Xanos
08-02-2005 17:14:56
Illusion of Deception; a Run-On for the Krath Rite of Supremacy Winter 2005
Manji: (Post 1)
"Krath brethren of the Brotherhood, I have a message for every one of you."
The face of High Priestess Alanna gazed out of the holodeck on Manjis desk, a mildly worried expression crossing her face.
"It has been brought to my notice that several important books have disappeared from the library of the Shadow Academy. This is extremely worrying. I would ask you all to check the libraries of your own strongholds to make sure that nothing has been removed from them. And be alert for further developments. Thank you."
The face of the Priestess faded slowly and Manji sat back, staring thoughtfully at nothing.
"Someone's been stealing books...?"
Shrugging, the Archpriest pushed himself up and strode out of his office, heading purposefully through the corridors of the Marka Ragnos cathedral towards the Great Library. As he pushed the door open, the sound of rustling pages greeted him. Several other members of Marka Ragnos looked up from their reading curiously. Raising his hands, Manji began to speak-
"Ladies and Gent-"
Then he stopped and looked sideways at the sign by the door of the Library. In golden letters, it clearly stated 'Silence'. Tiptoeing towards the nearest Dark Jedi, Manji sat down next to them and began to whisper his message.
"I just got a message from the KHP- apparently, someone has pinched a couple of books from the library at the Shadow Academy. She wants us to check our Library here and see if anything's been stolen. Uhm... any ideas?"
Korras: (Post 2)
Korras recieved a call from his Master, Arania, simultaneously with Alanna's call.
"Korras, books and artifacts are starting to go missing. powerful books. whatever you do, do not leave your library, nor your artifacts out of sight. remember Trev's collection of books? DO NOT let those leave your library."
Korras looked at her, confused. "What are you trying to tell me, Arania?"
she sighed. "all items that are starting to go missing, used to belong to an extinct, at least we thought they were extinct, race called the K'hamar'a. we have reason to believe they are back. I can't really say more over this connection. I have already said too much."
with that, she broke the connection. Korras sighed, and got up. why was it his master always told him things he needed to know, but which always ended with trouble? he went down to the library, and found a lot of whispering going on. he took Muz, Manji, Janos and Tissaya aside.
"I just got some disturbing news from Arania. I want someone to dig up as much information you can about the K'hamar'a, and anything we might have from them here, including artifacts. she couldn't tell me what, but something is going on with them, and items once belonging to them are starting to go missing."
Raistlin: (Post 3)
It was the blinking red light....
He hated the blinking red light...
After what had been an incredibly rough night at the cantina, qith too many glasses of Lum creeping up on him, Raistlin sat up and immediately sat back down, his head spinning. He drew on the Force, which allowed him to think clearly for a second. He reached over, hitting the button on his nightstand, bringing up a holographic image of Korras.
"Raist, I have a personal favor to ask you, meet me at the Great Library."
As the image faded out, he stood up, walking to the refresher unit, gratful at least, for Korras being directly to the point.
20 minutes later....
"Let me get this straight...." Raist started, walking with Korras along the long pathway outside, leading to the Great Library of Marka Ragnos. "you want me to guard..... a library. With....... books. And..... all kinds of ancient crap that I know nothing about." He looked at Korras quizzically, his expression motionless, "You're crazy. I'm not doing it." He began to walk away.
"Raistlin STOP!" Korras yelled, his voice booming. "I have asked Jaru among others to help guard the library, it is of the UTMOST importance to the well-being of Naga Sadow that we keep the library safe, and as a former Black Guardsman, a Son of Sadow, and the best Saberist in the clan I ask you to lead the team that will protect the library. To refuse me would be a mistake."
Raistlin glared at Korras for a second before defusing the situation. "Yea, yea, fine, whatever." he muttered as he walked past Korras to the library main. "I'll get a chance to brush up on my reading, huh?" He asked sarcastically, walking by Korras.
He kicked up a chair, waiting, keeping an alert, but lazy eye, besides, the other members of Naga Sadow would be here soon to assist him, all he had to do was lead them.
Erlandil: (Post 4)
Another one of the blinking messages at the terminal in his room.
Jedi Hunter Erlandil Valenthort had gotten used to them by now. Every now and then he would take a break from the creation of his lightsaber (a design he wanted to create with near perfection) and glance over the holocom.
*Important*
Message from Korras Aquillarum
"That's odd, I thought my master knew that I was working on this and prefered not to be disturbed."
Tapping open the message, the holocom showed the small image of Korras' head. After a few sentences the message closed again and left Erlandil wondering as to what happened.
Shrugging this initial doubt of him, he went back to his project and continued to design and build his lightsaber.
Manji: (Post 5)
Looking up from his work at the clatter of wood as Raistlin slouched into a chair, Manji grinned then went back to his work. As an Obelisk, Raistlin would doubtless be happier patrolling the cathedral with his sabre at the ready- asking him to guard a library would ensure that anyone who attempted to steal from it would face the wrath of the best warrior in the Clan.
Staring up at the shelves, Manji felt a sense of hopelessness slink over him. How was he supposed to search every single shelf for a couple of possibly missing books by himself? Korras had spoken to the other members of the House and asked them to help him- but so far, they'd all protested some other exercise and gone back to their own devices. The Archpriest did not know exactly why he'd felt so strongly about this, except that his muscles were aching after months of rigorous training. He'd been promoted to Archpriest as a result, however, and so perhaps it was okay for him to take a quick breather and sort some books.
Sighing heavily, Manji turned his thoughts back to the present and began to search the shelves once again. If anything was missing he would find it- and then he'd hunt down whoever had stolen it and remove their head from their shoulders. Clenching a fist, Manji grinned as this picture presented itself to his imagination. Someone was going to pay for stealing from the Brotherhood. Now to find out who it was...
Korras: (Post 6)
(OOC: I've deleted Tron's post. even though his participation is appreciated, the RoS crew has decided it should not be here, and would most likely penalize us. Sorry tron. the post in question, for those who still want to see it, is in this post, but SHOULD NOT be taken into consideration for this run-on)
!!!!!!!!!!
The grand doors at the entrance of Sadow Palace opened and an individual wearing a heavy black cloak entered. The halls of Clan Naga Sadow were extravagantly detailed in dark reds and gold trim on top of the black stone marble.
The guards stepped aside as the figure made it's way down the hall. They did not know who it was but could feel a strong foreboding presence under the cloak even though they weren't force-sensetive themselves.
The hallway ended with a flight of stairs that broke off in two directions, one going left and the other right. The cloaked figure stopped, looked both ways as if deciding where to go first and then headed down the right towards the Great Library.
Four guards stood outside the doors…
The Emissary,
- SO Tron Sadow (Sith)/EMS/Dark Council [ACC: INI]
SB/GCx2/(SC-SoP)/(StA-WG)/DC-KC/(GN)/(BN)
{SA: U:TL-U:TSC-G:LS}
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tissaya: (Post 7)
Shadows. Everything was in shadows, covered and hid.
'K'hamar'a'
It rang some bell, in memory, but Tissaya could not recall where had she heard about it or read. It must have been that she spoke with Alanna about it, or read it in Krath archives, but it had to be so long time ago, or perhaps it was just a Jedi legend she was told ?
Noise brought her back to reality from her thoughts. She looked around a bit angrily. The rule in the library was clear: 'Don#8217;t say a word'. It was well written in golden letters,'Silence' in front of the entrance
Her purple dress danced around the ankles as she walked along rows of shelves to the main path of the library. Now the noise was clear. Raistlin obviously being bored or frustrated by the order of Korras to guard the library, was pushing a chair from one side to the other.
'How about you do something productive and help me searching for lost books? I will go faster if we cooperate.' She said standing behind him.
Raist shrugged, 'Not that I have anything better to do.'
Kratas: (Post
Kratas walked swiftly toward the library. He didn't know what was happening but he didnt' care, after being gone for so long any activity excited him again. His cloak fluttered lightly behind him as he passed guards waving off salutes. He activated his mic and called in to the outposts he was listening for to make sure they were still in position. He passed through the main doors to the library everyone looked up half hoping that an intruder was entering so they could get away from their boring search. Kratas moved towards Raistlin and prodded him with the hilt of his lightsaber.
"what the hell is this about?" Kratas asked. He knew that Raist as a fellow obelisk hated this chore, he knew Raist would rather be out checking the outposts with Kratas.
"Something about books" Raist replied, Kratas smelled the licqour on his breath and knew that this was even worse for Raist than he had initially anticipated.
"I have contacted planetary defense and the orbitting ships and no one has left the system that they are aware of, I also have scouts scouring the area for any kind of craft. this place is well guarded and I don't think that they will want to come back now."
Raist nodded half asleep and half drunk. "Very well"
Kratas raised his lightsaber towards his head and saluted everyone in the room, turned and exited. He waited at the main door of the Library listening for the satisfactory click of the doors and waited deep in thought with the guards outside.
Korras: (Post 9)
Korras was going through some books. several had been piled up next to him, but he could not find anything wrong. suddenly, he had a feeling something was about to go very wrong, very fast. how he'd know, he still had no clue. but he had learned by now to trust his feelings. leaving the books, he left for Jack's quarters.
he knocked, and anounced who it was. Jack told him to come in. closing the door behind him, he saw Jack doing diagnostics on one of his implants.
"Jack, I need your help on something.", he started. "Arania called me, explaining us to be careful with our books and artifacts, since she heard of some others going missing. security has been raised already, but still I have a feeling things are about to go very wrong. I want you to check all security systems. how you do that, I'll leave up to you, but I want you to check, recheck and doublecheck. this was important enough for Arania to call, and I am taking that seriously."
Jack nodded, and Korras left for the library again, to check on the books again...
Janos: (Post 10)
Janos Silverwulf was in one of the darker areas of the library going through the various tomes and artifacts located there. Since he had stepped down as QUA of HMR he had spent a great deal of time in the library studying many of the more arcane and obscure volumes honing his knowledge. He idly reached for a book and looked at the title "The History of Sapphire Squadron, a biography of Fred the Seal" causing him to shake his head slightly. As he glanced around at the other members of CNS who were searching he realised that very few of the clan's senior members were in attendance, that would cause some difficulty considering some of the books were simply too powerful to be read by the younger members.
As if in answer to his thoughts several more of the Knights, Warriors and Priests entered, some of them nodding in his direction as they recognised him. Janos went back to his search something about that strange name ringing a bell in his memory.
Link: (Post 11)
Link charged into the library and slammed the door behind her, Korras turned to notice his apprentice entering and he guessed she was in a bad mood. Nobody dared to say anything because they only knew they would get kicked, Link finally looked round to notice all the people in her clan and muttered, ‘I came to help so I better get started.’
