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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 2, 2015 0:25:56 GMT -8
Again she was emerged within smoke and barely able to see anything other than shadow. Cautiously she followed Alpha as he began making his way over the carcasses that lined the floor and down the stairs once more.
It was in these moments when her mind was not racing in a reactionary sense that she became acutely aware of the presence of Hevn behind her and it made her feel very self conscious, she wished for her own safety that he would take the lead and allow Alpha or even herself to take the rear. She could feel her entire body tense and affect everything from her gait to the tingle on the back of her neck that a person feels when they sense they are being watched.
She tried to put it from her mind in order for her to allow her senses to heighten and to compensate for her lack of sight. She drew a deep breath and released it slowly.
After descending what felt like 50 flights of stairs they had still encountered no opposition which provided Kali with a welcome break. The stairwells we clear again, no smoke and no obstacles, it had made it easier and less tiring. They continued their descent down many more flights when Alpha stopped and held his paw to signal they do the same.
Alpha
Hev, I think we have reached the ground floor. It’s quiet, too quiet. This has been far too easy. What are the odds they are waiting on the other side of that door? Shall we ask Squirt what she would do next? It will show if she has what it takes?
The challenge within the voice of Alpha was clear and made even more so with the little chuckle as he finished speaking. It irritated Kali, not angered, just irritated as she did not appreciate being spoken over or as if she were not there, but with the humour at which he delivered it, she could not feel anger toward him. Out of irritation and playful defiance, she elbowed Alpha sharply but not to firmly in the ribs, just firm enough to show him her irritation.
I am here and more than capable of speaking! I can hear you…
Alpha laughed and mocked her by doubling over and holding his ribs at the site of impact…
Alpha
You weren’t joking; we know you can speak as you never shut up!
Kali was unable to stifle her amusement and let out a chuckle before taking the rifle from her shoulder and placing the butt against her shoulder…
Shut up dog and let me speak…If she had not been wearing her helmet both Hevn and Alpha would have seen the look of amusement on her face toward the blue haired creature…I would suggest we hold off the grenades until we get past the doors, otherwise we run the risk of the doors shorting and we are temporarily trapped here and vulnerable. There is a vent over there….She crouches and points to the ceiling on before the doors to the ground floor lobby…if 1 or 2 of us, or even all three go up into the vents I am sure we can find our way to either a neighbouring room or the lobby itself. We drop out of the vents with the element of surprise and we can cause some real damage then. They are all going to be facing this door so we would have the advantage.
Though she was unable to see their faces, Kali could not help but stare and try and find some gesture that told her what they were thinking. Alpha was staring at Hevn and waiting for his opinion so Kali, naturally turned to Hevn also. She felt tense and could barely breathe, Alpha had really put her on the spot and she was nervous, so nervous. Once more she was reminded that this was a test, a phase to see if she had what it took to train under Hevn. She had to prove herself the wiser choice over 3 others and after being put on the spot like this she now felt more nervous than ever.
She just wanted one of them to say something. Anything, even if they were laughing at the stupidity of her idea.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 2, 2015 22:58:56 GMT -8
Alpha shrugs as Hevn shakes his head.
"Aw c'mon! That was pretty good."
Hevn grips his lightsaber hilt with determination. His fingers tight around the dragon's neck.
"If I were a lesser creature, your plan would do nicely."
Hevn's voice is cold and grim. An echo of impending doom came as his eyes shifted from them to the door.
Fear creeps like smoke into their midst. At first a faint smell. Then the thick coils of it filled his nose like a fire blazing in the room beyond. Their combined unsettling energies were resonating into the place they stood. All the easier for Hevn to manipulate.
Alpha's nose sniffing can be heard from the comm line. Then his voice comes almost as a whimper, so quiet it caused strain to hear.
"Hevn....leave the door shut this time. Please."
Hevn places both hands on his lightsaber hilt. He uses the krayt pearl within his saber to become the focal point of their fear. He closes his eyes, hands raised in front of his body extended toward the door. Hevn's reply was near as quiet.
"As you wish."
The imaginations of the soldiers were very expansive indeed. The monster they thought was hunting them was a giant, roaring, horrible thing. With teeth and claws. Not so unlike the dragon mask he wore and weapon he chose. It brought him satisfaction to terrify them so. Hevn focuses it. Combines their anticipation, dread, doubt, fear into one great ball at the center of the room. For a second they would all feel the bliss of their worries drifting away, until the bubble burst. Horrible anxiety gripped them all. Terrible hallucinations gripped each and every soldier in the room beyond. A madness struck them they could not hope to resist or refuse. Insanity seized the moment.
Hundreds could be heard screaming. Those that pounded and scraped at the door between them and Hevn's team found it barred by Bedrovelse's will alone. He stood in concentrated focus, inflicting insanity upon the room. The pain of blades, blasters, and fists rang out from beyond. Terrible phantasms that raked their minds made them howl in horror and take their own lives. Those that did not turn on each other killed themselves brutally. When Hevn finally released the door, corpses leaning against the door collapsed. Blood was smeared on every inch of hall and office on this quarter of the banks ground floor. The casualties could not be counted though many of them were armored soldiers, officers, and guards. They were ready to ambush and instead were murdered by their own fear twisted against them.
The hall ahead was quiet and empty. Hevn opens his eyes when he feels the last flicker of light fade from their hearts. Lowering his weapon he looks to Alpha. The merciless calm in his frigid eyes piercing into that of Alpha's discontented heart.
"The control room is close. Isn't it?"
Alpha nods, taking the lead. They could both sense the emptiness Hevn had left in the force. There was no opposition to concern them. Stepping over the bodies with blasters pushed into their mouths or blades protruding from some random body part was unnerving to some, but not the likes of Alpha or Hevn. They navigated them as curtly as any other obstacle, a log in the woods perhaps. Alpha cracks the pad and slices his way into the control room. The droid was waiting for them. Floating nonchalantly until the door opened. It spun and threw its arms in up surprise.
Oh wonderful! May I start now?
Hevn gestures toward the console.
"You may."
The droid plugs itself into the system and begins to siphon the credits from the IGBC system. With the account locks off the files were dumping credits into Hevn's secured line.
Hevn walks toward the room they entered through. He glances down at his forearm where the map schematics flash up. The vault was beneath them. His eyes rise toward the corner of the room. His arm extends, and two charges from his belt fly toward a spot on the floor. As soon as they land, they erupt into pillars of fire and smoke. They blast through the ceiling of the vault, leaving a gaping hole for them to access.
Hevn could feel their presence in the force. The shift of soldiers toward the sound of the explosion.
A team was dispatched toward them. The commandos came sprinting through the hall and into the hall of their comrades slaughter. Each one's pause of shock came with the swift drop of Hevn's blade through their neck. Hevn turns into the hall to find a soldier's barrel raised to fire a grenade. He holds it in the barrel, before squeezing it and letting the blast rip the man apart. Hevn focuses on the end of the hall, and crushes the security pad. The door slams sealed in front of him, barring that direction of attack from the defenders. Grinning he turns to see a few straggling soldiers making their way down the stairs and into the massacre Hevn had caused.
Hevn gestures toward Kali to take care of them.
"Kill them and block the stairs."
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 3, 2015 1:18:00 GMT -8
It felt to Kali as if he had punched her in the chest. Alpha had thought it a good idea, or had he? Perhaps he was just humouring her to save her feelings, though that was not the impression she got from him, she felt he was the kind to say it as he saw it. It was a big blow and she confident that she had just failed the phase and it was crushing her.
Outwardly she portrayed herself still with confidence, she tried to appear unphased and confident in her abilities, but inwardly it was a far different story for there was turmoil. In the brief moments of time they remained in the stairwell she was having an internal battle. There was the side of her that favoured self preservation that continued to debate the point of fleeing, it was telling her that she had already pushed her luck too far and that at any minute he would be disposing of her, that she had served her purpose. Another part of her was telling her that she was silly for doubting herself, that she had preformed well and he would see this and that she had proven herself capable, useful and intuitive. Then finally, there was the part of her that was a staunch pessimist. This side of her was debating the heaviest right now, it was shouting the loudest and drowning out the others and telling her that she had just embarrassed herself and just how pathetic she was and to give up now. It was telling her that there was no point in trying to flee as she would die doing so.
