The Silver Jedi Come (Dominion of Malachor V + Sith Order Rebellion)

[Haytham Kaze]

Silver Jedi Outpost; Korriban.
[member="Connor Harrison"]

What could the Jedi say that he could possibly care about? Joza? She had made her choice numerous times in the past. It was always the Jedi over him, he hadn't come to expect anything more from her. That was a choice he had come to terms with so long ago. He had Joza? His senses were attuned. He couldn't sense her here. There were no illusions as to where she was, Athyssius knew, not for certain, but he knew. She'd always come where the Sith were.

Athyssius knew.

Athyssius didn't care.

"Haytham is dead." He said drily. Didn't he understand that? "You're under an illusion if you think you possess, [member="Joza Perl"]," he said. There was a shaking of his head. "You have nothing that I can't take from you." Why was he even talking? The Jedi clearly didn't have a clue as to anything. But then there was a build up of the Force. The Dark Side of the Force. Just like when he had fought Darth Orcus. This Jedi was corrupt, simple as. He utilized the Dark Side of the Force as willy nilly as the Light. That's what he had tried to explain to Joza. The Silver Jedi were corrupt, false Jedi. He'd see them destroyed. One moment they carried the title of Jedi, the next, they trampled it underfoot.

The Silver Jedi were closer to being criminals than he would ever be.

At least, publicly.

The lightning struck him with full force. But he rooted himself with the Force. Where he likely would've been thrown off of the Jedi, he had braced for it. The faraday mesh of the armour protected him from the lightning. It coursed across the phrik plates moulded to his body, slipping past the plates, but they were met with the mesh that protected him. It redirected the lightning that would've otherwise burned through his armour. He was protected, the lightning didn't affect him, besides the random sparks that singed the edges of his hair and scratched at his face.

But the Jedi managed to scurry away from the Force net that slipping around him. Oh well.

"This victory is not meaningless." He strode forwards under the apparent onslaught of Sith Lightning, a single arm in place to cover his features. "That shows how little history you know, Jidai." He kept walking forwards.

"The second time I've seen you wield Sith Lightning, Jidai..." He said lowly. The first time was Ruusan before the group had been cast into the Netherworld. "Everyone knows it is a tool of the Sith... Personally, I've refrained from using it." Even if the Jedi was continuing his would be descent into the Dark Side with the Lightning, Athyssius's armour was smoking up from the lightning. "But... I've elected to show you how its done."

The Rifle was somewhere on the floor behind him. He'd collect it when he was done here.

Gathering the miniature Dark Side Nexus that the phrik armour was projecting around him, he drew on that, and the dark side nexus of the planet. He drew on his own strength in the Force. Both of his hands employed the Sith Lightning. Violent, malevolent, hungry, dark violet forks of lightning shot forth at the Jedi, threatening to stab into him with enough force to burn through him. They were deadset on the Jedi, intent on crisping him in the armour. Athyssius didn't want to kill the Jedi, he wanted to bring him to his knees, to force him to understand that the Silver Jedi could not win against the power of the Sith. Not on Korriban. Not anywhere.

If the Jedi was struck and disfigured, Athyssius would've personally sent him back to the Jedi. If he was a Master, he'd be important. His name would be known...

And the message...

Would be clear.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Location: Mateus-class fleet carrier - In orbit over Korriban
Objective: Reinforce SJ and provide cover for SJ ground reinforcements

Allies: [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Thoja Arlos"] [member=Syn] [member="Suravi Teigra"] [member=Jericho]
Enemies: [member=Munin] [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Sirella Valkner"]

Hangar:

• 60 T-70 X-Wings (deployed on surface)
• 60 TIE/rv Reaver bombers (deployed on surface)

"The tactical display has been repaired, captain. New friendly contacts are appearing on the screen"

"But also hostiles. [member="Darth Raxis"] commanding"

"All fighters accounted for"

"All units, provide air cover for our friends from the and for our bomber friends below"

"Roger"

Julie couldn't make it back to the hangar so she is forced to fight as a fighter pilot. Their target: the outer ring of defenses of Korriban City. But the bomber group, due to their relative slowness, was well outside laser-cannon range of their target. Also, they have realized that the enemy air forces are also well outside their own firing range. And the aerial clash shall come soon enough. Once the entire complement of the Mateus is down on the surface, the Mateus is on its own to defend against any enemy fleets: for some reason it has remained undetected from any enemy fleets. But it can't possibly be because they have jammed the enemy sensors; perhaps their own tactical display has broken down, much like the Mateus has. The best Charzon could hope for was for the Mateus and any pilots to stay alive. They were hammered in all directions on the ground, hopefully Charzon would be able to help soften their position from orbit. Yet orbital bombardment was rather inaccurate at those ranges.

"Do not drop bombs until we're in range from Korriban City! We're going to have company in about 2 minutes. Fighter squadrons, cover the bombers and protect them"

"Roger"

"Incoming droid starfighters!, ETA 1 minute and closing"

Meanwhile, the relief pilot tried its best at approximating what Julie would do at the Mateus' helm: the sort of maneuvers that would enable them to have one broadside trained at Korriban City, and the other trained at spaceside enemies. Of course, the relief pilot would have little idea of what doing these maneuvers actually involve - his idea of piloting a Star Destroyer amounts mostly to simply not hit into things and have point-defense fire on navigational hazards. The hypervelocity cannon being trained at Korriban City as well as all their port batteries, Charzon began an operation of barbary but she received reports that the Sith have fortified their position. And that, maybe, some of the anti-enemy aircraft missiles would instead be aimed at the Mateus if they have sufficient caliber. As the weapons were ready to fire and engage the enemy fortifications of Korriban City, at the risk of costing innocents, enemy forces are all over the city.

"I did what I could, captain. In times like these I hoped Julie would have been here rather than being a coffin jockey" the relief pilot told Charzon.

"It's a little weird that the enemy in space hasn't moved in to engage us. Commence orbital bombing of Korriban City! We shall make the Sith pay for their insolence!"

