Breaker of Chains

[Hexad Kagortos]

Kessel, 1425 local time​

Hex was no stranger to spice. No, far from it. In fact, he'd go as far as to say he was close friends with spice, finding himself smoking it—or snorting, depending on the day—several times a day, every day. It was his closest friend, perhaps, but the only one he needed. He'd never been to Kessel to see the mines from which it was extracted, so he was rather excited. It was like a field trip to the candy factory for him. He'd brought a bag for the occasion, just to grab some of the powder for later, and it was there in his pocket.

He'd landed in the same ship as his companion, several hundred meters away from the mine and walked all the way over. The two were dressed to look like the typical slaves in the mines, though still wore armor and had their weapons hidden on them. It would be hard to distinguish them from the workers, but if someone happened to, they were ready for combat. He'd be surprised if they managed to pull this off without being detected and fighting.

This was the biggest mine on Kessel, and it sure looked like it. The whole facility stretched for kilometers, its surface dotted in small opening that lead to various branches. The facility itself was one massive conical hole in the ground, and people got up to the surface through the use of rickety elevators that were much more sturdy than they looked. Hex and his companion had just gotten off one moments ago and were inside one of the tunnels, which were about 10 meters wide and 10 meters tall. There were pickaxes and other similar tools laying around discarded, and a minecraft lay overturned on its side to his left.

"I like this," he declared. "The whole 'liberator' angle, I mean. Feels like something Andraste herself would have done." And it was true. Though Sith philosophy had gotten more brutal over the ages, Andraste had been one of the most benevolent rulers the galaxy had ever seen. She certainly seemed to be the type to free slaves.

@DeeCeeP0

 

[Cawar]

"Yes" Cawar answered shortly. He was a man of few words, nothing more than maybe a couple of sentences at a time at most. Slaves were always a touchy subject with Cawar, as he grew into slavery but managed to set himself free through gladiatorial combat. Freedom was better, but slavery, he felt, was a nessisary evil to keep the galaxy from falling into chaos.

The clothing on his back, the slave clothing, was something that Cawar felt very familiar with himself. He would normally wear something like this, some sort of meager looking clothing, to remind him of where he had been and where he was going next. Looking into the mines, seeing all of the slaves, it brought back memories of slavery, his friends and his gladiator brothers and sisters.

It was somewhat funny to Cawar that even though he knew that none of the people he grew up with were here, that slaves always had that same look about them. As if there had been a universal language that slaves could speak with through their body language and the look of hopelessness on their faces.

"How would you like to approach this one, brother?" he said to Hexad, a smirk cracking through his typically emotionless face. He did not know the man well, most of his encounters with other acolytes had been an adventure. To work through this with another acolyte and help the Sith Empire expand would certainly bring glory to the two. But before glory could be dolled out to either of them, focus was required for the job at hand or it could cost Cawar his life.

@vamp

 

[Hexad Kagortos]

Hex looked down the corridor where a fork lead to the left, right, and up ahead, where there was an elevator. "Head for the elevator?" he replied, somewhat unsure. That was their best bet, so he began heading over to it, back hunched over and hands at his side, his walk and demeanor not different from any of the other slaves around. He didn't stand out at all, but he picked up a pickaxe to make it appear like he was on his way to another branch of the mine.

Once there, he pressed a button, and the elevator got down in a second or so—it had been close by, most likely. If need be, he would be able to duck into one of the corridors, but he didn't suppose anyone would suspect them out of every other slave in the mine. Stepping into the elevator, he pressed the button that took them to the top, where he knew the control center to be. As the elevator started the ascent, he looked at the durasteel doors.

"And now we wait."

@DeeCeeP0

 

[Dax Vizsla]

Sith had landed on Kessel, trying to claim the world from them, and Dax was at best amused at their arrogance. By now word of the other attacks had spread through the planet, and word had already reached him that the mines were under attack. While others had run off to check various key locations, Dax had stayed back with another to guard the control center. Just two of them, waiting outside the control center while the operators worked inside to coordinate the defense. He said just the two of them, but he was sure that the two of them were more than enough, why throw more bodies at a problem when the two of them would be able to keep things under control. He had killed sith before, and if the opportunity presented itself then he'd happily kill more.

Standing just outside the control center's currently shut doors, they were in the largish common area that connected via four different entrances to different parts of the complex. Directly opposite the control center entrance, and maybe 50 or so meters from it was the elevator, and halfway on either side were two corridors that lead off to the mess on one side and the operators' lounge on the other.

