[b]Azazel and Andrea -- The Korriban Tomb of Drachass Nurr, Part I[/b] Aboard the Dagda, Azazel hums an old lullaby quietly as the ship approaches Korriban and the Academy. From the far side of the bridge, her communications officer calls out, “Should we make contact before approaching any closer? Sensors are reading that their weapons are coming online.” She continues to hum to herself distractedly, fingers tapping with the rhythm against her sith sword. “Alor Dha'dala.” She snaps to attention and raises a brow in confusion. “The defenses are going online. Should I announce ourselves?” She sighs and nods. Of course, the new guy was not nearly as efficient as Xen had been. The Kubaz would have known her wishes and simply proceeded. Of course, he was running independently of her on his own missions, now... She would need to find a better replacement for him. After a moment, the officer clears his throat and announces, “Attempting communications. Ready for transmission.” Azazel stands and moves to the panel nearby, removing her helmet and waiting impatiently for Andrea to answer. The hail had been barely received or Andrea was answering, cocking her head as the holographic image of Azazel became alive and she knew her own holographic image was being transmitted to the sith in orbit. She sounded amused but the look in Andrea's eyes was hard. "Azazel, such a delight to see you again, you are always welcome as are the other Sith... though please, for the... twelfth time, please give some advance warning next time." She grinned after saying that. “And miss out on this dance of ours? Never,” she purrs, leaning forward. “Of course, if it is such an issue, I could just leave.” With a dramatic sigh she waves a hand, “I could return to Mandalore space and Gra'tua and continue to assist him in his endless quest to be their leader. It can be so tedious at times. But of course, if my showing up in such a manner has left you in a poor mood...” She acts like she's about to cut off communication, faking a pout. Andrea grinned, crossing her arms. "Your presence is always welcome Azazel, always nice to see someone visit me on this cold, lonely world." She smirked, "Especially if you are able to peel yourself off Gra'tua's lap to visit me... have you tired him out again so that he is no longer of use and you need me to satisfy you?" She said with a purr of her own. “Something like that...” she smiles playfully before straightening herself out, “But actually, I was thinking along the lines of something even more fun.” As Azazel begins to open her mouth to speak again, she's suddenly knocked out of the screen while a girlish shriek splits the air, “Andrea! I heard a rumour they were getting Hutts in Love back on the air! Is it true?! Please tell me its true!” Azazel lets out a grunt and rubs her head, picking herself off the floor. “Hakkri.... I'm not saying I'm going to kill you... But I'm going to get blasted close...” Widening her eyes at the interruption she was surprised for a moment before she narrowed her eyes. "Still alive I see and... huh, nice outfit actually... how did you-" She shook her head and frowned, hiding her thoughts as best she could under a neutral mask. It was true that a few months ago attempts had been made to contact her using her old aliases about taking up her former role, but that life had been in the past and she had ignored the messages.. well not exactly. "I do not know, perhaps they have chosen to find a different actress to replace me." In fact she had found a member of her crew and used her Sith Alchemy to transform her into a close clone of herself in appearance and send her to the producers of Hutts in Love to have them stop harassing her. Hakkri's eyes widen, he looks between Azazel and Andrea, breath quickening before he lets out a squeal of utter delight. “Thank the Sith Gods! Thank the powers of the Dark Side! Thank you Flying Spaghetti Monster! Thank you whatever had to do with this miracle!” As he begins to wind up for a rant, Azazel kicks out with her feet. The apprentice manages to move out of the way, only to be hit by a resulting wave of the force, sending him sprawling across the room. A few disgruntled crew men loose shouts as the Zygerian smacks into their consoles. Azazel huffs and stands back up, “Wonderful... Now he'll have proper incentive to live through what I had planned for today.” She just starts laughing in response, rubbing the tears off as she doesn't seem able to breathe for a moment, calming down and sniggering before she takes a deep breath and gestured to someone on her end. "Power down the weapons." After saying that she turned back to Azazel. "So... before we were rudely interrupted by the fanboy, what kind of fun brought you here again?" She smirks. "Do I need to inform my Zeltron aides to ready the massage oil? Azazel looks amused for a moment before shaking her head, “I was hoping to explore some Sith tomb. Suffice to say, I'm hoping to have it as a training exercise of sorts. Some...” She glances purposely at Hakkri, “Have grown too cocky lately. One dead Jedi does not mean they can slack off.” Nearby, Kitt grimaces and rubs her arm, knowing she was talking of the Cathar who used to tutor her and those of the creche. Azazel had made it abundantly clear she was less than happy at her apprentices for snagging the wash-out of the creche. She was still having to find her place amidst the ranks. "Again about that jedi you killed, stop showing off, especially that pelt you made out of her, is it still hanging in your chambers?" She chuckled at that and sighed, "Such a disappointment, you coming here on business and not pleasure." She pouts, "It's as if you enjoy Gra'tua a lot more than me lately." She just smiles, “Who is to say we can't have both?” Azazel shakes her head, “Mind you, if we're all cleared up... I would prefer continuing this discussion in person, perhaps? Holo-communications seem so impersonal.” Chuckling Andrea snapped her fingers. "Launch some of the squadrons to do patrols of something so there is room in the hangar for Darth Azazel to land." She turned back to Azazel with a smirk. "Welcome to Korriban Academy, I'll see you at the hangar." With a wave of her hand she terminated the communications, grinning as she headed to the hangars while her people were giving the all clear and turned off the sirens. --- As Azazel's ship docks, herself, Hakkri, Aggros, Tannus and Kitt move onto the platform. Azazel prowls slowly across the area, anklets jangling a soft chime with each step before she stops, hand resting upon her Sith sword. “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” she calls out, waiting for Andrea. Aggros keeps a firm arm about Hakkri to keep the Sith apprentice from running out in search of the other Master... Tannus simply flips a laser knife into his hand, switches it on and carefully rotates it through the air, watching for any ambush. The youngest of the group simply tries to hang back, uncertain of what to truly do. Hidden from the senses of Azazel and her people, Andrea approached slowly as she concentrated on her new-found powers, it required a great deal of concentration, one slip and they would clearly sense her. She managed to get in as close as she wants and then stopped concentration, smirking in front of Azazel as she reached out, cupping the other sith lady's cheeks and kisses her deeply with a soft moan. "Mmmmm... welcome back to Korriban." She said after pulling away and licking her lips with