Dominion An Act of Preservation | First Order Dominion of Baralou

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

Kurayami almost felt bad with how long his A-Wing had sat unused in a hangar. However, he was now getting called for CAP mission. Perfect for the old ship to get some more hours put on it, besides it was just keeping the 'Los Fenix' members from detecting their special forces and other ground units from being detected by aerial forces. Did a mission get more simplistic than this? He shrugged as he slid the canopy shut and began a systems check. Generator was online and pumping out plenty of power, weapons were all in the green, no shields to be concerned with, the engines and hyperdrive were all good, and finally the 4x jamming suite was fully ready.

This was some place called Baralou, and the specific city was Herrera. Not a place he had ever heard of but it was putting him that much closer to finding a good TIE model to base a custom version off of. He took the time during the hyperspace jump to center himself and prepare for whatever lie ahead even if it wasn't supposed to be all that much. A ragtag group of pilots numbering only a few squadrons worth of fighters. The Corellian took another deep breath as the fighter reverted back to realspace. Easing the fighter forward, Kurayami angled his approach so that he would be only a short distance from the city once he was in atmo.

Switching his IFF transponder to broadcast a friendly signal to any nearby FO ships he could already hear chatter from 'Black Squadron.' A quick ping to them, identifying himself as 'Yellow 13' and he was moving towards the engagement zone preparing for a high speed slashing attack. He had to make sure he was accurate with the gunfire and that he didn't come in too shallow or too steep, either one would lead to a less than stellar ending for him and whatever TIE fighter happened to be nearby. All 6 cannons were primed and it appeared that one of the Los Fenix fighters was attempting to tail the trailing element of a flight group, setting up for what was assumed to be an easy kill. Perfect target. The J-77's howled as they were pushed to full throttle, given the closure rate and angle of attack he would be passing a few hundred meters behind the friendly TIE at most. Not ideal but it would have to work. Once he had closed within range, he opened up with all 6 cannons shredding the Los Fenix fighter before he even knew he was under attack. Kurayami pulled into a steep right hand ascending turn. If nothing else he could provide cover for the squadron here and hopefully provide a distraction for the opposition.

Resurgent Narrative​

 

[The Major]

Objective: BYOO

Nodding in silent appreciation for the light from Isobel Nakano, she reflected while walking along with "Roscoe" Aurelian Dash.

It was most definitely not the most accurate name the Major could have picked in the rush, but she rationalized that it added a layer of complexity to her cover story that made it just slightly ridiculous enough to make the fib seem genuine. Plus, it things came down to a skirmish a little confusion might come in helpful. There was no need her for to sigh out a "d'oh" yet.

In fact, nobody else around seemed to care at all about what the trio was doing as they moved away from audible range.

Sybil awaited the update, using the pretext of not blowing smoke in her comrades' faces as an excuse to diligently scan around for suspicious looks or threats.

 

[Audrey Saint George]

Dr. Saint George rose to her feet as Dr. Chrisholm approached and extended a hand in greeting to her and her assistant. "Dr. Chrisholm, Mr. Bingley, how do you do? I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Please call me Audrey." The doctor crumpled the paper cup of coffee she had just finished and tossed it into the recycler before turning back to her new associates. "Shall we?"

As gracefully as she could in her flippers, Audrey led the way to the bow of the ship where the bucket was ready for them. As methods of descent into the ocean went, it was fairly archaic but also extremely effective. "We didn't want to bring any heavy machinery, like submersibles, into the area around the temple until we could ascertain whether it could stand up to the change in atmosphere and currents," Audrey explained to Vernice and Ivor as she climbed the ladder into the bucket. The space was easily large enough for ten people, but some of that space was taken up by the equipment Audrey had already loaded in: waterproof datapads, notes equipment, and camera drones to capture their adventure and whatever else they found down there.

