Faction House Io: Khemost Grand Prix

[Arianna Belasko]

GRAND PRIX



NOT ALL OF HOUSE IO'S DAYS ARE FILLED WITH BATTLE.

EVEN HOUSE CITIZENS LOVE SPORTING EVENTS

TO CELEBRATE THE HOUSE OUTLASTING ITS MOST SERIOUS ENEMIES (AND THE DISTRACTION OF ITS REMAINING ONES), THE UPPER LEADERSHIP HAS ANNOUNCED THE FIRST EVER KHEMOST GRAND PRIX, A RACING EVENT AROUND THE CITY OF MIDAS IN AIR SPEEDERS. THE GOAL IS TO PASS THROUGH HOLOGRAPHIC CIRCLES GENERATED BY REPULSOR TOWERS HOVERING IN MID AIR. THE PRIZE FOR FIRST PLACE IS A SINGLE RESORT CLASS STAR CRUISER, ALONG WITH THREE PACKS OF FORRWIIRMENI COINS. THE PRIZE FOR SECOND PLACE IS A CLASSIC STARFIGHTER AND TWO PACKS OF FORRWIIRMENI COINS. THIRD PLACE IS A SINGLE PACK OF FORRWIIRMENI COINS. ANYTHING BELOW FOURTH IS AWARDED A SINGLE HAYSIAN SMELT COIN FROM THE HOUSE'S STANDARD TRADE CURRENCY, ENOUGH TO PAY FOR TUNE UPS TO THE RACING VEHICLE THEY USED. EVERY CITIZEN IS ENCOURAGED TO PLACE BETS. EVERY CITIZEN HAS ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT RACERS ARE ALLOWED TO CHEAT TO WIN, AND ITS MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO THE RACERS THAT ITS ONLY WRONG IF IT FAILS TO WORK. RACERS ARE FREE TO USE ANY MEANS SHORT OF LETHAL OR MEANS THAT WILL CAUSE OR RISK CAUSING MEDICAL HARM TO THEIR FELLOW RACERS TO WIN. MILD SABOTAGE OF OTHER RACER'S VEHICLES IN WAYS THAT WILL NOT SABOTAGE THEIR ABILITY TO PILOT OR LAND THE VEHICLE SAFELY BEFORE THE RACE EVEN STARTS IS FULLY PERMISSABLE. THE BEST CHEATER WILL GET ADDITIONAL MONEY, REGARDLESS IF THEY ACTUALLY ARE IN FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD PLACE.

THE WHOLE DAY IS DEDICATED TO REVELRY OF ALL SORTS. NOT JUST IN RACING. ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES CAN BE FOUND. PARTIES ARE BEING THROWN. OTHER, MINOR CONTESTS SUCH AS A SECONDARY DRAG RACE ARE COMMENCING.

OBJECTIVE ONE: BURNOUT

RACE THE GRAND PRIX IN A FRENZY OF HIGH SPEED STRATEGY, AND UNDERHANDED CHEATING. WOW THE CITIZENS WITH YOUR SCHEMING BASTARD WAYS (DICE ROLLS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED IF TWO PC'S RACE).

OBJECTIVE 2: STEVE MCQUEEN SIMULATOR 2023 EDITION

A SECONDARY RACING OBJECTIVE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BEAT THE CLOCK. UNLIKE THE FIRST RACE, CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED. (DICE ROLLS HEAVILY ENCOURAGED IF TWO PC'S ARE INVOLVED)

OBJECTIVE 3: REVELRY (BYOO)

TEST YOUR MIGHT IN THE ARCADE! HAVE A TASTY BEVERAGE OR FOOD. ENJOY THE COLORFUL PUPPET SHOW OF THE DEATH INSTRUCTORS, EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE PRETTY DISTURBING IN TRUTH.
​

Wearing: Raiment of Khemost

Armed with: Subverter's Blade (Red Saberstaff)


Arianna sat in an enclosed booth reserved for her and the rest of the upper leadership, which consisted of Laertia Io , now The Parliament, her wife, The Battalion, herself of course, and Maple Harte , now Darth Strelok. A seat was reserved for Percival Io , but it was likely he wouldn't be here, as the Deluge was going to be in the race.

