En Force, We Fight [Republic Remnant]

[Thaaros Klopp]

RNV Reparate Hope | Conference Room​

The conference room was busy. Busier than Thaaros had expected. He was surprised just how quickly the Remnant’s forces had managed to assemble, there were military officers of all ranks and descriptions as well as an ever growing contingent of Jedi. The room had been filled with the noise of dozens of different conversations before Admiral Tylane had walked in. As soon as she did so the room was silent. She carried a severe demeanour of authority and only the incredibly brave or exceedingly stupid would be willing to interrupt her. Even the usually free-spoken Thaaros stood and listened to her in silence.

‘It seems to be a good plan.’ Thought Thaaros as he looked down at his personal datapd, reviewing some of the information. ‘Though, when do these things ever go to plan?’

As the Admiral came to the end of her speech and asked for any questions from the assembled group, everyone seemed to shift uncomfortably. Thaaros was sure that everybody had questions, he certainly did, but no one was confident enough to ask them straight away. No one ever wanted to be the first in case they looked stupid or cowardly or just out of place. Thaaros had his own series of questions and misgivings that he knew better than to ask; he had been serving long enough to recognise a superior officer that did not appreciate being questioned by her subordinates. His main concerns were with the facts that they still knew very little about those who they were coming up against and that the Remnants own forces were as of yet largely untested.

Just as the quiet in the conference room was becoming uncomfortable, a voice spoke out. It was one of the Jedi that spoke, a Kel-Dor who seemed to be one of the senior members of their order. Thaaros had always felt uneasy around their kind and all other force sensitive beings. He had lived long enough to see what they were capable of doing, he had seen the unquestionable acts of kindness and the unthinkable acts of cruelty that people with their powers could commit. One of the reasons why he had been so willing to join this new Republic was that the Jedi were not automatically given positions of unquestioning power. Though perhaps he was being unfair, after all he knew all too well what it was liked to be judged out of hand. He would hold his tongue regarding this matter for now, though he would be keeping an eye on them. From what he could tell this Master Kian Karr seemed to be most agreeable. At the very least he asked intelligent questions, which was more than Thaaros had managed by this point.

He went back to skimming through the information on his datapad, there had to be something useful for him to do with regard to their current predicament.

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Tylane of Isobe"]

 

[JackMonroe]

Brium approached the bestial alien Jedi, bowing as he brushed his robes off with his hands. "Jubei, I take it? I'm Brium Tallistor."

 

[Jaster Awaud]

Jaster was nothing more then a Hologram inside the meeting with Admiral [member="Tylane of Isobe"], he was still a decent distance away from the fleet ready to jump at a moments notice. He looked at the other members of the Republic Military and Jedi Supporters, good enough for this little endeavor. His small 480 unit Army with no support tanks or walkers would have a hard enough time taking the beach head. That would be the job of the Rangers and Jedi, his units were better at quick massive attacks.

He would have to wait for a signal from [member="Ever Dawnracer"] and the Ranger Units currently on the ground before the Fleet created a distraction. He stood over to the hologram of the planet. "Good day Ladies and Gentleman, I am General Jaster Awaud and leading the Ground Forces of this Assult," sending the information via his Suits database, the planet grew in size with a red triangle hovering over the planet. "The Army and Ground Supporting Forces will hold positions outside the system and await a sub space signal, from there we will accompany the Republic fleet under Admiral Tylane, once they breaks the blockade the Crusader Corvettes will break off to flank the enemy Fleet, this will prevent them from sending interceptors and bombers as the Assult group lands the first wave of Jedi and the first company of Conscripts to secure the beach head."

The Mandalorian General looked around the room for a particular person, "The 1st wave will be lead by Master [member="Kian Karr"], he knows the capability of the Jedi and defensive tactics best suite the need to secure the beach head for the 2nd and 3rd Companies needed to engage with the facilities Military," He looked at the troopers and Jedi in the room that he would command, this would be many of their first battle, "Our Mission is to destroy the Anti-Starcraft weaponry and bog the troopers down for a seige, this is their only stronghold so if their fleet is destroyed, they will surrender, the facility must not be destroyed or raided, special forces will deal with the intel gathering and preventing the enemy from escaping, no hero's die today."

With that he turned it back to Admiral Tyland, "That's it for the Ground Mission Breifing Admiral, shall we proceed."

[member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="JackMonroe"] [member="Avin Starfire"] [member="Jubei"]

 

[Aeth Deschart]

Tylane nodded her head towards Jaster at the question from the Jedi. She didn't much care about the ground deployment. Thinking about those logistics would distract her from the focus that she needed to apply to the naval battle. While Jaster talked, it left her to her thoughts off to the side. Primarily she wished there were a few more Sephi around. They would have to obey her for two reasons if there were, but at least she would be able to trust their competency level more than she could these other species.

