Denouement (Tygaran Alliance, Firemane and Friends)

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

Spoiler

This is the aftermath thread for the Kaeshana Rebellion. There are no fixed objectives, but the following issues are of import:

1. There are many wounded among the Firemane/Eldorai forces who will need medical care. Moreover, we were able to evacuate a great many of the Kaeshana Eldorai who sided with us, but they will need aid.

2. Thread can be used to train troops and for tech development to strengthen Tygara's arsenal for future battles, drawing lessons from the Rebellion. Moreover, it will serve as extra development for the planet's fortress.

3. As can be expected...there will be a lot of recriminations after the lost battle and the betrayal committed by some allied forces. Internal investigation and some Game of Thrones style intrigue with Space Elves.

4. Awards for those who fought in the battle.

Space was a fathomless, vast black abyss of stars. Once again, the Phoenix, a rechristened Wyyrlok Class Star Destroyer, was emerging from hyperspace after a long voyage towards Tygara, accompanied by a host of smaller warships. The appearance of the disciplined ranks of battle wagons from the far away battlefields of Kaeshana was supposed to be a festive occasion. A moment of triumph and elation. The Grand Cathedral's bells were supposed to ring loudly, while worshippers praised the Goddess Ashira, thanking her for victory.


Except, the Force had not been with them. The battle was over, and Kaeshana was now under the yoke of the First Order and their Sith allies. It was small comfort that the battle had been close, that the citadels and Santaissa had fallen under allied control. Or that many of Kaeshana's Eldorai resistance fighters had been evacuated before the planet fell to the enemy. What was an equally bitter pill to swallow was the fact that traitors had infested Firemane's ranks, spitting on their oath and firing on their own comrades during the brutal battle.


Siobhan Kerrigan would never get used to medbays, despite having spent a great many occasions in one. The smell of bacta was strong in this one as in all the others she'd been in. For a change, she was not among the maimed. She'd been making her rounds among the wounded.


"The doctor had to operate," an Eldorai soldier coughed. Hence the tight bandage that had been wrapped around the stump of his leg. A thermal detonator had not agreed with it. "Damn painkillers make my brain all fuzzy."


"We'll build you a new leg. Firemane shall pay for it," her tone was soft, gentle even. It concealed the storm that was building up inside her. "Get well soon, Corporal."


"Yes, ma'am. I will," the trooper seemed to already be drifting into the dreamlands, but he mustered enough focus to gently take her hand when she patted it. "We'll get payback, won't we?"


Her eyes were cold. "Yes," she spoke in a tone icy enough to freeze galaxies. "There will be a reckoning." Damn all those who stood in her war, enemies both foreign and domestic.


"All hands, prepare for reversion," a voice spoke over the intercom as she turned and departed the medical room. The battleship jerked and there was a loud whoosh as it emerged into realspace. Her cane made little noise on the ground as she limped through dull corridors on the way up to the bridge. The Countess had discarded her beskar'gam after the battle, in favour of Firemane's standard olive-green uniform. But even without her beskar shell, those soldiers and crewers she met gave her a wide berth.


Except one of her aides, a female Zabrak wearing Firemane colours, who slipped into the turbolift just before the doors closed in front of her. "My Lady, we've received a transmission from the Palace. A reception has been prepared on Ashira's Light, along with a triage centre for the wounded."


"And? You didn't come down here just to tell me that," Siobhan's voice was sharper than she'd intended. To say she was vexed was a big understatement.


The adjutant took it in stride. "The Council of Nobles is convening to...discuss the battle," she replied tactfully, then cleared her throat. "You have been summoned to the hearing. They want an explanation."


"They want a scapegoat. Cut the diplomatic talk when it's just the two of us, Nedia. They smell blood and easy prey. Most of them never wasted one minute on Kaeshana since the Exodus. They were content to abandon the Forsaken to their fate because they were 'rabble and heretics'." Her tone was laced with contempt.


"I urge you to tread carefully, Lady. They have strong support. Morale is low in the ranks and I've heard murmurs of discontent among the Angelii. There's also unrest in New Santaissa - protests, attacks on foreigners."


Siobhan's mind flashed back to the moment when lances of turbolaser erupted from the cannons of the First Order Star Destroyer. Firemane soldiers and artillery vanished in a flash of blinding light, vaporised. She remembered the battleship being struck by a thunderstorm and pulled from the heavens. In concert with other Masters, she'd brought down a warship. She'd defeated Darth Carnifex and stormed the Citadel alongside her soldiers. But it had not been enough.


She could not,

and would not,

accept that!


"I will not relent. My soldiers fought valiantly. They were let down by treason and deceit. I will not have their honour be besmirched by blue-blooded cowards. Nor will I let them scorn the Forsaken." Once again, her thoughts drifted to the betrayal on Kaeshana. She also remembered the traitor who'd collaborated with Archangel. There might be more. "The treasonous vipers in our midst will be unmasked and punished." The door towards the command deck opened with a sharp hiss. Crewers snapped to attention but she paid them no mind, instead gazing out of the view-port as the leviathan approached Tygara.


