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Post by Crystal Spire on May 30, 2021 13:25:10 GMT -8
Crystal sat in the pilot seat, bone weary. The ten minutes were up. There was nothing more to do than to push the autopilot button and escape. Adonias had not come, though she'd held out hope. She slapped the button, suddenly furious. Darth Strife had taken everything from her. She would find him again some day when she was stronger. As the ship rose slowly, she applied a bacta patch to her burned abdomen while staring pensively through the view screen. The ship smoothly headed towards the planet's orbit.
Darth Strife:
As his ship landed in front of them, Darth Strife strode over to the unconscious and injured Adonias. "Tsk, you're falling to pieces before we begin, Apprentice." The sith chuckled darkly and scooped him from the ground and settling him over a shoulder. His left hand protested the rough treatment but he ignored the pain. This day had breathed new life into him. He walked into the modified HWK-290 light freighter before himself and after securing his bleeding passenger in a bacta tank he'd added to the ship after realizing his last apprentice was so fragile; he made his way to the pilot seat and coaxed the ship into taking off. He smiled as they headed into the orbit of Dathomir. He was ready for the next chapter.
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Post by Esthh Krazhmir on Mar 22, 2023 12:04:18 GMT -8
A blast boulder descended into the night side of Dathomir and moved low along the surface. The crew were watching for lights, there weren’t really any on this planet, but they were watching closely. They also had with them some of the conduit worms in their container biots. They weren’t interested in the planet itself, nor even many of the large predators that inhabited the place, they didn’t care for the tribes that were supposedly on this planet, Sith or Jedi that came or did things here. No. Of all things they were looking for an insect. Fireflies as they were often called on other planets. Little bugs that were bioluminescent. Like most insects they were known to swarm and put on a light show, but these ones were special, they didn’t use chemicals to create their light show, they used electrical impulses. There were reports of these creatures being able to knock down humanoids with the amount of electricity that they could produce, and in swarms could kill. It was hoped that the conduit worms would be attracted to the electricity generated by the bugs, and lead the Vong warriors to their prize.
Kraag Val had been advised to speak with the Witch Clans about his survey, but he wasnt thrilled about having to do all the diplomacy that it might take. Due to the hour where they were, he chose to forgo the courtesy, he could always beg off the hour and not knowing who to contact and be rude by waking someone in the middle of the night.
It didn’t take long, relatively speaking and the young conduit worms started pulling eagerly off to the left and the pilot swung the craft in that direction. It didn’t take more than a few more seconds when the pilot could see the flashing lights of a swarm. The blast boulder set down not far from them and let the squad of warriors out to collect them. It wasnt difficult, they had brought a number of ginntho with them that they had gotten from Utapau and prompted the creatures to spin webs, spraying them out and the warriors used them to quickly sweep up hundreds of the crackling insects. One warrior was touched by a sparkfly and was knocked to the ground with a yelp of pain and the crackle of electrical discharge. Standing with a curse and a few good natured comments from his fellows, the warrior continued helping get the creatures into the containment sacs that they had brought. Four hours after the blast boulder had made planetfall, it returned to the stars. |
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Post by Elarinya on May 27, 2023 0:40:22 GMT -8
As the Duath had started its jump to hyperspace over Dromund Kaas, the Star Cathedral's explosion had shock-waved out in orbit and rocked the Wayfarer-class before it launched away. But what had seemed a minor shake, had turned into a much larger problem as the Transport transitioned over to hyperspace and several fires broke out. Ela had scrambled into action and started extinguishing the flames, but her battered condition had left her much more sluggish than she would have liked. Several systems ended up damaged beyond repair, while others experienced only cosmetic scarring. But her focus was quickly pulled away from the fires and back to the controls as she realised the Duath had overshot her intended co-ordinates.
As she was about to wrestle control of the vessel back, there was a disturbance in the usual blue and white blur of hyperspace as the Duath was ripped back to real space. The viewport was filled suddenly with the blue, yellow, and green of the planet below. Ela turned her focus to the nav computer, but the display on that exploded into several pieces across the cockpit, missing her by mere inches. Her focus then turned back to the viewport as she tried to work the controls of the Duath, but nothing responded as the Transport accelerated down into the atmosphere of the planet below. Fires broke out once more as armour panels snapped off and components were exposed to the heated atmosphere of re-entry. Ela ran from the cockpit then and stumbled through to the right module of the ship.
Ymir scurried about in the crowded space next to the Guruthos, The Uvak stressing about what she could feel was happening to the ship. The ship shook violently as the transition was made into the atmosphere proper, with several explosions rocking the ship as damage reached critical systems. Ela grabbed her MESA suit and hauled it over and into the Guruthos. Panels of the roof soon started ripping open, causing the ship to shake and tossing Ela from the Interceptor and across the floor of the hangar bay.
