Outer Orbits, Orian System
Near Inos

37 ABY

“This is Stave Actual, to Stave Four. Is everything going alright out on the hunt?”

Zers shook her head as she studied the starscape around her. She tapped at the comm system once in a short acknowledgement. Nothing ever seemed to happen on these patrols. The large orb of Inos drifted somewhere off to her starboard position. There were plenty of satellites and phenomena. There were items of scientific interest, but nothing to tempt the more militant minded. Day in and day out, she made the circuits about the system.

And yet nothing happened.

The initial attack, their first moves on the Orian system, had been over a year ago. The cult that had once called the system home had been lead out of their holes. Beings, good beings, hardworking individuals, had made the sacrifice that kept the cult of filthy Force-users out of the system long enough for the Collective to set their trap. It went more beautifully than they could have hoped.

These Force Users, these worshipers, she supposed, from the planets had committed everything. They though, she supposed, to eliminate the Collective from their space, to ensure they would be free and safe from the influence of the Three Pillars. That drive, that bravado had been their downfall. With an overcommitment of forces, a rodent track had been set, and when the cultists returned, they were caught unawares.

The destruction had been beautiful.

“Stave Four, this is Stave Actual. Please acknowledge.”

The Kel Dor shifted uncomfortably in the bucket seat of the old T-65. “Stave Four acknowledges. There is nothing out here outside of the normal. Should I return to the rendezvous point to prepare for extraction? Or did you want me to make a full rotation around the gas giant to watch for pirates? I mean, we might not have run the whole of them underground yet.”

“Are you confirming the presence of pirates in the Orian system, Stave Four?”

“No, Actual.” The Kel Dor watched the churning gaseous surface of Inos. “I haven’t seen anything out here. You just keep having us chasing ghosts. Little more than memories of monsters long gone from here.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Go ahead and make a wide patrol towards Tarthos after you complete your current circuit, Stave Four. We will meet you for rendezvous en route to the planet. ”

“Don’t worry, Stave Actual. If I end up meeting up with any pirates, I will knock them over the head. Make sure that you have a chance to say hello.” The Kel Dor switched off the comm unit in the cockpit. She knew that a proper chewing out was going to result. The commanding officer knew as well as she did how these things went. It would be a waste to meet her out this far just for a reprimand. She felt certain she would find the captain the same place she always had, in the cantina.

It was the sight of a streak of gray that first drew her eye. A realization gripped her heart. That realization cooled the ire which rested in Zer’s gut toward her commander. The lines, clearly Galactic Imperial, made her guts turn to ice. Something was deeply wrong. Everyone knew what had come of that era’s Empire. There was no good reason for an Imperial-II destroyer to be in Orian space.

The feeling was amplified as the second and third ships came into system in rough formation with the first. A pair of ships, one in standard gray and the second a deep black, an Acclamator and a Vindicator respectively, were now rotating toward the system’s center. With her heart in her throat, Zer primed her fighter’s engines. As though on cue, a score of other ships began to appear in quick succession.

She would need to get back to Stave Actual. She would have to let the captain and Command know what was coming. A fleet was jumping into the system. The anomalous signals created by the entry would be noted by the Collective’s resident forces, but it would not be checked out immediately. The concerns of the system were enough to keep the likes of moffs tied up in the fine details of running a system. They would need a runner, a messenger, a scout to bring the news to their attention.

She wanted to run out in the streets. She wanted to scream from the rooftops. A harbinger of doom, or ruin, or perhaps just chaos was hanging over the system.

She never would get the opportunity to make her proclamations. A short hail of laser fire lanced the area of space occupied by the Incom T-65 X-Wing. And like that, the antiquated fighter and its once-bored pilot were space dust.

—

A moment of silence came over the Sadowan comms as the lasers criss-crossed in space. The Overlord smiled to himself. The comms started up again, with the sounds of the Dakhani and Markosian fleets checking in as their final elements were still jumping into system.

A few words came to mind. The idea of a speech, or otherwise rousing the Clan, were more than a bit tempting. Instead, Bentre cleared his throat, and pressed down the transmit button on the comm panel as he leaned forward toward the audio receiver.

“It is time, Sadowans.” The voice of the Overlord crackled from each comm system. “This is your time. This is your destiny. Today is our day. Today is your day.” He paused. “This is a day of glory. This is a day of honor. This is a day of redemption. This is a day for Nga Sadow. This is a day for the glory of the Sith Empire! This is a day for the glory of Naga Sadow!”

He paused for effect, before leaning close to the receiver. “Seize the day, Sadowans.”

On cue, the tactical display, glowing a white, began to turn. Several ships went from a pearly white to a searing scarlet, indicating a receipt of orders and an acknowledgement of the same. Soon the whole fleet was a blood red formation.

Their time of victory, Sadow willing, had just begun.

“The time has come. Like stories of old, the time of reckoning has come, and with it we see the return of the gods of old.”

This thread is where members of Naga Sadow will be able to post their portion of the two-pronged attack upon our home system. Each House will begin by leading an effort to recapture their respective planets. This will occur over the first phase.

During the secondary phase of the RO, the members of Clan Naga Sadow will make the push to recapture the planet of Sepros from the Collective threat in the system. This will allow Naga Sadow to retake their former throneworld.

---

Background

Having been forced out of the Orian system by the counter-attacks of a portion of the Collective fleet following the events of Inferno. Since this time, the Clan has spent a lot of time floating in space, from system to system. The Sadowans encountered the Collective in Telos, meeting the Plagueis Clan on an undiscovered planet, plunder ruins on Endor, and more before engaging in the events in the Lyra-3k-a system during the 13th Great Jedi War.

The time has now come for the Clan to return to their home. The Sadowan Fleet has been gathered and coordinated. Dropping from hyperspace into the Orian system, the fleets are now poised to strike back at the Collective for their invasion of Sadowan space. House Shar Dakhan is moving to retake their planet of Aeotheran, while the House Marka Ragnos members will be moving to retake Tarthos.

Once the once-House-controlled planets have been secured, the fleet will rendezvous at Sepros, with the intent of retaking their throne planet of Sepros once again.

# Rubric and Rules

This Clan-Wide Run-On will be graded using the Voice’s Run On Rubric.

• In order to earn credit for placement/participation, members must complete two posts of no less than 250 words each. Posts shorter than 250 words will not count toward the two post minimum to earn placement/participation credit.
• Members may write their alternative characters and NPCs into the run-on in addition to their main characters.
• Snapshots must be provided for member’s main/alternate characters used in the Run On within the member’s first post
• Only qualifying posts will be considered in grading, others will be ignored. Subsequent writers may choose to ignore disqualified posts, but they will not be penalized if they pay attention to them. However, if a disqualified post includes resolution to a plot/subplot, it will NOT be considered in Story grading.
• Authors may reserve a post position with a post stating “Reserved”. There may only be one post position reserved, and your reservation post may be deleted if it has been left up for more than 6 hours.
• Posts may be edited by their author before additional posts with content are made (that is, a post may ONLY be edited while the post immediately following it is Reserved). If a post is edited after content has been added, it will be disqualified.
• An author may NOT make consecutive posts. At least one other person must post (including reserved posts) before an author can make another post.
• Any post may be deleted within 10 minutes of it being posted, regardless of what other posts have been made after it.

“Conquest is Our Destiny; We Shall Not Fail.”

ORIAN SYSTEM
NEAR INOS
CNS FLEET

“Commander, what was the last transmission of that T-65?” asked Quaestor Takagari “DarkHawk” KogaRyu, peering out the Vindicator’s large view ports.

“Sir, let me replay that transmission for you…” the commander replied.

The comm-system came to life as the T-65’s message began to play. “Don’t worry, Stave Actual. If I end up meeting up with any pirates, I will knock them over the head. Make sure that you have a chance to say hello.”

“And the scans confirm that is the last – both incoming and outgoing?” asked the Quaestor.

“Affirmative, sir, we are scanning for any further incoming transmissions and will intercept,” the commander said stoutly. “Do you have further instructions?”

The Quaestor stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking out the viewport of the Vindicator Heavy Cruiser’s bridge. His reverie was broken abruptly from by the commander’s muffled voice.

“Sir…?” asked the commander.

The commander of the bridge approached the Quaestor cautiously, now whispering intensely, “Sir…!”

The Quaestor turned his attention to the commander, but only for a moment DarkHawk walked passed the commander without uttering a word. The commander turned, and, just as he was about to speak, DarkHawk acknowledged his bridge commander.

“Continue all scans, notify House and Clan Summit immediately on anything you intercept. Continue to mask our presence here, commander. Maintain open channels with the Clan fleet, disseminate everything you discover to the Perdition and the Fallen Spear. Hail the Perdition, Commander. I will speak with Summit in my quarters,” DarkHawk said, walking away.

“Affirmative, sir…”

The bridge doors whisked open and DarkHawk exited. Navigating the corridor of the new command ship, DarkHawk’s stride emanated purpose. Many thoughts traversed the Quaestor’s mind, though he focused solely on one. The Collective. DarkHawk could feel the very fibers of his existence being stretched taut. Feeding off those very emotions, DarkHawk and the rest of the Clan had been waiting for this opportunity. It was more than revenge; it was time to sever the head of the Collective.

Walking into his chambers, the Quaestor headed directly to the holo-projector, activating the unit as he came to a halt. In the blink of an eye stood the two translucent figures of Consul, Warlord Bentre Sadow, and Proconsul, Augur Ashia Keibatsu. DarkHawk bowed to his Summit before speaking.

“Everything is in order. T-65 has been destroyed, all radio transmissions are being monitored. We remain undetected,” said DarkHawk.

“Excellent work, Takagari. Is HSD ready?” asked the Proconsul.

“Indeed…”

“Launch your forces, DarkHawk. Show no mercy,” instructed the Warlord.

“For Sadow…” replied DarkHawk.

Flipping another switch, the bridge responded “Yes, sir…”

“Are all HSD channels open, Commander?”

“You have the fleet, sir.”

“Attention, House Shar Dakhan, man all battle stations. We make an immediate jump to Aetheran. All HSD task forces, check in.”

“Task Force Aurek, ready,” replied Privateer Xuner Holst.

“Task Force Dorn, ready,” replied Augur Locke Sonjie.

‘Sir, coordinates are uploaded to NAV-computers. The fleet is ready to commence jump procedures,” replied the bridge commander.

Without hesitation, DarkHawk replied “Commence…”

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/264/snapshots/2090/3900

Star Courier Panthac
Orian System Edge

“R3 Commence micro jump.” Macron grinned evilly as he regarded his droid. “HK 22, we are inbound for Aeotheran. Finally.” The Star Courier lurched as the ship’s R3 droid computed the jump. There were no stars nearby to color the viewscreens except the system’s sun, which grew from a pinprick to a lambent lamp in an instant.

“Master, will I get to terminate meatbags?” The droid would have twitched with anticipation if it could. HK 22 was not the brightest bulb but his focus on his work was singular.

“Yes. Many of them Twenty-Two. As many as you are able to slaughter, of the enemy of course.” The Sith chuckled and looked towards the cargo hold. Behind him a low growl emanated from a pitch black Sith Hound. Beside the beast sat a group of six of Naga Sadow’s best battle-hardened commandos and enough gear to kill a figurative army. The soldiers were used to working alongside the Force-users among the Clan although the Tukata was still given a wide berth.

“Kintik-Chwuk, you will get to slake your unholy thirsts as well. Our mission is quite clear. We are to land in Seng Karash and create as much havoc as possible.” The Adept looked at the battle-hardened Verpine leader of the commandos. “General Zzz’click, you have your orders. Support us in the mission, demolish their communications, and take out tactical targets as able.”

“It will be good to return to our adopted hive… intruders in the nest must be eliminated.” The heavily armed Verpine gestured towards the five human soldiers behind their impassive helmets. “We will.”

“Excellent.” As the ship lurched into realspace, the mountainous globe of Aeotheran hove into view. Macron keyed his comlink on an encrypted channel. “Shar Dakhan Actual, this is the Alchemist. We are in orbit and commencing our landing. Soon the Collective in San Korinar will suffer in agony.”

As the Sith closed the link HK 22 spoke up. “Master, have you forseen it in the Force?”

“No droid. There is no need. What will happen to them is pure rational deduction at this point. They will die, and die horribly. I do not need the Dark Side to tell me that. What I can tell you though is that I and many of our Clan will enjoy every bloody second of it.”

Macron snapshot

General Zzzclk’ik (NPC/altchar) snapshot

HSD Flagship

En Route to Aeotheran

DarkHawk turned and was surprised to see a dark armoured figure stood immediately in front of him. “Where did you come from and why are you in my chambers?” he demanded.

Malisane gave a slight shrugging gesture.”I go where I am needed Quaestor,” he replied calmly, “I took an oath to serve.”

DarkHawk nodded. “Good, I am sure you will be useful.”

Malisane looked out of the window at the view passing by. “It feels strange to be back here with a Clan fleet,” he said quietly, “I left here in a hurry, with the Collective searching for me. For many years I remained here not knowing the rest of you had been driven out. My life was simple. I lived, I hunted, I meditated and I slept. Before then my life here was one of chaos and discovery. I am not sure which I preferred. It seems so long ago.”

DarkHawk raised an eyebrow. “I am sure you will find something in between.” He was curious about the mysterious Sadow. This was probably the longest conversation the two had undertaken. Malisane appeared rarely when summoned for duty and accepted his orders with a calm confidence, usually only questioning them for extra detail rather than purpose or reason. The rest of the time he avoided others.

“Perhaps,” Malisane replied as he regarded the view.

“Our intelligence suggests the enemy have done extensive rebuilding to the capital since the former Consul’s actions but they appear to have been surprisingly faithful to the original design.” DarkHawk glanced at the former Aeotheran Governor, “I understand you did a lot of the original design yourself?”

Malisane shrugged. “The city existed long before I arrived,” he replied, “I merely rationalised it.”

“I am sure your experience will be useful in the future,” the Quaestor replied, “we will have much work to do once it is back in our hands.”

The other Battelord shook his head. “That Malisane is gone, he died in fire and chaos. I have had long to reflect on his actions. Now I fight and I defend. Other brighter and younger minds will guide the future. That is how it should be.”

DarkHawk considered this. “Well that is your prerogative,” he replied. “We will be arriving soon. You will be be useful I am sure.”
“I will serve where needed Quaestor,” Malisane replied.

“Good,” DarkHawk replied.

Malisane gave a slight bow and left.

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/6169/snapshots/2097/3910

Bridge
Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser Phoenix
Near Inos Space

There was something about new ships. The smell of fresh oil, crisply painted bulkheads and new alloys worked its way across Hades’ senses. He would have smiled, ten years ago. Instead, he watched through the transparisteel at the flotilla of house ships arrayed in front of him. Arms behind his back, he turned his eye to the holodisplay, to the Lion.

The holo came across fairly smoothly, the exception being where the visual processor didn’t quite understand how to render his eyes. “We are ready on your mark, Lord Keibatsu.” They had discussed the plan, an at length for several months now, weighing different options, guessing at possibilities, reactions. The Grand Master nodded once.

“You have command, Admiral.” He paused for a second, watching the man. “On your mark.”

Ready Room
Fallen Spear
Near Inos Space

Xolarin grimaced from his chair, the war display showing the flashes as their ships moved to engage, the cold sphere of Tarthos looming broadly behind enemy ships. Tapping his chin, he looked across at the assembled team. The Verpine leader of the Night Hawks, Hilgrif, leaned against the far wall, the light blue of the holoprojector casting his green skin in an eerie tone. Ciara sat directly across from him, leaning forward, eyes transfixed on the display, her fingers pulling up the schematics of the hidden landing zone, a few dozen clicks from the sensor range of the city.

They already knew the plan. Sneak to the planet, use the hidden tunnels to take back the Night Hawk’s center, then move on to the Cathedral, and finally to take command of Kar Alabrek’s anti-aircraft batteries. The first part should be easy. Once they were in the Night Hawk’s base, they’d be able to see a bit more detail. It wouldn’t be until they crawled out from the bowels of the Cathedral that the Collective would even know they were there. The sound of the Spear’s cloaks twisted in their periphery as they slipped though the coming fight, sliding between ships on a course for the surface.

Xolarin leaned back in his chair, all but salivating at the thought of the decades of treasure that lay deep in the Vaults of the Cathedral. The facility had been remade, opening only shortly before the Clan had left Orian. He had been through the feeds, saw what the Krath Lord had shared. Plans, layouts, access tunnels. It was designed to hide in plain sight. A museum, classrooms, galleries, it was a point of pride for high society types in the city. And beneath that veneer, a research facility, a proper base for the house, cold storage for decades of Krath research and replication. Xolarin trembled for a moment, considering the rumor that at the very heart of it all was an ancient temple. He could barely wait. It was within their grasp. He had to have it.

“So…” Ciara cleared her throat, interrupting his thoughts. “Have you ever been to Tarthos?”

Xolarin tightened his jaw for a moment, eyes slipping over to Hilgrif, who shook his head with a twitch of his mandibles. Ciara raised an eyebrow for a moment. The Collective had been a thorn in everyone’s sides, but she hadn’t known how badly. “It’s been about a year and a half, if I remember the briefing.” He responded. “Too long.”

Ciara nodded. “Which means a lot could have changed.”

The silence bloomed into something more resembling anxiety in that moment. Unspoken fears and doubts danced along their nerves as the door slid open. He looked at them, his gaze sliding over each of them slowly, before he stepped toward the holoprojector, fingers keying in commands as the view changed, the skyline morphing and maps shifted somewhat. Xolarin narrowed his eyes, the file date twisting across his mind.

