Star Wars The Shadow War - Times End - Two new factions opened up! - Legacy: War spoilers!

OOC: Dang how'd I end up here, sorry wrong thread guys

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Refuse Ranger Hellfire Bound

Fly casual. Suraya spoke in the direction of the cockpit and then intentionally looked around at some of the tensest of her shipmates. Could someone relay that to our Mandalorian pilot? she said with a slightly cheeky expression as she and her comrades jostled about within the tight confines of the shuddering shuttle.

Turning towards a viewport, she began to daydream while gazing out into the darkness overlooking Saridona Prime. Suraya then imagined being recaptured aboard the Hellfire and placed back in the same exact prison cell that she had once occupied before. This was her own interior method for overcoming any form of anxiety: envision the worst, and then let it wash over one and face the challenge head-on.

Truth be told, she felt surprisingly at ease, given the full scope and implications of their present circumstances. A sense of completion loomed in the background to this chapter of her life and this particular act of the eternal play between the light and the dark. Things were falling into place where as only moments before they had looked impossible. Whenever this happened, she knew that the will of the Force must be directly guiding them. Making the impossible, possible.

So far, everything was going according to plan, but whose plan? Harbinger’s requests to have his restraints removed and be given a weapon snapped her out of her inner world. She prayed to the Force that she was'nt being used as some sort of intricate pawn in an elaborate Sith scheme that was still slowly unfolding before them. Keeping silent she now glanced from side to side to see who might address such a bold demand by the Sith. As the moment of silence extended she decided to inject her own inquires first to the dark lord.

Now that the shields are down, Cavillous must know…that we are coming, that you are helping us, what we plan to do and that the others have been eliminated. She paused before airing her other ruminations to the dark being, If so, why is he still here? Won’t he soon jump away, cutting his losses? At this point, what could he hope to gain by seeing this through?


TAG Bardan_Jusik Runjedirun Mitth_Fisto galactic-vagabond422 Zurros Ka ConservativeJedi321 Coffee_Ninja Gotab

 

IC Ian Thrace
Training Hall, Temple of Light

"Sure wishen' ah could be up there too, don'chu?" Ian looked at Padawan Abyo dumbly for a few moments, trying to piece together his words through his odd dialect. He had gotten more used to it over the past few days, but it still unnerved him slightly the way the other Padawan spoke. Finally he shrugged and gave a half nod. He didn't really wish he could have gone on the mission, and had been somewhat gratified when he had been told that he was to stay here in the Temple. These missions were too dangerous for him right now. He felt he was on the cusp of understanding his power, especially after the last couple of days training with Master Kasumi, but he knew he lacked the understanding just yet to contribute much to such a lofty goal as destroying the last Sith beseiging them.

Thoughts of the Sith immediately brought Darth Sixtus to mind. Ian had been glad not to have been assigned to the attack mission but he had been crestfallen to find he had also been banned from seeing Sixtus again. What use was it being here, with her so close, if he couldn't see her, speak to her, hear her? He suppressed a shudder as a cold chill came over him, working its way up and down his spine. At the same time he felt an ice cold ball form in the pit of his stomach while his heart seemed to burn with desire. He was enraptured of her, he knew that much. He had to see her somehow, but he couldn't and it was eating him up inside. He had to get his mind off of her somehow.

Looking around the Training Hall he thought back over the last two days. He had learned much, especially that keeping busy and opening oneself to the Foirce was a wonderful way to keep such unwanted thoughts at bay. Of course the last lesson that Master Kasumi had tried to impart had left him only with more questions.

It was the message she had left him in his quarters before she had left. At the end of it, she had stepped out of frame and for a moment he had seen his old Master. Not Jay'su, the Bothan who had been assigned to him and then died shortly after their arrival here. Nor was it Grand Master Decinchi, who had taken him as his own Padawan learner after Jay'su's death only to abandon Ian and flee the Temple before the current siege had begun. No this was his first Master, his real Master, the one he had grown to know and love almost as a mother. This was Knight Ibarra. He had stared in shock at the recording upon sight of her, wondering how, why, she could be there. He had so many questions to ask, but feeling a cold lump in his throat he had been unable to. Not that it mattered, this had been a recording, she couldn't have answered even if he could bring himself to speak. He had thought he caught a look of...disapproval, or was it concern on her face before she began to fade away, disappearing before he or she could say anything. He still didn't know what it all meant, and it troubled him. Being here now, with just his own thoughts wasn't helping. He needed to do something, anything.

What he really wanted to do was to talk to Darth Sixtus. She could tell him what it meant, why he felt the way he did. She understood him like no one else. But he couldn't. He had to get his mind off of both her and the vision of his first Master. Desperate, he asked Padawan Abyo sullenly. "Did you want to spar?" Ian almost hoped he would say no. He hadn't done so well so far sparring against the more experienced Padawan, though he was learning. "It might help pass the time and get our mind off of....things."

Tag Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Kai Dareagan
Refuse Ranger, Saridona Prime, Orbit

The young knight sits next to the padawan he'd spent the last few days training in the art of lightsaber combat. Kai found very quickly that he far out classed Semajj in speed but, he did hold his own using Soresu to ward off many of the knight's strikes. Kai took a little time to show some simple counterattacks, how to turn an enemy's strikes against them. While the young padawan might not have been ready to take a Sith head on he'd could at least hold on long enough for help to arrive. Kai knew this is mostly down to his not being the best teacher, in fact he is probably the worst in the temple. At the very least he is going to be there for the young one he'd taken under his wing.

Taab calls for the sith to lower the shields. It is nearly go time, Kai feels the nervous energy well up inside of him. He looks to his team, himself, Nosrep, Eira Dryn, Loother, Kasumi, and Letali, he gave a wave to the Mon Cal, the one that had helped him through so much. It is comforting to him to have her along.

Kai leans over to Semajj whispering, "When we get in there, stay close to me or Knight Letali, we'll get you through. Understand." He is worried about the young Jedi, this temple had already lost so many he didn't want to lose another on his watch. "If we get separated find a place to hide and contact this ship." He taps his shoe against the metal deck, "tell them where you are and I'll come get you alright." He knows he sounds like a parent going on a trip with their child. He couldn't help it, if he could clone himself he'd have one clone with every member of this team, to defend them, to die for them if necessary. Unfortunately he was still just one Jedi and he could only protect a few. And he'd chosen to protect the youngest, and least trained among them.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik Runjedirun Mitth_Fisto Ananta Chetan Zurros Ka ConservativeJedi321 Coffee_Ninja Gotab

 

IC: Semajj Nosrep
Refuse Ranger, Saridona Prime, Orbit

The Ongree sat quietly waiting for the signal to be given.
The past couple days had been busy, his training with Kai Dareagan had gone well he supposed. His defensive shield held strongly against the more experienced Jedi, defense was after all a trademark of form III soresu. But when the time had come for him to attack he had come to the startling realization he was ill equipped for offensive combat. He had a decent understanding of Form V shien; though it hardly stacked up to his full depth comprehension of the more defensive form III which he had been studying since he was a youngling. The trouble naturally came due to the fact that Padawans were expected to only focus on one form, and he had decided to place his focus in soresu. Though maybe one day after he was knighted he could return his focus into the deeper elements of shien.
Jedi Dareagan was very skilled as a duelist, and in a relatively short time the Human had helped Ongree overcome many of the faults of his form. Semajj still was not completely sure about his offensive abilities, but with some of the moves he had been taught he figured he might just be able to compensate. The older Jedi was a skilled instructor, though perhaps he did not see himself in that way. Semajj figured they might work well together on this mission, Dareagans more aggressive fighting style could compliment his own defensive focus well if they could implement it properly.

He was startled out of his reminiscing as he noticed Dareagan was speaking to him. "...close to me or Knight Letali, we'll get you through. Understand." Wait what was he saying? Did he miss something while he was transfixed in his own thoughts? All he could think to do was nod, and that's what he did. A brief moment passed and the Jedi continued. "If we get separated find a place to hide and contact this ship. Tell them where you are and I'll come get you alright." Semajj had just about put together the pieces of the puzzle.

It was apparent the Human was concerned for him, and who could blame him? They were going into unknown territory on the word of a Sith? Semajj was scared for them all. But he wouldn't let his doubts cloud his judgement. He was capable, else why would he be assigned to this mission? He doubted Healer Susruta had some sort of vendetta against him. Sure some other Padawans were known to pull pranks;such as letting womp rats out into the masters quarters, throwing a food fight, or placing a red garment in with the whites during their washing sequence; but he had never done anything to be sent to his death. Plus he felt he belonged here. The force had a plan, and he would fullfill it even if that resulted with him becoming one with it somewhat prematurely.

"I will do so as the Force guides." he whispered in return, though he sensed that wasn't exactly the answer the older Jedi was looking for, it was the only one he could give.


