Capitalist with a Gun: Mandalorian Invasion of Roche (Mando vs Republic)

[Micah tol Powl]

NICKEL ONE
Objective: Dance Battle Use the Force (is there an instruction manual or textbook on this stuff?)
Allies: [member="Mirshko Betna"] | [member="Popo"]
Enemies: None, currently
Gear: Bag of candy given to him by a stranger (seems legit)

The Nautolan just looked up at Tank Girl as though she were speaking an alien language.

Which, the reality was, she most likely was. "What's a vacuum suit?" the youngling asked. Was that like a vacuum cleaner? Why would you wear a vacuum cleaner to go into a hangar? Was it really dirty? How could it be dirty, it just got blow-ed into space an' stuff!

This was how a nine year old's mind worked. She's talking spacesuits. He's wondering how the heck you're supposed to put on a Hoover.

So, the bottom line was, they were in trouble. There was trouble behind them. Trouble in front of them. And trouble in the hangars. They needed to go somewhere. Shutting his eyes, the boy breathed out as he tried to open himself up to the Force. That worked sometimes didn't it?

A room. With stuff.

Wait, those were reactors! He knew, because he spent a lot of time on starships and transport voyaging between Ossus, Voss, and Lothal. They were bigger than star cruiser reactors, but the markings were the same.

...and, a Hutt.

So, the Force was telling them to go there? Tugging on her arm, the boy looked up at Tank GIrl and said, "Are there some reactors below us?" He hoped she knew how to use the Force, otherwise he was going to sound crazy. "I think we're 'sposed to go there."

 

[Travot Ravenna]

Location: Muurian transport Osprey, near Nickel One
Objective: Intercept
Allies: [member="Cuan Kunn"]
Enemies: [member="Jack Raxis"] | [member="Anija Betna"]
Gear: Muurian transport Osprey, various items found in bio

"Oh...look at that..." said Rami, pointing at a group of besuliik traataliite fighters making an attack run on Nickel One.

Travot blinked as he spotted a modified transport that accompanied it. He glanced briefly at the Osprey's sensor screen. Looks like they're really hitting Nickel One hard too...Travot locked his HUD on the transport. Looks like it's you and me...Travot concentrated on the Force, letting it guide his actions as he prepared to intercept the other freighter pilot. He gently tugged at the yoke, pulling it up in a climb on a path that took it almost straight to a tiny asteroid; a remainder of some ancient collision of the many tumultous rocks of the asteroid belt. As they neared to intercept it, he slammed the yoke hard to the left to jump out from the asteroid's cover and taking it in a dive towards enemy freighter. Travot held down the trigger of the Osprey's frontal laser cannons. A trio of green streams of laser fire lashed out at the Kessel's Pride....

 

[Long Gone]

Senate Meeting Posting Template
Location: Chazwa
Senators: [member="Vaudin Miir"] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Khyros Sunblade"] | [member="Danger Arceneau"] | [member="Jack Sparrow"]

And that is when Alyesa decided to stand and address the Senate.

"My dear Senators, who are you trying to convince? Yourselves? Or are you trying to fool our guest?" She said abruptly before gesturing to the assembled personnel before her. "This Senate and this Republic is so mired by bureaucracy it's become blind to the corruption!" She exclaimed. That was when she began pulling up something on the pad before her. She recalled a very specific meeting, with [member="Ali Hadrix"]. The meeting would display on the screen before the Senate and continue to replay even after it was done the first time.

Ali laughed. Out loud, in full view of the Selkath Assembly and its allied representatives. It was neither a long laugh, nor a loud one, but it was enough to express the derision Ali felt toward the woman attempting to stall her advance toward an agreement with the Selkath regarding their kolto. She planted her palms against the long, narrow table and stood, locking eyes with Organa and allowing her sardonic smile to fade into firmly pursed lips. "No more speeches then." She noted aloud, glancing at others in the Assembly before turning her gaze back on Alyesa and shrugging.

"The corporations Lasedri nationalized may have avoided such had they not been price-gouging the Republic taxpayers for product for years during war time. The recompense she collected from them by force is more than the Senate could have hoped to achieve through taxation in years. I could care less about their interests, as long as the machine we call society keeps moving ahead and people's lives are stable. In that, I am no different than the former Prime Minister. The difference between the Republic and the Sith, Miss Organa, is while we will never forcefully annex this world and enslave its people, neither are we responsible for helping them if they choose to remain independent. I want to care about your planet, but I have to care about the Republic first. So here are the facts. No speeches, I promise."

Ali keyed her datatablet; the image of the Galaxy reappeared and focused in on Manaan, a small blue world resting just South of Sith territory. "Here is Manaan, the Selkath homeworld," Ali explained unnecessarily. "You are a planet located just beyond the reach of the Sith in a very lonely part of the Galaxy." Ali used a light pen to accentuate the absence of organized governments and military forces in the region. "We are the nearest friendly force to the borders of your system, unless you count the Hutt Cartels, which I would not, and the value of your kolto is...immense." Ali pointed to the nearest Sith-held world. "This is Amar, a Sith world of great strength; located very close to your planet, which is essentially a diamond left on a park bench in the middle of Nar Shaddaa...waiting to be taken, and too easy a prize to resist." Ali straightened and held her gaze with Alyesa; although her words had spoken to the Selkath, her eyes had never left Organa. Now, however, she separated them, and looked about the chamber.

"One of two things will happen. You will join the Republic, we will make an arrangement to transport a sustainable supply of kolto in exchange for payment at a war time markup of no more than five percent. In exchange you will receive a bonafide flotilla and mobile garrison to ensure the protection of your people and your product, and when the Sith invade, we will do what we can to fend them off."

