Skirmish [SO/GA] Caldera Crisis

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

(PvE) Objective II — Refugee Crisis​

Tag: Loomi Mago Leomax

Hearing the wind screeching through her sensors, Minerva maintains the dive. Soon enough the helmet's HUD displayed the closest evacuation zones. Swinging left, the Mandalorian quickly picked a spot to land. The ground came closer and closer with each passing moment. Then at the last minute she pulled up, slowing down and descended on both feet to the ground.

Multiple feet thudding all around her. Glancing back at them she nodded in approval and some smiled. All that jetpack training she made for them had paid off. Now was not the time to celebrate however. Hearing screams close by Minerva leveled her rifle and signaled the platoon to advance. Weapons at the ready and covering the flanks the Talons rushed forward.

Arriving at a cliff side they spotted a monster covered in tar horrifying refugees. That thing reeks of Sith. She thought in disgust before spotting two Jedi confronting it. She blinked, recognizing one of them and so did Gakot.

"It's the bug girl!"

"Loomi I think her name is." Minerva remarked when they spotted more than a dozen Sith troopers creeping from the opposite side to outflank their saber wielding allies who were occupied at the moment. They were using the fell beast as a diversion!

Without missing a beat Minerva signaled her team. The first squad set up in cover on the cliff, aiming down at the enemies still unaware but edging closer to the Jedi duo. As for the second squad most of them stayed back except for their heavy gunner who joined his counterpart behind a boulder. Taking out a flash bang Minerva activated it and tossed the device below to their targets.

A bright flash consumed the Sith troopers, causing them to grunt or cry out in pain.

"FIRE!"

Minerva shouted before she and the frontal squad rained a furious volley down at the hostiles.

Several were killed instantly without even being to shoot back while survivors dove to the rocks for shelter. As their vision began to clear some began to shoot back but the Talons had the high ground and more firepower. Minerva duck from a blaster bolt that whizzed past her before shooting back. Gakot roared and unleashed two grenades in swift succession from his launcher.

"Squad two attack!" Minerva declared, gunning down an enemy trooper who peeked her head out and dropped in a heap.

At that command the remaining Talons let out their battle cries and flew up in the air via jetpack, splitting into two smaller teams and flanking them from right and left. Due to the maneuver and being taken off guard earlier the group of Sith troopers were wiped out within the next two minutes. Minerva reloaded her rifle with a new clip and turned to see what happening with the Jedi padawans and the monster they’re facing.

 

[Mago Leomax]

As Loomi stood, the sound of her mechanical legs... The poor girl had been through so much in her time as a padawan. Was that going to happen to him? Get scarred and dismembered? He literally shuddered at the thought. Then something came, as if to answer 'yes'.

The high-pitched snarl jerked Mago's head around. His sight moved to the new sound, the terrible canine creature. Its aura, its Darkside aura was like a rotten stench. It wasn't like a sentient Darkside wielder, it was foul and made him itch on the inside of his skin. The whole of his attention was on it, like it had grabbed his head and forced him to gaze at it.

"W-we need to go!" the girl shouted, drawing her shape-shifting blade. "Th-that thing's attaching the civilians!"

Loomi's voice helped him pull away, focus around him once more. He nodded, fumbling for the small lightsaber at his waist before he saw behind him and Loomi... Soldiers? And that armor, that wasn't the Alliance troops! He stood rigid, frozen with suddenly being surrounded by danger closing in to kill him.

A bright flash consumed the Sith troopers, causing them to grunt or cry out in pain.

"FIRE!"

Help, help! Help had come! He didn't know who this Mandalorian woman was, but she just saved Loomi, his, and a bunch of refugees' lives! Her people began fighting the Sith Troopers and people began running and screaming in all directions, mostly towards the shuttles. But the Sithspawn was still rampant. "Come on! Everyone else is busy, lets-" He swallowed. He shouldn't be afraid, fear lead down the Dark road, but all this was so new... He gripped the hilt of his lightsaber and turned it on, a brilliant green blade extending. "Let's take care of the Sithspawn!"

He moved forward best he could towards the Sithspawn, pushing his way through terrified citizens. Getting closer to the terrible and awful thing, he focused on the people in trouble, those who needed help, the families and children being hurt. Reaching out with the Force he plucked a sizeable stone and flung it at the creature to get its attention.

 

[Lirka Ka]

Objective 1
Tags: Open (Looking for Jedi to scuffle with)

And so the cycle began anew, the eternal conflict of the Galaxy. The Sith and the Jedi would lock blades once more and with it war would be alight once more.

Lirka was elated.

