Chaos is Everything. [Zombies on Pergitor. ORC]

[Nisha Decrilla]

Getting in was easy. The Outer Rim Coalition didn't have much in the way of a closed door policy, so a blue skinned twi'lek, identical twin kiffars and a large hooded figure hellbent on keeping his face in shadow, blended rather nicely into a public transport ship. They did not sit together, they did not even look at each other. They had gone through this plan a hundred fold and each knew their part.

The lips of the blue twi'lek moved silently her head bowed if uttering a prayer. She folded her force aura in upon itself, shrinking it to nothing, then, without looking at it she reached for the creature's mind, lips still moving silently as the sith magic coiled about his mind, securing him to her command. Blood would be running high today, as would his natural tendency to wreak his own havoc.

Words uttered, she tipped her head back and smiled as the transport slowed to enter one of many sealed cities. Pergitor really was the perfect location for their first test. As the transport ground to a slow halt, landing gears grinding as they took the full weight of the cargo, Anaya Fen, concealed by glamour and hidden in the force, rose smoothly from her seat with the rest of the passengers, joining the hustle and bustle of people gathering belongings and found her way into the spaceport, she lingered for a moment at its entrance, scanning the skyline for the best viewpoint before setting off again.

Somewhere behind her the kiffar twins disembarked, holding hands, they moved without hesitation,out of the spaceport, made a very good show of saying goodbye to one another and went their separate ways. One headed east, across the city and passed a Church of Infinite Perception. Here she collided with someone, dropping her bag, its contents spilling out. In the confusion and stumbled apologies something scuttled away and into the temple. The second sister headed west passing by a busy street packed with traders all calling for consumers attention. The same scenario occurred, a collision, a dropped bag and a scuttling creature in the chaos.

The last of the unconnected group had to wait for the last of the passengers to disembark before stepping with heavy feet after his master. Eyes peeled for anything that might be trailing his Goddess. Whoever did, would end up caught between a Sith and a Reaver.


One city across, another duplicate set of twins had found their way into the water reservoir. A vial of liquid was poured in by one while the other was causing a ruckus with security.

Clicks echoed in the comlink in Anaya's ear. Phase one was complete. The same message would be sent by whatever means these droids of hers used to communicate to her allies.

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Jorus Merrill"] & his ORC pals

Spoiler

OOC: Three cities are being infected one using the air filtration systems. One has had the water poisoned and the third (as above) has been infected by direct injection and ultimate natural spread.

How well the infection spreads in the first two cities is up to you, this is an experiment on a large scale, it could go quickly, changing an entire city in a matter of hours, or it could be slow giving you opportunity to locate the source and remove it. The world is your oyster, go forth and eat it.

Or rather, try not to get eaten....something wise like that anyway

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Anaya Fen"]

​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3RWGwzzYT0​

​

It was rush hour in the city, one of many sealed settlements that dotted Pergitor. At this hour of the day, many citizens would be out and about. Children had to go to school, their parents had to go to work. Thus the Metro was quite busy. The Zabrak woman was just one of many who waited in this particular station for her train. She blended in quite easily when it finally came, vanishing amongst the crowd. The line happened to be rather packed, so it was easy to get lost. Alas, it had arrived late, so many people were understandably distracted, since they might not arrive at their workplace in time.


At some point during the trip, a fire broke out. Perhaps it was due to a stray match or some accident, but the cause was soon lost in the chaos. The logical reaction was to make use of fire extinquishers as flames began to spread. No one could anticipate that the day before, the extinquishers had been replaced...and were now loaded with a nasty gasuous package. By the time the train halted, the package ought to have spread into the air. The woman had vanished. On a second train, a local woman happened to lose her handbag. She was in such a hurry and did not notice the stuff that...emanated from it and escaped into the air.


Meanwhile, a craftsman showed up at the hotel Zum Lustigen Raben. It was quite popular among the affluent. Many a business deal was hatched here. The handyman's job was to check the heating system. No one saw anything amiss and his credentials checked out. Besides, no one really paid much attention to maintenance personnel or hired help. So he went on his merry way. A bottle was opened and its contents were released into the air filtration. Air conditioning was about to get unpleasant. He vanished just like the two ladies. All three had released their package at the same time.


