Rise of the Imperials [First Order Dominion of Yalara and Effekt]

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Darth Veles"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Wolf"] | [member="Isla Ashen"] | [member="Valessia Brentioch"] | [member="Skjold Alexeyev"] |

3/20

Avedia had not followed Avreet, and the other Knights of Ren, into the temple. Before the Mon Calamari had departed, she had said: "I will remain here. Someone will need to watch the entrance. And if you have not returned within a day, I will alert command that you and the others have gone missing." This seemed practical to her, and it suited her just fine. She had no real need to enter the temple, and her own safety was more important to her than discovering what was inside the temple. Indeed, if the Knights who entered survived, then she would discover what they found, regardless of her accompanying them for the trip. Playing off that she was watching their backs was her way of covering up the fact that she did not want to be put at risk. It was a sensible course of action.

 

[Zak Dymo]

Post 8 of 25
Objective 4: Are you afraid of the dark?
Gear: Primeval Light Infantry Armor | Warden Cloak | SE-44C Blaster Pistol | Amphistaff (Azi)

Beyond the wall was a courtyard.

It was small, containing what may have been, for a time, a shrine of some kind. As the small Pantoran made his way forward, he realized he was facing the side of some kind of larger structure. A temple? Clearly, a place of power.

Set into one side had been a ceremonial house or pavilion where, once, someone or something had been venerated. There was naught now but marble steps and bits of broken stone. Columns that had toppled over, broken in two, or crumbled to dust where they stood. Bits of rocks crunched underfoot, as the boy made his way up those timeless steps to arrive at what looked like a tiny house.

Stretching out his hands, the boy lifted up the roof. It crumbled at the touch, revealing an object within. Brushing the debris aside, the boy started to reach inside.

A shock, not physical, took him back a step.

There was a powerful enchantment of sorts at work here.

Taking a step forward, the boy more carefully reached in to lift up the contents of the house. As he did, dust and debris fell away from a book.

An actual book. Bound in leather, wrapped in twine. A jewel shard glowed with an unholy light, seemingly caught in the knot that bound the book together. He started to reach for that binding, and another ethereal shock caused him to withdraw the hand.

Whatever had been found here, there was more to this book than met the eye.

 

[Isla Ashen]

Objective 1
Post 4
Allies: [member="Avedia Lacroix"] [member="Boo Chiyo"] [member="Wolf"] [member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Skjold Alexeyev"], [member="Darth Veles"]

Isla continued to follow the Mon Cal, her emerald gaze narrowed slightly as they went along. This place had an air that could not be trusted, and her eyes would remain skeptical of their surroundings. There were times when her eyes played tricks on her, and her mind would jolt in response. But a moment of breathing and focus would tell her that these were only illusions. The Ren steeled her nerves, refusing to be fooled so easily...

Her boots came to a halt before a wall, a dead end standing tall and imposing in front of them. Isla crossed her arms, her eyes focusing on the back of Darth Veles’ dark robes. The way the Sith Lord stared forward seemed to say that there was something more here, something that was unseen to Isla. She turned her head to view the others, and then looked back to see the Mon Cal moving forward. It was a sight that the eyes would reject as seemingly impossible.

She slid her foot forward carefully, just to test the waters. Isla watched as Veles made his way across, he had not fallen away into the abyss yet, so the flame-haired Ren made her move. Each step was placed very carefully, walking the same path that the Sith Lord had. And finally, they had made it across and further into the cavern. Isla’s eyes were adjusting to the dark again, and she blinked as a strange sound rang out in the air. She turned in time to see ancient remains now falling onto the floor of the cave – where they found a new place to rest.

Isla spared no thoughts for the bones left behind, turning her focus back to following after Veles.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Post 6
Location: Temple of the Heaven Born
Allies: [member="Thresh Sken"] | [member="Saki lin"]

A strong bite of cold air ripped through the folds of Ciardha's black and silver cloak as he emerged at the top of the mountain-side steps that lead up to the Temple of the Heaven Born. Admittedly, the Ren could have simply taken his vessel to the mountain home of the 'Gods of Effekt', but he prided himself on maintaining physical conditioning whenever possible. There were a great many that spent so much time giving themselves over to the seduction of the Force, that their own physical bodies withered. Sure, he'd met many that simply allowed the Force to grant them unnatural strength and stamina, but that was a much easier feat when you weren't spending unnecessary amounts of energy just trying to compare to an individual of average health and strength.

