Star Wars OPEN New Sith Trials: Dark Reach: Episode I: An Order Remade

Combo with Sinre

IC: Leda & A Senator & A Voice
Kuat Sewers, beneath the Capital

The time spent navigating Kuat’s atrocious sewers had been a sort of adventure for Leda, filled with new knowledge and a lesson she would not soon forget. Still perplexed as to how any of this was happening, she had buried those concerns and eagerly dove head first into what Insipid’s ghostly presence had offered her – a skill she had yet to possess. So, while she was sore and bruised, her thoughts fueled any part of her that had been weakened by the hotel fight prior. She felt as awake as she could possibly be.

Having reached their destination sometime later, halting just below a heavy concentration of life that included a vague sense of the senator they sought, she paced slowly in the smelly gloom and waited. Insipid’s voice had separated from her to scout what awaited them above, and in the short minutes he was gone Leda almost missed him in some inappropriately covetous way. Missed it. Whatever this was. Because without him, she surely would have never gotten this far.

A flicker of light caught her eye to her left and she snapped to attention, spinning about to face…

"Lady Leda, do you trust me? Do you want to, I should say?"

She stared for a moment at the spectre that loomed in front of her. It had a shape, yes, but it was hazy at best, made out only by a red line that hung in the air, giving the distinct appearance of a person. A person with her Emperor’s voice.

Lowering her head in a slight bow, she brought her eyes back up to where she gathered his face would be.

“I want to, I mean I do,” Leda stammered in a whisper, pointing up with a finger. “What did you see up there?”

“They’re hoping to lay a trap,” Insipid said, and then replied to the original question. “Trust is a contradiction to a Sith. I ask not that you trust me.”

The eyes flared. “I ask that you trust yourself; a Sith does not need the trust of others. To be in full control of one’s surroundings; the probabilities; the possibilities; the emotions; the perceptions... of all who exist around you.”

“That is the power you need to have; the power I intend to offer you. The ability to seed the world with doubt, and make it yours,” Insipid turned back and forth. “You’re a Sith Lord, after all; you do not need me to tell you the details of what is above us. You can take control of everything around yourself without my help.”

He dissipated, Insipid’s voice becoming guttural. “Do it,”

Staring at the space the spectre had been, its outline left a hazy afterglow that hung in the dark until it faded away to nothing. There was a moment's hesitation as Leda fully grasped what it was Insipid was instructing her to do. But once it passed, she did not need any further explanations.

Gathering herself in the Force, she concentrated inward and then up, reaching out and around for all the activity happening in the dwelling a story or so above her. The fingers of her thoughts sifted through until they located the faint energy of Apollin, to which she latched herself onto like a buoy in a stormy sea. And she set off.

A rusty ladder ran up the wall a ways down the sewer tunnel, the tiniest sliver of light casting several broken rungs in blue. Leda trudged through the slop to its bottom and looked straight up. She could just barely make out a back-lit circle with her naked eyes; her way out. Hand over hand, feet following, she started to climb, carefully skipping over jagged edges of decaying metal until she reached the top. With aid in the Force, Leda slowly and noiselessly popped open the drain cover an inch and peered around, as she also used her heightened senses to confirm this would dump her out in a vacant alley, right next to the senator's location.

She made to hurry and quickly freed herself of the underground bog, relishing the fresh, cool air that stung her lungs as she breathed in the odorless oxygen. To one side of the back alley was a tall stone building, nondescript from her view. Walking to the wall, Leda placed a hand upon the weather-worn surface and closed her eyes. Using the tools Insipid had given her, she realigned her thoughts and prepared herself, beginning to sew tendrils of doubt into the minds of those closest to her reach...

'You can take control of everything around yourself without my help'

She could now feel the reality in his words as a surge of energy broke forward and flooded the space beyond the wall.

Yes. She would.

As Leda traipsed, shadow initially her ally, it became very clear that the group surrounding the Senator had plenty of doubts, and even when the cover was shallow, did not see her at all.

Doubts about their safety.

Doubts about their vague employer.

Doubts about the Senator.

Eventually she entered a point of the warehouse that there were no more ways to cover herself, and her confidence in her abilities would be completely tested.

Leda could not rely upon the shadows to assist; all she had was her skills in the Force, and the doubts of the single man between her and the walled off area the Senator sat at the centre of the warehouse.

Narrowing her eyes, Leda amplified herself in the Force and directed her will solely at the guard by the door. If there was ever a time to test out her new skill, it was now. Leading with the unseen, she followed by becoming seen, striding out into full view though her victim wouldn't know it. With a hollow smile, her head tilted in concentration as she worked away at her task while holding him still and silent.

You don't belong here, she whispered to his mind. You can't protect him, not from what you know is chasing him... She stepped closer. You are not strong enough...

Satisfied at his blank stare and slack expression, she glanced down to the blaster he had holstered to one hip. There was a small dagger hilt hidden just inside the band and Leda smirked, doubling her efforts. She challenged herself and what she knew of her limits.

For all the imminent danger that he was in; the man didn’t move; he didn’t see her; he didn’t hear her. A flare of fear engulfed the man, and she was hidden behind it - his doubts had blinded him, completely and utterly.

Of course, if she touched the dagger he would notice her; his doubts would be banished on the basis that he knew his dagger was moving - his mind would uncloud, and there she would be.

But Leda didn’t know that.

And he might die anyway.

Death was the only certainty when facing a True Sith.

Now standing a foot or so before him, Leda took pride in being able to handle the situation with minimal effort. Of course she knew this was one man at one time, not the many more at once beyond the door that separated them. Still, she knew she had done well, what was the harm in acknowledging that?

You will fail... you will fail... you will fail...

Repeating on loop to keep him subdued, she remained vigilant and boldly reached for the knife at his right side. The second her fingers took firm hold of the handle, she yanked it free and and followed with a backhanded slash for his throat. I she succeeded, it'd be a messy but effortlessly quick way to tackle this first obstacle to the senator.

There was a silence to the death of the man, which of course was successful; she was a Sith, he was nothing more than an impediment to her ultimate victory. Combining the Doubt Shroud with a mind trick was impressive, and a faint sense of approval rippled from that Insipid part of her mind, but he wasn't interfering at all.

As it was, the next arena did have two people within it; a smaller circular corridor, over a sufficiently wide space that left a decent sized central location for the palpably sweating Senator; his fear reeked in the Force. The two mercenaries, however, circled the central area, patrolling behind the closed door. There was always a point where the door was unnoticed by them, because two guards was simply not enough; but these men and women were not the Best of the Best - cheap and cheerful was the name of today's game.

So Leda had her next obstacle to cross and then the Senator was hers.

Theirs, Insipid reminded.

There was a ripple in the Force; a memory of someone else saying these next words, reverberating through the moment.

Mine.

Leda shook the echo off her mind as she settled in the aftermath of the brutal death sentence she had just delivered. Once more she began to center herself, having stepped over the fresh corpse at her feet to stand directly before the next door. She closed her eyes, feeling for the signatures on the other side. Apollin was clear; with him were a pair of unknowns, moving slowly, cautiously, lazily.

Unaware that she was watching, deciding how best to kill them.

Waiting, waiting some more, she planned out a strategy and waited even more, until one of the two assumed guards was passing the door and aligning the four of them into a nearly straight line. Hunter, victim, senator, victim. When that moment came, she sucked in a breath and thrust out at the door with the energy she had gathered while concentrating. It flew off its hinges with a loud boom, careening into the first guard hard enough to slam him or her into the floor at an impossibly awkward angle.

She strode in after it, the bloody dagger still clenched in one fist. "Senator!" she called to Apollin. "We need to have a chat." And shifted her focus to the guard at the far side.

The Senator screamed in an especially disappointing way. A huff of irritation sounded in Leda’s mind from Insipid.

The other merc turned to face Leda, his doubts erased in that instant. Insipid chided her for her impatience, but also, with amusement.

He lifted his rifle and opened fire even before he had lifted it; but it was not blaster fire but a stream of projectiles, in theory better because they could not be reflected. Another scream echoed in the room; his, the Twi’lek clearly expecting his death.

The fear, Insipid crooned. Lap it up, Leda.

She was off like a missile, Leda's legs and the Force whisking her around the perimeter of the room before the guard had even fired his first shot. Insipid - the ghost of him, rather - was spurring her on in an encouraging way, but it was an odd moment. While the projectiles of her target tailed her, the Sith always remaining a few steps ahead, the way the presence urged her, it sparked the stirrings of a memory; of the Man in Black...

She caught her next victim just as his weapon would have caught up to her, as Leda now charged face-on. She chucked the dagger at him, meant more as a distraction than anything else because as soon as it left her hand her lightsaber hilt filled her empty grasp. The pale yellow blade was there were a second ago it was not, and she quickly severed the barrel of his rifle in two. Sparks sprayed outward and Leda redirected herself, knowing the tiny explosives in the clip would get caught in a knot, with nowhere to go but back the way they had come...

Erecting an invisible barrier, a shield at her back, Leda strode towards Apollin and gave him a shove about a dozen feet away. "Mind your ears," she told him with a smirk.

The man had already triggered his rifle before he had chance to let go, and it blew off his hand, his arm, and half his chest tossing the man to the floor. He shuddered, and Apollin, dishevelled and disoriented, looked back at the man as the breath left him.

The death filled the Force, and so too did the fear, lapping Leda. There was a kind of intoxication to it; it was power incarnate. Eyes streaming, panicking, the Senator looked back at Leda, expecting the final blow.

She watched him, feeling him; his fear and anguish seeping in through every pore in her body. It was both chilling and hot to the touch but as a result, Leda had rarely felt so resplendent in the Force. She felt as if she could snap this man in two if she wished, crush his bones, exsanguinate him....

She moaned suddenly, and her saber deactivated with a soft echo. Visibly struggling with restraint, Leda sniffed and folded her arms across her chest. "You're a hard man to pin down, Ormes," she began now that they had no further distractions. "To think, all we wanted to do was give you our money to spend..."

The Senator looked like he was about to spoil himself, watching this killer approach; this darksider. "Your money...?"

Wait, Insipid said. The spectral shade of her Dark Lord emerged from the ground. Apollin glanced, and could see the ghost. "What?" The man scrabbled to go, to run. Insipid looked to Leda. The Senator was shouting at the top of his lungs for help.

Stop him.

Insipid's voice was hard, and cruel.

She lifted a brow at his spectral form and nodded once.

Apollin continued screeching, until he couldn't anymore. Guttural choking was all that could be heard coming from his mouth, which was stretched open with his tongue lolling about as he clawed at his neck with his hands. Leda's outstretched arm was reaching for his throat, her fist clenched, though not entirely. She only meant to stop his yelling, not break him.

