PDA

View Full Version : Vissica



Rossos Atrapes
Oct 9th, 2017, 08:21:08 PM
​VISSICA

It is a time of unrest in the Empire. The new GALACTIC EMPRESS, MIRANDA TARKIN, wishes for the galaxy to be under her sole control. To that end, the IMPERIAL KNIGHTS, an organization of Force users loyal to the Empire, has been established, with the chilling Lord ROSSOS ATRAPES instated as its leader.

Not all in the Empire have taken to their new ruler. Dissidents and malcontents present an obstacle for the total domination of the EMPRESS over the Galaxy. The IMPERIAL KNIGHTS hunt them down ruthlessly, allowing nothing to stand in their way.

Lord ROSSOS ATRAPES, KNIGHT-GENERAL of the IMPERIAL KNIGHTS, has followed the trail of one group of dissidents to the planet of SELONIA...

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 9th, 2017, 09:13:29 PM
With a push of the button, the doors opened to the Knight-General's quarters.

The interior was pitch black, and a gust of freezing cold rushed out from within.

The Captain of Arbalest paused, discomfited, until a deep voice echoed from the darkness:

"Enter, Captain."

The Captain did so, and with slow, cautious steps, made his way deeper into the seeming abyss. The doors slid shut behind him with a loud and reverberating clack, as the locks engaged. After a few moments of silence and complete darkness, some lights powered on, slowly and dimly illuminating a dais in the centre of the room. In the middle of the dais was a seat, something like a throne, but bare of adornment or pomp.

Upon that throne sat Knight-General Atrapes. He was leaning forward, his hands gripping the armrests of the throne tightly and visibly white with strain. His head was bowed.

Captain Miel looked on this sight with silent fear, until once more Atrapes's voice echoed in the room:

"Speak."

"We are now in orbit over the planet of Selonia, milord," Captain Miel stated, gathering himself and bowing. "We are contacting the planetary government presently to gather information. Our scans indicate no further signs of hyperspace travel, and they haven't the time to calculate new coordinates for another jump. They are surely hiding on the planet."

A hologram was projected in the space between the Knight-General and the Captain. The planet flickered and spun.

"They have not fled to any of the other planets in this system?"

Captain Miel shook his head.

"Our scans are definitive, milord. Selonia and its warrens were their destination."

"Ready my shuttle and prepare the Stormtroopers. We will find them and destroy them."

"Of course, milord. At once." The Captain bowed and left the room, the lights dimming as he exited. When the doors slid shut behind him, he stopped and sighed, rubbing the cold from his fingers and shaking vigorously in an attempt to bring some warmth back to his blood.

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 9th, 2017, 10:14:14 PM
"So, we get to meet the new Imperial Knights, hm? I wonder what they're on about here," Governor Bren Tallis stood at the landing pad to the Governor's Palace, situated on an island which was known for its particularly tropical and pleasant climate. He was flanked by his aides and guards. While the Stormtrooper guards' faces were hidden by their helmets, the looks of disinterested apathy on the faces of the Governor and his aides were universal. "After that show with the Empress's speech and all those arrests and deaths... ah, here it is. About time."

The shuttle descended from the clear blue sky, gleaming but also visibly marked by battle. The Governor and his aides walked up as the ramp dropped with hiss of hydraulics and clouds of vented air mixtures.

From within the shuttle exited a bearded man, dressed in white plastoid armour plates affixed over a black uniform, and a blue cloak with a stylised Imperial Gear emblazoned on it. While not short, he was not imposing either. His hair was dark brown but was beginning to show flecks of grey. He was flanked by two officers and a full company of Stormtroopers, who marched in their customary impeccable order behind him.

"Knight-General, ah, Atrapes, was it? Welcome to Selonia. What brings you to our quiet little corner of the Galaxy?" Governor Tallis smiled in welcome to the new enforcer of the Supreme Galactic Authority. He met the man's eyes and was immediately struck by a sense of emptiness and nakedness.

"Imperial dissidents and traitors to Her Imperial Majesty were spotted fleeing to this planet. Where are they?"

"Dissidents and traitors? Lord Atrapes, there must be some mistake. There are no —" Governor Tallis stopped speaking and fell to his knees as he felt his throat constrict.

"Do not lie to me, Governor," Atrapes said, looking unruffled. He let his attention drift over the aides, even as the Governor's face turned purple. "I will not suffer fools."

The invisible pressure on the Governor's throat disappeared, leaving him coughing and hacking up spittle and phlegm.

"Go and search through all recent logged arrivals," the Knight-General commanded, turning to the officer on his left. "Do not treat anything as inconsequential."

