[Sith/Imp Mission] Unearthing the Past

[Alhon]

SITH/IMP MISSION | PACK: If you got it, flaunt it | MISSION: Cold Black Vacuum & Stuff
Unearthing the Past​

“These quarters are ridiculous - we don’t get half this much space on E deck!”

“Then you should try working harder” Austin replied, “you have to climb up to climb out.”

“I have the best monthlies on my entire squadron. Do you know how many Pubs I took out at Nimax IV?

Austin didn’t answer, focusing instead on tracing the razor along his jawline. A clean shave was the only way to start the day.

“Well it was a lot anyway…”.

“I’m sure it was” the Lieutenant replied, already tiring of the conversation. His latest hookup was a half-cute pilot from the Dominance’s fighter squadron. Blonde and broad-shouldered, he hadn’t seemed too bad after a few drinks in the galley, but now he was quickly becoming boring. Besides, his alarm would be going off any moment and Austin had a thing about being ready before it chimed. “Go try the shower for size” he said, pulling the towel from around his waist and throwing it at the pilot. “I’ve only got the one, so don’t go taking it with you. You need to be out of here by 0700.” The sudden steel in his voice stymied the blond’s reply, for gone was the playful boy from Lianna, replaced by the impeccable Imperial officer.

Austin left him to it, buttoning his pressed uniform and tightening his field boots. He combed his brown hair into a neat side parting, leaving his dress cap to one side. Today was as far as it got from ceremonial, if word from the surface could be believed. The digging had run into trouble and that did not bode well for their carefully laid plans. At the very least, it merited further investigation, and the Captain was assigning Austin to the task.

He fastened his utility belt around his small waist, securing his pistol in its holster. The barren rock they were calling Karnan was devoid of life, as far as they could tell, but that didn’t alter protocol. Besides, he had habit of fiddling with the weapon from time to time; the moving parts seemed to help him think.

Pulling on his Imperial trenchcoat, Austin unlocked the door and headed aft towards the elevator, hearing his alarm chime even as he marched down the corridor. A passing Ensign saluted and he returned the compliment in short order, nodding in approval. Unlike many of his peers, he never tired of the exercise; it made him feel like the Captain he aimed to be. Besides, the Dominance was a War Leviathan, with a large crew and a Stormtrooper contingent several dozen strong. He was saluted so regularly his bicep enjoyed the workout.

He took the elevator to K deck, landing bay, emerging onto the raised walkway that ran down the centre. Captain Yansen was waiting for him, a staff officer by his side.

“Sir!” Austin hailed, snapping to attention with a salute of his own.

“Lieutenant” the Captain replied, lazily returning the compliment. Yansen’s jet black moustache half hid his expression, but Austin knew the man wasn’t his biggest fan. Though most senior officers respected him, few understood him and none dared to trust him. He was too young and too clever for his own good, or that was what he’d heard.

He kept his expression neutral, flexing on the balls of his feet. “I’m ready for transport to the surface Sir, if that’s still required.”

“It is” the Captain replied, no doubt taking pleasure in sending the spacebound Austin down into the dirt. “We verified the reports with an overnight sensor sweep; there are unidentified ruins buried approximately three metres below the build site. I’d have us carry on regardless, but we notified the Fleet and they want us to hold off".

“What for Sir?” Karnan was so small and barren that it hadn’t even made it onto official maps. Austin doubted the ruins were recent enough to hold anything of value.

“The Order are involved” Yansen said sombrely, “they are sending their people to investigate.”

So the Sith were coming. Now it made sense. In all his years with the Fleet, Austin had only brushed shoulders with the real leaders of the Empire on a handful of occasions and he never worked with them directly. They were too dark, too secretive, too different. He might fancy some of the tricks they had up their sleeves, but not so much the hangover that seemed to come with them. In truth, they were one aspect of the Empire he knew very little about and he’d never liked what he didn’t know.

“When are they coming Sir, what am I–"

“They are already on their way” the Captain interjected, “you’re to meet with them on the surface and survey the situation. Organise the men down there and give the Sith any help they need. The sooner they make a judgment on the ruins, the sooner we can get this station built and get back to civilisation”.

Austin nodded curtly, for once in agreement with the older officer. The Dominance was alone above Karnan, without the comfort or protection of the wider Fleet. She was a powerful beast in her own right, but all Imperial ships ran better with the herd. He shared Yansen’s sense that they were somewhat vulnerable out here, all for a comms station of limited strategic value.

“I’ll make my first report by 1000 hours Sir” he said, saluting before turning away toward the flight deck. He hurried towards the nearest Icarus star courier, drawing his coat close and checking his pistol.

