Gizer - Night Games

[Artarion Sekt]

Location: Gizer
Time: Early Evening
Participants: @Critas @Gian Greydragon @Faded Truth @Cainhurst Crow
DM: @Lucid
Briefing: Arnen and his comrades have come upon a final decision on the location for the base, amidst a wide and deep cavern, with high enough ceilings to set up rudimentary housing and electricity, for a bare bones base of operations in Independent Space, from which to stage missions into the Southwestern-most Imperial Republican territory.

Only the catch is that a group of well-known mercenaries have made themselves at home, while the Sith returned to their ships for supplies. They have began working on a small electrical outlet, and built the beginnings of a water generator on the underwater stream to the East of their small encampment.


Artarion had returned to his ship along with his compatriots after finding the cavern they had decided to use as a base. He stepped off of his Stormcloud and walked up the ramp into the hold of the ship to make preparations for moving the first bits of the new base out to the site. He spoke with his droid and it started the downloading process. He was not sure about this place just yet, there was something that itched in the back of his mind and he couldn't get rid of it.

Figuring he was just tired, Artarion walked back down the ramp to the make shift landing area they had created a few days prior. He looked around at the other ships and wondered when they were going to get the show on the road, he was impatient and that made him cranky.

 

[Shizuo Aramusha]

Shizuo raised his arm up and behind his head, bringing it back to his side as he stretched out his shoulders and rolled his neck a little. Exploring for a suitable location had taken time, and it had been a search for someplace that would serve them well as the forward base of operations. Now that location was here upon them, and all they had to do was claim it. A simple enough task, and one that Shizuo was sure they could accomplish.

Still, it had been a long set of days, and Shizuo's shoulders and neck had started to feel it as he had spent that time working with his fellows. The Kyuzo was from a world which weighed down his people so much, that being on a world with a gravity most considered normal made him feel near weightless. He had to wear clothing that pulled on his body, so that it could keep him from weakening. The one who trained him said the need to push through the extra effort mirrored the old training techniques of the sith, that self-imposed suffering would help him focus his power and attention.

And true, it had helped him keep his swiftness up, and forced him to adapt to his bodies own setbacks. But it was also a good feeling to sometimes let loose, and enjoy movement without encumbrance once in a while.

That was why when Artarion saw his fellow sith coming towards him from his own ship of residence, he might be surprised to see his attire slightly off. Gone was the usual leather and metal sleeveless coat, the metal spike arm-guard, and the heavier articles of clothing. Even his usual metal hat was absent, the sith wearing a simple hood over his head, the red of his standard light armor and metallic cover of his breathing apparatus, made him look much less bulkier, and more sleek.

Shizuo's yellow eyes regarded his fellow sith, and he gave a bow of his head towards the man, his one arm up to rub his tired shoulders now free of their burden, if only for the evening.

"You know, I'm honestly surprised to see that I'm only the second person to arrive..." The kyuzo commented as he spun around in place to look at the other ships, enjoying the lightness he felt right now as he spun effortlessly on his feet, coming to a stop exactly where he had first been facing. "Haven't kept you waiting too long, have I?" He said, his voice metallic and artificial as his mask translated his words into basic. Even then, one could just tell by the words he choose, and the computers inflections, that he seemed to be enjoying himself, even on a dull rock like this.

 

[Arnen Elgernoth]

Arnen stood, watching as a few of the L6-Series Heavy Lifter Droids, he'd taken 'on lend' from a vendor in the Gizer tradeport, to load his comrade's ship, to be moved to their final location for the base. With his comrade, Shizuo, a Kyuzo Sith he had met on a diplomatic mission to a bar recently, before the loss of his lower jaw. He had greatly appreciated his partnership on this venture, as they'd been able to connect in some ways to one another, and Arnen had come to admire his diligence and loyalty.

