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

OOC: Preparing and beginning the attack with @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, and @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael, Manticore, Iudex, Sabel, and Shimmer
Akkadese Maelstrom, now, the Maw

When the Battle Dragon emerged, Sabel took one look, figuring it into the calculations, as the fighters launched. He knew Zestus was busy trying to wrinkle out something that could work in their favor and he knew the man would find something and then report it to him.

It was at that moment that the Eclipse appeared. ”Shields at full, evasive maneuvering.” he snapped. As the ship began to move the viewscreen dimmed as the Battle Dragon erupted under the withering fire of the SSD. They were too far to call his fleet so he had to use what was on hand.

A pair of quick steps and he was at the comm console, tapping a stud, ”Lords Hate and Hunger, it appears we need not seek out our foe, he and his superweapon are here.”

Turning to the Shadow at the helm, get us around to where the attack crews can avoid the Eclipse as much as possible and directly take on Snoke
___________

As Bernael prepared himself in his fighter several waves washed over him. Memories stirred and visions of the past erupted. A redhead came to mind, a part of his life before this timeline, one who it seemed had made it to this timeline, yet her energies had dissipated, disappeared. It was a curious thought, devoid of emotion since his rebirth.

And then another swam into his view, a figure that had begun to take on prominence in his life, shorter, long hair, eyes that seemed a close match to his own, Hekate. He smiled behind the mask as she came to mind, then a small frown marred his features, wonder if she would be one of those who would be coming here. She was formidable but still, a concern at her safety. As those thoughts were washing through him a much more powerful sensation reached him, a presence. At that moment his comm lit with the message from Sabel.

He reached out to Manticore, ’Brother, Snoke is here, but I don’t believe he is alone of those that truly oppose us.’

The deed was done, his part in the charade played. Now, Iudex was alone, finally free of Shimmer affections. It had been a quiet trip back to his room. He knew what was going to happen, what they would all have to do. In the waning hours of the group's journey through Hyperspace, the Force had come alive, frantically trembling as if it were being pressed upon by a great weight. Soon, the great battle would be upon them all.

Did the Falleen Sith hold any private, traitorous doubts? Perhaps, but such ideas were held firmly back by the rising conviction within. Snoke was near, that much was certain. With his death, Iudex's personal crusade against the Dark lord's minions would take a new turn, or, if the stars aligned, finally be put to rest.

A low grumble passed Iudex's lips, an odd noise faintly resembling a chuckle. "As if.." He said, turning from his seated position at the foot of his bed to look towards the simple table on the far side of the room. Atop it, lay his twin lightsabers, buffed to a mirror-like sheen. Besides them, lay the Mask he had confiscated from the slain Acolyte of the Beyond. It was a truly ornate piece of craftsmanship, more akin to a priceless piece of art then something one would ever seriously consider taking into battle, let alone a pragmatist like Iudex.

And yet.. The Mask had found it's way into the Falleen's hands, his thumbs idly gliding across it's many gilded curves as he stared coolly into his bedroom's mirror. "This may be my final battle." He murmured, sliding the metal-studded straps over the back of his head. The faceplate felt cold against his emerald-skin for but a moment, before it all faded away, as if he had remained bare-faced.

"Odd." He remarked quietly as he rose to his feet. His twin lightsaber hilts rose from the table in tune, securing themselves upon the loops of his belt at the beckoning of Iudex's hand. Iudex turned from the mirror with a satisfied grunt. There was nothing else he could do to prepare for the battle ahead, standing by would only delay the inevitable. "Ancestors guide my hand.."

Adopting a solemn march, Iudex exited his room, heading directly for the main hangar bay. No words were to be said before his arrival, especially towards Shimmer if she were to catch up to him before his arrival to the hangar. The Force felt different now. Whatever apprehension he had once been sensing had long since vanished., replaced with the creeping excitement one feels right before a major storm.

The air was alive with power, a feeling which only hardened Iudex's gaze upon the hangar doors ahead of him.

Manticore emitted a growl of frustration as he slowly rose from his meditative position. He hadn’t much time, but he’d exploited the opportunity as much as possible, or at least as much as he knew how, for he was learning much with each passing moment.

His initial intention for using the flow-walking ability unlocked by the merging with the Darkstaff was to travel to the end of the battle, witness the victor, then travel backwards along the same lines to understand the exact process that would result in that achievement. However, that was not to be.

The zabrak High Lord flared at the Darkstaff’s revelation that the future was too tangled. Manticore could not disprove this, nor did he feel that the Darkstaff was somehow hindering him, for in their current union, he would certainly feel such a thing.

To assuage the Sith Lord, the Darkstaff flowed to the past, for that which was already enacted was already set and defined. The glimpses of the past were helpful, however Manticore was looking for specific signs, those that would reveal Snoke and his plans.

What he learned was of great interest, without a doubt, as all things were in a way related- intertwined. The Battle of Endor seemed to be somehow significant in a way that was not immediately made apparent.

’Will I be able to gaze inside the Maw, travel into the Maelstrom and spy on our enemy?’

Their offensive was in need of greater intel on the enemy and this was a grand opportunity to acquire it.

Manticore was of the mind of doing exactly that, without waiting for an answer, when the death of countless souls suddenly seared through his force senses. Within his mind’s eye, there was a blinding flash as he saw them all obliterated, the event sent a massive shockwave in the fabric of the force.

The zabrak Sith Lord was able to shield his mind from any empathic effects, but his mood sour appreciatively. Events were moving forward at a quickening pace, and the answers he required were not forthcoming.

Lord Hate’s communicator activated just then, imparting a direct message from Lord Sabel:

”Lords Hate and Hunger, it appears we need not seek out our foe, he and his superweapon are here.”

“Then, Let us HUNT.” Manticore snarled in response.

Also in that moment, Lord Hunger reached out to his brother-in-arms.

’Brother, Snoke is here, but I don’t believe he is alone of those that truly oppose us.’

Manticore’s eyes flared at the mention of the ‘Supreme Leader’, his nostrils vented plumes of fire as he huffed.

'They will all suffer the same fate. They shall all perish this day, but we must keep them ‘entertained’ until our Emperor arrives. You must have felt it too! Insipid thirsts for blood as much as we do. Together, we shall bring an end to that persistent nuisance to our order.'

And so, the time for words was over, only actions mattered now.

From the sound of things, the enemy had engaged them and placed them in a defensive position. That would not do. They needed to either take full control of the situation or bring matters to an impasse.

“I’m on my way.”

Manticore exited his quarters with focused intent etched upon his countenance, his aura roiled with vehemence. Snoke would meet his match, and would be bested this day.

Finally! The ‘Endgame’ had begun at last.

Zestus chimed in first. "Sir, the superweapon is nearly fully charged, from these energy readings and comparable data we have for the first Death Star. I would recommend we target it, immediately."

Local space began a tangle of TIEs, though, as the Eclipse launched 144 of them.

Shimmer caught up with Iudex at the bridge long enough to gape. "Um, what are we going to do about this?"

The SSD opened fire again, the sheer volume of turbolaser fire meaning they took glancing shots in-spite of their best efforts... no, Lord Manticore, he would see a path through it all. Somehow. Somewhen, perhaps. Indeed, more than any of the others he would see how fate threaded them through it.

Shimmer otherwise ignored Iudex, but Bernael seemed distracted, and she inclined her head in curiosity.

"My vote is for getting aboard the SSD and taking it," she said over the shared channel between them and Sabel.

Zestus disagreed. "The battle platforms are in the middle of setting up, they need wrecking before they increase our issue."

Sabel took in what the two of them, Zestus and Shimmer were saying. A small smile came to his face but he too felt the distraction of Lord Hunger. First things first...It was a gamble he took, lashing his will against a being that had died and been reborn, one he felt was much more than he had been before. But a gamble he took. ’I know not what has your attention, Hunger, but Focus’ the thought roared through his will.

Turning away from the other Sith’s mind he glanced at Shimmer and Zestus. ”If all that was meant to assist me in my decision making cycle you both were sorely lacking.” He paused as he felt something else.

Whirling, two strides took him to the navigator, pointing at Lord Hate’s fighter in the bay, ”When that ship lifts, keep close to it’s course. Do not ask why, just do so.” Another stride took him to another station, ”You have control of the tractor that this ship is equipped with, use it as an offensive and defensive weapon. Grasp sections, pieces, of the destroyed Battle Dragon and use them to interdict incoming turbolaser fire and torpedoes. As well, when not doing so, fling them at the SSD, targeting turrets.”

Spinning around he returned to Shimmer and his Captain. A smile touched the corner of his lips, ”Death Star or battle platforms, you say one then the other. But, I suspect, Lord Hate’s course will determine our target best.” he told Zestus. His eyes met Shimmer’s, ”That SSD is a beast but we are the smaller, faster predator compared to the massive predator used to taking down larger prey. We must keep it focused on us as the fighters do their work. Which is, reducing the threat of those fighters as they escort Hate and Hunger to their meeting with our foe.”
________

Bernael was sitting in the cockpit of his fighter, his droid behind him attempting to garner his attention. He knew he was distracted but he’d not found his focus yet. And then he felt the whipsaw of Sabel’s will and thought against his own. His eyes flared a deep, rich black and his anger rose. But Sabel was right and his anger focused on it’s true targets. A smile crossed his face behind his mask, ’Bold but appreciated, Sabel.’ he sent.

Closing his eyes he let the image of Snoke and a second image, still raw and unfocused, fill his mind. And then he released Hunger, the Maurauder and it’s crew were set to be off limits but any other being that he didn’t recognize as an ally was fair game. It roiled in the hangar for now but the moment they released it would burst forth, spreading in a wave from his fighter and along their path, the hundreds of fighters stood no chance...if they were occupied by living beings.

He too felt what Sabel had felt and his head tracked to his brother’s fighter, a nod. Keying the comm for a moment, ”Brother, take the lead, as we did on Oba Deah you do what you do and I will do what I do and the perfect mesh will bring us to our opponents. Dèan sabaid agus bàsachadh*” his tone flat but roiling.

Even for someone who was as deeply connected to the darkside of the Force as Manticore, what he was experiencing was nothing short of surreal.

Aboard his starfighter, he streaked through pitiless space, the void seeming far greater than ever before, however, his level of immersion allowed him to experience relative motion in such an uncanny way, it defied description.

He was exceedingly aware of both 'friend' and 'foe' in his immediate area. All 144 enemy TIEs were known to him, almost intimately. He knew their course, where they had been, where they were, where they were going.

That obscenely monstrous Eclipse; it dispensed a near infinite web of incandescent death, but he could see it all, their trajectories, their destined paths, way before they ever reached him or those in his company.

The Death Star and it’s gravitic weapon...

He could count the exact number of heartbeats between the moment it fired and the time it took for it to recharge. It was a marker, a death knell, and he was more than aware of its timing.

