Taming Panatha (FO)

[Samka Derith]

[SIZE=11pt]Location: Panatha, Throne Room[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]The majesty of the throne room was unmatched. A beautiful structure, only recently built, so much so that much of the rest of the castle was unfinished. But this, the seat of the new Arch-Queen’s power, had been completed quickly and efficiently. Appearances were important and the new regime on Panatha had to show their strength and regality. But it was fragile, appearances could be deceptive indeed, in a great many ways.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A fun loving, flirtatious woman.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]An innocent, friendly youth.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A brutal Sith Lord ousted.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And the deference of a Ren to a Monarch. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Layers upon layers of deception flowed through the world of Panatha now. The truth had become subjective.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Samka Derith curtsied deeply to the woman on the throne, “Your Majesty, you honour me with an audience.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Despite the surface pleasantries, the most subtle of gestures, whether it be a flicker of the eye or an inflection of tone, would signify the reality of the situation to [member="Ara Zambrano"], the newly crowned Arch-Queen of the Reach. It was beyond the notice of the guards and the various other royal advisers and entourage dotted around but not beyond the Queen who by now knew Samka Derith as well as anyone in the galaxy could. It was a show to solidify her apparent hold on power, were they in private, the Ren’s words would be different.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The young woman stood up straight, gloved hands held behind her back, feet evenly spread apart as she addressed the room, all business. “I am here to inform you, by order of the Supreme Leader himself, that the First Order shall be landing significant military forces shortly and intensifying counterespionage efforts.” A murmur of discontent came from across the throne room. “I trust and expect your full cooperation in the coming days until these dangerous insurrections are put down.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“No!” An angry bellow drew Samka’s attention. Her eyebrows curled in dull surprise as she regarded a man by Ara’s side, an advisor of some sort. He was a plump fellow, balding slightly at the top but dressed in such a manner that he clearly considered himself still handsome, not to mention far more important than he was.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Absolutely not! We are more than capable of handling our own affairs!” The man snapped, his redder with every word. “Your Majesty,” he turned to Ara on the throne, “your grandfather fought for the First Order and these… vultures repaid him with an invasion. They would do the same to you. The First Order controls too much already. Taxation, our resources, the abolition of slavery, their influence is nesting deeper and deeper and now they send this… girl as a messenger? A nobody! A teenager meeting royalty. It’s unh- unhea-”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He stuttered, the man’s throat blocked by an unseen power. It would be very familiar to any who served under the Sith just what gesture Samka Derith was doing to the man. A Force Choke.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I think we’ve quite heard enough out of you,” the Ren said before releasing him as the man’s face turned purple. “Prattling on about domestic issues I have neither the power nor desire to challenge. I am here to establish [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]order.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As if on cue, a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers exited hyperspace, appearing just above the atmosphere of Panatha and clearly visible through the vast window behind the throne as small dots of distant troop transports and shuttles began to descend to the surface.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“The First Order has proven itself as the[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] most efficient military power in this galaxy,” Samka’s voice rose dangerously, a warning to any in the room who thought on the lines of the man before. “Jedi and Sith alike have crumbled before us. You can cooperate or be swept aside. There is no other option.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]She made a glance to the Queen, a small gesture asking for the dismissal of all others in the room. She picked it up, if she hadn’t already intended to do so and on their monarch’s orders, the room began to file out, leaving the two Dark Siders alone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A wicked, knowing smile darkened Samka’s face as she was finally free to treat Ara as she wished. She walked forwards, wordlessly passing by the throne to march directly in front of the window, lightly brushing her fingers on Ara’s shoulder as she passed as an act of reassurance or faint praise for a job well done.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Crimson eyes watched the First Order descend en mass upon the jungle world. “It’s time to finish the job,” her voice was soft, little more than a murmur as she addressed Ara once more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“This is our world now.”[/SIZE]

---

OOC:

Spoiler

[SIZE=11pt]Hey folks,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]For those who haven’t seen it yet, the planning and summary thread can be found on the First Order faction forums here. But I’ll give a recap here as well. This is a chilled paced, story driven thread designed to get people’s boots wet. With Dominions flying by recently, it’s good to have a larger faction thread for people to drop in and out how they wish and shape the story around them. Don’t be afraid to roll up![/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The premise here is that after the First Order has taken control of Panatha and established a puppet regime, pacification is necessary to quieten down the upstarts who resist the First Order’s presence. You are welcome to bring your own objectives and stories but here are a few ideas and ongoing plot lines:[/SIZE]

• 
  
• [SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE] Sith Spawn have mysteriously begun to appear in the jungle and harass travellers. Kill them and uncover their origin.
• 
  
