First Order: Beyond Darkness [Dominion of Rakata Beta]

[Maurice Dalton]

Post Seven.
Location: Xenotech Laboratories Facility on Rakata Beta Moon, Centurion.

"Well? What colour is it?" There was a raised brow, why should he care about the colour of the bolt anyway? But if the Chiss was interested, Maurice imagined that it must've been at least, sort of interesting. The glowing red orbs turned to look upon, and for a moment, Commissioner Dalton believed he saw mirth there, even, excitement. And then it was gone and the Chiss was continuing to lead him through the facility.

Trick of the lighting. Bet he hates me.

"Purple. Or, a purple-ish colour. Specifically, an extremely dark blue."

"I know what purple is."

"Of course."

Maurice almost assaulted him, but instead, he just smiled and acted as if nothing had just occurred. Internally, he was wondering why they were walking so much. Stalling maybe? But he didn't see the purpose in that, unless the Chiss and the other scientists had something to hide from him, and in that case, he only wanted to see the product even sooner.

"Ah, here we are."

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

​

Jarven turned to see a horrifying sight. The remnants of the knife slid out of Jimmy's throat and disintegrated, leaving behind the black goo. Black goo continued to slowly pour and bubble out of the neck wound. It looked more like it was a growing tumor around Jimmy's neck, rather than simply pouring out and causing a pool on the table. Like a ragdoll, Jimmy's head swayed around until it was upright. Then, his eyelids opened to reveal heavily bloodshot eyes. A crooked smile jerked its way to Jimmy's mouth and he started to laugh again. This time, it sounded more menacing, less sane.

"Geez, Jimmy! It looks like you've been doing all the drugs!" This sight was freaking Jarven out, but it wasn't so bad since he'd been desensitized by the aberrant appearances of many grotesquities throughout his travels and lifetime.

This Jimmy walked around the desk and toward Jarven with a confidence he had only seen in emboldened warriors.

"You're...dead!" cried Jimmy malevolently.

"Winners...don't do drugs!" retorted Jarven.

Jimmy swung a wild haymaker that missed. Jarven punched him decisively with the edge of his shield in the head, sternum, got shoved back, blocked a gut punch, and then smashed Jimmy into one of the cabinets. Glass fell either to the floor or was stuck in Jimmy. Yet, still Jimmy persisted. Jimmy grabbed and threw Jarven's shield at a wall. This gave Jarven the opportunity to forcefully clap his hands over Jimmy's ears, one-two jut punch him, grab him, run-drag him over to the desk, flip him onto his back on top of the desk, unsheath his dirk, cut Jimmy's hand off as it swung up to hit him, elbowed him in the right lung, jump on top of Jimmy (whom had the glass shards dig deeper into his flesh from the force of the desk landing), pin him down and took the time to cut away Jimmy's head off of his neck.

Black goo spilled with more and more pressure as he sawed away with his vibrodirk. The job was much tougher than expected and there shouldn't have been this much black goo to begin with...Soon, though, Jimmy's head came off and fell to the ground with a very wet sound. The screaming stopped. He just kind of sat there on top of Jimmy's dead, decapitated corpse from the extreme insanity of the situation of additional exhaustion. He was done with this crap. Suddenly, black goo geysered up into his helmet's face.

It took a bit, but he finally wiped it away so he could see. When he looked down at the body, black, tumorous goo covered the entire length of the body and had transformed it into a nightmarish creature. Two giant, black arms reached up unexpectedly, seized Jarven and threw him bodily out of the room. As he recovered and got back up, he witnessed the body get off the desk, bend over, spew black goo onto Jimmy's decapitated head and watched as the goo quickly transformed into a similarly nightmarish face.

It reached down, picked up the head and shoved it down on top of its neck stump like it was putting on a hat. Jarven grabbed his shield, gave the creature a good bash with it while it was distracted with putting on its head and ran out and down the hallway.

