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

[Gir Quee]

Location: Modified Champion-class Star Destroyer Obi-Wan Kenobi, near the edge of the Roche System
Allies: [member="Reshmar"] | [member="James Justice"] | [member="Abigail Selonna"]
Enemies: [member="Captain Larraq"]

"This is a mess," muttered Gir, going over the incoming and outgoing reports from the system.

"It's war," said Lod plainly.

Gir tilted his head to concede that point.

"And we don't know enough of what's going on," said the admiral rising from his chair to stretch, "but we're going to have to act anyways. We can't simply allow the invaders to run around the system barely opposed."

"We're going to jump into the fight then."

"Some us are going to have to," said the blonde man, "but let's not commit everything to the battle yet."

He sat back down in the command chair and began to issue orders to the ships of his task force that would set his force in motion. Lead by the Echani Endurance, his eight corellian gunships jumped into hyperspace followed by the Tempest. Taking a slightly different vectors into the system, his Eidolon-class Transports Spectre Three and Spectre Four jumped deep into the asteroid belt to provide him with realtime intelligence of the unfolding battlefield. While any of the ships already present could do that, Gir expected that warriors as skilled as the mandalorian clans would take precautions to hide in and among the asteroids to conceal some of their starships. Moreover, with his rudimentary knowledge of the Mandalorian EW frigates he had gained during his tenure as the Republic's SCO, the admiral guessed that might well use electronic warfare to obstruct even basic sensor data gathering. But it was hard to jam passive sensors of a ship that one didn't even know was present. The admiral began to issue out orders that would prepare the warship's starfighter contingent for battle.

***​

DP20-class Frigate Echani Endurance, Roche System

The slit-like viewport of the DP20 was never known to give its crews a spectacular vistas of space, but Captain Arranda kept his face almost pressed up against it to observe the battlefield. Kark it. Still can't see a dang thing. The young man returned to his chair and settled in it, pulling up the tactical map. The Endurance lead the wedge of Republic vessels to form up around the Galactic Alliance's much heavier and impressive warships. Arranda had seen a Noble-class Star Defender in battle only once before, and knew it to be an impressive vessel. Hopefully we'll be able to properly guard their flanks...The Tempest ran perpendicular to the combined Galactic Alliance-Republic formation, disgorging clouds of Type C Mines above and below the allied warships.

"New orders from the admiral," said his XO, a pale sullustan.

Arranda glanced at the contingency orders and did a double-take, "Well, those aren't standard targets...but he must have a reason for it if it comes down to that. Relay the orders to the gunners...maybe it'll remind them of training back in the old days..."

"Aye sir."

Task Force Obi-Wan Kenobi” (6000 m)

Spoiler

Modified Champion-class Star Destroyer Obi-Wan Kenobi
-36 R46 Valiant-class Starfighters
-36 Scurrg H6 Bombers

Deliverance-class Heavy Carrier Deliverance
-48 BB2Starfire Fighter-bombers
-24 [URL="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jumpstar_HPF_starfighter"]http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jumpstar_HPF_starfighter[/U]]Jumpstar HPF starfighters[/url]

Arendal-class Heavy Cruiser Swift Liberty
-36 I4- Ionizer starfighters

Arendal-class Heavy Cruiser Audacious
-36 R46 Valiant-class Starfighters


Impregnable-class Heavy Cruiser Iron Knight
-36 Rendili Starfighters
-12 [URL="http://starwarsrp.net/topic/34543-ft-21-galaxy-guard-bomber/"]http://starwarsrp.net/topic/34543-ft-21-galaxy-guard-bomber/[/U]]Galaxy Guard Bombers[/url]

DP20-class Frigate Selonian Temperance
DP20-class Frigate Verpine Valor
DP20-class Frigate Caridian Candor
DP20-class Frigate Alderaanian Acuity
DP20-class Frigate Ossusian Optimism
DP20-class Frigate Coruscanti Courage
DP20-class Frigate Donovian Diligence
DP20-class Frigate Echani Endurance

Firezone-class Mine Layer Tempest
Firezone-class Mine Layer Tornado


Eidolon-class Transport Spectre Three
Eidolon-class Transport Spectre Four

Summary of Actions

Spoiler

-Heavy elements of Task Force Obi-Wan Kenobi wait in reserve out of the system
-DP20s and Tempest reinforce [member="Abigail Selonna"]'s forces
-Minefield laid out around Selonna's forces
-Contigency orders issued to DP20s
-Spectre Three and Four stealthy recon the area

 

[Figure In White]

Location: Nickel One
Objective: Secure
Allies: Pubs
Enemies: Mandos/[member="Ali Hadrix"]/[member="Ember Rekali"]?
Gear: See sig

Oto rubbed their antennae together briefly in thought. "Mandalorians wear vacuum-sealed outfits typically, do they not?" One of Oto's Republic guards persons spoke up. "Aye, sir. It's not uncommon. Couldn't speak for their fodder, but many do, yes."
Kol'k glanced to the technician once more. "What about civilian presence in the hangars?" The technician shrugged. "The working shifts ended some time before the Mandalorians arrived; if there are any personnel remaining there, they are either worker clones or remain by choice." Oto nodded. "Seal the hangar entrances if possible and deactivate the shields. Vent the hangars overtaken by Mandalorian forces. At the very least we can slow down their advance through the rest of the station by scattering them into the wind." The technician nodded and got to work, looking down at their console and clacking away at keys whilst inputting commands.

Moments later, within the hangar bays taken by the Mandalorian military, any entrances leading further into the station that were not physically secured into the open position began to slide and locked closed with top level overrides. Then, without warning, the shields keeping the atmosphere and pressure suitable within the hangar bays would flicker and shut off, venting the large, occupied chambers into open space.

"They have begun venting hangar bays."

Janira turned to look at her communications expert, who was busy plugging into one of the hardline computers jacks and cycling through the stations systems. The senator from Eshan, soldier, and business woman had come to Roche purely coincidentally. Ever since her involvement in the rescue of the Verpine queen from the hands of a malicious Force user, she'd made an effort of keeping in touch with the Queen and ensuring that she would have the support of the Echani if she wished it. As such, she'd come to Nickel One with the intention of hand delivering a squad of EMBU's for the Queen to use as protection.

