The journey back to Ruul takes two standard days. Sora, who has been moved onto the medbay bed, regains consciousness a couple of hours prior to their arrival in the system.

"Where am I?" the weequay asks groggily as he glances about the medbay in which he lies, then, as he recollects his thoughts, "Sella! The duros? What happened?"

Bane, who stands over him, holding the depleted medpac responsible for the weequay’s return to consciousness, glances down at him.

"Awake are you? Well, third time lucky I guess."

He turns to the trash compactor behind him and tosses the medpac onto a similarly depleted pile which numbers suspiciously more than two. Then he turns back to Sora.

"As for what happened, Zirak saved your life. That's what happened. You can thank him when you see him."

"He did, did he?" Sora raises a skeptical eyebrow, "And I suppose he did it simply because he values me as a friend?"

If Bane harbours any suspicions that there may actually be truth to these words, he respects Zirak enough not to admit it.

"You know Zirak..." he replies evasively.

"And Sella?" Sora presses.

"You saw that ship leave with her," Bane shrugs, "She could be almost anywhere in the galaxy by now. To find her we'll need resources, and the best way to get those is through gaining access to your estate. We'll be at Ruul in a couple of hours."

Sora raises a sardonic eyebrow.

"And that's the only reason you want access to my fortune, I'm sure."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

"If you have a better idea I'm all ears," Bane replies coolly as he turns to make his way back to the cockpit

Sora, it seems, does not. He contents himself with sending Bane a dirty glance before sitting up and staggering out of the bed. He turns down the corridor to the crew quarters where Zirak usually meditates, and is surprised to hear the Zirak conversing with Ak-Yev as he approaches.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

"... you see, the Will of Quay," Zirak's voice echoes outwards, clearly, at least to Sora, bluffing.

"And even though it feels to you like it is your strength being drained, what is actually happening is that as an Emissary of Quay, I am feeding on your faith, since I am maintaining the aspect of Quay inside me. So, don't resist the drain, just accept it, and in due time Quay will reward you, his faithful."

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Bluff.
Sora Bulq rolled 13 using 1d20+1. Sense Motive.

Ak-Yev does not seem to sense any of Zirak's duplicity.

"I understand, Emissary," comes the weequay's somber response, "I am honoured to be chosen by Quay to serve in this way."

OOC: Ak-Yev rolled 5 using 1d20. Sense Motive.

Sora reaches the door and enters, glancing between the pair.

"What are you doing?" he directs at Zirak, his tone more than a little suspicious.

Zirak stands at his approach. Sora notices that Zirak, despite a few more holes in his cloak and armor than he had last time Sora saw him, is looking pleased with himself, and the hungry glint in his eyes seems, for now at least, sated. The same cannot be said of Ak-Yev, who looks tired, ill, and very much like he has come up worst in a brawl with a gundark.

"I am experimenting with passive feeding," the Kalzerian says, "In order to prevent unfortunate incidents like you eating me or me eating Bane. It seems to be working. You should try it too. It’s not as if you ever kept your word and ate Sella like you were supposed to during any of your numerous losses of control, even when she was on the ship."

"Passive feeding?" Sora repeats blankly, "Aren't you just voluntarily draining his essence like you usually do to some unfortunate being?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

"I am, of course. The point is that instead of doing it in one clean thrust, I am now doing so passively. Slowly. And most importantly, to you at least I'm sure, non-lethally. Not quite the same fun as eating someone, but I will have plenty of chances to eat later... Assuming you master this eminently sensible idea of mine too, instead of feeding on me in random, uncontrolled outbursts of rage," Zirak sneers pointedly, "Because I'm beginning to think that for all your bluster, you actually like feeding on me and Bane, given how little effort you put into any alternatives to uncontrollable outbursts in our proximity on the ship."

Sora frowns doubtfully, but makes no effort to refute Zirak’s words. He shakes his head grimly, before sighing.

"Very well, how is this 'non-lethal feeding' achieved? And does Ak-Yev have the strength to survive with two beings feeding off him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

"Quay will grant me the strength to do his will," Ak-Yev replies stoically, "You would do well to heed the words of the Emissary."

"Exactly," Zirak agrees.