TAG: Bardan_Jusik, galactic-vagabond422, Runjedirun, Mitth_Fisto, Ananta Chetan, Zurros Ka, Coffee_Ninja, Gotab

 

IC: Darth Cavillous
Bridge of the Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

The lights flickered on and off several times annoying Darth Cavillous more than he already was. The power drain to keep the shields up was fast becoming rather more than just an annoyance. By all rights he should have retreated from Saridona Prime once his landed army had been lost. He should have abandoned his plot to take the Jedi Temple below and withdrawn from the system to lick his wounds and rebuild his forces. His plan was unraveling, he should use the moment to come up with a new one. He scowled as he looked out into the dark expanse beyond the windows of the Hellfire's bridge. His new apprentice had told him as much two days ago, and Cavillous had punished the whelp for daring to speak out of turn. Since then he had been thinking on the matter though, should he withdraw or should he stay? It wasn't like him to be caught in the middle such as he was now, he had poured so much effort into taking the Temple, and the sacrifices he had made would be for naught if he left now.

A flashing on one of the consoles caught his attention and he waited a few moments before the droid manning ti ascertained the issue and reported it to him. With the shields running on full constantly there had been any manner of maintenance failures on the Hellfire over the last few days. This was surely yet another such failure.

"The shields are down." The droid finally reported in an emotionless tone. Cavillous nearly flew into a rage at the news, though his apprentice seemed to take the news in stride. "Why? Another malfunction?" The droid took a few moments to analyze the issue before responding. "Negative, ship's computer has deactivated them on command code authorization." Cavillous' rage exploded now as he hurled force lightning at the droid frying it's logic circuits, screaming out the name of their betrayer. "Harbinger!"

The droid dropped to the deck smoking and sparking as Cavillous rushed forward. He hurled the smoking ruin of the droid out of the way and frantically searched the the shield control panel. "The override, where is the override?"* He couldn't find it, and out there would be a Jedi assault force waiting to take advantage of the Hellfire's helplessness. A report from the droid manning the sensor console would only confirm now his worst fear. Naturally it was at that moment the droid spoke up.

"Sensors are now picking up a small craft, distance three thousand meters." So close, they had gotten so close undetected? They must have a sensor masking device of some sort, or perhaps the sensors too were failing under the constant power drain from the shields. The ship was so close now, there would be little time to engage it, and no time to launch his own meager force of fighters to engage it...

Wait. "Just one ship?"

"Confirmed. A light cargo hauler on landing approach vector. Sensors are unable to determine type due to masking effects now in use by Jedi forces." Cavillous smiled a wicked smile. It was just one ship, not a force of attacking fighters and bombers to lay waste to the Hellfire. Just. One. Ship. Calmer now he looked back down at the shield control panel and immediately saw the over ride control he had been searching so frantically for moments ago. His hand hovered over the button as the weapon's control droid asked. "Shall we destroy them?"

Cavillous considered it for a moment, looking into the eyes of his apprentice. He had a test coming soon now, a test that Cavillous was eager to administer. "No, allow them to land. I will deal with them myself." The apprentice now shared his smile, he knew what was coming next too. The Sith Lord had no doubt that the single vessel held the cream of the Jedi fighting force, and Cavillous still had...

"I have them right where I want them."

TAG: No One.

*OOC: taken from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

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IC: General Hector Zey/Beskaryc Taab/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Refuse Ranger, On approach to the Hellfire

"Now that the shields are down, Cavillous must know...that we are coming, that you are helping us, what we plan to do and that the others have been eliminated." There was a long pause but Darth Harbinger motioned for Knight Archisa to complete her thought. elsewhere in the cargo hold the Jedi were preparing for the dangerous mission in their own way, but they were probably wondering the same things as well. "If so, why is he still here? Won’t he soon jump away, cutting his losses? At this point, what could he hope to gain by seeing this through?"

Harbinger smiled for moment, letting the question sit there and marinate in the minds of the others before answering. "His arrogance blinds him. He won't abandon this. He thinks he has options for every contingency." He paused again to let that sink in. "His droids will slow things down. They are formidable combatants yes, but slow sometimes in relaying relevant data. Veneficus wanted to use his technique to use the minds of recently killed enemies to bolster their ability, like he did with the Hellfire and Darth Shaga, but we never accumulated enough to make the attempt worthwhile." He waved his hands dismissing the notion. "The use of Jedi... tissue in such an experiment was seen as wasteful."

The Jedi in the cargo bay could feel the hard pull of the ship as it passed into the Hellfire's landing bay and the larger ship's gravity took over. A moment later there was a loud think as the ship settled down on its landing struts and the aft cargo hatch opened. Taab came bounding aft from the Ranger's cockpit now, a blaster carbine up and ready. He was the first off the boarding ramp, though the other Jedi soon followed him. Most of them had expected a hostile "welcome", but what they saw in the hanger bay of the Hellfire was anything but. The lights flickered and a wave of nausea was felt by some as the artificial gravity wavered. A few droids, astromechs and maintenance droids mostly scattered about the bay performing various tasks. Along the far side of the bay were a trio of Predator class fighters, though their pilots were not readily apparent.

Finally Taab caught sight of a squad of ten Sith war droids approaching menacingly with their arms raised, their blaster cannons armed. Taab brought his finger to his carbine's trigger, but was stopped as the dar'jetii (Darth Harbinger) exited the Ranger and ran out in front of him, ruining his shot. Standing between Taab and the droids he ordered them to "Halt." The Mandalorian was shocked when the droids did just that.

"Lord Harbinger, recent intelligence indicates that you are considered a Prisoner of War. How are you here?" The nearest droid kept it's arm mounted blaster aimed squarely at Taab. "I was, these people rescued me. Please escort these individuals," he pointed to the Aurek team of Master Kasumi, Knight Loother, Knight Dareagen, Knight Letali, padawan Nosrep and Eira Dryn, "to cargo bay two." The droid and it's companions lowered their arm, the blasters retracting back into their stowed position at the order from Harbinger, but they made no other move to assist.

"If you have been freed, why are you still in chains?"

Harbinger's eyes gleamed in merriment for a moment. "It's a work release program," he finally answered somewhat jovially. He had asked that the Jedi release him from his binders, now there would be complications. "Follow my instructions." The droid was clearly confused. "Work release? That doesn't compute, blast them!" The droids blasters clacked back into place as they raised their arms and began firing.

TAG: Ananta Chetan, ConservativeJedi321, galactic-vagabond422, Zurros Ka, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Mitth_Fisto, Coffee_Ninja

OOC: Just ten combat droids in the hanger bay, handle/destroy them all as you see fit. There are other service droids in the hanger was well, but they will stay out of the fight. Handle them as y'all see fit as well (feel free to embellish your posts with their antics during the fight ). If there are any war droids remaining by the next update Taab, Zey one of the NPCs (or some combination thereof) will finish them off so we can move on.

---

IC: padawan Abyo (NPC)
Training Hall, Temple of Light.

Abyo lit up and nodded his head eagerly. This was an excellent and fun way to pass the time. He looked askance at padawan Thrace though. He had shown an aversion to the more martial elements of being a Jedi before. Why the sudden desire to embrace them? Didn't matter he finally decided, it would be a fun diversion, after all winning was always fun. Grabbing a training saber from where it hung on the wall he ignited the blue blade with a loud *snap-hiss* while tossing Ian one as well.

"All raght!" he shouted in excitement. "Let's see if ya learnt anythin' since the last time!"

TAG: Gotab

OOC: Feel free to run the sparring match in the manner we already discussed.

 

IC: Kasumi
On Board the Ship

Kasumi felt the hard pull and opened her eyes. This was all too easy....something was not right with this. But she followed the Force's pull to go in this mission. She looked at the Aurek team. "Eyes and ears open. Mind clear. Stay together as much as possible." Then she switched to using the Force for a brief moment And if you can....hide yourselves within the Force.

Kasumi watched as the doors opened and they were faced with droids. She half tuned into what was being said..until there was talk of fusing tissue with metal...especially to create a faster droid. And what was this talk of tests with Jedi subjects? With that, Kasumi knew she had to hide most of her powers from the Sith....especially Harbinger. That was why she didn't go to the council meeting. Too many unexplained things. Why would a Sith turn on his fellow Sith? It wasn't like he was changing sides or turning good. No, something was off. And all she needed to hear was the order to fire from the droids.

With a snap-hiss Kasumi lit her green saber and deflected the bolts back at the droids that were firing at her...making sure that their own bolts were the ones that took them out.

Tag: Bardan_Jusik, Mitth_Fisto, galactic-vagabond422, ConservativeJedi321, Ananta Chetan, Runjedirun, Zurros Ka, Rebecca_Daniels

 

IC: Semajj Nosrep
On Board the Ship

Even before the obviously false excuses escaped Harbinger's lips Semajj knew there was no way they could avoid violence at this juncture. Perhaps they should have let the Sith out of his chains to aid in this ruse, but in the end it likely wouldn't have mattered, and he much preferred having the dark one under wraps, for now at least.