Of course that had been interrupted almost as soon as they had landed and they'd been immediately cut off from their intentions. Still within the hangar block of the city asteroid, she was now traveling with the EMBU squad, her adviser, and a couple of hand picked EIC operatives, one of which, Javin, was an expert with technical systems and communications.

"They who?"

"It would seem to be Republic personnel. I've spliced into their video feed. Republic Verpine operatives, it seems. They're targeting Mandalorian held hangar bays."

"Soldiers only in those bays?"

Janira tapped fingers against the held of her vibroblade as she waited while Javin worked his magic at the console. All he was doing was recon, so they wouldn't likely get flagged. Not that she had any lack of confidence in his abilities. He was one of the supervisors responsible for EIC droid manufacture.

"No.... There are still civilians within, some evacuating via shuttle."

Fingers tightened on the blade.

"Can you stop it?"

"I can try, but venting has already begun. If I can get the shields back up we can save most of them."

"Do it. Then lock down that control station and vent the atmosphere in it. Anyone who thinks it's acceptable to vent atmosphere in a city has no place in the Republic, let alone the galaxy."

"You got it."

While Javin worked feverishly to try and reverse the process, Janira pondered what she should do. As a senator she was obligated only to protecting the will of the Republic and her homeworld. As a soldier she was obligated to destroy the enemies of both. As a businesswoman she was just there to deliver goods. But as a person of honor, of conviction, and of belief that cowardice should be duly punished, she could not allow innocent people to be slaughtered just because of someone's sick and twisted vision that doing so would make the battle more winnable for them. There was no honor in this action, even if had just been soldiers. She grabbed her comm and opened it to all channels. She wanted everyone to hear.

"This is Senator Janira Fenni of Eshan, soldier of the Republic and CEO of Eshan Industrial Corporation. I have just discovered operations to vent Nickel One hangar bays of all atmosphere. These hangar bays are currently in use by the Mandalorian people. This is unacceptable. The perpetrators will be summarily dealt with. The Republic does not, and will not, condone the use of venting atmosphere on a civilian city asteroid for any reason. The risks are too great, and it is utterly dishonorable to do so. If it happens again, I will personally find whoever did it, Republic, Mandalorian, or independent, and I will kill you. Slowly. Fenni out."

 

[Avalore Eden]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)

Medics: [member="Vaet"] | [member="Kana Truden"]
Protectors: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Julius Sedaire"]

"Do you still have the Kasha Crystal?" Avalore asked of Kana with a wane smile. Her gift to Kana was not something she'd ever asked after nor had any intentions of taking away. It would do far more good for Kana, who was still so unsure of herself and where she stood, than for Avalore who had managed to find a shred of purpose and dignity in her new life with the Alliance.

"We're all here for the same reason," she softly reminded Kana, "to help those that need it more than we do." And certainly they could all use a lot of help in their own unique ways, but that was neither here nor there or anywhere inbetween. Movement at her heel caught the woman's attention just in time to look away as Jacen came over to whisper sweet nothings in Kana's ear.

A green littling was there, following with the soft tamp of his staff, wordless and introspective as he usually was. Avalore was inescapably aware that she would need to pace herself so that Vaet could keep up - his presence was her own gentle reminder to take things one at a time and always in stride. Too fast, too many skipped steps and she was likely to stumble. He seemed distracted, distant, which was to say he seemed normal. Vaet was a curious creature if ever Avalore had met one, but she'd grown fond of his perceived wisdom with the many esoteric and unattainable attributes of the Force - such as being able to sense that which was beyond the self, an ability Avalore had no skill or even inherent inclination towards.

She couldn't sense the pain or the suffering or the loss of life and for all the galaxy the Force rarely dictated anything more to her but a dull throb in her temple that she simply attributed to spending her every waking hour tending to infant twins and grown men. But here, in a display of debilitating grief, the Healer saw in Vaet's eyes that which she could not feel. He muttered something incoherent and drowned out within the sounds of their disembarking. Avalore hung back to see to him, coming to kneel at his side.

"Vaet? What's wrong? What did you say?"

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)

Medics: [member="Avalore Eden"] | [member="Kana Truden"]
Protectors: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Julius Sedaire"]

Injured Party: N/A

Grief was not easily extinguished, but Vaet tried for the sake of his companions. He fully realized that his relationship with the Force, and life itself, was vastly different from the norm - the fact that they didn't feel... it was a small blessing in disguise for them and he would not have wanted it any other way. A burden to carry for him alone for now.

"Bays... vented of atmosphere, Master Eden." the Vaetling responded gingerly, carefully. Tasting every word. Trying to articulate the meaning behind them to her who could not sense it as plainly as he did. "Lives lost, pain... quiet suffering. Can't help, no."

The little Jedi looked up to Avalore. Since the moment they met he had tried to spare her in his own way, she had been through so much already, but there was always some more weight to add, wasn't there?

"Call, they did, to the Manda. Release. They needed it. Couldn't help them find peace, no, no."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Location: Nickel One
Allies: [member="Mirshko Betna"] | [member="Ryan Korr"]
Enemies: [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Objective: Purge
Equipment: Signature

Klaxons beeped from the Control room and the Mandalorians jumped from defensive positions to putting in command codes.

"Mandalorians wear vacuum-sealed outfits typically, do they not?" One of Oto's Republic guards persons spoke up. "Aye, sir. It's not uncommon. Couldn't speak for their fodder, but many do, yes." Kol'k glanced to the technician once more. "What about civilian presence in the hangars?" The technician shrugged. "The working shifts ended some time before the Mandalorians arrived; if there are any personnel remaining there, they are either worker clones or remain by choice." Oto nodded. "Seal the hangar entrances if possible and deactivate the shields. Vent the hangars overtaken by Mandalorian forces. At the very least we can slow down their advance through the rest of the station by scattering them into the wind." The technician nodded and got to work, looking down at their console and clacking away at keys whilst inputting commands.

The venting only lasted a moment, seconds at best before the shields were restored by Clan Vereen Aliit'drahr warriors. But the depressurization probably caused the death of a few children and unarmed civilians. Unlock codes were given and the doors leaving the hangars to go further into the massive asteroid were opened without a sound. The Jedi could probably feel the very palpable rage coming from all the warriors around him. As though someone had just pointed a gun at their own children and pulled the trigger. Who knows which cousins lost their child because of this action by the Republic's Supreme Thug.

