sith Trooper Armor Mk. II
SD-R1 Standard Blaster Rifle

​

Lysander's keen gaze narrowed like a predator's, taking in the battered landscape sprawled before them. The planet they had stumbled upon, a network of mining facilities, bunkers, and a few outposts, was unexpectedly intriguing to the Acolyte. He couldn't help but wonder if there had ever been a time when this forsaken place was prosperous, before it was driven to its knees by the thirst for the spice known as Glitterstim.

The storm was relentless, whipping the corrosive rain against the hull of a maintenance vault they'd sought temporary refuge in.

A door slid shut behind him, and the sizzle against his armor ceased at last, even if not for long. Leaning back against a wall, he allowed himself a moment to just breathe, feeling the weight of his rifle settle across his knees. His mind was drawn to the faint glow deeper within the vault, where traces of cracked vials of Glitterstim littered the ground.

If he were honest, curiosity tugged at him. He recalled the thrill after smoking a cigarillo laced with Carsunum alongside Ms. Dangeruese, moments after near death upon Ruusan.

The temptation was there, even if dangerous.

Before further contemplation, he was interrupted by the cold reminder of their surroundings, for chittering echoed through the vast corridors, a sound that easily confirmed this strange forsaken place was far from empty.

Fatigued carved itself deep into his bones, weighed down by nonstop exertion since the battle on Brosi. There had been no respite since; each trial simply bled into the next. The teen's stance sagged under that exhaustion while shifting, before finally gathering himself and raising the rifle back into position.

Unfortunately, the shield was waning in strength.

If he had to guess, only a few minutes remained before having to deal with Taul's harsh elements again.

Despite the surreal uncertainty of this whole ordeal, despite weariness and the risk involved, he still felt calm wash over him. That very warmth was planted firmly in his chest, and he embraced it. Lysander glanced sideways toward Skye, assuming she wasn't much for idle talk, so he simply offered a nod to signal readiness. He was ready to hunt, ready to survive, ready to claim whatever they needed to be theirs on this odd planet.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Ensure Taul's Survival and Recovery
Equipment: Lightsaber - Sword - Dagger - Robes
Tags: Darth Empyrean / Open!
--------------------------------------------

The world of Taul was under a very dire and unique threat when it came to ecological devastation, it was under threat of dissolving. Or the material and manpower investments into it were under threat of dissolving rather. A storm of epic proportions had cropped up on the planet, a hurricane of acid and wind that the planet's inhabitants were underprepared to handle. Their environmental shields could very well fail against the unrelenting storm despite having provided steady protection thus far.

As such the world's population, and more importantly the spider nests which supplied the wider Sith Order with valuable Glitterstim, were at risk of being washed away or otherwise irreparably corroded. Not an ideal situation at all but a small part of Darth Strosius did find the fate a somewhat fitting one given the horrid Spice Spiders that were being used as simple livestock. Greed always bit back. Still, letting the entire planet fall into disrepair and devastation for some karmic catharsis wasn't an option.

Sitting in silence for a few moments after the odd display from the prisoner which had been shuffled into the meeting room was however. Initially He was wondering why someone had bothered to bring in some mangled and trembling aide to stand by their side but the guards that shoved the box-clutching man forward didn't belong to any particular Sith that He recognized. The convulsion resulting in what appeared to be some sort of possession or transmission from the corpse himself made Him raise an eyebrow but bite His tongue before it got Him into trouble.

That the corpse hadn't bothered to solve one of the Order's problems himself was no surprise, it was a common theme by this point, but that he had bothered to appear in some form or another at all was odd. Still, hopefully he would keep to his word for once and sit quiet while the real Sith handled Taul's issue. As per usual.

Darth Strosius sat up in His seat and nodded to the holoprojection of Taul, the storm being tracked in real time and displayed in a sickening green current across the surface. "First and foremost we need to ensure the major population centers are protected. The locals have grouped into a handful of worlds to concentrate their shielding power, but will that be enough? And more importantly, do we have any immediate methods of improving them if they aren't?"

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Objective 1 //:
//: Darth Strosius //: Darth Empyrean //:
//: OPEN //:
//: Attire //:

Standing outside the chamber where the others had gathered to discuss Taul and its crisis, Quinn leaned against the wall. She waited quietly as the rest filed inside. Once the hall was clear, she lifted a hand to the discreet earpiece tucked in her ear. The HUD flickered to life, and she keyed in a message to DeathDrop:

[ INCOMING MSG: Quinn to CT-312 ]
[ Taul ]
[ Mission: Secure spiders, eggs & containers ]
[ Coordinates: XX, XX | Extraction: XX, XX ]

The eggs and spiders would be invaluable. In her hands, they weren't just resources—they were bargaining chips. With DeathDrop, she could trust the job would be done discreetly, outside the eyes of the Empire, loyal to her rather than the institution. CT-312 in particular. Quinn trusted her.