Just as the first volley of blaster bolts were fired his green blade ignited in an unmovable wall of defense, and he recognized Jedi Kasumi, was doing the same. She was also focusing on deflecting the lasers back at their attackers, he adjusted the angle of his blade so he could assist in her attempt to turn their enemies own fire against them.
He aimed for the same droid she did, and two or three shots penetrated its metallic armor as it fell into a smoking heap in all of a moment.

Semajj knew the other Jedi would be pressing the attack soon and he was swift in staying just near enough to keep his strong defensive alive, but not so close as to get in their way.

These machines were to be scrap quick enough he knew, tough or not they were no match for even one Jedi present, let alone the entire group, not to mention the Mandalorian.

Tags: Bardan_Jusik, galactic-vagabond422, Mitth_Fisto, Ananta Chetan, Runjedirun, Zurros Ka, Rebecca_Daniels

 

IC: Hochner Trevalus
Refuse Ranger, En Route to the Hellfire

Breath in, see the latent energy form into light, breath out, watch the energy rush away from the well of darkness, back toward the Temple of Light. Eyes open, watching the prisoner, waiting for the moments when they would stand in the future. Eyes closed, looking to the past. . .

Opening his eyes he merely sighed at the prisoners request for a dagger. He could spare one, but he would not yet.

TAG: To be continued...

 

IC Ian Thrace
Training Hall, Temple of Light

"Let's see if ya learnt anythin' since the last time!" Padawan Abyo's blue training saber lit up his face and Ian could see the excitement in his eyes. With a determined but heavy sigh Ian returned the gesture by igniting the training saber offered him, seeing it was green just like his training saber that still hung on his belt next to his real one. "First to score a torso hit then?" Ian asked carefully, adopting a soresu opening stance. Padawan Abyo smiled and nodded again eagerly, taking up his lightsaber in a two handed grip holding the lightsaber vertically with both palms, either on the right or left side of his body, what ian had come to know as his standard Ataru opening stance. Sweat forming on his brow, he waited for Padawan Abyo's opening strike.

It came quickly, but for Ian predictably, this time, with Padawan Abyo using the force to enhance his speed and slash quickly horizontally at Ian's midsection. Over the past couple of days Ian had come to recognize that this was Padawan Abyo's preferred method to starting any fight, attempting to end it before it began, and at first it had worked easily on the less experienced Padawan. However now Ian was expecting it and he blocked the attack rather easily. Proud of himself, he watched carefully as Padawan Abyo quickly withdrew before Ian could counterstrike. It would be his turn to attack now, at least in the formalized setting they had been operating under. Ian centered his blade in front of him, he was still new to this form, he had barely "mastered" Form I, and found it was not at all suited to sparring with another. After speaking with Master Kasumi he had decided to attempt Soresu, it seemed to fit his preference for protection over offense, but he was far from a master at it and found it difficult to transition to any sort of offensive move. In his indecisiveness Padawan Abyo took the opportunity to attack again, this time slashing from the right side in a feint before reversing himself and slashing left. Ian barely managed to parry the swift attack and the two again parted ways, this time though Ian thought he could see a look of consternation on Padawan Abyo's face as he considered his next move.

Ian had used the previous "round" though to think on what he should do, and now with Padawan Abyo again having pulled back Ian put his plan into action. He knew he wasn't as experienced with the blade as even Padawan Abyo was, that there was no way he could use his rudimentary knowledge of Soresu to block his every attack, and that even if he could he would never be able to go on the offensive quickly enough to defeat him. he would have to play to his own strengths, strengths that he had come to realize through the attentiveness of Padawan Battershell and Master Kasumi. Advancing slowly on Padawan Abyo, a look of determination fell upon Ian's face as he again centered the blade in front of him. Smiling, Padawan Abyo went on the attack again but was met with a smack across the back of his head as a climbing rope was torn down off the training hall ceiling and flung towards him.

"Hey!" He exclaimed loudly, to Ian's immense pleasure. The other Padawan's attack was clearly forgotten now as he yelled at Ian. "That's not fair!"Ian kept his blade out in front of him though, where it wavered slightly. His skill lay in telekinesis. He had used it to survive on Coruscant, and Padawan Battershell had taught him to use it to defeat the droids. Master Kasumi had encouraged him to use what he knew, what he truly was, and that was what he was now doing. Keeping his eyes locked on Padawan Abyo he now flung a training dummy towards him, but Abyo was ready for it and slashed it away with his lightsaber. "I said, that's not fair!" And Abyo charged.

With his lightsaber out in front Ian tried to parry the inevitable assault, but Padawan Abyo halted just out of his reach and instead flung himself up into the air. Ian ducked, unsure of what to do here as Abyo flew over him and reversed himself once he landed opposite Ian. Ian spun quickly, but he knew there was no way he could be fast enough. A cold pit developed in his stomach, as the dread of losing again overtook him. His eyes flashed yellow for a moment and his blade came around more quickly than he could have imagined, blocking the attack much to jis own and Padawan Abyo's surprise. "How did..." Ian didn't know right now, but something told him to press his advantage while he had it. With one hand holding the block he used the other to Force push Abyo away to create distance between them. In his excitement, or inexperience, or maybe even anger, he pushed too hard and the other Padawan went flying, crashing against the far wall of the Training Hall.

The Padawan got up groggily, dropping his training saber to the floor where it deactivated with a slight *whoosh*. "I know now, you're using the dark side!" Ian blinked. He was? "Just wait until Master Kasumi finds out!" Ian dropped the training saber he had been using to the ground as well. If Master Kasumi found out then he would never be allowed to see Darth Sixtus ever again!

"She's not," he started before his eyes once again went sickly yellow as his voice took on a menacing tone, "going to find out." With that he reached out his hand and picked Padawan Abyo up with the Force. Oh he never knew he had that much power! "Ian, Ian let me down...you're hurting me." Ian smiled as he watched Padawan Abyo struggle in the Force's embrace. Oh he did have power, and what power, he bet he could even...

Holding his hand up he squoze his fingers together slowly, enjoying the gurgling coming from Abyo now. "Ian..." Abyo clawed at his throat. "I can't...I can't breath." Ian could only smile at the revelation. "I know," was his reply as he squoze a little more before releasing his grip. Padawan Abyo crashed to the floor, alive but unmoving. As he did Ian felt a sudden shudder come over himself, feeling weak he went down to a knee. He had never felt this way before, the icy coolness that permeated his veins, the heat that seamed to sear it's way up and down his spine. It was unnatural...or was it? Had he felt this way before, it seemed...familiar.

That icy hotness, that's how he had felt after the Sith had first attacked the Temple, and again to what he had felt when the Jedi had returned the favor and attacked their camp. He hadn't been able to remember his actions then, he had blacked out, but he could now. Now he could remember the embrace of the Dark side of the Force, how it gave him power, strength, how it had made him feel invincible. But the feeling was failing, how could he maintain it? He didn't have to ask himself that question twice. He had to speak to Darth Sixtus, she could tell him what to do. Looking back with disgust to where Padawan Abyo lay on the floor, Ian raced out of the Training Hall to try to find the real answers to questions he had.

Tag Bardan_Jusik

OOC: General direction of this post approved of by the GM.

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Hellfire Cargo Bay

Hello there. Come here my little friend. Don’t be afraid. Suraya spoke in her most soothing tones to a little astromech huddled alone in the back corner of the cargo bay. As a consular she had given way to her guardian companions upon disembarking their vessel in order for them to do what they do best and readily dispose of the droid attackers.

As she crouched down in front of the little droid it shifted from side to side and rotated it’s flashing red eye in her direction apparently scanning her. She couldn’t help but smile to herself at the fact that some Sith amongst this group had consciously chosen a black model.

I need your assistance…to find Darth Cavillous. Can you help me? At this the little machine began to chirp frantically. You are a feisty one. It then rolled forwards and backwards before extending all of its gadget arms and rapidly advancing towards her in full attack mode.

Springing to her feet Suraya ignited her emerald blade and in the same motion scalped off the top of the little astromech’s domed head, bringing it to an abrupt halt and sending it into smoking convulsions. Then with her off hand she lifted it with the Force and tilting it sideways gave it a senatorial pod spin into the direction of the legs of some of the remaining war droid attackers across the hangar.

Taking a deep breath she finally glanced back at her companions, Well…guess we will have to find him the old-fashion way.

TAG Bardan_Jusik Runjedirun Mitth_Fisto galactic-vagabond422 Zurros Ka ConservativeJedi321 Coffee_Ninja

 

IC: Kambie Loother

If nothing else at least Kambie allowed herself to smile at the humor. Beings were beings. No matter their species, gender or choice to follow the light or dark. Lord Harbinger was a prisoner his ship and his allies were going down. His way to cope was no different than most others. He had brought humor to a dire situation. The words echoed in her mind, "It's a work release program." Cute, she thought as she lit her saber and stormed to the closest droid.

The droids were no match for Kambie and her fellow Jedi. She wasn't greedy in taking too many. Just enough to keep this mission moving forward. She needed to save her energy for more important fights.

