Faction Operation: Save Lanik! ( PM to Join )

[Ryv]

“Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice.
It demands greater heroism than war.
It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience.”​

Many believed with time, all wounds would surely heal. To hold onto the past and turn your back on the future could not deliver a brighter dawn, for you would only lose yourself in that which loomed behind you. For some, however, it wasn't that easy. Pain, anger, and fear accompanied each wound felt across the galaxy. From stubbing one's toe on errant furniture to a blade driven with purpose into your chest, the pain would surely follow. And after that pain? Anger would burst from beneath the surface and assail that which ails you. And finally? Fear. Fear burrows deep within one's self. It rears its ugly head and reminds you of past failings, of the pain you once felt, and the anger you could not control. It is a vicious cycle so few could truly break. Perhaps these wounds are what have allowed the galaxy to fall into the clutches of the Dark Side. If not even the Jedi with all their training could overcome the wounds left by the Sith, how could those beneath the shadow of the Sith Empire ever heal?

​

While the mysteries surrounding Ryv Karis and Lanik Dawnstar's connection remain unanswered, the Jedi Order has mobilized to recover their lost ally. Lanik's disappearance in the wake of the Sith Empire's invasion of Kintan left many among the order seeking answers by any means necessary. And in the weeks following, nothing came from the arduous search. The seediest contacts held no answers, while the force was shrouded in shadow and silence. Had Lanik not weathered the torment and pierced through the clutches of the dark side, he likely would have been lost to the order forever... but he did not falter. The padawan learner overcame monumental trials and tribulations to call out to anyone listening. Fortunately, someone was out there. A miracle wholly by chance, another left scarred by the affairs of Kintan had heard his cry for help and answered. In a panicked state, Ryv brought the Jedi Order together and delivered what information he could glean from his vision. Many among the order answered the call, coming not only to help locate the kidnapped Jedi but also to offer themselves upon what could very much be a suicide mission. Together, Jedi from all walks of life move to free their lost friend and strike a blow against the Sith.

Unbeknownst to the Jedi, Darth Voyance of the Sith Empire witnessed this connection. Her mastery of the dark side allowing her a glimpse back at the unwelcome presence on her ship. It was through this momentary sight the Sith Lord found an opportunity, one she did not intend to pass up. Through her contacts and the force alike she reached across Sith space, calling out to those who are either brave or ambitious enough to face the gathering storm...

Ryv was mostly unaware of the force's mysteries. While he was learning from many aboard Peace, there was far too much to simply be learned overnight. It left him thankful for those among the order with the experience to provide the answers he could not dredge up alone. Master Quill's knowledge of the galactic hyperspace lanes and lost smuggling routes paved the way through the outer rim to the planet of Ventooine, where the Embrace awaited above. Alana Sunrider's skill in the cockpit provided them a safe, secure, and stealthy approach to the mission at hand. The bravery of Sev Pitborn exemplified what it is to be a Jedi, inspiring others to put their lives on the line for the lost Jedi. Master Morga's wisdom tempered those more action-oriented; keeping them in check to ensure nothing could befall Lanik in their haste. While their plan was cobbled together overnight, it was through the efforts of many that the Order hoped they could regain their lost friend and bring hope to others thought lost.

Coming out of hyperspace, the crew aboard Alana's ship came face to face with a rather massive wrench in the plan.

The Embrace was latched onto a massive star destroyer floating aimlessly above Ventooine. A small squadron of fighters, no more than five or six, returned from what was likely a patrol route across the planet's surface. Perhaps the Sith were preparing to conquer the planet and spread their insidious rule to yet another system. There was no immediate answer, only more questions. Questions the strike force did not have the time to find answers to.

Thinking quickly, Alana guided her ship to a point opposite of their target and directed the ship into one of the various hangars lining the ship's side. When the ramp dropped to allow its inhabitants to storm the hangar, the ship flickered into existence, and the imperial soldiers were taken entirely by surprise. With laser-like precision, the hangar was captured and the Jedi's forces were aboard the Imperial star destroyer. A small BD unit brought alongside them was fast at work, slicing through the ship's defenses to create the illusion of security for the Sith troops. From there, the Jedi knew what to do.

Save Lanik Dawnstar, free the prisoners aboard the ship, and ensure the Sith armada could not engage them upon their escape.

Lanik Dawnstar | Darth Voyance | Bernard of Arca
Lirka Ka | Avernus | Captain Delilah Brujav | Kolson Vrask | Vaulkhar | AMCO | Amaranth
Wyatt Morga | Romi Jade | Maynard Treicolt | Sev Pitborn | Aaran Tafo | Jend-Ro Quill | Gabriel Pryce
​

Spoiler

Thanks so much for your guy's patience! I had a really busy day today, but I'm glad I was able to get it up. This thread is a continuation of a thread between Voyance and Lanik, so don't be afraid to show your thanks for the inclusion. The Jedi will be looking to rescue Lanik, the other prisoners held aboard the Embrace, and cripple both Sith vessel's engines. It'll be up to the Sith gathered to beat back the Jedi and ensure they are not successful! There is a bit of a narrative here scripted to happen in regards to Lanik, so for now try and stick to the second and third objectives, find a partner to duel, and enjoy yourselves!

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

828 ABY
THE CENTRALITY​

"Hey Sagget! Quill Sagget, I'm talking t'you, boy! Pop this hatch or we'll be swimming in troopers!"

