Dominion Hakuna Rakata | Galatic Alliance Dominion of Rakata Prime

[Spirit of Patience]

​

RAKATA PRIME
A SECOND HYPERSPACE WAR STORY

Across the galaxy, the opinions on the Rakatan Empire vary. Some unabashedly confess their awe, others scorn the subjugation of the lesser — but the remarkableness of the ancient technology remains undisputed. Efficient but brutal, their technological marvels remain unrivalled and many exploited secrets have been used to advance modern tech ten fold.

But the planet has been untouched for so long, with many threats bordering its perimeters, it’s time the ancient world officially falls under The Alliance’s influence. And the secrets and sources of genius are rightfully inherited.

With the Second Great Hyperspace War’s momentum escalating, the Galactic Alliance navigates further to the Outer Rim territories in a race for resources, and to tap into the ancient secrets of the Rakatans.

I — LEHON MIRRORVERSE​

Rakata Prime, otherwise known as Lehon, is as weird as it is wonderful. Those that find themselves in the ancient world of technology are overwhelmed by a strange, welcoming and unwelcoming sensation that overtakes their moral compasses completely, redirecting everyone’s internal north.

Once the landing gear is dropped, alignments are switched, good guys become bad guys, bad guys good guys, and it's pure chaos and all are left questioning how they would operate under this new morality.

Who will you be, now that you are evil?

Who are you, now that you are kinder?

Will you be the one to find the source of this confounding switcheroo and end it?

​

II — RAKATA RANCOUR // AMONG US​

The Rakata had set up a prison for some of theirs who were plagued by a parasitic species that proved incredibly dangerous. The Outbound Flight Initiative’s initial explorers opened this prison and found themselves overtaken by that same plague.

Were you among those first explorers who were infected or are you one of those who are coming to save what can be saved? How do you know the person next to you isn’t one of the infected?! How can you trust anyone?!

ADDITIONAL SIA OPERATION CORE://
ANY AGENTS OPERATIONAL WITHIN THE RAKATA PRISONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO RETRIEVE AND CAPTURE SAMPLES OF THE PARASITIC SPECIES AND BRING THEM BACK TO SIA HEADQUARTERS.
coordination conducted directly via IVI

III — OPERATION: HEARTSEEKER episode II​

Uncovered from the remnant ship drifting above Coruscant, the SIA now has possession of The Maw’s Epochian Sith Wayfinder. Contained within this device are the secrets required to advance to the next steps in Operation: Heartseeker and strike back at The Brotherhood as retribution for their attack on Coruscant! Unfortunately, the mysteries of navigation are trapped behind the wayfinder’s defense of Sith puzzles and the corruptive dark side.

Select operatives must work to translate and decipher the ancient spells in order to empower The Alliance with the necessary information to advance in the Second Great Hyperspace War.

IV — BYOO​

Rakata Prime’s got your time!​

 

[Hal Vaiken]

MIRROVERSE: ZERO HOUR
SONS OF SUPREMACY vol. I
Issue #1 w/ Aeric Kaze
OST​

A thunderous boom resounded on the horizon and the skies began to split open in a whirling singularity of crackling bronze light. Two figures emerged levitating, each with one knee slightly clenched. They hovered ominously in the air, heads turning left and right observing the area in silent rumination before they slowly landed down on the rolling plains of what seemed a paradise world. On closer inspection, one would see both looked alike.

They were foreigners to this world as they were foreigners to the whole galaxy. Messengers from a different universe. From where they came, the galaxy had come beneath the heel of their father. Once a Sith Lord among Sith Lords within the Sith Empire of their galaxy, Haytham Kaze became the sole ruler of the universe - usurping the Empire, slaughtering all his rivals, and forming what came to be known as The Supremacy. Its symbol - a slithering 'S' drawn upon the two sons' chests. How did Haytham's ascent to such power come to be? What possible change in the timeline could've brought such unrivaled strength? Joza Perl , the Velvet Rose prophesized to end him, was killed.

So what brings the Sons of Supremacy to this universe?

Simple.

One galaxy is not enough.

"This place..." he speaks, eyes observing the pleasant vista, "...we can use as a staging point for our invasion... but first - it needs to be altered."

The Force would obey.​

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: SHADOW BASE #187431 "Atlantis" //:
//: Valery Noble //: Kalie Alverez //: Lyrrin //:
//: Operation: HEARTSEEKER //:

Things were finally starting to come together. Everything they had worked towards and learned from the attack on Coruscant. All of it was beginning to pay off. The SIA had sent in their best, Allyson on the other had, was sent elsewhere - for different reasons. Today though, one of the teams, one of their best teams, found the holy grail. Or so the Corellian hoped. She needed something to feel like a win like they were getting the upper hand on the evil in the galaxy.

The call had come through; the team sent out had been successful and were on their way. Allyson sent the ping of acknowledgment along with sending Valery the coordinates to the base. If there was anyone that could decrypt her message, it was her fellow Shadow. Allyson waited, a hand pressed gently against her lips while her mind swam through her thoughts. It had been some time since they required heavy secrecy; maybe it was on her that this had all happened.

No, not now. She couldn't sit here and blame herself for something out of her reach. As the transport drew closer, the Corellian reached over her cybernetic eye and removed the covering. Once more, she needed to be the eyes and ears for the SIA. She blinked a few times, feeling the gears through the force come to life. The HUD display flashed, and her vision cleared. More often than not, the spy was seen with the eyepatch - for many, it would be their first time seeing both of her hazel green eyes.

She waited, hands placed on the table. Various tools and other Force sensing equipment were laid out as if this was a holiday spread. Allyson had no idea what to expect, and she was hoping the team had any idea of where to start.

Knowing her luck, they'd be the SIA daring to go where no other SIA team had been before. Doors opened, and Allyson grinned, "Welcome to Atlantis." The name was fitting for the scrubbed Shadow base; it was removed from any and all records when the original Alliance had fallen on Coruscant.

"So what do you got for us, Agents?"

 

[Saul Colsan]

Allyson Locke , Valery Noble , Kalie Alverez , Lyrrin

Saul was still pissed that he didn't receive the call to fight in New Jedha. To watch the other agents fight and avenge the attack on Coruscant while stayed at home rotting away like a Hutt who gained so much that they needed to be carried around was aggravating. Sure Saul managed to take care of the advisory who put him out of commission for almost year: The Collector. However, Saul did it without the approval SIA causing property damage and a lot of political headaches due to Saul going on his own. Which was why he was surprised that he was sent to Hakuna-Rakuta to help analyze a Sith Wayfinder that a couple of agents retrieved during Operation: Heartseeker.

