Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,409
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Apr 11, 2024 9:15:53 GMT -8
Jerec was in meditation within the temporary chambers he had acquired aboard the Allegiance-class Battlecruiser 'Vitiate' when the communicator built into the wall of the room began to chirp with a delivered priority message, for Dark Apostle eyes only. Grinning from one pale ear to the other, the servant of Famine uncrossed his legs and stood up, taking a moment to shake some circulation back into his stiff limbs before crossing the room to the blinking communicator screen. His dark eyes read from left to right, rapidly digesting the information sent to him by High Priest Mephisto of the Hunger Cults, who had recently been operating off of Roon while acting as the Dark Apothecary's representative at the Fortress of Tawntoom. There wasn't much to the message but it did speak to the news he'd been waiting upon. The Eye of Astera, a massive hyperspace ring designed by the SE's Director of Advanced Technology and constructed by the Fabricator General of the Forge Worlds, had finally been completed and was currently being prepared over Hypori. Tankers of ultra-coaxium were on route from Kessel to begin fueling the gargantuan ring's large reservoir. The acolyte went to the refresher and took a moment to splash some cold water on his face, rubbing his fingers over his shorn scalp, then slapped his cheeks hard to stimulate blood flow to his face.
The journey between galaxies would happen soon. Peridea, not so much a dream anymore. For his part there was nothing left to do. The special cargo in the hold was still held safely in stasis and the Vitiate was holding position with the rest of the fleet at the edge of the Pzobian nebula, where it was scheduled to link up with the Eye of Astera and make the monumental leap.
He threw on his best set of shadowsilk robe and picked up a ceramic mug of piping hot stim-caf from the small kitchenet in his room before heading out the door and making his way to the bridge, occasionally pausing to let a pair of marching Sith Troopers pass or dodging around lumbering cultists, a few of which were acting more strange than usual. Jerec could hear them muttering under their breaths when they thought they were alone or out of earshot, and his powerful mind offered him further insight into their unguarded thoughts, expending only a mild degree of energy on those they tried to shield away from his probing telepathy. There was much talk aboard the battlecruiser...about the Eye, and not the one that just built. They spoke of the 'other' Eye, the true Eye. Even the Dark Apostle who commanded a considerable amount of sorcerous power, found his sleeping dreams and waking mind occupied with thoughts of the Almighty Eye. Something about their proximity to the nebula, it strengthened the oppressive presence he felt in his mind. Only the Nu-Jakes who had never been made to stand witness to its holy gaze seemed unafflicted by their proximity to the space distortion. He watched them closely as he entered the bridge and assumed his seat in the command throne, staring at the large view screen spread out before him, his vision focused on the swirling interstellar storm.
"Black alert." He instructed the crew. Jerec sipped his stim-caf as he settled into the onyx chair, relaxing his posture even as a light strobe blinked to light above his head from the bridge lumens as the signal was sent across the ship. In the dark bowels of the battlecruiser cathedral, the Sith Knights of Roon paused in their training to look up at the wall speakers, their cruel faces lighting up with ruthless excitement. Soon they'd get to wet their blades on whatever heathen scum they found on Peridea. "The Eye...of Astera, will be arriving soon. Be ready."
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Jun 15, 2024 22:52:52 GMT -8
The Eye of Astera
The fuel tankers had already started to arrived at the edge of the Pzobian Nebula from Kessel after having had their paths diverted from Hypori. Their arrival heralded the appearance of the massive hyperspace ring which left an ionic trail as it came rushing out of hyperspace at the edge of the assembled fleet. The engines let out a whine as they spun down and exhausted the by-products of the jump into space. Contrary Conatus was already busy examining the data that had been gathered from what could be considered the test jump from Hypori. The data would prove valuable in working out any adjustments or potential issues they might encounter upon the next much longer flight.