When they were all settled in, the mesh lid was placed on top of the container and they checked their breathers. Each came with a comlink so that they could breathe and speak at the same time. Once they had all confirmed, the bucket lurched off the deck and was plunged into the water, descending towards the temple. Luckily, it was not so far down that the pressure would harm them. After just a few moments the bucket stopped, jerking slightly before settling. "We've arrived," Audrey announced, the crinkling of the corners of her eyes visible proof through her goggles of her delight.

She pushed the lid open, picked up her sack, and launched herself from the inside of the bucket. For once, the flippers made her feel graceful instead of awkward as she propelled herself up and out. The temple was nearby, dark and mysterious in the water. She activated her shoulder-mounted flashlight and waited for Vernice and Ivor to make their departures.

Resurgent Narrative​

 

[Kim Dae-Hyun]

It was fear but not panic that motivated Dae-Hyun in those moments. He relied on his training, on the instincts he had developed over his career as a pilot, and on the professionalism of his team to see him through. Not one failed. He breathed a sigh of relief, and BB-10K8 gave a trill of excited pleasure. He wondered if his droid and Niance's were doing a digital high-five across their short-range network. "Much obliged, Black Three," said DK over the team channel. "That was bad form on my part, sorry to take you away from your hunting. Next mess, your first round is on me."

He had approached too fast, left himself nowhere to go once he blasted through the first enemy, and without any space to maneuver, of course he'd picked up a tail. Usually that wasn't a problem with the First Order's nimble fightercraft and skilled pilots, but this one had been uncommonly skilled, too, so DK's errors had had a consequence this time. He reminded himself to review the materials on this kind of flying as he brought his craft around for another pass.

Another two fighters fell to his cannons, and he was looping around to re-engage when BB-10K8 let out a squeal of alarm and scrolled a message across his screen. ::ADVISORY: REINFORCEMENTS INCOMING FROM POINT SIX SIX ONE. WEAPON SIGNATURE ARE LIVE.:: "Keep it sharp, Black Squadron," DK called over the team channel as he shared the data with them. "They brought friends."

Resurgent Narrative​

 

[Resurgent Narrative]

Niance often wondered where DK put that stick sometimes. At least today it wasn't nearly as far up as it was most days, he was the sort that things had to be a certain way. Sometimes his way, usually his way the by the book way. Still, she wasn't one to look a gift bantha in the mouth.​

​

:: Copy that, Black Leader! ::​

​

If he was gonna pay for the first round then she was all for it. "Alright, Bee-Bee let's let'er loose," Niance remarked to her astromech as her twin ion engine fighter pushed upward. It was only at that point did she hear something of a ping. "Bee, the bloody kriff was that?"​

​

"Another fighter? Friendly?"​

​

"Two friendlies?"​

​

"Put them through and make sure Black Leader gets in on this," Niance's fingers pulled the trigger and she watched as more verdant hues raced across the void painting her targets' hull. Her astromech put the person behind 'Yellow-13' through and another fighter known as 'Ghost-1' through to her communications channels. "Welcome to the rodeo, Ghost-1, and Yellow-13."​

​

Bee chirped and sent the data to his counterpart K8 who sat with Black Leader. "We've got more incoming, we'll take all the help we can get. Black-Three out."​

A screech from the astromech told her that they had heavy fighters, and interceptors inbound. A momentary look away from the void to get a quick scan of her instruments lured Niance into a three on one trap. "That'll teach me, right then Bee, let's go!"​

​

Ghost-1's fighter appeared to be a Red TIE Bomber with a crown slapped on the side. It was old but it could move, and move quickly it did as it eliminated one of the fighters quickly.​

​

:: Ghost-1 to Black-3, I don't recall the First Order teaching rookies how to get trapped. You seem a little green, kid. ::​

​

:: You're a real charmer aren't you Ghost-1. ::​

​

:: It's what they tell me Black-3. ::​

​

​

Kim Dae-Hyun | Kurayami Bloodborn​

​

​

Dr. Chrisholm and Mr. Bingley answered Dr. Saint George rather quickly and followed Audrey as the doctor preferred. She explained why they didn't bring any of the heavy machinery or the submarines. "Sounds rather practical," Vernice remarked with a smile. She more than understood just why they wouldn't bring everything on the first trip. There were tests and assessments that just needed to be done carefully, and as in-person as possible. Temples like the one they would be approaching could be quite sensitive to heavy machines. ​

