Exodus Crash | CIS Invasion of UCM's Eshan Hex

[Kurenai Yumi]

Location: Drop Pod->Eshan
Allied Peps: TBA
Opposing Peps: @Kylo Kyr'am
Equipment: Shatory Reishūkaku, Mk1 Shadow Rifle, LightSaber, OSA, H.T.E Blaster Pistol
Post: 3

She watched as the disruption round hit against the mans beskar, seeming to bounce off with next to no damage done, that was certainly some strong metal he had their. Perhaps a shot to the face or legs would be better though the slow fire rate of her weapon did not allow such pleasures the Mando she had targeted quickly turning his sights on her sending a flurry of blaster bolts towards her person.

She dived out of the way from the first two, grasping her saber, igniting the blood orange blade and deflecting the other three back towards their shooter before taking cover, pulling her pistol from it's holster. She assumed his suit had motion trackers and other tech to reveal her location, while she had scent and the force, not that her own suit was something to ignore, time to put it to use.

She activated her armors arm shield emitter, jumping out from cover and rushing the mans own position, blasting away to hopefully keep him suppressed long enough to reach hand to hand combat distance. If she could get close then perhaps the man would be hesitant to use some of the more deadly attachments on his armor, like those rockets, no one would be silly enough to try and blow themselves up to take down one enemy solider.

With her focus on fighting she was not to aware of the incoming force neutralizing gas, hopefully her suits re breather would take care of it, but still if her armor was ruptured such would be a problem.

 

[LT-137]

https://youtu.be/0M0Er4qF1Hg​

​

Objective: Scour Eshan of Mandalorian Presence.
Location: Eshan's Capital City - Ruins -> Palace Road.
Allies: The Golden Company, Thyrsians, The Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Nearby: [member="Eyros"]
Enemies: The "Mandalorians."
Nearby: Unknown.
Gear: See Link in Signature.

​

The conflict that slowly began to engulf the surface of Eshan, was like any other. Two factions wrestled for control and proclaimed themselves to be righteous; demonizing those they sought to combat. However, the claims from one side to another were erroneous and ill-founded; hypocritical slander that was meant to falter those that came to liberate the world. It wasn’t working. If those brutal events, where the Capital City was reduced to ash hundreds of years in the past? Maybe then there’d be an amicable accord between the peoples of Eshan, and their newfound Mandalorian masters. Yet, the ashes were still settling and the fires of hatred burned strong. The process, or this psychological attack, would do nothing more than momentarily confuse and ultimately galvanize the attackers. Even the foolish attempt to block out the light of Eshan’s Sun was met with laughter. There wasn’t nearly enough metal to devour the radiance of the system’s primary star, let alone create a potent enough solar eclipse. If anything, the Sun’s light was drowned out more by the combined flotilla’s of warships that danced amongst the heavens, rather than the four ships anchored above that blazing orb.

When these details were filtered through the Golden Armada and became a digital screed that scrolled across Khonsu’s visor - the man boomed, joyously. Everything that transpired was admittedly hilarious to the man, especially their pitiful attempts to deny them the divine grace of the Sun. It took himself several moments to still his tongue, and thoughts thereafter into silence. When such measured tranquillity was achieved, the man’s eyes began to focus; weeding through the data that threatened to send him to his knees in a fit of rage-fueled hysterics. His darkened eyes flickered towards the partially collapsed buildings nearby, and then towards the ruination that stood at the heart of the city. The Sun Guard seemingly came down amongst the ashes and began spreading out; securing the city building by building. This was their specialty, and they had the tools to see the job was done. Yet, there was something that seemingly gnawed on the Thyrsian’s mind.

Something that seemed off about all of this.

An errant blaster bolt cascaded across the surface of his projected mobility shield, causing his visor to flare with cycling warning lights and possible trajectories. Whatever it was that preyed upon his thoughts would have to wait. There was a battle to be won, and it was pointless to dwell on the uncertainties. The sword which sprung into his taloned grip as they made their landings, had since been deactivated and sheathed, effectively replaced by the Solarized rifle that was slung about his shoulders. Thrumming with the sound of cycling lethality, the Sun Guard allowed his suit’s systems to scour their surroundings; seeing through various vision filters and revealing to him what others would’ve missed. As the suit relayed it’s finding to the Thyrsian, the man already found himself moving on instinct alone. While the information the integrated systems proved useful at times, Khonsu found that trusting his gut was considerably more suited to the whirlwind of fury and chance that warfare was.

This time, the Sun Guard was glad that he kept himself cognizant of what danced across the false-firelight of his visor. Although his instinct told him to move, it was the screed of data that filled in the blanks. The spot he once hunkered down in mere moments ago was targeted by a myriad of light weapons; tossing pillars of debris and ash into the air. It was possible that his shields could’ve protected him from that assault, but it wasn’t something that he’d leave up to chance. There were a finite supply of power cells at his disposal, and Khonsu wouldn’t be able to slake his depthless thirst for vengeance if he was felled by a moment of stubborn stupidity. He couldn’t die yet. There was much work to be done. His homeworld wasn’t free from the yoke of those who laid claim to its sands, despite whatever drivel spilled forth from the mouths of Mandalore. His people weren’t free. They suffered and knew little respite. Yet, for generations, their cries for salvation went unheeded. Where was their justice? Where was their benevolent armada seeking liberation?

Without meaning to the Thychani Commander’s fist slammed into his ruined barricade; the fires of hatred coursing freely through his veins. He needed to focus. These emotional tangents weren’t helping. As his gilded fingers uncoiled, Khonsu heard the voices of his men fill his ears - offering him just the distraction he needed. They were engaged by the hostile forces present in the city; albeit significantly less than they originally expected. Dozens, if not hundreds of Droids converged on their location, with various weapons in hand - seeking to repel the invading Sun Guard. Admittedly, whoever set these war-droids to their task didn’t know the capabilities of the exiled Scions of Thyrsus, as the first wave was cut down in a storm of solarized plasma and ferromagnetic quarrels. What waves, if they could be truly called that, followed after caught the Thyrsians as they were securing the ruined city centre.

That ash-choked landscape was large enough for the Golden Company to make planetfall in force, and would provide them with a beachhead on the surface; in which they could spread their numbers out through the entirety of the city. It was a prime target for the defenders to assault, but as it stood, they didn’t have the manpower on-hand to oust the Thyrsians from their newfound nest. Khonsu was at the vanguard of their advance towards the Palace District, where the buildings became incrementally more intact the further away from the blasted lands they were. There were even signs of civilian life, as the droids they encountered were herding the locals towards shelters. It took everything the man had to order his Thyrsians to not open fire on the shepherded Echani; ruthlessly cutting them down as had been done to their people in the past. No. There was a greater prize at stake here, and his men would need every quarrel and plasmatic bolt they had.

Killing the helpless, despite their warrior-like roots, would have to wait. There were Mandalorians that were more deserving of such a fate.

So, as the barricade Khonsu ducked behind began to melt under the thunderous crackle of plasmatic weapons, the Thychani Commander ordered the man nearest to him to take the shot; to eliminate his assailant whilst his mobility shield recharged. In response, the gilded warrior straightened and shouldered his gauss rifle. With his projected barrier flaring under the assault of small arms fire, the Thyrsian fired into the building across the street - where the droid manning a light blaster cannon was stationed. A pair of solarized plasma-sheathed quarrels tore into the makeshift bunker, crucifying the human-like war-droid the wall behind its former position. As the improvised emplacement fell silent, and their latest obstacle was secured, the Sun Guard resumed their advance towards the Palace; moving slowly and checking their corners as they went.