Drawing her cloak tighter, she entered the chamber. Darth Strosius was already addressing the group, and Quinn's attention followed his gaze to the orb that carried the Emperor's voice. Knowing he was listening only steeled her spine. Shoulders squared, she stood taller, every inch the Princess she was born to be.

"I understand your concern for the locals, Darth Strosius," she said evenly, inclining her head toward him. His compassion for the displaced surprised her, but it was not unwelcome.

"While they gather and barricade themselves, we should supply food and water. In the wake of disaster, scarcity breeds riots." Her brow furrowed briefly before she continued.

"At the same time, we must account for our own interests. I suggest we split our efforts — corral and secure the spiders, house them until the storm passes, and assign other forces to aid the locals. Barricades, support, even evacuation if it comes to it."

 

[Skye Mertaal]

Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal
Bounty Hunter License: Link
Seeking Bounties on: Spice Spiders
Toggle on: NPC Not applicable

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Lysander von Ascania | Open

The underground stank of rot and ozone, every breath filtered through the rebreather clipped tight under Skye's helm. The storm outside still raged, acid rain hissing against the bulkheads, but down here the air was thick, damp, crawling with the faint scrape of chitin legs.

She hated jobs like this. Crawling around in spider warrens. Only reason she was here was because that sleemo Rodian thought he was clever with her credits. Turns out they ended up in the hands of a local dealer here deep in the warrens. Which meant she had to go digging to get them back.

Her T-visor tilted toward the blonde kid at her side, voice gruff through the modulator.

[ Breathing filter. On. Do not take it off. ]

A stab of annoying consciousness filled her, and then she added.

[ Pure energy makes the webs to react. Bright light will attract the spiders. ] She then handed him goggles with a Nightvision setting.

[ Wear them. Do not trust the Force to get you out of everything. ] She then saw his blaster riftle and gave an annoyed curse. The kid would learn quick enough. Spiders didn't like the light, but they'd sure as hell come running at the first whiff of energy.

[ Do not use that blaster rifle. Won't work on them. Use this. ] she shoved a small Ion Deactivator Hold-out blaster at him. It was so diminutive it looked almost like a derringer. A tiny little thing.

But that tiny little thing could pack a punch.

She activated the night vision on her HUD and everything washed into tints shades of green, the flare of her cybernetic ocular patch blazing crimson briefly before shuttering out.

Skye's gauntlet flexed over the grip of her ion carbine. She was tired, hurting, and in no mood to play games. If the webs didn't tangle them up, the spiders might. Either way, she'd get her credits back.

One way or another.

And off in the distance, the sound of distant chittering echoed.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Tag: Skye Mertaal | Open
SD-R1 Standard Blaster Rifle

​

He thumbed the rebreather switch, but hesitated before setting his rifle aside. After accepting the goggles, he flipped them over in his hands. Lysander then reached up and tapped the side of his helmet. A mechanical hiss broke the silence as the visor lifted just enough to slide the goggles into place. With another click, the device snapped in place.

Static flickered first before fading slowly, then bathing everything in emerald hues, etching details in everything that'd once been shadows. The teen almost tossed a few words of appreciation in her direction, a natural, instinctive response, but at the same time, he really didn’t want to hear her voice unless truly necessary.

Behind her tough exterior, perhaps there was a hint of warmth, but all he saw was someone who could use a hit of glitterstim.

The next sting flared when he was handed a tiny blaster, feeling like a rookie, nearly laughing at the absurdity. But he swallowed it down, nodding beneath the helmet instead.

Though he hadn't bonded with the rifle, it felt strange to leave it behind. Carefully, he placed it behind a beam, marking the exact spot in his mind, for he was hopeful they would find their way back to it eventually.

An itch of adrenaline crawled up his back like a swarm of insects. It was electric, urgent, cutting through his nerves. Lysander's pulse began thundering in his ears, as he knew without a single doubt there was danger beyond what the night vision was currently picking up.

Hyper awareness washed over him. Even as Skye warned him against it, he couldn't help but let the Force flow through him, whispering secrets that he couldn't fully grasp.

Finally, he pushed forward, senses on high alert. A strand of web caught his arm, pulsing with energy, freezing him in place. He fought against it, pulling himself free, feeling the time stretch around them.