Quill spat on the deck, scratched a beard that refused to grow into anything respectable, and got hotwiring. Larker cuffed him upside the head anyway on general principle. The big Feeorin ran his whole crew like that, but Quill was the new kid, so...

The hatch irised open. Quill ducked aside as the rest of the ship-thief crew stormed aboard. Panicked shouts echoed inside. Weapons went off, blasters mostly, some set to stun and others very much not. He pulled his own blaster and followed the rest of Larker's team. Even a half-share of this take could set him up for a while, maybe a down payment on a little patch of moon. A farmstead, yeah...

PRESENT DAY​

A hatch irised open and Quill pulled out a blaster pistol set to stun. Panicked shouts rose from a handful of Sith crewers. Quill winced and started firing. A lightsaber would be more efficient and conclusive, but this dreadnought had tens of thousands aboard. Butchering his way through to the prison decks just wasn't in the cards.


OOC/ Down to tango with whomever.

 

[Delilah Brujav]

"This is Zakeeg One, on approach to Embrace. Scopes are clear. Requesting further instruction?" "Zakeeg One, we're picked up strange readings in the quadrant north of our position. Just around the edge of the mass shadow of the planet. Do you mind checking it out?" Well, it would buy her a few more minutes of excitement in the cockpit, why the heck not. "Roger Embrace, we'll look into it. Transmit coordinates and we will be en-route." This was her domain, the cockpit. She hadn't had the chance to climb into her fighter in some time, it was bringing back all sorts of memories; needless to say, Delilah wore a smile under her flight helmet.

She switched her mic over to speak with her squad, five other experienced fighters lagged behind her. They were well trained, but she would have much preferred her old squadron; but that was a pipe dream that would never come to pass. "Zakeeg Squadron, Embrace wants us to check out a disturbance up ahead. Keep your eyes open, sensors on, and shields up. We may be on low alert, but don't let yourself get too comfortable." She veered her fighter away from the flight path of the Embrace, moving towards the coordinates that were being beamed to her flight computer. A small part of her longed to have her wings back for good, not having to lead this squad as a practice run. It was one of the downsides to command. Yes you got your nice fancy destroyer, but you could never set foot in your star fighter again. She merely sat back now, letting a sigh escape her lips as she felt the comfort of her ship. She missed the pitch of the engines, the low rumble that buzzed within the confines of the cockpit, and the interface that had been custom made just to her liking. She could hold onto the nostalgia for just a few moments longer, as she gazed out at the galaxy beyond her small viewing port.

 

[Gabriel Pryce]

Ever since Coruscant she had held a feeling of uncertainty deep in her chest. When the Silver Jedi allied with the CIS it only strengthened that fear.

These were the final days of the Jedi.

Even before then Oren had never been a proponent of the "self-study Padawan". The war the Republic had with the Sith and the one the Galactic Alliance was in at the time had thinned the Knights and Masters of the Alliance and as they fell or abandoned the Alliance to join the Silver Jedi more and more learners were forced to learn on their own. Now the situation was even more dire, though it seemed as if she wasn't the only one to think these would be the final days of the Jedi if nothing was done. That was why she'd joined Peace Station to begin with. She'd hoped that this would have been a place to nurture the next generation, but instead just as before the learners were left out to dry and older learners were becoming more and more common. Their age made it difficult to train, they felt they knew more about the galaxy and the Force and did not take well to others telling them what they could and couldn't do.

Lannik was one such Jedi, though she had to admit. He had a better track record than most Solo-Learners. Well...Until now. Captured on some mission where he should have had a master with him. But as their shuttle landed and the group of Jedi dispatched the soldiers in the hangar she also knew that no matter how foolish she thought Lannik was for getting captured or how foolish the new Jedi Council was for allowing Padawans like him to run solo, it was more important that they not let any more Jedi fall to the Dark Side. With her blue lightsaber humming along with several others and her blaster in her other hand she waited for the others.

 

[AMCO]

Chuckling warmly, the Knight leaning in closer, whispering something into the Comms Officer ear, making her chortle with amusement. He had been persuaded to do his job, for once, but that did not mean he couldn't have fun while doing so.

Unfortunately, the Jedi had to show up just as things were about to get good. Karking killjoys, the lot of them.

Excusing himself, for the moment, he headed off, quietly fuming. Quickly falling in line behind their lord and master, his Sithspawn bodyguards remained silent, though he could tell they looked forward to what was to come. Much more so than he, anyway.

It wasn't all bad, however. Stroking the Taozin Amulet around his neck, a predatory smile spread across his features. They did not know that they were expected, did not know that the Dark Oracle had foreseen their coming. All he had to do was catch a stray, and he would have quite the valuable new test subject - Force Sensitive ones were oh so rare, but oh so useful.

OOC: Friend and foe alike can feel free to come my way.​

 

[Lirka Ka]

Lirka didn’t care. She rarely did these days, she didn’t care about Jedi prisoners or the musings of Sith: the force was lost on her ever since her soul was forced out from Chaos. Though, she had the slightest hint of it maybe, in her usual twisted ways. This was merely revenge, they had said Jedi would come for their kin and now Lirka could enact the fury of Thustra upon them; all would know the wrath of the true ruler of Thustra, it’s lost Queen.

