Faction [THP] The Cost of Innocence

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

Time to get to work, Nathan thought, teleporting into the camp, specifically the guard tower, where he shot the guards inside with silenced, invisible blaster bolts, and disabled the alarm system, slicing into the comms to create a feedback loop on the Imperials channels, which would hopefully prevent them from getting calls for reinforcement out for a while...

He forced pushed one of the window panels out, taking his time to silently snipe responding guards to the disturbances, spotting Alwine Bergen , someone who had ,once, very long ago, been rescued by Maple Harte when she was imprisoned on Stewjon, in wolf form. He didn't know it was her, or that she was a changeling, but he sniped a guard that was too close to her as she got into the perimeter out of John Wick like instincts to protect canines. He fired at camp guards in repeater nests and through security booths until his rifle had been emptied

Then he teleported into the camp proper, put away his rifle and took out his Siren War Axe and Gravetail Vibroblade , wielding the blade in an inverted grip as he headed deeper into the camp, rushing down a group of Camp Guards trying to head towards the commotion Gil Horn had caused.

Nathan's axe and it's mounted laser blade chewed into armor and flesh brutally while his inverted knife slashed and stabbed vital areas and choke points. Others were the heroic band storming the gates.

Nathan, however...

...he was the berserker...

One squad down, and he used the sonic shotgun built into his axe to blast open a door into the camp barracks, catching a large number of those soldiers, trying to scramble out side.

Nathan wouldn't leave survivors among the camp if it could be helped. They might have families too, but as far as he was concerned, detaining innocent people proved they had no empathy, and thus, deserved no sympathy...

...only punishment.

Plus, killing in such a manner just to rescue one camp would send a message to the Empire...even the lowest in rank among them would be afforded no clemency for their actions to uphold their government. It would show the Hidden Path was absolutely serious about sowing chaos and bloodshed in imperial territory. It had to be brutal and messy in order to hopefully make the Empire overreact. He wanted them to overreact.

Plus, less witnesses meant he would be harder to pick out from the attacking group, plus, his choice of weapons might cause the camp guards superiors to dismiss him as simply a particularly zealous operative, second guessing whether or not he was even a Jedi.

Nathan had various strategies whether he was in a group or alone. If in a group, a more traditional Jedi group, he would fight solely with a lightsaber and cheap robes to not stand out from them. If in a group like this, he varied his tactics like he was doing now, not just to throw the enemy off his scent, but his allies as well. The more that neither could fully nail Nathan down or pick him out, the better.

If solo, he operated with masks, in full disguise. He used particular Lightsabers with particular armors, altered his style to give the impression it was different Jedi, striking in different locations, and unconnected.

Soldiers died every time he chopped or slashed.

The barracks he was in lit up with blaster fire and yells.

One soldier desperately tried to escape out of the window only to be Force pulled back in by Nathan. The less guards there were to fight, the less there would be a struggle to rescue the prisoners.

And the less guards were left alive, the less there would hopefully be for the next prison camp the empire decided to open.

And the more this story spread through the ranks, hopefully there would be more soldiers more hesitant to be camp guards to begin with...

Vera Noble

Kain Aldore

Minerva Fhirdiad

Fa-Olan Warren

Lestra Thairk

Jane

 

[Vera Noble]

​

Tag: Gil Horn Jane Kain Aldore

​

Vera shifted slightly to get a better line of sight on the gate, her back still pressed to the broken duracrete. She looked to Jane beside her and spoke low enough for only her to hear.

"I'm going to keep my distance and give you support from here. When Gil draws them off, you head for the civilians and keep them safe. I'll make sure fewer blasters are pointed your way."

Her attention went back to the gate. Through the scope of her view, she caught the moment Gil stepped forward, the robe falling from his shoulders, and the guards reacting. The air felt tense and charged as the battle began. She took a steadying breath and let her awareness sink into the ground beyond the fence.

