The Means of Production [TSE Dominion of Oricon Hex]

[Dante Sotari]

Oricon

Insignificant. Easily over looked by those without vision. But to the Sith Empire, Oricon represented potential. Safe away from the front lines of imperial expansion, rich in minerals, the Empire saw it as an investment. Perfectly suited to increase production for both civilian and military endeavors alike. From Ore Extraction facilities to Self Replicating Droid Factories, from Holonet buoys to the frame work of the space station already being built in orbit, Oricon was a slowly growing hub of activity. There was much to do, opportunities for the business minded....

But there were also troubles that required attention before the Dark Lord could consider Oricon tamed.

Objective One:
Jaeger Solutions and Aegis Systems have partnered with the Ministry of Industry to begin the new infrastructure projects on Oricon. Help building, organizing, or inspecting the rising facilities, including but not limited to: The Oricon Space Station, Ore Extraction, Droid Factories, Administration complexes, the Military outpost.

Objective Two:
In an era past, powerful and terrifying artifacts called the Phobis Devices were brought to Oricon. Though those artifacts are long gone, they left behind scars on the planet, the most significant one located at the Dread Fortress. Breach the Fortress and inspect the extent of the scar within the Force, or locate another and explore its effects on the local landscape.

Objective Three:
Once Jaeger Solutions set up the new holonet buoys, they started to pick up a strange, repetitive signal. Originating from the Fortress of Darth Vitus, the first foray inside was repelled by great, alchemically altered beasts. Clear out these vermin and locate the source of the signal.

Objective Four:
BYOO. Sandbox this chit and have a blast.

 

[Bo Lin]

Objective 2...Yes really.


He took up two seats on the Sith drop ship. His heavy lidded eyes drooped low at intervals and he pushed them back open. The steady thrum of the engines vibrated through the ship's hull and combined with the warmth of the other bodies was an environment for napping.

But, no! Not this time!

He stood carefully so as to not hit his head on the cabin ceiling and took a pouch of candied caff beans from the folds of his sleeve and poured it into his mouth. He crunched the bitter sweet roasted beans and held the bag out to people at random before putting it away and checking his huge training saber.

His big green eyes opened more by increments and he lifted a huge hairy paw to an overhead rail designed for holding gear and lumbered along toward the doors. He wanted to be the first off and proove they weren't feeding him for no reason.

[member="Dante Sotari"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective Three: Wipe out Vermin in Vetus' Fortress.
​Location: ​Landing Party Shuttle -> Gates of the Fortress.
​​Tags: [member="Dante Sotari"] | Objective 3 Peeps

​The very nature of Oricon was violent, magma gushed out from thick black growths in the ground. Old buildings and various constructions sites doted the surface of the planet, some consumed by the magma. Others, rusting and falling into disarray. The very ground was coveted by a strange blue fog that contrasted beautifully with the vibrant and violent magma.

​The blue and lifeless chill of Oricon contrasted with the cracks in its shell where the thriving life of the planet existed, the explosive magma. One sung a melancholy song of a hollow emptiness where as the red bustling heat reminded every member of the Landing Party who strained their gaze to examine it of a vicious fight for survival. How the magma fought ferociously to pierce the decay that swept across the land. It was admirable, he felt its current through the force like the ebb and flow of the lava as it coursed through its rivers dotted across the land.

Ahead of them was Vitus' Fortress, a black and silver construction with blue neon escaping from the building, the fortress' foundation were like a citadel encroached on the irritated skin of the planet. The darkness exuded from the fortress was noticeable to all as evil had stirred in its own malevolence for too long unchecked. Unlike the Sith whom he observed who passed through cycles of change. The creatures of darkness within the Fortress were very much like any warrior who practiced alone. It only embedded their errors.

​Thus, the manifestation had to be swept clean from the surface of the planet. Thusly, seeing his efforts on Tython and again Yavin; the Matador had been elected to serve once more.

​The Shuttle landed, the Matador was the first to leave, not wishing to hunch any longer with Oribuir on his back. His crimson second skin shun with a beautiful reflection the Magma, he stood by a stream as it bloated and popped. He turned his head, leading the Landing Party towards Vitus' Fortress. He would not tarry, the beasts would die soon.

 

[Arken Lussk]

Objectives 1 & 3

Arken was giddy with excitement. Their plans were finally blooming. Receiving support and an endorsement from the Ministry of Industry had been a very welcome addition to Aegis and Jaeger's partnership to transform this blight of a world into something far more profitable and useful to the empire. Self-regulated droid foundries, ore extraction using geothermal energy, eradicating the phobis device, and establishing their spacial presence. It had been Aegis Systems' largest undertaking thus far.

He knew they were ready.

The young CEO sat aboard a small corporate frigate in high orbit. Hyperspace tugs had already been ordered to pull several Velocity-class Waystations from Serenno over to Oricon. One or two had already arrived and his masterpiece products were already receiving signals. Strange ones, repeating the same message over and over again.

"What the chit is that?" The young man asked, pointing at the fluctuations. "I don't suspect those are normal high-frequency bands."

