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Inner Corridors
Red Fury Pirate Base
Mygeeto

They were deep inside the pirate stronghold now. The pirates were fleeing into the wilderness, those that had survived the massacre at least. It would not be long before the pirates were fully brought to heel. It was the cache of artifacts they possessed that remained elusive. It had to be somewhere in the base - every vehicle that had attempted escape had been boarded and searched.

Dyrra and her companion had been sent to investigate a part of the base that emanated unique power readings. If it was not the location of the artifacts, it might be something that would lead them to it.

She was still unsure of her companion. Dek Rott appeared to be one of the better slicers in the Brotherhood's ranks. While his ego had been a little irritating, he had been very helpful in getting them through the pirate's security doors.

As if sensing what she was thinking, the Duros Mystic spoke. "I've never been a fan of working in teams, " he said, "especially with someone from another Clan, but I must admit it's nice having someone around to kill things so I don't have to."

Dyrra gave him a wry smile as they came to another doorway. "I'm glad I could be of service. Your "magic" with the doors and things is pretty helpful as well." She caught a hint of a smile on the man's lips, before it disappeared. She wasn't sure how Duros expressed happiness, but that seemed like all she was going to get.

The door slid open, revealing a unique room beyond. It hummed with the sound of servers and computer banks. A dozen screens lined the walls, all mounted in different ways, as if set up by a dozen different people. The computer banks were arranged in an equally haphazard way, as if they had been hauled in here and hooked up without any attempt at organization. It was all unmistakably pirate - the work of beings who cared little for appearances, and only for functionality.

"Think we can find something about those artifacts in here?" Dyrra asked.

"Of course," Dek said. "As long as you keep me from getting killed."

"Oh, I'm not sure how long I can keep that up, " Dyrra replied with a hint of sarcasm.

As Dek drifted into the room and began exploring, Dyrra took up a position near the door. It was the only way into the room, so if they were going to be threatened, it would have to come from that way. She had her lightsaber off and leaned against a server just inside the doorway. Dek was far inside; no one would see him until well past here.

Someone did come then. Two pirates cautiously crept toward the room. They had noticed that the door was open - which it should not be - but had not spotted Dyrra or Dek. She waited patiently as they approached, noting their appearance - one Twi'lek, one Zabrak. When they reached the doorway, Dyrra leaped out.

Her fist connected with the Twi'lek's jaw, followed by her knee in his chest. The Zabrak had no time to respond himself, having just barely raised his blaster before Dyrra knocked it out of his hands. Her kick sent him to the ground as well. Both beings groaned quietly.

Dek looked up from what appeared to be a mass of wires and a blinking datapad screen. "What was that?" he asked.

"Just some stragglers. Have you found anything yet?"

"No, " Dek began, then looked at his datapad. "Yes, I think this shows where the artifacts are kept."

"Great, " Dyrra said, "now we can get out of here and tell the others."

The Jubilation
High Capacity Cargo Freighter
Mygeeto system

Cheers and applause filled the cargo pod. Their victory was complete. Red Fury was no more. For two hours, all eyes had been riveted to the data feeds, scrutinizing every second of footage as their ground troops made their final push into the pirate stronghold. Earsplitting silence had filled the pod when the time came to secure the cache of artifacts, a tense moment that would make or break this alliance. The tension was palpable. That was the ultimate test, an event that had the potential to secure a lasting truce between the two clans.

All had gone according to plan. Working as one, Naga Sadow and Scholae Palatinae formed a battering ram. Crashing through the enemy stronghold, they swiftly captured the vault. While two squads formed a defensive perimeter around the cache, the rest swept out through the base to wipe out all remaining resistance.

Locke slapped his hand down on the table with a cheer of his own. Sanguinius sank back in his seat with a drawn out sigh that could only mean relief. Many of the standing guards waved their fists through the air, shouting with pride. Palatinaean diplomats exchanged handshakes and embraced their Sadowan counterparts.

One person remained unaffected by this victorious moment.

The Black Hand simply stood at the back of the room as he had for the better part of the last hour, his one eye closed. There was nary a hint of emotion on his face. Only the occasional blip from his robes’ diagnostics system could be heard from him.

Locke stood and called upon the reclusive man with an outstretched hand, “Join us, Black Hand! This is proof that past animosity can finally be put to rest. It's time for our Clans to unite and form a thriving force within the Dark Brotherhood.”

One piercing yellow eye opened, ripe with malice.