The Agent growled a bit while he walked towards the SIA's hidden base called: Atlantis. He didn't like facing Sith, fighting them tended to be hazardous to one's health. Still as a man who took down a couple of Sith in the past, Saul will once again have to face the Galactic Alliance biggest enemy. That is if the SIA don't punish him. Cigarette in his mouth, Saul gave out one last puff before flicking it off towards a nearby river. He expected that he'll be placed in a cell for his actions, however the Alliance has a war to fight and Saul was a damn good agent. Wiping the flakes of Tabacco off of from his Sneaking Suit and began to enter the base. "Sorry I'm late," Saul said to his fellow agents. "Did I miss anything?"

 

[Qellene Tyliame]

[Rakata Prime]
[Flight Lieutenant Qellene Tyliame]
[Revenant Squadron - Callsign: Revenant-Ten]
{Speech Legend: Normal Qellene, Probably Definitely Evil Qellene}

---

Rakata Prime. Fate would tell what beauty, what hope the deserted planet hid under its lifeless ruins. Long forgotten concoctions of the long dead Rakata could surely present the Alliance with renewed hope for their war effort, strange technologies that could be harnessed to the Light's bidding. Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps what the Rakata left at the whims of a cruel galaxy would spell the Galactic Alliance's downfall once it fell into Brotherhood hands. Surely, they'd be landing as well.

And perhaps, they already had. But that was where Revenant Squadron came in. The combat-worn formation would escort Alliance marine detachments to the ground; sensors drawn in search of Brotherhood resistance as they rose once more to surveil the surrounding Rakatan landscape.

Her craft began to glide nearer to the ground, for a moment matching speed with a descending transport while she made a final check in with its pilot. At that very moment, a shiver caught Qellene's hands; and an appearance of paralysis shot up through her body, locking muscles in place for what seemed like ages. W-w-w-what's happening? . . . Nothing you need worry about. Another voice crept into her mind, high, oozing with a familiar accent. Who... Who is this? Then nothing. The unseen stranger left Qellene to ponder, to try and match that voice with Anything, Anybody. Come on. Come on. Feminine. Maybe a guardian's? No. Much too young-sounding. But it couldn't be a colleague; she thought she could hear a clear Pamarthen root present within... Oh gods. Pamarth- Pain shot up abruptly upon the thought's dawning moment, yet lasted only a fraction of a second when suddenly . . . The voice- Her voice returned, Sweet dreams, Qellene. Pain turned to relief. And the world around her formed once more...

Qellene's eyes opened to the scene she had left. Thankfully, her hands had held steady enough as to stop her A-wing from plummeting to the ground. "Mmm...?" she let out a disoriented mumble, laden with the confusion of so many unanswered questions.

Is anyone there? Qellene flinched. It was her own voice, tuned unsettlingly higher and bathed in a tone quite repulsive to her mind. Where am I? Please, Is there anyone there!? Anger and disgust flushed the woman's face. This- She, or whoever this Other was, was crying. Weakling! Her hands tensed around the pilot's controls, Teeth barring in an overwhelming flood of repulsion. The Other's response was immediate. Who... Who was that? The frightened prisoner of her mind reacted instantly, yet Qellene yielded no immediate response. She was growing tired of the pathetic creature locked away in the depths of her consciousness, the constant whining. By the gods, she hated that Whining!

The last straw clattered to an invisible floor. Who are you!?

"Just shut the Kark up!" Her unfettered anger finally broke the barrier of her thoughts, now audible in force. And with blood still pounding under shivering skin, Qellene waited for another plea of weakness. Waited... Surely, the Other hadn't given up just yet. Yet it seemed that she did. Well? Want to complain again?! No frightened response escaped its newly formed tomb.

Instead, her assigned shuttle pilot's voice crackled from inside her helmet, "{You say something, LT?}" Evidently, the comms were still open.

"Mind your own Karking business, or I'll cut out your tongue myself, Is that clear?" She punched the line dead before the officer on the other end could respond.

[Revenant Squadron: Tren Chaar , Leon Gallo , Kaul "Joker" Emos , Artemis Toth , Dani Stellaris , Len Vert ]
​

 

[Arlo Renard]

In his dossier on Sith Doppelgangers, the new species he had created with alchemy, the late Darth Prospero noted that their appetite for thoughts and memories might give way to radical shifts in personality.

“An iron will is needed to consume the minds of others without changing yourself,” he wrote. “Over the long lives of their existence, all but those who renounce feeding entirely (a difficult prospect, comparable to overcoming a major drug addiction) tend to become more and more like the people they prefer to eat… as they say, you are what you eat.”

***​

The being which burst from the portal on Rakata was ravenous. At turns hideous to look at and terribly beautiful, he evaded concrete description among all who beheld him. Assuming they survived the encounter, that is.

Immediately he went on the hunt, tracking his prey through the eddies and flows of the Force. He detected electrical impulses, neurons firing, all evidence of a brain ripe for the taking. And this one was alone, away from any others who might try to defend his quarry…

She didn’t see him coming until it was too late. He lunged at her, arms and legs wrapping around her fragile frame. She struggled as more arms sprouted from his sides to catch her in his embrace. Then, he bites deep.

Addicts say that the high brought on by their favorite drug is better than anything. Better than food, better than sex, better than adrenaline. Kai would know. He’s devoured thousands of experiences, pleasure and pain, but none of it could ever top the orgiastic rush of a mind-feeding. When it’s over, he’s left keening over its loss. A starving beggar at a banquet.

He can't tell where she ends and he begins. Her mind, her memories, all that she was, are in him. Their bodies remained entangled even after she expired at the prick of his fangs. Together they form a chimera, a beast with two backs, two heads, and many, many limbs.

His claws retract with a wet sound, leaving scarlet gorges wherever they penetrate her flesh. The taste of metal is in his mouth, rows of teeth drooling blood-tinged saliva. Predatory eyes scan the horizon. No one’s around to witness him devouring the evidence.