The atmosphere of Pergitor was toxic and its ecosystem was in shambles. Its population lived exclusively inside sealed cities. These settlements would be turned into ideal death traps. Furthermore, the planet had a history of being troubled by religious fanatics. In short, it was perfect. A small spark had the potential to start a great fire, unravelling the fragile fabric of civilisation that sentient beings were so proud of.

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Anaya Fen"]

OOC/ Figured you wouldn't mind if.I accelerated things a little and assumed some degree of success in your part.

IC/

The Wretched Hive
Pergitor Orbit

A chop shop freighter made for a pretty poor command centre. Starfighter wings served as tables, strewn with maps and briefings. Freightliner holodisplays projected all manner of data and comm traffic. White coats and business casual outnumbered coveralls.

“All I’m saying, Captain, is if they can't handle a grease stain, they might not be cut out for the pressure.”

“You’re not wrong, Ding, but they're what we've got to work with. Pergitor ain't exactly bursting with epidemiologists, let alone ones with field experience.” Jorus shared a shrug with Dingo Darr, his Krevaaki chief engineer. “On the plus side, some of'em aren't half bad. Doc Boleis can be a little fussy, but you know he shut down a dome-wide hive virus?”

Darr’s carapaced tentacles wriggled in surprise. “That was him? Had a friend caught in that mess. Yeah, I'll tell the boys to clean up a little.”

“Thanks. Won't be for long. On top of the quarantine boats, the Foundation's rerouted an Uukaablian dreadnought and some science ships. Should be here in two days.”

The Krevaaki snort-whistled. “They finally got back to you, eh?”

“They'll learn. Nobody knows this stuff by instinct.” Jorus scratched his stubble. “Any word on the samples?”

“Beyyr's handling it personally. Took a point-five out to Ceto. Says there shouldn't be a problem.”

“I'll tell Doc Vetrin. He's the one who says the initial symptoms match up close with the Denon strain. He'll be stoked that my old blood’s still banked from the surgeries.” Jorus grimaced. “What's the number at?”

“Few dozen infected, maybe into the triple digits. At least two domes.”

“Sounds like biowar. Maybe Sith.”

“Well, Captain, if it walks like a nuna, gribbles like a nuna, it's a nuna.”

“Feth. All right, if this is a Sith thing, there's only two angles with ties to Pergitor, far as I ever learned. Black Rose, and that third Raaf, Melori. Call up [member="Sanya Val Swift"] and see if she knows of any old Black Rose folks that set up shop around here, I don't care how far back. And poke [member="Taeli Raaf"] at Aurora Industries about her sister, see if she remembers anything useful.”

“What about the Imperial angle, boss? I mean,.Graf ain’t likely to spill his guts if it's him, but it needs looking into.”

“Send someone you trust to start poking. In the meantime, message [member="Darth Metus"] - Isley Verd, by my sister's files.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah. I hear he's trying to put down roots in his old stomping grounds near Ryloth. He’s had his fingers in more pies than anyone. I'm betting he's heard something useful. Oh, and get [member="Dax Fyre"] on the line, if the Council hasn't already looped in the Judges. Tell him the undead need to take a nap.”

 

[Malok]

In short order, a response arrived.

Jorus,

I don't have any knowledge of this particular epidemic, but given the symptoms your message contained I'm led to believe it's Sith in origin. Putting two and two together? This is a test. Darth Carnifex has rallied the scattered Sith under one banner - and I bet you can figure what the end goal is. Silver Zombies, as a start.

With that said, try Force Light or a Ysalamir. Those can break anything alchemical I've ever made, might work on whatever has produced this outbreak. If you need additional support, I'm right around the corner. Say the word and I'll bring the Clankers.

Good luck.

-IV

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

The penthouse had a glorious view of the city below, with a large balcony to boot. the screams from the street below echoed up to her, bouncing of the ceiling of the city dome above her head. The noise was like music to her ears, fear throbbed in the force. Chaos was truly reigning below. Anaya danced on the balcony, skin still purple, aura still concealed.

