Antar the Dragon (Republic Dominion of Antar

[Kaia Vullen]

Location: Temba Main Space Port, Antar 4, Prindaar System.
Allies: Fellow jedi, padawan and younglings.
Objective: #1 (Diplomacy).
Post [1 / 20]

Kaia Vullen did not step, but rather lightly skipped off the ship behind the older and more experienced Padawan, in this instance lead by [member="Dair Cotarin"] who naturally walked up in front. Her head flicked back and forth as she absorbed the wonders of landing on an unfamiliar planet, breathing unfamiliar air with unfamiliar smells and through her miralukan force sight she could see life flickering all around them Her perpetual smile intensified, and she tried to contain herself, which was a massive undertaking in any case.

Kaia's mind jerked into focus as words were spoken and courtesies exchanged. She thought to herself, 'Focus, don't get carried away, present in the moment Kaia, present and focused'. She made a valiant attempt at following the conversation, but it was soon over. "Domestic affairs?" She muttered to herself as they were led to aircars and wooshed off to the embassy for further diplomatic affairs. The concept of 'domestic affairs' rattled in her brain so much that she could barely enjoy the rush of the 'wooshing'. She found her datapad and researched the planet, looking for whatever the Gotal woman could have meant. The bombings, the mines, the derelict battleship. It was all nearly enough to wipe away her perpetual smile, but just nearly. The Jedi were here, they were there. There was hope for peace, there would be peace.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Des Kovak"]

Kart leaned forwards over the table. The light reflected off his drink to cast red hues across his face. "You can't sense that?" he asked conspiratorially. The wry smile looked lost on his huge head.

"What?" Jacen asked, confused.

"Interesting. His electro-chemical balance is all out if whack and the Jedi can't sense a thing."

Jacen let's a slow breath out, closing his eyes. His view of the bar remained, but everything turned to shades of grey. Not quite everything, all the sentients in the room were brilliant flashes of light. Life forms were so much easier to sense through the Force than inanimate objects to Jacen. He focused on the shades of the colours, as he reached out to them he picked up thoughts and feelings. However the colours seemed to represent an emotional state.

It took him a moment to spot the gotal coming up the path. Different shards of colour flashed brightly. He was veering between emotions, but fear was dominant. Voidstalker opened his eyes and watched the gotal enter the room slowly. He'd reviewed the previous bombings. The culprits had left a package no bigger than a fist and then left. A short range transmission had triggered the explosion. The rangers had fitted the bar with a powerful jammer just in case.

"This isn't right," Kart stated. The gotal was shaking like a leaf now, and several other patrons had noticed. Jacen felt it now. This was wrong. This was no professional. "He knows we're here."

The bomber walked into the middle of the room and flung open his coat, revealing a string of explosives strapped to his chest. Turning straight to Jacen's table, he looked Kart straight in the eye and held out a detonator. His hand was holding the trigger tight, it was the kind of mechanism that went off when released again.

"Prindar Freedom!" he screamed and lot go of the detonator.

Kart tentatively looked out from between his fingers. "Grab him!" Jacen grunted through clenched teeth. The detonator hung in mid air, still closed tight. People all around the bar were shouting and running. The bomber turned and fled through the crowd, Jacen's telekinetic grip still holding the detonator.

 

[Dazuto]

Location: Republic warship hangar bay
Allies: [member="Dair Cotarin"] | [member="Mark Sage"] | [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] | [member="Kaitlyn Solay"]
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: 2

The pilots scrambled to their starships. It had only been moments since the call came down that negotiations were on track and the assault on Antar 5 was to begin. Dazuto climbed the ladder into his shiny new R44. His first combat mission awaited.

"Private Dazuto!" yelled the officer whom he'd spoken to earlier. "Hold it right there." He jogged across the flight deck in his perfectly pressed uniform, the spite of grunts galaxy-wide.

"You've been reassigned." The man was practically shouting over the roar of engines. He handed Dazuto a yellow folder. "A Wroshyr-class bomber has just been made available to us on the surface of Antar 4. You'll be flying as the co-pilot and providing logistical support."

Uhm. "Sir, I've only flown one of those once in training."