Eventually the General finished talking and she lifted her gaze again to acknowledge him with a nod. The plan was laid out. All that was left for them to do was execute it and then react to however the enemy countered them. She was confident they would at least have the element of surprise in the coming battle. How that panned out against their response would determine whether they would achieve victory or not.

"Everyone to your ships and stations. We make the hyperspace jump on my mark," she said before exiting the room.

She made her way back to the bridge to make final preparations for the jump to their target. As she settled into her command chair, she tapped a button to sound general quarters throughout the ship. Those who would be leaving to head back to their ships might be annoyed at such but she didn't care. She wanted her ship prepared for battle and immediately so. Once they jumped in, it would get hot and heavy real fast.

"Captain, chart your course. Prepare for lightspeed."

[member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Kolab Shansaash"] [member="Adder Dawnracer"] [member="Alexander Sannes"] [member="Jesse Organa"] [member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Jubei"] [member="Kaya Harfeld"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Lokthra Dawning"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Matthew Calderon"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Natsuki Xao"] [member="Orn Pharr"] [member="Priscilla Utorna"] [member="Shoma Ike"] [member="Thaaros Klopp"] [member="The Dark Man"] [member="Tugoro Taidarious"] [member="Tyra Solo"] [member="Zek Koth"]​

Note: Next DM post will move us to the planet for combat. I will be making it tomorrow.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

Young people were marvelous.

The Gran girl not only carried the medpac, but she knew the way to the hangar bay. And didn't try to coddle the old broad by taking her around the ship. They went to the hangar bay.

And there was a Lepi! Amazing people. Great energy. Lepi just had a life to them that other species could only envy.

The old Jedi gave a shallow bow toward the rabbit-like man. Skipping the pleasantries, she jumped straight to it. "I'm Kory. This is Reut," the matriarch remarked, waiting to get the Lepi's name before plunging ahead.

"Which drop ship are we riding down, my dears?"

[member="Jubei"] | [member="Inas Reut"]​

 

[Ever Dawnracer]

She linked up with Sterik as his pod had been the closest to her when they'd hit the ground. She'd kind of hoped that it had been Jabir, just because she worked with him the most, but any of them were fine. Sterik was an Ithorian, so a bit taller and harder to hide, but he'd be fine. They all knew what they were doing under the circumstances. Once they'd sealed his pod back up, they headed off into the woods nearby, using their scanning equipment to detect Imperial radio traffic in order to guide them in the direction that they needed to be going. From what intelligence had said, there were at least two bases on the planet. One was old, the other new.

They approached quietly, their helmet scanners detecting heat sources nearby. Most of it was just an animal here and an animal there. A few times they detected speeder bikes heading through the woods and they ducked down to avoid being spotted. The presence of those vehicles indicated that they had made it past the forward defensive line. Patrols became more regular as they made their way through the undergrowth, just as she suspected that they would. Imperials liked their patrols. Most of their forces would be on the perimeter of their base, not within it. If it was nigh impossible to get in, then they wouldn't need to have a huge fighting force inside the base.

But it wasn't impossible for the Rangers.

She spotted a bit of cliff rising out of the forest line and directed Sterik towards it. They approached and climbed up slowly. The exposed rock made it easy to see a few Imperial scouts floating about above them. They were chattering to each other and not doing a good job of paying attention. The two grey clad rangers approached silently, each taking a target without any communication. They rose from behind them, gripped their heads tightly, and snapped their necks before pushing them further down the cliff face and going higher. When they reached the top they peered over at the base below.

"Wow," Ever said softly. "Sterik get ready to transmit. They've got a shipyard down here."

 

[BD-57]

Operational Orders from Command:

1. 
   Report to the pods for deployment. *Completed*
   
2. 
   Survive the deployment onto surface *Pending*
   
3. 
   Rendezvous with friendly Republic Rangers *Pending*
   
4. 
   Await further orders. *Pending*
   

The struggle to allow his visual sensors to lock on and analyze this message turned into a true difficulty as the deployment pod rocked and heaved on its rapid descent towards the earth below. All the Droid could make out for certain was that there was a splash of green coded text at the top and a pool of orange below it. Tasks were left to be completed in support of the other Republic Rangers. That was, if this pod made a safe landing for it’s metallic inhabitant.

“Uhh ohh!” Came the high pitched voice of the Droid as the pod made contact with something solid, that something solid happened to be a tree that welcomed the landing craft into its embrace with a thunderous crack of branch, and the upturning of the pod itself. “Ohhh no!” Came another whine from the Droid as the pod accomplished its downward descent in a tumbling roll down from the canopy of the tree, all that spared the inhabitant of the pod being the restraints system that kept him more or less ‘snug’ in place. Snug in this case was enough to keep him from flying out of the seat, but not from those metallic limbs having thrashed about in the process. A background system diagnostic alerted BD-57 of no significant damage to limbs, not the electromagnetic joints themselves. Subsequently that list of order’s chimed inaudibly on the Droid’s HUD, the line of text that read ‘Survive the deployment onto surface’ flashing to a rewarding shade of green.

