Dominion To Bring to Heel | SO Dominion of Aing-Tii

[Aspect of Resolve]

Aing-Tii​

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The hidden codex world of the Aing-Tii - mysterious, unknown, as nebulous as a concept as the teachings themselves. Many of the most educated in the galaxy still consider them a myth, but every legendary member in Galactic History had sought them out at one point or another - on rumor, or with proof. Many had chances at success in doing so, many more did not, but that history had been written.​

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Now the eclipse came for them. Those who had seen no notion of darkness in hundreds of years had sensed what came for them within the Emperor, within the Dark Forces of the Imperium. In their ability to see many futures, they had seen death in many - and strode to fight it. A new order of monks had formed in their panic, and while deadly, were nothing to the encroaching darkness.​

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As the Malsheem fled from the Imperium after their failure on Jutrand, the Emperor followed them deep into the Kathol Rift to end the threat to the Order one by one. So too, had the Twice-Tyrant Carnifex seen the worth running towards the Aing-Tii. Be it that he had seen a possible ally against the Emperor, a chance at knowledge forgotten, or simply felt no other solutions - he had found his place in their world.​

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Now the First Legion approaches, the Mors Mon in its excess entering the system with a disgusting visage of danger - a hundred ships in its wake. There was to be nothing left of this world to fight, no semblance of disorder in the coming chaos of conquest. The Emperor came to enthrall the people of the Aing-Tii, break them as he would all who stood against them, and take their secrets unto the Sith themselves.​

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Objective I: The Malsheem​

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In orbit, the world of the Twice-Emperor Darth Carnifex waits - resupplying itself, gorging on the messes of the world lost to time. The First Legion does not wait for their retreat any longer, bringing the full brunt of its technology to bear to secure the vessel here above this world. The Mors Mon and its supporting fleet begin to surround it, ships begin to fire, and the two are broken into conflict once more.​

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End this war for good, unify the Sith, and allow this charade of conflict to persist no longer. The Order, the Emperor, and the fate of the Sith demand that blood fertilize this new unity.​

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Objective II: The Monks​

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A resistance has been forming within the world of the Aing-Tii for far too longer - trained by their powerful masters to fight the Sith. They can teleport, flow through time in advanced precognition, and even be completely unseen by our best sensory users. They are too dangerous to remain - but they are too valuable to destroy. Break their fortress where it stands, pull from them everything of hope that remains, and show them that it is not we who are the enemy - but all the lies they have been told.​

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Bring the Monks into the fold, kill anyone who resists, and propel the Dark Side into a new and dangerous era.​

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Objective III: The Codex​

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While the resistance, the civil war, and all that comes of those are important - the most valuable aspect of the Aing-Tii is a vault containing their secrets of the Force. Bordering on the strength of the Celestials and all those forerunner races, the Aing-Tii are legendary for their understanding of the Force. All those secrets are to become the Sith’s, all of their strength shall be ours. We will not allow them to exist independently, nor pretend at puppet states like so many worlds - they will surrender morsel of their knowledge unto us.​

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Let Darkness reign, break Gods here so that we may break the Gods when the Eclipse comes.​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

OBJECTIVE III - THE CODEX​

"It begins."

Much of the Kainate's ground forces had been committed to this assault, their largest deployment to date. In the hours before the pursuing Eternalists had arrived, the Kainate had smashed into the Aing-Tii homeworld like a clenched fist, thousands of landing transports and troop gunships spilling forth from the Malsheem. They had only one overarching objective, to neutralize any effort by the Aing-Tii to disrupt their operations, and to make way for the Dark Lord to take to the field.

The first had been a partial success, although many urban centers still remained unmolested by the Kainate Grand Army. They'd primarily focused on securing the countryside, the rocky tundras and canyons that littered the world's continents. Kainate ornithopters flew in persistent patrol patterns, raining fire down on any settlement they came across before quickly moving on. It was a cavalcade of terror, meant to intimidate rather than to outright annihilate.

For the Kainate needed all of their strength in preparation for the storm. Pre-fabricated emplacements had been hastily assembled, Kainate engineers working around the clock to reinforce what land the Kainate held in totality. As the Mors Mons and other Eternalist vessels arrived, they were met by an impressive array of Kainate warships and galleys, all arranged in a defensive formation in Aing-Tii's upper orbit.

Carnifex would not be up there with them, the defense of the Malsheem would be delegated to other commanders and Lords of the Sith. He had taken a retinue down to the planet's surface, landing amidst the great assembly of His mighty host. That had been some time ago, and since then that host had moved forward. They sought to encroach upon the Embrace, a series of caverns beneath the planet's surface. A large settlement was built atop it, to protect the Aing-Tii's most valued relics.

It was the will of the Eternal Father to see the city smashed, and the doors to the Embrace flung open. His prize lay within, and He had come too far and gambled too much to leave its taking to anyone other than He. Demiurge was with Him, as was Kaahlil , the leaders of this great host that marched upon the Embrace.

"We will not have long," the Dark Lord explained, "Others will be drawn here, and they must not be allowed to intrude."

