Public Rebuilding Hope | Agents of Chaos & Friends

[Paragon of Virtue]

Following the events on Siskeen and Ryloth, it was time for the Agents of Chaos, at least for a little while, to return home. Part of the war had gone precisely as planned; their voices had been heard, were still being heard, the Altar of Spirits had been destroyed despite the attempt to protect it in another dimension, and Derek Dib's brains had been turned into scrambled eggs as punishment for his betrayal and fraudulent pretense of peace talks.

In their final moments in the systems, Agents of Chaos had asked the people of Ryloth to rise up. They had done what they could, and if need be, they would return. But until then, they had to go home.

Home, where while lured away, their enemies had planted bombs across the construct. Thousands of Siskeenies, posing as refugees to infiltrate the Scintilla, had tried to destroy it. For the most part, they had failed, but for one location - HOPE. One of the bombs went right through the hull of the sphere, creating a hole that opened to space. Millions of lives had been sucked into it and were snuffed out almost instantly. Those who were sufficiently attuned to the Force could have felt it - and now as the Agents of Chaos fleets were getting closer to home, even those not quite trained would be able to feel the devastation that such a thing left behind.

Spread and grouped around the ships, their own fleets had been ordered to jump earlier out of hyperspace than initially planned. There would be no bursting through the millions of corpses floating now near the Scintilla. And as the ships came through, their speed went down to a crawl. It would take hours to reach the Scintilla while hoping not to destroy any of the corpses.

And that was the time they now had.

Through the windows, men, women, others, and children, could be seen floating. Their lifeless eyes never even having the chance to close. Various medical ships were already going between them, collecting them, trying to ID them… It would take a long time before the project was done. Agents of Chaos were never above taking lives - but they honored the lives they took, in their own way that others pretended to raise their noses about.

This… Was something completely different.

You can choose which ship you're on or which of the Agents of Chaos you're with. If you're from another faction (or factionless), you are welcome to assist in the body collection efforts. This is a good time to think, to speak, and to check up on your team mates.

The Agents of Chaos have been severely hurt.

But we will rise again.

Chaos will reign the galaxy.

No specific headers this time, only colorful galaxies that you can use or not use as you feel like it:

Spoiler: Agents of Chaos and Invasion allies tag list

TK-1104
5U-K5
A'Runda
A'Sura Den
Al'Taylor Quarnz
Adaraa Undulee
Alyva Terrix
Anesia Jy'Vun
Angelo Cavataio
Annasari
Anse Baenshaol
Aoife Ironborne
Ashla Vella
Aster Jen'allé
Bacu Topol
Bandit Six
BB-4001X
BB-610
Bedrovelse Hevn
Brie Jaxx
Romund Sro
Bryn Celli Ddu
Bundori
Cadan Keggle
Celestine deWinter
Cypher
@Darren Shaw
Darth Libertas
Kainan Wolfe
Derek Dib
Deviant Val
Dexter Zytros
Dr. Droideka
Dyre Redwave
Eldoc Quasat
Eli-Mae Forrest
Erden Tarkhan deWinter
Eryn
EW-031
Finette Frai
Gat Tambor
Gna Grimwasp
Hanna
Herah
Ingrid L'lerim
I Irina Esta Klaus
@Immortal Cyan
Izwi Kutaurira
@Jace deWinter
Jai'galaar Gred
Thalia Senn
Jaranamo Sal
@Jeremiah McFarlone
Jin
Judas of Vahl
@Kainan Wolfe
Kamyrin Gyvolis
Karlie Lynn Destat
Karma Jayne
@Katerina Vaden
Katrine Van-Derveld
Keshar'atar
Kyrinov
L8R
Larentia
Lash
Lieutenant Walsh
Leeroy
Luna Vega
Madalena Antares
Maximus Kreel
Middenface McNulty
Moe
Muad Dib
Myrium Okar
Nashiro Tsuia
Nerium
Neyana
Nighthaunter
Niki Priddy
Nix Scamandros
Nyree Justice
Octavius Bellator
Orron Typho
Petra Cavataio
Pom Stych Tivé
PrincessNatalie
Qaheesh the Scorned
Qrgyl Ud
RadioWhisper
Rashae
Razelle Breuner
Be'iqaronn
R Reyn Australis
Ruby Sky
Salem Norongachi
Samatharis
Sasmay Cull
Scherezade deWinter
scifipoinsettia
Sentiri
Seraph Sin
Sir Orionus
Strider Garon
Sussh
Tae-Rai
Tanno Rand
Taric Syn
The Third
Tek Kkak
Thalliesin Bard
The Bridesmaid
The Maverick
Tobias Dib
Vale Vynar
@Valrayne
Vant Dehringer
Vaulkhar
Verdun Veroza
Wegli Jinrang
Will Westender
William the Bloody
Wonderworker
Xandyr Carrick
Xenro
Y Yeetus Deletus
Zachariel Steelblood
Zaldros Sabolte
Zel Nar
Zenva Vrotoa
Ziggard Blackstar

Gabriel Volturi
Daiya
Ria Misrani
Enlil
Théodoro
The Red of Sinner
K Kaine Australis
Holly Starstorm
Wynter Rackham
Toph Graystone
Ripley Kühn

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Aboard Nocte Aranea | Wearing this | @AoC any and all that need transport from Ryloth / Siskeen​

Hardy the mission the Spirits' Nightmother had planned yet in the end, the goal had been met. Too long had the Mandragora stagnated, holding on to the spirits they could no longer hear but serving under Masters they had no business serving under. Katrine's absence may have weakened them but it had served more as an excuse for their future behavior. Now, when the Ancient spirits had abandoned them, they had a chance for a new beginning. One without Katrine, Jart, Lylek, or Doashim. The three spirits and the Nightmother claimed by them would seek other destinies, far from the old ones; far from Ryloth.

