Sith mission: Farmland intervention

[Shoggoth]

She pulled her collar over her nose as a speeder sped by throwing dust and dirt up in the air.
Iris coughed as the jackets fabric failed to substitute a respirator. She was used to getting dirty,
but the constant smell of manure and the staunchly insects buzzing in her ears caused a headache of another world. literally.
It was a mission like any other mission, it had to be done. And though it was a simple task when down to the point, it was an important one.
Maybe the most influential in matter of the conquest of Nez Peron. And Everybody eats, so does every single sentient on Axxila,
which means if we play our cards right, Axxila will be easier to subjugate.
In front of them the road took a sharp turn and snailed its way up a hill. On top was the family mansion of the biggest landlords north of the equator.
Lord of the flies..
She looked over her shoulder, making sure her fresh co-worker was keeping up.​

@Francopell​

 

[Francopell]

This was a simple mission, at least in Talak's head. Get the farmers to support the Sith. Control the farmers and you control the food. Control the food and you control the people. Control the people and you control the planet. Missions like this were essential to the expansion of the Sith but far from glamorous and he couldn't help but shake the feeling that he could be doing something more important with his time. Killing Jedi was a much more pressing concern to Talak than talking to some farmers.

He was far more accustomed to industrial areas so Nez Peron came as a bit of a shock to Talak. Gardening was a passion of his but he was nowhere near as knowledgeable on farming and the vastness of the fields caught him off-guard. All around him were vast expanses of farmland, covered in crops of various colours. There was a faint hint of wind as it whispered through the fields but that was the extent of the weather, with the planet's sun only modestly shining on the planet.

Talak was not familiar with his partner for his mission either. They had barely spoken on the way to Nez Peron and his first impression of her was someone who kept herself to herself. Still, now they were planetside and since they had a long trek to the the mansion at the top the hill, he decided to check in on her.

"How are you holding up?" he inquired as he turned onto the winding road up the hill. Talak didn't want to be carrying dead weight on this mission and thought it best to check that she was alright.

 

[Shoggoth]

The sun was scorching her neck as she was following the road upward towards the mansion, but the wind seemed to be catching up as they reached a height, cooling her down. She had gotten the message when she left for Nez Peron that she was to be accompanied by two. Though only one had showed up.
To be fair, Iris didn't care. Nor was she bitter. She didn't care, she knew after all that she was the only one needed. It was unnecessary for the superiors to send out more when they could use the resources on other fronts. She didn't linger at the thought. Her current companion seemed to respect her personal space, which he had done patiently and hopefully the rest of the mission as well. He would eventually crack, the tension was slowly building.
suddenly the bubble burst.

"I'm breathing aren't I?" she didn't wait for him to answer.

"If you are able to, I want you to remain silent during our stay at the mansion. Look tough or whatever, I'll do most of the talking."
She looked over her shoulder again to catch his reaction.

@Francopell

 

[Francopell]

As they got further up the hill the path worsened and became rougher with the smoothed dirt giving way to a combination of mud and rocks. It was getting steeper as well. Talak's legs were starting to feel an ever so slight ache though he was loath to admit it. A part of him wished that his companion was struggling more than he was and he took comfort in the idea that he wasn't the weak link.

His question was met by a curt reply: "I'm breathing aren't I?". He shouldn't have expected any different although he wished she was more open with him. Before he could reply she then said:

"If you are able to, I want you to remain silent during our stay at the mansion. Look tough or whatever, I'll do most of the talking." This caught him off guard as Iris had been quiet up to this point. His eyebrows raised then furrowed before he decided to write it off as little more than a joke rather than a direct order. He audibly chuckled before replying.

"I don't think that will be necessary. I'm a pretty decent talker, I think I can handle myself alright." Talak's tone was flippant though he didn't intend to cause any offence.

 

[Shoggoth]

"I'm sure you can. Yet, to be sincere I'll tell you not to do anything rash." she countered.