• [SIZE=11pt]Criminal activity in the capital has been linked to an underground resistance movement. Shut down their activities without causing significant unrest.[/SIZE]
• 
  
• [SIZE=11pt]Gently persuade the upper classes of Panatha, the nobles and pious Adherents of the Faith, to cooperate with the new regime.[/SIZE]
• 
  
• [SIZE=11pt]The former Dark Lord’s Castle has been overrun with separatist rebels. Destroy the Castle and clear them out[/SIZE] [SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE].
• 
  

[SIZE=11pt]PM me if there are any questions, I’m also floating around on Discord. If you wish to join with a non-FO character, it can probably be arranged but please ask first.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Enjoy folks![/SIZE]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

A fun loving, flirtatious woman.

Appearances indeed were deceiving.

The new Arch-Queen of Panatha rested against the cool bronze of her throne, crimson eyes narrowed slightly, the only outward sign of her boredom and disinterest in the words of the advisors that floated around and over her. A pleasant, amused smile curled up the corners of her lips as her gaze floated from one to the other, a tennis match of complaints, requests, and gossip that thoroughly grated on her nerves. Her eyes came to rest on one of the more vocal of her so-called advisors, an older gentleman who spent far too much time trying to convince her to remove the First Order’s influence on Panatha, and not enough time fearing the wrath of his new queen.

The urge to demonstrate the extent to which his opinion was unwanted and unwarranted rolled through her, darkness rising as she tilted her head, smile growing as the Master imagined the shades of red the man would turn should she chose to restrict the path of air from his throat to his lungs. Her gaze narrowed even further as she considered a second alternative, a simple application of pressure around his heart, a squeeze, and the silence that would follow. It had been far too long since Ara had felt the surge of power that a death wrought by her own hand would send rippling through the Force, the beautiful void of life left in his irises as his body would come to rest, slumped before her throne, a visible reminder of who now held Panatha in her sway.

Appearances indeed were deceiving.

No one knew better than the Queen and the violet-haired teen that approached her dais with a bow, a wave of hushed whispers echoing around the cavernous room.

”The honour is mine, Master Decitus.”

Rising from the chair upon which she lounged, the young Zambrano offered her own half bow, the gilded fabric of her armoured gown shifting with her movements. A mischievous smirk punctuated the words laced with welcome, respect, and a hint of amusement as she straightened, the subtle intricacies of the greeting not going unnoticed. Raised brows and a slightly shocked expression crossed her face, echoing the discontent the proclamation brought, the red of her irises dancing as she met [member="Samka Derith"] ‘s gaze calmly.

”My full cooperation you sha-”

Cut off by the angry outburst of one of her trusted advisors, her gaze burning with rage as she turned to the man who’s first mistake was to assume he could answer for the Arch-Queen, his second, an attempt at disparaging her friend’s authority based on her appearance alone.

Appearances indeed were deceiving.

The error of his ways was quickly brought to light as his words broke apart in the absence of air flowing through his lungs, furrowed glances and silent pleas for assistance to his Queen met with stony silence and unyielding expression. Ara had little need to turn around as the strength of the Imperial fleet made itself known, weeks of private messages and planning finally coming to fruition to the shock and bewilderment of the citizens of Panatha. Brow furrowing in feigned concern, the Master allowed a moment of silent reflection fall before she nodded once in acquiescence, concern morphing to reserved acceptance.

”As you say. Panatha cedes to the wishes of the Supreme Leader with the utmost of our cooperation. Those who wish to challenge my decision, are welcome do so...”

A sweep of her hand indicated the floor in front of her raised throne, harsh gaze burning across the room with the weight of power, her orders underscored by the darkness flowing within, leaving few to question the repercussions of vocalizing such dissent. At Samka’s small gesture and with a lack of challenges brought forth, a simple barked order dismissed those gathered.

”Leave us.”

The room emptied in moments, the wheezing and coughing form of her former advisor led away by a pair of the Zambrano’s guards, to be dealt with in private at a later time. The two women stood for a moment in the absence of others, masks slipping until Master Derith’s knowing smile was matched by her own. Stepping aside to allow the smaller, younger girl to pass without issue, a small thread of electricity shot through her spine as fingers grazed her shoulder, deeper crimson rolling over Ara’s irises in pleasure, whether at the silent praise or the touch itself the true question.

Moving up to join the Master of Ren at the window, Ara stood back, slightly to the right of the violet-haired teen, the feigned difference of a Ren to a Monarch disintegrating with their audience. The Zambrano stood where she had always, and would always belong, aside the might of the First Order.

”Where do you have need of my services?”

