Ask Violet Veil

[Zorya]

Within the silent confines of her thoughts, Zorya sifted through the stratagem that brought her to the crystalline labyrinth of Quarzite. This subterranean world had been marked by a tenacious conflict, a tireless dance of shadows between the Belugans and the Kage warriors. The Belugan dictator, promising a handsome reward, besought her aid against the constant raids of these Kage. His dominion's lifeblood - the trading operation - had been perpetually besieged, throwing their economic equanimity into discord.

Perched on her shoulder, O'bog scoffed at their dim surroundings, his pixie face contorted into an expression of theatrical dismay. "Blasted gloom! Not a shred o' sunlight! It's like bein' stuck in a drab limerick with no end!"

The subterranean landscape stretched out like a vast mineral sea. Wending rivers of iridescent violet light refracted off countless crystals, their glow illuminating the expansive network of caves and caverns. Shimmering lakes flickered in the dimness, and fungal growths carpeted the walls and ceiling, a bizarre botanical wonderland.

Zorya's internal musings were interrupted by the sight of a hidden fortress, embedded within the crystalline mountainside. It was an imposing, shadowy edifice, cloaked in darkness, an eerie contrast to the radiant ambiance. The fort was ingeniously concealed, its presence only given away by the occasional flickering violet light glinting off the obsidian-hued facade. An ideal stronghold for the Kage.

O'bog, intrigued by the aesthetics of the warriors, let out a rare complimentary remark. "Arr, their garb ain't half bad, they've got a taste for the shadows, the crafty gits." He was smitten by the exotic, almost mystical, attire of the Kage warriors. Their attire was a seamless blend of form and function - intimidating, yet practical for their covert operations.

A distant echo in the force alerted Zorya to an approaching presence. The spectral threads of her senses wove an image of the Jawa bounty hunter, Teeka B'ey, journeying through the luminescent expanse. Her silent alliance with this unfamiliar entity added an element of unpredictability to her stratagem.

@Nor'baal

 

[Teeka]

Quarzite. He'd never been to such a planet, but Teeka had spent the entire journey over reading up on it on a datapad he had 'found' on the passenger craft. From what he could gather, the world was divided into an interspecies conflict, politically if not geographically. Teeka thought of Tatooine, where the Tuskens and 'everyone else' had a similar conflict.

He'd been contacted by a client through the usual channels to help with some mission.

So enthralled in his reading on the planet itself had Teeka been that he had entirely forgotten to read the mission guidance. All fine, he thought to himself - we can style it out.

And so he did.

Stepped out of the shadows in his armour-weave-enhanced robe, a stim hanging lazily from his lips, just like he'd seen in the holo-movies, Teeka cut quite the diminutive silhouette. On each hip, he wore a blaster; over his back, his carbine and his bandolier were heavy with thermal detonators. Up each sleeve, he'd secreted a knife. Teeka was ready for action, and he had made sure to look mean and mean business.

"Never killed a Kage Warrior." his nazal voice cut through the darkness as he dragged on his stim and introduced himself "Names Teeka, you've probably heard of my by reputation alone." he lied, for he had no reputation to speak of, but Teeka was a strong advocate of the 'fake it 'till you make it's model of living. He looked the client up and down, because that was what the cool guys did in the films, and waited for his instructions.

@Aberforth

 

[Zorya]

In the gloaming light of the violet crystals, Zorya examined the Jawa that emerged from the shadows. The figure was swaddled in weather-beaten armor, diminutive, nearly Ximpi-sized, inciting an uncanny parallel that did not escape O'bog's observation.

"Quite the midget ye are, Teeka," O'bog chortled from Zorya's shoulder, a pixie twinkle in his eyes. "But aye, me beauty still trumps yers!" His laughter echoed through the cavern, reverberating off the crystal walls.

