Faction The Darkest Hour | Eternal Empire & Friends

[STRATCOM]

At this time of the galactic year, countless planets are hosting events related to horror, horror, death and even entertainment. The Eternal Empire is no exception, and they too hold celebrations to commemorate the heroic deaths of soldiers, soldiers and citizens of the Empire. It is perhaps one of the few days when military rigour and customs are somewhat relaxed in the Empire. On this day, children dress up in costumes and collect sweets, and adults often hold balls, where you can also wear a costume or mask.

As every year, the Eternal Empire is holding a major ball in the capital city of Kalidan, and there it is held in the beautiful and huge Opera House. Although the Empire lives by strict military standards, culture is not neglected. And this year, not only citizens of the Empire were invited to the event, but also people who have good relations with the Empire. These include members of the Ashlan Remnant, members of the Imperial Military Protectorate and even various companies.

A month or so earlier, a major earthquake struck an uninhabited area in the southern hemisphere, and the earthquake uncovered an ancient ruin in the area. Scientists were quite excited, as they had never seen such architecture before. Nevertheless, they were given permission to search the building and the surrounding area, which was half underground and half under the ice. The researchers had been there for weeks and at the same time as the ball, the researchers and the soldiers guarding them reported seeing movement around the ruins and then lost contact.

On one of the longest, and therefore darkest, nights on the planet, some people are having fun in the bright opera house, while others are fighting for their lives in the darkest and most brainless neighbourhood...

Objectives​

(Those who prefer social activity)​

There is a grand ball at the opera house, which any member of the Eternal Empire can attend, as can members of the invited allied factions. Costume is not compulsory for the ball, but the wearing of masks is; this is partly to allow the nobility, outsiders and citizens of the Empire to mingle easily. There is music, dancing, unlimited food and drink. An event like this is perfect for people to make new acquaintances or even new business deals.

(Those who want to fight against demons and undead)​

In the southern hemisphere, in the tundra and in the middle of nowhere, the previous earthquake brought a huge city of ruins out of the ground. Research teams have been investigating here ever since, but now they have had one last report of movement among the ruins. After that, shots from the Ultranauts could be heard on the air, then the transmission was interrupted and they could not be contacted again. Satellites were pointed in this area, which also detected the movement of a large mass from the surface... but no sign of life. The task is to find out what might be here in the ruins and prevent it from reaching populated areas.

(Anyone)​

Bring Your Own Objective; if you don't like either option, feel free to tell your own narrative.

 

[Edward Ashcard]

Objective: The Darkness
Location: Southern Hemisphere — Camp by the Ruins
Equipment:

• 1x Dragon 1R SMG
• 1x Lucius-pattern Bayonet
• 1x MM-40 thermal charge
• 4x C-22 fragmentation grenade
• 2x Class-A thermal detonator
• 1x Imperial "Hellhound" Combat Armour Mk. I
• 1x Comlink

Tag:

Edward checked over his gear while he observed the ruins from the apparent safety of the base camp. He made sure to check each of the magazines for his Dragon 1R since others were unlikely to have spare rounds, assuming anyone else even had a slugthrower in the camp. While Edward was still concerned about the outcome of his last mission, he was happy to be back in Eternal Empire colours alongside others.

Edward stood up from the small rock he had been sitting on and lifted the bag containing the MM-40 thermal charge onto his back. Perhaps others would have been nervous about carrying around a bunker buster, but he was used to it and knew it was better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Finding the missing Ultranauts would have been ideal, but his mission was clear. If something in the ruins was a threat to the Eternal Empire, either physically or ideologically, he was to obliterate it.

Edward looked over the rest of his explosives. A number of thermal detonators and grenades, potent enough to handle nearly any target. Apart from bothersome Jedi or Sith of course. He did not have all the equipment he desired, but until other matters were resolved he would have to do with fairly standard equipment, although he found no reason to complain about the hellhound armour he was wearing.

Edward looked around the camp. "Who will be in charge of this operation?" Edward asked firmly.

 

[Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran]

1st Post

-A PRELUDE TO THE TALES OF MASKS-

DREAMER_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE FIREDANCE BRIGADES
CO-CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CENTRAL COURT AUTHORITY
INDEPENDENT GA SENATOR OF ARCHAIS

Tags: Ingrid L'lerim

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 1

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Senator, what say you to the claims in Corellian media circles that you're an unelected-'
'-Shut up, dude you're wasting his time!'
'Senator, where do you stand on the issue of frontier militarization?!'
'SENATOR, HOW MUCH ARE YOU DONATING TO THE VETERAN'S CHARITY?!?!'
​

Stepping out from within his armoured transport-speeder, the Dreamer would reveal his presence to the public sphere on Kalidan, and despite having a well-armed bodyguard detail, Siyarr would embrace the lights of the opera house with style. Whilst fully aware that the Galactic press had been following his leisurely, uncontested journey to Kalidan, there would be nothing about Mitharranson that would adhere to urgency on arrival, and certainly not in his usual, inexplicably-stylish choice of attire, ever-ready to embrace the camera-flashes behind circular, red-tinted lenses.

'Now that last one is a winner, I'll answer Mr. Foghorn in the back, so shove forward enough that i can see you!'

Chuckling at the prospect of surprising the entire Galactic media-collective, the Dreamer would smile in the loudmouth's direction whilst his entourage began to file out onto the street behind him, concluding,'There you are, and just as baldheaded as I imagined, surprise-surprise.... But anyway, my answer is this: I intend to spend enough that your retired, less-than-fortunate veterans will never want for anything! The brave fight enough after all, they needn't have to fight for survival after discharge. Their retirement years should resemble the peace they seek.', only to turn away as quickly as he had toward the journalists who recognised him.

'Come, my dear friends.... Its time we made joyous of the melancholic - to breathe life into this party.'

'Senator-'​

Amidst the hail of snapshots and questions left unanswered, the Dreamseer coven's highest-ranked Shamans followed as Arr'Huwal's Dreamer himself led the way to the entrance, soaking in all the grandiosity as the staffers within opened the entrance for their sake. Willing to ignore rumblings of full-scale separatism from the Galaxy's superpowers, as his mere presence on foreign soil in social capacity was often seen as a contradiction to Corellia's worries, (though Kalidan's leadership had a similarly-acute distate to the hand that held sway over all the planets around Archais) and the anti-Dark sentiments of the occasion certainly would likely further-acquit Siyarr of Corellia's creeping suspicions.

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 2

APPROACHING GROUND ZERO, SOUTHERN TUNDRA,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

Tags: Edward Ashcard

VANDRIM AHAN-MARDIM - I

'Who will be in charge of this operation?'
​

Pacing out from the throng of idled soldiers, shamans and investigators, a white-haired youth waved a silent greeting that identified his place at the head of the search, clearly suspecting this matter to be a case of grander, more-dangerous extreme, though Vandrim's ways perpetually diminished his commitment to the planning particulars. There was no way for the lad to know exactly what was known by his allies in turn, as such instincts of specificity would take time to find a lad who spent the lion's share of his time in the wilderness on Archais, but whenever push would come to shove, Surr'Huwal had faith his corporeal Ferryman's instincts could find their cadence.

As they always had before, as they always had for his predecessor.

