Dominion Slither Onto the Grill | TSE Dominion of Trian

[Sith Dominance]

Slither Onto the Grill

It is an age of order among chaos for the Sith Empire. Sieged on all fronts save for one, the attention turned inward. Rooting out traitors, solidifying their hold on the worlds they still held. Regrouping and preparing for the eventual return of the war. But traitors are often slippery. One such group has escaped Sith Imperial space to hide on the forest world of Trian. They cannot be ignored, for they hold secrets that are meant to stay secrets. Find them. Silence them.

For The Empire.

Objective 1

​

The traitors have been located in one section of the forest. Imperial forces have cut off any route for their escape, but the exact location is unknown. Scour the woods, leave no stone unturned. Kill them all.

Objective 2

​

Local Trianii speak of the delicacy that is the local serpents. Some are interested in trying it for themselves. The catch? You hunt what you want to eat. Hunt the giant serpents of the Trian forests and see just how delicious they actually are.

Objective 3

​

Lead by their Yu'nar, the Trianii are naturally wary of the Empire's appearance on their world. Meet with their leaders. They are a strong and spiritual people. Perhaps they can be brought into the Sith and the Empire.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective 1: Death to the traitors
Location: Somewhere in the fething forest
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tags:
-------------------------------------------------

It was not often in recent days that Alisteri found tranquility in combat.

Actually, it was almost never.

Right now was an exception though. A very...therapeutic exception.

The war had taken a toll on him, as loathe as he was to admit it. It wore him down, tired him out to the point that he eagerly welcomed a break. Helping to bring a new planet into the Empire had been that break that he sought. Unfortunately, there just so happened to be traitors hiding there. Well, not unfortunate for him.

One affect of the war was that the Acolyte had gained a taste for blood, both figuratively and very literally.

And now, he was in a forest full of bloodbags that begged to be put down. A heck of a break if I do say so myself. Alisteri slipped his mask back on, idly glancing down at the drained of a traitor before his gaze turned back to the forest around him. "I suppose I had better get back on the hunt, don't want to give them a moment of rest."

He sent the coordinates of his position to the main Imperial forces around the area before igniting his lightsaber and rushing off deeper into the forest. The hunt had barely begun, and he intended to make it short.

 

[Tara Willows]

Objective One: Find Them
Darth Strosius

Chasing traitors. Why was she being tasked with this same mission again? She'd just finished rooting out turncoats on Kraysis Two. Now she was here on Trian doing the same. The white haired Sith was tired of doing jobs like this because of one reason. She hated killing. That wasn't to say she wouldn't do it, but when it came to her own people she wished there was a diplomatic solution to things. Yet they always ended in aggressive negotiations. Her saber had gotten its fill of blood these past few months.

There was a reason Trian was no place for the young woman known as Tara Willows. Snakes. Tara was terrified of them. Terrified! Her brothers and sisters were actually out there hunting them. Tara would have no part in that mission. She'd take the traitors over snakes any day. It just seemed like there was never any winning.

"I'm at the meeting point, Master." Tara was speaking to Alina Tremiru via her G1 Omnilink holo-communicator. She'd learned to always report in to Alina after her mistake with the pirates. "One of our own has already rushed in. I will stay back with the men as they comb through the trees."

With that, the Siren slid her G-1 back into its wristband, thus ending conversation with her master. She turned to her men behind her, Imperial Legionnaires dressed in green camouflage for combat in the forest. This was important to note as Tara had actually called Alina her master. She never did this when they were alone; Alina's orders.

"On my mark, soldiers. Spread out and fan the treelines for any sign of our runaways."

The men saluted and would charge their weapons. She knocked twice on the ground with the blunt end of her Red Lightsaber Pike signalling for the men to head out. They started to march in and Tara would follow with the staff in her hand like a walking stick. At her side, her trusted Double Bladed Collapsible Lightsaber Hilt and on her other hip a PV-16 Sunfury Pulse Pistol. Just in case. Tara was well equipped and fairly armored with her Viper Mk 1 Skinsuit under her normal Sith attire. She would one day get a full suit of armor, but that was too clanky for her tastes. She liked her freedom to move and fight.

Spoiler: LOADOUT

I T E M S ​

GEAR

• Weapons
  • Double Bladed Collapsible Lightsaber Hilt
  • Red Lightsaber Pike
  • PV-16 Sunfury Pulse Pistol
• Tara's Sith Armor
  • Body Glove
    • Viper Mk 1 Skinsuit
  • Utility Belt
    • SV-5 "Phanes" Class Suvival Kit
    • Phase III "Force Avenger" Energy Shield
  • Communication Device
    • G1 Omnilink

VEHICLES

• Omnicron-Class 0-1 Imperial Shuttle
  • Crew
    • OMYN-Series Battle Droid
    • Latero Male: Guff Kinto
• Emeici Sith Imperial Shock Speeder Bike (x2)

 

[Marrow]

Objective II: Partake of the forest's serpentine bounty.
Tags: [OPEN TO YOU SILLY GEESE]

Standing tall and proud within a brightly-lit clearing inside the great forests of southern Trian, Cerritus' sinewy form was adorned in the typically idiosyncratic purple attire he favoured and a "Kiss the Chef" apron inexpertly modified to read "Kiss the Chef's Feet".

Before him, a wood-fuelled grill and the unfortunate soul(s) condemned to work alongside him for whatever reason.

"Greetings and salutations unawakened ones, today is a day of feasts! I have not yet decided whether it is in celebration or mourning but will keep you posted as the situation develops. As the cat-folk of this world are most unappetising, we will be hunting snakes! The larger the better!"

Glancing meaningfully towards his heating but otherwise woefully empty grill, the message was clear enough. The Mad Magus was growing hungry and something would be eaten - ideally not some Acolyte or another, but beggars can't be choosers.​

 

[Lark]

​

Deep within the heart of the forest, a scarlet shadow waited. A sentinel amongst the fog, whose heartbeat was as still as stone. A gargoyle perched atop the dewy branches, with a sight that rivaled the most nocturnal denizens of the night. One who understood the ephemeral mystery of the marsh. One who had bathed in its amber waters and slept within its hallowed nests. Yes, here in the marsh was one who knew the haunted locus for what it really was. A place out of time, a place of solitude. A land that would swallow death in a matter of days before forgetting it entirely. Almost holy in it's atmosphere, the swamp was a monolith for what nature should be. Cold and unforgiving, yet nurturing and full of life.

But there lay within it now a few rats that did not belong.

They sought refuge in a place that did not play favorites. Traitors not only towards the Sith, but heathens who dared defile the sanctity of a realm so untouched and unknown. A land that was somehow defined by both peace and chaos. Such pollution was unforgivable, the stain that tainted these murky soils required cleansing.

So Lark began his hunt, silent as the most ancient ghost as he haunted the forests of Trian. The air around him was hauntingly quiet, almost absent of sound. The turncoats never lived long enough to make a sound when he descended upon them. The young acolyte did not disturb the frogs as they croaked, nor did flocks of egrets fly away in alarm at his approach. A dozen bodies lay broken and bloodied following the trail Lark left, and the marsh would continue as it always had.

To Lark, this land was home.

For the traitors, it was the end of the world.

Darth Strosius Tara Willows Alina Tremiru

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest, Trian
Objective: Fry Heretics!
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

There was no shortage of heretics, within and without the Empire, assailing it from multiple fronts across space even as the omnicidal threat of the Bryn'adûl wormed out from the depths of Wild Space. Amidst the seemingly perpetual conflicts, the Sister was but a single Sith Apprentice, one among thousands tasked with defending her Eternal Father’s Empire. However, she was distinct owing to the fact that the Eternal Father was also her master. She was among the lucky few to be directly trained by the most powerful Sith in the history of the order. Nevertheless, she was not exempt from the trials. Like every other young, up and coming Sith, she had to prove her worth in fire, especially now, in such desperate times. However, unlike many others, the Sister knew almost nothing else but the war. She was a strandcast, a child in a metaphorical sense of the Third Imperial Civil War. Beings like her had been created to replenish the ranks of the Sith Order with New Sith, ones utterly loyal and obedient to him, the Dark Father of the Empire.

In seeing the heresy and cowardice propagated by so many of the traditional, natural born Sith, the Sister had begun to feel that her kind was superior.