One of the very few positive lessons he had learned from his father.

Following a deep inhale of air filtered through his mask, Ciardha exhaled steadily as his gaze fell upon the structure looming a few hundred meters in the distance. Though the edifice was no doubt designed to be impressive, Ciardha held little adoration for the various religions of the galaxy. He did, however, acknowledge that they served a purpose and could provide a great deal of strength. Casually, the Ren resumed his approach to the Temple. The structure would survive the day.

The inhabitants, however, would not.

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Location: Yalara
Post: 14/20
Objective: Space station development

Now that the meal of the bridge crew was over, and that Logistical Command's requested guests arrived to their destination, the Maersk of Lanteeb has to make its approach towards the station still under construction, albeit in its late stages. Consumables for thousands of workers (and later crewmembers), construction materials, starship components, anything the foremen of the construction site requested for the construction to be completed. Dunames, a little down because she failed to achieve her objectives in full, decided to dock at the same bay as she did the very first time she unloaded the prisoner workers at the station. But with the bulkier contents of the cargo Star Tours was tasked to haul on behalf of Logistical Command, Dunames knew that it would require more than just tug droids. As the materials get unloaded off the ship, she had to open the port unloading hatch for the materials to be unloaded. This time around there are no prisoners, nothing to be brought back to Dosuun, just the empty ship.

"Hexham Station, we're back with the remaining supplies needed to finish the station"

"Cleared to dock, docking bay 1"

"Roger, Hexham Station"

"There has been some issues with Logistical Command, please explain why you have fallen short of your objectives on Effekt"

"Navigational hazards"

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Post: 2/20
Objective: 2
[member="Valessia Brentioch"]

The Noghri princes weighed each other's reactions with a sidelong glance, before turning back to Vaas.

"Very well then, Imperial. We accept your honorable challenge. A fight to the death it shall be. Acceptable weapons will be as before. No Force powers-"

"You'll find no Force users among us," Ludolf interrupted Rovkhan. "Only soldiers."

"As you say," Rovkhan said. "No claws shall be used amongst my warriors. Acceptable weapons - vibroknife only."

By now the arena was teeming with excitement, knowing that blood would be shed on this day. It was almost difficult to hear Rovkhan's voice over the clamor coming from the gathered crowd, growing ever more boisterous. Ludolf could not see the King's expression from his box high above, but he imagined that the old Noghri was not pleased, knowing that his sons might very well die today in the sand pits below. Meanwhile, several Noghri servants presented one vibroknife to each combatant. Ludolf weighed the feel of the blade in his palm, turning it gently with a flick of his wrist. It had been some time since he had used a vibroknife, but his training as an Agent had familiarized him with the weapon greatly.

"Let our honor be tested on this day!" Rovkhan shouted, holding his blade high in the air, much to the delight of the crowd, which roared in response. "Let the greatest warriors triumph upon these sands in honorable combat!"

General Vaas turned to face the King of the Noghri high above, and held the vibroknife before him, bowing low. Then, he turned back to the King's sons, and assumed a fighting stance.

"May your blade chip and shatter."

Ludolf was confident in the abilities of the soldiers of the White Wolves, who all stood in a neat line behind him and prepared for combat. He could tell that his soldiers were aching to have their knives taste blood, and truth be told, the same desire arose in his heart. It was only another second before the Noghri warriors charged their ranks, and Vaas found himself toppled to the ground by a springing tackle from a Noghri, who sent his blade down towards his neck. His wrist was caught, and in less than a second, Ludolf's own vibroknife plunged itself into his chest cavity.

