Heresy

[Gunner Stahl]

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Hydrosuit stuck to his flesh, whisking moisture away as he peddled underwater and finally reached the edges of the beach in the middle of nightfall. No lights, no activity, only solitude and the dangers of a planet that was still new to accepting Sith presence. As he exited the water, he carried a large black duffel bag with him, plopping it to the ground as he knelt besides it. It contained his usual armament as the Shadowguard spent the next several minutes changing from the undersuit into a refined ebony duraplast armor. As always, it bore no insignia or naming to reflect any apparent allegiance or identity; twin carbine blasters slung at his hips, two smoke grenades, additional power packs, his customized Devastator Rifle slung over his back, and Aggressor LRA Sniper rifle held defensively in his grasp.

He flipped through the datapad at his side, uploading coordinates into the HUD system of his armor along with the description of his tailored assignment. The hike to intercept location would be long and enduring, however, nothing that the Shadowguard could not accomplish. This religious settlement showed exemplary resistance against the eventual curtainfall of the Empire, unfortunately for these fanatics, their belief in their cause would likely be their undoing.

He had never met his associates on this mission and as far as he was concerned, they need not bother with ceremony. Their objective was clear: To abdicate the settlement into Imperial rule or eliminate them completely. He approached the settlement from the western perimeter, standing on an elevated rocky enclave approximately 100 meters from the epicenter. Chambering a round into the sniper, he brought his reticle upwards to his cybernetic eye while his armored figure assumed into a crouch. Scope swept through the various high value targets he could identify, an electronic ping delivered to the crimson haired Sith Master leading this assignment, notifying her that overwatch detail was ready.

@Dread @MatureContentWarningx

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

With her approach to the village, a sense of fear and anger swept over the village. Many of the adults came out wielding weapons already, clearly deciding that this wouldn't end well. One man however waved at the others, mumbling something that Vex didn't catch but assumed was a command to calm them down. It must've been the leader, she thought.

And she was right.

The man approached her just as she was alerted that the sniper was in the coordinates she provided him. Gunner. He wouldn't know who she was but she knew who he was. Her mind briefly wandered through some memories of him before the leader came to a stop in front of her.

The first words from his mouth dripped with anger, "You aren't welcome here."

Vex's expression didn't change, though he wouldn't see it through her helmet. "Your village is in need of some exotic medicine not readily available during this season. We have a large stock of it and we are willing to deliver it post haste. Along with extra food and clean water."

There was a pause and a shift in the mans countenance to confusion. "For what in return?" he inquired, anger slipping back into his emotions.

"All we want is you to cease the preaching against the Empress. State that it was based on falsities. That she and her Empire are caring, protective and accepting of all people." Vex eyed the man carefully when she finished speaking for any sudden movements.

He rolled his eyes but did not make a hostile movement. "Bantha poodoo. Your Empire is not some savior here to help my people. You're conquerors bringing us an ultimatum. I know what will happen to my village if I don't stop."

Vex didn't say anything when he finished talking, though obviously he expected some sort of answer as he stared at her. In her mind there wasn't anything left to say and she wanted him to think carefully. She was also partly distracted by the other men as they approached her to listen in on the conversation or attack. Their intentions were unclear.

After the long awkward pause the leader shifted back to his people, having finally made up mind. "My people, it seems that we have been mislead by rumors of the Empress. These Sith are here to bring us gifts only and see to our peoples healths."

Good, she thought. He had picked life. Though her joy was cut short when a man lifted his pistol and aimed it at her. "You've fallen into the hands of the evil's influence! We must kill it before it spreads!"

Without hesitation Vex brought her sabers to her hand, igniting them with a snap-hiss just as the man fired, batting away his shot. Just as she did the others went to raise their weapons. It seemed that some of these villagars had chosen death.

 

[Arthemise Xius]

The night was dark, the forests and peaking hills that surrounded the mountain village illuminated by the stars alone. Crouching beneath the cover of darkness and concealed at the edge of the tree line, Arthemise watched the confrontation from a distance. Voices carried, albeit barely, across the short fields that separated her from her comrade. They had chosen to address the villagers in peace, to allow them to swear allegiance to the Empire, but if it failed her weapon was ready in hand. It wasn’t sure to be easy to convince them of the Empires willingness to forget their slanders, but it was worth a small effort considering she only had to observe from a distance.


High on the hills another was stationed to pick off their targets if things went south. Arthemise didn’t know much about him or about the woman who sat in her peripheral vision, but already they were far more organized and trustworthy than Zazai and Alexandra had been earlier. This was already going much smoother than the mission she had held prior, and for that she was grateful.


“You've fallen into the hands of the evil's influence! We must kill it before it spreads!" The villagers words carried, followed by the familiar hum of a lightsaber being ignited. Vex’s blade illuminated the faces of the men that stood in front of her, even at such a great distance. Their metal blasters glowed in their hands as she batted away the first shot and Aria readied herself to close the distance.


Keeping out of view, she crept closer to Vex. One man could very well decide the fate of his entire village, but she wouldn’t come into view unless she was needed. It was important, if they wanted to convince the village to turn their views of the Empire, that Arthemise remain hidden. If they knew she was there or that a sniper was positioned in the hills, their hope of a quiet negotiation would be thrown to the wind.


Her fingers curled around the hilt of her saber, body low to the ground as she concealed herself within the tall grass. Drawing in a deep breath she held it and awaited more shots to follow the first.

 

[Gunner Stahl]

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The Sith master was correct in her assumption, Gunner had no idea who Vex really was, he had no idea she was the masked terror that had punished him for his crimes and helped run the infamous assassin network with her iron fist. Regardless of her identity, it would have made no difference in his performance or objective on this mission. He was tasked with protecting the crimson haired beauty and to assist Arthemise Xius in making sure this settlement would heel under Imperial influence. He would not fail, not under any circumstance.

