Junction The Price of Order | GE & THR | Corellia & Hosnian Prime

[Cynan Obaith]

Objective: 1
Outfit: Duster Jacket suit
Allies: Dominique Vexx | Aurelian Veruna | Elian Abrantes | Ayumi Pallopides
Opposition: Aparitae Desyk | Redak Boyd

Cynan nodded his head to the chancellor, "they will be discreet and they know the risks. I am not seeking notoriety as a spymaster or rebel master. Their priority will be humanitarian aid, anything else gathered is just a bonus." He was determined to keep the face of someone whose main priority was the safety of civilians, improving their care and allowing them to live as normal lives as they can. "I am glad we agree on this chancellor and I will ensure that my workers will do the best that they can to demonstrate your desires and priority in this matter." The Republic needed to be seen as the ones who came to the aid of citizens in and outside of their territory.

Looking over to the king of Naboo, Cynan did not enjoy the ways that he spoke of the Jedi. It was something they felt very different around. Cynan saw the Jedi as still people, beings who needed support and to feel taken care of. Not mere pawns or assets to be used and ignored. The High Republic would not have grown without the Jedi, they coordinated things from the start on Naboo. To merely abuse their goodwill and desires to fight oppression, it seemed like a misstep towards enacting the errors of the Galactic Alliance.

"We need to make a very public, very loud message about our stand against this. Words need to be strong, unwavering and followed by hard action. If you truly wish for people to remember who fed them, who cared for them then they need to know that we are the ones who will rescue them." Cynan stated to Aurelian. His eyes sharp, he knew the king had other concerns but this was not a matter that had to be moved past. "You also need to treat the Jedi with more respect, no matter your issues or concerns with them. War is coming, whether we start it or not and we are not surrounded by allies right now so do not push a powerful force within our walls away. The Galactic Alliance did that once and they fell very quickly after."

Cynan took a bow respectfully low to both the chancellor and the king, "I will take my leave and begin organising a stronger humanitarian aid mission for my people. If either of you need me or wish to talk with me about things, I am available and open ears." He gave them both a friendly, respectful smile before turning to leave.

 

[Malcolm Ironmaster]

Objective: 2 - Protect the Protesters
Ally: Lily Decoria
Opposition: Sid Berik

The tension of the standoff was palpable as the Jedi Master stood defensively between the stormtroopers and the protestors, quietly reciting a mantra which kept him centered in the Force: "I am one with the Force and the Force is with me. I will fear nothing, for all is as the Force wills."

Any governmental force that would fire upon those it claimed to rule was, at least in Malcolm's mind, not worthy of the power they exerted. An ancient recording from the years leading up to the Battle of Yavin came to mind: "The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks. It leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear." Which gave him an idea. Tapping his comlink, he spoke on Republic channels. "Can someone access an ancient file and play it in the square? I'm thinking Nemik's The Trail of Political Consciousness."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Lord Obaith," Dominique turned slowly to face the man as he thought to part, "you are well aware of the facts, but please convey to those that volunteer that whatever they may think, and whatever they may think they see or hear, know this: there are many ways to win a battle. Not all of them involve blasters and lightsabers. This Republic will not abandon the people of Corellia. Though it may take days, months, or even years our hand will remain extended to them in partnership and friendship through it all."

There was a brief pause before she smiled. "Like you, we don't do this for recognition. The many accomplishments and sacrifices needed to see this through will go largely unrecognized except in grand, but generalized acknowledgement they occurred. And all we can offer those that do this for what is right and good is the promise to back them wherever, how ever, and by whatever means we can."

With that, she gave him a slight nod to offer him the chance to continue on his way.

The lilac-haired woman turned slowly around to regard Aurelian for a moment. "As Sovereign of Naboo, you're committing your world to the cause for the duration? A Chancellor could hardly ask for better company." What was wrong in finding a little mirth in the man singularly committing to supporting the cause in addition and apart from the Republic as a whole? "Fortunately, you won't stand alone."

As the man was soon taken by the feeds from afar, Dominique turned back to another present on the command deck. "Ayumi, let's leave the King to monitor the situation for a moment. Join me, won't you?" A smile graced her lips as she stepped away from where Aurelian stood, pensively awaiting news.