It was time to meet the Sith.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

 

[Braden]

The hum of machinery was everywhere, Sigurd was sat in a dark corner, below the reactor core, its light painting a dim light around him. The noise was to much, gone was the quiet of the pit below Korriban, the every present screams of the other acolytes was weirdly settling to Sigurd and now with their absence and the constant hum of the ship around him, all he could do was hold his never and not unleash some form of attack on the next person who walked past his humble hole.

Reaching behind his body he pulled out his small dagger, along with the blaster at his hip it was the only things that were truly his, everything else he carried on his body was borrowed, even the saber that hung on his waist was borrowed. A cheap mass produced thing, with a red blade and black metal hilt, he had only picked it up on the command of one of his betters and had not even checked to see if it worked, he instead spun the dagger in his hand watching the light of the reactor core reflect off its surface.

He was not even sure why he was here, Sigurd was only told to board the The Dominance and support the mission to the temple ruins. Perhaps his knowledge of ancient Sith writings would help them, but he highly doubted it, perhaps it was another test or just a way to kill him. Maybe as soon as he stepped out of his pit someone would open fire on him, killing him. If they did that he would make sure he would get at least one of them first. With that thought in his head he began to channel the force through his body, concentrating on all the anger and pain inside, creating a bubbling cauldron of power at his finger tips ready for the next person to appear from the shadows.

Footsteps sounded ahead and Sigurd rose from his seat ready to take action. But then the footsteps stopped and the comm link beside him buzzed, Sigurd stared at the thing for a full three rings before he decided he needed to answer it.

"Acolyte Smaugson, Captain Yansen has requested your presence in the port hanger bay on K deck."

"Ok."

Sigurd replied before pocketing the comm and walking out of his pit. The footsteps he had heard were from a solider who looked terrfiyed when faced with the Sith Acolyte. If Sigurd had realized what he looked like and had any idea of self value he would understand the man's fear, he was dressed in worn and beaten clothes the like you would find in the depths of the Courscanti underground, his hair was ragged, dirty and thick, with a half grown beard hanging from his face, his face was slightly gaunt but his eyes glowed with the fire of the dark side. As he walked towards the man, the solider took an involentary step backwards.

"How do I get to K hanger on deck?" He asked.

The voice took the solider by surprise, he was waiting for some barked order or a snide remark perhaps even violence. Instead he was met with a rather innocent voice of a child who didn't know where he was or what he needed to do. As this was the case, Sigurd had never been on a ship larger than a shuttle in his entire life and at the current moment in time he didn't know if he was up, down or even on the right level already.

"Umm... Take this corridor to the elevator, four levels up is K deck. When you come out turn right and at the end turn left that will lead you to the hanger." The man said in a confused yet fearful voice.

"Thank you." Sigurd replied before walking in the direction he had pointed. A musky smell trailed after him. The solider turned back to the small cargo container under the reactor the Sith had appeared from, he could see nothing inside but he could feel somewhere deep down inside that if he went in their he would only find pain and anger.

@Valen Pelora
@Alhon

Spoiler

Happy for either of you to write my entrance into the room.

 

[Valen Pelora]

OOC: For posterity, this takes place before Alexia’s capture at the hands of Corvo Vis, and Kenny.

The call of the Darkside reached across the vast expanse of the galaxy. A familiar thrumming clawing for its faithful servants. The faithful answered. Always. Alexia Morr loosely gripped the controls of the X-57 fighter. She could feel the Darkness pulling her forward. It had been some time since the Empire had unearthed unknown ruins. Old, forgotten, temples of their ancestors dotted the galaxy, but most had been discovered. Pillaging always followed. It was rare to find ruins untouched by the galaxy. They had been gifted this chance. A shiver of excitement ran through her.

The moment the call had come, she had thrown herself at the mission. Arcane arts were the sole providence of the Priesthood. The Priests were the keepers of the Empire’s ancient secrets. She thirsted for knowledge. Her purpose in life was to reveal all that the Empire had lost. She was the Darkside’s most loyal servant, she was Lord Cain’s faithful supplicant. So it was, she was sent to monitor the excavations of the forgotten Temple. Soldiers had discovered the ruins while setting up a surveillance satiation. Military personnel were woefully unequipped to carefully tend to the lost knowledge. She detested Storm Troopers and their ilk. Few of the cannon fodder properly worshipped the Dark. Pretenders and heretics filled their ranks. She tolerated the masses only because they were necessary. Not all worlds accepted the true faith, some had to be purged. The Troopers were useful for that.

