Hidden Traitors, Crouching Cultists [TSE Dom of Barbatos Hex]

[Vaylin]

​

Barbatos​

The Sith Empire’s borders are ever expanding, and now its attention turns towards the Astarte System. Amongst the five different celestial bodies, Barbatos stands as the crowning jewel and seat of power in the system. Publically it is most known for two things, its excessive and constant influx of labor, as well as its export of minerals and materials, both raw and refined. The latter has seen it become a rival to the juggernaut that is Empress Teta.

Many have traveled there willingly, in order to either make a living either for themselves or their loved ones. But it is a risky venture, as the economy is heavily inflated and volatile. Blame has been thrown in different directions, from political corruption to the ever violent conflict between government and religion. Though many have speculated if the two aren’t intertwined, as murder is in no short supply on Barbatos, and more often than not it’s swept under the rug.

A Triumvirate of powerful and influential individuals act as the governing body that controls Barbatos. There is Aar Haaz, a Rodian in charge of the Ardasa Syndicate. Aria Sendai, founder, and CEO of Astartes. And the mysterious ‘Human’, known only by that simple pseudonym and for his ability to attain information.

The Sith Empire has seen some business from the planet, but the source has always remained unknown. Even the Saaraishash’s Eyes have not been able to glean much information, with only rumour and speculation pointing to third and most mysterious of The Triumvirate.

But what brings you to Barbatos I wonder...

On orders from the Empire to investigate rumours and hidden threats?

Come to try and claim some riches yourself, or indulge in criminal activity?

Or maybe go exploring the various temples and ancient cultural sights, though at the risk of angering the locals?

​

OOC Note: We’d highly encourage you go read the Codex submission [member="Darth Maliphant"] wrote here. It’s very detailed and you’ll glean a lot more about the planet and the specific location you’re looking to write within. ​

Objective I: Hunt the Traitors
In the wake of the assassination attempt on the Emperor’s life, the Saaraishash have been investigating leads on the culprits. Having fled into the Tingel Arm, it was believed they had remained hidden ever since. But new intel has revealed that a small, traitorous Imperial group are operating on Barbatos, intending to try and worsen the violent tension between government and religion. The information points to the city of Cykranosh; home to the largest native population that were discarded from the metropolis capitol.

But be warned, and very very careful. A large religious group reign over the populace, worshipping a supposed ‘god’ slumbering underwater, far beneath the city. It is imperative to not anger them, otherwise, our operations here will be made impossible.

Your mission is to locate and silently eradicate the traitors, and potentially find out if there are any more active cells within the city of Barbatos itself.

Objective II: Opportunity Through Infiltration
Numerous syndicates have formed on Barbatos, rising and falling over the years. Although none have been able to rival the Ardasa Syndicate, most known for its domination of Shockboxing tournaments. But competition is both vast and unpredictable, and for the past several months the ruling syndicate has discovered a thorn in their side. An elusive group known as the Kavak Syndicate have been causing havoc, and have been seeking to eliminate the nuisance for a while.

Fortunately, the Kavak’s have been looking to outsiders for able-bodied ‘volunteers’. Will you take advantage of this opportunity? Maybe to obtain favour with the Ardasa Syndicate by bringing down their enemy from within?

Objective III: Let’s Go Spelunking!
The planet is the site of many religious and cultural sites, mostly centered within the Valley of The Gods; more commonly known as Celephais by the natives. Although the government has sealed off the entire area from the public, citing it as a ‘nature reserve’. But that is not where the Empire’s attention resides, rather it is towards the mountain called Orobas. A towering goliath that its very peak threatens to pierce the planet’s atmosphere.

What has the Emperor’s attention is much further down, towards the source of a powerful Nexus that can be felt from anywhere on the planet. No one knows what lurks at the very centre, and will remain so for many years to come. A vast and confusing cave network keep even the greatest explorers from it. That is if the countless horrors and eldritch terrors don’t get them first.

Your mission is to investigate a recent report. A local exploration group attempted to uncover the cave’s initial chambers until it was devastated by an unknown force. The only survivor detailing an arachnid-like horror as their killers. Be warned though that their numbers are unknown, as the man only ever muttered about “thousands of scuttling limbs” when questioned.

