Invasion Chapter Three: Total War | Long Live The Empire DE vs GA Coruscant

[Halsia Hewitt]

_________________________________________
Sol Dara
_________________________________________
​

Halifax Hewitt had taken short stints as a war reporter during the Third Imperial Civil War and the Second Great Hyperspace War -- the network did better with someone like him up front. He had a way with words, letting him weave the chaos into something manageable, digestible for the public. He hadn't told her much about that time. The stories were one thing; the truth, another.

He'd looked at her strangely when she'd told him her plans for the attack. Her perch was a kilometer off the usual surface; she'd snuck up with the generous help of one of the service staff for this particular apartment building. Off one of the luxurious balconies of the complex, she'd set up two cameras and a live feed broadcasting to her corner of the Holonet, or to any network who wanted to pick up her footage.

She'd intended for commentary, for a narrative to spring forth from her mind as she watched the unfolding conflict. Instead she came to understand why her grandfather didn't speak much about his time in the war.

It was incomprehensible. Fires were everywhere, explosions, ships crashing, pods landing, blasters firing, buildings collapsing. Weapons emplacements lit up on the side of the Senate Building, Imperials returned barrages of fire into Alliance emplacements. It melded together, to the point where she sat silently watching like the rest of her audience, staring down at her home as massive weapons tore at her world's crust.

She was too overwhelmed to cry. She'd thought taking it in from here would give her distance enough to evaluate, clear enough air to breathe. Instead her lungs filled with smoke from a thousand fires, the smell of blood from a thousand bodies.

Her stomach was already empty. She saw a breach on the Coruscant Broadcasting Centre, a blast in the Senate Plaza, buildings toppling where Alliance defenders once stood.

Her building shook. It'd been evacuated hours ago; everyone was deep in a bunker somewhere, or hiding in the only apartment they owned. She'd chosen this, chosen to be here. She accepted her fate, and watched the death unfold.

 

[Mars Raynor]

ALLIES: Kroeger | Darth Defias
ENEMIES: Galactic Alliance | Gress D'ran

<"The hell you are!">
<"You charge ahead you're a dead man! They have planned targets all along this avenue of approach. We're zeroed in, we have no support by fire and no indirect fire assets that can target their walkers. We need to clear out the landing zone and bound to an alternate rally point and get fire on their armor before we push, Sith.">

Sulfuric orbs studied the General silently, but within Lord Mor'zhul fury began to swell. Kroeger was unsettled, he could hear it in his voice, but not feel it through the Force--his eyes widened in unpleasant surprise: is he absent from the Force?!

A red blade flashed into existence, its burning edge searing against the General's neck. "You will do as I command, General or your head will roll." the saber came ever so close to the General's throat, crimson sparks menacingly raging next to steel and flesh. Such cowardly creatures were beneath the warchief, dead to the Force or not; they would do as he commanded or be stomped under his boots like the insects they were.

"So which will it be -- a warrior's death or a coward's?"

 

[Darth Defias]

Out Of The Frying Pan Into The Fire || Issue 2​

ALLIES: Kroeger | Mars Raynor
ENEMIES: Galactic Alliance | Gress D'ran

<"Alliance don't seem afraid to blow up their own damned city today, trooper. Here I was thinking these Core bastards would have softer sensibilities but I guess...end of the day, when the dust settles- who the hell are they gonna believe? The Jedi and politicians or-"> General Kroeger noted and Ander couldn't help but give a curt nod. Alliance military cargo freighters were not uncommon sight back on Raxus Prime. They would load up on salvaged parts of all kinds to fuel and maintain their fleets and armies for the cheap price the Commerce Guild was asking for; a price of affordability that scavengers like him and his mother paid in the harsh toil of employment--slavery in all but name. The crews of the cargo ship would often disembark for a few days while the goods were being loaded and they would tell fair tales of the Alliance and its benevolence, often hoping to recruit scavengers to their side. Ander never bought into it--how could he? For all the stories of goodwill, not a single senator had ever lifted a finger against the Guild's exploitation on Raxus; they couldn't, not when they needed the Guild's cheap labor for their war. Ander and his like were merely a commodity traded by those of higher power.

And now he witnessed it firsthand, only this time the commodity was their own Coreworld citizens. Such, it seemed, was the natural order of the galaxy. The strong rule, the weak obey.

His ruminations were cut short when a dark figure stomped in among Ander and the General, a presence he could feel emanating hatred and contempt. A Sith. He'd heard the Alliance crewmen tell tales of the Sith -- wicked, sinister and evil, a ruthless Order that sowed to spread chaos across the galaxy. And yet, when Ander had been forcefully conscripted into the ranks of the Stormtrooper Corps, the stories of the Sith differed than what the crewmen had described. While any talks of the Sith were usually uttered in hushed voices, the troopers believed the Sith were the key to bringing peace, security and order in the galaxy with a strong hand. Ander was uncertain what was right and what was wrong, and to him that dichotomy had begun to matter little, consumed by the flames of war and buried beneath the husks of rusted, starship hulls on Raxus. What mattered to him was one thing and one thing only -- survival.