Deep within the bowls of the ships, the last of Lirka’s armor was fitted by the armory droids: she didn’t allow most mortal life to see her without the head-to-toe covering plate that hid so much of her warped and unnatural form beneath. Letting loose a low grow as the information poured in of the Jedi Invaders, she reached for her massive blade and mag-locked it to her back with a snap. It would be a fine time of escaping the machinations of politics and governing for the simple and gruesome revenge she would inflict on the conquerors.

With the sound of metal smashing against metal as she walked, Lirka stalked the halls. Waiting, the Jedi wanted to surprise the Imperials? Let them. She had her own surprise in mind, let them see the peak lifeform: and watch as it tore their limbs from their sockets and severed their heads from their necks...

OOC: Looking for partner as well​

 

[Alana Sunrider]

Alana let out a long breath as the last of the team departed down the boarding ramp. Her job was just as vital, but even more difficult because it was waiting. The rest dispersed on their various objectives and the woman pushed the button on her gauntlet. With a hiss, the boarding ramp started to seal shut. Another button and the shield shimmered to life. Engines idled beneath her feet.

"Away teams, this is Sunrider. Exfil secured and awaiting your return message. I'll give you what cover I can from here, but...well, may the Force be with you." She didn't know what else to say, or if she could even say anything else. It was a dicey mission, even by her standard. Let alone the fact that she was waiting for them to return and ensuring the ship was ready for a fast departure.

There were things she could try, things she could experiment with. It was a ship after all, but she'd never become one with something so large, or so militant, let alone one seeped to the very durasteel molecules in the Dark Side. It would be dangerous. And could she afford to sacrifice her attention from the comms and readouts that were relaying information? She wasn't quite so confident in the stealth tech that was masking them within the hangar either. Not that she didn't trust the engineers, but it was a last-minute addition to her ship, and she hadn't had the chance to run the proper diagnostics, let alone run a field test.

All she could do was wait and trust the Force.

 

[Darth Voyance]

Many Hours Prior
Aboard the Soothsayer

Darth Voyance summoned the force to levitate the lightsaber of Jedi Lanik Dawnstar . Using a modified technique of floating and moving meditation, the darkside spun its invisible claws around the saber and part by part dissembled it. It turned the components and unlocked its inner workings. As the metallic cylindrical casings floated a part the kyber crystal became exposed. It glimmered and shined an incandescent blue. Voyance opened her eyes and stretched out her open palm.

The crystal drifted to her hand and landed in the middle of her palm. Her golden sith eyes clashed with the defiant azures sparkles of the crystal. Voyance wrapped her fingers around the crystal and smothered it in her fist. As she did so the lightsaber was reassembled without the crystal and was commanded to ghostly flutter down to the arm rest of the central seating of Voyance’s qabbrat meditation sphere.

Then slowly, hisses of mechanical gears and the vapours of sith meditation incense spilled from the qabbrat as it opened. Darth Voyance rose up and descended from the lower hemisphere of the the orb-shaped qabbrat. Surrounding the qabbrat in the larger meditation chamber was her Dark Cadre – a group of Sith Kissai magicians and Voss Mystics. Stopping by one of the Kissai she handed him the kyber crystal and commanded another to fetch the lightsaber. One of the Voss mystics knelt down and spoke to her.

“Your ladyship, Commander Karn’raw’dassa is holding to report,” they said.

“Put her through,” said Voyance.

Materializing from one of the thousands of holo-projector lenses embedded into the floor of the Soothsayer’s Sith Meditation Chamber, the bubbling visage of Karn fluxed as the connection was established. She appeared in a brilliant blue holographic replica, standing up-right, with her hands clasped behind her back and sporting the stoic glare most Chiss wore.

“My lady, the Star Destroyer Anguish has arrived and is docking with the Embrace as we speak to transfer the prisoners of war,” said Karn, continuing, “However, they are rather perturbed that the Soothsayer is so far off from the rendezvous.”

Voyance nodded, “If they need assurances, I will provide it by arriving myself.”

“Shall I prepare a ship?” asked Karn.

Voyance smiled, “You may commander.”

“As you command,” Karn confirmed. Her hologram faded away.

Voyance beckoned one of the Kissai. “You and another will come with me. Bring the oracle stones.”

She smiled, “We will have visitors soon.”

She could sense the coming light, and she welcomed it. If there was anything she could be certain of is that the Jedi would arrive to rescue Lanik and when they did she would unleash the next lesson she had ready for the Jedi Padawan.

* * *​

Aboard the Sith Imperial Star Destroyer The Anguish

Having arrived by transport shuttle, Darth Voyance, her Kissai attendants and their Sith Oracle Stones ignored any of the Imperial pleasantries of etiquette dictated banter between Sith Lord and Imperial Navy. Instead she and her Dark Cadre went to a specially prepared and commandeered personal quarters. There Darth Voyance resumed her meditations, scouting down into a meditative sitting poster – with her legs folded beneath her thighs and buttocks perched on the heels of her feet, while her toes were planted into the floor. She straightened her back and closed her eyes. She held the Sith Oracle Stone in her hand, while the Kissai sat around her, feeding her with the darkside and magic.

Voyance brooded and waited. The oracle stones glowed and bubbled inside with the darkside, implanting her mind with visions and brief glimpses into the Force. She smiled once more. She saw what she had needed to.

“Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.”

 

[Aaran Tafo]

The life of a Jedi was one of sacrifice. And in Aaran's case, his sacrifice was currently that of a full night's sleep. Having been quite soundly dragged from his comfortable bed by his Kiffar friend. Aaran forced the cobwebs out of his mind once that situation had been fully explained to him, but not without cursing his own lack of attentiveness after the battle of Kintan.