Within the forests of Trian was her next trial, another sect of heretics and their traitor legions seeking to break the Empire from within.

Here, they would meet their end.

Her fingers crackled with electricity as she stalked through the forest, quickly coming up on a group of traitor Legionnaires wearing repainted armor to symbolize their loyalty to a new master, Darth Sris, a former Lord of the Sith Order. Tiny as she was, the Legionnaires failed to see her as she projected her Lightning towards the group, immediately seizing a trio of soldiers in a miniature storm of electricity, cooking them from inside out. Upon seeing the smoking forms of their comrades, the others responded immediately with blaster fire leveled in her direction. However, her energy shield came up just in time to intercept it. In turn, more electricity was cast forth from her fingers, delivered unto the heretics with unceasing fury.

After a few moments, six more had fallen to her fulminations, their forms emanating smoke and smelling oddly like cooked bantha steak.

However, there was one survivor.

The man whimpered pathetically, his body seizing, yet his eyes still bearing the glint of awareness as the tiny electromancer approached. He looked at her with a pleading gaze, his words slurred, yet clear as he spoke, desperately beseeching her for mercy.

And she gave it to him.

The tiny electromancer gave the man a brief glance, then a soft huff, her expression unsympathetic and indifferent, as if the now-helpless soldier was not worth her time. She let the man hobble off, knowing that he would in all likelihood disappear instead of calling for reinforcements, as the dishonor in having failed to fight until the end would render him unable to return to his allies.

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[Kesran Opadal]

Location: Trian
Objective 1: Wash out the Traitorous stain
Tags: Darth Strosius Tara Willows Lark


Kesran crouched and stepped underneath a large hanging branch. Once past, he stood back up and scanned his surroundings. He was here for one purpose, and one purpose only.

Cleanse this world of treacherous scum, traitors.

Kesran had dealt with similar situations such as this and found it a somewhat useful usage of his time if nothing else. There are always going to be those who must be silenced.

Tasks like these weren't the best use of his time, but until his master reappeared to resume his training, there was a limited amount of things to do. Luckily he had spent some time falling in favor with a few influential Sith-Imperials, including the great naval tactician, Moff Drybis Lyken . Their alliance and partnership would most definitely prove extremely useful in the years to come. Especially with the Sith Empire set upon from all sides. Jedi, New Imperials, Galactic Alliance, along with the two newer Sith factions, the Warlords and the Eternal.

It was true, the Sith Empire was beginning to crumble. With both the Empress and Dark Lord presumed missing. Lets just say, many were certainly unnerved and especially more so with the other galactic powers moving in and successfully taking system after system.

Kesran was no doubt keeping his eye on the other two Sith factions. He could see the pros and cons of each, as well the Sith Empire itself. At moment, he would not openly declare for one or the other and presume a neutral stance while still technically serving the Sith Empire. He did not know of where the Empress was and constant rumblings of her father didn't help with matters. As for the Dark Lord, well.....

Kesran, being his apprentice, had been "contacted" a few times. At first he thought it was something mechanical, but he soon realized that it was neurological. From what he gathered, his master had been communicating with him telepathically from wherever he was in the galaxy. However, he had only done it a few times and Kesran only heard a few sparing words. Still, Kesran was convinced that his master was no doubt still around and would hopefully return.

While he now waited for the eventual return of the Dark Lord, who was the only Sith he would consider himself to be aligned to, Kesran would now spend the time attempting to do what he could to stop the cracks from spreading within the Empire. He did however begin to realize that the eventual collapse was inevitable, and instead, began to focus on building a power base and still joining in the wars when he could. All the while, waiting for any word from his master.

He would do what he could while slowly building up his power base. It would take time, but he knew with his young age, he would have enough.



Kesran walked through more dense brush before reaching a short but steep hill. He used the force and leaped to the top. Once there, he could see out over a large part of the forest. Then suddenly, his holo communicator beeped.

A set of coordinates appeared on the small holo pad he had taken from the Sith-Imperial forces at the edge of the forest.

It showed him the location of a fellow Sith Acolyte.

Darth Strosius

Hmm, he had heard that name before. He had heard from rumor that he had undertaken some sort of transformation or something. Kesran didn't care for chit chat, but it could always prove useful at times. All he cared about was that this Sith had powerful friends, and Kesran needed any connections with any fellow Sith. For those connections could perhaps prove to be vital one day.

As he packed away the Holopad and began to turn around and make his way down the less steep part of the hillside, he spotted movement diagonally behind him. The steep hill was probably 30 to 40 feet high from the level ground and was sort of on an isolated mound. He soon could see the movement more clearly and could now spot a group of camo Sith troopers. They seemed to be led by a young girl. However, Kesran realized she wasn't just a young girl when he reached out with the force. He soon felt her minor presence and came to the opinion that she was another Sith Acolyte.

He could also now spot another group of troopers entering the forest from the opposite side. They were some of the same ones he had spoke to earlier and who had lent him a holopad. He pulled out his holocom and dialed their frequency.

"Lieutenant Ferrin, this is Opadal, over".

"Aye, I read you my lord, over"

"What is the status of the operation Lieutenant?"

"Well sir, all I know is that three squads are moving into the forest, one from the southeast, one from the southwest, and one coming down from the north". "However, I have not been given intel into who is leading the other two squads, only that another Sith is leading squad two, while a few other Sith have already gone further into the forest".

"Very good Lieutenant, carry out your orders as previously instructed". "And remember, No quarter". "No mercy."

"Understood my lord, Ferrin out".

Kesran tucked his holocom away and could now see once again, the second squad led by the Acolyte approaching parallel to his position. He now decided that he would jump down from the hill, circle around and approach the group to their front. He grew a smirk as he checked to make sure his lightsaber was secure. Once he did that, he built up his power just enough to make the jump down.

He then leaped with his arms out wide as his body began tp plummet rapidly towards the ground. Moments later, with the ground nearing, Kesran pushed his hands forward towards the ground. Grasping the force, he pushed with his hands which slowed his pace enough for him to land easily. A few feet before reaching the ground and he let go of the force and rolled onto the coarse landscape of the forest. Kesran finished on one knee while quickly surveying his new surroundings. Once he was clear, he stood up, dusted off his clothes of dirt and gravel, and began walking to his left.


A few minutes later, he stood behind a tree and peaked his head out. He could see the second squad approaching. Good, it was time for a bit of a show. He exited the cover of the tree and walked slowly towards the group. His arms loose as his side, Kesran began building up power. Not for combat, but for dramatic effect. To show off, to show his power. For the force, was his true ally.

He began using small applications of Force Wind, which send moderately quick and loud gusts towards the group. Kesran directed it from all sides, so the soldiers would not know where it was coming from. As he drew closer, he picked up the speed of the wind gusts. Moments later, he would appear directly in front of them in a clearing, but still too far ahead to identify him at all.

Kesran continued forward and started projecting the gusts towards himself and all around him. Brushing up against him and making some of his clothes flutter in the wind.

Then as he approached the group, and got closer. He suddenly silenced the wind. The sound that replaced it was eerie, completely quiet and still. Only distant noises would provide towards any sound they could hear. The soldiers who had spread out to find the enemy, regrouped closer together as he continued to approach at a slow pace.

Kesran then reached within closer range, just far enough for them to see the outline of his figure, but still unable to see who he was. Kesran kept on moving forward as the troopers, finally started to raise their weapons towards the approaching figure.

Suddenly one of troopers at the front of the group, moved forward a bit, clearly a bit fearful. He soon shouted at Kesran, who was only 10 feet from the soldier.

"You there, Halt!"

Kesran did not stop, at glanced at the soldier as he continued past him towards the center of the group. He could now see the Acolyte. A young girl, probably recently out of the academy and thrown into field work by her new master.

It was now time.

Kesran, now surrounded by troopers in a semi-circle, dropped his hood and revealed himself.

The troopers didn't fire, but didn't lower their weapons.

"Who are you!?", another trooper said.

Kesran finally responded, "I am a friend trooper". "I am a Sith".

"Lower your weapon please".

The trooper did not. Kesran just ignored it and turned his head back to his front.

Kesran now projected a look at the young Acolyte, who would soon approach.