“But…This was last month?” He let his mind race through the possibilities. Spies, loyalists, intercepted transmissions all played out in rapid synapses behind his eyes. “How? Can we trust…”

Muz looked at him, and Xolarin became acutely aware of the sound surrounding them again, the alien hum of the ship’s cloaks. So, that was where he would vanish off to, Xolarin thought to himself.

“Only sometimes.” Muz smiled, turning back to the display, the map updating in real time, only minutes left until final approach.

Three Minutes Later
Bay
Fallen Spear
Redacted, Tarthos

The bay opened up its mouth, as the wind swept in, chilling flesh and chattering teeth despite the heat of the ship. Quick hand gestures flew, and doc bolted forward into the white, the black of his helmet a silhouette before the signal chirped on Muz’s arm. He moved forward quickly, Leena following right behind, flanked by her droids, Koji a half step to the side.

The wind almost took the sound away from them, but they could see the shadow rise. Xolarin gave half a smirk as he stepped out into the ice, making his way to the previously concealed turbolift. Ciara kept pace with him, the tundra whipping her cloak around, caking snow on her dark armor as Hilgrif admonished his droids to not get stuck.

The blast of heat in the turbolift was a welcome reprieve for them all, the doors closing before rocketing them deep underground and toward their fates.

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/8106/snapshots/2098/3917

Turbolift

A soft growling emanated from just to the left of where Kojiro stood; a monstrous hound lay ill at ease near her master’s legs, one paw perched upon the other with her muzzle resting upon it. Sai’rasha briefly rolled her shoulders and shifted the last few inches of snow that had stuck behind her collar. She raised her head, eyes running around the turbolift and took each of the occupants in. The Tuk’ata’s expression said all it needed to, she was not impressed with anyone besides her owner, the Grand Master and perhaps that woman, but even then barely.

“Rest easy, girl. The blood will flow soon,” Kojiro muttered in Ancient Sith at her, the voice altered by the changer turning it something that sounded almost wrong upon the ears, like rusted gears grinding upon one another. The great beast tilted her head and met her master’s mask. “No, you may not eat the bald one and the bug. Though they seem useless, so perhaps later.”

A slight smile curved at the edges of Ciara’s mouth as she listened to the exchange, Muz simply raised an eyebrow and said nothing. The Clone felt something briefly brush against, then grip, before releasing his fingers and his head turned ever so slightly to where Ciara stood beside him against the back wall. She wasn’t even looking his way and her arms were folded across her chest. Kojiro shook his head and brushed the thought aside, a trick of the mind perhaps.

The turbolift descended further and further beneath the surface of the planet. Tarthos, a place he could have done not being returned to after his last encounter and the massacre of those loyal to the Lotus. When he left he was someone and he had returned…well he had no idea what he was anymore nor entirely who he was.

A beeping snapped him out of his memories and he looked towards the front of the Turbolift. The beep was the indicator that they had nearly reached their destination and the Warlord pushed himself away from the wall and rose to his full height. As he did so, Sai’rasha rose with him and came to rest at her master’s heels. Xolarin and the Verpine, whose name Kojiro had spent no time remembering, stood between him and the entrance. He had no desire to be led out of the Turbolift by weaklings and so closed his eyes and let the Force roll out from him in an unseen wave, in part to prepare himself for the coming battle and part to see the reactions of the newcomers.

Several seconds passed before either of the two shifted uncomfortably, a bead of sweat drifting down the human’s forehead. Xolarin turned to look over his shoulder at the source of the discomfort and was met with the Warlord almost pushing him out of the way.

“Move, and get this disgusting creature out of my way.” Kojiro snarled as his bulk passed by the Verpine. The Turbolift doors slid open and before even Muz could react the Warlord had moved out of the lift and into the dark, his hound following as the hunt began in earnest.

Bridge
Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser Phoenix
Near Inos Space

“Sir! The burst transmission from the Fallen Spear has been received. Decoding now.” The comm officer quickly decoded the sensor data and transferred it to Hades’ display. The Marka Ragnos Fleet Admiral studied the sensor logs from the Spear’s infiltration into Tarthos. Of the plans him and the Grand Master had discussed, it looks like a pincer engagement would present the most favorable outcome. The Captain of the Phoenix steps next to Hades. He was not privy to the conversations with the House Summit and could tell the man was hoping for some explanation.

“You see, Captain…The Collective fleet arrayed around Tarthos is manageable but would not be easy. Two Dreadnaughts, a medium cruiser with two starfighter squadrons and a lancer. The plan we are going with will separate our forces with Admiral Pel taking the bulk of the fleet and jumping in to engage the forces at a range of 10km. This gives the enemy time to array themselves accordingly and put that lancer out front so it can intercept fighters. Right about the time they engage Task Force One, with our Vindicator and Strike cruisers, along with all remaining fighter squadrons in the House, hyper in on the Collective’s 6 O’clock and engage their blindsides with little anti-starfighter weapons on the larger ships, they will fall quickly. “

The Captain smirked and nodded. “I like it.”

“Comms. Open a channel to Admiral Pel on the Crucible.” Hades waited until confirmed the channel was open.

“Go ahead, Phoenix.” Pel’s voice was unmistakable. “Admiral, we are going with the pincer engagement. Prepare your task force for your micro jump to get into position.” Hades ordered.

“Understood. Enemy strength?” Hades could tell that his old friend was eager to bring the fight to the Collective once more. He looked down at the sensor log once again.

“On near-side orbit there are two a70 Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers one m50 Strike-class Medium Cruisers and a Lancer-class Frigate. And from what we can see here looks to be one of each on the far side of the planet. But that comes later.” Hades raises his eyes to look out of the viewport once again. All of the House’s ships other than the Phoenix and the Crucible where forming up on his starboard side.

“Understood. Task Force 2 is ready to jump.” Hades nodded his head even though his friend can’t see him.

“Very well. Make your jump. Good luck.” said Hades. A few seconds later, Task Force 2 entered hyperspace.

“Helm. Have you calculated our jump?” The Sith turned around towards his crew.

“Yes, Sir!” He could feel the anticipation in every crew member on this ship. Some of them, this will be their first time in combat. And for some, their last. Hades nodded towards the young lieutenant.

“Very well. Let’s roll.” And with that, Task Force 1 was on its first microjump.

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/8596/snapshots/2104/3920

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/8596/snapshots/2105/3922

Star Courier Panthac
Aeotheran Orbit

“Negative. Panthac, hold your position.” The voice that came across the comm from Shar Dakhan command was impassive. “Repeat, hold your position for incoming strike force.”

“Are you kidding me?,” snarled Macron as he watched several defending fighters and Collective ships begin to rise from the atmosphere. “This ship is not a starfighter. We’ll be blasted into bits. R3, evasive maneuvers!” The Star Courier pulled into a tight turn as the planet loomed beneath them. Macron jumped from his chair and pounded the control console.

At that moment all around ships dropped into realspace from a microjump. Capitol ships, Xwings, House Shar Dakhan’s entire battlegroup dropped in. “Panthac, you are clear to land.” Whoops of pure battle lust and the chatter of fighter to capitol ship comm traffic could be heard across the coded channels. The ships looked like a swarm of hornets escaping several angry moving hives.

The Adept sat back down and grinned. “That’s more like it. Darkhawk made his move. We will leave this space battle to the experts. R3, do an electronics blackout and get us down to the outskirts of Seng Karash. I highly doubt they will be paying attention with what’s happening up here. I hope our naval men and women cut those Collective bastards to pieces.”

As the Panthac dropped lances of fire sprung from the newly arrived Dakhan heavy ships to stroke the ground far below. A proper mass of fighters rose from the planet to follow the first light group which was already engaged by Dakhani starfighters.

“Master. If those big ships are destroying the Collective radar and communications sites beneath us, why are we going in?” HK 22 would have looked confused if he had been capable of facial expression.

“Because, you moronic bucket of bolts, the major communication installation is heavily shielded. Planetary power systems can generate far more power than a capital ship. Our battlegroup won’t be able to penetrate it with turbolasers from orbit. Which is where we come in.” The Sith raised an armored fist and pointed it down below. “We land in three. Prepare yourselves. We have to get that post shut down as quickly as possible. General, ready your troopers.”

“Copy that.” General Zzzclk’ik turned to his subordinates. “Fire up the landspeeder and the Adept’s speederbike. We are hitting the ground running right out of the gate.”

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/14717/snapshots/2107/3924

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Level
A Ways From Cathedral, Tarthos

The lift down to the lower levels of the access tunnels was long and led to colder ground. It was not as cold as it was outside, but much more moist and thus it seemed colder. His armor helped protect him a bit, but only to a certain extent. It was the new war reward armor for the clan, but Xolarin had made some adjustments for his running gear that would let him blend in a bit.

In these tunnels, it did not matter. As the doors began to open, Xol felt uneasy for a strange reason, as if dread had made itself an atmospheric condition rather than an emotion. He wondered if Muz was up to something, but then he remembered reading about Kojiro behind him. The Warlord was not easy to get on with, although Xolarin had not really tried or had the opportunity.

Xolarin was about to move out of the lift when the doors opened when the warlord spoke. “Move, and get this disgusting creature out of my way.”

‘I would have anyways,’ Xol thought to himself. He watched Kojiro and his beast bust out of the lift, making no attempt to disguise themselves. But they were lucky, as when Xolarin reached out with his mind to “see” what he could see, there was nothing in the immediate area.

Xolarin moved ahead of Koji and continued to scan, using his mundane electronics and headgear to aid his own feelings through the Force. He turned his head half-way back and nodded. “We’re clear for now, but this is basically an echo chamber,” he warned.

The group meandered through some of the tunnels, Muz commanding some changes and turns here and there, and Xolarin stopping once in a while as he would pick up someone far above them or some other false positive. Eventually, the group got to its first set of gateways in the tunnels that would either be locked or have alarms triggered on them.

After looking back to Muz with a nod that this was the right way, Xolarin motioned to Hilgrif with his arm. “Your turn, friendo.”

Hilgrif just slightly shook his head at what Xolarin said like he should start scanning now. Hilgrif has been scanning the hallways and even the lift before he even went in it as the last time a group of Sadowans went underground they ended up blowing off Bentre’s arms because they only used the force to check their surroundings.

Hilgrif then spoke after taking a second look at his scanner saying in a quick manner “no hidden alarms” and then hooked up his datepad and said “this should only take a min”. Hilgrif started to open the first of the hidden gateways to the formal Base of the current battle team he now lead the Night hawks.

Hilgrif then sent a Quick command with the force to Shroud who had been in the back of the group “Shroud stop looking up info on the madman and his pet and check with the hive and the ship and see if any other night hawks have engaged in combat as I would hate to lose my first command because they trusted the force to much and remember to send any imported news though are personal channel.”

Hilgrif also was slightly humored at the fact that even after all this time people always forget about the droids in the background. After a few secs the gateway opened up and hilgrif gave a slight bow to Muz and said “after you boss” and at the same time thinking, if I missed something Muz can deal with it.
https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/15510/snapshots/2112/3929

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/359/snapshots/2117/3937

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Level
Level 9, Kar Alabrek, Tarthos

Muz didn’t take the invitation. In fact, he hadn’t moved at all save for a nearly imperceptible nod in Ciara’s direction. Yet, in the split second that the Verpine had lowered his gaze in deference to the Grand Master, reality had shifted. His scanners and his instincts having apparently failed him, Hilgrif lifted his head to find a small crew of men and a flurry of red bolts streaking toward him. Leaping back with a chittered Verpine curse, Hilgrif attempted to fire his own blaster rifle reactively into the fray, but something harder had already knocked him to the ground.

When his antennae stopped buzzing, Hilgrif became keenly aware that the excited breath of the madman’s beast had replaced any sound of a firefight. Three rows of teeth and punishing horns reflected off the Verpine’s black eyes – their approach tenuously stayed by a gesture from Kojiro.

“Miss something, Hilgrif?” The low rumble emanated from Muz, echoing back his own thoughts. “Perhaps if you did not rely so much on the Force to … deal with … your oversights, hm?”

Hilgrif fumed. He had not actually missed anything, of course, other than the illusion itself – there was no more a crew of soldiers behind those doors than there was anything resembling a Hive mentality in this band of Sith. Even so, he dared not retort, shifting his frustration instead to the master of the beast that still loomed over him.

“Get this thing off me before –”

“I wouldn’t finish that sentence.” It was Ciara’s warning voice that interrupted and her hand that directed the invisible Force that pinned a reaching appendage to the ground. Darkening emeralds locked briefly with the tensed Keibatsu. “As much as I enjoy a good blood bath, I’m not sure a Verpine’s would be quite as satisfying – particularly when we have so much more to look forward to.”

“Then let us stop wasting time.” The brusque reply rumbled through the Warlord’s modulator as he stalked through the opened entry to continue a course he knew well, the Tuk’ata following close on his heels.

Ciara took one more look at Hilgrif and the protocol droid that had moved to his side when the beast departed. “Your erratic behavior made Sai’rasha think you were prey, Knight – try not to confirm it by underestimating that which separates you from the vermin we’ve come to purge from this world.”

Nearing Communications Center
Seng Karash
Aeotheran

At the speed they were traveling shouted conversation was useless. The General and the five commandos with him in the landspeeder communicated over internal comlinks with the Adept and the HK droid on the speederbike. They had donned Collective gear taken from the recent battles in the Lyra-K-Alpha system. “Almost there,” came the now-disguised Verpine general’s comlink transmission. The Sith Hound was nowhere to be seen. Several packages were tossed at measured intervals from the side of the landspeeder by the troopers.

“Agreed. Kintik-Chwuk will meet us inside. My Tu’kata has some business to attend to on the other side.” Macron kicked the overdrive in as the group circled. Around them in parts of the city turbolaser fire had impacted lesser targets already. Smoke and the smell of burning electronics filled the night air and provided an obscuring haze in the darkness.

The droid chimed in. “Master, will we…”

“Shut up 22. Get that heavy repeater ready to play with our new friends. The Collective are no fools. They know how to fight Force-users like myself. But assassin droids, hardened commandos and a Tukata, maybe not as well. General?” The Sith touched his neck to trigger the suit comlink as he looked over at the landspeeder.

“They are in position Adept. Detonating the fake mines now…” The mysterious packages that the commandos had dropped along the way exploded at their set locations when the Verpine triggered them remotely. The explosions were all flash and very little bang, but they pumped out billowing clouds of sickly green self-luminous gases that appeared toxic. They did no harm but were sure to catch the Collective’s attention. Zzz’click was an expert in explosives and it had been child’s play to rig up some colorful distractions.

“Excellent. They will think they’ve been gas-shelled.” The Sith frowned. A decade ago he had been personally responsible for using a horrid flesh-dissolving bioweapon against people on this planet, and one other world. Hundreds had died. Perhaps more. Most had been enemies but some had been allies and civilians. The Collective surely knew of it and would react accordingly. Macron disliked using such duplicity but it was certain to draw their attention away.

“Master, didn’t you once use a real bioweapon like that?” The HK droid shouldered it’s heavy blaster as they dismounted. “Bad stuff, I heard about it in the planetary data records you gave me.” Ahead of them the commandos moved quietly towards the secondary egress hatch with explosive charges at the ready to blow it open.

There it was, The Question. Like his own personal twelve-armed demon come to torment. “Yes 22. It was done when I thought mass destruction was true power. But I came to learn that it is not. As a Sith it is a dishonorable and cowardly way to kill your enemies. You gain nothing from it. Do not ask again.”

Macron drew an unlit lightsaber hilt and clipped his helm plate into place. The Adept took a deep breath and felt within himself, delving into the deep and unbridled hatred he felt for the invaders that had usurped their homes. It swelled in his heart with anger, darkness, and the burning shame he felt at using the Violator gas so long ago. His blood-curdling shout echoed along with the explosions of the hatch being penetrated. “FOR SADOW!”

Communications Center
Seng Karash
Aeotheran

Macron hit his comlink, “Vindicator, Vindicator, this is Adept Macron. In position, are we clear to engage?”

The Elder waited, no response. “Damn!” Macron exclaimed.

Aeotheran
Low Orbit
Collective M50 Cruiser Korpil

The M50 medium cruiser Korpil had been patrolling the planet’s orbit, along with two s20 Frigates, the Zaballos, the Tashota and one Ton-Falk carrier the Cloridorme for months now. Safeguarding a planet that once housed their enemy… The Collective had driven Clan Naga Sadow from their homes, and now, for the time being, maintained control. The Collective was conducting routine, daily sector Combat Starfighter Patrols (CSP) seeking out enemy forces. Day in and day out, Collective patrols reported no findings, returning from CSP missions with just a deeper resentment for the system they patrolled. No signs of any enemy forces reported for nearly a year, but today, today would be different.

“Lieutenant, have the patrols reported in on any findings?” asked the captain of the Korpil.

“Nothing as of yet, sir. Last report received was at the top of the hour with no findings. Bravo leader informed command of their position, moving deeper into Orbit Two to begin the patrol of the Amphor system,” the young lieutenant replied.

The captain of the Korpil stared out of the viewport of his bridge. “I’ve been reduced to babysitting an enormous blanket of nothing…” he thought to himself.

Pausing for a moment, he turned to his lieutenant. “Hail the Zaballos and Tashota. Report in status update and CSP findings.”