Tags: Bardan_Jusik Rebecca_Daniels Mitth_Fisto Coffee_Ninja ConservativeJedi321 Ananta Chetan galactic-vagabond422 Zurros Ka

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
Hellfire, Hangar

Kai is second behind Taab as he moves towards the aft of the ship. As the Mandalorian descends the ramp with his blaster up, Kai has his lightsaber in his hand. The other blade the one taken from the corpse of Darth Praedator hangs on his left hip. His thumb hovers over the activator as the wardroids approach. Just before he could spark his azure blade to life and being cutting down the droids, their prisoner intervenes. The sith is trying to bluff his way through, the young knight knows it won't work. Droids maybe stupid at times but, they aren't that stupid. The shackles are the giveaway, the reason why this ploy wouldn't work.

As the blaster arms came up, Kai wastes no time calling on the force leap high into the air. At the apex of his jump he draws the other blade into his hand throwing it downward quickly after snapping the emerald blade awake. His own sapphire saber hisses to life in his right hand. For the first time in a while, he feels, awake, alive, in his element. His heart is racing, his body open to the Force, he is right where he wants to be, diving into the thick of battle, blade shining.

He angles his decent to land with his knees on the shoulders of one droid, his blade held in a dagger like grip, driving though the head of the droid he impacted. Rolling forward he came to his feet cutting the legs out from another combatant as he did so. He stabs thought the chest of the fallen metal humanoid while calling the other saber to his hand activating in as it flies though the air to his outstretched hand.

Both blades, green and blue shone in the flickering lights as he began to clear out the center of the squad of steel monsters. He deflects a few red lances of energy with his left hand blade while leaping towards the closest droid slicing it cleanly in half. All though his motions he feels calm, serene almost, despite is rising heart rate. This is easy, he wasn't looking for a hidden sith hunting Jedi in their own home, or defending group taken by surprise. This is simple, cut down the droids, rescue the Jedi, uncomplicated, straightforward. Exactly what he needs.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik Rebecca_Daniels Mitth_Fisto Coffee_Ninja ConservativeJedi321 Ananta Chetan Runjedirun Zurros Ka

 

IC: Master Piim (NPC)
TCC, Temple of Light

The Togruta Jedi Master began to pace the TCC as word came through that the Refuse Ranger had indeed landed in the wide open hanger bay of the Sith Star Destroyer, the Hellfire. Since that confirmation though they had received no messages from the Jedi infiltration mission, and even the knowledge that the Ranger had landed had come from the Temple's own sensors, not the Jedi themselves. Master Piim paused, consciously stopping herself from her continued nervous pacing as she came up behind padawan Leoalb, the Pau'an padawan was manning the TCCs communication station at the moment. Unable to contain herself she asked. "Any word from them?" At least she had kept her tone smooth and measured. She was...anxious for the safety of her fellow Jedi, and for the success of their mission, but she didn;t want to convey any sense of anxiety to the others here, especially the padawans.

"Nothing Master Piim," the Pau'an didn't turn to bow just answered her question while keeping his eyes locked on the monitors in front of him. "We are receiving heavy communications jamming from the Hellfire now though..."

"Which would block any attempt at communicating with our landing party." Master Piim finished for the padawan who nodded along in agreement. "We're also starting to get heavy sensor jamming coming from them as well," came a report from the sensor station. "Long range sensors are out, and though we can still ascertain the Hellfire's position, we can't discern much more than that."

"Blind then, to their weapons and shield status." The Jedi Knight, a young man by the name of Troi gave his own nod before answering. "Yes Master." Piim kept her own counsel at the news, though she did order both stations to try to "burn through" the jamming. She didn't hold much hope in that. This battle wasn't going to be won with technology and gadgets, this was going to be a contest fought through the Force, and now through the Force she felt that something had gone terribly wrong. She closed her eyes, trying to see more, but there was nothing. Just the sense that something terrible had happened. It wasn't the mission though, it was something much closer, and potentially more dangerous. She could do nothing more without further information though, especially with the dangerous mission on the Hellfire ongoing, but she couldn't shake the notion that she had a very bad feeling about this.

TAG: No One.

---

IC: padawan Abyo (NPCs)
Training Hall, Temple of Light.

Padawan Abyo woke up with a start and a low groan. His head hurt and his throat felt raw. What had happened? He blinked his blue eyes slowly picking himself up off the sparring mat. The room was empty except for himself, there was no sign of Ian. Ian, that's right, padawan Thrace had attacked him. Attacked him with more power than Abyo could have thought possible from his "fellow" apprentice. It was clearly the Dark Side of the Force, but how had padawan Thrace tapped into it so easily, so powerfully? Abyo didn't know, nor was he likely to discover the answers on his own. He had to go get help, had to let the Council know that something had gone terribly, horiffically wrong with the training of padwan Ian Thrace. He had to get to Master Piim. With that, padawan Abyo gathered himself together and limped off towards the TCC.

TAG: Gotab

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IC: General Hector Zey/Beskaryc Taab/Knight Elim Rand (NPC)/Knight Letali (NPC)/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Hanger Bay of the Hellfire

With his path blocked by the dar'jetii (Darth Harbinger), Taab could only watch as the Jedi sprang into action. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't shoot through their prisoner in order to take down any of the droids. Shots rang out from the droids, before meeting the blades of the Jedi and being deflected back at the droids they had came from. Two droids went down in piles of smoking ruin, their armored carapaces holed by their own shots. Taab used the brief lull that caused in the droid's attack to rush forward and throw dar'jetii to the ground, giving Taab a clear field of fire. Raising his carbine up he pumped a pair of shots into the head of a nearby war droid, smiling in grim satisifaction as the bolts connected and the droid's roving red scanner "eye" went dim before going out.

Elsewhere, from out of the corner of his T-Visor he saw the dismemebered "head" of a black astromech droid went spinning by crashing into another wardroid which lost it's balance and crashed to the ground. Knight Loother, the Jedi he used to call Farmigrl before her exploits against Darth Zelus had earnd her name back came down from the air and put her lightsaber through the droid's chest. Just ahead of her Knight Dareagen was whirling through the center of the droid's formation, two lightsabers to hand as he slashed through their necks. Within moments the entire force of security droids was wiped out by the combined efforts of the Jedi boarding party. With the hanger bay secure, Taab grabbed dar'jetii by the scruff of the neck and lifted him back to his feet. "You could have told us there would be a welcoming party."

The Sith just smiled that oil slick smile of his. "I asked you to remove my restraints. If you had only listened those droids would be working for us now, escorting your friends to where you wanted to go." Taab regarded him though his T-Visor, not believing a word of it. "You wanted to do things the hard way, and you got your wish." His eyes gleamed for a moment. "You can't tell me that wasn't fun though can you?" Taab released the Sith practically throwing him towards the General (Hector Zey) as he went to round up the remainder of the droids in the bay. One had obviously attacked Knight Archisa, but she had dispensed with it easily, and violently. Seeing the fate that awaited them if they resisted, the other non combat droids complied with Taab's orders and moved to an empty landing pad in the center of the bay. There Taab could keep an eye on them without allowing them access to any ship functions.

"I figure they know we're here now," he said over his shoulder to the General who was eyeing the dar'jetii suspiciously. The Negotiator (Elim Rand) didn't seem to disagree but pointed out anyway. "There are no intruder alarms, nothing to indicate that they know we have boarded their ship." The General closed his eyes though for a moment before opening them. "They know, we must be cautious..." he turned back to the Sith prisoner. "Show us where we are going." Dar'jetii smiled again before calling one of the newly captured astromech droids over. The droid, another darkly painted astromech, slowly rolled over. It's leg had been hit by an errant blaster bolt and it was clearly damaged, though still functioning.

"RG-3, project an internal schematic of the Hellfire." The droid beeped twice as it complied and over their heads a hologram of the ship coalesced and slowly started spinning. "The bridge of course is in the command tower. You will have to take the lift at the end of the corridor outside the hanger bay to the uppermost deck of the main hull and then find another lift that can take you into the command tower." The General nodded and waved his hand impatiently, he has been aboard Pelleon class Star Destroyers before, he knew this already. The dar'jetii seemed to take pleasure in the General's frustration but continued on . "The rescue team is going to have to head to Cargo Bay One, that's where the Jedi are being kept frozen in carbonite." A yellow line appeared on the hologram, diagramming the route that Aurek team would have to take. "That's three decks above us and two sections forward," The Bookworm (Knight Letali) chimed. Dar'jetii smiled at her as his shackled hands moved up to trace the route as well. "That is correct, this cargo lift at the end of the corridor will take you directly to Cargo Bay Three. You will than have to move forward to Cargo Bay Two, and then through it to get to Cargo Bay One." He gave one last smile. "Easy and direct, no way for you to get lost." He winked to the General, who stared up at the diagram wondering if they had missed anything. Too late now to do anything about it if they had.

"OK, let's get to it," he growled out to the Jedi as the droid deactivated the hologram and slowly wheeled itself back over to where the other droids were being kept captive. "You know your assignment so split up into your groups and we'll meet back here and give the word to the Temple once the bridge has been taken and the Jedi have been freed."