"Greetings", said Kesran in a very malevolent and mischievous sort of way.

 

[The Amalgam]

Wearing: Resistance Epidermis

Armed with: Skin Shears (Purple, Double Bladed Lightsaber)

DC-17m (Blaster, PEP Laser)

With: Laertia Io (Laertia's Equipment: Black Knight Chitin, SynthBreaker , M8 Shotgun)

Maple Harte (Maple's Equipment: Shroud of Madness, Survivor's Staff, Valken-38X)

Came to Trian in: Scarlet Phantom

Objective: Find Them


21 hours earlier, Ziost.

The Amalgam smiled as she looked at the small sample of black blood from the Warlord Laertia had fought at Sarka.

"Oh, you bring the most wonderful things..." The Amalgam remarked.

"Can you do anything with that sample? It was all I could spare." Darth Xiphos asked coldly.

"I'm a Force Witch, dear. Blood Magic is my Cult's specialty..." The near impossibly beautiful SithSpawn replied haughtily, wearing her favorite skintight armor as she sat at an outdoor dining table, eating a plate of chicken stir fry. It had been Ursula's favorite meal. Basic servant droids with a table of offerings nearby as the sun started to set.

"Hungry?"

"No."

"Oh, nonsense, you came all this way to visit me! You should relax. Its a long journey here. This is in part your victory, preserving Ziost from the hands of the unwashed." The Amalgam said, looking out over the ruins of New Adasta from the roof top they were both on. But New Adasta was still being rebuilt.

"The teleport attack was especially inspired. All those buildings dropping on enemy troops...delightful."

Xiphos started to walk away.

"Oh come now, Julia. Must you be at my throat even as you depend on me? I've been pretty much your biggest supporter since Dantooine. I've remained at your side even when Moya left you! If that doesn't make me a better mother than even she was, what does? You even share a blood sample with me."

Xiphos said nothing, the black helm concealing her torn expression as the Monster made an excellent point.

"We might have to kill each other but we need not make it so horrible every step of the way. Can't we just spend time together, in a pleasant fashion?"

"You masqueraded as a Jedi for years, and then brutally murdered our old comrades. You hit Castagne with a Zombie attack. You kill and sacrifice both adults and younglings to maintain your evil power."

"But I do it a fun way!" The Amalgam protested. "I mean, how many Jedi have you killed? You're no better at this point."

"I'm doing it to hamper the Jedi's mission against the Sith so they will focus more on The Bryn'adul. You do what you do for pleasure." Xiphos replied coldly.

"I wonder if our Narrator will ever get sick of associating you with cold analogies..." The Amalgam wondered idly. "I'm still the only truly reliable ally you have. Nine is ultimately helping you out of self interest, and Uri, well, Uri goes with the flow. C'mon, Julia, can't you just admit a teensy part of you enjoys spending time with me? Finally getting all the attention you craved?"

Xiphos turned to her.

"One of us is going to die when all this is over. One of us. It is the way it must be. I could never accept the Dark Side, and you could never accept the Light Side. We must kill each other at the end of it. Or Uri must kill you. Either way, we must fight eventually."

"But not yet. We still have the Bryn'adul to beat. In the meantime while we wait to tear each other apart, I was thinking of inviting you and Uri to Trian with me. There are rumors of exotic poisons there. Perhaps something that will aid you in your war efforts. A new place to operate from, if nothing else..."

Darth Xiphos stared at The Amalgam for a long moment.

"How soon can we get there?"

"See? Teensiest little excuse to spend time with me..."

"How soon can we get there?" Xiphos repeated tersely.

"We can go tomorrow...are you sure you wouldn't like something to eat?"

"I'm aware of how your cult prepares cuisine."

The Amalgam smiled, shrugged.

"Been talking to Darth Themis again, eh?" The Amalgam asked, chewing.

Xiphos barely managed to stop herself from flinching in surprise.

"Oh, come now, Julia...did you really think Themis had been forgotten? By us most of all? You can't hide anything from me, y'know..."

The Amalgam took another bite, then gestured to the table of food.

"I swear to you, Julia, I haven't had any of that food prepared by my cult. Just droids."

"Did you enchant the Droids?" Xiphos asked calmly.

"I swear, everything you see on that table is normal, untainted food."

Xiphos removed her helmet, and sat at the table.

"What'll it be?" The Amalgam asked playfully.

Xiphos avoided wincing at the rotting darkness inside of her former mentor.

"Pig Liver."

"As you wish..."

The chef droids soon brought her a whole fried pig liver on a plate, with a massive side of bacon.

Wordlessly, Xiphos began picking up a fork and knife to eat. The person Xiphos had once been, Laertia, would never have even dared consider it. But Xiphos dared. Xiphos refused to show weakness and vulnerability to this awful creature. She had to be able to stare her nemesis dead in the eye, reminding herself eventually that The Amalgam would die for her crimes, including the bombing of New Carannia.

Once she was no longer usefull to Xiphos, of course.

"So tell me, Julia...if you had to kill me in any way, how would you do it?"

"I'd eject you out an airlock into a star, let you be consumed by light."

The Amalgam crooked an eyebrow upward.

"Oooo, creative! What name did Themis pick for you?"

"The truth?" The Amalgam's former student asked rhetorically, taking a bite of fried liver. "I am Darth Xiphos."

(Opening notes of "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell plays for a few seconds)

The Amalgam's violent insanity allowed her to pick up the OOC music.

"Oooo, you changed your Theme Song!" The Amalgam gushed.

Xiphos, who didn't know what the feth The Amalgam was talking about, took another bite and chewed...until she heard the power-up whine of a pistol pointed at her.

Xiphos wiped her mouth with a napkin while the Amalgam's smile grew even wider and more shark like.

Maple Harte dressed in the faded, worn black biker leathers pointed a pistol at Xiphos.

"Alliance of convenience, you said. The Bryn'adul are the bigger threat, you said. We can't kill her when we need to unite. You hate her, you said. So why, oh why, are you having dinner with this monster?* Maple asked, having followed Xiphos to see what she was up to, expertly tracking her down

"Hello, Maple." Xiphos said calmly, not looking back at her as she ate a bit of bacon with a stab of her fork.

"I knew something was odd when you started calling me Maple. Laertia always called me Uri, Sith." Maple snapped at Xiphos.

"Why Uri! So good of you to show! There is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Your favorite, I believe." The Amalgam called out excitedly.

"I presume Moya De Lifte is Themis?" Maple asked Xiphos.

"Yes." Xiphos answered matter of factly.

The wind blew aside one side of Maple's brown locks covering her face, revealing the sulphur eye, in contrast to her wet green eye.

Maple re-adjusted, repositioning herself, pointing her Dashade Sonic Disruptor at them, not daring to come at them with anything less than the most lethal weaponry possible.

"I thought I was helping Laertia, not this...whatever the feth you are..."

"I am a Light Side Sith, Maple." Xiphos said, continuing to remain calm.

Laertia never came back from Sarka..." Maple said, fighting off the whispers and hallucinations caused by her particularly troubled brand of schizophrenia.

"Oh, not intact, certainly. I'll concede that much. I'm more a...gap filler..." Xiphos replied.

"A Light Side using Sith is still a fething Sith!" Maple hissed angrily, hurt and heartbroken that she had so badly failed Laertia.

"You're as much a heretic as I am."

"Not to that extent, I'm not!" Maple said angrily. "From where I'm standing it sure as chit looks like you're getting chummy."

"War makes strange allies, Maple. I can't change that." Xiphos spoke quietly.

"But you don't have to eat with them."

"We've always dined with demons, Maple..." Xiphos replied, taking a bite of liver. "I'm just not in the mood today to refute that fact."

"I can't trust you, Xiphos." Maple asserted.

"Oh, but you can work for a government run by multiple Sith as long as they don't call themselves an empire, right?" The Amalgam teased with a cruel smirk.

Maple's aim faltered.

"Even if you can't trust me, you can trust the fact I want The Amalgam dead at the end of all this. Her cult murdered my parents. You know I could never let that chit go, no matter how far from the path of a Jedi I am."

Maple lowered her weapon.

"This is such a mood killer of a conversation..." The Amalgam remarked, eating more stir fry.