 

[Marduk'bel]

TO BRING TO HEEL
Tag: (Open)
Objective II | Location: Surface | Equipment: 1x Vibrosword / Acolyte Armor​

---

The green mist of chemical-weapons swung across the array of the surface battlefield, screaming and absolute gore engulfing the area of the acolyte, men pressing to their death, the Dark Side was ripe...Horrid...Atleast that's what went through the Flesh-Raider's head as he gripped the hilt of his large vibro-sword. Marduk'bel was one of various low-ranking sorcerers fighting, more so he was but a mini acolyte, assigned to a suicide mission to blitz the trained monks of Aing-TII, a group which he read about in historical lore. Sitting behind a rock, he was surrounded by acolytes who were being commanded by a eldritch Sith Lord who meditated silently.

<"SURRENDER! LAY DOWN BEFORE THE SITH HEGEMONY AND YOU WILL RISE!!"> The Flesh-Raider said in a thick tone, rough and dry from lack of rations. Exiting his cover he met a monk-in-training in single combat, he swung his blade in a horizontal half-circle arc - 'ZZZZZ-BZZZZ' the blades locked as he stared the Monk down, 'RIPOSTE!!', the flesh-raider pulled back and started backpaddling, the monk advanced with no moment lost. "RARAAA!!!" The raider let out a haunting roar before going on the offensive again; swinging to the right, the blade's dull side smacked the monk's weapon aside, then lifting the blade with one hand to bring it down..'VUSH!' the raider was sent flying back by a push of the force. He underestimated his enemy, and made a fool of his self.

Lifting himself from the rubble using his blade, he shook his head, analyzing the situation. The monk he fought was almost dancing, his acrobatic stance being pivotal as he dodged bolts from ground-troops as though he didn't lose any energy from the brief duel. <"Gods Help Me."> He mumbled watching. It was obvious Marduk was sentient such as those from thousands upon thousands of years ago, though how he came to fight for the sith was unknown. Wiping off dust he stood straight, now enraged, though he waited for the right moment to continue. Around him the fight waged on.

 

[Zetrove]

Objective II: The Monks
Tag(s): OPEN

Zetrove had never even heard of an “Aing-Tii” before today. An ancient and secretive alien race of mystics from what he could tell. Getting some briefings about a considerable amount of them readying for the upcoming fight. Even the Sith seemed wary of them, so the cyborg would keep his guard up. At the moment he climbed up to the top of a rocky ridge, one that overlooked the fortress of the alien monks. Once he reached the apex of his climb Zetrove took a deep breath of the cool yet mildly harsh air. His synthetic lungs work to keep the toxins from causing him any harm.

Other than the atmosphere the planet somewhat reminded him of home. His bright red photoreceptor scanned out over the landscape, taking in its details of the fortress and its surrounding areas. Internal communicators wirelessly transmitting the information to higher command. Suddenly though there was a sound behind him. Like a hard footstep on the stony ground beneath him. Flinching and looking back to see one of the local monks behind him. Having seemingly just appeared behind him, holding a staff to their side. Before he could draw his weapon the alien held out its palm towards Zetrove before an invisible blast of energy rippled through and past him. Clawed metallic feet reflexively clamped down on the ground. Struggling to keep him from being blasted off the cliff side, but ultimately succeeding.

Not wasting a second to properly collect himself, Zetrove’s combat programming took over, quickly drawing his curved vibro-sword, he crouched down before lunching at the tendril faced alien. Taking a horizontal swing at the monk where it gave a solid block with it’s staff. Using the Force to keep it durable and unable to be sawed apart by the cyborg's ultrasonic blade. Now engaged in a lethal duel with the Aing-Tii, the duo swinging, blocking and parrying eachother’s attacks rapidly. The occult versus the empirical locked in vicious combat atop the cliff.

 

[Darth Vyle]

Objective II: The Monks
Location: Aing-Tii Fortress
Tags: OPEN

The ancient bastion of the Aing-Tii monks sat high on a cold mountain ridge that would have been hard to reach from the ground. But Darth Vyle never took the conventional route. A dark cloud of ichor proceeded her, masking her approach. When the cloud reached the edges of the monk fortress, she appeared, the magicks of Dathomir glowing like two hot coals in either of her hands.

She had heard the Aing-Tii's mastery of the Force resembled the Dathomiri witches who had birthed and raised her. Their powers resembled her magick enough that the Sith had alerted their forces to the dangers the monks possessed. So, Darth Vyle thought she would even the odds by adding a sorceress to the side of the Sith who were already gathering below.

Of course, being so high up made a target, and on-sight, bolts hurled from the monks' position along the ramparts towards her. With a flick of her wrist, she captured their bolts, which now glowed scarlet like the ichor in her hands. A demonic battle cry issued from her lips as she turned the monks' bolts back on them, raining them down like a hail of shrapnel, skewering all unfortunate enough to be in their paths.

She offered the monks no mercy as she cut them down. More bolts hurdled her direction and she merely shaped her ichor into a pair of momentarily transparent shields, causing their weapons to clatter harmlessly off them and down to the ground below. Retribution had at last come, and the Aing-Tii would know the cost of resisting the Sith before the realization of their defeat was complete.
​

 

[Zlova Rue]

OBJECTIVE III: The Codex

The twin-tailed, red Twi'lek descended the ramp of her vessel along the edge of ruin. Her golden eyes burned with a fire unlike any that ravaged Aing-Tii that day. Her face was relaxed, as were her eyes as she panned her head from side to side at the sight all around. Typical, she thought. Death, destruction, and domination -- hallmarks of every Empire. Wasteful, but Zlova didn't genuinely care that countless people were suffering. Not if they were given the chance to fight for their survival, anyway.

