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
|
Post by Dragus on Jan 18, 2022 7:25:02 GMT -8
Jamming communications was a wise move from the outset. Krell recalled just such a tactic being regularly used when the various Sith factions his master had served under went to war, usually for the purpose of isolating a system and preventing any defenders from calling for aid. He wasn't sure in this instance who exactly Ryloth would attempt to contact, but it was better for their goal of anonymity not to take any unnecessary chances.
His towering form stood over the weapon's station, watching the display as the officer there began to select targets while the computer calculating firing vectors. He could almost feel the turbolaser cannon turrets positioned on the hull swiveling as they brought their guns to bear. Every second that past, a little of the distance between the attacking fleet and the system defenders closed, bringing them just about into range of the cannons. If he still had lips he would have licked them in anticipation. Instead the yellowed skeletal jaw bone crammed into his darkened helm merely creaked as it opened wider.
"This prey is beneath us, but I see no sense in letting a good practice opportunity go to waste." Metal ground against metal as Krell turned his armoured head towards Kel-Sin and regarded the Falleen curiously. "How proficient a starfighter pilot are you, acolyte? I think I might be able to squeeze my frame into a TIE cockpit if you'd care for a bit of competition. Perhaps whoever shoots down the most defenders earns the right to slay whatever pathetic tentacle headed weakling thinks to call itself the leader of this rabble."
For obvious reasons Krell's limitedly diverse repertoire of skills was better suited to close quarters melee combat, but he had on occasion flown a starfighter in battle. Usually some preparation was required, like preparing a modified TIE Avenger to fit his cumbersome armoured form, but it was possible he could squeeze himself into a similarly sized cockpit and connect a port to the starfighter in order to override the controls rather than operate them manually. He had the added benefit of not requiring a vacuum suit due in part to his mechanical nature.
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235 
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Jul 17, 2022 14:45:03 GMT -8
The immense structure that was the Hymn of Ragnos warped into existence over the planet of Ryloth. However, it gave itself a bit of a berth, coming into the orbit of one of the planet's five moons. Performing a quick scan, the Pyramid's sensors reported a meager sector fleet, nothing more than frigates and small destroyers along with support vessels to deal with the frequent slaver and pirate raids. Given Ryloth's reputation in the Ryll exportation and being the prime target for slaves, the government always maintained a necessary fleet against raids. Especially ones that came out of the Death Wind Corridor, which was the venue utilized by the Sith Eternal to come into the system.
On the bridge of the vessel, where Lord Dragus and Acolyte Xitan stood, along with the other major commanders and Sith, the crew began to report in what was detailed. Ryloth's protective fleet consisted of a few Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, augmented by several ancient Foray-class Blockade Runners and a couple Gozanti-class Cruisers. The heavy cruisers were the big deal compared to the rest. Xitan ensured that his personal vessel, a Xyston-class Star Destroyer, Firebrand, was ready to deploy if they needed assistance. After all, the Hymn of Ragnos was no true battleship, but it still had the means to fight back.
Xitan turned to Dragus as the moon moved out of the way, revealing the barren world of Ryloth before the immense floating obelisk.
I suppose we should get ready for the show then, Lord Apothecary?
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Jul 18, 2022 6:48:41 GMT -8
Herein lay the difference between the three heavy dreadnoughts that currently comprised the Abrion Sector defense fleet, otherwise known as Immortalis Command. Where either the Terentatek or Imperious would have made short work of the meager Ryloth patrol force, annihilating anything that stood in their way a heavy bombardment from their turbolaser cannons, the Hymn of Ragnos fell a bit short in terms of firepower. Its numerous laser cannons were excellent against scattered swarms of starfighters, but poorly suited against anything larger than a support class. In truth it was more carrier than dreadnought; however, what it lacked in firepower it made up for in the fear it inspired by the mere sight of it. The Freedon-class Star Pyramid was a floating fortress, a dread weapon designed to inflict terror just by its presence alone. Fear was its greatest weapon of all, and fear they would use.A low growl sounded in the throat of He-Who-Hungers as he observed the force arrayed against them through the magnified view of the enemy fleet, rising in pitch until his scaled lips parted and a wet gurgling laugh escaped his toothy maw. His eyes blazed sinisterly, wide and possessed with madness. He brought a talon up to his jaws and dug it between his rows of curved incisors, digging out a small morsel of rotten meat from a few meals ago before wrapping his forked tongue around it and sucking it back down into his gullet. "Oh yez, Xxxitan. There iz nothing I quite enjoy like a good performance. We shall show thessse weaklingz what makez uz different from thossse that have come before." He let those words linger as they rattled off his jaws with a long hiss, his tongue flicking bloody droplets across the deck.Stalking across the bridge, Dragus approached the command throne where the captain was seated and bent down next to the human, soiling the shoulder of his perfectly maintained naval uniform with a crimson mist as he hissed his instructions into the man's trembling ear. Even fanatically loyal to the Sith Eternal as the officer was, he still looked uneasy so close to the dripping jaws of the saurian Sith. The reptilian's rancid breath caused the captain to choke as he attempted in vain to stifle a gag, nor did he find he could meet the dark apothecary's terrible bloody gaze."Divert all available power to shieldz and take uz in to the heart of their formation. We shall provide you with an opening to unleash the full might of thiz vessel'z firepower." His scaled lips peeled back to give a complete view of his glistening teeth. "Be prepared for it. You will know it when you sssee it."This was not the Covenant of Blood where decades of cruelty and unspeakable suffering had left their mark, permeating the very hull with a wicked aura of hopelessness. So it could not be treated as such, but precautions had been taken during its construction. Certain plates in the hull, rivets and struts, floor panels and lift cables, and so on and so forth...had been introduced during its time in the Nullus Beacon docks. These otherwise ordinary pieces of forged Imperial steel had in fact been secretly altered with alchemy to enhance the flow of the darkside throughout the ship. Crushed meltmassif stone worked into the metal like sinister mortar heightened the telepathic talents of those with an affinity for such abilities. All of it done for moments like this.As the Hungering One left the captain to his work, he began to organize the Sith unfortunate enough to be present on the bridge at this current time, Xitan excepted of course. For they knew not that they were about to be treated as fuel. He arranged them in two small circles, positioning each acolyte at the points of two forming pentagrams, with Dragus and Xitan at the center of either formation. "You there. And you there." He snarled, indicating each position with a jab of his claws. "Yez, you there. Quickly. What are you all ssstill ssstanding for? Kneel!" His words and will hit them like a hammer, with each dropping in turn to the point their kneecaps painfully struck the deck. The deadly sharp length of blade adhered to the end of his tail swept dangerously close to the faces of each kneeling Sith as Dragus turned around, inspecting the formation until he was satisfied. He then looked over at Xitan, who might have been wondering exactly what it was they were doing."Have you been a part of a battle meditation before?"
