Mission Anesthesia (PN, Hera, and Invited)

[Y'roth Helghast]

OOC: This thread is open to invite, pm me if interested and we can discuss how your character can work into the story

IC:

Major Helghast, Inquisitor Valten, and the rest of Project Nightmare sat in the dark briefing room. They sat at a circular table, a main holoprojector in the middle displayed the essential information of their upcoming mission. Each person had a datapad before them that pertained to any information that fell under their specialty. IMP, floated near Helghast, as if reading over his shoulder the information that it already knew and had prepared for them all. The Supercomputer

"IMP, replay the audio brief."

"Sir, yes, Sir."

The main holoprojector brightened as the brief began for a second time. While preparing to go on a mission of this magnitude, Helghast would replay the outline to a briefing three to four times, pointing out different aspects each time. Generally, the first playthrough was just to introduce the mission to the squad. The rest of their mission essentials were relayed to their datapads and he gave them all five to seven minutes to review and digest the information and formulate any questions or concerns that may arise.

"This is the brief for Mission 463246 - Advance Phase: Anesthesia. The Rebel Headquarters is located within the capitol here on Chandrila..."

The image presented before them in the middle of the table was a rendering of the hotel constructed from the city's databanks and images that were taken by Crestmere during the Initial Phase.

"... In this four star hotel, 'The War's End', supposedly dedicated to the end of the Clone Wars and the establishment of the prospering Empire. A cultural forum on how to help society and the Empire is being held this coming week. The forum disguises the Rebel Faction's true purpose of allowing several key leaders to congregate and rally under sedetious goals..."

Images of several noted rebel leaders and low level government leaders on Chandrila flipped before the observers' eyes. The recognition of the personnel given might've shocked an official or someone who cared about the actual people. The members of Project Nightmare only viewed them as targets now authorized for execution.

"... The bulk of the members will not be present until the middle of the week. The strike will be most optimum when the ball is being held and a large majority of the forum members will be present in the ball room. The local authorities have also agreed to establish a blockade around the building which will be reinforced with Inquisitoriate forces. Given the proper notice, the local authorities are prepared to assist the Inquisitoriate in any way possible..."

The image of the building zoomed out and a blue line worked its way around the building in the outlying area, indicating where the blockade would be established. The authorities would be of assistance given the 'proper' time or not, they were dealing with the Inquisitoriate. Two red lines appeared, one coming from the visible sewer infrastructure and one going to the roof of the ball room.

"... Alpha group, consisting of Helghast, Jerrard, and Scothis will enter through the ceiling of the ball room via air transport. Immediate execution of all rebel suspects is required. Alpha group is to make their way to the 6th floor, where the convention chambers are, and eliminate any resistance met as well as assuring that the present high priority targets are executed and retreive any mission essential information available. The pick up point is located on the roof of the building. The building is nine stories high and the hovercraft cannot remain above the building due to the proximity of larger buildings nearby. The window for departure is open every five minutes..."

The red line entered the image of the ballroom and from there and up to the roof was filled in with red, indicating Alpha group's area of effect.

"... Bravo group consists of Crestmere, Lang, and Reyok. Using a predetermined route in the sewer systems, Bravo group will access the basement and the demolitions expert will make efforts to determine the pivotal points of the building's foundations and set munitions charges to them. The remainder of the group is to proceed to the main lobby, secure all exits and perform a routine crowd control, neutralizing all rebel affiliates available. Upon completion, Bravo group will return to the sewer access. Once the team has traversed the proper distance, and Alpha group has already been removed from the premises, Bravo group will remotely detonate the charges and return to the FOP on Chandrila..."

The other red line performed the same task of the first, displaying Bravo groups path.

"... The enemy has an undeterminable amount of firepower and the resistance could amount anything to a small guerilla based force to modified domestic vehicles with contraband armaments, given recent images confiscated from a rebel spy..."

Images appeared showing the back end of vehicles, sticking out at awkward angles which had heavy blaster mounts attached to the rear. One vehicle even appeared to have mounted missle launcher.

"... The areas that these images were taken from have been referenced to the displayed architecture and could be located in any of these areas..."

The building disappeared as the holographic blueprints became the entire sector and green areas were highlighted here and there.

"That's enough, IMP. Are there any comments?"

Helghast's eyes were reflected in the light of the image and he waited patiently for his subordinates.

[Y'roth Helghast]

"Our level of discretion among the population?"

Scothis would be the man to mention the details, Crestmere thought. Scouts always saw the trees before they realized they were in a forest. But it worked in more ways than one and Scothis' eyes had served the Empire and Project Nightmare enough to garner Victor's trust. Helghast's answer was as expected, though.

"Nothing lives. All heretics and rebels are to suffer the consequences of betraying their saviors and protectors, the Empire. Their own brethren."

Crestmere had heard this kind of propoganda from others in the Inquisitoriate. What made this actually motivating, like a subfusion rush of adrenaline was that Helghast believed in every word of it. Helghast, for being the organic machine he was, honestly lived and breathed for one of the most elitist idealogies in the galaxy. Only a select group was allowed to live and with such a deadly weapon as Y'roth Helghast, and given the proper equipment, which he had, their wants and desires within the Inquisitoriate were very much a possibility. For being so soulless, Crestmere had never found a more driven and single purposed being. He could mimic everything about Helghast, even his brain chemistry scan, but he had never been able to replicate whatever it was behind those eyes.

"The penalty for treason against the Empire is death and by association, the people within this building have been infected by ideals that are sedetious and degenerate to the higher society we seek to uphold. Let them be purged of their atrocities and return them to innocence."

Jerrard and Scothis both sat forward in their seats now. The Major only talked like this before missions and it set more solid purpose in the members of Project Nightmare than an appearance of the Emperor's ghost. Naomi was enraptured as well but in the background, sideline calculations and demolition statistics were being processed as she consumed the information set before her personal datapad. Jerrard had to push the envelope, had to.

"If we encounter any adepts?"

"They are using the power that sought to strike at the very heart of our great civilization and make us slaves to their manipulation. Either the force serves the Empire or we will run it off the edge of the extinction we have driven it to..."

Giving a moment's pause, Helghast's eyes drifted over the room and then turned to the imminent figure standing behind him near the wall.

"Inquisitor Valten, anything you would like to add?"

Crestmere's gaze went to Valten. Valten was the man who had 'discovered' Victor. A genius con man in hiding from Alderaan, Valten had charged Crestmere with treason under extenuated circumstances and offered him only one way towards salvation. But before he could catch what their Strike Coordinator said, Crestmere's gaze flickered to the much smaller figure at the opposite side of the room. Hera. How much was she actually enjoying out of this? Victor almost prayed she found this a bore and stuck to reading datafiles back at HQ.

[Karl Valten]

Valten kept his eyes shut throughout the presentation; the man had seen it before. The plan was sound and the soldiers more than capable of completing the mission. The Nightmares hardly needed his guidance anymore. Truth be told this would be the first mission in many weeks where the whole squad was present. But, then again plans only worked until the shooting began.

The Inquisitor stepped forward, crimson-lined flowing behind. His eyes connected with all of the nightmares, even lingering on Hera for a moment. Tear’s little pet intrigued him, but more so, Karl wondered about Helghast’s decision to include her on the mission.

“Time is critical. Chandrila is a hive of dissent and we don’t know the strength of traitor forces.” Chandrila resided well within the core worlds. Nearly constant Imperial attention held them at bay, but a blatant attack might very well provoke retaliation.

“Bravo team will have a ten minute window to detonate their munitions after alpha team begins their assault. Any longer and the element of surprise will be lost.”

A touch of the holoprojector’s controls brought up another display showing an aerial view of the city. The target point highlighted in red and several other areas highlighted in green. “With their leadership eliminated an organized defense is unlikely, but should the heretics retaliate in number, the strike cruisers Rubicon and Well of Souls are on station to deploy orbital drop troopers and a mechanized detachment to these locations.”

It vexed him to admit it, but the rebels were resourceful. Even with a disruption in the chain of command, they’d fall back into small independent guerilla cells and cause wanton chaos and destruction. Valten almost wished they’d fight back; their slaughter would serve as an example to those others who would dare oppose the glory of the Imperium.

“As always, extreme caution is advised concerning damage to your suits.” Each CMC-400 power-suit was nearly impenetrable, but each carried a portable fusion generator. If the failsafes were compromised the resulting explosion could probably wipe out a small city block. Karl cut off the holo-feed, turning to Helghast.

“I have nothing further.”

[Hera]

Hera felt eyes on her and turned her head slightly scanning the room to catch the culprit, but all attention was riveted toward the front. Inquisitor Valten was speaking now and all in the room gave him his due respect.

There were some faces, now familiar to her. Y'lor Jerrard, whom she hadn't spoken to since that first introductory breakfast, and whom she was glad to see- he being the only one of the Inquisitoriate who did not look at her like spider would a fly. Crestmere was there, looking handsome and immaculately put together even in his PN gear. And every bit his usual snake in the grass.