"Gotta admit...it feels pretty good watching the Galaxy change so drastically..." Strelok said. "When was the last time the House celebrated like this, Life Day?"

"I believe so..." The Battalion trailed, hiding how sick with worry she was over Galahad Io . The Parliament was worried too. She was unconcerned about any military secrets he could give away--she was removing Khemost's underground treasure daily in the tons, sequestering it all elsewhere. But there was so much of it she didn't lie to herself...she would likely never be able to empty it, or even come close to emptying it. The fortune was that immense. And at what point did the cost of holding on to the treasure of Khemost exceed the benefits of doing so? Money wasn't everything after all. Their businesses were so well established that they alone could fund the Military budget AND the budget to keep House Io citizens supplied, tough, and smart.

The Parliament wanted him back not because he was a potential threat, but because she knew his faith in the good instead of the ruthless would allow him to be easily betrayed, and casually, by whoever he ran into. He would never be recognized fully as a person the way he was amongst them.

Her poor son was taking the path that almost ruined her own life. Could any outside the house call him friend, brother, or son, and mean it, the way his family did? He would be a curiosity at best, a toy built by a Sith terrorist at worst. And what of Percival? He had been withdrawn from her, even though he was the direct catalyst to the miracle of her rebirth. She hated to consider the idea he might have thought her angry with him over anything. Even his latest acting out aboard the Yacht was no cause for alarm.

"You seem agitated, the both of you..." Arianna noted. "I can feel it from here."

"I miss Galahad..." The Parliament admitted.

"What I don't understand is, if he chose to not have the loyalty programming deleted, why run?" Strelok asked.

"Likely because "Loyalty" can take many meanings..." Arianna spoke. "Loyalty perhaps, more to the person his mother was than the person she currently is."

There was an awkward silence. The Brain Demon was a fething chess master when it came to utilizing emotions from others. Only Laertia's human love for the creature underneath Arianna's skin had restrained her from a more severe punishment than confinement to ship vessels for Themis. It had also protected the Light Sith from any consequences as well.

"Mother..." she called out silkenly to Arianna. "I believe the time is come to start the race."

Arianna took that as her cue to quit lecturing, even though The Parliament knew it broke Arianna/Vivian's heart to see Laertia choose the Cultists in the end.

Arianna stood up, taking a microphone.

"SENTIENTS OF THE HOUSE! WELCOME TO THE KHEMOST GRAND PRIX! ON YOUR MARKS! GET SET! GO!" she exclaimed.

Percival Io

Alessandra Io

Draco Miles

Akemi Io

Naivia Neryn

Mila Io

 

[Akemi Io]

Communication "verbal" <<technopathy>>

Location: Pitside at the races
Objective: Aid a sponsored droid
Tag: Arianna Belasko Alessandra Io Percival Io Mila Io Naivia Neryn

Loadout:
Loralora interceptor swoop
Gei Borugu Electro Spear
Light Saber (peony colour blade)
Laser Lance
Q7 encrypted data-spike

Spoiler: Fleet Assets

Alita-1 Alita class star cruiser

Carrying

• Two squadrons of 24
  Ashwing superiority drones
• One squadron of 8
  Q-carriers

Akemi was in an exceptionally bouncy mood, the crowds of droids and the busy network filled with positive communications made her feel truly alive. Shebang to herself as she bounced down the street towards the pit where the driver she was sponsoring was waiting.

"Khemost drag race... start your engines!"

She looked at some of the other racers getting ready, there was a real mixture of species that had shown up from around the galaxy, including many droids. Every non Io droid had been offered an uplink to UNITY as a free token for their participation, and to allow them to be safe in the knowledge that if they exploded in a fireball, their consciousness would be preserved.

"Khemost drag race... may the best woman win!"

She laughed to herself as a group of Model 1s caught her singing to herself. To tell the truth it was probably their fault, she had spent so much time in and out of their neural pathways she was bound to pick up at least someone their love for singing show tunes.

This was really the best mood she had been in for a while and she padded down her race day outfit, wiping away several of her ever present butterflies in the process.