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Jul 23, 2022 12:04:05 GMT -8
For now, Xitan observed the progress of what was happening, the beginnings of battle over Ryloth and then the consequential Blood Tithe raids. For once, the Acolyte wasn't involved in commanding, at least for now. He had brought his squadron with him, the reformed and improving Skull Squadron that was made up of twelve Annihilator-class Starfighters. This squadron made up one of eight squadrons that made up the make of the Freedon-class's starfighter complement. The Annihilators were certainly a boom for the Sith Eternal naval assets, considering their potential and power. Hence why Xitan ensured a squadron of them was under his personal command.
The Sith watched as the crew got to work, performing the duties set out by the Dark Apothecary, bringing the shields online and diverting substantial power to their defense. This was helped by the redundant shield generators that had been attached to augment the capability of its defense. Down below, Xitan could sense the troops and starfighter pilots getting into position for the coming action. After all, there was potential for boarding activities, both against the star pyramid and from its hulls. The anticipation and excitement for battle was high among the fanatical loyalists.
Turning his gaze when Dragus addressed him, the masked Xitan shook his head.
I have studied it, but not utilized it. I am more of a warrior after all, not a sorcerer.
The array of abilities, at his fingertips, certainly aided in this statement. Force Chock, Mind Trick, Focused Rage, and Force Lightning to name some of the Acolyte's abilities. They were all tailored to a warrior's enhancement. After all, Xitan drew upon raw and unbridled energy that came from rage, anger, and other dark emotions.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Jul 24, 2022 5:05:10 GMT -8
The corners of the Hungering One's lips twisted upwards in an amused sneer. "Ha! Iz that arrogance I hear?" He chided with a raspy chuckle. "Your desssire to dominate and eagernesss to kill are among your finer qualitiez, my boy, but the pathway to power iz paved with knowledge and experience. Consssider each technique learned to be another brick laid towardz that eventual dessstination, even if you sssee no further ussse of it. There may come a time when your ssstrength of arm failz you and all you have left are your witz and your hate." His bloody gaze seemed to darken as bitter recollections of past failures troubled his mind and soured his mood. "I ssspeak from experience when I sssay that even the bessst laid planz can go awry. A Sssith mussst be prepared for any eventuality."
Already through the main viewscreen that dominated the bridge, he could see the magnified view of enemy starfighters disgorging from the array of dreadnoughts and cruisers directly ahead of them. Against the Hymn of Ragnos they were more nuisance then threat, but so far as his own calculations were concerned, their presence was negligible. They would never fire a shot. Sparks danced across the deck as he sank his foot talons into the floor, carving deep furrows in the deck plating as he lowered his stance and began to centre himself. His overlong and animate fifth appendance struck the deck, audibly ringing as the blade adhered to the end of his tail elicited a resonating tone. Extending his will as far as it would go, the devilish draconian sank his claws into the aether and pulled, drawing in the currents of the malevolent fey like a fisherman reeling in the days catch. Dark power coursed through his veins, heating the reptile's cold blood until steam seemed to exude from his scales. The bridge lights flickered as the supernatural began to have an effect on reality. Lower and lower the serpent slithered into the depths of the darkside, sinking below one enumeration after another, while his clawed hands swished through the air in front of his body in some meaningful pattern. Electrical current seemed to dance between his talons, bleeding from his claw tips as he pulled more and more into his core.
Dragus' teeth ground together, the razor edged incisors slicing into his own gums and causing his dark blood to spill over his lips and run down his chin. In a dripping deluge it soiled the front of his shadowsilk robe and spattered the floor, pooling before the kneeling forms of the Sith surrounding him. He opened his jaws, hissing loudly as he released a poisonous breath that wilted the robes of the acolytes around him and tarnished the silver sheen of their armour. Bristling with summoned power, a veritable conduit for the darkside currents drawn throughout the ship, the steaming drake lord struggled to speak. Everything around him was forgotten, so far as he was concerned, in this moment there was only Xitan and their prey.
"Thiz will not be a true battle meditation, but the theory and application are sssimilar. We will not be affecting the mindz of our own troopz, but that of our foe. Az begrudging az it iz to admit, Vullorr haz done an excellent job organizing our cult, az Garrax haz done an equal job of training our troops. Emperor'z black bonez, even Assstera haz done a good job building our war machinez and the weaponz our soldierz wield in battle. There iz no reassson to expect anything lesss than perfection from thossse that ssserve beneath uz. Let thiz red tithe we reap alssso ssserve az a culling of our unworthy. Thossse that fail here dessserve to be disssregarded and disssposed of." He snarled cruelly, his words carrying menacingly across the bridge and causing some of those unworthy he had spoken of to tremble at their stations. "Az for our foe, they shall know nothing but fear, which we will shape for them az we ssseek to influence their mindz. Do az I do, Xxxitan, and I will guide you through thiz lossst art."
Twisting at the wrist, Dragus' left claw turned over to offer its palm to the ceiling, lightning still dancing between his talon tips and occasionally searing his scales. "Now draw on the Dark and sssummon to you az much power az you believe your body can contain and control. Anger iz your gift, transssform it into the raw energiez of the fey. But do not consssume more than you know you can handle. If you overindulge and explode for lack of control, all we are attempting to accomplish here will be undone. Focuz your hate, be certain in your ssstrength of will, and draw..."
It went unsaid for it was against the Great Devourer's nature to compliment, but the truth was he had never sensed another with such a natural affinity for rage, apart from his brother Bacca. Xitan was like the Lord of War in many ways, to the point where this almost made him feel nostalgic for past conquests. If he approached this technique like he did a lightsaber battle, he would succeed. It was only doubt that would doom them.
