[GJW XI] Clan Naga Sadow: Team Three

Participants:

• [10311] Locke Sonjie
• [4993] Kaayn Salis
• [12247] Kalon Tsucyra Entar
• [10901] Methyas L’eonheart
• [9811] Teu Bukhari

Rules:
•Teams must have a minimum of 4 participants, and a maximum of 6. For a team to qualify for placement, all posts must meet requirements in these rules and all members of the team must meet post number requirements. However, for participation alone, any individual meeting minimum post requirements will count towards his or her unit.
•Any member posting twice in a row will disqualify his team from placing - but not participation credit (e.g. if an entire team is dead, Johnny McDarthman can post twice in a row to get his own participation at the end of the event)
•Members must make 3 posts throughout the duration of the Run-On.
•Posts must meet the following requirements: ◦Minimum post length: 250 +/- 10 words words
◦Maximum post length: 2000 +/- 10 words.

•Points from placement are awarded to the unit of the placing team, irrespective of number of members on each team. E.g. if CNS Team A takes first place, and first place is worth 50 pts (example only), CNS gets 50 points, regardless of number of members on the team.
•Edits may occur on a post until a follow on post has been made (follow on posts include “reserving” a space). Edits may only be made by the posts original author (as in, if you have Forum Administration Rights, you cannot edit another member’s work).
•Members may reserve post, but no posts can occur until after the reserved post is written.
•Judging will follow the Fiction Rubric.

Opening Prompt:
Civil War has befallen the Brotherhood. The Clans have split into three factions: the Loyalists, who have rallied behind Grand Master Ashen; the Rebels, following the banner of Jac Cotelin; and the New Order, led by the mysterious Sith Lord Esoteric. Each faction has stormed the surface of Korriban, establishing impressive fortifications and moving towards the Valley of the Dark Lords. Loyalists, Rebels, and the New Order clash across Korriban’s surface, all three attempting to gain control of the Valley of Dark Lords and the secrets it holds.

The Valley of Dark Lords has erupted in carnage, forces from every unit in the Brotherhood streaming into the ruins and temples, establishing makeshift defensive positions behind virtually every wall. Blood is spilled over every inch, each of the three sides gambling the lives of thousands of Jedi in an attempt to put an end to this conflict once and for all. The Loyalists, following Ashen’s command, seek to break through to the Tomb of Marka Ragnos, where the Disciples of Ragnos once sealed a chamber with writings on the Rite of Immortality. To open it, Ashen has sent three of his most skilled advisors in ancient dark rites and alchemy, but the way is not yet safe or clear for them, as the One Sith were originally entrenched in the Valley and still maintain a strong control over most of the area. Esoteric’s forces have a base of operations at the Tomb of Ajunta Pall, a fortified location that allows them a great deal of mobility throughout the Valley, which they use to harass any operations by the other two sides. The Adept Dantella Novae reluctantly commands Esoteric’s forces in the region, though she seems more interested in stealing the secrets of Marka Ragnos than in defending the Valley itself. Cotelin is seeking to contain and control whatever the Tomb of Marka Ragnos holds, through any means necessary… and before Ashen’s forces can reach it.

Sand billowed across the dunes of Korriban amidst the din erupting from the valley below, chaos had descended upon the planet much like that of a Krayt with a voracious hunger. The chaos enveloping the valley, and in turn the Brotherhood, was largely uncoordinated and as such the worst of many had been unleashed like a wild Akk Dog. It was almost fitting that so many found themselves lost to their battlelust or reined in by the call to arms of one of the many banners that rose up upon the field. The sound of combat at this edge of the valley was quiet, or at least quieter than the rest. It was a simple matter for Kalon and Teu to silence the posted guards here from Cotelin’s forces before the rest of their team arrived, the two operating with the precision of a surgical laser as it removed the festering growth before it could spread.

As the last man fell to the sand, his hands reaching for his throat while he gurgled his death knell, Kalon spoke succinctly, “All clear.”

It didn’t take much longer for the rest of the assembled group to arrive, a muffled clattering of armour beneath robes announcing at least one of their approach. Kaayn smirked slightly as he absently brushed some of the sand off his shoulder, “So, what’s our target?”