She would sure like to, however.

"Hush," she snipped at him. "You have a lot of bones in your body. You scream again and they will start snapping like twigs."

Not yet removing her hold, she looked back to Insipid.

TBC...

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: It's....SUPER COMBO TIME!. Featuring myself, @Darth_wanderguard , @Sinrebirth , @Lady Belligerent , @QueenSabe7 and @Quinlan Vos

IC: Captain Lennox Jerod, Ami Sayul, Plo, Syren, Ike, Bellorum, Vex Nolzit
Location: Bilbousa Bazaar, Nal Hutta

The lights had burst in a brilliant display, leaving the auction house dim but for the muted sun shining through the skylights above and onto the stretched hides which formed its walls. The “building” in truth was little more than an elaborate tent - a motley assortment of less than fine animal leathers pinned across a checkered framework of some kind of black wood native to Nal Hutta.

“60,000!” the bid came after a flourish of Lord Chall’s whip, and the Zabrak in the front row mood darkened. Yellow eyes burned into Bellorum with lust, and did not stray as he spoke to his understudy.

“Lord Chall shall be allowed to win the slaves,” he said, his voice like gravel wrapped in velvet. “See to it that he does not leave with them. Bring them instead to my offices on Taris. Buy a reliable ship for the journey. Do this and I will train you at last.” With that, he handed the other Zabrak known as Vex Nolzit a chip loaded with just over five hundred thousand credits, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

Vex would have all the necessary knowledge to complete the task - the location of the man’s offices, the passcodes to access them, and a secure comm channel to contact him if needed - but would know the man himself only as Darth Xiaozhan. The two had been a pair now for a short while, Xiaozhan promising at every turn to provide Vex the Sith training he so coveted, but subsequently breaking every promise made when he found the tasks he asked done to be unsatisfactory for one reason or another. In any case, Xiaozhan had still compensated him handsomely for every deed, and Vex had been brought somewhat peripherally into the man’s circle of trust. Enough so to know that he had some ties to a group known as The Exchange.

Unlike the majority of the crowd, Vex didn't have quite as fine of a time watching the vulgar display on stage. He rarely found pleasure in anything anymore, as his years upon years as an assassin and hired gun had taken its toll on his now cold heart. He instead scanned the crowd, looking for any danger to his employer, as a glorified bodyguard. He had been promised so many times before to be trained in the dark arts, yet Darth Xiaozhan never followed through. Nevertheless, the young Zabrak stuck around because the jobs given by this man always payed well, and that was the one thing that Vex cared for these days.

After receiving orders from his "master", he stalked off, ready to follow through with the task at hand. He hoped this time he would be more successful, and that he would finally get the training he so craved. Taking a sharp left into a makeshift alleyway, he decided to take the backstreets and his climbing gear to get to a vantage point where he could watch the buyer leaving the area, and then track him down from there.

To Ami Sayul, the departing Vex had been just another face as he brushed past her at the entrance. The auction house was shaking with the raucousness of the crowd, visible from a distance as the building dominated the landscape around it, and the whole situation had left Ami questioning her own judgment well before they even arrived. At the doors she turned back to look at Jerod, communicating her uncertainty without a word, and then pushed through the doors.

It was dark and smoky inside, and as her eyes adjusted she spied what she thought were a handful of familiar faces.

“Is that... no,” she thought out loud. “Lennox,” she turned.“Uh...” she didn’t have to say anything else. Lady Bellorum and Lady Syren were both on the stage, dressed as Hutt slaves. Plo was with them. Ami had rarely been so confused in her life, even having been around the Sith for some time to this point. She had not, however, expected this. “He’s not... is he actually selling them? This can’t be what it looks like...” she turned back to watch Bellorum working the crowd, and was more convinced than ever that something else was going on. She’d not interacted much with the Dark Lady, but couldn’t imagine she’d ever willingly go along this way with being an actual slave. Let alone Lady Syren with whom she’d always been too intimidated to speak directly, even during her employment with Aryan Graul.

Jerod had already been through hell and was wondering whether this place could get any worse….

It did.

After seeing Ami nearly get shoved over by a passing Zabrak (he had gone before Lennox could shoot a look at him) they had entered the auction house which was basically a tent. As they entered, Jerod nearly coughing in the smoky interior he saw a sight he thought would never see and one which would be seared into his eyeballs for the rest of his life.

Ladies Bellorum and Syren dressed in skimpy slave bikinis doing their thing on stage. And it seemed the crowd were loving what they were doing. Lennox snorted at the vulgarity of it all but on the plus side Plo was with them, so this had to be part of some master plan. At least Lennox hoped so.

Some of the others had to be here too, Lennox couldn't see these three going alone. Was Anark, Ike or Aryan about?. If Syren was here Aryan had to be around somewhere, those two never were far away from each other, well in the olden days.

With his batons and blaster hanging at his sides Jerod looked more like a bodyguard than a business person, but he would be there just in case things got nasty. And as his bright green eyes scanned the crowd he did see a few rough looking types.

Lennox did not approach nor give any sign of recognition it would be tactically dangerous to do so, he folded his arms and looked the ladies up and down as if he was considering buying them, he spoke to Ami in a voice only she could hear.

"Yes I believe it looks that way" he said "If this is Plo's plan it must be to draw out whomever is buying slaves at the moment and perhaps get them a lead to Hel and Xander. Crime syndicates would love a place like this, they get the best merchandise from here" he looked around again "There must be others here from the group posing either as rival buyers or outlaws, it would be dangerous to leave them on their own whether they are Sith or not"

He faced forward again "Stay close to me and watch. We do not approach we do not show any sign of recognition. The same goes if we see Hel or Xander. If things get nasty stay with me and i'll get you out."

For now Lennox would wait, watch and bide his time.

Ami nodded, somewhat relieved that her initial instinct had apparently not been totally off base.

On the stage things were still escalating. At least that damn Zabrak had left, Plo thought. Ike’s last bid seemed to have scared him off and it looked as though everything would go to plan. The smell of smoke was getting intense now, however.

“Fire!!” Someone yelled from the side of the stage. Plo turned to see flames rapidly climbing the hide wall, and spreading across the thresh flooring. “Oh,” he acknowledged aloud, and turned to the slaves. “We should probably leave,” he had to shout over the commotion that had erupted as scores of auction house denizens fought for position in trying to get to the door.

The building was packed and in no way built for safety, and so an orderly evacuation was less than a realistic proposition. People were going to die.

Plo jumped down from the stage in what he thought was a relatively less crowded pocket near the side, but was quickly run into, and nearly over, as the panicked crowd shifted like an amorphous blob. He met one particularly aggressive human male with a short blow to the jaw, and watched the man fall and then be trampled.

Crushed against the stage at the waist, Plo leaned uncomfortably back, trying his best to block elbows and fists which were coming from every direction. He didn’t want to kill more people than necessary, but this was now a full-scale riot, and he realized he’d lost track of the others. He fingered the switch of his lightsaber, preparing to cut his way through to the exit.

Syren heard Plo's exclamation as an aside; her eyes were already following the flames as they crawled up one pavilion wall, twisting above and below to fan out in every direction. Inwhat felt like seconds, she was staring at an inferno. She turned, snapping out of it, only to find Plo gone and the crowd quickly shifting into a hysterical stampede to the exit.

She only took one sweep of her surroundings to look for him, though she could sense him close by, and even Ike pinged her awareness... which ordinarily she might find strange but there was no time for that now. Instead, she shouted at Bellorum over her shoulder -"Over here!" - and ran to the side of the stage, finally locating the former Night Herald as he struggled against the wall of beings threatening to sweep him under their feet.

Reaching him though not pausing, Syren grimaced as she covertly reached forward with both arms then swept them out and away from each other. The screaming mob parted directly in front of Plo, knocked over by unseen shoves to either side.The effect would be largely unnoticed in the mayhem and it would be fleeting - more welcoming. "Can we break out through a wall? We'll never make it to the main gate!" she asserted after landing down beside him, ready to sprint across the already quickly disappearing opening she had created...

Plo had breathed in relief as Syren opened a path - maybe more subtly than he was about to do himself. The mass of lifeforms had been about to crush him. “Thank you. Let’s get to the other side and see,!” he answered, then gave her a shove before following.

Bellorum was grabbing up her cloak when she heard Syren shouting, there was no wise choice but to follow. There were screams from beings that were getting trampled by the rush to escape, and fights were breaking out.

They couldn’t blame her for this, she set Haretisch on fire, not the auction house. Clearly they had poor construction in this time. Bellorum pulled the cloak around her shoulders and dashed after Syren, she leapt past the two Sith and ran through the closing gap.

She waved her arm and tossed anyone that blocked their path. Once she was close enough she spoke to them in hushed tones, “did you see that Zabrak leave? I swear he’s a Force user!” There wasn’t time to discuss it then, but she wanted to find him.

“Never mind that now,” Plo answered, coughing. The smoke was oppressive. The three were crouched against a wall now, one of the few that was not on fire, in an isolated pocket of safety. The chaos was still all around them. He fingered the switch on his lightsaber and turned it on to the wall, biting into the black wooden framework with the blade, only it repelled it and left not even a scotch mark. “What the kriff is going on with this wood?” he asked in frustration. “Cutting a hole isn’t an option and if we blow a wall out I’m afraid this whole building will come down on us before we get clear. Has anyone seen Ike and Anark?”

Ike growled as it all went to shavit. Cracking his whip, he managed to drive some space within the panic, but all manner of idiot tripped over themselves and it made no difference. Ike opted to step among the crowd, as that was simpler.

He caught a flash of something; a shiv. A random assailant taking advantage of things? Or a targeted kill? Ike turned slightly, the stab skittering through silk and caressing his skin. A brandished grin, and Ike wound his whip around the man's throat and choked him to death. Pawing through the corpse, Ike found nothing but trinkets - a simple scav.

The Force was busy with the tang of Sith digging in and using it, and Ike growled as the crowd by him grew more clogged as they were forced to either side. Ike recognised that Force use but not all of it; there as at least one unknown here and that was a good enough reason for Ike to hold back from using the Force; not that he had space on his ensemble for his lightsaber hilt... not unless he was pretending it was a torch or a toy or something.

He managed to make his way to the others with some more subtle Force use, broadening his senses for the trail of the unfamiliar Force use, like Insipid had taught him to; back when Ike has kept to the shadows and backstreets of the galaxy. He sensed Jerod, which drew a smirk from him, and Ike couldn’t resist tweaking the Imperials nose with the Force as he found Plo trying to use his blade on the wood; it didn’t budge.

