Open [Vandyne] The Push West! - Bad Mistakes

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Silence. For some, it was cause to contemplate, concentrate, refrain from saying or doing anything that would break the spell of meditating in all the confines of silence, silence, silence. Jedi or Sith, mind you not. Solace was achieved, spending moments thinking of this and that, that and this; preparing the soul and the spirit for what lay ahead.

Mind you, for some, it was the cue for something else, and that ‘something else’ was the call of chaos and carnage.

Today it came in the form of Silence. The starship bridged the distance between space and planet, crossing the stars as though the luminaries were merely lightbulbs to light the way between attempt and victory, for only a Jedi would claim ‘defeat’ today.

It came with dark, it came with light; a black hull amid the white burst of engines that propelled the ship onward toward its quarry. Vandyne lie ahead. Death waited within it. The Sith had ensured it. Death would ensue.

Silence glided ahead, silent and still, opening its armaments especially if fired upon, and otherwise touching down with barely a whisper before its captain would exit the airlock and upon the rock with a smile on his face.

“HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!” Kayden Skyler decreed. He was not one to break cliche or turn a trope upside down. Nay, he was one to roll and run with it. So he exited his Silence with a crew in tow, leading the vanguard with black saber swinging wildly but not without control.

The Sith Marauder looked nothing short of, sporting grey armor spiked and sliced, and his mute crew much and the same, if without the edge of the Force. The lot of them descended upon Vandyne no less, with intent to purge and persecute, and they were not alone...

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

Theme​

The chaos, it never ended. How could it in a galaxy at war? Whether it be Denon, Byblos, Sullust or any of the battles yet to occur, the galaxy would burn at the hands of the Sith. A truth that the people of Vandyne had refuted with their attempted capture and field execution of one of their Sith brethren who had arrived in hopes of a ‘diplomatic’ recruitment. Now they’re actions had left a debt that needed to be repaid. A debt that would only be paid in blood.

Riding aboard a requisitioned YZ-775 freighter with a team of six foot soldiers dressed in mercenary garb, Bir Vuul found himself leading a small strike force that would infiltrate the capital city, intent on tracking down and eliminating any of the governing officials they encountered. However, they were not allotted nor permitted command of a significant force to declare their movements as a full scale invasion. No, this was to be quick and relatively quiet.

“The shuttle bay is dead ahead, Captain! Landing clearance has been permitted and Strike Team Alpha has already touched down! Have fun down there!” the pilot shouted back to the disguised troop Captain.

“Very good. If we need a pick up, we’ll signal you. Keep this channel open and scan for any calls for assistance made by the enemy,” the Captain responded before turning towards Bir, who had remained seated and silent through-out the trip, the muscles around his eyes contorting to an expression of madness. “This is your op, Commander. We’ll follow you but know that these men, they’re my responsibility. I don’t know you and there are no files of any past missions of yours. None of an official degree at least. Don’t make reckless, green decisions out there that will get us all killed,”

Bir turned his attention towards the Captain, his steel grey eyes meeting the eye coverings of his own.

”Stay behind me and all will be fine! Yes! Yes! Together we shall earn glory!” Bir exclaimed, shooting up from his sitting position and his arms fully extended. For the first time in months, the Kel Dor had donned his full gear of durasteel plating across his torso covered by the same black cloak he always wore.

As the ship shuddered before touching down, Bir slowly strode from it’s berth and out into the cold night air of the industrial world.

”It’s our time to shine, friends!”

@Die Shize​

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​

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC

There was little resistance as the crew of Silence maneuvered throughout the city. For now, that was isolated to just one area. The ship had touched down atop a skyscraper of the industrial demesne, Kayden’s strike team numbering close to his Sith ally’s who was off on his own objective.

The Captain of the Silence had tasked himself with pursuing a handful of government officials who would be engaged in revelry in the private floor of a penthouse suite. It was a time to celebrate. They just had no idea what party they had signed up for.

Kayden had elected to forego disguises and convoluted hacking schemes. He simply landed on a rooftop pad with mock credentials as a Coruscant VIP. By the time the ramp lowered its crew stormed over the handful of guards atop the roof.

Kayden had crushed the neck of a guard further away, the Force breaking him before he had a chance to call in the attack. Meanwhile, the mutes of Silence tangoed with the others before their captain ended the dance.

They took the access door into the building and made their way down the stairs. Each and everyone of them was armored much the same, helmets disguising faces as much as protecting heads.

Someone had just lost theirs as a lightsaber carved through the neck. The guard had not even seen it coming. Meanwhile, two of Kayden’s reavers pinned the remaining guard against the wall. Their captain approached.

