Dominion Unnatural Selection | THR Dominion of Setron

[Cordal Renth]

​

TITLE: Unnatural Selection
OBJECTIVE: Mission 2: Extraction (Laboratory Facility)
INVENTORY: Republic Commando Armour, Republic Service Rifle, Republic Service Pistol, Medikit, medical backpack
LOCATION: Approaching the lab/ medical facility
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.


The shuttle's landing struts touched down against the rocky platform outside the facility with a dull metallic thud.
Cold mountain wind swept across the plateau, carrying with it the faint smell of burned circuitry and something else Cordal Renth couldn't quite place. Something biological.
Lieutenant Cordal Renth adjusted the medical pack secured over his shoulders and stepped down the ramp behind the first squad of Republic troopers. The new rank bars on his armor still felt unfamiliar. Only a few weeks earlier, he'd been Sergeant Renth—the medic everyone called when things went bad.
Now he was responsible for the entire medical response of the mission.
Not exactly the promotion he'd imagined.
Ahead of them, the entrance to the old Imperial facility carved into the mountainside of Setron loomed like a wound in the rock. The structure had once been a black-site laboratory, one of many the Empire had quietly abandoned during its collapse.
Officially abandoned, anyway.
The flickering lights inside the entry corridor suggested otherwise.
"Lieutenant," one of the scouts said, lowering his macrobinoculars as the rest of the squad fanned out around the entrance. "Power readings are unstable. Something's still drawing energy from the main grid."
Cordal nodded slightly.
"Meaning someone's been here recently."
The scout gave a grim nod.
"Looks that way."
Cordal glanced toward the dark corridor beyond the blast doors. The interior lights flickered weakly, revealing cables hanging from the ceiling and blast scoring along the walls.
Signs of fighting.
Not old fighting either.
His mind ran through the mission brief again.
Imperial warlord hardware.
Unblessed involvement.
And anti-Force experiments that had gone very, very wrong.
The newly promoted lieutenant keyed his helmet comm.
"Medical teams, stay close to the squads," Cordal said calmly. "If there are survivors in there, they're going to need help fast."
He paused for a moment before adding quietly.
"And if the briefings are accurate… we may not be the only living things in the facility."
The squad leader beside him checked the charge on his blaster rifle.
"Creatures bred to hunt Force users," the trooper muttered. "And they can't be sensed through the Force."
Cordal didn't respond immediately.
He'd treated enough battlefield wounds to know what happened when soldiers walked into a fight they didn't understand.
That was why he was here.
"Remember the objective," Cordal said. "We're here to extract survivors and secure whatever data's left. Not chase monsters."
The blast doors groaned open with a grinding shriek of old machinery.
Darkness spilled out from within.
A mountain-top laboratory turned into a labyrinth of caverns and tunnels, carved deep beneath Setron's stone.
And somewhere down there—
Anti-Force experiments had escaped containment.
Cordal stepped forward with the rest of the Republic team, the beam of his helmet light cutting into the darkness.
"Mission Two," he said over the squad channel.
"Extraction."
The troopers moved inside.
Behind them, the wind howled across the mountain.
And far below the facility…
Something moved in the dark.

Connel Vanagor Solene Beroya

 

[Resh]

"Seems everyone's flocking to the Republic these days. Can't blame them, given the state of… things." Resh shrugged.

“What about you? Did you join the Republic?”

"Sort of. I'm training with the Jedi Order now. The Vonnuvi is my home, but I wanted to gain some new perspective, be where the action was, you know?" Seeing Inanna had caused the padawan to drop his guard, which left him little chance to defend himself against a creature masked from the Force. Resh yelled in pain as the creature struck him in the back, causing the Pureblood to topple over onto his knees. With surprising strength, he reached behind and tore the monster away. It landed in front of Inanna, scrambling to get back into an attack-ready position.

Inanna Harth - Open​

 

[Joren Kayde]

TITLE: Unnatural Selection.
OBJECTIVE: Containment.
INVENTORY: NDH Armour | PHC-55 | VF-23.
SQUAD: Task-Force Sentinel Dawn.
LOCATION: Decommissioned Imperial science facility on Setron.
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.

​

The team were moving through the ground floor, blaster-rifles sweeping left and right, checking for signs of hostiles as they sought out the stairwell to descend further down into the basement levels. While there were turbo-lifts, taking them would be too compromising if the enemy were following them on a security feed.

As they moved into yet another corridor of the maze-like building, Whitley automatically dropped to his knees; "Contact!" he shouted with Joren Kayde and Oscar Buckley joining behind the Lieutenant. Further down the hallway, two men armed with blasters also spotted them and quickly ducked to either side of cover.

"Drop your blasters and surrender yourselves peacefully!" Captain Beiran shouted in the enemy's direction, while Joren Kayde and Isabella Johnson slowly moved to the left and took up position to cover one side, the three aiming towards the other.

The response was predictable: the two men who looked like private security broke cover and fired back at Joren and his team. Every member of Sentinel-Dawn opened up in return, firing stun rounds as Kayde had ordered prior to their infiltration. The screaming of plasma fired with every pull of the trigger rang out, echoing through the ground floor. The element of surprise had been lost, and Kayde knew others would soon join the first two in a bid to expel the invaders.

"Dig in! Covering fire!" Joren ordered, quickly moving up to duck into the nearest doorway in the side of the corridor, soon signalling to the captain before leaning out and firing again, keeping the pressure up so that his squad could fortify their positions, using whatever cover they could to hold their end of the hallway.

The New Way, these extremists-whatever they were - presented the first contact. Adrenaline coursed through Joren's veins as his blasterifle recoiled against his shoulder. Stepping back behind cover, he looked back at the squad. They all moved efficiently, experience showing in their reaction time, covering each other as they gradually pushed the offensive.

They were Joren's first charge as a squad leader, and in the chaos, he reaffirmed his dedication to keeping them alive and seeing them through the mission.

