Bespin Nightmare

Knight Terrogate sits in the passenger lounge with apprentice Ziyal and Lord SuchililMu on the Tollere transport TAX-13 as it makes its way from the Tollere home of The Ventrix towards Haddon Station on Bespin. It was advertised as an evening of relaxation.. a party for the honoured guests of Her Majesty’s Empire and there were few select available places for those wishing to attend. The Cathar had heard of the cloud city during supply contract meetings and knew that among the amazing views, glorious sunsets and recently some less than social individuals this was also a great place to go for potential trade opportunities. Artifex Terrogate, having established himself as a successful businessman as well as a formidable warrior among the Empire, decided he could not miss such an opportunity for networking for the arms and personal protection emporium. Especially what with the recent war efforts drying up galactic weapons resources as well as medical supplies across the board.

During the hyperspace travel Terrogate smiled back over at his Iron sister Ziyal as she looked over her datapad and read out the available activities. He could tell she was very excited for this night, and so she should be. It was sure to be a night that held much promise for one such as her. She was one of the empire's brightest burning and fastest rising young stars whose talents had already taken the fancy of several dark Lords and ladies as well as her immediate peers, most likely to their disgust and jealousy.

Although sad he was unable to take her as an apprentice himself like he’d hoped he was quite proud to see how far she’d come in such a short amount of time since arriving among them.

Terrogate then looks from Ziyal over to his Lieutenant, one of the now three Tollere Lords who also sat across from him. The large Maelibus Fel-Fire demonic Lord of House Tollere, an impressive mighty ancient warrior older than the very Empire itself and an extremely powerful entity in the force. Terrogate was glad to have these particular members of his house along with him, although he couldn’t help the feeling of guilt harbouring in the pit of his stomach. This would be the first event that he had attended that his Mab would not be attending with him. “Business… you’re here for business not pleasure, she will understand.” He says to himself.. trying to quiet the voices inside his head and suppress the feelings of utter betrayal in his gut.

\*\*\*\*\*

Getting off the turbolift and intending to meet up later in the evening with the others, Terrogate walked down the lavish corridors of Haddon station finding his way to his accommodation.

Entering the exquisite room the Cathar dropped his bag down next to him with an audible metallic clunk. The room was lavish and beautifully decorated even for a knight of the empire's station, a large soft bed with double the normal sized plush pillows took up a sizable amount of the space and beautiful paintings and tapestries lined the walls. On the ceiling above hung a beautiful light blue crystal chandelier bringing another level of elegance to the already impressive space.

Terrogate walks slowly over to bed and pulls the blanket off the top and lays it flat onto the small strip of hard marbled ground between the bed and the wall instead. The Cathar was a simple being, from a simpler and much harsher time.. Bread for war, for combat...not for this. He takes off his robes and rolled them into a small pillow which he places at the end of the blanket on the floor.

In his mind he could not afford himself to enjoy such luxurious things as what was here, even when given freely it didn't seem right to indulge. “There, a warrior's bed.” he remarked sternly to the emptiness of the room, picking up his bag and then placing it on the now stripped bed he opened it in preparation to change into his clothes for the night.

\*\*\*\*\*

Some time later the Cathar stands in the turbolift which has just arrived at level three. The sounds of a busy cantina could be heard even from the closed doors of the turbolift. The knight was dressed in a black tuxedo as was his normal garb for events like this, on his belt hung his “twin suns” golden lightsabers and concealed under his jacket on his lower back was strapped his two custom T6 Thunderer heavy blaster pistols, loaded with Cortosis ammunition. As well as those he had strapped under his shirt his personally patterned IG89 personal shield.

He didn't feel the need for protection as such, not with the Lords and Empress in attendance but more so just in case a prospective client should happen to join him in a drink or five. It would be good practice the Cathar thought to be ready to show off his best wears and close any potential deal with a demonstration at a moment's notice.

Terrogate breaths in a deep breath to ready himself for the evening as the turbolifts doors ding to indicate their immediate opening but in the corner of his eye, in the relefection of the turbolifts right inner wall he swears he sees a flash of golden eyes and horns, attached to a feminine but tattooed face.. The Cathar quickly turns his head to try and see what he could have sworn was the image of his love reflected in the turbolifts inner wall when the doors of the lift suddenly open revealing a stranger moving into the opening slowly with his zipper open.., instantly pulling the Cathar's gaze back to the entrance..

“Errhhhmmm {hic} excushh me friend.... I fought this was a refresher…” said a heavy set blue skinned Twi’lek man looking up at the Cathar, removing twenty credits then placing them in Terrogates breast pocket and patting him heartily on the shoulder. {hic} “Keepp up the good wuurk kid..” the Twi’lek said swaying on the spot.

Terrogate bares his teeth and snarls, the man's face turning from a red happy smile to a brief moment of surprise then fear before backing quickly out of the entry, turning and then staggered off in the other direction. The Twi’lek was clearly intoxicated..

Terrogate waits for him to leave then slowly looks back to the wall where he had thought he saw her a moment ago. But all that was standing there now was his own reflection, staring back at him..

The turbolifts doors signal again and the Cathar steps forwards quickly, exciting the lift before it closed again and one out straightened his tuxedo jacket..focusing himself he tries to shake off the clear illusion his mind was playing on him a moment earlier and started towards the Cantina.. After all he now had credits to burn, guns to sell and friends to find.. this night was only just getting started.

\*\*\*\*\*\*

Moments later the Cathar confidently approaches the entrance to the Cantina, as the music becomes louder he starts to get all the familiar scents that he related to that type of typical establishment.. Expensive booze, cigarra smoke, cheap perfume…..Spice some of which he already had in his nostrils from the Twi’lei among other things he'd rather not have smelt. The Cathars licks his whiskers and straightens his bow tie as he approaches but to his surprise as he rounded the corner to the entrance he finds the Count Talonex standing at the entrance way with what seems to be a highly prized escort for the night. Even from the back she looked extremely expensive and glamorous. The kind of woman that could have, and most likely would have only the attentions of the highest and wealthiest positioned males of the Empire.

Terrogate kneels and bows as decorum demanded even though the Lord and the woman in her red dress had their backs to him. “Hail Lord Talonex” he said, his eyes low to the ground.

But, then in his only line of sight, where only he could see the woman's and the Lord's shoes he sees the lady stumble in her heels.. Terrogate furrows his brow, no woman so exquisite could possibly be new to wearing such footwear.. Looking up the Cathars mouth then drops…

For a moment he says nothing… Then eventually he stammers “Zz...Ziyal!??” standing he takes a step back and smiles brightly looking his Iron sister up and down. “Wow!.. You look…… You look breathtaking..” said the knight. Almost forgetting he was in the presence of her Master. “Errhhmmm forgive me my lord. I didn't mean to interrupt.” turning to Ziyal he continues. “I umm… I'm going to head inside and secure a booth and get some drinks started,I remember your favorite. You're free to join me.. and your master, if he wishes to of course.” Terrogate then bows to the Lord and then inclines his head politely to Ziyal before turning on his heel and entering the Cantina.

Having found a suitable booth on the edge of the room far enough away from the band but close enough distance to the bar Terrogate waved down a service droid. The Cantina was busy and although early the iron Knight had already seen a few families faces amongst the crowd. But there was also something else.. he couldn’t shake the all too familiar feeling of being watched. The Cathar did what he always would do in this situation, he ordered a reactor core spice liquor for himself. And while he was at it an Arkainian sweet milk for apprentice Ziyal should she care to join him, and then let things play out as the force willed it.

Not long after the drinks arrived Terrogate sees his house Nightsister entering the dimly lit Cantina and he raises his arm, waving her over. He wondered where Dorrian had gotten to? Probably council business no doubt. Regardless, he was determined to share his very first drink tonight with a familiar and friendly face.

“Ziyal, over here…” he called.

CANTINA TAGS:

IC: Jolee, Mala, and Thad

The Cantina

The trio stepped from the turbolift as it coasted to a stop, chattering and laughing as they made their way towards their destination. Jolee, a half-Zeltron, led the group. Mala, a petite brunette woman followed behind. Thad, a iridonian zabrak with quite the physique, pursued her.

Music thrummed from the cantina, some new jizz hit that had been taking the mid rim by storm. Both dancers had heard it more than enough times. They threaded through the small crowd - the cantina was not exclusive to hotel guests, but allowed the upper echelons of Cloud City to attend - and made their way towards the guests of honour. They had one job for the night. Make sure that the Empire's best were given the hospitality to match.

They split up, Jolee sidling up to the chatting Cathar and Sephi, while Thad and Mala geared their attention towards the others nearby.

"Enjoying the evening?" Jolee asked, while Mala took a different approach, perching on the bar beside Pravum. She smiled, a glittering white smile. Thad leaned on the bar beside Kolasi, briefly nodding at the Sephi as well before his lips cracked into a devilish smile.

"How's it going?" He said, his baritone both honeyed and warm.

“Of course…” replied the large Cathar Knight to the Sephi as she took her drink. “They are overcharging for it of course. It's classed as a exotic drink here.. but still, it is both cold and well deserved. He said in a deep growling voice then followed up with a smile at the nightsister

“Hmmm you noticed it too huh” said Terrogate as casually as discussing the weather, yet he was impressed at the Nightsisters attention to detail. “had eyes on me since I sat down” who was it? ISB Mabey? local intelligence or undercover law enforcement? or perhaps it was an agent of the Hutts trying to weed out any shady business dealings going down for fear of not getting there cut? He wasn’t sure.. but extra attention made him uncomfortable and unwilling to engage in business the way he had planned tonight.

“Of course I don’t mind, you should go explore, have fun.” He said, bringing his thoughts back to the present and taking a drink of his strong outer rim beverage. He had expected the Iron apprentice to want to go and explore the station's grounds and experience the full breath of the evening for herself. She was like he was when he first arrived, no experience with big cities and the extravagance of money and advanced technologies. He was just lucky he had found his soulmate early on who helped him become accustomed to advanced civilisation. Without her he would likely have been executed by now...

In all honesty he wasn’t expecting anyone to provide him company outside of any potential business dealings that came along. He knew he wasn’t very well liked among the Empire.

“Plans?” He exclaimed a little surprised by the question. “Well whatever plans I did have, seem to be shot judging by the looks of things.” He said looking over to the individual who was now sipping a beverage and not paying attention to them. “So for now nothing I guess, I’m not used to not having a companion for the evening “ he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.. “Sit here and get quietly kriffeyed I suppose, might even go for stroll towards the gardens. Who knows?..”

“How about you? Where to first?”

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Jolee

The Cantina

The Sephi - Ziyal - had left, leaving Jolee alone with the Cathar. No matter. She took the empty seat with a smile. “Jolee,” she answered, brushing her hair behind her ears. “D’you mind if I join you, darling?” She asked, leaning forward across the table, her rosy skin almost aglow in the cantina lights.

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate was a little taken aback when Ziyal had decided to bail on him so early in the evening, leaving him alone with the strange yet attractive woman. “Yes, I guess then I’ll see you later.” He said back to the apprentice as she stood and left the Cantina, but not before winking at the pink skinned female and commenting on his new company.

Terrogate who had been trying his best to keep one ear on the mysterious individual who had been keeping tabs on him can’t help but notice a low level altercation happening and the mystery revealed. The person who was now talking to one of the bouncers had openly proclaimed his station as the Grand Procurator of the New Galactic Empire. Terrogate had never met the man but knew his was know as Corruss. “Just kriffing perfect” he thinks to himself, this was the last man who’s attention he wanted, and even less so when he was trying to line up potential alternate vendor or sales avenues.

“Jolee,” answered the woman, brushing her hair behind her ears. “D’you mind if I join you, darling?” She asked.

Terrogates eyebrow quirked and his whiskers fanned out as the rosey skin coloured woman slid into the seat opposite him and lent forwards.

“Of course, please make yourself comfortable”. He replied, removing a cigar from his jacket pocket, cutting the end and lighting it. “It’s lovely to meet you miss Jolee” he said in his deep growl of a voice and waiving a service droid over to them. “Can I offer you a drink?” He asks leaning back into his booth and taking a puff of the thick spice laced cigar.

ght have popped off. Just a few metres away there were dancers and drunkards, and here there were... children. He had three of his own. He would have never brought them to such an establishment.

“Sir,” he started, as one of the children - a young girl in a white dress - climbed into the man’s lap and started reaching for the bowl of snacks right there. She began happily munching on the contents. “They can’t be in here...”

The other, a boy of blonde hair, heard the bartenders objection and propped himself up on the barstool. “Jawa juice,” he said, in a very exaggerated Nabooian accent.

-~-

Jolee nodded to Terrogate. “Ardees would be lovely,” she said, smoothing her revealing bodice and tossing her hair over one shoulder. She leaned back to match his pose and briefly met his eyes with an electric gaze. “Thank you.”

Her attention drifted to the dance floor, the throngs of people coming and going, enjoying the vibrant music. Her head slowly followed the action, eyes and painted lips glittering. The lights dazzled and danced in a way that was almost as hypnotic as she was...

\*\*\*\*\*

“An Ardees for the lady and a Corellian Fire Whiskey for me” Terrogate says, placing the required credits plus tip onto the service droids tray. The large brutish Cathar then downs the rest of his reactor core in one go, placing the glass down on the countertop and licking his whiskers, slowly returning his arm over the back of the bench seating.

Terrogate smiled at the attractive Zeltron woman as she smoothed her body and flipped her hair over one shoulder, she was if nothing else affording his seat the best view in the Cantina. Taking another deep hit of his spiced cigar the warrior knight lifted his head into the air and pulled his rounded shoulders back, then exhaled a cloud of spiced smoke above him that lifted, then slowly dropped and dissipated around the two.