“Copy that, sir,” replied the lieutenant.

Hyperspace Lane
HSD Command Ship
Vindicator-class heavy Cruiser

“Commander, what is our ETA?” asked DarkHawk.

“ETA thirty seconds, sir,” stated the commander.

“I sense your reservations commander…”

“Forgive me Quaestor,” The commander said leaning in towards the Battlelord. “This is a risky move, with a new fleet and crew. I have made many decisions in my career, none so intrusive as this.”

“Noted, commander. It is risky, very risky, there are no rules of engagement here, only yours. The bigger the risk, the more the glory. The ship and the crew will hold commander.” DarkHawk said.

The commander snapped to attention and nodded to the Quaestor. “Start the countdown, open ships channels…” the commander said over his left shoulder.

The young ensign controlling the ship’s communications diligently followed the given orders. A short sequence of buttons was initiated before the ship’s PA system activated. The ensign replied, “Open comms, sir…”

“House Shar Dakhan, maintain all battlestations. Our attack is imminent. All fighters are clear to launch on my signal. No surrender, no retreat, no mercy. For the glory of Sadow!”

**Aeotheran **
Low Orbit
Collective M50 Cruiser Korpil

The Korpril maintained her heading. Just as the lieutenant confirmed the “all clear” status from the cruiser’s sister ships, alarm warnings began to flood the bridge of the M50.

“Lieutenant…?” barked the captain.

“Sir…we have incoming…” the lieutenant said.

The captain’s eyes narrowed. “Finally! Our enemy has returned…Let’s give them a warm welcome shall we…?” he said through a devilish grin.

Out of the depths of space, the HSD fleet appeared. The Dakhani command ship had navigated itself at the rear of the Korpil, locking it on it’s one o’clock position. HSD task forces, the Aurek and Dorn came in on the two frigates. The Ton-Falk carrier of the Dakhani fleet remained to the rear of the attack, behind the Vindicator. The carrier immediately began launching its fighters. Like a swarm of insects leaving their hive, the Dakhani forces began their attack.

DarkHawk walked over to the communications officer sitting at his station. “Open a channel to both Adept Macron and Malik” DarkHawk directed. The young officer flipped two toggle switches and gave the “OK” signal to the Quaestor. “Adept Macron, Adept Malik…you have a green light…you are clear to engage,” DarkHawk said. Turning his attention back to the bridge commander, DarkHawk nodded, “Commander…”

“Target the crusier’s engines and rear defenses!” the commander ordered.

The Vindicator’s weapon systems locked onto it’s targets and began an onslaught of turbo- laser and cannon fire against the M50. The Collective cruiser rocked violently as the Dakhani flagship began its assault. The fighters from the Dakhani carrier were racing past the viewports of the Vindicator’s bridge. Fighters began targeting the rear defense arrays of the cruiser. Small explosions across the cruiser’s body began to erupt and dance over her structure. Y-Wings from the Dakhani forces began making their initial bombing runs across her hull and other defensive batteries.

Two X-Wings teamed with two Y-Wings Headhunters that had broken off from the main Dakhani assault. Flying staggered to one another in a “fingertip” formation, they targeted three communications and a radar array in orbit around the planet. “Strike Team Two, this is Strike Team One, in range and locked, break for target two weapons hot.”

“Copy that, we are weapons hot…” The two Y-Wings made a hard right bank and lined up on the second communications array. The strike team leader gripped the yoke tightly as he lined up his fighter, correcting the yaw of the nimble fighter His targeting reticle illuminated from green to red, emitting a solid tone. The pilot pulled back on the trigger twice. Two bursts of laser fire raced across the darkness of space, destroying the first array. “Strike Team Two, this is One, target destroyed, moving in to cover your six…”

“Copy that…” The Y-Wing pilot pushed his throttle further up into its quadrant. His wingman staying abreast to the lead aircraft, mimicking his leader’s movements, maintaining formation. The strike team leader leveled his fighter, lining his target up on the Y-Wing’s HUD. One firm hand on the yoke, and he secured his shot. Three bursts of laser fire came across the nose of the Y-Wing. The last one grazed the nose cone of the Y-Wing. The strike team leader instinctively pulled his ship hard right in an evasive barrel roll maneuver. Before the pilot could complete the maneuver, one of the M50’s laser defense batteries annihilated the Y-Wing.

“We lost strike team leader two!”

“Finish your run, strike team two!” replied strike team leader one.

The now lone wingman yawed to the right and locked onto his target. As soon as the reticle turned red, the targeting alarm barely sounding, the pilot pulled the trigger and destroyed the second array. The Y-Wing pilot pulled the throttle back and yanked back on the stick to avoid colliding with any debris from the array.

“VIndictor, Vindicator, this is strike team leader one. Two communications arrays are down. Moving in on the third,” replied the strike team leader pilot.

Task force Aurek and Dorn had already moved in on the frigates. The four Raider I corvettes surrounded the Zaballo and Toshota, commencing to unleash a barrage of fire power with its concussion missiles, turbo-lasers and ion cannons. Augur Locke of task force Dorn was poised and ready for the ground assault launch. Eagerly awaiting to jump into the fight with the rest of the ground forces. The Dorn commander instructed his forces to continue circling the frigates, keeping them boxed in. The frigate Zaballos began to return fire, rocking the corvette violently from its firepower. Major Xuner Holst kept a steady watch of the viewing screens with the commander of task force Aurek. The Major watched as the Aurek’s two corvettes initiated their attack upon the second frigate, the Tashota. As the attack began, the Aurek commander instructed the third ship in his task force, a strike class medium cruiser, to maneuver in on the Collective’s Ton-Falk carrier.

By this time, Collective fighters were launching from the Cloridorme and the Korpil. Major Holst radioed back to the HSD’s Vindicator. “This is task force Aurek. Collective forces are in pursuit, sir”! A volley of quad-laser fire from the Tashota slammed against the hull of the Aedile’s corvette, bouncing him nearly out of his bridge seat. “Jesus, these guys pack a punch…” Xuner thought to himself. “We have our cruiser targeting the carrier, sir.” Xuner said.

“Task force Aurek, we have you on screen. Maintain your position and engage those frigates.”

Strike team leader one and his wingman had returned to formation with Z-95 of strike team two. The third communications array was on the aft side of the Tashota, making this run a little bit tricky. Both Collective and Dakhani forces were heavily engaged in and around those frigates – not to mention the frigate’s weapons system were still online and making quick work of any enemy fighter crossing those firing line paths. Without hesitation, the strike team leader pushed the fighter’s nose down and led his team under the belly of the frigate. His right wingman’s voice cracked over the comm’s, “I have one on my six…!”

“Break, break, break!” the flight leader exclaimed. All three fighters began to break off of formation. The Collective X-WIng broke with his target and led his enemy, meticulously jockeying for position to make the kill shot. Within seconds, the Collective X-Wing fired three blasts, landing all three across the HSD fighter’s mainframe. The Dakhani fighter exploded into a fireball, sending pieces of the fighter crashing into the frigate. The flight leader came around the starboard side executing a barrel roll, lining up his shot on the last communications array. The Dakhani pilot pulled the trigger on his fighter, sending a hail of laser fire directly through his target. Pulling up and over the explosion, the flight leader moved in to re-engage the Collective fighters with his wingman.

“HSD Command, they are currently blind…” the flight leader said.

The Vindicator kept its weapons trained on the back end of the M50. The weapons crew of the HSD command ship had so far, successfully disabled two of the cruiser’s five aft turbolasers, and now, one of the M50’s smaller engine nacelles had just stalled out from the Vindicator’s attack. The Korpil’s starboard main engine began cutting in and out as the HSD command ship maintained targeting the cruisers engines. Two X-Wings flying in echelon formation were lining up to make a strafing run across the Korpil’s command bridge. The cruiser’s turbo lasers cut the two X-Wings to shreds within seconds of beginning their run.

The Korpril began to push her nose port-side to begin a broadside positioning maneuver.

“Maintain ship’s heading, captain, do not let her get out of position!” said the Vindicator’s commander.

The Vindicator kept her nose pointed at the Korpil’s starboard side, maintaining its attack on the cruiser’s rear and aft port-side. The main engine nacelle began to cut in and out more frequently now. The commander maintained a haunting calmness about himself as he instructed the weapons officer to continue to target the cruiser’s engines. The Vindicator’s turbo-lasers kept a steady sequence of fire against the weakening starboard engine. A large explosion from the rear filled the Vindicator’s viewing screens, and bridge personnel instinctively shielded their eyes from the glare. The engine nacelle began to break apart in pieces, and the cruiser tipped to its right side.

“Port engines maintain speed, one quarter speed on starboard, keep our nose on her,” the commander said.

The malfunctioning M50 corrected her trajectory and was able to get her aft ion cannons locked on the Vindicator. The Korpil’s cannons danced violently across the hull, laying carnage against the HSD’s command ship. “Target those cannons before they recharge, captain,” the commander said. The words were barely spoken before another barrage from the Korpil slammed against the Vindicator.

Bridge
Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser Phoenix

The grin on Hades’ face belayed his calm exterior. The last of the enemy’s fleet had been destroyed with the partial loss of only one of the House’s Raider corvettes. That ship was adrift, with only partial power. He had sent over additional damage control parties to assist with repairs and it’s sister Raider was staying alongside as cover. Hades had ordered the Acclimator cruiser to begin to land troops on the planet according to the plan in place. The remainder of the ships in the fleet began to target any Collective forces or structures on the planet with precision turbolaser strikes.

“Sir?” This brought Hades’ mind back to the bridge. He turned to the Communications Officer. “Yes, Ensign?”

“Sir, I’m getting reports that the HSD fleet is sustaining heavy fire.” Hades frowned, his mind racing with tactical possibilities. “Are they asking for assistance?” he asked in returned.

“No, Sir. But they seem to be taking a beating.” Hades looked over at the disabled Raider corvette and nodded. If he could spare his sister House more casualties he would. He returned his gaze to the Ensign.

“Recall all of the Phoenix’s fighters. Just ours, Ensign. Inform Admiral Pel he is in command of the Tarthos sector of battle until I return.” Turning to his Navigation Officer, Lieutenant Commander Inara, he pointed a finger to emphasise the point.

“Nav, do we have microjump capability to Aeotheran orbit?” asked the Sith.

“Yes, Sir. I’ll have the calculations in a moment.” replied LCM Inara.

“Sir, our squadrons are answering and will be on board within 30 seconds.” said the Phoenix’s Captain, Pierce.

“Excellent. Nav, feed the information to Helm. Helm, as soon as the last fighter touches down we go. Keep us at Alert Level One and have the crew ready to fight as soon as we are out of the jump. And Comm, Inform the fighters that as soon as we are out of the jump to launch and help the HSD fleet take down the Collective’s ships.” After a string of ‘Yes,Sirs’ and others, the ship was ready. Thirty seconds later, they were in Aeotheran orbit.

Aeothan Orbit
Vindicator, HSD Flagship

DarkHawk stood engrossed staring at the HSD command ship’s viewing screens. Intently watching the battle rage on. The M50 and the Vindicator were going blow for blow. Though the Vindicator would not take this kind of engagement for much longer.

“Quaestor, we have an incoming ship…” said the bridge commander.

DarkHawk’s reverie was broken abruptly by the bridge commander’s muffled voice. Turning his attention to the commander, “What…Who?” the Battlelord asked. An ensign scrolled through open screens displayed over his terminal, “Signature reads ours sir, identified, it is Battlelord Hades in the Phoenix!” exclaimed the ensign.

A devilish grin broke momentarily over DarkHawk’s face, “Seems the odds have just turned in our favor…”

Aeothan Orbit

The Phoenix reverted to realspace. It seems as if the HSD Fleet was taking a pounding, but they were holding their own and giving a proper pounding in return. Without turning around he bellowed out the order, “Launch the Fighters! All gunners, fire at will!”

The Phoenix maneuvered to flank the two Lancers that were doing serious damage to HSD’s fighter squadrons. “Focus fire on those two Lancers. Avenge the deaths of our fallen brothers and sisters…”

Turbolaser fire shifted towards the Lancers. As the laser turrets began to explode the Y-Wings from the Phoenix began their runs with proton torpedoes. Each launching two of the powerful warheads. As they launched their payloads, the fighters broke high to their two o’clock as a pair of TIE Defenders covered their withdrawn, keeping a watchful eye out for any enemy fighters that may be lurking nearby. The warheads ran straight and true towards their targets. The first Lancer was caught in it’s underbelly as it was in a tight turn, the first few hits broke it’s spine. As the rest hit home, it just made the explosion that much more beautiful. Cheers erupted from both the crew and the comm systems.

The second Lancer was able to destroy three of the incoming torpedoes before being struck on port aft, near the engines by the remaining nine warheads. It’s death was just as dramatic, and just as satisfying to the Sadowans present. The Y-Wing squadron again formed up with it’s TIE Defender protection.

“Boneheads, on me!” Ordered the Y-Wing squadrons’s commander. As this a recently acquired squadron for HMR, and most of its pilots were quite green, the veteran commander began calling them “boneheads” and, well, it just kind of stuck. The commander waited until his squadron acknowledged his command before turning to the Collective’s carrier. Bringing up the ship in his display at a good magnification, he could see a few of the enemy’s fighters returning to the ship, meaning it was getting ready to escape. The carrier was trading intermittent fire with one of wounded HSD Raider corvettes, but no other friendly capital ship was in range to stop it. The commander keyed up the mic.

“Boneheads, dump your laser power into your engines and target the carrier! Its trying to escape.” Bone 1 pushed his throttle to its maximum as his squadron raced towards the enemy. He watched his targeting computer count down until he was within four kilometers before he gave the orders.

“Launch!” Again, blue streaks shot out from the old Y-Wings, but this time, it was joined by red streaks of advanced missiles from the TIE Defenders. The lethal space superiority fighters flashed by the slower Y-Wings as they made their own run towards the carrier. The missiles hit first as they were much faster, but inflicted minimal damage on impact. The Defenders began a strafing run on the enemy, green lasers stippling across the surface. The carrier was turning away from it’s attackers, there was a momentary drain of power as the hyperdrive spooled up before the ship could leave. But it was just one second too late. The blue cones of hate hit the engines, causing a cataclysmic chain reaction in the ship’s reactor core. The explosion was powerful, almost taking a few of the closer TIE Defenders with it.

Hades shared his joy out loud with the rest of the bridge crew at the last of the enemy’s demise. He looked at the Comm officer. “Open a channel to the HSD Flagship.” The Comm officer nodded and gave a thumbs up when the channel was open.

“HSD, you are clear. Good Luck on your objectives.” Said Hades as he looked over at the other Vindicator.

“That was quite a BOOM, Admiral! Thanks for the assist!” replied the QUA, DarkHawk.

“Anytime. We are in this together.” He then made the cutting motion with his hand over his neck.

“Nav. Plot a course back to our fleet. Let’s mop this up before joining the Consul.” The HMR Fleet Admiral stretched before grabbing a drink at the rear of the bridge. This is a good day.

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Level
Level 9, Kar Alabrek, Tarthos

Xolarin pushed through Ciara and his insectoid friend. He was frustrated that he had fallen for the illusions as well. He could just feel Muz laughing on the inside behind them all. Twas not worth dwelling on at this point, as they still had a ways to go.

Kojiro joined Xolarin in front. “Come on,” he said gruff and low. Xolarin followed, and the others fell in.

A short bit further, hairs standing up on Xolarin’s neck under his hooded, Sadowan armor, the AED spoke softly to Kojiro just ahead of him. “Up ahead, past the next junction.”

Kojiro nodded. “I sense it too.”

Muz spoke from the back - not uncharacteristically loud, but not soft either, not really caring if he was heard outside the group or not. “Control rooms are past them. First major targets.”

Xolarin breathed in deeply and went forward ahead and paused a a corner of the tunnel. He exhaled, closing his eyes, seeing the troops and officers from the Collective assigned to those control rooms, an inkling of their predilected motives. He paused for just a couple seconds, although it seemed like longer.

The artifact nerd signaled back to the group, indicating the numbers in each direction. One way was a group of four enemy and another was a group of seven.

Hilgrif nodded, speaking in his distinct accent. “Commun’cations must be deactivate.”

“Agreed,” came Ciara’s reply. “You two go that way.”

Xolarin moved forward and patted Hilgrif on the shoulder as he went down the hallway with the smaller number of guards, walking a short distance away from the others. It was obvious that Xolarin would lead the assault and Hilgrif would work his technological magic. Of course it wouldn’t be that simple.

As if on cue, a blaster bolt shot down the hall and hit a tunnel wall. Xolarin ran ahead quickly, running right towards the gunfire. They couldn’t let any of them reach the bigger Collective forces. In less than a few heartbeats, he was upon them. He jumped and landed in another split second, pushing his fist to the ground as he did. A wave of kinetic forced slammed out from him, connecting with the three soldiers in the hall. All three were caught off balance, the closest one losing grip on his blaster.

Xolarin pushed the quick win down, suppressing a grin. Instead, the two had work to do. The dangerous end of his lightsaber lit into its bright orange flare. He felt Hilgrif prepare in his own way, the two about to make quick work of these men.

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/14717/snapshots/2107/3924

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Level
Level 9, Kar Alabrek, Tarthos

While Xolarin and Hilgrif engaged the enemy the clan resident Grand Master turned his head behind him and frowned. It was Ciara’s sudden jerking movement in the same direction that made him turn his head back around.