TAG: Ananta Chetan, ConservativeJedi321, Galactic-vagabond422, Zurros Ka, Rebecca_daniels, Runjedirun, Mitth_Fisto, Coffee_Ninja

---

IC: Hector Zey/Elim Rand (NPC)
Leading Besh Team to the bridge, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

With Knight Rand out in front and Knight Arer covering their rear Grand Master Zey walked cautiously, but quickly, towards the end of the corridor from his spot in the center of the Jedi "formation." Formation of course was too strong a word, and Zey knew that Major Taab would take issue with their almost cavalier movement. "Spacing", he would have groused at them, indicating that they shouldn't bunch up as some of them were. "Watch that hatch" he would gesture angrily to a closed door in the corridor that the Jedi would nonchalantly pass by. Zey was glad the Mandalorian had been left behind to guard the hanger bay, the Jedi had their own way of doing things, a way that worked for them. The Force was their ally, what other would they need?

Their journey thus far was going rather well. They hadn't encountered anyone or anything since leaving the hanger bay. Their immediate destination was the turbolift at the end of the corridor. That should take them to the upper most deck of the main hull, from there they would have to find another lift that could take them up the control tower and to the bridge level. Things would get more complicated then Zey was certain, as actually gaining access ot the bridge would prove more difficult, but it was nothing that he didn't feel they could handle.

Looking back in the direction they had come he could no longer see the Jedi of Aurek team, they had gone in a different direction from the Besh team members. Their own journey would also take them to a different deck, but at least the cargo hold was located in the primary hull, they wouldn't have to make their way up the command tower. Shrugging he brought his attention to the turbolift doors that his won team was rapidly approaching. It should bother him that aside from the brief situation in the hanger bay they had encountered no resistance yet. The ship had only a skeleton crew, most of the droids had been sent to the surface to act as an invading army. The lift doors opened as Zey drew and ignited his lightsaber as they all looked inside, but the lift was empty.

"Unguarded, that's...surprising," Zey mused as the Jedi entered before Zey stabbed at the correct button with his finger. The doors whooshed shut behind the Jedi and the lift began to move swiftly. "At least we're headed in the right direction, I rather thought it would send us down instead of up." Rand chuckled as Zey chewed on what the Jedi Knight had just said. This was going all together too easily, he expected the Jedi to accomplish their goals, but not like this.

The lift stopped suddenly and the doors swooshed back open. Knight Arer took a step off onto the deck beyond followed quickly by Knight Rand and the others when Knight Menal noticed something was wrong. "We're on the wrong deck," she uttered completely calm despite the seriousness her words conveyed. Zey had pushed the right button, they had all seen him, and yet here the lift had stopped several decks short of their destitnation. Behind them all the doors to the lift snapped shut suddenly and through them they could hear the lift speed away.

"Well then, clearly a trap," Knight Rand stated, they were trapped here on this deck unless they could find a way to recall the lift and have it deliver them to the proper deck. Looking down the corridor it seemed utterly devoid of any activity save for the flickering lights. Closed hatchways dotted either side of the long corridor as far as they could see. One of them had to be another turbolift, though whether it would get them to the correct deck was anyone's guess. Zey looked to his fellow Jedi, Knight and padawan alike. "Well then, suggestions fellow Jedi?"

TAG: Ananta Chetan, Zurros Ka,

---

IC: Knight Letali (NPC)
Aurek Team, enroute to Cargo Bay One, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

Leaving the carnage of the hanger bay behind the Aurek team quickly formed up and were on their way to the cargo hold. It was only a few decks up and a section over from the hanger bay, through broad corridors meant to handle the transfer of supplies and other cargo from the landing deck to the main cargo hold. Darth Harbinger had shown them the way, but something about the way he had done so made Knight Letali feel uneasy.

There was no reasoning behind her feeling, and it wasn't even one that resonated through the Force. So far they had marched unopposed through the broad corridor, at the end of which was a cargo lift that would take them straightt to cargo bay three. The Jedi they were looking for were in cargo hold one, so they would have to traverse from bay three, through bay two before finally reaching the carbon frozen Jedi. It seemed straight forward enough, but it still didn't feel right. Finally it was too much for her and she asked the others, Master Kasumi, Knights Loother and her friend Knight Dareagen, padawan Nosrep and Eira Dryn.

"Does anyone else think we should be taking a different route to the cargo hold?"

TAG: ConservativeJedi321, galactic-vagabond422, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Coffee_Ninja

---

IC: Beskaryc Taab/Knight Reese (NPC)/Knight Vomkoju (NPC)/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Holding the landing bay, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

Taab watched the various ingress points to the hanger bay anxiously. There were too many to cover with just himself and three Jedi, though he suspected that if it was only droids they were up against that at least only the most obvious ingress points, the doors and hatchways would need to be covered. At least that would leave out the various ventilations shafts and "alternate" methods of entry an enemy could utilize in trying retake the hanger bay. Keeping his carbine at the low ready from his spot near the Refuse Ranger's boarding ramp he saw that Grumpy (Knight Vomkoju) had taken up position on the far side of the bay, near one of those entrances, while Lefty (Knight Reese) was on the opposite end of the bay covering the entrance there. Future (Knight Trevalus) was sticking close by the dar'jetii (Darth Harbinger) who surveyed the scene of carnage around the bay. The Jedi had made quite a mess of things, Taab thought appreciatively, as there was wreckage of not only the war droids but other droids strewn all across the deck.

Taab was enjoying the silence thus far, though he knew it wouldn't last. The Sith knew they were here, at least if The General (Hector Zey) was right. Even if they didn't it was only a matter of time until they were discovered, and once they were, Taab had no doubt that removing their avenue of escape would be one of their top priorities. The silence the Mandalorian was enjoying so much was broken as the dar'jetii spoke in that grating passive aggressive tone of his. "I do hope your Grand Master is successful..." Taab wanted to tell him to shut up but noted he was pointing (with his shackled hands) at a monitor mounted on the on hanger bay wall. "Because according to that the shield just went back online."

TAG: Mitth_Fisto

 

IC Ian Thrace
On his way to understanding, corridors of the Temple of Light

Lost, Ian felt lost. Confused, Ian felt so confused. The Darkness, Ian could feel it pulling at him, he wanted to embrace it, to feel it envelop him. But he couldn't, he was a Jedi, or a Padawan anyway, he was supposed to reject the darkness and all it stood for. Wasn't he?

"It’s you...you’re the Sith Lord we have been looking for…the real one behind this entire invasion."

The words haunted Ian now. Knight Archisa had joked with him earlier, accusing him of being a Sith Lord. She hadn't meant it of course, but now Ian was questioning himself. The accusation, even in jest, that he was a Sith had him thinking, overthinking probably, about what it could mean, would mean, to be a Sith. He knew he wasn't and knew he could never be a Sith Lord. Or could he? He didn't know...

His earlier actions were haunting him now as he roamed the empty corridors of the Temple. If he came across anyone, he ceratainly didn't see them so wrapped up in his own mind was Ian. His attack on poor Padawan Tano, now listed as missing in action. He had so wanted to be her friend, but he had taken his anger and frustration out on her thus dooming any relationship they might have had. Now it was too late, he doubted he would ever see her again.

He had killed Grand Master Decinchi's beloved pet, accidentally, in an act of impetuous defiance and over exuberance.

He had succumbed to his own fear and allowed it to consume him when the Sith had first attacked. He hadn't known it then, but he knew now. It was the Dark Side of the Force that had kept him alive, that he had embraced and used against the droids. The feeling when he had awoken after that was too similar to what he had felt during his recent bout with Padawan Abyo to be anything else. Most any success he had recently had was the result of his fear, his anger, his pain. It had been giving him focus, the means to survive, and he had repeated the mistake again out at the Sith camp. But had it really been a mistake?

He had to get to Sixtus, he didn't understand what he had done, how he had done it, or whether any of it should have been done. But she would know. She would know if his path was to be that of a Jedi or something....else. She would know, she had to.

Tag Bardan_Jusik

 

OOC: Sorry ive been dealing with DRL the past while. Gonna do a quick catch up post now. Hope that's ok

IC: Zurros Ka
On mission - refuse ranger/hellfire

Zurros stood at the back of the craft. Reflecting on the events of the past few days. He had been silent during the briefing. Absorbing all the information the prisoner had given them. True or false made no matter, information was a powerful resource. During the 2 days that passed before they departed on his mission Zurros had kept to himself. Alone in his quarters he sought out the force, partook in a little shadow dueling and meditated on the battle at the camp. Thoughts still plagued him, but he felt better about it. He had given in to temptation but managed to bring himself back from it.

The mission now was key, they were landing on the Hellfire. An elaborate bluff was underway between the prisoner and a contingent of droids. It failed, the air became alive with blaster fire. Zurros palmed both of his sabers, but before he could get into the action it was over. Making his way out of the shuttle he looked past the pile of dismembered droids to where the party was standing, approaching them he saw that the prisoner was now free of restraints, and was conversing with a droid.