He turned the corner and ran into a police force. They all started shouting at once about Jarven getting down on his knees with his hands above his head. He tried to warn them of the monstrosity not too far behind him, but they, instead, tagged him with an electro stun dart. It managed to hit him in the neck and that got him long enough for them to throw cuffs on him behind his back. His mind was scrambled enough from the sudden electrocution, the exhaustion and the hysteria that he was having trouble remembering what he was supposed to be running from as they dragged him outside.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Objective #1
Post 3+2

Kriel paid no heed to the noises behind him as he disembarked. Being a competent flyer was of no interest to him. To Ara it might be a development opportunity, but that was for her to deal with. As long as she was able to hit the ground running (in the metaphorical and literal sense) he was content.

Kriel was sufficiently confident in his own abilities that he strode forward, towards the tree-line. To his left, a squadron of troopers came jogging along. They’d clearly landed nearby and had checked the area ahead of the Rens’ landing.

Kriel nodded and they fanned out, setting up a circle around the three Ren. It was not that the Force users could not protect themselves, but it allowed them to focus on the way ahead and not be distracted by nocturnal predators.

Kriel did not speak to the troopers. The relationship was entirely professional, with both sides knowing their role and communication was not required. And once he’d reached the beginning of the woods, he turned to face the Disciples, his attention clearly on Ara first.

“We have a lot of woods to cover. There is no obvious clearing in the centre – but that is no doubt due to the age of the trees. They will be growing right up to the walls of the temple – if it is here at all – and they will have expanded over the generations.”

“So I suspect the most likely place is just under half way in and towards the left. So Ara, you will search the woods on the left, Perth on the right. I will take the middle.”

And without a further word he turned and walked forward – his senses already stretching out, seeking any Force aura.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Perth Levov]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Objective #1[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Post 3+3[/SIZE]

Perth had drawn the short straw. She suspected the Knight hadn’t given his Disciple the more favourable side. It was more likely he knew of Ara’s abilities and nothing of her own. It was the smart move and she was here because she was dutiful, not because she sought personal glory. Such a thing was no the Ren way and that suited Perth well.

So she stifled a sigh and glanced around at the troopers that were shadowing them – the nine now split into three groups of three, each seemingly assigned to one of the Ren. One was in front of her, one was to the rear and the third was on her outside – towards the edge of the woods. She allowed them to do their thing and was impressed at how little noise they made. It afforded her greater concentration as she reflected on the chill wind and allowed it to further fuel her anger that in turn fed her reservoir of power and she called upon the Force. She was no expert on Force Sense or Force Sight but she had enough of a grasp to allow her Force senses to map out the area around her. It was sufficient that she was able to close her eyes and construct a mental three hundred and sixty-degree map in her mind.

In it she could see the trees – animate objects but with low Force auras. It was the same for the troopers. And to the extreme left of her range she saw one of Kriel’s troopers. Content nothing was going to slip through any gap, she began to walk forward, her hood pulled over her forehead so far it covered her eyes – not that she was using them.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

It was complete silence after they shoved Jarven's head down into back of the police speeder and waited to take him downtown. At the least, it provided a quiet, peaceful and relaxling reprise in which to gather his thoughts and shake off the electrical surge. He had lost his pistol, his shield and his vibrodirk. Every other armament had been used up in the fight.

Judging by the fact that he was in the back of a police speeder and not knocked unconscious in the back of a SWAT van, they only assumed he was dangerous from his armor and would try to interrogate him.

Suddenly, he heard distant screams and a whole lot of gunfire. It was quieter than the other sources of noise, but he was faintly able to hear that horrid squelching sound...then, it was silent. The cop in front of the metal grill between the front seat and the back seat turned around slowly as he looked around and then back at Jarven. He said quietly to Jarven, "I'm gonna' go check that out..." and then he exited the vehicle.

While the cop was gone, Jarven did something reckless: he discharged a personal bio energy burst into the electronic cuffs attached to his wrists behind his back. This was a last measure and not something that was practical in combat. He began to feel woozy, but tried to push past that feeling as he focused on flexing his muscles and breaking the cuffs. It was hard on his wrists, but he broke free. Before he could plan his next move, a black, gooey hand shot through the window and grabbed Jarven.