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Aug 7, 2022 10:29:03 GMT -8
The words of Dragus made the Sith's eyebrow be raised beneath his mask. Although an accomplished acolyte, Xitan was still among those who were viewed that they needed to learn and experience more before becoming full-fledge Sith Lords in name and right. Long had he focused on fighting with his sword arm and utilizing the Force to merely lash out and blunt his foes attacks or hold them in place in order to slash at them. His expertise revealed this well considering Xitan's liking towards Force Lightning, Choke, Destruction, and more recently, Force Stasis. They were powers more situated for a warrior's stance and focus.
Yet here, Dragus could still see what others saw in Xitan: raw power. Though there was refinement, the forging of the acolyte was still not yet complete. It was becoming honed, but the edges and style were not there. He had, after all, only managed to rise to where he was based upon this raw strength, overpowering his peers with the usage of this energy to make them knee before the might of Xitan. But even Garrax, an individual of personal might, was still a refined blade. The Supreme Leader would not have utilized the former Janissary if he was nothing more than a wild creature. A crazed animal would not be able to lead armies, command the respect of officers, and make a soldier into a true weapon of war. Like any apprentice, Xitan grew tired of lessons, but he knew better. He had seen what happened to those who refused to listen after all. There was the choice of death or being labeled as a cultist, a nobody with no purpose beyond being a shield for their betters.
However, Xitan did know of what Dragus spoke of, there were different kinds of Battle Meditations. There were those that instilled courage and valor into soldiers, making them fight to the very last. Another that created illusions in the minds of foes, such as those utilized by Naga Sadow. Further methods made the enemy fearful and get a sense of dread. Then there was a fourth that meld minds together to form unbreakable bonds, such as that with starfighter squadrons or trooper squads. The education of any acolyte in the Sith Eternal was thorough after all.
After Dragus spoke, the acolyte would listen to the instructions presented to him. Xitan closed his eyes beneath his mask and began to immerse himself with the connection to the Dark Side. Summon as much power as one could contain and control. Too much and things will go out of hand, undoing what is to be done here. The Sith began to feel the tendrils of the Dark Side slithering towards him, like snakes drawn to a prey. But instead of seeking to devour him, they sought him out like moths to a source of light. Anger is a gift, transform it into raw energy... as the darkness touched Xitan, memories unfolded. The days his father beat him, the harsh words that were once tender and affectionate between a parent and an offspring, the neglect as another took his place, the gazes turning away from the protégé towards another who had taken his rightful place... the bottle was opened one day and screams followed.
The Darkness exploded into Xitan's form, seeking to roll in the emotions of anger, but he grasped it by its collar, seeking to control it. Summon as much power as your body can contain and control, transform it into what is needed, do no more than you can handle. As the darkness sought to grow and expand, Xitan fought back, seeking to contain its desire to consume. This was the first time that he had been instructed to actually control the Dark Side. The Sith were meant to use it as a conduit to greater power and abilities after all. But if this were anyone else, Xitan would not have listened. And so, the Sith did as he was instructed to do.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 9, 2022 7:23:05 GMT -8
Black wisps of smoke rose from the serpent's smouldering scales as the Great Devourer held in check the raw fey energy he had summoned, focusing his mind on the Hymn of Ragnos as a whole, mentally willing the flow of power through channels purposefully designed into the floating obelisk. Usually luminescent, his burning coal like orbs glossed over an obsidian hue, reflecting the corrupting power he was trying to contain for the spell. His jaws parted wide, sparks now dancing between his curved teeth, steaming in his mouth as forks of electricity tickled his forked tongue. Before him, the kneeling Sith spread around his figure at five points of a circle began to look uneasy. If the dreaded He-Who-Hungers was prepared to endure what they had seen so far, it could only mean what he intended for them was that much worse. Slowly he extended his finger talons towards the five kneeling figures spread around him, gently caressing the bald scalps of those within reach of his left and right claws, carefully pricking their flesh with his talon tips. He turned his snout over his shoulder, regarding Xitan through his darkside obscured vision.What they were attempting...it was a lot to ask of any acolyte. Major would have been able to perform the technique flawlessly, and with far less need to channel the corrupting currents of the malevolent fey. Her Fallanassi heritage and subsequent access to the White Current would have made this look like child's play by comparison. Others, like Kryptman and Gaiscioch would have been able to channel the flow of power, though he doubted they would have the grace to deploy it in the same way as he intended. Could Rook, his last apprentice, have summoned and contained such wicked currents? Doubtful, though the Eye only knew that Hungering One would have made the attempt regardless.Xitan, however... Thought the Master of Alchemical Arts. ...was doing quite well. Dragus could feel the dark energies permeate the acolyte, threatening to erupt at any moment. Despite their raw and wild nature, the acolyte held them in check, so far doing everything that was instructed of him."Yez!" Hissed Dragus, filling the air with the stench of cooked blood as his maw vented filthy smoke. "You're doing it, my boy! Now, focuz your witz, draw az deep az your memory will allow. Conjure forth an image in your mind'z eye, sssomething that all men fear. You know what it iz. You've killed before, your handz are drenched in the blood of the weak and unworthy. What waz it you sssaw in their eyez before sssending them to the grave? Hmmm. Sssee it, shape it in your mind, and form it into a nightmare."As the black scaled barabel struggled to explain, Ryloth's system patrol fleet had entered firing range of the Star Pyramid. The star speckled backdrop of the system explodes in a writhing sea of energized blaster gas as the twi'lek defenders opened up with whatever weapons they had available. Turbolaser cannons thundered as they delivered long lancing precision strikes of red and green against the Hymn of Ragnos' powerful shields, flashing before the vision of the crew as they stared at the view screen, each impact causing the hull to rumble and quake. The Captain, a seasoned naval veteran and judging by the pale nature of his flesh a long time member of the cult, stood up from the command throne and swung his uniformed left arm outwards."Release all fighter squadrons." Commander the officer with the authority of his station.A furious snarl was elicited from the saurian Sith, still steeped in captured power that caused the floor to corrode beneath his clawed feet."Belay that! Hold them back and keep uz moving forwardz. Don't ssstop until we are at the heart of their formation!" At first the Captain fixed the mad drake with an incredulous look of disbelief, but as he stared into the blackened orbs of the draconian's glazed over eyes, something he saw in those two endless pits of the abyss caused him to tremble and sit back down. A dark stain spread around the groin of his uniform pants, vaguely pungent. The flag ship continued forwards, withstanding the brunt of the defenders offensive as its shields continued to wilt under the concerted fire.