With a smirk hidden behind his garrulousness, O'bog introduced their twosome, "This 'ere silent goddess is Zorya, Sith Champion. I, the handsome devil, am O'bog, her Ximpi confidante. Can't say I've ever heard o' yer reputation, but there's a first time for every tale."

In the silent sanctum of her mind, Zorya asked O'bog why he had to antagonize everyone they met. His insouciance, while endearing, was at times a diplomatic liability.

Zorya, disregarding O'bog's lighthearted jests, focused her gaze on Teeka. She communicated her stratagem through O'bog. "We'll infiltrate the Kage base under the guise of night's embrace. Use the natural topography, meld with the shadows, silent as the unseen wind. We shall strike with precision, the viper's bite swift and unexpected. Our show of force will be undeniable, a tempestuous spectacle that will etch our power into the annals of Quarzite's history. We'll disrupt their supply chain, confound their strategies, until they are left bereft and beaten."

Zorya, while weaving this strategy, couldn't help but reflect on the wasted potential of the Kage. Their prowess as warriors was commendable, their martial culture indicative of discipline and resilience. It was a shame to see such ability squandered on fruitless strife. As her consciousness swirled within the nebula of possibilities, a new plan began to take shape, a method to harness the latent force of the Kage for a greater cause.

@Nor'baal

 

[Teeka]

If Teeka had a credit for every time someone referenced his height.

Well- he'd have one credit today already!

He nodded by way of greeting as O'bog made their introductions. Teeka had never met a Ximpi before, or at least he couldn't remember even if he had. The creature seemed abrasive by his nature, something Teeka felt himself warming to.

"You've got a height advantage." he snicked, pointing to O'bogs vantage point on his 'organic perch' in the form of Zorya, with humour.

On the other hand, Zorya was an entirely different kettle of mynocks. Stoic and severe, she got down to business fast. The mission was to cause chaos, striking from the shadows and disrupting their supply lines.

Fortunately for his clients, Teeka was exceptionally talented at causing chaos.

"Right, well - let's get to it." Teeka acknowledged his instructions and began walking (or waddling, depending on one's perspective) a little further toward their target. Well hidden, the Fort seemed to be hewed into the crystalline edifice over which it stood guard. It was undoubtably an architectural marvel - one Teeka would have loved to spend more time examining.

Yet today, it was an obstacle in his path to completing their mission.

"Up top for me." he squeaked over to his client, waving his comlink at them to signify he was dropping out of close conversation range. Darting off to their right, he shuffled his way up and onto a ledge, gaining a slight height advantage as he kept his diminutive form low and close to the wall.

He sniffed the air, his keen sense of smell (a common trait with his species) picking up the distinctive smell of industrial oils, cooking food and more. Teeka could tell he was close to the base, no matter how well its architect had sought to camouflage it.

From where he sat, there was a short pathway down to the fort's entrance, above which a ledge ran across the cliff face (a ledge upon which he walked).

He clocked a pair of Kage warriors heading out of the entrance, meeting with another pair of their order. Teeka clicked his comlink and spoke in a hushed whisper to O'bog and Zorya "They're changing guard shifts, from the entrance." he remarked, in case they had yet to clock the move themselves.

He unhitched his carbine and dropped into a crouch - spotting an excellent position to jump down to should his client deem a fight was potentially in their favour.

@Aberforth

 

[Zorya]

A sudden bout of laughter erupted from O'bog at Teeka's witticism. "Ye cheeky runt! Hear that, Zorya, can we keep him?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Zorya, despite her external impassivity, felt a flicker of amusement. She appreciated efficiency, and the Jawa had that in spades. Establishing the commlink, ascending to a higher vantage point - he was quick and competent, characteristics she valued.

She moved to her position, eyes scanning the fort's entrance. An amalgamation of nature's grandeur and architectural brilliance, it melded perfectly into the crystalline surroundings. The entrance was a maw in the side of the quartz hill, lined with intricately etched metal and punctuated by vibrant veins of luminous crystal. The turrets that flanked it were expertly camouflaged, the hint of menace only revealed in the subtle glow of blaster turrets.