Lowering his head he sees Jolee had mirrored his pose leaning back into her seat, and the broad shouldered Artifex gets a more extensive view of his companion in her very revealing outfit, his pupils dilating. Terrogate raised his eyes and the rose skinned Zeltrons gaze met his own, it was a brief but still an intense, electric moment between the two. “Thank you” she said, Terrogate ever the gentleman inclines his head towards her in reply and smiles gently, running his rough tongue across his lips before resting his head back once more against the booth seat.

Surprisingly quickly the drinks arrive and the Cather takes his to his lips and then sips. There was nothing that went better with a spice laced cigar than fire whiskey. It was a match made in heaven. The golden furred cathar then extends his hand with the narcotic cigar towards the slender Zeltron. “How about a taste of something a little bit…..stronger?” he asks suggestively, as Jolee starts to sway to the music..

Terrogate feels the spice beginning to affect him, bathing him in a pleasant light euphoria. His eyes were fixed on Jolee sat opposite him, the very light surrounding them seemed to come alive, bending and dancing to the music of the band. The woman's pink skin shimmering as she swayed sensually to the rhythm of the song. Terrogate suddenly starts to feel himself wanting to dance with this woman.

“Miss Jolee” the Cathar says in a deep but soft tone, “I suddenly feel like dancing… would you care to join me?”

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Jolee

The zeltron woman turned away, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. She pretended to consider his offer, though she had already decided that she would take it the moment he had asked. She was quite used to the effect she had on most beings in the Galaxy - all Zeltrons were. It was only natural for them to ensure that others felt happiness...if only for a fleeting moment.

The song changed, melding into one a little less popular but with a much better beat. It gave her the perfect segue into accepting his offer.

“I like this song,” she said, standing and extending a hand to him. She looked over her shoulder, waiting for him to take it and follow. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”

\*\*\*\*\*

“I like this song” said the rose skin woman. Terrogate smiled a playful grin at her then took a deep drink from his fire whiskey, immediately then placing the almost empty glass onto the booth he took his cigar and dropped it in the drink lit end face down. The ice and brown booze extinguishing the remainder of the laced smoke with a fizzing sound and small wisp of blackened smoke rising from the glass.

Terrogate takes Jolee’s hand and slides out of the booth,  “Come on, then. Let’s go.” she said brightly, leading him along. Coming to his full 6’10 height the muscular warrior dressed in an all black tuxedo follows his new companion happily to the dance floor, mostly unaware now of the others in the greater Cantina. Feeling the music through the euphoria of the booze and spice he begins to feel the music inside him as well as all around him as the song plays out.

His body swayed rhythmically to the music, feeling and reacting to the beat of the song and in time with the rose skinned Zeltron who stood lose to him. Terrogate was large in stature compared to most, but he was also very agile, dancing came easy to him just as did close quarters combat. In fact he had learnt quite early on in his apprenticeship that fighting, and dancing were closely linked..

For now Terrogate says nothing, but decides to move slightly closer to Jolee as the two dance together.

-~-

IC: Jolee

Nearby, perhaps only four people away, Jolee was dancing in a similar style with the Cathar she had captivated. He was not bad himself, his style quite fluid and definitely with an edge of swagger to it. She followed his lead, or appeared to, carefully easing closer and then backing away again. She was cautious with her tricks but used them all the same, rushes of pheromones and ripples of temptation from her mind surrounding him at her whim. Her lips parted, and she laughed, softly.

"You have quite the gift," she said, looking him up and down with her dazzling eyes, "Very, very impressive."

\*\*\*\*

Terrogate chuckles and smiles playfully “hey, you’re not so bad on your feet yourself..” he says as he takes a step forwards closing the distance between the two. The knight then takes her slender rosey pink hand in his and spins her away from himself. Then making sure to maintain hand contact he reversed the move, spinning Jolee back into him ending with her back facing the knight's front, her slender feminine body now pressed up against his hard masculine one.

Terrogate tilts his head down just a fraction and deeply inhales Jolee's scent, the pheromones she was giving off and her very sensual aura were intoxicating to him just as much as the spice and hard liquor currently running through in his system.

The Cathar warrior continues to sway to the rhythm of the music, losing himself in the moment, letting himself enjoy the heightened sensations he was experiencing.

\*\*\*\*\*

Jolee said nothing more to the Cathar she danced with. Instead, she let the rest of her speak. She swayed to the music in perfect rhythm, surrounded by his warmth and the rush of endorphins. The scent of liquor swirled about them, mingling with the zest of exotic spice. Her eyes lingered heavily on his. They were beautiful, as she was beautiful, her gaze less that of a woman and more like a million stars in a vast night sky. Her rose coloured skin was dewy from both alcohol and the heat rising from the dance floor.

A hand rose to snake around his neck, her fingers splaying there at the nape. Her dark lips smiled up at him, danger in that starry gaze. “Why don’t we go somewhere a little more…”

She did not finish the sentence. The soft words lingered in the air between them. Her eyes scanned him, her hand caressing the back of his neck. For a moment, there was no thrumming music, no jostling crowd around them. There was only the two of them, and nothing more.

\*\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate was lost in the euphoric ecstasy of the moment, his hands running upwards along Jolee's hips and tracing the lines of her abdomen and down again as the two swayed, bodies pressed together.. The Cathar knights eyes locked onto hers, her starry eyes reflecting her projected desires and promises of lusty passion.

He can feel the rosey skinned Zeltron pressing in against him, her aura and sensual movements bringing the warriors animalistic desires to the forefront of his mind and body.

Jolee's hand reaches up and snakes it’s way around his neck.. but there in that moment something felt wrong.. it was small, an odd sensation but one just enough that made his mind return to him, and of her..  the touch, the hand that caressed him was warm. The hand he longed to be touching him right now as he stood in the center of the dance floor with a slender feminine pressed against him, surrounded by the music and sparkling lights.. the hand he needed deep down was not warm, it was always ice cold.

“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more…”  Jolee said softly, looking up into the Cathars emerald eyes. Her full lips begged the answer with a dash of promised lust.

Terrogate looked into Jolees eyes, they were beautiful like looking down at the very stars of the night sky but they were not the ones he wished to gaze into. They were not \*hers.

“I.. I’m sorry Jolee.. “ said the Cathar taking his hands off her body and stepping away. “But I can not.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice, but one born of longing for the woman he wished was here with him.  “Thank you for the dance” he said politely. Then turned and walked out of the Cantina, heading for the gardens.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

Maladi turned in time to see Pravum at last make his way from the doors. The rest had already arrived. The task all felt rather matronly, having to shepherd drunken councillors from some unknown danger.

That precise moment was when her periphery caught motion. Her head jerked around to see who exactly was there - and why - though she presumed it to be the usual unsavoury patrons of the cantina. It was not.

It was Lady Kolasi - and a Zabrak man. What seemed to be an affectionate embrace quickly became one that was quite the opposite.

Thad yelped as her fist contacted his cheek. He stumbled back, sliding down the wall to the floor. “What the-” he mumbled, his jaw now searing with pain. The rest of him felt quite numb. His eyes shifted. Where there was once a seductive glitter, there was emptiness. The twin voids flicked up to her, anger flaring in the blackness. “You karking bitch! I’ll kill you for that!”

Blood trickled from his jaw, her fist had split the skin.

But it was not crimson that dripped down the pale segmented skin of his cheek. It was as black as the two eyes that met hers. It rolled to the ground.

Plop.

Plop.

Plop.

Rage contorted his features. In a split-second, he had lurched up and moved to clutch his hands around Sol’s throat.

Maladi charged in the same moment, leaping up and sending a wave of the Force to knock the man back. But he barely stumbled, the powerful wall of energy seeming to dissipate around him. Dust swirled in the air. Danger screamed in the Force, churning around the man as if he were the eye of a hurricane.

She looked over her shoulder, hair whipping about her face. Erastus and the others were still there, in one piece, none of them showing any sort of effect like the man attacking Sol.

“Pravum, Terrogate. Protect them, no matter the cost. Go, now,” she called, the instruction barely audible over the scream of her igniting lightsaber. Her teeth bared, her stance shifted.

Erastus grabbed both twins by the hands the second he met her eyes, turning to guide them into the nearest corridor. Primordius’ glass shattered as it tumbled from his hands - but the boy did not cry. He was far too concerned with glancing back to see what the Sith Lady was fighting with wide eyes. And then, Erastus pulled him around the bend and into the shadows.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Pravum

Location: External Corridor, Cloud City

"You don't give me ord... Oh, kr- er, screw it.", Pravum said, censoring himself for the childrens' sake.

Pravum pulled his lightsaber to his hand with a flash of telekinesis, igniting it in a defensive posture. "Come, Lord Sallacine, children. We'll head back to the shuttlepads.", Pravum said before turning to Terrogate. "How good are your piloting skills? I hope they're up to par, because we're not taking any chances with the Royal Family's safety. You're going to be piloting them up to the Triumphant in orbit, while I remain here. It'll be up to the two of you to protect Deianara and Primordius from there. Once these two are safe, I'm going to find their mother and Lord Nihl. Normally I'd expect them to be perfectly capable of protecting themselves but, as I'm sure you can sense too, there's something... off, about this place. Is all that understood? Good. Now, let's go.", Pravum commanded, leading the way down the corridor, eyes peeled for any threats.

TAG: Terrogate, Artifex of Tollere (GM TAG) Her Majesty Kára Volshe, Divine Mother, The Glorious New Galactic Empress

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi and Erastus Sallacine

Lord Pravum was lucky Lady Maladi was otherwise occupied. She heard his second statement the same she had heard his last.

No matter. For the moment, her irritation fueled her.

She closed the distance the precise moment that Kolasi’s feet made contact with Thad’s gut. The air from his lungs whooshed out and he spattered disgusting ichor onto her. Her fingers had only made it worse. They had torn his face to ribbons. Inky black blood poured from the wounds, flesh dangling from his handsome cheek. It was sticky...yet oily, a strange sheen to the rivulets that ran down his face and neck. Worse than that, it had a foul stench. One whiff told Maladi more than enough of her opponent.

It smelled of death.

His hands slackened as he fell backwards again - but he did not release Sol entirely. Instead, he brought her with him. His hands still clutched her throat and squeezed. It was hard enough that his nails now cut at her skin.

A flash of red hot plasma came between her and Thad. The pressure around her throat relented at last, his hands falling from her neck and thumping onto the floor around her. Maladi had cut them off at the elbows. Her blade still screeched with blood.

But Thad did not cry out in pain, nor even wince. He kicked up to shove Sol off of him, attempting to roll over and push himself up with the scorched and bloodied stumps of his once beautiful arms.

~-~

Erastus froze in the corridor, his survival instincts briefly inhibited by both Lord Pravum’s planning and what the Grand Moff had said. His pace was only restored by both children tugging him forward.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper,

(despite there being utterly no need to be so quiet). It just seemed the right thing to do in a situation where they were being potentially pursued by murderers at night on a space station. His voice raised as he spoke again. She was supposed to be with Lord Valac and her Imperial Knights. When did... “\*Who\* is she with?”

He paused, recollecting his thoughts as the rest of Pravum’s plan caught up to him. He looked to the cathar who he did not recognize in the slightest. He was going to leave them with...a stranger? When someone was trying to kill them? “You’re not leaving us with him! We don’t even know him!”

“I know him. He’s nice,” Deianara piped up, smiling up at the cathar. Why wouldn’t she know about the cat who was also a Sith?

Erastus shook his head. “No,” he said, refusing to follow such a ridiculous plan. Pravum was the only dark councillor, and Maladi had told him to act as their guard. He wasn’t disobeying her and abandoning them.

\*\*\*\*\*

“You can trust me my Lord” the Cathar said as he fell into line next to Lord Pravum, Lord Sallacine and the twins. Unbeknown to most, Terrogate spent the majority of his military career as the personal guard for the Prince of Cathar himself, so much so the two became close friends. The warrior knight's mind switches to muscle memory at this moment and his training kicks in seamlessly”.

“Don’t worry, my piloting is almost as good as my duelling ''The Cathar replied to the Lords command, ignoring the grand Moffs and Lord Sallacines voiced protests about having a lowly knight left in charge of the Protection of the royal family. But their opinions were not his concern right now, only the safety of Erastus and the children.

As lord Sallacine continues to protest, Terrogate quickly removes the IG89 personal shield from his belt and closes the space between him and Erastus. Moving close enough that the size difference between the two becomes quite obvious. Terrogate smiles back down at Deianara, then to Primordius, “That's right.. I am, very nice.” He replied softly back to the kids with a wink, attempting at least to put the children at ease.

“This is a personal shield.” said Terrogate bluntly, looking back to the man in front of him and quickly reaching down and clipping it onto Erastus' own belt before the Lord could move to stop him. “If you feel you are in danger, hold the children close and press the green button. The charge will stop several strikes from a lightsaber.” Terrogate instructs before letting go and reaching underneath the back of his tuxedo jacket, removing a T6 modified blaster loaded with cortosis rounds from the holster, and his other hand taking one of his twin lightsabers from his belt.

“You can trust me…..” he said again to Lord Sallacine in a deep and firm voice, looking back to the Moff and then to Lord Pravum.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Pravum

Location: Corridors, Haddon Station

His plan was met with a roar of whining from Erastus and the Grand Moff whose presence Pravum hadn't even noticed.

"First of all, when did you get here?", he said, his finger pointed in Dellrus' face. "And second of all, do you seriously believe that this threat, whatever it is, extends to space? To the fleet? Once we've cleared the atmosphere, there's no reason for me to be with you. I don't fly starships.", he said, pausing to sigh.

"We'll assess the situation as it progresses. If there is cause to believe that Deianara and Primordius are in continuing danger, I will remain with you. But don't think for a second that I believe either of you are demanding this of me for their sakes. It is for your own self-preservation, both of you.", Pravum said before continuing onward.

Lord Sallacine inquired as to whether or not anyone knew where the shuttlepads were. "No, Erastus. I don't remember. I'm just leading you in a random direction.", Pravum thought to himself sarcastically before the lights went out. "Bring Deianara and Primordius closer to me, to the light.", Pravum said to Erastus. "Terrogate, watch the rear. If your species evolved past night-vision I'm going to kill you.", Pravum said before applying the technique of Force Sight. If anyone came after them, he'd be prepared for them.

