Naga Sadow: Team 2

Syntari Bastiayn
Jeric Cyrin
Armad
Raistlin
Sanjuro Keibatsu

IC: You are a member of an elite task force assigned to conduct a rapid entry raid in Xlopora City. Your team is tasked with recovering the the lost blade of Ferran, known as Revelation. Intelligence reporting indicates four distinct opposition Forces operating within Xlopora City.

1. One Sith Forces: The Sith Lord Esoteric has been identified by Taldyran reconnaissance teams. Esoteric is an unpredictable Sith Lord and has been connected to the death of multiple members of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.

2. Unknown Imperial Forces: Arconan agents have reported multiple engagements with Storm Commandos and unidentified Imperial Storm Troopers. These unknown Imperial Forces appear to be coordinating their operation with the One Sith.

3. Sith Revenants and Ancient Sith Magic: Xlopora City is the seat of ancient Sith powers and is protected by unknown quantities of arcane wards and traps. Sith Zombies have been identified within the catacombs underneath the towered palace located in the center of the city. Shadow Academy Scholars have reported multiple deaths resulting from failed attempts to breach warded doorways and structures.

4. The Dark Brotherhood: The Dark Brotherhood is a fragmented organization designed to reward those who excel. Infighting, backstabbing, and treachery are acceptable tactics to achieve results. Dark Council reports indicate at least three skirmishes have occurred between opposition Clans and Houses.

The Sith Medium, Dantella Novae, has provided the Dark Council with a rough sketch of the chamber housing Revelation. She believes that a ritual, of some sort, will be required to gain access to the weapon. This ritual will require a significant cost from the team who discovers it.

This is a time sensitive operation that will conclude in 96 hours (16 real life days!) with the commencement of an orbital bombardment. Due to the short nature of the operation, your team will be limited to light infantry operations (no mechanized forces are to be deployed in Xlopora City). You may use any other equipment from your organization's order of battle.

OOC: The following links provide additional information.

Plot Update Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0rPsJ1Xn54cZ1VFYjY3SElrMU0/edit?usp=sharing

Bosthirda Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0rPsJ1Xn54cbmNOMURTM3R0R3M/edit?usp=sharing

Dantella Novae Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0rPsJ1Xn54cY1piSHZJOHhlMEU/edit?usp=sharing

Competition Rules:

Welcome to the Dark Crusade Epilogue: Bosthirda, a Run-On Event.

The following rules are in effect:

This is a run-on event based on the most recent Dark Brotherhood Plot Update, Bosthirda Planet Document, and event hook placed at the beginning of each run on.

Sign-ups for the event will begin on 22 February 2014 and end at 2359 EST on 27 February 2014.

The Team Captain from each team will email their team name and team roster to Muz, Raken, and Sarin.

Teams will consist of no less than 5 members and no more than 7 members. Units may submit as many teams as they can field.

250 word minimum per post. No maximum word limit. A post under 250 words will not be considered in a participant’s 3 post total. If a player writes five entries, 3 over 250 words and 2 under, they will still be given credit for reaching the minimum post limit.

Each team member must post at least three times during the event. There is no maximum post limit, but members cannot post consecutively. A single member failing to post three times will result in their teams DQ and elimination from the top 3.

Edits may occur on a post until a follow on post has been made (follow on posts include "reserving" a space). Edits may only be made by the posts original author (as in, if you have Forum Administration Rights, you cannot edit another member’s work).

Members may reserve post, but no posts can occur until after the reserved post is written.

The event will be graded by Raken, Sarin, and Muz using a rubric that focuses on creativity, plot development, realism, and grammar.

The winning team will win the Run-On for their unit. A single Independent Unit can finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in this event. This is a nova producing event.

Event Timeline:

22-27 February Sign-Ups

28 February: Event Hook Published on all Team Threads (You can read the plot update and potentially divine your mission!)

28 February to 16 March: Members Post on the Forums! This event will be plugged into the Database, but will not conclude on the forums until 2359 EST on 16 March 2014!!!!!!!

Bosthirda Low Orbit
Esstran Sector, Sith Space

The MAAT shuttered as it traveled thru the Thermosphere. Just minutes ago the assault transport had departed from the MJHC Retribution descending rapidly into Bosthirda’s atmosphere. Jeric gripped the handle bar above his head just as the MAAT jolted hard to the left.

“Sorry about that, planet’s atmosphere is a little rough.” The pilots voice said over the internal coms.