Climbing through the door of the pod only to trip over the lip of the pod’s door sent the Droid tumbling down into the dirt with an “Oww! My knees!” Those knees indeed did take the brunt of the impact with the clank of metal on forest floor. Yet, as before, no true damage was sustained. Such a fact was celebrated by BD-57 as he rose, made an inflexible bend of the midsection to take in the sight of his legs, only to straighten up and pump those metallic fists in the air. “Hooray! We made it!” We, in this case, wasn't exactly true. Not until he linked up with the other Republic Rangers that was. His fleshy comrades.

Seeking them out was simple enough with the assistance of the information displayed on his HUD, paired with the benefits of that Comlink Extender on his back. It picked up any incoming pings from the other Rangers, paired with their estimated pod landing sites. It gave approximately a 5:1 chance of finding another Ranger within five minutes, given the estimated distance to the nearest pod. The nearest pod should have been the one his data logs brought up to be Jabir. With a clankity clank BD-57 set out towards the nearest signal, blaster staff firmly locked into place across his shoulder in the standardized ‘marching’ protocol.

[member="Ever Dawnracer"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian listened as [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] spoke, outlining the plan of attack. Kian and his fellow Jedi would be part of the first wave of attack with Kian at the lead. He paused to consider this for a moment. It had been a long time since Kian was in charge of troops in a battle. Ord Mirit was likely the last time Kian had lead troops on the battlefield. It had been a victory for the One Sith and just one of countless battles in which Kian had pondered over the dangers of Jedi engaged in warfare. So many deaths on the field of battle....a Jedi could not help but be scarred by feeling it through the force. Then again, all were scared by war, not just Jedi.

"Understood." Kian said, acknowledging his orders.

Once they were dismissed, Kian made his way to The Shadow and began the pre-flight preparations. He wouldn't be taking The Shadow down, but instead began prepping his Jedi-Class Heavy Starfighter Mk. II. It was one of the new models, produced by the Republic Remnant for the use of Jedi engaged in official Republic business such as this. As he ran through the prep work he sent out a communication to the Jedi who would be engaged in the conflict.

"Jedi of the Republic Remnant," Kian said, his voice deep even through the muffled mask, "We will rally with the fleet and prepare for the ground assault. We are going in with the first wave, our objective to secure the beachhead and then aid in the assault."

"When you rendezvous with the fleet, get yourself assigned to a drop ship and a unit of troops." Kian said. "Our main objective is to give the soldiers the defense and time to do their work and draw enemy fire."

"And most importantly," Kian said, "remember that,

"There is no emotion, there is peace.​

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.​

There is no passion, there is serenity.​

There is no chaos, there is harmony.​

There is no death, there is the force."​

​

Kian finished, his voice steady and resolved as he chanted the Jedi Code. Kian had always found the Jedi Code comforting before battle and hoped others would as well.

​

[member="BD-57"] | [member="Mereel Vaun"] | [member="Natsuki Xao"] | [member="Thaaros Klopp"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Balaya Praelior"] | [member="Korynn Sol-Syna"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Tylane of Isobe"] | [member="Avin Starfire"] | [member="Jubei"] | [member="Joshua Tucker"] | [member="Inas Reut"] |​

 

[Republic Storyteller]

[member="Ever Dawnracer"]

On the planet, the rangers nearest to the shipyard had managed to take out two of the sentries. Those particular two were notoriously bad at their job, and as a result, they weren't really well trusted. That meant that someone was on their way to check on them and trade them out. Two scout troopers were making their way along the base of the hill, approaching and conversing with themselves as they did so. They weren't making any effort whatsoever to conceal themselves.

"I wish we'd been sent to check on that crashed ship. That would be more fun than this."

"Yeah, I agree, but orders are orders. We do our job, and next time around we get to go have fun."

"Right, and-"

The one stopped and pointed ahead.

"That's not normal, right?" he asked.

They'd spotted the dead bodies and made their way swiftly up to them. Their necks were snapped.

"Radio this in. We've got a problem. Tell them we're going up."

[member="BD-57"]

The droid was a little late to the party. As a result, when he set off, the sounds of approaching speeders were easy to detect. Breaking from the tree line were two speeder bikes that flitted across to the nearest pod. Fortunately for BD, it wasn't the one that he'd come out of, and they hadn't quite spotted him yet. In fact, if the droid watched, the two bikes stopped at the pod and the drivers climbed down to check on the contents of it, not really paying attention to their surroundings. Whoever had been in that pod had already gotten away. This was a prime opportunity for BD to get some kills and a speeder bike if he wanted one.