 

[Cordal Renth]

TITLE: Unnatural Selection
OBJECTIVE: Mission 2: Extraction (Laboratory Facility)
INVENTORY: Republic Commando Armour, Republic Service Rifle, Republic Service Pistol, Medikit, medical backpack
LOCATION: Approaching the lab/ medical facility
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.

​

The corridor swallowed them quickly.


The deeper the Republic team pushed into the facility beneath Setron's mountains, the more the place looked less like a laboratory and more like a battlefield that had been abandoned mid-fight. Broken equipment littered the halls. Burned wiring hung from the ceilings. Emergency lights pulsed dimly in long intervals, bathing the corridor in alternating red shadows.


Cordal Renth moved in the center of the formation, his helmet lamp sweeping across the walls while his medical scanner ran passive sweeps for life signs.


Nothing stable.


Just faint signals… and a lot of static.


"Lieutenant," one of the troopers whispered over comms. "Picking up something ahead."


Cordal paused, raising a hand for the squad to slow.


Then he heard it.


Blaster fire.

Not the scattered echoes they'd heard earlier. This was sustained—rapid, controlled volleys ricocheting through the cavern corridors.


Republic blasters.

"Move," Cordal said immediately.


The squad advanced quickly down the corridor, rounding a bend where the tunnel widened into a partially collapsed research chamber. The sight that greeted them confirmed what the scanner had hinted at.


A Republic squad was pinned down behind overturned laboratory tables and shattered equipment racks.


Blue blaster bolts streaked across the chamber while several troopers fired back toward a dark tunnel branching deeper into the facility.


"Contact front!" someone shouted.


Cordal dropped beside the nearest wounded trooper as his squad joined the fight, spreading out along the chamber wall.

"What happened?" Cordal asked quickly, pulling a trauma scanner from his kit.


The injured trooper winced, clutching his side armor where a deep gouge had split the plating.

"Not droids," the trooper gasped. "Something… fast."


Another volley of blaster fire lit the chamber.


From the tunnel ahead came a guttural shriek that echoed through the cavern.


Cordal froze for half a second.


That wasn't human.

The squad leader of the pinned unit crawled over beside him, helmet scorched and armor splattered with something dark.


"Lieutenant?" the trooper said with visible relief. "Thank the stars."


Cordal sealed the wounded soldier's armor seam with a quick bacta patch and injector.


"You've got med support now," Cordal replied calmly.


"Report."


The trooper nodded toward the dark tunnel.


"We entered the lower containment levels about ten minutes ago," he said. "Found signs of Unblessed activity. Then the vats started cracking open."


Another shriek echoed from the darkness.


Closer this time.


The trooper's voice dropped.

"They're Serracan prototypes. Imperial anti-Force hunting organisms."


Cordal's grip tightened slightly on the scanner.


Creatures bred specifically to hunt Force-sensitive targets.


Which meant they were fast.


Predatory.


And impossible for Jedi to sense.


Another trooper fired three quick shots down the corridor.


Something moved just beyond the light.


Fast enough that the bolts barely missed it.


Cordal rose to one knee and looked toward the squad leader.

"How many wounded?"

"Three."

Cordal nodded.

"Get them ready to move."

Another guttural screech erupted from the tunnel as something slammed against the far wall with enough force to shake loose dust from the ceiling.

One of the Republic troopers cursed.

Cordal stood fully now, drawing the compact blaster from his hip.

His voice remained steady.

"Alright," the newly promoted lieutenant said over the squad channel.

"Extraction just became priority."

He looked down the corridor into the darkness.

"Because whatever those things are…"

Another shadow flashed through the tunnel.

"…they're coming."

And this time—

They weren't hunting Jedi.

They were hunting everyone.

 

[Mykel Dawson]

___________________________________________________________________​

Objective 1 - Containment (Secondary objective is recovering tissue samples for Masamune research.)
Allies: Jedi/Republic ( Gavin Restur , Caelian Tane + Others in the Cave)
Opposition: The Unblessed & Their Bioweapons ( Pillar of Freedom )
With: OPEN
Personal Equipment: KPA-01 Katarn Armor (Advanced Comm Unit on Backmount), Lightwhip, Yeti Cryo-Tensor Rifle, Kessel's Kiss (Shotgun), Slider Grenades
Units: 1x Platoon (16) YVH-2 Droids (Equipped w/ Bulwark Blast Shields), 2x Cottonmouth Battle Droids

"Jedi Knight Tane here, Everyone stay sharp. remember this place isn't just monsters and nightmares. Be cautious."

"Knight Dawson checking in," he replied just as the Jedi and his cadre of war droids filtered past the barricades being hastily established by Republic soldiers. Ideally the bioweapon threat would be contained today, but if not, it was good to prepare contingencies.

Similarly he was prepared for these Unblessed. What was the best defense against such Anti-Force Terrorists? Guns. Big guns, which was why the combat agnostic Jedi came loaded for bear. His usual light tactical armor was replaced by a much more substantial combat shell of reinforced duraplast as the exact nature of bioweapon threat they faced was unknown.

With a silent mental command, the technomancer arranged his YVH complement into formation. Half of them formed a forward wedge ahead of him, while the remaining half coalesced into a column behind him as a rear guard. Between the interlocking shields of the front row of the forward guard, the ends of their left arms protruded through narrow firing gaps, each unit sporting either a heavy laser cannon, sonic rifle, or projectile launcher. A composite loadout to address a myriad of potential threats and to test the weaknesses of the creature. Just behind them, the members of the back row of the wedge held their energy blades at the ready.

A pair of large serpentine droids circled his boots like loyal hunting hounds. Their segmented bodies slid across the stone floor in silent loops, blade-tipped tails flicking idly while their crushing mandibles snapped at empty air with sharp metallic clicks. His tiny praetorian guard.

"Would you like company?" he asked Tane.

He didn't mind taking another tunnel, but it may be best to stick together in this cavernous maze. Especially as his acoustic sensors were already picking up on seismic activity barely 20 paces inside. It was unsettling, hearing the monsters skittering around through the tunnels, yet unable to feel them. He shuddered to think of all the abominations that the Unblessed had beeen concocting in this damned place, but he would face the threat all the same.