Vulkan scowled, "Keep the ventings to a minimal, that's why we secured this location. Get another cohort here and another just in case, and for the love of all that is holy get a team of expert slicers here to lock her out immediately." He turned to the Jedi before him. "I am Draco Vereen, also called Darth Vulkan. You help me kill this queen, and I swear to you I will minimize loss of life. My methods will be dark, my intentions lighter than your Supreme Commander." The Force churned and rippled out from the Sith Lord. Sith he maybe, but he had always had a code, honor that forbade him from targeting children. Even on Chazwa he had ordered his troops not to fire lethals in the vicinity of civilians. Since when did the Sith become more honorable than the Republic.

Jedi Guardian of prestige, Sith Mind Control and Mentalist specialist of infamy from Contruum, not a good pair to have trying to kill you. And then there was Ember, who might be going his own predator mode, and a large number of pissed off Mandalorian warriors all surging towards the control center. The Open Channel comms buzzed again, "Aliit Vereen is attempting to minimize hangar openings. Slicers and engineers are urged to manually cut into the control panels and remove their remote mechanisms in all hangars. Alor Vereen is moving to personally secure the Control Center. Priority Alpha is the Supreme Commander's control center."

Vulkan was already moving, sprinting through hallways in the direction of the Control Center, seeking this treacherous, murderous coward Hadrix. If it was up to him, he would have her bloodline extinguished for an eternity, and have people named Ali getting their names legally changed to be safe from his wrath. He blinked through the HUD and found an internal music file that fit perfectly for what was about to happen.

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

​

The Force pulsed and echoed with Dark Intent, but he wasn't hiding, Vulkan had a Jedi to try peaceful means of clearing Republic soldiers, but if he couldn't he would start ripping at their minds, commanding them to lock themselves in rooms without their weapons. He didn't have the time to make them stun cuff themselves. If not for his promise to the Jedi he would have just made them shoot themselves under the chin, but alas, honor demanded he hold to his word until the Jedi broke or failed to uphold his own.

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

Nickel One
Allies: Democracy
Enemies: War Criminals, [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Equipment:

Spoiler

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/32271-korrs-combat-armor/
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/64072-korrs-lightsabers/
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/64093-the-sentinel/

[member="Darth Vulkan"]

A Sith. So it's true. We will have our reckoning, you and I. When all this is through there will be still be hell to pay for what you've done to my Order. I have not forgotten. How can I? The very memory is seared into my brain.

The dark thoughts swirled through his mind as he raced with Draco through the halls. Rounding a corner, they happened upon a cadre of startled Republic soldiers. Bafflement flooded their ranks as they looked between Jedi and Mandalorian.

"Hold your fire, this man is under my protection."

"And you are?" Growled a Republic soldier, blaster rifle pointed at a spot that was decidedly between Korr and Vereen.

"Jedi Master Ryan Korr."

"He was stationed here preceding the battle," confirmed a corporal who Ryan recognized.

"Very well, what's the urgency?"

"The Supreme Commander has begun venting the atmosphere of civilian sections. The Jedi Order will not tolerate this callous and unnecessary loss of life. It's a war crime."

The trooper frowned visibly. "We'll accompany you. I'm sure we will get this all sorted out."

Ryan nodded and they moved forward, accompanied by the squad of Republic soldiers. Korr turned to the Darth as they ran. "We do this my way, or not at all. I will place her under arrest, if she is noncompliant then I will handle it. You're here as an observer unless you're fired upon, is that clear? "

Mandalorians in combat were prone to collateral damage. The last thing he wanted was for this Draco Vereen to engage Hadrix with explosives or flamethrowers and accidentally kill Republic soldiers innocent of her atrocities.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Location: Nickel One
Allies: [member="Mirshko Betna"] | [member="Ryan Korr"]
Enemies: [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Objective: Purge
Equipment: Signature

Vulkan shrugged as he continued running. There wasn't much that was going to slow him down running through narrow corridors with his senses covering a wide area. No surprises, no ambushed he wouldn't see coming unless they were from a fairly powerful Force User. "Fine, we can arrest her. But I want her trial to be held before the Alor Council. Her crimes were against us, we deserve the right to try her." Was Vulkan's response as Republic troops joined the pair, running through the asteroid. So long as she didn't walk free, or walk again, or breath after it was over.

The Mandalorian Sith was seething mad, easily felt through the Force, and easily felt by all those in the vicinity. It was quite probably even the Republic Soldiers could feel the resonating anger and hatred through the Force, seeping through his aura and into the minds of those around him. That wasn't Vulkan's intentions, but it was happening. Vulkan was slowly loosing control, slipping further away from Vulkan, the shared personality of the former Draco Vereen and the Sith Lord that he had become. The remnants of Draco were slipping away for the being of only rage and anger that his mind had splintered into. Thoughts of protecting Abigail and Seela faded away, memories of happy times slipped to the far reaches of his mind, and the Dark Side seemed to coagulate around him, charging the very air with his presence.

The control center loomed overhead. Vulkan slowed, taking a place behind the Jedi Master and to his right, as was proper in such a situation. "She isn't here, but her lackeys are going away for fulfilling those orders. I want to destroy everything in that room so that the Republic Militants cannot endanger more children with it. Mandalore can always fix it once we control the system." Lightning crackled around his fingers, both red and blue, charging the air with static. Whether Mandalore would win or not was up to debate, but it was said much like a fact. With the Jedi and Senate opposing the Supreme Commander, it was easily Republic and Mandalorians versus the Supreme Commander. And that would be a victory as far as Vulkan was concerned.

Vulkan stopped at the door, "You are in command, Master Jedi. Just don't have your soldiers shoot me in the back." The Sith Lord was wary of the Jedi. His only experiences with them had been lax when dealing with Republic Criminals and venomous like scorpions with everyone else. The Republic's Jedi thugs had always turned a blind eye on Mandalore throughout the last seven years of their supposed alliance, but perhaps that was all their Prime Minister, who had ruled with an iron fist long before she had become a dictator.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

THE ROCHE SYSTEM
Asteroid 8675309
Allies: The Death Watch
Enemies: [member="Alyona Volkovna"], Mandalorians, The Republic, and that guy who removes the tags from pillows (it specifically says, Do Not Remove!)
Equipment: No Frills Durastell Armor, Besk'ar War Hammer

The Roche System was a nice place in which to hide.