a glint in her eyes. “I knew you were there,” Azazel lies, a faint smile on her lips. Hakkri lets out a soft gasp and mutters something to Aggros... Probably relating to the holosoap. Aggros lets out a small grunt of irritation and shrugs it off. “Anything new? Any pets I should expect to try and leap out and eat my followers?” Tannus lets out a robotic rasp through his respirator, “That was one time...” Andrea chuckles at that and looks at Azazel's minion, "Serves him right at the time, thinking that my Tuk'ata would answer the call of any Sith." She grinned, taking Azazels arm in her own and started walking, several of her disciples who had been stationed in the shadows stepping forwards to walk behind them all. Some nodding to Azazel's people in greeting. "Now, you wished to do some tomb hunting? Did you have a particular tomb in mind perhaps? Have your little contacts in this 'keeper of the sith knowledge' cult you have made contacts with told you anything?” Azazel falters for a moment, “Not so much a hunt, but an excavation. I know the location, and I truly meant it when I said this was training. I am not sure if we would find anything truly worthwhile.” She waves a hand casually, “I would send them on their own, but of course, I cannot trust any of them not to run afoul of some Sith guardian... And its so troublesome to replace good help, retrain them, so on.” She nods, "Very well, I take it you take these four with you?" She looks at Azazel's people and nodded, "I shall take four of mine with me as well, Khanna, Rhak-skuri, Talon, you three will come with us, Talon get Trizz as well, she will be coming along too, make sure she packs her medical supplies." The Twi'lek sith nodded and walked off to gather the Zabrak lieutenant. "The ancient sith did love their traps and animal guardians, it will be fun." She said with a smirk. “I do admire their pets. I thought about trying to train one once. Do you think they play fetch?” Azazel laughs quietly. Tannus appears demoralized at the idea, letting his laser knife drop back into his hand. “Andrea, please kill it before she can. Her last pets met with the wrong end of a sabre when told to fetch certain disciples from their bunks.” "They make excellent pets, the Tuk'ata at least, once you can tame them of course and accept you as the new alpha leader." She clapped her hands together, "Now then, let's head to this tomb, we can take one of the speeders I have here at the compound while you instruct the pilot to take us to the tomb entrance." With that she led them to the vehicle bay were the speeders would be located. The two sith and their people appointed to accompany them set out from the new Korriban Academy in the speeder, traveling over the sands and rocky surface of Korriban, passing sith statues and architecture that was part collapsed and part covered in sand. After three hours of travel they reached their destination, or at least the first part. A tunnel entrance that was hidden from view by the local geography but which Azazel had learned about. Leaving the speeder there they went into the tunnel, hearing skittering sounds as local vermin went out of their way to let them pass till they went into the light of the surface once more, coming out into a small valley, recognizing the architecture at once of sith tombs. The sith tomb in question was not hard to miss however, it was in the middle of the valley and was easily standing out from the other tombs, for one, a small pack of Tuk'ata were prowling in front of the entrance, and the entrance itself... was closed off with a forcefield. Azazel takes a deep breath, taking in the ancient glory of the sith. With a smile, she points at the center temple with a grin, “That will be our destination...” She dons her helmet, hiding her face and draws her sword and shoto, beginning the trek to the temple. This was her legacy, she was the Sith'ari, the creatures would bow before her will... Or test the mettle of her followers. Seemed like a win-win situation. Andrea looked upon their destination and nodded, "Active forcefield? Fascinating." She murmured before she followed after Azazel, gesturing for her people to follow as they readied the lightsaber weaponry or in Trizz's case her blaster. She walked beside Azazel, "You asked for a new pet, I take it you wish to try and convince those Tuk'ata? Allow me to give a few tips, make sure to show no fear, don't break eye contact or make overly aggressive behavior... and how is your knowledge of Sith language?" Azazel simply arches a brow before gesturing down at herself. “Does it seem like even a remote possibility I would not?” She snorts and turns back as they begin to close the last of the distance. Upon her last step, she comes to a halt and calls out in the Sith dialect, <> They had senses the presence of force users, several of them and were wary when they approached, eyes glaring as they watched on step ahead of the others and speak to them in a all too familiar language. They hissed, some glancing back before returning their gaze to the speaker. A voice answering, the accent haltingly broken, as if the memories of the language were passed down but not spoken out loud for a very, very long time. < Azazel squares her shoulders, <> At the words of reconsidering loyalties a angry hiss is heard and the largest of the Tuk'ata outside steps forwards, it's eyes glowing as it looked straight at the interloped who spoke to them as if they were equals. <> It sniffs the air and growls, <> Azazel bristles, <> She raises her head to look the creature dead-on. <> Andrea made a 'tut-tut' sound at Azazel and quickly stepped forwards. "Khanna, Rhak-skuri, together with... put the fear into these beasts and show them who is truly their superior." She said as the two disciples stepped forwards and together with Andrea tapped into the power of the dark side to make these beasts fear them while Andrea called out to them. <> She hissed through her teeth as she focused on the pack leader. As the wave upon wave of force induced fear hits the charging Tuk'ata they whine and skid to a half, even their leader stopping and growling, shivering all over with it's head bowed, glaring at Andrea. <> It growls while some of it's pack take a involuntary step back, the three that accepted Azazel as their new pack leader growling in what seemed to be disgust at the behavior of their former pack, feeling certain they made the right decision to join this female sith. Azazel snarls out at Andrea's interference before barking out, <> at the Tukata wise enough to follow her without the leader's death, “Tannus, knives, Hakkri, Aggros, Kitt, keep the small ones off my back.” Tannus draws out several of his laser knives, sending them out alight before sending them at the leader of the pack in an attack meant to debilitate. Hakkri and Aggros both draw blasters out, ready to shoot as Kitt drops low in a wary defensive stance. As the knives fly forth, Azazel lunges forward in an attack with her sword and ignited lightsabre. <> Two of the laser knifes sliced through the thick hide of the Tuk'ata pack leader who let out a howl of pain, snapping him out of the force fear effect, but his instincts and reflexes were still slowed as Azazel sliced off on of it's claws. It howled in rage, <> It bellowed, trying to snap it's pack out of the force induced fear. At the howl the other hounds blinked, snapping out of their fear, groggy still but aware of what was going on and very, very angry, with a howl