Skirmish The Battle of Genarius - [THR v SC]

[Tansu Treicolt]

​

She felt the chord catch real clean, and for half a heartbeat she thought she had her. Then Arris moved with agility that matched all the Force that Lily gathered - but it was completely inorganic. And then she felt it before she understood it: a tug on her vambrace, a wrongness crawlin' through the device like cold fingers looking for a latch.

Then the release mechanism clicked.

"Aw, hell—" she grunted right as the line went slack.

"Mechu Deru."

Tansu frowned, pinching her brows together and for half-a second lamenting that maybe she should have taken up pig face's offer:

"Do you want to learn Mechu-Deru or not? I don't do favors."

Oh well, live and learn.

Below them, the city groaned out a long, miserable CRRRAAACK that crawled up the supports. Somewhere deep in the refinery guts, a stabilizer failed. Tibanna pipes blew in chain reaction bursts, sending white jets of supercooled gas fountaining into open air. Their catwalk pitched another two degrees, metal bolts screaming in protest.

Tansu planted her stance, bracing against the tilt. She shoved back against the Force-call on her vambrace, snapping the mechanism closed by will alone. No more technology for Tansu, lest it be used against her companion.

And while Lily stepped in with speed and steel, Tansu moved with the urgency of a ranch hand cutting a stampede off at the fence line — but instead of cutting off the run of heifers, all her focus was on stoppin' the advancement of the mechanic menace.

Force-based and powerful, Tansu targeted a Force shove right at Arris' ankles to spoil her footing in the same instant Lily's blade cut low. And as their environment groaned around them, consequence of the wider battle, the platform lurched again. Tansu let it carry her sideways, sliding into a flanking angle. Her sabre hissed to life mid-motion, and with one clean cut from golden plasma, she sheared through a sagging rail segment right to the floor behind Arris: Intent on forcing the cyborg to shift into Lily's attack or risk stepping into nothing.

____________________________________________________________
Arris Windrun | Lily Decoria
____________________________________________________________
​

 

[Arris Windrun]

Direct Tag: Lily Decoria | Tansu Treicolt
Equipment: Down & Out

So Lily knew of mechu deru? It didn't surprise her much, but as Tilon told it, the art was seldom taught among Jedi if not outright detested as a gateway to the Dark Side. For her to quickly pick up on it told Arris that this Jedi was knowledgeable in the Force...

The Sith mercenary hadn't even gotten back up before the Echani resorted to that preternatural speed and movement again, and that wasn't her only problem. The younger Jedi summoned a powerful Force Push to offset the cyborg's footing just as she tried to stand, and entered a strike of her own. Arris hadn't much choice; she couldn't avoid either without leaping down into what might've been a long drop, and she greatly lacked the faith to do so.

It was all too quick. Even with the stimulants flooding Arris's body, the Jedi's lightsaber came across low and fast, with a biting hum that undersold its lethality. The Force crawled its way deep inside her mechanical heart, like a fang-rat digging to escape a fire, and filled Arris with an overwhelming sense of dread and panic.

In that moment, Arris felt herself disappear from the world (imagine that her mind faded to black) as the implant in her grey matter took over. The Dark Side erupted within her, an insidious disease brought to light, and undoubtedly the Jedi would feel it.

Her cybernetic hand reached as she fell back over - reached to grab the Jedi's lightsaber. Not by the hilt, but by the blade. It was a reckless and nigh untennable move; Arris was no master of Tutaminis, and she never attempted it before on something as powerful as a lightsaber, but it's exactly what she did when body moved faster than mind.

Arris's grasp only lasted a second or so, long enough to nudge the strike just narrowly out of the cutting path towards her legs. However, what was she to do after that? Watch as Lily's lightsaber melted her hand off and ripped across the rest of her right arm as if it were nothing.

Had she not holstered her revolvers momentarily, she might've used the songsteel to block the attack instead, but there wasn't the luxury of wishful thinking with her life on the line.

She rolled out of the way and summoned the Force to aid her already powerful legs in a high leap out of either Jedi's immediate reach (or so she believed) and landed on a damaged platform above. Molten slag dripped from her metal elbow; what was left of the forearm and below.

The cyborg drew her other revolver, the one she hadn't yet fired, and unleashed a succession of three shots in a spread across from Jedi to Jedi. Each round was called Krayt's Breath, a dangerous shell that contained globules of superheated gel, which would stick to anything they touched and burn hot enough to roast a Mandalorian within beskar. Suffice it to say, the substance was far worse when it made skin contact.

