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

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

"I have to say that we may be looking at this far too simply, but we won't know until we get more information." I indicate the way up. "So until then, perhaps we should come to an agreement of some kind amongst those of us here?"

[Lord Greshh]

Gavin Greshh

I look around at everyone. Tensions are still high, but I can sense that they want things to work out well. They are just scared. I climb up onto a pile of stone and call out to be heard. "People! This is a dangerous time! Even more dangerous than when we first organized into a fighting force! Now, many of us are gone, but many more of us still remain! We cannot let these ghosts in the shadows tear us apart now! We have a chance to finally take back what is ours, and rid the Galaxy of Jorg Sucal! Stand together now and fight along side us!"

Cosen Greshh

I join him on the ruble pile. "The Mandalorians are our allies today! You are not alone, and you will be heard! This I promise! Now, who is willing to stand with us today? Who will help us defeat Sucal, Malori, Gendry, AND Gendry Two for that matter? And who will help us finally put an end to the Stone Heart Killer?" When the last of my words echo away, I wait anxiously for a reply form the Revolution leaders or their followers. Gavin and I wait, but there are only quiet whispers and uncomfortable throat clearing.

Then, someone nearby begins to clap. Gavin and I turn to see a tall Rattataki sauntering towards us from down the alley.

Draxxal

"What an inspiring speech. Truly, it almost makes me want to rebel and join your lost cause. But, as it is..." I gesture to the rooftops high above, where dozens of Republic security officers stand with laser sight snipers trained on the Revolutionaries. "I am High Justice Draxxal, head of the Republic Inquisitional Force. We appreciated the tip off about this little meeting. Tell your friend Tillin the credits are begin wired to his account."

Gavin Greshh

I curse under my breath. Cosen was right. "Tillin is dead."

Draxxal

Looks surprised. "Oh, well then never mind. Less Republic funds going to waste." I see that the two young Sith look ready to fight, as do the two Mandalorians. "Lets not do that. There has already been enough bloodshed between us. Drop your weapons and you may be spared. That goes for ALL of you." Shrugs. "Hell, you might even be rewarded if you have any useful information to share."

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

"You waste your breath, snake." One of my hands rests on my blaster, the other is ready to bring my wrist launcher up and fire another rocket. Selecting the rooftops was a poor choice of high ground for the Republic. Speaking quietly, I open the channel to Cosen again. "I'm going to take out the roof those security forces are standing on. When I do, make sure everyone gets out. Kamari and I will be right behind you." I then use a series of hand signals to tell Kamari the plan before facing Draxxal again. "I would offer you the same courtesy, but we both know you're not here to negotiate."

[Lord Greshh]

Draxxal

"You're right. I'm not." I look past her towards the Revolutionaries. "What about you all? Kill the Mandalorians and these two Sith and you will be granted amnesty form all of your past crimes."

Gavin Greshh

I glance over my shoulder at the group, ready to defend if they decide to turn on us too. Slowly, they begin to move forward. The Justicars and Migrant Merchants raise their weapons towards Draxxal. The droids step forward next, built in blasters popping from their arms or heads. Even the Ugnaughts and the homeless stand defiant. It is clear which side they have chosen.

Draxxal

"Interesting. I at least expected some of them to think rationally." I sigh. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to a slaughter, but if you insist." I raise my hand to signal the snipers, but before I can, one of the security officers lands in front of me, smashing bodily onto the pavement. I look up in shock at the position he once stood at. "What the...?!"

Lord Stoneheart

I stand on the rooftop, cape billowing as I gaze down at Draxxal. Without a word, I leap across the gap between buildings and head towards the next sniper position.

Draxxal

"Son of a... Kill them all!" From behind me, more security officers rush out from cover and open fire on the crowd. I pull the vibrostaff from my back and prepare to charge in in necessary.

Cosen Greshh

Gavin and I activate our lightsabers and spin them in a protective figure 8, deflecting the blaster shots as they come. The Revolution behind us open return fire. "Temari! Kam! Finish off those snipers quickly!"