The Kaleesh Sith's gaze fell upon him for an instant and Ander almost stepped back involuntarily before the Sith's contemptuous attention shifted to the general. "I am assuming command of this rabble." the Kaleesh ordered. "Delays in capturing the senate will not be tolerated -- order your men to advance. Now."

Ander's eyes widened beneath the helmet at what followed next; General Kroeger openly defied the Sith Lord. There was a long pause, the cacophony of war seemed to deafen under the heavy silence and Ander realized he had been holding his breath in bated anticipation. He sensed the Sith's fury flow from him like dark, stormy clouds and a high-voltage current began to hum within Ander but instead of fear, he felt... galvanized, stronger. A red lightsaber suddenly snapped alive among them and hovered next to the General's neck. Instinctively, Ander rose his rifle only slightly, unsure at whom to aim. Perhaps at both. His eyes fluttered and he saw the Sith decapitate the general before he blinked and the two men still stood in the same pose as before: a blade and an ultimatum between them.

"Do as he says." the large stormtrooper said to the General, his voice gruff but laced with a sense of premonition. "Sir." the half-cyborg, half-man had saved him from his stupor; Ander could only return the favor as best as he could and hope to survive.

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Tags: Kazian Blackwood , Alicio Organa , Natasi Fortan , Raphael Calgar , Achan Jaikavi , Katarine Ryiah , Dyrn Grav

Marche

The skyline of Coruscant had been filled with smoke and plasma, the sky blocked out by those descending with great wrath from the stars above. Many of their forces had already landed, and were now fighting a bloody block by block battle with the gathered forces of the Galactic Alliance. Under normal circumstances, Reiner may have joined them in such an endeavor, for his combat experience and knowledge of Alliance tactics would undoubtedly assist those of the Empire. Yet, it was not meant to be, for this was Coruscant, and as such, the former senator of Aphran had unfinished business to attend to.

He and those that accompanied him had entered the Senate district from a lesser known entry. In his time within the Senate, Reiner had taken care to learn of such ways in and out. It was beneficial at times to move around unseen, after all. And with his backdoor dealings with others among the Senate had often required such methods to be employed.

Though they had made their way through the district largely unnoticed, Reiner knew that they would eventually have to make themselves known, for the shadows would only get them so far. The closer one got to the Senate chamber, the tighter the security. He only hoped that his old codes would still work.

"Sir," one of his men whispered to him, prompting the former Senator to give him his full attention.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

"Intel from ISB shows potential Senate members within the area."

A wicked smile emerged from Reiner's face. If they could manage to take even one Senator alive, a great many doors would open, both figuratively and literally.

"Very well, should it be within our ability to do so, we will make contact and attempt to capture. We are not to stray too far, though. Should you receive any update, I want to know."

It wasn't common for ISB to share intel with someone at his level of the pecking order, but years of political service had taught him that palms could always be greased, with either credits or promises.

"Let us proceed. Perhaps we'll get more than originally anticipated from our little... incursion."

 

[Joseph Torson]

L O N G_L I V E_T H E_E M P I R E
Chapter Three : Total War

DARK EMPIRE
CORUSCANT, CORE WORLDS

A Trio of HAAGs soared through the burning skylines of Coruscant as they made their way towards their destination within the Senate District. Inside of them were a total of one hundred and thirty five members of the Elite Red Right Hand, the personal special forces unit that answered directly to Grand Admiral Marlon Sularen. Lead by his protégé, Joseph Torson they had all been deployed here to Coruscant's Senate District with one objective in mind : to locate, hunt down and capture the treacherous ex-Senator of Eclipse and Alliance Judge Sssar Taszzn.

It had been a while since Torson and his men had been on the field, with the last time they had been deployed having been during Operation Nightfall on Onderon where they saw action against the notorious beast riders of Onderon and their Jedi supporters. Today however they would find themselves thrown into heavy urban combat as they sought to execute the Grand Admiral's will through their mission. From what intel the Empire could gather Taszzn was at the head of his own Paramilitary group known as the Abiding Precept Constabulary, meaning that the Red Right Hand would face significant opposition today. Nevertheless whatever rabble Senator Taszzn would mobilize against the Red Right Hand would be dealt with in time as they would be no match for the best soldiers of the Imperial Navy.

"Arriving at the target destination" the pilot said through the intercom, just as the headquarters of the Abiding Precept Constabulary known as Taszzn Station, came into view of the three gunships. It was a small five story building which stood out being surrounded and dwarfed by the large skyscrapers that made up the Coruscant skyline. However despite it's small size it resembled a fortress with various defense mechanisms in place visible even from Torson's point of view from the sky.

Torson smiled as the gunships moved in, approaching the fortified mansion. Today, the former senator and so-called Law and Order Advocate would finally face judgement at the hands of those he sought to persecute in the name of blind justice for a corrupt nation, and after him many other Senators who had stood against the Grand Admiral would follow suit.