 

[Wolf]

Objective 1
Post 3
[member="Avedia Lacroix"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Darth Veles"] | [member="Mael Ren"] | [member="Valessia Brentioch"] | [member="Isla Ashen"]

The Mon Calamari Sith Lord who led them was skilled indeed. In fact, Wolf seemed to now be entirely reliant on him for guidance across this abyss, his mind attacked on all sides by illusions and obscured by a darkness that covered the ground. He muttered under his breath in frustration that he was so dependent on someone other than himself. He grit his teeth as he practically walked blind behind the Mon Calamari Sith Lord. Illusions still tried to eat their way into his mind, and Wolf had to focus and will them to cease.

He stopped for a moment as he caught sight of the remains of the guide's grandmother. It was a sad thing indeed, and Wolf was pleased to see the Sith Lord respectfully levitate her remains onto the cavern floor. We must be close now. What was left after this, Tavion's Triumph? Wolf could only wishfully think that what would be found there would be as positive as the name sounded. No doubt there would be something worse than anything they had encountered thus far.

Despite the slight apprehension at what was to come, there was a sense of excitement and surge of adrenalin too. This place was menacing, the darkness threatened to invade Wolf's mind at any moment, and yet he could not help but feel a sense of wonder just walking through here. Who devised this place? The Cult of Ragnos? They must have been quite adept at the Force and cunning to have come up with it. The power of the Dark Side was enticing, and despite Wolf's inexperience with the Force he could feel its seductive ebbs and flows. The Force was a wondrous thing that Wolf yearned to learn about and harness. As a soldier, it was not something he had thought about all too much, the Force was a distant and unreachable thing, but here, walking in the Dark Side's very midst, he wished he could have the knowledge and connection with the Force as the others with him had.

Wolf breathed a sigh of relief as they came to another cavern clearing, where he no longer had to rely on Darth Veles. He took a moment to stretch out again, putting his hands behind his head as he looked upwards, closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He had no doubt that the real challenges were still yet to come, as Tavion's Triumph lay ahead of them. And then, in the Temple of Marka Ragnos, what then? He could not help but feel a tinge of excitement and curiosity, his fingers toying with the hilt of his sheathed vibrosword as he wondered what they would have to face next.

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Post: 3/20
Objective: 2
[member="Valessia Brentioch"]

General Vaas stood up. The sun beat down on his bare shoulders as sweat cascaded down his face, sand from the arena caked along his back. His hand gripped his vibroblade tightly, now dripping with warm, red blood from the slain Noghri warrior below. The sand began to pool with red underneath his enemy's body, and all around him, there erupted similar displays of brutality. With a moment free from combat, Ludolf charged another Noghri warrior who had found himself atop one of the First Order's combatants. His bare feet crunched through sand as he ran, and he splayed his leg out as he jumped, his heel making contact with the Noghri's jaw as he slid into the fray once again. Now atop the enemy, Vaas wasted no time in plunging his weapon directly into the Noghri's heart, the alien's last violent gasps met with a dead stare from Ludolf's icy blue eyes.

Ludolf stood again. The crowd had roared at the sight of the carnage, but soon the boisterous Noghri crowd began to decrescendo into near silence as it became apparent that their warriors were on the losing side. Catching his breath, General Vaas did his best to wipe the sweat from his face, which only mixed with the droplets of his enemies' blood and smeared his cheeks with red. He looked over each shoulder to survey the destruction. In the space of about five minutes, the soldiers of the White Wolves squadron had lost two men dead in the ensuing battle, while a full eight of the Noghri had been slain. There were only two of them left; the prince brothers, Khanvir and Rovkhan.

The eight surviving members of the White Wolves surrounded the warrior princes of the Noghri, moving in like predators for the kill. Still, the two Noghri princes displayed no sense of fear, rather using their faster-than-normal reflexes to meet each attack as it came. One of Ludolf's men rushed Khanvir and found his thrusting knife parried, followed by a swift movement that buried the Noghri's knife deep into the soldier's back, killing him. Another attack resulted in Rovkhan thrusting his knife upward, piercing through the skull of another one of the White Wolves. Ludolf attempted to capitalize on the Noghri's distraction, but found the alien's foot meeting him in the stomach, sending him reeling back.

