Ask Ziost Ziost: Command Centre

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Location: Ziost, Short distance from the Orbital Defence Command Centre
Thread Type: Death Enabled
Timeout: 48 hours

THEME

Ziost. A world as cold and as brutal as the Sith themselves, or at least it sure felt that way. Trodai was wearing extra furs and layers to keep extra warm, and yet enough that he wasn't attracting too much attention. In truth he hadn't been back here in years, not since his Massassi Akoge in his early youth, it appeared not much had changed a whole lot. He didn't like it much with the cold weather, having now gotten used to Korriban heat.

He was here to see another goal of Darth Arcanos through, as he continued to keep his promises. Despite what Trael or Vossari thought about him on a personal level, none could deny he was loyal or that he was devoted to Azar. That he was not quite the liability they took him for initially, his more recent successes upon Korriban and Dromund Kaas proved that much. And with each success he grew ever stronger even managing to restore his physical appearance into something that perhaps even Darth Arcanos could admire again. His tall muscular frame now crimson again and no longer a husk. And yet despite it there was concern. Azar was different, he had changed ever since the bombing and since he was forced to kill Karys, his own husband. But Trodai understood why it needed to be done, that Karys death was up of his own making and that Azar was likely in pain from the loss.

When he and first heard there had been a initial shock, he hadn't expected it. But it did prove something. That Azar was everything he thought he was, everything he loved. That he was strong and he knew he would endure even if Trodai had to be a little more cautious around the man just in case. For now though he would assist with finishing what Karys was unable to in life. And take Ziost for Azar and for the Sith.

And that started with this. With attempting to sneak into the Ziost Orbital Defence Command Centre (Z.O.D.C.C) and disabling the defences to allow for the Sith forces to takeover. Trodai had looked over the blueprints. The building was a fortress. Made up of government buildings on the planet, a military headquarters and a governor's residence. It was said to be virtually impenetrable, and was heavily fortified and at one point was considered the most secure facility on-world. He was about to see how true that statement was.

With him was his former master, Caerllion who had been assigned to assist.

It would fall to them both just like old times to sneak in and do the job. To be fair, he was glad it was him...Caerllion was one of the few people he could truly consider calling an ally among the Sith. Besides Azar. Trodai planned the attack for days and only now enacted it. They had spent the past week ambushing supply runs and buying off suppliers before poisoning the food and sending it on it's way. A way to weaken and drain the enemy while Sorcerers sowed paranoia and distrust in the mind, to make the operatives inside more susceptible to the cold and hypothermia. And ripe for a surprise attack they could not see, disoriented, drained and tired as they would be. A snow blizzard was used to mask not just their own but the approach of the Sith forces.

As they got closer, Trodai kept as low as his bulky form would allow and found rather surprisingly his trick had worked as had the raiding of the supply lines, when he noted how sluggish the enemy was. Within the blizzard, he was camouflaged as he approached the first perimeter, sneaking up upon a enemy guarding the wall, sneaking up he climbed over and split the man's throat before unceremoniously using the Force to chuck the body over the other side and bury it in snow and ice. He continued to sneak around the perimeter, disposing of any he encountered along the way until the coast was clear.

Signalling to Caerllion, Trodai let him know to make his own approach over the wall and towards the security office. Hopefully to disable any cameras, automated security measures and other such measures to make it easy pickings for the rest of the allied forces as the Sadow enemy forces were caught in a surprise attack as they were left freezing, starving, disoriented, open and exposed.

He sent a telepathic message "Up to you now old friend."

Spoiler

Attempt to sneak in and disable the defenses to allow for the Sith forces to takeover -
D20: 18

@LouJoVi @Sreeya

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”You look terrible.” it was the first thing that Caerllion said to his ex-apprentice when they met for the first time before this mission. There was no humor in his words. They didn’t talk much with each other after the Pureblood became a Champion and went running to help Azar with his plans. However, the Annfyn still felt a bit concerned for his well-being. Mostly because anything bad that the other did could damage himself.

God forbid if he really cared for the other.

The truth? Perhaps he cared.