Behind her were three complete bodies, necks twisted at awkward angles eyes wide and dead. The fourth body the reaver was making short work of, covered head to toe in blood, chanting, his eyes following the feet of his master. The duplicates of Parla Vos, a kiffar girl stood by the door, conversing silently. After a time, one of them moved towards Anaya, stepping over the threshold onto the balcony and clearing her throat.

This, was the only one of HRD's permitted to speak to Anaya. Number one, as Anaya liked to refer to her as. She was Anaya's personal aide, she ran the business when Anaya had no patience for it and she was very open and often blunt about the illogical decision the lethan made. Anaya stopped dancing, turning to face the HRD with smirk. "You are going to tell me that this is an indefensible position?"

"I am." replied Parla without any hint of surprise.

"And that we should relocate somewhere more secure."

"Affirmative."

"Yet, wasn't it you who said that a single entrance is the easiest to defend?"

"We have two entrances."

Anaya stared at her and started to laugh. "Are you referring to the balcony? Last I looked zombies can't fly or climb."

"It is not the zombies that concern me, my lady."

Anaya laughed again, turning her back on her. "Oh don't you worry about them, I've got them under control. Get on the roof and get that holoprojector set up, I want the whole city to see it." She pulled a comm link from her belt, contacting her sister in chaos crimes. "How are things proceeding?"

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Anaya Fen"], [member="Jorus Merrill"]


Chaos was spreading. The spark had been lit. Of course, it would take time before it could become a conflagration. At this point in time, zombie outbreaks had occured on a number of worlds and been contained, though often at great cost.


However, that would be little comfort for the people of Pergitor. They would see their neighbours and loved ones be transformed into monsters before their eyes. They would be afraid - and that would drive them to irrational action. Civilisation was a fragile thing. When the chips were down, would sentient beings devour each other to get a shot at simple, naked survival?


It was only natural that a number of citizens would seek refuge in a temple of the Church of Infinite Perception. Equally, it was only natural that a number of prelates of this rigid, fundamentalist religion would react in a manner that was...counterproductive when it came to containing the crisis.


"Brothers, sisters, a vile plague has infested our streets and brought ruin to our people," the preacher thundered, fervour and passion strong in his voice as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy. He was not a plant. He believed the things he said. That would make him effective. "Even now, it twists our fellows into monsters. Who brought it to us? Who unleashed this Scourde upon the good people of Pergitor?"


"The alien filth!"

"Yes, the alien filfth, the foreigners and infidels our government forces us to accept. They have run rampant and spread their foul disease. This is the Force's judgement for abandoning the ways of our forefathers."

"Monsters!"

"Stand with me, believers. As a mighty fortress, we can banish this Scourge from our world."

"Make the bug eyes pay. Make the infidels pay."


xxx


Somewhere inside the sealed city, on the top floor of an apartment complex, where traps had been prepared to prevent intrusion, a comm link was picked up to respond to the call from the Queen of Chaos.


"Phase one has been executed in a satisfactory manner." The initial yield had been beneath their most optimistic prognosis, but those had been the most optimistic ones. It was a success. Phase two could be initiated. "We have detected a large vessel in orbit. Probably ORC response. Expect outside intervention, but I estimate the Church will unwittingly play into our hands. What is your status?"

 

[Thane Drexel]

HYPERSPACE~ENROUTE TO PERGITOR

After hearing word through the comms, Thane and as many medical frigates he could pull from the fleet were enroute to Pergitor. Standing on the bridge off the Solo class carrier Insuppresible, Thane had all of the other ship Captains on holocom discussing the situation.

"We've got reports of it being a biological attack. The few holonet reports we've been able to scrub are saying it's 'altering' the inhabitants."

<<Alright, Captain Loth, I want you to get with Dr. Menlo and coordinate housing for anyone we can pull out. They'll need to be quarantined and cleared first, then they will be shuttled to the Transports for shelter. Get me a connection to General Merrill. I want him to know we are coming.>>

A call would go out from the Insuppresible to General Merrill.