Down to six men, including Ludolf, the General spat into the sand, readied himself again, and called out to Rovkhan.

"Fight me, warrior prince."

The Noghri needed no convincing, wasting no time in charging Ludolf with his vibroknife. A thrust was parried by Ludolf, but a fierce kick to his gut once again sent the General down. Rovkhan mounted the falling General and sent his knife towards his chest, with Ludolf barely able to grab the alien's wrist and prevent his vibroknife from sinking between his ribs.

"Die, Imperial... die..." The Noghri hissed as he forced his vibroknife lower.

 

[Saki lin]

She looked to the men as she listned to [member="Thresh Sken"] talk as she let a sigh put and her cool exterior slid back over and her saber shut off as she looked to him"you've learned well from him as we both shall...they shall be spared...now then...we need to get to where the leaders are hiding...thresh if you would please be so kind as to push our guide along we have some leader to meet

With that she started walkimg...towards the center where the dark side just pulled her....what was going on here? From all that she has read she couldn't figure it out one bit....it was annoying yet gave her something to look for and she would find the cause of it...

Post 8

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

First Imperial Vessel Ree
Conquering in Her Name...
Management: [member="Natasi Fortan"]
Subordinates: Me
Objective: 2 - Noghri, No Yield

"Noted," marked Valessia on her tablet as she followed after the Grand Moff, whilst tugging at her uniform. The thick black uniform reflected against the floor of the bridge. Holographic displays and projects were at Natasi's fingertips, as the pale looking woman studied them. The representative listened and made a note of having the early detection system placed further out to ensure that they would not be caught off guard, "I'll speak with our Admirals today then." She remarks wanting to make sure that their defenses would be more than enough that the moment the Alliance thought to step into this sector of space they would regret every single kilometer with their entire being.

"Of course Grand Moff," she once again noted and updated schedules and rosters.

Valessia didn't raise a brow, they were both women of ego, "they should be delighted to even be in your presence." And then worked in a response, "might I advise taking one of our own shuttles? I've got one prepped for you in the hangar." The noblewoman of Brentaal IV replies. "If you're thanking me now, wait until we get to Ryoone." There was a bit of a smirk there tugging at the corners of her lips, Ryoone had been her special little project for quite some time. "I've informed Hexham of your acceptance, Captain Mahon will be greeting us personally."

Inside the Ruined Temple of Ragnos
Tracing the Past...
Party Members: [member="Darth Veles"], [member="Mael Ren"], [member="Isla Ashen"], [member="Avedia Lacroix"] , [member="Boo Chiyo"], [member="Wolf"] ; Knights of Ren
Guide: Helen Moxis, Grandaughter of Vianta Moxis
Objective: 1 - Vianta's Last Expedition

By now the Knights of Ren were now on their own, facing either what they believed to be Tavion's Triumph or perhaps their own doom. Helen Moxis as it were, was now busy working to retrieve the body of her grandmother Vianta. She knew that the Knights of Ren would want to make for the holocron as quickly as possible, "p-pl-please, can one of you help me? Her body, it's down there." She points, and far down below laid the body of an older woman. Crooked, broken and disgusting at first glance and as you looked at her, and studied her something might trouble you.

Even for a dark sided warrior or those aligned with the Sith. Her jaw, her jaw was open and exposed, something ate her. Something, was still down here, and you could hear it grumbling - was it the same noises from earlier? Perhaps, only those with a high enough perception might be able to make it out. The plateau before the Knights began to grow or was it all in their imagination. Whoever had perished here did not wish for the holocron to be found at all. Unsightly images from the past, but who's past? Vianta's? Alora's? Desann's? Yours? Tavion Axmis had over come quite a lot to even attempt the raising of the great Sith Lord Marka Ragnos, and to who were these - who were you, you Knights of Ren.

Daring to intrude on such a sacred ground? You mock the Dark Jedi but you do not them all, you judge them with blanket statements. Before the Knights and the rightful markings of the path of Triumph a large chasm began to grow, rifting, and tearing apart, shaking. The sound from earlier grew louder and it was more painful to the ears of those sensitive of hearing. The doubts from earlier were now manifesting and if one thought they had been in a labyrinth before, well now they truly were. For now, they must find comfort in their own teachings and perhaps each other as the chasm grew and the monstrous noise from earlier could be heard.