With his Darkstaff heightened perceptions, Manticore did hear both suggestions by Shimmer and Zestus, felt their grander meaning. Attack the SSD, or the Battle platforms. But what about the Death Star?

Which was the right choice, if there was indeed one? The future was too tangled to reveal this particular secret.

Manticore knew the Sith would be sending reinforcements. So the question was, how would they be greeted?

The idea of commandeering the SSD appealed to the zabrak Sith Lord. The vessel could be used against both the Battle platforms and the Death Star, if not, it could prove a suitable distraction away from the emerging reinforcements. At the very least, it could be eliminated and removed from the Dejarik board altogether.

However; It could very well be, that boarding the Eclipse was a trap.

The enemy could wait for them all to get aboard the vessel, before sacrificing the ship. Snoke had already shown his willingness to use such tactics if it suited him.

The Battle platforms were under enemy control, so a similar scenario was not out of the question.

The other option was to ‘stage’ a capturing effort of the Eclipse, then use that to force the enemies hand, either to reveal their next move, or to destroy the vessel, presumably with them onboard, or preferably having them fall for the feint, resulting in a captured vessel after all.

More to the point, engaging the SSD at close range would keep them from being targeted by the Death Star, therefore buying them more time until reinforcements arrived- or so went the working theory.

Time and Timing were the critical factors during this engagement. They were all running out of Time.

Manticore veered suddenly, evading a veritable shower of turbo lasers, and as a consequence, maneuvered a number of pursuing enemy TIEs into the path of destruction.

Internally, he smirked with satisfaction, then more so at Sabel’s ingenious command to weaponize debris from the destroyed Battle Dragon. That one never ceased to impress- but this was no time for that. Manticore immediately shared his plan with both Bernael and Sabel, as he joined with them mentally. The Eclipse would be the initial focus of their offensive.

The sith as a whole had fought, survived and railed against every challenge and obstacle across two realities, since Mortis. If this was to be their final hour, then they would go out with the force of a star gone nova.

”Brother, take the lead, as we did on Oba Deah you do what you do and I will do what I do and the perfect mesh will bring us to our opponents. Dèan sabaid agus bàsachadh*”

Manticore found himself….smiling at this.

“In that case, let’s have ourselves a ‘Total Eclipse’.” he rasped into the com as he veered for the SSD.

“Mrias Duobe’ Kaxai Darval…*”

Iudex had remained silent during the back-and-forth within the Bridge, offering no opinions on what the Sith's next plan of action should be. Grand strategy was outside his area of expertise, a fact he was becoming more and more aware of. Besides, Lords Sabel, Hate and Hunger had already proven their aptitude in such matters.

So he held his tongue, and watched the chaos of battle unfold before him.

That being said, the Falleen Sith was beginning to feel restless, being contained back in the Bridge like he was. But what could he do? He would be a liability if he were to take to the skies, especially against the rather excessive disparity they were up against.

"The SSD could very well be a trap, placed so that we would board it first." Iudex stated blankly, reminded of the last time they had gone up against Snoke's forces. "..Hard to believe anyone could have the ability to casually throw out an SSD.. But here we are." He quietly added with a frown.

"Perhaps a distraction is in order. Divide their attention. Hate and Hunger are already in route to the SSD, which leaves.. The Death Star." Iudex looked towards Sabel, his own expression hidden behind his mask. "Sabel. Spare a fighter?"

It was strange, Iudex felt nothing about affirming his role in such a suicidal maneuver. No doubts or regrets, nor even boiling anger. His mind was just, quiet. Both the SSD and the Death Star needed to be eliminated, there was nothing else to say on the matter.

"I'm of no use here. I can use Hate and Hunger to get in close, make as much noise as I can once I board." He concluded, placing his hands on his hips. "Objections?"

Shimmer fluttered her eyelids. “I’ll be your wingmate anytime, Iudex.” She cracked a smile and walked her fingers up his upper arm. Because why not.

She was marking her territory, not that Manticore or Bernael were likely to make a play for the Falleen. But with those damn hormones… you never knew.

Sabel could feel the restless tension of the two Sith still upon the bridge. He snorted, his red eyes gleaming. Turning to the deck control officer, ”Fighters, two of them, TIE Advanced V1’s, get these two off my Bridge before they begin their ‘activities’ here.” he said shortly. Turning back to Iudex and Shimmer, his hand gestured at the exit to the Bridge, ”The fighters will be ready when you reach the hangar.” he said, as though he hadn’t just said what he had to the bridge officer. He turned away again, dismissing the two of them from his mind, except to be prepared should one take offense, focusing on the battle.

Despite the advantages granted by his temporary union with the Darkstaff, the zabrak Sith Lord had his work cut out for him, in the form of a considerable task; objectives which he pursued with a feverish pace.

Manticore needed to destroy the SSD’s shield generators, then their comms array, all while destroying turbo laser batteries in his path- not to mention, keeping his allies from getting picked-off too quickly. This was the 'Endgame' and they hadn’t even engaged the Death Star, or Battle platforms.

Of course, Manticore was already exerting himself, using his newfound ability to control plasma to his full advantage, spoiling and redirecting turbo laser fire back to the enemy. His mission was a tall order, however, this was the exact hour for which he was born, this was the glorious field of battle, worthy for him to die in.

And yet still, the very image of the Eclipse caused a nagging sensation in the back of his mind, concerning The Battle of Endor. It was the strangest, most inopportune and persistent puzzle, but at the moment, he truly could not afford to split his focus.

But then again, he didn’t have to, for now two mind had become one.

Lord Hate took his starfighter, barrel rolled as he dove once again, refracting enemy fire like a prism would, with his combined abilities, even as he sought to complete one of his objectives. For a fraction of a second, he became aware of Lord Iudex and his lone reckless gambit. If he was aware, he knew Sabel and Bernael were aware. Inwardly he approved, though he was committed to his course of action and couldn't actively lend support, even if he wished. Well, at least not directly. Indirect support, he could definitely provide that.

Every passing moment, Manticore did sense his fellow Sith Lords more and more keenly. Were their minds attempting to form some kind of meld or network? Most intriguing.

‘Darkside be with you, Lord Iudex’ Manticore sent through the Force.

Further back in his mind, a recessed portion of his consciousness attempted to quietly unravel the nagging puzzle. Certainly, the Darkstaff was likely to have knowledge in the matter. He hoped he would be able to piece it together before it was too late. Until then, he would fight on, obliterate the enemy where found, at every turn, relentlessly even. All the while, moving closer and closer, ever closer to a confrontation with the one he hated most; closer to Supreme Leader Snoke.

Iudex turned his head to stare at Shimmer, letting the moment pass with only a tilt of his head as an acknowledgement of her actions. Any thoughts of rebuking her continued advances were absent from his mind. Just the singular purpose of what he had volunteered for.

"My thanks." He said, clapping Sabel on the shoulder before turning quickly on his heel. As he proceeded off the bridge and towards the Hangar bay, the sheer gravity of his task began sneaking up on him. A Death Star! By Himself! Was he insane? Just getting aboard was a nigh impossible task, let alone doing anything of importance once inside!

Iudex exhaled quietly, forcing his racing heart to slow. No, he wasn't alone, technically. "High likelihood we won't survive this." He stated frankly, glancing towards Shimmer. "Wouldn't hold it against you if you chose to stay behind."

The doors to the hangar bay slid open with a long hiss. Inside, true to Sabel's word, were two vessels being prepped for immediate launch. Iudex made no attempt to identify their specific make or model. They had engines, and they looked fast. That's all the Falleen needed. He had no intention of anything that could be considered fancy flying. No, the circumstances pointed to this being a possible one-way trip.

Iudex came to a stop before his chosen fightercraft, a sentimental smile growing behind his mask. "..Been awhile since I had a cause worth dying for.." He murmured, placing a palm against the cold steel of the vessel's outer plating. "Not since.. The Confederacy.. Heh."

His smile faded, urged on by the confirmation of his actions through the words of Lord Hate. It was time. "For the Sith" He responded in turn with the Force.

Iudex offered Shimmer a final pointed look, before climbing into his cockpit, a cold determination blazing within his heart.

*Fight and die
* Die well, once again.

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight

 

IC: Darth Insipid
Arriving at the Akkadese Maelstrom

Before they left, Insipid managed to have some beskar darts delivered, confiscated from smugglers. The shuttle and an escort arranged by Astarta-Serapis came together fairly quickly - one Hapan Battle Dragon, two Nova-class battle cruisers, as well as six squadrons of Hapan X-wings. Quarters were arranged for each of the Sith, including Hekate and Azathoth.

For Hekate, their impending arrival was about the inevitable reunion with Bernael, and for Azathoth, the grinning maliciousness of the anonymous taskmaster of his Final Trial. The Force rumbled with danger, and the shuttle was prepared. In the cockpit, Insipid stood with the hologram of Serapis-Astarta. “You have done well in my absence, my friend. You should be proud of your achievements. I shall remember you when the Order is next reorganised.”

They were going to arrive imminently. Each Sith would be supplied with food, drink, supplies, energy to recharge weapons. Azathoth and Hekate were each assigned a gunnery station from their quarters; they each commanded a quad-laser and torpedo launcher with four missiles in the magazine.

It was time.

The final fight.

—-
the Battle of the Maelstrom

There was much going on.

The True Death Star loomed before Iudex and Shimmer after a short micro-jump, but the female clone was baffled for a moment by sensors. “It doesn’t seem to have a durasteel shell. It’s something… fleshy, surrounding the skeleton? And does it feel weird in the Force?”

Indeed, it felt as if it’s… hull… skin… was writhing. As they approached, a series of tendrils emerged from the sphere, seeking to ensnare them. Shimmer spoke up. “I’m heading to the -“ she grimaced as her ship was struck but managed not to be grabbed. “Weapons dish. That must be vulnerable.”

But on the surface of the True Death Star, in a traditional command center around the midline, bulging beneath the flesh-hull, was a set of presences that simply reverberated with Iudex. They felt like the man he killed before; they echoed within his mask. There were other Acolytes here; four more. It was the largest number of them he had ever encountered… was it all of them?

The TIE swarm was easy for Manticore to pierce with his sight, and for the others to follow as they wished. The Eclipse intensified its forward battery, catching both the Zabrak and Bernael with bolts that it they’d hit head-on would have erased them from existence. It did have to reserve part of its arsenal for the Dragon debris, which it eliminated but in that time Manticore and Bernael were snaking up the nineteen kilometre length of the SSD with about sixty TIEs in hot pursuit.

Behind the SSD, battle platforms were slowly but surely set up. It was taking time, but one was active and rapidly powering up. Zestus suddenly cut most of the power to Sabel’s ship, and the battle platform shut down. “Oh, sorry - I realised their using remotes. They don’t have the crews.”