All of their eyes seemed to survey the carnage below, plumes of smoke mixed with a rainbow of colour from blasters and lightsabers alike. It was a spectacle to be sure, but now it was a decision of the best course of action. One by one, the group turned their eyes to one another, hoping one of them would say something. Kalon seemed almost anxious, ready to put an end to this chaos. Kaayn seemed less inclined to say anything, amongst those assembled he was one of the more recent disciples of Naga Sadow. Teu spoke up first with a leveled tone, her eyes narrowed as she looked upon the Tomb of Ajunta Pall, “We take out Esoteric and the One Sith, once they’re gone one of the other two should be done.”

Locke shook his head, the man’s simply pointing towards the Tomb of Marka Ragnos as his voice rose up with the tone of command, “I’d have to disagree, Master. We’d be better off supporting the Clan and our Grand Master’s efforts against Cotelin and Taldryan. Only then will the Brotherhood be…”

“United?” interjected the voice of the party’s last member, his tone almost mocking as the Jedi moving serenely to the edge of valley.

Among those assembled, he was a bit of an outcast, a Grey Jedi and Son of Sadow. His allegiance should have been clear, and yet he had arrived on Korriban clear in his intentions to uncover a truth. Methyas spoke calmly, his tone bearing the weight of leadership from his history with the Clan, “We don’t know who’s truly right here, but I came to restore balance and end this conflict. Now, the heart of our issue is the Brotherhood at each other’s throat, let’s start for Marka Ragnos’ tomb. Maybe from there we can turn our attention to Esoteric.”

Without another word, Methyas started into the valley, his opened hand ready to grasp his lightsaber if it were needed. Grinding his teeth slightly, Locke started after the man, slightly irritated with the Jedi’s hesitation to act when the Grand Master summoned them. Teu cast a glance at the Miraluka, her first apprentice, before she gestured at the other two men and nodded in agreement, “We’ll take point.”

Locke was agitated. He followed the others as they descended into the Valley, making sure that he was one of the last to move forward. The Krath was not sure that their goals aligned with his.

After years of war, Locke knew that there could never truly be an end to fighting. The Crusade might end, the civil war may end, but there would always be another conflict. By nature, the dark side of the Force demanded conflict, and it’s adherents seemed drawn to it, one way or another. Indeed, Locke thought, it was even in their code.

“Peace is a lie,” Locke whispered. It was the very first tenant of the code. The Krath had never thought much of that code, but in this, it seemed, the ancient Sith had been correct.

The others didn’t seem to notice his words as Locke followed them down a steep stairway at the edge of the Valley. From here, he could look down across the expanse of tombs, obelisks, and thoroughfares. He saw constant flashes from laser fire and heard the distant booms of explosions. Locke even spotted a walker or tank of some sort here or there, though the geography of the Valley limited their usefulness. Surprisingly, there were few starfighters or aircraft in the area. Locke assumed they were needed for the battle that raged in space above the world.

Still, he felt very exposed here, and decided to bring it up. It was relatively quiet on these steps, despite the battle below. The only notable sounds were their footsteps and the rustling of clothes and armor. The distant booms of the battle below were faint by comparison.

Before Locke could speak, someone else broke the silence. “This place is so exposed. Anyone could attack us here,” Kalon said. “Continuing along this path is asking for it.”

There was a pause as everyone stopped. Locke thought about agreeing, but he thought better of it, waiting to see what the others would say. Teu and Methyas looked at each other, and after a moment Methyas nodded.

"Everyone, keep an eye out for a tomb or side passage we may take shelter in, " Methyas said.

“Or we could look for a shortcut down the side of the Valley. We’ll be exposed, but it will be much faster,” Kalon said.

Locke wasn’t sure what to make of Kalon. He knew the man was the Quaestor of Marka Ragnos, but did not know much more about him. His suggestion, however, seemed foolhardy to Locke. It was much better to take the cautious route to safety instead of the more daring one. Stunts like that often resulted in unnecessary death.

Kaayn looked over the edge. “That might be faster, if your intent is to break your neck.”

Locke felt a twinge of something in the Force from Kalon as the man turned toward Kaayn, but Methyas stepped into the conversation before either could speak again.

“If we see a safe-looking path down, we will take that. Otherwise, we look for a path into the Valley’s tombs.”