'That - uh.... Yeah, that would be me.', the young Deathseer replied sheepishly, finally understanding that the Eternals on duty expected a Novanian of higher standing, ascendant though Vandrim's purpose and title were. However, problematic though this revelation would have been for others in Mardimson's shoes, the Ferryman would shrug it off in search of cohesion through rapport-building instead, approaching one sounded human beneath his armour as he continued,'The name's Vandrim, by the way.', with tattooed palm outstretched in a kindly offer to shake hands. An awkward thing, but hiding within the untamed, unrelenting intensity of the Shaman's gaze hid a sincerity that few in the Galaxy could express so vividly, a trait of which many a peer in mysticism would cover with sunglasses instead.

'When we investigate, I'll be the one searching for all-things,"Out of the Ordinary". So as far as everything else is concerned, I'm personally averse to intruding on your chain of command - so I'll follow on your instinct for this endeavour.'

​

There was no way to know exactly what the allied elements would be facing when they reached Ground Zero, but in the understanding that anything was likely to happen in the Unknown Regions, all the gathered search-parties knew that prudence would serve them best on frozen Southern Tundra. Even whilst standing on comfortable footing, within the boundaries of the Eternal Empire's borders, anything and everything had a chance of reawakening beneath the surface of stern, well-garrisoned planets, a nagging likelihood of which all the allied elements would need to consider as the approaching-search continued. Yet not all was so hopeless with a Shaman's esoteric-warfare specialists on duty that night, and with the Deathseer himself attuned enough to uncover the strangest findings, perhaps the would be a chance that Vandrim could operate as the Eternals' canary in the rubble.

Not even Mardimson knew if this was possible or not, though his humble Deathgod knew differently, choosing not to interrupt authentic self-discovery; however, better though it would be for Vandrim in the long-run, this would present plenty risks in this celestial gamble. But for all that was likely to improve everyone's life-expectancies in the wake of the young Shaman's success, the Ferryman still had access to an admirably-extensive array of attacks without it, assuring the safety of more than a few Eternals along the way, and all without his conventional loadout considered. The Shaman was there as the Senator's reluctant warchief after all, being put through a process of militarisation like that which all his mentors embraced in life, but there was something telling Vandrim that something more would be needed here, even sensing this as far away as the operation's LZ.

 

[Edward Ashcard]

Objective: The Darkness
Location: Southern Hemisphere — Camp by the Ruins
Equipment:

• 1x Dragon 1R SMG
• 1x Lucius-pattern Bayonet
• 1x MM-40 thermal charge
• 4x C-22 fragmentation grenade
• 2x Class-A thermal detonator
• 1x Imperial "Hellhound" Combat Armour Mk. I
• 1x Comlink

Tag: Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran

Edward firmly shook Vandrim's hand, but under his helmet his eyes were full of apprehension caused by both the Shaman's intense gaze and his very presence. "Edward Ashcard, Blackwatch," he stated, his voice not betraying his unease. The Shaman's presence while useful did not bode well for the mission. After reading his orders, he had come to the conclusion that the unalive mass was an old droid army, rusted and decayed but with just enough power to gun down soldiers who had lowered their guard, but after meeting Vandrim that seemed unlikely.

"Nobody will get in your way when it comes to searching. I will be the first one to admit that my knowledge only extends to the ordinary." Edward did not lie, and he saw no reason to do so. Did he see himself as a skilled and talented operative? Yes, but when it came to anything a Shaman would be interested in, he knew as much as a factory manager knows about Galactic high politics.

Deciding to make use of the momentum and the limited response to his question, Edward climbed on top of an empty durasteel ammo crate, the Blackwatch symbol proudly etched into different places on his armour, and motioned the camp to stop and listen. His limited authority could be challenged after would, but it was clear that if they did not move soon, that apathy would set in.

"The briefing begins now. As you are all aware, our mission is to investigate these unknown ruins, find the threat responsible and destroy it. We must of course rescue the research teams and their guard detail if it is possible, however, never lose sight of our main goal of securing this site. Due to the ongoing grand ball, these disappearances have come at a poor time and pose a threat not only to our territorial integrity but to the minds of the people of this world. We can not let this threat manifest, and that is why the Blackwatch are the only choice for who should lead our planning."

Edward briefly paused to let those in front of him think on his words. "The threat we face is unknown, but Vandrim is an expert in the type of investigation we will require. I trust him and so shall you. There will be three teams. Team Veritas which will contain myself, Vandrim, my fellow Blackwatch and a select group of Ultranauts. Team Sal which will be made up of the most defensive of us. Finally, team Manerium will be made up of the… least experienced of us.
Vertias will lead the investigation into the ruins. Sal will maintain a defensive perimeter around the ruins. You are to be no closer than 200 meters to the ruins at any point in your positions. Team Manerium will guard this camp and maintain the equipment. I trust the present officers of the Ultranaut Corps to send you all into the correct teams. Finally present allies and contractors, you are free to organise as you see fit as long you remain within the spirit and goal of the mission. Briefing over, you are dismissed!"

 

[Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran]

2nd Post

-A PRELUDE TO THE TALES OF MASKS-

DREAMER_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE FIREDANCE BRIGADES
CO-CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CENTRAL COURT AUTHORITY
INDEPENDENT GA SENATOR OF ARCHAIS

Tags: Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 3

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Barran has arrived, and he appears to be looking right toward the stairwell. Shall we expect tension?'
​

Rolling eyes under the tint of his sunglasses, the Dreamer then set a sideward, disdainful glance on Major Kaskimson, kissing teeth with a snarl at the notion before replying,'Unlikely, though I daresay Imperator and Senator alike are set to squabble a little.', foreshadowing disagreements between men who considered each other as family before the eventual fallout from the Hirkenburg accords. However, estranged though these brothers in arms might have been at the time, Lord Siyarr would need to remind himself they were still members of a certain Brotherhood's previous generation, inwardly noting that Lord Michael would have been dead without his sort long ago. Not that Barran ever needed such reminders from Mitharranson in turn, but as they walked into the bar-lounge on the top floor, all the Novanians knew they would be embracing terse company soon, but also that of courteous nature in contrast.

Nothing was ever so simple as common social graces, or at least, not as far as the Goidelic host were concerned.

'Four Cladhans, please. We're expecting company.'

​

The Imperials wouldn't be far behind them, and in noting the presence of Arkanian-eyed Novanians, the first Imperials to find them would adopt noncombative postures despite the uncertainty of the encounter's outcome, completely unaware that Mitharranson fully-intended to let the interaction start and conclude uneventfully. If peace could be assured, if friendship could be found where enmities had been for almost two years, then a little aggravation back and forth would surely be a matter of small inconvenience for all involved, though the matter of the deposed Priest-King would likely need to remain undiscussed in the open.

'Judge us not, Roberto. This was inevitable.'

