[Sith Mission] Kill the Heretics

[Omnis]

Ziost. An arid planet dominated by mountains of ice. Once another capital for the Sith species after Korriban, it became a shadow of its former self. Much had been lost over the years. The Sith reclaimed it again, generations later, and reestablished a temple there. It was from that temple, held in mythic regard, that two Sith fled from after slandering the current Dark Lord. To declaim the Dark Lord in one of the holiest places in the Sith Order was heresy in the highest order. It was also foolish.

Magus and Magnus, two human brothers, claimed that Darth Judicar was more powerful than the current Dark Lord. Their slander reached new heights quickly, before retribution could befall them, stating that Darth Judicar was wise beyond what the Dark Council knew. Wild rumors propagated by the twins prophesied Darth Judicar's swift and violent return. In a vain and foolish attempt to convert other Sith, the brothers welcomed other Sith to join them in a quest full of vengeance and righteousness. Of course, the promise of power was made to any who would follow the supposed rightful Dark Lord of the Sith.

Another problem the two fools created was smuggling sympathetic and paid idiots like themselves onto the planet. Soon enough, a small town had appeared in the mountains away from the capital city. Posted high in the mountains, it was a trek to get to. The Sith order on Ziost could have wiped it out easily, but they had other priorities. They had elected to brief the heretic hunters instead, giving them the additional directive of wiping out the town. Unfortunately, the brothers were not in the small town they had created. They were hiding somewhere else in the mountain range. That meant they could be anywhere, amongst countless cavern systems, caves, and plateaus to hide under. There was no information on whether or not the two brothers could be employing Force Stealth, but even searching around to get within range of seeking them with the Force would take valuable time. Instead, the town presented an opportunity. The tenants could be interrogated.

The town had no name yet. It didn't deserve one. Compiled of little more than shoddily thrown together stone, wood, and spare metal, it had the technological level of an outpost. The only thing keeping the town from being classified as so was the sheer area it spread over and the greater population living there. The town did not draw power from a nearby station or permanent generator, so multiple mobile generators were set up around time. Thick cables ran across the ground and through the air. Smoke rose from generators and gleaming tin chimney pipes.

The rough crowd of the town watched all newcomers carefully as they approached the town. The heretic hunters were not the first to try the twins, which said a lot. Further, the inhabitants of the town had to discern the friendlies from the enemies. It was a difficult task for hired muscle and low-life hangers-on. A lot of mercenaries had brought their families with them. Men and women trudged around town, tamping down what little was left of the last snowfall, casting seedy eyes about. Everyone was clothed in layers, due to the elevation and cold. Almost everyone was armed with something, including the women and children.

The center of the town was, predictably, a saloon. It was the nicest building in town, though far from the nicest example of a saloon. It was adequate, keeping the bar stocked and the cold out. Much of the town's traffic stemmed from the saloon, people coming and going. The roughest, scariest scum went in and out of the squat one-story building. It was obvious that some kind of management was present there.

 

[Kroft]

Dacob coughed harshly due to cold air which burned his lungs. He had acquisitioned a breather to be more comfortable in the arid environment, but made his voice sound more robotic than normal. It was now that he applied it, slightly uncomfortable but more comfortable than breathing in the chilling air regularly. The hike to the mountain village was much obliged by Kharr, needing to exercise after the long shuttle voyage to Ziost from Korriban. The icy chill the planet had seemed almost supernatural, too cold to be a natural occurrence. He raised his hood to cover his blistering ears, and tightened his rough gloves around his hands.

He looked to his companions, he had already had the pleasure of acquainting himself with Thamis back at the academy but had not yet met with Galad Nepos. He was Crusader who was to accompany the two acolytes in hunting down Magnus and Magus. The group found themselves at the makeshift entrance of the town. Dacob motioned to the saloon, and with a cough he spoke: "I suppose someone in there will know where the heretics are located."

