Open Edge Lords and Ladies

[Caris Orlan]

Taris was one of the galaxies most renowned ecumenopolis’. Ruled by oppressive oligarchs for generations, the Tarisian landscape carried many of the hallmarks of the oppressed. The upper city was a paradise of the wealthy while the lower city wallowed in crime-soaked poverty. Not much had changed with Sith Rule. The Oligarchs had surrendered to Darth Stolas in an effort to save their skins. It had worked and allowed them to maintain the status quo. For now. Unhappiness had been brewing before the capitulation and that sentiment had only grown. It was time to capitalize on that sentiment.

Caris had taken his non-de script shuttle from Ifrane to Coruscant. His transponder a civillian transport vessel. Once on Coruscant, he landed in the lower city to slowly make his way to Taris. If you were smart, you could take mostly public transportation into the planetwide city. A few entrepreneurs still crossed galactic battle lines. Caris considered himself smart enough. He had arrived in the bowels of Taris two days ago. The worst sections of the undercity were poorly monitored and poorly maintained. Just for what he was looking. His dark robes carefully concealed his body with his mask in a pocket. He presently wore an ordinary black clothe mask with his saber hidden in the sleeve. Caris’ yellow blade left at home…the corrupted Sith saber riding with him. He shut out the constant pulse of Darkness. It was a tool. Nothing more.

His mental walls remained high, and his signature suppressed. He was supposed to meet his partner today so that they could entertain some of the local rebel leaders. The Shadow made his way quickly to the seedy undercity bar designated as their meeting place. He took a seat with his back to the wall so that he could watch the entrance. Caris waved over a waitress to order whatever awful ale they had on tap. Piss water soon arrived. He waited.

@Logan

 

[Alym Marr]

Miraluka saw things differently than most others, both figuratively and literally. When Alym had arrived on Taris several days ago, what she saw disgusted her greatly. Below the shiny buildings and bustling businesses of the Upper City was nothing but misery and squalor. People relegated to a less-than life simply because they were born there or because society deemed them good for nothing else.

Taris was just another city-planet propped up on the backs of the broken. A shiny veneer slathered on the surface to hide the injustices beneath. The Sith had brought nothing new to Taris, though that wasn't surprising. Just like anywhere else, money is what ruled Taris; because money is power the same way beauty is power the same way a gun is power.

Alym thought it was time to reclaim some of that power.

She had already been inside the meeting place for awhile before Caris had arrived. Alym noticed him immediately though she did not move from her seat. A normal person wouldn't have noticed the difference between Caris and everyone else, but Alym did.

When you relied on the force for vision, you noticed different things about people. He walked like a Jedi, held his shoulders like a soldier. But, and this is what truly gave him away - he carried his guilt like a Jedi.

Alym finished her drink - the bartender's best attempt at a martini, though it left something to be desired - and made her way to where Caris was had sat. Taking the seat across from him without a word, Alym brushed the hair from her eyes - a habit, not that it really did anything - and stared at Caris as if looking him in the eye, though he would only be met with the tight black blindfold Alym wore over her eyes.

You're late. She said simply, her upper-class Core accent sticking out like a sore thumb in this roach infested shithole. She slid Caris a datapad that contained the communication between she and the Rebels they were to be meeting. Meeting place isn't far from here. An old Hidden Bek base, if you're familiar with swoop gangs.

If Caris was ready to leave, Alym would follow him. If he wasn't, she would grimace slightly but wouldn't force the issue. Either way, she would speak, though taking great care to keep the tone of her voice even, and barely audible to anyone but him.

Hopefully these rebels can give us some reliable intelligence, She said stonily, Alym tilting her head towards Caris like one would do to catch him out of their side-eye. Otherwise this operation might take weeks.

It wouldn't be the first time a job of Alym's took a long time to accomplish. Great work was rarely done with any sort of impressive speed, after all. She just really didn't want to have to spend any more time in the dilapidated, prolapsed bowels of Taris than she had to.

Even a Jedi had their limits.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Caris Orlan]

A lesser Jedi would have jumped. Kriff, Alym was good. Caris managed to keep his heartrate steady, and his body relaxed. “Traffic was bad.” Their little hole in the wall bar was just loud enough to muffle their conversation. It was best to keep it that way. He took the offered datapad to scan the contents. “A real throwback.” He deadpanned. Taris had been famous for swoop racing in bygone eras. Caris tucked the datapad into his pocket and smoothly stood. Alym was clearly ready to get a move on and the longer they stayed in place, the more attention they attracted. Staying moving was critical. He leaned in slightly to hear her. The bandana would take some getting used to. “The intel’s good.” The Shadows crossed the threshold back into the undercity.