 

[Jace Rhane]

​

It was often thought that Jedi could not show aggression, could not display ferocity. Jace understood the sentiment- and the six Sith around him did not. There was a difference, however, in temperance. Useless, uncontrolled aggression, unchecked and unwarranted was the tool of the dark side, or rather, a symptom of it. And exploitable.

However, the Sith surrounding him- blades and lightsabers ignited, or held tightly. Masked and armored, they were fearsome opponents. But together, they were crude, uncoordinated. Troops swarmed past them, meeting their end in a hail of gunfire from the Defenders or pushing on. Jace stepped forward to the first Sith, who had his blade raised over his head. He cut him at the arms, dodging the falling blade as his arms fell with it. He pivoted and drove the lightsaber across his midsection, opening him up.

A red blade came screeching in a stab. He deflected up and away from him, and seized the Sith by her throat. He crushed her larynx. She collapsed to the ground, coughing, seizing. Another dead blade came down at him, hard, and he was barely able to get into a cross guard, and felt himself give slightly away when the Sith used both of his hands on the blade to push down on him. Jace fell to a single knee- and freed one hand from his lightsaber hilt.

Then drove that hand straight into the Sith's solar plexus, right where the armor plates met. A sickening crack as his punch, amplified by the force to the point of sounding like thunder, rang out. He felt ribs and his body flex under his punch. It must've been extremely painful. The screech of pain and the rage of being wounded was his next sound. The sound of Jace reaching up to grab his leg, pull him to the ground and drive his lightsaber into his chest was his last.

The fourth Sith seized the moment and kicked Jace hard in the ribs. Pain exploded across his entire midsection. He felt his body hit the wall, then the pain from both events registered. His vision was hazy for a moment. But he saw a black and silver blade coming down quick in a stab. Lethal. Fast. No qualms about getting it done quickly. He barely had time to move- it cut deep across his arm, and he was barely able to dodge it. His lightsaber found purchase in his neck.

He removed his head to make sure the Sith stayed out of the fight.

The last Sith, she was tenacious as they were. She went for a feint, right, left, then a stab. Jace blocked the first, then prepared for the stab. He brought his lightsaber up, but only was able to lock blades with her. She was a good deal shorter than him, and their saber lock could not end well for her. He disengaged first, letting her seemingly have the upper hand. She went to assume another stance.

Instep, twist, hilt across the body, pull it in tight-

And release.

The blade screeched through her guard, her own lightsaber cutting deep into her cheek before his blue blade met her head. He cut her head in half right above the ear. She barely had time to register the pain, if at all. He breathed deeply, bleeding, out of breath, sweaty, armor cracked in several places and covered in blood of his own and not.

And yet, Jace had endured the fight. The Sith had not.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Armor | Sword
Tags: Jonyna Si Shade Naniti Varin Mortifer
​

When the Chiss’ body crumpled, there would be no guilt that rode along with that strike. Lysander’s cheek throbbed where the katana had landed, the blood warm and sticky, tracing along his jaw. He made no move to wipe it away. Just after, another whisper arrived, with energy that might’ve made a lesser Sith’s spine stiffen.. but not him. Naturally, he turned back on his heel to face the Jedi as different hues painted energy.. a prelude to an inferno.

A Force barrier began to shimmer before him, though it was imperfect and barely absorbed a quarter of the lightning. So the rest began to slam into him, nerve endings on fire. The immense heat licked at his armor. It too rode across the scarred lines etched his chest.. remnants of the Galactic Kaggath where he’d nearly died from the same energy. Such remembrance only brought a bitter taste in the back of his throat. Lysander’s jaw clenched, teeth grinding. The pain was excruciating, but it didn’t break him. He staggered until finding the wall a few paces behind.

The heat snaked up Nemesis too. Unlike the Kaggath, his grip held; no scream urged him to cast it aside. The torment deepened the blackening aura which clung to him, blind to the fact his fingers were blistering.

Unseen until now.. the verdant depths fractured, eyes flashing, flashing molten gold in bursts. Minor burns smoked along the obsidian plating, and hair was matted against his temple. But through it all, he remained locked on the Cathar across from him.

“This city can bury us both.” His blade stretched outward while still sparking. “I’m fine with that. Are you?” Torso rotating, shoulders driving forward with monstrous strength, hips uncoiling like a serpent.. the Nemesis thrust forward to reclaim space.