Further into the void he marched.

 

[Gavin Restur]

[Objective 1: Containment]
Equipment: Dual Blaster Pistols, Forcepike, Cycler Rifle, Rocket Boots, Rebreather + Tubes, Misc.
TAGS: Mykel Dawson , Caelian Tane
​

As he idled and looked pretty, he noticed Mykel Dawson and the legion of droids he was taking into the facility. See, he thinks that's what should be going on. If he's going to be honest, it is a rather...how does he put this nicely..."foolish" plan send Force users to fight against beings that the Force can't be used on. But hey, he wasn't the one making the tactical decisions.

He shifted, motioning along to catch up to the man. Slipping past the legion of metal that followed behind him, as he approached. "Hey there, friend. Name's Gavin. Mind if I come along with y'all?" As confident as he was in his ability to deal with this whole messed, he would much rather not be alone in this.

And besides, those droids look cool as hell.

 

[Caelian Tane]

Mission 1: Containment

A pair of large serpentine droids circled his boots like loyal hunting hounds. Their segmented bodies slid across the stone floor in silent loops, blade-tipped tails flicking idly while their crushing mandibles snapped at empty air with sharp metallic clicks. His tiny praetorian guard.

"Would you like company?" he asked Tane.

"Of course Knight Dawson, I would be honored" he says as a wild gunslinger passes through the droids,

"Hey there, friend. Name's Gavin. Mind if I come along with y'all?" he says "I have no problem with you joining us" he says to the gunslinger "The more guns the better". he says a moment later,


Shall we get going? he says as he walks farther in.

 

[Inanna Harth]

"Seems everyone's flocking to the Republic these days. Can't blame them, given the state of… things."

"Sort of. I'm training with the Jedi Order now. The Vonnuvi is my home, but I wanted to gain some new perspective, be where the action was, you know?" Seeing Inanna had caused the padawan to drop his guard, which left him little chance to defend himself against a creature masked from the Force. Resh yelled in pain as the creature struck him in the back, causing the Pureblood to topple over onto his knees. With surprising strength, he reached behind and tore the monster away. It landed in front of Inanna, scrambling to get back into an attack-ready position.

"Heh, yeah." There certainly weren't that many other factions to choose from these days. Inanna was more or less content to stick with the Vonnuvi, enjoying the comforts of home and husband. But she had been called by the government of Lao-mon to reprise her role as the ambassador of her people. Only this time she didn't have an established friendship with the Chancellor that would allow her to further Shi'ido interests. In all honesty, with Lao-mon sitting pretty far from the borders of any empire, confederation, covenant, or republic, being the representative of her people seemed more like an honorific than a--

"Oh shit!" Inanna yelled as the creature pounced on Resh. The Pureblood quickly threw the monster off, tossing it in Inanna's direction. She started swinging, hacking and slashing at the thing with her lightsaber until it stopped moving.

"Y'know, I'd love to catch up," she said between panting breaths. "But if we're gonna talk... We better keep an eye out too." She gestured with her lightsaber. "How's your training going? Befriended any animals lately? How about people?"

Resh​

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Bastila gave the woman to her side a glance. She had a face that Bastila had recognised but so far had been unable to place it, yet the words gave away a faint sense of established knowledge that Bastila found comforting.

“The collapse of the Empire in the core has created one of the greatest mysteries of our time.” She returned with a stray smirk. “The game of Which Imperial Is That?” She stepped off and began to follow the clones. Pausing long enough to look back, inviting Her to walk with them. “I have my theories, but…I could use a more trained eye.”

The air inside the cave they had entered carried a different weight than the wind outside. It was far colder and strangely stale. It held the faint chemical bitterness of sterilisation fluids long evaporated from broken vats and ventilation systems that had not cycled properly in years. Here and there emergency lighting flickered weakly along the corridor ceiling, throwing intermittent bands of red across the walls as if the structure itself were slowly bleeding.

Bastila allowed her gaze to travel as the Clones made themselves their perimeters and began their scans. It was strange that all this was artificial, if you took away the edges of the walls and floors it could have almost been a natural cave formation.

Along those walls however durasteel panels hung loose where something had torn through them. To her left one of the corridor junctions had partially collapsed, leaving a jagged break in the wall where bare mountain stone pressed through the facility’s skeleton. Several storage containers had been overturned and pushed aside, their contents scattered in a messy trail that continued deeper into the complex.

Bastila slowed near the first of the marks carved into the floor, at first she thought they were blaster scoring, but the evidence soon put that thought to bed in her head. She crouched slightly, brushing gloved fingers along the gouge. The durasteel had been peeled upward by something that had either been extraordinarily strong…or extraordinarily determined.

“Curious,” she murmured.

Her lightsaber ignited with a sharp snap-hiss, the violet blade filling the corridor with steady light that pushed the flickering shadows back along the walls. When she rose again her eyes moved briefly toward the others beside her.

“It would appear our suspicions are correct.” Bastila said quietly. “Whatever was kept here is no longer politely contained.”

The deeper they moved into the cave the clearer the pattern became. Observation windows shattered outward from laboratory chambers. Containment racks had been forced open. A series of cylindrical vats lay broken across the floor, their glass casings fractured from the inside. Thick suspension fluid had long since drained away, leaving cloudy residue across the metal grates beneath them.

Something had been grown here. Which bothered Bastila, surely that was the type of thing that would be done in the facility the other team had been sent to. Not here, in a cave; no matter how artificial. Except the evidence was there; something large enough to bend reinforced steel restraints until they snapped had been grown here and could very well still be here.

Bastila paused beside one of the tanks, studying the twisted restraint collar still bolted to the interior frame. For a moment she listened, not with her ears, but with the quiet instinct every Jedi carried when stepping into a place where violence had already occurred.

Normally the Force would answer. Fear lingers in rooms like this. Any pain would leave impressions. Through the Force even death carried an echo.

She could only sense a strange thinness. It wasn’t absence, but rather something…muffled. Her brow creased slightly as she straightened. “Whatever this is,” she said, almost thoughtfully. “I cannot feel them through the Force.”