She didn't have time to properly check her injuries, instead pushing herself to her feet as she gathered the Force to her fist and sending out a shockwave of energy toward the outer door. There was a horrible screeching sound as the metal came tearing apart and the wind rushed in, buffeting the occupants of the shipFLY! I'LL FIND YOU!!Ymir seemed to look at her rider for a moment, before letting out a pained roar and launching herself from the opening and out across the sky. Ela forced her way across the hangar as the artificial gravity failed and she felt her body rising into the air from the free fallNo, no, no, no, no!She scrambled across the Interceptor's cockpit and pulled herself down into the cockpit, strapping herself in as the starfighter seemed to lift up off the deck. She ran through the controls and hastily kicked the ship engine to life, with the wings folding down to flight mode as she pushed the throttle to full. The Guruthos came flying out of the Duath with barely any clearance as the Transport spewed smoke and flames from its damaged hull. She barely had time to watch as the Wayfarer-class hurtled toward the forest some way off and crashed in a brilliant explosion and shower of flame. Ela then returned her focus to the Guruthos' controls, trying to save the starfighter as she made for the surface without crashing.
She still had no clue where she was, but somewhere she could feel a familiar presence within the Force (Darth Sirona ) nearby. She angled the starfighter in the right direction and started off toward it, before dropping below the forest canopy and setting the Guruthos down in a small, tight clearing that would be difficult to find from the sky.
Ela pushed open the cockpit and rolled out onto the ground, her arms and legs splayed apart as she embraced the solid comfort of the planet's surface
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Darth Sirona
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 27, 2023 6:55:37 GMT -8
Darth Sirona had been aboard the XoXaan, still landed close to one of the non-witch settlements. She had been seeing to her new guests and getting preliminary analysis done on the Nightsister artifacts that had been recovered. It was in the midst of making sure the wounded Nightsisters, Athell and Elonna, were being treated for their wounds properly that she felt a presence nearing that she hadn't felt since the disillusioning of the Conclave. One of her crew confirmed that a Wayfarer-class vessel had broken atmosphere and seemed to have disintegrated or crashed after launching a single fighter. Using the XoXaan's superior sensors, the crew and Sirona were able to pinpoint the landing zone for the fighter. Since Sirona could still sense Elarinya, she assumed the woman had survived. She ordered two EG droids to accompany her with medical supplies as she set off once more into the forests. She moved swiftly through the undergrowth, finally she broke through the tree line of a small clearing occupied by an Elduath-class Interceptor. The cockpit was open, but Sirona did not initially see Elarinya, so slowly she removed the lightsaber that hung on her belt and prepared for the possibility that someone or something got here first.
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Post by Elarinya on May 28, 2023 4:56:49 GMT -8
Moments after she'd laid herself out on the ground, everything from the fight to the crash landing had caught up with her in one big hit and caused her to lose consciousness for several minutes. As she came to again, she was very aware she was not alone. Her mind kicked into survival mode as she noted that she'd not had a chance to don her MESA armour before passing out, meaning she had only her sabers and her armour weave clothing on. Her hands slowly moved down to grip the twin hilts before she jumped up into a guarded stance as the lightsabers snapped to life. Her gaze rapidly sweeping the clearing before coming to rest upon the white haired Echani female and the source of the presence she had sensed before
Sirona?!
After a beat, she flicked the activator switches and extinguished both crossguard blades
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Darth Sirona
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 28, 2023 7:01:39 GMT -8
Sirona's lightsaber instinctively was activated upon hearing the activation of from an unknown source. Her EG droids also activated their sabers. Sirona located the origin point of the sound and was relieved to see it was indeed her acquaintance from the Conclave. Once Elarinya's sabers deactivated, Sirona did the same and was shortly followed by her droids. Elarinya, she motioned for her droids to display the medical equipment they had brought, do you require aid? I have more advanced facilities aboard my ship if this is not sufficient. The earlier confidence she had had when dealing with the Nightsisters had melted away. She had a clear goal in mind, an end game that she had worked toward and anticipated. This was a random encounter, one she had not anticipated. Indeed she could have gone many more years without crossing paths with another Sith and been happy for it. But, even as a Sith, she was not one to leave behind a former comrade. What- uh, what brings you here?