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Aug 13, 2022 15:38:48 GMT -8
Conjure up something that they fear... he has killed it before. Xitan began to wonder deeply as to what Lord Dragus suggested to the Acolyte. True, with Battle Meditation, images and feelings of dread could be projected into the very minds of the enemy, sending formations into disarray. For a time, the Sith continued to draw in the energy, but remaining within the limits of his abilities. There are many fears to project. Naga Sadow utilized his Battle Meditation to create images of a vast warfleet and army to devastate the Galactic Republic and the kingdom of Empress Teta. Darth Caedus utilized it to coordinate and direct the battle to whatever outcome he desired, such as increasing the proficiency of the fleets he commanded or bringing forth feelings of despair and dread to his foes. He even once dominated the will of the defensive ground troops of Fondor, making them believe that victory was beyond their reach.
Then, it dawned upon the Acolyte. Conjure forth an image in your mind, something that all men fear. He knew what it was. Something that he had killed before. Exerting the drawn energy, Xitan began to focus it upon one of the enemy cruisers that lashed its fangs at the Hymn of Ragnos. Within the hulls of the vessel, something was to be unleashed through the corruption of their minds.
=======================
Aboard the warship, Pride of the Bright Lands, moments later...
=Officer=
Open fire! Contain those things!
Several crewmen came over the top of a barricade and began to fire upon what appeared to be a nightmarish horde of creatures, unleashed upon their vessel. How did they get there? No clue, but they were some sort of Ithorian abomination! And there were tens of them! Unlike the one that Xitan had fought, these did not fire off their supersonic boom, but simply lunged and lashed. One of the crewmen went down as one of these creatures managed to lurch over the barricade.
=Officer=
Fall back for the bridge! Fall back for the bridge!
Their weak minds so easily dominated that they didn't know they were firing upon their own crew. Those who represented these Sith abominations had been dominated to believe that they had no weapons and that someone had seized control of the bridge. To them, they saw Stormtroopers and thus they rushed forward, punching armor and hitting them with whatever they could find.
=======================
A report was soon relayed, to Lord Dragus and the Captain, that one of the Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers was behaving strangely and comlinks weren't encrypted. The crew was reporting that they were under attack by strange abominations of the Sith.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 14, 2022 5:43:20 GMT -8
On the bridge of the dreadnought-class heavy cruiser, the 'Cham Syndulla', similar events were occurring.Seated in the captain's chair, twi'lek commander Pib Mortuna watched with gritted teeth and narrowing eyes as the star pyramid was still coming towards his small but respectable fleet. He reached a hand up and tugged at his stim-caf stained collar, feeling the pressure mounting as the enemy ship got closer and closer. It would be tight, but he had run the calculations. Despite the size of the approaching obelisk, he believed his outdated force still had enough firepower to bring that ship down or at the very least and far preferable to the nearly retired commander, turn it away. They just needed to stay the course. He stood up from his seat and swung his arm across his chest, stabbing his hand like a knife towards the view screen that dominated the bridge. When he spoke, Pib did his best to conceal the underlying fear he felt, addressing the crew in a rich Rylothi accent."Keep it up! Hit that ugly thing with everything we've got. For Ryloth!" He said, feeling the rumble beneath his uniform boots as the deck shook slightly every time the turbolaser cannons unleashed a thundering volley. His lips twisted down into a scowl as the enemy warship still had not returned fire. The commander was about to discuss this very thing with his first officer when the bridge lights began to flicker. "Get maintenance in here to fix the lights for kriffs sake." He snapped, cursing the annoying malfunction at such a critical moment. When no one replied, he looked behind him at the rows of bridge stations, fully expecting to find his crew. Only when he turned his head to look in their direction, all he saw was an encroaching darkness. His jaw practically dropped and time seemed to pass slowly as he tried to speak. "What..."Black mist rose from between the deck plates, rising in dark contrails that began to condense and form into something animate. As the mist took shape, it transformed into something more recognizable, a creature of black scale and fiercely glowing red eyes. It had long claws and a large snout containing rows of curved teeth. Pip stumbled back into his chair, almost falling over as the nightmare formed on his bridge. Fearfully, he looked from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape, but all he saw was darkness. More sets of glowing coal like eyes blinked to life in the murk, each connected to a glistening maw of yellow teeth. A pungent aroma assailed his senses and he looked down, realizing a steaming stream of piss had run down his leg and was pooling in his boots. Fumbling for his sidearm, he popped the clip on his belt holster and drew his disruptor pistol. It had been a gift for his decades of service in the Ryloth Defense Force, though he had never actually used it in real combat before. He pointed the weapon at the first monstrosity he saw and fired, sending a bright beam of intense high energy into the demonic apparition. The disruptor beam passed through the creature and struck the bridge console responsible for navigation, erupting in a shower or sparks. The creature, now formed of glossy black scale with a long sweeping tail, scurried towards Pip as hot salivation dripped from its fangs and blood flecks misted from its lips. He screamed.Unbeknownst to Commander Pip Mortuna, the rest of his crew were locked in similar battles with figments of their imagination, each seemingly trapped in an inescapable nightmare. Weapons discharged all across the ship as the crew battled hideous phantoms. The dreadnought's turbolaser cannons ran silent and the warship began to list to the side, smashing into a Gozanti cruiser and shattering part of its hull. Atmosphere and crew were vented out ruptures in its armourd plating. These were considered to be the lucky ones. Those still on board began to claw their own eyes out rather than face down the horrors terrorizing them. Full grown twi'lek men were reduced to sniveling simps curled up on the floor, soaking in their own filth as bowels vacated and tears ran like blood. All across the RDF fleet this scene was repeated, as each and every mind was torn open and violated by the Hungering One and Xitan's mental manipulations.
