Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 1, 2023 8:39:44 GMT -8
Sirona saw this shift in Elarinya and before she could inquire about it, the woman had already explained. Sirona straightened her back and stood as tall as she could, which wasn't saying much, being the second shortest person in this hangar. But all the same, she drew up the regalness she had learned while with the Conclave. As the apprentice to the leader of a Sith order (not to mention adopted daughter to a previous order), Sirona had learned that meekness was equated to weakness, and though it was against her nature she had learned to fake it when needed. The Force guides me to Roon. You, as I have said, are welcome to join me or depart. But as long as you are a member of my crew, you are under my protection. She looks between the three people before her. Sirona can't hold the façade, it had been a long time since she had had to use it. The bookish Sith shrinks back down. I must go, if any do not wish to join me, I will make arrangements to drop you off at a planet along the way. But I am called by the Force.
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Post by Elarinya on Jul 1, 2023 21:12:25 GMT -8
She might have found Sirona's display of strength and authority amusing or cute, were it not for the circumstances surrounding the moment. But the ease with which it seemed to crumble got through her melancholy. Whilst she did not relish the idea of encountering her Father and the group of Sith he was allied with, she couldn't just let Sirona be lead in there like a sheep to slaughter
If I left, then whose protection would you be under then? I fear it is not the Force, but rather someone pulling its strings, that is drawing you to Roon... However I shall follow you to where ever this leads. You saved me, so I owe it to you to see this through.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 338
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 1, 2023 21:27:28 GMT -8
As do we, Sister. Maywyn spoke up. Athell and Elonna will also echo Sister Elarinya's oath. You saved us, and our future, we will stand with you.
Yeah! Came Tesh's enthusiastic voice from atop Ymir.
Sirona was shocked at the responses. She had assumed all confidence in her leadership would crumble just as her tough act had. The historian blushed ever so slightly and looked to her feet. Was it really wise to go to Roon, not knowing much about this mysterious new Sith Cult that had gathered? But who would be interested in her? She had no ships, no noteworthy artifacts, except to those also committed to the preservation of Darkside history and culture. Drifting alone, until recently, from historic sight to historic sight, what could someone want from her? Perhaps it was her master's calling? He would be the only one likely interested in reuniting with her, even Elarinya was by chance. Sirona looked back up. I must go, there are too many unanswered questions. And we will find them together. I will go to the bridge and get us underway...
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Post by Elarinya on Jul 1, 2023 22:11:07 GMT -8
As you command, so we shall follow...
She gave a nod to Sirona, hopeful that her words would provide the Librarian the boost of confidence she seemed to need. She pushed herself to her feet and got some feed ready and placed it near Ymir's head, allowing the Uvak to eat without having to move far. Her focus turning to Tesh
I guess you don't have to worry about whether you can talk to me any more...
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 338
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 1, 2023 22:32:35 GMT -8
Something about being in command of people she viewed as peers even more uncomfortable. It was one thing with droids and her research assistants. But she would do her best, or at least try to, as she bowed and made her way to the bridge to chart a course for Roon.Maywyn, at this point reached up and removed Tesh herself. Now, Tesh, we need to get ready. This next quest may be dangerous. And we need all our Sisters at their best, that includes you. Tesh it seemed was ready to throw a fit at being forced away from her new winged friend, but at Maywyn's coaxing and seeming inclusion of her in the important things about to happen, she nodded before looking back to Elarinya and Ymir. I'll be back to visit! She gave a big exaggerated wave as she and Maywyn passed through the doors.Soon the XoXaan and the Lore Hunter were back in the blue swirl of hyperspace, heading for Roon
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Post by Reaper on Jul 28, 2023 22:06:31 GMT -8
The shift from real space to hyperspace was subtle in movement, but being that they were still standing in the hangar bay, they could see the sudden vortex of blue and white swirl flash into existence. He turned his focus to Red and the droid Nebula "Nibs" Enibry was puppeteeringI recommend we all get some rest before we get to Varonat. I don't imagine our Troig will go easy on us...
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Aug 19, 2023 15:46:27 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Hangar Bay | Erebus-class Dungeon Ship | Erebus ] Attn: Reaper It was really only after he suggested it that the day's...night's? Events, finally caught up with the girl. She'd been running on adrenaline or activity ever since, and the droid's head drooped abruptly. Nibs saw no sense in pretending or denying that rest was a good idea.