The Annfyn didn’t wait for an answer, perhaps because he didn’t want to know it at all. At least for now. Whatever happened to make the Pureblood look that way was probably made by a powerful Force user, one that Caerllion wanted away from himself. Due to that, he strictly talked with Trodai about what they were going to do on this mission.

The Command Centre remained as impenetrable as the last time that Caerllion had visited Ziost. It had been ages ago, when he was still an Acolyte and things were simpler. However, the building already existed looming on the horizon. He never thought that he would need to break inside it.

The two plotted for a long time, but they finally had reached the perfect plan. Trodai really exceeded his expectations by basically poisoning the entire water and food supply of the place. If he was still his Master, he would have given him a ten in the annual evaluation.

Since it had been Trodai doing most of the plan, Caerllion let him be the first to sneak on the place and he was immediately impressed with what he saw. The Pureblood went there like a pro, evading some guards and killing one silently. Gone were the days that he was clumsy when trying to move among the shadows.

The Annfyn was proud of himself, of course. Trodai's success showed that he was a good Master.

With the path clear, the Annfyn was on the move. He used the Force to jump through the wall, using the blizzard to cover his movements. Once he landed, Caerllion rushed to were Trodai was, his magick stirring the snow around him and making the storm seem stronger than it was and thus hiding his form.

‘I’ll go inside, cover me.’ he said to Trodai, feeling nostalgic for using their old telepathic bond. The Annfyn slipped inside the security office, seeing only a guard watching the screens. Without any doubt this lack of security was the result of the poisoning of their resources, the rest would be in the hospital.

Caerllion flicked his hand and red energy surrounded it. A circle of the same color appeared around the throat of the guard who soon gasped. He was silently suffocated, incapable of screaming. When he felt no life on it anymore, the Annfyn released his spell and approached the security system.

“Now the fun begins.” the Annfyn muttered, an evil smile on his lips. Placing both his hands in the security system, Caerllion unleashed a discharge of red energy. It would course through every circuit, sending it overdrive. The screens blipped before going completely dark, while sensors and other safety measures of the station would be completely gone. Weapons being deactivated shortly after.

‘Done.’ he said to Trodai, while preparing to leave. Caerllion also took a moment to sense Teekl through their bond, with the loth-cat remaining in her watching spot in a nearby building, waiting to warn them if reinforcements arrived. ‘Nothing coming too.’

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

"I know. It's a bit of a long story." was all Trodai said when the two Sith initially spoke. Truth be told he perhaps in his own way missed his former master, and not needing to worry so much about his back. He was one of the few he thought he could trust and rely upon. And he hoped the feeling was mutual.

Trodai continued while Caerllion did his own part within the security room, silently removing those in his wake, by sword of the Force they fell, the bodies meticulously hidden as he snaked his way around the compound. The Force strong and feeding his Wrath and Rage, as he, hiding below cameras and once Caerllion had disabled them slipping out and past patrols to dispatch more guards to the netherworld. As the facility went dark and panic began to erupt, Trodai kept a low profile, using the darkness and panic to move towards the backup generators, to prevent the security turning back on again.

Once near the door, he put his back to the wall.

Peering around the corner ever so briefly, and using the Force he felt at least three inside. All armed but groggy, and so he entered silently. Using the dark of the room as they tried figuring out what was going on around them, wondering why everything was shut down and the lights were not working. Before they knew it a lightsaber was all they saw lighting crimson in the dark before they were sliced apart one in half at the torso, another decapitated and the last impaled in the heart. Trodai proceeded to shut his lightsaber down for now as he used the Force to crush the generator, ensuring the power would not return and remain permanently off for the time being.

With the weapons systems down, Trodai headed next to the automated defence office.

There he killed the four in that were on guard duty, and proceeded to search the shutdown protocols. Going through various files, noting nothing of any real interest he eventually found the right one. Pressing the correct buttons and codes, the automated and secondary defence systems shut offline. He was leaving nothing to chance. Finally he snuck to a secondary entrance and opened the door for the allied Sith forces to begin filtering into the base and assault it under the show storm and darkness.

They would soon proceed to the barracks and hospital first. To kill the rest of the operatives, the poisoned laying sick and those trying to sleep inside the compound before taking the government buildings and rest of the compound to secure it for Darth Arcanos and the Sith. But only when the two Sith gave the signal it was clear to do so.