Qellene Tyliame Hal Vaiken + Open​

 

[Kalie Alverez]

MISSION CODENAME: HEARTSEEKER, PART 2
LOCATION: SHADOW BASE #187431 "ATLANTIS"
DESIGNATION: SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS TEAM
ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ
TAGS: Valery Noble Allyson Locke Lyrrin Saul Colsan

​

"The Senate would like to address... uh... the Senator of Lujo. Please come forward, Senator." Chancellor Aerarii Tithe raised his hands toward Tiresh with a beckoning gesture in the midst of the massive Senate hall. The room was filled with representatives from every star system in the Galactic Alliance. It was a majestic and intoxicating atmosphere that was quite a sight to behold, especially for the new Senator as she stood up in her seat and brought her pod towards the center of the hall, gulping with a sense of nervous excitement at being the center of so much galactic attention.

"Yes, Chancellor?" Tiresh responded, unsure as to what this proceeding was about. Tithe looked down at her, raising his eyebrows sternly, "My dear lady, would you mind informing the Senate as to why you are, in fact, not wearing any clothes?"

Suddenly all noise was gone... terror flooded Tiresh's face as she slowly looked down, discovering to her complete embarrassment that she was in nothing more than her undergarments... Her eyes widened in horror, Looking back up at Tithe, "Chancellor!! My apologies!! This is... this is so inappropriate..."

"I will tell you what is, in fact, even more inappropriate Senator!" Tithe exclaimed loudly, causing Tiresh to flinch at his words, "... It is the fact that you are an imposter... Kalie Alverez!"

Kalie took a step back in shock as the Chancellor user her true name. The whole room started to chant... imposter... imposter... getting louder and louder as Kalie turned and looked in a large mirror that was directly behind her, seeing her image. She gasped as she saw that she was not inhabiting her persona, but was, in fact, standing there as Kalie Alverez. She turned desperately back to the Chancellor, "Wait! I am loyal to the Galactic Alliance! I'm..."

"Enough with her lies!!" IVI yelled accusingly from one of the booths. Kalie gasped upon seeing M there, standing and accusing her openly. M leaned forward and pointed her finger at Kalie, a look of hatred in her eyes, "She is not loyal to the Galactic Alliance... she is only loyal to herself!"

Kalie stumbled backwards, suddenly feeling someone behind her... She turned to see Gramani Fey’la , her love, standing there, staring down at her with a grim expression on his face. Kalie looked up desperately into his eyes, craving protection and security from the one who had always been there for her in her darkest moments, "Gramani!" She pleaded. He put his hands on her shoulders, a burdened look filling his eyes...

"You failed us, Kalie. You failed us all." His words pierced her heart, tears filling her eyes. Suddenly a dark and sinister voice was heard behind her, coming from the Chancellors seat,

"You are a traitor to the Galactic Alliance... and the punishment for such betrayal... is death." She turned, her whole body shaking, as she looked up to see Tithe no longer standing as the Chancellor, but instead, it was now Darth Solipsis , standing there openly. He leaned forward and pointed an accusing hand towards Kalie, a grim smirk spreading across his face...

"Lets put it to a vote... All in favor of the traitors execution, say aie!"

One by one, Aie's began to ring out from all throughout the hall. The sound was almost deafening as flames started to engulf the walls and ceiling of the great hall. Kalie brought her hands up to her face in complete shock, weeping as the flames rose higher and higher. She suddenly heard the sound of a blaster being removed from a holster behind her...

She turned around to see Gramani, with red eyes and a stoic face, pointing his blaster at her face. Her body froze as she starred at him, a feeling of utter betrayal pulsing through her entire body. "I... I..." She stammered through the tears. Gramani looked down at her, emotionless and without mercy, "Aie." He said softly as he pulled the trigger...


----------------------------


Kalie's eyes shot open instantly as she breathed in sharply, her hand grasping tightly onto Lyrrin who happened to be sitting next to her in the shuttle. She immediately released him, pulling her hand quickly to herself and staring out through the viewport, hoping he wouldn't have noticed anything. She breathed in and out, trying to slow her heart rate...

It was just a dream...

She rubbed her eyes quickly, trying to clear the fog from her mind as she looked down to check whether she was Tiresh or Kalie...

Kalie.

She had been burning the candle at both ends ever since her Persona Tiresh had been elected Senator, and there was no time to slow down... not with the Brotherhood of the Maw on their doorstep and with the possibility of greater corruption still looming over the Galactic Alliance like a dark cloud. The poor girl hadn't gotten any proper shut-eye in over a week, and as soon as the shuttle had departed, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

She looked around at the other agents who were in the shuttle with her. She had gotten the pleasure of working alongside Valery Noble and Lyrrin in the previous mission, which had been their first introduction together, however she had never officially met Allyson Locke , although her reputation definitely proceeded her. Kalie leaned her head back against the shuttle and let out a small sigh, thinking back to the previous Heartseeker mission. A smile crept across her face, remembering the insane piloting maneuver she had been able to pull off.

Suddenly the doors opened and they were welcomed to the black site. Kalie nodded, pulling herself up out of her seat and walking towards the entrance. She felt the weight of the whole situation heavily resting upon them... the stakes were high... but she found that it helped to try to keep the mood lighter in times like these,

"Well, here goes nothing." She said sarcastically, turning and winking at the others.

As they entered the base, she got glimpse of Saul Colsan , "Oh, hey there soldier boy! Didn't know they were letting the dogs in here!" She gave him a smile, but also felt some additional tension due to their complicated history. She hoped that he would behave himself and not cause any unnecessary trouble, like he tended to be in the habit of doing..

 

[Lyrrin]

-

Tags: Allyson Locke | Valery Noble | Kalie Alverez | Saul Colsan​

---

As the shuttle was taking the team to the super secret hideout Lyrrin felt a hand gripping his arm. At first he was startled but then he reasoned, without looking towards Kalie Alverez , that she was having some sort of flashback or bad dream. He had heard of some of the horrors that his fellow agents saw in their sleep and held no judgement, only pity, for his compatriot. He mentioned nothing and did not move his arm as he looked towards Valery Noble "I don't like that thing." he motioned towards the Wayfinder which was on a hovercart before the agents "Feels wrong and I don't even do that magic stuff." he looked to Kalie as she seemed to wake and collect herself. He said nothing but gave her a friendly nod "Morning."