"As I said, Private, you'll only be providing support. And once is more than anyone else on this cruiser has flown one. A shuttle will take you to the surface immediately."

You're my least favorite person right now.


[2/20]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Jacen Voidstalker]

The Gotal had walked right past Des. His untrained and unrefined Force senses had abandoned him as they had crossed eyes, and Des had passed him off as just another lowlife looking to drown the sorrows that seemed so obvious on his face. It was only afterward that a vague sense of foreboding had started to build in the back of his mind, a small, nagging voice that tried to screech a warning at him. You've made a mistake, it said. He had no idea what that mistake was, what he'd done or hadn't done for things to go wrong, but it had happened. He had stood at a crossroads, where one thing lead to safety and the other to... what, exactly? The feeling grew, the voice in his head became more insistent, though it didn't get any less vague. Des got anxious, started reaching for his comlink. He was just about ready to blow their cover, call on the other Jedi in a fit of panic, when the lid was blown off the whole thing.

He heard it before he felt it, a guttural Gotal voice above the everyday din. "Prindaar freedom!" Des immediately shot into action, darting across the street and narrowly dodging a passing landspeeder as it passed. He scrabbled across the tar decking of the roadway, bounded the last few steps to the door, and... was bowled off his feet by a fleeing Gotal. He swore in the Korunnal language as he fell to the ground on his back, and stared up into the face of the Gotal he'd just let pass. The Gotal stared back down, their eyes a mirror of the other's as recognition dawned on both of them. The Gotal resumed his dead run, fleeing across the street in the exact same direction Des had just come from, and ducked into an alleyway.

Des hurriedly picked himself up once again, turned, and set off to chase the Gotal runaway. "You there! Stop!" he cried, though he knew it would not help. As he ran, he fumbled for the comlink in the pocket of his breeches and brought it up to his mouth as he pressed the button for the reciever. "In pursuit. Headed East-South-East through alleyway," he reported, not wasting any breath on honourifics of details.

 

[Dazuto]

Location: Antar 4 spaceport
Allies: [member="Dair Cotarin"] | [member="Mark Sage"] | [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] | [member="Kaitlyn Solay"]
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: 2

"You karking serious, mate?"

The spaceport was even more hectic than the hangar bay had been. Attendants had ushered stray pilots and technicians off the pad so the shuttle could land. There, in all its destructive glory, waited the Wroshyr. Dazuto rubbed his hand along the polished surface. It was the largest starship he'd ever piloted, albeit only once in training. The assignment came to him as a surprise. He conducted a last minute review of the controls to jog his memory. It all seemed to be in order.

"So, you're Private Dazuto? I guess that makes you my new best friend," said a young, dashing pilot.

Dazuto shook his hand. "I suppose that's right. How many hours do you have piloting one of these?"

The human laughed and made a circle with his fingers. "Zero. Hope you know some fancy flying."

What. "No, no, no. There's some mix-up here. You're supposed to be my pilot, I'm the gunner."

He laughed again. "Pilot? Oh, no, friend. I've never flown in my life. I'm just a computer technician with the Navy. I'm supposed to scramble our communications with ground forces to keep the dirty rebels from listening in."

"You karking serious, mate? Nope. Nope. Not today. Nope. No way." Dazuto tore open the yellow folder given to him by the officer in orbit. Sure enough, he found it. Pilot: Private Dazuto; Navigator: Ensign Ifel Raiph.

"Cheer up," said Raiph, his red shirt visible in his flight jacket. "Dirty cave-dwellers won't give us any troubles. Just drop the bombs and don't crash!"

Dazuto watched the navigator climb into what was originally his seat behind the cockpit. The splicer fumbled with his seat belt. "It's in wrong," said Dazuto. "Over the shoulders, under the legs."

"Right, thanks! How do I adjust the seat?"

I'm going to die.


[3/20]

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Location: Antar 5
Allies: [member="Dair Cotarin"] | [member="Mark Sage"] | [member="Dazuto"] | [member="Kaitlyn Solay"]
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: Smack Mark Sage for not being stealthy
[2/20]

He was being a fool, whoever he was. When was it ever smart to get out of hiding and call out for someone in enemy territory. Seriously whoever trained this Jedi didn't do anything to help him it seemed. JJ waved him over holding a finger to his mouth indicating he needed to be quiet. If the bandits found them now the mission was over before it started. Why he wasn't with the other Jedi he didn't know. JJ wasn't official so he was there alone. Time to meet the guy though.