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Post by Elarinya on May 28, 2023 7:31:52 GMT -8
Her normally red skin was marred by several spots of much darker red where bruises and injuries had been sustained from her fight and landing. Injuries which had been mostly forgotten in the adrenalin fuelled defensive reaction she had put on. She slung her right arm across her stomach and pressed her hand against her left side feeling a sharp pain returning. Clipping her left saber back, she approached one of the EG droids and snatched a pain killer shot from the medical supplies and jabbed her thigh with it. The relief was almost instant and she left out a sigh as it hit
Thank the Force... But most importantly, thank you Sirona. The painkillers should be enough, nothing some rest won't fix...
She grunted, some of her injuries still quite sharp and piercing the painkillers. Her gaze then turned to the forest and sky, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. She couldn't quite place where she was still, but she felt like she'd been here before
I'm not sure where here even is... The Duath wasn't really in a good condition...
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Darth Sirona
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 28, 2023 7:44:18 GMT -8
Sirona looked over Elarinya's injuries more closely. Yes, these were not just injuries from a crash, many of these seemed more violent in nature. Sirona, with another motion to the droids, instructed them to bind what wounds they could, they were not medical droids, but they did their best. Sirona took the moment to speak more. Then you did not run afoul of the imperials as I initially suspected? You have ended up on possibly one of the most unique planets in the galaxy. Dathomir! Even as she said it, Sirona opened herself up to the Force so she could feel the uniqueness of the planet follow through her. She had only just started to dabble in Magick but was eager to learn more. After basking in it for a moment, Sirona seemed to remember someone else present. If you are not here on purpose, what happened to you, and how did you end up here?
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Post by Elarinya on May 28, 2023 20:24:12 GMT -8
Ela had little choice but to let the droids proceed with their work binding several of her wounds and applying bacta patches to assist with the healing process. Her attention looking up to the sky as Sirona made mention of Imperials being in the area, potentially attacking anyone arriving before stating the name of the planet
Dathomir, huh...
She'd been to this planet quite a number of times in the past. First when the Conclave had worked to bring the Nightsisters into the fold of the Sith, then again when the Conclave had fallen and she'd been forced to kill Maethoriel. And now, here she was once again upon Dathomir. This time having suffered a defeat that Sirona was now enquiring about. She clipped her remaining held saber to her belt and moved away from the droids
I guess it was inevitable that the Imperials would reach their grasp here, but I did not see them on my arrival. The Duath dropped close enough that any later would have landed me in the planet itself... As for how I ended up here? I found him, my Father that is. I thought I was strong enough to defeat him, but... Well clearly my previous victory over Maethoriel had been a fluke, her maddened state serving to weaken her...
She rested her right hand on her hip, while flicking the stray strands of her that fell across her face away. Trying to act casual whilst the pain continued to subside beneath the medicine
We fought on one of the old Cathedral's over Dromund Kaas, but it did not survive a Marr-Class Devastator crashing into it... I thought I was clear of the shockwave, but it seems it caught me as I was escaping... And now here I am. I don't suppose the Nightsisters are still friendly to us?
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Darth Sirona
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 28, 2023 21:47:18 GMT -8
Sirona listened to Elarinya's tale and couldn't help but to look disappointed. She HATED the Sith pentaunt for killing each other. It was a needless waist of power and a potential loss of knowledge. Sirona held her tongue and didn't voice her disapproval or her contempt in this moment. Privately glad that Elarinya failed to kill her father. Then when the Sith woman's story finished Sirona answered her question. The Nightsisters have been scattered by the Empire and other rival clans. I have taken in a handful of survivors and we were preparing to depart when your ship showed up on scanners... And, um, now we are here. Sirona recalled her droids with a wave of her hand. She then turned her attention to the ship they stood beside, inspecting it. Will- ehm- will you be needing a way off planet?
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Post by Elarinya on May 29, 2023 6:31:37 GMT -8
Ela couldn't have missed the look of disapproval that fell across Sirona's face even if she had been blind. The story of her Father and why she had tried to kill him would be a story that could wait until later for explanation. For now there were far more pressing concerns, such as the news Sirona just delivered regarding the Nightsisters. It had been a long shot to expect they would have even given her refuge, but neither the Empire nor the Daughters of Allya would be welcoming. But it did beg the question what she was going to do next. Something that would likely require some more time and thought to plan out. Her more immediate future was something much easier and simpler to focus on as her own attention fell upon the Guruthos
I'm no mechanic, but she seems flightworthy still... However...
Her gaze lifted to the sky again, her eyes closing as she reached out with the Force and tried to find her airborne steed
I don't think there will be enough space for Ymir to fit inside of it...
She could feel the Uvak's presence at the edge of her mind as it sought refuge in a cave in a nearby mountain range. She opened her eyes and turned to Sirona
I would greatly appreciate a lift, and I of course will place myself at your service as payment. Deal?