“Someone is following us?”

Ciara looked to Muz almost for clarification.

“Yes.” He simply stated.

The Sephi Warlord sighed slightly as that seemed to be all she was going to get out of the man. Deciding to make sure the four of them were not going to be ambushed, no matter how highly unlikely that would be with the current team’s powerhouse, she moved back towards the way they came and reached out with the Force.

The sound of someone falling over due to being tripped due to Ciara’s telekinesis would be heard echoing down the tunnel. Then came a series of cursing. Then came the hiss snap of Ciara’s lightsaber being activated.

“Come out now assassin!”

Ciara’s anger was rising due to the potential threat. If Muz knew they were being followed, which he must have as she had just now sensed someone behind them, why did he not act? Perhaps there had to be a reason.

The sound of someone would be heard echoing closer to her. The Sith tensed as the figure drew closer and closer. Until a shadowy form could be seen from the glow of active lightsaber. A cloak covered their form and face,

“Step closer very slowly and lower the hood,” Ciara barked coldly as she tensed her grip on her weapon, “don’t make any sudden movements or you’ll be missing a limb.”

The figure stepped into full view and lowered the hood. It was not what Ciara was expecting, not that she had any preconception of what their stalker looked like, but perhaps having a teenaged Togruta threw her slightly. A girl! Who has pouting! Like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

“I guess I still need to work on my concealing myself. I was doing so well, I shouldn’t have got distracted by the fighting but I got so excited.”

The girl explained nonchalantly to woman’s ire. Ciara snapped forward and brought her lightsaber to the girl’s neck as she was foolishly rambling on.

“Who the hell are you!!!”

It was another’s voice that answered Ciara’s question.

“Aleho Ruoxf.”

The two females looked over at the Grand Master who was leaning against the tunnel’s wall behind them. The look for sheer boredom was plastered across the man’s face.

“I take it Ashura couldn’t be bothered to turn up in person.”

Aleho gulped a little at the Muz’s flat question. His intense but bored eyes glared at her.

“Not at all, Grand Master. He simply has a few loose ends that need dealing with before he arrives. Master ordered me to go ahead of him, I was supposed to scope thing out and report back what I find.”

“Wait!” Ciara interjected and turned to Muz “You know this girl?”

“Yes,” Muz replied simply.

“You knew she was following us!”

“Yes.”

Ciara was fuming now as she glanced between Aleho and Muz.

“Then why didn’t you tell us! Also! How the hell this Ashura person?” Muz single worded answers were starting to bug the hell out of her.

“Sith Warlord Ashura Isradia.” The Grand Master replied. “Son of Sadow”.

Ciara’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of the water as she struggled to find the right words. Aleho shifted from foot to foot as she waited for the Sith Warlord to speak.

“Then what about the answer to my first question. If you knew she was following us. Then why didn’t you tell us, even if this girl is not a threat, it would have been useful to know she was there!”

“I found it amusing,” Muz said in a matter of fact tone, “It helped to stay off the monotony. The others have finished up. It is time to move out.”

He then turned towards where the rest of the team had gone and strode off. The two females glanced at each other before following after him.

“Girl! Just so you know. I don’t trust you. I don’t like you. Make a single wrong move and I will kill you.” Ciara stated it as a matter of fact.

Aleho huffed but nodded in reply.

———

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/character_sheets/10806

Unknown

The notion of time and space was meaningless.

The crossroads of all events were abuzz with activity. Different minds were joined in despair and revelry, as images of the past borne on wings of the Force carried the dread and powerful aloft. These beings were all caught up in dreams and visions, each lost in a moment, or adrift within the aeons. Time held no meaning. Space was insubstantial. It was as though meditation itself reined in the ebb and flow of all things, and said, “Wait.”

Shan Long stood rigid. Tall. Marble in his pristine regalia. Though neither king nor duke, nor any level of royalty, there was a regal air to the Thunder Dragon. In his own mind, he was an Emperor. He was a heavenly sovereign, destined to rule over mortality until time unraveled. He was the heir of the Fire Dragon, and all of his brethren would rend the galactic powerhouses asunder, and form a new and lasting dynasty in their own image. His thoughts were ablaze in activity, but it was perhaps due to impatience. Shan Long did not like to be kept waiting, even for one of his brothers. Had he a chronometer, the man’s perfect composure might have been disrupted with a downward glance and a tap of the foot.

“You are late, Gwei Long.”

Confusion radiated from the second man’s eyes as though he had been wished into the Thunder Dragon’s presence. He couldn’t recall where he had been, but he was certain it hadn’t been here. He hadn’t seen his brother in ages, since the disappearance and rumored treachery of the wandering one had filtered through his usual spies.

“I am… not supposed to be here.”

“Of course you are, Gwei Long,” the Thunder Dragon bemused. “Where else would you be?”

“I… know you, but I do not know this ‘Gwei Long’ that you speak of,” returned the second man. “Frankly, I can’t… seem to even recall who I am at this particular moment.”

“You have recently joined the ethers, and all notion of individuality is lost for a while. It will return, my brother,” Shan Long instructed. “Now that you are here, we have much to accomplish before our dreams come to fruition. Our teacher is lost, but I have been tracking him, and shortly, our brethren will gather to track down the Fire Dragon and return him to his throne.”

Everything about this seemed familiar, but his head was swirling. He had no notion of identity. This was all wrong, but still vaguely reminiscent of a previous life. There was a reason he was here, to be certain. He simply had to divine the purpose, the reason, and then tie it all together and figure out what the Force wanted him to comprehend, and whence to go from that enlightenment. However, even down to the landscape itself, everything was a chaotic tumble of reality, wild concepts of imagination, and ethereal haze of vision. Everything made sense, yet nothing did. It was a gauche monstrosity of all things that a vision in the Force could be. And as such, he knew he was at least safe from harm for the moment.

He walked with the Thunder Dragon for only a moment, but in the mindscape of this place, it might have been an eternity. Or perhaps they hadn’t even walked, and the ethereal plane simply moved around them, and whisked to where they wanted to be. For now they were in a large, spacious room, amidst a gathering of the strangest, most random group of individuals the man could ever remember. Children running hither and to, mixing with the elderly, the infirmed, the pompous assholes of the universe; the rich and infamously wealthy having tea and cakes with the slovenly poor.

“Where are we?”

“Ahh, you know the answer to that already, Gwei Long,” Shan Long returned, with a mildly cynical smirk upon the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know why you keep asking me these ridiculous questions. Quit pretending to be simpleton, brother.”

“Who is ‘Gwei Long,’ and who am I?” the man finally asked. He knew that to reveal such lack of clarity, such amnesia would open him up to derision and possible abuse. Yet, how he knew that this Thunder Dragon would exhibit anger was a mystery. He knew he would; it was that simple. Shan Long was an impetuous, tormented creature who lashed out at everyone and everything.

Shan Long turned and lashed out, striking the man across the side of the cheek in fit of near-juvenile fury. The man’s face turned away, but no redness shown on his skin. Shan Long’s visage was twisted in a mockery of humanity. There was nothing human left within the powerful man. “You continue to ask these stupid questions, and I am absolutely drained of you! How our father ever chose you is beyond comprehension! You are contemptible!”

“We are not blood,” the man said flatly, yet firmly, “and though I recognize your face, and your name, I do not know you. I do not know myself.”

“Then how could you be so sure that you do not know me?” The Thunder Dragon was suddenly coy, playful. “After all, we are such very old, dear friends, Gwei Long. Come now, let us forget all of this nonsense and greet our guests, shall we? Here, take my hand. Let me show you around. This cathedral is magnificent, isn’t it?”

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Levels
Level 9, Kar Alabrek, Tarthos

Following in the footsteps of Xolarin and Kojiro, the small gathering continued deeper into the sub-levels of the cavernous citadel. Ciara had seemed mildly perturbed about the recent addition of the Togruta servant, which was certainly out of character for her. However, this entire foray was certainly out of her general comfort zone. Perhaps it was the general spirit of this place. Much like any demesne of darkness, this place had ghosts, and at present, they were all malicious, all vengeful. They demanded blood. It was still to be determined whose blood they were clamoring for.

The hallway they were following still travelled on, and eventually led to one of the main power relays that fed the rest of the castle. From there, they would be able to dictate and direct the flow of power, and assist in the takeover of this outpost of Naga Sadow. They had encountered sparse resistance thus far, but it was only a matter of time before they would encounter additional forces of the Collective.

“Cold…”

The whispers of darkness grew more distinct as the small group travelled onward, inward. Each whisper had a specific tone to it, much like its own voice. The words were felt more than heard, but there were many spirits within, and each was making its thoughts known.

“So hungry…”

“Hate…”

“They don’t belong here…”

“Kill them all…”

“Die!”

Ciara began to realize that the animosity within each presence was not aimed at here. Still, it was malevolent, foul, a blight of emotion, and the spirits wanted the usurpers done away with. She was beginning to realize that she was being accepted. Obviously, she was here with the Grand Master, the Lion of Tarthos, and he was at home here. Still, she was being accepted not simply because she was here with a Sadow, but because they saw her as kindred spirit.

“We’re coming to a bit of a foyer,” Xolarin held up a gauntleted hand, calling for everyone to halt. “This might be the spot for a perfect ambush. Beyond this foyer is the power relay, and I doubt they’d want to risk damaging it. We need to prepare for a bit of a frontal assault, and we’re walking into a trap. We have to be. They must know we’re coming.”

As if cued up by Xolarin’s ominous thoughts, the ground shivered.

Boom…

Xolarin glanced immediately to Muz, seeking insight or knowledge. Muz glanced beyond the Aedile, and into the shadows ahead. Whatever the Grand Master could see, he wasn’t sharing his thoughts. The ground shivered once again.

Boom…

It was like a rumble of thunder that was growing louder. And with each crash of whatever fury awaited, there also seemed to raise up voices, shouts, cries for help.

Boom…

They could start to piece out the confusion and distress. It was obvious to the small gathering that these were not the cries of help from their allies. Naga Sadow’s forces were not ahead, and their Collective adversaries were now running their way.

Boom…

This time, the ground beneath them nearly rose up like a wave upon the sea, and rippled past them. Something was getting closer. Muz gripped his lightsabers with ease, just another battle for a hardened veteran who wielded exceptional power. Ciara dropped in beside the Son of Sadow, Xolarin and Kojiro flanking them, Aleho at their back. A body came flying through the air at their heads, and the small group ducked and listened as the body skidded across the surface of the floor, its armor making an eerie, shrill sound as it came to a halt. Aleho glanced back; the figure wasn’t moving.

“I think it’s dead.”

“Maybe you, too,” Kojiro quipped cynically. “I’ll feed you to whatever is coming.”

Another body whizzed past, far overhead. Something had thrown it, or hurled it with great force. It, too, skidded across the surface to their rear, and came to a halt. Muz let out a brief sigh, then walked forward loosely, determined in his pace. The others glanced at each other briefly, then followed behind, quickly pursuing the Grand Master. Coming into the foyer, bodies were strewn about, some ripped and torn asunder, bloody show marring the walls and furniture within the foyer. Muz had stopped, his head crooked slightly in curiosity. Ahead in the foyer was a monstrous creature, a behemoth of the Dark Side. A night blue Tarentatek with purplish and grey streaks marking its skin was devouring some…one in its claws. The creature slavered as it consumed whatever meal it had partaken of, licking its chops infrequently.

“I don’t… seem to recall there being one of these fiends,” Xolarin hissed to the group, trying not to gain its attention.

“It doesn’t belong,” Muz actually said aloud.

The creature stirred, and turned its great head. It had heard the words of the Lion of Tarthos, a beast like unto itself. Hatred flared in its eyes, but it did not move. The voice of another broke the silence, and the beast rumbled in its throat, and then turned and continued to pick through the bodies as though it were a buffet of sorts. As the soaring beast moved, a robed, shadowy figure was revealed. The creature seemed dismissive of the shadowy figure, but at least inclined to obey it, if not serve the man outright.

Boom.

Each step the creature took shook the floor beneath them just enough, sending them on a slight rise and fall like the swaying of the ocean, and it was obvious what had previously transpired. The beast had been moving about, ripping apart Collective forces, and feasting on them now. As the monstrosity moved away from them, the shadowy man moved forward, and was met with equal zeal in return in Muz’s quick strides. The two of them didn’t embrace, nor did they shake hands. There was no friendly exchange, but there was an obvious camaraderie and comfort between the two of them. The shadowy figure asked a few soft questions, Muz had short responses in kind. As the rest of the group came beside them, the shadowy figure seemed to focus on Xolarin, and then Ciara. As the distance closed, familiarity set in.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Genuine surprise registered from Xolarin.

“Since when do you keep one of these around?” Ciara flourished a hand towards the night-colored Tarentatek.

“She said she was hungry,” Bloodfyre responded flatly, “and I heard there was nourishment in these parts. Adrestia made the choice to come. She is not in thrall. It would not be wise to try and subjugate such a beauty as she.”

Ciara quirked an eyebrow at the Sith Master, but filed that away for further conversation. “I take it you’ve cleared out the path to the power relay?”

“I’ve done no such thing,” Bloodfyre shrugged. “I’ve simply followed along where Adrestia chose to go. It’s been many years since I visited this place, and I’m quite certain I’ve forgotten where I am.”

‘You lie, Gwei Long.”

The whisper was only in Sith’s mind, and he knew no one else perceived it. Still, he turned his head almost imperceptibly to see if anyone else had heard the voice. It was obvious they had not, although the look in Muz’s obsidian pools suggested the Grand Master may have had an inkling as to the fractured state Bloodfyre was in. Whether the man had insight or not, Bloodfyre’s secrets were his own. The nod from Muz suggested he would reveal nothing.

VT-49 Decimator Gemini Alpha

“They’re fading,” a voice crackled through the comlink. “Now is a good time.” Malik’s voice betrayed no emotion, befitting his millenia of experience. He also has his mind connected with every pilot in the battle, Locke reminded himself.

“Copy. We’re departing the carrier.” He nodded to Sanguinius, other Sadowan personnel, and a host of Warhost troopers who were all packed into the assault ship.

Sang tilted his head. “Did he say anything about that visitor? I assume Malik knows what he is doing.”

Locke was leaning over the pilot’s shoulders, giving the order to advance from behind the carrier and make haste for the green-blue jewel of Aeotheran below. He turned back to Sang. “Nope, he seemed pretty focused. He’s used to how we do things around here.”

“And it’s not worth the trouble,” Sang said with a grin.

Locke chuckled. “You have a lot of wisdom for a former Consul. Let’s go over the plan again,” he said, shifting gears. “Macron is going after their communications center. We’re going after an old Dakhani HQ. As their comms go down, we’ll be bringing our base back online and have a new hub from which to direct our ground operations.”

Settling into one of the empty chairs on the Gemini’s bridge, Sang frowned. “Didn’t I blow that up because it was infested with rebels.”

“Such a strange phrase coming from you,” Locke retorted wryly, strapping himself in as the ship bounced as if hit by turbulence. Laser fire flashed outside, red then green across the bow of the assault ship, as a Warhost X-Wing chased off a Collective craft. “I thought he said it was safe,” Locke muttered. A moment after the rocking ceased, he heard the Gemini’s dorsal laser cannon firing off it’s own response.

“Straggler,” their pilot called. “Someone from on our battle net said ‘seemed like you could handle one or two.’ Real funny.”

“Right,” Locke said. “Anyway,” he turned back to Sang as if they were not flying through the middle of a battle. “There’s a section below it, deep underground. It seems that Lexic had more foresight than I thought when he had that HQ built. Our scans indicated it survived, and of course, the Collective realize it’s important, so it’s not going to be easy. Which is why I brought you.”

“And all those other people,”

“Of course,” Locke agreed. "But they’re here to fight the Collective, you’re here to keep me from getting killed.

“Goody,” the other man replied. “Assuming you are worth keeping alive.”

Locke just laughed. The ship rocked again. There were more flashes outside, indicating they were closer to the battle. Despite the combined efforts of Malik’s battle meditation - and Darkhawk and Hades’ combined ambushes, there were still some enemy fighters who refused to go out without a fuss.

“We should be landing any minute,” Locke continued, “and I would be honored if you were the first one out the door.”

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/10311/snapshots/1740/4060

Access Tunnels, Extreme Lower Levels
Level 9, Kar Alabrek, Tarthos

A group consisting of three Humans, a Shaevalian, Sephi, Verpine and Togruta along with a gorging Tarentatek was not the start of an awful joke. The tension emanating was thick enough to be cut by a lightsaber. That tension became ruined when Adrestia after finishing her ‘snack’ approach Shaevalian and plopped down at his feet.

“T-That is so adorable,” muttered Aleho and looked over at Sith asking, “I don’t suppose I can pet her?”

“Oh, please!” Ciara rolled her eyes at the Togruta childish attitude.

“Of course you can,” the Tarentatek’s owner replied, “just know you will be missing a hand afterwards.” That soured Aleho’s excitement as she thought better of it, truth be told she hadn’t expected it, she had just wanted to wind up the other woman as that was more enjoyable.

“I don’t suppose we can get back to the mission at hand?” Xolarin interjected as he wanted to get going. His bloodlust was rising in anticipation of killing more of the Collective forces. The group plus one pet got back to the mission and started to head towards the power relay to begin the next phase of the attack.