And her good friend Helghast who was running the show. She harbored such revenge in her heart against the man, it was a wonder her very thoughts could not be heard by everyone clearly thrumming out of her head. However, he had allowed her to tag along on this mission, and regardless of his motives -which she could not begin to guess at - she was grateful.

There were new faces too, and names to put to them. Hera studied them all from her place in the dark.

It was a chilling image, this scene before her. The Project Nightmare sitting around the table, reviewing their newest assult on the Rebel forces. Stern, unfeeling faces glowing morbidly in the holovid light plotting the annihilation of their enemy with clinical precision. The sterile voice of the IMP droid outlining their plan under Helghast's stoic stare and the latter's speech which left no doubt, and no mercy, for those who would fall under their hammer blow.

It was a thrilling experience.

For Hera, who for so long had been on the hunted side of the valley, hiding for her very own survival. And who herself had been on the receiving end of such organized cleansing, she felt no pity for the objects of the impending attack. She blamed the Jedi and their allies for bringing the whole purge catastrophe about in the first place.

She did not, of course, hold the Imperials blameless. She had a personal score to settle with them some where along the line. But she could not deny, it was much better to be with them at the present time, than against them.

Valten kept his speech short, thankfully. Hera could not abide longwinded rhetoric. She listened, along with the rest of them, fascinated by the whole military dynamic. The Sith were not famous for being team players, and Hera one of the least - it was an eye opener to see every individual present having a role in the overall picture. Each one contributing and being utilised for the best overall outcome. There was a harmony amongst them that was a new concept to her and a little difficult to understand given her own self-serving nature.

Hera's gaze kept being drawn to Helghast, even involuntarily she found herself once and again looking at him and it was only his movement to step forward as the Inquisitor Valten handed things back over to him, that she realised she had been looking at him again.

Dropping her eyes to her feet, she waited for the next instruction knowing she would have no participation and would remain a tolerated outside observer.

[Y'roth Helghast]

Helghast stood, the room brightened slightly and the holoimages faded. Y'roth was easily over six feet tall, a monster in human flesh. His gaze was focused on something beyond the briefing room as he spoke though.

"We have our parameters. Prepare for deployment."

As Helghast saluted, right fist to where any other person's heart would have been, the other members of Project Nightmare stood and returned the salute. In unison, their words sounded like some call from beyond the grave.

"Veritas vincit."

A long dead linguistical ancestor of Basic, it summoned something ancient from their minds as the descendants of that now forgotten human culture. It meant, 'Truth conquers.' And so the Inquisitoriate did.
They dropped their salutes and the small group quickly dispersed, each with their own gear to prepare.

Helghast was one of the first to depart. Entering his quarters and allowing the door to secure itself behind him, he stripped bare and activated the massive locker in the corner of the room. The industrial sized locker opened to reveal Helghast's portable armory, the CMC-400 armor and an assortment of weapons, not to mention his portable interrogation kit. He retrieved the first layer of the CMC-400. the inner layer consisting of a form-fitting, lightweight polymer capable of deflecting small-caliber weaponry if the outer layer is penetrated. It also included a refrigeration/heating unit that adjusted according to the wearer's body temperature, allowing some protection to temperature and could mask infrared signatures. The climate control activated immediately as he finished donning the suit. He turned to face the locker, looking to the empty shell of the remaining layers that waited within. While there were two more seperate layers, the final two had been adjusted for portable transportation. Both the vital cyber mesh and the armor were already joined, just waiting for their operator.
Not yet though. Helghast had much to prepare and insure. The optimum operational level of all of his equipment was a necessity and he would double check every centimeter of his gear before going into battle with it. He knew every groove of his armor and he knew the limitations and endurance of his equipment so well a glance could find the vital flaw.

Crestmere lay down in his bed, wearing the first layer of the suit, and relaxed. He knew everything was ready to go and he had the time. He didn't have any nueral implants or ports protruding from his skin, his were much more subtle, to suit his... flexible appearance. And this much comforted him alone.

Do you have to kill them?

Den'quo? Is that you?

Don't pay attention to him. He's just worried about his 'friends.'

You're going to kill them all, aren't you?

This was why Crestmere wanted to relax.

WE are going to kill them all, Den'quo.

Leave me alone.

Just like how you killed all my friends on Alderaan?!

"Go away..."

Victor, rolled over, dozing off with a slight headache and far too many people conversing in a room by himself.

[IMP]

The droid floated in place as the members of the team dispersed, its red receptor taking in the room as it seemed to contemplate what it would do next. It took offense to the notion that organic brains might operate faster than any computer AI because it was valid counter proof to this notion. It never 'contemplated' in the way organisms did. When it contemplated, the droid was converting data to organized information, while maintaining an amount of tasks that no organism could actually handle singlehandedly. Organics, for all their... talent and skill, were incredibly unorganized and hesitant. For the most part, they wasted too much of their own lives to accomplish anything worth recording.

IMP actually thought itself fortunate to be designed for the Inquisitoriate and Project Nightmare. The Agency as a whole embodied organization and strive to maintain logical structure and order within a society that constantly veered off its course. Not only that but the Inquisitoriate comprehended the anomolies of man and machine, melding the two to make a tool that achieved their desired goals with optimum efficiency.

Major Helghast,the Sir, IMP's most favored organism, was a prime example. Most could not tell but that organism had sacrificed much of his organic tissue and endured much pain to achieve a higher level of performance with neural implants. But Helghast had impressed IMP even before those implants were inserted. The human possessed character traits and a behavior that IMP had only glimpsed in other organisms. He did not behave like any of them, everything was a means to an objective, he lived to accomplish his mission. And it was for this purpose that IMP was designed as well, to accomplish the mission. And so it concluded by devoting all of its faculties and assisting the Sir, together they were a team that strove to make that perfect blend of man and machine.

Helghast had already begun his ritual of preparation as had most of the other members and that left IMP to Inquisitor Valten and Hera, the nonfuctional adept. IMP recognized Inquisitor Valten as the host and sponsor of Project Nightmare but IMP had made, on occasion, the probably conclusion that the Inquisitor was not as fond of the machines and droids employed as the Sir was. This made Hera, IMP's responsibility, its more prominent priority to focus upon. The small orb floated to her side, feigning interest in her well being with it's otherwise monotone voice.

"Would you like to return to your room until the mission is underway, Miss Hera?"

[Hera]

She scowled at the IMP droid, as it reminded her of its presence right beside her. She knew her glare was lost on it, but she refused to conform to the droids non-human responses that were so much a part of her world these days.

"Hera" she snapped at it. "Its just Hera. I'd think for such an intelligent robot you could plug that into your memory bank and drop the whole miss business"

She remembered suddenly that she was not alone in the room, Inquisitor Valten had remained at the front as the others had filed out.

Hera turned a sullen look toward him, but said nothing.

Instead, she spoke to IMP once again.

"No, I dont want to go to my room. I'd like to go to the exercise room instead."

[Karl Valten]

Karl Valten watched them file from the briefing room, each heading to their own chambers. Everyone of the Nightmares had their own way of preparing for a mission, their own way of preparing their minds for the conflict ahead. No matter how hardened a soldier was, warfare battered the weak human conscious. The nightmares were no exception, save Helghast whose indoctrination had erased most of his humanity.

He himself had little to prepare, the Inquisitor would not be accompanying the squad this time. Chances of meeting an adept here was unlikely, no he’d stay back at the FOP and direct the Inquisitoriate forces. Besides, Valten shifted his gaze to Hera; someone would have to keep an eye on her.

Strange, she’d been stuck at the Inquisitorial citadel on Coruscant for nearly a year and Karl had rarely seen the woman. Then again recent months had made sure to keep him away from Imperial Center.

“No need IMP, I’ll escort Miss Drenkast there myself.”

The little droid was as much a part of the squad as any of its human members. Though Valten didn’t overly approve of the Major’s choice of an aide, but he admitted to Imp’s value. AIs were becoming ever more present in the Inquisitoriate to complement and enhance its limited man power.

[Hera]

Hera rolled her head, and her eyes, over to Valten in an exaggerated fashion. With his deliberate use of the "Miss" DrenKast she supposed he thougt he was funny.

Turning her body round now, untwisting her neck so she stood squarely towards the Inquisitor, Hera addressed the man, suspicious of his company.

"I would think, Inquisitor Valten, you must be too busy with the coming mission to squander time on such a menial task. Dont you have papers to sign? Some "i"s to dot, or "t"s to cross perhaps? They have planned to kill quite a number of souls today, I'd hate for them to miss one on my account."

[Karl Valten]

Well this wasn’t expected, almost amusing in a way. Valten had overheard Crestmere speaking about Hera going overboard on the sarcasm. He just smiled in return, it’d been a while since he had been a while since some one had taken used that tone of voice with him. Defiant even within the demon’s lair.