Towering walkers and their armoured kindred strode amongst the roving warbands of Gilded Warriors - doing their best to avoid the dangers apparent in an active warzone with non-combatants. Their weapons were primed, and their swivelling torsos swept towards every opening between buildings; expecting to encounter formations of enemy armour silently lying in wait. When none were to be found, and the Pilot’s were satisfied, they forged onwards. Alongside them were the rapid outriders, astride their gilded steeds, who tore through the streets with measured abandon. They flew above the streets, where their gilded steeds would catch the gentle breeze flowing through the city; which turned into shrieking fanfare as the combat swoops sliced through the atmosphere. This was their way of clearing the streets of frightened citizens, as the howling could be heard from a great distance, and set one’s skin aflame with the insidious notion of fear. Khonsu wished he could join them astride his own steed, but fate demanded that he take to the surface with naught but his armour. He didn’t know why, then, but as he made his way through the streets - the man would come to learn of the divine reasoning behind the Sun’s irrefutable will.

He would come face to face with the scattered remnants of the Thyrsian Slaves who were unwillingly sacrificed during Mandalore’s compliance of Eshan.​

​

| [member="Gaius Cadera"] |​

 

[Rhaegar Nemesis Dib]

Location: Eshan City
Allies: Mando'ade
Enemies: the disease called the Confederacy
Tags: [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Kyle Whir"] I [member="Ryndrae Talon"]

Moving through the city following the unit of echani proved to be easy as most of the streets and alleyways were empty, devoid of the typical foot traffic the capital was used to. The limping form of the aristocrat slipped along smoothly belying the limping gait that he moved with. The white haired soldiers before him moved with determination to meet the invaders before piercing too deeply into Eshan City.


As the buildings began to lower from their lofty heights the troop slowed which eased his own pace. Slipping between buildings the echani soldiers eased to where the sounds of the advancing enemy were heard. Pausing they waited as they checked their miscellaneous weaponry.


Rhaegar sighed as he slipped into the side door of one of the houses the troop crouched next to. A small family of five lay huddled in the hall, frightened eyes following the movements of the suit wearing man as he climbed the stairs to pass the second floor and crest the third floor. Easing down the hall to an open window he noticed the shadow lighten from the heavens as the sun’s light returned unimpeded.


“Tut tut, you crafty confederates.”


Before Rhaegar could implement anything to the CIS nearby a wave of memory washed over him. Blinking for a mere moment he cast aside the blanket effect created by the Mandragora who were weaving a spell affecting the echani in the region. A slight frown as he cast a protective blanket of telepathic static around the echani below, drowning out the moments of hysteria that would have overtaken them from the forceful ‘sharing’ of that particular moment from several weeks earlier.


“Psi ops indeed. Well played.”


He had a moment to reflect on the action being performed. It was underhanded in that it would influence the targeted audience through the raw emotions shared, invoking a natural response in the echani. He approved the tacic. It was a major trespass upon one's privacy of mind, but it was effective nonetheless.


Sighing he moved back to the window and reached out n the force subtly. The Confederacy was rife with force users so would abstain from thee lengths the mando’ade took with their nullifying bubbles. It only took a few pounds of pressure here, there, on this one, on that one, to simultaneously activate the multitude of thermal detonators, grenades, and other explosives or ordinance scattered around the confederates before him.


Even as this was performed one of their number removed his helm, though he was just outside of line of sight.

 

[Valdus Bral]

Location: The city-side entry of the Palace bridge.
Objective: Defend the bridge from CIS forces as long as possible and then fallback to the Palace.
Allies: [member="Adenn Kyramud"] , [member="Azure Djitred"] , any Clans of Mandalore who wish to accept his reinforcement request.
Opponent: [member="OOM-330"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"] , [member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"] , [member="Cay-Yo"] , [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] , [member="Jerek Zenduu"] , [member="Micah"] , [member="Voph"] , [member="Srina Talon"] and any CIS player who is attempting to get to the Palace or cross the bridge.
Post: 4
Battle Theme: Bastion - Two Steps From Hell

Spoiler

Valdus solemnly watched the droid armor column make its way towards his soldiers, his heart was beating ferociously beating. His armor-clad fingers twitched as they held onto his vibroaxe and shield handle. As the droids fanned out Valdus' right hand raised, index finger extending so as to tap the commlink button on his helmet. " Advance Guard, ready weapons, focus the droids in the back and search for their commander. If you can get a shot on him, do so." He waited for a response that came shortly after, " On it, Al'verde." The grizzled voice of the second Advance Guard squad ended in static. Tapping his commlink button once more he spoke to his Ram'ser, " Ram'ser, get those civillians as far down into the Palace building as possible, then I want you stationed on the roof." The termination static broke with his Ram'ser's voice, " Understood."

Valdus's large arms rotated in their sockets as he limbered up for the incoming brawl, "We're going to fight backwards, verde. We give ground, get those droids funneled in one spot. Sidearms and RPS-6 only and rockets if you got em. This-" Just then the barrage of quad-blasters hit the Cabur shield with two-toned BWUM BWUM and flashes of light as they burst against the deflector shields. Some of the Wardens flinched backwards at the power of the explosions, but they were safe - for now. The last two landspeeders with civilians were now several meters behind Valdus' line and on their way to relative safety.

As the bombardment started it seemed as if the only weaponry the droid battalion had were energy based - something the Cabur shield could easily withstand. Having their new orders to fight backwards, the Wardens retrieved their Palisade shield emitters, stowed them, and drew their Mandalorian Ripper side arm. These slug-thrower pistols were able to cut past the large deflector shield and hit the incoming formation of droids. One Warden launched his RPS-6 before beginning to stow that as well in favor for his sidearm.

Meanwhile, the Advance Guard squads broke out any windows facing the bridge and the back of OOM-330's troops, then began to light up the back most infantry with their Mandalorian Assault rifles while the two sergeants used their dual A180 pistols to do the same.

All-in-all [member="OOM-330"] 's forces had 60 Mandalorian Assault rifle bolts, 12 blaster pistols bolts, 42 ripper shots, and an RPS-6 high-explosive missile speeding towards them. Valdus did not fire any of his weapons, deciding to conserve his ammunition - this was about thinning the opposition numbers and leveling the playing field. As the opposition advanced, Valdus' group quickly back peddled to keep distance. Raising his finger to his helmet again he spoke to the force-wide commlink channel, "I need immediate reinforcements and a medic at the Palace bridge! Large droid numbers advancing towards the Palace. Valdus, out." Cutting the transmission he turned around to walk normally while his soldiers fired and backpedaled.

Several seconds went by, which felt like forever during the heat of battle, but an affirmation was received by at least one of his comrades in orbit - [member="Adenn Kyramud"] . Two bright streaks lit up the sky as they rapidly broke through the Eshan atmosphere. Before long those two streaks slammed into the water just off shore of the Eshan palace, causing massive geysers of water to spring upwards. " I assume that's my reinforcements ... " Valdus muttered under his breath. He didn't know what Adenn had sent him just yet, but from the size of the burst of water the drop pods had to be large, which was a good sign.