they charged. Three of them going for the sith who had tried to make them lapdogs with fear, two supporting the packleader. Aggros and Hakkri fired but their shots were wild, clearly they hadn't practiced their shooting that much lately. Or at least not with their blasters. Azazel jumps back as the pack leader snaps it's jaws shut on empty air instead of her arm, another Tuk'ata missing its leap of her, but the third manages to get close and snap its jaws around her legs, biting through the armour and into her flesh with a vicious snarl. Andrea and Khanna take steps back so the Tuk'ata miss them, Rhak-skuri has no such luck however as the sith hound going after her pounces on top of her and brings her down to the ground, snapping its jaws at her throat, the Togruta able to prevent her flesh being ripped to pieces by instead offering her arm to chew on, which the Tuk'ata does gladly. Azazel's new pets try to attack their former pack leader but he swats them aside and growls at them. With a hiss Andrea turns to Khanna, "Kill them and help Rhak-skuri." She also gestured to Trizz to shoot the blasted sith hounds while she gestures to Talon and together with her Hand she rushes to Azazel's side to defend her, perhaps Andrea could get herself a owed favor from Azazel by doing this she thought, smirking to herself as she ignited her saber together with Darth Talon. Rhak-Skuri meanwhile was doing her best to see if the sith hound gnawing on her flesh could be blasted off her with sith lightning. Trizz and Khanna try to down some of the Tuk'ata but the beasts are wary now and dodge out of the way of the laser blasts or lightsabre pike wielded by the Dathomiri sith. Rhak-skuri has more luck as the Tuk'ata on top of her is blasted and hurled off the Togruta, shuddering as the lightning courses through it's body and then finally it's eyes popped and flesh started to burn and char. No doubt feeling satisfied about that before the pain of her ripped open arm brought her back to the situation at hand. Together with Talon, Andrea and her stab the Tuk'ata trying to gnaw off Azazel's leg and kill it, freeing Azazel's leg though she has a vicious bite wound. With a smirk Andrea turned to Azazel and winked, even though Azazel's face was hidden under her helmet. "Don't sweat it... did what you would have done for me in a similar situation." She said quickly, hiding her grin as she turned her attention to the other hostile Tuk'ata. The TUk'ata pack leader, hardly bothered by it's stump where one of his claws used to be it seems lashes out, towering over one of the Tuk'ata who had betrayed the pack and tore it's throat out with a growl, blood splattering over his jaws. His packmate brought down another of the traitors. The others were attacking the Dathomiri sith, one lunging at her but missing, because that one was feinting, distracting Khanna as the second jumped at her back, making her crash to the ground and about to rip open her back with it's claws. Azazel spits out, <> Trying to compensate through the pain in her leg, Azazel makes another attack at the leader as Tannus leaps to her side to assist with his lightsabre. Hakkri and Aggros fire upon the other of Azazel's attackers with their rifles as the survivor of Azazel's pets goes in for another attack at the leader. Kitt, takes her chance against the one who missed Andrea's helper, hoping it was still unbalanced in an attempt to snap its neck. The Tuk'ata pet makes its leap and drives its fangs into the back of its leader's back as Tannus strikes out, severing more vicious claws that try to strike out at Azazel. The Dark Lady moves inside its reach and runs blade and lightsabre through its chest, the creature shuddering and collapsing instantly. <> The Tuk'ata was unaware and let out a surprised yelp when it suddenly felt hands around it's neck and had time for a whine before with a disturbing cracking and wrenching sound it's neck was snapped by a equally surprised Kitt who did not know her strength was that much. Seeing their pack fall, their leader dead the two surviving Tuk'ata let out a fearful whine and leaped away, running over the Korriban sands and rocks as far as their legs could carry them. Azazel raises her sith sword, pointing after the last two Tuk'ata before willing the force to crush the legs of the pathetic weaklings as they ran. “You did well, young one,” she mutters towards Kitt who shudders over the dead creature. The two fleeing sith hounds do not run far as a sudden force takes hold of their legs, keeping them in place and with a sickening series of crunches the bones in all their legs is broken and crushed, making the beasts fall over, whining and yelping out in agony, unable to move... or even defend themselves against any predator who might feel these immobilized sith beasts are now easy prey. She whistled at the display of power and clapped briefly. "Impressive... now let's tend to those wounds?" She suggested, snapping her fingers for Trizz to move closer with her medical supplies. She shrugs and looks at her leg with a frown, “I suppose some aide would be appreciated...” Azazel turns to the Sith hound left and all too cheerily asks, <> The Tuk'ata seems to frown at Azazel before it replied, <> It seemed more like a question than a answer. Trizz meanwhile manages to patch up Rhak-skuri expertly but when attempting to do the same for Azazel she shakes her head, claiming her injury would need more than she could do. It would not leave her incapacitated but she might suffer some hindrance. "Well it could have been worse, if I hadn't been there to dislodge the critter for you as it was using your leg as a chew toy." Andrea murmured softly with a grin, turning to the force field blocking their entrance. "So... how do we get past that?" She smiles faintly, <> She looks at her leg before snorting, “I'll slap on some bacta patches when we get home... The force field, though...” She eyes it before addressing Cabur, <> The sith hound looked oddly at Azazel, surprised it did not seem to know before it walked to the forcefield and lets out word in the sith tongue, it seemed of a odd dialect but the effect was instant, the forcefield was lowered and the hound sat back on and looked at Azazel expectantly, tongue wagging out and past it's fanged jaws. <> Andrea rose its eyebrows, then frowned and looked to Azazel, "Perhaps you ought to ask your new pet what... other guardians or security might be inside the tomb first." Azazel glares at Andrea before nodding. Of course she had thought of that! There was just a problem of the forcefield to deal with first... obviously. She moves up to Cabur's side and softly pets him on the head, <> It blinks at the question and whines, apparently fearful that it's answer might displease it's new mistress. <> It sniffed and whined again. <> It seems that was all it knew or could smell. Azazel idly pets behind the crest of the creature's head, <> She redirects to address everyone else, “Cabur says he's not sure what's in there, aside from some more packs. Be careful, watch out, listen to your instincts. If you think there might be something, give a heads up. These tombs are known for being full of nasty surprises.” She nods and passes on similar orders to her people and turned back to Azazel, still grinning. "Good training start, wouldn't you say? You found a good tomb for training I think." She almost purrs, "Mind if I try to convince the next pack? If we encounter one. I would love to add more breeding stock