Alexia was shaken from her thoughts as the fighter exited hyperspace. Streaming lights became tiny pinpricks. She noted the large vessel hanging over the planet. She had no desire to board that ship. Instead, the priestess piloted the fighter towards the planet. The fighter was slicing through the atmosphere and towards the Imperial outpost. She landed the fighter wish ease, and quickly entered the building. Alexia wore her rune covered armor, black robes overtop. Her helmet and Lightsaber hung clipped to her side. The Darkside flowing through her as she marched into the main area. The Storm Troopers, dumbfound, started at her.

“Oh, we had um not expected your arrival. My lady?” Her beautiful face was marred by a scowl.

“Priestess. I was told an exploratory party would meet me upon arrival.”

“Ah, yes. Priestess, they are on their way down. Shouldn’t be much longer.” Her frown deepened. The Darkside was not meant to wait. She crossed her arms and leaned against a wall. She hated waiting.

@Braden Drake @Alhon

 

[Alhon]

Austin arrived at the transport to be met by two troopers, snapping to attention in their smooth white armour. He paid them little attention, striding into the star courier and walking through into the passenger hold, throwing himself down on a padded bench. He laid back, trying to get comfortable in the spartan surroundings. Some of the couriers were fitted out to carry VIPs, but he seemed to have drawn the short straw this time. Yansen's doing no doubt.

The two troopers filed into the room, taking up station either side of the docking port. Austin wasn't stupid enough to think they were his personal escorts, but he enjoyed watching them stand there all the same. It made him feel important. It always had. No, they were not meant for him, but to make up the numbers down below, where a station of engineers and technicians laboured with only a dozen troopers to watch their backs. It had seemed sufficient until now. But when things turned interesting, a couple of extra rifles was usually a good idea.

Austin was just loosening a boot when there was the sound of feet on the loading ramp. He glanced up and his blue eyes met yellow, causing him to gasp in surprise.

A Sith, surely. Nothing else could explain the look. The guy had to be six foot tall, with dirty blond hair and a jaw that could break rock. Dressed in a curious ragtag ensemble with more than a few holes, he looked like he'd fallen on hard times. If he'd ever known good times that was.

"Morning" Austin said, recovering his poise and rising to his feet. "I take it your with the Order? Lieutenant Austin Viett, Imperial Navy". He offered a hand to taller man, half wondering if he really wanted to touch him.

The transport suddenly hummed beneath them, with news of the other Sith coming through on the comm. She was already waiting for them on the surface and they were embarking on their descent.

"Shouldn't take us more than a few minutes" Austin added, trying to reassure his guest over the roar of the engine. The man looked both fierce and anxious at the same time; an achievement in itself. Austin couldn't help but keep noticing the clothes. "Did you have some trouble on the way here?"

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

Spoiler

After Braden posts, maybe you can RP our landing Valen from Alexia's perspective

 

[Braden]

As Sigurd turned the corner into the main hanger he stopped and took a quick step backwards under the threshold of the door. Before him was the cold vacuum of space, or what he believed was the cold vacuum, dedicated shields kept it at bay, but allowed ships to pass in and out with ease. But this was something alien to Sigurd, more so than the constant noise of the ship around him.

It took him a few minutes to round the corner again, a trooper notices him and cautiously waved him forward to one of the many transports that sat in the hanger bay. Sigurd made sure to keep an one eye on the darkness of space as he walked towards the shuttle. As he stepped up its cargo bay he was meet by the three troopers, two were dressed in the normal white ensemble he was used to, giving him a small fraction of comfort in this overall distressing scenario. The third man was dressed differently, a more formal attire he had only seen at a distance, he approached Sigurd confidently which only put the Sith on edge, he took a half step back and raised his hand slightly towards his weapon. He saw one of the troopers tighten the grip on his rifle, but relaxed once the third man started speaking.

He introduced himself and then held out his hand, Sigurd didn't really know what to do, he had seen this in the past, mainly when a new Acolyte joined the pit, before they succumbed to his misery and believed that the Sith was a magical place. On Troska they would great by a holding of each others elbows before touching foreheads, though he had not seen that done in over ten years. He declined the hand shake choosing to only introduce himself. "Sigurd, Acolyte."

With the sound of the engines starting up, his never only increased, he hated smaller ships even more than he hated bigger ships. A fear drummed into him but the multiple 'accidental' explosions that would start off some kind sick exercise for the higher ups to see. The man was trying to reassure him, but he failed, Sigurd just edged his way to one of the seats closest to the door. If the ship was going down, he was getting out first. As he sat he watched the Lieutenant gaze at his clothing before making a remark on his journey. "No, why?" As he waited for the answer he felt the ship lift from the platform before making its way down to the surface.