Tags | Sssar Taszzn ​

 

[Scylla AI]

Begin!​

Current Objectives: Bombard the Enemy. Hold the Southern Right Flank. Prepare for an Armored Push.
Position: South of the Battlescape, Right Flank of Thomas Barran
Direct Engagement: Ashley Nevermore | Syd Celsius
Related Tags: Drego Ruus | Minerva Fhirdiad

@All
Sonic war drums beat as the Maw approached from the south. The Alliance surrounded to choke on the Dark Empire's many legions. To the right flank of Thomas Barran, the One Sith Legion set up. Maneuvering a large army in a city was no small feat. Swamsurge fodder perished and burned, buying time by forcing the enemy to focus on mindless drones and militias harassing them. Each piece in the army served its purpose: theirs to distract and die. Alliance heroes ended the torment of four of the five giant worms before they could cause more harm, leaving one alive as a transport for the inventive Mandalorians!

Combined arms actions began. Giant AT-AT walkers touched down with medium and heavy tanks flanking their landing. Infantry provided covering fire. The Codex Legion, ferocious and ironclad, began its approach, containing their burning desire for conflict until the moment to strike.

Artillery batteries positioned themselves toward the 5th Army's left side between Thomas Barran's forces and the 777th Legion, providing centralized protection. While anti-air from smaller AT-AA walkers harassed any responding enemy fighters across the entire armored Brigade.

Syd Celsius

Clones clashed with clones as the 7th Loyal Sons and Daughters Mythos and Nyx infantry dug in and bunkered down, following Thomas Barran's plan. Snipers found other snipers, shots from the 14th Faceless First, cunning James Justice clones responding to their attacks. Creating a bathing scene of light and smoke, the heavier infantry peppered the enemy with oversized guns, explosive bolters, and plasma cannons. Whirring gatling lasers were set up, and reactive mobile mortar cover fortified their hold. The outer infantry line supported the DuraDog's armored units, preparing to push up from behind to engage any enemy armor; the force itching to advance, it would not hold back long.

The 777th's left flank sided with Tomas Barran, but their exposed right flank had more mobile older tanks first, followed by heavier armor if the enemy pressed its attack there.

102nd Midnight Echelon Fighter Division Commences CAS

With the enemy beginning to commit, the 102nd Midnight Echelon Fighter Division received targeting parameters from the AI. Standard formations of Tie Bombers, screened by fragile Tie Fighters, soared overhead, raining death on the clones' positions and making any supporting enemy armor a first choice. Interceptors waited back for responding enemy fighters. Massed firepower was the doctrine aimed at obliterating enemy positions. The 777th's own repositioning artillery had yet to join the bombardment, but it would soon.

Thomas Barran

A communicator shimmered to life near the Mawite leader, showing a clone commander in his AT-AT. "Ironbreaker to Bloodhound, artillery is positioned centrally to cover our approach. Assign fire support missions as needed. We have secured your right flank; the 5th Army landing is almost complete."

Any orders could be relayed to the Legion, and they would follow the Mawite's directives. Reports from other clone commanders indicated they had met heavier resistance, with sniper fire present. Relaying preparations were made to soften them up with air support, and then artillery when in position.

Summary of Actions:

Spoiler

Swarmsurge and Militia forces continue to harass the enemy, buying time for the 5th Army to position itself.
4 out of 5 Surge Worms are slain by Alliance Heroes, with one requisitioned as a Mandalorian transport!
Infantry bunker down into firing positions, digging in and facing Syd Celsius, with armor soon to push.
The 102nd fighter and bomber attacks began on Syd Celsius's clones, with interceptors held back.
Artillery support starts to set up central to the overall Mawite force beside Tomas Barron, covering it well on both sides.

One Sith 5th Army Group Forces:

Spoiler

777th Codex Legion:
Commanders Codenames: Vanquisher, Equinox, Trace, and Ironbreaker.
Archetype: Mythos, Nyx, James Justice, and Rohlan Verd Clones.

4950/5000 7th Loyal Sons and Daughters, Infantry Assault Brigade
245/250 Mobile Mortars-3

489/500 14th Faceless First, Reconnaissance and Sniper Battalion
50/50 ULAV

21st Duradogs Armored Brigade
148/150 x OS Blastail MC1 Medium Tanks
49/50 Heavy Imperial Repulsortanks
50/50 Heavy Artillery Turbo Lasers and indirect fire AV-7's
50/50 AT-AA Anti Air Walkers
25/25 AT-AT Transport Walkers
25/25 HCVw A9 Ground Transports

102nd Midnight Echelon Fighter Division:
200/200 Modernized Tie Fighters
100/100 Modernized Tie Bombers
50/50 Modernized Tie Interceptors
25/25 Modernized Tie Defenders

Irregular Forces

Variable Numbers of Sithwatch Militia: Heavily Engaged
Commanded by: You, the oppressed people of Coruscant.

S-11 Swarmsurge Terminus Forces (All Non-Infectious)
1500/2000 Surge Drones and Energy Leeches
150/200 Magma Keepers
20/25 Tank Eaters
10/10 Hive Convergencies – Individuals as Hive Nodes
1/5 Surge Worms

 

[Ashley Nevermore]

Tag: Scylla AI
M E A N S T R E E T​

"Firebird! Word from Central Command! We got a new objective!"

"Hit me DJ."

