Skirmish The Black Nest Crisis: Mission to Draemidus Prime

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: IX
ALLIES: Bryn | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma
ENEMIES: SJC | Directly engaging Ala Quin / Tom Kovack | Open to ground engagement within the caves
EQUIPMENT: Ceremonial Shaman robes | Spitter Utility Bow (10x explosive arrows, 1x grappling hook) | BARMUT PLUS
COMPLEMENT: 1 0/2 Rhivaks

It was over as soon as the electric device hit Ostak's back.
​

Fortunately, Ostak's thick Draelvasier skin prevented any serious damage, with the shock being little more than a significant physical disturbance. However, it was enough to make the Shaman-Overseer lose focus on his projected Barmut, which promptly slipped through his hands and vanished. Before he could swing around to find the culprit, a boulder four times his size smashed into him at several dozen kilometers an hour.

Ostak was flung back into the air like a ragdoll, landing ten meters behind his previous position with the boulder rapidly crushing his torso. With a painful shock, he realized that such a situation could be fatal. He had underestimated the Jedi rats, and they had gotten the better of him. Perhaps death would be a proper punishment for his incompetence.

Yet a part of the Shaman-Overseer would not accept such thoughts.

If he were to die a painful death under the boulder, then who would take his place in leading the Tachael-Vemnak of the Kesh system? Yes, there were contingencies for such an event. However, they were slow and unfavorable, so keeping an Overseer alive for as long as possible was critically important. More importantly, the Shaman-Overseer had a reputation to worry about. He would not let the name of the Overseer Council barely twenty kilometers away be tarnished by two mere Jedi rats and their parlor tricks. He would not be the first Overseer of the Tachael-Vemnak to fall in battle, not even ten kilometers away from the Byrn'adul's center of power. He would not perish in such a humiliating manner, failing to live up to the tenants he risked his life to maintain among his inferiors every day.

It was not yet time for Ostak Cl'mana to die.

Without having to worry about projecting Barmut, Ostak had plenty of spiritual energy left in his core. Converting his pain to pure rage at his failure and the wit of the Jedi mongrels, Ostak reached into himself with all his remaining energy. A vast well of power rose within him, rapidly filling to the brim with pure determination. However, the Shaman-Overseer still remained uncertain. His lungs were nearly crushed and his limbs were useless - would his current strength be enough?

Just then, Ostak's second Rhivak returned within his visual range. Without a second thought, Ostak reached out and drained the beast of all its life force. It would be a necessary sacrifice. The Shaman-Overseer did not even give the Rhivak time to detonate, sucking its life force so thoroughly that it had been cut down to bone in barely a second. Then, against all odds, Ostak rose against the boulder.

The vast rock briefly glowed a bright purple before bursting into hundreds of smaller pieces, freeing the Shaman-Overseer. Still more surplus energy coursed into his veins, reconstructing his fractured lungs and repairing every broken bone in his body with a series of audible snaps he barely felt. He rose on newly refreshed limbs as if he were a reanimated corpse, his entire body overflowing with energy that surrounded him in a neon purple glow that grew steadily darker.

Standing upright once more, Ostak took a step towards the Jedi fleeing in the distance.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

Quill hung back as Romi Jade engaged Tathra Khaeus in precise, fluid, highly technical close combat. Romi had weathered the first exchanges well enough, courtesy of skill and excellent luck. Having bent probability as far as it could reasonably go, Quill switched tacks.

On the waterworld called Sedri, semi-divine coral had taught him and Romi to share their strength with trusted allies regardless of the distance. Quill poured his full strength into Romi's soul in a heartbeat.

Her power doubled. How she'd use it was entirely up to her.

 

[Ala Quin]

Entering the atrium-esque area of the tunnels where the Jedi Masters battled with the Bryn'adul beasts, Ala took the most circuitous route possible. Tom's quick thinking had done the trick, and bought them the time that they needed. She certainly needed to invest in one of those devices that he had. It certainly came in handy.

The command she had received from Master Jade was clear, retreat. So, to Ala's mind that was all she had left to do. Even as her legs tired, her will perservered pushing her along in the best jog she could manage. Her mind said it was time to rest, but that would have to wait until she reached the Jedi extraction point - probably have to wait until the extraction craft had gotten them back to the starships in orbit. The reality though was that sleep would not come until they were well inside Silver Jedi space once again.

Sleep? Stop thinking about sleep.

Aside from the occasionally fritzing grav-pack on her back, the greatest weight she felt was over the failure of their mission. There was a small knot in her stomach that grew larger with each step. She felt that maybe, just maybe, the Force had guided her the right way, but she had not been quick enough to get to the destination. The weight of failure was only abated by the thankfulness that their party had suffered no loss of life.

Got to call a Bryn fat and slow to his face too.

A small smile was permitted as Ala made her way to the extraction point.

| Jend-Ro Quill | Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Tom Kovack | Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana | Primarch Drek'ma |

Spoiler: Exit

Exit post, thanks for the fun thread team

 

[Tom Kovack]

Tom also left.

Aaran Tafo | Ala Quin | Jend-Ro Quill | Romi Jade | Vexander Graves | Zaavik Perl | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma | Ostak Cl'mana

Spoiler: OOC

Great thread everyone, peace out.

 

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: X
ALLIES: Bryn | Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera | Primarch Drek'ma
ENEMIES: SJC | Directly engaging Ala Quin / Tom Kovack
EQUIPMENT: Ceremonial Shaman robes | Spitter Utility Bow (10x explosive arrows, 1x grappling hook)
COMPLEMENT: N/A

Before Ostak could take a second step, the Jedi pair had exited his field of vision.
​

He caught a glimpse of them rushing up a tunnel that sloped back to the planetary surface, undoubtedly attempting to retreat now that resistance to their operation had become too stiff. Yet the Shaman-Overseer decided not to pursue. He had already consumed an exceptional quantity of his spiritual energy repairing himself after mortal injury, and pursuing further might result in a complete loss of control of his powers and a reopening of his wounds. Instead, he would allow himself to triumph in his victory. After all, Ostak had stalled the entire Jedi force for long enough for the Chieftain and Primarch to personally take to battle, and General Keldothera's detachment would likely be able to finish off the Jedi pair as they met in the upper tunnels. As long as their current operations continued as planned, there would be no loose ends left to tie.

The Shaman-Overseer roared in triumph and turned to peer deeper into the cave, eager to hasten the deaths of the mongrels that dared challenge the Chieftain.

OOC NOTE: This will either be my last or second before last Ostak post, depending on how long this thread continues for. As such, feel free to include or exclude him in the remaining duels as you see fit. Great work by all sides!