“The Vandyne cabinet. Five of its members are on this floor. Which room?”

The guard shook his head with a stiff upper lip. Kayden nodded. One of his men placed a hand over the guard’s mouth. The other ripped his shirt open. Their captain flashed steel across a nipple. The wound wept blood. The man tried to howl.

“The Vandyne cabinet. Five of its members are on this floor. Which room?”

Silence. Kayden’s fingers pinched the other nipple as he lifted the knife. The guard strained to speak. His lips were freed.

“R-Room 820! N-Not far! Please!”

“Thank you.” With that, Kayden’s blade flashed a final time, splitting the skin and tendons on the guard’s throat. The last image he saw was on the Marauder’s helmet: a face howling in pain.

Within that helmet, Kayden just opened a secure comlink with Bir Vuul. “Five of our quarry have been confirmed located in The Ra’zel Hotel. My team is in pursuit.”

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

Bir and his team made their way through the city garnering curious looks from the civilians but little more than that. To the untrained eye, they were nothing more than a mercenary squad looking for a place to kick back for the night. But they were so much more.

”Is our present for the Prime Minister secure, Captain?” Bir asked of the officer when they were cleared from the earshot of anyone. With a discreet nod, Kip approached Bir.

“Yes, sir. I must admit that it is making my men and I nervous but it will be ready,” His tone was neutral, not showing any sign of the aforementioned anxiety but inspection of his troops revealed as much.

”Dear Captain, all will be well! Of this, you have my most sincere word! You all do!” Turning to address the company as a whole, Bir’s arms opened wide as though he wished to embrace each of them in a single hug. ”Just keep the crate steady! Believe me, you don’t want to see what happens if you drop it!” The Kel Dor snickered as he turned back and continued his march through the streets. Behind him, he could here the murmurs of unconvinced soldiers but their loyalty to the cause was true.

“Five of our quarry have been located in the Ra’zel hotel. My team is in pursuit,”

Kayden’s voice could be heard through the muffled communicator speaker sewn into Bir’s hood. All was going to plan, it seemed.

”Very good! Very good, my maniacal conspirator! I shall be approaching the Prime Minister’s homestead in mere moments!”

@Die Shize

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

The door burst open. A strike team of reavers led by a Sith reaper bulled into the corridor. They were caught by the guards strolling it. That was no surprise.

“What the kark!?” Cried a serviceman before he raised his blaster and opened fire. The bolts soared down the corridor toward the collection of raiders. The shots struck wall, armor, and as one raider took a bolt to the pauldron the lot of them had already been exchanging bolts.

The three guards were torn apart like cheese through a shredder as bolts barraged them before any more of theirs had a chance to go off. Then the reavers were forward and toward. They had a room number in mind, only one of them could actually speak it aloud, and that was enough.

Kayden led the storm from one hallway to the next. Guards were on patrol here and there. The little units would soon be united in their network.

No one needed to see it to know that someone else had since seen the live security feed of an attack on the rooftop. By this point, the Vandyne dignitaries would be alerted to the monsters that were coming for them.

A push through the Force sent a score of sentries scattering. They had converged at the other end of the corridor before Kayden gave them a farewell flight. By the time they rose to a stand blades and blasters were upon them.

“Call to your god,” Kayden beckoned, pulling one side of his mouth back to reveal tempting teeth.

“Wh-What!?” The guard shook his head.

“Call to your GOD!” His head fell from his shoulders before a prayer could be uttered. It was his key card that Kayden needed.

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

The mansion loomed before the team of invaders, the main rooms illuminated and casting their glow out onto the manicured front lawn. Members of the Vandyne Security Forces patrolled the perimeter, both in uniform and some in casual wear. Getting inside, it wouldn’t be easy. Fortunately for the team of troopers, their crazed Commander had formulated a plan to bypass that need.

”Captain, your instructions are clear, yes?” Bir requested of the Officer, his hands intertwined at his abdomen. Kip, still doubtful of the Kel Dor, nodded in agreement.

“Yes, sir. We will be ready. Are you sure you’re up to the task?” he queried in response. His tone carried the fact that his hesitancy was growing, garnering a snide snicker from the Acolyte. The common soldier often made the mistake of underestimating the Force and Kip would soon learn of his error.

”Of course I am! Truth be told, your presence is unnecessary! I just wanted an audience!” Bir cackled and proceeded to depart, making his way to the main gate. Kip and his squad watched him carefully as the Sith melted away into the shadows.

“He’s going to get himself killed, you know,” one of the troopers holding the crate piped up. Kip couldn’t respond immediately but eventually allowed himself a deep sigh.