:: Yeah, all right, :: said Nibs, the droid mimicking her stretch and an autotune yawn told everyone that she wouldn't be conscious for long, :: User has disconnected. ::
The droid's optics had reverted to its base colour, indicating Nibs' presence and control was gone. The droid turned to look at Reaper, :: This unit will now commence recharge. ::
The droid chimed a short tune that Reaper probably never heard coming from it before.
[ Deni "Red Ripper" Lake | Hangar Bay | Erebus-class Dungeon Ship | Erebus ] Attn: Reaper Deni had quietly observed all this and simply nodded her head, petting the droid's head as it lolled downwards, before looking up at Reaper, “'fore I go knockin' off meself, yeh got yerself a galley on this thing? Fancy a light meal.”
Curiosity was getting the better of the redhead, and she wondered what Reaper looked like underneath all that intimidating armour. And she idly wondered if he even ate.
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Post by Reaper on Sept 4, 2023 20:22:59 GMT -8
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but feel like he'd managed to accidentally take on a teenage child. It had been quite the turn of events over the course of the last several hours. When he'd landed aboard the Run, he had presumed himself alone with this intruder. However, such illusions were quickly dispersed. Now he was paired up with Deni Lake on the hunt for a Troig.
He shook his head as he tried to come to terms with everything that had transpired as Deni asked after a galley to cook a meal in
Yeah, this way. It's not stocked with anything too fancy, so try not to be too disappointed...
He lead the way from the hangar bay and through the Erebus to the Cafeteria that had originally been intended for use by prisoners but Reaper had turned into a personal kitchen and dining hall. He motioned toward the kitchen area
The Kitchen is through there...
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Sept 14, 2023 17:04:57 GMT -8
Nelvaan - Koobi system - Savareen sector - Outer Rim TerritoriesThe C-9979 Modular Frigate exited hyperspace above the planet of Nelvaan, with the Crimson Lord of Hypori staring out the viewport at the blue orb. Logs upon both Hypori and Geonosis had made mention of the ice world, including a Siphon Generator that had once existed here. But it was not the Generator that had drawn Valefor here, no it was the locals that had drawn his attention. Stamping the butt of the Hastae on the ground, Valefor turned his focus to Professor ArachnusI trust you've collated the data together? We're after a very specific subset of the Nelvaanian people, those capable of touching the Force. The easier it is to find and begin collecting them, the faster our work here will be done...
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Post by Professor Arachnus on Sept 15, 2023 5:59:50 GMT -8
The Professor was deeply engrossed in his latest research when Valefor addressed him. While he stood on four his slender segmented mechanical legs, his other four each held a data-pad that the myriad of glowing red photo-receptors encircling his domed chassis were reading simultaneously. Fortunately the Dark Forge had taken the assassins preferred profession into account and gifted the robo-arachnid with an expanded memory bank. Arachnus lowered the data-pads in his multiple legs and focused his attention on his demonic liege."I believe so, Forge Master." Screeched the librarian. "The Nelvaanian species has largely been ignored by the galactic community since the events of the Clone Wars. I have scoured the Holo-Net and it appears as though the last official contact was by an Imperial survey team, which was treated with extreme hostility by the native population. No survivors. According to my research, the Techno Union were the last major faction to maintain an outpost on the planet; however, after running a trace on black-market sales of Techno-Union technology specifically utilized on Nelvaan, we determined the planet is still frequented by smugglers and scavengers. Commander Beelzebub dispatched a hunter-killer team and managed to capture one such individual."Like the Professor the newly minted HK-47s the Dark Forge had been churning out were assassin droids by design, though as with all the twisted mechanical creations to be birthed by the soul-fed fires of the forge, they were highly independent and possessed a greater level of sentience than typical battle droid variants. At any given time there was at least several active kill teams out in the field, carrying out the whims and will of the Fabricator General."Dr. Ball was able to extract limited useful information from the fleshling before they expired, but we believe there is a village located near the former Techno Union settlement with a higher than normal propensity for Force sensitivity. It is possible the residual gamma-radiation from the Siphon Generator the Skakoans used resulted in unforeseen mutation. The Koobi System also possesses a class B blue-white star. The Imperial Science Bureau published several papers theorizing such stars may have cores of Kyber, which given the thinning of Nelvaan's ozone layer due to Techno Union activity, may have exposed them to higher than usual concentrations of etheric Force energy. Either way, that village appears to be out best bet for locating Force sensitive Nelvaanians." Setting the data-pads he had been studying aside, the assassin-turned-librarian hopped out of his seat and joined Valefor near the view-port. Built for stealth, his joints didn't so much as whir as he approached the winged red angel."The former Techno Union settlement has a landing strip that should accommodate the C-9979. T3-B9 ran an analysis of the Nelvaanian's displayed combat abilities and suggested we take combat speeders to scout the village first before making our initial approach."