“Paperwork?” A culling chuckle escaped Karl’s breath, he reached into the breast pocket his blood red tunic, pulling out a single pressed document bearing the seal of the Order of Palpatine. “This is all I need.” The Legal Authorization for Advanced Containment Documents allowed the Inquisitor’s their ultimate power over every citizen of the galaxy.

“Besides I hardly consider you menial” The Inquisitor stuck the paper back into is pocket. He moved past Hera to the door, gracing her with a smile, his stone eye never leaving hers.

Playing into the gentlemanly role she seemed to take insult to, he held the way for her. “I’d love a chance to speak with the woman who has so smitten the major.”

Valten didn’t believe a word of the dren he just said, but have a small measure of truth to it. As the first of the Emperor’s Children project, he had gone through rigorous indoctrination and mental conditioning that most of his baser emotions had been erased. It wasn’t often that the man took interest in a captive, but when he did, it was for a reason.

[Hera]

Her laugh was genuine enough as Valten referred to Helghast and his smittenness. These guys all took her for an idiot, it seemed.

"Please, Inquisitor, if your company is only to continue the standard Imperial practice of cat-and-mouse conversation with me, or to overtly psychologically profile me - let me save you some time..."

She stepped through the doorway and they fell into step together along the gleaming coridor.

"Im sure you must have already read the transcripts on me, or atleast been reported the shorthand version of them" here she changed to an officious voice in impersonation of some generic audio system -- "Subject not a threat, amusing for short periods of time, the end."

She returned to her usual tone, even lending some good humor to it just for the heck of it, "So, really why dont we save me some aggrivation and just get to the real reason you are here with me."

[Danni Reyok]

. . . the devil, as some of us say, is just a fictional figure that was created to fill those gullible and feeble-minded individuals with fear and angst. To make those people believe that every and any wrongdoing could lead to an afterlife in a terrible hell. This keeper of hell is nothing more than character to cause chaos in the weak minds of the universe.

If you think I don’t believe there is a hell, then you are mistaken. I have seen it and so has everyone else. Though it isn’t anything like the underworld that was conjured up, it is not a place and it is not an object. But instead it’s something inside you. A feeling for action, so to speak, something that keeps you moving, keeps you breathing, keeps you alive. It is the instinct of an animal; that when every thing goes wrong, it is there to make you survive.

Many believe what I think is a bunch of Sith spit, they say if there is a hell inside you then why do so many people give up in the midst of their hardships. What they fail to see is that in your times of need, you have to embrace that inner hell you possess. And so I say to those who believe my teachings to be wrong, ‘If you truly fear to embrace and willingly unleash the hell within you, then there isn’t much for you to live for.”. . . –C.I.

Somewhere among the dank musky air of her darkened room a light chuckle floated about as the passage was finished. Danni Reyok sat basking in a dim lamp light and the strong scent of sweet cigara’s lingered through out the room. Many of which would find such a scent bothersome but she relished the smell, in a way it was stimulating.

Her emerald eye’s scanned the last line of the passage over and over again. It was a just another quote among quotes; she had read many of them. But this one always managed to catch her eye. Truth be told, she believed the author of this passage was right. Hell wasn’t a place but an instinct of survival.

Danni’s eyes wandered to her Nightmare Armor, which rested, awaiting her to oblige it in putting it on. She stood and waltzed her way over to the suit, writing still in hand. Eyeing her the armor, she allowed her hand to caress the slick platting of the helmet. It was a beautiful piece of work and even more so as a deadly machine.

Her hand continued to graze the armored suit until it finally rested above a concealed opening in the hip where her precious Ryyk blades were stored. A mere twist of her wrist and the blade was gripped in her hand. The oblong weapon ran parallel to her forearm and was sharpened to perfection. A single swipe could severe any limb quite effortlessly.

The passage was laid to rest on a nearby table as Danni admired the shining silver blade of her beloved weapon. ‘It was simply beautiful,’ she thought before gazing carelessly at the passage. She read the last line once again before abruptly stabbing it with the tip of her Ryyk blade. Her hand fell away from the handle; the weapon stuck up in the air.

“. . .Veritas vincit. . .”

She spoke softly before turning, with a twisted grin spread across her features, back to her neglected armor.

[Y'roth Helghast]

Y'roth's voice broke the silence on Valten's ear piece to his commlink. His voice still sounded just as mechanically driven over the channel.

"Inquisitor, to update you on Prisoner A-83418. She is under my ward and my responsibility ultimately since the departure of the Grand Inquisitor. The prisoner will be of use to this Empire, Inquisitor. Patience is all I request for now. I swear it. I'll give you a more indepth briefing on the situation later. Helghast out."

The commlink static cut out

[Karl Valten]

Valten turned a quizzical eye towards the woman walking next to him. It was strange to think that he was speaking with a sith master, even with out force powers the adept spirit shone through.

“Do you actually believe that?” Why did these adepts always assume that they were treated as children? As despised as they were, the Inquisitoriate had the utmost respect for their abilities. Why else would they be pursued with such determination? “Do you honestly think you’d still be alive if that were the case?”

Karl angled down another hallway, passing by neural scanner that would open the next door. “With Tear’s absence I am the next highest ranking Inquisitor.” He had been out of communication with the Grand Inquisitor for some time, focused on his own projects. Many such dealing occurred within the Inquisitorial ranks. Inquisitors had their own agendas that they believed would compliment their duties. And most were kept a secret, Tear and Y’roth weren’t any exception.

“It’s not what’s in the transcripts that I’m concerned about. It’s what’s not in the transcripts that’s important.” If anything the Major’s message proved that the man had something in store for Hera that he had chosen to omit from the official records. Karl really had been gone a long time if he couldn't read into this.

[Hera]

"Your concern is needless, Inquisitor" she stated flatly. "You, of all people, should know how untenable my position is here. I am still alive, not because of any virtue of my own, or magninamity on your part, but simply because it is the direct order of Tear. He alone wants something that I have and it is his own selfish motives that has seen to it that Helghast hasn't finished me off." She slid a devil smile to Valten as she kept pace beside him, "A viper knows how another viper thinks, and I have been snake a very long time. At least Tear I can understand.." She left the statement hanging, clearly implying she couldnt make heads or tales of the rest of the Inquisitoriate crowd.

A durasteel door slid open as they approached it, the hydraulics of the mechanism soundless, the movement seamless, like everything about this Imperial ship and its crew. Again, Valten played the gentleman and waited, allowing Hera to pass through before him.

"You do realise dont you that I cannot - and would not - trade where I am right now? With the exception of my returning force-ability, of course" Hera tried to explain as Valten took that statement in dubious silence. "Where would I go? I have had my fill of hiding from the Empire, why would I go back to that? Trying to escape would only make me a fugitive of the Empire, atleast here, I can enjoy all the comforts Imperial hospitality can offer me. Major Helghast has extended me the courtesy of allowing me to come along on this mission, and I admit, it is more than I had expected. Why would I jeopardize it? What is it that you think I am keeping from you?"

She turned to face him square on, stopping in the corridor. "What is it that you think is not in the transcript files? I'll tell you if I know"

Hera hoped her frankness would bridge some trust with Valten. It was a long shot, but all she had said was true. All except the part that she wouldnt trade where she was. If only she had the rule of the ship, she'd shoot Y'roth Helghast out the frelling airlock quicker than you could say Project fricken Nightmare. And that damned IMP droid along after him. And Crestmere, too.

"Inquisitor.....?" she waited, an even gaze levelled at the man's own stone stare.

[Karl Valten]

A smile flashed across the Inquisitor’s face, subtle, but visible for a moment as she passed by him through the door. He genuinely found her last comment amusing. Even people within the Inquisitoriate would trade whatever was left of their souls to be rid the hell. The human mind is a fragile thing and only the most strong willed would be able to cope for the duration of their service. Those that were too weak would either be executed or mentally reconditioned to lock away the human traits. But no matter how strong the mind was, the mortal curse of conscience remained. Karl had never lost his faith in servitude to the Empire, but he had seen strong inquisitors fall before. It was a discomforting thought.

“I doubt that.” IMP had informed him of an incident at the Inquisitoriate headquarters on Imperial center where Hera had drawn a knife on Y’roth in the mess hall. Though the droid had conveniently left out informing him of the soiree between her and part of the nightmares. He had dug up a recording on the security system to listen in.

“I’ve been away from Imperial Center for months, something I’m beginning to regret….And for once, I don’t even know what my underlings are up to.” Well if the standard Imperial practice of cat-and-mouse conversation as she called it wouldn’t work, might as well speak the truth. It was of no surprise that she couldn’t figure out how the Inquisitoriate worked, everything was a tangled web of lies.