"Yes, captain"

WALLS OF KORRIBAN CITYf
NEARBY ALLIES: [member="Sirella Valkner"], [member="Matsu Xiangu"], [member="Enyo Typhos"], [member="Darth Gallus"], [member="Darth Vashti"], [member="Darth Eversor"], [member="Vulkan"], [member="Silas of Ossus"], [member="Darth Praetorias"]
NEARBY ENEMIES: Orbital bombardment from [member="Charzon Loulan"]
INCOMING ENEMIES: [member="Jericho"], [member="Syn"], [member="Suravi Teigra"]

Roughly a hundred and fifty turbolasers and a hypervelocity gun, he would learn later: the sum of the weaponry that the Silver Jedi's commander had turned on the city. Her name, he would learn, was Loulan: the Jedi protector of Ringo Vinda, some said. Others said she was a businesswoman. Either way, she'd just ordered the orbital bombardment of a city by a command carrier.

In the moment, of course, none of that mattered. All he knew was that a good chunk of the city, rather close to him, including a serious chunk of walltop, had just vaporized. And in fairness, he realized that after the fact as well, once he was already airborne. Some instinct and his mastery of the Dark Side had wrapped around him, protecting him in the critical instant. So far as he could tell, he'd fractured both legs when the walltop bucked; he landed very hard and rolled, screaming. His armored form plowed into a crumbling, burning apartment complex. Terror and pain assailed his mind from all sides. More turbolaser fire crashed down on Korriban City. More death filtered into his mind.

Slowly but surely, the Dark Master stripped off his wrist lanvaroks and began crawling toward the massive breach in the walls. Hate didn't even begin to define it.

 

[Sirella Valkner]

​

Location: Sith HQ, Korriban City, Korriban.
Allies: [member="Haytham Kaze"] | [member="Grimoire"] | [member="Matsu Xiangu"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Silas of Ossus"] | [member="Vulkan"] | [member="Seren Ordavo"] | [member="Darth Gallus"] | [member="Darth Praetorias"]

Enemies: [member="Dune Rhur"] | [member="Auron Song"] | [member="Jericho"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Suravi Teigra"] | [member="Charzon Loulan"]


Sirella felt the explosion before she heard it. Moving faster than the speed of sound the first projectiles and blaster bolts fired raining death and destruction upon the city. Great pyramids that had stood the test of centuries broke under the debris. Sirella stumbled trying to find the exit and get clear. Hundreds of weapons all deadly bore down on the city.

As Sirella tripped over a body she looked down and saw a child. He was dead and he wasn’t alone. In addition to temples and government facilities destroyed in the active bombardment was also schools, hospitals and homes. Thousands were dead or dying and more yet would remain displaced in the destruction caused by the Jedi.

It was an atrocity, a crime against sentients. Sirella moved to the now broken bridge and rolled down the embankment taking cover. Infamy in the highest regard. It would be repaid.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

Location: Korriban City
Nearby allies: [member="Sirella Valkner"], [member="Silas of Ossus"], [member="Darth Eversor"], [member="Vulkan"], [member="Darth Gallus"], [member="Darth Praetorias"], [member="Darth Vashti"], [member="Matsu Xiangu"]
Enemies: Orbital bombardment from [member="Charzon Loulan"]
Incoming enemies: [member="Syn"], [member="Jericho"], [member="Suravi Teigra"]


'Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.
Jedi respect life, in any form.
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.'


Thus it had been written once. Luke Skywalker had later modified these commandments a bit, but the basic gist remained. Evidently, these qualities were not reflected by the commander who ordered the bombardment. Everything happened so fast that it was like a blur. Swarms of droid fighters fell upon the Silvers' attack and bombing craft like ravenous hawkes, eager to sink their talons into the intruders.


Then suddenly fire and brimstone rained down from the sky when Silver warships, commanded by the Loulan, the Jedi Protector of Ringo Vinda, unleashed hellfire upon Korriban City. Roughly a hundred and fifty turbolasers and one hypervelocity gun joined in a chorus of destruction, an Illyric orgy of doom.


Evil did not merely come in black robes, red lightsabres and pale skin. It took many forms. Atrocities committed whilst the perpetrator was serene and convinced of their own righteousness were the worst.


Enyo was down on the ground, helping oversee the defences when the bombardment struck. Through macrobinoculars, she had been observing the efforts of Archangel and the Sith to achieve a clear air space.


"Black Squadron, move to intercept enemy craft in quadrant..." Then she felt, a mental warning in her mind. Perhaps it was instinct, perhaps it was the Force warning her. Either way, she looked to the sky and saw the coming inferno.


Moving faster than sound, projectiles and crimson beams of turbolaser fire rained down upon the city. The young clone ran, trying to escape the coming doom. Sheer rage and anger rose inside her, like bile. Until today, her investment in this jihad had been rather low. Indeed, she had no love for the Sith, they just happened to be the enemies of her enemy. However, that had changed now. The Jedi were not merely obstacles, they were hated, despicable enemies that needed to be purged with fire and steel. There was no 'good side'. Good and evil were merely platitudes tossed around to make yourself feel better.


Entire buildings, many of them ancient, were razed within the blink of an eye. Droids, Sith, soldiers, and common civilians were vaporised in an instant. However, most of the casualties would be local residents. Screams of pain were heard when people were buried under rubble. Korriban City was a backwater, but common people still lived there. People who had no part in the religious war between Jedi and Sith, but were now dying or getting their home destroyed.


"Enyo, come with me," one of her HRD companions tried to grab Enyo when she stumbled over debris and fell, seeking to guide her to cover so that Archangel's prize might be shielded from the bombardment. However, the clone saw a little boy standing there in the streets. His eyes were full of fear and terror, he seemed paralysed. Drawing upon her power, Enyo shook the droid off, and bolted, running towards the frozen child as if she'd taken leave of her senses.


"Move it, kid. Get out there now," she shrieked, putting the Force into her words as she sought to pull the boy out of his daze before pushing him away as another explosion shook the earth and tore through the ground, making a building crumble. The boy was knocked to the ground, but seemed to have at last recovered from his shock. Getting to his small feet, he ran.