The tankers were already busy closing in upon the Eye of Astera and transferring their cargo of fuel to replace what was used and completely fill the tanks to give this expedition the best chance of success. Meanwhile instructions were being transmitted to the Vitiate to begin moving into position for docking. Now all that was left was to await the arrival of Dragus and Valefor
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,409
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Jul 8, 2024 11:10:13 GMT -8
With the arrival of the Eye of Astera, Dark Apostle Jerec Cretin ordered the Allegiance-class Battlecruiser 'Vitiate' to begin its docking sequence. Maneuvering thrusters bled radioactive particulate into the airless vacuum as the large star destroyer maneuvered backwards, away from the edge of the crackling Pzobian Nebula whose stellar mood seemed more agitated and angry than usual. Foot by foot the wedged prow of the warship passed through the open circle of the giant hyperspace ring, until its starboard and port sides were perfectly aligned with the docking mechanism. Magnetic clamps lowered into place and joined the two, effectively transforming two deadly weapons into one, a sad necessity of the journey to follow.
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Jul 14, 2024 22:30:51 GMT -8
Contrary Conatus was alerted to the fire detector sensor being tripped in the elevator well before it arrived and thus had a cleaning team en-route to the bridge. The turbolift was marked offline in the system and traffic was redirected to adjacent turbolifts. As soon as the doors opened, Contrary Conatus kept his distance well in the air as the occupants spilled out and started to cause a mess. Cleaning bots were soon on the scene dealing with the clean out of the turbolift car and following the fur balls across the bridge. As a safety precaution, the Overseer disabled the physical controls across the bridge to avoid tampering or damage. Both Lord Valefor and Darth Astera had made a number of design adjustments to account for the Dark Apothecary's involvement. This was one such change. The floating golden orb turned his focus down to Dragus as the Saurian Sith Lord implied they should get under way
I should think most certainly not. I would ask you where the Forge Master is, but I suspect that is a wasted venture. The Eye of Astera does not leave without Lord Valefor...
Almost on cue the TIE/fr Freighter known as the Shadowgore appeared out of hyperspace just off to the Hyper Rings port side
Speaking of, that would be him arriving now.
The Shadowgore transmitted its clearance codes before being directed to the concealed hangar bay at the rear of the ring where the bridge was located. The Demon Lord of Hypori was not pleased as he stepped off the boarding ramp and made his way across the Hangar Bay and through the short tunnel to the Bridge of the hyper ring. Contrary Conatus made the wise decision to remain where he was, awaiting orders as the Sorcerer came upon the Apothecary
Your duplicitousness is hardly surprising Dragus... But we are all here now. I see you even took a shower, how honoured I feel that you would go out of your way for me... Conatus, report!
He slapped his ungloved hand against Dragus' shoulder before turning his focus to the forward viewport where several outputs and displays started being projected
All systems are nominal, fuelling has reached ninety five percent. We are prepared and ready to depart Forge Master. Estimated travel time is three days.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,409
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Jul 17, 2024 8:35:50 GMT -8
Dragus winced as the Forge Master's meaty palm smacked against the scales of his back, glowering detestably at Valefor from behind for a moment, before quickly adapting to the current set of circumstance. Admittedly he had thought to slip away with the Eye of Astera before the Demon Lord arrived, thus claiming Peridea and all the lost treasures of that distant galaxy for himself, but there other benefits to having his crimson companion accompany him. The Fabricator General had proven himself capable beyond measure. The conquests his mechanical legions had been reaping across the stars would have turned the cycloptic head of the Warmaster, and no doubt featured greatly in the slumbering mutant Abyssin's dreams, while his observed sorcerous proficiency would have likely even impressed the Avatar of Death. With the two of them working together, or at least not quite working at cross-purposes, this unclaimed galaxy wouldn't stand a chance.
