Dominion Take it With a Grain of Sand [Galactic Alliance Dominion of Jakku]

[Kaska Arden]

Thalia Senn | Viers Connory

"Thief?!" Kaska's indignation was practically palpable in the force as she turned to face her accuser, the shear audacity of the girl causing her smile to fade along with any amusement she might have still entertained. Replaced in kind by the embers of a wildfire temper that only served to illustrate just how far the jedi knight still had to go in order to learn the very same lesson she had attempted to impart but seconds ago. "Careful with your next words, kid. You do not have the script to pay for the bill your mouth is running up."

It was all too obvious from the dirty, downright dismissive looks the younger girl cast in her direction what she thought of her. Clearly having a difficult time marrying the idea she was a force user with her current attire. Nothing Kaska hadn't experienced before. Being called a thief, however...

She was lucky the other girl was there to distract Kaska from her growing ire, the sudden introduction tempering the Nyriaanan's irritation somewhat. Her mouth opening to offer her own name in sullen kind before another, more hulking form emerged from the hallway and completed it for her. Both its presence and its knowledge putting her on the flatfoot.

Stang, had it really been that long since she had last checked in with the order? She had only expected to be away a handful of days last she recalled, but then one escapade had rolled into the next, dragging her further out from the core until checking in hadn't seemed quite the priority it once had. Still, one hundred and twenty seven cycles? Hopefully someone had been taking care of her bonsai asuka tree back on Providence in the interim.

"As Padawan Senn," She cast pointed look towards her verbal assailant, "clearly seems to have summised, I am not one to stand on formalities. Just Kaska will do fine. And I am sure the Order would appreciate the update, thank...."

She trailed off mid platitude, her head cocking to the side almost quizzically as a loud horn resonated from somewhere within the surrounding dunes up ahead. A long, baritone deep sound that was answered a few moments later by a similar blast from further away. Neither of which managing to hit the welcoming notes she would expect to greet a caravan of this size.

"I thought you said we were several days from a settlement?" She asked as she rushed past the hulking form of the KJ unit to get to the side of the platform, "Is that from the not-so-secret now Enclave you have out here?"

Senn had indicated that was behind them, however, but maybe the girl's sense of direction matched her manners.

Unfortunately, an ugly looking cargo pod strapped to the side of the AT-TE made it almost impossible for her to get anything more than a fleeting glimpse of what was happening in front of the walker, hidden enclave or no. Forcing the Jedi to lean precariously out as far as she could, feet lifting off the ground a good few inches as she clung to the railing, straining her balance to the limits as she practically became parallel with the decking.

For a long few moments, the only reward for her troubles was an unrivalled view of the endless sea of drab sand that awaited them, stretching out to the horizon as far as the eye could see. Only the lone rusted skeleton of a frigate, its bones long since picked clean by opportunistic scavengers and the fierce dust storms that ravaged this section of the planet on a regular basis, served as a landmark on which to gauge any sense of distance. Its battered frame jutting from the ground at an awkward angle, casting a long, dark shadow that...

... Seemed to be moving?

The Nyriaanan squinted further against the bright light, dark amber eyes fighting to pick out the vague flickering shapes within the darker recesses of the shadow. Little blobs that didn't quite seem to match the stark lines of the vessel they hid beneath. Nor did the larger, bulkier blob that slowly slithered up from behind the derelict crash site. No, if she had to make a guess, that profile seemed to match the kind she had come to associate with military skiffs.

"Blood and ashes," She cursed, and then again as she hauled herself back to a standing position. "Blood and bloody ashes."

The increasingly frantic sounds spilling forth from inside the walker confirming what she already knew. Her expression becoming drawn and thin as she all but spat out the next word.

"Raiders."

 

[Cotan Sar'andor]

"I knew your father," Cotan replied to Errant's question. "And if you're bound by your vows to find and kill the Sith that's leading this, then you'd better make sure you're in good shape to do it, so that you don't fail Tavlar, Fel, and the rest." It was a very blunt way of getting his point across, but it seemed as good as any in the moment. There was no way Cotan was going to allow the man to proceed along without at least some semblance of healing being done, doubly so for Auraya. "Now, get back here and sit dow—"

Thunk.

Cotan turned at the new sound, just to see a fourth person had dropped into the middle of the group. "What mission?" he demanded of the man, before gesturing around the room with a hand. "I saw a Star Destroyer, I have a Padawan here who needs experience, I sensed something within, thought it'd be good learning to take her to check it out. There's no actual mission here, not for the two of us." He pointed back at the door.

"Watch that entrance in case any more hostiles show up. I've got two wounded to take care of, so I need cover, and unless you've got a medkit stuffed somewhere under that cuirass, it doesn't look like you'll be much help."

It appeared, between the panic, the fight, and everything else, Cotan was not in as good of a mood as he usually was.

"Alright, Errant, we're starting with you, because you look the worst. Auraya, that was just a grazing shot, yeah? Keep pressure on the wound in case it starts bleeding." He held the crystal out towards Errant, closing his eyes and focusing on it for a moment. "This might hurt. I've only used it once. Grit your teeth and bear it, you'll be fine." And with that last bit of encouragement, he started to pour the energy of the Force through the crystal, to heal at least some of Errant's many wounds.

Errant Auraya Irath-Ur Aaris Kolden

 

[Aaris Kolden]

INSIDE THE WRECKED STAR DESTROYER
Objective 3: Your Enthusiasm is Palpatinable
Tags: Errant Auraya Irath-Ur Cotan Sar'andor

Aaris stood very still, processing the misunderstanding, his senses heightening at the possibility that these people were not in fact the group that he was intended to rondeau with. He went to speak, but stopped himself... unsure of what was going on or how to proceed.

He had been briefed by his superior that, in the midst of the Galactic Alliance moving into the territory, the locals had been encountering a dark force user whom they suspected was originating from this wreckage. He had been briefed that the Alliance wanted to follow up on the suspicion and to root out any dark force users that might have settled in. He had assumed from the briefing that he was meeting with a team, but... perhaps it was more of an open invitation for those available?

Strange.

