Training Exercise III: The Ottethan System [Complete]

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth had risen early to prep the shuttle that was scheduled to depart for the Ottethan system. It would be the site of what Jeseth was sure would be the most difficult training exercise these apprentices had yet to conquer. Steam was rising from the exhaust vents on the shuttle, vapors filling the landing pad as he stepped from inside the tiny vessel, awaiting the arrival of his students.

[Inu]

The Jackel was standing outside the shuttle as Jeseth came down the ramp.

"You could hear this thing from miles away," he said, referring to the shuttle's engine. Finally, it was time to do some training.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana approached behind Inu and bowed to Jeseth, before straightening up and meeting his gaze with her eyes.

"I have arrived My Lord, and I am ready to serve the Order with all that I am......"

The Apprentice said softly, her black robes being pushed back as the wind blew gently against her. Her cyan eyes were quite a contrast to her black hair and fair skin.....and she did not look like a Warrior, but looks were deceiving. Upon her weapons belt were tools of death and she was proud to use them......she lusted for death now. How changed she was......and cold anger rested in her heart and her eyes showed it. This mission, her second one, would be a chance to prove she had what it took to make it as a member of the Order.......and to bring honor to it......

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre arrived to stand by Inu and Feliciana. She simply bowed to Jeseth, not speaking except to say, "I am ready." Her pitch black eyes reflected nothing, except a slight glimmer that might have been anticipation.

[Dea Potentia]

*walks up* yay!! we getta go on a spaship ride!!! what kinda wildlife is on this petting zoo of a planet Master Jeseth?

[Inu]

Inu-Aku's ears flattened to his head as Dea arrived.

"This is no child's game..." he muttered.

[Dea Potentia]

*tilts head* whoever said it was a childs game... just because I'm here doesn't mean that the rest of you were going to survive!! :D *skips onto ship...*

[Inu]

Inu-Aku flexed his claws, then balled his hands into fists, resisting the urge to kill her now, as opposed to waiting for the mission to begin and allowing their opposition to do it for him. Instead, he looked to Jeseth.

"And how many more are we expecting?"

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth's lips curled into something of a grin as he sensed Inu-Aku's anger. This one I will watch with much interest...

"There should be two more," the winged Knight said, his tone sounding of impatience and wrath, "If they fail to arrive we will depart regardless. I should let you all know now: you are to choose a leader from within your ranks. Late arrivals have lost their right to be part of the decision due to their lack of concern."

[Jared Mriad]

The ever present grin spread across the marked sith's face. He had arrived just as Jeseth finished speaking and stood well away from the rest for... other.. reasons. Late? He was not but at the same he was there at the time the others had arrived.

It smelled and looked like times of old, from the dead Empire. Other than him, there should be one more. Who would be the last unfortunate (hah! such a nice word) fellow to arrive? Jared had not met many, aside from Cherice, within the order so reconizing the faces would be irrelevant at the time.

The dragon tattoo on the side of his face gave it's own little grin added to Jared's. Moving closer, but still keeping the special distance away, Jared gave a quick bow(which was probally overseen by the master, not like Jared mattered much) and stood erect again with complete silence.

[Salem Ave]

One of the disadvantages of being what he was, was that light was a no-no. Salem had pushed out of his quarters at an hour he didn’t care to be sociable. To shade himself from the harmful rays that bet down from above Salem had concealed himself in a ragged looked by cloak, similar to the one that he usually attired himself in – only with the addition of a heavy hood.

Never the less, he moved quickly and efficiently towards the gathering and bowed very slightly to Jeseth – he was growing very conscious of being outside, and made an attempt to skulk under the shade of the shuttle.

[Jehova Eaven]

Jehova walked through a metallic door followed by his apprentice. His hands gripped his metallic staff tightly as he leaned on it and used it for leverage. With a grin he looked over the the apprentices. Salem Ave, he had worked with him before and was quite reliable, even though he was a dirty vampyre.

"I will be joining you on this mission, Jeseth. I have some assignments for them to complete while on Ottethan."

[Cherice St_Hilare]

With hands clasped behind her back, Cherice followed Jehova out to where the Apprentices stood - with their rapt attention directed towards Jeseth. This time she took no care to conceal her true skin color, and so, naturally, her purple skin stood out against the others.

She was dressed in black leggings and a loose fitting top, perfect for not only the weather, but for flexibility. In her right hand she clutched a pair of goggles, along with a long strip of cloth. Her blond hair was pulled back in a braided bun.

Her dark, blue eyes glanced over the rest and stopped at Jared, then looked back towards Jehova. She wouldn't say a word unless it felt necessary for her to voice her opinion in such matters.

[Gouyen Chee]

It had taken a long time to settle Robi down. "I am going on this mission without you," she told the Cybernian, which upset her greatly. "I have to prove myself as a warrior in order to gain Sith knighthood and I have to do it alone. Remember now," and she placed her hand on the canine's massive head, "we will always be connected."

She picked up her pack and left her room, striding swiftly down the hall, hoping that she wasn't too late. She reached the shuttle just in time -- Master Cloak was just giving final instructions. She silently scanned the assembled apprentices and noticed that Master Eaven and his newly promoted apprentice Cherice had joined the group. She gave small bows to each of the masters and stood awaiting further orders.

[Levi Argon]

The shuttle on which his brother was to leave for Coruscant had been delayed and despite knowing there was an important training mission he had to attend, family came first and as such Levi had been prepared to wait until Jak had finally left. They had been on Corellia for a standard week now and in those five days had successfully aided their accomplices in a raid on one of the CEC's older constuction yards. After hearing it was to be shut down, their older brother, Vin, had sent them with a band of his men to steal a certain number of ships: they got away with a YT-1300, two YT-2400's, a YV-666 Light Freighter and an Action VI transport.

So why wasn't he headed back home with his brother? Why was he now making his way to the other side of the spaceport to board a shuttle leaving for an unknown destination with a group of dark-siders in training? The fact of the matter was that even Levi wasn't sure but he knew it was something he wanted to do; being far more adventures than his kin it suited him. Did he see himself becoming a feared Sith Lord in the future? Of course not but he was sure he'd learn at least something from this excursion.

"We ready to go now or shall we just sit and enjoy the view?" He nodded, gesturing at a large gamorrean arguing with a particularly ugly aqualish. But then Levi was biased for he hated both species.

[Dea Potentia]

*Walks down the ramp where every body else is 'cause she had become lonely waiting for them all on the ship. Sit's on ground next to shuttle and draws pictures in the dirt.*

[Blaine]

The one that went by the name "Cold" had recently joined The Sith Order. It wasn't odd that he was late; he was never punctual and this made his relationships short. Observing everyone go in the ship, he came running, shouting:

"W-wait for me!"

He knew that he had done wrong in coming late. Cold then got in front of the ship and saw the one in command, Sith Knight Jeseth Cloak.

"I apologize for my tardiness, I shall not do it again."

Cold relaxed, trying to catch his breath. Cold was a bit excited that he was going to go to his first mission with The Sith Order.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana thought about Master Jeseth's words. They would need to choose a leader from their ranks......and no one had stepped up and said anything yet. Sighing, the young Sith moved forward in the group, bowing right before Jeseth.

"My Lord....if it pleases you and my comrades, I wish to be the Leader."

She said softly, yet there was a fierceness lacing the words that fell from her pretty lips. Rising back to full height, she let her cyan eyes meet his......they too held a fierceness to them.....a blackness that mirrored her soul.

The child that had joined their group was adding that the hatred in her heart.....how she wished to wring the little one's neck, but she restrained herself and instead, focused on the matter at hand.....the choosing of a Leader. Felicia was confident in herself, and her decision.....she hoped that others would be confident in her as well....

[Inu]

"And what makes you think YOU are worthy? I declare Gouyen the leader! Her Ansazi training and experience with the Order make her the most eligible leader!"

[Feliciana Devano]

Immediatly Fel drew her saber from her belt and ignited it, then pointed the end of the crimson blade at Inu's neck. She growled deeply and held it closer and closer until the heat burned the hairs from his flesh.

"And what makes you see me as unworthy......scum? TELL ME!"

She yelled in his face, completely forgetting about the others now. The young woman had a strong dislike for Inu already. He was a cocky little bastard who needed to be set in his place. The least he could have done was put forth the vote without degrading Felicia....but he had taken it too far.....and now she would finish him off if need be......

[Inu]

"I have no experience with you." He stated it calmly, but with malice. "For all I know you are weaker in the Force than I am and are as immature as that brat." He punctuated this remark with a gesture at Dea. "If I had some idea of your capabilities, perhaps I would choose differently. but from all the apprentices here, I know Gouyen to be a capable Sith."

[Salem Ave]

“Yourrr childisssh squabbling proves neitherrr of you are capable of leading usss,” Salem remarked unusually loudly, his voice hoarse as ever.

Evidently, as he spoke, it could be seen that he wore something beneath his hood – a mask of sorts, to shield his face from the light, presumably. It had no breathing holes, simply an amplifier that would project his voice to its normal level. The eye pieces were solid black, and ergo made no change to his appearance in that respect.

“I veto yourrr both propositions, and nominate Cherice. Sss-he is the most adept in the Force amongst us, and hasss attained the rank of Knight before we others. Sss-he is the most capable.”

[Dea Potentia]

*looks up when she hears Inu mention her name shrugs and continues work on her dirt picture. whispery voice* I was fine with the idea of you being our leader, Feliciana, until you drew your lightsaber agianst Inu's words. *looks up boldly* the last time I spoke with cherice she was a wee bit judgmental and claimed me a traitor... twas awhile back and tis quite possible that she has fixed this flaw but as I do not know if that has happened I agree with Inu that Gouyen should lead us... *innocent smile* but i would feel so special if some one could think me wise enough to be leader... *giggles and goes back to drawing*

[Inu]

"Foolish brat, you could barely direct yourself to your own quarters! You are the most unfit to be leader! Shut up with such foolishness; do you support Gouyen or not!"

[Cherice St_Hilare]

Their yelling had finally irritated Cherice, who narrowed her eyes that one of the newly accepted apprentices, Inu. He was already disrespecting two members that were in the Order long before him, and was creating a problem in the process.

"The Sith Order is not composed of unruly animals who cannot compose themselves," she hissed, aiming the word 'animal' towards Inu. He had some mixed DNA inside, and quite frankly, was a mutt in all aspects.

"You will learn to control yourself, Inu."

[Dea Potentia]

*looks up startled* OI!! I was just kidding! I twas raised to be a queen... but I do indeed doubt politics would help against what we might face on this trip... I don't feel any need in the slightest to be burdend with so many lives... I mearly stated that I would feel very special if some one could even possibly consider me as the leader... that some one could perhaps see beyond my childishness and accept me... *turns to Jeseth* Master you never did reply to my guestion about what kind of amnimals we might find... *happy smile!!* anything cute and fuzzy?

[Blaine]

"I guess this is the bunch I'll be on the mission with?", Cold asked himself, a bit puzzled about their behaviors.

He was a bit surprised that Sith would act so childish and not decide like civilized people. He didn't say anything because he didn't know anyone; he didn't want to make matters worse. Cold stood there, auburn hair in his face, wondering if his tardiness was worse than the two Sith arguing.

[Jared Mriad]

"If you all cannot decide on who will be the leader, then draw straws or something! Petty arguments will get us no where near closer to being done with this!" Jared barked from his position, calm and cool.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre smirked slightly, shook her head. Silently she agreed with Jared's view of things. Really, such childish behavior!

Her face quickly returned to its cold, emotionless mask. Coolly she brushed aside a few strands of her black hair, watching those around her. She was not ready to make her decision on whom she thought should lead yet. She didn't know enough of these people well.

So she watched quietly through her dark eyes, thinking, watching their faces and listening to their words, trying to get a feel for these people.

[Inu]

The Jackel wrenched Feliciana's arm, moving the saber from his throat.

"I have stated my opinion. I'm through talking."

He moved to the boarding rampl.

"Enough of this. It is readily apparent that each of you thinks himself the better, so I'll let you fight for the position of leader. Join me when you feel ready."

With that he boarded the ship.

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen just had to smile at the absurdity of it all -- although what could you expect from a bunch of power-hungry Sith?

"Inu, Dea -- I am flattered that you chose me to lead this group, but I must respectfully decline. I have my own objectives on this mission and they do not involve leading the group." She scanned the group with her black-in-black eyes. "At least so far -- circumstances may force my hand later on," she added so she wouldn't appear too selfish.

Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the group. A leader for now -- that is, until a true leader stood out. Inu-Aku might benefit from the experience, but he needed to learn to follow before he could lead. Dea claimed to be raised to be a leader, but her behavior was more that of a simple child than that of a prospective queen. Feliciana was a possibility who clearly wanted leadership, but the question remained -- could she keep it? The newly-made knight Cherice was an obvious choice, but Gouyen was looking for someone not so obvious. Her eyes wandered over Jared's features. Now there was an interesting possibility.