"Now letz not be too hasssty." Protested the suds covered saurian, offering Valefor and his hovering machine the black scaled barabel's backside as he took a talon tipped step past the two, clasping his claws above the base of his tail as he focused his mismatched gaze at the crackling gaseous storm dominating the main viewscreen. Curious that is should be the deranged draconian among them to plead for patience when only a few short minutes ago he was trying to depart with all due haste. "The bessst place to perform thiz interssstellar jump iz on the other ssside of the nebula. Prior to my arrival I consssulted with void meteorologistz on the sssurface of Pzob..." Hannite star scryers. Mad to the last man. "Thessse academicz, who have devoted their entire livez to ssstudying the Pzobian nebula, asssure me of favourable weather conditionz thiz time of year. We should be able to passs through the nebula, relatively unssscathed, and perform the jump sssafely from the other ssside."
Across the bridge, Lil'Bacca and Lil'Mort gave each other a disconcerting look upon hearing their Shepherd's use of the word 'safely'. Both of them had been with Dragus long enough to have an idea of just what awaited them in the nebula. There was a reason even the Adventists didn't enter that inhospitable region of space.
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Aug 9, 2024 1:00:36 GMT -8
Valefor had been happy and prepared to give the order to make the jump, right up until Dragus vigorously protested their leaving right at that moment. Indeed, it had been him and his Lieutenant that had insisted on the most haste be taken in leaving for their destination unknown across the vast void between galaxies. Given Dragus had been eager to leave without him, Valefor could not help but suspect the deranged draconian was up to something. Before Contrary Conatus could object, the Red Sage held up his hand to quiet the Overseer
I know your usual style is a lot more... ramshackle. But this is not your usual area of expertise, making calculated jumps across the vastness of the void. If something is not right or the calculations are off just by a small bit, we could miss our destination and end up stuck beyond our intended destination ... Suffice to say your life is just as at risk as mine is. However, if you insist on travelling through the Nebula, be aware that you will be the first one sacrificed for safe passage. Trust me, I will not let you weasel your way out of that one, friend...
Contrary Conatus did not seem pleased by this development, but he did as was asked and exerted controls over the engines of both the Eye of Astera and the Vitiate to send them toward the gaseous cloud. Shields were raised and weapons were sweeping their angles
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,409
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Aug 9, 2024 7:05:58 GMT -8
Contorting first at the edges of the devilish drake's toothy maw, the reprehensible reptile's villainous jaws twisted into an unamused scowl, and he brought the back of his left claw to his forehead in feigned hurt. "You paint me az the villain, Valefor." He hissed humbly, his features a facade of crocodilian contrition. Then just as quickly the corners of his black lips lifted to expose the rows of daggers lining the inside of his mouth, rising in a rotten grin that came accompanied by a wave of the Dark Apothecary's rancid breath, including just a hint of curdled blue-milk. "That'z very sssweet of you. Siss, Siss, Siss."Cackling maniacally the dripping Dread Wyrm found himself an unoccupied seat, eliciting an alarming creak from the wooden haft of his cane as he placed his full weight upon it, easing his old bones onto the leather cushion. His rodent assistant Squeakers hurried-scurried over to his side, settling its haunches on the floor as it seated itself there, gnawing on a mouldy piece of cheese it had pulled from a damp pocket. Lil'Havok, who often saw what others didn't despite his visual impairment, waddled back over to Dragus and climbed up in his lap. The blind bear nuzzled its head into the wicked warlocks scaly bosom and before even the Hungering One realized it he was stroking his flock-mate's fuzzy scalp and giving it scritches beneath the ear."Trussst me, my crimssson comrade. Would I sssteer ye awry?" Don't answer that. "Too much dependz on the successs of thiz venture to risssk otherwissse. Besidez, before leaving the Black Temple I ssspilled the entrailz of a devout Hannite virgin, rummaged through them with mine own clawz, and exposssed their secretz." As he explained, Famine slipped a claw into his feathered cloak and retrieved a deck of laminated tarot cards, which he began to shuffle between his scaly palms. "My brother Havok, Dread Ssseer of the Eye, assurez me sssuch symbolz of prophecy are rarely wrong. No, we must firssst travel through the nebula, then we make the jump." A wet gargle accompanied the loose rattle of something in Dragus' chest as he cleared his throat with a cough, then did his best imitation of his brother Havok's voice. "When beheld by the Eye of the Cradle's endless storm, the pathway to Peridea will be open to you." He shrugged his sud-slick shoulders nonchalantly. "It seemz relatively ssstraightforward."Of course, as they entered the nebula's crackling gaseous depths, their situations was anything but straightforward. Even in the unwelcoming depths of the endless storm, life found a way to exist. Massive manta-ray shaped neebray glided across their path, some large enough to be of concern, though Contrary Conatus appeared to be doing his best to keep the Eye of Astera and connected Vitiate on course. It was unnervingly quiet on the bridge, with the only sounds outside Dragus and Valefor's ongoing discussion being the radar pings from the sensor station.PING! PING! PING! PING! PING! PING! PING! PING!