"Or, we will leave here today with no agreement and when the Sith invade Manaan and enslave your people and strip its oceans bare of kolto, I will ignore your pleas for help and wait until the Sith are too occupied throwing your people into concentration camps before I even consider launching a counteroffensive to free your world." Ali left her words to hang darkly in the air as she took her seat and locked eyes with Organa once more, hoping to gauge her reaction. She had been harsh, she knew, but every word the absolute truth. She could not view Manaan for its culture or its society, she had to view it for its possible contribution to the war effort.

Alyesa continued to let it play for another moment or two before turning to Danger. "I ask you reconsider your position, at all levels. The Republic is pleading with you to prevent economic starvation because they know this will happen again - it's happening now! And they're powerless to stop it. What is to say they won't let her romp through the Corporations you are here to represent? They haven't stopped her brutual strong arming yet. The Republic is not what it once was and perhaps it never will be Ms. Arceneau."

With that, she stopped the holo and sat down. She had finished what she came to do.

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

Location: Hyperspace En-route for Kashyyyk
Allies: [member="Gir Quee"], [member="Abigail Selonna"] [member="James Justice"] Republic Fleet and its Alies
Enemies: [member="Captain Larraq"], Mando Fleet and its alies
Objective: Fleet
Fleet: 6975 meters

Spoiler

Champion-class Star Destroyer 1,505 meters
Arendal-class Heavy Cruiser 800 meters
Arendal-class Heavy Cruiser 800 meters
Annihilator-class Fire Support Cruiser 750 meters
Annihilator-class Fire Support Cruiser 750 meters
Kantos-class War Frigate 300 meters
Kantos-class War Frigate 300 meters
Kantos-class War Frigate 300 meters
Marksman-class Frigate 270 meters
Marksman-class Frigate 270 meters
Marksman-class Frigate 270 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters


Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters

Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters

Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters

Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters

Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters
Intersector-class War Sloop 55 meters

Reshmar thought about the implications of the message he had received from Gir Que. The Roche Belt had just been retaken and had not yet received fortifications that Reshmar had been aware of. And more troubling was the fact that it was by Mandalorians. Until recently they had been considered allies. Reshmar had done alot of business with them in the past, and hoped to again in the future. Now it seemed he was set against them in some way for some reason out of his control.

"Reversion in ten seconds" said the jump coordinator standing at one of the stations on the forward wall of the CIC. The room buried deep in the center of the ship was the hub of command for the fleet. From here command and control could be maintained and co-ordinateed during battle. Reshmar watched a s the forward viewscreen cam online as the fleet appeared on the edge of the Roche Belt. IN the distance ship had started to engage one another and the light show that was turbolaser fire had begun.

"Sir, we have a burst transmission sent out on a republic diplomatic channel. Routing to you chair sir." said the communications watch commander from his station behind and to the left of Reshmar. Reshmar waited a moment then the message appeared. He read over the body of the text then closed the message. What he had just read was appalling.

"Commander, I need you to back trace that and verify its validity. Then see if you can get Admiral Quee on the horn." Reshmar said looking at the battle in the distance. The ships had engaged the main body of the Mandalorian fleet and were trading fire with the largest Mandalorian formation.

"Commander, Also see about getting whoever that is out there fighting the Mandalorians on the horn also. Lets see if we can get them pulled out of there before they take to much Damage." Reshmar paused then turned to eye the tactical watch commander standing to his right.

"Commander Bimi, Start active sensor scans on those Mandalorian vessels. Let them know were here but do not power weapons. We are well out of range for now. Lets stay here until we figure out what to do with those three ships engaging the Mandos. Also move the fleet into Iron Gate formation. I think trying to engage their ships at range is our best option currently." The commander nodded then began sending the orders out to the various ships of the fleet. The heavy cruiser began to move into position above and below the Monarch, while the frigates formed up on the flanks in a vertical double chevron formation. The sloops moved in and filled the gaps between the destroyer and the cruiser with four squadrons of three sloops each on the interior flanks of the cruisers above and below the destroyer

"Admiral, I have Admiral Quee." said a man from behind Reshmar. He did not know which of the communications operators had spoken, but that did not matter. An instant later Admiral Gir Quee appeared on the froward viewscreen.

"Admiral Quee, What sort of mess have you gotten me into here?"


Summery

Spoiler

Exited Hyperspace on the edge of the belt.
Actively scanned mandalorian fleet
Queried communications with Admiral Quee and Commodore Selonna
Moved into formation
Began conversation with Admiral Quee

 

[RC 212]

-Starfighter Battle!-​

Freighter vs Freighter​

Location: Space, Headed towards Nickel One
Allies: [member="Captain Larraq"] [member="Anija Betna"]
Enemies: [member="Travot Ravenna"] + [member="Cuan Kunn"]

Gear in bio, Kessels Pride, Naval Alit'Gam​

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"What the hell was that!" Jack roared, eyes snapping open. His concentration was broken as fire impacted the shields, smashing the freighter and making her buck hard in a direction Jack had not intended. There was something amiss here. Scanners showed a squadron on intercept, and that fine. If they wanted to face him, they'd have to do it in the crossfire of the conflict, where he had the advantage.

"Angel flight I’m breaking off, two fighters form up, the rest continue to target."

Jack ground his teeth, watching the shields drop and then veered up ramming back on the yoke. They flew directly into the killzone, dodging left and right as Railgun rounds and Turbolaser fire traded from asteroid to fleet. Beams whizzed by, rail-gun rounds whirled their way in spirals all about.

"Dak redistribute shields to forward concentration."

"Aye Skip!"

Two fighters were with him, one on each side and to the rear, guarding his six.

And once they reached the top, he hit the reverse thrusters, killed the full burn, and slammed back Ion manuevering Jets fired as boots hit the pedals and the Freighter flipped, coming nose down. Jack fired the throttle, activating it with a thought through his neural band in the Aliit'Gam.

The Kessels Pride roared straight down, coming in from above the enemy. All weapons were brought to bear and Jack whooped loudly, nearly blowing Dak's eardrums out in the Comms.

