Open Event Vengeance of the Sith: Descent

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai was speaking when he felt as well as saw the ice forming over the grill of his helmet. Cute. Yet disrespectful. Rage briefly boiled, seeping into the Darkside. He was tempted to act until Feifi of all people spoke up. And made a good point. So his Rage subsided as tempting as it was to act, they were wasting enough time.

Yet it did not mean he would forget the act. The mission was young, and opportunities were plenty to avenge himself should the opportunity be ripe and the Half-Sephi appear weak. Time would tell. Instead he sighed deciding to leave the Acolytes for now.

Inexperienced and bold as they were.

Warming the helmet grill a little to allow the ice to melt as Nash walked off. It seemed even when he tried to do right, he did wrong. Instead he looked to the strange markings on the wall. They obviously meant something to someone. Important enough to mark before death. He considered the words as he took a photo of it all.

He knew perhaps it might be important somehow. Even if the others seemed ignorant of it.

He thought upon the meaning of it, as he followed after the Rattataki. Storing the EZphone away with the information.

Lords laze upon seats of frost and obsidian. Perhaps it referred to the Sith Lord's, but apparently seated on a throne of ice and obsidian. Did this refer to where the research was? Somewhere covered in ice on the planet, perhaps even buried with a black throne inside. Somewhere deep going by the rest. Down, Down, down it said. Three drops maybe to mark the entrance and find the right way. The loyalists of this Darth Occidius would be there waiting for them going by the message. Somewhere deep and with three drops. Further down the sinkhole perhaps?

Would this Rattataki traitor know. They would see soon enough.

He kept the information to himself for now, there was no use trying to press his luck. They were hardly going to listen, instead he remained silent. Instead waiting for Ayomi. As a archaeology sort maybe they could make sense of the writing.

He spoke, electing to not mention what had happened before. At least these two had a better understanding. "What you make of those markings on the wall? I think they may be of some importance."

@Sreeya @Rom @Javier esschoolbus @Apollyon @Darasuum @Hastur @René

 

[Arak Ragnos]

Arak remained on his guard despite no immediate retribution. He relaxed slightly as everything began going to normal. He still didn't trust this Trodai after he let it slide that Connor did what he did. Especially if it was the same one from the party on Zeltros.

He followed along with Nash after she called him and Connor to leave the dude. He extinguished his blade reclipping it as he walked with Connor.

He sent a telepathic message to both him and Nash, 'I don't trust the monologuer. If I remember him correctly he's a Pureblood like me and my species is cunning and treachery. We must remain vigilant.'

@Apollyon @Sreeya

 

[Feifi Candorus]

when nash(@Sreeya) insulted feifi, it seemed like feifi was about to absolutly attack and rock her shit, yet, strangely, she luaghed, the sound mechanized and distorted, she may have distanced herself from her culture, her armor barely giving hints to her mandalorian heritage now, with even her helmet betraying barely any hints, but she still considered aggression a virtue, and she could appreciate a good roast when she gets one.

"You know, you got teeth, I like that, been too long since someone had the balls to speak their mind in the order, and I can appreciate a good roast when I get one, dont die here, kay, so I can think of something to fuck with you later."

she gave a brash thumbs up, before running to catch up with her master, feifi may play the part of the brash youngster, but as she moved, feifi was on alert, every body was a potential danger, every shadowy corner a a potential spot for an ambush, she moved in tandem with her master, (@René) keeping alert, she looked to the wall briefly, before using her new helmets hud feature to get a small picture of it, could be useful for later..

"got a picture of it, lets keep going."

@thesithgang!

 

[Xohhar K'liir]

Xohhar smirked as the woman - Nash, apparently - ripped apart the Mandalorian with a few words and then called Connor and Proff down before turning away to lead the group toward their mission leader. Turning her back on a more powerful Sith, dismissing them as being beneath her attention - his teachers might call it unwise, but the Falleen acolyte could appreciate that kind of brazen recklessness; she who dares, wins, it seems. The attitude among the other Sith seemed to reflect that particular victory, people moving away from Champion Trodai and gathering to prepare for the descent. Flicking his petars off and replacing them on his belt, Xo was reaching for his EZPhone in his coat pocket to start cataloging the site when Connor beckoned him to follow as they moved after Nash.

He let out a soft bark of laughter, his scales shifting to a softer green hue as he let out a breath from the tension of the stand-off. "I'm never getting away from that nickname, am I?" He asked with a long-suffering air though his eyes and the corner of his mouth curling into a grin betrayed him. Glancing back over his shoulder toward the Champion, Xohhar nodded at Oracle as the seeker droid lifted off his back and darted ahead but remaining within sight, radar and sonar systems pinging to see if there were any threats approaching and spoke softly to the other three. "I've met his kind before, they're not ones to take an insult lying down. We should stick together, make sure he can't get anyone alone and blame their disappearance on an 'accident' of some kind."