“I’m here,” Ike caught the tail-end of his complaint. “It must have been treated with beskar or phrik or some-such.”

“Plo,” he looked up. “I guess we're not very undercover nowadays, but can we jump the walls, or, do we wait until this place clears enough to call our ship in?” Ike cast out his senses. “We’re bound to have pissed someone off with heavies, though. We might have a very public and messy fight if we stay.” He unwound his whip.“Not sure where Anark is.”

It had all gone to hell in a handbasket.

A fire had broken out now and it was fast turning into a riot. And Jerod and Ami were now stuck. The exit was being swarmed by people and there was no way they could try and go that way without being trampled, crushed or basically possibly stabbed to death.

Time to get physical again ...but where could he go? One way was a wall of fire, the other way was a crush. Tactically it was not looking good either way and there was Ami to consider too. He unsheathed his batons and prepared himself for another fight. His left arm was a little better but it was about to get bashed again.

Then he felt a tweak on his nose and he smiled a little, one of the Sith (probably either Bellorum or Ike but Lennox suspected the latter) had spotted him. It was hopefully a beacon of sorts, hopefully it would mean safety at least.

Jerod coughed as the smoke got worse "Follow me, i'll try to clear a path. The Sith have spotted us and they could be our way out" he was already getting jostled so he had to act fast and hope Ami would follow and not get trampled or knocked over.

He sprang forward immediately using his batons to try and knock people aside and he was using all the force he could muster, just so long as it created a gap big enough for him and Ami to get through.

Lennox also added a bit of flair and flamboyance as he swept people aside with the batons, using uppercuts, jabs and even sweeps. His feet flew too if there was a big enough gap to extend his legs or at least knee people out of the way. People were dying here which was a shame but Lennox was focusing on getting to the Sith and to get himself and Ami out.

He was shouting and grunting all the way batting away other people's fists, feet and even the odd knife. Lennox was taking blows but he resolved to at least go out in style if it was his day to snuff it. He spotted the Sith group and with a flourish, threw his batons in the air and commenced a charge that knocked several people out of the way. As he reached the group he caught the batons and then smirked at Ike as if to say See? Even Imperials can have fun

Jerod turned serious again and crouched down having a coughing fit as he stood within the group he gave a nod to the rest of the Sith. "Considering the fact me and Ami had come to get some shopping this is turning into an unexpected trip. This is my second fight today and I would rather it be the last" he shook his head resting his batons on the floor "Our options are not looking good, the exit is no good and,I don't know if these walls are any good to cut through. Tactically speaking we're screwed, unless you have Aryan hidden as backup somewhere or we can find another exit" he looked around "Unless you get the shuttle to come in and blast a hole in the roof or the wall"

“You really do have the most unfortunate timing,” Plo remarked as Jerod arrived with Ami Sayul in tow. He was still considering how to get them all out of this. “It would take too long for the ship to get here,” he shook his head. “No...”

“I have an idea,” Ami spoke up, then paused. Plo looked at her expectantly. “Can’t your lightsabers cut into the ground?”

Plo looked down at the auction house floor, which was little more than dirt which had been tamped down by foot traffic to be nearly dense as stone. That might work.

The riot was intensifying now, and Jerod had unfortunately garnered a fair bit of attention with his violent theatrics in making it to them. A fist would meet the captain suddenly in the back of the head with enough force to dizzy him, Ike would receive a shove from behind and another from the side, while Bellorum, Ami, and Syren would all be attracting attention from what would seem no less than a dozen groping hands each.

“Hold them off, I’ll dig us out under the wall if I can,” Plo shouted over the fracas, and activated his lightsaber again. It bit into the ground with a sizzle.

She had no weapons on her, as there was no kriffing place on her body to hide something the size of a lightsaber hilt, so Syren did what she did best.

A random arm managed to forcibly grab around her midsection and push, but she planted her feet before her body could lose balance. Whirling an elbow sharply around into the streaming crowds, she clocked an elderly woman square in the jaw with enough force that she was thrown back into a few other beings, effectively clearing a small spot in front of her. In that little vacant space, she knelt and pressed her open palms into the earthly ground. A moment later, a pulse - or quake,depending on your distance from its epicenter - shoved outward into the horde and shook the first few waves off their feet. It gave them a brief reprieve from the pressure of bodies, and she expected someone else to pick up the slack next.

Syren repeated the maneuver once more and then stood, preparing to individually Force Push anyone that came too close to touch her.

Dress up as a slave he said,” Bellorum huffed as she Force choked a filthy human male that had grabbed her. “Don’t kriffing touch me,” she shouted loud enough to cause a few rowdies to duck away from her.

A very large snarling Barabel had made for Haretisch, the reptile had fixed on Haretisch’s lightsaber and was determined to make it his own. Bellorum ignited her violet blade and stepped between the lizard and Haretisch. His eyes glowed from the reflection of her lightsaber, and he made a quick decision to take the Dark Lady’s rather than fight the male. “Oh, yes,” Bellorum smiled, “I’m going to be an easy fight, eh? Much easier than fighting him,” she jerked her head towards Haretisch who was cutting the floor. “Come on big boy, let’s get on with it,” Bellorum taunted. The Barabel’s tongue slithered, tasting the air, and something dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Bellorum stood in place waiting for him to come to her, to make the first strike. Which came quickly and he almost knocked her over with a powerful strike with his tail. She leapt the moment she realized it was coming, so the razor sharp rear appendage only sliced a cut into her bare thigh. She’d felt the sting as the slash opened and the warmth of blood oozing down her leg.

“Nice one, I guess a tail comes in handy,” Bellorum gasped with effort and she sprung at the beast with her lightsaber flashing. She decided he would need to suffer a little before dying, and her aim was true as she met his tail coming at her. Her blade easily went through scales and bone, and the beast roared as his tail lay on the floor twitching. He looked down at it in disbelief before grabbing the appendage and running to merge into the mob trying to escape.

Bellorum extinguished her blade and used a fold of her cloak to wipe up some of the blood from her thigh, “bastard,” she spat.

Notwithstanding that Jerod's almost 'Imperial in white Vader armour' charge had made Ike smile in spite of himself, Ike was getting irritable. They didn't have time for this. He made some space, whipping at heads and necks. "Plo, unless you're going to suggest something right now, I am going to settle for leaving here over a mountain of dead people."

He lifted his free hand, allowing lightning to travel up his fingers, and put the bolt into the face of a warbling Rodian, aimed for his eye. A scream; a dead person. With a sweep of his hand he snapped a few necks to make his point, but there was too much chaos. There were a lot of people. The Sith would have to act in some degree of concert to do much.

But the decision to massacre a crowd was not his.

This was getting seriously messy now.

"Well I wouldn't have been here at all had your cargo not contained hawkbats which ate the whole food supply of the ship. Nor would I be in this place if our crate of hawkbat eggs we were going to sell was not set upon by idiots who wanted to fight us for them" Lennox returned looking up at him with his stoic face back on for a minute.

There were bodies everywhere now and the fire was not abating. From his crouched position it looked like they were all going to be stuck. Until ami suggested Plo cut a hole in the floor, mentally Jerod shook his head, he should have seen that idea a mile off. The fog of combat must have gotten to his head.

At least Ike had acknowledged his antics with a smile which Lennox returned quickly. As he rose to tackle another horde incensed by what he had just done he was hit behind the head, and it hurt so much he was seeing stars. And he nearly ended up face first on the floor had he not put his hands down with the batons.

OK that's it, now I'm angry.

Whilst the Sith did what they did best which included Syren and Ike using their Force powers and Bellorum whipping out her lightsaber, so much for low profile Jerod thought, Lennox and Ami had to rely on brute force. He was still injured from the hawkbat attack and the last fight and now he was dizzy with his vision swimming. He had to keep going though.

He turned, a little too slowly for his liking and a bit wobbly on his feet and managed to give his assailant a good baton whack in the face, well at least he hoped it was his face. Other assailants he tried his best to keep at bay with his batons only, with a few twirls added in for a flourish, but he was faltering because of the dizziness. He was nearly seeing double of things and his balance was all over the place but he was determined to make sure at least that the riotous crowd stayed away.

But there were too many and Lennox was beginning to worry a little that he could end up on the floor unconscious and maybe trampled to death.

"Whatever you are going to do, better do it fast, because i'm not quite sure how much longer we can hold this crowd off!" He looked at Ike with narrowed eyes "No.more people need to die because of this".

“Done!” Plo shouted, silently congratulating himself on his own timing. He focused, lifting a roughly square mound of impacted soil out of the hole he had cut, and flinging it at a group of attackers. It bowled them over, seeming to knock one unconscious but only making the others more angry. He turned back to the short tunnel, and with a blast of force energy blew a hole the remaining way through to the other side just past the wall. It was just big enough for a person to squeeze through.

“Go!” He grabbed Ami’s arm and shoved her roughly toward the tunnel. She was offended for a moment but thought better of bringing the issue up now. Instead she slid down into the hole, which reached to her shoulder, and then climbed up and shimmied through the opening. She emerged on the other side and took a deep breath of fresh air, mud-begrimed but relieved all the same.

As each party member proceeded single file, Plo would insist on going last, collapsing the tunnel once he was through, lest the attackers follow.

As the mayhem erupted below, Vex sat patiently on his perch, keeping his sniper rifles scope aimed upon the group he was meant to be liberating for return to his client. However, that task grew more and more difficult by the minute, as more and more of the gathered crowd was joining into the mob and causing mayhem. It also didn't help that the group he was meant to be reaching was growing in numbers quickly, and each of them was dangerous in their own right. The lightsabers were the last straw, and he knew that he wasn't getting them without a fight that he knew he would lose.

As he watched them, one of them finally managed to create a hole to escape the confines of the area, and they all rushed out, quickly covering their tracks so that none might follow. The young Zabrak lifted his rifle and slung it over his back, deciding he should quickly leave before the entire place was either burned to the ground or destroyed by the horde below.

He quickly gathered his gear and retreated down to the alley from which he had achieved his position, slipping around the crowd and out one of the side exits, deliberating on his next course of action...

TAG: @Lady Belligerent , @Darth_wanderguard , @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Cocytus

Darth Cocytus's smile grew as it became clear that he was of one mind with other kaminoans, aside from his apprentice, that Lama Su would be removed one way or another. He eyed Taun We carefully, sensing her lust for power just as much as the Sidious AI did and pondered for a moment before bringing his attention back to the horde of clones. They were now getting too close for Lama Su's comfort and Cocytus sensed blood lust from Lady Styx. He himself had the exact same bloodlust all his life.Yet, however, having learned to control it during his time in the Sith Order, a new cruel idea crossed Cocytus's mind, and reached out into the force with a small raise of his hand.