"Over here and be quiet. We don't have orders get so hold up. We don't need the bandits finding us because your rustling in the bushes. Find some high ground where you can scout the entrance to their base. I'm JJ by the way. Freelance
Jedi."

 

[OriginsoftheJedi]

"Sorry," Mark replied quietly, "I've been trying to figure out how to call via the mind, but I haven't quite gotten it yet. Mark Sage, padawan at the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV."
He silently slipped into the small clearing that JJ was hiding in.
"I've been up in the trees scouting until now. There's been no movement for the last 25 minutes or so. So I came down to find the others and see what the plan is." he whispered.
(2)
[member="Judah Lesan Jr."]

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Location: Antar 5
Allies: [member="Dair Cotarin"] | [member="Mark Sage"] | [member="Dazuto"] | [member="Kaitlyn Solay"]
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: Smack Mark Sage for not being stealthy
[3/20]

JJ nodded. He had to remember that just because the mind abilities came easily for Lesans naturally, they didn't always for everyone else. Maybe the Padawan didn't have a master. Too bad JJ wasn't a Knight otherwise he'd consider it. It was a wonder they were letting Masterless from the academy come. Judah was curious, but it would wait. For now, he needed to teach the boy to communicate with the mind.

"One on one is easier than a whole group. It involves connecting through the force with another mind and then projecting your thoughts. You've learned to connect to objects, right? A person is no dofferent."

The mouth stopped but the words did not. JJ projected what he had to say next through the force to Mark's mind.

"There are no other yet. Word was the first goal was to meet on Antar 4 for whatever reason. Orders would come from the assembly. All I know was there is a ranger here already scouting ahead for the main headquarters. Whoever they are, they've managed to blend well enough I can't see them, and they must be one of the rangers without a force signature, because I only detected yours. Now that my mind is open to yours, try responding. If it works I'll keep the link open. If you get too hurt though I will sever it."

JJ hoped there wasn't a need to explain why. Such a link meant whatever Mark felt during the raid, JJ would feel as well. It was the curse of strong empaths.

 

[OriginsoftheJedi]

Location: Antar 5
Allies: [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] | Kaitlyn Solay
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: #2

Mark thought hard, imagining projecting his words forward. He hadn't tried this many times before, but he hoped he was getting the hang of it.
"Ok. I think I'm doing it correctly now." he thought, projecting the words into JJ's mind. The beginning may have been a bit garbled, but as he continued the sentences in his mind, they became clearer and more focused, at least to him. Hopefully, it was working.
"My master and I haven't gone over this very much before, but I think I'm learning now. I'm honestly surprised that we haven't done this more. She mainly taught me how to allow and not allow people into my mind. So what exactly are we looking for? I didn't see much activity when I was up in the trees."
(3)
[member="Judah Lesan Jr."]

 

[H3xle]

[Prindaar System]
[Republic Warship orbiting between Antar 4 and Antar 5]

With the simple gesture from Dair, the attache that was handling relaying orders turned away and began to speak into a commlink. The commlink wasn't using standard communication protocols, due to the lack of information regarding the terrorists technical capabilities, her commlink was using a line of sight laser link up daisy-chained from her commlink to the shuttle, from the shuttle to a communication satellite placed in orbit of the moon, from the satellite to the Republic warship hanging in space between the two moons. The only way for this type of communication link up to be intercepted would be to intercept the beam between points and that would reveal the location of the interception.

"Anchor to Strike force, we are a go for operations." A single sentence was uttered, and the cogs that made up the Republic war machine in the Prindaar system began to turn. There was no response, none was needed as there was a dedicated technician listening for that one sentence. That technician pushed a button and the action stations sirens began to wail. Naval ratings and officers ran from one place to another to man weapons systems, engines and various other key stations. The ground force was gathered into a series of dropships and launched in a hot drop to the ground of Antar 5 roughly a kilometer from the mine that had been located as the terrorists main holdout. The dropships came in behind the horizon and settled onto the ground behind a ridgeline. The noise of the landing might be heard, but sightlines were cut off to allow for the dropships safety and the forces to assemble in relative safety. As the primary dropship entered the atmosphere, another signal was laser linked to [member="kaitlyn solay"].