Will you burn these horrors of the depths? Or are you bold enough to try and capture a few?

Objective IV: BYOO

 

[Darth Trellux]

A single Iota-class Heavy Shuttle dipped past the clouds, the singular sight of a massive mountain scraping the very edge of the planet's atmosphere looming ahead of the vessel. Inquisitor Trellux snuffed loudly, his pointed furry ears laying flat against his skull as both eyes narrowed in response to seeing the monstrous natural wonder. But it was not the sight alone that set him at unease, but the distinct aura of dread that exuded out from the mountain's depths in every direction. Even the pilots, both unknowing to the ways of the Force, were skittish in their seats, beads of sweat rolling down their cheeks as they stuck to their allotted tasks.

"Bring us down at these coordinates, we'll set up camp near the entrance."

Some may question the wisdom in lingering so close near the caves, with all of the stories and tall tales of the horrors lurking beneath the mountain, but the Inquisitor was never one for flights of fancy or ghost stories. He believed in the might of reason over superstition, and in the power of the Dark Side of the Force. His confidence was infectious, and the men and woman who accompanied him were willing to follow him into those depths.

Or, at least, none of them voiced their trepidation within earshot.

In the hull of the shuttle were twenty members of the Sith-Imperial Exploration League, the Empire's premier environmental experts and scientists who were tasked with scouring the galaxy for new locales that could best serve the Empire. They accompanied the Inquisitor to serve as aids in mapping out the complex and labyrinthine underbelly of Mount Orobas. The rest of the crew was an assortment of Imperial Legionnaires and Sith Warriors, the muscle charged with keeping the scouts safe from harm down in those black depths.

As the shuttle came to a rest and debarkation ramp lowered to allow the group to exit, Inquisitor Trellux stood at the top and began barking orders. "I want a base camp operational within the hour, then we'll begin our descent."

 

[Elaine Thul]

Objective: 1
Enemy: TSE
Allies: Cultists

Elaine hated the sith, she hated them with a vengeance, to point she will deal with anyone and anything to hurt them. She had made contact with a group cultists some time ago, and she knew they had tried to kill the emperor, while she disapproved of them, she liked there ambition. She had agreed to meet them with next shipment, in orders to get to meet them. See how else she could support them. She had brought crates of weapons with her, including grenades, this include gear to fight force users.

She came in unmarked transport, with her housecarls they had some handy grenades on them, as a precaution. As they landed nothing was in the area, and all was safe. The cultist met her at secret docking bay, and smiled as she opened up the cargo bay doors. They soon began unloading the Blasters, and the Carbines, as well as Disc Cannon which was designed to thwart lightsabers. The design of that was from sith themselves, back when they where a race and used a species called the Massassi, as there warriors. This as well as lot of grenades to go with them guns, she did not supply them armour, they had there own.

She was dressed in her dueling armour, and was waiting for goods to be unloaded, and the payment to begin begin loaded. She was unconcerned being this close sith space, as they would not come here so soon after a campaign halfway across the galaxy, as that would be stretching themselves thin.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective III: Dungeon Delving.
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Joycelyn Zambrano was by no means a renowned scientist or investigator, nor was she an inquisitor, or even an enviro scout. She was, however, an indefatigable adventurer and she had joined this mission to serve one real purpose: To exterminate threats. Well, that was her public purpose anyhow. She had insisted to come because she had heard the rumours of what may be down there, and in her years of adventuring and campaigning, she had never seen such an opportunity for eldritch plunder.

She was excited; so excited in fact that she could barely sit still on the ship. When they left the ship, she practically bounded off, but restrained herself to not go too far ahead.

"Squad, form up."

Clasping hands behind her hips, she stood firm. The fur-trimmed cape pinned to her shoulder flapped in the mountain wind. She had a small squad within the larger group sent to investigate. They were there to destroy threats and pick up potential artefacts. In a sense, testing the mettle of the mountain and its deadly contents.

"Our mission is a dangerous one. We are here to pierce into the mountain and destroy all resistance." "Our route will be traced by the research station for future probing missions." "Make sure your cameras are on, activate comlinks, and stay close."