“You’re probably right, Halie. Nonetheless, we have our orders. Move out,”


Bir came to a stop a good distance away from the main gate, still out of eye sight of the Prime Minister’s guards, darkness enveloping the street around him as the Acolyte used his abilities to snuff the light from the surrounding street lamps. Patiently he waited, observing the tree line beyond the estate until finally, the blue light of Kip’s squad flashed thrice to signify they were in position. A sinister grin formed on the Kel Dor’s face as he began his approach. It was show time.

“Did you see that?”

“See what?”

“The street lights… They just… Stopped. All of them,”

“Probably just a faulty sensor. We’ll put the call in to facilities in the morning. Just keep sharp,”

“Wait… Something… Someone’s approaching,”

The two guards squinted to see the figure that molded itself from the blackness, advancing on them with a steady and determined stride. A black hood masked his facial features until he was directly before them, the figure only then lowering the fabric to reveal the face of a Kel Dor.

“You lost, citizen?” the first guard asked, not yet opting to raise his rifle on the mysterious figure.

”Lost? Me? No no no! I am exactly where I am meant to be!” Bir cooed, tilting his head to the right as he locked eyes with the guard.

“I’m going to have to disagree, pal. You should go home. These streets can be dangerous at night,” the guard laughed, turning to return to the gate only to be stopped in his tracks and unable to pull air in to his lungs as his toes began to dangle just about the concrete. The second guard turned to face the Kel Dor and could see his left hand outstretched, curled as though it was wrapped around his partner’s throat. Then in the blink of an eye, the suspended guard flew towards Bir and into the waiting grasp of his mechanical right hand. Squeezing tightly, the man’s neck snapped like a stick below a boot as Bir looked him directly in his lifeless eyes.

”They most certainly are,”

The second guard, terrified of what he had just witnessed, didn’t even have the mind to raise his weapon on the threat. Instead he stood still, paralyzed by fear. Bir turned his attention to the man and smiled before releasing the corpse and motioning for the second man to come closer. Bending slightly at the waist and placing his hand to his mask as though to relay a secret, the Kel Dor whispered to the man.

”This is the part where you call for help,”

@Die Shize​

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC

The hotel had to come to life where once it had been sleeping. Alarms blared as red light flashed, and maybe for some other Sith one of those red lights would have been a lightsaber, but this one’s was only red on the outline of a black blade pulsing within. It went left, went right, lopped off heads and hacked through limbs. Each bend in the corridor revealed more enemies to execute. That was fine.

Rounding the corner, Kayden led the charge. The other team had lined up at the other end, a little greater in number and heavy of duty, but no matter. There was a shooting contest that just kicked off along with Kayden’s boots. He had no reason to worry about the bolts sailing past him from behind—his crew knew better than to shoot him in the back—nor for the bolts flying in from the front—his lightsaber was holding its own as he batted them aside.

Some of those bolts returned to their owners, penetrating bodies as two knocked into two others like bowling pins. All the while, the away team’s captain was racing across the field to score a goal on home team’s turf. Come fly away, come fly! Swat that bolt, oh get this bolt too, swat-swat-swat, batter up! Swing-POW!

The Sith was on them before anyone knew it. His free hand pushed and pulled through the air, slamming bodies against the wall, against the ceiling, against one another. His blade bit into chest and cleaved the top of someone’s head off. Now he had...half of a brain? He curled his fingers in, gripping the throat without ever touching it, and raised the fool off the floor.

“Nooo…” Kayden smiled behind his helm. “I’ve got a better use for you…”

The next corridor brought the reavers closer to their prize. Kayden bid his team to take a junction and cut any escape off from the other side. He only needed himself and his newfound friend. “Come, friend. You lead.” The guard walked ahead with a lightsaber pointed toward his back. “Call your other friends out. I sense they’re waiting for me behind those doors over there…” He chuckled. “Waiting to riddle me with bolts! But I am the bolt! The lightning bolt from the storm!”

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

The young man, fearing for his life, fumbled for his communicator as Bir waited patiently for him to call in the invasion. He only dropped it once before retrieving the device and holding it to his mouth.

“Intruder at the main gate! Intruder at the main gate!” he cried out, the panic in his voice undeniable. Bir let off a maniacal laugh as the guard finally raised his rifle and pointed it towards his head. “Stand down! You’re outnumbered!” the man demanded, his voice cracking, as the garrison of guards around the estate began to converge on him.