Too long had the Slavecatcher General spent rampaging through the forgotten muck and mire of the Galactic Rim, preying upon unworthy foes to feed the Sith's great need for manpower. By all normal circumstance, here on Elom Lirka would have done the same: pouncing upon any beleaguered refugees unfortunate enough to cross her path like a blood-crazed beast. But alas, as he stepped foot onto this newest of battlefields the beastly once-Sephi sought greater prey. She was hunting for Jedi today.

It felt like ages since she had been given the chance to lock blades with a proper Jedi, and the grim excitement she felt at the prospect pulsated off the usually stoic creature. The many mechanisms of her powersuit hissing and whirring as heavy footfalls landed on the earth, the mighty blade in her hand roaring to life as the electro-plasma filament crackled along its edge. With malice in her heart, the metal goliath broke into a full bore sprint. The glowing lenses of her helmet scanning the battlefield before her for any Jedi to assail.

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Objective: 1
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Training Saber
Tags: Bastila Sal-Soren | Erid Zodana

"Oh no worries! I doubt my Master would be pleased if I didn't offer a helping hand to those who might be less experience." Lily smiled warmly to Bastila, "though she might not be pleased we are here getting into trouble in the first place, she can be a bit strict like that." Though whenever Lily had mentioned that Briana was strict in her training, there was usually laughter or comments saying how ironic it was of Briana. Very strange but Lily was guessing that her Master might have a more wild past than she has let on before.

When asked about facing a Sith before, actual combat experience, "I, urm... I guess so..." Lily was hesitant since she hadn't exactly told her Master about the Sith she sparred not too long ago. Not because she wanted to hide the encounter but she wasn't sure how much of a Sith the guy was and she didn't want to incorrectly call someone a Sith. "He was a Dark Side user, I am not sure he was truly Sith, or at least not the Sith like these ones are." Lily surrendered the information since she hated lying.

"But we should be fine!" Lily called out as she kept a firm grip on her training saber, "just got to keep an eye out...." She started before a guy interrupted him.

She looked at the guy a bit stunned and raised an eyebrow, "you could be a bit cheery, I mean... Death might be inevitable, doesn't mean we forget how to live and enjoy life." Lily countered, trying to hold a more optimistic view.

"I suppose you can tag along, you got much combat experience?" She raised an eyebrow, she was not against having more people with them, just maybe have some people with a bit more optimism.

 

[Darth Wallgof]

Objective: 1 - Hunt down some Jedi
Appearance: This
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tag: Jonyna Si

Her half skills, the lack of refinement that there was, it was possible that this was the only reason she had been able to view herself as skilled as she held herself to be. The ability to adapt and be unpredictable, that was a talent that would always serve a fighter well. One that few Jedi or Sith could utilise well, since the structured training of techniques was mostly uniformed, it made fighting a bit more predictable and based on experience over skill. This was certainly going to be an interesting match.

That was never a bad thing in Wallgof's mind.

As she leaped into the air, Wallgof raised his right hand and splayed his hand out. The Force had been building in his hand as he waited for the Jedi to attempt to reach him. He then blasted a Force Wave at her, intending to send her soaring backwards as she leaped in the air at him. "Your mind is strong, but that will only make breaking it all the more amusing." Wallgof smirked widely.

His mind continued to drive in visions of Mandalorians burning, scorching her people, her friends, "your hatred of a culture, a way of life is amusing. The Mandalorians often warred with the Jedi, seeking warriors as strong as themselves, and even though they fail to defeat the Jedi they always seem to return. More bloodthirsty than before. Perhaps next time they will burn your homeworld to a crisp."

His laughter was dark and sadistic.

​

​

 

[Elmindra Xitaar]

Caedes War Party: Darth Caedes | Kyraj | Darth Nwul
VS
Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble​

Elom

The Omen​

Command Bridge​

Objective I: Sith Pursuit (PvP)​

Elmindra's lip curled into a smile that did not touch her reptilian eyes as Darth Caedes openly degraded the retreating Ashlans. She gave a respectful nod to the Clawdite's instruction, not quite a bow but deferential all the same. She sensed his intentions and his cruel machinations and she projected her appreciation to him through the Force.

"Relay that," she furthered Caedes' command to the Tiss'shar officers. "Ready our troops. Deploy two squadrons to pursue the enemy craft going to ground. The Wraithwalkers will accompany us. Ensure they are prepared to deploy when we are."

She felt her apprentice's attention on her long before she glanced over her shoulder to meet his eyes. She sensed his eagerness and that insatiable bloodlust in him that burned at his core. It fueled his power but it also made him far too easy to predict. Her gaze was scrutinizing but indulgent, a cold competence behind her deep crimson eyes as she studied him.

"You will accompany us as well, my apprentice. It is time you put your strength to the test." She spoke with a stern authority which left no room for debate, then turned and strode toward the doors to the command deck. She did not look at him as she passed, instead keeping her chin high in her typical show of haughty contempt but Kyraj could feel that she expected him to walk with her.