A smile formed on her lips as she looked over her squadmates. They were mostly young, mostly new, and she was excited to see how they would do.

"Any questions?"

 

[The Prowler]

Objective: 3
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"]

The Mountain stretched to the heavens, but it's presence in the force was that of hell. He could sense it, a nexus that wreaked of darkside energy and madness. The Potential power that lay within this mountain was seemingly endless. Should one be brave enough to descend its depths, delve into the maw of Tartarus itself and slay whatever demons it put in their path, then surely they would emerge gods? If not Devils... But then who better to explore such a place then barons of chaos themselves.

So, as the Sith marched upon the Mountain The Prowler was among them. With his Sith sword at hip he scanned the horizon. The forest was pristine, undisturbed for centuries. Green fauna spread about and the foliage lit the Prowler's path in a dull green light. He walked at a brisk pace with hands at the small of his back as his entourage meandered slightly ahead clearing a path for himself. The sun's had yet set on such a beautiful day, but still Prowler knew it to be a facade.

For true, this place was rank with evil and surely enough even the beast here stank of it. He could sense hungry eyes peering at he and company from shrub and tree. But, he was sure that no predator here was more deadly then he. He considered himself at the apex of this planet's food chain. But even worse then the predators he could sense other things...

Just like the tombs of Korriban, the spirits clung tightly to this place and would not give up their secrets lightly... He reminded himself not to trust his vision, but the force.

 

[Lark]

Objective: Go spelunking
Nearby: [member="The Prowler"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Dubiety"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Lark trailed his ashen hand through the chilly river stream, watching the slight ripples they created. In his other hand was a small novel, a short fantasy story about a disgraced princess' journey back towards power after her family was overthrown in a military coup. He had read stories like it before, but Lark quite enjoyed the message the book sent. That a singular person whose willpower was strong enough could accomplish ant mission they set their minds to. As the leader of the expedition Lark was set to go on landed on Barbatos, he flipped through the final pages in an effort to finish before the mission started. It concluded with the princess killing the general who massacred the rest of her family, and her regaining the throne. A safe and predictable ending, but a satisfactory one nonetheless.

He set the book on a rock by the riverbank, he had no further use for it. Rising from his place of rest and softly walking over to where the others gathered, Lark took another look at the outrageously massive mountain that dominated the horizon. What preternatural enigmas hid within that stone beast? Despite the obvious danger and foreboding sensation of madness that hung around the place, Lark couldn't help but smile. What could be hidden in the mountain that was more horrible than the things he had already seen?

Upon joining the small crew, Lark made sure all of his equipment was set up properly. The cameras weren't terribly burdensome, which was a relief. He could fight like a butcher, but these days he tended to move with more grace and elegance. Some of the members of their party were familiar, two in particular he had met on Cantonica and Korriban. The others he hadn't met before. No questions came to his mind, if any problems arose he was sure they could work through it. Taking another gaze at the mountain, Lark began humming a placid tune to himself. Now then, let us see what this haunted locus has to offer.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Objective: Obey
Nearby: [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"]

Hooking up a camera was a new thing. It seemed so.. Mundane. For the lowly soldier and their helmcams, not for Sith so they may be monitored. To be Sith was to be above such things. Though, Dubiety was just a lowly acolyte. Perhaps that was why. They were exploring something rather dangerous, and for his betters it meant anything he found wouldn't be lost should he die.

The tall figure hooked the camera up on his shoulder, figuring if he bumped into something it'd be chest first more often than not. Once that was set he fell in line, standing behind Joycelyn with a large smile behind his mask. She had done well to make a name for herself, and it was an honor to work under her supervision and authority. Who knows, perhaps he could convince her to take him on as an apprentice.

"Any hints to what we might be fighting?"

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective III: Dungeon Delving.
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Three acolytes of the dark side stood with her, and behind them there were a few more imperial scouts. She knew the scouts would perform admirably, as they were wont to do. The acolytes were a different story. While they had performed well before, they were somewhat unpredictable, and Joycelyn would like to see exactly how. She would admit it was also because she was looking for an apprentice. Whether any of these had the stuff, she did not know, but she was excited about seeing how they would do.