The commotion caused by the Tarentatek has drawn more of the Collective forces towards them. Then next couple of moments were intense as lightsabers severed heads and limbs, Force lighting rendered flesh into puddles of goo and men dying horribly as their guts got devoured. It was a massacre, and afterwards, a sense of perverse satisfaction encompassed many of the more bloodthirsty individuals of the group.

“Well, that was fun.” Kojiro quipped darkly.

MEANWHILE

Near the Temples of Orian
Sepros

A group of ten people lay on the ridge looking at the temples in the distance, a transport shuttle that had dropped them off was lifting off behind them, two of individuals of the group were slightly ahead of the other taking stock of the Collective forces.

“Are you sure the VIP is still here Inquisitor Megos?”

Colonel Aleck Winters glanced over at the Sith Apprentice Inquisitor. He was pretty sure that Megos was not his actual real name; instead, an alias he was using for some reason, most likely to his identity a secret.

“Indeed, Colonel. My, heh, contact tells me the VIP is alive and well but in hiding from the enemy forces. It is a pity what happened to our other VIP but getting hold of that security vid was hard enough, but now we know what happened to her.”

The Inquisitor’s cold voice was not the causes of the shivers going down the others. Everyone present had seen that vid. They had seen how the woman was tortured, violated and executed with her body strung up and left to rot for everyone to see.

“Yeah. The bastards were making a point by what they did. A year after they took Sepros they celebrated by pouring fuel over her corpse, lighting it on fire like a new year bonfire, well bollocks to them.” Winters then turned to the others behind him. "Right lads! We got a job to do so get your arses in gear.

They all stood up and readied themselves for the fight of their lives, the reason it was only the ten of them was to be a simple in and out, find VIP and get him out alive. The Inquisitor Megos had arranged the mission.

“The main attack force will engage the enemy from the north. Our job is to get in fast and dirty, as long our Inquisitor’s contact can confirm the VIP’s location for us. We are golden!” Winters explained to the other soldiers.

<><><><><><>

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/members/4782/snapshots/2201/4057
https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/non_player_characters/653/snapshots/2202/4058
https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/non_player_characters/652/snapshots/2200/4056

Seng Karash Outskirts

Aeotheran

The exodrive airspeeder moved quietly over the ground through the trees in the darkness. Malisane sat back in the passenger seat watching the familiar city in the distance. He felt oddly apprehensive. He had not been back to the city for over a decade, even during his exile on Lor Zatean he had avoided contact with others and that included the city he had spent so long in. The last he had seen of it was a glimpse in the distance as he had fled the planet ahead of the Collectives agent’s searches.

“Are you sure you know where you are going Battlelord?” the clone asked him.

“Of course I am,” he replied.

Senth glanced at the speeders small navigation display. “We can not get too close to the city they will be on high alert.”

“We will not need to,” Malisane replied, “we will be far enough away. And their attention will be elsewhere.” He glanced at the datapad in his hand. “West ten degrees.”

Senth turned the speeder. If the Warhost officer had any further doubts he kept them to himself.

A few minutes later then stopped. Malisane opened the hatch and climbed out quickly. He moved across the ground lightly, looking around him. “It should be here.”

“What should?” Senth asked curiously, “you were short on details earlier.” He looked around him at the soft ground between the trees. They were still several hundred metres from the city’s wall and the area was silent.

Malisane ignored him, then suddenly knelt down. “It is here.” He reached down and closed his eyes, concentrating. After a few seconds there was the sound of moving metallic parts, and to Senth’s surprise a panel opened up from the grassy floor.

“I don’t believe it,” the clone remarked as Malisane quickly turned and lowered himself into the hole. Senth followed, finding a metal ladder leading into the darkness. He followed the Sith as Malisane reached the bottom of the ladder and walked forward through the darkness.

“What is this?” the clone officer asked in surprise as he surveyed the tunnel.

Malisane glanced back at him. “It helps to have knowledge of history. You are aware of that first period of unrest in the city?”

“I have heard of it,” Senth replied.

“The Voice of Justice were slipping agents in and out of Seng Karash for a long time under our noses. We were blissfully unaware of it until we infiltrated them.” He paused. “There were a number of arguments and accusations afterwards regarding it. Eventually knowledge of it was kept to a select few of the Sadows and Summit.”

Senth nodded. “You are sure the Collective have not found it?”

“Despite all of our patrols, electronic security sweeps and informants we failed to do so,” Malisane replied, “we can not be sure but the risk is low.”

After a while they reached another ladder and Malisane began to climb, the clone following. At the top was a small alcove. Malisane felt around in the darkness and then with a click the wall slid open. Senth followed him and then stopped in further surprise. Beyond was a wide area, with chairs and tables neatly arranged across the floor, a few booths on the edge on the other side from a long bar with bottles stacked behind it, and at across the longer wall a stage on which sat some electronic equipment.

“This is the Blue Wampa,” the clone said looking around.

“Indeed,” Malisane replied, “the city’s premier karaoke bar, or it was last time I was here. It seems unchanged. I guess there is a curfew on with the attack or it would be heaving with customers.”

Senth was about to reply when he sensed a presence behind them. “Drop your weapons and raise your hands,” a female voice ordered them.

Malisane sighed. “Do not do anything foolish Chessene.” He turned slowly and raised his hands slowly to his head lifting his helmet with a slight hiss as an attractive twilek female came into view, wearing a nightdress and holding a large blaster rifle.

“You!” she gasped as she recognised his burned and scarred features.

“Indeed,” he replied, “drop the rifle.”

She glanced at the weapon in her hands lowered it quickly. “You, you have returned,” she stuttered.

“We have indeed Chessene,” Malisane replied as Senth also turned to regard the twilek.

“Who is this?” the clone asked curiously.

“‘Lady’ Chessene used to be a local music star,” Malisane replied as his eyes bore into her, “quite the celebrity media darling and also a prominent agent of the Voice of Justice, until we found her. She told us a great deal of information, eventually.”

“I did,” she said quickly, “and I remained loyal after.”

Malisane nodded. “And we were very kind to you when you cooperated. We even gave you back your pretty face, and this business.”

“You were merciful,” she replied as a haunted look passed her features and she began to shake, “and I have never forgotten.”

“Good,” Malisane replied, “so I trust you have kept up to date with developments in the city?”
“I have,” she replied, “I have plans of any new construction, and information on the Collective forces present.”

“Excellent, go with her Senth and ensure she only fetches them and bring her straight back. It does not do to take risks, even with loyal agents after so long.” He watched them leave then strode over to the bar and poured himself a drink.

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/non_player_characters/317/snapshots/2207/4064

Communications Center
Seng Karash
Aeotheran

Into the breached door charged the troopers once the signal to attack had been given and cleared. They were all wearing breath mask equipped helms. Ahead of them went various flash bang, smoke, and gas grenades, presents thrown before the assault to create a more favorable environment.

Macron stopped behind them and touched his forehead. “Locke… Malisane… are joining the attack. I can feel them closing.”

“Here Master?” asked HK 22 as the droid shouldered and armed a heavy repeating blaster.

“I don’t think so. Not exactly no. My senses are not that clear. But they are coming to the surface and that’s good news. Both are valiant warriors.” From inside came the sounds of blasterfire followed by the whump of a grenade. “Sounds like the party has begun. Let’s join them shall we?” The Adept drew a single lightsaber and ignited it. The crackling whine and hungry buzz of the Elder’s tangerine blade illuminated his face as he clamped down the front of his helm. A puff of gas escaped from the neck as the red pinlights on his armor lit.

“Yes master. Although I am puzzled. Normally you go in front and terminate meatbags without mercy. You are inefficient by my standards but effective. This time you hold back. Why the change?” The droid leveled his rifle and began to clank towards the opening.

“Well, you murderous metallic turd, the Collective are to be taken seriously.” His vocoder changed voice sounded darker. “They know how to fight us. They are a worthy opponent- collectively.” The Sith chuckled at the expected groan from the droid. “Pun intended.”

As the two entered the breach smoke hung in an acrid haze inside. Neither of them were affected by the gasses and stench. Red and green colored blaster shots echoed and sung as they split the clouds and splattered around in both directions. Behind a metal tank huddled the troopers, each one popping up above or to the side in turn to deliver return fire.

“We’re pinned,” commented the Verpine General. “They planned for an attack from this direction. And they also have breathing equipment.” He gestured at the remaining commandos. One body lay stretched out on the floor, his faceplate blown completely off. “We made an initial insertion but they have a heavy bipod-mounted slugthrower covering the forward access. I have connected into their peripheral data system but we need to access the main trunk.”

“Of course they do. To be expected. Slugthrowers are much more effective against lightsaber wielders as Tsainetomo taught me. Duranium slugs cannot be reflected back at their origin. And they are lethal as most modern armor is not designed to repel them.” The Alchemist shut down his blade and hunkered down with them like any common soldier. There were no elites in a foxhole, as the saying went.

HK 22 moved to the side of the tank, laid down, and set up his repeater. “I can cover this angle and my sensors can penetrate the smoke in different wavelengths. If they present themselves I can terminate them Master.”

“Yes.” The Sith went quiet for a moment, seeking the answer to this perplexing riddle from within. The Dark Side slithered in his brain, whispering possibilities as it’s invisible tendrils caressed his hateful soul. “Conventional physical Force attacks will be expected. A frontal assault would be repelled. Our normal tactics would be unwise. However I have an idea. Keep them occupied. When the screams begin launch your attack General. Watch for tripwires and mines.”

The Adept laid down on his back on the cold duracrete floor and folded his gauntleted hands over his chest in the death-pose. Macron reached deeper within himself. Down to the core of his twisted being. Every atrocity, every thing that ever scared the life out of him he remembered and relished. All the years of torture he had inflicted- and received. Every fearsome event, every death, every loss, all the Bad Things he had done, seen, and watched. All the horrors of training at the hands of the Sith he had studied under both living and dead. It was a book of many black pages that sought a naive audience with normal minds.

The Hate, Anger, Shame, Loss, Fear, Madness and Loneliness rolled out from his scarred psyche like an invisible disgusting miasma. While the shots ranged back and forth over the top of the tank the Sith opened those feelings within himself and fed them to the Collective minds on the other side of the embattled corridor. The Terror was something they could not be prepared for. It took several seconds for the evil to begin to take hold. As Macron laid on the ground and chanted Sith words to himself screams began to come from across the corridor. "Hask Kusk, Jontu Odojinya… Shakkai!"

“Go! Go!” screamed General Zzzclk’ik as he gestured towards his commandos. HK 22 opened up on the first one to stand up on the other side, and the game was on. Macron staggered to his feet behind them.

Seng Karash
Aeotheran

Jedi Ranger Atalanta Megos bunkered down against the Collective forces artillery fire. She had joined the Brotherhood a few years ago after a falling out with the current Jedi Order due to a difference of opinions. Currently, Atlanta remains unaffiliated with any of the clans, preferring to work freelance. That was one of the reasons why she was here, helping the Iron Legion with Clan Naga Sadow’s retaking of the Orian system, but it wasn’t the main reason. Atalanta had been to the Orian system before, back when it was under Naga Sadow’s control; only the Jedi never knew this until after Atalanta joined the Brotherhood. She had made friends with a hotshot Dlarit Naval Officer named Sakura Haruno. They had remained friends even after Sakura had married the owner of the Dlarit Corporation. However, it was limited to video calls and messaging, mainly due to Sakura’s work and family life keeping her busy.

Then there was nothing. Atalanta had got wind that the Dlarit Corporation had collapsed. That had been about the same time she had the falling out with the Jedi Order and left. Atalanta had heard rumours of the Brotherhood from other Jedi and was not soon after invited to join. That was when she learned the truth; the Orian system had fallen to an organisation called the Collective. The entire Brotherhood was currently at war with this group that believed all Force-sensitive individuals had to die. Atalanta freelanced herself out to the Iron Legion and made sure she would join the force sent to retake the Orian system.

“We are not going to last much longer!” The shout from the lance corporal in charge of the fireteam she was assigned to brought Atalanta back to the present. She turned to the man saying, “If I was to make an opening, would we be able to push forward.” The man nodded in reply and Atalanta pulled off the bow from her back, taking the three explosive arrows and jumped to her feet. The slight twist of the body and head allowed the slug fired at her to pass by her harmlessly. A moment later, the twang from her bow rang out three times, Atalanta ducked back down and placed her hands over her eyes. The rest of the fireteam followed suit as a loud explosion followed back the screams of people dying.

The lance corporal, the other soldiers and the freelancer all charged from their spot to engage the enemy. Atalanta pulled out what looked like a sword from the sheath holster to her belt on the left and impaled the first enemy soldier with Force-enhanced speed. The sword then seems to elongate and crackle as the electro-plasma filaments came to life. The weapon was actuality an electro-chain whip, and in the hands of the highly fit Jedi it became a weapon of death, further augments by Atalanta’s Force abilities.

Nearby, Macron Sadow turned and looked Atalanta’s direction and frowned, whoever Force signature he was picking up was very similar to fellow Son of Sadow, Ashura Isradia. But that was impossible; he had covertly spoken to Ashura who had contacted him and the other Sons about rescuing the Heir’s progeny, yet this individual had almost identical to his. Just lighter, warmer and only the hint of darkness currently being kept in check. The Adept cackled with delight as he possible found a new specimen. Atalanta knew none as strands of white hair escaped her braid as she dodged shots and attacks, her black eyes locking onto her next target, regret welled up inside up as she took another life. That regret ruthlessly squashed by her, there would be time to mourn the lives lost on both sides later.

<><><><><><><>

https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/non_player_characters/654/snapshots/2208/4065

Blue Wampa

Seng Karash

Aeotheran

Senth studied the images the droid projected it across the table. “Alright as far as I can determine the Collective have made some minor changes to the relays but nothing major. Zero ought to be able to edit the data to compensate.”

Malisane nodded. “Indeed.” He was not about to admit it but this was a mystery to him now. Once he had known all this but that had been a lifetime ago. He had gained much over the years. He was stronger and faster than he had ever been, physically and with the force and he rarely had doubts of his abilities or resolve. But he had lost so much knowledge he once took for granted and systems and designs he had once excelled in creating were so much lines and symbols on a page. He glanced over at the twilek singer and bar owner who was sat meekly at a booth. Chessene was keeping her gaze firmly on the table top and a drink in her hand. “Alright Zero update and play recording forty seven again.”

Immediately the holographic display changed to feature a young man with cold features and short dark hair and wearing the uniform of a Dlarit military governor. He stood to attention and began. “The following is an emergency protocol by Sith Battlemaster Malisane de Ath, Quaestor of…”

“Skip to the relevant part Zero,” Malisane ordered impatiently.

The display flickered and continued, “The city’s power network is the most secure part of the city and we have always been confident in the integrity of the security and defence surrounding it. There are multiple redundant and backup systems protecting it from any hostile attack or terrorist intrusion. However this protocol was put in place under orders by Consul Manesh Sadow with agreement by both the…”

“Skip another ninety seconds,” Malisane ordered.

“You were quite the good little officer in the old days,” Senth commented and Malisane flashed him a dark look.

The projection flickered and continued, “In the event of the city falling to an occupying hostile force, an emergency junction has been put in place at a higher depth than the subterranean power and hydroponic systems and at a key point in the main power relay. Destruction of this junction will overload the primary relay without triggering the secondary systems for a period of two standard hours. The junction can be accessed at this point.” The image changed to show a top down schematic of the city then focused in to a point in the park district in the centre of the city. They both studied it for a few seconds. “This is only to be used in extreme circumstances when all…”

“End recording,” Malisane ordered. He glanced at Senth. “Do you understand that?”

“I think so,” the clone replied.

“Excellent,” Malisane replied, “we will need to move quickly to allow our forces as much time as possible. If there is a curfew in place they will have patrols in the streets, even if they are moving their forces to key defence locations.”

“We can take the rooftops,” Senth replied. He glanced at the assassin droid who was watching them both silently.

“Zero return to the speeder and take it back to the Deathshead and tell Captain Dagen to return to the fleet.”
The droid emitted a dull sonerous tone and turned back to the tunnel entrance, lowering itself into the darkness.

Malisane stood and walked over to where Chessene was sat. She stood nervously as he regarded her. “You have done well Chessene, we are not ungrateful.”

“I have,” she stuttered, “I was always loyal.”

“Indeed,” he replied. He raised his hand and with a hiss the white lightsaber blade ignited, spearing through her chest and she gasped before her body sagged onto the blade. As he deactivated it the corpse collapsed to the floor. He turned to Senth who was studying him passively. “We can not risk our task being compromised.”

“I did not say a word,” the clone officer replied.

“Good, this building has a roof hatch. We will make use of it.”

Undertunnels
Kar Alabrek
Tarthos

The patrols had been sparse, easily dispatched. The map blinked in front of them, helping those unfamiliar with the labyrinth of access and utility passages. Leena stopped, the projection from her datapad casting eerie shadows across those in the front line. “Okay, so we should probably split up here, as we discussed.” She keyed a few commands on the datapad, the paths to the different access points of the Cathedral blinking before them.

Bloodfyre shifted his weight, standing between his beast and the rest of the team, the close quarters of the tunnels building stress in all of them. They moved smoothly, their plans easily adjusting with the new intel. Hilgrif nodded quickly, stepping alongside the Twi’lek and Doc. “Aleho, you should come along with us, I think.” The Togruta tilted her head for a moment, then moved to join them.

Ciara breathed a little easier, watching them as they vanished down the corridor to their right. Xolarin moved up next to the Krath, crossing in front of Koji as he stared at Bloodfyre’s creature.

