Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Darth Colčre had only been back on Korriban a few days before she'd posted a notice to any other interested Sith of her intentions: she was traveling to Malachor V within a number of days to follow the path that Revan had taken there. It was reputed that an ancient Sith stronghold existed deep within Malachor's crust, and where such places were rumored to exist, someone like Aurelia often found untold artifacts and Sith treasures.
With her signage tacked up in a conspicuous place within the Sith Temple, Aurelia had proceeded back to her quarters to ready herself. She found it amusing that her old room, across from Skelosh's, was still available. It was even more amusing to her to re-take that room, remembering how her little brother Ethan had helped her move in there when she'd ascended to Mastery. A thin, old scar on her forearm itched a little; Aurelia wondered if Sky Kerberos was in residence then. It did tend to be sensitive to her presence.
The notice she'd posted informed interested Sith to report to a particular chamber on the main level of the Temple. Aurelia wanted to see who intended on being involved before departure. She had final say over who went with her, since she could just as easily go on her own. Aurelia hoped her old reputation still preceded her.
I don't suffer fools lightly.
With a simple satchel of supplies slung over her shoulder, Aurelia scanned around her quarters for anything else she thought she might want. She didn't see anything immediately. Touching the crystal quartz pendant beneath her flightsuit's top to ensure its place around her neck, she smiled softly. With that, she was on her way to the conference room to await any others for the expedition.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Darth Locura had heard that there was an old Master that had returned to the Sith. Old in the sense that she had been a Master for a while, not old in the manner of her age. He had been about to go and meet her when he came across a rather interesting flyer posted by the same person that he was going to go meet. Apparantly she had an interest in following in the footsteps of Revan. Surprisingly enough, he suddenly found himself also interested.
Turning about, he ran down the hall and back to his room. Always one to be prepared for just about anything, he had a survival pack ready. Grabbing it out of the closet, he looked around for the rest of his gear. Somewhere in the mess of a room of his was his mask and the spare that he always carried with him. Finding one, he shoved it into his pack before digging around in one of his closets to find the other. The second one he tucked into his waistband where he could get to it easily.
Satisfied that he was ready to go, he left the room and moved off to where the flyer had said to meet. It only took him a moment to get there, in a hurry as he was he took all the short cuts and back routes that he could find. When he finally arrived there wasn't anyone there yet and he was slightly puzzled. Figuring that it must have been his enthusiasm having gotten him there early, he shrugged his shoulders, walking into the room, and found a spot against the wall where he could lean and wait.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
" A little early, huh kid?" a voice came from one of the room's dark corners
" She should be here any minute though. " Darien continued stepping closer to Meric.
He arrived here moments before the other Sith but decided to lean in a more secluded part of the room. He wasn't really aquainted with many Sith arround here. He preffered to work solo, this type of life making it hard for others to get to know him.
" I'm Darien." he said stoping a couple of meters in front of the other man
Looking at Meric, he saw he brought some supplies with him. Darien didn't bother taking anything except what he usually carried in his robe and on his belt. Even in the days when he was a police officer on Coruscant, he would not take alot of stuff with him, not even a medic kit.
"Well I see you are packed and ready for our little trip." he said after a few moments.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]“As am I” Declan said as he entered the room carrying his own pack. When Declan had heard of a mission to search out ancient Sith artifacts he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. Other than the thrill he received when on one of his missions to ‘liberate’ a valuable object, not many things excited him like that. Since coming to the Sith however he had discovered a passion for archeology that he never knew he had. His parents would have been proud that he had found a passion, just not the way he came to find it.
“When do we leave?” Declan asked with his usual cocky grin and disinterested voice. He kept his excitement under control, he didn’t want the other Sith to know how much he was looking forward to this.
Easily amused and determined
to understand it all.
Posts: 54
(8/17/07 7:49 pm) Reply
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Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Shakti had actually avoided Korriban for an impressive span of time. She'd found her master and undergone her training on Coruscant, with no need to visit the hardened nexus of darkness the Sith Temple called home. There was certainly no mistake about the power this planet held. Shakti could see why many Sith found this place irresistable, but beyond that it wasn't precisely her cup of tea. Sure there was power, but there was also an overwhelming oppressive blanket of suffering and pain over the whole planet. Seemed excessive. The last time Shakti found herself on a planet that was covered in terrible and awful, she left. Because it was covered in terrible and awful.