”Poor boy,” Bir taunted, holding his hands up in surrender. ”A Sith is never outnumbered,” The declaration of his allegiance was enough for the horde of guards to open fire but before a single bolt had reached him, the Kel Dor was gone. Leaping into the air and arching in behind the panicked guard that had called in the alert, Bir wrapped his leathery hand around his mouth to silence his screams as the crimson blade of his lightsaber erupted through his chest. The remaining guards realigned their aim and began to riddle their dead ally with fire in hopes of subduing the threat behind him. The corpse soaked up much of the assault before the Acolyte pushed it towards them with frightening speed. The body slammed into two of the guards ahead of him before he vanished into the darkness once more.

On the other side of the estate, the squad watched in awe.

“Holy kriff! He’s actually doing it!” one man exclaimed.

The team murmured amongst themselves as the red rain of blaster fire lit up the front of the homestead but Kip, Kip remained silent in his observation. It was his first time serving alongside a Sith… and he was impressed.

“Cut the chatter! It’s our turn! You two, stay here in the tree line and pick off anyone that tries to escape! Halie, Stern, Tavis, you’re with me! Let’s move!” the Captain ordered in a harsh whisper before making his way towards the rear gate, the trio of soldiers in tow along with the crate that Bir had ordered them to bring along. Of course, as they approached it became clear that not all of the Prime Minister’s guards had responded to the call of Bir’s distraction as two remained positioned within the compound at the ready. Kip and Halie, each on opposite sides of the gate, scaled the wall and dropped it behind their opponents and proceeded to wrap a thin wire around their throats, tugging them tight until each of their targets ceased to twitch.

Halie opened the gate as Kip watched for any other threat but the Sith at the main gate had drawn most of their attention. It seemed this was actually going to work. Making their way towards the house, Halie and Kip located the air conditioning unit and got to work prying away the duct work while Stern and Tavis placed the crate tightly to the opening. As they pulled up the access hatch of the crate, five Pistoeka “Buzz Droids” crawled out and into the ventworks.

“Do you think these things will do the trick?” Tavis asked as they scuttled away.

“I had my doubts about that Sith but he’s proving to be brighter than first appearances led me to believe. This might actually go exactly as planned,” Halie laughed but was silenced as Kip held up a closed fist.

“We aren’t done. Let’s move in and flank the enemy. Tavis, Stern, go right. Halie and I will approach from the left. The Commander may be good but he can use our help. Let’s go,”

@Die Shize​

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC

“C-C-Come out!” The guard pleaded. “He-He’s gonna kill me! I’m being held at...at...at lightsaber point! I...I think he’s a...Sith!”

Now what could have given that away? Kayden tilted his head behind the head of his prisoner. There was no response to the guard’s call; just the droning noise of an alarm system that was no doubt sending reinforcements in from both within and without the hotel.

“Try again.” Kayden insisted.

“B-But— ACKGH!” The yelp was due to the lightsaber point poking toward his back, burning cloth and flesh.

“Try. Again.”

“COME OUT, DAMN IT! I AIN’T DYIN’ FOR THIS SHIT!”

No response.

Darn… “Room 802 is the door over there on the right, right?”

“Y-Yes..?”

“Excellent. You have been most helpful.” In a gesture of appreciation, Kayden poked the point of his lightsaber just a little further. It penetrated flesh to reach the bone of spine and slowly carved a path upward. The man squealed like a stuck pig, on and on and on. His voice had drowned out the alarms. Finally, he fell to the floor, a black line smouldering where a spine had once been.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” The Sith beckoned as he paced the corridor. A gesture of the Force sent this door sliding upward. There was no one behind it. That door. No one. Then the next door opened on its own accord, and the door after that, and this and that door still, and armed guards exploded into view with fingers on triggers.

“Drop your weapon! Put your hands on your head! Surrender now!” A rather enthusiastic guard commanded.

“Ohhh…” Kayden raised his eyebrows as though the corridor itself had just spoken to him. “So...you’re trying to storm all over me, is that it?” He looked between each guard. They were definitely more armored than their predecessors. Quite a mite of metal, that.

Well, sure, Kayden would comply. He deactivated his lightsaber, dropped it to the floor, raised his arms. “You should know one thing, however…” He spent the next moments watching the guards creep ever closer, so cautious and concerned, knowing what they were dealing with while not really knowing. Closer...closer...just a little closer… Close enough.

“I AM THE STORM!”

The Sith didn’t need his saber because his hands were enough. They flung forth, the tip of each finger and thumb erupting into a spark of electricity. Twisting streaks of forked lighting flew forward, pummeling into every single body in that corridor to dance between them all.

An electric hell of a beautiful blue wracked those guards in ways that they would never have imagined. The storm lasted just long enough to steal the souls from their bodies and leave them to collapse as husks. Then there was calm.

“...Whew…” Kayden effected as he retrieved his saber and marched on. He had a door to knock on.