Jarven struck the limb once, twice, thrice, but it still gripped him like a vice. He then did a highly forceful, pressure move using both his arms to try and bend the black arm and cause him to let go of Jarven. It worked and Jarven scooted as far away from the window as possible. The creature tried to reach in with one arm, but couldn't get Jarven. So, he grabbed the roof of the vehicle and proceeded to peel it open like a can of space tuna. With a final surge of strength, the black beast tore the top away with a flourish.

Jarven was hacking into the speeder as the beast worked on the roof. He climbed over the metal partition and took off at high speed. He figured he was in the clear, except that he could now hear hissing behind him. He glanced behind to find the beast clinging onto whatever it could grip on the back end of the speeder. Slowly, yet surely, it was finding new hand and footholds to claw its way up to Jarven. He didn't have much time.

He was feeling drained from the bio-electric surge trick, so he uncapped the speeder's charge port, shoved his middle finger inside and enjoyed the raw rush as he felt somewhat revitalized. He pulled it out soon after. Something that improvised could only help so much before he suffered an adverse effect.

He had to get this monster out of the city, fast and far. He flicked the emergency police siren and lights on and barreled towards the city's nearest border: the coast line. He had to swerve left and right, duck up and down, to keep the monster off balance and avoid other people who weren't quick enough to avoid the police speeder by themselves.

Upon reaching the coast line, he thought furiously of his next move. He needed to send this creature to Hell; he had to deal enough permanent, overwhelming damage that he definitely could not come back from. He looked and thought, looked and thought. He thought he could see some large structure in the distance, so he zoomed in with his HUD optics. It was a nuclear silo a long ways from the city near the coast line...

 

[Zmej Ren]

Location: Rakata Beta
Objective: 1
Post: 8


Advancing through the disorientating forests was met with zero opposition, a trail of blood or two and the Force guiding their path to the rebellious hive. Nobody spoke a word, making this procession of white-armoured men and women following after the black robed figure a silent experience. Something was bound to happen soon, this silence before the storm irritated Zmej’s senses by increasing the need to be on guard at all times, expecting danger behind every tree and shrubbery. Only the Force continued to remain a trustworthy, inseparable ally, painting a reliable picture in Zmej’s mind. When the mystical Force pinged her consciousness, its electrifying touch sending shivers down her spine, Zmej raised her gloved hand and halted the entire march. Open palm demanded something and was handed military grade binoculars capable of scanning distant terrain. What ordinary eyes failed to spot were several energy signatures seemingly coming out of nowhere. The enemy appeared dug in, living in holes like the insects they were. A more thorough look revealed two patrolling Rakata.

Giving the item back, the disciple turned and addressed her followers again. For the first time, Zmej and captain Greene did not butt heads, both offering ideas and tactic for the upcoming strike. Weaving the plan together for many minutes, they eventually came up with a slightly risky, yet effective tactic. After more time spent familiarizing the men with the details and their individual duties, all has been set and ready. Groups of soldiers moved out, creeping to their positions, others remained, taking thermal detonators or attaching bayonets on the end of their rifles. Weapon barrels rose and took aim, all lifeforms waiting for the last signal from the Ren, who in turn listened to the dark side. And Zmej Ren’s crimson lightsaber burst into existence, pointed at the Rakatan entrenchments. The signal launched the First Order’s attack, soldiers rushing in from all sides, showering the encampment in red blaster bolts. Explosions rang out, digging holes in the earth, spraying the area in body parts.

“Destroy all who oppose the First Order!”

First among the soldiers to charge the encampment, Zmej rushed the enemy forces, her heart producing more fuel of passion for the dark side to feast upon. And then she was upon them once more, quick to remind the Ratakan insurgents why Force users were both revered and feared throughout the galaxy.

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Objective: Build a spaceport in an industrial area
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Unknown
Post: 10/20

Now that the repair work was underway, hundreds of personnel, including droids, were busy pouring duracrete inside the numerous cracks inside the worn-down tarmac, while hundreds more start clearing up the rubble around the ruined spaceport. True, there are those areas where it is safer to just clear up and demolish the buildings whose damage is economically beyond repair, but not all of them will be built that way. Star Tours was allowed to build one white elephant-shaped building somewhere on the premises, just that the Rakatans were perhaps a little hasty. A little weird: most First Order worlds would usually ask for demolition permits separately from the construction permits. Here it was a double-edged sword: while the non-negotiables were the tarmac and the terminal (or what could be saved from it), the local authorities otherwise gave them limits in the forms of floor count and area, and limits on the hangar count (enough to house 6 squadrons of light freighters, but no more than that), just no restriction other than preserving the tarmac and the terminal to the best of their ability.

