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

[Darth Ophidia]

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

Leliana had been something of a rollercoaster in terms of her apprenticeship. She had come from great promise, but her prolonged recovery had given Darth Ophidia doubts about the human's fitness. Now, she was running the young woman for what she was worth to find out if she was truly worth keeping. This mission was but the first of many. Up until now, Leliana had performed adequately, but only time would tell.

The news were as she had feared. Though the name came as a surprise, it made sense.

"House Thul have been a nuisance for too long."

She thinned her lips for a second, considering how to proceed.

"We proceed with the ambush, we will take care of Thul in due time, but we cannot afford to let the rebels disperse with the weapons."

She retrieved a com device from her robe, seemingly summoning it from thin air. With a click she sent out a signal, causing a light on the connected devices to flash green. It was go-time, and the Sith Assassins had the go-signal to take out their respective targets. That also included Leliana and Ophidia. She gave the young woman one last look before standing up and gesturing for her to lead on to the weapons stash.

 

[Zoltan Charrel]

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

Zoltan found himself laying flat on the hard, cold ground, camouflaged in brush, letting him blend easily into the tree-lined hill in which he waited. In his hands, he held his Adventurer, it's barrel and scope trained on the rooftop of a building approximately one hundred and fifty meters in the distance. On the rooftop were two lookouts, idly pacing back and forth in an attempt to patrol the area around the marked warehouse containing the weapons stash. He'd been watching them for nearly an hour now, waiting for the signal.

There was a soft buzz in his pocket. Reaching into it, Zoltan retrieved his comlink, which was displaying a green light: meaning only one thing.

Go time.

Placing the comlink on the ground next to him, Zoltan returned his attention to the scope. He looked into it and targeted the first lookout. The crosshairs lined up directly between the man's shoulder blades. Steadying his breathing, Zoltan's finger tensed on the trigger, and finally, he exhaled and squeezed the trigger.

The silenced weapon kicked as it spit out a metal slug, and in less than the blink of an eye, the lookout lifelessly crumpled to the ground, a large and bloody hole tattooed on his back. But Zoltan had already moved on, moving the rifle to place the other guard in the line of fire. He squeezed the trigger before the poor man had had the chance to even react to this partner's death. His head popped like a balloon, sending out a shower of blood and brain matter, much like candy from a piñata.

Zoltan withdrew himself from his rifle, looking to the rooftop with his own eyes, looking for any sign of movement, any indication that there were more than the two guards. But, there weren't. Confident that no alarms had been tripped, Zoltan grabbed his comlink and pressed a button. A purple light began to flash, indicating that the quadrant to the Northeast of the weapons stash had been eliminated and secured.

He began to break down his rifle as he waited for the others to report in before he'd move forward into the next phase.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

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

"Nothing we can't handle, Trellux."

A claw swiped through the zone of light and strafed Joycelyn's cheek, summoning a streak of red.

"Stay close. If we separate, we die!"

She ducked out of the way as one of the creatures leapt out of the darkness above. Bringing her fists up, she made an instinctual hook at the creature's body, which sent the fire that curled around her hand into a small fireball and launched the insect back into the darkness from which it had come. Her reflexes were quicker than her mind as she brought her foot down on another one that lunged for her foot. Something cracked under her foot, but the culprit was able to slink away.

Her left hand un-clipped the lightsabre from her side as she stepped forward again. The flames licked forward and chased the beasts back a little more. The sabre ignited as she swung it out against another of the beasts, sheering a burning streak into a carapace face and summoning a scream from the creature.

"Yah!"

Turning her head, she released a gout of blue flame from her mouth to push the mass back even further. Some of them curled up and cracked open like overheated candy, while others simply jumped out of the way.

 

[Er'in Tenel]

Objective: IV BYOO (Uncover ancient mysteries)
Location: Azeban Asteroid Belt
Nearby: No one (yet)
Post: 2

She sensed the pirates coming, but this just-over stock armed yacht didn’t have the speed to evade them and honestly, piloting was not a skill she’d ever mastered.

Besides, the ungainly mass of salvaged metal built around the core of an old light freighter welded to some military grade corvette engines had a resonance scent in the Force. Someone aboard had something she wanted, so, she might as well get it.

She ran, of course, fleeing without any attempt to be deliberately clumsy because she knew she couldn’t pull that off, but they’d be suspicious of a ship that didn’t run.

An absurdly overpowered tractor beam caught her, then docking grapples clanged against the outer hull and the spider had snared it’s prey.

Of course, they were about to find out who the spider actually was in this scenario.

The came through the airlock with all the force and bluster of an army of droids, surrounding the lone woman in the slinky, revealing dress and chuckling their good fortune. A good catch, or good bounty either way. Their demands were... predictable.