From above, the planetoid looked so serene, tranquil and peaceful. The majestic Ashira's Light space station and the Citadel Defence station hovered above the sapphire orb. Tiny blips of light surrounded the stations, vessels of war and starfighters of the Firemane and Eldorai fleets. The appearance of security was deceptive.


Tygara was vulnerable. It was up to her to make it strong again, regardless of who stood in her way. There would be no more parties and games for Firemane. No more compromising with self-important potentates who placed their own egoes above the common good. "It's time."


"For what?"


"Change. Radical change."

 

[Nima Tann]

One thing she remembered from the chain of events that happened afterwards was they were pursuing the ones retreating from their position at the Citadel of Dawn, and the other, they found themselves evacuating from the planet after the treason of those who she once called friends, and the First Order’s victory over the planet. Why? The question repeating in her mind over and over again. Why did they do such a thing? If they couldn’t trust friends, then who could they? She just couldn’t understand. On the ship Phoenix, lost in thoughts still thinking about what happened, she suddenly was pushed back to reality by the healer applying medicine on her wounds, which caused pain like somebody sliced her arm. “Sorry.” The healer said with an apologetic smile, then added. “This might burn a little.”

Returning the smile and with a nod, she sighed and looked around, trying not to think about the burning pain. The medbay was filled with wounded soldiers and the air was filled with a disturbing silence, if you don’t count the healers running around... She saw Sio coming in for a moment, no Force needed to feel her anger. And if Nima knew Sio, things were going to get heated very soon, which she had every right to do whatever she was going to do. She thought she has seen everything, but getting backstabbed was a first. Well, that was a good lesson. “Master Tann?” The healer called, which again interrupted the train of thoughts. “Yes?” Nima replied, returning her gaze to her. “What happened back there?” What happened... A good question. “We were attacked by our own. We... had to retreat.” She said with a sigh, as simple as it could be. The details, she didn’t remember much. It happened so fast.

By her answer, the healer sighed as well. “The traitors. Did they die?” She asked, a question that she wouldn’t expect from a person that radiated such a calm aura, however Nima understood what she felt very well. The same feelings that she herself felt right now. “They will be punished for what they have done. ” With that, the healer nodded and stood up to go fetch more medicine, it seemed like her treatment was over. “Need anything else?” She asked before leaving. “I would like if you had something that will make the headache go away.” Nima replied with a forced smile. And she was alone with her thoughts once again. She could feel [member="Tempest"] and [member="Elpsis Elaris"]’s presence nearby, they were probably getting treated as well.

She still had to talk about the blackout with Elpsis, but perhaps right now wasn’t the best time for that. For now, she waited for the healer to return with something that will help with her headache.

[member="Joza Perl"] [member="Six-O"] [member="Alize Rosenheim"] [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"] [member="HK-36"]

 

[Six-O]

Spoiler: Dreadwind

Spoiler: Xerrzyk

Disastrous, that's what the fight at Kaeshana had became. A thick, constant, ripple of enemy influx that bled from every stab and pierce of Her leaking wounds. They had fought, they had failed. No matter how closely in either one of their favors, the battle could have gone, for them, it was pain and loss. But this was only the first round, they would rise from corner to meet the bell, they would fight harder, they would wage war more sordidly. Six-O had already begun the process of reliving the combat and calculating for improvements. When he could link with [member="HK-36"] he'd discover and decipher even more.

But, Six-O had not partaken upon the Kaeshana Rebellion alone, no. He had found himself inculcated with SIS Special Agent: Dreadwind, she was half Echani, and of a particularly fearsome note. Currently she resided in the Medical Wing of [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]'s Star Destroyer, the Phoenix. Aptly named, thought the Droid, considering how this loose Alliance of warriors would rise from the ashes and return with a burning vengeance greater than brightest, fiercest Star.

Given sedatives, Dreadwind lay unconscious upon Medical Bed, her hands and feet wrapped in Bacta Bandages, just part of the process prescribed to heal her frostbitten fingers and toes.

Also, though perhaps unwelcome, Xerrzyk too, had been recovered from the mayhem and destruction. The brutal, vicious, odious Klatooninian had spent his time directly alongside Six-O, together that had engrafted Guerilla Tactics in to a group of Eldorai Males that had saw them grow from meager cubs, to fearsome Nexu. Unfortunately, many of those men had fallen in the carnage. Santaissa, at the start, had been an apocalyptic nightmare before the action withdrew towards the Citadels.

But while the IG-Unit and his personal ally, there only out of respect and concord for the Droid, had started the Campaign together. The Slaver and Six-O had departed soon after the fever set in. Six-O skirmishing Sith Knights that bound higher than buildings, Generals that shot him in back and shoulder, then took flight, Red Rens that would undoubtedly become Gold Medal Winners in Track at the next Galactic Games, and a Sith Fish that stalled for time then vanished without trace. Xerrzyk had gone to war with a very capable Lieutenant, in the form of [member="Pharazon Draken"].

