Log:Knights of Ren: Man on the Muun (1)
OOC Date: January 5, 2021
Location: Muunilinst
Participants: Andro Tain, Errod Zand, Imani, Malik Ren, Sebek, Tamsin Cas as Self/GM, Knights of Ren
[Tamsin Cas]
Time was relative, as the ship hurtled through hyperspace. As was distance. The Night Buzzard had departed from its berthing at a station deep in the Outer Rim, a lonely, barren expanse, which was, in many ways, perfectly matched to the need for secrecy and security. A lone outpost, a singular beacon, far too far from anything of worth and value. Tamsin has been more than a bit vague, when she had requested that any among the Knights who might feel so inclined join her on a excussion to her home world. She had felt something that called to her in the Force and she did not wish to go alone to find it.
As the Night Buzzard dropped out of hyperspace, it once again found itself in an expanse of space which well understood the need for secrecy and security. But if Solominus was the epitome of a bleak desert, devoid of life such as it was lived in the galaxy, the spacefield above Muunilinst was its twisted, polar opposite. A planet known only by name, if it was known at all, heard of, but never seen, save for those who had business there. A fair few, in some regards, but in regarded the wider galaxy, a scattering of grains of sand.
"A moment," was Tamsin's soft word, as she stepped away from where she had been waiting in view of the controls, but having had no hand in flying the ship herself. She made her way to a small identification pad which she had requested be wired into the ship's sensor and communication array. Now, while the ship was still far enough from the planet that it was possible to see it only as a lone orb caught up in a glittering cloud on the sensors, Tamsin flipped open the lid of the identification module, revealing a pad such as one might have used to imprint a thumbprint, though it bore the tiniest, thinnest pin of metal in its center. At the same time that she placed the pad of her left thumb against the module, seeming to pay no mind to the sensation of the needle pricking her flesh, drawing a sample of her blood as well as the imprint of her finger, she retrieved the small recorder which had been attached to its side. When she spoke again, the words were in a sharp, precise language, which reminded the ear of the sounds of the Binary communication of droids. The identification module flashed green, and Tamsin set down the recorder, closed the lid on the module.
"Proceed. Standard speed. We have clearance to make our approach and enter the atmosphere on the route which you should be receiving momentarily." Before Tamsin even had a chance to step away, the console beeped, alerting Sebek that the route was ready.
[Sebek]
"Behold, She Who Rages. Your blood sacrifice stands not in vain." At the helm of the Night Buzzard was, hilariously enough, Sebek of the Desert. The Falleen flew the transport in much the same way he ate when he wasn't frothing-at-the-mouth furious, holding the yoke with barely his fingertips, with one leg crossed over the other, pretty much /reclining/ in his seat. The barest movements, guided instinctively by the Force (or, as Sebek would claim, his own glorious capabilities), slipped the Night Buzzard into the specified lane, a casual caress of controls setting the speed and trajectory, a gentle twitch to guide the ship into its descent, and away they went.
It was all uncharacteristically peaceful. Maybe the Falleen had eaten in the last ten minutes.
[Andro Tain]
They didn't know where they were going, or for what, but Andro Tain never took issue with that. She thrived in the thin veil of vagueness - it left options open and left the mind guessing, keeping it open and keen. Andy would be nothing without a keen mind - so, she lounges, comfortable in the anticipation. Her vibroax is laid across her lap, a rag balled up in one hand, lazily wiping it back and forth over the handle and inactive blade - it's sharp enough by this point, but you can never keep your weapons too clean.
"It's quiet up there." The Mirilan nods towards the cockpit, where Tamsin and Sebek - by the sounds of it - co-exist in perfect harmony. Someone must have fed him. Either that, or something is terribly, terribly wrong.
[Malik Ren]
"What are we seeking?" That posh voice is of course one M. Ren, arms folded as he stands behind the Falleen pilot with full intention of backseat driving. "We know where we're going -- but what fresh hell awaits us upon arrival?"
[Errod Zand]
As the ship hurtles through hyperspace, one of the Knights, a fellow known as Errod Zand, sits quietly in one of the Buzzard's seats, his plain-faced metal helmet held up in front of his wide eyes, staring fixatedly into the empty holes that he sometimes looks out of. He has sat like this for most of the journey, silently looking into those dark recesses, and it isn't until the ship lurches back into the normal reckoning of matter that the man glances up from his contemplation.
"How far we travel, seeking answers to questions we have barely begun to understand the need to ask," Errod mutters in a low rasp, letting the helmet drop into his lap. "Chasing sensations and fleeting dreams, disciples following dutifully as the tumors swell in our prophets' brains to drive them slowly deeper into madness." Thin lips twist downward, fingers rooting in a pocket to shove a cig into their corner and light up. "I need a drink."
[Imani]
Imani, being the furthest thing they have from a pilot, has settled in some out of the way place while others took care of transporting them to their destination. She occupies her time with -- not for the first time on this trip -- rummaging through a bag of assorted items that she's decided are needed on this expedition. Among them is a small silver canister, a decent sized bag that carries with it the subtle aroma of jerky, a sheathed knife, and a supple pouch that serves as an easy to pack canteen. She's armored but her helmet is off and set beside her as she keeps busy.