She set off almost immediately from the ship across the broken ground. The Force was seductive and lured many to its dependency, which Zlova found revolting. It had its uses though. An unerring sense of direction, for one. Perhaps something in or beyond The Force found events to its amusement, and sought to lead her there?

Long as there was a chance for a good brawl, she was content. Where better than in a clash between Sith factions for a fight? No one would whine about using the Force or wielding a lightsaber. No complaints about how it was only honorable if you fired a blaster with its uncanny ability to hit everything except what you were aiming at. Honor? Something the weak made up to excuse their failures -- the enemy just hadn't played by the rules. What rules? Who'd decided them? Zlova certainly hadn't agreed to any such nonsense.

There was also that little tickle... the sense of someone about to get their hands on something they probably shouldn't? This had to be what Jedi felt -- much as it pained her to think she had something in common with them -- it was the only way to explain how they always showed up where they weren't wanted. Of course, that meant that Zlova should get her hands on whatever that was instead. It'd be something worth learning, or it would pay for copious amounts of alcohol. A woman could do worse.

Darth Carnifex | Open

 

[Marduk'bel]

TO BRING TO HEEL
Tag: (Open)
Objective II | Location: Outside Aing-TII Monk Fortress | Equipment: 1x Vibrosword/ Acolyte Armor​

---

The acolyte ran his blade across the abdomen of his enemy, a clean slice opening upon the Monk's body; his far-fetched eyes bloodshot red, he was enraged and it was apparent. The tide of the battle was seemingly positioning itself in favor of the Dark Invaders, Imperial-Fighters lining the skyline. Being a Flesh-Raider and wielder of the cosmic-force more so a follower of Bogan it'd be assuming that Marduk'bel would always be enraged or along the line but it was false assumption. The raider wasn't absolute evil nor good, he was simply, Marduk'bel.

<"Overwhelm the monks!! Acolytes, aim to capture, crush all who resist!!"> He said addressing the men around him though most couldn't understand his tongue, instead simply waving his vibrosword forward in the direction of the enemy and yelling.

The Sith Acolytes were split, most didn't listen though 1 or 2 of the more blood drunk chaps charged headfirst. Marduk was behind them charging, he gripped his blade with his right as though it was sheathed in a waist-holster; "RAAAA!" he screamed throwing the surrounding fray off as he swiped his hefty blade up^vertically, the tip meeting the barrel of a turret which split in half. "!!!!" one of the Aing-TII Monks twirled before teleporting, appearing once more and making quick slicing attacks on the raider's back.

Swinging his arm around and elbowing the enemy in the face, Marduk reached out with his left, grabbing the almost metallic neck of the Monk before slamming his blade into the enemy's center mass, pushing past its spine and out the back. "Foolish Monk." He whispered in basic, pushing the corpse off his blade before looking deep off into the battlefield...The fortress, his target. "Retreating. Location Captured. Acolyte Marduk'bel." He said in basic once more, his words quite thick in accent. He was addressing any local forces.

Planting the Imperial-Flag, an artillery-post was under sith control. AA-Guns being turned on the aerial defense units. Stepping back onto the battlefield, he marched on heading for the fortress gates.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"It won't be long now, Eternal Father. The city will be yours within the hour."

The military commander speaking to the Dark Lord was one of the strand-casts, having been one of the few to be elevated to such a position of authority within the Grand Army. Typically, officers were conscripted from the Imperial families that had taken oaths of fidelity during the time of the Tenth Sith Empire. They'd be given a place of privilege on the Malsheem, allowed to relocate there, and exist as aristocracy among the insular population that lived there. Many of them looked down on the strand-casts, seeing them as little more than organic equipment rather than people with hearts and minds.

"I care not for the city, commander. Level it. The vault below is all that matters." All of the Dark Lord's will was fixed upon the vault, the Embrace, and the secrets hidden within. He coveted one specific item within the trove, a large archway of ancient design that had purportedly been constructed by the Celestials hundreds of thousands of years ago, perhaps even longer. At the Dark Lord's back was His personal retinue, a cadre of guards surrounding a locked chest containing the astrolabe; the artifact He had spent many years collecting the pieces of. Nearby was Vera Noble, the Dark Lord's granddaughter, put under guard and kept especially close.

How the two were linked was something that the Dark Lord kept very secretive.

As the Dark Lord watch, massive artillery pieces were rolled up and began to shell the Aing-Tii city. They cared not about where the shells fell, so long as they saturated the city and brought it to ruin. Incendiary bombs were also dropped by gunships from above, to burn out the Aing-Tii defenders and draw them into a killing field. Darth Carnifex did not care about preservation, He only wanted to take what was His.

And He would have it soon.