"You know your assignment so split up into your groups and we'll meet back here and give the word to the Temple once the bridge has been taken and the Jedi have been freed."

This was it then, time to get to work. following Zey, they made quick time to the turbolift and got aboard. Soon they were at their destination, "We're on the wrong deck," one of the team said, Zurros looked around and saw the same equipment you would see on every other deck, but he wasn't going to second guess. Better safe than sorry. "Well then, clearly a trap," He had to agree, there was obviously a reason the computer had let them off here.

"Well then, suggestions fellow Jedi?" There seemed only one course of action to take. 'I say we proceed on mission, make our way to the correct destination. The advantage lies with our opponents for the moment. all we can do is be cautious on our route.' Zurros put forward.

OOC again: Sorry if this feels rushed, but i wanted to get Zurros caught up on the last few updates'

 

IC: Kasumi
Hellfire

They had just been handed a map.....and that's what bothered her. There should have been more than just a small battle with droids. There is no way that someone as powerful as this Sith would just let the Jedi walk in there, beat up droids, take the other Jedi from the carbonite and leave? No...there was way more to this. Kasumi looked around the hangar bay they were in. There had to be another way.

"I agree with Knight Letali. This is way too easy. However, that may be where the Sith have moved to. If they are truly using Jedi to try to make the droids more human by way of communication speed, then they would want to guard their most prized possessions. However. I don't know what that type of guarding means."

Kasumi looked around to see if she could find another way of getting information. One that the Sith would not expect.There were the droids, but they may mean tapping into a darker side for a moment. No…that was the only way she could think of to help make this better.

Kasumi walked over to the droids and picked one. She took a a deep breath and laid a hand on it. She mentally worked her way through the hard metal shell into the inner workings of the droid….and she used the Force to rewrite the programming on the droid. When she was done….”Display a map again of the ship. Mark the areas where the Carbonite storage is. And mark all paths to it.”

Kasumi turned to the team. “We need all eyes on this map. See if there is another way to get to where we need to be. I still have some work to do on the rest of these droids.”

Kasumi laid a hand on the next droid and just kept working on overriding the program. These droids were now going to work for their rescue team.

Memory

Kasumi had been locked in a closet as a prank by some of the other padawans. It has been the usual kid stuff….Kasumi was different than the rest and they took acception to that. They had disabled the door from the outside and inside. Kasumi had been left in the dark for a while and was trying to figure out how to get out. She began to run her hand down the wall to try to find the panal….and as she did she began to be able to see what was inside the wall. Wires, circuits…door control. She started trying to use what she was seeing to open the door….and after a few failed attempts she was successful. She opened it to find a few masters and the grand master staring at her…in disbelief.

Later she understood why. Her ability of Electronic Manipulation that she showed was one that only people from the dark side would use. After years of training she was taught a better way to use it, but it was still a fine line to walk.

End Memory

She planned on using these droids to help them. Whether that be a as decoys or in the rescue mission. Either way…with each one she touched and used they were under the teams control. With each touch she felt her pull on the force growing. She had taxed herself with hiding her true powers and now this. She opened her eyes at the last droid and saw the change start in her reflection. Her once completely hazel eyes now had a ghostly blue hue to them. She watched at the blue slowly went away, but her eyes were left not as dark as they had once been.

Tag: Bardan_Jusik, ConservativeJedi321, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Hellfire

The doors to the turbo lift begin to rattle which was suddenly followed by the sound of snapping internal metal parts before finally opening. Suraya lowered her hands after Force prying them apart then cautiously leaned forward peering inside the shaft casting a long glance in either vertical direction.

Scaling this would be nearly…impossible, or take far too much time. Plus, if the lift returns, we would be like fodder in a blaster barrel. Taking a step backwards she surveyed the rest of their present location taking the time to allow her senses to expand and envelope the space. No faint mysterious toxic odors, no sound of clanking feet marching towards them. She placed two of her fingers on her intricate chin tattoos rubbing them slowly together as she ruminated on the Grandmaster’s request for ideas. As the Falleen padawan had already voiced, moving forward seemed to be their only option at the moment.

Turning to Zey only irrelevant questions came to mind and ones which she knew could not currently be answered. Finally shaking her headdress from side to side Suraya looked-up with her liquid blue eyes intercepting his gaze, What does your intuition say, Grandmaster?


TAG Bardan_Jusik Zurros Ka

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
Hellfire

"Does anyone else think we should be taking a different route to the cargo hold?" Letali's words stop Kai in his tracks. He'd just been charging ahead, eyes focused on rescuing his fellow Jedi. He never stopped to think about the route they were taking. Down a lift and though two cargo bays, plenty of time for an ambush to be setup. He came to a stop looking at the rest of his group. Master Kasumi pulled up a map after doing something to a droid. She continued on doing the same sort of thing to other broken robots.

Kai took his time studying the map, he was never the best student and isn't the best at reading scematics. Maybe he could find a path, though he'd be the first to admit it wouldn't be quick. He turns to Letali, smiling a little.

"You know me and holos," he says rubbing his eyes recalling the hours he'd spend looking at sensor footage, "Makes my eyes hurt. Think you could help me?...again?" He steals another glace to Master Kasumi as she continues to touch the droids, reactivating them. He gives a worried glance to her then to the droids she was activating, the same droids he'd spent minutes disassembling. He holds his tongue, she is a Master and leading this mission, it is not his place to comment. He returns his focus to the map, eyes beginning to hurt.

'Here we go again.' he thinks peering into the layout.

TAG: ConservativeJedi321, Bardan_Jusik, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Coffee_Ninja

 

GM Update: Just a heads up to everyone that I'll be out for the rest of the week so no update from me this week, so keep doing what y'all have been doing. To my American brothers and sisters, Happy Thanksgiving! To my friends over seas, enjoy the rest of your week!

 

IC: Semajj Nosrep
Hellfire

As Aurek Team made its way to the cargo bay and eerie silence encompassed them.
The corridor was nearly deserted, few if any security droids were about, and any they came across were scrap in mere moments. Things were going smoothly so far, and there had been no unforeseen incidents beyond that small skirmish in the hanger. Surprisingly Semajj was feeling rather optimistic.

Though it seemed to him there was also an unspoken tension in the air, one he could not explain.
The other members of the team seemed deep, contemplative, nervous even. And the Padawan couldn't help but be surprised at the concern, he didn't understand what there was to be worried about, everything had been going well so far.

Finally Jedi Letali verbalized these concerns in a very clear way. "Does anyone else think we should be taking a different route to the cargo hold?" The Padawan simply wasn't sure what she was referring to, was this not the way they were told to go? He didn't know any other path.

It was instead Master Kasumi that clarified her meaning.
"I agree with Knight Letali. This is way too easy. However, that may be where the Sith have moved to. If they are truly using Jedi to try to make the droids more human by way of communication speed, then they would want to guard their most prized possessions. However. I don't know what that type of guarding means."

And with that an understanding came to him, things had been shockingly simple for them, no real trouble had confronted the team, even being generous with the idea that the hanger security failed to alert the bridge before they attacked it made no sense why the halls was practically no security in the halls they had been commuting. The
Ongree placed one four fingered hand on his chin, and the other on his waste inches away from his lightsaber hilt as he thought on this.

After a brief moment Master Kasumi went over to a droid that had been bisected by Jedi Dareagen not that long ago, and knelt down by it, as she did something to it with the force. This was strange to Semajj, a part of him thought what she did might not have been a natural force ability, but he didn't know, and it wasn't his place to question a Master. Soon a map appeared before her, and she requested the team to focus on finding another way to their destination.
But Jedi Dareagen seemed uncomfortable with having to stare at the hologram.
"You know me and holos, Makes my eyes hurt. Think you could help me?...again?"
And only a moment later he returned to looking at the map, seemingly disappointed at having to do so.

It was said the Ongree's flexible eye stalks made it easier to see multiple points of view at once, and in theory this ought to have made it simpler for him to take in the full context of the map, he wasn't sure how much stock he put in to that but he didn't hesitate to try.
"We will do our best Master"
And he shifted his gaze to the all consuming web of tunnels and halls that was suppose to be the facility they were in.
And the full task before him began to mount in his mind. He couldn't help but mumble somewhat as he began the tough task."This won't be easy...."

Tags: Bardan_Jusik, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Coffee_Ninja, galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Kambie Loother

Kambie had been quiet for too long on this mission. The last straw was when her fellow Jedi brought out a map to look for another direction to walk in. Had these people not been trained to use the Force? What did they need a map for? She reached out in the direction they were being led. She shut down her emotions, the emotions that told her it was obvious a Sith would not lead them in a safe direction. She still felt danger in that direction. She felt danger in every direction. What direction feels the least dangerous? She asked herself. Kambie's eyes opened quickly. "I'll try this direction," Kambie stated as she started down a different hallway. Was anyone going to follow her? She hoped so, going alone might be certain suicide. This way just felt right and she was tired of wasting time.