The sensor technician confirmed his suspicions with a nod. "No, sir, not at all. Looks sorta like a distress beacon, but different."

"Different?"

"They're supposed to bounce back from the ionosphere, but they're not. Whatever it is must have a frakkin' powerful transceiver." The technician grimaced. "I don't like it."

Arken frowned. "Can you decipher it?"

"Of course, sir. Gimme a second."

Lussk took a step backwards to allow the man his space. After a few moments, he was waved back over. Distaste and confusion laced the technician's face.

"Listen to this, sir."

W̩̫̙̦̠̲̫̞e̶̮͓̮̝̞ͅ ̰̭̬̺̥̀͜͝à̸̷͚̘̻̥̩r̸̸̞̯ͅe̝̮̮̹̝ ̟̖͉w̸̴̟̰͇̮͓a͙͎̟̟̮̰̕͠į̨͎͍̥̠̘͖͝t̲̜͕͇̳͞i̸̤̫͉̭̤̳͖ń̰̕g̢̡͍̫͖̩͚.̙̀͡͝ ͏̡̹͔͇̣͝C̶̵͖̞̦̤̻͝o̷̰͇̠͇m̵̩̘͖̞͈ͅe̞̮̺̫̥̼ ҉͉̞̪̮̤̥̟̘͡ţ̛̩͙̠̯͇͜ơ͙͕̮̹̘͎̯ ̸̣̗̯̹͍̤̗͕̕ù̶̜͉͖͕̞̖͖͉͎̕s̤̮͘.̶̠̹̳͍​

​

​

​

[member="The Matador"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective Three: Wipe out Vermin in Vetus' Fortress.
​Location: ​Gates of the Fortress -> Inner Courtyard
​​Tags: ​[member="Arken Lussk"] | [member="Dante Sotari"] | Objective 3 Peeps

​The Matador made his way towards the main entrance, inspecting the fortresses defences as he drew closer. The main gates themselves appeared a brutalised wreck, the metal frame torn asunder as the doors were charred and burned on their edges, claw marks dotting the middle and most damaged part of the frame. The Matador had spent the majority of his time before arriving researching Oricon. Long ago, it was rumoured that creatures from Makeb were brought here, malformed with dark alchemy and the evil intentions of ancient Sith.

Not, that he wasn't aware that these Sith were very much the same. Those who sought freedom were crushed under the iron and unrelenting foot of the Sith Empire. They were cruel and selfish, and he accepted it. Work was work and he thought little of it.

"Wait here." ​The Matador spoke, his head turning slightly to face the Imperial Officer leading the Landing party. "As you say, Mercenary." He knew they felt no qualms letting the wayward warrior go first, he was not one of them. His crimson metal hand extended, clasping onto the door. It was ridged on its base, allowing him to grasp firmly on its solid form. He pulled, feeling his arm tense. His legs buckled under its weight, it was too heavy. The Matador placed two hands, pulling the door with his weight. The metal squirmed, the screech of it against the metal beneath them. Grains of black picked up from the ground, old dead roots that had been corrupted by the black of the earth shrivelled up. There was a crunch as what sounded like a gear beyond strain ripped from its socket, the door budged; sliding back a few inches, giving The Matador enough space to move through.

​Ahead of him, was an open courtyard with plates of white marble creating the floor, two grated walkways leading to doors that appeared to enter the building. Between them were two massive Durasteel doors that appeared untouched. Black soot gushing from beneath the doorway. As if it surged forward, greeting the Matador. He observed the two walkways, one of the door's control panels was damaged; unmoving. The other was empty. Between himself was a massive creature, the Subteroth was massive. Malformed and twisted into a horrific abomination. The large spikes that were normally located on its arm rode against its entire form, arching out of its back like massive bone formations. Above that, sat equally twisted Pterathki, some with multiple enlarged wings, others with beaks that broke apart into two jaws, broken into mouths that housed large razor sharp teeth. The creatures picked at the dead flesh of the fallen Subteroth.

​He had no doubt that more lay inside, larger and more bestial. It was natural that the weaker creatures of a territory hid on the outskirts of a territory. The Matador didn't intend on allowing himself to loose the element of surprise, however the creatures noticed him almost instantly, the two Pterathki launched at him. The one with its large wings launched itself at him at a speed that made the sternest warriors wince. The creature caused him to stagger, its large beak reaching for his face, snapping at him repeatedly as his crushgaunt clamped down on its throat, holding it back. The creature's flesh was dry and torn, like that of an addicts. Its eyes were bloodshot and had a feral mindlessness to it, he couldn't discern if it was blind rage or some twisted desperation.

​Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the second slowly move to his left side. Walking on hobbled wings to his periphery, he had to act quickly. Pressing the Pterathki back, his other hand grasping onto its left wing. He pushed it back as the creature wrestled against his grip, he roared, with some effort; he ripped the wing from its socket, the creature wailed in pain as the other lunged. He used the creatures pain, clenching harder on its throat as its attack was halted for but a moment. He launched it at its brethren, knocking it back with the superior wait of the heavily winged creature.