The purr dipped into darker tones, innuendo laced beneath as always, her attention locked onto the ships descending in mass over the untamed world of Panatha.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Raijin was on high alert. His black saber hilt was fixed tight to his side, gloved hands clenched as he stood tall in his black greatcoat and charcoal grey tunic. His battle scared face was set as he looked out towards her - [member="Ara Zambrano"] – on the throne.

From infiltrating a luxury First Order yacht to a grand ball, it was safe to say Raijin didn’t know if he was being allowed to make these moves, that the First Order truly weren’t aware of his movement or this was a big trap to cull the war criminal Connor Harrison.

Still, he didn’t care for the past. He was here for the now. He had attached himself to an entourage attending some high class royal meeting on Panatha, and it had brought him here. The fact Panatha helped strike at the heart of Connor once when he witnessed the death of his beloved Grandmaster of the Silver Jedi, Raijin could feel the dark swirl of the planet the minute he entered the atmosphere with the others.

Now he stood, observing and listening to the girl [member="Samka Derith"] who was ever so gracious at least not to take his head back before he had fallen on Maena. Ara, he remembered, was sitting on a position in the First Order she had teased at months before. She looked regal and powerful in her gown, and he nodded when the pair showed their might before others who spoke out.

He looked out of the large windows to see ships in the atmosphere looming.

The room was silent following the dramatic incident. It was a moment where a small cough or shuffle of the body that wasn’t wanted would attract the wrong attention in a highly volatile situation. Ara dismissed them.

Raijin looked at her, seeing the pair move closer together as the entourage and attendees were directed out by the formation of the white Stormtroopers and crimson armoured guards at the doors. He stuck with them, walking out, but as he did, he looked directly at the crimson guard standing rigid and connected with his mind. Now was the time to break the mind's eye and use his sight and hearing to see just what -

- hm

The crimson guards followed the Stormtroopers and closed the door, standing on guard. Raijin broke the connection, and frowned. That didn't go to plan. He took a few steps away from the throne room door and stood near a couple of the entourage, glancing at the troopers wondering what was going down in the throne room.

 

[Progflaw99]

Panatha \\ En route to Throne Room​

​

The heavy footfalls were anything but stealthy, Zodan's looming form stalking the corridors of the newly constructed fortress. He could feel the power here, within the very walls - it was almost overwhelming. Not only was the construction solid, he noted as he ran his gauntleted hand across the smooth surface of the wall, but it was ornate - not unlike other fortresses within the Reach, though this one was decidedly more baroque. It was no less than a marvel in its own right, Zodan would admit that.

Throughout the structure troopers moved swiftly, their booted feet squeaking across the pristine surface of the floor - Zodan's crunched. He had felt the summoning, the power of the Dark Side incarnate. For a moment it gripped his mind, urging him to hurry. It was with that final imprint he was sent departing down a side corridor, destination? The Throne Room.

He traveled for a short time, devoid of contact. Silence was the only thing that greeted the Knight of Ren, at least until he arrived at the entrance to the Throne Room itself, the sealed doors presenting a certain obstacle, the other a man - unknown to the Knight. He could feel the taint of the Dark Side upon the figure, but to what extent he knew not. It was thus that he greeted the figure, his eyes dancing in the dim light of the lobby.

"And who might you be - friend?"​

​

​

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Samka Derith"]​

 

[Armand Temi]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm1bDP0yNj8[/youtube]​

Varas had accompanied Kyrel to Panatha instead of his current “spiritual advisor.” The Ikotchian Caprine Priestess he had been frequently visiting refused to go because apparently Vain Hollow was a source of distress and bad memories for her. The Disciple knew there was a story behind that, one she felt resolved to eventually uncover and analyze as she did with most of Kyrel’s personal affairs, but today they had an assignment, the Ren handpicked by the Supreme Leader - eliminate the malevolent traces of Darth Carnifex's reign.

They’d been told to expect resistance, but as usual Kyrel - more action than conversation - had kept the details vague. “What did they mean by resistance?” she’d asked on the way down to the planet in the Reaper.

Once they’d landed, the young clone delighted in the fact that they would be traipsing around the jungles of Panatha and not in a stuffy over-upholstered castle as she’d thought. More comfortable in worn boots than any other more restrictive footwear, wearing military fatigues, her dark unwashed hair tied up in a loose ponytail, Varas tucked her father’s lightsaber into its hilt upon her hip and waited for his instructions. However, the dark energy which lay in the bowels of the twisted vines and arching canopy of leaves overhead left her unsettled.

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor saw the hulking man make each and every step of his count down towards the throne room, past the milling dignitaries and troopers. When he came closer, he looked to the door, to the guards, and then to Connor himself. His voice was rather soft, and he imagined when he snapped it would take a far darker, gravely tone.