 

[Naniti]

"What," Naniti flipped over another saber strike. "Is," the tension in her voice grew with each word as he kicked out toward her attacker the moment her foot touched the deck again. "Wrong," both hands shoved forth to slam the Force into their body as they were lifted even just an inch off the ground from the kick; her opponent sent reeling out of the corridor in the direction they should have been going all along. "With!" her sabers locked into place at her hips before both hands were thrust toward the side of the chamber. The ear-piercing screech of metal being twisted and torn open only served to heighten the anger fueling that very act. A loud bang sounded as a large transfer conduit or pipe was ripped from the wall. "You?" the Togruta shouted as she hurtled the pipe toward the Cathar woman intent to kill Lysander before even thinking of getting off a doomed, floating city.

Sweat dotted Naniti's brow as she gulped down air from the strain of tearing such a large piece of metal out of the wall. How did Masters of the Force make it look so easy? Of course, as an Acolyte, she didn't know they often only made it look easy.

Despite the strain, the violet woman forced herself to bolt forward to try and get to Shade's unconscious form. For some reason Lysander thought not to kill her. For some reason Jonyna was intent on killing Lysander. Kind of made it hard for the man to focus on handling both, so Naniti could help with the easier of the two. Not that she expected the Cathar to allow it to be easy.

Lysander von Ascania | Shade | Jonyna Si | Varin Mortifer

 

[Kas Larsen]

Kas Larsen

​

"I'm a Jedi Sentinel, using everything in my arsenal to keep the peace."

TAGS: @ OPEN
EQUIPMENT: Kas' Gear | Echo Stone
CURRENT LOCATION: Genarius | Edic Bar | Sorosuub Research Centre
OBJECTIVE: Evacuate Civilians | Aid all Allies | Leave Genarius Safely

When exiting the Research Centre with Caden and Kharis, there was a series of explosions felt throughout the city of Edic Bar and Kas initially thought about any civilians as well as allied forces impacted. Putting his equipment away on his person to begin thinking that matters weren't looking good. There wouldn't be time to investigate and find out what was going on to then attempt to fix the problems with any solutions. A defeated sigh came from Kas as he looked to Caden and Kharis as they knew the situation and they all were ready to do what good where, when possible with regard to what time was left.

"We can't delay or dwell here for any longer. Let's get back to the Hangar Bay and evacuate anyone, everyone we can."

After gathering himself and now focused on retreating back to the Hangar Bay there Kas began to lead the way back through the streets running through the streets but not ignoring any civilians in distress or injured. Helping each civilian to flee the city where he could and providing instruction that it was no longer safe to remain here. Children, women, men and elderly they were all being grouped together as Kas led the way to reach the Hangar Bay with everyone rounded up. The allied forces nearby and enroute were also helping the civilians to leave their homes behind within the city. It wasn't easy for a lot of them to suddenly leave everything.

"C'mon it is no longer safe here. I understand it is not easy but be there for each other and the Jedi, the Republic will do everything we can to help you resettle and rebuild when it is safe."

Using what experience and skills that Kas possessed currently as a Padawan Learner he worked with Caden and Kharis alongside any available allied forces in Edic Bar city to prioritise all civilians they were able to help. There were instances of moving fallen debris from buildings and vehicles to clear the path for everyone to get through to the Hangar Bay. The J1 Shuttle that Caden and Kas had flown in to make their arrival was still there albeit it did take a few knocks from debris. The X-83 TwinTail starfighter that Kharis flew in was also there and no doubt in Kas' mind his twin sister would get to it making her departure.

"Let's get everyone aboard our shuttle Cade. Make the EVAC call to nearby forces that can spare some EVAC shuttles and dropships that can take civilians, all forces out of here."

Kas got inside of the J-1 shuttle getting the engines, hyperdrive and systems online preparing for a departure. All while Caden and allied forces aboard the shuttle were helping civilians settle inside in the Passenger Deck. Once the systems were online Kas would allow Caden to transmit communications out to the Jedi, High Republic and other Allied Forces. The J-1 Shuttle was taking off from the Hangar Bay once everyone was inside of it as Kas began to pilot it while Caden co-pilots their shuttle after finishing with the transmission communications. Flew the cruiser out from the Hangar Bay to the skies after everything was secured.

 

[Caden Larsen]

Caden Larsen

​

"I'm a Jedi Consular, study and use the Force to defend and protect others."