​He marched forward, slamming his foot down on the injured creatures head. He aimed for the largest part of its head, squishing it into a fine paste against the white marble floor. The second retreated a little, and lunged for his neck. The Matador was hunched over, exposing his throat to the creature. The Matador raised both hands, grappling the creatures expending beak. The creatures mouth was horrid, its beak separating into four parts, its teeth digging into the thick Beskar plate of his armour. The Matador threw the creature over his head, its body bouncing as it slammed into the floor. Causing the white slabs to crack. The Matador raised a single fist, slamming it down repeatedly into the creatures body. He released his grip on its limp jaw, turning to face observe the two higher doorways.

"The entry is secure!" ​He barked back, he'd need someone more agile to enter the higher doorways. He didn't quite feel like carrying his entire weight several feet into the air through the force.

 

[Ignatius]

Objective 4: Discover more about Oricon
Location: Lava Flows -> Upstream
Prospective: Ignis Imura
Tags: Anyone who feels like joining me.

Taking a level foothold upon the scorched ground. Any other person would have had to wear a special suit to reduce the heat affecting their bodies. To prevent themselves from being burned, or to quite literally burn their skin as though they had sun burns, or worse. Completely engulfing them in flames. I, however, am a different story.

Being a pyromancer, and a Fire Shaper, one of the major things you need to learn, is the ability to change not just the flames themselves, but manipulate the heat of said flames. One had to learn the difference between lighting a candle, and melting metals. Two entirely different processes that would produce about the same result. A heap of something that withers and burns away. While one may simply mitigate the heat away from one's self, I had to learn a completely different thing.

The ability to raise my own body temperature. Heat myself up hot enough, that the residual heat from the flows would feel like a nice warm summer breeze upon Kro Var. The problem with that, is that the piercings I had on me were getting hot. The little plastic stuff that was on them had burned away and so I had to remove them or else lose them to dropping into the flows. Lucem on the other hand, was a body made of metal. Thus he could get fairly close, but would still require some time away to prevent his shell from melting, or getting too hot. Kinta, while taught in some of the ways of Shaping by my father, was not as adept as I. And thus was acting with others in the assault upon the Dread Fortress. She was also teaming up with my sister. Surprising as that may be, Caleo my sister was someone who I trusted, but not as much as I would like.

The two were different, and it made me chuckle with how much they argued compared to Kinta and myself. Either way, as I walked with Lucem floating behind me, we were going to the mountains, and see something about the Volcanic activity here. While others were searching for signals for this and for that, I did the opposite. I looked for something where there was none. The interference with some scanners is caused by the massive amounts of static build up from molten rock and metal that coated the sky in an almost unending night. Parts where they may have seen nothing, I knew to not be true.

The Dreadlords were not always as scary as they seemed. Only, twisted by the purest forms of the Dark side. As such, wouldn't you think that they might have hid something far away from their actual fortress, but still be close enough to defend it? Hence mine, and Lucem's attempt to reach the top of this mountain formation. While a speeder had taken us most of the way here, it was the last portions that would have to be done on foot. Why? Dangerous terrain to be flying around. Engine fails when flying over a river of molten lava? Dead.

Despite this, I walked up. Lifting my arms to pull my body into a better position over a lining of almost obsidian rocks. Pulling myself up, Lucem decided to make a comment about it.

"So glad I have a smaller and floating body."
"Knock it all you want. I have much better mobility, and uses."
"Such as?"
"Well, if there was a song about clapping your hands, and since you have no arms..."
"I don't need hands to clap."
"Then do it."

I didn't even pay attention to him, But he knew he lost this fight. He couldn't clap even if he was happy and knew it. I chuckled to myself as I continued to climb despite the sweat dripping from my brow. The constant concentration upon the force to keep myself resistant from the lava, and then physical exertion was taxing. However, this was training as well. With the teachings that I have been receiving, I needed to make my body in top physical condition. To do that, I needed to push myself past my limits. Forcing me to grow. it is the way of the force as it is to grow by stretching your limits.

"How long will this take?"
"As long as it needs to."
"How long is that?"
"When we get there, we will be there. Now shut up and record all the data you can like I asked before."

Grunting at the end of that sentence as I lifted myself up higher and higher. I could feel the heat getting hotter and hotter as I climbed. The fortress becoming smaller and smaller below.

​

Objective 2: Fight whatever lies inside, find source of Wound within the force.
Location: Dropships -> Dreadlord Fortress
Prospective: Kinta Saud
Tags: [member="Bo Lin"], [member="Dante Sotari"],

I hated the idea of wearing this kind of exposing uniform I had. But Ignis had told me that I could do it. Considering both of us were training our bodies to do much more, we needed to push ourselves. Behind me stood Caleo. His younger sister. I held my double bladed lightsaber in my hand, while my other clutched the railing and held on as the ships were lowering us down into the main courtyard of this fortress. It was open to the elements for quite a space. Likely to instill fear in those who attempted to draw closer. I did wear a mask over my face to prevent the hazardous chemicals in the air from burning up my lungs. While I could mitigate some of the heat from the planet, I couldn't do all of it. I had to train myself to be better. Not just for myself, but to take care of Ignis.