Lyrrin stood up from the shuttle seat as the doors opened and they were lead into the SIA black site. He did not know much about Allyson Locke other than she was an old head in the organization, he often did not look into his colleagues prior to meeting them. Though he probably should start given the high stakes of their shadow war against the Brotherhood. Never could know when a friend was a foe now a days "Thanks for the welcome. Agent Lyrrin, Surveillance Division, nice to meet you. Though I'm going to assume you knew that already." he said with a nod then used a remote control to float the Wayfinder in "Here's the beast. Careful, I get the feeling this thing isn't exactly very sturdy nor very wholesome." he never had liked the weirdness of the Force sensitive religions; Jedi and Sith. Neither had been particularly good for the mundane folk or small Farghul re-sale businesses.

The Farghul looked over to Saul as he entered right behind the rest of them, he was about to speak though he saw that Kalie and Saul knew one another. Lyrrin smirked "Fun stories? I'll have to hear them later. Nice to meet you and you haven't missed anything." he looked back to the Wayfinder and pulled out a compact datapad which began to display a holographic series of surface-level reports on the Wayfinder "On the way over, after I recovered from nearly dying - tack that onto the pension - I ran some small tests. The device is in someway attuned to the Force, it is technological in nature so not purely magic, and it has traces of bodily fluids." he motioned to it with his offhand while still looking at the datapad "Blood, of course, though I couldn't be sure if that was due to the all the bodies on the bridge or somehow connected to its operation. Background research on ancient Sith rituals show various rites using blood but nothing I was able to find specifically mentioned navigation. Personally I wouldn't kriff with it but I'll leave that up to the meddler over here." he motioned to Valery Noble still not aware that Allyson Locke was a Jedi "So in short these are the tests I ran. Thassien Crystal Test, Microbial Scan, Holographic Topographical Survey, Digital Electronic Reception Scan, and last but not least." Lyrrin held up a finger and tapped his temple "Common Sense. Its cursed and we should throw it into the pits of the Crypto-Analysis Division."

 

[Artemis Toth]

BYOO

ARTEMIS TOTH
REVENANT SQUADRON-CALL SIGN 'NINE'
A-wing pilot.

TAG: Qellene Tyliame

The magic moment the A-wing caught the mysterious imbalance between the gravity of the planet and its own propulsion, causing the rising and sinking feeling in the stomach to lurch rapidly, was a thrill to Artemis. She had chased that feeling for years now, riding the invisible channels through space until she could manufacture it, even for split second. It was even more fulfilling when it occurred naturally, usually when she was outrunning enemy fighters or hard on the trail of a rogue mercenary or the like.

It reminded her that even during combat when the fighting was tough and the cramped conditions of the interceptor could make you feel like you were in a flying coffin, ready-packed for delivery into the cold, hard ground, that she hadn't lost the simple pleasures attached to flying one of the fastest fighters the Alliance had to offer. She had joined Revenant only a little while back, having spent a varied career in squadrons posted around the wider Galaxy, running escort on hyperlanes, manning remote outposts in far-off sectors, all the way out of the Core.

She hadn't yet found that fully-fledged click yet within the group but she was working on it. She was real wing-nut, a genuine lover of the speed and mania that piloting these craft in the most intense of circumstances could produce. Today was no different.

The A-wing careened through the low atmosphere, cutting a real path through the headwind and making light of the breezes found at such low altitudes. She would have dared to open the small window if it wouldn't have destabilised all sorts of pressured sensors and life support functions.

To feel the air racing through her hair.

The shuttle was making its final approach, observing its pattern in a routine fashion. Her flight buddy for the day was Qellene Tyliame , one of the senior officers of the squadron. Their ships had moved in tandem, each sticking to one of the sides of the hulking transport.

"Rev Ten, I've got visual on the transport. Maintaining speed and distance. She'll be good to land at the reapproved time."

The condensation cloud that briefly existed at the lower speeds patterned the cockpit, refracting all kinds of light in a myriad of colours, clouds bursting and reemerging as the craft cut through them. She flicked through her dashboard, checking the sublight engine's functioning, in case she needed to burst back into the orbit of Rakata Prime.

Her left hand flicked over the switches, adjusting temperature as the sun shone brightly, warming the screen and, with it, her inside. She checked the functionality of all the components, absentmindedly. She'd make sure the ship got a thorough clean after this one. This was scheduled and maintenance was paramount but she enjoyed it. She felt close to the ship that would keep her alive.

No response from Qel.

Toth checked her sensors, looking out for any sign of enemy combatants or anything that might pose a threat to her, the Squadron or the wider forces at play today. It seemed quiet. She recalled her chief adjutant at the Academy, lecturing her.

"We see combat so that we may see peace."

She smirked to herself, thinking about how far she had come from that dreary classroom. She checked in again.

"This is Niner. You there, Ten? QT?"

When radio silence was held without prior direction, it usually meant that there was something wrong. Artemis wanted to whip the craft over to her CO's position and get a visual if she could but knew that breaking the designated flight pattern for something like that wouldn't go down well, especially if Qel was simply occupied elsewhere.

Her craft was maintaining its course and its position; hopefully, she'd respond in good time.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Atlantis​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Allyson Locke Kalie Alverez Lyrrin Saul Colsan ​

​

After getting nearly blown to bits at Jedha, Valery had taken some time to rest and recover, as well as get some new gear designed and made for her. With her new outfit on and the Wayfinder safely secured, it was finally time to look into the information stored within. The Battle of Jedha had at least temporarily halted the Maw's advance, so it was time to strike back. ​

​

This Wayfinder was the key to doing so.​

​

So when she finally received an encrypted message from Allyson Locke , Valery smirked and called on the other Agents to board a shuttle with her. From their first meeting, she had learned how to decrypt the messages from her fellow Shadow, and again this would lead her to a location the public would remain unaware of. The secrecy for these kinds of assignments was imperative, and she would ensure that their entire journey towards this SIA location would be untraceable. ​

​

He mentioned nothing and did not move his arm as he looked towards Valery Noble "I don't like that thing." he motioned towards the Wayfinder which was on a hovercart before the agents "Feels wrong and I don't even do that magic stuff."