TAGS: @ OPEN
FURTHER INFO: BIO
CURRENT LOCATION: Genarius | Edic Bar | Sorosuub Research Centre
OBJECTIVE: Evacuate Civilians | Aid all Allies | Leave Genarius Safely

Upon leaving the Research Centre with Kas and Kharis accompanying him where he felt the floating city start to sway on one side followed by the presence of explosions that erupted throughout. It wasn't good and nobody should dilly dally in Edic Bar unfortunately Caden glanced over to his older brother and listened to what was said. Acknowledged the facts that it wasn't ideal to remain here and citizens, on top of aiding any nearby Allied Forces, Caden agreed with Kas to aid all civilians on the way back. Retreating to the Hangar Bay and having his priorities already set on his mind to help with the situation on Genarius.

"Yeah agreed, Kas. Let's go, evacuations should still be top priority we've done our part here."

All of his equipment being ready for further use as Caden followed Kas' lead back out onto the streets of Edic Bar city. Whenever there were civilians injured or trapped, Caden worked with Kas and Kharis to remove the obstacles and carried out treating the wounds impacting the civilians. Allied Forces rallying on their path to retreat back Caden teamed up with some of the available medics to ensure no wounded were left behind or in further distress. Progress being made as more civilians were making their ways to the Hangar Bay obviously the J-1 shuttle couldn't take everyone but there were other EVAC shuttles available.

"Let's go everyone! Only help each other any supplies will be on the transport shuttles and in the Emergency Stations. Please don't panic we understand this is not easy. We'll do what we can to help you all."

Everyone had reached the Hangar Bay of Edic Bar city the very area that Caden arrived in the J-1 shuttle with Kas and Kharis as everyone was boarding EVAC shuttles. Caden got to the holo-communication terminal of the shuttle and began broadcasting out to the Jedi, Republic and Allied Forces network a message informing anyone nearby and everyone that more evacuations were coming through plus providing communications that Caden and Kas can attempt to pick-up anyone requiring transportation. Hopefully with the communications being sent out Caden can help fellow Jedi, High Republic teams and Allied Forces.

"To all nearby and available Allied Forces, fellow Jedi and Republic teams. This is Padawan Caden Larsen. We're evacuating as many as we can if you are within our vicinity respond. We will do our best to help, Caden out."

 

[Kharis Larsen]

Kharis Larsen

​

"I'm a Jedi Guardian, my lightsaber is an extension and it will serve to protect."

TAGS: @ OPEN
FURTHER INFO: BIO
CURRENT LOCATION: Genarius | Edic Bar | Sorosuub Research Centre
OBJECTIVE: Evacuate Civilians | Aid all Allies | Leave Genarius Safely

Leaving the Research Centre after having dealt with the thieves in attempt of raiding the lab facilities and nearly killing a female Amaran the situation didn't stop there with Kharis as Kas took lead. It felt like the city was tilting one-sided weight shifting gradually all while Kharis stood with her brothers, Caden and Kas, she acknowledge Kas' assessment of the situation and listened to what the trio would be focused on. The plan to retreat back to their ships and help, escort civilians and allies throughout her travels in the streets of the city this was Kharis' primary objective that being evacuate anyone and everyone stranded here.

"Got it Kas, we'll be right behind you. Let's do what we can for anyone and everyone we come across."

Only using her Lightsaber to cut past and through any debris and materials to free those trapped as Kharis made her way in the streets with Kas leading and Caden performing medical treatments where, when he could. Carried some of the children, women and men to safety all while Allied Forces came in not too long after the Larsen trio began rendering aid as they began retreating. Hope wasn't completely lost as Kharis believed the Jedi Order and High Republic will provide support for the people who resided on Genarius, having homes in Edic Bar. Not hesitating with her actions nor dwelling heavily in her own mindset Kharis continued.

"Don't stop for any material goods. Family and friends come first and foremost! C'mon let's go, help each other as we all help you. It isn't safe any more, we'll do what we can to help you all."

Finally, the groups of civilians, some Jedi and High Republic, allied forces made it to the Hangar Bay. Evacuations underway as transport shuttles waited and more came that were nearby being enroute to provide support. Making off to her TwinTail starfighter ship Kharis would act as a security escort as always while Caden and Kas took control of the J-1 shuttle. Once all civilians and allied forces got to the evacuation transport shuttles Kharis climbed into her starfighter. Taking off being in sync flight path with Caden and Kas piloting the J-1 shuttle the trio share together she heard Caden's broadcasted throughout the networks.

