Lord Nexus
The Vegemite Enclave
Posts: 174 
Affiliation: Chaos
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Post by Lord Nexus on Jan 6, 2021 13:09:29 GMT -8
The peace was broken - something seemed to stir within the structure as the call of action rose. The sound of grinding metal and ominous silence was broken by the arrival of the Dominion troops. As they touched down, the IG-100s in the Hangar Bay took attention.Assessing New Arrival...Entity Unknown
Assessing Security Clearance...Failed
New Arrival fails clearance check...Defense systems engaged.
Assume hostile...
Activate code name: " fearg duine a tharraingt ort féin Ard Ri Dubh" [Incur the wrath of the High King Dubh] While active and alert, they were older models, and programmed specifically to defend as opposed to attack. As the Dominion forces approached, should they assess the area, they would note an infamous insignia painted onto the platform. The Óglaigh na Iarndóideanna, or Warriors of the Iron Fist had been absent for many years in the galaxy, yet any that knew history would know that finding one of their facilities tucked away in a treacherous place such as the Maw was far from a good thing.
Danger Close!!This changed upon the Dominion's active hostility, which engaged the IF programming code. The droids, (A total of 12 initially, though now 10 upon the 2 units that were felled by a barrage of blaster fire) split into two groups. Separating in a sudden flurry of movement, going from a defensive barrier between the gates which held the Lord of Chaos, becoming a two pronged strike force. Now, in the form of Alpha and Bravo team, Alpha team advanced with electrostaffs- slowly closing the gap between the opposing forces- while Bravo Squadron retreated, producing their RPS-6s.
As Alpha Team pushed forward against the attacking forces, a whirling could be heard from the ceiling. Initially easily mistaken for the droid units, four auto turrets lowered from their concealment points. Three of the turrets unleashed a volley towards the shuttles, while the fourth (closer to the center) took aim at the primary point of hostile contact, aiming towards the "Deep Ones". As the turrets deployed, Bravo Team, unleashed an arc of RPGs, targeted towards the encroaching Aqua Droids.This sudden shift was potentially jarring to forces that were unfamiliar with those who came before. While he was bound in a prison of eternal torture, the Warriors of the Iron Fist did their best to program their droids with the tactics of the Dark Lord, who was a notorious strategist on the battle field.
At this point, the invaders had to contend with six separate points of contact. The four turrets, which threatened their escape route, as well as their beasts wrought from Sith Alchemy, as well as the two 5 unit teams of IG-100s, one of whom advanced, while the other provided cover fire via their grenade launchers.
All the while, the force sensitives felt a looming presence growing, and a soft whisper in their ears - delicate, akin to a child in a song-like melody..."1...2...He's coming for you...3...4...The Dark Lord."
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The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
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Post by The Holy Man on Jan 6, 2021 13:17:55 GMT -8
On most days, seeing a random ship anywhere near the Maw might arouse the slightest suspicion considering no pilot in their right mind would ever choose to come near it. On most days, seeing a handful of ships in the Maw would arouse quite a bit of suspicion. But today of all days, seeing a handful of ships in the Maw collecting around one particular asteroid and causing the facility there to come to life was bad. Very bad.
The small team of operatives known as the Howlers had spent weeks planning the operation that was scheduled to end today. Days ago, a stealth carrier landed on the far side of the asteroid, and the team of Howlers had spent the hours in between then and now approaching the facility as cautiously as possible to keep it from awakening. Every detail from the timing of their operation to a stealth infiltration of the facility had been planned extensively. But as they say, it always goes sideways.
From the surface of the asteroid, one of the four camouflaged Howlers looked up into space above the facility and watched as all of that planning went out the window. Edson Traest, also known as Howler Four, was in disbelief.
-Howler Four-
Are you serious? Tell me this is part of the plan. Tell me those ships are ours
-Howler Five-
Good. More enemies to kill.
-Howler One-
Cut the chatter. We know our mission.
Kelara Arkado, known as Howler One, knew nothing ever went according to plan. She also knew that the best thing was to keep your head and come up with a new plan. Listening to her team complain over their closed close-range comm channel wasn't going to get them anywhere.
-Howler One-
I don't know who they are but we can't get into a fight with an entire platoon. Howler Three, scout our path ahead. Find us cover up to the facility but keep out of sight. If we can't go in quietly, lets hope whoever this is can clear a path for us. Once they get into the facility we will sneak in behind.
-Howler Three-
Copy that, Howler One.
Howler Three, named Juna Traest, blew a kiss from her helmet to her husband Edson and disappeared towards the facility. While the group may seem like a bunch of strong-headed individuals, ultimately they knew that the mission always came first.
Prepping their gear for a quick and quiet infiltration, the other three waited for Howler Three to return while they watched the events in space unfold.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Jan 6, 2021 15:20:18 GMT -8
Ah of course... as it was expected.
Having assumed already that the defenses would be harder to overcome the very moment they entered the stage, Rhakmar gave a swift command over his Mechu-Deru spider to activate the Ommog-Class war droids in order to get rid of the incoming turret barrage upon their armoured shuttles. While the Bantha-class Assault shuttles were produced by the Mon Calamari to take a heavy beating, that wouldn't last long, thus the Sorcerer admired the creativity of the vault's creator.