The officer bowed and gestured, leading a group of Stormtroopers away.

"Search through the Governor and his subordinates' communications. Bring anything of note back to me," was the command given to the officer on his right. The officer bowed and left with his own group of Stormtroopers.

"Now, Governor." Tallis, still gasping and short of breath, his neck becoming visibly bruised, looked up into the cold eyes of Atrapes. "I will be questioning you and your aides personally. Do not lie to me."

A chill, like freezing cold air, enveloped the Governor.

"I will know if you do."


***


"We've completed our search through the communications database, milord. Several discrepancies and anomalies were found."

Atrapes let his attention drift from the kneeling forms of the Governor and his subordinates, to their visible relief. The officer in front of him pushed himself back quickly and fearfully, shaking and almost hiding behind his comrades. Atrapes said nothing, but being the focus of his attention, the officer quickly continued:

"Several messages and datastreams containing information about garrison rotations, codes for arrival and departure clearance, and locations around the planet for local garrison deployment."

As he spoke, the other of Atrapes's officers marched up and bowed.

"Our search of recent arrivals is complete. Within the last week, there have been several unscheduled rotations. The most recent unscheduled arrival was yesterday, approximately 0350. Major Dell was the officer in command during the rotations, and authorised the arrivals."

All eyes turned to look at the officer in question, whose face was pale and eyes wide with fear.

"Lies!" he gasped. "I don't know anything about this! Ah!"

The Major screeched as he was lifted off the ground and floated to a spot just in front of Atrapes.

"Please," he gasped. "Please, I don't — I don't know anythin—"

The Major's words cut off and his eyes rolled back into his head. He spasmed and jerked while Atrapes simply stared at him, and everyone else stared in horrified fascination. Finally, after a few long moments, the Major fell to the ground limply.

"Lieutenant Yulito. You will stay here. Continue your searches, and arrest anyone involved with the Major's treason. The Major will not present any trouble for you. You are authorised to deal with any obstruction of your mission with lethal force."

"Lieutenant Gion. You will come with me. I know where they are hiding."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 10th, 2017, 08:33:45 AM
The shuttle landed on an island alone in the midst of the great oceans of Selonia, with a large factory situated on it. In the distance, the Cloudland Peaks stretched into the sky, barely visible but even at this distance their summits were obscured.

The Selonians working in the factory stepped aside as Atrapes passed through their number, staring at him and his troops with inscrutable eyes. Atrapes ignored them, making his way through the factory to a huge turbolift within. They took the turbolift down, to the city carved into the crust of the planet itself.

The paths and corridors from the turbolift were winding and dim, lit only by softly glowing spheres set some distance apart.

"Milord," Lieutenant Gion said nervously, looking around. "There are... things... in the recesses beyond the light."

"They are Selonians," Atrapes answered, as blank and empty as usual.

Glittering black eyes, and shapes hid just beyond the light, watching the Imperials as they passed through the winding passages to the Selonian den.

Queen Matatek
Oct 10th, 2017, 08:24:42 PM
Beyond the lightless veil, a horde of eyes watched the imperial approach. They prudently kept their distance from the sparce sconces illuminating the main vault of the warren corridor, so to not betray themselves completely. The watchful throng moved with the intruders. The occasional sound of their passing echoed through the burrowed and reinforced earth, creating ghostly apparitions of sound that appeared greater than their source.

"KNIGHT GENERAL ATRAPES!"

The voice that shouted was feminine, with near-perfectly inflected Corellian basic. It painted the walls with its richness of tone, washing over the uninvited guests as it coursed through an echo.

"YOU ARE ENCROACHING UPON THE DOMAIN OF THE OVERDEN. WHY HAVE YOU COME TO THIS PLACE?"

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 11th, 2017, 12:35:44 PM
Atrapes and the Stormtroopers continued marching forward, silent and ignoring the reverberating call.

"Milord?" Lieutenant Gion asked, stepping up to a position just to Atrapes's left. "Are we not going to answer?"

"We will be face to face soon enough," Atrapes answered shortly. "Someone is coming."

Queen Matatek
Oct 11th, 2017, 07:33:37 PM
"That is far enough!"

The same voice spoke, though now closer and without a crescendo of an echo to ride upon. On a ledge above, one pinprick or red light flashed. Then another. Then three more. A moment passed, and thirty red lasers could be seen alight, generated from gunsights on marksman slugthrowers. The ominous crimson spots didn't paint the Knight General, or any of his entourage. Rather, they illuminated the earthen ground two meters in front of them in a straight line. The line served as a warning.