Unfortunately, Enyo did not have the time to escape. She ran, but it was too little, too late. Hellfire engulfed her, searing agony sliced through her body when a massive explosion erupted. She was lucky not to be hit by a laser beam because then she'd have been vaporised, but that was small comfort. Debris buried the clone. Ouch.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Post IX
SJO HQ, Korriban
A: [member="Jericho"] [member="Syn"] [member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Auron Song"] [member="Suravi Teigra"] @Charzon Loudry
E: [member="Sirella Valkner"] [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Haytham Kaze"] (sorry Sith writers, there are a lot of you to remember, so you're all included if I forgot)

Back in the control room, the Bith was confronted with early estimates of the dead. Casualties caused by the Sith and their undead minions. Of course they'd somehow justify it with twisted logic while decrying the Jedi's own actions. When it came down to it, the Sith had begun the attack.

Therefore every dead child was lain at their feet. But few villains ever called themselves such because their ego wouldn't allow fault. Sometimes he had to admire Sith Lords like Carnifex who'd never seriously claimed to be a hero. He was evil but at least he was honest.

Fortunately the automated defenses had done their part to thin the hordes. He still wished none of this had ever happened. Each one of those numbers represented a life. A life snuffed out by beings full of selfish hypocrisy.

 

[Xevek Nekonis]

Location: Malachor V, Temple
Objective: Attemp to deliver Jedi to the God Nath (A.K.A: Fight the Jedi)
Enemies: [member="Matsu Ike"], [member="Claire Ouron"], [member="Undin Jaii Kryze"], [member="Celiana"], [member="Rasu Gan"], [member="Ar'ekk"]
Allies: N/A


Mouth twisted into a feral snarl of pure, if darkly tainted, joy and a hint of hunger, Xavka's Force cloaked form raced through the halls of the Temple, his features seemingly becoming more and more animalistic and beastly as he fell further and further into the yearning grasp of the feral instincts that lurked within him. His dark black cloak, nothing more than simple cloth that would provide no protection against the strike of a vibroblade let alone a lightsaber, rippled around his form, held in place only by the series of clasps hidden beneath that attached the fold of cloth to the simple and primitive leather armour that the Zabrak wore on his torso, as he moved along on all fours, claws digging into the stone flooring, and sometimes even onto the walls as he lurched around corners. Within his mind, Xavka was fixated on the fluctuating and flaring group of Presences gathered together in an isolated corner of the Temple as he determinedly wove his way through the Temple, focused on locating the group and leaving the smaller numbers he could sense for him to hunt down later.

In that moment, the mask of Darth Lykos did not exist, the mask of Ekk Triat did not exist nor did any of the other personas that Xavka had carefully crafted for himself. All that remained was Xavka Duquo of Clan Uiging, Son of Iridonia and her Deserts, as the Sith luxuriated in the feelings of hunting for his prey filled his form, calling forth memories of his Hunts alongside his Blood Kin and Clan Siblings, memories of his Res'selnoren, memories of his youth that still managed to warm the slowly hardening hearts of Xavka, no matter how far he sank into the Darkness that empowered him. He knew that a battle would soon confront him, that Xavka Duquo would once more need to be hidden behind his masks, become Darth Lykos once more, for it would be foolish and weak of him to allow any to glimpse his true self, but neither of those facts mattered in that moment as Xavka Duquo raced along, the thrill of the hunt singing in his veins as he fell back onto instincts carefully crafted in blood and hard work for these situation, planning out his actions.

Stopping within the hallway that would finally lead him to his quarry only a few minuets later, the blessing of empowering one's body with the Force allowing Xavka to close the distance quickly, Darth Lykos surged to the forefront of the Zabrak's mind as his eyelids slid close; concealing the single, burning, orange eye and the shadow filled, empty socket. With three harsh breaths through his nose, his features sharpened into focus as his eyelids snapped open as he surged forwards.

Within the space of time that it had taken him to take those three inhales, time seemed to slow to a halt as Xavka focused on the assault of information that surged into his brain as he analysed his scenting of the air and the feeling of the room beyond through the Force, ensuring to keep his Presence still concealed. First breath: musty dust, aged stone, rot, stale air, disturbed dust - fresh in the air, scents - six. Second breath: six scents; four female, two male. Third breath: four female, two males; majority human, adrenaline thick - reactions enhanced. Through the Force: wary, not prepared, unaware, locations mapped, two strong within the Force - more so than their peers. No, one aware, one sensing him, one of the Masters. Primary target.

Claws and cybernetic fingers pushed against the ground as Darth Lykos' low-lying form exploded forwards into a run, the doors in front of the charging Zabrak exploded inwards with a strong push of the Force as, at the same time, Lykos pumped the Force through his legs to leap into an abnormally long jump as his orat​ horns brushed against the top of the hallway, surpassing his physical limits, as he laid eyes upon the group of Jedi; his prey. His right arm whipped forwards and three throwing needles, that had previously been fastened under his forearm before he had slid them forwards into his grasp through a minor manipulation of the Force, cut through the air towards three of the four he had determined to be Padawans. As the thin pieces of metal left the range of the Force Cloak they would become visible to the Jedi if they happened to be looking directly at Lykos, the tips of the needles glittering as the limited light caught the paralytic poison that coated them.

Turning his attention away from the thrown needles, Lykos affixed his gaze to his primary target, the only Master to be a human female - he subconsciously noted the other to be a Mirialan - only to find that her gaze was following him exactly. As he noticed this, a feral snarl crossed his lips, baring blood stained teeth (an intimidation effect caused by Xavka's liking of raw and blue meats). Whether or not the female was seeing through his invisibility or somehow sensing him through the Force, Lykos was forced to consider the conflict that would occur between them, if he had his say at least, as happening with him in full visibility and, as such, reacted as he normally would.

​As he landed on his feet, Lykos pushed off again, once more empowering his leap with the Force, the ground beneath him cracking from the pressure, as he rocketed himself towards the right of his target; her left hand side. As he passed through the air, barely off of the ground as he had kept his leap low, the hidden blade that was concealed within his cybernetic arm slid forwards, reaching past the sleeve of his robes, as he sought to drive it into the exposed throat of his target.