Yet nothing what would stop a true disciple of the Dark.
Armed with several tools on its tentacle arms, a shield emitter similiar to the ones of the Droidekas and a Pulse Cannon, these specialized Commando droids, immidiately utilized the later weapon in order to disable the turrets, taking out two of the installation's defenses swiftly. The previous barrage from the enemy turrets has managed to kill a dozen Deep Ones and even more Dominion Troopers and Aqua Droids, yet the majority of these creatures, pushed now forward to engage the Alpha team, wheras the Deep Ones on the backlines already began to pursue the droids of Bravo team.
Seeing that the times for games was over, Jerai himself decided to join the combat, focusing his Force powers on the third turret to force grip it's interior in order to blast it apart. Without the turrets threatening their ships and forces and the lines of the Dominion being able to breach through the defenses, no matter the losses of lifes that can be replaced later on, it wouldn't be long till they can breach the first defense perimeter.
Enjoying the dark side force presence, Jerai Rhakmar felt a sadistic joy within the ongoing skirmish, as IG-100s and his Sithspawn died in battle simultaneously, chaos unleashed to which this galaxy was destined to succumb in the end. There was something delightful in destroying a facility with ordered forces and a setup of deadly defense mechanisms, for this harmony could not exist within the Dark, the extreme within the Force even the Sith barely understood to it's full potential.
An additional spark to fuel the great bonfire, that will set ablaze one day the galaxy among the eyes of the beloved queen.
And whatever that facility housed, Rhakmar was certain that it would do it's part in spreading the chaos further, one way or another.
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Lord Sinistra
Retired High Councilor 
VE Human Capital Management & Talent Acquisition
Posts: 1,474 
Affiliation: The Vegemite Enclave
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Post by Lord Sinistra on Jan 6, 2021 18:24:28 GMT -8
She watched out of the open hangar door the beams of plasma cross the open distance between where the ships had landed and where the prison defenses had engaged the ones who had managed to beat her to the location. However seeing their ships close up now, she growled at the Quarren Dominion colors on the ships.
Open fire on the shuttles but watch the turrets from the base.
Standing on the edge with the winds pulling on the hem of her robes, she could feel the brush of a familiar mind. With a smooth motion, she unclipped her sabers from her waist before she fell forward into a somersault, landing behind the position of the Quarren. Washes of silver and red light illuminated her bronze colored armor and black robes but she was not idle for a moment as she began to press towards the doors into the prison flanking the Quarren position.
The Corvette touched down while Sinistra had dodged a long grenade from one of the IG-100 droids, offloading her backup of about 4 dozen light armored commando units meant to help her breach the bases defenses. She swung out to the right side of the Quarren position, using them for cover while she drew fire from the last turret. She slid up behind a communications relay to pause until she wrested a derelict ion engine from a lift and sent it crashing into the turret, taking it offline.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Jan 6, 2021 19:00:10 GMT -8
As the battle continiued on, Rhakmar took some moments to realize that something was shifting, as he wanted to turn his attention towards the fourth tower, once he was finished with destroying the third tower.
The mental warning from an Amphi-Hydrus aboard the King in Yellow though put him suddenly on alert.
You're not alone! Something has approached the station unnoticed. Another presence! Be on guard!
It was then, that the Sorcerer realized that from another side of the hangar bay a corvette has appeared.
Reinforcements!?
The Rhandite had barely any seconds to think, as one of the IG-100s tied him into a fight with an electro staff, causing the Sorcerer to dodge the first attack, while dodging the second attempt. One of the beasts, that stood nearby as a bodyguard tried to smash into the droid, but got shocked by the elite droid immidiately, leaving Rhakmar for a the moment in an awkward position, where none of his forces could aid in his defense.
Only barely the Sorcerer dodged the swift attacks of the droid, his concentration on his precognition abilities being shattered for a brief second.
Somewhere a grenade detonated nearby a portion of his troops at the left shuttle, killing some of the troopers, who couldn't make it in time.
Sacrifices for the higher course, but still... how have they not seen the ship approaching without their Providence-class cruiser warning them about the incoming threat. A trap?
But his enemy had higher priority. With a swift attack of his electro whip, Rhakmar outmaneuvered the elite combatant, showing the AI the limits of it's programming, as the swing grappled the arm of the IG-unit easily. The MagnaGuard tried to punch Rhakmar with it's other hand, yet underestimated the Sorcerer's next trick, pulling the other end of the staff in order to tie down the droid. The struggle of the droid to free itself maintained for a few seconds, almost overpowering the force user, before a swift claw hit from behind ripped off it's head, allowing Rhakmar to toss the spearend into the torso of the surprised IG-100.
And as he did, the Sorcerer saw how the fourth turret was felled, while a strange woman emerged from the landing bay of the foreign ship. Her presence within the force was undoubted.
Their eyes met briefly, before Rhakmar gave the order to focus fire solely on the droids.
Those weren't enemies - these ones had their own agenda with this station here.
"Focus fire on those droids and make sure that we secure this landing bay", he bellowed out orders solely over intercom, understandable for most of his soldiers, "We'll negotiate with the newcomers, once we've dealt with the guards."