Flickers of movement danced at the edges of his vision, like silhouettes dissolving. Was it just his fatigued mind playing tricks, or was there truly something there?

The tunnel thrummed, a vibration felt underfoot.

He tapped his commlink, connecting to Skye.

[ I know you don't trust me, and that's fine. I'm not here to prove anything. I'm just here to make sure you get out clean. ]

A partial truth, of course.

Lysander was still seeking his share of the credits from the mishap on Dosuun.

 

[Skye Mertaal]

Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal
Bounty Hunter License: Link
Seeking Bounties on: Spice Spiders
Toggle on: NPC Not applicable

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Lysander von Ascania | Open

At least the kid listened.

The Bounty Hunter's helm tilted, that crimson ocular of her cybernetic eyepatch flashing dull against the greenwash tint of her HUD as she watched him fumble with the rifle. A pulse of vertigo crawled up her spine, her stomach twisting.

Karkin' Hell. Skye cursed as she forced a slow exhale through the filter, willing the tremor out of her hands.

WHen Lysander's grip shifted to set the weapon aside, the Huntress was already there. She plucked it up before they could leave it behind, stepping close enough to shove the rifle back into his arms just as he got himself snared.

[ Pick it up. You've a rifle strap. Sling it across your body. Never leave a weapon behind. Never. You don't know when you'll need it. ]

Her jaw clenched against the faint throb pounding at her temples, the kind that came from too many hours without the Anti Force pills. Withdrawal nipped at the edge of her focus, a shimmer that made the webs pulse brighter than they really did.

She tugged him closer to her with a grunt, the last strand he hadn't taken out snapping with a faint glow that beat like a pulse. Sure enough, the distant chittering sharpened in answer.

[ These webs vibrate. That's the call bell. Spiders'll know we're here. ]

Her gauntlet tightened on her carbine, her fingers twitching once before she steadied them.

Gorram it, not now. She didn't need the Force to sense the way the tunnels shifted, like the walls themselves were alive.

[ Do not shoot unless you're suren you'll hit. Every shot counts. ]

Dank Farrik, the sound was closer now. She turned her visor toward the black ahead, forcing her steps steady as the Witchmaster pressed deeper into the nest.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Tag: Skye Mertaal | Open
SD-R1 Standard Blaster Rifle

​

His jaw tightened, heat flaring behind the eyes, as Skye's hands shoved the rifle back into his arms. Anger began to rise, swallowing another sting of disrespect, a repeated jab he'd borne far longer than his nature typically allowed. No longer. Without hesitation, he slung the strap over his shoulder, moving the weight against his back.

Lysander's focus fell to his forearm, where a faint glow was visible. His breath caught, then slowly, his gaze shifted upward, tracing the web. And beyond, in the distance, a vial glimmered. Another beat passed, the pieces all snapping into clarity.

As he reached forward, one of his fingers unhooked a tiny shard of resin from the web. The other hand raised to the visor of his helmet, just enough to brush his lower lip, then slid it beneath the tongue. There it was held, ten seconds, maybe a little more, as the sap soaked into his system. It was hot and bitter, like something was blistering. After sealing the visor again, he swallowed. Euphoria surged through him, blurring the fatigue and fury into something more soft, more distant.

A chuckle threaded through his words the next time he spoke into the comm. [ You should try the glitterstim. It's exactly what you need. I wouldn't have lasted another minute around you without it. ]

The teen left unsaid that he was already tired of watching her hands tremble, too often to say the least. For a moment longer, he contemplated her sharp words while studying the tiny blaster nestled in his palm.

[ Maybe it' not escape, but something to hold you together. I'm not the only one struggling to stay functional. ]

Humming crept up in his ears, but it wasn't the whispers of spiders. It was a growing pulse within himself. Moving past the throat of the tunnel, he weaved through a turn. Recent failures, such as those on Ruusan and Voss, became distant ghosts. They lacked purchase here on Taul. For the first time since setting foot on Taul, he was sure. Unshakably sure. The path was carved ahead, adrenaline lancing through Lysander; it was fast and unforgiving.

The tunnel's green glow fractured with a crack, and a hulking shape emerged from the shadows. His breath steadied, the sights already snapping into alignment. Through the wash of night vision, he aimed.

He allowed muscle memory to seize control. An exhale came, thumb easing onto the trigger, squeezing. The blaster barked, painting the tunnel in blue.

The spider’s legs jerked as the shot landed.

 

[Helix]

Objective II: Bug Hunt
Equipment: His own two hands
Tags: OPEN​

The spider had come barreling out of the dark towards him, fangs bared for his throat. Helix had caught it, slammed the sizeable arachnid against the wall hard enough to crumple the metal, and dropped it lazily to the floor. Ichor stained his left claw.