Jeric turn around to look at the rest of the raiding party. Sledge, as many knew him by, sat towards the rear of the transport his lightsaber twirling in front of him. The only Obelisk of the group, Raistlin was busy chatting with one of the clone commandos that had accompanied the team. Knight Bastiayn stood just opposite of the noble-born sith however she was more interested in the view outside the shuttle. Armad, the youngest member of the team, sat closer to the front of the MAAT, his hand was white-knuckled on the hilt of his lightsaber. Unlike the other dark jedi this was the Acolyte’s first real combat operation. Besides the five, Raistlin was able to acquire 10 commandos to join the rapid assault force.

“Entering the lower atmosphere now, we will be on approach in about four.”

“You heard the pilot, gear up and strap in everyone. I have a feeling its going to be a bumpy ride.” Jeric said as he planted himself in the jump-seat located right next to the assault doors.

The invasion of Bosthirda wasn’t just to push the One Sith off the planet it was to recover an ancient sith artifact, one that was once connected to the original three lords of the star chamber. Jeric’s team was to deploy into the city of Xlopora, recover the artifact and then exfil all while the main assault force conquered the planet.

“Attention, this is the pilot, I am patching thru a communication from the Consul.”

“Orders have changed, the Dark Council will be glassing the planet in roughly 95 hours. I hope you can make it out in time.” The voice of Warlord Malik Sadow echo thru the compartment.

Well this is going to make it a lot more difficult. I wonder if the Dark Council knew they were going to do this all along. As long as we end up at the correct LZ I planned for a 48 hour operation max so we should be fine. Jeric thought to himself as the shuttle began to shake violently. The green light in the compartment turned red and a steady alarm began to sound.

“We are on final approach, be advise we are taking anti-air battery fire. ETA two mic.”

A few seconds later the assault doors for the shuttle swung open. Jeric could see laser fire and the glow of lightsabers dancing about on the planet’s surface. Shuttles and transports were landing all over the place. Jeric watch as two shuttles exploded, one right as it was deploying troops and the other mid-air still.

“Eye on target!” Syntari yelled out.

Jeric look over his shoulder and could see the Dark Jedi Knight pointing to the large stone palace standing tall in the middle of the ruined city. There somewhere in the labyrinth of the palace was Revelation and Jeric was going to make sure his team recovered it.

“Get ready everyone!” Jeric announced as he could see the ground rapidly approaching. The Sith unbuckled himself and stood up just to be thrown off balance as an explosion rocked the the transport. He could see fire spitting out of the MAAT’s dual wings and debris start to rip off the upper one.

“BRACE FOR IMPACT.” The pilot screamed over the intercom as the wings tore off sending the transport into a uncontrollable spiral. Each one sensed it coming and just seconds before impact the five Dark Jedi of Naga Sadow leapt out of the doomed transport.

Bosthirda
Esstran Sector, Sith Space

The team of five landed on the planet's surface with what could hardly be described as grace. For all her training, Syntari ended up face-planting directly in the dirt and with her vision duly obscured she did not bear witness to the fate of the others, though she was not concerned. From the few tidbits of information she'd managed to pick up from the members of her team, they were all capable of handling themselves. The only member that could possibly come to any harm was the Acolyte, but she brushed off any concerns for him. Either he could survive, or he would die, and it was up to him which path he would take. Pulling herself up off the ground, the Knight cast about for any sign of her teammates and tried ignore the fluttering Krayt dragons hovering just within her peripheral vision.

Multiple different courses of action flitted through her mind all at once, the least of which was heading into the unknown to try and recover the sword before any of her team did, though she dismissed that thought at once. She would not only die in the process but would end up causing more harm than good, and while dying did not concern her she did not wish to make a fool of herself, in any case. That left waiting here for the rest of her people to find her, or going to search for them herself, neither of which were very appealing options. Syntari sighed in distaste. This would be so much simpler if she didn't have to wait for anyone else.

"Syntari!"

She winced at the loudness of that voice and at the pealing sound of bells that accompanied her name. Turning, she beheld Jeric gesturing towards her and caught sight of the other group members standing just behind him, all in various states of dirt-covered. The knowledge that even they did not escape a humiliating face-plant brought her a vague sense of satisfaction.

The Bpfasshi nodded in Jeric's direction and headed towards the group, though she was careful to brush her fingers against the reassuring hilt of her lightsabre. It wouldn't do to get too comfortable, not when there were too many unknowns here and a Keibatsu to boot. Her past experience with her former mentor had soured her approach to anyone, and while the Clan was supposed to trust its members, she could not afford to let her guard down too easily.

And now the fun begins...

Picking himself up out of the dirt, Armad brushed what he could off his face so he could see what was around him. The first thing he noticed was that the rest of his team was picking themselves up as well, so he wasn't too embarrassed that he face planted in the dirt on his first mission. Heading over to the rest of the team, he noticed Syntari standing by herself away from the rest of the team.