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Sept 16, 2023 21:50:19 GMT -8
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but feel like he'd managed to accidentally take on a teenage child. It had been quite the turn of events over the course of the last several hours. When he'd landed aboard the Run, he had presumed himself alone with this intruder. However, such illusions were quickly dispersed. Now he was paired up with Deni Lake on the hunt for a Troig.
He shook his head as he tried to come to terms with everything that had transpired as Deni asked after a galley to cook a meal inYeah, this way. It's not stocked with anything too fancy, so try not to be too disappointed...He lead the way from the hangar bay and through the Erebus to the Cafeteria that had originally been intended for use by prisoners but Reaper had turned into a personal kitchen and dining hall. He motioned toward the kitchen areaThe Kitchen is through there... Deni smiled warmly at the big man, “The Run's been feedin' on wha' we managed t' grow in pots. I ken whatever yeh have'll be just grand, in comparison.”
She studied the interior of the ship as she trailed behind him, and nodded, “Just a ship t' get th' job done, aye?”
She stepped into the galley and examined the place. It looked barely used. She could almost make out the exact routes Reaper might have used to get what he wanted. Without asking for or waiting for permission, the redhead strode ahead and made a note of whatever was available. While he was right that there was little in the way of a rich cuisine, it wasn't exactly, pre-made food packets either. He had everything they needed to make a solid well-rounded meal.
Looking back at him, she invited, “Want me t' whip somethin' up fer yeh too?”
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Sept 19, 2023 17:19:13 GMT -8
The Professor was deeply engrossed in his latest research when Valefor addressed him. While he stood on four his slender segmented mechanical legs, his other four each held a data-pad that the myriad of glowing red photo-receptors encircling his domed chassis were reading simultaneously. Fortunately the Dark Forge had taken the assassins preferred profession into account and gifted the robo-arachnid with an expanded memory bank. Arachnus lowered the data-pads in his multiple legs and focused his attention on his demonic liege."I believe so, Forge Master." Screeched the librarian. "The Nelvaanian species has largely been ignored by the galactic community since the events of the Clone Wars. I have scoured the Holo-Net and it appears as though the last official contact was by an Imperial survey team, which was treated with extreme hostility by the native population. No survivors. According to my research, the Techno Union were the last major faction to maintain an outpost on the planet; however, after running a trace on black-market sales of Techno-Union technology specifically utilized on Nelvaan, we determined the planet is still frequented by smugglers and scavengers. Commander Beelzebub dispatched a hunter-killer team and managed to capture one such individual."Like the Professor the newly minted HK-47s the Dark Forge had been churning out were assassin droids by design, though as with all the twisted mechanical creations to be birthed by the soul-fed fires of the forge, they were highly independent and possessed a greater level of sentience than typical battle droid variants. At any given time there was at least several active kill teams out in the field, carrying out the whims and will of the Fabricator General."Dr. Ball was able to extract limited useful information from the fleshling before they expired, but we believe there is a village located near the former Techno Union settlement with a higher than normal propensity for Force sensitivity. It is possible the residual gamma-radiation from the Siphon Generator the Skakoans used resulted in unforeseen mutation. The Koobi System also possesses a class B blue-white star. The Imperial Science Bureau published several papers theorizing such stars may have cores of Kyber, which given the thinning of Nelvaan's ozone layer due to Techno Union activity, may have exposed them to higher than usual concentrations of etheric Force energy. Either way, that village appears to be out best bet for locating Force sensitive Nelvaanians." Setting the data-pads he had been studying aside, the assassin-turned-librarian hopped out of his seat and joined Valefor near the view-port. Built for stealth, his joints didn't so much as whir as he approached the winged red angel."The former Techno Union settlement has a landing strip that should accommodate the C-9979. T3-B9 ran an analysis of the Nelvaanian's displayed combat abilities and suggested we take combat speeders to scout the village first before making our initial approach."