The thing squealed and struggled, attempting to right itself, until his heel crunched down on it. More viscous alien goo spattered the corridor.

Just another bug hunt. He was in no real danger from the likes of these, but that didn't stop them from trying. He'd left a trail of broken, maimed, crushed and otherwise dismembered creatures behind him, and he had only started minutes ago.

It was the eggs that mattered. Given the nature of the privateers, it was almost certain that a few would "fall off the back of the speeder". He doubted anyone would notice, or if they did, perhaps the wouldn't have the gall to ask.

He resisted the urge to try to restore power. The briefing had made it clear that the materials in question were highly photosensitive. Just as well. He was having fun turning the bugs' little horror show against them.

For once, he'd not brought backup, at least not on his route. They were following along behind, picking up a few stray eggs. He was in need of a little time to think, and thinking was easiest when he was killing something.

Thinking was not easy when one had the thoughts of countless roger-rogering droids ricocheting around inside one's head. No, he'd put the troops on cleanup duty today. The fun was all his. After all, he'd more than earned a little vacation.

Helix's idea of a vacation was skittering around in a lightless, semi-abandoned station and painting the walls with spider innards. Dull grunt work, but it was the sort of thing he'd gotten successful by doing. Nobody in the Order cleaned up a mess quite like Helix.

 

[Skye Mertaal]

Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal
Bounty Hunter License: Link
Seeking Bounties on: Spice Spiders
Toggle on: NPC Not applicable

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Lysander von Ascania

Gorram it.

The Huntress froze for a heartbeat, Lysander's words crawling under her skin like the very spiders stalking them.

The kid noticed. Of course he had. The tremors, the too sharp breaths, the way her helm dipped when the dizziness hit.

Karkin' hell, she hated that he'd figured it out.

The medic in her knew the risks. Glitterstim wasn't just a vice, it had its uses. There were studies, she remembered, back during her time in the Rebellion the treatment of neurological shivers, focus enhancement. But mixed with the anti-Force pills still bleeding out of her system? That could send her spiraling.

But she was already feeling the edges of the Force creeping back in. Even the brush of the tunnel's air raised the tiny hairs at her nape even through the body glove. Her pupils were dilated, every drip of condensation from the walls echoing in her ears louder than it should. She was starting to sense way too much in the way she always did when the pills wore thin.

Nope. Better to fight fethin' spiders than herself.

The Bounty Hunter stooped, gauntlet snapping up a vial halfburied in the webbed muck. With a grunt, she tugged the helm just enough to tip it back, swallowing the glittering liquid like the worst cantina rotgut she'd ever choked down. It burned all the way down.

And then...clarity.

Not the gentle kind. The jagged kind. Every line of web lit sharp as cut glass, every vibration humming through her bones. She could almost taste the spiders moving, their energy crawling along the strands. The dizziness steadied, but in its place came a pulse under her skin, twitchy and hot, her heart hammering too fast.

[ Move. ] she barked through the comm, the edge in her voice harsher than she meant.

THe Huntress shoved forward down the tunnel, her ion blaster braced and ready between her grip. The world around her was too bright, too alive. Then the kid's blaster cracked out blue light that split the dark as a spider screamed.

Well at least he didn't miss, she mused, as already more vibrations began to stir around them in the webss that coated the tunnels as a horde of Energy Spiders came at them.

[ Feth it. Blast everything. ]

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Ensure Taul's Survival and Recovery
Equipment: Lightsaber - Sword - Dagger - Robes
Tags: Darth Empyrean / Quinn Varanin / Open!
--------------------------------------------

When Quinn Varanin entered, the masked man's attention snapped to her for but a moment. Not in acknowledgement but in restraint, as though He could simply disregard her presence. But of course He knew far better than that. With her and the corpse both here it would be quite the struggle to ensure that Taul was salvaged in both population and infrastructure, but Darth Strosius was never one to back down from a challenge. Thus whenever she spoke, He sat up and laced His hands together in anticipation for her opening maneuver.

"Supplying the cities and keeping order is always a priority of course," He consented with a nod. "However we must also ensure that is something left to support. First and foremost we should send additional power and shield generators planetside post-haste before the storm reaches any urban centers. Otherwise we risk losing them wholesale, or at least letting them be ravaged and ruined." Having to rebuild anything significant in the wake of the storm washing over Taul would be quite time consuming and expensive, even if that duty would more so fall upon whatever governor was left.

