Mission Outbound Flight: The Jaws of Defeat

[Daxin Veyr]

LOCATION: Site Aurek – Hangar Bay / Interior Access
Corazona von Ascania Bastila Sal-Soren

Tatiana Sah Kaia Starchaser Sophelia Ardemark

SABOTAGE: Plant thermal detonation charges on primary infrastructure.

-

The hangar had felt wrong the moment Daxin’s boots hit the deck

Not just the toxic green haze pressing against the viewport seals or the distant groan of the station’s hull under the storm. It was the Force itself.

It was stretched thin and sour, like something vital had been scraped raw and left bleeding. Entechment. He could feel the residual agony of it humming through the bulkheads, hundreds of lives reduced to fuel for the machines around them.

The probe droid's map was filtering in slowly, piece by piece. "Look at this," Cora pointed to a dark, rectangular shape on the map, voice slightly muffled. "It's the right size for a production unit." Her finger drifted across the holoscreen until it reached a different point in the grainy schematic. "These are larger. Rooms for storage, maybe?"

Lingering in the open hangar was asking for trouble. This was a Ssi-Ruuk fortress. He had never met one of the crratures; he did not want to.

Daxin glanced toward the nearest corridor, a narrow maintenance access that ran deeper into the station’s core systems. The Force tugged faintly that way.

“I’ll take sabotage. Obviously," he said, given that he carried half thr explosives.

"Power junction looks promising down this way.”

He didn’t wait for full consensus. He was a relatively impulsive Padawan. The longer they stood still, the more chance their arrival might get noticed.

Daxin moved forwards, boots clicking against the grated floor no matter how we walked. Condensation beaded on the walls. Somewhere deeper, machinery thumped in a slow, unnatural rhyth

He kept one hand near his lightsaber and the other steady on the strap of the charge pack, senses stretched outward through the Force.

Daxin held up a hand. He felt something move. He pressed himself into the bulkhead. Soon he could hear the sounds of a small group. For all he knew it could have been anything from an armed patrol to the Ssi-Ruuk refresher unclogging team.

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

for my roll

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Daxin Veyr Kaia Starchaser Tatiana Sah Sophelia Ardemark Bastila Sal-Soren

The group of six sorted itself out - Knights Starchaser and Sah, along with Padawans Ardemark and Sal-Soren, would pursue the lost Senator.

Cora eyed the Zeltron padawan who seemed a little too eager at the concept of planting charges. “You’ll need someone to watch your back," she insisted, firm but not overly judgmental.

He didn’t wait for any approval, so Cora didn’t wait for any argument.

As they moved down the corridor, the sound of encroaching boot steps had her flattened to the adjacent bulkhead. Shadows moved against the far wall, sliding against the industrial backdrop. Cora scanned the hall, eyes landing on thin lines in the durasteel paneling. A door.

"Quick," she hissed, one hand fisted into the hood of Daxin's robe as he yanked him along. Her other hand dug into the space between panels, manually prying the door open. Cora ushered the Zeltron inside, and bid him to quickly close the door.

As the footsteps drew closer, she put a finger up to her lips.

 

[Tatiana Sah]

Tatiana looked to the young Padawan that volunteered to join her and Kaia. Or, rather, her helmet turned in the young one's direction. A nod accompanied her declaration. Her gaze then turned to Kaia as the woman directed her assistant to pinpointing locations of interest.

"Minimal radio contact once we leave the hanger. Indicate any locations where you believe the Senator may be. Avoid contact with hostiles unless fired upon." She turned to look at the trio that was inclined to find the Senator. It was important to set the ground rules before they set off. They were sentient beings so she'd trust in their judgment and not spend the whole day telling them what they already knew.

She set off toward the hallway, careful to cheek around the corner of the doors to make sure there wasn't already a welcoming committee waiting for them. Without their presence already garnering an entire security squad on them from the start, Tatiana slipped into the hallway on her feet. She hadn't said it, but part of going unnoticed meant avoiding the use of the Force whenever possible. They hadn't demonstrated a great command of it back on the ship, but there had been that 'presence' that had yet to be accounted for.

A glance over at Kaia followed, curious if her droid had discerned anything. As for herself, Tatiana referenced the material she'd purloined from the enemy ship to see if there was anything concerning this facility.