”My name is Connor Harrison.” He gave a tiny smile from the corner of his lips. ”And you might be…?”

As he talked, he glanced to the far hall that the man had walked down and noted a few more amassing troops and officers, clad in that unmistakable Imperialistic colour and pride.

”Seems to be a great stir within these walls today. Have any idea why?”

[member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]

 

[The Major]

Shuttle Kikimora lands on a platform filled to the brim and clattering with activity. . .​

Panatha Palace, on the day of annexation.​

​

She eschewed heat above all things -eschewed it so much so that the woman punching open a hatch just as the craft touched down decided to wear the standard issue FO trooper armor sans the bubbly helmet. The internal temperature regulator did wonders to starve off the sensation of humidity upon her body regardless of the wet kiss of air that smeared itself upon her face. Already her copper hair was rebelling and curling away as moisture crinkled her agitated brow.

Get in. Set up. Leave.

The Major's knowledge of this world was limited to basic intel reports provided by the order's clandestine information agency. She could care less about any politics or appearances, because this particular job called for efficiency and swiftness of action. As characteristic of the tall woman when working, she pounced out of the shuttle and marched down, swinging her ridiculously sized antique rifle to rest upon her shoulder. No different from a ceremonial bodyguard on the parade ground, the Security Bureau representative meticulously moved forward to an internal snare drum. Behind her were a platoon's worth of agents and their accompanying stormtrooper protection detachment; these nearly struggled to keep with the markswoman's stride as they hauled equipment carefully through the crowds.

Soon they were upon the steps into the palace proper. At a few intervals they were challenged by FO sentries to provide verification of identity -and each time the leader of this pack would have her glasses flare up in a holoprojection stemming from lenses, showing a holopop-up of her credentials and orders. Salutes were exchanged, and onward they went.

Once inside the throne room they began their deployment. . .

"First squad: second floor; Second squad: basement level; Third: on me." Without looking, she uttered each order with a wave of the free hand -motioning left and above, right and below, and finally at herself with a snappy elbow motion that was crisp yet punchy to watch.

"Deploying probes, Ma'am." Quipped a technician directly behind the platoon leader. Soon enough, a number of standard issue probe driods began to meander about.

Curiosity began to distract the Major: a number of higher tiered personnel were present and it drifted into the realm of supersaturation. In fact, she thought she had noticed a few influencers mucking about the palace. Stowing and compartmentalizing such ruminations, she returned to the task at hand.

"Let's set up here, and quickly. Before someone begins with the twenty question Horansi." Within moments, monitoring equipment and scanners were being built against a wall of a side parlor before the throne room proper.

​

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

VAIN HOLLOW
PANATHA

The visions they called him here. They spoke of pools of knowledge, of secrets.

Yet, his arrival could very well have been late.

The political climate of the Pacanth Reach had changed. No longer was the God-King here, instead the First Order clashed with separatists. The same separatists Yrvan had met and affiliated with to gain entry to the God-King's former home - Vain Hollow.

"I smell the heretics who draw nearer, their wrong presence dirtying our Holy land seeking to claim the throne of a God. " The Dark Consul's voice echoed through the large chamber. "What say you, honorable guest?"

Yrvan simply made a step forward to get closer to the Consul, the Apostles escorting him remained static.

"I cannot dispute divinity. Neither can they." Yrvan cautiously replied.

The Consul released a brief cackle before turning his scarred face to Khalafi. "I thank you for the information on the heretics." Khalafi curtly bowed. "You may go."

With a careful step, the Blackguard turned back and ventured into the depths of Vain Hollow seeking knowledge.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

The Enforcer had arrived at Panatha receiving a hologram from [member="Samka Derith"] known to him as Decitus Ren. Kyrel studied the holo as he had received his orders to eliminate the Sith Spawn that dwelled in the jungle and discover there origins. He ended the transmission, wearing his dark robes. He had sat in the pilot's chair, the proximity alarm shouting signaling that they were entering the planet. Of course instead of Ax'no his daughter Varas had come with him. Dressed in her own trappings with his Second Lightsaber attached to her belt of course, temporary till she built her own. He gave her a look, before bringing the ship out of Hyperspace.

The Reaper, his own personal design created not long after Project Silencer was. It was his personal craft, used to enforce the will of the Supreme Leader across the stars. A ship reminiscent of Sith Infiltrator, of course, it was armed to the teeth, and was perfect for a mobile command center for him, but not only that it could cloak itself at the cost of being weak to enemy fire.

The ship exited hyperspace, to see Star Destroyers in orbit around the planet, activating the stealth mode he slipped past his fellow Imperials down to the planet below, shutting off the cloaking device as he directed the craft towards a clearing in the jungle.