Powers used: Force Sight 4 [Under Force Sense Power Tree]

\*\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate smirks at Lord Pravums comments as he falls back to the rear of the group. “It's just like seeing in broad daylight m’lord” the Cathar replied back as he continued to move along down the corridors, his naturally enhanced senses of sight and smell running on high alert. His feline eyes scanned around them and checked behind regularly to make sure no one would get the drop on them.

~-~

IC: Erastus, Darth Maladi, and the Twins

The Cantina Corridor

The sound of Maladi and Kolasi approaching was supremely reassuring. Not only to the twins, but to Erastus as well. He turned to see as they rounded the corner, the additional lightsaber providing even more light. They could see at least a few metres ahead, now.

Maladi slipped past the others to where she could act as the lead of the group.  But the dark sensation returned. She paused briefly, looking over her shoulder, back down the corridor. Her boots clicked against the floor grates as she turned.

There was no movement beyond those she recognized behind her. No sound, beyond the buzz of lightsabers echoing in the small space. No shadows shifting in the distance. The sensation was near, but... there was nothing there.

“Follow me,” she instructed, not waiting for them to obey her instruction. They could not linger. They were being pursued.

Not a moment after she gave the instruction, Killran would feel hands upon his ankles, powerful fingers digging into the boots he wore.

Primordius felt the same from where he stood, holding Erastus’ hand just behind Maladi. The grate beneath him shuddered, a second pair of hands clawing up at his ankles as a third attempted to push the grate from its place. The metal rattled, violently. Primordius shrieked, Erastus frantically trying to pull him free the moment he realized what was happening. There was laughter, briefly, in the chaos.

If any of them looked down, they would see the glimmering, soulless eyes of a dozen men and women, clawing at the grates.

\*\*\*\*\*

Relieved that Darth Maladi and Lady Kolasi had caught up with the group, Terrogate remained at the rear as instructed. Lightsaber still deactivated but T6 blaster ready he checks cautiously around, his predatory eyes that could see easily despite the darkness of the corridor scanning behind the group mostly, now that there were several members of the dark council taking point.

His ears then twitched as he heard it.. in the darkness and otherwise silence of the hall was the shaking and rattling of metal , seeming to come up from the ground below them, one of the children screamed and followed by an unholy laugh.

Terrogate turns and looks downwards towards the sound..  to see hands coming up from the steel grated floor, clawing and grasping at the group's feet. The Cathar focuses his gaze and beyond and his eyes widen in terror as the faces of men and women, eyes black as pitch looked up at them from under the floor. Their faces unnaturally void of all emotion save one…

“MOVE NOW!” The Cathar yells.. pointing his blaster downwards at the floor and unloading several rounds through the great as he pushes closer to the group trying to get to the family. He noticed one of the things below trying to push open the floor near the children, Terrogate took aim at the part of the man's head he could see through the floor and fired off three rounds at him..

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Pravum

Location: Corridors, Haddon Station

Maladi and Kolasi rejoined the group, and Maladi declared herself the leader of the pack. As if the universe were toying with her, immediate cosmic comeuppance followed as Primordius and the Grand Moff were grabbed by unknown assailants.

Blaster fire ricocheted through the hallway as Terrogate rather foolishly unloaded a blaster cartridge into the Grand Moff.

“You’re not a Mandalorian. Sith use the Force to deal with their problems, you veermok.”, Pravum spat at the Cathar as he focused on Primordius, the Grand Moff, and Deianara - just because she wasn’t being attacked yet didn’t mean she wasn’t in danger - pulling them up telekinetically. If he did succeed in freeing them, Killran would find himself nestled in Terrogate’s arms, like a groom carrying his bride, and the children would find themselves on Erastus’ back, their tiny arms resting on his shoulders and wrapping around his slender chest.

Powers used: Telekinesis (4)

\*\*\*\*\*

As soon as Sol saw the hands shoot up to grab Primordius, she moved through the small group to him. She threw her hands under his arms, pulling him up. As she did, she kicked at the arms of the hands, kicking them away from the young boy and herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Knight Terrogate raise his blaster. She shot her body around so that her back was facing him, using her body to protect the Empress’ son.

When the blaster shots stopped, Sol turned back around to face Terrogate. “Knight Terrogate, if you do that again we will be sending you back to Bathori in a box!” She shouted at the Knight, using her hand to cover the boys ears as she clutched him to her chest. “It’s okay,” She said to him, her voice monotonous and light for a brief second as she tried to calm the boy while ignoring her own panic.

“We need to keep moving.”

\*\*\*\*\*

Corruss approached Terrogate as Pravum went to retrieve the group members who had been caught, his helmet peeling back for a moment to bare his rage at the Cathar. "Recklessly fire upon Imperial personnel again, and I will personally ensure you are brought up on treason charges."

He re-engaged his helmet and leveled his rifle, ready to fire if the creatures if they followed up from the grates.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi, Erastus Sallacine, and the Twins

Primordius stopped screaming the moment he felt himself lifted into Kolasi’s arms. He was shuddering, the Force roiled around him despite its threadiness. Deianara was somlnarly soothed by the fact she was now on Erastus’ back.

None of them were soothed by the idea to fire blaster bolts in such a confined, metallic space.

And fear still gripped both of the children. Erastus made a move to run down the corridor, but the hands were now on his ankles. He managed a step forward, then fell forward with a echoing thwump. The air was forced from his lungs. Deianara screamed again and ran, bolting into the shadows ahead of Maladi.

“Princess!” The Sith witch called, reaching with a hand to caution her. Deianara did not see it. She continued running.

“Deal with them.” Maladi instructed.

“Do not fire your weapon again,” Maladi hissed as she passed Terrogate, before turning to run after Deianara.

Erastus, meanwhile, kicked at the feet clawing at him - they were now grabbing for his arms and torso. He was yelling now, twisting and pulling at the hands. “Get them off me! Get them off!”

There were dozens still trying to climb up, even those who were not currently preoccupied with Erastus. One managed to break free and clamber to standing. Primordius buried his face in Kolasi’s chest, hiding his eyes with his small hands. “Don’t let them get ‘Rastus,” he pleaded, still shaking like a leaf.

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate holstered his weapon as Darth Maladi had ordered while others spat their hate filled words at him. More threats of treason.. of death. Inside the Cathar silently seethes at the threats and insults. Didn’t they see the floor shifting in the dark.. the men and women crawling ravenously at gaps in the floor..? Didn’t they see the grate lifting before Terrogate had put three into the thing trying to emerge from the darkness below? And yet they would rather stand around blaming each other… blaming him.

Perhaps at his trial he will inform the remainder of the Council and the Empress how their group was led so blindly into a potentially life threatening situation by several of the Dark council themselves. And how despite their combined power they had utterly failed to detect the danger they had put the royal family in.

Terrogate would also be sure to mention the lack of action by certain others in their group, and of course the stupidity of one grand moff who somehow managed to get himself shot standing several feet away from a blaster pointed downwards into the openings of a grated floor.

None of it mattered though, and the Cathar said nothing in reply to anyone safe for two words. “Behind you!” Terrogates eyes darted behind Corruss to the creature that had broken free to the surface. Hopefully the Grand Procurator who was too preoccupied giving threats than paying attention to his surroundings would be able to handle himself as the Cathar now had a different target in mind as he also had heard Erastus in trouble.. “Get them off me! Get them off!” Terrogate makes no move to catch the Moff who was coming towards him as he had now had a choice to make of who to try and help.

Terrogate lunges at top speed towards Erastus and the near 7foot 117kg of pure warrior muscle attempts to wrap his arms around the Lord as he moves, trying to physically lift him, prying him free of the things clawing at his body and then carrying him to safety.

\*\*\*\*\*

Corruss strode toward the thing that had risen up from the grates, choosing to switch from his rifle to something a bit easier to deal with in close quarters. From his left wrist slid out a metal blade, one that quickly lit up and began humming as the plasma edged sword came to life. As he approached, he glared at Terrogate charged past him, obviously disregarding a wounded Councillor. "Terrogate, know that when this is over I will be charging you with dereliction of duty, at MINIMUM." With that, he moved in for the attack. He ran for the creature, and as he thrust the blade toward its throat he activated the unit on his back, giving a brief boost in speed to empower his strike further.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Grand Moff Delrus Killran

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. An invisible hand lifted him into the air, and for a brief moment he could feel himself floating. Then, he was thrust towards Terrogate.

But the Cathar did not catch him. Instead, he moved out of the way. And now, Killran was flying unprotected towards the wall.

He slammed into the wall, his head impacting on the surface. For a brief moment, there was no pain. He couldn’t quite tell where he was. The room was spinning, or was he spinning. Everything seemed blurry, all the people that he had been certain were there now just vague shapes in the distance. Then an intense throbbing pain began to pound inside his head.

He instinctively raised his left hand to where the source of the pain was, and he felt a warm liquid begin to flow down his hand. He knew what it was before he looked at it- his own blood. He tried to stand, but when he moved, the dizziness returned. His right hand was still wrapped around his blaster.

If he somehow made it out of this, he was going to skin that cat alive for leaving him to slam into the wall.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Pravum

Location: Corridors, Haddon Station

Kolasi’s voice cut through the rancor of battle. “I need your lightsaber or I’m bound to walk into a wall. Come on.”

Pravum had a decision to make. On the one hand, it was indeed his job to protect Primordius. On the other, Erastus and Deianara were also part of his mandate. The lumbering beast-man was taking care of Erastus, or at least attempting to; but, given his ineffectual efforts thus far in protecting the group, Pravum couldn’t just assume that he’d do it successfully.

As for Deianara, she’d taken off and Maladi had gone after her. Pravum cursed under his breath. “Shiraya help you, Erastus.”, Pravum thought to himself as he decided he had to protect the children.

He darted forward, his lightsaber bathing the corridor in a magenta glow. “Come on, Kolasi. If we hurry, we can catch up to Maladi, and hopefully Deianara too.”

Silently, he prayed that for the first time today the Cathar would be successful in his attempt to help, and save Erastus.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi, Erastus, and the Twins

Cantina Corridor, Haddon Station

Maladi caught up with Deianara, taking her hand before pulling her up into her arms. “Do not stray from our sight, Princess. We will not let harm come to you,” she purred, briefly holding a lithe hand to the girl’s cheek. She pulled her saber again from her belt and ignited it with her free hand.

It cast a glow on the approaching Kolasi. Primordius was in her arms. He was gazing up at the ceiling, entranced by something Maladi could not see. His fear had not settled, in fact he hiccuped, as if he were about to begin crying again.

-~-

With a few tugs of his powerful arms, Terrogate had managed to pull Erastus free from the clawing hands.  But as Erastus clambered to his feet and attempted to catch his breath before running towards the others, he noticed the Grand Moff was lying in the corridor.

Erastus was a good soul, and though fear was coursing through his veins, he could not just leave the Grand Moff to suffer. “Lady Maladi! My lady!” He called, trying to gently help the Grand Moff sit up.

Maladi heard the summons, his call echoing off the corridor’s walls. She contemplated not attending, but decided that Pravum was far too frail to handle the creatures alone. She offered Deianara to Pravum - and would set her down on the floor, if he was obstinate enough to refuse - and strode back down the hall with lightsaber ignited. Deianara reached to Primordius as she strode away, moving to hold his hand. Primordius looked up at Kolasi with wide eyes. “Thank you,” he said, his voice small. “You’re very nice.”

That was when Maladi saw the scene. “Terrogate, Corruss,” she exclaimed, “Retrieve the grand moff at once.”

She grabbed Erastus’ arm, pulling him back towards the group and then shoving him forward. He stumbled towards the group waiting in the shadows.

The grates were still rattling. Perhaps two of them had been killed. Many more were below. It appeared the grates were getting looser.

Another creature burst up through the metal. And then another. That is when she decided to simply grab the grand moff herself, augmenting her strength with what little reserves of force power she had. She helped him limp down the corridor, hoping the other two would follow.

They had not managed to eliminate any significant number of the creatures. They would just keep coming until they escaped to safety. The entrance had to be somewhat close. But was it close enough? She set the grand moff down, applying pressure with bare hand to his wound. It was all she had, in the moment.

A growl echoed behind them, then a second. The sound of wet footsteps on metal followed. Not just one pair. Multiple. The beings were not giving up.

They would have to kill them.

\*\*\*\*\*

Darth Maladi doubles back after telling Terrogate and Corruss initially retrieve the Grand Moff as she approaches them. The large Cathar knight is instantly reminded of the physical weakness some humans possessed as the man had crashed hard into the wall doing himself a slight case of head trauma. Hopefully it wasn’t as bad as it looked, but by the smell of the blood in the air it probably was. \*Perhaps he should have just asked for my help to start with?\* Terrogate thinks remembering it was Lord Pravum who decided to suddenly pull the Moff off the ground by way of telekinesis and throw him across the hall.

Relieved now to have successfully pulled Erastus free of the creatures and then to see Corruss had also successfully done something other than threaten to lay charges against the one Terrogate had alerted him to, the Cathars mind dares to think of the possibility of a potential escape..

It was a moment that was short lived as then Darth Maladi after pulling Erastus away from the immediate danger she now doubles back and decides herself to grab the Moff and then retreat into the corridor.

Terrogate’s ears prick up at the again familiar sound of steel moving free and he turns to look, another two of the creatures had risen from below with more of the floor shifting and flexing in various spots.

The Cathar ignited his already held lightsaber, it’s yellow glow highlighting his golden fur and mane, then stepping forwards Terrogste thrusts with a forward stab into the closest of the two beings aiming directly at its face.. With his other hand he reaches out palm facing forwards to the other creature and sends a telekinetic force wave trying to create separation between Corruss and the creature that had appeared. “We need to go now Corruss…we’ve got more company on the way..”