I still remember the night he released me from my life debt. But now I felt like I was in another one. One in servitude to him. One where I owed him for freeing me. However, he told me that I was too kind and too willing to pay people back for what they had done for me. That was my downfall. Adjusting the hood on my head, covering my short hair and horns, the one and only time he has called me by my name, my real name, echoed in my head.

"Hellena..."

I smiled lightly until Caleo spoke up. Her annoying ass of a voice made me want to queen slap her into the next era.

"You know, Ignis hasn't really told me that much about you."
"He knows to keep his mouth shut."
"Kind of interesting that he gave you to him and not myself or Damian."
"Nick knew that Ignis was one to move on his own before you two did."
"You saying he is better than both of us?"
"No. He knew Ignis would move on because of his age. He knew Ignis hated him. So he sent me to watch him."
"But not me?"
"With wo much envy you have for Ignis, I have a feeling he knew you would follow him."

She snorted and turned her head. Rolling her eyes as she readied her own weapon. An old Katana that once belonged to my master. Nickolas. I made me hate her even more that she was using it. However, that was all she had. She had much to learn. As we landed, the doors slid open. She drew her weapon with a ring from the sheath, while I ignited the twin lightsaber blades. Crimson and pulsating with their natural hum. Moving on ward, it seemed we also stepped out at the same time as a rather large ursine creature. Much larger, and munching on some snacks.

I prayed to any god that Caleo didn't talk about him always eating it seemed. Cus that would get us both killed as we were under Ignis' namesake for the Sith Empire. Our actions looked poorly upon him. And I would to my best to keep his name clear as he wanted it. Even if that meant sending his sister to the ground and a few broken bones, and marks from my boots.

"Clear the courtyard, and make sure that all entrances are watched. We don't want anything to happen unexpectedly."
"Red skin telling me what do to?"

I didn't even turn to her, but I said within our minds due to the connection of the rings we wore.

"Shut it, and just do it. Work together and we get get this done and over with."
"Deal. Less time with you is better."

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective Three: Wipe out Vermin in Vetus' Fortress.
​Location: ​Gates of the Fortress -> Inner Courtyard
​​Tags: ​[member="Arken Lussk"] | [member="Dante Sotari"] | [member="Ignis Imura"] | Objective 3 Peeps

​The Matador waited patiently as a small group of troopers lead by the officer he had spoken to emerged reluctantly from the doorway. "Hmph." ​He pouted, unimpressed by there fear. There was such inconsistency within the Sith, they seemed to lack any form of control over their troops other than them willingly following orders to avoid being killed by their commanders. The troops varied in strength, skill, discipline. It was strange to him, every member of the The Shield was nearly equal to the other, it was the difference in their mentalities. The Shield were truly loyal, each and every one of them under the grand enterprise of the Keeper. Perhaps the Sith did not keep such a tight closed fist around its people. Perhaps they did not have the means to do so.

​These thoughts were applicable to many cultures, he thought equally less of them. Moving forward, he saw no clear entry through the main doors. Nor did he plan on over exerting himself when the two entrances above were much more convenient. His hand moved for his belt, feeling the smooth touch of his saber on his hip. Even whilst having Oribuir, it was good to carry the lightsaber. It still, had its uses.

​With a telekinetic wisp, the blade shot to life as it drew closer to one of the walkways above them. The blade slashed at the edge that lead to the battlements, disconnecting the bridge from its held position. It lingered from a moment, wobbling under its own weight as its only tether became the connecting metal that lead within the fortress. His saber returned to his hand deactivated, once more finding itself on hips hip. The Matador spaced his feet apart a little, steadying his weight against that of the walkway as he extended his hand outward, visualising a large telekinetic hard grasping the walkway. The sound of metal bending filled the courtyard for a moment as the walkway reluctantly bent to his will.

​In a few moments, the edges of the broken walkway reached the ground and became a bridge for them to climb up to the higher level. ​"Upwards and onwards Officer." ​He spoke with a tone of barely retained tolerance for his presence. The Matador wasted little, time beginning a slog of a march up the steep bridge he'd created.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

​

Oricon
Corva Sector

The Empire had come a long way since its first tentative steps out of the Braxant Run, it now stretched from Yaga Minor to Malachor V and was growing at an exorbitant rate with each passing rotation. The war foundries of Kol Huro worked day and night to shoulder the herculean task of arming the Empire's soldiers, and ensuring that every new scrap of useable territory was properly defended once incorporated into the expanding Imperium.

The burden was strenuous.