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 4

APPROACHING GROUND ZERO, SOUTHERN TUNDRA,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

Tags: Edward Ashcard

VANDRIM AHAN-MARDIM - II

'You sense that, lad?'
​

Whilst Edward was giving his speech, Vandrim's esoteric-warfare platoon were observing from a distance, paying close attention as the groupings were allocated threefold in deft assertion, but there was something truly beginning to trouble the small Arkanian contingent already. Not a good sign, but when the Ferryman's second-in-command quietly whispered into his ear, Mardimson almost-immediately detected a tone of warmth in the Sergeant's voice, sensing the soldier's gift for intuitive reading as they both listened on in renewed silence. Coordination was everything on search-and-investigate deployments, as hunches (and acting upon them-) were always something of a prerequisite to Shamanism, though Novanians of Vandrim's sort were always polite enough to let their human colleagues conclude without interruption.

'...I trust the present officers of the Ultranaut Corps to send you all into the correct teams. Finally present allies and contractors, you are free to organise as you see fit as long you remain within the spirit and goal of the mission. Briefing over, you are dismissed!'

It was only then that the young Ferryman turned to acknowledge Sergeant Carvalho's detection, expressing his own intuitive prowess perfectly in the moment he replied,'Perhaps.... Some are, some aren't, but if its just an issue of conventional concern, we may never know for sure. After all, we don't force such processes of self-discovery on heroes, but circumstances might.... Protect this one.', expecting that he would need to search Carvalho's gaze for a moment or so to get a begrudging answer. This was their first assignment as a professional partnership, and only the third time in total that the newly-forged duo had shared a conversation, yet the gaze staring back at him was confident in his assertion, much to the delight of the young Ferryman.

'Will do.... But you're the one who can bless his weapons, remember?'

​

'Of course, of course.... Speaking of which-', Mardimson shot back, but in reassuring tones of his own, though he would quickly remove his right glove again and draw his ceremonial dagger when the,"Blessing", comment truly registered. Then after searching his winter backpack for his Coffinwood Mask, putting it on with as much haste as he could muster, Vandrim chuckled for a moment before continuing,'-I best get started, so shut up and hold still for a moment. This won't take long, like - at all.', trailing off to incant underbreath with glowing tattooed hand reassuringly gripped on the Sergeant's shoulder.

'Now, your rifle. Yeah, the bayonet too. Quickly please, all the groups are just about formed.... Now, check this out.'

Click​

With a simple snap of the Shaman's fingers, light would cover the Sergeant and his chosen weaponry, passing over twice before disappearing again, vanishing almost as quickly as it arrived. Carvalho himself was about to thank Mardimson for a successful warding-transfer, but Vandrim was already turning to bless the other members of Team Veritas, offering wardings and protection for Firedance and Blackwatch elements alike, though the Sergeant himself would have no complaints going forward. There would be plenty opportunity to talk more as the assignment progressed, and for as long as it benefitted to stick with the herd, Carvalho would adhere to whatever norm was safest for both his own sake and that of everyone else involved.

​

'Worry not, Private.... Consider it a layer of insulation against the heebie-jeebies, how about that?'

 

[Michael Barran]

1st Post

-A "RISE/REPENT" STORY-

MASK_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE 313TH "SABRETOOTH" LEGION
GRANDMASTER OF THE ORDER OF THE CHANTING MASK
LORD IMPERATOR OF THE IMPERIAL MILITARY PROTECTORATE

TAGS
Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway

HEAVY ART THE HEADS VI: UNDER BRIGHT CHANDELIERS - PART 1

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, THE UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Lord Imperator! What is your defensive doctrine for the Dark Empire?!'
'They're right on your doorstep, Imperator! Surely you have a plan!'
'First its Feriae, a Pellaeonist stronghold, next it's Yinchorr! Where does Barran draw the line?!'
'LORD IMPERATOR - WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DEFEAT THE BLOODHOUND?!?!'
​

Unlike the previous guests, the Imperial motorcade was quick to alight from their armoured speeders, and by the time Barran, Galloway and the rest of the bodyguard,"Entourage", were at the door, the media-pool had been slow to catch any shots of the Tattered Regent. Though this wouldn't pass the watchful gaze of journalists unnoticed, as just when the doors were being opened from within, the stream of snarky, disdainful queries flew forth like a rushing tide, but the last question of which would not escape unanswered. It was a question of which Barran inwardly admitted that he liked for once, even though it was still a painful memory to recall, as it meant the survival of a man he intended to kill, a failed mission despite obtaining avengement to defeat.

The Tattered Regent respected the question as the question itself respected Michael in turn, and in understanding of the question's weighted loading, saw room to make one of his greatest public revelations. A window of opportunity, but one such that none of ignorant ilk would detect in discernment, a revelation of which Barran fully intended to awaken something within the Galaxy's rare few.

​

'Where swords may fail, when the Force may fall short of one's expectations, the Will within may yet prevail.... Never doubt the power of the humble, for there is more to the Will we learn - an' that which we inherit!'

Without elaboration, without farewell or a wave in the media-pool's direction, the Lord Imperator smiled as he turned to face the open entrance, making his way in with little more than a,'Galloway, with me.', and a nod in the direction of the doormen standing guard. Leaving the world outside to the troubled and the uninvited, and with doors closing behind them, the Protectorate's representatives would finally take that as their signal to unwind, to let revelry take precedence for once. A good excuse for cigarras and quality beverages, if ever there was one of the sort, prompting the old Woad to conclude,'Drinks are on me tonight, as somethin' tells me its gonna be our last chance to unwind for a while.', with a rueful smile that softened when he spotted the direction signs to the bar-lounge on the top floor.

'Good evening, Eternals! Extend my kind respects to the Empress!'

Wait.... I know that voice.
Theeeere he is, heading exactly where I intend to go.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Empress of the Eternal Empire and Terraris

Information

Objective: To attend on the Ball
Location: Imperial Opera, Arcenon, Kalidan
Equipment: Noble attire || The Last Gift || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Michael Barran | Cannaugh Galloway | Open

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

This was one of the tasks where Ingrid could not say no, but had to attend the ball. After all, at such events, the woman is expected to be present. Now, she had worn the crown and been Empress for decades, but she still couldn't get used to it; she was still going to resign the position. The redhead's big dream was to one day return to the field and be an agent/spy/assassin again. Even though she knew there was very, very little chance of that happening. If only because she was considered by many to be one of the most powerful Force users in the galaxy. She knew that because of the former Emperor and Onrai, she would never be the same again.

This time, she wore an elegant long dress in black, gold and red, with military elements and a long tail. The dress looked sufficiently so that I was sure she would not be able to dance in it, but it did look classy and imperial. The red-haired woman wanted to combine military culture with nobility. If outsiders had not been invited, she might not have done so, but now that others were representing themselves at the soiree, this dress was the most appropriate, she thought. As is customary at such an event, the woman was not one of the first to arrive down to the ballroom, although she was probably the first to arrive for the entire event.

With her rank, it was appropriate to wait until everyone else, or at least the majority, had arrived and only then arrive as one of the highest-ranking people present. Therefore, the red-haired woman only left when she was signalled to do so. She walked down the corridor and down the stairs until she reached the ballroom. Here the guards at the door immediately saluted her. One of them opened the door, and at first only he entered the room. Ingrid sighed to herself, she didn't like it at all when it was officially announced because it meant that all eyes would be on her. As a spy and agent, and even an assassin, she always preferred the shadows.

"Her imperial highness, Lady Ingrid L'lerim, the Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire and Terraris!" she heard his voice from outside.