Then the platform reactivated and power returned to Sabel’s craft. “We don’t have enough juice to block that battleship - which probably has the controller on it.” But they were rapidly running out of cover from the destroyed Dragon -

It was getting more likely they were going to get hit -

And then, the debris cleared, the 250 concussion missile launchers aboard the SSD acquired a target lock and fired at Sabel and Zestus -

—-
Arriving

The small Hapan task force emerged from hyperspace, following a quicker route set by Darth Insipid, using secret routes he knew through the Maelstrom. He took one look at the True Death Star, at the SSD, at the battleship and battle platform - with a second one emerging from the Lucrehulk’s massive bulk - and swore.

“Bloah.”

The two Nova’s released their swarm of Hapan X-wings into mix, and Insipid shouted to the others - to Azathoth, to Hekate, to Serapis, to the Hapan Commandos aboard - “hold on!”

He triggered the hyperdrive, launching a micro-jump by the navigational coordinates of the Force alone. They vanished and reappeared by the bridge of the SSD, slightly in-front of Manticore and Bernael’s twin fighters. Insipid shouted to Azathoth and Hekate as he had the pilot turn them to face the cloud of TIEs chasing the Manticore and Bernael -

“FIRE!”

The Nova’s requested orders from Astarta-Serapis -

The former Ithorian would, as they turned to face the TIEs, spy the Trade Federation battleship in the distance -

Then a colossal hand slapped at the shuttle, and Manticore, and Bernael, in the Force. All of the Sith apart from those attacking the True Death Star would suffer a barrage of projectile weapons -

A Sith Meditation Sphere was intercepting them, wing-like vanes spread, a malevolence punching them all in the proverbial gut -

Manticore, Bernael, Insipid, Astarta-Serapis, Hekate, Azathoth -

They would all know the sphere was piloted by Snoke.

For now, the voice within Azathoth’s head was silent. Of course; Insipid was too busy to run a test…

… the gases of the Akkadese Maelstrom were quietly gathering within the True Death Star, unconcerned by the great battle around it…

TAG: @darthbernael, @greyjedi125, @Nehru_Amidala, @Silvertough, @Shadowsun, @DarthIshyZ (singles for all this week until we get aboard ships)

@Adalia-Durron (please bump our combo as I have lost it, sorry)

@HanSolo29 (combo continues)

@QueenSabe7 (outstanding TAG)

@darthbernael, @darthhelinith, @Mitth_Fisto, just for reading, Hapes-team update will be completed by @Lady Belligerent accordingly

 

Bernael
Snoke arrives

The battle was going about as well as expected for Hate, Hunger, and the mix of Shadows and Aran Tyr. The Eclipse was ravaging space with turbolaser fire as well as missiles. The craft had to precisely follow Manticore’s course as that warrior had the vision to see the course through the chaos to reach the SSD and begin their true battle. Each and every craft had taken grazing fire, making them have to adjust and readjust their courses just to continue along the path blazed by the Zabrak.

As they flew, space became even more crowded, shuttles and battle dragons appearing. Not only the physical space was crowded, the Force was as well, many more Sith were suddenly here. He shook his head slightly, ’Of course she came, didn’t stay at Hapes, safe.’ he thought as he sensed Hekate for a moment as the currents of the Force shifted.

He dodged again, another missile skimming by his ETA 5, causing his mech to squeal in startlement. ”Fine, scan better, shift the shields faster, and I won’t have to dodge as much.” he growled at the droid.

X-Wings decanted from the new ships, joining the fight, taking out the fighters that the Eclipse had released to attack and kill them. That relieved the pressure on their craft for a moment before one of the shuttles disappeared before reappearing close to the Eclipse’s bridge, in front of them.

Quadlaser fire began splashing past them, in the opposite direction of the fire coming from the mass of fighters chasing them. Still he dodged, weaved, following his brother’s lead. And then…

And then he and the others were hit with a massive wave of energy. He felt bolts from both the shuttle and the fighters chasing them peppering the hull even as his droid rapidly shifted the shields to protect them as much as possible as he recovered. A shake of his head, slowly clearing it, he recognized the taste of he who had caused that, along with a sentience he hadn’t seen in eons.

He swung his fighter, now paralleling Manticore’s as much as following it. ’Brother, it is he who we seek. On Ship.’ he paused for a second as he heard the announcement by Serapis, or a female that seemed to have the taste of that Sith. ’Serapis has faith you could talk Ship away from Snoke. But someone needs to distract Snoke while you break the bond, in that case. So I will keep our foe occupied while you do so.’ the thoughts swiftly crossed the distance between the two battle hardened Sith.

’Be safe, Hekate…’ the thought drifted behind him to the shuttle as he turned his fighter toward the meditation sphere. He tapped out a message to the droid to use the shields against this foe while Manticore worked, hoping the others could keep the fighters from doing too much damage as well. His Hunger surged and a thought with the voice of thunder, tinged with all the nuances of a Dun Moch curse, surged from him at Snoke.

’COWARD!! Coward I call you false Supreme Leader. You couldn’t beat Hate and myself when we faced you last. We broke your hold over Ship for a moment and you fled. So now you cower in it, forcing it to do your bidding, rather than facing us directly. You are not worthy of any power in the Dark.’

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight

 

OOC: Short combo with @Sinrebirth

IC Sabel
Battle Joined

Sabel’s eyes blazed a brilliant red as the power went out and then returned. For a moment he had a vision of the previous Zestus and his betrayal to Snoke before the explanation came. ”A little warning, next time.” he said wryly. His gaze turned fully on the Guard, ”Get the rest of that fleet tied into the battle net and add them to the calculations.”

The defense systems screamed as the huge amount of concussion missiles headed in their direction. Directing the navigator to join him he moved to the helmsman, ”Slow us, suck as many in as closely as possible.” Both men blanched at the order. Glancing at the navigator, ”Prepare two micro jumps, one as soon as the missiles will be sure to get pulled with us to bring us behind the engines of the Eclipse and,” he glanced at the helmsman, ”as soon as he punches us to full throttle, a second to position us near that Battle Dragon that’s assisting Lords Hate and Hunger”

Releasing them to their tasks he returned to the battle plotter. Watching as point defense took out as many missiles as it could as they dodged and weaved through the turbolaser fire, he waited for the range to close enough to make the first jump.

Zestus sweat as hundreds of missiles tracked them. “Careful,” he warned the navigator. The man glared at Zestus, and reeled in the missiles before calculating a micro-jump. “No computation - we’re inside a massive gravity well.”

“Ah,” Zestus eyed Sabel. “You were a navigator before you were an Imperial, I imagine?”

The corner of Sabel’s lip turned up, ”Nav is one of the stations on the way to command.” he replied. A step over to the nav station he looked at the computations quickly, ”Set it, send to the helm.” he told the officer. Turning, he watched the distance close to the missiles. ”And now we get to show these Sith what we can do, Zestus.” he said quietly to his Captain.

His head whipped forward, ”Punch it!” he commanded the helm and the stars, the battle, blurred for a moment before the back end of the Eclipse appeared. The Maurauder shuddered as the engines roared to full power. They raced forward, the collision warnings sounding. He watched the range open, one or to missile closer than the others, most of the others that had been close being picked off by point defense.

And again he called out, Jump!” The engines of the Eclipse disappeared and off the port side of the viewscreen the living Death Star popped into view. ”Reengage us in the battle, avoid the protrusions of that station.”

Explosions ravaged the Super Star Destroyers rear. The Eclipse's engines were ravaged, but maddeningly, several appeared to still be active, at least half. Zestus whistled. "They don't build ships like the Executor-class anymore."

The navigator snapped. "Not the time!"

The True Death Star, being harassed by a pair of Sith fighters, appeared to be reaching a tipping point. The energy gathering was growing heavier, darker, and more ominous.

Zestus hissed, vexed by just how redundant he was. He turned to head to a fighter craft. "I'm going into the fight, my Lord."

Sabel chuckled, ”Go, my Captain, I know how much it chafes when you don’t feel as though you are taking a very active part. However,” his eyes glittered, ”I’d hate to have to find a new Zestus, so no dying or getting captured by either side.” At that he turned back to the battle at hand.

Reading the battle scope he pointed, ”The Eclipse is injured but not dead. Hate and Hunger are facing what I am sure is Snoke.” He shook his head, the wave of energy had caused him discomfort and annoyance that there was one who could do such, ”Scan this bloated station, it feels as though it’s about to fire, or whatever it is, again. We need to find the weakness. Any potential chink in it, fire into, but in random attacks, so as not to make it obvious.” he said to the weapons officer.

To the helm, ”Follow the route that the sensors officer describes but keep to a defensive flight pattern.” Glancing around the bridge, ”The others may think that they have the true battle, fighting the so called Supreme Leader, but none of that matters if the rest of the battle is not won.”

Zestus nodded. "Yes, my Lord."

He grimaced, mentally shielding himself against the madness to come.

It was going to be a hard fight.

One they would likely lose if they did not get their act together.

He was strapping in as the latter thought occurred to him. "Heh. Sith. Act together. Not likely."

In moments another TIE Advanced v1 joined the fight.

The sensors were being frantic about it, even as the helm tried to weave between fleshy-tentacles. "Sir, the skin... it's alive, as if it's over the Death Star frame. I can't begin to -"

All of a sudden, there was a massive yaw of flesh and girders and the helmsman swore he saw teeth, and the Marauder was swallowed whole -

Power was cut and the ship vanished into darkness -

Zestus cried out as his Lord was taken from him -

He would not yet know that the Maruader was intact -

The sensors were screaming as the Maurauder scanned the flesh. Sabel heard the call as Zestus departed. As the cry came from the helm a sudden feeling had Sabel dart over to the sensor station. A press of a button and everything they’d gathered on this station was sent in a quick burst data dump to the ships of the Sith, every one of them. And then darkness closed around them.

”Sensors, scan everything, no matter how odd. Weapons, hold fire unless directly attacked. Helm, navigation lights on and lets see where this thing is taking us, minimum thrust to keep us from being impaled on something.”

He chuckled darkly, ”We wanted to get deeper into this thing to take it down and it itself decided to provide. Calmly now people as we figure out how.”

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight

 

A fun combo with @Sinrebirth — thank you so much!

IC: Aryan Graul and Ike
Aboard the Star Home, Hapes

As the meeting gradually came to its conclusion, Aryan leaned forward with his elbows resting on his thighs, his eyes hardening to reflect his mounting indignation. While he had been successful in his endeavor to secure a spot on the ‘home’ team, he did not approve of the presumptuous assertions raised by some of the others about his motivations for doing so.

Serapis had notably rankled him. Who was she to pass judgment on matters that she did not fully understand? What context did she have for the circumstances she wanted so desperately to control? Aryan’s business was his own, and he wasn’t going to allow the…former Ithorian to dictate to him about moral responsibility.