In hopes that they're more reasonable than this automated bunch of old Confederacy tech, he solely added to himself in thought process, as he focused once more on the actual fight, keeping an eye though on the movements of the other faction.
Something told Rhakmar, that this was no coincedence now.
The pathways of the Prophet were mysterious sometimes and there was more ongoing at this facility than one would initially assume. Perhaps she, whoever the unknown force user was, could provide the answers.
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Lord Nexus
The Vegemite Enclave
Posts: 174
Affiliation: Chaos
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Post by Lord Nexus on Jan 7, 2021 9:09:00 GMT -8
The battle went on for what seemed to be an eternity- the screeching of metal, coupled with the percussion of blaster fire, the hum of electro-staffs, and explosions was all that could be heard. Most things were muffled by the grip of blood lust and violence, yet it was apparent that the two parties were at comfort in this haze of chaos. This was an orchestra of the dark side. War, death and destruction - all of these things cast the asteroid prison into an perceptive homage to it's origins. Fire met metal, metal met flesh, and bodies fell on both sides before a sudden silence filled the landing bay.
The droids and turrets fell in succession as they were overwhelmed by the enemy forces. Even with their programming, the droids were tools in comparison to an military with a leader at its forefront. As such, the droids were defeated, and the two 'intruders' found themselves at a stand still - everything forward depended upon the decision made at this precipice, as strangers walked the fine line between friend and foe.
All the while, as though feeding on the chaos, blood and death, the ominous, yet ambiguous presence grew ever more prominent. Waves of nausea would beset those unaccustomed to the raw force of the dark side - they would be subject to fits of seizures and hallucinations. Even those who knew the dark side well could feel the addling of psyches, as ancient spells were activated. What ever was locked in this prison clearly had more than outdated droids protecting it. This spoke volumes to an adept force user - a harder lock to crack usually meant a greater treasure within.
Then came whispering of the child like voice began echoing in the minds once more, accompanied by a gradually intensifying ringing noise akin to the sound one hears after standing too close to an explosion.
Five...Six... Demon of the Sith...Seven...Eight...Don't open the gate...
An uneasy sensation would draw most eyes to the doors previously guarded by the droids before the engagement began. What was beyond them? Surely there were more droids, but there was something more sinister that could be sensed. Something unnatural.
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Lord Sinistra
Retired High Councilor
VE Human Capital Management & Talent Acquisition
Posts: 1,474
Affiliation: The Vegemite Enclave
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Post by Lord Sinistra on Jan 8, 2021 18:51:10 GMT -8
The sounds of battle gradually subsided, with droids and turrets silenced by the efforts of herself, her mercs and the Quarren. Her side had suffered a couple casualties but to her hired guns, that just meant meant a couple less shares of the loot and a bigger slice of pie for everyone else.
She could hear the childish voice in her mind and with effort, she forced herself not to giggle into her vocoder. While his force presence was familiar to her as they had long been acquainted, the waves of darkside energy emanating from the prison was starting to take a toll on some of the mercs. A couple doubled over before running for the ship, while 1 collapsed and died immediately on the platform when the ship had landed.
As the mercs regrouped behind her, she set her eyes on the Quarren leader. He wasn't one of the ones she recognized from Jabiim, however, she had mostly tried to keep her identity secret and not act in ways that would have betrayed her former life. Dressed in bronze body armor and black robes, with a full helmet obscuring her face, Sinistra once again masked herself from the Quarren and by extension, the mercs she had hired. Although tempted to respond violently to the appearance of Quarren soldiers here, she held her temper in check, and instead strode towards the one who controlled the battle and shouted orders to the others.
Her sabers were deactivated, though the long silver hilt in her right hand and the black one in her left, she need only to give their switches a whisper of a touch to bring stripes of silver and red to bear against an opponent. She stopped a short distance from the Quarren leader, letting the silence draw out before her voice crackled through the speaker in the helmet.
Who are you and what are you after?
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Jan 9, 2021 16:51:10 GMT -8
The silverhaired human Sorcerer eventually deactivated his electro whip, as only briefly something crawled off his coat to sit on one of the defeated MagnaGuards.Jerai Rhakmar wasn't sure who the mercs on the other side were nor did he care for the moment about the Dominion Troopers stepping back hesitantly from the vault, where the Sithspawn simply remained deaf and seemingly unaffected by the side of it's master. The carnage on the Quarren Dominion's side was massive, as most of their specialized forces stood, most of the Dominion Troopers and the Aquadroids being dead. With the remaining Ommog-War droids and the Deep Ones though, the host was still an imposing sight.
They all served in the end the greater purpose ... like him.
::Jerai Rhakmar on behalf of his excellence Triarch C'Thyl to your service, mylady::, he answered gallant over intercom, ::Our expedition on behalf of the Quarren Dominion scouted within this territory in search for new anomalies within the Maw, when I sensed a disturbance from the Dark - or as you might know it, the Force - emitting from this facility.