Dax was leaning against the wall besides the entrance, his bowcaster held casually in his hand, when the elevator started ascending. He sprang to attention at once, raising the weapon to point at the entrance and activated his comms to warn his companion.

"Heads up," he muttered over the comms embedded in their helmets as he watched the elevator doors, taking a few steps forward and coming to a stop with his weapon aimed at the entrance, "we might have company."

@Nommie @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Radth Kelborn]

Radth had heard that the Sith are attempting to take Kessel from them, as word was spreading at a fast pace. Did they seriously forget what territory this is? Or do they have a death wish? The warrior came to the conclusion that it has got to be a combination of both. Now he and another Mandalorian by the name of Dax were the only ones present. That is all that will be needed. Like Dax, Radth has killed Sith before and will gladly do it again. This time is different though. Since they are attacking a planet that belongs to them, he wants to drive the message home what happens when the Sith decide to try to do something like this to the wrong people.

Standing next to the other warrior just outside of the control center in the somewhat large room, the Kelborn wondered if the Sith will show themselves or run the moment that they sense that the two of them are here waiting for them. Radth stood there with his rifle in his hands, gripping it loosely in his hand with the weapon ready to go at a seconds notice. With the rest of his usual gear the man is ready to pick a fight with the unwanted guests. Watching the elevator starting to ascend he felt his heart begin to pound with excitement. Keeping his emotions under control Radth pointed his rifle at the elevator.

"Well let's give them a warm welcome Mandalorian style shall we?" He replied back through the comm as he too closely watched the elevator doors. Gripping his rifle tightly Radth moved a tad bit to his right, keeping his rifle aimed at the entrance.


@Wit @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Cawar]

Cawar waited, looking at the elevator doors, the durasteel giving him his own reflection back to him. One should always be prepared, his hand next to his lightsaber hilt, just in case they had to make a messy entrance.

Maybe the elevator was too direct, maybe they should have tried a different technique. There was nothing they could do about it now, the die was cast. Cawar turned his head to his partner.

"Good luck. Meet up here if we get separated."

@vamp @Wit @Nommie

 

[Hexad Kagortos]

He could hear voices chattering above them, but Hex didn't really pay much attention to them—this was a spice mine. People loved to conversate while they worked. Instead, he nodded to Cawar, stretching his neck a little and gathering the Force to himself, building it up within him just in case. You never know when your cover might get blown, so it's best to always be prepared. His hand hovered near his lightsaber, and he'd be able to draw it at a moment's notice.

As the doors opened, his eyes set directly on two Mandalorians on the far side of the room, right in front of the entrance to the control center. Grinding his teeth, he stepped out of the elevator and meekly waved to the two warriors as if he was just another slave. "M'lord it appears we are lost," he called. "Which way is the West Wing?" But he was no idiot. If they saw right through the slave disguises—though they'd have no reason to—he'd draw his lightsaber and deflect any shots they would undoubtedly shoot.

@DeeCeeP0 @Wit @Nommie

 

[Radth Kelborn]

Radth watched as the elevator doors opened. Revealing to them two people who are Sith. Then one of them spoke up almost sounding like a slave. But there was one problem, these two are too clean to be slaves. Plus with the knowledge that there are Sith in the area, it was easy to make the connection concluding with these two being the Sith. Boy they are as stupid as they look. Do they really expect the two men to fall for that trick? If they did well they need to go back to trickery school or something. The warrior will not say a single word to the two Sith. As what he will do will send a clear message that Radth didn't fall for it. He will make an example out of these two men.

His answer? Radth fired three bolts at Cawar, two aimed at the Sith's legs and the third at his torso. As the Mandalorian fired the man moved to his right, spreading the shots out a bit as he slowly moved. This was a test run to see how well the Sith can defend himself as well as try to take down Cawar down. With the tight space of the elevator the Sith will have a very hard time defending himself from the bolts that Radth fired.


@Wit @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Dax Vizsla]

The Sith had simply not put in enough thought into their disguises to fool the Mandalorians. Maybe if the two warriors hadn't been warned of a Sith incursion on Kessel then the disguise might have worked, but with that warning they were on the lookout for anything suspiscious. The Sith looked too clean to be miners, after all clothes alone did not make the man. So when the doors opened and Dax noticed the two men in clothing similar to the miners but clean faced and too neat to actually be miners, alarm bells went off at once in his head.