"I was thinking...lets continue this conversation at Trian...we've got poisons to find, bases to belong to us, Imperial traitors to hunt down..." The Amalgam suggested.

Maple started to walk away.

"If you run from her now, you'll never beat her in the end, Uri." Xiphos called out.

Maple was quiet a few moments, fighting back rage and sorrow to get ahold of her emotions before she turned around. Like it or not, Maple had gotten much of her approach of facing and staring enemies in the face and showing no fear from Laertia when growing up.

Maple sat at the table next to them, stone faced.

"Grilled cheese, you said?" Maple asked her nightmare of a former mentor.

The Amalgam clapped her hands as a plate was brought forward...

Present.

The Amalgam had insisted on piloting her old vessel The Scarlet Phantom, a crimson chromium H-Type Nubian Yacht to Trian. For an uncomfortable few moments, the former students were reminded of the old days of "Ursula" piloting the incredibly fast starship, a bloody bullet in Trian's atmosphere, landing in the forest where the Traitors were believed to have fled.

It reminded them of brief moments in their lives where they were truly happy.

Each had brought their chosen equipment. The Amalgam had chosen one of her favorite rifles, a DC-17m for protection as she led the way out of her craft, thanking Uri for letting her take her old ride for a spin. Maple said nothing, giving only a scowl as the living black and red armor covered her face completely as a sort of armored cowl. Xiphos marched out confidently in her black armor, shotgun at the ready as they followed her.

It wasn't long before they got ambushed themselves. All sensed it coming as the Legionnaires sprang from spider holes or hollowed out trees.

Precision fire met all their attempts on the Trio's lives, each swiveling unexpectedly and collapsing to cover the sides of the other, than collapsing to avoid the bolts sent their way, firing relentlessly. Buckshot blasted a head off, Maple's rifle, slamming soldiers back with powerful bolts, The Amalgam's ion shots ripping through shields, then armor and flesh with deadly bursts.

The three lay on the ground, adrenaline in all of them, but alive.

"It could always be like this..." The Amalgam said happily, first to rise. Her students said nothing back as they got up, following her.

Soon, the man First Sister had released was running off by them, seemingly not noticing them. The Amalgam almost fired but remembered she didn't actually care about the traitors, just spending time with her greatest successes.

She soon encountered First Sister, waving.

"Ahhh, Duck Season!" The Amalgam remarked playfully. "Hi there! I've only been here five minutes and this place is already trying to kill me! Lovely setting though."

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest, Trian
Objective: Gush over a Celebrity!
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

The Sister turned away from the now-retreating soldier, who as expected, disappeared into the forest. Just as she did, a voice called out to her, feminine, playful, and strangely alluring. Immediately, the electromancer turned towards the direction of the voice, her eyes meeting a trio of women, each caparisoned for war and overwhelmingly strong in the Force. Her initial reaction was one of curiosity, but it took only a few seconds for the lights to flicker to life in her mind, especially upon looking twice at Laertia Io , clad in her signature black armor.

At first, her reaction was one of overpowering disbelief.

Her helmet popped off of her head with a soft hiss, smoke emanating from her neck as the vacuum seal broke, revealing the Sister’s pale features to the three women in front of her. However, the electromancer’s attention was solely focused on her, the statuesque woman in the black armor, wielding her signature shotgun, a weapon which, if her eyes were not lying to her, had perhaps killed hundreds of Jedi.

In probing the currents of the Force, the Sister realized that they were not.

The tiny Qilin’s expression shifted from one of dignified neutrality, to that of a starstruck school girl, her cyan eyes going wide as she realized that this individual was who she thought they were.

The Black Knight, in the flesh.

An earsplitting, high-pitched squee echoed through the forest as the Sister’s excitement came to a climax. In what seemed to be an instant, she was standing in front of Laertia, her features beet red as she turned on her G1 OmniLink, giddily jumping up and down as she did.

“OhmygoshIcan’tbelieveityou’retheBlackKnight!” She gushed. “I’m literally your biggest fan! You have no idea, I have a bobblehead and a poster of you in my room and I watch all of your war streams and I've read your biography!” The electromancer squealed. “How many Jedi have you killed? Do you keep their lightsabers? Can I hold your shotgun? Are you streaming right now?”

“And oh my gosh, and can I get a selfie?! Please?”

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[Laertia Io]

Xiphos was, to put it simply, stunned.

She had never had a fan before. Ever.

If she had still, truly been Laertia, she would have been absolutely mortified at this. Even now, she still wasn't certain how to react. Especially given the chit-eating grin on the Amalgam's face at watching First Sister jump up and down like a frog.

No one dared chuckle of course. This was, after all, an electromancer. Laughter might be misinterpreted as mockery.

"I...uh..." Xiphos trailed, scrambling for an idea of how to react. Most Sith who recognized her so far had trolled her with the Devil Horns sign.

"I...I'm not too exact on the numbers, but its in the high dozens, at the moment." Xiphos responded, hiding her discomfort. "I don't keep the Lightsabers. It would be...I don't keep the Lightsabers. I mean, the blade would have to be really special, like, Final Boss type loot for me to even consider it, and even then, I'd be hesitant."

At the request to hold the shotgun, Xiphos held it out, not wanting to disappoint her first ever actual fan (which was admittedly a novel experience) and let her take it. This thing had been getting some use. Imperial Knights attacks and attacks by Jedi Shadows were becoming frequent.

"I'm...not streaming now, at the moment. This is more a...covert affair. But you...you can take a selfie. I guess."

Maple, not one for celebrity, was utterly bewildered, having only ever witnessed this sort of behavior from The Amalgam.

Laertia awkwardly introduced her allies before the selfie was taken.

"This is Maple Harte..." she said, gesturing to the lithe athlete in living, skintight black armor with red, web like striations running across its surface.

"Hi." Maple said, politely.

"We're old friends. She helped me at Ziost. And fought the NJO at Korriban. And this..." Xiphos gestured to her mentor, keeping the venom out of her voice as the Amalgam grinned.

"...is The Amalgam. Professional Troll."

"If they could give me a PHD for it, they would have." The Amalgam boasted. "But having the Death Sentence in Twenty-One systems for lollygagging is a nice runner up."

Even Xiphos was visibly stunned.

"How do you get the death sentence for Lollygagging?" Maple asked.

"People take that chit surprisingly seriously on some worlds. Also, I lollygag exceptionally well."

Xiphos turned back to First Sister.

"Hunting Imperial Traitors, as we are, or is it more of an incidental thing?"

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest, Trian
Objective: Gush over a Celebrity!
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

The Sister’s hops spiked in intensity and pace when the Black Knight, now-Xiphos, handed her her shotgun, a weapon which was comically large in the tiny electromancer’s hands, to the point of being roughly her entire height in length, but nonetheless generated unholy levels of excitement. While she was not skilled in Psychometry or any associated powers, she knew that this was a weapon that had blasted the faces of perhaps hundreds of Jedi, if not thousands! Although the Black Knight had said herself the number was only in the “high dozens”, the Sister could not help but to believe that the woman was being modest. After all, there were entire montages on the HoloNet, created by the Black Knight’s devoted fans with footage taken from her war streams, of her double, triple, and quad, and even penta-killing hundreds hapless Jedi, Marines, Stormtroopers, and Imperial Knights set to Dark side metal, sparkle-bop, and even smooth jizz music!

It went without saying that the Sister had watched them all.

Giving the weapon a loving kiss, the Sister gave back the shotgun as Laertia introduced her allies, Maple Harte and the Amalgam. While she was unfamiliar with Maple Harte, she had heard of the Amalgam, especially given the Witch’s exploits on Generis. Whether they were aware of it or not, both the Amalgam and the Black Knight had developed quite a strong HoloNet following among the Acolytes, Apprentices, Legionnaires, and citizens of the Sith Empire. Of course, many Boomer Knights and Lords denounced the following, especially for the Black Knight as she was a wielder of the Light. However, their disapproval so far had done little to stem Laertia’s popularity.

“I am First Sister!” The diminutive electromancer introduced herself in turn. “Apprentice to the Eternal Father, Darth Carnifex.” She added in a peppy, girlish tone, as if she were a school girl saying what school she went to.