Observing the changing of the guards, Zorya contemplated a clandestine infiltration. It promised a swift operation, minimized casualties, and lowered the risk of alerting reinforcements. However, subtlety wasn't the essence of this mission; spectacle was.

With a silent mental command, O'bog relayed to Teeka, "Make us look good, Teeka, it's showtime!" Zorya moved like a specter in the night, her imposing silhouette drawing nearer to the guards who were immersed in their discussion.

"Hey, you lily-livered sods!" O'bog called out, his voice a defiant cry echoing across the crystalline terrain. The guard's attention snapped towards them, shock and alarm etched on their faces.

In a swift, fluid motion, Zorya ignited her lightsaber, its crimson glow dancing off the crystalline landscape. Without hesitation, she engaged the two Kage warriors. Their blades clashed, a symphony of sparks and sizzles. She weaved around their attacks, her movements a whirlwind of precision and power. One of the Kage lunged, his weapon scything towards her, but she deflected it, her own weapon a blur of red light.

With a push of her hand, she slammed the two opponents against the wall, the Force resonating around her like a shockwave. The impact reverberated through the crystals, sending shivers down the spine of the third warrior, who she now turned to face.

Her keen eyes locked onto the third Kage warrior, the challenge silent yet poignant. A fourth guard, however, attempted to slip away, his motives clear as the transpicuous crystal around them. "Got one sneaking off," O'bog relayed over the commlink, his voice an amalgamation of mirth and anticipation. "Might be he's off to call fer reinforcements."

@Nor'baal

//Rolled an 18/20 for Zorya making a spectacle of neutralizing the guards at the base's entrance.

 

[Teeka]

Teeka was every-so-slightly awestruck by the sight of a lightsaber being used. He'd never seen one before; typically, melee combat was done with stun batons or rudimentary staves back on Tatooine (or in most places, for that matter). Snapping out of it quickly, however, Teeka got to work. Clocking the remaining gate guard making a misjudged run for it, he snapped a quick shot off from his carbine - the blaster bolt slicing through the man's torso and sending him slumping to the floor with an unceremonious thunk.

Next, he needed to do his bit to disable those turrets.

Even this close, they were hard to spot, built into the edifice with expert skill. He ran across the ledge as fast as his little legs could carry him and, with a distinctive grunt, threw himself across the gap and onto the smaller ledge were the first of the two turrets was found. He had not quite managed to do so undetected, for the tell-tale whirr of the tibanna canister heating up signalled to the Jawa that he had been spotted.

Yet, years of dismembering technology that was unfortunate enough to fall into his hands were no for nothing. He spotted the hose that connected the tibanna gas canister to the firing chamber, and with a well-practised unk, he pulled it from its socket - and jumped.

Tibanna, if released to fast, tended to ignite.

And that was precisely what it did.

He tried to jump to the next ledge, the location of the second current but fell just shy as the first turret went up in a puff of smoke and flame behind him. Slipping, he dangled off the second ledge, his legs flailing beneath him. "Quick!" he yelped at O'bog and Zorya, desperate for them to disable the second current before it turned its malicious intent on him!

@Aberforth

//Rolled a 9/20 for Teeka making a spectacle of neutralizing the guards at the base's entrance.

 

[Zorya]

"Aye, ye bucket of bolts!" O'bog jeered, leaping onto the remaining guard. His tiny claws scratched at the warrior's visor, causing him to flail in panic. Amidst this chaos, Zorya moved, her presence as commanding as a thunderstorm, her focus unwavering. The guard, blinded and incoherent, made a feeble attempt to fend off the relentless Sith. With a swift pivot and a surge of force, she sent the guard sprawling. The crimson blade of her lightsaber sliced through the air, a fatal ballet of destruction that ended with the warrior's demise.