‘Hey Link,’ Janos and Korras both said turning back to the books to do more research. Link just shrugged and started flicking through a few books but unfortunately found nothing. After what seemed ages Korras jumped out of his seat shouting, ‘I have got it!’
‘Shush Korras! It is a library,’ Link muttered as everyone crowded round to find out what Korras had found out.
Jack: (Post 12)
Jack sighed softly as he finished up the diagnostics on his left shoulder. Korras wanted him to uber-check the security systems. He plugged the security systems into the sensors in the back of his head as he continued to think about missing books. He quickly dove into the systems, placing his ghost into the system itself. He quickly read through all the files regarding the library and all the connecting hallways and rooms. They all had top line security systems. He knew that people would be seen in the cameras he'd seen placed in there recently. Quickly he scanned the videos for books being taken from that particular area and none where missing. Yet.
He reordered the lasers around certain bookcases to rearrange to also point to the doorways. He finshed the job by encrypting the system to where only he could disengage them from his memory banks. He also uploaded a wireless link with the security systems as well before he unhooked the wire from the back of his head. He walked to the library to find Korras. When he got there, he found Korras rather easily, He was the one in the middle of a large group of Ragnosians reading from a book.
"Korras, security systems are updated and I alone control the link to them. Anything that happens, I'll see it as it happens. I'll be sure to alert you as soon as it happens. I'll be at my ship. Most likely they'll try to take that for the fastest getaway. Only Taliana's X-Wing can catch her. You can find me in the hangar bay or my office watching the cameras directed at the books."
Jack turned and walked out, not even listening to what Korras was talking about.
Raistlin: (Post 13)
As Raist combed through the shelves, seeing that each book was indeed accounted for, he stoped suddenly, ignoring, the "Silence" rule inlaid as he shouted out "What's the point of going through books if we know they're all here?!?" He blurted out, the rest of his clanmates staring at him in shocked silence.
Nobody said a thing, expecting the gods themselves tos mite Raistlin down for his gross disobedience of the golden "rule". Korras broke the silence as he walked in, doors swinging behind him. In a second, all eyes were on him, Raist's included.
"Guys i have good news, the library is indeed fine. Jack just updated the library's securiy system and has it set on auto-monitor. I've contacted the High Priestess and let her know, she's requested some of you stay behind on guard duty at the library." As some of the members groaned, Raist being one of them, Korras turned to glare at him.
"Raist.... no no, your talents won't be necessary here. Tron has been so kind to provide us with some of his personal bodyguard, to ensure the safety of the library." As Korras trailed off members of Tron's personal bodyguard entered the library, bowing before the assembled clan members and fanning out.
As the clan stood around, waiting for Korras to continue, he didn't and as he turned to walk away, Raist shouted at him, the one question that seemed to be on everyone's mind in the Great Library.
"So...... now what?"
Bob: (Post 14)
As if on cue the doors of the library swung open and an old dirty smelly man staggered in. The man stopped as all eyes in the room turned to him. The man had a half empty beer in one hand and a book in the other. Looking worried the man said, “Sorry I must be in the wrong room ,” and turned to leave.
“Bob?” Raistlin asked, “What the hell are you doing here?”
The Sith Warmaster turned and replied, “There’s a perfectly good explanation for me being.......where am I exactly?”
“Your in the Great Library of Marka Ragnos, Bob,” Janos Silverwulf answered.
“Oh yeah,” Bob took a swig of his beer, “A library.....uhmmm....oh...I remember, I’m returning this book.”
“What the hell are you talking about Bob,” Raistlin stated, “All the books have been accounted for. Let me see that book.”
“What book?” Bob replied as he put it behind his back.
Not in the mood for games the Obelisk went to grab the book and Bob took off running. Raistlin began to chase. The rest of the clan watched as two senior members of Naga Sadow ran around the Great Library playing keep away. The game didn’t last long as Bob managed not too see a rather large bookcase and ran straight into it. Falling to the ground and dropping the book, Link picked it up and read the title. THE WOMEN OF CLAN NAGA SADOW by Trevarus Caerick.
“Where did this book come from?” Link asked the drunk on the floor.
“I’ve never seen that book before in my life,” Bob replied. Link began to step on the Sith’s groin region, “Ok...ok....I’ll talk, It’s part of Trev’s private collection.”
“Private collection?” Janos asked, “He already has a huge section of this library plus he has more?”
“What can I say Janos, while we were out saving the galaxy Trev was writing books,” Bob said with a smirk.
“Alright already,” Raistlin broke in, “Where is this private collection?”
Bob looked at Link as she lifted her leg, “As much as I’m enjoying that there’s no need for it, maybe I can take a rain check.” Bob winked and continued, “You go over to the statue of Trev in his section and you....well....this is kind of awkward....well....you squeeze his left butt cheek.”
“You what?” Raistlin shouted.
“You heard me,” Bob replied, “You know Trev as well as I do, what do you expect from a guy that was impregnated by a seal, he‘s different.”
So the group of dark jedi headed over to the section of the library that held all of the work of the once quaestor of Marka Ragnos, Trevarus Caerick. What awaited them was something none of them expected. Two bookcases along the wall had opened up to reveal a large vault filled with books, artifacts, and other rare items. Standing in the middle of the vault was ProConsul Korras with a huge grin on his face.
“Look what I found guys, if something is missing its most likely somthing that was in here,” Korras stated with pride at his find.
Bob had just one question for the Proconsul, “Uhmmm......Korras. Why were you squeezing the statue of Trev’s ass?”
Muz: (Post 15)
In the Hangar, the Fallen Spear's engine's roared to life, deafening an apprentice in the process. The ship twitched sideways erratically, then set down rough on the tarmac before shutting down.
"What the..." Jack glowered at his Quaestor's alien ship. He had come down to ensure that Taliana's X-wing was fueled and ready to intercept should anyone make it through his security systems. The ship had been acting up something harsh the last couple of days, ever since the warnings about the ki'mer'a came in from Antei. Jack scratched his head as he thought about it.
-----
Manji stepped into Muz's quarters, kicking off his sandals and stepping onto the tatami mats. The sounds of struggle emanated from within, further concealed by shoji screens. Manji executed a iai draw and moved slowly to see around the half wall, his hand holding the muramasa blade in preparation.
Muz flailed wildly with his left arm, his right hand slapping it down, trying to restrain his own arm. Manji's eyebrow raised. Either his brother had gone completely insane or...
Whirring noises erupted from Muz, and a slight smell of ozone filled the air. His left arm stopped moving, and Muz sat down slowly. Manji sheathed his sword, stepping forward into sight.
"You okay, bro?"
"Yeah." Muz panted. "This thing's been giving me no end of trouble since last week." Muz pushed back his sleeve and pried open the synthetic flesh to reveal his synthetic arm. His flesh one had been sliced off some time ago, by a Sith demon that had taken over Korras' body. The robotic one had done the job ever since.
"You want me to call Jack in here?" Manji proferred. Jack Ordo had plenty of experience with synthetic equipment, his own body having numerous replacements.
"No thanks." Muz grunted as he unplugged a few wires to a larger piece on his arm. "He doesn't know that much about Autocthonian tech. Most of his is Mandalore."
"so what's going on there?" Manji pulled up a chair and watched. His brother had a good mind for technological stuff. Manji was more than willing to learn, so long as it didn't mean that he had to spend less time in the dojo. Muz always joked that he was more obelisk than krath.
"The control pad I had spliced into this part here is getting rejected. The arm's sensory control computer keeps activating the ships controls until the auto-gyro kicks on in the ship. Then the arm's motors start wigging out and mirroring the ship's movements."
"Good thing we haven't had to go anywhere with the 'Spear yet."
"Yeah, but if this can be tweaked just right, I should be able to handle her a lot better than normally."
"Yeah, but the key word there is 'if'." Manji grinned as he sat back in the chair.
"I'm wondering if there's some kind of field, some kind of subtle change in the electromagnetic fields...that would be causing..." Manji tapped his chin in thought.
"The Ki'mer'a." The brothers both spoke at the same time.
"We have to get word to Korras." Muz stood up quickly. "And call Jack in...maybe he's been having similar problems. We can see if any of our instruments can pick up on this...field or whatever."
Raistlin: (Post 16)
Raistlin was in the Great Library with the rest of the clan assemblage when he received the incoming call on his PDA.
"Korr... it's Muz, I'm with Manji.... there's something you should come take a look at..... it's not good."
6 hours later, Marka Ragnos Audience Hall
The audience hall was packed as the members of Lurdo Kressh were also in attendence. The 50 or so members sat as Korras began his speech, even though a qyarter of the clan was still missing, trying to get to the meeeting.
"About 6 hours ago I received word that the K'hamara have landed here on Tarthos. They have set up a field dampener to prevent us from leading. There are over 400 of them on their way here and they will reach the first defensive checkpoint in under thirty minutes. However," he paused, allowing his voice to boom. "We will PREVAIL!! Bow your heads as we link ourselves through the Force."
40 heads in unison lowered their heads, letting the Force flow through them, focusing their anger and rage. As Force energy swirled through the room, they joined their brothers still arriving on Tarthos with them, making sure their brethren could feel as they did, and see as they did. The Force energy pulsated, ehcoing loudly through the room as they chanted. They felt one another in ways clanmates only could, linking themselves and trusting their instincts to one another. As 40 heads raised in unison, the force energy flushed out of the room, rippling through matter itself as it flowed outwars, such was the Force concentration.
As Muz took the stage, to explain defensive positions, someone started a chant in the crowd, perhaps it was Bob, drunk as he was.
"Woe to the K'hamara! Glory to Sadow!" began being chanted in the hall, and indeed, Raist felt bad for them. They knew not how powerful Clan Naga Sadow had become.
Manji: (Post 17)
As the frenzied chant rang around the hall, Manji felt pride and determination swell in his chest. A battle was approaching- for the glory of Naga Sadow he would fight with all his might. Jumping to his feet, the Archpriest unsheathed his katana and raised it into the air with a shout of triumph. The chant flattened out into a loud cheer as Muz stood on the stage with his arms crossed, tapping a foot impatiently.
Slowly the noise died down and Muz coughed, bringing up a 3D projection of the Cathedral and its surroundings from the holodeck.
"The K'hamara are moving towards this cathedral at a steady speed- at their current pace we expect them to arrive in thirty minutes. By then I want every gun turret on this fortress manned, I want the front windows filled with the finest sharpshooters in the clan. And I want a troop of our elite soldiers assembled in the courtyard, led by Raistlin."
With a bow to the Exarch, Muz continued to outline his strategy.
"For this battle we will use a method familiar to my brother and myself- we shall allow the enemy to enter our camp, then we shall fall upon them like wolves."