I don't see why we need our own terrible planet. There are plenty without anybody making them on purpose, she thought. But I guess it must be making someone happy, or there wouldn't be any Sith here.
The night before she'd been walking the halls of the temple after receiving her token bit of harassment from the Sith at the temple gates. They didn't matter. She wasn't some sniveling apprentice crawling across the sand begging for scraps of their power and influence. Shakti was a Sith Knight on her own, and if she didn't want to bother with them, she wouldn't.
"Who are you?" the man had asked.
"They call me Shakti," she'd answered boredly. "I've come to see your library."
There was a wealth of knowledge here, and Shakti could have holed herself up in the library for weeks before getting bored. However, one night when Shakti fell asleep over a book... just when she thought she'd gotten used to the atmosphere here, Shakti had woken up in the night to the sound of screams. She never found out where they'd come from or what had happened, but that had been enough to shatter her peace. Time alone to read and research wasn't worth this. That sound that she hated.
When she'd seen the notice that Darth Colčre was looking to lead an expedition to investigate some rumored Sith ruins, Shakti's mood lifted. She had enough experience investigating archaeological sites that she might be able to be of some assistance, and it would be good for her to meet some like-minded Sith. She still didn't feel like she had a good grasp of the culture of this place, and it was imperative that she gain a better understanding of these people if she were going to allow herself to be identified with them.
Kassandra Wayne would probably have sighed and shaken her head at Shakti's scrupulously offbeat fashion, but Shakti'd been keeping a relatively low profile on Korriban. Today she just wore a simple grey turtleneck sweater with her usual wide black jeans and maroon leather overcoat over one arm. She was grateful for the colder climate of Korriban because at least it meant that she wouldn't be expected to show broad expanses of skin. Staying covered all the time would be considered relatively normal for an endothermic being like Shakti. Her lightsaber was down in the large pocket of her pants next to her knee. No need to advertise it when everyone here knew everyone here was a Sith.
Shakti found her way to the conference room with her backpack slung over one shoulder. All men, she noted. This'll be interesting. I wonder if they'll be annoying about it. She nodded to the others present and laid her coat across the back of a chair. "Looks like I'm not the only one who saw the little note. My name's Shakti," she offered. "You know if anyone else is coming?"Edited by: Darth Shakti at: 8/17/07 7:51 pm
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
The dark halls of the library rung with a certain distain amongst them, a sound of the battles fought in the past, and the ones to be fought in the future. There were screams from the lost souls that dedicated themselves to the Dark Side and never fully lived, their souls departed from their bodies in fear of what would happen to them if they were to become fully in tune with the darkness that caused a great echo that was almost deafening to Force Sensitive people. The Dark Side swelled across the great expanse of space that made the library; there were thousands of editions of history, recorded by thousands of different people. Some of the greatest historians of the Sith were in fact the Jedi, they had written down their history and in turn had recoded the Sith Histories with it so that the Jedi Masters could consult their next actions if they started to see a ripple in the Force. Even the weakest of their Order knew that History repeated itself and that the Sith were monotonously repeating their downfall and their uprising. If it were by a different name, be it the Sith Empire, the Regnum in Potestas, The Sith Brotherhood, even the Galactic Empire was controlled by the evil Sith and each was overthrown and replaced with a new. It was also likely that Sith would never learn to get along, they would always be warring with themselves, destroying each other’s egos, burning each other’s villas to the ground, destroying their wenches. Whatever it took to show that one Sith was better than the other. Even death had an occasional role in the thing.
Malcolms’ pasty hand passed over the shelves, searching for a certain title. A title that would hold what he was looking for, for his future expeditions to the Jedi Enclaves’ ruins on Dantooine, he even had permission from the Empire to go with a small task force and inspect the ruins, take whatever they wanted as long as the Empire got a bigger share of the relics. And some of the Sith thought that it was a bad idea to go to Dantooine in search of the relics because of the fact that the Empire wanted sixty percent of their findings. And that was why Malcolm would lie. He would deceive the Empire; he would make them his pawn. He would make it seem as though they found nothing, play them to the tune of his vile ruse. Make them his puppets; destroy their minds with his own. He would play them until they believed that he found -nothing- and let him leave. Leave with everything and then he would bring it all back to the Mistress in a means to impress her with his gifts to the Royal Museum. He knew that with each expedition he went on and came back successful on he would gain prestige, and with prestige cam power. He would be able to become the Mistress’ protégé, her star student. Researching and bringing back artifacts of untold powers, and he knew that if he failed, death would spell his future in its cold, red, gruesome blood- his blood.