So who were these people... just some strangers who stumbled upon the wreckage? He shifted his stance and finally responded to the man,

"Just tell me if you're with the Galactic Alliance then." His deep voice resonated out from the armor with its iconic metallic tone. It was apparent that the man in front of him was not in a good mood, so to share details about a mission he obviously knew nothing about seemed pointless.

He kept his eyes on the group in front of him, but also alerted his senses towards the entrance at the mans request to guard it. Whether or not they where with the Alliance, they were injured, and it was apparent that they were pursuing a similar enemy.

 

[Samatharis]

Obj: 3 Observatory P3
Barr Vexos | Aaris Kolden | Errant | Auraya Irath-Ur | Cotan Sar'andor

​

Sam stood over the bodies of two Sith cultists in dark red robes. She tied them up by the dim light of her headlamp. Then took their salvaged com device and put it to her ear. Listening to a conversation already quickly underway,

... ~"...More have entered the ship, my Master." ~

~ "Gather the Acolytes. Defend the fuel rods with your lives. They will not slow us down." ~

~ "As you wish, my Master." ~

The line went quiet for awhile. Then the first voice spoke again,

~ "Acolytes. The Emperor's Hand has commanded your lives to defend the salvaging operation. The intruders must not access the rear of this vessel. Close the doors and prepare the fire traps. We are the Darkside. We will always prevail." ~

A flurry of voices responded over the radio in kind,

~ "We are the Darkside." ~ "We are the Darkside." ~ "We will prevail." ~ "We will prevail." ~ "We will obey." ~

Then the line went quiet again. Then it disconnected.

Sam stood up and put the com device in her pocket. It was enough. Then she switched her personal com to open frequency. The one she'd used before.

~ "Attention Alliance. This is Escort One. Sith cultists are fortifying the rear of the ship in defense of salvaged Imperial fuel rods. They are anticipating our arrival. I repeat. The Sith cultists are fortifying the rear of the vessel in defense of priority Imperial fuel rods. Expect resistance on your approach. Escort One out." ~

She took a deep breath and looked up. She was so far underground now that she couldn't even see the light anymore. Surly the rear of the vessel was the same. Cavernous, dark, and jagged. The metal down here even smelled old. It smelled like death.

"Welp. So much for our scouting team going unnoticed. Kriff. Guess they know we're here."

She looked down at the two unconscious aliens at her feet. The pitiful melee weapons strewn at their ankles. Yep. There was more where they came from. Pfft. A lot more too.

"Well. I guess. Rear Engineering. Here we come."

She turned her headlamp down an empty broken, abandoned hallway. It was dark all the way to the end and covered in old, rocky red earth.

Pfft. Figures.

 

[Kisaku Oroken]

Aldric​

Kisaku just didn't have the perspective needed to engage in conversations that discussed the state of the entire New Jedi Order. In his fragile emotional state right now being subjected to those conversations would probably do him much more harm than good. That and the fact that master and padawan regardless, both of them needed their space to do their own thing; Auteme being no exception.

That's how Kisaku ended up wandering the halls of the enclave inside, safe away from anything that could harm him in its security. He was listless, though. After Ziost, he felt wounded. Not just in the literal sense as he was; bandages wrapped around his midsection and his arms, gelled to keep the deep burns from stiffening. Auteme doubtlessly did her best to heal them, but injuries inflicted by sith lightning were more stubborn than a conventional sort, and the state he'd been in he was lucky to be alive at all.

What bothered him more was how he felt. He felt like he was carrying a weight with him everywhere he went. A stone upon his shoulders, this heavy, morose feeling like he was being smothered. He couldn't escape it. Gone were the days in which his waking moments were filled with imagined fantasies, anxieties over the opinions of others and the incessant struggle to receive attention. When every waking moment was pain inside and out, he found his imagination dead and lifeless.

He had to do something to shake this, this anxiety that hung about him. That's how he came to isolate himself in one of the training rooms. It was half-converted storage of course -- Jakku didn't have an overwhelming abundance of space, the hole in the wall that it was. But it was isolation and that was good enough for him. He used to be able to calm his thoughts through kata with a saber -- meditation through motion. It filled him with such warmness, and the feeling of being alive and improving himself.

When he first ignited his saber in the training room he could feel something was wrong. He ignored it, eager to shake the feeling with a wince as he took up a favored ward; the center of being. He drew a deep breath and eventually found himself calming enough to begin. Slow, graceful motions started and stopped with jerks as pain lanced through his body from his injuries. He grit his teeth and carried on stubbornly, pulling at the Force, wrapping himself in the tapestry like a blanket as he hoped to dull the pain of the wounds.

He could see beyond his own ship as other landing craft were violently torn through by turbolaser fire from surface defense batteries. If he focused -- see and feel the lives being extinguished within. Witness in the most raw sense their last moments of panic, pain, terror, and for some, final acceptance just before they were erased completely from his senses.

His breath picked up with a sudden rapid intake. His motions grew faster as his mind began playing that fateful day again. He found himself unable to pull away, the memory so vivid, so real.

A mild sense of panic had lingered from coming down onto the surface and it was rising. He could see a similar emotion passing through Auteme, but what was more - he could see passed the gates. He could see a solitary figure even before they opened. And they were wholly different than anyone else Kisaku had ever seen before. Where as usually he could see the state of others' emotions he could not imagine what he felt now to be belonging to a person.

Unconsciously, as anxiety filled him completely, the familiar, haunting fear causing panic to begin smoldering at the edges of his consciousness his motions with a saber became faster still, the violent blade of his saber growling through the air, whipping through cutting drills at full force.

Hatred. Cold, distant. Almost an extreme disdain for his existence; perhaps not his in particular, but the feeling was so strong it felt like a knife blade to his throat. This... This was a Sith?

A sudden sound snapped him to reality as he became overwhelmed, driven all the way to full intensity as if he were back in that room with the corpses, the death, and... Him.

As he slowly recovered into reality his ears isolated sound before his recognition of what had happened. The steady wishing noise of buckwheat rolling to the ground reached him.. And as his sight returned, he realized he'd suddenly turned on heel, slicing through a crate with a wrathful strike. In the small hill of grain that rolled from it, the culprit lay twitching, bisected and buried in its grave of foodstuffs: a lonely rat loose in the storage.