"It appears that the tarmac is the best-preserved area of the spaceport: give it about two or three days and we can fill in all the cracks in the expanse of duracrete" the tarmac foreman told Dunames.

"Over half the floor area of the terminal cannot be safely repaired; demolition of the affected areas will be required" the terminal foreman added.

"Is there still a way to fit in the budget, given that?"

"Jiroch-Reslia ended up being a big karkfest but the Tunroth Assemblage of Three was utterly incompetent when it came to public works. Granted, Tunroth leaders are chosen because of their competence at security issues, but that usually means uneven competence in other areas when a society heavily favors a skill over another at the governance level. They budgeted for far too low, it cost several times over the initial budget, it took five years to finish to its original scope"

 

[BE-183]

Post: 1
Location: Hangar of the FIV Ciena Ree
Objective: Go planetside
Status: In good condition
Allies: [member="Kyrel Ren"], [member="Varus Ren"], [member=Caelia]
Enemies: N/A

The omnipresence of the faceless stormtroopers gave them some cryptic aura of oneness, but they were simply people at the end of the day. They were quite... different, to those raised in the civilian habitat. To claim they knew no fear would be stretching the truth, but when placed in battle most left with a thirst for more. After all, it was the reason for their existence.

Bee had reported in for the latest deployment in good spirits. Her helmet was an indifferent visage to mirror her professional demeanour, not a hint of pride or anticipation blemishing her stride to the transport, yet privately their presence was irrefutable. Perhaps all of their troopers in service were veterans chronologically speaking, but the more actual tours of duty she undertook the better. Since the battle of Kaeshana, she thought differently about serving under knights of Ren though, her brush with death interpreted as the result of one prioritising personal glory over the lives of the unit. Clearly they weren't all alike, as in the very same conflict another had swooped in to aid her, but she would be more skeptical for now.

It was only logical then, with her recently established distrust, that she joined Kyrel Ren's platoon again. She was about as verbal as this other dark brooding Ren that preceded her, pointedly disregarding the familar Vader enthusiast as she boarded. Having checked an extra speeder into the cargo hold, she silently filed in with the other troops to be seated and get strapped in.

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

​

Jarven swerved and came to a stop, hovering very high above the gaping hole that was the nuclear reactor. There was a shotgun in the passenger seat, so he grabbed it. He got up and squared off with the beast that was staggering to its feet. He unloaded the shotgun into the creature's body. With each shot, a shower of black goo came off its body and a red, fleshy material appeared where he sustained damage. However, it only served to stagger the creature. The shotgun became empty, so he used it to take swipes at the creature.

It grabbed the shotgun and pulled it from Jarven's grasp; flinging it over the side and down, down, down. It lurched forward, both of its arms surging forward to strike Jarven. Jarven fell with his back on the dash and the monster crouched over the metal partition to grab him. Jarven kicked once, twice and the monster fell back in its seat. They both stood up, except, this time, Jarven jumped off the dashboard and drop kicked the beast square in the chest. Jarven fell down and landed awkwardly in the back seat area whilst the beast staggered back to the edge.

It seemed to balance precariously on the edge, hoping to regain its balance, but the speeder tilted back from the weight and the monster fell off. Down, down, down, down...Jarven watched from the edge, of which he had crawled to, to see the monster smack its back against the lip of the nuclear reactor before falling inside.

Jarven dropped tiredly down into the front seat and casually drove off; flicking the emergency lights and siren off.

________________________________________________________________​

​

​

The debriefing was less than fun, but it was over eventually. He got back to his quarters, stripped down, took a long, hot shower, got into sleeping clothes and quickly fell asleep on his bed.​

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________________________________________________________________​

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​

"You want me to do what??"