"Watch it!"

"Fire!"

Twin Ion cannons opened up from the top of the Pride, stitching pulsating lines of white ionized beams down onto the enemy. Twin laser cannons on the bottom opened up, a salvo following the ions, raking left to right hungry for the kill!

 

[Mirshko Betna]

Location: Nickel One Tunnels
Objective: Get to safety... with a Hutt?! [And apparently... babysitting.....]
Allies: [member="Zak Dymo"] / [member="Popo"] / Any Other Good Guys
Enemies: Whoever murdered innocent people
Gear:

Spoiler

Advanced Hyperion Combat Armor: Advanced - Modified for reduced weight of 12kg | PDW-M1 "Neutralizer" | DX-2 Disruptor Pistol | Dinu’ul | Strill Claw Beskad

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hKRUPYrAQoE[/media]​

​

After a moment, Mirshko sensed his confusion. Crouching down, she rested one gloved hand on his shoulder as she slid the HoloBoy Advance back into the belt pouch from which he'd taken it several minutes before. "A vacuum suit is something you wear if you have to go out in space... or into someplace that has no air. Like those hangars." she said softly yet firmly as she stared into his large dark eyes. She needed him to trust her. And while she could tell that he did to a degree.... things could get... dicey between where they were... and where they needed to go.

Hangars and Evac shuttles weren't an option. She settled and waited as she felt him try and calm as he reached out to the Force. it was something she'd done many times. And here it seemed to have worked. As he opened his eyes again, she frowned in concentration. A breath in... and then out again as she followed where she felt his attention go. She too saw the room below them. It was hazy at best, as this kind of sensing wasn't exactly her strong suit. But, it was certainly a better option than where they were.

A hesitation, and then she nodded. "Yeah... there is. I sensed it like you did... and my suit's sensors confirmed that it's there." After a moment, she pushed to her feet - but not before checking to make sure the HoloBoy Advance was safely tucked away in his belt pouch. "And... I think you're right. It's about as far away from either problem as we can get." Chewing her lip a moment in thought, she fiddled with her gauntlet computer. An instant later, she had a map superimposed over her HUD. At least that trip here a few years back had been good for something besides just the metal. Taking his hand again, she began to lead the way down the hallway, with her DX-2 at the ready.

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Location: Nickel One
Allies: Currently none
Enemies: Currently none
Objective: Find [member="Zak Dymo"], find out what the kark is going on
Gear: 3 lightsabers, thick Jedi robes


The Mandalorians were here, and Nefertari felt that something was wrong. She needed to find her Nautolan padawan and either help out or get out.

Her feelings told her that negotiations were probably off the table for now. Perhaps Zak had more info, but he seemingly had a habbit of slipping away from Nef. He was learning quickly, and she would have to talk to him about the trials soon.

The Jedi knight could sense others around the little Nautolan's mischievous presence
I doubt he would be captured that easily...but those are strong ones with him.

She took the lightsaber she'd found in the dune sea into her grasp. If she encountered either a mando or even a crazed civilian, Nefertari was not about to be caught off guard.

The reactors. They are en route to the reactors

Nefertari moved through the corridors. She had been taught the ways of the force, and she intended to use it.

The less blood shed, the better. If peace was an option, hopefully it could be carried out.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

NICKEL ONE
Objective: Dance Battle Use the Force (is there an instruction manual or textbook on this stuff?)
Allies: [member="Mirshko Betna"] | [member="Popo"] | [member="Nefertari Sovint"]
Enemies: None, currently
Gear: Bag of candy, HoloBoy Advanced

Nodding at the holomap supplied by Tank Girl's armor, or vacuum cleaner suit, or whatever, the young Nautolan's head-tails bounced as he looked up and then glanced around for the right direction.

Holding onto Tank Girl's hand, the two made their way through the hallways and corridors. Along the way, a familiar Chandrila noble popped into view. "Hi, Master," the boy offered with a wave.

She had her lightsaber in hand. The Obi-Jinn Gon one from Tattooine. He was 'sposed to be this, like, epic dead guy of the Old Republic. Or something. Zak couldn't have told you. His history scores were terrible. But, what he did know was that it would be polite to offer introductions. Indicating the Mandalorian girl whose hand he was holding, the boy began, "This is..." Then he stopped, pausing as he looked over at the girl. "This is..."

He'd totally not bothered to ask her name, hadn't he? Or had he just forgotten? Either way, "Uh, what's your name?" the boy asked finally.

What could he say? Zak's game around the ladies was just that flat.

Glancing back up to Neffy, the boy said, "We were headed to the reactors." Of course, if his master had been walking around Nickel One then she probably knew this already. "The hangars are all bombad trouble!"

 

[Mirshko Betna]

Location: Nickel One Tunnels
Objective: Get to safety... with a Hutt?! [And apparently... babysitting.....]
Allies: [member="Zak Dymo"] / [member="Popo"] /
Enemies: Whoever murdered innocent people
Gear:

Spoiler

Advanced Hyperion Combat Armor: Advanced - Modified for reduced weight of 12kg | PDW-M1 "Neutralizer" | DX-2 Disruptor Pistol | Dinu’ul | Strill Claw Beskad

As they moved down the corridor, Mirshko found herself continually checking her map. She'd helpfully projected it from the gauntlet project of the same hand with which she gripped his firmly. When he stopped suddenly, she frowned and looked in the direction he had. At the sight of the Jedi, she began to move the boy behind her. At least until he addressed the other woman. So, he knew her. He was her student, maybe? Mirshko wasn't all that familiar with Jetiise traditions, so she was only guessing.