The diverse asteroids made tracking ship movements in or out of the system haphazard at best, and the settlements already featured a heavy mix of Mandalorians among the Verpine and Republic populaces. Plus, it was outside the sphere of political influence that the Alor Council held. So even if the false government of Mandalore had heard whispers of the Death Watch's growing activity around it's borders, it's internal security would have been limited in options as to acting outside of Mandalorian borders.

In particular, Asteroid 8675309 was a good spot in which to cultivate a culture of learning and introspection, as planning proceeded for the upcoming assault on Mandalore. On the table before him, blueprints and schematics of MandalTech's orbital shipyards were spread out. Reports of law enforcement patrols around Cold Iron City. Even the rotational axis of major planetary cities in relation to the shipyards.

A burly man cast a long shadow over where the Gen'Dai was constructing his strategy for introducing himself formally to the Alor Council. "Mand'alor," the man offered, a stiff bow genuflecting toward the behemoth warrior. "Mandalorian forces have entered the system, and appear to be engaged in battle."

"Battle..." the helmet came up as the Gen'Dai echoed the statement of his subordinate. Mandalorian forces here? This was Republic space. Who were the Mandalorians fighting? Surely the Alor Council was too flaccid to... "...with WHO!?"

Wait. Mandalorians creating a ruckus around Republic space. Perhaps this was just the tinder he needed to blow apart the ridiculous treaty between the Republic and the government of Mandalore. Mandalorians didn't agree to treaties. They dictated whatever terms they wanted. And if anyone thought different, they were welcome to come and die. "Nevermind," the man said, standing up from the table. "Kyr'stad. With me."

Grabbing the war maul from off the ground, the behemoth warrior descended toward the hodge-podge of ships that had ferried them here. Pausing just before the airlock, the Gen'Dai raised his weapon overhead and shouted:

"Tonight, we dine in HELL!"​

As the Death Watch cheered behind him, the Gen'Dai turned and began walking toward the shuttle that would ferry him to the largest of the occupied asteroids. Nickel One, he believed it was called. As he took a seat, the man thought about it as he casually offered, "...and tomorrow, I'm thinking McYodas."

 

[Long Gone]

Nickel One
Allies: The Force.
Enemies: None.
Objective: Embrace Destiny.

https://youtu.be/cTb4TnSJEH0​

Alarm klaxons began to ring through the headpiece of Aaralyn’s armor, the oxygen levels began to fluctuate rapidly and the sound of choking and coughing from the civilians surrounding her began to mix in with the chaotic ring of the klaxons. Her heart began to race as she looked to Mantic with a skeptical gaze beneath her helm and said nothing – she pushed the child to her back and ran to an elder man to her side and lifted him up by an arm and pushed forward. The air was being vented from the sector she was in, and it was going in such a rapid pace she couldn’t save everyone – the Force was swirling with chaos and the burden of grabbing a civilian and hauling them to their feet as she moved began to wear down upon her. Their agony filled her mind, and desperation began to take hold as the child began to make sounds similar to one who was struggling for air. Aaralyn stopped and let go of the Civilians, only a few dozen meters from her goal – she took a deep breath and pulled her mask from her face. A hand would come behind her to gently place it upon the young girl who clutched her back tightly. She could hear the relief almost instantly and the weeping that began after.

That was when Aaralyn saw the torment with her own two eyes. The elderly, the women and children – there was no discrimination for the dead or dying. As the very life source was pulled from them by the Republic and vented into the space beyond – they writhed and cried out with empty voices to forces unknown. Aaralyn turned and looked to the doors behind her, where Mantic was a half a kilometer behind her, maybe less. Her violet gaze shifted to the doors ahead of her, where there was freedom for these people and life, where they would no longer suffer. Fear, desperation and emotions of every kind to hold as she turned back to the doors behind her and began to pull hard with the Force. Through gritted teeth, saliva at the edges of her mouth and Force powers beyond her capacity – she pulled at the massive durasteel doors. The buckling sound of metal and fraying electronics were drowned out by the escaping air and then suddenly – they slammed shut and sealed the sector off from the advance of the Republic troops, as well as the wayward Jedi Master Mantic Dorn.

But it wasn't enough.

Sector 17-22 was still under ventilation and these people were still at risk – they needed to be beyond the doors where people were calling to them. Dozens upon dozens lay crying out, voices falling silent as darkness began to take hold of them. Their anguish and fear filled her heart, trying to snuff out the Light within her – but she couldn’t let it. She had to help them. She turned back to the people on the floor, those who barely stood and those who were crawling – and pushed. Every ounce of energy she could muster was let out in and concentrated wave that would send them to freedom. Bodies would fly, alive or dying and perhaps even some dead, would be sent into the hold beyond. Granted, they would suffer bruises and bumps – maybe a broken bone or two, but they would not die this day. The child upon her back would be the last remaining one as darkness began to come in ripples. Her hands would shake as she pulled the kid from her back and took one good look at her. The girl had garnet eyes, sort’ve like Mira. It made her think of the family she was about to leave behind.

‘Mira….’

‘Aton…’

‘Rhyen…’

‘Falcon…’

Her attention was caught by a woman crying out – though words were unheard, she understood. The durasteel doors were closing to the secure location to which she had sent the masses through with a Force wave. She only had enough time to spare to send the girl through – not them both. Aaralyn gave the girl a smile and then turned and threw her – as hard and as fast as she could. Both hands would come out, using what Force she could to control her flight. And through the doors she would go, and not a moment too soon. With a hiss of atmospheric pressure adjusting and a seal – that was it. The doors closed and the civilians behind them would be safe from any further treachery brought on by the Republic.

https://youtu.be/vVTP0DOL_2Q​

Darkness was coming faster and faster now, closing in on her vision. Her breathing had slowed as she had lost the ability to control her breathing by using up nearly every ounce of her power and the reserves. Her heart beat would begin to slow down, beating harshly against her chest as her body struggled to provide the necessary blood and oxygen to the right places. She collapsed to her knees as a numbing sensation started up her spine and extended through her arms and legs. Shortly after, she fell over onto her side. She was no longer able to maintain and upwards position. The numbing sensation was overwhelming her entire form at this point - and she knew that it was coming. Death was ok. It was welcomed at this point – she had done her job hadn’t she? Had she done enough in her life to be a good daughter? Had she done enough to raise her children? Had she done enough to love her husband? Trivial questions – she supposed. A weak smile came to her lips as she reached out through the Force – just one last time.