A sudden explosion rattled her senses, the sound echoing through the crystalline fortress. She looked in the direction of the turrets, catching sight of Teeka's precarious situation. Without a moment's hesitation, she launched her lightsaber like a boomerang. It sliced through the air, humming ominously before colliding with the second turret, slicing cleanly through the gun and fume extractor.

The result was instantaneous. The turret, its charging energy now without a channel, detonated in a cloud of smoke and flame. The explosion rocked the entrance, shards of crystal flying in all directions.

In the aftermath, the silence was deafening. Yet, it was a fleeting respite. They could already hear the unmistakable sounds of reinforcements. The clatter of boots on stone, the hum of blaster rifles being powered up, the guttural war cries of the Kage warriors.

In the lull of the battlefield, amidst the stench of charred metal and the palpable taste of a fight yet to come, Zorya stood as a beacon of focus. She took a moment to inhale deeply, tasting the acrid smoke of battle on her tongue, feeling the residual warmth of the explosion on her skin.

Her closed eyes opened slowly, revealing a gaze as sharp and cold as the void of space. There was a quiet strength in her, a tranquility that belied the chaos surrounding her. It was in moments such as these that Zorya truly connected with the Force. Not in a flurry of lightsaber strikes, nor in the unleashing of torrents of power, but in silence and introspection.

O'bog, his miniature figure stark against her dark robes, fluttered onto her shoulder, his tiny claws digging in. He glanced at her, his eyes full of mischievous mirth and a strange, unwavering trust.

Her silence was a paradoxical symphony. It was the weight of a decision, the clenching of a fist, the synchrony of a heartbeat with the thrumming of the universe. Zorya opened her hand, summoning her lightsaber back to her with the power of the Force, the weapon spinning through the air to land with a satisfying thud in her palm.

She reignited the crimson blade, the familiar hum a comforting whisper in the din of impending battle. With her chin raised and her gaze hardened, she faced the oncoming tide of reinforcements. Every muscle, every cell in her body, was braced for battle.

@Nor'baal

//Rolled a 19/20 for operation save Teeka!

 

[Teeka]

"Aaaaaaiiiiieeeeeee!" Teeka squealed as the lightsaber shot over his head, taking out the final turret and saving his life. It was all quite exhilarating. With his immediate peril now concluded, Teeka realised he wasn't up that high after all, and with the imminent threat of being blasted by an errant turret out of the way, he dropped down gently from the ledge and nodded his thanks to Zorya and O'bog for their timely intervention in his favour.

"Out of the frying pan," he levelled his carbine in the direction of the incoming horde of reinforcements "- and into the fire!" he snickered, checking the cartridge on his carbine, and waiting for the encroaching Kage warriors to get into range.

The carbine was an effective weapon, able to lay down steady and precise fire, and swift to reload as well. It was ideal for one of his professional inclinations, and he fully intended to put it to work now.

He quickly stepped back behind the 'doorframe' of the gate, and reach for his macro binoculars. The sound of the approaching enemies was a little too 'grand' to just be those in sight. Teeka raised the binocs, and scanned the room. There was the main body of around eight warriors, and then from the doors to the left and right, a further number, five from each door, came rushing into the room.

"Lock and load!" he shouted, firing over the heads of the first group of eight, and into the two groups of five that brought up the rear. Keeping behind Zorya, figuring her ability to deflect incoming fire would be of considerable help to their cause, he fired three shots, taking out three warriors, before snapping off a forth shot which went wide. He prayed beyond hope that Zorya would be able to slow them down, and give him a little more time to pick off the stragglers.

@Aberforth

//Rolled a 1/20 for how outnumbered we are, low being bad, we are quite out-gunned! 18 enemies, now down to 15.

 

[Zorya]

In the midst of the brewing tempest, Zorya stood stalwart. Her crimson lightsaber was her beacon in the melee, weaving a tapestry of luminescent arcs as it danced with the deadly dance of blaster fire. The shots hurled towards her were as venomous serpents, eager to strike, their red venom ablaze with destructive potential.