Kisaku stared at its form as it died, horror at his own actions rolling through him. He hadn't even realized what he'd done until afterwards. The only crime the thing had committed was daring to move in the same room as him.

As his intense grasp of the Force left him the pain returned. He let out a sharp cry that he did his best to mute, wincing as he clutched a hand to his side. Something had re-opened.

​

 

[Barr Vexos]

Objective 3

Equipment: REC-LA/02 Combat Armour HG-54 "The Vora" Verpine Hand Cannon REC-DC/01 "Thunderwasp" Particle Blaster Rifle C-11 "Nastirci" Combat Knife B-11 Greitis-class Combat Boots



Allies: GA

Barr did one last check on his blaster, making sure the clip is loaded, the safety is on (because the last thing he needed being discharge for friendly fire and get an earful from his higher-ups….and his mother….and his father…. ) and making sure no sand got into the clip or any other part of his blaster that could become a detriment to him, his survival, or more importantly to Barr, his comrades. Checking over to some of his comrades-in-arms, he sees one, in particular, trying to get some of the sand off her helmet, another drinking out of his bottle of water (which to Barr, was probably cold as the planet Hoth, which caused a sighed to the man under his breath), and another person who was seen aiming his blaster away from the group toward the desert. It was clear to Barr that the person was making sure no possible were to happen in his/her watch and it made Barr a bit grateful he/she was doing it, whoever it was only because he did not really want to do it.

Turning his head to the other side to look at the other GA soldiers in his squad. Barr spotted someone or something (Samatharis) afar on top of a Destroyer. Whatever it was it had his curiously, but once the person started to speak, it had gotten its attention.

A voice was soon heard, which Barr realized belong to the now revealed female and listen in along with the rest of the squad. Barr didn’t wonder who this person was but felt that he could trust her despite no evidence showing she could. Seeing the woman disappear into the ship Barr grunted in annoyance “ Couldn’t just get on top of the destroyer like the woman was at. Could have easily been done with a ship…..

“You all heard the lady!! Stay as sharp as a darksaber and move out!!” The commanding trooper said causing everyone to abide and move out into the graveyard. Barr took his shooting stance in case the cultist or anyone else shows up to cause harm as did the rest of the squad with varying stances of their own. looking around places of the graveyard Barr could not help but wonder how many people have scavenged the place. It was clear that this place had seen far FAR…better days and knew that This place must have been like a smorgasbord of tech, ship parts, and anything else it can be of value when it first called Jakku it’s home.



Minutes passed as the squad entered into the graveyard, which to some experienced soldiers, could be bad. Since the tension will normally increase for those who are rookies soldiers, and even some with some form of battle experience. Once one gets involves in a firefight and survives it. It can become a blessing or a curse and in some if not most cases, both. Wondering when you are going to get into another firefight with the really serious possibility that your life could end from it, would make even a well- trained experienced soldier feel tense.

Barr knew this…or that what he thinks when he was in situations like this with his troops in the graveyard since he was taught that by his father, and did whatever he could in his mind to calm himself. He honestly did wish he could say the same for those around him. But he genuinely did not know they knew the aforementioned info. Granted they were trained to be soldiers, but even normal citizens know that no account of training for blaster fire is going to be as exact as the real thing.



He looked over to another trooper after hearing the sounds of shaking and realized that the tension was getting to him. Barr could not help with sympathize with the man. Even though he probably voluntarily signed up to being part of the GA army, he knew how it felt having the tension of silence get to you. When the woman who spoked earlier contacted them again, the squad listens, and Barr took notice of the man flinched upon the woman for speaking into the comlink. Barr knew that the soldier near him might be a problem for this mission but he hoped that wasn’t the case.



“Roger, Escort One.” The commanding trooper said in a low tone of voice, “We keep an eye out.”

 

[Aaris Kolden]

INSIDE THE WRECKED STAR DESTROYER
Objective 3: Your Enthusiasm is Palpatinable
Tags: Errant Auraya Irath-Ur Cotan Sar'andor Samatharis Barr Vexos

As Cotan Sar'andor continued to aide his companions, a voice crackled over Aaris' Comm. The female voice shared updated intel on the Sith Cultists, their general location, and their priorities. Aaris immediately drew his blaster pistol and lowered it to his side, listening to the details, continuing to look after the force users in front of him.

After she finished, he heard a commander report in. Sounds like the calvary are on their way, but one looming question was at the forefront of his mind... If these force users here were not the scouting party that he was suppose to rendezvous with, then where the kriff where they?

Aaris activated his com on the same Alliance channel,

"Escort One, this is Support Unit One. I'm currently inside the destroyer with an objective to rendezvous with the scouting party, however I have not made contact with the scouting party and they are not responding to comms. Be advised... I suspect they have been incapacitated."

He looked back towards the entrance again, making sure no-one was sneaking up on them.

"Be advised... I have made contact with three force users, two are wounded, they appear to be friendly. I will continue to search for the scouting party."

Aaris was still very new to the Defense Force divisions over in this region of the galaxy, having been transferred only a week ago from a Commando unit that had been wiped out due to a devastating counter-intelligence leak. He was the only survivor. The higher ups felt like it might be good for him to move into a different division that operated in a different war zone, due in part to his unit no longer existing as well as there being an unwarranted suspicion that he was somehow involved in the leak.

So here he was... demoted... under unfamiliar commanders... Everything was different, and he was wrestling with the drastic change of scenery... not to mention the fresh loss of his entire team. The sting of his bruised reputation was also something that deeply bothered the Commando, who had given decades of his life for the good of the alliance.

He was doing his best to learn about who these new commanders were on the fly, and how to function effectively within the various Defense Force divisions on the field.

 

[Errant]

"I walk a path charted only by the winds of change."

Cotan's logic was sound. Errant couldn't deny that. Though it fell short when the latter half of the Crestfallen's Oath came into play. If he could not bring ruin to the Sith, then he was to die in battle against such a blight. Self-preservation was not a priority. Only the outcome mattered. He would not dishonor his father's legacy, even if it led him to the deepest pits of hell. Even knowing all this, life was preferable to death. He yearned to fight beside his brethren as he had throughout the Braxant Run. The Empire gave him meaning when he needed it most.