{This is the RA-005 Insuppresible, Benefactor Drexel is offering aid to the exposure. We are bringing three Shield class medical frigates and three GR-75 transports for screened refugees. Over.}

~~~~~~~~

As the ships dropped out of hyperspace the Insuppresible flanked by two Nova-one Escort Corvettes. The carrier was outfitted with an entire compliment of Saint fighter/bomber sporting a massive payload of Kinetic Bombardment Rods. The thought occurred the Thane that it would not be containable and must be eradicated completely.

The three Shield class medical frigates followed behind with the GR-75 transports in tow. Coming into the system, Thane could see a ragged old freighter floating above Pergitor. Thane figured that was where Jorus was probably setting up.

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Anaya Fen"] [member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Juwiela Melec"]

 

[Juwiela Melec]

Ship

Feels good to be back. It had been two years since any kind of signal had come through on the encrypted comms she'd been given by the Rebellion, and when one finally had Juwiela had nearly jumped out of her skin. The last thing she'd expected was for the seemingly outdated and dead piece of technology to come back online, and with a call from the Benefactor himself no less. That had led to an impromptu reunion of the Rebel Alliance, and it wasn't long before they were thrown into another combat scenario. It was out of the frying pan and into the fire, first seeing faces she hadn't imagined ever really meeting again, and then being summoned to another battlefield as if this was all routine. It seemed nothing had changed in that short span of time, with things just as hectic as they'd ever been in the past.

One mission briefing later and she was already zipping into her flightsuit. Surprisingly - or maybe not very much so, given her small stature - it still fit just as perfectly as it once had. Just to be part of something again was euphoric, and it was nice to know that she wouldn't be flying into things alone this time. The Rogues were back, what remained of the original few heeding the call alongside her, and the flyboys and girls under her command numbered four in total. It may not have been an impressive number to many, but after the Alliance fought to stay alive in a galaxy that was doing its best to exterminate them, she may as well have had a full squadron backing her.

The helmet was the final addition, chatter already having sprung up over the comms. An inexplicable energy buzzed in the air, and the hangar where the pilots resided was the epicenter of it all. This was the first unveiling of their might in years, and they all wanted to put on a show. Without pause she scrambled up the ladder and into the cockpit, the instinct of it all coming back as she made the pre-flight rounds, everything checking out green. There was a hiss of pressurized air as she was sealed in, and it was only a few more seconds before the entirety of them were given the go-ahead.

Pulling out into open space, she uttered the words that sent a thrill up her spine, "This is Rogue Leader. All wings, report in. Where do you want us, Benefactor?"

[member="Thane Drexel"], [member="Leea Pandac"], [member="Sannika Brynn"], [member="Tugoro Taidarious"]

 

[Leea Pandac]

Time to go to work. Pandac had responded as usual to the call to arms. Another battle, another piece of space she had never seen before and probably never would again once they were done. She had probably seen more of the galaxy in the times she worked with the Rebels than anywhere else, yet she had learned very little about those places. What must it be like to live in all these different worlds, to meet all these people and then learn about them. Until recently her mind had been focused only on a single world and what she could do on that world. Now she was fighting across the stars in a crusade that would likely never end, but it was for a cause that helped the people of the galaxy. She was fighting for more than herself and it felt just like her time in the reserves. It was an all-encompassing feeling of ardor that made her alive.

As everyone prepared for the flight she pulled the suit over her normal clothes. The helmet she pulled over covered her entire face, hopefully should she be removed from the safety of the cockpit of the Long Yard she could rely on the small air supply to survive for a time. She hoped it would be unnecessary, but it was always better to be safe rather than sorry. She was aboard and prepared to fly in moments. She hadn't been in the Seraph in awhile, having used her personal ship to move about. Now it was time for a firefight and she was ready to get to it.

After [member="Juwiela Melec"] called out for a report, Pandac spoke, "Rogue 3 standing by." She refrained from any of the little side comments she would have liked to have said. There was time for that later. Right now, she awaited further orders.

[member="Thane Drexel"] [member="Sannika Brynn"] [member="Tugoro Taidarious"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