She then entered the hall, where those from the Eternal Empire present stood out like soldiers, and they saluted, clenched fist over their heart, in the manner of the Eternal Empire military. Others present bowed or bowed their heads. The woman walked into the room. She was already ethereal in stature, tall and very thin, her every movement airy, elegant and graceful. But those who knew how to fight could see not only that, but that her every move was that of a predator, a perfect killer, with the promise of death in every movement. The woman's dress had a long tail, yet she moved as if she were wearing a light dress and not a ball gown.

For the moment, Ingrid only went as far as the tables at the edge of the room, meanwhile the order was slowly being restored. Everyone returned to talking and dancing, and the music started up again. Meanwhile, she took a glass of red wine from the table and sipped it, looking around the room.

 

[Skyler Wren]

Location: Southern Hemisphere - Camp
Goal: Salvage and Exterminate
Tags: Open​

Every aspect of one's life's decisions boils down to one simple concept: pros and cons. Do the rewards outweigh the risks? Do the profits outweigh the expenditures? In this case, Skyler believed it so. With all the talk and chatter of undead things and hauntings and such, all he could focus on was the credits he could score from the hidden treasures within that ancient city. He didn't fear upright walking dead corpses or those things that go bump in the night; he didn't put much merit in ghost stories. He believed what his eyes showed him, not what his told him.

"We will scour the sections we delegated on our maps," Skyler began, looking at the partial crew he brought down from the ship with him, "Those here at camp will continuously monitor the coms ready to spring into action, while myself along with Charo, Rrroyk, and Klein search the ruins and mark each room we find that has products we can move. The Eternal Empire will pay us handsomely for any artifact or ancient technology three times as much as we will get on the galactic markets. We do this smart; we stand to make a ton of credits ladies and gentlemen."

In the beginning, his crew were split on the idea of leaving the Galactic Alliance in favor of the Eternal Empire. His crew consisted mainly of Mandalorian blood, a few stragglers from the regions under the control of the Galactic Alliance, and two Wookie brothers. But once they saw the credits flow in from their first haul to the Eternals, as he called them, everyone was onboard.

Skyler also knew there were some among his crew who believed in the supernatural and were skeptical about this contract, so he allowed those to remain on the ship. Fear was an infectious disease, and he didn't need that infection down here. Besides, it was hard to ignore all the reports surrounding that city. Out of respect for those that were employed by him, he honored what they believed.

"Klein, Rrroyk, Charo! Gear up, we leave in five."

 

[Silhana Cadera]

Alor of Clan Cadera, Headmistress of the Bounty Hunters' Guild

Information

Objective: Solve the problem
Location: Ruins, Kalidan
Equipment: 2x PV-16 "Sunfury" Pulse Pistol | 2x Simple short sword | Beskar'gam | Mandalorian vambrace || Stealth field generator || OPBC-01m
Tags: Edward Ashcard | Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Skyler Wren | Open

"Galactic Basic" | <"Mandalorian"> | ~"Telepathic" communication ~ | << comm. channel >>​

I arrived a little late because I was at home, several star systems away. The incident seemed interesting, something that was interesting even to me. True, not a bounty hunt, not a clan affair or anything like that, but it never hurts a Mandalorian lady to keep in shape. Besides, we were still allied with the Eternal Empire, so when they asked for help, I came. When I arrived on Kalidan I had already received information that there were people who had arrived on the scene, and also disturbing information.

The satellites did not detect any signs of life, but they did detect movement. That never sounded good and it always ended very, very badly. Have I told you how much I hated Force users? And space magic, zombies, or demons? Anything to do with the Force? I think so, but it doesn't hurt to remember it again and again. There were still times when I was afraid of such things, because I didn't really know what to do with them, without Force, but I didn't bring shame to my clan or to Mandalorian culture. I tried to conquer my fear and always confronted what I was afraid of. So far, I have almost always prevailed. That's the best I could do.

Luckily I got the coordinates quickly, so I flew my spaceship there. As I looked across the dark landscape, it was not familiar. I had never been to this part of the planet before. In fact, I haven't really lived here. Only my husband Arturo Braga worked here, I never did. The cold wouldn't have bothered me much, because it's not exactly a warm planet at home, apart from the lava and the super volcano. The point was that I never really put much emphasis on getting to know Kalidan. Perhaps the fact that the locals are not fans of outsiders played a part in this.

As I approached the coordinates, there were signs of life, but not many, they must have been recent arrivals. As I got over the area, it became really obvious. I landed the fighter and got out of it. Then I put on my helmet to complete my armour. While I was walking towards those who were here, I also checked my weapons, but everything was in order. According to the check. One of the planes, like mine, landed recently, although others can't have arrived too long ago. I finally arrived at the other people. I beckoned them from a distance and greeted them from metres away.

<"Oya!"> out of habit, I did it in Mando'a, but I ended up going on in galactic common, because I didn't know if it was the inhabitants of the Empire or the friends here. "Hello, I am Silhana Cadera, Alor of Clan Cadera. I hope there is still room for me to join you in your task." I told them while introducing myself.

 

[Edward Ashcard]

Objective: The Darkness
Location: Southern Hemisphere — Camp by the Ruins
Equipment:

• 1x Dragon 1R SMG
• 1x Lucius-pattern Bayonet
• 1x MM-40 thermal charge
• 4x C-22 fragmentation grenade
• 2x Class-A thermal detonator
• 1x Imperial "Hellhound" Combat Armour Mk. I
• 1x Comlink

Tag: Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Silhana Cadera

"Yes, when I said 200 meters, I meant 200 meters … and yes that does mean if you have the choice between being 250 meters and being 199 meters away, you will pick 250 meters. I hope that is clear. Be on your way." Edward knew that the briefing was only the start, and he had been hard at completing the fine details of his plan. Edward had to admit that it was not as detailed as he normally liked. He knew very little about what was inside the ruins, and even less about what could be in the ruins.

Blackwatch and Ultranaut alike ran around the camp, but it was far from chaos. It was the sign of soldiers ready to do their duty as ammo was checked, heavy weapons were given out, and roles were assigned. They were ready to battle anything. Anything conventional, that was. Team Sal and Team Manerium were on the cusp of moving to their zones but as the vanguard, Team Veritas had to triple check what the other teams had double checked.

He was glad to see that Vandrim had some kind of team with him, even if he did not know their markings. If the Eternal Empire trusted Vandrim to be here, then so did Edward. He was relieved by what seemed to be them joining Team Veritas without issue. It was a difficult task to fight an unknown foe with unknown allies, with unknown abilities, but Edward did not hesitate to do his duty. In his mind, he was worried about what they would find, but he smiled as he realised that it would take more than unknowable horrors to dissuade him from his mission.

When he was asked to approve the blessing of Team Veritas, he accepted, as he knew no better and simply trusted his allies. Edward held his slugthrower and bayonet up to Vandrim. "Thank you Vandrim, I do not desire to be dismissive of your unusual abilities, but I must see to that landing fighter." Edward briskly walked away from his team to see who had come to join them in the final moments of preparation.

Edward held up his hand to signal to the unknown armoured women and waked over to her, ignoring the questions he was being asked for the time being. He was not going to meet a new ally holding a comlink and thinking about a dozen questions he had already answered a dozen times.