"Humanitarian efforts aside, Corellia has always been a valuable trading partner with Denon. A competitor at times, especially in shipbuilding, but an undisputed member of the galactic market and trade network. I need our slicers and operatives to learn how today's events came to be. Not that the Empire's Intelligence Branch was involved -- that much is certain -- but who the collaborators were, what they received in exchange, and where the lynch pins to the Empire's authority in this system rests. Lord Obaith may not wish to be known as a spymaster, but that's no reason for us not to engage in reconnaissance for an effective counter response."

Dominique paused to regard Ayumi for a moment. "In fact, I could use your assistance offering Denon's support in rebuilding in the aftermath. An olive branch to show both our governments seek only what is best openly and without subterfuge. They may refuse, gnashing teeth over optics or suspicion of our intent, but that's no reason not to try. The people do deserve to do more than languish in the burnt out ruins of what is left behind. Just don't sell the Empire some of your more... notable technologic achievements." The last thing they needed to do was export her fabrication technology to the Empire. What it produced, possibly, but not the 'engine' itself.

Aurelian Veruna | Ayumi Pallopides | Cynan Obaith​

 

[Feng Huang]

TAG: Da'Razel Aiden Porte Mishel Abel Denko Alina Grayson​

Feng was angry and she was sad, she wanted to scream and cry, she wanted to rage and smite. She wanted righteous retribution. The only thought that stopped her was, that's exactly what these cultists thought they were doing. It was a stark realisation that this was where absolutism righteousness lead. To tyranny, oppression, murder and eventually genocide. It was almost enough to make Feng question if there was any justice, true justice in the galaxy. As shes thought it the counter thought came. Justice is delivered by people, perhaps they could be guided by the Force, but they couldn't be used by the Force.

The only protection, the only justice, the only freedom that could be delivered for these people were through them. The Jedi. Not because they were some sort of holy order with divine righteousness on their side, but because they were the only ones who could.

Feng was angry at the politicians for allowing it to get this far. She knew logically the High Republic was outnumbered by too many evil factions of the galaxy. This Empire was only the latest in a long list. What was the point of a power of the galaxy that stood for freedom who did nothing to confront evil. There was no other word for it. Killing for the sake of killing out of some twisted desire to serve a cult.

She may not be able to save all of them, but the ones she could save she would. Feng knew some Jedi her Master Wu among them would find some way to pity their enemy, mostly there state of mind angered Feng, then made her wary.

Feng listened to her fellow Jedi. Fellows in truth in the face of this massacre, her rank not a sub position in this moment. They declared their intent, countered their enemies proclamations. Feng did not bother. She breathed deep and harnessed the Force. Her lightsaber ready, her stance in position she leapt into the fray.

The fire proved a challenge. They were more unpredictable than blaster bolts. Feng used her saber to channel the force, flicking her saber in a Makashi riposte as she harnessed a Force push to spin it in a counter dispersing the flame. She cut down the cultist quickly, efficiently, looking for weak points in their armor.

They flinched and withdrew. Feng didn't take the bait. Returning to the line of Jedi she prepared ready to fend off the next attack. How she wanted to cut a swathe through the enemy. She felt a passionate detachment letting her rage give her focus, restraining it with mental discipline, not giving in to the emotion.

"They're maintaining position. We should get who we can to safety." Feng suggested her voice calm, precise, measured, controlled with barely a quiver of rage.

Save who you can, or you won't save anyone.

 

[Dillon Kai'el]

Corellia, Objective II
Tags: Shade

​

"I will not interfere with your choices," she said. "But I will move to keep this from becoming ten different disasters instead of one."

"You keep saying that, but I do not think you understand what we're walking into. There's more than ten disasters out there. There are thousands. Each one has a beating heart in it."

Everything was about to go down. As Dillon walked, distant storm troopers used megaphones to send their voices out to crowds, threatening them with lethal force if they did not scatter. The fleets of the Galactic Empire and High Republic began to prepare for the first engagement of combat. In an instant the decision was clear: War. Conflict had erupted, and now Corellia would once more be a sacred battlefield.

As it had many times before.

Lily Decoria , Malcolm Ironmaster , Abel Denko , Aiden Porte , Alina Grayson , Wuxia Wukong , Feng Huang , Mishel , Cerys Dyn , Balun Dashiell

Dillon cracked his neck and began to stretch. Then he let the old power fill his body once more. Battle Meditation, the ancient art that had been taught to him by his father five-thousand years ago. The ancient Jedi Master let the Force's will be heard through him, a beacon of light.

"Force give you strength, young ones," He spoke, hoping that his voice may be carried by the wind to those who felt the Force's call.

