Junction LIMINALITY || ME & DIA Junction of Orinda & Empty Resource Hex

[Arden Priest]

WARBAND REBUILDER
Eol Sha - UniCorp Refinery
TAGS: Kei Amadis | Laphisto | Indirect: Aether Verd | Persephone Halcyon | Liorra ​

Arden stayed crouched behind the collapsed coolant pipe, Persephone's warning still ringing in his ear: It's afraid. The thought gnawed at him, absurd and humanizing in a place like this. Whatever pity it might've stirred died in the roar of blasters and the scream of burning metal. There was no mercy left on Eol Sha.

He shifted, scanning through smoke and heat distortion. Thermal picked out movement: massive signatures, hot and fast. Wookiees, pushing hard through the gaps the worm's carcass had left. Arden sighted the first one, waited for the stagger of its stride, and squeezed the trigger. The bolt punched through its pauldron and dropped it screaming into the molten mud.

"Line's breaking east!" someone called.

"I see it," Arden snapped, rising into a crouch. "Warband Rebuilder, pivot to the coolant line! Use the slag for cover, three-round bursts!"

His men moved like ghosts, white-and-silver armor streaked with ash. Fire washed the ground around them, smoke curling low. They fell back by squads, short controlled bursts covering the next group's retreat. A Rebuilder gunner dropped to a knee, laid down suppressive fire, then took a Wookiee bolt through the chest plate. Arden was already there, hauling the body clear with a grunt, dragging the man behind a broken strut.

"Hold on," he muttered, pressing a patch over the armor's breach. "You're not dying on my line."

The sky split again: gunship fire, tearing through the storm. The Diarchy's LAHT screamed overhead, chewing the air into ribbons. Arden felt the tremor in the ground as one struck the fireworm's corpse, the shockwave tossing him flat. Molten debris rained like liquid glass. He rolled behind a girder, visor cracked, lungs burning from the heat.

Through the flickering feed of his HUD, he saw the Lilaste Order advance: efficient, spectral. "They're cutting off the west approach," he growled. "Rally Master, we're pulling out. North ridge. Now!"

He rose, firing one-handed as he backed away. A Wookiee charged through the haze, roaring; Arden sidestepped, drove his vibroblade up through its ribs, and shoved the body aside.

The Warband fell back through smoke and ash, boots crunching over scorched glass. Behind them, Rig Four burned, the worm's molten remains and the Diarchy's ghost soldiers devouring the field.

Arden didn't look back. Survival was victory enough.

-Exit Thread-
​

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

​

Objective: Chapel

Gear: 785MK Firepuncher-X sniper rifle | Ori Sidaki “The Big Ripper” | WESTAR-34 blaster pistol | Beskad | Euk Siha service knife | Lightsaber

Tags: Mika Tai En || Nearby: Domina Prime | Lord Mettallum | Rowena-022 | Vytal Noctura






Warpriest Prime's forces led the charge against the front entrance of the chapel across the glassy field of brilliant blue Blackstone. The droids holding the front line gave as good as they got, but air support blew open a gap in their line that the Mandalorian forces took advantage of. Domina's booming voice echoed almost intelligibly above the din. Adelle, for her part, did not follow the charge to the front doors of the chapel. Her time in CorSec had seen her used to cut off escape routes, or inflitrate obliquely, tackling the mission from a two-pronged offense. It became habit to look for quieter means of entrance. And there were usually other ways to enter a chapel, even as ancient as this one.

The Knights she was part of seemed to be of the same mind, their veteran using hand signals to point out their means of entering the chapel. They moved through the surge of soldiers and blasterfire around to the side of the chapel, where a small door to a vestibule sat. Two of the Knights took cover outside the door, surveying the approach to the door. Adelle and the veteran Knight entered the chapel vestibule. An archway lined with runes opened up to the main sanctuary hall, green, blue, and red light strobing in the dim light beyond. A smaller door sat nestled in an adjacent wall. The veteran Knight used hand signals again: she was to venture deeper into the chapel while he held the opening to the vestibule. Adelle nodded and palmed the small door open. Stairs led into the darkened basement, where catacombs and vaults lay in wait. Her visor switched over to night vision as she descended.