Footsteps could now be heard, along with the sound of something light dragging the ground. In the shadowed corridor ahead, a single figure emerged. A female Selonian wearing a plain blue robe and a belt and matching headcrest of matte alloys emerged to greet the Imperials. Her inkwell eyes filled their small sockets to betray no sclera as she cast them with an alien, inscrutable expression. Her tapered, blunt muzzle and it's flanking array of whiskers likewise showed neither a smile or a frown or anything that might be so distinguished.

"My name is Matatek Kai Teless. I speak for the Queen of the Overden. You will remain in place until given permission to pass. I will speak with the Knight General."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 15th, 2017, 01:31:06 PM
"As subjects of Her Majesty the Empress Tarkin, you do not have the authority to command me," Atrapes responded, his voice echoing like the Queen's speaker. "Unless the Empress herself commands it. My mission will not be delayed without cause. Speak quickly, or I will go through you to complete it."

Everyone who heard the Knight-General could feel a chill running through them, not just physically, but emotionally. His certainty and will hummed from his words through the Force into all, even the Stormtroopers behind him, and the listening, quiet Selonians that had shadowed them beyond the lights that illuminated the grand tunnel.

Queen Matatek
Oct 15th, 2017, 01:54:43 PM
Some of the glittering eyes in the recesses seemed to shrink back at the Knight General's voice, as if their resolve had been shaken. They ultimately remained, however.

Teless stooped slightly, taking a respectful step back.

"The Overden has no quarrel with the Empire, Knight General. We wish to continue to maintain a respectful relationship."

The Queen's Hand half-blinked, a milky nictating membrane partially obscuring her dark eyes for a moment.

"My Queen wishes an audience with you, and you only. This is the rarest of honors for an outsider, and she hopes you will honor her in accepting."

She glanced to the rest of the entourage.

"The others may remain at the outer warren periphery as our guests. We will be hospitable, but with respect, no further outsiders may be admitted any farther. This is the arrangement which has been honored by your governor in the past."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 15th, 2017, 04:36:28 PM
"I will go," Atrapes answered. Lieutenant Gion turned to him, shock on his face. Atrapes merely turned his eyes to his subordinate and asked, "Do you have a question, Lieutenant?"

"N-no, milord." Gion bowed.

"Then go and prepare for my return. They have gone this way, Lieutenant."

"Of course," Gion answered and stepped back, motioning to the Stormtroopers. Atrapes nodded, and the Stormtroopers filed off behind the officer in good order.

Before they had even left sight, Atrapes was already moving in the opposite direction.

"Take me to your queen."

Queen Matatek
Oct 15th, 2017, 04:55:53 PM
Teless gestured with a paw. The line in the sand of red laser extinguished in unison. From the shadows, a half dozen Selonians emerged, gesturing to Atrapes entourage.

"This way please, gentlemen. May we offer you refreshments?"

The Hand of the Queen turned in the other direction. She waited for Atrapes to advance to her before walking alongside. They traveled down a long corridor that descended into the depths of the planet. Sconces gently glowed to life at their approach, keeping their relative surroundings warmly illuminated. Unlike before, it seemed that there was no host of watching Selonians in the dark. The two appeared to be alone.

"My Queen is confused, Knight General. Have the people of the Overden not accorded themselves as honest subjects? She is concerned by the directness of Imperial involvement in our domestic sanctuary."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 15th, 2017, 11:04:14 PM
"My mission here does not involve you or your Queen," Atrapes answered, "unless you, or others within your den have been cooperating with a group of dissidents who are unhappy at the thought of Tarkin as the Empress. I have followed their trail here. If this audience allows them to escape, there will be consequences."

Queen Matatek
Oct 15th, 2017, 11:41:02 PM
"I understand." Teless paused, a quiver in her whiskers. Her gait slowed as she considered the words he spoke. Of course, she could see the veiled threat for what it was. For anyone else to speak to the Overden in such a way it would be a serious insult. Of course, the reality of the Galactic Empire meant that one had to find the stomach for a certain level of injury.

Ever the hostess, Teless resumed her pace.

"We are not far now."

The descending corridor opened up ten minutes later into a vaulted antichamber. In this section of the warren, there was much more lighting. Floating repulsor lamps hung suspended, casting light around a beautiful network of controlled waterfalls. Beyond these, a great metal door stood, flanked by two gaily-dressed honor guardswomen. At the sight of the Queen's handmaiden, the guards silently parted, giving a signal for the heavy doors to be thrown open. They slowly parted, revealing a chamber beyond even more richly adorned than the first. The disposition of the throneroom drew all eyes to it's namesake. At the center of the room, resting upon a terraced dais sat a great upholstered throne. And resting atop that sat a very large Selonian. Unlike the lithe and nearly-identical drones around them, this Selonian was rotund and amply proportioned. A silken mantle draped across her girth, giving modest cover to her six milk-swolen bosoms that rested atop her pregnant belly.