"Syntari!" He heard Jeric yell to break her out of any confusion that the hybrid would most likely be experiencing. Seeing her turn and start walking toward the rest of the group, checking her lightsaber, Armad did the same. Fingering the training lightsaber he was given and making sure the Fire Whip was still wrapped around his waist, for easy access, he look towards Jeric waiting for instructions on what to do next.

After some discussion about the direction that we needed to be headed in, obviously in the direction of the large stone palace that was our destination, it was decided that while everyone on the team group somewhat together to cover our flanks. It was decided that he was to be rearguard, being as how he was that lowest ranking and the newest member of the Clan, he could best prove himself making sure that nothing came up behind them while they were dealing with any opposition to the front.

The group had been making their way through the ruins and rubble for about an hour, though it seemed more mainly due to the obstacles that had to be traversed over or around, when everyone felt a pang of danger ahead. The four members of the group ahead of him all drew their lightsabers at the same time, which was seconds before the area was illuminated with blaster fire. While they were deflecting blaster bolts, he immediately backtracked some of the shots directed towards, located where a majority of them were located at, and through the Force gave the team a sense of where they should redirect the incoming fire. With that done, he turned his back on the group and kept a watchful eye on the ruins on our flanks and behind. He was hoping that there was a group that would try something, to prove himself early on in our mission.

Xlopora City
Bosthirda

The blaster fire continued, lightsabers twirled about deflecting laser bolts, bouncing them off ruined stone walls and occasionally hitting their intended target. In the past 10 minutes since the firefight began the volume of fire seemed to have gotten heavier. There had to be at least a platoon or more of stromtroopers pinning the dark jedi down amongst the ruble.

“How far out are we?” Jeric called out to the group.

“We should be less than 1 klick from the target!” The Keibatsu yelled from the other side of a down pillar.

“Well we don’t have time to fight, we need to find a way around.” Jeric replied. “Raistlin come with me.” Jeric motioned for his Obelisk counterpart to follow him around a stone wall a few meters behind the group where Armad was posted up.

“Keep your eyes open and get ready to move out.” Jeric said as the pair dashed past the Acolyte.

The two dark jedi made their way around the stone wall and with a burst from the force leaped 3 meters to the top of a broken staircase. After a minute or two the Sith and Obelisk pair stopped before rounding the corner. Jeric could sense two snipers, perched just above the vantage point where the platoon of stormtroopers where, just as Raistlin could. With a nod the two dark jedi came out of the shadows and quickly decapitated the two sharpshooters.

“Now to clear a path for the other three.” Jeric said with a smile.

It had been just under five minutes since Jeric and Raistlin left when suddenly the baster fire stopped. Syn poked her head up from behind a pile of stones. Sledge calmly walked out from behind the down pillar and deactivated his saber. Syn stood confused for only a second until she noticed the glow of Jeric’s ruby red saber and the twin emerald blades of Raistlin’s lightsaber. The Krath Archpriest was already heading in their direction.

“The path is clear, lets go!” He yelled out to Syn and Armad.

Xlopora City
Bosthirda

The fight was over before it had begun, though only thanks to the Keibatsu and Jeric Cyrin. Although Syntari had no love for either of them she had to admit they were particularly handy to have around in a battle, and thanks to them the entire team was relatively safe and unharmed. Brushing past Armad and Raistlin, she focused on Jeric and what the other battle team leader had to say.

"The path is clear," he was saying, "So we need to get moving." He turned to Syntari as he spoke and his voice was mock-polite. "Would you like to take the lead, Knight Bastiayn?" he asked pointedly. Her heart sank at his words; she knew what they meant. Whoever took the lead was most vulnerable, most likely to die, and was never a position to be proud of. If she did not die as a result of whatever traps were inside then it would be a simple matter for anyone in the team, even Armad, to kill her and rid the Clan of Naga Sadow's resident lunatic.

Thus it was with lightsabre it hand that Syntari turned her back on her team and accepted the point position, as much as she detested the knowledge of her vulnerability. She she had no choice otherwise, for to refuse would possibly incite the wrath of one of her Clan's more powerful members. As much as she hated her existence she had no wish to die just yet, and she knew then and there that her team would not be responsible for her death.

Inside the Palace
Xlopora City, Bosthirda

“Syn duck!” Jeric yelled to the Krath Knight

She stopped for just a second before sensing it too. The Knight crouched down just as a large section of the wall off to her right extended out slamming into the opposite side. Why did he save me? Does he sense more traps up ahead and needs me to spring them to save his own life? Syn thought to herself.