[Tamsin Cas]
When the ship drew close enough, it became apparent why such a precise route was necessary, as what had been visible only as pinpricks of contact on the sensors, as the ship approached, resolved themselves into an array of defensive measures around the planet. The planet itself was a beautiful green gem, dotted here and there by billowing, flowing swirls of grey and black. But as the ship approached there was often fair little of the planet that could be seen. The defensive capabilities of Muunilinst were such that even the Empire at its height would have envied it, and some might contend eclipsed even the First Order's presence over Coruscant. A pair of Golan III battle platforms were joined by a flotilla of Munificent-class star frigates. And arrayed like the points of a net between the larger armaments, a sea of IGBC gun platforms, spinning in carefully projected orbit around the planet below. This was threading the needle in every sense of the word.
"The source of a mystery," as Tamsin's very unhelpful answer to Malik's question. "When I was last here, only a few weeks ago, I felt something calling to me, a dark, grasping thing. I followed it as close as I dared, and found what I believe is its source. An estate abandoned these any decades since long before the rise of the Empire and its subsequent fall. Once the property of the Damask Clan. Whatever called to me is there, I am sure of it."
As the ship continued its approach, which would see them venturing far from the great centers of industry on the planet, out and out along the Western Sea, the shifting angle of the ship allowed a view of the skyhook orbital city, known as High Port Space Center, which resided in the airspace above the planet's main capital, Harnaidan. And the terrain of the planet became more apparent, its volcanic nature evident in the smokers which spewed their mineral and gem rich gases into the air. An endless font of the riches which had allowed the InterGalactic Banking Clans the wealth to serve as the galaxy's creditors.
As the edge of the Western Sea came into view, Tamsin once again stepped closer to the console, "We will be landing not far from the Sea's edge, at a summer estate which has rarely seen use since I was a child, save for when I was taken there on holiday. We will have transports available, as well as accommodations." Tamsin's eyes never left the view of the Sea as it grew to fill the viewport, taking nearly all the visible expanse, as the ship's route took them along the coast. The estate architecture, when it finally came into view, was as severely beautiful as any they had seen on the approach. It was large and well-appointed, but not sprawling, as if whomever had commissioned it had known that the display of wealth did not need to be ostentatious to be effective. The landing pad was large, well enough to accomodate the Night Buzzard. And once they were within the landing area, Tamrin turned away from the viewport. She did not touch Sebek, but instead, laid her hand on the edge of his pilot's chair, "Thank you, Sebek." And then she proceeded back towards the main holding area, looking to the small group of Knights who had come with her.
"Welcome to Moneyland."
[Sebek]
Sebek's hands moved across the controls as though he were testing fabrics. The Night Buzzard glode...? Glid? Glided? The Night Buzzard glided through the air like a bird of prey, eyeing out that landing pad like a tasty feast. The landing gear of the Dungeon-class hissed down and the ship drifted from impulse engines to repulsors, ostensibly gently dropping itself and missing.
The Night Buzzard pivoted above the landing pad, turning so that its exit ramp was directly pointed towards the entrance to the Residential Demesne, and touched the ground with all the firmness of a well-thrown feather. Green taloned hands darted around the controls, winding down the myriad of systems that kept the dangerous vessel primed and ready for a spot of ultramurder.
"And thus we return to the earth, to tread upon its soil." Was that Sebek's way of saying 'We've landed'?
[Andro Tain]
As their destination, apparently, nears, the archaeologist pokes her head in with the others. The only flash of discomfort that can be seen in Tain's face, comes at the mention of fine summers and lavish estates... But it's only there for a moment. "Good." She nods at Sebek's announcement, pushing off the bulkhead and moving towards the entry. "Do these accommodations include silk pajamas? A slab of /charcuterie/?" She draws out the word like it's meant to be a slight, but there isn't malice in that stupid, little giggle.
A keen mind, indeed. But she always liked funny words.
[Malik Ren]
"Moneyland," Malik echoes the name of their destination with what sounds like mild amusement. This place is on brand for him, he loves a good minimalist aesthetic that's somehow also just dripping with wealth. "Oh, I was wasted on Coruscant, I should have been raised on Muun." He steps toward the ship's disembarking ramp, pace deliberate but unhurried. "Try to behave yourselves. Do not murder or destroy anything that we have not yet determined needs to be murdered or destroyed, please and thank you."
[Errod Zand]
"Another sharpened stick to add to the collection," Errod grates at Tamsin's explanation, pushing himself up out of the chair and sliding a thin, flattened disc set on the back of his helmet into a metal slot riveted to his belt for carrying. "In a good galaxy, we could destroy it. In a galaxy where life is fair and just." He lets that hang, for a moment, and with an exhalation of smoke, moves towards the landing ramp.
"Moneyland." Errod gives a dry, derisive chuckle as he readies himself to disembark. "The dark and grasping sense you felt is already explained. It is wealth. The distillation of life into ones and zeros. It channels all of a being's time and energy, their dreams and passions, a life of achievement and effort purified into numbers on a screen, chits in a purse. Time is money, money is time. How many millions of years laid the foundations of this estate? The cement is powdered with bones."