She struck out her hand for Sirona to shake, wincing a little as her injuries pulled at the edge of her mind
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Darth Sirona
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 29, 2023 7:28:10 GMT -8
Sirona studied Elarinya's outstretched hand for a moment before accepting it and giving it a single shake. Sirona would need to sleep with one eye open if Elarinya was coming aboard, somone who had already killed their own master and attempted to kill their father. The Echani did not trust her to not attempt to take her ship and the secrets stored aboard. I will need to make room in the XoXaan's hangar bay for your fighter and... Yim-Ear, was it? Not waiting to be corrected if she had gotten the name wrong. I will have one of my droids enter our ships location into your fighter's nav computer if you would like. SIrona was already motioning for the droid to embark and begin it's work. Once your injuries are properly treated, we will embark to retrieve your lost pet, unless it is close enough to heed your call and join us.
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Post by Elarinya on May 30, 2023 9:34:56 GMT -8
E... Emir...
It was a simple enough mistake to make, but not one Ela would stress too much. She gave an appreciative nod to Sirona's words and offers then
She's close enough that she will come when called. Best to leave her where she is until the ships ready to leave. I suspect our Imperial hosts will be watching their own scanners a lot more closely after my entrance... Need any help with the rearrangement? Otherwise comm me when you're ready and I'll fly the Guruthos over.
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 30, 2023 10:16:41 GMT -8
As the EG droid climbed down back out of the cockpit, Sirona shook her head. The XoXaan can only contain 2 fighters, and unfortunately the hanger is also going to be the best place to keep your mount as well. One of my droids will fly my personal fighter in escourt when we depart. I will send word once we are ready. Sirona gave a bow like nod before motioning for her droids that it was time to leave. The trio returned to the forest and made the trek back to the XoXaan.
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Post by Elarinya on May 30, 2023 17:21:00 GMT -8
As Sirona took her leave back to the XoXaan, Ela moved over to the Guruthos and got to work pulling her MESA Combat Suit out and donning the armour. The Elduath-class was not designed with a particularly roomy cockpit, meaning space was at a premium, and the armour suit had taken up much of the available space. But space saving aside, she felt a bit more comfortable suited up given the threats present on Dathomir, both old and new. She sat on the tip of the cockpit as she waited, taking the time to review her recent defeat, and the look Sirona had given her. She could have probably lied about what had happened, it might have made things a bit more comfortable in the more immediate future. But the truth was that something about the Historian that compelled her to be honest.
The Sith Conclave was gone, and its survivors had been scattered to the winds. She had few options available for allies and friends, and she didn't want to ruin this one down the road by lying now. After all, she wasn't sure what would come next, but she knew she needed to lay low since Quantum would still be hunting her. She would need to formulate a new plan of attack to eventually eliminate them as a threat if she ever hoped to be free of them
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Dragus
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In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
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Post by Dragus on Feb 11, 2024 8:29:01 GMT -8
Black smoke trailed the four long wings of a modular C-9979 frigate as it plunged through the atmosphere, its gunmetal hued hull glowing orange with heat from its rapid approach, screeching through the sky like a falling comet. Maneuvering thrusters fired as the Dragenburg came down through the blood tinged clouds in the red sky of Dathomir. Trapdoors on the bottom on the wings swung open to reveal the dark interior where crimson gammaplast armoured Sith scout troopers gathered around the hole in the floor, studying the terrain as the ship began to slow, switching over to repulsor engines the last leg of the journey. The tails of Commander Jake Grizzwald's dark armourweave long coat flapped as wind blasted through the open drop bay, not quite warm but neither frigid either, somewhere in-between. His heavy repeater hung across his waist from a strap over his shoulder, while his gloved right gripped a secure ceiling strap, his blue eyes looking for obvious signs of habitation. Eventually the frigate slowed to a stop, hovering over a clearing on the southern hemisphere of the planet, giving them all a good look at the red dirt below. Advanced team, drop and secure landing site. Go, go! He barked into the mouthpiece of the comlink. Two armoured figures dropped from each of the four wing chutes, rapidly repelling towards the ground on metallic cables. When armoured boots struck soil, seven NJ2 scouts and the Commander dropped to a crouch, covering each direction with overlapping sweeps of their rifle lights.
