Compliance (Zenithian Imperium Dominion of Kothlis)

[Ak'lya]

His grip was slipping. There was a quick moment of fear as he felt it slip out, only to slam into the ground on a heap. Pain shot through him, and his leg was numb. His teeth clenched. "Pheonix" He muttered into his comm, and he heard the curse at the other end. Nat would know what that meant. She was good. He really should pay her more....

He could feel his leg again. That was good. Nothing broken. His left hand wouldn't move. His shoulder exploded in pain whenever he tried to move it. It took all his effort to sit against the wall. Alex was by him now.

"Think my shoulder's shattered. Maybe a sprain" His words cut out as he winced. "Sprain in my legs." He gave a sigh. No broken ribs. That was good. "I was careless. Sentimental." These were his people. Bothans. Why were they so...illogical?

Looking away from the slaughter of the gold plated soldier, he closed his eyes. He didn't want this. There was too much death. Too much bloodshed.

How much could have been avoided?

@Invictus @Alexander Ontonas [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Invictus]

Invitus' bolter was blazing with heat, clouds of smoke rose up from the gun that the warrior held in both hands, now gripping more firmly. He'd nod at his Imperator, boots slowly dragging as he made his way down the hallway. He'd nod at his Imperator as he made his way down the hall, letting his bolter down to his side once more. "Imperator, permission to press on?"

The man looked among the hallway, noticing the dead bodies scattered on the floor. He'd tear off a tunic one of the xenos was wearing, and press it to his forehead to clean it of the sweat his massive gun had produced.

[member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

The Bothan among the Imperium loyalists lay injured. His pained breathing was audible to the Bith's sensitive auditory organs. Dune knew that he could help but would they allow him to? The Imperium weren't great lovers of those touched by the Force.

The information about them had been scanty but emphasized that. He decided to act and slowly, deliberately hooked his hilt back to his belt. Rifles followed his every move as his did so. Dune took a cautious step forward and he spoke to them all.

"I can help your friend," he said as his gaze shifted between the soldiers. His lidless eyes settled on the one who'd been called Imperator. "If I don't heal him, he won't be able to move effectively. That would take away at least one fighter, perhaps two.

Dune hoped the logic of the situation would prevail upon them. Superstitions had no place in such a situation. Fools clung to them in the face of reality where wise men did what they had to. The Jedi hoped these men weren't fools.

[member="Strask Ak'lya"] [member="Invictus"] [member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Placeholder 0133]

Alexander shook his head.

"No, Strask, you tried to do the right thing. We could have saved them if they had seen reason," he frowned, "Unfortunately, not all can be saved. Calm yourself my friend."

He parted his lips to speak further, but another stole his attentions. The blue floodlights of Alexander's helmet settled upon [member="Dune Rhur"]. The faceplate was expressionless, but one could easily tell that he was scrutinizing the Bith. After a moment's thought, the Imperator gave Dune a swift nod.

"Do what you can sorcerer. I'll not have him as a cripple." The worry was clear in his voice, but Alexander kept it level. He would not be crippled by his affections for the old Bothan.

"Granted Warsinger. The docks should be just beyond those doors. We'll get the ambassadors aboard and go for the traitor's throat."

He hefted the Shacklebolt rifle up to his shoulder and marched toward the great doors.

[member="Dune Rhur"], [member="Invictus"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

The Imperator was dead to him in the Force. Dune realized this as the man scrutinized him through the face plate of his armour. It was an incredibly odd thing for the Bith to not feel him within the the surrounding energies of existence. He knew of it but this was the first time he'd ever experienced it.

He felt a sense of shock for the first time in many years. It was akin to waking up blind and deaf for a Jedi to not feel a being. The human had to be Force dead because hiding oneself in the Force was an incredibly rare skill. There'd been nothing to suggest he'd even had any training at all.

Dune regained his composure quickly as the man agreed to his aid. There was work that needed to be done. He walked to the injured Bothan and knelt beside him. "I'm going to delve into your injuries," he told the groaning being.