[Imani]
As they make their final approach, Imani hurriedly crams all of these essential expedition goods back into her bag and shoulders it, then clips her helmet to her hip. "Moneyland?" She repeats this name as the others do, sounding both amused and bemused by the name. "That sounds very on the nose, but I like it. It tells you exactly what you need to know and what to expect."
[Tamsin Cas]
"Unfortunately not," was Tamsin's mild reply to Andro, "I believe you'll find that there is an ascetic's quality to the Muun which is not in keeping with the excesses of the wealthy in the rest of the galaxy." The estate, for all that Tamsin stated that it was not much used, was still in impeccable order. It was clear that it was well-maintained, even if the staff were not immediately visible. It was, in many ways, an idyllic location, kissing the edge of the sea, the wind carrying the salt scent and the heady aroma of hot house flowers. A pair of transports hovered not far from the edge of the landing pad, unmanned but ready. Perhaps in counterpoint to the stark mechanized transports that were readily visible, a gust of wind brought the sound of hoofbeats racing on fertile ground, but whatever ran free across the lands of the estate were not readily visible. As Tamsin passed Malik to proceed out of the ship and onto the pad, she smiled, "There is still time."
Errod's commentary again brought that mild expression, though Tamsin gave no immediate sense of whether she agreed with the sentiment or not. "The Banking Clans are an ancient establishment, indeed, founded in the days along ago, allowing the Muun to expand their reach not only through this galaxy, but the ones beyond. And the Cas Clan has a long history. But Damask is older still, or was. It has been dormant longer than I have been alive." Once she was certain everyone was ready, she turned to approach the transports, "One is slaved to the other, but can be operated separately." The transports themselves were large enough for the entire group to fit into one, which left the other for any other needs they might have. Or to allow the group to spread out, "We we will be following a route I have programmed," she retrieved a datapad, "Out to an island some distance across the Sea."
[Sebek]
"Absurd. Charcuterie is a calling most tasteful," was Sebek's mildly annoyed pun (not that he knew he made it) as he followed up the rear of the group. After all, someone needed to lock the ship. Beep beep! "All cultures may be enriched by its delicacies."
His new battle cassock (the old one brutally mauled by The Cometburn) wafted out behind him, the light fabric that wasn't suppressed by the new breastplate (the old one damaged irreparably by She Who Dances) caught by the momentum of his movement. If you wanna billow, leather won't work. "Is that the sound of herd beast?" Did Sebek sound... happy? "Truly this is a planet of great pleasures, should we be required to slaughter our meals by hand!" Excitement! Forget the Damask clan, Sebek wanted to go and beat up a MuunCow.
[Andro Tain]
The degree of planning packed within this vague plan is both admirable and disquieting - but Andy only feels these things in the periphery. There's a dark precense, somewhere; perhaps it's an object, or a person, or one of those holocrons theis lot goes on about... Perhaps it's just an interesting place. Regardless, she wants to study it. "I would never shame the good name of /charcuterie/." She repeats the word in the same tone as before. "You can slice up some after your... Ungulate hunt." Perhaps the beasts are friendly and tameable... Perhaps they're just tasty. She has a feeling that Sebek would find out, eventually. She does take an interest to the talk of clans and old family names, but doesn't press the matter - surely, her curiosity could be slated by some individual research, should any of those records exist publically or semi-publically... Especially since the silk pajamas aren't forthcoming.
[Malik Ren]
"Do NOT," Malik repeats to Sebek, keenly sensing his desire to go beat up a MuunCow, "Murder or destroy anything we have not determined needs to be murdered or destroyed." He's giving him a look. His tone of voice is a Look. His body language is a Look. Malik Ren is just a Look personified, like if you gave judgey side eye sentience and a man bun. He heads for the transports, on board with the plan to follow the route Tamsin has programmed.
[Errod Zand]
Errod is silent for a moment, then he shrugs and moves ahead, fully intending to board the transport that everyone else is meant to get in rather than being difficult and attempting to ride in one all on his own just to be special. "There is always something determined that needs to be murdered or destroyed," he shrugs, puffing as he walks. "Give it time."
[Imani]
Imani makes a face at the suggestion that they slaughter meals by hand. "Just say something if you start getting too hungry," she tells Sebek, then pats the bag that she carries. "But I hope we don't have to slaughter our meals. I'm grateful that we had that slug to eat because it meant we didn't starve, but I don't want to relive it if we can avoid it." Others head for the transports and she keeps up with them, trusting in the fellow knight to have seen to the details of their transportation to get to their mysterious destination.
[Tamsin Cas]
"Racing beasts. What herd animals we have are kept stabled along the western edge of the estate." Tamsin replied to Sebek's question. "Perhaps if we are here long enough, and the need arises, one can be made available for you. For the rest, meals and all that you need is waiting for you within the estate." She did not weigh in on the matter of preserved meats, trusting that Imani had brought enough to keep the Falleen sated, for the time being. She did, however, make her way to the transports, settling into a seat in the middle of the first one.