"No, mate, you're quite alright. I've gotten a few droids for us to help move this gear where it needs to go, I'm just glad one of us is making the best of this shit situation," he quipped, and moved in with the last droid with the final load of gear, to be lifted to the site of the cave they'd chosen. "Antarion, once Boora arrives, from picking whatever mushroom he'd found, we're all set. I trust you'll be piloting us there, correct?" he said to the Sith whose ship they were using to move the cargo. His Sith Battle Robes appeared dirty, as if he'd been digging through muck and grime for several days, which he had been, they'd all been scouting the caverns around them, some of which were inhabited by several different species, and even some mercenaries.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The last ship to arrive in the tradeport appeared to be an armored freighter, official Imperial naval standards and officer transport category. It shimmered from a warp in hyperspace and slowly descended towards the ground, landing with a thud near the others as a large metal ramp lowered to the ground. A dozen soldiers moved out, grabbed in heavy sith trooper armor and wielding Gladius blaster rifles and/or javelin light repeaters. Behind them was a much smaller figure, the elegant armor covered in signature ebony cloaks. The sith crusader, Arianna Marris was heading this expedition and had gathered three of the highest rated Acolytes to aid in her endeavors. The soldiers forming a parallel brigade through which she walked, appearing close to the epicenter of where the others were gathered. Green eyes cast a gaze upon all of them before turning her attention towards the cave systems in front. Artarion and Arnen had already served with her on numerous excursions and both had proven themselves as capable, the other she was unsure of but expected him to perform at his highest level @Cainhurst Crow .

She walked ahead of them, closer to the cave entrance before coming to a slow stop. Darkness swept around her as the sorceress reached into her vile powers and gathered the calamity of the force around her. Lights flickered through the cavern and momentarily dimmed, as her natural green eyes tainted with corruption into their golden hues. "Status report?"

@Critas @Gian Greydragon @Lucid

 

[The Storyteller]

Ezra

The mad could sense them near. They wanted to take from him his refuge and home. He could not permit that, not at all. These false Sith and their delusions of grandeur. How could they come to him and expect to leave with their lives. They were fools, all of them. Rage boiled from him so powerfully that the air seemed to ignite with his fury. He stood from his stone seat and addressed his guards; a collection of wayward mercenaries he had taken under his wing.

They had been useless and without direction before he had invaded their minds and made them his own. They would be the first line of defense.

"Go. Kill them all."

The Five Mercenaries

Their minds no longer completely theirs, the mercenaries snapped a fist over their hearts ready to die for the madman who had taken them with his power. The bristled with weapons, grenades and blades. They had become under his guidance an elite fighting force; they would not fall easily. As one, they turned and left the inner sanctum. Through the twisting caves they went until they reached the main entrance.

Once there they set themselves up in the darkness of the cave; elusive and invisible behind the many crates and boxes that lined the entrance. It would be suitable cover as they brought their rifles to bear. Three took aim at the lady nearest the entrance, still about 20m away and fired each two shots at her chest (@Faded Truth). The last two sent three bolts each to her sides, discouraging the ones she had brought with her from helping.

It had begun.

@Critas @Gian Greydragon @Faded Truth @Cainhurst Crow

 

[Shizuo Aramusha]

Shizuo had been fairly certain that whatever was going to be in these caves, would be easy enough to handle. He walked with a thumb tucked into the dash of his battle robes, golden eyes glancing around the cave. It was dark, but that darkness was soon alleviated a bit as one of the women they were with began dipping into the force.

The storm she produced put the other sith on edge, his hand going to his saber and his 4 fingers dancing along the hilt for comfort. He was a man of the blade, and usages of the force like what Arianna was able to do put him on edge. It was like the very darkness of the cave seemed to dance and bend to her command, and the Kyuzo had to admit, it was a terrifying sight.

But perhaps it was this terror and heightened sense of paranoia, that allowed him to sense it first. Beyond the sorceress, beyond what they could see, Shizuo felt a prickle run up his spine. He felt the distinct feeling that usually came from within, Bloodlust. A desire to kill. A murderous intent, like a heavy fog swept its way towards the Sith, and he became acutely aware, of eyes watching them from somewhere unseen.

"Somethings watching us..." He said, having no real clue on the exact numbers or positions, or where they even were. It could have been some remote viewing security, for all he knew. But the sith reached down and drew his saber, not activating it but preparing himself for the chance of getting attacked.