for my pets." She pauses for a moment before gritting her teeth behind her helmet. “I suppose I do owe you for the assistance back there... I would like to possess a female of my own, though. I could even set Tannus to caring and training pups then.” Tannus lets out a low groan at the prospect, looking at his mechnoarms with concern. Andrea smiled sweetly, before she, along with those others with her who could do so, put a bubble of force protection around herself. "Why of course my dear Azazel, now then that the tomb is open for us, shall we enter and explore its depths?" She frowns, looking at the dark before nodding, “Very well... Kitt, eyes up front.” She looks at her pet before sighing and pointing right before her, <> With that, she manifests her bubble of protection, Tannus mimicking the action. From the back, Hakkri fusses over Aggros, “Are you okay? Are you still afraid of the dark?” Aggros frowns, “Can I get a glowstick too?” Igniting their sabers for some light Andrea stepped next to Azazel and frowned, "Dark tombs... my absolute favourite..." She said dryly. Igniting their sabers for some light Andrea stepped next to Azazel and frowned, "Dark tombs... my absolute favourite..." She said dryly. Cabur stiffened for a moment as they reached the intersection, sniffing the floor and whined, turning to Azazel. <> <> she inquires, before nodding to Kitt, wondering if she could see anything that might stand out down any of the passages. The Tuk'ata whined softly, shaking its head left and right, this was new territory for him and some of these scents, old and new... he just couldn't find the difference. Kitt too seemed stumped and offered a weak apology to Azazel. Andrea snorted, "You really managed to convince the best of the pack outside to accept you as its new master." She looked ahead, irritated at this darkness. "Left?" With a sigh, Azazel runs her lightsabre against the wall to scorch a mark towards which way was the entrance, “Why not. If its the wrong way, I can blame you,” she teases. She chuckled, the sound the only thing she heard for a moment besides their footsteps. "Remind me to not build a gloomy tomb like this... so depressing..." Cubar's nostrils flared at the same time as everyone heard the growls and three Tuk'ata stormed into view, one of them dropping a winged creature from it's mouth, a fresh prey they had clearly been hunting before they had heard the intruders. Azazel nudges Andrea forward, “You wanted to tame the next group, be my guest.” With vicious snarls the two closest Tuk'ata charge the one who they could smell had blood on him of the one they knew was to guard the outer area of the door to this tomb. But Cubar fended them off and keeps them from bringing him down or sinking their jaws or claw in his flesh. "Trizz, shoot the one in the back." Andrea snarled while she stepped forward with the intention of impale one of the beasts on her lightsaber, Rhak-skuri attempting to force choke the other. Talon seeing a opportunity as well leaps forward to get a strike in as well. It was confusing to say the least what happened with the flashing lightsabers and use of force powers, but in the end it seemed that none of Andrea's people scored a hit, except for Trizz who was rewarded with a painful whine as her blastershot hit the sith hound in the flank. Azazel sweeps around to attack the centremost hound with her weapons as Tannus follows behind to strike at the first. Kitt moves up behind him in an attempt to trip up the hound. Meanwhile, Hakkri and Aggros, doubting their gunnery skills move up a little closer so that they could fire upon the hound yet to attempt an attack. Cabur moves in, nipping at the hind legs of the enemy Tuk'ata Azazel attacks to try and injure him. Cabur growled and lashed out with a claw to the snout of one of the Tuk'ata who reared up in pain, a hard to resist target as Azazel decapitated the beast. The others were having more difficulties as the one Tanus and Kitt were trying to eliminate seemed unable to sit still for a proper strike. In the back the two Zygerians were having difficulties aiming and couldn't hit the side of a gundark with the marksmanship they have displayed so far. Surrounded on all sides the Tuk'ata was unable to bite or claw at anyone, either being blocked by one of the sith or needing to evade a strike intended for him. The one who had yet to attack let out a keening cry that echoed down the corridor before it charged at Azazel but was smacked on the nose by Azazel's boot as she kicked at it. Andrea snarled, "All together, kill the beast!" She shouted as she lashed out, Rhak-skuri, Talon and Khanna striking at it at the same time. The Tuk'ata turned around and lashes out at Andrea who had a weakness in her defense as she attacked the hound but it became confused as it claws were somehow stopped by a invisible force, it did not stay confused long as Khanna and Rhak-Skuri killed the beast. Cabur goes again, nipping at the flanks of the opposing Tuk'ata as Tannus and Kitt move in to offer reinforcement to the attacking Azazel. “Down, dumb dog,” she snaps. Meanwhile, Hakkri and Aggros just exchange looks with each other, scared they might hit their leader at this point. Wounded but still fierce the sith guardian smelled Azazel's blood from her leg injury and tried to find purchase but failed, teeth unable to bite down on her leg somehow while Tannus with some very beautiful bladework, which seemed like art somehow, neatly cut the Tuk'ata into eight pieces. Panting, Azazel moves forward to where the abandoned meal had been and tosses it to Cabur, <> She winces and shifts her weight off her injured leg. “We could go back... But I'm sure as far as Sith temples go, the more guardians we find, the warmer we are?” She dons a new layer of protection and peers down the way, “Kitt, how's it look?” She raises her lightsabre, trying to get more light before hesitating. “Tannus, think you can throw out some of your weapons as a quick glance ahead?” He shrugs, drawing his weapon back before throwing it down in a spinning arch before pulling it back in a boomerang. At last that was the idea but he misaimed somehow and the laser knife instead hit the wall and from the sound of it shattered into pieces. Azazel purses her lips, “Did anyone at least see anything before that went horribly awry?...” Rhak-Skuri saw, before that dagger met it's demise... that this was a dead end. Azazel sighs and gestures, “Resume formation.... We're... going to... Go a different path... Andrea... about the direction you picked...” Andrea groaned when Rhak-skuri mentioned what she had seen. "Great... dead end it is..." She turned to Azazel and raised a warning hand. "Don't say it!" Knowing full well that she would probably mention something since she had suggested going left. She seemed irritated and grunted, "Fine... you pick which corridor to take now then." She said, rubbing her cheek. As they get back to the intersection, Azazel quickly marks the dead end before looking down the passage dead ahead, "Let's keep going straight from here. Worst case, more training...." As they advance forward, Kitt reaches out an arm to stop Azazel, “More Tuk'ata.” As if in reply to that the sith were given warning, the sounds of claws upon marble and then glowing eyes in the dark as another pack of Tuk'ata indeed appear. She gritted her teeth and snapped her fingers, Khanna and Rhak-skuri joining her to the front. "Put the fear that all should have upon standing in the