Assault on Alater-Ka - City Gates

[Crim]

Alater-Ka, Barab I

T - 6 hours
​

The last wardrums of Barab I were sounding outside Alater-Ka, the last stronghold of resistance on the Barab homeworld. The stone citadel sat in a deep valley, both natural and artificial defenses safeguarding it from attack. But the Galaxy had learned long ago what measures the Sith would take to win a planet. Anything from betraying their own kind to glassing cities and destroying populations just for one prized city. Alater-Ka could have been spared the mercy of a quick death. One orbital strike and the city could be turned into a smoking crater, just another forgotten casualty in the neverending Sith war for supremacy, never again mentioned in the annals of galactic history. But Alater-Ka was entirely too important for that. Unfortunately for the trade hub, it would be dying an even worse fate: a surrender to be remembered as long as the Barabel species drew breath. Alater-Ka would be the last city to surrender to the Sith. The world had already fallen into their hands, this was simply the final nail in the coffin.

The bowl-shaped city was centered around a trading hub, where a massive elevator raised and lowered ships to a cliff overlooking the main entrance to the city: a gated river with stone paths on either side. Roughly 5 km away from these mighty walls, a force of Imperials gathered to prepare Alater-Ka for its surrender. This was the last day Alater-Ka would remain independent. These Imperials weren't there to win the city: it would fall into Imperial hands one way or another. These men and women were simply preventing a long, costly siege by preparing the city before the assault.

Pacing in front of the Imperials, Templar Ebiara Prasinaima went over her plan to force the city's capitulation.

"The Imperial Legion is planning on marching on Alater-Ka the second those gates are open. By the time the Legion is situated, the main gates of the city will close and they will not open until we starve them out. That's another few months of fighting, something neither the Sith Empire nor the Barabel need. Rather than forcing the city's surrender within a few months, we will be forcing its surrender in no more than six hours.

I propose we enter the city undetected. Once everyone has entered the gates, we make our presence known. Fear can grip a population quickly. Word spreads like wildfire and we need Alater-Ka to know their city has been infiltrated. We need the situation to look as hopeless and desperate as possible for them. Something to shock the populace into surrender. Drag people into the streets, mass slaughter, mayhem, whatever you need to do. And whatever happens, we need that gate open and ready to receive the Imperial Legion," Ebiara said, laying out the situation.

@Versok, @Kitsune, @Comrade Matt, @Andrewza, @Ravendark, @Intratec

 

[Andrewza]

Mortem sat on a rock as the templar spoke. The sneaking in part would be all to easy for her, she could apear to be poor refuge fleeing from the sith and just walk in if she wanted to. Then once in side it would become fun, that was the word she thought best suited the idea of running through a city spreading panic. Hell it would be easy seeing how tense the city would be, only a few sparks and the city would fall to chaos and despair. The only real target that would be a issue would be the gates. But even then it would not be hard. No this assault would be fun.



For her part she would use her powers to find those with the strongest desires to fight and with a strong will. They would be the ones to rally the populace and thuse there deaths would both spread panic and prevent the city from rallying. It even had the added benefit that it would weaken if not out right stop any form of restiance movement forming.

 

[Hol Horse]

Sal rapped his pale white fingers on his robed arm. His black fingernails brushing against the soft and fur-like exterior of the white cloak he had brought with him for this little field trip of theirs. He could never bring himself to wear the traditional fetish black that most sith tended to wear, ughhh, that style was so last 500 years ago, besides, with white skin he found he tended to look like an overcooked marshmellow of sorts that was busting out the seams. The Devaronian's face was pretty much glazed over at the human woman droned on about whatever it was they were supposed to be doing, the basics were pretty clear, blah blah blah cause mayhem. It sounded just up his alley all things considered, an opportune moment for him considering he needed to spend some time out of the lab to test out some of his research in action.

