Event Galaxy in Crisis!

[Cyrus Anvari]

Nar Shaddaa​

It had taken a good moment, but at last the door was ready to open. Wolfgang stood, resealed his helmet, and once again retrieved the folding chair. He stepped over to the door controls, placed his empty teacup atop the console, holstered his blaster, and pressed the button. Nearly as quickly as the door closed it flew open again, revealing him in an instant. He didn't bother burying his presence at this point, hidden eyes sweeping over the situation in a moment. Certainly it was... Something.

The masked man and the pale gentleman were being accosted by a talkative-sounding Jedi with a telekinetic grip on a grenade. Wolfgang seemed to have shown up in the middle of the Jedi's explanation about his grenade, followed by a demand of disarmament. Did he think a lightsaber was the most dangerous thing a Sith possessed? How naive. Regardless, Wolfgang was disinclined to comply simply on principle. Besides, his threats of a twenty meter detonation seemed off. Sure, he seemed to believe it well enough, but his explosive didn't look large enough to contain the baradium that would require. The Sith suspected it was a forgery of some kind and the Jedi had been scammed, bless his heart.

"Please, do something drastic. I have neither the time nor the inclination to indulge your delusional martyrdom," Wolfgang informed the Jedi through his helmet's vocabulator, left hand waving casually through the air as if to brush aside the Jedi's threats. The Dark Side rushed through him, quick to come to his aid when there was blood to be shed and ready to take action. Certainly if the Jedi was going to continue his stalling, Wolfgang intended to move things along, seeing as he still had questions for whichever of the two others had put together the macabre laboratory.

"Get to it. We don't have all day."

@Versok @JorusC @Logan

 

[Helen Holcomb]

DATHOMIR

Hannibal was speaking, some part of Helen was dimly, distantly aware, but it just didn't seem to matter. The diaphanous being that stood in the center of the chamber was... compelling wasn't quite a strong enough word. She was right, of course, Helen should go to her; she should drink the strange liquid, and take her rightful place as-

The Lepi abruptly felt a push against her being, and Hannibal's word - distant and muted before - came loud and clear. Almost instantly, it was as if a thick fog had been burned away by the sun, and Helen stood blinking behind the Jedi Master, the strange phantom's previously overwhelming influence rapidly fading.

"What the kriff are you?!" She muttered, defiantly raising her blaster to a hip-fire stance, although she did not pull the trigger. "And guardian of what, exactly? A damp cave and a bunch of dead-eyed thralls?!"

Beginning to realize what must have happened to her, Helen gritted her teeth, her presence in the Force flaring as she unconsciously pushed back against the melodious influence. Nobody messed with her head, creepy space magic or no.

@Mr. Teatime @christhebarker @Lavi @Killa Ree @Darasuum @GABA @Six @Phoenix

DICE RESULTS

 

[The Forgotten]

Dathomir​

Some drank and some did not, as those who had come before them. Still, the numbers of those who drank were fewer than every before. Perhaps the spirits had grown more desperate in their call or perhaps this was simply poor fortune that saw so many resistant.

Those who drank would immediately feel both drained and invigorated. It was a paradox of feelings as if part of them were being sucked out but a piece of them was also being filled to the brim with a new power. Perhaps a fraction of the same power the Forgotten herself wielded. They would feel an incredible connection to this planet as if they were an extension of the world itself and they would sense the foreboding presence of something far beyond against which they stood as a bulwark. The urge to defend this world from all threats would be absolute. Although they wouldn't yet know what threatened it, all would be explained in time.

Come, my fellow protectors, she said to those who had drunk, motioning for them to stand with her. They would fell an almost familial bond with her and perhaps find that they could draw from the power of this world and her.

You would do anything, she scoffed, looking to Roland and Indy who stood now against the galactic defenders after having proclaimed their devotion.

Then be gone, the Forgotten hissed as the man loudly declared that he defied her.