Sora shoots him a dirty glance, shaking his head as he moves forward to kneel beside Zirak. Closing his eyes, he begins to meditate. He winces as he attempts to grapple with the darkness within him. Almost it escapes, but he manages with difficulty to control it. Slowly, he forces himself to follow the dark tendrils emanating from Zirak, faint but constant, into Ak-Yev. He grits his teeth as he slowly sends his own invisible tendrils into the weequay mercenary. Ak-Yev's features, already darkened and bruised from Zirak’s draining, darken further. Hesitantly, Sora pushes deeper into Ak-Yev's life essence. He feels a sense of satisfaction and contentment that he cannot remember feeling since he first awoke on Utapau. For a moment the mercenary seems to sustain both of them draining off him, but then he begins to tremble violently and Sora senses his vital systems beginning to fail. Swiftly he withdraws his tendrils as the wave of hunger and exhaustion washes through him once more.

"He can't..." he pants, "He can't withstand both of us draining solely off him," he shakes his head, "We'll have to spread it across multiple beings."

Zirak shows a shred of concern when it looks like he may be losing his vitality volunteer, but as Sora withdraws his draining tendrils from Ak-Yev he relaxes again. He scowls when Sora mentions needing a second volunteer, ignoring Ak-Yev who rasps weakly to the side.

"Tell me this means that we are kidnapping a duros as soon as we land on the next planet, not that you intend to eat Bane," he sneers, "Because I am not intending to be one of your 'multiple beings,' Sora."

Sora frowns.

"I'm sure Sella would have volunteered, had she been here. Pity you and Bane abandoned her to slavers..."

"I..." Ak-Yev manages to push himself into a kneeling position once more, "I can do this, Emissary. I just... I just need to learn to give myself completely to Quay's will."

Sora sighs.

"I'll leave you to do the explaining, 'Emissary'."

With that he rises and makes his way, uneasily, to the adjoining cabin, flopping into one of the empty bunks.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

The next hour or two pass swiftly, and before long 'Malar's Fist' exits hyperspace in the Sriluur system. They are able to make out the green-grey orb that is Ruul floating before them in the distance against the backdrop of the larger planet which it orbits.

"I'll touch us down a short distance from the Estate," Bane informs the others as they approach, "From there we can travel on foot and avoid detection."

"There is a network of tunnels and passageways beneath the fortress," Ak-Yev informs them, "Not many know of their existence, as both your father and you preferred to keep them a secret," this comment is directed at Sora, "The only beings besides you and I who knew of their existence were some of your pagan Jedi allies."

"Very well," says Bane, "Just tell me where an entrance to this network is and I'll put the ship down as close to the entrance as I can."

"I don't know what kind of sensors my uncle has in place, but it is likely he will know of our ship’s return. We should enter the tunnels as swiftly as possible before we are intercepted."

"Done," Bane nods, "R5 can pilot the ship back into orbit as soon as we have disembarked."

"Beep-boopity-beep-boop-bleep-dwoop," R5 beeps excitedly from beside them.

Bane glances at him.

"I don't know if that is necessary. What if you are shot down?"

"If what is necessary?" Sora asks warily, glancing at the droid.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

Bane sighs.

"He wants to fly over the fortress after dropping us off, in order to distract them and trick them into thinking we are still aboard. But perhaps he has forgotten," here he turns to R5 sternly, "That this ship isn't outfitted with a turret of any kind. There is no way to attack the fortress."

"Bleep-boopity-beep," R5 argues.

"Well they will realise it soon enough," Bane retorts, "There are only so many times you can swoop over a fortress without doing anything before even weequay start to get a little suspicious."

"I have to agree with Bane," Zirak says to the droid firmly, "Besides, Sora needs to eat someone sooner rather than later, so we don't want the guards too distracted to come and attack us."

R5 gives a sullen beep and trundles snootily out of the cockpit.

"All right," says Bane as they approach the moon in front of them, "Let's do this."

Bane accelerates, and 'Malar's Fist' shudders as it passes through the atmosphere. Descending through a wave of clouds, Bane directs the ship swiftly down to the surface, approaching the fortress from the north so as to use the mountain range to obscure them from view.

"There," says Ak-Yev, pointing over Bane's shoulder at one of the mountain peaks, "There is a tunnel entrance at the foot of that mountain."

Bane nods, taking the ship down to land beside a copse on the slope of the mountain and lowering the boarding ramp.