Kaia Starchaser | Sophelia Ardemark | Bastila Sal-Soren
Daxin Veyr | Corazona von Ascania | Dominic Praxon

TAG

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Where Tatiana was quiet and resolute with the infiltration of the facility, Bastila was not. She had torn through the aliens back aboard the ship, and now that they were within striking distance of claiming Dominic back again, she wasn’t going to allow caution and worry to get in the way of the task at hand.

She had slid away and into a corridor that led downwards, a series of plain, featureless steps giving way to a larger passage that carried the lingering stink of the aliens upon it. She remembered how they stank, a foul odour that smelled like unwashed Jawa and engine oil. It had clung to her for days after the attack, seeping through her clothes and into her hair.

She hated it.

Lightsaber in hand, she knew that the best chance of the team reaching him was to make sure there was as much noise as possible. To draw the aliens away from the stealthier elements heading towards what they thought was the location of the Senator.

So loud did she go.

Her lightsaber ignited and with it came the growls and grunts of warning calls from further down the corridor. She gave a silent thought to the Force, a prayer almost for good luck, and with three strides she found the far corner of the corridor and the giant lizard of a creature that had been moving fast in the other direction.

Her arms flung out and up, the blade carving across the creature before it could properly bring its bulk around against her. The crackle of lightsaber energy meeting flesh was replaced by the dull thud of the creature hitting the floor. The air filled with the smell of their reek and burning ozone.

Another came from a room and Bastila barely slowed. She threw it aside with the Force, the huge form leaving the ground and colliding with the wall with a sickening crunch. For the briefest moment she felt something almost satisfying in the sound.

The want to hurt them.

She felt it rise and knew immediately that what she was feeling was dangerous. That there was a difference between doing what needed to be done and enjoying it. Between clearing a path and making them pay for what they had done aboard that ship. Bastila knew the difference she just didn’t really care right now so she kept moving anyway.

There it was again. The want to hurt, to feel some satisfaction, a sensation at the back of her mind.

Like someone had turned their attention towards her. Not close enough for her to reach out and touch through the Force, nor clear enough for her to understand what it was. Just the unmistakable feeling of something watching.

Waiting.

Bastila tightened her grip around the hilt of her lightsaber and stormed onwards.

Somewhere ahead was what she hoped was the crisis core for these creatures. Somewhere ahead was the chance to cut the head from whatever remained of their operation and be done with them.

And somewhere beyond all of that was Dominic and he was all that truly mattered.

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: Tatiana Sah Dominic Praxon Kaia Starchaser Corazona von Ascania Daxin Veyr Sophelia Ardemark EQUIPMENT:

​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

OUTBOUND FLIGHT: THE JAWS OF DEFEAT
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
LOCATION: Skyhook Orbital Platform
DIRECT TAG: Novac Lyrikal
TAGS: Roman Vossari | Connel Vanagor | Cerys Dyn | Lucan Mecetti

​

The descent was breathtaking, a controlled fall through low orbit en route to the orbital platform. Jump-jets would slow the landing, but for added control in slowing his momentum, the Jedi Knight reached out to the Force, focusing on the platform itself and pushing against the currents to give resistance against the threat of gravity.

Not too far from Novac Lyrikal , Balun Dashiell hit the surface with thrusters firing at the last moment, the soles of his boots quieting the flame and wisps of smoke, moving a couple paces as he rid his shoulders of the jump-pack, letting it clatter to the floor behind him while his free hand immediately moved for his lightsaber hilt, not yet triggering it's activation until the first sign of hostilities.

Sparing a glance behind him, Balun turned to the Thisspian Jedi; "You good?" he asked, sparing Novac the need for formalities in their time of action. Extending a wave, encouraging the serpentine Padawan to accompany Balun, the Jedi Knight turned back for the entrance into the facility: "Others are further inside; let's get in there", Balun added, thinking of their allies and peers, eager to assist them and get to their mission objectives.

By this point, discretion was out of the question, an obvious point as Balun stepped on through to hear blasterfire and the sound of lightsabers being wielded against their opposition. The Ssi-Ruuk were deadly in their own right, sentient reptiles who were as adept with weapons as they were with their claws. The Knight hadn't fought against their kind before, but he had heard stories: Soldiers disembowelled, dissected in the midst of battle. Their fight here would be challenging.