The journey across the sea was uneventful, if bucolic. The skies above, called by some the most beautiful in the galaxy flushed in varying shades of blue and green, the smokers which were visible now and then billowing glittering smoke which formed clouds which glistened in the bright sun. The Knights might have been only on holiday, in a serene, silent part of the planet, wanting for nothing and beholden to no one, if it had not been for the rising sense of dread the further out across the water they journeyed. It crystallized into a sharp ache that seemed to sink somewhere behind the breastone as they came into view of the island that was their destination.
The island itself was small, made barren by the years of neglect to the landscape. The estate which rose in its center had some air of that stark beauty of the Cas estate which they had left not so very long before, but there was an age to it, a weariness of time, an old thing, beyond ancient that had not yet given up and gone to ground.
[Sebek]
Ah, see, needs. Sebek wisely refrained from the appropriate neener-neener in this case, though he did not hide his disappointment at his meals being stabled, passive, and thus no challenge.
Pride was the only thing stopping him going straight to She Who Slaughters' snack bag.
During the journey, the Force whispered sweet, horrible nothings into his brain, promising him feasts and glory in a manner most unsettling. The effect was apparent, the Falleen's mood was slowly souring as it took root in his mind. "Of age and time this place is worn," he mused, gazing out across the sea and staring /straight/ at the source of these horrible feelings. "A blight upon glory. To drink deep from its power is poison."
[Andro Tain]
As they approach, Andy is immune to the 'bad vibes' that the Force Sensitive Knights may be picking up on, but she does notice other things... Like the outdated security systems, old turrets, mech that hasn't activated in years... But beyond that? "There are cameras and droids." She hisses, instinct driving her to duck a little lower in the transport, growling: "we need to avoid those points. Maybe we should swim, this is hard to miss." She pats the side of their transport. "And we step carefully."
[Malik Ren]
"This is a dark place," Malik agrees with Sebek, though he sounds more thoughtful than unnerved. "Was, is... maybe both; time has a way of losing meaning in the grasp of that sort of power. It's left a mark, whatever is or was here, that's plain enough to see. We ought to attempt," his voice is heavier and more RESIGNED on 'attempt,' "A subtle approach, and only engage the cameras, turrets, and other security forces if absolutely necessary."
[Errod Zand]
Errod may not have a sensitivity to the Force, but that does not preclude him from that more ubiquitous sixth sense: the heebie jeebies. And this place is full of 'em.
"There," he notes, pointing through one of the viewports at the aged structure beyond. "It was protected. How long since those turrets had power, I am not knowledgeable enough to say, but the slant of the cannons, the stillness. They are as lifeless as any stone. For now." It's always wise to hedge your bets, and advice should have a full wall around it.
[Imani]
Imani's hand remains resting on the bag that contains snacks, providing a feeble defense against a hungry Sebek. It's probably unwise. She might lose that hand. Even so it remains there as she settles in for the trip. While the others are busy pointing out all the potential pitfalls that they spot, she is simply admiring the lovely view that this trip over the sea has afforded her. Aside from the feeling of dread that comes with approaching this place, it's pretty nice.
[Tamsin Cas]
For all that both Andro and Errod had identified that the estate was not undefended, there was not a single sign that whatever security was still in place around the estate was alert to their presence. Not when they approach, not even when the transports made landing on the beach which circled the entire crescent edge of the island. Tamsin, whose normally placid mien had taken on a slightly pinched cast, made to depart the transport. If there was security, it already knew they were there. "I did not make landfall when I passed by here before, but we must forge ahead somehow. Something is here, and I do not believe we can allow it to remain here. Not until and unless we know what it is." That, at least, had been Tamsin's reasoning for coming and asking her fellow knights to accompany her.
[Sebek]
"Were it not impossible for the defenses to see us, it is believed we had slipped in sight unseen." The general squeezing of his brain was forcing Sebek to do something he generally avoided at all costs: think. It was a feeling almost as uncomfortable as the lingering feeling of Damask. "And thus it holds that we are beheld."
The transport docked and Sebek was slow in departing, letting those neurons fire until he came to a conclusion. "Beheld and not assailed, such is the mark of a hunter." Or a friend, but let's not get too declarative here. Talking calmed him down. Or hyped him up. Either or. "And should they hunt, thus, we are prey." Astute! Astoundingly astute from the rage-fuelled meatsack! His scowl went from confused to determined. "And thus we must partake as prey, to run, hide, until the roles upend."
There was a faint fwip as Sebek moved, quickly, a dark shadow absconding to the shadow of the high walls. A black blob amongst less-black doom. Silence befell the Falleen, and Sebek moved.
[Andro Tain]
This building... It's old. It's outdated. Likely crumbling away at places. Andy may not know Muun architecture specifically, but she can eyeball the way the coloring has faded and the growth has crept in, can think back on the traps she's faced over the years. "If we're going to find a security panel... Or an access port - something to turn us into something that less resembles prey -" she nods to Sebek "-it would be at th'junction... There." She points at a nexus between walls. "Beneath the lid of that little alcove. Someone with th'skills could likely -" another look to Sebek. "...Upend our roles."