Zlova Rue ​

 

[Aculia Voland]

Objective II: Capture the Monks​

Aculia was not a particular fan of most Sith personally as she thought they were, on the whole, unhinged as the Jedi were idealistic and naive, but they tended to pay well, and if the requested contract was not too objectionable, she was allowed to do things her own way, and she had no reason to turn down their money...then a job is a job. This time she had requested an equivalent sum of captured slaves and refugees to her and the Zephyr’s fee, to spare at least some of them the wrath and suffering of the Sith at the end of the day. Once, she might have fought against them solely for that purpose, but her service under the Elysium Empire and its dissolution into anarchy and chaos had more or less destroyed any remaining impractical idealism on her part. After all, she was just one person with a few hundred men under her command. She could only do what she could, not influence the fate of the Galaxy alone.

She had deployed personally to the front lines as they were dealing with fairly powerful Force wielders, although she had both her strikecraft squadron and men on backup, should the need arise. Reading through the contract, she noted that it emphasized trying not to kill and to capture these rebellious monks since they could be valuable assets to the Sith. It also said something about trying to bring them into the fold peacefully if possible, but she figured she would let the Sith “diplomats” and interrogators handle that once she captured them.

Sighing and doing some warmup stretches before she jogged at a brisk pace towards the sound of combat, and carried two blunted cortosis blades today instead of her usual blaster pistol, one main and one backup, and her two regular lightsabers in her back holsters, just in case.

Let’s get this over and done with as soon as possible, most of these Sith creep me out a little.

At the edge of the battlefield, she took stock of the situation, and an eyebrow lifted in surprised as she watched Darth Vyle on some kind of Force-created cloud mercilessly cut down scores of the monks with some kind of unconventional magic, their deaths sending a cold shiver through the Force. Shifting her eyes down to the ground, she watched as some Sith acolytes and their grotesque creature of a leader Marduk'bel cut down some more, the Flesh Raider driving his blade directly through some poor monk's chest, blood spattering out from his victim as he did so.

I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to try to capture them or convince them to surrender, not wantonly slaughter them…

Taking a moment to pull out her holopad, she glanced down at the contract she had signed. Yes, it said to try to capture and not kill them at possible, as they were the planet’s most valuable resource. Putting it away, she sighed and rubbed a black gloved hand across her pale white forehead.

…well, I’ll try to disable and capture some alive, I cannot be held responsible for what their underlings do.

Unsheathing one of the blunted cortosis blades, she strode onto the battlefield confidently, her black and white cloak robes fluttering as she did so.

Rolls: Awareness: 26, Brilliant. Defense: 21, Masterful. Counterattack (Hit): Average. Counterattack (strength): Expert.

Oh?

A few subtle echoes in the roaring symphony of the Force around her was all she needed to detect the synchronized incoming attacks against her, a smile flittering across her face as she quickly flashed around in a silver blur barely perceptable to the naked eye, moving to where her ambushers would be almost before they themselves knew.

“Slow!” She commented gleefully, her pale blue eyes shining with excitement, knocking aside the blade of a teleporting Aing-Ti monk that might have decapitated a less aware opponent before pivoting to the right.

“Sloppy!” Her blade met the heavy staff of yet another monk who appeared seemingly out of nowhere and who tried to bring it down vertically across her head, before she jumped back and dashed to the left.

“Sad!” The final of the apparating monks wielding a mace aimed at her chest, easily deflected as she yet again moved forward, before turning to face all three of her would be ambushers. She could not tell from their faces, alien as they were, but she could feel their shock through the Force.

She laughed, her mirth audible across the battlefield, eyes gleaming.

“Wonderful! Let’s play…!”

She wove her blade in a careful pattern against her three opponents, whose own defence was anything from sloppy, metal echoing against metal. A well-placed horizontal slash pierced the defense of one of the one with the staff, the powerful direct blow slamming into his white-plated head with an audible thump, and he slumped to the ground.

Alive, barely, that one.

Her counterattack continued, scoring a few hits against her opponent with the mace, although none significant except the one that forcefully struck his vulnerable right leg that as he staggered backwards in pain.

The last one, clutching his sword, proved to be better than his two counterparts, just enough that he got away from her flurry of attacks with only a few small grazes, for now.

“You could always just give up. Spare yourself the trouble…” She said, white teeth breaking out into a grin that resembled that of a wolfess.

She knew that offer would not be accepted.

 

[Zlova Rue]

OBJECTIVE III: The Codex

The first sign something had gone wrong would be one of those massive artillery shells abruptly changing course and plowing into the side of a gunship.

Zlova stood scowling atop a tall building in the city. It was one thing to deprive the people of this city their chance to live or die by their own strength in combat, but to try and annihilate her using artillery? Obviously these people were trying to see how pissed off they could make a Lady of the Sith. Perhaps it was because they didn't know she was there? Ah, yes. Perhaps...

One shell then another were plucked out of the sky, and with a grunt sent back to sender. Whether they hit or not the message was about the same. Zlova hoped they didn't stop firing on her account though. There was something surprisingly entertaining in catching and then throwing explosive ordinance back while trying to eye-ball a target from such a long distance.