TL;DR:

Spoiler

Lykos has burst into the hallway/area that everyone is gathered in, still invisible through the use of Force Cloak and hidden within the Force through Force Stealth (though not from Matsu Ike's usage of the White Current). He then threw throwing needles dipped in a paralytic poison at Claire Ouron, Undin Jaii Kryze and Celiana and is now in the process of lunging towards the right hand side of Matsu Ike (her left), aiming to pierce her through the throat with the blade concealed within his cybernetic left arm as he passes. The only signs of his presence to those not using the White Current is the very minor burst of the Force, the forced open doors at one end of the hallway/area, the imprint he left in the floor when he pushed off towards Matsu Ike and, of course, the thrown needles.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

Location: Mateus-class fleet carrier - In orbit over Korriban
Objective: Reinforce SJ and provide cover for SJ ground reinforcements

Allies: [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Thoja Arlos"] [member="Syn"] [member="Suravi Teigra"] [member="Jericho"]
Enemies: [member="Munin"] [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Sirella Valkner"] [member="Seren Ordavo"]

Hangar:

• 53 T-70 X-Wings (deployed on surface)
• 52 TIE/rv Reaver bombers (deployed on surface)

"Cease fire! There has been enough destruction - they have learned their lessons"

"That was far too much destruction, far too much collateral damage, for the objectives we were given - will they evacuate the city now?"

"All units, return to ship immediately"

"Roger"

By now the Mateus ceased firing, while the surviving attack craft returned to ship upon seeing their enemies pulling back. That was perfidy that Jedi lacked. Yet Charzon was a little inexperienced as a carrier captain - not even her prized ace of a pilot would help her out now. Zombies, soldiers, and, unfortunately, civilians, were caught in its wake.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Objective: What the Heck, I try to be evil, and I always get overshadowed by the good guys being more evil. Can't I summon ONE demon, cause ONE atrocity without getting one-upped by a good guy.
Allies: [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Sirella Valkner"] [member="Ostanes"]
Enemies: Everybody Else
Location: Korriban, Ruins (not the new ones)

Vulkan continued his chants, the Force aching in his general vicinity as he sat in the dusty ruins on Korriban. The runes around him glowed as his raspy voice filtered through his iron mask. The dust swirled slightly, shifting around him, mingling with the smoke emanating from the tips of his claws.

"Woyunoks." His voice rasped across his throat, sore and painful with a scratching in him. He would soon have his prize.

"Hadzuska." The smoke and dust swirled together in a tight ball above him, the runes glowing red in the sand as they heated like molten glass.

"Koshujontu." Piercing yellow eyes peered out of the smoke and dust, glaring into the eyes of the Barabel, malevolence and fear radiating out from it. Anger and cruelty boiled up from Vulkan's belly as he continued the ritual, his chanting, the cantor of his purpose rising in his throat, spittle mixing with blood as he strained to control the power of the ritual unraveling before him.

Further away he felt it. A great disturbance of pain and suffering. Voices looking to the sky, sheer panic seeping out from the depths of their souls and into the aether. The aether that Vulkan drank from. He sucked air into his lungs, and with it came the sweet smell of fear, sweat, pheremones indicating the panic of those realizing they were dead and gone it just hadn't happened yet. And then for many, it did end, instantly erased from his senses in one final moment of sheer terror. His eyes rolled back into his head as he continued the cursed ritual, reinvigorated, engorged with far more strength than he should have. His tendons pulled taunt, his muscles all flexed at once.

"Dwomutsiqsa." His body shuddered as it completed and he wrestled for control with the spirit. The smoke drifted around him, like a snake sizing up prey, burning yellow eyes looking into him, for anything it could use.

 

[Horus]

Location: Alexandria, Unknown Regions
Action: Reviewing Live Combat Feed
Allies: None
Enemies: The Silver Jedi | Sith

[ T H E M E ]

The feed replayed on the screen time and time again. It felt like an eternity, had he truly just seen that? It was impossible to believe but reality unfolded before his very eyes. The Commonwealth had boots on the ground across the sector aiding the Silver Jedi, but their prime target was Darth Carnifex and his connection to the former Black Empire. While Fireteam Black had success on the ground, it was proving difficult for the Commownealth navy to puncture a significant hole in Carnifex's defensive perimeter.

Though that was the least of his worries, it was Korriban. A small team from Section Zero, Jaguar Program, had been sent to the planet. Fireteam Lilac were on the scene combating the Sith on part of the Commonwealths agreement to aid the Silver Jedi, that was until now. The feed told a different story of their allies; wanton destruction on a mass scale. They just bombed an entire city. "Pull out," Horus whispered as the feed continued to play, Jaguar's were emerging from a smoky crater, their comrade held aloft, limp in their arms.

"Pull out!" Horus roared, technicians scrambled from the deck, the entire Commonwealth force in the sector had just been given the retreat. Carnifex could be taken another day. "Damn the Force," he snapped, his elderly hands curled into a fist and slammed down on the console. The forces around Thule would begin a hasty retreat. Transports deployed to recover Fireteam Lilac and medics were on standby to heal the wounded. "The Silver Jedi will pay for this act of brutality," Horus announced. Bombing a city of innocents wasn't a part of war, it was a lack of humanity.

 

[Munin]

Silver Jedi Headquarters
On Top of The Comm-Relay

Well, that worked.

In truth he hadn't actually expected the Jedi to stop chasing him, but apparently the man had recognized that he'd had more important things to do. It was funny really, that he was considered too small to actually be considered worth chasing. There was a lovely bit of irony to that which he couldn't help but find amusing. Munin grinned to himself as he slowly sat himself down on the catwalk and leaned against the back of the tower, his legs dangling over the edge of the walkway in the air.

From his pack he pulled out his datapad, then quickly removed two of his drones.

Munin fiddled with the two drones for a second, then tossed them both into the air. They flew for a few dozen meters before their repulsor-generators kicked into life. Both of the drones immediately sprang into action, humming and speeding around the base as they quickly began to map everything around them. He was sure that they likely wouldn't make it too long before they were shot down, but that hardly mattered for what he was going to use them for.

The Datapad in his lap switched on a connection to the device he had set earlier.

The Information Grinned again, and then began to broadcast a signal of his own through the tower.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

THE STAR DESTROYER
I N T E R V E N T I O N
EN ROUTE BETWEEN LAEKIA AND KORRIBAN

"General..."