~I’m sorry for all that I ever did. I’m sorry I wasn’t what I should have been and the trouble I caused you. I always looked up to you. Just know, I’ll always be with you, always. I love you Dad. Love the children as you loved me and guide them. They will need you now more than ever.~

Somewhere within the compound of the Mandalorian Sector, the Aliit’buir, the Field Marshal – the legend himself would feel the brief presence of his daughter touch his mind and then fade as fast as it came.

Elsewhere, the last child of [member="Ember Rekali"], would die.

Like all good things that come to pass in this universe, so would the body of Aaralyn Rekali. The living Force to which the Jedi turn to for strength and wisdom was also something that they hoped to become a part of one day. Her body would not remain a part of this realm but pass onto the next, energy particles to scatter amongst the stars and be absorbed into the Force.

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

Location: Nickel one, in a part that has yet to be ventilated, because killing us mid-duel seems like a lame way to do this.
Objective: Duel declared draw on account of war crimes.
New Objective: Stop this problem at the source.
Allies: Unknown
Enemies: [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Gear: Hands of the Master, Gourd of Doom (full of mulled wine), Flash-bangs (6 at start of post, ending with five), Thermal detonators (5), a packet of vending machine cookies, a straw hat, his silk robes, and silent screams of thousands of asphyxiated people.


[member=barrien siegfried]


Vorhi felt it. Thousands of people dying, asphyxiating as the vacuum over took them. Innocent people. Damn it. DAMN. IT! He let out a long sigh, cracking his neck loudly. "They are ventilating the atmosphere. The Republic is going to kill as many as possible to win these damned rocks. I shall not waste your time further," He sighed sadly and handed the man a comm device. "Evacuate whomever you can. Use this code system to contact me in am onth or so," he said sadly. "There are too many lives at stake to discus this further now."



Vorhi then walked away, openign his comm link and frown as he put on a re-breather. "First Hand, Ganna, this is Vorhi. They're removing atmosphere form the station. Switch to controlled air systems and get towards the Haamu. Take whomever will go with you. Send an open message to the Mandalorians that you are helping refugees leave."


There was a brief silence. "Sir, how are you getting back to Cerea?"



"Same way I got there the last time. I'm an excellent hitch-hiker," he said, picking up his pace. The death, the screams of a silent nation. He could hear them. He focused his perception--an oracle could focus soemtimes. This was Druckenwell all over again, and as on Druckenwell, he'd fight the same fight. But this time, he'd do more than jsut save a few. No. This time, Justice would be served.




--Hanger 279, Nickel One--


Two small squads of troopers secured the Hangar. Not a large complement. Vorhi could do this, even if he was feeling his age. He frowned and called upon the spirits of the dead. More gently this time. To use all their might in one rush on Druckenwell, nearly killed him. Besides, he'd need a few of them to stick around. He frowned, setting a timer on the Thermal detonator to forty-five seconds. All these dropships. That'd have to be enough.


Gone was the cheerful Drunken Fool of the Seala Kasi. No words, no gently diplomacy, no kindness. He ran over to the hangar access controls as the explosion rattled the hangar door, distracting guards. "Get that fire out!" He grunted, tapped in a command that set of the fire suppression systems--a mess of foam across the whole hangar. Nobody had to die. Not this time. He then grabbed a chair, putting most of his robes over it, and threw it through the window. "Someone's in Hangar Control! Get that lunatic!"


Unfortunately, between the foam, shattered glass, and smoke from the explosion, literally no one could tell that the robed chair wasn't some maniac Jedi alien. This gave him just enough time to run down the stairs to a dropship and throw a flash-bang as they shot at a very well-dress chair.


He ran into a dropship. Luckily, a man who literally sees souls can find an unoccupied ship when he needs one. The Hangar's shielding have been reactivate and the fuel liens had been pulled. It was time to settle this.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Location: Nickel One, Mando Quarter
Enemies: [member="Faith Balor-Organa"] ish, guarded by [member="Ordo"]
Allies: None nearby
Objective: Murder


“Dad.”

Ember whirled away from the makeshift command console. Nearby Mandalorians drew back, giving the Martyr of Mandalore some respectful space. “You’re back.”

“Like I said, I don’t have much time.” The bruise-coloured, translucent shade took a seat, resting his elbows on his knees. “There’s irony in that. Time is -- was -- my specialty. But this was the piece of it I could touch, and it’ll have to do. Flow-walk with me for a second.”

“To when?”

“To yesterday -- it doesn’t matter when. What matters is that, from your frame of reference, you’ll have time there before your consciousness returns to the present. More time than will have elapsed in reality. Compressed experience.”

“...we have that little time? Until what?”

The spirit looked away. “Come with me.”

Ember had learned flow-walking from those who’d gone on an expedition to the Aing-Tii; Rach had learned it directly. It took Ember a precious minute to get his mind in the correct patterns. The Mandalorians took up a guard around him, despite Rach’s assurances that Ember would be insensate only for seconds. He sat down on the deck so his body wouldn’t just fall over while he flow-walked.

The present dropped away, and resolved into the same passage, but yesterday. Peaceful, brighter lighting, Mandalorians and Verpine going about their business. Ember looked down and found himself as translucent as Rach. Nobody noticed them.

“Something’s coming, Dad, and I’m sorry you have to face it. Trust me when I say you’ve never been tested like this. Not when Cortann killed Faran, not when Benna and Certh died on the Republic’s errand at Metalorn. Not even when Malakai killed Mom. Don’t be afraid -- I know that’s not much use to hear, but don’t. What’s coming is coming. Nothing you or I can do to stop it. It’s a tragedy that’ll breed more tragedies and just might do something...productive. I hesitate to say good.”