His time in the Deep Core had proven to start yielding some fruit, though progress remained slow. His first test of skill was to hone his telekinetic prowess with the force into a finite and distinct technique and go from there. He had tried using objects, targets, even the occasional slave here and there- but nothing seemed to have been clicking in the back of his mind. He had the glorious science, to back up his theories, but now he needed to apply them into action and attempt to use them in a practical manner. What better way to a breakthrough than by re-attuning to the very emotions that drove his force powers in the first place? A little pinch of chaos, a dose of sadism, a small drop of insatiable lust for power- and this adventure proved to be right up his alley, for now at least.

The Devaronian looked around at the other members here with him. He may not have been an expert in espionage by any means, but he had the basics down well enough, he'd make his way in in some way or another. Once the fun fun fun began though, who the hell cared who any of these people were? They were all just§ Ψåȋțȋñğ ț¤ β£ §ǭɥå§ȟ£ď, but hey, who knows? Maybe there'd be some fun in communal mass slaughter for once? At least there'd be a little more excitement here than on the temple on coruscant. People just screaaaaamed, and mooaaaaaned, all the time through the hallways that you'd sooner thing there was some sneaky lil' sexy shenanigans going on than actual torture. Ahhh, how times were changing.

"That's delicious my dear. Does anyone want little old me to come along for some company? I'd love to meet some of you sweeties" he said with a grin as he looked around. He didn't socialize much, it wouldn't hurt once and a while to glomp onto some unsuspecting third party and nag them like the parasitic nuissance he was proud to be.

 

[Intratec]

One of the tallest, perhaps tallest of the arrayed group simply seated himself on a rock that proved not to be too rough. He listened, face impassive as he tucked a hand into a pocket of his Nerf-leather jacket to retrieve a beaten silver case. From within said case, the Inquisitor pulled forth one of three slender tubes of off-white. It was a vape-pen. And as he put it to his lips and took a long drag, the tip emitted a cheerful blue cast. The smoke was fragrant, fresh citrus and honey with just the barest of floral notes. Getting in undetected, or noticed was not entirely without merit. It would make things easier to disrupt, chaos would ensue as the inhabitants and whatever guard was mounted not expecting to have people coming at them from the inside.

Caduceus said nothing, instead letting the others speak for him. Besides, this pen would not smoke itself. Especially with such a delectable blend of oils it used. When things seemed to die down a little, he released a fragrant plume of smoke from his nostrils. The blue-grey fog quickly evaporating into the atmosphere that graced Barab's surface.

​

 

[Versok]

Kilian Marr made sure that all his gear was prepared for the moment while the others talked about what to do and how to do it, he was wearing his usual heavy red armor,with the helmet attached to his hip for now, and his crossguard lightsaber. Luckily, he decided to wear a brown cloak that would cover all his body, without the cloak it would be impossible for him to do what they wanted to do.

" If we want to go unnoticed, we need to not go all together, larger groups catch more attention, I, at least, will go alone, it will be easier for me to enter the city, I reccomend you do the same" He said, looking at the city "after entering, we can either wreak havoc all on our own or reunite. A larger group may be more terrifying for them, but if we separate inside the town, we can spread the terror quickier." He added.

Sneaking inside the town was the best option, indeed. But stealth was not what Kilian did best, he was a 2 meters hulking man who was wearing a heavy armor under his cloak, he couldn´t go with company since it would draw too much attention.

 

[Kitsune]

Alexander was leaned on one of the rocks surrounding the group, geared up in his standard shock trooper armor minus his helmet, which was conveniently placed on the rocks he was leaning on. It seemed the group that had gathered would be the one to insure the success of the assault on the city didn’t take too long. He had spotted a familiar face among the participants but still he had decided to just keep his mouth shut and observe the on goings. That plan wasn’t that bad, sneaking in would cut down the time to take the city, the only problem was that Alex would probably stick out like a sore thumb with his armor but he supposed he could always just say he lifted it of some Imperial should they ask question and if that didn’t work just shoot them in the head, that one always worked.

Seeing as he’d try to fool the guards that he stole the armor, should he fail in sneaking in, Alexander made use of all the dirt around on the ground and made sure to spread on him making his gear look less pristine and shiny then it was. With that done he picked up his helmet and secured on his head while continuing to listen to the others, hopefully they’d begin the operation soon, the faster they got done the quicker the assault would be over and the less casualties there would be. He was a loyal Imperial and would carry it out but Alex was defiantly not a fan of mindless slaughter.

