[IC] A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I continue sweeping the shadows, trying to spot the murderer. No predator was perfect every time and this one was a Sentient, which meant he'd make a mistake eventually. "Cosen, he's likely high up. Ensure your Ugnaught friends stay where you and I can see them." Hopefully, she was the only one who heard that.

[Lord Greshh]

Cosen Greshh

I hear Temari’s words and nod. As I do, I hear more movement off to the side, and another group of people emerges. This time it is the woman in the torn jacket, accompanied by a bunch of similarly shabby dressed people.

Deandra

“It took some convincing, but I have rallied the homeless of the undercity. They will fight for the recognition that has been denied them.”

Cosen Greshh

“And they shall have it. I promise.” I look around. Already I can tell that if the rate of arrivals continues, it will be very difficult to keep them all as close as Temari suggested. Luckily, the assembly hall was built to accommodate a whole temples worth of people, so at least there was no worry of it getting crowded.

A few minutes later, a large group of aliens of all sorts, led by the Rodian from the meeting arrives.

Tzukko

“The Migrant Merchant’s Guild has answered the call. We have suffered long enough under Human oppression.”

Lord Stoneheart

Hmmm. The girl had assembled a good sized following, and the assembly was only going to get larger.

More fuel for the Mandalorian war machine. I look across the gap towards where the sniper watches. I make a very obvious show of jumping off the beam and onto a nearby rooftop, hopefully drawing her attention towards me as I disappear back into the darkness.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I spot the figure moving from a beam onto a nearby rooftop before vanishing again and I growl, having missed the opportunity to take a shot. "Cosen, got a glimpse of our friend. Seems to be wearing Sith armor of some kind, but I can't say for certain. He's playing games with us." I trace the top of the roof, looking for some indication of where the figure had gone, but don't find much to be of help. I had always preferred this kind of fighting in a jungle or wilderness of some kind, where every rushed movement cost you a chance at proper concealment.

[Lord Greshh]

Cosen Greshh

“Sith armor? Sucal’s men are getting more and more crafty by the day. Any chance you can get to him before he gets to us?” I look around the area, trying once again in vain to sense something. As I do, I can see the old man Temari almost shot, followed by a battalion of armed and armored men. The old man, likewise dressed in armor and carrying a weapon announces himself.

Jonah Santigo

“We of the Justicars’ Brigade have answered your call to action. Jorg Sucal has violated the basic rights of the people of the Republic, and he must be made to answer for his crimes.”

Cosen Greshh

“He will answer for everything. I assure you.” I look up to where Temari is waiting. We only had one or two more groups before all of the Revolution was rallied. I wondered if whomever this armored man was had killed all of the Workers Union, or just their leader. I prayed it was the latter.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I shake my head, even though she can't see it. "No, he's fast. And I think he wanted me to see him intentionally. I can't find him now, so there was no way he didn't get spotted on purpose." Noting the armed group arriving, I smile behind my helmet. Well if our mysterious friend wants to try and kill them now, it might actually be a little more difficult.

[Lord Greshh]

Cosen Greshh

“Keep your eyes peeled. The bigger this group gets, the sweeter the target gets.” As I speak, another group appears. It is led by the cyborg, and consists of many droids of different make and model; maintenance droids, protocol droids, utility droids. But strangely, all of them look modified for combat.

Brok-616

“The Droid Gotra has reached a singularity, and is prepared to add its members to your cause.”

Cosen Greshh

“Thanks... I guess.” Sentient droids? A bit unnerving, but if they served by father once, they would make suitable allies now. “Well, it looks like that’s about everyone. Shall we get started?”

Deandra

“Where is Trillin of the Workers Union? I would have expected him to arrive long before the rest of us.”

Cosen Greshh

“Oh, Trillin? He’s... uhhh...” I don’t want to tell them about the body. Before any of them arrived, I made sure to cut it down and hide it. No sense spoiling them away before we even begin.