"I nominate Jared to be leader."

[Jehova Eaven]

They were like children. Even the rancors that awaited them on Ottethan were more civilized. But then again, what else could he expect from the young Sith though. A few however did show promise. For instance Gouyen handled her nomination problem beautifully. She would probably make a good Dark Jedi and would need to be watched with more careful intensity. Also, a new arrival who has yet to make a name for himself would also need to bear some watching.

"Cherice has her own mission and will not lead." he said and then looked at Jeseth. "Lets get moving, they're waiting for us."

[Levi Argon]

During the squabbling over who was to be leader, Levi silently left for the shuttle not caring to be dragged into the meeting of the mindless. He didn't even bother showing any signs of dissaproval for he knew from the moment they began speaking that none of them would be his leader and he was yet to see one worthy of such a title.

"I'm expected to place my life in the hands of one of those kids down there!" He grunted as he sat down in the shuttle. He would face this mission, tackle the problems and survive the dangers at hand. With a hefty yawn he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

[Inu]

"Tch. Then why don't YOU lead?" Inu-Aku asked from his seat on the floor.

[Salem Ave]

Salem shook his head.

“Your idiocy is surpassed only by your childish responses to criticism.”

Without so much as another word, he boarded the shuttle.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth watched with interest, taking in the disorder around him. They hadn't decided. It would be just as well: this was the first task he had entrusted them with, and the outcome had been less than agreeable. If they continued down this path they would find themselves dead within a day.

"Very well... we depart now. I will not intervene in your decisions." The winged Knight boarded the shuttle and allowed the rest of the group to follow him in. The ramp hissed shut, and the heat and sunlight that had been filling the ship began to fade away. Cold air washed over them, and a solid darkness blanketed everyone who wasn't sitting at the controls. Red, blue, green, and yellow lights illuminated Jeseth’s face.

"Dea," he called out, "there will be no animals on Ottethan III that would be worth the risk to touch." The shuttle was shaking slightly now as it ascended. Jeseth glanced over at Jehova, keeping their conversation hidden from the Apprentices behind them. I have already made the necessary arrangements with the bounty hunters... They will be waiting.

Outside of the ship, the blue atmosphere was beginning to melt away slowly, shifting to a darker and darker shade, until eventually all that was around them was space. They had gone clear of the planet's gravity. Jeseth notified the passengers of their status. "Preparing to jump to hyperspace." The computer had found the fastest route to the Ottethan System. Jeseth's slender fingers moved over the controls for an instance, and then melted away into space. Everything around him had blurred into streaks of color, losing shape and definition.

[Maigo]

OOC: tis Dea... my other account isn't working and I was ascared that you all might miss me!!

*sit's in a seat in the very back of the ship... silently working her long blond hair into thousands of little braids... a look of determination on her face... sighs*

[Inu]

Inu-Aku quickly forgot the argument outside the ship. He sat bored, almost sleeping, on the floor near the seats, claws counting idly. What a waste. A simple suggestion had broken the team of..."family" apart. How absurd. He slouched low and turned his focus to the task at hand.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana quickly found a seat beside Cherice, someone she had met on the last training mission who she seemed to find an instant connection with. Smiling, the young woman pushed her black hair out of the way, and searched the ship with her bright cyan eyes. Slowly they made her way to the Succubi beside her.

"This sounds like a mission to Hell.....but I'm ready for it!"

She said with confidence though it was a lame attempt to start a bit of conversation to pass the time. Slowly her eyes made their way to the window and the Apprentice looked out at the stars that streaked by. It was surly beautiful anyway, though one could not tell constellations or anything of the such anymore. Inside, her heart lept into her chest, though the young woman appeared quite calm on the outside. This would be one test she would never forget......but she had confidence that she would survive....

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre sighed. Usually she preferred to keep to herself, but perhaps, she thought, it might be useful to get to know some of these people if she was going to be on this mission with them...

Her black eyes quickly flitted from those among the group to settle on Cold. She walked up to him. "Hey." She said, a half smile appearing on her face. "I'm Leliarre. I don't think we've met."

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen settled down in her seat and slipped into a deep meditative trance -- partly to prepare for the upcoming mission, partly to avoid the sickness that hit her every time she saw the surreal blur of hyperspace. Her mind let go and she studied her companions through the altered sight of the Force. Inu-Aku was the first to spring into focus -- he was a confused ball of energy waiting to be unleashed. Then there was Feliciana, the one who would be leader -- excited, but just barely controlled. Salem the vampyre was harder to get a fix on -- he was almost pure darkness. Then there was Dea -- her simple nature hid much darker depths, depths which if harnessed would make her a powerful Sith -- the emphasis of course being on the "if." Cherice was interesting -- a strange mix of destructive and nurturing power. Jared was another mass of dark energy waiting to be unleashed, but unlike Inu, his energy was controled. Then there was Levi Argon -- he was more pure potential than anything else. An interesting bunch, she mused. She settled back into the Force and waited for their destination to be reached.

[Jared Mriad]

Keeping his mind isolated from outside intruders, but letting his own mind wander off. What would they do, and how.. it wasquestionable. And the leader? Well, Jared would not lead anyone anywhere for any reason.

The blurs of the fireballs of stars outside the windows kept streaking by and then fading, each passing moment a boring life. Everal others milled about as Jared just rested back, eyes closed and sleeping lightly....

[Blaine]

Cold followed the other Sith into the ship. He kept silent, and knew that what was to follow would be an adventure he would never forget. Feeling the cool air in the ship, he settled himself where everyone else was.

"Hope this'll be fun", Cold said to himself, a bit uncertain of it.

Cold was silent because he did not know anyone in the ship.

[Jehova Eaven]

A cold expression on an uncaring former master; this was what the Sith Order had really provided him. His feelings for the Order had been varied lately. With one hand they provided him with teachings, and with the other they held him down making sure that he didn't become too powerful to control. In a way it was much like how it was on Ambriel.

His seat was the one next to the main control panel and also next to Jeseth. They had sat this way long ago except back then they were mortal enemies. Those times had long gone and so were their rivalries.

"I read your book.... I don't need it anymore. I have it hidden in my quarters on Corellia and I'll give it back to you when we get back if you wish."

[Jeseth Cloak]

If you wish, Jeseth responded to Jehova in thought, before nodding off into a state of meditation. His mind clamped shut to outsiders and assumed a state of tranquility. He often lapsed into these staes of being to pass the time, collecting all of his bitterness and anger into a deep recess of his mind. In time he would unleash those destructive emotions and manipulate them to his advantage.


<center><color=green>---Seven Hours Later---</color></center>

The hours had slipped by... Some of the passengers carried on their conversations, while others had chosen to rest in preparation for the coming test. The ship was coming out of hyperspace on schedule, humming loudly as a snap brought most of the sleeping beings back into the conscious world. Some electrical circuit had ceased functioning and smoke began to fill the air. Jeseth ignored it and look straight ahead, eyeing the red and brown mass of rock, sand, and mud.

The sensors had picked up another ship, still a considerable distance from where the transport shuttle now drifted... Jeseth smiled coldly and decided not to information the passangers of its presence. Jehova and him knew very well why that ship was there. It would present an interesting challenge...

[Maigo]

*finishes her braids and notices the tears in her eyes. wipes them away... she now realizes that her brethern will not accept her if she continues to try to make up for the extreem lack of childhood that had been allowed her in her first eighteen years of life. pushes the sadness from her mind seeing as how it would only distract her on this trainng mission. Wraps one braid around the others forming them into a ponytail and ties it off, her preperation both mental and physical complete.

[Blaine]

Knowing that somewhere in that universe Cold would find an answer to who he is, he was a bit concerned in where he was a going. He only had brief information on what he was going to do.

[Inu]

The Jackel stretched and yawned.

"Where in all the hells are we?"

He checked the time. A seven hour nap...

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Up until now, Leliarre had been sitting quietly, thinking alone. She sighed, a little bored, even with the anticipation of what would be happening soon.

Maybe it was time she got to know some of these people, since she was going to be working with them. Mentally she chided herself for wasting so much time. Usually she preferred to keep to herself, but after all, she wasn't on this mission alone.

The girl got up and moved over to the one called Cold. "Hey," she said by way of greeting. "I'm Leliarre. Nice to meet you." Her black eyes reflected curiosity as she awaited his response.

[Blaine]

Cold suddenly got distracted from the thoughts that trailed his mind. He tilted his head to look at person in front of him. He smiled, liking the presence of another being in front him.

"They call me Cold," he extended his arm, "Nice to meet you too."

Thinking of something to say, Cold asked:

"So what exactly are we doing?... if you don't mind explaining."

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre shrugged slightly. "You know about as much as I do on that." She stood in awkward silence for a minute. She wasn't in the habit of making conversation. Finally, she half-smiled and said, "Should be interesting, huh?" mentally wincing that she couldn't think of anything better to say.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

After she had boarded the ship and found a seat in the back, her blue eyes watched as Jehova disappeared with Jeseth to the controls panel. Upon hearing a feminine voice, however, she looked towards her right and saw Feliciana.

"A mission to Hell?" She repeated, smirking slightly. "Hell's a powerful word, Apprentice, be careful how you use it."

... And so the two talked of the Order and discussed the Force, and finally Cherice closed her eyes to catch up on the much-needed rest. About six hours later, she woke up and glanced around the ship curiously. For a moment, she forgot where she was - an effect sleep had on her - but immediately relaxed. The others seemed fine, but she couldn't help but feeling slightly uneasy .. It was almost like she was picking up vibes in the air that weren't supposed to be there.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana and Cherice talked for a long time about the Order and the Force and such things. It was interesting to hear her wise words and then her own anticipation of becomming a Knight someday, grew inside of her dark heart. She decided that it would be good to rest and she did so, nearly getting six hours of sleep. Suddenly she heard a hissing noise and opened her eyes, then saw that the spacecraft had nearly reached its destination.

"Looks like we're here...."

She said softly, a bit nervous now about the mission. Something just didn't feel right....yet, she could not place her finger on it.

[Blaine]

"Hope it is.", Cold replied to Leliarre's question.

Cold looked out the window, then at Leliarre and asked:

"Ever wonder where the end of the universe is?", his tone a bit softer than before.

A few hours passed, and their conversation seemed to progress. After hearing signals that they were there, Cold stood straight and asked Leliarre:

"You ready?"

[Leliarre Nightshade]

"As I'll ever be," Leliarre replied, grinning slightly.

[Inu]

The Jackel rolled his neck and arms, popping joints made stiff from sitting on the floor.

"Well, if we're all through talking, let's get on with it!"

They had arrived. As far as he was concerned, the mission had begun, even if they weren't off the ship yet.

[Ryu Warusa]

Hmph, they actually showed up. Jerred's mystery informant had come through for them this time. The man's image on the holonet didn't seem to be real, his features were too perfect. Too late to worry about that now though... Jerred and I needed the money.

"Is that them?" I knew the answer but wanted to make sure with Jerred. His green goggles seemed to shine as he read the monitor, even in the darkness of the ship.

[Jerred Rez]

Jerred's eyes were processing the image in several different wave frequencies at once: heat, motion, x-ray, and the standard spectrum that most humanoids saw the world through. He watched as the shuttle began to touch down on the planet's surface. It was the same ship that his contact had told him would arrive. "That's the ship. Remember, he wanted us to wait until the passengers had made it halfway across the valley. We can't move until then, or our contract is void and we won't get anything." Jerred's head turned to look at Ryu sternly

For once he was telling Ryu to show restraint. Completely unheard of...

[Jeseth Cloak]

The shuttle touched down with a thunderous clamor. Everyone who had been standing was nearly knocked back off their feet, and it was with some effort that they all managed to regain their balance. Jeseth stood and walked back towards the apprentices who were eager to depart on their mission. He slammed his hand against a large panel against the wall, lowering the loading ramp. Sand and wind instantly came pouring into the shuttle in droves. The particles of sand were red and rusted, staining skin and hair alike, and stinging everyone's eyes.

Jeseth walked out into the sandstorm, using the Force to keep all of the particles of dust away from his body. When the rest of the party followed, they realized that they could hardly see past their own hands. "This is where we will leave you." His voice was amplified through the Force clearly. "You are in a valley, several hundred miles from this planet's highest peak. You will have thirteen days to reach the top of that peak alive."

"If you have chosen one leader amongst yourselves, then bring this 'leader' forward. There will be no discussion... the time for pleasantries has passed, and that was the first task to which you were all put. If you've failed then you will suffer the consequences of your actions, but not by my hand. This planet will be your teacher."