Our curiousity was peaked and perhaps you can help us further, when it comes to this forlorn place. For us it seems like an entity of Chaos, a Sith or whoever, rests here... and unleashing chaos from it's chains is our speciality.::
Taking a brief look towards the floor, a smug smile could be seen from the distance, when it came to the last words. Most people would perhaps mistake the Quarren Dominion for a replacement of the Galactic Empire, yet never understand their motives when it came to bring more destruction to the universe, where seemingly no gain was for them.
A nihilistic attitude, born out of chaos and put to the extreme.
Yes, perhaps they would find something of worth within this facility, perhaps it was only his destiny to aid mutual forces within the galaxy.
::I assume, you came for a similiar reason, thus we appreciate your help - whether it was coincedentally or on purpose::, the Sorcerer inquired then further while hinting that despite his welcoming words, he was still aware that the troops on the other side of the landing bay weren't necessarily allies. He was prepared for another engagement, prefering for the moment though the diplomatic approach, as despite the previous chaos there was always room for balance.
Though Rhakmar didn't knew if the person contacting him was a Sith or even someone the Dominion had already encountered in the past, he hasn't forgotten that most Sith tended to keep their word as long it benefitted them to their own advantage.
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Lord Sinistra
Retired High Councilor
VE Human Capital Management & Talent Acquisition
Posts: 1,474
Affiliation: The Vegemite Enclave
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Post by Lord Sinistra on Jan 28, 2021 6:52:37 GMT -8
If you do not know what or who you will find within, then you do not know what this facility is. She let the silence draw out as she considered the Quarren soldiers and the presence of their ship overhead. She was outgunned for firepower, as she had put together this group to slip in and out as efficiently as possible, no need for a large battle ship or an army to traipse into The Maw. She did not relish the thought of accepting help from the Quarren though, even for this small encounter. She had promised the mercs loot and supplies, if they survived. With the addition of the Quarren, it would be a hard sell to have the Quarren leave here empty handed.
If they knew not where they stood, if they knew not what they would find, she must educate them.
This facility was built by the Warriors of the Iron Fist and it houses my brother in arms...
She pulled the helmet from her head, her hair plaited down to her head in intricate braids.
"The Lord of Chaos, Nexus. Which makes me the empress in exile, Sinistra, Lord of Atrocity, and former queen of the IF. If breaching this facility is your goal, you will need my help with the security overrides. However, my men have been promised the spoils of this place. You may have what's left."
She waited for their answer while Nexus continued to sing in her mind.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Jan 28, 2021 8:12:14 GMT -8
Rhakmar considered the options given, now that he had at least a name to the voice, that was calling out to him. So this was a remnant of old times, even predating the First Order and any other current movements. Technically there was not much of interest here for the Quarren Dominion, as the Sorcerer presumed, that their ally, the Solenbaran Diarchy would most likely find at some point the station, once it was cleared, take it over and potentially set up their own experiments there. Nothing of concern for the Dominion and the Prophet.
Although he wasn't fully aware of intergalactic history within the known galaxy, as the Rhandite Sorcerer had spent like many of his brethren the time within the Unknown Regions, when Sinistra ruled over her domain, he had at least recieved some basic informations from the Prophet himself regarding her. He himself had no idea about this Lord Nexus, but the Dark side Sorcerer knew that noone would trap a powerful being like him on such a massive station without a reason.
"We accept your offer, although we do not require material riches nor have intentions to fight over petty claims over an old facility", the human Sorcerer stated, lowering his head in respect towards Sinestra, much to the surprise of his fellow soldiers, who weren't droids or simple mutants, that followed their master's order, "It seems fate has decided that we aid you in your mission, as our order benefits from chaos within the galaxy. And chaos can't be contained - one way or another it will find a way to break the chains that hold it."
The small mechuderu-infused holoprojector spider, that had previously rested on the remainder of one of the MagnaGuards, eventually sneaked back under the cowl of the silver-haired wizard, having apparently completed its task. Rhakmar took barely any notice of it, knowing that he could trust the Prophet's creation for as long as he remained loyal towards the Rhandite's cause.
"Therefore I propose that you should lead us, should you require our assistance within this mission, as we have methods and ways to bypass security systems and security forces", he concluded eventually, "Your knowledge of this place can be of use and with combined efforts we can free your brother-in-arms easily. Everything else... we can discuss afterwards, if there is interest in it."
Rhakmar knew that the actual challenge would be the trust in him and his men, as even Sinistra was probably aware of the Dominion's reputation within the galaxy. Yet this was always the risk when working together with Sith or in general those, who didn't understood the ways of the Sorcerers. In the end they shared the same goal though, even if their motives were different.
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Lord Sinistra
Retired High Councilor
VE Human Capital Management & Talent Acquisition
Posts: 1,474
Affiliation: The Vegemite Enclave
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Post by Lord Sinistra on Jan 28, 2021 9:02:47 GMT -8
Donning the helmet again, she nodded to his confirmation, and turned to head towards the doors leading into the facility.
Chaos. They thrived on chaos. The Quarren seek to upend the forces that tittered in the galaxy, the balances of power and the beings that wield it. Nexus would certainly be the agent of that chaos though after so long in captivity, he would no doubt head for his old stomping grounds and find them in the hands of the First Order. That was not her problem though.