Six-O, the left shoulder of his Chassis torn and shredded, his right leg gasping hydraulic steam with every limp, and his Blast Armor scorched and speared with numerous Blaster impacts. Stood vigil aside the cruel and bloody Slaver.

Xerrzyk, painted ferociously with the wounds of war, somehow yet clung to his consciousness. Seated with back against wall, bandages wrapped and stained crimson over hundreds of wounds, inhaled slow from a Respiration mask. His worst wound the fierce puncture from blade that Draken had plunged in to his body. "Phiauau. . . " the Ghastly Klatooinian growled, it perfectly describing his foe, as he lowered the mask from his canine-like snout.

He had brought Six-O up to versant testimony of the Battle at the Cross-Road. Every. Grisly. Atrocious. Abhorrent. Detail. Xerrzyk felt no shame in his defeat, war waged with that type of savage depravity was something beautiful for a creature like he. For Xerrzyk yet lived.

"Goo yoieu mah hhinpah, " The loss of his War-Blade stung, but the Slaver still clutch his Scourge. So his pride remained intact. "kon fai nei. . . " He coughed, blood spitting from his mouth as he slowly brought back the breathing apparatus and inhaled.

Six-O, accommodating his friends request, rummaged through the Klatooinian's gear, pulling aside his breastplate from where it lean against the wall, his chassis budding another cloud of sparks and gasps before he managed to return to height. Placing the foul weapon in Xerrzyk's free hand.

By the time they had finally arrived to their destination, Six-O too stood upon the bridge. His cracked and shattered sensor globes scanning over [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] as she strode aggressively through the blast door. What ever may come in the aftermath of this defeat, he did not know, but if one were to make estimation, given the fire that seared in the Red Head's eyes, there would be blood.

And Six-O liked that!

[member="Joza Perl"] | [member="Alize Rosenheim"] | [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]​

 

[Anya Venari]

“Oh Light…what will the people say?” Anya had asked the day the news had come.

They had said plenty. None of it good.

Still, Anya had a duty to be there and greet the returning officers, to do her best to make a difference. She’d already held a conversation with Aeda and Selene. Both had managed to slip away without harm with their forces and with many refugees.

Further discussions with officers had shed more light on the matter. However, the ‘Committee for the Oversight of Alliance Resources’ or COAR had also had a lot to say. It was demanding answers on the use of Alliance resources.
Anya had been opposed to that committee’s creation, but her hand had been forced after the Exodus by the Council. In her more cynical moments (and she did have some) Anya felt that they like all such committees they talked a good deal more than they acted, and interfered a lot more than they aided.

Regardless, she was there waiting. Being Queen meant being ruler for the good and the bad times. It was her duty to be here, and it was the least she could do as she had missed the actual battle.

As the ship came into port her honour guard stood to attention and the Queen waited for those aboard to descend.

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"]


On one of the lower decks of the Phoenix, things were not going well...


"This is betrayal. We abandoned our sisters to foreign oppression. And why? Because Firemane and the Yedai heathens stabbed us in the back. They say we faced superior numbers, but we have superior spirit. The fault lies with the human monkeighs. Kerrigan and her minions insisted on taking the lead out of a thirst for personal glory," an impassioned Angelii soldier declaimed.


"Were you at Dawn? Did you face Sabercats? No. We fought and bled for your people and this is how we're repaid?" an equally angry Firemane soldier yelled. Needless to say they'd acquired quite a crowd, and both had supporters among the horde.


The Angelii pointed an accusatory finger at the Firemane trooper, a Twi'lek. "And then your own soldiers stabbed you in the back. If there were so many traitors in your ranks, why were they not found out sooner? It's obvious."


"Hold your tongue! In case you haven't noticed, they shot at us. But perhaps there's treason among your ranks. You Eldorai are always scheming, even when your planet was about to be toasted by an asteroid." More yelling ensued.


"This is ridiculous. We're all in this together," one sensible voice shouted, but alas people were not feeling sensible at the moment.


"Kerrigan wants power for herself, and Anya is her puppet. It's high time we emancipated ourselves from our would-be foreign masters and took our destiny into our own hands."


Just as soldiers were about to come to blows, a figure appeared. In this moment, the air in the room became a lot...colder. Here and there, thin layers of frost manifested on the walls, ceiling and tables. The figure's face was severe, her blonde, her blonde hair was tied back into a tight ponytail. "What is the meaning of this?"


"Ma'am, we were just..."


"Firstly, I wasn't talking to you. Secondly, stop sammering." If a voice was enough to freeze someone, hers was harsh enough to bury an entire city in thick white snow. Her icy eyes were piercing. "Well?"


"Well, if it isn't the monkeigh lackey herself," the Angelii ringleader sneered disdainfully. "I used to respect you, Taldir. You stood up for the common grunts. The retreat order was shameful and treasonous!"