Her driver was just ahead, she was an obsolete pleasure droid model who had removed her old human interface hardware and seriously upgraded her processors to become a racer. It was a decision Akemi made easily, join the race herself and maybe win uneccesary recognition in a family she was already at the centre, of give a shot to a droid who wished to be more than she was built.

"Are you ready Xara?"

"I was built ready for this, except I wasn't really, ha ha ha" she replied in the voice her designers felt the sentients might enjoy.

Akemi giggled "Perfect, and we agree, I get you to the end of this race and in exchange I get to work on that voice and stick some updated software in that pretty head of yours."

"Your payment terms seem to be largely in my favour." the droid replied, confused but pleased.

"That is the intention, no please, go and enjoy yourself, and if you could win the race, that would be wonderful. Good luck Xara." Akemi hugged her new friend and headed to the pit wall as the racers took their position.


​

 

[The Battalion]

Wearing: Channeler's Skin, Consort's Ring

Armed With: Elaine Tear's Lightsaber (Corrupted)


The Battalion watched as the racers took off once prepared. The crowds of warriors cheered, collecting bets as a few speeders were successfully sabotaged, prevented from even starting. She had to hand it to her wife, starting up a contest where the central attraction was not the skill of the racer, but how determined to cheat they are, to win. It subconsciously reinforced the mindset of House Citizens to be willing to do whatever it took to triumph in battle, whether through bold tactics or subterfuge.

The Battalion watched the race on a large view screen, commented on by a pair of Model 3's

"Annnnnnnd they're off! With Dashing Donny racing in a custom silver speeder, Percy's Little Helper!" The Model 3 called Fitzroy announced in a carny type voice.

"It appears one of the speeders is the victim of the day's first sabotage!"

The Battalion held out her hand and The Parliament deposited three gold coins into her black gloves.

How many did you sabotage?" The Parliament asked.

"Just the one..." The Battalion answered smugly.

"Strelok, did you sabotage any of them? For fun?" The Parliament asked.

"I just got done with that Kanji Club job, I was burnt out..." Strelok muttered leaning back in her seat, sipping a soda. "I'm just kicking back. Shoulda brought candy though."

"Huh...Candy... there's something human I haven't had in a while..."

"We sacrificed that Jedi this morning, what are you talking about?" The Parliament asked.

"Metaphorically..." The Battalion replied. "I'll be back..."

Everybody present compulsively did the Terminator Drum Beat with their mouths. No one commented on this as The Battalion left the booth, traveling down the race track edge through the crowds.

In private as she walked through, her mind again turned to thoughts of Galahad. She was even worried about Percival Io . Since meeting Lady Venge , He seemed in some sort of silent shock. No one knew he knew Darth Phyre was the creator of his mind.

Organic Citizens gave her a wide berth as she walked through the crowds. Most of the Organic Citizens avoided Brain Demon Cultists, whether they were The Matriarch's Wife or not. Especially if they were the Matriarch's wife. Technically all Cultists were but The Battalion was well known by them to be possessive of The Parliament.

But right now, what occupied her and every Witch inside her was Galahad. One part of who the Cultists called The Thrice-Split Preacher.

The Battalion felt an ache at his departure, and out of the corner of her eye she saw the mutilated bodies of Elaine Tear's students. They pointed at her accusingly. She turned away, stopping by a House Io Death Instructor as he demonstrated performative Knife-Work on a dummy dressed as a clown. His comical, silly gestures disguised the precise points to target arteries and other vitals. The Battalion spotted one of the General Purpose Nuetralizers selling Caramel Apples on sticks. Her eyes widened as the Battalion approached.

"Gimme" the Battalion said, suddenly remembering something faint from her stolen humanity. She slapped 4 Alum coins onto her counter and walked away with four caramel apples.

She bit into one, trying to remember when she had last had one. She couldn't seem to ever remember trying it as The Battalion, yet remembered the taste distinctly.

The Battalion paused, spotting one of Tear's mutilated students. He had been a young, bright boy from... somewhere.

She blinked and he was gone. She silently headed back to the booth, eating the caramel apple now more out of rattled nerves than desire...