A soft ping from his pocket confirmed the connection establishing with Oracle and he swiftly removed it and checked the feed. "Who knows, with an actual scout maybe we'll have a warning before some horrible monster jumps out and tries to eat one of us... let's hope they prefer Champion-grade meat."

@Apollyon @Javier esschoolbus @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

The specter of death hung heavily over Coranth, of that there was no doubt. Flows of sanguine from each body had gradually begun to muddle with the sulfuric water, filling the air with its metallic stench. The faces of those slain were twisted and frozen in their own death mask, oft wide-eyed to stare back at the Sith who had only just arrived. Even in that moment, one could almost see the fear that had consumed their final moments amongst the living.

Perhaps it was unwise to pilfer from the ill-treated dead. In any case, Connor would find little of value for his efforts. He would immediately notice a complete lack of lightsabers or usable weaponry. Instead, the pockets of the slain acolytes were filled with miscellaneous items - from the weathered pages of textbooks to personal belongings. As he ran his fingers across one corpse, the half-Sephi would undoubtedly come across a commlink that still hung from her wrist. Who awaited him on the other line, or whether he used it at all, was entirely his own choice.

As the commlink was removed from the Acolytes wrist, however, Connor might catch a glimpse of movement from his peripheral vision. The head of a nearby corpse - one that had been slumped down to its lap - turned ever-so-slightly to stare at him. The snap of vertebrae in its mangled neck resounding through the grotto.

To blink was enough to miss the subtle change. Even then, there was no additional movement or sign of life. Could Connor trust his own eyes weren’t playing tricks upon him? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Perhaps he wouldn’t want to know.

Elsewhere in the grotto, Timera could only narrow her eyes upon the group of Acolytes and Champions. None of it impressed the Rattataki, least of all the ‘Champion’ that presumed to take charge without the least bit of knowledge the route ahead. What drew her attention, in truth, was the subtle shift that roiled through the air as Connor drew upon the Force. It was palpable to each of them but easily missed by those embroiled in their own squabbles. Something had changed. Something had been triggered, but for the moment, she didn’t know what.

Instead, the Rattataki broke her silence to address them. “Our only path is downward.” She declared, her gaze flicking towards the caves that networked deeper into the earth. Closer to the oceans that ran beneath their feet. “I do not know what Occidius’ forces utilized this place for, or what remains of them - dead or alive.” She said. “Any information regarding their true whereabouts will be our goal. My advise? We stay together.”

Her gaze flicked to Trodai for the second time that evening. “Your guess is as good as mine, but I don’t like it. They clearly knew we’d be–”

Splash.

The noise echoed throughout the grotto, as sulphuric water splashed up from the edges of a nearby pool in waves. Something heavy had fallen from the cliff-face above - vanishing into the depths while the Sith were occupied.

The second time, they’d catch a glimpse of what it was.

A mangled, humanoid figure lept from crevices in the sinkhole above them, diving into the water, only to reemerge with the first. Another allowed itself to break upon the ground they walked upon, only for bones to snap back into place as it rose to stand. And then another. And another. Until there were dozens. And as their shrieks began to echo through the grotto, the bodies of the dead Acolytes began to convulse. To bloat and bulge as the bones beneath their skin warped and reorganized, to resemble all the other monsters. More than any of them could hope to fight.

“..Coming,” Timera whispered at the end of her sentence, as the horrible realization dawned upon her. In the blackened city of Coranth, only dead things walked. The trap had been set, and sprung with the faintest echo of the Force.

Perhaps Occidius had learned from his own failures on Prakith and Anoth.

Without warning, dozens began to swarm the transport that they’d arrived upon. Ripping at the paneling that comprised the hull of the vessel - anything they’re dead fingernails could pry underneath. Even as the necrotized flesh of their hands began to peel away, they tore at the ship. Seeking to destroy their sole means of escape.

The rest began to shamble towards each and every living Sith - taloned arms flailing, crawling across the ground to meet their prey. Tripping over each other to be the first to rend the flesh from their bones.

Timera didn’t even hesitate to begin running, turning to rush towards the cave - delving into the stone passageways that narrowed and stretched deep into the earth, lit only by the dull hue of mine-shaft lighting that hung overhead. Assuming the rest of their group followed, they would be greeted by the occasional path or tunnel opened into the darkness.

Which they opted to follow, how they would split themselves in the process, was a decision they needed to make - even as the masses of undead would seek to follow them into the caverns and further down.

Down.

Down.

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Ayomi regarded Trodai's (@Akheron) armored figure with little more than contempt as he vainly attempted to assert control over the situation and the gathered group of acolytes. What was the best word to describe it? Pathetic. Here was a champion who'd held the Dark Lord's favor just months before, now disgraced for his failures on Korriban and relegated to working with a fresh crop of acolytes.

For all the Tiefling's self-hatred, they remained glad that they hadn't stooped that low. They hadn't accomplished much, but at least they'd succeeded in this endeavors they had taken on; nothing like what the Pureblood had done on Korriban, if the rumors were true. They ignored his comments to them, giving Trodai only a brief side-eye glance before continuing on and listening to his continued blabbering.