"Pleeeeaaasse," Helen cried out and suddenly the woman who had claimed to have been Helen Moxis was not Helen Moxis at all, but a - a thing, a demon perhaps, a monster for sure who now shrieked like a banshee and disappeared into the force itself, or at least. That's what it looked like, and before the Knights of Ren, the true bodies of those who died here could be seen. As if someone among their number had triggered a trap, a trap of the soul, ghastly bodies began to emerge from the chasms.

Helen the She-Devil, Banshee or whatever she was now, shrieked and ran straight toward those who were acolytes, apprentices, and padawans those who were just starting their journeys. The entity was not a corporeal being at all, and thus required a different approach to attack.

Beneath the Surface, Yalara Dam
In Your Bones...
Team: @Sentiri , [member="Rick Müller"]; First Order Security Bureau
Escorts: Ghosmal of Clan Edvir, and Zamassir of Clan Skikh
Enemies: Gnashers // Nature
Objective: 3 - Imperial History 1304

Thankfully for the human male, the guide's staff hit just the right spot on the temple of the Alpha and brought him down. "Quickly," Ghosmal said to him and the blue woman, "before he rises for when he does he shall summon the horde of Gnashers and we will not be enough to withstand them." The woman and her cousin Zamassir make haste for the once dominate tower of Yalara Dam, now it was overcome with earth and flora. The water roared just beside the group as Ghosmal led the way inside, where somehow the old Imperial dam had withstood a tremendous force.

Cracks, splinters of steel in the wall could be seen going all the way down to where rock met the man made duracrete. Imperial Remnant architecture was obvious here, as were the eyes of the creatures around them. "Down this way and across the bridge," Ghosmal pointed out, "Zamassir and I shall stand guard for you but we will not cross that bridge."

The guides wouldn't say why, just that they refused to cross it. The bridge itself didn't look too shabby, looked well intact actually. From the bridge, you could see the power plant although now it no longer functioned one could see the scattered remains of both Noghri, Human and Droid all rotting where Yalara had claimed them. Various stages of decomposition could be seen as well as the animals that now lived far below the bridge where the work room and power generators were.

Beyond the bridge was a door, rusting off of its own hinges but still sealed shut. On the left, you could practically touch the rushing waters, and to the right, you swore you could make out the faint line of what looked to be a hangar door but at this point in its age, it could also have been another splinter caused the shifting of the Earth. Lights didn't quite work anymore, and the only source of illumination came from above you where the sun was pouring through.

In fact, as you looked above, you could almost make out some sort of winged creature, a very large one with smaller ones around it, resting...

Mal'ary'ush, Yalara
Gathering of the Clans.
Allies: [member="Roderik von Brinkerhoff"], [member="Aram Kalast"], [member="Ludolf Vaas"], [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"], [member="Asharad Graush"], [member="William Kerkov"], [member="Greta Kohler"], [member="Nils Brenner"], [member="Pierce Fortan III"]
Opponents: The Grand Clans of Mal'ary'ush; Ikunhr, Edvir, Abikhaim
Objective: 2 - Noghri, No Yield
Post: 5 // ??

Rovkhan the proud as he shouted to all in the Arena, "and you would have us bow to these dogs!" He looked to his men who stomped to the ground goading the White Wolves to them. "Tell me, Imperial, should we simply forget how your kind has treated us? Or should we step back into the annals of History?"

Norvak watched from his private box, and shook his head. He knew that the Imperials could have wiped them from the Galaxy but they were being shown mercy here. His daughter Xankora whispered into his ears, "Kallus Shoame of GenTech has arrived father, he wishes to discuss a deal with you."

"Kallus Shoame is a coward, child." Norvak told his daughter, "you tell Kallus Shoame that he must answer to the victor of these games, not me."

Before Xankora could utter but a word to her father, there were loud shrieks from the boxes and alarms throughout the Arena. All one could see were blaster bolts being fired into the various boxes around the arena, as forces from GenTech could be seen arriving throughout the Arena.