LIMINALITY

Objective: Chapel: Dark Knowledge
Location: Paecian Chapel, Eol Sha
Tags: Adelle Bastiel | Anyone in the chapel

​

The planet of Eol Sha was a flurry of activity. Though Mika didn't particularly enjoy it, the lessons of being a shadow had taken pretty quickly. Because of that the Knight of the Dark Queen was able to avoid any of the fighting on her way to the Paecian Chapel. It wasn't that she was looking to avoid conflict. She was quite literally created for combat. On the other hand, Mika had learned recently that the intent of her creators was not always the proper method for what would benefit her. She was still building her truth, growing her power and knowledge as she decided what she would be in the galaxy. When booted feet touched the floor of the chapel she paused and took in a deep breath. It was filtered air through her helmet, but the action allowed the energy of the chapel to flow through Mika. There was power here for the taking. Power she could use herself and share with her Queen.

How the Force chose simple miners to unbury the treasure that was this chapel was beyond Mika's comprehension. And it did not matter now. The only thing that mattered was collecting as much of the treasure for the Dark Court as she was able. The intrusion of so many Mandalorians on such sacred ground was disappointing. It wouldn't cause Mika any pause, however. If they got in her way she would not hesitate. The power held here was divine, but if she could not have it, she would do what was necessary to keep it from potential enemies.

The knight scurried around the edges of the chapel. She knew that there were quicker ways to her prize. But the quickest way was not always the smartest way. She desired the treasure held in the chapel. The violet lighting on her bodysuit was dimmed as Mika used stealth to make her way through the activity of the chapel. She knew it was foolish to think that she would make it to her goal undetected. But that didn't mean she should step up to the first fight that offered itself to her. She moved with smooth purpose. A confrontation was coming. That much was certain. There was only a question of who and when.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Armor
  • Pulsiva Mk.II Bodysuit
• Weapons
  • Kurokage – Primary standard lightsaber – Violet blade
  • Yorukage – Unfinished shoto lightsaber – Red Wine blade

She picked up on a Force presence long before her HUD pinged proximity, and then only it pinged when she was very nearly on top of the other being. Their armor bore no insignia and certainly wasn't beskar'gam. Adelle slowly reached for her beskad with her right hand, left hand flexing and finding her lightsaber hilt in the Force.

"Identify yourself," she said, her voice quiet in the dark stillness. The pressure she'd been feeling in the Force reached a peak--the storm was about to break.

 

[Rowena-022]

Location: Long Hallway, Paecian Chapel - Eol Sha
Objective:

• Reach the altar in the Paecian Chapel.
• Claim the Chapel’s power for the Goddess.

Tag: Domina Prime Lord Mettallum Vytal Noctura Darth Keres Edward Ashcard Adelle Bastiel Siv Kryze Veyla Krinn Mika Tai En

​

“Perish, heretic!!” Rowena roared as she fired at the crimson-bound Witch. Unfortunately, her shots splashed harmlessly against the woman’s energy shield, a defense frustratingly similar to her own. Undeterred, the gynoid snapped back onto target and made ready to fire again. She had no intention of letting up.

However, before she could do so, the sudden interference from the false prophet of the so-called Maker tore the fight from her hands, compelling Rowena to break off her attack.

Catching sight of the blaster fire in her periphery, Rowena shifted laterally. Unfortunately, the movement was hampered by the injury to her left thigh. As a result, a particle bolt slammed into the shimmering barrier of her energy shield, causing it to flare a brilliant, searing white, followed by a second bolt which struck the same quadrant a split-second later. The shield flickered, a patch over her torso dissolving into nothingness as the system failed locally. A fraction of the second bolt's energy—still immense—punched through, scorching her bodysuit’s armorweave and sending a heavy shock through her synthetic frame.

Her features gave a sharp, mechanical twitch as her sensors were briefly consumed by static, systems scrambling to reboot. Nevertheless, though momentarily staggered, Rowena leveraged her repulsorlift nodes for a lurching, powerful burst of lateral acceleration several meters to her right side and back. The maneuver was graceless but effective, placing the Witch’s crimson-clad form directly between her and the false prophet’s line of fire.