Spoiler

MAIN FORCE: Defending the mouth of the Palace bridge with Cabur shields, back stepping towards the Palace.
Commander: Valdus Bral
================
Troops:
M. Adv. Guard (12/12) [veteran shocktroop]
M. Adv. Guard (12/12) [veteran shocktroop]
--------------------
Elite:
M. Ram'ser (1/1) [elite recon sniper]
M. Wardens (11+1 Super H. Droid [12/12]) [elite point defense]
M. Wardens (11+1 Super H. Droid [12/12]) [elite point defense]
----------------------
Transport:
Beviin H. Transport (4/4) [heavy transport]
-----------------------------
49 Infantry, 4 Transports

RESERVE FORCE: Escorting the civilians across the Palace bridge upon speeders. Ram'ser will be setting up on the roof of the Palace soon.
=============
Troops:
Echani Militia (50/50) [Recruit Militia]
SLAM droids (25/25) [Trained Infantry]
---------------
75 infantry

REINFORCEMENTS: Dropping in on Valdus' location.
================
AT-AD
AT-AD

Summary:
Valdus' forces have engaged in combat with [member="OOM-330"] 's droid battalion. While his backpedaling forces within the Cabur Deflector shield aim to thin the advancing droid formation with their Mandalorian Ripper slugthrower pistols - and a single RPS-6 missile, Valdus' Advance Guard squads use the upper floors of buildings located behind OOM's formation to lay a barrage of blaster fire upon his rear flank. Reinforcements have been called for and the first have just arrived in the form of two large drop pods that splashed into the shallows near the Palace building. It is unknown what the duo of pods carried with them to both Valdus and to those onlooking.



Edit: Cleaned up format and corrected mentions.

 

[Pei Ven]

​

Objective: Wipe out Mandalorian in the medical camps, and help injured Echani.
Allies: [member="Luna Terrik"] [member="Rato Hus"]
Enemies: Mandalorian Empire and allies

Pei was in much the same boat. This was something you never got used to. But you did what you had to do. There was a time, hitched to a comet, they literally slammed into the station they were trying to board, just to give them the chance. It had been risky, several died on impact, however, the rest managed to subdue the station and come out victorious. That was life. However, right now, he admitted, it was easy to follow orders, easy to find a reason to fight. Commander Luna was next to him, he would blow up the entire planet on her orders. Didn't matter if they were hunting Mandalorians in medical camps, or anything else.

As the pod hit ground, he was stunned for a second, then, managed to wrench off the restraints, and push open the pod door. He shouted at the others. “Move move move!” Blaster rifle came off his back, and he was sweeping the area with it. So far so good. “Clear! Form up!” Pei was like the Corporal, he kept the others in check, made certain the commanders orders were followed. Once the landing zone was secure, and they began moving, he went up to Luna.

“Commander, be careful here. Something doesn't seem right in this entire thing. I remember a time, we were on a relief mission to the slums, of who knows what planet anymore, with food, and medicine....the people immediately began to attack us. Someone had convinced the people we had poisoned the food and medicine and were simply trying to kill them. Just stay on your toes. We have no clue what we are about to get into.”

Pei stayed close, the experienced commando willing to sacrifice himself for his mission....but also to keep his commander alive. He owed it to the little one, and to himself to at least try. Sometimes, old memories died hard. No more repeats of history.

Story told, he went into professional mode. As she tapped him, he nodded, and moved with her, sweeping the area with his rifle. What he would give to have some of that advanced armor the Adjudant had, right now. However, intuition, and experience told him what he needed. Slowly, the group moved towards the camp, entering it. At one of the tents, he ducked his head in, spotting some injured Echani kids. He took a food ration from his pocket and threw it to them. “Keep your heads down.” Once he cleared that tent, he moved back to Luna's side.

Pei was upset, honestly. So many hurt Echani, so many homeless. Why was a bombing of that scale needed to take out hostiles? These were Mandalorians, the best of the best. Their entire culture was legendary. Something like that made no sense for them. It's like the one who ordered it was a coward. Afraid of fighting and dying. But wasn't that the entire Mandalorian culture....so was that man really a mandalorian at all? Shaking his head, Pei tried to push those thoughts out of his mind and just focus on the now. Luna and his team were counting on him. “So far, clear. Keep your eyes open. Stick together. Be ready for anything.”

 

[Azure Djitred]

OOC:​

​

Spoiler

Post: 2​

Allies: Cuddles the Rancor, Clans of Mandalore and our allies, [member="Valdus Bral"]​

Enemies: CIS and their allies, [member="OOM-330"]​

Objectives:​

Cuddles - Smash droids​

Azure - Keep everyone alive​

​

Azure and Cuddles had just finished up smashing a squad of droids to nuts and bolts, when Azure heard a transmission through the comm link in her ear. "Cuddles, to the Palace, we're needed." Cuddles growled in satisfaction as she kicked a droid head across the field, before heading further into the city. As they two ran, Azure brought a hand up to her link to transmit to Valdus. "Valdus, this is Azure Djitred of Clan Solus. I'm en route to you for reinforcements and medic assistance. Please, do not shoot the Rancor running at you and your troops when you see her." Ending the transmission, Azure brought her hand back down to hold onto the saddle, keeping an eye on their surroundings.​

From what she could tell, the invaders and the Mandalorians battling each other were too engrossed in their own fights to notice her. The closer Azure and Cuddles got to the Palace, the tighter together the droids got. Climb. Crush. Destroy. Cuddles sent her thoughts to Azure, causing a mischievous grin to spread across the witch's face. "Let's do this."

Coming into view of the Palace, Azure saw the troops [member="OOM-330"] and guided Cuddles to climb up a nearby building. Cuddles dug her claws into the building foundation, feeling it waver under her weight, before quickly using it as a launching pad. Rancor and Witch let of battle cries in unison as they dropped into the group of droids, before sprinting full speed across the bridge. Azure's braids and robes blew in the wind as they ran, almost whipping her in the face as they turned into a skipping stop after reaching their allies. Unstrapping herself from the saddle, Azure hopped down to the ground and approached who she assumed was [member="Valdus Bral"] as Cuddles turned to roar at the droid army. "Azure Djitred. Please, direct me to your wounded so I may heal them. Don't worry about Cuddles, she won't eat anyone on our side."

 

[Skorvek]

Enemies: [member="Salij-Nekt"]

He observed as the beast fell from the axe being buried into the rock however he saw Salij take out his lightsaber and hold it in a readied stance, He prepared his body to react as quickly as possible in the armor as he charged forth with rage fueling him to swipe at his side with the blade. He activated the jump jets on his armor to go for a sprinting elbow charge into Salij to try and close the distance while this may allow the blade to hit he was confident he could take a hit or two without a problem from the armor.

I shall learn what I wish.

 

[Salij-Nekt]

Enemies: [member="Skorvek"]

Salij managed to connect the hit, only to have himself get hit by Skorvek's charge. He stumbled a step, his saber held at his side downwards. This time he turned to another target. The earth beneath his opponent focusing with his rage to blow it out from beneath him. It diverted his attention for a moment, his focus but once he was done Salij would make for another strike with an uppercutting slash. Roaring in his continuous rage, pouring from within. Not realizing that expending so much energy into his power, into the Force would only exhaust him by the end.

 

[Koda Fett]

LOCATION: BREACHING ESHAN AIRSPACE
ALLIES: [member="Ronan Vizsla"] - [member="Tamara Wren"] - [member="Rohak Vizsla"]
ADVERSARIES: THE MANDALORIANS

The Bounty Hunter had held no love for the Echani, but far more than he could ever offer the Mandalorians. He, alongside others, were able to plainly state that Mandalore had been their home and those that resided there were their family. But, that were no longer. It didn't matter if it came from a place of stubborn ignorance, caught in the past and unwilling to change, for they had already spilt enough blood or disintegrated enough particles. Fett, as far as he knew, was never welcome back in Mandalorian Space. He could understand, and held no greviences. Truthfully, Koda was always set to be nothing more than a murderous roamer.