And that was only the beginning of his personal woes.

His relationship troubles with Syren notwithstanding, he also had to contend with Ike’s eccentric personality. It was no secret that he despised the insolent fop, and he had a suspicion that Insipid had purposely assigned the man to remain behind with their group for that specific reason. Perhaps it was merely a test of endurance, or maybe—

Had the Emperor perceived more than he was letting on?

Was he aware of their earlier exchange?

Clenching his jaw at that realization, the politician glared at Insipid’s retreating back before shifting his gaze to regard Ike, who was now rising to take his leave. Their eyes met at that moment, and Aryan found himself unable to dismiss the other man’s insistent stare. The implication was quite clear; he wanted to talk, and he wasn’t going to accept ‘no’ as an option.

Aryan exhaled heavily through his nose and reluctantly stood to follow Ike from the room. As he passed the others, his eyes surreptitiously strayed toward Syren, though he did not linger for long. She appeared preoccupied with other matters, and he was content to leave it at that for the time being. The less fallout, the better.

Leaving the Round Room behind, they soon crossed over into an adjoining lounge to permit them some privacy. Aryan immediately adopted a more haughty stance as he inclined his chin and placed both hands on his hips; he was not in the mood to tolerate any of Ike’s usual antics. "Alright, out with it," he uttered gruffly, a slight sneer evident on his lips. "I don’t know what long game you’re aiming to play, but you better have a damned fine excuse for pulling me aside."

While he didn’t openly profess it, he was indirectly referring to that intrinsic element that drove his personal hatred for this man. He hoped that this encounter would lead to an explanation.

Ike looked at Aryan and shrugged. "Y'know, I don't." He tapped a long finger on his chin.

"Am I peeved that I've not been allowed to speak to Aden? Sure, of course. Is him clearly sending me here to keep an eye on Bell and you and Syren so damn obvious he's gonna get me glared at and stabbed - in the good and bad ways?" He sighed.

"Sure, that, too." He wandered the room, unhappy. "Y'know, I don't know why I'm here anymore, to be honest."

Aryan issued a derisive scoff and spun partway on his heel, running a hand through his hair with incredulity. "Then neither do I," he muttered flatly, no longer bothering to suppress his disgust for this man. "I don’t need to stand here and listen to you prattle on nonsensically about your misfortunes. It’s a waste of my time."

Whether intentionally or not, this exchange had perfectly exemplified Ike’s repulsive behavior. His nonchalant attitude infuriated him to no end, and it demonstrated his blatant disregard for the system. It was no wonder that Aryan had come to loath him.

And yet, he knew it was far more complicated than that. The memories he had gained through his enlightenment had revealed as much, and that’s why he hesitated. He was on the cusp of uncovering the source of his agitation. All he had to do was dig a little deeper, to needle his way inside Ike’s peculiar mind…

But was it worth the effort?

Aryan parted his lips as if he intended to lecture the man further, but then he scowled and hardened his gaze. Without another word—aside from a quiet curse—he turned and began to stalk from the room.

He was curious to see if Ike would take the bait.

Ike took it and placed a hand on Aryan's shoulder. "So why are you here, Mr. Politician. Pretending to be a High Lord of the Sith, when you're basically being used by Aden, or perhaps your elevation is just a reward to keep Syren on-board, who knows?"

He let go and stepped back. "It's not as if you've contributed much, and I think everyone saw you salivating at Amedda a minute ago, y'know?"

The words struck a chord with Aryan, and he inwardly bristled. He knew that Ike was telling the truth; Insipid was probably using him for his own personal gain, Amedda served a higher purpose, and Syren—well, he wasn’t sure what was going on there. Whatever role she played in all of this, it irritated him that the others had potentially reduced him to a mere pawn to garner her cooperation. They were trying to take advantage of both of them.

But he had expected this; it was all part of the plan, and he simply had to endure until he gained enough leverage to capitalize.

That’s why he countered Ike’s accusations with a thin smile, refusing to give him any gratification. "My reasons are my own," Aryan stated firmly, canting his head as if his answer was obvious. He was clearly taunting the other man. "You, of all people, should understand the art of subtlety, and how it’s crucial to play your cards close to the chest."

He chuckled lightly, that impish smirk still tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Especially when one is bereft of the Force...and in the company of powerful sorcerers. It becomes imperative to adapt and formulate alternative solutions to the same basic problems."

Narrowing his eyes, he then met Ike’s gaze with a cold stare, almost as if he was looking through him for the answers he desired. "Perhaps the question you should be asking is, ‘what changed?’"

"It becomes imperative to adapt and formulate," paraphrased Ike, not even bothering to keep it accurate, aping his tone. "Well, go on then." He shrugged. "What Changed?"

For a moment, Ike’s smile was almost sly, and he regarded Aryan with some amusement. There was a hint of emphasis on the C… or was there?

Aryan kept his expression safely guarded as he continued to scrutinize the other man. He had not missed the slight inflection in his voice when he had uttered the word ‘change’. It could’ve been construed as yet another insult, but the politician had an inkling that it held a much deeper meaning. Was he alluding to the same Change that Insipid had referred to in his speech? And if so, how much did Ike truly know about such an occurrence?

While he couldn’t find tangible proof—not yet, anyway—he was nearly certain that there was a connection between the inherent anger he felt for Ike and the elusive memories that had invaded his mind.

He was close to discovering the truth; he could feel it.

"You mean other than our own reality?" Aryan scoffed, raising a brow as if to accuse Ike of wrongdoing. "Or what about the dozens of other timelines that we have yet to explore? You see, Ike, when one acquires knowledge that could potentially impact the outcome of galactic affairs, you tend to gain a new perspective on things. It also becomes more difficult to hide behind a wall of falsehoods…"

He angled his chin down and looked pointedly into Ike’s eyes. "But what I can’t explain is why I have also attained a certain animosity toward you, moreso than anything I’ve ever experienced before. It’s more intimate…instinctive. Surely, that’s no mere coincidence?"

"Surely not," Ike oozed in amusement. "But there’s not nearly that many." He shrugged. "From what I know… what I now remember…" his smile quirked. "There used to be one single timeline, in this reality, anyway. It would periodically be Changed from its path, and the Ones of Mortis would reset events. Each time, until the End of Time."

He tapped his chin and paced around Aryan. "So it follows that whatever Changed about the Changes was during what Insipid said - when the Ones were killed. So it follows… things have gone a bit branch crazy…"

A smirk. "Who knows, maybe you and I really don’t get on in another timeline." He ran a hand - the back of a bare hand - on Aryan’s cheek. "But do we need to loath each other just for that?"

As he did, a flash occurred; the memory that in another time and place, Ike had encouraged Norin Graul to beat him bloody to suppress his Force sensitivity.

His actual Force sensitivity, not the echoes of cosmic destiny…

The revelation washed over Aryan in a powerful deluge, conjuring a myriad of intense emotions—including bitterness and hate—that forced him to recoil from Ike’s touch. He knew that he shouldn’t have allowed his composure to crack so easily, but he was beyond caring. Not even the explanation about the Change, no matter how convoluted it was, could offer him solace. All he could think about was the pain this man had willfully caused; how he had needled his way into his family to deceive them all.

But that was another timeline, another life…

...wasn’t it?

Clenching his jaw, Aryan closed his eyes and gently traced the outline of a faint scar near his right temple. It was barely noticeable beneath his hairline, but it still served as a reminder of Norin Graul’s harsh disposition. His father had been a hard man, often lashing out in his anger to instill ‘valuable’ lessons about life. Aryan had endured the beatings—what his father referred to as disciplinary measures—simply because he believed that there was no feasible way to oppose the intrinsic nature of his old man’s short temper and unrealistic expectations.

But now?

He wasn’t so sure. What if Ike had manipulated his father here as well?

And if that was the case, did that mean—?

Aryan slowly opened his eyes and stared down at his hands, both palms facing upward. It was as if he expected his inert abilities to suddenly manifest right there between his fingertips, but when that failed to happen, it provoked his anger.

Without warning, he lunged for Ike and shoved him up against the opposite wall with full force. "You bastard!" he growled through bared teeth, his hands tightening around the other man’s throat. "What did you do?!"

Ike hesitated, literally cringing back out of surprise. "I don’t bloody well know, do I? Insipid wiped my memory, tells me he keeps transferring me to younger vessels so I don’t age as he body-hops." He realised he was shouting, even as he tried to put his hands up to protect his neck.

"You tell me, what did I do to you?"

Yup.

Definitely shouting.

"You don’t know?!" Aryan countered, his voice rising in disbelief. He started to apply pressure to restrict Ike’s breathing, but then he hesitated, his jaw muscles bunching when he noted the look of bewilderment on the other man’s face. It was quite striking, and combined with his bellowing, the politician soon realized that he was likely telling the truth.

Nevertheless, Aryan recognized that Ike was also notorious for his cunning ways, and he wasn’t about to relent so easily. He still expected answers, no matter how long it took to extract the information from him.

Unleashing a deep groan to convey his frustration, he eased his grip on the man’s neck, though he refused to release him completely. "My father," Aryan rumbled under his breath, his voice more subdued but still tinged with malice. "Norin. You knew him, didn’t you? I saw you. You conspired with him—convinced him to...to—"

He couldn’t bring himself to complete the sentence. Instead, he merely cursed and slammed Ike against the wall again.

"You denied me my inheritance...my legacy."

Ike looked at him, genuinely baffled. "I’ve never met a Norin Graul… unless I have, of course." He peered at Aryan. "I mean it, honest. I was just… preening."

He cringed a little. "I mean, Insipid might know. He was the one who wiped my memory every time." Ike shrugged. "What legacy did I steal from you? Didn’t Haretisch eat your Force sensitivity?" He turned back his mind a few years.

"Darth Skelm, wasn’t it?"

Those words would set off another wave of memories; Eternal Emperor Skelm, the Empire of Bakura… an Anzati besides him… a wife, children… a boy named Arek… two boys?

"It...was more than that," Aryan grumbled, the exertion twisting his countenance as the onslaught of memories came at him in a relentless barrage. He saw images and events he had never witnessed before; himself as a powerful Force user presiding over an immense Empire, a family by his side—two Areks?—and was that...Bernael? It was hard to ascertain whether these scenarios had already transpired in another reality...or perhaps it was a window into a future that was yet to unfold.

Either way, he tried to focus on what Ike had said, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his composure. The memories only continued to inundate his mind, distorting both his perceptions and his concentration. This was evident by the way he wavered, his grip loosening as he fought for control.