"Greetings!" he said in a firm but friendly voice and took a moment to think on what Silhana Cadera had said. A Mandalorian? That was excellent news. Edward had seen a few from a distance fighting on his side, but this was his first time talking to one, and he was happy he was in a position where they had something to discuss. Edward hoped the Mandalorian would prove to be a true fellow warrior.

"Edward Ashcard, Blackwatch," he stated. "I am in command of this operation, but you are very welcome to join us, I hear great things of the Mandalorians, both in history and in the present. I hope you are prepared, as our foe today is unknown. Perhaps you are surprised by my attitude? I am happy to accept when I need the expertise of others. Come, let us walk, and I will inform you of the details of the plan. Then it will be time to do our jobs." Edward spoke in his usual commanding tone, but it was clear that he had a lot to say and perhaps not a lot of time to say it.

 

[Skyler Wren]

Location: Southern Hemisphere - Entering City
Goal: Salvage and Exterminate
Tags: Silhana Cadera​

The three men and one massive Wookie stood on the outskirts of the massive, ruined city in awe. The holomap they had studied did no justice to the sprawling ruins, employing varying thoughts in the minds of each individual. Skyler was no longer thinking about credits, his mind now wandering to the ghost stories; those that he never put stock in until he found himself staring into the abyss of the unknown. The city was ancient, but it possessed an aura one could only assume was supernatural. Nothing about the city bellowed hauntings, but Skyler couldn't shake the feelings they were being watched.

Slowly, and with caution, the foursome impregnated the city crossing over the invisible drawn line that separated reality from myth. Halting the advance, Sklyer gestured to the air, and using his jetpack flew up to the roof of a derelict building, once a miraculously sight back in the days of old judging the gothic style that still remained after years of decay and rot. Unslinging his sniper rifle and eyeing down the scope, he took stock of the area ahead which he assumed may or may not have been the center of the city. He swiveled the weapon around, spying nothing supernatural or otherwise in the vicinity.

"Covering to the east," he spoke to the others via the comlink hookup. The others began moving forward and to the east. "Anything on the thermal radars," Skyler asked those eavesdropping back at camp. "Nothing, Boss. All clear."

When the trio arrived at the assumed center, they quickly took up a defensive position around a pile of rubble and debris. "What do you see, Klein?"

"Not sure, Skyler. Rrroyk growled he saw something dash across the open court to our right."

Repositioning the scope of his sniper rifle to the right of the hunched trio, he scanned the area and saw no movements, but there was evidence to support the Wookie's claim. In the dirt, once unmolested for years, now bore the creation of fresh foot or paw prints. "Maintain your position. I'm coming to you."

 

[Michael Barran]

2nd Post

-A "RISE/REPENT" STORY-

MASK_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE 313TH "SABRETOOTH" LEGION
GRANDMASTER OF THE ORDER OF THE CHANTING MASK
LORD IMPERATOR OF THE IMPERIAL MILITARY PROTECTORATE

TAGS
Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway

HEAVY ART THE HEADS VI: UNDER BRIGHT CHANDELIERS - PART 2

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, THE UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Alright then, Cannaugh.... Remember, this is just between old friends. Judge us not.'
​

All the others had been sent to mingle with the rest of the guests, to fill out the main gathering as two old warriors talked for the first time since the fallout of the Hirkenburg Accords, though the entrance of the Eternal Empress would bring a brief halt to the intended meeting of former friends, a greeting of which was met with applause and whistled acclaim from the recent Goidelic and Novanian arrivals. Though the old Woad (and true Woadish fashion) would make use of the lull when the fanfare died down a little, exlaiming,'Dear Empress, its been too long!', across the room as if he was hailing a fellow-Chieftain on Galidraan III.

​

'Alas, nae hearth at the moment though. Soon, soon.'

Bowing head, though only slightly, the Lord-Imperator would both make public his ambitions and respect the rank and title of the Empress at the same time, a gesture one kingmaker could appreciate in the other - a gesture of which would assure all allied guests would know was a swansong for the Regency of old.

From Regents, custodians of all the Galaxy's writs of succession, upholders and mentors of generations-worth of leadership as guides from accessible proximity, (made reassuringly approachable by Lord Erskine's refusal to take the leap) to the grand heights of bidding for sovereignty over Fel's old domains, the evolution was complete, and Lord Michael wanted his friend to know in resounding, heraldic finality. It was only then that the Lord-Imperator approached, closing the distance between them with a smile as Barran and L'lerim converged toward the entrance to the hall within, fully intending to open the doors for the party's guest of honour.

'But enough o' that from me, plenty time for public chuckles before we leave the revellers to their minglings.... Catching up with old friends can wait.'

 

[Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran]

3rd Post

-A PRELUDE TO THE TALES OF MASKS-

DREAMER_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE FIREDANCE BRIGADES
CO-CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CENTRAL COURT AUTHORITY
INDEPENDENT GA SENATOR OF ARCHAIS

Tags: Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 5

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Best wave from the Balcony, Mister Senator.... The Empress enters the main hall now.'
​

Rising and stepping out onto the bar-lounge's veranda, and just in time for the fanfare to sound out from below, Siyarr's ululations would prove effective enough that others joined his own in the applause and the cheering. Even when the former friends caught each other's gaze, several floor-tiers and revellers apart, smiles and fanfare was to be shared regardless of the political game in which they were both ensnared behind the scenes, cheering and whooping together in appreciation of a realm that had grown quite friendly with their own. Assuring the survival of the Protectorate and Archais alike, and in the most-uncertain of times, this would always be remembered as an ascendant act of kindness and friendship, and by the realms the Eternal Empire had aided along the way - a lifeline both opposing parties still believed they were yet to deserve.

​

'Michael is offering us a courtesy grace-period, as the only other possibility is avoidance, and I would not accuse that of a Goidel.... Not of a single one, and certainly not a son of the Woad-Macushla.'

​

'Give them time to mingle, we can give our respects to the Empress if she joins us.', Kaskimson suggested in reply, only turning his back from the fanfare once it died down again, and then the beckoning toward the bar followed almost-immediately after. As unlike their otherwise-teetotal Senator, neither Kaskimson nor Laras were practicing Shamans, despite the illustrious family roots from where they both descended. Siyarr could only,"Offer toasts and refuse offers.", in an effort to make the detox all the easier when the time came to return to Hirkenburg, though this wouldn't stop the Dreamer from buying drinks for Roberto and Narratharr throughout the night, caring little for protests and the assurances they had brought enough credits along to enjoy themselves.

'Besides.... I like the quiet up here, away from all the music, and Mr. Senator here should make good use of that, shouldn't he?'

'Yes, he should.... But Mr. Senator prefers conversation for that. Hint, hint.'

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 6

APPROACHING GROUND ZERO, SOUTHERN TUNDRA,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

Tags: Edward Ashcard Skyler Wren

VANDRIM AHAN-MARDIM - III

'Shall we follow close behind, or embed?'
​

'Embed, but please don't intrude. I quite like our new peers, there's repeat opportunities to consider.', the young Ferryman replied, trailing off to make his own embedding efforts with the commanding Eternals at the time, quickly caught in action by the Shaman's temporary subordinate. An easy matter to leave uncorrected, especially if the awkward youth was making inroads toward proactive efforts, such that suited Novanian and Eternal alike, though Vandrim was courteous enough to turn back to advise,'Keep in touch on the comm-link thingy.... My - uh - callsign? Casketwood, for reference.... And one more thing.... Good luck.', to which a cursory, yet-appreciative nod was cast his way in response.