This internal dialogue was overwhelming and frankly, it was giving Kali a headache. The dialogue was broken by the power surge emanating from Hevn, it snapped out of her mind like a slap to the face and she was thankful for the break from the turmoil. There it was again, that tingle. The buzz and taste of excitement she felt whenever the surge of power struck. For a moment she allowed herself to bask in the feeling as she opened up her own mind and let force flow over her own skin. It made the power surging from Hevn all the more delicious. This was what she wanted, what she was craving. She wanted the power and she wanted the power he was offering, not the pathetic example that she was able to display, she wanted it all.
When she heard a sniff, her eyes followed the sound with a furrowed brow as they landed upon Alpha and for the briefest of moments she wondered what he was sniffing, and then she became acutely aware. As she saw his hand raised, she scurried quickly to the door and chuckled at Alphas plea. Kali was curious, very curious and wished to watch the fallout.
She stood up against the door, raised herself on to the tips of her toes and watched through the thick glass as the security teams began to crumble inwardly. Again as with the times before, she was in awe. This is what she wanted, to have the power of being in another room and be able to destroy other at will that were in another.
What had once been a powerful force, a highly trained and able unit were now destroying each other, they were brutally slaying their brothers and sisters, and they were stabbing each other in the back before turning their blasters or blades upon themselves. A dark thought hit Kali as she watched. What would she do if she were forced to walk away from all of this? She knew deep inside that there was no other path she would wish to be on. She did not want this, she needed it.
Quietly and with wide eyes the words that were sounding in her mind escaped her lips, they were not for the ears of anyone, they were not even words that were meant to be spoken, they were thoughts that had merely escaped her mind. They escaped quietly and slowly and were laced with fascination…
This is amazing….beautiful.
To Kali it felt as if she had been blind her entire life only to be given the gift of sight and being able to see for the first time.
As the last Muun fell she stepped away from the door as Alpha steps through. She follows both he and Hevn to the control room and steps inside. Silently she stands looking out into the large lobby from which they came and stands guard.
Not so surprisingly, after Hevns explosions more come, quickly and effortlessly the majority are dealt with by Hevn, Kali groans inwardly out of jealousy. She wished it were as easy for her. At Hevns command she takes off running toward those that were left. There were not many but she would have preferred a one on one, this was the first time she did not have back up and her confidence was still taking an assault from her inner dialogue. Kali however was determined to try and make it right, to try and prove herself worthy. She would fight till she could fight no more for what she wanted…
Nearing the stairs and without stopping, she removes a frag grenade from her belt, her last grenade of any kind, and throws it into the stairwell. As the smoke fills the space she slows her walk and reaches out mentally and allows her other senses to take over from her eyes. She closes her eyes and removes the 2 daggers sat at the small of her back. With one on each hand she steps forward allowing the force to guide her and help her negotiate the obstacles in her path.
In the small space of the stairwell she hears the coughing and moaning of the few security that remain. With only sound and the force to guide her, she begins her assault.
She stands still for a moment before kicking out behind her with her left leg, this hits one of the Muun in the back of the knee and causes him to drop to the floor on his hands and knees, Kali then turns and kicks him in the rear and forces him flat to the floor, she jumps to his side and places her right foot down hard on the base of his neck and drives the blade in her left hand down through the spinal column at the base of the skull.
The other Muun hearing the disturbance begin to move around more quickly with their hands flying everywhere, desperately trying to search for their attacker.
Kali kneels on the floor and takes a grenade from the dead Muuns belt and strips one of his boots of its lace. She makes her way past the 2 remaining security and up a few steps and then kneels once more.
Quickly and aware that time was not on her side, she secures the lace around the grenade, and ties it to the blade of one of her daggers, securing it below the hilt and jumps toward the ceiling, aiding her jump with the use of the force. She pushes the blade as hard into the plaster and she can and lands. The grenade was now pushed securely against the ceiling. With a smile she makes her way down the stairs once more where the smoke was beginning to clear. She jumped on the back of one of the Muun and held onto his forehead with her knees jammed into his back for support, she then with a sharp twist broke his neck and sprang off leaving him to fall to the floor, dead. Then, lifting the rifle from her shoulder she took hold and rammed the butt into the abdomen of the one remaining Muun, as he doubled over she rammed the butt into his face and taking her one remaining dagger she drove it into his left eye and twisted it. Quickly now she removed the blade, wiped it on her trouser leg and re-sheathed it. She backed out of the door and stepped as far away from the small stairwell as she could while ensuring that the grenade was still in her eyeline. She called back to the others…
EXPLOSION!
….and lined up the grenade in the sight of the rifle, took aim and fired.
The sound was deafening and was causing her ears to ring loudly. She slung the rifle over her ears and took off her helmet as she entered the control room they were in. Leaning against a wall she slipped down it, dropping the helmet to the floor and sat on her toes, leaning back and rubbing her ears.
She turned to Alpha with discomfort clear in her voice and shouting a little as she struggled to hear herself…
I owe you a new blade, my friend. I would imagine, even if you could find it, it would not be in a state fit for use. I am sorry.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 4, 2015 4:48:29 GMT -8
Hevn could not help but grin as he watched her. It was impressive work. He watched her back away and fire. He strides across the room, following her as she takes her helmet off and sits. The Dragon's face was in her own momentarily. Alpha's voice came from behind the two frigid crystals of hate.
"I think shrapnel caught her blast suppression system. She got the full shock of that one."
Hevn raises a gloved hand to either side of Kali's head. His fingertips open and a green shimmer appears in the air. Like specks of glitter floating around Kali's face.
The deep thrum of the force flowing through him vibrated through the green dust. Hevn finds her pain at the forefront of her mind. By his will he seizes the rattling of her brain. He pulls the throb and ache of it into his own head, and the ringing into his own ears.
He whispers lightly, words ringing with the force.
"Your pain is mine."
There was no change of expression behind his mask even from this close to her. There was greater pain in his past, and his future. The ache was annoying but nothing he couldn't handle. The ringing was neutralized completely by his spell. As he stood to his full height he looked down on her.
"Your feat was impressive."
Hevn cracks his neck, relieving some of the pressure in his head. He turns to Alpha.
"How are we doing on those credits?"
He could see the Shistavanen smiling from behind his helmet. He knew it was there beaming from behind that black screen.
"Fifty million and counting. This droid isn't the fastest but our work upstairs paid off."
Hevn nods his approval and walks toward the other entrance of the room. Through the narrow window he could not see any guards. Alpha barked at Hevn's back.
"You are ill content to be guarding droids eh?"
Hevn's head turns slowly toward Alpha, and his body followed. He moves to the screen observing their progress.
"Blue 1 was supposed to be here, and yes, I am ill content to guard droids. I am going to start on the vault."
Hevn walks past Kali and through the door again to his breach in the floor. He glances down before stepping into a fall. A ten foot drop landed him in an enormous room full of strongboxes. It was arranged much like a library. Countless rows and aisles of sliding panels in their consoles. Each one was locked by a key pad. It was to his benefit that their codes were all broken once the slicer got in the system. Hevn stares out through the Dragon's eyes. Searching for the object he wanted most. He could not feel it, could not sense it, but it could be hidden. There was much to search through. Many items to collect. They didn't have time to do that here. The boxes were unlocked, and it was more economical to simply collect them all and leave than pilfer the specifics.
Hevn places both hands on his lightsaber hilt, and raises it in front of him. He closes his eyes, and clears his mind. He focused entirely on the krayt pearl within.
Hevn surrounds himself with the force. This time it was no act of aggression. He lets his mind swim through the expanse of the vault. He was but at the beginning of a long and winding hall. It was built to fool a thief into lost himself in the labyrinth destined to be caught. Hevn lets his essence mingle with the stale air, the lost passions attached to the items within, the sensations and sentiment of all the treasures. He pulls them toward the void in his heart. The hunger that blood, love, and credits could never sate. His despair calls to the boxes, gentling tugging each one free of its place to the floor.
The clatter does not break Hevn's focuses as they float from high and low from their places. His meditation begins pulling the strongboxes slowly into neat piles near the wall he entered. His aura in the force grows into a thick blanket of sorrow around him.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 4, 2015 5:44:50 GMT -8
Kalis chin was resting upon her chest with her eyes closed, she was trying to shut off all the stimuli she possibly could until the ringing left her ears and skull. It was only when she heard the crunching of boots upon debris moving toward her that she lifted her head and open her eyes.
There was Hevn before her with his shielded face so close to her own. Her purple hued eyes flickered from side to side as she tried to see his. She was confused as to his proximity and briefly felt fearful that she was about to incur his wrath. Had she not done what he had expected? She has completed her task but was it not in the way he had expected?