"You will take your fighter and act as our defense in flank position in case we or the Wraithwalkers meet enemy resistance during our descent. Once we are planet-side, you must remain vigilant. Do not underestimate our opponents. You may have found easy victories on Korriban, but you have not faced a foe like the Sword and Shield of the Jedi Order." She paused once they stepped through the doorway and into the hall and turned to face him. She looked down her nose at him, releasing pheromones which encouraged fear and she impressed her superiority upon his mind with the Force.

"Remember, use your anger, do not let it control you," she spoke to him as if he were a foolish boy in need of being reminded of his manors.

"Do not fail me." She commanded, clear warning in her tone, before she turned on her heel and strode down the hallway to attend to some last matters before she met her war party in the hanger bay.

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Elom Space, Crashing towards the planet
Objective 1: Survive the Crash
Outfit: Jedi Robes/Attire
Equipment: Blaster & Vibroknife
Tags: Open
​

Katherine was leaning against the wall, just outside the cockpit as the pilot called in to the Galactic Alliance comms. She dared not move at that moment, her legs feeling like jelly. This wasn’t how today was meant to turn out. She had been on a supply mission, a simple thing that was meant to encourage her to get comfortable leaving the confines of Coruscant.

At least, that had been Kahlil’s intention at the time. Katherine only agreed after he had assured he she probably didn’t even need to leave the ship itself. Just be there to oversee things, make sure they went smoothly, which they did. The crew returned and they set off back home. But as they were drifting through hyperspace, an emergency call reached them.

Conflict had arisen in the Stygian Caldera, specifically on the planet of Elom. Any outgoing ships were being recalled to head that way to assist in the relief efforts. And just as Katherine’s luck would have it, her ship was close by.

“...Roger that, we’ll head planetside once we’ve left hyperspace.” The pilot spoke with a calm and authoritative tone, neither of which Katherine felt right now. Instead she felt fear and panic take grip around her heart. Her breathing grew short and erratic, hyperventilating as she tried to keep herself calm. But all the lessons Valery had taught her were falling on deaf ears right now.

“Alright folks, you best strap yourselves in as this is going to be a bumpy ride.” Somehow, the redhead Padawan found enough strength, perhaps it was adrenaline, to push away from the wall and scramble towards the nearest seat. Though not before she overheard the co-pilot speak.

“We’re not exactly outfitted for a dogfight…”

“I know, that’s why we need to be quick the second we arrive.”

Yeah…that didn’t exactly help with Katherine’s anxiety.

The moment the ship left hyperspace, she could feel it suddenly lurch to the side. Commotion erupted from the cockpit as the pilots immediately went to work evading oncoming attacks. It was in that moment that Katherine was glad she wasn’t close to a window, the temptation to look would’ve been too great. Instead, the Padawan clutched against the belts that were keeping her secure into the seat.

Everything seemed to go relatively smoothly, the vessel bobbing and weaving as it flew deeper into the conflict. Until a sudden explosion sent it careening to one side, threatening to start spinning if the pilots lost control.

“Shit, we’ve just lost one of the engines!” “Mayday, Mayday! This is…” Katherine felt like her heart was in her throat right now. Her heartbeat became more erratic, her body suddenly grew hot, her head felt increasingly dizzy. Her hands were shaking against the restraints, but she wasn’t sure if that was herself causing it or the ship.

“I repeat, one of our engines has been hit! We’re going down!” “I’ve diverted our remaining power to the shields.”

Katherine scrunched her eyes shut, doing her best to try and curl up into her seat.

Oh god…I’m going to die.

 

[Lila Doneeta]

​

CORUSCANT​

Senate District​

Objective III​

For the majority of Lila's life, the galaxy had seen little war but as history had taught time and time again, the foreboding danger of conflict was ever looming. It was true that with war came profit; fighting led to injuries and that meant an increased desire for medical supplies. As a leading position in one of the facilities charged with the production of bacta on Thyferra, the bloodshed would mean an economic boost. That was not the Twi'lek's motivation. Lila cared very little for the payout that it would provide. She held the role she did because her desire to help people was paramount and ruled how she conducted herself. Now that she had been appointed senator of Thyferra, she also had the planet's interest in mind too, their populace relying on her to represent them in parliamentary discussions. Though not born on the planet, she had spent more of her life there than she had on Ryloth. Having the chair of the Ministry of Health also meant that she had a greater commitment to all in the Galactic Alliance to utilise science and medicine with their best interest in mind.