She was the eye of the storm, an eddy of calm amidst chaos. With deft movements, she guided her lightsaber to meet each incoming bolt. The weapon sang its resonating hum in tandem with her heartbeat, deflecting energy projectiles with precision and sending them back to their origins. In this brutal exchange, two of the Kage warriors, caught in the path of their own reflected fire, crumbled in incapacitated heaps.

Yet, for all her skills and the attuned harmony with the Force, Zorya was not invincible. Amidst the relentless hail of energy bolts, her focus wavered. Sensing the pulse of danger too late, she turned just in time to see the flash of a vibroblade aimed at her left arm. The blade hit, a stun charge blooming on contact. Immediately, her arm dropped, numb and unresponsive.

A guttural cry of fury echoed in the battlefield, resonating above the hum of the lightsaber and the sizzling of blaster fire. O'bog, loyal and fierce, launched himself at the assailant, a whirlwind of furious claws and gnashing teeth. The Ximpi was a maelstrom of rage incarnate, protecting his silent companion with an intensity that belied his small size.

Suddenly bereft of her companion's immediate presence, Zorya faced the remaining combatants with a calm, determined expression. The battle had changed, the tides had turned, and yet she stood. Alone but unyielding, the Sith Champion ready to face the onslaught with every ounce of her strength. In the silence of her mind, she fortified her spirit and honed her resolve, her singular focus honing in on the approaching adversaries.

Even under duress, she was not a being to be underestimated.

@Nor'baal

//Rolled a 10/20.
15 - 2 = 3 long range combattants + 10 close combat specialists.
Zorya's left arm is stunned, O'bog is off dealing with one opponent. Not looking too good.

 

[Teeka]

The pressure was beginning to build on Zorya, and Teeka decided that it was time to up his game. After all, the client couldn't pay you well if they'd been vaporised before they got their credits out! As O'bog leapt into action, Teeka darted forward, throwing a thermal detonator out and into the group, 'bringing up the rear' of the main attack force.

As it would turn out, Teeka was pretty handy on the bowl, and the detonator landed directly amid the reserve attack of ten warriors. He rolled after the throw, straight between Zoryas legs and pounced up onto his feet as the thermal detonator erupted into life, tearing through the ten warriors with the force of a hurricane.

Teeka, however, was a professional.

He was not about to allow the immolation of some of his attackers to distract him from the job at hand. He fired a shot at one of the warriors bothering Zorya, then ran forward, slamming his tiny frame into another's legs and sending them spiralling to the floor. Looking over at the aftermath of the thermal detonation, he clocked that only half of them had been killed; the other half now stood shakily on their feet and began to run at them.

Things where about to get a lot more interesting.

"O'bog, let's show 'em whose boss." he grinned under his hood, and stowed his carbine over his shoulder, scooping up one of the downed warriors' elector-weapons, and bracing himself for the 'next wave' of attackers.

@Aberforth

//Rolled a 16/20.
13 - 6 = 7 close combat specialists.

 

[Zorya]

Zorya watched as Teeka's lithe frame made swift work of the surrounding battlefield, his movements both agile and deadly. There was an odd grace to him, an artful poise that was seldom associated with his ilk. She felt a flicker of respect for the Jawa; his spirited engagement was a testament to his sheer audacity. It was the flickering flame amidst the storm; erratic and inconstant, but tenacious nonetheless.

Having dealt a swift death to his adversary, O'bog flew back to Zorya, crimson eyes ablaze with vindictive satisfaction. The creature was an embodiment of vehement resolution.

Then, the world became a maelstrom of violence as the seven remaining Kage warriors charged. Adrenaline surged through Zorya's veins, honing her senses, sharpening her instincts. The dance commenced in earnest, Zorya nimbly parrying strikes, retaliating with the searing energy blade. Each movement was purposeful, honed through years of practice and a mastery of the Force.