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion moved from his ship as the group started towards the caves that contained their target. He knew there would be significant resistance to their mission. That resistance had not made itself apparent just yet and that made his neck itch. Artarion was a being of action, he preferred the direct route over the shimmy and sway of deception. If there was to be a fight, he would much prefer that it happen, and they get it over with.

As he watched Arianna and her show of Force sorcery, he was amused by the show of power. The Rule of the Strong would agree with such a show. Let their enemies know they were indeed coming and let them tremble. That show of power was more mind trick than functionality and would definitely open them up to ambush but Arianna and Shizou were in front and would wear the brunt of that ambush. Artarion followed a few meters behind, close enough to engage should the front element come under attack but far enough back to watch their rear as well.

Considering their quarry, Artarion kept an eye on the surrounding area for any early warning or alarm systems that the mercenaries may have put into place. He would not put it past such scum to use simple tactics such as this. He also knew that as simple as they may be, they would certainly be more effective. He allowed his senses to be augmented by the Force, dropping his conscious mind into the river of power and allowing it to be taken with the current. He searched for the minds of possible ambushers in the caves and sought out their whereabouts. He hoped he would find no force users among them as that would make this go from a fight to more sport, but he would be sadly disappointed it appeared.

@Lucid
@Cainhurst Crow
@Gian Greydragon
@Faded Truth

 

[Arnen Elgernoth]

Arnen watched as Arianna made her entrance, with a handful of Heavy Sith Troops, Arnen grinned, as she was just the aide they needed. With her help, they had a significantly greater chance of success. When they came up to the valley upon which the cave, that Arnen had marked a day-and-a-half before, they landed a fair distance away from the entrance, to be certain that they'd have time to react to any early resistance. As they made their way out, Arnen commanded the droids to remain with the ship, and turned to Arianna.

"M'lady, we have seen signs of occupation within the cave. A group of mercenaries, most likely, but something... something or someone else is in there, much stronger than any one singular Sith here. If I had to surmise a guess, it's a rogue Force User of sorts. We need to be careful," he said, as the air around the cave seemingly got colder with each step closer to the entrance. Arnen had his lightsabers at the ready, though un-ignited in his hands. The Force swirled around him, ready to be used in any manner he saw necessary.

(This post sucks, but we really needed to get this rolling)

@Critas @Lucid @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The Sith Crusader led by example, and as the tendrils of darkness swept around her she too could feel a rippling in the force. The rogue mercenary was in the cave, this would indeed be interesting. Most of the soldiers stayed behind to guard the ships and provide reinforcements if necessary while four of the heavy troopers marched inwards, the four Sith layered a few meters behind. Arianna nodded towards Arnen's words, continuing to track slowly and cautiously in the cave, her cloaked form blended well with the ample darkness provided and remained out of visual detection. The path would be behind crates and rocky formations, providing enough cover for her to dodge or avoid incoming fire. The sorceress continued her invocation, drawing and gathering the force towards herself in preparation for what would be next. She nodded to her team, it was time to start exterminating.

@Lucid @Gian Greydragon @Critas @Cainhurst Crow

 

[The Storyteller]

See OOC thread for map of positions.

Hermit One

Hermit one was hidden behind a box just to the right side of the cave's mouth (when looking out from inside the cave). He was perhaps a meter or so back into the cave with his box in front of him. It was a sturdy thing, heavy and solid. He did not doubt it's ability to shield him from fire. He watched his fellows, Two, Three and Four take up similar defensive positions. The four of them bristled with weapons, they were loyal to their master. He had taken their minds with his power and they though of nothing but him.

Hermit One was offended at the very thought that people, Sith at that, would dare to defile the cavern's sanctity. They would pay with their lives for their transgressions. He watched them close in on the cave from a space in the stacked crates. A woman at their front seemed to be the leader; he knew what to do. He readied his rifle and prepared to attack. "Hermit Two, target the woman at the front. Three and Four suppress," he said through the comms in their helmets.

The plan in pace, Hermit One rose to his knees behind the crates, exposing just his head, shoulders and rifle from behind cover. He took aim and fired two shots, one center mass on the woman and one to her left side. The attack would force her to the right, he thought and into Two's line of fire.