Zirak, already waiting by the ramp, descends swiftly, glancing keenly around the forested slope about them.

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 12 using 1d20+2. Spot.

Bane appears at the boarding ramp shortly after, blaster rifle held ready, along with Sora and Ak-Yev.

"All right," he says to Ak-Yev as he also glances about, "Lead the way."

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Spot.

The boarding ramp retracts the moment the four of them alight, as R5 lifts the ship off once more and proceeds to take it back into the atmosphere.

"Now," Zirak instructs Ak-Yev as they climb the slope, "If you hear anyone coming, take cover and don't do anything stupid and noble. It would pain me to be forced to find a second source of dinn- of energy stabilisation on these voyages."

Ak-Yev, despite his questionable logic when it comes to matters that concern Quay, appears to be a competent mercenary and silently nods in acknowledgement to Zirak. He continues to cautiously pick his way up the lightly wooded slope of the mountain, blaster pistol held ready. He keeps a wary eye on the slopes far above them, signalling for the party to halt several times, ear cocked to one side. When he is satisfied that there is no danger he signals for them to set off once more.

OOC: Ak-Yev rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Spot.
Ak-Yev rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Listen.

At length, the party reach a rocky outcrop beneath a pair of towering trees.

"This is it," Ak-Yev directs, leading the way into the narrow cave, "There is a control panel disguised under that rock."

Moving over to the rock in question, the mercenary slides back the face of the rock, which turns out to be a hollow facade. Beneath it a narrow control panel is visible, formed of a durable, stone-like substance. Ak-Yev carefully enters a six digit code, each button making a dull beep. A moment of silence follows before the rocky wall at the rear of the cave gives a rumble and begins to lower into the ground.

"Nice," says Bane, moving forward to peer into the tunnel, "Now, we need to get to a control room of some sort," he continues with the air of someone well versed with infiltrating and taking control of fortresses, "That way we can gain control of any turrets, traps and cameras. And droidekas," he adds darkly.

Ak-Yev gives a curt nod and sets off into the tunnel.

The interior of the tunnel is formed of the same stone-like substance as the control panel. It is smooth and echoes faintly in the gloom. There do not appear to be any lighting mechanisms built in, and Ak-Yev is forced to withdraw a glow stick to light his way as the daylight from the entrance begins to fade. Behind him Sora ignites his green lightsaber, providing additional light. Bane seems quite comfortable with the darkness, simply adjusting one of the settings on his helmet as they continue down the tunnel. Zirak also seems to have no trouble seeing in the gloom.

The tunnel system is complex, with numerous side tunnels branching off to the the left and right as they make their way along. However Ak-Yev seems to be well versed in the layout of the system, confidently taking them left, right or straight at each intersection.

"How can you remember which way to go?" Bane asks, glancing dubiously down one of the side tunnels as they make their way deeper into the mountain, "And don't tell me Quay is guiding you."

Ak-Yev shoots him back an unimpressed look.

"I took my duty as Head of Security of this estate seriously," he replies sternly, "That included memorising all escape routes to and from this fortress."

"Where do all the tunnels we are not taking lead?" Zirak asks.

Ak-Yev glances at one of the passing tunnels.

"Most lead to various rooms about the fortress, Emissary. Some are dead ends, designed to confuse potential intruders. A couple lead to underground vaults. They are empty, of course. Used by your forefathers back when this system was guarded and patrolled."

"You're sure they're empty?" Bane asks with interest, pausing to peer down one of the tunnels.

Ak-Yev glances back at him, eyebrow raised.

"Do you ever think of anything but credits?" he asks, shaking his head.

"I'm sure you'd prefer it if I took more interest in children's novelty orbs," Bane mutters dryly as he sets off once more.

Ak-Yev either doesn't hear him or chooses to ignore him, though the bounty hunter receives an amused snort from Zirak.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:56, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

They continue to work their way through the tunnel system for perhaps twenty minutes, noting that the tunnel is slowly inclining upwards. At length they reach a narrow flight of stairs which rises a couple of meters to a trapdoor formed into the stonework.

"This door leads into the control room," Ak-Yev murmurs, his voice low, "It opens into the rear of the room, but we will be in full view once the door is opened. I do not know what security force is currently stationed in the room, but we shall have to move quickly once inside."