He landed the craft stepping out, as the landing ramp extended, he was assaulted by the thick smell of the jungle which smelled most foul, and the sounds of wildlife. He pulled his saber... Vader's Bane out he walked slowly sensing the dark side was strong in the area. He activated the blade, the crimson blade coming to life as he said to his daughter stepping slowly. "We must be wary Varas... By the command of the Supreme Leader we shall deal with this Sith Spawn, but do not underestimate them."

[member="Varas Kyrel"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Sith Spawn. The skittish brunette clone had never encountered any, not at least in the wild. She’d once toured one of the First Order Security Bureau facilities and asked about a row of small tanks with unidentifiable viscera stored in them and was curtly told to “move along” after she’d asked what they were, but later Kyrel had explained that they were “Sith Spawn samples.”

Varas wasn’t as much of a space jockey as her father, but as they exited the craft together, she gazed back at the Enforcer with lingering green eyes. The Enforcer signified safety and familiarity. Yet the jungle itself beckoned to her with its verdant tapestry of vines, exotic foliage and mysterious arbor. She had a sudden desire to flee into it, to settle into a more primitive existence and leave everything behind. To hunt wild boars with nothing but a bow and arrow, fish in the lagoons and lie under the stars as they blinked to a chorus of insects. Like she watched in those reality holos where galaxians had to survive in remote places in a weird social-experiment/competition.

Who are you kidding, Varas? You wouldn’t last one night in the jungle without your father.

“These spawn,” she asked. “Would you say they are more man or beast?” She could only think of them as monsters in containers, but surely these beings were more sturdy than a slice of someone’s abdomen. “I mean, if they are created in a laboratory, aren’t I kind of like a Sith Spawn?” His young daughter had a blunt way of speaking, not truly cognizant that some subjects were not for polite company or even off limits. But she’d spent more time with her father lately and was less afraid of him than when he’d first brought her back to Mustafar, straight from the Morpho-owned clone facility on Kamino.

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Zef Halo]

VAIN HOLLOW
PANATHA

Etched into the mountain, Vain Hollow had both natural passages within it or man made ones dug within the mountain leading to all sorts of places. He'd heard of how massive the citadel was, rumors of the cult members disappearing or getting lost were shared among the Carnifex Avulsuna.

Through dark hallways Khalafi made his way, shouts and screams would occasionally be heard in the distance. Their source unknown. Sometimes he would think they were a figment of his imagination. Eventually, the natural passage gave way to a hallway with massive openings on the side to reveal light and a pit below it.

The stands were half-full, half-empty cheering on the barbarians that went at each other brutally.

A life and death match.

Yrvan approached the railing of the openings and leaned to observe, a breeze of cold wind caressing his face and waving his hood.

Like animals pitted against each other with all signs of humanity but stripped away they mauled at each other.

A loud crack echoed and the victor finished his opponent off with no signs of remorse. He roared in victory before abruptly stopping. Two mysterious figures approached him and he went off away with them, silently and in complete surrender.

The Force twitched at the sight of the two cloaked figures.

Khalafi grimaced. Perhaps there was more than it meets the eye.

 

[Samka Derith]

"Where do you have need of my services?"

[member="Ara Zambrano"] had asked. Samka didn't look away from the sight of the First Order's forces descending upon the world in in ever greater numbers.

"Who am I to demand the Queen go where I please?" She caught sight of her own smirking reflection in the throne room's window. "I shall be taking a group to destroy the castle. The building was compromised by a traitor a while back, I dealt with that," a vivid memory crossed her mind for a moment of a doctor slashed across the neck before it was folded once more into the backspace of the Ren's mind, "but the information remains in the hands of our enemies."

Finally, the Master of Ren turned to face her companion, a devious grin still settled on her face, "Your grandfather doesn't seem to mind. We tear it down piece by piece. There are too many artefacts of the Dark Side of use to the Knights of Ren to blast it with a Star Destroyer and be done. We're going to have to get our hands dirty but I rather enjoy that, don't you?"

Samka made for the exit, feeling the presence of others just beyond the doors. Both were familiar but neither intimately.

The doors ahead of her opened without her touch, a faint pressure from the Force being enough to swing them wide before her. The two men she were faced with were immediately identifiable to her. The first, [member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"], was a Knight of Ren. The second, [member="Connor Harrison"], a former Ren.

"Hello to you both," she said lightly and formally. Zodan was a man who she'd never worked with yet but knew from her position within the Ren. It was her duty to know and monitor all members of the order to some extent. She was aware that the man was a destructive force, exactly what was required for this mission, but little else. She looked forwards to seeing him in action.