“Tell me,” Er’in asked curiously. “Do you not think that something about this situation involving an unarmed woman in a dress, clearly not cowering before you is in any way suspicious?”

To their credit, three of the ten immediately began to back away... perhaps if they made it to the escape pods or threw down their arms and begged loyalty.

Er’in, above all things, hated slavers and the deeds which came with slavers. It was one thing to sacrifice a criminal, a prisoner who had fought against you, or to take what you needed in desperate circumstances... it was another to prey on the weak, and to chain them. The strong could of course do what they wished, but she drew strength from her passions.

The tepid, weak disguise evaporated as she languidly raised an arm and intoned a sharp, dread incantation that caused the eyes of two of the men to bleed simply from the backwash.

Their leader evaporated in a bolt of her hatred - but (and this was new) rather than being sent screaming to his eternal torment in the Nether, his soul was sucked screaming into one of the gemstones on her belt. The torment he would feel in there was just as bad, and considerably more personal, as her hatred and passions tortured the damned soul, the pain it gave off nourishing her.

The legend of the Violet Witch would be told across ports in the area for years to come, carried by the one woman to escape. Three other crew survived, throwing down their arms and pledging obedience, and Er’in was discovering the use of real people, even if only as power sources. But three skilled pirates was no poor collection for a Knight of the Sith to start with.

The crew member with the crystal talisman was the only one she spared adding to her soul collection, and that only because she did not wish to damage the rough-hewn artefact with reckless Force useage in its vicinity.

The ship was silent now, the surrendered crew members unconscious and locked away so they could not disturb her. Blood trickled from her tattoos, while dust and hate coated the decks. She inspected the talisman in her hand, obviously alien, obviously an attempt at Force sorcery or imbuement - or at least use. It felt, she thought, like a warding against necromancy and soul theft... the latter of which confirmed her judgement.

Why would they need that? Perhaps the ghosts of this system slept unquiet, unable to return to the Force. She stroked the talisman with one finger, her off-hand gently playing with the now crowded gemstone filled with her victims souls, relishing their agony which - for once - they royally deserved.

A gentle pull, from one to the other, then off into the void, deeper into the asteroid field.

Interesting. Time to set a new course.

 

[Zhaelor Anor]

BARBATOS

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​

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Location: City of Cykranosh​

Objective 1: Hunt the traitors​

[member="Darth Ophidia"] [member="Leliana"]​

​

Callidus stepped into view, exiting some nearby shadows as he looked to his fellow Sith Assassins. Dressed in his dark clothing, complete with the hooded cloak, the Sith Lord couldn't help but smile as he joined the pair. The comlink had chirped moments ago, giving the all clear for selected targets to be taken out by their respective assassins, however it seemed Callidus' prey had moved away. In fact, judging by the direction, Callidus was willing to bet his target was headed to the weapons stash that had been delivered not long ago; at least that seemed to be the case, if his capacity for tracking his prey gave any indication.

"Excuse the intrusion," Callidus said in a low voice as he moved to keep pace with the pair. He raised an eyebrow to Leliana, giving her a once over, aware she had been injured recently. "It seems I'm being led on the same path as yourselves... don't mind a tag along, Ophidia?"

With silent footfalls, Callidus concentrated his inherent senses to focus on his target. He had gleaned the appropriate presence during his preparation time, so the prospect of singling an individual out amid a city might have seemed daunting, but not for the Anzat. His species were very, very apt at singling out prey and stalking them. Besides, it was always enjoyable to be close to his fellow assassins, to see their skills and capabilities. One never knew what he could learn from observation, and Ophidia certainly piqued Callidus' notice...

There was a mild stirring in Callidus' chest, a brief brush of hunger, his addiction scraping his insides. But he contained it, for now.

"It's always exciting, isn't it?" Callidus said in a whisper, his smirk lopsided as he glanced to Ophidia. "Being so close to your prey, that is."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

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

​Dubiety quickly found himself in the midst of his allies, more or less hiding behind those better apt at defense. He wasn't a coward of course, but he was never good at defending himself as he was attacking his foes. A proactive defense as it were, though it did little against overwhelming odds. Better to let those more suited for defending to do just that while he in turn did what he could to widdle down their foes.

And so he focused on keeping with the group while sending volleys of lightning at the monsters that got too close, if only to scare them back. "How close is our destination?"

 

[Lark]

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

They fought as a team, watching each other's backs, calling out locations and ensuring that none of the beasts could break through their group. Lark fought with the delicacy of a dancer, although there was a sense of mercilessness to his art as well. His dagger was left sheathed throughout the duration of the fight, it wouldn't come out unless his sword was somehow knocked away from him. It was a powerful weapon no doubt, but against a horde of enemies such as this a sword was infinitely more useful. It helped him keep the creatures at bay if they dared come to close, and it killed much quicker than the smaller blade.

