Weekend Treasure Hunt 26: In Purgatory's Shadow

[Jorus Merrill]

Weekend Treasure Hunt 26​

In Purgatory’s Shadow​

[SIZE=14.6667px]The Omega has fallen, the Rogue Sith have broken or fled, but victory tastes as bitter as defeat. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost over Castameer. Fleets and armies have returned home, not to celebrate but to mourn. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]But some enemies have no mercy or respect. Eager to learn how the Rogue Sith and their superweapon were defeated, the Cult of the Iron Will has kidnapped people of every allegiance. The captives languish in a crypt on the medieval world of Renegar, in the fringes of the Unknown Regions. The Cult, clearly, has bitten off more than it can chew -- and a mischievous, malevolent being has distributed Renegar’s location to all concerned. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The underground fortress, however, is guarded by a shield strong enough to deflect any bombardment. The fortress is dug into rocky terrain, among crags and chasms, beneath a ruined castle which overlooks thatch-roof villages and sleepy windmills. The only way in is on foot, in small elite groups -- and not all of those who’ve come here have each other’s best interests at heart...[/SIZE]

Map​

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Spoiler

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Source: Here
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OOC Rules​

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Spoiler

• [SIZE=14.6667px]Wheaton’s Law, within reason. (For example, grabbing prisoners aligned with other factions is permissible.)[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]Take damage, take casualties.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]Clearly describe your location at the start of each post.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]Please do not move more than one room (numbered or unnumbered) per post.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]This thread will have NO DM’ing, including NO DM’ed opposition. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]You must choose [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]whether to play ATTACKER or CULTIST. Clearly label all your posts with your choice.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]ATTACKERS may each control one squad (no more than 8 NPC followers), and may only enter the underground fortress through areas 1, 2, or 3.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]CULTISTS may control one squad of 10 NPC cultists, without a PC leader (unless your PC could reasonably be working for/with the Cult of the Iron Will). Feel free to write that your PC is languishing in chains etc., somewhere on the fortress map. CULTISTS may start at any position within the fortress.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]Any room may contain minor loot, prisoners of random affiliation, or random NPC opposition that is not controlled by CULTIST players. [/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]Each numbered room contains one small CULT IDOL (describe as you will). Control of the CULT IDOLS will be important for faction loot purposes.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]This ruleset is not exhaustive and is not meant to be. Story comes first, please.[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=14.6667px]OOC thread is here.[/SIZE]

 

[Niysha]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Zerka Tarash"]
Currently: Arriving!

The Force is a powerful guiding...well, force. Where it bids, you simply go. Niysha knew this better than most, as it was virtually impossible for her to avoid the cues and suggestions of the Force. Key words showed up brighter on holodisplays, certain pathways seemed a bit too promising, and even the sound of a ship's name that would get her where the Force wanted her rang clear in her ears. If she was supposed to be somewhere, it was inevitable that she'd show up there.

Unfortunately, this time, she'd arrived on a crappy planet in the middle of nowhere for a reason that she couldn't quite discern. After hours of wandering around seemingly at random, a cavern that had called to her like a distant voice led her to a hidden door. It was only visible though Niysha's Sight, otherwise it would've been well hidden indeed. She gave a small push to the boulder laying over the entrance, then grimaced. There was no possible way it was going to move with her teensy muscles or weak telekinesis.

But the Force had wanted her to be here. Surely there would be a way through, right? It had drawn her here for a reason, and considering how there seemed to be an entire fortress on the other side of that wall, so full of life that she could scarcely distinguish exactly what was happening, that reason had something to do with what was happening inside. Ergo, since a solution didn't immediately make itself visible to her, Niysha decided to take a knee and wait. Facing the hidden door, she dropped into a meditative kneel, resting her hands on her lap.

The Force led her here. She'd give it a chance to provide her with an answer before she tried hurting herself over the question.