 

[Crim]

It was a fine lot she was working with; capable, experienced, and loyal to the Sith Empire. Her stoic face betrayed her elation as she turned to look at the city. They would need to split up, indeed. Some would be able to simply walk in, assuming they did not go in all at once. Others may need to be a bit more crafty with their entrances, either exploiting structural weaknesses in the walls or dressing up in less-conspicuous gear. A breeze of smoke from the vape pen hit her nose; to Zelosians, the blend of nectar and other floral notes was a lot stronger, some floral scents even having specific connotations. Her cheeks turned a shade of emerald green as chlorophyll rushed to her face in an automatic response to the smell.

A steady stream of caravans and baggage trains flowed into the gates. These were refugees fleeing the destruction caused by the war. It would be easy to use those downtrodden men and women as cover. Ebiara turned to the caravan and said, "I will hide among the refugees. You men may choose to follow me or attempt to exploit another weakness. May the Force serve you well, brothers."

With a nonchalant pace, she approached the caravans and eyed any good hiding spots. There were a lot of families travelling on foot, but there were a few caravans with covered landspeeders. She approached one, which was driven by a man in the seat of his speeder. It pulled a small wagon behind him. She approached the slow-moving speeder and lowered her hood.
"Pardon me, sir. My children are in there and I am desperate. Please, let me in back. I just want to see my-" she began to say.
"Easy, easy," he said, sighing with thought. "If they catch me lettin' people in without permission, they'll have my ass on a silver platter."
Just as Ebiara was about to invade his mind and go with a Plan B, he said, "I have kids o' my own. I know I'd do anything to help 'em. Climb in back, make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she said, climbing in back with his stuff.

Just as she made herself comfortable, she felt warm breath on her neck. She turned and saw his pet... dog creature staring at her. It was in attack position, spines standing straight up, head lowered, ears back. What was it with her and dogs? Did dogs smell the taint of the Dark Side? The dog started barking and growling at her. She raised her hand at the dog and pinched it closed, using the Force to crush its windpipe. The dog tried to whine and make noise, pulling itself back from her before finally passing out. She maintained the grip until she was sure the dog-thing was dead. Sure, the man let her in the city and she didn't have to kill the dog, but... she wanted to.

After a few minutes, the flaps opened, revealing the head of the man who let her in. "Hey, we're in. You can climb out, now," he said. Ebiara stood up and the man could feel a chill run down his spine. She climbed out of the transport and said, "I think your dog's sick." As she walked away, she heard the desperate cries of the man. Oh, she would be hearing a lot of those that day.

Her plan in the city was simple. Mind-trick anyone she could to go to the top of the walls. There, she had a surprise for them.

@Versok, @Kitsune, @Comrade Matt, @Andrewza, @Ravendark, @Intratec

 

[Hol Horse]

Uggggggggggggh, talk about boring.

Sal grumbled to himself as he pulled up the hood of his snow white robe. He was no master of stealth, he had always gavored himself to be more the mage type all things considered. Still, hopefully by wearing all white as opposed to black he might stick out like a sore thumb so much that he wouldn't be thought of as a Sith. It was crazy, so crazy it just might work. Regardless of these thoughts, it seemed as though the rest of the Sith he was with were currently using the force. As in, 'forcing' their way out of his attempts to become best buds with them. No, no, no. This would not do. The Devaronian looked around at the others with him, primarily comprised of humanoids. Still, their fearless femme fatale of a leader, a zelosian, managed to leave the option open for some of them to follow her. Eagerly seeing merit in the opportunity like the metaphorical and literal tapeworm that he was, the scientist shimmied after the red haired sith, "Ohoho, too and fro, with thee now I shall go!~~~" Sal said aloud to himself melodiously as he scampered after the more in-her-zone sith down towards the caravan of refugees.