Terrogate then turns and quickly follows Darth Maladi down the hall toward the others not waiting for the Grand Procurator to catch up to him he removes his second twin yellow lightsaber and ignites it with the familiar crackling hiss of the energy blade coming to life. Ready to cut down any who would dare come close.

The noise in the distance behind them was horrible, they were being stalked by a mob of these unholy godless beasts..  The Cathar knew he may need to fight to allow the children to escape, and he was ready to lay down his life if need be. He was only hoping the other Lords were willing to do the same if need be. “They are coming up on us real fast.” Said the Cathar closing in to Darth Maladis and the Moffs location. The others seem to have gone on ahead.

The Moff looked in a bad way sat on the floor of the corridor.. Terrogate slows and readies himself for combat, focusing his mind as he was trained to do.. this could be the time to make that stand if he was so ordered, and he would be ready for them..

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

The Sith Lady drew her blade and used it to strip a large piece of Erastus’ cape. He protested, but she balled it up and shoved it at the Grand Vizier - ignoring his protests. “Apply pressure to his wound and bring him to safety,” she said. “It seems to be quite severe.”

Erastus did as she asked, shutting his eyes tightly. Blood was always unsettling to him. He tried to ignore the churning in his gut as his hand firmly held the cloth to the Grand Moff’s scalp.

She glanced down the corridor. There seemed to be light at the end...

The others were mostly with them. But not Corruss. She contemplated returning for him. But. He had a power suit. He was not unarmed. The chances of one of them becoming victims to the creatures was too high.

She made her way ahead in the corridor, lightsaber still illuminating her way. Sure enough, it curved again and spilled out into a darkened courtyard. A fountain trickled at the middle, a strange sculpture of dangling silver above it. It was better than the closed space they were in. They would have to find a way to obstruct the corridor they came from...before the creatures could follow.

\*\*\*\*\*

Maladi draws her blade but after tending to the Moff but instead of joining Terrogate she opts to flee, turning and continuing to lead the others down the corridor. She must have seen something, a way out perhaps. They needed more time with how slowly the Moff was moving.

With the growing noise echoing towards them from down the Dark hall Terrogate knew there were many of the creatures approaching and without the help of Darth Maladi, Pravum or Sol there to support him, even Terrogate and all his martial prowess would be stretched to come out alive against such numbers.

Trying to think on his feet the Cathar looks down at the floor and sees the steel grate, below it the darkness of the trench underneath and an idea hits him light a lightning bolt to the brain.

Quickly he moves to the edge of the grete floor and inserts his sabers down into the steel.. the metal quickly glowing red and melting around the blade. The Knight then moves backwards several meters and across the hall cutting through a large section of floor weakening it considerably. The Cathar hears the thumping of feet running at full sprint towards him. Terrogate lifts his eyes expecting the creatures to be soon him but it was Carruss, the armoured man ran straight towards then past Terrogate following the path of Maladi and the others.

The metal floor flexing and springing, threatening to give way like a large trap door even with only the weight of Carruss as he ran. Terrogate, now satisfied with the plan looks up into the darkness… just in time to see the crazed horde of nightmarish creatures approaching the black eyes searching for him.

Terrogate deactivates his sabers and waits for them to come at him, standing steady and holding his position as they approach him.. his palms turned upwards and pointed at the ground in front of him.. the trap door designed to slow their advance.

Terrogate waited as long as he could, the closest creatures of the grouped mob snarling and arms extended now barely only a two meters away with the remainder of the horde closely following it, intent on death. The floor under the gathering beast's feet started to groan and flex and bend downwards, failing under the weight of the many body’s now on it..

It was now the Cather knight decided to send a almighty force push aimed downwards and at the legs of those standing on the trap and the trap itself. Terrogate would attempt to send them back under the floor in a massive writhing heap and then turn and run to follow Carruss and the others down the corridor.

Hopefully this would buy them some valuable time to get to safety.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate leans over with his hands on his knees regaining his breath. “\*just what in the four moons has just happened in there?” he thinks to himself. He had the trap set, it was strategically sound.. But when he tried to activate the force push to ensure it would succeed totally the force had then failed him.

Terrogate stands upright sucking in the cool air and looks at his hands.. He had felt it, the familiar surge of power.. It wasn't as strong as usual, but he HAD felt it. But then… Nothing! Instead the knight was forced to activate his saber and drop while tuning to avoid the creature's outstretched hands, slashing at their knee height as he spun and then sprinted off without even waiting to see if his plan had worked.

He was only lucky the adrenaline and natural Cathar speed allowed him to catch up to Carruss and they had both barely managed to enter the courtyard only moments before darth Maladi had sealed the exit with a giant statue. The Cathar tries to shake the feeling of emptiness that had formed, \*”It must have something to do with the creatures” he thinks to himself, the memory of the many black eyes charging towards him flashes through his mind sending a cold shiver down his spine.

After a few moments to collect himself Iron Knight Terrogate refocuses on the now and looks around, it is still dark out here but at least not as dark as inside. His feline eyes easily adjusted to the difference in light levels and once again the night now seemed like day to him. Looking around he sees several paths and a balcony where all available options for a potential way out.

He was also relieved to see everyone in the group had made it out alive, the Grand Moff Killran seemingly the only one to have taken any injuries and the children were even playing. Terrogates eyes scan to Lady Kolasi and it was clear by her focused expression she was casting some kind of spell on the children. \*”Smart” thinks to himself, during his training as a personal guard he was always told your assignment is almost always easier to protect when they are relaxed. And the large brutish knight nods slightly in approval.

Feeling his breathing now restored to normal Terrogate now with sabers holstered walks up to the obvious one who had taken on the leadership role, Darth Maladi. “I can climb easily enough my Lady.. Would you like me to check out the balcony? See if there is a way out of here?” he asked in his deep growling voice, head motioning to the open balcony.

His three & a half inch long razor sharp claws then protracted and the Knight raises his hands for Darth Maladi to see in the red glow of her lightsaber.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

The woman looked up at Terrogate. If he was volunteering to climb the balcony, she would not tell him no. “Yes. Go,” she said, returning her attention to searching.

That was until her ears picked up the sound of Valac’s modulated voice and Killran’s response. She turned. “Do we have communications re-established?”

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate nodded in reply to the Dark Lady and turned on his heels making his way across the courtyard and over to the building. Leaving himself a ten meter run up the Cathar extended his several-inch long razor sharp claws on both hands and looked up at the target.

Taking in a deep breath and focusing himself the Cathar runs at full speed towards the wall of the building and leapt upwards, his claws and powerful muscles catching the impurities and digging into the building's external wall before pushing off again, using his upwards thrusting momentum to scale the wall.

A meter away from the balcony Terrogate leaps and catches the edge of the balcony, immediately  pulling himself up and onto the landing. The door was open, curtains moving softly in the nights breeze. Terrogate tried to listen for noise? Smells the air.. searching for that rank smell of death he had picked up during the attack in the corridor..

The Cathar immediately reaches for one of his two lightsabers and removes it from his belt, igniting it and bathing himself in the yellow glow of its energy beam. Slowly stepping forward the Knight uses his other hand to pull back the curtain, hoping to find a way out…

…

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Grand Moff Delrus Killran

He winced slightly as the Empress’ voice bellowed out of the comm.

“If my children are harmed in any way, Grand Moff, I can assure you all will never see daylight again.”

“Well, at least we know the Empress is safe…”

He said, trying to sound upbeat. Realising attempting to lift spirits was futile, he looked up at the ceiling, sighing.

“I wasn’t the one that nearly shot Primordius, that was Terrogate…”

He muttered to himself, and then, he realised that he hadn’t actually deactivated the comm, meaning that if someone was listening on the other end, they would’ve heard that last remark. He took his finger off of the transmit button.

“I wouldn’t want to be Terrogate right now…”

He realised he wasn’t still 100% recovered from his head trauma. He looked back at his datapad to see if that map had transmitted over yet.

\*\*\*\*\*\*

IC: The Empress

“He...what?!” She exclaimed, nearly falling out of Nihl’s grasp. He had to grab her, mumbling to her in warning as she wriggled free for the third time. She was overexerting, certainly, but in that moment she did not care. She took the comlink off Valac’s belt herself and ignored his instruction to hold. It dinged as she grabbed it, likely the transfer of the map complete. She swayed, putting the comm back up to her lips. Nihl looked wholly unamused.

“Grand Moff. The map is sent. Where are you? Where are my children?”

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

Terrogate was headed up to the balcony, and the twins were amused by whatever illusions Kolasi had concocted. Killran seemed to be more with it, as well. Now, they had contact with the Empress.

That just left defending the plaza they were at from any more of the creatures. It was so far not a monumental task...but Maladi had not ignored the conversation between Killran and Valac. There were changelings. Which meant any of them could be someone they were not.

She eyed all of them, watching their behaviour, carefully judging every single move they made.

She paced the length of the plaza continuing to do just that.

“Grand Moff, when you have the map, I must see it. The rest of you, we must ensure we are not going to be surrounded. We have only obstructed one of the four doorways. The corridors may just be filled with more.”

Erastus nodded, but remained motionless. Not only could he not provide much help with fending off the zombies, he was feeling exhausted now. Maybe the entire situation was getting to him. Plus, he had overheard the conversation between the Empress and the Grand Moff... He was going to be in trouble.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Carruss

The corridor they came from currently remained empty, the late arriving Cathar aside. The Grand Procurator would never admit this to anyone outside of the Council, but he had silently wrestled with "accidentally" grazing Terrogate. Though judging by the communication he was currently hearing, the Sith likely had far worse in his future. He holstered and safetied his blaster, then approached Killran, taking the datapad. "Rest, Killran. You may yet still need your remaining strength. He began inputting coordinates as he spoke into his own comm. "Hail my liege, this is the Grand Procurator speaking. Your children remain unharmed, they are here with us, being cared for by Lady Kolasi and Lord Erastus. I've just sent our coordinates to you." He walked to Lady Maladi and handed the map to her. "The courtyard we are using for refuge currently is clear of threats, but we do not know how long that will last. We are beginning to work on possible fortifications." He looked up at the Cathar on the balcony. "TERROGATE! Quit skulking around up there! We need all the help we can get down here!"

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

Maladi turned to the Grand Procurator. She looked rather unimpressed.

“No. I instructed him to inspect it only a moment ago, Lord Procurator. It is a useful vantage.”

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Pravum

Location: Plaza, Haddon Station

As Pravum cleared the hallway, he felt his strength in the Force returning to him. "At last, I am alive.", he said aloud, ignoring Maladi's response.

Maladi had blocked off the door, and Pravum sought to fortify the defense. He outstretched his hands and focused on the Force. A loud screeching noise rang out from the center of the plaza as the fountain was slowly wrenched from its spot in the center of the plaza, water splashing out of it.

It rose into the air, and Pravum gritted his teeth as he turned the fountain sideways, so that its base was now vertical, and grunted with effort as he moved to place it in front of the door, making the hallway hopefully impassable.

Powers used: Telekinesis (4)

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate pauses briefly before pressing onwards into the room behind the open balcony window. In the otherwise silence of the courtyard the Artifex’s name was being shouted into the night.. "TERROGATE! Quit skulking around up there! We need all the help we can get down here!" It was Carruss, the Grand Procurator calling up to him.

The board feline warrior grimaces and clenches his jaw in frustration .. “\*Damnit Carruss don't you ever stop talking? Keep yelling out like that and we may as well just hand over the children and the Moff to those creatures right now.” he thinks to himself before shaking it off.

Even four thousand years ago on Cathar where Terrogate was trained it was a rule of thumb that when you're being hunted by an enemy, it was best practice to remain as quiet as possible. Hopefully there weren't more of these things hanging around after that.

There was silence for a brief moment and the Cathar breathed a small sigh of relief to himself as nothing, if anything possibly close by seemed to have noticed the yelling.

But the silence would only be very short lived as Lord Pravum then decided to pick up the large water fountain that the children were playing near.. A loud god awful screech echoed through the courtyard as the Lord pried the large fountain free, sending water spouting up into the air.. The Cathars ears that were previously on high alert rang out in pain from the sharp sound of the fountain breaking free..

Terrogate turned towards the noise to see what was happening but to his surprise and also utter confusion after realising what was happening, Lord Pravum had sent the huge fountain not towards a second of the four doorways that lead into the courtyard but had pushed it right up against Darth Maladis already placed huge stature! The one she had only just used to barricade the corridor the group had escaped from several minutes before.

Terrogate turns again back to the curtains and the room beyond refocusing on the job at hand, hoping this doubled up reinforcement hadn't just wasted a valuable resource for the group below and end up a critical error.

Once again Terrogate holds his ignited golden bladed saber in front of him.. With his other hand moves to push the curtains aside and peek inside, hoping to find something useful.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi

The Courtyard Plaza

Maladi was about to chastise Pravum for moving the fountain - though she had not been in its wake enough to end up drenched, the children, Erastus, and nearly everyone else had been. It had sloshed water all over, and now the pipes beneath sputtered onto the plaza as well as those nearby. She was lucky to have only gotten a little bit of artificial precipitation. She smoothed her now-damp hair and looked disdainfully at Lord Pravum. If she had wanted to go to the pools, she would have.

“Someone approaches,” she said, her lightsaber smacking into her palm. They were not these nebulous beings, for once, but powerful force sensitives. Dark siders, from what it seemed, though certainly they may not have been Sith.

Deianara and Primordius looked up as the Sith lady spoke. They had already been splashing in the puddles, running towards the sputtering remains of the fountain to play.  Erastus stood beside them, entirely drenched, and exceedingly unhappy. His shimmersilk outfit clung uncomfortably to his skin, his hair dripping onto the once-pristine white floors.

“What now?” He said, with exasperated tone, trying to now grab the children and looking honestly like he might cry.

The ones who approached now began to feel familiar, but there was now a changeling in the equation. Certainly the creatures could be using other tricks.