A team of four nursemaidens retreated from the throne, each of them carrying a parcel of a selonian kit wrapped in swaddling. Four guardswomen stood in a row, a last line separating Queen Matatek from her honored guest.

Teless gestured to the appropriate spot for Atrapes to stand. She carefully positioned herself between her Queen and the human.

"Xha ekk nauzhak wruzk kaxhaal Ahtraapez xhaak essek."

The back-throated sound of the Selonian language of Mandaba was a harsh change from Teless's previously pitch-perfect Corellian basic. The Queen listened intently, shifting her bulk as her wet nose wrinkled.

"Nazhk aak xeh. Maahakh azha xeh krazhaal khaa rraxh."

Teless turned back to Atrapes, returning to basic for the translation.

"She of the Overden, the Great Queen Matatek bids you welcome to her court, Knight General Atrapes."

Beyond, the Queen awaited his response. Her pink tongue pressed momentarily between her flews before retreating.

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 16th, 2017, 12:15:40 AM
"I do not have time for meaningless trivialities. Every moment wasted here is another granted to the traitors' escape." Atrapes paused. "Your Highness."

Queen Matatek
Oct 16th, 2017, 12:28:10 AM
The Queen didn't have to wait for the translation to understand the sentiment behind Atrapes' pointed and terse alien words. She drew in a deep breath, letting it out in a slow release as Teless translated. When the Queen spoke, she drew her forepaws together across her belly, steepling the thick fingers together.

Dutifully, Teless translated, "The Knight General is a guest of these warrens. He finds his way because the Queen wishes it so. The Queen does not suffer those who trespass against her children lightly.

The handmaiden paused, making sure that the last words of her Queen were heard correctly. Queen Matatek sat forward slightly, gesturing with an open paw.

"In the interests of our cooperation, I will assign my best warrior to guide you. She will lead you and my handmaiden to hunt and destroy your enemies, and rid my Overden of their intrusive presence."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 16th, 2017, 09:34:52 AM
"Very well," Atrapes answered. "Your cooperation does you credit. The Empire remembers its loyal subjects."

Queen Matatek
Oct 16th, 2017, 08:18:34 PM
The Queen gave Atrapes a single nod. She then raised her right paw, making a slight beckoning gesture.

Matatek Sel Vissica
Oct 16th, 2017, 08:26:03 PM
From a shadowed alcove at the periphery of the throne room, a single figure stepped forward. She was yet another Selonian drone, and looked similar to most of the musteloid sentients that stood in the Queen's court. This one, however, carried herself differently. Built far more sturdy than the handmaiden Teless, she resembled the athletic warrior caste sisters that stood guard around the Queen's throne, but still she differentiated herself by standing nearly a head taller than those already-impressive specimens.

Without a sound, the Queen's champion stood by Atrapes side where she dwarfed the human. For now, she ignored him, facing her Queen only.

Queen Matatek
Oct 16th, 2017, 08:28:49 PM
Queen Matatek gestured to her arrived warrior, and made her introduction. Dutifully, Teless resumed her duties as Voice.

"Knight General Atrapes, this is Vissica, of the Sel sept, daughter of Matatek. She will show you the way and keep you safe."

Rossos Atrapes
Oct 24th, 2017, 03:00:39 PM
"Your Majesty," Atrapes nodded once, and without another word spun on his foot.

"Come," he said to Vissica. "There is not a moment to lose."

They exited the the Throne room, and with the Selonians trailing him, he made his way to where the Lieutenant and his Stormtroopers were waiting.

"Milord," Gion bowed. He glanced at the Selonian beside Atrapes, but made no comment aside from a slight curl of his lip.

"We have wasted enough time. They draw further away."

As abruptly as he had entered, he turned and left, leaving his soldiers to scurry after him into the depth of the winding caverns riddling the Selonian crust.

Matatek Sel Vissica
Oct 24th, 2017, 09:56:19 PM
"Rzhekk hrak ek, mrrax aurrbaa."

Midway through the corridor exiting the Queen's sanctum, the warrior extended a heavy paw, blocking the way of Atrapes and his entourage. The giantess pivoted her head, a single black almond eye catching the Knight General in a glance.

"Sister Vissica says there is a strangeness to the air." Teless spoke demurely, paws clasped together.

"Khararrak zhakra ak hzekh."