A sea of puzzled faces confronted this- except for Manji, who grinned widely at his brother.
"The K'hamara will approach the walls to be met with a hail of blaster fire. Their first objective will be to remove the main gate in order to break into the cathedral itself. However, as they approach we shall open the main gates and let them in. Eager for victory, they will charge into the courtyard, only for the gates to slam shut behind them. And then our elite troops will fall upon them from every side and crush them. However, one minor point to spoil your fun- I want at least one of them taken alive for interrogation. As for that field dampener, once we have eliminated the K'hamara we'll send troops out to deal with it. Any questions?"
There was another deafening silence- then a roar of approval as the Dark Jedi of Naga Sadow applauded their Quaestor then streamed out of the audience hall to their appointed positions. In less than thirty minutes the K'hamara would fall upon the walls of the Cathedral. If the Dark Jedi within had anything to do with it, the assault would be over before it started.
Korras: (Post 18)
Korras liked Muz’ plan. Heading to his quarters, he tapped his commsystem, to send a message to Arania. He was donning his energy claws when her image appeared.
“What? Where are you heading?”
“Nowhere, Arania. They have come to us, in numbers. Big numbers. We will crush this force. But I doubt we’ll be the only ones to do get a visit. One good thing, though. I found a book, once belonging to them. As soon as this fight is over, I’ll deliver it, and whatever else we can find, to you. They set foot on our ground, and I will see them crushed. We are powerful, and ready to take them on. but be prepared. Scholae Palatinae might be the next under attack.”
She saw her nod, and closed the commlink. He took his saber in his right hand, and tested the metal blade mounted on the hilt. In his hands, that part of his saber almost killed as many opponents as the saber itself, and had proven its worth more then once.
Malik came in. “15 more minutes, lets go. I’ve got Tie Interceptors and Advanced in reserve, ready to take on any air assault they might send.”
Korras nodded, and left with his Consul. Two minutes later, the two leaders of the clan were standing behind the gate, right where the main assault would come into compound, like a rock blocking a wave.
Jack: (Post 19)
Jack looked up as his optical sensors spiked with large numbers of heat-emitting bodies. He quickly ran to his office and picked up his lightsaber and shockgloves, his typical weapons for fighting. Clipping his lightsaber to his sash, he grabbed a large crate of trip mines. He stalked towards the heavy doors to the Cathedral and sent a message to Korras about his transfer of the codes and logs from the security cameras to the library. He knew what the K'hamara were looking for, he'd been one of the ones who'd read the books recently. Carefully stalking down the path to the Cathedral, taking care to not be noticed by the other security cameras, he placed the trip mines down the path knowing full well no Ragnosians were going to be coming out of the gates.
After about a mile and a half, he ran out of mines and threw the crate to the side. Turning his shockgloves to max power, he walked a little ways further down the path and stood in the middle, waiting for his newfound enemies. He knew nothing about them, except what he'd already heard. They were not friendly and obviously a much larger force than that of Marka Ragnos. Knowing that he had in several ways let down his House and Clan, he decided this was the only way to redeem himself and bring his family honor. The same honor that compelled him during his years in the Mandalorian forces, compelled him this day. He would bring the remaining members of his family much honor. He was going to fight to bring honor to his sister, Taliana, and his adopted brother, Morombath.
Looking back at the path he had come down, he knew he would not be able to go back that way. He was going to fight until every diode in his body was destroyed. He had come to grips with his lack of humanity not too long ago after his recent trip to Naboo to the laboratory where he was 'recreated' over fifty seven years ago. He knew that Taliana wasn't his actual sister, but he loved her like one. Ever since her parents adopted him into their family. He looked back down the path towards where the K'hamara were coming from and readied himself for the fight.
He stood there for about five more minutes before the first showed over the hill he stood at the base of. Seeing someone at the bottom of the hill, they charged down the hill at Jack, who stood there like a wall in an unknown stance. He called for the Force to guide his strikes as he grabbed the first K'hamara and slammed his head into a nearby rock. The K'hamara's head squished like a melon under a hammer from the momentum of his running down the hill and Jack slamming it into a wall. Jack quickly drew his saber and began to swing with ly accuracy granted to him by the Force. Cho-mai was followed by Sai Cha, which in turn turned into a Sai Tok flowing back to Cho-mai only to repeat this horrendous cycle. Soon, Jack found himself surrounded by K'hamara. He bowed his head as if waiting for their dealing blows. As they neared him, Jack lashed out with his saber, wounding several and dropping even more. As Jack continued this fight, he did not notice several who had snuck behind him. Jack felt a strange sensation he hadn't felt since the day he was killed so many years before hand. He was afraid. He feared not being there to protect his clan, his house, phyle...more so his family. He roared with anger, as he felt the knife get wrenched from the servos in his back as he spun and performed a Sai Tok on the one who stabbed him. The battle quickly went down hill for Jack as one of the blades from a nearby K'hamara severed a power cord to his left arm. As Jack's arm fell limp to his side, he pulled his trump card from the inside of his cloak. He pulled out a small device and activated it. Seconds later, the Jakual's Laughter came into view over him and Max could vaguely be seen in the pit.
"Fire the torpedos, Max...take care of my family. I'm done, Jakual won't be operational for much longer. Bring the message to Korras...maybe they'll get me back online. Fire the photons directly into the mass force," Jack said, quietly as several more K'hamara blades struck him solidly. Dropping the communicator, he picked up his lightsaber and smiled wickedly. He knew he had struck a hard blow to the K'hamara, and could 'die' honorably.
He went out fighting until the blue torpedos struck the ground, then he let the light consume him as he was thrown off a cliff and landed near the lake little more than a mile away from the Cathedral.
----
Korras recieved a message from a ship just landing in the hangar bay and Max, Jack's droid spoke trough the comlink, "Jack's gone, Master Korras. He was fighting the K'hamara outside of the Cathedral. He ordered me to fire on his location with photon torpedos as he was being beaten. Even in the end, Master was cunning...I think his body landed next to the lake a mile from the Cathedral. That is the message he asked me to give you. I would suggest you not go out there until after the battle. He set trip mines all along the path to hinder the advance of the K'hamara."
=======================
Bob: (Post 20)
Warmaster Bob settled into his position in one of the front windows of the Dark Cathedral. Peering through the scope of his XL169 sniper rifle at the oncoming enemy he could see they were in for quite a battle. With his two blastech DL-54 specials holstered at his side, his trusty 7 iron slung over his back, and a lightsaber clipped to his belt he was ready for whatever came at him. Once again he had drunkenly wandered into a situation that he would have to fight his way out of.
Manji: (Post 21)
Accompanied by the beat of drums and the shouts of frenzied K'hamar'a, the enemy troops moved steadily closer. Still and silent, the cathedral of Ragnos appeared totally still as snow fell about it. Then, as the K'hamar'an front line moved into range, there was a burst of scarlet light from windows and turrets as the defence systems and the Dark Jedi opened fire with a roar of energy.
Large chunks of the K'hamar'an front line fell to the ground, and behind them the enemy forces fell into confusion. Breaking their formation, they charged wildly towards the gates of the Cathedral in the hope of shelter. Suddenly, the gates began to creak open as the K'hamar'a approached. The deadly guns faltered, and the only sound was the creaking of ancient hinges as the gates swung open.
Blinded by their bloodlust, the enemy charged haphazardly into the enclosed courtyard- only for two Guardians standing behind the mighty doors to slam them shut quickly. Turning at the fateful sound, the K'hamar'a milled around in fear. Then the doors leading to the entrance hall burst open and a troop of black-clad Dark Jedi strode out, Raistlin and Muz Ashen at their head. Halting in front of the huddled army of K'hamar'a, Muz ignited his lightsabre meaningfully and lifted it to point at the enemy. Beside him Manji hopped up and down with his own lightsabre ready, eager for blood. Pausing for dramatic effect, Muz gave a twisted grin as he spoke quietly, the one word cutting through the assorted sounds of terror from the K'hamar'a.
"Attack."
Instantly several more black-clad figures leapt down from the walls on either side of the courtyard, cloaks fluttering about them as they landed around the K'hamar'a. There was a loud sizzling hum of power as lightsabres around the courtyard ignited. Then the world itself seemed to pause- drawing breath before the bloody slaughter.
Raistlin: (Post 22)
As the K'hamara streamed in through the broken front gates of the Mark Ragnosian stronghold, chaos ensued. Raistlin, Muz, Manji and the rest of the elite jedi whirled into the attackers, causing them to retreat to the flanks of the battlefield, dividing them even as they entered the Citadel grounds. From spots in towers high out of reach of the K'hamara came blaster fire as Ragnosian snipers picked off the invaders slowly but surely.
Raistlin whirled through the first K'hamaran, his blade bisecting the creature before it could even raise its weapon in defiance. He leapt over the second one, thrusting his lightsaber behind him, and through the back of another K'hamaran. As two more approached him from the left side, they bellowed a guttural war cry. Raistlin brought his blade up the meet them, but smirked as his face was covered in purple, K'hamaran blood. The head of the one charging at him had been blown clean off. Looking in the direction of the blaster bolt, he felt Bob's presence, through the Force. Throwing a thumbs up with his free hand, that he was sure the old Warmaster would see, he swung his blade in a circular menacing motion, cuasing the K'hamaran to hesitate. As he swung his bladed weapon, which, itself was almost the size of Raistlin, Raist ducked, delivering a sweep kick to the larger alien causing his knee to buckle. Raistlin spun his legs in the air, using the momentum to propel his body up. As he raised his body up, he brought the saber in a z-motion swing, which connected solidly on the alien's torso, causing him to drop.
"You owe me one" Bob telepathically sent to Raistlin. He smirked, as he turned his attention to the rest of the K'hamaran invaders. Already, Marka Ragnos had the upper hand, as several dozen K'hamarans had lost their lives while not a single kill had been taken by the members of Naga Sadow.
He knew that the spirit of Naga Sadow would guide them to victory on this day.
He swung his saber, decapitating a K'hamaran who itself was about to deliver a killer blow to Manji, who had fallen to the ground.
Raist offered his hand and pulled his Aedile up off the dirty ground, facing back-to-back as more K'hamarans surrounded them.
"Fun, eh?" Raist quipped sarcastically, as he lunged at the nearest K'hamaran.
Xanos: (Post 23)
The Elder awoke with a start as his eyelids unpeeled revealing his red and grey eyes. In a single fluid motion Xanos floated down from where he had been meditating halfway between the floor and the towering ceiling above. He reached out both arms, palms outstretched. There was a brief crack as his twin blades were spontaneously translocated to his hands across time and space. Something was wrong, he could feel it.