"Enemy has arty setting up to the southeast. Command doesn't want it shelling the 34th."

"YOU HEARD 'EM!" She called to the interior. "Big Dragon, this is Firebird Actual. Shift targets, we're hitting the enemy arty, over."

<Copy Firebird. Shifting targets.>

The Ziios made a sudden shift, banking around a skyscraper just in time to fire on an enemy tank below with composite lasers. They knew what came next. The hellfire of battle. For a moment, Ashley wondered if Fresh Face had it in him. He had been picked for his skill, not his mental fortitude. Being a Phoenix meant you were the best of the best, but that didn't make you superhuman. No, it meant you had to see the worst of the worst. The Maw, the enemies that had kept us on our backfoot during the last war.

No more.

The sound of AA filled the air as they approached. The first Ziio came down just a kilometer behind them, dropping off the mortar team, before picking back up. Rainmaker would be invaluable for this next part.

A thud rocked the cabin, and everything inside rattled like a saltshaker. "We just lost engines!"

"Bring us down!" Ashley ordered, "Everyone brace!"

The Ziio lumbered down to the platform below, and bounced once before coming to a skidding halt, the screeching of metal on metal making a horrible noise as the LAAT came to it's final resting place. Lucky for the troopers inside, most of the systems still worked. The Ziio popped what would be it's final deployment of it's massive bubble shield, before the doors opened.

Overhead, the other Ziio engaged the AA with rocket pods, hitting the rapid firing cannons with efficiency, before landing nearby and also popping it's shields.

"Everyone out!" Ashley ordered, as she got eyes on those artillery batteries. 50 of the damn things. They'd need to swarm them. "Boxer get a Raven in the air. I want overwatch before we hit these things. DJ, call up the 34th and get counterbattery ready."

"Yes ma'am." They said in unison.

"Bastard, any wounded?"

"Not a scratch. Snot's got a concussion, but he'll live."

"Copy. Snot, this is Firebird, ditch the Ziio and get the Bobcats ready. We'll need that armor support."

<C-copy Firebird. God damn that hurt...>

"DJ, any friendlies nearby?"

"22nd Armored is pushing from the north."

"Tell 'em to start shelling the batteries. Mass Drivers and Turbolasers. Draw their fire as much as they can."

"They're currently engaging the AT-ATs."

"I don't care if it's just the mortars! Just hit 'em!"

"Copy."

 

[Drego Ruus]

Tag: Minerva Fhirdiad Scylla AI
​

This was taking too long.

"War Jaws, shift focus. I want mortars firing on the left side of this thing. We're gonna steer the motherfucker."

Suddenly the mortars firing from the backs of the walkers shifted focus, hitting the worm on the left side.

The beast let out an unholy noise, echoing through the corridors of skyscrapers, before finally shifting to the right. Drego had a target in mind. Those AT-ATs to the south were harassing the GA's southern flank, and he wanted a piece of that action.

Drones came up once more, Drego not missing a beat as he charged one, climbing in top of it and stabbing it in the face with the piece of shield on his right forearm. "Minerva! We're heading towards those AT-ATs! Get Talon ready, we're gonna smash this damned thing into their right flank!"

 

[Keilara Kala'myr]

Matriarch of the Scar Hounds Tribe

Information

Objective: Try to help Tommy
Location: Ground, Coruscant
Equipment: FS-18-UP2 Assault Rifle | 2x Sunfury Pistol | Light Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | 2x Vibrodagger | 2x Riftblades | Promise of Freedom | Ring of Wishes and Dreams || Cloaking Device | 5x ASBF Probe Droid || OPBC-01m
Tags: Thomas Barran | Scylla AI | Open

"Galactic Basic" | ~ Telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >>
Keilara Kala'myr | Mercy | Ziare Dyarron | Freedom​

I was watching the fighting, which was getting more and more violent and rough downstairs in the Senate District. Meanwhile I could see smoke rising from the Senate building and even from the Jedi Temple, and fires could be seen. The battle had reached every point of importance. I wished I could have looked up into the sky to try and see the battle in space, but a huge storm had formed almost out of nowhere over the quarter. This was a novelty, as there had been nothing there not so long ago. It was as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

<< Tommy, this is Mercy, there is a huge storm brewing around the Jedi Temple, I don't know how much this will affect you, over! >> I told him.

In the meantime, I retrieved the weather data from MANIAC, which also indicated that this storm had come out of nowhere. It must have been one of the Jedi or Sith. While I was still not a Force user, I had learned through my mother and my time in the Sanctuary that Force users had the ability to manipulate the weather and the data supported it. I still hated Force Users, for them even death was not necessarily final. I didn't know where Solipsis was now, if I had, then... it might have been easier to kill him in this place.

The storm is unlikely to favour snipers, as there could be high winds and visibility is not the best. That didn't bother me so much, I was still more of a melee shooter. And I still didn't get a sniper rifle, as much as I wanted to. I always had better things to do than this. Coming back to the battle, it was difficult to find a building where you could see everything. The disadvantage of tall buildings was that they covered the battlefield in many places and you could not see everything from one position.