[Malik Ren]
Malik Ren stares at Sebek for a few moments as though wondering who this creature is and what, exactly, has happened to his usual ragelizard. He blinks owlishly, but doesn't seem to disagree with any of that, and sighs, "The mark of a hunter," as he looks up at the walls and defenses. "Figures it would be." He confidently strides forward toward Shadow 9 3/4 and then just disappears into it, completely vanished from sight as he becomes one with the darkness and follows Sebek.
[Errod Zand]
Errod is making his best effort here, but the man is not known for his stealth; he moves with the grace and agility of a person carrying a wide variety of weapons and mismatched armor, and all the noise that goes along with it. His gear rattles and clinks, he tromps on fallen branches, at one point he kicks a small loose rock that hurtles ahead and clatters back to earth a few paces further along, drawing a sigh and a sheepish grimace from the middle-aged man as he attempts to scurry into the shadows the others have more expertly folded into, puffing out his frustration from beneath that curved stache. Blessedly (or cursedly, time will tell), nothing seems to happen. The automated defenses, powerless, remain static.
[Imani]
Imani is sneaking along, able to pick her way over brush and brambles along without making a sound. She freezes at the sound of a clattering rock, looking up at Errod as she waits for something to happen. She settles a hand on her usual weapon, prepared to fight should the moment come, but when they don't immediately explode she continues to creep along like the apparently stealthy creature that she is.
[Tamsin Cas]
The closer to the estate the Knights ventured, the greater the mystery seemed to become. None of the security appeared to be active. It did not respond, nor did it hinder them as they approached that junction point Andro had identified. Perhaps the decades of disuse had dulled its senses, allowed it to fall into disrepair leaving only the visible threat to menace any who might approach.
Which was likely to the good as Tamsin was also not of the sort to have skill in moving furtively, her foot hitting a shelf of shale that had long since lost the strength of the roots which had kept it in place and sliding rather loudly back down along the beach and needing to start again.
Soon enough, the arrived at the location which had been pointed out by Andro.
[Sebek]
There, in the spot unseen by the security, the metaphorical nads of the archaic security system, had Sebek absconded. And here he was stuck. Deep in thought (ow!) with no skill to act technically, and with no enemy to strike, he had one option available to him.
The Falleen's eyes unfocused and glazed over as he stopped using them. His hearing dulled to a low whine. The only sense remaining that was not the murky waters of the Force was the scent of doom and despair on the air. Sniff. His mind opened and raced across the island, scouting and scouring and inspecting and gazing headlong into the abyss that was doom.
Of course, the problem with abysses is they always bloody gaze back.
"Behold the Rousing God," was the oddly flat oozing voice of Sebek. "Of singular purpose, hunt and kill interlopers. Thus we are beheld. All suspected is held as irrevocable truth." The body of the Falleen was less a person and more a metaphysical walkie-talkie right now. "For I have seen its face and it is anger." Then there was a dangerous pause.
"What a grand and intoxicating innocence."
There was an abrupt jolt from the Falleen and suddenly he was back, full of the little nuances of movement notable in their earlier absence. "The Sleeper awakens. The time for tarry passes. We must hunt, else we stay hunted."
[Andro Tain]
They've snuck, they've slunk, they've used their heads and thunk... They've scattered some rocks and made some noise, and there hasn't been any response. That is, surely, a good sign - but, better safe than sorry. "Frag." Andy grumbles as she reaches the terminal, fingers flying over the controls. "/Frag/." She repeats, swearing through her teeth as she fails, and fails... "Oh." She's in, and frowns. "This place has been losing power for a long time." She explains, not bothering to keep her voice low. Which should be telling of her findings. "It's drawn in to conserve it - nothing mechanical will activate until we get closer to the estate itself, at which point we /will/ have to worry. Find a panel closer to the place itself, and we'll be able to shut this clunker down." She turns back to her companions. "That being said, I still advise general caution moving forward. There could be other traps." Sebek's... Words? Ramblings? Premonitions? Seem to back up this advice. "So... General caution, and some speed." She amends.
[Malik Ren]
Malik Ren doesn't really poof back to existence; there's no noise or sparkles or theatrics of any sort. He just wasn't there, and then he is. He's near Sebek and Andy, arms folded as he frowns in the general direction of this structure. "There is no 'person' here, but there is a presence," Malik notes. "A few rats or other small vermin... no physical life forms. That doesn't mean this is without danger. In fact it's probably worse. Dark force users of sufficient power can leave a mark on this galaxy when they're gone, at places of significance... just so you all know, I'm haunting the Night Buzzard after I die."
Pausing to listen to Andy, he frowns, and doesn't disagree. "Onward to a closer panel then, and quickly."
[Errod Zand]
No one else acts all that concerned that Sebek was clearly animated with some sort of alien spirit that might actually be better company than the Falleen himself is, but Errod raises an eyebrow. "There are no gods. Only the living and the dead, and the thin edge between," the hunter retorts to whatever delusion took ahold of their resident cannibal, straightening his shoulders and glancing around for this next panel. "It would be too much to ask for them to have put up a sign."