@Valen Pelora @Alhon

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia thrummed her fingers against the durasteel walls. Her gauntleted hands rang against the wall as she impatiently waited. The Darkside was singing to her, the pull was intoxicating. She needed to get inside of the runes. The wait was insufferable. Being forced to wait was even worse. She wanted nothing more than to leave these foolish Imperials behind and explore the depths of the ruins. She had been forbidden from relieving herself of the Troopers. The Order was making a concerted effort to be more inclusive with the military arm of the Empire. She could not abandon the squad sent to accompany her. The Troopers needed to feel important.

She scowled. They would be a hindrance, unless darker things lurked in the ruins. The dead did not always so easily relinquish their earthly possession. She had learned that lesson the hard way. If a spirit still stalked the ruins the Troopers would make excellent sacrifices. They would discover who truly served the Darkside. All she cared for was unlocking the forgotten secrets.

One of the outposts soldiers broke her concentration as he hesitantly approached her. She shot the man a withering look, he visibly recoiled. The Storm Troopers fought for the Empire, but many did not understand the Sith. The typical solider rarely interacted with true leaders of the Empire. Even the Warlord of the Imperial Legion had once been a Sith Lord.

“Ah, um Priestess. The exploration party will be landing soon.”

“Finally. Please, tell them I have been waiting.” She smiled and waved the Trooper away. They needed to get inside of those ruins. Enough time wasting.

@Braden Drake @Alhon

 

[Alhon]

"Sigurd..." Austin did his best to keep smiling, but the Sith made a poor first impression. He abandoned the handshake, his fingers briefly curling into a fist before he let them rest on his holster. The blonde warrior seemed a man of few words; either he didn't give a frack about his clothes, or he was too dim to get Austin's meaning. Both were equally bad in his books. "No reason" he replied, fiddling with a rivet on his pistol "that outfit's clearly seen a lot of action anyway. I'm afraid things might be a bit boring for you on this barren rock; not much happening at all. Well, except these ruins you guys go mad for".

The ship shuddered gently; a sign they were through the cloud cover. Sure enough, word came through on the comm that they were coming in to land. Austin left the Sith to the silence with which he seemed so comfortable, readying himself for the task ahead. The manoeuvring thrusters fired and he motioned to the two troopers to take up their stations by the hatch, for they would be the first out. They obeyed, scurrying into position, just as Austin knew they would. He might only be a Lieutenant, but he was their superior officer and the most senior rank present; regulations gave him broad authority down here.

If only they gave him authority over the Sith.

Sadly, Sigurd and his companion were not under his jurisdiction. Not yet. One day he planned to rise high enough to wield such authority, but he'd very rarely seen it done. But hell, he was made for such a challenge. Speaking of which, there was another Sith still to meet.

The Star Courier swept in low, slowing to hover above the narrow cleft in the valley in front of the station before gracefully setting down. The hatch opened, hydraulics hissing, and the two troopers fanned out, raking the dusty cliffsides with their sights. Austin gave them only a moment before following them out. There were no enemies here; the Dominance's sensors would have revealed them.

"Time for us to get to work" Austin said, motioning towards Sigurd as he set off towards the station. If they ran into trouble, he only hoped the man wielded a dagger better than he did words.

@Valen Pelora @Braden Drake

 

[Braden]

Sigurd watched the man, he seemed displeased at Sigurd's comments, maybe he had said the wrong thing? He thought over his comments in his head, as the man continued to speak. He was about to comment on the fact he was here only because he could read ancient sith better than most, but then the ship began to rattle and that stopped the words in this throat.

He gripped the seat tight with his hand, but out of the sight of the trooper and his colleagues. He wondered if he showed the weakness the man would be disgusted or sympathetic, he assumed the former, that was the way with the Sith, weakness is a defect, a cist to be laced and removed. Sigurd had learned to hide all weakness, either behind an emotionless mask or the furry of the force and blade. He stared up at the man taking in his facial appearance for the first real time. He cleared his throat about to say something when the engines roared again as they came into landing.

The troopers began to move and he followed suit, he took position just behind the Lieutenant, he was close enough to strike but far enough to avoid any lash out, just where he had been trained to be. Sigurd could smell the Lieutenant, he smelled fresh and clean, something he hadn't smelt in a long long time. He took a deep breath as the shuttle door opened, the noise of his inhale covered by the hydraulics. As the group moved out of the ship into the half risen sun on the moon, he covered his eyes for a moment as they adjusted to the glare.

It was a short walk from the ship to the meeting point with his fellow Sith, there was a small group of Imperials around her, more soldiers and some of the digging team supervisors it seemed. Noticing the women was a Priestess of Tund, Sigurd took a step to the side out of the shadow of the Lieutenant and bowed.

"Priestess." He spoke in a humble tone.