Sora nods, shifting his grip on the lightsaber still ignited before him.

"Zirak, you and I will enter first and secure the room. Bane, you will follow and slice into the system and seal off the control room as swiftly as possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

"Done," Zirak says, drawing his own lightsaber as he advances, "This time do try and remember to eat someone before you kill them, Sora."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:00, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

Sora ignores this comment. He advances, swiftly climbing the flight of stairs, and heaves open the stone trapdoor.

The control room is long, and shaped in the form of a crescent. The walls are formed of the same dark, dressed stone as the rest of the fortress, and the roof towers high above. Glow rods held in sconces line the walls at two meter intervals, providing a dim light to the darkened room. Three control desks are spaced equally along the room, behind the centre most of which the trapdoor is situated. On the opposite side of this desk is the main entrance to the room, a towering arch rising almost to the roof.

Behind each desk two weequay are seated. They wear matching uniforms of garish purple, blue and red, and each has a blaster pistol holstered at their hip. Flanking the entrance are a pair of Bulq Clan guards, dressed in their ceremonial armor and armed with blaster rifles and vibroblades. All eight weequay heads turn in unison as Sora emerges from the trapdoor, lightsaber held before him.

"It is I, Sora Bulq!" cries Sora in Sriluurian, "Do you serve me or my uncle?"

The technicians and glance at one another, momentarily taken aback by this sudden appearance. Then, in answer to his question, they reach for their blasters and open fire.

OOC: Sora Bulq rolled 22 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Bane Malar rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
Ak-Yev rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Zirak Derasir rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Clan Bulq Technicians rolled 9 using 1d20. Initiative.
Clan Bulq Elite Guards rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

Sora seems to have learned his lesson about charging blindly into a sea of blaster bolts. Instead, he advances slowly, his lightsaber held defensively before him.

Ignoring Sora's plan for him to wait until Zirak and he have cleared the control room of adversaries, the Bane cautiously ducks his head up from the cover of the trapdoor, taking aim at one of the technicians who is in the process of flicking a switch on the console. The blast strikes the weequay in the back and he collapses forward onto the control panel with a grunt.

OOC: Bane Malar dealt 17 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Technician.

Zirak, who evidently hasn't learned his lesson about charging into seas of blaster bolts, brushes past Sora toward the nearest technician. He curses as his foot snags on a cable running across the floor and he crashes forward into the back of the technician's chair before him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

The rightmost of the guards by the door takes advantage of Zirak’s momentary stumble to fire a well placed blast which strikes him in his right shoulder in the shattered hole left by the blaster cannon on Nar Shaddaa.

OOC: Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 9 points of wound damage to Zirak Derasir.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

From behind Zirak Ak-Yev gives a growl, sending several blasts in the direction of the offending guard and forcing the pair to dart for cover on the far side of the desk.

OOC: Ak-Yev dealt 12 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

Sora seems to be having his own troubles as several of the technicians focus their fire on him. He parries the first of the blasts, sending it crashing into the far wall, but the second blast misses his lightsaber and whizzes past his ear. The third strikes him squarely in the left thigh, sending him staggering sideways with a growl of pain.

OOC: Clan Bulq Technician dealt 10 points of vitality damage to Sora Bulq.
Clan Bulq Technician dealt 10 points of wound damage to Sora Bulq.

With great determination Sora grits his teeth and keeps his lightsaber held before him, slashing at final blast fired by one of the guards crouching behind the desk and sending it crashing into one of the technicians who gives a garbled cry and crashes sideways onto his chair and then to the ground.

OOC: Sora Bulq dealt 15 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Technician.

"You know, for a Sith Lord and the most feared of the Jedi Crusaders, you two are depressingly poor duelists," Bane complains as he squeezes off two more blasts, each one finding its mark as two more of the technicians are sent crashing to the floor.

OOC: Bane Malar dealt 15 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Technician.
Bane Malar dealt 16 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Technician.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

"Not helping," Sora shoots back through gritted teeth as he narrowly parries two more blasts.

"Oh, I'm sorry," says Bane dryly, "I wasn't aware that I could make the situation any worse."