Whatever these beasts were, there was a noticeable intelligence about them. At times it seemed as though they were coordinating their attacks, and when they were driven away they stalked around until they found an opening. Some had attempted to separate Lark from the rest of the Sith, engaging him and slowly backing away as they fought. A clever tactic, but not one Lark would fall for. He knew that as soon as he became separated, he'd be overwhelmed and devoured.

It was tragic that these creatures would need to be exterminated, but Lark continued the slaughter without showing any emotion. Another insect tried to bait him away from his allies, but as it bit down at him Lark used the Force to pull the beast's head down faster, which was subsequently impaled by Lark's sword. Another insect approached from the side, but its legs would be crushed before it got to close. It struggled feebly on the ground, and with a single clean swing the monstrosity was left headless.

As the insects grew to close, a coordinated volley of fire and lightning sent them scuttering back into the darkness. Their numbers seemed to be unending, although a a number of corpses lined the floor, as well as the ash from several others. Lark lowered his open hand, letting the sparks settle. Despite his year long absence, his fingertips no longer charred after utilizing lightning, which was a good sign. After all, Lark had a feeling that their journey was not even close to being concluded.

 

[Leliana]

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

The scrutiny was something Leliana knew would happen the moment she returned to active duty. From what she knew of Ophidia; and that being rather little, Leliana knew the Pale didn't take kindly to failure. The only reason she was still here, was because her master saw potential still. But it had been Leliana's overconfidence that led to her extensive recover, a flaw that had been apparent ever since Ophidia had first tested her in combat.

It was not very becoming of an assassin.

Leliana nodded slightly, taking the lead and moving down the street. They moved liked shadows, weaving through the crowd with little issue.

Cykranosh was not as technologically advanced as Barbatos, it did not have towering skyscrapers making up a majority of the city. It was both a boon and a hindrance to those that preferred hiding in the shadows. Easier to eavesdrop from above, but difficult to move across due to the large space between buildings.

But if Leliana's suspicions were right, they'd have a perfect little space to ambush the traitors before they got too far.

"If the spy's intel is correct, then it would insinuate the traitors have managed to convince a small group of the cultists to accept a deal from a third-party. Meaning there is a high chance the enemy will be ensuring the shipment is delivered safely to the cultists as a whole."

She spoke quietly enough that Leliana was sure Callidus picked up on it as he made himself known, appearing and keep stride at Ophidia's side. Leliana said nothing, letting the two silently converse as the younger assassin kept her focus on where they were going.

Eventually, they stopped and Leliana paused on the spot. They had passed a couple alleyways, but it was the third one that Leliana had stopped before. Listening carefully, shifting the noise of the crowd around them, the sound of two individuals talking could be heard from further down. Continuing to take lead, Leliana slipped off the street and into the alleyway, only stopping again when she reached a four-way intersection.

"How long until they get here?"

"Not for another eight or ten minutes. They're being especially careful with their movements, can't afford to catch the cultists' ire here."

Leliana peeked around the corner, long enough to get a good look at the two individuals. They were lightly armoured, but not in anything resembling the cultists or the locals. And neither accent was from anywhere on Barbatos. Which to Leliana meant they were either another third-party, or they had found a couple of their traitorous Imperials.

She looked back at Ophidia and silently asked for their next move.

Either take these two out and set up the ambush here or bypass them and find a spot further along.

 

[Darth Trellux]

It was quite a thing to see one of the Emperor's children in action up close, and the Princess of Dromund Kaas did not disappoint.

Swish.

Swash!

The Inquisitor's blade cut through several more eldritch horrors, sending those that lived slinking back into the dark recesses. Just the sheer amount of monstrosities lurking within the mountain was overwhelming for the Nazzar, himself having not expected this much fierce resistance. It didn't seem like these beasts normally ventured this close to the surface, it was as if they were being directed towards them by some otherworldly force. And if there was some sort of malign sentient guiding these fiends and controlling their actions, then the Emperor was right in desiring whatever lay at the bottom of this hellish mound.

Trellux would ensure that it would fall into the Emperor's hands no matter what, that was his duty as Inquisitor.

A scream drew the Inquisitor's attention towards one of the enviro-scouts, which had been separated from his comrades by the dark swarm. The monstrous creatures pulled him kicking and screaming into the darkness, the sound of gnawing teeth and ripping pincers interwoven with the sounds of battle as a pool of blood slowly spread out from the shadows where he was taken.

Grimacing, the Inquisitor steeled his resolve and rammed his lightsaber through another of the beasts that dared too close for comfort.