"I hope everyone whose been defending, fighting and protecting others make it out of here. May the Force be with us all."

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Lysander von Ascania Naniti​

“This city can bury us both.” His blade stretched outward while still sparking. “I’m fine with that. Are you?” Torso rotating, shoulders driving forward with monstrous strength, hips uncoiling like a serpent.. the Nemesis thrust forward to reclaim space.

"You think this is my first falling city? Please, I've dealt with much worse for far longer than you've been alive." She said, letting Liz bind with Nemesis, using her structured stance to take the force, rather than her own strength.

She knew she could beat him in pure strength, the Cathar physique could easily, but she also knew better than to keep her focus too hard committed to one target. Instead, she did as she always did. Focus everywhere at once.

"You?" the Togruta shouted as she hurtled the pipe toward the Cathar woman intent to kill Lysander before even thinking of getting off a doomed, floating city.

Naniti heard a voice whisper in her ear. Not from any mouth, but from the wind itself.

"I dunno, where do you want to start?"

As she did, Jonyna's tail whipped out from under her coat, an invisible blade lashing out and cutting through the pipe, before suddenly...

Naniti's ear drums were assaulted with a piercing screech. It came from every direction, and yet from nowhere. With enough decibels to sound like it was a rocket engine going off directly in front of her.

Jonyna knew she needed to protect Shade , but she couldn't break the bind. So she resorted to an old standby. Sound was simply the wind vibrating. She could control the wind, and thus she could control sound itself. No need to fire a sonic attack, rather than just make one in an arena of effect.

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Defend the City //
// Focus // Kito // Mercy //

---

---

There was a delicate softness in the words passed across the battlefield as the raging of battle died down, the words of the red-haired Sith parted the sounds of blaster fire and screams in the distance.

They had mocked the K'paur for committing to her duties and pulled at a perceived fragility in the Echani, searching for weakness in both the hearts of the padawan's before her. Whoever this was, she took joy in being the reason that the Jedi had turned while in the same tone blamed Kito for their deaths.

In a shocking turn, it was the silver-haired Echani who didn't allow grief to strike at her being. There was no thought as to the fact that those slain had been former Jedi, no concern that it could one day happen to her. The Sith had always tried to convolute the relationships of power, when it was, in essence, so very simple.

"That rhetoric is stupid." The dark brows of the Echani furrowed as her pale blue eyes caught passion in them. "One's past and one's future don't matter compared totheir present. Whether it was you that convinced them to turn, or their own dark passions, they forfeit their lives the moment they chose to attack innocents."

The pale blue lightsaber hovered by her hip as she moved forward, stepping over an armoured corpse.

"If they were ever true Jedi, then their last breaths would be thanking her for stopping them committing such atrocities." The lightsaber would be brought up to illuminate her pale features as she readied to strike. "Because distinction between slavery and service to others is wasted upon your kind."

Knuckles grew white around the hilt of her blade, the conviction in her eyes hadn't quite assured the rest of her body. This woman was larger than even Kito was, and the size difference just seemed to keep growing between Ayra and her opponents.

Not to mention this woman was blatantly more powerful, though Ayra lacked the skills to examine by exactly what measure. Part of her hoped this was simply a Sith Knight while the masters dealt with whomever commanded the attack, but there was an eerie calm to the motions of the Sith that showed a fearsome confidence.

But fortunately for the Echani she wouldn't have time to worry about how powerful the woman was as her companion started the first attacking, blitzing from her side towards the redhead.

Ayra wasn't as swift, not as strong, as Kito was, but her body unstiffened as she pressed it forwards into the fray, following her companion. The offense was lead by the K'Paur, something Ayra couldn't match. So instead she neared the flank of her friend and readied to deflect any counterattack the Sith would throw, waiting for the redhead to reveal her weapon.

 

[Jorryn Fordyce]

// Lady Jorryn Fordyce //
// Objective // Sink this City //
// Focus // Balun Dashiell // Cerys Dyn //

---

---

The Togrutan fell back from the collision, her second blade successfully wrenched from her hand as the Echani had managed to catch her wrist. A metallic clatter rung the air as it fell to the floor beside her and Cerys toppled from the impact down to her knees. As much as her martial arts lacked the grace of her people, the power had been clear.

It had managed to take the wind from Cerys' sails, and the Echani didn't intend to stop the assault there. Not until the words came from the girl's lips.