Zirak doesn't have the freedom to send Bane a dirty look, though Bane senses he would like to. Instead he stretches out his left hand, as dark tendrils of energy arc out and plunge themselves into the chests of three of the remaining technicians. As one they give garbled cries and collapses lifelessly to the stone floor. The wound beneath his damaged armor appears to heal, though as it does so Zirak seems to go slightly opaque. This only lasts a moment, and as the dark tendrils dissipate his healed flesh returns to normal once more.

OOC: Zirak Derasir used Drain Life on Clan Bulq Technicians.
Zirak Derasir healed 9 points of wound damage.

The remaining technician glances at his dead companions in horror. He spares a glance at the comm unit in the desk behind him, but then drops his blaster and sprints for the door.

"Leave him-" Sora shouts, a moment too late as a blast from Bane strikes the weequay squarely in the back. He glares at the bounty hunter before turning his attention back to the remaining pair of guards crouched behind the desk.

OOC: Bane Malar dealt 13 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Technician.

One of the guards darts up to fire at Sora, who ducks one blast and parries the other back at the guard, forcing him to duck back down as the blast whizzes back centimetres over his head.

OOC: Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 10 points of vitality damage to Sora Bulq.
Sora Bulq dealt 11 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

The second guard is forced to dart backwards as Zirak rounds the desk, slashing at his neck and chest. The guard is able to avoid being decapitated, but is left sprawled on his back as Zirak continues to advance.

OOC: Zirak Derasir dealt 27 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

The other guard is also forced back as Sora rounds the other side of the desk, blasting at the Jedi as he retreats. He curses as blasts from Bane and Ak-Yev whiz past his ear and shoulder, hunching lower as he backs toward the door.

OOC: Sora Bulq dealt 19 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Bane Malar dealt 13 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Ak-Yev dealt 9 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

The guard on the ground fires twice at Zirak, who easily bats the blasts aside before impaling him before he can rise.

OOC: Zirak Derasir dealt 3 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Zirak Derasir dealt 19 points of damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

The remaining guard fires at Sora, but the weequay deflects the blast back into his stomach, sending him slumping backwards with a garbled gasp.

OOC: Sora Bulq dealt 4 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Sora Bulq dealt 7 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

"Leave him," Sora instructs Zirak sharply, gesturing to the injured guard who groans weakly, clutching his injured stomach. With a wave Sora sends the guard's weapon clattering out of reach.

"Bane, get these doors closed and sealed," he adds to the bounty hunter as he peers warily up the empty corridor outside.

OOC: Sora Bulq used Move Object on blaster rifle.

"Yes," says Zirak, reluctantly refraining from decapitating the injured guard, "Preferably before any of those rolling droid things arrive."

With some effort Bane pulls one of the dead technicians from the central control desk, before seating himself and beginning to type away.

"You didn’t skimp on your security system," Bane compliments Sora as he examines the screen before him, "Coreguard by the looks of it. Now this is when R5 might actually be useful."

"Can you slice it?" Sora asks, frowning as he continues to glance warily into the corridor outside. It remains empty for now, but the sound of hurried footsteps and clanking metal can already be heard echoing from around the corner.

"I can," Bane replies proudly, "Luckily for you I always carry one of these."

He withdraws a cylindrical datachip from his pocket, holding up for Sora to see. At the weequay's blank look he sighs, plugging it into an outlet in the desk before him.

"It's a Bonkik Disruptor," he explains, "Can get you into almost any system, though it corrupts itself in the process. They're not cheap, but I think the situation warrants it."

"Yes, yes, they're very special," Sora says quickly, glancing at the corridor once more, "Any progress with that door?"

Even as he speaks, a pair of droidekas come rolling around the far end of the corridor and come racing toward them. Sora has just ignited his lightsaber once more when the door gives a hiss and closes with a dull thud.

"You see? Plenty of time," says Bane lightly as he continues to type at the desk, "Now let's see if we can't locate your uncle..."

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 35 using 1d20+17. Computer Use (Bonkik Disruptor).

Zirak, meanwhile, busies himself with searching the technicians' bodies for credits or anything else of value. He seems to find little of value, and with an unimpressed snort he rises once more.

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Search.

Even as Zirak searches the bodies, he hears the telltale gasping and spluttering of Sora battling with the darkness within him.

"No... I... can't..." the Jedi manages as he staggers forward and his injured leg gives way, sending him crashing to the floor in spasms.