Caris kept his voice low. “They’re ready to move.” His eyes flicked back and forth as they walked, his senses carefully extended into the surrounding area. “Just need a little push.” The forgotten gang base was not far from the bar. A few lifts to descended ever lower into the muck. A couple blocks to walk and they would be very close to the rebel’s hideout. Assuming they did not run into any untoward issues during their little stroll. Caris was careful to remain as formless as possible.

It was not difficult to blend into the undercity. Most of the populace scurried from building to building, cowls drawn over their faces. The dangerous depths of poverty created extreme pressure. He could feel it all around them. These people would be freed soon enough. He would bloody his hands, so they did not. A small grimace appeared under his mask. This was the dirty work others refused to do.

@Logan

 

[Drow Venn]

Caris wasn't the only Jedi wielding a Sith saber today. Drow's usual yellow-bladed lightsaber that he had built as a Jedi had been left on Ifrane and instead, had brought along the Sith lightsaber that he had won from Vermilla the Sith Lord at the Battle of Sullust. It was partially to get more familiar with the weapon and partially because the Ishi Tib felt a certain sense of symbolism when wielding the weapon as a Shadow.

A dark blade for dark times.

As the recently appointed First Shadow, Drow was trying his best to learn the ropes of the Shadows by going on missions with the other Shadows to try and forge working relationships, while also getting a sense of what individual Shadows needed from him to become successful. As such, he wasn't really needed on this particular mission but he wanted to get to know two talented Shadows better - Caris Orlan and Alym Marr. So he'd tagged along on this trip in ostensibly a supervisor's role in case things got hairy but truthfully, he trusted the two of them to handle the mission solo. He just wanted to get more of a feel for Shadow operations and get to know the other Shadows. Hopefully, he was giving off a "cool boss" vibe and less of a "lame dad who's tagging along with the kiddos to recapture his youth" vibe although, given the age disparity between him and the two young Shadows, it was anybody's guess.

Drow was dressed like a common gardener, with non-descript, dirt-stained coveralls and a wide-brimmed hat with a neckflap that ostensibly offered sun protection but also did a great job at concealing Drow's identity to the masses.

"If these rebels drink this stuff on the reg, then I'd be worried about crossing them in a fight." Drow joked to the other two in the bar as he choked down the sorry excuse for alcohol that they served here. As they left, he also made his way down the underbelly of Taris, he gave a small cough to alert the other two Shadows to a presence. Drow noticed as they were walking that a gaunt-looking figure had just ducked into an alley.

"That fella behind us has been following us for a good long while now. I think we're being watched." Drow whispered so that only Alym and Caris could hear.

@Valen Pelora @Logan

 

[Alym Marr]

It'll say more about you than them if it's not, Alym replied to Caris' comment about the intel. Her tone wasn't particularly condescending, though there were many people who mistook Alym's stoicism for rudeness.

As they left the bar and headed towards their destination Alym did her best to blend with the crowd. It wasn't particularly daunting to do, but it was always a necessary step. Anonymity was one of the most valuable assets to people like Alym and Caris, and now Drow. When a Shadow did their best work most wouldn't know they had even been there at all.

I noticed him when we left the bar, Alym said discreetly, though she continued to walk towards the meeting with the rebels. Too late to call anything off now. Deal with any.. interruptions as they come.

As they approached the old Bek base, the trio were met by sentry standing near the entrance. Alym approached without hesitation and passed him a small, indiscriminate trinket that she pulled from her pocket. It was an old Tarisian coin marked distinctly on one side.

The guard took the coin without a word and moved aside to grant them entrance. The door would slide shut behind them the instant they had crossed the threshold. Looking at drow and Caris, Alym motioned for them to lead.

Age before beauty, She said, and they would almost see the faintest whisper of a smirk form in the corner of Alym's mouth.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver

 

[Kal Thule]

Imperial Armed Forces Traivess Garrison, Cavalcade Skyway Taris, Ojostor Sector, Outer Rim Some time after the Invasion of Dantooine, 146 ABY