A message from Erilnar would arrive for [member="Jorus Merrill"]

Mr. Merrill,

You requested information about my sister's activities when she was mixed up with the Black Rose during the time they were in the region of Pergitor. As far as I recall, she was involved with some business about droid starfighters and a crew of assassins and some Jedi on the planet. I unfortunately don't have much more to offer as Melori disappeared shortly thereafter, along with Corvus. I can offer, given the current troubles, that while she never had an affinity for alchemy, many members of the Black Rose that she worked with were and some likely had a lab of some sort. If I can be of any further help, do not hesitate to ask, as I would be happy to do so.

Sincerely yours,

Taeli Raaf

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Darth Metus"]

Isley-

Thanks for getting back to me quickly. Not going to lie, droid troops might wind up being useful. At this stage we figure we've got things under control, but I might take you up on that. As for Force Light, that's as far outside my repertoire as it is yours, but I might be able to sort something out.

Cheers,
Merrill

***

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

Master Raaf-

Thanks for the quick answer. We knew about some of that but not all of it, so that gives us a lead or two. Much appreciated.

Another contact suggested that Force Light could be useful, depending on the origin of the undead issue we're facing. It's not something I can do, and I don't know of any Coalition Judges who can pull it off either. Do you know anyone who can?

***

[member="Thane Drexel"] [member="Juwiela Melec"] [member="Leea Pandac"]

“Drexel, this is Merrill. Good timing, good assets. We've got a planetary quarantine starting off, and we can fold you folks into that. I'm sending you a vector to cover, an outbound route from the planet. Red Fleet would take a lot of pressure off local enforcement if you'd set up shop blocking that route. Nonlethal weapons are authorized - ions, mag pulse, Connor nets. Might get fleeing perpetrators, might get panicking civilians. Either way, keep the quarantine by all nonlethal means. If you've got interdiction options, bring that to bear. We've only got a handful of Naboo tactical/customs interdiction probes to cover the main routes.

“Also, we're getting reports of aliens being blamed for this. Pergitor has some xenophobic elements. If you've got shuttles handy, you can help secure or evacuate alien enclaves in a couple of the dome cities. Minimal force, but the last thing we need is an anti-immigrant pogrom in the middle of an undead outbreak. You down with that?”

[member="Anaya Fen"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya griined at Moira's response. Never a word wasted. "Sitting high and dry and watching the chaos unfold. Listen!" She took the comm link from her ear and held it over the balcony where screams drifted upwards towards her. "Isn't it glorious?!"

Her laugh was full of glee as she returned the comm to her ear. "From what I can gather, quartinex have begun to rise up. Time for phase two, wouldn't you agree?"

As she spoke, Parla descended from the roof. "It's ready." She told Anaya.

Anaya smirked. "Once phase two is underway I'll make my call."

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

A reply would come quickly to [member="Jorus Merrill"]

While I can't argue with the fact that Force Light would be useful, it is a rare ability. My sister was able to do it, and she gave me some rudimentary lessons in the ability, but I'm afraid I never was quite able to grasp the concept before she vanished. I believe I've heard the Heavenshields, both Thurion and Coci, can do it as well. That isn't the only avenue to defeat the undead, depending on their original of course. If you don't have access to Force Light, a normal Sith undead can be stopped by simply destroying its head or cutting it off. A single blaster bolt would be suffice, but in such a situation, I believe the phrase overkill is necessary is allowed. If it is viral, the best mundane approach would be fire or a corrosive substance, something to make sure all infected tissue and fluids are wiped out. I hope this was able to help, and if you need more, I might be able to send a few Alliance Jedi to assist if the need arises.

Sincerely yours,

Taeli Raaf

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

Sanya received word of a message once she returned to her home. As she listened to it she pondered for a while. Her ties with the black rose had been long since severed. She was aware they'd split into two groups. Those who resented Sanya for trying to redeem them and those very few who went on to live normal life's.

Really she only knew of two people who could do shuch feat. One dissapeared but the other still remained somewhere in the galaxy.

To: jorus