As they reached the top of the hill, the clouds had started to tint to a bright yellow as the sun was approaching the horizon on the far side of the mansion.
The courtyard was prided with terraces of flowerbeds and tall bushes. The only thing breaking the magic was the unearthly stench of excrement from the fields, which Iris count belive they still used as fertilizer. The galaxy holds incredible mega-structures, High-tech weaponry and even medical technology that can fully regenerate limbs, but people still fertilize foodstuffs with crap.
Digression, the path followed up a set of stairs which ended at the feet of a ornate gate with small porcelain figurines priding the doors.
Iris laid her hand on the handle but stopped to turn around and remove some stray smudge of eye shade. She was wearing makeup, which she never did. She utterly detested it. Her hair was even straightened, still uncombed but it was somewhat tidier than normal. She looked like the porcelain figurines. Only larger, and with the usual look of repulse in her eyes.

"They're going to act noble. But don't bother to be formal with them. They're not. I'm not one for playing pretend."

They were greeted by an old man as they entered.
"Ah! you are finally here, we have been awaiting you all day." The old man bowed, with a slight stumble "Allow me" He grabbed Iris' hand.
She quickly understood what was going on and pulled it quickly from his palm as he leaned down to kiss it.

"I'm not here for your burlesque. Where is your brother."

(OOC go ahead and do some lead if you feel like it @Francopell )

 

[Francopell]

"I'm sure you can. Yet, to be sincere I'll tell you not to do anything rash." Iris reiterated the need for caution on this mission though Talak paid it little heed. What threat could a bunch of farmers possibly possess?

"Don't worry, I won't." Talak replied nonchalantly. As far as he could tell she was taking this far too seriously considering they were just going to talk to some farmers.

They pressed on and got to the top of the hill. A rustic looking mansion sat atop it rather proudly though it's roof had a couple of broken tiles and the brickwork looked worn with chips missing. Maybe they've fallen on hard times he thought to himself as they came to the door. It couldn't have come sooner as he had had enough of the supposed 'fertilizer' he had been smelling the whole way there. Iris took the lead, opening the door and she was immediately greeted by a smiling old man.

After Iris' refusal to have her hand kissed the man seemed thoroughly embarrassed and this was only amplified by her immediate demand. He could only stammer something about his brother being upstairs before he hastily withdrew. It seemed he had got the idea that they weren't there for pleasantries. As the old man retreated Talak threw a sarcastic "thank you," at the farmer before he marched further into the mansion. As he went towards the staircase he couldn't help but noticed a red headed young man sitting down on a couch in the entrance hall of the house. Talak recalled that a member of the Sacred Band would be joining them for the mission. From what he remembered this guy seemed to fit the description. Talak wondered how he had managed to get to the location separate to them but he didn't get hung up on it. He nodded on his direction, indicating for him to follow on.

Talak then stomped up the central staircase. Once he got to the top he noticed an elderly man walking towards him. His beard was a straggly mess and his skin hung from his bones like clothes from a line. Maybe this is the guy. Maybe he heard us enter and wants to greet us. Wasting no time Talak advanced on him and asked:

"Are you Goran? Goran Gisk? We have some questions for you..."

@Cameron Foster

 

[Cheshire]

Karma had arrived earlier at the mansion before the rest of the team had reached there. He couldn't help but admire it, its architecture was beautiful. He had dressed to impress, making sure that he looked decent instead of wearing his usual armour set. He had decided to wear an all black attire, black nice shirt and jeans. It suited him naturally, which he liked. His red hair was combed nicely, instead of his usual raggedy hair style. He had been greeted by the old man for when he first entered, but he made it perfectly clear that eh wasn't here for pleasantries. He had a job to do and that was it, he wasn't here to make friends with them so he manoeuvred himself down towards the couch at the entrance way and waited for the rest to show up.