Instead, they would help old friends, new allies. They would save what could be saved, help those that could be helped.

Aboard the Nocte Aranea, the Nightmother's ship, Madalena Antares sought immediate treatment within the bancta tank while Scherezade deWinter wasn't too far. Larentia had already given her a further update of what had occurred on Siskeen, of what Doashim had not shown her. Now, Katrine prayed in silence for the departed, the souls that had gone to the spirit realm. While they had traveled, there was little else she could do...

 

[Madalena Antares]

Location: Bacta tank aboard Nocte Aranea
Tags: Katrine Van-Derveld + Open

Half her face had fallen off. Her memories of how exactly they had escaped Ryloth were somewhat fuzzy. But she remembered before…

She remembered the invisible tendrils, guiding her and pulling her from Ryloth into whatever that other dimension the Altar had been sent to had been. Madalena had questioned absolutely nothing in those moments, operating on instinct and need alone, keeping conscious brain work to the bare minimum.

She remembered the spirits, and knowing who they had been even though they had not sounded the way they had in her sister's mind, a thing she knew because of the endless of memory swaps the two had shared. And the spirits had helped her.

They had told her… They had told her that they would keep the pain away. But nothing for the damage. When Madalena had caused the atlar to explode, her armor had protected her body, but she didn't have her helmet on, which left her face bare. And when she succeeded in her mission, it was her face that had taken the brunt of it.

Returning to Ryloth, she could easily smell the blood that poured down it at parts of her face threatened to fall off. She said it was time to go and…

When Madalena opened her eyes, she was on Katrine's ship, and part of her face had fallen off. She captured it with her hands at the last second, and that was when the pain came in earnest, ripping through all her senses. The protection of the spirits had been lifted, and her body played catching up with all the nerve endings had missed in that small window of time.

The next time her eyes opened, she was already in the bacta tank. Too scared to try to touch her face just yet and see what was left of it, instead Madalena spread her presence forward with the Force. She knew this ship thanks to the memory swaps, knew where people were most likely to be…

Who were there? At the mountain top they lost a few people, but what of other places? She'd had the ear piece in her ear the entire time but it was impossible to perform at the best of your abilities during combat and constantly listen with intent to what was going on.

Were her Agents of Chaos alive? Were they all right? Were there others that were around here and injured?

Closing her eyes, she let a caress spread forth through the Force, sending the comforting touches to all those she could sense.

And then another memory hit her. The refugees.

Now, Madalena needed something. Her own form of comfort. She needed to know.

 

[Larentia]

LOCATION: Aboard Nocte Aranea
WEARING: Something Different, Something Clean
WIELDING: Taozin amulet
TAGS: Katrine Van-Derveld , Madalena Antares , +Open anyone who's about

It was an incredibly long day. Doashim had sent Larentia to Siskeen, to serve as a neutral party in the discussion between Derek Dib and Confederacy, in his people's desire to be liberated from the 'liberators'. Larentia had hoped, no she has prayed for a better future from actions made in the present. She had been mistaken, it had been nothing but a ploy by the Dib to capture the Agents. He sought not liberation, the only imprisonment. Doashim knew, he chose her to see, he chose Larentia to ascend into the role he had always prepared her to take; honored her. Ascend, child of the demon, Larentia had heard the words while she had felt the presence of Katrine Van-Derveld . With the Nightmother's approval, she was to take Muad Dib's place just moments before Alwine had executed his brother for his actions, his decisions.

The present had remained the same, the future unchanged. The darkness was still coming.

Larentia remained under the shower for far too long, until her fingers pruned. She hadn't wanted one, Katrine insisted. The warrior of Ulf had to agree to the command of her charge, to the command of her Queen. It had always been so, in more ways than Katrine could understand. It was the oddest of things, how mirrored the two lives were, yet Katrine lived her life in the open, Larentia did not. Her mission was far too important to share her truths, her secrets. The amulet she always kept on her, hidden, would ensure those secrets to remain.

When she had emerged from the shower, she had no choice but the dress into far plainer clothes than she normally wore, laid out for her by the Nightmother. She would accept, long grown from the teenage tantrums she once held to such behavior of her superiors, of her own mother. Once she had dressed and brushed her hair, she moved to the lower levels to check up on Madalena Antares .

The first sight of her made her gasp in surprise, cursing herself that she had been sent to Siskeen instead of helping the fellow Agent, in a mission for the spirits. Katrine had informed her of the events that had transpired, the way Madalena had disappeared for a brief time after the explosion, ensuring the complete destruction of the altar. She had fought bravely, strongly; she had survived. If she was Lupine, she would be praised on Figaro Favoura VII today, a warrior exported. Alas, she was human. She was a fierce warrior never the less. We protected the child, Jart whispered into her ear as she took in the sights of the floating woman inside the tank. We cannot reach out far enough to heal her, Doashim continued as the warrior woman moved through, walking closer to the tank.