The humming ignition of a lightsaber caught their attention. Had it been another champion, Ayomi might have stepped in to show the rowdy acolytes their place. But Trodai should have been more than capable of doing so himself, and his lacking ability to do so was telling. They had to repress a snicker as one of the acolytes frosted over the Pureblood's mask and instead stayed close to their own apprentice, Feifi, scanning the group's surroundings with wary scarlet eyes.

The whole planet felt off; it wasn't just the stink of mold, rot, and death, but an uneasy vibe like that of an alarm bell going of in the back of the champion's mind. Movement in the periphery of their vision caused a hand to fly to the lightsaber on their waist, only to realize it was yet another Sith, the champion Serene Graves (@Darasuum). Hells she was creepy, even by Sith standards, but Ayomi respected her... uniqueness. "Serene," they began in a low tone, addressing the woman, "always a pleasure to see you slithering out of the shadows. I do hope we're not the only level heads on this mission—"

The rest of the Tiefling's thought was cut off by a sudden splash in the water nearby. Unlike before, this was no sneaking creep. There'd been a subtle shift in the Force, one surely everyone present had picked up on. The dual blades of Ayomi's lightsaber hummed to life as broken amalgamations of twisted bone and rotten flesh began to rise and lumber towards the gathered Sith. The Tiefling began to back up immediately, noticing their Rattataki guide dash for a nearby tunnel deeper into the apparent hell hole. This was no time for bickering, or for splitting up. "Follow her and stay together!" Ayomi barked as they flung their lightsaber horizontally, the two blades spinning around like a buzzsaw. They controlled its trajectory through the Force, guiding the blades to decapitate as many of the shambling monstrosities as they could with emphasis on those closest to the ship. If their transport was destroyed it didn't matter what happened here; the whole group would end up like these things. Any creatures that got too close would be met with a swift telekinetic blast backwards as the Tiefling continued to retreat, waiting for the rest of the group to enter the tunnel behind them before disengaging. Once everyone did so, they would recall the spiraling lightsaber to their hand and run after the group.

Spoiler: Actions Summary

1. Threw their double-bladed lightsaber to decapitate as many zombies as possibly, particularly those attacking the transport.
2. Used the Force to push away any zombies that get close while covering the group's retreat with their spinning lightsaber.
3. Continues retreating backwards with the group, but waits for everyone to get into the tunnel before recalling their lightsaber and turning to join the group.

@Altaris @Hastur @Apollyon @Sreeya @Javier esschoolbus @Rom

 

[Feifi Candorus]

Her master didn't need to tell her twice! Feifi was fast in her pace, keeping up with the running people. She flips over a shambler to assist her master in her task, quickly drawing pistol and fireing a few rounds

"Weeeeee down into the rabbit whole we go master!"

She said, chuckling, as she follows her master down, into the dark, darker yet darker they went.

@yall.

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai continued to walk, yet felt a feeling of unease as they dud. The planet was definitely off..unnatural even. More so than Korriban. This was an old wound that perhaps would never heal, a deep fester. He heard the splash instinctively went for his lightsaber, igniting it even as they spoke. He had a very bad feeling. The Force was warped here.

Darker. Darker than perhaps he had experienced before, the only other place he could recall was that infernal space station. It had a similar feeling. Trodai nodded as the Rattataki explained and he agreed. They were likely expected. So extra caution was required. Less they walk into a trap. Which apparently they had as the undead descended upon the group.That and his other suspicion was proven partially correct. They needed to go down. Much further down he imagined into the caves. Somewhere with ice if the message was right.

As much as he disliked these Acolytes, he knew the success of the mission required putting differences aside for now. If he remembered the horror holomovies and if science theory was correct...the dead could be stopped by attacking the brain and a severing of brain functions. At least in most cases. Unless these were more wraith than that. Either way he didn't fancy getting bitten. And so as the undead horde advanced towards them he begun removed limbs, stamping on heads as they landed on the floor and he made his way forward. He continued trying create space, using the Force to fling multiple undead back, creating some space for the group, proving he was far from the shell he looked like.

As Rage manifested into action.

He followed after Ayomi and the Rattataki took off, following her presence in the Force. But not before calling out himself as he shouted, "Agreed! Move together and follow her! Attack the brain if you get a chance!" deciding for now at least to forget the indiscretion, not that he didn't want to act but they had bigger problems and if they wanted to get out of this to survive the mission and recover the research, a compromise was needed. Perhaps he might even see despite their troublesome attitudes what they could do.

Assisting Ayomi, the two would hopefully act as a bulwark against the undead, cutting bodies and throwing any that got to close before departing with the group after the Rattataki.

Spoiler

Actions -
1.Trodai is using his lightsaber to cut limbs and crunch heads on the ground if they get too close. Used the Force via Push to create space around the group.
2. Moved, running as he cut a path to the cave entrance, attempting to keep track of the Rattataki in the Force, ensuring the group were through before going.