A body was tossed from the window, of the Great Clan Chief's box, and it was the body of Norvak. "FATHER!" Rovkhan shouted, "we shall battle another day Imperial, but if you have any honor on your body you will assist me!" The Noghri prince and his men made a break for the body of the Great Clan Chief as a loud uproar throughout the arena could be heard and the once indifferent arena was now turning hostile toward the Imperials. Rovkhan looked to the people around him and though he wanted to mourn his father he knew their ways, "NOGHRI BROTHERS AND SISTERS! It is clear that there is a traitor among us-"

"You!" Shouted a royal guard, "her princess Xankora barely lives and yet she speaks your name as the traitor!"

"This is blasphemous! Why would I lead these boshtets here?" He demanded to know as he knelt to the body of his father.

Khanvir from the back of the Arena, "was it not you who said we should not host these games, was it not you the voice of doubt among our number, Rovkhan? You would so dishonor our father as to wish our Imperial friends ill? You have the motive of bringing death to our home!"

Kallus Shoame from above, "yes do tell them Rovkhan how you made me a deal, that I could assist you and the First Order in exchange for my asylum here?"

The man had once been the head of GenTech of Kal'Shebbol prior to the Kathol Outback and their Underground friends instigating a hostile takeover of the planet. "Should I show them our agreement Rovkhan?"

"No! No! I would do-"

"Take him away!" Khanvir ordered, and looked to Ludolf Vaas, "I apologize Marshall Vaas, but as you can see we must forfeit these games. I will sign our planets agreement to your Empire's accords, you will have our planet, but our loyalty..." He directs his arms to the stadium, "might be harder to come by."

---

---

---

To those above, high in the stars - both the Starfighters and the Navy they would find unexpected guests to interrupt their games, that until now had been going rather smoothly. At least until GenTech arrived in their vessels. "Oh isn't this delicious not a ship above 1200m," Captain Dancause remarked, "and what of their starfighters, Lieutenant Hendrickssen?"

"Smaller in number than ours, Captain, shall I dispatch them?"

"Of course, you should." Captain Dancause laughed, and then opened a channel, "Kallus Shoame, m'lord we've just arrived above Yalara. What are your orders?"

... "Kill them all."

Meanwhile, High Colonel Graush and Lurgok had been trekking through the desert hoping to reach the plains of blood. Both the High Colonel and Lurgok could see the other but the further they got the more of a mirage they seemed to be and then as if it was a dream, a blaster bolt? Where did it come from?

GenTech tanks began to roll across the desert...

 

[Thresh Sken]

Post 9
Location: Kullcor
Allies: [member="Ciardha Ren"] [member="Saki lin"] [member="Miles Cormin"]

I was glad Saki lin decided to spare the men. We needed something to distinguish ourselves from the Sith, and a lack of needless killing seemed to fit the bill. Besides, these men could serve the First Order with proper training. They would become keepers of order and peace, instead of resistors. I frowned. But how to keep them here? I looked at the trees next to us in the woods. Surely there must be some vines around here... There. On a tree a few meters away. "Over there, all of you!" I barked, pointing to the vine-covered tree. The men moved quickly.

I reached out in the Force, feeling for the vines. I had used a skill like this before on small plants, but could I do it on larger ones? I found a thick, long vine rooted around a tree. That would serve the occasion perfectly. I encouraged new vines to sprout from the base of the plant, snaking towards the men. As it became more difficult to guide multiple at once, I almost lapsed in concentration. I reached out towards the Dark Side nexus for power, needing it to sustain my concentration. The vines' growing speed doubled. I guided them around the feet of the men, who started to cry out and try to shake loose. But I already had them. I quickly wrapped the vines around their arms, to keep them from struggling. It was a distraction. I infused the plants with more energy, to grow stronger and thicker and faster. When I was finally satisfied that the bindings would hold the men, I stopped.

I had corrupted the vines in my use of the Dark Side, turning them a dark brown, almost black color with unnatural streaks of red and orange tracing the veins of the plant. It would hold for a while yet. The Dark Side might kill the plants, but all I needed them was for temporary chains.