He didn't wait to give the two Sith, and in his mind they were surely Sith, the opportunity to try anything. The second Sith had barely tried to wave his hands when Dax fired a shot from his crossbow straight at his knees. He went for the legs as that would incapacitate him and on the off chance he wasn't a Sith then Dax wouldn't have an innocent's blood on his hands. But considering the sort that were sent to work the mines he doubted if any of them were really innocent.

The Sith, caught in the elevator doorway as the shot was fired, and in the process of trying to wave and talk to the Mandalorian, would simply not have the time or space to draw his blade to deflect the attack, or move out of the way. Dax already had his weapon pointed at the elevator and was prepared for trouble before the Sith even showed up, while the two Sith had only become aware of the two Mandalorians after the doors had opened. This gave the Mandalorians that advantage that they would need to take out the Sith before they had any time to really react.

If the Sith somehow stayed on his feet after the first shot then Dax would take another shot at him, otherwise draw his DH-7 blaster, set to stun, and prepare to knock him out. All the time he was watching the two Sith and prepared to face any attacks coming their way.

@Nommie @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Hexad Kagortos]

The moment the Mandalorian's finger pressed the trigger of his bowcaster, Hex swung into action. Because the man was 50 meters away, the bolts would take well over a second to arrive, time in which the Acolyte dashed forward and to the right. He had already been in the doorway and moving, so the motion wasn't difficult, and the bolt reached the direction he'd been in shortly after he ducked out of the way. The bolt slammed into the back wall of the elevator, creating a huge dent in the durasteel, but Hex was safe.

As he dashed, his lightsaber flew to his already open palm and ignited in preparation for any more shots. The Mandalorian reloaded and tried to take another shot, but the Sith dashed out of the way again, moving his upper body to the right, ducking out of its way. The bolt flew by his left shoulder and slammed into the wall behind him, showering hot rocks and dust onto him, but he was already gone. Hex charged forward, the wall a few meters to his right, using the Force to enhance the speed at which he ran. Every few steps, he feinted left or right erratically with his upper body—mostly minuscule gestures to throw the Mandalorian off. His ignited lightsaber was ready to deflect any shots and he was also prepared to dodge if need be. With the second Mandalorian focusing on Cawar, the fight would be solely between Hex and the one with Jaig eyes.

Assuming he was able to close the distance, he'd slash out his lightsaber at the warrior as soon as he was within melee range from his own left to his right, aiming to bisect him at the waist, fully prepared for the man to parry or shoot at him and ready to catch the bolts and deflect if need be. He would arrive shortly after the bolt reached the Mandalorian, giving the man a very short time to dodge the bolt and then ready himself for the Sith.

@Wit

 

[Cawar]

His lightsaber flew to his hand, fast to ignite the blade. There way no way to dodge everything, it simply couldn't happen in time. A bad position made worse by the fact that the elevator was so small. The messy entrance was definitely made.

Cawar managed to block the bolt that was sailing for his torso, but the other two he had to make the executive decision. His life was more important than his mobility at this point, hopefully he can sustain enough to stay in the battle. He moved slightly to the right, avoiding a small blast to his left leg, but his right leg, he felt the searing pain as the blaster bolt hit it.

Seeing his partner start to go over towards the other Mandolorian, Cawar needed to do his best to stay in the fight. Not nearly as fast as he could be on a good leg, he charged after the Mandalorian that fired at him, his blade in a defensive position, moving slower with his bum leg.

Hopefully, it would be enough time.

@Nommie

 

[Dax Vizsla]

Once the Sith dodged the second shot Dax decided to change tactics, switching from power to speed. He slung the bowcaster back and drew both his Quickdraws and took aim. By now the Sith was within range of the weapons and as he darted this way and that Dax waited to take his shot. He let the Sith get in, but not so close that he could put that lighsaber to use.

The moment he was about 4 meters away Dax slammed a hand onto his left gauntlet and activated the flamethrower, giving himself time to activate the flamethrower before the Sith was in range. Seeing the Sith getting ready to slash at him from his own left, Dax would also pivot to the left, taking steps to the side so that he would be circling around the Sith as he unleashed on him with the flamethrower. The fire would fly at him before he was able to complete the slash, and hopefully force him to stop pursuing that attack to focus on defense.