Larentia was angry with herself for not being on Ryloth, for not fighting alongside her fellow warriors. It was the duty of a General to fight alongside them, not delegate. It was another duty of hers that forced to stand as a diplomat. What good did it do? The Lupine wandered as she summoned the Force to herself as she had been taught, palms raising as she walked closer stills until her palms pressed into the glass, pushing waves of healing energy into the water. She would not let Madalena suffer more than she had to. The energy sent through would help soothe her pain and help her heal, provided Madalena would let herself take it. "You will be alright, fellow warrior. Relax, take this gift," she whispered, her forehead pressing against the glass, still sending the energy. Hopefully, Madalena could hear her, feel her desire to help her.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Something inappropriate taken from @Katrine Van-Derveld's closet.
Tags: Open

A small hill of weapons lay in front of Scherezade, and while she was indeed dressed now in clothes that were not very fit for the occasion, she paid them no mind. If anything happened to the shirt and skirt, she could always pay Katrine back for the damage. Her weapons though… She was not about to let them go bad.

It had taken some convincing to go take a shower before she started taking care of her weapons. Eventually though, logic had won out, and the Sithling had agreed to remove the remains of bird poo, blood, and flesh from her hair before doing anything else. Next to her weapons, lay a single stone, one that she had taken from the Mandragora castle. She wasn't sure yet why she'd taken it or what she'd do with it, but if it ever would hold meaning, she'd still have it.

She grabbed another Whimsy knife, and turned around to look at the people who were around.

Many of them had suffered injuries. Not all mission objectives had been met. Some were sad, or thoughtful. Others were happy. And Scherezade? She was grinning like a kitten as she grabbed yet another rag to remove the first and somewhat still bleeding gunk off her blade.

She knew enough about the mission reports. She knew that her sister was going to be just fine. She knew that the ones that were part of her personal circle were all alive and well.

And that they'd actually scared the Confederacy. Whether the Twi'leks would rise up in arms against their systematic oppressors or not remained to be seen, but she knew that for many a-moments that day, they'd reminded the Confederacy that they were not as safe in their empirical bubble as they'd always imagined.

Even if Ryloth and Siskeen were lost to them, they'd still accomplished a lot.

From a corner, she could hear some people whispering about… Wait, what?! Scherezade blinked, only now casting her eyes to the windows. Oh, she knew millions had died. She could feel it in the Force, though her personal levels of care weren't like those of others. Yeah, it sucked, but it was what it was. She'd seen enough bodies in her short lifetime to not be shocked or burdened by it, though she did have to admit that there was some sort of morbid beauty to seeing them float like that in space.

Fiddling through her stuff, the Sithling removed a small brown paper bag. It had waited for her on this ship, since she had a feeling she'd be going back with Kat, and that had saved it from being completely soaked in blood and bird goop.

Cheese cubes.

With a grin, Scherezade used the Force to guide a few of them to her mouth.

Yeah, others could be worried, shocked, scared. It was fine. She would give them a few days to get accustomed to the new reality before she started poking and pushing some of them again. Because they were the Agents of Chaos and they were made of stuff stronger than most of the galaxy gave them credit for. So once the initial shock of battle and seeing millions of floating bodies worn off… She knew. She just knew. They were going to be more than just fine.

 

[Hanna]

Location: Nocte Aranea - Medical Bay
Objective: Pray
Wearing: Hanna’s Phase I Haywire Armor, Chaos Symbol Necklace
Madalena Antares Larentia

Faith was always a war.

It was hard to have faith while millions died at the only home she had ever known. It was hard to continue believing when so many corpses were floating outside of HOPE that the returning fleet had been brought to a complete halt so that they did not inadvertently crush the bodies. It was hard to remain devout when so many of her peers in the Wild Hunt thought her beliefs to be ignorant and backwards, even with her newfound authority as the Aspect of Devotion.

The priestess of her sect had always told her that faith was a constant battle. There was so much evil in the universe that it could seem as if Discordia was completely indifferent to it. Without the priestess there to guide her feelings, Hanna felt lost, unable to find it within herself to continue believing while so much evil transpired around her. She couldn’t summon the energy to assist with the recovery efforts, especially when she had not even found the will to shower, or much less take off her battle-worn armor, apart from her helmet and weapons.

Nevertheless, Hanna tried to pray, but with her soul weighing heavily in her chest, she could not feel Discordia’s presence. She could only think of the millions of floating bodies just outside the glasteel viewport, in addition to the health of her mentor, Madalena.

It was as if all she could feel was death.

Hanna had a negligible level of sensitivity to the Force, but the sensation was strong enough that even she could feel the pain and fear around her, gnawing at her soul like a Parnassos beetle on moist skin. The sensation pushed her to the brink of lucidity, spawning inexplicable visions of suffering that brought her to tears. For a while, she had attempted to weather the storm of negative emotions on her own. However, before long, she found herself moving to the medical bay in order to find Madalena, even if she was unconscious and presumably unable to help.

For a few moments, Hanna kneeled in front of the Dark Paladin’s bacta tank and prayed. It was then that she finally felt relief, a brief sensation of comfort amidst a torrent of tears. Her eyes opened, and as she looked up, she saw a brown-haired woman enter the room. Hanna moved aside, looking on as she pressed her forehead against the glass.

“Is Maddie going to be okay?” Hanna asked the taller woman ( Larentia ). The diminutive Huntress already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear at least one piece of good news with her own ears in the midst of so much evil. “H-how bad was it?” She added nervously, sensing a certain tension in the air at her presence, as if she were intruding on something especially intimate.