If you reject the call then you have no place here, she said, and the statement was addressed to all those who would not drink. They would gain the distinct impression that this would turn extremely hostile extremely quickly if they opted to push the topic, but now they had to make the decision to remain and attempt to free those who had drunk regardless of the danger or withdraw and abandon them to their new fate.

Her gaze turned to the Lepi and was unwavering and fearless as she pointed the blaster at the specter. Her gaze dropped to the blaster and her face turned into a sneer.

You know nothing of the galaxy. You think you have any idea of the dangers that lurk out there. You think that toy can protect you? You're a fool, she hissed.

Those who were most alert might be aware of the stirring of the monks in the other room as they sensed the distress from The Well.

@AutoFox @Mr. Teatime @Killa Ree @GABA @Six @Lavi @Darasuum @christhebarker @Nefieslab

 

[Salek Fallanai]

Nar Shadda​

So be it, Salek thought with deep sorrow. He hadn't expected to go out so young. But if took these monsters out, and saved the lives of beings throughout the galaxy for years to come, then it was a worthy price. He was at peace.

But his training had been thorough, and he knew not to give any of that away. No final words, because those would warn the Sith what was about to happen. Instead he began saying, "You're pretty confident for s-" and then the detonator shot out, landing on the floor between all the Sith, right at Jerex Dorn's feet. Salek stood tall as the grenade went off. At least he could end things with some dignity.

Upon impact, the grenade burst into an obscenely bright light, intense enough to blind a human even through their eyelids. At the same time an enormous sound rocked through the facility. The combination of sensory input was sure to disorient anyone within the room.

Salek blinked into the silence that followed, his ears ringing. Wh-what?

"Oh, that mother fragging son of a sith!" he snarled.


@Versok @Mr. Teatime @Logan

 

[The Eclipse]

Coruscant​

@Darmus Onn and @Nykoria Tallis made their way outside, their escape well timed. The sharpshooters seemed otherwise occupied and Darmus was able to lug Kori through the panicked line of officers to one of the emergency response vehicle. A medic moved up to assist the Ranger with his Jedi companion and move her onto a stretcher beneath the cover of the vehicle.

"Be careful, they have snipers!" he shouted to Darmus over the background yelling, blaster fire, and the occasional small explosion. The medic began to work on first aid for Kori to treat her injuries and stop the bleeding. She'd be transported to a hospital with the others as soon as the remaining vehicles could get away safely, but with that gunship in the air it was too much of a risk.

@Dr Ilana Morata and @Falynn Tikarsis had their work cut out for them. Corran aside, the other wounded were gathering and piling up around them on the first floor. It was a scene of chaos and brutality, wounded and dying Rangers and medics both crowding the space. Not to mention the more immediate threat.

The gunship closed in, weapons primed. Laser cannon fire blasted through the ruined station's walls into the ground floor, not accurate enough to be aimed at any particular person but deadly nonetheless. The right arm of an unlucky medic was vaporized and they hit the floor in shock. Crimson bolts flew amongst the crowd, inflicting incidental injuries left and right and worsening the property damage and burning fires. Two concussion missiles fired- but not at the ground floor.

The remains of the second floor were hit by the twin rockets, the detonation shaking what was left of the battered building. Even a skeleton of a Ranger station was built sturdy and it stayed standing, defiant, but a section of the ceiling cracked and collapsed, crushing a couple more and bathing the rest in duracrete dust and fractured rubble.

For the moment, @Vera Coulter and @Crix Aran seemed safe. The sound of blasts from above rumbled through to the basement but would do them no harm. The Sith was dead, the two soldiers were stunned, and the two of them seemed to be entirely alone in the records area.

Then the helmets of the two stunned soldiers detonated, killing the both of them and damaging the E-web. The Eclipse would allow for no prisoners.

@Lorcan attacked preemptively, which was wise. The old man smiled madly, the wrinkled fingers of his left hand uncurling. Both stun shots impacted air, discharging against a barrier before they reached the Sith. He cackled, the sound echoing down the duracrete wall. His fingers twisted and pulled, telekinetically yanking at the Ranger's blaster to fling it from his grasp and toward the old Sith's feet.