@Valen Pelora
@Alhon

 

[Valen Pelora]

Finally, the doors hissed open and the exploratory party walked through. Alexia was struck by the sudden sensation of the Darkside. The Empire had sent an Acolyte to accompany her. She frowned, the dregs of the Order. She quickly reached out in the Force accessing the man’s strength. He was unimpressive and dirty. The acolyte looked like he had crawled out of a mine shaft. He was barely worth her consideration, he would be little more than a distraction.

She did not need help. Why the Order insisted on saddling her with a barely trained child was beyond her. Reflexively, Alexia reached for Ashlyn through their Force bond. The girl was a stabling influence in her life. The Darkness swept over her, setting her mind at ease. She would assess the Acolyte’s faith. Hopefully, he would not be found wanting.

The Imperial leader was of more interest. The clean-cut Lieutenant radiated a confidence the Acolyte did not. He would be the trouble maker. The Imperials who did not know their place irked her the most. The faithless had no place in the Darkside’s grand plan. They would all be tested.

“Acolyte.” She did not care to know his name. She turned to regard the Trooper’s commander, she could sense the man’s skepticism. “You may not see the value of these ruins Lieutenant, but they may be worth more than any of our lives. The Darkness does not give its secrets freely. You should all prepare yourself, your faith will be tested.”

The heretics would falter as they always did. She wasted no more time. Alexia turned and marched towards the ruins. It was time they unlocked whatever secrets were hidden within. The Darkside was thrumming in her chest, calling her forward, calling her home. She smiled as shiver ran up her spine.

@Alhon @Braden Drake

 

[Alhon]

The two Sith could not be more different.

While Sigurd was physically imposing, but practically mute, the delicate-looking 'Priestess' was brimming with confidence. In many ways, she lived up to Austin's expectations, marching about as if she owned the place, but in other aspects, she exceeded them. Whatever power she had amassed didn't seem to have taken a toll; the girl was physically stunning. Not a hint of 'dark side corruption'. Austin saw the way the troopers looked at her, fear alone keeping them at a distance. If she were anyone else, they would have been laying on the chat up lines all morning, trying their chances before he arrived. The Lieutenant had to smile. He was not so vulnerable to women's affections, imagined or otherwise. Indeed, he was not about to be distracted by any amount of glamour, hers or anyone else's., not on this forsaken rock. Well, unless Sigurd finds a bath in these ruins.

"I'm making no judgements" he said, waving a hand as he hurried after the woman "Anything arcane in the ruins is wholly a matter for you and your friend here, Miss....?" He paused, hoping the Priestess might deign to identify herself. He didn't relish the prospect of having to explain she wasn't half as famous as she might think. "But chances are anything like that is long gone. If we all we have is some empty tunnels, then they're a military asset that the Legion can make best use of."

They arrived at the reactor room, where the labourers had dug a deep well to accommodate the station's power source. There, at the base of the slope, set into the earth at a steep angle, was the beginning of their discovery. A door. Or a door of sorts. More of a large stone tablet, weathered and worn. The team had excavated a few feet around the perimeter, revealing hand carved stone that ran in every direction. It was a logical conclusion to draw; they were looking at an entrance, but to where they could not say.

Austin waved the engineering team away, including the trooper security contingent. All of his training warned him against taking too many into a confined space, which was almost certainly what lay beyond. He ordered them to hold position out in the hall, keeping only the two from the transport close. Every officer knew that in chess the pawns go first.

"I'll accompany you" he said, glancing between the Sith, "but this is, as they say, your show." Austin grinned in spite of himself, clasping his hands behind him as he waited to see the hallowed and mighty Sith at work. Hell, seeing how these two interacted would be entertainment enough.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

 

[Braden]

"Acoylte." That was all he got, that was all he expected, but yet it still lit a small ember in his stomach, something he could not quite decide if he should action upon this or not. His power was far beyond the standard Acolyte, but he had not been gifted with the Priestesses good looks and gotten into the bed of one of the higher ups to advance her station. He had been given to the pits, the low of the low, the place even the dead look down upon. But he was rising, and perhaps one who has truly risen from nothing will sore higher than those starting on a taller tree.

That was what kept him going, the one thing that stopped him from saying, I quit, I give up, from falling on his sword, or charging head first into enemy fire. A small 'hope' that there was something greater in mind for him.

He kept to himself, walking at the back of the group, surveying all before him. Sigurd preferred being at the back, it meant that none of his colleagues could surprise him or stab him in the back. As they reached the opening of the ruins, he marveled at the intricacy of the carvings, he had seen carvings of this quality only once under the temple of Korriban, just after it had been destroyed, a chamber had been opened filled with all manner of ancient things. They had all been taken by his superiors , but perhaps not this time. Stepping forward he moved past the troopers and the Lieutenant standing just ahead of the Priestess, raising his hand he passed it over each symbol as he spoke.