Xanos keyed in for a short subspace transmission from his personal comlink. “Consul, do you read.”
No answer.
He tried again. “Malik, do you read?”
Still nothing, he punched a few more numbers into his comlink.
“Proconsul Aquillarum, do you read? This is Dark Adept Xanos Sadow.”
Nothing.
It was not like the Clan Summit to be unavailable, especially from a private summons from one of the House Overlords. Something was most certainly wrong. He keyed in again, this time for all active internal Clan frequencies.
“This is Dark Adept Xanos Sadow, Overlord of House Ludo Kressh, could somebody please inform me where I may find the Consul?”
A short delay.
“Your Excellency, the Consul is not available at the Palace. He is on Tarthos with his deputy.”
“Tarthos,” Xanos mused on the thought. “Did I miss something, or has there been a meeting I was not informed of?”
“No, my lord,” the technician’s voice fluttered a little. “There has been a... an incident.”
Xanos raise an eyebrow. “An incident, you say? Get to the point.”
There was a clear gulp, audible even with the background static. “The Great Library, my lord. Its fallen under attack from the K’hamar’a.”
Xanos was silent. Though he had felt there was something wrong he was unaware that it would be anything as serious as the Clan falling under siege. His eventual reply was a cold hiss, “Why was I not sent for?”
“I do not believe any expected for the Great Library to fall under siege so soon,” spluttered the technician.
Xanos’ eyes burned with hidden rage. “I see,” was all he said evenly.
“I can have your shuttle pre-”
“That will be unnecessary,” Xanos cut him off. “I have the Acerbus if need be.” The Elder was referring of course to his private TIE starfighter.
“Should I inform them that you will be heading to reinforce their position, my lord?”
Xanos considered his options. Reaching out with the Force he felt around him, seeing what could not be seen. He saw the lines and flux of the Force stretching out before him, binding him to his surroundings. Looking beyond the walls he could see the lines trailing through the ancient Sadow Palace, one strong one linking between his private meditation chambers and the main communications room, another handful reaching out into the sky bonding him to his fellow Clansmen who were now at war. He saw the way the Force spiralled in toward the Palace, focussing in on himself as if he was a great conduit, focussing in on the shapes that were moving-
He pulled his thoughts back into himself. “No,” shaking his head, “no, that will not be necessary.”
“You will not be heading to Tarthos, my lord?”
“I am needed here,” he said assertively.
“Is there a problem, my lord?” asked the technician, suddenly uncertain of the situation.
“That will depend on how quickly our brothers deal with the situation on Tarthos. The Great Library is not the only place under threat.”
Bewildered the technician completely forgot formalities. “I… I do not understand.”
“There is a team of Force adepts, powerful Force adepts, moving through the Sadow Palace,” he said almost as if he was unmoved by the whole situation. “I believe they are heading for the main vault.”
“The vault?”
Xanos gave an audible sigh of impatience.
“Oh, um, sorry, my lord. I understand. I will leave you to deal with the, the, the intruders.”
Xanos shook his head slightly. “No, I do not know of these K’hamar’a. I would rather the problem at the Great Library be dealt with first.”
Xanos closed the channel and knelt back down into a meditative position, preparing to add his own aid to the battle playing out on Tarthos. Reaching out again into the Force he started to channel his own strength into his brothers and sisters on the far distant world of House Marka Ragnos. If the tales he had heard of the K’hamar’a were true Clan Naga Sadow would need the power of an Elder, they would need his help.
Though the battle on Tarthos seemed to be only a distraction. The true danger lurked in those who were already on their way toward the palace vaults. They would have to be dealt with but the survival of the dark cathedral was foremost above whatever relics the K’hamar’a hunted for on Sepros. After all, a group of Force adepts, no matter their strength, would fall before the power of a Sith Master.
Manji: (Post 24)
Snarling to himself, Manji wiped a smear of purple blood from his face as he and Raistlin circled, keeping a wary eye on the K'hamar'a nearby. Suddenly the Aedile let out a roar, throwing himself into the melee once more. Lightsabre flashing, he cut down several K'hamar'a effortlessly before one slid behind him, cutting off his return. Crouching slightly, Manji yanked his wakizashi out of it's sheath and screamed again, gathering his chi before throwing himself into the battle again. Suddenly the K'hamar'a sighed, collapsing to the floor with a gleaming emerald blade through it's stomach.
Grinning at Raistlin again, Manji turned and launched himself at the nearest group of enemies, his twin blades flashing in the cold sunlight. Like a whirlwind of death, he scattered the nearby foes until, battling through the crowd, he came face-to-face with Muz calmly pulling his sword out of another K'hamar'an corpse. Looking up, the Quaestor nodded at him then suddenly lashed out with a tendril of Force. The telekinetic blow smashed into a K'hamar'an sneaking up on Manji and threw him away into the far wall of the courtyard. As Manji turned to look, Muz shook his head slowly.
"Remember, bro, always concentrate on your surroundings. If I hadn't been here that guy could have hurt you."
Shaking his head, Manji straightened up and thrust his chest out with fierce pride.
"Nahh, I could take him."
Suddenly he thrust forward with one hand, the burning lightsabre skewering the forehead of a K'hamar'an behind Muz. Grinning widely at his older brother as the faceless corpse fell to the cobbles, Manji gestured toward the remaining alien horde.
"Shall we?"
Nodding, Muz hefted his own weapons.
"Certainly."
With a cry, both brothers plunged into the enemy once more, scattering terrified K'hamar'an before them like leaves before an autumn gale.
Bob: (Post 25)
Apprentice Michael Lauridsen charged ruthlessly at an attacking K’hamar’a warrior. Slashing at him with his borrowed saber he removed limb after limb of the fierce enemy. Without hesitation he moved on to the next victim and stabbed his pink colored blade straight through its head leaving a three inch wide hole. Feeling danger from behind the apprentice quickly spun and was drenched in purple blood and brain matter as the would be attacker’s head shattered. Wiping his face, Lauridsen noticed where the shot had come from and gave a thumbs up, it would be the last thing the young apprentice would ever do. Before he realized it his arm was severed causing him to fall to one knee, looking up he was greeted with a K’hamar’a ax that split his head open ending the dark jedi’s life.
Thwoomp!
Warmaster Bob was holding his sight on the upper lip of the K’hamar’a who just ended the apprentice’s life when the rifle coughed. Bob rocked back with the recoil and the enemy disappeared. A kill shot drops a target so fast it seems as if the earth just swallows it up. When Bob came back to rest again, the only hint that just an instant before something was standing there was a faint purple halo of atomized blood and tissue momentarily suspended in air.
“Damed newbies,” Bob thought to himself as he continued to drop targets. The sith had slowed his heart rate down which enabled him to shoot between heartbeats. He had mostly been taking out the heavily armed enemies as they entered the gate but was also keeping an eye on the younger warriors who might need a little assistance from time to time. With the last few kills he was starting to draw some attention.
Deciding to move from his current location he flipped the rifle over to burst and started to move towards the battle in the courtyard.
Lenzar: (Post 26)
Epis Lenzar Demonis Entar had only just returned to the Orian system, having been involved in another mission. His partner on the previous mission, Raistlin, had been back for some time, but the Epis had offered to aid the Krath onboard the Legacy with the repairs, knowing his Sith heritage would prove useful.
"What's up, Muz?" Lenzar asked, seeing his Quaestor wore a worried expression. "Long story, Lenz, but to cut it short, we're under attack." the Archpriest replied, sabering an enemy that had somehow reached the landing zone.
Heading towards where Bob and several younger Jedi were having problems with groups of K’hamar’a, the Entar wasted no time in pulling out his lightsaber, ready for anything.
Manji: (Post 27)
As another K'hamar'an corpse slipped off his lightsabre, Manji looked up swiftly, expecting another attack. To his surprise, none was forthcoming- the courtyard was filled with small groups of Dark Jedi, congratulating each other over the still-warm bodies of hordes of K'hamar'a. Deactivating his sabre, Manji clipped the weapon to his belt and strode towards Muz as the Quaestor straightened up, an unconscious body over his shoulder. Looking up at Manji, Muz nodded and gestured towards the gates leading into the entrance hall.
"I managed to knock this one out- let's get him into the Grand Hall so we can get some information."
***
Eventually, the assorted Dark Jedi of Marka Ragnos were gathered in the Grand Hall, watching Muz strap the K'hamar'an to a chair at the front of the hall. Suddenly, the alien being came round, eyes wide and staring at the horrific sight of Muz's jet-black eyes staring at it with hostility. Staring at the alien, Muz opened a channel on his commlink to Max, Jack Ordo's droid companion. When the Quaestor spoke, his voice was a hiss of menace.
"Max? Translate. K'hamar'an scum, you are in the Grand Hall of the Marka Ragnos cathedral on Tarthos. If you try to escape you will die. If you lie to me, you will die. In fact, if you breathe at the wrong time, you will die. In the most painful, humiliating way that I or my brother can think up. Now... tell me why you are here. Why you attacked us."
The alien's eyes scurried around helplessly, looking for an escape route. There was only the hostile gaze of Muz Ashen- and behind him, the hyperactive grin of Nekura Manji, which seemed even worse in a worrying, unsettling way. Finally, the creature gave up then began to speak in a harsh, guttural language. As it finished, Max began to translate.
"The creature claims that the K'hamar'an forces did not intend to invade or conquer the cathedral, master Muz."
Muz frowned, brow wrinkling in thought.
"Then what were they supposed to do?"
In the same emotionless tones, the droid dropped the bombshell it had been holding gently.
"They were supposed to be a decoy."
Staring in horror at the creature, Muz suddenly burst into action- backhanding the K'hamar'an across the face even as he turned and shouted to several Dark Jedi standing near the back of the Hall.
"Quick, get to the Library! Make sure nothing has been taken!"
At that moment, as Korras moved purposefully through the crowd, a burst of static came from his commlink and the voice of Xanos Sadow rang around the hall.
"Ah, Proconsul Aquillarum. So glad I could finally get hold of you. Listen, a group of Force Adepts is moving through the Sadow Palace on Sepros- they seem to be searching for the artifacts inside the vault. Now that you seem to have dealt with the situation on Tarthos, perhaps yourself and Consul Malik could join me here? And bring several of your seasoned warriors. I sense that more Force Adepts may attempt to infiltrate quite soon."
Suddenly the commlink clicked off as Xanos closed the channel. Wheeling toward the doors of the Grand Hall, Korras called out the names of the Dark Jedi to accompany him.
"Muz, Manji, Raist, Lenzar and Bob- come with me. We're taking out that field dampener- and fast, so we can get to Goat on Sepros."