“This victory means little to me, Consul. You have upheld that which you pledged, as has Clan Scholae Palatinae,” Oscura explained, his arms stretched out at his sides as he stepped forward, “But I assure you that the Emperor is forever grateful.”

Locke’s good humor faltered for only a moment. He gave the Palatinaean Proconsul a hard smile, one only a veteran soldier could muster before an enemy. He was about to speak, but Oscura interrupted.

“However...” Oscura began, his deep voice underlined by the sound of blasters charging up throughout the room, “This alliance comes to an end.”

Sang pushed out of his seat as he barked, “What is the meaning of this?”

One of Scholae Palatinae’s diplomats darted across the chamber, imploring their leader to stop this foolishness. The fool was the first to be shot down by a storm trooper. Sheer madness exploded through the cargo pod as blaster fire and lightsaber blades shot to life. Bodies fell to the durasteel floor as the deafening shriek of countless blasters filled the chamber. Through the chaos, Sanguinius noticed the Black Hand slipping out of the pod. With a flick of his hand, the treacherous Sith sealed the chamber.

The Force called upon Sang, bidding him to turn his attention to a cylindrical tube suddenly revving up at the center of the room: a Thermal Imploder. The blinking green lights along the device turned red. The Sadowan Proconsul threw himself against his Consul.

The air within the chamber compressed around them and a wave of fire erupted from the metal device. The wave rushed outwards and back inwards toward the tube. A searing bright light swallowed Palatinaean and Sadowan alike.

Inner Corridors
Red Fury Pirate Base
Mygeeto

They had no opportunity to celebrate their victory. In fact, they had not yet received an official confirmation that their mission was over when the call came. Oscura’s voice boomed in Blade Ta’var’s earpiece. The Zeltron cringed, only having interacted with her Proconsul on a limited few occasions. She could not help it. She had a bad feeling about him.

“All Naga Sadow operatives are to be exterminated without hesitation,” the Black Hand ordered with no forewarning.

Blade did not react instantly. She could not. Her hand casually slipped closer to the lightsaber hanging from her belt, but she did not grip it just yet. She looked over to her partner and ally. Lilith Stormwind was a woman of honor the likes of which Blade had not known before within the Dark Brotherhood. Despite a rocky start and some inter-clan animosity, the pair had shaped a strong bond. After several weeks of missions and debriefings, they had come to trust and rely on one another.

She did not deserve to die, yet, Oscura’s orders had been clear: no hesitation.

Damnit, what is this madman thinking, Blade pondered in sheer disbelief, anxiety rising fast within her.

Lilith stiffened suddenly. The middle-aged woman had her back to Blade, but the motion of her hand told the Palatinaean all that she needed to know. Lilith had just received an order… or was it a warning? Yet, the Sadowan Knight did not make a move. Indeed, they both stood as frozen as the crystalline tundra outside. Even as they unhinged their lightsabers, even as their blades shot to life in near synchronization, neither took a step.

Blade could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“Did you know?” Lilith’s biting words were as sharp as a dagger to Blade. Through thick and thin, Lilith had always managed to keep an upbeat, positive attitude. To hear such words from her mouth destabilized Blade further. Lilith turned. Blade found sadness in the human’s traits.

“I swear to you, I did not,” the Zeltron said, “I… I don’t understand what is happening!”

Their eyes were locked, yellow-green onto crystal-blue. Blade became all too aware of just how heavily both she and the human were breathing. To her surprise, Lilith’s blue blade died out.

“I have no wish to fight you, Blade.” Lilith returned the hilt to her belt as she spoke. “And I believe you do not wish to fight me.”

Blade’s hand tightened around her lightsaber. She nearly launched herself forward, but ultimately she too disabled her weapon. All too eager to put some distance between them, she turned her back on Lilith. What the hell was happening? All had been going according to plan!

She stopped in her tracks just short of the exit to warn her former ally, “Leave, Lilith. The next time we meet I will have no such choice.”

A sudden tremor rocked the Red Fury compound. Lilith took the opportunity to disappear. Blade did the same, her mind a hurricane of frantic questions. She could not believe the Emperor would risk this coalition for a cache of artifacts. Could the pirates have overlooked something more valuable? But what could possibly be so important that they would sacrifice this crucial alliance over? No. No, it has to be Oscura’s doing…

Hangar
Red Fury Pirate Base
Mygeeto

Anigrel surveyed the hangar and the damage they had done. He eyed the Palatinaean with him. Landon Cruise had been straightforward and enthusiastic about their mission. That was nice if for no other reason than that it was predictable. After so many mad Dark Jedi, Landon's devotion to the mission was a breath of fresh air. He wasn't likely to deviate from the current mission to pursue his own goals.