When his hands rose to the sides of her head she closed her eyes and winced, her shoulders rose tightly to her neck as she waited for the pain of punishment. She was able to sense the power within him, was able to physically feel it some how. She took a deep breath and prepared herself whatever was to come, but nothing could have prepared her for did come. As the pain began to ebb slowly from her, her shoulders began to loosen and fall and her face relaxed as her eyes opened, they looked upon Hevn with a look mixed with gratitude, relief, surprise and confusion.
She rose to her feet while continuing to stare at Hevn. After all she had seen and after all he had done, this was the one action that had surprised over all others. A brief act of kindness had floored her. Before now she had seen only coldness and indifference to the feelings of any but himself. Despite her wanting to see or find more, she had seen no evidence of any feeling within him or his actions, and now to see this, she was shocked beyond speech.
She bent down and lifted her helmet from the floor and looked at him once more as he cracked his neck and not wishing to seem ungrateful for the relief he had provided her, she stuttered her thanks in a voice that could not disguise her feelings…
Um..Thank you..thank you.
She slipped on the helmet and looked toward Alpha and back to Hevn before he disappeared from sight and stood rooted to the spot for a moment as she was unsure what to do.
As she tried to clear her head and bring her thoughts back to the task at hand she brushed her armour free from imaginary particles of debris. Twiddling their hair, chewing their bottom lip, straightening their clothes, brushing dust from their clothes, looking at their hands or picking their nails. All of these were among but a few habits that people do when nervous, surprised or confused. Kali did two of these. One was chewing her bottom lip and the other was brushing imaginary dust from her clothes. She was not aware of this of course as it was a sub conscious act and it was the brushing the imaginary debris from the armour that she was doing now as she looked over to Alpha…
Once again, sorry about the dagger.
She turned and looked to the hole of which Hevn had disappeared down…
Do you think I should follow him?
She kicked a small piece of debris near her foot…
He is a very complex being, Hevn. Isn’t he? I cannot begin to get a sense of him at all. He confuses me.
Feeling very uncomfortable with her feelings and thoughts Kali began to move around the fallen security and began pilfering their belts of various types of arsenal. Grenades, Stun grenades, flash bangs and smoke grenades, all that she could fit upon her being and more for Hevn and Alpha she lifted from them. She also retrieved some more rifles and daggers and carried them all over to Alpha and placed them upon the floor at his feet. While fitting what she could carry to herself she continued…
Does he not give you whiplash? His moods are unpredictable as is he. He leaves you on edge and then…she was holding the blaster rifle from her shoulder in her left hand and one from a fallen security officer in her right and was trying to gage what had the better sight…then he does something…ni…She shook her head and laughed nervously…Woah! I guess he did not take all of the effect of the blast. Did he?
She laughed nervously again and threw the rifle in her right hand to the floor and slung the other over her shoulder and walked toward the doors to try and watch for company…
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Faust Skirata
Member
I'm the Juggernaut, bitch.
Posts: 203 
Affiliation: The Priesthood
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Faust Skirata on Sept 4, 2015 10:32:51 GMT -8
The bank's sprawling courtyard was frantic with activity. Iotrans in gleaming plastoid armor and stiff B1-battle droids milled about a hastily erected command tent. Explosions echoed from within the confines of the building, leading to more shouting among the officers and yet another wave of soldiers being sent in. Less than fifty organics were left outside, most of the CSD's forces already having been sent inside, though an equal number of droids were still being held in reserve. Perhaps the officers were worried that whatever was massacring their men would venture outside to claim their lives as well. If so, their concern was focused in the wrong direction.
The Reaver's gunship came screaming down from the blue, laser cannons spraying a hail of ruby darts into the soldiers below. The command tent collapsed within moments, flames licking the air as officers and battle droids scrambled to mount a defense. Within moments the Mandalorian troops were dropping to the ground below, armor clanking as they landed and heavy blaster rifles spitting death in all directions.
Faust watched from within the hovering shuttle for a moment, giving his men a chance to push forward and spread out. A faint smile lit his flayed features as he observed the carnage. His beskad was gripped in his right hand, the Grimhammer in his left, and his skull rang with the voice of the Destroyer God, urging him forward. He waited a moment longer, letting the bloodlust build within him before he suddenly launched himself over the carrier's edge.
He fired the pistol twice as he fell, watching a shower of sparks engulf a battle droid who turned to fire upon him. Then his boots hit the pavement, and he bent his knees to absorb some of the shock. An Iotran rushed him, vibroblade held high, and a maniacal laugh erupted from his lips. He sagged backward, letting the first slash cut the air in front of him, then surged forward before the soldier could recover and thrust the blade into his face. Black blood ran down the blade's length and over Faust's crushgaunt as the alien dropped to his knees, his cranium split apart by the blade.
Still chuckling, the priest freed his beskad and brought his gauntlet his lips. His tongue darted out to lap at the blood before he activated the commlink.
"Blue two," he rasped, taking a casual step backward to avoid a blaster bolt, "Red one is in the courtyard."
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Jace Stealer
Member
Posts: 305
Affiliation: Unfair Advantage
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Post by Jace Stealer on Sept 4, 2015 14:20:18 GMT -8
Above and behind the 'Exalted March' sat the Emerald Blade's task force, flickering in and out of the clouds as they waited. First Lieutenant Gunnerson watched from the cockpit of the CR25 as the Starvipers descended upon their pray, hitting them hard and giving them no quarter. His eyes traced the distant smoke trails as they disappeared into the city, fiery wrecks lighting up streets and alleyways as sections of the city began to lose power from the siege. There wasn't a lot of crossfire or blaster bolts tracing across the city, but that would change once they were on the ground and the local defense forces began to mobilize. There was no way they were going to let their way of life be robbed without a fight. His helmet's communication's system crackled to life, the voice of his company's Major Terridian in his ear.
Echo One-One this is Emerald Actual, message, over.
Gunnerson keyed the helmet comm to send his reply. "Emerald Actual this is Echo One-One, send it, over."
Echo One-One, we've received intelligence on our so called allies designated as 'Red' team. The ship you are stationed by may be affiliated with a Reaver fleet, and it is assumed the forces commanding it are also affiliated. How copy, over.
Gunnerson leaned over the console to stare at the ship below them, a knot forming in his stomach as he tapped the comm's button. "Echo One-One, roger, over."
Proceed with the operation as planned. Allied forces have been moved from code yellow to code orange. Emerald Actual, out.
Taking a few steps back, the first lieutenant sat down in one of the empty chairs at the back of the cockpit. This operation was getting worse and worse by the minute. They were going to have to exercise extreme caution when in the city with the presence of Reavers nearby. Especially if they weren't allowed to shoot them. Unlike regular Sith forces, reavers had the tendency to be completely unpredictable and spontaneous. There was no telling how they would react, especially with them being 'allies'. He just hoped they kept their distance and kept to the task at hand, else there might be trouble. There was no use going back into the ship to break the bad news. The leaders of each squad would have over-heard the exchange, and would be discussing the rules of engagement and ally interaction by now.
The pilot of the CR25 turned to Gunnerson and motioned to the city below. "Sir, skies are clear. Shall we begin the descent?" With an affirmative nod from the First Lieutenant the pilot gave the green light to the task force to begin the landing. All of the vessels; X-wings, K-Wings, CR25's and LAAT/i gunships dropped their noses and accelerated towards the city and various speeds. The K-wings took the lead, dropping heavy delayed-detonated ordnance into key intersections before peeling off to set themselves up for another run. The explosives slammed into the streets, burying themselves several meters before detonating. Debris skyrocketed through the air as main thoroughfares were turned into smoking craters, large enough to hinder powerful repulosrlift vehicles making their way downtown. Civilians had already begun moving themselves inside since the start of the siege, but a few were unlucky enough to find themselves either vaporized or sent into the next block over.
The X-wings split up and nose-dived two large courtyards, peppering the grounds and scattering any interlopers who had been dwelling nearby. Their aim was to simply clear the area of civilians and inflict the minimum amount of casualties in the process. As the fighters veered off to provide escort for the K-wings, the LAAT/i gunships leveled out near the courtyards and formed a perimeter. With the single-beam side mounts replaced with heavy blaster repeaters, they took care of any armed personnel with the precision the X-wings couldn't offer. Local security forces were already trying to move towards the bank and the courtyard, armed with either blaster pistols or light carbines with minimal armor and training. The resounding fwap-fwap-fwap of the side-mounts broke out over the roar of the engines as they either scattered, slaughtered, or pinned anybody trying to approach the courtyards. Nothing could stop the two CR25's from touching down and unloading the primary task force.