“And Ziost?! I was at Ziost! Well...I didn’t actually fight on the planet itself, but I boarded the Jedi temple dreadnought and defeated two Jedi! I would have killed them but my arm was a mangled mess and I was about to bleed to death so...” She frowned.

“Anyways...selfie time!”

Before the Black Knight could say anything else, the Sister began to snap a veritable invasion of selfies, seemingly firing off more “shots” than the Behemoth II had during the orbital bombardment of New Adasta! She took them with all manner of expressions, including generic smiles, coy grins, flirtatious gazes, silly faces, and even one with her seated on top the Black Knight’s shoulders. However, she did not neglect the Amalgam or Maple Harte, taking more than a few with them as well.

“These are gonna get so many likes on InstaHolo! Thank you so much! I literally...can’t even!” The Sister squealed like a valley girl as she fanned herself with her left hand, before responding to Xiphos after the impromptu selfie session.

“I’m here to hunt traitors.” She growled, her voice suddenly taking on a dark tone as the words left her lips. “I’m looking for the big one...Darth Sris.” The diminutive electromancer continued.

“Wanna tag along?” She offered, her voice once again shifting into a high-pitched, nightcore-esque tone.

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective 1: Death to the traitors
Location: Somewhere in the forest
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tags: Kesran Opadal / Tara Willows
-------------------------------------------------

Getting around the forest was not as difficult as he had first anticipated. In truth, he was expecting an enemy under every bush and a trap behind every tree. Thus far, his ecpectations had proved to be false thankfully. Either there weren't enough of the enemy to organize a proper resistance, he was just lucky, or they were deeper in the forest and planning something. He wasn't sure which one he prefered, but his suspicions only meant so much. Regardless of what he thought they were doing, they were doing something, and that was enough for him to stay on edge.

Thankfully he wasn't alone on the hunt, even if he was at the current moment.

There were plenty of other groups, be they Sith or Legionnaire, out there hunting as well. Alisteri could only hope that they were lucky enough to get through the forest as easily as he had thus far. Going deeper would only prove more of a danger though, and not only from the traitors cowering within. One never knew what could be out there, not until they stepped right on it anyway.

Thank the Force I didn't get stuck with the snake killing mission.

As he continued forward, he thought he could hear a lot of wind somewhere. Odd...this planet isn't that windy is it? It hadn't been that way thus far anyway, but then again he had been on the move the whole time he had been there. Oh well.

Before he knew it he could hear voices off in the distance, evidently some sort of commotion based on what he could hear. It didn't sound like battle or any form of combat that he could tell though. Curious. It didn't draw his attention for too long though, investigating odd sounds in the forest was probably a bad idea anyway. He could loop back once he had finished his mission.

He had traitors to kill, and he had to find them first.

 

[Laertia Io]

Xiphos was bombarded by the selfies of First Sister the most. Somehow The Sister even managed to snap a few photos while sitting atop her shoulders. Xiphos played along, posing with the apprentice of Darth Carnifex.

The Amalgam grew more and more amused as the Selfie session continued, playing along with it better than Xiphos could, as The Amalgam's looks were not hidden by an all concealing helmet, making kissy faces the same as Sister could. Even Maple got in on it, doing handstands in certain pics, or even sitting on First Sister's shoulders the way she had with Xiphos.

"Here! The selfies are more effective when you purse your lips together like a Duck Billed Platypus!" She advised merrily during the Selfies. (Sherlock Holmes has DONE IT AGAIN!: 90 XP!)

Then they got to business and for a second, First Sisters whole tone and demeanor changed as she explained she was hunting Darth Sris.

Ah. Xiphos thought privately. There it is.

That said, Xiphos had never had an admirer of her work. It was refreshing. To be truly appreciated. And for some reason, First Sister's bubbly, enthusiastic nature rubbed off on Xiphos. She liked her, against Laertia's old instincts.

"Sure. I'll tag along. I'm here hunting to look for exotic poisons to use against the Bryn'adul."

Xiphos then gestured for First Sister to lead the way.

A half hour later.

The trio kept pace with First Sister as they advanced through the Forest. Maple was on Booby-Trap duty, finding and carefully disarming the mix of primitive and sophisticated mine traps hidden through the woods, some of which had already blown apart other Sith looking to kill the traitors. Whatever Maple couldn't disarm, she marked with sticks. Carefully.

"This reminds me of that time when you were very young that we went looking for that Mandalorian, Daughter. The one who stole those Prototype Warship schematics?" The Amalgam asked Xiphos.

"The Forest was denser..." Xiphos replied quietly.

"Whatever happened to those schematics?" Maple asked.

"I lied when I said I brought them back to the Republic all those years ago. I still have them." Xiphos admitted. "Rainy Day insurance..."

The Amalgam crooked a brow up.

"Why Laertia you saucy little girl!" The Amalgam gushed. "Deceitful and Deceptive even back when I was pretending to be a Jedi and hadn't told you the truth! I'm so proud of you for lying."

"Why keep it? Its not like you would have had the resources to construct it back then." Maple asked.

"Someone would have that we could have sold them to in an emergency. Besides, the factions have enough fething warships, as First Sister here could no doubt attest to." Xiphos answered. "Of course, given our present situation, a dedicated warship might be useful..."

Xiphos stopped, signaling the others to get ready as she sensed danger.

"So anyway...I started blasting..." Xiphos said, whipping her shotgun upward and firing 007 times at the tree canopy.

007 concealed snipers about to coordinate fire on them dropped down from their sniper perches, dead.

The Amalgam went over and playfully poked at a corpse with a stick.

"Well, at least we know your Dead Eye Ability has improved!" The Amalgam joked, her insanity letting her make an OOC reference before turning to First Sister.

"So what did these traitors do that got them on The Empire's chit-list?" The Amalgam asked, just as a flare was fired upward from deeper into the woodlands.

Maple took sight with her Valken Rifle.

"That would be the renegades. They're reinforcing their position..." Maple said. "What about Darth Sris? What's he like? Is he formidable?"

"We've killed formidable. And then we took their Sweet Loot afterward." The Amalgam said, snapping off a few shots at traitor scouts closing in on them.

"I'm just hoping Sris is at least an end level boss. I've been cutting my teeth on mid-level bosses for too long..." the SithSpawn remarked.

Xiphos turned to First Sister.

"How do you wanna approach them?"

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest, Trian
Objective: Hunt Traitors
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

The Sister smiled, genuinely excited for the opportunity to fight alongside the Black Knight and her sidekicks, though she would never directly refer to them with that term, not in public or even in private. The stories surrounding the Amalgam and the Cult of the Brain Demon were indeed, quite horrifying. Even as a Sith and apprentice to Darth Carnifex, the Sister wanted no part in it.

“Alright, well...with this team...I think we can take her head on.” The Sister began. “This way.”

Thirty Minutes Later

Although focused as she was in leading the way towards the objective, the Sister made sure to observe the skill in how the Black Knight and her companions maneuvered through the forest. She watched in curious fashion as Maple disabled or marked the various traps and mines. Embarrassingly, the Sister stepped on one, though since she weighed only 71 pounds, the trap was not designed to trigger for beings of her size.

Sometimes, it helped to be small.

The electromancer continued on through the forest, her sensors registering seven sentient contacts just as the Black Knight called for a halt. The Sister primed herself to strike them down, letting the Dark energies build within until…

The Black Knight blasted them to the Nether.

The Sister’s mouth hung wide open in shock and awe. However, in glancing towards Maple and the Amalgam, then assessing their reactions to the feat, the Sister was even more stunned, as the implications of their mild, joking reactions dawned on her.

For the Black Knight, this was a Centaxday.

The Sister was quiet for a few moments, even as the Amalgam spoke to her. To say the least, the electromancer needed some time to take it in. It was one thing to see the Black Knight kill stormtroopers with her shotgun in a montage set to sparkle-bop. It was quite another to witness it live in person, to hear the sounds of seven corpses falling to the ground and the primal booms of the shotgun as seven slugs were discharged from the weapon, striking the traitor Legionnaires in the chest with each shot.

“I-I…” The Sister stuttered in an uncharacteristic manner. “They uhh…” Then, she swallowed. “Sris uhh...took control of three legions and turned them to her banner.” The electromancer finally began. “There are rumors that she’s trying to make a Sithspawn army of some kind, but so far, we haven’t seen any new forces belonging to her in the field and they don't believe this army actually exists...yet”

Then, she turned to Maple and Xiphos.