Seeing the confusion on the younger boy's face, Mirshko sighed. Holstering the DX-2 for now, she slowly reached up and began to remove her helmet. There was a rather sharp hiss of air as the pressure between the air in the runnels and that of her beskar'gam equalized rapidly. She felt her ears pop. Carefully clipping the helmet to the back of her belt, she turned her head towards the boy and knelt to his level. The Jedi received a polite, if wary nod. Mirshko wasn't all too trusting of Jedi right now - which was understandable given the situation.

"My name... is Mirshko Betna..." she said firmly, as she looked the young Nautolan in the eyes. There were times she felt she could get lost in them. Was that something others experienced as well? Shaking herself, she looked back up at the older Jetii. "He found the reactors. We needed a place to go that was safe. Which definitely id not the hangars. They are either vented to vacuum or people are fighting inside them."

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Location: Nickel One[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Current Status in custody of the Mandalorians -[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Faith looked to her Uncle one more time, “perhaps there is something I can do that will help…I can send a message to [member="Gir Quee"] he was the Supreme Commander I believe him to be an honorable man. May I send him a message?” She was a prisoner of the Mandalorians accountable for the actions of the Republic.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Faith didn’t wait for her Uncle to answer she quickly put a message together on her datapad,.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Gir,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]This is Faith Organa I must be brief, and I must ask you to do something that may make you uncomfortable. [member="Ali Hadrix"] is to be charged with commiting a war crime against the mandalorians, I was on a mission to meet with one of the Clan Leaders in hopes of finding a peaceful resolution.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But the action of the Supreme Commander of decompressing the hangars and killing innocents has left me with no choices. As the interim Leader of the Republic I have given myself over as prisoner to the Mandalorians for the actions of the Supreme Commander, which resulted in the death of the daughter of the Clan Leader I was meeting with.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I ask you to arrest the Supreme Commander, and hold her for trial. I am hoping by doing so that no more innocents are lost, and that the Mandalorians will see we have honor, and we perhaps can still find a peaceful resolution.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I know what I ask is difficult, but if the Republic is to show the Galaxy that we police our own, that we do not kill innocents without consequences or actions. The Republic will become a target for everyone, and all that was held dear will be lost forever.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thank you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Faith[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith handed the message to [member="Ordo"], “if you send this it might save lives” that is if Gir would do as she asked. If he was close enough to be able to do that. But was it too much, if anything it was an action that would show that the Republic did not let the actions of their officers go without question.[/SIZE]

 

[Cloudburner]

Equipment: Grappling hook and combat knife.
Location: Nickel One
Enemies: [member="Jaccer Ramirez"]
Allies: Mandalorians

The flurry of slashes from his opponent would slice into the Bounty Hunter's wrist, cutting off his cybernetic hand, leaving him with one arm to fight with.

"The Republic has taken everything from Me! I won't let them take my life too!"

Vahn's combat knife had broken, leaving him to fight with his fists. He used a variety of kicks, aiming again for the 2 injured legs of the commander.

"I have trained well with my true family, The Mandalorians, for a while now. They have taught me things not even you can withstand, commander!"

"Give up commander! Don't make me end you!"

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Objective: Currently Unknown
Allies: Unsure
Enemies: [member="Keira Ticon"]
Others: [member="Lisette Kuhn"] | [member="Janira Fenni"] | [member="Ryan Korr"]
Gear: Signature

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky1nY3jlq1M​

Vulkan's insides burned hot, his mouth ran dry, and his blood boiled. His HUD was showing his internal body temperature approaching Thirty Nine celsius, and he was having trouble maintaining his composure. The Dark aura around him now was palpable, seeping out from the Sith Lord in tangible fear and loathing as he pulled the last vestiges of the Force he could contain in on himself. The woman spoke, and with a low guttural growl Vulkan snapped his head towards the woman. His stomach was aching and convulsing with pain, every muscle in his body tense and constricting him, veins bulging with the strain of maintaining himself. "Peace?" The voice was deep, as though spoken by several, no, by three beings at once. "Your people killed his whole family, and still you claim the moral high ground as a though slapping him in the face. Even the Sith are not so self-righteous."

He winced and brought his hands to hold his chest, the spot, the place where Draco shattered and became many, became Vulkan, Draco, and the Dreadlord. They were struggling inside him for dominance. Abigail's presence had given Draco the edge for the beginning, but the concentration of Dark Side energy within him, her being in danger, the rage he had felt at such an occurrence, and the prolific use of a very dangerous power like Force Drain through the battle had worn Draco's resolve. Even Vulkan was waning and giving way to the third personality trapped inside.

~

The Dreadlord had been a long time coming. Throughout Draco's life he had suffered loss and pain, each time, a small fracturing of his psyche gave way to the beast inside. First, there was his enslavement at the hands of the Hutts. Gorga the Hutt had sold him, a free man, on a whim, like a dog to the Kessel Spice Mines to settle a debt. He had trusted the Hutt, worked for him, and made it profits. And he had sold Draco off like a dog or some other beast of burden. The four long years he spent in the mines, without sunlight, without friendship, without anything but himself had weighed heavily. The Netherworld rapture gave him his chance to escape, and he had. Spending the next year returning to health, working odd jobs for other gangsters before he fled the outer rim for the Republic.

He had made friends in the Republic. Gir Quee, Megan Rhymes, and a few others. But then, without a word, he was gone. They still helped him some, even Orick T'ane had followed him to the Techno Union. There he met Tmoxin, who would become his only life long friend. She stayed while everyone else came and went. His first wife, she had risen him up, and cast him back down on the rocks. His mother and father killed on Eriadu by the First Order. By then the Sith Lord had already stopped caring about his old family, and that realization was worse than having lost them. And then Abigail. His daughter, fallen prey to the sickness of a Sith Spirit, and Draco could do nothing but watch. Vulkan could at least distant himself from the pain of watching her die. But the Dreadlord within didn't care at all. It only wanted death and slaughter, and for the first time, HE was strong enough to fight back against Draco and Vulkan. HE wasn't just a shadow in the back of their sub-conscience. HE was fighting with Vulkan for dominance, and he was slowly clawing his way to victory inside Draco Vereen's mind.