The two CR25's landed in separate locations, courtyards positioned to the north and south of the main bank. Each one unloaded a platoon of sixty seasoned veterans of the Emerald Blades, men and women who had been in service since the Tau Empire disbanded. They quickly fanned out and established a defensive circle around the ships until they had fully unloaded. As they took off each platoon split into their five squads of twelve soldiers each, breaching the buildings surrounding the courtyard and securing them. Civilians found in the buildings were dropped cleanly by usage of stun bolts, seizing up and collapsing onto the floor like a sack of rocks. Once the courtyards were secure, First Lieutenant Gunnerson got the call from the other first lieutenant heading the platoon stationed in the north.
Echo One-One this is Echo Two-One, position is secure, over.
Gunnerson had just finished clearing a room with his team, leaving three civilians unconscious in the kitchen and dining room. While several soldiers posted up near the windows, the others quickly ferried the unfortunate figures into a bedroom and locked them in. "Echo Two-One this is Echo One-One, begin Phase 2. I repeat, begin Phase 2. Over."
Echo Two-One copies and is Oscar Mike, out.
With that said, four of the five squads in each platoon began to fan out in order to surround the bank. LAAT/i gunships cruised up and down the streets and provided fire support for the teams moving through the streets. Aerial support either cut down or suppressed local detachments, which was finished off as the squads pushed in to bear down on and eliminate at close range with ruthless efficiency. Getting to their destinations didn't take much effort, but they knew that the preparations for the assault and the actual assault were going to be a challenge. Once all the teams were in position and checked in, First Lieutenant Gunnerson switched his frequency to that of his allies.
Red One, Blue One, this is Green One. Perimeter established, setting up defenses. Over.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 5, 2015 4:24:31 GMT -8
=Alpha=
The large Shistavanen jokingly scratches at his ear, where her helmet had been cracked as she wiped off her armor.
"Ye' missed a spot."
His rough barking voice rasps in laughter. He lowers his hand and places it on his knee, finally turning toward her and away from the credits rolling in.
"Bedrovelse isn't a man. So stop lookin' at him like one. He's somethin' else. His bleedin' heart and cold bones made him one hell of a Jen'jidai. His masters killed each other on this very planet. He walked blind into a slaughter that targeted even him. Survivin' changed him. Twisted him into that."
He points out toward the hole in the vault.
" Never seen him like this. Unsettlin'. Pro tip. Don' follow him 'less he says so."
He salutes as she begins to skim over the bodies and snag the weapons. His comm lights up as the messages roll in. It was Alpha's rough basic half shouting in reply.
Blue 2 copy Red 1. We have the control room and the vault. How many hostiles heading our way?
A screen lights up with the glaring yellow indicators of the nobles personal armies.
Blue 2 copy Green 1. Better haul ass Green. Collections is down for the count, but it seems a few of the nobles were out of the cities doing drills. It would seem Red has them running scared right for you. Sending their vectors to you now.
Alpha sends Green One the coordinates, direction, and speed of the incoming attacks.
Kali returned with the weapons and he deactivates his comm. He rummages through equipping grenades and replacing ammo. He turns toward Kali as he rises with an enormous knife in his hand.
"Thanks squirt. We're square."
He sheathes it roughly in place of his old one, answering her question.
"His mood swings have gotten nasty since he procured that sword. Strange I haven't seen him use it to shed the blood it craves yet. It's testing his control. He's using that cursed damned thing to reach his potential. I tremble to think of what happens when he succeeds."
There was no doubt in Alpha's voice. He had seen Hevn return from death twice. Changed in attitude and appearance each time. Hevn's powers had shattered the limits of his imagination more times than he could count. From Sith Assassin, to Dark Jedi Master, Alpha had been in Hevn's employ.
Another squad of soldiers was headed their way. Alpha frowns at the screen in front of him, and strides to glance over Kali's shoulder. He growls into her ear from behind his helmet.
"Tight quarters. Twenty men. Let's get it done."
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 5, 2015 5:22:19 GMT -8
She had known Alpha for no longer than a day but already, and some may say stupidly, she trusted him. His loyalty to Hevn was undeniable and as far as Kali could tell, he was a straight shooter, what you saw was what you got and he clearly spoke what was on his mind. She liked that and respected that. He also had the ability of no matter the situation, of making her laugh.
His words hung heavy in her thoughts…
"Bedrovelse isn't a man. So stop lookin' at him like one. He's somethin' else. His bleedin' heart and cold bones made him one hell of a Jen'jidai. His masters killed each other on this very planet. He walked blind into a slaughter that targeted even him. Survivin' changed him. Twisted him into that."
There was no question that Alpha believed strongly every word he said, but Kali found it impossible to believe that someone capable of removing the pain of another and taking it onto themselves could be truly lost. Surely that meant that somewhere deep inside there was still the person that he once was?
She looked back from the entrance at Alpha and saw him holding the large blade; he was pleased, very pleased and so was she. It removed the guilt she felt for destroying one of his daggers.
She could hear something in Alphas voice as he spoke of the sword, but with her mind already overflowing with thoughts that she was struggling to shut out, she could not grasp the tone. Concern for a friend maybe? Or concern for his own well being? Whatever it was, it showed his loyalty for despite the change in his boss, he was still here with him and for someone with Alphas skills and he would not find it difficult to find work elsewhere.
Alpha
"Tight quarters. Twenty men. Let's get it done."
They are mighty stubborn these Muun! Lets do this…Get back, I have an idea…
She crouched down behind the door and allowed all the anxiety, frustration and confusion to wash over and drew upon the energy it harnessed, as the first line of security entered through the door of the building she unleashed the force at them and sent them flying across the other side of the room.
Alpha, who had moved back several paces behind Kali opened fire upon the bodies before they fell to the floor, 4 down and 16 to go. Releasing her grasp of them as they were mid air and with Alpha still firing Kali aimed her focus on the frame of the door itself.
With her hand held up before her she began to pull it down, accompanying the motion was a creaking and snapping sound as the frame came away from the wall and exited the building outside and into the remaining group of security. She was tiring now, quickly and knew she could not rely on the force heavily to assist her now.
Apha was already moving past her toward to the remaining security outside…
Alpha
Nice job now let’s finish it!
She rose to her feet and tried to keep up with him which was impossible. He was already slicing and shooting before she had reached him. With her blaster in one hand she was firing at those out of her reach and slicing those close enough with her dagger.
Over the noise of battle Kali heard shouting from behind her, turning she was faced with a security officer who seemed to be personally vexed at the commotion they had all been causing. He was throwing a whole host of insults at her and trying to taunt her into a melee one on one…
She was tiring now and with her patience wearing thin she granted his request…to a degree.
She holstered her blaster and grinned beneath her mask. Then relying on her weakened powers she shot forth her hand and held the Muun in a choke and began to walk toward him…
Pathetic and weak am I? do I appear so now?
The pale grey hue of the skin on his face began to darken as he struggled for breath, he was going limp now but was still conscious which was just what she wanted for as she stood before him; she released the grip and watched him fall to the floor. He had dropped to his hands and knees so Kali kicked him and had him fall to his side and here she jammed her foot against his throat, but unlike before she was not going to shoot him or stab him, no, she removed a grenade from her belt and gripped the muuns jaw tightly and forced it open. With force she rammed the grenade into his mouth and ran for cover managing to just get clear as it blew.
She looked round for Alpha and saw that he had finished with the last of the team…
Shall we go and see if Hevn is ready yet? Hopefully he will be done soon. I need a smoke, a drink, shower and then bed!
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 5, 2015 5:24:57 GMT -8
She had known Alpha for no longer than a day but already, and some may say stupidly, she trusted him. His loyalty to Hevn was undeniable and as far as Kali could tell, he was a straight shooter, what you saw was what you got and he clearly spoke what was on his mind. She liked that and respected that. He also had the ability of no matter the situation, of making her laugh.
His words hung heavy in her thoughts…
"Bedrovelse isn't a man. So stop lookin' at him like one. He's somethin' else. His bleedin' heart and cold bones made him one hell of a Jen'jidai. His masters killed each other on this very planet. He walked blind into a slaughter that targeted even him. Survivin' changed him. Twisted him into that."