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

The laughter of a maniac echoed through the dark streets as one by one the guards continued to fall. With each missing comrade it became clear to the Security Force that their initial success against the Sith they had executed was a fluke; a blunder by a lesser member of their Order. Bir was not yet a full fledged Sith but he had a lifetime of training with the Force at his disposal and tonight, he utilized all of his talents with terrifying precision and skill.

“Where did he go?!”

“Is that… No!! AAAAAAGH!”

“He got Noro! Everyone, fall back!”

Finally, the guards began to reform their line as they retreated towards the gate and formed a single line. Each of their blasters was aimed towards the looming shadow ahead of them and they were certain they finally had the rampaging Acolyte.

“Open fire!”

A cascade of crimson blaster fire rained into the street, illuminating the area in the color of blood. And yet, there was no Kel Dor. They had missed. Their foe had evaded them once again. And much to their misfortune, they had a new threat to face.

“Troops, finish them off!” Kip barked from behind the gate and on his order, the four Sith soldiers fired on the Security Forces flank. They were cut down in seconds, nothing but smoking husks in a dark street. “Commander, you can come out now,” Kip called out, his stern expression dominating his face as he surveyed the bodies he and his soldiers had created. It was then that Bir lept to the ground from the second story of a building on the opposite side of the street.

”How could you, Captain?! I wasn’t finished with them!” Bir cried out as he placed both hands to the sides of his face, pulling the skin of his cheeks downward. ”Do I come in to your home and steal your playthings?!” This was met with a chuckle from Halie as she approached both of the men.

“Shouldn’t talk about the Captain’s wife like that, Sith,” she added but soon, screams could be heard coming from the Prime Minister’s home as blood sprayed across the curtains of what could only be the main social gathering room. Halie took in the scene and turned back to Bir before removing her helmet. “Those little droids seem to be doing the trick, sir,”

Bir knew they would. Of course they would. Turning to face the house, the Kel Dor knew the violence was far from over.

”Excellent. Now…” Pausing, Bir turned to face Kip and his face twisted into a sinister grin. ”Burn it,”

@Die Shize​

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music OOC

From the other end of the corridor came the mutes of the Silence. Kayden received them with a glance before looking away, his eyes on his prize. There was a door on the wall with a number above it: 802. This rotation’s winning numbers…

“Hello?” Kayden called as he knocked on the door. “Hotel check-in!” There was no answer. He knocked again. “Is anyone in there? Any VIPs? Any governmental officials? Any secretaries of state? Anyone at all?” Knock-knock-knock.

“It would appear that no one is home,” Kayden regretted before his mutes and mongrels. They said nothing, just looked at him, some trying not to. Oh well…

“I must use my key card, then,” he resolved. “It is only becoming of staff for such a prestigious hotel as this to check on their silent guests, is it not?” No answer. No matter.

The key card swiped. There was an annoying ding! Swiped again. DING! Nothing. Dang... Looks like they changed the codes.

So Kayden stuck his lightsaber through the door, turned it round and round, heard the alarmed voices on the other side, and kicked the metal circle forward. It flew into the guard right behind the door, smacking him to the floor. The way was opened and the door with it.

“ROOM SERVICE!” The Sith yelled as he stormed into the suite with his reavers behind him. The lightsaber cut this way and that way, skewering and slicing, free hand throwing a guard through the window so that he took a tumble down many a storey with a story to tell upon hitting rock bottom.

A door swung open. Two guards lined the doorway, one crouching and the other standing, training blasters. A reaver caught bolts to the torso. Kayden reacted quickly, throwing his saber in a vertical arc so that its blade sliced both hostiles in half. Two for one.

No one would mourn the one or the two. The other raiders were too busy murdering the remaining guards to care. Those guards would not remain for long...

@Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

The excitement in Bir’s face grew as the flames took hold over the Prime Minister’s domicile. The heat swirled within the halls and rooms of the complex, shattering glass windows and further fueling the inferno. Dying screams of both the political leader’s family members as well as his aides could be heard before effectively being silenced by either the remaining Buzz droids or the fire. Alas, it would not be long before the Vandyne Fire Control Teams would start to arrive to douse the charring structure.

“Commander, we’ve just received a report from the droid insertion team,” Kip announced as he approached, his team prepping for extraction. Bir turned to face the officer as he crossed his arms, his smile beaming.

”Kekekeke… Our mission has been a success?” the Kel Dor chuckled softly but Kip’s reaction planted the seeds of doubt in his heart. The man’s stern facial expression twisted into a frown, soon mirrored by the Acolyte. ”What has happened, Captain?’