He turned at Cotan's behest, only to fall back into a guarded stance. The armored one's arrival set the Knight on edge, so much so he took hold of the dark blade's hilt in preparation for battle. At the mention of the Galactic Alliance, the Albino relaxed. While he knew nothing of this so-called mission, it wasn't a leap to assume the commando referred to the Sith and his cult nestled deeper in the star destroyer's ruined hull.

Taking note of Aaris' caution, Errant couldn't help but smile. Appearance alone was enough to set a battle-hardened warrior on edge. Be it unconscious bias or the instincts honed through warfare, you could never be too careful.

"You needn't concern yourself with me, soldier," Errant offered. "I've come with a purpose of my own. Fortunately, it aligns with the Alliance's goal this day."

Errant shifted to face the Je'daii at his approach. At seeing the crystal and hearing Cotan's words, the Albino steeled himself. Once he felt the energy course through his body, he gritted his teeth and bit back his complaints. It did hurt, that could not be denied. Errant clenched his hands into fists, his already pale skin growing whiter from the pressure placed onto his knuckles. A sickening pop sounded at his right knee as the dislocated joint shifted back into place. Bone moved beneath his breastplate, his broken ribs from the uncontrolled descent fitting back together under his skin. When it finally came to an end, the Imperial stood straighter. Even the black and blue bruises from the beating faded back to the alabaster of his flesh.

"Many thanks," he said to Cotan before turning to Aaris. "I believe the young Jedi is with the Alliance. Likely a member of the New Jedi Order. I know not of my healer, but I wager he's loosely aligned," Ernant looked down the corridor behind him. "I cannot speak for those you were sent to find, but I do not sense another close to this position. They may be deeper in the ship, though they are likely already dead. Contrary to popular belief, a cornered Sith is as rabid as any other beast. They will not play with their food."

He turned on his heel and fell silent, patiently waiting for Cotan to finish with Auraya.

Auraya Irath-Ur | Cotan Sar'andor | Aaris Kolden ​

 

[Auraya Irath-Ur]

Auraya shifted back on the floor until her back was once again resting against the cool durasteel wall of the corridor, and closed her eyes tightly. Now that the adrenaline was beginning to wear off, the full effects of the injury she had sustained came into being, burning and throbbing it nauseated the young girl who fought to keep her head from swimming away. Though hardly a drop in the bucket in comparison to what her fair companion had sustained, it was her first real brush with danger.​

​

Her first real injury.​

​

Training saber stings, and welts from the wooden sticks preferred by many who taught, were child's play in comparison.​

​

She did as she was bid by Master Cotan and secured a shaking hand over her abdomen. Thankfully though the shot had struck her it was not so dead on as she had first suspected. The angle had been off. She did not want to think about how differently things might have gone if he had been more direct with that thing.​

​

Another stranger entered the proverbial ring, but Raya did not open her eyes to look upon him. From words alone she could deduce he was some sort of trooper, a soldier of the Alliance, but beyond that? Well... There would be time enough for introductions and the like when all was said and done. Right now, she just wanted to breathe. Manage the pain. She'd been taught how to do that, but putting it into practice wasn't so simple as it had been back at the Enclave.​

​

Then again, for her... Nothing was ever so simple, was it?​

​

Errant Cotan Sar'andor Aaris Kolden ​

 

[Viers Connory]

//: Caravan //:
//: Kaska Arden //: Thalia Senn //:

Her eyes widened slightly as she was now being pulled into Thalia's hysterics. The girl was always pretty hot headed from what she's heard, ringing true now that she was seeing it. Viers stood slightly surprised as she pointed at herself and then remembered the story Romi was telling people about their relations. It was mostly to help people from poking too profoundly into the Corellian's account - one that she didn't know very much of herself. ​

"Oh yeah, came along to keep an eye on you, Thalia." The look of mild sympathy for other padawan's failure to keep the enclave's biggest secret faded with a wink and a quick finger gun towards the younger girl. Viers was thankful when the droid arrived as if he felt the vibes of what was happening through the Force. It explained everyone to each other, and she wanted to chuckle slightly as the conversation continued seeing the Knight not be too pleased with Thalia's thief comment.​

Giving the droid a nod and sighed with relief as Kaska introduced herself further, "That's a relief. I think I've had enough stuffy rule ridged Jedi to last me a lifetime." Her eyes lazily looked toward Thalia, then back as Kaska questioned about the settlement. "No, we passed the enclave already." Shrugging, she patted her chin gently and thought, "Yeah, we passed it quite a while ago. Which is unfortunate because then it means I'm going to miss my holovi-" Viers watched as the Kaska moved; it was curious that she would try and search for an enclave that she wouldn't have any idea of finding. Then it came, the cursing as she pulled herself back.​

"What is going on?" the tone shifting in Viers' voice, leaving the playful sound she had during introductions. "Raiders?" the padawan's brow furrowing at the thought, she looked towards the direction that Kaska had been looking and didn't really see anything. Her gut told her to trust the woman, though.​

"Did you see how many? There have been reports of raiders along this route to Steadfast," Viers paused and chewed on her bent index finger, trying to think, "Should we take care of it or alert everyone on the caravan?" If she had been working alone, she would just take care of the situation instead of alerting others, but her attention was on the group's senior, feeling she would have a better idea. As she waited, her eyes wandered to the ropes that connected the caravan and wondered how quickly she could cross the gap if necessary. ​

The thought made her heart leap with excitement, but she did her best to hide it.​

 

[Thalia Senn]

Viers Connory Kaska Arden
​

The "Jedi Knight" looked absolutely terrified in the face of Raiders. Mere RAIDERS. Arden might have been an 'experienced' Jedi Knight but she didn't seem to be one that lined up with her ideas at all. Knight Ryv or Master Starchaser would have been way calmer and probably more heroic too. But they weren't there, and Master Jade wasn't here either and if these two were gonna act like a couple of wet Salt Hound pups she'd have to handle this her way.

"No time V," she said. "Besides, I think they already know." She heard one of the speeders riding up beside the walker. Storms they moved fast on those speeders. Defintely not junkers like most of the other raiders. Who were they to be so well equipped? Didn't really matter.

She took a few steps back. Kujo seemed to perk up noticing what she was about to do. Here goes nothing, she thought to herself and took off at a Force enhanced sprint. The droid reached out as if to stop her but she was gone.