They kept moving. The clones occasionally pausing to conclude scans or relaying information back through the cave. Bastila emerged into a wider chamber where several branching tunnels descended deeper into the mountain. The architecture shifted there, the smooth lines of Imperial engineering gradually giving way to raw stone where the complex had been carved directly through the cavern network beneath the peak.

And from somewhere within those tunnels came a distant sound, metal clattered, strange clicks and creaks. A burst of blaster fire echoed faintly through the rock, far away that it held no sense of real urgency.

Bastila’s head tilted slightly as she listened. “Others have already found trouble,” she observed calmly.

Then another noise followed the gunfire, this one far closer and more immediate. A low, scraping sound against stone. Heavy. Deliberate. Close enough now that it carried clearly through the tunnel mouth ahead.

She raised her violet blade so that its light could spill out into the darkness. What she saw sent a shiver up her back. The darkness moved, a sick glistening reaction to the light as she realised that they were very much not alone.

“Well,” Bastila said softly, glancing once toward the way they had come. “It seems we have found them.”

From somewhere deeper below, something made a call that sounded like the screaming of a beast mixed with the desperation of a wounded man. It was not a pretty sound, it didn’t fill Bastila or the group with any sense of hope.

Then came the sound of claws dragging across stone as they echoed upward through the mountain, followed by a guttural breathing that seemed far too large for the tunnels that housed it.

Bastila took a breath. The darkness was moving now as the creatures, whatever they were, began to slowly advance out of the tunnel, thick tendrils of gore and saliva running from them like the stuff of nightmares.

“Uh, Commander?” she said back towards the clone as they all started to back slowly away from the beasts. “What were you saying about containment on the way down here?”

And somewhere in the darkness ahead, behind all the monsters something far bigger and more threatening answered with another slow scrape against the rock.

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: Objective 1 Her EQUIPMENT:

​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

UNNATURAL SELECTION
OBJECTIVE II: Extraction (Laboratory Facility)
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & Combat Shield | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Bastila Sal-Soren | Joren Kayde | Her | Inanna Harth | Connel Vanagor | Solene Beroya

Intent on following his superior, Bastila Sal-Soren , prior to her moving into the cave systems, Balun had heard the sounds of blasterfire echoing above, his eyes looking to what was supposed to have been an abandoned facility until Republic Intelligence had confirmed the presence of the New Way terrorist group having staked its claim.

"Forgive me, Master Sal-Soren, but permission to reinforce our men in the facility?" He had asked quickly, sparing not a moment in speaking his mind with urgency. A senior student of the Jedi Order, Balun didn't have any form of access to logistics or tactical analysis, yet it was perhaps something beyond instinct that had raised his hackles and found the urge...-No, perhaps the need to split off from the group at the first sign of aggression higher up within the facility.

Once permitted, Balun moved swiftly to put the cave entrance at his back, climbing the steep rockbank in order to reach the ground floor, which sat higher in elevation than where the Cave mouth could be located. Taking measured leaps where the earth of Setron threatened to slow him down, Balun summoned upon the strength of body compelled by the Force to climb with speed, jumping farther and higher, and inevitably pulling himself over the railing of the luminous research complex, sweeping both legs across to land atop the overarching platform and moving for the first sign of an entrance into the ground level.

Already, as he moved, he could see signs of a fight, his eyes dancing from the claw marks in the permacrete surface, evidence of blasterfire, though the scorchmarks of plasma impact held an aged look about them, as though whatever might have occurred there had been prior to the arrival of the Jedi and Republic troops. Claw marks met him as Balun reached the reinforced transparisteel doors, hissing as they opened, though the outer fragments of glass-like surface shattered and fell as the door receded into the adjoining wall. Curious, though he didn't pay it the time for appropriate heed, stepping on through with his lightsaber being pulled from the magnetic clamp at his belt, the copper beam of energy erupting from the emitter with a snap-hiss as he raced on ahead following the sounds of continued conflict in the facility.

"Drop your blasters and surrender yourselves peacefully!"

"Dig in! Covering fire!"

The voices were muffled, yet growing louder the more Balun pressed forward, skidding into the mouth of a hallway and sprinting off down the corridor, trusting in the Force to lead him towards the growing conflict.

Swift, loud and colorful threatened to blind him as Balun had just the moment to step aside, a blasterbolt whipping his hair around as it narrowly missed him, forcing the young Jedi to turn and see that further ahead, a small group had turned their sights upon him. "Kark!", he swore between clenched teeth as he upped his defence with a sweeping cut through the air, an impact hitting the centre of his blade before being propelled back at his attackers.

The New Way, several of them reacted by laying down heavier fire in his direction. Balun had to slip to the side, taking to one of the doorways in order to catch his breath and steel himself momentarily. Amidst the flak of blasterfire pelting the edge of cover, Balun couldn't help but reflect upon the bolt that had nearly opened up a third hole in his face. A second later, and he would have been dead.

Such was the price of rushing on ahead into the fray.

"Force free me from my bonds", he uttered before turning back and stepping out into the open once more, his lightsaber whirring about with swift and fluid sweeps, angled with every evasive motion of his form as he gradually pushed ahead, deflecting or reflecting bolts of burning plasma as the New Way Cell sought to drive him back.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Solene Beroya]

SOLENE BEROYA

Location: Setron
Objective: Objective 2
Tags: Bastila Sal-Soren Joren Kayde Her Inanna Harth Balun Dashiell Caelian Tane Resh Gavin Restur
Direct: Connel Vanagor

​

The target location was much more... complex... than she had expected. Sure there was soldiers of the unblessed, that much was a given, and she was fairly unconcerned about their ability to deal with them. The chitonous monsters currently being disgorged from the tendrils of black were another matter. Their force dead nature made her feel sick just to look at them. And they were coming fast. "I am happy to be the loudest thing if it means the extraction teams have a greater shot." she commented. She felt that Connel was in a similar frame of mind, or why bring the fireworks?