"Perfect timing, as always..." Bane groans as the darkness begins to gather around the Sora's palpitating form. He surreptitiously rises from his chair and moves safely a few paces behind Ak-Yev.

Zirak acts swiftly. Using the Force he swings the injured weequay guard into the air, sending him crashing down upon Sora. This action has the desired effect. Or at least the effect desired by Zirak. Dark tendrils swiftly entwine about the guard, who gives a growl of surprise and terror as his skin quickly blackens and the life drains from his eyes. After a moment the darkness fades and his lifeless form slumps unceremoniously onto the floor beside Sora, who returns to himself, the flesh on his leg considerably healed. He continues to lie where he is, panting for a moment.

OOC: Zirak Derasir used Move Object on Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Sora Bulq used Drain Life on Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Sora Bulq healed 10 points of wound damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

"Quick thinking Zirak," Bane compliments the Sith as he cautiously peers out from behind Ak-Yev and makes his way back to the computer once more.

"Thank you," Zirak preens smugly, as the blackened body of the weequay collapses to the floor.

"Have I succeeded in making my point yet, Sora? Or do you intend to keep making me force-feed you indefinitely before you will take some initiative in managing your condition?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

Sora picks himself up, glancing grimly at the deceased guard.

"I do need to find a source to passively feed off," he agrees, "I must try to stop these outbursts by any means necessary."

He frowns at the guard for a moment longer, before turning to Bane.

"Have you located my uncle?"

"Not yet," Bane replies, "But there is something else you may be interested in..."

He leans sideways to give the others a clear view of the screen. Numerous security footage recordings are displayed, but it is to the detention centre that Bane is pointing. In the centre of the unfurnished stone room is a containment field inside which a zabrak dressed in Jedi robes floats, eyes closed.

"A Jedi," Bane vocalises, "One of your crusaders, most likely."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

"The zabrak from the vision," Sora says quickly, glancing at Zirak.

"He seems remarkably incompetent if he got caught by weequay thugs," says Zirak unflatteringly, eyeing the zabrak appraisingly, "He was your minion before, wasn't he? I wonder if he would volunteer for cattle duty..."

Sora ignores Zirak, staring ponderously at the security footage.

"He must know something about this cube. We need to rescue him. Bane, how are you going with gaining control of the facility?"

"Oh, this is good," says Bane, half to himself as he continues to type, "These droidekas are older models. All centrally controlled."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:46, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

Sora stares at him blankly.

"Meaning...?"

Bane sighs.

"Meaning, Sora, that I have access to all of them through this control terminal. I'm guessing your uncle would have left this room a little more well guarded if he had known about that tunnel. Now, let me just reset the command parameters..."

He types away for a minute or so.

"Done," he says smugly at length, leaning back in his chair and resting his booted feet on the desk before him, "Now all we have to do is sit back and enjoy the show."

On the security recordings before them they are able to make out a series of battles ensuing, as droidekas begin to roll throughout the facility, engaging confused weequay guards in combat. Several are shot down before they have even drawn their rifles. Others flee in confusion and panic. Still others take up defensive positions and begin to engage the droids in combat.

"Not bad," Zirak allows.

"Thank you," Bane says, but his smugness disappears a moment later as he sits up with a "Oh no you don't."

The others realise after a moment what Bane is looking at. In one of the corridors a trio of weequay have set up an E-Web blaster canon similar to the one on the battlements a few days earlier. Bane types a hasty command, but is not fast enough as four of his droidekas roll in formation around the corner only to be obliterated by a well aimed blast of the canon.

"Curns," mutters Bane as a frag grenade destroys another droideka on the viewscreen below.

"All right," he says, typing hurriedly once more, "Looks like your uncle has barricaded himself in an audience chamber of some sort. I'll upload the schematics to this datapad. You'd better nab him quickly. I don't know how long these droids will hold them off. I'll try and keep the route clear with some diversions."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Fri 12 June 2020.

Sora nods, igniting his lightsaber as he hurries towards the door.

"I don't suppose there are any droidekas around which you could also send with us for backup?" Zirak asks in a lowered voice before he leaves, "Don't tell Sora, but I am getting sick of being shot and nearly knocked out due to incompetent backup. Not you, of course."