As he joined Caerllion, Trodai spoke using their link to keep things quiet.

"As am I. That's the military headquarters out of commission. Now to secure the government buildings and governors residence. You can choose which you want. " he enquired.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

The collapse of the security system left the entire Command Center in panic. The situation of the people working there was already dire, with the sudden cases of food poisoning. Now the fact that a sudden malfunction had left them unprotected, they were starting to fear even more for their lives.

Caerllion felt these feelings through the Force, panic and fear gripping the minds of the few that remained working. The Annfyn smiled, contemplating the emotions that were emanating from his surroundings like screams of a dying man. Knowing that so much terror was the result of his own actions was satisfying. It made him feel powerful.

He was powerful, and would never doubt this fact.

When he met with Trodai, the Pureblood had already dealt with the automated defense office. Now they would need to go to their next target. ‘I’ll take care of the governor’s residence.’ Caerllion said, before rushing toward his target. With the security down, there were no cameras to see him moving through the halls. However, the Annfyn had learned to never be so sure of advantage. It was never certain.

Due to that, the Annfyn decided to move toward the residence by jumping from one roof to another. These military stations always had buildings close to each other making the jumps easier. The ongoing blizzard also helped hide his movements. He reached his target without any trouble, landing in a nearby tree.

There were some guards in the front entrance, screaming about the defenses going down. The back entrance was completely free and from his position in the tree he could see that the governor was in his room, probably trying to hide from what was happening around him. Since the man would be more protected here, Caerllion decided to do another approach.

He jumped down the tree and moved toward the back door, using the lack of guards to slide inside without much problem. The interior of the residence was also a chaos, with the security system completely disabled there were no sensors to detect him. The Annfyn immediately went to the kitchen, finding it empty. Then he located the oven, turned the gas on and left some explosives close to it. With the same speed that he arrived, Caerllion returned to the tree outside.

When safe in the top of a building, Caerllion pressed the detonator and the entire floor of the residence exploded, setting what remained there on fire. ‘The residence is on fire right now. Did you finish your part?’

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

With the military headquarters out of commission, what few guards that did remain in other areas had a momentous task ahead of them amidst the panic and terror of the governor, his family and any other senators at the facility as the two Sith and the allied forces of Darth Arcanos descended upon them. Like nameless terrors in the dark who could not be reasoned or bargained with they were sweeping through the compound and only death remained in their wake. As blood and screams of abject horror and suffering continued to feed the very core of the planet with the dead.

As snow that was once white turned crimson.

Where most houses would be spared, for Sadow there would be no such repentance, no second chance. They would be wiped from history. They had made their beds at Murzana and now they would pay the ultimate price. Trodai could feel everything he fed upon it like a great hunter in the Force, devouring and savouring the last breathe of his prey during the midst of the great hunt. As Caerllion went to the governors residence, he made his own way towards the government offices.

A place where much of the planet's laws were decided and corruption was rampant.

The domain of politics. With the defences down it didn't take long for the Sith forces to be spread throughout the complex, with several platoons joining Trodai in the raid. The element of surprise now gone, open warfare within was rampant although the enemy was woefully lacking having been caught unprepared and completely off-guard.

The armoury was destroyed in the initial raid.

As he entered he noted four guards trying hide behind a reception desk, opening fire on his allies and himself. Becoming somewhat enraged with lightsaber in hand he used the Force and ran, reflecting bolts before jumping the barrier and pushing two back, creating space. Trodai proceeded to remove the left arm of the closest before smashing them head first into the hardened wood, wooden splinters embedding into them. Turning he faced the second he impaled through the sternum and faced the final two lifting both with the Force as he crushed their throats like he was squeezing a can.

Moving past the reception, he took the troops further in.

Moving floor by floor, they and he swept the building. Anyone found was executed on the spot if not left to suffer fatal wounds in agony. The sky was filling with fire and bellowing smoke as carnage spread. As the vengeance of the Sith was brought down upon them like a hateful hammer. Cold and uncaring. Trodai even stoked some of the fires himself with Pyromancy, or set a few people alight. Setting an example of what awaited those who would defy them. And yet he was cautious, acting only when his chances were sure and a certainty. With the main building dealt with he moved to the smaller structures surrounding it.