[Zarkun]

Temari Ordo

I don't speak back, I simply raise my arm and send a rocket crashing into the roof beneath the feet of the nearest snipers as I jetpack backwards, watching them fall into the widening hole with a smile. Stopping and diving behind a piece of cover, I pull the blaster pistol from my side and fire on the officers on ground level, sending them scrambling back into cover before firing another rocket, causing another cave in below the snipers. "Kamari, get the left flank!"

[Lord Greshh]

Kamari Ordo

As instructed, I send a wrist rocket into the left flank of the enemy security team, then blast those that retreat from the explosion with my blaster carbine. I can tell these guys are used to fighting street thugs, not warriors.

Gavin Greshh

While the Mandalorian’s fight, Cosen and I lead the Revolutionaries in a retreat, fighting over our shoulders as we go.

Lord Stoneheart

I send another sniper plummeting off the roof before leaping to the next landing. Many of the snipers have turned their attention to me, and are actively trying to either shoot my down or running away. Neither one of those I intent to let succeed.

I land in front of a retreating security officer, and as he stammers something about surrender, I easily grab him by the throat and twist his head in an unnatural direction, then cast his lifeless body aside.

Draxxal

As what are left of my men continue to press the attack, I look among all the dead on both sides. Security officers and Revolution members alike litter the street, and I growl in annoyance. I expected this to be a lot more one sided. “If you want something done right...” I spin my vibrostaff and rush into the fray. I ignore the Mandalorians and instead go for the Sith Twins.

Cosen Greshh

I see Draxxal charging after us, and I glance back at the survivors of our group. “Keep going! Gavin and I have this!” Together, my we two raise our lightsabers to accept Draxxal’s challenge.

[Zarkun]

Tamari Ordo

I fire well placed shots from my blaster pistol to compliment Kamari's more rapid fire suppression, downing officer's who made mistakes that Street thugs would miss, but two trained Mandalorian warriors wouldn't. Before too long, it becomes clear that the security officers are far outclassed by myself and Kamari. Typing rapidly on my gauntlet, the rocket on my jetpack launches, crashing into the midst of a crowd of security officers, scattering them. "Flee, Republic cowards! You stand before warriors of the indomitable Clan Ordo! You cannot win!"

[Lord Greshh]

Kamari Ordo

As the security team begins to retreat, I fire a few shots over their heads to make sure they keep running. “Ha! And don’t come back!”

Gavin Greshh

Cosen and I fight in a coordinated pattern, anticipating each other’s moves so that we are in perfect sync. Draxxal, to his credit, is extremely skilled with his staff, easily dodging and blocking our attacks, while also striking back at openings we create for him.

I catch his blade against my lightsaber. “Give up! Your men have abandoned you!”

Draxxal

“This is only the beginning!” Pushes Gavin away, then deflects an attack by Cosen on my flank. “Your little bad may escape today, but they are nothing against real soldiers, and worse against droids.” Smiles. “I’ll be sure to bring Sith Hunters next time.” As Gavin comes back in, I flip over his horizontal strike and land on a balcony. From there, I leap up and up to the rooftop.

Lord Stoneheart

I turn to see Draxxal beating a hasty retreat. I consider giving chase, but I decide against it and remain where I am. I look down at the street below, where the Mandalorians, Sith Twins, and the Revolutionaries have won the skirmish. I make no effort to hide myself from them.

[Zarkun]

Tamari Ordo

With the security forces beat and Draxxel in full retreat himself, I lok towards where the Sith from earlier stands and glance at Kamari. "He's either very brave, or very foolish. Which do you think we're dealing with?"

[Lord Greshh]

Kamari Ordo

I look from Temari to the stranger on the ledge. “How about all of the above?” I shout up at him, “Whose side are you on?!”

Lord Stoneheart

Continues to stare down at the group for a moment before turning and leaping off into the night.

Kamari Ordo

Scoffs. “Thanks! Real helpful!”

Cosen Greshh

“He’s done trying to kill us for now. That’s all that matters. Let’s try not to piss him off and make him come back, huh?”

Kamari Ordo

“He’s probably too afraid of a real fight. All the theatrical cloak and dagger stuff only gets a guy so far.”

Gavin Greshh

I ignore the exchange, looking back at the Revolutionaries. Those who were previously unarmed have since taken the weapons of the fallen, and they now resemble a proper militia force. I smile to myself. Dad would have been proud.