Much of the city was burning despite the red Twi'lek's seeming defiance against the intruders. Well, people would get the wrong idea if they saw a shadowy figure atop a building seemingly "fighting back." It was really up to the people to find shelter or flee, or assemble into a force that'd go out and meet the enemy. She didn't feel like trying to take control of them -- that would have been such a pain. One good look at her and they'd be on their guard, and the city would still burn.

Wasn't like Zlova was here with a persona grudge against the Sith forces out there. They tried to kill her -- unknowingly, but that was their problem -- so she tried killing them. It was the Sith thing to do.

Darth Carnifex | Open

 

[Zetrove]

​

Objective II: The Monks
Tag(s): OPEN

Zetrove wasn’t one to put much of their energy towards defense. His Aing-Tii opponent flowed their weapon with the currents of the force. Using it’s guidance for speed and strength. The cyborg used predictive analytics and his body’s servo motors to oppose it. Eventually their weapons were caught in a bind, and he could get a better look at the alien's weapon. It just seemed like a simple wooden staff, but with a deep red tint, possibly dyed. Using his strength to try and leverage the Monk’s staff out of the way to subvert their defense and slip in an attack. However, as he did the Aing-Tii monk moved with it, using the momentum provided by Zetrove to bring up the back end of their staff and quickly strike the cyborg on the side.

The counter attack was fast and forcefully, knocking Zetrove to the side and on the ground. Dropping his vibrosword, sliding away some and teetering on falling off the cliff side. Zetrove wanted to reach for it but the monk wouldn’t miss out on capitalizing on their advantage. Instead wanting to strike the cyborg down where he lay. Bringing their hands together at the end of their staff they brought it down with a powerful overhand swing. Narrowly avoiding the attack, Zetrove rolled to the side, the impact of the staff was augmented with the force, cracking the stony ground beneath it. Right where his chest would’ve been. Likely would’ve severely dented the metal casings around his lungs and heart.

Raising one of his mechanical legs, Zetrove brough his foot down on the monk’s staff. The claw-like appendage grabbing it, and keeping it down and keeping his target still for a moment. Raising his arm up to them it shifted and unfolded, revealing a light blaster hidden in his forearm. Training it on his alien adversary he shot them. Unloading several blue energy rings onto them. Needing a few stunning rounds to incapacitate them with the bony exoskeleton-like plating that covered them. With a woozy fall they fell back with a loud thud. Quickly Zetrove brough himself back onto his feet, picking up his sword before a slight breeze pushed it off the edge of the cliff.

Standing over his fallen adversary, he wordlessly transmitted his information via his internal comms. Letting higher command know he had defeated and subdued one of their alien monk adversaries. Hearing some loud booming noises he looked over his shoulder to see some of the alien’s city shelled via artillery. Zetrove had no real idea what the Sith had in store for the planet or its people.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Objective II: The Monks
Tags: Zetrove | Darth Vyle | Valery Noble

"I never like seeing Dathomir magic used by Sith. Reminds me of my old obsession under my Father."

A flash of white emerged from within the center of the Aing-Tii monks, one that spread farther and over them. A barrier, shimmering in it's light, protected the monks from the hell that was to be rained down upon them. Kahlil lowered his hand, and with it the flash of a barrier stopped, leaving the weapons that had been turned against the Monks to slowly float down, all so they could repossess their weaponry.

<You came back.>

One of the Aing-Tii stepped forward, glancing to him, then to the woman beside him. The Jedi just smiled.

"Of course. Start the evacuation. We'll hold the line." His gaze turned up as he ignited his green saber, staring right towards the Witch above.

"Won't we, love?"

 

[Aculia Voland]

Objective II: Capture the Monks


Rolls: Melee Defense 19 (Expert), Melee Attack (Hit) 22 (Masterful), Force Attack 9 (Poor), Attack Strength 4 : (Very Poor)

Metal clashed against metal as human and the two Aing-Ti continued their fight. Aculia expertly dodged, weaved, and parried the weapons of the two monks, not too hard considering one could barely walk from one of her blows before and she had long ago achieved mastery with Soresu and integrated it into her style. Of course, this meant that she rarely got the chance to get a single decisive blow, rather a series of a thousand cuts that eventually wore down her opponent. The healthy Aing-Ti faltered for just a moment, slightly overextending, and Aculia’s blade instantly flashed through his defense to strike near his right arm-but only ended up managing a glancing blow that sliced off a bit of his tunic due to it not being the best angle to exert her power.

Tch, sometimes I wish I had the more aggressive form I used in the past…but I ended up paying for that, badly. I do not relish getting any more scars.

Jumping back for a moment, she hardened her gaze on the wounded Aing-Ti, reaching out viciously with the Force to try to break his already wounded leg and take him out of the fight, a flash of darkness mirroring that Sith flickering over her aura in the Force, but much more a shade of gray and less powerful than a true dark master’s. It was far from her best such effort and sloppy, given she had only a few moments to focus before having to go back on the defense, but for an already wounded opponent whose bones had already been rendered brittle by an earlier attack, it was enough. A satisfying crack and a pained yelp rewarded her effort as the monk collapsed to the ground, squirming.

Not time to celebrate yet!

Carefully dodging another strike from the Aing-Ti with the sword, she turned to face the alien, when suddenly a nearly blinding light illuminated something in the distance, a warm wave of energy one could feel through the Force.