​

Valery chuckled and snapped out of the little trance she had been in, "Imagine how it feels to me." the woman said as her orange eyes shifted to the Wayfinder. She had seen and worked with artifacts like this before, and keeping them so close for such an extended amount of time was always unpleasant. ​

​

But it was just another part of the job she learned to accept. To be a Jedi, especially a Shadow, one had to get used to discomfort.​

​

Valery then got up with the others as the doors opened, stepping outside whilst keeping an eye on the Wayfinder. She'd offer Allyson a bow of her head, as well as a gentle smile. It was good to see her fellow Jedi again outside the fields of battle. But she spotted a new face as well - she hadn't met Saul Colsan before and dipped her head respectfully to the man as well before they began to discuss the Wayfinder.​

​

"I can try to assist with anything Force-related, but technology isn't my specialty," she said, her gaze focused on Allyson, who she knew was far more capable with the Force and its interactions with machinery. "I believe that to be something you two are better with." she looked between Allyson and Lyrrin.​

 

[Tren Chaar]

B I Z A R R O

RAKATA PRIME AIRSPACE
B-WING HEAVY STARFIGHTER​

---

---

Escort duty, really?

Revenant Squadron, veterans of Csilla, Lao-Man, Copero and Iskadrell. The slayers of a five-kilometre Brotherhood battlecruiser over Coruscant. Multiple Golden Starbird recipients. And yet, High Command tasked them with escorting shuttles down to the surface? This was work for a rookie squadron, not Starfighter Command’s most celebrated unit?

Chair checked his scopes to ensure the shuttles he was chaperoning were on course, then brought his attention back to his Golden Starbird. He turned the award over in his gloved hand, taking in the small medallion for both its literal and figurative value. A polishing rag tucked into his pocket ensured the medal was always looking its best. He’d thought his career was over when he’d been assigned to Revenant and ordered to get the squadron of misfits into shape. And yet, here it was, the recognition he’d been blindly chasing and had long deserved. Something he could hold up to others to remind them that he was better than them.

However… it was no Medal of Freedom. Or even a Skywalker Order of Merit. Now those carried some serious cred. A few more dangerous missions with Revenant and a couple more capital ship kill silhouettes painted on his cabin and the glory would be all his.

His B-wing came down toward the surface as Lieutenant Tyliame exploded over the comlink to the shuttle she was escorting. Chaar reached forward to open a channel and give her the dressing down she deserved…

And paused. He trusted Qellene - if she was yelling, there must be a good reason. And if there wasn’t, what would happen? A blemish on Revenant’s official record, or even his own? That was small-time - who cared about the reputation of the squadron when you were surrounded by friends? The most important thing was the medals and glory they earned, but rather ensuring that everyone came home alive.

The Umbaran leaned back in his acceleration couch and smiled. Escort duty was a great assignment- nice and safe, no enemies to blast, no risks. He looked at the object in his hand, a worthless lump of chromium and a painful reminder of the time he’d risked the squadron for a chance to learn his colonel’s pip. He cast the Golden Starbird on the floor of the cockpit and kicked it back under the seat.

“Revenant, Lead,” he called jovially over the coms. “You know, I could really get used to this slower mission tempo.”

Revenant Squadron: Five: Kaul "Joker" Emos | Six: Dani Stellaris | Seven: Leon Gallo | Eight: Len Vert | Nine: Artemis Toth | Ten: Qellene Tyliame
Alex Locke​

 

[Leon Gallo]

Tren Chaar Kaul "Joker" Emos Dani Stellaris Len Vert Artemis Toth​

Revenant Seven gently set down in a clearing. Sent on ahead to scout out the landing zone, Leon was far from the rest of the squadron and the marine transport they escorted. Popping open his canopy, the Knight stood in his cockpit. Lush trees surrounded the clearing, though they were distant. Crisp air rushed into the man’s lungs as he breathed.

Sitting back down, Leon flicked in his comms. They’d been silenced as he flew on ahead for fear of Brotherhood forces on the planet.

{This is Seven, I’m touched down. Transmitting Navigational data now.} ​

The pilot reached down and grabbed a notepad stashed under his seat. He stood again, getting out of his cockpit. Carefully walking along the X-wing’s frame, Leon sat down on his ship’s nose. Soon, he began to sketch the environment he found himself in. It seemed full of contradictions, though he couldn’t find any. Dozens of sketches were drawn then abandoned as the Jedi tried to capture what felt off about this planet.

He’d felt a prodding in his mind ever since he’d gotten close. He’d resisted it, fearing some sort of Sith attack. But nothing had happened. Maybe that’s what was bothering him. The forest was eerily still. Leon hadn’t seen a single animal in the distant treetops or in the small field chosen as a landing site. Paying closer attention, there wasn’t even a breeze moving leaves or grass.

The Jedi’s contemplations were broken suddenly by the radio. It was easily heard from the open canopy. What he heard unsettled him more.

Tren? Being friendly? He wasn’t sure what made him more nervous, his commander’s sudden upbeat tone and laid back words, or Qellene’s sharp, angry snaps. Both of his squadron mates weren’t acting normally. Of course, Leon didn’t feel like risking being chewed out if he got up and engaged with either of them on the comms, so he kept sitting and drawing.

Meanwhile, a figure clad in black strode through the underbrush. A red-hilted Lightsaber hung at his side, and his golden eyes pierced the darkness. A pounding within his mind had drawn the Sith here, to this place he knew was somewhere he did not belong. It was pulling him, dragging him towards a location.

The Sith wasn’t fond of fighting, though he was far from a pacifist. He preferred to torment already subdued prey. Still, he kept ready for whatever awaited him...

 

[Seto Du Couteau]

Seto Du Couteau, Senator of Empress Teta
Objective One: Lehon Mirror Verse
Location: Rakata Prime
Action: Working on reports and ignoring his annoyances
Attire

​

​

Seto gently breathed as he relaxed his head on his desk, his arm providing a somewhat soft enough pillow while his other hand rhythmically tapped along. The ship had already landed and a bit out of turn, the young Du Couteau heir opted to stay in his room for a little while longer. It was a tad peculiar as Seto mused, usually he would have already done this song and dance and been on his way out to finish his duties. But for the moment, I just want to relax a tad more. ​

​

His shirt had begun to crease, and worst yet he hadn’t smoothed them out as he slowly stood up. Annoyance reached his eyes as he looked down, the creases seemingly taunting him but Seto ignored it and began to walk out of his room and headed out towards the planet’s surface. Scanning the area around the landing pad, Seto narrowed his eyes as the wind picked up dust, he wasn’t sure what exactly the purpose was of setting foot on this cursed planet. But apparently it is prudent to inspect each new system thoroughly before we introduce them into the markets. ​

​

Nearly ten minutes had passed before Seto continued to walk towards the nearest building indicated on his data-slate. While the wind wasn’t terribly strong, the dust it had whipped up in a frenzy wasn’t entirely respectful of the Senator’s clothing. The reports being sent to him provided enough issues for Seto to realize that to help turn this system profitable instead of a credit sink, major galactic shifts were needed. Like the Eternal Empire becoming the Temporary Empire. Seto wanted to laugh at his own joke but another shot of annoyance entered his mind as he looked at how dusty his cape had gotten. And again his hands stopped short from actually clearing away the dust and the creases along his vest.​

​

 

[Kaul "Joker" Emos]

It felt like the battle of New Jedha was just yesterday.