Lila stood tall in the booth, just one in a multitude that were present in the chamber. A long gown hung gracefully off her delicate shoulders, her hands interlocked in front of her at her waist. The Sith had already rained fire on Thyferra many years ago, searing terror and indignation into the minds of its people. Allowing any more planets to be subject to the scorn of the Sith was not an option, especially if it jeopardised the safety of those she represented. Lila was against the use of violence but she knew that when it came to evil forces such as this, there were not many options. Complacency would only lead to more suffering and they had a right to stop the oppression before the threat reached the borders of the Galactic Alliance space and escalated further. In her mind, the most immediate issue to resolve was the safe extraction of the refugees and she commended the Chancellor's quick response for this.

Listening attentively as the Chancellor addressed the Senate, Lila was taken aback slightly by the dramatic display with the lightsaber. It was theatrical but it served a purpose. The actions they decided upon in this room would affect the entire galaxy. Before talk turned to the hostilities required to retaliate, she wanted the conversation to first focus on supporting those affected. "There are, no doubt, countless civilians who need our help from this attack. What efforts are in place to provide refuge for those affected and need our support?" That many people would put strain on hospitals and there would be an increased demand for supplies. Not to mention the temporary housing arrangements to provide shelter to those who cannot return home.

TAGS: Dracken Pryce Natasi Fortan Zahara Myneto Set. Alicio Organa Calista Aquiliux Valette Puritis Yumia Sonya Provost Auteme Kel Se'Taav​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Aliris Tremiru

Braze tightened his grip on his lightsaber, ready to engage in the battle he had hoped to avoid. His heart ached as he saw Ali consumed by her rage, her thirst for revenge blinding her to reason. He knew that engaging her in combat was a risky move, but he couldn't stand idly by while she spiraled further into darkness.

With a determined expression, Braze moved forward, his lightsaber raised in a defensive stance. "Ali, I may not know everything that's going on, but I do know this: giving in to your anger will only make you a puppet to be controlled," he called out, his voice filled with urgency.

With catlike reflexes he sidestepped the brunt of her aggressive strike, his movements graceful and calculated. He was playing it close and took some minor damage from her projectiles, bits of cloth being shredded away with a small sputter of blood.

"This path is consuming you. Is this really what you want? To lose yourself completely?" Braze questioned, his voice tinged with genuine concern. Their lightsabers clashed with a crackling sound, each strike filled with intensity. Braze's words were punctuated by his own attacks as he clashed with Ali, bearing down his might.

He fought with a mix of skill, hesitation, and calculated recklessness, unwilling to seriously harm her, but determined to protect himself and those around them.

"The pain you're feeling won't go away if you continue down this path," he pressed on, his voice laced with empathy. "It'll only grow, consuming you until there's nothing left. Is that the legacy you want to leave behind?"

Braze's movements were agile, his strikes precise, but he held back, avoiding any swipes toward what might be lethal blows.

He sought not to defeat her, but to reason with her, to awaken a sliver of sanity within her clouded mind.

There was an air of thrilling terror behind his actions. He was unsure of himself and was siding uncharacteristically with caution. In the past, Ember Tide had always given him the confidence to embrace his choices with reckless abandon, but now without his crutch to bolster his designs and actions, he had to be careful.

He implored her here and now, his voice sincere amidst the flurry of their duel, clinging perhaps tragically to some sorrowful hope for that brief connection he was so sure he had felt with her to shine through.

In the midst of their fight, Braze's own emotions fueled his actions. Without the allure and assurance of Ember Tide to bolster his confidence, he carefully balanced caution with commitment, focusing on breaking through to her.

This balancing act in those split-second decisions made all the difference in the heat of combat. this much he knew. It was all Braze could do to focus on trying to break through to her, perhaps distracting himself from his own cocktail of feelings of hurt and sorrow.

"Ali, you're not alone in your pain. We've all suffered, but that doesn't mean we have to give in to our impulses," he implored, his voice filled with sincerity between trading blows with her.

As their lightsabers clashed again, Braze locked eyes with Ali, searching for any flicker of recognition, any sign that his words were resonating with her.

"How can you call yourself strong if you are a slave to the past?!" He demanded feeling his own grip on his emotional control slipping as he drew on the memories of her betrayal and bared down against her.

Filled with a mixture of anger and hurt. The adrenaline rush of combat coursed through him, momentarily numbing the pain, as he engaged with his adversary.

Braze relished the intensity of saber combat, finding solace and purpose in those moments of hyper-focus. He reveled in the challenge, fueled by the familiarity and conflict with Ali. He embraced the opportunity to rise to the occasion and not only prove his own strength, both physically and emotionally, but to challenge Aliris' as he clashed against her.

He determined to make her see the consequences of her actions. It was as if he'd been holding back the pain, bottling it up and that glass was cracking now.

Braze was coupling his pent-up frustrations and channeling them into these moments of hyper fixation and fluid focus.