"I see," Kaida spoke softly, almost in a whisper. Her eyes travelled across the assembled soldiers. Then, moving with blinding speed, she threw a brutal, precise punch at the rebellious Angelii and slammed an ice-covered fist into her face. The blow was hard enough to make the rebel stagger, almost fall and suffer a broken nose.


"You monkeigh loving queen!" the Angelii yelled and lunged at her like an enraged Cylix. One punch Kaida avoided by ducking, but when she seized her opponent's wrist the Angelii headbutted her before landing a blow in her stomach. Ouch. The Seraph staggered as pain surged through her, but when the Angelii pressed her attack she was suddenly assaulted by water being tossed into her eyes, blinding her for a moment. Then a powerful, Force-enhanced kick made polite contact with her kidney. Getting desperate, the Angelii channelled her Sciia and a burst of elemental lightning shrieked from her fingertips.


The Seraph had been coming at the renegade and now grit her teeth as the lightning arrows homed in on her and struck her. Electricity and ice did not go well together. She shook strongly when the blast struck her, pain surging through her body. Harnessing her own power, she pulled the moisture from the air and quickly coated the renegade with an absurd amount of water. Struck by her own electrical onslaught, the Angelii stumbled and fell. When she tried to crawl away, Kaida held a Sarix to her throat.


"Anyone else? Good. Put her in chains. She'll answer to the Grand Seraph," Kaida hissed icily. "I won't tolerate whining, mutiny or conspiracy. Insurrection will be punished with death," she looked sternly at the soldiers from both parties. Her voice brokered no contradiction. "Return to your duties."

 

[Elincia Alanis]

Well, that was something.

Not only that she couldn't spear someone in the face as she wanted, they've lost the battle as well. However, the enemy wasn't alone achieving that. Their own allies, now turned traitors, did a great job helping them. Listening to the heated conversations in the Phoenix's lower decks, she mostly stood silent, which was a first for her.

Good thing that she did.

A very angry ice lady appeared out of nowhere, cutting the conversation with her words as sharp as an ice spear, and with an air as cold as her stance. She was pissed off, as always. But it wasn't like the always.

One thing that you shouldn't do when dealing with a pissed ice lady was to piss her off more. Shame one of them managed to do that. As a result, the poor Angelii found herself in a painful situation, with a Sarix aimed at her throat. "No jokes, Elincia. No jokes. She'll literally kill you this time." She told herself, and sighed.

The rather frightened Angelii soldiers carried the beaten up one away from the deck and everyone turned away to mind their own business, and silence consumed the whole area. Elincia included. At this point, talking was not a very wise move.

Thinking of some of the arguments, some of them might be right. After all, they did quite well until some Firemane soldiers decided to turn traitors and opened fire on their own allies.

What a mess.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[HK-36]

While some of Firemane's members like [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] focused on change, HK focused on what he did best, rebuild and adapt. At the end of the day it probably meant the same thing, but he always liked to believe that his way was better even if it was just a copy of someone else. Either way, [member="Joza Perl"] would receive a transmission from the droid,

"Joza, I heard some of your soldiers were maimed and branded by the First Order, I wish to visit them, I have a plan, plan in which we will bring to these Sith-controlled drones doom of their own creation."

Siobhan would receive a similar transmission from the machine. HK had plans regarding the wounded and mistreated organic soldiers who were captured by the First Order, plans to rebuild them, train them, create Firemane's new elite fighting force from the remnants of Kaeshana's most grizzled and torn survivors. For now, however, he would not make a personal appearance just yet, waiting to see what the response to his transmissions was first, although they would be probably positive.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

“Please unclench your hand, Commander,” the medic said timidly.
The look Tempest gave her was…stormy. However, she did do as she was asked.

Beskar had spared her the worst of the battle, but she had not come out unscathed. Acid burns in the joins of the armour, heat from flames nearby.

Much of the damage was not easily measureable though. Tempest had seen the betrayal as a personal insult. She’d respected Symara and her group.
Add that with Lyra’s death and her anger roiled and swelled within her.

She could sense Elpsis nearby, sense Nima. She should go and check on them both. For now though she was in complete accord with her boss. There would be changes, there would be a separating the wheat from the chaff. There would be many euphemisms.

But most of all, there would be blood.

Rising, she stalked into the next room to find Nima. “How’re you?” she asked, trying to be as polite as she could given her foul mood.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


((Will be posting my other alts. Just trying not to flood the first page!)).


Aboard the Phoenix, about to dock at Ashira's Light.

The Ashira's Light space station was prepared. Standing on the Star Destroyer's command deck, Siobhan watched through the viewing port as the Phoenix approached the station to dock. She imagined that the Queen and an honour guard would be there at the port to greet them.


Alas, it would not be a happy reunion. She could imagine that COAR was in uproar, along with a good portion of the Council of Nobles. I suppose it's no coincidence that Tarissa sped towards Tygara with great haste, she thought to herself cynically.