"Let's go" I said to Saki lin, gesturing for our guide to go ahead of me. Over the tops of the trees, I could see the tip of a mountain poking the sky. I lowered myself in the Force momentarily. Yes. That was our destination. I could feel it.

 

[Komo]

Objective 2
Post 3
[member="Roderik von Brinkerhoff"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Nils Brenner"]

After all the introductions, Greta watched and waited as their commander began the briefing presentation. The room dimmed as the main holographic display became the focus of everyone's attention in the room. Although this was to merely be an expedited briefing, she knew that she would have all the information she needed for whatever came ahead. She had full confidence in Captain Roderick. As her name came up, mentioning that she would be leading flight group four, the young woman simply nodded in acknowledgement. That was no problem, no problem at all. As volunteers was called for round two, her hand was not raised, although she knew who would no doubt be involved in is. Pierce Fortan III.

As the briefing slowly came to and end, they were dismissed to head to their own fighters, and she was about to do so when alarm klaxons sounded through every compartment of the ship. Greta had no idea what was going on, but whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Were they under attack? Did the Noghuri betray us?

 

[Darth Veles]

Objective 1
[member="Avedia Lacroix"] [member="Boo Chiyo"] [member="Wolf"] [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Mael Ren"]

Ghastly visions assaulted his mind with renewed vigour, distinguishing reality from illusion no longer an easy task. When the physical world started to twist and warp, as if swallowed by the monstrous abyss, the amphibian dropped on his knees and closed his large eyes. Focus became paramount to success, for he needed to reclaim his own mind first, raise a barrier to protect his thoughts before rushing to action.

No matter what sort of enemy he would have to face, be they of this world or straight from the Void itself, the Sith Lord needed to be ready, for there would be no time for that during the battle. Hatred swelled within him, a burning furnace to vaporize anything that did not belong into the Darth’s mind. Alien suggestions, memories, feelings. All had to be purged indiscriminately, Adrenaline pumped through the Mon Cal’s veins and freed him from the outer shackles that threatened to stop him. The Sith Lord refused to be played by a Dark Jedi.

A terrible screech violently tore Veles from his meditation, his enhanced sense of hearing cooking a truly painful experience for the amphibian. Frowning, the Mon Calamari immediately immersed himself in the Dark Side again, driven by urgency. One warning after another flooded his mind, the Force in complete chaos, same as his surroundings. There was no time to pay attention to the knights of Ren and how they opted to battle this sudden and unexpected change.

When Veles’s form rose up from the meditation, one curved lightsaber hilt flung itself into his open palm. During the time his eyes darted from one corpse to another in a silent, calculating study, a hiss momentarily overpowered other sounds and marked the ignition of the Mon Cal’s weapon. Blood red light washed away the shadows and painted a crimson hue over the monstrosities.

Controlled hatred burned inside his gaze, staring down the restless spirits. A challenge for them to come and face him, a true Sith, if they dared!

 

[Progflaw99]

Location: 100th Fighter Squadron Ready Room
Objective: 2. Noghri, No Yield
In Vicinity: [member="Roderik von Brinkerhoff"] | [member="Greta Kohler"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Valessia Brentioch"]
Post: (3)
-----------

Before the briefing had begun in earnest, he'd gotten to meet another of their Cadre, Greta Kohler. He couldn't help but smile as the woman introduced herself, she seemed enthusiastic to be assigned here. He'd nodded politely and returned the greeting.

"Lieutenant Kohler, nice to finally meet you, I've only heard good things!"

He gave his fellow pilot a sly wink as he turned back to his flight. They'd be getting settled in and it looked like the brief was about to start. He looked around the room quickly and took a seat in the front row as the lights dimmed and the briefing began. Throughout it, he'd taken notes, jotted down ideas, even managed to draw a squiggly line on the side of his notebook. It seemed all pretty routine, nothing like the pirates they'd had to deal with in the past. These were wargames, nothing more. Either way, the chance to be in the cockpit never failed to excite him. As the briefing came to an end, Nils waved his flight off to their ships, he was going to catch them, just after he managed to catch up to Pierce. He grinned. The man had his enthusiasm, and that was comforting.