Commander Grizzwald rose first, his gloved fingers switching off the safety of his non-standard issue Imperial heavy repeater rifle, already fitted with a vibro-bayonet below the underslung grenade launcher. The scouts did the same with their ST-W48 blasters, pressing rifle stocks to their shoulders as their helmet range finders synched with the electroscopes of their firearms. "No lifeforms detected." Said the cold voice of the scout beside the Commander, who in turn lifted his exposed head to the sky and motioned with his right hand towards the Dragenburg. Landing site clear. Bring the bird down." Then he and the squad spread out as the C-9979 began to descend to the ground, displacing dirt and kicking up a cloud of quickly dispersing dust as it settled into the fertile terrain. The thick armoured doors of the transport's foot flipped open and dropped a ramp with a loud resounding clang. Six Incinerator tanks rolled off first, floating away from the ship to make room for the construction rigs that began assembling the walls of a CIS mobile commander center. "Clear some of this brush." Ordered Jake, slapping his hand hard on the rear bumper of a tank. Hovering up to the jungles edge, long geysers of liquid flame erupted from the barrels of each tanks flamethrower turret, setting the trees and fauna ablaze.
"I love the smell of tibanna in the morning." Chuckled the Commander darkly, pulling a pack of deathsticks from a pocket on his hard chest-piece. Using the burning foliage he lit the end of the narcotic stick and brought it to his lips, inhaling a lungful of spice, before exhaling. The smoke from his mouth mingled with the giant smoke clouds rising off the jungle, rising high into the air to be easily spotted for miles in all directions. Yellow rubber suited warlock enginseers and goggle wearing tinker rats hurry-scurried from the Dragenburg's belly, working with questionable precision to erect the base. Jake grabbed the shoulder pauldron of one of his scouts and pointed to the burning woods. "Keep an eye on our surroundings until those walls go up. The fire should deter any rancors in the area, but better get a few repeating blasters on tripods set up to cover the zone." Jake spit on the ground next to his boots, his predatory senses prickling in this unfamiliar environment.
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Feb 14, 2024 6:30:07 GMT -8
After the walls went up and jungle immediately surrounding the temporary outpost had been defoliated, leaving charred remains where once their have been lush flora, Commander Grizzwald made his way to the top of the newly erected barrier. He slung his repeater rifle over his shoulder as he approached a scout on the northeast corner of the hall. "Let me see your rifle." He said, extended his gloved palms expectantly. The NJ2 in crimson scout gammaplast turned and handed Jake his DLT-19x targeting blaster. Using the lip of the upper rampart wall to stabilize his aim, the NJX stared through the scope, scanning the jungle beyond the ash plains they had so recently created. Even at a distance he could see the trees swaying and leafy canopy shake, suggesting something large was moving beneath the concealed natural layer. Rancor. Unfortunately the Dark Apothecary's insistence that this region was rich in much desired spirit ichor had also failed to consider the fact that it was in the heart of rancor country. The lumbering reptilians were all over the place, waiting to strike anything small enough to be considered prey. Jake moved his eye away from the scope and looked over his shoulder, down towards the where artillery teams safely inside the walls had finished assembling three AV-9 cannons. Moving a hand to his ear, he tapped the comm-device there and opened a channel to the combat engineers standing around the guns. "Commander Grizzwald to artillery team. Forwarding targeting data to you now. one volley, please." There was a few brief seconds of static, followed by a crisp... Aye, Commander. From his elevated position, Jake could see the engineers maneuver their wheeled rigs around, repositioning the mobile cannons so that their large barrels pointed north. Returning his attention to the rifle scope, Grizzwald sighted the jungle again, the scope acting as a laser sight for the artillery teams. Three concussive booms thundered from inside the base as the cannons fired, hurling proton shells high into the air, curling over the walls and then down towards the jungle where they struck with explosive impacts. Fiery eruptions shattered the calm, causing flocks of blue birds to take to the air and animal squawking to sound across the vast wilderness stretching to the north. The trees shook with movement as something nearby the strike zone was obviously moving under the cover of the jungle canopy. "New targeting data. A second volley." The artillery teams reply was the thunder of their cannons followed a second set of eruptions across the jungle. A terrible bestial wail sounded from somewhere beneath the thick foliage as one of the rancors had obviously been struck. The shaking of trees seemed to be heading in the opposite direction of the base. Jake lowered the rifle. "That's enough for now." He commed, then handed the DLT-10x back to the scout.In the distance, high up near the clouds, a massive winged creature with leathery membranous wings seemed to be soaring in a circle that took it around the base. Commander Grizzwald pointed to the creature. "How long has that thing been there?" He asked the scout, an NJ2 who went by the nickname Hobbs. The scout followed the Commander's hand, sighting the winged monster with his helmets range-finder."It showed up once the smoke died down, Commander. It came close to the base twice until the anti-air guns scared it off. Since then its been circling, just out of effective range of the blaster turrets on the walls." To which Jake replied. "Clever girl." The scout nodded, then looked back towards the circling avian predator. "We could try to bring it down with the patrol gunship, sir." They had two aboard the Dragenburg that they could deploy if necessary. Jake shook his head, stepping away from the wall. "Leave it for now. If it becomes more than a pest we'll put it down, but for now I don't want to waste any resources on anything other then raising the refinery. We came here for spirit ichor, the lifeblood of Dathomir. The sooner we start pumping it out of the ground, the sooner we can leave. That'll be all." With the wildlife in check, Jake climbed over ladder rungs and slid down towards the ground inside the outpost wall.