 

[Kyrinov]

Location: Abroad the Nocte Aranae - Meditation Chamber
Objective: Recover and Coordinate with Forces
Gear: Anat & Inanna
Tags: Larentia | Katrine Van-Derveld | Madalena Antares | Scherezade deWinter | Hanna | + Open

​

The ivory Sith took in a long deep breath, reaching out into the space around him, acutely aware of his surroundings. He knelt, his knees digging painfully into a metal patch he found on the floor. His hands were clenched on his thighs, his knuckles chalk white against the onyx of his armor. The light was dim in this chamber, just as he preferred it. He slowly relaxed as he let out a heavy sigh through his nose, his shoulders slumping gradually until they were fully relaxed.

He still burned with unbridled anger underneath, he felt like his flesh was molten lava underneath his skin. But, at the same time he could not feel his own body. Part of him knew the Loth Wolf was there, circling him and sniffing at the air as she paced just 3 paces from her companion. Part of him mourned for those that had been lost, his throat clenched impossibly tight as possible images flooded his mind, trying to reconcile with what they would return to.

Kyrinov himself felt as though he was floating in stasis, completely disconnected from his conscious body and being. Sorrow gripped him from the inside out and he heard a voice speak as he thought of the now dead refugees, it was that of a small child. “Remember Mom?”

His eyebrows furrowed. What...What was that?

And still there was another. “Rest, child. There is only so much you can do.” It was very unclear whether this new feminine voice was speaking to him or the small boy who asked about Kyrinov’s mother. He supposed that it did not matter. If those two weren’t enough, a third voice joined the chorus. “Make all of them pay for what they did. They had no right.”

He wasn’t sure what was going on. He didn’t know what to make of this but his thoughts were halted by a pinging on his comm device. A bony finger clicked to the correct frequency and sure enough, it was Darji with an update. “Chaplain,” her voice echoed into his ears and bounced off of the walls of his mind. “We’ve captured the perpetrator. He’ll be locked on floor 16 until your return. His forces are cleared out. Still no sign of Discordia.”

His mouth grimaced and his lips curled down gently into a disappointed frown. “Make him pay for every life he recklessly stole,” came the gruff voice of a woman. Kyrinov swayed and sighed, vaguely aware that he was even on a solid floor. “Good… Find Discordia, scour any known positions that she may use in case of emergency. Get the refugees and civilians respirators, Silencers too. Chaplain out.” He cut the frequency, ending the call as his body stood up and stretched, hearing a few joints in his knees pop. He must have been down a long time.

They had to find the elusive woman, if they didn’t, the Silencers would take a large blow… or they would wreak havoc on those responsible. Or both, both were acceptable options.

Anat brushed up against him and it was the oddest sensation. “Puppy!” exclaimed the nameless boy. He walked towards the door, bracing himself against a wall he could barely feel as Anat trotted alongside himself, walking against the man’s leg to keep him steady. Somewhere on this ship lay Madalena, the Blood Hound’s sister. They said she’d been injured quite badly, rumor had it that half of her face was gone from an explosion. He could faintly feel her.

He did not remember the walk down to the medbay, he didn’t feel like he was truly walking. But, upon seeing her, he felt himself drop, his head aching from the fall. The Sith could feel again, albeit with tingling extremities. He saw her float in the tank, and he screamed within the Force.

 

[Rashae]

Agents of Chaos they called themselves. The name was an interesting one in Rashae's mind. Chaos indeed. The galaxy was filled with Chaos. Most pretended that such chaos didn't exist. They hide behind their veil of peace and order. Order is nothing without chaos and the truth lends itself in the opposite. Since she was in between humanitarian engagements and didn't really have a position anywhere other than managing her business, she had accepted to be one of the Agents of Chaos.

It was daunting when she found that there was little to no science or medical division so she remained a free agent. The moniker 'free agent' didnt set well with Rashae as it had a feel of whimsy. Rashae liked her version of order. The scientist in her rebelled against it. The more practical side of her let it lay where the name would lie. It was just a name.

Her small medical fleet would come out of hyperspace at the given coordinates provided to her. The raven haired beauty was looking out the command deck when much to her horror they bumped into bodies. They slowed as to not injure the bodies anymore than they already were. The kathunk that went up and over the command center was like a bell ringing.

“full stop!! “ rang out Commander Stephen as even his experienced visage was assaulted by the site.

“What the hell is going on?” Rashae demanded from no one in particular.

“I don't know Minister, but it seems our new friends have been the subject to something dastardly. Something dark and low. “ Commander Stephen looked down a moment to compose himself.

“Commander we are being hailed by the Scintilla. “ Said a communication's officer.


The commander nodded. “Acknowledged. Find out, if you can, what happened and ask if we can provide assistance. We have the manpower, ships and facilities to do it. “ His voice was softer and in respectful tones.


The Communications officer nodded as the whole command deck was in shock at what they saw. Rashae was beside herself trying to rationalize. Trying to find some kind of logic. Some kind of reason. None came. Absolutely nothing in the way of anything came to mind. She did not understand how, why, what.. anything, something her mind could grab onto to grasp what she saw.

“I.. I.. “ She started as Commander came and brought her to sit down and motion for some water. Rashae started to shake a little and tears came down her beautiful face. She sat down numbly as the water glass materialized seemingly in her hand.

Rashae is not a cold unfeeling person. She can be analytical and logical at times as she can make critical life and death descisions. It comes with a job. This was an entirely different story. Those light ice blue eyes could cut into someone before the cold cool words would exit her mouth. The raven haired beauty would be sometimes known as the ice queen. To some she is a total cold hearted beotch. Those who don't know her of course. Those handful closer to the beautiful doctor like the Commander, knew her to be the opposite.