The two nodded, and the group continued on their way. Locke noticed that Teu had positioned herself between Kaayn and Kalon. Was that coincidence, or intentional? Regardless, Locke thought it was a good idea.

Teu glanced at the two men she stood between, her hands unconsciously fall to land on the grips of her lightsaber. Quickly she pulled her hands away from the pair and nodded her head. “We should move forward. There might be something up ahead we can use to get out of the open area.”

The Obelisk nodded towards her two former apprentices as they preceded forward she herself stayed between the two unknowns. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure of their allegiance or if they eve liked each other but she wasn’t looking for a fight in the midst of what was happening down below them.
As they walked Teu clenched her jaw slightly. The war before them was one that she wasn’t sure she could devote herself to any one side. Each fought for some petty reason or another. However her clan fought with the Grandmaster and she would respect that and fight with them. The woman shook her head as she walked with the group.

“Up ahead appears to be a way down that won’t keep us in the open” Lockes voice pierced through Teu’s concentration.

Her blue eyes looked towards him for a moment and nodded, she then glanced back at Kalon her eyes narrowed. He was tense wound up like a spring ready to pop, she would have to keep an eye on him and the former Jedi something seemed fishy. “Let’s go that way then. “

The group followed Locke as they quickly moved forward towards the path he made mention of. Teu looked down and kicked her foot gently. “I hate sand. I really do this stuff is horribly orangish red too. Why can’t we ever go to war somewhere rural you know. Buildings. And speeders. And such. Instead of desolation and death.”

“Where would be the fun in that?” Asked Kaayn rhetorically, responding to Teu’s question.

Letting the conversation go, the group continued onwards into the ever moving sands of Korriban’s desert. As a child, Kalon had read extensively about the planet and its dark history and had always wished to see the prodigious ruins that littered both the surface and the inner core for himself. Now that he was finally here however, he noticed just how dull the place was. Besides from from the ever constant presence of the ancient Sith resting around him, it was almost too bland for his liking.

In his mind he could feel the eyes of several members of the group resting upon him which he found unsurprisingly irritating, Kaayn’s earlier comment had come across as an insult and that was something the Mandalorian did not ever take to too well. Though however aggravated the Epicanthix had made him he would try and suppress it as best he could until they were in combat, then he could unleash his fury against those that would dare stand in his wake.

“Feir’Fek!” Spat Kalon as he lost his balance, his leg disappearing into a small sinkhole in the ground. Before anyone could help him up he corrected himself and continued on, letting a small snarl grow in his throat for a second.

“We must be cautious.” Warned Methyas upon seeing the Mandalorian stumble. “The ground will undoubtedly be unstable.”

They pushed on further for several more minutes before Locke noticed the entrance to a seemingly abandoned tomb in some considerable state of disrepair.

“There!” He pointed out towards the ruin, beckoning the group in that direction. “Hopefully that will lead us into the valley!”

Kaayn glanced at the Mandolorian as his leg sank into the sand. “We can rest later” Kaayn smirked. The Mandolorian clenched his jaw to suppress his anger. “There!” Locke exclaimed while pointing in the direction of a stone archway. It looked like an entrance of some kind… or had been at one time. Large stones had crumbled from the top of the structure as if having lost a battle with a planetary quake.

As the group made their way to the entrance of the tomb, Kaayn’s thoughts wandered. He had never been to Korriban and had only read about it briefly. Korriban was a Sith place, and Kaayn never considered himself a Sith. The former Jedi turned inquisitor hated his previous life. He hated that he once
associated with the weakness of the Jedi. The Sith, he thought, were no better, Kaayn examined how his life had
changed from championing the dogma of the Jedi to an uncontrollable urge to eradicate their weakness from the galaxy. His thoughts shifted from the Sith to the Crusades and then to the conflict that come to be known as “Fading Light.” How he fought so hard, lost people he cared for and finally fought to bring the galaxy to its knees… and how he failed.

His attention was snapped back to reality as he felt the ground from under him give. He fell to his back and began sliding down the incline, racing towards the tomb entrance, stopping only as he smashed against a large rock in the path. The group rushed to catch up.

“Caution, I said” Methyas growled with a look of disapproval.

The resident Mandolorian fought to hide his pleasure in the arrogant ex-Jedi’s ungraceful advance. Grabbing the Krath, Kalon hoisted him up as if he were a rag doll. “Rest later… remember?” he snapped.