​

Their charter for the trip was rather small and crowded but was to be expected. Ivor and Vernice settled in beside one another and brought a few items of their own along for the trip. Breathers, waterproof datapads, drones, back up batteries, flashlights with their waterproof covers. Then of course there were a few other items, mostly for defense should they run into anything unfriendly. Medical equipment was also packed and more so as a just-in-case measure. ​

​

The trip was relatively quick and mostly silent. Ivor and Vernice didn't seem too bothered by it and rather, they discussed the timeline of paperwork. Vernice was to help her uncle Everett's family once on Dosuun, and Ivor was sure that without his being there Vernice would not have been able to truly manage. Not that he'd ever announced such a thing aloud. It was when Audrey had declared that they had arrived did the two looked up over the equipment. ​

​

The pair worked to get their flippers on and followed Audrey from inside of the bucket, flashlights on the pair were ready to follow her into the underwater temple.​

​

​

Audrey Saint George ​

​

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

During trips like these, Nylea usually meditated. It relaxed her, made time go much faster, and gave her the opportunity to detach herself from her thoughts. The trip to Arizmendi, however, was a different story. The method of transport she, her fiance, and the others had to take wasn't particularly comfortable; constantly being thrown around making it impossible to center herself. The echani was a patient soul, but she agreed with Elisea that the sooner they were there, the better. But the uncomfortable trip was far from the worst of her worries.

The thing that truly worried Nylea was the impending sense of danger she'd been feeling ever since landing. It wasn't just the conflict that took place on the planet, either; it was something much more insidious. She kept a close eye on her surroundings for that reason. Whatever it was, it was close. Breathing excercises kept her calm, but only barely.

"Something feels off. I do not like this," Nylea remarked, letting her concern out in the open. Little did she know what, or rather who, she was about to run into again after many years. A dark day was about to be revisited.

Elisea Korrado | Hazel Zanteres | Fevris Derzelas ​

 

[Aurelian Dash]

Objective: BYOO
Theme: Henchmen//women Hijinx
The Major | Isobel Nakano
-

Stretching his legs felt good - waiting always seemed to induce an uncomfortable sense of restlessness. The others followed and so long as they looked the part no one really seemed to care where they went. Up some stairs, along a walkway, into an antechamber, into another courtyard. As they walked, their voices took a natural hush not only to preserve the relatively low energy day they'd had so far but also to maintain some semblance of anonymity. "What's up?" Aurelian's colleague inquired. He replied in a similarly hushed tone.

"I've got a bad feeling. Pretty sure this is about to kick off. You remember the plan? Been struggling with how to cinch this one."

Normally the veteran field officer had a contingency for everything but their insertion to Diaz's cell had been hasty and last minute from the start. He was loathe to admit it but perhaps one of the younger two had a perspective he was missing. If it was up to him, they'd simply wait for the blaster fire to start and then join in the ruckus - but that wasn't really a wise option was it?

 

[Vakim Duval]

Objective 1:

Location: LZ west of the Pyramids of Tlahuian Status: Deployed quietly, establishing perimeter
Troops: 48 Stormtroopers of the 12th Unattached 'Storm' Platoon
Equipment: F-11D blaster rifles, SE-44C blaster pistol, stun grenades, First Order White Stormtrooper Armor.
With: Matma Bernu Resurgent Narrative
​

Lt. Vakim Duval's men hadn't had much time to mourn the losses they had taken at Skye, but most of them preferred it that way. Duval himself had thought of his fallen comrades much on the jump over to the Baralou system. The time for that though had passed. Baralou had also suffered at the hands of those scale back bastards and now some faction resisted the necessary entrance into the First Order. An entrance that would ensure the planets protection from the Ssi-Ruu and secure a vital supply of food for the First Order. Vakim knew how politics worked. He knew the reasons for being here were many and that his team were just a small part of a much larger plan. The reservists who had been called up had long been awaiting their chance to join the First Order's elite. Here now they stood amongst veterans of the 12th Unattached 'Storm' Platoon sweating to high hell. Hopefully their experiences in the general Stormtrooper corp meant they could be relied on. Often it did.

