Sith Tomb Raider

[Sarla Malvern]

Sarla Malvern had learned of a crypt of an old sith lord, who knew about Sith Alchemy. She was very interested in learning this skill, she hoped that he had made a holocron she gets the knowledge from. As a lot old sith did like to impart knowledge this way, as it kept part of them alive. She was armoured and ready, as sith never did like leaving tombs unguarded ether, even so, all most anything down there would be dead as well by now. Though caution was always needed, as he may have been more devious.

She waited at the entrance with her six troops, for a fellow crusader, @Taalong Vorr who was willing to help look in the tomb. This was going to be quite the adventure, the only question was how many might make it out. She had no intention of going in first, that what pawns were made for. As she saw Taalong approach, she gave a courteous bow of her head, to her fellow crusader. Then said Well this is the resting place of Darth Tarrant, he said to known the art of Sith alchemy. So with any luck, this might be the place to locate, his holocron. She stood and waited for him to reply, as her men began to scout out the tombs entrance.

@Morse @Brick

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The small vessel which Taalong Vorr could call his own descended near the staging area which Sarla Malvern had selected. It was near an old tomb and their purpose was inside of that sacred place. Though in many cultures the desecration of a burial ground was considered a heinous act, to the Sith it was to seek knowledge from beyond the grave. The Sith acquired a supernatural knowledge, that transcended the consciousness of the living world. It manifested and subsided in the force, which many attempted to hone and control through decades of learning, capitalizing on centuries of study. It was ever a dangerous business, as all Sith knew that their knowledge was hard earned, and it would be equally hard earned to seize it from them. Even in death.

The way of the Sith was that one had to conquer what one wanted. Cooperation was needed in the Empire to keep all Sith mobilized in the same direction, to avoid civil war and a collapse of their state. But the ways of the Sith were absolute, and if one desired to climb, one either needed to dominate or subvert those that were above them.

Taalong Vorr was a fairly safe companion for many Sith. His aspirations were for war and self strengthening. He cared not for a seat on the Dark Council, he was unconcerned with attaining positions of prominence. His world was what was before him, and he was ever suspicious of those that may have other designs.

Sarla had asked for assistance in her quest and Taalong Vorr was quick enough to answer. He preferred the self discovery to the master apprentice relationship. Here was a fine opportunity for it.

He approached with a small contingent of his own loyal Imperial Troopers. Their black and grey uniforms and blasters were well maintained, but they were not likely to understand the undertaking they were about to endeavor upon. They were there because their superiors ordered them to be there. But perhaps this would be a day they would be granted the right to marvel on the greater mysteries of the galaxy... if they survived.

"It is likely the Holocron would contain many secrets. Secrets of Darth Tarrant's conquests and compromises." Vorr agreed. "We will study it well and learn it's truths."

He watched as Sarla bid her troopers forward. They would act as scouts, and Vorr would have his as reserves. They would simply replace them if they died, that was the lot of the troopers. But Vorr kept his senses forward in preparation to act if needed, as the loss of troopers was not something he would allow for without attempting to conserve their force.

@Sabrina

 

[The Storyteller]

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Two unknown beings entered the sacred tomb looking for the holocron of the sacred Darth Tarrant. They were not the first to attempt to retrieve the holocron, and they wouldn't be the last. Many had died attempting to learn the Sith ways, and uncover Sith secrets, and Darth Tarrant's tomb held many secrets indeed. When Darth Tarrant was buried, specific instructions were created to guard the tomb from tomb raiders. As the two entered, sensors went off, alerting an ancient computer system that was housed at the bottom of the tomb. "Hello and welcome to the resting place of Darth Tarrant. What is your purpose here." A monotone woman's voice echoed throughout the cavern. Many traps had been installed to insure the tomb remained untouched, so far no one had been able to make it to the bottom. Decaying bodies littered the floor.

@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She listened intently to @Taalong Vorr as they moved into the tomb, as she was about to reply to him. Then a monotone voice came from nowhere and startled her, it asked why they were here. She replied We are Sith, we want your knowledge, to carry the sith cause further. She was unsure what this was, but the long dead Sith may have had rigged an AI into his tomb. This would mean that he would test them, well his former entourage is all dead, so the place must be rigged. She turned to Taalong Vorr and said This place has traps, to prevent us from getting to our goal. We will have to be careful, and keep our eye any sudden movements and watch your steps for pressure pads. She did not like trying to keep an eye out for the unexpected, she reached out with the force, to try and sense anything coming. She also lite up her lightsaber staff, to try and prevent block anything that heads her way. She would soon, have to make her way deeper into his tomb.