There were people who served for years... decades... entire lives spent in the pursuit of military careers who never earned the title of 'general.' And, unlike the many of them, it was one of several like it that the youngling knight had earned in his six decade career as a Jedi Knight that he didn't particularly care for. During the Stark Hyperspace War, it had been 'commander.' During the Yinchorri Uprising, it had been 'captain.' Now, 'captain' had a variety of associations with it, so that wasn't all that bad. 'General' Sor-Jan Xantha was the product of the Clone Wars, when he'd been in the bunch of damned fools who'd led the clone army and then handed the Old Republic over to the Sith.

Suffice to say, there weren't a lot of good associations with that title. And, not the least of which was due to the tendency of people to invoke the title when delivering bad news.

"We've just monitored a large explosion over a wide area of the planet Korriban, sir."

The Intervention used Sasori technology in the redesign of its twin bridge towers. The port bridge contained the astrometrics suite, which connected to and received real-time updates from the hyperspace probes deployed by Sasori and Corellia Digital. Not the least of which was the hyperspace probe deployed by the Nadesico in the Korriban system, shortly before the ship had jumped to Ziost. It allowed the Intervention to monitor the conflict. Then, using the Sasori Logistics Suite in the starboard bridge tower, communicate that information and synchronize the fleet.

Turning his attention to the holographic displays behind him, the small Anzat watched as the Korriban system came alive in a false color rendering that depicted clouds. Detonations. Large enough as to have been observed from orbit.

That wasn't the work of ground fire. "Orbital bombing?" the young vampire remarked, his stomach soured at the thought. He hadn't seen anything like that since the Separatists had attacked Duro during the Clone Wars. Even the Yinchorri conflicts had stopped short of violence on such a global scale. Turning back to face his com-scan officer, the child asked, "Do we have an ID on the Sith vessel committing this action?"

The com-scan officer looked over at the technicians around him before he attempted to answer. "It's..."

He didn't want to say.

Which said everything that needed to be said.

It wasn't a Sith vessel firing on the planet.

"Contact [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] immediately."

​

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Velok the Younger"]​

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Chocolaty marshmallow laden cereal stopped half-way between his mouth and the bowl. It was early morning on Dac when the news started to flash across the screen of his holo. Silver Jedi vessels had fired upon Korriban, trying to 'glass' the planet. Of course, as in most cases, innocent lives had been killed more than the actual target.


Seemed the Jedi and Sith had much in common in his eyes ; they both loved to kill innocents in the name of their Force.


It made him all the more happy to have cut ties with the Silver Jedi not too long ago. Current events were also making him justify a defense fleet for the planet of Tabaqui, where much of the work and salvage in the sector was headquartered. What was stopping them from dropping a bomb on an innocent village or town next?


"Guardians of peace and justice my ass." Judah muttered into his cereal, reaching for the comm to contact [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]. They had a lot of work ahead of them.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

PLANET: Korriban
OBJECTIVE: Bottleneck
ALLIES: [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Haytham Kaze"] | Sith on Korriban
ENEMIES: The Silver Sanctum Coalition | [member="Charzon Loulan"]
FLEET COMPOSITION:

Spoiler

• 1 x Xo'Xaan-Class Star Destroyer - 950 meters
• 1 x Sadow-Class Star Destroyer - 650 meters
• 1 x Dalek-Class Imperial Assault Frigate - 400 meters

In surge of light the small flotilla of Sith ships under Darth Prazutis entered the atmosphere of Korriban, their polished hulls glistening in the light of Korriban's sun shields primed. Deep within the bridge Prazutis leaned forward in his throne eyeing the tactical screens. A lone, large carrier was left unprotected in the atmosphere above the surface. According to the tactical display all of its known fighter complements were deployed and it was definitely in weapon range of the small flotilla, immediately Prazutis saw an opportunity he needed to exploit. "Inform all commanders full firepower directed at that carrier. I want our fighters scrambled and lighting up the surface of that ship." Prazutis ordered.

Suddenly the flotilla of ships opened up their cannons and unleashed a hailstorm of fire on the carrier, a full three ships spreading fire and destruction over the surface of the carrier. A short time after fighters screamed from the hangars towards the massive carrier dropping their payloads.

 

[Darth Kentarch]

(ignore)

 

[Darth Kentarch]

Location: Malachor V, Temple
Objective: Stop the Silver Jedi, Gotta launder my Karma
Enemies: Silver Jedi, [member="Matsu Ike"], [member="Claire Ouron"], [member="Undin Jaii Kryze"], [member="Celiana"], [member="Rasu Gan"], @Ar'ekk
Allies: Sith Rebels, [member="Darth Lykos"]

When people thought of Rogue Sith and Sith Rebels they forgot that Darth Kentarch was the karking Original.
The Sith Lord did not need to hide his presence from the Silver Jedi. The dark side was so strong on Malachor V, Kentarch's own force signature would meld with it preventing the Jedi from sensing him. At first, he observed the Jedi from a distance. The cloaked figure watched and observed as the Jedi began their annexation of the last of the untouched Sith Worlds. For a moment he believed all hope had been lost and that even Kraysis II, the last of the Five Sith Throne Worlds untouched by outsiders, would fall into the hands of the Jedi as well. Then reports came in of open rebellion across the Sector. Darth Kentarch faith had been renewed.

Reaching up to his ear, he activated his communicator that had a secure line to his personal ship, the Black Mercury. "I want a situation report on airspace control of Malachor V, and I want transports on standby for landing the Black Legion." He ordered, the Black Legion was a mercenary army he ran out of the nearby Corporate Sector. Before he committed his men however he needed to ensure the landing operation would go off without a hitch, airspace control was crucial.

"We'll get that report ASAP my lord, scanning the area for hostile forces now." The crew operating his ship chimed in quickly. Kentarch knew it would take few minutes for a personal star corvette to get and relay that information. The question now was did he engage the Jedi in a duel, or wait for his PMC to make its landing?

 

[Aithne Charr]

New Adasta, Ziost

Nearby Individuals - [member="Darth Vitium"]



Solan learned soon of not only the chilling presence nearby but a far more striking blast into his mind as he held the back of his head. Something was screaming there and it felt far too familiar, felt like he was back on Makeb. He had no idea what was going on, he could not tell what was happening and he assumed that some Sith had snuck out of his view and was massacring those around him. He couldn't find the sight of this, though, he couldn't find the sight of people running or anything being disturbed. He had no idea what was happening and his hand gripped tighter as the voices got louder and louder in his head. He was shattering again and barely holding his mind together. This felt far too much like Makeb, it felt far too much like [member="Dredge"]'s actions but he couldn't tell where it was coming from.