Shaking his head, Methyas let out a low sigh, centering his state of mind as the darkness draped itself upon him like a heavy cloak. It wasn’t unusual for the Grey Jedi to find himself upon the surface of a world so heavily saturated in the dark side of the Force, but now was one of the few times he truly felt out of place. Teu had quickly stepped between Kaayn and Kalon after the Mandalorian had so easily brought the former Jedi to his feet, the woman simply gesturing for Kalon to take point while Kaayn seemed to dust himself off quickly. As Kalon started through the ruins, Methyas reached out through the Force. The Jedi’s efforts were two-fold: to divine a direction for them to take, as well as to ensure that they wouldn’t be caught unaware. As Methyas analysed the area around them, he could feel the assorted emotions of those around him, and those in the valley nearby. It didn’t require a grasp of the Force to know that tensions were running high though, while they had assembled to complete an assigned goal, none of them seemed overly set on what they were about to do.

Slight tugging at the edge of the Miraluka’s senses shifted his attentions, if only for a moment, their destination wouldn’t be too far off although it was likely trouble was nearer to them than they’d like. Speaking quickly, Methyas gave his orders sharply, “The approaching tunnel on your left should give us the most direct route towards Marka Ragnos’ tomb.”

A subtle nod was the only response from Kalon as he continued to survey their surroundings, while the rest of the group continued their own surveillance as they saw fit. It didn’t take long for the familiar nudge at the edge of Methyas’ mental space, his former Master’s voice breaking through loud and clear as he opened his guard, “Do you trust them?”

“Trust is a hard thing to come by in my situation.”

“They’re eager to fight, I don’t like it.”

“We’ll see how well things go once we reach the tomb,” Methyas paused for a moment before he continued, “We need to stop the rite, I don’t know how those two will behave if I interfere, but Locke…”

“Will try and stop you, I understand. Why must we stop the rite?”

“If we don’t, everyone and everything on Korriban dies. I’ve studied the rite performed by the Emperor, Vitiate, and I doubt that Okemi’s ritual is much different given the disturbance I felt when Antei fell.”

Teu didn’t respond immediately, but the Miraluka felt the change in her emotion, and he knew his Master well enough to know she didn’t like her fate being in someone else’s hands, “What do we need to do?”

A small smirk crossed Methyas’ face as he heard the words, his response quick and simple, “I need in that tomb first, then we act.”

Teu was content to leave it at that, her attention once again turning towards Kalon and Kaayn, but the exchange hadn’t gone entirely unnoticed. In seconds, another presence was at Methyas’ walls, this one all together different but still familiar as he greeted them, “Locke, what is it, my friend?”

“What are you planning?” came the Bakuran’s response flatly, a slight note of irritation in his projected voice.

“Our present course of action, and continued survival.”

“Then why not speak it plainly?”

“Because not all parties present can be counted on to assist without interference.”

Locke’s irritation seemed to grow from that statement, “Not everyone here enjoys being manipulated as a puppet.”

“Then they’ll never have to know, for now we work towards the tomb of Marka Ragnos.”

Locke tensed as Methyas restored his barriers, effectively shutting the younger man out as he returned to his surveillance through the Force. The Miraluka knew that things had been far too quiet, they had made too much progress without some form of roadblock, and as much as there was a great deal of tension, no one was about to snap. In a matter of moments the ruined corridors opened into a sort of antechamber, pillars concealing potential entryways with a grand hall before them. The assembled group started to reach for their weapons as they could feel something amiss, everyone except for Methyas who waited for an apparent threat. As if on cue, the sound of heavy boots striking against the ancient stone filled the room for a few moments as unseen figures moved into position, their arrival punctuated by a booming voice barking orders, “You’ll go no further, Sadowans. Go ahead, put up a fight, you’re outnumbered.”

Smirks began to cross each of their faces as they heard the man’s mistake, each had fought against multiple enemies before and survived. But the man’s most paramount mistake was thinking that the assembled group were some lowly Equites or Journeymen. Focused deeply, Methyas started his Battle Meditation, weaving each member of the group into his efforts. The Jedi could feel each of their adversaries around them, their figures on the periphery of his Force given sight. Their assailants had thought themselves an easy battle, but the group of Sadowans had a few tricks up their sleeves to turn the tide. Specifically a more strategic view of their surroundings, and a boost from a power Krath’s Battle Meditation.