"The spiders can delve into the ground and any crevice large enough to hold them, they'll survive just fine." They were hardy pests to be sure, no doubt they'd outlast even this storm. Their enclosures were another matter of course, but compared to the rest of the planet those were easy enough to restore. More or less. "Sparing any significant efforts for the Glitterstim would be a waste of resources, and more crucially, time. We should focus on the population and infrastructure."

 

[Lirka Ka]

TAGS: Darth Strosius Quinn Varanin Darth Empyrean

The problem with logistics was that there were far too many bleeding hearts in this Galaxy. Hard decisions needed to be made in times of crisis, careful calculus was considered. They were no meager Empire after all, their reach spanned sector upon sector. So, among the assembly that came to gather around to deliberate what to do with the growing situation upon Taul - a military touch was added. Lirka Ka came in the splendor of an Imperator, oozing that radiant aura of pure repugnance as she so often did.

Weather represented an interesting struggle, one that made her feel closer to her Primordial "master". The natural order inflicted itself upon what man has built upon this world to test its worthiness, and judging by their current misery. It seemed they were failing this test. The guiding hand of Ka would come to this world, and offer them a chance to see the worthy stay in the wake of this storm, while the weak would be simply washed, melted, away.

Of course, it would be utterly foolish to consider Lirka Ka's presence a matter of mere duty. Plans within plans, schemes within schemes. Always. Gears were in motion, far away. Seeds planted, waiting to blossom into something as grand as it was horrid. Taul offered a potent resource to the festering triad of evil that nestled itself within the Order. The presence of her dear War Marshal Helix offered a wonderous chance to see said plans flourish.

As she walked to enter the meeting hall, silently did she send her message to the mechanoid from a secure channel - no one liked an eavesdropper, after all.

"War Marshal - the chaos of this storm offers to us a mighty boon. In the coming chaos of your extermination, it would be a damnable shame if a portion of this spice-laden bounty was to be lost in the pandemonium of battle."

As flowery as ever, but she assumed he'd understand her meaning. They needed spice, and spice they would reap. Entering the chamber, half-cape fluttering in her wake. The bulky Once-Sephi found herself a seat at the assembly. A great gathering had found itself upon Taul, with one of the Emperor's puppets in attendance, it seemed all the more pertinent to remind this lot why Lirka Ka was as "effective" as she was. She gave a short bow from her seat, metal claw to her heart as she addressed their leader.

"But of course, my liege. Shall Taul prove the worth of the gathered."

Since the bout on Ertrax - Lirka wasn't entirely certain she had proved her own worth yet. Her appointment had been a sudden thing, a promotion that more represented a political noose to hang herself with in the wake of failure. She would not disappoint, not yet. Of course, the duality of the presences before her offered quite the conundrum. Quinn Varanin whom the Once-Sephi presented as kind of a farce as she could muster. And the supreme-nuisance himself Darth Strosius whom she o' so loathed.

Darkness, guide her hearts. For her hearts surely did not bleed. She would deal in what she dealt in best, merciless calculus. This world was but another variable, after all.

She addressed the duo with a coldness more befitting of a droid. She did not share their same concerns.

"At a rough estimation, there are easily 500,000 survivors upon Taul. In contrast, we are an Empire of trillions. The fundamental value of this world is in Spice Mining and the Glitterstim gained from said mining -"

It was an emotionless jest, but jest nonetheless. She would not allow the Wonosan fool to see the only thing of actual value on this miserable storm-laden rock wasted.

"-all men are not made equal. To focus on efforts upon the entire surviving population is a fool's errand that would see those resources that were capable of landing in the storm spread between the remaining population centers. Those individuals pertinent to the mining upon this world are the ones worthy of our efforts, and our forces should see that such important operators can be sectioned into their own defensive structures to weather the storm."

She leaned back casually now, while she had not said it directly. She was plenty willing to consign the vast majority of this world to the dice roll of survival against the hurricane outside. They were not lacking in meat, after all.

"Riots will be no issue, my War Marshal has already deployed upon this world to deal with the spider-issue and once the weather clears can easily leverage his machines against whatever fool would decide to cause a ruckus. Of course, if we are to corral those individuals that would see this planet running smoothly post-storm. Remaining population centers should have their energy redirected into this "capital sector"."

And now she directly said it. Pick out the worthy. Leave everything else to the storm.