presence of the true sith!" She shouted as she tapped into the dark side of the force to make these sith hounds fear them, shouting out in the ancient sith language at the same time. <> The six Tuk'ata skid to a halt, whining and yelping in fear, shivering as some dark influence brings forth frightening images that seem to be somehow linked to the intruders upon the tomb. Holding perfectly still, neither fleeing or attacking. Azazel prepares to walk forward, ready to stake her own claim but halts, still behind Andrea. For the time-being, she was still indebted to the other Sith. She bows her head in acquiescence and waits. If nothing else, it was a solid layer of protective meat between herself and her own. Taking a deep breath she stepped forward, standing within striking distance of two of the Tuk'ata and let out a growl of her own. <> Shuffling their feet... the Tuk'ata came forwards slowly, approaching Andrea... the first opened it's jaws and lets out a hiss. Before it licks her armoured hand. The second, third and fourth walked past her, rubbing their heads against her leg or licking her hand. As the fifth and sixth approached... Andrea sensed it but was too late, with a vicious howl they pounced, the first breaking her bubble and the second brought her down and tore open her throat, blood streaming down her armour as she shrieked and screamed, clinging to life, she only had moments before her life would escape her completely. With a cry of horror, Azazel leaps forward, placing herself protectively over Andrea as she sends dark power to heal her. Tannus moves forward, sending a hail of knives at one Tukata, Kitt bursting past the line to attack that one. Hakkri and Aggros concentrate fire on the other, praying to whatever gods would hear them. As the sith healing energies surged through Andrea she gasped and shuddered, flesh reknitting, rather painfully but at least she would survive, as she herself was unable to concentrate on mending her deadly injury. Tannus meanwhile just couldn't stop showing off as he killed this second Tuk'ata and Hakkri let out a scream of rage when he saw his favourite holo-soap star fall down, his vengeance was swift as he just riddled the sith hound with blaster shot after blaster, the Tuk'ata little more than a hunk of flesh with blaster craters. She took a deep breath, eyes wide, staring up at Azazel's helmet... not caring what she thought she teared off the helmet and when Azazel's face was able she grabbed hold of it and pulled her in for a deep kiss, shuddering as she let go and reached for her throat, feeling the flesh was healed. "That... was close..." Her disciples, shaken but seeing her still breathing had turned to watch the four Tuk'ata, fearful for perhaps a attack after this. She frowns, grasping her helmet and standing, “Be more careful. There is liable to be worse as we delve deeper.” Azazel hesitates for a moment before offering out a hand to assist Andrea up. She looked at the hand, accepting it to be pulled back to her feet. "Thanks." Her tone unreadable as she said that and then turned around to regard the Tuk'ata. They seemed to be still there, watching them, she grunted about to order them to wait outside when she paused and a weak smile appeared on her lips, <> They looked at each other, shuffling their feet as if they seemed unable to truly comprehend the question, perhaps they had accepted her as their new mistress more because of the presence in the dark side of the force and not because of her words. Eventually one uttered a few garbled words, nudging to the corridor the sith had not yet ventured into. <> Looking back the way the pack had come from it uttered the next words. <> She nods and then ordered the Tuk'ata to head to the entrance outside and wait for her there, before turning to Azazel, "Well... they spoke of light the way they came from, that sounds promising? Though they also called it home... that might mean more of them." “Then it may be the right way. Let's keep going,” she says coolly, eying the other Tuk'ata warily. In response to the order they headed back the way the Sith had came from, leaving their new mistress as ordered. They were traveling through the dark, no sign of other Tuk'ata when all of a sudden... Azazel orders everyone to stop, using the force to freeze Kitt, who had nearly stepped onto a pressure plate she had spotted just in time, if Azazel was to guess, that pressure plate would be connected to a trap. Azazel quickly marks on the wall beside the trapped square with a sigh, “And this is why we are careful in dark bad places guarded by nasty sith monstrosities.” Andrea looked at the pressure plate, biting her lip. "I'll admit... I kinda am wondering what kind of trap it is though." She quickly shook her head. "But better if it remains a mystery..." Azazel pauses before laughing, “Feel free to send someone you don't like in later to test it.” "Perhaps." She said with a grin, "Either case, let's continue... but be wary of our footing." She murmured checking the ground, walls and ceiling for anything out of the ordinary. As they reached a new intersection she looked at Azazel and then at the two tunnels. Something was wrong perhaps... that or she was just imagining things. She blinked and then looked ahead, frowning. "And here I thought light at the end of a tunnel was always a bad thing..." She murmured before pointing the light out to Azazel. Azazel hesitates for a moment as well before instructing, “Tannus, send a light straight ahead. I don't like all that darkness between us and the lights...” The dagger flew forth and for a few seconds the silhouettes of three Tuk'ata were seen, stalking towards the group. Azazel's eyes narrow, “Andrea, would you like to do the pleasure of eviscerating them from existence?” With a vicious snarl she stepped forwards, resisting her urge to feel her throat as she barked a order to Rhak-skuri to join her and together they raised their hands and with a shout filled the corridor with arcs of lightning. While the lightning flung from the Togruta's hands barely seemed to hit anything but the floor in fornt of her, the arcs of lightning speeding forth fro mAndrea's hand were almost alive as a storm of lightning enveloped the tunnel, the cries of Tuk'ata soon followed, soemthing no living animal makes and send shivers down everyone's spines except Andrea and Azazel, surprisingly other sounds were heard as well, stone scraping and wooshing of blades and for some reason.. .Andrea felt certain that whatever traps may lie ahead had been triggered and were now inert.... Azazel fights back a delighted giggle at the arching lightning and barely keeps from clapping her hands together at the lightshow. Kitt fights back a choking sob at the sheer destruction, however and Hakkri just stares on with wide eyes. A sudden idea that he could meet an end like that if he annoyed Andrea too bad comes to mind. Cabur lets out a low whine, stepping back but lifts his head, looking down the other way, his tongue lolling out with salivation. <> Azazel nods, supposing that way would bring them back to the entrance as well. “We continue...” Andrea smirked, feeling powerful all of a sudden and hums. "Hmm... so much power..." She shuddered. "That felt goood..." She grinned and winked at Azazel. As they approached the intersection, the smoking corpses of three Tuk'ata were now seen by all, Cabur moved forwards and sniffed them, whining softly before he turned to look ahead at the light and then back