"You can count me in on round two! I'll see you gentlemen on the other side!" he said, knocking Pierce's arm playfully.

As he turned to leave the briefing room his eyes and ears were assaulted by the klaxons, sirens piercing the general calm of the moment before. He noticed everyone had just been getting ready to head to their fighters, Lieutenant Kohler in the jumble of pilots now frantically piling out of their seats and heading for the doors. He didn't have to wait for an explanation, he forced his way through the small crowd, grabbing Kohler's hand on the way out. The 100th needed to get in their ships and fast, looking back over his shoulder, he saw his flight following as the mass exited the briefing room and headed for their TIE's.

"Let's get outta here, time to button down!"

As soon as they broke through the doorway into the corridor, he released his grip on Greta and started heading down the corridor. Thankfully he'd prepared and was already in his flight gear, he'd be able to head straight to his ship. Making a bee-line to the hangar where the ships where suspended, he quickly walked through the catwalks, seeing a flurry of activity down on the main floor as well as additional flashing lights. Something serious must be going on, they never sounded those alarms except for drills... or contact. Excitedly he made his way down the ladder, sealing his cockpit behind him. Taking a seat in the pilot's chair, he started his pre-flight prep checking things off mentally as he hurried through it. He made sure to be thorough, as he always was, despite the urgency. It wouldn't do to muck it up and cause an in flight catastrophe. He always did his pre-check with his helmet off, just a part of his secret ritual before a flight. If anyone questioned him about it he'd likely tell them, but for now he performed his ritual in the relative privacy of his cockpit.

With a deep breath, he donned the helmet, ensuring his suit was sealed and hooking up the oxygen system with a hiss. Now he was ready. The ship's console hummed to life as he flipped switches and set up his HUD. Soon enough he was sure the sitrep would be broadcast to the pilots, till then, he'd wait patiently and check on his flight, they weren't far behind.


OOC: Oops, didn't realize that this is the one were weren't posting on anymore. Sorry!

 

[Visser Chernykh]

Post VII
[member="Wolf"] | [member="Darth Veles"] | [member="Valessia Brentioch"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Isla Ashen"] | [member="Avedia Lacroix"]

Mael Ren had thought he'd left the past behind him. Buried in the rubble of a collapsed tunnel on Vortusa. As dead and buried as the Gorgodon had been. He'd been certain he would die too when the blackness crept in around the edges.

How welcoming death had been. How warm and soft like the embrace of a mother. Three days of cold and darkness with hunger gnawing. Three nights plagued with visions of a life left behind.

He'd welcomed the black velvet embrace. He'd fallen into it while smiling contentedly. Waking days later had not brought him any joy. Only a resignation that he must go on.

No more dreams had come when he'd immersed himself once again in service. That had been a great relief. Cold and hunger and pain had not been the greatest tortures. Rather the bitter memories and emotions had.

Now they came again to torment him. He couldn't remember the faces of anyone from his past. Not without seeing their disgust in his failures. Their eyes too were filled with accusations of betrayal for what he'd become.

He saw it all without really seeing. Mael hadn't even felt the warm stream of tears beneath the mask. So he didn't see the apparitions rise out of the stone at first. They were nearly on top of him before he knew.

An ethereal hand had begun to reach for him. The freezing cold could be felt even in the wight's wake. It brought him back and his reaction was born of years of martial training. Stepping back he brought up his hands.

A wave of Force energy surged out. The apparition let out a piercing shriek as it was sent hurtling back into the stone. Mael could scarcely believe his eyes when it merged with walls. He whirled as he heard the scream of some demented thing.

His right hand fell to his lightsaber. In an eye blink he stood ready with crimson blade humming. Both hands grasped the familiar alloy hilt. Rage had overtaken his grief now.

His eyes glowed sulfurous yellow above the streaks of tears. His mouth was peeled back into a silent snarl. Mael was convinced these things were somehow connected to the memories coming back. He would make them suffer, all of them....