I'm not entirely sure. There is only two people that I knew could pull of raising the dead. Darth venifica and Darth prealior. Venifica had dissapeared before I became leader and it was around that time the rose split into two. How ever it would put it past me that it could be prealior. We both know she has her eyes in this part of the galaxy and my trail was proof of that. As for the covenant of the black rose those who remained true to the dark side they had spread out so hypothetically speaking this could be the remnants of them. The order of the black rose, those who redeemed are in short numbers and they are the ones who I've kept a slack tab on. Some have gone to lead a normal life and become respectable members of the society of worlds they live on.

I'm sorry that I'm not much help but everything is hypothetical at the moment. To many possibilities. If need be I can come to Pergitor and join you in the efforts to end this crisis. I will await your reply.

Sanya

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Anaya Fen"], [member="Jorus Merrill"]


She heard the screams of the innocent. They were like exclamation marks, emphasising what she already knew. The virus was spreading. It had not consumed the cities wholesale, but the settlements were rank with fear. Xenophobes and religious fanatics torched alien-owned businesses or lynched non-humans. Zombies killed and infected. Opportunists tried to make a quick profit out of the crisis. Ordinary civilians tried in vain to flee. Caught in the middle, the security forces tried to keep order.


But she did not gloat, cackle or grin. Indeed, her face remained as bland and expressionless as ever. These were not people to her, they were numbers on a spread sheet. No different than industrial production targets. Only today's quota did not consist of machines, starships, vehicles or paperclips, but corpses.


"Affirmative," she replied laconically. "Phase Two will be initiated momentarily. Give them your best performance." What was Phase Two, the dear reader might wonder. Well, it consisted of swarms of mechanical wasps.


Tiny, extremely well camouflaged and almost silent, these little creatures could move almost anywhere, slipping through the smallest cracks. They were not designed for battle...but for surveillance, assassination...or infection. Their stingers could penetrate humanoid skin and pass on the contagion.


No words left the replicant's lips. Machines had little need for wasteful, time-consuming verbal communication. The signal was given and the swarms began their attack. They would sting, then move on and vanish. The xenophobic zealots would be mostly spared for now, allowing them to cause more chaos.

 

[Thane Drexel]

[member="Jorus Merrill"], [member="Leea Pandac"], [member="Sannika Brynn"], [member="Tugoro Taidarious"]

Thane turned as a response came through the open comm, Jorus needed the fleet over a specific sector of the planet to prevent any of the inhabitants from leaving before they could be properly screened.

Pulling the fleet into position, Thane sent out an encrypted message to Rogue Squadron.

<<All wings are to move to the following coordinates, establish geosynchronous orbit and provide a "net" to filter any outbound vessels into the quarantined ships for screening. Non-lethal only, we don't want to kill unnecessarily. Over.>>

Thane turned from the comm and turned his attention inward to his crew. "We have a biological attack, any vessel attempting to leave this sector will be neutralized, boarded and quarantined. General Merrill is heading the investigation and we are on his call. Battle stations, this is not a drill!"

"Yes Benefactor!" Came a chorus of replies.

The game was set and now, Thane had to wait for orders to contain the outbreak of something that was likely the work of some nefarious Sith stooges. Looking to create chaos for funnsies.

"Get me any feed from the surface we can, I want eyes on what's going on. Dispatch all shuttles to the outer lying edge of the domes within our quadrant. Set up station to gather the alien refugees from persecution from those fanatics. Every spare medic and security officer is to go as well. Keep the marines back in case things go south."

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Anaya Fen"]

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Anaya Fen"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

***

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

Master Raaf-

We're well heeled for the non-Jedi side of things, but thanks. As for the Heavenshields, it's looking like this situation might come to a head before they would be able to get here from Midvinter. My thanks regardless.

***

[member="Sanya Val Swift"]

Sanya-

If you can get here in decent time, if you've got that option, you could do some good for sure. I'll follow up on the angles you mentioned, and thanks for that. I hadn't realized necromancy was such a big deal in the Black Rose back in the day.

***

[member="Thane Drexel"]