Dragus cackled long and rasping, his finger talons stroking the smooth shorn heads of two Sith bowed on either side of him to the point where he incidentally carved furrows across their naked scalps. His furious red eyes were practically beaming in villainous delight as he felt the growing fear their mental projections were creating amongst the opposing force. It was a fine wine to be supped and savoured. He drank it in, used that fear to further fuel his spell, but even that wasn't enough to maintain it for long. The scheming saurian's smoldering scales were beginning to crack and litter the floor with detritus. His blood bubbled in his veins like acid and exhaustion was beginning to set in. They needed more power or their own exertions would burn them out. The two Sith he rested his scaled palms upon screamed in pain induced suffering as he sank the tips of his claws into their flesh down to the very bone, scrapping the edges of their skulls. Reaching into them with his probing aura, he began to feed off their Force presence, siphoning their connection to the malevolent fey and draining them of every spare drop of unused power.Black tendrils emerged from the Great Devourer's cracked scales and encircled each of the five Sith around him like the coils of some great serpent, binding them in place as he took from them first their reserve of Force power, then next their life essence. As the RDF crew shrieked in terror, the acolytes around the serpentine Sith did much the same, though their suffering was induced by despair as their very lives were stolen from them. Their flesh began to grow pale, almost translucent, before turning grey and cracking like dried parchment. Their eyes turned to dust in their sockets, spilling out like sand on the floor. Even the marrow in their bones desiccated as their muscular frames withered and wasted away. They were dying, being treated by the despicable draconian as nothing more than fodder for the pyre as he transformed their essence into the stuff of nightmares to plague the minds of their foe.By now as the enemy fleet's guns went quiet and its formation began to lose all sense of cohesion, the Hymn of Ragnos forced a path between them, passing unmolested deep into their ranks. The crew, those not focused on the frightful display from Dragus and Xitan, watched in abject fascination as the they entered the heart of the enemy formation. Now even the plethora of point defense lasers were in range of the RDF capital vessels. Still damp, the commander once more regarded the twisted terrorsaur on the bridge with a questioning look. This time the black scaled barabel nodded his head, hissing a single word through bloody lips. "Now." It was all the commander needed. He stood up from the command throne and did his best to appear the beacon of naval authority he was despite the humiliating current state of his uniform."Fire!" Every gun small or large, ion or turbo, opened up on the fleet from Ryloth. In an instant, space erupted in brilliant streaks of fire as the star pyramid unleashed its full armament on ships unable to defend themselves as their crews either turned on one another or curled on the floor crying like blubbering cowards. It was a one sided slaughter. The opposing ships were capable of nothing save to serve as sponges for the Hymn's unrelenting barrage. Cruisers and outdated blockade runners shattered under the assault, detonating in a symphony of explosions that lit up the void and cast a sinister glare across the hull of the Hymn of Ragnos.
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Aug 26, 2022 20:17:58 GMT -8
Although the Freedon-class Star Pyramid was hardly one for firepower, it still boasted some weaponry that could rip through hulls and splash stress upon shields. Bristling more with laser cannons to pick off starfighters and strike at unshielded hulls, the vessel carried with it an arsenal of ion turrets and missile tubes which belched forth various ammunition, notably concussion missiles. Given the confusion of the defensive fleet, and even some being told to lower their shields by the machinations of the Battle Meditation, there was no firing that came back. Simply, the pressure applied by the gargantuan Sith vessel was enough to break protective bubbles and pierce the hulls of the defending warships.
As they were ripped apart and broken to smoldering wreckages, Xitan came out of his Battle Meditation to witness a Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruiser implode from its engines being destroyed and its power source thoroughly hammered. As the Freedon-class hull moved forward, and past the wreckage of the once 'proud', if one could call it thus, defense fleet of Ryloth, the planet itself laid open to bare for the coming reckoning of the Blood Tithe to be gained from the coming raid. A forceful collection of slaves for the machine of the Sith Eternal as slaves mined the Roonstones and minerals, worked the factories, and cultivated the lands to feed the ever hungry maw of the Sith.
Witnessing the carnage, Xitan knew what was to come next. The troops were being assembled below after all. The Sith of the Eternal Cult eager to draw their lightsabers and show their skills in oppression and bloodletting. However, the Acolyte could not make the call. It would be up to Lord Dragus to command him to do so. After all, the Saurian had desired him to lead the ground forces, but, even though one of the favored of the Supreme Leader, Xitan did not have the authority, yet, to overstep one of the Council.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 28, 2022 4:23:14 GMT -8
Black wisps of smoke wafted off the Great Devourer's scaly exterior as he finally relinquished his hold on the minds of the enemy fleet. His spell was already coming apart as the ships of their foe exploded and the pathetic crew rolling around on their decks finally expired, flash boiled or vacated into the frigid embrace of cold vacuum, each death a distraction disrupting his mental web as he reconfigured his efforts. The Sith that had been kneeling around the smoking saurian were now piles of ash topping empty robes and corroded suits of battle armour. Not even their bones remained as the energy requirements of the fear inducing battle meditation had demanded the ultimate sacrifice. It was possible their dedication and service to the Sith Eternal would be remembered by some, but not by the mad alchemist who was ankle deep in their dusty remains, he had already forgotten them."Good." Hissed an exhausted Dragus. "That went better than expected." Grabbing the lapels of his shadowsilk robe, he gave the garment a shake and released the last trapped vestiges of smoldering scale before turning to the acolyte. The scaled lids above the saurian Sith's bloody orbs looked heavier than before they had performed the meditation. "Xitan, be a good lad and lead the asssault on the ground. Forcing a beachhead iz usssually bloody businesss. It should sssuit your ssskill ssset well. Siss, Siss, Siss."The turbolift to the bridge opened with a swish and out of the cylindrical tube scurried forth a greasy furred ranat. Beady eyed with gnarled paws and scaly cable thin tail, the rodent scampered on all fours to the black scaled barabel's side. As it approached the diabolical drake, Dragus slowly began to sink into a squat, using his overlong tail to balance himself as he eased his body to the ground."I will meet you on the ground in short order." He continued, groaning as he sat his scaly butt on the cold deck. "But firssst, I mussst ressst. My exertionz have left me weary. I will need a moment to recuperate." He extended a claw towards the rodent that stopped just shy of him. "Squeakerz, fetch me a half dozen maidenz from the harem we brought aboard. I'm in need of their minissstrations."Nodding, the verminous assistant began to hurry-scurry back towards the lift. Dragus cupped his snout with a claw and called after him."Only the mossst rotund of rump and furriessst of frame, Squeakerz!"