She motioned to the mercs to fall in and they organized themselves, grabbing some gear off their fallen comrades before following their mistress across the platform. Some murmured among themselves, knowing now who was under the mask gave more than a few cause to reconsider their involvement but there was nothing for it but to press on.
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The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
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Post by The Holy Man on Jan 28, 2021 12:14:08 GMT -8
Juna moved forward towards the hangar, keeping out of sight. It wasn't hard on the varied terrain of the asteroid, and even easier considering the forces there had been too preoccupied with each other to notice one individual. As she got closer she was able to slip into cover right outside of the hangar, close enough to hear the conversation which she relayed to the others on their closed comm channel.
-Howler Three-
The fighting has stopped. I can hear a couple of names... Rhakmar speaking for Triarch C'Thyl and a Sinistra. Here for someone names Nexus. Looks like they're teaming up to get into the facility. You're clear up to the hangar.
Kelara listened closely to the names and thought to herself that some of them sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place them. Something was telling her that this might be a problem. Ultimately, they were here to do a job and nothing could get in the way of that.
-Howler One-
Hold position, coming to you. You two with me. Double time but stay hidden. When we get to the hangar we'll go stealth, slip in behind them, and be on our way.
The other two gave her a nod as the trio broke their cover and headed for the hangar. Whatever the others were there for, it didn't seem like their target was the same. The Howlers were here for a woman important to their leader, not this Nexus person. If the teams in the hangar were on a different path than them the Howlers should be able to get in and out without anyone else even knowing they were here.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Feb 3, 2021 5:00:39 GMT -8
Following after Sinistra and her men, the Dominion's soldiers and brutes followed afterwards. Most of the Dominion's troopers didn't took the Dark Side presence too well, as one of them, who already became crazy by the whisperings of the Dark Lord was quickly put down by one of the brutes without Jerai Rhakmar even needing to tell them. The example eventually reminded the rest of the team, to whom they had sworn military service, as they knew that whatever was waiting inside this station couldn't be worse than their master spontaneously deciding to cleanse the ranks from those, who defied his orders.
The dark presence clouded the minds of many and even an expierienced Rhandite Sorcerer like Rhakmar realized that he wasn't necessarily fully resistant to its effects. As he approached the terminal, he suddenly felt in impulse, just as if he had sensed something. Not Sinistra. Not this overlooming presence of the imprisoned Sith Lord. But something...
Yet, as he tried to grasp after it, he realized that it was gone, as Nexus' presence within the Force shrouded the place like a miasma.
Perhaps an illusion?
Whatever it was, the silver-haired sorcerer decided to not think further about this irritation within the Dark and focused on the mission, inspecting the security systems.
"You said the Warriors of the Iron Fist built this facility", he stated dry towards the other darksider, as he eyed the door, flanked by his men, while the Mechu-Deru spider remained calm beneath the cowl of the Dominion's agent, "No matter what was set up, I'm certain that I can breach it with Mechu-Deru and bypass most of the installation's security systems that way... yet, given the nature of what we witnessed before I'd like to consult your opinion and approach on this. The architect of this place certainly knew what they did when they set up just the hangar area like this, so I presume they do not waste all cunning onto the front yard of this lovely place. Perhaps with your knowledge of the facilities' previous owner you might know easier alternatives that should do the trick here."
The Sorcerer of Dac knew that there was only one greater mistake than underestimating an enemy: underestimating your own allies. Even if Jerai Rhakmar was confident that they could breach the facility with the methods of the Dominion and Sith Sorcery, his current ally has more knowledge of this place than he did. Informations like this could spare the lifes of both their troops.
Not necessarily because the Sorcerer cared for his own minions, but efficiency was always valued over pointless sacrifices, when it was possible.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Apr 26, 2021 3:15:08 GMT -8
Maintaining their expedition fleets within the Maw, single ships of the Dominion could still be seen around. Few scientific successes could be made by the observation of the black holes over the last month and some ships were lost as they underestimated the strength of the singularities, yet the Sorcerer's interest within the area wasn't satisfied yet. Whether it be for one of their unholy rituals or other research, that considered the Force and the Dark itself, was at this point hard to tell, as only their inner circle of fleet commanders knew a brink of the truth, that was to be found within the bleeding web of endless gaps.
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Prophet C'thyl
Quarren Dominion
Posts: 303
Affiliation: Quarren Dominion
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Post by Prophet C'thyl on Aug 15, 2021 23:35:51 GMT -8
Probes of the Dominion continiue to research the various nightmarish places that were found within the Maw, making it easier for the Sorcerers to navigate through this evershifting maze of black holes and other anomalies. While it seemed that their dark side society has still not obtained for what the Prophet had sent them, the Recusants and Providence-class vessels of the Quarren Dominion were a frequent sight by the Imperial vessels of the Solenbaran Diarchy, that roamed the region.
Even in it's seeming hibernation, now that it had brought darkness over several worlds, the Quarren Dominion was still a present threat towards the galaxy.
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Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
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Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 4, 2021 17:38:18 GMT -8
Azrea ThruneThey came without warning and with the sound of thunder!