“The Inquisitoriate lives in secrecy nothing, call us suspicious, call us paranoid, call us fearful, what ever you will. But for all that we hide from the outside; the largest thread comes from within. There have been traitors and deviants within the Inquisitoriate ranks before, all of use are kept under a more watchful eye than even the Emperor was able to. The Inquisitors have been charged with being the most faithful servants to the Empire, the flawless defenders of order.”

Valten drifted into thought, unconsciously slowing his pace as he drew near the turbolift that would take them out of the restricted section of the ship to the exercise room.

“To the public we are the rock that keeps their happy little world consistent. The army and navy may be fighting thousands of lightyears away, but it’s us that keeps the nightmare from surfacing from within. If we fail, chaos would break loose.”

Valten halted, turning towards Hera. “Helghast is becoming more and more independent; he is more an Inquisitor now than a squad leader. You may have lost your abilities, but you still are a Sith. If the Major is to become a full-fledged inquisitor, we have to be sure that whatever he wants from you is no threat to the integrity of the Inquisition.”

He looked into Hera’s eyes, as if searching for something hidden deep in her mind. “I honestly have no idea what I’m looking for, but I’m certain it’s to do with you loss of connection to the force. And you’ve already told him that you don’t have any idea how that happened.”

[Hera]

Hera wasn't quite certain of just what she was hearing. Was Valten subtly fishing for some sort of insinuation of subversive or anti-Inquisitoriate activity on the Major...?

The thought, to Hera, was ludicrous. Helghast would cut his own head off rather than do anything that could threaten a crack in the Inquisitoriate foundation. If anything, the man was blindly, zealously and completely unwaveringly loyal to the System. Surely Valten knew this.

Had the second most superior officer of the Inquisitoriate been away so long that he was now falling victim to the very paranoias and suspions Project Nightmare fostered? She laughed inwardly at such a wonderful thought.

Looking up, Karl's gaze was stoney on her and she forced her thoughts to be reigned in.

No, more likely - Valten was trying to catch her in some duplicity. Get her to drop her defences and incriminate her own self by trying to besmirch Helghast and sew seeds of dissention if she could. Oh, good lord...now she was the paranoid one. This had to stop!

They stepped into the newly arrived turbolift standing side by side, facing foward, and Hera returned to Karl's last remark.

"Your guess is as good as mine, or Helghast's, regarding my inability to access my force power. But.." she added glibly, as the doors of the lift closed them in and prepared to shoot them at speed to the unrestricted levels, "...Should anything come to mind, I'll be sure to give you a tinkle."

[Karl Valten]

Hera's eyes flickered for a moment, barely discernable, but to Valten it stood out like a beacon. Uncertainty, doubt…..she was questioning her own thoughts, mostly likely over Valten’s motives. The moment of silence lingered as the turbolift arrived and the two stepped in. Good, that meant he was actually getting somewhere, she was running through the scenarios.

“I think you can help.” He had his guesses to what the Major was up to, but no certainties. Valten was no force adept; he could not pick into the minds and find out their deepest darkest thoughts. He couldn’t read Helghast’s plans or pry into Hera’s mind for information that might be hidden in her subconscious.

“You’ve already said that no one could have done this to you.” Karl’s specialties lie in his personality, his words, his ability to drown those he spoke with in subterfuge. Using several versions of a truth to hide his intentions.

“If not a person, then it had to have been a place.” The lift numbers decreased, ever nearing their destination.

“All I’m looking for is a name; a location, a planet, a system. Major Helghast may have the utmost loyalty to the Empire, but I’ve seen how a person’s intention’s can backfire and compromise the whole” A bell chimed as the elevator opened to the exercise room. Valten stood patiently, waiting to see if Hera had spoken the truth when she’d that she’d help. In all honesty Valten expected a dead end.

[Hera]

Hera strode forward out of the lift, forcing Valten, unhappily, to follow quickly after her or be sped back up from whence he came.

Picking up a heavy excercise ball, Hera turned around and feigned great interest in the stitching of its seams as Valten caught up to her.

"Has it ever crossed your minds that I just lost the gift? That I suffered some physical degression like the loss of agility, or the slowing of reactions, like people do as they age?"

She tossed the heavy ball at Valten's middle, and he caught it easily. No loss of agility or slow reactions there.

Walking over to a side bench, Hera sat and began to take off her boots. "I mean - the force is something you really have no clue on isn't it. Be honest. Oh, yes yes, I know...." she waved her hand airily to belay any contradiction from the Inquisitor "You lot know enough to kill them all off. But you dont know anything, do you."

Karl couldn't be certain if she was actually mocking him, her smile was decidedly charming, despite her criticism.

She wiggled her toes, now free of boots and woolley socks and stood, crossing over to the mat in the center of the floor.

"And now, you hope to solve the great mystery that could just possibly be my own ineptitude.." she began slow, controlled movements into various martial arts poses while still speaking, "..for what? So you can finally figure out what you have all but destroyed in your zeal to keep the galaxy safe?" The last word was spoken with its deserved ridicule. It was clear what she thought of their grand plan for the well being of the galaxy.

Hera stopped mid-pose and motioned for Karl to step closer with her outstretched hand, a challenging grin tugging at her lips.

"I'll fight you for the planet you want me to name, if you're game, Inquisitor"

[Y'roth Helghast]

Naomi Lang, Bren'lar Scothis, and Y'lor Jerrard stood in the hallway, wearing the first layer of their Nightmare gear. They often did this, talking over the upcoming mission between themselves, sharing opinions, idly chatting. These three found themselves always coming back to each other. The rest of the squad, the Sir, Crestmere, IMP, if one could even think the AI qualified.

"So... Naomi, you taking any electro weapons?"

"You bet, I'm at least taking something. A portable staff probably. The chances of an adept being present are high. While you two probably have a better chance of meeting one of 'em up top, I don't wanna risk that one won't be chilling in the lobby or something. We've got Crestmere so he should be able to profile the crowd easy enough and pick out any adepts upon arrival."

Scothis shrugged, his arms across his chest as he leaned against the wall of the corridor.

"Meh, I figure the riot adapter for our rifles will handle the crowd well enough. The jackhammer will be perfect, I think. Set it to triple shot, seven times on the trigger, reload, and at it again, I'll bet a good forty to fifty people will be down, more if they all bunch together."

Naomi smiled, doing the math in her head and nodded once in agreement with his theory.

"I'll probably have the grenade adapter on me, I'll have to assess our firing sectors when I get there. It'll be bad enough with all the demo I'll be carrying around as is to set the foundations to dust."

Jerrard looked up from thoughtful concentration at the other two.

"I don't plan on getting close enough to an adept this time around. We don't have the time. I'm taking a few extra disruptor clips..."

The other two turned sharply to their senior comrade. Disruptors were the forbidden weapon, taboo to whatever they might've been involved in before Project Nightmare. Now, not only did they have the authorization to such a devastating weapon, but they had unlimited access to it. Jerrard made a logical point, disintegrating an adept meant no time wasted at all on the frustration of trying to trick out a psychic.

[Karl Valten]

Karl looked down at the ball in his hands slowly rotating the orbs between his fingers. For the first time in their little verbal joust, the Inquisitor felt as if he wasn’t in control. Perhaps he had pushed the conversation too fast.

“One cannot fully comprehend what one cannot experience.” He may not be able to feel the force, but many Inquisitors were adepts well trained in darkside lore as dictated by the late Emperor. Hera would be sorely mistaken if she thought that he’d buy this new reasoning behind her loss of power. Force affinity did not just fade away, there were stories of Jedi masters being able to strip an adept of their connection to the force, but that was an art lost long ago. And Karl highly doubted that she’d willingly reduce herself to this.

He began tossing the ball from one hand to another, his eyes never leaving, always following it’s dancing path. This wouldn’t do at all, she had regained confidence, was beginning to turn the tables. His gazed shifted up to Hera, beckoning him to fight, vaguely recognizing her choice of martial arts. Fighting here would do no good, it would only cement her control over the situation. The information could wait, better to keep her guessing.

Valten set the ball back down on the rack. “I’ll have to decline your offer, maybe after this mission is complete.”

[Hera]

Blue eyes held his for a few seconds more than was comfortable, and then she shrugged resignedly before turning into another pose.

She had been testing Valten, as he probably was aware. But it was not a trial of pass or fail. But of watch, and learn.

Karl Valten had revealed himself a thinking man. Why use brute force, when a little considering would supply with good certainty the outcome anyway.

Hera was no match for a man of his size and capability. Without her force power, her martial arts skills - which were not beggardly by any standard - would not hold up for too long against an opponent who was bigger, stronger and quite probably every bit as skilled as she. Karl would have defeated her, slammed her into an immoveable position on the mat and demanded his prize - the name of her planet of refuge. To which she would have promptly lied. On the very remote chance she floored him, there would have been no prize in the offing. But she still would have lied, just for the fun of it.

A satisfied smile played on her lips as she continued her motions, face turned away from the Inqisitor.