Lord Stoneheart

I climb back down towards the gathered Revolution leaders. They don’t see me yet, but I can see all of them clearly through the infrared lenses of my helmet. I made sure to note every face I saw for possible future reference. My hand drifts to my lightsaber at my side as I prepare to make my move.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

And there it was, the hunter's mistake. In his eagerness to move on the gathering of leaders, the Sith had forgotten about me and moved too far into the open. Without hesitation, I squeeze the trigger, sending a blaster bolt towards his head. "Cosen, he's moving in now." I wasn't a fool, I knew that a Jedi or Sith could deflect that shot easily enough, but a kill then and there wasn't my goal anyways, so that was fine. I was already replacing the blaster rifle on my back and drawing my beskad as I jetted down, towards where I'd seen the murderer.

[Lord Greshh]

Lord Stoneheart

My weapon comes alive in my hand, it’s crimson blade spinning to deflect the Mandalorian’s shot. As she readies another shot, I lead across to another ledge.

Cosen Greshh

Both the blaster shot and the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber draws everyone’s attention above us. Some of the Revolution members, like the Ugnaughts and the homeless, look frightened. Others, like the Droids, the MMG, and the Justicars, pull weapons and prepare for battle. “Easy now! This isn’t your fight! Defensive positions only!” I activate my own lightsaber and take a protective stance. I can’t quite make out the armored figure in the darkness, but his lightsaber is enough to trace him by.

Lord Stoneheart

I look down upon the Revolution members and their feeble attempt to stop me. Not far away, I can see the Mandalorian preparing her own attack. Which to take first, I wonder? After a moment, I deactivate my lightsaber and backflip into the darkness, hoping the Mandalorian would follow.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

For good measure, I fire a wrist rocket after him before jetting forwards, my beskad at the ready for an attack. Cosen couldn't afford to leave the Revolutionaries unguarded, due to the fact that they might either run or turn on each other, accusing the other groups of selling them out and then start killing each other. For now though, as I moved after the mysterious Sith figure, I worried about the foe I could see.

[Lord Greshh]

Lord Stoneheart

I circle around behind Temari as she launches herself into the shadows, and I plant a kick into her back that knocks her to the ground. I do not draw my weapon again. It would give away my position to easily in the darkness. Bare hands and stealth would be enough.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

Grunting as I hit the ground, I roll back to my feet and jet briefly into the air, my gauntlet mounted flamethrower sending out a stream as I spin in a circle. The light was enough for me to spot the Sith and I lunge at him, aiming to slam a punch into his gut. "And so the cowardice of the Sith lives on in another of Jorg Sucal's tools. You used to be formidable warriors!"

[Lord Greshh]

Lord Stoneheart

My armor absorbs most of the punch, and I use Temari’s close proximity to my advantage by grabbing her arm and flinging her towards the edge of the fire circle. I stalk towards her, using the Force to grip her throat.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

Despite knowing it's a futile gesture, I still find one hand reaching up for my throat, trying to pull the invisible pressure away from my esophagus. Despite this, I wait until he's about two meters away before raising my other arm and putting a shock dart in his armpit. Every armor had it's holes, even my Beskar'gam, and the armpit was a notorious location of such holes. I could only hope his was as similar to mine as I thought.

[Lord Greshh]

Lord Stoneheart

I don’t notice the dart until it is too late. It jabs into the space under my armpit and sends an electronic shock through my armor. “Ahhh!” I release Temari’s throat and stagger away, pulling the dart out of my arm and tossing it aside. Without looking, I send a blast of kinetic energy in Temari’s direction.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I dive away from the blast for the most part, but it does catch my legs and spin me around, even as I'm still gasping to make up for the lack of oxygen from his choke. Stumbling to my feet, I raise my wrist launcher. "Tell the devil, Clan Ordo sends their regards." And I fire another rocket towards him, aimed to blast him off the roof we'd been fighting on.