“Sris is a Sith Lady.” She corrected. “She is...very formidable.” The Sister added. “That said...I think a direct play on her base will work. Loud or soft. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll be able to draw her out by just taking her Legionnaires.”

Under any other circumstances, a plan like that would be suicide. However, with the Amalgam, Maple Harte, and the Black Knight? The Sister was confident that it just might work.

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[Laertia Io]

"Then we go in direct." Xiphos stated. "Strike like thunder. The Legionnaires were probably going to fight and hunt us tooth and nail no matter what we did.

"I sense they will be on us soon." The Amalgam noted, the Dark Side warning her. "They've brought their own Darksiders..."

"Of course they did." Maple grumbled, standing next to Xiphos.

007, in fact came out to meet them early. Three were clad in heavy black armor, brandishing single blades, two were in inquisitor type armor with double bladed Lightsabers, the remaining three armed with dual red shotos each. A bunch of Legionnaires flanked them, pointing blasters and such at all of them.

The Black Knight stepped forward. The most armored Knights visibly tensed.

The word of her teleporting buildings and vehicles had spread. As well as the fact that once Xiphos was on the Battlefield, ripping and tearing would generally occur until it was done.

"What's a big fish like you doing here bothering with us traitors?" One of the armored Sith asked.

"Big Fishes." The Amalgam corrected. "You pissed off the Empire so bad they sent First Sister after your sorry asses in addition to us merry band of butchers."

"We are not afraid of you, Mad Jedi."

"I'm not a Jedi." The Black Knight replied quietly. "Nor am I mad."

"That's my department." Maple called out.

"And mine!" The Amalgam added with a trollish grin.

"Whatever you are, you came to the wrong place at the wrong time. We've been killing Carnifex's lackeys for days."

"Good for you." The Black Knight emphasized. "Surrender to me. Or die. Stalling bores me."

"Ha!" The armored Sith chuckled. "Bold of you! You'd have made a fine Sith in another life."

The Black Knight decided to drop the pretense.

"I am a Sith..." The Black Knight replied. "I am a Light Side Sith. My name is Darth Xiphos. I ask for your surrender again. There will not be a third request."

The Armored Sith blinked, roared, and brought his saber down in a fury.

(Character Theme Song Power Up)

(Theme: "You Know My Name." by Chris Cornell)

It happened in the course of 007 seconds

Xiphos twisted to his side with liquid grace at the last possible moment, snapping the butt of her shotgun into his face and giving him a concussion sending a palm strike into his elbow, which snapped it in half. She gripped his broken arm, which still clutched his Lightsaber...and bent it further backward in a brutal motion, breaking his shoulder and fingers, forcing his blade to be positioned horizontally behind his neck, swinging her victim bodily, to intercept the vicious chop from one of his other compatriots, kicking both backward, telekinetically floating her shotgun to whip around and spend one of its three remaining shells into the face of the the third armored one about to stab her from behind, falling and teleporting back into her free cybernetic arm.

She emptied the remaining shells into their faces. They both fell dead, but one had been mangled.

She slung the shotgun over her shoulder getting out the weathered and scratched Lightsaber. Its blade was odd, the core itself a solid green color, but with a white aura.

The Legionnaires started to fire at her, Both Dual Shoto users focusing on first Sister while the staff users focused on Maple and The Amalgam.

Maple dropped her long blaster, getting out her sonic disruptor pistols, springing forward while dual wielding, flipping and twirling over her opponent's lightning attacks with shocking alacrity, and encorporating drunken fist type movements to evade blows meant to kill her in unexpected ways, confusing her more traditional opponent, forcing him to evade vicious salvos of sonic disruptor shots his blade couldn't block with nearly equal alacrity. But trying to hit Maple was like trying to catch a gnat, and one wrong swing cost him the fight, getting his head broken down painfully by the bolts. Maple didn't even bother to glance at him as she targeted more Legionnaires shooting at First Sister, Laertia teleporting around the area, throwing her Lightsaber in wide vicious arcs before teleporting out of the way of return fire

The Amalgam moved like greased lightning, her purple blades flashing through the air as the other staff users engaged her two at once, switching between staff combat and Jar'Kai fluidly as she seperated or integrated the two twin Lightsabers as necessary, Extreme corruption in her body fighting off attempts to invade her mind or choke her, but her flesh shuddered hideously everywhere as she was exposed to enemy Dark Side attacks.

Darth Xiphos waded into combat with Legionnaires, conjuring Force Doppelgangers as she barreled into thick masses of reinforcements, confusing their aim as she continued to carve into them, making sure their weapons fire was focused on her rather than the others. Her blade moved in the fluid Form One style, transitioning from attack zome to attack zone unpredictably, severing heads or limbs.

The battle was on...


First Sister

 

[Tara Willows]

Kesran Opadal

Well now what did she have here? A sudden gust of wind would come from all sides as some karking fool decided to mess with her troops. Not the wisest thing to do against a battalion equipped with blasters. Tara would move over to the front of the group and place her hand on the closest one to Kesran. She shook her head to the trooper.

"Leave him. He's a Sith. One of us. Pay him no mind." The white haired Siren would give the strange Sith a look of annoyance before turning her back to him and returning to her men. "Commander. What's our status?"

The trooper would salute the Sith and then open up a holomap of the area. "We've got three flanks engaged. One to the north and south, and then us here. We believe the enemy is somewhere in this location here."

Tara would nod her head, "Very good then. Let's get moving. Have your men ready to march." The trooper bowed his head in understanding and then would go to do as she instructed. Tara then would look back to the Sith who liked to cause trouble and looked him over more closely. While all Sith sort of looked alike, she had a suspicion he was someone she'd seen before. Perhaps at the Academy? It was too hard to tell. He could have been an enemy for all she knew. One in disguise and here to sabotage everything. She already didn't trust him. The fact he tried to pick a fight with her soldiers didn't help either.

"Will you be taking point?" she asked him. "I'll have my men back you up."

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest, Trian
Objective: Hunt Traitors
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

Traitors.

The heretic Sith emerged from the brush to meet the group, brandishing blades of red fire as the most heavily-armored of the Juggernauts called to the Black Knight. It went without saying that Laertia, now-Xiphos had a strong, yet extremely mixed reputation within the Empire, with many considering her to be a heroine, where others considered to be mad. This Juggernaut, now turned traitor, had once been a part of the Empire. As such, the Sister could not be bothered to hear his opinion.

“Traitor!” She shouted to the armored Juggernaut, her inherently high-pitched voice nevertheless taking on a feral growl as the pointed word left her lips, rage coloring her tone. “You think you can face the Black Knight?! She’ll skewer you like a roba!”

“He’ll deal with the Black Knight just fine.” A female shoto-wielding Marauder said to the Sister. “You though? I won’t even have to break a sweat.”

The Sister growled, just as the leading Marauder charged her with Force-enhanced speed, before bringing her blades across the tiny electromancer. Failing to dodge the strikes in their entirety, one fiery red blade struck the Sister across her chest as she attempted to step back, heat burning her pale skin to bring pain to the forefront of her mind. A terrible, earsplitting cry left her lips, but the Sister nevertheless maintained her focus, gritting her teeth as she worked to channel pain into power.

The other two shoto-wielding Sith followed after their leader, but before they could get close, the Sister aimed and fired her wrist-mounted repulsor weapon at their chests, set to maximum power, throwing the two Sith back wholesale. Moving with the blowback of the weapon’s recoil, the Sister let her body fall into a backflip, thereby allowing her to dodge the leading Sith’s next attack. All the while, the Qilin activated her energy shield with a thought, encasing her tiny form in an invisible, skin tight barrier.

Then, the Sister set her full attention on the female Marauder.

The electromancer’s eyes took on a bright cyan glow beneath her helmet, before suddenly a coruscating bolt of electricity shot forth from her outstretched fingertips after she landed her flip, aimed to strike the chest of the female Marauder. The woman initially blocked the electricity with her sabers, but the Sister fed into her pain, harnessing it to shunt more energy into her attack, thereby quickly overwhelming the Sith’s defenses. A primal roar left her lips as the Sith’s skeleton flickered in and out of view, the electricity boiling the woman from the inside out, leaving a twitching, smoking corpse in the wake of the Sister’s attack.