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

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Objective I: Traitors.
[member="Leliana"] [member="Zoltan Charrel"] [member="Darth Callidus"]

The green light spurred a wave of movement, vaguely detectable through the Force.

From the sniper in the distance to the duo, now trio of assassins approaching the camp of the dissidents. She listened intently to Leliana's words, not so much out of respect. Leliana had the information, and this was the apprentice's last chance, so to speak. Leliana had done well so far, but Ophidia's patience was thin.

"Be cautious with the cultists. Preferably, do not engage them at all." "They will be placed under watch after the planet is secured."

As Darth Callidus joined them, Ophidia perked a hairless eyebrow at his comment. They were becoming a group, but if it was only the three of them, then they could still remained under the radar.

"By all means." Her lips cracked into a smile. "These insects are hardly prey."

As Leliana stopped and listened, Ophidia made herself flat against the wall while her apprentice inspected. Ophidia closed her eyes and disembodied her senses, looking at the surroundings through the Force. She could see and feel the two individuals, and picked up on some of their conversation and emotions. She sensed anxiousness, nerves, yet boredom. They were restless, but locked in place for now. They had a secret, what secret? A location.

When Leliana looked to her for advice, Ophidia opened her eyes again.

"We take them, keep them alive, extract information about the exchange and impersonate them when the exchange does come." "Don't let them send a signal."

With a gesture, she ordered them to move. Herself, she stepped back, seemingly merging with the wall and vanishing.

She had seen that the room behind her was empty, and used it to make a shortcut past their targets' field of vision. She waited one second, then pounced out from the wall. As soon as her feet touched solid ground, she grabbed a hold of her target's neck and head, but rather than twist and break the neck. She closed her eyes and asked him to-

"Sleep"

And his body went limp in her arms.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

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

After cutting off the gout of flame, she wiped the side of her mouth before dodging out of the way of a falling creature and crushing it under her boot.

"The previous team found a chamber about two hundred meters further in." "That is our first checkpoint."

The creature had not quite died, but fell still as she gave it a second stomp with her heel.

Kicking the carcass into the mass she bought herself a moment long enough to summon more flame from her goddess, then launch it out in a wave. It washed over carapace which cracked and popped as the flames clung as if possessed.

There was also a chokepoint after the chamber which could be used to hold the flow of these beasts back until they launched themselves further in. Step by step was how they were going to conquer the mountain. All around them, the mountain grew all the more oppressive, as if it became tighter and colder; a cold that reached in to the marrow of one's very bones. It was the dark side of the Force.

The scream of the captured scout brought the barest flinch on her face, but she steeled herself.

"Push forward, keep tight!"

For a moment there was a lull in the waves, as if the dark creatures had given up.

A spike shot up from the ground and pierced the sole of her shoe, causing her to yell out with a roar of pain and surprise. The ground shook as it opened up to reveal a circular maw of teeth, spikes and tendrils, like a giant leach burrowing up to eat blood-bags. Joycelyn put her weight on the other leg as she severed one of the thin tentacles reaching for her hand, keeping it from grabbing her.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

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

"Quite the distance, with quite the threat in between." A deep sigh escaped the masked man as he heard the Princesses response. It didn't bode well for the expedition if they still had a distance to run but were already getting picked off. He glanced at the scream, pausing his lightning for just a moment, a tight grimace forming. As much as he was enjoying the thrill of watching these creatures writhe under his power, the idea of getting overwhelmed and dying wasn't very pleasant.

What happened next was almost comical. Dubiety had, for his own safety and to make better use of his allies, remained in the center of the group. And when the ground opened beneath them, he was still in the center. With a surprised laugh he fell into the maw. Thankfully, he fell onto one of the spikes before falling into the endless void that was most likely this creatures stomach. It pierced through his shoulder, causing his warm blood to seep down the front of his black robes. A pained hiss escaped him as he dangled there.

Chit. CHIT. I'm gonna die here.

Panic set in. He was weak, an acolyte. He wasn't strong enough to get out. Would the others help? No. He doubted that. The fate of the weak was death. Behind his mask he gritted his teeth.

No. Not yet. Father hasn't recognized my worth. If I die, I have no worth.

He tapped into that pain. The fear. There was only one way he was gonna get out, and that was with his own strength. He was a sorcerer, a rare being in the galaxy that could see the Dark Side in a way few others could. Fear, pain. They were tools of the Sith.

One of the tentacles then slammed into his chest as he fought for that realization. Another sharp pain flooded his mind, followed by a sickening draining feeling. It was eating him. Anger began to flood his mind. Hate. Hate of this creature for reducing him so, for his own foolishness in forgetting to mind his surroundings. Hate.

Hate!