An eyebrow raised in response to the surrender, it was a smart move to be sure, her second blade having been taken away now lessening the assault she could put on the Echani. Surrender was hardly something Jorryn expected, but the fear in the girl's eyes told her that it may not be a feint.

"Don't worry, love, killing doesn't excite me as much as my fellows." A snide looked cross her lips as she drew closer to the Togrutan, using the force to pull the Jedi's fallen lightsaber to her hand. "But I can hardly allow you to continue preventing them from their goals."

The pale blue lightsaber ignite as the Echani's steps drew closer, the beating of her heels against the metal starport floor sounded a low dirge.

She wouldn't kill the girl, but leaving her in a state to prevent Covenant forces from destroying this city would be foolish. Perhaps just take an arm to leave her incapable of interfering.

But the other Jedi moved quicker, passion allowing his movements to propel him forward between the pair before the blade could make a deciding action.

The smile remained on her lips as the copper lightsaber bathed the pair in a hue, watching as the man readjusted his stance to Djem So. Yet again she would have to deal with the aggression of the Jedi, this man's stance far more barbaric than the girl's. She held a special loathing for the fifth form as a practicer of Makashi, it's simple minded aggression looked down upon for it's inelegance in her mind.

"Oh?" An eyebrow lift itself once again as she teased the pair with a vile tongue. "Quite adorable that you would choose to fall together, Jedi."

Then the Jedi spoke with surety, dragging the silver-haired Sith's attention to him in full as he spoke. Whether he thought himself truly capable of defeating her, or if it the words simply sought to reassure himself, Jorryn could respect the arrogance.

"It's quaint that you think yourself above a mere distraction, like poor Cerys there." The pale blue glow of the Echani's new weapon faded as she hid the hilt behind her back and levelled her own lightsaber in front of her, matching the man's opening stance with her own. "At least she has the grace not to give away your identity, Jedi, maybe I'll drag it from your lips myself."

Once again she would be forced on the defensive as the brunette pressed forward with a piercing strike, as expected of a practitioner of Djem So. In anticipation, Jorryn herself slid back upon her heel to avoid the length of the blade, and brought her own saber in a downwards strike to parry the rest of the strike that reached towards her.

The smirk wasn't wiped from her face yet, hoping that whatever annoyance the man felt could lead to a slipping in his assault. Her eyes carefully looked over his figure, taking every motion as she searched for opportunity. The sensation of his blood raced through her mind, prodding against the lifeblood to understand it's racing.

It searched for his feelings and movement, still too inexperienced in reading it to truly telegraph his movements but enough to understand when they came. For now, she remained on the defence with her single blade, testing quite how far the skills of the man reached.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Armor | Sword
Naniti Jonyna Si Shade
​

Between word and action, her experience was clear. The Cathar’s words passed him without a mark, met with the same detachment he would afford any other piece of information going forward. Then came the attack from the environment itself.. air becoming pressure.

Somewhere off to his flank, the Togruta would be caught in something that screamed, a sound that gnawed at the edges of his own senses even. That raw abrasion had sharp teeth. As the danger reached for her.. the hatred in him rose. Lysander forgot about the city beneath him then. This place was already dead. Heat clung to him from the lightning strike.. armor scorched, parts of his hair singed. Blood continued its slow path down his jaw. Emerald orbs fractured once more, veins of molten gold surfacing, pushing, fighting for dominance.

The Cathar, shifting her focus, even for a moment.. that was enough to give him a potential opening. Shoulders rolled, altering the bind’s leverage to the best of his ability. Nemesis rotated by just a few degrees in his grip.. pressure ready to be reapplied.

He was not one prone to telepathy, for he found it invasive, but it was still a shortcut, and he believed the Togruta would be receptive to it. Invisible tendrils slipped free from the blackened aura feeding him, slithering through the chaos. Whether she felt them beneath the screaming, he couldn’t be sure.

<<Leave this to me. You don’t need to see the rest.. this is mine now.>>

Based on her movement earlier, she was already breaking toward the Chiss, so he presumed she knew would follow through. The floor cracked beneath his boot as the city tilted again, slowly surrendering itself to the void, and with a pivot, he shifted to a safer angle. Lysander’s visage became colder, sharpened to a killing edge like the longsword in his blistered palm.

“You won’t survive this one, Jedi.”