Valefor turned from the viewport and made his way over to the central holo-display. One of the B1 Worker Droid crew members was already bringing up the aforementioned area upon Nelvaan. It would prove well as both a Landing Site with good natural security, but would also allow them to task some droids with acquiring any useful remaining information regarding the Generator hereImpeccable work as always Professor... As regards our landing sight... I suppose we can trust T3-B9's recommendations. Land us here!Valefor set a marker on the map before an update was distributed out amongst the crew, causing the C-9979 to lurch forward into motion heading for the surface. Down within the wings of the Modular Frigate, the droid flight crew were busy running through power up procedures for the 4 Multi-Troop Transports and the couple dozen Armored Assault Tanks. Whilst the C-9979 was capable of carrying a much larger force, such resources were not necessary for this raid upon the Nalvaanians.
Amongst the vehicles brought along for this raid were the Treadspeeders and their riders. A quick bit of between combat servicing was being completed as the C-9979 made its descent with the riders also giving their mounts a check over.
By the time the C-9979 hit atmosphere, Valefor had left the bridge and made his way down into the cargo area. Despite his impressive bulk, the Crimson Lord easily and expertly dodged and avoided colliding with the Droids and Treadspeeders as they set the vehicles into the Foot of the C-9979 for deployment upon landing. He came to a stop as he reached the back left wing where his own bike resided in waitingI appreciate your continued studious efforts. They have proven most valuable in my travels of late...There was a distinct thud sound that reverberated throughout the C-9979 as the vessel touched down and the front doors started to swing open. Engines could be heard roaring to life as the Treadspeeders already in position launched off and began a perimeter sweep. Valefor smiled at ArachnusReady to go for another ride? |
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Post by Professor Arachnus on Sept 20, 2023 7:41:06 GMT -8
Before leaving the bridge, the Felstorm's chief librarian handed out a few instructions to the droid units that would be accompanying them. The dimwitted but very destructive FLTCH-series droid Titanicus would be leading the B1 workers droids once they were dispatched from the MTTs, deigning to ride shotgun on one of the lead transports. General Sneezous, an admittedly not entirely mechanical unit, would be commanding the AATs from the lead tank. Admittedly the Professor wasn't sure about that one yet. The General was a Dark Forge experiment that had taken a jawa scavenger found rutting around on Hypori and enhanced them with advanced cybernetics. The result was a fierce cyborg warrior with impeccable agility and combat acumen that would put a Jedi to shame. However, due to the General's organic origins, he was afflicted with a terrible lightsaber addiction. Arachnus could hear the jingle-jangle of a dozen hilts clicking together beneath the tiny cyborg's dirty robe. ACHOO!-ACHOO! Sneezed the General as he acknowledged the librarian's commands and went off to ready the assault force. Finally there was Spaz, a Droideka Mark II unit with a feral personality. Grey acrid smoke belched from all nine barrels of its blaster and ion cannons, even as it stood at ease on the bridge of the C-9979, continuously charging plasma as it performed a droids approximation of edging. Arachnus made it clear to Spaz that he would be coming with him and Lord Valefor, if only so they could keep a better eye on him.As the Professor scurried after his master, the second generation droideka compacted into its black wheel form and rolled after him, following closely on Arachnus' razor tipped digits. When the Fabricator General addressed the devoted robo-arachnid, the viral SD-K4 assassin's multitude of glowing red eyes seemed to beem a bit brighter, clicking with mechanical whirs as he dropped the pitted dome of his head towards the floor in a display of obeisance. That was what it was all about. Oh, he enjoyed his labours in the library very much, but nothing caused his circuits to spark quite like the Forge Master's praise. He would murder the stars for Valefor if he asked him to, though he wasn't entirely sure how. Something for the Dark Forge to sort out, he decided. He clambered up onto the bike and sank into the droid socket specifically designed to fit his spider frame, ejecting several of his mechanical offspring that scurried over its surface, clinging to the treadspeeder frame in frantic excitement over another ride."Of course, Master!" Howled Arachnus, causing the treadspeeder's engine to growl and snarl in an aggressive exhaust spewing display. The other Hellriders of Lord Valefor's mechanized biker gang revved their own treadspeeders, with the IG-Lancers fixing the glowing orange tips of their power-lances forwards. "Let's ride!" As Valefor slipped into the saddle, the headlights of the treadspeeders flicked on and lit the way ahead, followed by a chorus of roaring engines as they took off at speed. The cold Nelvaanian wasteland was as inhospitable as Geonosis or Orax in its own way, frigidly cold with a jagged crust of ice that looked sharp enough to scrape flesh from bone. Taking precautions, the Legios Cybernetica had topped up their anti-freeze fluids and made sure their metallic joints were well oiled with frost reducing agents. Even so, Arachnus felt more sluggish than usual as the treadspeeder ate up the terrain. It didn't take long for them to find the first signs of native habitation. Long carved Nelvaanian totem poles lined the makeshift road of ice and snow, stripped from one of the planet's nearby frozen forests. Hanging from those ornately carved logs were the skeletons of what looked like Skakoans, some human, but that was not all. Lupin shapes adorned those morbid fixtures as well, some even freshly affixed with tightly bound strips of animal hide, crucified as way of warning to those traveling to the village ahead.Arachnus slowed as they got closer to one of the totems holding a Nelvaanian corpse, or what he believed to be one, until the blue dog began to cough up blood. Its eyes were hollow, sunken and reserved to its fate. The Professor's raised the volume on his vocabulator so the Demon Lord on his back could hear him over the growl of the treadspeeder's engine."Something tells me this is the right place, Master."