Hermit Two

Hermit Two was like Hermit One, hidden behind a stack of supply crates on the cave's left side (when looking out from within the cave). His mind was no longer his, he was puppet, his loyalties taken by the mad Sith within; he heard One's plan and clicked his comm in confirmation. He too rose to his knees, taking aim as One fired his shots. Even as One's first bolt rang out, Two was shooting as well. He squeezed off three shots. One to the woman's center mass, one to her right as she would have to move to avoid One's shots and one to her legs.

Even if she dodged or deflected the shots to her body, the one to the legs would prove tricky to handle. Hermit Two ducked back down behind his cover.

Hermit Three

Hermit Three rose with the other two, though he was a few meters farther back in the cave behind some barrels and another crate. He heard One's command and moved from behind his cover. He was exposed, but the shadows within were cover enough themselves. He sent two shots in the general direction of the man beside the man at the front.

He was trying to force them apart and suppress their actions so that they could not interfere with One and Two's shots.

Hermit Four

Hermit Four was as well, deeper into the cave. He was nestled behind a trio of crates, protected from the front and sides. At One's command to suppress, he rose from cover. He fired three shots, one toward the man between the two people at the front toward the back of their party and two shots toward the man just behind the woman and off to her right. All shots he took as best he could toward their center mass.

Hermit Four crouched back down behind his crates but kept his head, shoulders and rifle up and ready.

The Mad Hermit Himself

The old man cackled manically behind his beard. He felt the surge in the Force as his men entered combat. He didn't know how they'd fair, they were well trained and disciplined, but against the Force...anything was possible.

He laughed and laughed until he could laugh no more. He spat on the ground and grinned. The children who had come to him did not know anything...

@Critas @Gian Greydragon @Faded Truth @Cainhurst Crow

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna continued to keep the force wrapped around her, senses on full alert as she cautiously stalked towards the cave. Then it occurred, the initiation of combat as the mercenaries, who undoubtedly were mesmerized and corrupted by their rogue leader decided to attack Imperial operatives. She had to give them credit, their positioning and attempts at nullifying her were impressive. However, the Sith Crusader was well prepared to respond to such attacks both physically and mentally.

Arianna reacted as the first shot was fired, quickly dodging towards her left into a rolling kneel behind a rocky boulder. The shot aimed at her left side sailed over her head while the second shot aimed at her center mass sailed past her right thigh. Right handed crimson saber ignited almost instanteously, coming into a defensive position as she took a crouched stance, the blade held horizontally in defense of incoming attacks. The rocky boulder providing partial cover of her knelt figure, the Crusader still approximately 16 meters away from Hermet One. The force was channeled for a reason as she had visualized where the blaster fire originated from and shot her free hand outwards. A harrowing, cone of force blast echoed through the cavern halls as it flew towards the crate that Hermit One was taking cover behind, with the intention of knocking the crate directly into the mercenary with punishing effects. @Lucid

The shots from Hermit two were a sound idea, had it not been for the Sith Troopers out in front, the bolts may have inflicted some injury to the Crusader. However, the second Sith Trooper found himself in the projectile’s path as his armored body intercepted the bolts in their trajectory towards Arianna. He turned with his heavy repeater but was too slow as two of the bolts smashed into his armored torso while the lower one burned into the superior portion of his right knee. The damage was significant enough to send him into a pained frenzy, his body collapsing to the ground and effectively of out this combat.

The other Sith Troopers had now seen the directions the blaster fires were coming from, and such they returned fire with their Gladius blaster rifle and one wielding a Javelin Light Repeater. Their goal was to deliver enough suppressive fire on the mercenaries position so the Sith could now effectively move in.

@Gian Greydragon @Cainhurst Crow @Critas

 

[Shizuo Aramusha]

Shizuo's saber had been drawn in his hand. He'd sensed the presence of something in these caves, something with a definite murderous intent. His first thought had been some predatory animal, but now he saw it was indeed an enemy.

He whipped around to face the enemies fire, dropping into a crouch as he activated his saber. It was a defensive technique of his clovac, reducing ones size as a target while readying ones offense. His saber ignited as he brought it into a defensive srance, able to deflect the blaster bolts which came slightly above his head, sending them careening into the wall to his right and the ceiling, no time to redirect them with precision.