Jeric let the other members of the team get to the other side before crouching down and clearing the obstacle himself. Jeric understood that this is the time where his so called brothers and sister would turn on each other, they were close to a weapon one that would give its holder great glory. She can’t die just yet, I sense i’ll need her to take the sword for myself. The Sith Battlelord thought as the team continued down the dimly lit corridor.

After a few turns the group of dark jedi entered a large chamber, the light slowly dimmed until the group was in totaled darkness. A few minutes went by each member of the team reaching out with the force to see around them. The green glow of Raistlin saber snapped to life, Jeric’s blood red saber followed suite.

“I sense it too.” Sledge said aloud, before activating his saber.

“Sense what?” Armad questioned.

“Just get ready to defense yourself!” Syn said before her silver blade snapped to life.

The moaning grew louder and louder. The sounds of shuffling footsteps could be heard from all sides of the large chamber. The room was feeding on the dark side, each member could feel its pull. Suddenly a growl came from Armad’s right side, before the young Acolyte could react a walking corpse lunged out of the shadows and into the area of light being created by the five lightsabers. With a quick spin Sledge sliced the new foe in two.

“Zombies!” Armad screamed as the torso began to claw at his feet.

“They’ve been reanimated by the dark side.” Jeric said as it plunged his saber into the head. “Aim for their heads and suppress your use of the force so they can’t sense you as easily.” The Sith said as he side stepped and decapitated two others that lunge out of the darkness.

Inside the Palace
Xlopora City, Bosthirda

Syntari had sensed it from the moment they had entered the palace: something was wrong. There was something here that should not be, something unnatural. When Armad's desperate scream of "Zombies!" reached her ears--and no doubt brought more of the things to them-- she knew that was what she had sensed. Yet there was something more here, she could feel it; the Force was telling her something else at work here, but she couldn't hear what it was over all the noise in the room. Jeric shouting didn't help either.

The Bpfasshi activated her lightsabre and did so just in time to defend herself as a pa5rticularly ugly looking thing charged at her, moving far faster than she had thought possible. Belatedly an entry from a journal she had read abouat the dark-side cadavers popped into her mind and she knew now what Jeric had been shouting about: to kill them required a headshot. She leapt at the zombie in front of her as it lunged, arms outstretched and mouth open wide to reveal decaying fangs that snapped shut just an inch away from her face as she slammed her lightsabre into its head.

One down, the rest of them to go.

The rest of her team was moving slowly through the throng of zombies at a slug's pace, all except Armad who was just barely dodging a screaming, rampaging thing ulgier than a Hutt. To his credit a body felled by his lightsabre was at his feet, so he wasn't entirely useless, lucky for him; as he turned to her, eyes wide with an emotion she couldn't quite place, the events of another place and another time invaded her mind's eye. Syntari saw herself back at the beginning of the Crusade staring at Mirus Cavataio as the Knight struggled to free himself from the snow bank, and she saw herself reaching for him to pull him out, but as she grasped his hand the vision vanished and she was watching Armad trip and fall, just within reach of the zombie's teeth. Instead of saving him, she stood there watching with an almost cruel smile on her face as her laughter echoed around the room, though she knew it wasn't real.

It couldn't be real. It was just a trick of the dark side. She shook her head and tried to clear her eyes of the illusion, but by the time she had regained control of her hallucinations it was Sanjuro who had saved the Journeyman from death. The Keibatsu shot her a withering glance as he decapitated the zombie, but she had already turned away. Her palms were slick with sweat as, shaking, she tried desperately to center herself. No time to dwell on her willingness to let the boy die, she knew. As other zombies bore down on her Syntari's instincts took over and she felled one, two, three of them before suddenly...silence.

The zombies all dropped with the sound of decaying flesh melting from bones and for a moment, Syntari thought they had won. Someone must have found the sword, and now they could--

The sound of a lightsabre humming and the scent of charred flesh hit her senses and she swayed slightly, confused and unable to understand what was happening. Was someone hurt, or worse, dead?

"Sorry, Syn," a familiar voice said. She looked down to see Jeric`s blade protruding from her chest and blinked as a spasm ran through her. He pulled his weapon from her body and kicked her down, cruelly stepping on and breaking her fingers as he moved forward to take the sword from the alter in the center of the room. "A sacrifice was required and you were the only one of the group that was a liability," he continued.

"W...where..." she coughed and a trickle of blood slid down her chin.

"Are the others? Not here. You were hallucinating everything," Jeric said. "They're waiting outside, waiting for my signal." As her vision faded she saw him heft the sword and laugh to an empty room. She struggled to stay alive, trying desperately to heal herself, but somewhere within her she kenw it was too late. Syntari Bastiayn died there, betrayed and left alone, and at the moment of her death her last thought was that Cyril and, unbelieveably, Mirus waited for her.