“It would appear the Prime Minister was able to access an escape tunnel that was built into the lower levels of his home. Scans by the buzz droids, as well as acquired layout plans, indicate these tunnels lead to the main Legislative Assembly. We can expect that due to the tunnels nature, it will be have adequate defenses in place to subdue any pursuit,”

This news was dire but not entirely unexpected. Everything had gone only too smoothly and assassinating a key political figure in a world’s government should not be so easy. Lowering his hood, Bir stared into the blaze.

”Have you been able to locate any other entrances into this tunnel system?”

“Negative, sir. The tunnel can exclusively be entered from the basement level of this residence and in the lower levels of the Legislature. Entrance from any other point is impossible without excavation equipment and breach explosives,” Bir remained silent as Kip awaited his response. The flames were growing, as was the distance between the Acolyte and his prey. He needed to act. “Your orders, sir?”

”Take your team to the Legislative Building and prepare to infiltrate. Locate the exit of the tunnel and seal it shut. I shall pursue the Prime Minister and ensure he does not make it out,” Bir ordered before starting towards the burning building, only to be stopped as Kip reached out and grabbed the Kel Dor by his prosthetic elbow.

“Sir, this building is going to collapse at any moment. Perhaps it would be best if we regroup with Alpha team before we proceed?”

”There is no time! Unhand me and follow my orders, slime!” Bir barked, pulling his arm back from the Captain’s grasp. It was then that Halie approached, slipping her helmet on over her dark hair.

“Good soldiers follow orders, Captain, but if I may… I request permission to join you, Commander. You could use the help down there, I’m sure,” the trooper asked as she stood at attention. Kip, his frown deepening, was interrupted before he could respond.

”I would be delighted for your company, Lieutenant!” Bir exclaimed, wrapping his left arm around her neck and pointed to the blaze. ”We must hurry! Let us proceed!” With that, Bir and Halie approached the front door. It was now wide open as flames licked the archway above but with a wave of his hand, the fire dissipated enough to allow them entrance. Kip stood and observed their entrance with a growl before raising his comm to his mouth.

“Strike Team Alpha, this is Captain Kip. Commander Vuul and Lieutenant Mak are in pursuit of the Prime Minister in a subterranean tunnel system that will lead them to the Legislative Assembly building in the city's core. The remainder of my team is on route to cut off the Prime Minister’s escape. If you’ve accomplished your task, we could use all the help we can get. Kip out,”

With that, the Captain and the four remaining troops hustled into the urban center just as three fire crews descended from the sky, sirens wailing.

@Die Shize​

 

[Raksis]

Pieces of metal whirled around Raksis in a perfect circle while he meditated in the back hulk of his modified T6, Orcus. The sharp shards of vibrosteel then whirred to the ends of the hilts in the Dathomarian’s hands, piling up on each other creating the swords Raksis was known for using.

Just then, in perfect timing, Kip’s message was intercepted through the horned durasteel helmet Raksis had donned.
“Herald,” He addressed the black U9-XX series droid that was piloting Orcus.

*Yes, master?*

“You heard the Captain. Take us down. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we get back to Moraband.” Raksis opened his eyes and exhaled.

His Vision was slowly coming together. He could feel it. He foresaw the deaths of Vyrassu and Sol while he was just an Acolyte- but now he foresaw the deaths of a Kel Dor and a fellow male Dathomarian.

Pity, Raksis stood and faced the hatch that opened to where Bir’s Captain had transmitted the message. He jumped out of his ship and landed without making a noise. He readied his blades as dashed forward, using the Force to reach Bir’s position. The Acolyte may have been fast, but the Marauder was faster.

Those two were beginning to grow on me.

 

[Bir Vuul]

The flames danced around Bir and Halie as they descended the stairwell that would take them to the lowest levels of the domicile. While the Lieutenant seemed to find great discomfort in the blaze, Bir walked with a cool demeanor. He had felt fire before; his entire back had been transformed into a massive scar under the torture of Kor’Bishal (@Rhogar ) and Kav Du’Altaire, the latter casting such burning flames below the table Bir had lied upon that it seared him like a Kel Dor filet. The smell was horrid but the pain… The pain he would never forget. Pain was like an old friend, bore with it the same sensation as the tender caress of a lover. In that sense, one could say the insane Kel Dor was committed to the pain. His current environment held no degree of concern from him. His mask fed him the pure Dorin gas he required and filtered the smoke from each breath.

”I’m detecting an anomaly in the temperature dead ahead, sir. Air currents pushing and pulling the heat away,” Halie relayed to Bir, utilizing the built in scanner of her helmet. Bir could feel it. They were close.