He rumbled back and forth as the vessel they ventured in came into the crosshairs of the anti-air turbolasers. They were set to obliterate them, but it wouldn't end there. Koda manouvred himself within their craft, and settled firmly and securely into a provided seat. It were clear that he was.

Fett might have had no real dog in this fight beyond the credits that were to come his way, and that, much like others, didn't matter. The Mandalorians might have butchered the Echani as he heard, bombarding them from orbit, killing slaves, slavers, and citizens alike. But, once more, it didn't matter. They were only the things you hear, and in times of war rumours were a plenty.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Location: Eshan City, Outskirts
Allies: [member="Ryndrae Talon"], [member="Ajax Crowe"]
Enemies: [member="Rhaegar Nemesis Dib"]
Person of Interest: [member="Kyle Whir"]

His thoughts swam through the immaterial and he found himself awash. Confederate Force Adepts wove their magicks across the battlefield to both placate upstart locals and put down enemy forces. They were met with surprisingly heavy resistance- normally, the Mando'ade religiously clung to the use of Ysalamir to fight back against a superior force. Their presence was noteworthy, but not toward the Frontline.

No, Alkor felt a combative Force signature intermingled with countless others, stirring up the Maelstrom of emotions and commanding the darkness. He wondered for a moment if the Mandalorians had succumbed to the lure of Carnifex's power after all, but did not allow anger or disappointment to cloud his thoughts. There would be a time to grieve the loss of a proud warrior culture, and on the battlefield was hardly the place.

Instead, he took his agitation and sharpened his thoughts, cutting away the burning pain that seared through his mind. All of that power he had exposed himself to exacted a heavy toll- such was the nature of the Corruptor.

Alkor reawakened the darkness within himself knowing full well the price. Without it, he was not strong enough. In the absence of the Force, he had found his body not only frail, but also unequal to the challenges that besieged his family. Now that the plague had swallowed Mandalore whole, he had to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Alkor had to become the monster he always feared he was.

In the ragged breaths that followed, the Dark Jedi tucked away his helmet and steadied himself. There was a lingering dread that licked at the outer edge of his thoughts. It was a predatory rage, like some beast had set its sights on him and decided to go for the throat. When he glanced in the direction his feelings warned him about, the towering form of a supersoldier was lumbering in his direction.

Combined with the unknown power source that lay ahead, his mind screamed for caution. His body, however, was given over to instinct. Inaction would not serve him now. He held the orange blade close to his chest, close enough that the plasma seared across the Phrikite-Desh plating and thrummed low. Alkor let the blade sing softly in his ear for several heartbeats as the residual current replenished the main power supply, then exhaled.

"Suppressing fire," he instructed. "Pin them down while I try to get close. They're not alone."

In truth, they never were. Mando'ade hunted in packs. Alkor had been one. He knew that. He meant much more than that.

The Jen'jidai stepped into the combat zone full on, bolts of plasma and energy richocheting off of his blade. He could feel their heat and taste the air as it burned around him. Eshan had already seen so much fire, and the hours to come would only burn it more.

The madness had to end.

He would make it end.

The inferno that was Alkor Centaris' willpower became a pyre, and his spirit soared across his allies. Though most of them would not understand or comprehend it, the virulent warmth offered its own insanity to those willing to embrace it.

"People of Eshan," he spoke, his voice carrying above the firefight as he urged the Confederate shock troops forward, "take back what is yours! Build a mountain of buckets to rival the loved ones they stole from you."

His eyes swept across the fray, hundreds of familiar visors fixated on him.

And he felt their hatred.

It almost rivaled his own.

Almost.

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

​

Soundtrack: Killzone - Birth of War​

Gear: Vestments of the Reaper | Wither | Shroudsaber | The Triad | Personal Molecular Shield | The All-Seeing Eye​

Attn: [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | [member="Elessar Talon"] | [member="The Avenger"] | [member="Salij-Nekt"] | [member="Tellu Talon"] | [member="Spencer Jacobs"] Enemy: [member="Darth Banshee"] | [member="Kaine Australis"]​

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Spoiler: 131st Ultranaut Regiment

• 5000 Ultranauts (272 Dead)
• 680 Combat Engineers (48 Dead)
• 40 Pyronauts (At the back of the formation, Undamaged)
• 4 AM-AT "Centipede" Siege Walkers (1 Lightly Damaged)
• 28 AM-SV "Spider" Strike Walkers (2 Destroyed, 2 Damaged)
• 1 TX-1 War Droid (Lightly Damaged)
• 12 AP-AT "Crimson Fire" Tanks (At the back of the formation, Undamaged)
• 240 E-Series Xiphos IFVs (14 Destroyed, 10 Damaged)
• 5 Ruinous Worms (At the back of the formation, Undamaged)
• 2 Psi Corps Operatives (At the back of the formation, Undamaged)
  
  Ships:
• 6 Sigma-class Heavy Assault Dropships (Transport) - Departed
• 120 Styx-class Dropships (Transport) - 2 Destroyed, 5 Damaged
• 36 I-3A Lance Fighters (3 Squadrons - Air Support) - 4 Destroyed
• 12 Death Gliders (1 Squadron - Air Support) - 1 Destroyed

• Eshan
  The ruins of a broken world

The troops were still deploying when a single, crimson-colored Mandalorian starfighter and a single Beskar-clad warrior made a pass over the landing area. Tacitus felt his blood boil as his rage rose in response to the Mandalorian's arrogance. To single-handedly charge through an entire regiment of troops like that, was not brave. It was foolish.

As the Vicelord chased the Mandalorian vermin across the sky and the crimson starfighter gave chase, the battle-hardened Ultranauts jumped into action, below. Several Xiphos IFV's turned turned their autocannons skyward, tracking the Mandalorian fighter as they opened fire, sending high-explosive shells on a trajectory which would avoid impeding the Vicelord, while seeking the red hull of the offending strike craft behind.

Several squads of Combat Engineers also shifted their positions, swiftly bringing up their missile launchers and sending multiple surface-to-air missiles streaking across the sky, racing towards the red metallic bird even as one of the regiment's accompanying squadrons of I-3A Lance Fighters broke formation and split into groups, circling down from the sky above on trajectories which would allow them to hit the Mandalorian starfighter from three directions simultaneously.

To discount five thousand battle-hardened Ultranauts and the entirety of their wargear had been a grave tactical mistake and the first one that the so-called Warmaster had made. The second and far worse one had been to aim weapons at the woman he loved. Feline eyes tracking the Mandalorian across the sky, Tacitus called upon the Force, reaching into the churning maelstrom of the Darkside to shackle its destructive power and harness it against his foe. The Darkness responded, recoiling at the Sith Lord's touch, but swiftly bending under his indomitable will. The Sith Lord then reached deep within his soul and fed to the Darkness all of his hatred, his rage, his desire to see the vile Mandalorian dead and broken at his feet and the currents leaped upon these emotions like a pack of ravenous dogs.

The Sith Lord reached out with a clawed hand and in the blink of an eye, the coldest currents of the Darkside coalesced, molded by his will into a spear of pure, midnight black. Darkshear, the technique was called, murderous intent given physical form.

Just as the Vicelord reached out with his crushing grip from above, Tacitus stepped forward from below. Bracing himself against the ground as he pivoted, straining with effort, he flung the unnatural projectile directly towards Kaine Australis.

And that was all he could do before another opponent presented itself. Fighters and dropships disengaged their cloaking systems as they began unloading troops and making bombing runs over the Ultranaut formations. An ominous red mist began to spread as the Sith droids deployed from their vessels.