Suddenly, each of the clones would feel something grab at their throat like an iron vine, strangling them tightly, especially the ones grabbing for the Prime Minsiter. "I could just let them drag Lama Su down and do to him whatever horrific thing one could think of." Cocytus spoke softly to both Styx and Taun We, cold venom in his voice, "Yet I find disgrace by lost of power to be a far crueler fate. That is a fate far worse than death for even a Sith Lord, if you ask me. Besides, they could capsize us and drag us along with him. We can't have that happen to us now can we?"

The Sith Kaminoan glanced at Taun We again as his force grip tightened around the clones. A smile was on his face and his eyes burned yellow with the Dark Side. "I'm afraid I'm not one for politics." Cocytus said, "I prefer to have a politician's ear rather than be a politician myself. Tell me, though, how reliable could a Prime Minster Taun We be for both Kaminoan and Sith interest?"

@Sinrebirth

 

IC: Soliloquy
Sinking into the shallow ocean, Kamino

Climate change was a fickle thing, a point of life and things never exactly staying the same. He could in passing wax long about such a thing. It was most humorous how many races saw godly favor or displeasure and did not actually understand their own solar systems and why things were happening. The Kaminoans had looked within and then turned that to look without, but in the end despite being finheads now, they were markedly mired in land based thinking. Sink it and let the ocean cleanse it, a risky way of doing things from a micro perspective, efficient from a macro, but this clone rebellion was anything but macro.

At last the files were downloaded, securely stored for what was sure to be harrowing adventure under the waves when Shimmer and Esme began to let in with their petty foibles of dislike at his method of saving their lives. Honestly he was nearly to the point of pointing out that if they didn't want him to save their lives they were free to try and grow gills on their own. Of course that rebuttal was lost when the floor decided to run away from them after shaking explosions rattled through it. The City unceremoniously dropped, hurling them up to the ceiling and unleashing a wave of water that crashed up through the floors themselves. Esme struggled to reach Soliloquy, while Shimmer manipulated the Force to ensure she arrived, nuzzling into the re-breather even as Esme was on the verge of being separated from them.

Exerting small will the cognition hood like a released jellyfish dangled down and over Shimmer's head as a snake like tube found her mouth and wormed it's way to her lungs where the end unfurled, the whole apparatus began to breath for her. Breathing in perfect mirror image to her own needs. Then the mental link was established between her and his bio-suit that he had manifested through ancient techniques. Through that common link that he shared he spoke/thought into her mind. "Shimmer, pull Esme in."

With the electrical equipment shorted out it added illumination to the depths for the moments it had left, but entire segments of the City were coming apart around them, and all manner of monster-clone was struggling above them, being crushed, being impaled, being driven down upon them with a City on top of their heads. Some of them made gestures with the Force, skills buried and borrowed from the dead, but navigating this disaster was going to be difficult.

Erecting a Force barrier around himself, and himself alone he made sure to hold or adjust falling things around them. Knowing where they roughly were the best choice was to force his way out to open water. From their he would be exposed, but would have a great many more options to handle the situation. First thing first. Let Shimmer save her grandmother, seal them both within his bio armor plated robes, and then using techniques similar to many non skeletonized creatures such as squid and jelly fish, bladder and undulation propulsion his way out of here. Maybe use the Force to blast a wall or door out of the way and lightning fry anything that dared to come close, followed by Force Shoving them away into the nearest object, hopefully a pointy one.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Vyatoris/ Azeth Drost
Kamino - Tipoca City

An odd silence took hold, broken only by the shaky breaths of Vyatoris as he inched ever slowly further backwards into the shaft, away from both the open air, and the ravenous clones. He had escaped danger, if only for the briefest of moments, and for what? A measly sample of data? Pah.

He shook his head, ignoring the faint shudder which accompanied his breathing. I just need to find some backwater planet to hide away in.. Just for a few years.. Too many risks.. His movements slowed to a halt, judging that he had made it a safe enough distance away from the opening of the shaft. One with a beach.. ..yeah..

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden beeping of his communicator, the sound of which shattered any previous illusion of silence. With a groan, he activated his holocom, and was greeted by the visage of Insipid, cast upon the droid Trayus' droid face.

"Report. The destruction of Tipoca City was anticipated by Lord Insipid, but not that only you would survive to report in. He will be displeased."

Vyatoris' eyebrow raised in alarm. How was he the only survivor? That was pure nonsens-

A horrific, primal howl exploded through the cramped passageway, simultaneously and instantaneously blinding and deafening the Miraluka Sith. The force itself seemingly trembling as something crawled it's way into the shaft after him. This was no clone, no, this was wrong, defiled. Black, eldritch tendrils pushed their way up through the clone's fractured skin, pulsating in random directions.

With what little willpower he could muster in that instant, Vyatoris ignited his lightsaber, keeping his blade between him and whatever thing was crawling it's way towards him.

Trayus repeated itself, apparently unfazed by the abomination before it.

There was little time to mince words. From between clenched teeth, Vyatoris spoke. "Betrayed on all sides, Cocytus is involved, along with a clone of Kronos. I have proof! Just get me offwor-!"

And then the floor gave way with a tumultuous screech, tossing both Miraluka and clone, along with the entirety of Tipoca City, into the insatiable seas of Kamino below. It was only by pure instinct that Vyatoris activated his rebreather in time, mere moments before he impacted the waves, and then dragged below soon after by the sheer weight of Tipoca City sinking. The force, for all it's help, was useless to him, effectively making him blind. Madness and terror were ever-present on all sides, hiding any semblance of up and down, left or right.

He gagged on the recycled air of the rebreather, which combined with the sudden frigid cold of the water sent his heart rate into an uncontrolled skyrocket.

The clone, or whatever it was, was gone, at least for the moment, yet even in his panic-stricken mind, Vyatoris was sure it was just waiting for the right time to strike.. along with the rest of it's god-forsaken brethren..

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Serapis, with Sinrebirth in combo as Secciah
Aboard the Queen Mother's Battle Dragon

A glance to "Helinith" confirmed what Serapis suspected. He was to go with Secciah and Renn as Helinith would go visit the Queen Mother. He hoped keeping that form would not be too taxing for him.

He needed to find out more about the task here, so he could figure out a strategy. Turning to walk with Princess Secciah, Serapis decided to allow her to keep her assumptions about this droid. Deciding to keep the higher, feminine tone, he explained, "I introduced myself to the commanding officer in on your former ship as BX-N1, a former Battle Droid adapted for protocol and protection for Leader Helinith. You can say it's a Sith AI, though." He looked at the Princess, examined her reaction to his introduction. "We had some education about your group on the way to your space. There is very little hard evidence about the Hapans. Matrilineal, as the Queen Mother explained to us. I believe I read you are the younger sister to the heir apparent?"

Watching 'Helinith' depart with a nod, she regarded the droid. "A Sith AI..." Secciah nodded to herself slowly, but as the droid went straight into specifics, the Princess shook off her uncertainty to catch up."You are correct; Ta'a is my sister, and an impediment to my ascension."

"It would be useful to discuss the treaty I would propose to offer to the Sith if I was to be Queen Mother." Secciah smiled softly. Now it was clear why the hangar was empty. "Theoretically, of course. I know what Bellorum sought from the Consortium before; finances, military muscle if necessary, but I could sweeten the deal."

Serapis halted. This one went straight to it, that's for sure. Yet, she would need to drive a hard bargain. Serapis needed to get across just how hard the bargain would be. "You know our recent history, then. Good. Then you know about the battle that we just fought with Typhojem?"

He thought back to the battle. It seemed so long ago. An age past when he had a body. An age before that when he had been raving insane. He came back to his senses after a few moments and looked at the Princess.

He started the droid's recording device so he would have a record of what happened. "I would be open to hearing your proposal. It would have to be worth our getting in the middle of a Hapan civil war, though." He paused there, looking at her, even admiring her human beauty.

Secciah paused. "I know that a Hapan fleet was lost at Bedlam, and the Sith leadership cut in two-thirds. I have never heard of a Typhojem and I don't see how he is relevant to us. I heard many Sith are gone, and you're hurting."

She frowned as he paused. "There are various abandoned mining worlds we could offer. There is one; Shedu Maad, which is positioned towards the edge of the Consortium; positioned neatly so can raid the Perlemian Trade Route, and what not." Secciah gestured negligently, as if piracy was unimportant.

"Kill my mother and it is yours, to do with as you please."

The back of Serapis' mind was screaming "that's it??" He'd learned in his years as a trader to hear this and respond as a prelude to negotiation. First he needed to get across exactly how it sounded.

He examined her eyes for a beat or two. Then he responded, "An abandoned mine... for a murder. Correction: a high-profile asassination. An assassination where there's sure to be reprisals. And you're offering a mine, possibly empty, and access to an galactic space route. On the edge of your territory. Close by where these people we've just upset live and buy their weaponry. I see."

He paused to allow this to sink in. They already had a deal. She was going to have to come up a bit to make it interesting. He started walking again in the same direction, intending for this Princess to be left behind and have to catch up. "I can present it to our leadership... as is. Unless there's something else to present."

She rolled her eyes. “Of course we’ll have the same relationship we had before on top; tacit support of each other, financial input to the Sith from Hapan coffers, the protection of the Crown from anyone else’s interference - I’ll just claim you’re agents of the Hapan Knights and that will satisfy the courtesans.”

“An entire world and it’s star system, droid, is what I offer. Not just the mine.” Secciah produced a holoproj, snapped it on. It showed the world of Shedu Maad. It was at the end of a narrow route framed by a pair of planets and an ice field, the route topped off by a spoke-wheeled station. She gestured to the route. “The Throat, which gives you ample notice for arrivals, and the ice fields could hide an entire fleet for whatever ambush you planned for the arriving enemy. You’d be in your own fortress, if you so wish.”

Serapis wasn’t supposed to have the Force, as a droid, but he sensed the Princesses desperation to walk away with an agreement. This was her best and probably last chance to get rid of her mother and sister.

He considered their situation. The had the Keshiri planet. They had a deal of sorts with the Queen Mother, given they could piece together Plagueis abilities to change a childs sex. That was their weak point. The medical side of things. This deal could be theirs for a couple of assassinations. And a second base could be useful.

Serapis took the holoproj and turned it off. "I will discuss it with our leadership. The deal is promising with the mutual protection and the financial support in it. We will talk again."