She stalked over to the closed eastern door and stood waiting to see who it was.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: The Empress and Darth Nihl

The corridors became even more familiar, the night sky soon visible. And then, they were stepping through the shattered doorway from earlier. The Empress was growing more weary; it was obvious in the way she moved down the halls. Nihl moved closer to her, guiding her. He whispered something, more of a murmur. She shook her head.

They continued regardless, the atrium up ahead - and the supposed plaza a hall beyond that. She could at least make it that far before stopping to rest.

A few paces further and she froze in the hallway, her head craning up. “The others,” she said, recognizing the signature of Lord Talonex. She said nothing more, only walking further from her escort as if she did not need it. She stopped one of the shadow guards, before they proceeded. “Your cloak,” she said, softly.

They quickly obliged, draping it over her shoulder. The wound in her leg would be evident, but not her back. She grimaced as the fabric fluttered against the raw skin, but after a few steps managed to keep it together.

“Come,” she said, attempting to stand taller, and take on imperious expression- and look less wan. The latter failed. It was obvious she was ill even from the sweat on her brow. Let alone the fact her walk swayed, her unsteadiness evident.

“Be cautious, Domina,” Nihl said, as they proceeded. He  looked back to Valac with a silent expression that seemed to say “watch her”.

~-~

IC: Lady Maladi, Erastus, and the Twins

“Lord Pravum, Lady Kolasi,” Maladi called, motioning from the doorway.

Maladi darted into the open hall as soon as she heard voices, her lightsaber ignited.

“No further,” she instructed, her crimson blade illuminating the hall and revealing her face to them. Her brow was furrowed, her tattooed lips parted in distaste. “Remain where you are and identify yourself.”

(GM note; she is speaking to Talonex’ group - Volshe’s isn’t near enough yet.)

\*\*\*\*\*

Water from the removed fountain spurts out over the gathered party outside as Terrogate enters the room beyond the balcony, he looks back over his shoulder for only a moment before then returning his attention to the room.

It was lavish, well furnished, a guest room similar to his own he checked into. There didn’t seem to be anyone else here from what he could tell and it didn’t look like the room had been occupied recently either. The bed was made and no bags of other signs of guests were visible.

Terrogate deactivates his lightsaber and then scans the room for anything he could take that may be of use.

Unable to find much in the bedroom, the Cathar heads straight to the bathroom and pulls all three towels from the cupboard. He then opens the vanity drawer and finds a small sewing kit which he also takes and places in his pocket.

Terrogate walked back into the bedroom and was about to search the kitchenette draws when he overheard Darth Maladi calling out from outside.

“Lord Pravum, Lady Kolasi!” Terrogate ears twitch.. Something was happening. Terrogate quickly opens the room's small fridge and snatches up two small bars of chocolate and two double shot serving bottles of vodka from the minibar, he then stands and picks up the three towels and rushes back to the balcony.

It seemed that some others were approaching them, but Darth Maladi had disappeared into one of the open corridor doors.

Terrogate jumps down from the balcony, landing light on his feline feet.  Looking around he notices Deianara and Primordius standing next to a petrified looking Erastus.  The Grand Moff was still sitting on the ground wounded and Carruss was also present.

The iron knight strides confidently across the courtyard towards Lord Sallacine and the children. Once close enough he hands the Lord one of the bottles of vodka. “Drink this m’lord.” he says and then also hands him a dry towel from the room.

Terrogate then kneels, getting to the height of the Deianara and Primordius and pulls out the chocolate bars, giving one each to the kids and wrapping a towel around each of them.

Standing once more to his full 6’10” height he nods at Erastus before turning and walking over to where the Moff was sitting on the ground, hair and foot bloodied. Terrogate smiles a wide toothy, perhaps to some unsettling grin to the water soaked little man in the nice uniform sitting in the mud.

The Cathar then pulls out the sewing kit and the second bottle of vodka from his pocket. “Say, Grand Procurator” Terrogate calls in his deep growling voice over to where Carruss was sitting g. “Do you have any basic field medical experience? Grand Moff Killran seems to be bleeding still.”

\*\*\*\*\*

(This post shall ignore all godmoded actions taken by Terrogate.

And my characters name is CORRUSS. Not "Carruss". Do not misspell it again.)

The Grand Procurator approached the Cathar. His rifle gripped tightly in his hands, his voice growling out as he spoke. "Yes, the Moff certainly is injured, thanks to you. You, who have been nothing but a thorn in the side of this group, whose reckless disregard for common sense on a battlefield nearly KILLED a child of our Empress. Who even now refuses to afford a member of the Council a SINGLE modicum of respect, and yet still thought HIMSELF worthy of ascending. You who continues to make demands and test the patience of the man who currently has your fate beyond this cursed station in his hands. So here is what you are going to do now."

He pointed at Killran. "You are going to keep him stable. You are going to give him all he requires WITHOUT question. WITHOUT sass. Do this and maybe, just MAYBE I will grant you a crumb of mercy. Fail?" He chuckles as he disengages his helmet, showing the ice cold fury in his eyes and the mirthless, near predatory grin spread across his face. "Fail... and I shall make sure the Empress rains every torture, every torment upon you, and hangs your flayed corpse from every dark corner of the Galaxy. That is my promise to you, Terrogate. Now get to work, boy."

He re-engaged his helmet and strode off, joining the others at standing ready for the coming unknown.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Grand Moff Delrus Killran

Haddon Station, Bespin

Could this day get any worse? So far he had been shot, possibly concussed, and now he was soaking wet and freezing, thanks to Lord Pravum. And then, to top it all off, Terrogate sauntered over to him, grinning down at him. His knuckles went white with anger as he curled both hands tightly into a fist.

He was just about to speak up when the Grand Procurator stepped up and unleashed a tirade against the Cathar Sith. Killran suddenly felt a newfound liking for the man.

He looked up at Terrogate, still unsure of the man. His actions had been strange, and he still didn’t trust him one bit. Slowly, he stood up and got to his feet, slightly unsteady, but able to hold his own weight. He took out his blaster and checked to see that it was functional.

“I’m feeling a bit more myself, now. But, oh dear. It seems my blaster is malfunctioning slightly. Terrogate, I will need yours. Now.”

It was a lie, but he knew that Terrogate would be unable to call him out on it with the Grand Procurator already baying for blood. The truth was, he just wanted to ensure the Cathar didn’t get trigger happy again. He held his hand out expectantly as he holstered his pistol.

\*\*\*\*\*\*

Iron knight Terrogate stands stone faced looking down to the Grand Procurator as he unloads his pent up frustrations on the knight. The braying egotistical words of the man standing in his power suit did nothing to either impress or intimidate the warrior knight. All of his show and staged bravado added absolutely nothing worthwhile for the group's immediate protection or to lead them to safety. A self indulgent waste of valuable time, the Cathar wondering if he was even taking this threat seriously?

After barking his orders and his promise of being able to make the Empress do his bidding Corruss moves away, standing next to the others. Leaving the injured Moff at Terrogates feet.

Unfortunately for Corruss and his list of demands the Cathars immediate and overriding order was still to protect the children, an order given to him by Darth Maladi and Lord Pravum. And even more unfortunately for the Grand Moff, it was this order that Terrogate still planned on following if any threat showed itself and he needed to make that choice again. After all Moffs were replaceable, heirs to the galactic Empire however were not.

After the Grand Procurator stormed off Terrogate then turned, otherwise unphased towards the Grand Moff.

The Moff looks up to Terrogate, the Cathar feeling the intense anger resonating off him. The wounded man gets to his feet, pulling his blaster from its holster and Terrogates eyes immediately lock onto it, his hand moving gently towards his belt. His fingertips brushing lightly over one of his twin sabers in case the Moff was foolishly looking to use it.

The Moff then plays around with his blaster and exclaims that it is malfunctioning and orders Terrogate to give him his weapon. The Cathar was unimpressed by this poor attempt to fool him, Terrogate after all owned and operated a weapons and ammunition’s store. It was the reason he had decided to come here in the first place, the Moff hadn’t even pulled the trigger with the safety off for his blaster to register a malfunction. Even his attempted lie was pathetic. His anger flowing in the force in total contrast to his words or tone.

“As you wish.” Says the Cathar brightly and removes the custom T6 blaster from his back holster. It was the one he used in their defence, handing it to the Moff. “Although you’ll probably find that yours may still be ok if you try to fire it.”

Sick of wasting time and leaving an unguarded entry to their position, Terrogate then turns on his heels and walks away from the Moff. He strides confidently towards the 3rd and still unguarded entrance into the courtyard. The balcony it seemed was not in any immediate danger after his inspection. If the Moff had been looking he would notice that the Cathar had actually brought 2 blasters with him. A still fully loaded second T6 still holstered on his lower back.

Drawing one of his sabers and igniting it, Terrogate moves to the doorway to guard it. He could feel two familiar force signatures approaching, and he smiled. They were alive…

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi, Darth Nihl, ...and the Empress

(the whole shebang 🤣 )

It was a moment later that Maladi’s eyes briefly widened, and she dropped to a kneel. “Hail, your majesty,” she intoned, waiting for her signal to rise. It came a moment later, along with a signal to every other who knelt reverently at her arrival.

She strode past the group seemingly being inspected, her limp still very much evident. Nihl was at her side until the plaza’s entrance. And then, he stopped. Her children were running towards her, Erastus following at a much slower pace.

“Mama, mama!” They yelled, excitement in their voices. They instantly clutched to her skirts, Deianara looking up to see the wrappings. She looked up to her mother, concern in her eyes. “What happened, mama?”

“Nothing, my dear, do not worry about it,” she replied, softly, bending down and gently caressing her cheek. “Both of you, stay with Erastus,” she said, rising and looking around the plaza. They were all there, it seemed. The children obliged, making their way over to Erastus. She shot the Grand Vizier a very deadly glare, golden eyes swirling with irritation.

She turned to face Maladi, briefly, nodding towards the twins. She obliged silently, following behind them at a slow pace.

“Knight Terrogate,” she called, seeing him standing near the plaza door. Erastus she could chastise privately. This man...she had heard more than enough through the comm. For a moment, she thought about killing him - but she was nothing if not fair, and she would at least allow the Cathar a chance to explain why her children had been endangered. “Is there a reason you nearly shot my child?”

She did not approach him, she stood firmly in place, cloak wrapped about her. The one who approached was Nihl. He stepped past Terrogate, as if he were inspecting the door frame. Instead, he turned to the Cathar with voice a growl. “Answer her, boy, and you may yet live.”

\*\*\*\*\*

“Knight Terrogate!” Terrogate had felt the presence even before he had heard the words. Turning to kneel and bow instantly in the presence of the Empress. “Hail my Empress”. He says bringing his hand to his heart.

“Is there a reason you nearly shot my child?” She asks, the Cathar does not move for a moment shocked at the question. He then hears the feet, and feels the presence of a powerful Sith approaching him and then moving behind him.

Obviously someone had reported back with this misinformation as soon as the Empress arrived at their location. Possibly looking to deflect any blame from themselves for putting the group in danger or their own failure to act.

The Knight was not stupid, this was as pivotal and as dangerous a moment as going toe to toe with the incoming horde of creatures. His life would hang on his words but Terrogate as always, would speak the truth.

“Answer her, boy, and you may yet live.” Says the one standing behind him. It was a males voice, but one the Cathar did not recognise.

Terrogate raises his eyes, replaying the memory in his head. Remembering the black eyes of the creatures pushing up through the steel floor. And the unholy laughter in the darkness.. a chill runs up his spine.

“My Empress. We were led into a corridor with a steel grated floor. I was covering the rear of the group, Darth Maladi had taken point. The power had failed and we were traveling in darkness but for the glow of a lightsaber to lead the way.” The Knights words were even and matter of fact. His tone though was solemn and a hint of fear in his face as he starts to remember the creatures.

“Before we knew it, many hands came up from the floor pushing and clawing at us, the steel grates under us shifting and moving. The Grand Moff and Lord Sallacine were caught. The others may not have been able to see in the dark but I could see everything. Below us were nightmarish creatures gathered in the service tunnels below. There were dozens of them, eyes... black as the void, and they were ravenous.. unholy.. things of nightmares my Empress.”

The knight's voice trailed off slightly before clearing his throat and then returning to his explanation. “There was panic, many of the things tried to surface. I was still a few meters away from the main group when I first fired down into the things below. Trying to at least take a few out, hoping to possibly scare them off or get them to release the Moff and the Grand Vizier….anything to draw them away from the group so we could try and escape.

I called out to the group to alert them to the threat from below, I told them to move forwards quickly. It was then as I lifted my head to the group to see what else I could do to ensure their safety that I saw it my Empress.

One of the creatures, pushing desperately against the floor next to young Primordius. The devil's black eyes fixed solely on the child. None of the others seemed to have noticed in the darkness and the chaos. I was too far away to use my saber but had a good look at it. With my blaster already drawn I took aim at the creature and did what I had to. I fired three times at its head, sending the beast back down under the floor.”

Terrogate looked over at the children, an involuntary soft smile crossed his maw for the most brief of moments before he looked back to the Empress and bowed his head once more waiting for what was to follow..

He had spoken his truth, whether the Empress believed it or not was another story. If she didn’t, he would expect a saber across his neck. But at least he would die knowing he did what he could and for now at least, the children were safe.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: The Empress

She listened to the Cathar’s tale in its entirety, not judging him until its conclusion. It was quite a difficult task - she was irate, already, from the tales she had been told. Far more importantly, she was pained by the wounds they could not see.

She exhaled, her hands rising to her waist. She believed some of it - but other parts stood out to her. No matter. He would be left alive. With creatures of seeming dark alchemy aboard, the more distractions away from high value targets...the better. And he was a rather large distraction.