"Padawan Senn! Oh! Oh dear." She reached flipped, landed on the railing, and continuing her acrobatics she lept from the edge of the walker. She was letting that ocean of the Force guide her. She couldn't see, the sand whipping around her from the crowd of repulsor craft that surrounded them, but she just knew something would be there. With a grunt she landed, grasping the side of one of the skiffs with her left hand.

"Oi wot mate?" With a snap-hiss Senn activated one of her lightsabers and swung up onto the skiff with a flourish. She landed with a thud on the durasteel hull, her humming green blade pointed at the skiff's pilot.

"I'll be taking this!" she declared, confidence soaring. A few throaty chuckles from behind her told her she probably should have picked a smaller speeder to hijack. Her free hand snapped in their direction, calling her second lightsaber to that hand. She laughed nervously. Maybe she really should have thought this out more.

"I mean, uhh, we can just talk this out right? Jedi are great at negotiations!" More laughter. The sound of blasters powering up to full kill. She swallowed. Hard.

 

[Kaska Arden]

Thalia Senn | Viers Connory

"Senn, I need..." Kaska paused, chewing the edge of her lip as for the first time in what seemed an age she hesitated. Normally, had she been alone, she would have had little trouble in dealing with a renegade pack of raiders. She could've charged in, smashing into them head on, putting them on the defensive and harried them all the way back to their bolt holes. The caravan complicated matters, however. Too many areas to defend, too few hands to go around. The padawans were too much of an unknown to rely on them in a fight. Senn was already reminding her far too much of herself at that age in all the worst ways possible. It was already a wonder that she hadn't charged headlong int----

And that was exactly what she was doing.

"...You not to get yourself killed at the first karking opportunity."

By the seven astrals, this had to be karma for all the osik she'd put Sardun through.

"KJ unit, hold the deck." Kaska barked, trusting the model's combat subroutines would be up to the task. Easier to put her faith in those than the padawans around her right now. Her gaze flickered towards the other girl. She had seemed more reasonable and level headed than Senn thus far, but that bar wasn't set particularly high and no doubt falling by the second as she continued to tarry. "Viers, was it? Lend him hand if you think you can. Otherwise get inside and see what you can do from there."

There apparently was no room for argument or further discussion. Kaska was already launching herself over the edge of the walker by the time the last word fell from her mouth, blazing a trail of sea green light in her wake as her saber ignited as cleared the guard railing. The movement catching the eye of the raider levelling the blaster at the reckless member of their unlikely quartet. The smug look on his overcooked pieface giving way to one of surprise.

"'angabout, Trev, 'ere's more where she ca---"

The sudden appearance of a hand silenced him as the Nyriaanan Jedi descended, her palm catching him squarely in the middle of his forehead, the weight and momentum of her descent forcing him head over heels and onto the decking with a resounding thud. Well and truly out from the count judging from the way his thick, purplish tongue lolled out of the side of slackjawed mouth. One down, two more to go.

As hard as it was to trust her in light of recent events, she would leave the pilot to Senn to handle.

"Tell me," A concentrated fist of telekinetic energy sent the first of the raiders to recover over the flimsy railing with a scream. A flick of her blade deflecting a haphazard shot harmlessly off into the dunes as the other one snapped off a panicked shot. "Were you born this stupid or is it something you actively work at on a daily basis?"

There was another shot and another deflection, this time the bolt rebounded back into the raider's blaster with enough force to send the weapon scattering from the raider's hands, sliding across the decking and vanishing into the sand that sped past below them. Kaska spared a glance over her shoulder as the panicked and now weaponless raider, deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, opted to simply leap from the skiff before he was punted off like his companion. A move far more gutsy than he likely realized in the moment. Willing hitting sand at this angle, at this speed? She wished him well.

"You about ready to get back on the walker willingly or do I need to throw you there?"

 

[Viers Connory]

//: Caravan //:
//: Kaska Arden //: Thalia Senn //:

"Oh, well, there she goes." Viers waved as the other padawan ran off and swan dove onto the raider's craft. If this was a competition, she'd give Senn full points, but it wasn't, and a part of her worried for the girl. Viers nodded as her orders were delivered; a part of her felt the frustration of being told to stay back and cover the deck. She wanted to be in action. Still, one of them had to at least listen to the Knight. "Alright... and there you go." She watched as Kaska left the deck as well, and her hands held onto the railing tightly while her knuckles turned white. ​

Control it. She heard in the back of her mind, the flare-up of her frustration crept from the shadows. Letting go of the railing, Viers pushed off of it and looked at the droid. "Yeah, you got this." She left, remembering that some of the guards that had come with them to protect the caravan had a small weapons locker. She had found it on their first day; she had needed parts for Deco. ​

Not taking long to find it, Viers knelt down in front of the lockbox and looked at the padlock. It was a simple design, and while she could easily slice it - she didn't have the time. Covering the device with both of her hands, she exhaled, focusing on the small computer's internal mechanisms. As easy as it was to breathe, the lock chimed, announcing that it was unlocked. "Yes, getting faster at that Deco." relief sounding in her voice. Inside the lockbox was a sniper; she had learned to shoot, but not at anything alive. It was going to be a challenge. She had to succeed, though, especially if Thalia was going to be headstrong. ​

Viers slung the sniper over her shoulders and ran back to the observation deck, and began to climb up the luggage to the top of the AT-ET's body. Up here, she would have a bird's eye view of what was happening below. A hand moved over the sniper's energy cell as she figured how to set the thing to stun - no reason to kill them. Laying on her belly, Viers set up the sniper on its bipod legs to steady it. Eye in the scope, and she quickly picked off a couple of the raiders that had made it past the other Jedi. They toppled over as their attempt to cut the luggage off the side of the AT-ET failed. ​

Another small blob of raiders began to zoom up behind Kaska and Thalia, but Viers made quick work of them, taking aim at the driver's chest. A precision shot fired from the sniper, and the skiff nose dove into the sand dunes below it.​

 

[Faith Organa]

Location: Submit Committee Room
Subject Jakku

Tags: Maou | Annasari | Marlon Sularen | Aerarii Tithe | Adhira Chandra | Seto Du Couteau | Julius Loghain

Correlian Senator spoke stating that the Alliance should annex Jakku and the surrounding system. Annex perhaps should not have been used, especially in front of their representative.