"We want you to negotiate with the Clan of Infinitum. You have the most personal experience with them, the most underworld dealings experience and you just took down their rivals. It's a perfect idea."

Jarven raised his hands in dismissive surrender.

"Fine, fine. I'm going. Geez."

 

[Micah tol Powl]

RAKATA BETA
Location: Knights of Ren Landing Site Echo-7
Nearby: [member="Soleil Ishtar"]
Equipment: Sasori Toolkit | Rusty LBP-2

She wanted to... wait, what?

Walk?

That sounded like entirely too much work. But, flying was a lot of work for that short of a distance as well. They might as well walk.

"Why don't we just take a speeder?" the blue-skinned boy asked, aloud. "By the time a shuttle took off and landed, it'd probably take the same amount of time. But the speeder wouldn't, you know, be like all up in the air and stuff."

Seriously, that wouldn't attract any attention at all.

The stormtroopers seemed to accept that answer. And there were two speeder bikes at the camp. But, there were also three of them, so the girl was going to have to ride with one of them.

He hoped she picked the stormtrooper's bike.

"You two take that bike, over there."

Welp. So much for that idea.

Did military health care cover cooties shots?

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Objective: Build a spaceport in an industrial area
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Unknown
Post: 11/20

"Enough about Jiroch-Reslia! Does it fit within the budget, yes or no?"

"Demolition will cost us about 3-5 million on the one hand but rebuilding the afflicted areas will cost us about 10-20 million" the architect assigned to the terminal reconstruction told Dunames.

"How much would it have cost us to repair the afflicted areas to code?"

"About 30 million"

Oh: this wasn't going to be easy, but at least it made sense and, while Dunames isn't familiar with the construction industry, she did what she could to avoid the costly cost overruns of Jiroch-Reslia. Star Tours was involved on that planet and was on the hook for the cost overruns: almost 40 million in cost overruns, whereas the cost was estimated to be just 1 million. As Virginie said, the Tunroth attitude towards prioritizing the best hunters in governance position cost them dearly in the realm of public works. To be fair, they are usually well-appreciated in First Order-land for public security or wildlife management roles, but that's about it. Perhaps another commissioner for public works under the purview of the Assemblage of Three is in order... provided that there is actually a Tunroth with a vested interest in public works. Meanwhile, the rubble was being transported onboard the ship, where it will be headed for a mortar factory somewhere else on the planet.

 

[Maurice Dalton]

Post Eight.
Xenotech Laboratories Facility: X. Rakata Beta Moon, Centurion.

Ah, here we are.

And what Maurice hadn't realized to be a blast door cycled open after the Chiss scientist had placed his palm against the pad next to the door. The lights within the room lit up as well. When Maurice stepped through the archway of the door, there was an array of gas canisters, ranging in sizes, for mere blaster power packs, ranging up to power sources for vehicles, perhaps even starfighter-scaled laser cannons.

"You've accomplished much."

"This is my people's technology. I've been experimenting with it long before this First Order revealed itself to the Galaxy."

A curious statement, especially considering that the One Sith had held Csilla for some time. A hand came up to brush along Dalton's jawline thoughtfully. Maurice himself had been a low-ranking soldier when the One Sith had assaulted the planet Chiss homeworld, Csilla. Or rather, subjugated it. His mission had primarily been space based, specifically a boarding party to disable one of the rogue Chiss capital ships, and the end result consisted of him being promoted to Captain of his Commando Squad after the untimely death of their previous leader in the reactor explosion.

Maurice blinked.

Back to reality.

"Where was your lab based out of?"

The blue skinned man's head tilted to the side, almost as if he were appraising him. "My people and I evacuated Csilla before the One Sith had seized it. We relocated to a nearby nebula."

Well, that rounded it down to... Almost nothing. The Unknown Regions was rife with nebulas... Or nebulae, who even cared, he was a political figure now, not a professor.

"Very well."

"However, we do not have the weapons to employ this tool."

And to that, Maurice smirked before touching his comm.

 

[Zmej Ren]

Location: Rakata Beta
Objective: 1
Post: 9


The Rakata were strange creatures.