"It says, Those who walk beyond this veil pass into the realm of the great Darth Krax, Master of Death, Conquer of Worlds and Lord of the Sith. This was his personal hold and his final resting place I believe. There will be dangers inside and perhaps even riches of both the mind and body."

@Valen Pelora @Alhon

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia knew her limitations well. Her physical appearance was a gift from the Darkness, a tool to be used. She painstakingly kept her beauty unmarred. Men underestimated her because of her looks, and were oh so easily manipulated. She would never apologize for using every single advantage she could gain. The Darkside did not reward sloth. She would always use her features to find an edge, but she was far more than a pretty face. Alexia smirked as she felt the Acolyte’s resentment. The young man was poorly keeping his emotions concealed. He would learn, in time, to keep his mental walls high. Hers never came down.

The Priestess largely ignored the Lieutenant as they headed towards the ruins. She had little to offer the man, besides her name. Her focus was on the intense pulse driving her forward. The feeling reminded her of Malachor. The secrets buried within were calling to her. The Lieutenant simply could not understand the intoxicating nature of the Dark. The ruins wanted to be opened. They faced tremendous danger.

In the bowels of the stations they came upon the closed doors. The Acolyte read the carving aloud. The ancient spells required the language of the long dead Sith. The symbols were the same. She reached out in the Force, probing past the doors. The Darkside hummed. She knew that feeling. As the Lieutenant dismissed the regimen she turned to him.

“Alexia Morr, Priestess of Tund. I serve at the behest of Lord Cain.” She walked to stand beside the Acolyte. She placed a gauntleted hand on door. The Darkness was pulling them in, begging to be released.

“The ruins are not empty, but the Master is asleep. We would be wise not to wake him. The old spirits can be cranky.” She smiled. She placed her other hand on the door. The Force filled her. The Darkside rushing through her body. She poured the Darkness into the doors, the runes began to glow, and the massive stones doors creaked open. It was an old spell, one of the few she knew. Musty air greeted them and she walked forward, her Lightsaber snapping into her hand.

@Alhon @Braden Drake

 

[Alhon]

"Alexia...." Austin rolled his tongue as he said the word. It was a good name, somewhat feisty, but he suspected that was appropriate in this case. There was a single-minded determination to the Sith woman that he had to admire. He was about to tell her as much when something large suddenly shouldered past him.

Sigurd Smaugson was on the move. The Acolyte had been so quiet that Austin had almost forgotten he was there. But here he was, striding up to the stone door and taking centre stage. The Lieutenant's hand drifted to his holster, unsure what was about to unfold; for all he knew the man was going to try and punch his way through it. Austin didn't fancy his chances, but there was no harm in letting him try. Instead, Sigurd paused before the carved tablet, tracing the markings with his beaten hands. He began to translate them by sight and feel, speaking aloud for longer than he had all day. Austin wasn't too fond of what we was hearing.

"What kind of dangers? he asked the blonde Sith, "If you have specifics of what's likely to be in there, then please feel free to share".

That was when Alexia joined the party, interjecting with a mysterious warning of her own. Austin frowned at the drama of it all, but he'd seen enough in his short career to know it could well be true. The Sith battled forces that went beyond the physical. He didn't like admitting it, but this was a mission for which he could not be fully prepared. Get me back up there, I'd swap a fleet of dreadnoughts for this.

As if to compound his worry, Alexia step forward and placed her slender hands on the door, whispering her sorcery too quietly for him to hear. Suddenly the runes all around the door flared with light and the entrance swung open, as if it was the first time in a thousand years. It probably is.

"I'm sure you'd like to take point, Miss Morr?" Austin motioned towards the door, certain that Priestess would be going in first whether he permitted it or not. He ordered the first of his two troopers in after her, keeping the second to guard his back. He turned to Sigurd, drawing his heavy pistol and charging the cell in readiness. "Ok to bring up the rear, Mr Rune Reader?" He managed a faint smile, reassuring himself more than anyone else.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

 

[Braden]

"Due to the length of time the door has been closed, most will be automated, turrets, traps and droids. But their will also be darker things, dangers that a blaster will not help you with Lieutenant." Sigurd smiled at the man as he spoke, his lack of the force may be his downfall in this ancient tomb.

Sigurd stood back as the Sorceress opened the door, the flash of dark side energy was like someone lighting a fire in the deep dark of knight. He let the excess force energy flow through him, like a warming drink, he felt a small spike in pleasure, he loved the force it was one of the only highlights of his life. When the Lieutenant decided to lay out the groups walking pattern he nodded, the back was where he wanted to be. Easier to strike or sneak away if things got to serious.