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Sept 20, 2023 17:21:16 GMT -8
Valefor slung the Hastae over his shoulder as he swung his form over and down upon the seat of the Treadspeeder now that Arachnus was docked with it. He clung to the handle bars before the bikes took off down and out of the C-9979. Soon the MTTs and AATs would be getting disgorged from the Frigate and allowing a temporary forward base to be setup at the landing strip itself, whilst a contingent headed for the old Siphon Generator site. The rest would await Valefor's command to move in on the village. A command he would wait some time before giving. He needed to see this village and observe the future recruits before passing a final decision.
Despite his sparsely dressed appearance, the cold chill of Nelvaan did not bother the Crimson Lord as the Treadspeeder charged on into the glacial conditions. Much like every other time, the magic spells he placed upon himself protected him even from the harsh bite of the arctic wastes. Allowing him to turn his focus on the totems as the Treadspeeders hit onto a road like path. Those that called this place home seemed to be very averse to visitors. An understandable position given what the Techno Union had once done here. But the bodies of other Nelvaanians did catch him somewhat by surprise. Pulling back from off-worlders made sense. But being reclusive even from their own species was slightly unexpected.
Perhaps like all whom discovered they held such power, they decided to keep it for themselves and that no one else was worthy of this blessing. A none too dissimilar mindset to what many Sith felt. Such isolationism meant they would be far easier to deal with.
As Arachnus slowed to a halt, Valefor reached up his left hand and drew what life remained down into the Stone of Dromund Kaas and into himself. It was not much to feed off of and seemed more like a mercy, but letting it waste away would have been a shame. He gave the bike a pat on the side
That does seem to be the case... Proceed with caution, I suspect we'll start running into their traps soon. Send a Hellrider ahead of us, better one of them triggers a trap instead.
Despite the primitive technology that the Nelvaanians had, the glacial conditions would help camouflage any pitfalls or tripwires upon the road. And while the Droids were good, they were not perfect. Better to sacrifice them than risk damaging his own transportation unnecessarily
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Post by Professor Arachnus on Sept 22, 2023 7:08:00 GMT -8
"An excellent idea, as always, Master." Chimed the cyber-spider somewhat sycophantically, as eager as the Demon Lord to see what excitement lay ahead. The synthetic squeal of his voice squeaked over the joint comm-channel. :: IG-L11, you're up. ::
A glowing orange iron cone blazed forwards as a Hellrider unit roared ahead, leading the way with dark wisps of acrid smoke that bled from the hateful spear tip that extended beyond the luminous headlights of the treadspeeder. Other units moved up to flank the spider-bike and its rider on either side, forming around the Demonic Overlord like a sinister chivalrous cavalry guard. More distressing signs manifested the closer they got to the village, the gnarled trunks of the sparse trees lining the road were festooned with morbid trophies like miniature macabre models of the Witch Tree on Pzob, warped by a pervasive wrongness that had settled over this accursed wasteland. The skakoans greed and ambition had scarred the collective soul of the Nelvaanian people in more ways than just the mutant members of their tribe. Those events had filled their hearts with darkness, forever altering the destiny laid out by the Force, perverting the natural course. Unlike Lord Valefor whose sorcerous proficiency wielded the malevolent fey like an artists brushstrokes on the canvas of existence, this was something cruder, like using a stone knife to flense flesh from bone. The skin of reality was weaker here, trapping time itself as phantoms of the past crossed path with feral lupine forms not blessed with birth for another few centuries at least.