Harrison was an entirely different situation. Was he a traitor? Some might say as much but the situation, she knew, was entirely more complicated. The once Jedi was eager to show his abilities once more. He'd been useful in the past, perhaps he could be again. It was why she was content to have him sniffing around in recent times. A taste of his old life but not quite acceptance. Not yet. Her apparently casual demeanour with Harrison might seem off after all the events of late but the Ren knew what she was doing.

"If you're here to help establish control, please follow me," she spoke politely and promptly led the way to the landing pad without another word.

---


VAIN HOLLOW
PANATHA

Perspective: Panathan NPC trooper - Jestqu Saghori

The siege had lasted for a day with limited exchange of fire. A few of the Panathan security forces had been injured but so far, there had been no casualties. Neither side truly wanted to hurt the other. They were brothers and sisters with loyalty to another monarch, to Lieutenant Saghori, it wasn't worth spilling blood over.

Saghori grew up believing strongly in the Sith ways, his time in the military hardening those beliefs considerably. If Carnifex had been deposed by the current regime, then he owed his loyalty to them. They were stronger, it was the logical conclusion. But he sympathised with those still loyal to the God-King, he had been among them until just a few months ago.

The Lieutenant's beliefs were widespread among the security personnel as a result, the response had been containment rather than eradication. The Panathan forces stood their ground around the mountain. No one would pass through them, any who tried would be gunned down. But they would not advance.

If the separatists were to be removed, the First Order would have to do so itself and prove their strength once more.

As the sky filled with Star Destroyers, Saghori realised that was exactly what was going to happen.

"A fine job containing them," a voice beckoned to lieutenant Saghori. He turned to see a lean officer in First Order uniform approaching, accompanied, as his type always were, by the shiny white armour of the First Order's Stormtroopers. "But a poor job eliminating them."

"And you are?" The Panathan asked, his voice gravelly and raw in contrast to the refined accent of the Imperial.

"In charge," the officer responded simply. "This ought to soften them up."

The Imperial gestured to the sky and Saghori and his men turned their attention upwards towards the low rumble of several squadrons of TIE Bombers appearing from the horizon.

They struck quick and true. A bombing run marking the opening assault against the castle, shaking Vain Hollow to the core. It was built to withstand such assaults enough damage should be done to outlining defences to allow the First Order to advance.

"Stay here," the officer instructed Saghori as more transports landed nearby, squads of Stormtroopers and AT-STs advanced towards the mountain, "make sure none of the rats escape and we'll be back before you know it."

[member="Yrvan Khalafi"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Before Connor was given a reply from the silent brute, the throne room doors opened. The troopers went stiff and the atmosphere went a little quieter. Looking into the depths of the throne room, he could see the figure of [member="Ara Zambrano"] by the large window, but was immediately taken with the emergence of the Ren Master [member="Samka Derith"] into the hall.

He lowered his head a little and returned to give her his attention. She kept conversation quick and limited with no room for interjection. And Connor didn’t feel anything by it. He was here for a reason, and she gave him an opportunity.

Connor said nothing, and inclined his head again in agreement. Samka led them away from the hall and they were followed by two Stormtroopers.

The group walked with quiet urgency and total confidence out to the landing pad with a ship waiting for them. The Knight looked around and inhaled the fresh air to fill his lungs, relishing the feeling that something was about to happen. It was what he lived for. His one good hand flexed gently in anticipation following the young Ren.

[member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]

 

[Progflaw99]

The man was met with silence, Zodan not compelled to return an answer. His mind was drawn instead to the door as it was thrown open. His jaw tensed as he concealed his recognition of the woman. Decitus Ren, one of the Order's few Masters that belonged to the feared Overlords. Appearances were deceiving - and while Decitus may have looked anything but deadly, she was a force to be reckoned with and her record spoke for itself. Many Disciples and Knights had aspired to reach the rank of Master and failed. She had not been one of them. Even as she swept past he could feel the energy exuding from her very presence and as her voice commanded he would obey.

WIth a glance at the other man, he fell in step behind the others. If he presumed correctly, they would soon be en route to Vain Hollow. By the end of the day, the would have the fortress be it still standing or shattered in pieces. The power of the First Order and of the Supreme Leader was not to be questioned, and those now residing within the bastion were little more than an obstacle to be cleared in their quest for control. They would feel the sting of death, and Zodan would be one among many to make them feel it.

[member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Ara Zambrano]

"Who am I to demand the Queen go where I please?"

While [member="Samka Derith"] ‘s gaze never wavered from the forces rapidly approaching the surface of Panatha, Ara’s crimson eyes were locked onto her. A knowing smile and an almost silent chuckle met the response, both Masters knowing the truth, that the Overlord could demand whatever she’d like of the Arch-Queen here in the privacy of a throne room devoid of any presence save theirs.

