Emely was in private quarters. She was praying, for wisdom and guidance was preparing for an assault on the system of Nimban. She was told of the people, the Nimbanel, who were experts at navigating informational systems. The Administratum would have great use from these xenos, if they are deemed worthy of Imperial Sanction.
Emely was however praying, for the battle to come. She would be leading the Lion strike fleet, and capture the lane's junction. Then the Paragon Shields would continue on to the next target world. She had spoken to the Chapter Master, and found him.....strange, he was taller, and his armor was.....different. Maybe it was a regional Mark, or a modification for the chapter, she didn't know, or have time to ask, Bror Shev was a rather.....hasty leader.
She doubted he was used to being the chapter master of his force yet, it was understandable, it is not a position many take easy, when first put there. Emely still could recall the day she ascended to the rank.
Emely held her sword up and waited. She needed to be patient for the strike to work. The assault scout moved forward, before swinging. She blocked the strike and redirected the energy. She had struck the scout in his chest, before continuing up, having the pommel slam up into the jaw. She followed up with a final swift move bringing the practice weapon down onto his head, slamming it down, leaving a red mark that would bruise on the shaved head of the scout.
"Good work Emely. You have improved. Cub, you need to improve before you become a full Lion, if a mere mortal can best you, the enemy shall easily best you." The last pride master, Emely's mother, said.
Emely smiled, standing up, and bowing to her mother.
"Now, let's see if you are ready to become the Pride master." Helen, Emely's mother said, climbing out of her armor.
"I am." Emely answered.
"Captain Tyrian. Prepare the Bikes, we are on the hunt." Helen said.
A marine captain saluted and walked away.
The planet Numidia, a mostly savanna world with some rain forests, was home to several large feline species, the most dangerous being the "Adamantine lions", known for near unbreakable hides, they are the Alpha predators of the planet, able to kill an armored space marine with some ease.
Now, Emely was to do what the first Chapter Master of the Lions had to do, Kill one, with no ranged weapon. It had become a tradition. However, the 37th intended Chapter master, had died during his hunt, and only the chapter serf came back dragging the head of the Lion, and what remained of the marine. After that, it was almost unspoken rule, that not only could the pride master be an Astartes, but anyone who could best the lion. Emely would be the 50th Pride master, if she succeeded.
As the bike stopped, Emely, Helen and Tyrian moved to a sighting of the Adamantine Lion's lair. She was handed a blade and she moved towards the cave. She snuck in slowly, before seeing the lion, sleeping. It was huge, the size of a marine in terminator armor at least. She moved in, carefully, avoiding waking the beast, when it woke up, snarling, as it defected her.
Emely leapt on the beast, trying to remain out of the reach of it's claws and teeth, before attempting to drive the knife into the eye of the lion. The blade snapped as she attempted to stab the eye. The Lion roared, and threw Emely off of its back. The Lion pounced over and attempt to bite Emely. She gripped the jaw and held it open, crying out in pain as the teeth pressed in the palms of her hands, struggling to not get bit, and push the head away.
She looked at the snapped blade on the ground, just inches from her and got an idea. She gripped the knife's handle with her mouth and with a quick turn of her head, spat it in as she attempted to put her head in it's mouth. As the knife went into the mouth, and down the throat, it cut into the Lion's throat, before it stabbed through the stomach, and into the lungs, then the heart. The Lion roared in pain, pulling away from Emely, who was finally free from the beast's presence, before falling over.
It stopped moving, and Emely stood up, before gripping the paw. She pushed a claw out, and snapped it off, before stabbing it in, finding the only thing that could pierce the hide of the lion, was the lion's claw. She skinned the beast and walked out, wearing the warm, bloody hide, as it dripped down onto her.
Helen smiled, seeing her daughter come out victorious.
"You did good, I am proud that you were able to survive, and you got the pelt of the beast. I think it is about time I retire. I'm an old Lioness, I think it's about time I put up my claws." Helen said, smiling, placing her hands on her shoulders.
Emely woke from the memory, when she heard a knocking at the door. Captain Tyrian stood there.
"Pride Master, we are exiting the warp." He stated.
"Good. I shall be on the bridge soon." She said, standing up.
-meanwhile-
Anakin would arrive over the world of Nal Hutta and Nar Shadda. The Blades of Flame were moving into orbit, as Imperial Navy Frigates moved to shoot down any star fighter and smaller ships attempting to escape.
The Sheathe moved into orbit, along with the other ships, cruisers and battle barges. The guns began to rain down on the world, as Anakin watched from a distance, seeing the explosions color the planet, as Rex and Ahsoka watched. The Bombardment of the world was rather fast, before the ships began to pull away, and a lone strike cruiser remained, moving to high orbit.
It was unclear what was happening, time passed, and everyone waited, watching, before with a single lance strike, the world, went from being alive, to burning, the fires covered the entire world, and Anakin could feel those who cried out, fading.
Across the galaxy, those connected to the force felt this, they felt the population of a planet being killed, the pain, fear and suffering that occurred. The jedi felt this pain, to many, it was debilitating, but to one Sithlord, he smiled, grinning as he felt this.
A weapon that could cause such pain, is one he wouldn't mind having, it was rather.....delightful to feel in the force, the fear, the hopelessness, the death of a world.
"Anakin, I think this is going too far." Ahsoka said.
Anakin looked out the window, watching the world burn.
"No...The Hutts have caused so much pain, there were no innocent people on that world, just those who benefitted from it." Anakin said, as he looked out the view port.
Rex looked down at a communicator....from the sheathe. Pressing it, a holographic image of Mhmun formed.
"My Emperor, it is at my request, that this world is to suffer from a faster fate. I request to use, the Cyclonic Torpedo." Mhmun asked.
Anakin paused. For as much of a symbol Nal Hutta was, they had kept in in one piece, if not burned. What was this weapon. With Hesitation, Anakin closed his eyes, having to think.
Nar Shaddaa, that was....a different monster entirely. It was a world with over 10 times the population, it was a coruscant of crime and villainy.
"The world is beyond saving, it must be wiped out." one voice said, one that only sought justice, one that had little regard for those that suffered if caught in the crossfire.
"The few who are innocent will be saved by the destruction, innocence will grant them peace in death, before it is taken." a second voice said, one more calming, peaceful.
Anakin opened his eyes.
"Use it. I authorize it's use." Anakin stated.
They watched as the Sheathe moved into the space above the planet, before with a single fired shot, the world began to crack, before it exploded, continent wide chunks flew from the planet, and the ships moved away, the worlds of the Hutt's power had been destroyed....now....Anakin was going to visit somewhere he hadn't gone....he wanted to talk....with his mother.