Unfortuantely, this exciting and dynamic duo was short lived, as the Zelosian disappeared from view when Sal reached the train of wagons and speeders. The white skinned sith frowned deeply, unamused by his sudden loneliness. Oh woe was he, would he not find some vagabond soul to flock through the meadows and unleash hell with? For now, he resolved to first get into the city. He was no master of stealth, so, he would do things the old fashioned way. Sal weaved through the slowly moving caravan of refugees as they fled the city. They were ants, they were to short sighted to see the ultimate joy of total liberation that the empire now brought them. They were unworthy of achieving such purity as was offered by the empire and its closeness to the dark side of the force, the primal and natural state of all things. Were he not instructed to enter the city he would have simply βµяɲed ţh€ʍ ąℓℓ. But, alas, orders were orders, yet another reason he couldn't have nice things.

Eventually, the Devaronian reached the city gate where people continuously flooded out of, carrying their essentials or loading up speeders to flee their ruined homes. Naturally, when seeing a tall pale Devaronian clad in white, the few guards on duty were rather suspicious. "What's all this then?" one of them spoke rashly, stepping in front of the sith and looking at him with a firm and suspicious gaze. Sal had prepared his alibi as he walked, and now served it on a silver platter for the head guard while weaving in some minor mental influences, a less invasive and more natural use of manipulation than pure thought invasion, "A doctor, that's who. My family have left the planet already, but I wish to stay behind and tend to the wounded. It would betray my life's work to turn a blind eye to the needing now" Sal said, focusing on increasing the appeal of the alias in the head guard's mind. For once, this attempt seemed to pay off, as at the word 'doctor', the Barabell's mood seemed to naturally shift towards a more positive one. Medical staff were hard pressed in times like these, surely any volunteers would prove to be useful in the coming siege. "We are grateful to have you then. If you head to the barracks, you'll likely find the rest of the medics there- just be careful in case any of the other guards give you trouble. Tell them Brodan says you check out" the head guard on duty said before stepping aside to let Sal pass.

The Devaronian was genuinely surprised by the success he had achieved with his story and the mild dose of mental manipulation he had used. He was now inside the city, still alone- but inside. What's more, he now had a fun little surprise in mind for the doctors and medics in the city. As he continued to walk, the Devaronian's face lit up with glee. Yes, yaaassssss, this was delicious! If things went according to plan, he was going to have some fun fun fun killing some weak and innocent doctors. He'd need to find the Barracks first and get in of course- but hey, he already had the white lab coat as well as the mildly-intellectual vibe, what could go wrong?

Sal grinned as he began strutting his way across into the city, aiming to make his way closer to the Barracks before the fireworks started going off with his pals.

 

[Intratec]

For all that Covert Operations was worth, Caduceus watched as the others departed. The Inquisitor had dressed in simple black jeans, a pair of boots, olive shirt that had the words 'Blue Sun' upon it in Aurebesh. To complete the ensemble was a dark brown Nerf-Hide Leatheris Jacket. He was a scamp, a rogue, a smuggler. His outward appearance denoted this. As he walked, Caduceus trotted beside a wagon pulled by a Dewback, waving to the driver. "'ey, mind if I catch a lift? If I'd known it'd be hell trying to get here walking Id've come via a speeder." his accent was that of a Corellian.

The Barabel driver seemed to bore his eyes right through the Sith, "Thiz one wonderz why you did not dock at the city." it hissed at him. The 'Smuggler' responded with a shrug and laugh, tapping the side of his nose. "Because, I didn't want to be charged docking fees. That and uh. . ." he raised a hand, cupping it by the side of his face, and whispered conspiratorially. "I've got some choice items aboard my ship that while incredibly legitimate elsewhere, might not be here." he said with a sly wink, "I'm here to talk to the Barabel in charge to offer my services to get supplies in for you guys. Medical Supplies, Guns, and Armor. Whatever is needed."