Lanik Dawnstar had not returned home safely. The simple fact that one of his comrades was in danger was enough for the Padawan to spring into action. Downing a cup of caf and donning his robes. He was as ready as he'd ever be. Besides, its not like he would ever abandon both Ryv and Bernard. If his friends were going to go on such a dangerous mission. Aaran would hardly betray that friendship he formed with the other two Padawans and leave them to face the danger alone.

As the ship docked and the Jedi moved to take the hanger. The Padawan moved like the wind. Unlike Jend-Ro Quill. Aaran was a terrible shot with a blaster. Instead preferring to allow his brute strength handle the aggressive negotiations of the docking fee with the Sith troopers. Body blows, kicks, even wrestling throws. All aided with prenatural reflexes and a sense of danger allowed the Padawan to do his part in taking the hanger. Coming to a crouch near where Ryv and his droid were currently slicing into the systems.

"Alright little buddy." He said, giving the BD unit a quick pat on the back. "Show us where they're keeping everyone."

 

[Amaranth]

Amaranth's week had been going well - relatively speaking, at least.

She'd cleared her evaluation from the Directorate of Imperialization, the Saaraishash had concluded that she was not, in fact, a Jedi spy, her equipment had been returned to her, and she'd even been "offered" admission to the Sith Academy on Bastion - said offer certainly seemed more like a demand, but nevermind that. She'd wanted admission into the Sith Order anyway, and that was a start.

Her housing aboard the Embrace was certainly better than the holding cell she'd received on the last ship she'd been interred on. It wasn't luxury, by any means, but she had a proper bed, and she could wander the - admittedly dull - hallways to her heart's content, or speak to the other residents in her wing. Mostly technicians and the like, and none of them had anything particularly interesting to say, but it was better than sitting alone in a room and meditating on how karking boring everything was.

So, yes. Things had been going well. Which meant, given how life had treated her for the past few years, Amaranth should not have been particularly surprised to learn that a group of Jedi had just boarded. The Embrace was a ship for housing Jedi prisoners, after all, and the Jedi, for as much as Amaranth abhorred their self-righteousness, did, at least, look out for their own.

The sensible thing to do in this situation was hide. Huddle away in her room and hope that none of the Jedi sensed her presence amid the other tens of thousands of souls aboard the ship.

But on the other hand, hiding away like a rat in a vent wasn't going to impress anyone. The relatively unknown factor escaping a Jedi raid without being seen, and without a scratch? That might even attract suspicion, and if there was one thing Amaranth didn't want to do, it was go through another period of Inquisitorial agents looming over her every minute of every day.

Kark it. After a few long, tense seconds frozen with indecision, Amaranth rose from her bed, grabbed her gear, and stepped into the long, bleak corridor outside her room. Everyone in her wing had just cleared out, by the looks of it. As for her? She made her way down the hallway, towards the turbolift, and towards danger.

Jedi don't kill, the not-yet-acolyte reminded herself, not unless they have to. She had a vibrodagger and a blaster pistol - hardly a high priority target. Show up to the party, make at least a show of fighting off the enemy, and maybe get a few lucky shots in on a jedi here or there. Simple, right? Right.

 

[Maynard Treicolt]

"Wh-what the hell do you mean?! Of course I'm ready!" Maynard huffed up in outright anger. The Padawan well into his late teens shouted in protest ; face reddened with anger and discontent.

"Patience. Your time will come, padawan. This is not a mission fit for your abilities. Rest, meditate ; mull over your thoughts." Maynard's master, Tokrun offered in reassuring, placid words.

"They need help! I can help them! Why do you always doubt me?" Maynard pleaded once more, calming himself down to an extent even as he railed against the innate skepticism of his own ability, his own adherence to the path of the Jedi as he clearly toiled and struggled with internal monologues and emotional doubt.

"No - wait...your time will come." The Master stood his ground.

---

Theme​

Maynard's gaze snapped open once more as his X-Wing completed the jump through hyperspace. Pulling down the flash proof orange tinted visor of his pilot helmet he flicked the comms to communicate through to Saber Squadron. Letting off a deep breath and a offering up a brief grit of his teeth he rolled his shoulders as he firmly grasped the sticks before speaking up.

"Alright ya'll - rattle off lets get this thing started, looks like we got a lotta company. S-foils for attack.." Maynard said - outwardly confident even if he could fee his chest sink with heavy nerves. Flying was second nature to Treicolt and he'd certainly flown himself through rough spots but this was certainly the first time he had other lives in his hands and handling a star destroyer with one fighter squadron was nothing to scoff at either.

Saber four through eight reported in one after the other ; leaving the bulk of Saber Squadron and with it the most proficient of the New Jedi Order's starfighter pilots. They should be able to manage all this.

"Got a squadron of Sith returning from patrol - looks like they haven't seen us yet." The Dathomiri female seated in Saber five sounded out to the rest of the squadron.

"Copy, Five. Odds on me we'll split off and harass those fighters ; Evens start harassing that star destroyer lets hope we can get some of those damn Imps to sally out- keep as many of them off the team inside, copy?" Maynard sounded out to affirmation from his squadron - the reassurance drawing a smile over his features as adrenaline began to rush through his veins he let off a laugh to himself accompanied by the energic beeps of his onboard BB unit.