A sly grin replaced the pained grimace he had formed on his face below his mask as he raised his good hand. Hate would kill this creature. Before him, a sphere of darkness formed, swirling, maddening.

"̗S̷͚͓̪u͍͎̥̩̣̤͞t̘̱̮̩͚͝t̨̫͚a͓̜ ̘ͅC͏͍h̝̜̳͈͈̖w̥̳̖i͎̙͎̭tu͎̤͚̰̻̹͝s̗͈k̨̠̖̰̺̞̺͇a̱̼̻̫͔͙k.̪̲̫"͏̤͖̪͖̼̜


The words came out distorted and twisted. The first true spell the Sorcerer had learned. And as he spoke the words the sphere was launched right down the throat of this giant leech, melting tooth, spike, and tendrils alike. After a moment, the tendrils and teeth trying for their prey fell still, and Dubiety laughed from his stuck position within the maw of the creature.

 

[Lark]

Objective: Survive
Nearby: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

Lark turned as he heard the screams, but by the time he saw what was occurring there was little he could do. The soldier's howls of anguish and desperation echoed throughout the cavern, and Lark was spared from seeing the man's grisly fate.

Two hundred more meters, and each step is a battle. And that is only our first reprieve. They had a whole war ahead of them, but whatever eldritch treasures were hidden within this cursed mountain would surely be worth it. The cave became more narrow, the chill in the air only became more prevalent as their descent continued. The dim corridor seemed to be unending, Lark couldn't say how far they had come already.

Suddenly, the insects back up, leaving the space in front of them empty, void of any life. Surely they aren't surrendering? Not when they had just begun to make some headway. A moment later, the trap was sprung. Lark felt the ground fall from underneath him, and not a moment later he was falling into the maw of this new beast. He managed to force himself out before falling to far into it's throat, severing a few of the monster's tendrils as he did so. But as he crawled out, he saw that the insects began charging the team once more, the underground beast was used as a distraction. As Dubiety dealt with the leech, Lark raised piles of the debris that crashed down when the creature emerged from below. Before the stampeding beasts came to close, Lark hurled the fallen rocks towards them. The wreckage pierced their skin, bringing them down. He would not allow them to draw to close.

 

[Darth Banshee]

Objective: Byoo set up a mine for Rock Ivoy,

She come here with a small group Serenno nobles, she was still cementing her postion. As she was after being queen, and her children being monarchs long after she had passed away. The thing was Sith can be fickle at times, and empires can turn inwards. She wanted her postion to be internal, and that required these people being on side. So she used her wealth to buy land on this rock, and she was now about to bestow it onto some low ranking nobles, as way of garnishing there support.

As the ship landed, she met them in briefing room. My Lords, this world as important minerals on it, ones I buy as well as other arms dealers, and ship manufactures. I giving you a grant, and land, to set up the mining operations. Now also I am letting each have mining droids, freighters, loading droids. Now you will need to employ locals as well, as if they just see you making all the money, and taking there resources, it will build up resentment, not something the empire wants. As this world has enough problems, with loyalty, and a faction that actively does not like us. While that faction is to be dealt with, we do not want to create new factions. I want them to see this as inward investment, so make sure you hire locally for all lower and middle management jobs, and manual jobs that can't be done by a droid, use the lower orders for. As people with food on table, paid for by there own hard work, are more content. Higher ranking managers, recruit the best you can get. She then pressed a button, and a map came up with areas, of the planet they had mining rights too. As well as local population hubs, to recruit the workforce from. Now I will be dropping you off, at each of these towns, each have recruitment day tomorrow. This is where Empire says, welcome to empire, and the empire provides. This world, has had chronic under investment, so even our slight investment should see a difference. Now each of you have some guards with you, these are to prevent harm to you, as we are to still deal with all the militants. Though we do request, that you stay out of local cantinas, and other venues, that you can secure yourselfs in. She paused, as they let that settle in, by being here they might become a target, though they where nobles, and should take that in there stride. So how long to you deal with this faction, as I like to bring my wife and children over at some point. She turned her attention to the young noble, he was a second born son to a count. We hope to take the head off them, by today. Though the body may take time to die. He paused and thought, she answered further questions, and began to get them each to there hotels.

 

[Er'in Tenel]

Objective: IV BYOO (Uncover ancient mysteries)
Location: Azeban Asteroid Belt
Nearby: No one (yet)
Post: 3

​

​

The trail lead through the ruined asteroid belt, past ancient hulks of decaying mining rigs, then through a dense ion-field that cost Er'in half of the vessels control thrusters.

"I need to get a bigger ship. A crew." She mused to herself as she fought the controls, before giving up and handing over to the droid brain, which frankly could fly it better. "What is the point of signing up to a unified Empire if you don't make some use of it's resources?"