“Stop dancing around it, then,” Ember growled, “if you don’t want me to be afraid.”

“Just know, whatever you choose when the time comes, it’ll be your choice and nobody else’s. And maybe I’ll derive a little satisfaction out of that, but for the most part, I’m here because we didn’t end well.”

Ember grunted. “Still too cryptic by half, but-”

“We’re running out of time, Dad. Say whatever you want to say, and then I need to go.”

“All right. I’m sorry I pushed you so hard, judged you so harshly, and overreacted so many times when you were young. I’m sorry I didn’t help you more when Malakai filled your head with your mother’s memories.”

Rach, Martyr of Mandalore, laughed bitterly. “I pushed you away too. There’s some things a man was not meant to know. I needed time.”

“And I should have given it to you. Instead I treated you like you were leaving the Light forever. It’s my greatest regret, son.”

Rach took a hesitant step, then, and another. His shade folded awkwardly around Ember, half-tangible, an embrace. After a long moment, Ember returned the unexpected gesture. Force, it had been decades since he’d hugged his boy. “I’m sorry about this, Dad,” the Dark Master whispered into Ember’s chest, and the past vanished. Ember found himself, once more, standing in the Mando Quarter. Alone.

A new distortion roiled through the Force, through the bond he shared with Aaralyn, his last living child. She felt close, very close. And determined, and satisfied, and a little bit afraid, and a lot resigned. Almost audibly, deep inside Ember, something broke.

His face twisted into a snarl unconsciously. A chant bubbled up in his throat, one he hadn’t used in its fulness in quite some time. Revitalization of the Whuffa, they called it on Dathomir, a spell of self-healing, of regeneration. Adepts could regrow limbs over time. It went a good way toward fixing yesterday’s trauma to his arms -- the shallow burns, the partial dislocation. Strength filled him. His skin felt hot, then as cold as explosive decompression. Tension pounded in his forehead, and his mouth was dry.

One bare hand scrabbled at the comm panel, half for balance, half to adjust the intended recipients. Broadcast. Faith Organa would get it too. The comms console began to creak under his grip; he made fists at his sides. He’d heard something resonant in Shule’s mind as the Force Light cracked the curse and set the spirit free. Sometimes euthanasia was the answer. Maybe more often than he’d employed it.

“I am speaking to the Republic. Master [member="Aaralyn Rekali"], Sword of the Jedi, was just murdered while trying to save civilians from the Republic. It wasn’t enough,” he said, and coughed. “It wasn’t enough for you to use us as shields against the Sith Empire and ignore seven years of requests for aid. It wasn’t enough for me to sacrifice my conscience to your wetwork. It wasn’t enough for you to sneer at us, call us barbarians. It wasn’t enough for you to take my life, my devotion, my help, my money, my family’s hopes. It wasn’t enough for my son and my daughter to die for you before they’d turned twenty, fighting a pointless campaign for a world where you butchered civilians…”

That broken thing hissed inside him as half a century of forbearance shattered and fell away. Forbearance and more. He cracked his neck and opened his eyes, letting out a shaky breath.

“...you just had to kill my last baby, too.”

 

[Azula Tindara]

Location: in a shuttle, somewhere.
Allies: [member="Rigor"] @laguz
Enemies: Not for a few days

O Willie's gane to Melville Castle,
Boots and spurs an a',
To bid the leddies a' fareweel
Before he ga'ed awa'.
Willie's young and blythe and bonnie,
Lo'ed by ane and a',
Oh! What will all the lassies do
When Willie gaes awa?

The first he met was Lady Kate,
She led him through the ha',
And wi' a sad and sorry heart
She loot the tear-drop fa'.
Beside the fire stood Lady Grace,
Said ne'er a word ava;
She thocht that she was sure o' him
Before he gaed awa'.

The singing paused for a moment. There was a click, then a second click came with a brief spark of light.

“Feth it,” came a deep rumble. The voice was like a landslide of rocks coming to a halt all at once.

Another click and a flame lit the near pitch dark chamber. A myriad of weapons lined the bulkheads. Melee weapons, small arms, rocket launchers, ordnance, even something that looked like it should be mounted on a tank.

The flame briefly illuminated a jaw the size of a human's chest. It touched the end of a cigarra to the sound of air being sucked in. With a click the lighter - shaped to resemble a bullet - was put out. There were a few puffs and then a smoke ring was blown down the length of the chamber. It shook suddenly, the weapons all clanging against the wall with their own unique tones.

“Left a bit pilot,” Thrukk grunted to himself. “‘At one was close. That's better,” he sighed contently as the turbulence stopped and he puffed on his fine cigarra.

O Willie's gane to Melville Castle,
Boots and spurs an a',
To bid the leddies a' fareweel
Before he ga'ed awa'.
Willie's young and blythe and bonnie,
Lo'ed by ane and a',
Oh! What will all the lassies do
When Willie gaes awa?

Then ben the house cam' Lady Bell,
"Gude troth ye need na craw,
Maybe the lad will fancy me,
And disappoint ye a'."
Doun the stair tripped Lady Jean,
The flower amang them a',
"O lasses trust in Providence
An' ye'll get husbands a'."

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

Nickel One
Allies: Democracy
Enemies: War Criminals, [member="Ali Hadrix"]
Equipment:

Spoiler

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/32271-korrs-combat-armor/
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/64072-korrs-lightsabers/
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/64093-the-sentinel/

[member="Darth Vulkan"]

Korr snorted. "Of course not, but destroy those consoles and you will likely cause even more depressurization. There's a simpler method. As for the trial, we're counting our rupings before they've hatched. It-" he eyed the lightning dancing between the Sith's fingers and the nervous Republic troopers backing away. "Stop that. It won't help."

A gesture from Ryan and the control center door slid open, revealing the puzzled expressions of a number of Republic officers along with many Verpines. The Jedi Master entered, followed by the squad of soldiers and the Mandalorian. He frowned at the Verpines and others sitting at the controls. The Supreme Commander might have given the orders, but these were the ones who had carried them out. How odd a sensation, to be preparing to arrest citizens of the Republic when a Sith of a foreign government stood behind him, no doubt guilty of a number of misdeeds himself.