@Sreeya @Darasuum @Rom @Altaris @Apollyon @Hastur @René @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Corra]

Corra had been picked for this particular delve into the abyss, and she wasn't sure if that was an honor or meant that she was just fresh meat. She had heard the stories about what happened in the prior hunt for Occidius though she probably wasn't supposed to have heard. She hoped this one was going to go better, but she wasn't hopeful.

Now that she was here, boots on the ground, she was feeling worse. The whole planet was twisted and smelled of feral death. The kind of stench that was untamed for any use apart from its own self-perpetuating cycle of violence. The kind that would eat up an acolyte or champion no matter how clever or curious.

She looked around at all the people who had been sent here and couldn't help but notice it seemed like a lot of acolytes with very few actual "adults." Yeah, we've definitely been sent here to die, haven't we? she thought to herself.

Her flight suit and its helmet made it all the easier to just kind of be ignored, though she was thankful to at least recognize a single familiar face in Connor (@Apollyon). It wasn't like they were best friends or anything, but it was something.

Tension quickly started to rise and Corra didn't make any immediate move. If she wasn't targeted - benefits of being just quietly lurking, she supposed - then she was... well, she was going to do whatever was in her best interest.

At the end of the day, she fell in with the group that had the only person she knew (@Apollyon) as they started heading off, no one at least objecting to her presence as they headed onward. Not being noticed still had its benefits.

She watched the area behind them as they kept moving forward, that creeping discomfort growing as she headed on. Everyone else seemed to trust the Rattataki woman to lead them, but Corra's eyes were drawn to that collar. That collar that said she was unreliable and untrustworthy. She might act in preservation of her own life, but if she thought making sure the expeditions all died was in her life's interest, she would sacrifice them all, Corra was sure.

And then it kicked off. And I mean kicked off.

The dead started shambling, and for a moment, Corra felt almost frozen before instinct took over. It would have been nice to say that there was some deep, intelligent plan here that she was using, but it was mostly panic.

KRIFF! she yelped.

The Rattataki dashed off, and Corra was right on her heels. She wasn't interested in being at the back of the group, and she figured that the woman - untrustworthy as she was - was still Corra's best chance at staying alive.

She would follow the woman down, keeping to the same paths that the woman took and hoping that the dead would lose them among the tunnels. Surely she wouldn't be that lucky.

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor hadn’t noticed the corpse turning its head to look at him. But he certainly wished he did now. When the restless dead screeched and came rushing at them Connor screamed. He’d seen a lot on the streets of Shadda, undead was not one of them.

Green bolts illuminated twisted and gnashing faces as the horde closed in. Connor felt overwhelmed by everything. This was the horror of AMS. He understood why the Hutts did forced vaccinations now.

“Guys, what the fuck did we get ourselves into?!” He yelled as he tugged the blaster pistol out of the holster and began to fire into the crowd of monsters as the rushed them.

For some reason that True-death guy tried to hold back the tide. He was likely zombie bait, fuck him. Connor bolted towards the tunnels, he didn’t leave his friends behind. He wouldn’t abandon them to save his skin but he did maintain a middle of the pack placement.

He’d pull his EZphone out and flick on the flashlight mode on as the ran. He wasn’t going to be blind down in this bitch. Nope. Not getting caught off guard again. He followed the trail Corra and the Rattataki blazed, that was probably the safest way to run after all.

The city of the dead wasn’t an understatement it seemed.

Spoiler: tldr

- Connor runs and shoots
- Connor turns the EZphone flashlight function on and follows Corra and co down the tunnels with his group of friends.

@Sreeya @Phoenix @Altaris @Javier esschoolbus @Rom @Akheron

 

[Nash]

Fortunately Nash was already shuffling away to put as much distance between herself and Discount Grim Reaper as possible. When the splashing and creepy shit began to happen, she glanced over her shoulder, took one look, and decided nope. Hutt space had been ravaged by AMS infected so anyone from those corners knew the drill. You didn’t engage. You ran. You made sure people behind you were slower in worst case scenarios, “Block the exit!” She called out to whoever was coming in last.

She wasn’t sure going into the cave was safer by any means, but they had little choice now. Nash broke into a run, glancing over only to make sure Connor (@Apollyon )and Arak (@Javier esschoolbus ) were following. Once they entered, she resisted the urge to bash the stupid Mandalorian chick’s (@Hastur ) head into the wall, “Shut the fuck up!” Nash whispered harshly, not keen on giving away their entry into the cave with the sound of batshit laughter. In all the chaos she was suddenly not happy about her prospects of survival with some of these lunatics.

Nash had her blaster out. She wasn’t as good with it as her fists, but few people survived on the streets of Hutta without knowing how to work a blaster. For now she stayed quiet, letting the Rattataki lead. The slave collar was unsettling, but Nash was far too desensitized to seeing those things to be curious about it.