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

Room ten


Locked up

Just barely got over nearly dying

Locked up

Kidnapped right from her room and took plenty with her, took ten men to hold her down while she was knocked out even then she got one

Now she was chained up held up by Hans feet spread apart, she awoke and gasped a s she looked around, two guards were looking at her as if she was a beast, true she was for she hadn't earned d the title the emerald dragon for nothing ,

She grinned and lunged forward as they raised their stun staffs shakimg....she would need a plan

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Zerka Tarash]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Niysha"]
Currently: Arrived.

The Force was a curious thing. Mysterious, some said. Subtle. But Zerka had to wonder, really, just how subtle it was. She'd taken a shuttle somewhere, gotten on the wrong one, and would up on a layover on some backwater planet where people said things like 'thee' and 'thou' and asked if she were by chance the blacksmith's daughter. Normally not an issue, but in the course of exploring a bit, Zerka had been somewhat alarmed to find out the shuttle had left without her.

Subtle? Nope. Stupid Force.

It hadn't taken long for her to get bored of all this strange medieval frippery and wander off to see if there was an ACTUAL starport she might see from the top of a nearby mountain. There was fruit, the occasional creek, and although Zerka was admittedly a city girl, she found herself rather enjoying the impromptu hike. Spirits were high! Supplies were abundant! The expedition to the top of Mount Foreboding could not expect better conditions! It took her all of five minutes to pick up a walking stick and declare it the finest length of wood in the entire forest.

Less than an hour later, Zerka was completely lost to the game, battling her way up the side of a treacherous mountain with a small, elite team of explorers at her back. "Hold strong, men!" She declared boldly, scrambling up on top of a large rock. "The summit won't be far! Marshall your strength!"

Holding her staff aloft, Zerka peered down into the small, almost hidden valley below. There was a figure, sitting in pensive meditation. She was blindfolded - was she tied up?! No, Zerka realized, suddenly delighted. She was a Miraluka. They were practically BORN Jedi! And more importantly, not native to this planet at all, which meant she likely knew how to get OFF of it.

Practically flowing down the rock face, Zerka eagerly jogged towards the meditating woman, a walking stick in one hand and her hood acting as impromptu fruit storage. "Hey! Miss!" She called out cheerfully. "Miss, are you alright?"

 

[Niysha]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Zerka Tarash"]
Currently: Facing down the very destiny of my future!

Niysha Saw the presence behind her long before she heard the cacophony that was Zerka Tarash. As per usual, she had to consciously turn herself to face the girl behind her. It wasn't a reflex yet, and it might never be. "I'm fine, thank you." She tried to smile as she turned, but as she was missing the top half of her face, the expression came out muted. Almost forced, simply for lack of human identifiers like eyebrows.

The Sithling turned her head back to face the boulder, resting a hand delicately on it after she rose to her feet. Simple, featureless black robes that had bunched around her knees on the ground flowed down to her ankles when she was properly standing. "There's a secret passage here that leads to some kind of underground fort or bunker." She shrugged a bit and turned back to the (loud and cheerful) girl. "But I can't move it. I was waiting for someone to come along."

Hm. Clearly a child. Maybe say something mildly witty to impress her? Some kind of metaphor... "After all," Niysha started, affecting a dramatic tone. "A kath hound that hunts with its pack never goes hungry."

 

[Zerka Tarash]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Niysha"]
Currently: Fighting for the future!

Wow. Zerka considered this wise quip, her eyes widening slightly. Drawing herself to her full height, Zerka nodded in sober agreement, clasping her wrists as though she were wearing sleeves long enough hide her hands. In nodding, a space apple fell from her hood, where about four more had been stashed for later consumption.

No wonder the Force had brought her here! There was a wise Miraluka in need of her help! And she was BURSTING at the seams with good parables.

"It seems I've arrived just in time, then." Zerka observed sagely, squinting at the barrier as though it were a long-time foe. The demeanor didn't last long, though, as Zerka's face broke out into a broad grin and she bounced over to the boulder, rapping on the stone with her walking stick. "Hmmmm. Yes. This is definitely an obstacle." Zerka mused.

"Any ideas?" The Padawan asked hopefully, climbing up onto the rock to look for secret switches or gaps she could squeeze through. When she reached the top, Zerka paused and glanced back at the Miraluka. "Oh! I'm Zerka."