They were selected at random for the military exposition—one of the many star-crossed situations the rank and file of the Imperial Armed Forces could find themselves in while in garrison on Taris. Par for the course, senior officers and those jockeying for advancement jumped at the opportunity to adorn themselves in their dress uniforms and participate in what the lower ranks referred to as dog and dewback shows. They would stand in formation for however kriffing long it took to be 'inspected' by whomever for whatever. And on this occasion, whomever just so happened to be a few dignitaries from various Outer Rim worlds that had recently joined the Empire. It made sense to Kal, so he didn't mind when he was one of the voluntold soldiers from Isk Company that stood at attention on the skyway. The Empire had to show its constituents what protection, under the Empress's authority, they would be getting. No doubt, it was impressive—at least Private Thule thought so. He was in the back of the formation, just in front of the array of Imperial battle droids. Various starfighters and bombers from the Imperial Navy's Air Corps flanked him on the outskirts of the strip with their flyboys in a formation of their own off to his right. Standing front and center, far out of ear and eye shot from Kal's position, were the highest ranking members of the IAF standing laudably as the executors of the war machine behind them. It was impressive indeed. For Kal, this exhibit was nothing more than an exercise in self-discipline. Standing still, imagining he—himself—were a statue that had long been erected where he currently stood, withstanding the test of time, unmovable and impeccable... Yes, he was proud to be representing the Sith Empire. No, he would not be the reason anyone should ever doubt the preeminent power of the rightful galactic government. So there he would stand, dutifully, for however kriffing long it took. Clad in the armor of an Imperial Assault Corps trooper, though it offered him no protection here. Here, his honor was his armor...his commitment...his beliefs. Service before self. Service before self. Service before self. The words played on repeat in his mind, they bolstered him, allowed everything else to disappear. It was just Kal Thule versus Kal Thule, vying not to sway or shift as so many others did when they knew no one would see. He flexed every muscle in his body so that he might very well be that statue he imagined he was, rigid and untiring. It wasn't a trivial task to be avoided like the AMS outbreak. It was an act of service that required one to put the needs of the Empire before themselves... Service before self. Service before self. Service before self.

@Phoenix​

 

[Ryo Tan]

As a champion of the late Eternal it had confused Ryo to see the Eternal return. The previous one, the one to lead the Sith Order out from the Unknown Regions and back into a position of dominence, was stated to have been a fraud. She was dead, so were her ideas, and then the real Mask of the Eternal surfaced on another Sith Lord. Who was he supposed to follow? The new Empress from Dathomir who had as much claim to the title as Darth Raze or Darth Stolas, the latter having won an Arauk'kesh for old Sith space the last time Ryo saw him, or was he supposed to follow the new Eternal?

It had been his hesitation in declaring his support behind the new Empress that had landed him a job of hunting down rebel cells on conquered worlds. An ungrateful task in his eyes, but at least he worked for the Empire and could ignore his doubts on which Sith Lord to back in a potential civil war.

"Champion?" Ryo opened his eyes to look at the Imperial lieutenant that had awoken him from his pretend meditation, "Sir, our scout has returned. He says they're gathering on the lower levels."

"Signal Command," he picked up the lightsaber that lay before him on the floor and rose to his feet, "We move on them, now."

It took about a minute for the Champion and the platoon of Imperial troops to get into the armored shuttle before the intercom buzzed, "ETA five minutes." Meanwhile the lieutenant briefed them all on the plan. The location of the rebel hideout had been marked by the scout's personav, so he was able to designate a nearby landing spot. No one was very concerned with the local populace. Shoot on sight was an option. Utilizing the criminal elements had not been. Not after the Empress had personally broken an alliance between the biggest criminal syndicates and the Empire. It was no matter. This was something Ryo could easily handle alone.

He was Sith. The rebels had only every heard of the Force.

@Valen Pelora @Logan @FantasyLiver @Sin

____

OOC: Ryo is not hiding his presence.

 

[Caris Orlan]

“Hilarious.” Caris stepped through the doorway, assuming Alym and Drow would follow. The Shadows were as diverse as the Order. Their line of work lent itself to a common trait. Dry morbid humor. If you couldn’t laugh, you were already halfway dead. The walk had thankfully been mostly uneventful. Drow quickly spotted their tagalong, but they seemed to have lost whoever that gremlin served. They were just other specs among seas of rolling economic depression. The Shadows fit right in with the rabble.

Alym, Drow, and Caris walked into a fully functional operation station alive with activity. The given token alerted the rebels their help had arrived. It seemed they were nearly too late. An older Togruta quickly stepped towards them. Alarm bells ringing. He had a recognizable sense of authority. “Empire’s coming. Scouts picked an armored transport about five minutes out.” Caris frowned under his mask. Bad timing. The Togruta pressed a datapad into his hand. “This has the security codes for the Oligarchs tower, when they’re gone…we’ll be ready.” The evacuation was already beginning, and one truth was evident.