Trodai replied, even as he hacked another victim "Almost. The largest structure is secured, we just need to secure the smaller ones and surrounding offices. I'll finish up over here. In the meantime see if any are hiding and lure them out of you can. Best be sure in case of unexpected surprises."

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion was seated in the building, watching the fire spread through the governor’s residence. It had already reached the second floor and the politician was now screaming while trying to leave his room. The Annfyn wondered how long it would take for the flames to destroy everything at once.

A smile appeared on his lips when the smoke started to enter the governor’s room and the man's screams intensified. ‘Understand, there is nothing for me here anymore.’ he said to Trodai through their connection. Getting up, he cleaned himself from the snow and ran away from the scene.

Leaving behind an entire building consumed by flames.

He was back jumping from one roof to another, until reaching the place where Trodai was fighting. Caerllion grimaced with the state of the area, full of blood and body parts. It was a complete mess. It seemed that his ex-apprentice didn’t learn how to make clean deaths. The Annfyn moved away, seeking any guard that could be still hiding.

To lure them out, the Annfyn simply sent small balls of red energy on the floor in front of the buildings. When hitting the ground, these spheres caused small explosions that would attract the attention of possible prey. At first, no one appeared. However, soon five soldiers came out to see what was happening.

When it happened, Caerllion activated his lightsaber and jumped down to face them. He had used the Force to agitate the snow of the blizzard around him, creating a cloak that made him not be noticed when he landed. The guards only saw him when he first lost his head. They started to open fire, but he used his crimson blade to block the bolts. What happened next was a slaughter, with the bodies being cut in half or simply blasted by a well thrown spell.

‘I killed some others. Did you finish?’ he said to Trodai, before checking Teekl. She still didn’t see anything, which meant that they were still safe.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Originally Trodai had been clean, yet as the surprise of the assault disappeared once they were inside the compound and fired were spreading, among the panic there was no further need to be so subtle. Not when they knew they were now being assaulted, yet even despite the mess in his wake, his actions were efficient. He was afterall a Sith Warrior and not an Assassin, stealth had never really been his forte. His use of Juyo and the Force proving a deadly combination the Sadow operatives who were finding it difficult to confront the unpredictability of the form and the telekinetic assaults they were subject too.

Soon and he found more operatives, a group of three trying hide in an office. With one blasting out the window towards the allied group while the other two tried to creep forwards under cover fire. Trodai deflected a bolt into the one on the left hitting the arm, making the Pureblood Sadow hiss, Trodai acted quickly in the moment, positioning himself between him so the blaster fire would hit his ally of he opened up, forcing him to retreat back behind the minimal cover provided. He pulled the one hiding out through the window with the Force, and impaled them. Moving to the other two as one was recovering, he decapitated the closest before cutting diagonal across the last one. He continued along with the Sith forces, moving again floor by floor and office by office. Ensuring none who opposed would make it out, to ensure silence fell upon the Orbital Defence Command Centre. The only sound would be of death and the dying.

They would pay the blood price for the Sadow.

They would suffer the wrath of the king and Trodai was the weapon. In this he was determined and resolute as he continued his assault. To see the will of Darth Arcanos complete and the Stygian Caldera in his hands. As they finished up the current building he silently moved to the building opposite during the chaos. Here he slipped out like a snake, and used a grapple, then jumped up to the second floor. There he moved around among the shadows and darkness, only cutting those down who got in his way to any server rooms. To steal any intelligence if at all and make sure it remained only with the Sith forces.

Once there he downloaded anything that seemed like it might be useful to the datapad he had for the task before crushing the servers with the Force one at a time. When he was done only sparks and dismantled wiring, mixed with crushed metal remained. Moving through the building allied troops came in the entrance, a Trodai advanced the floors above, soon clearing the structure as every room was searched and swept through.