Stone cracked, and the soil underneath shifted. Then, with a sharp pull through the Force, thick green vines burst upward, tearing through anything in their path. They lashed out in all directions, snaring legs, tangling weapons, and yanking several guards to the ground. One struggled to free himself, only to be pulled tighter until he could no longer raise his rifle. Another crashed into the side of a tower as the vines dragged him off balance.

Vera kept her eyes on the fight, ready to send more help where it was needed. Every guard she took out here meant one less standing between her friends and the people they needed to rescue.

​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Grand Theft Lucrechulk
LOCATION
LOCATION

Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

Objective Three: A Bulky Problem

Securing Engineering

The door to Engineering slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a labyrinth of cold metal and flickering lights. The air was thick with the hum of machinery, the heartbeat of the Lucrehulk's inner workings. The squad power-stepped in, weapons raised but ready to move quickly—no unnecessary engagements, no wasted energy. This was a precision strike.

Connel led the charge, his violet shortsaber held low, glowing faintly in the dim light. Behind him, Omega Squad fanned out, staying close to the walls, staying sharp. He moved fast, switching to a reverse grip and assisted by the Force, if there was a cannon, he bifurcated it, if there was a guard, he disarmed them.

The moment the door closed behind them, SERAPHIM’s voice filtered through their comms. “I have access to the environmental systems. I am beginning to isolate unauthorized personnel from life support. External defenses are being rerouted to prevent Imperial reinforcements. Beginning control of internal systems now.”

First Blood: The Guard’s Quick Demise

Ahead, two guards stood near a console, scanning data on a terminal. They were unaware of the squad’s approach, but that would change in a heartbeat. Connel motioned silently for the team to hold. They moved as one, slipping into position behind the guards without a sound.

Michael, with his agility and speed, was the first to act. In a blur of motion, he was at the guard on the left, a hand over his mouth and a quick, lethal strike to the neck. The guard’s body went limp in an instant, falling silently to the floor. The other guard started to turn but didn't make it. A stun bolt from Raphael dropped him before he could raise the alarm.

Clear, Michael murmurs, already moving forward to disable the console. Gabriel tapped into it, his fingers flying over the keys as he linked directly into SERAPHIM’s growing control.

SERAPHIM’s Progress: The Systems Begin to Bend

“Environmental control is complete,” SERAPHIM reports, her voice steady and methodical. “Outer and inner defenses now under my control. The atmosphere is being adjusted to ensure minimal interference with your operations.”

As Gabriel worked, the squad spread out, securing the area and staying low. Their weapons were held close, but they didn't fire unless absolutely necessary. Each movement was calculated, methodical. They know that the longer they take, the more chances the Imperials had to respond.

Once we’re clear of the first set of controls, Seraphim, start locking them out. We need the upper hand, Gabriel said, his voice low but firm.

“Acknowledged. All Imperial personnel will be locked out of ship systems once I finish securing internal access.”

The Challenge: The Imperial Officer

As they made their way deeper into Engineering, they came across an Imperial officer, his back turned as he examined a set of data pads at a nearby terminal. He was alone. No backup, but that didn’t mean they could take any chances.

Connel signaled for the squad to hold. They couldn’t risk alerting anyone else. The officer’s attention was on the screen, his posture relaxed. For a brief moment, Connel considered a non-lethal approach, but time was running out. They needed control of the ship, and they needed it fast.

A flicker of movement to his left caught Connel’s eye. Sariel, in perfect sync with him, drew his knife with practiced precision. With a swift motion, he moved toward the officer, his blade striking the terminal and his body a blur as he incapacitated him with a swift strike to the back of the neck.

The Imp crumpled without a sound, the data pad slipped from his hands. The squad continued forward, never breaking stride.

SERAPHIM’s Lockdown: The Empire’s System Is Crumbling

As they moved deeper, Connel felt the ship itself beginning to shift. The hum of machinery grew louder, and with it, the certainty that SERAPHIM was tightening her grip.

“Outer defenses are now locked,” SERAPHIM announced. “All Imperial-controlled access points are being sealed off. I am now initiating control of internal communications and security networks. The ship’s engines are being isolated.”