There was no question that Alpha believed strongly every word he said, but Kali found it impossible to believe that someone capable of removing the pain of another and taking it onto themselves could be truly lost. Surely that meant that somewhere deep inside there was still the person that he once was?
She looked back from the entrance at Alpha and saw him holding the large blade; he was pleased, very pleased and so was she. It removed the guilt she felt for destroying one of his daggers.
She could hear something in Alphas voice as he spoke of the sword, but with her mind already overflowing with thoughts that she was struggling to shut out, she could not grasp the tone. Concern for a friend maybe? Or concern for his own well being? Whatever it was, it showed his loyalty for despite the change in his boss, he was still here with him and for someone with Alphas skills and he would not find it difficult to find work elsewhere.
Alpha
"Tight quarters. Twenty men. Let's get it done."
They are mighty stubborn these Muun! Lets do this…Get back, I have an idea…
She crouched down behind the door and allowed all the anxiety, frustration and confusion to wash over and drew upon the energy it harnessed, as the first line of security entered through the door of the building she unleashed the force at them and sent them flying across the other side of the room.
Alpha, who had moved back several paces behind Kali opened fire upon the bodies before they fell to the floor, 4 down and 16 to go. Releasing her grasp of them as they were mid air and with Alpha still firing Kali aimed her focus on the frame of the door itself.
With her hand held up before her she began to pull it down, accompanying the motion was a creaking and snapping sound as the frame came away from the wall and exited the building outside and into the remaining group of security. She was tiring now, quickly and knew she could not rely on the force heavily to assist her now.
Apha was already moving past her toward to the remaining security outside…
Alpha
Nice job now let’s finish it!
She rose to her feet and tried to keep up with him which was impossible. He was already slicing and shooting before she had reached him. With her blaster in one hand she was firing at those out of her reach and slicing those close enough with her dagger.
Over the noise of battle Kali heard shouting from behind her, turning she was faced with a security officer who seemed to be personally vexed at the commotion they had all been causing. He was throwing a whole host of insults at her and trying to taunt her into a melee one on one…
She was tiring now and with her patience wearing thin she granted his request…to a degree.
She holstered her blaster and grinned beneath her mask. Then relying on her weakened powers she shot forth her hand and held the Muun in a choke and began to walk toward him…
Pathetic and weak am I? do I appear so now?
The pale grey hue of the skin on his face began to darken as he struggled for breath, he was going limp now but was still conscious which was just what she wanted for as she stood before him; she released the grip and watched him fall to the floor. He had dropped to his hands and knees so Kali kicked him and had him fall to his side and here she jammed her foot against his throat, but unlike before she was not going to shoot him or stab him, no, she removed a grenade from her belt and gripped the muuns jaw tightly and forced it open. With force she rammed the grenade into his mouth and ran for cover managing to just get clear as it blew.
She looked round for Alpha and saw that he had finished with the last of the team…
Shall we go and see if Hevn is ready yet? Hopefully he will be done soon. I need a smoke, a drink, shower and then bed!
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 6, 2015 3:06:47 GMT -8
=Alpha=
The enormous Shistavanen wipes a chunk of gore off of his visor and whips it to the ground with a plop. He throws a hard kick into the ribs of a Muun choking on his own blood with a barking laugh.
"Stringy necks! Pathetic will! These Muun ain't spit, squirt. The strong take what they deserve when their inferiors see fit to deny it."
Alpha walks next to her, giving her a clap on the shoulder as they near the control room.
"Nice touch with the grenade."
Alpha glances up at the droids progress and it beeps, whistles, and hums away at its work.
"Two hundred and fifty million! Aha!"
His barking laugh was cut short by the sound of human screams in the room beyond. Hevn was out there. He rushes, blaster raised to assist.
=Hevn=
Bedrovelse's meditation is interrupted by the sound of hissing and sparks. His willpower had successfully collected the strongboxes from several arms of the labyrinthine vault. Hundreds were stacked neatly against the wall, from floor to shoulder height. Progress was slow, but steady. He opens his eyes, and jumps through the hole up to the ground floor. A fusion cutter was tearing into the door he had broken the panel for.
He pulls the sith katana from its sheath. He brandishes it with both hands off to his right. He strides slowly up to the door, collecting himself and the fire and sparks ate through from the other side.
Hevn pulls upon the despair he was using to focus himself. Draws the dark side of the force to him. It surrounds his body. Runs over his skin with a chill, washing him from the world of sight.
Hevn enters force stealth and vanishes completely from physical sight. No spectrum of light could touch him. The soldiers begin to file past him as he leans against the door they pried open. Forty men fill the hall, silent as mice, using hand signals. They gesture toward the vault breach and the control room, but they would never reach either of them.
Hevn begins swinging with brutal efficiency. Any slash that could take more than one head was taken. Blood sprayed from men being cleaved in half horizontally and vertically alike. His arms swam in front of him, front left to right, up and down chopping through them like paper. They could not see the source of the carnage and panic sowed quickly. They pour into the open room shooting blindly into one another as the screams of the impaled and butchered fill the air. It was easy to flank and slaughter them over the sounds of their own boots, armor, and shouts. It had been a long time since he had gotten to play reaper. The last man found the blade plunged into his belly and up into his throat, before erupting into a shower of meat as Hevn ripped through his breastplate and collar bone. There was not a trace of mercy to be found. Hevn dispatched them like livestock.
He emerges from concealment to find Alpha and Kali walking toward him. The sword was still dripping blood, Hevn as soaked as the blade. He wipes it off on his arm before returning it to it's sheath on his back.
"I have collected perhaps a fifth of the vault. Those soldiers were from outside. I don't think the party is over just yet."
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 6, 2015 3:40:24 GMT -8
She was tired not overly so, but enough to be wishing for this to be over. Her muscles were slowly beginning to weaken and her thought processes were becoming a little slower.
Chuckling she walks beside Alpha, that was until he mentioned the amount of credits that had been siphoned. She stopped momentarily in her tracks with her jaw slack and gasped…
Did you just say two hundred and fifty million? Credits? Are you serious?
Before she and Alpha could talk anymore they heard the scream and both rushed toward it. Kali had her blaster in her right hand and was trying to keep pace with Alpha.
The sight she was greeted with caused her to once more halt midstep. She stood staring wide eyed at Hevn. If he had been sat against a wall or led upon the floor she would have believed him to have been slaughtered. She was struggling to see a part of him that was not covered in blood. It made this man who already had the appearance of a beast of looking even more barbaric.
She watched as he resheathed the blade and quickly her eyes flicked toward Alpha and back, was this the blade that Alpha had referred to? Part of her did not want to know.
Once more the words of Alpha swept through her mind…
"Bedrovelse isn't a man. So stop lookin' at him like one.
She did not compare any of her own actions to those of his. In her mind, there was no comparison. She knew that once she lay her head upon a pillow and her mind became rested and quiet, that her actions here today would be come back and taunt her. She had accepted that and she expected it. She did not dwell upon it as it was a small piece of reassurance that she still had her humanity. She knew that she would be able to rationalise it, that she had to end the lives of many to protect her own and those around her.
She had stood there in silence for probably 5 minutes and felt the need to break the silence for her own comfort. She felt uncomfortable with her own thoughts and needed a distraction and Hevns appearance was contributing to the turmoil of her mind.
Alpha has seen the am…
Alpha
We have two hundred and fifty Million.
Alpha leaned in to Kali a little and chuckled.
Alpha
Relax. He is like a dog, he will know.
Kali Smiled beneath her helmet and looked up at Alpha a little, but not taking her eyes of Hevn.
You mean he is like you?
With a deep breath she focused upon Hevn.
What is our next step?
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Faust Skirata
Member
I'm the Juggernaut, bitch.
Posts: 203
Affiliation: The Priesthood
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Faust Skirata on Sept 6, 2015 11:32:42 GMT -8
Blood spattered across the priest's face as he pulled the Grimhammer's trigger, firing into an Iotran's skull at point blank range. Their blades were locked overhead, and for a brief moment the corpse remained upright. Then it sagged to the left, pulling its sword down with it in a shriek of metal as it ran along the beskad's edge, and fell in a crumpled heap on the pavement. Faust's ears rang from the shot as he whirled to confront another soldier, delivering a low kick to the outside of his leg and toppling soldier before he could raise his rifle. The priest's blade followed him to the ground, punching through plastoid and bone before its tip jarred against the street beneath.