at Azazel. <> The group noticed something moving in the dark in the tunnel to the right, the flash of glowing eyes before they vanished. "While ignoring the rest might be smart... they do like to sleep atop.. .say the bones of the one whose tomb this is, so might be worth a look... and extermination." She said with a grin. A great grin spreads across her lips as she steps forwards, a plan coming to mind. It would be idiocy to just charge into a nest, but if she could lure them out... She lets out a bestial howl of her own, Cabur adding his own with her after a moment. As it dithers out she shouts out clearly, <> A roar came back, louder than anything either sith had heard utter from a Tuk'ata before. But there was no sound of running or yelping hounds, it was clear, if she wanted to challenge the pack, she would have to come to them. Azazel's brow knit together, “Well, at least we know its probably big?” She shrugs, beginning to advance. "The bigger they are..." Andrea replied to that, following in step with Azazel. The group moved forwards, still no sith hounds rushed out to meet them, then the group, their eyes needing to adjust to the light looked around, seeing sith hieroglyphs on the walls of this chamber, telling a story from the images of conquest, then their eyes settled on the casket in the middle, surrounded by the sources of light... that and the enormous Tuk'ata along with several smaller ones of her 'court'. Azazel strides forward confidently, staring the pack leader down and lets out a vicious snarl. <> The pack seems restless, their natural instincts telling them to charge and devour the interlopers, a unnatural intelligence shone in the eyes of the Tuk'ata Alpha however who swatted the head of one of her pack when it seemed read to charge, staring back at Azazel. <> It snarled. <> Andrea remained silent, moving behind Azazel, along with Rhak-skuri to support Azazel if any of the sith guardians made a move to attack. The beast leaped more dexterously than one would expect from a animal of such size on top of the casket, glaring still at Azazel. <> It growled and let out a snarl. <> Andrea made eye contact with Talon as the Tuk'ata started to move, her disciple who once had shared her name with these beasts nodded when Andrea made a gestured and moved to the back of the group to guard their backs. Azazel raises her sword, <> She addresses the rest of the Tuk'ata, <> Her followers begin to follow the lead of Andrea and her followers, supporting Azazel. The alpha was unimpressed and so was her pack as she let out a growl and at once the Tuk'ata went into action. Clearly the alpha had gotten enough of this sith pretender's insolence. It seemed that Azazel, Andre and their people were somewhat stunned with the speed the guardian Tuk'ata used to charge in the Alpha snapped her jaws shut but Azazel was quick enough to evade that attack but not the one of the smaller Tuk'ata who struck her but did no damage thanks to the force bubble. Cabur meanwhile yelped as a claw raked his side but did not kill him. The other hounds closed in, drooling at the back one Tuk'ata was seen going into the darkness of a side tunnel. Seeing some a Tuk'ata dart away she shouted to Darth Talon, "Guard our backs! Azazel, disengage, let's see if I have more lightning that needs to be unleashed!" She almost cackled with glee as she started building up the force power required to summon another storm. Azazel steps backwards, focusing the force to crush the alpha's arms. <> Cabur leaps back as Tannus steps back, throwing his knives at the back legs of the Alpha, Hakkri firing a burst at the closest Tak'uta to him. Aggros, however, faces the back, aiming down the hallway, ready to fire at any movement from the back. It seemed as if a block of sorts preventing Azazel to properly concentrate as she stared in the intense glowing eyes of the Alpha, her eyes filled with a hatred that each dark side force user present could feel in their core, which also might explain why the others of Azazel's retinue were off with their aim as they attacked. As Azazel stepped back Andrea and Rhak-skuri raised their hands and let forth arcs of lightning once more like they had done moments ago. "Feel the power of the dark side!" The only thing the Tuk'ata felt was the surge of power as the lightning arcs harmlessly flew over them. Most of the tuk'ata were rather sloppy, perhaps the lightning had affected their senses somewhat, the alpha was better though and almost had torn open Azazel's armour if it wasn't for some lucky dodge on her part, Andrea too dodged a attack... the last Tuk'ata was blinded somehow and he did not see the massive tail of it's Alpha when it came smashing down on his head, snapping it's neck. The sith hound sagging down on the floor and stopped moving. Feeling not too comfortable with the hot breath of several rabid Tuk'ata in front of her Andrea once again attempts to summon a force storm while Rhak-SKuri attempted to instill horror in the TUk'ata to perhaps stun them, at the same time Khanna was making a attempt to gut one of the sith hounds directly in front of her with her lightsaber pike. While the force storm and saberplay of Andrea and her ilk was nothing amazing, Rhak-skuri filled the sith hounds with such horror... that all but the Alpha fainted... the Alpha remained conscious but she let out a howl of fear and stumbled back away from the force users, shivering all over. Azazel snaps off a quick command in the Noghri tongue and her follows snap into action, Cabur following the other two forward as they move in to assist and defend Azazel from attacks as she makes an attempt for the kill with her two weapons. The alpha seemed to snap a little out of her fear and pulls back ,the attacks missing her, except for Tannus's strike which wounded her side and leg and she yelped, backing against the tomb, uttering a single word in suth. <> Azazel snarls and steps forward, <> She raises her weapon level, <> Her voice raises louder, <> Andrea stepped forwards and shrugs, <> The alpha whined and growled, before bowing her head. <> It said, looking up submissively and very, very afraid Azazel grips her sword tighter, gnashing her teeth behind her mask before nodding slightly. <> It let out another whine again before looking back at the casket before looking back at the two radiating with power. <> She gestured with her head to the tunnel the group came from. <> She let one of her eyebrows rise and muttered under her breath, loud enough for Azazel to hear, "Divulging secrets would be better without speaking in riddles... Her eyes fall upon the cask, interest piqued, but uncertain if the Tuk'ata was being truthful or not. The power to bring the dead to life once more certainly seemed promising, but probably not something to tinker upon without more knowledge. She sighs and looks about the fearful pack before addressing the alpha, <> It whimpers in response, seemingly more afraid at that. <> Azazel takes off her helmet and moves closer, staring the leader eye-to-eye. <> She frowned deeper at that, "So there's something else in here that isn't food to the Tuk'ata... but is treating them as food, that sounds promising, whatever it is, maybe its guarding the real tomb while these are just." She curled her lip in disgust, "Are just decoys." She turns back to Andrea, “Expendable decoys that we can perhaps use to give us a distraction to kill the real guardians.” At this point the other Tuk'ata were slowly regaining their