"It was...ingrained in me, hereditary...through—natural...means..." Aryan slurred through his speech, his words fragmented and on the verge of incoherence. "Not an imitation—or forged, like when In-shipid bequeathed me...with…the ability..." He gasped and backpedaled a few paces. "What Haretisch took...was—a lie…and Inshipid...that bastard, he had to—"

Aryan had arrived at a conclusion, what he perceived as the truth, but just as he was about to reveal his discovery to Ike, his mental anguish overwhelmed him. With a strangled grunt, he shuffled back and clutched at his head, his fingers weaving through his hair to relieve his distress.

Ike actually stepped forward and tried to steady Aryan. "Hey, hey, I was just hazing you, no need to have a mental breakdown - I thought you were made of stronger stuff than this -"

He actually looked genuinely concerned, eying up the older man - physically older anyway - but his touch sent another wave of memories through Aryan, of a Holocron, crimson, pyramidal, a cloaked man with a face similar to his beneath it -

It was becoming all too much -

He saw a flash of his past, or his future -

Emperor Aryan Graul.

Despite the pain, despite the anguish that swept over his body—was that...a Holocron?—Aryan clamped down on that final vision. He relished it, the notion bringing a hint of a smile to his features, even as the darkness crept into the edges of his awareness.

It was his last conscious thought before he collapsed and allowed himself to slip away into oblivion.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: A flashback to when Hekate and Bernael met for the very first time. with @Nehru_Amidala and a little bit of @Sinrebirth

C Bernael and Hekate
In the past, Corellia

Bernael, even a millennia later, was still annoyed with himself for the failure he saw in the Rule of Two. He hadn’t intended that there only be two Sith at a time, over the last thousand years but that idiot Bane interpreted the writings of Darth Revan incorrectly. And, before he could alter that, the Sith had all but disappeared, trying to hide from even him.

He’d still kept an eye on them over the years, including watching a certain redheaded young politician almost thirty years before today. That event had been interesting indeed, almost throwing the galaxy into chaos, sooner than it should have done so. Now, though, he was assisting a fellow Anzati, helping the former Jedi to remove foes and expand his influence before the Republic realized what he was planning.

Volfe had reached out to him and asked him to complete an operation on Corellia. He’d agreed when he’d heard what the mission was, the removal of a certain high ranking executive of the Corellian Engineering Corporation, one who was a fierce supporter of the Republic, and was the key vote in a proposal to supply Volfe and his people with ships.

He had left his Fury in a private starport bay on Duro, taking a public transport to the nearby world that was Corellia. He’d reduced his presence in the Force to almost nothing and was dressed in business attire. He was sitting at an outdoor cafe in Coronet City near the headquarters of the CEC. Nearby was the train network and many landmarks of interest which he pretended to take an interest in as he sipped his caf. His senses however, were on alert for a signal on his wristpad that the spy drones he had in the air had spotted the target.

And that was when he stiffened slightly. His head tracked around, eyes trying to find what his senses had warned him about. Somewhere nearby, in the crowds, was someone trying to hide their Force presence, the taste of darkness in the minimal signature that he felt. Whoever it was, they were playing a dangerous game, in the heart of the Green Jedi’s domain.

It was summer vacation for the creche back at the Sith Academy, and Darth Hekate, one of the teachers, had been glad for the long awaited vacation. She had wanted to travel somewhere cosmopolitan and tourist friendly for a young woman in her early thirties traveling on a modest budget. She was uncommonly pretty, with long black hair and large grey eyes. There was a slight girlish naiveté to her. Maybe it was the largeness of her eyes with her pale vanilla skin tone. Maybe it was the fact she looked like a walking doll. In any case, Hekate had shielded her Force signature, and stopped by the door leading into a well lit cafe.

The menu offered a variety of lunch time specials, and she had brought a coupon with her she had printed off. Entering the well lit cafe, she thought she could sense another Dark Side User. Not really concerned about it, Hekate sat down at the table across from Bernael.

A waiter walked over and asked what she would like to eat. Browsing the menu, she responded, "I'll have an Arnold Palmer with a shot of dry vermouth, and when you bring my drink, I will be ready to order." When her drink order arrived, Hekate ordered the caprese salad focaccia, which was exactly what it sounded like. Thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes baked into a round bread, topped with fresh basil and a touch of olive oil.

Bernael noticed movement, felt that the presence he’d noticed was headed toward the cafe. He allowed the most minute amount of his own Force presence to be felt, as a test of her reaction as she walked over. An internal smile as she all but ignored it, ’Good;’ he thought.

He observed her for but a moment before returning to his own hunt, or so it seemed. Just another businessman noticing a pretty girl, or so appearances would give. He heard her order and the corner of his mouth turned up, it sounded like someone out for a day trip or vacation, enjoying the scenery of another world.

He’d taken the schematics for the Arakyd Prowler recon droid from their mainframe, even as it was in the prototype stages and had used Corellian engineers to upgrade and miniaturize the tech, so it was no larger than a plate. Perfect size for his needs. Those were what he had flying, seeking his target. Shifting his hand he tapped a couple commands to the fleet of them. One of them detached from the current task and flew down the street of the cafe. He could see himself in the pickup, her too, as it approached the cafe.



The small droid hovered outside the terrace, as though just another scanning the crowds before slowly swooping closer. It appeared to scan several others, himself included, before it turned its lens on the woman. A small smile, she was younger, as he’d seen, long dark hair, big eyes, beautiful. But, given she was allowing even a minimal amount of Dark Side energy to be felt he wondered at her choice of vacation spots. He closed off his energy in the Force, all but disappearing from sense while the droid observed her. This too was a test, wondering how she’d respond to this semi-intrusion on her privacy.

The focaccia was delicious, and Hekate was just taking a bite when she felt a small tremor in the Force. Oh come on! Focusing on the source, Hekate dropped her Force shield and the probe droid zoomed over. It’s unblinking eye scanned her, it’s gaze lingering on her chest. The words “Total Babe” appeared on the scene, and Hekate blushed bright red. She was the same color as the droid. Who was checking her out? Shield still down, she thrust her steak knife into the droid’s eye. Red lightning jumped and there was a small explosion. Thunk! The probe droid fell onto the table.

Jimmying it open, Hekate mused aloud, “All right, let’s see who sent you.” There wasn’t much, just Imperial grade chips that had been recycled from Clone War era Separatist droids. Prying deeper, she found coding used by the Sith! Running them through a translation app, it chimes with the results. Anzati!

Hekate bolted upright, a Sith Anzati was nearby. She was also a Sith, but why would another Sith target her? She was Darth Hekate, teacher of younglings. She was no threat. Scanning the room, she locked eyes with Bernael.

She had a few words for him.

Bernael noticed as his remote went offline, heard the sound of it’s destruction at the same moment. It drew a wry smile, knowing it could lead, even slightly to him. He internalized a chuckle, the remote had overstepped it’s bounds, had gone very personal with the subject.

He signaled for the waiter, the gesture indicating he was ready for the tab. As his hand dropped he noticed the Sith looking directly at him. He looked directly back into her eyes and shrugged, as though to say It happens, who said that was mine?. The waiter arrived, he scanned the reader, paying his credits. That done, he stood, looking back at the young woman, nodding.

Seconds later he was among the bustling throngs on the sidewalk just off the terrace. He moved slow enough that she’d be able to follow, should she choose to do so. It was yet another test to see how this Sith would act, react. He made his way further from the business district, toward a disused section of the industrial district. His other remotes kept their patrol, following his target. But now, it was time to see what this young Sith could do.

Hekate was furious! Who did this son of a Jedi think he was? Paying for her order, she stalked out of the doorway and onto the pavement. Looking around, she could not see him. See him no, but she could sense him.

Where are you?

Looking up, she saw him move away from the crowd. Suspicion creeping in, she grabbed her lightsaber in case he tried anything. Her path took her down several odd side streets until they were alone in a decrepit stone courtyard.

Activating her lightsaber and keeping the blade pointed at the ground, she confronted him. “Who are you and what do you want with me?”

Bernael had turned and waited for the young Sith, in an open courtyard. Seeing her lightsaber in her hand one eyebrow went up. When it lit and the crimson blade extended a smile touched the corner of his mouth. ”This is your first trip to Corellia, isn’t it?” he asked calmly, possibly too calmly for a supposed businessman confronted by a Sith.

Glancing around at the crumbling upper walls of the courtyard a sardonic smile came across his face as he looked back at her. ”You should know this is the home of the Green Jedi, an insular and standoffish Order that is very protective of Corellia.” He opened his suit coat, revealing that he had no lightsaber on either hip. He’d taken the precaution of leaving them in two separate remotes as they went about their business, with orders to return should he need the blades.

”They take poorly to any Force user that comes into their territory without their permission or prior knowledge, and this district...it is close to their home…” he trailed off as his senses began to scream.

And the commotion had been detected by them.

The Green Jedi were numerous in this era, their Jedi Lord, Sen Halcyon, expecting regular sweeps of his Masters and Knights. So when reports of an altercation at a cafe were reported, well, a Master and apprentice pair were sent to investigate.

Their light shone in the Force; and they sensed the darkness in their midst.

A speeder bike echoed out in the street; and stopped at the mouth of the courtyard, blocking their escape.

Green-robed Jedi stepped free; silver lightsabers ignited.

A twisted smile crossed Bernael’s face, as he saw the silver light join the crimson in the already darkening courtyard. The Green robes were familiar and he kept his hands where they were, holding open the suit coat, letting to the Master and apprentice know that he was not armed as the young Sith before him was.

He nodded to them, ”Welcome gentlemen, you’re,” he glanced down at his chrono, ”later than I expected.” His eyes flared, stepping slightly closer to them. ”I’m on Corellia, with permission from Sen. He knows my mission but feel free to verify it. This young lady, well, consider her on a job interview that she didn’t entirely know she was on.”

He glanced at Hekate, where she alone could see the wink, ”I’d recommend putting that away,” he gestured at her lightsaber, ”before they take true offense. This can be resolved very easily if you work with me.”

Hekate nodded, he was correct. Better to work together and further their goals, rather than let themselves be divided by the Jedi scum. She also found this Sith to be rather handsome, in her opinion. Deactivating the lightsaber, she nodded. What did you have in mind?, she thought at him.

It was here she noticed the weeds growing in the cracks of the broken pavement and the scads of moss on the exterior walls. She could use this to her advantage. Neither the Jedi nor the hot Anzat knew her Force mastery of manipulating plants and animals to her will. She would keep this bit of information in her back pocket.

"I've been sent by the school where I teach to collect plant samples. We live in a rather arid environment, I'm afraid," she responded casually.

The Corellian Jedi seemed surprised that they weren't raving lunatics bent on galactic domination.

They looked to each other, and then hesitated. They weren't sure what to do.

The elder settled upon something he could quantify. "We would have to request any lightsabers are handed over. They are weapons and you need a license to have one on Corellia."

It sounded so banal, but they had to observe the proper rules.