Faust could feel his frustration growing as he planted a boot on the Iotran's shoulder and yanked his beskad free. It was quickly dawning on him that there was not a single true warrior among the Muun's pathetic defenders, and it sickened him. They were well trained, and had seemed to follow orders well before all of their commanders had been butchered, but they had no fire for domination burning in their hearts. They screamed as they died, broke lines when the Reavers charged, and a few even turned and tried to run. The courtyard had turned into a killing field, and Faust viewed it all with exasperated contempt.
"Bah," the priest spat. He still had a contract to fill, and even if the work was boring, at least it payed well. A glance to his left showed Janse and Katariah fighting back-to-back, executing battle droids and Iotran mercenaries alike with ruthless efficiency. To his right Harlen's axe had cut a wide swathe through the enemy lines that was threatening to close behind him, and for a moment Faust found himself moving in that direction. But then two Reavers joined the fray, beskade scything all around them, and the soldiers scattered.
With a silent prayer beseeching the Destroyer God to send him a worthy sacrifice playing a litany through his mind, the Prophet of Harangir turned and began making his way up the steps that led to the bank's entrance at a brisk walk. His pace didn't slow as the commlink on his gauntlet played the shrill tone of an incoming transmission.
"None, now." he replied, indifferent. "Their forces are broken, scattered, and cut off from reinforcements for as long as Green holds the line."
That much was true. He made the decision to enter the bank because watching over his investment in the heist was more important than remaining behind while his men mopped up the last of the Iotran weaklings. Within the next half hour the Reavers would be making thralls and sacrifices out of those who surrendered.
"I am entering the bank now. What is your location?"
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 6, 2015 16:08:29 GMT -8
Hevn's eyes flick from Alpha to Kali. Alpha's normally rigid gait was relaxed with her. They seemed to get along well enough. A rare feat for the stubborn and xenophobic Shistavanen. Bedrovelse had needed to curb the massive fuzz ball's attitude with a beating, and now it would seem he was effectively "galaxy broken". It was more often someone's discomfort with the Shistavanen than vice versa. He was too big, too mean, and too skilled to give a damn anymore. Decidedly Hevn's favorite henchman and killer for hire. For the first time, Hevn's glower seems to fade. The blizzard's fury dying back to his cool contemptuous lazy gaze. It falls upon Kali's wide eyed questioning face.
"Nicely done. Next we finish the vault."
Faust's growling voice crackles through his comm. Through the mask's teeth Hevn grins down at it. He presses the button and responds.
Red 1, Blue 2 is in the control room. Working the vault now. Can you send a pillaging vessel to evacuate the contents?
The strongboxes were easily in the thousands. Jewels, documents, objects of rarity, obscurity, and wealth all lurked inside of each one. Hevn intended to take as many as he could for Xeonon's payment, but beyond that there was another goal. To pay off his debt to Faust he required an object of great power. He knew that the Jen'jidai stored some powerful items in here, the ones the Muun were afraid of allowing Hevn access to. What Hevn did not know, is whether it was C'thulu's gauntlets, or the dead man's staff. The gauntlets would be powerful enough to return to Hevn his full scope of force powers, allowing him to manipulate the dark side energies his prosthetic hands could not. The staff in combination with his sword would give him the strength to make Faust a battlelord.
"Looks like we're in the clear. Alpha, continue watching the droid. Kali, with me."
Hevn walks slowly back toward his breach in the floor, while Alpha moves over to the control room once more. Hevn extends his hands down into the hole.
"It is easier to focus on large tasks when you're not being shot, stabbed, or blown to bits. However, it is easier to manifest offensive force powers in the heat of battle."
His tone is instructive and he turns toward Kali as he speaks, before returning his sight to the strongboxes below.
A deep hum in the force runs over their skin in vibrations as Hevn surrounds himself first with the force, and then lets his will sweep down into the vault below. The boxes he had already unleashed were flying up through the hole and stacking once more on the office floor. It took minutes for them all to ascend, leaving an empty landing for the two below. Hevn jumps down into the vault once more, and waits a moment for Kali to follow.
From his back he removes the Sith Sword. Its blade screeches as it scrapes free from its sheath. Hevn brings the sword to his lips. The force echoes through his words, ringing with power.
"Where is the object I desire?"
The sword booms in the dark side of the force. The spirit within roaring with energy as it awakens. A violent array of emotions wash over both Hevn and Kali. Insatiable rage, flooring agony, and then the icy pin pricks on their hearts of raw uninhibited hatred. The very sources of strength Hevn used to forge it.
The only signs Hevn showed was a twinge of pain as his face contorts behind the mask. He watches Kali with an eye as the sword shakes in his hand. It drew upon his life force and the dark side to complete his request. A voice, deep and hoarse, emanates from the blade.
"Follow."
The sword does not pull his arm, but his mind. Forcing his steps in the direction of the request he made. He walks slowly and calmly, resisting the aggressive nature of his blade.
The longer he depended on its strength the deeper its claws drove their way into his mind. They were met with the steely walls of his training and self control. Scratching at the doors of his demons it tempts his underlying wounds to the surface. He was too close to success to lose focus. Not even his nastiest memories could surface with his senses to honed into the task at hand. Bedrovelse would not be conquered in this world, or the other. Not by man, spirit, or beast. His will was absolutely his own.
His steps take them into another arm of the vault that he had not cleared yet. With the wave of his sword, much like a wand, the boxes jumped from their places and raced back toward the hole they descended through. The sword was thrumming with more energy as it sought out a flavor of weapon to match its own.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 6, 2015 23:22:41 GMT -8
Her eyes flicked to Alpha briefly. It was a nervous reaction to his orders. Alpha was to stay behind and she was to be alone with Hevn. It was a disconcerting thought to say the least. With Alpha things were easy, she was relaxed and comfortable in his presence, with Hevn this was not the case at all. He confused her. There was never a moment of being at ease when around him and knowing what she knew now about the sword, she wondered if this was the reason. Alpha believed it so.
Her eyes had lingered upon Alpha for not even a second before they were focused upon Hevn once more and anxiously she stepped forward toward him and ready to follow his lead. She had known this time was to come, when she would be alone with him. She had not expected it until the decision of her tutelage had been made.
She follows him to breach in the floor .This was it. She took a deep breath and looked toward the spot where she had been stood with Alpha, she was hoping for a reassuring glance or something, but he already left the spot and was following instruction.
Watching the boxes stack themselves beside them both was fascinating. It was not the fact he was able to move the boxes, which was not a surprise, it was the ease with which he was able to do so. There were so many and yet his focus upon them seemed non existent.
She could feel the energy ebbing around Hevn, it was powerful and she was envious. Again it called to her and was drawing her more deeply every time she touched it.
She pondered over his words. It is easier to focus on large tasks when you're not being shot, stabbed, or blown to bits. However, it is easier to manifest offensive force powers in the heat of battle. This she understood, she had done more than she had believed herself to be capable of though her endurance was not as equally strong. Not like his.
As the final boxes placed themselves neatly to her side, Hevn dropped down to the floor below, as he cleared way for her, she dropped down herself and cushioned her drop with the force.
There it was again, that delicious feeling of energy caressing her skin, that stronger and more powerful feeling than her own was delectable. She could feel her hair stand upon end as it swept over her and delighted in it.
She watched with a mix of both angst and fascination as he removed the blade from its sheath, she marvelled that an object could hold such a strange kind of power while at the same time, she feared the power it held over Hevn. With confusion she watched him speak to it and then all at once an array of powerful emotions wash over her. They had her rooted to the spot as she fought to regain control over her being.
There were so much going on she was disorientated, she had not expected this, and she had assumed the blade would affect Hevn alone. Momentarily she was on her knees leaning forward with balled up fists taking the weight of her torso. From her emanated groans of anger mixed with pain, the sound of which was almost feral. She was fighting it, fighting all of it as she tried to find herself, her true feelings amongst the array of rage, pain unadulterated hatred, in Kali’s mind this was all focused upon him, upon Hevn. In Kali’s mind now, he was the harbinger of her full suffering.
She scrambles to her feet and brings herself upright, there was a degree of control inside her now, but it was taking every ounce of strength she had to maintain it and it was exhausting. From behind her mask her face was tense with her rage, her eyes were darker in their hue now and glistened with fury and their soul focus was upon Hevn. The hatred was consuming her, were it not for the morsel of rational control she had over it all, she would be attempting to kill him.