Tags: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @darthhelinith, @Snokers

 

IC: Manticore
Third Act: Reunion

Bernael was right. Manticore mused as he sensed the unmistakable presence of Darth Insipid, their Sith Emperor. He also sensed Leda. Indeed, they were back to being four.

But the zabrak also understood more fully the lengths which their Emperor would go to, in order to achieve a goal, to realize his vision. He had to admit it; it was…inspiring.

Turning to the Anzati, he nodded affirmatively in regards to the medical shuttle and the pilots. Trading off control was an effective plan. Working in tandem to achieve a common goal was acceptable.

“We shall return momentarily. Wait here.” Manticore instructed the pilots, exerting his will upon them once again. Bernael’s ability to disguise himself worked wonders for the Anzati assassin. Manticore simply lifted the hood of his borrowed cloak and covered his head.

Within moments, they’d entered the warehouse and were reunited with their fellow sith.

Manticore offered Leda a fist to chest salute and a solid nod. The fire in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. To the Sith Emperor, he bowed, not to the flesh of the Senator, but to the being within.

“My Lord.” He intoned darkly as he straightened.

Noticing that Bernael almost literally verbalized his own concerns, and fully aware of their limited time, Manticore looked for a workbench, a weapons cache, or a place where implements of torture would be held. He listened to the conversation all the while, even as he did find a makeshift work area, where he quickly gauged if the items and tools he needed were around.

Without wasting time, he placed a palm to his diaphragm, then used both Teras Kasi training of peristaltic control, in tandem with the Force, to eject the crystal he had been holding within himself. In one smooth shot, the object was ejected through his mouth and he caught it in his free hand. Now all he needed, was to gather the items necessary to fashion a ‘crude’ but functional weapon.

Focused as he was on several tasks, as only a Sith Lord could be, he did have something to add to the discussion.

“Bernael, are you suggesting we rescue the Senator and his…Lady? It stands to reasons they could be the casualties we find.”

Of course, that all depended if the Emperor wished to continue the ruse they had thus far created.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @QueenSabe7

 

GM UPDATE

IC: Bellorum & Plo - Bilbousa Bazaar, Nal Hutta

Plo hadn’t found the hole as tight a fit as some of the others undoubtedly would have - a benefit of going last. Perhaps the sole benefit. He’d felt hands grabbing at his boots at the last moment as pulled himself up and through. None had gotten enough of a grip to stop him, of course, although that would have been a tall task with the force on his side. He had collapsed the tunnel the moment he was through, having now abandoned in full any sympathetic or compassionate notions toward the wretches still stuck inside its rapidly burning walls.

“Kriff them,” he said out loud to any who would question it.

The party had emerged, thankfully, from a less busy side of the building, into a muddy street spanned on its far side by a broken stone wall, shoulder height where it still stood, but crumbling in several spots. One end of the street wrapped around to the front entrance where smoke was billowing fourth and the bottlenecked crowd was spilling out - some on fire, some coughing and struggling to stay upright. Several collapsed at the entrance and were trampled in turn.

“Is everyone here?” Plo asked, climbing to his feet before mentally counting up the group members. Syren, Ike, Jerod and Ami were all present. Worse for wear but present nonetheless. “Where the hell is Anark?” he asked. “Kriff. We can’t go back in there for him now. Damnit,” he cursed, pushing sweat-soaked hair out of his face.

Bellorum coughed up dust, shook dirt off her cloak, and pulled it to cover the blood still oozing down her leg. “I’m sure he’s okay and will find his way to us,” she told Haretisch. “He’s a survivor, like the rest of us.” She reached out to Anark and it wasn’t reciprocated, but she could feel he was escaping the chaos. Then she felt something, no, someone else and she pulled back quickly. There were other Force users here.

“I suppose we’ll find out,” Plo replied, and looked to the burning building. They were only a few feet away from the only wall that wasn’t on fire. Smoke was pouring now through small holes in the hides. “If he’s still in there now he’s not getting out. As for us we need to move, this wall is going to be solid flame soon.”

~

“I want my daddy,” Xander whimpered beside Hel, “this isn’t fun.”

“No, it’s not fun,” Hel agreed with the child, “but we aren’t in those cold, wet cells now. Here,” she handed him a portion of the nutrition bar they’d been tossed before being locked into a cargo hold compartment. Hel leaned back against the wall and sighed, “I want my daddy too, Xander, and I know they are looking for us. We just have to stay strong,” she assured the boy.

“We could fight them, but that means magic,” Xander said looking frustrated. “No!” Hel told him quickly, “no using the Force,” she cringed hoping no one was listening. “If you do,” she warned, “they will punish you like they have me.”

~

In the distance, the sound of sirens had become audible. Plo cursed again. “Police and medics are going to be trying to make some sense of this. We should probably split up. Pair off,” he pointed. “Myself and Bellorum. Syren, go with Ami. Ike with Jerod. Let’s all head different directions and rendezvous at the ship. Move quickly but carefully - we’ll wait for everyone but not for long. Something tells me we’ll need to get out of this city entirely, and quick.”

Suddenly a main support beam in the wall would crack and snap in half, loud enough to sound like a slugthrower blast. The entire wall would sag out toward the road, threatening to collapse.

“GO!” Plo barked, grabbed Bellorum about the arm and shoved her toward a broken section of the stone wall. He followed her through the opening and spun, pulling her to the ground and shielding her with his body as an entire side of the auction house fell down around them, half-burying the pair of them in burning refuse.

When it settled, they had indeed been buried but not quite crushed. He met her gaze from above. “Are you hurt?” he asked.

Bellorum tried to roll to her side and move away, but gasped softly. “I’m okay,” she scooted out from under Haretisch and pulled her cloak back, “that bloody lizard, he sliced my leg with his tail.”

She took a fold of her cloak and soaked up some of the blood. “I’m feeling kind of lightheaded,” she looked at Haretisch, “do you think he poisoned me?”

“Maybe,” Plo sat up against the wall and looked up and around, trying to find a way out of the broken wood and ripped hides which had partially entombed them. “Couldn’t be any more poisonous than what’s already in your veins though. Here,” he gestured at an opening with his chin, then stood and grabbed at a beam with one hand. He pulled himself up and through - the hole was at about head height - and then hung an open hand down for her to take.

Bellorum looked at his outstretched hand and blinked. She bent her knees and cleanly leapt through the opening and landed behind him, staggering slightly. It had cost her to show off, but she was determined to show no weakness.

“Which way?” She asked and glanced around, “the fire is spreading to other buildings, so we should hurry.”

Plo cleared his throat and snapped his fingers as he pulled his hand back, now looking up at her. “Erm,” he climbed to his feet and stood next to her on top of the refuse pile. “That way,” he pointed to where the wreckage sloped downward and met an adjoining street. Neither knew they were in full view of one Vex Nolzit.



The city was in full-on riot, now. Every ambulance and police speeder for twenty miles was either at the auction house disaster or rapidly approaching it, and the very tenuous sense of order in the city had fallen by the wayside as hoodlums and hooligans saw their opportunity to loot freely. Fear of the Hutts and the order they had sought to instill in their various territories was not enough. Storefronts were smashed, speeders flipped, fires lit, knives pulled, blasters let loose on every corner. A purge of the weak and the sick, and the unlucky. Bilbousa was burning to the ground, and no one would get anywhere unmolested.

TAG: @QueenSabe7, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @Snokers, @Sinrebirth, @Quinlan Vos


OOC: Jerod and Ike are on a combo - start a PM and include myself and Lady Belligerent. Syren is on a combo with me as Ami Sayul, start it when you’re ready. Vos, you are on a combo with Lady Belligerent and myself, start a PM and include us both. It’s up to each combo team to write your own journey through Bilbousa. End your combos back at the Dark Dreamer. Anark, start a PM with me and I’ll combo in to your post with some NPCs.

 

IC: Soliloquy
Elsewhere, underwater, some distance away

Soliloquy and his Force barrier kept pressure in, and Shimmer drew Esmerelda into the embrace of her master. The hate burning off of her was a delicious and enjoyable meal, although Soliloquy was sure it was also an empty one. If not, well that would be another lesson he would have to teach. Still, nuzzled and tucked in like two twins in a gestational sacs he let them in perfect protection and mild guidance be tossed about. Literally every which way the current and collasping facility wanted as he followed his own mental map and the Force for a way out. Flow with a gush of water up, burst a door and out to fall down still filling hallway. Burst through a jagged hole making it larger only to swirl back through another hole to a section deeper in. So on and so forth with random murder, death, kills along the way that were inconsequential.

What was of consequence was the two he kept alive, being their lungs, their warmth, and their safety. When finally they finally surfaced they found a ship, their ship, waiting for them above the water. Drawing on the Force to make a leap he landed on the lowered ramp and the flimsy safety it offered as the droid, as droid is want to do, began statements and demands.

"Report," the droid TRAYUS snapped, standing at the bay entrance. "I have lost track of Lord Drost, and also Lord Kronos. Lord Cocytus is reported to have betrayed us; a report from Drost, who I cannot now locate. My probability matrix suggests that Cocytus directly attempted to silence Drost after the transmission."

"TRAYUS, we have a guest. One I recently cured of a bacterial gravemind infection with a shred of Mnngl-Mnngl as part of it's core." At this he opened his robes and showed his two passengers who still had their head consumed in cognition hoods. "Please raise ramp and perform deep medical scans on both for trace contamination." He could only hope the droid had some reference and history for what he was stating. "As for Cocytus and Drost, let us see if we can rescue the latter one. The other I dare say we can leave to his folly for now. After all in this age subtlety and stealth are more sure paths to survival than his flashy form."

The hoods peeling back he revealed the two forms as being truly identical. Something he doubted would elicit any reaction from the droid. Merely a new dataplot variable. Slowly he removed his tube from Shimmer's throat. "This is Shimmer, my new apprentice. Whether Drost continues his studies under me is up to him. She has valuable data which should in the future allow me to impersonate, claim, or place orders against accounts that are already funded." More slowly he removed the tube from Esme, extending the time where her body was unable to get any air despite being surrounded by it as the tube painfully, slowly drew out. "This I believe is Esme, but with the cloning experiments I would appreciate your medical verification. As for Kronos, he appears to be suffering from clone dissonance, a quantum entanglement issue with a clone mind. That or else he is infected. Either way I can do nothing without direct access to him. Report complete. Once we are secure I can try to find Drost if he is still living in the Force. I dare not split my focus until you verify we are secure." That was that. Realizing, rather belatedly that his eye was still shut he re-engaged it and opened it. Focusing on all present as he still kept a Force Barrier raised behind him over the ramp.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Leda
Capital, Kuat

Leda only watched, as ever a focused and eager student should.