A cursory visual inspection told him the injuries were severe. The shoulder and the leg were certainly damaged from the awkward way they were sprawled out. He extended his palms over the Bothan and reached into the Force. He could sense the shattered collarbone right away.

His knee was sprained badly which made Dune more confident. A sprain was a minor thing to heal despite it's associated pain. The shattered collarbone would require substantially more effort. He didn't know if his healing skills could cover it but he'd try.

"This will not hurt but may feel...odd."

The Bith drew in a focusing breath and began to pour the energies of the Light side into the injured knee. Inflammation was a thing misunderstood by many. It facilitated the natural healing process and would gradually lessen. He simply accelerated this and he felt the muscle tension drain.

With that done he turned his attention to the shoulder. He grimaced at the extensive damage done. An injury this bad would require at least a full day in a bacta tank and even two. Besides the broken bone, there was a great deal of damage to the surrounding ligaments and tendons.

He focused on what he could do. The Bothan would feel an odd series of twitches as the bone began to knit itself back together. Some beings had even described a kind of itch. None had ever found it to be painful that he'd read or experienced himself.

It took several minutes of hard focus that left Dune breathing heavily. The bone had knit itself but the muscle and ligament damage hadn't been totally done away with. "That's the best I can do," he said as he panted for air. He removed his robes and began to tear off a strip near the hem.

"I'm going to have to put the arm in a sling. The bone is whole but the material is tenuous at best. The ligaments and muscle are still only partly healed. If you try to move it, it will probably break again."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Strask Ak'lya"] [member="Invictus"]

 

[Damien Zannen]

A world pulled over the eyes. It goes by many names, Technology, the Force, augmented perception. All of it was vain and yet completely comforting when maintained through and through. Conquest was the title of the book and the Imperium was doing just that. Squinting around the tall slender Necropsi male brushed his thin haired scalp. Some hairs falling out Durza raised a brow at his aging body. Conflicts in the reality of time? Durza could go on forever about the whys of life. Sometimes his own questions he could answer, Though not in full. He was not all knowing nor wanted to be. Life was complex enough in his own little mind and solving complex questions as if they were equations would equally be hard. Especially in combat... Ducking and taking cover to his left the Cyborgs mind did not differ or waver from his train of thought. Blaster fire whizzed by his head along with a lightsaber. Too close to comfort that time. " Ugh... Infidels." The company of soldiers that were escorting him did not last all too long. A Master level force user can do that to some people. Cybernetic fingers shifted on a his Helios Gauntlet, Some fine tuning before battle.

" This is Durza. Ive come across infidel. I'll need some backup my squadron is dead." he said.

 

[Thew Vullen]

I hear Durza's call over the comms. Since I'm doing nothing and the children are secure I answer. "This is Thew. I'm on my way."

I race down the corridors and through empty rooms, spotting a few skirmishes between the Imperium and some lone knights. I end next to Durza at the end of my sprint and surprise the knights with some bolter shots to get them off guard to give me some time to draw my vibroswords and get into a fighting stance. I peer through my helmet at the cyborg next me. "Durza." I nod and turn my attention back to the battle. The knights back away and split their ranks and a figure walks through.

[member="Durza the Zealous"]

 

[Ak'lya]

As he listened to the younger man's words, a frown spread across his face. "Just promise me you won't punish Kolthis for Meneth's actions." He stared hard at the Imperator for a moment before the pain forced him to look away. It took him a moment to register the Bith. He muttered something about getting old, and being young again. As the jedi spoke to him, he nodded. "I've done this kind of thing before, master Jedi." There was, surprisingly, very little sarcasm in his voice. It seemed the old man still had respect for the Order.