~

The Sith Lord spoke again, with only two distinct voices speaking this time. One animalistic, growling, the other deep rasping. His aura in the Force shifted and crackled, sheer terror in glimpses echoing outwards, throughout the room. "Pull back your people. I will work on hosting a conference on Obra-Skai." Growling filled the sounds of the annunciator. Vulkan's aura teetered on the edge, barely maintaining control over the body before the Echani and the Jedi.

 

[Naast'ika Laaran]

Location: Roche, Near Nickel One
Objective: Search and Destroy all Republic Assets in the Roche System, Fetch Ali Hadrix
Allies: Mandalorians and Allies
Enemies: [member="Ali Hadrix"], Republic and Allies
Neutral: [member="Tralik U'rik"],


Naast'ika whipped around the side of an asteroid, twin plasma cannons barking out three bursts of fire at the defensive weapons hidden on the far side. Already banking hard to come around another asteroid, Naast'ika chirped happily as he watched the Republic outpost burst into fire as he flew away from it. Naast'ika passed a second and a third asteroid in identical manners as he cleared out the weapon emplacements between the approaching transports and Nickel One. With each rock he passed, he grew closer and closer to his destination.

-----

"You're doing great Naast'ika." Commander Tupu told the Mesen'loras as he and the other Hyperion Security personnel kept tabs on the ship's performance and the evolving battlefield. The holodisplay at the fore of the bridge showed a map that was made up of Naast'ika's own awareness of his surroundings and the information provided to them by the Skira. On it they saw the swarm of transports rapidly closing the distance between the main fleet and themselves. <At this rate, we'll reach the station at about the same time.> Commander Tupu thought to himself.

The battlefield was, for the moment, soundly in their control. A sizable number of privateer and foreign naval vessels had rose up to challenge the Mandalorian / Hyperion Security Fleet... but so far such opposition was either vastly outnumbered or deep enough in the asteroid field to not be an immediate threat. The situation on Nickel One though... was a mess. Venting atmosphere, killing civilians... the Republic was playing dirty. And that Republic Woman... Suprime Commander [member="Ali Hadrix"] if the outbound transmissions were to be believed... She had picked a fight with the entire Mandalorian race. And pissed off one of the most powerful Alors in the Council.

Bad things were going on in that rock. And for the moment, there wasn't a thing he or his charge could do about it.

-----

As the last turret between the Mandalorian transports and Nickel One exploded, Naast'ika spun in a little barrel roll as he celebrated his small victory. As he finished his roll, Nickel One slid into view as the last asteroid between the biocorvette and the capital of Roche was passed.

Ships were moving in every direction.

Confused, Naast'ika highlighted all of them.

A second of typing later and none of the ships remained highlighted. "Some of those read as friendly transports. Probably unloading troops." Commander Tupu explained. "The rest appear to be civilian transports evacuating the station."

Had Naast'ika been capable of pouting or frowning, he would have done so. There had to be -something- here that he could shoot!

Determined and absolutely certain that there had to be something nearby that he was allowed to shoot, Naast'ika began to focus on the hangers of Nickel One as he slid through the void around the station. His life-form Indicator translated what his senses picked up and his brain did the rest. Living humans and twi'leks and other bipedal, sentient species swarmed through almost every hanger and docking port. Some jumped off of transports as quickly as they could, moving deeper into the station in organized groups. These ones typically felt heavy. Probably wearing armor. In most of the hangers though, disorganized mobs of lightly armored or unarmored sentients ran from the station and filled whatever ships and transports they could find. These groups... included all shapes and sizes of organics. Families?

In a few of the hangers, the tang and crack of weapons discharging tickled his senses. He focused his attention on these handful of hangers. He watched as the fighting took place and watched as one side or the other won the fight, then made their way deeper into the station. Naast'ika guessed that these were Mandalorian assault teams he was watching. One of the fights seemed different though. The organics leaving the station were not so disorganized, nor were there as many of them. There was shooting... then a ship left the station and made for space. Tentatively, Naast'ika highlighted the small ship as he moved to intercept it.

"It's probably an evacuation shuttle." Commander Tupu was saying with as much patience and understanding as he was capable... until the ship all but disappeared. "I stand corrected. Naast'ika, engage target."

Naast'ika chirped happily as he pushed all of his strength into his Dovin Basals. Gravity pulsed into existence before him, pulling him at greater and greater speeds as he tried to catch up to the cloaking ship.

As Naast'ika chased the shuttle like a dog with a ball, Commander Tupu pulsed a status update back to [member="Captain Larraq"] and began trying to hail friendly forces on the station. If the Republic was withdrawing someone in a stealthed transport, then it had to be a VIP. And Commander Tupu wanted to know who.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Location: Nickel One
Allies: The GR and the JO (sorta)
Enemies: Mando & co - [member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Falcon Gyndar"]
Objective: Defend Roche
Equipment: Lightsaber, robes of the warrior, spare lightsaber, medical supplies, needle and thread

Something was terribly wrong here. The emotions of the two were running wild and the dark side were clutching its greedy claws around their hearts more rapidly then Mantic had ever experienced in the past.
There were threats in their speak and an attempt to make him feel lesser then they. the large one appeared human about the same age as Mantic, yet he spoke as if he had lived far longer.
Maybe so, it would not be the first time Mantic had encountered beings that was something else then they appeared.
Threats was not the way of jedi, and so while these two clearly were stepping away from the light he did not suspect them to be of the order. Reciting the code would most likely not matter to them.

What had happened here? Weting his lips he took a few light steps into the hangar and held up his left hand, palm open, in a vain effort to not appear as an immediate threat.
Then it hit him. The force signatures... the jedi he had encountered. the webs held them together in a strong way. They were speaking of a lost child and a lost wife. Her death had accelerated their fall from the light and now their minds were set on lashing out in vengeance.
His eyes dropped to the dead soldiers on the floor. It had been a slaughter, they were wide open for the influence of the dark side.