The Barabel Wagon Driver seemed to consider this. This human was chatty, like a lot of his kind. But if he came to help, that was good enough reason to not eat him right away. "Get in the back." he finally said with a thumb jutting to the back of the wagon. Caduceus grinned his thanks and went to the back. It was then that he smelled the unmistakable scent of offal coming from caged Hilindor Fowls. An eyebrow twitched, the clucking and screeching of the dumb birds grated on the nerves. But, it was for the good of the Empire. And he vowed, he would exterminate the damned things if he got the chance.

So it was, the Inquisitor hopped into the back, slammed a hand several times along the side to let the driver know to go. From his jacket he withdrew a packet of cigarettes, the things the lowly scum of the galaxy smoked. Tapping one out, he placed it between his lips before fishing out a lighter. Flicking it open, a small flame sparked to life after thumbing the thing. Sucking in a lungful of the acrid smoke, he went on to consider what to do next as they entered the gates of Alater-Ka ten minutes or so later.

 

[Kitsune]

Alexander looked around as the members of the mission began splitting off and finding their own way of entering the city. A few dressed more casually, not in full armor, made it towards the front entrance even meshing in with the civilians that were heading in. While having the same thought and following the few that headed that way, the approach the Imperial soldier had was completely different than theirs. Instead of blending in or appearing civilian he decided to go the complete opposite way and walked directly towards the guard checkpoint stationed on the entrance.

Before even reaching it though a hand landed on his shoulder stopping him in his tracks followed by a rough voice addressing him “Oi, what is an imperial doing walking up towards the city, not very smart for a spy, Eh boys.” The question was followed by the roaring laughs of four other beings, three male humans and green male Twi'lek. Turning his head to observe the person that had stopped him Alex locked visor with the eyes of black haired male who appeared to be in his early forties. Formulating his response, a bit more Alexander decided it was time to get things rolling and secure his entry in the city even easier.

With that in mind he imperial soldier just scoffed loudly before moving his hands up to remove his helmet, revealing his now scowling face before responding. “Ori nuh'la aruetii, I’m no spy I lifted this armor from a green sucker in a local cantina after he decided it was a good idea to challenge me to a fight. Annoying things those Imperials I tell you.” his response seemed to have startled the group of mercenaries because what else could they be with those armor and worn out gear. Though it seemed the leader sobered up quickly and his face took a more serious tone then it had before as he straightened up to his full height and spoke. “If you are no spy then what bring you here then Ner vod?”

Ah a Mandalorian or at least someone that followed the tenants then, seeing as the armor was mostly stock color probably the latter but Alex couldn’t be certain but this new information could prove beneficial or ruin everything but hopefully beneficial. Letting a small smile appear on his face Alexander continued speaking “The same reason as you probably, the relish of a challenge at trying to defend this city from such a great force, blood of my enemies, minus the money part of course as I am not on a contract but you know how it goes Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur.”

The leader barked out a sharp laugh at the end of the statement and slapped Alex on the back before saying “Ha, I like how you think boy, the name is Grahm Talz and it’s been a while since I’ve seen such spirit come along we need the extra hand and if you do a good job you might even get a share.” He gave the imperial soldier a few more hearty pats on the back before turning to one of the other mercenaries and shouting “Bos give your cloak to our new companion to hide that armor of his so we can get in.”

The human complied and soon Alex had donned and covered his armor under it before resuming to walk inside the city with little to no trouble alongside the group, sharing banter with them easily like he had been part of the group for years. As he did Alexander couldn’t help but internally thank the gods he was so good at not only learning so many languages but also being good at acting and bullshiting his way through things.

 

[Crim]

Ebiara couldn't help but scowl under her cloak. This Barab city's continued existence was an utter insult to the Empire and to herself. She had taken shrapnel in the shin while fighting alongside Darth Ragnorik for control of Barab I. Now, five years later, the walled city of Alater-Ka continued to protect its cowering inhabitants from the Sith. But now, the Sith were in their walls right now, actively sowing the seeds of the final surrender of Barab I to the Sith. The lizards flocked through the streets in poverty. The smell was utterly atrocious. It was time to punish Barab I for their indiscretions against the Empire. For her long-since healed wound. And for the continued assault on her nose. She briefly considered cutting them down indiscriminately. But there was another way. There always was.