Serving as the spear tip of any major assault by the Legios Cybernetica, the Hellriders journey winded around a ruinous road of yellow bone and the hollow sockets of canine skulls. Archaic symbols of power were carved into the stone and ice, steaming in the blanketing chill as the presence of these intruders awoke the same dark magics the tribe had unwittingly unleashed. The Nelvaanians had tapped into something primal, something better off buried beneath the surface of the planet, dredging it up like a bubbling fountain of black oil. Utterly unaware, the Professor and the other mechanical cohorts accompanying the Red Sage sang a binaric tune, gleefully heading perhaps to their own doom.
Unbeknownst to them all, this would be the greatest challenge of Valefor and Arachnus' joint journey to date, testing them in ways that would likely leave neither unscathed. Tribal drumming could now be heard, as the sky overhead gradually changed from its usual blue to an unhealthy red, cracking with with arcane thunder as they headed towards a junction between the realms of chaos and reality.
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Oct 2, 2023 1:01:27 GMT -8
It was impossible to deny the disconcerting effect that the Nelvaanians display was having upon him. He was Lord Valefor, Fabricator-General and Sorcerer Supreme of the Sith Eternal, The Crimson Lord, The Demon of Hypori. A whole host of other titles followed, but they did not mean much here. It was like a professional artist walking through a high school art exhibit. Everything was so crude. They had had fallen well short of mediocre, let alone greatness. All this wasted potential...
He tightened his grip upon the Hastae as the drums began and the sky changed colour, readying himself for what ever surprise attack these savages might try and launch. He welcomed it. Solari would feed upon their souls and he could show these fools just what the power they were wielding like toddlers was truly capable of. The Force, like many other tools, was limited only by the skill of those that wielded it. Despite some of the artistry present drawn from Nelvaanian culture, much of the rest of it was bastardised Sorcery. Something Valefor would not abide
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Post by Professor Arachnus on Oct 4, 2023 4:32:17 GMT -8
A pearl of red lightning crackled overhead, serving to prelude a deluge of silty red sleet that fell from the cursed sky, making the road they traveled slick. Even with the churning metallic treads of their 125-Zs, the group of Hellriders around Valefor and Arachnus were forced to slow, lest they lose control and end up in the ditch. The Professor chittered in annoyance from his droid socket as the cold crimson beads sank between his joints, clotting his circuits and causing steam to bleed from his heated processing unit. He ran a scan on the odd phenomena and the result were even more disturbing. Blood. The storm wracked sky was raining blood. Coagulated hail splintered against their armoured chassis, little more than a pelting annoyance to those unable to feel pain, quickly turning the snow fields on either side of the cracked path they sped across into crimson quagmires.As another ferocious boom from above caused the ground to quake beneath them, the unnatural light exposed the village they sought, briefly highlighted before the horizon darkened. There it was, a terrible fort upon a glacial hill, surrounded by a primitive palisade wall that appeared to have been crafted from the cracked rib bones of a long dead Horax. Yellowed with age, each of the ribs curled outwards at the top into jagged fractured tips, forming a clever defense that would be difficult to scale. Arachnus focused the spider-bike's forward mounted viewer on the front gate, which was made from the same creatures dense skull, fixed open so that anyone entering the village would have to pass through its thicket of still-sharp fangs. The upper-halves of Nelvaanians could be seen leering at the approaching riders from the tops of the wall, though they were far from what the Professor had come to expect. They wore the bones of the dead like armour, with lupine skulls pressed over their own canine snouts, while gnawed upon humerus and femurs were threaded through tanned hide cloaks. A hateful red glow that even the brightly blaring photo-receptors of the SD-K4 failed to match focused with wrathful intent on the trespassers from skull sockets."Perhaps we should..." Began the robotic librarian, when everything went to hell. The road gave way beneath the lead Hellrider, who disappeared from sight before it could launch the super rocket trooper riding bitch, carried into a hole where it crashed with a resounding metallic shriek. Arachnus and the remaining mechanical bikers hit the brakes and skid to a stop just shy of the revealed chasm, allowing Valefor an unimpeded view into its dark depths. The IG Lancer and the B2 were gutted on icy spikes, sparking in critical failure as their power cores vented from multiple ruptures.DU-DU-DOOOO! A war horn sounded from somewhere deep in the fort ahead, joined by whooping canine howls from the darkside damned Nelvaanians inside its wall. What had moments ago been mounds of snow on either side of the road, erupted in exploding shards of ice as two monstrous Horax war beasts emerged from their place of concealment, massive is scale, with cloven hooves that looked like they could crush an AAT beneath their leathery soles. Their savage snarls rattled the armour plating of the Legios Cybernetica, loosing bolts and cracking photo-receptive lenses. Packed before the pitfall in their path, the Hellriders struggled to reverse as the two creatures charged, their treadspeeders slamming into each other and causing the outer-most bikes to topple over and pin their lancers beneath them. Thrusting rocket engines propelled the spiked super troopers into the air, only to be smashed back down into scrap piles as charging monsters reached them and spun, using their clubbed tails to shatter them into metal fragments that rained down on the retreating riders.Against every instinct he possessed, the cyber-spider screeched a desperate command. "RETREAT!"