"Wrong choice," the old man said darkly, shrugging out of the top layer of his voluminous robes. The crackle and pop of stretching muscle and ligaments resounded as the old man uncurled from his bent posture, standing up to nearly two meters. Beneath the robes he was impressively muscled and covered in a wealth of faded tattoos, and his lightsaber had found its way into his right hand. His blade ignited, the red light colouring the walls like blood.

"Try again," he taunted, motioning Lorcan forward with his left hand.

Back outside in an alley @Mara Kensei was engaging a pair of soldiers. As she reached out, pulling at their weapons, the two men simply let them go. They were no ordinary soldiers and had been trained on how to react to Force users. As Mara ran forward they drew their DC-17 sidearms for close quarters gunwork. The soldier Mara threw a punch up at raised his free left arm in a solid forearm block to deflect the blow to his left while stepping right to avoid it. At the same time he fired a shot at Mara's midsection from point blank range, his firing stance close to his body and left foot forward. The second soldier to Mara's right stepped in when Mara did, aiming a sharp forward kick to the side of Mara's right knee and firing a shot toward her ribcage, both hands on her weapon for accuracy and weapon pulled back close for close use.

For a moment after @Talak Rand crushed the transmitter the sense of a Dark presence remained in the lift, despite the image having immediately vanished. "No need, pretender," the black-eyed man's voice said dismissively from nowhere before the presence vanished. Talak's assassin's techniques went uncontested, and as he concentrated on his senses in the lift he had chosen he would find the Dark presence again quite easily. It wasn't hiding in the least, blatantly allowing itself to be found, even calling to him.

Talak would find the Dark presence had settled itself on the top inside floor. Waiting.

@Catbert @TerranSteel @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Ecclessey @Frannykins87 @AutoFox @Kestrel @MasterTyvokka @Dmitri @Phoenix @FireSong @Phantom

 

[Indy Sati]

Dathomir​

"I don't need to be mentally manipulated to know my place in the galaxy," she stated firmly, but seeing Max there, and Felix, and the other Jedi girl... her features faltered, and her throat closed slightly. It was like a betrayal, deep and splintering in the core of her chest. A moment of doubt. But the recollection. The fog over her head. The vague words.

She stood, holding her lightsaber and glowering at the ghost. And yet... inwards she was calm, centered. She had never felt so sure in her life. Regardless what happened, she wouldn't abandon anyone here, even the Sith woman.

"My place is here. You have no place amongst the living; they are my people, and I'll be damned if I leave any of them in your clutches after having removed their will," she replied quietly, but her eyes glinted with hard determination. She knew this was a dangerous situation, and things could go horribly wrong. But she wasn't going to just go away quietly, tail tucked between legs in defeat. These people were her friends, and she would save them from whatever witchcraft this was.

No matter what the cost.

As for defending the galaxy, if this was the woman's way of doing it, she was doing it all wrong. And Indyana wasn't going to save the galaxy on the words of a dead person; no, she would save it same as she always had. By being who she was; a Jedi Knight.

@Nefieslab @Darasuum @The Forgotten @GABA @Six @Mr. Teatime @Lavi @christhebarker

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

Coruscant
​

There was a palpable tension between the two other women around her, felt through their intense glares at each one another. In another situation, Falynn would have thought more about the implications, but for now there was a job to be done. After removing her own helmet, the medic nodded in response to Doctor Morata, catching a glimpse of her Affiliate badge. “Falynn Tikarsis,” came the equally soft reply. “It’s no problem, I’ll take care of it.” The sight of a vial of black liquid was relieving. She was familiar with the drug, highly valued for its chemical properties as it was. Without the knowledge of which toxin had entered Corran’s system, Stuka Cheskar worked just as well. She watched with a level gaze and some interest as Ilana administered the medicine into Corran’s exposed neck. He was fortunate that the doctor had brought it with her today.