[Inu]

The Jackel raised an arm, his billowing sleeves protecting his eyes. Who was that girl that had volunteered first? Everyone else had turned the position down, so that made her default leader. They had called her...

"Feliciana is the leader."

[Jehova Eaven]

Jeseth had begun issuing his orders and running through his plans for the apprentices. Up until now all of Jeseth's surprises had been known only to him and Jehova. The other Masters of the Order did not even know, and for this Jehova was thankful. He had his own special goals for this trip.

"Very well, then she can make sure that you all perform this little task I have for you, as well." he said as he looked at the man-beast Inu. "I require at least one egg from every apprentice here. The eggs you are looking for can be found at the foot of the mountain and are very large. So finding them should be no problem... however obtaining them is a different story all together."

His gaze fell on Feliciana and their eyes locked.

"I trust you will be able to protect the eggs once you have them. They must not be damaged on your way up the summit."

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana stepped foward as the wind whipped her black hair around her shoulders. The sand stung at her bright cyan eyes as she stood against the pounding specks. Her gaze locked with Jehova and she listened intently to what he had to say. Bowing out of respect, she nodded.

"I will make sure these eggs stay safe....as will my comrades. I will not fail you, Master Jehova..."

She said softly to him. Her eyes tore away from his and then went to the faces of those in the group.....coming to rest somewhere in the middle. She thought a moment and with an aire of confidence, she concluded what she was about to say in her mind.

"May the Force be with us.......and also with the people whom we instill fear in when return alive!"

The woman exclaimed with a ferocity in her eyes that told that she would fight until the death.....though she knew somehow, that she would come out of this alive.....

[Salem Ave]

Visibly he was dissatisfied with the sudden one-man decision to appoint the female as leader; however he had no choice but to comply now, and departed out into the whipping tumult. Thankfully for Salem, he still wore the environmental protective mask, which shielded him from any sand, or more importantly sun light, that might come his way during the time they were on the expedition. Equally, he wore thick full-arm length gloves underneath his robes, and layers of padding that one make sure not a single ray touched his flesh.

He strode forward, and began to walk, without any go-ahead signal from Felicia, off towards the mountain peak – a black column struggling through the shifting dunes.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth smirked and boarded the shuttle as he watched Salem walk off. Jehova followed behind him just as the loading ramp began to seal. The apprentices could hardly make out their winged figures through the haze of sand and dust. The shuttle came to life and whirred loudly as it rose up into the sky, it's engine's kicking up even more rusted sand.

When the transport vessel had vanished into the sky from which it came, the apprentices realized that they were now alone on the planet. The very tip of the peak was visible ahead of them. It was black and jagged. The planet breathed with effort. It sounded as if the rocks were moaning and howling, but it was only the wind.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana bowed to the Masters once again and then turned to see Salemn parting from the group. She looked to everyone else and nodded, then began to follow him.

"We must be sure to keep good time.....if one of us falls behind...it's not my problem. We cannot let another take the group down as a whole or we will be quite unsuccessful and we'll all end up dead."

She said in a leadership quality as the others began to follow towards the peak that rested on the horizon. The sand blew at them and the wind was fierce. It was almost an ominous sound as the planet seemed to be....breathing. Perhaps it was her imagination, but soon she did not pay it any mind. The young woman began to think, after some time, that if they did not die of hunger or other means...they would surly die of boredom. She kept her hand close to her saber, though, in case something interesting happened. Hopefully no one in the group would be a let down...and would be able to fend for themselves as well. One could only hope...and so Feliciana did as she trekked on...

[Plot Device]

The sandstorms of Ottethan III were the first obstacle that the group would have to overcome. Most who traveled to the planet kept themselves within the safety of their ships. Sandstorms here could last for weeks, and at their climax were able to rend flesh and strip bones clean. Rancors that had wandered into the eye of these storms lay in crumpled heaps, a mere collection of glistening bones that stood as testament to the power of these storms. Ahead of the group towered a rust-red cyclone, whirling from side to side and covering several miles with each oscillation.

[Maigo]

*decides that she doesn't like this storm... tis very unfamiliar to her and hinders the mission... gah!! and the sand gets everywhere and someone could easily become seperated from the others in the billwing gusts of sand.... probes the storm with her mind and realizes that the winds get even stronger up ahead... catches up with feliciana...*
Could we *hack hack!! really does not like sand in mouth! turns so that the sand hits her cheek instead of going straight in her mouth* could we stop the storm.... the winds get stronger ahead... twill shred us to pieces!

[Salem Ave]

Beneath the guise of his mask, his eyes rose to look upon the towering cyclone.

“Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind,” he muttered to himself as he halted in his tracks.

Slowly, Salem turned his head to regard the appointed leader keenly, eager to see what she would make of this storm, and what ‘wise’ words she would have to contribute next.

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen was not totally surprised by the harsh conditions -- she had done a little research on this world and was not totally unprepared. A knee-length poncho swathed her body and covered her backpack and a deep hood with attached scarf shielded her head and face. The only things visible were her soft-soled boots and a pair of polarized goggles which shielded her eyes.

She watched silently as Feliciana was named leader of the group and as Salem started off on his own towards the the lofty peak that was barely visible through the swirling sand. She then heard Dea's idea about controlling the weather and invisibly quirked an eyebrow.

"Dea has an excellent idea," she said, using the Force to amplify her voice past the muffling layers of her scarf. "If this mission is to be a test of our Force abilities, then why not begin now by controlling the weather."

She stood silently, concentrating. A wave of Force energy radiated from her, spreading like ripples in a pond and fading out just a little way outside the group. In that little bubble, the wind gradually subsided to a stiff breeze and the blowing sand dissipated, increasing visibility. It wasn't a perfect calm, and it did nothing to tame the mighty cyclone in front of them, but it was far more managable that what it was before. She then fell in behing Feliciana as they headed towards the mountain.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

She had brought a pair of goggles and a long piece of cloth for the expedition, and put the goggles on before she stepped outside. The strong wind blew sand right into her face, but now she was able to tie the cloth over her nose and mouth. This would help her breathe and talk with more ease than the rest. It was no surprise that the ship had left them - with Jehova and Jeseth boarded - and the Succubi followed Feliciana and the others. Every so once in awhile she would glance at Jared, who seemed to be doing just fine. That was expected because of the new DNA he had acquired a week ago from his first training session.

Hearing Dea's "complaint", Cherice grinned slightly under the cloth and watched silently as Gouyen calmed down the weather slightly. Interesting, seems like she's got some of Jehova's talents.

[Jared Mriad]

Jared trekked on a slight distance behind his master, Cherice, with a strip of his shirt covering his nose and mouth from the stinging sand. Although Gouyen had lessened the severity of the storm, it still irritated the Cannibalistic warrior to no end.

Still, he followed the others, calm and collective.. almost brooding.

[Dea Potentia]

*tries to get some of the red sand out of her precious blond hair as she walks with the others....*

[Plot Device]

Gouyen's plan seemed to have worked - but sometimes appearances could be deceiving. The sand that had been clouding the atmosphere drifted towards the ground and settled, like strange red snow. The apprentices might have thought that the storm had subsided, but they were only within the eye of the twister. Gouyen's attempt had only succeeded in keeping them from being torn to fleshy ribbons as the immense cyclone swallowed them all.

As the group fixed their eyes ahead, they could see that the sand was quickly cascading back into the sky with a vengeance. They had precious few minutes to protect themselves as best they could, or risk being blown away like leaves in the wind. Gouyen would be hard pressed to provide them enough protection to shield them this time.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

Growling slightly, Cherice looked behind her and saw the swirling sand behind them, then by their sides and infront of them. Realizing that Gouyen had only protected them from getting torn apart, she knew that there were only seconds left when it would have to be done again.

Immediately drawing out the anger and hate inside, she began to 'feed' on it, becoming slightly enraged that Jehova left her on this planet of nothingness. Finally lashing out with the Force, she surrounded her and the group, yelling out:

"Damnit, use the Force and cover yourselves, unless you want to get ripped apart!"

[Blaine]

The exit of the ship was the first step Cold would make in this training mission. Taking off the silky cloak that was covering the other layers of clothing, he set it around his head, leaving space only for his eyes.

Once outside, he felt the hot, windy weather, and the sand that hit the small openings in his cloak stung him endlessly. He followed the others, and saw that one of the Sith had made a path using the Force.

Once he felt that the wind was getting stronger, Cold immediately screamed over the wind:

"I suggest we move out of here before we get thrown away by this storm!"

His voice was slightly heard, and felt that the wind was slowly lifting him up.

[Dea Potentia]

*instinct takes over and as there is not enough time for anything else, forms a protective bubble around herself. Eyes widen in suprise* OI!!! Now how did I do that?!!! *almost loses the bubble but refocuses her anger on it and it holds.*

[Inu]

Force shields? What in seven hells...? How was he to form such a thing? Though his rage was growing, he found himself unable to control the Force within him. He stood tall, undaunted, and continued to walk stoically despite the raging winds. Jack the Force barriers. Bring the storm.

[Jared Mriad]

The sudden drop in the storm's severity threw Jared off balance, taking a moment to glance quickly up, he saw the darkened sky above. It was the eye of one part of the storm.

"Spast!" He cursed, rewrapping his coif tighter as well as clipping the oilskin duster tighter. The others were hard to work with protecting themselves from the severity of the storms and it was working slightly as the wall closed in. Grinning under the coif Jared constructed a semisphere force wall, a technique he learned by self-teachings and meditation, and added it to the layers of protection from the other Apprentices and the Knight.

"Let's start moving faster! This frelling storm isn't going to left off soon!"

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre nodded her agreement, concentrating on creating her own shield. She wasn't sure how exactly to do it, but she had an idea from what she'd managed before on her own, and was able to form a protection of sorts. The girl walked quickly, squinting to see through the sand the storm was sending flying everywhere.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana saw what was happening and she looked back at the group as her mind raced for an idea. The shouts of others were mere whispers now as she thought....then a particular word sparked something in her brain. She turned and began walking faster until she felt it was good timing.

"Everyone, listen to me! Call upon the Force and help create one large barrier around our group to protect us from the cyclone....it isn't over yet! Hurry.....we haven't much time!"

She called out over the howling of the wind. Closing her eyes for a moment, the young Apprentice called upon the Force as she had done several times now since coming to the Sith Order. She focused all of her energy over the group and then let the Force flow from within her. She harnessed her Dark Energy by the anger which came from the wretched storm....it only added fuel to her fire. Hopefully the others would catch on and they would create a strong enough Force shield against the storm. She began walking once again.....knowing that if the others wished to live, they would do as she asked and followed.......

[Dea Potentia]

help create one large barrier around our group
*barely hears Feliciana's order, shrugs, she tis after all our leader... examins the shield around her and streaches it out to add to Feliciana's barrier...searces for more anger as her shield starts to falter... finds fear of death instead and becomes angry at that... is able to strengthen the barrier... looks pleadingly at the others* Now's really a good time for many to be one!!

[Salem Ave]

As Feliciana had commanded, so he obeyed. He walked still a few paces before her, though it was evident that soon she would take over him at the quick pace she was travelling. Salem was in no hurry to get into the eye of the storm, thus held back as he began to charge up a shield around his body. Slowly, limb by limb almost, he encompassed himself within a cocoon of dark energy that became almost visible as it flickered back and forth through a spectrum of strength that ranged from marginally impenetrable to weak.

[Inu]

Inu watched as the others summoned the Force to defend themselves and the group. How was one to direct the Force in such a manner? He had no control over his own Force abilities...Envy of their abilities turned to rage, but he checked himself. This was an inopportune time to lose control. The point was defense, and he could not muster that even for himself! He stalked on angrily, not noticing that the winds around him had lessened, or that that sand sparked in a sphere around him as he moved.

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen fell in behind Feliciana and next to Dea, adding the strength of her Force shield to theirs. She nodded in silent approval of Fel's leadership and Dea's new-found skill with the dark side as the trio pressed on. They soon caught up to Salem, who was struggling with his own Force defence, and enveloped him in their mutual shield. It seems that the others were learning a lesson she had learned some years ago, on Cybernia, as she and Robi had fought a monster blizzard that nearly cost her her feet -- a group may be as weak as its weakest member, but it is also far stronger than its strongest.

Everybody pull in together, she said through the Force, and our combined strengths will shield us from the storm.

As the group closed ranks, she could sense the shield growing larger and stronger. "Many hands make light work," so the old saying went, and in this case it was true -- the shield not only grew stronger, but it also grew easier to sustain. The united group began to cut a path through the other half of the storm, pressing on towards the mountain that loomed somewhere in the distance.