[member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Kolab Shansaash"] [member="Adder Dawnracer"] [member="Alexander Sannes"] [member="Jesse Organa"] [member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Kaya Harfeld"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Lokthra Dawning"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Matthew Calderon"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Natsuki Xao"] [member="Orn Pharr"] [member="Priscilla Utorna"] [member="Shoma Ike"] [member="Thaaros Klopp"] [member="The Dark Man"] [member="Tugoro Taidarious"] [member="Tylane of Isobe"] [member="Tyra Solo"] [member="Zek Koth"] [member="Jubei"]

When everyone was finally ready, the fleet made the jump to hyperspace. As determined, they exited hyperspace on the darkside of the planet, opposite from the current rotational position of the Imperialist fleet. This was not to say, however, that they arrived undetected. They hadn't. Almost as soon as they appeared, the communications officer on Grand Moff Tarkin's Destroyer cried out that they were being alerted of the arrival of a large fleet bearing the markings of the Republic. The man in questioned squeezed his glass of water so hard it shattered and shot water all over him.

"All hands to battlestations! You better tell me the fighters are ready to go!"

"They're ready, sir."

"Well launch them! And get us moving full speed around the planet! We will engage them and destroy them!"

"Yes, sir!"

The fleet kicked into gear, engines going full speed as they moved from their orbit to head around the planet. If the Republic scum were on the dark side of the planet then they would fly around the planet and kill them. He didn't care what it took. But he wasn't stupid. Unlike most imperial loyalists he did know how to be tactically sound. That being the case, he wanted to keep something in reserve so that they didn't have to deal with someone sneaking up behind them. That being the case, he snapped his fingers at the communications officers, waiting for his attention. When he finally got it, he pointed out the viewport at one of his destroyers in orbit.

"Have the Serration remain behind for rear guard. Everyone else forward."

"Yes, sir."

He smiled, steepled his fingers against his chin, and sat back in his seat. It would be a good day for the Empire.

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

There was a look as many others were coming, she could feel it. Standing there as her pale and almost bleached white skin with the pins appearing. She was dangerous to some but she knew that one pain, something focused could deaden the others while she was walking and stood on the bridge of the ship. Seeing the admiral who was leading the ships towards the planet. They were broadcasting everything as friendly and offering support. Before they could speak and she gave a look to the force users who were here with her. THeir blades on their hips and their facial tatoo's something that looked strange.

She knew something that her master had given them, a gift and once they were close it could be felt. A false lightside aura compared to many others, something you had to look for the flaws to see when you went for it. She stood there in the flowing white robes and used one of the older Republic frequencies. THey had been met once upon a time by Sky a jedi master who wanted to get the Firebirds support since they were coming to their world and they were on the planet. So if it worked hey if it didn't well then they would do what they had to do. "When we finaly meet them, maintain yourselves children."

She got looks from them but they were loyal and trained, squeezed to be the most dedicated, the most loyal. The intensity of their stance and look was not easy compared to others but as far as most knew the Firebirds were just an old Imperial group that didn't interact much with the galaxy. "This is The Firebirds, it might be out of date but the Remnants of the Republic might have need of us. Sky of the jedi order once invited us to aid them and we stood aside. A shame of my former leaders that I am seeking to rectify." She said it into the message but they remained standing on the bridge while looking out from the viewport.

 

[Joshua Tucker]

Location: RNV Iviin'yc. In the Phorskuh System

Tucker sighed, "Comm, get Vaun on the line."

"Aye, sir."

A second passed as the communication officer navigated his display to find the appropriate intercomm that would put the bridge through to Vaun's quarters. "Patched through sir."

"Vaun, get to your fighter. The 91st will not be accompanying the Phorskuh attack force. Fleetcomm has picked up a distress beacon near Glottal, yours truly has been assigned to investigate."

For a second, there was silence. "I hear you. Moving to the Death Bucket now. Oya vode."

Joshua was genuinely surprised that the Mandalorian hadn't made a fuss about the sudden reassignment. He didn't believe what he had heard until the ARC-170 detached itself from one of the Iviin'yc's external docking rings.

While still in a state of amazement, he ordered the 91st Fleet to jump to hyperspace.

 

[Jubei]

Then
The Lepi noticed the very nonchalant and easy demeanor the old lady had in the way she had introduced herself and her protege. Some orders were strict with the titles, some were not. The same were said by the individuals that held them. "I am Jubei, pleasure to meet you both!" He replied in kind turning towards the closest drop ship "This is ours"

Now

Jubei heard Master [member="Kian Karr"] 's words and his inspiration recital of the Jedi code over their ship's broadcast. The lepi wiggled his nose in deep thought, his lanky body strapped into his seat amongst the others in the transport. Soldiers, medics and then them.... the Jedi. They were all kitted to play they individual roles in the mission at hand, but what stood out the most was this Old Woman. Yes Jedi Master she is, just to Jubei and from the looks of the other she was getting it was obvious she was out of place. Not many women of her age were found strapped into a drop ship inbound for a war zone. It was just an image one would have to see to believe it.

Jubei open his mouth "I am certain Master Karr meant 'Stay Alive' to be the most important of all". That got the troops laughing. Nothing like dark humor to break the ice and ease the nervous tension that was easily felt within the troop bay.