He held the dagger in one hand turning it slowly as the group began to move forward into the ruin.

Spoiler

Sorry for the short post, had writers block.

@Valen Pelora
@Alhon

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia shot a smile back at the Lieutenant. She always went first. The heretics and the weak of faith were unequipped to handle the throes of the Darkness. Let them stab her in the back, it wouldn’t be the first time. She had suffered for her devotion. She had suffered for her faith. The Darkside had rewarded her, she had passed all the tests. Those who faith wavered would be tested again. She did not wait for her companions. Alexia ignited her Lightsaber and walked into the darkness. Ethereal lights began to illuminate along the walls. A ghostly orange light spread before them, the ruby red of her Lightsaber clashing.

“Turrets, traps, and droids are the least of our worries.” She turned back to look at her companions. “Any fool with brain and a blaster could survive automated defenses. If that is all we have to contend with we will owe the Darkside a debt.”

She reached out in the Force. The pulsing was growing stronger, a thrumming heartbeat in the center of the ruins. The ruins were coming alive. She frowned. She suspected they would not be alone for much longer. The party walked in silence for a few moments until the dark hallways opened into a large room. The stone ceilings arched high above them, a dark alter sat in the middle of the room. The Darkside beat faster. The pulsing growing stronger in the distance. She was drawn to the alter. This was not the heart of the ruins, but it was start. The feeling was intoxicating. Alexia slowly approached the alter. In a haze, she reached out and touched the cold stone. Her mind rang with pain. A terrible voice ripped through the ruins, ripped through their minds.

“Leave. This place belongs to the dead.”

She snatched her hand away from the alter. She let out a cruel laugh. “The master has awoken.” She had battled Sith spirits before. She relished the chance to do so again. “Arm yourself with your faith.” She spun her Lightsaber in her hands. Anticipation ran through her.

@Alhon @Braden Drake

 

[Alhon]

"...automated, turrets, traps and droids. But their will also be darker things, dangers that a blaster will not help you with Lieutenant."

Austin found himself cocking his head to one side as Sigurd spoke. There was something different about the Acolyte; it was as if their dank surroundings gave him more confidence, greater focus. He seemed to stand a little taller, particularly after Alexia's performance with the door. He was basking in an energy of some kind, a pulsing warmth that the Lieutenant could only just feel. What seemed to be a source of strength for Sigurd was a weird sensation for Austin. Creepy. That was the word for it.

"I can take care of myself" he assured them, particularly Sigurd. "Dark Side or no dark side".

He was half-sure it was true. He had his training and his talents. They had stood in him good stead thus far, and he wasn't above learning a few new tricks to stay alive if that's what it took. He rolled his shoulders, limbering up for what lied ahead even as the sorceress ignited her lightsaber. The crimson blade was a lethal looking thing in the flesh; he'd read so many reports about their use but he'd never seen one up close until now. Austin suspected she knew how to use it.

They wound their way into the depths of the tomb, their party of five snaking through the long hallways. The Lieutenant walked on the tips of his boots, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The first several metres offered little and a small part of him was disappointed. Perhaps they had come all this way for dust and hanging moss? Austin checked his chronometer, mindful the Captain would be expecting his first report in the near future. He hoped to have something positive to tell.

"Aah!"

Austin dropped to a crouch, clutching his forehead with his free hand as a voice tore through his mind. He could do little but wince as the words reverberated through him, the message loud and clear. It seemed the others had heard it, but the Sith were less affected. One of the troopers, by contrast, was shaking on his side.

"Stand up private!" he ordered, rising to his feet with gritted teeth "Alright Miss Morr, who's this master likely to be? What is it going to take to secure this place?" The mental assault made Austin feel uncomfortable and vulnerable in equal measure. He could have a dozen troopers follow them in and secure the alter room, but he couldn't commit further troops until he had a better idea of the risks they were facing.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

 

[Braden]

Faith. That was an interesting word, something Sigurd had ill need for it, nor had any in his sole. Faith was something for those above his social rank. The closest thing he had to faith was 'desire', desire to live, desire to rise above the dregs and to the ultimate summit of the Sith, a Dark Lord. He smiled at the priestess comment and brash ignition of her light-saber. A pillar of light attracting all attention to herself.

The pain was slowly subsiding in his mind, he looked over at the trooper on the floor, half tempted to just finish him off to make his death quick and painless, it will probably be a blessing come the end of the journey though the tomb. "Well by the inscription on the door, I would guess Darth Krax." His voice was not humors it was more cynical than anything. "I doubt he is still alive. A ghost I would assume." He looked to priestess for confirmation. "If so we need to find the sarcophagus and burn the body, kill or destroy anything else. That is the only way we will 'secure' this place."