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Valefor
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 284
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Valefor on Oct 8, 2024 21:58:57 GMT -8
Valefor remained impassive and mute as Dragus at first seemed to take offence at being made out to be a villain before grinning. At least the Dark Apothecary still had a good humour about the role in which he served. He watched then as the Barabel hauled his heft across the bridge to a seat and was quickly attended to by his Ranat servant and one of the Ewoks. For all the villainous show he put on, Dragus certainly had a softer side at time.
It took all the Demon Lord's strength not to quip at Dragus when the question came up of if the Sinister Saurian would lead another awry. The fact of the matter was, they had barely just gotten back from Dragus' field trip beneath the surface of Roon. True enough they had all survived, but Valefor still remembered driving his spear through a mutated Dianoga before fighting an invasion force of Charon. An invasion force which Dragus had implied was still trying to make its way through other Infinity Gates, but which he had sworn to secrecy. Mad as the Dark Apothecary was, he was right: knowledge of the Charon would only cause chaos that was unhelpful
Well, Dragus, I pray that your prophetic reading remains true. I would not envy you if you got on Lady Astera's bad side...
He finally moved from his spot in the middle of the bridge then and checked the sensor station to see just what it was that was pinging so incessantly
Ensure our shields are at full strength Overseer, it looks like we have a bogey approaching off the port bow... Dragus, what exactly is out in that Nebula?
What ever it was, it was quite large and moving at a decent speed, it likely would not be long before it appeared in visual range
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,409
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Oct 9, 2024 8:03:47 GMT -8
Holding Lil'Havok a little tighter, the wicked warlock shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of Astera, having felt the sting of her Force Lightning on more than one occasion. He certainly had no desire to suffer its ill affects again in the future. Retrieving his pipe which was still damp with foam from the turbolift, he snickered aloud as he began to scrape the wet spice scum from the bowl end of his signature smoking device. "Aye, the Director can be a bit prickly at timez. Siss, Siss, Siss." Taking a spice pouch into his palm, he poured a thimble-full measure into the bowl, then tamped it down with his thumb. "Truthfully I couldn't carry out a quarter of my experimentz without the help of her massstery over machinez. Pluz she'z a lot more fun after a few cupz of bloodwine." Fun was one way to put. They were still dealing with the ramifications of that one night of poorly planned promiscuity. A small flash of Force Lightning forked from the Dark Apothecary's talon tip into the bowl, immolating its contents as Dragus brought the pipe to his lips and inhaled a deep breath of mind addling narcotics, feeling an invigorating rush of the darkside as the corrupted contents stimulated his otherworldly senses.Ensure our shields are at full strength Overseer, it looks like we have a bogey approaching off the port bow... Dragus, what exactly is out in that Nebula?What ever it was, it was quite large and moving at a decent speed, it likely would not be long before it appeared in visual range
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