With that, Dillon turned his head. An Imperial star destroyer loomed above. He pointed up at it to direct Shade's attention to it,

"That is our target," Dillon stated, a grin spreading across his face. "Ever participated in piracy before?"

 

[Wuxia Wukong]

[/center

TAG: Da'Razel Aiden Porte Mishel Abel Denko Alina Grayson​

Wuxia was worried, he could sense the turmoil in Feng's heart. The rage at the suffering of others. The passion that combat brought out in her. He wanted to reach out to her to warn her, yet knew it would only come out as chastisement. In her current state he'd have to take her aside to reach her, a dangerous option given the threats they faced. Wu felt like he was having to decide between Feng's body and her soul.

Yet despite all of those conflicting feelings both within Feng and himself she seemed… controlled. As if she was using the rage to focus her discipline. Wu did not know if that was a dark side technique or not it sounded perilously similar to their philosophies. Wu had never attempted to emulate them to test the theory. For him it was unnecessary. Wu however knew of other Jedi who focused their inner passions to help others. He had even met some.

Perhaps that was Feng's path. All Wu could do was guide her as best he could, he believed he had done so, not without sacrifice. Here he was engaging in a battle between powers. A worthy battle, but a battle nonetheless. Wu tried not to do that lightly.

Wu sighed. Then his heart leapt in his throat as Feng leapt forward, he gathered in his staff to join her her, protect her. Just as quickly she was back with the line of Jedi. Wu breathed a sigh of relief.

This was dangerous his mind was consumed with worry for his padawan even as people who needed his protection were suffering. Wu tried to realign his mind to the current issue with mental technique, as he extended his senses to feel the cultists intent. Some would call it tactical, for Wu it was searching for a reason to find the life in his enemy, so that when he took it he could regard it with the proper respect that the act of taking a life requires.

They were in pain. So much pain that they had twisted their beliefs to inflict pain on others. They were certain in their beliefs that alone made them dangerous. That there beliefs centred on inflicting suffering more so. Suffering they themselves experienced. Whether they knew it or not. In Wuxia's experience those who inflicted pain had their own souls suffering deep down.

"You are in pain. I will attempt to give you some peace. I offer you this last chance, do not do this, do not waste life your own or others. Lay down your arms."

Wu did not have much hope that they would listen, but it was a good reminder that a Jedi's purpose was to preserve life not take it mindlessly. A reminder for himself as much as Feng.​

 

[Malcolm Ironmaster]

Objective: 2 - Protect the Protesters
Ally: Lily Decoria
Opposition: Sid Berik

Malcolm spoke to his droid. "DR-10N, access the audio recording of The Trail of Political Consciousness and tap into public address systems to broadcast over public channels," he said without taking his eyes off the stormtroopers.

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Dominique Vexx

Ayumi looked at Dominique and gave a nod of her head when the chancellor was stepping away. She gave a small look as she was walking and listening. Intent on it as she understood the chance being given... and warning. "Understood. We'll extend a hand hopefully to help rebuild and feed the people. We can do it with a lot more in stores then technology. We'll just give coordinates to an out of the way agricultural moon." She shrugged while she was walking though but her earring interface glowed blue. Showing the overlay for herself as the pilots would be able to head down and offer what they could. "We have been working overtime to create more stores as there are more raising governments."

Ayumi said it while she was moving though and held a hand out while her overlay projected for Dominique. "We can start right away though, the Lightwire." She said the name in referring to District 34 which had been seeing many of those who might have been preyed upon by Darkwire and exploited taught to use their skill with slicing for the benefit of Denon. "They have been being taught and trained and prepared for this day or at least that is the goal. The first classes are still learning and building up the skills or talents needed but we have the numbers for some things others do not." She said it but offered another smile as she stood there. "So despite everything chancellor, it was looking to be a lovely evening before all of the Imperrials and posturing."

 

[Shade]

Shade did not slow when Dillon spoke of thousands of disasters.

If anything, her pace stayed even, deliberate, calibrated to the chaos beginning to coil through the streets around them. The sound of megaphones cut through the air, sharp and impersonal, threats amplified until they felt almost abstract. Almost. She could hear the panic beneath it, the uneven cadence of a city realizing it had run out of time.

When he invoked the Force, when that ancient weight settled and spread outward, she felt it register like pressure rather than comfort. Not unwelcome. Simply present. She acknowledged it with a slight inclination of her head, neither resisting nor leaning into it.