His glassed eyes floated over cover after cover; covering the many titles under the name of ‘Darth’ this or that, one was Darth Bane. He had already read most of the infamous Dark Lord’s exploits, his many faux pas and how Malcolm would have corrected them and made the Sith Empire his own, he would never have even destroyed Kaan and his minions, he would have bent their will with the mental powers that the Sith Lord controlled, he would have fractured their wills with his blazing stare, his vile smile, and his dark voice. He would have obliterated them without even lifting a finger in the name of violence. He could have, and he knew that if he had the chance he would. He would have killed them all mentally and had them serve him. His hands filtered the names out without even looking at them, he could just feel the impressions on the sides, feel the groves of the metal. He could feel what book it was. Then he struck it, the book by the title of Darth Revan. The Sith Lord who once was a Jedi Knight of great prestige had visited Dantooine for a different reason than what Malcolm was going for, he had gone to learn the secrets of the Star Forge, the secrets that would eventually make him one of the greatest superpowers the galaxy had ever seen, ever.
“Yes- this shall do.” He said as he lifted the book out of the shelves that it was inside, his fingers tracing the outside cover of the datapad in which all of the things he needed lay inside. His body began to coarse with the power of the Dark Side that surged inside the pad, he could feel Darth Revan’s essence trapped inside of it, tortured for his information, the Sith had made the datapad about Revan, with Revan in mind when they did it, hence his essence being inside the datapad. His eyes, covered by the glasses started to read about the Sith Lord.
As the time went on, the Apprentice’s hands went towards the datapad again as he placed it back up on the shelf. He had leaned something new this day, he had learned about Malachor V, the gravesite of the Mandalorian Wars, the ending of the brutal feud between the Republic and the Mandalorian Crusaders who thought it was only holy to destroy the Republic and take them for all they had, strip them of their dignity, cast them into a shall grave filled with slavery, make them the exiles, treat them without respect, destroy their egos. Malcolm knew the vicious nature of the Mandalorians and how their weakness was power. How they craved it almost as much as the Sith, and they almost craved the taste of their enemies blood as they dined atop their bodies.
/Returning to the wars, but keeping his new teachings hidden, Revan forced a final confrontation with the Mandalorians over Malachor V. His plan was to unleash the recently constructed Mass Shadow Generator on the planet, wiping out the majority of the Mandalorian fleet, as well as those Republic forces and Jedi who were not fervently loyal to him. Trusting the device's activation to a capable Jedi General who would later become known as the Jedi Exile, Revan battled and killed Mandalore the Ultimate himself.
The battle resulted with catastrophic losses on both sides, yet in the end, many Jedi were twisted to the dark side and the once proud Mandalorian clans were crippled, just as Revan had intended. After the battle, Revan denied the vanquished their leader's ancestral mask and with it, their ability to choose a true successor. Ordering his forces to strip them of their weapons and armor and to dismantle their Basilisk war droids, Revan condemned the Mandalorians to perpetual exile, where many became bounty hunters, bodyguards, and mercenaries.
Such a total victory over their adversaries, despite the Republic casualties, saw Revan hailed as a savior. Yet unbeknownst to those praising him, the Sith teachings were already sweeping through the ranks of those who had followed him to war…
Instead of returning to the Republic, Revan and Malak took the remainder of their fleet and disappeared from the known galaxy. They claimed to be searching for the remnants of the Mandalorian fleet; those who had fled the final, devastating battle. In reality, they were searching for the Star Forge. Keeping their fleet hidden beyond known space, Revan and Malak themselves wandered the galaxy, tracking down the Star Maps that would reveal the hidden location of the Star
Rang the Apprentice as he started towards his room, he could not wait for the expedition. Even in the midst of day he was studying, preparing for the task ahead. And even during the day he was ready to leave, to go and become an archeologist. The footfalls of the Sith were echoed through the vacant library, the sound reverberated through the shelves, causing the noise to amplify and come back to Verlot at a magnified level. His steps sounded like steps of power as they came back to the Darksider, he was like a young boy pretending to be something he was not, something that could do anything, some thing of power.