"Ahead at the intersection, we travel to the right."

Vissica didn't wait for the offworlders to comprehend. She took the initiative at the head of the group, dropping into a four-footed stance as she loped.

Rossos Atrapes
Sep 15th, 2020, 01:23:02 AM
"A strangeness to the air?" Lieutenant Gion said scornfully, though soft. Most of his breath was saved for the pace the Selonian and the Knight-General set; for a man of his size, his stride was long. "It all smells like alien to me."

Atrapes said nothing, continuing his implacable march without speeding up or slowing down, seemingly unconcerned with the Selonian, Vissica, pulling further away. Every step was sure, and he did not second guess any turns, despite the claustrophobic sameness to the tunnels and rock.

Matatek Sel Vissica
Sep 24th, 2020, 06:45:15 PM
The Selonian warrior's pace slowed to a careful approach, until Vissica had come to a stop, inspecting the ground carefully. She pinched at some disturbed earth, holding it briefly to her nose before letting the silt fall between her pads. She glanced back to see Atrapes and the rest of the entourage approach. Keeping her attention focused on the leader of the offworlders, she spoke in Mandaba.

"Sister Vissica has found the Outworlders' trail," Teless explained, keeping by Atrapes side so she could readily translate, "Twelve humans, two of another species, and a droid. Fresh tracks, no older than two hours."

The warrior's posture remained taut and ready to chase, but she didn't immediately continue in pursuit. Instead, she remained fixed on Atrapes for instruction.

Rossos Atrapes
Sep 25th, 2020, 12:59:28 AM
"Another species?" Lieutenant Gion asked, his brow furrowed. "And a droid? Well, they could have picked up the droid from the traitor. No better way to pass along information. Are they Selonian?"

Atrapes shook his head.

"No. They are not." He offered no explanation for his knowledge, but looked at the ground where Vissica had somehow read those signs. He could sense something, but the Force was awash with the feelings of Selonians down here, pushed to and fro by their energy and almost militarily disciplined society. The path of the traitors was almost ridiculously easy to sense in comparison, but everything was tinged with that metaphorical 'taste' of Selonians, and so all he could sense was the passage of the mostly human group. Individual emotions, or Force sensitivity, maybe, if both were strong enough to feel above the life that lived and wore itself into the very fabric of reality.

Their quarry, it seemed, was at the least emotionally disciplined under tense circumstances. While it would not hide them, it would make any confrontation that much more difficult.

Two hours.

"We will continue. Maintain silence and discipline. We must be aware of them before they are aware of us."

He made no gesture, but started the pursuit once more, marching in the wake of their prey's flight.

Matatek Sel Vissica
Feb 16th, 2021, 11:05:05 PM
The group followed the tracks, with Vissica bounding ahead, looking for the tell-tale disturbances and signs that would point towards the right path, or caution against folly. Free to pursue at her pace, the Selonian kept to four feet, her eyes unhindered by the darkening corridors. She moved with a bold certainty, following a path as if it had been painted in bright colors and illuminated. After nearly half an hour's pursuit, Vissica paused, bunched, and righted into a slouched two-footed stance.

"Sister Vissica says that the outlanders have erred, milord. From here, they'll have to double back. There's no outlet to this branch of the den."

Vissica breathed deeply, listening to sister Teless speak in the outlander tongue. Her eyes tracked to Atrapes, expecting him to similarly reply.

Rossos Atrapes
Feb 18th, 2021, 02:57:31 AM
For all that their words made sense, there was something wrong about the situation. He did not sense them becoming more fearful, nor did their echoes seem to show that they were aware of being followed so closely, though they knew that they were being hunted. Why back themselves into a corner?

"There is something we are missing," he breathed. "Some piece to this puzzle as yet undiscovered."

All of them looked to him for the final decision and opinion.

"We will continue on. Maintain silence. If they were so foolish as you believe, we shall capitalise on it. If they were not, we must remain close by to keep them from taking advantage of our own ignorance. Lieutenant, where are we on the planet?"

Gion stepped forward and produced a tiny holoprojector.

"We are here, milord. The shuttle is back here, and the Governor's island is here."

Atrapes considered the hologram. "Show me extant Imperial installations on the planet."

Gion pressed a few buttons and made a gesture, and points of light appeared on the holographic globe. Gion noted idly that the shine from the hologram glowed in Atrapes' and the Selonian—Vissica's eyes in an eerily similar way.

"Contact Lieutenant Yulito. Coordinate with him on any unilateral approvals of material transport on planet coming from the Major or his office. There is a connection here. Hopefully we find it, or end them before that connection can be used against us."