The landing had gone shockingly smooth and quietly. The 48 men alongside him had disembarked with little trouble. The Fenix fleet must be highly occupied by the Air Assault. Excellent. Hopefully the shuttle had gotten down without notifying the small garrison that Duval had been advised was at the Pyramids. That would certainly make setting this noose much easier. For now he signaled Matma Bernu on his Commlink.

"I hear you are accompanying us today again. Pleasure to have you. You will see I have sent the coordinates of our LZ. I would suggest you and your men land on the opposite side. It will make securing the perimeter much faster. We are moving out now in our net."

He looked to his men and just gave them a nod. They had all seen the plans en route. Now their professionalism would show. They would break off into squads of three. 16 teams of three in total, Vakim would accompany one of the teams. They would then set off towards predetermined areas. The perimeter set up so that the Platoon could create a fairly coherent perimeter around the entire complex. At least so that there was no angle of escape without some level of resistance. According to intelligence the internal garrison wasn't large. Vakim Duval had no doubt that his men could hold the line here again.

The men all took off towards their predetermined locations at a brisk jog. The humidity and heat made no excuse for a lack of professionalism and efficiency. Very quickly the teams to the west of the pyramids would have the perimeter set. The teams to the North and South would follow next. Vakim choosing to be in the last squad to get to its destination maintained constant communication checks with all of his units. He was notified as they fell into position. It would only be another 20 minutes or so and the loose perimeter would be set. As Duval slid into his position with the three other Stormtroopers with him they would fan out to vision contact range. Each of them responsible for their own area. Duval would then signal the Special Agents in command.

"This is Lt. Duval of the 12th Unattached 'Storm' Platoon. Loose Perimeter is set. Observation shows little outside activity. Sensors are coming online soon, but I doubt we need to wait for their readings. There can't be that many of them or they would have secured their perimeter better. I advise assaulting when you are ready. We will be in position to capture any fleeing rats."

​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

Hazel let out a groan as the truck hit yet another bump. This was her first official day as part of FIMS, and it was already a rough one. At least in terms of the journey there, driving across a route that lacked any definition of ‘road’. Dirt paths filled with rocks and holes, made for an immensely uncomfortable journey.

It made the Hapan wish she had pushed for approval to just fly over to their destination. But that had been shot down in fear of well...being shot down. Given the conflict they weren’t able to take any aerial transport, and that meant Hazel’s own personal aerial assist was out of the question too.

Sure, flying via jetpack wasn’t as big of a target, but it was still a risk not worth taking if there was a concern for anti-air weapons.

Hazel sighed as she quickly grabbed a hold of the overhead rail, stopping herself from outright being knocked out of her seat as the truck was about to roll over a large rock. Presently, the Hapan was in a second truck that was following just behind the one the newly engaged couple were occupying. Probably for the better in terms of the Echani’s mood.

But it was a confrontation that was simply simmering beneath the surface, rising ever more as their convey drew closer to their destination. It was no doubt going to heat things up worse than the jungle’s humid weather was. Hazel was used to it being hot, she practically lived on a desert planet when she wasn’t being a doctor. But a humid environment wasn’t a one-for-one comparison.

She just hoped the remaining minutes of their journey would be over soon rather than later.