Bernael felt Hekate’s thought, the corner of his mouth twitching. ’They may want to bring us back to their Temple, verify my bonafides. Which will be verified.’ Her mental voice had a delightful lilt to it, a counterpoint to her anger when she had just confronted him.

Keeping his gaze on the Green Jedi he focused on the one who had spoken, ”As you can see, I have no lightsabers in my possession.”

Hekate felt herself flush bright red, who was this man before that made her heart sing and ache longingly at the same time? Might as well play along then, she sent back.

Handing over the lightsaber, she also handed over her lesson plans.

The younger of the Jedi took the blade, and the elder nodded and spoke. “We cannot decide what you believe, but we can police your actions.” His voice was stern. “You will be watched until your story is verified. But otherwise…”

Clearly he was reluctant to let them go, but he had no grounds to arrest them. “Otherwise, you are free to go.”

At that, he turned to leave - and they would take Hekate’s blade with them.

Bernael waited until the two Green Jedi had left. ”They’ll possibly be disappointed to find that what I told them is true. But I am glad they didn’t decide to take us in, it may have been difficult to secure your release. By the way, pleasure to meet you, Hekate. I apologise for the...overly intrusive nature of the droid, they do have interesting personalities. Not that it was wrong but still it overstepped.” he didn’t explain how he knew her name, even though they’d never met, she seemed intelligent enough to figure it out.

Gesturing back toward the more populated areas, ”I have a base, an apartment really, that I use while here on this mission. It may be prudent to retire there while we discuss things.” With that he began to walk back along the way he’d come to reach this place.

She nodded, of course he knew her name- he was a Sith like her after all. She was disappointed about the droid, she had been hoping he found her attractive. She thought he was rather good looking, in her own opinion.

“What things are there to discuss,” she asked as she followed him back to his base of operations. Had he been hired to kill someone?

He opened the door, letting her enter. When it shut and the shielding flared to life, deadening their conversation from anyone outside hearing he turned back to her. ”You seem to misunderstand. I don’t disagree with my droid, it was just that when approaching an unknown person, immediately telling them they are quite attractive is not a way to garner positive reactions.”

Pressing a stud on the console on the desk, a small holo sprung to life. It was a shifting scene of Coronet City, one red carat that was currently on the thirtieth floor of the CEC, in what must be an office. ”Tell me, do you know of Volfe Karkko?” he asked, one hip perched on the corner of the desk now.

Making herself at home, Hekate sat down and listened to what Bernael was saying. She was having trouble paying attention, he was just too attractive, in her opinion. When he made the name drop, her mind cleared.

“Volfe Karkko, the bounty hunter? I’ve read about him on the holonet, but I’ve never met him. I hear his body count is impressive. Did he hire you for a hit or something,” she asked excitedly.

The allure of bounty hunting had always appealed to her, even if all those who had trained her were against it. Better to teach children and focus her growing mastery over manipulating the life forces of plants and animals.

Bernael chuckled, "Bounty hunter, I'll have to remember to tell him that one when I see him next." He glanced at the young Sith, "That could be one partial description of him. Another could be a fallen Jedi who is working to set up his own empire. He has many ideas."

He didn't plan on telling her everything but she did distract some, he couldn't deny. And so he allowed temptation to truly factor her into his planning. "He asked, as a favor, for me to deal with an issue here, a certain executive who denied his request for craft for his forces. One who I was observing when you appeared."

Hekate shrugged, she seemed to have that affect on people. Looking over at the schematics, she asked Bernael something, "Can I assist you with your mission?" She was good with a blaster and had something of a lead foot, so she considered being his get away driver. Since she was a young woman, she figured she could always fall back on using a Mind Trick and her feminine wiles to infiltrate the offices.

If not, she could always try to find some plants and animals to manipulate and cause distractions. Noticing a cactus sitting on a window sill, she used the Force to levitate it over. "Have you ever seen a Sith do this?" With a flick of her wrists, the cactus seemingly returned to life. Before Bernael's eyes, the cactus came into bloom, which then turned into a fruit. The cactus then withered, and returned to a seed form. Another flick of the wrist returned it to its original state.

Ta-dah!

Bernael observed as she demonstrated some of her abilities. Tapping a finger against the desk, as he thought, something came to mind, a shift of his planning. ”On what scale can you replicate that same trick?” he asked.

Turning, he pulled up a schematic of the CEC building. Scrolling through the floors he came to the executive level office floors. Stopping at one, he pointed. ”If you can do so on a large scale then all that needs doing is getting him to this locale and you can make an almost impenetrable ‘jungle’ around him, allowing me to slip in and ‘educate’ him.”

He glanced back at the beautiful young woman, her eyes kept drawing his attention, he’d met very few in the last couple eons that had anything close to his own color and hers were almost a match for his. ”So, it’s up to what you can do, if that plan could be enacted.”

Hekate nodded, "I could, but I would need to know what kind of office plants are kept on the executive level. It's an easy enough task, all I have to do is keep the plants growing to the point your mark cannot escape, but allow you enough room to get in and carry out your business."

She asked, "I will require food when I finish, for something of this magnitude will require quite a bit of energy."

Bernael studied the schematic further, then the inventory list for the floor. ”According to this it is the standard flora for the Corellian forest, small trees, a few larger ones, then typical undergrowth brush.” he informed Hekate.

Looking over at her, ”Possibly will need even more food, after…” he almost whispered. ”You manage to handle that part and I’ll have a feast ready here so you can regain all the energy you need.” he replied, his voice clear and at normal volume.

Hekate grinned, "A nice variety of trees, shrubs and a few local ornamental vines, these I can very easily work with, and many of them are close to power outlets and air circulation vents. I have manipulated these sorts of plants before, I can do this. However, security appears tight, and they just won't let anyone in." Weighing her options for a moment, she asked, "What time does the mail get delivered to that floor?"

Her reasoning was thus. If she could commandeer a package delivery for the mark, and deliver it personally, that would allow her access to the plants and manipulate them just enough to start at the outermost edges of the offices. From there, the plant growth would reach the main offices and she would have left by then and hunker down in a corner office, and control the plants from there. She would also need a mental 'heads up' from Bernael to let her know when it was safe for her to leave and to halt the plant invasion.

Bernael turned back to the building information, she’d either not noticed or ignored what he’d whispered, so he didn’t press it. “Hmmm, it appears that the larger mail service tends to occur between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, and it’s,” he checked his chrono, “11 in the morning now.” He looked through the schedule, “If you intercept the delivery person outside, it would be close to 2 to catch them there, which means about an hour of boring being a postman, sometimes necessary in these circumstances, before packages are usually delivered on that floor.”

Hekate nodded, "Better to be boring and predictable than flashy and out in the open." She pulled up a screen shot of the mail uniform, a crisp white shirt, a tight fitting red denim vest, and grey shorts that were a flattering cut for someone with long legs. Every postal worker carried cards that allowed them access to the most exclusive of executive offices.

The mail person on duty was a young woman slightly older than Hekate by a couple of years. They were just about the same physically, only Hekate's hair was darker. She could use a minor Force suggestion on the lower level staff that she had dyed her hair.

She smiled, "We have a plan then. However, I need you to send a telepathic heads up when you are ready, all right?"

As Hekate did her research, Bernael had been busy as well. He called in the remotes that had his sabers and as she turned toward him the two vehicles flew into the room from their recon routes. They grounded and hatches opened in each. When she spoke he smiled softly, an interesting expression on his Anzati face. He pulled his sabers out, attaching them to his belt, setting his mask back into place. And then vanished, completely, from sight, sense, and from being felt in the Force. His voice, as though from nowhere, although a step or two beyond where he’d been, ”When I’m ready? Who said I was leaving your side?”

Hekate nodded, "Well, this will make it easier then. How long will it take to get there? We'll need to scout the location and make sure to see if any security is near the entryways and exits." She was glad she wasn't going in alone, she was enjoying his company.

There were airbuses that ran from Bernael's safe house to the glittering steel architecture of Cocoret City's office complexes on the outskirts of the city. The sunlight glinting off of the buildings was blinding, so Hekate used the Force to dim the windows during the ride.

”One human guard and one droid at each entrance and exit, a pair roving the main entry hall at all times, usually just camera’s on the levels above the first, to the executive floor. Another security checkpoint at the exit to the lift on that floor and the ones above. Camera’s otherwise, on the executive floors. They believe their security so tight they leave the offices unlocked.” he told her, describing everything he’d already discovered that was security related. ”My natural abilities allow me to avoid all that but you’ll need what we planned to get in and out.”

In the dim light, it didn’t change the natural beauty of the woman and he was soon to find out if she was as good at the assassination game. This looked to have turned into a very interesting trip after all. He’d have to thank Volfe afterwards, even if he didn’t explain why.

Hekate nodded, and pulled our her datapad. "Let me see here... if I can get the cameras to a playback loop where they repeat what they are seeing now....and if the time stamps continue to run as normal....then voila! Everything the screens show the security guards in their main area will appear to be normal, and that way nobody will suspect anything." She showed Bernael how she had hacked the cameras to play on perpetual feedback loops with ordinary time stamps to keep up the illusion they were working just fine.

The train came to a stop, and they got off, making sure to mind the gap. As they ambled about the area, Hekate observed the mail woman driving and then parking a speeder. The woman loaded a floating crate and passed by a series of public freshers. Quickly and quietly, Hekate subdued her victim, left her unconscious, slipped on the uniform and made her way to the building, entering the door at exactly 2:00 pm.

Showtime.

Bernael, as soon as they were off the train and among the crowd, as it thinned, and she took the parcel handler, did the same disappearing trick that he had before. He stayed close to her, slipping inside the building as she did. He had to do more in the way of dodging, staging out of the way of people than she did. Even in this state people could have run into him, but after millennia of doing so he didn’t even have to think about it. Plus it allowed him to stay close and watch her as she stayed in character, enjoying the outfit. ’Maybe I should tell her to keep the uniform after this.’ he thought to himself.

Making the rounds was fraught with danger, of the people hitting on her variety, although she was able to rebuff them. Using the Force, a quick scan showed the hacked security cameras were still under her control for the time being. As they moved up, Hekate gave the plants the order to grow, but only after she and Bernael had left the floor and were on their way up to the next level.

As they moved closer to her goal, the plants began to grow. Not enough to notice at first, but soon the growth rate exploded. Branches began clogging hallways, vines crept up and down walls, interrupting the power flow. What was going on? Confusion broke out as the lower level employees tried to get the plants to stop...but they kept on coming. The security guards were blissfully unaware, they were seeing the same thing on the collection of screens and enjoying a lazy day.

Finally, they made it to the top level! "Mail delivery," Hekate called out cheerfully as she rolled her cart into the empty mail room, and it was here she had the plants start growing like crazy. Making her way to the main office, she called out, "Delivery!" Once it was signed for and the door shut in her face, Hekate forced the plants in his office to explode. Every which they grew, entangled, and thickening.