"Oh I know, Buddy. Lets just see what we can't do." Maynard said as his own vessel and the X-wings at each flank surged toward the squadron of Sith fighters, riding their side briefly before they veered in tow with the alerting presence of the alarmingly fast Jedi starfighers.

"They're scrambling - get on behind them and give em hell, Sabers!" Maynard let off before soon enough he got one of the Sith Dominance strike fighters centered in on his sights, squeezing the trigger on his joystick to let off a loud cracking volley of crimson laser beams toward the glowing tail engine of the Sith fighter, sending it sputtering out into a violent death spiral before exploding into the endless void - Maynard's grey and blue X-wing flowing through the fire and scrap.

"Don't give em anything Sabers! We got Jedi relying on us, cmon!" Maynard said - veering his X-wing sharply to try and get another Sith down the sights of his twin-linked blaster cannons.

---

Captain Delilah Brujav

 

[Delilah Brujav]

There was nothing noticeable on the scopes thus far, and they were nearly to the destination. Had flight control made a mistake? Only one way to be sure. "Embrace, this is Zakkeg one. Can you confirm those coordinates you just sent?" There was a pause, but someone responded back eventually. "Zakkeg One, be advised, we just picked up a squadron of fighters dropping out of hyperspace in your area." That couldn't be right, there was nothing showing up. She switch to her squadron. "Everyone keep your eyes open, we've got inbound hostiles, check your-." "Captain, behind us!" The stunned voice of one of her pilots cut her off, and it was then that the damn sensors picked it up. Half a dozen?

That wasn't right, this wasn't the whole squadron; where were the others? Delilah put additional power to her engines, as she pulled out of formation, launching her ship upwards as she issued her command. "Everyone break off!" "I'm hit, losing mai-" Zakkeg Five was gone, as his indicator on her HUD went dark. Now it was personal. She spun her ship back around, catching the lingering fragments of Zakkeg Five, and the X-Wing that killed him. She set her sights, adjusting for movement as she was coming down on top, firing off several shots to the defiant ship. These were her men, her squadron, and she took it as an affront that some rebellious toadies had just taken one of the from her. She would attempt to follow him, sneaking around as she went into a corkscrew in the descent, before falling into line behind him. She just needed some time to put on a lock for her missiles, then she could pick them off one at a time. Despite the insult to her honor, this felt like the good old days, when it was just her flying through combat, racking up kills in the name of the Empire. Oh how she missed those days.

Maynard Treicolt

 

[Sev Pitborn]

Sev sat on the starship of Alana Sunrider, taking inventory of his weaponry as he focused himself for the carnage ahead. Everyone is nervous before a fight. Anyone who claims otherwise is either a fool or a liar. The anticipation keeps you sharp. Focused. Sev wasn't scared. Fear of death or injury had left him the first time he set foot in the fight pits at 12 years old. No. This wasn't fear. This was focus, instinct, with a dash of nerves. A familiar feeling to Sev. An old friend.

Sev was equipped with Republic Jedi Armor, his newly rebuilt lightsaber, a vibroknife stuffed in his boot as the last resort and a bandolier of various grenades. CryoBan, Ion and Sonic Concussion. All less-lethal options, compliant with The Jedi Code. Sev hoped to avoid as much bloodshed as possible. He was a Jedi now. He had killed more than enough in his short life and he always hoped to minimize it. Sev took no pleasure in killing, but it caused him no guilt either, despite his Jedi training. If it was forced upon him, he would do it without hesitation, though he hoped to avoid it whenever he could. He was here to save lives, not take them.

As the ship careened towards the hangar, Sev steadied himself. Deep breaths, his old ritual before throwing himself into battle, savoring the calm before the storm as if it were a fine spiced wine. Reveling in the comfort of peace for one last moment, before the hatch popped open.

Sev leapt into action. As his fellow Jedi stormed all corners of the hangar, Sev sprung from the hatch with a force enhanced jump, scanning for threats. As he landed, he ignited his saber, deflecting blaster bolts and reaching out with the Force to incapacitate the Sith troopers who had engaged him. He lifted them up with The Force, ripping their blasters from their hands, before slamming them into the durasteel hangar floor, knocking them unconscious. He watched as Aaran Tafo and Jend-Ro Quill pacified their own corners of the hangar, before rallying to the other Jedi.

"Alright people. Stick to the plan. We find Lanik, pop the cells, disable the engines and get out of here. I'll find the central control room and open the cells. No matter what happens, if things go south, we meet here. May The Force be with you all." With that, Sev deactivated his lightsaber and stormed out of the hangar, reaching out with The Force to feel for the location of the central control room. He used the Force to attempt to orient himself on the vessel, visualizing it's makeup with his mind's eye, feeling out for threats. He could sense the troopers, the crew, the prisoners and most strongly of all, The Dark Side. This was a place of pain and torture, The Force howled in its presence.

He followed his instincts, as he had been trained, through twisting corridors. He encountered a couple of small patrols of Sith troopers. Guards, clearly not the elite of the Sith war machine. Sev dispatched them quietly as possible before coming to a sealed blast door. He reached out with the Force, attempting to feel what was on the other side. He sensed nothing, no life, no dark, no light. He inserted a computer spike into the door's console, forcing it to open, revealing yet another long hallway. Though Sev couldn't sense any immediate threats, his gut told him he was in danger. Not his Force Sense, but the core survival instinct that all living beings have, even those dead to The Force. He continued cautiously down the long and suspiciously empty hallway, keeping his guard up and one hand on his lightsaber...