 

[Galisdoren]

Cold, frigid air, burning his lungs much the same way Korriban's atmosphere had, but this was different. Here, he couldn't breath. The wind tore his breath away, and when he finally caught it, his blood chilled, forming into a crimson slushy that made his limbs ache, and his entire being felt as it were filled with ice. But he was lucky, his armor provided some protection from the extreme temperature, and he certainly faired better than the others. Taking in the landscape, thoughts passed through his mind, a twisted highway. No doubt they were expected. They were not the first to arrive and challenge the rogues. We will be the last. The image of the mangled bodies of the fools took shape before his eyes, vivid, given his determination to bring it to life. Thamis pulled his cloak tighter around him, to prevent any warmth from escaping his body, and drew up to Dacob's side with a nod. Not far ahead was the town that the group had been informed of, and his lightsaber was well concealed beneath his robe. He was already thinking of all the ways he could get the locals to talk, and decided that before using brutal negotiations, there was the possibility of being a bit more pleasant. Glancing at the other acolyte, Thamis offered a smirk. "We'll just have to ask around, I suppose. If we're to join the heretic's cause, we'll first need to find them, of course. I suggest we begin our crusade at the town saloon, where most town locals tend to hang out." He wasn't entirely sure if the small town had a saloon, but he supposed it was only practical that it did.

 

[Omnis]

The interior was about as expected. A long bar ran the length of one wall, with plenty of stools in front of it. Enough patrons frequented it that two bartenders were on shift. It was a slow day. One of the back corners was dedicated to a small stage for a band, which was empty save for the audio system that was playing music electronically. The roof was somewhat low, likely designed that way to keep the heat inside. Every surface in the saloon seemed to be of wood, though polished well with a nice grain and color. A spread of tables were used for general congregation, card games, holo-games, and the perpetration of dirty business. There was a predictable amount of lowlifes in the saloon, all wheeling and dealing. Like outside, everyone inside was armed.

A small hallway led into the back, where numerous doors branched off. It was guaranteed that they were rooms for board and an office.

The bartenders were two rough looking humans dressed too well for their posture. They carried themselves like soldiers, but performed their duties as necessary. They eyed every new face that entered.

The tables were full of ruffians. One table, in the back corner opposite of the empty stage, a set of two tables had been pulled away from the rest and pushed together. There were plenty of mercenaries hanging around those tables, but the two men in the very back stood out. One was a Quara, decked in full body armor and carrying two large blaster pistols in holsters on his hips. The second was a human, dressed better than anyone the heretic hunters had seen in the town. The Quara was silent, watching everyone. The human, however, seemed to be the focus of the back two tables. Drinks were brought to him and his armored partner. Everyone looked at the human, avoiding gazing even briefly at the tusked enforcer.

 

[Galad J. Victus]

Ziost was a pathetic planet for him, and one of the worst settlemets it had to offer with the especially hostile weather did little in changing his opinion.

Staring at the town before them, the crusader covered himself tighter with his cloak, taking his arms inside it as the mist slowly ascended towards the sky and faded in the wind, whenever he exhaled. The warmth system in his armor was already activated, though it achieved little more than keeping the ice cold weather from claiming him. No doubt the designers assumed such extreme edges of temperature would be avoieded altogether, and saw no need in providing particular protection against it. Still, Galad had the Force. He knew of the tecnique which allowed the user to balance his body warmth, yet he had not studied it that lengthy, let alone perfecting it. Desperation, however, could erase the need for extensive study.

He silently listened as the pair of acolytes shared suggestions. He had noticed the larger building at the center, certainly it stood up from the common miserabe houses and huts. It was crowded, looking at the people, Galad could tell they were not to be greeted warmly. Rather cold, like the weather surrounding the town, the people who gave life to it were equally hostile.

He was not about to let this mission exhaust them. The brothers could be hiding anywere, and the idea that they would leave the town unwatched and unprotected was simply foolish. His instincts had detected a trap. A trap Galad intented to turn against it's master.

[COLOR="#crimson"]"Agreed. Keep your guard up, as soon as we take our first step into that filthy town, we are in hostile territory."[/COLOR]

Any casualties here would of course be considered as his own weakness, being the higher ranked in the trio. Plus, he did not know of the powers of the outcast twins, but to speak out against the Dark Lord of the Sith, it alone proved they were not raw weaklings. They had to be careful.

With that, he started walking towards the large building in the center, while carefully eyeing the low-looking scum going in and going out. He remembered to check his pair of hilts hidden under the robe, before moving out.

 

[Omnis]

The locals did not contest the passage of the heretic hunters. They knew better. Bands of strangers coming was normal enough. Taught to stay out of the way, the locals didn't know whether the new faces were there to cause trouble or join the cause. It wasn't up to them to find out. Smarter people, higher up, made those distinctions. They did watch, however, and find excuses to keep their hands near their weapons.