Elisea Korrado | Nylea Apollodor | Fevris Derzelas​

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

​

"No chite," Elisea grumbled offhandedly to her fiancé as the truck bounced along the road turned, and then came to a stop. She took the single second she had to take a deep breath and exhale. The back of the truck opened up and Major Vir Aetos greeted her and helped her and the rest of the team down. The supply trucks in front were already being unloaded, and unknowingly one of FIMS' leaders Chief Nursing Officer, Commander Marasigan rushed to meet with Elisea. ​

​

"Good to see you, chief." Marasigan walked Elisea away from the group for a moment, "engineers are looking at the problem with the generators but in the meanwhile, we need help relocating the patients to the tent hospital we've just finish setting up." She'd go on to give more about the situation on the ground, Los Fenix had been spotted en route to Arizmendi. Major Vir Aetos was already ordering his men to begin their patrols, he was hoping they could get a tank up this way to help dissuade the Fenix from doing anything tremendously stupid.​

​

Elisea went back to Nylea and the others, which happened to include the FIMS team from the second truck. "Alright, listen up, we're going to help relocate patients to the tent, we are moving those who are stable. There is a functioning generator and the hospital wants to conserve the power for the most critically ill."​

​

"Engineers are currently assessing the generators' problem, and how long from now it will be until it is all fixed is still unknown." She paused a moment and looked at the group before her. "We do know that there have been Fenix agents spotted headed up this way from the west. Major Aetos and the First Imperial Army will be working with the local militia to keep the town safe, but keep your eyes open. Let's go."​

​

Hazel Zanteres | Fevris Derzelas | Nylea Apollodor ​

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

A buried memory, and all of the emotions attached, attempted to claw its way towards the surface and grip its claws deep into Nylea's thoughts. It was a black day, where she lost a friend and nearly had to say goodbye to another. The dark side had managed to twist and manipulate yet another, and it had sent the echani down a spiral of doubt and anguish for a long time. Though she thought she had managed to leave those dark times behind her, something caused it to resurface once more. By the time the truck arrived at its destination, Nylea was already beginning to lose the battle against her own distress.

After being helped out of the truck and watching Elisea talk with another person in private for a moment, Nylea looked around the area. Another truck came to a halt, and people began spilling out of the back. She watched them come out one by one.

Until one particular woman emerged.

Instantly the echani's heart dropped and the woman looked away, hopelessly struggling against her heavy breathing. She told herself that it had to be her mind playing tricks on her, that those resurfaced memories were getting to her head. She had vanished years ago, and chances were she'd never show her face again.

Then again, Nora had not been answering her messages ever since the coronation ball. Nylea's mind unwillingly connected dots regardless of how reasonable it was, but at the same time she was too afraid to look behind her to confirm or disprove her fears. When Elisea rejoined the group, the echani was already panicking, though as obvious as it was she still tried to push through it. People still needed help, after all. With a silent nod, she went along with her fiance's words. There was work to be done.

Elisea Korrado | Hazel Zanteres | Fevris Derzelas ​

 

[Resurgent Narrative]

:: Copy, 12th. Going silent, Nightshrike out. ::

Their vehicle rolled to a stop quietly a few clicks from the actual insertion point. They would head out on foot from here, Baralou's thick jungles squeezed any light from the sky. The humidity made their gear feel twice as heavy as it normally was, their goal was relatively simple and there would be another team of five heading for the opposite objective. Tanileu's team had been slated for objective b, while the other team would head straight in for objective a. Once secure both teams would go on to grab Diaz, assuming he didn't flush out.

If that was the case the men and women of Vakim's platoon should be able to catch him. They wouldn't be the only ones out here today either, there was no doubt of that. The Stormtroopers had been advised to swap out their typical alabaster plastoid for black to blend in with the shadows. Tanileu led her team up to the insertion point. "Here is our map, and our route is relatively short, but we're in wide view from these doors, and this ambulatory. There are a set of stairs here on the right that lead down into the river, or what was the river we'll need to watch it."

Snipers on watch, two riflemen and then there was Tanileu with her array of gear. She stopped short of instructing them to take up positions when she heard foot steps. Quietly the five man team took up positions within the shadows. Diaz's men would realize something was up if sounds suddenly were emitted from this area. However, as Tanileu quietly twisted the silencer on her pistol. She was hopeful they would remain dubious. The first of the Fenix patrols entered from a door she stood behind.

Tanileu waited until he just passed it and his shadow faded into the rest within the ruins of the pyramid she and her team held up in. A squeeze on the trigger sent him face first into the stone floor.