She looked at one of them as he posed a question about the creatures they were prone to facing.

"Unknown. They have not been caught on camera. No specimens have been brought back, and they have not been properly identified."

A smile crept over her lips as she looked over the other two.

"Prior reports could only confirm that they are many; and they are deadly." "We assume they are insectoid or arachnid in shape, and we assume to find a variety of sizes. They may be venomous, we don't know and do not intend to find out."

The scouts were all equipped with flamethrowers and acid launchers for the purpose of this, while the force users were expected to rely on their own talents and abilities to exterminate the threats. They would have needed to bring their own weapons from the ship that brought them all here, before they got on the shuttle. Everyone's cameras were equipped with lights if needed and tracking systems for tracing the route they made.

"We are to exterminate them all on sight." "Any further questions?"

If there were none, then she would begin leading them into the mountain, where an unsuspecting tunnel opening would swallow them all in an oppressive darkness.

 

[Darth Trellux]

The assembly of the camp was quick, efficient, and orderly.

Inquisitor Trellux nodded his head in satisfaction, silently praising the ceaseless work of the men and women under his charge as they set about performing his commands. He himself was afforded one of the more spacious tents, outfitted with a back-up holo-communicator in the event the one on the shuttle was damaged, and his own personal refresher. Trellux was there now, preparing himself for the planned descent into the depths of the mountain with a quick bout of meditation and ritual marking with bone chalk.

Once he was ready, he emerged from his tent to find the Princess [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] debriefing the soldiers and scouts that would serve as the backbone of their treacherous expedition into the unknown.

"Well said, Princess. If at all possible it is prudent to acquire physical samples of these mysterious creatures, the Mistress Raaf has been known to appreciate rare and exotic specimens." Trellux showed a great degree of respect and measure towards the scion of the Emperor, for she was the designated heir of his vast Empire and every bit as renowned a warrior as his liege. Though some may view him as a lickspittle, Trellux knew that he owed much of his station to the good graces of his Majesty's decrees that allowed someone as non-Human as Trellux to rise through the ranks whereas before he had been stymied because of his equine features.

"If everyone is prepared, we will begin our journey."

[member="The Prowler"] | [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Dubiety"] | [member="Lark"]​

 

[The Prowler]

The Prowler and the scouts had been on the move for some time, setting up cameras and other devices he understood little of, in the foliage surrounding the mountain. But, it was all menial task. What he wanted lie within the cave itself. Secrets of scientific and alchemical means. Impatience grew within him like a dull thorn in his side. He had had enough of these blasted chores and decided now was the time. They were close enough to the entrance that he could sense it.

"You two, put the cameras away. We've sufficient footage of the area! We have new orders," The Prowler growled to the nearest of the men

"But, sir ou-" A trooper began but was silenced by the prowler's hand.

"We have new orders, we are now advanced recon," He said simply and the troopers saluted him dumbly.

The Prowler shook his head. Truly these men were untested and would not survive. But, it mattered little to him, what he cared for most was the acquiring of this ancient knowledge and gleaning whatever he could before the others might arrive. Of course he'd give them everything, but if he had a peek first? Surely their was no harm in that... And so they approached the mouth of the cave only to be greeted by a horrific cry of inhuman terror which reverberated throughout the jungle..

"GRRRAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!"


[member="Inquisitor Trellux"]
[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"]
[member="Dubiety"]
[member="Lark"]

 

[Elaine Thul]

Objective: 1
Allies: weird cultist bods
Enemy: Sith

All her equipment had been unloaded, and now was being distributed amongst the sith enemies. Now was time for there payment, as she give weapons if she could, but she could not, so they had to pay the cheapest price she could afford, and she had to accept goods rather than cash. They where paying in Rock Ivory, a useful mineral for making anti gravity traps. As well as other devices, she would sell this on later, as she was not in to such things but others where.

She stood waiting for the consignment to be checked and loaded, when she heard reports. Apparently some notable members of the Sith Empire have been spotted near valley of sith, part of wanted to get involved, but this was not her fight, this was there's, and she did not want to drag the outback into a war, they may lose. As they had an ally, right on her doorstep, the First Order. She looked at housecarls, as to say get a move on, they also show them how to use load the weapons, as no doubt they would be going to intercept these sith in matter of hours, if not sooner.