@Brick @Morse

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The ancient nature of the tomb itself informed how long the AI may have been laying dormant. It was not a particularly comforting idea as it was no doubt the defender of the tomb, the last line of defense against plunderers and unworthy hopefuls that would come to desecrate the final resting place of Darth Tarrant. It did not sound incredibly old as it spoke, but Vorr was willing to listen. There may be a clue to what may lay ahead in what the AI was saying and it would potentially be an advantage that they would desperately need.

Though the voice did not sound hostile, the decaying bodies upon the floor told a story of its treachery. Perhaps it was a ruse? Perhaps it was sizing them up even now as a beast would with its eyes and later its jaws. Whatever the case, it was worth it be very cautious. The modern Sith Empire was not the same as those that had come before, and though the modern technology may serve them well as it did not appear as though the previous challengers for the tombs knowledge came so equally prepared, it may not be enough.

For this place was ancient, and its age meant it could try tactics not seen for centuries... tactics that the two Sith Crusaders and their compatriots may not be prepared for.

Sarla gave their answer to the AI, but they did not hesitate for it. She noted the traps and ignited her saber. A strong move. The tomb could attempt to hurtle things in their direction, and that could same them the fraction of a second they needed to respond to it.

Taalong Vorr brought up his own long blade, ignited it, and looked to his troopers.

"Lights on." He ordered them to activate their blaster and helmet lights. He would not leave they or himself blinded. "Move only as we tell you."

Taalong Vorr received the "yes, Crusader." he was looking for, and then turned back to the front, keeping all his sense outward in anticipation of some sort of ambush that the tomb prepared.


@Sabrina @Brick

 

[The Storyteller]

The AI diverted it's focus to the woman (@Sabrina), and registered her reply. After a few seconds of calculations, the AI replied, "Many have seeked the knowledge you wish to learn and possess, none have succeeded. No one is allowed to enter this sacred site, not even you. I give one warning to turn back now, and never return....or you shall face imminent death and perish. Death is inevitable. Leave now." The AI boomed. Already, sensors had gone off as the group continued to approach. The computer sent signals out to the triggers to alert the traps controlled by the computer. Down the long hallway, led to stairs that would lead to the bottom surface where the tomb of the Darth laid, and the treasures and holocron were stored. Along the path, many traps, such as 5U-Infantry droids and pits with spikes lay.

@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

Sarla looked at her troops, Move out and be careful, traps will be ahead. So go slowly, and carefully. Also don't put a foot down, till you can see what your standing on. Treat this place like a minefield, so be extra careful. She waited for them to move out, she would follow behind them, as that what they were for, keeping her alive and well. She had headed the warning and believed it, so she had cannon fodder, she would use it to mitigate the risk to herself. She looked at @Taalong Vorr, and then she moved forward and keeping about ten foot between her and the last of her men going down into the tomb.

She watched them, as they slowly stepped over bodies, moving things slowly. So not to set off any traps, and she followed in their footprints, as way of making sure she was safe.

@Morse @Brick

 

[Taalong Vorr]

"Death is inevitable."

Taalong Vorr echoed the words, believing every piece of that statement. There was nothing that anyone could do to escape the inevitability of their ultimate fate. Even if it was prolonged with technology or other magics, in the end they would all cease to breathe and join the dirt and the dust and the waste. That was the essence of all living things, to be born, to live, and to die. Vorr was firmly in the middle category, and not anxious to find his way to the final. Still he could not help but appreciate the computers words.

He had nothing else to say to his troopers. They knew well why they were there. They were not students of the force nor were they scientific minds. They were extra sets of eyes and hands that may become necessary or may see something that the others did not see. That was extremely important in such a treacherous and hostile place, such that it was declaring itself to be the ultimate cause of the deaths of many. Still nothing was going to stop Vorr nor Sarla from entering and finding what they needed. It was important and they would uncover the secrets within the tomb.

Vorr stepped forward, following behind Sarla, who stepped behind her troops. Though Vorr had strong senses, she was the one that led the party there. Her troops looked to the fore, while Vorr's troops watched the rear. He knew that other Sith would likely have entered feeling equally prepared, and so he did not consider himself balanced. He knew the traps were coming.

It was simply a matter of when they would expose themselves.

 

[The Storyteller]

.