Exiting he heard Caerllion in the Force and replied in mind as he headed to where he felt the presence of his former master. Together they with the Sith forces, were decimating the Orbital Defence Command Centre, having entered undetected and disabled the security systems. Frought with sickness brought on by days of poisoning, disoriented, paranoid and drained they had been vulnerable. A weakened state exploited as Trodai and Caerllion brought the Sadow to heel. A fact that brought a small smile to Trodai as he relished the combat, as he carried out such destruction to serve Darth Arcanos and show him his affection. To show his love for Azar by destroying his rivals.

"I am done here. I suggest a final sweep, make sure we didn't miss anyone or anything. Then keep a few platoons here to keep the facility secure. Our infiltration and disabling of the security measures has been a success, Darth Arcanos will be most pleased with our efforts. I have to say, it's been great to see your work again."

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion watched satisfied while the last of the guards twitched near his feet. He felt pleased that this mission ended up being so easy. Trodai was really a mastermind for having made a plan so good that their enemies didn’t notice what was happening until it was too late. He felt proud of the competence that his apprentice had shown today.

And even more from himself for having taught the Pureblood so well.

When Trodai arrived with his troops, they found Caerllion leaning against a nearby wall. He had been checking on Teekl, but there were no reinforcements arriving yet. Since they destroyed the communications in a swift attack, the Annfyn doubted that anyone had time to send a message for help.

“I agree.” the Annfyn said to Trodai, while feeling pleased with the fact that his actions here were going to help Darth Arcanos. Azar. Perhaps this success would be enough to bring some joy to the Pureblood’s golden-eyes. Caerllion decided to not dwell in these thoughts for now.

“I already covered most of the buildings. Is there an infirmary there? The people affected by the poison could be there.” it would be the place where others would have fled to. “We could make a last assault there and leave.”

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai considered Caerllion words, and was feeling especially pleased at his own efforts. For both proving to himself he was still a asset and not a failure and to others he was more than the sum of his parts. That he was worthy. Most of all he hoped he would bring at least a small amount of joy to the one he loved. To see Azar smile at him and see him with the same affection as he once had would make it all worth the effort.

As he surveyed the scene Trodai was happy at the outcome of his plan, that the enemy had fallen for the trap and failed to stop the poisoning of the supplies. That the Sadow would not know what would hit them when they came for the fortress, especially now he and Caerllion had ensured that the security systems were now permanently shutdown and the Orbital Defence Command Centre now resided in the hands of the Sith forces.

"There should be. I agree, we make the stand there. They may have co-opted some of the other buildings to deal with the backlog of people...with so many sick they were likely to need more space than the hospital could provide. Somewhere to deal with overflow. I believe I did see something on the servers pointing to something like that in the North East of the compound. Quarantined and isolated. We should find them there to finish this. Perhaps lock them in and burn them, sitting in bed they won't do a whole lot."

With that he joined Caerllion, the two like expert hunters stalking prey as they headed to the north east of the compound. There ahead was the offices which had been converter into a makeshift hospital. Inside were several armed guards, doctors and patients. Yet the patients just seemed to be getting worse...as the potent Sith poison slowly killed them from the inside. Trodai used the Force to enter the above floor via a back entrance, making a hole in the window and silently placing it inside as he went in. He allowed Caerllion to follow. Despite the chaos further along this area seemed fairly quiet all considered even if some were getting worried. Asking each other if the others had secured the compound or failed.

Moving along, Trodai was stealthy despite his size, having remembered his training. He knew somehow, in some ways Caerllion would approve, just as he hoped he might of his own apprentice if they would ever meet. Killing a guard silently, he spoke whispering "Shouldn't be many here."

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”We go here then. Lead the way.” Caerllion said, while following Trodai toward the place where the sick had been gathered. Their walk toward it was uneventful, the buildings around them had become devoid of any guard, with all of them being already dead. There were bodies filling the ground, most of them killed by Trodai himself.

To enter the building, they ended up needing to use some stealth. Trodai was the first, opening the way for Caerllion to follow. The Annfyn watched how the Pureblood moved, killing guards without being noticed. He needed to congratulate his ex-apprentice later. He had learned perfectly how to be stealth.

“I think that we can solve it more easily.” Caerllion said, while he walked over the body of a guard that Trodai had silently killed. He picked an explosive and passed another to the Pureblood. “Let’s throw it inside and finish it at once.” there was no reason for them to extend this mission. The sick were already dying.