“Rorak, tell the Mistress that I shall be on Dantooine.” Said Malcolm as he passed the small counter in the library. The man looked up, his eyes catching the last bit of Malcolm as he rang back,
“You aren’t going to Malachor V with the others?” He asked his tone soft and delicate as he dared not test the anger of Malcolm. He had heard the gruesome story of Falcor and what had happened to him when he defied Malcolm. The Apprentice turned around, his head peeking back in. Was it the Force that had made him read the book on Revan, or was it just a coincidence? No- there were no coincidences, just the Force.
“What, Rorak?” He asked as he waited for a reply, the books still in his hands as the backpack that was strewn across his shoulder sagged down to his side. And as he waited he placed the datapads inside his backpack and awaited the anwer.
“Yes, some of the students are going to Malachor V for some odd reason.” He said back as his hand rose and he read the numbers on the datapads, entering them into the terminal that was infront of him, a precaution so he could know that Malcolm took the books.
“I shall go see this then.” He said as he started off.
His feet echoed through the halls as he made his way to the room that was told to him by Rorak. He was given some supplies by the man, including food and drink. He knew what Malachor was, and so did Malcolm.
“Is this the room to meet for the people who want to go to Malachor?” Asked Malcolm as he popped his head into the room. He waited for a response with patience. Edited by: Malcolm Verlot at: 8/18/07 12:41 am
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
" Darien." he replied to Shakti , sligthly nodding.
The room seemed to fill up by the moment. He heimself was now wondering when would they leave. Hopefully before this expedition became crowded.
Unlike the others, the only reason he came along was curiosity. He was not very fond of archeology, now was he in need of old artifacts. He just wanted to scout the old and destroyed planet and to feed his own questions about certain aspects of the Force.
" Yeah. You've reached the right place." he answered the new figure who was standing in the doorway. " You can enter if you like. " he added, not beeing able to keep his sarcasm in line
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]"I am Meric, Darien. But you may call me Darth Locura if you so wish to do so."
The fact that someone else had been in the room did surprise him a little bit, but he wasn't too shocked. At least the man had come out to speak instead of simply going on a rampage and trying to kill him or some such. He'd seen that happen a few times. Grizzly sights every time. Regardless, he was willing to offer his name to any and all who wanted to hear it.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Aurelia stepped into the chamber just after Malcolm cleared the threshold. Her eyebrows were arched in pleased surprise at seeing the numbers; a good few Sith had decided an expedition to Malachor V was worthwhile. It amused her that she'd been away for so long that none of these people were the least familiar to her.
Good; not everyone is a Sith meathead then here, she thought to herself.
Skirting around those gathered near the door, Aurelia moved toward the front of the room and cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.
"Right. Well. I'm Darth Colčre, a Sith Master of long standing within the Council. I was trained at Korriban and Ziost, under Darth Molior and Darth Saevitia," she said, establishing her identity and background. "I've long had an interest in Sith history and archaeology, which is why I decided that a trip to Malachor V would be so interesting. Revan left behind an incredible legacy, and its doubtless we'll find physical history left behind on that ruined world if we search intelligently.
"I'm unfamiliar with all of you, so I'd greatly appreciate if you'd take the time to introduce yourself and explain your skills and interest in our expedition en route. I'd also expect that you've known what to pack, how to prepare. Malachor V, according to records, is uninhabited by sentient species but there's enough damage done there to make it a physically arduous expedition." She paused a beat. "Do you have any questions?"
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
After Aurelia finished speaking, Skelosh walked through the door. He had caught the tail end of her speech. His albino skin made him look ghost like in the low level lighting. The Sith master known as Darth Anhaga had been on many missions and survived them all. In fact he'd been on many missions with Darth Colere. That was a lifetime ago. Yet they always seemed to end up in each other's lives, despite their dogma like stance of wanting nothing to do with each other.
Skelosh surveyed the group, they all looked capable even if a bit young. But hadn't he been young when he searched the galaxy for artifacts that had belonged to Sidious? They would survive. The albino master looked Aurelia in the eyes. He had a smirk on his face.
"Just one question. How were you planing on fitting all these kids in that A Wing of yours? As I recall, it's not very roomy."