His legacy had been marred by a blunder of cowardice, a taint that may resonate with him for the rest of his Imperial career. However, when it came to sheer physicality and ability, there was a reason why the Empire had deployed a lowly private to protect valuable assets. As Vex ignited her blades and deflected the primary attack against her, a swarm of enemy combatants soon came to the aid of their brethren. Their foolish morals guided by the ill-conceived notion that this settlement would have any other alternative than to accept their terms. Death would be brought upon them all, he would see to it personally.

As the first villager attempted to strike Vex, a loud thud could be heard from the mountaintops above them. Such a distinct sound echoed through the valley and brought all attention to it momentarily. Fiery, crimson bolt sailed seamlessly, in a trajectory created by upmost precision and accuracy as it seared past the Sith Master and exploded upon impact against the man's skull. Bone and brain splattered forth as his lifeless corpse collapsed to the ground. A second villager was also charging towards Vex, he too unfortunately fell victim to the apex predator that stood overwatch over his comrades. Crimson bolt smashing into his torso and creating a wicked exit wound with flesh and intestinal innards spraying downwards, anointing this land as unholy.

A third loud thud was heard, this time striking a hostile combatant in the upper shoulder, forcing him to drop the pistol in the affected hand and collapse to the ground in agonizing pain. The striking noises of the sniper rifle instilled an aura of predatory presence through the valley, as Vex and Arthemise would both see that the villagers soon began to wilt away in terror.

@Dread @MatureContentWarningx

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

Shots echoed off the buildings and cliff sides, following with them death. Vex remained calm as corpses fell before her and men shriveled back in fear. The leader turned to Vex with a mix of anger and terror in his eyes, "You brought snipers?!"

"Protection was necessary, as you can see," she replied, gesturing to the guns by the sprawled corpses. "There is no need for more violence if you can calm your men down. My goal and desire remain the same regardless of this... incident."

Vex half expected the leader to attempt to yell at her again but he turned to his people and spoke frantically instead, "None of this death is necessary! They mean to bring us medicine, food, water and allow us to live in peace! Please, my brothers and sisters, I have lead you for many years... trust me and holster your arms!"

There was a long pause before the surviving men nodded, acquiescing to their leaders plea. They were less brave than the dead ones it seemed. The leader's eyes lingered on a certain corpse for awhile and Vex could sense a wave of sorrow wash over the man. But like all good leaders he kept it together, turning back to her after to speak again, "I will not preach against your... our Empress. Please deliver us the goods. The sick are close to death and getting closer as we speak."

Staring at him for a second, Vex put away her lightsabers and brought out her communication device instead. Thumbing a button, a short crackled follow before she spoke, sending a message to both Gunner and Arthemise, "See the creates safely brought in." Then she sent out a telepathic message to both, If you see or sense trouble or deception in any of these people, kill them.

 

[Arthemise Xius]

Shots echoed through the fields and She watched in silence as the silhouettes of men crumbled to the ground around Vex. The tension was thick, even from a distance, as the villagers came to a stand still, unsure of their next move. Their fear was present, but how easily would they be persuaded to drop arms and withdraw their prior slanders?

Her hand pressed reached up to press her comment closer to her ear, the silence filled with static. There was a moments pause, her fingers still curled tight around her blade, prepared to wipe them out if they refused their rather generous offer. She wouldn’t be surprised after Gunner had picked a few of them off from a distance. She welcomed the idea of forcing them into submission, but the opportunity hadn’t come.

‘See the crates safely brought in.’ The woman’s voice broke the silence and Aria relented, placing her weapon back on her belt.

Reaching for her comms, she gave the order for a small freighter to fly the shipments. As Vex had promised, they were filled with medical supplies, medicine and rations; a rather underserved reward for their actions against the Empire. It wasn’t her choice to make though and denying their supply would only bring her backlash from Evandrus later.

“Bring in the crates.” She called over the comms, relinquishing her hiding place within the tall grass to move closer to the village.

The bright beams of their ship lit up the surrounding fields and Arthemise worked to direct the shipment to a clearing close to the outskirts of the village, avoiding any casualties in landing.

 

[Gunner Stahl]

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Gunner remained knelt with his eyes fluttering through the sniper rifle's scope, reticle aimed cautiously on the potential targets that could swarm or attack Vex. It was strange rather, he too felt a connection with her as if he knew her from somewhere in his past though he was sure he had never met her in person. Her protection was his mission and despite any past they may have shared, he would make sure that no harm came to the crimson haired master. Noises overhead distracted him momentarily, glancing upwards to look as the freighter slowly proceeded inbound and descended on the periphery of the settlement. It seemed that their short showcase of violence was enough to wilt away any remaining aggression or hostility these individuals may have had.

As the crates were safely brought in, holding various necessity items and medical supplies it was as if the entire morality of the situation had been lifted. Once fearful villagers seemingly rejoicing in their leader's wise decision to side with the Empire. Those that lost their lives that day would not be herald as heroes but rather looked upon with disdain from their fellow brethren, as they had nearly cost this precious aid the Empress was graciously gifting. These settlers deserved no ounce of mercy or compassion from the Empire, but as the faction was the greatest in the galaxy and its best hope for peace and prosperity, there were compromises that needed to be made.

As the situation de-escalated he would wait for Vex and Arthemise to both retreat back into the transport vessels for safety. IDF forces would likely arrive shortly to place a permanent reminder of their near-diplomatic victory today. Only after the red-head was safe, would Gunner call for evacuation himself.

The Empire had won and it didn't even need to flex a fraction of its military might. May the lord have mercy on its enemies..

// End thread