She turned to housecarl, and said Give them some anti force user grenades, it will help them a lot. He thought and replied We only got about six spare, I will give them. The rest we need if we come under attack. She nodded, and watched as they grenades, and showed them how to use them. She went back on ship waiting for last of the goods to be loaded, she want off this world as soon as.

[member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Lark"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Objective: Obey
Nearby: [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Elaine Thul"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

"Hmm.. No, no more questions. From me at least." Princess huh? Well, it was fitting given who her father was. But that was a thought for another time. As darkness overtook them the tall cloaked figure peered around, smiling faintly to himself. The darkness had become a close friend after all his time learning under the Sith. The idea of some sort of monstrous insectoid creature seemed to fill many of the soldiers with a sense of dread, yet Dubiety was only curious. Could they be tamed?

And if not, could they be corrupted?

It seemed there was other Sith curious about this, enough so that this sort of expedition was sent instead of the caves simply being firebombed. Deeper and deeper they went, many getting more and more unsettled as nothing was seen. Nothing was heard. "I wonder if there are truly any beasts within. There doesn't seem to be mu-"

"GRRRAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!"

"Ah, nevermind. Keep your eyes up. It begins."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Objective I: Traitors.
[member="Leliana"] [member="Elaine Thul"]

Traitors, deceivers, turncoats, defectors.

Once upon a time, Ophidia could have been named as such, but she- they had won and could declare themselves in the right. That was what mattered: Who won, and who lost. Success or death, as she so often chanted. Now these traitors would come to regret leaving the safety and security of the Sith Empire.

Darth Ophidia and a small group of assassins had come to Barbatos to infiltrate Cykranosh and hunt down the imperial defectors without awakening the ire of the public. It was of the utmost importance that the Sith Empire not alienate the worshippers of the underwater deity.

So they worked under cover.

Cloaked and hooded, Darth Ophidia wanted for a fellow assassin to bring her a much awaited piece of information from one of their spies. Rumour was a weapons transaction was to occur. If the assassins were able to intercept the trade, then they could potentially capture or identify a weapons supplier, as well as intercept the weapons themselves.

Simultaneously, the assassins were there to identify and take out local traitors before they could poison the mind of the populace. A number of them would need to be present for the trade, putting many targets in one place. That gave the assassins the opportunity to kill and capture new informants for information extraction.

A war was fought under the surface of Barbatos, and its populace was none the wiser.

 

[Leliana]

Location: Barbatos - Cykranosh
Objective: I - Hunt Down the Traitors
With: [member="Darth Ophidia"] | [member="Elaine Thul"]

It was time for Leliana's return to the shadows.

She had gone into the Dubrillion invasion far too overconfident in her skills. The assassin had been soundly beaten by her opponent. Between the burns on her right side and the buckshot that had torn up her left side, Leliana had barely been able to walk away. It had only been possible because of her mark and the dark side of the Force. Both working in conjunction managed to sustain Leliana long enough to seek medical attention.

From that point on she had been effectively out of action, until a few days ago. Eventually, Leliana was able to walk under her own power, but it had been difficult to move a lot without plenty of pain and stiffness. She had remained at the Maena Insitute, filling in the quiet and boring time with various hobbies. From her usual tailoring to discovering a new interest in alchemy, and painting.

Leliana had also learned a lot more about what it meant to be an assassin trained under Darth Ophidia...it certainly didn't help with the paranoia.

Nonetheless, within a couple days of her full recovery orders were received and she departed Maena for Barbatos.

Hidden within her own concealment; cloak and hood included, Leliana appeared at Ophidia's side. The assassin leaned against the wall, eyes never leaving the crowds before them.

"One of the spies reported in." A pause, a single heartbeat passed. "He found what he suspected was one of our traitorous Imperials. It seems they're rather on edge now that the Empire has arrived on Barbatos. They managed to tail the target, but couldn't get a good look at the supplier before having to leave. Apparently, they had a number of armoured guards, of which we were able to identify the source." Oh, how Leliana had missed being out in the field again. "House Thul of Alderaan."