That was, she considered, a good question. There were plenty of scientists and sorcerors, even historians among the Sith. But as of yet she was the only professional tomb raider and explorer she'd met, and giving her a ship would get her out of peoples hair - those of them that had any - which meant that her nasty little ideas about self improvement would be kept to herself. She was under no illusions that the higher ranking Sith didn't know her feelings on the subject of power.

She'd yet to have a good rant on the metaphysical subject of chains, however, which was...

The target swung into view from behind an obscuring asteroid, a dense black chunk of rock and angular architecture, the whole structure was badly damaged, with chunks of masonry and asteroid alike scattered around the area in irregular mini-orbits of their own and through the holes it was possible to see in to the complex laticework of geometric struts that suspended - or held the structure to - the surprisingly small green-black crystal that formed the center of the asteroid.

​

Second Era Sith architecture, probably influenced by the later conflicts with the Jedi, force amplication and nullifcation patterns across the surface. She wondered if this had been the object that destroyed the planet...

She felt like she was falling inwards to the crystal, submerged in boiling icewater - as impossible as that was - a sea of dark emotion that writhed within the complex matrix of the crystal itself. Fears and nightmares clawed at her belly, images of her dead mother, still and cold after her line had been brought to ruin and their only daughter reduced to debt-bondage to other Hapan nobles. She screamed, the sheer force of the hate shattering control panels in the cockpit and sending the ship spinning off course.

There was a mind in there, alien, inhuman... a spirit? So, was this a creature of the Dark Side, a Sithspawn? Birthing place or prison?

She didn't know, she did know it had her mind in its metaphorical jaws like a vice, and she fought to keep her mouth shut lest another scream and release of energy like that shatter the cockpit glass. She could feel its thought processes pressing against her ego. She had long suffered from an utter inability to learn most telepathic or mentalist techniques. It wasn't... how she worked. It didn't come naturally.

She was vulnerable.

But she was not afraid.

And if she was not afraid, then she was not helpless.

Each word of the incantation was ground out as if she was chewing on broken glass, she was forced to let the creature into her memories in order to maintain control of her body, so she might speak and gesture. She felt it searching through her past, dragging up pain and horror as weapons to break her will. To... let... it... out...

"I͝r̢s͟i̱̩̲̭̠̻ŕ̹̬ ͎̤͈̜̭̘r͙̼a͚͙ͅ ͔̪̳͈̰̪̟n͏͔͔̖̤̟̠͎a͔̗͙͖̮̺̰i̦͜r͎̩i̱̮,̷̫̼̯̦ ̸͈̖̪͕i̘͔͡rs̶ị͞r͚̜͔̱̟̖̭ ̠ro̼s̥͓͖̥͓͎̭ ̵̪͕m̫͟i͍͈̙̩͘d̫w̧̘̲̱̜a͇͚̼̩̘̹̖n҉.̨͎̞͖̻̗̺͙ ̹̞͡Dr̡̠̪̳o̗ ̦ͅk̖̦̻̫í͚̙̺̱ ̮̳͎̝w̬̱͓̰̩͇̬a͏̦̮̩̺̪̭r҉͖͉̩̼i̜̤̟̗͈̯͠a͍̳,̶̬̟͍̗̮͔ ̭̙̫͓͟k̠͖̱̘̪͔̞i̟̥̩͍͉ ͏̲a̫s̬͚̮ar̴̤̪͇s͖̠ḭ ͞t̛͖͓͍u͓͉̱͉̩t̷͙i̜̰͇ ̙͈̀z̼̗̝͜o͕̝͍͈̣̘͡ ̙̙̤̜̪̙t̳̹͠u͇̗̜̭̠͍̘t̳̱̮̝̤͖͕̕s̶̞̣̭̘i̮̫͝m̢̠̝̟̱͖i̸̙̦̲͓̳̻̪a̪̲.҉͓̳̞͍ ̲͇̼̲͔ͅO̗̙̼̩͉̥̩i̺̮̟̦̮ͅ ̺̱̮̲͉̝t҉̝i̩̥̹ti̜̯͕̯̦͘a͙͔i̴͖̩̱̮̗ ̝̖̯̺d̩̺̹̲͉̬̳i̴̗a̝s ̫̰z̰o̗͓ ̙͎͚͎̀w̝̼̺̝a̠̱͚͝z̘o̘n͈̻̜̻̣a̛͖̖̘̺͓͚,̷̰̬ͅ ͚̥̱̻̣͠k̴̫͈̲̻͍̝a̝̦̞̣̣̩͙d͈͡ ͖̖̘͠z̴͚̞͎̺o҉͈̩̮̱ ̨̖͉h̫͖͎̮̱a̩̦̦̰̯͚̻rt̲̻̤͕o͉̮̩ta̖̖̕ ̖͎iw̶͈̹̤̮̙͓ ̶͔̣̲̪̙a͝n̟̹͚̣̙a̼̩̪̞͙s͈̹ ҉͈̯̖̱͍̰̰d̗̘̫̘̹̭i̲̭̪a̲͈̖̥ ̬͓d̜͚͖͖͖͡iz͙̫̭̻̳͔͜i̴̱͔̞͔̪̼ͅt̼̝͉͖̗͢ͅj̯̼̗a̜̬̞͈͝z̷̪̪̩͎̤̰į ͎̳̩̹̜̥w͔͍̫̦̭͍o̝͎̰͝s ͎̭̱̙͉̲̯́o̵̻̠̭͕͇̲i̙̞̖̠.̸̠̺̖̠̮"