The pressure and pain in his knee seemed to dissipate as the muscle knit back together. As the man moved to focus on his shoulder, he felt a weird tingling in his hand. It felt.... odd. Like the entire thing was moving and twitching, even as it was still in front of him. Man. He hated broken bones. "Didn't figure I'd be fighting for a while." He sighed. "Thank you."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune nodded in acknowledgement of the thanks. He felt a pleasant sense of surprise at the Bothan's courtesy towards him. The Imperium had not been hostile but had been glacial in their courtesy towards him. They trusted him only just enough to perform his function as an observer.

After securing the sling he helped the older being back to his feet. "I'm Dune Rhur, but just Dune will suffice. I'm not much for titles, you see. I'm afraid I don't know your name."

Most of the rank and file hadn't been very forthcoming with names. He knew the Imperator and a few other key officials. The others were simply power armour clad honour guardsmen. It galled him to think of them as automatons but he didn't know much else.

[member="Alexander Ontonas"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"], [member="Invictus"]

 

[Invictus]

Invictus lazily drug himself down the narrow hallway, pressing himself against the eastern most wall, keeping his eyes wide open for any that would snipe him from the shadows. Nothing. He'd lower his bolter his level, shooting off a spare round to try to drag any attention to his shot. It was loaded with lasers, plasma sticking anywhere near where he'd let loose his bullet, sneering slightly as the group slowly surrounded his round. He'd pick his rifle up to his chest, and let loose a round of fire, aiming into the corner which trapped all the heretics that would look for the dead body, his gun heating back up as the rounds flew out in a wild rage. Ten down in the corner, Invictus doing his best to blend his gold tinted armor to the grey tiles on his back.

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Placeholder 0133]

The battle was a relatively quick one.

Alex bowed his head to Dune in thanks as he saw his friend healed. As much as Alex spoke out against the Jedi and their sorcerous ways, he could still find some appreciation for their more benevolent arts. The soldier cracked a thin smile and gestured forward. The doors were unguarded, the men beyond friendly.

"Get the diplomats to the ship. Strask, meet with us once everything is clear." Expecting the Bith to go along with Strask, Alexander turned his attentions back toward the way they had come.

There was still the traitor to deal with. "Invictus," he nodded toward the warrior, "Shall we?"

[member="Invictus"], [member="Dune Rhur"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"]

 

[Ak'lya]

Strask smiled at Dune, pushing himself up as best he could on his good arm. His age really was starting to show. He needed to stop charging into fights. The Jedi wanted to know his name. He paused for a moment before replying. "Iraek." He looked around for a moment before thinking better of it. He hated this. Hated how it had turned out. He wanted this to just go smoothly. Meneth wanted her power. She wanted to be the ruler of Kolthis.

Now she would be, if only for a short time.

"Your help would be appreciated, Mr. Rhur." Turning to the council chambers, he slowly walked through, only to see the guards of Rishi's ambassador aiming their blasters at him. A small frown crossed his face. What now?

"Why are Zenithian troops on Rishi? We did not agree to this!" He was silent for a moment, his hand running through his beard. "Soldiers of the Zenethian Imperium attacked the Hill Fort of Kas'Matea. They destroyed the walls and shots were heard for miles!" The Ambassador was shouting now, his voice interrupted by the clicks. "WHAT THE KARK ARE YOU DOING ON MY PLANET?"

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Mr.Rhur?

Dune decided to just go with it. He followed the older Bothan until they encountered a rather irate ambassador. And his gun-toting guards. With their weapons leveled at the pair.

The Bith groaned inwardly. He was getting rather tired of having weapons aimed at him today. He looked over to his companion with a hint of a question. If any species could read the stoic Bith countenance, it would be a Bothan.

He raised his long-fingered hands pacifically.

"Gentlebeings, please. There's no need for violence. Lets all lower our weapons and discuss this."

Dune looked pointedly over at Iraek.