“Why?” it came at a whisper almost. The anguish on her face as she still tried to reason with it.

This one question would ring out in her mind over and over and over again. Echoing back and forth for some part of her, some piece of data from the outside would supply the answer. None came. Communications were given for vectors but Rashae and the Commander thought it best they stay back and start clearing bodies from their vantage point and work their way forward to the Scintilla.

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Location:Medical Bay
Objective:????

He wasn't sure how long his hand had been held as the woman in front of him had suffered severe injuries and probably wasn't going to make it. Aston had witnessed something that he hadn't ever before and it left him with a strong sense of hopelessness. She was shaking almost uncontrollably and it wasn't before long that their eyes made locked on each other again and then everything stopped. Aston glanced towards the monitor and then removed her hand from his and placed it to her side.

Aston took a deep breath as he knelt before her, his hand lingering on her's for a few more brief moments as he whisphered a silent prayer, not just for her but for all those that were lost. He stood up letting out a small sigh as he turned and walked out of the medical bay. Aston stood silent in the small hallway as he stared out the window of the vessel and into the vastness of space. Now littered with many bodies, space wasn't so alone on this day.

Aston was thankful he wasn't as attuned to the force as others were, he could sense the weight of those that had fallen. But at a greater magnitude he wasn't sure if he would be able to handle it. Then again he hadn't witnessed something of this magnitude before.

He took a deep breath as he crossed his arms and continued to stare out of the window. Eventually he would head back into the med bay, but for now he was content with standing and just staring into the nothingness of space.


Katrine Van-Derveld Madalena Antares Scherezade deWinter Hanna

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Aboard Nocte Aranea, Outside of Medbay | Wearing this | A Aston Jacobs , +Open​

It was the deaths of the witches at the Altar Katrine regretted. Even when she had not made the kill, she regretted their deaths none the less; for if her life had been different, if she hadn't gotten pregnant, perhaps she would have still been the Nightmother of the Mandragora. Perhaps, she wouldn't have and life was always meant to go the way it did but still, there was a possibility in the infinite spread of lines.​

Her sapphire gaze zeroed on space around them, on the bodies floating, her eyes closing for a moment as she called to the spirits, the three of them enlisting a prayer for their souls still. The Lupine hoped the spirits found peace in their beyond, rather than tethering to the mortal realm as it was easy to do for those who had suffered in their final moments. She hoped, she prayed, all the while trying to remain strong with what was happening. She had contacted Larentia and Curupira, she knew they were safe, her mother worried about her just as she had been worried about her own child. Meanwhile, the sight of Alwine and Larentia safe had brought her a different piece of mind. Despite what had happened between her and her brother, she was still glad the other Lupine was well. Her Warrior of Ulf had informed her the remainder of their missed, the deaths that followed, one of a cunning traitor and another of an ally. Katrine had prayed for them as well.​

A Aston Jacobs had joined them not too long ago, and Katrine felt his presence inside the med-bay now. She could feel herself longing for the comfort of her dearest friend in this galaxy. He had been, in the truest sense of the word, her hero. Whereas the Witch had once idealized her parents and even Satara but it was none of them that had come to her rescue when she had needed them to most. It was Aston that had saved her. So, when the Eshan Prince stepped out into the hallway, Katrine walked straight to him. "I missed you," the blonde breathed out as her hands reached out for him. The future Queen of Figaro Favoura VII could not just break in anyone's arms but in Aston's, she definitely could.​

 

[Dasmi Lindervale]

Spoiler: Theme

The fleet was limping home behind the other vessels. Three of the Spectre pocket carriers had come away from the six that had volunteered for the assignment. One was so severely damaged that it was a miracle that it had held together for hyperspace travel. It had hemorrhaged parts and pieces after receiving the round delivered to the Unicorn via orbital station. It had been a startling sight to see a whole section of a ship be ripped off with little more than kinetic energy.

A sight that had both awed, and terrified the Fleet Admiral after seeing the replay from the Unicorn's external camera's.

There were exposed sections of the crawling Spectre, crackling sections of now exposed wiring and sealed bulkheads where once half of the allocated starfighters would have been. The fleet admiral stood once more aboard the damaged Endurance Class Fleet Carrier. Even against the suggestions of Rimes and numerous others, he would not be kept to safety while those under his command were at risk. The limited number of bulkheads had been sealed, and temporary ones erected though they leaked atmosphere slowly. Almost more than the jostled power plant could handle.

One of the Monarch Class Destroyers had come with them, half the engines destroyed from ion and laser fire. It had left behind it's sister ship, the Free Bird after the captain had ordered the Wild Stallion to regroup with the remainder of the fleet and jump while it held position. The captain of the Wild Stallion only now ready to be seen by the crew of their ship when they had arrived home. The remains of the fleet had been hailed before arrival, warned to drop well before the designated dry dock point outside the Scintilla air space.

And dropped before the scene that waited to greet them.

The loss of their friend in the Free Bird was nothing compared to the heavy silence of horror that washed over the Wild Stallion's CIC. The captain's mouth agape at the floating bodies while others around them cried openly. Some shook with disbelief, others closed their eyes and begged it to go away. The Spectre Captain's were in much the same situation. Aboard the Unicorn, Dimitri had been prepared before hand, and had kept the information and sight that he had seen from the eyes of those in the Armada.