“What are we going to do with…” Koji gestured at the hunched over sith beast. He was right. It was remarkably unsubtle, a walking siege engine on a mission that was supposed to be precise and silent.

Muz raised an eyebrow, then nodded. “Trev’s.” The old spire was built back when Alabrek was not much more than an outpost and the Cathedral, but it had been kept up rather meticulously as the old Master’s home on the ice planet. The collective, with their outdated information probably assumed the actual Cathedral was there, so they would have no doubt been trying to find an entrance somewhere on the estate.

“Is …it hungry?” Xolarin smiled. He thought of the Tarentatek shredding through the ranks of collective cyborgs and it made his heart feel warm. It would be a perfect distraction.

“Always.”

“There’s a lift in about 200 meters down that corridor.” Koji brought the map up, stepping furtively toward the Dark Jedi Master. “Then, it’s a straight shot down the laneway to his old place.”

Bloodfyre nodded, a look of contemplation crossing his face as he considered what the Thunder Dragon may have left in such a place. If nothing else, a touch of bloodshed would not be amiss.

Kom’rk-class fighter "Ragnarok"
Vector 7.87.99
Kar Alabrek Space

“Getting more than a little crowded in my sky.” He sneered as the ship barrel-rolled between two collective fighters, cannons blaring. Resting a hand on his pilot’s shoulder, the Kyataran turned his head, nodding at the Twi’Lek rollmaster as she stared nervously out the transparisteel.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Tasha muttered to herself, pulling herself up out of her seat to watch the atmosphere engulf them, neon green blasts from collective fighters still hot on their trail. She snarled as she slid into one of the seats, activating the targeting systems for the rear-facing cannons. “Are you sure your brother knows we’re coming?”

Shikyo closed his eyes for a moment, half a smile creeping up the side of his face.

“He does now.”

Receiving dock
Coil
Downtown Kar Alabrek

The panel slid aside slowly, the quiet scraping of metal on metal lost to the sounds of loaders moving crates of foodstuffs from a transport. The Verpine’s eyes flitted about the area, watching the droids go about their business, his mind mapping out their run from the hidden access tunnel to the cargo turbolift. It was himself, the Nihilgenia medic, the Twi’lek Slicer and their droids. His mandibles twitched as he heard the Togruta climb up behind them. He turned, compound eyes focusing past the slicer’s droids to rest on her.

“Look, I know you can be quiet, and we kinda need that right now, okay?” Alehu nodded slowly, then flattened herself against the wall. The containers obscured their entrance from the cameras, from the droids. She looked at them, curious eyes seeing the fine weld line between the durasteel and the decking. “How…I mean, why?”

Leena leaned forward, a hushed whisper between them as the Verpine and the Togruta leaned in. “You’ve probably heard about how the Ragnos Cathedral kept getting demolished?”

Hilgrif nodded, tilting his head. He had read, and reread, and reread again everything he could about the House. They had to, given how long it had taken them to get back here.

“And how Muz had rebuilt the Cathedral himself several times?” Leena waited for their nods before continuing. “Well, the last time they rebuilt the city, Muz made it so that The Cathedral, hell the city, could be held…or taken back…by just a few of us.” She smiled, her lekku twitching. “This is our home.”

Hilgrif tilted his head back the other way. The slicer wasn’t unfamiliar to him, she had been on missions before, accompanying the Krath Lord on several things alongside Doc and her droids. He understood the Nihilgenia and their oath to the Keibatsu, but not her. “Are you Lord Keibatsu’s apprent…”

“Former Nephilim.” She interrupted him. “I owe him a lot.” She dismissed the thought, pulling back and lowering the goggles onto her face. “We wait until the next transport cycles in, then when the landing thrusters get loud, we make a run for the lift, got it?”

Hilgrif nodded. The comms array at the top of the Coil building was integral to getting the house’s anti aircraft batteries back under Ragnos control. It could very well turn the tide of the space battle. And all they had to do was make it up through a hundred levels of casino and hotel, then slice their way through whatever the Collective had left up in the top levels. Hopefully by then, the Cathedral and whatever other distractions that the Krath Lord had planned would have reduced the HQ to a skeleton crew. But if not… Hilgrif’s mandibles clicked in anticipation.

Caerick Estate
Western Reach
Kar Alabrek

“Captain, we got something out here?” Mak turned from his paperwork to look at the soldier, hopping to his feet. It was only a matter of time, he guessed. Stepping from the tiny prefab office, he looked out past the barricades, past the researcher tents. They had spent their first year picking at the bones of the old estate, one of the technocrats all but swearing that there was more to this old manor than met the eye. Something that they still hadn’t found. Mak sneered, seeing the dark figure as he approached. He turned toward the private for a moment. “Tell command we have a likely foxtrot uniform down here.” He paused for a moment. “And have them send backup.”

He walked quietly toward the checkpoint, the wind tossing a strand of his dark hair in front of his eyes. Blasters found their level, the whirring of targeting systems and the crackle of commlinks firing up as he approached, arms wide.

“Hold right there!” Mak bellowed, walking past the others. “Identification.”

Lips moved, but he could barely hear the words. He moved forward, the others moving to his flank, one signalling to the sharpshooter up the spire. “What was that?”

He straightened himself up to his full height, the Shaevelian’s imposing frame dwarfing the collective officer. “Voices callin’. Voices cryin’.”

Question bloomed across his face as his heart burned, the fire erupting from his back as quick as thought. “Some are born and some are dyin’.”

He turned, the ancient daggers spilling forth from his will, cold bone and steel shearing the air around him as they found purchase in the gaps of their armor, in the soft meat of their mouths, in the jelly of their eyes. He let the man fall to the ground slowly, letting him watch the futility of it all, the suffering of his backup. Bloodfyre lowered himself to a crouch, turning him over and lifting the flap of his armor to inspect the wound from his weapon.

Mak’s lips moved, mouthing the word ‘why’, but it came soundless. The shivering howl of the Tarentatek echoed between the buildings, the creature galloping toward them, a nightmare of bone and teeth that made him feel glad that he was already dying. Bloodfyre looked at him, ice in his eyes and gravel in his voice. “Behold, a pale horse.”

Grand Foyer
The Cathedral
Kar Alabrek

The turbolift was silent running, rising up through a half mile of steel and stone. They stood there in silent anticipation, the thick shielding of the hidden entrance twisting around them as they rocketed toward the surface.

Coming to a gradual stop, Muz placed his hand on the panel, the security protocols engaging. He turned his head to each of them, waiting for the nod before lifting his hand and allowing the door to slide open. Steel was replaced with deep and rich purple tapestry, the backstitching of intricate patterns obscured by the dimming light.

Koji reached out, pulling the tapestry to one side as he stepped forward first. It was their plans after all, to ensure that they would always have a secret way back into their home. The Cathedral was many things, hiding in plain sight, but with the house’s facilities obscured in ways that even other clan’s elders would not be able to decypher. Xolarin smiled, joy erupting in his heart to have finally set foot in the place. All of the secrets of the ancient house, of the Krath Reborn, the soul of their new Empire was right here. He had never been here, but it was home already.

The wide foyer was more gallery, the artwork and artifacts from across the galaxy on vibrant display, the curved staircases leading to the main entranceway, pillars of intricate stone between tapestries and archways beckoning people to the rest of the museum. Ciara stepped past him silently, pausing at the top of the stairway. There were guards down by the front entrance. Only a half dozen, but they were focused on their datapads, a live feed from another part of the city, violence unfolding in the space above them. She stepped forward, an eyebrow shooting upward as she stopped on the first step.

“Is that organ music I hear?”

No. It was more than that. It was the first note of vengeance fulfilled. Every strike of bone key tops and vent of sound a foreshadowing. A herald proclaiming the return of gods and kings.

This wasn’t her home, and this wasn’t her castle, but the resonance of that sound assured the Tarentae that it was her fight.

Ciara felt the shifting of the reemerged Tuk’ata preempting its master as Kojiro’s hand went to his saber. The guards had put down their datapads and armed themselves to seek out the organist. Remarkably, her own extended hand managed to halt the man long enough to meet her gaze before he moved to descend the steps ahead of her.

Slow down. Enjoy it.

A snort and a more rapid pace the only reply as the man and his beast went to claim first blood to the rising haunt of the organ. Kojiro wouldn’t slow down, but he would enjoy it. In his way.

And so would they all. Xolarin, a stranger to Tarthos, was returning at the helm of Marka Ragnos, beside the Lion, to claim a new home rich in knowledge and artifacts – powerful artifacts he could scarcely take his eyes off even now. A commotion on the opposite staircase broke the spell – Collective guards either fleeing the Sith hound’s teeth or suddenly determining that the organist was not their only threat. It mattered little to him.

Ciara’s hand moved to the railing of the staircase as her eyes scanned the dwindling guards on the ground. In a moment, she was up and over the railing, her descent slowed so she landed almost soundlessly on the floor below. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Tasha’vel, still at the organ, like a woman possessed.

Kojiro was close – dispatching one guard and stalking the last of them. It was quick work. Too quick for Ciara’s taste. And so a smile found its way into molten-fissured emeralds as her fingers found the Krayt hide of her sword and drew it to her side.

Just as quickly as the Keibatsu had claimed his first life, the last of his prey was snatched from his grasp. The Collective soldier rescued from the edge of a lightsaber to the point of a sword – after a short flight into the Tarentae’s waiting arms, naturally.

A growl met the woman’s mischief this time – an improvement from a snort, at least – but was redirected by the reappearance of Muz and Xolarin. A few words were exchanged as the Grand Master drew attention to the havoc breaking out just outside the Cathedral’s doors. They would make their way to the coil and hope Hilgrif and the others had been successful.

The music stopped, and the Cathedral emptied.

Almost.

Ciara remained, and, for her, the music never stopped. She stared at the blood that dripped down her hand, finally drawing her blade from the corpse at her feet as the phantom organ was joined by a chorus – the language familiar, but indistinct.

Lifting her head and drawing her shoulders back with a slow inhalation, the Sephi listened as if the sound was coming from outside herself, and she followed. As she drew closer to its perceived source – taking steps and turns she couldn’t recall for longer than seemed possible – the words became clearer. When they finally stopped, she found herself in a room that’s furnishings seemed to fade to nothing but the subtle glow of a single word etched into stone.

Stained fingers reached instinctively, but paused.

It was a name.

She knew it. She knew what it wanted, what it offered, and what it might cost.

And she knew what she wanted.

A touch, and, for a moment, the darkness was swallowed in light.

Cathedral Main Chamber

The Cathedral sang as the short battle raged within its walls. It hadn’t taken long to dispatch the small collective rear guard, and those present were aware the worst was to come outside the walls of the building. Silence now reigned as the party moved towards the entrance. Muz had the lead, Kojiro hung back somewhat with Sai’rasha, his great Sith warhound, by his side, soaked in blood and covered in fresh wounds. The scent of blood and charred flesh flooded the Warlord’s helm, causing him to catch himself from gagging on more than one occasion.

His eyes trailed to the front door, and a memory crashed into place. One of a … calmer man, a leader walking to the same door surrounded by black-armoured soldiers. It had been quiet, then, well, until Kojiro had taken the podium and begun the purges. Before the fall of Tarthos.

The clone shook his head, and, as he did so, he noticed Ciara wasn’t with the party. Kojiro looked around but could see no sign of the odd woman. A frown creased the warrior’s brow and he opened himself to the Force, reaching out to sense his wayward companion. As he did so, music filled his ears. A music he’d heard before and a music that was coming from the same way as he sensed Ciara move. Kojiro knew where she was going.

It didn’t take long for the Warlord to wind his way through the corridors. He had lived and worked for nearly three solar rotations in the building that Kojiro knew like the back of his hand. The artifact room was up ahead. As Kojiro approached the doors, he realised they were open ever so slightly. The ancient mural engraved into the doors had been heavily defaced, and scorch marks pocketed the corridor from where the Clone presumed the vault guardians had fallen when the Collective invaded.

Ragnos Artifact Room
Cathedral

The music was loudest here, and the Juggernaut tentatively pushed the doors open further before walking into the grand chamber. Tapestries hung silent against the walls, whilst statues bearing the face of ancient Sith and leaders sat in alcoves around the room. The past of Ragnos sat here, and his eyes were drawn to one side, where they locked with the eyes of a younger Kojiro. The last statue to be erected before the fall.

He walked on and there at the back stood Ciara, hand against an ancient stone sarcophagus. The hand moved, and the music that filled Kojiro’s ears reached a crescendo as light began to fill the room.

“You fool of a woman!” The Warlord screamed as every fibre in his body screamed for his body to move forward. Like in some cheesy holo-flick, time seemed to slow to a crawl as he reached out a hand, grabbed the woman by the shoulder and spun them both around so his back was to the blast. As the white fire consumed him, a howling screech filled his ears from behind and something canine in shape hit the floor beside him.

Then the light gave way to nothing but darkness.

Somewhere

It was quiet. Kojiro had always enjoyed the quiet and the peace that came with it. It was dark but there was nothing scary about the dark. In fact, he felt like there was nothing scary at all, anymore. It was strange but not unpleasant. Nothing. No, there was music again at the edge of his hearing. He could make it out now though, like he had done before – and it wasn’t music, it was humming – back when he dreamt within the Cathedral.

His head turned, at least he thought it did, and there, like he expected her to be, sat a woman. At least, he assumed it to be a woman, as a cowl covered her head. The woman hummed as her fingers danced across the fur of a very small Tuk’ata pup that lay in her lap. She looked up and Kojiro could tell she smiled, even though he couldn’t see the lips move.

“It’s been sometime since you visited here,” the voice drifted almost lazily at him. “Not since our chats when I managed to persuade you to purge the city of the unclean. Which I must admit you did with such grace. I’m very proud.”

A thought frown passed across Kojiro. “You speak nonsense. That was my decision. I did what needed to be done for Ragnos.”

A laugh filled the air. “Oh, how precious. But incorrect. It’s always been me. The soft whispers in your ear as you slept. The gentle nudge here and there. You were such a weak-willed thing and now look at you.”

The blackness faded, and before Kojiro lay Kojiro. The broken body scorched and broken. Beside him the body of his faithful Hound who had attempted to shield her master before the end, and, off to the side, a dazed Ciara.

“You aren’t quite dead yet, but that will change. Truth be told, I wanted the woman, but men make such delicate playthings. So I’m going to offer you a deal.” She reached up and lowered her hood, revealing her sharp yet delicate features. Red, ridged skin almost reflected the light as crimson eyes stared straight at him.

“You let me into that body of yours, let me have my fun, and, in exchange, you don’t die, and I teach you such wonderful things.” Her eyes trailed to the body and then Ciara. “Or you do die and I claim the woman, anyway.”

“Fine.”

“Well, that was easy, wasn’t it? My, whenever did you get so soft? For one who claims to be Sith, you don’t tend to want power.”

“I do, to protect those I care for,” the Clone retorted.

“Oh, dearest. I’ve seen your heart. We both know that’s a lie,” her lips curled into a sneer. “But we’ll discuss that later. For now…”

Ragnos Artifact Room
Cathedral

Only a couple of minutes had passed since the trap had detonated. Smoke filled the room, and Ciara sat with her back against a column. A few burns laced her hands and face, but nothing serious or life threatening. Kojiro, however, was a different story altogether and she’d had to look away to be able to compute what had just occurred.

Something audibly cracked towards the direction of her fallen saviour. Another crack, and a third. Ciara risked a glance and watched in shock as the twisted arm of Kojiro began putting itself right. More crunches followed as the Clone then began to rise from the floor, followed by cracking as lightning seemed to dance from his broken fingers and arc out randomly from his body.

“Kojiro?” Ciara muttered as the figure moved away from where it had fallen.

“Not at the moment, dearest,” came the muted reply in a weird mixture of voices. “Come, we have enemies to devour, and I’m oh so very hungry.”

With that, Kojiro stumbled off and out of the room, leaving Ciara where she sat.

Main Room
Government Building on way to Coil

“Where are they?” Xolarin queried as he paced back and forth before the doors to the building they’d momentarily taken shelter in. .

The main doors rattled as the enemy attempted to gain entry. The figure of the Grand Master stood before them, utilising the Force to keep the doors barred to the intruders. Muz hadn’t responded to his Aedile’s questions, but more than once in the previous few minutes, Xolarin had noticed the Keibatsu throw concerned glances back towards the Cathedral. He’d ultimately pulled them into the government building as he felt a strange shift in the Force.

The looks made the Aedile nervous.

Heavy banging struck against the outside doors. Followed by the sound of breaking glass as Collective troops smashed through the buildings upstairs windows. All in all a good two dozen troops entered the building and proceeded downstairs towards the pair.

“Ahhh Sithspit,” Xolarin muttered as chaos once again erupted.

Receiving dock to casino
Coil
Downtown Kar Alabrek

Aleho looked over at Hilgrif, and she couldn’t blame him for being apprehensive, they all were, and if things didn’t go smoothly, then they were all Sarlac bait. The sound of the transport roared to life as it prepared to lift off, and as planned, the party made a run towards the turbolift as it did. It took them only moments to make their way across.

As they reached the door to the turbolift, Leena reached out with her Techweaver Force abilities and took control of its operating system. The door opened up, and everyone filled in with the door closing quickly behind them. “I’ve looped the camera feed to this turbolift if anyone is watching they will see it is empty,” the Twi’lek explained as a sudden jerk later the lift was going up, “I cannot gain access to the entire surveillance system from here. We will need to take the control room on the next level, that will give us more control and possibly lock the Collective forces out of some of the systems.”