In front of them, the remains of two shuttles laid in a smoking ruin. Judging by the schematics that they had been given, these were the only ships remaining in the base. If that were true, the remaining pirates had just lost their last possible means of escape. Elsewhere, the combined Palatinaean and Sadowan forces were already securing the artifacts that were the prize of this mission.

"That went well, " Anigrel said. "This alliance thing isn't so bad."

"Agreed," Landon said. "Though it almost makes it too easy. Hold up, message incoming."

Anigrel continued to survey the wreckage as Landon listened through his comlink. Soon the man finished his call and looked at Anigrel, this time uncharacteristically quiet.

"Well, what is it?" the Sadowan asked. Landon wore a look of grim determination that had not been there a moment ago. There was only a minor twinge in the Force before the Savant was close enough and threw a punch, aiming for Anigrel's head. The Sadowan attempted to defend himself, but Landon was strong - and fast. Instead, Anigrel somersaulted backward, widening the gap between himself and the other man considerably.

What is he thinking? Anigrel wondered. Had the man completely lost his mind?

No, Anigrel thought back on all of their experiences together. Landon had never questioned an order; he had never failed to dedicate himself fully to any of their assigned goals. He must have been commanded to attack Anigrel. But why?

The Sadowan barely had time to notice his own comlink beeping. He pulled the blaster pistol from its spot at his holster. He had to distract Landon and gain a few moments to think. Anigrel quickly scanned the hangar, spotting a cluster of fuel barrels near the shuttles. If he could get it near Landon, he could use that to his advantage.

The Palatinaean kept coming, leaping forward. Anigrel felt the Force surge within the other man. He dived away as a blast of telekinetic Force energy went through the space he had just been in. As Landon recovered and turned toward Anigrel, the Sadowan scrambled backward, underneath the wing of one of the damaged shuttles and to the other side. He could still see the fuel tanks beyond.

With no other option, Anigrel fired his blaster at the tanks repeatedly.

They blossomed in a fireball that engulfed both shuttles, dwarfing the damage they had caused before. It filled the hangar with such heat and light that Anigrel had to turn away for a moment. When he was able to see again, a large part of one of the shuttles was collapsing near where Landon had been. Anigrel didn't think that would kill him so easily, but it did give him time to think.

Now he had a choice: he could stay and fight, or he could find out what in the nine hells was going on. Finally, Anigrel stood up and entered one of the side corridors, finally answering his comlink. The message coming through verified his fears, but it also filled him with a burning anger.

:::

Landon jumped away from the explosion. He watched as it subsided, waiting for Anigrel to emerge. He had enjoyed working with Anigrel - perhaps even seen him as a friend, but the Black Hand had commanded that the Sadowans be killed, and that made Anigrel a target.

He sensed that the other man had left the hangar. That was no matter, he would track him down.

By the Emperor's will, the Sadowans would die.

---

The Jubilation
High Capacity Cargo Freighter
Mygeeto system

"How could they do this?" Locke said, his voice ice. "How could they throw away what we had like this?"

"The dark side…" Sang said, with the kind of foreboding tone only a Jedi could perfect.

"The dark side? The dark side will bury Scholae Palatinae!"

They walked along a corridor of the cargo ship, heading for one of the docking arms. Alarms blared through the hallway, adding another irritant to an already frustrating situation. Two Warhost soldiers who had survived the blast followed, one limping. He had offered to stay behind, but Locke had insisted he would be fine. As angry as he was, he did not think he could have healed the man's injury.

"Call in all of our forces: Jedi, Sith, bounty hunters - we will make Scholae pay for this.

"Revenge will not serve us, " Sang said.

Locke sighed as they reached an intersection. "Sang…" he began.

"But they must not be allowed to think they can get away with this, " the Jedi continued.

"Agreed," Locke said.

"That out of the way, have you thought about how we're going to get off this ship?"

As if to punctuate his words, a voice repeated a variation on the message they had already heard so many times. Hull breach detected...oxygen levels dropping...five standard minutes left.

"I figured I'd fly us out."

"With what?"