Luckily, I had little droids I could send out and watch the fight from above. They could see every street from above and they could cover each other's territory, so I could see everything, and they weren't even bothered by the storm. Fortunately, I was further away from the point where this could be a problem. Since I was looking at several droids at once, I also had a communication device that I set down on the ground, which used holowall technology to project the data from the droids onto several solid state holographic "monitors". I could see live footage from each camera. So I could perfectly analyse the incoming data.

I still vividly remember the time when Asher started teaching these to me; there was nothing between us then but the Warlord and slave-soldier connection, but even then he found me gifted. Of course, later, when we became lovers, the teaching of battlefield data analysis and warfare became even more intense. Since he was then just a "brain" in the fuselage, it really felt like an education. No one thought we were lovers. No one, not even Tu'teggacha. That is why it was easy to hide this from him for so many long years.

My thoughts were still on the battlefield, I didn't let my attention wander completely. So far as I could see everything was going according to plan, so I sent another message to Thomas Barran and Scylla AI .

<< This is Mercy, so far everything is going very well and according to the plans. If there are any changes, I'll be in touch, out>> I sent the message to them.

After that, I kept watching the monitors to continue my analysis of the data from the battlefield.

 

[Gress D'ran]

Tag: Kroeger Darth Defias Mars Raynor Joseph Torson Scylla AI
Objective: Heavy Fire Support

T H E V A L L E Y O F D E A T H​

Where ATGMs could do the work of knocking out the Alliance walkers atop the skyscrapers, combat engineer troopers would do their best to approach the buildings under support by fire to planet explosive charges at the foundations to send them down.

Missile launchers were met with point defense lasers that deployed from the walkers, while the Tigers kept up the fire. Sponson chain lasers ripped into the the bounding infantry, and those that didn't found themselves being suddenly attacked by carefully placed Pumas that kept the combat engineers away from the base of the buildings. This had all been planned, an ambush that had been orchestrated by Gress to keep the enemy armor held up at their LZ.

He knew the mind of the man he was facing, and he wasn't taking any risks.

"Another volley." Gress ordered coldly. "Hit 'em with the Thunder."

This time, four forward Thunderer Turbolasers rocked the air like a massive thunderclap that could be heard all across the battlefield, massive bolts of kinetic plasma screaming towards Kroeger 's position.

A Trio of HAAGs soared through the burning skylines of Coruscant as they made their way towards their destination within the Senate District.

"Sir! Enemy transports incoming!"

"Weapons free." Was the only response the comms officer got.

The two rocket pods of the Sphinxes opened up, firing heat seeking missiles at the enemy transports, as AA-oriented Lynxs that sat next to the massive walkers opened up with thousands of particle bolts from their blaster cannon turrets

Combined arms actions began. Giant AT-AT walkers touched down with medium and heavy tanks flanking their landing. Infantry provided covering fire. The Codex Legion, ferocious and ironclad, began its approach, containing their burning desire for conflict until the moment to strike.

To the south, Gress had set up his tanks to guard the rear. Without the ability to maneuver in the deep alleys of the massive cityscape, Gress knew they were better off as defensive positions. With the help of the 22nd armored, they'd hold the line. Wildcats opened up with long range composite lasers, and CHOMP rockets that fired from heavy rocket pods on their backs on the AT-ATs, the missiles first rising into the air, before firing their seigurium darts down on the backs of the walkers, before the rest of the rocket exploded onto the open hole made. Some aimed for legs with their lasers, while others aimed for the heavy tanks approaching them.

 

[Zandra Ruus]

Location: Lower Slums
Objective: Survive!
Tags: Kroeger Mars Raynor

Zandra had been sitting in that little noodle hut for a few minutes, feeling the tension in the air. Seems these troopers were sitting around waiting for orders. Must have meant things weren't going to plan for The Empire. Serves the bastards right for bombing her home to druk. As the soldiers were setting up to sip from their canteens and swap war stories, another trooper came running.

<Kroeger's boys are getting the crap kicked out of them. Comms are blasted, I'm looking for any men to reinforce the landing!>

That was interesting, sending an old school runner? Not a bad job if you don't get caught. Hang on a tick, Kroeger must have been one of their officers, at least by the way that trooper talked. If they were headed to meet with the commander, maybe they could lead her to a free ride off this rock. Even Imperial prison had to be better than a warzone. All she had to do was follow the troopers back to their commander, and stow away on a shuttle! Before she left though, she slipped a chef's knife onto her person. It wasn't a lightsaber by any means, but it was a weapon. Enough to at least give her a false sense of security.

Following the troopers from a safe distance, Zandra slowly realized they were getting closer and closer to the Senate district. The young urchin had no love lost for the burnt out hovels where the rich used to live. The Dark Empire could burn all these fancy hotels and penthouses down to the ground for all she cared. Still, as she passed body after body, it became clear that it wasn't just the Dark Empire doing the killing. The GA, saviors they claimed to be, were destroying her home as much as The Empire were. "So much for your diplomacy you stuffed shirt scumbags..."