A few would die so that the others survived.

Caris reached into his pocket and pulled out his mask, quickly replacing the clothe on his face. He turned to Alym and Drow, pitching his voice low. “We have what we need. They know the risks they’ve chosen.” His meaning was clear. Other Jedi may have stayed and fought. Heroes defending the downtrodden. Shadows were not heroes. No one wrote stories of their deeds. A cold trickle ran up his spine. Darkness coming. The Force was not magical sonar but a Sith making no effort to hide himself was discernible. More than a few rebels would die. It did not change his mind. They needed to leave.

@Eccles @Sin @Fantasy Liver @Logan

 

[Drow Venn]

Drow was attuned to the Force enough to recognize a dark presence when he felt it. It didn't always mean a Sith was inbound but it was best to assume it did. Drow would personally love nothing more than to stand his ground at this base today and kill a Sith personally but the presence of a Jedi would put the world on high alert and send the Imperial intelligence community scrambling to find out just what a Jedi was doing hanging around with some rebels. And as First Shadow, his ultimate concern was the success of the mission above all else.

"No doubt." Drow responded to Caris in a low voice, all too aware of the costs of war. "But let's not abandon all of them to the wolves just yet."

The First Shadow turned to the Togruta rebel leader, aware that timing was of the utmost importance. It seemed that many of the rebels were using the swoops that were leftover from the Hidden Beks to evacuate. It was a smart plan as the one-man vehicles were small and fast enough to have a good chance of scattering and slipping past Imperial pursuit. But, as Drow could clearly see, there weren't enough swoop bikes to go around for all the rebels.

"I can take a group of four or five of your people with me. Do you have any remote detonated explosives or power droids in the base?" Drow asked the Togruta rebel leader. It wouldn't be enough but four or five souls dedicated against the Empire could make all the difference in the galaxy and Drow figured those four or five souls had a higher chance of surviving if they were under the escort of a Jedi. The elderly alien nodded before gesturing to five of his men to stick with Drow.

"Most of our explosives have been evacuated already but I can probably scrounge up something. And, yes, we have one power droid." the Togruta said.

"Good. Strap anything you got to the power droid quickly. And give me the detonator now." Drow commanded. The Togruta raised an eyebrow at being told what to do in his own base but the authority of the Jedi before him seemed to alleviate his concern somewhat. He pressed a detonator switch in Drow's hand.

"Let's split up. I'll take this lot and hijack a ship while you two make your escape. I'm sure we'll be celebrating with champagne at base real soon." Drow told Caris and Alym, not even daring to say the name "Ifrane" in front of the rebels. He trusted these people but didn't want to think what an Imperial torture technician could extract from a Rebel who knew where the Shadows had their base of operations. Drow trusted Caris and Alym to be able to safely transport the security codes. Hopefully, the large presence of Drow and his group of rebels, the evacuating swoops, and the exploding base would be able to pull attention away from the two young Shadows as they made their exit with the codes.

"Hopefully, we can take a few of these bastards out as we leave too." Drow said cheekily, waving the detonator in front of the two Shadows with a grin before turning to start to make his exit. He trusted their skills but found himself hoping that they'd be alright anyways.

"May the force be with you."

@Eccles @Valen Pelora @Sin @Logan

 

[Darth Stolas]

Stolas didn't overtly visit Taris all too often, doing most of his work as Imperial Warden remotely whenever possible. However, even as a member of the Council, the Firrerreo enjoyed getting his hands dirty whenever he saw fit. The socio-political climate of Taris in particular bore watching over and, today, it was busier than usual. Aside from the drivelous inspection by foreign dignitaries, a plan of sorts was enacted.

The status quo wasn't as maintained as one might be convinced of. Oligarchs had power of their own, but they were foolish and relied almost entirely on nepotism to achieve their positions. Imperial advisors guided them and kept watch these days. The council of Taris had quickly learned that Stolas and the Empress were to be obeyed. Personally, Morgan would prefer to replace them with something not so ridiculously inept. A work in progress.

Meanwhile, the ISB paid attention to all the little things the Oligarchs did not. Petty nobles might prefer to ignore the undercity. Morgan knew better. Criminals and the downtrodden heard and knew things others simply didn't. And, of course, the undercity was where rebellious people would hide and gather.

Thus the scout and assault on their 'secret' hideaway. An overt attack would send them scattering, crush them, or pin them down for the hammer to fall. Morgan quietly laboured to improve the situation on Taris and violent rebellion was only likely to stall his works. Ryo Tan had been warned against excessive civilian casualties, as was typical of Stolas' modus operandi. There was also a small, hovering probe droid joining the assault team meant to record and scan for anything ordinary senses couldn't pick up and serve as a direct line to Stolas if need be.