Hilgrif clicked his mandibles while Aleho swallowed, this wasn’t going to be easy, and it all depended on how much resistance when would encounter. “I don’t want to be Little Miss Negative, but let’s hope the others have thinned out the Collective soldiers, we may have the element of surprise for the moment but the moment those doors open and we are spotted, if we are spotted, then things will go to hell very quickly.” Despite all her joking around from early, the Togruta was deadly serious, all traces of levity gone and replaced with steely determination.

The group readied themselves to face any threats the moment the door to the cargo turbolift opened. “Ding. Eighty-seventh floor. Death, destruction and carnage!” Aleho’s whispered voice held no humour, and the young Sith was leaking bloodlust.

Commercial and Leisure District

Seng Karash

Aeotheran.

The monorail train wound its way above the leisure district at it’s usual rapid pace. Even at night the carriages would be normally be packed with people wearily or drunkenly making their way home from an evening shift or a fun night out, but with the curfew in effect the lights illuminated empty seats and though the doors opened at each scheduled stop no one boarded or alighted. Only two people were paying it any attention as it approached with it’s slight hum of repulsors. The black armoured figures were crouched on the roof of an empty three storey building. Then almost as one they stood and began to run across the rooftop, the heavier of the two following the lighter. At the precise moment the train passed they both leapt, hitting the train roof and running a few steps before flattening themselves on the slightly curved metal surface, clinging onto any handholds they could find on the roof.

Malisane glanced at Senth as the train continued to speed along through the night. “We should enter the park district in three minutes,” he said over his short range helmet communicator, “we will need to disembark before we reach the first station otherwise the security will detect our presence.”

“Acknowledged,” Senth replied as he raised his head studying the approaching dome ahead of them, it’s smooth almost invisible surface glimmering slightly indicating the forcefield covering it. As the train approached, now slowing slightly, there was a slight distortion in the field and a few seconds later part of the dome slid aside smoothly, and the train passed through with a slight crackle of static.

Malisane turned his head to look across and down at the city’s park district. It was as he remembered it, a wide grassy area interspersed with paths winding around it, trees of many varieties arranged for cosmetic purposes in clustered patterns, and fountains that were currently deactivated dotted around the area with benches and several cafes nearby. At one end a raised stage was surrounded by amphitheatre style seating where local and visiting performers entertained crowds and at the other a large lake reflected the subtly arranged soft lighting and the starlight from above. Ahead if the train and growing closer was a brightly lit station with ticket and vending machines and lifts and stairs leading down to the ground. Like the areas they had passed both the station and the park were empty and silent.

“That support gantry,” the clone’s voice came across the communicator as he rose up slightly.

Malisane followed his look and then he too rose, judging the distance to the beam rising above the track. The Sith and the clone waited and then with quick movements they both grabbed onto a hold, raising their legs and clung on as the train continued below them. Malisane glanced down and noticed with satisfaction a narrow flat plated area either side of the track, presumably for maintenance workers. As the train moved into the station and stopped, he dropped downwards landing smoothly and crouching, safely away from the electrified rail, and a second later Senth did likewise on the other side. Malisane watched for a few moments until the empty train began its’ journey once more speeding off into the distance, then looked slowly around him. At the far end of the nearby platform a lone guard holding a rifle was watching the train depart, and then turned to look up into the sky through the dome, possibly trying to make out the flashes of the dying space battle above. There were a two more at the far end of the park, standing just outside the closed pedestrian entrance and looking outwards. Slowly the Sith took in the area, looking for patrols. Then he froze. Two more figures in armour were walking down the path that passed beneath the monorail and their position, blaster rifles held low.
“I see them,” Senth said over the communicator, “allow me.”

“Quietly,” Malisane replied.

The former DAC’s helmet held the Sith’s gaze for a few seconds, requiring no other response, and then his hands went to his blades on either side of his belt. He moved around slowly and waited, and then with one movement he rose and then dropped off the edge. Malisane followed his movement and the clone fell silently towards the two guards below, arms outstretched. As the guards looked up his left hand stabbed out into the softly covered gap between the chestplate helmet of one guard with the short pointed blade while the larger blade in his right sliced out in a smooth motion across the other guards throat. His feet hit the ground smoothly as timed burst of his jetpack softened his fall and he rolled as the two guards collapsed either side of him.

If Malisane was in any way impressed he did not show it. With a quick glance at the lone guard still stood on the platform he dropped down to the ground near the clone, who was dragging one of the dead guards towards a clump of bushes. Malisane picked up the other and followed. With the corpses hidden the two of them made their way across the grass, avoiding the paths and the lights as much as possible. Malisane was holding his datapad studying the data the droid had downloaded to it and he turned slightly, Senth following. They reached a tall statue on a stone plinth and Senth stopped in surprise, looking up at the figure it portrayed. He glanced at the Battlelord for an explanation.

“It was a different time,” Malisane muttered, “we had an image to maintain.”

“You have changed quite a lot over the years,” the clone commented with a touch of amusement, “you should find someone with a hammer and a plasma cutter to remodel it.”

“Do not be ridiculous,” Malisane replied. He entered a code into the datapad and waited while it send a short signal. A second later a panel in the base of the plinth slid aside revealing an opening. It was dark inside but they could just make out a ladder. Malisane entered first, quickly descending, and as Senth followed the panel above slid closed.

As they reached the floor there was a hum and lights flickered on, revealing a nearly empty small room with just a set of wall terminals at the back. Taking the datapad from the Sith Senth stepped forward and examined them, looking occasionally at the datapad. “Ready when you are.”

Malisane nodded. He raised his wrist communicator, selecting an encoded frequency. “This is Blackout to Command, we await your signal.”

Aeotheran

Low Orbit

HSD Command Ship Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser

“Blackout, this command. Give me…” DarkHawk broke comms with his field operative.

Alarms rang almost in almost an orchestrated sequence. A turbid layer of smoke heavy with the pungent aroma of burning electrical drifted throughout the bridge. Searching through the plume of smoke, the Quaestor carried a heavy scowl. Finally, locking onto the bridge commander’s scarred left cheek. The veteran pilot briefly saw the Quaestor looking about, causing him to end his exchange with one of the weapons officers abruptly. Now, garnering the attention of the commander, DarkHawk spoke no words, just expressed a half gestured shoulder shrug.

Stepping towards the main viewport, the commander gazed at the searing remanents of the Collective’s Ton-Falk carrier, the Cloridorme. Battlelord Hades and his Vindicator, the Phoenix had previously jumped in and made short work of the Ton-Falk. Turning back around and stretched his grey command blouse taught at the lower seams and with heavy conviction said, “Four minutes, sir.”

“Swaggering…I like it,” DarkHawk thought.

“Blackout, this is command. Four minutes, then go on my command.” DarkHawk said.

“Copy, four mike,” replied Blackout.

Meanwhile…

Three Raider I Corvettes of the HSD fleet, circled the two Collective frigates like hungry wolves. Simultaneously attacking the frigates from a rotating axis, the Corvettes were closing in for the kill. Chunks of fuselage scattered in every direction as the turbo lasers and ion canon’s peeled away the frigate’s armoring.

A fourth Corvette assigned to take out the enemy Ton-Falk returned to join the engagement alongside its sister ships. The Zaballos and the Tashota were not giving up the fight, erratically returning fire against the capital ships. With their concentration focused on the Corvettes, this allowed HSD Y-Wings to make almost uncontested ordnance runs against the frigates main structures. The Tashota was first to break apart from the Y-Wings precision strafing runs, exploding into a glorious plume of flames, torn metal and debris.

A flight of Dakhani X-Wings separated from their formation, avoiding the exploding frigate. Some Collective fighters maintained their engagement while others scurried away, looking for sanctity on the planet’s surface.

Now maneuvering in closer on the remaining frigate, the Corvettes engulfed the Collective ship with a monstrous barrage of turbo laser and ion cannon fire. The Zaballos could not sustain the attack, she took a hard nose dive toward the planet before she exploded into a fiery ball of twisted metal. The four Corvettes broke off from their kill and headed back toward their command ship.

Aeotheran

Low Orbit

HSD Command Ship Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser

“Concentrate all ion cannons on the Korpil’s remaining engines,” barked the commander.

The Dakhani Vindicator was audacious enough to hyperjump in directly behind the Collective ship. She would not be denied her spoils, relentless in the hunt, the Vindicator maintained her bearing and continued to attack the Korpil with brazen aggression. The veteran commander, for a brief second, doubted himself earlier in the conflict, only for the feeling to be recognized by Quaestor of the House. A feeling the commander did not acknowledge, nor savor in any way. “Never again shall I be ambiguous regarding my tactics….Victory is the only outcome…” the commander thought to himself.

Immediately green ion cannon blasts hammered against the Korpil’s engines. The cruiser’s targeted powerplants broke off in portions, leaving little vestige of their existence. The remaining illumination of power from the engine bays slowly evaporated before emanating a fireball out its central nacelle’s. The Korpil staggered from its internal explosion and her rear-end kicked violently to the starboard. The four Corvettes battered and bruised from their altercation with the two frigates now were within range and began engaging the Korpil.’

The Corvette’s maintained their attack and obliterated a large portion of the bridge support tower. Dakhani Y-Wings made another strafing run, this time against the Korpil’s fuselage, releasing their deadly munitions with skillful precision. A sequence of explosions danced across the cruiser’s back, followed by a stem to stern blackout of power. Once a vigil sentinel protecting its prize, now a dying vessel, lingering without purpose.

“All stations, hold your fire…: the commander broadcasted over the fleet channel.

The bridge personnel of the Vindicator was locked in engrossment at the viewing screens, looking for the last battle cry from their enemies. No such proclamation came to be. An ensign screamed, breaking the heavy silence of the bridge, ”Incoming hail commander!”

A pale-skinned Zabrak appeared on the main viewing screen, “This is Captain D’Wigta, commanding officer of the Korpil …” The message began to cut in and out before the screens went completely black.

“Ensign, get them back on comms…” the commander said.

“Hailing now commander…no response. The Korpil may have lost communications, sir,” replied the young ensign.

Before the commander could respond, DarkHawk approached the commander carrying his helm in both hands. “Commander, your SITREP?” asked the Quaestor.

“Sir, we seemed to have crippled the Korpil , we will continue to reacquire communications until they return our hails.” The commander replied.

DarkHawk focused on the viewing screens studying the now marred cruiser. Bringing the helm up to his head, “They won’t respond commander, that is their ruse. Send over a strike team and flush them out. I leave their fate in your hands.” Darkhawk brought the helm over his head and locked it into place. Two bursts of vapor expelled from either side of the mouthpiece. Tapping the left side of the helm, DarkHawk chuckled. When he spoke, his voice came in a low, unnatural, rasp. “Launch the ground assault commander, keep your bootheel in their throats. I want their captain alive, the rest is entirely your discretion,” DarkHawk said, walking away.

The commander snapped his fingers at the ensign sitting at the communications station nearest him. The ensign instinctively opened a hailing channel to the entire fleet. A thumbs-up response and the commander began to speak.

“Attention, HSD! Launch all ground forces, I repeat launch all ground forces.”

Within seconds the commander witnessed the dropships exit the fleet’s Corvettes over the main viewing screens of the Dakhani command ship.

Activating the helm’s commlink as he entered the turbo-lift, the familiar squawk of a secure channel boomed in DarkHawk’s ears. “Blackout this is command, you have a green light…I repeat you have a green light…”

“Copy”

DarkHawk switched to the primary secure channel, “Dakhanians this is DarkHawk …from the jump you are weapons free…”

Communications Center Nexus
Seng Karash
Aeotheran

“Damage status droid?” asked the Sith as he looked at HK 22. Around him lay the bodies of two more dead HSD Commandos. Three dead in total, three still in fighting shape plus the General. The man and woman that lay sprawled akimbo on the floor had fought and died with honor. The surviving commandos had already gleaned any workable weaponry and ammunition off of the corpses. It was gruesome but efficient. The living needed them more than the dead. “May the Force set you free,” whispered Macron quietly. “Thank you for your service. I will see to it that your remains are retrieved and appropriately disposed of.”

Atalanta stood quietly by and observed. The display of respect on the part of the Sith was something she had not been taught. In her mind, all Sith were probably evil, scheming, narcissistic liars to one degree or another. Ashura had warned her of this one specifically.

“I’m at 80 percent charge,” commented HK 22. “Damage to my legs will impede my movement speed by 22 percent. Still quite capable of terminating meatbags, Master. I’m surprised at your sentimentality.”

“22, the Sith of old treated their non-force using warriors with respect. Perhaps they do not in the modern era today, but I follow the old path. They deserve our respect.” The Adept regarded the General who still squatted by the communications array console. “I see. We have the array completely shut down?”

“Yes, Adept Sadow. I’ve transmitted to command that their comms are cut off. We are receiving a transmission from HSD command. We are ordered to move to the outside of the city, rendezvous with our forces dropping in and destroy the Collective forces that flee as the main group flushes them out from the center. HSD ships will soon give us air support.” The Verpine clicked his mandibles audibly. “Soon the pests will be expelled from the hive, and we will eliminate them.”

“Excellent. An agreeable assignment. We will deliver death on the move.” He gestured towards the Commandos, Rogue Jedi and the General. “We are the noose that chokes the Collective scum from this city as the cockroaches flee. Move out back to our transportation. Then make your way with me at flank speed to the city outskirts by the most direct route. If any targets of opportunity present themselves feel free to have a shot. Atalanta, join the commandos on the landspeeder. They have room now." His mismatched eyes flickered towards the bodies on the floor. “Though we follow different paths, removing the Collective from this planet is our common goal.”

Macron grunted with distaste. “Droid, put your arm over my shoulder. I’m helping you to the speeder bike.”

“What about your Tukata, master?” The droid laid one arm over Macron’s shoulder pauldron with a clank.

“No doubt she has been busy. Chuck is very intelligent and was to guard our transportation, can-head. It will not do to lose one’s ride out of a bad situation.Then you are proverbially up fecal creek with a dianoga for a paddle.” Gruff chuckles came from the commandos and General Zzz’clkik.

Communications Center Yard
Seng Karash
Aeotheran

The Tukata was gnawing on the innards of a dead Collective security guard as the group approached. The Sith Hound peered at them with twinkling illuminated red eyes and snarled.

“You will be fed. You serve the Sith,” spoke Macron loudly as he waved his hand. Normally the beast’s purposes aligned with his own but in the heat of bloodlust anything was possible. His words seemed to move the beast away from the speeder bike and landspeeder, yet she did not heel, so to speak. In fact Kintik-Chwuk defied the madman and growled, stalking off into the shadows with fresh human offal hanging from her jagged bloody jaws.

“She did not heed you master,” remarked HK 22 smugly. “Not like droids. We are superior.”

“Are you truly? She has free will droid. You do not. Freedom is prized by the Sith.” The Alchemist shrugged. “My skills with beasts are very limited. I’m sure she will find a way to amuse herself with some deserving playmates. Don’t worry 22. You don’t have a liver or intestines to eat.”

The three remaining troopers and the Jedi Raider moved with caution to the landspeeder along with General Zzz’Clkik. The scene had not been lost on them. They rapidly set up in the landspeeder, mounting their blaster rifles and making eclips and grenades at the ready for moving fire. Atalanta held her ignited blade at the ready, prepared to repel blasterfire as the hovering contraption began to move.

“Move out!” shouted the Elder. “We make for the city perimeter! Death to the usurpers!” With that, the speederbike and landspeeder roared off down one of the smoke-filled streets away from the city center like nomadic warriors of olden times.

Park District

Seng Karash

Aeotheran

“Blackout here, acknowledged command”, Malisane replied over the . He turned to the former DAC. “Senth.”

“One moment”, the clone replied as his hands moved over the controls of the relay.

Power Generator Hub

Seng Karash Sub Levels

Technocrat Engineer Second Class Vero frowned as the display in front of him began to flash. Quickly he tapped at his terminal. “We have a problem,” he announced.

“What is happening?” his supervisor demanded as he stood over the engineer’s shoulder.

“We’re detecting a localised fault the power grid,” Vero replied as he studied the display, “it seems to be spreading through the relays in sequence.

“Isolate them,” the supervisor ordered.

“I can’t they’re shutting down and our controls are unresponsive,” Vero replied as his fingers moved over the keys. “Key systems are powering down faster than I can access them, I’ve got nothing.”

The supervisor leaned closer to the display reading furiously, “What about the secondary power system?”

“It’s dormant,” Vero replied, “I am trying to enable but the protocols detecting primary shutdown are inoperative.”

The supervisor looked up as around the room lights began to flicker and die, and a second later the display in front of Vero flicked off. The room went dark and the ever present whirr of the air conditioning system became silent. He reached down to his personal communicator and lifted it as he moved towards where he knew the door to be, hearing others in the room also beginning to push back their chairs and stand. “This is Engineer First Class Merant, to those receiving in the power and hydroponics facilities commence Emergency Evacuation Protocol One. Power and air supply is compromised.”

Seng Karash

Aeotheran

Across the city the shutdown formed a pattern if observed from above. As the forcefield protecting the dome covering the park district shimmered and then died and the lights below went dark, the effect spread out like ripples across the city, with building lights going dark and spreading while the monorail system ground to a quiet halt as the trains emergency brakes engaged and they screeched to a halt. Within homes and the few businesses still operating despite the curfew rooms went dark, music died, videos flicked off, heating systems cut out and machinery ground to a screeching halt. In the city’s hospitals there was a brief darkness before their independent power supplies powered up, ensuring the continuation of care to the great relief of their patients and staff. Across the city confused and terrified citizens, workers and the soldiers of the Collective went to their windows and doors and looked out at the formerly bright hub of the Orian system that was lit only by the light of the stars. A terrible silence fell over the city.