Following the Proconsul out of the Grand Hall, the assorted warriors checked their weapons in preparation for the possible battles ahead.
Manji: (Post 1)
"Krath brethren of the Brotherhood, I have a message for every one of you."
The face of High Priestess Alanna gazed out of the holodeck on Manjis desk, a mildly worried expression crossing her face.
"It has been brought to my notice that several important books have disappeared from the library of the Shadow Academy. This is extremely worrying. I would ask you all to check the libraries of your own strongholds to make sure that nothing has been removed from them. And be alert for further developments. Thank you."
The face of the Priestess faded slowly and Manji sat back, staring thoughtfully at nothing.
"Someone's been stealing books...?"
Shrugging, the Archpriest pushed himself up and strode out of his office, heading purposefully through the corridors of the Marka Ragnos cathedral towards the Great Library. As he pushed the door open, the sound of rustling pages greeted him. Several other members of Marka Ragnos looked up from their reading curiously. Raising his hands, Manji began to speak-
"Ladies and Gent-"
Then he stopped and looked sideways at the sign by the door of the Library. In golden letters, it clearly stated 'Silence'. Tiptoeing towards the nearest Dark Jedi, Manji sat down next to them and began to whisper his message.
"I just got a message from the KHP- apparently, someone has pinched a couple of books from the library at the Shadow Academy. She wants us to check our Library here and see if anything's been stolen. Uhm... any ideas?"
Korras: (Post 2)
Korras recieved a call from his Master, Arania, simultaneously with Alanna's call.
"Korras, books and artifacts are starting to go missing. powerful books. whatever you do, do not leave your library, nor your artifacts out of sight. remember Trev's collection of books? DO NOT let those leave your library."
Korras looked at her, confused. "What are you trying to tell me, Arania?"
she sighed. "all items that are starting to go missing, used to belong to an extinct, at least we thought they were extinct, race called the K'hamar'a. we have reason to believe they are back. I can't really say more over this connection. I have already said too much."
with that, she broke the connection. Korras sighed, and got up. why was it his master always told him things he needed to know, but which always ended with trouble? he went down to the library, and found a lot of whispering going on. he took Muz, Manji, Janos and Tissaya aside.
"I just got some disturbing news from Arania. I want someone to dig up as much information you can about the K'hamar'a, and anything we might have from them here, including artifacts. she couldn't tell me what, but something is going on with them, and items once belonging to them are starting to go missing."
Raistlin: (Post 3)
It was the blinking red light....
He hated the blinking red light...
After what had been an incredibly rough night at the cantina, qith too many glasses of Lum creeping up on him, Raistlin sat up and immediately sat back down, his head spinning. He drew on the Force, which allowed him to think clearly for a second. He reached over, hitting the button on his nightstand, bringing up a holographic image of Korras.
"Raist, I have a personal favor to ask you, meet me at the Great Library."
As the image faded out, he stood up, walking to the refresher unit, gratful at least, for Korras being directly to the point.
20 minutes later....
"Let me get this straight...." Raist started, walking with Korras along the long pathway outside, leading to the Great Library of Marka Ragnos. "you want me to guard..... a library. With....... books. And..... all kinds of ancient crap that I know nothing about." He looked at Korras quizzically, his expression motionless, "You're crazy. I'm not doing it." He began to walk away.
"Raistlin STOP!" Korras yelled, his voice booming. "I have asked Jaru among others to help guard the library, it is of the UTMOST importance to the well-being of Naga Sadow that we keep the library safe, and as a former Black Guardsman, a Son of Sadow, and the best Saberist in the clan I ask you to lead the team that will protect the library. To refuse me would be a mistake."
Raistlin glared at Korras for a second before defusing the situation. "Yea, yea, fine, whatever." he muttered as he walked past Korras to the library main. "I'll get a chance to brush up on my reading, huh?" He asked sarcastically, walking by Korras.
He kicked up a chair, waiting, keeping an alert, but lazy eye, besides, the other members of Naga Sadow would be here soon to assist him, all he had to do was lead them.
Erlandil: (Post 4)
Another one of the blinking messages at the terminal in his room.
Jedi Hunter Erlandil Valenthort had gotten used to them by now. Every now and then he would take a break from the creation of his lightsaber (a design he wanted to create with near perfection) and glance over the holocom.
*Important*
Message from Korras Aquillarum
"That's odd, I thought my master knew that I was working on this and prefered not to be disturbed."
Tapping open the message, the holocom showed the small image of Korras' head. After a few sentences the message closed again and left Erlandil wondering as to what happened.
Shrugging this initial doubt of him, he went back to his project and continued to design and build his lightsaber.
Manji: (Post 5)
Looking up from his work at the clatter of wood as Raistlin slouched into a chair, Manji grinned then went back to his work. As an Obelisk, Raistlin would doubtless be happier patrolling the cathedral with his sabre at the ready- asking him to guard a library would ensure that anyone who attempted to steal from it would face the wrath of the best warrior in the Clan.
Staring up at the shelves, Manji felt a sense of hopelessness slink over him. How was he supposed to search every single shelf for a couple of possibly missing books by himself? Korras had spoken to the other members of the House and asked them to help him- but so far, they'd all protested some other exercise and gone back to their own devices. The Archpriest did not know exactly why he'd felt so strongly about this, except that his muscles were aching after months of rigorous training. He'd been promoted to Archpriest as a result, however, and so perhaps it was okay for him to take a quick breather and sort some books.
Sighing heavily, Manji turned his thoughts back to the present and began to search the shelves once again. If anything was missing he would find it- and then he'd hunt down whoever had stolen it and remove their head from their shoulders. Clenching a fist, Manji grinned as this picture presented itself to his imagination. Someone was going to pay for stealing from the Brotherhood. Now to find out who it was...
Korras: (Post 6)
(OOC: I've deleted Tron's post. even though his participation is appreciated, the RoS crew has decided it should not be here, and would most likely penalize us. Sorry tron. the post in question, for those who still want to see it, is in this post, but SHOULD NOT be taken into consideration for this run-on)
!!!!!!!!!!
The grand doors at the entrance of Sadow Palace opened and an individual wearing a heavy black cloak entered. The halls of Clan Naga Sadow were extravagantly detailed in dark reds and gold trim on top of the black stone marble.
The guards stepped aside as the figure made it's way down the hall. They did not know who it was but could feel a strong foreboding presence under the cloak even though they weren't force-sensetive themselves.
The hallway ended with a flight of stairs that broke off in two directions, one going left and the other right. The cloaked figure stopped, looked both ways as if deciding where to go first and then headed down the right towards the Great Library.
Four guards stood outside the doors…
The Emissary,
- SO Tron Sadow (Sith)/EMS/Dark Council [ACC: INI]
SB/GCx2/(SC-SoP)/(StA-WG)/DC-KC/(GN)/(BN)
{SA: U:TL-U:TSC-G:LS}
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tissaya: (Post 7)
Shadows. Everything was in shadows, covered and hid.
'K'hamar'a'
It rang some bell, in memory, but Tissaya could not recall where had she heard about it or read. It must have been that she spoke with Alanna about it, or read it in Krath archives, but it had to be so long time ago, or perhaps it was just a Jedi legend she was told ?
Noise brought her back to reality from her thoughts. She looked around a bit angrily. The rule in the library was clear: 'Don#8217;t say a word'. It was well written in golden letters,'Silence' in front of the entrance
Her purple dress danced around the ankles as she walked along rows of shelves to the main path of the library. Now the noise was clear. Raistlin obviously being bored or frustrated by the order of Korras to guard the library, was pushing a chair from one side to the other.
'How about you do something productive and help me searching for lost books? I will go faster if we cooperate.' She said standing behind him.
Raist shrugged, 'Not that I have anything better to do.'
Kratas: (Post
Kratas walked swiftly toward the library. He didn't know what was happening but he didnt' care, after being gone for so long any activity excited him again. His cloak fluttered lightly behind him as he passed guards waving off salutes. He activated his mic and called in to the outposts he was listening for to make sure they were still in position. He passed through the main doors to the library everyone looked up half hoping that an intruder was entering so they could get away from their boring search. Kratas moved towards Raistlin and prodded him with the hilt of his lightsaber.
"what the hell is this about?" Kratas asked. He knew that Raist as a fellow obelisk hated this chore, he knew Raist would rather be out checking the outposts with Kratas.
"Something about books" Raist replied, Kratas smelled the licqour on his breath and knew that this was even worse for Raist than he had initially anticipated.
"I have contacted planetary defense and the orbitting ships and no one has left the system that they are aware of, I also have scouts scouring the area for any kind of craft. this place is well guarded and I don't think that they will want to come back now."
Raist nodded half asleep and half drunk. "Very well"
Kratas raised his lightsaber towards his head and saluted everyone in the room, turned and exited. He waited at the main door of the Library listening for the satisfactory click of the doors and waited deep in thought with the guards outside.
Korras: (Post 9)
Korras was going through some books. several had been piled up next to him, but he could not find anything wrong. suddenly, he had a feeling something was about to go very wrong, very fast. how he'd know, he still had no clue. but he had learned by now to trust his feelings. leaving the books, he left for Jack's quarters.
he knocked, and anounced who it was. Jack told him to come in. closing the door behind him, he saw Jack doing diagnostics on one of his implants.
"Jack, I need your help on something.", he started. "Arania called me, explaining us to be careful with our books and artifacts, since she heard of some others going missing. security has been raised already, but still I have a feeling things are about to go very wrong. I want you to check all security systems. how you do that, I'll leave up to you, but I want you to check, recheck and doublecheck. this was important enough for Arania to call, and I am taking that seriously."
Jack nodded, and Korras left for the library again, to check on the books again...
Janos: (Post 10)
Janos Silverwulf was in one of the darker areas of the library going through the various tomes and artifacts located there. Since he had stepped down as QUA of HMR he had spent a great deal of time in the library studying many of the more arcane and obscure volumes honing his knowledge. He idly reached for a book and looked at the title "The History of Sapphire Squadron, a biography of Fred the Seal" causing him to shake his head slightly. As he glanced around at the other members of CNS who were searching he realised that very few of the clan's senior members were in attendance, that would cause some difficulty considering some of the books were simply too powerful to be read by the younger members.
As if in answer to his thoughts several more of the Knights, Warriors and Priests entered, some of them nodding in his direction as they recognised him. Janos went back to his search something about that strange name ringing a bell in his memory.
Link: (Post 11)
Link charged into the library and slammed the door behind her, Korras turned to notice his apprentice entering and he guessed she was in a bad mood. Nobody dared to say anything because they only knew they would get kicked, Link finally looked round to notice all the people in her clan and muttered, ‘I came to help so I better get started.’
