"The Gathering Storm"
With Fenrir and Ehoc leading them, the Templars were quick to act. Having received inteligence on a small cell of Jedi on the planet Balmorra, Ehoc and Fenrir prepared to target them as their first step towards crushing the light. Gathered in their reclaimed temple they organised two operations, each with a vital task to complete for their first strike at the Jedi. Staying behind, Ehoc lead the briefing.
He tasked Ivy to lead the first operation on Nar Shaddaa: Tasked with ocate an information broker by the Code name Reicovis. who was rumored to know something about the location of the Jedi on Balmorra. Under her command Ivy was given Fia, Aladrick and Azamya - A fitting test of her ability to lead.
Fenrir decided to lead the second team, headding straight for Balmorra to locate and set up a base of operations. He took Arrtrok, Craft’lon and Athelstann with him. With clear objectives the two teams went about their tasks...
***
Arriving on Nar Shaddaa those under Ivy's command headed to the lower Promenade in search of Reicovis. Walking into the cantina, Ivy ordered everyone to wait while she checked in with the local bartender. She was a regular in the Slippery Slopes and knew she could pull a favour to point them in the right direction. She got what she needed and was given a data stick with his identity on for Fia to crack before pointing them towards the marketplace, however it became apparent that they were being watched...
Aladrick had managed to pick a fight with a group of Thugs that had mistaken them as part of the Atrox Ascensus.
***
It was a nice sunny day on Balmorra. The shuttle carrying Fenrir and his team flew smoothly through the air, the cool breeze too weak to affect it at all. It descended in a marshy area, the water rippling as it hovered just above the surface. Fenrir jumped out and was joined by Arrtrok, Craft and Athelstann, all of them getting soaking wet from the hip deep water. As the shuttle took off again to head for a low orbit and await extraction, splashing sounds could be heard. Marshstalkers. They were headed for the newly arrived group, at rapid speed, as many as ten of them. Fenrir seemed hardly worried however as he dashed towards them, slicing two up in the process and ending on dry land behind them. Craft would be quick to follow suit as he could sense the electrical charge building up in Fenrir, he too managed to take out one of the creatures in his dash to get past them.
Athelstann would also be quick to move, her tactics different than that of the brutes up ahead, she used the force to enter and affect one of the creatures’ mind, making it howl in horror and pacifying it. As Fenrir was about to unleash a massive lightning attack, directed at the body of water they had just been in, Arrtrok managed to get onto dry land and out of harm’s way.
The remaining creatures hoping for a quick easy meal was electrocuted burning them alive from the inside out. They all died in uproarious howls and shrieks.
The soft breeze flowed over the broken terrain, scars of war painfully evident. The team made their way across the terrain towards the foot of a small mountain ridge. Seemingly out of nowhere they were ambushed by a large group of soldiers. Deserters by the looks of their rugged armor bearing the mark of the republic. Once again Fenrir acted quick, but not quick enough to avoid getting hit by blaster fire. In his anger he managed to kill a couple of soldiers cutting them down viciously. Craft would follow suit and charge ahead as well, engaging in melee combat, although it became more a slaughter then a fight. Athelstann once again relying on her mastery of the force, managed to take control of one of the soldier, who in turn was forced to turn his rifle at his comrades. All he could do was but look in horror at the faces of his friends as they died by his hand, their eyes filled with terror and confusion at the betrayal. Arrtrok being the most junior of the group managed to slay one soldier, but ended up getting hit in the face by another after overreaching and failing to hit him.
Getting hit again Fenrir charged to kill several more soldiers, using the force and his expertise with the lightsaber. Athelstann stayed focus on the soldier she was controlling, making him kill several more of his friends before finally in horror and agony turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger. Craft utilized his knowledge of the rare arcane art of the force to cut a soldier with an unseen blade, charging another to cut him down. Arrtrok managed the slay the soldier who had previously hit him, and managed to take down another shortly after.
The whole encounter was over in mere minutes as the Templaris was in Crafts word, “Outnumbered, but not outmatched.” Silence once again fell across the area, and they could proceed.
At the foot of the mountain ridge a tent had been put up, it was a sheltered area but with a good view. This provided an excellent campsite and base of operation for the future push towards the Jedi. As they approached however another two soldiers, bearing the same armor and markings as those who had just been slain, came into view. It seems the sound of battle had drawn their attention to the approaching Ordo party. Behind them were a few people looking like civilians, sitting on the ground it was clear these were not a part of the deserting soldiers.
Fenrir approached and attempted to talk to them, to be diplomatic. “Why do you even fight..” hoping they were smart enough to realize their situation. A short simple reply of “Fuck off” was all he got back, and a few shots from the soldiers’ rifle. This prompted Craft to act, killing both soldiers before they could react to the situation.
One of the civilians got up and approached the group, eying them suspiciously. Fenrir was once again the first to lead the talking. Offering them safety and a place within the order, he managed to make them feel at ease. They shared they were actually republican citizens, but no longer trusted the republic on account of the war and because of how the deserting soldiers had treated them.
Athelstann provided further reassurance that they would be better off following the Ordo Templaris, but nothing the group said could make the civilians swear allegiance to the order. They agreed to stay around the camp and help with what they could. They were not convinced, but curious, and Fenrir decided to let Arrtrok remain on Balmorra to make sure the campsite remained secure. Arrtrok was also tasked with sharing the views and cause of the Ordo to turn them into devoted followers. With that, Fenrir, Athelstann and Craft headed back to de-brief and check on the mission status of the other team on Nar Shaddaa...
***
Having gained access to the Hutt’s establishment through their false identities and appointment, Poison Ivy sought an audience with their supposed host to continue their mission
Bareesh: “Coo jot tah bidovakadue kung du wata?”
The Templar’s captain attempted to offer Azamya and Aladrick as *gifts* to gain the Hutt’s favour so they could continue their business proposal, which naturally didn’t go down well with certain members…
Aladrick: “You can F*ck right off!”
The hot headed Sith said in defiance, exploding out of character and ruined the Templar’s cover. Bareesh cackled in that booming Huttese laugh all Hutts have and licked her lips grotesquely as Ivy tried to regain control of the situation.
Bareesh: “Fa uogna mee shag gee baua kabee”
It would appear the Hutt found the whole ordeal rather amusing
Bareesh: “I will make you a deal; I am getting rather bored, tending to my business I find little time for fun these days. A good brawl would be most amusing. The last standing will get my information” She chuckles in that god awful huttish laugh.
As Ivy walks away victorious, Bareesh chuckled again. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten to uphold her end of the bargain and the Templar’s captain forcefully reminded the Hutt about what she had promised.
Bareesh: “Ran dotkot bu sakoi dee jotke kouciukoee joggdu Jee banba bai mee t'chuta Jeedai pateessa...”
The Hutt motioned for her protocol droid to bring her a datapad of the last shipment of supplies they sent to the Jedi Cell.
Bareesh: “Um uba cha babau tah doi mi. Ateema jot - uba nobata janse baciya mi…”
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