Could he help stop it? Could he help reverse it? He had to try.

"I am Mantic Dorn, off the jedi order, here to assist the Republic in defending Roche against a Mandalorian invasion." he began.

"I urge you to consider what is happening around us. The Mandalorian invasion is a strange affair, I myself have fought on numerous occasion for the mandalorian on the behalf of the republic. this is not right... Vengeance will not make it right."

He was not expecting anything less then an attack by the two. They were not sith, yet they oozed of rage and hatred against him and what he represented.

And so Mantic started to collect himself, preparing himself for battle and steadying his mind on what most likely was to come.

 

[Sabena Shai]

Sabena began to rush through the halls. She passed by several Republic troops. They were preparing for the next wave of Mandalorians. Communications were jammed - something messing with them it seemed. She stopped and talked to a group of soldiers that could only say that there were plans to vent sections of the space station lost to the Mandalorians.

They probably did it, hypocrites as they are.

The grip on her lightsaber hilt tightened. Sabena knew that the Verpine and Republic would have control of the Nickel One. At the surface, there seemed to be no benefit for the Mandalorians to space themselves.

After thanking the soldiers for their answer, Sabena began to make her way toward the command center of Nickel One. It would have taken her some time to reach it - especially with several sections of the space station being closed off.

Abandoning everything for justice [vengeance]?

For a moment, Sabena stopped. She was at a crossroads of sorts in the space station. She could continue forward toward the lifts that could take her to central command. Or she could…

And someone could even use your help.

Sabena could take the other hall toward another section of the space station. She could feel it.

Grief and rage.

And the one that chose to confront them.

It took a minute before Sabena could decide.

Turning away from the path forward, Sabena went down the other hall toward where [member="Mantic Dorn"], [member="Ember Rekali"], and [member="Falcon Gyndar"] would be.

It would take some time before she could reach them.

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Location: On approach to Republic Fleet / Returning to Nickel One
Allies: Galactic Republic | Verpine Government | Civilians
Enemies: [member=Lisette Kuhn] | [member=Keira Ticon] | Mandalorians
Objectives:
1) Return to Nickel One to combat Mandalorian threat
2) Locate and arrest Keira Ticon
3) Deliver Verpine delegation to trustworthy Republic authorities

Equipment: Full duranium beskar'gam, EM protected helmet and weapons. Verpine Assault Carbine, 2 x DL-44 blaster pistols, wrist rocket, wrist-cable, various grenades (lethal and non-lethal), beskad, stun gauntlet, small-jetpack, bacta injection system.
NPC's (for narrative): None. On my own now.



Ali picked her buy'ce up from the ship deck and dropped into the seat beside her. She shook slightly as the shuttle banked from side to side, no doubt dodging some of the smaller asteroids in the field as they approached the newly arrived Republic fleet. She looked across the bay at Geft, who tilted his chin up as they caught each others' eyes. "What, Commander?" He asked gruffly. The corner of Ali's lip twitched and she shook her head. The events of the day thus far were hitting her full force, and she was struggling to process it all.
"I dunno. What the hell is going on here?" She rubbed her face furiously with both hands. "Urgh, I've been asking that question all fecking day!" She exclaimed, slapping the thigh plates of her armor frustratedly. Her anger towards Kol'k Oto was insurmountable; she doubted she'd ever wear it down. The Verpine had built a mountain on top of her, and the worst part was she knew they didn't truly feel very terrible about it. The move was no doubt "a logical one" by their twistedly scientific reckoning.
"Hadrix...Ali." Ali looked up from the floor, matching eyes with Geft once again. "What?" She asked, a bit too sharply; the man frowned. "I don't know anything more than you do." He said. "But I know that whatever the hell is going on out there has driven people mad. We've got the proof we need, and while Oto and his ilk will burn, we're going to protect you."
Ali wrinkled her brow, anger and disgust bleeding into her features. "Is that what you think I'm worried about!? My job!? My reputation??" She bit her tongue for just long enough to not say something truly vicious, instead jamming a thumb at her own chest. "I could give a damn about my reputation, Geft, you know that! What I give a damn about are the countless dead civvies that, regardless of whatever the hell you have on holotape, were still my responsibility to protect. It doesn't matter if the Verpine killed them, or the Mandalorians killed them, or old age killed the lot of them. What matters, all that matters, is they're dead."
Ali shook her head. "I've killed in combat, many times. It's rarely black and white, but some things are."
"You can't blame yourself for what happened, Hadrix." Geft replied evenly. Ali gritted her teeth, "You think I mind torturing myself?" She retorted, almost violently. "You think I can't handle this osik sitting on my shoulders? I'm the only one of us who deserves to! And if I don't, guess who has to shoulder the burden: People like Kol'k Oto here, who didn't have the strength to face an enemy head-on to begin with! People like you--" Ali was looking at the Verpine delegate now, "--can't handle that sort of responsibility, which is why you don't deserve the power."
Funke, who hadn't spoke the entire flight thus far, cleared his throat and glanced over at Ali, who calmed down just long enough to acknowledge him. "What's important is why this whole thing started in the first place. Why were the Mandalorians here? What do they hope to gain?" Geft shook his head, "I keep catching stuff about helping the people, but...the Verpine came to the Republic, not the only way around. The army only ever showed up because we were tipped off about the attack."
Ali's logical mind had began spinning its gears once more. "Someone wants us all here at one time. Someone wanted this war to happen, and they were going to find a way to make it so."
"The phrik." Kol'k Oto muttered through churning mandibles. "The delegation discussed this probability before deciding to vent the hangars." Ali narrowed her eyes, struggling to forget her hatred for the Verpine politician for a moment. One of the other delegates, whose name Ali couldn't remember, spoke up in support. "After the Primeval invaded Wayland, the Mandalorians lost their native supply of phrik. They were forced to rely solely on the mining here in the asteroids, which likely gouged their pocketbooks. After your Supreme Chancellor moved against those select corporations, the Mandalorians must have decided it to be the perfectly opportunity to secure the system for themselves."
Ali nodded, her brow furrowed. "It makes sense. Lasedri's move was well broadcast throughout known space, it was no secrete. The fighting on Chazwa, the clone army...they knew we were divided, fighting our own. They knew we wouldn't be able to form a proper defense. And they knew they had a population of Mando'ade already here, in place to assist if necessary." Ali chewed on a nail for a moment, thinking of further implications and possibilities. "Why are the Jedi here?" Ali asked suddenly. "They're typically aligned to the Republic, but not beholden to it. They have no authority, but they aren't forced to abide by our laws either, if I remember correctly. I understand their presence as a mediating force, but the Jedi in the control station..." Ali looked to the Verpine. "Who was he with?" She asked. Oto thought for a moment. "I do not know, but the Jedi referred to him as Vulkan." Ali frowned, she hadn't heard the name before. "What about the Jedi? Did you get an ID on him?" Oto shook their head. "I did not. He did not identify himself."
Ali grimaced. "Sounds like Jedi."
"Truth be told, it was the Jedi that concerned me the most out of the two. The other, the Mandalorian, was clearly some sort of Sith; he used dark powers on my people, they nearly claimed me as well." Oto added. Ali's head snapped to the Verpine. "What happened to them?" She asked hurriedly. If the Jedi was working with a Sith, then the Order clearly had as large an identity crisis to resolve as the Republic. "I do not know," Oto replied. "They merely...fell and died. But I could communicate them mentally for a moment before they were lost to me. They died in abject horror and despair."
Ali's grimace held firm. She couldn't decide if they deserved such a fate. Having been subjected to the powers of Sith before, Ali knew what the experience could be like. She decided in the end it was justice enough, considering the sheer number of people they had killed, and apparently on her credit.
"What about the Republic soldiers, did they not try to stop you?" Ali demanded. Kol'k Oto remained silent, but shook their head. Ali bit her bottom lip. Captain Heln had expressed very vivid pro-Lasedri political views in the months prior to her betrayal. He was a fan of selectivism, which isn't in itself was a crime, but in the aftermath of the coup was something Ali's hindsight was kicking her for. She felt the man was passionate about his politics, but similarly adhered to his concept of duty. Maybe she had been wrong? She'd probably never know what the man was thinking when he heard the order given by Oto; he hadn't managed to escape the control station.
Ali's train of thought was broken by a burst from the bay intercom. "Commander, we've got a transmission coming in on LOS comms. It's being relayed through the fleet vessels; it's from the VC's office." Ali narrowed her eyes. What would the Vice Chancellor have to say at this time? She wondered. "Patch it through." Ali ordered, picking up her helmet and pulling it over her head before tapping into the vehicle's comms.