When Dillon pointed skyward and asked his question, Shade followed his gesture, her gaze lifting to the Star Destroyer hanging above Kor Vella like a blade suspended by a thread. Its silhouette dominated the sky, angular and absolute, a promise of order enforced by annihilation.

She answered without humor, without awe.

"Piracy is not something I have participated in before," Shade said evenly.

She let her eyes remain on the ship for a moment longer, tracking the subtle repositioning of its superstructure, the readiness encoded into every visible line.

"But disruption is," she continued, her voice steady beneath the distant roar of the crowd. "And so is operating in environments where labels stop being useful."

Her attention returned to Dillon then, not questioning his intent, not challenging his choice, simply aligning herself to the reality of it.

"If your definition of piracy is denying an occupying force its advantage," she said calmly, "then the distinction is academic."

Another shout echoed through the streets. Somewhere nearby, something shattered.

"You are right about one thing," Shade added, her tone unchanged. "There are more than ten disasters unfolding here. That is precisely why they cannot be allowed to overlap."

She shifted her stance slightly, adjusting to the movement of people around them, already accounting for trajectories, lines of fire, and places where panic would collapse inward.

Her eyes lifted once more to the destroyer, then back to him.

"If you intend to strike that target," Shade continued, "I will move to ensure the ground does not tear itself apart while your attention is elsewhere."

No bravado. No vow. Just intent, stated plainly.

"Tell me where you are going to draw their eyes," she finished quietly. "So I can make sure the rest of the city survives the moment you do."

War had arrived. Shade did not romanticize it. She prepared to contain it.
Dillon Kai'el

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Location: Kor Vella
Interacting with: Remowa
Nearby somewhere: Cassian Abrantes | Bastila Sal-Soren
Items: x x x x x
NPCs: Lady Marthis Deyn Corellian noble (dead), Council Member Ralo Venn (dead), Director Calon Prex, the Civic administrator of Kor Vella - (dead)


One moment Sibylla was standing her ground amid fire and smoke, the next the air screamed as her personal shield flared violently red, its hum spiking into a warning shriek that barely finished before the way the Chiss struck made it hit. Pain exploded across her face in a blinding flash, stealing her breath as the world lurched sideways.

She cried out despite herself.

Blood followed immediately, blood spilling down her cheek and into her eye. Her hand flew up on instinct, fingers pressing against her face as her knees buckled. The smell of smoke mixed with iron, her sight blurring as adrenaline slammed through her veins hard enough to make her tremble. She staggered, catching herself against the table, breath coming in ragged pulls as the room spun.

"Sibylla, can you hear me?!"

Cassian's insistent, worried voice cut through the chaos in her ear, distant at first, like it was underwater.

Was the woman still here? Was she about to be struck by a lightsaber? Sibylla tried to look around, searching, but could not locate the woman nor her security detail. Had they left?

It took her a second too long to answer. Her thoughts scattered, pain pulsing with every heartbeat. When she finally fumbled for her comm, her fingers came away red, slick with blood, shaking so badly she nearly dropped it.

"I am here. I need... I need immediate evacuation and a medic," she finally uttered out, hoping that Cassian would be able to reach her. "Dark Side Elite forces were just here...."

Her legs threatened to give out again. She turned slowly, dizzy, scanning the smoke-filled chamber with one eye clear and the other burning, searching for blue skin and glowing red eyes.

Nothing.

Only fire.

But she couldn't stop here. She had to relay what happened in the event that ... lips pursed and pain lanced through her again.

Focus, focus.

Again, her trembling hand activated the holorecording, attempting to record and send another encrypted message to Aurelian Veruna and Dominique Vexx .

What they would see would be an image of Sibylla holding a bloody hand over her face, coughing and breathing hard as the burning haze drew near in the background.

Imperial...Darkside Elite...Found us.

Sibylla gasped, forcing the words past clenched teeth. Speaking hurt. Everything hurt.

We were attacked... the Corellian officials...were killed...

Her breath hitched as she swallowed against the pain.

There is a fire burning the city fast --

The holographic recording cut out.

Flames battered the outside of the building now, heat pressing in as black smoke curled along the ceiling, and bodies lay where they had fallen. The heavy suffocating silence Remowa left behind was worse than her presence, a reminder of how easily she had discarded them all.

Sibylla slid slightly down against the wall until she caught herself, still on her feet but barely, one hand pressed hard to her bleeding face, the other clutching the comm like a lifeline. Fear clawed at her spine with icy claws, but beneath it something harder took hold.

She was alive.

That was all that mattered.

And she had to get out.

