Ask Serenno Ascendancy

[Darth Caelestis]

It had come to this, Artorigas had spent the last months preparing for this day. Ever since his descent into the ranks of the Sith he knew that his relationship with his father and brother could not continue. He could not be the second son, the forgotten one, the one with no inheritance, no power. He was now a Sith it would be nothing but an embarrassment for this to continue. So Artorigas had gone about what was needed, securing knowledge and power on Dromund Kaas, droid soldiers on Dressel and the weapons to arm them through his Syndicate contact Vako. He had made contacts with fellow Sith including a Council member and now was finally the time to make his move.

The 'Wyvern' hovered just out of sight of 'Castel Wessex' Cydric his servant and normal co-pilot sat in the control seat keeping the ship steady as Artorigas prepared himself in the main living quarters. He wore his newly crafted Armour of Wessex, it was designed after armour his father had collected in the great hall he hoped his father would recognise the design as he was removed from this throne.

Not wishing to rely on Sith help Artorigas has sought soldiers from outside of the Eternal to help him realise his dream, he would be the extra muscle for this takeover, though he hoped it would be a bloodless coup he suspected that at least his uncle could put up a fight. Artorigas had put an undisclosed bounty on the man's head a few months ago but it was yet to be collected, the 50,000 credits would be the soldiers payment for today. He was not the only support the Sith brought however, six of the VD Droids he had acquired were stood weapons in hand by the loading ramp. They would deal with the security droids of the estate as Artorigas approached.

Another two dozen sat in the hold below, Cydric would unleash them after they landed, a show of force to keep the rest of the estates staff at bay as they got used to the new order of things. Holding his helmet under one arm, his saber hanging at the other he looked over at the solider. "Any last questions?"

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Shane stood in the hold of the transport with more than a little unease. He was aboard a Sith ship and surrounded by combat droids. The former free world trooper knew well that if his uniform was still of that time, he would likely be looking at the business end of the wizards blade as well.

"So this is what it's come to." He thought to himself.

He felt the ship shutter, and slow. They were getting close to the drop zone. He took in a breath and closed his eyes. Slowly breathing out slowly as he felt around, checking his kit. Ammo, med kit, flash bangs. secondary weapon, etc. One by one he felt them, committing them to memory. It was a ritual he'd done since his training days as a boot in basic.

The sound of heavy boots on metal drew close. The merc opened his eyes to the massive metal man. "Well if the droids don't get there attention..." He thought to himself again. He checked his rifle, set it to stun and clicked off the safety. He thought to say something smart. But quickly thought different and simply nodded a no. They had gone over the plan. Which was why most of his kit was now stun only.

"Ready!" He finally spoke.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas just nodded at the solider, I guess he was all talk and no business. "Cydric, its time." He called through the corridor to the open cockpit. The young human nodded and the ship began to rise out of from behind the hill and head towards Castle Wessex. Artorigas had some butterflies in his stomach, it was less over what he was going to do, but more on if something went wrong and he had to act accordingly.

He could hear Cydric communicate with the security forces of the castle confirming their landing position on one of the lower pads on the hill side. This was it, time, placing his helmet over his head, a small hiss before the locking mechanism activated sealing him inside. Stepping up towards the loading ramp, the droids around him seemingly snapped awake their mechanical limbs forcing them to stand to attention. The 'Wyvern' spun on a dime so that the ramp would face the stairs to the main keep, a small bump the ship lurching up and down signalled that they had landed.

Closing his eyes behind the mask he took a deep breath as the hiss of the hydraulics lowered the ramp. As it banged against the concrete pad the droids began to moving, walking two by two down the ramp their weapons in a ceremonial grip. Artorigas came next, the droids had fanned out either side of the ship as he exited. He spotted a guard halfway up the stairs, his face in pure shock. He ran up the stairs shouting something into his comm, the defence droids will be here shortly he thought. Looking back to the ramp he spoke to Covax, "My uncle will luckily be in his apartments to the East, but he will head to the main hall once the alarm is raised."

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Shane cocked an eyebrow at the Sith's obvious displeasure for the lack of questions. But the former soldier turn merc was not new to the idea of a coup. Neither was the Sith, if he had to guess. At any rate the moment past, and it was now time for action.