The enemies had surprise on their side, the Nelvaanians had training and experience. Swiftly, the Xiphos IFVs turned their autocannons against the incoming bombers just as the three remaining fighter squadrons dove down from above, engaging their Sith counterparts in the deadly dance of aerial combat. The gigantic War Droid also fired, bringing its weapons to bear and unloading firepower rivaling that of a cruiser into enemy formations. Blaster fire and missiles streaked across the no-man's land between the two armies as the formation of troops began to shift, looking to draw away the attackers in order to draw the fighting away from the landing area.

Handing Srina a rebreather before donning one as well, the Sith Lord then stepped forward into the fray. Reaching out with the Force's invisible hands, he bid three of his lightsabers forward, raising them before him and igniting three crimson blades as his right hand drew the terrible longsword which hung from his belt. This was no Mandalorian force he was facing. Sensing another dark presence in the Force, he raised his voice over the discordant songs of the battlefield. "Who dares challenge the Eternal Empire!" he boomed, his voice carried across the scarred ground by the Force, powerful, assertive, yet calm, in control.

 

[Helly Reyne]

Location: Medical encampment outside of the capital
Objective: Lend aid to whoever is dragged out of the battle
Allies: CIS and allies, [member="Valencia Hadley"] | [member="Cynthia Solus"]
Enemies: Mandalorian Empire, [member="Subject 5"]?
Gear: Dual lightsabers, stun blaster pistol


Helly could only watch in confusion as one of her own jawas attempted to steal the briefcase. They were already being paid to come along with her and not mess with others, but she supposed that this one just didn't care enough about that. When the man was busy stomping on the jawa to get his briefcase back, Helly shouted and drew her stun blaster.

"What the hell, man!?" She didn't even know if he was listening to her or not, but she motioned to the rest of the crowd and tried to mobilize them. "Can someone get this man out of here before he terrorizes this place any more? Real close to stunning his ass and calling it a-"

One of her droids got her attention as she hesitantly turned away from the hurricane of a man to see what she swore was [member="Cynthia Solus"] even though she would certainly know better... And yet, all of a sudden she became entirely silent, her artificial heart dropping to her gut as she opened her lips for no words at all to come out. When she was finally able to speak, it was hushed, practically a whisper.

"Cynthia?" Helly had never given her an explanation for her disappearance. It was a regret, and one that she hoped would never have to catch up to her. She had moved on with her life, or at least tried to the best she could after the attack on Coruscant. Nothing had been the same, and when things got rough, Helly ran away. Seeing the destruction that had come to Eshan, however, she felt justified in her decision. She always had a bad feeling about the Mandalorian Empire, how they were so eager to fight and kill and, apparently, orbitally bombard. "What are you doing here?"

She didn't let go of her stun blaster, keeping it held firmly at her side. As much as she wanted to trust Cynthia, she had a hard time seeing past the Mandalorian armor, no matter how familiar she was with this set in particular.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Gear:

Spoiler

- Combat Vest
- Tathra's Mace
- Composite Shield
- Gauntlets
- Flail Attachment

​Enemies: All | [member="John Locke"] - The Hermes
​Allies: The Bryn'adûl | The Extant
​Locale: Insurgent aboard The Hermes

​Even at this distance, the Bryn'adûl battlenet kept Tathra appraised of what was happening on the ground. The Confederates and Mandalorians both, continued to add to the fire. More ships and more troops. The Bryn'adûl were outnumbered, even the Chieftain himself lone aboard this single ship was in threat of being outnumbered and overwhelmed.

Tathra raised his right gauntlet, the composite shield rising from its slot in a jutting motion - absorbing a dense blast of plasma from one of the units that continued to pursue him. Tathra stopped, turning the corner of a doorway as three squads of Silver Jedi Regulars confronted him in the open multi-exited hallway. Immediately three continuous beams struck at his centre-mass, staggering the Chieftain as he raised his shield absorbing the continuous fire as the rest of each squad joined into the tundra of gunfire facing Tathra.

​Quickly his titian eyes observed the room, a window to his left. Ahead he could see the hangar bay - Tathra swivelled around, his massive body anchoring to absorb the plasma as the force granted him a momentary buffer of resistance, his own weight allowing him to shrug off the beams as they tore at his vest. Tathra's Mace came crashing down, slamming into two of the Commando's as their bodies flew off like rag-dolls, crashing through the hangar bay window. Both hands grasped the length of his Mace's hilt, striking down as his Mace slammed into the ground throttling four more off the ground as the kinetic shockwave crushed their armour like metal cages tightly around their bodies, the energy surge bursting their organs like fruit between two rocks.

The Mace rose as Tathra turned, right arm grasping the entirety of the forearm of the closest Commando as he was thrown onto the ground - the ligaments of his arm shredded as he slammed into the ground, his helmeted face crushed as his helmeted concaved under the kinetic pressure of Tathra's strength. Tathra turned, unleashing the energy his passive use of force granted him - thrusting his left elbow into one of the Commando's and knocking him down with great speed, his body jolting back as his neck snapped, head slamming into the wall.

​The hangar bay door opened, those that remained retreating down the narrow bridge. They stopped halfway, returning fire as Tathra balked at their cowardice; a healthy growl leaving the plundering giant. But it had been his mistake, the troopers ahead were bait. An AT-10 Gunship rose from the depths of the hangar, immediately launching six missiles in Tathra's direction.

​-

​Down below on the planet surface, a supplementary force would arrive at the Landing Zone Grosck had been sent to secure. Wyrm Dropships unleashing a total of four servitors onto the battlefield, a singular Shaman landing in a high-tower wreckage nearby the landing zone accompanied by two Belator operatives. A complement of ten Striker Squads and six Detrimus tanks to accompany them. They would bridge the gap between the overwhelming Confederate and Mandalorian units.

​This party of invaders would be heading for the battle at the bridge.

​Units:
1x Shamans
​2x Bellators
4x Servitors
6x Tanks
​10x Striker Units

​| [member="Grosck Bah'azet"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Kaine Australis"] | [member="Darth Tacitus"] | @Mother | [member="Rick Kaloo"] |​

 

[Naedira Darcrath]

Location: Eshan City, Outskirts
Allies: [member="Ryndrae Talon"] | [member="Ajax Crowe"] | [member="Lucien Rayne"]
Enemies: [member="Rhaegar Nemesis Dib"]
Person of Interest: [member="Kyle Whir"]

Naedira sighed, though, it was not with a sense of foreboding about the upcoming battle. There was always a war to be fought. There was always an enemy with blood that was just crying out to be spilled through a variety of means. It was a sordid affair—But it was duty beyond all else. The Knight Obsidian found herself watching over not one, but two, new half-cocked males. The talkative apprentice that had been gifted to her as a punishment, [member="Lucien Rayne"], and the infamous [member="Alkor Centaris"] was also under her purview.

His story preceded him. The Knight didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. He was a Mandalorian. Or—He was. She didn’t really understand the barbaric culture that so many in the galaxy fell into, seemingly on a whim, but, it had its value. To someone. Somewhere. Just not her.

They were afflicted by many things. Hypocrisy. Delusions of Grandeur. Megalomania at its finest. Naedira had seen politicians and heads of state that the Knights Obsidian had deposed for such abhorrent behavior. What was the excuse here? Instead of erupting from a drop-ship as some of the Confederacy had the dark-haired woman had taken her stealth scimitar. By the time they landed in a level field, not far from Alkor, but a decent distance from where the Confederacy was rolling out the Droid Army with the Eternal Empire.