As the two beings continued to walk through the cavern, the AI whirred and clicked as it's "brain" picked up and processed the voices of the group, and deciphering their hushed conversation for clues as to their plan. "So go slow, and carefully. Treat this place like a minefield." The woman sith said. If the AI could express emotions, it would certainly be laughing now, because of this place was practically a minefield. Behind the group, large doors closed, sealing the Sith and their guards inside the darkness of death. 20 feet in front of the sith, five 5U-Infantry droids lay await, suddenly awoken from their deep slumber. Behind the droids were two turrets attached to the ground controlled by the AI, and along the way, many holes deep and filled with spikes, a sudden slip meant certain death. The AI sounded almost grim as it spoke, "You have made your decision, welcome to the games, good luck." The AI said, her loud voice echoing throughout the entire place, before going silent.

@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

Sarla started to here blaster fire, from her men. As they scrambled to get into some type of cover, as they did one shouted up, We got droids waking up down here, and some cannons. It appeared to be the first of the many things, that had come to destroy them. Looking for a Holocron, was never going to be an easy thing. She moved towards the conflict, she drew out her quick draw blaster, and began shooting it at the droids She positioned herself in some cover, so she could not be directly attacked. She could see her men trying to blast them as well, hopefully nothing else comes as a surprise.

@Morse @Brick

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The awakening of the droids came with a crackling and a clatter of metal on stone. A surge of power and gleaming ocular sensors like orbs of hate in the dark alerted all to the presence of the death trap. The droids were placed to the fore, and their activation was long delayed. They seemed to be in good order, but this was not some simple cluster of plunders. These were Sith Troopers led by a pair of Sith Crusaders with intention of unlocking the Tombs secrets. This would likely only have been an introductory measure, as more powerful traps may lay beyond. This would intimidate the weak minded, but would do nothing against a Sith.

Vorr held his ground, deflecting blaster bolts as they came. The Troopers opened fire on the small contingent of droids. They would be most decisively effective against the droids, who had very little mind of their own when compared to the well trained army of the Empire. Each blaster bolt the droids fired was met four times over by the Imperial troopers, and Vorr remained holding his ground.

The greatest danger was the turret and the ground, which held openings of previously discovered traps. More may yet be there to be discovered, but Vorr would not go to explore until the fire had subsided, which it soon would.

The troubling turret needed to be dealt with, and Vorr took up his method. He threw forward his lightsaber, the violent red dash wooshing through the air, deadly to any that stood before it, and in the complete control of Vorr who would bring it back to himself upon the result. Though their were two turrets, he may get lucky and strike both. All the while the troopers continued their fire fight.

Their trial for the tombs secrets had begun.

@Brick @Sabrina

 

[The Storyteller]

.

The AI tracked the two sith and their accompanying troops's movements through sensors embedded in the walls and floors of the cavern. The sith and troopers were able to get rid of the droids easily enough, but the turrets seemed to challenge the Sith. As the droids were cut down easily by the troopers, one of the sith focused on the ground turret. The sith threw his saber towards the turrets, and it struck home. The first turret was slide clean through, and heading towards the second turret. The second turret however, was able to get a shot off towards the cluster of troops focusing on the droids. The blast from the turret struck the ground near the men, and bodies flew into the air from the impact. The lightsaber finished the second turret, before falling to the floor. The AI calculated the destruction, and noted that the party had lost few men. The first trap was completed, but many more lay forward. As of now there was no immediate threat to the group, but they would need time to regroup and count the dead. Farther in, more droids, this time deadlier were awaken, and beasts were released from their cages.

@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She looked at her the dead soldiers, to see if anything could be done. They were dead as a doornail, and are now one with the force. She picked up one of the destroyed droids with the force and used it to chuck it further down the tomb. She was using it, to try and set off traps, and anything else that might be sensitive to movement. As she figured she did not want to waste more of her men, to a mine, or spike trap, or some other stupid trap.

She looked at @Taalong Vorr she then said Well that was not to difficult, but I don't want to lose too many men down here. Throw some droids, and then we will proceed. Then she lifted another one and throw that down the tomb, hoping to set something off. She orders her men to advance after this, and as before they keep an eye out for traps, and now droids coming to life.

@Morse @Brick

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The turrets had been an issue. Droid mimicry of life and soldiers were no real trouble, the technology to these ancient machines was nothing compared to modern technology, which hardly stood up to Imperial Troopers as it was. But the turrets did not need such advancements. The Tomb itself was a fortress that was under assault, and it was defending itself. It did not need to mobilize its forces, it could simply wait for them to arrive upon them. This complicated things, as it was evident after that first piece that more would come. Though Taalong Vorr had thought quickly in destroying the turrets, he was not sure how far that swift action would take them.