Wh-? Jedi? Here? This isn’t near Alliance space. What the hell are they doing all the way out here? Whatever, I’ll investigate after I’m done with this one.

Quintessa Zetrove Marduk'bel Kahlil Noble Zlova Rue Darth Vyle

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii world

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble | Darth Vyle and stimkers

Valery stood by his side, as always, when Kahlil reached for the sky to create a protective barrier. Her hand was on his shoulder, allowing the Force to flow between them with more potency than their Dyad already made possible. He was the Shield of the Jedi, and now a shield to these people, so he needed all the strength he could muster.

She'd be his source of strength when he needed it.

"We will," she said confidently, and with a bright smile that shifted from her husband to the Aing-Tii monk, who knew of the two Nobles after their recent visit to their planet.

It gave them strength to see the two Jedi return.

Valery then stepped forward, and while her husband stood strong as Shield, she was the Sword. Two hands came up at her sides, as a massive amount of Force energy gathered within her. She brought the two hands together, compressed the energy, and released the Force Burst towards Darth Vyle in an attempt to take her out.

"Time to bring that witch down."

 

[Quintessa]

Location: Aing-Tii Homeworld
Objective: III - The Codex │ Engage the Rogue Sith
Tags: Darth Carnifex Zlova Rue
Direct Engagement: Zlova Rue

“Clear sector 24-C of the city. Refrain from fire support in said sector unless I will it. The heretic is mine.”

In a dizzying rush of wind and dust, Quintessa disappeared into the city, leaving the forward operating base and the personnel inside in her wake. The issue of artillery shells being redirected had been noted and a collective sense of relief had fallen over the soldiers upon realizing that the rogue Sith would be dealt with or at the very least, occupied. That meant the soldiers, pilots, and artillery crews of the Kainate would soon be able to continue their fire missions, to see the will of the Eternal Father enacted.

"I care not for the city, commander. Level it. The vault below is all that matters."

Less than a minute after her departure from the forward operating base, Quintessa arrived at her destination. Without hesitation, the short-statured speedster leveraged her Inertia to ascend the wall of the building where the heretic had positioned herself, perhaps so she could better obstruct the designs of the Eclipsing Mission.

Just for that, Quintessa was determined to make the building her tomb.

Within a moment of leaping up onto the roof, Quintessa seized the initiative against the rogue Sith—a Lethan Twi’lek if her eyes were true. From 25 meters away, she delivered one of her chakrams towards the Twi’lek’s neck in a straight-arced throw optimized for power and speed over subtlety—a potentially decapitating strike if the bladed disc flew true and uninterrupted!

Spoiler: Loadout

• Pulsiva Bodysuit
  
  • Gauntlets
    
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Gauntlet Vibroblade (2) - L/R
  • Sith Talisman
    
    • Spirit Anchor
    • Amulet of Many
    • Jin'Wodasir (2)
  • Utility
    
    • Supernal Infusion
    • FAE/U-01 “Serenity” Anti-Signal Field System
• Dancer’s Wheels
• Quintessa’s Twin Lightsaber Shotos
• Krath Council Stiletto

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: The Codex / Find Him
Equipment: Lightsaber, Sword, Dagger, Armor
Tags: Darth Carnifex / Zlova Rue / Quintessa

​

With the Mors Mon and the grand fleet assembled to escort it and fight along side it against the Kainate's own armada, many ships had been called to service in what was to be the final breaking of the Kainite resistance. But of course, Aing-Tii itself and the secrets hidden within were just as much of a prize to be claimed as the Malsheem that hung above it. Once reports of a Kainite fleet holding position and defending a portion of the planet's orbit had filtered through the Sith Order's communication channels though, Aing-Tii became a far higher priority.

If the reports were to be believed, then a large portion of the Kainate Grand Army was invading and occupying the capital city underneath the cover that the fleet offered them. Most importantly of course, Carnifex himself was rumored to be on the ground as well. The Sith were in no position to gamble, even on a rumor or false intelligence, all avenues had to be exploited.

So a fair chunk of the Sith Order's mighty fleet had been split off, mainly comprised of Inquisition vessels, with one sole purpose that had been commanded from on high.

-

Fighters, corvettes, and bombers alike fire off their weapons and made evasive maneuvers in the midst of the brutal battle in the upper orbit above the Aing-Tii capital. Carnage and ship debris from the battle was already beginning to fall down upon the unfortunate city below. But among the occasional thruster or hull that came barreling down through the atmosphere there was a clear and steady flow of ships.

Shuttles, drop pods, even some freighters and plenty of fighter escorts used the debris as cover as they raced down to the planet's surface, fending off attacks from both above and below as the Kainite starfighters came at them from two directions at once.

Inquisition fighters shot down Kainite gunships as they were chased by even more Kainite fighters, shuttles and boarding pods either managed to dodge and weave between the dogfighting or were made to join the debris with a few lucky shots from their pursuers. It was a bloody and costly engagement and they had yet to even reach the city itself.

In the flurry of shuttles rushing to make a landing however there was one that seemed to be surpassing the rest, almost too fast for the fighters to keep up with as it streaked towards the city as shells fell upon the unlucky inhabitants. Almost as if it were propelled by something other than mere thrusters or gravity.