From a Peacekeeper outpost office in the capitol, he looked over a holographic map and sent out orders. A small smirk formed on his face, gloved hand leaning against his cheek. The location was still being watched and a rushed full evacuation wasn't at all subtle. Truly ancient speeders were obvious and slow compared to modern peacekeeper equipment, even the under-cover kind. Plain-clothes ISB agents watched the found location closely and those who left it.

The walls were closing in and Morgan was in the mood to get directly involved. All that was left was to see what the next move would be. From his location, he could fly almost anywhere very quickly if he needed to.

@Valen Pelora @Logan @Fantasy Liver @Sin

 

[Alym Marr]

They may know the path they've chosen, but that doesn't mean they are prepared to walk it. Alym said quietly to Caris as the two made final preparations to slink out of the base while the others made distractions elsewhere. The Empire will come for them, their families, their friends. I only hope some of them will show the resolve necessary for revolution.

Turning to Drow, Alym nodded at him solemnly - the only way she would return the sentiment behind his final uttering. Caris and Alym still had the guise of being simple sellswords, and it would likely benefit for them to maintain that illusion. To that end, Alym borrowed a vibroblade and a blaster from a nearby rebel. She had her lightsaber, but using it would only draw more attention. It would be a last resort.

Disturbing the self-suck parade they have going on might pull many of the Sith into that direction, She said to Drow and the Togruta. But you'd be walking straight into a gundark nest.

The Togruta nodded at Alym before pointing Caris and her towards the back of the base. Take the tunnel back there. It's a decommissioned sewage drain that we converted into an escape route. It'll take you out and away from here and you can surface near the objective.

Noted. Good luck. Alym said before putting on a mask as Caris had done. Protecting their identities was still important for now. Pulling a hood over her shock of white hair, Alym jerked her head towards the tunnel for Caris to follow her. It was time for them to go.

As they entered the tunnel, Alym would waste no time. She would move as swiftly as the force would allow her, assuming Caris was capable of keeping pace. She would ask the Force to protect Drow and the other rebels, though her hopes were not high for anyone other than the aging Ishi Tib.

May the force be with them all.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Sin @Eccles @Mr. Teatime

 

[Ryo Tan]

The shuttle touched down heavy and the ramp fell down with a hard clank of metal on metal. Ryo wasn't the first out, but he was just as determined as the others to see this thing end quickly. The squad of highly trained Imperial specialists breached the doors to the hideout in little over a minute after touching down and Ryo was only the fourth striding inside.

"Kill them all," he commanded, tough the specialists had already opened fire until the Sith suddenly rushed imforward and deflected a bolt from his own squad, "Except him." The Torgruta that had so foolishly left cover looked at him in surprise. Then his eyes darted over to an ancient swoop before a red light was reflected in them. The alien knew he was going to die, just not yet how, so in that split second he looked off to somewhere else.. to a power droid strapped in.. Kriff me.

With the utmost sense of urgency, Ryo decided to disregard the Togrutan and with all the power he could muster used the Force to push the power droid back into a nearby tunnel as far as he could. He didn't know that was the same tunnel two jedi had disappeared into and whether or an explosion would make it collapse behind or on top of them. All the Sith knew was that it didn't want to be caught up in the blast.

Immediately after he heard footsteps and then the violent snort of an ancient engine firing up and sending blackened smoke towards Ryo. The chase was on.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Logan @Sin @Mr. Teatime

 

[Kal Thule]

Imperial Armed Forces Traivess Garrison, Cavalcade Skyway Taris, Ojostor Sector, Outer Rim Some time after the Invasion of Dantooine, 146 ABY

Who turned on the lights? He silently quipped, as the aides of the superior officers scattered out of the darkness from nowhere—like roach-rats—to find the ears of their masters to nibble on. The distraction threatened to break him from his concentration. Sweat was pooling in his boots, seeping down from his bodysuit, as he struggled to remain the ever steady graven image of the Empress's most disciplined soldier. They looked like tiny insects—from his vantage point—when they quickly dismissed themselves from the formation, some appearing to remain only to offer an explanation to their esteemed guests. "Private Thule, this is Sergeant Tillium," the voice entered his ears via the comlink built into his helmet. "We're five merns out from the skyway, get ready to board the AL." Something was definitely up. "Roger that, Sarge." Thule replied, relaxing his posture and breaking formation. Some of the soldiers around him were undoubtedly wondering what in the blazes was going on, but Kal didn't give it a second thought since he wasn't the only knuckle-dragger ruining the regal ranks of the demonstration. True to time, the AAL-1971/9.1 swooped into view. Duty, augmented by adrenaline, drove him into a sprint toward the transport that was now hovering to retrieve him. Onboard, his squad was waving him over, substantiating his sense of urgency. No sooner than he was within arm's reach of his brothers and sisters, they pulled him onto the carrier and the vessel's thrusters roared as it lifted them away from the Cavalcade Skyway. Toward what? He didn't know, but he'd soon find out.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Logan @Mr. Teatime @Eccles​