[member="Strask Ak'lya"] [member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Invictus]

With the battle coming to a close, Invictus let his gun fall to his side, the chain he had attached to his armor suit kept it from falling below his waist. He turned to his Imperator, nodding as he stepped forward keeping his gaze open for any stragglers ready to ambush the group. One step, two steps, the mans armor tugged and pressed against him as he walked. A snort escaped his nose as he stood still, waiting for a shot, if any were to be made. "Clear, Imperator."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Ak'lya]

The Bothan studied the Rishi ambassador for a moment. "Troops on Rishi? I'm afraid that I wasn't informed of that. Now sir, I would suggest we get moving. This planet could very well be hostile."

Anger flared on the man's face, and he made a small clicking sound. His eyes narrowed. "Guards, kill them. Make it look like they were attacked by Mereth." He turned on his heel, took a step, and looked over his shoulder. "Give the wife my regards."

There was a hail of blasterfire as Strask simply dropped, a sindge in the trench coat. There was a popping noise, and the plasma hail stopped. The guards checked their weapons as the old bothan laughed, an almost wheezing sound from everything he'd been through today. "Gotta love EMP grenades." The guards looked at each other, and seemed to decide to kick the dog while he's down. As the first blow landed, Strask counted. Ten seconds. Nine. Weapons would be back online soon.

He needed Nat to hurry.

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[4ND-R0]

(Here with permission from [member="Alexander Ontonas"] )

Star streaks settled into pinpoints as a CR90 Corvette, an Alderaanian ship, dropped out of hyperspace. This was no mere ship of Alderaan, however. On its hull was painted a great, crimson sigil in shape of a snarling dragon. The Blade of Frayus had arrived at Kothlis. At the helm of this blockade runner was a youthful man, whose once noble face was blemished and scarred from a trauma long since past. "Open a channel." He ordered to his communications officer with a baritone, like soft thunder.

"To all vessels of the Zenithian Imperium. This is Duke Valin Frayus. Formerly of Alderaan. Needless to say, I am sympathetic to your cause, and I defect myself and my assets to you. I am currently stationed above Kothlis, ready to support in any way needed."

He kept the channel open for a response, broadcasting it as he walked back to a private chamber. There, laid in waiting, was a suit of durasteel, fashioned after the knightly armor of the ancient civilization of Alderaan. Plaster on its chest was likewise a red dragon, the heraldic symbol of his family. He needed to be ready in case the ground forces were in need of his help.

 

[WolfMortum]

Mulokhai Pharise was a nobody among the Zenithian Imperial Army, a mere Private among their ranks whose determination had been birthed out of the Bloodshed of his own during the war with the Geonosians, caught amidst the flames as collateral damage, it had led Mulok to enlist under the Imperium seeking to fight for the Order that they aggressively sought to install upon the many worlds around them.

Dressed alike so many of the other typical soldiers of the Imperium ground forces, he found himself charging ahead alongside several of their company, Vibro-sword in both hands and driving it up through the midsection of a bothan, his momentum lifting the creature up off of its feet and carrying down into the ground in violent force. Blaster fire ricocheted around him while the men all drove their blades into the enemy and unleashed volleys of blaster-fire against the enemy, the scene was an unveiling hell of hatred and aggression and all that Mulokhai could see were the burning images of his loved ones locked in their homestead so many years ago.

The adredaline kicked in from the delivered blow against the Bothan and as he wrenched his blade back out through the stomach of the enemy, it gargled and spat blood from it's mouth looking back up at the Private in fear and a vague look of contempt. All Mulok could hear were the sounds of the battle around him, the bothan was trying to plead with him, one last show of mercy that he might be put out of his misery yet the Private turned away and lifted his sword in the air, the rush of war pushing the air from his lungs as he called out, "FOR THE IMPERIUM!". Around him those that weren't directly involved in combat, either having killed or were yet to reach another of the enemies men, turned and called back in strength and unison, "Hail Victorious!".

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Strask Ak'lya"]

Dune's hand went for his hilt as soon as the ambassador had begun. The blue beam had come to life just as the Bothan's EMP went off. He winced as his sensitive auditory organs protested. Then the Bith quickly fought it off given the urgency of the situation.