Besides, ending now meant that Azar would be able to finish the conquest of Ziost early.

Caerllion sneaked toward the office that had become an improvised medical bay and gestured for Tordai to stay close. The sick were alone inside and resting, which was perfect. Opening the door only slightly, the Annfyn used the Force to make explosives roll close to the beds and waited for the Pureblood to do the same. Once they were in a safe distance, he pressed a detonator and the place exploded.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai lead the way expertly, after several stealth incursions he had found himself despite his size quite good at it. As such his steps were silent as he lead Caerllion to the temporary quarantine area, many of which inside the two Sith had been the cause of their discomfort. And now they were about to add insult to injury but Trodai was not bothered by it, only determined to see the task done and Darth Arcanos, of Azar his lover, one step closer to complete control of Ziost. Of the Stygian Caldera.

The Sadow were a small price to pay.

Curious as Caerllion mentioned an alternative approach, he observed and waited before taking the offered explosives. He nodded approving, although did have a minor tweak.

"Good idea, although let's also place some at the structural supports, bring it down on them."

While Caerllion rolled explosives to the beds, Trodai placed explosives by the supports, with the combination of both hopefully levelling the entire structure. Once all were in the right position, he snuck out and a safe distance where Caerllion waited as the Sith forces took control of the rest of compound completely. With a massive boom the building went up, as the two observed they're handiwork. In some says it was a work of art, Trodai imagined. For he viewed the battlefield in much the same way as a canvas and he was painting a picture.

Screams of death filled the air as the two finished up, killing any stragglers left by the allied Sith forces. Trodai allowed a smile, for he knew this victory would please Azar. Just as much as it pleased him. With the security defences disabled entirely the fortress was now vulnerable. The time of the Sadow upon Ziost was drawing ever closer to an end.

"Nothing like enjoying your work after painting the canvas. I am glad we both got to see it, and it was good to work with you again. Perhaps we might do this again sometime." he said.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion watched the building collapse after the explosion. There were some screams that soon were silenced by the sound of thousands of debris falling down over them. The Annfyn was never the type to appreciate destruction, but seeing that their work went well without any problem was pleasant. It brought a satisfied smile to his lips.

“Indeed.” he said to Trodai, while in the distance the troops that were loyal to Arcanos marched to occupy what remained of the Center of Operations. Helping with this takeover made the Annfyn realize that it was past the time for him to do something about his own planet. The throne was his and he should take it at once, without more delays.

“I believe that we’ll see each other pretty soon.” Caerllion said to Trodai. The Pureblood’s stealth skills had become better than the Annfyn had expected. He would contact him to solicit his help in dealing with his succession to the throne.

“Well, I think that we can go now. Lord Arcanos will probably be happy to welcome you back after this success.” if at least Caerllion had the chance to see Azar smile. Alas, knowing that the Pureblood’s plans were successful and it would make him happy should suffice to decrease the ache on his heart.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai continued to observe even as the smell of death and burning hit his nostrils, a familiar scent. He was satisfied with a job well done and for proving himself worthy of his position. Of everything he had clawed back for tooth and nail. He appreciated that Caerllion, the first person to see his potential was there to see him as he rose again. Dare he say, he would call him a friend? He inwardly chuckled at the sentiment.

He nodded as he was told they may see each other again soon "Well I look forward to it. I had fun, like old times in some ways."

In truth he did miss it with Caerllion. The Annfyn had taught him much, about the Sith and survival. Both he and Azar had both been instrumental to what he had now become. In part at least. He was glad Darth Arcanos would approve of them both and what they did. That he could again prove his love and dedication by helping him with his goals and ridding him of his enemies.

Trodai again nodded at Caerllion final comments. He hoped so and that it might help bring some small joy to Azar after the heartache he was feeling. And that he might remember Trodai, and know the debts of his love for him, that he was there for him and would always try to be.

"I hope so. With all what has happened I don't know what to expect, I guess I shall have to take that chance. I can probably clean up here, you can go if you wish." he said calmly "It was good seeing you though and a welcomed experience."

@LouJoVi

/EndThread