 

[Sid Berik]

​

ENEMY UNITS: CIVILIAN DEMONSTRATORS l Lily Decoria l Kuhbee l Malcolm Ironmaster
FRIENDLY UNITS: Lee Redmond

THEATER:

Corellia

FRIENDLY CV: UNKNOWN TERRAIN, SUSCEPTIBLE TO AMBUSHES, ROE, OVERWHELMING ENEMY FORCE
ENEMY TCV: COMMAND AND CONTROL VULNERABILITY, LACK OF TRAINING, LACK OF COHESION, LOGISTICS, LACK OF FIREPOWER, TACTICALLY INFERIOR
OBJECTIVE: RIOT CONTROL/ THREAT DETERMENT

YOU WERE WARNED​

For just a moment, as Lily projected her barrier, as the Jedi stepped in, there was silence. The company of Stormtroopers- some 200, led by Sid, were in statue-esque silence. Total obedience. Total loyalty. No questioning of orders. No dereliction of duty. No flinching. No moral shortcomings. They were facing a threat greater than anything they'd ever known: Jedi leading dissenters.

They were given chance after chance.

They were told to leave.

They were told to disperse.

They wanted to test the might of the Empire? Of the Emperor, eternal and proud?

Sid looked at his squad leaders, and nodded. His helmet distorted his words, basic scrambled and inhuman as he spoke once more, out loud. His voice carried over the tense silence.

░"░O░P░E░N░ ░F░I░R░E░.░"░


It became not a war, not a firefight. Not a shootout, not a challenge of might and skill. But a massacre. Civilians, bolstered by the Jedi's presence, underestimated the resolve and might of the Empire. And they suffered from it. The Stormtroopers stepped forward, and opened fire at Sid's command. Two-hundred troops began firing without hesitation. Lethal accuracy, lethal precision and lethal training displayed. Red blaster bolts descended against Lily's barrier, but it failed to protect the entirety of the crowd. Civilians died en masse from the first volley. Blaster bolts impacted Lily's barrier. But the Stormtroopers pressed on. Sid turned his head, instructing the squad leaders on a terrifying new tactic:

A brief pause in the fire, just two seconds.

Then, over the top of the line of Stormtroopers-

A shower of grenades. They threw them indiscriminately, without warning or without care. All who wanted to test the might of the Empire would find their strength not wanting. The grenades landed at the feet, around Lily, around the other Jedi. On a three second timer, they were preparing to explode. The first ones thrown began to do just that-

And there were a lot of them to start exploding.

A symphony of violence, a cacophony of death and destruction. Not a second wasted on speeches, movement, grandstanding. Lethal precision that only Stormtroopers could provide.

​

 

[Malcolm Ironmaster]

Objective: 2 - Protect the Protesters
Allies: Lily Decoria , Kuhbee
Opposition: Sid Berik

While the force field still held against blasters, Malcolm heard the sound of thermal detonators being activated. "Oh, kriff," he cursed quietly, turning his attention to the volley of grenades. He reached out with the Force and started deflecting detonators back towards their senders, falling back towards the crowd to slice any grenades that he missed.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Objective: 2 - Protect the protestors
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Ally: Malcolm Ironmaster
Opposition: Sid Berik

The barrier did as well as it could to deflect and block the blaster fire that came from dozens of soldiers. It wasn't a perfect defence and Lily could only hope that the other Jedi was doing similar work in presenting a strong defence. To Lily, it was crucial that they demonstrated that this was nothing more than protecting the lives of civilians. She was not here to instigate a war, and she was not here to cut down stormtroopers. Not today. There would be another day, soon, where they would face the consequences of their actions.

When she noticed they were grabbing grenades ready to throw, Lily allowed her barrier to break. Pooling the Force energy in her left hand as she deflected as much blaster fire as she could. There were no acceptable losses and this was not the situation that Lily had wanted to be in. Her job had been just ensuring that a protest went without incident and the stormtroopers decided that their fingers were too trigger happy and massacring innocent civilians.

As explosions occurred in the fleeing crowds of civilians, Lily built the energy in her hand and then grunted as she stepped forward with great effort. From her hand came a powerful blast in the Force, a wave of Force energy that would knock the grenades back into the crowd of stormtroopers as well as knock the stormtroopers down themselves. A move that wasn't aiming to cause massive harm, but to provide time and relief to the innocent civilians who were fleeing the area.

"We cannot fight them all. This is the best that I can do for now, we need to leave." Lily called out to the other Jedi. There was only so much one could do against a number of soldiers like this.