:"We have our order.":

A voice came through the communicators of each transport and ship that was attempting to make its landing amidst the Kainite's stubborn defense. A voice that, while calm, clearly held a wrath somewhere in each syllable. :"We have but one mission, no matter how many we must kill, no matter how many we must lose, that we must accomplish.":

The speeding shuttle pulled up just in time to barely scrape the top of a building in the capital city, now dodging fire from the forces on the ground yet still moving with an unprecedented thrust. :"Inquisition of the Sith Order. Hear me and hear the words of our master, for she has given us a single and direct command.":

Fresh from the medical room after his last fight with the Kainite forces, Alisteri's fist clenched around one of the handles that lined the top of the shuttle as he willed it forward with all that he could muster. :"Find Him. No exceptions, no failures. For the Sith.":

 

[Aculia Voland]

Objective 2: Capture the Monks​

“Sir! Problem!” Her holocommunicator blared as she easily sidestepped the beginnings of her opponent's assault, not even bothering to raise her sword as she did so.

“What is the problem now, Severin?”

“The Sith sir! They are fighting each other!”

“I thought they did that all the time? What is the concern now?” She questioned, mildly irritated at having her enjoyment ruined as she deigned to parry one of the strikes the monk desperately tried to land on her.

“Well, Sir, it’s not just the individual fighting…an entire other fleet showed up! And they’re sending landing shuttles! They do not seem to be friendly to uh…’our’ Sith!!”

“You said this contract was for the Sith Emperor and his forces!” She snapped back. “The Emperor, singular! It implies there is one person in control! One!”

“Ah, well…” Severin remained silent for a moment, then coughed uncomfortably. “I confess there may be disagreement over that title recently. Sith space is largely a black box to our intel network so far. They’re pretty secretive about their internal politics and agents who try to infiltrate into their space do not tend to last very long…alive.”

“Severin!”

“I apologize, Captain! As far as we knew, this Darth Carnivore or whatever his name is considers himself is the Sith Emperor! At least by a lot of them. That’s what he announced himself as on Onderon to anyone who could hear and no one among them was there to challenge him! Sure there were reports of skirmishes but who knows how accurate those are? Maybe this is a new development? Maybe these are Sith who are ardently pro-vegetarian?”

“Ugh! Just what we needed. Severin, keep monitoring the situation! Keep the Zephyr cloaked, and get it as far away as you can from any of the Sith vessels. If any of them get too close, they might be able to sense you in the Force. We’ll need to think about what to do here…”

“Yes sir!”

This time, Aculia was on the attack, cortosis sword against Aing-Ti blade as she did so. This damn fellow seemed to be the prodigy of the group that attacked her, at least when it came to defending himself, but she was able to adapt. He batted aside her first real attempt to hit him, a failed thrust to his right side, her second strike, a slash scoring a glancing hit against his left flank, before she finally saw the opening that she needed. A feint to the right, followed up with a pommel strike that left him gasping for air that left him open for a moment. Soon, she would have anot-

Before she could finish the thought, a red blade erupted from the center of his chest, the alien managing a rasping scream before it fell to the ground. Aculia stared at him for a moment dumbfounded, then looked up at the grinning Zabrak Sith acolyte standing over him.

“Try to do your job better next time, merc!” He sneered at her with contempt. “Don’t see why they bother paying you at all! We have this!” he proudly declared, spitting on the still twitching corpse before turning away to find another victim in his quest for recognition and power.

Aculia felt like tossing one of her lightsabers, ignited, at his back, but there were bigger problems to deal with. Like the fight going on between one of “her” Sith and an unknown number of Jedi.

“Send a cloaked shuttle down, secure these two prisoners. I’m going to check something else!” She barked into her holocommunicator.

She wanted to see how the fight went down at least. She was not being paid, yet, to fight the Jedi, but the Sith who had been firing the red bolts of energy from her cloud before had seemed powerful. And that usually meant access to a large amount of money, and maybe if one of the Jedi got wounded by the likely Darth, she might nab them while the Sith and other Jedi were busy to ransom back to their Alliance.

Darth Vyle Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Marduk'bel

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The gates were blown open, fire raging amidst the rubble. Shells continued to rain down, but they did so more sparingly now that the Kainate army had begun to march into the city itself. It was a grand and mighty procession, endless columns of soldiers and Sith marching forward through the shattered archway. Banners and flags, each emblazoned with the Kainate crest, fluttered in the breeze, whipped this way and that way whenever a heavy gust rolled over the advancing force.

Leading the group was Darth Carnifex Himself, walking at the very tip of the spear without fear or trepidation. Behind Him was His entourage, that of His loyal retainers carrying the astrolabe and escorting His prisoner, Vera Noble. She walked without being restrained, but her gait was somewhat lethargic and her expression was without emotion. To prevent her from fleeing at the first chance she got, the Dark Lord's doctors had injected her with a cocktail of drugs to make her more docile and suggestible. It would come in handy when the Dark Lord finally got His hands on His prize.