The Vahla opened his mouth, pausing as a light went out in the galaxy, becoming one with the Force. His brow furrowed. "The next person..." he bit the words out, struggling, "... who vents the atmosphere from any section of Nickel One will receive expedited justice. The commands of Supreme Commander Ali Hadrix, carried out by those within this room, constitute a war crime. You are all to stand down immediately by the authority of the Jedi Order. Those directly responsibly for carrying out these orders are to submit to arrest. Sergeant?"

The squad leader that had tagged along with Korr nodded once.

Somewhere inside that room stood Kol'k Oto. Of all those with blood on their hands, his had the most.

 

[Avalore Eden]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)

Medics: @Vaet | [member="Kana Truden"]
Protectors: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Julius Sedaire"]

What was he saying? It couldn't be true. Bays decompressed? Innocent civilians lost to the cold death of space? Avalore's jaw came unhinged, dropping as the littling wilted, words straining to be spoken, ears straining to hear him.

"Vaet..." she wanted to understand just what it was he was experiencing but the fact remained that she could not. The Healer knew of grief, had seen it in the faces of the families of patients she could not save. She'd felt the ache in her heart too many times to count. But she'd never known the weight of pain like Vaet had and did right now.

"...no...." was all that managed to leave her lips as the Healer reached forward tentatively towards the diminutive Jedi, "what can I do, Vaet? What can we do?"

 

[Alyona Volkovna (Алёна)]

Location: Nickel One
Objective: Escort civilians to safety
Allies: The Jedi Order, The Galactic Republic, The Galactic Alliance
Enemies: [member=Tralik U'rik]

Alyona had returned to the evacuation line within one of the hangars that had been left unoccupied by Mandalorian forces. Reports of skirmishes breaking out throughout the station had surfaced, as well as a division of the civilian population. Many Mandalorians and Verpine alike were sending away their families and opting to remain to fight for one side or the other. It appeared there was no black and white way to view the growing conflict. Alyona bit her lip and thought on this as they continued helping shuffle Nickel One's civilians into the Republic transports that would take them to safety beyond the reaches of the system, and the Mandalorians. She wondered what Corvus would do if she were here, and decided she would likely do exactly what Alyona was doing now: Helping civilians evacuate.
"Looks like the Verpine just kicked the Mando's in the balls." Tech Sergeant Alis Hadway called from across the line as she registered civilians on her datapad. Alyona frowned; she hadn't heard anything over the last few minutes regarding the military forces the Republic had arrived with. "What do you mean?" Hadway laughed, "Looks like the Verpine leadership on board the station just spaced a few hangars that had been taken over by the Mandalorians." Alyona's frown deepened. "I thought they were friends of the Mando's?" Hadway shrugged, "They joined us, not them. But obviously you can't speak for everyone living here."
The tactic didn't sit well with Alyona. "Isn't the Republic running the military operation here?" She asked. Hadway shook her head, "It had nothing to do with them. They weren't even there. Comm chatter puts the Republic leadership somewhere else in the station, but I have no clue where. There's chatter about civvies being killed during the vent procedure, but I don't know how true it is. There wasn't anyone but bucketheads in those hangars, unless they set some off themselves...or brought the civvies with them."
Hadway rolled her eyes. "That's what happens when you bring kids to a firefight, like they enjoy doing." Alyona shifted uncomfortably where she stood, gesturing another pair of Verpine civilians on board. "What are the Verpine doing for the drone workers?" She asked. Hadway shook her head. "Expendable. Must be convenient to have clone workers." The concept didn't sit well with Alyona. She'd felt disgusted at the idea of the clone soldiers the disowned Chancellor had somehow raised in secret. How could the Verpine do this to their own? She asked herself. There was no easy answer. It wasn't her place to judge, however; the choices of the Verpine were theirs alone to make.
The flow of civilians began to stutter and slow over the next several minutes before dwindling down. "Is there any way we can confirm the presence of remaining citizens?" Alyona asked Hadway, who referred to her commlink. The woman touched base with higher levels of command before reporting back to Alyona. "Our orders are to stay here in case Republic forces run into more civvies and send them our way. Once the transports drop off their passengers they'll come back." Alyona nodded, that was a good enough explanation for her. After Jakku she wasn't sure she wanted to fight, and as such didn't feel wasted as a resource.

 

[Falcon Rekali]

Location: Nickel One - Mandalorian Quarter
Enemies: Anti-Mandalorian Forces; The murderers of [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]
Allies: [member="Ember Rekali"]
Objective: Unkown

He'd come in the midst of grief. Working through the pain was the only way he ever knew, the death of Strider Garon, his father by blood, had put him on this path. The promises anew that he had made to his wife, that took him away from the war had her coming with him, this time, but with her he wasn't. Amongst the Mando'ade in the relative vicinity of his father-in-law, more clan father than his own blood had ever been, he had begun to head off with others to bring the threat-focus onto those that clearly stood against them, with the weight of so many more lives of their own kind being ripped from the living, the Force, and none of them put a stop to his tracks more than one.

None of them caused him to shake so, or so tear asunder the aura of a man simply doing his job than what rushed through his being, the gamut of emotions, the bond he held with his riduur becoming hot, fraying, and falling away, a searing severance of the likes that had not been his guest before. No sooner had he turned to leave that his helmed noggin creaked around, back towards her father, he could hear the burning of his words, felt every beat with the hammering in his chest. He turned heel and went back, fingers flexing and curling with even breaths, as he set his gaze on the Field Marshal once again.

"Your baby. My wife."

The flexing stopped. Knuckles turned white, teeth creaked as he stood there, and the one thought following the many about her was a prayer that his own path would not so closely mirror that of her father, his family picked away by these ravages.

"Too far. No further."

 

[Subject 37]

Nickel One - Command Center
Allies: [member="Thrukk Gulpdar"] | [member="Laguz Vald"]
Frenemies: [member="Ryan Korr"]
Objective: TWO JOBS

Rigor did not mind Thrukk's rather melodic and even soothing tones. The droid had never much cared about the things that left organic mouths, nor what went in them for that matter. To it, there was simply a job that needed doing. Often it could simply shut off it's auditory sensors, though most of the time that wasn't really necessary since it could just focus its other sensors on things. In this particular moment however Thrukk's singing was reverberating through much of the shuttle. The droid shifted slightly, it's faceplate turning towards the monstrously sized Ogre and it's other companion.