“I don’t like this,” Locke muttered to himself. He had an inkling that Methyas liked his secrets, and Locke had ignored that for a time. It was becoming more and more difficult to do that, however. This time they were on a battlefield, where any withheld knowledge could lead to their deaths. Locke let his steps slow, letting the others pass ahead of him while he thought.

He stopped for a moment, turning to look back the way they had come, holding his blaster rifle up as he looked. He sighed when all he saw as Amelia, leaning against the wall near where they had entered the tomb. Her dress, completely untouched by Korriban’s sands, seemed so out of place here.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered.

“He doesn’t want conflict with you,” Amelia said, her melodic voice oddly not echoing in the chamber.

Locke grunted, turning to follow the others, looking over his shoulder. “He’s going to get it if he doesn’t tell me what he’s hiding,” Locke said.

He followed the others into the corridor without looking back. Locke knew that Amelia was not in any real danger. At least, she never seemed to be, and always had a way of being there no matter where he went.

She was probably right, as she usually was, but that didn’t change Locke’s mind. He would not allow Methyas to get away with keeping secrets this time, especially if they related to the mission.

I can’t afford him trying to complete his own goals while this civil war plays out around us.

Abruptly, everyone else stopped. Then Locke heard the voice, and sensed the dark side ahead. It was like an eddy in a pool of swamp water - similar, but not quite the same as the murk around it. Locke felt Methyas’ battle meditation connect to him, reluctantly letting himself be pulled into the web of linked minds.

"Oh, now you want to let me in, " Locke muttered.

“How many?” Locke asked.

"Six, " Teu replied. “Not that strong.” Her sending across the battle meld indicated they were a little weaker in the Force than those in the group of Sadowans, though their skill would not be tested until the two groups began fighting.

Then Locke heard something else: a metallic echoing sound. He turned, looking back the way they had come, and spotted many two dozen B2 superbattle droids marching there. Their arms were already raised to fire, so Locke quickly raised his AXM-50 rifle and flipped it on it’s side, using the alternate setting to launch a flurry of micro-grenades into the front ranks of the battle droids, knocking out some and causing others to reevaluate their targeting.

“Battle droids here! I need support!” Locke yelled.

(Final day, posting back to back for participation credit.)

Locke continued firing his rifle as Kaayn moved up beside him. The other Jedi ignited his lightsaber and fluidly drifted toward the battle droids. At the same time, Locke switched his weapon over to it’s normal blaster rifle firing mode, allowing for more precise targeting and to ensure the micro grenades did not explode and hurt Kaayn.

Together, they slowly cut down the droids. Their ranks fell almost as easily, but they were so bottled up that the process took awhile. Finally, when the last one fell, the two turned back toward the rest of their team.

Locke saw that Teu was locked in combat with two of the enemy Dark Jedi, her lightsabers flashing back and forth at blistering speed, hard to keep up with from this angle. Kalon and Methyas were similarly engaged with others from their group, but they were each outnumbered. Teu was the only one who seemed to be an even match for both her opponents. Methyas’ old injuries likely made a duel like this difficult for him, and while Kalon was skilled, his two opponents threatened to overwhelm him.

“You help Kalon,” Locke said, “I’ll assist Methyas.” He tossed his blaster rifle to the ground and ignited his lightsaber, stepping up next to Methyas. He waited for the right moment and stuck his blade out to parry one of Methyas’ opponents, angling it such that it drew that enemy’s weapon toward Locke. The Krath pivoted and attacked, forcing the One Sith to backpedal, effectively separating him from his ally so that Methyas and Locke could each focus on only one opponent.

Locke attacked hard, expecting a difficult fight, however, his opponent seemed drained somehow, as if he had put all of his strength into defeating Methyas. Perhaps they thought the older Jedi would be an easy target, and had been surprised when he had held them off with a strong defense. Regardless, Locke exploited his advantage. Using quick, fast strikes, he swiftly overcame the Sith, scoring cuts across his arms and legs, before wearing him down enough that Locke could slice right across his chest.

As the man fell, Locke turned and looked to his allies, searching for who could use his help best.