This is what Braze lived for.

 

[Scrudge]

Lily Decoria Bastila Sal-Soren Erid Zodana

"GGWWWRGHH!!"​

A guttural roar tore across the barren landscape of Elom. Those familiar with the sounds a Wookiee makes might notice something markedly wrong about the rumbling howl. Something crazed.

Something spiced out of its mind.

The Sith were better employers than the Hutts, at least for the credits they promised—which is exactly what Scrudge was here for. The dirtier the job, the better the payment. He’d faceplanted into the finest red powder moments before being dropped into the desert, and was ready to rock.

"RRRAARRWHHGWWR!!"​

A monstrous burst of his own natural strength made overturning a small transport of fleeing natives easier for the bug-eyed Wookiee. His job was simple: destroy anything that wasn't his own employer.

Scrudge watched the Elomin clamber from the wreckage of their vehicle as he retrieved the bowcaster that had been slung over his back. Taking aim at the fleeing civilians, he pulled the trigger.

 

[Valery Noble]

Elom

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble Darth Caedes Kyraj Elmindra Xitaar

"They're not wasting any time. You ready?"

Valery turned her gaze away from the sky, and looked at her husband for a moment. She could feel his intensity in the Force even without their bond, and she made sure to match it. For months now, they've worked so hard to investigate the Sith presence in these parts of the Galaxy, and finally, it was time to act on it. This clash would likely be the first of many, so it would be here that the tone was going to be set.

"I'm ready, and it seems they're not underestimating anything either. Do you feel that?" Valery asked, as darker forces in the sky began to shift. Together with Kahlil, she had fought many opponents, but in most scenarios it had been the two of them up against a single foe. His father and Kyrel Ren being the most formidable enemies they had encountered. This time, the Sith were bringing numbers against them, and she couldn't blame them.

On their own, the Sword and Shield were powerful, but together they were so much stronger.

"When their shuttles come down to confront us, maybe we should make their landing a little quicker?" With his runes, he'd be able to spot them far more easily, so why not help the Sith reach the surface a bit faster?

 

[Darth Nwul]

Wake stood on the bridge this time, no longer relegated to the hangar to wait for the excitement to begin. He stood off to the side, watching Caedes work as he remained silent, contemplating. He worked his way once again through every moment of his life, every memory, every feeling that impacted him. As he did, he parsed through the feelings of those whom he had consumed. Their joys, their successes, their failures, their sadness. Every emotion, positive or negative, from every life that now belonged to him, he slowly converted into power, fueling the ever deepening crucible inside of him.

Wake felt the wash of terror as a ship exploded and his eyes flicked towards the transparisteel viewport, his lip twitching as nature began its work again. The mighty consumed the weak, it was just how the cycle of life functioned. Their pain would inevitably be used as fuel for the sith, their corpses would have their uses in a metaphorical way. Everything had a purpose. He raised his head as Caedes made his declaration. This was going to be a blast. He resisted the urge to laugh, though, there was a time and place for his usual derisive attitude and this wasn't one of them. Instead he glanced at the others-

The Sword was here?

His eyes flicked toward Caedes as a pang of apprehension ripped through him. He clamped down on it immediately and converted it into more fuel, stabilizing himself. Valery Nobel was here. His teeth clenched together as excitement and joy ripped through his arms. Finally, he won't be chased by her this time.

When they arrived planetside he felt the cacaphony of presences wash over him. He drank it in, the battles already underway. Familiar presences. Minds that were clear to him in his purity. Spirits he could identify by name by their signature alone. He bore his teeth, today he was not here to feel simple joy. There was more. The thrill of battle was the emotion of the day and that bound to that feeling he had on Korriban, when he felt fervor and religious zeal for the first time. Fanaticism gave him a deep strength that hate and rage could never compare to. His love for the Dark Side exploded in his chest and he broadened his perspective, the cold, pure, and unfettered presence of his void-like force wound a beacon in the battlefield.

Braze was out there. So was Aliris Tremiru , they were fighting! It's funny how things like that turn out. He burst into a short peal of laughter and glanced over at Darth Caedes , wherever the sith Lord was standing. He kept himself closer to Kyraj and the other students of Caedes when that dread presence washed over him again. He had escaped her once, but now-

" Valery Noble ..." Wake breathed, he glanced at Caedes one more time before uttering a small impromptu prayer to the dark side; "I am with you, My Lord."

 

[Jonyna Si]

He then blasted a Force Wave at her, intending to send her soaring backwards as she leaped in the air at him.

Getting sent flying was the least of her problems. She needed to drown him out. Get him out of her head.