Leliana pushed herself away from the wall, ready to get moving. "The spy also got the impression the supplier won't be sticking around for long."

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective III: Dungeon Delving.
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Inquisitor Trellux' words were flattering, and Joycelyn was not yet used to her new title as 'Princess'. It felt a little feminine for her tastes, yet, she enjoyed the power that came with it. Oh did she fully intend to wield her power.

"We will bring back any pieces we find left over after we blast them."

As the troupe headed into the dark and walked some distance relatively undisturbed, Joycelyn felt her nerves tensing. She didn't like the quiet or the dense blackness that hugged them. No, she much preferred roaring flames, the din of artillery and the wails of dying me-

GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The shriek brought her hairs rising in attention, but with the fright came adrenaline and fear turned to power.

Joycelyn's hands curled into fists as her lips parted in a half-smile. Flames began curling up from her hands and climbing her arms until it enveloped her arms and shoulders like a jacket. While it gave off heat, it appeared not to harm her or her clothes. It shed a soft light on their surroundings, constantly moving and flickering.

At the edge of the light, the scuttering legs of dark creatures jumped back, and the firelight reflected just barely in a thousand sets of a dozen eyes. The darkness appeared to stretch and become even deeper in contrast to the firelight, and while it and the creatures had initially recoiled, they now moved back into its range, but did not yet engage. They were watching, weighting, trying to find the perfect angle of attack.

"Be on the ready." "Watch your back."

She stepped forward with confidence, flames licking out from beneath her feet.

 

[Er'in Tenel]

Objective: IV BYOO (Uncover ancient mysteries)
Location: Azeban Asteroid Belt
Nearby: No one (yet)
Post: 1

Er'in gently folded the battered, ancient document shut.

"It is amazing," She said to the air. "what people choose to overlook. How anyone could look at this benighted place and see nothing more than false legends."

As her only companions were a so-far silent fire-demon who was still chained to the wall of her small, temporary luxury yacht with Force-resistant chains, it's mouth held shut with heavy clamps to prevent it from speaking and a trio of distinctly undead zombies whom she had taken aboard to keep the place clean, she didn't expect much of an answer.

Still.

"Not much for conversation, are you?"

She sighed, then walked forward to the cockpit and gently altered the ships course - the Nexus below the planet interested her, of course, but there would be a great deal of competition for what lay there. But from the local legends, it was clear alien forces slept within this system and she genuinely doubted the destruction of the planet that had created the Azeban Asteroid Belt had been purely natural.

She rather doubted much of the system's spectacular scenery was natural, to be honest.

The disappearance rates, the shadows in the walls... and the source of exotic crystals, at the very worst, she might find something worth her time for study. These were not things she was going to find with conventional scanners, however.

The luxury yacht drifted slowly inwards to the belt, as Er'in gave voice to an incantation to grant her additional vision. Blood trickled from her new scars, pain flared through her limbs.

"Sas ki ats diâ ki waria, Nu dzuontai qyâsik. Nu tutito dzok ki kraujas diâ ki nuniji. Asarsi ki doryumi diâ udai ki waria, satkari ki awatia iw ri jin'."

Behind her, one of the undead stopped in it's tracks and simply crumbled to dust as she drew on the animate power stored within it.

Yes. There was something here. Several somethings, to be precise.

Now to find them without falling foul of the belt itself, or it's less savory inhabitants - from pirates, to things far, far worse than pirates.

 

[Lark]

Objective: Three
Nearby: [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Dubiety"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Lark continued to listen to the orders given, still having not said a word and began playing with his hair indifferently. To the casual observer, this might appear as a sign of laziness, that Lark wasn't taking his position seriously. But it was all just an act, one that had become second nature to him by now. Someone more astute would notice that Lark heard and saw everything, he wanted to ensure that he could be prepared for whatever challenge might appear to stop them. In a situation like this, it helped to have experience. He was brought back to a mission he had gone on some time ago, before he left the Empire. A force of Sith troops were sent to Dantooine, and Lark's mission was to clear a forsaken temple of the hive of kinrath that lurked inside. Would the beasts they hunted now be at all similar to the arachnid creatures from the temple?