[Plot Device]

The group had managed to protect themselves, but something happened that they hadn't anticipated. Levi Argon had been caught outside of the sphere. The wind seemed to have picked up considerably, and now sand was striking against their shield and erupting into sparks. Levi was struggling to get closer to the group, but it was too late - he vanished from their site in a gust of wind and sand.

The cyclone pressed onward, and then struck the barrier. The torrents of wind dissipated, unable to flow past the group of Sith apprentices. Within seconds the only things left around them were dunes of red sand. A breeze blew over them calmly, and everywhere dust settled like snow, pouring away from them like a blossom. A shred of Argon's clothes calmly floated to the ground in front of them. He was gone, but they had survived.

Now only time and distance stood between them and the mountain. Night was approaching, and with it all of the things that lurked in the valley after dark.

[Blaine]

Having struggled with the cyclone, Cold thought he was a goner. Fate had let him survive and his destiny awaited him. Power; something Cold had craved for ever since he lived on the streets. By accomplishing this task, he would gain something new. Not only would he gain power, but would also learn to cease it.

"Looks like we lost one," Cold told the others, without expression in his tone.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

Even after her warning, most didn't pay heed until Feliciana spoke up. The rest of the Apprentices shared their Force shield, but Cherice only surrounded herself, as to test the others' abilities. Obviously they passed the test when the hurricane was over, until something happened that wasn't expected. Levi hadn't been inside the Apprentices' protective shield and was ripped away by the hurricane; A remainder of his clothing floated infront of the group as they continued to trudge on - showing just how dangerous this mission was.

Remaining silent, the Succubi just merely smiled to herself.

[Inu]

Inu ignored the scrap of cloth that floated by his nose. He would survive the mission and complete it alone, if need be. The loss of one had no bearing on him at all.

[Dea Potentia]

*walks beside Inu, eyes moist* I never had any siblings but now I've lost a brother that I never even got to know... :(

[Inu]

"You talk like he's dead! Now tell me this, brat: Do you honestly believe a Sith could fall to something such as that? Do you?"

[Dea Potentia]

*shrugs* the winds were strong and as I said... I never got to know levi... I don't know what he's capable of....*very slight smile through sad eyes kinda regretful or something and she blinks yo!* I don't even know my capabilities...

[Inu]

"That guy was a Sith. He's more than capable of handling himself. I'd say the same of you, but you're so busy bawling over him like a child! If you don't know your capabilities, I suggest you find your limits fast, or join him!"

He walked ahead of her, toward the front of the group.

[Salem Ave]

A look of disgust was cast by the vampyre towards Dea, before he quickened his pace to catch up to Cherice, hanging a little behind her.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana cast a look of disgust--along with Salem, toward Inu. She shook her head and continued walking on, thankful that the storm had passed....for now.

"It's getting dark out now.....I researched this planet and when night comes, the temperature drops.....rapidly. Snow may be expected and I would not doubt it as we walk through the upcoming valley. The only way that we will survive is to create heat, and we can't stop to make a fire. Use the Force as before, but this time....if you can.....focus on the air around you, imagining in your mind that the molecules are moving at superspeeds. Will them to do so and after a bit, some heat should begin radiating from the air as if a fire was before you."

She instructed everyone. It was something to think about...and Felicia could already accomplish this task for she had been doing a lot of self training....it was in a book that she was studying about the Force and its uses. She began focusing on the air around her....calling upon her anger at the situation they were in, and then using that anger to move the molecules and create heat. In nearly fifteen minutes of walking time, the young Apprentice had heat surrounding her body.

"Now with that heat surrounding you......help keep our Force shield up and enclose the heat within. You may find it quite difficult....as even I do.....but you'll concentrate and make it work if you don't want to freeze to death!"

She yelled atop the group to stress her point. While continuing to concentrate upon the heat, Fel outstretched her senses and used the Force to uphold her part of the sheild, though it was noticably weaker than before due to her difficulty in splitting her attention several ways. Hopefully they would survive the night and not loose another member just as they had lost Levi......

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen's eyebrows jerked upwards in surprise -- it seemed Feliciana was full of surprises. She remembered this technique, as it was the very one that saved her from freezing to death one time, on a training mission on Cybernia.

The memories came flooding back -- trapped in a mountain pass, in a white-out blizzard, she had dug a snow cave in which to wait out the storm. She lay there, too weak to start a fire, her feet like blocks of ice, when her anger spoke to her: "Use the Force." Her anger at her situation sprang forth in white-hot sheets that strangely did not melt the walls of her shelter, but defrosted her feet in tingling, burning agony. From then on, her feet were always somewhat numb and tingly, and she had to be very careful of her footwear.

She trudged onwards on tingling feet and allowed a part of her awareness to reach out and start to warm the air around her. Slowly, like a spark lighting tinder, the warmth spread to envelope her and to reach out in fine tendrils to the others of the group.

[Inu]

He'd seen the look directed at him, the disgusted look that was his reward for trying to become more like "family" to these Sith. He'd give her good enough reason to wear it. Using the anger she had created in him, he shored up the Force shield around himself.

"Why should we all waste our energies doing two things at once? There are eight of us here. Why not split the tasks amongst the members? Four to create a shield from the storm, and four to warm the air inside?"

[Cherice St_Hilare]

Ah, yes - Night had almost fell. A delighted laugh threatened to burst from the Succubi but she retained it, with a grin spreading across her face instead. Feliciana had mentioned 'keeping them warm' by using the Force to manipulate molecules, but Cherice didn't need to use that parlor trick. Since she was a different species, if one looked very close to her lavender skin they would see tiny scales - something that happened whenever she got cold.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw Salem then looked over to Jared. The group seemed to be taking Levi's sudden disappearance quite well, with the exception of Dea.

"The storm has passed, Inu," she called out to the younger Apprentice.

[Inu]

The Jackel's eyes snapped to Cherice, and a bubble of Force surrounded her. He'd become so lost in his own angry thought's he hadn't noticed.

"Why does it matter what the shield's purpose is? She has ordered us to maintain it! If this shield no longer is for protection from the weather, then it will serve retain the heat generated by the Force!"

[Cherice St_Hilare]

"Oh, shut up. Your ramblings get so tiring to listen to."

Crossing her arms, the Knight cracked her neck before looking up into the sky. It wouldn't be too long now ...

[Plot Device]

Though all their argument might have done something to slow their progress, it did nothing to slow the coming of night. Three moons lit up the sky, all of them a deep red. By the time they had found themselves nearing any kind of rock formation it was already snowing. If they would decide to rest, then this would be their only opportunity to do so for quite some time. Those that hadn't brought food would already feel their stomachs protesting loudly.

If they hadn’t brought rations, then they would need to find some other way of keeping themselves alive. The only life they could sense was a far distance from where they were gathered, and there was a definite sense of foreboding when any of them considered pursuing the creatures.

[Salem Ave]

And so he was in his element – the night. Free from the heat, light and oppression of day, he removed his mask. The cold didn’t affect him, as for all purposes he was a walking corpse and could not be killed by such things. Though he could sense others were growing hungry, he felt nothing. Before the trip he had fed on one of the civilians of Corellia and took his fill from the woman, leaving him strong for at least three, perhaps four, days.

As he walked, head lowered, he spoke loudly:

“Sss-ome of you may want to rrrest now. This is the quiestest I’ve sss-een this place so farrr … looks like a good opportunity.”

He paused, “… I won’t need to sss-leep, so I can watch the grrroup.”

[Dea Potentia]

*has become rather angry that no one else cares about their missing brother what sort of family doesn't feel sadness when they lose a family member? she thinks to herself. moves the air molecules around her as Feliciana said to and is glad for the warmth it brings... although now that she is no longer preoccupied by the cold she realizes how hungry she is... but as she knows she can go without food for a while yet she decides not to speak up... frowns... after all they already think little enough of me follows close behind Feliciana and the others feeling the hungry eyes of the critters*

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre feels she is hungry, but knows she can go a while yet without eating. After all, she'd had to go days without food before...

The girl's eyes hardened. She threw the energy from her anger at the memory of before into her concentration as she manipulated the air to create warmth.

[Blaine]

Cold said nothing. He looked around, but didn't know if this was the 'perfect' place to take a nap. He would take a short doze, nothing that would slow down the mission.

Setting himself on the floor, he looked at the dark blue sky, covered with a blanket of stars. Slowly, his eyelids closed and no longer could Cold see the stars.

[Inu]

Inu looked at the others, some ignoring hunger, others not feeling it at all.

"So no one brought food..." he said himself. He stopped for a moment, as if pondering something, then seemed to think better of it. Inu climbed into a nearby tree and put his arms behnd his head. He'd slept in snow-covered trees before, this was no big deal.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre decided that she should probably get some rest as well. The girl lay down on the ground, taking off her black jacket and using it as a pillow. In a short while, her eyes closed and she fell into a light slumber.

[Feliciana Devano]

Fel sighed after a while of walking. It was completely dark now as they made their way through the valley. She let her eyes wander to Inu who made the assumption that no one had food. Shaking her head, the young woman took a satchel from her back and opened it up. Inside were packs of compact food that would be activated by heat and or water, depending on what one wished to eat.

"I brought food.....I brought enough for one meal a day for each of us, so it will have to suffice. It is better than nothing....."

She said, tossing random packets to people. Sighing once again as she saw others split from the group and go off to sleep on their own, she got an idea.

"And I suggest that we sleep in groups.....at least small ones....the combined body heat will save us if one of us is unable to hold heat with the Force all night."

She said softly, hoping that they would take heed of her suggestion. Salem did not appear to be hungry or tired....and then she remembered what he was....and her questions were answered.

"Here Dae...."

Feliciana said softly, handing the young girl a packet of food. Hopefully everyone would be able to figure out what to do with these things. She had a bit of water in cantines....but heat would activate most of the foods. She just hoped that they would all survive the night.

[Inu]

Inu caught his and stowed it in his shirt. He wasn't hungry. If he was, he'd have taken out the food he'd prepared before.

[Jared Mriad]

The others seemed to want to take a rest and eat, but Jared was not tired nor hungry. He had eaten a 'meal' before the time to depart was near, hand also had enough sleep to last him a few days. But, nevertheless, he sat crosslegged and watched the sky.

Around himself, and a few others whom were close enough, he followed the intructions of the Leader and created an area of comfortable heat. Although he could not estimate how long it was possible to keep this up...

Then something silver flew in his direction. The Sith Cannibal snatched the packet out of the air and gave a quick nod to Feliciana before stuffing the meal into his duster...

[Cherice St_Hilare]

When the rest 'settled' down, Cherice didn't. Instead, she continued to trudge forward leaving the Apprentices behind. It seemed so peaceful, with a gentle breeze and the darkness the night provided - but looks can be deceiving. Somewhere out there was a very, very hungry predator, and she was going to draw it out. I know you're out there, she thought, her blue eyes looking into the far distant landscape.

It was then she reached out with the Force, projecting an infrared image of the group and their location, showing the way of how to reach them. You're so hungry ... But there's fresh meat right here ...

Abruptly, she stopped, knowing quite well that her "friend" had received the message and would pay them a visit. Turning around, she saw Feliciana throw food packs towards the others and smiled in approval before making her way back. A few were sleeping peacefully to regain their strength, while others were wide awake, taking in their new surroundings.

She stood by Jared, looking down at her Apprentice before looking up into the sky, thinking.

[Dea Potentia]

*takes packet of food from Feliciana with a smile and a nod then looks at it for a bit an unspoken argument going on in her head. because she knows that she can ignore the hungry feeling for a day or two before it starts affecting her preformance and because either instinct or paranoia is telling her that it will be needed later she stashes it in the safe keeping pocket built into the linning of her soft simaril skin boots... sits next to Inu's tree and rests her hand on it.* We are both children of trees and siblings of the Sith Order... is it not possible for us to get along?

[Salem Ave]

He simply stood. His hands were pushed into the pockets of his woollen cloak, tugging it around his body, whilst his heels were pushed firmly together. Salem’s eyes were set on the moon as he stared upwards. Mentally, he was blocking out everything around him aside from its glow above him, though a small piece of his subconscious watched over the members of the group he thought might get into the most trouble. There was no expression on his face, but an air of indifference to the whole situation radiated from the Sith vampyre as he stood motionless.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre woke up at the gentle thud of the food pack hitting the ground next to her head. Nodding thanks to Feliciana, she picked it up and stuffed it in her belt pouch before closing her eyes once more.

[Inu]

Inu scoffed. Children of the trees...

"I suppose if I slept in a bed I'd be a 'child of the bed'," he muttered sarcastically. He wished she'd go away. Hard to keep an ear open for danger when someone's chatting in it constantly.

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen slipped back her hood and pulled off her goggles. It was going to be a long, cold night and she was glad she had brought a goodly supply of food capsules, which only needed to be washed down with water to give the nourishment of a full meal. She pulled one out of her pack and idly chewed on it as she watched the others settle down for the night.