Watch and learn.

Where Insipid had never actually become a part of her, nor did he seem to have tethered himself to her, she still sensed that soft separation when his presence left her mind. A longing was left in its wake, but she quickly shooed it away. She did not need anyone to become something great, even if that ‘one’ was the Emperor himself.

With a leering smile she observed the essence transfer and hostile takeover of Apollin’s body, having stepped back to give the two some space to become… acquainted. In that short time she brought her emotions back down from the heights of her kills, collecting herself to be ready to assist. Leda knew she wouldn’t have to, picking up on the approaching signatures of her wayward companions moments before Insipid gestured the door open to reveal Manticore and Bernael, back from their roundabout journey.

"I will accept questions now." He looked at her as he spoke from the flesh mask of the kuati senator, which would require some adjusting.

The eyes though, she looked closely at them - they were his.

Manticore came closer and she stirred, drawn away to turn and regard him. She returned his nod with one of her own, a curl to one side of her mouth as she registered some semblance of appraisal from the zabrak Lord.

“Good to see you upright, Leda, we’ll have to compare numbers but think I’ve got the lead right now,” Bernael offered and she did grin then, hiding her lingering frustrations at the pair having abandoned her to an enemy far out of her league. Only trust yourself, no one else, she paraphrased Insipid’s lesson, silencing her feelings. They had done their part, and she had fulfilled hers.

“Glad you could finally join us,” she quipped back before starting to clean herself up. As she did, she watched as the others talked through what came next. Bernael’s plan made the most sense and she really did not have much to add. It was the only way the Emperor would keep his new form, and the only way they might have an inside hand to securing the path to their new fleet.

TAGS: @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: The Wayward Lord
Bilbousa Bazaar, Nal Hutta...


He dove just in time to avoid a large chunk of ceiling which narrowly missed his head.

Far too close!

The whole plan had gone south.

Anark felt the sweaty panic of claustrophobia begin to set in. The Bazaar was crumbling, being eaten by fire and he didn’t fancy his chances. The rest of the Sith had fled, and so expertly so that his eyes had caught not one of them making their escape.

Hell no. This is not how I die. This just won’t do.

A maniacal bout of laughter escaped him as he unhooked the hilt of his lightsaber from his belt. The panic-stricken crowd were closing in around him, aswell as a group of humans with blasters drawn and eyes trained on the Sith.

Were they merely looters? Gangsters who’d seen an opportunity to relish in the chaos? Or had these men come here with a mission?

Anark grunted, irritated at the constant elbows and fingers jabbing into his sides. It would’ve been nice to keep the casualties to a minimum; the gods knew Nal Hutta was more than capable of creating its own rivers of blood without the help of a band of Sith from another time.

But if Lord Anark was to come out of this Bazaar alive, it wouldn’t be without casualties.

Let it be chaos, then.

He smashed a thumb into the switch of his saber and drew in a deep breath as it blazed a blood-red. The Sith quickly and expertly unravelled the chain wrapped around the hilt of his weapon and let the blade fall to the ground, it rattled as it spiralled downward, stretching out to it’s full six feet.

He lifted his arm and began to swing the saber above his head, quickly and no doubt painlessly relieving six poor souls of their heads. There were shrieks and there were curses, those closest to the bodies that had fallen ducked for cover, some even laying flat out on the floor to avoid the Sith sword’s bite.

Anark began to make some progress through the crumbling building, keeping the momentum in his swing. When he locked eyes with the group of men who’d roused his suspicions earlier Anark brought his saber down and alternated his wrist movement to allow the chain to re-wrap itself around the hilt, he secured it with his thumb and waited for the men to approach, his blade still humming.

A cluster of barrels exploded to his left. Anark absorbed the flames with a Force shield. Another section of the ceiling crumbled away and he seized a large chunk of it in mid air with the Force and launched it with a groan of exertion at the men, managing to strike two of them at once, knocking them out cold, seconds later they were trampled by the crowd.

Anark gave the remainder of the pack a light show with his weapon, twirling the blade and giving it a few rotations around his forearm before catching it again and pointing it at them. The men thought better of it and fled, disappearing into the sea of panicked faces.

Anark was startled when a woman ran into his blade as he turned around. Her eyes opened wide, a cracked gasp came out of her mouth before she fell backwards and died. The Sith disengaged his saber and allowed himself a moment to think as he stared into the woman’s lifeless eyes.

Had Plo foreseen this disaster? Had it all been planned in advance? The failed auction, the Zabrak, the bazaar aflame?...

He didn’t wait around to ponder any longer. The screams rose to a deafening level as the place was further engulfed in flame. Anark moved as quickly as he could, weaving between bodies like a feline sneaking through a passage. When he approached a wall he shoved the last few beings in his path out of the way, caring not where they landed.

The Force was busy and it was nigh on impossible to reach out to any of the others. Anark stowed his lightsaber away and began climbing a curtain that was, for now, untouched by the fire.

Once up high enough above the rabble he took one last glance back to search for a familiar face.

“Esalacha!” He hissed.

Reigniting his saber once more he plunged it through the wall.

After some time he’d created a small doorway for himself into the next room. The auction house was like an oven now. Anark pulled himself through and landed shakily but on both feet on the other side. The cool air felt good on his face when it hit him. A part of him hoped someone would spot his makeshift doorway back there and find a way to use it before they truly were doomed.

He repeated the same process on the next wall, praying this would lead out into the marketplace.

Yes!

This hole was dug at the bottom instead of the top. He slid through awkwardly and sucked in a good lungful of air - stinking air, but air nonetheless.

If we’d kept track of him, that business at the auction house could have provided the perfect opportunity to quietly put our lightsaber through Ike’s back amidst the rabble

He pushed the thought away. Sliding through the alleyways he decided the best course of action now was to head for the ship.

If it was still there...


TAG: @Darth_wanderguard @Lady Belligerent @QueenSabe7 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Quinlan Vos @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Vyatoris/Azeth Drost
Kamino - Enjoying a casual swim

The stale air was his only constant, everything else lost in the constant buffeting of both the physical and mental - crashing waves of both water and hysteria wreaking havoc upon Vyatoris' senses. Breath in, Breath out, In, out. A simple exercise, but effective. His racing heart slowly calmed, his focus shifting to that of the staleness of the recycled air of the rebreather, ignoring, if for the moment, the direness of his situation. The clone had vanished into the depths, leaving himself currently out of direct harm's way, that much he was sure of.

So, what now? It certainly still felt as if he was sinking, probably due to being nearby the sinking superstructure of Tipoca City no doubt. An immediate problem which demanded resolution. The sight provided by the force was still proving annoyingly illusive, a worry incessantly attempting to take precedence over everything else. Vyatoris shook his head, refocusing on the stale air.

One thing at a time.. With increasing effort, Vyatoris kicked hard against the water, using whatever strength he had to resist the pull of the sinking superstructure. With each motion, the pull lessened in strength, until his head finally broke the surface of the raging ocean, gulping in sweet lungfuls of real air, the rebreather spat to back into the water with disgust. One thing at a time..

Each breath brought clarity, the sudden excess of oxygen clearing away the grogginess within. Clarity brought with it a very sobering realization. He was exhausted. Nearby bobbed a slab of something, floating aimlessly above the cruel waves. With the last of his effort, Vyatoris slung himself over it, an uncontrollable laugh escaping from within. He had survived yet another stupid situation, a scenario which he once again wasn't quite sure how he had gotten into in the first place. Surely someone had to be looking out for him at this point, right?

With a weary grunt, the half-drowned Miraluka rolled onto his back, his laughter somewhat subsiding as the unmistakable sounds of a ship's engines roared overhead. Vyatoris reached out with the force through his mind's eye, honing in on the distinct aura of Soliloquy, his laugh returning.

"Hey, fancy a swim!?" He called out between half-delirious laughs, raising a hand towards the general direction of the ship's landing ramp. "Water's fine!"


Tag: @Sinrebirth , @Mitth_Fisto (mentioned briefly)

 

OOC: A combo with the ever wonderful @Sinrebirth

IC: Captain Lennox Jerod, Ike
Location: Bilbousa Bazaar, Nal Hutta

Jerod managed to shimmy himself out after sheathing his batons and squeezing himself into the hole. It was a rather tight squeeze and the batons and blaster didn't help but with a wiggle of his backside he managed to get out.

He immediately began a coughing fit as he exited, nearly ending up in a ninety degree position, and being dizzy didn't help either. Hopefully the dizzy spell would pass though and he would be back fighting fit.

His uniform looked dirty now as did his usually pristine boots, sorry Azzurri he thought.

Plo collapsed the tunnel after they had exited and they all looked a sorry sight. Bruised battered and in Jerod's case nursing a head that felt like he had been on a bender.

Plo and Bellorum were having a discussion about Anark whilst Lennox watched the front of the building, watching people being burnt and trampled but no sign of the Sith Lord. At least they had all mostly got out alive now it was a case if Anark joined them.

Plo then paired them off, and he knew Ami at least would be safe with Syren. Lennox however was paired with Ike, whether that would be a good or bad thing at the end remained to be seen. He did send a smile Ike's way as if to say "Are you ready?" Because he was, dizzy head or not he was getting back to the Dark Dreamer in one piece and at least he had a Sith with him too.

A blast sounded from above and Jerod's eyes widened as he saw part of the wall come away, he immediatly turned and jumped through another hole in the wall and heard the wall come down afterwards leaping away like he had been shot out of a cannon. He rolled and came up on one knee searching for Ike.

And it looked like Bilbousa had exploded into a full blown riot. He pulled out hs comm and tuned to to Carrusco's frequency "Jerod to Carrusco, come in"

"Reading you loud and clear sir"

"Better start the engines, we'll need a quick getaway"

"Roger that, will get Azzurri onto ATC and see if we can get a quick clearance"

"Well I think if we don't we'll be shooting out of here quickly. Stand by we'll be with you shortly. I am not sure my datapad is working now so you can't track me, keep an eye out though"

Lennox turned the comm off and stood up "Guess this is our cue to exit. We can't go round the front way unless you fancy a murder spree. The only other way I see it is if we go some way that is a little quieter but with this riot going on, can't guarantee it. Any ideas?"

Ike's face was full of distaste as he realised he was being left with the stuck-up Imperial. As much fun as he had been, Ike would have preferred Bell,or, failing that, maybe Syren. Maybe.