Tags: Bardan_Jusik Rebecca_Daniels Coffee_Ninja galactic-vagabond422 ConservativeJedi321

 

IC: Master Piim/padawan Abyo (NPCs)
TCC, Temple of Light

The ghosts of Master Piim's bad feelings materialized in front of her as padawan Abyo entered the TCC. Knight Troi looked at her quizzically for a moment, silently asking if he should have the padawan removed, but she subtly shook her head. Abyo was clearly hurt, though not gravely injured. Still he should have been on his way to the medical ward with injuries like that, not coming here while an operation was underway, the most important operation the Guardian's of Light had launched in recent memory. Whatever he wanted to report must be equally as important. The Togruta Jedi Master bade him to come forward and speak. "What's wrong padawan?" Her intonation was almost motherly, concerned, yet calm. Padawan Abyo's answer was not.

"It's Ian...he's nearly killed me!" The padawan was shouting, clearly very upset, and why not, what he was saying was rather upsetting. The two had been sparring though, and sometimes things went too far. What the padawan said next though was more than just upsetting, it was downright frightening. "He used the dark side, he was choking me with it!"

"The darkside of the Force," Master Piim's words came out almost as a whisper. "Are you sure?" The padawan nodded his head emphatically, "Ah'm shore!" the padawan implored with that unique accent of his. "He lifted me up with the force and tried to choke me..." He was rubbing at his throat and Master Piim could feel the sincerity in his words. Casting a wary glance at the others in the TCC she caught Knight Troi's eyes as they hardened with resolve. He wanted to go do something about this, and now, but Master Piim felt she was the better one to confront young padawan Thrace. The Hellfire mission was ongoing, but with communications traffic jammed and the Sith vessel not doing anything, she felt suddenly that the greater threat was with Ian.

"Padawan Abyo," she smiled gently her face not betraying the sense of urgency she now felt, "go to the infirmary and have yourself taken care of." She turned her attention back to Knight Troi, the hardened warrior would have to oversee things here now. "Jacen," she told him in a commanding voice as soon as padawan Abyo had left. "The Tactical Center is yours while I talk to padawan Thrace..." He bowed to her but said nothing as she left the TCC. She could feel Ian Thrace's presence and rushed towards it, noting with even greater alarm that it seemed to be emanating from the stockade...

TAG: No One.

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IC: Darth Sixtus (NPC)
Stockade, Temple of Light.

Alone in her cell Darth Sixtus reached out with her feelings. The Jedi had taken Darth Harbinger some time ago, and she could sense that their mission had started. That meant that soon her own fateful journey was almost at and end, and a new beginning. A beginning with Ian Thrace. She could feel him coming to her now, his burning desire to see her was brilliant, like a torch in a dark room. She was ready, and more importantly he was ready.

It was time...

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IC: padawan Takkoo (NPC)
Guarding the door outside the Stockade, Temple of Light.

The Rodian padawan was bored, like really, really bored. Sure guarding the stockade was an important job and all, especially since the one prisoner inside was a Sith, but with the mission to the Sith Star Destroyer now ongoing it seemed a bit anti-climatic to be here. Up there was where the fate of the Guardians of Light was being decided, not down here in the bowels of the Temple. Of course Takkoo's boredom was made worse since absolutely nothing was happening now. At least in the days prior there was a pretty steady inflow of Jedi to interrogate the two Sith prisoners, but now one of those was out on the mission and the other was sitting alone in her cell, probably as bored as he was. He would have liked to go in and speak with her, to at least pass the time, but he was under strict orders from Master Piim to not go in, and to not allow anyone else in either. Not that anyone seemed to be trying anyway.

No sooner had he thought that though than things changed. He sensed...something, approaching. It wasn't really a something, it was someone, but he couldn't tell who, just that there was a bit of turmoil surrounding him or her. Looking down the corridor he saw now that it was padawan Thrace approaching, the turmoil seemed to be emanating from him, though there was an inner calm that came over the padawan as he caught sight of Takkoo, or was Thrace looking at the armored door behind Takkoo? The Rodian couldn't decide before padawan Thrace was upon him. Instead he asked him simply, "What are you doing down here?" He was genuinely surprised to see Thrace, but it didn't think there was a problem. Certainly, seeing that it was just padawan Thrace actually set Takkoo's mind at ease. It wasn't like he was going to try anything. "I'm not supposed to let anyone in to see the prisoner without orders."

TAG: Gotab

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IC: Hector Zey/Elim Rand (NPC)/Knight Arer (NPC)/Knight Menal (NPC)
Leading Besh Team to the bridge, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

"I say we proceed on mission, make our way to the correct destination," padawan Ka wasn't shy about offering his own opinion. "The advantage lies with our opponents for the moment. all we can do is be cautious on our route." Grand Master Zey smiled broadly, pleased with the padawan's assessment and forthcoming nature.

"Scaling this would be nearly...impossible, or take far too much time." Knight Archisa was examining the interior tube of the lift. "Plus, if the lift returns, we would be like fodder in a blaster barrel." She took a step back into the corridor and placed her hand on her chin in thought. "What does your intuition say, Grandmaster?" Knight Rand's eyes seemed to twinkle as he answered before the Grand Master could. "As a predecessor of ours once said...spring the trap." He chuckled which drew a sharp glance from both Knight's Arer and Menal but Zey appreciated the humor. There were times where one had to laugh at what the Force put before you. "Indeed, let's move forward and be on the look out for another lift that can bridge these last few decks for us."

The group moved forward, leaving the defunct lift behind them. Zey didn't want to say it, but he was worried. This clearly was a trap, the lift had left them off on the wrong deck purposefully. Someone, certainly Darth Cavillous, was playing games with them, deadly games. Their problem either was was the same though, they had to get up several decks in order to find a lift that could take them to the bridge level of the command tower. That's if any of those lifts hand't been tampered with as well. If so, Besh team had a lot of climbing in their future.

"Grand Master," the urgent voice of Knight Menal called out for him after a few minutes walking. "I believe I've found another lift." The Grand Master hurried over to where she stood in front of another lift control panel, her fingers hovering over the call button to retrieve the car for them. "And I've found an alternate route," Knight Arer pointed to the small access hatch next to the lift tube. "Access tunnel, behind that hatch is a ladder that should get us up to the next deck if not beyond." Knight Rand clapped a hand on her back, an action she seemed rather annoyed by. "Neither can get us up the command tower, but they can both get us to it We'll have to find another method of scaling the tower to get to the bridge though." Zey nodded along with his musings, either of these could be a good option, but either (both?) could also be another part of an elaborate trap laid out for them. "Yes," he said gravely as he turned to the others. "But which do we take?"


TAG: Ananta Chetan, Zurros Ka,

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IC: Knight Letali (NPC)
Aurek Team, enroute to Cargo Bay One, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

No sooner had the words left Knight Letali's mouth than the others seemed to quickly agree with her assessment. For that she was silently relived. She was a researcher, not a warrior. For her it had always been easier to recall facts and information than it was to emulate the prefect combat form.

"I agree with Knight Letali. This is way too easy." Master Kasumi, her team leader, intoned. "However, that may be where the Sith have moved to. If they are truly using Jedi to try to make the droids more human by way of communication speed, then they would want to guard their most prized possessions. However. I don't know what that type of guarding means."

She paused for a moment as she turned to a droid that the Mon Cal Knight hadn't even known had been brought with them.

"Display a map again of the ship. Mark the areas where the Carbonite storage is. And mark all paths to it.” The droid obeyed her command, displaying where they were, halfway down the main corridor between the hanger bay and the lift that could bring them to Cargo Bay Three. Their destination was Cargo Bay One, two compartments forward of that. A blaze of alternate lines also splayed out from their current location. Most meandered about the holographic diagram of the ship's internal structure before converging again on the lift at the end of the corridor. Others met with other lifts around the lower hull of the Star Destroyer that would bring them up to the cargo deck before likewise making their way to Cargo Bay Three which would lead them through Cargo Bay 2 and finally Cargo Bay One. Only a scant few tracks led them around to the front of the ship before back tracking to Cargo Bay One, avoiding the other two rearward cargo bays altogether. Knight Letalli's heart fell. Deciding on just one of these route's would be nearly impossible, though the easiest and most direct route was still the one that Darth Harbinger had set them out on in the first place.

"We need all eyes on this map. See if there is another way to get to where we need to be. I still have some work to do on the rest of these droids.”

Swallowing hard, Knight Letali began to stare intently at the schematic, doing her best to commit it to memory. If they did take a alternate route, she wanted to be able to navigate by memory, not only to get to their objective, but back to the hanger bay as well.

"You know me and holos," the words from her friend, Knight Dareagen brought a smile to Letali's face. He was rubbing his eyes and Knight Letali could tell he'd had quite enough with holos for the moment. She couldn't blame him, he'd spent hours looking at recorded holo footage. "Makes my eyes hurt." He looked to the Ongree padawan, Nosrep, and asked for help.