Sensors on the present Diarchy ships, commanded by the Manticore, would detect oncoming vessels that would enter the Maw without any word given. Yet, their message came with a roar of turbolasers as five Imperial-class Star Destroyers, augmented by the presence of a third generation sister, unleashed a salvo of fierce firepower. The intelligence had proven correct as the presence of these Imperial vessels confirmed to the captain of the invading force. Ever so slightly, the commanding officer would glance an armored figure upon the bridge. The Imperial hated working with Sith, but his orders came straight from the voice of the Eternal itself... the officer would have to cooperate.=Officer= My Lord, we will soon penetrate the defenses and begin boarding procedures.The captain points at the ongoing firefight as TIE squadrons screeched by the viewport, eager to join the fight in the Maw.=Officer= Seems military intelligence was right on the marker; there was an Imperial presence in the Maw again.His eyes had viewed the unclassified files from the Military Directorate that spoke of words including 'Heavy Imperial Presence', 'Corporate Sector', and 'Diarchy'. It seemed this remnant force had reached into the Maw and made it a base of operations. Now, the real question was if one part of the intelligence was also true: 'Imperial Guardsman detected'. It was said that the Manticore was commanded by an Imperial Guardsman, raised by Natasi Daala, around the time of Imperial Reunification. Quite the find to of this proved to be true. The Supreme Leader would be quite pleased. There may even be a promotion in for the captain!=Officer= I have ordered the boarding parties to their stations, my Lord. Good hunting.The Sith turns and walks off, heading through the bridge's entry, revealing that there were two Shadow Guards waiting for their commander. They snap to attention as the Sith moves into the corridor and proceeds down to the nearest turbolift to head below into the bowels of the Carnage, where Stormtroopers and Sith warriors awaited their orders to launch and board.
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Azrea Thrune
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Azrea Thrune on Nov 4, 2021 18:43:10 GMT -8
Aboard the Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer Manticore the red-hooded figure of Azrea Thrune watched the fight going on between her own ships and the approaching Imperial vessels. Alongside the Turbulent-class Star Destroyer Fenrir, the two Surtidor-class Heavy Cruisers and two additional ISD-IIs that the Diarchy had sent for screening activities within the Maw sector, as more and more Dominion vessels seemed to have retreated from the region more recently, the Diarchy's fleet stood against the invading force, the advantage yet lying on sides of the foreigners.
The captain of the ship was approaching her as the space battle was unfolding, one of the accompanying Diarchy Star Destroyers already losing their shields under the combined efforts of the attack force. Even as a non-force user Azrea could smell his fear, when he tried to adress her.
"Overseer, we must retreat!", the man begged her, as she stood there unmoved watching the battle proceed, "We can not hold the assault here, we have to retreat! I can send the High Moff-"
"Retreat? In the moment where the battle has just begun? I think you overestimate their chances!", the Royal Guard interrupted the subordinate harshly, "Send all power to the weapon phalanxes and shields if you must, but we will stand our ground against these pretenders!"
Though the orders were clear and could be heard over the bridge by every present officer, the captain wasn't too keen on the refusal.
"Overseer, with all due respect, but we can not win this fight. Send a message to the High Moff so that we can reclaim the statio-"
The heavy blaster pistol shot ended the man midsentence, causing him to fall over. None of the present bridge members tried to argue further, as the red robed woman gazed upon the next officer in line and pointed towards him, making silently clear that he held the command now.
"You will command them and do as you were ordered", she then stated loudly, "I will make my way to the hangar bay and deal with this scum myself. And do not disappoint me... captain."
The elevated captain quickly nodded, more than fearful.
"A-as you wish, my Overseer!"
Overseer...
She had already began to hate the stylish title, that the High Moff had granted her.
With few of her Death Corps Stormtroopers following after her, the rest remaining at the bridge to maintain order among the navy officers, Thrune left the command room furious, making her way towards the next turbolift aboard the massive starship. While they were moving, the impact of laser shots from the enemy Star Destroyers shook the ship, crew men were terrified as few fires broke already out on some of the sections.
The Royal Guard barely cared. The former captain might have been right, yet she didn't care.
These men barely resembled the Empire she was envisioning.
Azrea had always her doubts regarding the Maw Project, that the High Moff had forced upon her. The conquest of Telos IV was one of Azrea's more recent achievements, as her troops were able to board the Citadel Station and slaughter most of the opposing security officers - a massive station overrun within shortest time, taken by a sheer demonstration of power.
Even more unreasonable did it seem for her that the High Moff still insisted on reclaiming and maintaining the Maw Installation, nearly insulting her training under Admiral Daala. Not only for logistic reasons, but the station itself was useless. Since it's restoration the Diarchy had barely any promising projects running on it, while the logistics train of supplies was bigger than it was worth it.
Rescources, that could have been utilized for further upgrading the military forces, wasted in a single project of false glory.
The Solenbaran Diarchy resembled by now for the Royal Guard the worst aspects of the Empire, that had unfortunately outlived Palpatine's grand vision.
It was merely for glory, that this position was defended. A pact with the alien Quarren was struck just to obtain access to the region. Wouldn't the peace treaty between the Diarchy and this so-called Dominion exist, the Imperial Star Destroyers would have cleansed the system already from the alien presence of these insulting dreadnaughts that kept visiting the region from time to time.