He took only a moment to analyze the targets based on the lights of their blaster fire, and the blaster bolts of their sith troops. He saw a place for cover, to his right, a curving wall face underneath henchmen two. He sprang forward, his crouch turning into a sprinters stance as he bolted and then slammed into the wall, now braced behind some cover as he positioned himself just right. Saber in hand, he flipped it into a reverse grip. He channeled the force into his legs, feeling the power rippled through them, almost a painful sensation that he relished, letting it also course his body with awareness heightening adrenaline. He darted so that he was under henchmen two, and jumped vertically, the force assisting him in coming up to where henchmen two's cover was eye level.

He brought his arm across his chest, hand held down and wrist turned slightly inward, the blade in its reverse grip as he quickly jabbed his arm and wrist forward in a stab up to the hilt into the cover, through it, and impaling the protected henchmen twos torso. The blade would find solid purchase, and as shizuo began to fall back down, it dragged through the cover and man, leaving a burning scorched line through it till it hit rock floor, and slide out at an angle. Shizuo would flip his saber back into a normal grip before landing, his attention turning to henchmen one, bringing his saber up into a defensive position from the only one who had line of sight not obstructed by cave geography.

@Gian Greydragon @Faded Truth @Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion growled audibly as the ambush was triggered at the mouth of the cave. He moved quickly following up on Shizou’s wild charge into battle. The battle was moving quickly now, Arianna and her escort were engaged on the north side of the cave mouth while Shizou took the south side. Artarion did not like all the crates that the hermits were using for cover. That seemed to be a sort of poor form to him. So, he allowed his consciousness to fall into the river of the force, drinking deeply he drew in the Force around him and then extended his hand towards hermit three.

The Force push struck the crate directly in front of hermit three and flipped the crate on top of the hermit concealed behind it. It was a diversionary tactic Artarion knew but it might keep hermit three from shooting Shizou and ruining Artarion’s perfectly good meat shield. Artarion started to run, his legs augmented by the Force, speeding his rush as he ran to the edge of the cave. He took cover at the southern edge of the cave mouth, waiting for an opening to enter the cave. There were more than enough Sith Troopers to suck up all the blaster fire, Artarion saw no need to rush into this battle.

As he watched he examined the defense of the hermits. They appeared to be guarding the cave mouth, but it did not seem to be as determined a defense as Artarion might expect. He watched the edges of the battle, those nooks and crannys where an unseen ambush would spring from. He did not want to be caught unawares and have to possibly polish his armor again when he returned to his ship.

@Lucid
@Faded Truth
@Cainhurst Crow
@Gian Greydragon

 

[Arnen Elgernoth]

Arnen kept his rage held close to his chest, like a winning hand in Sabacc. Triggering his right handed N.E.W.D.A, his lightsaber ignited in an icepick grip, darting left and then forward with the other two Sith, he also grabs his blaster pistol and takes aim, on Hermit Three, firing three bolts at his center mass as his first rounds leave his carbine. With built up rage, and the Force backing him, he leapt, with breakneck speed, after over his opponent's cover, twisting his body, and kicking hard at Hermit One's chest, if he had somehow managed to avoid Arianna's force blast that occurred moment's prior to engaging the man behind him.

The kick, if no body was there to receive it, would simply act as an evasive maneuver, moving him within the cave with intent to engage Hermit Three in combat.

Arnen kept his blaster and lightsaber at the ready, as he kept his head on a swivel, making sure no one thought to try and sneak in a shot on him.

(Edited)

 

[The Storyteller]

Hermit One

The troopers were proving annoying, but it wasn't over yet. Two of the attacking Sith charged as Hermit One looked around his cover. He saw an opportunity and moved out from behind it just as the crates took flight and rocketed backwards. The witchery didn't bother him, he had seen much worse from his master and he was sure he'd live to see more still. He heard Hermits Four and Three call warnings of grenades over the comms. Bolts from the troopers flashed past him but as he was still obscured in the shadows of the cave entrance they did not find purchase.