"You're welcome to back me up, kid. Two sabres are better than one" Balun offered as he moved for the discarded Det Packs left behind by Connel Vanagor . Taking up the sling of explosives, Balun shouldered them before turning once more back to his Thisspian squadmate; "Feel like destroying something expensive?".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'

1D20 Roll = 12​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Soph saw the brunette slink away. And before she could get completely out of sight, the blonde followed Bastila Sal-Soren . Giving a silent wave back to Kaia Starchaser snd Tatiana Sah . Frustration rippled across her jaw as she picked her way through the carnage the other girl left behind.

Why would she go off on her own and be so reckless? It was just asking to be killed. Soph didn’t have time to question why she felt the need to follow. Perhaps it was because she couldn’t bare the thought of losing someone else since Tapani and since Jakku. She saw a lizard creature lunging from the ceiling over Bastila Sal-Soren . Sound blaster was out in a moment and she fired. With a screech, the creature fell off to the side.

“Did you have a death wish today or is this normal behavior for you? I’m Soph. Not sure we met.”

She turned and fired off her gun again as more of them came from behind. They were definitely not going back the way they’d come. Guts from a creature splattered unceremoniously across her tunic. And for a moment, she gave an indignant sniff. Was it in her hair?!?!

A sideways glance at the girl, sensing there might be something else going on. Beyond that she wasn’t right in the head.

cc: Corazona von Ascania Daxin Veyr

 

[Roman Vossari]

TAGS: Balun Dashiell | Connel Vanagor | Novac Lyrikal | Cerys Dyn | Lucianus Adair

Alarms blared overhead. Navigating the twisting corridors alone, Roman rounded a tight junction that brought him face-to-face with the enemy. A pair of hulking Ssi-Ruuk guards stood at the center of the corridor, herding a ragged line of bound Republic prisoners. Both reptilian warriors snapped their heavy rifles toward Roman's chest before he could retreat.

"Oh, hello there," Roman stammered, instantly throwing his hands into the air.

Years had passed since he last wielded a lightsaber, leaving him reliant on the blaster resting uselessly against his hip. Reaching for the weapon under two primed barrels was suicide. Worse, firing into the narrow space risked hitting the terrified captives caught directly in the crossfire.

A violent explosion shook the entire structure, knocking everyone off their feet. Emergency systems panicked instantly. Overhead lights flickered and died, plunging the hallway into chaotic darkness as blast doors began slamming shut along the sector.

Capitalizing on the chaos, Roman scrambled to his feet and drew his blaster, dropping the lead guard with a quick burst to the chest. He thrust his off-hand toward the second Ssi-Ruuk, channeling a surge of the Force to shove the monster backward. The creature stumbled into the threshold of a descending heavy blast door just as the durasteel slab crushed downward, cleaving the enemy clean in half.

Surveying the sudden quiet, an amused smile tugged at the corner of Roman's mouth. Luck rarely swung his way, but watching the facility dismantle itself right on cue was a welcome change. He stepped over the fallen guards and offered a calm, reassuring nod to the shocked prisoners.

"Let's get those bindings off you," Roman said softly, stepping forward to begin freeing the group.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

LOCATION: Site Aurek – Hangar Bay / Interior Access
Corazona von Ascania
Bastila Sal-Soren

Tatiana Sah Kaia Starchaser Sophelia Ardemark

SABOTAGE: Plant thermal detonation charges on primary infrastructure.

---

The door sealed with a soft click behind them. Daxin stayed still, back against the cool metal wall of the cramped storage alcove.

Outside, the heavy tread of the patrol grew louder, then passed. Heavy boots and the low guttural exchange in the Ssi-Ruuk tongue drew a mental image of the lizards stalking past.

He could feel their presence clearly: cold purpose, no fear, just routine. The residual agony of the entechment systems still pressed against his mental shields like a dull ache, but he kept it locked down.

Once the footsteps faded, Daxin let out a quiet breath behind his mask. He glanced at Cora, the half-smirk tugging at the scar on his upper lip even if she couldn’t fully see it.

"Nice catch," he murmured. "I was about three seconds from trying to outrun a lizard patrol with a bag of explosives. Would’ve been embarrassing. That hand is freakishly strong."

"Can you feel the entenchment powering this place?" he asked quietly. It was clearly perturbing him.

He shifted slightly, checking the charge pack was still secure, then peered through a narrow gap in the door seals toward the corridor.

"Power junction should still be that way. Should we..."

The impulsive padawan had been about to ask instead of rushing out this time. Then alarms started.