Kaul was once again doing using usual patrols guarding the marine transport and heading towards the city. Still part of Kaul wondered if Revenant Squad would get a break soon. Seriously, could the pilot get at least a day off? Just one day? Given that the Galactic Alliance is at war with the Brotherhood, Kaul had a higher chance of getting a Twileak dancer to legitimately love him then getting a day off. "This is Two Flight Five," Kaul said sounding as monotonous as possible. "I'm making my final approach to the landing pad, no signs of trouble."

At least there's that, it was awfully quiet for a planet that had so much history. It honestly contributed to the boredom, as he prepared the landing cycle Kaul heard a message by Commander Tren who was speaking in.... a chipper tone? "What the frack?" Kaul said to R4. "The commander is the type who always talks like he got a stick up his ass. What's put him in a good mood?"

Who knows? Kaul just wanted this day over, as the pilot landed, R4 looked at a figure who was watching the X-Wing land from afar. <Sir, I've detected an unknown contact.> He beeped while Kaul started the landing gear.

As Kaul landed he looked at his scopes which came up empty. "Scopes negative R4," Kaul grumbled taking off his gloves and helmet. "Check your diagnostics."

<I'm up to date thank you very much,> R4 whirred. <The contact has disappeared somehow.>

"I'm sure he has," Kaul muttered climbing off his X-Wing. "Stay with the ship and refuel will ya? I'm going to regroup with the others."

<Be careful sir,> R4 beeped but Kaul ignored him.

Tren Chaar , Qellene Tyliame , Leon Gallo , Artemis Toth , Len Vert , Dani Stellaris

 

[Ishida Ashina]

A DARK SHADOW NEEDS LIGHT
BYOO - HAYATA RAKATA | CORUSCANT | HAYTA HOTEL
Aiko Hayata | Saiko Hayata
A DARK SHADOW NEEDS LIGHT TO EXIST
BUT LIGHT DOESN'T NEED DARKNESS TO BE LUMINOUS

Just when Ishida thought she understood opulence, Aiko Hayata added another dimension to the definition. Gold paint covered the many archways of the hotel’s lobby and filled in delicate details on historic paintings that communicated historic epics of Atrisian heroes. Like the moon on water, the golden glow from the lights shimmered against the expensive silks that looked as though they’d been made in Atrisia.

The hotel was laid out for a party, with tables covered in food ringing the room, and a hundred or more people talking in loose clumps in the centre.All those in attendance were beautiful, to some degree. And if their faces weren’t sharp enough, their eyes not big enough, the slope of their noses untouched, then their clothing was ravishing instead. A blonde woman in an expensive blue dress followed one of the uniformed servers with her tray of champagne, plucking a flute for herself and for a companion that quickly came up to her side. Those that couldn’t wait for trays to circulate clustered in one corner, around a bar where five bartenders did brisk business. Ishida was busy assessing the number of guests relative to exits when her thoughts were jarred:

“If you don’t mind, miss.” The doorman welcomed, gesturing to a designated area Ishida was to stand. When she obliged, a single blue light emitted from a device in the man’s wrist, scanning over her and projecting a hologram of the armaments she had on her person.

She’d forgone travelling with her katanas, and had even chosen not to bring along her sabre – based on Aiko’s advice from months ago, wherein the fantastical world of the Jedi was not an appropriate way to spend her time. But the little, multi-dimensional blue rendering still orbited a shoto, and the pin of her kanzashi fixated in a twist to pull her hair from her face.

Checking at the entryway for weapons seemed to be the only security on the venue, but anyone who knew the Hayatas understood that wasn’t the case. Bulking guards or hired security never added to appearances, not when there could be beautifully painted and feminine replica droids floating through the crowds that were as subtly threatening as they were overtly striking.

The doorman made a face and started to reach out to suggest the heiress hand over the shoto attached to her thigh, concealed beneath her dress. The pin in her hair, he seemed to disregard. That was an accessory, surely this small, white-haired girl could do no harm with a hairpin.

Just before Ishida could object, a tall, fair-skinned man with perfectly coiffed black hair and an immaculate grey suit walked out of the crowd like Venus rising from the waves. He reached out and bowed, putting a hand on the shoulder of the doorman. The doorman seemed to relax.

“Miss Ashina,” He greeted, flashing her a toothsome grin that even she felt disarmed against. This was the first time she’d seen this man, but the way he said her name made her feel as though she’d known him for years.

Or maybe it was the thickness of the incense burning in the room.

“Precautions for our guest’s protection, you understand. Not all in attendance are heirs to weapon manufacturing and know the requirements of being armed. Your subtlety is appreciated.” He gestured to the small rendering just before it disappeared back into the doorman’s wrist, and waved away the security detail, standing with an open arm for Ishida to oblige. “Were you only staying here, you may have to relinquish your asset, but where we’re going…you may need it.” His friendly grin grew into something more sinister, like they were sharing a dark joke. And he looked as though he wanted her to follow him, and knowing Hayata’s penchant for discretion, Ishida obliged with a silent nod and they stepped into the huddled crowds together.

As they passed, the indistinguishable babble she’d heard at the doorway started to take shape. Exchanges about the markets, The Brotherhood, the senate, the war and the profits of the war, were all caught in fragments. Ishida remained unflinchingly stoic, looking ahead.

Conscious of the eyes trailing after her, Ishida lifted her chin and girded her focus with the reminder that this was commonplace. Anyone who was the benefactor of such an invitation would be envied by those in the crowd who had not. Especially in an event that had been curated just to exhibit power and influence; several of the eyes Ishida could feel on her back likely belonged to varying degrees of successful magnates that wanted to appeal to the atrisian tycoon.