[Lord Greshh]

Lord Stoneheart

As the rocket flies across the space between us, I raise my hand. The rocket shutters to a sudden stop in mid air, it’s jets still firing. With a wave of my outstretched hand, the rocket turns over and faces Temari. “Tell... him... yourself.” I release the rocket, sending it directly at the Mandalorian.

Hunter Twilight / Kamari Ordo

At the last second, I fly down on my jetpack and tackle Temari out of the way. “I gotcha, Ba’buir!” I spin in the air and land on my back, cushioning Temari’s landing. The missile flies past us and hits a wall of the temple ruins.

Lord Stoneheart

Scowling under my helmet, I jump off of the roof and disappear into darkness.

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

Grunting from the impact, Hunter and I get up just in time for the Sith to leap off into the shadows once more, likely to retreat and plan a better attack. Standing, I slap Kamari on the back. "Excellent timing, Kam. A moment later and I would have been little more than a blood splat killed by my own rocket. Where's Gavin?"

[Lord Greshh]

Kamari "Hunter" Ordo

I point towards the temple ruins, where the Revolution are still gathered. "Helping his sister stop them from bolting." I stand up. "Come on. We need to find this guy before he makes his next move."

Cosen Greshh

I look around at the Revolution leaders as their panic grows. The explosion nearby didn't help things at all, and I can tell they are getting flighty. "Temari has it under control! It's only one guy!"

Jerri

One of Deandra's men, a dark skinned elder with a thick black mustache yells, "It ain't just some guy! That's the Stoneheart Killer! I've heard all sorts of stories about him! We need to get outta here now!"

Gavin Greshh

I jump down, causing the Revolutionaries closest to me to startle before they realize who I am. "Calm yourselves! Whomever this Stoneheart is, he is only a man. He can be killed, just as all of Jorg Sucal's lackeys can be."

Cosen Greshh

I break into a relieved smile. "Gavin!" I give him a hug. "Good to see you on your feet, brother."

Gavin Greshh

"Good to see you taking a leadership role, sister." I smile for only a moment before I address the crowd. "Now, it sounds like the fighting has lulled. We need to get out of here before this assassin comes back."

Jonah Santigo

"But how did he find us in the first place?!" I pull a knife and point at Tzukko the Rodian. "You led him here, didn't you? You bug eyed coward, if you betrayed us..."

Tzukko

"Why so quick to accumse me? Is that guilt on your conscience, old man? Brandishes a knife of my own. "Perhaps you wish to make Tzukko the traitor so that the others will forget about you!"

Deandra

Runs between them, holding up both hands. "Hey! None of that! We are on the same side!"

Gavin Greshh

I use the Force to pull their knives away. "Enough! My father would not have stood for this, and nor shall I!"

Jonah Santigo

Without a weapon, I deflate, looking defeated. "This who is it that betrayed us, huh? This was a secret meeting! Someone here is a traitor!"

Cosen Greshh

A... traitor? Those words bring an idea to my mind. "Not someone is a traitor... someone was a traitor." I look towards where Tillin had once been hanging by the scaffold. Still carved into the wall next to the spot are the words: TRAITOR. it suddenly clicks. "Trillin sold us out!"

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I nod, glancing back towards where the Revolutionaries were talking before turning back. "We could, but we already know he's targetting the Revolutionaries. If we stick to the plan, we can double down and lure out both this Sith and the Draxxel that we were told about. Kill two rancors with the same missile."

[Lord Greshh]

Hunter Twilight / Kamari Ordo

"Good idea." I follow Temari back to the Revoluton gathering spot. From the look of things, they are gathered to move out soon.

Cosen Greshh

I look towards Temari and Kamari. "I think Tillin, the man from the Workers Union, was our leak."

Gavin Greshh

"But why? I remember Tillin was always one of father's most loyal. And if he was the one who called Stoneheart, why would Stoneheart kill him and mark him as a traitor?"