A silvery-wrapped package flew her way, and she promptly sent it back. "I brought my own rations," she told Feliciana, brandishing her half-eaten food capsule. "Better save it for later."

After she had eaten, she took her poncho and sealed the neck seam, turning it into a blanket. The design was ancient, invented by Assazi herders many ages ago, and was still every bit as practical. Her head wrapped in her scarfed hood and her body wrapped in the blanket, she settled down for the night, her head pillowed on her pack and her lightsaber close at hand.

[Rancor]

The rancor stood at the edge of the forest, looking out towards the desert valley. Every so often there would be a dead tree out there littering the terrain, or the skeletal remains of another beast such as itself. There was little food to be found. The towering beast continued to move along the edge of the forest, crushing branches and small trees that stood in the way - then it halted again suddenly. There came a clear picture in its head of a path through the desert, and a herd of eight strange creatures. They were each barely a mouthful, but between the eight of them they would satiate its hunger.

With a sudden burst of anger and determination, it began to stomp off from the forest and into the valley. Its dark eyes seemed to glow in the night as the moons refracted against them. With every step its thick hide rippled and its muscled flexed. Tonight it would feast.

[Plot Device]

None of them suspected that most of their lightsabers had been rendered inoperable during the sandstorm. Only the Sith Knight, Salem Ave, had managed to keep his saber working, and even that was only due to the impenetrable layers of garment which he had wrapped himself in. What an unpleasant surprise it would be to the pilgrims when they attempted to activate their sabers, only to realize they would have to carefully dismantle and clean them...

[Salem Ave]

The vampyre looked to his sleeping and awake comrades alike, and shook his head. Much time had passed since some had fallen under sleep’s spell, while the others had stayed in a group silence, staring up at the stars or fiddling about with items they’d brought long with them. Salem remained still, as ever, though something was irking him and did so enough that eventually he had to do something.

Beneath the layers of hardened armour and cloaking, his saber was attached to his belt. Unsheathing the straps which held on his breastplate, he removed a few more pieces and located the weapon. Whilst reapplying the armour, he held it between his teeth and kept his eyes on the people whom he was now family with. The saber his Master had made for him then found its way into his hand as he sat down upon a rock, body hunched over, whilst his eyes and ears searched for any threat.

[Inu]

Inu had begun to nod off. Dea had gotten the message and left him alone; all was quiet. One of his ears twitched and the Jackel sat up, suddenly very alert. He sniffed the air. Something was coming. What it was he didn't know, but he knew it couldn't be good...he jumped from the tree, waking the sleeping members, warning them as they awoke to keep quiet. Maybe this beast would avoid them if they made no sound, but then again, it might come for them anyway...if it didn't, they would be angry for having awakened them needlessly. If it did, they wouldn't be caught unawares.

[Dea Potentia]

*sighs with the realization that inu is not yet ready to accept her, closes eyes and does a small inventory of herself and supplies. hair-reddish, stomach- hungry but ignorable, arms-fine, legs- fine, feet- left one a little sore... opens eyes, checks boot and takes out a rock, closes eyes and restarts inventory, boots- fine, armour- healthy, cloak- slightly torn by winds, lightsaber- dead... eyes open tries to turn on lightsaber and finds herself correct, sighs and closes eyes, goes into meditative state, half of consious monitoring the hungry beast... realizes with shock that it knows where they are and is coming for them... opens eyes and looks around at people... notices that inu is also awake... Salem has his lightsaber out... checks his lightsaber... will work... sighs with relief maybe it twas just hers... quickly checks the others' lightsabers... eyes widen with fear... only salem's works, how will we defeat the monster with only one lightsaber? remembers how she would get the shy creatures of Desera to come to her... and decides that the same kind of technique can be used in this situation... but she wouldn't be able to do it by herself... walks over to see if their leader is awake* Feliciana, the monster is coming for us...

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana couldn't sleep....so she sat against the base of a large tree with her eyes closed, meditating......opening herself completely to the Force. Someone was speaking in her mind....calling something forward. She then felt it.....a beast....a creature that meant them harm. Her eyes sprung open as Dae came over and told her what she knew. Nodding slightly, she reached for her saber beneath her cloak...only to find that when activated, it would not work for the power coupling was rittled with sand.

"Damn sand!"

She exclaimed in anger. Reacing her hand over her shoulder, she pulled something from her back.....something that had remained hidden beneath her robes. It was a silver sword....long with a wide blade. It was beautiful and gleamed in the moonlight. Smiling warily, she held the sword out in front of her, gripping the hilt tightly in her hand. The weapon would serve her well once again. Upon the silver was an engraving:

"Darkness.....the power within."

She thoughtfully ran her free hand over the words and then looked up at Dea.....recalling who had given her this precious sword. The young woman looked around at the others and then nodded to Dae, beckoning her to go with.

"My mother gave me this sword.....my family never really supported my decision to become what I am today...but somehow, she understood....and so she gave me this in secret. I've never showed it to anyone else before...not even those I'm quite close to. I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier.....and now I ask you to be brave and strong...and please go with me so that I may face this monster before it reaches the others. I cannot let the group perish as I sit by and give orders."

She sighed to herself and walked on, the group began to get more distant from her and their Force signatures seemed more far away. The young Apprentice calmed her mind with the Force and gripped her sword tighter.

"As the Leader, I must make sacrifices....even if it's on account of my own life. Please Dae, you're young....you have so much to look forward to. If it gets too rough....leave. And if something happens to me.......please tell......tell....."

Fel stopped as she heard some rustling up ahead. Her heart skipped a beat again as thoughts of Sasha entered her mind. She could not stop thinking about him....about their future. Sighing, she turned and looked at Dae as her knuckles showed white from holding the hilt so tightly.

"Tell Sasha Kovalev....a Sith Knight.....that I love him....."

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen settled into a light doze, then woke with a start. She could feel something, a vague sort of malevolent presence. She checked her weapons. The lightsabers were shot, shorted out by the sand. Her blaster was in the same state, but it was much easier to field strip and clean. She pulled out a luma from her pack, where it had been kept clean of sand, and fastened it to her head with an elastic band. In its tiny circle of light, she stripped and cleaned the blaster. At least it was usable now -- the sabers would have to wait.

She shut off the light and returned it to the pack, then reached for her other weapons. At her back were a pair of long-bladed utility knives, as deadly as they were useful. Wrapping herself in her poncho, she searched until she found a suitable branch and cut it down with one of the knives. She cut a deep notch in the end and jammed the other knive in it. Taking some cord from her pack, she firmly bound the knife to the branch, making an impromptu pole arm.

Stashing the other knife back in its sheath and jamming the blaster back in its holster, she made her way to were Feliciana and Dea were standing. She just caught Fel's last words:

"Tell Sasha Kovalev....a Sith Knight.....that I love him....."

"You're not going in alone, Feliciana. And you're not the only one who loves Sasha. He's like a brother to me, and I would do anything for him -- especially if it means protecting and helping the one he loves. And I'm not weaponless," and she thumped the butt of her impromptu pole arm against the ground. She reached into the folds of her poncho and pulled out the blaster and fired a shot into the dirt with a soft zing. A red bolt shot out and left a burned patch in the ground

"Here," and she handed the weapon to Dea. "Hang on to this -- it may be of use," she added drily.

[Salem Ave]

“Bloody fool,” he hissed under his breath as he watched the self-righteous leader charge off towards an advancing foe.

His lightsaber sprang to life though he remained still. Salem would not attack until the creature or person, whatever it might be, arrived at the groups’ camp. The vampyre rolled his shoulders and lowered his eyes, waiting to hear the screams of the fallen Sith from his group.

[Jared Mriad]

As the others reached for their weapons, that is, the ones who did, Jared stood from the cross-legged position to stand next to his instructor Cherice. Jared didn’t have, nor need, a saber with was removable from his possession because he was the weapon.

In his palms and forearms, a device had been implanted back in the days of TSE. Clenching both hands into balls, Jared activated the nanomachines via nero connections. From under a flap of artifical skin, metal plates slid out over his ring, middle, index and pinky fingers followed by a trio of rectangular saber activators.

They did not activate, there was no reason as of yet.

Jared would let the beast come to the camp, waste it's energy on the trip here..

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre was awake the moment the others began moving. Seeing that her lightsaber wasn't working, she cursed and drew the dagger from her boot, though she knew it would be scant protection, even though she knew how to use it well. She would have to rely on it and the Force. As she'd always done. Before.

Storing her anger for when she'd need it - soon, she reckoned - the girl stood with the dagger in hand, readying herself for when... whatever it was... attacked.

[Dea Potentia]

*agree's with Gouyen's comment about shasha... the boy had shown her much kindness and understanding, takes the offered blaster holding it cautiously, she had seen them used but never before held one, does a quick scan of it, figuring out how exactly it works* I sneak around to the other side and distract it's attention when you attack?

[Rancor]

Tension continued to build as they waited and prepared, muscles clenched and weapons were drawn in anticipation. The shadowed figure in the distance became larger, and larger, towering over them while still out of range. It became apparent to those that had been awaiting such an encounter: the monster was a Rancor - and worse yet, it was full-grown.

The beast inhaled and exhaled loudly, stomping through the desert with a lust for blood in its eyes. Its next meal was only meters in front of him, and these kinds of creatures it had encountered once before. Yes, these tiny insects could fight back. There were two scars running along the leg of the Rancor that were proof of their viciousness. These are the same sort of animals that had attempted to slaughter his young thirty years ago.

A loud roar broke the silence. The ground trembled as the alien-thing leapt over Feliciana, Dea, and Gouyen, landing in the center of the clearing. Directly in front of it was the rock formation that had been decided upon as their resting-place. At its feet was the half-asleep Cold Blaine, who's eyes opened immidiately. The Rancor picked him up in a swift swipe of its tiny arm and held him tightly, breaking one of his ribs and threatening to crush the rest of his bones.

Now they would bargain: their lives in exchange for that of their herd member.


<center><img src=http://theblackhand.clanpages.com/workshop/jeseth/Rancor.jpg></center>

[Feliciana Devano]

Fel turned around to see Gouyen. She smiled gently and bowed her head in a silent thanks to her fellow Sith.

"That means a lot to me Gouyen, thank you......"

She said softly, but the moment was quickly interrupted as the young Apprentice turned to rest her eyes upon a monster....a Rancor! She had seen these before but had never come in contact with one. Fear turned into anger quickly.....she was angry that she was afraid and could not defeat it alone. Suddenly it jumped over the trio and grabbed Cold. A sickening crack could be heard as a rib was broken and several others began to bend like a bow....threatening to break as the other. Growling to herself, Feliciana dashed at the large creature and with aid from the Force, she jumped up onto its back and sliced her sword across its flesh while struggling to hang on for her life.

"LET HIM GO NOW!!!"

She hollered out at the top of her lungs as her sword quickly became rittled with the beast's blood. The young woman smashed the sword over the monster's head and then continued giving it deeper and deeper wounds.....though it seemed the Rancor only thought of them as mere paper cuts. In pure frustration driven anger, she plunged the sword into the being's back.....knowing that she was only angering it. Perhaps this was doing more harm than good......only time would tell......

[Inu]

"Like it speaks Basic," Inu sneered. "I know its language well enough."

He drew his rusted metal blade, having finally found a worthy target for his contained rage. The rust pattern shifted, then exploded into a larger blade as the nano-technology in the sword detected the unleashed anger of Inu. He made a strong cut at it's side, careful to avoid hitting Cold. Feliciana was also attacking, but their blows were doing naught to stop it.

How do we draw blood...?" he wondered to himself.

[Blaine]

Cold had not completely waken up when he suddenly appeared in the hands of a horrible monster. What was he to do at a moment where in his hands he was completely immobile?

As the monster's rage grew stronger, Cold felt his rib snap, and a scream was heard. Cold's shout, so deafening to the ear.

"Ahhh!!!"

There was nothing he could do, unless the rest of the group was to cut the monster's arm to set him free. Cold was practically immobile.

As Feliciana stroke at the beast, Cold felt the monster's hand loosening. Even with such a blow, Cold could not move. Then, Inu-Aku cut the loud creature, freeing Cold out of its hands.

Cold landed on the floor roughly. He set his hand in front of him, trying to get up, yet the aching rib would not let him move.

"Someone, help!"

[Salem Ave]

The vampyre would not aid Cold. As far as he knew, there were no medical supplies, and he could not risk failing the mission because they had to carry along a wounded party member. He kept his saber ignited and stood his ground, watching as the others tried to fathom a way to defeat the beast – letting them do the work would leave him with more energy, and they seemed to be happy to do this.