New methods of production were in development, ways for the Empire to arm their Legions and replenish the Armada after every protracted campaign. Overproduction was no longer the issue. With the decline and fall of the Silver Jedi Order the Empire found itself without a clear enemy to set its vast military against in battle, and territory began to fall into their hands quicker than they anticipated. For each new sector that fell in line the Empire installed a garrison, typically one that was manned by the native inhabitants that had shown proper loyalty and dedication to the Sith-Imperial Creed, but more often than not they were forced to whittle down their war fleets so that when they moved forward they didn't leave their rear undefended.

Oricon would be the first step towards lessening this strain on the Empire. Jaeger Solutions and Aegis Systems had proven to be... adequate partners in this endeavor, though the Dark Lord did not trust them. He knew their type, they were more concerned with their own pocketbook than they were with any of the Empire's ideals. And this CEO of Aegis, Lussk, did not sit well with him. What was his relation to the Emperor he had deposed almost thirty years ago, and where did that leave him with the now defunct Dominion government?

Those were questions he'd have to pry from the youth's mind at a later date. For now he was content to watch the Empire transform this desolate backwater into something worthy of his Empire.

 

[Jairdain]

Objective: Her own
Location: Dread Palace
Post: 1

Jairdain had withdrawn from following the Sith and their code. However, she had a purpose to be on Oricon. Krest had wanted to turn her into his own little Dread Master. Having been here once and had never thought to return, she found herself walking the almost haunted grounds of the Palace that was beyond the Fortress the others were at. Little did they even notice her.

The Dread Palace was the last standing point of the Dread Masters. It was here the last four of them had been defeated eons in the past. One of them had actually made an escape and took refuge with the then Republic. His fate was lost to the ages and there was no record for his death. It was this former Dread Master that held some interest for Jairdain.

Calphayus was the prophet for them. While his visions in the end had been skewed, everything he had predicted had come true. After the deaths of Stryak and Brontes, then his visions had started to fail. However, in his lifetime there was the chance some of his works remained and she searched for them in darkness that was the Palace.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Objective: The Dread Fortress
Location: Landing Party (Outskirts of the Dread Fortress)

With the wind whipping about ferociously, Darth Venefica stood poised to breach the fortress of the late Dread Masters with her personal unit, Nightshade Company. The fortress was reported to be abandoned, lost to the age of time, but where the Sith touched, regarding the past, never truly remained lost, only temporarily obsolete. Most, if not all, of the artifacts once held by the Dread Masters had long been plundered; but one such as the Lady of Madness could detest one only needed to dig deeper and further than anyone was willing to lurk.​

​

However, there was a scar left behind that seemed to affect the Force surrounding the ancient structure. The feeling flowing into her reminded her of a weeping child, holding it's scabbed knee waiting for someone to close the wound before it spread further. There was a time she believed the death of the Force could solve the galaxies ever growing problems, but that was thinking of an angry girl who now fully understood the Force as an adult. Still the possibilities of actually witnessing, if not directly involved, the Force die was something she found amusing. Old thinking habits where hard to break.​

​

"I will be openly honest...I'm not sure what we will find in there. Regardless, stay true to your training and remember....this place still possesses great power. Do...not....trust....your....eyes."​

​

The Dread Masters had earned a reputation, if would be foolish that even in death for one to think that they would easily give up their secrets.​

 

[Bo Lin]

Location: Dropship
Objective: 2, Dread Palace.

Bo wasted no time in moving out onto the surface of Oricon. The Dread Palace loomed like a great beast ready to pounce as the harsh gases assaulted his thick black nose. His green eyes squinted against the heat as he moved forward with huge heavy steps. The other beings were already prepared with their lightsabers so he followed suit and hefted his heavy saber in his his big right paw.

His mind cycled through the only form of lightsaber combat he knew, Djem So, and he began to visualize the potential fight to come. He raced forward, well force him it was racing, and ignited his blade. The crimson blade appeared with a snap-hiss, and he moved through the entrance without a moments caution. The palace was cast in utter darkness that was only broken by the orange light from the now open door.

The light fell upon an ancient droid as it stood and aimed at the 7' 11" Pandyn. His heavy paw swept forward instinctively and crashed into the droid and sent it to bounce off the corridor wall like a child's toy. He looked down and remembered he had a lightsaber in his other hand. He shrugged to himself and moved his huge hat to the top of his head as he waited for the rest of the team to enter.

"Grroorrewaarrrr Reerrrrorrrgaarrrrrhh, Gourr errraggr." He said to himself as much as anyone else. He really had forgotten the lightsaber that time. He would remember to use it next time.