His eyes roved the chaos as Jerod chimed in with the ship, rejoining him as the wall went down. Sirens rang out as Hutt enforcers sought to restore the peace, and people ran amok. He spied a family trying to get through the madness unharmed, a bloodied and bruised father stepping forward as his wife held a babe to her chest, a youngling holding her hand. They were a large enough group to draw attention, and a small enough one to be swallowed up in the violence in short order. The Force allowed Ike to realise they were also heading for the docks.

Ike sighed. "We can slip through the alleys but it'll take time. Or, we can pick a group and support it."

"You're the Imp; I'm the paramour. Work it out for me."

He lifted a blaster from the bodies and passed it to Jerod, and looked around for another. A blaster would be more inconspicuous than him electrifying people. Ike would do if he had to; even if he didn't but it was easier, but they were supposed to be avoiding attention and it was one thing to use his powers inside a tent, and another to do it on the street.

Jerod narrowed his eyes at the insinuation "That we may be, but just for a few minutes we are neither, we need to work together to get out of this mess. That's not a good start"

Lennox caught the other blaster but he still had his own one and the batons. He tossed it back to Ike "You might need that more than I do" he pointed to his belt "I've got my own one thanks" he said politely. His batons would also be useful for close quarters combat.

Lennox's tactical brain went to work next "The alley's he said after a few seconds "Quieter and we will be less conspicuous. The problem with picking a group to support is we could get involved in another fight. And if we do we may possibly end up either trampled, in jail or even dead. It may take time, but it's the best way to avoid trouble" he shrugged "You never know with this place though. If worse comes to the worst we can still help the others if need be"

Lennox smirked "It will be a quick pace, hope you can keep up pretty boy" and with that Jerod began to quickly walk off "Might need your Force senses for this one, make sure we are going in the right direction"

Ike looked down at Jerod's belt. "Oh, yeah." He hadn't been paying attention. Why would he?"

He gestured vaguely at the family across the way. "Well, sure, but I could also do this." He flicked a finger and a blaster floated to the man, and another flick saw him shoot it into a group of thugs tearing apart a shopfront. They turned as one and rushed them, clearing the way. The family panicked as one, and turned to flee.

"Off we go, Imp Boy." Ike grinned. There was a disquiet within him, but Ike dispelled it.

It was Sith eat Sith in this world.

He pointed. "That way."

Lennox shook his head and had to sigh. But this was Ike, should he surprised? He was a Sith after all. Jerod was no angel himself but as Ike had mentioned before, new life, new start right?. And technically they had to act like it so Jerod had dispel any feelings regarding people getting hurt, even if it was a family.

Imp Boy, now that was a new moniker for him, perhaps it was even friendly, well in Jerod's mind anyway.

"Expertly done Pretty Boy, now let me guess, you have something hidden up your sleeve should we run into any more trouble" he returned his grin with a slight smile "I might even thank you for the save later"

Lennox then walked briskly off in the direction Ike was pointing, trying to look casual as if basically he had walked accidentally into the riots.

"I suppose you'll be able to sense the best way back to the ship"

Ike looked back. "Yes, of course I can." He pointed the blaster at a corpse that was shifting, putting a bolt through the back of the man's head. A few others playing dead sprang up, and ran off, screaming. "We don't have time for morality, Imp. The Empire was just an excuse that Palpatine came up to take some moral high ground."

He snorted. "In my time, the Empire was on the verge of being awful everyday of its existence. All it took was a Sith killing the Emperor to transform it into a Big Bad Sith Empire for eight years. Your high and mighty approach to life was just... self-deception. Palpatine always intended to birth a monster from its heart."

Ike strode forward. "The Dark Empire, the Sith Empire, whatever its name, the Imperials who pretended they could make the galaxy a better place if the galaxy simply laid down and did as it was told." Ike shot another corpse; it didn't stir, it was already dead.

For some reason Ike was getting worked up as he led them the rest of the way.

Lennox had done that to him.

Sophistry; Ike hated it. Pretend moral superiority when naked force was what was honest.

To be Sith was to give yourself permission to be honest.

To be an Imperial was to give yourself permission to lie to yourself about why you did the 'bad things' the galaxy made necessary to survive.

Lennox had had enough, he didn't care whether Ike would get any satisfaction from Jerod being angry but maybe Ike had decided to hit the spot intentionally. Most of the time he stayed stoic, to hide his emotions from his enemies but this time it was time to meet his nemesis head on. Perhaps he had a fair point though about the Empire he served.

He turned around anger evident in his face and his bright green eyes, marched straight up to Ike, grabbed his shoulders and got right in his face.

"Listen to me you jumped up pretty boy" he growled "At least I did my service. It may have been wrong, I may have killed thousands and thousands of people just so I could see the Imperial flag flying high in the sky, I may have wrecked everything I held dear because I put duty in front of everything else, but I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. I wanted to protect and to serve, I wanted to protect those I loved from chaos. The Empire was cruel, it was xenophobic it was monstous but I decided to make a choice. Yes it was probably the wrong one and those deaths will haunt me for the rest of my life. But people like you don't care, you go on and on as if you are the high and mighty ones when in fact you use us non Force users as pawns in your little murderous game"

Lennox snorted "Perhaps I was living in the dream world. Perhaps I was kidding myself all this time that the Empire was grand and great and mighty. Palpatine was a monster no doubt there but it was either order or chaos and I chose order. It was probably the wrong choice. Maybe I should have just stayed on Coruscant and just watched the galaxy burn while the Sith and Jedi fought it all out. But I decided to do something which is better than nothing"

He sneered at him "Look at you, you are nothing more than Insipid's little whore, a little boy running around playing Sith Lord. Always frightened of what he would do to you, you aren't free you are his prisoner. Hiding behind that flamboyant shell is a man who wants to be accepted for who is but he can't. You think you can just murder and destroy your way through the galaxy and for there not to be consequences? Lennox snorted "Dream on"

"Insipid isn't here, the Empire is long gone. You said to me on Nar Shaddaa that it was time for me to make a new start here. Well maybe it is time for you to do so too. Isn't it time for someone to look after you for once? Isn't it time you freed yourself from the shackles of being Insipid's paramour?. Shouldn't you not be yourself?. I'm letting go now, why don't you."

He stepped back, it was probably a bit conspicuous having an argument in the street but it was better to get it out here.

Indeed, a woman watched them argue, perplexed as to the references, and mistaking it for a quarrel between an established pair.

Ike lifted his hand, ready to splatter Jerod across the pavement as a bloodied bone-ridden smear. But Plo wouldn't like that, would he? Free. Huh, Ike snorted. They weren't free. The Sith Order prevailed over petty, personal concerns.

"Good luck with that stain on your soul, Imp." He turned, making a fist of his hand as he yanked Jerod along. Ike met Jerod's gaze, murderously. "If you speak to me again, I will remind you what the innards of a human being look like. You can only reinvent yourself if you have power, or are ignorant of how little power you have." Ike shoved Jerod back.

"When you are ready to go rogue, then let me know."

He walked the streets, trying to keep his temper from breaking.

And to keep Jerod's words from biting.

Insipid is gone.

Insipid.

Is.

Gone.

Insipid is gone.

Jerod wasn't wrong there.

Lennox followed still fuming. And here was Ike pretending that Jerod was acting high and mighty! Ha! He just didn't get it did he? Jerod probably was probably going to end up splattered on the side of a building but to be honest he was never afraid of death, he died when he had sold his soul to the job. Now he was selling his soul to no-one and was trying to make a new start of things. Ike clearly wasn't.

Lennox decided to continue, but this time thinking it at him.instead of speaking.

Oh look at you, threatening me, thinking you are all powerful when in fact you are powerless. Your husband still isn't here and you think you can play the big bad boy. Well wrong answer again. You're like the bully in the playground, threatening to get what you want. You are just a spoilt little brat, throwing your toys out of the pram"

I lost my Grand Admiral rank and accepted the demotion back to Captain, because someone on this ship clearly needs to know what they are doing. You obviously have no clue other than flouncing about and getting drunk. Oh and by the way I went rogue back on Nar Shaddaa with that drug boost you gave me. I have also had two fights which I quite enjoyed, even played the role of bodyguard to Ami. Shame you didn't see THAT.

I have finally accepted in this galaxy it may be dog eat dog to survive, but we cannot lose ourselves otherwise we turn fully into monsters. However in your case you are a Sith, you have no soul, you have no heart. You might as well be Insipd's whipping boy to only pleasure yourselves when you need it. Perhaps you do really have nothing inside of you, perhaps I don't either. But don't you dare threaten.me again otherwise I will have Plo drop you off at the next uninhabited planet.

And you won't be able to sleep or flirt your way out of THAT.

Ike felt Jerod’s anger building, and a mantra pressing on the Imperials mind. He was working himself up. Ike let him stew, until he could see where they needed to be.

Lifting his hand laconically, he pointed, not even looking back. “It’s that way, Imp. We’re here, but you’ve no need to worry about anything but following orders from here on out. Just the way you like it, yeah?”

Ike snorted.

Right that's it I've had it.

That was Jerod's thought as he finally snapped. It had been building and building to this point. Lennox thought that perhaps they could be moving towards becoming more civilised to each other after their argument. Guess not.

"Perhaps this may change your mind" Lennox said grabbing Ike by the shoulder and spinning him round….

And then swiftly withdrawing one of his batons and smacking him round the head with it. Hard.

He watched Ike drop to the floor assuming he was unconscious after the hit he had taken. There would be repercussions for it but at least it would shut him up for a while.

"I don't think I was ordered to do that was I?" Lennox said with a smile twirling his baton and sheathing it "Maybe that will knock some sense into you. Maybe it won't. But here is a lesson for you: never, ever mess with a non Force user, especially one carrying batons"

Lennox bent down, gently picked him up and hoisted him over his shoulder. Luckily he wasn't very heavy and was quite toned and fit anyway so it would be relatively easy to carry him back. It looked like they were not far away anyway.

As he walked he was getting some funny looks but Jerod stared back at them with a look that said simply "Back off". His dizzy spell had abated but his head still hurt and he was still aching all over. Plus he had inhaled some smoke as well which wasn't helpful.

It seemed weird to be carrying a Sith Lord but hey he might as well enjoy this moment and pop it in the memory bank. And he could always remind Ike about it…

Once he got back on board he would drop Ike at the common room he could sleep it off for a while. And perhaps it would show the rest of them that Lennox Jerod did have balls.

The familiar sight of the Dark Dreamer greeted him after a while and Jerod was glad to see it. Carrusco had started the engines as promised and was waiting patiently for everyone to get back on board.