Once the doctor was finished, Falynn moved closer to begin suturing the wound. A gentle cleansing of the area revealed the edges of the laceration more clearly. After finding an appropriate surgical needle and suture Falynn began the careful application of small, neat stitches to the site of injury. Somehow the stitches remained evenly spaced even as the ground shook from the ongoing assault by gunship. Her only regret was that there would always be a scar, but, she was no plastic surgeon. Once she was done, Falynn monitored Corran closely for any change in state. Even the barely imperceptible reaction to the drug could be a sign of regression, or prove fatal.

However, there were other tasks to be completed and so the medic turned her gaze towards the floor, searching for the blade that had inflicted the cut. She found it neglected off to the side and bagged it for later analysis. A sample of the toxin likely still coated the blade, even if it wasn’t visible to the naked eye.

Even with Ilana’s focus on the people before her, Falynn could see that her badly burned arm was still causing immense pain. In her determination to help and heal Corran, the Amaran, and the other injured she had put aside her own injuries. No doubt the doctor was able to handle the pain, but there was also no reason for it to be left untreated. “Would you like me to wrap your arm?” she asked politely. Nothing in her voice suggested the doctor was unable to do it herself, for Falynn knew she was capable, but if there was any way the medic could help she always offered. Yet if the doctor refused, she would respect her boundaries.

@Frannykins87 @TerranSteel @Kestrel @Killa Ree @AutoFox @The Eclipse

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Dathomir​

Max hadn't known what to expect by drinking it but to basically feel like he had taken a shot of adrenaline while also having given a pint of blood was the closest he could come to describing it. He would have to remember the feeling to better describe it. Standing to his full height, he shook his body out a little bit before shrugging a little bit, glancing at Indy and Hannibal.

"Not too bad - tastes like raspberries." he joked brightly with a wink, "Gonna head on out now."

Raising an eyebrow, he was able to feel like he should trust the spectre more than he had done before... but he was able to realize that it was new. Strangely enough knowing that she had changed his mind about her in that way kind of helped him. If she was going to try and change his mind about her and he didn't feel it, it would feel worse somehow.

Max stared at Indy for a moment.

"I've not lost my mind, Indy." he told her, slightly indignantly, "Give me some credit. But I do want to... do this. I need to get this done. With that said..."

He turned back to the Spectre.

"Can we move on? Ignore them - we've got protecting to do and if they don't stand against us then they might assist."

@Killa Ree @Mr. Teatime @Phoenix

 

[Crix Aran]

Coruscant​

And then the heads of the enemies exploded without any kind of warning and Crix damned near jumped out of his skin. Spinning around to just stare at the exploded heads for a moment he sighed a little bit and wandered further away from them. His hands were shaking as he checked through the area for something he could use as medical supplies.

"Alright... alright this is... this whole thing is fecked but I can manage."

If he found something he would grab it up to bind Vera's wounds but if he didn't then he would carefully tear some of his own clothes to do so. Once he had bound her wounds a little bit he would move over to the dead Sith with his pistol still in hand.

He would fire a single stun blast - just to be sure - at the corpse before waving Vera over.

"Do you want to, I don't know, frisk him or something? See if we can find out who sent him and why?"

That was what Rangers did, right, detective work?

@Mr. Teatime @Killa Ree

 

[Lorcan]

Coruscant​

Wrong choice?

Feck that - stabbing this old bugger was suddenly even more the right choice than it had been before. As the Sith pulled his blaster from his hand with the Force he'd let him, instead pressing the button that activated the function of his now free-hand's gauntlet, launching a whipcord at the old man's legs to bind them together while he was busy... stripping.

If it didn't connect as he expected he would disconnect it immediately with a second press of the button. And he would then, instead, retrieve his vibroknife so he would have his knife in his left hand and his sword in his right.

If it connected he would pull as hard as he could with his left arm (putting his back into it) to pull the old man's legs up and force him onto his back. Either disorientated or on his back, Lorcan would move to strike the old man with his vibrosword in the same motion, to take advantage of his predicament to try and carve open the man's stomach.