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Feb 15, 2024 7:29:08 GMT -8
Location: Dathomir (Dathomir System) | Southern Hempishere | Dathomiri Wilds - Fort Dragmire As the first bloody rays of light from Domir crested the eastern horizon of the planet, the armoured gates of the mobile command centre opened, allowing six Sith Troopers riding 125-Z treadspeeders to roar out of the outpost. They were followed by four flat-bed hover-trucks laden with materials needed to assemble the spirit ichor refinery and overflowing with tinker rats from ranat Clan Rustrot. Chief Warlock Enginseer Skaltera Brassclaw, a half cyborg vermin lord from western Dragusblight, rode in the lead truck as the convoy exited the safety of the outpost's walls, floating to a stop a hundred feet from the base. The NJ1s on the bikes tore up the terrain as their tracked bikes zipped around the perimeter, patrolling the edge of the jungle. From atop the walls of Fort Dragmire, NJ2 scout troopers with long-blasters kept an eye on the thick jungle foliage, calling in rancor sightings to the artillery team stationed inside the walls. Thunderous booms of AV-9 cannons lobbing proton shells into the forest usually preceded any sightings, though for the most part the recent commotion seemed to have discouraged the local wildlife from wandering too near the outpost.When the trucks came to a stop, Skaltera's verminous underlings got to work assembling the refinery. Muscular ranat-ogres did most of the heavy lifting, though a few pieces had to be maneuvered into place with cranes and construction droids. For all their quirks, the yellow rubber-suited tinker rats moved quickly about their duties, bolting and welding specially alchemized machines and pieces of equipment, raising the refinery in a matter of hours in what would have taken an equal number of human workers days to perform. A tall circular stack rose fifty feet in the air, attached to a cluttered drill mechanism featuring a conical diamond tip that could be rotated with a powerful plasma borer. Blue forks of electrical current jumped between the Vermin Lords metallic whiskers as he leaned in to examine his clan's work, his cybernetic left eye zooming in to a 100x magnification as he checked for cracks and flaws in the assembly. They were dealing with a barely understood and potential volatile substance, so every piece of the refinery had been designed with durability in mind. Thick plates, piping, hardier alloys, etc. Tapping his electro-cane as he was satisfied with his underlings work, the Chief Warlock pointed the firkraan crystal head of his cane at the enginseer operating the drill controls."Hurry-scurry, begin!" Snapped Skaltera's throat vocabulaor, drooling oil and spit from his metal snout as he spoke. With the order given, the tinker rats powered on the drill, causing the conical bit to rapidly spin as its tip was lowered into the ground. The machine carved through the upper layer like a lightsaber through blue-butter, then began to slow as they reached the bedrock beneath, burrowing deeper and deeper beneath the surface of the planet. When they hit an obstruction the drill struggled with, they retracted the boring cone and switched over to the plasma drill, flash boiling buried ore and rock to vapour. The leader of Clan Rustrot leered greedily at a screen connected to a camera on the drills head, monitoring their progress. He could already taste that sweet spirit ichor. His master, the Great Devourer, had plans for it of course; however, Skaltera had thoughts of his own how the strange substance might be used to elevate his clan above all the others of Dragusblight. Imagine if you will, a new Doomwheel of Spinning Destruction, powered by spirit ichor infused shards of kyber crystal. Such a weapon would be unstoppable, perhaps even allowing the Vermin Lord to reclaim the lost Heap on Hypori and overthrow the winged red tyrant that had so unjustly harmed him on Kessel. Or perhaps a spirit ichor manifested harpoon gun that could spear the Demon Lord out of the sky. He snickered as he schemed, pulling the crank to rev the drill up to full power. Smoke and steam hissed from the refinery.Back at the base, Commander Grizzwald came out of his office in time to watch Nu-Jake combat engineers offload the outpost's LAAT/Ie patrol gunship from the holds of the Dragenburg. He called the bird the Banshee, as its tweaked engines tended to shriek and wail like a starweird when it was in operation. Four NJ2s in sith jetpack trooper gear, known as a raptor claw, strode off behind the gunship. Jake raised a gloved hand holding a cup of stim-caf as he watched them, taking a sip of scalding brown liquid, which he swallowed with a grimace. As usual, the ration caf was shit. Each one of the troopers was carrying the standard issue F-11ABA heavy blaster cannon, equipped with a J20 electroscope and capable of punching a hole in a wookiees gut with a single explosive round. Usually anything organic they hit tended to erupt in an explosion of red gore. "Get the Banshee air-ready within the hour." Ordered the Commander as he approached the raptor squad. He recognized them from the invasion of Kessel, as their squad leader Talos saluted Grizzwald. "I want to take her up for a flight as soon as she's ready." Reaching to the strap on his shoulder over his armourweave long-coat, the NJX swung around his heavy repeater rifle to the front, patting the stock with a gloved hand. "We're going hunting." |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,406