[member="Korynn Sol-Syna"] [member='[URL="http://starwarsrp.net/user/17656-inas-reut/"][COLOR=#7a98a2]Inas Reut[/COLOR][/URL]'],

 

[Ever Dawnracer]

"Fleet signal detected."

"Start transmitting the data," Ever said, before moving back from the edge.

They had the information that they needed to send out, letting the General know about the shipyatd. Undoubtedly in all the fuss about the fleet showing up, the transmission of data to it would go unnoticed. They could hide out in their rocky precipice while waiting for the ground forces to really get on a roll. It had been a relatively easy mission up to that point. Part of that worried her. Part of it just made her wonder if they were really good at their job. She was starting to feel good about herself until Sterik touched her arm and motioned back the way they'd come.

She turned her gaze down the cliff and her HUD picked up two troopers climbing up towards them. Lifting her hand, she motioned for Sterik to lie low and leave the equipment as it was. Taking care of this situation could get messy or it could be really easy. She knew that making a lot if noise would cause problems, so she ducked down, using the color of her garb me xed with the rocky outcropping to make her blend in. Holding her stave ready, she waited.

When the troopers neared and examined the transmission equipment, one of them clearly spotted them and was raising his weapon, only to get jabbed in a weak spot of his armor with the stun end of her staff. Sterik reacted quickly and did the same, knocking the other out cold. That made them momentarily safe, but these two had probably spotted the other dead troopers and called it inm. That meant their position was compromised.

"Pack it up. We've got to move."

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="BD-57"]

 

[Micah tol Powl]

How many drop ships had she entered like this?

How many roads had she traveled down with others? And how strange that she would still be here and the others gone. Strapping herself in to the jump seat, the old matriarch was either oblivious or else ignored the looks that she received. Leaning her head back, she meditated to try and get her mind off how the thin padding on this seat was sending pain shooting up her back...

"I am certain Master Karr meant 'Stay Alive' to be the most important of all"

Stay alive.

A soft smile touched the woman's face. "Oh, my dear, I stopped trying to stay alive a long time ago..." Kory answered, as she opened her eyes and looked over at the Lepi. "All my life, the Jedi Masters spoke and said that we should 'be mindful of the future!' -- heh -- as if that were practical," the old woman scoffed dismissively.

Wiser Jedi than she had tried to steer or shape the course of history. And she was rather certain all of them were dead now, so it obviously hadn't done much for them. Was she coming back from the planet below? She made no such assumption, nor was that a priority for her because she was not going down to the planet for herself. "We rise and we fall not in some as yet determined period of our lives, but now. We must live now. This moment. Each moment, because it will never come again and the next is not guaranteed."

"Be mindful of the Living Force where ever you are, in the moment you are," the woman uttered simply, a light save of one hand -- weathered with age -- as she added, "...and let the future see to itself."

[member="Jubei"] | [member="Inas Reut"]​

 

[Jaster Awaud]

The Army received the data from the Spec Ops Units, this would be an interesting advance. The planet had old mapping and the Republic didnt have any updated objects, so the only place to land would be the beach near a Hover Train Lane. If the planet didn't get rid of them the lifted ground would be the only cover that he could rely on without getting his troopers shot down. Once the main force secured the Train Lane, the other drop ships would be able to land and the foothold on the planet would be taken. That was their first mission. He was lucky that there was some support that the fleet had, the Gunship and Escort Fighters would take the troopers and Jedi to the ground and support them from the air as best they can.

The Transport Ships jumped in with the fleet and just as he planned, he approched the planet in the opposite direction of the enemy fleet with the Crusaders. Any starfighers that approched would be shot down by an umbrella of laser fire that the Corvettes through into space. The Landing Army would only have a short time till the larger ships would cut them off and Jaster would have to reorganize the Transport ships and the next wave would most likely be delayed. This landing would be hot for those on the ground as the AA was reported to be heavy. "This is General Jaster, Wave One, Head out now, 1st Company follow the lead of the Jedi and complete objective Alpha."

[member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="JackMonroe"] [member="Avin Starfire"] [member="Jubei"] [member="Kian Karr"]

Spoiler

*Each Ground Writer will have a Squad of Volunteer Troopers
Ground Map - https://imgur.com/a/zhoVD

 

[Thaaros Klopp]

There always seemed to be a strange atmosphere in the lead up to battle, even on a ship as large as the Reparate Hope. People were understandably nervous, they all marched off to where ever they were supposed to be and kept any conversation to the bare minimum. Perhaps things were different for those going down to storm the planets surface or for the enlisted Naval ranks but in Thaaros’s experience Naval officers just kept quiet and carried on.

After the meeting had ended Thaaros had made his way back to his tiny little office because he had left some datacards in there earlier. They contained some information that was very unlikely to be needed but he always tried to be prepared for any eventuality. This also gave him the opportunity to steal a few moments of solidarity before the battle began, after all they could be his last. As the middle-aged Captain sat at his desk with his eyes closed he took a deep breath inward and heard the general quarters alarm sound.