A lightsaber is a simple weapon. Her weapon was the Force. And a deadly weapon it was.

She approached a group of guards patrolling the streets, their rifles held in their scaly hands. They slowed down as she blocked their paths. "What iz it, lady?" said one.
"Can't you zee we're busy?" said the other.
"You will take me to the captain of the city guard," she said, waving her hand.
"This one takez you to the captain of the zity guard," they both said in unison.
The Barab guards marched Ebiara through the city; it was only a short walk through the Old City district before they reached the barracks, which were attached to the walls themselves. It was a crude building with crumbling adobe walls. Plaster held particularly deep cracks together. The city had seen better days, but the barracks were almost completely ruined. There was unrest in Alater-Ka and Ebiara intended to exploit that. The captain of the guard sat in the courtyard, basking in the sun to warm his blood. As Ebiara grew closer, he grew visibly colder. "Who let thiz outzider in here?" he demanded, sitting up. Ebiara turned to the other guards. "Leave us," she said.

She then turned to the captain of the guard just as he began to stand up indignantly. "The people of Alater-Ka are growing restless. There is talk of a riot,
captain," she said.
"What of it? I do not need help from the likez of you."
"Of course not. You are a capable man, capable of saving your people. It is the men who intend to rebel. You will order your men to separate them from the rest in order to effectively imprison them. Your men will gather the Barab women and children along the southern walls. There, they will be safe from the riots," she said to the captain.
"I... will order my men to zeparate theze traitors from the women and children to zave them from the riotz. My men will gather our women and children along the Zouthern Wallz," the Barab captain repeated.
"Good," she said before turning on her heel. As she left, she heard the captain begin to bark her orders at his men. She couldn't help but smirk. This was going to be fun.

The Zelosian began to walk to the town square, where she could photosynthesize and meditate. She would need as much energy as she could for what was to come.

 

[Hol Horse]

Hum dee dum, Sal's heart beat like a drum, his mind incensed like a sailor full of Rum.

The scientist-sorcerer stepped through the rather empty streets and alleyways of Alater-ka, not making eye contact with those he stumbled across but instead eagerly skipping towards his goal. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, fear was running rampat throughout the walled city, and death clung to the very air in an ominous haze. Soon they were going to set this place alight with one of the most brilliant displays of power mass murder could buy. Sal didn't know what sort of plans his compatriots had in store, but he knew that regardless of what it was, it was going to be one heck of a show. The white skinned near-human opted to play his part as the fool, stepping lively along the streets until at last reaching the 'Barracks' of the city.

The Devaronian could sense a pulse of concentrated dark side energies from nearby, it seemed one of his compatriots may have beaten him here to the punch. Oh phooey, they were going to rain on his parade weren't they? Sal frowned a tad as he approached the dilapitated building, its walls were crumblign and whatever roof it may have once had was now little more than some thatchwood plates set to keep the rain from soaking the building's interior. The city guard it seemed had fallen upon hard times, as had the entirety of Barab I. Sal approached the entrance to the Barracks, overhearing a cluster of guards who exited it simultaneously, "-you heard him, women and children to the southern walls, trust no man who is not of our troop" one of the lizards hissed to another before disappearing into the alleyways of Alater-ka.

Ohoho, what a tasty piece of information. Still, Sal had his plan firmly engrained in his mind, and he had every intention of carrying it out. Thus, the pigment'less Devaronian stepped through the poorly lit hallways, ignoring the guards who scrambled about in response to their new orders from the Captain of the Guard. Thankfully, it seemed that the scientist's labcoat had served the sith well, as few if any gave him a second look due to his appearance. It was thus easy to navigate and look around the modest sized Barracks for where the medical center might be. The sith's heart beat in anticipation of what he knew would soon come, he had been dyiiiiiiing to finally have the chance to carry some experiments out of the lab. Here there was no closed environment, no machinery to track vitals, just a lust for blood and knowledge that fueled the sith's mind.