Vakim Duval | Matma Bernu

​

Just because the fight for Baralou laid elsewhere, didn't mean there still wouldn't be a fight here. Nahutal was by all accounts in ruins, whatever had been established on Baralou by the First Order in the past. Had been left to rot by Diaz, who as Sahani learned came to power shortly after the Sith Empire began sending proxies to take control of old First Order systems. Diaz however was not one of them, he was however, a very disgruntled man. A man who while he believed in nationalism, believed more that it should be for his benefit. So people starved, people died, and the capital showed it.

Sahani hadn't been someone who was looking for a fight in particular, but rather was trying to figure out Diaz's rise to power. The First Order's Rapid Response team had set up in an old warehouse, mobile teams from FIMS had set up around them and with them came the military. Sahani wasn't necessarily at these junctures but near them at the very least. She was at the old municipal center looking through anything that referenced him. Sahani had thus far discovered that there had been First Imperials who sought to regain control from him. They were either dead or had fled the system altogether...

The old warehouse was settled in the Kahlo District, a place where at one point art and music thrived. One day it would thrive again, until then the basic needs had to be met. An Echani nurse was there, her name was Ennon and she was in charge of getting the citizens into the appropriate queues to get the services that they needed.

Raava Starwind​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

The Hapan’s wish was soon granted, as the minutes burned by and the convoy finally reached their destination. Hazel groaned and sighed as she rubbed her neck, she was glad to be getting off the truck and hopefully not on another for a good amount of time. A couple more minutes passed before they rang true, waiting for the others ahead of her to disembark the vehicle. The Hapan immediately began to stretch her legs, trying to ease away the cramps that had formed over the long journey.

For a moment she glanced over to see Korrado being walked away slightly by the Chief; Commander Marsigan. She couldn’t hear what they were saying fully, but Hazel was soon preoccupied as she helped them unload some equipment from the truck. She had completely missed the fact Nylea had caught sight of her, the Hapan’s Force sense was still a bit frazzled from the bumpy trip here. It wasn’t until Elisea gathered the two teams together, and began relaying their objectives.

Hazel took immediate notice of how the Echani outright refused to look in her direction. Huh, that was an interesting reaction. The Hapan had expected the Nylea to be angry at her, not have a similar response as Nora had. Interesting…

She did look like she hadn’t aged a day since that fateful moment on Monastery. Which wasn’t that particularly far fetched given her Hapan heritage. But the reality was the illusion was hiding the reality beneath it.

“Understood.”

If her appearance hadn’t sealed the deal on her identity, the voice certainly did.

Elisea Korrado | Fevris Derzelas | Nylea Apollodor​

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

"Roger that Black-3. More target rich environment here than in Mos Eisley on a good day." He cut transmissions from his end as he pulled his odd ship around, checking his sensors and reaching out through the Force to see how everything was holding up thus far. Overall it seemed to be going according to plan or at least very close to the initial OPLAN. It was always nice when Kurayami didn't have to deviate much from the initial briefing though his thoughts were interrupted by another incoming transmission from Black Leader. Reinforcements. Had anyone seen the Corellian it would have been impossible to miss how much he enjoyed hearing that news although his response made it just as clear, if not more so. Banking towards the direction of the incoming contacts He pushed ahead of the rest of the group as though this were some sort of competition.

Once he was outside the range of the friendlies, Kurayami flipped the swith by his pinky on the throttle into the 'ON' position activating the 4x jamming suite. If nothing else it should at least give some cover to the TIEs from Black Squadron and Ghost-1 the harder it was for the enemy to lock on the harder it was to down the friendlies. He opened with a few one second bursts from his guns, angled upwards towards the Ssi-Ruuvi pilots as he passed slightly beneath them not expecting to hit, but hoping to sow some level of chaos amongst them. One at the back, likely just a nugget broke off from the rest of the flight and Kurayami was quick to fall in behind and chase the small fighter. This lizard was a decent pilot, but Kurayami had faced down more than his fair share of overconfident rookies in his day, hell he'd been one long ago, but for now his attention was focused solely on his target and the elimination of it.