 

[Niysha]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Zerka Tarash"]
Currently: Removing the boulders from her very soul!

Oh, good. She was energetic and slightly dumb. That was the perfect combination for her to be useful to Niysha. The Miraluka placed her hand firmly to one side of the boulder. "Obviously, I can't find any switches or tiny dents in the wall," she responded simply. She was blind, after all. "There's probably some sort of secret trigger to open the door. If we could find that, getting in would be painfully simple."

Of course, finding anything might be a problem for someone so easily impressed by utterly meaningless nonsense, but Niysha wasn't going to look a gift ronto in the mouth. "The alternative is that we physically move the boulder ourselves," she began, then stopped and thought for a moment. She finished with a dire expression and an even more dire tone. "But foolish is the nerf that breaks down a fence when it could walk through the unlocked gate."

Oh Ashla, she had no idea how long she could keep up that gibberish.

 

[Zerka Tarash]

Room: 3
Attn: Niysha
Currently: Searching for The Truth of this boulder.

"I agree." Zerka decided grimly, her face momentarily a mask of resolve and determination. It didn't hold. The young woman grinned and slipped back down the boulder, landing nimbly beside her cool, older best friend. She crossed her arms and considered the obstacle for a long moment, audibly humming.

She slapped her forehead. "Oh, wait, DUH." Zerka realized. "Everything on this planet is old and dum- SIMPLE." She explained eagerly, taking a half-step back and towards the older girl. "I bet there's a switch up at, like, normal thug height, we're just looking in the wrong places." The Vahla grinned proudly. "It'll be where a tall guy has to reach for it. Gimme a boostie!"

 

[Fatty]

CULTIST​

Room: 11 - Room of Wills
ATTN: N/a
Currently: Meditating on the Idol

​

Her name was Wilda.

Or it was, until she had found a greater purpose. Gifted with vision, and a mind which acted as her hands, her status as a Mage had always been a target painted upon her face. Literally. The Mark had always been with her, and along with it the curse of great power. With power, came a certain magnetism, which spelled doom for her village in the Fifth Kingdom.

The local lord there had been a ridiculous fat man, more suited for a circus than a throne, doing tricks for the corrupt Craftsmen Guilds when told to. He lacked the strength in his backbone that the iron in his armies swords needed, and he lacked the will to give them proper command.

It was upon his head that she blamed the death of everyone she knew, not the Cult. She knew their darkness, what they did had been a choice... but it was a choice of rebellion. A demonstration of a lords misplaced jovial apathy... while showing mercy to the only child of the village - Wilda. From then on, the Cult of Iron Will had raised her, taught her of their Way, and molded her power. Many of them were Mages, and many could see the incomprehensible truth beyond Renegar - Kingdoms of Stars.

She had felt the conflict on the Starworld of 'Castameer'... the doom felt of a terrible weapon, a shatterer of worlds. It was an invincible weapon, that would lay waste to all of the chaotic wars across the stars. These "Rogues" against the Stars, had the Iron Will with them... yet somehow, by the efforts of the many Starkingdoms... it failed?

Someway, somehow, those of great power within the Iron Will had captured members of these kingdoms who had fought against the 'Omega' - that terrible beast of power. What could these powerless things do that could kill a being of such unimaginable power? For the good of the Way... she would know.

"Dya'Will, at the gates we did see-"

"Strangers? Yes... I see them well. Mine sight, is greater than thine, Initiate." Acolyte Dya'Will meditated within a room of nine others, initiates all, save one other Acolyte whom she had dubbed Alyn'Will. The initiate she spoke to remained Nameless, until they became worthy of being welcomed as a peer of the Acolytes, from which they would find their name.

These were the Wills of the Cult, or at least a number of them. A few unconscious captives lay in this room, who may soon wake up to see these meditative Mages.

They waited for the Idol to 'wake' with them, as well...

 

[Tobias Wrynn]

Room: 1
Attn: People in need of rescue!
Currently: Arriving

Wrynn glanced across the incoming data on his HUD. The best readout he could get on the area was a rough topographic map, and even that was less than trustworthy. Satellite cross scans were only reliable above ground. Anything further in would be visible once he got a direct scan, of course. He took the blaster pistol from his belt and made his way toward the entrance. "This is Wrynn, go ahead."