Time for the next adventure.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @Darth_wanderguard , @Lady Belligerent , @QueenSabe7 , @Snokers , @Quinlan Vos

 

Darth Cocytus

Cocytus smiled and clenched his fist, instantly crushing the throats of every clone in his force grip. He felt satisfied with the massive death he just caused and took it all in to feed his devotion to the dark side. The Sith Kaminoan stepped back and looked at Tuan We with a smile, agreeing with her and the AI of the Dark Master in his head.

“You have the ambitions of a Sith.” Cocytus noted with a grin, “I like that and I find it to be well suited to my plans. For I have something far grander than a mere project. I have a vision: A Galaxy once again under Sith Rule with Kamino as it’s beating heart and its kaminoans ruling over it. No longer would Kamino simply be the puppet of the Sith, like the first Empire,but a full fledged partner in it’s conquest to destroy the remains of Insipid’s Order, Snoke’s First Order, as well as the Jedi and the New Republic. The entire Galaxy under Kaminoan control. All it takes is a new Clone Army larger and grander than the Grand Army of the Republic ever was, and you, Prime Minister Taun We, will be the face and voice of it all, controlling the hearts and minds…”

Cocytus thought of something, finding that the associates he came to kamino with still lived, before approaching Lama Su. “I saved your life because you are still useful.” he spoke coldly, “We have many loose ends to tie up. If this… ‘True Dark Lord Kronos’ sill lives, I’ll handle him myself. Meanwhile, you, Prime Minister, should put the planet under quarantine, if you haven’t already. Have any forces Kamino has to shoot down any ship that dares attempts to leave without authorization. Understand? No one may leave Kamino until everything is under control…”

He turned to Styx "Also, one last thing, everyone..." Cocytus spoke loudly, "This is my apprentice, Darth Styx, and you will all address to her as such, or as Lord Styx or Lady Styx. Once this is all over, we shall truly begin your training, Lady Styx, on Moraband, home-world of the Sith."

@Sinrebirth

 

IC: Manticore
Kuat, Reunion

Even as he heard the Emperor’s words, he couldn’t say he was surprised that everything had been orchestrated by Darth Insipid, even their encounter against Skywalker. After all, Mastery in such Grand Schemes was what Insipid excelled at, among many others things.

The Dark Lord of the Sith could not himself guarantee success, but he did not wager the very existence of his Order foolishly, for his confidence in his Sith was not misplaced. Himself, Leda and Bernael had proven themselves with their actions. Besides, Manticore agreed fully with Insipid, as words from his past briefly echoed in his mind.

‘Adapt….or die.’

The admonition was true then, as it was now.

The zabrak allowed himself a smirk as he continued to both listen and expedite his work. He found the Emperor’s ‘challenge’ somewhat odd. This team was clearly committed to the success of the mission and any deviation would be folly. They could all see that. Insipid had shared what they needed to know concerning his vision for the Sith Order- if there had been objections, he would have heard them by now. If any of them died, it was a risk they were all aware of by simply being Sith. No apologies asked or given. Neither of them were ‘timid’ as far as speaking their minds - or opinions. Only Insipid could defy death- so nothing had changed.

Well, one thing had. The Emperor now wore the Senator’s form. Perhaps he was still acclimatizing himself, and therefore the reason for the odd question.

Manticore resolved not to make too much of it and continued with his work.

Though there were basic parts that he could cannibalize from various weapons at hand, such as a cylindrical casing, Power Cell, Handgrip, belt ring, energizers, focusing lenses, power conductor, insulator, modulation circuits and more, there was little to nothing to help with fine-tuning. With such sub-par emitters, lack of high-end energy modulation circuits and lower grade thermic stabilizers, the blade length would be pre-set, as well as the power output, resulting in a semi-unstable blade.

There was no other alternative, given the limited time and materials present, and thus, the ‘crude’ weapon would be fashioned. ‘Sawtooth’, due to the blade’s intrinsic energy wavelength.

Finishing his work with efficiency, Mantcore activated the blade and was satisfied with the result. A sanguine colored blade sprang to life, emitting a much deeper chord than the expected higher register hum. The dark red blade exhibited some wave patterns along the edges, but successfully maintained its plasmic integrity.

Manticore switched the weapon off as he turned to face his fellow sith, and casually placed the crude weapon inside his borrowed robe.

“Ready to continue with the mission. Our pilots are waiting.” He rasped at them in his characteristic manner.



Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @QueenSabe7

 

A Splendid Combo with Two of Our Fearless Leaders, @Darth_wanderguard and @Lady Belligerent!!!

IC: Vex Nolzit, Plo Wanderguard, and Lady Bellorum
Bilbousa Bazaar, Nal Hutta

Vex spotted the pair with relative ease, since no other part of the wall showed any signs of movement and everyone else that has been on that end was likely dead now. Recognizing them as being one of his targets and the seller, he quickly maneuvered through the crowd towards them.

As they descended down the pile of debris, he adjusted his course to follow them down the side road, careful to remain as inconspicuous as possible as to not alert them.

“We need to move quick,” Plo thought out loud. The sirens were getting closer as they stepped off of the auction house ruins and onto the street. Embers lay strewn, hurled along and across the street by the force of the collapse. The rest of the auction house was still standing, somehow, and a few scattered, smoke-laden victims of the disaster were still stumbling away through the large newly made exit. Most, however, lay dead of smoke inhalation between the three remaining walls.

The pair made their way down the street as inconspicuously as possible, but hadn’t gotten far when an ambulance speeder pulled up from a side street and screeched to a halt in front of them.

“Turn around - you need to go to the tent near the building’s entrance. All victims are being triaged there,” the driver ordered after rolling down his window.

Bellorum smiled sweetly and made a hand gesture, “we don’t need to go to the entrance, but you should,” she told the driver.

“Uh,” the driver shook his head. “I need to get up there. You two be safe,” he announced, and drove past toward the command post which had been set up by the entrance by emergency services.

“I’m surprised you didn’t just kill him,” Plo observed. “You could be getting soft.”

“I’m soft alright, but I didn’t want to draw any attention killing him,” she studied his face to see if he was being serious. “I think we should get going,” her voice trailed off and she took his hand and walked away quickly.

They moved quietly for awhile, sticking to the side of the street. The sounds of a city collapsing always seemed around the corner. Finally a trio of rioters turned from a side street carrying torches. Plo and Bellorum ducked quietly into the shadowy mouth of an alleyway and watched them pass before continuing on their way, unseen.

The rioters, however, were making a beeline for Vex Nolzit’s position and would catch a brief glimpse of him. Brief, but enough to smell blood. “GET HIM!” the leader yelled.

As the trio approached Vex, he calmly reached down into his left boot and drew his blaster, aiming at the leader of the group. Seeing as they weren't slowing at this sign of danger, he pulled the trigger, hitting the closest assailant square in the chest. He fell and wouldn't move again. Turning to the other two, he found that they were already to close, and threw his pistol to the side, drawing his vibroblade from his hip and his saber from his side, igniting it as he raised it to attack position.

The first rioter reached Vex soon thereafter, and the young Zabrak deftly ducked below the wild swing from the man, pivoting around and knocking his feet out from under him. He lunged towards the other assailant, driving straight through his chest and putting him into the dirt. Sensing the first man had regained his footing and was coming at him from behind, he dove to the side, swinging his vibroblade in an arc behind him. Feeling a solid hit to his opponent, he quickly drew it back and allowed the man to land beside his fallen counterpart.

The final attacker, seeing what had transpired, swiftly turned and fled the scene, gasping for air from where he had been taken down so harshly. Vex kept his eye on him until he rounded a corner, making sure the man didn't have a change of heart and return to the assault. Sheathing his blades, he strode over and retrieved his blaster, dusting it off. After re-inserting it into his boot, he turned to locate his quarry. Without seeing them, he quickly made his way to the alley that he had last seen them enter, ready to track them down once again.

If he had a keen eye, Nolzit would catch a glimpse of the pair at the end of the alley, turning a corner onto another side street. On and on, they snaked their way quietly through the city, inching painfully closer to the ship. There was an argument for the need to move faster - but one also for care and caution over haste. Plo had opted firmly for the latter and, at least for now, Bellorum seemed to be trusting his judgment.

Finally they paused at an intersection. Plo stood wondering which way to go, then lit a cigarette on a still burning parking meter. The street was quiet now but looked like it had been a war zone only minutes before. The looters had sucked it dry and moved on, apparently. He took a long drag and avoided Bellorum’s gaze which he knew would be a judgmental one. “It helps with the stress,” he made a preemptive excuse for his new bad habit. “Which way do you think the rioters went?”

“To Hell I hope,” she grumbled and looked around, “but I’m afraid they aren’t done yet, look.” Bellorum had pointed out fresh plumes Of smoke rising from the next block. “That building wasn’t burning a minute ago,” she turned back to face Haretisch and started coughing and fanning his acrid smoke away. “Don’t blow that foul smoke on me,” she snapped.

“Give us a kiss then,” he smiled and tossed the butt of his smoke aside, closing the distance quickly like a predator. He knew she would hate it.

“Bleh!” She pushed him back and hobbled away, “you’ll need a whole package of breath mints before I’d even consider it. You know I hate those things.”

He laughed. “With that bum leg why don’t you let me carry you the rest of the way? Come on. Are you afraid you’d like it?”

It was tempting to call his bluff, but Bellorum was disturbed by his sudden interest in being friendly with her. “We really need to focus on getting Hel and Xander back, Haretisch,” she said seriously, “we need a lead before the trail goes cold on us.” At the next corner she stepped down wrong and barely caught herself before falling, “damn, that was poison because my leg is almost numb.”

His smile faded. “I told you not to call me that anymore. And that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he picked up the pace. “Come on, then.”

It wasn’t long then, before they were back at the ship. The city had fallen away piece by piece as they drew further from its center - cracked streets had given way to a mossy dirt road built up out of the marsh on either side. The ship’s ramp was already down, just beside the relatively dry road, its foot resting at the edge of the mud and obscured by the fog which blanketed the stagnant water.

Seeing a quick flash of movement at the end of the alley, Vex took off, following the scent. He needed to catch up to these two, or else he may never get the Sith training he had been promised so many times before.

As he rounded the bend, he quickly pulled back into cover as he saw the pair standing there, seemingly having a heated discussion. The man reached out for the slave woman, attempting to draw her close, but she quickly withdrew from his grasp, saying something. Disgusted, the man turned and continued walking, and the Zabrak finally rounder the corner after them again.

Before long, they had reached a ship, and he quickened his step upon seeing it, not wanting to lose the two. He quickly ran towards them, desperate to not let them escape and to finish his job...

TAGS: @Darth_wanderguard and @Lady Belligerent, obvioiusly (As well as anyone else who might be involved and in the area)