Typical that they weren't present when these foreign seemingly Imperial forces began to attack their fleet. She wouldn't even be surprised if their supposed xenos allies had just sold them off to these pretenders, just because the High Moff and his co-Diarch trusted these aliens way too much!
The Royal Guard's mood darkened when she left the turbo lift, having at least arrived at the lower decks beneath the bridge tower. While she was marching alongside her soldiers, the finest among those, that could be shaped into perfect soldiers of the Empire, she wondered where the mistakes had taken root.
Was it the High Moff himself and his petty attitudes, his love for making deals even with the enemy they had sworn to fight in the Emperor's name? Was it the Lady Zariel, who was styling herself with the inquisitorial rank as if it meant in any way something more than being just another hound under Vader's former command?
The arrogance of the Navy forces, that Torkan had simply handed away towards the imperial alliance partner? The weak imperial recruits from Bonadan and it's surrounding systems in general?
Or had been the idea of a Diarchy been in general the main mistake?
Azrea remembered why she had joined up with Torkan and why she had sworn to protect him and his forces: Because she owed him something, but also because he also believed within the restoration of the Empire under a true Emperor, not the false pretender at Coruscant.
The return of Palpatine or at least someone like Palpatine.
With the formation of the Diarchy that dream felt like an empty promise with each decision that had been made.
First they bowed to the Inquisitor.
Then they bowed towards the Quarren just for access to one single region. Instead of invading them and restoring controll over Mon Calamari back to Imperial rulership.
And afterwards they bowed towards the Pretender. With frustration the Royal Guard remembered how she had to escort the High Moff's emissary, someone from his family, to the false Emperor's palace on Coruscant, now that he occupied the very chambers that rightfully belonged to none other than the founder of the true Empire himself.
She wasn't present, when Atash's nephew cowered in front of the usurper, his guards never allowed her and the Diarchy's Souvereign Protectors even access towards the inner sanctum.
Maybe she could have ended it all back then, tested her strength against these supposed bodyguards of the First Order leader.
Maybe she could have ended him and provided way for the true Imperials to retake the throne.
To make way for those, that secretly still served the one true Emperor, the one and only.
And yet... no, she doubted that it would have changed anything, even if she would have sacrificed herself over Nicademus bleeding corpse of a man back then.
The Diarchy had shown that even the leaders themselves were weak.
They lacked a true command, someone like Vader before his ultimate betrayal upon his own liege.
Ironic, that she could respect the Emperor's murderer even more than most of the Empire's remnants nowadays.
And yet even Darth Vader would have been a worthy succession of the Emperor from what she had read, from what she had been shown during her training.
Only with fear and unquestioned discipline could the Galactic Empire rise and thrive.
As she made her way further, passing down the corridors, stepping over wounded crew officers and stormtroopers mercilessly, continiueing her way towards the hangar bay, the Royal Guard solely knew that the Diarchy had yet to learn this rule, not just herself.
For only with these doctrines, the Galactic Empire could find a worthy successor.
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Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
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Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 4, 2021 19:32:57 GMT -8
The greenlight was given within the hangar bays of the various Star Destroyers, giving the signal for the boarding action. Waves of Gamma-class ATR-6 transports, Nune-class Imperial Shuttles, Beta-class ETR-3 escort transport, and several other models zipped out of the hangars and made best speed for the enemy warships. A strong presence of TIEs flew in to escort them, taking hits and giving some back as they were ordered to ensure majority of the boarding parties got to their designated targets. However, several of them were burning harder then others as they streaked for the Manticore. There wasn't even an attempt to land, it seemed, as three lodged themselves into the hull of the vessel and two rolled about in the hangar bay, one of which slammed against a bay door.
The klaxons were certainly blaring loud as the boarding actions were both seen and felt, causing the vessel to lurch from the hard strikes of the first wave. Doors hissed open, yet the first thing heard was what sounded like metal hammering against metal. The answer came when the first of the defenders on the Manticore were mowed down by the blaster rifles belonging to a squad of third generation Dark Troopers. The first wave had been gunning ahead in order to clear room for the Sith and their organic comrades. One of the shuttle's halls was torn open as the Dark Troopers forced their deployment, raising their blasters as their red eyes took a quick assessment before opening fire. Their metal feet stomped left and right, keeping formation as they methodically exterminated resistance.
The next wave that came saw the deployment of white-armored Stormtroopers, bearing the symbol of the Galactic Empire, upon their shoulders. Commanding them came not only grey uniformed officers and similarly armored Stormies, but also the black cloaks and dark armor of Sith. One such battle cry was heard within the Manticore as the Sith screeched their roar in their tongue before drawing their lightsabers and charging. Fierce fighting would erupt all across the Manticore as the boarders buzz-sawed, blasted, and crushed resistance with every foot gained. The Hand of the Eternal, Darth Xazatar, was still a little bit behind with his Shadow Guard and elite Shadowtroopers, but his men would see the job done before his arrival. That, the Sith was certain of.