Even from a distance, this scenario seemed off. Where were the defenses that Eshan City ought to have? Weren’t they fighters? Her noise crinkled while a shadow fell across the area and the sun seemed to become entirely eclipsed. Everything felt wrong. The transmissions that were rolling through her comm-link were spotty, but, clear enough that she could make it all out. There were plenty of speeches on both sides. The words that the Mandalorians gave made her lip curl in disdain.

Dark-eyes, touched with Sith corruption, flared to a shade of bright amber. Her irritation with the gall of their enemy was palpable. Regardless, they had a job to do. If the Clans wanted to hide behind the pale-faced denizens of this world, they would pay, regardless. The Vicelord and the Exarch’s had been more than clear. Loss of Thyrsian and Echani life was to be avoided. If they caught an Echani doing something reprehensible? Subdue through non-lethal means and bring them to the Queen when it was all over so that the people could dispense their own justice.

Regardless, she shook her head and called to her student. “Secure your gear Rayne. It seems that our vector was a little off and Centaris got ahead of us. Crossing the field leaves us sitting ducks.”

There was also some sort of red smoke that seemed to be rolling closer and closer to them. What the kark was that? “Stay away from…Whatever that is. Sensors are testing the air to see what kind of cocktail it is but I don’t trust it. Chemical warfare wouldn’t surprise me and I’d rather not see the flesh melt off your bones.”

From there she led Lucien AWAY from the smoke and toward the ping that would lead them to [member="Alkor Centaris"]. The terrain wasn’t bad, the weather was temperate, but Naedira still kept her Obsidian mask up and expected that Lucien would do the same. He should follow her every move. Her every breath.

If he didn’t want to die.

Naedira followed the landscape through the view from the HUD in her armor. With that in mind, it wasn’t long until they came upon the Mandalorian that had been spared by Exarch Talon. Why? The former Nabooian woman had no idea. Just when she lay sight to their target, she felt a ripple, albeit it conflicted with the heavy Force use in the area. There were so many people weaving power into their every move that it was hard not to get distracted. “Stay focused. Something isn’t right here…”

A crash in the distance [[member="Ajax Crowe"]] caused her to tense, however, she couldn't investigate it just yet. Regardless, she remained alert.

The presence that emanated from Centaris was new. Dark and deep. An aura rushed out of the former Mandalorian and swept over her mind like frenzied fire. Her mental faculties were better than that. Stronger. Still, she heard the message, but not the clash of spirit. Naedira positioned herself in front of her student and acted as a deliberate shield.

"People of Eshan," he spoke, his voice carrying above the firefight as he urged the Confederate shock troops forward, "take back what is yours! Build a mountain of buckets to rival the loved ones they stole from you."​

The Knight was not yet aware that someone [[member="[/FONT]Rhaegar Nemesis Dib"]] planned to use their own weapons against them. The sensors in her HUD were good, great, even—But lower level tech was harder to spot. It was additionally difficult with Centaris radiating hatred and power like a beacon in the night.

‘Centaris…What have you done?’

Exarch Talon had said to watch him. Protect him. Protect him from what? Himself?

In the distance, she saw a glimpse of white hair, to the right, and frowned. What was an Echani doing out in all this? Seemingly alone? Naedira raised her right hand to get his attention, though, not enough to be noticed by the enemies across the way. Gently, her mind brushed out to the unknown, [member="Ryndrae Talon"], and a gentle flow of words would follow. 'If you are a civilian you should not be here...You could get hurt. We are here to remove the Clans of Mandalore from your world. Do not be afraid...But do not get caught in the crossfire.'

Naedira knew Echani could fight. She'd gone more than a few rounds with Srina Talon and had lost each one. There was simply a difference between hand to hand amd whatever metaphysical mojo seemed to be happening.

Spoiler: Equipment

Scimitar-class Star Courier [Enviable Talent]
Obsidian-type Strike Armor
Obsidian Lightsabre
Yrkaa Sidearm
Obsidian CR Ring
KC-95
Bilari Electro-Chain Whip

 

[Darth Banshee]

Objective: Revenge
Allies: ME [member="Kaine Australis"]
Enemy: [member="Darth Tacitus"] [member="Srina Talon"]
Equipment: LightSaber, Armour, Healing Amulet, Echani Shield
Ship: H.M.S. Carrnia

Spoiler

9x Noctule 1 squadron damage or destroyed
2x Pipistrelle with FCBC
8x Pipistrelle with proton bombs 2 squadrons destroyed
1x company of palace guard
2100x Droids on first wave 216 scrapped
2 further waves of 2460 in each wave

Her droids where running off the ships, and the red gas had descended covering the local area. The gas can break peoples connection to the force, and send them giddy, as well as giving them cover. Though she had no doubt they could see through the mist, but it would not be as good as it would be without the mist. This did not effect droids however, as they did not see in the same ways as humanoids did. As last of droids came off, the aa guns, had destroyed about six dropships. This would reduce the amount she be getting as reinforcements, in the next wave. Though they would soon cloak, and be heading back to her ship. The fight in skies would probably be in her favour, as her fighters where elite ships with the best serenno had to offer piloted them. Though they still where taking casualties, though any they took would fall into the middle of the enemy formation. She would have earache by now, if it was not ear plugs. As the droids blasters, made one hell of a racket.

Then she heard a booming voice from the otherside, it was so loud, it could be heard above the blasters, and her ear plugs. She now knew where target was, she erected a force barrier round her, and charged at him. Her lightsaber was not ignited at this moment in time, as it would cut into her own shield. She was still using breath control, as she charged at him, hoping to bash with her force barrier. This day will mark the last time, they say they walk straight through her. They had insulted her, talked down to her, and she came only with an offer of friendship.

 

[Valencia Hadley]

​

Location: Medical encampment outside of the capital proper, Eshan
Allies: [member="Helly Reyne"] | [member="Kip Ridel"] | CIS
Enemies: [member="Subject 5"] | [member="Cynthia Solus"] | ME
Wearing: Ring of Aspiration | ND-012 “Ri Qorit” Disabler
Objective: Provide humanitarian aid to those displaced by the ongoing battle on Eshan​

​

---

​

---

​

Valencia had seen her fair share of strange interactions before, especially in her younger years working in the households of the wealthy elite on Manda… But this scene with the Jawa and the young man’s briefcase was… Unique. For a moment it was nearly comical – right up until the intruder to their camp produced a blaster and started taking pot shots at the fleeing Jawa.

She stifled a shout as she watched each of the shots go wide, her heart stopping as she assumed she was about to watch whomever this man was gun down one of their support staff. When he finally caught up to the little creature and started beating it she’d had quite enough. She also noted that Helly was on the same page, as the other woman produced her own blaster and aimed it at the man.

Valencia took a step forward, instinctively worried that whomever this injured man might be, he was about to get himself into a good deal more trouble if she didn’t. She put herself between Helly and the young man as he collapsed down against one of their drop pods and clutched as his freshly retrieve case.

“Hey hey hey! Whao.” She turned back to glance at Helly, though noted that the woman was engrossed in another newcomer to the camp, this one decked out in what appeared to be some serious weaponry. A frown tugged at the edges of her lips, though she figured that since her companion seemed to recognize the stranger, now was the best time to attend to their far more trigger happy charge.

Several quick steps brought Valencia to the young man’s side as she glanced around to those who had gathered to watch the spectacle. She barked orders to no one in particular, “Bring a stretcher – let’s get this man into one of the shelters and take a look at his head wound!” With that done, she knelt down beside him, that worried frown firmly plastered in place as she very tentatively reached to examine the nasty looking gash across his head.