Offering a slight bow of acquiescence as the violet-haired teen turned her attention and laid out her plans, her own words dripping with anticipation and a bit of promise.

”You know I do. I shall meet you there.”

Without moving from her spot on the dais, she watched as the Ren made her way out of the throne room, ornate metal doors swinging open before her with the slightest application of the Force. In the hallway beyond waited two men, one familiar, one unknown to the Zambrano.

We meet again, Mr. Harrison. Welcome to Panatha.

An inclination of her chin acted as silent greeting to both men, even as the thought was projected to [member="Connor Harrison"] alone. Her eyes and the tone of her words carried amusement and curiosity across the distance of the empty room, even as Master Derith turned their attention away from the throne and towards their purpose in being here, the destruction of Vain Hollow.

”Allow the First Order operatives access to all areas of the Spire with level three security and below.”

The boom of the doors closing behind her small Queensguard and their captain’s entrance preceded her announcement, Ara’s steps guiding her off of the raised platform for the first time since the appearance of the Ren and the subsequent flurry of activity. Reaching up to unclasp the family crest resting against the hollow of her throat, the woman dropped the heavy fabric across the base of her throne as she passed, eyes glowing with anticipation.

”I am retiring for the evening, I trust you will ensure I am not disturbed.”

Ara had preparations to make before she would join her brethren at the seat of her grandfather’s power. And she would dismantle it stone by stone.

[member="Yrvan Khalafi"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]​

 

[FN-999]

FN-999 had been dispatched along with fifty other troopers to help deal with the Sith spawns, or whatever creatures were waiting in the forest. His officers hadn't elaborated on their forms, just said to expect something big. A group of shuttles landed in the forest outskirts and the troopers ran out, five groups of ten, each lead by a sergeant, each sergeant given a comlink in case any unusual activity was to be detected. His group weaved through the forest, being careful not to trip on any roots or giant snakes camouflaged as roots.

FN-999 had always been wary of jungles, aware of how easy it was to hide something on top of any tree, inside any bush, behind any rock. Every second he lost track of civilization, he constantly felt like he was being stalked. He pushed those feelings into the back of his head and kept on marching with his squad, thankful that his suit provided cooling, aware that without it he would likely be experiencing dehydration and have sweat on more than his face. While the ground was relatively flat when he entered the forest, there was suddenly a slight uphill incline, though there seemed to be no signs of abnormality.

After a minute of walking uphill, he found a clearing, in which a small triangular vessel with a shape similar to a Destroyer except that it lacked a bridge, and two people talking to each other. Taking a few steps forward, he realized from the uniforms that they were Rens, or at least the man was. The woman, he wasn't sure, but was likely either an officer or another Ren.
"They're not enemies. Put your guns down. If they're what I think they are, they'd have you dead in a second if you attacked them." he told to a few of the troopers who had started to grow suspicious.

He made a hand gesture for his men to follow, and then walked over to the two people.

[member="Kyrel Ren"]|[member="Varas Kyrel"]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel walked along the path, the dark presence of the dark side was all over the surrounding area. Kyrel was no stranger to places that carried the strong aura of the dark side, he had been to places such as Mustafar where the power of the dark side was the most strong, and still, this did not bother Kyrel in the slightest. He had welcomed it even when he was in constant pain due to the mechanical shell he inhabited in for two years, the suit had brought him some slight comfort, the pain that went through his body had brought him intense strength through the dark side, that even though his encounters with his enemies, he did not die so easily. Being on this mission in the flesh had to make him rethink his tactics. He was a brute, he reacted more through saber prowess and force rather than games and tricks. Now that he can reach his full potential that may change.

As he walked through the jungle with Varas, knowing the creatures couldn't be too far behind, his daughter saying in a blunt tone if she was Sith Spawn herself. This caused Kyrel to raise an eyebrow. He spoke in a cold tone but still pressed onward, his saber grasped in his hand. "When you were created. I found raw, untamed power. Beyond that, you became something truly special. These spawn or not like you, they can be made either of man or beast, but no you aren't Sith Spawn. They were created through Sith Alchemy, you were created from my blood."

He said as he stopped, holding his gloved hand up to Varas signaling her to stop, as Kyrel saw several stormtroopers emerged and one with the pauldron recognizing him as the commanding officer. He looked at him and asked in a slightly commanding tone. "Trooper what is your designation? What are you doing here?"