"Tell me about it," Bane agrees grimly, "I've already programmed four of them to guard the corridor just outside this control room. I'll send two of them with you. You shouldn't have to do much fighting on the way there assuming my diversions are successful."

"Excellent," Zirak says, striding purposefully after Sora.

The doors slide open to allow Sora, Zirak and Ak-Yev to enter, before closing once more. As promised, they find four droidekas waiting outside, two of which deactivate their shields and fold into rolling position to follow the trio.

Sora glances down at his datapad to examine the schematics of the fortress, but Ak-Yev pushes past him.

"You do not need that," he says dismissively, "I shall lead you to the Audience Chamber."

With a shrug Sora pockets the datapad as he and Zirak follow the after the weequay mercenary. He directs them down the various corridors leading to the chamber. It is not far, and Bane seems to have done an adequate job of keeping the corridors clear of enemies. They come across the bodies of several guards strewn about the corridor as they near the room but see no sign of any living guards.

At length they arrive at the entrance to the chamber, sealed by a pair of large, metallic-stone doors.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Mon 16 Sept 2019.

Sora glances at the control panel built into the wall beside it, before pulling out his comlink.

"Bane, we're at the door to the audience chamber. Can you open it from the control room?"

"Let me see..." comes the staticky response, followed by a pause, then, "Doesn't look like it. Your uncle must have severed it from the central system once he realised we'd taken the control room. Given the skills you three possess in performing manual overrides, I'd say your best bet is to cut through the door with a lightsaber the old fashioned way."

Sora shrugs, igniting his lightsaber and ramming it into the door.

"Keep an eye out for any approaching enemies," he says to Zirak and Ak-Yev as he begins to slowly cut a circular hole in the door.

"I will, but get a move on, would you?," Zirak replies impatiently as he peers down the corridor, "We are literally one door away from unlimited credits."

Sora does not respond, focused on the circle of melting metal forming before him. His lightsaber makes short work of the door, which by no means compares to the cutting edge materials and quality of those used on vessels such as the Trade Federation's Lecrehulk-class cruisers. The roughly circular chunk of the door, a meter or so in diameter, falls inward to reveal an elegantly adorned office with a desk above which a large tapestry depicting the moon, Quay, hangs grandly. Behind the desk a pair of weequay guards are crouched, with a third kneeling by a locker to the left of the room. All have blaster rifles trained on the newly created hole in the door.

Sora ducks to the left of the hole and out of range of their fire before any of them can get a shot off. He glances at Zirak, back pressed against the door, before calling into the office in Sriluurian.

"Surrender, and your lives will be spared. I am your true liege."

"He's lying!" comes a harsh reply in Sriluurian from somewhere behind the desk, "He is a blasphemer who has no regard for Quay or his followers. He has proven time and again that he cares nothing for your service, using and disposing of your lives for his heretical cause!"

Ak-Yev takes this opportunity to step squarely into view of the hole carved into the door.

"Sora may not believe in Quay," he says solemnly, also in Sriluurian, "But Quay works his will through him, nevertheless. You know me, my brothers, and my devotion to Quay. I was exiled not because I failed to serve him, but because of Korak's desire for power. He is no servant of Quay!"

"And so the betrayer returns," Korak's harsh voice sneers once more, "Ak-Yev, your leaving was due to your own desire for power, not mine. You tried to kill me, and then fled before I could have you hunted down like the bandigo you are. You will not escape with your life again. Open fire!"

Ak-Yev opens his mouth to reply, but instead of a rebuttal he is forced to snarl a curse as he dives to the floor to avoid the series of blasts which arc out of the hole a moment later.

OOC: Ak-Yev rolled 21 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Clan Bulq Elite Guards rolled 18 using 1d20+2. Initiatives.
Sora Bulq rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Korak Bulq rolled 11 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Zirak Derasir rolled 7 using 1d20 +2. Initiative.
Droidekas rolled 4 using 1d20-3. Initiatives.

Ak-Yev calmly unholsters his blaster as he pulls himself up to crouch to the right of the circular hole in the door.

"Emissary," he says grimly as he does so, "The droidekas cannot pass through this opening. We will need to extend it to the ground."

It is Sora who nods, careful to remain under the cover of the door as he begins to cut downwards from the widest section of the circular opening to the ground below.

"Get the other side," he instructs Zirak as he does so.