As she smashed into the ground, an idea formed. The Cathar stood, and focused. The wind began to stir around the two, as the air filled with the sound of tribal drums, the voice of the jungle, of animal cries and wind and water passing through rainforest canopy, drowning out anything else within the area. The sounds of battle disappeared as the cathar charged back towards the sith that had her full attention. If he wanted to get into her head, he'd have to be louder than her home. Louder than Cathar itself. the gale whipped around as Jonyna idly force pushed away any other opponents between her and her foe.

The gale only got louder as the sound of Cathar war chants filled the air.

One hit. That's all she wanted. All she needed. Because despite all her improvisation, she knew precision. That was her goal. If this so called Lord couldn't take her head on, couldn't take one hit, then he was the coward she thought he was.

She sent a slash of thunder at him with Liz once more as she closed the distance.. Throw him off guard. If he couldn't concentrate, he couldn't use the force, right?

Darth Wallgof

 

[Nyaeli]

​

Location: Elom
Attani Implant: Link!
Tag: Shan Pavond

This time, Shan would not struggle to sense what lay ahead.

A darker presence was waiting for them, while a few weaker presences lingered within that cloud. Nyaeli had made her way down to the surface, not just to hunt Jedi, but to cleanse this world of weakness. To rid the Galaxy of the Ashlans who had so boldly risen up against the former Sith Empire who controlled these territories. Now they were either hiding or on the run, and she wasn't going to rest until they had all drawn their last breaths.

"P-please, don't kill me," a woman's shaky voice begged, as she stared down at the Aruzan. While her physique was not very imposing, the strength of her mind and the power in her eyes certainly were. She had already slain a whole group of refugees, the last one of which was right by her feet. He held a simple knife in his hands that he had tried to use to defend himself and his loved ones, but Nyaeli had slaughtered him like an animal.

The others were not so lucky to be rewarded a quick death.

Their minds were slowly being manipulated by the Sith Apprentice, as she reached out to them through her corrupted Attani implant. Without a connection to the Force, they could not resist her, and easily fell victim to whatever she wanted to do to them. Break them? Control them? It was her choice to make, and she knew that if she weaponized these refugees, even more would not see the light of the next day.

But this mission would not go unopposed — already, she could feel the Jedi approaching, and the excitement of killing one in battle grew quickly. So, as a warning, she decided to reach out to Shan Pavond 's mind as well, not to torment or control, but simply to deliver a message.

<I can feel your fear.>​

 

[Shan Pavond]

• Padawan Pavond
• Elom
• Outfit (ignore the saber)

His fear only built at the sudden voice in his mind, his eyes going wide...though his legs didn't stop moving as the Padawan kept running, his feet slamming against the ground beneath him. He needed to help the refugees, even if every fibre of his brain was telling him to run, he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he abandoned them.

Dozens of thoughts were rushing through his mind as he kept moving. Should he try to contact the voice now? Or try to close off his mind? If he kept Nyaeli's focus on him, he might be able to save a few moments for the refugees. But at the same time a taunt could make things a lot more difficult for him...but he had said in the past he wasn't a coward. So even against his better judgement, Shan tried to taunt Nyaeli. To keep her focus on him instead of the refugees. Was it even going to work? He didn't know.

You may feel my fear. But soon you will feel the light. The darkness will not win.

With that Shan started to focus on his own mental barrier, like he had been taught by Valery. It felt strange, now that he was actually using it for proper defensive purposes. A part of him felt like it would be best to fully block himself off with the barrier to protect his mind...but if he was going to use Soresu, he'd need to have access to the Force. So he left a small gap in his barrier, so that he could still feel the Force around him. His heart was in his stomach, racing away.

This was going to be his first encounter with an actual dark side user. He knew he had told Valery and even Kahlil that he'd want to try and redeem any dark side user he went against...but now he was starting to have second thoughts. There were people's lives at risk...And not only that, the darkness he felt from Nyaeli when she spoke to him. It had almost been smothering. There was a part of him that wished he was going against a more physical threat but Nyaeli felt like she was going to be more of a mental battle for him.

He was getting close enough now that Shan felt like he couldn't even turn back if he wanted to. The Mirialan just gripped onto his saber tightly and took in a deep breath as he came across the sight. Almost straight away, his eyes went to the dead refugee on the floor before his eyes darted up towards the Aruzan. He could feel his heart racing away in his chest, making sure that his mental barrier was still secured...before clearing his throat. Come on Shan! This was his first time coming across a Sith! Say something cool!

"Well...Hello there." ...That wasn't cool damn it!

Nyaeli

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"When their shuttles come down to confront us, maybe we should make their landing a little quicker?"

"Just a little?"