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]I'd NOT expected on seeing HIM here, Aurelia thought abruptly. Fiora, yes... that's expected. Skelosh... definitely not expected...
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared across the room at Skelosh Delaroche. Her jaw snapped shut audibly as Aurelia tried to force her mind to respond appropriately.
"There are shuttles available, I believe," she said with as much civility as she coudl muster. Aurelia's lip twitched at Skel's joke about her A-Wing fighter, just like her father had had. "Are you offering other means of travel, my Lord?"
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Lord? the title crashed through Skelosh's mind. Skelosh hated formality, especially with people that he knew so well. The master approached the group taking a mental head count. They'd be cramped for sleeping space but all of they could fit on the Enemy. Of course that's exactly what our knew Skelosh was saying to begin with.
"The Light's Enemy is ready to go. I made sure she was prepped when I heard you were back. Mistress, you don't have a tendency for staying put long." Skelosh turned to the rest of the assembled. "It's the YT-2000. Load up your gear. I don't want to hang around here when we could be in hyperspace."
Turning on his heel, the albino walked toward his pride and joy. He had owned the ship since his Exodus from Kashyyyk all those years ago. It had taken him to the Hapes cluster, Myrkr more than once, and Tattooine more times than he cared to remember. Skelosh had truly traveled the galaxy in it. Now he would be going to Malachor V.
Skelosh was dressed in his black pants and tunic that he sported around the temple. His lightsaber hilt gleamed in the low light. His shoulder length milk white hair had been pulled back in a pony tail with a piece of scarlet ribbon. All his survival gear was on the ship, he didn't like to haul it out in front of everyone.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]“Declan Frost at your service Mistress or Darth Erus which ever you prefer. I hope my talents will be or service here. I am primarily a thief, which means I look where others don’t and see what I’m not supposed to. I am skilled in stealth, which as a thief comes in handy. However I have discovered a passion for archeology and have become rather skilled in dealing with ancient Sith artifacts.” Giving his usual cocky grin Declan leaned back to allow the others to introduce themselves.
Normally Declan didn’t like to brag about his skills, but in this group he had found it rather enjoyable. There were things to be learned from his fellow Sith in this room, and power to be discovered, both of which made Declan’s blood run hot.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
The words about waiting until they were en route to introduce themselves had not been lost upon Meric. He understood what she was trying to say and so had kept quiet. When the other Master, Skelosh Delaroche if Meric remembered right, appeared, Aurelia had gotten a little bit flustered and he had noticed it. Still, he remained silent and waiting until said Sith Master mentioned his ship before walking towards it. He offered a glance at Aurelia, but then moved after Skelosh.
Once he was inside, he dumped his pack in a storage bin and then found himself a comfortable place to sit. If Darth Colere wanted to know who he was, he'd allow her to ask him who he was. Otherwise, he was going to remain silent and out of the way lest one of the two Master's get the notion to deal with him in a rather harsh way. He didn't have a death wish, after all. He just wanted to go on this little expedition.
Sith Knight Dark Prodigy Arrogant Brat
Posts: 1033
(8/20/07 10:38 am) Reply
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]OOC: There's been a bit of a switch-up with my characters; sorry for whatever inconvenience this might cause!
As the party was preparing to depart, Ethan Wayne rushed through the corridors of the Sith Temple at high speed, Force Pushing anyone who didn't sense him and move out of his way. Catching his sister as he skidded to a stop, Ethan reached out for her upper arm and spun her nearly in a circle with the force of his movement.
"What the frak, Ethan?!"
Catching his breath, he shook his head. "Sis, you can't go. Look."
Ethan held up his datapad with an urgent message for her eyes only. He kept his gaze trained on Aurelia, waiting. She paled, nodded and then her posture stiffened as she locked herself down tightly in the Force.
"Thank you," she said in a whisper.
He simply nodded. Aurelia handed him her satchel full of gear, which he accepted, and without a word to another soul in the expedition, she departed. Ethan waited a beat before slinging the pack over his shoulder and looking at the others. The Dark Empath didn't even try to read Skelosh's thoughts; he knew the history there and wasn't even going to go in that direction. The others... he didn't know them at all, which was no surprise.
"So... where are we going anyway?" Ethan asked with a cheeky grin.
Easily amused and determined
to understand it all.