Within the hour the group of troopers were met with combat, this had to be landing zone. There was a man with no helmet being bothered by a Kaleesh with a lightsaber. Well blast everything, that was a bloody Sith! Even with the hell all around her, Zandra's eyes were transfixed on the red blade. It glowed like a small sun, and seemed to exude a hateful and malicious energy!

Now you've really stepped in the deep end Zandra...

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Drego Ruus Scylla AI​

Blasting off the front legs of several drones to make them fall from the worm, Minerva heard her Vod. So that explains why he used the war jaws to force this beast to steer. Acknowledging with a nod she unleashed another repulsor wave to throw more drones off charging toward her. Calling in the comms to her troops she declared.

"Talons hold fast! Once this abomination returns to the Imps execute Plan Mynock."

"Roger that Cap! We'll be ready." Gakot replied on the other end.

Once hearing that Minerva shot out more ice at incoming drones from the front. Those multiple frozen were shattered by their fellow creatures' continued charge or slipped off to break into pieces on the ground. Ascending Minerva reloaded her cyroban projector dropping down on the worm unleashing a shockwave via repuslor at the latest wave of drones.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Coruscant, Underworld
Objective: Stick the Landing
Tags: OPEN

Earlier in the Day

SPLASH!!

Ko’s nerves had gotten to him as he stood over the toilet in his refresher. Losing whatever had been digesting inside of him. Forutantly for him his new room in the Jedi Temple was better at accommodating his physical needs. Allowing him to exist without the ever present need of his mask. The sound of turbolaser fire bombarding the planetary shields high above still rattled the air inside the temple.

Since his encounter with the Sith on his homeworld Ko had been anxiously waiting for this day. Having been shown disturbing visions of the temple and NJO set ablaze in hellfire. Visions he hadn’t shared with anyone. Wanting to simply discredit them as hallucinations fueled by his own worries and concerns. He couldn’t allow himself to believe that there was any truth in them. Especially now.

Because if Gnost Zym was correct about that. Then what other truths had Ko been purposefully ignorant and shielding himself from. He thought about what they had said. Before being decisively “killed”.

Stepping to the sink Ko washed his face some. Letting the frosty cold water shock his system, grounding him some in the moment. He took a few deep breaths. Inhaling and exhaling oxygen free air without his mask obstructing his breathing…​

. . .​

Present

Things were already going pretty poorly for the young Kel Dor. His shuttle had been blown out of the sky before reaching his destination. An area of high intensity combat. Getting there on foot had proved to be pretty difficult for him as well. Shrapnel from blasted hull plating had pierced into several parts of his body prior. Nothing vital had been damaged on him. Nothing that a few bacta soaked cotton balls stuffed into him and some patches couldn’t handle.

The pain slowed him considerably, but pain alone wasn’t lethal so he kept moving forwards at as steady of a pace as he could. That was until he came across a major hurdle. Stopping suddenly as he observed through The Force a massive hole in front of him. “Damn!” He cursed under his mask. Ko had thought they’d flown over the last of the underworld portals back on the shuttle. Now he wasn’t sure how he could quickly get across the large chasm. There wasn’t enough traffic for him to hop-scotch his way across on different vessels. But he sure didn’t want to take the long and arduous trek around the portal either.

However, for better or for worse a choice had been made for him. A wave of goosebumps washed over from his back. Without any time to react or brace himself a bright green turbo laser behind him and was way too close for comfort. A stray bolt likely missed its target from up in the atmosphere. The shock wave ripped through his body and rattled him down to the marrow in his bones. Even after conjuring up a quick telekinetic shield for himself. Launching him off his feet into the air. Sending his body violently tumbling down into the underworld…​

​

 

[Sol Dara]

Halsia Hewitt

​

It never ceased to amaze the healer that even under the threat of their inevitable destruction, people would choose to stay in a warzone. She couldn't say too much on the matter since she chose to ignore her own evacuation order a few weeks prior. As a padawan, as a healer, and as a future Consular, it felt wrong. Abysmally so. But Sol was at least trained to fight. Most if not all of the people she was bumping into today were not.

The area the mirialan was covering was evacuated hours prior, but stragglers still remained. Some searched for loved ones who never arrived at meeting spots, others took a wrong turn in the midst of panic while searching for a shortcut to safety. Then Sol found a man lost and overwhelmed by the chaos, who said he had evacuated earlier, but came back because his family was missing something of great sentimental value. He found it, but then was too shaken up to find his way back to safety.

The padawan guided the man one street over as he nervously shared that his name was Valo, in case she would need it. He ranted about how he got himself into this situation, how he needed to get back to his family, how he didn't know if he could do it. Did she think he could do it?

"Listen to me- Sir," Sol paused, watching as the man's head swiveled at every sound, clutching a wrapped up cloth between his hands. The distant explosions marched closer. "Valo!" Slim, green fingers reached for the man's face, and gently yet sternly centered it on the young woman in front of him. "You can do it! But you need to listen to me! Can you listen to me?"

The blue gaze that stared at the man was unwavering, even as his chest tightened and another explosion caused him to flinch. It commanded his focus. Valo's nod was more akin to a shake, but it would do. "Breathe," the mirialan said softly, and the human nearly gasped. His chest heaved for a moment, but he never pulled away from the padawan. He nodded again, much more present this time.