Spoiler: actions

1. Just running into the cave

 

[Xohhar K'liir]

Xohhar was distracted, busy looking over the data being streamed from Oracle with a frown on his face as he tried to boost the signal, when he heard the first splash. Not looking up from the screen for a second the Falleen acolyte snorted and quipped, "Hey, maybe that Champion(@Akheron) saved us the trouble and fell into a poo-" his voice petered out as he finally glanced up and saw the horde of mangled undead surging toward them from above, their shrieks interrupted by the sickening squishy crunch of their bodies hitting the ground before getting right back up and shambling forward. "-oooh fuck."

His first instinct was to make for the ship but the sound of groaning metal behind him was all the incentive he needed to reverse course and follow Connor and the others as they sprinted for the cave, drawing his blaster and frantically swiping through Oracle's scouting data. "'Come on this mission,' they said. 'Earn the Dark Lord's favor,' they said! 'It's been years, most of them are probably rotted away by now,' - my scaley green ass!!" he hissed furiously under his breath, calling Oracle back to him through the two-way encryption before the stone disrupted their signal anymore as he cycled through the sonar readings of the tunnels arrayed around them. "Dead end, dead end, long fall into a dead end... fuck, I need to stop saying dea- there we go."

Xohhar took a centering breath and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, then flipped his phone over as the projector showed a flickering blue holographic map of the tunnels branching out from the cavern. His tone was cool and measured despite the fear gripping him as the shrieks from outside grew louder, projecting confidence as if he were standing in a boardroom rather than a mining cavern. "My seeker droid reports most of these tunnels seem to dead end before leading anywhere, but that the easternmost tunnel slopes further down and terminates in a subterranean chamber; now I'd bet a star cruiser full of Sansanna spice that that chamber is going to lead us closer to whatever this Lord Occidius had hidden here. If you want to explore the other tunnels that's fine - but it seems clear to me that the only way out is through, so I'm taking the eastern tunnel. If you're going to follow me... keep up."

Giving the gaggle of acolytes consisting of Connor(@Apollyon), his friends(@Javier esschoolbus @Sreeya), and the quiet acolyte(@Phoenix) a lingering look, Xohhar turned toward the eastern tunnel and slipped his phone into his pocket and turned on the small glowrod from his belt in his left hand as the seeker droid came floating out of the darkness and settled onto his back. He took a fortifying breath and prepared to move out, his blaster set on lethal and held ready in his right. "Keep your radar and sonar active and chime up if anything is getting close, Oracle... I don't want any surprises."

1. Drew his blaster and ran into the cavern with the others.
2. Reviewed Oracle's scans and reported the findings to the others.
3. Grabs the flashlight from his belt and turns to lead anyone who will follow into the eastern tunnels with ID-21's radar and sonar scanning for surprises or approaching zombies

 

[Serene]

Spoiler: Music

Song

The aggression between Sith subsided for now though Serene could not help but detect linger feelings. It was hard to hone in on as everyone tended to be guarded about their intentions lest they hide such things. However the planet and their immediate surroundings were an unsettling sensation in its own right.

Sith were not known to easily forgive those that trespassed against them. The observant sorceress continued onward to join their Rattataki guide, Timera. Serene found the woman to be particularly interesting but she would need to approach the front of the group to get close.

The champion was looking at Trodai and Timera talk, trying to follow their lips from behind his mask even as Ayomi addressed her. Both groups were interrupted by the sound of sudden displacement of water. Serene's hands flexed into fists habitually but she turned to see the cause of the noise. The sight of the creatures were quickly analyzed with equal parts concern, caution and curiosity. In a split second decision Serene was already hurrying after their guide and leaving her blue comrade's side. She was glad for her decision making as she witnessed the cadavers of former acolytes morphed to match the monstrous wretches.

Serene agreed with their guide. They had a better chance sticking together, at least for now. The urge to draw her saber came, to throw her weapons and cleave through those that chased them like Ayomi had. She drew her shoto hilt but did not activate it yet. The weapon simply served to act as a source of light or utility rather than as a weapon. Pit falls, dart tubes, whatever may be ahead she wanted to be ready. They did not need three Champions bringing up the rear. Besides, if the acolytes got too far ahead on their own then Force knows what was in store for them.

"Take off, now." She sternly ordered the crew of the transport without yelling. The ship served no purpose getting destroyed other than providing a slight delay for the rest of them to get a head start on the hideous creatures. Serene had wisely kept her distance and found it easy to continue doing so. She appreciated the violent contributions of the other dark siders who turned to fight on their behalf. With a moderate and controlled application of the force, Serene sped past any slower comrades and made for the front of the group. Serene would catch up to their collared guide.

A falleen acolyte seemed to have an idea of what was ahead. Serene gave a glance towards Timera to see how the guide responded. She was not quick to agree to the green skinned youth but his logic made sense and they had limited options.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Serene draws her shoto saber hilt but doesn't activate it yet.
Serene runs to join Timera towards the front of the group.