He sat and waited till his ally's showed up. They quickly showed up soon after, Talak giving a nod in his direction to gesture Karma to follow him. So he got off the couch and made his way upstairs with him. He walked towards the elderly man that looked like a mess before standing behind Talak, while he was asking his questions.

(OCC: sorry for the crappy post, kinda got confused on what to write D:)

 

[Shoggoth]

They followed the stairs up to the gallery above the entrance hall. The hallway at the end split into three ways, where in one end Iris could see an open door into a bedroom. On the floor there were two girls playing. One of the girls sat up and looked at Iris, she pointed and said something she couldn't make out. A nanny, judging by her clothing came visible in door and shut it.
An old man approached them from the other corridor.
"Are you goran? Goran Gisk? We have some questions for you.." Talak said and took a step forward, but Iris grabbed his arm and pulled him back. She marched towards the approaching man that now was carrying a broad grin.
"You even dare.." Iris thrust her hand onto the man's face. In impact it was as if she touched a hot stove, a loud sizzling sound from the man's now melting face. Iris forced the screaming man onto his knees.

"You dare stand before us, hiding your face. Why do you think we are here. Deserter." She released him and the man fell onto his hands.
Iris looked down on the man with scorn, as he was mumbling something about forgiveness. She kicked him into the wall.
Coughing he looked up at her, and it became striking that his face was entirely different. Another man, a lot younger.
Iris turned to look at her companions"This is Thiun Ohtins, a former Sith alchemist." She stated the word 'former' with another kick in his gut. "He is going to help us with our problem concerning the farm network. He has posed as Goran Gisk since his desertion during the war." A handkerchief was offered by a trembling hand to her which she nabbed and cleaned off the burnt skin on her hands.
"Tell us about your contacts, Thiun" She signaled her partners over.

@Francopell

 

[Francopell]

Talak stepped back as the man's face begin to melt and he fell to the floor. Thiun's high-pitched shriek as he collapsed pierced Talak's eardrums and left him momentarily disoriented. His ears were still ringing as he steadied himself and restored his naturally upright posture. Urgghh, that was painful. The man was now a crumpled mess on the floor before Iris and grovelled at her feet. When the revelation came that this wreck was a Sith it shocked Talak who was used to seeing the Sith as proud bastions of power. For one to fall so low sickened him.

Talak stepped forward towards Thiun.

"Tell us about your contacts, Thiun"

"Wh- what... contacts..."

Talak kicked Thiun in the ribs, causing him to start coughing up blood on the floor.

"Are you ready to talk now?" Talak asked.

"I don't know wha-"

He was cut short by Talak's boot stamping on the man's back. A sickening crunch could be heard as his boot smashed against bone.

"You think this is some kind of game?"

"No, I just d-"

Thiun's eyes filled with terror and his tongue stopped wagging as Talak drew one of his lightsabers and pressed it against Thiun's head.

"Are you still tongue-tied?"

Thiun could barely collect himself before he stammered: "Ok, I'll t-tell you. There's a b-big fa-farm north of h-here. It's owned by a p-powerful land owner. All the other farms in the area answer to her. S-he is She dabbles i-in some form of forbidden worship b-but that's all I know. I swear!"

"What's her name?"

"Anya Sinan."

Just then Talak was alerted to footsteps heading up the stairs. He turned away from Thiun to face the top of the staircase.

It was the old man again.

Huh, maybe he finally got the courage to talk to us again. Talak thought quickly and decided upon a course of action.

"Look right here," he pointed at Thiun, "this is what we do to people who don't co-operate. People like your 'brother'. Now, I trust you will be more helpful."

The man, horrified, could only muster a silent nod.

"Right, I want transport and directions to Anya Sinan's farm," Talak demanded.

The old man could only muster another nod before scurrying back downstairs.

"Looks like we're done here," said Talak before he started heading towards the stairs.

"Wait, what do you think we should do with this slime?" he spat as he looked down at Thiun.