'Thanks.... And mine?! ITS "DREAMER FOUR", EASY TO REMEMBER!!!!'

Following close enough to protect Ashcard by then, the young Deathseer then made the first of his active incantations, a small proximity granting collective protection from he unseen, though there was nothing stopping Vandrim from applying his wardings from a greater distance. This wouldn't take long, though the sting from the activated gliph on his right palm would distract a little longer than Mardimson was comfortable enduring, and to such an extreme the young Ferryman almost missed the mobile, flank-flirting presence of something that felt all too familiar, but not to Vandrim. Only his predecessors conventional and spiritual alike, his Senator, and Surr'Huwal himself could know what it was that Mardimson was detecting, but unlike the older generations of Novanian servicemen, the young Deathseer would need to discover his adversary the hard way.

'Ashcard, there's a chance we might need the reserves sent a little farther back.... Something's definitely off about this place.'

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Empress of the Eternal Empire and Terraris

Information

Objective: To attend on the Ball
Location: Imperial Opera, Arcenon, Kalidan
Equipment: Noble attire || The Last Gift || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Michael Barran | Cannaugh Galloway | Open

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Before anyone could step up to the redheaded woman or say hello, the voice of the Tattered Regent came from across the room. There were already members of House L'lerim who were of Goidelic blood, and she already knew Michael and Thomas's father, so she wasn't all that surprised to hear the current Lord Barran greet her like that. It was somewhat ironic that she looked exactly the same now as she had when she had first met the former Lord Barran, towards the end of the Second Great Hyperspace War. True, it wasn't hard for a shapeshifter to stay young forever, but it also helped that Ingrid, if she was lucky, would live for over a thousand years.

But going back to the family trees, although the Barran and L'lerim bloodlines have never intersected, ever since the Kala'myr family married into the House L'lerim, they have had Goidelic members on the Wright branch. And then she hadn't even mentioned the Aaven family tree, where there was one too, thanks to Ingrid's cousin marrying a NIO officer from Galidraan - who was also an Imperial Knight. She sometimes had great fun researching family trees and genetic research. But perhaps that was not so surprising.

After Lord Barran's greeting, she smiled faintly and waved a hand at him, then started in his direction. If he was going to 'taunt' her, so to speak, it was fitting that she should greet him first.

"It's been too long, indeed, Lord Barran!" she agreed with him. "Your father was the last person to visit this part of the Unknown Region. I'm glad you could come, Lord Barran."

She saw another acquaintance in the crowd, Siyarr, whom she had met at the Hirkenburg meeting. If he was looking at her when she was looking at him, she greeted him with a nod. Not since the SGHW had the woman seen so many of the remnants of the NIO in this area. True, the galaxy is large and not many people have been here. Not for nothing was this the home of the Eternal Empire, and Terraris fell even further out, right on the edge of the galaxy. But then she turned back to Michael.

"But surely it's not just the famous Kalidani cold, the ball or my presence that has brought you to the planet, Lord Barran. To what do I owe your visit?" she asked him.

She was curious, though she had some ideas after the Hirkenburg Accord, where they had quite similar ideas. But of course, Ingrid thought that she might be wrong about that and that it was something else entirely. In any case, she was curious to see what Michael would say.

 

[Silhana Cadera]

Alor of Clan Cadera, Headmistress of the Bounty Hunters' Guild

Information

Objective: Solve the problem
Location: Ruins, Kalidan
Equipment: 2x PV-16 "Sunfury" Pulse Pistol | 2x Simple short sword | Beskar'gam | Mandalorian vambrace || Stealth field generator || OPBC-01m
Tags: Edward Ashcard | Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Skyler Wren | Open

"Galactic Basic" | <"Mandalorian"> | ~"Telepathic" communication ~ | << comm. channel >>​

"Greetings Agent! So far, since I've been working with the Eternal Empire, I've had nothing but good experiences working with Blackwatch agents." I told the man, and in doing so, I approved of him leading the mission.

It didn't bother me if I didn't have to lead an operation. I was pretty much in charge of my own clan's affairs and House Orchid's affairs. The white-haired man was rather odd, was he an Arkanian or something else? I don't know, but I could only agree with his words that something was very wrong with this place. I kept getting data via my biochip from the satellites, they were still detecting movement, but not life signs, just who we were.

"I agree, I don't like anything here either. While I was coming here, I saw another team not far away. I call them here, let's not work against each other, and let's not back each other down in enemy territory." I offered.

I could never really stay still, so I turned around and headed off towards the other group, who were already very close to the edge of the ruined area. If they noticed me before I got to them, I waved to let them know that I was on my way and that I wasn't coming with hostile intent. The Wookiees somehow never seem friendly, although the other three people who were there were at least human in stature. When I got close enough to them, I would address them.

"Greetings! I'm Silhana Cadera, Alor of Clan Cadera. Not so far away, there is another group of people who are preparing to go to the city. Would you like to join us? Together we would be much safer and we could cover each other better. Of course, last but not least, it's better to support each other than to divide our forces." I told them."I've worked with the people of the Eternal Empire many times, you can trust them, I can vouch for them."

Such things never ended well, but when I had to persuade the other Mandalorians to join us in the war on behalf of the Empress, it was not pleasant. Of course, there were some who eventually did, but many of them died, such as Adenn, who was one of my role models. But even so... we have lived ever since on the planet here in the Unknown Region that we were given for that unity. It was a good place, I loved it.

In any case, I hoped that the group of four would eventually join the other team and I could return with them to the Blackwatch agent and his white-haired companion.

 

[Edward Ashcard]

Objective: The Darkness
Location: Southern Hemisphere — Camp by the Ruins
Equipment:

• 1x Dragon 1R SMG
• 1x Lucius-pattern Bayonet
• 1x MM-40 thermal charge
• 4x C-22 fragmentation grenade
• 2x Class-A thermal detonator
• 1x Imperial "Hellhound" Combat Armour Mk. I
• 1x Comlink

Tag: Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran | Silhana Cadera

"I share your judgment about the teams working together; however, I am concerned about our forces becoming too dense." Edward turned to the ruins and pointed to them, the snow crunched under his boots as he shifted in place. "Look at the entry points; they might be grand for a building, but it will still be a CQB environment in there, and that's why I have already split my forces into three teams." Edward took a moment to think and to reflect on the ruins that were in front of him and the task ahead of them all. "Perhaps we will be able to link up once we are inside, but until we know what we are dealing with, it would be unwise for us all to be funnelled through the same portal. Keep in contact on 84 GHz with 470 THz as the backup."

Edward left Silhana Cadera to her own devices and marched back down to the camp. He was ready to start the operation. They were limited on what they could do since scans were not returning much and soon the soldiers would have realised how cold it was. He was called over to Team Manerium who had completed one final set of pre-mission scanners. Edward diligently read through the reports and while they were mostly the same as before, the results of the magnetic and thermal imaging were new.