”Excellent, my dear! Most excellent!” Bir stated with enthusiasm before lurching forward at break-neck speed, rounding a corner to the left. Halie hurried to catch up and as she turned to face the Acolyte, she could see that he had indeed found the tunnel. Standing before an armoire at the end of the hall, there was a collection of ornaments and jewelry boxes scattered across the floor.

“Looks like they left in a hurry,” Halie commented as she approached, looking over the scattered belongings. “Just threw everything off the top and made their escape. We should do the same, sir. This blaze is getting intense. No telling how long it will be before it brings the whole place down on us,”

Bir nodded in agreement as he lowered his hood. Pain was his ally but death? Death would have to wait. Reaching out with the Force, the Acolyte wrapped his grip around the armoire and pulled it aside slowly to reveal the escape tunnel that the Prime Minister had utilized mere moments ago.

”They will not be far!” Bir chuckled as he stepped across the threshold. ”I so do look forward to our meeting, Prime Minister!” he called out down through the halls, his voice echoing from every angle. With a sinister grin, Bir entered the tunnel completely with Halie at his side before then bringing the armoire back into position. The pair began making their way down the shaft and moments later the sound of a cascading building collapsing in on itself shook their surroundings.

“Well, no going back that way,” Halie joked as she turned back to see the cloud of dust and ash. No one was getting in, no one was getting out. The Legislative Assembly was their only goal now.

@Kell Rook​

 

[Raksis]

Raksis felt the corridor shake, then, pieces of rock and debris from above began to shower down on top of him. The Sith avoided the collapsing building, dodging left and right while pressing onward to catch up with Bir. Two ideas slipped his mind, but he wasn’t sure if the first one would be possible.

What if...I killed the Kel Dor and the finished the mission myself, went after Xeno and did the same, and then finish off the other Marauders and Acolytes that are oh so loyal to the Sith Order. Or, if Bir is smart, he’ll see my Vision as an ideal worth fighting for. He’ll be my apprentice and we’ll work the Testament of Bane into the hearts of our Order together- until I see to his “untimely” demise.

A crooked smug smile spread across the Dathomarian’s face under his helmet. He almost forgot the building was collapsing until he caught up to Bir and his servants.
He said nothing but inclined his head in respect towards Bir- the rest could all perish by Raksis’ blade for all the Marauder cared. But, to be nice to the Kel Dor, he would let the others think anything but of Raksis’ potential betrayal to them or their master.

You like pain? Raksis thought as he gazed upon the Acolyte.

Then you will have your own dose soon enough. My Vision promises you all the pain and agony you want. Raksis chuckled out loud and then sighed, and decided against saying anything again.

 

[The Storyteller]

A tall form, cloaked in the robes of a Jedi would be escorting the Prime Minister. "It's good you followed me when you had the chance." He'd say, head on a swivel as they ran at a hurried pace.

"How.. how did you know they were coming for me?"

"The Force revealed all that I needed to know. But I am sorry I wasn't quick enough." The Jedi would say.

They were nearly at the exit, and one of the security members would pause, his hand flying to the ear piece. "It would appear, they're beginning to take our escape route. There are reports of fighting up ahead"

"Only dead men lie ahead." The Jedi would say.

 

[Bir Vuul]

Bir watched as the dust that had been spurred by the collapse began to settle, but instead of seeing nothing as one would have expected, a shadowed silhouette began to emerge. Darkness swirled around the figure and at first he believed it to be his partner for this mission.

”Kayden? Kayden, is that you my free footed fellow?!” Bir exclaimed in delight, starting to tap his toes in anticipation of being joined by his colleague. It soon became clear that his summary was incorrect however. The tell tale signs of black and red skin began to be displayed, a sign that perhaps another familiar face had opted to join him in his endeavor? ”No! No, no! It is Xeno! It must be!” Halie simply sighed and shook her head before raising her rifle and aiming it at the figure’s chest.

“No one but our squads are supposed to be here, sir. We’ve been followed,” she stated, the figure’s face finally becoming clear in the dark and dusty tunnel. While it was not the Dathomiran that Bir had become acquainted, it was clear he was still Sith.

”And who might you be, my mysterious friend?” Bir questioned as he crossed his arms. The man would have a moment to reply before a cold chill shot down Bir’s spine. ”We are not alone down here,” he stated coldly, all emotion drained from his voice.

“No shit,” Halie snapped, keeping her weapon trained on the Sith pursuer. Bir raised his hand and placed it atop the barrel of the weapon, coaxing it away from her target.