Posts: 58
(8/23/07 11:46 am) Reply
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Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Shakti watched Aurelia disappear with a frown. That was... bizarre and sudden. She didn't know this guy, but he seemed to be a member of her master's family so it probably wasn't necessary to be excessively rude to him. Perhaps most importantly, he might know what was going on and what changes were being made.
"We were headed to Malachor V with Darth Colčre," she began. Something was plainly wrong. Sith Masters didn't just get panicky and run away. The fact that anything was evidently amiss at all meant that there was likely a great deal more going on than they were likely to be told until someone insisted. "As for where we're going now... I guess that'd depend on whoever's leading the expedition and whether they're changing the plans. Would that be you?"
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Skelosh walked back out of the Enemy as Ethan was talking to Aurelia. The albino barely took note as Ethan asked where they were going. The master wondered what business would carry Aur off so quickly. When the female apprentice spoke, Skelosh snapped back to the scene at hand.
"Yes, your sister wanted to retrace Revan's steps, starting on Malachor. I think everyone was just about to load their gear on the Enemy. You have a spot it you'd like one, of course."
Never had Skelosh anything against Ethan, the child prodigy. Though the boy was no longer a child. It seemed not too long ago when he had been a toddler. Had Skelosh really aged that much? The years seemed as vapor. Leaving his musings behind, Skelosh led the group to his YT-2000. His pride and joy.
While the others were stowing their belongings, and getting their bearings. Skelosh started his preflight checks, and even had the Navicomp start running route possibilities. He didn't want to waste any time on their expedition.
Sith Knight Dark Prodigy Arrogant Brat
Posts: 1048
(8/25/07 10:08 pm) Reply
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Ethan rubbed the patch of skin just above the bridge of his nose with two fingers as his dark blue eyes watched Shakti, and then Skelosh. Seems this lot has no sense of humor... just great... what've I gotten myself into now? It had been a joke and nothing more than that as he'd asked where they were headed.
Sighing inwardly, he muttered "Right," to the both of them and set off toward Light's Enemy.
It had been a long time since any of the Wayne's had heard or seen Skelosh Delaroche. And thinking of the timing involved, Ethan had to wonder about his emergence just as Aurelia thought she would return. Ethan lifted an eyebrow as he thought that through, thinking about what he knew that the Sith around here did not.
Doesn't matter though, seeing how she was... heh... saved by the nerf herd, as it were...
"Need a hand with anything?" Ethan asked as he entered the cockpit.
Easily amused and determined
to understand it all.
Posts: 64
(8/28/07 4:34 pm) Reply
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Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Shakti didn't have much to load on the ship aside from her backpack with a few changes of clothes, a couple of small hand tools, and her datapad for notes. The fact that she even owned more than that at all was unusual, and a very recent development for which Shakti could thank the Waynes.
With her bag stashed down on the floor under her seat, Shakti pulled one foot up and rested her chin on her knee as she watched the others. One Wayne had been replaced by another, but he'd disappeared after their captain and with him the likeliest chance for some decent conversation.
There was Declan Frost, though she couldn't exactly appraise him too confidently. Her only concern was having a thief on an archaeological expedition. Looting was always something of a concern, but hopefully he'd have enough sense to ensure that things could be properly catalogued and recorded before he got his sticky fingers on them. Maybe Shakti would have a more charitable opinion of him once she got to know him.
Darien had introduced himself, as had Meric, but there was one for whom Shakti had no name. He was a pale and bookish sort that Shakti immediately found rather interesting. Ah, thank the Maker for literate Sith... she thought.
Everyone seemed to be keeping to themselves for now, and Shakti wasn't quite sure how to break the ice. If this had been a crowded bar on the surface of some civilized world, they'd be drunk and sharing their pasts in no time. This was a little more strained. What, does someone need to grab a guitar and start singing campfire songs?
With a reluctant sigh, Shakti leaned back to address the others. "Any of you speak or read Mando'a?"
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
With little interest in the others of this expedition Declan boarded the ship. While he didn’t know much about the other Sith on this expedition, some of them reminded him to much of the boring rich snobs that he desperately wanted to get away from on Coruscant. He was glad that most of them thought of him as a thief instead of the son of a rich industrialist, he only acted as a thief for the thrill and the power of the items that he stole. This expedition did open the opportunity for him to gain even more power, but his new found interest in archeology told him that the real power would come if the items they found were returned to the Sith. Anything of real value could be acquired later anyway.