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Feb 17, 2024 7:09:08 GMT -8
Repulsor engines whined as the Banshee lifted off from Fort Dragmire. The LAAT/le rose over the high walls of the mobile command centre, guided by the skilled hand of the Commander's aide, an NJ3 former Sovereign Protector that had helped Grizzwald out of a sticky situation during the Dragenburg's raid on the Sorosuub Corporation. The Commander was seated next to Valentine in the co-pilots seat, while Raptor Claw Epyon rode in the troop compartment with the doors open so the squad could get a good look at the terrain they were flying over. Claw leader Talos knelt next to the open hatch, his helmet hanging from his belt, brown flop of hair blowing in the wind. His left eye squinted was his right stared down the end of the J20 electroscrope on his F-11ABA heavy blaster cannon, scanning the tops of the leafy canopy as the patrol bird took them over the jungle of Dathomir. "No rancor sightings yet, Commander." Talos' cold and collected voice spoke into the mouth-piece of the comlink hanging around his neck. Their mission, as it had been explained to him and his squad, was to locate and if possible capture several of specimens of the large native reptilian. A dangerous job, but they were well equipped and had air superiority, which evened things considerably. The deck beneath the squads feet vibrated as Valentine urged more speed out of the engines.Keep your eyes peeled. Replied Commander Grizzwald over the squad's frequency as he studied the cockpit console in front of him, switching through the Banshee's plethora of sensors. There out there. Hang on, I think I have something on radar. The gunship swerved as the pilot altered their heading, redirecting the repulsor combat craft towards a large blip on their sensors. Valentine removed a hand from the steering yoke and pointed at the screen, indicating a set of numbers in the bottom corner. "See that, sir? That's not on the ground. Altitudes too high." Grizzwald nodded, looking up from the screen and staring out the cockpit window ahead of him. "Agreed. Whatever it is, it's coming towards us." He stared up at the blood tinged clouds overhead as an avian shadow swept overhead. "Oh, sithspit!" He cursed as he realized what it was. That had to be the same bat like creature that had been circling the base. Now outside the range of Fort Dragmire's blaster turrets, the Chirodactyl must be seizing on the opportunity to strike. "Evasive maneuvers, Valentine! It's right on top of us."Their pilot grabbed the accelerator and pulled it back, then pressed forwards on the steering yoke and took the gunship into a dive, rapidly accelerating as they streaked towards the top of the jungle. The shadow seemed to swallow the Banshee and blot out the bloody rays of Domir as the radar blips grew closer together. In the back, Talos and his squad gripped safety holds on the ceiling while they stared out the sides of the open troop hatch, scanning the sky above with the naked eye. The squad leader grit his teeth as he saw a massive winged form swooping towards them with two talon tipped feet curling towards the Banshee. "It's gaining on us. We'll try to give you some breathing space, sir." Talos reached down and pulled his helmet from his belt, slapping it down over his head. The HUD of his crimson helm synched with the Banshee, providing it with tactical data from the gunships sensors and radar. Epyon, fall out. Twin cones of orange flame erupted from the thrusters of four NJP-900 integrated jetpacks as the raptor claw leapt free of the patrol bird and took to the sky, scattering in several directions, presenting the chirodactyl with numerous targets. Talos turned mid-air, holding his blaster cannon in both hands as he rapidly fired explosive bolts at the nearing winged predator.PEW! PEW! PEW! Rounds of highly concentrated energized blaster gas that would have turned an unarmoured target to a crimson mist struck the thick hide of the flying bat monster to little affect. Each bolt that bit bat flesh sizzled for a moment, then blew out as the wind washed away the smoke wafted off singed skin. NJ2-598 and NJ2-342, also known as Mercutian and Cyrion, opened up with everything they had at the chirodactyl's right wing. This seemed to have more of an impact as the bolts were able to penetrate the membranous skin stretching between the hollow wing bones. Screeching in bestial fury, the predator turned away from the gunship and went after the two jetpack troopers. Don't let it grab you. Warned Commander Grizzwald. Those talons will make short work of your armour. We're bringing the Banshee around. Just keep that thing distracted till we can get her in our sights. He looked over at Valentine and the pilot nodded, putting the gunship through a high stress roll that brought it back towards the creature now assailing the airborne squad. NJX Jake Grizzwald took over the Banshee's