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Azrea Thrune
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 58
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Azrea Thrune on Nov 5, 2021 2:57:10 GMT -8
As the hangar was invaded and the red-marked Stormtroopers of the Diarchy were pushed back, Azrea's troops were already storming into the bay from several corridors, herself and portions of the 102nd streaming in more smoothly than the soldiers of other departments. Those, that weren't fast enough were shot down by their comrades, all of them knew that this was either them dying miserably aboard an Imperial starship for nothing or victory.
While the Dark Troopers marched fiercly, mowing over Diarchy Troopers as if it was nothing, the first Incinerator troops under the command of the 102nd Legion began to fire their weapons upon these metal constructs, burning foe and friend alike in the process. Death Corps elite troopers yelled commands towards the incoming assault troopers of the legion, while Stormtroopers died on both sides like flies, no matter their rank, no matter their skills. By now the hangar bay had become a hellscape of fighting ground as rocket launchers were already targeting some of the shuttles that had entered, making the Eternal's forces pay in the process. Various TIE Defensors, hanging inside the hangar bay alongside other not launched TIE fighters were damaged and fell from the ceiling upon a portion of the defenders, an image of imperial ruin.
Azrea stood within the smoke of these ruins, hard to spot among the red-painted helmets of the Diarchy's minions, yet still recognizable for anyone, who spotted the Royal Guard. With most of her troopers giving command to the siege, Thrune spotted across the battlefield immidiately the dark figure of one, who sticked out much enough to know for her, that he was probably their leader.
Grabbing the rifle of a fallen assault trooper she immidiately fired upon the stranger from the distance, pinpointing him with shots that would be deadly for any actual individual.
Seeking cover behinded the lines of her own men afterwards, she realized cursing that the individual in question was still standing, once she got him in sight again. How he dodged the attack wasn't important for her, yet she knew by now that this individual was likely a force user. Someone she had to stop and execute.
Certainly it would also break the morale of the invaders if she killed their leader.
A Dark Trooper approached the Royal Guard, firing it's salve upon the red-cloaked guardian. While not being a force user, Azrea dodged the salve with ease, her movements being swift as she threw the blaster weapon into the face of an enemy heavy trooper, cutting through his helmet as she pulled out her force pike, the weapon being set to maximum setting.
There was no need to spare any of these traitors.
The assault of the Third-Generation Dark Trooper continiued upon her, as again the Royal Guard dodged the heavy fire, her robe being partially damaged in the process. The thing tried to even grab her, when she came closer, yet due to her training she knew the weak points of this model. No matter the armour layers that were utilized in it's creation and whether it was a full droid or an amalgan of human and droid hybridization, the Force Pike cut through the vital layer like butter as she appeared within the Trooper's back. Heated metal dripped to the floor as the colossus of a soldier fell lifeless to the ground, once the Royal Guard managed to easily free her pike from the slight resistance that the dead body gave it,
Then her attention was drawn towards the next incoming soldiers, which were shot down by the Death Corps Shadow troopers, that had dared to follow her leader into the breach they attempted to open. With expierienced soldiers once more clearing her back, she focused, searching again for the dark omnious figure that she had seen before.
The invaders might have more numbers than them, but their will wasn't broken, even as Azrea saw in the background of space another Star Destroyer with Diarchy markings on it breaking in half, as it failed to keep up it's shields against the invaders.
The Royal Guard knew that she would have fun cutting off the head from the one, who lead this operation.
For she could proof herself finally for the true Galactic Empire with this challenge at hand!
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Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
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Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 5, 2021 6:08:40 GMT -8
The battle on the outside continued to apply intense pressure against the foe as one of the Star Destroyers of the Diarchy bloomed into fire and smoldering metal. As the captain continued to command the space battle, a transmission came from within the enemy's flagship. Darth Xazatar sent a clip of a holo-recording, taken from his helmet. It revealed the presence of the Imperial Guardsman, dueling one of the third-generation Dark Troopers just off to the left of the Sith. The Imperial officer turns to his comms lieutenant.
=Officer=
Send a priority message to the Council and the Supreme Leader. Attach this holorecording to the message.
The junior officer nods and proceeds to have the transmission sent. Military intelligence had been the ones who caught wind of the presence of this individual while the Eternal gave the order to attack here. So now, the matter was with the Guardsman located, what was to be done? The captain suspected a capture, but he had to be sure. One wrong step and the Hand of the Eternal could be slicing his head off.
=Shadow Guard=
My Lord, she is following us.
One of the guards of Xazatar stated quietly. The trio sensing the Imperial Guardsman searching for them in the corridors behind them. It seemed the Dark Trooper was no match, proving her skill as a trained elite of the Empire. It seemed that, despite being raised up by Admiral Daala, the skill of the Guardsman had not been lesser than that of the genuine original warriors that had protected the Emperor Palpatine. The Supreme Leader would want to truly know if this potential asset would be worth the capture... or if the individual should die as a mockery to the Empire's legacy.
=Xazatar=
Continue luring her in.
The masked Sith replies as he moves off into a left corridor at a juncture. The pair of Shadow Guards nod as one stays back to stand at the juncture. The Hand would see just how far and willing the Imperial Guardsman desired to come after him. She had tried to fire a laser bolt at him. Use a toy against him? Hardly worthy.
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