“I can read some” said Declan to Shakti question. “I acquired a tome on Coruscant from a rather dumb collector, it was written in ancient Mando’a and was supposed to lead to even more treasure, so I took it upon myself to learn to read the language. Speaking it is more difficult, but I doubt where we are going I’ll have to worry about that.”
Easily amused and determined
to understand it all.
Posts: 65
(8/29/07 2:47 pm) Reply
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Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Shakti nodded. "I tend to pick up languages more quickly when I can hear them, so unfortunately... aside from what I've got stored on my datapad we might have to rely on you for the text until I can mesh what's in my head with what they write." Fortunately for Shakti, most Mando'ade were so proud of their culture that they only spoke about half Basic anyway, the rest being smatterings of their ancestral tongue. It had helped her pick up a few words, but nothing useful. There were sadly no Survival Mando'a for Outsiders manuals, though Shakti would certainly have appreciated them.
"But you're right. Malachor has been mostly uninhabited for a good long time. Lot of thoroughly terrible things happened there, but I'll be interested to find out whether it's uninhabited because it's somehow defiled--which may have been the case before the wars-- or uninhabited because it's now somehow too holy for everyday residence. Mandalorians aren't big on sharing their deepest cultural sensitivities with outsiders. They generally seem more inclined on turning them in for bounties. So! We'll see what we find. Anything in particular you're looking to learn?"Edited by: Darth Shakti at: 8/29/07 2:48 pm
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Skelosh gestured to the chair located behind his. "I could always use a good copilot." Now that everyone was aboard Skelosh reached his bone white and pulled back on the lever sending them into space. As soon as they broke free of the gravity well, Skelosh would send them into hyperspace and on their way to Malachor V.
Both of them seemed to be ignoring the Bantha in the ship that was Skelosh and the Waynes' rather rocky relationship over the years. But Skelosh was content not talking about what kept him away in recent months.
"Ethan, how have you been? It seems like I haven't seen you in a while."
"You haven't," Ethan said wryly. "My life's been complicated. I lost the Force for a long time after the takeover of Coruscant; I was nearly killed there. I spent time comatose and then convalescing back home...
"After that, I just stayed there to lead a normal life. I intend to go back to that too. This isn't... it isn't me anymore."
Ethan shrugged.
"How have you been?"
+++++++
Malachor V
"If they weren't my children, I'd have their heads, frak it!"
Darth Thanatos, the Unorothodox Sith, stood on a rocky crag of land where he'd landed his A-Wing fighter, pacing around the nose of his ship. The Sith Master had had to race out to Malachor ahead of the Sith expedition that his daughter had arranged and then bailed on because, in the hyjinx, she and Ethan both had forgotten a folio of very important paperwork that was all but requird for a place like this.
He sighed noisily and stared up at the sky, waiting for Light's Enemy to appear. Maize had set a beacon on a Sith frequency to announce himself to Skel's ship upon arrival.
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]“Yes there is much about that time in history I want to learn. So many Sith Force techniques were lost when we were cut off from the facilities there. I have heard rumors about techniques to achieve immortality, and only the Force knows about what other prizes lay beneath the surface. The knowledge that we can gain is more than enough reason to go.” Declan could feel himself really getting into this mission. The driving force of his life had shifted from thrill seeking to the pursuit of power and this opened many door.
“Think about what we could accomplish with the power of the ancient Sith at our finger tips. The galaxy itself would be forced to bow to the power of the Sith.” Taking his seat Declan checked his small bag. He wasn’t used to being around so many people and this ship lacked many of the comforts that he normally would have while travelling in space. The discomfort was worth the potential outcome though. “So tell me what are you looking for?”
Easily amused and determined
to understand it all.
Posts: 74
(9/3/07 4:44 pm) Reply
| Edit
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]"Mainly why the Mandalorians haven't done anything with this place, particularly considering they don't exactly have a lot of planetary strongholds. Seems like they'd need a very good reason to rule this planet out. Aside from that specific thing... today I'm really just looking to learn a little more about Mandalorians. More than you can find in books, anyway." Shakti wanted what she wanted, and when that changed her priorities would, too. For now this was good enough.