She became an elegant figure of destruction, each movement a deadly symphony as she cut a path through her adversaries. Her weapon sang, a melodious hum in the cacophonous battlefield. The crimson arcs it carved through the air reflected in the terror-stricken eyes of her enemies. She took them down one by one, their force reduced with each felled combatant.

Suddenly, the air reverberated with O'bog's roar, a challenge thrown brazenly at the Kage leader. The battlefield stilled, the cacophony fading to an expectant hush, all eyes pivoting towards the leader.

From O'bog then, erupted a cry that soared over the symphony of violence. His words, booming with an audacious challenge, echoed within the battlefield, a demand for single combat with the leader of the Kage Warriors. The arena fell into a tense silence, all eyes turned to the leader, awaiting his response.

In the face of his nod of assent, Zorya felt a familiar pulse of exhilaration, the thrill of an honest fight. She understood the stakes and welcomed the challenge. O'bog's protests resonated through their mental link, but she silenced him with her steely resolve. This was her fight, a testament to her strength, her determination, her ability to confront adversity.

A flush of anticipation rose in Zorya, a thrilling flutter at the prospect of a fair duel. She relished the challenge. O'bog's protests, resonating through their mental bond, were met with a stoic silence. This was her fight, and she would face it head on.

Reluctantly understanding her stubborn determination, O'bog flitted off towards Teeka. His words to the Jawa were clear, a message conveyed through a simple nod. "Should things go belly up, ye ensure that that cocky brute doesn't do Zorya in. She'd rather die than see us intervene in a fair fight, but I won't have that."

@Nor'baal

//Rolled an 18/20.

 

[Teeka]

In an odd sort of way, things seemed to be looking up? Zorya and O'bog had managed to limit the combat to a single battle between the lightsaber wielder and the leader of the warriors. If only she'd done that earlier, I could have saved on the ammunition! Teeka thought before moving off to Zoryas right and climbing up on a rock that stuck out of the ground.

A better vantage point over this showdown would benefit his team, especially if anyone tried anything reckless about his client's well-being.

He knelt on one knee, his carbine back in his hands. The leader of the warriors was a mean-looking fella, lithe and nimble but with muscle to back up decisive strikes in melee. Teeka was pleased that it was not him who had to fight him in single combat! However, if he was a betting Jawa (and he was) he was confident she would win out.

Reloading his carbine, Teeka was equally confident that should she not gain the upper hand, and the warrior attempt to kill her, he wouldn't get very far. "He makes a false step, it'll be his last." Teeka whispered to O'bog, who he was fast beginning to enjoy 'doing business' with.

Teeka would not intervene in the fight of Zorya was winning, but, should the warrior gain the upper hand, he would take him out at range.

Of course, the warrior no doubt was banking on his own men to do likewise if Zorya managed to get to close to killing him. Teeka had a plan for that as well, or at least he worked on one quickly, off the cuff. He stowed his carbine, and instead placed his little hands on the butts of his two pistols - shuffling his robe for a swifter draw.

This way, he could shoot at the leader, and at his backup!

Teeka was once again astonished by his own tactical genius. He sneered at the leader, sneered at his backup, and nodded at O'bog. Silently wishing Zorya the best of luck in her duel, but at the same time sort of hoping she'd stumble to he could stick a blaster bolt into the cocky Kage leaders smirking little face, he waited to see what happened.

@Aberforth

//Please don't die.

 

[Zorya]

As the standoff teetered on the precipice of a violent clash, Zorya took a moment of respite, cocooned in the fortress of her mind. A breath, a heartbeat, a sliver of tranquility amidst the chaos. She traversed the corridors of her consciousness, her memories echoing the tenets of the Sith code. Peace is a lie, there is only passion. She took solace in these words, their power resonating deep within her.

Her eyes then met the Kage leader's gaze, a connection simmering with challenge and respect. His physique was reminiscent of a predatory beast; sinewy muscles rippling under a skin that bore the brunt of countless battles, eyes ablaze with a warrior’s fire. An adversary worthy of her mettle.