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Sept 11, 2022 12:24:27 GMT -8
With the defensive fleet in ruins, the way to Ryloth was wide open. Intelligence had shown that the defenders of Ryloth were best at policing their own villages and stopping pirate raiders and slavers. They weren't truly prepared to take on an actual military not to mention Sith warriors, which numbered close to fifty in strength. Fanatic and hardy Stormtroopers, augmented by mechanized droids and vehicles. This was to be a raid, but one that wasn't meant to cup a handful of slaves, but enough to last the slave-fueled economy for some time. The holds of the star pyramid were ready for hordes of captured Twi'leks and the soldiers were eager for plunder and prizes.
After Lord Dragus gave the command to descend to the hangar bays below, Xitan would bow to the apothecary and proceed down into the bowels of the Hymn of Ragnos. As the Acolyte drew closer to the hangars, he could hear the sounds of the soldiers, stamping their feet, slamming their fists against their armor, while Sith warriors did the same. They were eager for battle, lustful for combat, and desirous of loot. True, they had been trained as a military, but the most base instincts could never be fully removed. Xitan knew the men were ready and all they awaited was the command to embark and head for Ryloth.
Upon entering the massive hangar, the Sith was greeted by the sub-commanders, five in total, who were Sith themselves too. All of them were experienced in the education of their upbringing and through the experience gained by raids, such as these. Xitan knew that they were good at brutal tactics and forward charges. And yet, with the designs of the Sith Eternal, was that to be enough to propel them into the promised era? The Second Golden Age? A banner of the renewed Sith Empire, hanging proudly on some capital world as it dominated the galaxy? It would have to do, for now, but one day, they'd need proper battlefield commanders.
Send forth the legions. Unleash our Stormtroopers, our riders, our warriors upon Ryloth. The blood tithe will be extracted by force.
The solemn command given to the five who bowed to Xitan and relayed it to the soldiers. They let loose their war cry, sounding their approval to the order given. Then the hangar bay began to buzz loudly as the soldiers got to their dropships and the proper vehicles loaded up onto the barges. The clutch of Sith warriors moved to join their respective regiments as Xitan headed for his own starfighter. He'd lead the escort to the surface, then land and proceed to command the troops to gain the beach head. Maybe, one day, Ryloth would be subjugated. But for now, it served the purpose of being a cow that was needed for its milk.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Sept 14, 2022 6:37:33 GMT -8
If you thought the 'ministrations' the Hungering One requested from the plump bodied sentient bear folk were to take place in a more private setting, well, then you didn't know the deranged drake lord as well as you thought. Shame, while a word in his vocabulary to describe others, was not an emotion he was personally familiar with.As the bridge turbo-lift opened, the verminous assistant of the scaled scourge led a procession of six pudgy ewoks of varying genders and tribal ethnicities onto the deck, prostrating themselves before the weary wyrm. Worn from his sorcerous exertions, their mere presence reinvigorated his sinister spirit, while their bodies warmed his scales and delighted his physical senses. The crew, mostly consisting of human Imperialists with long familial roots in the Sith Eternal cult, looked on in abject horror as the Great Devourer received their attention upon the deck. Most averted their gaze for fear the sight would haunt their memories, those that did not watched for as long as they could stomach it, which for most was the breadth of minute or less. Only Squeakers kept his attention focused on the obscene display taking place in the middle of the bridge, leering with beady eyes, whiskers twitching in retched approval. The captain leapt from his chair as a tumbling mess of fornicating fur and scale rolled into his command chair, frightening the pasty commander as Dragus' lethal tail blade slashed recklessly through the air, carving furrows in the seat every time it struck with its glistening poison coated edge.Aware of the time constraints, the diabolical dark apothecary kept his preferred recuperative practice to a few short minutes, leaching the life energy from the his furry bosom buddies as he was known to do. As their lives expired, one after another in a mixture of ecstasy and terror, his terrible presence was quickly restored. Those aboard with a heightened connection to the Force would have felt the wicked touch of the saurian Sith's hungering aura as it swelled and expanded, promising oblivion in those endless depths, drawing the very warmth from the air whilst smothering feelings of hope with a blanket of unrelenting misery.Once completed, the mad alchemist apologized profusely for the lingering smell that soaked the bridge and caused the environmental air-scrubbers to choke with strain. He then departed the bridge with Squeakers in tow, descending into the bowels of the Hymn of Ragnos where his chariot awaited.Woosh! Parting with a gush of humidity, the lift doors retracted to admit the black scaled barabel and scabrous rodent to a large bay adjacent to one of the hangars. This partitioned area had been designated for the dark apothecary's use and just so happened to be where the menagerie he had taken from the Nullus Beacon was housed. Razor beaked uvaks hissed, their emerald eyes turned a feral red thanks in part to the alchemical alterations the dark apothecary had introduced while they were still but an egg. Squeakers practically hugged his master's scaled leg as they walked past the pens, its fear of the large repto-avians written at a primal level in the rodents genes. Eventually the villainous voyeur and his hench-rat stopped at the last pen, this one being much larger than all the others, for it housed a creature of gargantuan proportions. Teams of worker rats and umbaran cultists were in the midst of loading a demonic beast of purple scale and sword like talons into a drop pod connected to the hangar conveyor system. Unable to unfurl its massive wing span in the confined space, the mutated drexl Dragus had raised from an egg found on the poison moon of Dxun, thrashed and snarled in its enclosure. His prized mount was a creature of great fury and like its pitiless master, insatiable hunger.<< Spite! >> Bellowed the Hungering One into the fey, broadcasting his will and dominating his winged mount's savage mind. << Be at ease, my love. We go to sate your thirst and fill your belly with fresh flesh. >>Something in its cold alien mind responded to the mad alchemist's telepathic fondling, acquiescing to his command. As Squeakers gathered up a large sack of luminous green glass globules full of the dark apothecary's vile concoctions, the drake lord stroked the drexl's side with his finger talons, then climbed up onto its back where a large leather saddle was strapped. He assisted his verminous assistant up next, and the two waited as the drop pods armoured panels lowered, sealing them inside as it locked into place.
|
|
Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
|
Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 16, 2022 20:07:13 GMT -8
From the depths of hyperspace, the Firebrand would exit orbit over Ryloth. With orders from the Sith Acolyte, Xitan, Captain Harand prepped the launching of their starfighter squadrons and the deployment of the Tenth Legion, alongside its armored complement. The Fighting Tenth were eager for battle, having long been prepped to fight a true battle through simulations and various training exercises with other regiments of the Sith Eternal. On the outside, they appeared as any other Imperial legion, loyal to their warlord, but in truth, they were fanatical soldiers of the Sith.