"Acknowledged, mercenary," the voice belted across the comm. "There are an unknown number of hostages within the facility. Resistance should be assumed highly dangerous. These are Sith, after all."

"Great. I love shooting Sith," he muttered, though the comm did not pick up his words.

When he got to the entryway, the merc leaned against the framework. "Give me a SitRep, Wrynn," the woman sounded pushy this time. He grimaced beneath his helmet. "Don't think I'm going to send you to secure valuable targets without an open line of communication. That's not how the Alliance works."

"You people are lucky your credits are good," he spat, though he said nothing else. The others in his squad took up the rear as he cleared them to advance. "Alright. Bravo four, I need you to set charges around this spot and make me a door." The woman gave a stiff salute, then set about preparing her demo charges. "Two, three, give me a firing line. If anything moves through the debris, shoot it."

Wrynn scanned the horizon behind them cautiously. "Five, you're on rear guard," he told the man. There was a groan of discontent, but the Commando did not voice his issues. "We're clear within five hundred yards," Tobias announced. "Blow it."

A minute had passed since the woman laid her charges, and she hurried back behind the line. Tobias raised his weapon and angled it toward the center of the boulder. The blast wracked the land around them and peppered the entire squad with dirt and rock.

"Five... four... three..." He counted aloud, and on his fingers. "One."

He pointed, and the squad moved out.

 

[Aeshi Tillian]

ROOM 2
RESCUE PARTY
----------------

Her dreams had been wracked with images lately- of an ancient stone fortress built into a hill and prisoners held within. There were many of them, in all sorts of uniforms. She recognized Alliance, Outback S&R, First Order, even some old Sith uniforms. But they all had her parent's faces. Every single one. That had driven her, trying to discern where to go. But nothing had come to her until she had been staring at her navocmputer and felt pulled to a certain spot on the galactic map- at the edge of the Unknown Regions.

She had studied its location and the systems around it. There was a planet there, certainly, but no details were available. She had punched in the coordinates and blazed her way through hyperspace, tracking down what she could until narrowing down the location to the fortress in her dreams. It was energy shielded, so she'd have to infiltrate herself. She parked the Dreamstar a ways away, locked it down tight, and trekked to the fortress, circling around until she came to an entrance. It was a solid oak door.

Aeshi tried to open it, but it was barred from the inside. That brought a frown to her face and she ran her fingers along its surface, trying to discern the best way to enter. She couldn't see through it, but peering through the gap, she could see where the bar was. Reaching into her utility belt, she brought out a small laser cutter and flicked it on. A small red beam seared through the gap. Smoke began to rise as it cut through the thick plank.

It took time, about fifteen minutes, but the door bar finally broke free. Aeshi stepped back, slipping it back into her utility belt. Now it was time to go in. She took a deep breath and kicked open the door. A handful of soldiers armed with primitive blades stood waiting there for her- clad in metal armor. Aeshi paused in surprise as they rushed her.

Everything slowed down. Three swords held high, three large males. Aeshi dropped to one knee as a blade cut above her head. Another stabbed past her, while the other slashed down towards her. She dove forward, rolling across the stone floor in the small chamber. She struck out with one leg, kicking one in the knee. He crumpled to one knee. A blade cut across her arm, and Aeshi snapped a curse, clutching it to her chest. Her other hand dropped down to the holster at her hip, snapping the pistol up and opening fire. The blaster bolts echoed through the tiny chamber, sizzling through the metal armor. The others fell too.

Blood dripped from her arm onto the floor as pain flared along the cut. It was shallow, but long. Aeshi dragged herself to her feet, examining the small stone chamber. It was well built, chilly, and very solid. She'd need heavy weapons to go through the walls, so hallways it would be. A stairway stretched before her.

 

[Niysha]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Zerka Tarash"]
Currently: Vexed by the crossroads of fate!