He had no idea it was coming from Korriban and his body moved and stumbled down an alley so he could sit down. His body rested against the building where Silara would be working her sith works and soon enough Solan's mind cleared enough for him to track down that cause at least for some of the emotions that were bombarding him. He could barely stand as he tried to walk out of the Alley again and rather than show or try to raise alarm, he touched at some wood shavings he kept in one of his pouches. With a quick flick and letting a spark follow them, a quick shot of flames spiked out into the air and alerted all those there.

"Return to your homes... Now." He waited and watched, hoping they would listen and probably more out of fear than anything they would leave quickly enough.

Soon though the pain was too much to keep down for the time being and his eyes shot towards where he was feeling something else. Korriban's deaths continued to crush most of his focus but something was draining a small bit of it, something was keeping him focused on something else and with a cautious movement he made for the door. What was inside that he was missing, what was inside that was perverting the air around it.

As his hand touched the door he felt another spike from that far off source of death and pain, knowing he would have to seal off his empathy as completely as he could if he was to focus on the moment at hand. It left him standing there, palm against the door as he restructured his mental defenses with Kira's aid, the Ashlan providing a second mind to help him protect his own. He was shaking, not from Silara's work but from the feeling he was getting. He was worried that if he did not keep those mental guards up, he would not be able to hold himself together even by a thread like he had on Makeb. He didn't have Genevieve within reach, he didn't have anyone within reach to focus on and worry about.

He wondered if he would need to snap for what was inside to be faced?

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Location: Silver Jedi Outpost, Korriban.
Enemies: ???
Allies: ???
People nearby: [member="Haytham Kaze"] & [member="Connor Harrison"]

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

Appearing from the sidelines of the battle a pale, brittle and deeply corrupted man seemed to appear with a surge of heavy winds. His hair was grey, his complexion lost to a time that was not the present moment and his body appeared to be as brittle as the bones on Korriban themselves and yet a refined darkside energy radiated off him in palpable waves. It was unknown whether the planet was helping his darkside presence but there was not doubt about the feeling it gave. A cold dark sorrow doomed to darkness. The darkside was not kind to those who used it like a junkie and Nulgath was no different. His alleged death on Malachor V was only the beginning of his dark ascension into a new existence. Years of betrayal and complex study did not fail him. On Malachor he in a sense died by his own hand when the Force storm turned against him but yet he stood watching the ongoing battle as something more.

A corrupt gaze continued to dawn on the Jedi and Sith raging in battle. There was no emotion in his eyes and in fact there was nothing that could be seen when gazing into his afflicted eyes. A husk of his former self, the price of greatness and longevity. A contract with evil if you would believe such a thing. His past was the past and that was all it was now. The future was all the mattered and now that the Sith were in their most vulnerable state he would be needed most.

" Mmm..." A slight groan showed his distaste of what he was watching occur before him. Even with One Sith fallen into darkness its traces and .. mistakes could still be seen in the galaxy. This scene was no different. " I held you to higher standards than to this, Boy." He spat out bluntly making sure to focus on the last phrase. Dead red eyes beamed at [member="Haytham Kaze"] as he displayed is great powers to a useless end. Raising a slight hand the epicanthix commanded the force to shield [member="Connor Harrison"] of all people from the oncoming onslaught of malevolent energy!! " Misdirected passion! Must you strike the heel of this rat before you?! He is beneath you in every way. As are all Jedi are.." Nulgath tilted his head slightly to the left. An old Triumvirate Symbol could be faintly seen on his black robes. Nulgath was once apart that well oiled machine and woe for it had fallen far just like him.

" Deny the jedi the deaths they seek. Their is no death to them only the force. Deny them death you deny them their power! Their force. He can be used in better ways. He can be your tool, your weapon, your slave and servant if you possesses the power to will it apon him! Do you not?" A slight smirk appeared on the corrupted mans degraded face as he asked. He held a great point and spoke well but he doubted the boy could do such a thing. Haytham was strong in the force and was skilled in leadership from what Nulgath could observe in his silent years but his current actions suggested other wise now. Actions spoke louder than words.

" Cast your gaze forward to the future or be eaten by the past." He added. The consistent struggle of Jedi vs Sith was pointless and Nulgath knew it from the very beginning. The Sith needed to return to their roots once more.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yNAABKD4IA​

​

The Thurra System
Thule's Orbit

The defensive semi-circle held strong despite the targeted destruction of several front line Subjugator's to concentrated enemy fire, but their smoldering husks acted as as a form of artificial barrier for fight regrouping. Captain Janek Vesik observed the growing battle via an extensive three-dimensional holographic display that encompassed his entire body, and by the slightest of adjustments to the direction he was facing he could observe different portions of the battlefield from different angles. One of the Sadows had taken a good beating from several of the Commonwealth vessels when they concentrated their fire on its starboard flank, smoke billowing out where a gaping wound had been rent into its angular hull. But the ship was still afloat and not taking its lumps lying down as its turbolasers continued to belch volley after volley at the enemy ships.

The hole in the Imperial defensive line had been somewhat patched up by some spontaneous readjustment, but every so often another transport would slip past the screen and descend to the planet below. By the constant influx of information being transmitted from the planet's surface it was apparent that whatever forces the Commonwealth had managed to field were being contested at every turn by the Blackblade Guard and their Sith auxiliaries. There was no mention of the Dark Lord himself taking the field to these heathens, but from what he could discern the capital city of Hurom was firmly in Imperial hands thanks to his swift and brutal occupation.

There was still the threat of a Silver Jedi fleet moving to bolster the Commonwealth flotilla, but long-range scanners had so far been unable to detect anything beyond the system's perimeter. Now either the Commonwealth was jamming their long-range scanners or they were in this fight by themselves, the Captain was uncertain as to which one was more likely. Either way he had a job to perform, and he wouldn't shirk his responsibilities by running off if some Silver Jedi came a trouncing this way. He would hold the line even if doing so meant his certain demise, and nor would he dare retreat to an escape pod as his vessel burned and spiraled down into oblivion. He may have been a glutton but he still had his honor, and he would gladly go down with his ship with a defiant battlecry on his lips.