Crouching, the disciple of Ren watched one such alien squirm and gurgle, a gaping hole vaporized into its stomach – the perpetrator being none other than the Ren’s burning lightsaber. Soldiers no longer rested in cover, focused on helping their wounded or adding a finishing touch here and there. The fight ended with two dead on the First Order’s side, about ten times more for the surprised insurgents. Last few shots barked here and there, dropping any stragglers who continued in their doomed quest, failing to realize they have been crushed. Any runners have been shot in the back this time, making the fate of this resistance cell a mystery to others. Several have attempted to find refuge in the makeshift base that was little more than a hole carved into the ground. Bundled together, the group presented a tasty treat when a thermal detonator rolled inside, eliciting panicked screams before silence settled in. Only last few Rakata remained; the wounded, such as the one lying in front of Zmej.

Slowly, the tip of her blade neared the alien’s protruded eyes. A brief motion, yet unbearably slow to the victim once the superheated plasma contacted both eye bulbs and made them pop. More squirming, screams, moans, swiftly ended with Zmej’s foot landing on the Rakata’s neck and applying pressure until an audible crack reached her ears. Immense satisfaction kissed her soul upon the act, as if all frustration vanished that very moment. Wearing a wolfish grin beneath the helmet, Zmej turned, observing the white armoured figures finish off the wounded enemies as well. Deaths spilled into the Force like black paint, adding darkness to the mythical currents. The Ren strolled amidst the carnage, paying a brief visit to the cave where many have been vaporized by the thermal detonator. Yellow gaze washed over heaps of supplies stored around, strange looking weaponry and energy packs arranged in orderly fashion.

Smooth, organized motions brought the dark clad body over the smoking heaps of flesh that used to be sentients. On a table within the room’s corner slept a poorly concealed holoprojector, covered in shadows. Curious fingers played with the device, switching it on to paint a shimmering, ghost blue map of the area in the air. Blinking dots signed several points of interests. New targets to raze. Memorizing each location, Zmej turned the device off and emerged back into the daylight, witnessing the first signs of sunset paint the sky red.

“Burn the bodies. We’ll stay here for the day.”

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Objective: Build a spaceport in an industrial area
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Unknown
Post: 12/20

Dunames estimated the cost of rebuilding the spaceport at about 80 million credits and hopes to spend no more than that to get Rakata Beta back into the spaceport circuit. It was supposed to be capable of handling 20 million tons of cargo a year, perhaps even more than that. Sure it isn't as big in tarmac space as Spaceport Derretowa on Morellia, or doesn't have the number of docking bays of Ringo Vinda, but that one was already a lot for the future needs of the planet. However, the control tower has had a few cracks in the inner walls, no more than that though. That was also one of the big priorities of the project: even if the terminal was only operating 20% of its planned capacity, 10% even, an operational control tower was still necessary: every Star Tours staffer and their dogs knew how crucial an operational control tower was. For those people who had served on capital ships in the navy before settling for a civilian life, the insides of a control tower were just like a CIC (for those ships that had but a sliver of a chance to be someone's flagship, however slim).

"Do we have a spare tactical display?" the control tower foreman asked over comms.

"What for?"

"The control tower's equipment is outdated, out of order"

"I'll have to order one: we don't have one left onboard"

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Infinite City - Rakata Beta

Imperial Shuttle Caliban broke through the atmosphere with ease finding little in the way of anti-air, the pilot pushed down on the stick. The shuttle's guns focused on rooftops, the Rakatan may not have had anti-air but they were wielding missile launchers just the same. Banking right he tore through a few lines of Rakatans before they could get a shot off. "We're going in hot, on my mark you'll need to disembark quickly. I'm setting you down as close to the capital building as I can."

Angrily the shuttle moves through the open sky and toward the narrows of buildings as Rakatan forces began firing, taking pot shots with their blasters. A landing pad - meant for something a little smaller than the shuttle was up ahead and it would have to do. "Three, two - go, go, go." The pilot ordered in between spurts of turbolaser cannon fire ordering the diplomats and stormtroopers off the shuttle all the same. Valessia ran down the ramp after the stormtroopers. "This way, we need to get to the capital building." Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Rakatan forces. "Up ahead, thermal!" The small cylindrical weapon rotated in the air hurling toward the group - it was overshot, going behind them. Meaning they had to run in about two seconds before it made contact with the landing pad as the shuttle manages to get away.