Gabriel tapped into the next terminal, linking deeper into the ship's core. His fingers flew over the keys, seamlessly connecting with SERAPHIM’s network. As the last pieces fell into place, SERAPHIM’s voice filled the comms once again.

“Control of Engineering complete. Access to external communications blocked. Engines and flight controls are now under my authority.”

The ship lurched slightly, and Connel could feel it—the ship had shifted. They’ve taken control of it, and with that, they’ve sealed the fate of anyone trying to stop them. But there’s no time to relax. The team was still far from out of danger.

We’ve got them locked out, Connel says, his voice quiet but filled with satisfaction. We have control of the ship. Now we move to the final phase—get the refugees on board, get the ship ready for takeoff.

The Final Push: Engineering Is Secure

With SERAPHIM in full control of the ship, the squad moved toward the next phase of their mission. The outer doors to the hangar would open soon, allowing the refugees to board. But as they moved, they were acutely aware that they’ve done their job—they’ve crippled the Empire’s ability to respond, and now, they just need to clear the way.

But the danger wasn’t over. There was always a threat in the shadows.

Connel took a deep breath, his lightsaber held ready, but he knew now that the squad’s most difficult task was over. The battle for the ship had been won—not with blaster fire and lightsabers, but with patience, precision, and teamwork.

And now, they moved forward—not just as soldiers, but as protectors.



Seraphim AI

Kell Masaara • Nathan Bloodscrawl • Gil Horn​

 

[Jane]

Tag: Kain Aldore Vera Noble Gil Horn

---

"Okay, that sounds like a good idea." The girl replied to Vera in a similar whisper, then shuffled closer to the side of the shattered wall she was hiding behind. Her little head peered over the edge, observing Gil through her cybernetic eyes and the Force itself.

It all happened so quickly.

The man dropped his robes, and before she knew it, several guards were down. The song in the Force changed immediately, thick with tension, making it difficult to breathe. A few seconds later, the Force near Vera swirled into a grand melody, and the ground began to crack. Vines coiled through the air, striking everything in its path and forming the beginnings of a path.

Jane took a second to react; while she was familiar with Plant Surge and basic Force telekenisis, it was nothing compared to the grand powers demonstrated by both Jedi.

Jane rose up onto her leather boots, blinking away her train of thought, and firmly gripped her adjusted training Lightsaber in her right hand. She took a deep breath, listening with her cybernetic ears for any nearby sounds, minus the yells of the guards fighting with the vines, and scanning for a path. One more vine brushed away another guard, allowing her to pass through.

And just like that, Jane set off.

The chords of Jane's song in the Force settled into her own muscles, accelerating her already swift motions. She danced past the guards in the blink of an eye, heading for the nearest group of civilians she could sense and hear. Thankfully, one was not far away, and most guards were distracted by the vines or the Jedi who was slicing down waves upon waves with his lightsaber. The blaster shots were thankfully mild as well, as Vera stayed true to her promise.

When she arrived, one guard stood in Jane's way, but the short girl leapt into the air, fearless as always. Leaning on the momentum of the Force Speed that lingered in her body just a moment before, she crashed into the guard's back and knocked him down with the force of a canonball.

Rolling off the guard's back and stumbling back to her small feet, the doll-like girl looked up at the group of civilians near her. "Hello, I am Jane. Stay near me. I will protect you." Jane quickly activated her green training Lightsaber and turned around, ready to deflect any blaster shots aimed at the civilians or herself.

 

[Echo Nyx]

I don't know any of them, but I know they aren't going to sit around and let the Empire and Sith kill everyone, she thought to herself as she plugged her deck into the speakers. Might as well see if I can help them in my own way.

Undoubtedly she’d gain some heat for doing this. The people in charge here didn’t tend to like things being set up without permits. But maybe, just maybe, her stardom would get her a pass? She was pretty well known in this part of the galaxy. Lots of people liked her music. It seemed reasonable that even some of these Imperials were fans of hers since she didn’t openly choose a side in things. To the galaxy at large, Echo Nyx was nothing more than a musical act, projecting herself across the galaxy for all to enjoy.