She stood between Connel and the foes as he finished preparing the charges, trusting him to be ready when they engaged. When she heard the hum of his blade she smiled and she raised her saber. The first of the beasts arrived and Solene made a heavy cut towards it. She could not use the force on them but she would be damn sure of using the force in herself, augmenting her strength further than it was. The glowing blade sailed through a talloned arm that threatened to open her ribcage.

The creature screeched in pain and its allies responded by becoming even more aggressive. The injured monster was flanked by two more and it began lashing erratically and with little care for its safety. Were the uninjured ones sacrificing their brethren to wear her out or open he up for the kill. It would make sense and she had seen the behaviour before in hive creatures.

She blocked its next attack before jumping over it and allowing her plade to drag in her wake, bisecting its skull. It was finally down but now there were two between her and Connel and more were approaching from the direction of the shaft. "We keep moving, we set the charges, then we extract. You good?"

​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Kill’em’All
SETRON
OBJECTIVE 2 - LAB

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  "Enterprise" Station Ship
  Null Vector
  Speederbike
  Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  Lightblaster
  Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  Throwing Lightknives
  Force Blinding Flashbangs
  RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  Muscle enhancements.
  Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  Hawkeye implants for eyes
  Advanced Medical Implant
  Scentzy
  Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

The moment Solene stepped in front of him, Connel didn’t hesitate. He trusted her. Not blindly. Not foolishly. But completely. Her blade came alive and she met the first Serracan head-on, Djem So crashing into chitin with a force that would have staggered most opponents. The creature’s limb came off in a clean arc of light. Good form.

Strong.

Committed.

Connel didn’t watch the kill. He was already moving. The duffel hit the ground and flipped open. His hands moved with practiced precision, pulling charges, setting timers, adjusting yields on the fly. Not random placement. Not desperation.
Structure.

She set the table, it was his turn to flip it, set charges on the legs and light it on fire. The resin growths weren’t just infestation. They were lattice nodes.

Communication.

Coordination. He saw the pattern now. Which meant he knew exactly where to hurt them. Behind him, the Serracan shrieked as Solene cut one down. Two more pressed her immediately, their movements sharper now, more coordinated.
Learning. Adapting.

Good.

Let them.

Connel rose in one smooth motion, already shouldering his rifle. The underbarrel launcher clicked as it primed. He didn’t aim at the creatures.

He aimed past them.

At the shaft. At the writhing mass of resin and movement where more of them were pouring out. Yeah, he said calmly. I’m good.

Thunk.

The impact grenade left the barrel with a sharp cough. It struck just inside the ventilation shaft. For half a heartbeat—Nothing. Then the mountain punched back.

A concussive blast ripped through the opening, collapsing part of the durasteel ring and shearing away resin structures in a violent spray. The shockwave tore outward, hurling debris and fragments of chitin across the clearing. The Serracan recoiled instantly. Not in fear.

In disruption.

Their movements broke rhythm. The coordinated advance fractured as the lattice network took a hit. Exactly what he wanted. Break their web, Connel muttered.

He was already moving again.

Two charges slapped into place along a thick resin column climbing the vent wall. Another went low, near the structural supports. Not enough to collapse the mountain. But enough to cripple the throat. Behind him, Solene was still engaged. The two Serracan pressed her hard now, one driving forward while the other angled to flank. Pack tactics.

Fast.

Efficient.

Predictable.

Connel drew his shortsaber in a flash. Indigo light ignited with a sharp crackle as he stepped into the fight—not between her and them, but through the angle they were trying to take. The first Serracan lunged. Connel didn’t meet it head-on.

He shifted.

Minimal movement. The blade snapped downward into the creature’s hind leg joint. Clean. Precise. The limb gave way instantly. The Serracan collapsed mid-stride, its own momentum tearing the rest of its balance apart. The second came in from the side.

Connel pivoted, bringing his off-hand up just enough to redirect the strike past him. The mandibles snapped inches from his mask.

Too close.

Good.

His blade drove upward into the lower jaw hinge. A weak point. Exactly where it needed to be. The creature spasmed and dropped. Silence hit the clearing again—but this time it wasn’t empty.

It was waiting.

Connel deactivated his blade and stepped back, already reaching for another charge.

Solene. He didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t need to. We don’t hold here.

Another charge locked into place along the vent’s edge. We make this hurt… and we move.
He glanced once toward the shaft. More movement. More coming. Good.

Let them come.

He clipped the detonator remote to his chest rig and finally met her eyes behind the mask. [COLPOR=DARKORANGE]You asked if I’m good?[/COLOR] A faint tilt of his head.

Now I am.

TAGS • ARE • OPEN • Solene Beroya
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Joren Kayde]

TITLE: Unnatural Selection.
OBJECTIVE: Containment | The Laboratories.
INVENTORY: NDH Armour | PHC-55 | VF-23.
SQUAD: Task-Force Sentinel Dawn.
LOCATION: Decommissioned Imperial science facility on Setron.
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.

​

Ahead of the squad, the group of New Way Activists seemed to split their attention, diverting some of their weapons away from Sentinel-Dawn and down another conjoining corridor; Something had split their attention and as a result the pelter of blasterfire attempting to pin the squad down lessened in volume, leaving Joren the opportunity to order his unit to capatalise and drive the enemy back.

"Squad, advance!"

Joren roared over the screams of burning plasma volleys being thrown back and forth from the two engaging parties. Though they continued to use stun rounds, less effective in range and stopping power compared to live ammunition, Joren turned and lobbed a smoke grenade ahead of them, creating further disorientation among the ranks of the hostiles.

"Switch to thermals!" he encouraged his team, doing so himself as he flipped the pair of optics down over his eyes, the corridor lighting up in cold and hot colours, picking up body temperatures and distinguishing the enemy through the smoke filter he had created for them.

"Crossing", Captain Beiran shouted from somewhere to Joren's six, informing him that La'das was passing Joren's position on the advance. Several others moved in a single file, albeit a staggered column, maintaining distance between each man in the event they found themselves on the receiving end of explosive use.

"Copy." Beiran received Kayde's reply as he glanced back, checking the status of the squad guarding the rear.