"Strike force to Shadow. We are landing a klick from your position, ground operations are commencing." The dropship operator relayed the orders to the Ranger on site, then devoted his focus to landing the dropship and offloading his troops. The dropships were to remain, acting as a command post and rally position, gunners were to be constantly manning the weapons systems, turning the landing zone into a very hostile area to anyone trying to assault it.

[member="Mark Sage"] [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] [member="Dazuto"] [member="travot ravenna"]

______________________________________________________________________

[Prindaar System]
[Antar 4 Republic Embassy]

Dair stepped from the room that the staff at the Embassy had set aside for the Jedi's use. He liked to see that so many had decided to help with dealing with the issues that were cropping up in opposition to the signing of a treaty to bring Prindaar system into the Republic formally. He took a deep breath and made his way to the podium that was raised slightly over the floor of the assembly room where everyone was situated and waiting to begin hammering out specific points. He was to make a speech, and deep inside he felt a pang of apprehension. He didn't really wish to be in the battle that was coming down on Antar 5, but he felt that such would be a great deal simpler for him than having to be center stage and doing public speaking. He reached the podium and cleared his throat and his mind.

"The Galactic Republic would like me to offer our thanks to the Assembly here for the opportunity to bring Antar and the Prindaar system into the family of the Republic. The process is going to be long, difficult and in the end well worth it. By the end of these talks there shall be a unified government of Antar 4 that will hold sway over the internal issues of the Prindaar system and assign Senators to the Republic Senate. I won't gloss over the dire need for these things to come to pass, I won't dishonor the memory of all who have died recently in the troubles that have come to this world. We have all read the news, we have all seen the footage of homes and families annihilated by the atrocious bombings that have been taking place." His eyes roamed over the room, which had fallen deathly silent. He felt a slight rise in adrenaline as he spoke, almost akin to battle. "Some of you in the Assembly might begin to think that things would be simpler if you gave in to the demands of these terrorists and ask us to leave you be. This will not end the attacks, our arrival did not begin the attacks. These attacks are part of the reason we are here. Giving in to terrorists would only bring more pain and suffering to this system. As we speak, Republic forces are working to reacquire the mines on Antar 5. We have more forces seeking to root out the leadership of these terrorists to stop them at their source. Let us help these forces by coming to a consensus on what will be needed to bring Prindaar into the Republic. Let us find a compromise between your needs and the laws of the Republic to help the re-integration of your people into the culture of the Republic. Thank you."

Dair bowed his head for a moment, then turned and descended from the podium. There were better orators present, even a Senator from the Republic, but it was decided for him to give the speech for several reasons. Key among them was Dair's lack of experience, it would be assumed by many that mention of the forces coming against the terrorists to be a grave mistake, possibly letting the terrorists leaders know they were being hunted. This was partially true, but it was also true that Republic operators were monitoring communications from this building and trying to identify from them who might be allied with the terrorists. Dair walked back to the room set aside while other Padawans and Republic officials began the finer points of the talking. Dair would join them again soon, but he felt the need to let the adrenaline fade before he did so.

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Megan Rhymes"] [member="Zak Dymo"] [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Dazuto"] [member="Caleb Brolen"] [member="Travot Ravenna"] [member="corvus raaf"] [member="uri aureleos"] [member="fletcher lorcan"] @Other Republic Padawans/Helpers

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Jacen Voidstalker]

Des raced through the alleyways, ducking left and right through winding turns, crossing streets busy with traffic or sprinting across squares with people scattering to make way for the fugitive Gotal and his persuers.

He never let the bomber out of his sight, and the rookie Jedi had hardly even noticed the pursuit had been joined by the Gotal ranger called Krart until the larger, faster runner passed by him. He had not been in direct contact, but they had been briefly introduced. Krart didn't say a word as he passed, and Des followed his example to save his breath.