It's your turn, she called to Bernael.

As Hekate was standing in the door, Bernael turned his body and passed by both her and the person signing for the package. He was almost to the man’s office, the door, thankfully, slightly open, when his office turned into a full forest. He felt her thought, ’Two minutes and you can stop.’ he thought back.

His luck was even more on his side as the plants growth actually opened the door a fraction more. Up and down the executive floor he heard cries as others dealt with the random plant growth in the main areas and he slipped into the man’s office. Moving between the plants, their fronds not even touching the man was struggling with a vine as a being faded into view before him, squatting on the desk. A featureless mask faced him, black eyes looking into his. ”You should not have blocked the shipment to Karkko. You’d still be alive.”

The figure turned, then turned back, ”Yes, you’re dead already. This was just to tell you.” A wrist with a chrono came from under the figure’s cloak, ”In about, now.” At the mark, the executive slumped forward, his head exploding in his chest. There was a dribble from both ears, his mind had melted as the temperature of his body surged. The figure nodded, then wrote, in the man’s handwriting, on a flimsy, that his final act was to agree to all shipments that he’d blocked in the last month.

Only a minute later a soft sound came from just outside the door of the main office Hekate was near, ”Time to go.” so quietly spoken it was almost in her mind.

Hekate nodded, and collapsed to the floor, panting like she had just finished a marathon in record time. Woozy upon standing, she grinned at Bernael. Making her way, she released the plants from her control and they slowly reverted back to their form. Shielding herself, they made their way back downstairs. The security guards were all at the front of the building, battling the bewilderment of plants that had seemingly grown to kaiju like sizes and were now fighting to get the power back online. There were no signs of slicing, what was going on?

Smiling at their anguish, Hekate and Bernael were able to get back to the mail speeder without arousing suspicion, and once it was parked, Hekate made sure to check in with the main mail office and ensure all the mail had been delivered and signed for. Once that had been confirmed, they were able to board the train, in the clear.

Relieved, Hekate fell asleep, her head resting on Bernael's shoulder the rest of the way back to the safe house.

When they reached the stop, Bernael could still feel Hekate's exhaustion. He stood, picking her up, one arm under her thighs and the other around her back. When she shifted he whispered, calming her. He let her sleep the short walk back to the safe house.

When he arrived the door opened with a touch, the security acknowledging him. He walked to the bed, laying her out on it pulling the covers over her. As she continued to rest, he fixed a large amount of food, so she could eat and regain her energy, after she woke.

He settled at the desk and sent a message through the holonet, to a dead drop, that said that the package had been delivered. There was no addressee nor was it signed but only two people had access to the drop so he knew Volfe would get the message. That accomplished, he sat back, facing Hekate, and waited for her to wake.

Hekate awoke a couple of hours later. The sun was shining into her face, ugh! Mumbling, she pulled the covers over her head and tried to go back to sleep. Her empty stomach roused her, and she sat up. She had never used her plant manipulation powers like that before, and it had pleased greatly to see, with a little bit of practice, she was capable of overrunning a whole office building. Time and practice would allow this skill set to grow and blossom, no pun intended.

Walking into the kitchen, she was quite surprised to see the table laden with all sorts of delicious food. A variety of hard cheeses and cured meats sat on a cheese board, there was a bowl of beef and rice soup full to the brim with root vegetables. There was also a loaf of artisanal bread, sliced fruit and some cider. Her mouth began to water.

"Is all of this for me," she asked.

Bernael had accomplished a few other things, as Hekate slept. One was checking the CEC databanks and the note he'd left had been effective, Volfe, among others, would be receiving his ships. By the time she woke, he was sipping a car, after having slipped out and having a 'snack' of his own.

"Yes, it is for you. I can eat normal food but it does nothing for me." he replied. "You did very well back there, that could be very handy to have when on anything but ice and desert planets. The Sith may have an asset they don't realise the effectiveness off, with you in a teaching position. Yes, I looked into your background further." He took another sip as he gestured, encouraging her to eat.

Hekate nodded, "Well thank you!" There was a bright blush to her cheeks. Once she was seated, she began to eat. Each bite renewed her energy she felt she still had, and every bite was delicious. At the mention of being underused, she blushed. "I love working with children, I feel I am very useful teaching the next generation of Sith," she informed him as she nibbled on the sliced fruit.

"You are a wonderful chef," she smiled at him.

A small smile touched his face, ”I once spent three months as a cook at a cafe near a target’s home, so I had to get good at cooking.”

He sat back, still sipping his caf, ”My apologies for suggesting that being a teacher isn’t fully utilizing you, especially as you enjoy it.” His head tilted to the side, ”Yes, I know, I can’t change her path.” he muttered.

Hekate tilted her head in confusion, "Change my path? What about it?" She resumed eating, and her mind wandered about what would happen when her vacation was over. Bittersweet as all this had been, she had to go back.

Finishing her feast, Hekate smiled sadly at Bernael before giving a gentle, parting kiss, "Thank you again, for everything." Making sure to close the door behind her, Hekate made her way back out to the streets and back to the hotel she was staying at.



TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight

 

IC: Leia and Estrella
Blockade Line


Just as the Princess reached out to the Hapan Admiral for a chat, woman-to-woman, the latter was looking to speak to the former as well.

Leia had retired to a private room for the time being, and was in more suitable attire than a General’s outfit. With a subtle dress in, she was looking forward to getting to the core of the problem with Estrella.

Estrella glanced at her comms officer. "In my private room please?" She ordered as she made her way to the Captains cabin and sat down behind the desk. Arranging herself and her uniform perfectly she sat up and pressed the accept button. "Leia." She greeted simply.

"Estrella," Leia responded, in a similarly polite tone. "I was about to reach out to you and I hear you wanted to speak to me. It seems we are both of the view that the time for testosterone is over, and we can return to a more useful dialogue, no?"

Estrella laced her fingers together. "I suppose that depends on what you consider useful dialogue, doesn't it?"

"Oh so true," Leia agreed. "But I presume that for useful to be defined, it would involve the New Republic blockade being lifted, and the neutrality and independence of the Hapan Consortium once again respected."

An ever so slight smile. "You would be on the right track....I sense a 'but' coming." She said evenly.


"But I have a mandate to keep the blockade in place until the dark-side terrorists known within the Consortium are handed over." Leia shrugged. "After their assassination attempt on Kuat, we tracked them down to the Hapes and I've spoken with at least some of them in the Hapan Court during my last diplomatic visit."

"The one before that Hapan monarch died and was replaced by the current one, of course," Leia said smoothly.

"So what do I do?"

Estrella shot her a wry smile. "Bend the rules? Tell me, how do you know there are 'terrorists?'" She asked. "Add to that Hapan monarchs die on a regular basis, surely you are aware of that?" She sat back.

"I have a mandate, as you say, as well...........surely we can come to some...mutually agreeable compromise?"

Leia narrowed her eyes. “Are you suggesting I turn aside? On the basis of what? A different threat?”

She hesitated. “A Star Destroyer of unknown design recently attacked Chandrila; it was destroyed, completely… are you saying that they are connected with the faction that stole the Trade Federation battleship… that the terrorists I seek are being chased by the Hapan Battle Dragon that escaped my blockade?”

Leia called up a display. “We found wreckage of what we suspect to be a second such Star Destroyer near the Perlemian Trade Route, on the hyperlane to Hapes. Admiral Ackbar is there as we speak, combing the debris for clues.” She sent images of shattered hull fragments. “I assumed they belonged to the terrorists… but are you implying that the terrorists are actually harassing Hapes?”

She had an open, if incredulous, expression. The woman was willing to be convinced. “Do you know where the terrorist base is, then?”

The Hapan Admiral’s comm chimed with an automatic update. Captain Teems and his Dragon had just arrived at the heart of the Akkadese Maelstrom, and then been abruptly been destroyed; Supreme Commander Astarta had just commandeered one of their last Hapan Battle Dragons and two Nova-class cruisers and was heading to the Akkadese Maelstrom via a secret route not covered by the New Republic blockade too.

"Are you suggesting I am not on the side of Hapes?" Estrella asked firmly, she had no intention of standing down to this woman. "This is my home and I will defend it to my death. I'm currently doing my best but if you feel you can do my job better than me, by all means.......show me." She leaned forward, "go to the Akkadese Maelstrom, it where the Sith base it, stop them before them get a good grip on the cluster. You under estimate me, us, so much. Be my guest Leia, fix our problem yourself, I know you believe you and your family are the only ones who can 'save' this galaxy." She sat back then and folded her arms. "I am sure my crew would be very happy to not have to go in battle."

Leia paused, her eyes working through the permutations. "Would you accompany me if I headed there? Dedicate to solving the problem?" She wasn't going to casually hand the Hapan woman a solution; she wanted commitment from Estrella, too. "If I take this to the Senate, they'll want to know what we're getting from Hapes - and if you come, then I can show that as proof that this isn't just to deflect from the blockade."

Estrella unfolded her arms and formed pushed her hands into a triangle shape. "I can't do that. I have to stay here, like I have stated, Hapes is my concern and how can I protect her if I am off chasing enemies all over the place? No, I and the Thunderstar will remain here, but, like I said, by all means....." She let that hang.

Leia nodded. “I’ll keep the blockade running, but send ships to investigate in force.” Her smile was broad. “The sooner this is over, the sooner I can head back home and to my son. Do you have children, Estrella?”

"No, my career is paramount to me. Children would complicate that." She answered evenly.

"It is definitely complicated," Leia said wearily. "I remember when I was a General... your crews, your fighters, your pilots - you become responsible for them, and that's a full-time job. A lifelong one. I respect that."

Her eyes were searching the woman. "I just want to trust you, Estrella. I can't see how someone as honourable as you could be serving terrorists... and if I am going to argue for Hapes to the Senate, I need to believe you, so I can convince them to strike at the Akkadese Maelstrom, and withdraw the blockade"

"Trust is an abstract concept, Leia. I haven't just been handed this title or the power I now wield, I did not have a title growing up...no..my position was hard earned. People trust you, because of who you are, no one knows who I am outside the Hapes Cluster and even there I am unknown to many. I serve what is best for my home right now, of that you can trust." She tilted her head. "What you do with your forces I cannot advise you on, it’s your call. Know this, you move against me, I will retaliate with all my forces, I will not stand by and allow you to pass." Estrella had been as vague as she could.

Leia smiled slightly. “Being a hereditary Princess of a Core world will hand you a lot of notoriety. But I also didn’t choose this, and I respect those who did, especially those in the military.”’

“But I continued to serve when Alderaan was destroyed, and I will do so until my dying breath,” Leia continued. “So, I shall ask the Senate to dedicate all we can spare to the Akkadese Maelstrom, and hopefully we will meet again under happier circumstances.”