Luckily for him it didn't appear he'd have to resort to such drastic dramatics.

At the height of the battle the Commonwealth fighters broke off of their attack vectors, and the enemy warships began to bank hard to the side and turn away from the Sadows. Naturally the Imperial pilots took this as a sign of imminent victory and harried the Commonwealth ships until they were well beyond combat range of the Star Destroyers. Confusion ran amok through the blockade as the fighters eventually banked back around to regroup with the fleet. The star destroyers linked up their commands and appeared to one another as holograms, bathing each respective bridge in an eerie blue illumination.

"They left?"

"What could have caus-"

​

"Look! It's Korriban!"

The fateful recording of the atrocities committed on Korriban by the Silver Jedi were played and replayed by the captains and their bridge crews, their eyes wide with disbelief, and in some cases, abstract horror. Many had always envisioned the Jedi as pacifists, warrior monks who only exercised their powers only when their creed dictated it, and were never capable of allowing such wanton destruction of life. But there it was in stark black and white, incandescent rays of devastation raining down on Korriban City to wipe out the entire population in one foul stroke of malice. It didn't matter to them if the Jedi condoned it or not, it was carried out by someone who declared allegiance to their cause and thus they had as much blood on their hands for allowing such a monstrous action to take place than the commander who authorized it or the gunners who took aim and fired.

The Thurra System
Hurom, Thule

Meanwhile down in Hurom the Dark Lord was just receiving word of the orbital bombardment on Korriban City at roughly the same time his fleet was in orbit, and he could only sneer in disgust. "What hypocrites. Now the whole galaxy will know of their moral failings." He shut off the holorecording and tossed the communicator back to the envoy who delivered it to him before leaning back to take a seat in the throne he had been forced to desert so many many years ago. He rubbed his armored fingers against the woodwork, tracing the exquisite ornamentation and carvings like a man would trace the curvature of a woman.

Oh, it had been such a long, long time. But now his re-ascendance was at hand.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Location: Malachor V, Temple

Objective: Talk with others
Allies: [member="Claire Ouron"], [member="Undin Jaii Kryze"], [member="Celiana"], [member="Rasu Gan"], [member="Ar'ekk"]
Enemies: [member="Darth Lykos"] [member="Darth Kentarch"] (you posted after I started so tried to tie in the information you need so you don't have to look back on lots of posts)

Matsu felt it, her moment coming as she was wearing the robes they had been testing and attention was on much of the interest and details the synth mesh of the armor letting her feel the impact when it came from behind her and the cape moved in. Matsu stood still letting her body go rigid when there was the impact but there wasn't the nasty part like piercing the robes that used advanced age wintrium so that it had the highest protection and was one of the lightest material in the galaxy for crafting. She didn't move looking at the others and raised an eyebrow while she was letting the one who had done it feel her and prepare himself for what might be coming.

"Do you feel better young one?" She asked it while keeping her attention forward as she stuck with it and offered a small look to it. Her padawans were wearing the same black and silver armor that gleamed and pulsed with the lightside more in the presence of the dakrsider. Her body itself was feeling the force energies of it and the world while she moved forward and around to stay with her eyes on the one and she switched her sight to see them. Catching the light when her lightsaber she had on her hip came to it and Matsu spoke. "Are you certain about this. I am old compared to many and..." matsu trailed off while she said it. "And I used to have so much mercy."

The comlink in her ear was buzzing as she listened and there was the works of Arya and the other jedi in the temple. The ships they had brought with them to the world that were working with things and their ranger's that had been securing the prison to pacify it were always ready for a fight. The defensive capabilities of the ships here where most things hadn't been engaged were proving to be an effective bit she could work with and Arya's white current illusions on the surface she had established allowed the temples defenses to be prepared and ready for problems. Matsu herself was here and ready to work with this apprentice while she stood in the area.

"Reports continue to come in and the ships Princess Junko sent towards us has arrived, a carrier and dirge class out of their patrols. We will continue searching the planet for ships as ordered and I am sending more teams of rangers and shadows to your ocation." Matsu always liked the master overseer, Arya was skilled but more important she liked using what they had in the silver temple they had built on the world to surprise as you didn't build a prison to contain dangerous beings and leave it unprotected. "I will though give you this chance to surrender and walk away. No danger will befall you but continue on this path and I am afraid for your safety."

Matsu adjusted herself as she lifted the one saber and could feel the force energies from her robe with the silver blade activating with a snap hiss before she looked on holding it with one hand. Her footing remaining in a a neutral stance and Matsu was letting her mind go blank. The energies pulsing through her body while she focused her own willpower into a powerful shield she could use to defend herself and the others around her. Letting the force whisper to her while she breathed deeply awaiting what he wanted to do. "Claire, Undin, Ar'ekk, Celiana and Rase be careful and at peace with this. We have more on our side then just numbers." She said it with a small wink for the padawans.

 

[Hailyn]

THE GAME

Allies: Sith
Potential Enemies: [member="Solan Charr"]

New Adasta, Ziost

Click.

The door shut behind Thalia after she walked into the hallway that led to her living space in the rear of the clothing store.

Flick.

A cold hand reached out to flip on the lights, only, well, they didn't. No light reached the hallway, nothing became visible. A sharp intake of breath, a few blinks of her lashes, and in that brief moment of frustration she realized it had become considerably more cold. The chilly air nipped at the moisture in her eyes, biting at the back of her throat as she inhaled, and it sent a shiver down her spine. 'What is going on today?' Thalia thought, knowing full-well that the power wasn't out. It couldn't have been the lights, either - that they were in need of replacements - but there was no other practical, logical, or reasonable explanation for what was going on. And the air - it was freezing in here! She'd always kept the thermostat to a nice cool, just below where it started to become warm, because it inspired shoppers to buy clothing with more material - which meant more credits in her register. But this? This was absolutely ridiculous.

"Cold, isn't it." Came the rasp of a woman's voice that she was unfamiliar with.

"Who's there?" She said, her head turning from side to side as if she'd be able to gain any better visibility of the hall. Another shiver ran down her spine and she could feel her skin crawl in the same way one might feel if something cold and unseen were to brush against them in the dark. She started for the door, but the moment she touched the handle it felt impossibly cold to the touch - as if it had been dipped in a freezer for the last hour. She tried to turn the handle, frantically, but it wouldn't budge - it took everything she had to pull her hand away from the door and turn tail to the opposite side of the hall, towards her room. She bolted.