Eventually, the bomber made for the outskirts of town, where the buildings were a little less 'building' and a lot more 'dump'. The bomber entered one of the many near identical shacks, presumable a safe house, meeting point, or perhaps even the terrorist's home. Ahead of Des, Krart didn't hesitate to follow him in, and Des saw no alternative but to follow.

When he entered through the open entrance, the scene that greeted him was one of squallor. The place lacked any real condiments, instead using boxes, crates, and anything else to hand as makeshift chairs and a table. Through a doorway, Des could see what must pass for a kitchen area with a coolbox and a small cooker. A climbable ledge led up to a second floor, where Des assumed the Gotal kept a matress or something similar to sleep on.

In the middle of this, the two Gotals had come to a head. The bomber was on his back, with Krart pressing his knee into his target's chest to keep him down as he laid in with his fists. Des understood that questions would come soon enough. Krart wanted to soften him up first, or simply wanted to work out his anger for endangering the world he called home. No word had to be spoken between them. Des only gave a nod, and did not try to stop Krart. The Korun would-be Jedi knew this. This was the law of the jungle he had grown up with.

 

[Kaia Vullen]

Location: Temba Main Space Port, Antar 4, Prindaar System.
Allies: Fellow Jedi, Padawan and Younglings.
Objective: #1 (Diplomacy).
Post [2 / 20]

Finding their way into the temporary Jedi room, Kaia marvelled over the number of people who had come from the Jedi to aid in the diplomacy. She squeezed her datapad and suppressed a squeak of excitement as she looked around. The radiance of force-sensitive individuals was near overwhelming, and the building was buzzing with life. She thought for a moment about what she had read on her way here, and her friends being out there aiding in combat and investigation. The gravity of the situation helped her sharpen her mind. They had their battle, she had hers. Her battle was of words, ideas, of creating a base of relations for peace to grow upon.

She watched as Dair spoke, having found a suitable place to sit: Out of the way for the main body, yet well within earshot. She was jotting down points mentally and on her datapad. "bring Antar and the Prindaar system into the family of the Republic.", "Long, difficult, and in the end well worth it." "Atrocious bombings", "Giving in will not end the attacks", "Mines", "Compromise". Her list grew ever-longer as the senior Padawan spoke. It was silent, the ears in the room voraciously swallowed every word for consideration. When he left the podium, the buzzing of conversation began, mingled with a small applause in which Kaia enthusiastically joined in on. She looked around her, taking in the reactions of the room. Though the speech seemed well received, she could not help but notice a certain murmur of scepticism and thoughtful rubbing of chins among a certain congregation in particular. If Kaia had eyes to narrow, they would be narrowed in a certain curious scepticism. Her gaze flashed over to where Dair had retreated, but she thought to leave him alone." Standing up there so soon must be tough" she thought to herself "Seeing every face, every reaction. Armed only with words".

 

[Elijah Black]

[SIZE=8.5pt]

Spoiler

[1/20]
Location: Antar 5, near the mines
Allies: [member="Kaitlyn Solay"], [member="Judah Lesan Jr."], [member="Mark Sage"] & friends[/SIZE]
Objective: #2 Clearing out the mines of Antar 5

Jedi Padawan Zylah Dvale stood aboard the Republic Warship orbiting between Antar 4 and Antar 5. This would be her first major mission. Never had she been a part of an operation of this magnitude. Finally it would be revealed whether her years of training had paid off. She was determined not to fail the Jedi Order. The young, white-skinned, silver-haired Arkanian Offshoot stared out into space through a large window. She tried to remember her lessons and remain calm, but the anticipation of the battle to come was too much for her to suppress. The order would come in any moment now. She was ready. She would aid in furthering the Republic's reach, extending the arm of peace to the galaxy. Zylah knew Kaia was down there, with the diplomatic envoy on Antar 4. She hoped the Miraluka stayed safe. They would certainly have an interesting story or two to share once all of this was over.

Her musings were interrupted by the sudden wailing of loud sirens. The ship seemed to roar to life, as military personnel scurried off to their stations. It begins. Zylah moved into a sprint, the brown Jedi robes flowing behind her. I should've stayed closer to the ships, she thought. It didn't take her long to reach the main hangar though, meeting up with the rest of the strike force, moving into one of the dropships. She didn't know any of them personally, but she recognized a few of them as padawans. Assured by the presence of what she hoped to be a superior force, she tried to anchor her mind in the moment.