"The refugees will be housed in provisional camps, but I want to relocate them to Arkas as soon as humanely possible. Tygara is not a place to be, not in this political climate, and they'd want autonomy," she spoke to an aide, who made notes on her datapad.


"Get in touch with Firemane Security. Tighten security at the villa, Firemane HQ and the residence of [member="Alize Rosenheim"]. No one gets in without being screened." The Countess hoped that Alize would not be going out for a walk without an escort. Given the reports of protests and attacks on foreigners, the Eldorai mob might be...volatile.


"As you wish, ma'am. I took the liberty of sending messages to Master Perl, [member="Judah Dashiell"] and [member="Laira Vereen"] regarding the refugee situation. Their companies may be able to provide assistance," the Zabrak aide said, taking notes on her datapad.


Siobhan nodded grimly. "Good thinking. Have you...compiled the list I asked for?" her voice lowered a bit, barely above a whisper. That fire in her eyes was back again. It was a predatory gleam.


The aide swallowed slightly. "COAS is still working on a complete dossier, but we have a preliminary one to start the investigation. I'll send it to you immediately." They would not only have to ensure that there were no more traitors within the ranks, but also have to respond to the challenge in the Eldorai nobility. Two-pronged assault. Siobhan had always been fond of shock and awe.


"Good. I will set up an investigative group." There will be arrests, treason tribunals and bloodshed. She turned and caught sight of Six-O and his companion the Ghastly Klatooinian. Ghastly was an apt word to describe the alien, who was quite repulsive to Siobhan's eyes. Maybe she was just a bit racist. Neither of them were even remotely pure as white snow. Indeed, she could easily envisage situations where they'd be on opposite sides of the battlefield.


But they'd fought well for her cause, battling Dark Cultists and Stormtroopers in the storm-wracked ruins of Santaissa and she honoured her agreements. Moreover...they would be very useful instruments in the future. She'd been impressed by their use of guerilla tactics. The...glee the droid felt, in as much as a machine could feel, at the prospect of bloodshed did not escape her. Six' colleague Agent Dreadwind would receive the best of care. Siobhan was quite inclined to hire her in some capacity. Operatives who showed initiative and kept their cool under fire were rare.


"Good, you're here," she spoke to both of them. "You both fought well for the cause. I'll expect a complete after-action report soon. Six-O, I'll have my best machinists provide any repairs you require. For now, a situation has arisen where I could use your services. Further orders will follow soon. You'll report directly to Tempest and me." In between all the talking, Siobhan somehow found the time to reach out and touch Tempest's mind. Docking. Get ready. Fetch Taryc and Nima.


HK-36's transmission was received by the Phoenix and he'd get a reply from Siobhan's chief of staff. Unsurprisingly, the response was positive. Like the mystical bird, the Alliance's warriors would rise from the ashes and return wtih a burning vengeance equal to that of a nova. Establishing an elite force from the ranks of those who'd been tested in the flames of battle was a start. Same applied to reforging the soldiers who'd been cruelly mutilated by the enemy.

 

[Nima Tann]

Not so long after the healer went to check for medicine, Tempest walked in. She expected Elpsis to walk in next, however Tempest was alone this time. It was good to see her physically in good condition, however, psychologically, she could sense the same anger from her just like Sio, radiating and growing each second. Even though she tried to conceal it, Nima knew her. And well, the girl just lost her Padawan, and a friend. What a bad day it had been...

"I am fine, minor wounds and headache mostly. " She said reassuringly, and tried to add a little smile at the end. Maybe it would help? Probably not. Looking at her once again, her face fell and she sighed, adding with a concerned tone. "How are you?"

"I didn't get the chance to say this in the battlefield, but I am sorry about Charlyra. She was a good friend."

As for Symara and her crew, she didn't have anything to say about them. The woman had never been a friend, if it was easy for her to betray them so quickly. She just felt... like killing her painfully and slowly, for all the pain she caused for her allies... sad, not for her, she was going to get punished like everybody else, but because everything Symara did for them felt fake at that moment. She felt her headache returning. Hopefully, the healer would return with a solution soon.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"] [member="Tempest"] [member="Joza Perl"] [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"] [member="HK-36"] [member="Alize Rosenheim"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"]


The incident with the renegade had been resolved in the good old fashioned way: Yelling and delivering a beating. As far as militaries went, Angelii tended to be rather old school when it came to discipline. Fortunately, their most stomach-churning punishments had been abolished by the Venari Reforms. Seraph Taldir was already heading out.


Vaena Askari watched two of her battle sisters carry the renegade away after putting her in chains. Silence had descended upon the warriors, while the Firemane soldiers were sensible enough to vacate the scene.


The sad thing was the renegade was not entirely wrong. All this prattling about secret conspiracies is absurd, but we've been too willing to let the humans take the lead. We've been complacent and suffered for it. She knew what the solution of the Dashdae Eldorai and of many in her family would have been: Insurrection, palace revolutions and whining about how they needed to purge all infidels. That was a path the Host Leader adamantly refused to go down. It was folly and those who shouted they walked that road because Ashira willed desecrated the faith.