“Benefactor, this is Merrill again. We've confirmed that it's a virus-based problem, same strain as Denon. We're getting reports of tiny aggressive droids in a few locations downwell. The droids are insectile, flying, and look to be spreading the virus. We've got a vaccine coming in from Ceto. The Omega Protectorate made a cure for this particular strain and we've got it. Should be here in half an hour. Can your medical ships manufacture enough of it to inoculate some folks who could go groundside?”

 

[Thane Drexel]

Turning away from his bridge team to the incoming transmission, Thane looked over to the holoimage of Jorus Merrill as he spoke of a cure being held by an ally. That was a lucky break. Good thing he'd supplanted his usual fleet outfit for this more huggable lineup.

<<General Merrill, our medical frigates have the necessary equipment to replicate the cure for a small team to infiltrate the Infection-Zones. I'd like to offer my best soldier, Lieutenant Nightfall to join your fire team. After that, we could continue to manufacture a mass cure for any we save. Just send over the candidates and the cure, we can have it done in an hour or so. As for the bug-droids, should we EMP the cities to neutralize them? I can send in a few strike squadrons. Over>>

The comms officer was already calling the Shield frigates to prep their labs for the cure. His lieutenants were already mobilizing the Marines for a possible incursion.

"Get me Lieutenant [member="Blane Nightfall"] out of the drunk tank and get him suited for ground-side. I'm volunteering his services to the strike team."

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

"Oh I will, Moira, my dear. Of that you can be certain." Terminating the call, Anaya breathed deep, inhaling the stink of chaos. She wasn't done yet, not even close. To her, this was all about her next performance, the zombies were simply a stepping stone towards something far more interesting.

She jumped to the buildings flat roof and began to walk its edge, staring down at the streets below. In the roofs centre the twin HRD's ran over the last minute checks of the holoprojector. A pair of patrol ships passed over their heads drawing her eyes up. They were starting to gain footing in taking back some control, but it wouldn't last.

"Connection with number 3 is established." Anaya turned to see another identical and familiar face in blue hues looking back at her in the holovid. Anaya beamed and bounced forward. Her reaver pet hauled himself up from the balcony and settled himself on his haunches there, watching Anaya with keen blue eyes.

"Are we ready to transmit?"

"Affirmative." Parla called.

"Number 3, let me see her." The holoimage flickered as the camera was adjusted placing [member="Mara D'Lessio Merrill"] front and centre, gagged and bound tight she had a murderous look in her eyes. "Oh you are a pretty thing aren't you? It's nothing personal sweetie, I promise. Number 3, make her scream don't muss up that face too much though, i like her pretty."

She smirked, as Mara's pained cries began to increase in volume. "Begin transmitting on all local channels."

Across the planet and all ships in orbit the image of Mara's torture and the sound of her screams would echo. Anaya removed her cloak, dropping it on the ground and allowed glamour to stop working. Blue gave way for red, decorated with scars and the ink black tattoos that covered Anaya's skin.

She unfolded her aura, projecting it loudly and clearly before signalling Parla. The transmission of Mara would cut away, though her screams could still be heard. Anaya flickered into form on all projectors.

"Hello Jorus. Would you like to play?"

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Thane Drexel"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

Anaya Fen had made her move. It was well-choreographed, and with all the appropriate bombast. Meanwhile, her mechanical comrade had not been idle either. There had been significant buildup in space, as the Outer Rim Coalition and its allies initiated quarantine measures to contain the outbreak. Standard procedure when it came to dealing with such a crisis. Of course, soooner or later the zombie outbreak would be eliminated. The only question was how many people would die before the planet had been pacified.


The replicant was on the move. All around her, chaos raged. Militia battled zombies, zealots attacked aliens, looters looted. She was clad in a sealed suit. If one were to get the chance to look upon her concealed features, one would see those of a female Chiss.


It was easy to slip away in the chaos, though on occasion she had to put down a zombie. Where did her path lead her? Well, the city was covered by a dome, but it had maintenance airlocks and hatches so that technicians could get outside to carry out repairs.


It was one of these maintenance hatches that brought her to the top of the dome in question. A fellow HRD accompanied her. Doids did not need to fear the mucked up atmosphere. She carried some tools and a package - and began to lay the package.

[member="Anaya Fen"], [member="Jorus Merrill"], [member="Thane Drexel"]