@FN-999 [member="Varas Kyrel"]

 

[Zef Halo]

[bounty]: Blackwraith
[location]: Canthar, Panatha
[contractor]: The First Order (direct)| [member="Samka Derith"] ; [member="Ara Zambrano"] (indirect)

Not everyone accepted the First Order with open arms and that was normal. A warrior culture was hard, if not impossible, to subjugate. Caius knew that from experience. Mandalorians were ready to die to the very last one before they were to succumb to subservience. Thus, resistance formed into cells and groups that dotted Panatha, with the largest being the current residents of the infamous Vain Hollow Citadel.

Fett's job was elsewhere. Cathar, the capital city of Panatha, where a resistance force had dug deep into the underground while committing lethal hit-and-run tactics upon First Order assets. Their mysterious leader - only known as Blackwraith - was his target.

Split the head off the shoulders and the body will fall. That is what Caius assumed was the Order's strategy with hiring him.

:: Where? :: His cold voice repeated through the annunciator. Fett's visor staring at the very soul of the man he held at knifepoint. The sharpness of the Mandalorian iron caressing the throat of the human before him.

"N-nothing's stop-stopping you from kill-llin' me if I tell y-ya."

The dagger dug deeper, droplets of blood ran down his skin.

:: Where? ::

"N-not.."

:: Where? ::

Another response did not follow. Instead, blaster fire rained upon his shoulder forcing him to release his grasp of the human. He fled for his life towards the source of the blaster fire while Caius ducked for cover.

The fire ceased and his thermal vision told him the rescue team were now fleeing on two speeder bikes. Fett dashed from cover towards his own bike and the chase commenced.

Catching them was paramount in his pursuit of Blackwraith.

Give them no quarter, son.

Engines roared and the heavy armored bounty hunter engaged in pursuit.

 

[The Major]

"M-mm-Major, we've intercepted reports of... uh... trooper squads encountering resistance in the sector." Reported an agent, a nervous rookie quite clearly detecting that his commanding officer was already irate -and so he assumed any kind of bad news that would keep them planet side might send her soaring into the realm of vengeful spite.

Surprising her assembled squad, the Fallanassi calmly grabbed a pair of chunky headphones and held them up to her ear. Presumably she was only listening to the reports that were at first calm and methodical which then evolved into panic and cut feeds.

"Ach. It's never simple." She said while massaging her eyes with her thumb and index finger.

"Very well. Update our intel agents across the A.O. I'll update the files and get the word out."

Which of course consisted of pulling out with an annoyed huff before beginning the process of typing up a report that would notify any commander in the area who bothered to check their digital maps. Signals intelligence was outside this unit's parameters, but since they seemingly were the only ones already set up and tracking comm-chatter, protocol dictated that a report be filed to alert all units up their combat readiness.

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Zodan Osyk-Drul"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

[bounty]: Blackwraith
[location]: Canthar, Panatha
[contractor]: The First Order (direct)| The Weeb ; The Queen (indirect)

Reckless driving, a classic in metropolitan chases. Fett had his fair share of chasing goons down urban areas via a vehicle. It seemed his prey did too.

Would it be enough for them to escape his grasp?

Highly unlikely.

He triggered the overdrive system of his speeder bike when he found the gap to shorten drastically the distance between them. An obnoxious sound, similar to that of a seismic charge exploding, erupted from his engines and acceleration hit new records.

Expectantly, blaster fire came as a response when he was too close for comfort. The armor shrugged the glancing shots while his energy shield soaked the others. Caius always preferred solid, fortress-like defense than agility, as many other Mandalorians preferred. Fett felt better as the tank.

And the tank's arm came forward, wrist launcher did not remain passive when an ion missile escaped its maw striking the engines of the victim's speeder bike disabling it in its tracks. The momentum of their speed began decelerating while the disabling of the repulsorlift had them plunge deep as the clutch of gravity pulled them.

Like a bird of prey, Fett shot down his bike and his crushgaunts grabbed the body of the man he was interrogating earlier. The bounty hunter changed trajectory and moved away from the traffic and the falling speeder bike, in his hand like a sack of potatoes the man remained scared poodooless from the height.

:: Where? :: Caius' voice came as he aimlessly piloted.

No response.

:: Where? :: He feinted dropping him and could hear the man's breath going short.

"FINE, FINE!!!! PROMISE YOU LET ME GO."

:: Where? ::

"I-infochant Bith stays at Haqren's Mug cantina."

:: Name? ::

"No, n-no n-name."

Another feint of dropping him.

"I SWEAR NO NAME. HE IS THE ONLY BITH TH-THERE. J-JUST ASK."

The speeder bike descended, his destination not random. Local enforcement station. The bounty hunter dropped him off before the eyes of the officers and wordlessly he left heading towards the cantina while the man was arrested.