Part of him wanted to talk, to tell the old buzzard that the future was now (old man) and the Sith should have just stayed in the retirement home. But he instead focused on thinking things like that really loudly in his head - he'd heard that Sith and Jedi could read intent and emotions from your mind - and all this Sith would get would be mockery and amusement.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Maeve Byrne]

Dathomir

Maeve felt as though the breath were taken straight from her lungs as she gasped at the sudden sensation of not feeling as though she were entirely in control of her own body. There was certainly a level of derealization and yet, she felt a connection of a different manner. This world seemed even more alive than before and there was an urgency to protect it that Maeve couldn't put words to, only feelings. It left more questions as to what exactly threatened this world and she could feel the subtle confusion as to why the others would not drink and join them in this power.

The spirit spoke, beckoning to stand beside her; there was a connection to her that Maeve did not feel previously. She felt her body follow her command and the power that Maeve could feel behind it reminded her of the Force, but curiously it was not of either of the Light or Dark she was familiar with. Having turned to face the other Jedi who chose against the spirit, she could feel disappointment and annoyance toward the Mandalorian and the younger Jedi.

For a moment, she felt she could share that feeling also, part of her questioning their reluctance as to why they chose not to protect this world. Those thoughts did not sound of her own as the spirit dismissed the defiant Jedi. What as the danger...or who was really the danger, Maeve could not tell.

 

[Altina Tiramara]

DATHOMIR
As the pain subsided, so did her awareness. Slowly, she got to her knees, huffing as she regained her bearings. For some reason, she couldn't hear anything other than the others talking. But she did not question it. Just like she did not question her purpose: a defender of the galaxy. Her vision slowly clouded but again, her inhibited mind did not think much of it.

Shakily raising herself from knees to feet, Altina looked right at the Forgotten, then down at her hands. Her hands clenched into fists, tightening before releasing again. At the same time, Altina's eyes began to glow the same luminescent green as the pool. The padawan took her lightsaber from her belt as she stepped between the spectral being and those who resisted the call. She looked perplexed by Maxims's attempt to convince the Forgotten that the others who refused to partake in the water are still potential allies.

"Why not encourage them?" she asked. "To leave us, that is."

Her voice sounded more confident and confrontational than the softer tone that would have been Altina's way of speaking. It was as though an entirely different personality was in control.

 

[Talak Rand]

Coruscant​

Talak was able to get the location he was looking for and without issue. So the man wanted to be found. That, of course, was telling in and of itself. But Talak's game of smoke and mirrors wasn't finished yet.

As the elevator began to stop on the various floors, he picked one near the top and disembarked, making for the stairs quickly. He knew that he would be able to reach the top floor before the lifts given they had to stop on every floor, and that was all well and good for him.

By the time they reached the top floor, Talak was already there. If the man went and investigated or awaited the Jedi, then he would be flanked. If he did not, then Talak lost nothing and even still gained the advantage of the man thinking he would approach from the direction of the lift.

Reaching the top floor, he moved silently and covertly, using the Force to obscure himself and muffle his footfalls as he searched for the man, saber hilt in hand, hoping to gain the advantage if he could. He knew it was unlikely he could kill the man with a single blow, but if he could gain even a 1 second advantage or an injury, that was a huge advantage in a battle like this.

 

[Vera Coulter]

Coruscant​

Glancing over to the kid, her brows furrowed. "Lieutenant Aran's kid?" she finally managed to utter out, and then her face paled. "Kriff, you're a damn kid! What the hell are ya doin' down here?!" she snapped, then flashed into a snarl of pain as the console that had severed through most of her leg shifted, bringing up a nauseating level of pain she had never felt before.

She whimpered once, then sucked in a breath, focusing on breathing first. But at the muffled sound of flesh bursting apart, her head snapped up, whipping towards the kid. "What the--" but he kept talking, and her brain connected again. Dropping her now decommissioned vibroblade, she snapped up something else from her utility belt.

A medkit.