"We will do our best Master"

The padawan shifted his gaze back to the schematic. Knight Letali had a sense that this padawan was far more like her than he was Knight Dareagen, and perhaps that explained why both Letali and the padawan got along so well with the Jedi hero. "This won't be easy..." he mumbled to himself, taking in the enormity of the task in much the same way that Letali was. "No it certainly won't be." Feeling a sense of annoyance she glanced around before discovering it was coming from Knight Loother.

"I'll try this direction," the young woman stated flatly before heading off down a side corridor. Letali looked on in alarm, not even sure that the corridor would lead them to where they wanted. Closing her eyes she tried to remember what she had just seen, envisioning the layout of the ship in her head she thought that it would, but she looked back up at the floating holographic diagram to make sure...

It did! The path Knight Loother as now walking would bypass the main cargo corridor they had been told to take and would eventually come to a T-section before turning right and paralleling their original route. It would go beyond the cargo bays though, before they would need to take a lift up before heading aft and getting to Cargo Bay One from the opposite side of Cargo Bay Two. There would be no need to go through Cargo Bays Two and Three. It was a longer route by far, it would be much easier to get the rescued Jedi back to the hanger using their original route, but this would get Aurek team to where they needed to go. With a sigh of relief she followed after Knight Loother, glad that everyone else on the team followed along too. Still the corridor they now traveled made her feel even more uneasy than their original plan.

It was narrower than the cargo route, though still far enough across to not be constrictive. The blinking and flickering lights weren't conducive to allaying her discomfort, though they still encountered no one. Coming up on the T-Section Letali could see that Knight Loother had stopped. "We'll have to bear right in order to go along the ship's forward axis," she called out to her companion, but soon saw that confusion over directions wasn't the reason they had stopped. Instead, barely concealed by the flickering lights, was the glow of an internal security field playing out across the junction. "Ray shields?" Letali frowned, the way through was blocked and unless they could take down those shields they would have to backtrack and try another route.

"So...now what?"

TAG: ConservativeJedi321, galactic-vagabond422, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Coffee_Ninja

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IC: Beskaryc Taab/Knight Reese (NPC)/Knight Vomkoju (NPC)/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Holding the landing bay, Hellfire, in orbit over Saridona Prime

"So, what do we do about it?" Lefty (Knight Reese) called out from his chosen position at the news that the shields were back up. Taab shrugged as he kept his T-Visor on the nearest hatch. "Not much we can do." He left unsaid that it was part of Besh team's objectives to take the bridge and lower the shields from there in this eventuality. They had been to the same briefings he had, they would know this. They would also know the alternative plan, one that dar'jetii (Darth Harbinger) again reminded them of. "I may be able to do something about those from here." With a forward thrust of his chin he indicated a computer console along the far wall of the hanger bay. Lefty looked to Grumpy (Knight Vomkoju) and gave his own shrug. "Might as well let him try, we're not doing anything else at the moment anyway." He gave Grumpy a look that said to keep an eye on dar'jetii though, it was clear that none of them trusted the prisoner that far.

With a look of disgust on his face Taab watched as Grumpy released dar'jetii from his chains and led him over to the console near the wall of the hanger bay. Truth be told Grumpy didn't look much happier about it than Taab did, but at least the Mandalorian's face was hidden under his buy'ce (helmet) so no one could see how unhappy he was with the recent turn of events. Of course the jetiise could probably feel how uncomfortable he was with releasing the Sith's chains. Ignoring the extra attention being paid him by Grumpy, and with a look of sheer delight on his face, dar'jetii began to play his hands across the console's face, seemingly at random, as he keyed in various commands in an attempt to gain access to the ship's shields. Taab watched him for a moment longer before returning his attention to the ingress points of the hanger bay. Chained or not, dar'jetii was in good hands being watched over by Grumpy, Taab would concern himself with the inevitable attempt by the Sith's droids to retake this hanger.

There was a sudden buzzing in his comm system, not much more than an annoying low hum. Taab tapped at the side of his bucket but it did no good. What was that? The Jedi were supposed to be maintaining radio silence. The Sith had to know they were aboard by now, but there was no use making it even easier to track them down. It sounded like someone was transmitting on their frequency though. Irritated the Mandalorian switched frequencies, only to get back the same low hum there too. "shab," he muttered under his breath before shutting down the comm system in his bucket. "Long and short range comms are jammed."

TAG: Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
Hellfire

Kai notices Knight Loother wondering off calling out behind her that she would try a random path. Instantly he rose to intercept her, this is not the time to be wondering off alone. He moves with purpose ready to stop the woman in her tracks, until Letali points out that, the way she is going, is a way out. His steps stop as he looks over his shoulder a little surprised.

The party makes their way down the path not running into anyone else. Again a feeling of uneasy sets in. Had they found a path that the sith hadn't expected. The flickering lights only add to that sense. Kai is at the head, as he usually is charging straight ahead.

"We'll have to bear right in order to go along the ship's forward axis," the young knight nods his head and takes the direction his friend calls out. He almost doesn't see the obstruction in his path as he moves forward determined to see his mission though. The faint shimmering signaled something ahead, he didn't really notice until Letali commented, "Ray shields?" Again Kai stops in his tracks looking closely at the barrier in front of him. "So...now what?"

Kai takes a moment to look at the corridor around him, looking for clues. He lets out a breath his hand coming to rest on his chin.

"Well, I've got a few ideas that don't involve back tracking." He starts, "And being the guardian I am," he pulls his lightsaber from his right hip, twirling it in his hand, "they all involve a lightsaber." He gives the path another look, "If the projector for this shield is somewhere where we can get at it we can destroy it. Also if we can get at the power coupling that getting juice to it, we can cut that and bring down the shield. The last option is cutting below, above or to the side of us," he gestures to the floor, ceiling and the walls around the group, "and going around this, cutting our way back in once we are on the other side." He tightens his grip ready to start cutting, but he'd wait for someone else to tell him to go.

TAG: ConservativeJedi321, Bardan_Jusik, Rebecca_Daniels, Runjedirun, Coffee_Ninja

 

IC: Kasumi
Hellfire




Ray shields…ofcourse. The Sith were always one step ahead of the Jedi, especially now. It was like being trapped in a cage….or rather in a maze. Droids left behind for use, still no alarm…and if this was blocking the corridor what would be blocking the next one? Kasumi wanted to badly to put her walls down to see what the heck was going on, but did she dare put the rest of the group in greater danger. Sure the Jedi would feel the surge, but so would the Sith. This whole thing had been too easy from the start. What Sith would just allow the Jedi on board…regardless of the shield being down? What Kasumi wouldn’t give to have her old friends with her now. Herc was a warrior, CT was the translater, and Circuit could have make short work of this Ray shield without anyone else being the wiser.

Kasumi looked around the corridor, gently placed her hand on the bulk head. She may have enough to take this Ray shield out…or reconfigure it…but she wasn’t sure what kind of strength that would take. It may cost her her wall, and her fellow Jedi their safety. She could test the effectiveness of readjusting the shield by having a droid walk through it.

There had to be a less likely way. Someway the Sith wouldn’t expect.

"Well, I've got a few ideas that don't involve back tracking." He starts, "And being the guardian I am," he pulls his lightsaber from his right hip, twirling it in his hand, "they all involve a lightsaber." He gives the path another look, "If the projector for this shield is somewhere where we can get at it we can destroy it. Also if we can get at the power coupling that getting juice to it, we can cut that and bring down the shield. The last option is cutting below, above or to the side of us," he gestures to the floor, ceiling and the walls around the group, "and going around this, cutting our way back in once we are on the other side." He tightens his grip ready to start cutting, but he'd wait for someone else to tell him to go.

While Kasumi did like the idea of just slashing their way through….she was concerned about the Sith expecting that.

“I hate to say this, but they have been expecting us. There was no alarm raised, and now this. There has to be a better way to get to where they say the Jedi are. Knight Dareagen, while I like that idea….I almost feel the Sith expecting that. However, I think you are on to something. Distraction is the key in this mission I believe. Both for them, and for us.”

Kasumi knew that there had to be cameras in the hallways. What if they could make the Sith believe they had gone a different route….like through the vents, or even back the original way. Would the shield drop? But would the Sith expect the Jedi to be in the vents, the service ducts? Could that be a safer route?

No….distract, they had to distract. Make the Sith think that this trap worked. Make it look like they tried to compromise the Ray shield. Make it look like it back fired. And then take the less traveled route through the service ducts. Kasumi walked over to the panel and began working on the wires manually. As she wanted them to, they overloaded, and threw a charge at her. She used what she could to dispurse the charge to knock out the cameras for just a moment, the rest of the charge she took….with knowledge that she would be ok. While the cameras were down, Kasumi pointed to the service duct.


“Go. This won’t last for long. Knight Dareagen, as soon as everyone is in…. make it look like we were able to get through this trap using a saber. Then follow the others, I will bring up the rear. I am going to keep the cameras dark for as long as I can. And cover you all."

Tag: Bardan_Jusik, galactic-vagabond422, Runjedirun, ConservativeJedi321, Rebecca_Daniels