In this moment, there was nothing that surprised her, she was too consumed to even hear the voice of the blade, but with her focus upon Hevn she noticed him moving away and followed. Her steps were determined and strong and with her hands still balled up into fists, she marched behind him while fighting the internal battle within her. It was as if there were a voice within her telling her to slay him, slay him and all the pain and confusion you feel with evaporate and leave you free, then there was the conscious side of her mind telling her that this was a lie and an illusion. It was the blade, the pain, the rage and hatred; it was all caused by the blade.
Perilously her right fist hovered beside the hilt of the blaster sat upon her right thigh.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 8, 2015 14:01:00 GMT -8
Hevn's steps slow as they traverse deeper into the vault. The boxes continuing to float back to the hole as he passes them, waving the sword. Hevn could hear its song. Calling out to the other objects of darkness and listening for a reply. The blade trembles slightly more with each step he takes, pulling him.
His mind reaches out toward Kali for a moment. It was as simple as turning his telepathic eye toward her. The scope of her emotions was a tumultuous and chaotic spiral, but one thing seemed to cling above all. Hate. Was hate her greatest strength? It would be important to know if he was to train her. Whatever emotion best fueled you, usually dictated the path of your powers. For Hevn, his hate was everything. His sword, his shield, his fuel, and his vehicle. Hevn slays, conquers, and steals all in the name of hate. The hate he bears for those who have wronged him, for those who have abandoned him, and those who let him down. It was the more refined and cunning of the path's a dark sider could walk. Hevn could taste Kali's anger, and her pain, but it was nothing to her hate for him. She was nearly drooling at the prospect of making an attempt on his life.
Hevn continues to follow the sword, reading her emotions like a pulse. Feeling her twist and spiral and then return to control. He continues to walk in silence until suddenly his sword slams against a strongbox with a loud pang. The blade was furiously tapping it until Hevn slides it back in the sheath. Once he had done so, the powers it exuded over the pair were released and nullified. His voice is cold and deep as he addresses Kali, hands pulling the strongbox from it's location. Long it was, and he knew already it was the staff. It was not what he had hoped, but it was among his desires.
"For the second time. You have impressed me, Kali. Most would either be dead, or trying to kill me. Yet there you stand. Poised and controlled even teetering on the brink."
Hevn releases the clips on the strongbox, revealing a long and twisted wooden staff. As soon as Hevn's fingers wrap around it the burned runes in the staff glow red and pulsate. They throb with light and power in his hand, before he releases it back to its slumber. The smile on his face from behind the mask was a look of beaming wonder as he gazes over it and into Kali's eyes.
"Beautiful."
His tone carries the slightest hint of ecstasy. The way a man speaks while being seduced or getting a spot on massage. He closes the box and keeps it under his arm. As he walks down the hall he does so confidently retracing the steps they took to find it. His deep and cool voice seeking Kali out again.
"Legend has it that the Ewoks follow a version of the force that involves the worship of tree spirits. A master of old captured an entire tribe, carving this staff out of their sacred tree, and as he did so their anger and contempt filled it. Corrupting it, and all of them with the dark side without shedding a drop of blood....initially. Once their hearts were dark and the staff empowered by their turning, he cut them to bits, letting the staff marinade in the pool of their fallen blood. Their simplistic impulses made them easy to taint. The shedding of their innocence and virtue giving birth to a power that can be wielded with terrifying capability. Now its power is mine."
Hevn stops, removing the staff once again. He marvels over it in his hands for a moment before taking it firmly in one, and slamming the butt of it against the ground. Howls of spirits scream out from it, echoing, and departing.
Hevn pours his darkness into the staff. The sword had left his wounds close to the surface, and easy to access. His bitter hatred for the Muun, his rage at the desolation of the Dark Jedi Order, his loathing for the betrayers, all filled the staff with a heartbeat. A thump that glows red in every pulse from every marking on it. He waves the staff at the untouched halls of the vault, his power rushing down each twisting arm of the labyrinth and seizing the strongboxes with greater haste, and the howls of the dead moaning from deep in the darkness.
"To these treasures I lay claim! Now bring them to me!"
Ghosts pour out from the staff. Their ill intent of their spirits was a palpable thing in the force. An uneasiness that spread around them like wildfire as the spirits went to work collecting the boxes and hauling them to the hole for Hevn. He follows their trail, taking them toward the hole through which they descended. The strongboxes no longer collect at the base. They rise alone into the office above for packing up. Stacking neatly and quickly now with the power of his spell. They fly past the walking pair hastily and without a sound. Hevn stops, returning it to its strongbox, and slings it under his arm again. He continues to make his way toward the hole through the twists and turns of the vault's empty shelves.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 8, 2015 23:39:27 GMT -8
The moment the sword is sheathed her entire body relaxes as she bends and rests her hands upon her thighs for a moment and releases a sigh of relief. She brings herself up to her full height and inhales deeply and releases the breath slowly. The hatred she had felt for Hevn had constricted her chest and had stolen her ability to breathe adequately but now she was free she was bale to take control of her once more. It was this control that she craved. With control came order and from order came structure. These were times she liked, they gave her comfort.
She removed her helmet and watched as her removed the strongbox free. She was eager to know what could be so important as to bring them on such a journey down here. Naturally it would have been easier to empty the vault, take the credits and leave. Hevn seemed logical, he was certainly wise enough to know this yet he desired what was contained in the case enough to prolong their time here. Her eyes lingered upon the box as curiosity dug its filthy claws into her and drew her in, it was only his words that pulled them away and to look upon him.
There they were those few words. She had been desperate to hear them. Deep inside her was a craving for approval. Why she felt like this she did not know. She was obviously a capable young woman. Here she was in the middle of battle and had done well, well enough to not have died or been gravely injured, yet there were these insecurities inside her. Since the beginning of the mission she had needed to hear him tell her how well she had done. That need had not been quenched initially though it had made her fight more severely; hearing him tell her again had made her feel more so but still that desire was there.
Her face relaxed as did her shoulders and there, if you looked deep enough into her eyes to see it, was the hint of a smile. It was a tiny little sparkle shining like a baby star in the blackest of skies at night. She fought hard to disguise her thoughts and emotions. For Kali, to allow them visible for all to see made her feel vulnerable and open to all manners of pain and betrayal, but when you closed yourself off it was like wearing a suit of the strongest armour and impervious to pain.
The tone of her voice was factual. She stood quite simply stating fact without intent of any kind.
The strength of my need to kill you was overwhelming and it took every fibre of my being not to do so.
While he unclips the box Kali steps forward to be able to see more closely what was hidden inside. Momentarily she was left confused to see nothing but a twisted branch inside. She was incredulous that they had been through all of this for a twig! Her eyes followed his fingers as they weaved themselves around the branch in a grip that sparked a reaction that took her breath away. She began to wonder if there would ever come a day when seeing such things would hold no magic or wonder in her eyes. For now it was as if she was seeing the world for the very fist time and that in itself, for Kali, was magical, yet to Hevn and Alpha, such things seemed to hold no surprise or wonder, they had obviously experienced it enough for it to be commonplace.
Her gaze fell upon the mask he wore; they were searching his as she eagerly awaited an explanation of what they had just found.
Hevn
"Beautiful."
For the first time since they had met she heard a tone in his voice that betrayed his feelings and it surprised her. Perhaps it was a reflex or perhaps it was just the magic of the moment accompanied with the feeling of tiredness that allowed her own expression to betray her own feelings, she could not be sure, but a slight smile lifted the corners of her mouth ever so slightly while her eyes shone with wonder and excitement. She said nothing for she had no words.
She matched his steps as he began their journey back to the others and walked alongside him and it was only as she did so that she looked around her and realised she did not recognise the hall at all. It was as if she was walking through it for the first time, seeing it for the first time. Had she been so consumed with hatred for Hevn that she had not seen it?
Her eyes lay upon him, briefly glancing back to their path as they walked along the hall; she was captivated by his story. If it was a story he had told her when they had first met, she would have chuckled and thought it no more than a scary story told to children around a camp fire, but now after seeing all that she had seen since, she felt very differently. She questioned its validity, but not completely. Was there an element of truth? That was so often how these legends came to fruition.
Wondering if they were nearing their exit, she places her helmet back in place and secures it. She would be pleased to finally be rid of it once back on board the ship. She found it almost claustrophobic being confined in such a way.