As she followed behind the guide, the lights started to change. They passed through hallways of the hotel Ishida had never seen before, and she was fast losing track of how they were travelling.

What had been gold, became more subtle, more subdued and intentional. Where everything had bathed in warmth, it shifted to a cooler tone, with technicolour outlines here and there. Colourful dresses and well-tailored suits changed to more subtle attire, still expensive and breathtaking, but more conservative, sharper. Where the persons at the party she’d arrived in had exuberantly made up their faces to look all the more beautiful, the guests within the more intimate space cared not to flaunt their identity. Colourful visors stretched over watchful eyes, parts of their mouths were covered, all making it more difficult to instantly recognize one person from another.

The conversations were less loud, less boastful as well. Even passing within intimate proximity, it was difficult to overhear distinct words. Especially over the intentionally rhythmic thrum of the music. The only word she managed to pick up, unintentionally, was ‘Rakatan’.

Lost in observation, Ishida found herself suspended in a techno-world of mystique when the man spoke again. He stepped to the side, revealing a flight of several stairs.

“Lady Hayata is expecting you.”

Ishida nodded, bending at the waist in appreciation before he stepped away to be swallowed by the enigmatic silhouettes again, and leaving her to ascend step by step.

At the top, a long platform stretched with low-seated benches, perhaps couches, with few poised to sit on them. All seemed to be looking curiously to the open space ahead of them, slightly dropped from their current position and an arena hidden well behind thick, protective glasteel. Most were sipping tea or puffing from a kiseru.

Aiko and company were easy to spot. They were the only ones who had anyone standing around them, and by anyone, more of the prettily painted replicas. And Saiko was the only one visibly armed.

~A kireina event, Hayatas.~ Ishida greeted in their native tongue, lowering her eyes out of respect. She only looked forward through her bangs as lights in the background rippled over the features of the sisters. ~If I may join you?~

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: SHADOW BASE #187431 "Atlantis" //:
//: Valery Noble //: Kalie Alverez //: Lyrrin //: Saul Colsan //:
//: Operation: HEARTSEEKER //:

Saul's unprofessionalism would be met instantly with an eye roll from the Corellian. She had wanted to keep the group small, specifically between her and the team that had retrieved the Wayfinder. It seemed the higher-ups either didn't trust her to handle it, or they didn't know where else to put the man. She knew enough about Saul from his dossier to see that he was going to be a thorn in her side, one that she wouldn't be sad about if she had to remove him early. Her tone was sharp as she answered his inquiry, "Nothing that your clearance makes you privy to." she remarked, waving her hand at his question. "Thought, if you throw another cigarette in anything other than an ashtray again, I'll make sure it finds its way into your rations - Agent," Allyson warned, making sure he knew she had eyes on him.

Lucky for Saul, the rest had arrived. Allyson nodded to the trio and looked at the device that followed them. "You guys did good work; I'm sad I wasn't able to tag along." Her face cracked into a smile seeing that everyone had made it mostly unscathed. A hand gestured towards Saul, "Seems some of you have met already; this is Agent Saul Colsan; he'll be assisting us." Allyson looked to Saul and nodded to the others, pointing to them as she introduced them. "Agent Colsan, Agent Alverrez, and Lyrrin and Master Jedi Shadow Noble." With introductions over, Allyson made a space on the table for the device.

Lyrrin gave an in-depth assessment, and Allyson nodded along, taking in the information. "Sounds interesting. Just bring it over." A soft chuckle escaped the Corellian. "As much as I want to agree with Agent Lyrrin, we need to at least know what this thing is all about." The mention of technology received another chuckle, "Good thing I am." She winked at Valery and then waved and held her hand over the device. The energy the thing emitted was insane. The Force and something else resonated deeply with it. Whatever the item was cursed with, it forced the Jedi to pull her hand back.

"I think you're right about it being cursed." Shaking her hand, Allyson focused on the device. She needed a minute to gather her composure. "I'm going to try and use Mechu Deru to unlock it, but can you guys give me anything about where you found it or how?"

 

[Kalie Alverez]

MISSION CODENAME: HEARTSEEKER, PART 2
LOCATION: SHADOW BASE #187431 "ATLANTIS"
DESIGNATION: SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS TEAM
ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ
TAGS: Valery Noble Allyson Locke Lyrrin Saul Colsan

​

In response to Lyrrin 's comment about there being "fun stories" between her and Saul Colsan , she turned to him and gave him a humorously exaggerated frown with a puffed out lower lip, adding a quick shake of her head, as if to say, "Nah". She then smiled, turning back to Allyson Locke as she stretched out her hand in greeting,

"Pleasure!" She said. As Allyson Locke introduced the three of them to Saul Colsan , she gave him a quick wink and half a smile when her name was mentioned. She brushed her hair out of her face as they all formed around the Wayfinder and listened to Lyrrin 's assessment. Kalie instantly furrowed her eyes in visible confusion at his suggestion to abandon their assignment, letting a disapproving "tisk" leave her lips. She had not come this far to simply throw this force-forsaken device into the archives! There was far too much at stake for that... it was worth the great risk in her mind.

She closed her eyes in agreement as Allyson Locke proposed they proceed. As they mentioned their assets related to force ability and technological prowess, Kalie let a smile cross her face as she processed her own skillset and what she was, in fact, bringing to this team currently.

"Hmmm..." She said with a slight laugh, "You know, I think I'm just here to look cute!" As she said it, her eyes darted quickly over to Locke who had expressed herself in a very professional tone earlier, realizing that she might be coming across as a little too casual for her superior. She cleared her throat, "Ehm... Shutting up..." she said softly under her breath. Focus Kalie!

Truth was, she was not a force girl... or a tech girl... but she was a phenomenally well-rounded agent in most regards. Her assets would be primarily found in her deep social connections within the Senate and governmental spheres, as well as her deep financial pockets via the Kobitana Foundation. She would come more in handy for the team once they had learned where the Brotherhood of the Maw's homeworld was. For now, she was more or less an extra set of professionally trained eyes and ears.

...And a kriffin good pilot!! Kriffin' right!!

Kalie found herself biting her fingernails curiously as the Jedi Shadow began to probe the Wayfinder, her gaze focused on the emotions expressed on her face, curious what it was like to feel the force and interact with it so intensely. That was an experience she knew she would never have.