“Hope this works,” she whispered to herself before plugging in her headset and turning on the power to her setup.

She started the volume up slow. The center of town, not too far away from the refugee camp or any of the other targets, seemed like a good location. Her music could reach throughout the city, especially if she patched herself into the local broadcast network, which she, of course, did. It would be easy to play that off as her being a diva and wanting everyone to hear her music if it came down to her being questioned.

Flipping a few switches, she allowed the music to flow through her, activating her connection to the Force, which in turn caused her to start moving to the beat. And when the moment was right, she started to sing, the Force flowing from her to her surroundings, evoking a calming. The song she sang? This:

OUTFIT: Silver Sequen Outfit | GEAR: DJ Deck, Hidden Lightsaber
TAGS: @Everyone​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

O B J E C T I V E 2 :
CORPORATE UNDERSTANDING
featuring IRONSIDE'S IRREGULARS​

"Bingo!"

Nine rifles were aimed towards the receptionist's desk, but the Lion simply stepped forth and bid that they lower their weapons. He removed his helmet and held it at his waist, and met her trepidation with a kind smile. "Hello," he replied, approaching the desk she hid behind. He reached behind the desk and offered his massive hand, effortlessly helping her to her feet.

"Thank you very much, young lady, for that pertinent information," he inclined his head. "We'll take every advantage we can get — we did not come here to spill needless blood. We merely wish to have a chat with the people in charge regarding the refugee situation. Whatever you can do to help, we'll be more than grateful."

The titanic knight of old gave her a nod and a smile, then turned as the winged helmet came back on and proceeded into the facility with the Ironsides supporting him. They moved with haste yet not recklessly, careful to check corners for possible threats as they cleared hallway upon hallway. Thurion did not move with urgency, his relaxed stride easily keeping up with their far more tactical approach, all whilst merely resting the palm of his hand upon the pommel of his sword.

A pair of Trade Federation guards stumbled upon the strike team, but before anyone on either side had the chance to fire first the Lion flexed his index and middle finger, causing the pair to slam into each other, then separate to slam into the walls of the corridor, thoroughly knocking them out. Rrauros the Red Dread gave an amused chuckle as the Wookie proceeded to collect their weapons, and the signal to move out was issued.

They located a set of lifts, and split up to take both up to the top floor. Thurion, Creed, Cain, Mira, and Belial took one, with the other five stacking up in the one next to it. He removed his helmet once more for the duration of the ascension, offering his son's most faithful warriors a respectful nod.

"Pardon me, Sir — I mean, Your Highness," Cain looked up at the giant blonde, stumbling over his words. "Is... is it true what the Chief here says? You two fought together once before?" Mira jabbed him with her elbow, but the Lion merely chuckled and looked to Creed, smiling. "Aye, Sergeant, 'tis true. Your brave commander here was but a young man at the time." He placed a hand upon Creed's pauldron.

"I was seventeen," he elaborated. "Joined up at sixteen. Added two years to my application. I was as fresh out of boot camp as could be, thrown into the deep end like most of us were. Heady times, they were, eh? Anyway, I'd gotten separated from my squad and was lying face-first in the mud when none other than the Grandmaster himself lifted me to my feet and put a blaster in my hand." He looked up at Thurion with utter reverence.

"Told me to stand and fight, and that's what I've been doing ever since. I'm not ashamed to admit I wept when news broke on your retirement, m'lord. Serving your boy was the least I could do to return the favour." He thumped his chest, and the others followed suit.

"The son and the father," spoke the taciturn Weequay, drawing all gazes. "Ever the rock against which the darkest seas shall break." Thurion touched his shoulder next, and leaned down to witness his blank stare. "Our Weequay friend sees more than most, despite his affliction. I wonder, would you not rather be cured and have your eyesight restored?"