 

[Caris Orlan]

Caris remained silent as Drow spoke. He was the First Shadow and would be obeyed but he did not yet know their life. Caris trusted the Grandmaster had her reasons. He trusted the First Shadow would learn. Alym was more his speed. He was properly chastised. “They’ll never get the chance if we don’t break the chains.” The rebels had no idea they were Jedi. They had hired expert help to bring down the Oligarchs and light a rebellion. They did not know that came with extra fun Force perks. Caris hoped Drow made the right choice in escaping and distracting. He followed Alym’s lead and simply nodded. “See you on the other side.” With that they were off.

The tunnel was disgusting but his mask muffled some of the smell. The rebels had taken great care to ensure this escape route remained hidden. The Jedi were off and running, Caris pushing the Force to keep pace with Alym. A great boom sounded behind the paid followed by the rush of duracrete. His eyes flicked backward for a moment. The way back was shut. “No turning back now.” The tunnel was completely blocked, preventing any from following them or even truly knowing the Jedi were on their way. Each carried a backpack full of detonators ready to blow the Oligarchs sky high.

Caris breathed deeply. Fuck Alym ran fast. The sewer water splashing lightly as they ran. In time, it became obvious they were getting close to their destination. Caris began to slow. He prayed Drow would get at least a few of them out. If he didn’t, well…best not have that thought. There were cells planted all over Taris getting ready to rise up when they had the signal. “We need to inspect the area before we surface.” No second chances.

@Logan @Mr. Teatime @Sin @Eccles @Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"Detonate it now!" a voice sounded off on the comms of the five rebels in Drow's care as the six of them made their escape. The voice belonged to an injured Nautolan rebel, not quite dead yet, that saw the power droid go flying and wanted to detonate the base before it was too late. Drow activated the switch right about the time the power droid started to sail into the tunnel, collapsing the tunnel and sending shrapnel towards some of the Imperials in the base, as well as any surviving rebels inside.


The five rebels in tow with Drow looked up at the Ishi Tib with a mixture of confusion, awe, and fear as they heard the explosion off in the distance, unaware that the makeshift bomb wasn't as effective as it was intended to be; doing little more than seal off an exit and cause some minor lacerations and distractions.

Looking back, Drow wasn't overly fond of Caris' cold reaction towards him, although the Ishi Tib couldn't exactly blame the human. Despite his experience, Drow was new to the Shadow organization and he was all too aware of his outsider status. Still though, he knew the Shadows had a reputation for callousness but that didn't mean they had to sacrifice lives when they didn't have to. Drow almost found it funny - he was regarded as too ruthless for the Jedi Order proper but possibly too soft for the Shadows themselves. He hoped that would change and that he would earn the respect of Caris and Alym when this mission was complete.

As they kept running, Drow tossed the detonator aside and kept both his hands on his E-11 blaster rifle. He was no stranger to blasters - having spent many years as a mercenary - but he'd much prefer to be holding his lightsaber too, all too aware of the Jedi weapon holstered at his wrist. It would be so easy to draw it right now but it would serve as a giant arrow sign announcing "JEDI HERE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE" to the Sith. So, for now, Drow would play the part of the hired gun, a role he knew well.

Fortunately, the rebels had chosen their base well and it wasn't too long of a slog from the Hidden Bek base to the spaceport and Drow remembered seeing a YV-865 freighter docked close by when he'd arrived onworld. With most of the area's forces either at the parade, chasing fleeing swoops or actively engaged in battle at the Hidden Bek base, the streets were plenty clear for Drow and the rebels to make their way surreptiously towards the freighter. Drow was ever watchful of any soldiers or spies that could be lurking around and would prepare to take a shot if he saw anything distinctly Imperial.

@Logan @Mr. Teatime @Sin @Eccles

 

[Alym Marr]

The two Knights had made it far enough into the tunnel that the ominous explosion behind them did little but seal away the ability for them to be pursued from the base. Alym wasn't sure who's super smart idea that was, but she made a note to find out if it was one of the rebels and to send them a gift basket.