Kahlil raised his hand towards the sky, a calm smile now on his face. He knew these ships. His fathers. Carnifex was here, somewhere else on this world, but right now he couldn't leave to try and stop hip. He trusted his order to handle it if they came across it. For now, he pulled on the bond he shared with Valery and let his influence spread across the Force. His runes formed, one by one slowly filling the sky with a complex sequence. They were Sith in origin, but the once Sorcerer that he was had already changed them to something that belonged to the Light.

"I figure there's no reason to hold back."

Then he activated them. The air shimmered only briefly before the sky began to freeze over. An unnatural chill, freezing even metal surrounded the shuttles that descended. The chill itself wouldn't reach into the cabins, but that was never his goal. Freeze their engines, send them crashing to the ground.

Remove their desire to fight.

Kahlil lowered his hand, flashing a grin towards his wife.

"What do you think?"

Darth Caedes | Valery Noble | Kyraj | Elmindra Xitaar | Darth Nwul

 

[Alicio Organa]

SENATE BUILDING, CORUSCANT
OBJECTIVE 3 (FOR NOW)
- Dracken Pryce - Natasi Fortan - Zahara Myneto - Set. - Calista Aquiliux - Valette Puritis Yumia - Sonya Provost - Auteme - Kel Se'Taav - Lila Doneeta -
​

Alicio tilted his head up as the center podium rose from the floor, his blue-tinted hologram shifting slightly with interference. It was finally time to begin.

As Auteme began to speak, surrounded by papers and letters, Alicio gave a mildly confused expression. It felt like an odd thing, to bring up military cuts at a time like this. It was only as she produced a sleek lightsaber hilt, Alicio understood. He let his face fall as she slashed through the peace they had fought so hard to achieve. Not because he disapproved, but perhaps in mourning.

Finally, the floor was opened. A new Senator, one that Alicio didn't recognize, but occupied Thyferra's seat, spoke about the question at the forefront of his mind, too. He pursed his lips.

Alderaan's pod floated into open space, Alicio's voice becoming magnified, despite his quiet, gentle tone. He addressed the Thyferran Senator with a nod. //The medical fleet, which Thyferra is helping to supply, is already en route for rescue. Not to mention the Jedi and GADF forces that are already there. But it's by no means as long-term as they will need. To my understanding, this new wave of refugees will put... significant strain on the systems and sanctuary cities the Alliance currently has established.// Alicio frowned. They had just been through a refugee crisis, and already, it seemed like there would be another. There would be need for new long-term housing for them, which would require either Alliance funds, or for planetary governments to pick up the slack. Which it would have to be was up to the Senate.

Either way, it appeared it was time for Alicio to return to his roots in relief.

Alicio let the conversation play out a little, before offering a question of his own, directed at where he saw the GADF representatives. //Perhaps, for the first time, I'm glad that the wheels of democracy move so slowly. We still have the full use of our Defense Force.// The ghostly hologram found a shallow smile, before continuing with grave importance. //How prepared are we for a war on two fronts?//

 

[Halkin au Kazamir]

Tags: Kassogtha Cthylla

---

Confused and surprised by the new voice, all parties gave anxious glances around, not willing to fully divert their attention from their enemies yet fearful of an ambush from the shadows. When it became more clear that the voice, a Jedi, was on the side of the Ashlan, the emotions shifted. Relief and hope on behalf on the Ashlan, fear and bitter anger on behalf of the Sith soldiers. Muttered prayers of thanks came flowing out of the Ashlan's mouths, while the Sith unleashed a chorus of shocked curses as their weapons were ripped from their grips and thrown out a window.

Hal had fought Jedi before, with some luck, he'd even killed one. But something felt different, wrong. From his semi-concealed position, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, raising his primitive mental defenses. Unknown to Halkin, this same action projected a clear beacon to his presence through the Force.

He stepped through the threshold of the door, still not fully decided on what he wanted to do with these Ashlan refugees, the flicker of pity for them remained, and with every passing second he could feel it growing. He took note of the explosive detpack strapped to the belt of one of the Sith. Hal struggled to recall his name, something that started with an A.

"All the Jedi I've met shown themselves in the open, they didn't hide." Hal turned his gaze around the small house, squinting at the nooks where he expected a slim figure to emerge from. "Let's-" He paused, no matter what went down, there needed to be some kind of back up plan. These Ashlan could start shooting, or the Jedi could leap out and start cutting them down. He slowly shifted his right hand away from his lightsaber and towards the explosive pack, slowly unhooking it from the trooper's belt loop. He held the device behind his back, trying to figure out how to arm it with one finger while talking, "We'll talk about it. See if we can reach a deal."

 

[Valette Puritis Yumia]

Senate Rotunda
Tags: Auteme , Alicio Organa , Sonya Provost , Kel Se'Taav , Lila Doneeta , Zahara Myneto , Dracken Pryce , Natasi Fortan , Calista Aquiliux

​

//How prepared are we for a war on two fronts?//

"We may be well beyond the point of asking that," Yumia chimed in. "We've had our time to lick our wounds after the Second Great Hyperspace War. To say that it was not apparent that the Sith would become a threat again is an understatement."