Belial slowly turned to look at Thurion, ever the stoic. Then came an equally slow shake of his head.

"Blind are those that cannot see. Blind are the lost. Blind are those that dwell in the dark. Neither of these am I." A bright ding preceeded the opening doors, at which point the Weequay drew his blaster and stunned the guard on the other side.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan ​

 

[Kell Masaara]

OBJ: LUCREHULK
Connel Vanagor

Kell prepared to do as she was advised, but it occured to her: wouldn't it simply be safest to... wait? If Connel and Omega Squad were being shot at and doing the heavy lifting, knowing what was ahead of them, and letting the AI do the rest across the ship, it stood to reason that the simplest and most effective way to not be hurt would just remove herself as a potential target. When they took off, Kell didn't. She waited, moving forward only when Seraphim's control would have locked her out of the door she was using for cover, her pace faltering only when she felt the command room personnel fall to their knees, pawing at their throats, the atmospheric adjustments no longer amenable to whatever lifeforms they were. It made her shiver. It was effective, but... it didn't feel good. Something to unpack later.

Having secured Engineering, Kell has time to consider everything that's transpired so far. She's not sure what the true issue is, but something about this feels a little off. "Master Vanagor, these Lucrehulks are pretty ancient, and this one wasn't supposed to be in active service, right? Isn't it kinda weird that they have an armed crew complement, officers, and shipping containers in the hold we passed through? If this was out of commission, why is everything so...," she doesn't have a good turn of phrase to continue with, "...in commission?"

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

The Cost of Innocence
Objective 2 - Thurion Heavenshield - Open ​

Shivers ran through her spine as she heard the sheer number of rifles that were pointed her way. This was just as much the Agent as it was her cover identity, Verse. For a brief moment, her eyes closed as if she were bracing herself for the inevitable - but she soon forced them open. She needed a solution. And just like that, one was presented.

'Hello' a warm voice boomed from up high. This was not the sharp sneer of a Dark Side Elite, nor was it the disciplinarian tone of a superior officer. Instead, it was the comforting tone of someone whom she could only assume was a Jedi. Doe-like eyes met his as she placed a delicate hand in his. The man dwarfed her in size and the strength with which he helped her up was immense - but at the same time, he was as gentle as ever.

She let out a small "Thank you" before blurbing out what she had to say about the lunch meeting.

Verse's eyes shone up upon hearing that they weren't here to spill blood needlessly and that she was welcome to help. She gave him a purposeful nod and spoke with the same degree of determination "Gladly" Her gaze carefully ventured to the company he had brought as if making sure that he spoke for all of them. Perhaps it was obvious - but then, the girl had just experienced a bit of a fright.

Just as she had indicated previously, she turned to the computer console and started to remotely disable access cards. Upon trying to move through locked doors, many of the guards would now be prompted to turn to their commanding officer for further instructions. It was hardly foolproof - for many guards were already in position and some likely had override codes - but it would at least filter some guards out whilst slowing down some others.

What followed was an impressive display. Holding her blaster tightly, Verse followed the Lion King and his troop as they moved through the corridors. She had to jog to keep up at times - all while the massive warrior walked with long and calm strides. But the high pace did not seem to affect her safety in the least - plenty of armoured bodies were between her and any potential threats. The guards they did encounter were easily taken out by the Jedi who literally only needed to raise a finger or two.

When they eventually arrived at the elevators, she spoke "Twenty-six" to let everyone know which floor they were going to in order to intercept the leadership. As they rode up, the girl stood at the very back of the elevator, dwarfed by the warriors. A soft and content smile marked her lips as she listened to them reminiscing of their past.

Ding

As soon as they arrived, The Weequay fired off their blaster almost immediately. The Agent's eyes tracked the stun bolt as it hit a guard who had been waiting for them - or perhaps just for the elevator.