"Movement on scanners, adjoining corridor, left", Johnson shouted ahead, the young yet competent woman looking over the wrist-strapped datapad, evidently concerned about what had drawn the hostiles' attention; "Lone contact, could be friendly".

"Rog'. Full stop ahead of section. Prepare to engage when necessary, but keep a weather eye for friendlies. Keep up the pace Sentinel-Dawn" Joran barked orders while encouraging them in the same line, the squad of veteran troopers accustomed to taking orders and shrugging off any semblance of ire at his tone. They were all about their business now, moving as one.

"Clear!" Ewan Whitley confirmed the last of the hostiles were incapacitated and moved to secure their hands behind their backs. So far, only one had been killed by a stray bolt from one of their own, likely having misfired while being dropped by the concussive blast of the squad's stun rounds.

As they moved toward the junction, Joren signalled the others to prepare to cover him, readying his unit for the coming fight. When he moved to step the corner with his rifle raised and reassuringly pressing his shoulder, his gaze lifted away from the ironsights in surprise, seeing not the opposition but a frustratingly familiar face in the Jedi kid, Balun Dashiell .

"Gods damn it, kid", Joran hissed in annoyance.

"Dashiell?" Captain Beiran followed up alongside Kayde, looking equally surprised. Balun had been their commander for years after their service in the Tingle Arm Coalition, but that was before the squad's official status as a High Republic Military unit. As a member of the Jedi Order, command could be taken once more by Balun, succeeding Joran's leadership, yet Beiran knew his younger friend better than that.

Unfortunately, Joren Kayde and Balun Dashiell had gotten off on the wrong foot to start, and ever since, Kayde had a sour taste in his mouth at the sight of the Jedi lad. Perhaps he felt his command threatened by the consistent nuisance of the unit's former lead, or perhaps it was the fact that the Jedi seemed to piss in every post without concern for those caught in the backspray.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

UNNATURAL SELECTION
OBJECTIVE II: Extraction (Laboratory Facility)
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & Combat Shield | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Bastila Sal-Soren | Joren Kayde | Her | Inanna Harth | Connel Vanagor | Solene Beroya

Standing in the corridor surrounded by several fallen extremists of the New Way cult - Or whatever they called themselves- Balun's shoulders rose and fell as he recollected himself, the blazing autumn light surrounding him illuminating any doubts as to the fallen men's agony. They writhed and groaned, some having lost limbs while the others had surface strikes from the Jedi's lightsaber, not enough to kill but plenty of harm to render them unable or unwilling to continue the fight.

"Gods damn it, kid"

"Dashiell?"

His eyes shot up and ahead at the sound of friendly voices...-Or one at least.

"Hey, Cap", Balun answered with a cocky smirk as he stepped over the fallen and moved to join the squad at the junction, looking quickly to their new commander, Joren Kayde and giving the man a nod. In the given situation, this was about as respectable as bowing, without leaving himself open in a live combat zone.

"Sorry, Joren, it's purely a coincidence. I'm not here to step on anyone's toes," Balun answered. Joren Kayde could be a difficult read even for the young Jedi; there was simply something about the man that didn't feel entirely...Natural. Bale had seen him move in live training sims, and he seemed to have the instincts of a born warrior, as though war was all that he knew and understood. A force to be reckoned with, to be sure. But far too tight arsed for Balun's typically casual manner of conducting himself.

In the lull of fighting, Balun now moved to check the wounded extremists, ensuring none of them would lose their lives before reaching the Republic Fleet and first losing whatever sense of freedom they might have enjoyed prior.

"Master Sal-Soren is leading the Jedi team beneath the facility. Our people are engaging on both fronts, but we need to push for the labs in this facility, if you would be so kind as to lead us, Field Marshal Kayde" Balun concluded with the man's title, trying to lessen any potential insult to the man's ego while suggesting they carry on moving on their objective.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Pillar of Resolve]

THE SERRACAN

Bastila Sal-Soren | Joren Kayde | Her | Inanna Harth | Connel Vanagor | Solene Beroya | Balun Dashiell | Caelian Tane | Resh | Gavin Restur​

---

The Underground Laboratories
Former-Imperial Science Facility​

---

The lights failed without warning. Harsh white illumination vanished in an instant, plunging the research level into suffocating darkness before the dull pulse of emergency crimson flickered to life. Across the containment wing, power systems collapsed one by one, security fields sputtering out as alarms began to wail through the corridors. What had been, moments before, a sterile, controlled environment now felt like a tomb waiting to awaken. Then the realisation set in, containment had failed.

"Initiate lockdo...-Argh!" The lead scientist's command dissolved into a wet, choking cry as a Serracan Warrior crashed down upon him. Massive, obsidian claws punched through his torso as though it were paper, lifting him from the ground before discarding what remained of his body. The creature moved with terrifying purpose, its attention already shifting to the next fleeing figure. Around the chamber, holding cells slid open in mechanical obedience to a system no longer under human control, releasing the experimental specimens like predators freed from cages. Within seconds, pristine white surfaces were drenched in arterial spray, shattered equipment, and the desperate remains of those too slow to escape.

Sirens roared to life throughout the upper decks of the former Imperial installation, a final automated warning echoing through the facility. "All personnel evacuate immediately. Containment breach confirmed. Metamorphic lifeforms detected on research levels one and two. Proceed to rendezvous point Beta-One. Emergency lockdown in pro-.." The announcement cut abruptly into static as the last of the power grid failed. Darkness swallowed the corridors once more, broken only by the intermittent flash of warning strobes.

Moments later, the screams began to carry across the ground floor. Serracan forms moved through the labyrinthine architecture with unnatural speed, traversing walls and ceilings as easily as open passageways. The sounds of blasterfire, tearing metal, and inhuman shrieks shattered the quiet dignity that had once defined the facility's modern halls. What had stood as a symbol of order and technological progress was swiftly reduced to a living nightmare, a place where survival lasted only as long as the next flicker of failing light.

​

---

The Cavernous Tunnels beneath Setron​

---

The Serracan pressed their assault without hesitation.