He did not regret the choice as a few heads in his own CIC turned his way, one officer standing and quickly closing the distance between them. To the Fleet Admiral's surprise, or possibly lack of, the officer hit him with a solid punch to the jaw.

"YOU KNEW!? YOU KNEW WHAT HAPPENED HERE!? YOU SAID NOTHING ABOUT THERE BEING BODIES YOU SO-" The man screamed, tears in his eyes as he spewed his rage at his commanding officer now sent to the floor. Other's had quickly moved, grabbing arms and pulling the man back as Dimitri landed. Rimes was quickly to his side, but her grip told him plainly she was dealing with her own emotions. The strong hold on his arm a good guess as to her own anger at what was before her.

"Yes, I knew. And I kept it from you so that you would not throw your lives away." Dimitri quietly informed them all, rising slowly with a deep breath before continuing. "They needed help here, and all of us dying there would have done these people-"

"FETH WHAT YOU THINK! WE SHOULD HAVE MADE THEM PAY! WE-"

"YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO LET THIS GO!? THAT WE ARE JUST GOING TO FORGET THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE WE SEE RIGHT NOW!?" DImitri roared, closing the distance between himself and the offender. He grabbed their collar, surprise neutering their anger for a moment as the fleet admiral drug the man forward to the view port. With a solid yank and a push, the man's face was firmly held to the glass.

"TAKE A GOOD LOOK. TAKE A LONG KRIFFIN LOOK YOU IMBECILE!" Dimitri continued to roar as he took his eyes away from the man to gaze at the field of bodies. It was a macabre dance to see, lifeless bodies adrift as though finally free. A choked sound came from the fleet admiral.

"WE ARE GOING TO GET THEM ALL BACK. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THEM HOME! WE-we..." Dimitri's strength failed him, his eyes burned with tears. "We are going to honor them. And remember them all."

The entirety of the fleet hung in silence at the edge of the field. The second fleet had long since returned home before them, Kessel Courier's moving at painfully slow speeds with sealed suited person's maneuvering the fallen on board. The lot of them had begun closer to the inside of the Scintilla, opening space for other vessel's to come and go without harming any of the fallen.

Katrine Van-Derveld Madalena Antares Scherezade deWinter Hanna A Aston Jacobs Rashae Kyrinov ​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Location:Medical Bay
Objective:????

He didn't want to bother her, as he knew that she was a incredibly busy person. Important as well, there were a great deal of people that relied on her and her talents to see them through times like these. Anytime that he was granted with Katrine Van-Derveld was considered a blessing in his eyes. He often chuckled when he thought back to the first day they met amongst the singing mountain clan. The more Aston thought about it, it was almost a lifetime ago. She must've asked a hundred questions it seemed like. From pink promises to exploding rocks and the first time that he saw her transform it was one of the greatest things he had ever seen. Thus they became fast friends and one she could depend on for all time. And he was happy that he felt she accepted him for who he really was a never forced him to be something that he wasn't. If anything he maybe felt she just wanted him to find a sense of peace in this universe.

It was pure happenstance that he managed to turn at the right moment and he locked eyes with her. Slowly, a smile appeared on his face as he turned towards his best friend.

His hands met hers as he pulled her in for a long affectionate hug.

"I missed you,"​

Those words bringing him more joy and comfort than anyone could ever know.

"I've missed you more." Aston replied with a sincere and warm tone. "I think I'm gonna stay by your side for a while."

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Aboard Nocte Aranea, Outside of Medbay | Wearing this | A Aston Jacobs , +Open​

He pulled her in for a hug, her body willingly pulled the rest of the way into the embrace. Her eyes squeezed tight, still trying to hold away the tears. Not for Ashton because he'd seen her at her very darkest and worst but because of others. His words pierced through. I've missed you more, Katrine had heard the man say, making her hold on a little tighter still. I think I'm gonna stay by your side for a while. The Witch laughed almost immediately, feeling the tears stream down her face without hesitation.​

Tears of joy and sadness. She was happy he was here, and he was going to stay, and she was sad because of the lives lost. Allies, Witches, breaking away from the past. Somewhere on Ryloth, she had felt him. For the first time in so long, Katrine hadn't felt the pull to go to him. Not since Eve, not since the mirror had shattered, not since the spell had been broken. When the spell that kept her emotions for Scherezade away had broken, Katrine felt the last of the ties to history break. She did not belong to the Lupine who had once sworn he'd always be at her side.​

Safe. She felt safe now, in the arms of her best friend. And she'd missed him so. "Pinky promise?" she muttered through the laughter and tears, looking up to see his face.​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Location:Medical Bay
Objective:????

He couldn't see her eyes upon the embrace, but he could for sure feel the pain from her. As she squeezed him tightly and he in turn returned the favor. There was pain there that didn't need to be verbally expressed. But between the Prince and the Queen, their emotions could definitely be sensed with one another. When he heard her laugh it was a sigh of relief to him, that she was still there. That Katrine Van-Derveld hadn't gone anywhere and this sense of newfound hope wasn't just a dream that could be taken away.

Aston looked to her as he wiped the tears from her eyes and she mentioned the words....

"Pinky promise?"​

He laughed and simply nodded his head as he raised a closed hand between them and holding out just his pinky to the Wolf queen. Aston was unsure if Katrine knew the hold that she held over him. It was quite cute at time and even perhaps silly. But it was something strong of a bond that couldn't ever be broken no matter what happened. And he would make sure she would know that forever.

"Always."