Just as the female Marauder went down, the other two Sith were back on their feet, moving towards the electromancer with vengeful fury, in spite of being crippled from the internal injuries wrought by the repulsor blast. Electricity, cast forth from both of the Sister’s hands met the two Marauders as they charged, seizing them in motion as the electromancer continued to pour her energy into the attack. Before long, arc burns triggered internal pressure waves within the bodies of the two Marauders, tearing their insides apart as suddenly, their forms erupted into flames.

With a deep, relieved breath, the Sister ceased her attack as their flaming bodies hit the ground. She was already feeling drained from channeling so much energy, but she could not afford to rest. Instead, the Sister pulled an autoinjector from her utility belt, full of the energy-restoring cocktail she had created on Malsheem. Grimacing, she punched the injector into her thigh, delivering a single dose of the potion into her system. Then, after placing the autoinjector back on her belt, she launched herself back into the fight.

Igniting the fiery magenta blade of her lightsaber, the Sister set her focus on the traitor Legionnaires, taking advantage of her energy shield to absorb their fire and close the distance. Her tiny body launched into a flip, then she was upon them, her magenta blade slashing in aggressive, acrobatic strokes through a trio of Legionnaires, leaving their broken, delimbed or decapitated bodies in her wake. Where the Black Knight harnessed the fluid balance of Form I, the Sister seized the acrobatic offensive of Form IV. Though wild and still at times, imprecise, the flurrying motions of her magenta blade were nevertheless lethal, especially since her size made the acrobatics of Form IV easier to execute than otherwise, had she been of a normal size...

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[Laertia Io]

There was a point in the fight where The Black Knight, The Amalgam, and The Golden Eye were fighting side by side, their styles complimenting each other. Xiphos's strength and brutality. Maple's precision and speed. The Amalgam's fluidity between both extremes. They were a combined terror, weaving through the lightning of First Sister as they fought in a twisted synch

For a moment, just a moment, for Xiphos, the world made sense again. Her life made sense again. She wasn't some jaded, burned out renegade at war with multiple factions to try and make them see the threat The Bryn'adul represent.

She felt at home, with the people she knew best, even if she had sworn to eventually murder one of them.

They weaved through each other's stratagems as much as they weaved through First Sister's, their blades, their limbs moving toward and away from the enemy as needed, never stopping. Xiphos summoned Dark Blue Electric Judgement, whose bolts she could barely aim and control, and released a stream into a Sith who came at her with dual blades. The twisted Light Side energy impacted, eating away at his hate, burning him up with it also until he Instagibbed.

One tried to poison her with the Darkness, but a Dark blue flame enveloped her and enabled her to resist The Dark Side to a very high intensity, inflicting only mild nausea at best which threw her off, forcing her to remain on the defensive for a few moments, temporarily weakened and slowed as she defended from vicious chops and stabs until she bashed through his defense with one clean strike, decapitating him.

The Black Knight shuddered on the inside as she caught the absolute bliss on The Amalgam's face at fighting alongside her "Daughters" as she skewered another Sith, absorbing his life force.

The horrible part was that Xiphos knew what The Amalgam was experiencing, fighting in a family again...

A grenade round was sent their way, Maple barely managing to fling it away a safe enough distance before it went off...

The three were flung backward...

Laertia Io, Uri Udinia, and Ursula Sandraven were surrounded on all sides by The Mandalorian Assassins. They were not afraid. They had each other. Ursula, a Twi'lek with purple skin in a white armorweave catsuit, was guarding with her blue Lightsaber next to her two students, who wore matching black biker leathers, Uri armed with her Viridian Saber cane, And Laertia, armed with her green crossguard.

"Well, everyone, ready to party?" Ursula asked their would be killers.

Instead of answering, the Assassins drew their vibroblades, and rushed them.

The next few seconds were chaos, with Ursula moving like a liquid devil amongst her attackers, using saber and pistol and Force in dizzying combinations as the three fought the band of killers who tracked them to Dantooine.

Laertia fought the closest to Ursula, blade swishing about in wide, chaotic arcs, skittering off Beskar plated limbs, finding more success with armor joints, Uri balletically twirling through the air, firing her pistols through visors, back and forward flipping through sword strikes, shooting with a ghastly precision.

They compensated for each other's weaknesses.

Laertia did not enjoy killing, but she lived for fighting alongside her mentor. Even Uri loved it, though she was reticent to admit it.

Ursula embodied what they studied, an ever adaptable, inexorable Force of will to combat the evils of The Galaxy.

Her life made sense. Especially when at Ursula's side.

If only there was some way to get Ursula to pay attention to her more, Laertia thought wistfully, decapitating a black armored Mandalorian.

Seeing Ursula fighting still gave her pause. She would match that grace someday, finally having the same amount of attention Uri got...

She didn't know who sent The Assassins. Never bothered asking at this point.

All that mattered was that win or lose, Laertia was with her family.

The Black Knight of Nar Shaddaa sliced through the hands of three more, allowing Uri to shoot them, while Ursula had sized a shotgun, covering her students with headshots...

The flash of purple lightning shook Xiphos from the half second of memory lane.

The Amalgam, incensed by the Grenade, had lashed out, a accomplished (VERY accomplished) Force Lightning user herself, which chained between enemies from her fingertips, flesh melting and bubbling hideously over her otherwise lithe frame.

Xiphos and Maple leapt up, covering each other's backs as two Sith engaged them.

Now it was there turn to lash out, a flurry of shots from Maple's sonic disruptors, vicious slices of Xiphos's blade ending their opponents in seconds.

Soon, no more enemies were in the area. The Black Knight controlled her emotions as The Amalgam giggled.

"Oh, that brings me back, our old 'Girls Night Out' routines!" The Amalgam gushed. "You've both come so far. Learned so much! Are you sure you don't want to go Dark Side?" The Amalgam asked mostly teasing, yet almost a subtle plea in the question.

"Not in a thousand years. Not in ten thousand years." Xiphos said firmly, quietly, before turning to see if First Sister needed help.

 

[First Sister]

Location: Deep Forest -> Darth Sris Base, Trian
Objective: Boss Fight!
Tags: Laertia Io The Amalgam

The Sister’s magenta blade cut through a fireteam of four traitor Legionnaires, leaving behind a group of smoking bodies with white hot saber burns where her blade had slashed through armor and flesh. Adrenaline flowed freely through her veins as she fell into the intoxicating rush of combat, harnessing every one of her senses towards inflicting death and destruction on the traitors of the Empire. Her bloodlust was unquenchable, but she nevertheless paused upon seeing her idol cast a unique variant of Lightning, one derived from twisted Light side energy rather than Dark side power. It came as a surprise to see that her idol had somewhat mediocre control of the power, though she knew that her specializations and proficiencies lied elsewhere.

From there, the electromancer continued in her rampage, blasting pure, Dark side Lightning towards another fireteam of traitor Legionnaires, incinerating a nearby tree as she manifested her electricity in a wide, indiscriminate arc. Just as she finished off the soldiers, another Sith charged towards her, a large, heavily-armored juggernaut wielding a massive lightclub with two hands. His blade came for her in an aggressive slashing maneuver, which the Sister ducked under before diving between his legs, taking advantage of her size to quickly get behind her opponent. Then, coming out of her dive, the Sister executed a series of fast, acrobatic backflips in order to create separation between herself and the enraged juggernaut.

Just as she landed from her fifth flip, raging electrical fire was cast forth from her fingers, initially striking the juggernaut’s crimson blade. However, the Sister quickly channeled more energy into the attack, a growl emanating from her lips as bits of electricity crackled past the juggernaut’s extended blade, striking the Sith’s ultrachrome armor and singeing parts of his flesh. He initially bore through the pain, channeling it as a font of power to fuel his connection to the Dark side. However, the effects intensified, then quickly cascaded as the electromancer pushed more power into her fulmination. The juggernaut roared in pain as the Sister’s electricity conducted through his ultrachrome armor, thereby incinerating his flesh in a fiery display that culminated in a sickening boom as his body suddenly exploded beneath his armor.