Letting him rummage around to find something to bind the wound and keeping her from bleeding out, she gritted her jaw and swallowed down bile as the pain threatened to choke the words out of her. The console frag was removed in order to staunch the blood, but her leg was numb from mid-thigh down.

Not a good sign.

Field-medic was the best it was gonna get from now; by some sheer force of luck it hadn't seemed to puncture any major bleeders, but she couldn't walk with a giant shard in her leg. Or maneuver, at least. Hearing Crix after she had wrapped up and tied tightly, she glanced over. "Yes. Anything will help. But we can't stay here long--" a boom from above punctuated her sentence, features grim and tight.

"We gotta keep moving before this whole place falls around our ears." She still held her stun pistol in one hand, but her hands wouldn't stop trembling. She would never admit it... But that Sith was kriffin' terrifying. She had no remorse he was dead and gone.

@Nefieslab @The Eclipse

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Coruscant​

They were still at basement level, but more people were coming in. Three wounded medics, the Jedi from earlier peppered with shrapnel, a stranger, and so many others, including a familiar, much paler face amongst the crowd. "Doctor!" she called out, and Daria limped forward, her sniper-blasted leg having been treated. "Still alive, Morata," she quipped, and gave a shaky smile. Ilana nodded once.

"Status report."

"We've lost half our numbers," Daria rattled off. "However, backup is on the way; emergency vehicles have been instructed to reroute away from the main entrance towards the rear, which is a little more protected. CorSec is on their way with backup to help with sniper fire, but we need more vehicles to--"

"No time for that," Ilana snapped, then paused. "I'm sorry, but we need to evac now. We can't wait for another fly-by hit. We're moving triage out before the building collapses; we'll have to do search and rescue for those that might still be alive on the other levels, but I cannot risk--" another boom punctuated her words, "--putting patients' lives in the greater danger of lesser medical access. You," she pointed with her good hand to one medic, "and you," to the other, "I need you both to transfer the rangers first, and load them onto the first medical transport you have. CorSec should be able to escort those wounded out; at-risk patients first, healthiest last."

She took in a shuddering breath. The pain was taking its' toll; she felt like she was going to faint with every inhale, bile on the back of her throat. Glancing at the medic Tikarsis, she nodded once.

"I'll allow you to treat me as soon as we get these wounded out; we can't stay here. Move now!"

And now, those that were able-bodied ought to help transport those that were not with the transport supplies provided by the medics; Trini herself, provided the as-yet-unnamed Ranger brought the female Amaran to her, would be hastily patched up by Ilana to prevent bleedout before beginning her way back towards the back exit.

Staying in the building was risky; she had to trust in CorSec and other rangers, (hopefully), who would manage the snipers.

As for the bombarding dropship... well. They needed to be stopped.

Just how, a doctor had no clue. But she did know now wasn't the time for glory, but for survival, and for the proper care of those in her charge. She couldn't do that one-handedly in a building threatening to be bombed to pieces.

One last thing, however.

A comm buzzed to a droid( @Darasuum ). A clipped, pained-sounding voice pinged. "Naxa, this is Dr. Morata. At the Ranger Station; I have wounded. We're under attack by a dropship and snipers. I need your help to safely escort the wounded; come quickly."

@The Eclipse @FireSong @Catbert @Kestrel @TerranSteel @Frannykins87 @AutoFox @Dmitri @Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

DATHOMIR​

Roland had no response for the apparition. His eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in disapproval for judging them harshly despite giving little in the way of information. His anger flared for a moment then died knowing it wouldn't do him any good. Not in this situation at least. <I know my calling, spirit. Don't dismiss the free willed.> He thought to himself and it seemed his sentiment was more or less shared by those that had refrained from drinking.

The helmeted head cocked to the side after hearing the Forgotten chastise the Lepi. The specter didn't seem to be willing to enlighten any of them to the stakes or really what any of this meant. Roland had been fine when there was just some wild animals and inclement weather to deal with. But things had escalated and were now past the point of no return. There was a certainty in his stance showing he wasn't going to move unless someone wanted to try forcing him or until he was ready to leave.