Kolson Vrask

 

[Kolson Vrask]

Location: Prison Control Room - Embrace​

Designation: ST-159 Task Force Gauntlet​

Operation Kyber Dark​

Theme​

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"Half a dozen - all cloaks." The Umbaran Purge Commando sat at the command console displaying an array of holofeeds showing nearly every open corridor of the vessel, shifting his gaze back to Wirm'nael'armiir with focused eyes. In the midst of slides being racked on shatter-guns and power packs being loaded into the blasters and disruptors of the other Purge Commandos equipped in their midnight black Tenebrae pattern armor. Much like the entirety of the unit - a majority of the section present on Embrace were near human, though not the classes which were most seen in Sith upper society be they Sith Pureblood or Epicanthix. No - these were groups marooned by the greater Sith-Imperial image. Chiss, Umbaran, Dathomiri, Rattataki or Pau'an among many other groups. ​

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"Acknowledged..." Wirm sounded out with ever present frigidness as he peered from the control console back to the section - all of them sharing an aura of cold calmness even as Jedi rampaged their way through the ship's corridors. Each of them expected quick work made of the Sith trooper compliment but all within their collective force tomb - they would go un-sensed by anyone aboard who relied on the force to guide them be they Jedi or Sith.​

​

"We've one cloak enroute - looks like this one has a death wish." The Umbaran sounded out once more before sliding the black visage of the Purge Commandos over his gaze.​

​

"Send Kovrun - have him dispatch of this one. We'll ready our position. They can't do anything worth while unless they crack open the cells." The Chiss sounded out, reaching down to pull the Tenebrae pattern helmet over his own gaze. With each of the squad behind their death masks - they flicked on vocal scramblers, each word rearranged and distorted to mask their communication. Traps were set. The Jedi could very well detect the heavier killing power of outright trip mines and explosive packs and so smoke traps were prepared. They might be very well able to peer through the distortion with the force - but they would see no threat within the shroud giving the Purge Commandos ample time to line up interlocking arcs of fire overwhelming any lightsaber combatant.​

​

With such the lone Dark Jedi compliment to Wirm's team as dispatched. A lone Dathomiri awash in dark robes appeared at the opposite end of the corridor from the slave boy of Shot Kuffa. A tortured warrior all his own Kovrun peered with amber death in his eyes before dropping the hooded cloak from around his shoulders, drawing two crimson lightsabers from his waist - illuminating the dark corridor in deep crimson before soon enough the Dark Jedi surged out in a cry of deeply embedded anger, his right shoulder facing Pitborn in the charge before he'd twist his body toward him once more and jump forward aiming to swing the two crimson sabers downward toward the Jedi in mid-air.​

​

All the while - Wirm watched intently from the holo-feed monitor in the control room.​

---

​

Sev Pitborn ​

​

 

[Wyatt Morga]

Wyatt had spent a hundred years at peace; carefully intertwining himself with a zen that could not be broken. Once upon a time, he had made the mistake of investing in his emotions - anger and grief chief among them, and it had laid the Jedi Master low. There was no coming back from what he had done - but he had so far done his best to keep himself at peace; but in some ways, it had made the Jedi Master more cruel, when he needed.​

​

Efficiency, afterall, was a cruel thing when enacted.​

​

As the ship uncloaked, and the others left Sunrider’s ship to secure the hanger; Wyatt remained, quiet, preparing himself for what he needed to do. Voyance had taken a Padawan from the Order - his order, his family, and he could not allow that to pass untouched. Her words of ‘Jedi Morality’ rang in his head as he considered the ultimatum he was given - and knew that there was to be no peace with his choice.​

​

Voyance, as many others onboard, would need to die before this could be settled. He could not do it out of hatred, though the thought of it crept to him, but necessity. Were the situation better, he would have given them all a chance to retreat, to leave without Lanik; but he had felt the pain the Jedi had experienced, if only briefly through the Force. There was no sympathy, no charity he could give to them now.​

​

Ice blue eyes opened with an almost cold dead stare as he finally lifted himself from the seat, while the force pulled his lightsaber from his belt into his hand. With him was the Jedi Master Romi Jade , known across the galaxy for her prowess in combat; and a previous Grandmaster of the Order. Wyatt’s voice came monotone, almost more stable than was natural;​

​

“Romi… Lanik must come home.”, he offered to her as his steps took him from the confines of the ship. The Force began to coalesce around the Jedi Master, and it took on a growing personification of light that seemed to make Wyatt glow ever so slightly. For those on board, the Sith - they would feel it, as though a blinding light was being shone in their eyes from a great distance.​

​

Wyatt, however, didn’t change his stance - slowly walking towards the inevitable goal. Be it Voyance, or another of the Sith that supported her - he had to ensure they would never touch another Jedi again.​

​

He would make peace with what he was about to do in time… but for now, he had a mission.​

​

OOC: Wyatt is taking the jedi kid gloves off for a few minutes to make sure Lanik is brought home safe and sound. If you down to face a Jedi Battlemaster lemme know, cause you boi fixin for a fight. ​

 

[Maynard Treicolt]

"Maynard, you got one coming up from over top of you!" Saber five sounded out through the comms to the Jedi pilot who could all but sense the Sith Captain falling in tow behind him from above, sparing a quick glance upward past the glass canopy to see the TIE/SF pull down and behind his X-Wing. The maneuver drew a collection of concerned beeps from the BB unit embedded in Maynard's starfighter as he began to swivel and swing his vessel to avoid the emerald particle beams shrieking between the open s-foils of his Jedi starfighter.