Like his employer, Shane took a breath. Slowly letting it out as the adrenaline started to fill his veins. The next couple of minutes went like a flash in the pan to the former soldier. The ship shifted suddenly, lowered the ramp with the hiss and a thud. The Sith and his droids marched forward, forming a line of dominance. Shane didn't hesitate, following two steps behind the Sith. Spotting the guard, he quickly shoulder's Vera. Putting the man's back in the scope, Shane fired twice. Dropping the man with two stun shots.

It was unclear if Shane managed to drop him before he got the warning off. But the merc wasn't going to wait to find out. Taking his eyes from the scope he glanced toward Art and snapped a quick retort. " Push the droids toward the hall, I'll make my way east and see if I can capture your Uncle or push him toward you."

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Smiling behind his mask, he watched as the guard slumped to the floor the man was a good shot, luckily he had told him to keep it non lethal to the humanoid members of the household. He did not care about the defence droids and systems, they could be repaired or replaced and it would show intent on their part. Turning around he spotted Cydric at the top of the ramp. "Begin unloading the remaining droids from the hold, keep half here and send the rest to secure the other landing pad." The servant nodded as he walked down to the ramp and to the hold access panel.

Artorigas gave a quick look over towards Corvax "Good luck, he can be a wiley old bugger." Before walking up the steps towards the main part of the castle. The droids fell in line behind him, their metallic feet cracking into the concrete steps in unison, it sounded like a small army as he climbed the stairs and it made him feel alive.

As topped the stairs he spotted two of the defence droids spin round the corner their blasters raised at his head. His lightsaber snapped from his belt into the palm of his hand, the dark purple blade shot from the emitter as he smashed the two bolts aside and from behind him the first two droids opened fire.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax wasted no time. Moving down the ramp as Art wished him good luck. A short jump from the landing area and the former soldier was atop the walkway of the easter wall of the huge estate. Emerging from a guard tower at the far side of the wall were two KX droids armed with E-11s.

"Fuck!"

With nowhere to run or hide, Covax simply run as hard as he could toward the two droids. Literally spraying and praying as he fired wildly between the two towering bots. Catching one in the chest and head, it toppled into the other. Causing the second droid to miss the human. Barely.

The former soldier continued to close the distance, 50 meters, 30. The droid shrugged off his disabled companion and took aim. Covax fired center mass, purring shots into the metal man, killing the second droid. However not before a bolt from the droid's weapons grazed the Covax's shoulder.

The merc now stood over the two droids. Firing a couple of shots into both of there heads. Tapping the comlink on his vest he contacted Art. "Your family has imperial war droids? Might have mentioned that in the briefing."

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Well that was new, the family never had such defences before. They had never needed it, perhaps the bounty on his uncles head had caused the family to spend some more on defence. Though going as advanced as Sith War Droids, that was much more than Artorigas expected, had they been in contact with some of his brethren for defence?

Another of the KX droids rounded the corner his blaster raised at the Sith, perhaps he needed to look into these as more specialized droids to compliment his own. Blaster bolts rang out as four of his droids now arrayed behind him gunned their fellow mechanical construct down. Artorigas continued walking the droids following behind, they had fanned out to five abreast giving him ample cover for anything that would come his way. In the distance he spotted a few of the staff running from the oncoming attack. He smiled behind his mask, they would have a shock when he revealed himself.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

With the droids now down, he did a quick status check. The burn on his arm was a wound to be sure, but he could still use the arm. Taking a few parts of the pack on his back, Covax quickly changed Vera from rifle mode to Ion cannon. When he was done he slapped in a fresh charge and started off down the wall again.

If he remembered the plans to the estate well enough, the "apartment" in the east wing was a three room personal living quarter off the side of the main castle structure. Covax kept running the wall, as another KX droid came clambering up the side like it was nothing. The human merc took a quick aim, fired, and vaporized the droids head this time. The droid fell back, crashing to the ground below and likely sent people running for safety.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas took another turn and entered the main courtyard outside the keep and main household. This was originally the most well defended part of the castle, but his father had removed half of the overlooking rooms to create a massive orangery. It was beautiful he couldn't disagree but he guessed they were all annoyed at that decision as a dozen combat droids stalked through the open gatehouse.