OOC: Also sorry for not tagging anyone

 

[Arak Ragnos]

Arak was walking with the larger group quelling his thought on attacking Trodai. Suddenly he heard a splash of water behind him. He turned to see what it was when suddenly he saw multiple corpses falling into the sinkhole from various openings. One of the corpses reached out for his leg and was quickly shoved away from him.

He was slightly intrigued by the creature’s and only had time to quickly examine them as the ‘grim reaper‘ decided to stay behind. He quickly rushed in and was the last of the group that decided to just run in and not fight. Being an individual of self preservation he poured his Force use into collapsing the roof of the cave leaving Trodai and Ayomi to fend for themselves while the rest and Arak get a barrier.

After he would run down to catch up with the rest meeting up with Connor (@Apollyon). “Any idea where to go?” He questioned with a slight pant from his exertion in bringing the roof down. Taking out his saber and igniting it for light and defense.

Spoiler: Actions

1. Runs into cave stopping at entrance.
2. Attempts to seal the cave entrance abandoning Trodai and Ayomi
3. Moves to catchup with the rest of the group

 

[The Storyteller]

There was no mercy for those unfortunate souls left on the transport. Multiple Acolytes and Sith Troopers had been staged within the vessel to ensure its protection - but nothing could prepare them for the onslaught that quickly poured from every corner of the grotto. Dozens of infected swarmed up the durasteel ramp, clamoring across transparisteel windows and tearing at exterior plating. The screams of the dying could be heard even as the Sith fled wildly into the tunnels, and Serene would quickly find her orders ignored. Everyone left on the transport would be killed and turned.

Strangely, the Infected seemed more interested in destroying their ship - ripping apart anything they could get their hand upon - than anything else. There was a collective sense of purpose amongst them. A unity that was, compared to other AMS outbreaks, unheard of.

Whether anyone amongst them cared to take note of this fact while running for their lives? Was another matter entirely. The sound of feral growls and screams filled subterranean tunnels entirely too close at the heels of the Sith, each infected shambling for a chance to feast upon their new prey. The collective Force-attacks, blaster-bolts and whirling sabers only served to marginally slow the wave of necrotic bodies, as another undead crawled over their toppled counterpart to continue the charge. Utapau was supposed to be a deadzone, most of all within the lowest levels of its sinkholes. Something had triggered their appearance. Someone had strategically placed them to ambush those loyal to Tempest.

Timera was prepared to bodily hurl the closest Acolyte into the horde - only for Arak to act firstly. The Rattataki paused only long enough to watch as the Pureblood brought down the ceiling above them, collapsing the damp stone and blocking the path with large, immovable boulders. Thick plumes of dust and debris began to fill the air on both sides of the tunnel, momentarily blocking out the vision of both infected and living. Even with their strength combined, clearing the path between them would take time and effort they simply couldn’t afford.

Multiple Sith would be struck by falling debris - sizable rocks and fragments of earth failing to discriminate against whoever was closest to the collapse. Of course, things were significantly worse for Trodai and Ayomi.

Left-Behind-Gang​

Abandoned by their allies, the valiant defenders of the group would be left alone with their backs to the fallen debris, only able to hear as the hordes of twisted, necrotic bodies shambled towards them. Perhaps their only solace was the clouds of thick dust that had risen to fill the tunnel, which would - assuming they were intelligent enough to deactivate the glowing weapons they hauled around - buy them a few moments of reprieve. Infected quickly began to attack each other, latching onto stray limbs amidst the panic.

They would have seconds to make their escape - whether they opted to remain together or abandon the other. They would be forced to squeeze between infected and rush the narrow corridors, towards the only dead-end tunnel that was still close to where they’d been abandoned. Neither would escape unscathed. Both would bare cuts, scratches and the graze of teeth across their armor and bodies. Both would be left to wonder if they had been exposed to the virus.

Through the darkness and debris, the tunnel would twist and wind before coming to the dead-end that Xohhar had informed them of. The walls narrowed towards a doorway carved into the very cave itself, sealed by a slab of obsidian, thick and black as midnight. Chains extended from the wall on either side and pulled taut against the door, ensuring that no strength of the Force would compromise its integrity.

Any attempts to scan beyond the doorway would reveal nothing at all. The Ur-Kittat inscription carved into the door itself, however, alluded to something else entirely.

Sas Tutsatsa iw Yun, Hi Dzara Tuti Kots. Sas Kraujas Iw Ri Zarmir, Hi Qo Tuti Imdniji.

Three pedestals extended from the ground before the door, each carved with a handprint upon their surface. Their purpose was something only the two of them could decipher.

And time was not their ally.

Main Group​

On the other side of the collapsed tunnel, the Sith would momentarily be allowed to catch their breath. Hordes of infected had no intention of clawing through the debris, and one could only wonder how long they would spend picking the meat from Ayomi and Trodai’s bones. Timera, ever at the front of the group, allowed her gaze to flick between Arak and Nash. Seemingly the only two individuals with the sense to abandon dead weight.