[member="Ignis Imura"] [member="Jairdain"] [member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Objective: The Dread Fortress
Location: The Dread Palace

Entering first, for fear was an object tarnished in her thoughts, she saw a ruined droid propped against a wall sparking and sputtering and a fuzzy looking bear with a hat; smiling of his accomplishment. Sighing, she gestured for her boys to remain outside to guard the palace, for this little fozzy bear was enough to keep her entertained.​

​

"Ruining a droid does not garnish one with power....and strength. It simply means one of two things.....you enjoy killing things weaker than yourself or you are a hazard to those whom elect to surround themselves with you."​

​

Cackling at her own missed joke, she shrugged her shoulders whilst adjusting her robe. The murderous wind had spun it uncermoniously around her frame. ​

​

"I have never seen a bear walk among the ranks of the wicked..and you are?"​

​

The Swamp Witch didn't feel obliged to drop her own name. She was, afterall, a legend to those that already knew her and a threat to those that did not.​

​

​

​

[member="Bo Lin"]​

 

[Bo Lin]

Location: Dread Palace
Objective: 2

Bo looked down, round ears twitching beneath his hat. His green eyes blinked as the Sith Lord spoke. For all his lumbering size he was deft enough with his senses to know he stood far smaller beside the creature. His nose tested the air and he huffed out as the scent of swamp lands corruption passed his strong olfactory glands. He could almost taste stagnant water and detritus at this range.

He was an acolyte now but only after being granted his freedom by the sith empire and he did not take his debt lightly. He took a knee, and though he was still massive he felt the symbolism worth the effort.

"Bo." He said with great effort. His mouth did not make basic easy and his vocal cords strained at the odd use, "Me are Bo, Mistress."

He waited to stand but already his sharp ears could hear noises of scuttling things moving toward the entranace. She had condescended to give him a lesson. He would not waste it.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Bastian Briareos]

Objective Four: Yet Another Fortress - Oricon Fortress
Location: Spehss
Tags: Empty

Bastian rode in with the Emperors fleet to the moon of Oricon. It had been quite some time since he'd done any field work. The desk job he'd been assigned to had been slowly eating away at his soul. Certainly a safe job but dull. When he heard they were moving to take over this moon, Bastian put in for a transfer to the investigations department of Sith Intelligence. Oricron was only a stones throw in galactic terms from his homeworld of Ession. Once things were wrapped up here he was thinking of popping over, for work related reasons of course.

His near ever present mug of caf pressed against his lip. The last of the pitch black liquid rolling down his throat. A satisfied exhale followed. Bastian entered one of the hangers of the capital ship. He'd rather quickly found himself assigned to a scouting mission not to long after the fleet dropped in. According to what he was currently reading off a datapad. Some recon pilot found some sort of castle or mountaintop base no one knew about. Only a few clicks from one of the big objectives of the Sith's onworld operations no less. As an intelligence officer the irony of the situation was not lost they'd karked up pretty bad. They should have found this place in the first few sweeps of the planet. Or found it in scans. Not this late in the game anyways. Well whatever, it seemed gravy compared to that huge Dread Fortress they wanted taken. That place probably had a billion booby traps in it.

Bastian headed up to a gunship a few troopers were standing at ease by. He was guessing this was his ride and went to ask. "Sargent. You guys Squad 415?"

The Sergeant turned about and got his bearings checked. Seeing an officer he snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes sir. Squad 415 reporting. I understand our mission is to scout and secure some kind of fortress sir?"

"That's the just of what I was told. We'll see what happens when we get in visual. If it's got no defenses we'll just head on in. If it does... We'll see what happens. Oh, names Bastian Briareous, Intelligence. You can call me by my last name."

"Yes sir Briareous. Will we be departing once we're ready?"

"Ready?"

"Pilots just finishing up their flight checks. Then we'll be G2G."

"Guess so then." Bastian looked down at his empty mug. He sure wished he could get some more caf right about now.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Oricon, High Orbit.

Watching the ships pass by his window...

It seemed Cybele had outdone herself this time, with various entities moving about Oricon in a variety of ways. Each was once intended to be conquered by Jaeger’s resources, through The Slave and his prowess, or Cybele and her ingenuity; yet now they had the might of an entire task force pushing through Oricon in a number of ways. High in orbit sat The Slave on the nearly empty bridge of The Technicolor Beat; a ship the various navies that floated about couldn’t find, nor its cloaked escort.

There The Slave watched the fleets and construction crews move about in endless purpose, building onto the superstructure of the massive space station above the planet, or small transports moving to the beginning staging area of Oricon’s soon to be endless fields of production. They had already put so much money into the project that there was no returning now, the only option was to finalize objectives started and move forward; yet Cybele allowed a serious comfort and leeway in their operations with making a deal with the Ministry of Industry. Their funding, and productive force allowed much of their plans to be accelerated forward in aa massive way; effectively cutting their once decades of planning to only a few years.

The Slave grinned as Cybele spoke up;

“Enjoying the view?”, she said in a flirtatious tone.

“I am, thanks for asking.”, he chuckled.

“I’ll show you my CPU later, covered in thermal paste.”

“... I don’t… Actually know how to respond to that.”, he said, suddenly furrowing his brow.

 

[Froste]

Objective: 4, inspecting a military outpost.
Location: Oricon
Post: 1

Roth held his hands behind his back as he walked. The former General was back where he was most comfortable, in the sweet embrace of the military. He was easing back into the Sith ideology, having fallen out of favor for a short time, leaving them to command an army for the Iron Empire.

But none of that mattered now. One thing connected every single thing he did, and that was his generalship.