@Cameron Foster @Shoggoth

 

[Cheshire]

Karma watched with fascination as the man's face melted, the screams echoing off the wall, which made him amused. When Iris took her hand off the wall, Goran's face had completely changed.

"A Deserting Sith Alchemist? He's begging for forgiveness, how cute!"

He watched as Talak started beating the living daylights out of the once former Sith, which was actually quite amusing to watch. He watched the old Sith Alchemist squirm in all amounts of agony before he headed towards the stairs.

"Can I kill him? My knife hasn't slit anyone's throat in ages....."

As soon as Karma started walking back down the stairs, he spotted Thiun grin at his luck for the trio sparing him, which enraged Karma. He made his way back upstairs before walking slowly over to Thiun. He then repeatedly started to stomp down on Thiun's body with as much force as possible, making him cry out at every stomp, which was quite satisfying to say the least. He finally stopped as he heard the man quickly start begging for forgiveness.

"You're lucky I'm just an assassin or things could of went a lot worst for you."

He immediately started walking down the stairs behind Talak making his way down to the bottom.

"So, are we off to go visit this Anya Sinan"

@Francopell @Shoggoth

 

[Shoggoth]

While Talak and Karma stood pondering what they would do with the alchemist, Iris had already trailed back to the entrance. She could hear Thiun's screams from where she stood. Which made her scoff, how easy it was for her to tell them that 'this man is bad' implying with only a little violence that 'this is how you treat such men'. It is such a small push. People needs simple ideas, a world in black and white. That's why it was so easy for her companions to hurt this man. Iris had made them drop their sense of humanity only by showing disrespect.
Iris knew that Thiun was no different from anyone else. Just a man who saw his escape in a terrifying war, maybe a move of cowardice but nonetheless human.

She stood in the courtyard as the she waited for the two. The shuttle had already arrived when she stepped outside.
Zipping down her jacket she reached her fingers into her breast holder, nabbing a cigarette from a pack wedged in the bindings. It had gotten dark, which made her feel more at peace. She had lit the cigarette and stood there breathing clouds out into the cool air, when she zipped up the jacket again and peered towards the man in the shuttle. Which seemed to be reading a magazine waiting for them to leave. It didn't take long before both of her companions came through the door. They spent the next thirty minutes in the air, flying north.
They arrived in the middle of a large courtyard again, only this time one could hear the faint howling of the cattle inside the numerous large barns they were surrounded by. One building stood out, the mansion. Which was a sight itself to behold.
Iris grabbed herself another cigarette to make the smell go away, for it was just as bad here as it was apparently anywhere on the planet.
@Francopell

 

[Francopell]

Talak followed after Iris when they had dealt with the traitor. Knowing betrayal on Balmorra, he could not stand it in an individual. He fully deserved what he had done to the man, no matter how desperate he may have been. There were two sides to everything but Talak was not interested in how hard done by a wealthy farmer was. Thiun had gone back on his loyalty to the Sith and for that there was no punishment grave enough. His actions were necessary, at least in his mind.

The shuttle ride was excruciatingly long for Talak. And far too quiet. Silence unnerved him. Small talk was dull to him as well but at least it took up some of the quiet. He hadn't made much effort to talk either, to be fair to the rest of his party. Still, he couldn't wait for it to be over with so he could get back to the mission.

Finally they landed by in the courtyard of a much grander mansion. The sun had by now set and night had begun, its velvet cloak covering the sky. The farm still stank with excrement though, taking from the glory of the mansion. It was three stories high and featured large pillars with ornate statues of various farmyard animals to the sides of the front door. The party was fenced inside the courtyard by a formidable spiked fence which was high enough to discourage any potential criminals. The courtyard was so large that it had space for their shuttle to drop them off inside.

Once they were off, the shuttle took back off though Talak made sure they could recall it at any time. He then walked towards the looming door and gave it three, sharp, knocks.

No answer.