[Tamsin Cas]
Tamsin had managed not to fall down a well. But, she might add, only because there were no wells to fall down. She made her way to the rest of the group. She did not trust herself, now that Sebek had spoken, to touch even the slightest bit of her power. She was only too happy to stay with her chosen meatshie--Knight, trusting the Falleen's battle instincts to protect her.
Indeed, as Andro had predicted, the estate remained dormant as the knights made their approach. Now that they were closer, it was possible to see that there were figures which moved now and then within the estate. Droids, were the likely answer, as Malik had already cleared the estate of any life of consequence. All that could be seen of the exterior was that facade, crumbling, only barely holding on to its air of life. Such was the fall of decades on a place where the planet itself rose up to battle the surface. What fell from the sky had taken its toll.
[Sebek]
A formless, shapeless entity, a force of darkness and evil incarnate. Phooey. If it were some horrible giant monstrosity, Sebek could have beaten it up like a larger MuunCow. Speaking of, he needed to eat an entire MuunCow after this. ALSO speaking of, "She Who Slaughters, it is understood you bring rations. I must partake." He didn't even say please. He was too busy eyeing out a totally unfamiliar and archaic looking tech thing. "There. Defeat this contraption and gain us access to the Rousing God's hide." It doesn't /have/ a hide!
[Tamsin Cas]
"I have my datapad, it might help." Tamsin offered to Andro, as she moved to offer whatever assistance she could to the archaeologist.
[Andro Tain]
It's a good thing that they've already determined their current location to be relatively safe, because when Malik re-materializes - or whatever voodoo shaz these dark wizards do - she jolts with an audible squeak of surprise, a hand going to her chest. She glares. "I hated that." She informs their boss, still scowling darkly and turning to roll off with her crew. Onto other panels and deeper mysteries!
A further trek towards the estate, past the jerking, menacing shapes of droids that lurk beyond their reach... The panel, as it is, turns out to be a bit trickier than the last. "I have access, but -" Tamsin swoops in to save the day, and it's by plugging in the other woman's datapadd that there is finally a success. "That felt like a win." She nods, though her tone remains lowered and grave.
[Malik Ren]
"Most people do," Malik replies to Andy without any shame at all! "Just one more reason it's so useful." He has his eyes closed as he waits for Team Smart People to work on panels and contraptions, reaching out with the Force to probe the depths of this fortress! "The longer I focus on it, the clearer the direction becomes," he muses, "Although still a bit murky, and the only descriptive indicator I have now is 'inside the building.' Which, he gestures at this building that has dominated their attention and time, "is surprising to no one. Sebek. Please begin the process of understanding there will be no hide to take, so that you've gone through the process of denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance by the time we actually arrive at the God With No Hide."
[Errod Zand]
"Perhaps that is what will be rousing about it," Errod suggests, following along with the others and apparently content in the fact that he hasn't been forced to kill anything beautiful or devastatingly wise and austere. The hunter watches with a degree of curiosity as the women fiddle with the control panel, an aptitude he lacks and would have been forced to resolve through a blaster shot and a prayer. "Is the door open?" he questions, looking around at the surroundings, watching the inactive turrets, but nothing seems to have changed about them.
[Tamsin Cas]
As the estate was breached, it was clear this would be a race against the clock. Either Andro would succeed in her attempt to shut down the system, thus saving the Knights some work and possibly some injury, or the Knights would destroy what security remained within the estate that still had enough power to fight off the intruders. Which would it be? As for Tamsin, she would wait behind with Andro.
[Malik Ren]
Malik Ren is, demonstrably, a person who somehow sold his soul for dark power. With the access to the estate so close, whatever connection he made through the meditation seems to have a greater pull on his mind and actions. He's deeply in tune with the Force... but that could be a liability here. Like a pretty black moth to a flame, he smiles, and walks forward.
"I'm looking into this abyss," he warns his Knights. "See you on the other side."
He winks out from sight again, and is gone. Please take him to only well lit places next time.
[Andro Tain]
"Slicing is not my expertise." The archaeologist sighs, pausing to scrub some dust from the panel. "But the ancient ones are a bit easier." Using Tamsin's datapad to circumvent a particularly nasty string of nonsense, she continues. "When you know 'em." It's a rare day that a normie nabs a chance to brag amongst (almost) gods. She takes it where she can get it. "I can shut them down, I just need some time."
As Malik disappears again, Andy lets out another sigh. "I hate that."
[Sebek]
"Perhaps not, He Who Leads," mused the mildly-nettled Falleen as he went through the seven stages of 'Why I Can't Kill This Person'. Eventually, he had some sort of realization, and turned to the brand new breach in the defenses with grim awareness in his eyes. Awareness, and some measure of anticipation.
"For I have been beheld by the Rousing God. Upon me his ire falls." There was a horrible snap-hiss noise from the nearly two-feet long weapon that had somehow weaved its way into Sebek's hand and the assembled party was bathed in the red, hungry glow of Tei Tenga. "And thus is it not prudent to earn such ire?" The distraction. With intent in his stride he marched through the door towards the security droids, raising Tei Tenga high. "Time must be purchased for She Who Inquires," behold! "and He Who Leads. Join me if you must."