“An example to follow,” She pointed her finger in their direction. “If any amongst you wish to progress as Sith.”

With the path behind them sealed, the Sith would only have the wide, open chamber that began to open ahead of them. Natural stone gave way to polished, carved walls of cathedral height, illuminated by twisted chandeliers that swayed of their own accord. Every footstep and voice echoed high into the air. Every whisper seemed to amplify above what should have been normal. That sense of dread only grew more profound as the group progressed into the hallowed halls beneath Utapau, delving deeper into the City of the Dead than any living creature ought to delve.

Until they were greeted with singing.

It was a melodic and soft thing. Low, gentle humming that echoed off the polished walls and beckoned the Sith along their path, rounding the corner until they finally arrived upon the chamber that Xohhar had urged them towards.

The circular space was filled with small waterfalls and pools of sulfuric water, contributing to the smell that began to assault the nostrils of the living. A small army of droid attendants wandered about, moving between the various pieces of machinery and tall, saline-filled vats which had been built into the subterranean laboratory. Infected, just like those the Sith had fled from, floated within the vats - subject to all manner of experimentation by the followers of Occidius. There were computer terminals and towers of compiled data to be accessed on the far sides of the chamber, guarded only by the droids that operated all around them.

The think that would almost certainly capture their attention, however, was the source of the singing.

Upon its spindly legs, standing shin-deep in the pools of sulphuric water, the Alchemist happily hummed its little tune through meat-flap lips - swaying ever-so-slightly to its own melody. The twisted creature held a scalpel within its fingers, using the instrument to slice and cut across the body of the Infected that was sprawled across a bloodied, metal table. The Darkness that permeated from the abomination was palpable. The dread that they’d felt since they very first arrived.

Slowly but surely, the creature lifted its blackened gaze from its laboratory and cadaver - settling its attention upon the Sith.

And it simply kept humming.

 

[Feifi Candorus]

"damit.. pity.. but to be slow is to be dead.. I somewhat hope they find a way out, they were a good teacher when it came to saber combat."

she quietly mused out loud as she looked behind her, only wondering what would happen to her master..

As they progressed feifi entered a predatorial mindset, she was in the territory of the enemy now, and she certainly wasnt going to do her master an injustice by being a sniveling coward.. then she heard it... singing?.. she immediately would put her focus as an assasin to use, aiming to make herself less noticeable, and wait for the right moment to strike, voting to try and asses the situation, rushing in now would only get herself and her allies killed, and well.. she favored living.. when the... thing.. looked to her fellows, feifi instinctively prepared herself for combat.

@main gang!

 

[Nash]

Nash wasn’t sure whether a compliment from the shady Rattataki woman was a good thing or not, but she stayed silent for now. They stepped into a new area and the sulfuric stench was so strong it almost made her puke. However, living in poverty and on the streets of Hutt space prepared her for all sorts of disgusting environments. She took a step away from Arak (@Javier esschoolbus ), however, as she was certain his princely self was going to projectile vomit from the horrific stench.

The humming was loud enough to resound over her music and she switched off her own tunes. They happened upon a creepy scene and she resisted the urge to strangle Xo (@Rom ) for leading them here. The grotesque monster thing looked their way and…kept humming. Nash looked at all the terminals and mentally addressed Connor (@Apollyon ), ‘See if you can do anything with the terminals or droids.’

The alchemist didn’t attack them on sight and stared right at them before resuming its humming. Nash shrugged and decided to start a slow beatboxing rhythm to the humming because why the fuck not. She was never gonna throw shade on someone trying to vibe with some tunes even if they looked like nightmare fuel. Nash stepped past the others and towards the alchemist, jamming along with it with her rhythm. After a moment she paused a few feet away, “Whatcha….whatcha doin’ over there, man?” She asked casually as if interacting with some dude off the street.

Spoiler: actions

1. Nash beatboxes to go with the humming
2. Nash walks up to the alchemist to strike up a convo

@Altaris

 

[Corra]

Corra was glad that she hadn't been caught on the other side of the rocks, but she wasn't going to mourn those who had been left behind. Maybe the undead would eat them and be satisfied.

The darkness only increased the deeper they went into the depths of... this place. The Falleen seemed to know where he was going, and she fell in with the rest of them until she heard the humming. Some sort of... siren monster? It seemed they kept drawing closer to the singing, so maybe it was closer than she had thought.

As they dumped out into a room with waterfalls and meat-flap-lips, Corra froze. It didn't attack, and before she could do anything else, the Twi'lek woman was... beatboxing? And going over to chat it up?

Okay, well... let's make the most of her sacrifice, Corra thought, her eyes starting to look around the room. She tried to quickly make sense of what she was seeing.

Infected floating in vats, putrid water, dissection, droids... no sign of Occidius, she thought, which was probably a blessing.