‘Hey Link,’ Janos and Korras both said turning back to the books to do more research. Link just shrugged and started flicking through a few books but unfortunately found nothing. After what seemed ages Korras jumped out of his seat shouting, ‘I have got it!’
‘Shush Korras! It is a library,’ Link muttered as everyone crowded round to find out what Korras had found out.
Jack: (Post 12)
Jack sighed softly as he finished up the diagnostics on his left shoulder. Korras wanted him to uber-check the security systems. He plugged the security systems into the sensors in the back of his head as he continued to think about missing books. He quickly dove into the systems, placing his ghost into the system itself. He quickly read through all the files regarding the library and all the connecting hallways and rooms. They all had top line security systems. He knew that people would be seen in the cameras he'd seen placed in there recently. Quickly he scanned the videos for books being taken from that particular area and none where missing. Yet.
He reordered the lasers around certain bookcases to rearrange to also point to the doorways. He finshed the job by encrypting the system to where only he could disengage them from his memory banks. He also uploaded a wireless link with the security systems as well before he unhooked the wire from the back of his head. He walked to the library to find Korras. When he got there, he found Korras rather easily, He was the one in the middle of a large group of Ragnosians reading from a book.
"Korras, security systems are updated and I alone control the link to them. Anything that happens, I'll see it as it happens. I'll be sure to alert you as soon as it happens. I'll be at my ship. Most likely they'll try to take that for the fastest getaway. Only Taliana's X-Wing can catch her. You can find me in the hangar bay or my office watching the cameras directed at the books."
Jack turned and walked out, not even listening to what Korras was talking about.
Raistlin: (Post 13)
As Raist combed through the shelves, seeing that each book was indeed accounted for, he stoped suddenly, ignoring, the "Silence" rule inlaid as he shouted out "What's the point of going through books if we know they're all here?!?" He blurted out, the rest of his clanmates staring at him in shocked silence.
Nobody said a thing, expecting the gods themselves tos mite Raistlin down for his gross disobedience of the golden "rule". Korras broke the silence as he walked in, doors swinging behind him. In a second, all eyes were on him, Raist's included.
"Guys i have good news, the library is indeed fine. Jack just updated the library's securiy system and has it set on auto-monitor. I've contacted the High Priestess and let her know, she's requested some of you stay behind on guard duty at the library." As some of the members groaned, Raist being one of them, Korras turned to glare at him.
"Raist.... no no, your talents won't be necessary here. Tron has been so kind to provide us with some of his personal bodyguard, to ensure the safety of the library." As Korras trailed off members of Tron's personal bodyguard entered the library, bowing before the assembled clan members and fanning out.
As the clan stood around, waiting for Korras to continue, he didn't and as he turned to walk away, Raist shouted at him, the one question that seemed to be on everyone's mind in the Great Library.
"So...... now what?"
Bob: (Post 14)
As if on cue the doors of the library swung open and an old dirty smelly man staggered in. The man stopped as all eyes in the room turned to him. The man had a half empty beer in one hand and a book in the other. Looking worried the man said, “Sorry I must be in the wrong room ,” and turned to leave.
“Bob?” Raistlin asked, “What the hell are you doing here?”
The Sith Warmaster turned and replied, “There’s a perfectly good explanation for me being.......where am I exactly?”
“Your in the Great Library of Marka Ragnos, Bob,” Janos Silverwulf answered.
“Oh yeah,” Bob took a swig of his beer, “A library.....uhmmm....oh...I remember, I’m returning this book.”
“What the hell are you talking about Bob,” Raistlin stated, “All the books have been accounted for. Let me see that book.”
“What book?” Bob replied as he put it behind his back.
Not in the mood for games the Obelisk went to grab the book and Bob took off running. Raistlin began to chase. The rest of the clan watched as two senior members of Naga Sadow ran around the Great Library playing keep away. The game didn’t last long as Bob managed not too see a rather large bookcase and ran straight into it. Falling to the ground and dropping the book, Link picked it up and read the title. THE WOMEN OF CLAN NAGA SADOW by Trevarus Caerick.
“Where did this book come from?” Link asked the drunk on the floor.
“I’ve never seen that book before in my life,” Bob replied. Link began to step on the Sith’s groin region, “Ok...ok....I’ll talk, It’s part of Trev’s private collection.”
“Private collection?” Janos asked, “He already has a huge section of this library plus he has more?”
“What can I say Janos, while we were out saving the galaxy Trev was writing books,” Bob said with a smirk.
“Alright already,” Raistlin broke in, “Where is this private collection?”
Bob looked at Link as she lifted her leg, “As much as I’m enjoying that there’s no need for it, maybe I can take a rain check.” Bob winked and continued, “You go over to the statue of Trev in his section and you....well....this is kind of awkward....well....you squeeze his left butt cheek.”
“You what?” Raistlin shouted.
“You heard me,” Bob replied, “You know Trev as well as I do, what do you expect from a guy that was impregnated by a seal, he‘s different.”
So the group of dark jedi headed over to the section of the library that held all of the work of the once quaestor of Marka Ragnos, Trevarus Caerick. What awaited them was something none of them expected. Two bookcases along the wall had opened up to reveal a large vault filled with books, artifacts, and other rare items. Standing in the middle of the vault was ProConsul Korras with a huge grin on his face.
“Look what I found guys, if something is missing its most likely somthing that was in here,” Korras stated with pride at his find.
Bob had just one question for the Proconsul, “Uhmmm......Korras. Why were you squeezing the statue of Trev’s ass?”
Muz: (Post 15)
In the Hangar, the Fallen Spear's engine's roared to life, deafening an apprentice in the process. The ship twitched sideways erratically, then set down rough on the tarmac before shutting down.
"What the..." Jack glowered at his Quaestor's alien ship. He had come down to ensure that Taliana's X-wing was fueled and ready to intercept should anyone make it through his security systems. The ship had been acting up something harsh the last couple of days, ever since the warnings about the ki'mer'a came in from Antei. Jack scratched his head as he thought about it.
-----
Manji stepped into Muz's quarters, kicking off his sandals and stepping onto the tatami mats. The sounds of struggle emanated from within, further concealed by shoji screens. Manji executed a iai draw and moved slowly to see around the half wall, his hand holding the muramasa blade in preparation.
Muz flailed wildly with his left arm, his right hand slapping it down, trying to restrain his own arm. Manji's eyebrow raised. Either his brother had gone completely insane or...
Whirring noises erupted from Muz, and a slight smell of ozone filled the air. His left arm stopped moving, and Muz sat down slowly. Manji sheathed his sword, stepping forward into sight.
"You okay, bro?"
"Yeah." Muz panted. "This thing's been giving me no end of trouble since last week." Muz pushed back his sleeve and pried open the synthetic flesh to reveal his synthetic arm. His flesh one had been sliced off some time ago, by a Sith demon that had taken over Korras' body. The robotic one had done the job ever since.
"You want me to call Jack in here?" Manji proferred. Jack Ordo had plenty of experience with synthetic equipment, his own body having numerous replacements.
"No thanks." Muz grunted as he unplugged a few wires to a larger piece on his arm. "He doesn't know that much about Autocthonian tech. Most of his is Mandalore."
"so what's going on there?" Manji pulled up a chair and watched. His brother had a good mind for technological stuff. Manji was more than willing to learn, so long as it didn't mean that he had to spend less time in the dojo. Muz always joked that he was more obelisk than krath.
"The control pad I had spliced into this part here is getting rejected. The arm's sensory control computer keeps activating the ships controls until the auto-gyro kicks on in the ship. Then the arm's motors start wigging out and mirroring the ship's movements."
"Good thing we haven't had to go anywhere with the 'Spear yet."
"Yeah, but if this can be tweaked just right, I should be able to handle her a lot better than normally."
"Yeah, but the key word there is 'if'." Manji grinned as he sat back in the chair.
"I'm wondering if there's some kind of field, some kind of subtle change in the electromagnetic fields...that would be causing..." Manji tapped his chin in thought.
"The Ki'mer'a." The brothers both spoke at the same time.
"We have to get word to Korras." Muz stood up quickly. "And call Jack in...maybe he's been having similar problems. We can see if any of our instruments can pick up on this...field or whatever."
Raistlin: (Post 16)
Raistlin was in the Great Library with the rest of the clan assemblage when he received the incoming call on his PDA.
"Korr... it's Muz, I'm with Manji.... there's something you should come take a look at..... it's not good."
6 hours later, Marka Ragnos Audience Hall
The audience hall was packed as the members of Lurdo Kressh were also in attendence. The 50 or so members sat as Korras began his speech, even though a qyarter of the clan was still missing, trying to get to the meeeting.
"About 6 hours ago I received word that the K'hamara have landed here on Tarthos. They have set up a field dampener to prevent us from leading. There are over 400 of them on their way here and they will reach the first defensive checkpoint in under thirty minutes. However," he paused, allowing his voice to boom. "We will PREVAIL!! Bow your heads as we link ourselves through the Force."
40 heads in unison lowered their heads, letting the Force flow through them, focusing their anger and rage. As Force energy swirled through the room, they joined their brothers still arriving on Tarthos with them, making sure their brethren could feel as they did, and see as they did. The Force energy pulsated, ehcoing loudly through the room as they chanted. They felt one another in ways clanmates only could, linking themselves and trusting their instincts to one another. As 40 heads raised in unison, the force energy flushed out of the room, rippling through matter itself as it flowed outwars, such was the Force concentration.
As Muz took the stage, to explain defensive positions, someone started a chant in the crowd, perhaps it was Bob, drunk as he was.
"Woe to the K'hamara! Glory to Sadow!" began being chanted in the hall, and indeed, Raist felt bad for them. They knew not how powerful Clan Naga Sadow had become.
Manji: (Post 17)
As the frenzied chant rang around the hall, Manji felt pride and determination swell in his chest. A battle was approaching- for the glory of Naga Sadow he would fight with all his might. Jumping to his feet, the Archpriest unsheathed his katana and raised it into the air with a shout of triumph. The chant flattened out into a loud cheer as Muz stood on the stage with his arms crossed, tapping a foot impatiently.
Slowly the noise died down and Muz coughed, bringing up a 3D projection of the Cathedral and its surroundings from the holodeck.
"The K'hamara are moving towards this cathedral at a steady speed- at their current pace we expect them to arrive in thirty minutes. By then I want every gun turret on this fortress manned, I want the front windows filled with the finest sharpshooters in the clan. And I want a troop of our elite soldiers assembled in the courtyard, led by Raistlin."
With a bow to the Exarch, Muz continued to outline his strategy.
"For this battle we will use a method familiar to my brother and myself- we shall allow the enemy to enter our camp, then we shall fall upon them like wolves."