“To respect, Admiral, and a better future.” She smiled one last time, and signed off.
'


TAG @Sinrebirth, anyone who cares.....

 

IC: Dark Lady Bellorum
Luxury Elite

Bellorum had rushed back to the LE, she needed time to think and plan. Once there, she’d sat in semidarkness and started out a viewport in her suite while pondering her existence in the galaxy. Suddenly she sighed heavily and threw the glass she’d been holding at the viewport, it was time to make some changes.

Her boots crushed the glass shards into the floor as she stalked to the desk and activated a datapad. She dashed off a brief message to Ike, Estrella, Helinith, Renn, and last, but not least…Aryan Graul.

Your presence is required on the Luxury Elite in 3 standard hours for an urgent meeting. Arrive at VIP hangar Delta, they will allow you to land and direct you to my private conference room. Any personal security details are encouraged and may wait just outside the conference room.

Her finger tapped on the desktop for several seconds before she hit send. No going back now…

Tag: @HanSolo29 @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @Adalia-Durron @darthhelinith, @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Supreme Leader Snoke
The Battle of the Akkadese Maelstrom

The TIEs exploded; a mind shard was thrown at Ship, embedded in the bond between him and it.

Darth Insipid glowered.

There was no way that one little meditation sphere could stand up to the shuttle, to the fighters of Manticore and Bernael, to the gunnery of Azathoth and Hekate. Not even with the sphere being created with Eternal tech.

The turbolasers of the Super Star Destroyer they were above were unimportant; they could not touch true Force users.

Snoke snarled, a noise which cut across the efforts to subdue him, and with a yank of the Force drove them all into the hull of the Super Star Destroyer.

Insipid had just enough time to loop a mental chord across Ship, and take him down with them.

They crashed together, approximate to each other, smashing through bulkheads and their ships ripped and damaged and peeled open.

Their ships would be damaged, but would also plug the holes above them in the Super Star Destroyer hull.

It was minor harm, and it would not spread.

They tumbled into what seemed to be an amphitheatre for briefings, large enough for some two hundred people. In the corner of the room, Ship sat, its wings bent and damaged, but its bond to Snoke intact.

The monstrosity staggered down the ramp, unsteady, even as the others worked out where they were.

Bernael had been impaled by a pole of metal, running through his side -

Manticore had been hurled through the cockpit onto what had been a holotable -

Hekate was at the back of the cockpit of their shuttle, laying on the doors, which had seemingly shut before she had landed -

Azathoth was now upside down, hanging from the belt of his seat, which was keeping him in by virtue of being wrapped around his throat -

My boy, the voice rippled in his head. Your final trial truly commences. Learn from what is to come. Your time will come.

Insipid, for his part, had tumbled down the former Hapan shuttle - now indelicately referred to as a tin-can that had been peeled open, landing on his hands and knees and looking up at Manticore. With a face bloodied and bruised, Insipid didn't look much better than the Zabrak, but he quirked a grin a moment before a chair from the threatre was yanked free and slammed him over -

"Ouch," he managed to say as he rolled away, and he flopped to his back, thinking strategically.

"Serapis, focus on the battle platforms and that True Death Star. We're aboard the Super Star Destroyer now."

Snoke quicked a finger and the comlink shattered. Then he began to gather more and more chairs above him with narry a gesture; his bond to the ship remained complete, giving him the ability to amplify his already immense power.

Insipid hadn't felt anything this strong since...

Since...

It was at least stronger than Luke Skywalker.

He looked at Hekate. "Oh for the love of - why are you pregnant?"

"Azathoth, every child is key to the Sith. Protect it."

Because you're too pathetic to actually fight.

The voice in Azathoth's head finished Insipid's sentence.

Snoke sneered at them all, regarding the Zabrak, the Anzati, and the Insipid.

"Come on then."

---
Aboard the True Death Star

Within their ship, the crew scanned but were having difficulties permeating the flesh around them.

It was writhing, jostling them, but they detected they were close to some kind of bulge.

Indeed, Sabel would sense Iudex and Shimmer were there.

Just before power gave out; sucked dry.

They were inside the belly of the beat, and they had no power.

---
The Command Bulge

Shimmer swore, and rushed after the Falleen Sith.

"Do you have to keep doing this?"

They reached what was an island of durasteel in a sea of... meat.

There was no other word for it.

The hangar was engulfed, the ceiling lined with pulsating flesh.

But it was somewhere they could land.

Indeed, there was a ship already there.



There was a spate of Force sensitive signals deeper in the place.

But first came the Stormtroopers; First Order style.

Shimmer leapt from her TIE and ignited her blade.

"Surely they know they can't stop us?"

TAG: @greyjedi125, @darthbernael, @Shadowsun, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Silvertough (singles)

 

IC Bernael
The Battle of the Akkadese Maelstrom

The battle was joined, Snoke was, for the first few moments, focused on Hate and Hunger alone. And then the chaos erupted. The rest of the Sith had joined the battle, in their own way. A small corner of Bernael’s mind was deeply concerned because Hekate had come and their unborn were very close to the misshapen creature that had already taken the twin children of one Sith couple and twisted them, he would not allow his and hers to be taken as well. But it was just a small corner, he had to focus on the one he and Manticore had come to slay.

The situation became greatly more complicated as Snoke lashed out, swatting them all against the Eclipse. Not just against the SSD but into it. He rattled around in the fighter, it beginning to shred around him, as he blasted through bulkhead after bulkhead. When he finally came to a stop he was no longer inside his fighter but, somehow above the resting place of them all, post swat.

A trickle of blood oozed from beneath his mask. He was above the tableau he noticed, because of an annoyance, a metal pole that had gone in under one arm then out his other side under his rib cage. Which made him quite glad his internal physiology was not the same as most humanoids. He looked down, taking his bearings for a few moments as he decided how to deal with the annoyance.

Manticore had ended up on top of a holotable, battered and bleeding but very far from out of the fight. Lord Insipid had ended up on the floor very close to Manticore. He could, just, see Hekate crumpled against the rear doors to the bridge of the shuttle they had been on and a human male stuck in his seat; he sensed a tie to Insipid and realized it had to be a new apprentice to his old Master.

In the corner of the, hmmmm, auditorium Ship shuddered and smoked. Descending from it was the object of his wrath, of his hunger, Snoke. The creature was already on the offensive as he saw a chair smack Insipid. But, as he suspected, the Lord of the Sith was fast on the uptake, issuing orders, ’Azathoth, hmmm, good to know.’ He filed the name away to be recalled.

And then it was time to begin to act, no desire to let Snoke get closer and that one did seem quite focused on he, Hate, and Insipid once more. A cold smile touched his face as a solution to his predicament came to mind. Touching the abilities that he’d absorbed from the fragment of his cousin, Ooru, he simply pulled himself off of the spike of metal, feeling his flesh and bone move and stretch, open out of the way.

As he writhed through the process he sent a lance of thought to the one that Insipid had named Azathoth, ’Hekate brought our children into this warzone by coming here but Insipid has given you the task of ensuring her safely and theirs. If Snoke gets his hands on my children I will use my talons, and my talons alone, to turn you into a pile of shuddering, bleeding meat.’

One final shudder and he was free of the spike. A dry, deep chuckle ran through him as he dropped to the floor of the auditorium, his fresh knitting back together. Without a noise he landed. Taking the few steps over to Insipid and Manticore he glanced at the display of power that Snoke was giving. ”Is that supposed to impress us? You barely escaped last time when it was just Hate and myself, and now Insipid, as well as others, are here now.”

Glancing at Manticore, ”Brother, it is time to finish what we began with this creature.” His gaze shifted to Insipid, Old friend, old Master, I sense that part of you in you now, let us end this threat to us for good.”

And then he let his Hunger free, his eyes smoldering with Darkness, talons extended but, at the moment, free of his sabers facing the supposed Supreme Leader.

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight

 

OOC: Double post approved by GM

IC Sabel
Aboard the True Death Star

As the Maurauder came to a rest inside the True Death Star the scanning crew continued their frustrating task of trying to understand what the flesh and mechanics of the station truly were. Sabel stood, hands clasped behind his back, watching the undulation of the fleshy protuberances as they pressed against the viewscreen. He sighed, knowing there was going to have to be only one way to solve this mystery and it was that he, the Shadows, and the Aran Tyr were going to have to cut their way to the heart of it.

That was the point the power went out onboard the Maurauder. The emergency strips, glowing from their radiation, dimly sprang to life. Sabel turned, looking at those around him. ”Two minutes, prepare and we shall set off.” The troops that had remained disappeared during that time, retrieving their armor and weapons.

They met him in the hangar, the doors still shut. Pointing out of it, at an oblique, ”Iudex and Shimmer, are in that direction.” Moving to the small hatch at the doors, he didn’t want the main hangar doors opened as he was sure that the flesh of the station would attempt to surge into the ship if they did, his saber leapt into his waiting hand and he slashed through the flesh that poured in as he opened the hatch.

The Maurauder shuddered as the flesh retracted, cut clean through, the flesh around the ship contracting and pulsing. He, as well as Hate and Hunger’s Guards, slipped out against the hull of the ship, their blades slicing as the flesh writhed. Lightning erupted from Sabel’s free hand as ruby light shone with his saber slicing, slashing, and thrusting into the station’s flesh. Progress was slow and everyone’s armor was covered in gore as they moved deeper and deeper. Quickly tactics changed and everyone fought in teams of two, back to back. It was the only way to keep the flesh from attacking one’s blind spot.

There was no way to see direction in this so Sabel allowed his sense of where Iudex and Shiller were located to guide him. Curiously, as they progressed, faint senses of other Force users near where those two were located began to be felt. Sabel, however, focused on the two Sith he knew, their presence was stronger and easier to track. When the feeling grew stronger he directed his troops in that direction, course shifting slightly as the other two moved or the sense of them dulled slightly. Eventually he felt the flesh open up and a dozen plus ‘ghouls’ fell out of the flesh into what had to be a hangar, or that was what it had to appear to anyone in that space.

He reached up, wiping the gore from the visor of his armor. At first, the relative quiet of the hangar was suspicious, there should be beings around. But, as the Shadows and Aran Tyr spread out, he and they took in the destruction as well as found the bodies of beings dressed in First Order uniforms as well as FO stormtroopers. He surmised that Iudex and Shimmer had come in this way, especially after he found the two fighters they had taken from the Maurauder. Letting his senses track them again he could feel them deeper in the craft, closer to the lesser Force presences he’d noticed.

”Every corridor covered, search the ship, destroy or capture FO assets, discover how this station was built or from what so we may destroy it. And assist Iudex and Shimmer should you encounter them before I do. Move!

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthhelinith, @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @QueenSabe7, @Lady Belligerent, @Nehru_Amidala, @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Silvertough, @E. L.Knight