She started looking for any signs of alternative exits, arcane runes she might recognize, or writings laying open that might tell her what this place was and what this... being was. She also looked to try to see if she could make sense of any of the experiments conducted on the infected. In other words, she tried to find any useful information in the room that she could use to their advantage.

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

To say Trodai was unamused was a understatement. And yet he had a feeling something like this might happen, especially with his luck of late, the Force seemed ever determined by keep testing his limits, and what he would do to ascend again. This group of Acolytes were going to be a problem but it wasn't something he could dwell on at the moment. Not with the current issue.

Abandoned and with his back now to the debris, the only option was to run. And so he did.

"Put it away and follow! We don't want attention!"

He said as he put his lightsaber away temporarily, allowing the clouds of thick dust to mask the two as he grimaced and used the precious seconds they had to run and squeeze between the undead and the narrow corridors, towards the dead-end tunnel. He just hoped Ayomi was smart enough to do the same and put their weapon away so they didn't attract more of the rising dead as they ran.

As he reached the door, now with a few more scratches, cuts and teeth marks upon his armour and body, Trodai knew if he made it he was going to need a AMS vaccine. Just in case. As he reached the door, he cursed their rotten luck. Zombies and now a puzzle door by the looks of it. He read the inscription grimacing again, it did not bode well for one of them.

In Ur-Kittat he saw it was written, a very familiar language, the language of his people. In basic he understood it to mean "By Strength of Two, Thy Chains are Broken. By Blood of the Victor, Thy Way is Opened” and he looked upon the three pedestals knowing they didn't have much time to decide what to do. However thinking upon the inscription he had a rough idea and went straight to action.

If Ayomi followed he would seal them in after using the Force to bring rocks down and seal behind Ayomi. Hopefully buying a bit more time to open the door and bury some dead. Once this was done Trodai stepped to the right pedestal and motioned to Ayomi to do the same for the one opposite to place a hand upon the marking of a handprint.

"Stand over there! Press the other pedestal, it requires two. Let's see if we can trick it a bit" he said.

If he understood correctly this door required two to open. Perhaps a Master and Apprentice, two to break the chains together and start the mechanism. The second half, he suspected was not a thought to relish. It alluded he feared to only one being able to walk through, a victor. And he was not willing to be the one left, not this time. After they had pressed both pedestal at once he would see if they could perhaps trick the mechanism. By cutting his hand and with using the blood of a 'victor' place it on the third handprint to hopefully open the door once they had pressed the other two.

If not he would do whatever he needed to do to survive. Ayomi was perhaps a ally yes, but he wasn't willing to die just yet. He kept a wary eye, knowing Ayomi was probably thinking the same thing.

Spoiler

Actions -
1.Trodai put his lightsaber away for now and using the clouds of thick dust to mask his presence from the undead, used the precious seconds they had to run and squeeze between the undead and the narrow corridors, towards the dead-end tunnel hoping Ayomi followed suit.

2.If Ayomi followed, used the Force to seal up the tunnel behind them and buy more time. Trodai followed by placing a hand on the immediate right pedestal, asked and motioned Ayomi to do the same to the pedestal opposite on the left.

3.If the placing of a hand upon the two pedestals at once is successful in moving the chains, Trodai cut his hand and placed it on the middle pedestal, hoping to trick the door into seeing the blood of a 'victor ' and open for them both.

@René @Altaris

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor looked down at Arak with a puzzled expression. What was next? How was he supposed to know? “Dude, I don’t know…” He muttered. “…good shit on the ceiling though. Fuck Sir Talks-a-Lot.” His ears perked as he congratulated Arak.

Connor followed the captive Sith Master, Corra, and Serene. As they walked, he nudged Nash. “How fucked do you think we are? Scale of one to ten.” He asked before glancing to LB and then back to Nash. “Push comes to shove you, me, and Arak are the only three that matters. We work together to get out of this yeah?” He whispered conspiratorially.

As they came to the exit, Connor would pause. The stench was horrid, like fetid meat mixed with sun cooked bantha poodoo. He had to actively keep it together to not vomit. His eyes roamed the room until he heard Nash’s voice in his head. She pointed out the computers and droids. Connor was already wondering if there was a connection.

He’d get to work asap.

While Nash approached the alchemist, Connor would walk towards the nearest terminal. He’d place his hand on it and send a mental message to both Nash and Arak.

“Slipping into the computer. Shove me if shit hits the fan. And Nash, don’t get too close to that dude, yeah? He’s a fuckin weirdo.”

With that Connor’s mind would slip into the terminal. His body went rigid, his eyes went white, and all sound faded from the world. Instead, he saw the digital highway of the terminal. He pushed his consciousness through it, looking for information or control over the droids. Anything that would be useful for what was ahead.

Spoiler: tldr

1) Connor talks with Nash and Arak.
2) Connor approaches data terminal and warns Nash to not get too close.
3) Connor uses technopathy to slip into the computer to hunt for information.

@Sreeya @Altaris @Javier esschoolbus