As if we ever would, Alym said with a smirk to Caris' quip about being unable to turn back.

A small part of her was impressed that Caris was able to keep up. Alym had always been one of the fastest Knights, it was nice to find someone on her level for once. Once they came upon the area of town where they needed to surface, Alym would slow up when she saw a ladder leading upwards.

Here looks like a good place to head up, She said, taking to the ladder and starting the climb. It occurred to her that perhaps she should have let Caris go first, since now he was going to get a full view shot of her ass the entire way up the ladder. Oh well.

It didn't take but a few minutes for Alym to reach the top and push the manhole cover up and out of the way. Pulling herself up onto the street, she'd reach her hand down to assist Caris in doing the same. The tower they were looking for was easy to spot and not too far. How exactly they were going to level the entire thing was.. probably something Alym and Caris needed to discuss.

How do you want to go about this? She asked, scanning the crowds around them for anything that smelled of Sith. So far, nothing, but it probably wouldn't take long. Sith always ended up showing up precisely where they didn't belong.

Alym started heading toward the tower, making a point to hide herself both in the crowd and in the force.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Sin @Eccles @Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

The probe droid following along with Ryo's group floated in after him, sensors and photoreceptors running to sweep over those in the area. Faces caught on camera were tagged and sent back while motion trackers noted the direction of people fleeing the scene within range. A section of military forces may be busy with the parade, but these were individuals selected to show off using criteria of parade form. There were plenty more, including from the ISB.

A detonation momentarily shook the probe droid's signal, but that wasn't the part Morgan paid much attention to. His smirk curled a little higher as he stood from his desk, tapping his comm control to send out orders on his way out to a landing pad. City building plans were standard intel for Peacekeeper use and they could extrapolate potential escape routes from there. Local patrols were dispatched.

More importantly, the detonation gave him an excuse to very quietly issue a security notice, Peacekeeper stations across the planet receiving it and spreading the word to their forces. Explosions near the capitol and a frequently used spaceport tended to get noticed. As did a muddy gardener and five others, all armed, approaching a spaceport. They weren't just followed out the base on foot- by an undercover plainclothes agent- they were spotted by spaceport security after the report of resistance activity and explosions came in.

Streets were fairly clear from the boom, which just made the rebel group more obvious running down the path with rifles in hand and carrying who knows what else. The sighting was reported by a woman wearing a peacekeeper uniform speaking into an earpiece as Drow and friends approached. Security forces drew rifles set to stun and shouted for the group (@Fantasy Liver) to drop their weapons. Spaceport control was now also aware of the sighting and kept tabs on the situation accordingly.

Meanwhile, two figures emerged from a manhole that lead to a shut-down sewer line due to be decommissioned and sealed, the "do not enter - off-limits" sign atop it clattering to the ground. The metal disc grinding across the ground drew curious and mildly alarmed attention from passerby toward two masked people hefting heavy packs emerging into the upper city. It didn't help they both stank of the months-long fermenting sewage they'd been sprinting through. Hiding in a crowd actively trying to avoid the fragrant duo was going to be difficult.

The Oligarch's tower was as much military command center as a government building. Naturally, its security was significant and included guards around each entrance. Cameras were everywhere. Thanks to a large explosion paired with armed maniacs charging the closest spaceport they were also on alert for suspicious activity.

A patrol vehicle zoomed overhead the pair of Jedi Knights on way down toward the spaceport. Morgan, now with his helmet on atop his armour, sat in an unmarked Peacekeeper vehicle himself. It had joined the flow of traffic on its way to the tower. Airspace directly around the tower was restricted, but until his shuttle got closer it should blend right in.

@Logan @Valen Pelora @Sin @Eccles @Fantasy Liver

 

[Kal Thule]

Imperial district, Spaceport Taris, Ojostor Sector, Outer Rim Some time after the Invasion of Dantooine, 146 ABY