Halfway through and one of the guards tried to close the gate door looking to cut the attacking group in two. Artorigas reacted quickly, holding out his hand he gripped the closing durasteel with The Force and held it open as the droids pushed through. "Stun only." He repeated to the droids as they walked through. "Roger, Roger." The lead droid complied before flicking a switch on his rifle and heading into the gatehouse with two others.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Finally finding the east wing of the massive estate, Covax made his way down the wall. A nearby watch town keeping him from having to use a climbing cable. The Sith's breach of the main hall was also assisting. Most of the human guards and droids were now making their way to the hall. Giving Covax a clear path.

Running from the wall to outside window of the apartment. Not seeing another quick option, Covax broke the window. Clearing out the shared before jumping in. Not aware or concerned apparently that below him was a bath tub. Still full. The merc slipped, landing shoulder first into the warm water.

It got worse for Covax. As he got up on his knees he was slightly blinded by the water in his eyes and didn't see the old man. The Sith's uncle, thankfully covered with a robe, fired a shot from a holdout weapon just above the merc's head. Covax returned fire, mostly out of reflex. Firing stun shots wildly was he dove halfway back into the over sized tub.

The Uncle, ducking the wild shots, made for the next room. Covax jumped up from the tub, wiped the water from his face and chased after the old man.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The tell-tale sounds of stun blasts echoed out from the gatehouse, two more guards dealt with there should have only been three more, but after the arrival of the Sith War Droids he could not be sure if there wouldn't be more physical security as well. The main hall was ahead of him, its two large double doors closed he assumed bolted shut from the other side.

He nodded his head over and two of his droids tried to open them to no avail. Commanding them to take a step back he channelled The Force within his body before sending out a shockwave, shattering the door from the hinges sending splinters all in all directions. Artorigas walked through the shattered remains as bits still fell from the air around him. Straight ahead of him sat his destination and his goal, a hundred feet away, a dais upon that dais his father. "Who dares attack my house." His father shouted from his seat on the dais, the remaining three guards, a pair of combat droids and his brother Malendor all armed with blasters stood either side of him. A figure in black stood behind the throne, Artorigas felt something strange from the man but he was not concerned with him for the moment.

Continuing to enter the main hall his droids falling inline behind him, his father shouted again. "I demand to know..." He trailed off as he gazed over Artorigas' armour it matched closely to some hung on the wall to his right, a piece of wood embedded in the thigh. "You are a fool, we have the backing of the Sith you will be crushed." That was his idiot brother who shouted this time. The man at the back shifted at the comment, was he a Sith?

Artorigas ignited his lightsaber shocking all those ahead of him. "I am Sith, And I am here for my birthright Father!"

 

[Covax]

While the Sith was having his epic moment with his family reunion, Covax was working possibly harder then he had in the army. Coming around the corn of the doorway from the bathroom. He expected to find a man fleeing, what he got however was a metal planter to the face.

The merc staggered back and then lunged forward with everything he had. Grabbing the older man under the arms, lifting and slamming he man's body into the opposite wall. Still the old man gave another swing of the metal pod. Catching the merc across the back, thankfully protected by his vest.

"Wiley my hairy ass..." Covax grunted. Slamming the man into the wall again, dropping him. Then shooting him in the chest with a stun shot. Breathing hard, he waited to good minute or more before giving the old bastard another shot for good measure. Then took a length of cable from his utility belt and hog-tied the man to keep him contained.

After a few more moments to get his breath the towering human merc lifted the older man up life a duffel bag before awkwardly heaving him over his shoulder to carry out of the apartment and toward the hall.

 

[Darth Caelestis]

It took his father a few moments to realise what was happening, Artorigas watched the cogs turned in his head, his eyes washing over the armour, the purple lightsaber in his hand and finally his words. "Artorigas!?" It was half questions half statement as his father bolted from the seat on the dais. "Fire, Fire, Kill Him." His brother shouted, the guards hesitated but the droids did not, they levelled their blasters at the Sith Acolyte and opened fire. The purple blade swung around deflecting the bolts into the roof and ceiling, the droids behind him returned fire, it was quick and brief but soon the pair of combat droids fell, he only loosing one in return.

His father was still in shock, not knowing what to do next, but his brother some form of deep hatred for Artorigas in his heart kept moving forward. "You Sith, kill him. Kill him and we will make sure your master knows and elevates you." The vile piece of scum which was his brother shouted. The man in dark clothing moved forward, a cloak dropping down to reveal his pale gaunt face. "I am Agathor, apprentice of Lord Mornka. I will have your head." "Never heard of him."

