TWINFERNO
SERIS VELMORA
Objective: III — Usurp the Legacy of Khomm
Location: Khomm Orbit — Approach to the Automated Cloning Installations
Equipment: Lightsabers
Tag: OPEN |
Darth Strosius
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Nerralyn Raaf
Well, that certainly sounded promising. Seris Velmora leaned forward as the transport's communications system relayed reports from the Sith forces already aboard the cloning installation. Blaster fire, casualties, increasingly dangerous genetically engineered soldiers, and an advance that was proving considerably more troublesome than the initial projections had suggested. In other words, exactly the sort of excitement she had been hoping for.
"Oh, they've already started without me!" There was genuine disappointment in her voice, though it was quickly replaced by a delighted smile. The tactical display identified a boarding force under the command of Darth Strosius. His troops had penetrated the installation and were fighting their way through its defenders, securing sections for engineering personnel to examine and salvage whatever technology might prove useful.
Seris studied the available information. The reports confirmed something she had suspected during the approach. The defenders weren't simply growing more numerous. They were becoming progressively more dangerous the deeper the Sith advanced. That was interesting. Very interesting.
A facility supposedly designed to manufacture the ultimate weapon against the Sith, yet its defenders appeared arranged almost as though they were inviting their enemies to test themselves against successive generations of increasingly capable opponents. She tapped a gloved finger against the display. "You're not just trying to keep us out, are you?" The question was directed toward the installation itself. Naturally, it offered no answer. "How rude."
She straightened as the transport began maneuvering toward an accessible docking position. It would have been easy enough to order the pilot to find an untouched section of the facility and begin an independent assault. There was certainly something appealing about being the first to uncover whatever secrets lay behind those armored bulkheads.
But that would also mean entering without the benefit of information already gathered by the Sith who had gone before her.
Darth Reign had been rather clear about the value of independent thought. And independent thought did not necessarily mean doing everything alone. Sometimes the cleverest thing one could do was allow someone else to discover where the traps were. Preferably before stepping into them oneself. Seris grinned at the thought. "Let's see if our friends are willing to share their discoveries."
She opened a communications channel directed toward Strosius's forces. "Darth Strosius, this is Seris Velmora. Apprentice to Darth Reign. I'm approaching the installation and understand you've already made yourselves quite unpopular with the locals." Her tone was cheerful, almost conversational, despite the distant sounds of battle occasionally filtering through the tactical frequencies. "I was hoping to join the festivities. I understand the defenders become increasingly unpleasant the farther you go, and I'd be very interested in seeing what makes them so special."
She paused briefly, considering how best to phrase her next words. "More importantly, I'd like to know whether you've noticed any particular pattern in their behavior. It seems rather convenient that they keep presenting stronger opponents instead of simply throwing everything they have at us." Her smile turned mischievous. "Of course, if you have a troublesome section that needs clearing, I'd be happy to make myself useful." She left the channel open for a response.
The transport settled into position with a muted metallic vibration, its docking systems beginning their connection procedures. Seris rose from her seat and rolled her shoulders, feeling the familiar anticipation gathering beneath her skin. Finally. She had spent enough time staring at tactical displays and listening to people discuss the dangers of the installation. There was only so much satisfaction to be found in imagining what waited beyond the airlock. She wanted to see it. Preferably up close.
Her hand brushed the lightsaber at her hip as she checked its fastening one final time. She had no intention of drawing it prematurely, though the temptation was considerable. A nearby crewman reviewed the environmental readings. "Atmospheric integrity is holding at the docking interface. Internal temperatures remain significantly below standard habitation levels. We recommend maintaining thermal protection until the environmental systems can be secured."
Seris wrinkled her nose. "Wonderful. Murderous clones and freezing temperatures. Someone really ought to teach these people how to entertain guests." She adjusted the thermal lining beneath her combat attire, then glanced toward the sealed hatch. There was something almost amusing about the contrast between her expectations and the reality of the mission. She had imagined fighting monsters. Instead, she was being asked to consider environmental hazards, tactical patterns, engineering teams, and the possibility that the enemy might be deliberately manipulating the Sith advance.
It was all terribly complicated. And, she had to admit, rather fascinating. Perhaps that was part of what her master had been trying to teach her. Power was wonderful. The ability to impose one's will upon an enemy was exhilarating. But recognizing what an enemy wanted, and then refusing to give it to them, could be every bit as satisfying.
She wasn't entirely convinced it would be as much fun as cutting something in half. But she was willing to experiment. The docking indicators shifted to green. Seris approached the airlock, stopping just short of the threshold while the crew completed their security checks. She could hear the faint mechanical hum of the installation beyond, accompanied by distant vibrations that might have been heavy machinery or the reverberations of combat. Her smile returned. "All right, then. Let's see what sort of trouble everyone has gotten themselves into."
She waited for confirmation of the route to Strosius's secured position, unwilling to blunder into an active firing lane simply because she was eager to begin. That much restraint, at least, she could manage. For now. Whatever the Khommites had created within their frozen laboratories, Seris intended to discover its secrets. And if the opportunity arose to test herself against one of their supposedly superior warriors? Well. She certainly wasn't going to complain.