"I know I know-" Maynard said - snuffing the back and forth between him and his astromech with sharp focus and concentration. He gave himself about two seconds - maybe even half a tick less before those four red-purple thrusters in Brujav's sight would be locked in. Using the far superior maneuverability of the X he twisted the ship to the left enough to snap the target lock and reset it once more n a displacement roll before surging upwards to try and break from her sights once more - putting another Sith fighter down the barrel of his twin-linked blaster cannons as Saber Five could take spot behind the TIE/SF - starting to crack off a volley of crimson blaster cannons toward the TIE/SF before soon enough two Dominance Class fighters were on her tail in tow. Peeling off a howling burst of green toward the thrusters and open S-foils.

"Damnit- I got two on me!" She sounded out, grinding her teeth as she twisted the fighter down and surged down and infront of the TIE/SF.

"Copy Five - I'll see what I can't do." Maynard said, letting off a low and heavy breath as he snapped his fighter into a U-turn to try and get himself back into the exchange - targeting the side flanks of the two pursuing fighters with a burst of two discord missiles each before squeezing the trigger and firing his blaster cannons toward them in twin-linked volleys.

---

Captain Delilah Brujav

 

[Sev Pitborn]

Sev suddenly was overwhelmed by a strong dark presence as a cloaked figure appeared at the end of the hallway. The mysterious individual dropped their cloak, revealing a menacing Zabrak, covered with intimidating tattoos. Sev stopped, unhooking his saber from his belt. The challenger ignited two crimson sabers with a hiss, charging Sev recklessly before leaping into the air, swinging his twin blades towards the young Knight with a reckless abandon.

Sev drew his own saber in a flash. The blade crackled to life, it's lightning blue blade ripping from the hilt, thirsting for battle. The Zabrak assassin swung both his sabers at The Jedi in mid-air, his violent momentum propelling him like a rocket of hatred. Sev caught the first blade with his saber, deflecting it towards the wall, as he attacked the Dark Jedi's other wrist with his hand, clinching with the Zabrak for split second before throwing a vicious front kick at his chest, knocking him back. Sev capitalized on the opening by throwing a flurry of strikes, though the Zabrak put up an excellent defense with his twin blades, quickly regaining the initiative and going on the offensive.

Sev began to focus on defense, deflecting the marauder's rapid strikes smoothly, though not without challenge. Dual lightsabers were lethal in the right hands, and the second weapon gave this strange warrior a clear advantage over Sev. Sev was a galaxy-class swordsman, however, and well-practiced in fighting dual-wielding opponents. Sev maintained his stalwart composure, focusing on his defense, throwing a riposte here and there to keep the enemy feeling threatened.

As the duel continued, Sev channeled his focus, beginning to gain a feeling for the combo of this unholy assailant. He focused his breathing, watching the Zabraks hips and weight shift with each strike. After a few moments, Sev began to feel his enemy's patterns. His defense became effortless and the frustration of his opponent became clear. Sev could feel the anger radiating from the Zabrak, growing stronger with each failed strike and parried blow. Despite that, Sev sensed some conflict in the creature, thus he began to speak.

"Surrender now Sith. You are no match for me." This line enraged the Sith further, his strikes crashing against Sev's icy blade like hammers on an anvil. The Zabrak didn't respond, still focused on his goal, anger still flowing from him like smoke from a raging fire.

"I sense great conflict in you. Stop this, come with me. We can redeem you. You don't have to be a slave to The Sith. We can help you." Sev pleaded once more. The Zabrak was furious now, flailing in a bloodthirsty rage. Once again, he offered no response. Sev continued to read the patterns of his deadly foe, waiting for the perfect moment to counter.

The Sith was skilled. His combos were smooth and well-executed, but Sev's defense was proving impenetrable. Sev gave the Zabrak one last chance, as he repeated a combo Sev had seen many times before in this clash.

"This is it Sith! Save yourself and yield or you give me no choice!" Sev was frustrated. He could sense the conflict in this tortured being. He felt as if all he needed was a small push towards the light for him to be redeemed. He was likely a conscript and slave to the Sith like far too many of their servants. Once again, the marauder chose not the speak. He silently continued his endless onslaught, leaving Sev no choice.

The Zabrak twirled both his blades, the tips grazing the durasteel floor and sending hot sparks flying into the air before raising both sabers above his right shoulder for a diagonal slash. Sev had seen him use this strike before, and he could see what would follow. Rather than parry the strike as he had before, Sev ducked under it, performing a lighting fast crouching spin before striking at his opponent's knees. His saber sliced through the Zabrak's knees with a hiss, the momentum of the attack sending the Zabrak falling backward and parallel to the ground. Using the Force to enhance his speed, Sev rose to his feet and impaled the Sith through the chest as his legless body plummeted through the air. Sev's saber melted a glowing orange hole in the chest of the marauder and the durasteel floor beneath him as the life faded from his hateful eyes. Sev rose to his feet and deactivated his saber, picking up one of the now deactivated crimson blades and hooking it to his belt as a morbid trophy. Sev closed the Zabraks lifeless eyes, the hole in his chest still smoking, his legs laying severed below the knee. A gruesome death, but an unavoidable one. Sev had done his duty. He offered salvation to the fallen marauder and received nothing but violence in return. Thus, violence is what the late Zabrak had sown. Sev centered himself and continued, moving down the hallway towards the blast door the Sith had been guarding, ready for whatever awaited him next...