He took aim with his rifle at the one (@Cainhurst Crow) who was leaping towards Hermit Two's position. What an idiotic move. Hermit One had all the time he needed to fire four shots at the man. Two to center mass, one to the head and another to the man's pelvis, he lead his target with each shot, certain that his bolts would land coming as they were from the man's side and at a near impossible angle for him to deflect.

Hermit Two

Hermit Two moved from behind cover toward the center of the cave entrance, as well when he saw Hermit One move. In the shadowy opening of the cave entrance, his movement would be hard to detect until he was out in the center near Hermit one. He saw one of the men (@Gian Greydragon) charge, going for Hermit One.

He was fast, but so was Hermit Two. He brought his rifle up and fired four shots at the man again targeting his side as he charged at an angle to Hermit one. Two shots were to center mass and two were just below towards his pelvis. Like his partner, he led his shots, knowing they would land. If they didn't cause death then he would be badly burned and out of the fight. They had underestimated the distance between themselves and the entrance of the cave.

Hermit Three

Hermit Three pulled a grenade off his belt and thumbed it alive. He threw it as hard as he could at the gaggle of troopers around the woman (@Faded Truth), judging the distance to be such that it would land explode only a moment later. What he didn't expect was the crates he was hiding behind to topple over onto him.

They were heavy, full of supplies and they pinned him to the floor, knocking the wind out of him and sending his rifle skittering away.

Hermit Four

Hermit Four chose to use a fragmentation grenade as well. Explosives weren't the most certain way to kill someone but they were alarming. He sent his flying at the man (@Critas) who was running away to the side. He ducked down behind his crate to stay in cover, a deadly surprise for those who thought to try and advance further.

Ezra, The Mad Hermit

He felt the sensation of lives ending and cackled in the dark. It was delicious. If any made it through his men they would truly be worthy.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna had kept her eyes on the task at hand, namely taking quick mental imagery of the location of the blaster bolts and identifying the general location of their enemies. She watched as her force blast connected against the crate but seemingly the Hermit behind it moved out of the way to fire upon one of her acolytes. As the force continued to pulsate through her, its dark allure invocated since the beginning of her arrival, the Crusader released it once again. Arianna acted quickly, sending a second force blast towards Hermit One’s direction as soon as he fired off the first of his four shots at Shizuo. Unholy energy rippled at the Hermit, catching the incoming grenade from Hermit Three in its wake and sending it backwards. The explosion occurred near the crate, creating a firey tornado of flaming wooden shards which were carried by the wave of the force blast and would likely capture Hermit one in their epicenter, burning and searing flesh asunder. Considering that Hermit one was already committed to shooting three more shots at the flying Shizuo, he should not be in a position to properly defend himself.

The sorceress still held her crimson saber in right hand, held defensively to protect against incoming attacks.

@Lucid @Critas @Cainhurst Crow @Gian Greydragon

 

[Shizuo Aramusha]

Shizuo had sensed the attack coming as soon as he was in the air. The murderous intent which had permeated the cave like a thick and heavy fog had been present throughout their journey thus far. But suddenly it had intensified into a single point of malice, and that malice was on him, the eyes of a hunter affixed on him like prey.

The shots came hard and fast, Shizuo was already in the air and raising at a rate he could not alter. The hermits aim was not as precise as he had thought, but they were coming from Shizuo's left side, where he had no defense and no arm. Shizuo kicked out with his legs, and turned with his right shoulder, causing his body to turn in the air, spreading out the area and causing the once steadily raising target to go slightly off course.

The Shot to his head burned his hood and scorched the side of his mask, narrowly missing his head. Similarly, the bolt came centimeters from striking at Shizuo's legs, but his now positioned armguard caught the bolt instead, sending red hot pain of melting metal against flesh as it ate the shot.

But as he finished his rotation, the two shots to his midsection were soaring at him. He'd used up every trick in his arsenal to avoid losing his head, or his legs, and at the angle the shots came, there was only one part of his body that could take the hits. The shots were slightly apart, one hitting above the other by a few inches. The first hit him in the elbow, his dense but thin muscles leaving little to severe as the Shot blow through the fibrous tissue, the bone, and the cartilage, melting whatever was not cut by force.