The spaceport bloomed into view, following the receipt of their updated objective. The explosion triggered a domino effect of Imperial protocols, and the unexampled security network—that the Empire had implemented in this domain, in which they had become so heavily invested—was put to work. 2nd Platoon was already primed and ready for exfil when the AL maneuvered into position, hovering above and in front of the entrance that they'd been directed to. Just inside, a group of armed individuals were being interdicted by security personnel from within the spaceport. Intent on extinguishing any attempt at escape, the transport's forward door lowered whilst the vessel was approximately fifty feet from the surface, and twenty soldiers from the Imperial Assault Corps terrorized the scene as they slid down synthetic ropes that extended from the ship. Private Thule was among the armored fiends being deployed... When his boots met the ground, his grip relinquished the rope only to seize his blaster rifle and shoulder it accordingly. As if he were a part of some sort of production facility assembly line, Kal moved into position with the rest of the troopers to surround the hostiles. The demands were clear, the miscreants had been ordered to surrender. With their retreat being cut off behind them, it seemed they had no other alternative. Command wanted the individuals captured, not killed. Therefore, procedure required weapon systems be set to stun. Of course, self-defense never required personnel to meet force with equal or lesser force, and as a result...the IAC was careful not to bet everything on one hand of pazaak. This meant that there were those among them that kept their weapons hot, and Kal Thule was one of them...

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Logan @Mr. Teatime @Eccles​

 

[Drow Venn]

The galaxy tended to have varying degrees of spaceports for varying degrees of clientele. And for a city as wrought with devastation, waste, and poverty as Taris was, the differences between the spaceports of the wealthy in their skyscrapers and the spaceports that the poorer inhabitants used were as stark as the difference between night and day. As Caris had already observed earlier that day, "the worst sections of the undercity were poorly monitored and poorly maintained."

Thus, the spaceport that was closest to the abandoned swoop gang base was, as one might expect, one of limited services. All the pomp and the professional security services would be on the wealthier spaceports on the planet. But here? Here, the security was likely to be understaffed, underpaid, undertrained, and underequipped to boot. Thus, Drow wasn't particularly worried when he saw the handful of security forces, scrambling to respond to the threat that he and the other rebels presented.

"Stunners!" Drow called out as he sent two of his own stun blasts towards the security forces. As the guards had bothered shouting for the group to stop and surrender, Drow had the drop on them. Two overweight and overworked spaceport security guards went down and any others in the vicinity either went down as well or dove for cover as Drow and the rebels lit the spaceport up with their approach - the five rebels in tow following the Jedi like he was their only hope for salvation.

However, while local spaceport security might not be much to worry about, the approaching AAL-1971/9.1 full of actual soldiers definitely was. Drow started taking shots at the troops rappelling down the transport towards the ground. It wouldn't be enough - the transport carried too many troopers for one man to blast alone - but it would buy them some time as the small group of rebels made their way deeper into the spaceport.

"Into the docking bay!" Drow shouted over the din, referring to Docking Bay 44, the closest approachable docking bay to them. Backing into the docking bay doorway, he kept firing upon the descending Imperials. Once the last of the rebels was in, he'd slam his fist into the control panel, shutting the door to the Imperials outside. Then, it was a simple matter of seeing the ship that rested in Docking Bay 44 - a WTK-85A transport as it were - and getting to work hotwiring it and getting it ready to take off. For the five rebels, this ship hijacking was fairly standard work and their numbers meant the work would go even faster. Drow waited with his gun trained on the doorway to the docking bay while the crew got to work.

@Sin @Valen Pelora @Mr. Teatime @Logan @Eccles

 

[Caris Orlan]

Caris’ focus never wavered. His mind was locked tight for the task at hand. Still…as Alym climbed the ladder above him his thoughts drifted for half a second. He did have a type. The Shadows emerged into the city proper. It was clear Taris was on high alert from buzz of anxiety. Caris and Alym did not stand out. They continued to be dressed nondescriptly and hooded, the backpacks no larger than ordinary. The smell was unkind, but the massive city had plenty of horrible smells. Caris followed Alym’s lead and blended in with the crowd, taking careful note to disburse their smell in the Force. His eyes swept back and forth searching for any sign of trouble. Alarm bells rang all throughout the upper level as transports zoomed overhead. Clearly the rebels were drawing some attention. Hopefully Drow would remain hidden.

Keeping his voice low, they meandered through the crowd. “The Peacekeepers seem on high alert. Our job just got that much harder.” He frowned beneath his mask. This supposed to remain covert until the last possible moment. “The tower will be even more heavily guarded…we can’t barge our way in.” He looked up at the roofs of looming towers. “We could jump maybe…” A terrible plan began to form in his head. If they could launch themselves up the side of the tower, that just might work. They only needed to blow a few levels to ruin the structural integrity.

“Got a better idea?” They kept walking through the busy streets. The upper echelon of Taris hardly feared the Peacekeepers. It was the poor below who really need to be afraid. Breaking into a building closer to the tower should have been doable.

@Sin @Eccles @Mr. Teatime @Fantasy Liver @Logan