At last, after some searching, Sal entered a large and long hall. Doctors and nurses scrambled about. There were dozens upon dozens of medical desks scattered around the hall, with drugs, tools, and respective machinery for repairing the wounded. The people here were expecting a siege, patching up their troops and getting them back in the fight would be paramount. The scientist gave a small grin as his yellow eyes glazed lazily around the long hall. These volunteers were Alater-ka's hope, if they died here, those injured would have little hope of surviving their wounds. It was a critical strike on an already doomed enemy.

He was so excited he was almost kind of horny in all honesty.

Silently, Sal backed up a few steps, quietly locking the door to the medical hall and breaking off the knob with a short telekinetic pull. It was almost showtime.

 

[Crim]

The Inquisitor centered herself in the town square, surrounded by the bustling city. The guards hurriedly shoving the women and children through the streets as the men wandered around, trying to gather what was happening. A steady breeze flowed through the courtyard, carrying with it the fresh scent of a calm, desert afternoon. As she slipped deeper into a meditative trance, she felt the fear, the frustration, and the palpable confusion on the minds of each and every male. Those whose families were being ushered away were distraught - they didn't know why the families were being gathered on the southern wall, nor did they know what to expect. The men who had not yet had their families lost were instead filled with fear and panic. They had no idea whether or not to hide their families away or allow the guards to take them away to the wall, where who knows what could happen.

She focused on their rage and fear, feeding on it. It was like a sort of battle meditation when there was no battle. They strengthened her dark power while she, in turn, fueled their violent urges. The information she'd fed the captain was a complete and utter lie. There wasn't going to be some male riot. But now there would be. Alater-Ka was going to devolve into chaos very soon, and she hoped her allies weren't in any too much danger. As a precaution, she allowed a disturbance in the Force to be amplified and felt by her allies. However, she had every bit of confidence that they would survive the coming chaos. The rest of the city, perhaps not.

As the men began to take to the streets, the guards became more violent. The noises of a bustling city were being replaced with shouting, distant blasterfire, and every manner of object being broken or shattered. As the Dark Side of the Force grew increasingly strong in Alater-Ka, she began to grip the weak minds of the confused children and mothers, who could only watch helplessly as their fathers and mates turned on each other in a violent bloodbath. She seized their minds, becoming one with their consciousnesses. It was like a tingle at the back of the skull, a conscience telling one to act upon something, a baser instinct, and a whisper to their ears at the same time. In their heads a thousand times over, they heard one singular word, replacing all other thoughts.

"Jump," Ebiara whispered.

A sea of Barabel came crashing over the walls, each jumping to their deaths. They lifelessly bounced off nearby buildings and vehicles, dropping into a broken mass in the streets below. A steady pool of blood quickly began to creep from the southern wall, washing like rainwater in the gutters and sidewalks. With it, an overwhelming blast of sweet copper scent crept through the city, the smell of blood crashing over Alater-Ka like a tsunami. With this, the loud riots in the streets grew quiet as the whole city watched what just happened. This temporary mourning lull lasted for several of the longest seconds the city had ever endured before erupting once more in a cataclysmic amalgamation of screaming, running, and fighting.

The threat Alater-Ka faced was not from the army outside its gates. That army was there to save the city from the hordes of angry males who had just lost their mates.

@Ravendark, @Intratec

 

[Intratec]

Fire. Smoke. Blood. The scent of burning flesh, smoke-choked streets and walkways, and the presence of screams and cries of impotent rage. He felt it through the Force. The disturbance, the increased existence of the Dark Side was palpable. He saw a mother screaming like a banshee, a child in tow tearing through the streets; fleeing in fear or madness. Both were pretty much the same in this situation. And after seeing this all, after feeling it deep in the core of his being, Caduceus simply stuck one of his vaporizer pens between his lips and inhaled fragrant smoke. It all didn't bother him nor did it spur him to action.