The magnetic imaging revealed that the ruins likely had subterranean levels, or at least an irregular layout with tunnels. The scan also picked up magnetic anomalies within the ruins that emitted stronger magnetic fields than could have been expected from standard construction materials.

The thermal imaging results were unnerving. The ruins were colder than the surrounding snow. It was not by much, perhaps not even enough to be noticeable, but Edward knew that it was abnormal. The scan also showed little to no signs of airflow through cracks in the walls. His best guess was that either the ruins were highly reinforced or something was restricting the airflow inside.

He downloaded the results onto a data slate and went to find Vandrim. Edward wanted to move in soon, but he thought that the shaman might be able to infer something from the scans.

"I share your concern Vandrim, however If they are stationed much further back they will start to hit the limits of their effective range. It is also worth noting that there is a second group a short distance from us that plans to enter the ruins, and I do not know what their approach will be." Edward took the data slate from behind his back and handed it to Vandrim. "The last set of scans gained us new information, however, It is not reassuring."

 

[Jehlan Beidi]

Location: Kalidan
Gear: Lightsaber / Robes / Ballroom Mask
Tags: Open
​

It can be said that I am a people person, how this came about is beyond my comprehension. There is merit to the rumors that I will engage anyone in conversation, and there is truth that I can become overly excited, to the point of heated, when broached upon certain subjects of importance. I can't stand ignorance or people who lobby themselves master of a topic, when their facts are water downed by their own need to sound important. Try as I must, I hold my patience, thin as it is.

So, I found it astonishing that I managed to end up at a gathering with an influx of politicians, high end society types, and other pompous personalities, luckily, I could hide my growing facial expressions of ire behind this awkward feeling ballroom mask. Which, oddly striking, is befitting of these politicians, who all already hide behind other masks. It is no secret, I do not trust those spellcasters of words, and as a Warden of the Shroud, I know they possess their own shortcomings toward me. It's like a love - hate relationship; one I can abide.

Carefully, I tried to weave and manipulate myself around the tangled masses of people, avoiding those I had previous discussions with for fear of being drawn down into an abyss of incomprehensible discussions, only to falter when gripped by my arm, my ears invaded by that shrill voice of once Miss Callie Horne, daughter of Senator Horne from some way off planet I never learned to properly pronounce, who has it that one day she will bear my children, pulled me to her inner circle of friends. Sadly, I hate children. Hate is too strong of a word; I have no interest in children. Or her friends.

And as if fate found it comical enough to draw me hopelessly into this web of interesting company, fate found it rather hilarious that the topic was of children and marriage. Somewhere, out there beyond the stars I owe someone an apology for my current situation, what's the word called; oh yes: karma.

 

[Skyler Wren]

Location: Southern Hemisphere - Entering City
Goal: Salvage and Exterminate
Tags: Silhana Cadera​

Skyler was crouched down, staring at the sandy prints left behind whatever darted past. He was not a hunter like Rrroyk, who too was baffled by the prints and could offer no recourse on the author. The impression, once closely examined, possessed a flattened paw-like creation, and what could only be assumed as toes where six in the eyes of evolution. And of course, nobody saw what left these mysteries behind, for the exception of a blurring glance caught by Skyler's Wookie companion.

"New game plan," Skyler said, addressing the other three, "We stick together at all times. We will not split into two teams of two until....what the....who's that..."

Through the sand-swept winds, a figure in pink began closing on them. Rrroyk, always skeptical of intruders, began to bellow loudly, causing Skyler to place his hand on the big fury guy's arm. "Relax." Skyler began moving forward, to meet this newcomer halfway. There didn't seem to be any malice in her movements, though he was well aware of the movements of that potential figure hidden away. Skyler went to address this pink manifestation but was slow to the punch, as she spoke first.

Like the gentleman he was, Skyler listened to the words of the girl, never interrupting and nodding in agreement to what she was proposing. There was a lot of sense being made by her, and after the discovery of an unknown entity, numbers unknown, already running amok in the city ruins, perhaps joining forces would be the best course of action.

When the pink Mando fell silent, Sklyer began. "A pleasure to meet you, Silhana Cadera. I am Syler Wren, of Clan Wren, and captain of the Mando II; hovering up there among the stars. The other two gentleman are Klein and Charo...the big Wookie is Rrroyk; he looks ferocious but he's a big teddy bear.

"I think it would be both advantageous and beneficial to throw ourselves with your lot. Rrroyk saw something and we have several unknown footprints darting to the east. You can bet there is definitely something living in these ruins, and I'm sure they are not keen on hosting guests. Plus, look around, there is something unsettling how the empty windows stare at you.

"We are being watched."

 

[Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran]

4th Post

-A PRELUDE TO THE TALES OF MASKS-

DREAMER_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE FIREDANCE BRIGADES
CO-CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CENTRAL COURT AUTHORITY
INDEPENDENT GA SENATOR OF ARCHAIS

Tags: Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway Jehlan Beidi

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 7

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Two more Cladhans, please. An' a coffee for the Senator if the machine's working.'
​

With a graceful nod of affirmation, the barkeep leaned a little closer toward Narratharr, keeping with the quiet ambience of the lounge-gig he was working as he replied,'Coming right up, sir.... So, how is the Senator these days?', with little more than a whisper. A courteous inquiry, or at least, under other circumstances, it normally would be, prompting Kaskimson to study the barkeep's body-language for a moment or so, continuing even as he elaborated,'Can't be an easy job in his position. I don't envy Archais one bit, if you don't mind the honesty.', and without so much as a single moment of averted eye-contact between them.

'You're right, and that's because it isn't.... So stop prying-'

Siyarr, however, sitting patiently at the jukebox, (which was within earshot of the bar-counter at the time) would not even so much as bat an eyelid with concern, as there really weren't any security concerns of the sort so far away from the cutthroat games of the Corellian-controlled regions of the Deep-Core. Even in his quickness to interject,'Its fine, Laras. He's only speaking his mind on home-turf, as we would on Archais.', the mystic with the red sunglasses would continue to embody the image of calm, collected serenity, and for the barkeep's sake as much as it was for that of his subordinates. Ever aware of the fact his hosts were of gracious, amiable dispositions toward Imperials and Novanians alike, even being (at least, in-part-) responsible for the headway made to that diplomatic effect, choosing to serve as that example long before the Novanian entourage landed on Kalidan that night.

'As for you, Mr. Barkeep.... You answer your own question without knowing, as I personally find great difficulty in practicing statecraft to the betterment of my people. Making my path one of melancholic norm, as it always has been.... But its what we make from our circumstances that matters, lad. So we continue, shrugging off dismay as we go.'

As white irises stared across the counter to the barkeep, glaring at the blonde-haired human throughout the course of Siyarr's response, the Dreamer himself had kept his gaze firmly fixed on the jukebox and it's array of music from across the Galaxy, never once thinking to divert his red-tinted attention to face this most-unfortunate of misunderstandings. The only change in demeanour was that of mild irritation, but only at the fact he couldn't remember which pocket his cigarras were placed, but when the Senator finally lit and began to smoke his second of the night, his shoulders would lose their tension when he finally turned to address the barkeep with proper, due conversational decorum.