A sea of puzzled faces confronted this- except for Manji, who grinned widely at his brother.
"The K'hamara will approach the walls to be met with a hail of blaster fire. Their first objective will be to remove the main gate in order to break into the cathedral itself. However, as they approach we shall open the main gates and let them in. Eager for victory, they will charge into the courtyard, only for the gates to slam shut behind them. And then our elite troops will fall upon them from every side and crush them. However, one minor point to spoil your fun- I want at least one of them taken alive for interrogation. As for that field dampener, once we have eliminated the K'hamara we'll send troops out to deal with it. Any questions?"
There was another deafening silence- then a roar of approval as the Dark Jedi of Naga Sadow applauded their Quaestor then streamed out of the audience hall to their appointed positions. In less than thirty minutes the K'hamara would fall upon the walls of the Cathedral. If the Dark Jedi within had anything to do with it, the assault would be over before it started.
Korras: (Post 18)
Korras liked Muz’ plan. Heading to his quarters, he tapped his commsystem, to send a message to Arania. He was donning his energy claws when her image appeared.
“What? Where are you heading?”
“Nowhere, Arania. They have come to us, in numbers. Big numbers. We will crush this force. But I doubt we’ll be the only ones to do get a visit. One good thing, though. I found a book, once belonging to them. As soon as this fight is over, I’ll deliver it, and whatever else we can find, to you. They set foot on our ground, and I will see them crushed. We are powerful, and ready to take them on. but be prepared. Scholae Palatinae might be the next under attack.”
She saw her nod, and closed the commlink. He took his saber in his right hand, and tested the metal blade mounted on the hilt. In his hands, that part of his saber almost killed as many opponents as the saber itself, and had proven its worth more then once.
Malik came in. “15 more minutes, lets go. I’ve got Tie Interceptors and Advanced in reserve, ready to take on any air assault they might send.”
Korras nodded, and left with his Consul. Two minutes later, the two leaders of the clan were standing behind the gate, right where the main assault would come into compound, like a rock blocking a wave.
Jack: (Post 19)
Jack looked up as his optical sensors spiked with large numbers of heat-emitting bodies. He quickly ran to his office and picked up his lightsaber and shockgloves, his typical weapons for fighting. Clipping his lightsaber to his sash, he grabbed a large crate of trip mines. He stalked towards the heavy doors to the Cathedral and sent a message to Korras about his transfer of the codes and logs from the security cameras to the library. He knew what the K'hamara were looking for, he'd been one of the ones who'd read the books recently. Carefully stalking down the path to the Cathedral, taking care to not be noticed by the other security cameras, he placed the trip mines down the path knowing full well no Ragnosians were going to be coming out of the gates.
After about a mile and a half, he ran out of mines and threw the crate to the side. Turning his shockgloves to max power, he walked a little ways further down the path and stood in the middle, waiting for his newfound enemies. He knew nothing about them, except what he'd already heard. They were not friendly and obviously a much larger force than that of Marka Ragnos. Knowing that he had in several ways let down his House and Clan, he decided this was the only way to redeem himself and bring his family honor. The same honor that compelled him during his years in the Mandalorian forces, compelled him this day. He would bring the remaining members of his family much honor. He was going to fight to bring honor to his sister, Taliana, and his adopted brother, Morombath.
Looking back at the path he had come down, he knew he would not be able to go back that way. He was going to fight until every diode in his body was destroyed. He had come to grips with his lack of humanity not too long ago after his recent trip to Naboo to the laboratory where he was 'recreated' over fifty seven years ago. He knew that Taliana wasn't his actual sister, but he loved her like one. Ever since her parents adopted him into their family. He looked back down the path towards where the K'hamara were coming from and readied himself for the fight.
He stood there for about five more minutes before the first showed over the hill he stood at the base of. Seeing someone at the bottom of the hill, they charged down the hill at Jack, who stood there like a wall in an unknown stance. He called for the Force to guide his strikes as he grabbed the first K'hamara and slammed his head into a nearby rock. The K'hamara's head squished like a melon under a hammer from the momentum of his running down the hill and Jack slamming it into a wall. Jack quickly drew his saber and began to swing with ly accuracy granted to him by the Force. Cho-mai was followed by Sai Cha, which in turn turned into a Sai Tok flowing back to Cho-mai only to repeat this horrendous cycle. Soon, Jack found himself surrounded by K'hamara. He bowed his head as if waiting for their dealing blows. As they neared him, Jack lashed out with his saber, wounding several and dropping even more. As Jack continued this fight, he did not notice several who had snuck behind him. Jack felt a strange sensation he hadn't felt since the day he was killed so many years before hand. He was afraid. He feared not being there to protect his clan, his house, phyle...more so his family. He roared with anger, as he felt the knife get wrenched from the servos in his back as he spun and performed a Sai Tok on the one who stabbed him. The battle quickly went down hill for Jack as one of the blades from a nearby K'hamara severed a power cord to his left arm. As Jack's arm fell limp to his side, he pulled his trump card from the inside of his cloak. He pulled out a small device and activated it. Seconds later, the Jakual's Laughter came into view over him and Max could vaguely be seen in the pit.
"Fire the torpedos, Max...take care of my family. I'm done, Jakual won't be operational for much longer. Bring the message to Korras...maybe they'll get me back online. Fire the photons directly into the mass force," Jack said, quietly as several more K'hamara blades struck him solidly. Dropping the communicator, he picked up his lightsaber and smiled wickedly. He knew he had struck a hard blow to the K'hamara, and could 'die' honorably.
He went out fighting until the blue torpedos struck the ground, then he let the light consume him as he was thrown off a cliff and landed near the lake little more than a mile away from the Cathedral.
----
Korras recieved a message from a ship just landing in the hangar bay and Max, Jack's droid spoke trough the comlink, "Jack's gone, Master Korras. He was fighting the K'hamara outside of the Cathedral. He ordered me to fire on his location with photon torpedos as he was being beaten. Even in the end, Master was cunning...I think his body landed next to the lake a mile from the Cathedral. That is the message he asked me to give you. I would suggest you not go out there until after the battle. He set trip mines all along the path to hinder the advance of the K'hamara."
=======================
Bob: (Post 20)
Warmaster Bob settled into his position in one of the front windows of the Dark Cathedral. Peering through the scope of his XL169 sniper rifle at the oncoming enemy he could see they were in for quite a battle. With his two blastech DL-54 specials holstered at his side, his trusty 7 iron slung over his back, and a lightsaber clipped to his belt he was ready for whatever came at him. Once again he had drunkenly wandered into a situation that he would have to fight his way out of.
Manji: (Post 21)
Accompanied by the beat of drums and the shouts of frenzied K'hamar'a, the enemy troops moved steadily closer. Still and silent, the cathedral of Ragnos appeared totally still as snow fell about it. Then, as the K'hamar'an front line moved into range, there was a burst of scarlet light from windows and turrets as the defence systems and the Dark Jedi opened fire with a roar of energy.
Large chunks of the K'hamar'an front line fell to the ground, and behind them the enemy forces fell into confusion. Breaking their formation, they charged wildly towards the gates of the Cathedral in the hope of shelter. Suddenly, the gates began to creak open as the K'hamar'a approached. The deadly guns faltered, and the only sound was the creaking of ancient hinges as the gates swung open.
Blinded by their bloodlust, the enemy charged haphazardly into the enclosed courtyard- only for two Guardians standing behind the mighty doors to slam them shut quickly. Turning at the fateful sound, the K'hamar'a milled around in fear. Then the doors leading to the entrance hall burst open and a troop of black-clad Dark Jedi strode out, Raistlin and Muz Ashen at their head. Halting in front of the huddled army of K'hamar'a, Muz ignited his lightsabre meaningfully and lifted it to point at the enemy. Beside him Manji hopped up and down with his own lightsabre ready, eager for blood. Pausing for dramatic effect, Muz gave a twisted grin as he spoke quietly, the one word cutting through the assorted sounds of terror from the K'hamar'a.
"Attack."
Instantly several more black-clad figures leapt down from the walls on either side of the courtyard, cloaks fluttering about them as they landed around the K'hamar'a. There was a loud sizzling hum of power as lightsabres around the courtyard ignited. Then the world itself seemed to pause- drawing breath before the bloody slaughter.
Raistlin: (Post 22)
As the K'hamara streamed in through the broken front gates of the Mark Ragnosian stronghold, chaos ensued. Raistlin, Muz, Manji and the rest of the elite jedi whirled into the attackers, causing them to retreat to the flanks of the battlefield, dividing them even as they entered the Citadel grounds. From spots in towers high out of reach of the K'hamara came blaster fire as Ragnosian snipers picked off the invaders slowly but surely.
Raistlin whirled through the first K'hamaran, his blade bisecting the creature before it could even raise its weapon in defiance. He leapt over the second one, thrusting his lightsaber behind him, and through the back of another K'hamaran. As two more approached him from the left side, they bellowed a guttural war cry. Raistlin brought his blade up the meet them, but smirked as his face was covered in purple, K'hamaran blood. The head of the one charging at him had been blown clean off. Looking in the direction of the blaster bolt, he felt Bob's presence, through the Force. Throwing a thumbs up with his free hand, that he was sure the old Warmaster would see, he swung his blade in a circular menacing motion, cuasing the K'hamaran to hesitate. As he swung his bladed weapon, which, itself was almost the size of Raistlin, Raist ducked, delivering a sweep kick to the larger alien causing his knee to buckle. Raistlin spun his legs in the air, using the momentum to propel his body up. As he raised his body up, he brought the saber in a z-motion swing, which connected solidly on the alien's torso, causing him to drop.
"You owe me one" Bob telepathically sent to Raistlin. He smirked, as he turned his attention to the rest of the K'hamaran invaders. Already, Marka Ragnos had the upper hand, as several dozen K'hamarans had lost their lives while not a single kill had been taken by the members of Naga Sadow.
He knew that the spirit of Naga Sadow would guide them to victory on this day.
He swung his saber, decapitating a K'hamaran who itself was about to deliver a killer blow to Manji, who had fallen to the ground.
Raist offered his hand and pulled his Aedile up off the dirty ground, facing back-to-back as more K'hamarans surrounded them.
"Fun, eh?" Raist quipped sarcastically, as he lunged at the nearest K'hamaran.
Xanos: (Post 23)
The Elder awoke with a start as his eyelids unpeeled revealing his red and grey eyes. In a single fluid motion Xanos floated down from where he had been meditating halfway between the floor and the towering ceiling above. He reached out both arms, palms outstretched. There was a brief crack as his twin blades were spontaneously translocated to his hands across time and space. Something was wrong, he could feel it.
Xanos keyed in for a short subspace transmission from his personal comlink. “Consul, do you read.”