Soon, the Firebrand moved closer into orbit with Ryloth, positioning its immense wedge-shaped hull over the planet's other capital of Lessu, the target of their aggression. It didn't take long for the sky to be humming and buzzing with the sounds of its deployed forces. The occupation of Ryloth was high in the air and the Tenth Legion was thirsty for combat.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Nov 29, 2022 9:51:05 GMT -8
Bright flashes of lightning erupted from the dust cloud of the Cloak that obscured much of the Abrion Sector in a turbulent storm of ice particles and smashing space rocks. Meteorites and their larger cousins shattered under the onslaught of discharging lances of energized gas as the Covenant of Blood's plethora of turbolaser banks cleared a path through the rocky veil, leaving congealing globs of liquid magma and steaming white hunks of superheated stone. Smaller particles crackled against its deflector shields, bouncing the deadly hail back into the cloud as the dreadnought ploughed its way free into the Ryloth system. Joining the symphony of destructive energy pulses was the booming choir of a Golan III Space Defense NovaGun unleashing its full complement of arms onto the raging storm as it was dragged from the cloud by two kilometer long massive links of Sith iron chain hooked onto its hulls superstructure. The joint work of the Imperial II-class star destroyer and NovaGun cleared a hollow space around it that was quickly filling in as it passed out of the Cloak of the Sith.
A resounding moan echoed next from the depths of the space storm as the furious glow of two giant orange intelligent eyes pierced the dusty veil like raging motes of witch-fire. The Devil-of-the-Void appeared, smashing its way through the debris field with bats from its armored head or swats of its ginormous fins. Space-rats in vacuum sealed suits jetted around the towers strapped to the whale-ship Shemona's armoured backside, spot-patching punctures and holes in the hull with plasma welders and durasteel plates. Gritlock Scarpaw, Verminlord of Clan Skrittlespike, pulled a lever on the the chamber serving as the space whales bridge. A resulting pulse of pain inducing electrical current was sent into the creature's nervous system, eliciting a groan and snarl from it as it thrashed its enormous tail harder and propelled them out of the field, along with a NovaGun it had been dragging behind it just like the Covenant. The last few streaking lances of turbolaser fire evaporated as they came free and set a course for Ryloth's orbit.
As was clear from the way they had opened fire on the dust cloud, both platforms were already operational and appeared to be crewed. In fact, each of the two space stations was crewed by a dedicated force of space rats, overseen by a vermin lord to keep them all in line. A complement of one hundred space troopers, shadow stormtroopers, and dragon troopers was already stationed aboard to provide security. The Covenant dragged its load across the system until the warship began to steadily circle the rusty sphere set before it. Power was reduced to the engines as the dreadnought began to slow, sending a signal to the platform it was hauling to disconnect the magnetic clamps. An expulsion of gas exhaled into the void as the chains came away and began to retract on massive cog shaped spools located in the space between ion cones in the engine housing at the stern. Maneuvering thrusters guided the NovaGun into position as it began a synchronous orbit with the city of Kala'uum on the surface. The platform was given the name 'Verminoth Station' and control was ceded to Verminlord Gashlik Sharptail of Clan Skrittlespike.
A similar experience occurred as Shemona finished pulling her NovaGun into place, surging ahead as her chains unclamped from the platform and took the pressure off her gargantuan void tolerant form. Using its own maneuvering thrusters, the second platform began to circle the planet in a synchronous orbit over the capital of Lessu. This platform was crewed and complemented the same as the other, named 'Exogorth Station', and was overseen by Verminlord Qrik Viletongue of Clan Skrittlespike. Each of the new defensive platforms had its hull painted black and covered in long spikes. Its hull was covered in space barnacles from its time in the Cloak of the Sith, stretched taut like a veiny crust over its surface, though surprisingly they didn't seem to be a hindrance to its assortment of cannons.
Both platforms communicated with one another before their cannon turrets swiveled around to point the barrels of their guns towards the planet, as opposed towards the star blanketed canvas of space behind them. Traffic to Lessu and Kala'uum was heavily monitored.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Jan 4, 2023 8:02:40 GMT -8
After having hauled Ryloth's new orbital defenses into place, Gritlock Scarpaw directed the whale-ship away from arid brown planet and back towards the dust cloud from which they had come. Electrical jolts coursed into Shemona's body, forcing the gargantuan void beast to obey the commands of the Verminlord. With the natural grace of a creature born to the cold vacuum of space, it flapped its massive fins, churning the astral waters on its way back into the Cloak of the Sith. That left one void predator remaining in the system: the Covenant of Blood.
Few warships had as rich a history as the Covenant, let alone one as steeped in the blood of the innocent. From the invasion of Corellia where the vile Order of the Eye had visited upon their ancestral enemy a measure of their wrath, to the fortress world of Myrkr where the Order struck first blow on the unbreakable iron shield of Clan Australis, the dread-ship had been present. Always at the forefront of any conflict, unafraid of the danger as it turned its choir of cannons onto the Order's enemies to sing a symphony of death and destruction. It had been instrument in expanding the Famine Lord's domain to encompass the entirety of the expansion region at one point, back during the days of the black campaign. Whenever it appeared in the skies over a Sith occupied world, its governors knew to prepare a tithe of flesh to fill the dreadnought's holds, replenishing its constantly expiring slave crew.
Far from the light of stars, in the deepest dark where things most unnatural held sway, it had visited sorrow on a multitude of xenos races. Other than the Night Lord, it was the only ship to return with the Great Devourer from his black crusade out beyond the edges of the known galaxy. Return it did, along with its malevolent master, to find things most changed in their absence. Forced to make an unconscionable decision, Dragus bent the knee to a new liege lord, one not of the Eye. From that day forwards the Covenant had flown the banner of the Sith Eternal, a far less fearsome flag than the emblazoned All-seeing Eye, for that empire-in-hiding valued its anonymity.