The representative from Jakku spoke again Faith could not shake the feeling that the plea was genuine. Faith set about to try to help sending a message to Makai Dashiell that she wanted to talk to him he had helped her at one time, and then another to Ayda Elisantra .

The imperator was silent but his gaze along with the others all watched the representative from Jakku. Aerarii Tithe spoke offering the status of associate member. Faith pulled up the required section looking it over, it would allow them to provide assistance and it would give them a voice….but a voice without weight. No vote.

It was now Faith’s time to speak she had listened enough to know what she felt and what she could support.

“Jakku offers us resources whether it lasts decades and eons it is what they have to offer surely the Alliance could use it. Perhaps in time they would agree to allow the Alliance access to the graveyards once they know us better, or trust us. In regards to membership, I agree the status of Associate member would allow each side time to assess, and assist one another. Though Jakku could not vote it would allow a representative to see the internal workings of the Alliance and how their vote could make a difference for their people and their home. Perhaps a timeframe could be set for another discussion on full membership.”

They would have time. Faith felt like the graveyard was the main source of income to Jakku that allowed them the ability to buy food and water. But who controlled that? How did things work on Jakku? Not only would it give Jakku time to look them over, but it would give the Alliance time to look at them as well.

 

[Cotan Sar'andor]

"Yes, big man, we're with the Alliance. No, we're not here on a mission, we're not part of a scouting party. Hopefully whoever was actually sent in knew what they were getting into, and is still alive. If not, well, it looks like everybody's having a bad day." He turned from Errant, focusing back on Auraya; once again he held forth the crystal. Already, after the previous exertion, it was rather warm in his hand. Healing Crystals of Fire indeed; not only did they have the look, but the seemed to have the feeling of fire, too.

"Like I told him, this might hurt. Just try to stay still and it'll be done with quickly."

Eyes shut, he focused through the crystal again, this time on the girl before him; within moments, the wound she'd taken began to heal over, skin returning mostly to its previous state, except for some still-noticeable scarring. Try as he might, Cotan wasn't a perfect healer. Of course, the shirt she had was never going to be fixable, but shirts were a dime a dozen. Padawans were priceless, even if they sometimes made poor, reckless choices.

Once he was sure that Auraya would be mostly fine, he stood, placing the crystal back in his pocket. "Alright, whatever is going on here, we have to deal with it. Errant, you take point; I'll watch our backs. Auraya, stay between us. You," and he turned back to the soldier, "Are free to join us if you want. Might even find who it was you were actually looking for—probably going to be about as easy as finding a Cthon in a Coruscant sewer, knowing our luck."

Errant Auraya Irath-Ur Aaris Kolden Samatharis

 

[Romi Jade]

Romi's Quarters
Kyra Perl

"Kyr--" She didn't want her to cry, about anything least of all her. But, she pulled away.

"I-" The motion in her shoulders, a static, told what her worlds couldn't; she shrugged.

Would she?

She wasn't really clear on what she'd do; this certainly wasn't in the cards. As much as she wanted to secure its safety, she couldn't imagine even now being separated like that. Was that maternal? These things eluded her really.

"Yeah...there's places but," She lingered a bit, "What? Oh, right yeah. You're the first and only person i've told. Telling Joza would seem like the next step I suppose."

She glanced back over at Kyra, and it was almost as if she changed right then and there.

She sat down next to her sister, "Nida has been sentenced already, but I'll look more into this I promise. It could play a roll in her reconciliation and, I don't know, prevent other cases?"

She kept looking over the Zeltron.

"Kyra, I-I know you're going through something. And. i'm in no place to dictate to you what you should do and how...you're solid now and I'll get out of your way." She looked forward, sighing. "I remember when I went dark, the things I saw out there...the people it cost me. I remember I wanted to be numb. I buried myself in my work...and you want to know something..." She swiveled her frame, "When I was in that coma...I was walking up to some sort of ledge -- I was gonna jump. But, there was something that, that pulled me back."

Her throat started to burn, was she getting emotional -- Romi would never willingly allow herself to be that vulnerable.

"There was still work for me to do. As much as I want to force you to stay here with me...I know you have to walk this next path alone to find your footing. But be open to it sister. That's my last lesson for you."

Whether she wanted to or not, Romi pulled her into a hug. "And I'll be here for you."

 

[Samatharis]

Obj: 3 Observatory P4
Cotan Sar'andor | Auraya Irath-Ur | Errant | Aaris Kolden | Barr Vexos

​

The Engine Room of the Destroyer was long, dark, rusty, and cavernous. With walls that slopped down into a giant pit canvased with steel walkways going in every direction. Walkway after walkway after walkway. Slapped right on top and over these intensely long, never ending, giant pipes. Huge pipes running up and down the slanted walls. Huge pipes running in every direction. Even down into the giant pit and beyond. It was terrifying. It was a cave network almost big enough to fly a TIE fighter right through. Sam hated it.

Sam stood among the broken pipes that adorned the cavern's rooftop. One of the giant pipes had broken open long ago and was now just hanging over the abyss. A perfect vantage point to survey the enemy.

The Sith Cultists had lined the walkways with tribal torches. Lines and lines and lines of equally spaced open flame torches. Casting cruel shadows across twisted metal and illuminated the hurrying creatures as they rushed back and forth.

Along the edges of the Engine Room were blast doors. Standard size, standard shape. These lead outward into long hallways that connected the Engine Room to other parts of the ship. The Cultists had been busy with these long hallways. Pouring some kind of flammable liquid all along the floors. Turning the other hallways into death traps. Obviously, don't approach the Engine Room from the hallways. Find a hole, or a broken pipe, or a crushed wall, or anything. Just avoid the oily hallways and the Cultists hiding by the doors with fire arrows. They obviously wanted to turn the outer approaches into special "Alliance roasting zones." Bleh. Can you imagine the smoke? Oh gods. The smoke would be the worst part too. Ugh. Gross.