senses but at a hiss from their alpha they did not attack, the Alpha was considering for a moment and then growled at the Tuk'ata who had wounded Cabur, who yipped in response before bowing it's head. <> Was all the Alpha said and retreated to the back of the tomb with the rest of the pack. Azazel leans closer to Cabur and whispers just to him, <> She pets the Tuk'ata affectionately and gestures for the guide, <> She moves to the wall, looking at the legend laid out curiously, skimming for perhaps any useful knowledge before picking a spot that seemed less important to scrawl out a future sign... Azazel sees nothing out of the ordinary as the Tuk'ata assigned to be the guide stalked forwards, looking back, waiting, shivering. As they follow the guide they came upon several Tuk'ata, snarling, but at some barks of the guide they reluctantly stepped back to allow the group to pass. Azazel regards the group, and in her startle at what a nasty surprise could have come up behind them, she replaces her helmet and calls forth a new bubble of protection. Andrea and her people who had the ability also renewed their protection, keeping a ware eye on the hounds as they walked past. Following the guide as they came into a small ante-chamber with what appeared to be statues but then upon closer inspection were droids, ancient ones, but seemed inert and gathering dust. Upon seeing them the guide whimpered and walked forwards before walking back, sitting down. <> Azazel's eyes light up in delight as she moves closer to the droids. Xen had convinced her, they held some use... She frowns and looks it over, looking to Tannus and Kitt, “Do any of you know where to find the memory banks? I want Xen to run through them.” "One moment please." Andrea said and turned to Trizz, gesturing to the inert droids. "See if you can slice your way into it's datacore or something... see what we might be up against." The Zabrak nodding slowly and stepped to some of the droids. "I can do my best to try lady Andrea, Azazel." It seemed she had some success and frowned, looking with a question at Andrea who rolled her eyes and gestured for her to speak. "Just tell us what you have learned." Trizz nodded, "These are ancient battle droids, their programming is rather simple but effective, they are on some kind of remote access mode, once a certain trigger is activated they become alive and hunt for any foreign objects or life that does not belong her and do their best to exterminate and then set out to restore any damages the tomb might have sustained before retreating back and becoming inert again. It happened three times that they became active, the last time a thousand years ago... there were three signatures of allowed organic life, these 'Tuk'ata'? Some kind of flying reptile and... something really large, almost like a rancor but not a rancor?" She shrugged, "Couldn't understand what it meant." Andrea cursed at description and groaned, "There are Terentatek in here... if that description is any clue... I have read about them and found signs of some in tombs we already explored... but no living ones." Azazel frowns before shrugging, activating her lightsabre and begins to destroy the droids... As she earns a confused look from some of her own she mutters, “What?... If the big mutt was lying, I don't want these after us.” Finishing up, she turns to look about the group, “They've got thick hides, but hit them hard enough, you'll get through. They're nasty melee combatants, claws and teeth. I would avoid getting hit.” She looks with a bit more concern to Tannus and Hakkri, “And they think those strong with the force are absolutely tasty. Try not to group up, keep moving if you run in to attack. If it gets your attention, I want you running until it can focus on someone else. No heroes here.” She was giving a similar order to her people after hearing Azazel's words and then turned to the sith, well then my dear." She smirked, "Into the belly of the beast?" She seems about ready to nod before stopping, "Oh, and Andrea, they are resistant to the force. So I'm afraid this is a battle of brawn." She let out a silent curse at that, "Ferglutz, fine... well resistant doesn't mean immune... maybe we can damage it with our strongest powers before it rushes in? Worth a try... even so... among my people Darth Talon is the best warrior, perhaps best if she is in the front with you." Azazel chuckles and nods slightly, “If you would. Of course, Hakkri has a grenade launcher on his gun. Careful when he gets going.” They continued until they reached another intersection, more 'statues' lined the corridor and at this point, Cabur suddenly whimpered as a smell, of dead and rotting meat came over the group. Azazel tenses, crouching behind Cabur and hisses, <> As she looks left and right, she tries to reach out with the force to sense any life. Tannus readies a knife, arching a brow, ready to try the tossing trick again. Cabur whimpers again and gestures to the right tunnel, clearly wanting to stay here and not venture in there. Tannus and Rhak-skuri meanwhile sense something... something big, it's origin in the tunnel right in front of the group. Tannus rasps out, “Big guy right in front of us,” as he raises his sabre to boomerang. Hakkri levels his gun and prepares to fire some micro-grenades when he could see it from Tannus' light. She turned to Azazel, "Maybe best to leave a rearguard to guard this spot, and run like hell to warn us if a big stompy terentatek is tracking us?” Azazel hesitates before nodding. “Hakkri, Kitt, I'm leaving you to guard our rear and keep alert for sneaky monsters...” <>She faces Andrea, “Can you conceal yourself and force presence? If so, I'd like you to come along with me ahead to scout. I don't want to get into a trap with nowhere to go...” Andrea scowled and shook her head, "I am... not that proficient, but Darth Talon here is." She gestures the Twi'lek forward. "She is also my most capable warrior, she can mask her presence in the force so perhaps together with you that might work while we follow from a distance. Also, Trizz, stay with Azazel's people." She turned to her fellow sith, "Just in case they might require medical aid." Azazel looks back at her group, gives them a quick Kubaz hand signal before she disappears completely, hiding her entire existence with the force. She takes a deep breath before starting forward cautiously. As they stumbled through the corridor and reached the turn, they saw in the distance a large chamber, lit by the same kind of torches in the tuk'ata territory and what seemed to be a grand statue, standing guard over a more ornate version of the casket they had witnessed earlier. The entire party of force users could sense that directly ahead, with the casket at it's center there was a enormous nexus of dark side energies, clearly indicating the tomb of a sith lord, Khanna however stumbled and gasped for air as she sensed something... a great hunger... more than one, stirring awake. Taking a deep breath the Dathomiri disciple turned to Andrea, "There is something... I think... I think there are Terentatek up there... more than one..." Her mistress cursed at that. "Azazel... there might be multiple Terentatek up there. We should move with caution. She pauses, “I doubt it. They aren't exactly social creatures... But we might be on the right trail here...” Andrea snorted at that, "Seeing as this tomb seems more shiny than the previous casket we saw, I think that is a safe bet Azazel." Andrea