“… Not sure who you were running from, kid – but we’ll get you fixed up and safely off this planet if that’s what you want.”

The sound of distant pop caught her attention for a moment as she turned her eyes skyward, catching sight of a red haze in the distance, descending over the city proper. Well that didn’t look good…

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

Location: Eshan City - Nearing the Palace
Equipment: Beskar’gam, Lightsaber, The Songbird, Frag Grenades, Ianua Dagger, "Ri Qorit" Disabler
Tags: [member="Jerek Zenduu"], [member="Micah"], [member="Voph"], [member="Luna Terrik"], [member="Fedrig"] [member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Cay-Yo"] @All others!
Objectives: Take the Palace Back

Allya grinned under her helmet at Jerek and Micah. However, her mind quickly went back to the battle at hand. As her suit connected to each droid, and it acted as a miniature command center for them, she took the time to prioritize. How should they proceed? Red gas fell from the sky all around them, and coated portions of the city. Honestly, this is why she made Jerek wear the suit, as well as all of her Dauntless. However, eyes moved to Micah. She gritted her teeth, and stepped forward. She refused. Emotion encompassed her, the dark side flowed through her body, as rage filled her very core. Under her helmet, eyes took on a yellow hue as she didn't have the time to restrain the corruption. Determination steeled the youth, and she stepped forward towards the front of the group. Hand out stretched, as she focused all of her abilities towards the front. She let her hand slice through the air, and pushed with the dark side, letting her will be done. Size was unimportant, what she was trying to do was unimportant. Don't think on it, just do. Using telekinesis, she created a massive slash through the gas.

She took her hands and touched her palms together, then she separated them. Her body vibrated, as she extended herself. However, from slash, the gas began to be pushed away from the center. It created a large path way through it. Finally, she raised up her hands, palms out and then lowered them. The gas on the edges the path way was pushed down towards the ground. It had to be heavier than the air, or else it wouldn't have spread like this. Which meant, it would stay around the ground for now. She panted a bit, as it had stretched her some on its scope. The girl turned to her troops.

Gas wasn't good. Someone had used it, and she wasn't sure who. Or what it did. But there was one thing it would do completely. Panic the civilians. Was she willing to kill them? Eyes moved to Jerek, and brown orbs went wide. No....she couldn't disappoint him, just because it was easier and because she hurt and uncertain. But she had to protect her own troops as well. “Sonic blasters out, set them to stun. Most likely we will get attacked by civilians. The gas will cause panic, and make it harder to see. We must be above reproach. We are here to save them, not harm them. Anyone who attacks in civilian clothing, blast on stun, I want zero deaths people! However, have your heavier weapons charged and at the ready. We may meet more dangerous foes soon. Do not take off your masks. Jerek, take this.” Allya moved to one of her supply personnel where she grabbed an extra rebreather and handed it to Jerek. “For Micah. Now, we march! We are meeting up with Voph, and the Dominus Prime. We are taking the City back, we are going to the Palace. We are very close to them, so let's get going!” Body turned once more and the girl's cloak swirled. In an instant, her lightsaber was in her hand, and ignited. It's red glow once filled her heart with pride. But what was this feeling building inside her? Until this week had the Mand'alor called for her to defend their planets, she would have come. Until this week, she never dreamed of fighting Vod. For all her bravado in the previous comm, she knew in her heart...she had become Dar'manda in this action. And it crushed her. If Jerek hadn't been here with her, who knows what she would have done. Songbird came out into her other hand, and she flipped her own weapon to its blaster setting, and then flipped it to stun. It had a much longer range than most of the other blasters.


Tanks, droids, clones, and the apprentices, all moved down the streets. It was short journey, but several civilians attempted to ambush them. Confused, traitors to their people? It didn't matter. As they shot at the head of the procession, Allya's blade swiftly swatted out the blaster bolts, and fired. One by one, they fell to the ground. “Units X-9 through X-12, tie them up. And we move on.” The clones quickly obeyed and restrained the unharmed civilians, and took their weapons. However, the forward troops were in sight. It wouldn't be long before they met up with them.

 

[Kylo Kyr'am]

Kylo Kyr'am
Alor'ad

Inventory:
Beskar'gam
Twin Westar Pistols
Custom Blaster Rifle
Beskad

Objective: Annihilate CIS
Opponent: [member="Kurenai Yumi"]

Kylo watched the woman Dodge his shots and then active the lightsaber deflecting the shots back at him. Kylo simply side stepped aside from the blaster bolts. A laser sword user really? Kylo thought to himself. He hated those darn swords. But oh well, he'll still kill her anyways. Kylo locked onto her with his HUD watching her activate the shield and then started firing at him as she rushed him. Kylo quickly activated his jet back flying into the air putting his rifle on it's sling and pulling out his twin blaster pistols and in a way of what seemed like a barrage, fired extremely fast at the woman but keeping the shots just slightly ahead of her to have her run into the shots. If she avoided those, Kylo would use voice activation and fired his wrist rock directly a few feet in front of her, so if the rocket or blasters didn't get her, surely the explosion would.


Kylo kept his altitude up and landed on the edge of a building watching the woman to see how she'd react.

​

 

[Veronika Fleischer]

Location: City outskirts
Objective: Drive out the Mandalorian Empire
Allies: CIS, Mandragora, [member="Kasca Fen"], [member="Fawn Alzi"]
Enemies: Mandalorian Empire, @Grosck Bah'azet
Equipment:

Spoiler

Weapons
Veronika's purple lightsaber
HV-55A: "Allfate" Disruptor Rifle

Body
Obsidian-type Strike Armor
Echoy'lii Shuk'orok (Echoy'lan Crushgaunts)
Multipurpose Cloak - Classic Collection

Misc
Resam
Light-Shield Bracelet
Talisman of Reflection
A pair of Wonder Pearls (cyro)

The cut on her hand was not deep and healed quickly with the help of the Force with no ill effects. She unclipped the bottle of water from her belt with her recovered hand and took a long drink. The ritual was continuing on, with Fawn stepping up this time to summon the spirits for assistance. The spirits beckoned for revenge for their untimely deaths and Fawn was more than glad to summon them for help. Meanwhile, her army of zombies stood guard in front of the ritual grounds, patrolling the ruins for any intruders that would disturb the Coven.

As she finished her drink and kept her bottle, her psychic senses were already sending alarms. Sure enough, the sounds of undead moans were heard, followed by growls of intruders. Fawn was still channeling her spell, gathering the spirits for assistance. It made sense for her to be performing this step, since she was more in touch with the undead and corpses while Veronika and Kasca were better versed in the mental realm.

"I hear that, Sister. Let's get to work."

With that, Kasca moved swiftly to erect a powerful barrier to shield the Mandragora Coven and the ritual itself. Veronika was more than capable to chip in, to expand the barriers and boost the shields with her own energy. But the blonde had other ideas instead, walking back to the ritual and pulling up the ritual knife again. Another cut to her hand, this time at the wrist to allow more blood to be spilled.

"Spirits of the realm, hear my call. Doashim, hear my plead."

Her time spent with [member="Maple Harte"] was not for show. The brunette witch was blessed by Doashim and they had journeyed to Ryloth together to fight against another dark evil known as the Brain Demon. During the time spent, she had momentarily assumed the mentality of her lover due to a cursed water spring. The blonde was cursed with Maple's madness, but it also meant her patron spirit during her journey was switched from the tiny Jart to the monstrous Doashim that had blessed Maple.