There was a mental noise somewhat akin to a thunderclap, then the presence was gone. But a lingering sensation remained, an identity more than a name.

The image of a childs toy, a doll, floating in empty air with black filaments connecting all it's limbs.

Puppet, or puppeter?

This could prove to be a challenge.

 

[Darth Trellux]

DANGER!

The Inquisitor's senses screamed at him as he instinctively flung himself forward, leaning forward into a roll that ended with him crouched several meters away. The spot where he had once been standing disappeared, swallowed up by the monstrous hell-mouth that emerged from beneath. Several of the enviro-scouts and security detail were not so fortunate, their screams dying away as they disappeared into the writhing red maw. Without missing a beat, Trellux reignited his lightsaber and slashed through a probing tentacle that threatened to wrap around his ankle. Reversing the trajectory of his swing, he also managed to decapitate another monstrosity that was coming at him from behind.

"Quickly! We must press forward to the checkpoint, we can fortify ourselves there!"

Thrusting his hand forward, tendrils of dazzling blue electricity snaked forth from his fingers to dance amongst the horde of creatures that yet lingered on the light's periphery. Each bolt arced between the available bodies, a chain reaction that left over half a dozen creatures smoldering and charred in their wake. With the path momentarily cleared, Trellux led the charge forward, the other Sith flocking to his position after helping those that could be saved from their predicament.

"Come, Princess. Deeper into the abyss we must thrust!"

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

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

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

Joycelyn skipped half a step back with her still free foot and turned just in time to chop one of the creatures in twain. The collision of the red blade and black carapace left a trail of sparks and severed limbs as the spider-like assailant flew past either side of her head, bounced off the back of one of the enviro-scouts, and fell into the maw. Grabbing her own knee, she pulled hard and freed her leg off the tooth, releasing a squirt of blood from under her sole.

She took a limping step and released another yell of pain just as Dubiety released his bolt of hatred into the tentacled maw of the monster.

Reaching down, Joycelyn grabbed Dubiety's robe and bit her teeth down hard to swallow the pain in her foot. With a burst of effort, she hoisted him off his anchoring point and up to his feet. She then reached down and picked up whoever was left, trying to climb out.

"Yes, forward." She smiled at the Inquisitor. "Push forward, no retreat!"

Drawing power from pain, she summoned up the energy to weave more flames, then released it from her free hand like a serpent slithering its way through their enemies. It blew the lightest ones away and wrapped around those who fought back.

 

[Darth Banshee]

Objective: byoo

After dropping the last of nobles off, she had her next job to do. Make sure they got everything they needed, to begin operations. This was a task in itself, she had to sign the data pads, to procure I.M.D. equipment for them for them, and make sure each and the funds to start there new buissness as mine owners. She had staff members assign to each one of them, to make sure they did the best they could, and not just squander the grant, as some nobles believe it or not, where very good at making slush funds.

She sent them all emails, with local recruitment agencies, they need to make sure they hired locally. This was part terms of grant, as it helped the empire keep the plebs in line. She had job to do, and that was pacification of the locals. This could be done in many ways, fear or hope, or just keep them very busy. Too busy to do anything about the empire, taking there world off them. This was best way, of making sure the empire did not have to cull them, though she was hoping to find out who was going to be made the local Proconsul. As she did not want them messing, with her internal powerbase she was making. As if they did, the empire might have to find a more suitable one.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

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

Dubiety was still laughing in the mouth of the beast as Joycelyn lifted him from the tooth that had impaled his shoulder. The sudden pain shook him out of that hysteria however, as more pain flooded his senses. "Kark!" He hissed his words as he regained his footing, his hand coming up to grasp the still somewhat gushing wound. It was hot down here. Hell, he felt like he was melting where he stood. So, he yanked off his mask and shrugged off the thick robes.