Park District

Seng Karash

Aeotheran.

Senth turned in the darkness speaking on the long range communicator. “Command, we have shut down the power generators. The shield is down. You may commence your landing.”

Malisane nodded. “Our forces will be here soon. We should await them.”

The clone found the ladder and began to climb. He reached up feeling for the hatch and found a manual release lever. He turned it and the hatch opened, dully illuminating the room slightly as starlight entered. Malisane followed and the two climbed out into the dark park.

Malisane looked up in satisfaction. Above the forces of his House and Clan would be descending, as the Collective forces struggled to restore defence systems with whatever localised power they had. Then he turned as a beam of light hit him, illuminating him in the darkness beneath his own statue.

“Hold it right there!” a female voice commanded.

As Malisane turned the black integral lenses covering his exposed eyes snapped shut, and then slowly opened as his helmets anti glare filters activated and intensified. Besides him Senth’s hands moved simultaneously to the pistol at his belt and the carbine on his back. Malisane focused on the armoured figures moving towards them, lead by an officer wearing expensive armour and a cloak. “Who the hell are you?”

There was a chuckle. “Do you think we would not respond Jedi scum?” the leader demanded, “I am Captain Larissa of the Liberation Front. We noticed your presence. Congratulations on your little terrorist action. It will afford you no advantage. Our forces in this city are well and truly prepared for your invasion, lights or no lights. This city, planet and system are ours. You do not belong here. But it will be your final resting place, when you have told us what you can.”

Beside the Sith, Senth took a quick survey of the Collective forces streaming into the park silhouetted against the mobile spotlights. “I advise caution Battlelord,” he said quietly across the short range communicator, “our forces will be here soon. There is wisdom in a temporary surrender. We will gain the initiative later.”

Malisane snarled at the sound of the clone’s voice in his earpiece and wrenched the helmet from his head, shutting off the voice and revealing his burned and scarred features. He reached to his waist and gripped the hilt of his saber. “You dare?” he spat through his ruined mouth with it’s broken teeth and ripped lips, “You dare stand there on the soil of Aeotheran and tell ME I do not belong here?”

“Surrender or we will shoot you down,” Captain Larissa ordered him calmly and her soldiers gripped their blaster rifles as Senth’s hand rested on his own.

“Battlelord, seriously do not do this!” the clone commando shouted through his helmet.

Malisane glared at the enemy forces. The rage he had suppressed within him all these months rose to the surface. His long search, his years in exile, being forced to flee his home and the devastating news that Orian was lost and his Clan were floating homeless through space.

His black lenses opened and closed in the beam of the lights focused on him. His ripped mouth snarled below his empty wreck of a nose. He gripped his hilt. “Filth,” his said quietly. Then the saber ignited in a burst of white light. As Senth ducked into the darkness raising his carbine, Malisane pushed back with the force as he leapt towards the Collective forces, lightsaber raised as he shouted, “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CITY!”

Amphor
Low Orbit
H-type Nubian Yacht "Sword of Urias"

A visceral quiet had settled over the small crew, including the Droids. They were clustered in the cockpit of their small freighter. They watched as the House Shar Dakhan fleet struggled to overcome their enemies. The crew knew that if the House naval forces were defeated, they would have remained hidden like cowards. Because fighting a losing battle wouldn’t help the Clan. But it’s not the outcome any of them wanted.

A wave of relief flowed across the cockpit as they observed the last of the Collective Forces being defeated. His Selphi Apprentice gave his Duros pilot a brief high-five.

Etah moved forward and sat in the central chair in the cockpit, the Captains Chair for lack of a better term, and he began to belt himself into the seat. That clued the pilot, the engineer, and the gunner to follow suite. The droids also scattered to their corners.

It was go time and on this ship go time meant very fast and abrupt movements.

“Sword Actual, over” DarkHawk’s voice chirped over the radio.

“Dakhan Actual, this is Sword Actual. Go ahead. Over,” Etah responded as he tapped buttons on the arm of the chair.

“Sword Actual, Proceed as planned, over.” DarkHawk replied with a relieved tone behind his voice.

“Dakhan Actual. Roger that. Over” Etah replied again.

“Sword Actual, good luck. Dakhan out,” DarkHawk replied ending the radio conversation.

Etah turned to his Pilot, “Approach Aeotheran on the following vector and then bring us to the following coordinates.” Etah instructed his pilot as they all moved toward action and he sent them a series of numbers through their shared communications device.

“Ee, you and Lee will stay with the Sword” the Sith Warlord said to his pilot referring to her LE-Series Repair Droid and the ship. “Drop us off, head back up into the skies, circle and avoid. Do not engage, do not forget this bucket of bolts is not armed. Stay free and able to pick us up when we need it. If you get action you can’t shake, contact friendlies,” Etah finished his instructions to those two.

“Dre, Hip, Kicks, Iggy, Nine-y; you’re with me on the Dagger.” Etah finished giving instructions to his crew as they hit the exosphere and the ship started to heat up but not to dangerous levels. Etah took a gulp of water, as silence settled over the crew once again as they all mentally prepared for the trials to come. This was a common practice for them to be able to vibe together and slip into a strong force meld. This was their quiet before the storm.

Aeotheran
Seng Karash, Park District
Armored Personnel Carrier "Dagger of the Ekind"

As the Sword of Urias began its final descent, three people unstrapped, stood, stretched a little and began making their way toward the armored personnel carrier along with the three droids. They meant to walk slow, Etah had always told them that smooth is fast, but adrenaline kicked in and they made their way to the APC quicker than they had intended and then crawled through the hatch one by one, rather quickly. Etah took one last glance at his Duro pilot and gave her a coy smile. She responded in kind.

As soon as they had all climbed into the APC and were in the process of sitting down, Etah addressed the group. “I’ll pop out first Sith style. Hip, be ready to back me up,” Etah said referencing his gunner. “Dre, be ready to back us up when we need it but for right now man your consul and keep them from detecting us to the extent that you can. Kicks, Iggy, Nine-y; stay with the Dagger. Kix, you pilot. Iggy, you stay on those guns. Make sure to avoid hitting friendlies. Niney, make sure this bucket of bolts keeps running. Jump on Dre’s consul if you don’t have anything to do. We’re about to hit the ground jumping,” Etah said like a sports coach prepping his team for a game. To any other group of people this might have been a real tense moment, but to the Kilij team it was just another day.

“Brace for impact,” Etah warned as the freighters speeder capsule opened and the couplers demagnetized leading the APC to fall roughly forty feet toward the ground, stopped themselves with a loud bang, before actually crashing, as the repulsorlift engines kicked in. “Iggy, fire at the tracks and then fire at the entrance to the Park District. Rapidly.” Etah said as he was getting out of his seat. Hippolyta also stood following close on his heels.

The hatch opened with a noticeable clang and Etah leapt up and out of the APC with a modest twirl as he engaged his lightsaber. If the dropping of the APC’s didn’t get the Collective Forces attention the distinctive buzz of a lightsaber igniting did. Moments later the powerful blaster cannons mounted on the APC took several shots at the train rails and the entrance to the park, both of which crumbled.

While the APC targeted the rail and the entrance, Etah deflected a few blaster bolts from the elite Collective Force but once the entrance was destroyed, it grew quiet for a moment. It was one of those seconds that seemed to hang in the air and freeze. The Collective Forces were realizing that there was no retreat over land and thus they would only find survival on the other side of the Sith’s corpses.

Etah moved toward the elite soldiers. The way he gripped and held his saber, the way he took every step, the way his muscles flexed aggressively with every movement, the determined look in his eye, the ferocious snarl on his face; everything little detail about his presence conveyed to the Collective Forces that he was a terrifying individual.

The Sith Warlord wrapped terror around him like a cloak. Etah scanned the Collective soldiers, looking at each one of them in the eye in turn, silently challenging them. Fear hung heavy in the air and dropped down upon the Collective soldiers like dew on a winter morning. Etah could see the fear and indecision written on their faces. He could tell that they were scared but also that they were mad.

Most people would either be frozen in sheer panic, held down by the weight of the force powers or would have broken out into a hasty disorganized retreat. But these were elite Collective soldiers who had been trained to resist the Force. They were still ready to fight. But in the handful of heartbeats in which all of this had transpired, they had broken their concentration. They hesitated just long enough that Captain Larissa saw a shadow in the corner of her eye by the time she realized that most of them had turned their backs on Malisane.

Hippolyta moved forward with her heavy repeating blaster rifle at the ready. Sweat dripped down the powerful Kiffar woman’s pale forehead. A single heartbeat later, all hell broke loose.

Warlord Etah Kilij Snapshot

NPC Adrestia “Dre” Kilij Snapshot

NPC Eos “E” Kilij Snapshot

NPC Hippolyta “Hip” Kilij Snapshot

For the ageless, years held no meaning. For those beyond time, sunrise and sunset blurred and coalesced into one. For the darkest, life held no answers. Only death could bloom to edification. Only oblivion could nurture their needs. Drowning in madness, all knowledge could be devoured.

Shan Long was guiding his kindred through corridors and halls while prattling on about some topic or another. He was playing delighted host, and for those who knew the Thunder Dragon best, it was iconoclastic. Shan Long was neither gracious, nor welcoming. Shan Long was a demon, tempestuous and wicked. Moreover, he was demented and quite mad. While he was artistic and believed himself suave, debonair; in truth, the Thunder Dragon was often childish, puerile, venomous. He was a tantrum given adult form.

The Thunder Dragon was holding it all together very well at the moment, however. His kin had to admit that readily. Bloodfyre knew it could not last, and his ally and peer was bound to lose control at any moment. Each moment, though, was lasting for two; and three; now four. Now… how many? Sith had lost count. When would the lost Oracle finally drop the facade and release his inner demon?

For that matter, when would the Ghost Dragon emerge? Shan Long was not speaking to Sith Bloodfyre; he was talking to his brother, Gwei Long, childe of their adopted father, Chi Long. Sith recognized the name, the identity, the history. He had remembered who he was; what he was. All things were becoming clearer within this… place. It must be a dreamscape, a vision of the Force. At present, he hadn’t the slightest idea for the purpose behind all of this. Sith was not prone to visions, to flights of fancy. While he could – and did – sometimes seek out insight and knowledge within the Force, he couldn’t remember being drawn in like this in his long, weary lifetime. There was meaning here.

Bloodfyre recalled being on… Tarthos, was it? One of the worlds of Naga Sadow. The Cathedral, someone had mentioned. He’d not visited his old allies’ territory in many years. He vaguely recalled certain names, a few places. He’d felt drawn into a conflict. He’d followed the great beast, Adrestia, the Tarentatek. It had been foolhardy; the beast was no pet, was not his to tame, his to command. Truthfully, he’d no idea why she’d not attacked him. Could she have killed him, eaten his corpse? It was a moot point. So much had been destroyed, lives culled. What would his mortal coil matter? He would exist beyond death. He would return again when he chose. He was forever.

“You doddle, dear brother,” Shan Long scolded playfully, teasingly. “Come along now, my pet. We have much to see, so much to do. Father wouldn’t enjoy us keeping him waiting.”

“Surely you jest,” Bloodfyre retorted. “The Fire Dragon was our master, our teacher, yes; but father? No. Family? No. We were not blood. We were more. We were powers aligned in desire. You know this. Why play at this game… Trevarus?” A test. How would he respond to his mortal name?

The Thunder Dragon never stopped moving. Had he heard? Was it ignored? Was he biding his time, and utilizing the jab as fuel for a later ambush?

“I bear you no ill will, brother,” Shan Long answered the unspoken thoughts. “And you know full well I have many identities, many names. We have lived many lives, you and I both. I am here as guide, not as warrior. I have moved onto other avenues, other planes, other years. I exist past, present, future, where time holds no sway, Gwei Long. As do you, you should well know.”

“I do,” the Sith Master shrugged. “I am forever. I am. That is all that has ever mattered. I am that I am. I exist where I choose. Yet, I did not choose to come here, to this dream. You drew me in.”

“I did.” A simple acknowledgement of fact. “My spirit remains strong here, and it has the power to aid you.”

“That remains to be seen.”

Shan Long smirked. “A quarrel between us is impossible these days. That is why you are so curious. You seek my emotional response, my rage, and it remains hidden. I am still a tempest, Gwei Long. As are you. But here, this is without form, without shape. The only meaning here is to be meaningless.”

“To remove that which obscures, and reveal that which empowers,” Bloodfyre said flatly.

“Yes.”

“Where are we?”

“You remain in the home of Naga Sadow, and while your conscious mind is here, with me; my conscious mind has distracted you, and your body has become more feral, unleashed. Here, see how you are dealing with the forces of the Collective upon Tarthos.”

The skies around the two Elders fell upon them, and Sith beheld visions of death, destruction, and the Force as wielded by the gods of the Brotherhood. He saw himself as a beast, an unchecked Master raging against arms of that force which had borne him destruction in his once and future home. His prized Deathsaber in his left hand, his right hand gesturing here and there. Daggers whirling about him in a dervish, flicking out to embed themselves in the face, the neck, the breasts or groin; blood spurting, gore flaying about the room. Adrestia was marauding through swaths of bodies, tearing arms, heads, rending bowels from their fading bodies.

It was an interesting sight, to know what he was truly doing, but being hidden from it all. It was no defense mechanism. Sith delighted in bloodshed, in torment and violence. The spray of blood here and there; he could suddenly feel drops upon his face, reached a hand to touch, and saw blood come back on his own fingertips within this dream.

“I am curious,” Bloodfyre looked to Shan Long, “do you even know why we are here, within this realm?”

“The better question is, do you?” Shan Long smiled, a mockery of warmth and compassion.

“We both know that I do not,” Sith stated pure fact.

“And the great and powerful Sith Bloodfyre; the last of the mighty High Warriors; the self-proclaimed embodiment of Death itself, is lost and needs to find himself.”

“So… that’s why,” knowledge flooded Bloodfyre’s mind. “I have been lost, and I have come here to find myself.”

“How do you find yourself within a dream?”

“No,” Bloodfyre smirked, “you know as I do, that I have come to Naga Sadow to find myself. I lost my way in Tarentum. It was destroyed because we were all destroyed. I will find myself anew in Naga Sadow. The Ghost Dragon will become the Demon of Sepros.”

“Quite right,” Shan Long smiled in true, gluttonous pleasure at that thought, and turned back to the heavenly opera before them, watching the Sith Master eviscerate and delight in the torments that the great, dark beast was ravishing upon the broken squads of the Collective. “She’s a delightful creature.”

“She will die,” Bloodfyre nodded.

“A pity.”

“No, she has a purpose,” Bloodfyre responded, “and another will come in her stead. Behold, a pale horse, and death follows with it.”

Shan Long turned and nodded, the Thunder Dragon being the more inclined towards prophecy and vision. “I always enjoyed that passage.”

“As do I.”

Bloodfyre paused for a long, drawn out moment, then, without looking at his companion, smirked. “Whatever you have become, wherever you are; you do know that your pithy little nightclub on Antei has been destroyed, yes?”

“It was a glorified lemon party, and you know it. Wipe that smirk from your face. It’s petulant and unbecoming, old friend.”

Sith’s shoulders rolled with deep, bristling huffs. His rage was seething, and though each breath came and went quickly, it was like the worrying chuffs of some monstrous titan pawing at the ground, waiting to rampage over some helpless fool caught in its path. Bloodfyre’s right hand continued to flit to and fro, keeping the deadly blades aloft in his Telekinetic grip, circling him, waiting for further opportunity to strike.

He could sense his beastial companion nearby, devouring limbs and entrails as others of the Collective forces struggled to fight back and take the monstrous Tarentatek down. Adrestia was wounded; that much the Shaevalian Master could sense. Yet there was no connection between beast and Elder. Sith felt no sympathy for it; she was a weapon, and a means of chaos. Even in his subconscious, surrounded by rage and waves of searing emotion, Sith knew the beast would fall. It didn’t matter. It had served its purpose. It had brought destruction, had brought pain, and had delivered oblivion upon his hated foes. The Collective herein would be destroyed.

Others of his newfound Clan were close by. He could sense their presence. Yet he was lost in emotion, in his passionate pursuit of endless darkness. There was no rational consideration for the wellbeing of his fellows. They would either protect themselves, or they would die. Or perhaps he would die. After all, the Keibatsu Marauder was among them, and the Krath Lord was certainly capable of devouring him. Again, it didn’t matter. Death might come, and he would be reborn. Such is the way of the Force.

Blaster fire caught the Sith Master in the cloak, and turned his primal attention back to the task at hand. Seven foes had seemingly skipped past the behemoth Adrestia. Or perhaps they had her on the ropes. It was impossible to tell without conscious effort. She still lived, however. And as Sith cocked his head and seemed to take notice of the mosquitoes now taking aim to drain him of life and sweet nectar, the Elder waved his hand quickly, and blades flew with deadly precision, connecting with cheek and eyeball; with blaster angled, deflecting it into another’s now-hemorrhaging member; and with sternum.

As screams gave way to angry cries and shouts of the dying troops’ allies, the Elder’s fury teemed, and the lightning began to rain down.