Kolson Vrask

 

[Avernus]

Aboard the Command Bridge of the Star Destroyer​

It was a rare occasion that Darth Avernus could be coerced away from his business dealings and lavish outings to actually perform his obligations to The Sith Empire. Today was, unfortunately, one of those occasions. Due to prior experience, he had been appointed as one of two Bridge Commanding Officers for this specific operation. Having command of a star destroyer was an exciting prospect, but given that they had been mostly dormant over Ventooine it had turned out to be a very dull experience overall. It should go without saying how incredibly disappointing it was to sit in a CO's chair and having nothing to do but stare at the stars and feel the discomfort as your backside slowly goes numb. It had been a very disillusioning affair, betraying even his most mundane of expectations.

Vaulkhar was the other CO on board. Though Avernus had not met him previously, having someone other than the basic imperial ship drone around had made the experience a little more tolerable. The cold, unfeeling white light that illuminated the bridge did little to accentuate the gold plating of Avernus' armor, but the way it accentuated the Hoth-like white of his cape gave him some amusement. It wouldn't be characteristic of a star destroyer to have an inviting interior, but he though a little flair in the lights or general architecture wouldn't hurt. He shifted in his seat as he was making small talk with Vaulkar, trying to regain some semblance of feeling in his posterior.

"Even if the IGBC could work out the kinks with a universal credit, The Empire is far too proud to ever adopt it. It would take a lot of convincing for-"

Avernus was cut off by one of the female officers in the bridge.

"My lord, I believe w-we've been boarded."

Avernus shot up out of his chair with excitement. Finally, something was happening.

"Who boarded us, and where?"

"I don't know, my lord. Several systems are coming up compromised but the location of the boarders is unknown, it was a surprise attack."

"My lord!"

Another voice, male this time, called out from another station.

"Captain Brujav has been engaged by hostiles, we just lost Zakkeg Five!"

Avernus choked back the urge to blurt out with gleeful laughter. It was as if the force answered his pleas and brought some action to soothe the crippling burden that he had suffered upon this metal pseudo-prison. On a more serious thought, he did find it odd that he didn't feel this coming, not even the slightest of disturbances. The work of Jedi perhaps? He shoved his lax attitude aside for a moment to make sure the proper measures were taken. As excited as he was, this wasn't the time to be incompetent.

"Run a communications check on every department, take note of everyone who doesn't respond. I'll take a detachment and head for the hangars, as that would be the most likely place they would have infiltrated. Seal the blast doors upon my leave."

He looked over to his acquaintance and fellow Commanding Bridge Officer. The excitement that had washed over him was no longer hidden behind a veil of composed authority. His expression could tell you exactly how he was feeling at this moment.

"Will you be joining me?"

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

ENGAGING Lirka Ka

The stun blaster clicked empty for the last time. Quill discarded it and picked up an Imperial sidearm in its place. He set this one for stun as well and fired it at nothing to get a feel for its range and fire arc.

He'd taken, and partially healed, half a dozen glancing shots from this model of blaster. Smoke still wafted from charred holes in his robe. He'd felt better, and the memories didn't help. This was his forty-seventh boarding operation, and only his third since becoming a Jedi a long, long time ago. Bad old days intruded on his calm.

A different sort of opposition came into view around a corner: a very large being in stylized plate armor that screamed 'Sith.' Quill raised the stun blaster immediately and fired, range about ten meters.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar's eyes remained closed as he listened to Avernus drone on about banking and all the nuances surrounding it. The fallen Jedi didn't particularly care about the means at which others in the galaxy acquired riches. He came from wealth, so he rarely pursued it. His attention for years was locked on a desire to overcome the greatest of Jedi and Sith in the galaxy. It brought him to the edges of death time and time again until eventually, well, his luck ran out. Once Vaulkhar had taken the fight to his father on Kintan, his battle had come to an end and his life was lost to him. Only in death did the former-Jedi find true peace. That peace was stripped away when his soul was torn from the afterlife, shattered under the influences of the empire, and thrust into a fractured body.

So much had to be done, so many had to die, and it all started with the Jedi Order. They were one of many answers to the growing problems of the galaxy and the risen sought to take advantage of the more stalwart of the order. He certainly did not agree with kidnapping them to fulfill whatever sick and twisted fantasy Darth Voyance, along with many other Sith, favored, but the opportunity presented before him was one he could not neglect. Ensuring the Jedi's success in their endeavor would only strengthen them as a pawn to be used against the Dark Council and their mindless followers. It enraged him to consider the masses who blindly followed his father's stagnant regime, but everything enraged him since his return. Rage was one of the few emotions the bastard had been permitted to feel in his unlife.

When information streamed into the command deck in regards to a sudden attack, he couldn't quite say he was surprised. He may have lacked Voyance's gift of sight, but it didn't take a genius to realize the Jedi would eventually come for their own. They always did. Its what cost the fallen Jedi his life, to begin with.

Avernus's words shook Vaulkhar from his silent recollections. Unknowingly, the momentary lapse in his concentration allowed his ire to weaken. He stoked the flames once more with thoughts of his father's demise before dropping his baleful gaze on the sithling.

"Indeed."

The word was as hollow as any who'd interacted with Vaulkhar had come to expect.

"I am particularly interested in greeting our guests."

Avernus | Gabriel Pryce​