For every drone that fell beneath the disciplined volleys of Republic blasterfire, more surged forward to take its place, scrambling over the twitching bodies of their fallen brood in a frenzied determination to break the defensive line. Their advance came in waves, an unthinking, collective momentum that seemed immune to fear or fatigue.

Stray bolts tore through spindled legs and snapping mandibles, lesser limbs bursting apart in sprays of sickly green ichor that splattered across the cavern walls and slick stone floor. Some creatures collapsed shrieking in rage, their hisses echoing through the chamber even as they died. Yet shots striking the thicker mass of the torso proved far less effective. There, the Serracan's hardened chitin plating absorbed much of the impact, functioning as a natural armour. Only the keen-eyed among the Republic defenders began to recognise patterns in the creatures' resilience, marking the gaps in their protection, the subtle weak points where a well-placed shot could bring one of the relentless predators crashing down.

"All units, fall back to the entry points," the order crackled sharply across Republic comm channels, cutting through the chaos of the engagement. Ground teams deep within the caverns were instructed to disengage and begin an immediate withdrawal. "Rendezvous, establish defensive positions, and prepare for evacuation. Seal those tunnels without delay."

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective II // Extraction // Search & Rescue //
// Focus // Kito //

---

---

The lights of the laboratory flickered and dimmed with the shuddering of the power grid. Pale white faded into a deep red of the emergency system as it came online for a short moment before, it too, died a silent death. The rest of the laboratory was in just as poor of a state as the Echani arrived upon the scene. The putrid essence of the lab marred the force that hovered above it, twisting the features of the young Jedi as she marched through the entrance, igniting a lightsaber for both light and defence.

Whatever it was that tore apart the laboratory wasn't something that Ayra hoped to be caught off guard by. Still, there was a comfort in her choice of companion as she marched into the lab. The raven-haired ronin, Kito , strode along side her into the depths of the laboratory. For all the strength that Ayra worried she lacked, the K'paur made up for in spades.

"I don't like this, Kito..."

There was a shakiness in the voice of the Echani. She wasn't afraid of the dark, nor of whatever enemies she would normally face. But falling into the unknown of assailants that they lacked any proper information of caused a chill to race along her skin.

The scent of depths trailed from the depths of the laboratory as the pair began their descent into the lab, and Ayra hoped it didn't show cowardice when she allowed for the K'paur to take the lead in their expedition. There were other forces her already, and hopefully they would have information about just what type of forces the pair would come against.

Nevertheless, lives were at stake here and, whether they were responsible or not, they would need to be pulled out of the danger that they found themselves in. The calls of distress across the announcements didn't help the unease that Ayra felt crawling down the stairs, but it wasn't a Jedi's job to turn and run. They needed to dive into the depths and brave the enemy until light was restored once more.

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Setron
Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Third Lightsaber, Marriage Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Connel Vanagor Solene Beroya

Objective 2


The alarms were blaring all around the lab fresh blood were splattered all over the walls as well as claws dug deep into the metal frame. The sounds of shrieks and screams from the scientists and Serracans echoed throughout the lab. The Serracans spread out killing and devouring everyone they saw no one was spared from a gory fate. A scientist attempted to run down the hall trying to reach the exit but it was fruitless attempt. A Serracan dropped from the ceiling and on the halpless man. With one large claw, he sliced the poor man's belly, his intestines spilled over. The scientist screamed as the Serracan feasted on his insides.

Yet while the creature did so, a blue Lightsaber was hurling towards him. Before he could react, the blade cut through his throat and the Serracan's crumpled to the floor, his head came tumbling after. Jax Thio recalled his Lightsaber running over towards the scientist but he could already feel the light leave his body. "Damn it," Jax muttered looking around. "Too late. Can't let the Serracans kill more of the scientists."

Sure, these guys were creating anti Force technology for a terrorist group, but that doesn't mean they deserved to be slaughtered. The Jedi Master walked through the hall his Lightsaber humming. "This is Jedi Master: Jax Thio," Jax spoke into the intercom. "I just landed in the lab and I'm heading to the upper levels. Does anyone read me? Over?"

 

[Cordal Renth]

​

The corridor lights flickered as Lieutenant Cordal Renth moved cautiously through the ruined lab, his boots crunching over shattered glass and spent power cells. The smell of scorched metal mixed with something far worse—something organic.
His medical scanner pinged faintly.
Life signs. Weak.
He keyed his comm.
"Jedi Master Thio, this is Lieutenant Cordal Renth, Republic Medical Corps. I read you."
His voice was steady, controlled—cutting cleanly through the static.
"I'm two levels below you in what looks like a former containment wing. The facility's taken heavy damage. Multiple casualties… most of them didn't make it."
A distant, guttural sound echoed through the corridor ahead. Cordal's hand instinctively tightened on his sidearm, though his posture remained calm.
"I've got scattered life signs, but they're unstable. I'm moving to extract survivors."
He paused, glancing down a darkened hallway where claw marks scored deep into the durasteel walls.
"Be advised," he continued, tone sharpening slightly, "whatever was in those vats… it's out. And it's moving."
Another flicker of his scanner.
Closer now.
Cordal shifted position, backing toward partial cover while keeping his voice level.
"If you're heading to the upper levels, proceed with caution. We're not dealing with standard hostiles."
A beat.
Then, quieter—but firm.
"And Master Thio… if you find any of the scientists alive, they're priority extraction. We need answers as much as we need survivors."
He raised his blaster slightly, eyes tracking the darkness ahead.
"I'll keep this channel open. Renth out."

Jax Thio

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Kill’em’All
SETRON
OBJECTIVE 2 - LAB

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • Throwing Lightknives
  • Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

"All personnel evacuate immediately. Containment breach confirmed. Metamorphic lifeforms detected on research levels one and two. Proceed to rendezvous point Beta-One. Emergency lockdown in pro-.."

That’s not good…

It was the mountain’s turn to talk. This was a problem, because even from where the two of them were, Connel felt it—not just in the Force itself, Solene would probably feel this as well, but in the way that everything in itself just shifted.