weapons, aiming the turrets laser cannons under the chin of the craft. "Stay on target. I've almost got her." As the crosshairs lined up, he pulled the trigger, unleashing a blistering barrage of energy bolts.Mercutian deactivated his jetpack as spear length talons closed around him, dropping between the deadly toe blades at the lost moment, just as the Banshee's bolts took the chirodactyl in the back. The larger guns of the patrol ship punched the winged predator in the back like a meteor strike, sending in spinning towards the jungle below. It crashed into the trees, snapping ancient trunks like they were matchsticks as it plunged bloodily into the ground. Valentine eased off the throttle, coming to hover in the sky at a distance from where the beast fell. Claw Epyon flew back into the hold of the Banshee, deactivating their jetpacks as their gamma-plast booted feet touched the durasteel deck. Well... Said Talos coolly, plucking his helmet from his head. "...that wasn't a rancor." Which meant it wasn't a part of their mission. "No." Admitted Commander Grizzwald as he extracted himself from the co-pilots seat and entered the back compartment. "But it may be of interest to the Dark Apothecary. Valentine, get us close to where it crashed, but stay above the jungle canopy. All this excitement may have attracted the local wildlife." "Aye, aye, Commander." Blue birds and lizards scattered from their shelter in the tops of trees as the Banshee descended over the forest.Taking a repel line in hand, the Commander leapt from troop hold and dropped towards the ground, sliding down the metallic line until his boots crunched into the dirt. He swung his Imperial heavy repeater around to the front so that its rifle stock was pressed against his shoulder, eye staring down the iron sights as he slowly advanced towards where the chirodactyl crashed. Raptor Claw Epyon landed next, with Talos coming down beside the NJX in charge. The NJ2 squad leaded noticed the lack of scope on Grizzwald's weapon and commented on it. "No scope?" The NJX turned his head and grinned, flashing pristine white teeth. "No need." Talos nodded. He'd heard the rumours, of course. The NJXs were built differently than the rest of their clone brethren, but Epyon squad had never worked with one outside of the Elite Praetorian Guard, who usually kept their helmets on and typically only used melee weapons. The Commander was an obvious exception. "Take position in the trees." Talos nodded and fired his jetpack, joined a second later by the rest of Epyon Claw as they landed on upper branches, covering Grizzwald as he approached. What little red light made it through the cloud covered reflected off the vibro-bayonet affixed to the NJX's repeater as he stepped closer.Tangled in the foliage, the avian predator cawed and shrieked, but its days of flying were behind it judging by the state of its wings. The right was in tatters and clearly broken, while the left flapped uselessly at its side. Even so, the predator was dangerous. Depressing the trigger, the rifle's muzzle erupted with smoke and a bright flash as hypersonic slugs spat from its barrel and punched into the creature's hide. It shrieked and rolled on the ground, getting its large feet beneath it as it struggled to stand and turn towards the Commander. The volume of its cry was like the blast of a sonic cannon, straining Grizzwald's ears. Gritting his teeth, he continued to advance and fire even as the monster exposed fangs that looked like they could pierce the armour of an AT-AT. Switching to the underslung grenade launcher, he lobed a frag grenade into the creature's face that pulped one of its eyes and broke several of its teeth. From above, explosive bolts hit the chirodactyl on all sides as the Claw lent their cannons to the mix. Wreathed in smoke, the beast gave one last ear drum bursting cry before collapsing onto the ground, seemingly defeated. Its chest rose and fell for another thirty seconds before coming to a stop completely, the last embers of life fading from its predatory gaze. Only once he was sure it was dead did the Commander approach near enough to rest his gloved hands on the native animal's hide. Sneering, he looked up to the trees, calling out to Talos."You know what we have here?" He asked snidely. "Rancor bait."
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Żiwia
Member
Posts: 10
Affiliation: Light side Well-being
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Post by Żiwia on Feb 18, 2024 1:34:33 GMT -8
And there she was. Steady on feet she began to walk. This was the place the mortals knew as Dathomir. This she knew. But knowing in the mind and touching with the hand were a million miles apart. So she began walking among the living. On living land. The senses were overwhelmed. By? Nature. Nature Ziwia toyed with the word. nature. Life. On the ground in front of her a bumble bee spun in its dying spasm. Both wings torn from the creatures now broken body the bee struggled against impending doom. Slowly crouching down she nimbly lifted the insect from the ground. Then standing she blew gently into the closed fist. Nextly Ziwia opened up her hand nd the bee flew away
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