 

[CT-312]

//: Ruus Kote //:
//: Taul //:
//: Attire //:
//: EQUIPMENT: Halcyon Armour| M.I. 'Sunstroke' jetpack| M.I. 'Halo' jump boots | Contact Lenses | Wrist Mounted APG | Ancile Shield | Navi/Barca //:
//: WEAPONS: VW 864 Maser Rifle | LO-18D | M.I. Model 7 shotgun | LO-22S | Sunshot Pistol | M.I. Model 6 hybrid pistol //:
//: 40|40 Active Mag : 2 Backup Mags x LO-KI/22 Standard Slug Round //:
//: DROIDS: 2 x LK War-X | 4 x LK Pred-X //:
//: ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT: Kushute Grenades | Farrus Sphere |Shiva Knife | S.A.N.D. Powder //:
//: 1 x Arrow head of Absence | Taozin amulet | LK Spider Slicer Droid //:
//: Objective 2: Bug Hunt //:
​

Inside the dropship, CT-312 moved through her final gear checks. Patting herself down and inspecting her weapons. Dull green text scrolled across her HUD’s visor. Always going over the mission briefing, it was straightforward. Simple.

<:// Location: Taul //:>
<:// Assigned: Arbiter //:>
<:// Environment: Hurricane winds and acid rain //:>
<:// Local Threats: Spice Spiders, Acid storm //:>
<:// Primary Objective: Recover Glitterstim containers //:>

Banging twice on the exterior hull of the drop pod, CT-312 was about to enter. PING. Her HUD and suit system chimed. [ BARCA: PRIORITY MSG ] Pausing.

[ INCOMING MSG: Quinn to CT-312 ]
[ Taul ]
[ Mission: Secure spiders, eggs & containers ]
[ Coordinates: XX, XX | Extraction: XX, XX ]

CT-312's brow arched beneath the helmet. This wasn’t an official order. Pulling back up the mission briefing, it didn’t update. Eyes shifting back to the message. Just the Princess, curt as ever. CT-312 understood what needed to be done. No questions asked. Though not entirely sure how to respond, since it wasn't a formal mission briefing. Quickly typing back:

[ INCOMING MSG: CT-312 to Quinn Varanin ]
[ K. ]

Voice crackled over the bay’s comms. “What’s the hold up? Drop zone in sixty seconds!”

Pulling up the mission map. Friendlies were already on the ground. For something like this… the fewer the eyes, the better. Keying the comms. “Sudden change. Redirecting drop zone. Forward facility already has coverage. Uploading new coordinates.”

The pilot snapped back immediately. “Hold up. Are you serious?! That’s not our assignment and there’s no updates on the brie—”

CT-312 cut him off, tone low and edge with impatience. “I said redirect. Drop me where I tell you. That’s an order.”

“...Roger that. Adjusting course.” Arbiter’s disapproval was a given. That would be tomorrow’s problem. CT-312 would take the fallout and face the consequences once the mission was over. First, there was a job that had to be done.

Making her way back to the drop pod. CT-312 sealed herself inside, bracing against the harness. Gloved fingers flicked across her vambrace. Sending out her own message. If support was needed, it was best to use someone outside the Sith and DeathDrop channels. Someone not tied to either. The less involved the better. This was a quick in and out mission. From a newly formed partnership, the Scout knew just the person for the job.

[ INCOMING MSG: CT-312 to Ruus Kote ]
[ Coordinates: XX, XX ]
[ Mission: Capture Spice Spiders, egg samples, & secure Glitterstim containers ]
[ High winds & Acid Storm. Time sensitive. ]

Suddenly a hard jolt was felt as the pod ejected out of the drop ship. Behind her, six massive deployment pods followed. CT-312 felt the pod buck and shudder. Rattling as if it would come apart under the storm’s turbulence. The pod’s HUD warning flared red as the descent grew violent from the atmosphere clawing at its hull. Thrusters firing short bursts to stabilize against the high winds. BOOM. Slamming into the ground with a deafening crack. Plumes of dust, rock, and soil kicked up around the surrounding area. The pod landed a few clicks from a collapsed processing facility next to one of the entrances of a major nest cave.

CT-312 pulled on the lever inside the pod, the hatch blown free. Exiting out. LO-18D rifle up, scanning the area. Her HUD warning flashed. [ CAUTION: HIGH WINDS ]. Visibility blurred as hurricane winds tore across the plateau. Reducing visibility to a haze of silhouettes as the dust and acidic mist engulfed the air.

A cluster of shapes scuttled from the shadows of the cavern. Long jagged legs, fanged mandibles with glistening black-ish purple hides. Spice Spiders.

[ BARCA: DANGER - UNIDENTIFIED SIGNATURES ]

Movement. Her HUD lit with blips. Leveling her rifle, CT-312 flicked the weapon’s barrel towards the nearest blip rushing her. A spider-like silhouette formed as her finger twitched. Firing three sharp bursts into its legs. Bolts chewed through joints. Snapping limbs until the spice spider crumpled. Thrashing. Firing another burst round at its main body until it was lifeless. The others around shrieked. Surging towards the Scout.