Sam stood overlooking the room from her perch on the jagged rooftops. Then she withdrew her com device again and spoke on the Alliance Channel. Hopefully, Aaris and Barr were listening,

~ "This is Escort One." Her voice somewhat softer now. ~ "I'm in the Engine Room of the Destoryer. I count sixty cultists. Melee weapons and fire arrow bows and some kind of oil traps in the outer hallways. Approach this area with caution. I think they've turned these hallways into death traps." ~

She looked around the dark room again. The flickering torches and narrow walkways made for terrible scouting intel.

~ "I don't see any Sith Lords or Knights among the rabble. Just mooks. However, there is a door at the back of the room that leads to a rock cave. It shouldn't be there. The ship is supposed to end. Not keep going. I think it's a tunnel network they've dug like a mine. Salvaging this place and staying underground. Hard to see from here with all the crowds. Requesting back up at my location. I repeat, requesting back up to the Engine Room." ~

She leaned down a bit more. Her pipe didn't mind. Didn't even creek.

~ "I need a distraction to get closer and see where they've moved the fuel rods. But I can't get closer without one of these goons noticing me and lighting up the whole place. So, I guess I'll wait here until help arrives or these guys get bored from being on high alert. ...I count only a few blasters among the crew. Mostly goofballs with spike bats and rusty swords. Anyway... That's all for now. Escort One out." ~

She sighed and put her com away. So strange? No fuel rods in sight. And no Sith Knight either. Maybe they had already taken the tunnel in the back? Maybe?

Well. No where to climb to anyway. I guess now all she had to do, was wait.

 

[Thalia Senn]

Viers Connory Kaska Arden
​

Thalia was always like this. Or rather, Padawan Senn, was always like this. Darn subroutines were getting overworked. He needed a memory wipe soon. Or maybe just a nice hot oil bath, those were always nice. The droid's daze was broken when several grapplehooks landed and wrapped themselves around the railing of the AT-TE he was standing on. A Nikto, Uthuthma, and an Abenedo pulled themselves over. KJ-S0 cocked his head. Was that the beginning of a joke? He'd have to store it for later.

KJ-S0's heavy footfalls clanged on the as he snatched his lightsaber from his utility belt, eyes flashing green.

"Combat Mode Initiated," his eyes turned yellow, "Training module disengaged." He attacked with the brutal efficiency of what appeared to be a well-practiced Djem So. In combat mode like this when he wasn't drilling Senn on her forms he could truly give to the Forms what they required and use his body to his advantage.

A servo-powered slash cut right through one of the raider's arms and clean through the railing and into the hull just a little bit. The Nikto screamed in pain, falling through the gap in the railing KJ-S0 had just made. Too much strength. His sensors indicated a blaster being raised. The green blade hummed as it swung up to deflect the bolt into the desert. A well-programmed and immediate Djem So counter slash across the stomach hissed through the Abenedo and the top half toppled from his legs. The final raider took a stand, a little too close to the edge, and stumbled, falling over. KJ-S0's biological preservation programming kicked in and his long arm reached over and gripped the Uthuthma by his chain scarf and hefted him over the railing, slamming him into the metal deck. The raider groaned.

"You are being rescued, please do not resist." The raider hissed and gripped the metal hand of KJ-S0. He let out a mechanical sigh, long practiced as an admonishment for Padawan Senn's antics and slammed the butt of his lightsaber into the raider's temple.

​

Thalia watched, dumbfounded, as Knight Arden made the same leap as her and actually stuck the landing, dispatching the other raiders on the skiff, leaving her with just the pilot. The pilot was just as awestruck and tried to run by jumping over the dash and into the sands. Thalia...Helped him along with a little push, sending him sailing through the air. He'd be fine...Probably. She deactivated one of her lightsabers and took control of the speeder, ignoring the Knight for a moment as she activated its autopilot and stood to face her. She shrugged, sliding the deactivated lightsaber into her chest holster.

"It's a wonderful gift of the Force," she said with a smirk. She was about to retort to the second comment when two other skiffs pulled up beside theirs, depositing seven more raiders. These ones were carrying vibro weapons and by the sound of them, they were set to full power. Maybe she shouldn't have put that other blade away. Thalia took a two-handed grip and fell into the opening stance of Ataru. This time, she waited for the elder Knight's signal to start moving.

 

[Aaris Kolden]

INSIDE THE WRECKED STAR DESTROYER
Objective 3: Your Enthusiasm is Palpatinable
Tags: Errant Auraya Irath-Ur Cotan Sar'andor Samatharis Barr Vexos

@Errant said:
"You needn't concern yourself with me, soldier," Errant offered. "I've come with a purpose of my own. Fortunately, it aligns with the Alliance's goal this day." Ernant looked down the corridor behind him. "I cannot speak for those you were sent to find, but I do not sense another close to this position. They may be deeper in the ship, though they are likely already dead. Contrary to popular belief, a cornered Sith is as rabid as any other beast. They will not play with their food."

Aaris gave him a silent nod, grateful that everyone seemed to be moving in the same direction. He also, unfortunately, agreed with his assessment of the scouting parties fate. He shifted his weight on his feet and took a step towards the entrance, desiring to get a better look down the corridor as well as a sense of where they might be generally located within the gigantic ship. As he looked, he pondered the Jedi in charge... swearing to himself that he had seen him before... and his voice did sound familiar. It was still rather dark. Perhaps his memories would resurface once he got a better look at the man.

@Cotan Sar'andor said:
"Yes, big man, we're with the Alliance. No, we're not here on a mission, we're not part of a scouting party. Hopefully whoever was actually sent in knew what they were getting into, and is still alive. If not, well, it looks like everybody's having a bad day."

Aaris turned, activating the light on his helmet and shining it in the Jedi's direction. In the light, it became obvious. Strange... He had not remembered him being so... well... off-putting, which is how he was currently being interpreted by the Commando. The Judge was a man who generally garnered Aaris's respect. It was unfortunate that he was receiving such a bad taste in his mouth upon this new encounter with him. Surely, it could all be stocked up to this truly being a bad day.

He flicked off the light, not wanting to cause the judge any further reason to be irritated with his presence.

@Cotan Sar'andor said:
"Alright, whatever is going on here, we have to deal with it. Errant, you take point; I'll watch our backs. Auraya, stay between us. You," and he turned back to the soldier, "Are free to join us if you want. Might even find who it was you were actually looking for—probably going to be about as easy as finding a Cthon in a Coruscant sewer, knowing our luck."