Alessandra Io

Akemi Io

Mila Io

Naivia Neryn

Draco Miles

 

[Draco Miles]

Racing… that wasn’t really her forte, she had very little experience in speedsters, so she thought it may be best to… help out a team! Her master, Arianna Belasko was adamant on encouraging her to explore and learn all around her, to discover new ways to use the force and manipulate her surroundings. She noticed some rather high ranking officials were participating as well, it’d be better to let them win, so her underhanded techniques would go slightly unnoticed.

She barely even knew her racer as she gave a thumbs up and told him
“Break a leg out there!”
Before walking back to the pits and watching him speed off. She wanted to find crafty little ways to sabotage the speeders… yanking parts off or pulling them to the ground was just too basic… so why not set up some traps instead~? She focused on a specific spot right outside the pits and focused on an illusionary spell she could remotely activate. Something to terrify the drivers into slamming their speeders into something, such as the walls of the track, or even completely stop. What better way to do that than with the deafening explosions of flak cannons? Or maybe even a massive creature that would chase a specific racer? Force them to do some maneuvers to outpace it, of course fast on the straight aways, but slow on the turns, so the racer would be forced to veer from the track to save their skin… yeaaaah, that’s the one!

 

[Arianna Belasko]

The Countess watched, delighted as she sensed Draco Miles up to her own scheming.

Remember, Draco, sabotage and scheme down there as you please, but none of the citizens can be hurt or killed, only sabotaged.

She then winced, stood up.

"Excuse me, daughter..." Arianna said. "I'm not feeling well."

The Parliament smiled at her with rotten yellow eyes.

"Don't be a stranger, Mother..."

"Never, Daughter..." Arianna replied back, hiding her deep disappointment.

The Countess departed the booth, deciding to head to her private lounge, not sure why but knowing she needed to be alone for a while.

No one stood in the way of the Countess. No Organic citizen willingly addressed the Countess unless she addressed them first, fully aware she was as much a humanoid abomination as virtually the entire leadership was. They knew she was capable of cruelty and brutality.

The pale Countess cut through the crowds towards a nearby tower, painted white and studded with rubies. She was all fashionable smiles and confident strides, parents pulling curious children away from the deadly witch's path. They were not obvious, of course--one of the things the leadership stressed was training citizenry to hide their minds, to not be obvious about it. It was all very casual, just "happening" to move out of the way when she was fifteen steps from reach. Let it be said the thought of bringing misfortune to a law abiding fellow citizen would have appalled her.

"Hello Grandchildren..." Arianna called out to the Model 1's standing guard at the tower entrance.

"Grandmother." they replied as the blond Witch strode in past them.

Arianna looked at her nails as she took the turbolift upward, exiting to a luxurious private booth where a torture victim lay strung up on a wall. He had been a business associate on Atrisia who had been caught skimming profits from her businesses.

Arianna had taken her time, flaying him alive, keeping him going with magic. Normally, she would not have been so vicious, but his offense had involved the ambush of one of her cargo haulers. All employees on board had been killed.

She had made him watch as she killed his wife. The creature actually in control of Arianna had allowed it, having grown more aggressive, more haphazard since the death of Lancelot. Neither version of the creature that had carried it out thought much of it. It would take him days to die. Arianna would relish it. He was suspended by repulsorlift. Alchemized Sith Torture Needles were embedded in his flesh, keeping him alive but in constant agony.

It was here, Alone that Vivian finally summoned up the will to retake control of the body. The Blond Sorceress let out involuntary, pig like squeals and squeaks as her flesh warped into that of Vivian, who quickly went and changed out of the ridiculously revealing outfit Arianna had been showing off in and slipped into her enchanted work clothes, which immediately suppressed the vile Personality...and it's growing influence in her, instead of the other way around.

Vivian knew she had to be careful. Get too lost in the role and the real Arianna might as well not be burning in hell at all.

Vivian took an alternate exit out of the tower, coming out through a hidden entrance. Nobody in House Io save for Draco, The Parliament, and a Model 1 named David even knew about Vivian's existence, much less that she and Arianna were the same person.

Vivian decided to go seek out Draco. Ironically, despite no one knowing she was Arianna, they gave her a wider berth because she was unarmed, which of course begged the question: How dangerous was she that she could walk Khemost unarmed?

Vivian bought a stack of licorice from a Vendor and went looking for Draco...