New alerts screamed in her helmet. CT-312 triggered her jump boots and repulsor pack, blasting backwards just in time. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Six heavy pods slammed into the ground where she was just at. The shockwave flattened dust clouds. Crushing half the spider pack. The rest froze, hissing. Uncertain.

The pods split open. Pred-X's poured out into a frenzy. Sleek quadrupedal droids with red glowing optics rushed out. Ripping through the closest spiders with their metal talons. Screeches ended in wet cracks. Two War-X droids followed slowly. Stalking. Towering masses of armored limbs stomping and ripping any of the remaining spiders that dared to resist. When the droids were done clearing the area, the machines closed around CT-312. Red glowing eyes shifting to either yellow or green. Awaiting orders.

“Perimeter on me. First pack forward, intercept threats. Second, shadow me. Barca, status update.”

BARCA’s voice chimed flatly as the information scrolled through CT-312’s HUD.
[ BARCA ]
[ Caution: High Winds ]
[ Visibility: Medium ]
[ Caution: Acid Rain ]
[ Status: Light ]
[ Massive Storm Approaching… ETA: 1 hour and 30 - 45 min ]

Through the haze, the first pack of two Pred-X and one War-X vanished. Only their optics shifting to red during attacks. Flashing between gusts. Shrill spider cries echoed faintly as they made first contact. The remaining two Pred-X flanked close by CT-312. The larger remaining War-X looming closer. The same one that had followed her through many missions. It scratched plating bore the scars of every battlefield and duty they’d survived together. Its behavior was oddly affectionate for a machine. Always seemed to seek out her touch or in need of acknowledgment. As if it could feel it through metal and wires. The War-X lowered its head. CT-312 brushed a gloved hand over, giving it the smallest rub across its helm before vaulting onto its back.

The storm clock was ticking. CT-312 exhaled through the modulator. Simple missions never stayed simple. Shaking her head faintly side to side. Muttering half-formed words under her breath. With the pack fanned out. The Scout spurred the War-X forward. “Let’s get this over with.” Tearing across the acid-scorched ground towards the processing facility gates.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Tag: Skye Mertaal | Open
Nearby: CT-312 Ruus Kote
SD-R1 Standard Blaster Rifle
Hold-out pistol

​

Lysander felt as though unseen chains were dropped away from his body. Limbs that were once slugging, snapped into precision; every muscle hummed with strength, which he hadn't savored in days. Cool clarity settled through his mind, rinsing away the fog of fatigue. Reflexes sharpened.

But warm beads of sweat collected beneath his helm now, carving a river down his brow. He knew it wasn't from exertion; it was the sudden pulse of life going through his veins. However, it didn't help with the armor, alien to him in many ways, especially after years of just robes and swinging a lightsaber. The bulk of it felt more like a coffin.

Though he hadn't turned to see her, he knew the other bounty hunter had taken a hit. Her clipped comments over the comms were always jagged; easy to recognize. Strange, it wasn't the kind of edge he even wanted to grow accustomed to, but it did somehow have a way of grounding his erratic behavior.

A grin tugged beneath the helm when the first spider rolled over across the tunnel floor. The confidence that flooded after was reckless; the first kill granted more merit than it deserved.

The comms flared with a brief laugh, dry and feral, his voice threading through the absurdity of the hand-sized blaster currently in his grip. [ Yeah, feth it. If I fire with regret, it's impossible to miss. ]

The honesty of those words tasted too real.

He redoubled his focus, every sense alert. Each shot became deliberate, a symphony meant to slow the horde's advance. Lysander targeted clusters, firing precisely along their advance, carving space where he could.

Even as he pulled the trigger, he felt the presence of others nearby. They weren't far away, their paths not yet converging.. This sent his heart pounding further, knowing they were no longer alone.

 

[Helix]

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Equipment: Unchanged
Tags: Lirka Ka /OPEN
​

Helix paused, halting in his operations to acknowledge his superior's transmission. A private channel. This was official business, then. Fortunately, the only order forthcoming was to do what he already had been doing anyway. The only trick was to steal enough to make the trip worth it, but little enough to be written off in the after-action report as "material losses".

"Of course, Imperator. Worry not, the appropriate precautions will be taken." Doubtless, Lirka wanted the spice for their little... side project. Good, it was nice to see that it was being taken seriously. 5% seemed like a good, safe number. At this early stage, safety must be prioritized over all else, lest all that they were building be strangled in the crib.

