Heading to Coruscant

[Sarah Kerrigan]

The sound of thunder echoed throughout the emptiness of the Nexus, accompanied by a short buzzing emanating from the icy portal located to it’s south. The shimmering, ethereal surface of the portal shimmered, it’s color changing to a murky silver as it rippled like a sea in storm. The portal almost seemed to bubble, as two vague shadows grew larger and larger.

Eventually, a metal axe blade passed through the portal, the energy swirling around the weapon like falling water. “That… was somethin’ weird.” Zul’kis said, stepping forward into the chamber proper. “I’ve never been through a portal ‘fore now…” Zul’kis shook his head, before glaring back at the portal. “And there y’are, checkin’ Omnitwitter.”


the sound of hollow hoofsteps announced Raal’s entry through the portal, as the Death Knight entered the nexus once more. The Warlock’s face was glued to his small dataverse device. The case for the screen seemed to have a skull motif, and the entire gadget seemed to be made of a dark grey stone. The symbol of the first horde was emblazoned on it’s back in bright red.

“I need to understand as much as I can about other lands. This is not fully accomplished by accessing this dataverse, as it seems much essential infrastructure is missing, but I’m capable of learning much about the greater world around us while informing myself during our mundane travel.”.

Zul’kis shook his head. “Mon, I’m following your omnitwitter. You’ve been on it all day.”
Raal looked at Zul’kis with an expression of mild confusion. “is communication not part of information gathering?”
“No one follows you. You’re communicating to basically no one.”
“...Venjo follows me.”.

“You could just talk to Venjo! Ya swapped addresses with him on ya communicator.”
Raal growled. “”This is a fruitless discussion. We have greater tasks on hand, Zul’kis. And the next step is already loathsome enough without having to listen to your prattle.”
Zul’kis sighed. Raal was avoiding the subject. But he did suppose arguing didn’t really help the matter at hand.

“Where we be going next?” The troll asked.
“We’ll have to go into the densest, seediest stronghold of humanity present in the Omniverse. The Empire’s capital verse of Coruscant. As a result…” Raal glared at the troll. “We’ll need to be as polite as possible.”
Zul’kis scratched his head. “That’s one of the last places I thought you’d want to go. What’s there that’s so important?”

Raal paused for a moment, before continuing. “Coruscant is a giant city of a land, from what I’ve gathered. There are several resources that are needed for a city to work. In particular - knowledge.” Raal explained. “And with the pace more advanced cities have, the faster and more extensive the knowledge must be transferred, so that everything can proceed smoothly.

As a result, it is likely archives and libraries exist in abundance there. These, we can plunder for free, as long as we cause no havoc. The Empire is not only large and developed, but has a mind for conquest, so exploration - and the recording of exploration - would be encouraged and active.”
Zul’kis nodded. “and you be wantin’ to secure knowledge on the empire, too.”.
Raal inclined his head. “quite right. As we wander between the different ‘verses, here, We shall require a lot of knowledge on the inherent dangers - and inherent opportunities - to avoid simply wandering without purpose. Time is limited on this journey. Every day we waste will be a day our foes grow stronger in their strongholds.”

Zul’kis quirked an eyebrow at that. “e’en so, once you have all that knowledge, what do ya plan to do? You still are one prime, after all.”.

Raal nodded. “My goals shall be explained at a later date. when we’re not standing in such a relatively public space.” Raal explained, holding out his hand. After a few moments of concentration and a slightly disgusted expression on Zul’kis’s face, Raal’s horse walked forward at a relaxed speed, a quintet of skeletons with swords and bows of varying make forming a defensive line around him.

Zul’kis followed behind him with a worried expression. “We’re not gonna start trouble, huh?”
Raal smirked. “that doesn’t mean I can’t keep them a little nervous. The Empire’s soldiers are apparently known for their professionalism.” He stated, as the gate to coruscant started appearing on the horizon.

[Sarah Kerrigan]

Raal kept his face pleasant as they approached the portal, or at least as pleasant as his face could ever be. It irritated Raal not to be able to simply smite the fools where they stood, but the impression of fear the stormtroopers held on Raals approach was amusing enough to soften his temper. The pair of troopers standing in front of the gate raised their weapons as they came within speaking distance. “state your business!” One of them barked, and Raal had to admit he was impressed - the man’s voice came out almost perfectly even.
Raal smirked. “I wish to enter Coruscant, and browse the archives. Or have I been barred from the area for some imaginary offense?”
The stormtroopers didn’t lower their weapons. “For what purpose?”
“The use of your archives.” Raal replied serenely. “In the pursuit of greater knowledge of this omniverse for both me and my friend here.” Raal lazily pointed towards Zul’kis. The troll grunted but didn’t fully respond. “An innocent enough reason for my group to enter.”
‘“What’s with the skeletons, then?”
“These individuals are my bodyguards. they will cause no trouble.” Raal raised his staff slightly. “so, are we allowed to enter?”
“...You’ll have to be checked upon entering for any contraband or terrorist equipment.” one of them finally said. “Have a pleasant and safe stay in coruscant.” one of the stormtroopers said after a moment.
“My thanks.” Raal said with a clearly sarcastic tone, before heading through the portal, Zul’kis in tow. behind him, as he felt his way through the murky emptiness of the portals, he could dimly hear the stormtroopers conversing amongst themselves. “that went better than I thought it would.I think he’s the one the news said…” The noise faded away as Raal found himself catching a gasp that sought to escape his mouth.
“It’s the biggest artificial creation I’ve ever seen….” Was Raal’s first thought. A gasp filled the air as Zul’kis failed to hide his own wonder, and Raal scowled. “silence, Zul’kis.”
“But-” Raal made a signal to stop with his hands, as the stormtroopers arrived to inspect the two, his decaying horse whinnying as they did so. The soldiers seemed nervous, as they slowly checked the two. Raal finally growled at the three minute mark. “Quicken your search. I’ve no time for your weak legs.”
He got no response except for a loud harrumph, but the search did go faster, as the troopers managed to choke their fear under the more familiar irritation they shared for primes.
Raal took the time to observe their surroundings, and noted with some pleasure that Zul’kis was doing the same. They were standing on a raised platform along the city, with sheer drops all around them of what Raal idly eyeballed as at least several thousand feet on either side. whether he looked below or above him, however, he noticed towering buildings stretching from the ground. The place made Hellfire citadel look like nothing more than a small hovel in comparison. He’d planned to simply wander and find the location of the library he’d sought, but…
“Trooper.” Raal said to the one on his right. “Where is the coruscant library, relative to here.”
Raal couldn’t see the soldiers expression through his full-faced helmet, but he thought he caught a hint of irritation from how his head jerked. “We’ve provided maps for primes. they’re in a small vendor over there. I’ll make sure someone hands one to you on the way out.”
“See that you do.” Raal said bluntly, before turning his head to look at Zul’kis. He’d been worried the young troll would be unable to handle this proximity, but while his teeth were bared and he was clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation, he was managing to stand perfectly still.
“Alright, you’re clear. Enjoy Coruscant.” A bored trooper informed them, before the entire inspection group shuffled off, already focused on other activities. Efficient. Raal’s face almost deviated from the scowl it had been in since they arrived, as a small datapad slipped into his hand. “With me, Zul’kis. to the library.”