Rakata Beta System - Fleet Battle

Outdated Fringe Confederation vessels roared against the First Empire, but their bark had little bite against the First Order's Armada. "Focus fire and make them regret this day!" Captain Sturgeon shouted as Task Force 23 reconfigured itself. With the FIV Subjugator and the Ruination among their number, it was obvious that this attempt to repel First Order forces had been made in vain. Sturgeon ordered the task force into familiar Imperial lines boldly diving in between Rakatan lines. Weapons making short work of Fringe shield technology that had not been properly put back together. It seems as if the Rakatans had been tipped off, and it made Sturgeon wonder who would have informed the Rakatan nationals that they were approaching. No matter, they would be done with the Rakatans all the same. He admired their tenacity however and wondered if a deal could be made with them yet, well, with the survivors anyway. If there were any to be had after the battle.

Knights of Ren - On the Surface

Rakatan ground forces grow more aggressive and soon force sensitive Rakatans and their ancient Infinite empire technology begin to surface against the Knights of Ren.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JnbEohKD3w[/media]​

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[member="Gunther Creed"] | [member="Kriel Ren"] | [member="Perth Levov"] | [member="Aran Piett"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]| [member="Nisha Skaiyr"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Jarven Zexxel"] | [member="Zmej Ren"] | @Jaina Ventor | [member="Quin Leeman"] | [member="Pharazon Draken"] | [member="Soleil Ishtar"] | [member="Dunames Lopez"] | [member="Varus Ren"] | @Everyone​

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FIRST ORDER AND RAKATAN FORCE CLASH FOR DOMINANCE OVER THE PLANET, MEANWHILE A SHUTTLE BEARING DIPLOMATS AND STORMTROOPERS ALONG WITH DOCTOR IRAJAH VEN TOUCHES DOWN NEAR THE CAPITAL BUILDING. THE KNIGHTS OF REN ON THE GROUND FACE AN EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE OPPONENT WHO INTEND TO GUARD THE SECRETS OF THEIR ANCESTORS TO THE DEATH...​

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

​

"...And further more, with the grand aid of the Clan of Infinitum, we shall graciously allow the First Order access to our docks, provided that we obtain access to City Hall. After all, someone as important as myself should always be allowed in on important day to day tasks, without being escorted out by security, as I see fit in return for such a profitable opportunity. As a matter of fact, that reminds me..."

He wouldn't stop. Elias simply wouldn't keep droning on about every detail. Naturally, the broad strokes had been covered and everything was recorded. Jarven couldn't take it any longer. He interrupted Elias.

"Listen, Avery. This has been fun and all, but I have better things to do. How about we skip to the part where I pay you the proposed support money and we both go about our d--..."

Jarven paused in surprise when he opened the briefcase that FOSB had given him. There wasn't credits in here...It was a bomb. It wasn't set to go off or anything. It was simply waiting to be armed and detonated. Jarven quickly thought over the new situation as Elias tried, unsuccessfully, to get his attention. Clearly, the FOSB wanted someone like Elias removed from the picture, rather than co-opted into the new order. Gauging Elias usefulness (or lack thereof) and taking into account the bass ackwards nature of this planet, Jarven clearly saw why they had decided on a bomb instead of an alliance.

He simply wish they had told him. Jarven stood up, set the briefcase on Elias' desk, leaned over, grabbed Elias' shoulder and slammed Elias' face into the desk with extreme prejudice, knocking him out...but, not before Elias made plenty of outraged noises. The door opened quickly and two guards rushed in. Jarven picked up and threw his chair at the first guard. As that guard stumbled back into the second, Jarven lurched forward, kicked the guard out the door and over the second floor railing. Jarven then socked the second guard firmly on the jaw right after the first guard passed the guy by.