It was fortunate for them that his lightsaber didn't operate like the plasma weapons. It simply flickered for a brief moment before it resumed the steady beam. Dune took full advantage of the situation. He stepped forward and began the sweeping strokes of Shii-Cho.

Not against targets of flesh and blood. He instead brought the blue blade to bear against weapons of alloy and plasteel. Rifle barrels were quickly sliced through like butter. Stunned bodyguards could only squawk in protest.

The ambassador had reached for a holdout weapon in the meantime. His eyes widened when nothing happened. Dune turned to face him with an extended left hand. The ambassador jumped when the blaster was yanked from his grasp and came to be in the Jedi's hand.

"You...you can't do that!," the politician managed angrily like a sulky child.

"I'm afraid I just did, Ambassador. You ordered your men to fire on not only an Imperium ambassador, but a neutral Republic one as well. You technically can't do that either."

When a bodyguard attempted to brain Dune from behind extended his right hand. The man seemed to collide with an invisible wall and was sent sprawling onto his backside. His makeshift club from the remaining stock of the rifle went clattering on the ground. The Jedi sighed.

"Enough," he said to them all like a parent to his unruly children. His voice betrayed his exasperation.

 

[Placeholder 0133]

Things had not gone as planned.

Imperial forces were landing all across the Bothan colony world now. To raise a hand against an Imperial ambassador was to raise a hand against the Imperium itself. Such stupidity could only be repaid with brutality. General Lathern and his 32nd Imperial Army regiment brought the hammer down upon the traitor legions. Acts of brutality were carried out across the world to those who would dare to stand against the crusade. Those who did not were rewarded with safety, and more importantly, their lives.

Alexander could have called the assault off, but that would be undermining his general's authority. The planet would fall in line soon, as would Roon.

"Take him to the ship. He will pay for his treachery," the Imperator snarled, his rage bubbling up like bubbling magma. He was rather fond of Strask, and any harm that sought to harm the Bothan would be rewarded with Alexander's ire. Up ahead lay the Imperium's ambassador ships. The wounded were quickly led aboard.

Then came a voice, one Alexander had never heard before. "Duke Frayus," Alexander began, "I am Alexander Ontonas, Imperator. Your support is asked of and most welcomed," he paused, "Some of our warriors are putting down a rebellion by the Obsidian Order on Roon. If you could extract them, you contributions would be well remembered."

He turned to @Strask Ak'lkya and [member="Dune Rhur"]. "Sorcerer, get Strask aboard the vessel. We need to put a stop to this war before it begins."

"[member="Invictus"], you'll come with me. Meneth can't have gotten far."

 

[Laman Ress]

Laman fought towards the sanctum, he took some of the men and charged through the enemy ranks, crushing the bones of his enemies with the weight of the two ton power armor. He and the men slammed against the massive doors, crashing right through the ancient wood and metal. In that room was a group of sorcerers sitting around a large crystal, with no others to guard them. They made no reaction to the shattering of the door, instead the summoned more of the illusionary soliders, but they would lie with their brotheren.

The Chosen cut through the illusions until they got to the real cause of the problem, though Laman had a feeling destroying the crystal would break their concentration.

"Men draw your bolters, we fire upon the crystal! Once that is done kill the sorcerers, show no mercy!" He said to his men

As he said this his men executed the order with precision and loyalty. Before Laman knew it the masters sitting arund the crystal were dead, and the crystal lay shattered on the floor. Laman picked up one of the shards, it would be a memento to this day.

The slicer came in over the comms, the data was secured. He also said they had been given orders to extract.

"Men, burn this place to the ground, we will then extract. You know what to do." Laman said.

Laman made his way out of the building, he saw the smoke rise up from the roof top, and as this happened his men walked out as well. The western half of the building suddenly erupted in flame, then the eastern half, the building was soon entirely engulfed in flame, it was bright and hot, but there would be no evidence of this place or its former inhabitants. Now he just needed to wait for the extraction team.

[member="Valin Frayus"]