Turning to look over his shoulder, the echoes came from the way they came. But a new face ( @Altina Tiramara ) and Jedi it seemed, stepped in front of the Forgotten. The gloved hand of the Mandalorian rested on right hip, the left made a fist, flexing and then relaxing out of habit. "You better search your feelings a second time...young Jedi." A warning tone was clear as the Mandalorian. The padawan had drawn a weapon. The lieutenant squared himself a bit more, putting as much of his body between her and Indy. Hannibal was behind him and so was the Lepi. Not everyone was affected the same way it would seem to the substance in the pool.

@Phoenix @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @GABA @The Forgotten @Lavi

 

[Naxa]

Coruscant​

Cold digits tapped the controls of the blastboat as it lifted from its landing platform. The droid replayed the message to check for background details the doctor had unintentionally transmitted. +roger roger+ it had replied in binary immediately.

The commando droid was the woman's bodyguard though she had requested he stay behind. The Hex sped through the Coruscant skyline. The droid triggered the fusial afterburners +Sending request to aid in civil defense. It should be in the Ranger's inbox. Rates may apply.+ The local authorities wouldn't get around to the bureaucracy until after this catastrophe but would be able to pay the bounty hunter retroactively for its services.

Sending the multi-cannoned vehicle above the skyline, the droid was trying to attract the attention and get a good read on airborne targets before he arrived. There was a lot of traffic in the air of Coruscant. It would make him a target but also draw fire away from his client. This was the most effective way to guard the doctor's body even if it meant getting shot at. The pillar of smoke rising from the Ranger HQ was an easy point to focus on. The distant contact of the gunship showed on the Hex's scanners.

@The Eclipse @FireSong @TerranSteel @Killa Ree @Catbert @Kestrel @Frannykins87 @AutoFox @Dmitri

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Spoiler: DM Post

@Darmus Onn and @Nykoria Tallis made their way outside, their escape well timed. The sharpshooters seemed otherwise occupied and Darmus was able to lug Kori through the panicked line of officers to one of the emergency response vehicle. A medic moved up to assist the Ranger with his Jedi companion and move her onto a stretcher beneath the cover of the vehicle.

"Be careful, they have snipers!" he shouted to Darmus over the background yelling, blaster fire, and the occasional small explosion. The medic began to work on first aid for Kori to treat her injuries and stop the bleeding. She'd be transported to a hospital with the others as soon as the remaining vehicles could get away safely, but with that gunship in the air it was too much of a risk.

CORUSCANT​

"Be careful, they have snipers!"
Did he say "snipers"?

"I've got to... get back and help..." the purple-skinned woman mumbled, trying to get up. But before the Kori could make good on her feisty promise—a stark contrast to her appearance—the medic pressed her by the shoulders against the stretcher. "The hell are you thinking?!" he shouted, finding it unexpectedly hard to struggle against the Jedi, even in her wounded state. "You need immediate aid, or else you risk wound abscess and blood loss." That seemed to help; Kori stopped struggling, albeit reluctantly.

A hiss of hypo-gun to the neck, and soon the Zeltron cared even less about the world around her. The medic grumbled and touched her face with some sort of metallic pincer, but it didn't hurt anymore. There were strange sounds in the distance: the roaring akin to that of an engine, and... blaster fire? Yeah... Just a little longer... I'm on my way.... Meanwhile, the doctor sprayed something warm from a vial onto Kori's face. Then on her arms, under the rolled-up sleeves. Bacta? Somehow, that was the only thing that now concerned Kori in all that commotion.

"I can still fight..." the woman mumbled. The sedative had kicked in, and the Zeltron had on choice but to give into it. She was awake, for the most part; her mind clearer now, and conscience reaching out lazily to the world around her and people nearby. But for the moment, Kori simply was there, like the eye of the storm that was roaring around her.