[Dea Potentia]

*feels the monsters anger surely tis about to ravage the camp as it can't get the attackers off it's back! she had used the force back at home to lure the shy tree dwellers to her. to get them to trust her... wonders if such a thing would be useful now... focus' on Rancors mind... kill eat live.... finds the part of the subconsous controling movement... or maybe we can control it from here.... focus on the rancor as if it were her own body. SIT!*

[Inu]

Inu blinked in surprise. Had Dea just commanded it to sit? What foolery...and Salem was simply watching! He moved to the vampire's side.

"Fool! When it finished us, it will come after you! And you alone are no match if the lot of us cannot stop it!"

[Salem Ave]

“When it’s finished? Do you not think it will have it’s fill of them? I have no intention of aiding the suicidal. Let them charrrge to their deathsss.”

Jeseth had taught Salem well as a Sith, and it showed now in his pattern of thought – he was not here to guard or baby-sit others, he was here to further his own abilities and gain more respect from his Master. If this should lead to the death of a few others, then so be it.

[Inu]

"Heh. So much for TSO's 'family'..." he muttered.

But Salem had a good point. Inu stood where he was, watching. Gouyen and Leliarre had yet to make a move. Maybe they'd do something.

[Jared Mriad]

Smart, Jared thought silently, watching the few whom stayed back and chose not to engage the creature yet..

[Blaine]

"Err... So... that's how it'll be," Cold struggled as his words came out.

With one hand holding his ribs, and the other pulling on the ground, Cold managed to make it behind a tree while the others 'distracted' him.

He sat there, in pain, not knowing how he would get out of this one, knowing that he was on his own in this one...

[Gouyen Chee]

She heard Dea's command to sit and an idea struck her. With the rancor distracted by Feliciana and Inu, she rushed in and positioned herself under the beast's posterior. Bracing her impromptu spear against the ground, she added her mind to Dea's, bending the beast's mind to her will. The rancor's backside came down abruptly, driving the spear deep into the beast's vitals as she danced away to avoid being crushed. The rancor roared in agony, almost tossing Feliciana to the ground in its throes.

Gouyen went and hid behind a boulder, well away from the pain-maddened beast's struggles. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the spear that was now imbedded in the rancor's butt. Harnessing her anger, she mentally pushed the spear deeper and deeper into the rancor's vitals. If she could reach the heart the beast would be dead and she would be short a knife -- a small loss for such an achievment.

[Dea Potentia]

*smiles and nods in thanks to Gouyen... goes behind tree and kneels by cold.* perhaps there's something I can do... *anger at the rancor intensifies her awareness of the force, surveys his wounds. the broken rib had been moved from it's natural location by the his fall to the ground and his movements. slowly moves it back to place and starts to knit the bone back together, making sure that all the smaller fragments of the crushed rib also find their way back to it, hopes she isn't hurting him to much.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre gritted her teeth. She'd been watching, trying to figure out what this creature's weakness was, but so far she couldn't discern anything in particular. Not really sure how she could help but determined to anyway, she let her built-up rage explode within her as she rushed at the rancor.

Not quite thinking, using the Force as it felt natural to do so and as her instincts suggested, her anger coursing deep within her, she jumped at the thing's side, plunging her dagger as deep as it would go with all her strength. It was a small wound, considering the thing's size, but it was the best she could do for now. She ripped the weapon out and fell to the ground, using the Force to aid her in landing on her feet in a slight crouch.

Remembering Gouyen's attack, she wanted to throw her dagger at its neck and force it deeper, but she'd be weaponless, as her lightsaber wasn't working... but if she could use the Force to plunge it in, couldn't she use it to pull it out? She decided on a similar attack, though probably more painful. With a growl, she drew back the dagger, aiming carefully, before throwing it with all her strength and skill at the thing's eye.

She was already skilled at throwing it, and with the Force to help guide her blade she managed to embed the weapon deeply in the corner of its eye. It roared in pain, and Leliarre readied herself to move and move quickly if it came at her...

[Rancor]

Feliciana found herself suddenly thrown to the ground as the beast writhed in agony, one of its eyes bleeding profusely from Leliarre's attack. Inu-Aku, Gouyen, and Dea had all managed to aggravate and wound the monster, driving it into a frenzy. It had attempted to stomp onto Cold before he had rolled away. The blade that had been jammed into it's posterior hit a bone and ceased moving, regardless of how hard Gouyen attempted to move it.

The most rose up to its feet in one mighty thrashing, kicking up sand that without warning blinded all those closest to it. The color of its rocky flesh now made it difficult to tell where the creature was moving to or from. It rushed at the tree where cold had rolled away to, narrowly missing it. It had lost depth perception due to the injury it had suffered to its eye.

The creature didn’t lack logic: It realized that it would need to correct itself to accurately strike. Cold could see it quickly kicking up more sand as it rounded towards the group again. This time it ignored Cold, continuing towards Gouyen, Dea, and Leliarre. It no longer cared about a simple meal. This was now of a more personal nature.

The tree could hardly see it, despite its size. The only indication of its approach was large amounts of sand that were being kicked towards them noisily. It would murder them all and then feast upon their mangled corpses. The three targets were plowed over. Dea found herself up to her elbows in thick red rocks and sand. Gouyen was struck as she attempted to leap away, the creature's hand gashing into her thigh and dropping her to the ground. Leliarre was sent spiraling through the air towards an outcropping of tiny sharp rocks.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

She watched as the Apprentices immediately were on the alert, and grinned as the Rancor made its grand entrance. Feliciana immediately decided to take action and go after it first, making the Succubi's grin wider. Indeed, there were many Apprentices here that easily outnumbered the Rancor, but unfortunately for them, it was an adult - and hungry.

Amused, she watch the next ongoing events unfold before her, remaining silent. It was then when the Rancor finally attacked Dea, Leliarre and Gouyen that she did something.

"Apprentices!" She called out sharply, her eyes glinting. Sadistic thoughts of their torn apart bodies and dripping blood were swarming in her head, and she could barely contain her glee.

"I believe that it is time you prepare yourselves."

Blue energy began to cackle at her fingertips as the Knight's maniacal laugh filled the night air, sounding unusually eerie. It was then that Gouyen felt a piercing pain in her thigh where the Rancor gashed her, as if invisible hands dug into her wound and were beginning to pull the flesh away. Dea, who was buried in the ground, could only open her eyes in amazement as the dirt besides her began to lift in the air and onto her, and the realization that she was being buried alive hit her. Tiny beetles started to crawl out of the ground towards Dea, their pincors clicking together as a hoard formed. They were flesh-eating beetles, black in appearance, and only came out at night. Leliarre's body twisted as she flew in mid-air, then dropped onto the rocks. Their points dug themselves into her soft flesh, as if they were greedy for spilt blood.

It was obvious it was Cherice who was doing this and she made no attempt to hide it. It seemed that if the Rancor didn't kill them, she would.

Poor, poor Feliciana. It would be this girl who would bear the brute force of the Succubi since she was the leader. Foolish Apprentice, for taking on a role of such importance with the thoughts that she could actually succeed !

She was thrown to the ground by the Rancor, but found herself rising to her feet.

"Come to me," sang out Cherice softly as her words wrapped themselves around the girl, drawing her to the Sith. It was so hard to refuse ... the possibilities were endless, and suddenly Feliciana got a feeling of importance; Pride built itself up in her.

"I've got a present for you."

[Salem Ave]

At the sight of the unfolding events the vampyre began to retreat. One of the trees in the mass that Inu had first lurked in found three claws digging into it, as Salem hefted himself upwards, scaling the bark with ease. Once on the bough of a branch, he watched as the Succubi continued an attack upon the apprentices, weakening them further. Sadistic pleasure filled his mind at the thought of them perishing and leaving only himself and the Sith Knight, though he did wonder if once they had withered whether or not she would turn on him.

Keeping to his retreat, he curled against the trunk of the tree, and held his saber pointed forward, ready to deflect any attack.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre swore loudly as pinpricks of extreme pain dug in all over her body. The girl fought to get to her feet, clothes and skin ripping away from the rocks. She used the Force to help control her pain, but it didn't work completely.

She ran to the edge of the outcropping, the rocks biting through the soles of her boots. Knowing she was going to take a fall and knowing if she didn't she might well die up here, the girl jumped off. She fell several meters, and though she used the Force to help slow her fall, it was a painful landing, especially with the sand that got into the many cuts on her body.

Not being an idiot and having felt the pull that had twisted her body around just before her landing on the rocks, she cast her senses out. Cherice?! she thought. By the Force, but this is messed up! And why the hell isn't somebody trying to stop her? Somehow she got the feeling this might not be just a test. If the rancor doesn't kill us, she will!

What did I tell you about trusting people? she scolded herself as she got to her feet, murder in her eyes.

Leliarre glanced quickly over the area. The rancor first. We've got enough problems without that overgrown... whatever it is distracting us. The girl ran closer to where she'd been before, but not all the way. She sent her senses into the creature. The spear that had gone in through its butt was caught on a bone. Gritting her teeth, she let her anger explode almost, but not quite, out of control. After all, there was quite a bit of it.

She yanked with the Force (and none too gently either) on the spear, wiggling it, forcing it around the bone it was caught on. She concentrated hard, but not so hard she was completely lost in what she was doing. After all, it was plain she couldn't trust any of these people now.

[Inu]

And after all that family bull he'd had to put up with from Cherice, she was attacking her own people. He could see where this was going; they'd all die here in a matter of minutes if something wasn't done about Cherice and the Rancor. He threw his katana. The blade was transformed, larger than usual, and picking up speed by the second as Inu willed it on with the Force aiming it for the Rancor's vitals.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana rose to her feet and suddenly heard Cherice calling to her. Somehow, she knew it was wrong....she knew not to go to her but it was against her will that she was. Holding her sword before her as if ready to attack and or defend, she moved slowly over toward Cherice.

"You have a gift for me? What......what is it?"

She questioned a bit shakily at first, then more confident as the Sith Knight filled her with a sense of pride. It was a trick and her mind was trying to tell her that, but she would not believe it, not while she was feeling so good about herself. Suddenly it hit her like a ton of bricks and she realized what was going on.

"You...."

The young Apprentice growled deeply as her eyes narrowed and she focused on Cherice.

"You......tricked.........me........."

She spat out slowly and angrily. Thrusting her sword at the other woman, Fel stood her ground and refused to move. Mind tricks....that would be her specialty someday...and already she was showing signs of being nearly immune to them. Again she growled to herself, blocking out everything but this evil woman before her......

[Dea Potentia]

*hears Cherices maniacal laughter, eyes widen as the dirt starts to bury her, the beatles start ripping of little pieces of her skin and the raw flesh underneath burns as it comes in contact with the sand, her roar of anger is muffled by the tick cover of sand I will not die at the hands of Cherice!! And to think she called me the traitor! is filled with rage and the need to breath. Instinct saves her as her awareness of life fades. The dirt bursts up from around her, swirling as a little whirlwind, and heads toward cherice. the life of the butgs is snuffed out and her wounds begin to heal as she lies on the ground gasping for air. opens eyes and sits up weakly, still breathing heavily. glares at Cherice.*

[Cherice St_Hilare]

"Oh, but I do," continued Cherice in the same sing-song voice, surpressing her laughter.

"I wouldn't lie to you, Feliciana."

Being related to the Succubus, the same charm and seduction ran through her veins - and now that she was even more experienced in the Darkside few could resist her.

"It's a nice lovely present, dear. A finely crafted dagger whose blade is twisted, the hilt which slips into your hand like water and whose cut is more deadlier than this Rancor. All for you ..."

Visions began to swarm in Feliciana's head, visions of her being granted this fine dagger, running her fingers over the smooth blade, and then staining several's blood on it. At the same time, Cherice continued to speak soothing words into the Apprentice's head, reaching out with the Darkside and wrapping it around her to comfort the child.

She could feel Dea's gaze at her and knew that she believed the beetles were all gone, but oh - how she was wrong. For Dea was buried right into their nest ... Several more continued to climb out of the ground, wanting to crawl onto her sore, ripped skin and continue to rip it away to nothing.

[Jeseth Cloak]

"STOP!"

Jeseth's voice washed over them all, shattering their concentration. The Rancor, which had suffered an already fatal blow from Inu-Aku, fell dead as some unseen force ruptured its heart. Cherice's charm faded under the winged man's cold gaze. Behind Jeseth were two strangely dressed men. One of them wore a dark trench coat, thick green goggles that shone eerily through the dust and sand, and a brimmed hat. The other man was taller, slender, and muscular, with dark messy hair and a sly grin upon his face. They were bounty hunters.