said with a smirk. As Darths Azazel and Talon entered what looked to be the genuine tomb, seeing massive statues and hieroglyphics adorning the walls they missed what appeared to be boulders in the corners near the entrance to the hall, until they started to stir awake, turning around slowly, lethargically as if waking from a great slumber, standing up tall, both of them almost 3.5 meters tall with enormous claws and tusks protruding from their mouths. When both realized they smelled food and saw the two sith drool started dripping from their mouths as they let out bellows of hunger and made ready to attack. Darth Talon cried seeing the lumbering beasts. "Terentatek! Two!" She shouted in warning before retreating. Hearing that Andrea cursed, "They are resistant to force powers, that doesn't mean immune! Azazel get back, maybe we can score some damage with ranged attacks like our lightning or your crush attacks!" Azazel almost pouts at the suggestion of retreating. “How about you come closer?” she taunts, going running to release a force wave at the statue in attempt to launch it at the Tarentatek. Even if she could only move it marginally, at least it should provide some protection as a barrier. As Azazel refuses to move back, Tannus moves forward and Aggros does as well. Using the wall to hide from the one closest, Aggros fires at the one opposite. Tannus mimicks this, sending his lightsabre in a spinning throw guided by the force to attack the other. Aggros might be considering to have his blaster be taken apart and properly checked if there were no faulty components because once again his aim was completely off, Tannus however was rewarded with a screech of pain and something green oozing from cut in the Terentatek's hide his saber had struck, the wound it suffered not cauterizing for some reason. With a bellow the wounded Terentatek charged, the floor shaking as both got into motion, the enraged one going for Tannus while the other deemed Azazel a worthy snack, sensing her power. Andrea was looking at the two beasts with wide eyes once they got into view... resisting the urge to purr, upon sight of them she knew that she had to make efforts to obtain samples to replicate their creation and make some herself that would be loyal to her... killing these would be the first step to that she hoped as she turned to Khanna and Rhak-Skuri. "Chain lightning, now!" At the same time the three of them rose their hands and channeled the force into lightning, shooting it out from their fingertips. The already wounded Tarentatek was suddenly hit by lightning, it screeched and bellowed, one arc of lightning shooting off to hit Tannus, his protection bubble absorbing it however, the Terentatek had no such protection and smoke came from several scorched patches of skin as it looked with murder at the force enriched meat. Seeing the lightning have some effect Talon rushed forward now, saber ignited with the intention to strike at the beast, aiming for the gash Azazel's apprentice had already created. The Terentatek saw the strike coming and just raised it's arms, deflecting the blow as the Twi'lek's saber found no weakness. Aggros takes a step back in fright at the proximity of the massive creature before gritting his teeth and raising his blaster, aiming for the back of the tarantatek's throat as it bellows. Meanwhile, Azazel grits her teeth before closing the distance to attack the Tarantatek with her lightsabre and sword. Tannus, watching his mistress takes his cue, dashing past the first while manifesting his protection once more, before leaping with the force onto the back of the second, lightsabre in hand once more and thrusting it forward into the creature's back. The already wounded Terentatek's bellow was cut short as a blastershot hit it's throat... it seemed stunned for a moment, surprised before it looked down with beady eyes at the small zygerrian and let out a roar. Tannus meanwhile, inspired to come to Azazel's aide jumped with amazing skill on the Terentatek's back and stabbed his lightsaber down in a weak spot he noticed by sheer luck and took a chance, the reaction was instant the Terentatek let out a bellow of pain and tried to swat away at the aggressor clutching to his back, ignoring anything and everyone else. The terentatek Aggros had pissed off lashed out with his claws, the first tearing open his chest. The Zygerian looking down with surprise at the wounds, not feeling any pain for some reason. Also the world seemed to slow down as he looked up and saw the second claw incoming, it moved so slow and yet he could not move... the world sped up again as the claw made impact and the claws impaled him, the Terentatek raising him off the ground and bring it to it's face, growling before with a mighty hurl he tossed the corpse of the zygerian against a wall. It's companion had less luck, one claw missing the pest and the second claw, instead of hitting Tannus who was holding on for dear life, raked up his own back, more green blood pouring out as it bellowed from the self-inflicted pain. Andrea looked down upon herself, blood from Azazel's Zygerian on her robes, witnessing that gruesome death made her snap a little, also fearing for her own life if this beast was not brought down at once. "Charge!" She snarled as she and her disciples attacked the beast, hoping to bring it down. For all their efforts no attacks made any impact on the beast, except for Khanna who managed to give another minor injury to the beast, perhaps it would die eventually by death of a thousand cuts... Tannus' attack shocked her, eyes watching as her once apprentice lands what had to be the blow of a century... before a familiar shape can be spied flying through the air. Her heart picks up before she finds herself letting out a shriek of anger. Abandoning the Terentatek before her, she runs about its rampaging form and throws herself headlong at the one that killed one of hers. With all her being, she attacks. Tannus however, holds on tight and makes to worsen the damage already inflicted. The critically injured terentatek is besieged from all sides but easily seems to swat away the attacks coming at him, while Tannus keeps stabbing down, the beast slowing down but still alive, the sith on it's back noticing it was breathing as if it had trouble doing so. The Terentatek besieged on all sides is unable to score a proper strike the other had slightly more luck, with a lucky strike it managed to finally get the sith of it's back. Azazel fails to relent, striking out in cold, determined Sith fury. It would fall, it would pay, it would burn. Tannus rolls to his feet as he falls and lurches back in for the kill, however, murderous glee in his eyes. It was if both Azazel and Tannus moved in complete synchronization, both evading and dodging under the waving and flailing arms of the Terentatek they were closing in for the kill. Tannus delivered a calculated and precision strike to the beast, finding a weakness in it's hide and delivered the deathblow, rolling away to not get crushed by the corpse. Azazel... was nowhere near that kind of grace and skill... but she made up with pure rage and aggression stabbing, cutting and carving open the Terentatek's chest, green blood and ooze splattering over her but she ignored as she just cut open and stabbed it's internal organs to pieces... it was already long dead but she just kept screaming, stabbing and cutting till all it was a cut open exo-skeleton with a bunch of pulp inside...