On the edges of the town, several watch posts were manned by men with sniper rifles. Those men briefly tracked the heretic hunters before turning their scopes back to the arid wastes. There were native species on Ziost that would and could make the whole town an afternoon snack if they had their way. It was the duty of the watch posts to eliminate early threats and inform the town of impending danger. With the town so well armed, there was no doubt it could organize well enough to defend itself against an attack by the wild.

The latest group of men going inside the saloon stood back from the door, waiting for the heretic hunters to go inside. While they tried to make it seem like an act of courtesy, it was a simple matter of following orders. Outsiders were to be left alone and given due respect, until such time as they proved hostile. One of them dipped their head and gestured with a small finger salute, not inclined to talk.

 

[Galisdoren]

His eyes had shifted to focus upon the town, and the large structure in the center was obvious enough, one of the main hangouts for the inhabitants, no doubt. His first thought was to head there, and it seemed his higher ranking companion had an equally appealing idea. As the Crusader spoke, the human turned his head with a firm nod of acknowledgment. He only hoped the townsfolk would not be so aggressive as to attack the small group on sight. Bad enough that they were strangers, but the men of the village didn't look so hospitable to their guests. Following Galad into the village, his gaze wandered about to take in the run down scenery. It looked as if the whole place had been slapped together in a matter of days, and the people living there had to be hard as rocks not to leave, that, or they were hiding something important. The citizens of the place parted before them, allowing them access with suspicious eyes trailing their every movements, it seemed. He had noticed the guars with their weapons tracking their approach, but paid them no mind, for that was certain to draw only trouble their way. For such a poor place looking place, the weaponry of the villagers was astounding. He drew close to Galad with a whisper. "Someone must be supplying them." The human uttered in a near inaudible tone, so silent in that the frigid, snow flinging gales would carry to voice away from any hostile ears. The observation had probably been unneeded, Thamis had no doubt that his ally would have noticed it as well, though just in case, he had seen fit to point it out. He slid quietly into the saloon, thankful for the heat that engulfed his form. Even his durasteel armor could not defend from the coldness of the land. Passing a small nod to the men that had allowed them entry, he said not a word as he drew up near the counter and gave the room a quick scan.

 

[Galad J. Victus]

As the hunters passed through the hostile mass outside, ever watchful, and appeared inside what was now confirmed to be a saloon of sorts, filled with the lowly scum one would find no shortage of in such a particularly foul and wild enviroment, Galad felt the sudden embrace of the warm aura, as if walking straight into a force field and somehow managing to get through. Although his physical being had been satisfied for now, grateful for not having to bear with the freezing cold, his senses were not as content. Just by being present, he could tell with ease that none of those men inside were of any difference than the pitiful lot ouside, not for the better at least. He would presume that the inhabitans of the saloon were common mercenaries, bounty hunters and perhaps a few enforcers along the way. Be it hired or not, Galad quickly recognized the danger they offered. Making their heads roll away from their lifeless, fallen bodies would only allow them to provoke more instabilities than whatever was their worth. Galad left a note to himself, once the heretic brothers were dealt with, the idea of teaching some manners to the most respectful folk of this frozen filth hole would be indeed entartaining. Order had to be brought to such a source of corruption, especially to one found in a Sith planet of this significant importance.

Noticing the Thamis scan the room just like he himself did, as they approched the counter, Galad quickly went through his options, now that they were making acceptable progress. The very first sign of possible hostility that caught his attention were the two large figures near the tables, who were indeed gathering some attention from everyone else too. Spies, or dealers perhaps. As the telephatic message found it's way through the Force, and into the mind of other Sith, Galad did not stole a glance at them, rather performing an indirect referance by a small movement of his head, barely noticeable even from up close.

[COLOR="#crimson"]"Watch those two, there is something about them that I do not like at all."[/COLOR]

With that, he turned and stared at the closest of bartenders, only to find him staring back, eyeing. Galad took the opportunity, acting as he had the man's attention. He knew that the words to follow were to be chosen carefully, though he could always cover up his mistake with a single trick of the mind. Equipping a warm yet proper aura, which would share similarities with the business tones of many seasoned diplomats and traders, Galad talked to the man, in a manner which would make it seem like he was ordering a drink or two.

[COLOR="#crimson"]"We are here on a mission which we were given by some of the highest authorities within the Imperium chain of command, and thus, we have little time to waste. This is a display of interest in mutual benefition, we seek no conflict with you. Now, if you would be so kind to simply direct us to the person in charge of this settlement, we have matters to discuss." [/COLOR]

There was no logical point in causing alarm at such an early point into their quest, so for now, Galad had deemed acting a wiser move.

