Faction Field Trip to Nowhere [TSO & Friends]

[Lirka Ka]

The history of evil was an abyss unfathomably deep. Much of it was lost to the annals of time. Remembered only in the dark and dusty places of the Galaxy - some coveted, much more of it forgotten. Empires. Cults. Lost power and the ancestors to cruelty.

The Kanzer Exiles were one such group. A footnote in galactic history, if one were to give them a generous reading. A horde of reptilian demon-worshipping fanatics from the days of yesteryear. A faith spread through mass domination of the mind, cruelty that was propelled by those who did not even have the capability to fathom the wickedness they partook in. An eidolon to this faith was made, a temple in honor of their leader: the Lord-Ravager Korman Lao. With mind-shackled hosts this temple was a planet-sized monument to a faith long forgotten.

But it was just that, forgotten. In the present day, the temple of Korman Lao was but an asteroid belt as the construction gave way to the march of time. The Kanzer no more. Yet the prospect of ancient power was so oft a tantalizing thing to the Sith. The mass control of the mind was a potent tool to have in one's arsenal when the shifting of the pieces was to be considered in the endless game board of politicking.

Of the Sith so tantalized by the prospect of what laid within its depths, was one who dabbled in the matters most esoteric and bizarre, the Dark Councillor Lirka Ka. A being of bizarre and grim faith in her own right - to visit the ruins of the world temple could be considered almost pilgrimage for those who possessed the right mindset. But in terms of official matters, it was a "research expedition". The call was made - those with a spirit curious enough to follow the Sith's most bizarre Councillor into the nowhere-depths of the Valtaullu Rift would be given the right to claim that which they could.

Because really…what was research but glorified tomb-raiding?

Danger remained ever present. A labyrinthine asteroid belt, where oxygen and atmosphere were but faint memories. A stronghold that once held murderous alien fanatics and whatever traps for those that would seek to despoil what they had created.

And of course, in the darkness of space, perhaps the biggest danger of all was the company you keep

A flotilla of craft came from Sith space and beyond for depths unknown. The Valtaullu Rift was a great distance away from the great civilizations that now populated the Galaxy - a lawless ruin of age bygone. Soon the locust swarm of landing craft descended upon one of the few areas of rock still solid enough to support the weight of the arriving explorers. A small preliminary camp erected with pre-fabricated structures to allow areas of artificial gravity and breathable air.

Looming over the entire procession was Lirka Ka, clawed hands clasped behind her back as the towering metal figure took note of appearances through gleaming slit-lenses. Once the host had assembled, they would depart into the labyrinth - till then, silently, she would make headcount of those willing to follow. A grin ever so small hidden beneath the armor's emotionless visage.

Because in the middle of nowhere - there weren't too many places to run to escape her prattling obsessions with places like this.

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[Neryn Ka]

Predictably, Neryn was one of the first to be lured by the promise of forbidden secrets. The possibility of a chance to prove his might was just the icing on the proverbial cake. Under normal circumstances, Neryn possessed an almost feline love of personal cleanliness, and seldom showed up anywhere with even a hair out of place. Today was different.

Today, the winged spawn was ragged, tired, and irritable. He'd been up for several days penning his latest work, and had shunned any of the usual comforts of life during that time. A decent chunk of that period had been spent sweeping the corridors of his writing chamber for imaginary spies and listening devices.

The work was bold, transgressive, and (dare he even think it) heretical. Not the sort of thing one wanted associated with one's name, at least not yet. The masses were not yet ready for his prophecies about the future, and of course, his key role in it. When the time was right, perhaps he would unveil it to a select, carefully-curated few, the better to bask in their awe. After all, he'd need more hands than his alone for what was to come.

For now, it was time for a little R&R, and what better way to unwind than to seek greater power and glory? At the risk of improving upon perfection, he couldn't resist. Neryn was motivated by sheer greed as much as powerlust. Taking things to deny them to others was just as satisfying as taking them for oneself, if not more so. The idea of other hands sifting through the unknown wonders of the complex was unbearable. This was his galaxy, and its treasures his alone to enjoy.

So, here he was, shifty-eyed, twitchy, and dangerous. He'd come armed and ready, and was clearly chomping at the bit to go. As ever, Neryn possessed a great deal more ambition and energy than common sense, but what else was one to do when so tempting a bounty lay ahead?