So now, the Lord of Despair patrolled the outpost, overseeing construction and making sure things were done to par. He had to rebuild his reputation with the Sith, and the basics were a great start. He had a man representing the Ministry of Industry at his side, making notes of the various sentences Roth spat out. He was no legendary general, but he had experience. Probably more experience than most of the men at this outpost.

"​Keep the enlisted and officer mess halls separate. There's no need for them to mingle." Again, the nameless scribe at his side scribbled Roth's words.

Soon tired of walking the small outpost, he made his way for the small room on base that were his temporary quarters. He had figured he best get some rest before continuing his endeavor.

 

[Ignatius]

Objective 4: Discover more about Oricon
Location: Lava Flows -> Upstream
Prospective: Ignis Imura
Tags: Anyone who feels like joining me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFawgUfNXP8​

My skin was slowly turning black. The soot and the dirt caked my skin. I took a second to stop. Collecting myself. Doing my best to wipe away the darkness that covered me. It was just making it worse. Shaking my head, Lucem was talking about something. Likely that I needed a break and how his body didn't tire. That was the point. He had no extent to which he could reach. I could. I had to find that limit, and break it. The heat was becoming even more taxing on me. So much so that I had let go of the force for a while now. My skin felt hot and the rocks were only making it hotter.

Sweat dripped from my skin like a river. I was done. Rent my jacket and shirt off of myself. I was clothed in only my ripped jeans, and boots. Exposing my pale skin and various tattoos. Only to soon be covered in black soot and dust as well. Hot as ever, and clinging to my skin with the sweat. Clumping up. Every step was harder to take. I could feel like my body wanted to give in. Even with this terrain, I wanted to fall apart. To return to the speeder and say I was done.

"Look fleshling, your body is going to break if you push yourself. Just call it a day. No need to die. You have other stuff that's more important."
"But if it's more imporant, then why will it matter if I can't even do this?"
"You are pushing too hard. You will die Ignis."
"I will die then."

Standing up, I once more attempted to climb. My breathing harder and harder as I moved on. My hand slipped as I attempted to grab one more rock to climb over. I fell and slid back down a meter or two. Yelping in pain and the sudden heat scraping my skin. Rocks embedding themselves to my skin. I couldn't stop. I won't stop.

I got up once more. Pulling myself over the one rock face. Seeing another, I told myself I could do it again. One more to climb. Just one more Ignis. Almost crawling through the ash and dirt. Scraping my skin against the rocks as I pushed myself harder and harder. Climing one after the other ledges that would lead up to the top. The world upon my shoulders as I climbed. Caked in so much it was falling into my eyes and I was eating it with every breath I took. Slipping, I barely found purchase before falling. Possibly tumbling to my death. Lucem was shaking his body as though it were his head.

"Ignis, if you die, Kinta won't forgive you."
"She will deal."

Gritting the words through my teeth. Crunching on grains with every word. My hands and arms burned not just from the heat, but from the physical exhaustion of my body. Reaching up once more, I grabbed towards a ledge, finding a good purchase, I pulled myself up, only to slip and feel myself falling.

​

Objective 2: Fight whatever lies inside, find source of Wound within the force.
Location: Dropships -> Dreadlord Fortress
Prospective: Kinta Saud
Tags: [member="Bo Lin"], [member="Dante Sotari"], [member="Darth Venefica"],

It seemed that the group of us was quite growing with more voices. The larger ursine creature had drawn a lightsaber club, while another woman, dark with the force, and deep within it's magics had come to speak to it. Giving the being a lesson in how they relished in destroying things lesser than they. To be fair, The Pandyn had a signature, but now quite that of Ignis, or the Sith Lady here. I was very tempted to say that destroying the droid was a preventative measure to not shoot him, but that would likely get me in hot water. I kept my tongue silent. As did Caleo for once. She however, was not happy with the circumstances.

"Let's worry about clearing this fortress first. Lessons can come later."

Moving on past them, there was no point in just standing around. Work needed to be done, and Ignis was counting on me to get it done. He wanted us to do our best and to stay alive. That meant moving and doing our job. Not exchanging pleasantries and lessons. The crimson light emanating from the lightsaber reflected off of the ground and walls around us. Fixating on the idea of moving to the center of this fortress, I had to steel myself to the mental attacks that came from this wound within the force. While the Dread Lords were long gone, their presence was still felt. Their madness, their insanity and the purest forms of the dark side still seeped and flowed through the fortress. I didn't feel like losing my mind to these ghosts of the past.

 

[Darth Voracitos]

Objective Three: Feast upon the Beast
Location: Darth Vitium's Fortress
Tags: [member="The Matador"]

Five months ago...

Before an Imperial flagship hovered above this world of dread, yes indeed long before any eyes were set upon Oricon and its potential, the eyes of the Coven of Gluttony were placed upon it first some months ago. A dozen Starved Subjects under direct authority of three Hungered Vassals had been sent out into the dark, searching, scouting for the an artifact worthy of the Coven's inspection, and worthy of Imperial interests. They located Oricon, and even in their weak state, the twelve could distinguish a source of power, the trail of one at least. They tracked this feeling to the foot of Darth Vitium's Fortress.