Zylah was among the first to land. Her first task would be to aid in the securing of the landing site. So far, they had been met with no opposition. Leaping into action, Zylah didn't hesitate to mount one of the few speeder bikes that had been brought. Immediately she would perform a quick sweep of the area while the rest of the ground forces amassed together. The hilt of a lightsaber could be seen hanging from her belt. It was not her own, she had yet to create one for herself. This, however, had been given to her on loan for the occasion. Meanwhile more troops were being deployed, entering into formations and commencing a march towards the mines.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Des Kovak"]
Location: Tember Port
Objective: custom

Credit where it was due, the broad Gotal ranger could shift his bulk. He didn't seem to have any qualms about using it to plough through the crowd of panicked civilians either, shoving them aside like wafers. Jacen was not so lucky. The crowd pressed tight around him as he tried to push on.

He could have called in the Force and tried to leap over them, but doing so would have compromised his grip on the detonator. However, if he didn't catch up quickly he'd lose that anyway. He fiddled with the cap on the pretend gas canister only his hip.

"Jedi! Move!" he shouted, activating his golden blade with a characteristic snap-hiss. The crowd parted.

His legs pumped hard as he gave chase, turning into the dark alley he'd seen Kart and the other Jedi chase down. He couldn't see his quarry but he heard the sound of a blaster, and saw a red flash ahead.

 

[Jsc]

Antar 4
Maria's Donuts & Coffee
Obj 5: Planning with Pastries (p3)

___

Rhymes hung up her phone after using about an hour to conference call with Admiral Noah and Master Peng De. She told them of the situation with Fahl Corporations latest construction plans and how it affected local politics. Master Peng De used his brief time to offer her counsel and good advice about how to proceed with foreign business matters. Admiral Noah, an ancient presence in the Intelligence circles of the Republic, simply nodded his agreement in kind. Reminding Megan that her mission with Fahl and the Rangers was simply a secondary objective at this point. The events of Antar 5 and it's Navy Operation would solidify the Antarian Governments support and thankfulness in all matters pertaining to the local Dominion efforts. She need not feel rushed to accomplish anything. Time was on their side here. Indeed, the primary delegation was already successful enough for the Intelligence Bureau's tastes anyway. The Senate could take it from here.

Megan nodded her head and took another sip of her coffee cup. Her phone resting easily in her lap as she pondered her next move. Now all she had to do was contact Fahl directly and set up a meeting with their CO, Jim Cantor. Then she would do her best to sway his pocketbook in the favor of the Antarian Government. No easy task indeed.

"Well. It's not fancy, or refined, or even a Zelosian performing art? But. It's something. Hehe. Well. Maybe it's even perfect for a Jedi Apprentice too. Yeah!"

She clapped her hands and stood up. Cleaned up her table and slipped her phone back into her pocket. Lunch break was over. So grabbing her paper bag of sugary goodies to go and tipping her server, she smiled all the way out the door. After all? What's the only thing better than talking trade deals with foreign planets? ...Um. Hello? Donuts!

Yum.

___

Elsewhere, the battle for Antar 5 had just begun...

 

[Des Kovak]

Spoiler

Objective: Bomb threat

Spoiler

Allies: [member=Jacen Voidstalker]
Post #4

After some time, Krart finally started asking questions. "Where is your contact? Are you meeting them here? Where is the rest of your cell? Do you know of any others? Who is your handler?" So far, the Gotal was less than cooperative, and every refusal to answer was met with more beatings. As Des watched the Gotal ranger ply his trade, his attention was drawn by a sound from outside. It was difficult to make out in the din of far away traffic and everyday city life, but it sounded almost like heavy footsteps approach the building. He glanced at Krart, but the Gotal was too absorbed in what he was doing.

Des moved closer to the door, slowly shuffling his feet so as to make a minimum of noise, his hand tucking under his tunic to retrieve the gleaming chrome lightsaber. Finally, Krart noticed Des' behaviour and fell silent, placing his hand over the other Gotal's mouth. "Salem, why have you not contacted us? Has something gone wro-" The female Gotal frose in the door opening, gaping at the scene before her.