Well, her reasoning was solid. Niysha was pleased with her devious scheme to get an innocent and kind of dumb kid to be her personal minion. Plus, it would have been super hard work to actually have to physically move a rock that big just to get inside. Small benefits for the smart girl!

Of course, it came with its own share of drawbacks. Namely, Niysha had to continue spouting out nonsense, or else her relationship with this impressionable youth was going to take a nosedive. Also, since she hadn't interacted with kids her own age since the academy (where all of them were horrible monsters), she was a little behind on the lingo.

"Um...what's a boostie?"

 

[Mishka Larraq]

Planet: Renegar
Location: Approaching the Complex (Room 2)
Objective: Infiltrate Sith Complex, Gather Intel, Take Nessessary Actions, Nick a Book or Artifact,
Allies: NA
Enemies: NA
Neutral: NA
NPC's: 1x Valiant Ursine Companion w/ child sized Beskar'gam: 1x Holdout Blaster, 1x Beskad

Mishka's metal and leather boots crunched softly on loose dirt and gravel as she made her way up one of many twisting mountain paths. Behind her, she could still hear the distant whooshing of windmill blades turning slowly in the light breeze. Ahead of her was rocks, leafless trees, and suborn shrubbery. And, hopefully, wherever it was that the local cultists were hiding. Glancing once more at the paper map in her hand, Mishka continued her brisk pace up the mountain.

According to a nice old man at the tavern where she had spent the night, faint lights could occasionally be seen moving along this path at night. She hadn't thought that was much of a clue and had asked the man if the lights could be people traveling to and from the castle... but the man had seemed quite positive that the safest path to the castle curved nearly a mile to the west... and hadn't been used in years. But with no other clues to go on, Mishka was left with little choice but to investigate the lights. Though, to be honest, she was fairly sure that she was just going to find some angsty teens with a secret drinking or make-out spot.

Behind her a far softer crunching of dirt and gravel echoed her own at much faster pace. The small construct she had encountered on Vjun still refusing to leave her side. Where and how it had obtained a tiny suit of Beskar'gam, she had no idea. But it now looked every bit as fierce and capable as any other Mando'ad, in spite of its quarter meter height and the pair of soft, fluffy ears that protruded from the helmet. <Copikla.> Mishka thought to herself as she spared it a glance. The tiny golem-like creature's own weapons were also holstered. A holdout pistol on its right hip and a beskad on its left.

Mishka's gaze and attention were pulled from the small creature as she heard faint noises coming from ahead of them. Slowing her stride and holding a hand before the Ursine, signaling it to do the same, Mishka edged towards the side of the path. With one finger finding its way before her lips, Mishka made the 'shhh' gesture for the benefit of the Ursine that followed her as she moved her body behind a large boulder and inched forward, her ears alert for signs that she might have been spotted.

Blaster fire echoed along the path, muffled as if it was coming from within a nearby building or cave.

Mishka froze next to the rock as she listened to the sounds, alert for any indication as to which direction the shots were being sent. Faintly, she heard the clash of metal on stone, shifting feat, and a dull crumpling sound that could only come from a body falling to the ground. And then all was silent.

Looking towards the Ursine for a moment of guidance that never came, Mishka decided that they had to keep moving. "Cuy'ni nari at lenedat, hukaat'kama." She said to the small furry construct, trying to sound confident.

A quiet click came from her waist as her thumb freed a pistol from its holster and her hand pulled it free. Gingerly, Mishka took one step forward at a time, careful not to make a sound and keeping her ears alert for any more sounds of struggle. She could hear her pulse in her ears almost as loudly as she felt her heart pounding in her chest. But as she rounded the boulder, she saw nothing but the faint shimmer of an energy shield. <Huh...> Mishka thought as she stared at the shield, her weapon lowering slightly. <That explains why it sounded muffled.> She thought to herself as she walked through the energy shield and motioned for the Ursine to follow.

TLRD: Sneaking along the path to the complex, staying out of sight. Just passed the energy shield. Heard [member="Aeshi Tillian"] fighting NPC's.

Mandoa Translation

Spoiler

<Copikla>
Cute/charming

"Cuy'ni nari at lenedat, hukaat'kama."
"I'm moving forward, watch my back."