No answer.
He tried again. “Malik, do you read?”
Still nothing, he punched a few more numbers into his comlink.
“Proconsul Aquillarum, do you read? This is Dark Adept Xanos Sadow.”
Nothing.
It was not like the Clan Summit to be unavailable, especially from a private summons from one of the House Overlords. Something was most certainly wrong. He keyed in again, this time for all active internal Clan frequencies.
“This is Dark Adept Xanos Sadow, Overlord of House Ludo Kressh, could somebody please inform me where I may find the Consul?”
A short delay.
“Your Excellency, the Consul is not available at the Palace. He is on Tarthos with his deputy.”
“Tarthos,” Xanos mused on the thought. “Did I miss something, or has there been a meeting I was not informed of?”
“No, my lord,” the technician’s voice fluttered a little. “There has been a... an incident.”
Xanos raise an eyebrow. “An incident, you say? Get to the point.”
There was a clear gulp, audible even with the background static. “The Great Library, my lord. Its fallen under attack from the K’hamar’a.”
Xanos was silent. Though he had felt there was something wrong he was unaware that it would be anything as serious as the Clan falling under siege. His eventual reply was a cold hiss, “Why was I not sent for?”
“I do not believe any expected for the Great Library to fall under siege so soon,” spluttered the technician.
Xanos’ eyes burned with hidden rage. “I see,” was all he said evenly.
“I can have your shuttle pre-”
“That will be unnecessary,” Xanos cut him off. “I have the Acerbus if need be.” The Elder was referring of course to his private TIE starfighter.
“Should I inform them that you will be heading to reinforce their position, my lord?”
Xanos considered his options. Reaching out with the Force he felt around him, seeing what could not be seen. He saw the lines and flux of the Force stretching out before him, binding him to his surroundings. Looking beyond the walls he could see the lines trailing through the ancient Sadow Palace, one strong one linking between his private meditation chambers and the main communications room, another handful reaching out into the sky bonding him to his fellow Clansmen who were now at war. He saw the way the Force spiralled in toward the Palace, focussing in on himself as if he was a great conduit, focussing in on the shapes that were moving-
He pulled his thoughts back into himself. “No,” shaking his head, “no, that will not be necessary.”
“You will not be heading to Tarthos, my lord?”
“I am needed here,” he said assertively.
“Is there a problem, my lord?” asked the technician, suddenly uncertain of the situation.
“That will depend on how quickly our brothers deal with the situation on Tarthos. The Great Library is not the only place under threat.”
Bewildered the technician completely forgot formalities. “I… I do not understand.”
“There is a team of Force adepts, powerful Force adepts, moving through the Sadow Palace,” he said almost as if he was unmoved by the whole situation. “I believe they are heading for the main vault.”
“The vault?”
Xanos gave an audible sigh of impatience.
“Oh, um, sorry, my lord. I understand. I will leave you to deal with the, the, the intruders.”
Xanos shook his head slightly. “No, I do not know of these K’hamar’a. I would rather the problem at the Great Library be dealt with first.”
Xanos closed the channel and knelt back down into a meditative position, preparing to add his own aid to the battle playing out on Tarthos. Reaching out again into the Force he started to channel his own strength into his brothers and sisters on the far distant world of House Marka Ragnos. If the tales he had heard of the K’hamar’a were true Clan Naga Sadow would need the power of an Elder, they would need his help.
Though the battle on Tarthos seemed to be only a distraction. The true danger lurked in those who were already on their way toward the palace vaults. They would have to be dealt with but the survival of the dark cathedral was foremost above whatever relics the K’hamar’a hunted for on Sepros. After all, a group of Force adepts, no matter their strength, would fall before the power of a Sith Master.
Manji: (Post 24)
Snarling to himself, Manji wiped a smear of purple blood from his face as he and Raistlin circled, keeping a wary eye on the K'hamar'a nearby. Suddenly the Aedile let out a roar, throwing himself into the melee once more. Lightsabre flashing, he cut down several K'hamar'a effortlessly before one slid behind him, cutting off his return. Crouching slightly, Manji yanked his wakizashi out of it's sheath and screamed again, gathering his chi before throwing himself into the battle again. Suddenly the K'hamar'a sighed, collapsing to the floor with a gleaming emerald blade through it's stomach.
Grinning at Raistlin again, Manji turned and launched himself at the nearest group of enemies, his twin blades flashing in the cold sunlight. Like a whirlwind of death, he scattered the nearby foes until, battling through the crowd, he came face-to-face with Muz calmly pulling his sword out of another K'hamar'an corpse. Looking up, the Quaestor nodded at him then suddenly lashed out with a tendril of Force. The telekinetic blow smashed into a K'hamar'an sneaking up on Manji and threw him away into the far wall of the courtyard. As Manji turned to look, Muz shook his head slowly.
"Remember, bro, always concentrate on your surroundings. If I hadn't been here that guy could have hurt you."
Shaking his head, Manji straightened up and thrust his chest out with fierce pride.
"Nahh, I could take him."
Suddenly he thrust forward with one hand, the burning lightsabre skewering the forehead of a K'hamar'an behind Muz. Grinning widely at his older brother as the faceless corpse fell to the cobbles, Manji gestured toward the remaining alien horde.
"Shall we?"
Nodding, Muz hefted his own weapons.
"Certainly."
With a cry, both brothers plunged into the enemy once more, scattering terrified K'hamar'an before them like leaves before an autumn gale.
Bob: (Post 25)
Apprentice Michael Lauridsen charged ruthlessly at an attacking K’hamar’a warrior. Slashing at him with his borrowed saber he removed limb after limb of the fierce enemy. Without hesitation he moved on to the next victim and stabbed his pink colored blade straight through its head leaving a three inch wide hole. Feeling danger from behind the apprentice quickly spun and was drenched in purple blood and brain matter as the would be attacker’s head shattered. Wiping his face, Lauridsen noticed where the shot had come from and gave a thumbs up, it would be the last thing the young apprentice would ever do. Before he realized it his arm was severed causing him to fall to one knee, looking up he was greeted with a K’hamar’a ax that split his head open ending the dark jedi’s life.
Thwoomp!
Warmaster Bob was holding his sight on the upper lip of the K’hamar’a who just ended the apprentice’s life when the rifle coughed. Bob rocked back with the recoil and the enemy disappeared. A kill shot drops a target so fast it seems as if the earth just swallows it up. When Bob came back to rest again, the only hint that just an instant before something was standing there was a faint purple halo of atomized blood and tissue momentarily suspended in air.
“Damed newbies,” Bob thought to himself as he continued to drop targets. The sith had slowed his heart rate down which enabled him to shoot between heartbeats. He had mostly been taking out the heavily armed enemies as they entered the gate but was also keeping an eye on the younger warriors who might need a little assistance from time to time. With the last few kills he was starting to draw some attention.
Deciding to move from his current location he flipped the rifle over to burst and started to move towards the battle in the courtyard.
Lenzar: (Post 26)
Epis Lenzar Demonis Entar had only just returned to the Orian system, having been involved in another mission. His partner on the previous mission, Raistlin, had been back for some time, but the Epis had offered to aid the Krath onboard the Legacy with the repairs, knowing his Sith heritage would prove useful.
"What's up, Muz?" Lenzar asked, seeing his Quaestor wore a worried expression. "Long story, Lenz, but to cut it short, we're under attack." the Archpriest replied, sabering an enemy that had somehow reached the landing zone.
Heading towards where Bob and several younger Jedi were having problems with groups of K’hamar’a, the Entar wasted no time in pulling out his lightsaber, ready for anything.
Manji: (Post 27)
As another K'hamar'an corpse slipped off his lightsabre, Manji looked up swiftly, expecting another attack. To his surprise, none was forthcoming- the courtyard was filled with small groups of Dark Jedi, congratulating each other over the still-warm bodies of hordes of K'hamar'a. Deactivating his sabre, Manji clipped the weapon to his belt and strode towards Muz as the Quaestor straightened up, an unconscious body over his shoulder. Looking up at Manji, Muz nodded and gestured towards the gates leading into the entrance hall.
"I managed to knock this one out- let's get him into the Grand Hall so we can get some information."
***
Eventually, the assorted Dark Jedi of Marka Ragnos were gathered in the Grand Hall, watching Muz strap the K'hamar'an to a chair at the front of the hall. Suddenly, the alien being came round, eyes wide and staring at the horrific sight of Muz's jet-black eyes staring at it with hostility. Staring at the alien, Muz opened a channel on his commlink to Max, Jack Ordo's droid companion. When the Quaestor spoke, his voice was a hiss of menace.
"Max? Translate. K'hamar'an scum, you are in the Grand Hall of the Marka Ragnos cathedral on Tarthos. If you try to escape you will die. If you lie to me, you will die. In fact, if you breathe at the wrong time, you will die. In the most painful, humiliating way that I or my brother can think up. Now... tell me why you are here. Why you attacked us."
The alien's eyes scurried around helplessly, looking for an escape route. There was only the hostile gaze of Muz Ashen- and behind him, the hyperactive grin of Nekura Manji, which seemed even worse in a worrying, unsettling way. Finally, the creature gave up then began to speak in a harsh, guttural language. As it finished, Max began to translate.
"The creature claims that the K'hamar'an forces did not intend to invade or conquer the cathedral, master Muz."
Muz frowned, brow wrinkling in thought.
"Then what were they supposed to do?"
In the same emotionless tones, the droid dropped the bombshell it had been holding gently.
"They were supposed to be a decoy."
Staring in horror at the creature, Muz suddenly burst into action- backhanding the K'hamar'an across the face even as he turned and shouted to several Dark Jedi standing near the back of the Hall.
"Quick, get to the Library! Make sure nothing has been taken!"
At that moment, as Korras moved purposefully through the crowd, a burst of static came from his commlink and the voice of Xanos Sadow rang around the hall.
"Ah, Proconsul Aquillarum. So glad I could finally get hold of you. Listen, a group of Force Adepts is moving through the Sadow Palace on Sepros- they seem to be searching for the artifacts inside the vault. Now that you seem to have dealt with the situation on Tarthos, perhaps yourself and Consul Malik could join me here? And bring several of your seasoned warriors. I sense that more Force Adepts may attempt to infiltrate quite soon."
Suddenly the commlink clicked off as Xanos closed the channel. Wheeling toward the doors of the Grand Hall, Korras called out the names of the Dark Jedi to accompany him.
"Muz, Manji, Raist, Lenzar and Bob- come with me. We're taking out that field dampener- and fast, so we can get to Goat on Sepros."
Following the Proconsul out of the Grand Hall, the assorted warriors checked their weapons in preparation for the possible battles ahead.