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Oct 15, 2023 19:28:50 GMT -8
It had been an almost perfectly planned trapped by the Nelvaanians, undoubtedly aided by the Dark Magicks they were dabbling in and had unleashed. He'd have seen it all coming much sooner otherwise as they were lead along the trail and were rained upon by blood. But it was too late for could've, should've, and would've. They had already walked willingly into the trap and activated it, now they had to react and respond to it. Valefor slammed the hilt of the Hastae against the gravel and snow of the ground
HOLD STEADY! We make our stand here! Form a barricade! Retreat is not an option!
Already several members of the Hellriders had befallen the fate of those whom acted rashly and had quickly become scrap. Valefor dismounted the Treadspeeder and started pulling Hellriders off their mounts to form a perimeter behind which they could shoot out from. It was the Horax's, though, that would be the biggest problem to deal with. He pointed to the one off to their right
Focus your fire and lances on that one, I'll deal with the second one!
He gripped the haft of the Hastae with both hands and pushed out beyond the barricade of Treadspeeders. Almost immediately the Horax caught him with its massive bone crest and sent him flying through the air and crashing onto the road back the way they had come from. There was an ominous howl as the Nelvaanians seemed to celebrate in unison. The massive blue beast seemed proud of itself as it turned its focus back to the group of droids.
The celebration was cut short, however, as Valefor rose to his feet and brushed himself off. Not a single impact had injured him, nor had it damaged any of his belongings
Is that the best you've got... Pathetic!
He charged across the blood, snow, mud combination that made up the road. His footing was sure and unwavering as he charged the rear end of the Horax, leaping up into the air at the last moment and landing upon the beasts back. Once more the Hellriders had but a single beast to focus their efforts upon, whilst Valefor ran along the spine of another. He spun the Hastae around and stabbed Solari into the Horax's back and dragged it along, letting the Shard feed upon the strength of the giant
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Post by Reaper on Oct 24, 2023 14:37:21 GMT -8
[ Deni "Red Ripper" Lake | Hangar Bay | Erebus-class Dungeon Ship | Erebus ] Attn: Reaper Deni smiled warmly at the big man, “The Run's been feedin' on wha' we managed t' grow in pots. I ken whatever yeh have'll be just grand, in comparison.”
She studied the interior of the ship as she trailed behind him, and nodded, “Just a ship t' get th' job done, aye?”
She stepped into the galley and examined the place. It looked barely used. She could almost make out the exact routes Reaper might have used to get what he wanted. Without asking for or waiting for permission, the redhead strode ahead and made a note of whatever was available. While he was right that there was little in the way of a rich cuisine, it wasn't exactly, pre-made food packets either. He had everything they needed to make a solid well-rounded meal.
Looking back at him, she invited, “Want me t' whip somethin' up fer yeh too?”
He followed Deni through into the Kitchen and leaned against one of the counters as she seemed to make herself right at home. He did his best to remain out of her way. As he had mentioned, he was no master chef and thus could provide little in the way of good advice or help in her cooking venture. He waved his hand dismissively thenI ate not long before I found Nibs aboard the Run. I can survive a bit longer without any food. But feel free to make what ever you can with what's available. No one else here besides us, so don't worry about about using too much.It would be easy enough to restock the Erebus at their next destination or back at the Run, which ever happened to have food and be willing to help first |
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Post by Professor Arachnus on Oct 31, 2023 4:14:44 GMT -8
It had been an almost perfectly planned trapped by the Nelvaanians, undoubtedly aided by the Dark Magicks they were dabbling in and had unleashed. He'd have seen it all coming much sooner otherwise as they were lead along the trail and were rained upon by blood. But it was too late for could've, should've, and would've. They had already walked willingly into the trap and activated it, now they had to react and respond to it. Valefor slammed the hilt of the Hastae against the gravel and snow of the groundHOLD STEADY! We make our stand here! Form a barricade! Retreat is not an option!Already several members of the Hellriders had befallen the fate of those whom acted rashly and had quickly become scrap. Valefor dismounted the Treadspeeder and started pulling Hellriders off their mounts to form a perimeter behind which they could shoot out from. It was the Horax's, though, that would be the biggest problem to deal with. He pointed to the one off to their rightFocus your fire and lances on that one, I'll deal with the second one!He gripped the haft of the Hastae with both hands and pushed out beyond the barricade of Treadspeeders. Almost immediately the Horax caught him with its massive bone crest and sent him flying through the air and crashing onto the road back the way they had come from. There was an ominous howl as the Nelvaanians seemed to celebrate in unison. The massive blue beast seemed proud of itself as it turned its focus back to the group of droids.