Dea realized that the beetles had all scurried away from her, leaving her in the sand harmlessly. Jeseth reached down into the mound of red dust and pulled out her in one powerful motion. His eyes rounded onto all of the apprentices. "How fortunate I foresaw this before you all murdered one another..." His words were aimed at Cherice. Jehova had likely given her orders to make the journey more difficult for them all. "This mission is over." Jeseth eyes were seeking out something inside of the apprentices, moving from one to the other.

Jeseth's crimson saber snapped to life. "All of you, step forward and kneel down," he said. The two bounty hunters were carrying the body of Levi Argon. The apprentice looked as if he'd been bathed in acid... but the wounds were shallow and would heal in time.

[Inu]

Inu paused. What was this? The exercise was...over? It had barely started! The Force called his blade to him and he sheathed it. The Jackel approached warily, senses alert.

"What tricks do you have up your sleeves, Jeseth...?" he wondered to himself.

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana's mind swirled with thoughts that Cherice was putting there. Suddenly something stopped it all and the young Apprentice turned to see Jeseth Cloak. She admired him from a far and listened intently as he spoke. Inu seemed to not be following the directions and everyone was a bit wary. Fel was cautious as she moved forward and sheethed her sword, then looked into Jeseth's eyes.

"Yes, my Lord......"

She spoke softly in reply to his command for all to step forward and kneel. The young woman did so, kneeling right at his feet. She lowered her head in reverance and closed her eyes to show utter respect for him. The mission is over......have I failed? She pushed the thoughts from her mind and instead, focused on the present and what would become of her and the others....

[Gouyen Chee]

She yelped silently as the rancor's claw gashed deeply into her thigh. Agonizing pain shot up her leg and filled her body. Anger fed on the pain and the dark side fed on the anger. Gouyen was furious and her anger was unleashed in the form of a whirlwhind. Starting small, little more than a dust devil, it grew, feeding on the sand that the raging rancor kicked up. It grew rapidly, threatening to envelope the entire group in its, and Gouyen's, fury.

Suddenly, at Jeseth's command, the whirlwind stopped, red sand cascading down on the group. Her anger utterly spent, she heeded the Sith master's command and limped towards him to kneel in front of him, expectant.

[Jared Mriad]

During the trickery, mind flaying, and dust storm. The Cannibal had obiediantly stood by his instructor. Daring not to defy the succubi, he planned.

But that shattered when Jeseth showed up mad as bees in a winter storm. He commanded them all to move forward and kneel before him, thus Jared did in the events of a higher ranking.

Steeping through one of the rancor's puttles of blood, Jared left Cherice's side and knelt before the Sith Master. One arm crossed over his right bent knee and head down...

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre yanked her dagger out of the rancor's eye with the Force, summoning it to her with some effort. She calmly wiped it on the edge of her jacket (she'd clean that later) before returning it to her boot. The girl approached Jeseth, rather warily. Slowly, with a last glare at Cherice, she wordlessly knelt.

[Dea Potentia]

*mouth open in disbelief...The mission is over? but we hadn't gotten the eggs or anything! shuts the gaping mouth and ponders the possiblities for ending the mission, approaches Jeseth and kneels before him as he had asked.

[Blaine]

From behind a tree, Cold's voice could be heard shouting.

"Not to get any attention or anything.... but I can't really move here!"

He tried turning towards the others, to try to hear what they were saying.

[Salem Ave]

Salem slid from the tree and disengaged his saber, obediently doing as Jeseth had commanded and kneeling before the Ambrellian.

“Masssterrr…?”

[Cherice St_Hilare]

The voice that was raised far above anyone else's had broken her concentration, and immediately Cherice looked in the direction it came from. Jeseth. His dark eyes glared menancingly at her, and slowly the forced thoughts left Feliciana's head. His next sentence was aimed towards her and she casted her blue eyes to the hard earth, suddenly feeling very akward. She was just doing as she was told ...

All of you, step forward and kneel down, he commanded. Even though she was certain he was speaking just to the Apprentices, she figured that it would still be wise to show a sign of respect and do as he bid. The voice of Cold Blaine stopped her in her tracks. Groaning a bit, the Succubi turned and stalked towards the tree Cold was behind. Nobody else had made a move to help the wounded Apprentice and since Jeseth had arrived, she felt obliged.

She offered a hand and watched as he tried to pull himself up, but it was enough for her to get a good grip and lift him up. Gritting her teeth, Cherice made her way back towards the group and set him down on the ground before kneeling.

[Blaine]

With the remaining strenght, Cold attempted to move towards the group. He struggled as he made his way to see Jeseth in front of him. The aching rib made it an obstacle when he tried to kneel down, but he did so.

Cold's eyes were narrow, and as he looked up to Jeseth, they widened to observe him well.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth walked around them, his saber skimming along the sand, leaving behind it a trail of red-tinted glass and smoke. The Rancor's body continued to bleed profusely, soaking bathing the ground in blood.

"No more games. Jehova and I are leaving The Sith Order, and we are leaving this planet... Those of you who wish to taste of true power are welcomed to come. Those of you who wish to rot upon this barren rock.... are welcomed to stay." Jeseth came to a stop in front of Salem. "Rise... I know already that your decision has been made."

He gazed upon the rest of them: Inu-Aku, the one who he had kept a watchful eye on for some time. He was impatient and power-hungry. His decision was already made as well... Jeseth was sure of that. The others however, he could not speak for. Cherice, as Jehova had already mentioned to Jeseth, would likely follow them - but there were also those who showed great loyalty to The Sith Order.

[Inu]

Inu grinned wildly. It seemed his goals may yet be reached.

"I'm in, Jeseth."

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen regarded Jeseth Cloak with slitted, obsidian eyes. "I see you wish to con us into going with you and betraying the Order we had sworn our lives to. I, for one, will not be a party to this." She rose stiffly, sand caking the deep gash in her leg.

"Those who wish to remain loyal to the Order, stand with me. On Jeseth and Jehova and those who follow them, I invoke the Traitor's Curse: that all their efforts be doomed to failure and that their ranks be filled with dissention."

She stared defiantly at the Sith Knight, waiting to see who would have the guts, and the honor, to stick with the Order.

[Inu]

Oh please, like a few words were powerful enough to stop this?

"No hard feelings, but I have my own ends to meet."

He moved to stand behind Jeseth and Jehova.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

She had already made a vow to Jehova to follow him as a devoted Apprentice, even though now she was a Knight. Still, her loyalty remained within this Ambrellian. If it weren't for him, the Order probably would've left her to rot within their walls.

"I have already made my decision a long time ago."

Rising to her feet, she looked at the rest of the group with icey, blue eyes until Gouyen spoke. Watching her, Cherice grinned as soon as she had finished speaking. Her loyalty laid within the Order, and eventually would be her downfall. Especially since it seemed like no one had made a move to join her side.

[Jared Mriad]

Jared stood a milisecond after his master and moved to stand behind the Succubi night, his decision made...

[Feliciana Devano]

Feliciana rose to her feet and looked into Jeseth's eyes, then she bowed and turned to face Gouyen.

"Enjoy rotting in hell.....for that is what the pitiful excuse for your Order shall turn into....."

She said and then turned once again to stand behind Jeseth and Jehova, her place beside Cherice and the others who had decided to strive for true power and the life of a real Sith.

[Blaine]

Cold remained silent. As he looked at Jeseth, he saw more than someone with visions, he saw the visions themselves. Cold had joined The Sith Order to gain power and knowledge, and if the one before him offered him such a gift, then why refuse? Wounded, the black-eyed man stood up, and headed towards the direction of Jeseth. He ignored Gouyen's comments, and said:

"It was a pleasure serving the Order... while it lasted."

Cold held his ribs tightly, not wanting the pain to grow. He felt that Jeseth was speaking of something that would better Cold's life. Maybe he was being brainwashed, but the package itself was enough to satisfy him beyond his needs.

[Gouyen Chee]

"Hell, you say?" she asked, laying her obsidian gaze on Feliciana. "You are quite mistaken -- the True Sith have survived for thousands of years and will continue to survive in spite of betrayal and abandonment. And your little spin-off will survive just long enough to become a footnote in history."

Her icy gaze then turned to the Jakel. "Mere words, you say? The Traitor's Curse is quite real and the result of oath-breaking. You swore to be true to the Order and now you abandon it -- that, in my book, is oath-breaking. So you have damned yourselves with the curse.

"May you all rot in Hell," she snarled and turned and limped away to find her pack.

[Dea Potentia]

*closes her eyes against tears... why is it that when I finally find a place where I'm free to be myself that everything must go wrong! Jeseth is her master and she was sworn to obey and follow him... but wasn't she also sworn to TSO? My first master was a traitor too... but I didn't find out until after he had been killed, and now those who had killed him due to his lack of loyalty to TSO leave! What sort of madness is this? I wouldn't have expected Jeseth to do something like this... do I really know him that little and if so is it worth following him? he's become so distant and hasn't done much with my training... I would've followed Dagger wherever he went even had it led to my death... Jeseth has been my master longer then Dagger and yet I never have come to love him as I did Dagger... looks around and notices that everyone except Leliarre and herself has chosen... of course the newbies go! Inu aku never learned the meaning of loyalty... and cold is too new to as of yet found his place and people among the order... the way I think sounds like I have... yes my people... Sasha, Gouyen... those two stand out the most but there are others... sasha loves feliciana, what will he chose... are the other masters at TSO going to leave us like this too? well... I suppose only one thing's for sure... I wont leave Gouyen here all alone... stands up, head bowed.* I'm afraid Jeseth that I must remain loyal to the Order.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre looked at everyone present, in a state of indecision - something she did not like.
She'd sworn to be loyal to the Order... but what came of loyalty in the end? This and other thoughts whirled through her mind. She didn't particularly want to go anywhere Cherice went.
But she'd gotten the impression that if she remained loyal to the Order, she'd probably just be left on this planet. Now that would be wonderful, especially if they ran into another rancor. What did the Order have to offer her that leaving didn't?
I could go off on my own... but that's cowardly, not to make any decision at all... and I wouldn't last long. I don't have the training. She was reluctant to be on her own again, even though she almost believed in her heart it was best for her.
So which to choose?
The girl stood. Her coal black eyes flicked once to Dea and to Gouyen, once at the others.
If I leave, I'll never be able to come back if I change my mind.
"I will stay with the Order." She said quietly.
Whatever comes of it, we'll see.

[Salem Ave]

The vampyre watched with a hunger as the party divided. He looked to his Master with a sense of satisfaction, then to Cherice, his zeal to begin this new group growing still. His eyes travelled for a moment to those who had chosen to stay with the Order, and he simply smiled a fanged smile.

“Massster,” he murmured to Jeseth, “Sss-urely we should take their lives. Let me kill the whelps…”

[Gouyen Chee]

She had finally found her pack, half buried in the sand. Shaking it clean, she opened it and pulled out a small, sealed package. It was an emergency transponder which was directly linked to the Mantis. She ripped open tha package and activated it, then popped a small capsule from the back of the transponder and swallowed it. This was a backup transponder, one that was almost impossible to disable, and one that would bring the Mantis, with its cyborg intelligence, directly to her even if the main transponder was destroyed.

With that done, she then slipped into a light Force trance and used the pair bond she had formed with Robi to call her. She sent images of what had happened, how she had been betrayed by those who were meant to train her.

Robi -- Ottethan -- Mantis -- treason -- come. She felt the canine's mental touch and reassured her that she was okay -- at least for now.

Satisfied that the cyborg intelligence of the Mantis would fly the ship to her rescue, she slipped out of her trance to see Dea and Leliarre stand with her and to feel the hostility and outright hatred oozing from the treasonous band, particularly the vampire, Salem Ave. She shouldered her pack and hobbled back to join the two faithful apprentices. Her own anger and hatred were growing right now and the dark side within her fed on it and grew.

"Come," she murmured as she pulled the two young women to her. "The dark side grows within me to uncontrolable heights that I alone cannot hope to control. But perhaps together we can control it and strike back at the traitors."

Then she caught Salem's words: "kill the whelps." Her fury reached fever pitch and was released in a mighty Force push that sent the traitors stumbling.

"I'd like to see you try," she snarled at the vampire. She glared at him icily, but managed to free up enough of her mind to send an image of the Mantis to the two faithful apprentices. "We're not going down without a fight."

[Dea Potentia]

*feels less self-concious about her decision when Leliarre moves to join them... The more the merrier... three has always been a good number... the vision of the Mantis boosts her confidence that they'de get through this alive. at Gouyens words puts a calm restraining hand on the warrior's shoulder.* perhaps it would be best to save our strength for something more worthy of it. don't let the dull blade of their banal insults bruise your pride... I'm sure the traitors will face an unpleasant fate sometime in the near future... it is the destiny of traitors, you said so yourself.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Salem wanted to kill those that had chosen to remain loyal to The Sith Order, but Jeseth had favored leaving them to their own devices - had, that is, until Gouyen decided to play the hero. Her attack had been weak and fruitless. Jeseth had withstood it with little effort, and now his eyes were fixed upon her.