"You are going to go straight down this street," Sol made sure Valo was paying attention before finally letting him go. One hand returned to her side, the other pointed the way. "You are going to go down this street, and you will not go down another. No distractions, do not stop. At the bend, there will be people who can help you. Do you understand?"

A small gust of wind brought the scent of smoke to the scene. The man looked off into the distance, the opposite direction Sol gestured to. Black smoke, the glow of fire. The rear end of a battle cruiser burst into flames and began to sink toward the surface slowly. Valo looked back to the eyes that had never left him. "Yes... Yes, I do! I understand." The human nodded twice, then bowed deeply with a teary eyed smile.

"Thank you."

Sol watched as the man ran off, a firm grip on whatever priceless heirloom he had risked his life for. Part of her wanted to lead the way and ensure the man was reunited with his loved ones. But there were others still in danger. She had to stay. Soon enough, the man was far enough away that Sol couldn't keep track of him with her eyes if she tried. The mirialan turned the other way.

Standing in the middle of the street, Sol took in the scene. The pillars of black smoke, the glow of who knows how many fires, the falling ships. For a moment, the earth shook, followed by the delayed sound of an explosion. The mirialan took in a deep breath and steadied herself. She ran off toward a string of luxury apartments. Toward the inevitable chaos.

 

[Marauder]

Marauder looked to the distance towards the buildings and saw many ablaze. Some weren't even there anymore. He looked back to his vod and continued hunting the Imperial invaders. Marauder continued with the mission, as they walked further into the remains of an avenue, they discovered a troop deployment with a few ATST's.

"This is where the fun begins." Marauder told his vod. They activated their jetpacks and bolted through the air, firing at every stormtrooper in sight. Marauder flew lower and grabbed a stormtrooper by the throat and threw him at the side of an ATST. Marauder landed on top of the walker and prepped a detonator. Marauder looked up and saw a green Mandalorian trip another ATST.

He focused on his task and climbed to the front of the walker and threw the grenade through the window. Marauder jumped off the walker and flew towards a squad of stormtroopers.

 

[Ayhan]

Location: En Route to Air Defense Installation Mynock
Allies: Galactic Alliance | Jaidan Shatani
Enemies: Dark Empire | Quinn Varanin ​

He'd been bred for war. Genetically engineered for it. Taught how to fight them from birth. Watched his kin die so that only the strong would go on, the weak culled. And when the Jedi came and rescued them from the only lives they'd ever know, they were promised that they were safe. That they would never be forced to wage war in the name of someone else.

And yet, here Ayhan was. Fighting a war in the name of the 'Galactic Alliance', fighting against a 'Dark Empire', neither of which held much meaning to him. They were a thing so much larger than himself, it was impossible to see or understand it. Like standing at the foot of a giant, and not knowing what it was because you could not see the giant's head, or its heel, its ankle, its toes. Who they were meant nothing.

Ayhan didn't mind though, not as he rode at the front of the convoy bearing reinforcements to ADI Mynock. Not because of his intentionally dampened emotions. He didn't mind because this is what he'd been bred for. Because war was the only life Ayhan knew. The sounds of the invasion invading his ears, threatening to take his enhanced hearing and make him utterly deaf, did not calm him in the slightest. Nor were they familiar. But they promised a fight, and that was familiar.

The LSATs zipped down the now eerily abandoned skyways. From within the shut carriage, Ayhan couldn't see anything. Only hear the way the wind shifted and shuddered as they passed each of Coruscant's towering skyscrapers, the blasterfire on the catwalks below. And screaming.

The troopers could hear it too. To their credit, they were keeping it better than Ayhan would have expected. They were nervous. Worried for friends, family, their homes. They fidgeted, gripped the overhead handles too tightly, checked their gear too frequently. But afraid, they were not.

Not until something hit the LSAT so hard, they were thrown against one wall of the aircraft, and they could feel the pilots begin to lose control. "We've been hit! Brace for-" The pilot hadn't even been able to finish his sentence before the whole aircraft slammed into the side of one of the buildings, and the troops inside were thrown about like ragdolls. By the time Ayhan was able to get a grasp on anything and figure out on just what part of the ship he was laying on two more of the convoy had been hit, and were radioing calls into his ears before they too crashed into buildings. A secondary explosion told Ayhan at least one was gone entirely.

"Commander, are you alright?" one of the troopers said, appearing over Ayhan's head with an outstretched hand. "I'm fine," the Firronthix replied, taking the offered hand and letting the trooper help him to his feet. "Sitrep?" The responses came in over the radio. All three of their ships downed, one irrecoverable. Ayhan's own ship and the other surviving one were inoperable, and of the troops inside, only some were injured or dead. Not a great start.

"Dank ferrik...Master Shatani," Ayhan tried to reach the Jedi who'd he'd been told rendezvous with. "We're grounded. We'll make our way to you on foot, but we're gonna be a bit late."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Instability and violence bring about ripe conditions for corporate expansion. This has always been an immutable truth." Though the Dark Lord of the Sith often meddled in the affairs of galactic corporations, He could not be considered a business of any sort. His mind was honed by politics and combat, that was where His strengths lie. But the Sith throughout time had always courted the power and reach of megacorporations to fulfill their aims. Greed was a powerful ally of the Sith, and all megacorporations were motivated by the incessant chase for greater and greater profits.