And thus, Sebek of the Desert went to get the next best thing from the Rousing God. Its metaphorical fingers.
[Errod Zand]
Errod meant to be stealthy. He really did. He had every intention of doing so, but as soon as he entered the front door behind the vanishing Malik, the monster hunter stepped into a chunk of furniture, upsetting the finery atop it, and alerting every droid in the vicinity to his presence behind Sebek. With a low growl, he reaches over his shoulder and unshackles the chain whip there, swinging the weapon around and activating the plasma rivulets in the same motion that cracks the mechanical, metallic skull of a droid in two. Unlike Tei Tenga, there's blunt force and bladed ridges behind the weaker heat, and a spearpoint tip that he drives through the torso of the next aging model with an agile spring forward that belies his ineptitude in the realm of subterfuge.
[Imani]
Imani also meant to move quietly, but you don't always get the planned results. The clattering sound from Errod's run in with furniture makes her whip around, and that bag of snacks she carries whips with it, sweeping more than a few items right off the disrupted table to make even more noise. If there was any doubt that there are intruders, it's long gone now. The offending bag is cast aside for the time being, leaving snacks unattended as she pulls free her chain-whip and activates it. "That vanishing into shadows skill would be very useful for this sort of thing," she remarks, having given up on the whole stealth element. She steps forward to stab through vital droid bits with the pointed tip of her chain whip, kicking out to drive the thing back only to repeat the process on a second. At least if she has to be noisy, she's decently skilled at the violence needed to fix it.
[Tamsin Cas]
The droids might be old, and they might be suffering from being lower power than they ought to be, but they still remained bound to their service, and as the estate was breached, they diverted from their decades long patrols, leaving aside the well-work tracks their metallic feet had work in the carpet which, in days past would have muffled the sounds of feel in the long halls. But they were no match the the rage of the Knights, whether it was the animal fury of Sebek, the relentless force of Errod, or the calculating dance of Imani. The Knights had come and now their watch was ended.
Without, the quest continued to shut down the system, and off in the heart of the estate the Ren stalked his prey.
And within, from out of the wings, another compliment of droids came to meet the intruders where no intruders should be.
[Malik Ren]
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK: Malik has proceeded through his shadows towards a room like a living room or den, complete with fireplace. Confident in the Knights' ability to dispatch a bunch of security droids without particular incident, he's walking toward a bookcase, drawn in, unable to look away or steer off that path.
[Sebek]
"Yes! YES!" Tei Tenga swung around like the galaxy's most dangerous streamer (the ribbon onna stick, not that guy in the basement), bisecting droids as it went. Sebek laughed in elation, a horrible hissing-roaring sound that wouldn't sound out of place in a monster holofilm. "Behold me, Rousing God! I deem you unfit! I shall drink your essence until you are nought!"
The Falleen took his job of 'distract everything' very seriously. Probably because it was the only thing he was good at. As he moved he took up all the space around him, red glowing in wide arcs for maximum coverage. As numbers grew, Sebek's swings grew wider. After all, was it not most efficient to slay three in one swipe?
[Errod Zand]
Errod isn't feeling elation; this is business, the cold work of destroying these poor droids who mean no real harm beyond tearing intruders limb from limb, and really, who wouldn't do the same in their place? He brandishes his chain-whip, hoping for a moment to scare the relics off, but when they come on, so does he, smashing the weapon into their antiquated circuitry and reducing two more to piles of resistors and jumbled wire only vaguely held together in a humanoid shape by their deformed plating.
[Andro Tain]
A great deal of beeping, booping, typing, and swearing later, Andro Tain lets out a single bark of triumphant "HA!" just as the droids are summarily ripped apart. With her deed done, the final droid crumples. Just the one. The archaeologist stares at the scene for a moment, before giving a weak smirk. "I got one." She announces.
[Imani]
After all the business of being attentive and sneaky, it feels good to be doing something more physically demnding. If that activity means smashing droids who are trying to disrupt their mission, so be it. Imani will smash all the droids. Two more fall before her cheerful might and delighted fury, and then she wheels around to that last remaining droid. She seems intent on giving that last one a good bashing, but before she can it deactivates. Even then she seems to consider it, but lowers her chain whip instead and turns to find her discarded bag before Sebek can get his hands on all the snacks.
[Tamsin Cas]
With the security system now disabled, even that small vestige of life within the estate had been ended, and it was possible to see how dust had collected, how small rodents and other such life had found there way inside. It would seem that the estate, as it had conserved its energy, had long ago powered down its maintenance systems. The estate itself was sumptuous, with receiving halls, dining rooms, bedrooms. And a staircase, which, if one knew his shoe size (something demure, no doubt), they could make out the footsteps of their Ren as he made his way through the estate to the second floor. Should they find him still there, they would all enter into the den where he was standing, communing with the force.