"I don't think those are for us..."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

SNATCH VICTORY FROM…
PS-2R67T8
JEDI SHUTTLE

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Vigilant Reaper
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • 5 Throwing Lightknives
  • 3 Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

The maintenance corridor became a battlefield measured in meters instead of miles. Every intersection was another decision. Every doorway another angle to clear. Connel never hurried.


He simply never stopped moving.


The first pair of Ssi-Ruuk rounded a corner with rifles already raised. Two suppressed cracks from Connel's rifle answered before either could shout a warning. Both collapsed where they stood. He was already stepping over them. Shooting them with his Lightblaster in the head. A dull green chem-light snapped between his gloved hands before landing beside the wall.


One marker.


One way home.


The next room opened into a maintenance staging area. Tool racks lined the walls. Half-disassembled repulsor assemblies hung from overhead cranes while technicians scattered for cover at the sudden intrusion. Connel ignored them. His objective wasn't here. A ladder disappeared into a narrow service shaft. He climbed after dropping another chem-light at his feet—two markers now.


Metal echoed beneath armored boots as another squad crossed somewhere above him. Their voices grew louder before rushing past the access hatch, chasing reports of an intruder somewhere else in the facility. Good.


Keep chasing me. He thought to himself, smirking as he put out another chem-light—three markers now. Connel paused at the top of a ladder leading deeper into the bowels of the Sky Hook.


He emerged into a control station overlooking several processing corridors. Consoles flashed with warning indicators from the explosions in the motor pool while officers barked contradictory orders into headsets. He simply watched for a few moments, taking in the chaos he had caused and dropped another chem-light to mark his path.


One thermal detonator-sized flash charge skipped across the floor. White light. Thunder. Shouts. By the time vision returned to the room, Connel was gone. Another chem-light bounced against the deck plating before rolling to a stop beside the doorway.


Another breadcrumb.


Another promise that there was still a way back.


The corridors narrowed. Security doors became thicker. Observation windows gave way to reinforced blast walls. The air itself felt different. This wasn't industry anymore. It was containment. Connel thumbed his comm. [Roman. Vanagor]


Blaster fire cracked somewhere behind him as another patrol found the trail he wanted them to find. [Maintenance route is open. Marked with green chem-lights.]


He paused only long enough to lean around the next corner. Three guards. One heavy repeater. A detention checkpoint. I'm making my way to you. Resistance is following me.


The channel clicked silent. A faint smile crept beneath the mask. Exactly as planned. He reached behind his shoulder, producing another chem-light before tossing it onto the deck at his feet. Its emerald glow stretched down the corridor like a trail through a forest at night. Then he started running again, at the guards. It was time to fight now.


If Roman got prisoners loose, they wouldn't have to wonder which way led to freedom.


Connel had already built the road.

Balun Dashiell • Roman Vossari (Direct Tag) • Novac Lyrikal • Cerys Dyn • Lucan Mecetti
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Balun Dashiell

Taking off the jump pack he watched Balun land. giving a quick nod "yea I'm good, you?"

Novac followed him without question "Think you miscounted, 5 sabers are better then one" he said half jokingly as he pulled his lightsabers out and connected them together. In full seriousness "Absolutely, any idea where we go?"

 

[Daxin Veyr]

[missed last die]

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

Quick and simple, she could keep moving, and well, she’d be the one to get dirty, she supposed. Not that it wasn’t already the case. She looked at her hand, knowing that under the glove, there was a lot of dirt and grease under her nails. Working on the ships and droids for Outbound helped keep her like that.

“Looks like its s then, yeah?” Kaia said, pulled back to the present. “You all be… safe?”

Sal-Sorens, right? The royals all on one team.

“Got the map.” She said to Tatiana. “Think we can get to the Senator, or we handle the destruction element?” A Starchaser smirk.

Tatiana Sah Corazona von Ascania Bastila Sal-Soren Sophelia Ardemark Daxin Veyr

 

[Tatiana Sah]

Tatiana watched Bastila Sal-Soren slip away followed by Sophia of House Marr . Her faceplate lack any expression whatsoever as concealed any facial features whatsoever. There was only a second's pause before she resumed her own, separate path from the duo. Kaia Starchaser 's voice caused her to pause and look back at the remaining team member that stayed in her orbit. One out of three. Perhaps Dominic would have had some advice on how to better motivate people to stick together.

Or, perhaps, motivate people to not deliberately set off alarms and announce their presence to everyone in the facility before they were in position.