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7
Objective: Instill reason.
Allies: Soon.png
|1|

There was strength in being inconspicuous.

Instead of cloaking yourself in strength, seem weak and unassuming. More often than not the real issues will not bother with you; they had better, brighter and bigger preys on the horizon. But sadly this did not always work out for the best- such as this situation Lord Fa found himself in right now.

He was tied to the large back of Vnut, his Balinaka bodyguard, who was shackled himself.

There were a few cultists lounging around. Two sitting near the window, another two standing outside and one currently reading a book, while leaning against the wall.

A difficult situation, to be sure, yet Tai Fa had found himself in worse. Not by a lot, but worse still. His head turned one way, the other way, before finally singling out the book reader roughly in front of him. The reader wasn't actually reading, instead it was just a thing to occupy his nerves - hands shaking, a glance being cast every few moments at their prisoners, specifically at the large ursine creature with the foul mood.

This could be used.

"I cannot say, friend,​

that I caught your name through this.​

How may I call you?​

​

The cultist blinked and then looked from Vnut to the talking chicken.​

​

You... what, you can talk?"​

​

This amused Fa at least for the moment. They had clubbed him over the head rather roughly, before he was able to bring up the six or seven reasons why they were making a huge mistake with this entire operation. The lad probably thought he was Vnut's pet... this was often a mistake sentients made, who did not yet know him all that well.​

​

"I suppose I can.​

If my voice is truly mine.
Your name, my good friend?

The reading cultist lowered his book, before sending a single glance at his companions by the windows. They did not seem all too interested in the situation brewing- perhaps they weren't seeing it, perhaps they didn't care, maybe they were monitoring it until the situation got too complicated.

Who truly knew?

"I... Dhaman... you are a bird."

What an astute observation, friend. Fa thought, before inclining his beak in a show of respect. At least, inclining it as much as he could while being tied to Vnut.

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Planet: Renegar
Location: Approaching the Complex (Room 2)
Objective: Loot, Take slaves, and kill
Allies: NA
Enemies: NA
Neutral: NA
NPC's: 8 Trandoshan Commandos

Causstik and his warriors had arrived on this back water planet to capture slaves. They pillaged and razed many towns, and in one they heard of a fortress. It was said that this fortress had untold riches beyond your wildest dreams. Causstik left his war band and took with him his greatest warriors. They crossed plains, desserts, jungles, until finally they found a small town with an ancient castle overlooking it. They abandoned their speeders and began the long trek up the mountain. Their sharp claws allowed them easy purchase, but still it was a arduous hike.

When they reached their destination they discovered the door had already been blown open and three men lay dead, still warm to the touch.

"Fan out! two squads of four. Watch the corners and don't shoot the money!" Causstik hissed.

They entered the chamber and discovered a woman beginning her ascent up a flight of stairs. She was not dressed like the soldiers in the front, in fact she looked like a Jedi of the Republic. Causstik contemplated taking her as a slave then decided to ignore her. With a single hand motion Causstik ordered his troops to continue without incident. He and his warriors would glide by [member="Aeshi Tillian"] without a single word.

[member="Mishka Larraq"]

 

[Tobias Wrynn]

Location: Room 1
Objective: Establish front line, then push.
Allies: Of convenience, tag me if you're interested.
Enemies: Tag as becomes relevant.
NPC squad: Recon Bravo.

"Bottleneck the hallway," Wrynn called out through the short range comm. "Give me two and three to the left. Four, you're on me to the right. Five, take point and draw them back to our position." Bravo team hurried to the designated positions with a quick chorus of affirmation. Trained by the Alliance Special Ops Corps, all the men appointed to his detail had specific orders and training that made any thoughts of looting an aside to the mission. A mercenary was still a soldier at heart though, so Tobias only entertained the notion briefly.
Recon five boasted the heaviest armor of their small contingent, though he was by no means as durable as a Mandalorian kitted out in full Beskar'gam. His armor plating caused his steps to be slower and labored than the more agile members of his squad, and as blaster fire opened and rained down on him, sizzling stains of energy residue showed the difference in their levels of defense. The sound of cringing echoed through the comm. "Five, status?"