But while the flames would fly in for the two seconds that the burst lasted, aimed at the Sith's left side and as such on the opposite side of his body from where the ligthsaber was, Dax would also fire off two bursts of the quickdraw in his right hand at the sith's legs, hoping to take them out from under him. He would hop back as the flames died, using the last half second or so of their burst to move back and be ready to attack or defend if the Sith was still in any position to continue the fight.

@Nommie @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Radth Kelborn]

Watching Cawar take a hit to one of his legs made the warrior grin a bit. Of course the Sith will not be able to see the smile. With the Sith now slowed down by the hit he took the Mandalorian now has the advantage here. Unless Hexad decides to come to comrade's aid, then the advantage that Radth has will go right out the window.

Watching the Sith slowly make his way towards the Mandalorian, Radth wondered if the Sith is either suicidal or eager to take him down. Aiming his rifle at the Sith, the man noted the blade being in a defensive position. Still even with the injured leg, Cawar is able to move fairly quickly. Moving a bit more to his right, adding moving backwards to stay out of the Sith's lightsaber range. As he moved to his right, Radth fired two bolts at Sith coming for him.

If the Sith managed to deflect the two bolts, Radth is ready to dodge to deflected bolts, and with the size of the room he will be able to do so. The man continued to watch Cawar closely as the bolts sailed towards the attacking Sith.


@Wit @DeeCeeP0 @vamp

 

[Hexad Kagortos]

He reached 4 meters when the Mandalorian lifted his arm and activated his flamethrower. Hex immediately slammed his foot down and ground himself to a halt.

When the flames burst out of the flamethrower, he lifted his free left hand up just a bit (careful not to cut it off with his own lightsaber), using it to gesticulate his defense from the flames; Hex sent a burst of telekinetic energy aimed at the flames, a Force push that sent them back to the Mandalorian and would turn his own weapon against him. While most pushes were used to push people back and thus more taxing, this one was light, and wouldn't even shove the Supercommando, just focusing on the fire. Because the attack had been so sudden, he was unable to react instantly, and there was a moment when the flames licked at Hex's hand, burning it. The Acolyte bit down, powering through the pain and drawing on it to aid his push. The Mandalorian would get be the one suffering more, the left side of his body taking the brunt of the damage, causing him to let go of the button and end the burst. He wouldn't die from that small, split second burst, but if he kept pressing it, Hex would keep pushing the flames back, and he would end up charring himself. Taking a full hit from a flamethrower without even a thermal bodysuit would still be too much and likely cause the man to pass out from the pain and the damage, but with some immediate medical attention, he'd be fine.

The Mandalorian was about fire his Quickdraw when he activated the flamethrower, so Hex's attack would interrupt him before he could. Even if he did, the Sith would simply use his lightsaber to deflect them, as it had already slashed to his own right in anticipation for the backhanded slash he had previously prepared.

Running and then using the Force in such a short amount of time had the Acolyte panting for breath, but he knew that he could keep fighting. He was able to press himself just a little bit more if needed, since his push was not that taxing and the adrenaline pumping through his body kept his senses dulled from any pain or tiredness he might feel.

@Wit

 

[Cawar]

Cawar's blade being a defensive position helped him react quickly to the bolts. His blade swift, his arms just getting warmed up, he swatted the bolts away from the Mandalorian. A deflected blaster bolt wouldn't be enough to dispose of the warrior, they were too smart for that to simply drop him. If Cawar was going to make his move, to try and gain his advantage, he would have to do it now, or it might be too late.

Cawar gathered the force at the base of his feet and calves. With a small, fast bend, he jumps into the air at Radth to try and get into saber range. The saber out in front of him to defend himself while he makes his last ditch effort to be in range. No doubt about it, it was risky, but he wasn't too reckless. Radth would have the first chance to attack, of which Cawar was mindful. It wasn't exactly a well thought out or even smart move, but he had to try and end the fight.

As he landed, his blade dropped into range to deflect any blaster bolts he may shoot, although with his focus on the blaster, he was certain that the Mandalorian had another trick up his sleeve.

Hope this works...

@Nommie

 

[Radth Kelborn]

Dodging out of the way of the two deflected bolts by quickly jumping to the left and back. It will take a lot more to take Radth out of the fight then a few measly deflected bolts. If Cawar wants to take the Mandalorian out he will have to either get much closer or get more creative. Watching the Sith bend his legs, Radth knew what is coming. The sith is foolishly going to jump. What a costly move this will be, and one that may prove to be a fatal one for Cawar.