His body collapsed to the ground with a dense thud just as Xiphos turned to her, while the Sister collapsed onto her knees, the strain of channeling so much energy manifesting its effects. Fortunately, the electromancer had more than a few doses of the energy-restoring cocktail she had made on her utility belt, one of which she punched into the meat of her thigh, giving a deep, relieved breath as she did.

“I think that’s all of them, for now.” The Sister said. “Sris’ base shouldn’t be far, only a couple miles.” She added.

All the while, the Sister issued a few mental commands to her seeker droid, ordering the droid to take the lightsabers from the corpses of her own kills and to scavenge them for anything of value. It went without saying that at her size, the Sister was unable to carry her own sick loot, but fortunately, droids were quite helpful in that regard. All in all, the seeker droid collected seven lightsabers, two from each of the three assassins and one lightclub from the juggernaut, before looting the corpses for any money or items of potential value.

“That juggernaut had a rare quality lightclub!” The electromancer said excitedly, a wicked looking grin crossed her features as her seeker droid dropped the weapon into her tiny hands. An expression of girlish glee manifested across her features when she pressed the activation stud, projecting a massive, two meter long crimson blade which radiated an almost uncomfortable amount of heat. After a few moments, she handed the weapon back to the droid, knowing that she would have the opportunity to inspect it later. “Think I might disassemble it for components.” She said, before deactivating the blade and handing the weapon back to her droid.

Once everyone in the group had collected and shown off their sick loot, they headed for Sris’ base, with Sister leading the way.

One Hour Later

Getting into the base had been surprisingly straightforward, if a little mundane. So far, their only resistance had been a few squads of Legionnaires and a quartet of acolytes with common quality loot. Sister had killed one, while the other three had taken one each. From there, they entered the base. Then, after a couple minutes, the ‘Girls’ Night Out’ gang arrived in a big, rectangular room with a throne at the head of it.

The boss room.

Situated on the throne was the lady herself, Darth Sris, surrounded by a large cadre of her elite personal guard, sixteen in total, each wielding epic quality purple-bladed lightsabers and clad in matching purple phrik armor, reminiscent of that of the ancient Praetorian Guard in aesthetic.

Sris unleashed a booming, wicked sounding cackle, betraying none of the fear she felt in having to face down the four intruders who had fought their way to her throne room in such a short period of time. Nevertheless, she was a Dark Lady and had overcome greater odds on her path to power.

These foul intruders would fall before her in short order.

“Congratulations!” Sris called out, accompanied by a series of girlish giggles. “You have successfully killed my worthless mobs and now, you’ve reached the final boss!” She paused, eyes narrowing as she took in Xiphos' black-armored form. “Black Knight? Gosh, is that really you? One of my acolytes was such a big fan of yours, he even started using a shotgun after watching your streams! Shame I had to kill him!”

A wicked grin came over her pale features.

“Now, flattery aside...you may surrender or you may die, your choice, girls.”

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Sister’s Sith Uniform
  • Undersuit
    • UL-14 “Virtus” Class Underlay
  • Energy Shield(s)
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
  • Alchemical Talisman(s)
    • Jin'Wodasir - Pins of Protection (2)
    • Talisman of Concentration
  • Left Wrist
    • ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
  • Right Wrist
    • Wide-Beam Sonic Stunner
  • Utility Belt
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
    • Supernal Infusion
• Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber
• Whimsy Knife
• DL-13 Holdout Blaster

 

[The Amalgam]

"Ah, to see the enthusiasm of youth." The Amalgam commented as First Sister claimed a Light Club. "And her writer even makes Kotor 2 references. Delightful bonus."

Xiphos knealt down, ignoring the mouthing of her old mentor's violent insanity.

She had not yet found nearly any thing so impressive. However, she noticed the corpse of one that had tried to use a dart gun, only to have his projectile teleported to hit him in the neck.

Xiphos recoiled as she saw the smile.

It was unnatural, stretching his face to a wide, toothy, unnatural grin. The toxic dart had done this.

Xiphos plucked the dart, and took his pistol, knowing it contained samples.

Maple Harte, having been a mostly terse, silent companion, lifted up a Quixoni crystal. The Amalgam slinked over to her.

"As time goes on, it's getting harder and harder to find these. Didn't we try to find you one for your sixteenth birthday?"

"Me and Ursula tried to find one for my sixteenth..." Maple replied coldly, walking past an Amalgam who stuck her tongue out at Maple in an extremely petty and childish manner as she passed by.

"We have to press the attack now. They weren't expecting our type of killers at their doorstep. Once they understand the full scope, they'll likely try to retaliate." Maple said to Xiphos.

"Agreed. Let's move now..." Xiphos said to First Sister , walking up to her.

"You fight very well, First Sister."

"A walking Dynamo." The Amalgam noted. "You'll go far in this business acting like a Power Plant. All the best Sith go Power Plant on their skill tree."

"What in the feth are you talking about?" Xiphos asked.

"Oh, right, I keep forgetting, you can't break the Fourth Wall..." The Amalgam muttered. "Oh, if only you could, you could live up to your true potential."

Xiphos was thankful her Black helm hid her revulsion at The Amalgam.

"Lead the way, First Sister..." Xiphos said, growing more fascinated at having an actual fan, someone who looked up to her.

"Yes, lead the way. Let's finish cleaning out this dungeon." The Amalgam agreed.

Xiphos went ahead, Maple close by, both creeped out as the Amalgam followed them from behind, a shadow that had haunted both their lives.

Neither one of them were fully comfortable turning their back on her.

"Amazing. All it took to bring us together again was the massive threat The Bryn'adul pose. For a while? I was worried you were both truly committed to killing me." The Amalgam remarked to her students as they walked.

"It just goes to show, no matter how personal it gets, giant murderous crabs can make you forget damn near any squabble."

"If only that applied to the Jedi." Xiphos snorted.

"See what kind of fools they really are? I'm sad for you, that you had to find out the Hard Way..." The Amalgam said. "We come first in their eyes no matter who ends up dead elsewhere."

"I'm curious about something, Amalgam." Maple spoke, clearly hesitant about asking.

"I'm all ears Daughter." The Amalgam replied giddily, her Shi'ido physiology allowing her to grow ears all over her face.

"EWWWWWWWW!" Xiphos said, losing her stoic composure momentarily.

"Why train us under the veneer, the fiction, of a Jedi at all?"

"Well...so glad you asked..." The Amalgam replied, flesh warping her face back to normal.

"I'm of Xo'Xaan's mindset...the best Dark Siders are the ones who the Jedi Code personally fails. I couldn't cheat. I had to give you a legitimate education in their ways and history, and let you practice them somewhat half assed decently to get the full experience of being one, even if it was one at the barest fringe of acceptable conduct. You needed to know and understand their opinion and why they have it so, that when reality and circumstance took their toll, it would be easier for you to decide almost solely on your own why they are wrong. For you, Laertia, it was when they decided their fight with the Sith was more important than the horrors you experienced at Nar Kreeta, and again at Sarka. For you, Uri, it was realizing you didn't want to spend the rest of your life denying yourself. So that way, the more realistic approach to The Force, that of the Sith, begins to make so much more sense, and therefore, be more tempting...if it's any consolation though, even I felt doubt at points..."

Both daughters of The Amalgam remained silent, realizing her logic was more sound than they cared to admit.

Killing a few stragglers in the main base was busy work. The Amalgam showed off for all of them, especially First Sister, in how she could channel the Lightning, condense it into torpedoes to fry stragglers no one gave a chit about.

Finally, they reached the boss room, with Darth Stud, who greeted them all jovially. But the Amalgam smelled fear.

"Which ones you want, Girls?" The Amalgam asked just as jovial.

"I'll take the praetorians..." Maple said, activating her blade.

"Likewise. First? Laertia? Deal with Sris as you see fit." The Amalgam encouraged

Xiphos, having developed a wicked sense of humor, pulled out the dart gun.

"Hey Vinnie!" Xiphos called out, randomly naming one of the guards out of pure capriciousness. "It's your Auntie Bingo! Time to pay the check."

She fired a dart, but teleported it in transit behind "Vinnie" and it struck him in the neck.

He collapsed, laughing hysterically, and it didn't seem like he could stop as the other guards rushed to engage, Xiphos rushing at Sris, saber drawn