Everything he'd been holding back bled into his next breath. The burn crawling along his nerves, the fury of his control being challenged in the middle of the Covenant's operation. He drew everything inward, compressing it all into something condensed. The Dark answered eagerly as his stance widened. A single hand dropped, palm open. It wasn't aimed directly at the Cathar. He aimed at the foundation she stood upon. Power surged outward with violent release, with the desire of destruction. There was another under them.. he knew that.. but it would potentially leave the acolyte out of reach. And perhaps, it would leave just the two of them to finish this deadly dance.

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Pain came second. Shame came first.

The moment Balun moved between her and the Echani, something inside Cerys collapsed inward. The sound of blades meeting drowned beneath the pounding in her ears, the memory of her own voice begging still ringing in her head like a curse she could not unhear.

She did not look at him. She could not.

Instead, she twisted violently, wrenching her wrist free of where it had been held moments before, the ache flaring but ignored. The Force answered her next thought without hesitation. A sharp pull, instinctive and desperate. She pulled at her lightsaber trying to tear it free from the Echani.

Triumph in that small act was alone up to the focus of the Sith.

Cerys surged to her feet, remnants of her armament gathered close and shoved beneath her cloak as blasterfire and shouting blurred together. The ground beneath her pitched unnaturally, the distant horizon beginning to tilt as the city itself groaned in protest. Crates slid. Debris scraped and tumbled. Somewhere, metal screamed as structures began to give way.

She ran. Not toward the fight. Not back to him. Away.

Civilians were flooding toward a battered transport at the edge of the port, the boarding ramp half-lowered as the ship’s engines whined in protest. A captain was shouting, voice raw, ordering people aboard faster, faster, the city wasn’t holding.

“Move it!” He barked as Cerys staggered onto the ramp.

She hesitated. Just once.

Her hand tightened beneath the cloak, fingers brushing the familiar weaponry hidden there. Her head turned, eyes searching through smoke and fire for copper light, for a silhouette she did not see.

I’m sorry.

The words formed soundlessly. She took a step back toward aiding Balun. And then rough hands shoved her forward as the ship lurched violently, the ramp snapping shut behind her. The deck tilted hard beneath her feet as the transport tore itself free, engines screaming as Edic Bar began to slide away beneath them.

Cerys stumbled, catching herself against the bulkhead.

She did not look out the viewport. She already knew what she was leaving behind.

Balun Dashiell Jorryn Fordyce ​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Battle of Genarius
Light Side Objective: Defend Edic Bar Spaceport
Location: Port Authority District, Spaceport
Inventory: Spacer Apparel, Lightsaber, K-16 Bryar Pistol
Tags: Cerys Dyn | Jorryn Fordyce

​

"Oh?"

"Quite adorable that you would choose to fall together, Jedi."

"It's quaint that you think yourself above a mere distraction, like poor Cerys there."

"At least she has the grace not to give away your identity, Jedi, maybe I'll drag it from your lips myself."

"My name's Balun Dashiell", he introduced himself while he held his lightsaber tightly at the ready, eyeing the other combatant while Cerys Dyn shrank into her emotional retreat. Were she in the right frame of mind to realise it, she would know that Balun didn't think anything less of her for it, yet he was focused solely on Jorryn Fordyce now. There were others, soldiers upon the battlefield, but here there were only two Force Users to be locked in sabre combat.

He did not fear his opponent, though the threat of defeat was a very real possibility. The notion of an introduction was not a significant matter given the fact that one of them was potentially about to take the other's life in a matter of long-lived minutes. The least that he could do was offer his name, given that he was about to attempt to take the woman's life.

There was, however, nothing more to be said. Anything more would be a waste of time.

The City around them was burning, and people were dying.

The duracrete floor beneath his back foot cracked under the pressure he exerted as Balun surged forward with amplified strength in the Force, assailing himself with speed and aggression in a direct charge at Fordyce. The copper blade slashed out in a wide clockwise arc at neck height, aiming to behead the young woman, both hands wielding the weapon with such control that Balun remained poised and prepared to follow up with a counter-attack, depending on his opponent's response.

Naturally, he did not anticipate his first attack to finish her, yet he had committed to the killing blow all the same. Fighting with only half of your heart in the battle was a sure way of getting yourself killed, and he still had a certain Togruta to remind who her friends were.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Naniti]

Bright blue rings stared at the Cathar Jedi full of defiance as the Togruta's lips turned downward. Her hands had clasped to the sides of her head after throwing the heavy metal at the bothersome, intrusive, and downright obstructive woman. She might not cheat when it came to training with Lysander, but putting up with a Jedi that just wouldn't give up? Cheating was a fair strategy under the rules of "don't give a kark." No grand power able to slice a planet in half or something, but just enough of a talent Naniti didn't voluntarily tell people what it was.