​

“During the initial hostile actions on Roche accusations from sources we have yet to confirm has surfaced about crimes of war being conducted by the Republic forces against the Verpine people of Roche......The Republic will not allow such actions at any level and any such criminal acts will be put under investigation by proper instance. The Republic however understands that propaganda and misinformation is part of war fare and we can not act on our own forces during an ongoing battle without having a proper investigation go over the accusations and any presented evidence.”

“But I assure the people of the Republic, Roche and the Galaxy that the investigation of the alleged war crimes of our armed forces, with supreme commander Ali Hadrix as the highest responsible person, will be subject of investigation and put before a Republic war tribunal once she has returned from the ongoing battle, should the evidence presented prove to be sufficient enough......These are times of darkness, but even in our most dire hour shall we not relent in seeing law and order be fulfilled in our own ranks. Law is however executed in the courts of law, not on the battle field. Once Supreme Commander Ali Hadrix is free to do so she is to present herself for a hearing on the accusations made against her."​

Ali pulled the helmet from her head, not bothering to listen to the rest. "Bollocks," Geft scoffed. Abram shook his head. "It's been what, half an hour, and the VC already knows what's going on? Or rather doesn't know a bloody thing." Ali bit her lip while the two men speculated, glad at least to hear the battle itself was being placed ahead of all the bureaucratic Sithspit on the priority list. "So every time the enemy tells us to jump, we ask how high?" Geft growled, the anger evident on his face. Ali held a hand out, her previous emotions having simmered down some. "No, it's fine...they're giving me time." Ali rested her buy'ce on her knee. "They're buying time for us to defeat the Mandalorians. These charges only matter if we lose; the Clans will be able to pressure the Senate for my head or suffer further incursions. I'll become the Mandalorian's scapegoat, their excuse for continuing a war. It's brilliant, really. They clearly didn't plan it, but they're fairly resourceful jumping on such an opportunity. The VC is trying to give us a chance to win, that's why they're not demanding I turn myself in now." Ali almost smiled, the government was on her side...for now. The VC risked nothing by asking for patience and reason, that was to be expected. But she was grateful they weren't willing to sacrifice the success of the mission based on misplaced accusations levied by invaders.
"I need to make a statement of my own," Ali said, "Once we arrive at the fleet." She looked to Kol'k Oto. "You're going to confess what you've done. And you're going to do it live."