As the Sith jumped, Radth will move forward and to the right in a half circle motion. As he moved forward, at the same time as the Sith jumped, the warrior fired three bolts aimed for the Sith's exposed flank. With the Sith only having his saber forward to protect his front, and being committed to a jump maneuver he will have a difficult time defending himself from the three bolts. Yes it will be difficult but not impossible. If Cawar managed to deflect the three bolts, he will have to contend with having to turn around as by the time the Sith landed on his feet, Radth will be behind him.


@DeeCeeP0

 

[Dax Vizsla]

The moment the Sith moved his hand, Dax reacted. He had fought enough Sith and faced enough of their magic to not be caught completely off guard when the Sith used the Force to push on the flames. As the Sith's hand went up Dax reacted, immediately activating his jetpack. Of course he wasn't able to shut off the flamethrower burst at once, or move out of the way instantaneously, and was also hit by the flames. But as he had fired the flames straight forward, and the Sith simply bounced them back, they brushed up his arm and mostly hit his armored chest before he was airborne. His arm was hurt, and there was some bleed through around his armor piece to singe parts of his chest as well, but as he did not simply stand by to let the flames to continue burning him the damage was not fatal.

Having launched himself into the air and slighty backwards to open distance between himself and the Sith, he ended up not firing the bolts that he had planned to. Instead he took aim now with both blasters straight at the Sith's shoulders, one blaster aimed at each shoulder, firing even as he was flying backwards. He used his uninjured arm to fire at the sith's closer (right) shoulder, while the injured left arm fired at the other one. As his blade was down by his side, in a horizontal position by his right side where he would need to be as he had been preparing to slash at Dax at waist level, the Sith would have to bring it swinging all the way up and need one hell of a lucky swing to somehow avoid the double burst shots at each shoulder.

They were both injured, but the Sith had already tired himself, and as it was his lightsaber wielding arm had been the one closer to Dac and had been the one that got burnt, the Sith would be in a much harder position to defend himself, or attack Dax. But Dax would not underestimate the Sith, and be on the lookout for any attacks from the Sith.

@Nommie @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Hexad Kagortos]

As the Mandalorian launched up in the air at his right side, Hex circled toward his own left, toward the door to the control room, which was only a few steps away. With the momentum from his push toward the flames, he sent one, stronger, burst of telekinetic energy at the supercommando, just enough to shove his upper body back so his Quickdraw shots would go loose. As the man took aim and fired, he ducked into the room, its door having hissed open. The 4 bolts whizzed past and hit the side of the wall behind Hex, the Acolyte safely inside the control room. It would take some time to actually do what they were here for, so rather than get to work freeing the slaves and risk getting shot in the back, he chose to keep his attention on the fight.

He took cover behind the wall to the right of the doorway (for those entering), his lightsaber in his right hand but pointing toward the door so that he could simply cut down anyone that came through. Hex kept his body facing parallel to the wall, toward the left side of the door, ready to dodge or dive out of the way as needed.

@Wit

 

[Radth Kelborn]

The Sith was so focused on protecting his front that he failed to think ahead to the fact that there are ways for the Mandalorian Warrior to get past his defense. One of them being Radth circling around the Sith and firing at his exposed flank as the Sith jumped.

Due to the Sith failing to react. The three bolts will strike Cawar's vulnerable, unarmored flank. The three bolts will be fatal to Cawar.

Watching the Sith crumble to the floor, Radth walked over. Firing two bolts into the Sith's back to make sure he is dead. With that done, the warrior claimed the Sith's lightsaber.

"One down. One more to go." He will say to his partner in their native tongue.

@Wit @vamp @DeeCeeP0

 

[Dax Vizsla]

Dax watched as his shots went wide and the Sith slipped into the control room. He dropped down to the floor and saw the other Sith fall. The fight was over, it was all a matter of how they wrapped things up here. Killing the Sith would be easy, no one would question him if they finished off the second Sith. But he had other plans.

Weapons still in hand, he shouted out to the Sith. "You've lost Sith, your invasion has failed, your friend is dead." He took a step back and gestured towards the elevator the Sith had emerged from not long ago. "But that doesn't have to be your fate. Drop your weapons, and we'll let you pick up your friend and walk away. All you need to do is deliver a message to your superiors. Tell them what happens if they attack our worlds."

He waited, ready to fight but hoping it would not come to that. The Sith would serve everyone better by walking away. Sometimes a life spared was more useful than a life taken, even if it was a Sith life.

@Nommie @vamp @DeeCeeP0