With a deep breath, she stepped into the arena. The fight unfolded like an elaborate ballet, each move a dance of power and precision. Zorya moved with an ethereal grace, her movements reminiscent of the fluidity of K'tara, intercepting the leader's strikes and redirecting his momentum, only to be met with the fierce resilience of his Tae-Jitsu-inspired retaliation. Each counter, each block, each grapple was a statement, a testament to their indomitable spirits.

But the leader was relentless. His attacks came swift, like a torrential downpour, his strikes landing with unerring precision. Zorya countered, parried, but his blows still found their mark. Bruises began to paint a vivid map of their battle on her skin, each one a badge of honor, a testament to her endurance.

Watching the bout, O'bog was a maelstrom of emotions. His small frame vibrated with tension, teeth biting into his lip, eyes wide with worry. The sight of his mistress weathering the storm but faltering ignited a flame of fear within him.

Beside him, Teeka was also vigilant, his trigger finger twitching in anticipation, ready to intervene if things spiraled out of control. Suddenly, the order came from O'bog. His words, though drowned in the cacophony of the duel, resonated clear as a bell in the Jawa's mind. "The time has come, lad. We can't just be spectators."

The command triggered an immediate rebuke through the Force bond Zorya and O'bog shared. Her fury was palpable, a raw wave of emotion that momentarily staggered the Ximpi. Yet she stood firm, the fierce glint in her eyes undiminished, her resolve unbroken. The fight was not over, not while she still drew breath.

@Nor'baal

//Rolled an 8/20.

 

[Teeka]

His trigger finger itched as Teeka was desperate to get back into the fray and prevent his client from being unable to pay him. She was no good to anybody dead at the hands of a Kage warrior, and the way this fight was going - that option was looking like an ever more possible outcome. The warrior was effectual, of that there could be no doubt, and Zorya was beginning to fall behind.

O'bog gave the command, and despite Zoryas resistance, Teeka was not about to ignore the order. He fired a dazzling shot at the warrior, which punched through the man's torse with deft skill. A trail of smoke snuck from the wound as the warrior's eyes widened, realising what had happened. He went to shout an order at this man but fell silent, slumping to the floor instead.

However, Teeka had not been complacent with the time afforded him by this attack. If shock would stun the other Kage Warriors, albeit for a moment, it would have no such effect on him. With his second blaster, he fired two shots at the observing warriors, one dropping to the floor as a blaster bolt arched through its knee, the other jumping back to dodge the attack.

He slid down from the rocky vantage point, keen not to be on the receiving end of the warriors' ire too soon. Using the rock as cover, he shouted to O'bog "Get her back!" keen to ensure Zorya was back and away from the attack, Teeka would provide cover. He hailed down shots from his twin blasters, seeking to pin the warriors in place as they to moved to cover.

This was certainly not turning out to be a dull mission.

He tossed a grenade over the rock, over to the Kage warriors. It detonated, smashing their mediocre cover and opening them up for O'bog, Zorya and Teeka to finish them. Clearly stunned by the detonation, the warriors where open to attack, an opportunity Teeka used. Rolling from cover, he levelled his pistols at the stunned warriors.

"Let's get 'em!"

//Rolled a 15/20.

 

[Zorya]

A tempest of fury churned within Zorya, a maelstrom that threatened to consume her. To have her duel, her sacred rite of power and skill, interrupted by the Jawa’s opportunistic intervention was an affront to her honour. A blaze of indignation ignited within her, casting a stark shadow on her weariness.

This anger, however, proved to be more than mere emotional upheaval. It was a catalyst, sparking her innate Sith tenacity, and in that moment of ire, she found an unexpected resurgence of strength. Resilience surged through her veins, bolstering her flagging stamina.

In the ether of her thoughts, she called for O'bog, her silent summons echoing through their bond. As he flitted through the air towards her, Zorya moved, the Force flowing through her like a mighty river.