Her steps stop with his and she turns to him wondering what had caused him to stop. Her eyes watch his every move with intrigue. The very moment the staff hits the ground Kali’s arms instinctually wrap around the helmet as she crouches to the floor. She had curled herself tightly with her knees pushed tightly to her chest and the base of the helmet resting upon her knees while precariously balancing upright on her feet. The sound of the enraged souls screeching was the most horrific noise and one she was unlikely to forget.
Immediately as he called out, removed her arms and looked up toward him, there was something within her that made her watch and wonder what was to come.
The ghosts’ swirling around them was an unworldly sight, it had chilled her to the bone yet she could not look away. Slowly she uncurled herself and was stood once more. Her head whipped side to side, back and front as she absorbed all that was happening. Deep inside her was darkness, a darkness that dwells within every being, which was waking from an eternity of slumber. Everything that had happened here above the vaults had begun to cause it to stir; the sword had woken it further and the staff further still. It was stretching its arms wide and yawning deeply as it watched with intrigue all that was happening. Its interest was peeked and it was about to attempt to claw its way to the surface.
Kali could feel this darkness rising within her but assumed it was down to the power of the staff and residual energy from the sword and pushed it to the back of her mind.
Accompanying Hevn her voice was full of wonder.
I have a couple of questions. How did you know about the staff and its location? And, the sword, does it affect you the way it does me? If so, why risk possessing it all?
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 9, 2015 3:15:18 GMT -8
A deep laugh echoes out from the back of Hevn's throat.
Would she even understand if he bored her with the entire story?
"I suppose why, is the simplest question...In return for the slaughter of this planets resistance, I owe in return a gift to the commander of those soldiers. He has requested a service in which requires me to be in possession of objects such as the mask, the staff, and the sword. As Sage I procure these knowing their dangers, weighing their risks, and choosing whether to destroy or protect them. A keeper of knowledge procures and studies the makes and uses of such powers. A hobby I am fond of."
Though William Reign never truly passed the title on to Hevn, he considered himself heir to its implications. He was certainly a darker variety of collector than Reign had been. The shadow of his master's past loomed over him in the same great shadowy way that Hevn's did. Knowing the burden, he had never seen it right to dig into those issues. Watching the man who trained him to control and harness his emotions take his life was a scarring thing. Hevn blamed him for letting the Order fall to ruin with his selfish escape. The pain of their lost brothers bled in Hevn's heart, though in Reign's in must have been more so. Enough to swallow him. To defeat the greatest teacher and warrior he had ever known.
"I made the sword. My mind is honed to resist its power. Training and exposure will help you cope better. It is so empowering to wield my hatred in such a physical form."
He smiles as if a high or possession consumed him. A light and airiness in his force to compliment it.
"Now how is a little more interesting."
Hevn slows his strides into a slow confident swagger. The edge was taken completely out of his voice and body language. Victory seemed to be intoxicating him despite his very own words implicating it being far from over.
"There was a powerful Dark Jedi with gifts quite similar to mine, but far more powerful. The other side was his home, and this his hell. So in tune with the chaos of the spirit world that he could imbue objects like this staff with tremendous dark side power. I trained with him briefly before his demise, and knew of many of his creations. Some of his traps are still beyond my power to traverse alone. Some powers lie in wait for my claim. Many, many more, have passed on with his final rest."
Hevn's free hand grips the sword's handle, though keep it in the sheath.
"The sword brought me here. You witnessed one of its many values to me. It assists in my already natural talent to commune with the dead."
At last they found the hole. The force assists Hevn's jump into the office above the vault. The boxes were neatly stacked all over the room in shoulder high piles, and continued to file in behind them. Hevn makes his way to the control room and places the staff's container on a desk. Looking over Alpha he observes the screen.
"Five hundred million. Exquisite."
Alpha turns to their arrival and barks his response loudly.
"Vault clear boss?"
Hevn nods, his icy gaze turning upon the Shistavanen.
"Nearly. All we need is an extraction prepared and our mission is complete."
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Post by Kali Helaine on Sept 9, 2015 3:46:25 GMT -8
Some say it natural when one being mimics some behaviour of others, a yawn for example, it is a natural reflex to yawn when another does, and another is laughter. That does not mean to say you are finding the source of their amusement funny yourself, but that you are finding their amusement funny. Kali was one of these people so it would seem, for when Hevn laughed she also found herself laughing, though not to the same extent. She did know that to some degree she was laughing out of nervousness. She found it odd and unsettling to see him laugh.
She walked beside matching her pace to his as she listened closely and absorbing everything he had said. Her intrigue and need for his knowledge was pure. She wanted to know everything he knew and more. She wanted his abilities and more. She wanted it all.
Being with him here in his current state made it easier. His whole being suddenly appeared more relaxed and as a result, Kali found herself more relaxed in his presence, though not as she was with Alpha. She had seen the way Hevn had turned suddenly on the one who appeared closest to him and this made Kali wary of him still. But this she enjoyed, him offering tutelage and her absorbing it like a sponge.
Silently she listened; she would not interrupt though she still had many questions. Questions regarding other things but the answers were not of importance here and now, they could wait for another time and another place.
The darkness she had shut away at the back of her mind was wanting. It was as if it were able to call to her sub conscious and manipulate it at will. It was calling her to hold the staff and hold the blade. Immediately these thoughts were shut down for Kali was still in control of her conscious thought and will, though it troubled her. She would discuss this with Hevn at a later time for now; they had reached the hole to take them back to the lobby and Alpha.
As Hevn disappeared through the hole, Kali drew upon all the strength she had left and assisted her jump up and through. She did not quite make it, she was tired and it was beginning to show. She grasped hold of the edge of the floor and dangled for a brief moment before swinging her legs up and pulling herself over the edge.
She climbed to her feet and dusted herself off and made her way toward Alpha, Hevn and the droid.
As she stepped over the bodies of the dead security, she pats a few of the bodies down and retrieved several packets of smokes as well as several lighters. Smiling to herself she stepped into the room Hevn and Alpha occupied, removed her helmet and lit a smoke before holding the packet out to Hevn while looking at Alpha.
Did you miss me, Pup?
She slapped Alpha upon the back and looked in the direction of Hevns gaze.
Five hundred Million? Woah! I know it is an imposing question, but….what are you going to do with all of that?
She chuckled in surprise and looked to Hevn.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Sept 9, 2015 4:31:37 GMT -8
The pat on Alpha's back causes his helmet to shift in the direction of Kali.
"Well I'm taller'n' both'a'ya so I don' miss much now do I, squirt?"
Both Hevn and Alpha retrieve and light a smoke of their own. The Shistavanen removing his helmet, and Hevn managing it with his unsettling mask remaining on his face still.
Once again, Bedrovelse Hevn enjoys the silence of his smoke. Dragging and exhaling as his pale sapphire eyes fixate on Kali's. It was a long few minutes before he spoke, even Alpha refraining from making a sound. Hevn's voice is almost playful.
"Money solves most problems, but not all of them. That is where power comes in."
Flicking his deathstick to the floor he makes a fist, and squeezes the air.
"First I make sure you never wear rags or see the likes of a cell again. The promise I made to you in your darkest moments."
Emotion shook his in voice, along side the mechanical whine. There was a passion about his declaration and some personal flare in tone implying some stake in it all.
He had chosen her for certain, whether she understood it or not. Taking her with him ensured her survival far above that of the others, if they had made it at all. The reminder of her despair calling to his own made him empathetic to her success. Rigging the game in her favor. He could sense the power in her that swelled greater and more willingly than any of the other candidates. They meant nothing in comparison to this soul seeing a second chance. A chance to live. To thrive. To be strong instead of defenseless. Her spiral into torment would be revealed one day, to the benefit of her power, when her mind was ready to accept it as strength. Her deprivation would only last as long as her frailty. Hevn saw something in Kali that reminded him of himself in a way no other before had. Finding her in the force did not surprise him. Hevn could sense Kali's shock fading by the moment. Hevn had unleashed an onslaught of his most destructive powers for her display. Her lust for it ached in her aura every time she witnessed his capability. Her awe beamed out of her eyes. Never in her life had she imagined a chance power over her life and choices. Though she did not remeber, Hevn could sense that pleasure sweeping her as well as the disturbing revelation of its source.
"I will then give my allies what I owe them. Power and wealth. Then I will procure a location through which to return my Order to prestige. With my vengeance complete the future has room for growth."
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