 

[Madalena Antares]

Location: Bacta tank aboard Nocte Aranea
Tags: Larentia Hanna Kyrinov

Realizing the presence of Larentia in the room, Madalena's eyes opened again. The glow of her eyes muddled somewhat in the water, and she wanted to smile, but she could not. Moving one's facial muscles could go against the healing process of the face, and she was pretty certain she'd been injected with a muscle relaxer to avoid it from happening. Why she could still control her eyes opening and closing she could only assume was because those parts of the face had been deemed safe.

She could feel the healing coming through the water. Again she wanted to smile, but in her current situation she could not even move her head to press her forehead against the cold glass.

Thank you, she sent to the woman. Larentia. Madalena was usually in the habit of knowing almost everything about the people who served the places she led. It had started with the Knights Obsidian, where she had known about everyone who signed up, what their histories were, who their closest of kin were, little tidbits that could make them feel appreciated when referred to. She was doing the very same, to the best of her abilities, with the Wild Hunt.

But Larentia had been an enigma from the start. She had joined them in the early days and then vanished for a spell, only to return little before the war for Ryloth's freedom and… And Siskeen. And Larentia… Was a Lupine. Madalena was well aware of the Lupine plight that everyone had been certain existed before more and more emerged. And the entire thing around Larentia… It seemed even other Lupines took her as just someone that existed, not someone that was a huge surprise or caused the same sort of gigantic reactions she had witnessed before. And all the Lupines seemed to be okay with that.

There was a mystery there. A deeper story. One day, Madalena hoped to learn what it was. For now though, Larentia was a fine warrior, and one that Madalena was happy to have back. Being on Siskeen had been important. Not a single person they had sent there had been wasted. But would the Warrior who mostly remained silent know that?

A touch. A move. Madalena shifted her eyes and saw Hanna , her own forehead pressed against the glass. Little Hanna. A tiny creature, with a heart and belief that dwarfed even the tallest people around her. She could hear her words, but she could not use her own mouth to answer back, could not touch the Qilin and let her feel that everything was going to be okay.

But there were other ways.

Fear not, she whispered into Hanna's mind, I can't speak right now. It will probably be some time before I can. And when I can, we will avenge those who are now floating outside of this ship, those who had nothing to do with it and were planned to die before we even left the Scintilla.

Planned. From the beginning, it had all been planned. The bombs had been set before they arrived on Siskeen for the delegations. The damage had been calculated. There had been no way to avoid it - even if they had not gone at all, there were no assurances that they could've dismantled the bomb on HOPE on time.

Fill your heart, she continued, trying to send a semblance of warmth to the girl, You were wonderful today. Discordia will be proud of you.

Another presence. Kyrinov . Madalena looked to him, saw him and Anath, and began to form words to send to him, when the scream was heard. The pain came rushing back instantly, the healing waters of Larentia no longer holding her. Through the drugs pumped into her system she could still feel it, the pain and the burning of her face.

She wanted to scream from the pain, to scream at him to stop, but there wasn't any sufficient power left in her body. The bacta tank did a lot of good work but it did not do magic. There was only so much it could take, and as the vibrations of the scream passed through her, Madalena's eyes, remaining open, rolled upwards as she lost consciousness, giving in to the painless embrace of darkness again.

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Aboard Nocte Aranea, Outside of Medbay | Wearing this | A Aston Jacobs , +Open​

Her tears were being cleaned away before they could even dry upon her cheeks. It made her smile just a little bit wider against the tears still coming. It seemed so long ago that she had run into him that day, trusted him even when she didn't really know him. Aston was a story growing up to Katrine before that day, Satara loved all her children so much but she regretted allowing him and Spencer to be taken away. It was why many of her stories included them despite her long life, despite so many things happening to her through the centuries, there were a few events that left such deep marks to her. Letting her children go into the unknown was most certainly one of them.​

Yet, all that didn't make Aston real, not until the day they met.​

Katrine had known right away she could trust him; even if she didn't know just how important he would become to her. The first best friend, the hero, the protector. Despite all she had been through, he still stood higher than most for all he had done for her, what he was to her. Aston was family, and not because he was the son of her ancestor but because he had earned her trust and love, never breaking it.​

Now, his presence made her relax, not cling to the heavy burden of her roles because, with Aston, Katrine was just Katrine. Whether her hair was purple, pink, or blonde; there was still a part of her that was that same girl he met on Dathomir. Just more. Broken and bent, repaired, and risen; she was certainly more than she had ever expected to be. It was a shame only that Aston wasn't there for the other times but it didn't matter, not really because he somehow always was.​

He raised his hand then, holding out the small finger out for her, making her laugh as her head tilted. A familiar scene, in a very different setting. There was no hesitation in her own hand coming to his, pinkies connecting for a quick shake. "Always," she returned before she felt a choking pain consume her, her other hand instantly holding on to A Aston Jacobs for support. The ichor inside her intensified the deeper the vessel moved through space, the bodies. The souls had left this world in agony, and she could feel them now. Suffering. Screaming. It burns. Katrine kept holding on to Aston as she felt it, nothing saving her from the distant voices crying out, frozen, floating. "Please," the Lupine managed a whisper. Never had she felt her mediumship so strong, so intense in feeling.​

 

[Larentia]

LOCATION: Aboard Nocte Aranea, inside Med-Bay
WEARING: Something Different, Something Clean
WIELDING: Taozin amulet
TAGS: Madalena Antares , Hanna , Kyrinov

Thank you, a voice entered her mind as she pushed more energy through the tank, a small smile, and wink directed towards the opened eyes. Save your strength, Larentia sent back a simple thought.