"Little hot, sir," five replied, "but their weapons are general energy, it will take more than a few shots."

Wrynn peered out from behind cover and took a quick shot at the nearest cultist. The man ducked back behind his corner, but not before a pained outcry escaped him. "Don't plan on giving them long enough to get that many shots off, Five, rest assured. You have authorization: show them how it feels." There was a chuckle, then nothing for a moment. Tobias watched as the heavy knelt and brought the bulky repeater from his shoulder sling to bear on the far end of the hall.

He gave the sign for Two, Three, and Four to hold their fire for the moment.

A slow whir emanated from the cannon as it primed, and the sounds of panicked orders from the other side came just before the man unleashed hell. Flaming bolts of plasma ricocheted around the hallway as one after the other spewed from the maw of Five's massive weapon. Several loud screams ripped across their HUD's sensors and confirmed a handful of hits. Wrynn clenched his fist, then extended his index finger.
"Now push."

The others jogged past Five as he lagged behind and waited for his weapon to slowly cool down. The heavy infantryman changed over to his auto rifle and turned to watch their six. "Rear status: several squads of unconfirmed origin have made their move into the fortress behind us," he called. "Advise."

"Engage them only if prompted by hostility, Five," Wrynn called as he fired on a cultist who writhed on the floor in front of him. There was a brief pause as the report of his weapon sounded, then life rapidly faded from the eyes of his enemy. "Saves on ammo, not shooting at every body what walks through the door unannounced."

"Alliance code dictates we take precautions against-"

"Piss on code," Wrynn spat back. "If you're afraid they're going to become a problem, then reach out and talk with them. We have a directive. Let's at least try to get some of these VIPs out alive."

"Sir," Four spoke rigidly, "I can't condone reckless action-"

"Save it for the Court Martial, Ael," he called back to the woman before she could finish. "There are lives at stake, we don't have time for a firefight beyond what we're already in for. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Alliance Command at the debriefing."

"Yes, sir," she muttered. Two and Three seemed preoccupied with laughter over the exchange, though both men were busy spraying cultists with blaster fire and covering point. "I'm going to recommend that they dock your pay, you know."

Wrynn slowly turned his helmet so that the visor pointed in her direction. "Careful," he responded evenly. "There are a lot of targets in close proximity here. I could misfire at any time."

"Tobias Wrynn," the sound of their coordinated blared through their feed, and he cringed. "We are listening to this conversation, and while it's my opinion that your method of approach is sound, I will not ignore threats to Alliance Personnel. Reign it in, or we really will Court Martial you."

He shook his head and signaled for the Fireteam to begin their advance.

 

[Arla Ordo]

Location approaching room 1 entry
Objective Attacker find Sith and loot
allies unknown
enemies unknown

She was loaded for rancor she made sure she carried grenade a full missile compliment two pistols knife in her armor. Inside her buy'ce she was getting read outs heat signatures distance even a moisture level read out.

She stepped inside hesitating for a moment getting her bearings. There captives inside where she did not know it was a maze and finding the right turn the right room was all a game of chance.

She could hear nothing save her own breath, green eyes trained on the read out, the anticipation of the hunt beginning to hum in her veins.

 

[TB-705]

ATTACKER
Location: Approaching Room 1
Allies: [member="Tai Fa"]
Enemies: ?

The floor shook as if from an earthquake. He quickened his pace. Find the bird. Save the bird. Find the bird. Kill the bird. Assume bird's titles. No, no. He knew no one, all former allies long since dead, captured, or converted. Caged too long, he'd lost his former status. Now he followed another's rule: find the bird. Save the bird. Rise again.

The pungent scent of sweating human suddenly filled his nostrils and he slowed.

Behind [member="Arla Balor"] came a whisper, a whir, then some glint among the shadows: two orbs, glowing in the alcove. A silent padding of feline feet, then he stood behind her. A tall being, by any standard, with a braided leonine mane. Fibers stood taught across his body, too easily mistaken for muscle laid bare in the ill-lit corridor.