“Damn.” Thaaros whispered.

He had heard the alarm hundreds of times before but it still sent a shiver down his spine as it meant that there was no going back. He lingered for a few more moments, his eyes remaining closed, before slamming his hands down on to the desk in front of him and pushing himself up. He adjusted his uniform, placed the datacards in his pocket, grabbed hold of his datapad and began to stride towards the Bridge.

Things were a little more frantic in the corridors now as people were rushing about to take up their positions. When Thaaros had reached the turbolift that would take him up to the bridge he waited a few moments before stepping in as there was a young and very nervous looking Ensign standing within. As he stepped in he gave a slight nod to the younger officer, Thaaros recognised the look on their face. It was the same look that everyone seemed to have before their first battle. It was a mix of excitement and dread.

As they reached the bridge Thaaros turned and spoke to the Ensign in hushed tones, “Don’t let the Admiral see you looking like that. Besides it is never as bad as we think it will be.” He had lied.

In his experience things were often far worse than anyone could anticipate but perhaps he was just jaded. Thaaros took up his position at a panel and looked out of the viewport as the Reparate Hope came out of hyperspace. He was on the bridge to give information or advice if it was needed but he did not think it would be; the Admiral did not appear to be someone who would appreciate anyone else butting in. Thaaros had found that recently his skills were being used more and more in the field of intelligence. His being there was simply a formality at this point though of course there would be no idle hands during the battle, he would do whatever was needed of him.

By this point the enemy ships were on their way and their fighters had been launched, meanwhile the Republic’s landing craft were ready to go. Thaaros was thinking back to that Ensign in the turbolift with him and the look on their face. Only the rookies had that look but he thought that everybody must be feeling the same way; scared and excited. It was simply that the more experienced amongst them had learned how to at least look steely eyed and confident.

‘Good luck old boy.’ He thought whilst looking out waiting for the enemy ships to come into eyeshot.

 

[Kian Karr]

Location: Dropship inbound for beach
Objective: Secure the beachhead and overrun the enemy defenses

Kian knelt in the middle of the floor in the drop ship, his hands laying across his lap, his eyes closed, and his mind stretched out. Around him he could feel the energies of the soldiers. There was fear, anger, anxiety and among some of the older, more experienced soldiers, a cool resignation. Kian remembered this feeling. The feeling of soldiers just before a battle....though it had been some time since he'd experienced it. Kian was concerned about the feeling of the crew aboard the ship. The atmosphere was mostly negative....the anxiety and fear of the many outweighing the few calm.

As Kian knelt there he felt a sudden presence above him and opened his eyes to glance up at the soldier standing before him. The man radiated a malice....almost hate as he glared down at Kian.

"And just what do you think your doing?" He asked, practically spitting out the words. Kian glanced around seeing that the ship had suddenly gone silent and all eyes were on the two of them.

"Excuse me." Kian said, unsure of what the man was asking.

"I don't see how this is helping us at all....isn't that why you're here?" The soldier said and squared off his shoulders. "Aren't you suppose..."

"Shut it." An older man said, stepping up and pushing the man aside. "Get back on the bench and don't open your mouth again." Kian shifted his attention to the new man. He was an older soldier, maybe early 40s from Kian's estimate and certainly one of the one's he had sensed calm from earlier.

"Thank you." Kian said, "I suppose not everyone is glad the Jedi are here." Kian said, not necessarily blaming the man. Many did not understand just what a Jedi was....or saw much of a distinction between them and those that killed their fellow soldiers in the name of the Sith or Empire.

"Most are." The man said, kneeling down opposite Kian. "The few that aren't....well they don't like much of anything." The man said looking over at the younger man and then back to Kian. "You are Jedi Master Kian Karr. I had hoped we would meet again." The soldier said, smiling. For along moment Kian sat quietly looking at the man. His work as a Shadow often had Kian working alongside soldiers and officials and his memory usually served him well....but Kian could not place the face or force aura of the man before him.

"It is alright if you can not recall me." The man said. "I was covered in gear and a helmet when last we met." The man said chuckling. "On Kashyyyk."

The battle of Kashyyyk.

Kian had served there, leading troops on the large branch that served as a bridge. His mission had been to hold back the One Sith and maintain control of the bridge. It was a mission, Kian regretted to say, he failed. That battle had been one of many losses Kian had faced in that war. Kian bowed his head, as the guilt of that loss began to fill him, the dropship shaking as they dropped lower in flight.

"You saved my life." The man said and Kian looked up at him. "My brother and I were both there....the branch..." The man began.

"It broke...gave way under our feet." Kian said finishing the man's thought. The image flashing through his mind as recollection came to him. At the end, the bridge had been destroyed. The struts supporting it shattered by constant bombardment. There had been two soldiers standing before Kian when the ground gave way and he had shoved them back with the force before falling into the darkness below.

"We thought you'd died." The man said, "But then we heard tale of you some time later. My name is Bronn and my brother is Sorin. And I've been hoping to have the chance to thank you for some time."