The smell of death hit his nostrils as he took his first unfiltered breath in. It was a familiar scent, but the near death just a moment ago caused his stomach to flip. He bit back the urge to vomit however, and with his hand on his shoulder he sent a surge of lightning through the wound. A pained yell later, and his wound cauterized. Kahlil Zambrano shook his head clear as he used the pain to focus, gazing about his surroundings again.

"P̙̱̭̘͘r͍͕̪͍̀o̢̤̦̮̯͓̻͎ ̴̟̪̥̮̘̦̦t̢̬a͙̜̲̩̞̝v̢̟͍̝e͏ ͎̲̳ͅj̙̘͎̞̝̪̠͟ẹ̲̪͔n̩̖͔̪'͙͖͉̙́ ͢nu̜̟̯͉͔ͅ ͙͞r̟͎͓̕e̥͎͈̝͈̥̖i̟̝̝̼̹k̪ͅl̨͈̺͖a̵̹̤̥ư̝͙t̥̲͖̮̭̹i̴̝͖̜̰͈͉ͅ ͈̰̹͎̖t̰͈͠a̸̗̹̜̝̝̝u̜̜͙͔̜z͚͕͖.̬ ̶͙̫̩̻̻C̙̞̥͚̟̦ạ̵r̩̼̹̙͔͍v̻̯̝̣̕ͅe͏̼̫ ̝n̻͖u͚̣͕̹̝y͇̤̼̪̻̠̱a̮͚̤̗̻̳͖͞k̮̯̱͙̞͍̕ ͍̦͜ͅf̰̤͎͚͖̟̠o̻͞ę̰̠͔s̢ ̼̺͙̖̜ì̻̜̠̟̣ͅr̰͟ ̸m͞e̴͉͔z̧̬͎d̛̖i̻̻͉̬̼̯ ̤̙̥̠̻̕j͙͎͈̪̯͞ͅo̟͉̗̤r̨̞̮a̖͍̳̹͈͖̹th̗̻͙͎̰̲̟ ̬͉͇̗̪̻k̬̬͓͙͉̫įa̴̘̼͖̼ ̫͙̪̮k̤ͅi͖͖͇͎͉o̻̝̯͕͓̦s̥̙͜k̛̜͇͚̦a͉͔̫͡ ̨ķ̥̙͚ͅa͖̦̩̬̦̖̠͞sh͓̻ ͔̝̱n͘u͠y̗͖͔̜à̹̣̮͙̹̟k ̛̦̫̖q͘o͜.͙̦͈̖͚͟ͅ ̱̭̙̤̣͔͓̕A̷r̲̗̣͇̣͞d͘y҉̤̥̖͓͔̻t̮̰̹̺̳̕i̧͍ ̢̜̙̟͎̩͕s͠a͍͖v̝i̲m͡i̢,̖͍̺̙̬͝ ͉M̺̻͝i̢d̮̼n̜i̡̹̬̜̖͖ͅg̝͚͇͙h̘̳t̯."

It was another spell. Invisible to the eye a spear of pure darkness formed above the Sith's shoulder, then he pointed a hand for the path they needed to take. The invisible weapon launched and disappeared past his sister's light. Screeches of the insectoid creatures followed in a chorus, and he simply nodded.

"Quick, before they fill in."

 

[Lark]

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

Through everyone's combined efforts, they were able to push forward towards the safe zone. Only a fraction of the original expedition survived. Lark. The two Epicanthix. The Inquisitor. A handful of Sith soldiers. Hardly a quarter of their original number still pushed forwards to the reprieve. But such an important mission demanded sacrifice. In truth, Lark would not grieve for the loss of life. Others might, they died bravely for a cause that would benefit the Empire long after they were gone. But Lark was just not capable of such an emotion. He just... didn't understand mourning. At least not in his current persona. Why grieve for the dead? They weren't around any more, so why did it matter? It wasn't like they had any say in the matter.

But right now, that wasn't important. Lark had suffered a few bruises when that demon from hell ascended from below, but he could tell that several other members of the party were worse off than he was. The Inquisitor pushed forward, leading them towards a momentary salvation. Lark would have to trust that whatever point they were striving for would be easily defendable, and they could recover there. He rushed forward, joining the Inquisitor in his electric barrage. Lark unleashed a tempest of lightning, helping clear the way towards the zone of safety. His pale skin charred a bit, but his main focus at the moment was ensuring all the survivors could make it towards safety. Lark didn't care if any of them perished, but he didn't fight only to ensure his own survival. He fought because it was what he had to do.

And throughout it all, Lark said not a word. Even as the lightning burnt his skin black, he didn't even grimace. Within this defiled crag, Lark's most dangerous weapon was never even unsheathed.

For words were of little use against bugs.