"Are you afraid? I would be." The voice said, only it didn't seem to come from any one location - if anything, it seemed to reverberate from everywhere at once. Thalia reached the rear end of the hall, where her room was, and found the same issue with the handle on the door there, too. "Trapped in your own home." Came the whisper, hoarse but clear. "Let me out!" Thalia shouted at no one in particular, unable to see anything, much less figure out who was doing this or where they were. "Oh, yes. I'll let you out. Today you will be leaving behind everything, and I will be stepping in to take the reigns." That did not sound promising. Not for Thalia, at any rate.

-

Far from the planet of Ziost a massive undertaking that easily toppled the smidge of a presence that the Sith Order had made in the force in less than ten minutes. Although Silara was completely unaware of just what had caused the sudden tremor through the force, it spread like a cancer through every thread that connected the living force with everything living and otherwise in the galaxy. So sudden, so abrupt, hundreds upon thousands were snuffed out like a table of candles blown out by a gust of wind. Death, destruction, and fear - so tantalizing that Silara nearly forgot what it was she had even came here to do. She had no doubt that the Jedi both flying over the planet - over Ziost - and especially those nearer the source of the sudden outcry were faced with a sudden backlash of the force, not unlike that which echoed across the galaxy during the destruction of Dromund Kas or the genocide of the Mirialans in the past.

With every life lost, with every "cry" that shrieked through the force, Silara's presence was reinforced and her plan strengthened. She could feel the approach of another being, someone powerful enough to push her out of their mind if she'd tried to take their body instead, so she pushed her plan into motion without a moment to lose.

Click.

A door shut behind the woman she'd been tailing, her shadowy form passing through it without hindrance. A mere tilt of her spectral head severed the wires that ran from the switch to the lights, prompting them to remain unlit when Thalia tried to turn them on. A smug satisfaction spread throughout her form, which was now spread across the hall in the wake of their entrance.

"Cold, isn't it?" Silara whispered, her voice carried directly into the woman's mind through telepathy.

"Who's there?" The woman asked out loud, unaware of the shakiness in her voice that barely hid the slight fear that crept up her spine. Oh yes, she could feel the rising panic in the woman's voice, the slight shake of her hands against the switch on the wall. It was always like this, the animalistic fear of something unknown, whenever Silara played these kinds of games. Like a doe frozen in fear at the sudden realization that she was hunted, Thalia stood stock still and then suddenly bolted for the door - only to find that, by means of a telekinetic grip and an altered environment, the handle would not turn and was freezing to the touch. She pulled her hand back, stepping back into the darkness, her eyes sweeping over the floor and walls, trying to see where her assailant might be - trying to see anything.

"Are you afraid? I would be." Silara rasped, smirking internally as Thalia turned her head from side to side as she realized the voice was not coming from any one location - rather, it was coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. Of course she tried to use the door on the opposite end of the hall, only to find herself trapped by the same machinations. "Trapped in your own home." She confirmed with an added touch of contentedness. "Let me out!" The woman shrieked, the sound not unlike the screams that reverberated through the force - a panicked fear that was now mirrored by many of the very population of Ziost that happened to be watching and re-watching the events on Korriban unfold.

"Oh, yes. I'll let you out. Today you will be leaving behind everything, and I will be stepping in to take the reigns." Silara whispered, voice carried through telepathy.

With her presence spread across the entirety of the hall, her form as a shadow nearly palpable as she soaked up the fear, the despair, that ebbed and flowed from the people on the planet, from the death throes of those killed on Korriban, and by the rage, the hatred, and confusion that shot through the Jedi that still remained on Ziost, Silara emerged in the center of the hallway, the shadows gathering around her as the overhead light flickered on briefly through a surge of electricity - electricity created by the Sith Lord.

"Hark, aji ki ridis dias ani dzuontai j'us- tu'iyia kraujas, tu'iyia arika, diâ tu'iyia asarsi- an rajidona kaj an ri jina'tis." The Sith chanted, words of power from a time when the Sith were able to roam unsuppressed, when the Jedi only heard stories of their ancient Empire - before the hyperspace wars, before the genocide of Korriban of the five thousandth year before the battle of Yavin. Words that Marka Ragnos knew, that Naga Sadow had spoken, that Andeddu had inscribed - "Dzitmiawtari kûts, zûtaiki natura, diâ tuti rirmi armijio." The lights flickered again, and while Thalia's mind urged her to run, to move, she found herself rooted in place, incapable of movement. Another flicker.

Silara was gone.

Another flicker, and out of the corner of her eye Thalia saw something.

What had been an almost palpable presence in the room before was now a tangible shadow, almost a tar-like substance that seemed to be absent of the light that would otherwise have been reflected on it. It spread, webbed, from the walls to her legs, thighs, and arms. At every point that it made contact with her skin it seemed to merge with her body, spreading a dull gray color around its immediate area. "Soon everything will be over and you will neither see nor hear again - wander in Chaos eternally, as I once did." Came the raspy whisper of Silara's voice from inside Thalia's head. Everything in her - in Thalia - told her to scream, but she couldn't part her lips, couldn't strum her vocal cords, to make even the smallest of sounds. Even as she pulled all of her determination and motivation to cry out, and failed, Thalia's stamina faltered and collapsed as her vision became a haze - dimming, clouding, until it was simply opaque. And then, as one might expect when falling asleep, there was nothing.

Standing in the center of the hallway, head hung low with auburn hair strewn about her face, was a woman with a presence in the force that could only be described as wrong. She was supposed to be dead - she had been - but through horrifying, perverse, means and the force she was now living.

She lifted her chin, an absent gaze staring toward the door that led to the front of the store, and outside from there, to expose a face that was paler than the horse Death rode in on. A hand, small, slender, lifted with a graceful gesture, fingers curling so that solely her index finger was pointed at the door.

The woman blinked.

The door was ripped from its hinges and simultaneously shattered into hundreds of pieces of wood and cheap metal, raining down on the interior of the store as she walked into it.

"It's good to be back."