"With a whisper I have scoured Tion clean. The Trade Federation will receive the privilege of purchasing territory on Tion and it's moons, to extract what I have laid bare. So too will other corporations amiable to the Sith, Senator, but the Federation will receive whatever prime cut you desire. This will be the fate of all worlds that have defied the Sith with impunity for far too long. Lianna, Galidraan, Ession. I will see them all purified." The Dark Lord's plan was put forth, to burn away the iniquities of those who had spurned the Sith's hand and fled into the arms of terrorists and thieves. Their worlds would be burned away, their people reduced to ash, and what remained carved off and sold to more worthwhile allies.

The Dark Lord regarded the Senator curiously at the mention of the rogue Jedi Barnard of Arca. "The Jedi is known to me. He fought against my legions long ago, although he'd gone quiet for a long time. That he has the gall to expose the sins of the Jedi Order is nothing surprising, though it is amusing to me. The Jedi Order is built upon hypocrisy, Senator. Chaos and strife are perpetually reborn within it's ranks, as those who become disillusioned with their false piety reject them and turn to darker paths. It will happen again, the Jedi are destined for schism."

His eyes seemed to glow brighter as He looked straight into Lodd Grimmin's eyes. "What is the consensus of the Senators about his actions? I do not believe it inspires greater confidence in the Jedi."

Lodd Grimmin ​

 

[Vaudimir Traith]

Location: Lowercity, Streets

As Vaud walked the street of Coruscant his bloodlust grew, hel unfed at soldier and dipped his fangs in their neck, others he reached out with his fingers and red vein like cords latched on to them and he drank, the GA troopers screaming as he drano and they deflated from the lack of blood. Still this did not satiate.. he felt the feral state breaking through, his body contorting, his eyes growing into great pools of red with black pupils, he mouth jutting out with fangs as and his form began to take a lanky ans ashen color as he cried out in a creature shriek:


He began to run on all fours, leaping on to unsuspecting defenders, one he grabbed with his lengthy claw and threw against a speeder, the soldier stuck in the open seat as he leapt on him and he screamed.

The Fanged Lord cornered a Trooper running, he fited his blaster,
“Help! Help me! Arghhhh!”
He ran uo a stair with a sealsd door, banging on it and The Beast grabbed him with its long arms and feasted, him screaming as he was drained dry.

A squad of Troopers seeing the Fanged Lord standing over the hollow form of their comrade, their aimed their rifles and let fly bolts and The Beast charged them and there was loud screams from each as they joined his table of the feast.. these streets.

 

[Sssar Taszzn]

Tag: Joseph Torson
Location: Taszzn Station, Senate District

---

Sssar had been mostly hands-off with the A.P.C. due to his judicial career, though he continued to visit the organization from time to time. This was one of those days that he former senator had deigned to check-in on the group "Commissioner-" began one of the constables "there are reports of an invasion!" the words seemed surreal to the Filithar. How many times in his own life had Coruscant been invaded? Twice? Three times? It was hard to keep track.

"Initiate the lockdown protocol then. You do not need my permisssssion." Sssar hissed. While the A.P.C. were well equipped to deal with armed criminals and most forms of organized crime they were not outfitted with the means to contest well supplied military incursions. Taszzn Station, their headquarters, was similarly constructed to withstand light sieges and civil crisis.

As the security droids were activated and the entry ways to the mansion were sealed, and the few constables that were at the station rallied to defensive positions within the building, Sssar made his way to the Security office. When he reached the office he could see the security feed showing a small group of gunships hovering outside of the campus' Deflector Shield "Sssularen." Sssar's tone dripped with metaphorical venom at the symbol emblazoned on the ships "Distress signal deployed." announced one of the constables manning a terminal "I'll recall our forces from the lower levels." another spoke.

"No, leave them were they are." Sssar interjected "Our people are not equipped to engage those gunssshipsss. They'll be ssslaughtered." Sssar had a sinking feeling, though he did not show it, that the few constables at Taszzn Station were all that stood between him and the business end of a trator's blaster.

 

[Drego Ruus]

Tag: Scylla AI Minerva Fhirdiad​

Drego could feel it. The tide of battle turning.

As they pushed through the streets on the massive worm, Drego aimed it's head right for...

"BRACE!" He called over comms, as his men leapt from the worm and into the fray. Drego's speeder swung by, controlled by the AI of his suit, just before-

SMASH!!!!!

The sound of crumpling durasteel filled the air, as the legs of an AT-AT were wrenched from under it, and a heavy tank was crushed under the weight of the massive beast. Drego watched from above, as anti-air fire tried to pin him down, but to no avail. The Charging Bull shrugging off heavy blaster fire as he sped north.

<Minerva, you're in charge of Clan Ruus for the moment. I'm swinging around and checking the northern front. Will regroup ASAP>