"The Senator. We'll destroy this facility on the way out with Dominic in hand," she replied calmly, but with certitude. The only reason she hadn't simply started laying into the place was because thoughtless violence could injure Dominic. "Every second is a debt these aggressors accrue."

With the alarms sounding, Tatiana gestured for Kaia to keep up as she hastened on her way down the hallway. She'd taken Kaia's recommendations on direction as they went. "Where would they be holding him?" she asked of her partner. The other woman had retrieved a map and had thoughts of her own on their final destination. It would help to know them.

Daxin Veyr | Corazona von Ascania

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Daxin Veyr
CC: Sophelia Ardemark Kaia Starchaser Bastila Sal-Soren Tatiana Sah

Cora had never been particularly gifted with technology. But where it intertwined with life, she could better feel the way it thrummed in the Force.

"Yes," she said simply. Her voice was soft, low enough to avoid detection.

It was…unpleasant.

Daxin's question was interrupting by the blare of klaxons. Cora grimaced as washes of red light spilled through the gap in the door. Had the rescue team tripped the alarm so quickly?

"We should take advantage of the distraction," she said, peeling the door open once the rush of footsteps disappeared down the hall. "Let's go."

The pair dodged and wove their way through corridors, following the steady hum of energy through the Force. Soon, their surroundings became less durasteel planes and more wires corded over dark paneling.

Cora didn't speak again - it was too loud, and trying to lift her voice over screaming alarms would potentially alert more guards. Instead, she nudged the Padawan's mind.

Plant the charges. I'll stand watch.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

oop dice roll

 

[Balun Dashiell]

OUTBOUND FLIGHT: THE JAWS OF DEFEAT
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
LOCATION: Skyhook Orbital Platform
DIRECT TAG: Novac Lyrikal
TAGS: Roman Vossari | Connel Vanagor | Cerys Dyn | Lucan Mecetti

​

With a sling of det-packs over one shoulder, Balun Dashiell turned back to glance at his fellow Jedi as Lyrikal drew his four individual lightsabers, speaking in good humour, leaving the Jedi Knight to chuckle quietly to himself, his head lifting in a half nod of surprise and approval. "It took me a good deal of time and effort to simply use two blades in combat, and here you are with four?" he smirked, the question he posed rhetorical and spoken with admiration and respect. Balun hadn't yet had the pleasure of working alongside the Thisspian Jedi, but it was clearly apparent that Novac was more than capable; "Remind me to spar with you some time when we're back on Naboo", he added with a soft laugh before turning his attention back to the mission at hand.

Stepping forward through the access point and into the goliath skyhook facility, Balun scanned the corridor, spotting a couple of fallen Ssi-Ruuk that had evidently been taken down by their peers. The facility was a labyrinth of industrial corridors, crawlspaces and facilities designed for the storage and transportation of cargo; in this case, mining equipment and minerals collected from the surface. The Jedi Knight sought the closest turbo-lift, his mind moving to potential points of vulnerability that would make for optimal targets for the explosive charges.

"Someone's left us plenty of det packs. I'd like to make sure we place one in their operations centre, make certain to sabotage their operational capabilities," Balun suggested while reaching for the turbo-lift button, calling the lift to their location. "Whatever maintenance decks they have, engineering sections would be another good option. We'll no doubt face opposition once the Ssi-Ruuk realise what we're up to," he added, looking back to Novac and offering an encouraging nod.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Corazona von Ascania

Having the experienced Jedi speak directly into his mind caught him by surprise. Daxin set to the task right away. This was by far the most dangerous mission he had been on. He could feel the fear trying to get a grip on him.

He was lucky he couldn't get much of a read on the Ssi-Ruuk themselves and mostly had to content with his own feelings.

He gave her a sharp nod when the first set of charges were placed. They would have to hit another node like this if they were going to blow the station and send it tumbling into the gas giant.

Footsteps rose in volume and stopped right outside the door.

Daxin’s hand tightened on the strap of the charge pack. Through the Force he finally felt the patrol pause, cold curiosity brushing against his shields. One of them hissed something low and sharp. Then the door panel hissed open.

Three Ssi-Ruuk soldiers filled the doorway, rifles already raised. Their scaled faces were expressionless behind the glowing lenses of their helmets.

Daxin’s blue blade snapped to life with a sharp hiss, the light reflecting off the soldiers’ armour.

"Looks like the quiet approach just ended," he muttered, voice muffled behind the mask.