"You owe me no thanks." Kian said. "Is your brother here?" Kian asked and hoped for the best.

"No," Bronn said shaking his head. "He has a wife and child...they live on Kashyyyk now." He said smiling.

The ship dropped once more and began to shake and sway, the pilots now maneuvering to avoid enemy fire. They would soon be at the beach and the time for talk will have passed. "I'm afraid we will have to save the rest of this conversation for after the battle." Kian said remorsefully and feeling a renewed hope he hadn't prior to the conversation. In fact, around him, Kian could feel a greater calm than there was before. It seemed Bronn and Kian's conversation had been overheard and it had carried with it some distraction for the men around them.

Kian rose to his feet and turned to the men around him.

"When the doors open, I will be the first one out." Kian said address the soldiers. "When that happens and they see this," Kian said holding up the hilt of his lightsaber, "ignited, they will likely concentrate fire on me, at least momentarily."

"That will be our opportunity," Bronn said picking up what Kian was trying to say. "We go out right behind Master Karr, and we fan out to the sides. We do not engage, not immediately. We seek cover to advance from."

"We will need to advance in good order," said another more veteran soldier nodding to Bronn and Kian. "Focus on your training and you'll be fine."

"Bronn," Kian said, "You'll take the left flank of the unit, you," Kian said pointing to the other man, "the right. Today is not about heroics." Kian said to the men. "Today is about efficiency. Rely on your training and the day will be ours." Kian said. It was not inspirational or overly well said, but Kian imbued the words with the force, sending out a sense of resolve and confidence that would hopefully aid those who were less certain.

"May the force be with us all." Kian said as the door fell open and bathed the dropship in light. Kian ignited the green blade and leapt into hell.

[member="BD-57"] | [member="Mereel Vaun"] | [member="Natsuki Xao"] | [member="Thaaros Klopp"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Balaya Praelior"] | [member="Korynn Sol-Syna"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Tylane of Isobe"] | [member="Avin Starfire"] | [member="Jubei"] | [member="Joshua Tucker"] | [member="Inas Reut"]​

 

[Mereel Vaun]

Location: Space above Phorskuh II
Objective: Rendezvous with allied ground forces

From the Death Bucket, Mereel had an awe inspiring view of the Reparate Hope and the rest of the Republic Fleet. He would have enjoyed it more if the flagship hadn't popped into existence only a few hundred meters above his ship's current position. He nearly died of fright as the massive hull suddenly filled the majority of his vision.

He regained his composure as he heard an incoming Remnant transmission, "This is General Jaster, Wave One, Head out now, 1st Company follow the lead of the Jedi and complete objective Alpha."


There was a slight problem, the strange chain of events that had lead up to him being in his starfighter had prevented him from attending any briefing. In other words, he had no idea what 'objective Alpha' was. Fortunately though, he had served with Mandalorian fighting forces long enough to know that the first order of business would be to establish a beachhead. He wondered if Remnant bombers had softened up a landing zone beforehand.

He would find out soon enough. He put the Death Bucket's engines to full throttle, retracted the S-foils for maximum speed, and followed an RRATD gunship into the planet's atmosphere. He kept his ship at a steady 100 meter distance from the gunship, but as he started to make out a landing zone where other gunships were already deploying troops, anti-aircraft fire exploded between his fighter and the gunship.

Bombers had apparently not softened up a landing zone.. or if they had they had done a poor job of it.

The next flak round impacted his port wing, and he watched in terror as what remained of the wing broke off from the hull of his ship and started free falling. The Death Bucket started spiraling out of control, and his vision faded to black.

[member="Natsuki Xao"] [member="Thaaros Klopp"] [member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Balaya Praelior"] [member="Korynn Sol-Syna"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Tylane of Isobe"] [member="Avin Starfire"] [member="Jubei"] [member="Inas Reut"] [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Avin Starfire]

Republic Dropship​

Inbound for Objective Alpha​

​

It was quiet at first, almost like any other flight down from orbit yet the shattering sound of Anti-Aircraft flak rounds detonating somewhere close to them in the upper atmosphere soon broke any illusion of an easy ride. The ship seemed to rumble as the shockwave of the many ground based artillery platforms sent enough firepower to knock out a small cruiser out of orbit towards them yet to the men it seemed luck was on their side as no connection was made from any of the ground fire. A deep humming was thrown into the mix as sublight engines increased their output to the maximum as high orbit was broken into atmosphere and by consequence the accompianment from ground weapons grew louder and more frequent.


Avin Starfire stood central to the ramp at the front of the dropship. His eyes were closed and his face still. His right arm fell to the right of his body in a natural position only moving with the shockwaves as they ran through the shields and hull of the large metallic landing craft. His left arm grasped a handle in the ceiling to hold his steady. Most importantly his mind sat idle in meditation calming himself before the battle, it had been a long time since he had taken part in a military operation and even then that was guerilla fighting nothing of this scale, yet it was not him he had to worry about. The feelings from his attached platoon of men on-board were his current worry. Avin had experienced the power of moral and bravado many times within his war on imahalayan and even in raids during his time as an investigator on Coruscant. Avin felt the sensations around him as if they were his own, nervousness, fear and some of a stomach fluttering excitement.