Only Lord Mettallum had designs of his own. "Maza on'sila!" Vytal hissed. The blade melted and enveloped Vytal as the humanoid conflageration swept away from Rowena as the thing's reckless blaster fire erupted. "Empty, hollow, husk of metal. Begone!" The flame solidified for a moment in order for a bolt of lightning to streak through the room toward the droid eager to purge the organics, or those like them.

Seizing the opening, Rowena immediately resumed her assault. Blaster pistol snapping back on target, the gynoid fired once more, discharging two more three-shot bursts aimed for Witch’s upper back from point blank range, intended to strike while she was occupied with unleashing her lightning at the prophet. "The blood of a Witch for the Dark Queen!" She declared in a fiery hymn to accompany the searing bolts!

Spoiler: Loadout

• DC-H.R.D. “Obsidienne” Series
• Sacred Shadow
  
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
• Faithful Heart
  
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-500x FAE/S-08 Electro-Scope
    • Silencer
  • Ammunition
    
    • FAE/AM-01-S4 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium X Gas and Freelol Coolant (10)
• Nox M-10 “Wraith”
  
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
    • Nox Suppressor
  • Ammunition
    
    • Power Cell (10)
    • Gas Canister
• FAE/MDE-02-S1 Semiautonomous Seeker Thermal Explosive (4)
• Miniaturized Infrared Smoke Grenade (2)

Spoiler: Summary of Actions

• Rowena uses her energy shield to take two shots from Mettallum’s blaster. The second shot overloads the shield locally and a bolt punches through, scorching her bodysuit and causing a system shock.
• Rowena uses her repulsorlifts to boost back and to her own right, thereby interposing Vytal’s form between her and Lord Mettallum.
• Using her blaster pistol, Rowena fires two three-shot bursts at Vytal’s upper back from roughly point blank range.

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

My objective is complete, so I have no reason to stay. The ship initiates hyperspace procedures. The countdown begins. I start a little early, knowing it takes the system a short moment to adjust.

Through the viewport, I watch the explosion of the second sun it vanishes as suddenly as it appeared, followed by waves of radiation. Nyva did an excellent job; she followed my instructions to the letter and kept her composure. She's earned herself another commendation today. The fact that I allowed her to fire using my own ship is a sign of trust. As for me, I simply wanted to enjoy the spectacle with a cold beer in hand.

As I savor the moment, the ship's alarm suddenly goes off.

[Hyperjump in 15 seconds.]

I managed to infiltrate a warehouse and seize several crates of agrocite on behalf of the Diarchy. From a strategic standpoint, victory is mine. While everyone else was fighting at the chapel, I took the opportunity to secure the cargo. This will grant our faction the right to exploit it, despite the chaos. As head of Research and Development for the Diarchy, I think long-term.

With these crates of pure agrocite ore, we'll be able to manufacture all sorts of useful things enough to power our army and our ships. Honestly, that Force nexus everyone's fighting over? I couldn't care less. I wanted something tangible weaponry, resources and I got it. Now I can leave with my head held high.

[3… 2… 1… Jump in progress.]

The ship shoots through space. I'm heading back to Bastion; my mission is over. I have no reason to stay here.

"Thanks for the agrocite crates, Mandalore. I'll make good use of them and I hope this little demonstration from the Ragnarok gives you something to think about."

A faint smile spreads across my face as I make my way back to the command seat, ready to dock the ship at Bastion Port. Now, i'am in security.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Objective: Mines

Location: Eol Sha - UniCorp Surface Refinery. Flanking Rig Four

Tag:
Direct Allies: Laphisto | Aknoby
Direct Enemies: Arden Priest | Possibly: Liorra
Allies: (Indirect) Diarch Reign | Mentioned: Nyva Shei
Enemies: (Indirect) Persephone Halcyon | Aether Verd

This is Captain varn of the Ash Dogs. Blue forces tangled with Mandos. we are Pushing thirty-six west, thirty-six east we will box 'em tight. Put heavy guns on Rigs Two and Three, mark your targets, and I'll light the sky. Move fast don't give them room to breathe." Laphisto

"Copy. Numbers favor us. We'll try to preserve the refineries or their technology for extraction." Wildcards took the order and moved to rig two, coordinating with the Ash Dog's forces. Old hands, slow but definite, they made rig two, marking friend and foe on sensors as ordered, but not three before Arden spotted the trap.