”No… No, not him… I smell…” The Kel Dor paused, sniffing profusely at the stagnant air. ”Kor’Bishal…” The Acolyte’s face twisted into an expression of deep and unadulterated hatred. Whether or not the Marauder that had twisted Bir into the man he was now was here no longer mattered. All he knew was he needed to locate the source. Turning to the newcomer, Bir pointed a leathery finger at him. ”If you are here to assist in eliminating the Prime Minister, then that is what we must do. If there is anyone of intrigue with him… They’re mine and mine alone…”

@Kell Rook @Rhogar

 

[Raksis]

“Whatever you want.” Raksis titled his blades around his fingers. “I’ll cut them off.” Raksis dashed forward through one of the remaking corridors passing with immense speed, running towards where the Force told him to run. He was going to find away to get ahead of the Prime Minister so he could push him back towards Bir and his group. Then the rest was obvious- it would be another slice-n-dice.

Still, the Dathomarian wondered how much blood he could get on his blades. The Sith Lord of Old promised him more answers for each Sith he killed in the name of the Rule of Two. Bir probably already had a master, but Raksis could solve that problem quicker than you could say “Heart-Cleaver”. Raksis would not kill Bir, no, not today, but he would go after the weaker Acolytes that didn’t show as much promise as the Kel Dor did.

For now, Raksis was just another Sith. Soon, he would be one of the last two. Regardless of whether or not he was a master or apprentice, he wanted his Vision to come true. It will come true. He promised himself as he continued dashing towards his target to push then back to Bir.

@Tulos

 

[The Storyteller]

Pushing out of the exit, the Jedi would lead the way, his cerulean lightsaber igniting to deflect the blaster bolts back towards the troopers. "This way! Blow the tunnel entrance!" He'd yell over his shoulder as he brought his saber downwards at a forty five, bisecting the closest trooper.

Kip would backpedal as more of his men began to fall. They hadn't prepared for a Jedi, at least not one who would fight back so ferociously.

Several of the security would prime charges around the tunnel exit before retreating back a couple paces to blow tunnel exit. To them, it would be a long walk to go through flames, but the Jedi knew differently. He knew that the Sith could eventually escape, but the PM would be long gone by then.

Kip was losing his men quickly to the counter attack and as he got a clear shot on the Minister, he would feel a tightness around his throat before he was suddenly dragged to the hand of the Jedi.

"Prime Minister, take the speeder outside and get to your ship. This is where our paths part. I will hold the Sith from here."

The man was sweaty, terrified, but thankful to be alive and he stammered as all but three of his men accompanied him to his speeder and safety. "Thank you Master Jedi, your sacrifice and actions here, will not be forgotten." The three would join the Jedi.

The Jedi would then walk back to the collapsed entrance, waiting a good thirty feet beyond it at a chokepoint, Kip struggling in his grip. "Shhhh.. the real fun is about to begin." He'd then hold the man before him.

@Kell Rook @Tulos

 

[Bir Vuul]

The tunnel was quiet as Bir and Halie advanced through but soon the sounds of blaster fire began to ring out, echoing down the underground structure. The pair looked to one another in acknowledgment of what the sounds of battle inevitably meant, the hold on their weapons tightening in anticipation of what was awaiting for them ahead. The wait would not be long, as it were.

Ahead of them, the form of five men could be seen though their identities was concealed by the light filtering in from the carnage that was once the doorway into the Legislative Assembly. One man was suspended in the air by another… that wielded a lightsaber.

A Jedi? Here? It seemed impossible to Bir being that they were on the border of Sith territory and not that of the FWA. Then it became clear as an ebb of darkness flowed forward from the Nikto. He wore the robes, he wielded the weapon, but he was no Jedi. No, he was a fallen man much like himself.

Then Bir recognized the man in the Jedi’s grasp. Captain Kip had been captured, his team no doubt eliminated by the Force Wielder. As he kicked and struggled for air, the Kel Dor scowled in disgust.

”Weak,” Bir spat coldly, raising his left hand and throwing a volley of lightning, not at the Jedi, but at the Captain in his grasp as he raised his crimson blade ahead of himself at a 45 to prepare a defence. The Sith could not condone weakness and a Captain that could so easily be captured by the enemy was nothing more than a liability. If the fallen Jedi did not release his hold of the soldier, he of course would suffer the similar effects of the electric surge.

”You have the stench of a monster, Jedi… Who are you? Where do you come from?” Bir would ask of his foe as he ceased his assault on Kip’s torso. Halie, albeit in shock at seeing her commanding officer executed, raised her rifle and panned her aim between the three men at the Jedi’s back.

Hopefully Raksis would be able to intercept the fleeing Prime Minister somehow. It seemed Bir would be preoccupied for the time being...

@Kell Rook @Rhogar