Her hands slowly moved from the tank when she heard Hanna 's question. "I hope so," Larentia answered truthfully. The spirits held the pain away but they hadn't been able to begin the healing process, so the time had been lost but hopefully with both technology and magic, such could be repaired and saved none the less. Time would tell, in the end. "It's healing." Her answer to the second question came abruptly as she felt the ping through her still lingering connection with Madalena Antares .

Scream. The Lupine turned, startled by the scream echoing through the Force from Kyrinov . "Enough. Our job isn't done yet. There'll be time for that." She found herself telling before her attention returned to Madalena within the tank, her lingering connection telling her she was in pain still.

How much time had been lost? Larentia couldn't help but wonder. Madalena Antares was something different, something beyond this world from what Katrine had told her. She had traveled beyond this realm and returned, only her face proof of it. Scherezade had once used the name Madalena and for a brief time Larentia had been with the Mandragora, she felt the same signature within the other girl as she now felt within Madalena as she was her. Now, they were different people. Larentia of all people could tell all this could be possible when she alone couldn't be here. Not when she was elsewhere in the galaxy all at the same time.

"Fight," Larentia finally demanded against the tank, pressing her palms into it again, sending more energy towards it. There was something special about the girl, something she couldn't fully understand. She had stood by the Nightmother, then Queen, when she did not. She proved worthy more than once. Larentia was not going to allow something like this to stop a fierce warrior. Never. "Survivors survive. Winners win. Now, fight," she demanded again as the healing energy passed form her into the tank. There were no more battles now, she could share far more energy now than she could have before.

 

[Jai'galaar Gred]

Jai hadn't left his bunk since the trip back started. He hadn't slept. He hadn't really done anything. He just couldn't unsee any of it. It haunted him like some tortured soul that wasn't content on passing into the afterlife. His hands shook as his pair of Strill did their best to comfort him. He just.... Jai shook his head, but then felt something. Something... that was almost seeming to try and comfort him. Jai looked around, not seeing anything, but then looked down and sighed. He needed to go see if the others were ok, but.... No. He was going to go check. He got up, his pets following as he finally left the bunk.

He would slowly walk out, finally making his way to the medical bay before looking around. He noticed Hanna and Kyrinov , along with someone he'd never met before ( Larentia ). Jai slowly walked in, then looked at the bacta tank, and shook a little. To be honest, he couldn't get past thinking that somehow it was his fault. He could've suggested another target, or at least argued that the Alter wasn't a good target. He could have.... He....

He looked down again, one of the Strill tried to comfort him again, while the other walked to the bacta tank, confused by the thing.

 

[The Bridesmaid]

Location: Aboard the Nocte Arenae
Tags: Madalena Antares | Kyrinov | Hanna | Larentia | Jai'galaar Gred


Death was uncomfortable close, and all around her. Morgan silently wandered on her own, trying to calm her mind. There were others near her, but most of them were busy handling their own grief and fears, which was a very understandable reaction. She'd never admit it, but she was shaking as well. The atmosphere around her was... depressing, at best. She knew what waited for her if she only dared to look outside, but she didn't. She walked around and not once did she look up from the ground. She just couldn't. She didn't have the will, and she didn't have the courage. Just knowing what was out there was bad enough.

She was still relatively new to all of this, and had never really experienced the aftermath of something this big. Sure, she'd seen plenty of people die before, but this... this was different.

And she hated it.

Eventually she gave up on trying to calm herself down. She couldn't even control her own breathing, so she had little hope of calming herself down. It was useless. She decided to join the others instead, hoping a little contact with people would help.

A little group had formed near some kind of glass tank. She initially looked up at it, but almost instantly averted her gaze. She didn't need to see what was inside. The concerning words spoken by some told her more than enough. She knew the woman inside, Madalena Antares . Morgan didn't know her that well, but Madalena had been one of the first to speak to her, and the one who actually recruited her into this. Because of that, knowing the woman was in there, and that she was injured... It gave her a feeling she wasn't particularly used to. She was worried. She was concerned. More unfamiliar feelings that she hated.

She looked around, trying to find a source of light, something to ease her mind, but found nothing. This day was absolutely awful.

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Location: Outside Medical Bay
Objective:????

He couldn't even begin to assume what Katrine Van-Derveld was going through at the current time. He knew for sure he was glad to bring a small feeling of happiness but compared to the momentous loss that she suffered. It didn't overshadow how she was feeling at this very moment. Long had he had traversed the galaxy trying to find a place to call home and a place to settle down. The more he looked the more it seemed to be just beyond his reach. And now two years had passed since he had last seen Katrine and now they were together once more. He never felt more at peace or at home then when he was with Katrine.

He felt her anchor on to him for support and he held on to her embrace as supportive and delicately as possible. Almost as if she was going to break if mishandled. Which wasn't the case, she was a lot stronger than she looked. She had been through so much, and his only regret was that he wasn't here to see her through all of it. But he was here now, and he wasn't about to go anywhere.

"Please,"

"Hey..." The soft tone of Aston's voice could be caught as he gently leaned his head against hers. "I'm right here."

It was enough to say that he wasn't going anywhere, his own force aura trying to blanket and negate some of the things she was feeling but his abilities had been hindered as of late. So he did the best that he could, and he was sure that would be enough at least in her eyes. Aston had often told himself it was time to fully harness his abilities as a force user. She needed him and he would be there for her.

Always.