@Valen Pelora
@Alhon

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia stared at the Troopers found wanting. The Darkside had judged them, they had failed. The Troopers minds would be shredded, unlikely to recover. She was impressed by those remaining. Perhaps there was more to the Lieutenant than she had suspected. He had clearly been effected by the mental assault but had shaken off the attack. She had seen stronger Sith buckle under similar pressure. The Acolyte had faired similarly. Her opinion of the lower Sith did not change. She would expect nothing less from a trained Force user. His faith would be tested in other ways, as would her. The echoes of his voice still rang in her mind.

“He is correct.” She waved dismissively at the Acolyte. “Darth Krax may be clinging to the old vestiges of his power, or one who served him. There are spells, ancient old workings of the Force, to bind a guardian in eternity. The greatest of our ancestors could work such spells.”

She looked around the room. She did not know Darth Krax and she prided herself on her extensive knowledge of Sith history. She had dedicated herself to endless hunt for knowledge. She doubted Darth Krax would have the skill or resources to bind an eternal guardian. More likely, the man had found a way to imprison a piece of his soul to watch over the Tomb. It was a wrenching crude use of the Darkside but a favorite of the old Sith.

“The leaders of the Sith are buried on Moraband with a complex set of rituals. The Darkside gifts them with eternal life, but they can never leave the planet or take corporeal form.” She kept looking into the shadows of the room. “There are other less complete ways. It leaves a shard behind, a shade. I have faced them before on Malachor. Destroy the body or what the shade is bound to and the Tomb is ours. If we come against it again, we may have no choice but to purify the Tomb with the Darkness.” She kept looking. There was nothing left for them here. “We should move on, the longer we are here, the greater danger we are in.” She headed towards the nearest door.

@Alhon @Braden Drake

 

[Alhon]

Austin listened to the two Sith, his eyes narrowing. He knew what he'd heard a moment ago, and what it meant; there was a presence of some sort in the vicinity. But a long dead Sith? Buried or haunting here all this time? The officer in him found it hard to believe, while the creative inside half wondered if it was true. Both Alexia and Sigurd had a lot to say on the matter and they spoke with an intensity that was difficult to ignore. If nothing else, priestess and warrior were suddenly on the same page. That had to mean something.

"Fair enough..." Austin conceded, mindful how much more they understood of their foe. "Let's not waste any time. If there's something we need find down here, then let's get it done." He gripped his blaster pistol uneasily, suppressing the urge to call more troops to his aid. He had a feeling that speed and skill would be more use that numbers in this particular battle.

"So what's a shade got to throw at us other than theatrical threats?" He glanced toward Sigurd, who'd so far displayed more knowledge than his sullen appearance suggested. Unlike Alexia, the Acolyte didn't seem like a seasoned scholar. If a simple hard man like Sigurd could handle a threat like this, then perhaps Austin could pack a punch after all.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia stared at the Lieutenant blankly. She was confused by the question. Had he failed to feel the full assault of the tombs master on their minds? The shade could not take corporeal form but it would have command of the Darkside. She shivered. There were few powers outside a ghosts control. She would need to call on the full breadth of her training to combat the master. She was having doubts about the skills of her companions. This was not a task to be taken lightly, one false step and they would all be dead.

“Krax will have full command of all the powers he had in life. A creature immersed in the Darkside can bend the Force in ways a mortal cannot. You have felt him touch our mind. That was but a warning, he can shred our sanity. Twist our bodies and warp our souls. The danger is very real Lieutenant.”

Alexia looked around the room, searching for their next move. There was a small stone door in the far corner. She reached out with the Force and touched the door. She sensed no immediate danger. With a flick of two fingers the door slid open. She kept her Lightsaber ignited but she knew it would do her no good. There would be no physical fighting. She knew the Krax would attack their mind. He would hurl the Force at the group. The dead belonged forgotten. Krax needed to be put back to sleep.

She walked through the door and a bright light burst from the ceiling. The room sprang to life as purple runes illuminated. A raised dais with an alter sat in the middle of the room. The Darkside radiated from the stone. Krax’s final resting place. Alexia took a hesitant step forward. The voice of Darth Krax boomed through their mind again.

“You were warned. Priestess.” Lightning ripped from the center of the room. It shot out of the door into the chest of one of the troopers. The man dropped limp to the ground. She tried to press forward but was met by a terrible force. It was pressing against her, forcing her back.

“You will never reach me. This is my domain.” She gritted her teeth, fighting against the push. Why did the dead never stay dead?

@Braden Drake @Alhon