Another attempt was just as fruitless. He then tried to open the door himself but it was locked. Talak wasn't expecting such resistance, even if it was so minor. The blinds on the windows were drawn as well. Perhaps they were still in the fields, though it was a little late for that.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Looking from left to right, he discovered it couldn't have been Iris or Karma. Talak then span around, seeing a hooded figure get closer and closer...

@Cameron Foster @Shoggoth

 

[Cheshire]

Karma followed suit as they all left the mansion, he quietly stamped the blood of his boots, quickly trailing Thuin's blood along the the floor. It was quite amusing to Karma as he saw the red trail that he was leaving. He was tempted to do a spin around the carpet for amusement and comic relief just to annoy the people that would eventually would have to clean it up. He walked towards the shuttle with the others and even before he stepped in, he knew it would be a boring ride.

He sat for the while time staring at his boots and occasionally twiddling around with his knife, twisting it around his fingers in quick succession. It was deadly quiet, the atmosphere was tense. He didn't know much about his party but he honestly couldn't care. He just wanted to stab something.

When he exited the shittle, he couldn't help but admire the mansion that was in a much larger and grander than the other one. He always was a sucker for architecture, he almost didn't notice Talak go and knock on the door. He walked up next to him. He could hear the footsteps behind him and he instinctively knew that it wasn't Iris. He put his hand in his pocket, grabbing the stock of his pistol.

"Good day there! Is there anything we can help you with??"

 

[Shoggoth]

Iris' hood was draped over her head submerging her face in shadow.
In intervals one could see her dry lips in the glow of the cigarette embers as she inhaled.
She noticed her mouth tasted like an ashtray, mostly because she had forgotten to drink the entire day. A layer of tar had clung itself to the back of her teeth, which she was now trying to remove with her tongue, looking rather inattentive of what was going on around her in the process. There were places she would rather be right now, like back in the tub at her apartment on Axxila.
Hearing the foot steps behind her she turned around and flicked her cigarette to rid the ash that had gathered on the ember, before she took another drag. Eyeing what was standing before her, she let out a sound that could resemble a laugh that was quickly suppressed by her hand.
Infront of her stood a tiny chadra-fan with its arms folded on its back, dressed in some loose hanging garments that seemed to be too floaty for its size.
"Good day there!..." The creature perked its eyebrows as Iris sounded her little snort of a giggle. It brushed it off and continued:
"Is there anything we can help you with?"
Iris took another drag of her cigarette. Pointing at the door.
"Would you open for us, we are here to see the mistress." laying an sarcastic emphasis on 'the mistress'. A veil of smoke spilled from her mouth as she talked, covering her face before it drifted off in the wind.
"We are special visitors.. you'll help us with the door."
Iris' eyes glimmered in blue for a split second. The chadra-fan seemed baffled then:
"ofcourse... you are special visitors.. I'll help you with the door."

The large wooden squeaked as it folded out into a dark entrance hall, bathing the antique furniture inside in white light from the fluorescent lights in the courtyard. Waddling out of the way the chadra-fan let the fellowship through the door.
After following the corridor from the entrance hall they entered a room that must have been the main living room. A fireplace was burning in the corner, next to a sofa group. Along the walls were long tables prided with withered flowers and bowls of dried up fruit. Portrays of young people in their best angles were scattered along the walls.
"Who are you! And what are you doing in my home!"
A flying vase was headed straight towards them, thrown by an old lady in a night gown from the opposite side of the room.
It hit the door frame right next to Talak.

@Francopell

 

[Francopell]

Relieved by the fact that the person coming to meet them was little more than a peculiar alien, Talak followed suit and entered the mansion. Poor thing probably has barely enough to eat. Can't be paid well either. He hoped that they'd be able to get Anya on side and then get off this world. It's low-tech charm had worn off of Talak by now and he was getting increasingly fidgety. As they entered the mansion Talak couldn't help but notice the decorative paintings on the walls. Talak was relatively unfamiliar with wealth and always held a deep resentment for those he felt had too much. He hadn't even seen her face yet but he could tell that he and Anya weren't going to get along.