The second blast bore into Shizuo's Upper arm, burning muscle and bone and cracking the bone before cauterizing it, ensuring it would never heal as his Humerus was seared in 2. Shizuo fell, his saber falling away from him in his sleeve. His hand, and then forearm, fell out from the sleeve, saber still ignited as it flung off and clattered to the ground, hand still clutching it.

Shizuo landed with a crash onto the ground hard, face down on the ground as blood began to pool from the forcibly severed limb. The shock and pain wracked his body, tore at his mind, and sent his brain into overload. He lay there motionless as he was consumed by this feelings, the world going deaf around him as his ears ringed. He couldn't raise up, no arms to push off the ground, as the world faded in and out from his yellow eyes.

@Lucid @Faded Truth @Gian Greydragon @Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion watched as the cargo crate flipped on top of Hermit 3 and turned to start his run. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the grenade coming from Hermit 4 as it sailed in his direction. A quick thrust of his hand created an invisible barrier, causing the grenade to bounce back as if it had hit a brick wall. The movement was fast and the exertion small. This put the grenade right in front of the crate where Hermit 2 was hiding.

The explosion still caught Artarion, speeding his trip to cover behind the rock wall by tossing him through the air like a rag doll. Shrapnel hit his lower leg armor and he could feel the sting of smaller fragments that had wedged into cervices in his armor to find flesh. Warm blood ran down his legs, but the armor had taken the brunt of the explosion, minimizing the effects of the diverted grenade. Artarion did not want to think about what might have happened had he not diverted the explosive.

Artarion rose to his feet in the cover of the south side of the cave mouth. He pulled his Pugio blaster pistol and fired three shots at Hermit two who was shooting at Arnen. One of the shots was at the man’s pelvis and the other two, one at each of the man’s shoulders. This would effectively triangulate the torso of the man and as his back was to Artarion, he would not see the shots coming. This was not Artarion’s usual method of fighting but desperate times and all that.

@Cainhurst Crow
@Faded Truth
@Gian Greydragon
@Lucid

 

[Arnen Elgernoth]

The Force had been swirling around him for some time, but wasn't enough and because of reasons, two miss and two hit him in the arm and in the chest armor, his armor taking most of the hit, keeping him in the fight. His left hand gripped his pistol tightly, as pain shot through his body, from two radiating areas, one on his shoulder, the other in his lower left ribcage area of his chest plate. Roaring in anger, he turned and fired point blank at Hermit One with his Blaster Pistol, twice into his center mass as he stood, and a second pair into Hermit Two, the one who had shot at him.

 

[The Storyteller]

Hermit One

Hermit one died a happy man. He had defended his master and he had taken one of the Sith out with him. He died with bolts to his back and in the flash of a grenade. He caught a flash of movement near him before the grenade exploded. One of the men (@Gian Greydragon) was shooting at him point blank. It didn't matter. Hermit One's life was forfeit but the grenade meant for him would also catch the man so close by. He went into the beyond with the taste of blood still on his lips.

Hermit Two

Hermit Two died in a hail of bolts and the flash of another grenade. His body torn asunder by shrapnel. Like hermit one, the greande that had been returned to him would also catch the fool of a man who had dived into the firestorm.

Hermit Three

Hermit Three struggled to breathe under the many heavy crates that had fell onto him. Struggling to cling to life was enough of a chore for him just then.

Hermit Four

Hermit Four popped up from cover, rifle up and ready the moment the grenade detonations stopped. He saw one man near the front of the cave not five meters from him. He was burned from blasters and bloody from shrapnel. Hermit Four would put him out of his misery with four shots to center mass. Armor or no, at this range, his life would be over.

Ezra, The Mad Hermit

Ezra felt his men die and that was inexcusable. His laughter stopped and the Force began to swell. It was time he took to the field. The children who dared to infiltrate his sanctum would pay with their lives for their transgressions. Lightsabers in hand and the Force at his back and within him, he headed through the network of tunnels to deal death.

@Faded Truth @Cainhurst Crow @Critas @Gian Greydragon