Resurgent Narrative ​

 

[Matma Bernu]

Matma, working in conjunction with the First Order's finest, had reached the landing zone. His first thoughts?

By the Force, it's sweltering! It's like Mephoun- but without the undead.

Clearing his throat, he addressed the commandos he was attached to. "Now, according to the good Lieutenant, we are going to help firm up this side of the perimeter. Let's use the environment to our advantage. I want you guys on the ground- circulate around the area, but don't leave any gaps for them to squeeze through."

Matma jerked his head up. "I'll be in the tree line- providing recon, so if something goes sideways, I won't be able to help anybody. Maintain radio silence unless...well, unless you don't need to ." Assignments given out, he gathered the Force and leapt into the tree. He continued to propel himself through the trees, eyes scanning the ground below for anything out of the ordinary.


Vakim Duval Resurgent Narrative

 

[Gunnar Madine]

Undisclosed Observation Outpost | Mobile
-

A terse, thin lipped expression gripped the FOSOC Officer's expression, his lips taut. His steely eyes darted about the command screen readout, classifying and quantifying the data as fast as his limited human mind could. Less than ideal. It was better than bad however. Various real-time reports scrolled across parts of the readout, some covert camera feeds, traffic logs, 3D visualization of the target facility, even a few tactical feeds began popping up. They were under way it seemed. Gunnar, for his part, had done what he could to nudge the operation towards a more... final resolution by including his favorite tool - the Storm Commandos but necessity dictated that they also work in concert with the Stormtrooper Corps. A concession that he hated to admit, only amplified their chances of success.

For now he was content to watch but when the time was right, you could bet your bottom dollar he'd be ready to jump in and provide the eagle's eye view to his troops on the ground.

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

​

It hadn't escaped Elisea's attention that Hazel Zanteres was about, but she didn't have the time to deal with the issues she came with. In particular how she affected Nylea, "Team two, be ready on the ground floor, team one with me we're on stairs." Team two, Hazel's team would be stationed at the ground level their job would be to take the patients as handed to them by team one and carry them to the tent and get back. Once they were back, team two was to signal they were ready with a simple shout. "When you shout, shout loud, shout strong we need to hear you up the stairwell."​

​

Arizmendi much like the rest of Baralou had been hit hard both by the Ssi-Ruu and by Diaz's constant neglect. Men and women in gold colored jumpsuits with the FO Emblem, wreath, crown and all in black on their shoulder rushed to and from equipment trucks trying to get power back to the hospital. The town had some power and what they did have had been regulated to help keep the civilians warm in various depots, and warehouses, even the old courthouse. ​

​

Marasigan signaled for the teams, and in they went teal uniforms and all, sans Nylea and any other light-sided align Force user who was not an Imperial Knight. The hospital's smell was certainly unique, it smelled like cleaning fluids that been left out to oxidize, coupled with an odor of sweat. Thankfully, by this point, Elisea had been around some of the worst smells in her life throughout the galaxy. The once pristine floors of the hospital were now stained with mud, blood and everything else in between.​

​

Blaster marks on the wall, lights hung from their ceiling placements. Turned over desks and chairs, it was clear that the first floor had been part of the fighting. Even now, Arizmendi's militia made up of their local Stormtrooper regiment from the old First Order... Their armor was no longer that beautiful alabaster plastoid, but a beige with a silvery undertone. Some were even an off-white almost yellow, and yet here they stood guarding the hospital with vigor and pride.​

​

Elisea led team one, past a pair of Baralou's troopers and up the stairs, "watch your step." Elisea warned and then ordered, "flashlights on, and step lightly, the engineering team isn't certain of the structural integrity of the stairs." Carefully, step by step she ascended the stairwell, she was only now grateful for the heavily regimented physical training that FIMS enforced. Steady breathing, and steady footwork assured her safety as she reached the tenth floor. She was tired, sure, but she imagined the men and women who had been here in the heat, with their patients. Let alone being the patients, waiting for help - had to be worse than a climb up the stairs.​