That was a good point. Cyris had likely taken his vessel, and probably destroyed theirs to ensure they couldn't escape. "I'm sure someone saw that explosion."

As if to punctuate his words, a nearby docking clamp shuttered as something attached to it. If that was Palatinaean, Locke would let himself enjoy the opportunity to kill one of their members. They would pay for this transgression, revenge or not. The Brotherhood could be so much more than it was - if not for the petty scheming of those like the so-called Black Hand. "Bloody Sith," he growled.

The inner airlock door opened, revealing a squad of soldiers wearing familiar Warhost uniforms, a a man wearing armor that wore the emblem of the Lion on his shoulder. He threw back his hood, and Locke saw that it was Mactire, the leader of Sapphire Squadron.

"I hope you have good news," Locke said, at the same time as Sang said "glad you're here." Locke always envisioned himself as knowing when to say the right thing at the right time - and usually he did, but currently, his mind was elsewhere.

"Yes, thank you. How did you get here?" He hoped Mactire wouldn't go through that "my Consul" business. If he decided to be formal at a time like this...

"There was the explosion, then the Palatinaeans leaving. They destroyed your shuttle on their way out. It seems they betrayed us." Mactire's expression didn't seem very surprised. Perhaps he had reasoned out the possibility of this. It had always been a possibility, but Locke thought this was one Clan who had risen above their petty squabbling.

"Indeed, we need to warn the others. We have planning to do." "There's something else," Mactire added. "The artifact cache we recovered was dislodged in the explosion. The cargo pod containing it is falling toward the surface and is likely to crash into one of the abandoned cities we saw during our reconnaissance."

"Then Scholae will be searching for it, and we must as well."

With that, the three entered the shuttle and left the dying cargo ship behind.

They had a war to plan.

Deep Space
Unknown Coordinates
NSD Dark Paladin

In deep orbit, beyond the concern of Mygeeto governments, a Lambda shuttle landed within the belly of the Dark Paladin, Clan Scholae Palatinae’s flagship. Fumes shot out from the craft’s stabilizers as its landing gear met the cold durateel of the landing bay. With a hiss, its ramp began its descent, slowly ending on the floor with a resounding thud. The Black Hand strode down the ramp, hands behind his back, as he spoke with the two officers that flanked him.

“That will be all, Lieutenant. Your concerns are insignificant to me,” growled the Proconsul.

At these words, the officers stopped in their tracks, allowing Cyris Oscura carry on alone and turn his mind elsewhere. As he moved past the rank and file lined up to greet him, he could sense their confusion like a reeling tsunami of uncertainty. Their bewilderment had been foreseen, as was their inner turmoil. He was well aware that many of Scholae Palatinae’s members hated him as much as—if not more than—they feared him. To be thrust in such an explosive situation without forewarning would only deepen those emotions.

All eyes were turned upon him and glistening with expectation when the Black Hand stepped onto the command bridge.

“ Ensure that my orders are followed on Mygeeto. Full support is to be given to our troops. Monitor and report all Sadowan activity,” he spat.

Again, confusion hung thick in the Force, but this time he also felt their disappointment. The answers they so craved would not be given so freely.

In time, all would become clear.

Oscura stared out into the darkness of space, his eyes riveted on the minuscule shimmering orb that was Mygeeto. He too had long questioned the very purpose of these plans, yet the dark side of the Force spoke to him, bid him to see this through to the end, no matter the cost.

A machiavellian smile ripped across his disfigured features.

At last, it has begun.

---

Phase I

Hello everyone,

We hope you are all enjoying the prelude and the fiction for our feud so far. With the prelude coming to an end, we are beginning Phase I of Shattered Ties. This will be one of two phases that contains the bulk of the competitions. As you can see from the visual breakdown below, this will run for two weeks and end on July 11th.

We are also beginning three competitions that will run for the entirety of the rest of the feud. These are the Battleplan, Multimedia, and Run-on. They will end on August 1st when the feud concludes.

You can find links to the events below:

Phase I

Fiction 1
Poetry 1
Graphics 1
Easy Thing 1
Trivia 1
Gaming 1

Feud-Long

Battle Plan
Multimedia
Run-on*

*Please note that for the Run-on, teams are free to make their own threads, and may add members at any time up to the maximum of five members. The first post of the thread must contain a list of members and their dossier numbers, and is the only one that may be edited once future posts are made.

As before, you can find a visual breakdown of the feud below:

Have fun, and please contact any of the organizers if you have a question!