The spirits summoned by Fawn drank up Veronika's blood and swirled around the blonde, granting Veronika the necessary energy to reconnect with the creature again. Emerald eyes turned into a brilliant shade of yellow as her own blood continued to drip slowly onto the ground. The purple flames flickered with power and expanded into a portal, connecting back to Ryloth where the spirits lived. Her mouth chanted words of power to keep up the summoning, hearing the vicious roar from the other end of the tunnel. A pair of burning eyes belonging to a skeletal beast appeared from the portal and gazed at the witch who had dared to disturb his sleep. He roared again, displaying his large set of serrated teeth in the process.

"From the depths I come!"

Doashim had been awakened by the combined power of the spirits and Veronika's personal journey, deciding to answer to her foolish and yet bold move. The red eyes vanished and more roars were heard, replaced by multiple sets of burning gazes that walked into the new hunting ground. The Twi'leks had called them fiends or devils for good reason. A pair of horns sitting on top of a skeletal head with massive teeth was more than enough to terrify most people who had never come across them. Veronika counted thirteen beasts in total by the end of the summoning, with three of them walking over to the witches and growled softly, their tails swirling behind. The remaining ten beasts turned their attention to the incoming invaders, each eager to handle one of the brutes on its own as they roared in unison.

Veronika held onto her wounded wrist, grinning in satisfaction as she channeled the Force to seal up the wound. The nearest Doashim bent down to lick her blood from the ground and she petted his head softly, coaxing it to listen to her before leaping onto his back.

The Witches of Dathomir had once rode rancors into battle.

The Witches of Ryloth would ride the mighty Doashim.

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Eshan [Just Outside of Eshan City]
Accompanying: [member="Spencer Jacobs"], [member="The Avenger"], [member="Tellu Talon"] [member="Darth Tacitus"], [member="Elessar Talon"]....And possibly others?
Add'l Tag: [member="Tellu Talon"] | [member="Ryndrae Talon"]
Allies: CIS + Eshan

---

It was strange.

Srina always, always, fought at the side of [member="Darth Metus"] in engagements such as these. His overly protective nature had spun into overdrive when, once upon a time, [member="Adron Malvern"] had greeted her with a sword through the chest. Regardless of the fact that it had become a fond, albeit, a dark memory, it felt peculiar not to follow the lead of the Vicelord. Especially, when they picked a familiar voice on a transmission. Srina had only spoken to [member="Kaine Australis"] once. It had been at a wedding.

What she knew of him from then did not match the monster that the galaxy painted him to be now. He had been kind to her then. A gentleman, in a room full of savages, and potential threats. He had been less kind to her Master on Mandalore. Then, almost pleasant during the aftermath of Skor II. And now, as the so-called Butcher of Eshan, she couldn’t begin to fathom what or who he truly was.

At this point—through the bond she held with [member="Darth Metus"] she knew what he would do. He would fight the leader of Clan Australis, to the death, if necessary. Srina remained silent after his parting words. Focus.

‘Yes, Master.’

Srina’s silvery eyes followed the fight that started in the sky while she awaited her Queen. She knew how much Spencer valued her privacy, and despite the urgency, would not rush her. It would be difficult to see what had become of Eshan City with their own eyes. To see the curious lack of spine in some of their people.

As the young woman had expected, Spencer, affirmed her suspicions. The Clans of Mandalore were a scattered force of heavy-handed brutes. It was simply only now that she saw the true savagery of their forces when left unchecked. “This ends today. One way or the other.”, she affirmed, soft-spoken, but easily heard over the rumble of droids and the rollout of artillery. Her lips seemed to freeze in place while she continued to observe the fight in the sky. The maneuvers were odd. What were they doing?

It was then that she noticed that the ship Australis was utilizing seemed to have a goal, other, than battling [member="Darth Metus"]. It was impossible to miss the fact that he suddenly seemed to be aiming directly at them. Before she could react, or move, her form was pulled backward by the Queen of Eshan. She caught her footing but her stern tone followed regardless.

“Spencer—!”

The way she was told to stand back almost made her freeze. There was an ingrained sense of authority that caused her to want to obey. A combination of duty and silent concern. Srina could hear the voice of Spencer Jacobs in her head, in her bones, and the spears of midnight black that appeared caused her to temporarily hold her tongue. This was not how it was to be. Srina was to protect her Queen. [member="The Avenger"] was supposed to protect her Queen. The rightful leader of Eshan was not supposed to break ranks to protect her. She was too important.

[member="Darth Tacitus"] moved, swiftly, and she also caught sight of another spear whirling through the air at the crimson craft. He seemed just as fierce as the Queen when it came down to it. A rebreather was shoved pushed into her hands and before she could speak the Eternal Emperor turned back to face the battle at hand. There was no question. No nonsense. He simply came and went like some sort of punishing deity. Such, was the nature of a Sith Lord. ‘Kainan….’, the unspoken name wouldn’t find a way to leave her lips. Instead, the crimson smoke that was creeping forward, gave her a terrible feeling.

She turned and reached around Spencer, “Lady Queen, open.”

The instruction would have been followed with a quick flash of the small device. Whether she intended to take the rebreather or not, Spencer, would find the Confederate Exarch feeding it to her. There was too much at stake. The crimson smoke was creeping ever nearer and she had no idea what it did. Seconds afterward, a familiar presence touched her being, and she turned into the crowd.

For a split second, she thought she was looking at her father, Raihane.

Two steps forward told her that she was not. Father and brother felt similar in the Force, however, when it came to movement? It was all different. She could tell [member="Elessar Talon"], [member="Ryndrae Talon"], and Raihane Talon apart if they were all painted vastly different colors. “Osu’Tan*…[Uncle…]”, she exhaled slowly, her focus split, between the sky battle, the crimson smoke, and the sudden fight between a Sith woman and [member="Darth Tacitus"]. Seeing one of her beloved Uncles drop to one knee before herself and the Queen told her the depth of his sincerity. His faith. His Queen would protect him.

Spencer still had the two Spears of Midnight Black at the ready. Srina could only hope that would be enough to deal with Australis quickly. The moonlit haired creature would never forgive [member="Kaine Australis"] for what he had done. There was no apology large enough. If [member="Darth Metus"] did not destroy him—She fully expected that [member="Spencer Jacobs"] would. “Annon allen*…[Thank you]”, she spoke to Elessar, before quickly dissecting the problems they faced. While she wanted to embrace the man and inquire about the rest of their family…Duty came first. Always. “Help me clear the smoke first.”

“I don’t know what it is, or what it does, but we would be fools to inhale it.”

Briefly, she turned, and looked for the member of the Dauntless that had been close by. There was no disruption between them but she needed to check on their numbers regardless. If one of them had been compromised by a stray shot—they would need reinforcements. “Watch the sky my Lady.”

“Dauntless, watch the Queen. Your masks and helmets stay on.”

Silver eyes followed whilst they moved into formation around the armored woman. It was uncanny. He really did move as she did. Spoke, as she did.

Mercurial eyes began to bleed gold when she pulled on the telekinesis she had learned early on. There was so much of the smoke or gas in the area that she wasn’t sure if this would work. This was what she had requested that Elessar help her funnel it away. After that, they could deal with the next thread, and then take the offered route to the palace. Srina turned the air with the Force and did her best to make it act like a cyclone. The idea was to pull the crimson gas up and away from the field of engagement where it could disperse harmlessly far above them. “When we are clear…We move for the palace. [member="Darth Metus"] and [member="Darth Tacitus"] can handle themselves.”

Srina had no idea that other forces were already on their way to the bridge to try and turn the tide into chaos. Her logical mind fell to the default solution. One problem at a time.