Though she had alluded to it from time to time for Lysander. He was trustworthy, but they weren't that close yet in the timeline. Timing was important -- that Naniti understood well.

Even with her ears covered though the screech was not appreciated. Even her montrals could feel that sound. Naniti made a mental note to cut that Cathar's tail off someday. That was, a mental note after she focused on keeping her feet moving in a coordinated fashion so she didn't tip forward onto her face from the sonic assault.

As for Lysander's use of telepathy, she had no opinion on it in the moment, but later she might remark on it being the perfect usage of it. Her ears ached even covered from that... whatever. Blast? Ability? She'd look into earplugs for the next time that woman surfaced. But as for Lysander, there was a heat to his voice. Maybe he'd grown tired of the exchange -- she wasn't really paying attention to faces and timing with that ear-piercing still ringing in her head. Whatever the reason, he wanted her to go ahead without him. <<Fine. But get back to the ship! This isn't a holothriller where we dodge debris to catch you in midair.>>

Naniti dropped to a knee and used the tilt to slid up against Shade's form. She reached down to sling the woman over her shoulders with limbs dangling on either side of her head. With a grunt, she got a leg under her and began to stand as the city shuddered once more. Teeth gritted, she flicked a look int the direction of the two still fighting. Damn it all. You'd think there were two Sith fighting over their precious pride the way they weren't concerned with the city falling apart around them.

Despite not wanting to leave, she'd start for the ship with a Chiss across her shoulders. The Force would keep her steady. The Force would protect Lysander. It had to.

Lysander von Ascania | Jonyna Si | Shade

 

[Arris Windrun]

Tansu Treicolt | Lily Decoria

Arris used the chaotic fire of her Krayt's Breath as suppressive fire from her position on the high ground. The chain reaction of gas pipelines - and the city's instability - provided additional cover to make her escape.

The cyborg had a deep cut across her chest and lost an arm in her duel, but the damage was already done. It was too late for the Jedi to stop Edic Bar's destruction, and she was sure the woman who hired them would be more than pleased with the results of their sabotage.

Once she was certain neither of the Jedi she encountered had followed her, Arris linked up with a Covenant dropship and departed among the flock of evacuation ships, knowing full well that enemy defenses wouldn't dare risk civilian ships in the vicinity. The Sith's starship broke off and made a jump to hyperspace, leaving little but an energy spike and some speculation in her wake.

 

[Mercy]

Tag: Kito | Ayra Lowe

They didn't get the response they might have expected from the Sith Lord in front of them.

Mercy was not frustrated or angry about being rebuffed by them. She did not scream or shout in fury. No, she... smiled. Then she chuckled. And finally she began to laugh even as she went through her knees to prepare herself for Kito's coming. The posture of battle was clear to the eyes forged by the Echani Battle Trance and it was almost upon them.

But the mirth in her was clear.

"Ah... bloodthirsty young creatures, I love to see it, darlings." Mercy purred approvingly and no matter how staunch they were. No matter how firm they felt in their convictions.

The approval of a Sith Lord could not feel good to them.

"I don't even need to recruit you to my side! You are already there... a few more years of killing on your soul and you will most likely be even worse than me."

A shit-eating grin there as Kito suddenly burst into activity, perhaps finally tired of being bloviated to by a Sith Lord many years her senior. The explosion in power came at her fast and yet Mercy did not move a muscle. She did not press back into an attack. She did not try and dodge. Did not deflect, instead those piercing eyes calmly watched as Kito approached and swung.

Right as the blade was supposed to carve right through her, ripping straight through her body and cutting her heart in half, it met steel instead. Her burnished skin suddenly flared with blue fire. The blade pushing into it, Kito's strength almost enough to cut through the shielding and bite her flesh, but a contest of strength would often favor Mercy.

The realm of the physical was hers to lose.

She didn't wait for a retort or a riposte. Instead Mercy's hand immediately grabbed the blade, her hand burning instantaneously and causing her skin to bubble but it only seemed to encourage Mercy more. Then the Sith Lord would yank. Either bringing Kito closer to her so she could smash her face in with her fist, or to steal her sword, whichever the Jedi warrior would prefer.

In that moment she disregarded Ayra, who was hanging back and as such would have a difficult time protecting Kito, considering how close they were. But it did leave Mercy open to another attack from the Echani.