Arden's squads seemed disciplined and organised in their withdrawal, showing good leadership. Mandalorian fire checked the flanking Bloodclaws, Kei halted by coordinated Mandalorian fire himself, which he barely repulsed or evaded with his saber. "Get me some fire on that retreat, keep them suppressed and slowed." Smoke and heat haze still making each shot difficult.

For a time Kei forgot the scale: just a dozen angry shooters on the ridge and Wookiees howling around him. Not a general with limitless numbers, just widows, widowers and orphans in scavenged armor, a handful of Dark Jedi, and Wildcards with nothing left to lose. Backed by one Mandalorian's forge ship, who wanted better for their own people, outcasts and rebels in one great galactic irony.

Overhead, LAHTs thundered around. More ordnance was dumped on the fireworm, they shielded themselves from the fires below, having to move further from the source, their visibility falling to near zero. The Mandalorians started to effectively break contact. Anger took Kei. Not again; he was so close. He drove through with heavy Djem So strokes, building momentum. A Force-push hammered the rear guard; two Mandalorians were upended and rag-dolled across slagged stone. Kei vaulted the churning ground, lower armor melting to the heat, eating a couple of glancing hits on his armor, and landing in a spray of stone and grit. The Dark Jedi's body and saber propelled forward, flashing into arcing hammer blows. Hacking, hacking, and hacking until the last man became a twisted memory, writhing beneath him in scorched and burning armor.

Breathing hard, he felt no calm in the quietening battlefield. "How many prisoners?" Palm to the burned plate on his shoulder, a mirror of the ruined man beneath him.

"Thirteen, sir." A Wildcard behind. Old, tired, but loyal in decades of service to Kashyyyk and Amadis, answered without lifting his eyes.

"How many dead?" Silence. Kei turned, his voice firm. "How many!?"

"Twenty-five." Twenty-five for thirteen and a few corpses. Maybe the Ash Dogs fared better.

He ripped off his helmet, and picked up the nearest Mandalorian by hand, hauling him off the floor. Fett patterned armor, crushing his throat until he was a gurgling heap on the floor. Not dead, but close enough that he'd be wheezing the rest of his life.

"Twelve. Let that thing go." He ripped off the man's helmet and passed it to the wookiees, putting his face close to the spluttering man. "Coming to Mandalore. Tell them the one's they slaughtered on Kashyyyk are coming home." The saber tip touched down, melting plates until the soldier gasped a choked agreement. Kei jabbed a bacta into his arm to keep the messenger alive, then force-flung him aside like scrap.

"Mandalore?" the old Wildcard asked surprised. Kei slid his own helmet back on and let the Mandalorian leave disgraced without his. Around them the Wookiees stripped trophies, stacking beskar in a grim pile.

"Time to get their attention," he looked eye-level at the Mandalorian's helmet and tossed it into the discarded pile forming.

Fin for Kei

OOC:

Spoiler

Fun thread thanks, allies and opponents both; it was a nice thread to get the muse going.

Gear:

Spoiler

Armor:

Triple Warden AFU
Bossy-Rbos1 Rebreather
Beskar Gauntlets and Wristblades: Haran's Grasp | Poison Charon Venom

Gear:

MK6 Prototype Regular Sized Bolter: Elara's Fire. (4th Field Test)
Hands: Lightsaber
Back: Jet Black Beskar Two-handed Doubleaxe: Haran's Executioner
Hips: MK2-Jackknife x1 | Revolving Door Magnum x1
Belt: Stuncuffs x3 | Harris Grace Personal Medkit | 6/6 Grenades Mixed