 

[Malcolm Ironmaster]

Objective: 2 - Protect the Protesters
Ally: Lily Decoria
Opposition: Sid Berik

Malcolm nodded and turned his head slightly toward the crowd. "Alright, citizens, if you're not already running, we need to move, now," he called out firmly but calmly. "We Jedi will do our best to protect your retreat, but without reinforcements, too many of you will die before we can drive the stormtroopers back." He used the Force to deflect thermal detonators and his lightsaber to deflect as many blaster shots as he could, and activated his comlink. "This is Master Malcolm Ironmaster to all Republic and Jedi forces on or above Corellia. The stormtroopers have resumed firing on unarmed protesters. The other Jedi here, whose name I've not learned yet, my droid companion, and I are working to evacuate the protesters with minimal loss of life, but we could use some backup."

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

The heat shifted first a change in the pressure of the room so sudden that the clone felt it through his armor; a dense, suffocating weight that rolled in ahead of any sound, like a stormfront slamming into open ground. His grip tightened on his rifle by instinct alone, visor flicking as his HUD recalibrated for a threat that hadn’t yet appeared.
Then the smoke parted.

It wasn’t blown aside by heat or a concussive force, no it was drawn towards something entering the space with intent, folded inward, as if the air itself had been seized and commanded to make space.

An unmistakable low hum cutting through the crackle of burning debris, purple light cutting through the haze.

Bastila Sal-Soren stepped through the entryway like an answer to violence itself, her lightsaber alive in her hand, its glow painting the ruined chamber in bruised violet. Her silhouette framed in violet glow and drifting embers. The Force coiled around her openly now, surged around her unrestrained, no longer held behind discipline or doctrine, it was not wild, but it was absolute. It was protective and she was furious.

She didn’t rush. She didn’t need to. Everything else slowed around them instead.

Her gaze snapped immediately to Sibylla as she entered the room, through the smoke, through the blood and the pain.

How dare they. How dare anyone lay hands on her.

Loken realized as he moved in behind the Jedi, with a flicker of something dangerously close to awe, that she hadn’t even looked for Sibylla.

She already knew where she was.

Bastila’s eyes had found Sibylla instantly, cutting through smoke and fire with brutal precision. Blood on her face. Her stance barely holding. Pain radiating off her in sharp, uncontrolled spikes that made Bastila’s jaw tighten.

For half a heartbeat, the air in the room felt colder for everyone and Loken couldn’t help but feel that it was radiating from the Jedi.

Bastila stepped forward and placed herself squarely between Sibylla and the open chamber, saber angled low, free hand loose at her side. The posture was not defensive.

It was territorial.

Loken moved on instinct, dropping beside Sibylla as if the Force itself had shoved him there. He keyed his medkit open, hands suddenly aware that they were operating inside the gravity well of something vast and focused.

“Identify.” he said, voice firm, grounding in standard Republic protocol. “Bastila she’s in bad shape, we need to go.”

He applied sealant to Sibylla’s cheek, the bacta hissing softly as it bonded. Blood slowed. The smell of iron began to fade beneath sterilant and smoke.

Behind the clone, Bastila was pacing.

Not back and forth but around; like a caged beast.

She circled the chamber slowly, boots crunching glass, saber tracing lazy arcs through the air as her senses pushed outward, probing walls, the doorways, the broken ceilings. The echoes of Dark Side presence recoiled under her attention, their residue skittering away like vermin exposed to light.

Echoes of violence clung to the walls, the sharp, arrogant imprint of Dark Side presence retreating, satisfied enough to leave destruction behind. The Force recoiled at it, still trembling where it had been torn open. She tested corners with her presence alone, pushing outward, daring anything left to show itself.

Nothing did, it was gone, only just but gone.

Good. She stood unmoving; like a sentinel, blade humming, eyes sharp and unblinking as a hunting cat.

“Aurelian,” she said quietly directly into her vambrace, without looking at Sibylla or Loken, “I have her.”

It wasn’t a reassurance to the King or even to the Republic. It was merely a statement of fact. Loken had moved up and moved to the others in the room, even if just for clarification. They both knew they couldn’t stay here long, the Empire would pinpoint this area soon.

Let them try.

She was here now.

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: Sibylla Abrantes Loken Cassian Abrantes Aurelian Veruna Dominique Vexx EQUIPMENT:

​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes Bastila Sal-Soren Loken Dominique Vexx Aurelian Veruna

​

Cassian did not ask what happened.