What happened next, Des would only remember in a blur afterwards, or in crystal clear slow motion as it replayed in some of the worst of his nightmares. The female Gotal reached for her blaster, retrieving it from its holster and bringing it up at Krart in a flash. Des responded by igniting his lightsaber with a foreboding hiss, the bright emerald blade casting strange shadows on the wall. By the time the blade of the weapon was fully extended, it was already carving a lethal path for the Gotal. The lightsaber sheared through the wall, the Gotal's chest and her arm in one fell swoop.

Before he well realised what had happened, Des was staring down at two halves of a Gotal at his feet, and one severed arm with a blaster still held firmly in hand. Despite his posturing, his belief in being strong and his precious 'law of the jungle', Des had not been prepared for this. Astonished, he dropped the lightsaber, its blade shrinking back to nothingness, and rushed into the kitchen area. He leaned onto a makeshift sink, and heaved his breakfast into it. Fortunately, he had not had much to eat since then.

After making sure the Gotal bomber was secured and would not move, Krart stepped up behind Des. "Your first?" the ranger inquired. Between dry heaves, Des nodded. "You always remember your first. You did good, kid," Krart said, patting him on the shoulder in an oddly gentle way for someone who had just been beating the poodoo out of the bomber in the other room. Des shook his head, waving him away. As Krart moved back to deal with his old friend the bomber, Des turned on the tap to wash his mouth, but the water was murky with clay residue from underground and sewage waste. With the sour taste of vomit lingering in his mouth, Des found a piece of cloth to clean his lips and wipe the sweat off his brow, before he turned back and collected his Temple-borrowed lightsaber in a daze. If this was power, if this was what it meant to be a Jedi, he was not sure he wanted either.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Location: Antar 5, Near the Mines
Objective: 2) Assist the assembly of leaders on Antar 4 in clearing out the mines of Antar 5 of the bandits calling themselves Prindaar Freedom.
Allies: Whomever
[1/20]


With a deep breath to centre herself for the events that were forthcoming, CJ slowly stepped off the shuttle onto the landing pad. She took in a quick survey of the surrounding area and was somewhat puzzled that the bandits had not chosen to greet them here. A well calculated plan on their part would have slowed the Republic's progress to the mines, but she was not going to complain outloud. Instead she looked over at the speeder bikes that had been shipped down to transport her and the others to the mines. She enjoyed riding the bikes but she was far from a professional driver; like the ones she had seen in those holocommercials.

Slowly and cautiously she moved toward her assigned bike, calling on the Force to throw the activation switch to start it up. The machine hummed in anticipation for the impending journey to the mines. With one final glance around the landing sight, for she was not entirely convinced there was no ambush in the works, she threw her left leg over the bike, adjusting the seat and foot peddles to compensate for her height. She cracked her knuckles and placed her hands on the bike's handlebars. And she was off.

She called upon the Force, the energy swelling up inside her, and allowed it to guide her through the terrain. She had learned long ago not to trust your eyes, for they can and will betray you. The Force would not. Old words from old lessons from a long dead old Jedi Master. The wind whipped around her as the bike screamed toward the mines. But what would she do when she arrived? She was Jedi again and now she needed to think and act and become Jedi. Her old thought process needed to go extinct while birthing a new one in the process.

First and foremost she would seek a solution, a non-violent solution, upon coming across the bandits. They didn't need to die, just vacate the mines and go about their lives and do whatever bandits do. Just not here. Her old thinking tank would have been kill them now and save the hassle of dealing with them later. Old thinking was no good anymore. Another thing she need to learn was how to work with others. Most of her time spent was working along side her lost friend Kieran "Tag" Merrik and few others from another life. But mostly, she went solo.

So she pulled back on the speeder's throttle to slow the machine in order to be part of the group heading to the mines. She was not a glory seeker and far from ever holding hero status, she was Jedi and Jedi always worked together. Right?

 

[Dazuto]

Location: Antar 5
Allies: Dair Cotarin | Mark Sage | Judah Lesan Jr. | Kaitlyn Solay
Enemies: Prindaar Freedom
Objective: 2

The craft shook as it entered the atmosphere of Antar 5. Orange flames from the drag of descent graced the windows like violent aurorae. Behind him, Dazuto's navigator was falling apart.