'On behalf of my associates, I express my humble apologies.... As you can see, they tend to forget their roles as representatives at times, so pay them no mind. They'll be tipping handsomely for the rest of the night.'

NEW DANCES, NEW ERAS II: CALM BEFORE THE STORM - PART 8

APPROACHING GROUND ZERO, SOUTHERN TUNDRA,
KALIDAN, UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

Tags: Edward Ashcard Skyler Wren Silhana Cadera

VANDRIM AHAN-MARDIM - IV

'I'll follow your advisement, in the assumption your reserves react well to sudden orders.'
​

Keeping in discernment-cadence with Edward, Vandrim would study the movements of the unidentified blips beyond the Eternals' static-line, making relatively-good use of the Data Slate's navigational features. Or at least, in the young Ferryman's case, good use of the Data Slate for a half-feral woodland dweller of his ilk, perhaps made evident in his stereotypically-cryptic admission as he continued,'I trust your judgement, that and the - uh - weird to say, but - sincerity. Its an easy thing for someone like me to detect, and its probably why my lot are so comfortable around your forces here, goes a long way with Novanians.... But I digress, as it would appear the blips are adopting collective sallying-poise.', willingly slow to keep on track with the gist of his initial response.

Mostly out of his initial choice to find cohesion through general endearment with the Eternal contingent, but also in a bid to lend at least some understanding of the Novanians who dropped in to help, hoping it would be futile on what was increasingly likely to be a night of nights. Still behaving as though it was a routine search-and-report by then, so as not to alarm anyone needlessly, but also in the deep-seated desire to let the whole endeavour pass by without it leading to something worse than ominous. But Mardimsom's gaze would find itself transfixing on increasingly-troubling developments beyond the search cordon, reasons to believe it would become a night of nights after all.

'As you might be able to tell by their apparent need for space, our unidentified guests seemingly have no intention of fighting on the back-foot.... My guess? They're set to attack as soon as we start to move in on the rubble, an aggressive defence of something else entire-'

If it had not been for the mention of the rubble, perhaps the young Deathseer might have missed it, perhaps his inner-luddite might have glossed over in renewed focus on the unidentified-blips' open formation just beyond the cordon, but fate had other plans that night. Thus Vandrim would have nothing but the most-rotten luck of following his intuitive habits that night, forced to witness (and soon, hear-) unfolding signs that the search-and-report operation had escalated far beyond the normative confines of routine classification. Secular minds were always slow to comprehend the meaning of gut-instincts, the training that was required to awaken early-detection to threats and the like, and despite the open minds of the collective on the ground for the endeavour, the urgency of the situation would not find articulation fitting enough for Mardimson to impart to his peers.

Not without sounding like a mental-asylum escapee in the process, not without diminishing morale. Seculars had to see to believe, rightly dealing only in tangibles until they were given reason to act accordingly - such was the curse of strategic convention.

'-Ashcard.... These blips are increasing in number! We may need to ready up for a fight, my friend.'

Help....

Pleeeease....
​

Faint though the whisper was, and as much as it had sounded like the howling winds of the tundra, the young Ferryman's ears were quick to detect it without effort, troubling Vandrim enough that he was already beginning to feel unnerved. Already reaching into his pack for his casketwood mask, but before Mardimson could continue, strategic earnest would take precedence, thinking more of the Firedancers, the Mandalorians and Eternals in need of that last-second cautiousness. So the rucksack would remain unopened, even if only momentarily, and when Vandrim lifted his comm-link receiver to speak, he knew the right decision had been made.

<"Casketwood to Dreamer Four. Question me not - but I'll be needing our boys to fix bayonets now... Like, right fething now, Carvalho. There's something deeply wrong with this place, understand?">
You - are - not - alone.
<"More than you will ever know, lad. Dreamer Four - out!">
​

Sharing a knowing glance with his armoured peer, there would be no hiding his abilities any longer, and in the process of confessing,'Sorry 'bout that, Ashcard. Its just a little drawback to the ol' - uh - Deathseer gig.... Still getting used to it, but if you start hearing voices on the wind, then I'll be the most-likely to believe it.', Vandrim found himself sensing that his spiritual-mediumship would likely unsettle Edward to some degree. Fortunately for Mardimson, however, the young Deathseer often had a humourous tone that showed his knack for deescalation and reassurance alike, though there would not be much room for such wonders beyond that point, taken as Vandrim's cue in his choice to refrain from rambling any further.

They can see you.

 

[Michael Barran]

3rd Post

-A "RISE/REPENT" STORY-

MASK_ONE
HIGH-MARSHAL OF THE 313TH "SABRETOOTH" LEGION
GRANDMASTER OF THE ORDER OF THE CHANTING MASK
LORD IMPERATOR OF THE IMPERIAL MILITARY PROTECTORATE

TAGS
Ingrid L'lerim Cannaugh Galloway Jehlan Beidi

HEAVY ART THE HEADS VI: UNDER BRIGHT CHANDELIERS - PART 3

OPERA HOUSE, WULFNGARD,
KALIDAN, THE UNKNOWN REGIONS (903 ABY)

'Ah, as Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran deftly describes it, I'm just looking for,"Peace wherever it can be found.", is all.'
​

Offering sincerity to the Empress, and especially for kindnesses shown to Barran's dwindling realm, the Tattered Regent would still be unable to hide the pain behind the eyes, though he stifled it well in sight of Ingrid's gaze. Hinting at more than the usual manner of statecraft, but without so much as an elaboration, just in case there was but the slimmest chance it was unwarranted in a venue as lifelike, as illustrious as Wulfngard's Opera House; after all, it would never do to dampen the tone of any given gathering of the sort, thus bringing Lord Imperator Barran to make due effort to keep smiles on as many faces as possible, difficult though that was likely to prove in the presence of his Novanian friends.

​

'Admittedly, war is encroaching on my doorstep, this I couldn't deny, even if I tried. So I'm out for some calm before the storm, so to speak.... Made all the better by the fact that- yes, the climate here is refreshingly-cool.... It soothes scar-tissue, inflammation an' reinvigorates those in dire need of it.'

Michael couldn't deny the Dark Empire approached ever-nearer to Krieg and Nirauan, but with it, he was unable to keep from admitting how much he had missed colder climates in general; after all, it wasn't just the family's expertise in snow-planet warfare, and not only in lifelong acclimation to the snow, but for all the better memories of which Barran could draw from worlds of Tundras and Alpine wonders. Even with Krieg itself being just one short stellar journey away from the warm comfort of Nirauan, the Lord Imperator had remained tied to the Hand of Thrawn whenever deployments were completed, never able to stray far from New Carannia with enemies approaching on two, all-encompassing fronts; and with Krieg seemingly cursed to become a snow-deployment like Ilum, decades earlier, no such excitement could be drawn from the ancitipation of that battle in particular.

Thus only Kalidan could offer such chilly, snowy reprieve by then.

'An' again, admittedly - these are snows of which I haven't seen in almost twenty years, making this trip a must-do in every aspect. Several tiers of therapeutic, though I fear I'm still approaching matters of morbid concern here! Heh! My apologies for that, your Majesty.'