With the barb well and truly planted the Sith drew his red saber and charged towards Artorigas. This would be interesting.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax well on his way to re-group with the Sith. Making good time moving across the massive castle like estate since Art was kind enough to pull the attention of every other person living or mechanical in the area to him. The merc knew he was getting close, as the sounds of heated voices grew louder and louder.

A couple of turns, a random stair case, and the former free world soldier was now overlooking the main hall. A raised level that ran the spat of both sides of the main hall. As if to give the dais a kind of theater feeling. A rial around the edge at just below waist height gave a pitiful excuse for safety but perfect for Covax.

Missing most of the action by now, the merc got into position knealing just behind the rail off the left side of the dais. He let those below him trade bards back and forth as he set the uncle aside and went to work turning his rifle into it's ion cannon variation. It was a poor man's launcher that hit like an x wing. Also to Covax's limited knowledge, something a wizard could not easily bat away with his glow sword.

Resting the weapon on the rail, the merc to aim before speaking low and clear into him comlink with his Sith employer. "You wizards sure like your speeches." Then fires the cannon at the back of the robed figure. If it caught the brother or father all the better the merc thought but the aim was the other Sith.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The Sith continued his charge through the shout from Artorigas' hired help, the giant bolt of Ion launched from the man's rifle and lucky for Artorigas it crashed into his father. For the Sith wanted the saber wielding creature in front of him, Artorigas ignited his own blade and the two began a dance of stabs, slashes, cuts and drives. Sparks flew as the blades clashes and cut into the floor beneath them, Artorigas gritted his teeth, he was unused to fighting in this heavy armour and it slowed some of his movements making his defence weaker than before.

But Artorigas was stronger and quickly he began to overpower the Sith. Pushing the man back, he called out to the whole room. "Take them all alive." Before closing the gap between him and Agathor, a few more seconds of combat and the Sith was done, smashing his saber to the side, Artorigas reached out his hand and grasped the man with The Force holding him up his feet dangling beneath him. With a flick of the wrist he slammed into the wall to the right, then the left, then dropped into a slump before him. Agathor cried out in fear as the purple blade was driven into his chest.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

He missed, well kinda. While not the fully intended target, the father was a good substitute. At least it was good enough for the merc. The large blast would do some damage to the old man but not kill him. He would however likely wish he was dead. Covax didn't bother to reload the rifle. Rather he pulled his sidearm and leveled the weapon at the apparent bother. Putting two shots into the other man's back before he could pull his own weapon.

Art's Sith droids made short work of the remaining droids and few remaining guards. It was over in a flash. Allowing the merc to witness his employer bounce the other Sith's body off the walls hard enough to break bones, to which the open hall allowed to echo.
"Ahh, gods that's fucked up." The blade in the chest would bring to fight to an end.

Within a few following moments the merc would find his way down to join Art. A couple of droids joining him as they carried the still breathing bodies of the Sith's Father, Brother, and Uncle. Fun as it was to play family feud with a Sith, Covax was ready to get his credits and move along.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas looked down upon the bodies of his family lying before him, his face was a mixture of happiness and disappointment, though that disappointment was directed at himself more than those before him. Luckily for the Sith it was hidden behind his mask so only he could see and feel the dispute inside his mind. "Wake them up." He called to one of the droids near him, the metal hand smacked all three across their faces and slowly they came to.

His uncle was unaware of his identity and was shocked with Artorigas removed his mask to reveal himself. "Father, it is over, your half assed reign upon this family is done. I am now the head of the Wessex Household." He could see the defeat in his fathers eyes, he was never as strong willed as his brother or sons, a puppet would be a better definition of the man than a leader. "You are banished from Serenno, take with you what you can, I will even let you take one of the Transports. Uncle you can go with him, as can the rest of your family if they wish." He gazed across the three, his uncle was stoic as always, his father defeated and his brother a seething fire of rage.

Artorigas flicked his hand to signal that they could go and began to turn away. As he turned his brother Malendor shot up, pulling a blaster from the nearby droid and aimed it at Artorigas. Without a moments hesitation his saber ignited, he spun and his brothers head fell to the floor. The room was silent only the hum of his blade, the head slowly rolling to one side. Without a look back Artorigas carried on walking. "Your credits will be sent to you by nightfall." He replied, placing the helmet back over his head to cover the teas.

__________
End Thread

@Taz