He merely watched with fixed eyes, eyes that seemed to say 'I've experienced this', the madness and destruction. He had, for nearly four hundred years. Trapped as he had been, he'd gone mad, delusional, fear-wracked. But after awhile his sanity had slowly returned, either out of sheer boredom, or force of will. But he was not completely sane. Some of that gnawing darkness remained. Even as one of the male Barabel came storming in his eyes affixed with bloodlust. The creature caught sight of a well-dressed human just standing there, observing the living hell that had been wrought. Uncaring, that Barabel charged forward with a roar and the intent to rip them apart in grief-stricken fury.

His prey did nothing, nothing but look to him, a strange device between his lips. Those eyes fixed him with their stare. It caused the Barabel to stumble, that stare. It seemed dead save for the glinting darkness lurking behind it. Catching his footing, the male Barabel continued its brutish charge, a charge that came within inches of succeeding. His prey turned to fully face him as he lunged forward. The foe did not move from his spot but merely crouched under the leaping charge. Two fists slammed into its stomach, and diaphragm with such speed and ferocious power. Smoke bellowed from Caduceus' nose then. The move caused the Barabel to hurl blood from its maw as it went sailing over with the assistance to the one it had been hellbent on attacking. For Caduceus, it was like tossing a sack of grain, a heavy, heavy sack but one still able to be tossed. The alien's scales had left cuts upon his knuckles, and its abdominal muscles had proven tough, yet he'd managed to inflict heavy damage. The blow to the diaphragm had been pushed inward, and upward toward the right ventricle of its heart. It was tough, very tough but had been done.

Like a bale of hay, the Barabel went down, slamming into the rock and gravel strewed ground, dying as its heart tried in vain to pump through a ruptured ventricle. It'd bleed out soon. And the Inquisitor paid it no mind. It was done. Now it was nothing. Just another soon to be corpse. The disturbance in the Force he had felt, Caduceus looked toward its focal point, then towards the walls.

Just then a woman and child stopped before him. Fear wracked, child squirming in her mother's grasp, crying only to squeal more at seeing the dying Barabel not even a foot away. He offered a roguish smile, hands up to signify he had no weapons or was no threat. Deciding to place some small inkling of trust in him, the woman spoke in quick succession. Asking for help, pleading really, asking if he could do something. The Inquisitor said he could, but with care he stopped before the child and knelt, she kept up her squalling. He smiled, but it seemed to intensify her crying. After cooing and offering promises of everything will be alright, she seemed to come forth from her shell, if only somewhat. Now just sniveling.

After speaking to the woman further, and with a hand to the shoulder for reassurance, they left the scene of Barabel murdering. It was his good deed for the millennium.

@Crim @Ravendark

 

[Hol Horse]

Is this the region, this the soil, the clime,’
Said then the lost archangel, `this the seat
That we must change for heav’n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since he
Who now is sovran can dispose and bid
What shall be right: furthest from him is best
Whom reason hath equalled, force hath made supreme
Above his equals. Farewell happy fields
Where joy for ever dwells: hail horrors, hail
Infernal world, and thou profoundest hell
Receive thy new possessor: one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than he
Whom thunder bath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; the almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in hell:
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

Sal closed the door behind him as he exited the medical wing of the city garrison. His white hood was raised as his soft yet focused steps were taken slowly through the now empty hallway in the ruined building. His experiment had been a success, a resounding one at that. His logic was infalliable, his scientific reasoning as astute as ever, the conclusions he had drawn were exactly the ones he had hoped to find. For a moment, he felt pity for the ant-like souls who now were silent in the long hall which he had just left, though this was a fleeting feeling that disappeared upon reflecting on his new research. This little 'endeavour' had been productive, the dark side clung to this mighty city like a storming cloud full of wailing thunder and fury. The cries of fury and anger sang like a chorus all around as the Devaronian stepped out into the chaotic streets of Alater-ka. His unblemished and unwrinkled lab coat reflected the burning flames somewhat, his pale skin making him cast a ghostly image to those who saw him.

He had no more buisness to attend to here. His colleagues had made their mark both physically and viscerally, and he made his.

With a knowing smile, the scientist slipped away, fading into obscurity as the city burned around him, the chorus of wails drowning out his silent service with utmost efficiency.

@Crim @Intratec