"I doubt a wrastle with me could compare to your imminent victory planetside, Inquisitor Valten, and so I shall spare you the boredom of a rain-check"

She twisted her head over her shoulder to continue "Feel free to send the little IMP droid to take me back up to my quarters, if you need to go. I will be some time here, still"

[Karl Valten]

The sarcasm was starting to grow old. Hera would have lied about the planet without a doubt…still, Karl admired the spirit of defiance. It would only make it that much more enjoyable when she finally broke.

“Oh, now, I expect to hold you true to that challenge. I have yet to have the pleasure of fighting a Sith hand-to-hand.”

Valten had thoroughly enjoyed this little game of theirs, he’d be looking forward to the next round of play. But he’d probed enough for now, it would take time, but she would snap. They always did.

He stepped back into the lift, keeping his gaze on her as the heavy doors hissed shut. Karl was starting to see what Helghast saw in this woman. An adept severed from her element and trapped like a muzzled animal in a cage. Even if there was some information the major wanted, just being able to study her phenomenon justified the risk of keeping her around.

“IMP, the prisoner is in the exercise room, you may collect her when you wish.”

The Inquisitor cut his comm., not wanting to be interrupted. He should get his mind off of Hera and focus on the mission ahead. Still…….

An ornate dagger found it’s way into his hands, spinning between Karl’s fingers. Still…..

“Veritas vincit.”

[Y'roth Helghast]

The door to the docking bay slid to the side as four armored figures entered the room. Standing over any of the mechanics present, the Nightmares didn't bother glancing around as they headed towards the deployment line. Two black troop transports were standing by, the pilots had already prepped the vehicles. One of them wouldn't even be carrying anyone. It would launch in an opposing destination to throw off anyone that might become interested in the movements of the Empire. As Helghast approached the first transport, the side panel shifted and moved, allowing them to board.

His vision was perfect, flawless; the HUD inside his helmet and the synchronization allowed by the number of neural implants gave the Nightmares an aspect neither machines or organisms could properly understand. The Nightmare's potential in general surpassed what any might expect of it. Helghast was more than sure that even the creators of the CMC-400 Nightmare gear had no idea just how efficient it would be.

He turned towards the other three members; all others present kept themselves busy. The rumors were unpleasantly true that any attention paid to the Nightmares was too much attention.

"Scothis, Jerrard, load up and check the drop cables."

In unison, their steel voices responded,

"Sir, yes, Sir."

"Lang, IMP informs me that Crestmere and Reyok are on their way."

Other commanders might've had more to say, more to insure with their squad members. When they had begun to train as a squad, reassurances had been necessary. By now, they were understood. Failure on any part of the team just wasn't acceptable. And thus, there was no need to remind or mention to any of his subordinates.

"Sir, yes, Sir."

She saluted and Helghast returned the salute, her voice followed with a tinge of pride in her tone familiar to the Nightmares by now.

"Veritas vincit."

"So be it."

Helghast turned and loaded onto the transport. Scothis gave the warrant officer piloting the vehicle the command and the engines hummed to life, the panel in the ceiling leading to the surface began to shift as clearance was given for departure.

"Alpha team is en route. The Advance phase: Anesthesia is underway."

Helghast's voice resounded in all of the Nightmare's systems and in the tactical control room where Hera, Inquisitor Valten, and the support teams made of highly trained individuals hoping to break the surface in the Inquisitoriate. Working for Project Nightmare might've been one of them if the security risks were worth it.

[Hera]

Hearing his voice echo back through the direct feed gave Hera a chill of anticipatory pleasure. Helghast, she knew, was a devastating force and the thought of him and his team turned loose on the unsuspecting targets below stirred in her a darkness she had not enjoyed for a long while. Her unconscious smile disolved when she noticed Valten watching her.

The Inquisitor turned back to focus on his vid-screen without comment and Hera settled comfortably in her seat.

"Anesthesia..." she remarked. It was an odd choice of name for such an operation. "Who thought that one up?" Valten appeared to gain closer interest in the images on the screen before him. "It means blocking of pain or some such doesn't it?" There was no movement or sound from those standing around the room, only silence. Was Valten even listening? "Guess there's no pain when yer dead" she quipped to no one in particular and leaned closer to watch events unfold.

All she needed now was some salty popcorn. With maybe some hot butter.

[Victor Crestmere]

OOC: Sorry if I seem a bit rusty. I've got to get back in the swing of things.

"Major Helghast, Crestmere in route. ETA 5 minutes."

Watching the lift signatures of the rest of PN fizzle out as he clicked off his HUD, Crestmere rounded the final corner that lead to the hanger.

The final corridor was much longer than the rest of the corridors on the ship. Its purpose meant to hold large numbers of Stormtroopers during planet raids and boarding parties, but with PN acquisition of the ship, it served as the long walk we all must face one day with the light at the end of the tunnel. This was Crestmere's favorite part. It always reminded him why he did what he did. It seemed like time would slow down, if only for a few seconds, so he could gather his thoughts, calm the raging voice(s) within, and prepare himself one last time for what was to come.

With only the crimson warning lights flashing on and off to light his path, Crestmere entered the hanger bay just in time to see Helghast and the others begin boarding the drop ships. Securing his Disruptor pistol at his side and his Jackhammer on his back, Crestmere hoisted himself up into the drop ship.

Inside the drop ship, it was dark and the only thing auditable was the breathing of the others, but when the red lights above the doors came on, Crestmere could see his hellish brethren, each with their ghost like expressions, completely void of emotion, starting back at him, waiting in anticipation.

”Veritas vincit indeed…

[Danni Reyok]

It was hard to imagine that moving swiftly was even an option in armor such as the Nightmares’. But yet that was what Danni proceeded to do; almost gliding through the corridors as she hurriedly as possible with out running. She wasn’t late, she could never be late by her standards…she was just a little behind the others.

Preparation for the mission took a little longer than she had intended. Although, she didn’t exactly push herself to get ready; she could possibly take the blame for her time issues. As efficiently as she could, Danni tested her secured C-14 Gauss Rifle with a quick tug. The holdings appeared to be strong and stable, yet she knew she could access it easily. Everything was in order, she knew her beloved Ryyk blades were laying dormant in her hip container and her two favorite vibroblades were tucked safe away in her shin plates. All she needed now was a good old cigara.

As for just now, Reyok strode quickly into the hanger bay to see that she wasn’t as far behind as she thought.

It appeared that mere moments before her Crestmere had arrived, she followed his suit and climbed into the dropship. Taking her place against the far wall of the dropship, Danni pulled out her ‘victory’ cigara, as she called it. She felt the need for it right now. Carefully she spun the small object in her fingers, debating quietly to herself whether or not she should give in to her desire.

Resting silently back against the wall, Danni forced the cigara from her hand. Need for stimulation crowded her senses as the small addicting drug hit the floor. She pulled her comlink out and with gritting teeth managed to speak.

“Reyok's in sir.”

Letting her comlink fall back to its rightful place, she forced her attention elsewhere, even though it was far beyond possible to bring her back from her growing irriated mood.

[Karl Valten]

Silence reigned supreme among Inquisitoriate personnel in the presence on an inquisitor. It was there chance to impress the best of the best, an opportunity to prove that they could be more. But, a prevalent, choking fear hovered above each of them. Even within the dark branch of the Empire, the soulless heralds of order

As the cold nightmarish voice filtered through tactical control room, Valten kept watch on Hera. Her eyes radiated a feral hunger, barely contained, her primal smile unlocking hidden memories. Karl knew that look…that feeling. He felt it in the thick of battle, threatening to consume him. The thrill of adrenaline pulsing through every vein, the piercing urge to see blood run…the euphoria of being a god among insects. He wondered what image a creature like her must have had before her fall.

But it showed him another thing, the only thing that mattered. The animal was still there, the will to resist still coursed through her. And it meant she was still a threat. She ‘woke’ from the memory and his eyes locked on hers for a fraction of time before he turned back to the console.

On the vid-screen status displays for the pair of dropships highlighted green as the pilots cleared their pre-flight check-ins. All the while he listened to Hera’s words. He had no answer to give. This was Y’roth’s mission, all the leaders of the inquisition had their own nuances and reasoning behind their mission, each unique in his or her own right. From one inquisitor to another, Valten wouldn’t try to pry into the majors thoughts.

“Landing craft are clear for launch.” Karl snapped the com off, no more was needed, everyone knew his or her duty flawlessly. The Inquisitor moved back, setting himself in seat adjacent to Hera. He drew his ivory dagger, spinning the blade between his fingers, its carvings blurring into a surreal canvas.

“I carry with me an inquisitorial seal.” He gripped the dagger in one hand, fingering the sigil and script upon its hilt. “It is a small, trivial object trailing where ever I go. Relatively plain, adorned with a single motif and a simple motto…..yet with this little object I can sign the death warrant of an entire world and consign a billion souls to oblivion.”

The Inquisitor trailed off. Waiting...