"You dishonour yourselves. Our sisters are watching us from heavenly Asur. They deserve better. You're warriors of the Great Goddess, not a pack of whiny monkeighs. Act that way. Remember the sacred vow we swore," she said firmly as the group dispersed. Kaida tended to leave the speechifying to her.


Having said her piece, she approached Elincia. "You've got that look on your face. I don't think the Seraph is about to throw you to the tigers...though it would be best not to push her," she said in a deadpan tone. "Get a move on. We're being deployed to Santaissa. Difficult times lie ahead of us, Wing Leader."


Transports awaited them for their descent. The Ashira's Light station loomed large before them, hovering above the blue orb that was Tygara. Down there lay New Santaissa, capital of the Eldorai, crowned by mountain ranges and the imposing Star Fortress in the Iron Mountains. This fortress was far bigger than the citadels on Kaeshana. Doubtless it would be reinforced now.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Dac | Sirene Islands



Screen off to his left played GNN (Galaxy News Network) while he typed a reply to a business associate in his office. Judah hadn't kept up with the latest news but as far as he knew Kaeshanna had fallen to the First Order. Wasn't the planet a bit of a loss after the entire meteor issue? Although he did hear something or another about citizens still living amongst the ruins.


Odd the First Order would fight so far for such a planet.


Message had come in from Lady Kerrigan about helping refugees caught in the middle of the mess. Of course Salacia would extend a helping hand. Firemane was one of the few business relationships he had cultivated a long-standing mutual understanding with.


Lady Kerrigan,


Apologies to hear about Kaeshanna, wasn't it a bit of ruins to begin with? Either way, I can offer transports for refugees as needed. Not the best, merely salvage vessels but they can get a high number of folks aboard if we get creative. Additionally, Salacia facilities can take in some refugees on Tabaqui if some are looking to relocate to a quieter slice of life. The locals should be fairly welcoming. There is also the space station floating above but space is a bit more limited.


What else could myself or Salacia as a whole do for you? Monetary donations? Extended use of our facilities or vessels? Technology donations? Do let me know.


-J. Dashiell


P.S. - Remind Elpsis to contact Makai

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Anya Venari"]

Aboard the Ashira's Light Station,


So it had come to this. Among the congregation of nobles, hangers-on and the Angelii from the Sacred Band who'd joined the Star Queen stood Tarissa Cadalthor, Duchess of Galandrona. She was dressed in a conservative gown as grey as smoke, for this was the Eldorai colour of mourning. Her expression was solemn, her eyes piercing as she waited for the officers of the task force to descend from the Star Destroyer.


Her eyes fell upon Tirathana, known to her close friends as Anya. The Queen was as composed and regal as ever, but an experienced political operator could see that the battle's outcome had not left her unaffected. The people demanded answers. The Council was in uproar.


You're well-intentioned, cousin, but your reforms have gone off the rails. We've allowed foreigners to dictate instead of merely adapting their technology for our own uses. We lost the Goddess' favour and paid for it. This has to stop, she thought. If your ranks were infested with traitors, Siobhan, why did you not notice this sooner? Why did your fleet fail to deliver victory in the stars, despite the technological terror at their disposal?


Tarissa had been on Kaeshana, facing the enemy in the ruins of Santaissa, where the First Order had crucified people. The Duchess was not opposed to crucifixions per se, but seeing the hated enemy inflict it on Eldorai angered her. Barbaric. She'd managed to slip away during the retreat, doing her part to help Eldorai refugees escape. Subsequently, she'd detached herself from the main fleet and sped to Tygara with due haste. After all, it was important to arrive before rumours spread like wild fire.


"I've received word from Captain-General Saeri," her aide Cyraea Aetani whispered quietly, only for her mistress' ears. The elf wore a women's business suit and was equipped with a concealed shatterpistol to protect her lady if needed. "She's realised the gravity of the situation."


Tarissa nodded curtly, though she didn't turn to look her assistant in the eyes. Wheels within wheels. "The Duchess of Caladan is an old fossile, but she'll play her part on the board," she spoke, referring to the Chairwoman of the Committee for the Oversight of Alliance Resources. The crone would fire the opening salvoe - and expose herself if things went ill.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Farryn had never been too fond of off-worlders and now she liked them even less – if that was even possible – after the fall of the planet she once called home into the hands of the treacherous First Order. Though she had little desire to return to the broken planet, it was once her home – a place filled with memories: good ones, bad ones, and traumatic ones.

“Useless,” the albino elf muttered upon learning of the news, certain that the off-worlders were to blame for the loss of the planet. Had they been even half as intelligent or accomplished as Eldorai, the First Order scoundrels would not have stood a chance.

“It can’t be helped,” Calix frowned, equally displeased as his twin. Like his sister, he too did not like off-worlders much if even at all and believe they were to blame for the loss of Kaeshana.