He did not like the idea of retreating, but he was not sure how deep into the tomb they would be able to make it before they had run out of Troopers. He would of course proceed forward as long as possible. It was noted in his mind that the desecration and secrets of the crypt were not worth dying for. The Sith that lay there had his turn, and there was no necessity for him to be granted more bodies to lay around him.

As directed by Sarla, he lifted up a droid and flung it forward. He did the same with a second, skidding it along the ground to see if anything would be set off. He retained his lightsaber in his hand, the red glowing blade ready to strike should anything come close. His troopers came together, lights still on and ready to engage what may come to them.

"This guardian is wiser then anticipated." Taalong Vorr noted regarding the AI that protected the tomb. "You two, watch the flank. And you... the ceiling." The orders to his Troopers were direct and intentional. He was now under the impression the AI would attack them in an asymmetric fashion and he would preserve their forces as much as possible.

@Sabrina

 

[The Storyteller]

.

The AI’s brain thought hard, as it calculated many different strategies to taking down the sith. They hadn’t been the first to go this far. That was evident by the bones that littered the walk way. As the group flung junk towards the traps, the AI awoke the remaining droid guards and sent them the the sith’s Position. These droids were more skilled then the clumsier ones before. For every trooper and sith there were five times more droids.

A loud sound could be heard as a large wall suddenly emerged, separating Taalong from Sarla. Tagalongs was trapped behind the wall, and Sarla and the rest of the troops were faced with the droids nearby.


@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

As the wall appeared, she saw @Taalong Vorr disappear behind it. She turned around and heard droids coming to life. She did not know how many, but she had lost men and had lost a comrade behind that wall. She told her men, Get ready and take cover, they are coming for us. She drew out her quickdraw pistol and got ready to open fire, as the droids approached. Her men need something, as they were now using the dead, as cover. She said to them We can do this, we can the droids down. They may outnumber us, but we have the force with us. This is not a sith we are facing, but a machine, nothing more than a machine. Then an idea hit her, the thing a power source. She searched using the force to look for it, she needed to know where it was first before she could strike at it directly. She was planning to use the force to disable it, but first, she needed to locate it.

@Brick

 

[The Storyteller]

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Their time was almost over. The droids were all connected to the AI, and the AI had been running millions of scenarios of success and defeat. With many different variables, success was inevitable as well as the Sith and her trooper's deaths. They had fought bravely, worthy of a simple medal, but it ended here. Evermore droids poured in, for every droid that was struck down, another took it's place.

The AI was stored on the most bottom level of the cave, however the AI was interfaced and connected to every trap, every system in the cavern. Sensors were located everywhere in the cave that were the AI's eyes and ears. They were not hidden, for there was no need. They could easily be destroyed, yes, but there were hundreds of them that it didn't matter. However, the AI had not taken into the fact that a simple force trick on the sensors could override the whole system, and shut every droid down. It was only a matter of time.


@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She could sense it, it was everywhere, it was inside every machine and every trap. The thing must be emitting a signal, from somewhere. She did not know where, but she had an idea. She would start breaking the droids down, at circuit level using a force power disable droid. This might attack the parts of it that used to interface with droids, and the traps. She was hoping to cause feedback, as killing the droids only brought them time. So she started using it, as quickly as possible on a single droid. As if she figgered if she used it on many at once, it would be a weaker attack, so less chance of feedback on this AI, she was facing.

While singled out one droid to pour all her energy into killing this way, her men began opening fire on the others. This was going to be close call.

@Brick

 

[The Storyteller]

.

Droid after droid was blasted to bits. Droid after droid stepped past their fallen comrades. It seemed the battle was going in the droid and AI's favor when suddenly the AI somehow felt pain. A closer analysis showed that the Sith somehow tapped into the system, and was attempting to override the whole database. "It's gonna take a whole lot more that, Sith girl!" The AI boomed. The AI sent more droids after droids into the fight. Sith troopers were already starting to fall, the Sith would have to do better to fry the system. The AI reeled from the pain.


@Morse @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She felt it was in pain, and it tries to goad her, it failed. She then began using it on more of the droids, she looked for ones in the middle of the formation. This was so her troops did not kill the ones she was trying to use the force on, as that might hinder her efforts to hurt the AI. They were blasting away, taking cover where they could. The blaster fire was intense, and she starting to lose more men. She also had to use some of her concentration not to get shot herself. She was deflecting the blaster bolts that came at her, the best she could. Though as long as they went away from her she did not mind. She did not want to get shot by things, but no doubt the more she used the force on them, the more likely she was to become the target.

@Brick