The team began walking, and not soon after they departed, a howl of despair disturbed the reticent darkness around them, and Lark tilted his head slightly towards the direction it came from. He unsheathed his Sith sword slowly, others in the party also prepared themselves for a fight. The Princess covered herself in a cloak of flame, and for a brief moment the appendages and monstrous eyes of the varmints that called this timeworn cavern home were illuminated. Lark met each set of eyes with his own, a wicked curiosity building inside him. He chuckled faintly, and as Joycelyn began to trek further towards the creatures who hadn't yet attacked, Lark followed right behind, unnaturally muted but attentive.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Objective: Obey
Nearby: [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Elaine Thul"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

"If, of course, there are pieces left." Dubiety chuckled to himself for a moment as his gaze traveled to the almost revealed creature. Oh how he longed to know what it looked like while it was alive. To see how it acted and moved in the light of day, or artificial light at least, but there wouldn't be such a chance. Not without dying of course, and that wasn't on the agenda. Similar to Darth Vornskr the acolyte lit his arms up with lightning, the blue-purple sparks dancing across his forearms as he readied his own attacks.

Defending was never his favored way to deal with a threat.

The first of the creatures that dared to charge forward met an unforgiving blast of lightning, crackling through it's forms as it was stunned in an instant. The Acolyte of course wasn't able to kill immediately as his superiors likely were, but with enough focus he brought the beast to it's knees, then to the ground as he fried it from the inside out. The stream then cut away as he shook his hands, the fingertips of his gloves smoking slightly.

"Open fire, stay close to Darth Vornskr, and you might make it out alive." He shouted to the troops around him as another of the creatures leapt from the shadows. He again met it with a blast of lightning, but it was only a quick blast to push it back. Dubiety didn't have the power to keep frying the bugs.

 

[Darth Trellux]

Compared to his compatriots, the Inquisitor's reaction to the horrific sound was far more typical. Summoning his lightsaber to his hand, he activated its golden blade which illuminated himself and his surroundings in a brilliant yellow glow. His ears flattened down over his skull as his crimson orbs widened at the sight of all the monstrous creatures just lurking beyond the periphery of their light, receding back into the darkness once their shroud had been dispelled.

"Perhaps the legends were not as exaggerated as I thought..." He absently wondered allowed, the thought of something watching him from some impermeable darkness sending shivers up his spine.

Still, he would not let some spooky chit dissuade him from his mission. He swallowed his own newfound trepidation and follow the Princess further into the shadows, his senses now keenly aware that an attack could from at them from any angle in this gloom. Even as those thoughts crossed his mind he heard a shuffling from above, particles of dust and rock drifting down to gently pelt him on his head as he glanced up. Leering out from a rocky recess in the walls was a monstrous visage of sharp mandibles and gnashing incisors, several spiny protuberances lashing out in an attempt to hook his clothing and drag him up head-first into the gaping maw of the beast.

Instinct took over, and he slashed through one of the appendages with his blade. The plasma cut cleanly through flesh, eliciting a howl of pain and what could've been perceived as shock and anger from the creature. A stab upwards drove the creature further into the wall as the tip of the Inquisitor's lightsaber grazed one of its pupilless eyes.

"Watch the walls, who knows what else is hiding in the darkness."

[member="The Prowler"] | [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Dubiety"] | [member="Lark"]​

 

[Elaine Thul]

Objective: 1 Time to leave
Allies: Space
Enemies: who knows

Her cargo has now been loaded, the cultists have been given there weapons, and knew how to operate them. Her housecarls, where all on board. The ship's cargo bay door closed with clank, and pressure check was done, to make sure they would not vent atmosphere, when they left. After check was done, the engine turned on, and they drifted out of cargo bay, as not to attract unwanted attention, after all this was just a transport. As they drifted out, they just thrusters to a clear path, so they could make the leap to hyperspace. She did not like the cultists, but hoped they could hurt the sith, as dead sith was the best type of sith. She then saw the clear route out, and the countdown began.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Let's make lines
Then they made the jump
Elaine was on way home, she have make refueling stops on the way, but she was on way now.