“I am not sure if your story is a result of great stupidity or greater ignorance, Knight,” she began, approaching only two strides. Her tone was pure ice, there was no kindness in it. The kindness he received was his being allowed to live. “You wield a firearm and yet, you evidently do not wield it with discipline. Your grave errors could have cost the life of my child - or one of my council. I invite you to attend remedial education on this subject once we are free from this goddess-forsaken station.”

She strode past him, back towards her children. “You, and the others of your rank, will go ahead to the next section. This way,” her hand raised to point at the darkened hallway to the east. “There is a medical bay and the Administrator’s quarters. We will follow at safe distance.”

She turned to the others. They all looked rather worse for wear - either soaked, bruised, bloodied, or utterly exhausted. There was no slowing, now. They needed to either restore communications or find transportation. And she was feeling unwell enough with her injuries she wished it to be soon.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Grand Moff Delrus Killran

Location: Haddon Station

Killran immediately dropped to one knee as the Empress entered, and said nothing, listening as she interrogated Terrogate over the latter’s stupidity.

He confessed that he was slightly upset there was no immediate punishment, as the Cathar was the reason his blonde hair now had blood red highlights and that his lower leg was badly burned  by blaster fire.

But, the Empress word was law. It seemed that Terrogate would evade punishment for now, though he had a funny feeling the Grand Procurator would still be charging him with something after all of this was done.

“Hail the Empress.”

He said weakly after she had finished with Terrogate, not knowing if she had heard him or not. He quickly checked over the blaster the Cathar had reluctantly given him, it seemed to be in good working order, though for a pistol it was extremely bulky.

\*\*\*\*\*

The Empress's words cut into him and stung his pride like a hot knife dipped in acid. Behind her he hears Darth Kolasi scoffing and insisting he had knowingly fired at her and the Empress's child.

Terrogate of course would never do such a thing and was fully confident that deciding to take the shot he had saved the child from the creature and perhaps even Lady Kolasi herself but there was no point in trying to argue so he remained silent.

Terrogate breathes the cool night air deeply and closes his eyes as the Empress moves several steps closer, the Knight now readying himself for the impending killing stroke.

His mind thinks of Mab as he listens to the Empress… this was it. Over four thousand years he had survived, floating through the vastness of space, caught in stasis after escaping Mandalore's armies and these would now be his last moments.. His time was finally up, the large knight lowering his head a little more and fully exposing his thick fury neck to the sith beside him. Waiting for the crackling sound of a lightsaber to ignite. Hopefully he would be afforded a clean death at the least.

But then something happened that he did not expect.... “I invite you to attend remedial education on this subject once we are free from this goddess-forsaken station…”

It took a moment for his mind to register what was happening right now. Was he? Was he being spared..?

Terrogate, still somewhat stunned, opened his eyes and slowly raised his head. There were no tears but there was clearly much relief in his face.

The Empress gave him his new orders and strode off towards her children. Terrogate stood slowly.. “Th..Thank you my Empress. Off of course.. I won’t let you down.” He said, the adrenaline of the moment now flowing through his system and causing him to stutter slightly.

Quickly Terrogate stood and straightened himself, glancing just briefly to the dark man standing next to him, he’d never seen anyone like that before, but he refused to let his eyes linger.

Turning his eyes away from the stranger he started striding immediately towards the east Corridor. In the corner of his vision he sees Ziyal and Lords Talonex and SuchliliMu. He glances at them and nods in acknowledgment, inside wanting to approach his housemates. To tell them of his tale, to see if they had experienced anything similar? It was in these times that Tollere would normally rally together and endure, but he had been given orders to scout ahead, and that is exactly what he would do.

Stopping only to wait for the other knights to join him, taking his sabers in hand and entering the dark corridor leading to the medical bay and the Administrator’s quarters, Terrogate walks at a slow and steady pace forwards. Ears perked and senses heightened he pressed onwards, ready for any more of the dark creatures to come at him. “That was a close one” he thinks to himself. “Better not kriff this up again.” For deep inside he knew, there would be no second chances.

\*\*\*\*\*

From where she had been standing, the Nightsister heard most of the conversation between the Divine Mother and her housemate Terrogate. Her sensitive ears twitched in shock when she heard he supposedly had endangered the children and council members. It was hard to believe he had done such a thing.

Her heart skipped a beat, waiting for the worst outcome; that he'd be killed on the spot, they were Sith after all. But to her surprise he was spared and instead was ordered to scout ahead with others of his rank..

Her silver eyes followed him walk towards the east corridor, but no one else seemed to join. She didn't know most of them but as the Sephi gazed around the courtyard, she figured that there probably were no other knights present. Having received no orders herself Ziyal turned to the Count and Lord SuchililMu who stood closeby. "Mastet, I will join Knight Terrogate and scout ahead" she said with determination. 'House Tollere should stick together' she thought to herself as she made a bow to the two Dark Lords and turned to join the Cathar.

As she walked to the east corridor, the Nightsister began to recite another spell. Hoping that this one would prove more useful against the creatures they were facing. At least she should be able to see in the dark and hopefully heightened her sense of smell.

Abilities used:

Sense of the Veshet spell 3

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: The Empress, the One, the Twins, and Erastus

The Plaza

She waited for the others to scout ahead. Provided they made it a fair distance without any noticeable consequences, they would pursue shortly.

The twins were not able to be wrangled by Erastus for long. They eventually grew impatient, running back to their mother and chattering to her about everything that had happened. They were, in fact, the only ones who  explained to her what happened. Other than Terrogate, who seemed to give a very...theatrical overview of everything thus far. If it was even a fair assessment.

She led the children with her, each one with a hand in hers, trying her best to not show that she was injured. Thus far, none of them had noticed. Except perhaps Maladi and Erastus - both who seemed to be eyeing her suspiciously. She intended to maintain that illusion.

She approached the far doors and waited, listening, for anything up ahead.

There was no noise.

Terrogate and the others with him would find there was nothing except another tall, darkened corridor. No sigh of anyone - or anything - ahead. The corridors branched off occasionally, but it was largely straight on.

A large sign flickered a few metres in the distance, with a symbol of the medical wing as well as a second arrow that explained the Baron’s offices were straight ahead. It was the only light - the rest was murky blackness.

\*\*\*\*\*

From where she had been standing, the Nightsister heard most of the conversation between the Divine Mother and her housemate Terrogate. Her sensitive ears twitched in shock when she heard he supposedly had endangered the children and council members. It was hard to believe he had done such a thing.

Her heart skipped a beat, waiting for the worst outcome; that he'd be killed on the spot, they were Sith after all. But to her surprise he was spared and instead was ordered to scout ahead with others of his rank..

Her silver eyes followed him walk towards the east corridor, but no one else seemed to join. She didn't know most of them but as the Sephi gazed around the courtyard, she figured that there probably were no other knights present. Having received no orders herself Ziyal turned to the Count and Lord SuchililMu who stood closeby. "Mastet, I will join Knight Terrogate and scout ahead" she said with determination. 'House Tollere should stick together' she thought to herself as she made a bow to the two Dark Lords and turned to join the Cathar.

As she walked to the east corridor, the Nightsister began to recite another spell. Hoping that this one would prove more useful against the creatures they were facing. At least she should be able to see in the dark and hopefully heightened her sense of smell.

Abilities used:

Sense of the Veshet spell 3

\*\*\*\*\*

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate smiles in the darkness of the corridor as the Sephi approaches. “It’s good to see you Ziyal. I know I said I would see you later, but I had wished it was under better circumstances.”

The Cathar slowed a little to allow her to catch up to him.

“I'm sorry you had to witness that back there.”

He continued, somehow now feeling ashamed in front of his housemate. Not for his actions as such his convictions were still strong, but how the very public outcome may have reflected on his house, on her and on Dorrian too.”

The corridor was dark but Terrogates feline vision once again made it so he was able to see just fine, ahead as well as below there seemed to be no danger. The only sign of life was a flickering sign up ahead, he could pick up no other noise save for his housemate and nothing warning him of the creatures he had encountered earlier.

“It seems we are being hunted” he said breaking the awkwardness, “these…. things we ran into in the corridor earlier. They don’t recognise the Empires authority, they don’t understand reason or threats of danger and for some reason… the force itself seems to disappear around them, as if they are void of life.” Terrogate warns as he peaks around another hall branching off from their location. “Sabers seem to work just fine on them though...” he added letting the last words linger, “You probably think I’ve lost my mind.” He chuckled nervously.

He walks slowly forwards hoping that Ziyal wouldn’t think he’s gone completely mad.

He waits to hear if she has experienced anything similar… the medical wing sign passes overhead along with a secondary arrow pointing dead ahead indicating to the Barons offices, they weren’t far now, they others would be wanting to follow them.

Terrogate ignites his lightsabers, hoping whoever was coming up behind them first would be able to see the golden yellow energy blades in the darkness, signalling the so-far safe passage.

\*\*\*\*\*

Her heels clicked on the floor, echoing into the darkness and back as abs caught up with the Cathar Knight. Quietly, Ziyal listened to her housemate speak as her eyes scanned the corridor. It was a relief that this time her spell worked, the Nightsister was now able to see in the dark.

The feline continued to speak, telling her about his encounter with the creatures. It was obvious the large Cathar was nervous as she was. Ziyal smiled, "I don't think you have lost your mind" she responded softly, not wanting to make too much noise.

"I was with Dorrian.. eh. I mean Lord SuchililMu when we sensed something was wrong." She told the Cathar with a nervous giggle, glad there was no one else there to notice the light blushes on her cheeks… "My Master came for us and as we made our way back we encountered one of these things.." she paused for a moment as she scanned the corridor, there seemed to be nothing there, no sounds, no alarming scents. "It was disguised as a child, it didn't die when Lord Talonex tried to burn it" the Sephi continued, leaving out the fact that he burned an innocent woman to crisps. "I managed to kill the demon with my saber and then we made our way back." She said as the knight ignited his lightsaber to signal the others.

Shivers went down her spine, remembering the creature's eyes before she chopped it's head off. Ziyal wanted to know what these creatures were, she wanted to know who sent them and why they were attacking them. She also grabbed one of her lightsabers, and ignited the magenta blade for the others to see..

Abilities used:

Sense of the Veshet spell 3 (continued)

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: The Empress

Haddon Station

They all pursued the lower ranks. This time Maladi followed the group - just behind the non Force sensitives.

“Half of us will go to the Baron’s complex. The rest, the medical wing,” Volshe called ahead. The corridor seemed entirely clear - there was not even the nearby sensation of void that the creatures created. She almost did not believe it. Perhaps they were looking elsewhere for them...or perhaps they simply had not caught up yet.

Erastus attempted to catch up to Volshe after she had given her instructions, but she stood taller and ignored him. He fell back. She felt no shame. It was partially his fault that the creatures had nearly killed her children, partially his fault Terrogate had nearly killed Prim, and both he and Maladi were going to have to make some rather convincing arguments once they were ship-side if they wished her anger to subside.

Primordius looked up at her. “I wanna walk with...with...” he pointed ahead. Volshe looked up, his gesture pointing to Kolasi. Though her eyebrow raised in mild confusion, she allowed him to rush ahead and walk alongside the woman. They were all in close confines, now. They were probably safer separated from each other. He took his freedom and fell in step beside Darth Kolasi a moment later.

“Hi,” he said, smiling up at the lady of fire - not afraid in the slightest. In fact, he was beaming.

Up ahead they neared an intersection, one way to the medical bay and one to the Baron-Administrator’s offices and residence.

Somewhere in the distance something slammed - the screech of metal on metal followed. But was it from the halls they were in? Or from somewhere else on the station? Everything was metal and everything was vacant - it was hard to tell.

To the left - towards the baron’s quarters - three guards armed with domed hats mimicking the rebellion armor of old approached. Before they could even process the noise that had just occurred, the men stopped. Their ceasing footsteps thudded down the dimly lit hall.

“Halt. None of you are allowed past this point. We’ve had a major security breach. Go back to your rooms.”

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate thinks about Ziyals experience out in the gardens while they waited for the others to arrive at the intersection between the medbay and the Barron's office. Terrogate switches his sabers off and focuses his enhanced feline hearing back down the hall to the others to hear if they were coming yet.

He hears the children and the Empress talking among the footsteps of the group echoing down the hall, he presses further and at the edge of his hearing range he also picks up the sound of Corrus saying his name and something about a computer but the rest was inaudible over the sound of a loud bang and the screech of metal coming from behind him. Terrogate in pain raised his hands to his ears at the high pitched sound and instantly focused to dull the sense, back to a more normal state.

Turning to Ziyal out of the corner of his eye he notices three armed guards approach and he raises his hands palms outwards defensively to his chest height. His two lightsabers swing by their leather straps from his wrists and ringing in his ears fading fast.

“Easy gentleman.. Don't shoot” says the broad shouldered warrior in his deep gruff voice. From here with Ziyals help he could use telekinesis to likely disarm them if he needed to.. He could see with his natural night vision that their eyes looked normal, he also could not yet pick up the smell of death like on the creatures he had faced earlier so he would try first to reason with the guards and get some cooperation if he could.

“...Look.. I know you're just doing your jobs, but trust me, we know about the breech already. But my friend and I here.. well we are with the Empress and on her commanded are to clear these halls from all threats. Do any of you know what is actually going on?” Terrogate looks to Ziyal and then back to the guards. Hoping for a cooperative reply.

\*\*\*\*\*

The Nightsister had switched her lightsaber off as they waited at the intersection but kept it in her hand, ready for any sudden threats. Using her magic she didn't need light to be able to see the others making their way towards them. She was even able to smell them, as some had a very strong scent on them..

In the distance they heard a sudden loud bang, 'maybe a door slamming shut?' the Sephi thought, followed by a sharp screech of metal that made her sensitive ears twitch. But before she could say anything to Terrogate she picked up something else. The sound of footsteps approaching from around the corner. Quickly she turned to see three armed guards walking towards them, telling them to halt and return to their rooms because of the current security breach.