Zirak nods grimly as he does so, skilfully pacing himself to reach the floor simultaneously with Sora. The pair quickly duck aside as the slabs of severed metal crash inwards.

The pair of droidekas behind them trot forward, deflector shields raised.

They are greeted by a hail of blasterfire from the guards gathered about the room. Their shields absorb several of the blasts, but the guards seem quite experienced in finding the weaker points in the energy shields, and concentrate their fire on the leftmost droid, which gives a shudder after a moment as its shield splutters and dies and it collapses.

OOC: Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 5 points of wound damage to Droideka.
Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 2 points of wound damage to Droideka.
Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 10 points of wound damage to Droideka.

Sora curses, leaping forward, lightsaber drawn as the remaining droideka opens fire on one of the nearest guard.

"How's it going over there?" comes Bane's voice across Zirak's comlink, "Because I'm getting the distinct impression," Zirak hears a loud rumble from somewhere in the background, "that these weequay want their control room back..."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:46, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

What the droidekas lack in agility they appear to make up for in firepower, as the remaining droideka unleashes a devastating stream of blasterfire about the room. The nearest guard manages to narrowly avoid the stream, diving to the ground. However the guard beside him is not so fortunate, and catches a blast squarely in his chest. The blast tears easily through his plasteel breastplate and throws his corpse several meters backwards into the wall behind.

OOC: Droideka dealt 39 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Droideka dealt 52 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Droideka dealt 25 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:02, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

Korak ducks up from behind his desk to fire a couple of blasts at the remaining droideka, but both blasts are harmlessly absorbed by its deflector shields.

Ak-Yev follows closely behind Sora, firing at the guard who remains standing and forcing him back behind his shelf for cover.

OOC: Ak-Yev dealt 13 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:43, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

Sora makes straight for his uncle, sweeping his blade in an arcing motion. Korak gives a curse, narrowly avoiding the blade as he scurries out from behind the desk.

OOC: Sora Bulq dealt 33 points of vitality damage to Korak Bulq.

The guard sprawled on the ground scrambles to rise and fire at the droideka, but his blasts fly wide as the droideka returns fire, striking him in the shoulder and sending him spinning backwards with a cry to slump limply to the ground.

OOC: Droideka dealt 19 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Droideka dealt 23 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

The remaining guard returns fire at Ak-Yev. Sluggish from Zirak’s draining, Ak-Yev ducks too slowly and the blast catches him in the left arm as he stumbles forward. He fires vainly back at the guard, as he limps toward the cabinet for cover.

OOC: Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 15 points of vitality damage to Ak-Yev.
Clan Bulq Elite Guard dealt 5 points of wound damage to Ak-Yev.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:14, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

The guard darts out once more to fire at Ak-Yev before he can reach the cabinet, but gives a garbled cry a moment later as the droideka sends a volley of blasts which send him careening over a side table and into the wall behind. He does not rise.

OOC: Droideka dealt 52 points of vitality damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.
Droideka dealt 17 points of wound damage to Clan Bulq Elite Guard.

Korak curses as the last of his guards fall. Darting back a few paces, he swiftly pulls a thermal detonator from a pouch at his belt.

"This estate is mine!" he snarls in Sriluurian, "You were never worthy of it! And you shall never-"

He breaks off with a gasp as the red blade of a lightsaber suddenly ignites through his chest from behind, before sweeping up to sever him cleanly in half.

OOC: Zirak Derasir dealt 36 wound damage to Korak Bulq.

Ak-Yev has advanced to level 8.
Bane Malar has advanced to level 8.
Sora Bulq has advanced to level 8.
Zirak Derasir has advanced to level 9.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:00, Wed 18 Sept 2019.

The two halves of his body fall to the ground to reveal Zirak standing behind him, using the force to suspend the detonator in the air above Korak's crumpled form. He calmly summons it to his own hand, where he flips the switch to the off position.

"You're welcome."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:59, Tue 17 Sept 2019.

Sora frowns at his uncle's body, then at Zirak.

"We wanted him alive," he mutters darkly.

Ak-Yev, clutching his arm and panting hard, sends Korak's corpse a look which makes it clear that Sora's 'we' does not include him.

Behind them the cabinet gives a defeated groan as it topples sideways and crashes to the floor.

OOC: End of Chapter XII...