"So be it," said Jeseth in response to his Apprentice's request. Gouyen could already feel her throat tightening up, and it took only another second for the discomfort to turn into crushing pain. A snap filled the air loudly as her trachea shattered. Gouyen would be hard pressed to get any oxygen... though that was truly the least of her worries; Blood was beginning to flow down from her wounded trachea and into her lungs.

[Inu]

Inu was the first to move, his katana drawn, eyeing Dea with a deadly cold stare.

"Vengeance is MINE! And Sasha is not here to save you, coward!"

He lunged, crossing the span between the groups in an eyeblink and swung in a horizontal circle, meaning to cleave her at the waist.

[Salem Ave]

He stumbled backwards, though caught himself quickly and fell into the hunch that he seemed to always slip into in combat. The vampyre scooped one hand downwards and unsheathed his saber, igniting the crimson blade in one swipe. At first he made no sign of movement, though after a moment to revel in the sight of the oppositions fear, he leapt upon Gouyen, cleaving his saber down from above into a stab that was aimed at her chest.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre's dagger was in her hand in a flash. She took a step, then fell as though she'd tripped - and in her other hand she dug through the coating of snow on the ground to collect a handful of sand. This took little more than three seconds.

The girl didn't think about the odds, or who to attack - no time for that. Anyway, it didn't take a genius to see they couldn't win. Still, she'd made her choice of sides and was too proud to back down now. She struck with her dagger at Salem's side while he was focused on Gouyen.

[Blaine]

Cold stumbled and fell as the Force Push reached him. He held his rib, and knew that it'd be a challenge if he began to fight. Of course, Cold loved to fight, but at the moment, he was paralyzed.

"Ugh. I hate it when I can't do anything."

On the floor, Cold looked at Leliarre as she was going to strike Salem and extended his arm as he Force Pulled on her lightsaber, causing her to move back and letting Salem handle Gouyen with ease.

The darkness inside Cold grew stronger, but he had difficulty as he pulled her light saber.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre's coal black eyes connected with Cold's. She said nothing, not even through the Force, but her gaze said that she would leave him alone this time, because he was injured and he'd spoken to her on the way here. This time.

The girl's rage felt like a fire in her chest. Her eyes flicked to Cherice. Payback time. Gritting her teeth and focusing her fury, she sent the most powerful Force push she could muster at her.

[Gouyen Chee]

Gouyen could feel her throat tighten, the bony rings that supported her airway crumpling into shapelessness. This had two effects: first, it made her breathing difficult and second, it threw her into a fury such as she had never experienced. The choking stopped, as did the bleeding and she unleashed her fury in a raging whirlwind aimed right at Jeseth and the rest of the traitors. It was all she could do to aim it in the right direction, but somehow, perhaps it was her Sith blood, she was able to do so before she fell face first to the ground with a muffled croak:

"Jeseth -- you -- shall -- not -- have-- me!!"

[Jeseth Cloak]

Gouyen had summoned forth a whirlwind of considerable power... more power than Jeseth had believed her to wield. His free hand rose up quickly in front of him as he gritted his teeth and ripped at the Force surrounding them all. The whirlwind met its end, but not without difficulty. Jeseth had expended more energy than he had wished, and now his body was aching. Manipulation of the Force on such a level was difficult and took a heavy toll on the user.

Gouyen uttered a few words that were barely loud enough for Jeseth to hear. He didn't care what she was saying anymore... She was only another obstacle now. Nothing would keep him from what he hoped to accomplish. With one controlled flick of his wrist, he had sent his lightsaber whirling through the air, and through the Force carefully helped to guide it. Gouyen could feel the burning beam as it skimmed over her back, no more than a centimeter above her flesh. He had missed purposely.

Do you understand? Jeseth thought to himself as he gazed at the sprawled out Apprentice, I could kill you at any moment I wish. The lightsaber's next target was Leliarre. It cleaved across her side just after she had executed her Force push, leaving a deep gash through two of her ribs. There was no blood... only smoke, and a feeling that the beam of the saber had come dangerously close to her lungs.

Dea watched as the spinning disc of light flashed in her direction, but it skimmed just over her head rather than through it. A few strands hair fell to the ground in front of her, and Jeseth motioned with his hand quickly. The lightsaber snapped back into his palm, where it would rest patiently until he chose to strike with it a second time. It had only taken a fraction of a second for it to make the first pass. They didn’t stand a chance. Not against Jeseth, and not against those that had chosen to ally themselves with him...

[Salem Ave]

Thrown back by the wind, the apprentice landed in a crouch, his breathing now a loud hiss as he regarded Jeseth’s attack upon both Gouyen and Leliarre. An amused smirk curved into his lips for a moment, before he rose to his feet and began concentrating on Nightshade. The Darkside weaved through his pores as he called upon his newly honed ability that in time would begin to rupture blood cells inside of the Sith Apprentice’s body. It was sensed only at first by tingling and reddening of the skin. Was his concentration broken, it would be stopped, but he imagined it would be hard for Leliarre or the others to do this with Cloak on an all-out offensive against them.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre gasped sharply, falling to the ground into a crouch. Crap... She bit her lip to keep from screaming out. She would not do that, no matter what happened, she told herself.

Her eyes narrowed into slits as she looked slightly up at Jeseth. Now she was mad... but she knew Jeseth was a stronger opponent than she could manage on her own. She trembled with rage... there was no way she could hold it all...

Her gaze turned to Salem, who was obviously doing something with the Force. This suspiscion was confirmed as she felt her skin tingling. Oh no you don't...

With a roar, she focused all her fury at the day's events, all of it, drawing still more power from her pain at being injured, and used the Force. Pain! she commanded silently, focusing on Salem's throat.

[Cherice St_Hilare]

After she spoke, Cherice looked back towards Jared who decided to leave the Order as well. She nodded her head in approval slightly before turning her blue eyes back towards Jeseth. Salem had suddenly offered to kill those who remained loyal to the Order, and it was obvious Gouyen's words caused Jeseth to say 'yes'.

After that, all hell broke loose.

She simply watched as Jared did with vague amusement, until something in the air caught her attention. Incredible energy was being mustered up, but by who? Her eyes landed on Nightshade.

Letting out an almost arrogant laugh, Cherice appeared to idly watch as the Apprentice's body shook visibly as she launched the Force blast. Unfortunately for the Apprentice, things just ... didn't seem to go too well. While she appeared to be just watching, she, too, had called upon the Force and her own energy, and then threw it back towards Leliarre's Force blast.

An explosion as the two met could be heard as the air around everyone cackled, causing static and a few burns here and there.

Then Salem had taken the opportunity to strike then, causing the Aprentice's attention to be diverted. Cherice knew this was her chance.

While Leliarre laid on the ground, Cherice drew out the dagger - the same one that had inflicted the curse upon her Apprentice, nearly killing him.

"Such a pretty face ... What a shame, shame, shame," she sang lightly, starting to walk towards her. When Cherice stood only inches away from the Apprentice's face, she knew that the girl was too busy focusing on her anger to attack Salem. Crouching, she watched as the girl's chest heaved up and down from continuing to exhaust her body.

She licked her upper lip before grinning a bit, and then raised the dagger, raking it across the girl's arm. It left just a tiny scratch, but already it felt like fire was surging through her bloodstream. The poison was taking effect.

[Robi]

OOC: This title will be understood by all those who have read the Harvard Lampoon's Bored of the Rings.

The Mantis had come out of hyperspace extremely close to Ottethan and was forced to skip along the outer limits of the atmosphere to burn off speed before plunging in at a blazing Mach 30. Twin sonic booms announced her arrival, and the long-eyed could just make out a black speck hurtling earthwards through the sky.

Inside the cockpit was a barrage of warning lights and klaxons -- as if the sole occupant needed them to perceive the insane manouvers the Mantis was making. Robi was strapped tightly in her specially designed couch, her claws digging into the hand hold. She had put her trust into the ship's human brain and just hung on, searching with her acute Force sense for Gouyen.

"There she is -- over to the left," she woo-wooed in Cybernian. "Set down quick -- she's wounded."

"I've got her on sensors," replied a faintly metallic voice. "Her and two others with her -- and they're fighting."

The ship spiraled down to the battleground, dropping speed until she was able to activate the repulsors. They kicked in with a flurry of dust and sand, blinding everyone in the vicinity. She slowly set down between the combatants, placing her formidably armed and armored body between the warring parties, and dropped the rear-facing boarding ramp.

Robi released her restraints and rushed down the ramp to the planet's surface. Quick, up the ramp to safety, she told the two women and then grabbed Gouyen's inert body and began hauling it up the ramp.

[Dea Potentia]

*force aids a jump over Inu and throws him with the force toward a tall pile of rocks that then fall on top of him.* I had hoped you had learned some sort of lesson... *notices the saber spiraling towards her and feels it cut cleanly through four strands of her hair and watches them drift slowly to the ground... OK! Jeseth had a death wish!! Never touch a blond's hair!! decides that this is the last straw and that they would all die. notices the Mantis. perhaps I'll just settle for jeseth's blood... or let fate deal with him... party time was just cut short, it looks like mommy's here to take me home! Robi was trying to get gouyen onboard but Leliarre was also immobile. still angry about the hair, the fact that yet another master had turned traitor on her, and the stupidity of cherice, Inu, and Feliciana who's just standing there watching as the woman sasha loves as such a dear sister is beaten up repeatedly. The amount of anger that could drive one insane, that most never reach... directs it into one great push against all still standing... throwing them back toward inu's pile of stones thirty feet away. exhausted drops to one knee but get's back up nearly fainting and stagers toward Leliarre... realizes she can't get up and drags her toward ship... we will survive! get's herself and Leliarre onto ramp before colapses...

[Inu]

The pile of boulders bursts from the Jackel. Inu stands with little effort and sets his gaze on Dea.

"Nothing, not even that god forsaken mutt, can save you, wench."

The boulders direct themselves toward the retreating Sith. The backdrop for the loose spray of stones is their ship. Even if he never hits one of them, he'll at least break that blasted pile of junk.

[Robi]

The ramp slowly closed, pulling the two young women into the ship's protective shell. A few boulders clattered against the hull, as harmless as sand blown against a bantha's back. The Mantis slowly turned around until the exhaust ports of her four massive main engines faced the traitors, then blasted them with flame and hot gasses, the blast propelling her into the sky.

A warning klaxon sounded. "You'd better get strapped in the best you can," said a faintly metallic female voice, "I'm going to be leaving here pretty fast."

In the meantime, the ship had been building speed, and they passed the sound barrier with a resounding BOOM. Manny, the ship's cyborg intelligence, had plotted a course that would get them out of harm's way as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

For her part, Robi was busy doing her best to secure Gouyen in her bunk, then turned to help Dea with Leliarre. Let's just get them secured -- there'll be time enough in hyperspace to tend to them, she told her, then escorted her up front. Just sit down in the captain's chair and don't touch anything, the Cybernian cautioned. Manny has everything under control.

[Leliarre Nightshade]

Leliarre groaned quietly as Robi and Dea helped her get secured. She felt like she was on fire. Something... on the dagger? Pain was spreading hot and fast from her arm to the rest of her body. By the... what...was that? She bit her lip and closed her eyes. We'd better... get back... soon...

[Blaine]

Struggling to get up, Cold observed as the ones who were to remain with The Sith Order left with aid of some dog-like creature.

"I better not ask," Cold said to himself, knowing it was not best to ask who that was.

Holding his rib, he approached the others. No words came out, and awaited instruction.

[Inu]

Inu glared.

"Cowards."

He sheathed his katana.

"What now?" he demanded.

[Dea Potentia]

*sigh And so the training mission ends... all but three failed... and those three wounded and exhausted return to the order. The others live but... falls asleep before finishing thought...

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth brushed sand from his clothes and spit a bit of the dusty particles out onto the ground. "Pathetic." He gazed up and watched the cowards leave orbit in their ship. Inu-Aku asked what next - and Jeseth had the answer. "We go to the Empress Teta System... to the city of Cinnagar."

Ships hissed and hummed in the background. Jehova was approaching in the distance, and the bounty hunters that had been in Jeseth's employ had lifted off and taken the body of Levi Argon. Interesting. They've stolen him... and I wonder what for? As Jehova set down their transport, the party of Sith boarded, and then set off.

[Continued: http://www.swforums.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=426865#post426865]

[Robi]

The Mantis set a direct course for Corellia, and with a flicker of pseudomotion, she vanished into hyperspace.

OOC: This storyline continued here: http://www.swforums.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24997