Prior to entering the city, the Dark Lord had dispatched several advanced teams into the city to eliminate unsavory elements that could pose a threat to His plan. One was the unknown element causing His artillery shells to go awry, and for that He entrusted Blessed Quintessa to dispatch whoever was causing such a disturbance. The other was the Embrace itself, the Dark Lord did not want to risk damaging the vault and so entrusted His own assassins to secure the area for His arrival.

The arrival of Sith vessels was not surprising, though the symbols etched into their metal hulls would've made Him smile had He still retained the capacity to do so. He could sense Alisteri among them, clearly not having learned from their last encounter. He would have to be instructed again, this time more harshly. Not only that, but He could sense Kahlil Noble and Valery Noble as well. They'd come much quicker than He'd hoped, and He couldn't risk losing Vera to them just yet.

He still needed her.

"Quicken our pace, I will not tarry any longer."

Darth Strosius | Quintessa | Zlova Rue ​

 

[Sarlow Zambrano]

SITH LORD + LYCAN
KAINITE
A I N G - T I I
​

Sarlow had arrived on Aing-Tii with a contingent of his personal Wolfguard. His father, the Eternal Father, Darth Carnifex had long planned the day's events and none would interrupt. He followed behind his father his senses on heightened alert as he sensed those in his father's retinue up ahead such as Quintessa and Zlova Rue thus upon hearing his father remark that he would not tarry any longer. Sarlow shouted ahead, "go, father! I'll help the others and ensure the ritual is complete."

The First Son of Kaine and Salara turned and threw his cape behind him. The long black fabric fluttered in movement. The Inquisition of the so-called Sith Order was nothing as it had been in the days of his father's rule and as such, it would be culled like the ill stalks that they were. His upper lip curled into a snarl as his guards formed up with him, and in the distance could see his younger brothers Alvarex and Ansgar, had arrived not long after he had and with their own guards readied the line of defenses. He turned to his own men, who were not truly men at all. Rather they were dark souls, bound to their armor loyal souls who once served Carnifex and Sarlow in life and have been granted the blessing of doing so again in death.

They no longer felt pain or death, and when struck they simply pulled their armor back together. The inquisition's ships were many, and so were the vessels of Kainites, and their clashes above made for a brilliant display of violence. Lightsaber at the ready, Sarlow flicked the blade on its vibrant red hue glowed ominously. Sarlow barked a command to his guard and all at once they too readied their vibroblades that were alight with a brilliant plasma filament.

Sarlow knew his father had to succeed for his success was theirs, and it would mean that they could truly bring their people back to the forefront of power. "Make ready!" Shouted Sarlow with a feral growl that sung in the tone of his words, his voice heavy as he barked the next set of orders, ready for the Inquisition.

Darth Strosius














​

 

[Zetrove]

​

Objective II: The Monks
Tag(s): Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble | Aculia Voland | Darth Vyle

The cyborg was hearing reports of new adversaries at the Monk’s fortress, a pair of Jedi. He couldn’t just dive in to fight them though, not yet at least. He still needed to deal with the Aing-Tii he fought. But Zetrove didn’t need to wait very long for that. Soon enough a spindly probe droid flew over to his position. Using its grabby appendages to take the unconscious Aing-Tii away for capture. How does one capture a supposedly time traveling, teleporting alien? He wasn’t sure, but figured the Sith in their wisdom had something in place to keep them from escaping too easily.

After that Zetrove rolled the Monk’s quarter staff under his foot before kicking it up into his hand. Giving the crimson colored stick a little twirl before looking it over. It was very simple, octagonal in shape, and a deep red hue. The cyborg pondered for a moment if the humble weapon had any special properties. A warrior monk expecting to fight lightsaber wielding dark side adepts and Sith might have wanted to invest into a weapon that could retaliate against such things. Nonetheless Zetrove thought it would be nice to keep the staff for himself as a trophy to commemorate the day. Before the prob droid could get too far away he called out to it. Getting its attention he tossed the staff to it, using one of its many spindly arms to catch the weapon before flying off. Although he wanted to keep it, he couldn’t lug the whole thing around with him all day.

With his work up on the ridge scouting the flanks of the Aing-Tii fortress done he began his quick and careful descent down the cliff. Receiving updated order to oppose the Jedi newcomers to the scene. An order the cyborg would gladly follow. With great haste he made his way to where the pair of lightsiders were. His cybernetic eye shifted to the large and imposing man who seemed like they were on the side of the Aing-Tii. Why were they here? Zetrove had no clue, but from what he knew and has experienced the Jedi had a habit of meddling in the affairs of others willy nilly. There was a woman too, both of their attention seemed to be drawn toward the floating witch above. Perhaps they had enough tunnel vision for him to slip in a decent hindering attack.

From his waist the cyborg drew a spherical looking grenade. Raising his leg up some and turning his hips he powerfully pitched the weapon like a professional athlete tossing a fast ball. Setting the explosive device to detonate on contact or once it felt any resistance. Where it would blast out a considerable quantity of adhesive material to gum up the two Jedi. From his understanding they relied a lot on mobility, something he did as well. Stripping them of their supernatural speed could level the playing field for the non force sensitive cyborg. He had these grenades initially to trap and capture the slippery Aing-Tii, but the Jedi guardians seemed to be a bigger threat now.