"Change of plans." Came his imperious, all-consuming snarl of a voice, writhing through the consciousnesses of his droids. "These resources are now earmarked for other uses. Very high priority uses. Lose no time in getting them off-site. Remember, no witnesses."

Securing resources for the project in this way was certainly bold, but Lirka could never be accused of cowardice, whatever other accusations one might level. It went beyond the dangers of skimming off the top. It was what the spice was being skimmed for (he suspected) that would carry the heaviest consequences. As one, the droid scavengers lurched into action with redoubled speed. A tiny amount of eggs, spice, and live spiders had already "gone missing", but more would almost certainly follow.

As for himself, Helix picked up the pace. Time was of the essence, and the quicker they worked, the lower the chances of this entire plan crashing and burning before even getting off the ground.

 

[Skye Mertaal]

Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal
Bounty Hunter License: Link
Seeking Bounties on: Spice Spiders
Toggle on: NPC Not applicable

Objective 2: Bug Hunt
Lysander von Ascania | CT-312 Ruus Kote

The Huntress heard Lysander's laugh crackle through the comm. Well the kid was already getting high off more than the kills already.

And while her heavy ion blaster was steady as she popped off stream after stream of ionic energy, her body wasn't. Sure, the Glitterstim did its work in bringing clarity to her head, but it burned through her system, pupils blown wide, throat dry, and every sound sparking off too loudly in her ears. Air seemed to crawl against her skin like icy fingers while the web's fluttering thrummed in her ears, and beyond, a thousand heartbeats at once.

Her grip trembled but she forced it still.

Once again the ground quaked, and Skye froze, visor angling up just as a shadow filled the tunnel.

Damnit.

The brood mother crept forward, her massive legs scraping the walls, eyes glowing like coals through the growing psychedelic view from the glitterstim through the night vision goggles. She heard the massive mandibles click a blasted hammering in her skull. And worse, behind it a dozen smaller shapes poured forward, hissing, skittering.

[ We stirred the nest. ]

Sweat ran down her spine as she flicked her ion blaster to bursts of powerful ion beams, boots planting firm.

[ Take the little ones. I'll hold mama. ]

The vibrations were now mapping in her head, and her body seemed to buzz like a live wire, but she shoved forward with gritted teeth.

[ On me. ]

 

[Darth Nefaron]

Objective: Support a new ally
Tags: Lirka Ka , Darth Strosius Quinn Varanin , Darth Empyrean

"Well said, mighty Imperator."

Darth Nefaron was late. Fashionably so, but late all the same.
​

Entering the meeting chamber, one would be hard-pressed to find a gathering more hostile. The Corpse Lord had his enemies, but Darth Strosius was a far more personal foe. As Nefaron sought further influence in the Tsis'Kaar, Strosius remained the only real obstacle, the one man whose ideals directly contradict those of the master of fear. Still, this rather small meeting was not a battleground, but instead an opportunity to both weaken the High Prophet of the Wonosa and also to ensure a valuable ally saw yet more influence in the Emperor's court. In truth, Nefaron cared little for Taul and its people; they were but a speck of dust in the grand scheme that was unfolding, but the bleeding hearts of the Sith Empire simply could not admit that the world was not worth saving.

So, it was only natural to back the only worthwhile proposal so far. ​

The Corpse Lord came to stand at the side of the Imperator of the Third Legion, his allegiance in this case rather clear for the others who had gathered to debate the fate of Taul and her people.

"If I may add, might Lord's, the Imperator has proposed a marvelous and rather cost-effective solution to our situation. Why bother with those who are already dead? This world is not Jutrand, it's barely even worth marking on a starchart. Let the Imperator and her forces ensure those who are most valuable remain and survive the storm; the rest are simply unfortunate casualties."

Though he made a weak attempt to sound saddened over the losses that Taul would endure, it was not difficult to make out a cruel smile on the Dark Lord's lipless maw. He could only imagine the terror the people of Taul feel at this very moment and how that might be heightened as the storm consumes them, left to die by their overlords. If the Emperor was to hold true to his commitment to accept the judgment of the gathering, then Nefaron was more than happy to lend his support to his new ally. Naturally, they would likely be opposed and devolve into a stalemate as the people below continue to suffer.

How tragic.

How deliciously tragic. ​

"Of course, we must show unity in this regard. I know that such harsh measures are distasteful, but should we not seek an Empire of efficiency in these times of crisis? Should we not focus all our efforts on saving the worthwhile few from the storm? I am but a humble governor, but I must urge all gathered to examine the Imperator's plan and find it to be the only logical solution."