As the pair sat in silence, mourning the fall of their homeworld into cruel hands, sounds of a protest could be faintly heard outside the Cadalthor Estate. Like Farryn and Calix, other Eldorai were also upset about the fall of their former home and had too decided that the off-worlders were at fault.

Eager to express her grief, the albino Eldorai and her disembodied twin left the Estate to join in the protest. Kark those inferior beings.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] - [member="Nima Tann"] - [member="Tempest"] - [member="Six-O"] - [member="Joza Perl"] - @anyone I missed​

 

[Joza Perl]

A dingy freighter hovered on the fringes of Alliance space, just east of Kaeshana. Allied forces has retreated not too long ago, and right now Joza was preparing to move her injured to Kal’Shebbol where they could rest easy. Well, as easily as they could after a nightmare like that. She was working on getting permission to use the Rimma Trade Route through Alliance space, figuring it to be safer than any of their other alternatives given the proximity of the First Order to what was currently Outback space. She cringed, recalling the rumblings of the Underground seeping back into, well, the Underground. It would leave the Kathol sector unprotected, even if it had only been watched by a group of ragtag rogues.

HK’s transmission was received in the midst of the Zeltron being pulled in many directions. The wounded men, the families of the dead she’d have to notify, her own little family, the next move, etc. It all weighed heavily on her, just as she as coming down from the battle. Her brow furrowed at the latter half of his message, but she shrugged it off for now, not retaining the capacity to read too deeply into these things.

“Let’s settle for their recuperation, first. I’m sure we’re all exhausted.” A pause. Did droids get tired like organics did? “I’ll send you my coordinates. You can either meet us at our location, or I can come to you provided it isn’t too far. Not about to drag these boys halfway across the galaxy without a wink of sleep.”

She sat down, running the fingers of her cybernetic hand through her hair to push it back. The synthflesh had been burned and torn during the battle, so she’d decided to remove it entirely until she could get her hands on a replacement batch of pink skin. The notification from the Phoenix reached her not long after, and she stared at the message with intense focus. The aftermath of a battle was always worse for her personally. Win or lose, things never tended to be unsoiled and cleanup was always heartbreaking.

“Ivan,” She called, motioning over for her pilot. Aside from tending to the wounded, there was little for the man to do in the moment. “Uh,” She rubbed at her face as the Corellian made his way over. No scowl today, and Joza doubted he was exactly fit for flying. He’d been knocked unconscious by a sonic grenade and hit his head rather hard, as evidenced by the bandage wound around his head. “Send a message to whatever we’ve got in Kathol space. We’ll need a unit or two of Heka Healers to help field the refugee situation. Have an expedited shipment of those DuraSuits from the warehouse in Lianna sent along too.”

She leaned back in her chair, exhaling a heavy puff of breath. “And get me another stim for my nausea, will you?”

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="HK-36"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Once you'd been in the medbay of one Star Destroyer, you'd seen them all. The wounded floated in bacta tanks or rested in seemingly endless rows of beds. The smell of antispectic, pain, blood and bacta was strong in the air. Elpsis had never gotten used to hospitals. This might seem ironic since her mother was a healer and a surgeon, but [member="Coryth Elaris"] was not fond of them either.


But the young firemane, in many ways the Order of Fire's Baby, had her duty. Even though her empathic walls threatened to crumble. Get ahold of yourself, Elpsis. You're not a kid anymore, she mentally chided herself. One hand was rested upon the partly bandaged forehead of a wounded soldier, stroking it soothingly, while the other lay upon the broken knee of her right leg.


"Dream sweet dreams, of a world free of war. Blue skies, a gentle breeze, laughing children." Soft, gentle words left her lips while the blind firemane channelled the energies of the Force. Warmth spread across her body and she felt a tingle in her fingers. It was like an electrical shock, but though she winced she did not waver, even as the sensation intensified.


A faint, white glow emanated from the redhead's palms. her focus had narrowed to the smallest cellular level as she sought to still the pain and mend what was broken, at least as far as possible. The wounded soldier sighed as tiredness overcame her, muttering something that was unintelligible to Elpsis' ears.


Elpsis withdrew and slumped into her chair. She took a deep breath, inhaling air that carried the sweet, sticky scent of bacta, among other aromas. Her hands were trembling slightly. "You look terrible. If you push yourself more, you'll collapse. I'm cutting you off. Get some rest, girl," the caring, yet stern voice of an Eldorai healer resonated in her ears. The woman patted Elpsis on the head.


"I'm not done yet. I can help," Elpsis protested feebly, disregarding the headache. She felt like the morning after shore leave - and not in a good way, alas.


"Don't argue, girl. Or compel me to make this an order." the healer insisted, caressing her firemane a bit. A small portion of her strength filled the human, like water being poured into a glass. "Ashira will watch over them."


Very reluctantly, Elpsis arose from her chair and walked out of the bay, swaying slightly. Her sightless eyes took in the auras of the wounded, her ears heard the noise that filled the medbay, then she was out.