​

Marasigan had climbed up ahead of her and waited for Elisea to catch her breath before the first patient, was handed over via stretcher. An elderly woman who had her legs amputated below the knee after they had been crushed by part of a bridge. All this while she and her family had attempted to flee the Ssi-Ruu. FIMS had formed a human chain and carefully handed the stretcher down, calling out ahead to ensure their teammates would be ready.​

​

Two more teams from FIMS would take another stairwell, Major Aetos who stood to watch this from a distance, thought it was all crazy. There had to be an easier way to do this, and while the lifts weren't working... He had an idea, his clasped together, he rushed off for his command tent to take advantage of the holo communicator there. ​

​

​

Nylea Apollodor | Hazel Zanteres | Fevris Derzelas ​

​

 

[Isobel Nakano]

Isobel chewed the inside of her cheek, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I think that depends on how things go down," said the operative quietly. "If they bust in guns blazing and our only way of contributing is to join in, then that's what we'll have to do. But if there's a way we can smooth things over without giving ourselves a way..." She paused, canting her head to one side as if listening closely, holding up a hand. A few moments of silence passed, then she cleared her throat and went on.

"I don't know. Disable the security klaxons," she mused. "Blow a generator so the floodlights don't work. Fuse the lock on the armory door." Isobel frowned and looked from Aurelian Dash to The Major , eyebrows lifting. "Something with a little more finesse and utility than just opening fire once they do the heavy lifting of blasting the doors down."

She pushed some vivid blue hair from her gaze, tucking it behind her ear. "What do you think?"

 

[Audrey Saint George]

​

Dr. Saint George kicked her legs, propelling her through the water towards where the temple sat, nestled against the towering underground mountain. Just how deep the temple went into the mountain remained to be seen. Audrey doubted whether they would be able to map the whole temple complex today; she'd be happy if they could just get the doors open and get the survey started without damaging it. She wanted to understand how the temple had come to be; was it constructed underwater, in the state they were seeing it now? Or had it once been aboveground before some kind of diluvial catastrophe had plunged it beneath the waves?

Questions without answers.

Yet.

She keyed her comlink in her breather mask. "It's gorgeous," she said cheerfully. She moved closer to the door, pausing a moment to stash her rucksack. She activated her camera drone and set it to follow her, then swam further forward, finding the stone doors with calcified metal handles roughly the height of Audrey herself. She gave it an experimental pull but, while it did give a little, did not easily open. She frowned and glanced over her shoulders.

"I'm going to try to use the left door for leverage and pull the right one open," she informed Vernice and Ivor. "It's stone, though, so I could probably use some more muscle."

Resurgent Narrative​

 

[Resurgent Narrative]

Following Dr. Saint George were both Dr. Chrisholm and Mr. Bingley. At first, the view of the temple was negligible but as they got closer. The more and more pronounced the temple became and all at once Vernice Chrisholm and Ivor Bingley had been in awe. Her own sentiments echoed that of Dr. Saint George, how the temple came to be, and for what purpose did it truly serve. How long had it been here? She had an idea but would rather have the data to back her idea up. If it had been built underwater, what engineering had been made to make it possible. This would inevitably lead her to wonder about the natives of the planet, although; they had been under strict orders to not interact with them. However, should the natives contact them; they were to report it immediately. "It truly is, quite remarkable - there are at least a dozen questions running through my mind about it."

"Oh, yes, Ivor and I are happy to assist." There was stone, and there was water, and a bit of science to help them out if necessary. Ivor and Vernice moved through the water and moved opposite of Audrey. The doors were calcified, and the handles just as much if not more so. Vernice took the opportunity to take pictures of the door and the handles. She moved out to get a better picture of the temple altogether before swimming back. "Alright, Ivor, Audrey, on three - and by the Maker let's hope this works." She took a deep breath, exhaled, and readied herself to help pull the door handle. Ivor moved to help pull the door as well, "one, two, three."

Audrey Saint George ​