[member=Captain Larraq] | [member=Naast'ika Laaran]​

 

[Alyona Volkovna (Алёна)]

Location: Nickel One
Objective:
1) Determine the identity of her attacker
2) Defeat said attacker
Allies: The Jedi Order, The Galactic Republic, The Galactic Alliance, The Civilians of Nickel One
Enemies: Tralik U'rik

Sparks exploded into the air between them as the tip of her lightsaber scored one of the beskar plates of her enemy's robust armor suit. Open to the Force and comfortable within her balance point, Alyona allowed her momentum to carry her onward, passed her opponent, even as the butt of his hammer swung in an upward arc where she had originally approached from. Alyona allowed her blade tip to remain against his armor, dragging alongside it as she careened passed, tucking and rolling over one shoulder as her lightsaber left its contact blackened behind her. The butt of his warhammer clipped her booted foot as she flew passed him, adding a slight spin to her flight as she moved through the air.
Alyona allowed her momentum to carrying her to a landing several meters away; both legs tucked beneath her, one in front, one behind. She slid to a halt in this low position, nearly laying on the ground with her free hand splayed out before her and her lightsaber glowing at her side. The busty Jedi jerked her chin upward, flipping the ashen-haired pony-tail from her face and grinning as she swiftly pulled herself to her feet.

"I'll be getting the only dance I'm afraid."

The Jedi in her was cautious and at peace, and the Echani within her excited and brave. The Voxyn spun the lightsaber casually in her hand as she stepped forward, closing the distance between them once more.

 

[Katalyn]

Location: The Central Hub
Objective: Not to be out flanked, know I realise I was working on the wrong map assumption.
Allies: Mandalorains and big guns
Enemy: [member="Valkren Calderon"] and the people who upset larraq while hung over.
Eqipment: bio for me
Reset of squad Clan skin 4 repeating rippers, 1 mga, 5 ripper pistols and beskard

Arkrad realised that there was two other corridors, as smoke came billowing down the corridor. He then signalled two of mandalorians to get to asap, they quickly scrambled to them and then opened fire on the republic troops advancing down them. One them turned back and said over his come link, ​I got half squad advancing down this one!, the other said Same here. Arkrad realised he was out numbered, and need more grenades and more men. He looked at Katalyn and the other mandalorain, and then pointed to other guy. You get me more grenades, and get another squad up here to reinforce this position. I need more heavy fire power, asap know jump to it. He then looked at Katalyn and said You cover this corridor, and just halt any advance, no heroics. She nodded and only used one pistol at time to fire down the corridor, so to save ammo and have a little more accuracy. While she was doing this, Arkrad tried to get updates on the rest of the battle on his hud, whilst reloading his MGA1. It would take him awhile but this had just turned form an offensive position to defensive one. He had to hold it, till more troops got here. Also after this magazine he need a reload to come before, he could use it again.

As he finished reloading a scream came out form one his troops, they got shot in the arm. As they tried top hold back the advance of the republic troops. He put his rifle down and took out his pistol, he may be in pain but till more troops came he had no choice but to defend that corridor. Akrad told As soon as this reloaded I will take your place, till then hold your ground.

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

Location: Nickel one, in a hallway.
Objective: A just fate for a lost soul.
Allies: Several thousand dead, many among them unnamed.
Enemies: [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Uknown: [member="Ryan Korr"] [member="Keira Ticon"] [member="Darth Vulkan"] [member="Lisette Kuhn"] [member="Janira Fenni"]


Gear: Hands of the Master, Gourd of Doom (9/10 full of mulled wine), Flash-bangs (5), Thermal detonators (5), a packet of vending machine cookies, a straw hat, a nice belt, and the silent screams of thousands of asphyxiated people.

Spoiler

[youtube]https://youtu.be/HTAdKdzWrgY[/youtube]

Vorhi was grinning slightly as his farsight focus. The fool was returning, in a black ship, different than the one she had left in. But why? What good would it do her? Her target must have been on Nickel One. He spoke to the spirits, calmly. "Follow her."


He focused his mind's eye yet again, the pounding in his head. Channeling this many dead people, for this long--it was doing its damage. He calmly let some of his anger go, focusing it into a ball, letting it surge into his fist. He swing, wildly, at the bulkhead of this hallway, denting the steel. He sighed. That had released dome of the pressure. He sniffed, blood dripping form his nose. Damnit. If he were in the same place as Ember, he could--no, Ember was in no position to save the life of another madman. He'd be lucky to save his own in this.




Suddenly, he felt another flicker in the force. A firefight. One with emotions, memories....there was a thread there. Between one of the combatants and the supreme commander. Gah, if only the visions were stronger. Hell take his frailty and age! He had to do this! The dead needed an answer, and so did he. What was the point of living on the deaths of others, being save by their sacrifices, if you couldn't get at the damned truth when you needed.



The blind grandmaster screamed. He then began running. That fight. That fight would matter. A hangar with unknown elements. Two minutes, and he'd get there. He advanced swiftly, now shirtless and bleeding, his robes still wrapped around a chair and full of blaster holes in a sad, but completely different hangar. He'd be there shortly. Those who could sense the force would feel him approaching. And they would not feel him coming alone. "Spirits," he said softly, "to me. We shall hold our court soon."


Soon, he would arrive. Then, he would await her, and give her what was coming. And should any of those present stop him, well, that'd end badly for all. Hopefully, they would respect the wishes of the fallen. Hopefully, his mind could take the pain. This just might kill him. And he still needed someone to look after the monastery....

 

[Kana Truden]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)
Medics: [member="Vaet"] | [member="Avalore Eden"] | [member="Julius Sedaire"]
Protectors: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

Kana took the seat, let the peace of Vaet be felt. Her lips touched the flask. She tilted her head and took a sip of water. Or perhaps a chug was more accurate of a description. The water slid down the throat and with a exasperated exhale she let the others know that she was in control again.

“Thank you.” Kana smiled at both of the people who had helped her and handed the bottle back to Jacen. “What just happened? I felt- It was just like I was back on Ruusan again, except-”

She took a deep breath, tried to find her center again.

“Except this is Republic space. Surely the Mandalorians couldn’t have been this heartless, could they?”

No, that was not who she had come to see in [member="Shaw McKeller"] for the short while she had known the man.

“What’s going on, Jacen? Vaet?”