His eyes opened to see the grey metallic ramp ahead of him. Upon turning around he looked back down the four columns of soldiers stood clad in their uniforms, rifles slung or being nervously fiddled with as the pre-battle nerves started to take hold. Avin made eye contact with the platoon commander. The young man must have been no more than twenty-one years old, his uniform and second lieutenants pips in pristine condition as if straight from a parade ground.

"Lieutenant, I have come to a conclusion on the plan of which we spoke about earlier. I will brief you and the men on the first phase marker." Avin glanced at a screen located on the wall nearby as it flashed from empty to a bright red glow encompassing the whole platoon and prompting Avin to walk clear of the ranks before turning to face the men.

His voiced seem to boom in the enclosed space as the final briefing took place.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, listen closely, please. The actions that you and your squad members take here an now will be remembered in the history books for years to come! The task that we have been given may be impossible for any other regiment in the galaxy but this is not any other regiment is it? Now listen in!" Avin let his attention swing from the platoon around to the officer and sergeants at the front of each line.

"I have discussed with your officers and we came to a plan that will strike confusion into our enemy, this will be done by myself upon touchdown of the beach. A large cloud of debris will be thrown into the air over their position giving us visual cover. During this time your squad leaders will lead a charge from ramp to rampart. The goal is to get out of range their heavy guns before the sand settles again. From a position along the rock face, your orders will fall down to individual squad leaders to clear any obstacles before an offensive can be made."

The lieutenant nodded to the Jedi before moving forward himself.

"Thank you, Jedi Starfire. Now as you all know this mission is not going to be easy but we have trained together and although a new platoon I believe to my very core that when that ramp comes down we are going to show the so-called veterans that we are just as capable if not more! Check your rifles! Fix Bayonets! Stand ready!"

"May the force be with you all."

Avin and the Lieutenant stood side by side as the dark red light turned to a cutting orange, they made eye contact accompanied by a nod before it happened. The whole ship seemed to come grinding into a ruthless shudder, the sounds of intense blaster fire and metal scraping metal ran through the ship before the cargo hold went green and the ramp dropped.

He stepped forward raising both hands with his eyes shut before tapping into a place he had rarely been in his mind. His emotions were tranquil and yet overpowering at the same time. He let the feeling run through him as he thought back to the words of wisdom his master had spoken to him before slamming both hands forward out of the ship focusing the energies from himself and from the atmospheric war cries coming from within the ship.

His eyes opened to the shockwave taking its effect on the sand around the ramp before exploding outwards across the beach. A warm haze of yellow exploded into the air before being thrown downwind towards the bunkers ahead sat spitting bolts of light towards his ship and as the cloud fell the men charged forward roaring various cries as they went head first onto the wet sands beneath...

[member="Mereel Vaun"] l [member="Kian Karr"] l [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] l [member="Jubei"] l [member="JackMonroe"]

 

[Aeth Deschart]

When they exited hyperspace they started their maneuvers. Fighters were deployed and they approached the planet expecting the enemy to fly around the other side after detecting them. She gave a nod to the captain and the ships began their procedure of raising shields and charging weapons. They wouldn't have forever before the enemy came into range of their long range guns, and probably the enemy would have them in theirs.

She narrowed her gaze and was busy studying the planet when scanners informed them of additional forces in the system. Not more than a moment later they were being hailed by people calling themselves the Firebirds who were offering to assist them in their efforts against the Imperials. She lifted a hand and rested her finger lightly against her chin as she regarded the situation, taking into account the enemy movements as well as their own. She estimated ten minutes before engagement with enemy naval forces. Enough time for the General to deploy.

Instead of responding, she turned to look at the other captain on the bridge.

"Captain Thaaros," she said, watching him closely. "You're naval intelligence. Can you tell me anything about these Firebirds?"

Even if he couldn't do so, it was worth taking the chance. She had to know that she exhausted all exploration of knowledge regarding these people before she responded to them. This was a war situation. The wrong response could lead to the loss of lives that were in her hands. She was unwillingly to make an uninformed decision. She knew what her response would be if Thaaros knew nothing. But she waited for his response all the same.

[member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Kolab Shansaash"] [member="Adder Dawnracer"] [member="Alexander Sannes"] [member="Jesse Organa"] [member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Jubei"] [member="Kaya Harfeld"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Lokthra Dawning"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Matthew Calderon"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Natsuki Xao"] [member="Orn Pharr"] [member="Priscilla Utorna"] [member="Shoma Ike"] [member="Thaaros Klopp"] [member="The Dark Man"] [member="Tugoro Taidarious"] [member="Tyra Solo"] [member="Zek Koth"]​