He took one look at Sibylla, blood on her face, her balance hanging by a thread and then at the chamber itself. The scorch marks. The stink of burnt air. The way the air felt wrong even to someone without Bastila's senses. And the bodies.

Councilmembers, sprawled where they had fallen, still in the shapes of their last, futile moments.

It was all the explanation he needed.

He crouched beside Sibylla just long enough for her to see him, for her to know he was here, whatever comfort that was. His voice stayed low, steady, the tone he used when he could not afford to let emotion steer the room.

His eyes flicked to where Bastila stood like a blade given a heartbeat, and to Loken's hands working with practiced speed. Cassian's jaw tightened, not at them, but at the fact that they had been necessary.

Then he rose and turned to the squad he had arrived with, his authority snapping into place. "Clear the way back to the dropship," Cassian ordered. "Move civilians if they're in the lane and don't let anyone break formation."

His people moved immediately, fanning out with crisp discipline, one team taking point, another anchoring the corridor, boots crunching glass as they made a path through smoke and wreckage.

Cassian took a steady breath, then planted himself at the rear like a hard stop.

"I'll cover our back," he added, eyes fixed on the broken entrances and the dark corners where threats liked to hide.

He looked to Bastila and Loken, meeting them both in a single, decisive glance.

"Get her out of here," Cassian said, voice flat with urgency. "Go."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Just make sure the Imperials keep their hands to themselves." Dominique was about to supply them free goods to claim to be caring for the people. Given how freely they were setting fire to the city, she doubted they'd "waste" many resources helping people recover from these traumatic events. Unless they thought they were being given the means to do so. No, better that Denon be the one benefiting here -- and by extension the Republic. Denon could use the good public relations.

Golden eyes regarded Ayumi for a moment before she gave a slight nod. "Have their instructors keep the backtrace from fingering their location. Experience will do them a lot of good, but the Imperials slicers won't be easy fodder." A hell of a first mission to send someone on, but she'd put her trust in the program that had been developed. Ambitious slicers had to learn how to surf the holonet on their own eventually.

The Chancellor turned her attention to the side and stepped over toward a console. Her golden eyes fell to the screen as another message came in.

"Director," Dominique's voice remain placid, "about what I said before? A million credits to the one that finds a way to apprehend an Imperial Darkside Elite. Once Sibylla is back aboard we should have more information to enable that hunt." They would retrieve the Voice of Naboo, obviously. No doubt. The Chancellor would be awaiting that word.

In the meantime, she turned back to Ayumi without a smile on her lips. "How many and what type of ship did you bring to Corellia, Director?" If those Imperials thought that cordon was going to keep Sibylla trapped down there, or if they opened fire on that ship, they were going to be ready.

Ayumi Pallopides | Aurelian Veruna | Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Dominique Vexx

She listened and gave a small nod. "I brought one of our Military Transports, good size for getting around at least until the first generation is completed from the Sunwire." She said it and the massive shipyards that had been conceived by Dominique were becoming a reality... just on a different scale as it was central to the system itself. She was looking at it with her interface as she spoke. "We have a plan. Go down there and we are trading. Break open the supply stores and give relief supplies in exchange for people where you can." She said it and there were confirmations from the pilots and crew who were understanding. THey were faster and the car'das made micro jumps easier and faster.

"I only brought the one chancellor, it didn't seem like a small fleet would be needed or several ships. We were just going to be coming here peacefully. Maybe have a chance to see some of the local flare, sample the wine, women and song." Ayumi said it with a small look when she was listening and it was partially to lighten the mood but not meant to distract from the seriousness of it. She was needing to get the ship down there as the pilots acknowledged that they had their orders and were preparing. The shielding for it would be pretty strong as well as its armor but she would be able to get them down there and to Sibylla Abrantes hopefully.

She gave a look as the transport was moving to head out, her pilots talking but they were also rushing down as much as they could.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Location: Kor Vella
Cassian Abrantes Bastila Sal-Soren
Items: x x x x x
NPCs: Lady Marthis Deyn Corellian noble, Council Member Ralo Venn, Director Calon Prex, the Civic administrator of Kor Vella

Pain came in waves, each one blurring the edges of the world.