END OF SCENE

[Lord Greshh]

Becca Twilight

I watch at Jakito loads supplies onto the Cora. The Organas were kind enough to provide him with a restock for his trip to Coruscant. I was very glad Zar'kun made that alliance, and that Lord Organa wasn't still mad that our last visit brought down bombs on his castle.

Synclair was also being taken care of by Organa's medics. She had mostly recovered, but she still needed a some light monitoring, much to her annoyance. Korre had returned to her quarters to rest up as well, and the boys, Iwan and Jude, were somewhere patrolling the castle.

Jakito Twilight

I glance quickly wards the setting sun, wondering what time it was on Coruscant. I wasn't sure if nighttime would make it easier or harder for me to slip in. Probably easier... but since it was a different sun all together, Alderaan time was completely irrelevant. I look at Becca. "I'll be back soon. I'm just slipping Vette in past the Mando blockade and helping her find her kids. shouldn't take too long.

Becca Twilight

I raise an eyebrow. "In a mega city of a trillion, it shouldn't take too long to find two Twi'leks? Gods, I love your optimism."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

The sound of a speeder bike coming towards Organa Castle from the direction of the old base can be heard and shortly after, I come into view, going at high speed on the speeder. However, when I spot the Cora, I slow down and pull up alongside it. "Glad to see you guys finally made it."

[Lord Greshh]

Jakito Twilight

I smile and hop off of the loading ramp. "Hey, Jerus! Yeah, it was pretty tight, but the quarantine of Dantooine is finally over, thanks to our new Imperial allies."

Becca Twilight

"We got here as soon as we could, but Korre tells me the teams already spit up for their missions. I was hoping to see them all off, but oh well." I hitch a thumb towards the castle behind me. "Synclair's here too. She's got her own room and everything, and the Organa's are making sure she and the baby are being cared for."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Good to hear, though circumstances demand I not get to see them just yet. What did you think of an Imperial resurgence? I never thought I'd live to see it."

[Lord Greshh]

Jakito Twilight

"I don't like it. I swear, once Sucal is finished, Imperious is going to be the new big bad we have to fight. And honestly... I don't know if I can handle another war."

Becca Twilight

"I wish I could say Darth Imperious felt different from the other Sith we've met. Though she seems more stable and willing to cooperate, I can sense that this truce between us will not last forever. Unfortunately, we may very well have to fight her once our common enemy is gone."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Maybe, but this New Empire is still pretty young itself, even if it's built with forces from the old Empire. If we do have to fight her, I don't imagine it will be right away."

[Lord Greshh]

Jakito Twilight

Shrugs. "I hope you're. And when we do eventually have to fight, at least we'll have the Mandalorians on our side this time." I glance back at my ship. "Speaking of which, I gotta get going soon. I'm bringing some... cargo through the Mando blockade over Coruscant."

Becca Twilight

"That cargo being one angry Twi'lek. Zar'kun told us Ava had Cosen and Gavin Greshh captive. Their mother wants them back. So, Jakito's flying her over to Coruscant to, best case scenario, ask nicely for the twins release, or worst case scenario, break them out." I give Jakito a worried look. "The latter may damage our relationship with the Mandalorians a tad, so hopefully Ava is willing to cooperate."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Leave it to dad. I don't know that we can afford to damage relations with them. HJ pissed off Ava pretty good by asking her to let Alderaan come in a save Coruscant for leverage to get rid of Jorg Sucal as the Supreme Chancellor."

[Lord Greshh]

Jakito Twilight

Hisses through my teeth. "Oof. I can imagine she'd be pretty ticked off. Just when I was hoping she'd be open to talk."

Becca Twilight

"I'd love to have Zar'kun's help in this, but isn't he off looking for the Tempest Eye? I don't think we have time to wait for him to come back, and his mission is too important to pull him out for a hostage negotiation. Right now, it's up to Jakito and Vette." I give Jakito a sorry look. "I really wish it were otherwise."

Jakito Twilight

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"No offense, dear brother-in-law, but your negotiation skills aren't the strongest in the galaxy. And neither will an angry mother's." I shake my head. "Unfortunately, I can only wish you the best of luck, I'm staying here to make sure that those two boys don't get in over their heads."