[Arrival within one minute] The droid spoke in it's curt tone, as it always did.

The shuttle that they were occupying floated through the battlefield of Roche, marked as an ambulance and unnoticed by both the Republic and the Mandalorians, even these two rather barbaric factions wouldn't outright destroy an ambulance. That was the advantage of working against organics, their morals and their lack of logical decisions was quite effective during infiltration missions. Rigor had learned this on his trip to the Jedi Temple as well as on several other missions he had conducted.

That was the greatest flaw of organics, they cared. So the ambulance floated through space, uninterrupted and untouched by either of the grand fleets of the Republic. Slowly they drifted closer and closed to Nickel One, until finally Rigor accessed the ships meager weapon systems. The only armament that the vessel had was a duo of heavy Disruptor Missiles, but in reality for their plan to work that was all they really needed. The droid shifted slightly, wandering over towards the edge of the room before grasping onto one of the heavy hand railings.

[Arrival in 30 seconds] His companions moved in similar ways, steadying themselves and grasping onto the railing in the ship in order to keep themselves from being jostles about. [Four...three...two...one.]

The Disruptor missiles shot forward, reaching out from the disguise ambulance and grasping onto the outside of nickel one. The next few seconds saw nothing happen, and then suddenly the massive blast of the twin missiles tore into the side of Nickel One. Pieces of rock, shrapnel, and debris were immediately ejected out into space and towards the ambulance, but that hardly seemed to matter. Rigor, Thrukk, and Laguz stood inside the ambulance as it was shaken and pierced with bits of molten metal and rock, half torn apart as it continued it's path towards, and into, Nickel One itself.

Good thing they were all rather durable.

The Ambulance crashed into the side of Nickel one, tearing through level after level and ripping apart metal, furniture, Verpine, Republic and Mando Soldiers alike until it eventually came to a full stop just a little ways away from the command center.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)

Medics: [member="Avalore Eden"] | [member="Kana Truden"]
Protectors: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Julius Sedaire"]

Injured Party: N/A

And then the punchline of this entire cruel joke arrived as [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] succumbed to the same void. He could feel her let go of her struggle, almost sensed the last message that she brushed against her raging father - so much death, needless agony, anger... pain. No matter which side had initiated this conflict first, no matter who was 'right' in this galactic game of domination... they all lost today. Only the Darkside was winning now and that saddened Vaet even more.

He shook his head at her attempt to get closer. "Not now, please." The recoil back was staunchly suppressed, it was all too raw, too real. It was still edged right into his essence like a jagged knife.

"Help them, we must." he barely managed to say. His soft voice growing stronger as the goal ahead was made clear to him. The depth of emerald green in his eyes deepened as Vaet opened himself to the Living Force, instead of shying away.

"Survivors... there will be, our duty it is."

A moment of weakness, but it passed. There was a raw wound, it would need tending soon. Not now, no, not now. They needed to help.

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

Medical Relief Efforts
Location: Medical Aid Station - Roche Asteroids (Not located on Nickel One)
Medics: [member="Vaet"], [member="Kana Truden"], [member="Avalore Eden"]
Protectors: @John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, [member="Julius Sedaire"]
Injured Party: N/A

Gabe gave a nod to Jacen, not leaving time to hear the wayward apology of a woman that was still finding herself. He had heard about her through the communications within the Hounds organization, but he was decidedly against reliving the past he was once forced to experience. Even if it was important to his path for redemption, there was a time and a place. In his own way, he felt bad for her, as he would for all those in her position. Because he continued to go through the gauntlet that she might clear at a much faster rate. Because his sins still walked about the universe, wearing the scarred visage that now reflected his own self-pity.

Pushing the lift down the ramp, he isolated himself from the group and pressed the healing mobile into a nook before powering down the lift. Satisfied with the positioning, he pulled the lift out from beneath it and clamped the feet hard into the stone. With an armored hand against the readout, he began powering on the machine.

::Running diagnostics.::

A loading bar displayed against the screen, slowly crawling. Gabe frowned and breathed in, listening to the female voice as she vocally described the process.

::Diagnostics complete. Container is sterile. Bacta at 100% reserves. Mobile healing platform, GE-MMP, is ready for operation. Thank you for choosing Galactic Equipment and Robotics.::

Gabe scratched his nose and shook his head, laughing. "Didn't realize this thing came with an advertisement. Wonder if we can scrub that out. Get Spark for it." He turned his head, everyone tending to their duties. Recent visits to Annaj, he had gotten used to the idea of talking to himself.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

NICKEL ONE
Allies: [member="Mirshko Betna"]
Enemies: Republic Forces Acting to Harm Civilians
Objective: Dance Battle Have Force Heal, Use It
Equipment: HoloBoy Advanced

The boy looked up, as someone who looked like a miniature tank on two legs walked up and asked to see his HoloBoy.

"Uh, okay.." the Nautolan remarked. Fishing the device from out of his pockets, the child passed it over to the armored figure. It sounded like a girl. But it sure didn't look like one. "Why are you dressed like that?" the youngling asked, head tilted to one side. Those armor plates didn't look comfortable.

There was no way Zak could swim in something like that. You'd sink like a rock!

At least the music tricking from out of the speakers on Tank Girl's helmet was nice to listen to. "Is that Bith Man Group?" the boy inquired curiously. The beat was familiar, but the drum loop was throwing him a bit. "...or Death Cab for Kushiba..."

Then, he felt it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73cZQzhPW0​

​

His heart was racing.

Pressing a hand to his chest, the youngling suddenly felt cold. As though he couldn't breathe. There wasn't pain, but a numbness. A void, as though someone strong in the Force had suddenly left them. As the Nautolan's abyssal eyes grew even wider with the panic settling in, he was aware of fear. People frightened. Scared.

Hurt.

The boy didn't know. Didn't understand why any of this was happening. He only knew that there were people in pain.

And he was a Jedi. Someone had to help.

And he was someone.

"There's people hurt," the young Nautolan said, looking up at the girl. "I can help, but... I'm scared." He was nine. This was a lot for a nine year old to deal with. That didn't seem an unreasonable request. As much as Zak fought against it, adult supervision really was required.

"Will you come with me?"