[Sebek]
As all fell quiet aside from the sound of the building screaming sweet nothings into the Force, Sebek sniffed. "And thus, our battle concludes." He seemed sated, for now. The Falleen turned his head towards the entryway, wherein She Who Inquires laired. "Of import was your task, and admirably was it performed. Behold your achievements!" He sounded totally, completely serious, with the distinctive pride he held whenever an acolyte impressed him. "In your soul I see a fine Knight to be!"
Compliments aside, Tei Tenga protested back into inertness but did not return to its holster as Sebek turned to the staircase. "Here. The footfalls of He Who Leads. Safer to follow these, now, than the doom that befalls us all." He didn't wait for a response before leading their way to the den.
[Andro Tain]
Andy doesn't want to be flattered by Sebek's inflated praise... But, you stick with this group long enough, you fall into the culture. You can't help it. In fact, she was never quite convinced that this wasn't an 'assimilate or die' situation, regardless. With a sly grin, she dips her head. "We shall see." She answers, before trotting to catch up with the rest of them slinking about the estate... These himbos can go finding their dark sources or whatever, she just wants to know where the library is.
[Malik Ren]
Malik Ren is obsessed with the bookcase. That's where they find their moth fluttering in this room! flutterflutterflutter. Malik is running his hands along the shelves, inspecting books, and then tossing them aside when they don't seem right. "There's something behind the bookcase," he greets the Knights as they enter, and admits, "I don't know how to open it, or access it... we could cut it to pieces, but I'd rather -- oh, what does it /want/?" Perhaps feeling that the answer might be on the VERY top shelf, he steps up on the shelf below and then reaches as best he can! Ever seen a short person struggle to get something off the top grocery shelf? It's like that.
[Errod Zand]
The stairs lead upward and there it is, the path in the dust of the mighty Ren's boots, or... whatever he wears on his svelte feet. The hunter hurries to follow the others, stowing his chain-whip on his back from whence it came, and jangling along up the steps to reach the room above, where he's greeted by the sight of their leader fretting over a bookshelf. BOOKS! How quaint and exotic.
"Never seen this many of the things in one place," Errod admits, wandering suspiciously towards these 'books', with their arcane bindings, full of paper. "Seems impractical."
[Tamsin Cas]
The den, a sumptuous affair, much moreso than the rest of the estate, held a desk, a fireplace and a collection of bookshelves, including the one Malik Ren was having a tussle with. There was more than enough to entertain any who might wish to delve into the tomes collected here. But this was not the source. But perhaps, it was a way to the source. But who would find it?
As Tamsin entered the room, her frown increased. This was odd, especially for this Muun's daughter. But she did not dwell on that. Not with books being flung like confetti about the room as Malik searched, and reached, and attempted to find the key. And that made her frown, as she moved to join him, ducking to avoid either another book, or a swift kick as he was struggling to reach the top shelf, and who knew what might happen when you were on tiptoes. She stopped, a curious look as she noted the edge of the bookcase where it met the wall of the fireplace. "Look, here," she indicated one of the bricks on the fireplace, "This brick has shifted, see how it is recessed further than the others?"
[Sebek]
Ah yes, the brick had indeed shifted. Dispensing with the immediate instinct to slice the bookcase to pieces, Sebek metaphorically threw amber eyes over it to determine its nature and concluded with a profound and astute, "It is masonry."
Yes. Well done. You might actually reach middle school at this rate.
There was another moment of thought, and then because one cannot quash impulse forever, Sebek put two fingers on the thing and PUSHED.
[Andro Tain]
They're by a bookshelf, and Malik is just /throwing/ these books! One of these might be valuable, or contain information on something valuable, old, or forgotten. Regardless, Andy is stuffing them into her bag and pockets as quickly as they hit the ground. Financial tomes? In the bag. Treatises on alien species? In the bag. Galactic histories? You bet your green ass it's in the bag. Are these useful to the cause? Are they going to further any means? Reveal any secrets? Probably not. But you know what they are?
In the bag.
[Malik Ren]
There's a brick. Malik pauses with his dainty little feet up on that second shelf. He stays perched there for a moment before leaning to peer at said brick, and then the thing begins to move! He quickly lets go and hops back, satisfied with the results, and gestures confidently with one ringed hand at the space that shall no doubt soon shortly appear. "This is the way."
[Errod Zand]
Books. Errod stands a safe distance from the things, watching as the others investigate, his own eyes looking for clues but not able to find anything out of the ordinary. Just these questionable books with their so-called pages. But when the shelf finally begins to pull aside, he nods, eyes brightening, vindicated that the books did indeed obscure the hidden and secret and dangerous truth they've been seeking. "I don't trust it."
[Tamsin Cas]
As the room beyond was revealed, a slow glow rose to illuminate the interior. Perhaps this place had not suffered the same damage that the lack of power had caused on the rest of the estate. Within the square chamber were four statues, each depicting a Muun, in what, perhaps, had been a contemporary style...in whatever decade they had been carved. They gleamed with a soft golden sheen, one in each corner.
And beyond the statues, at the far end of the chamber, a door. And on that door, a lock. And beyond that door? The slumbering beast waited.
This was the way.