Starting with a faint tremor beneath his boots. Then suddenly the air just “changed”. In Pressure. In Movement. The Serracan that were still around them? They reacted instantly. They were not retreating. They were not panicking. They were reorienting.

Their heads canted almost in unison, those glowing eyes flickering as something deeper in the hive was giving them orders.

This is not good.

Then—The comm crackled.

[“This is Jedi Master: Jax Thio. I just landed in the lab—”]

Connel closed his eyes for half a second, not out of frustration, but out of control. Otherwise he would be saying something he’d regret later.

[“…Does anyone read me? Over?”]

There was nothing but silence, until Connel looked at Solene and sighed. [Gabriel…] Letting a moment lapse. [New variable.]

There was static over the commes for another moment until Michael’s voice came through, amid tactical movement(you can tell by the breathing). [We heard.] He left a pause of his own.[…that was loud.]

Connel actually chuckled. [You don’t say.]

Then he shifted his eyes onto the mountain. The Serracan who survived their attack and were in the clearing had stopped advancing on them. They weren’t withdrawing, or running, just… there, moving. Like iron filings snapping toward a magnet.

[Priority just changed, Connel said matter-of-fact. [Something inside just rang the dinner bell.]

Finally turning back to Solene who looked to be ready for the fight, no surprise. We’re blocked from him regardless, we have to get through them, but are responding to him?

I’m not thinking about it. Connel commented. All we can do is watch and respond.

One of the Serracan let out a sharp, click type of vocal pulse. The others answered almost in unison. Then, without warning, half of the creatures broke away—FAST. They were sprinting toward the shaft, faster. They were coordinated, and purposeful.

Connel just shook his head and sighed. There it is. He reached up and switched frequencies on his comm-link, not to Jax. Seraphim was connecting to the facility grid, piggybacking off the dying system.

[Thio] There was no greeting. There was no courtesy, or even respect to his station as a Jedi Master. There was only clean, controlled words. [Kill your broadcast.,]you idiot…

He let out another sigh. [You just gave them a target.]

Not waiting for a response, or even caring if one came, he turned back to the charges, and to Solene. His tone didn’t rise, or sharpen, but it would carry weight. They’re shifting inward.

He said this, placing another charge, locking into place along the vent structure. This buys Omega time. He glanced once more toward the shaft, watching the last of the Serracan disappear into the darkness below. …and him…

There was no approval in that statement, there was only fact. Then he stood, rolling his shoulder once as he checked the detonator. That’s the last of the charges. Then A small pause.

Then, almost to himself, Connel grumbled. Guy couldn’t stay quiet for thirty seconds… His helmet tilted slightly toward Solene, his thumb brushing the detonator as he clipped it onto his web gear.

Plan doesn’t change, we break their throat, then we go get whoever’s still breathing. His stance shifted as he checked his weapons for readiness. No panic, just controlled motions.

From the shaft, from deep below, came a sound. It was not a scream, nor a roar. It was layered, almost collective. The hive had heard Jax Thio, and it was answering.

You have an idea how to attack this? He did, but she was more than capable and might have a better, more “Jedi” idea. Not a tactical plan.

Hope he’s ready, he muttered. Because they are.

TAGS • ARE • OPEN • Solene Beroya • Jax Thio

Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Joren Kayde]

TITLE: Unnatural Selection.
OBJECTIVE: Containment | The Laboratories.
INVENTORY: NDH Armour | PHC-55 | VF-23.
SQUAD: Task-Force Sentinel Dawn.
LOCATION: Decommissioned Imperial science facility on Setron.
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.

​

The Jedi was an annoyance, a reminder of the squad's past leadership, whereas Joren needed them to focus on moving forward. Some time had passed since he had become their commanding officer, and witnessing first-hand how casual and relaxed the Captain and his Squad were with the Jedi bothered Kayde. He didn't like the lack of professionalism, nor the impression that the men weren't taking the situation for what it was. This was a live combat zone, and they didn't have the luxury of small talk.

"You're here now, Dashiell" Joren, resigned to the fact, acknowledged the Jedi before turning to Sentinel-Dawn; "Tighten up, people, we've still got a job to do", he signalled to them to form up once more, three to each side of the corridor, moving for the nearest stairwell with Balun in tow. They pushed on silently, keeping their eyes up and rifles forward, checking their flanks and clearing entry points before proceeding further into the facility.

The sounds of fighting had become a constant presence now, with shouting and blasterfire in various directions, other personnel, whether Republic or New Way activists, trying to hold their ground. Before long, a warning sounded across the building:

"All personnel evacuate immediately. Containment breach confirmed. Metamorphic lifeforms detected on research levels one and two. Proceed to rendezvous point Beta-One. Emergency lockdown in pro-.."

Joren Kayde shot a look across to La'das Beiran, the Captain nodding in acknowledgement. They both understood the situation had just gone from hostile to horrific if Command had been correct in its intelligence. "Switch to live munitions", Kayde instructed the squad. "Wedge", he added with a wave of his hand, signalling a change in formation. The squad acted quickly in a staggered group formation, no longer two columns, covering all directions as they continued to move.

A piercing scream cut through the air ahead of the squad, coming from another intersection of hallways. The sound changed to a choking, gagging groan followed by a dull thud, and the scuffling of metal against metal. Kayde narrowed his eyes, his left hand parting from the grip of his rifle to signal all eyes forward, and before long, they stepped into the scene of a nightmare.

Though the victim had been a single man, it was difficult to tell. Blood coated the floors and walls, body parts strewn about the lobby surface as they slowly pushed into the vast room. Joren moved into the centre, flanked by two men covering the corners, mindful that the Jedi seemed to be at his side. The corpse was alone.

"Where the hell did it go?" Buckley questioned the shared sentiment as they searched the area. The room was sectioned into working cubicles, divided by walkways running down the middle and along the sides. As far as Kayde could tell at a glance, they hadn't been utilised for some time.

"Stay sharp", Captain Beiran reminded the private, "We don't know what we're dealing with here".