[Hera]

"It's a beautiful thing"

It was unclear if Hera was referring to the annihilation of whole worlds simply upon the press of a fancy stamp, or to the ornate dagger held in the Inquisitors hand. But Valten could take a pretty good guess.

He was expecting more, she sensed, and so she spoke freely, careless of their present company.

"Which, though, do you enjoy more Inquisitor - the slaughter of faceless millions upon your orders, but by another's hand? Or the more personal experience of extinguishing a life by that of your own?"

She reached one hand forward, resting a finger on the tip of the dagger.

"This..." she tapped lightly, "...is a personal weapon. You can look in a persons eyes when you use this." She smiled as if this is exactly what she would do. "With the seal, you dont have to be anywhere near them. Good for getting rid of people without messing up or wrinkling your nice uniform." At that moment, Helghast's voice broke in over the comm system again. Hera's mind went to the conversation Valten had had with her earlier in the exercise room regarding Karl's suspicions of the major's increasing independant activities. "Good for getting rid of the right kind of people."

She gave the dagger a little flick.

[Karl Valten]

Karl felt himself tense, well against his wishes, but Hera struck a chord. For the longest time in his duty to the Empire he had served at the front. He had been a ‘field’ inquisitor, bringing the Emperor’s wrath on his enemies face to face, where he could breath the terror screaming from them.

He relished it, purging heritics and traitors, demagogues and adepts, anyone who would oppose order and stability in the chaotic miasma of life…but always where he could see the realization in their eyes that they had failed their selfish desires.

To the inquisitor’s frustration, recent months had carried him to the constant plotting and intrigue he had despised fellow inquisitors for. Karl was depending more and more on others to do his duty.

Then Hera’s serpentine voice hit a sour note and Valten was brought to reality. He turned to the adept as if trying to see in her soul. Getting rid of the right kind of people….. He heard her unspoken words as if they’d been spoken through a bullhorn, but she was right. Karl found himself agreeing with the adept. But who where the ‘right kind of people’, who were the greatest obstacles in the preservation of order.

The blade blurred once more before disappearing in his cloak. “…but the real question is…which choice furthers yields the desired result.

[Y'roth Helghast]

The city came into view as the drop door opened over the large building. The guest rooms jutted up beside them; the dome like ceiling below them was like looking into an ant farm. The HUD on Helghast's helmet was already highlighting targets for his weapons. Scothis looked over the edge, hanging with expert balance out of the vehicle and checking their angle from a death dealing fall below them. The scout turned back to Helghast and gave a thumbs up and then grabbed the suspension cable and grasped the grip bar. Y'roth didn't even bother checking Y'lor as he reached for his own grip bar. He unholstered his C-14 rifle and let the weapon's systems calibrate with his neural network. Imperial rhetoric and verses from so many manuals and pamphlets, briefings and sessions, about what it meant to betray the Empire, to defy the order it supported and wished to impliment amidst the chaos across the galaxy. Every letter of those treatises were meant as guidance for Y'roth, to steel himself in his earliest youth and make of him the weapon he was for the Empire now. Every traitor beneath his feet would pay for their treason, tonight. And the others would hear of it as the overflow of blood came to rest on them and they knew in their nightmares that they were next.

Time seemed to still for a moment; the suit seemed to constrict when in all other senses, Helghast was free of everything but the grasp of gravity. The suspension cable wasn't letting him drop out of control either, his descent optimized to such a speed without being dangerous. The others were there as well, Scothis and Jerrard. All of this had been done before, nothing was unfamiliar, only fresh targets, always only a slight change in scenery, which wouldn't hinder their objectives regardless.

The transparent ceiling beneath them was harder than glass; Helghast could tell upon impact. However their bodies were heavy and the momentum gained assisted as the dome gave away and thick shards fell as it shattered in the wake of their landing. Firing the rifle with one hand, simply pulling the trigger, barely having to aim, people fell. These weren't people. They were traitors. All of them.

Scothis' breathing was systematic. He fired before he exhaled and inhaled, at every other imbetween, breathing methodically as any other trained sniper. His C-14 had the sniper mod set on alternative, allowing him to use the rifle normally. Heads exploded in rapid succession. At this range, nothing was even a challenge.

Jerrard used the Jackhammer shotgun with the precision of a surgeon upon entry. He was to insure no one made it towards any of the exits, and the closest to any door dropped in bloody masses. The gun reloaded another 21 round clip after seven shots, the triple barrel being put to the full extent of its use.

All three let the suspension cables go as they hit the ground with a resounding thud, screams echoing into the night as their pale glowing receptors burned into the eyes of the panicked and suddenly remorseful. The cords flew up into the sky as they returned; the drop ship would be gone in seconds.

"Alpha team has engaged targets."

=======

The grating bent beneath the grip of the armor's enhanced strength. Naomi Lang pushed the final barrier keeping them from the basement of the building threw it to the side. She stood up straight and stepped onto the dust covered floor of the lowest level of the target facility. The computer in her HUD was already scanning for structural weaknesses as she looked back to the other two. In the corner of her HUD was a number that was rapidly decreasing. It was the distance marker for Alpha team and their relative position to their starting position. Once they landed, Bravo team should've already been at work. Captain Crestmere was the team leader though, Naomi was a bit uneasy off the mission about the man personally but in this arena, it mattered oh so little. Without a word, she stepped forward first into the room, making sure to check the area for any security devices, the only apparent secured location was the door leading up. She wouldn't even be going there, that was Reyok's department. A side panel at her hip opened and she began to set up the first batch of explosives to the nearest structural support column. Suddenly, the number in the corner of the HUD went from a three digit number to zero. Her breathing picked up with an anticipated adrenaline rush.

"Alpha team has engaged targets."

=======

IMP didn't need to watch the screens being displayed to the tactical control operators. It was the medium delivering and sorting all the information for them to observe and attempt to manage. One of the operators seemed to begin shaking, a noted increase in heart rate as they observed the world through Helghast's visor. IMP made a notation to have the operator executed later for inability to handle the pressure in a classified environment. That was a prime example of the organisms Helghast sought to remove to prevent the corruption of weakness and frailty from besieging the Inquisitoriate from within. All noises that the squad members heard were also being delivered to the control room via speakers that made the scenario all that more real for those who watched it all playing out before them.

[Hera]

“…but the real question is…which choice furthers yields the desired result."

"Depends who's most in the way" she answered.

Hera could respond to that question more specifically without a seconds thought, but openly suggesting Helghast's demise to Valten in a room crowded with Nightmare wannabe's probably wouldn't work too much in her favor. Or Karl's. The Inquisitor didn't need her to voice her choice, anyway. They both knew to whom she'd referred.

She wondered if Valten would really actually entertain the idea - even breifly - of getting rid of the Major. Perhaps he would if Helghast became liability enough. She wondered, also, if there would be any way to get her hands on that Imperial seal Karl spoke of. Wouldn't that be delicious.

The report from the operation below echoed in the room about them, giving a surreal feeling to the images relayed back to the operation console. Hera felt like a god peering down on the mere mortals. Unsensing, unfeeling. Unconcerned with what any of them were feeling or experiencing. It would have been good to be down there with the team - taste the terror in the air, smell the panic of the targets richocheting off the cold callous calm of the PN operatives. Next time, she'd push for a 'ride-along.' She'd even tolerate Crestmere to cash in on some blood-letting.

Valten sat beside her, an almost casual interest in what was happening below. It was probably just standard for him, now. The operation - one that had probably been done hundreds of times before - was being carried out as planned and no surprise, the Nightmares were lethally efficient. Karl looked as though he'd like to be down there too. She'd seen him stiffen when she'd mentioned getting his own hands dirty. He missed that dark, personal edge of the job. And she warmed a little to him for it.

"And" she added, continuing on in the same topic, "..it depends if one has the ability to recognise them when they are in the way."

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[Karl Valten]

The faintest twitch of a smile tugged at the corner of Karl’s lips. He was beginning to see past Hera’s little mask. Bit by bit she was showing the cunning beast inside, and it was annoying him. She knew how to twist her words, make them stab into the soul. The woman would’ve made a good inquisitor.

Lingering doubt hung over his head as he watched the live-feed, watched as his nightmare’s slaughtered the terrorists without remorse. Then again, they weren’t his nightmares anymore, where they? In his frequent absences under Helghast’s leadership, they had surpassed his experiment’s expectations.

Everything he had known was spiraling away, his influence slipping, ever since he’d taken his current title. As acting Grand Inquisitor Karl had taken hold of dozens of puppets, pulling the strings and watching the marionettes dance to his tune. Yet as things fell into place, it seemed more was slipping, the little things seemed beyond his reach. The suspicion rose, he saw shadows in every corner, heresy where it shouldn’t be.

Valten sincerely wondered if he’d finally succumb to the madness. And ever since this velker of a woman entered the equation, things shattered more. Inquisitors were trained to never doubt their actions. But maybe that’s what he needed, scatter his perceptions from before and rearrange them.