 

[Saul Colsan]

Saul growled a bit when agent Allyson Locke criticized him for throwing his cig onto the floor. Saul was frequently criticized by his fellow agents about his constant smoking and his habit of littering floors with cigarette butts. They kept that smoking was hazardous to his health but then again so is war and he fought that most of his life. What harm can a single cigarette do to him that entire armies and super powered Sith Lords can't? "Not the first time I've swallowed a cigarette," Saul thought while grunting at his fellow agent. Not the best start, but then again his somewhat good mood was fouled by Allyson's warning.

He saw another agent approaching, a Jedi based judging by the Lightsaber on her hilt. She gave a bow while Saul nodded back. "Rookie," he muttered. Jedi or not, the woman had that green look on her. There was another war and the SIA were sending rookies as green as grass to fight while an veteran like Saul stayed on Coruscant. Sometimes he wondered what command was thinking. Looking at the other agents, Saul lips formed into a smile when he saw familiar face. Long red hair, sultry walk, green eyes the woman was none other than Kalie Alvarez. Throughout the years, she and Saul worked together even to the point where the partnership blossomed into a romance.

But that was ages ago and because of their work, Kalie and Saul drifted apart. He hadn't seen her for years since their breakup looked like she hadn't changed one bit. A welcome surprise in the muck of bad news complete with a stuffy Senior Agent. "Kalie," Saul said. "Nice to see that you've chose your most alluring disguise." He gave the woman a wink. Kalie is a master of disguise making her excellent for mingling with her targets, Saul often joked that her real self was probably a disguise.

Nodding at the other rookies, Saul took a look at the seeker frowning. "So this is it?" he asked. "Do you think it's sealed with the Force? Has no one tried to open it yet?"

Allyson Locke , Valery Noble , Kalie Alverez , Lyrrin

 

[Tren Chaar]

B I Z A R R O

RAKATA PRIME AIRSPACE
B-WING HEAVY STARFIGHTER​

---

---

Chaar whistled an Arbran folksong as he bought his B-wing in for landing. How strange that his homeworld of Umbara didn’t have such jovial songs? The planets oppressive darkness of the planet and the strict status-driven caste system gave little room for upbeat melodies. He could hum a tune of his childhood, but it would hardly reflect how lovely of a day he was having! Clear skies, quiet escort missions, not an enemy to be seen. This was living!

The commander literally skipped across the landing pad toward the rest of the squadron. How lucky he was to fly alongside those that he trusted without question! It really was a team effort flying with Revenant, always making sure that credit was given when due. Chaar would have done anything to help his squadron succeed personally, even if it put his own career in jeopardy. After all, he was nothing without the sacrifices of his squadron!

“My boy, fantastic flying as always!” Tren grabbed Kaul and drew him into a hug, patting the pilot gently on the back of his head as he spoke softly into his ear. “I really don’t know where I would be without you!” He stepped back and pretended to shadow box with Kaul for a moment before letting out a bellowing laugh. What a day to be alive!

Across the landing zone he spied Leon, who seemed distracted. The poor man was probably worried about his next promotion round, which of course Tren would help him with! Good ol’ reliable Leon. It seemed like a lifetime ago that Tren had gotten upset with the pilot for going to the aid of his Jedi friends on Coruscant rather than attack a Brotherhood battlecruiser. What had Tren been thinking!? He could have gotten himself - or worst, his squadron mates! - killed. And for what, a painted kill silhouette on the side of his B-wing?

Tren kept his eyes on the ground as he skipped toward Leon, and was rewarded when he spotted the exact sized stick he was looking for. Picked up the branch, he began to twirl it around as he made lightsaber sounds. He tapped Leon on the shoulder in a mock attack and laughed. “More attention, you must pay,” he explained in a mock voice, unsure where the unusual lexicon came from.

Revenant Squadron: Five: Kaul "Joker" Emos | Six: Dani Stellaris | Seven: Leon Gallo | Eight: Len Vert | Nine: Artemis Toth | Ten: Qellene Tyliame
Alex Locke​

 

[Aiko Hayata]

BYOO|Coruscant|Show
AIKO HAYATA, CEO OF HAYATA CORP
TAGS//: Ishida Ashina Saiko Hayata

Atrisian vibe​

Party after party, meeting after meeting, such frivolities and social gatherings had dominated the better part of her business life. Meeting with dignitaries of a thousand worlds and political persuasions, no matter their origin or species, they were all the same when it came to what they wanted. After all, she did not throw such opulent parties to peruse the latest benign Hayata commercial product. The Hayata families name was not built on energy drinks or expensive nightclubs, it was built on the age-old trade of arms dealing, and its wealth amassed atop the bones and ruins of the silent masses whom Aiko's clients used the weapons on.

​

But that was trivial, minor even in the grand scheme of things. It was just business and what her clientele did with Hayata products was none of her concern; her only problem was keeping the business and credits flowing. She needn't worry about the other side of the business; Saiko had it covered and other minor inconveniences thrown in the family's way. Hayata hadn't been built on legitimate circumstances like other Zaibatsu clans of Atrisia; rather, her ancestors had originated as small-time crooks who grew from being a minor bandit family on Atrisia to running one of the largest transnational criminal organisations in Atrisian history. Though they were not as public as other crime families, that did not matter at all, it showed that the Hayatas had managed to survive and, most importantly, keep out of the limelight. As her grandfather once said, white-collar crime and business pay better than the old ways.

She entertained and talked with those of her clientele that were of interest, leaving the frivolities to her replica droids and other colleagues as she hovered around the drink section. Aiko glanced around, knowing her sister to be about yet ever hard to spot. She preferred that arrangement; Saiko lacked grace and the ability to socialise. Aiko had still not forgiven her for dumping one of her rivals severed arms in her office months prior, it had taken four cleaners and half a bottle worth of air freshener to remove that rotten smell. She looked down at her watch, blimping with a notification that Ishida had arrived in the lobby.

~And so the dove returns to the nest.~

She waxed poetically.

Aiko and her sister awaited the younger Atrisians presence; once greeted by the familiar face of the Ashina girl, Aiko rose up and nodded in response to Ishida's sign of respect.

~You are must welcome to do so, Ashina-san, it seems like an aeon since I last saw you; you have changed.~