The destruction of the town and slaughtering everyone inside to the youngest of the babies and bathing in their blood would come later, despite the side of him begging to make it happen now, voice of the berserker.

Certainly it would be difficult to tell that intention simply by staring at the crusader's friendly smile.

 

[Omnis]

"Mutual benefition, huh?" The bartender asked, clearly cynical but not disdainful. "As you might know or be able to tell, the Imperium ain't our biggest fans. Chain of command, specifically. Now, half of the Imperium subjects as come through here ain't like it half bad. There's some as what stay. The other half rarely prove friendly, though, and it's them that are usually from 'chain of command.' Ain't had many friendly directives so far." The man finished cleaning his glass, set it down, and poured a drink for Galad. "Tell me more about your new, conflictless directive and I'll think about sending you up our chain of command."

The wind blew in some snow as the group that had been outside finally came in. They gave cursory glances to the Sith, then moved on. They avoided the corner table, going to the other side of the saloon. The door slammed shut behind them, temporarily barring access to any more snow.

A woman at one of the tables began arguing with the man whose lap she had just been sitting on, trying to keep the argument in hush tones. She spat one last secret threat at him, finger pointing menacingly, and slapped his hand away. Strutting confidently, the woman made a slow half circle around Galisdoren, eying him overtly and with promise. She moved closer, one finger reaching out to trace a wavy line on his chest.

"Hi," Her voice was sultry, full of both fake and genuine interest. Anything to get Galisdoren interested. She attempted to move closer to him, smooth after a lot of practice at pretending to be cold. "What's your name?"

 

[Galisdoren]

At the mental warning, the acolyte passed his eyes over toward the two figures that sat near the back, and he was immediately drawn more to the human than to his companion. Suddenly, an odd suspicion sprang up, instinct, more or less, though he didn't dare reach out with the force to investigate. That would be to revealing. Rather, he focused upon pushing his own ties to the dark side and to the force itself away, and noticed the crusader had taken a similar route, though perhaps not for the same reason. Thamis turned his piercing gaze back toward the bar and the men behind it, sweeping it across their forms with a calculating glimmer. They looked somewhat rough, especially the one that spoke to them, though more interesting than his outward appearance was what seemed to be within. He was clearly distrustful of the pair, and for good reason. The Sith said not a word, his stoic scowl unchanging as he allowed Galad, being the higher one in authority, to brush past and explain their situation, although it was not entirely truthful, for obvious reasons. They could hardly tell the group that they'd all be dead within the next few hours.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the argument between the male and the female. Tightening the cloak around his form, the Sith watched her rise and stride over towards him with a clearly interested expression laid out upon her face. His first reaction was to ignore the woman, but an idea shot through his head, igniting his gaze. Perhaps he could coax the female into handing over some valuable information. Passing a quick glance at the Crusader that accompanied him, his attention was quickly returned to the woman as she drew close to draw a line across his chest with a finger. Her voice suggested that she wanted something, and he had a pretty good idea of what it was. Unfortunately, the girl was not so much of a sly vixen as she might have thought she was, at least not to the human she was addressing. Letting a thin, though pleasant smile dance across his lips, Thamis took in the greeting with a tilt of his head, as if in some manner to admire the woman.

"Greetings." He replied smoothly, and with grace. The sweet, honey dripping tone didn't seem forced at all, given the practice he had. At her question, there was no hesitation, though he was sure not to use his real name. An alias, rather, the first thing that had sprung to mind. "Call me Thomas. And you, what's your name?" Thamis asked, seemingly with genuine interest.

 

[Omnis]

"My name's Silandra." The woman said, getting closer. "What brings you to town, Thomas?"

The young woman was a looker, thin but not unhealthy. Her raven black hair fell straight to half way down her back. She was wearing winter clothes, so not much was visible, but the skin of her hands and face was smooth and unmarred. Her eyes were a dark blue, sparkling bright with life. Despite the clear, overt manipulation she was employing it was more obvious that the woman had not come here for love of the town's inhabitants or the town itself. The young woman had probably been promised something more fun and had come along on that naive wish. Instead, this woman was too full of life for the cold, shivering little camp in the mountains.

She flipped her hair and smiled more conspiratorially. "Business, right? What else do people come here for. I bet you weren't expecting any good distractions. Are you all business, Thomas?"