And she was the catalyst, she was testing his resolve in more ways than one, but she was also doing him a favor. Hera was right, it all depended on the ability to recognize when someone was in the way. Things were beginning to fall back into place.

“...and then you cut the string out of the equation.”

[Danni Reyok]

The soft steady clink, clink, clink of metal upon metal could be heard in a slight echo as Danni Reyok eagerly awaited the battle that was only mere moments away. The tapping of gauntlet against armored thigh halted suddenly, Danni could barely take it anymore. She was standing on a knifes’ edge between patience and her bloodlust insanity.

Reyok gritted her teeth as she waited for the only other female Nightmare to open the gateway to her ‘feasting friendsy’. Images of what was to come filled her head, battle tactics filed in as well as skills that only she knew. The assault of the other team was already underway; the screams and gunfire was music to her ears. Although she preferred to hear he slick severing of limbs rather than blowing them away. The tearing of flesh was tortorous delight in her eyes and to her ears.

Metal covered fingers itched for the weapons hidden within the armor engulfing her body. Naomi was nearly finished and Danni’s breath was coming in ragged short gulps. Green eyes burned underneath her helmet, the moment was close.

Unsheathing steel sliced through the air as Ryyk blades became free . . . death grips on both handles kept the exotic weapon in place. She was hungry for the kill but she knew her boundaries. Stupid was far from what she was, she knew her job.

BOOM! Naomi was done; the path was open and Danni head already advanced to her own screaming room. She would make it just as loud as the fight above them.

Hell was here and the blood of the slaughter was already dripping off the pointed tip of her blade.

[Victor Crestmere]

Danni moved in from the left while Naomi moved in from the right, both laying down covering fire for the other. It was beautiful the way they moved, Naomi's C-14 dancing from side to side, laying down a thick line of crimson steel and the way Danni would keep switching between her Ryyk blades and her side arm, grabbing one to use as a shield while firing at the next. Just beautiful.

Crestmere entered from the rear laying down the last bit of cover fire so that Naomi and Danni could find a place to rest for a moment. The team did not need to get ahead of themselves so soon. There was still much to be done; like clearing these sewers first.

Initial scans showed that the sewers were being guarded but only by a few. Now that the party was a real blast up stairs, Victor was sure they would be encountering more and more partiers as the night went on. "Ok ladies, orders are for Danni and I to secure the perimeter and make our way up into the main lobby. From there we will secure the area as well as perform a little crowd control. Naomi, you will proceed to into the basement with us and at that point, begin determining the key structural points for your munitions charges. Once you have completed your objective, radio me and we’ll return and make our grand exit.” Crestmere knew he didn’t have to repeat himself. He knew he didn’t even have to ask if they understood. Years of military discipline had taught him otherwise. “Move out.”

[Hera]

Hera drew her eyes from off Valten, peeling them from him by sheer determinate will and locked them back toward the vid screen.

Something was moving in that mind of his. Something other than what was happening in the now. Something darker. Something deeper. She could not intuit what it was exactly, but Hera sensed a brooding that she had somehow triggered within the Inquisitor. A trill of satisfaction rippled along her spine as she sensed her manipulitive manner had, at the very least, seeded some form of doubt with in him. To do with Helghast? The Inquisitoriate in general?

A ghosted smile haunted her lips momentarily and her blue eyes challenged without even looking at him. Her voice was soft as silk -- so soft that Valten could not be sure if she'd really even spoken. "You don't got the guts"

[Karl Valten]

Whether or not Hera’s words were meant to be heard by the Inquisitor, it was clear that Valten heard her serpentine voice. His reaction something strange, a sound that his closest underlings rarely heard and even he wasn’t accustomed to. A chilling laugh that echoes hollowly through the souls of everyone. Inquisitorial personnel cast fearful looks in the direction of the pair. A laughing Inquisitor was usually a very bad thing.

Karl slowly looked up at Hera still laughing. The woman was a vornskr under that flesh, an angry, wild beast jumping at the bars of her prison. Valten did his best to shove the shadow of doubt into the back of his mind. Still, the voices whispered silently into his ear, urging him to listen to the witch-siren’s voice.

He fixed his cold grey eyes on hers, a stare that would drive its way into a persons soul and rip them apart from the inside out. “Don’t I?” The boxed maelstrom of suspicion threatened to break free swallow him…suspicion against everything.

Karl leaned forward close to her, lowering his voice to an acidic whisper. “I’d be careful with that tongue of yours Hera.” Karl reached out and cupped her chin with one hand and gently dragging the deadly knife blade along her cheek with the other. “Helghast is the only reason I haven’t had you cut to pieces.”

The Inquisitor slowly stood, dropped his arms from her face. The faintest line of crimson traced her face where the blade had touched. Breaking his lock on her eyes, Karl turned to the duties of organizing the decontamination.

[Y'roth Helghast]

A man came charging towards Jerrard and he turned with the slightest surprise. Someone actually had the guts to stand against these monsters. The man carried a stool like a club in his hands and was in midstride before his head exploded like a popped balloon. Jerrard lowered his weapon a degree or so and to the left and fired again, two people running, hand in hand, collapsed, their arms and a good portion of their chests missing now, a bloody mass against the wall.

Scothis shot two at the door, another at the window, and shot one in the back as it tried to crawl into a ventilation shaft. He almost thought it was amusing that not a single person had come armed to this event. He kept a blaster in his fresher even, just in case. The galaxy was a dangerous place. He gave half a grin as Scothis unloaded the rest of his clip in efficient succession into a group of peope huddling in a corner.

It had only been a span of three minutes but with the proper equipment and properly applied skill, the room ceased to be alive as Helghast fired and the last traitor immediately present was executed with a round that entered one ear, destroying the skull between as it continued through and past the next ear. Y'roth's metal voice filtered into all of their receivers.

"Alpha Team, doors, to the 6th floor. 7 minutes and counting."

[Hera]

It was probably because they weren't expecting it.

Hera certainly had not anticipated Karl creasing her face with that damned blade and had recoiled from him the instant the realisation what he'd done dawned on her. She flew investigative fingers to her cheek and the warm stickiness of her own drawn blood flash-fired her anger like flame to a detonation wire.

So it was probably because they weren't expecting it, that as Hera backed up, incredulous at Valten's gall - her eyes sparking from face to face of those around her like a polecat run to ground - that she was able to pull one of the junior Inquisitors blasters from its holster.

With three rapid pumps of the trigger, Hera fired off her fury in a volley of lasers into Valten's turned back.

[Karl Valten]

For Agent Tiar everything happened in slow motion the instant the adept pulled the gun from his holster. He’d been pretending to paying attention to the holo-feed from the Nightmares while listening in to the conversation between Hera and Valten. It was his job to make sure security was on the woman if any thing happened. He’d shifted his attention for only a split second as the Inquisitor moved away and now, despite his neural enhancements, all he could do was watch. And somewhere in the pit of his stomach the growing horror of failure started to rise.

Inquisitorial guards moved in vain to intercept Hera while several others moved to knock Valten out of the way, the crimson bolts were already flying. His rage at the adept for using underhanded tactics on his commanding officer fueled his painfully slow motions, but a subconscious part of Tiar’s mind actually hoped that she’d kill the Inquisitor. He wouldn’t get that hope.

Whether he expected the attack or he was being driven by enhanced reflexes , Karl was spinning to the side. Still Tiar could see several blasts burn into the Inquisitor’s robes.

Time resumed and Karl was knocked to the ground by a black armored stormtrooper while another took a pair of bolts in the chest for his lord. Agent Tiar’s muscles finally kicked into gear and a vicious snap-kick caught Hera hard in the gut. The pistol went flying. As the adept slumped forward, he lunged forward with an open hand blow to the temple that knocked her to the ground.

A dozen or more clicks from cocking weapons rang through the suddenly chaotic chamber. Inquisitorial troopers, agents, and operators alike had their fingers closing on the triggers of their weapons.

But before any shot could be made, a commanding broke through. “Hold fire.” Agent Tiar halted his movement and turned to see Inquisitor Valten shoving the soldier off of him, noticing for the first time the smell of charred flesh. The large man tore the smoking cloak off his shoulder, revealing the dull sheen of carapace armor. Karl ran his hand along the scorched plating and felt to pinpoints where the blasts hard burned through the armor and bodysuit beneath.

“You know, I had just been thinking that you’d have made a decent Inquisitor.” Valten straightened ignoring the pain he had to be feeling. He pulled a disruptor pistol from its holster at his waist and leveled it at Hera. An almost victorious smirk plastered on his face. “But you crack to easily.”

The gun shifted slightly in the Inquisitor’s hand and Tiar’s eyes widened. Before the Agent could say a word the deadly disruptor beam washed over him. The man’s body turned into a pile of ash with an echoing scream.