Ziyal did not move nor did she say anything, she only observed the three guards closely as the Cathar addressed them, wondering if they were real guards or creatures.

Abilities used:

Sense of the Veshet spell 3 (continued)

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Empress Volshe

Confluence of Corridors, Haddon Station

Not one of them had a chance to reply to the Grand Moff...or Terrogate. The group of men instead raised their blasters, steadying them on the group. “The order is that you go back to your rooms, citizen,” the lead said. “We will deal with-“

A squelch ripped from his throat. His neck cracked at an unnatural angle, and he slumped to the floor. The other two were hurled backwards. Primordius instantly buried his face in Kolasi’s shoulder.

Footsteps came down the corridor in the far distance - but instantly receded in quick fashion. It was the nearest corridor - directly to the right of the group - that revealed someone standing readily in the hall.

“What an entourage,” the lilting accent purred. “\*All\* of you?”

She stepped into a thin shaft of light, revealing pale skin and white irises beneath a hood. Her skin had a bluish, vaguely iridescent tone. She lowered the hood to her shoulders. “The Baron will see you.” Her eyes scanned the group, assessing each of them. “\*Some\* of you. I am one of his personal guard.”

She smiled, sauntered back towards the doorway whence she had come. “Follow me,” she said, over her shoulder. Her tone was eerily singsong, lingering in the darkened hall. “This way....”

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogate was readying himself to relieve the guards of their weapons with Ziyals help when the three men were attacked. Terrogates eyes wide with surprise of the brutality, seeing two men fly backwards and the thirds neck snap through the power of the force.

In less than a fraction of a second the Cathar Knight jerks both his wrists upwards, flicking the twin gold sabers hung from the leather wrist straps into his hands and igniting them Terrogate takes an instinctive defensive stance.

Terrogate squints, looking at the newcomer who claimed to be a personal guard of the baron. Terrogates looks to Ziyal, then back to the Empress coming up behind, waiting to hear her orders.

Who was this person? Clearly she was powerful in the force, but why was she away from the barons side in a crisis? And if she was a personal guard like she so claimed then why did they kill these guards? Surely they would have recognised her?

Terrogate didn't trust her.. not one bit. But he couldn’t afford to take matters into his own hands again, not with the Grand Procurator breathing down his neck. So instead he waits, sabers ignited.

\*\*\*\*\*

As the mysterious stranger turned away and walked back into the darkness of the corridor, ignoring both the Nightsister and the Cathar holding their lightsabers, another figure suddenly stepped forwards.

It was one of the men that came with the Divine Mother. At first Ziyal didn't recognize him. 'He must be a royal bodyguard', she thought as he began to address the woman. But then she realized it was Lord Valac. However the woman didn't seem to be impressed by the Dark Lord and told them the choice was up to them before she continued her way.

~\*~

Already facing her Master and the Empress, ziyal deactivated her lightsaber and asked for their orders, but neither responded. However, a male yelled from the back of the group to her and the Cathar, 'to hold their position'. She turned to look who it was, her ears twitching from the loudness of his voice. Once again someone she wasn't familiar with, but he seemed to be of importance.

After the man ordered them to escort the wounded to the medcenter. She nodded and responded with a soft "Yes sir", not wanting to attract more unwanted attention. As she turned back she scanned the group to see who was hurt. It was obvious that the Empress was one of those who needed medical help. Despite the fact that Nightsister wasn't used to being ordered around by 'men', having to escort the Divine Mother to get her the treatment she needed, was a great honour for Ziyal. Her eyes continued to scan the group and fell on a wounded male, 'that must be Killran' she thought.

The Apprentice then turned to the Tollere Knight with her, quietly motioning to him to take the lead as he out ranked her.

\*\*\*\*\*

The orders came from Corruss speaking on behalf of the group for Terrogate and Ziyal to hold their position. And to Escort the wounded to the Medbay. Terrogate nodded in acceptance and Ziyla replied with a soft “yes sir”.

Terrogate, not planning on leaving just yet deactivated one of his lightsabers as the woman in robes strode off after turning her back on Lord Valac. It was more for the rest of the group's benefit that he let it remain, the warm yellow glow of the one saber lighting up the crossroads. Terrogate moved to the dead guard on the ground, he’s neck was snapped clean, the bone close to protruding the skin and his dead eyes stared unfocused into the low lit warm glow of the Cathars ignited weapon.

Terrogate knelt and reached down and with one protracted claw he cut the dead man's helmet strap and then lowered the helmet over his face. The large coned helmet completely covered the man's dead features as well as his snapped neck.

“Children should not be made to see such things..” he said softly as he stood back up to his near seven foot height and stepped closer to Ziyal. She was looking at him he noticed, her silver eyes inviting his guidance and ready to follow. The large Cathar wasn’t sure it was a wise move for the Sephi.. but he welcomed the Tollere spirit in her.

“We will take the Grand Moff Killran and whoever else needs medical assistance to the Medbay.” He says just loud enough for all to hear. It was an open statement, Terrogate was in no position to tell anyone here if they needed medical help or not. But he would be sure that he would clear the Medbay of any threats first.

“You are brave Ziyal, but I should go first to search and hopefully clear the Medbay of any threats before the Grand Moff and any others are put in any more danger, it’s just up ahead.. I wish you to move with whoever is coming with us just back from my lead, to ensure their safety. Stay within earshot though my Iron sister, you may need to assist me.. or even flee with the others before I return. We do not know what may be waiting for us..”

With that the Cathar turns from the group and begins to move slowly from the intersection through to the Medbay, an ignited lightsaber raised in front of him, ready for any sign of the creatures.. another deactivated saber in his opposite hand. The warrior's steps were silent on the floor, his ears listening for any sounds ahead and his feline eyes peered into the darkness in front of him as though it was day..  if someone or something was waiting for them, he would find it.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Empress Volshe

Corridors, Haddon Station

The lights flickered and snapped out. The doors to the remainder of the station slid shut. The way to the medical bay was left open - but the path was now dark and potentially treacherous.

Behind the group, there was the sound of a lightsaber igniting, crimson breaking through the darkness. The Empress turned to see Maladi’s blade held up behind her, aimed in anticipation of what she assumed was the woman ahead.

All at once, the Force drained away from them, as if it were the waning tide.

There was...nothing. It was disorienting. Sickening. A cold dread settled in Empress’ spine, the silence around her almost unbearable.

Even Erastus, who was not so well attuned to the Force, turned, seeking reassurance from the others as his senses turned into a numb void around him. Deianara whimpered. Primordius gripped Kolasi, fear evident not through the force, but through his shuddering hand.

Maladi shoved through to the front of the group. She did not lash out at the umbaran woman ahead, whose features were set into a satisfied smirk. No, the devaronian Sith turned and smiled the same at the group. Volshe looked to the side, to her Hand and Lord Commander. Nihl looked murderous, red eyes that could have pierced Maladi’s heart in that instant, his hand already gripping the ‘saber on his back.

The hum of Maladi’s lightsaber was a scream in the metal corridor. Volshe turned back to look at her. She was...enraged now.

It had been a ploy. They had been betrayed.

“I would suggest you follow us,” Maladi said, with a look of wicked satisfaction that twisted her features, flitting towards the doors to the Baron’s chambers. “Someone is expecting you.”

The Umbaran woman waited behind. Her voice was low. “Or, if you’d prefer....you can stay here and die.”

\*\*\*\*\*

The reluctance of the Grand Moff was written all over his face, it was obvious he did not like the idea of being escorted to the medcenter by the Nightsister and the Cathar warrior. Ziyal didn't like the situation either, but orders were orders, and who was she to disobey them.

Terrogate was just to move towards the medcenter when the Sephi heard the familiar sound of another lightsaber igniting. Instinctively, the Sephi quickly looked to see who it was. It was the red skinned stranger she had met when they arrived at the plaza corridors.

At first she didn't think anything of it, that woman was with the Empress after all. But then suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck stood up straight and a shiver went down her spine. She felt that eerie coldness she had felt before, all forced enhanced senses went numb and all went silent except the crackling hums from the lightsabers. Her silver eyes widened in shock when she realized the red skinned female had not only turned on them, she had betrayed the Divine Mother.

~\*~

Nightsister turned towards the scene behind her. The treacherous female suggested they'd follow her towards the Baron's chambers. But Ziyal hadn't forgotten her orders, she and Terrogate were supposed to escort the wounded to the medcenter.. But Lord Valac ordered the entire group to move.

Confused, the Sephi glanced between Lord Valac and the man (Corruss) who had gave the previous orders "But… what about the wounded?" she asked softly. She then turned towards her Master for

guidance, he had been silent since they left the gardens. "Master, what shall we do? what are your orders?"

\*\*\*\*\*

The harsh vacuum of the force void tore at Terrogates insides like he was being torn from his very skin.. darth Maladi has pressed forwards after pulling her saber at the group.. Terrogate glared at the woman..steadying himself.. just what was she playing at?? Was it even her… he doubted it greatly.. although it was hard to tell at this rate.

The look on everyone’s face was the same shocked look of sheer disbelief… all except the Umbaran that was… who’s smug smirk echoed that of the Red skinned Darth woman.

Terrogate snarled inside at the betrayal but there was something else too.... It was that same feeling he had experienced inside the hall as he tried to spring his trap.... the loss of the force had the main group in a major disadvantage. A meeting…? This felt a lot more like a trap. And one that they all were about to be led into blindly..

The Cathar knight was already to be up on several charges if he left this place, he had been promised by the Moff and Corruss several times personally for acting rashly.. perhaps in acting rashly once again, this time he could turn the terms of the “meeting” slightly.. at the least give them something to bargain with.. he only hoped one of others would react quickly enough.

Terrogate was already at the front of the group and to the side near Maladi and the Umberan, his yellow lightsaber currently ignited although neither seemed to pay much notice which suited. If they were ever going to get the upper hand it would be now.. with the element of surprise from one of the most insignificant members of the group, and after reprimand only expected to follow orders to the letter.

As Darth Maladi spoke to the group Terrogate was already reaching unsuspectingly behind his back in the darkness…. “And I suggest you drop the saber” he said suddenly to Maladi after she suggested they follow, having removed his 2nd T6 blaster the Knight quickly span his body he took close aim at Darth Maladies inner shoulder of her sword arm and attempted to fire off a single shot of the loaded Cortosis round.. he only spoke as to warn her.. so he could give her a chance to react… to show true herself. Either through her skill as an experienced Darth to block the cortosis round and deactivating her saber, or through the colour of her blood that his bullet would draw when it hit her shoulder if she was too slow... one way or another the Empress would gain the upper hand.

During the well aimed spin shot he rotated both his arms and torso so that soon after he had shot the single round, he now was aiming the blaster at the Umbrian standing behind Maladi, and it was his ignited saber now that faced Darth Maladi, pointing at her chest threateningly.. bathing her in the golden glow of its blade.

Non force skill used

Blasters +2

Cathar night vision bonus

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: Darth Maladi (and the Empress)

The Devaronian Lady stepped back. One of the bullets grazed her arm, a second lodged into her arm. Deep red ichor spilled from the wounds, almost instantaneously, rivulets dribbling down her bicep. She hissed and stepped forward, stabbing her blade towards the abdomen of the Cathar and yanking upwards.

“Fool,” she said, her lip curling.

The Empress was thinking much the same thing. They did not have access to the Force, her children were present, more than one of them were injured, and they had already received explicit orders to follow Maladi and the Umbaran. Orders she trusted. And not one of those orders was to begin shooting like an absolute madman.

She was about to grab the fur on his neck when she saw Maladi’s attempt at a stab. It was likely his saving grace. The Empress stopped. He could deal with what he had started. She would not so much as risk drawing her lightsaber with her children nearby - the weak force connection would render any of their moves nerveless and uncoordinated. At best.

There was the sound of clacking metal in the darkness. The Umbaran woman had put her lightsaber away and drawn her own pistols, aiming them for Terrogate and the woman beside him.

The Empress recoiled and instead grabbed Deianara, backing up behind Erastus, Nihl, and Valac. The further away from the now irate enemies she was, the better her and her children’s chances for survival.

“Don’t move, any of you,” the white skinned woman said. Maladi halted instantly. Her lightsaber stopped short of the Cathar’s abdomen. The Umbaran leveled the blaster to the Empress’ son instead. “Or I kill him.”

“Do not.” The Empress’ rage would have been beyond palpable, were the force at their disposal. Luckily, it was not. Her eyes narrowing and fist curling was all they were privy to, not the immense torrent of her ire that would have perhaps killed the two women were they to experience it…

\*\*\*\*\*

Terrogates shot hit the mark, the now obvious imposter that was Darth Maladi had failed to deflect the bullet and instead was hit in the bicep.

“You fool” she said and started to move towards the Cathar who, with lightsaber still raised in one hand aimed at Maladi’s chest and a blaster in the other hand aimed at the Unbaran places one foot back turning his body side on, placing his weight on his back heel in a typical fencing stance ready to strike or defend her next move.

Don’t move, any of you,” the white skinned woman said. And Maladi halted instantly. Her lightsaber stopped short of the Cathar’s abdomen. “Or I kill him.”

Terrogate made no move to his lightsaber held out in front of him close to Maladis chest as she stopped dead at the command, purposefully allowing the light of his yellow saber to highlight the unnatural ichor now dripping from her arm for the rest of the group to see.

His other hand relaxed his grip on his blaster somewhat and faced its barrel upwards, finger still on the hair trigger..

Unfortunately for perhaps the Umbaran, Lady Kolasi now had a blaster pointed at her and the Empress's child in her arms.. This was an unexpected turn of events but still Terrogate’s plan for the most part had worked.

From the next to nothing information the group had moments ago they would now know for certain that Darth Maladi was indeed an imposter. They also knew that despite her earlier bravado Maladi was taking direct orders from the Umbaran who had now revealed a set of hidden blasters and although feigning not to care if she was followed, seemed determined for the group to follow. So much so she had knowingly entered herself into a conflict when she could have used Maladis attempt to cross blades as a distraction in order for her to flee.