This guy didn't seem interested in such short-term gratification, though. Shakti tentatively grouped him in with the Sith who wanted Things on a grander scale. Power, knowledge, even immortality... he'd mentioned them all so casually. Shakti'd never had quite so easy a time deciding what she wanted. She had no burning desire to do anything in particular except defend her right to choose just what she would pursue and what she wouldn't. There was lust for power, lust for brutality or vengeance or lust itself, but Shakti didn't have any of these things. At least, she wouldn't have said so. It was not remarkable to her that she liked to learn new things; that was simply how all right-minded folk behaved.
No, Shakti didn't desire anything except the right to decide what she wanted when it came along. "So just general stuff," she continued. "Very few sites like this have been found untouched by looters, people who come along and steal whatever seems cool without even bothering to take note of where they found it and what it might have been used for." She shook her head. "So hopefully I can at least get some decent records before a lot of people like us come along and stir everything up."
TGU Adept
Te Ori Mando'ad
Brutality made flesh
Posts: 216
(9/4/07 10:03 pm) Reply
Re: Holy Nerd Expedition! [open]
Malachor V
Morning on this Mawforsaken world was anything -but- serene. Scarred, cracked earth stretched out as far as one's eye could see and beyond. Dark, overcast skies refused to allow any significant amount of sunlight through it's thick blanket. And that wasn't the only thing about the world that was less than comforting.
The world, itself, represented death and destruction the likes of which the galaxy has, thankfully, not seen in millenia. Everywhere one went on this world, the very -moment- they set foot upon it, they walked alongside murder. For generations, the warrior peoples of the Mando'ade have seen this world as a vast graveyard. A place where they met the greatest foe they could have hoped for and where nearly wiped out, completely.
It was on this world, the final battlefield of the Mandolorian wars and the site of one of the galaxy's greatest atrocities ever committed, that the sounds of seven heavy footfalls could be heard, trotting in unison. Three of their number sung in a dialect that had not been heard on this world for centuries.
"Kandosiiiiii~ Sa kyr'am aaaaast~..." "Kandosiiiiii~ Sa kyr'am aaaaast~..." "Kandosiiiiii~ Sa kyr'am aaaaast~..."
Through the ancient remains of a deep river, Mando'ade jogged with military precision unmatched by their contemporaries, each adorned in full suits of baskar'gam crafted with the some of the same techniques their ancestors have used for thousands of years. Every boot fell in complete synchronous harmony with the foreboding dirge, itself being carried through the thick air by the deep, rich voices that shattered the silence of this barren world with their sonority.
The thick, rumbling D'xun accent of the Manda'lore was especially prominent when he sung. His low, dulcet aria was, on it's own, of noteworthy quality. But, when he lent his voice to his fellows, the hymn seemed to take on the quasi-magical ability to inspire, motivate and empower the group of them. In truth, Savin thought it may have to do with this place more than anything else. At least, he knew -he- felt different here, on this world who's very -soil- was saturated with the slaughter of thousands.
To those who where so inclined to notice such things, this world may almost rival Korriban in it's saturation with the dark side simply from the sheer magnitude of horror it has seen. It was odd to the Mandalore how at ease he felt here. It was not unlike his homeworld of D'xun to him in a way.
"Duuuraaaan~ vi aaat ara'nooov, Voooode aaaan~ ka'rta tooor~" "Duuuraaaan~ vi aaat ara'nooov, Voooode aaaan~ ka'rta tooor~" "Duuuraaaan~ vi aaat ara'nooov, Voooode aaaan~ ka'rta tooor~"
Seven warriors, youth and elder, green and veteran, jogged as -one- unit on their way back to the small camp they made for then night. In staying true to their nomadic roots, they group of Mando'ade where going to break camp and hike for another ten miles before making another attempt to find their elusive quarry.
As he led the group of armored warriors back to the camp, he couldn't help be feel a slight swell of pride in what was being accomplished.
A few weeks ago, most Mando'ade barely saw one another for months, if not -years- at a time. Now, he has heard tell of entire -clans- being reformed after clan reunions had been called. He had even heard tell of -new- clans being formed and coming forward to him to be recognized.
It was happening. It was -really- happening. The Mando'ade where growing strong again. They where coming together as a people. As a culture. And this pilgrimage was a perfect example.
Little did the D'xun-born Mandalore know that he was soon to be receiving guests of a most unexpected form on this world that had become sacred to the Mando'ade's strong sense of history...
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