Valten lowered the weapon and looked hard at Hera. “If you want to test loyalties this badly, why not?” He turned to the soldiers who were more focusing on the Inquisitor than the attacking adept. “Through her in a cell.”

As Hera was roughly led away, Karl clutched his burning shoulder.

[Victor Crestmere]

With the area secure, Crestmere slung his C-14 around his side and made his way towards the basement. Pulling up the buildings layout on his HUD, Crestmere watched as the last of the red dots which stood of hostiles faded out over in Danni's section.

"Sewers secure, which means our exit is as well. Move on to phase two ladies." He said over the comm. as Danni and Naomi began making their way towards the sewers entrance to the basement. Meeting up with them, Crestmere took point and placing his hand on the door began scanning it for any traps. It was clear. Sliding his rifle off his back, Victor opened the door.

As he entered, he moved off to the right while Naomi moved left and Danni took the center. The room was dark. If it wasn't for the Nightmare's HUD system in their helmets, there would be no way of knowing where to shoot if a gun fight started. Moving behind a pillar, Crestmere spoke over the team’s comm. system in a whisper. "My scans are showing no signs of life other then ours, but who knows what kind of jamming equipment these rebels have. Be on your guard. Trust your eyes, not the equipment."

That's right. Encourage them. Send them off to die.

"Not now! Shut up.."

Oh, I'm so scared. What are you going to do if Naomi gets shot? You don't know how to set the charges, and you know darn well that the other girl, what’s here name, Danni hasn't got a clue. You're going to fail.

Crestmere ignored the familiar voice and proceeded to clear the room. He had some training in demolitions, just like everyone else. He could finish the mission if it came down to it....

Fine. Ignore me, but you know I'm right. They're here you know? Hiding...waiting...and when you least expect it, they'll be all over you like the hair of a Wookie in a rain storm. Your all going to die

"SHUT UP Den’quo!" Crestmere yelled out to himself and with that, came silence. The green dots that represented Danni and Naomi stopped where they stood, not knowing what was going on.

"What is it?" Naomi's voice echoed over the comm.

"Nothing...press on." Was all Crestmere said in reply.

"Right. Anyway, I've found three suitable locations for the charges. I'm going to begin planting them now. Give me 20 minutes and they'll be set. After that, we're clear for extract."

"Understood. Danni, lets give her some cover just incase we have any..." but before Crestmere could finish his sentence, the basement lit up like a thousand suns all at once, causing Victor's HUD to scramble as it began adjusting to the sudden change in light. All he could hear in the background was the shouts of an unknown amount of hostiles, yelling for them to put down their weapons and surrender. With his HUD’s vision returning, Victor quickly did a scan of the room. He counted at least 20 hostiles and his HUD confirmed it. "Naomi...you've got 10 minutes. Danni, you know what to do."

Taking aim and lifting his C-14 into the air, Victor let out 6 burst shots, utilizing the Nightmare suits hydraulics system to increase his rate of fire and 3 rebels fell where they stood. Falling behind a large metal crate, Victor could hear Danni doing the same thing and the sound of bodies falling followed in-between shots. With his HUD showing 7 dead and 13 left, Victor peaked around the left corner of the crate, and fired off another two rounds, each round hitting its mark.

Checking on Naomi, who was hidden safely behind a few smaller dura-crete crates as she continued to work, cutting and splicing different wires together in an attempt to speed up the process, Crestmere nodded to himself in approval. Quickly ducking back behind the safety of his own crate, Crestmere realized the enemy was advancing. That was too close. Peaking around the corner again, Crestmere had 6 of them in his sights. Pulling the trigger, a few rounds escaped the barrel and what followed after is what no soldier wants to hear while in the middle of a gun fight, click…click

He had managed to halt their advance and take down one hostile, but he was out of ammo, having used most of it to clear the sewers, he had lost track of supply. Holstering his C-14, Victor quickly pulled out his Disruptor pistol in its stead. He only had a limited amount of shots with this one, but it was better then nothing. Sticking his right arm out around the crate, taking careful aim at where the majority of the hostiles had gathered, he fired two shots. The first shot ripped through the dura-crete crates like a hot knife through butter, taking out two hostiles with it and the second shot took out one more. With the last hostile seeing the that he stood no chance, began running for the exit. Before he could take aim, Naomi popped off a shot, nailing her target at the base of the neck, severing his spine.

With Naomi returning to her work, Victor held up 5 fingers signaling to Naomi that she had 5 minutes left. “Danni, how’s it coming over there? You handling yourself Ok or do you need me to call off the mission so that we can come and help you out?”

[Danni Reyok]

At first, Crestmere’s only response was a low irritated growl. A harsh swipe and her opponents arm fell mangled to the ground; a perfect shot of her pistol to his neck ceased all screams before they even surfaced. In the process one more red dot disappeared off her HUD visual screen. All too soon after, another man approached with a weapon that even Danni couldn’t recognize; however, whatever it was, it was torn to pieces on the cold ground, much like its handler.

“Just finish what you two have to.” The strain in her voice was acrid; talking was not her main priority right now. The blades in her hand constantly rotated with her pistol and her foot work only hastened as onslaught continued.

Two shots rang out from her pistol before icy steel jutted upwards; behind the blazing cobalt orbs of the HUD, liquid jade eye’s watched as the last drop of life faded from the rebel in her grasp. The small ‘thud’ of the lifeless body falling to the ground was lost by the straggled cry of another.

Such a sound sent excited shivers up Reyok’s spine. The faintest tint of a smile was etched into her smooth features as there was only a lone crimson dot in her sight.

A spike of adrenaline pumped through her blood. Veins stuck out of her hidden skin; her heart pulsating with pure elation . . . in a flash it was over, her blade stuck in the man’s gut. But she knew that he was not dead and knowing so she chuckled in fake hysteria.

“I’m finished.”

The sickening snap of the man’s neck echoed in the death filled room.

[Hera]

Hera thought, for a moment, that she was a goner. The look Karl gave her..he would have enjoyed immensly the act of obliterating her where she stood. Teach her a lesson.

But the man had himself well in control, despite the fact that his shoulder was still smoking.

The image made Hera smile. That was one for the memory book.

Valten's two toadies threw her quite litterally into the cell so that she slammed hard to her knees upon landing. Without a word, the pair saw the door sealed closed behind them and left her alone.

She rolled over to sit with her back against the wall, rubbing her knees gently. The room was empty. With the exception of herself, there was nothing - no furninshing, no chair in the room. Nothing. Just four walls, floor and roof. A box. It could be a roomy coffin, she mused darkly - but if Valten had wanted her dead, he'd put it off until another time. His discipline today was impressive.

She was sorry she would not get to see the entire operation unfold on the planet's surface, but her impulsive act had made short shift of that little treat.

Hera had no regrets, however. It felt fantastic to finally retaliate against her captors, ill-advised as it maybe. Talk about biting the hand that feeds her, but a girl could only take so much. Valten should think twice before taking a blade to her face like that. She doubted the poor schmoe who was vaporized would see it that way.

Resigning herself a long, lonely wait, Hera stretched out the floor's length of her cell and tried to picture play-by-play of the battle going on miles beneath her.

[Y'roth Helghast]

The timer in the window of his HUD informed Helghast that two minutes remained as the body of the Rebel leader slid off the long blades of his katars. The blood dripped quickly from the blades and then evaporated with a flicker of Y'roth's will and a small burst of electric energy. The man, elderly, whose name was being added to what seemed a never ending list of traitors now visually confirmed as deceased, stared at the ceiling and behind his eyes, Helghast knew that dreams and wishes of malicious intent upon the functions of the Empire had perished there. The room was awash in gore, a tapestry in testimony of Helghast's dedication to his Empire.

Two minutes ago

The life signs had been visible as soon as Helghast reached the floor. Jerrard and Scothis broke off as directed and Helghast wasted no time once the lift doors had opened. The Nightmare launched at a surprising speed for such a hulking figure. The walls held no resistance as he collided and passed through one, two, three, and then the fourth wall. And all the traitors, huddled behind make shift defenses, expecting their invaders to come knocking at their very doors had turned to behind them with faces of such utter dismay. And then the women screamed. The noise was dampened, of course, for Helghast's working comfort.

The main threats were identified in milliseconds and handled accordingly. Y'roth didn't even bother to reload. The weapons were holstered with a fluid grace that such a machination should not have been capable of. The katars that protruded from the thick gauntlets of Helghast's powersuit made a sharp noise as they reached their full meter length and then the air was filled with the scent of burnt ozone. And then burnt flesh.

One minute and remaining...

Helghast stood on the roof of the building with Scothis and Jerrard, their black armor glistened in the night. Sirens and alarms went off in the quarantined sector below them and the deployment vehicle was speeding towards their position with time to spare.

"I'm finished."

Reyok's voice hit the channel and Helghast emphasized the countdown to the rest of the squad.