Terrogate holds still, waiting for what would happen next.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: ???

The Umbaran woman laughed. Maladi took a step back, lightsaber still hissing in the air for a brief moment. She deactivated it, leaving them only with the glow of the few other ‘sabers in the room.

“Follow,” the Empress said, her voice carrying through the hall. It was a command they could not - rather should not - disobey. Rage dripped from those two syllables as they hung in the corridor. The force was no longer aiding her in combatting her injuries, and she felt her resolve already beginning to crumble. Her hand rose, she steadied herself on the Lord Commander to her side. Deianara instantly looked up, the fear in her eyes from the scene before her taking an entirely different shape. “Mama?”

The question was small, barely heard above the chaos. “I am alright,” Volshe whispered, gripping her hand more tightly before releasing it. She looked lost in that instant, as if her mother had left her stranded in a churning sea. “Walk with Erastus.”

She hesitated, then reluctantly did as she asked. She reached up and gripped Erastus’ hand with both of hers, so tightly that his skin paled beneath her small hands. Her head turned to look back, torn between her mother and brother. She was shaking, even more disoriented now that she could not sense the normal soothing ebb and flow of her mother’s Force signature. All of them could have been creatures like they had seen...Erastus looked down and seemingly attempted to reassure her, but he looked somehow more frightened than she did. His face was pale, almost glowing in the light.

The Umbaran turned inside,  the doors opening. The group began to move.

Inside was a vast atrium of multiple airy platforms. It would have been beautiful, if the plasteel and metal were not blackened by shadow and crawling with what instantly appeared to be some sort of Sith trooper. The main platforms were in two layers, fed by parallel stairs on either side. Volshe stopped only steps inside the entrance - though she could not sense any of them or their intentions, though she was essentially blind to them, her gut twisted.

“You’ve finally joined us!” The voice was jovial, from two platforms up. A woman was sitting behind a glassy balustrade, fabric dripping from her shoulders and mingling with the shadows around her. At her feet...a trembling, bloodied ithorian on his hands and knees. Her boots were crossed on his back.

A statue glinted behind her, orbs of silver that appeared more like reptilian eyes in the darkness.

Volshe took another step forward. The force trickled back to her. Only a trickle - enough that her senses were instantly filled by the fear of her children.

The woman pulled something from the platform behind her to her hand, holding it up. She seemed to have some capacity of her own Force abilities. The entire room was not muted to the Force - perhaps it was only a certain range. Perhaps only the corridors.

There was not much time for scientific analysis of the situation. Maladi and the other Umbaran broke away from the group and made their way towards the steps. Twelve of the troopers approached, leveling their blasters.

“We are the Black Order. Those of you who will serve Lord Krayt will be coming with us. The rest of you will die...and then you will die again, once you have served us as the mindless slaves you saw before. But who, oh who, will it be?”

She began down the steps. Her boots thudded against the silvery-grey, her lithe hand gliding against the railing. She drew her lightsaber as she approached. The blade ignited and rose to the throat of the first in the group.

“Tell me, insolent whelp, does this pitiful empire, watered down by Jedi and useless indecisives hold your loyalty? Or will you kneel before the true Emperor when he emerges from chaos?”

She held the hissing blade an inch from their throat - the crimson blade glimmering in her fanged maw.

~-~

(The force is there, but weakly, so proceed with caution....)

\*\*\*\*\*

There it was again…. Cutting through the stillness of the moment that had just unfolded was his voice.. “Terrogate you kriffing, kriffing idot!” The Cathar clenched his jaw in frustration at being insulted yet again by the little tin man.. But even still, he refused to let himself become distracted. The force in all its intoxicating glory was completely absent now and he couldn’t afford to let his natural senses become lax.. his eyes flicking between the Umbaran and thing that looked like Maladi.. Blaster and saber raised.

“Follow!” Came the instruction suddenly from behind him immediately following an extremely surprising yawn from one of the others..  The voice however he did know.. it was the Empresses.. and so Terrogate did what was expected… he lowered his saber and blaster then followed the demons, along with the others  to their lair.

~\*~\*~

“We are the Black Order. Those of you who will serve Lord Krayt will be coming with us. The rest of you will die...and then you will die again, once you have served us as the mindless slaves you saw before”

Terrogate stood as instructed by the Empress at the front of the group. A lower rank classed as indispensable, insignificant and supposedly unintelligent given the verbal barrages by the rest of the present council members. Despite his best and mostly successful efforts to either save or alert many of them to the dangers so far.

The Artifex could feel the force starting to seep back now, very slowly but surely into his being as they walked into the room.. despite the Cathar still regularly choosing to not use the force unless in full combat he couldn’t deny the relief and comfort of the feeling.. it wasn’t the roaring fire he was so familiar with, no.. it was just the smallest flicker of a flame and he could only assume the others were feeling the same resurgence.. The broad shouldered Cathar then wondered how this Black Order was causing this grievous restriction in the force. However they were doing it, one thing was clear.. they were extremely powerful..

Terrogate, still first in the group in his assigned role as a living meat shield, approaches the stairs and the dark woman who now stood before him addressing them all..

“Tell me, insolent whelp, does this pitiful empire, watered down by Jedi and useless indecisives hold your loyalty? Or will you kneel before the true Emperor when he emerges from chaos?”

The Cathar stood tall and unafraid, his emerald green gaze locked into the eyes of the woman..The heat of her crackling lightsaber on his neck..

He would need to make a choice here, and he would not, could not, rely just solely on the force or lack thereof to support him..

Knight Terrogate, recently accused of treason, dereliction of duty, shooting a Grand Moff, threatening the life of the Empresses child and facing a promised life in prison or worse now focuses his mind and thoughts solely onto several specific council members behind him.

All at once he lets the utter disgust and disdain he held for them inside wash over him, it poured over him like he was stepping into a gushing waterfall of spite and hatred.. Corruss, the Moff.. Pravum.. fast only with their mouths and slow to act with any sort of decisive action save their own self preservations no matter the situation.

Kolasi...who continued to insist Terrogates guilt in attacking a child of the Empress even after his explanation of the situation.. They were all the same in his mind, they all followed the Empress blindly and yet all the while they had the Empress's ear.. whispering their lies and misled assumptions about the warrior knight this evening.. and all of them were completely loyal to the Empress..

Terrogate however, would not stand alongside them doing nothing and cowering as they all perished.

“I will be glad to join you..” Said the Cathar leaning forward. “I have no wish to die along with these pathetic weaklings” he said, his mind moving to images of the Moff Killran landing into the wall of the hallway like a rag doll and then of Corruss running for his life past him as Terrogate alone stayed to delay the ensuing hord.

There was no hint of a lie in his voice or his mind and as the knight leant forward he let the dark ladies saber brush across his cheek, burning his fur a line of black.. in his left hand was his blaster, and in his right hand still held his lightsaber although it was not ignited and both by his sides. “I am ready to follow a strong leader.. I will join the Black order.”  He confirmed.

\*\*\*\*\*

IC: ???

“An intelligent one. Remarkable.”

The woman turned, gesturing to the space behind her, beside Maladi and the Umbaran.

Far above, the Ithorian looked down, his arms and legs shaking from the effort of holding himself steady. His head snapped back as the mysterious woman’s eyes glanced back.

The woman’s hands lifted to her hood, crimson meeting obsidian. The fabric tumbled to her shoulders. She smiled, a wicked grin.

Darth Wyyrlok IV.

A woman once known as Saarai, the latest in a bloodline that had served Krayt and his vision for over a hundred years. She had grown, her skin now painted with the red and intricate black markings of a seasoned member of the One.

“My lord dreams in darkness,” she said, voice carrying across the room. “But soon he shall awaken. We have foreseen it and we shall ensure it.”

The Chagrian looked to Terrogate, then approached the Empress with slow, measured steps. Her low-heeled boots thudded against the metallic flooring. “You did not aid Lord Krayt, when he ailed. You were capable then. You are capable now.”

Her hand rose, a strange, oblong device with multiple buttons on it. It glowed softly behind the plasteel casing. She stepped away, back to where they all stood.

“Lady Maladi has aided us, for she seeks the future we all have. She knows well that Lord Krayt shall return, to rule his Dragons. Not your insolent ‘Empress’ or her traitorous Nagai.”

Her pretty face contorted to a sneer, directed Nihl. She looked down her nose at him.

“You will surrender yourself,” she said, levelling her gaze with Volshe. The hand with the device rose.

Maladi took a step forward, a wicked grin slithering across her features, exposing her incisors and then the glittering teeth behind. “Or you will face a most terrible demise.”

Volshe did not move. Not even a breath escaped her. There was the consideration for her to join them, but the consideration was brief. She would not even lie to them - they would take advantage of her if she did. Maladi had already ensured that they would succeed in their plan.

She would rather face her demise alongside them.

She stood silently for another moment.

The Umbaran woman spoke up. She was more impatient than the rest, her face a frown that seemed to deepen, the shadows stretching across her face. “Well, witch?”

Volshe laughed, a soft, breathy chuckle that floated in the air. The chatter of the consoles and technology in the room almost drowned it out.

“No,” she said, at last. Her answer was final.

The Chagrian woman’s brow raised - though she had no eyebrows. She remained otherwise cryptic. “A shame.”

Her thumb triggered the button on the device, and an thick, acrid green smoke began to pour into the room. It billowed forth from vents in the floor, instantly smothering the breathable air. It stung as the Empress inhaled - it was impossible to avoid. Within seconds, the clouds rose six feet high.

The last thing visible was the smile of Darth Maladi, fading into the miasmic  clouds as they enveloped the group.

\*\*\*\*\*

Still in shock that her fellow housemate, Terrogate, Artifex of Tollere , had switched sides, the Nightsister quietly listened to what was said.

From where she was standing, Ziyal could see the woman, who addressed the group, removing her hood. She was a red skinned Chagrian, painted with black markings. With a cold and threatening tone she continued to speak, demanding that they  would surrender themselves.

Slowly the Huntress began to move forward between the others. As she moved closer to where the Divine Mother was standing, she was now able to see the strange device the woman was holding. Ziyal didn't know what it was but assumed it was a type of weapon.

Despite sensing, that the force was weak, the Sephi Nightsister bagan to whisper the words of the Spell of protection. Hoping that it would be enough to create a protective bubble around her for whatever was coming.

She continued to slowly move towards the Empress, still listening closely to what was said. The Divine Mother laughed and told them "No". The woman responded surprised and then activated the divice. Instantly a green smoke began to fill the room. Quickly Ziyal stepped towards the Empress hoping that her spell would be enough to also protect her..

Abilities used:

Spell of protection 3

Move silently 3

\*\*\*\*\*

The Cathar straightened as the dark woman dressed in black robes seemed to have accepted his pledge. His head still connected to his neck was evidence enough to that fact.

“An intelligent one. Remarkable.” she said before turning, gesturing to the space behind her, beside Maladi and the Umbaran, the smell of his singed facial hairs in the air still.

The Cathar knight wasted no time in obeying the silent instruction, taking his place beside Darth Maladi whom he had shot and crossed blades with not half an hour prior, and the Umbaran who he had seen down the barrel of his blaster during that same very brief, but very heated exchange. The stature of the Iron knight was towering alongside them both, large at near seven foot, thick chested and broad-shouldered.

The woman removed her hood, revealing herself to be a Chagrian. Terrogate couldn’t yet see her face standing behind her, it was only the red skin and shape of her head that gave it away. He learnt of her kind in the library aboard the Ventrix, and he remembered that there was more of her species that served Emperor Krayt while he was in power. One of them was the same darth that Mab had discovered during her study of sith lore and had broken into Darth Andeddus keep, deep under the mountains of Prakith. Darth Wyyrlok he was called… And Terrogate couldn't help but to wonder if there was some kind of lineage connection between him and this woman.

Whatever her heritage, Terrogate could tell one very clear fact about her. She was the leader here, she was in total control and she was the key to anyone wanting to survive this night.

“My lord dreams in darkness,” she said “But soon he shall awaken. We have foreseen it and we shall ensure it.” she then glanced at the Iron Knight then returned to address the Empress, trying to recruit her.

Terrogate looked past her as the woman spoke, holstering his blaster, and taking his second lightsaber in his left hand so he now held both of the Twin Suns. The knight eyed the members of the Empresses group and smiled a smug satisfied grin as he stood facing the council members, his eyes lingering on Corruss and Killran, Pravum and Kolasi..the Twi’lek Darth who Ziyal had been accompanied by as well as her Master. He could feel the intense heat of their hate for him radiating across the distance between the two groups, even with the force being only faintly present..

The fools may have rushed the Dark Order right now if they truly would do anything to protect their Empress and her children. Sure some would perish but they had the weight of numbers, indeed their self-preservation overrode even their oaths it seemed. The very reason the Cathar decided to join the Black Order when given the chance.

Terrogate snorted, baring his large sharp feline teeth and snarled in an aggressive animalistic fashion at the Empresses group, his sabers held by his side.

Maladi stepped forward, the Chagrian Pulled out some kind of device with buttons on, the Umbaran ordered the Empress to answer to their offer.

“No” said Empress Volshe, laughing in their faces. Terrogate noticed Ziyla moving closer to the Empress but he tried his best not to look directly at the Sephi Huntress.

Before the Cathar even knew what was happening the Chagrian woman pressed a button on her odd device and instantly the room began to flood with a green noxious gas.

Terrogate took a half a step backwards, but realised he couldn’t escape the gas as it seemed to pour from everywhere.. shocked at the turn of events he kept his eyes focused on the group.. waiting to see the first sign of a lightsaber ignite.

He didn’t know if the others were able to draw on the force enough to protect themselves from the harmful gas or not. All he knew was all those core reactors he’d forced himself to drink all these years that tasted like hull stripper had better have been worth it.

He tightened his grip on his sabers, heart and adrenaline racing as to what may happen next.