"Why is it shaking? Is it supposed to make that noise? I think something is wrong."

"It's fine," the pilot muttered. "Once we're in, I need you to use the scrambled codes and get me in contact with our guys on the ground."

The hellish reentry passed away. Smooth sailing. They were still kilometers out to avoid early detection, but they would be in rage soon enough.

"Contact established," said the navigator. "You're live."

Beneath them, the world unfolded like a painting - a landscape marred by war.

"Ocean to ground, Ocean to ground," said Dazuto in a scrambled frequency. Those employed by the Republic were given commlinks before the mission that could pick up and interpret the message. Rather simple, a skilled codebreaker could crack it in half an hour, but the action would begin long before that. "Close bomber support ready for coordinates. Give me a location and I'll turn it into a crater. Over."


[4/20]

 

[H3xle]

[Prindaar System]
[Republic Embassy, Temba Port, Antar 4]


Dair spent a few moments in the fresher attached to the room set aside for the Jedi and diplomats to use. He splashed water on his face to cool the burn of his blush. He had held off the annoyingly automatic affectation for a while, having made it all the way through the little speech he had given. He wished very fervently that embarrassing situations didn't effect him like this, but such was his lot in life. According to what he had learned of his people, he was still considered quite young, so there was some hope of his growing out of it.

After moving from the fresher, Dair moved to a communications console that had been set up. It had a hardwired connection to a dish on the roof that sent a line of sight signal to the string of pearls satellite system above them. From there it connected to the Ship in orbit in much the same way. Dair waited a few moments for the connection to become secure before sitting in front of the console.

"Commander, how goes the operation on Antar 5?" He asked the naval commander who answered his call.

"Sir, we have commenced operations. We have units shadowing some enemy combatants and are waiting for back up. We also have two teams penetrating the main mine shaft. They have hit some resistance, but it shouldn't be too long until the entrance is secured." The officer replied in quick, clipped tones. Dair nodded and let the man get back to work. That was something he should do.

Dair stood up, moved to and through the door and sought out Harie. Once he found her he excused his way into her conversation and politely extricated her.

"Republic forces have engaged the terrorists on Five." He told her, he figured she would want to be kept in the loop. She looked extremely relieved.

"Thank you, Jedi Dair. For all that you and your people are doing for Antar. Let us get back to work." She ushered him towards the table where several people were discussing sovereignty over trade agreements for the Prindaar system. For the moment, Dair sat there and let others speak, like in a fight he was trying to learn what everyone's motives and styles were before he engaged.

4/20

[member="Ciara Jevnaker"] [member="Zylah Dvale"] [member="Kaia Vullen"] [member="Des Kovak"] [member="Megan Rhymes"] [member="Zak Dymo"] [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Dazuto"] [member="Caleb Brolen"] [member="Travot Ravenna"] [member="corvus raaf"] [member="uri aureleos"] [member="fletcher lorcan"] @Other Republic Padawans/Helpers

 

[Alleycat]

Location: Antar 5 - Mines
Allies: [member="Dair Cotarin"], [member="Ciara Jevnaker"], [member="Zylah Dvale"] & other Republic/Rangers
Enemies: Pindaar Freedom Banits
Objective: #2

As Strike confirmed that the Republic ground and air operations were to begin on Antar 5, Shadow quickly made her way back from her ship to the mines and the area she'd scouted out before. The Ranger would subsequently mark the targets on the ground for the air support to hit with their bombs. Because they didn't want to completely take out the mines, pinpoint precision hits would help to soften up the Pindaar Freedom positions within and allow Republic troops to move forward on the bandits.

"Ground Shadow to Ocean. X's are a go. Repeat X's are a go. Good hunting," Kaitlyn keyed into her comm unit, replying to [member="Dazuto"] with the Republic bombers.

With that said, the Ranger moved quickly away from the marked targets so as not to get caught up in the bombing run. That is when she noticed a couple of others in the immediate area. [member="Mark Sage"] [member="Judah Lesan Jr."]

"Get back, take cover, incoming!" Kai called out as she ran towards them, waving her arms to do so.

(2)