The chadra-fan led the group to the living room. Just as they entered an old woman let out a piercing shriek at the three:

"Who are you! And what are you doing in my home!"

A split second later a vase shot at Talak with an unnatural force. Fortunately it shattered on the door frame a mere inch from his head. Lucky. He hadn't been alert and would likely would have suffered a concussion had it not been off-target. Funny, I don't remember seeing her throw that at me.

"My name is Talak. I would ask who you are but I already know who you are."

"Oh really? And is it a habit of yours to barge into people's homes?"

"Well, we have already visited Goran Gisk."

The old woman cackled maniacally before controlling herself and speaking again.

"You mean that spineless toad Thiun. I-"

She was cut off by Talak. It was rude but he hadn't the patience for niceties today.

"You know about Thiun?"

"Of course I do! I know every single one of my tenets secrets. How else would I maintain control over them? Through pleasantries? Now have you come here to just ask questions or is there an actual purpose to your visit?"

Talak braced himself. The Sith would need her loyalty if their takeover of Nez Peron was to be smooth. Anya was the key to controlling many of the local farms and they would have to get her on board with the Sith.

"We represent the Sith Brotherhood. Right now groups of Sith are spreading out all over this sector to ensure our takeover of it. Now you can co-operate with us and be rewarded, or resist and be annihilated. In order to take over Nez Pe-"

This time it was the turn of the old woman who to cut Talak off.

"No."

"But wi-"

"The answer is no. Now please leave my house."

Her voice was more level and her tone subtly threatening. She had gone from anger to mockery in their conversation but now there was a cool but clear sense of menace in her voice. Frustrated with her refusal, Talak looked to his companions for aid in convincing the old woman.

@Cameron Foster @Shoggoth

 

[Shoggoth]

Sith are always so prone to rash decisions, this was a rash decision. Talak gave her too much information based on trust, even though the woman tried to assault him only seconds before, with what seemed like abnormal power.
Iris gave him a stare, but his back was turned at her.
"... no. Now please leave my house."
The old woman repeated, now in a lower voice, staring Talak down.
He turned a quick gaze at Iris as a signal for assistance. They exchanged gazes for a second, then Iris eyed the woman.
Iris took a step forward.
"You know better to turn us down don't you. This conflict ends one way or another, its either the lords of the Sith or the republic that takes control of the system. I'm not sure if you think that they will overlook your situation here, if you do you're naive."
"What is that supposed to mean?" the woman snapped back. Iris suppressed a smirk, she'd hit the spot.
"The Jedi order will not let you continue your practices, Lady Sinan. Deep wrinkles, sunken eyes, pale hands,
by your looks one could say you're approaching an age of about ninety. Which is an unnatural trait to have for a thirty six year old. White cracked stretch marks on your neck, sickly yellow eyes. And the very house reeks of daemons."
Anya froze.
"In a metaphorical sense of course. Only sensitives would know. The Sith doesn't judge, they don't meddle with your affairs, they only want collaboration. They want that everything works as if its oiled and slick. Belief isn't their concern, where you put your heart is entirely up to you. People occasionally frown upon it but, bottom line is that no one cares. If you use your sons' rotten corpses in portrayal of your dying god, they don't care.."
Anya raised a shaking finger.
"How dare you!"
Iris giggled. It had been a shot in the dark, and an utter bull's eye.
"Though, if the council comes here, you can be certain they won't hold back on the retribution. They don't seem to like cultists. Not the shameless, nor the weak. And definitively not heretic necromancers."
And at that, the stinging scent of scorched ozone filled the air. An arcing bolt of lighting had shot out of Anya's fingers towards Iris which had raised her hand and reflected it back, throwing the frail woman into the bookcase behind her.

@Francopell