A fanged maw issued hot breath. He carried a pair of wicked looking knives; one in each hand. For a moment it looked as if he might strike her in the back, then he moved past her in a rush of golden fur. In a blink, the Cathar disappeared around the corner, movements eerily devoid of sound.

Blaster fire came loud and staccato from somewhere within the underground fortress. The growing sound of battle elicited a low, steady purr from the feline, followed by visions drenched in crimson.

Find the bird. Kill the others.

 

[Zerka Tarash]

Room: 3
Attn: [member="Niysha"]
Currently: Advancing from 3 to 6, with style.

"What's a-?" Zerka gaped for a moment, then sighed and put her hands on her hips, continuing in an educational tone. It wasn't the Miraluka's fault that she was basically an adult and so her brain was all calcified and boring. "A boostie is a boost! Here, put your hands together, like this..." Zerka helped Niysha cup her hands, her fingers laced together. When that was done, she stepped carefully into the older girl's hands and instructed her to lift.

Niysha might have skinny, weak little arms, but Zerka was crazy light, on account of her skeleton. Once she was boosted, Zerka started fishing around the rock, looking for a catch or button. A bit of searching found a tiny switch, up by where a thug-sized person might try to hide one. With an audible 'click', the boulder slid aside the slightest bit - more than enough for two girls to step through. Hooting in triumph, Zerka hopped down and helped Niysha perform a high-five.

"Lucky guess, right?" The Padawan chirped, quite pleased with herself. Granted, the rough-stone hallway ahead was as black as sin, but that's why The Force had presumably paired her up with a blind girl! Maybe there was treasure down there... or a ship or a radio. Either would be nice. "C'mon, let's go check it out. Just... I don't have a flashlight?"

Zerka took Niysha's hand and smiled cautiously. "...So is this okay for now?"

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Location: Room 7
Objective: Instill reason.
Allies: [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | The Cultists soon.
|2|

"You hear that?" One of the cultists by the windows prodded at the other one, who was staring at something outside. It took a few more prods, before the second one broke his focus outside and looked back.

"Hear what?"

Both of them were interrupted when a third cultist stuck his head through the doorway. He didn't seem to be all that pleased with what was transpiring outside of the room and it was all spelled out on his face - brows furrowed, a snarl tugging at his lip, but the eyes... they were scared. And that meant so, so, so much to Tai Fa that he almost smiled, if he could.

"We are being attacked, brothers, let's go." His attention shifted to the book-reading cultist, eyeing the book first, before looking back at the man's face. "...you stay here and keep an eye on that karking bird and the bear."

They left in a hurry, leaving the Dhaman - a Kiffar - behind in the room. He had symbols etched into his skin, smokey black imprints and runes of Sith descend, yet they were bastardized. Almost as if the maker hadn't known Sith himself or had been working from memory.​

​

"Your friends left you here.
Abandonment, yes, it hurts.
Are you scared of death?​

​

The young Kiffar bristled at that, the book dropped to the ground and his chest pumped up in arrogant flurry.​

​

"They trust me to guard you two!"​

​

"They trust you to die.
Useless and forgotten, hmm.
They won't cry for you.​

​

There is a choice now.
I feel your confusion, yes.
The anger rushes.​

​

Embrace it, Dhaman.
You have no taste for this, yes?
Join me, live and rule.​

​

Or stand against me...
and your spirit will be crushed.
Choose now, young warrior."​

​

Few understood the mesmerizing quantities of mind-compulsion wrapped around the haikus of the Thirriken, yet, Fa was slowly mastering this very principle. Dhaman's eyes were foggy, they stared and saw nothing but the words thundering against him by the teetering peacock Sith standing before him. Yes, standing, because his shackles had already been broken... and the large ursine Vnut was looming behind him, his teeth bared in a grimace of distaste.​

​

Then Dhaman shook his head, eyes growing large as they first noticed Vnut standing, followed by the Thirriken standing as well.​

​

He bowed.​

​

Then the young Kiffar knelt.​

​

This was the beginning, not the end.
​