That was fine. Thought Lorn Dirkwood, Dark Apostle of Famine and Commander of the Covenant of Blood. It just meant they couldn't leave any survivors.
A low blue glow formed like motes of witch-fire in the centre of all three of the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer's engine cones. Expanding from the core, those motes blossomed into large raging cauldrons of ionic fire, scorching the void and feeding the hungry vacuum with the noxious stench of burnt ozone. Starwierds shackled to the outer hull shrieked into the fey, tearing at their incorporeal flesh as the Sith-iron chains bound around their ankles dragged them along with the ship. They wailed like banshees amongst the forest of impervium spikes that rose from black carbon-scored armoured plates, piercing a sea of frozen corpses thrust through the spear end of each. The morbid ice sculptures vibrated apart as the Covenant's engines roared louder and harder, causing particles to break free and trail in its wake in the form of a cadaverous mist. As it passed the Freedon-class Star Pyramid 'Hymn of Ragnos', its banks of heavy turbolaser cannons rotated to take up firing angles on the larger warship, barrels belching sinister exhalations of steam as they warmed.
A warning as it passed the other ship by. It implied: 'I can pick you a part at a distance with my guns, you sluggish scow, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it'. Rude, but true. The star pyramids were mobile fortresses, but poor void killers, where the murder-make was more dependant on who had the longer reach and command of the vacuum. And there was no better killer, pound for pound, than the Covenant.
Eventually it crossed out of range and its turrets rotated back to their original positions. Aboard in the lightless corridors of the lower decks, the Dark Missionaries preached to the pale mutant masses that resided there, espousing their foul religion with voices infused with sorcerous power. Thanks to their imbibing of the Apothecary's secret elixir, their bodies were transformed from their prior galandan form into something else, something far more sinister and foul. Each wielded an ornate mace designed in partial replication of the one wielded by the Blood Wyrm, bleeding smoking clouds of narcotic incense from their flanged heads that caused their parishioners to hallucinate and become worked up in a terrible wroth. As the mobs were incensed into a feverous rage, they tore at one another, tearing into each others flesh with broken fingernails and gnashing teeth. The ministers of this dark faith gathered the spilt vitae into an chalice bedecked in flame jewels that seemed to illuminate with an inner fire. The cup was then brought to the bridge for the indulgence of the commander.
Lorn smelled the warm coppery substance before he heard the turbolift doors of the bridge part to admit a hunchbacked priest. It dragged its lame leg across the gore stained deck, staining the hem of its robe before it knelt in front of the obsidian command throne that dominated the centre of the room. Bowing its repulsive head, it offered the chalice of collected blood to the Dark Apostle. Removing a gloved hand from his throat, where his covered fingers reflexively scratched at the ring of scar tissue encircling his neck, Lorn took up the lavish cup and brought it to his blue lips. Like two thin reeds they parted, peeling back over yellow teeth filed to sharpened nubs that were set into corruption blackened gums. He poured the congealing sustenance down his throat, feeling its warmth spread throughout his body, almost scalding his insides as it entered his stomach and filled him with renewed vitality. He dragged the sleeve of his shadowsilk robe across his face and handed the emptied vessel back to the zealous wretch.
Finally engaging its hyperdrive as it reached the outer edge of the system, the Covenant streaked across the star speckled tapestry of space in an exaggerated blur, before disappearing a blinding flash of light.
|
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Apr 21, 2023 6:41:26 GMT -8
A streak of dark steel across the star speckled tapestry of space signalled the arrival of the Tector-class Star Destroyer 'Night Lord' in the system, followed by a second decelerating flash as the Immobilizer 418 cruiser 'Hakusar's Hook' joined it.
|
|
Viggo Grimborn
Member
Posts: 62
Affiliation: The Thrill of the Hunt and the Sound of Credits
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jul 21, 2023 17:45:13 GMT -8
The Shellfire emerged from hyperspace and made its way towards the planet. A week and an half had passed since their departure of Utapau, letting to arrive sooner than the given time.
For awhile, no ships could be seen in orbit, making Viggo wonder if the Famine Lord had told him the correct location or if he was being sent into a trap. Growing close to the barrier of planet’s atmosphere, Viggo caught a glimpse of a pair of ships, Imperial in nature just as Dragus had mentioned and covered in a dark hill, hiding them from sight until the last moment. Having the Acclamator come to a halt, he ordered the droids overseeing communications to open a channel.
This is Viggo Grimborn. I am a beast hunter and have come to deliver an order for Dragus. I was told my arrival would be expected. |
|
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
|
Post by Dragus on Jul 22, 2023 4:15:08 GMT -8
At first the only response was from the Nightlord's turbolaser banks, as turrets swiveled on their mountings to line up firing arcs on the halted Acclamator. There was even the faintest glow of cobalt blue in the charging barrels as the Tector-class Star Destroyer prepared to unleash blistering hell across the void, when a holo-transmission from the planet was beamed to the Shellfire via the Golan III Space Defense NovaGun over Kala'uun, depicting a sinister looking twi'lek swathed in the shadowsilk robes of a desert marauder.
|
|
Viggo Grimborn
Member
Posts: 62
Affiliation: The Thrill of the Hunt and the Sound of Credits
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jul 25, 2023 6:35:32 GMT -8
Viggo waited in anticipation as the droids alerted him to the charging of the Tector's weapons. His head lifted slightly as his gaze stayed fix upon the ships in the distance. He wasn't the most liked man in the galaxy. While no where near the level of some, he still had his following and run ins with do gooders and government ships from time to time. Never did he intend to engage and fight. He was but one ship and it wasn't armed for such a confrontation. His team and the droids that ran the ship were always ready for the arrival of an enemy. Immediately shields were boosted and focused towards the pair of ships, ready to make a run for it.
Yet the transmission came through and the weapons began to go offline. For being expected, this was sure a hell of a way to show it. But the crisis had been adverted per the Chancellor's intervention. Once the transmission ended, Viggo took a slow steady breath as he ordered the ship to his destination. |
|