The Jedi's injuries looked scarier than they actually were, and the anesthesia was local. If anything dangerous came to pass around them, or her help was needed, the Zeltron would get back up, albeit with some effort. But for now, she found some sort of weird serenity in this moment, and used it to recuperate.

@Ecclessey, @The Eclipse

 

[Hannibal Grayza]

Dathomir​

Hannibal could no longer hear the siren song, closed off as he was. Gone was the cheery, mischievous light behind his eyes, replaced with a cold, steely determination. The spectre was clearly displeased with the Jedi Master's defiance, and that of the others. It seemed Indy and Roland had both resisted her influence, and Helen was also safe. This was good. Not so good were the others who had drunk the liquid, willingly- Max- or otherwise.

Hannibal's arms settled across his waist just above his belt, fingers slipping from Indy's, eyes like flint staring down the spectre. She didn't seem to understand what 'defy' meant, but the Jedi Master continued to stand exactly where he was. It seemed Max was still Max-like, but one of the Padawans was being particularly aggressive about it. Roland responded, stepping forward. Hannibal stayed where he was, ready to respond to threats but otherwise fairly still. The Light flowed into and through him, cool and calm.

"I won't be leaving without the others," he stated firmly. "What are you defending, and from what? You risk to lose more than you gain if this comes to a fight. Explain, please." Hannibal was aware of the stirring of monks, aware this could easily devolve into a fight. He'd really rather it didn't, but even so he was placing the choice in the spectre's hands. The young Jedi wouldn't back down from this even if he had to fight a friend or two. If the spectre was true to what she implied then diplomacy should be possible. But if she was just a manipulative, self-centered ghost seeking control of others for her own purposes, then Hannibal would stop her by whatever means necessary

Though his stance was neutral, even peaceful, it was in fact his own variant of Form Zero. He had no weapons in hand, but the Force was with him and they were close enough to draw quickly. Hannibal was perfectly willing to talk, but he would still fight for his friends and allies. He would not abandon them to the influence of an angry ghost, not a single one. Not to mention the vast collection of glaze-eyed monks, those who had been summoned to crash on this half-forgotten planet and had their minds subverted.

He didn't really think the spectre would opt for diplomacy over brute force, given her attempt at mental manipulation, but offering the chance was the Jedi thing to do.

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[Darmus Onn]

Coruscant

While the medical professionals concerned themselves with the Zeltron Jedi, Darmus made his way to the highest ranking security officer at the road block and flashed his ranger badge. "You got comms with other survivors?" Darmus hadn't heard back from Corran in a while and feared the worst. There were countless of his fellow rangers and support personnel present in the building when the first explosions ripped off the roof and with the Sith inside there wasn't much hope for the wounded that survived that initial blast. This was just like Corellia and despite their best efforts militarizing the ranger service the Sith still managed to massacre them without breaking a sweat. The older ranger, becoming more and more distinguished just by reaching an advanced age, sighed. No doubt their drive to militarization made them even more a target... if only they'd listen to him instead of calling him craven.

This just proved that the Sector Rangers had no business meddling in intergalactic affairs. Just catch the crook while the Sith and Jedi butcher each other in the background. Kriffing Kark! Darmus couldn't remember the last time he felt this hopeless... this lost.

Nodding to that security officer regardless of the answer being affirmative or not, Darmus turned around and returned to the Jedi, catching her last words. "You can fight, alright-" he gave her back her blaster pistol, "-but it'll be on another day." Bacta spray was a peak cure, but it couldn't spray gunships from the air or take on a Sith marauder. Facing the medic next, the human wanted to make sure the Zeltron didn't get the chance to do anything foolish. "First chance you get-" but the medic was way ahead of him, "-we'll get her to safety."

Now unarmed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Darmus motioned for one of the nearby security officers to toss him their sidearm and to his own surprise they complied. Ofcourse they did.. he was a ranger looking at the destruction of the galactic ranger HQ. It was hard to deny him anything.. at least at the moment. "Let's go after those snipers," Hopefully they knew where those Sith-aiding bastards were hiding, because he didn't have a kriffing clue.

@Catbert