Outside, she leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath. Her hands found her datapad and she retrieved it from her pocket. Typing was awkward when you could not really see the letters, but she managed by now. The first message went to [member="Joza Perl"]. Hey, Jozie, you ok? On Tygara. I'm sorry about your buddies. We should...hang some time, after this was sent she typed up a quick one to [member="Makai Dashiell"]. Lil bro, how ya doin'? Was on Kaeshana. Guess you heard the news. Back home. Swept Ellie off her feet yet?


Then she closed the 'pad, put it back in her pocket and walked slowly towards the quarters from where she could the presences of [member="Nima Tann"] and Tempest. The redhead winced when she felt the vibes coming from the Dahomian. True to her name, she was a storm cloud, flickering with dangerous lightning, building the rotation that heralded the start of a tornado. It matched the storm of emotions she felt coming from Auntie Siobhan on the distant command deck.


Elpsis felt a painful throbbing manifest in the back of her skull. "Hey, guys. Nice to see you two up and about. Dunno about you, but I could use some vacay like real soon," she exclaimed in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone. She gave Tempest's shoulder a squeeze and planted a kiss on her cheek.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

It wasn’t Nima’s fault. The Jedi was asking the question a friend should. Yet the mention of Lyra made her bristle slightly.

She forced herself to relax, to calm down.

“Thank you, Nima. You’ve always been a good friend,” she said softly. “Me? I’m fine,” she said in a matter of fact tone. There would be no arguing with her on this. She was fine.

Elpsis appeared and Tempest managed a little smile as her girlfriend kissed her. She put an arm around the Firemane’s shoulders.

“You too. How did you go with the wounded?”

Docking in 3…2…1….

The doors opened.

“Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be able to have a vacation yet,” Tempest said grimly as she headed for the exit. She took her hand from Elpsis’ shoulders. They would be heading out into the public eye and whilst their relationship was not a secret it was not something she wanted everyone to see.

Feeling Siobhan's mental touch she pulled up her commlink and sent messages to Kaida and Taryc to summon them to join them as they exited the ship. It would be a show of Force, pardon the pun.

XXX

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

Nedia, Siobhan's aide, fielded the message from Judah. Her boss was going to be...occupied today, and did not seem in the best humour.

Mr Dashiell,

We thank you for your offer and gladly accept. Many of the refugees had to be cramped into whatever space was available during the retreat, so additional transport would be welcome. Settlement on Tabaqui would also be welcome. Firemane will subsidise these activities at an agreed rate.

I will pass your message on to Ms Elaris.

Nedia Arron

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Legs stretched out under the desk at school. Scale-speckled hand reached up to scratch his head slightly, staring at the datapad screen in front of him.Mind was drawing a blank on business relations during the post-Clone Wars eras and the role of the Trade Federation and Banking Clan. How was he supposed to make a a twenty page presentation on this?


His comm started to buzz with a message, a welcome distraction from his research paper. The screen read [member="Elpsis Elaris"] , his 'big sister' of sorts.


Of course she had been on Kaeshanna. What was a fight without a blind, red-headed Force user in the mix?


Hey Elpy. Sorry to hear about Kaeshanna but I am sure Sio has some plan in place for this, eh? You're back home? Five credits says you were injured, you can pay me when we see each other again. As for Ellie, I've got to kiss her more than once, progress right??


---------------


Roughly an hour later Elpsis would receive a 'Get Well Soon' teddy bear and flowers at the Estate. Makai could only hope she was nice to the delivery boy.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

The protestors who had started to spring up had sought out targets to vent their frustration on. Humans or other offworlders they might have encountered would be heckled or even attacked. Foreign companies and other material goods would be smashed.

Naturally it would be necessary for order to be maintained, so a force of Eldorai police backed by Angelii were dispatched the disperse the crowd.

“Return to your homes,” the loudspeaker announced. The Eldorai chosen were those that the Crown could be certain of the loyalty of. Despite that, they merely formed a blockade to prevent the protesters getting further into the city.

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

By the time the Firemane Security personnel had reached Alize's personal residence, Alize had already left and was on her way to her company's temporary headquarters in the city. Unfortunately, she was without escort and as a result was accosted by a group of disgruntled Eldorai.

Fuelled by their anger due to the unexpected loss of Kaeshana, the Eldorai encircled Alize like a pack of wolves. In their mind, they had lost their former homeworld by no fault of their own but by the folly of the off-worlder so it was only natural the group would take out their frustrations on those they believed responsible.

Violence erupted and obscenities spewed as the group assaulted Alize. Pushed to the floor and savagely beaten, the Epicanthix-hybird tried her best to fight back but she was grossly outnumbered. Realising that it was a fruitless endeavour, Alize instead curled herself into a ball and covered her face with her hands.

After what felt like hours, the beating came to a stop and rough hands grabbed the balled up young woman’s hair, pulled it and passed a blade through it, cutting it as a loudspeaker ordered those on the streets to return to their homes. The group had wanted to vent their frustrations, not get into trouble.

[member="Aeda Shaytari"] - [member="Kaida Taldir"]​