With their vicious and bloody disappearance, it frankly garnered the attention of the Hungered Vassals who had sent them on their mission, particularly that now they were short upon a food source to subsist off of, and were threatened to be overwhelmed by their master to some degree upon his next feasting in the Den of Decadence.

Four months ago...

The trio traveled by private starship to the Oricon system, covertly from the eyes of the Coven so as to save them from the suspicion of failure (and the painful embarrassment associated with it). Following in the footsteps of their lost followers, utilizing their transmitted logs as reference points across the terrain. Eventually, they too stumbled upon the Fortress, and encountered the very beasts which had consumed their former Subjects. More prepared and more powerful, they managed to slaughter a great number of beasts, before a Hungered Vassal fell, and ushered them to abandon their mission.

Nearly disgraced, the two remaining Hungered Vassals, hopeful in their senses telling of an artifact which may motivate these dangerous creatures of darkness, began a retreat out of the Oricon system, back into the Den of Decadence. With this potential promise of a powerful artifact and improvement to the Coven and the Empire, they hope that this boon may save them from their embarrassing inability to acquire the source of power.

That was three months ago, and now, bringing the full weight of the Empire down upon this mysterious world, a being of unbelievable corpulence had a shuttle bring the Dark Lord of Gluttony to the surface of the world; the very atmosphere crushing down around his presence. A ramp opens and touches down to the ashy ground of the burning "dread" moon. A regular clatter reverberates against the metal surface, as an immense form ekes out of the shade of darkness into the molten light of Oricon's volcanic atmosphere. Draped in the fine silk of stitched souls, the undeniable "nethermancer" sneered at the unease the world set upon itself, with its blue haze contrasting with its magma. Two, thin looking figures (a Knight and Lord of the Sith) cloaked in a lesser robe of souls, stepped out from behind the Lord's shadow. These were the surviving Hungered Vassals which had visited this world investigating the disappearance of their Starved Subjects.

"Lead the way, Vassals," Voracitos said sharply, his Throne carrying him across the surface both mechanically and through the support of repulsorlifts beneath him. As the Lord of Gluttony followed his two Hungered Vassals, a dozen shuttles circled the sky, each landing carefully around their leaders own vessel, each carrying a dozen of the Lord's personal Starved Subjects. The Empire's 'advance' parties were notified of his encroaching presence.

The Coven of Gluttony had arrived on Oricon, and they were hunting in the presence of their Lord and Master...

 

[Jairdain]

Objective: Her own
Post: 2
Possible people near her: [member="Bo Lin"] [member="Darth Venefica"]

Having once traversed the halls the Dread Palace, Jairdain knew well of the dangers inside. The creatures that had been corrupted millennia ago and then their offspring continued that line on. When she had been here before, she had a companion with her. This time she was alone or she thought so at least.

The creeping shadows didn't bother or disturb the blind woman, but the corruption that was so deep in the structure did. It called to her, wanted her to return, to embrace it again. She placed a barrier around herself and strode in through the ruined doors. The atmosphere pushed down on her, since she no longer followed the dark path, it felt that much worse on her. The light within her fought back and rebelled.

Taking a moment, she closed her eyes and focused...more out of habit than real need. Pushing away the dark that was trying to draw her in, she opened them and reached out with the Force. She searched for the artifacts, if there were any of Calphayus. There was an entity she felt here, something secret and hidden. Following her intuition, she ignited her magenta blade to fight off anything of the corrupted creatures that might dare fight her.

 

[Arken Lussk]

Objectives 1 & 3

A shiver ran down his spine. With that blood-curdling message returned sensations from his encounters with the others before; Sithspawn. Horrendous homunculi born of darkness and malice, flesh and bone that had been wrought solely to rend and rip apart their foes. It wasn't their appearance nor their strength that frightened the young man. It was their organic nature wholly. Cold steel and mechanized might was far more comforting, easy to bend beneath one's will and even easier to manipulate.

Creatures of flesh and blood were different.

Whatever they were, Sithspawn or not, he would eradicate them.

Arken's lips peeled back into a snarl. "Send them more capable troops."

A bridge officer who'd been waiting patiently immediately relayed the order and began to deploy his mechanized infantry. Fearless, unfeeling warriors that would exterminate this fetid tide of vermin with cold precision. Smiling contentedly to himself, Arken shifted his focus to a task far more benign: the transformation of this world. A useless husk of magma into a fortified haven of industrial might.

"Get me Jaeger!" He barked

He strode towards the center of the bridge, tightly clasping his hands behind the small of his back as the company's CEO materialized before him.

"Master Slave," he grinned at the oxymoron, "The waystations are deploying as we speak. When shall we take to the surface?"


[member="The Slave"], [member="The Matador"], [member="Darth Voracitos"],

[OOC: In regards to my LOA, the Slave has permission to write out the actions of Arken and Aegis Systems efforts if he so chooses to.]