The celebration was cut short, however, as Valefor rose to his feet and brushed himself off. Not a single impact had injured him, nor had it damaged any of his belongingsIs that the best you've got... Pathetic!He charged across the blood, snow, mud combination that made up the road. His footing was sure and unwavering as he charged the rear end of the Horax, leaping up into the air at the last moment and landing upon the beasts back. Once more the Hellriders had but a single beast to focus their efforts upon, whilst Valefor ran along the spine of another. He spun the Hastae around and stabbed Solari into the Horax's back and dragged it along, letting the Shard feed upon the strength of the giant FFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! CRACK! FFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! CRACK! FFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! CRACK! The air crackled with current as electrical sparks ran up the length of the lancers extended energy lances, the electromagnetic pulse generators housed in each venting their wrath on the second Horax with a chorus of erupting lightning bolts, striking it dead center in its thick leathery hide. The scream of thrusters could barely be heard over the thunderous booms from the lances, as the surviving B2 super rocket troopers took to the air and began to open up with their wrist mounted laser cannons, unleashing red lances of deadly plasma. Nature tested its might against the power of precision technology...and came up wanting. The meat under the Horax's thick hide sizzled and cooked as the lightning bolts split its flesh open in a great charred black blister, knocking the great beast onto its side where its belly was exposed to the furious storm of encroaching laser, carving their way into its slimy guts like a surgeons laser scalpel. From his elevated position, the chief librarian cackled with synthesized vehemence, watching the scene play out from every available angle thanks the many photo-receptors that encircled his dark domed chassis."Heh heh heh!" His vocabulator screeched. "MORE, MORE!" Even after the creature seemed dead, the remaining Hellriders did not relent, the IG-Lancers resting their smoking conical black spears on the turned over treadspeeders, using them as firing platforms to steady their aim. Nearby, as Solari's sharp body bit into the meat of the other Horax, a crimson tidal wave of erupting vitae followed on the heels of of the charging Forge Master that hurtled across its back like a hateful red comet, the Hastae's bite severing the boney links of the great beast's spinal column. It too crumpled into the snow drift beneath its massive hoofs, its life essence drained from its wilted body before it even had time to bleed out, its soul ripped free and swallowed by the hungry shard on the polearms end. The joined victory of the Legios Cybernetica and the Demon Lord who led them was short lived. As the two monstrous giants died, the growled war chants of the Nelvaanians in the bone fort cried out, as the first of the tribes warriors emerged from the maw like opening that served as its gate.There was no battle formation, no strategical design to their opening charge, just an endless army of whooping dogs foaming at the mouths as they raced towards the Hellriders with feral glee. Their weapons were crude, spear tips and axe blades of jagged stone, spine tipped swords made of bone. Despite this, hundreds of the coal eyed lupine tribesmen hurtled towards them, running headlong down the hill. Many had taken to pouncing on all fours, stalking after their mechanical prey like a pack of wolves with the scent of blood. Well, not blood, Arachnus considered. But as his plethora of eyes observed the Hellriders with him, he did notice many were leaking lubricants, caused by the initial collision of their pile-up. They were more ragged than they had been on the alien sands of Geonosis, but there was no other force in the galaxy the Professor would rather have with him than his mechanical brethren of the Dark Forge.Lines of viral code spilled across his vision as he stared down the army of darkness, his gaze turning briefly to the winged red angel stoically facing it down. If Lord Valefor wasn't afraid, then nor would they be. He hopped down from the Lancers shoulders and climbed atop a toppled treadspeeder, pointing towards the nearing enemy horde."Let them get close, then give them one last volley of the Forge Master's fury..." He rubbed two of his metallic forelegs together, causing sparks to elicit from the grating sharpened steel. "...then draw vibro-blades." |
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