"Three of them. More coming down the corridor. Gotta lead them from the charges."

He kept the blade low and ready, waiting for her call. The rest of the charges on his back suddenly felt a lot heavier.

 

[Roman Vossari]

TAGS: Connel Vanagor | Dominic Praxon

​

Carefully, Roman worked the lock on the last set of bindings, releasing the final Republic prisoner. The freed captives huddled together, their panicked eyes darting around the dim hallway as red warning lights pulsed against the walls. Freeing the captives was the easy part. Getting them out alive was another matter entirely.

Prying open the nearby security console, Roman stared blankly at the complex wiring and locked access codes. His comm link crackled to life, Vanagor's voice cutting through the static.

Simple enough, Roman thought, shutting off the comm. Now he just needed to open the heavy blast door standing between them and the exit. Slicing through high-tech security grids was never his strong suit, but he was an expert in banging (wink wink). Raising his arm, he slammed the heavy metal butt of his blaster directly into the delicate control panel. Sparks showered the deck, and with a groaning screech, the blast doors slid upward.

"Ta da," Roman declared, gesturing toward the open corridor.

Glancing down the path, he spotted the faint emerald glow of Vanagor's first chem-light illuminating the deck.

"Follow the green lights," he urged, ushering the frightened group through the threshold.

Stepping up to cover the rear of the evacuees, Roman suddenly froze mid-stride. A cold prickle washed over his skin, his gaze drawn down a dark, branching corridor to his right. A heavy sensation settled in his chest, pulsing through the Force with a sharp, undeniable urgency. Something was deeply wrong down that hall. Without a word, Roman broke away from the group and turned into the darkness.

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

The bolt went over Bastila’s shoulder close enough that she felt the sudden rush of heat against the side of her face.

She turned sharply, lightsaber coming around with her before the screech from above registered and something heavy struck the floor beside her. Bastila looked down at the twitching creature, then slowly upward to where it had dropped from. She hadn’t sensed any of it which bothered her considerably more than the creature itself that was now dead at her feet.

Her eyes shifted toward the blonde who had apparently decided that following Bastila into the depths of an alien facility was an appropriate response to watching her disappear into it alone.

“Bastila.” She offered as an introduction delivered with remarkable calm considering the circumstances. “Master Reingard’s Padawan. Which I hope explains…”

There was no time to finish the sentence as more of them came from behind them, Bastila’s own rarely used blaster being pulled from her hip and releasing several stray shots towards them.

There was something different about the way Bastila fought now not that Sophelia would recognise it. A distant something that had been creeping into her ever since the Outbound Flight and had become steadily harder to disguise. The precision was still there, edged by the training that clearly remained. Every movement she undertook belonged to a Jedi who had spent years learning exactly where her feet should be and precisely how far she needed to move to kill something before it could kill her.

What scared her was the absence of caution, that had changed. Even now with blaster in hand she advanced when she should have waited. Took openings that exposed her usually well placed guard. Trusting the Force to tell her when something was coming even when, moments before, it quite clearly hadn't.

Perhaps this Soph had a point? Bastila nearly dropped as another blaster shot filled the corridor and something unpleasant exploded across Soph’s tunic.

There was the smallest twitch at the corner of Bastila’s mouth as she closed closer to the other.

“It’s definitely in your hair. Took me weeks to get it out last time.”

The amusement lasted perhaps a second. Then with the distant sound of growling chests it was gone.

Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her lightsaber as the distant sounds of movement began echoing through the corridor ahead. There were more of them, seemingly an endless swarm beneath them. Good. That was precisely what she had wanted. Every creature that came toward them was one less between Dominic and the others.

“I don’t have a death wish.” The answer came several seconds too late to sound entirely convincing, Bastila avoiding eye contact. “I need them looking this way, I’m being heroic apparently.”

Noise drew attention. Attention drew defenders and the simple maths was defenders chasing Bastila weren't defending Dominic. It was perfectly sensible and much easier to think about when put like that, or at least that is what she was telling herself.

She rolled the lightsaber once in her hand and started forward again, violet light painting itself across the walls.

“Are you coming with me or not?” She didn’t look back as she stepped over the one that had been killed upon their introduction. “Just stay close, apparently things fall out of ceilings.”

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: Sophelia Ardemark Corazona von Ascania Tatiana Sah Kaia Starchaser Daxin Veyr EQUIPMENT:

​