Her hand rose in tandem with Teeka’s grenade, the Force serving as her conduit. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the explosive hurtling skywards, its detonation lighting up the battlefield like a fallen star. The blast, initially meant to end the Kage warriors, instead served as a beacon of her defiance.

As the Ximpi arrived at the gathering of Kage Warriors, his raucous voice filled the air. "Listen ye heartless gobs! That blatherin' Jawa's lost his noggin!" he blared, frantically appealing to the Kage Warriors to unite with Zorya against the rogue Jawa.

O'bog continued his plea, addressing the Kage leader directly. "Ye do see she's not ended a single one of your lot, don't ye?" The leader's eyes wavered, reflecting a moment of hesitation. The Ximpi pressed on, "It's that damned Jawa who set us on ye. Can't you see he's the menace here?"

In response, Zorya ignited her lightsaber, its crimson glow a beacon of challenge. Pointing it skywards, she turned towards Teeka, her gaze hardened with resolve and fury. The Jawa was in for a chase, the kind that would leave him with nightmares, Zorya’s eyes held a murderous glint that matched the lethal hum of her weapon.

@Nor'baal

//Rolled a 17/20: Zorya attempts to protect the Kage Warriors from Teeka's grenade.

 

[Teeka]

This isn't good.

Teeka watched as Zorya diverted his grenade and then wasted no time in looking out for the exits. As O'bog started to speak, Teeka knew that things were rapidly turning for the worst. If the pair managed to turn the Kage on him then Teeka was convinced he would be unable to hold his own.

The main gate was probably the best way out.

So, he decided to leg it as a Jawa of considerable self-preservational instinct.

Whilst O'bog headed into his plea, seeking to unite the Kage Warriors with him against Teeka, the diminutive Jawa was already underway.

Simply put, he hitched his robe and fled to the main gate as fast as possible. Running toward the gate as fast as he could manage, he thanked whatever god was listening that the Kage warriors with ranged weapons had been taken care of already.

If he managed to, he would duck through the gate, and continue to run, and run, and run, as fast as he could, away from Zorya and O'bog.

//Rolled a 15/20: RUN

@Aberforth

 

[Zorya]

As Zorya set off in pursuit of the scrambling Jawa, she noted the synchronised movement of the Kage warriors at her side, their unity echoing in their footsteps. A wry smile danced in the corners of her mind. Unwittingly, Teeka had played his part flawlessly. There was nothing quite like the presence of a shared adversary to forge unexpected alliances.

Zorya, however, was not one to indulge in senseless pursuits. Observing the rapidly disappearing silhouette of Teeka, she decided to call off the chase. A newly formed alliance required cementing, and there was no better time than the present.

As she turned to face the Kage leaders, Zorya found a new energy pulsating within her. She spoke, through O'bog, her words weaving a tantalising picture of power and grandeur. "Look 'round ye! Is this backwater rock where ye see yerselves? There's more to the universe, and I promise, it's a sight more exhilarating."

Her proposition found an audience among a dozen of the Kage warriors. Intrigued by the promise of grandeur, they agreed to lend their strength to her cause. As nightfall gradually veiled the landscape, they began their return to the base, their new alliance imbuing the air with an electrifying promise.

Before the twilight turned into the depth of night, Zorya bade her newfound allies farewell, assigning a rendezvous for the dawn of the following day. O'bog took flight from her shoulder, guiding her away from the base as the campfire lights dwindled in the distance.

Now removed from the Kage base, the silence of the night surrounded them. But this tranquillity brought no sign of the elusive Teeka. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, O'bog let out a jubilant cry. "Everything went off without a hitch, it did!"

Indeed, despite the chaos, everything had fallen into place just perfectly. And as the curtain of night fell, Zorya felt a deep satisfaction settle within her.

@Nor'baal

//I hope I didn't give you too much of a scare haha