The Agent stepped out of the elevator, into the corridor that ran by it. Footsteps could be heard coming from both the left and the right. Then there was the door on the opposite side. Under the 'Diner' plaque hung a 'Closed Meeting' sign. She shot a look at the Jedi - this was precisely where they needed to be. With the quick swipe of the card she had lifted from the receptionist, Verse tried to get in. Unfortunately, an error message appeared: Insufficient access.

"I can fix this" she said, her voice now more stressed than afraid. "I've got a security tunneler, just need a few moments." The girl produced the tool from her suitcase and got to work.

In the meantime, a number of guards appeared from the left and the footsteps on the right were getting closer too. Apparently no common goon, the leader of the crew on the left quickly ushered her companions to take cover "This is private property. We need you to leave immediately. Take the elevator to the first floor and get out peacefully." there was a slight shiver to the guard captain's voice. A few moments after she had spoken, the guards from the right arrived and immediately opened fire. This situation risked escalating quickly.

[...]

Meeting the rebels has been a rollercoaster though. Their end goals are what they are - but I've never felt as safe back home as I did when that giant Jedi gave me his hand today. I know that the safety of the masses is what really matters and he only has two hands - but this isn't what I expected. The camaraderie is similar to what I've seen shared between the Stormtroopers. I've envied it so many times during training with Imperial Intelligence. If this works out, I'm actually looking forward to experiencing it myself. This assignment is becoming more interesting by the minute.

[...]

 

[Fa-Olan Warren]

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: ᴄᴀᴛᴏ ɴᴇᴍᴏᴅɪᴀ | ᴛᴀᴍʀɪᴋ ᴄɪᴛʏ
ᴏʙᴊᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴏɴᴇ: ᴄᴀᴍᴘ ʜᴏᴘᴇ​

The signal to go was very obvious, even if Fa-Olan hadn't really known what to expect. The display of Force ability was inspiring, as the Padawan felt the ripples through the mystical energy in the area, and he couldn't help but feel some awe toward Gil Horn.

Fa-olan also knew it was time to move.

"I'm going," Fa-Olan called to Lestra, as he started to run toward the encampment wall. "I'll do what I can to help with the guards along the way, but the sentients are my priority!"

Then, with a burst of the Force, Fa-Olan pushed the energy into his legs and propelled himself at the wall. His boots hit the dull surface, offering a thud, before he pushed off again and sailed upward to reach - and pass over - the top of the structure. Fa-Olan fell to the ground and rolled before he came up into a defensive guard with his lightsaber activated. Well, technically it wasn't his lightsaber, so much as it was one of the weapons he had collected from the Jedi Temple during the evacuation... with his thought process being that a training saber just wouldn't cut it (literally), for the battles to come in the future.

And I haven't been shown how to make my own yet.

"There's one!" called a guard not far from Fa-Olan's position. "Open fir--"

With a push of the Force, similar but less impressive than Gil, the Padawan knocked the guard sideways and into a housing building. There was a crash of impact as the guard fell unconscious but was otherwise unharmed. Not that that was important, but Fa-Olan didn't want to kill someone, either.

Ahead, the sound of fighting began to grow, even as Fa-Olan rushed ahead and rounded a corner. He saw a dozen innocents being held at blaster point by two guards, who had, up until the Padawan had appeared, been keeping watch as chaos erupted. The humming of the glowing weapon drew their attention.

"Get 'im, quick!" one guard called, as both turned and raised blasters.

Fa-Olan let out an exhale, as he charged and swatted at the first bolt sent his way. He sent the ricochette into the ground, to avoid hitting the innocent sentients huddled near the building wall, and then hit another bolt skyward to do the same. Fa-Olan's skill with deflection wasn't good, not yet, and he couldn't risk hitting the sentients he wanted to keep safe by accident, which meant it came down to the hard way...

"Drop your blasters and leave," Fa-Olan called, as he kept the lightsaber in front of him for protection as best he could. "I mean it, I won't ask again!"

Both guards paused, looked at each other and laughed, then opened fire...

___________________________________________________________________

Lestra Thairk | Gil Horn (mention)​