The first thing Sibylla registered was the shift in the air. It was as if her nerves were humming, and even through the crimson stain of blood and smoke, she swiveled her head towards something entering the chamber. Violet light bled into her vision, the image fractured by haze and fire, and for a second, Sibylla moved her bloody hand to the pocket of her dress that would have her hidden blaster pistol. She refused to be taken out without fighting back, and just as she moved to snap the blaster pistol up, the chaos seemed to recoil just enough to breathe again.

Bastila.

Sibylla knew the presence more than the person, a force that pressed outward with purpose and protection. It steadied the room, if only a little, and her hand fell, relief flooding her, attempting to breathe through the pain.

Then Cassian dropped into her line of sight. Cassian.

The familiar shape of him cut through the smoke like a handhold. She tried to focus on his face, but her vision swam the room tilting no matter how hard she willed it to stay still, blood dripping hot against her skin.

She heard movement next. Orders. The cadence of soldiers doing exactly what they had been trained to do.

Good. That was good.

Hands were at her cheek now, oh... it was Loken. The hiss of sickly sweet bacta sealant burned as it bonded, but she flinched despite herself, gritting her teeth.

"Dark Side Elite," Sibylla murmured. "Chiss. She… she killed them."

The words came slower now, effortful, dragged up from somewhere deep and heavy.

"Tried to blame--" she continued, eyes unfocused as they drifted past Bastila's violet glow to the bodies on the floor. " -- blame the Republic. Me."

Her hand trembled as she tried to gesture, missing and instead catching Cassian's sleeve. She swallowed, throat tight, chest aching. The fire outside roared louder, or perhaps it was only the blood pounding in her ears.

"Said anyone found in communication..." Sibylla whispered, her voice thinning. "...or attempting to communicate with Dikut Pyrce will be... will be executed for treason."

The room felt colder suddenly. Or maybe that was just her.

She tried to say more, to warn them, to make sure every detail was accounted for, but the pain surged again, and she felt her vision dim at the edges, stars bursting across it.

It hurt.

But even as Cassian's voice reached her, the faint pinprick of a pain stim and sedative flowed through her and she could feel her consciousness slipping. Wait, Aurelian, she heard Bastila mention Aurelian.

Oh.

"Tell him I am ali--" alive, Sibylla tried to say, though it came out as little more than a breath.

She had done what he told her. Survived.

Then the darkness rushed in all at once in a merciful wave and the world went black.

~ Thread Exit ~​

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: OBJ I
Tags: Dominique Vexx | Ayumi Pallopides | Bastila Sal-Soren | Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian barely noticed the room anymore. Transports were moving. Evacuation corridors opened and closed in rapid succession. Names scrolled past him without weight. Opinions about Jedi filtered in and died unheard. He was already doing everything he could do, and that was never enough.

Then the holo came through. The image snapped to life above the console and the world narrowed to it. Sibylla. Blood on her face. Smoke behind her. Her breathing rough, uneven. Words cut in and out, broken by fire and interference. Dark Side. Officials dead. City burning.

Aurelian froze.

For a heartbeat he did not hear anything else. The bridge vanished. His pulse thundered in his ears, hot and violent. Anger surged so fast it left no room for thought, only instinct. Someone had touched her. Someone had hurt her.

The holo cut out.

"Kill them all," Aurelian said flatly.

The words landed like a dropped blade. An officer nearby turned, startled. "Sir?"

Aurelian spun on him, fury finally breaking free. "Fire on their fething ships, you moron," he shouted, voice raw. "Light them up. I want wreckage."

The officer hesitated and glanced toward the Chancellor. That was a mistake. Aurelian crossed the distance in two strides and seized the officer by the collar, yanking him forward until their faces were inches apart. The bridge went silent around them.

"Escalate this," Aurelian snarled. His grip tightened, knuckles white. "You think I care about optics right now? They struck a Republic envoy. They butchered civilians. They spilled her blood."

The officer swallowed hard, hands half raised. "Sir, Imperial deescalation orders are active. The Chancellor..."

"I don't give a damn," Aurelian cut in. His voice shook now, barely leashed. "They want restraint? They should have thought of that before they sent monsters planetside."

For a second he considered ordering the strike anyway, consequences be damned. War. Fire. Something to answer the image still burned behind his eyes. Then another channel broke through the noise.

"I have her." Bastila's voice. Calm. Certain.

Aurelian released the officer as if he'd suddenly remembered where he was. The man staggered back, breathing hard. Aurelian turned away, hands braced on the console again, jaw clenched tight enough to ache.

Alive, he told himself. She's alive. The word tasted like ash.

He keyed the channel, voice low and dangerous. "Get her out," he said. "Now."

​