The Commando adjusted himself to face the entrance, blaster raised and supported by his other hand, ready to follow the group.

"Our odds are better together... Master Cotan." He said simply, his deep voice with it's distinct metallic tone resonating from his helmet. He was use to garnering not only deep respect, but almost a sense of awe, from those around him. Here, however, no-one knew who he was. His reputation did not follow him, nor did his vast history of feats in battle for the Alliance. He was just another soldier here. It was a hard pill to swallow... But still, he would be the good soldier. He would fight for those by his side, even if they appeared to be complete strangers. Because, above all, he believed in the Alliance. The Alliance was the only family and identity that he had ever known. It was everything he believed himself to be at the core.

Suddenly, her voice filled his head again;

@Samatharis said:
~ "This is Escort One." Her voice somewhat softer now. ~ "I'm in the Engine Room of the Destoryer. I count sixty cultists. Melee weapons and fire arrow bows and some kind of oil traps in the outer hallways. Approach this area with caution. I think they've turned these hallways into death traps." ~

She looked around the dark room again. The flickering torches and narrow walkways made for terrible scouting intel.

~ "I don't see any Sith Lords or Knights among the rabble. Just mooks. However, there is a door at the back of the room that leads to a rock cave. It shouldn't be there. The ship is supposed to end. Not keep going. I think it's a tunnel network they've dug like a mine. Salvaging this place and staying underground. Hard to see from here with all the crowds. Requesting back up at my location. I repeat, requesting back up to the Engine Room." ~

She leaned down a bit more. Her pipe didn't mind. Didn't even creek.

~ "I need a distraction to get closer and see where they've moved the fuel rods. But I can't get closer without one of these goons noticing me and lighting up the whole place. So, I guess I'll wait here until help arrives or these guys get bored from being on high alert. ...I count only a few blasters among the crew. Mostly goofballs with spike bats and rusty swords. Anyway... That's all for now. Escort One out." ~

As the Commando processed the intel, he instinctively raised his hand up with a fist, motioning for the others to stop moving. He leaned forward, listening. Yes... he could hear the movement ahead of the Sith Cultists and the soft sound of liquid being poured out. He took a moment to think... Distraction... Well, this might not be what she was thinking, but it would sure as Kriff be a distraction all right. He activated his comms and responded,

"This is Support Unit One... I've got your distraction... Take cover, over."

He turned to face Cotan Sar'andor , holstering his blaster, a sense of immediate purpose filling his voice.

"The halls ahead are covered in oil. Stay back, I will clear the path. Once the fire is tamed, I will need you to save my life."

With that, he turned towards the entrance and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, before starting a full-sprint run towards the trap. He knew that his armor could withstand the flames... If he could catch them before they were ready, then they would get caught in their own trap. He barreled around the corner, straight for the Cultists who were now right in front of him, still pouring the oil into the hallway. His presence caught them very much off guard, as some of them attempted to run while others drew their weapons and began to fire at him. The blaster bolts impacted his body, absorbed by his armor but still jolting him around significantly and slowing him down. He reached onto his belt and pulled out a flare gun, then pointed it out in front of him towards what was assumed to be oil... but as he drew closer he quickly realized that it was in fact some kind of highly explosive fuel...

He was immediately filled with fear, and considered that this might be a grave mistake indeed as he closed his eyes and fired.

The fuel erupted, catching at least 40 of the Cultists in the flames as it ripped through the corridor. Aaris felt the heat and the intense force of the explosion as it knocked him completely off his feet and up into the air, smashing him into a bulk head. Upon impact, he lost consciousness, his body falling loosely and colliding with metal beams and debris until he hit the floor with a loud thud. The flames were still surrounding him as he started to regain consciousness, hearing the muffled screams of the cultists as they were slowly burned to death by the ignited fuel. The ones who escaped the blast started to fire on the fallen commando, his armor still absorbing the hits but his body suffering from the impacts. Still very dazed, he tried to pull himself to any kind of covering before he lost consciousness again.

 

[Vexander Graves]

Objective 2: Romi, oh Romi, wherefore art thou Romi
Jakku Landing Pad

From Dressel to Coruscant.... from Coruscant to Jakku... the past few days have been filled with constant traveling... and at this point, the bearded man was not sure his old ship would take it anymore. Still, he hoped that over this landing, he would allow the ship to rest for quite some time.

The cooling systems of the XA-5 X-Wing began to work as soon as the ship landed, and normally, post-flight checks would be done in a couple of minutes... but not with this old baby at this particular time. Vexander was already down in the landing pad, dressed with his worn out Jedi robes... and the wind from the exhausts releasing the extra heat from the engines while the coolant was doing it's trick just lifted his clothing quite a lot.

Something quite trivial... but something in the whole atmosphere just seemed to be lifting his spirits up after the things that have happened quite recently. Being around reminded him about years ago... when he was dwelling along the Silver Jedi, but since he parted ways with them he hadn't seen a Jedi Enclave. Well... not quite... he recently visited the Palace of the Jedi as soon as he heard about the recent changes in the galaxy after years in self-imposed exile... and it was at that moment that he heard of the invitation to this specific Jedi Enclave on Jakku.

The place seemed like where he had to be for the time being... the Force granted him a vision on Dressel that could be linked to this particular place... althought he could be very wrong of course. He might be a Jedi... and he used to be called Master... but after years without visions or the Force telling him what to do and where to go... he could just be misinterpreting things. Nevertheless... he had to find out.

Slowly, Vexnader Graves walked to the nearest turbolift, with only his lightsaber attached to his belt as expected from him... and his worn robes... those awful looking worn robes. If he wanted to look like an old and crazy hermit he would easily succeed but; even while he was in Coruscant, he didn't have time to look for new clothing or even to see if someone could endorse a new ship... he needed to see if the Force was really giving him a task these days and hence, he left with haste. Now... he just hoped that he wouldn't give a bad impression and scare someone off.

With a steady pace, the man just looked over for the turbolift hoping to meet other Jedi and actually spend some time with them. Perhaps it would light the path he had to take and what the Force wants him to do.