The Sith were left to fester after all. Their Order was largely unaffected by the collapse of the Maw. It was hard to argue that this was a possible outcome rather than an inevitable one.

"If they are brazen enough to divide their resources and lay claim to the Caldera than I see no reason not to expect an attack on Alliance space proper in the near future," she continued. "The Defense Force remains in full effect, but it will need to be reassessed and reacclimated to full-scale combat. I do not doubt our brave men and women, but the last few years have been... soft."

This was a strange new game they had to play. Charge in to quickly and they risked burning their military resources on those not yet prepared for front-line combat. Wait to long and they risked opening themselves up to a two-front assault in their own territory. The long standing damage of the Maw's campaign along the Corridor was reminder of the damage that such a conflict could cause.

"We cannot jump straight in to war," Valette decided, "But we must be prepared to take the offensive when the opportunity presents itself. I'm sure we all remember the outcome when the Maw took the fight to our space. It is in our best interest to avoid the repeat of such a disaster."

 

[Aliris Tremiru]

He was still talking. Even as she lashed out at him with his own Kyber crystal he kept talking and trying to reach her. Shut up. Shut up shut up shut up. The more he spoke the angrier she got. She didn't want to listen to him. She didn't want him here, in her way. She didn't want to be his friend. But he kept trying, kept reaching his hand out, hesitating, avoiding striking her even while every single blow she dealt was dealt with the intent to kill.

It didn't matter what he said. He got in the way of her revenge, of what she deserved. Her justice!

"Stop! Talking! You're just in my-"

No, he wasn't in her way. As she pressed her blade against his she could see it. The pure intent to help. She hated that idea. That he was there to help her even after her betrayal and cruelty. No, she didn't hate it, but that pissed her off anyway. She gritted her teeth, pressed against his blade harder, glared at him. She didn't want to listen to him.

"How can you call your self strong if you are a slave to the past?!"

Her blade faltered for a brief moment at that. Lessened it's pressure against his blade just enough to be noticed before she leapt away and raised a hand. The metal she could manipulate with such ease erupted once more, scattering a wave of spikes. But not to hurt him, just keep him away. She hated that he was right. She was letting her emotions take over. Letting her focus be shattered by rage and hate. She shouldn't. Being a Sith didn't mean being full of only hate, right?

Darth Nwul showed her that much.

"And you're not? You're not clinging to the past, talking to me here? We're enemies, right? You and your Jedi Order are helping these Ashlan scum and I-" She cut off. And not by choice.

He was running again. She'd come back, full of all that rage and hate, and he ran. He didn't expect her to actually be that strong. After all that time trying to progr- teach her how to avoid her emotions and make her someone to be useful to the Ashlan's, she was never suppose to get that kind of power. It was frightening. Frustrating. Rimu just ran as he did with the other survivors of the Sith purge of Dromund Kaas.

But he looked back. And his frustration bubbled up even more. There was a Jedi there. A padawan. A boy. So easily holding his own against her. No, not easily. But she wasn't actually strong, was she? The Tremiru were horrifying. As a boy he'd faced them, and they were monsters. His superiors ignored his pleas to just get rid of her when they found her, instead putting him in charge of teaching her. He resented her every day. And now she was a Sith. But weak. She didn't have surprise on him anymore.

He grinned as he rushed forward. Now he could get rid of them once and for all.

What happened? Behind her wall of matter she'd made to keep her eyes off of Braze. No, keep him from being able to see her. She didn't want him to try and further to stop her. But then something had hit her. She opened her eyes slowly, but the realization she couldn't breath filled her right away with panic. Then she saw him. The man she'd been trying to kill. Knight Captain Rimu.

His hands were around her throat, squeezing. Panic filled her mind She raised her hands, trying to turn the saber she had on him. No, the saber was gone. She flailed then. Raised her fists to try and punch him, kick him off, anything. Desperation and pure fear overwhelmed her mind. She didn't think he'd come back like this. He was just a coward, so why was he back? Why was he here?

"I should've killed you that first time you let your emotions run free."

Shut up. Let me go! Get off!

Her vision was dimming. She needed to breath, needed air.

"No. No, I should've killed you when I found you. Let you drown, you Sith scum. 'Just a child' they said. No, you're a damn monster like all the rest of your family. So die. Die now before you become something even worse."

Shit. Shit. Shit shit shit shit. Everything was going dark. Her feeble attempts to knock him off slowed, weakened. She didn't want to die. Not like this. Not at all. Shit!

You're truly desperate, aren't you?

Braze