Jarven set the bomb to explode in 15 seconds. As soon as the countdown started, he double jumped out the window, floated to the ground via grav chute and took off running as the bomb exploded. It wasn't long after that a chain of secondary explosions rocked the docks as Jarven escaped back to home base.

 

[Aran Piett]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Bring your own Objective: Show of force to Rakata Guerilla Forces​

Location:FIV Subjugator​

Post: 2​

[member="Jaina Ventor"]​

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

​

With the Subjugator in position, it was now time to allow the ground forces to do their job, and then send the coordinates for the surgical strikes of the laser cannons. Things were looking good for the operation.​

​

"Comms send word to the ground forces to make their assault, we will await their coordinates for the strikes."​

​

"Aye sir, sending the good code right now."​

​

It was now just a matter of time before these guerilla forces were taken care of, and the planet would be safe for First Order personnel to come and work in the factories. Hopefully this operation wouldn't take too many ground casualties, as this relied heavily on the FOSB forces to get in, set the target and get out. Though it wasn't out of their league, Aran didn't know what was in store for them on the ground, so all he could do is wait for the orders for the strike.​

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Objective: #1
Post: 3

"Yes, sir." Without question she turned and srode to her section of the woods, motioning for her three troopers to fan out. She doubted the path she'd been given would be an easy one. Her master would seek to test her new skills as well as to see how she handled the task on her own. She entered the tree line just after the firsttrooper, staying a fair distane from the white armored soldier. Anoher trooper flanked her on the left side, the third, covering their backs. She nodded and sent her awareness out, searching the woods with the force.

The troopers accompanying her were mere blips of resence in the force, almost the same auras as the trees surrouning them. Her master and the other disciple though, they burned bright with potential and Force energies. She smiled, comforted that she could sense them on the edges of her awareness. Shifting her focus to the path ahead of her, she moved silently through the mass of roots, uneven ground, and brush, the terrain oddly similar to the piles of rock, disguarded technology, and filth, she'd grown up in. She was pleasantly surprised by the trooper's ability to move through the blanket of trees almostas wellas she could. Slight crunching of leaves under foot anoccasional clank of armor moving was the only sign of their passing.

They travelled for a decent lngth before she slowed them with a closed fist. The trooper to her side moved slightly closer as the scout ahead continued towards the building threat. Ara felt a small group of signatures different from their surroundings, a group of Rakatans sent to protect their ancient artifacts no doubt. She grinned wickedly and removed her saber hilt from its place on her belt. Time to put her training to the test. She signalled to her companions, 5 force signatures, one slightly stronger than the other. They had a force sensitivte amoung them. Her grin widened and she stepped forward, spin straight, no longer paying head to the sound her boots made as she travelled the short distance to meet the group.

Shots rang out shortly before she activated her saber, the two troopers who had staye abck with her, raising their weapons and rushing in to assist their fellow soldier. Two Rakatan bodies already littered the small clearing the natives had planned to use to ambush the group. A volley of fire rang out from the far tree line as they fired back, using the massive trunks as cover. As she watched, a Rakatan soldier went down with a shot to his chest, a primal scream raising the hairs on her neck and sening her blood singing with the joy of battle.

She signalled for the troopers to focus on the enemy to the left, she would take the one hiding to the right. Activating her saber, she stepped forward, ignoring the volley of blaster fire.

Ara focused on the lessons of her master, feeling the force energies around them and pullin it to her. She felt the warning before the trigger was even pulled, her blade swingining up in a wide arc to meet the blaster shot meant for her shoulder. Her movements felt stiff at first, her blade barely deflecting the shots aimed at her torso and face. She warmed up quickly, moving closer to her target with each slow step. She wated to savor this moment, as the sounds of battle faded behind her, the troopers having quickly overtaken their foe. Dutifully they waited asthe disciple took her time, identifying each move as the outer ring defenses she'd been taught. When she felt comortable with each swing, she decided it was time to stop playing with her prey and finish. The Rakatan scrambled as she covered the ground between them in a few quick strides, bringing her blade up in a large arc, effectively removing hand, and weapon, from it's owner. A quick thrust send her blade home, sliding easily between the fourth and fifth ribs.

She watched as shock and pain crossed his face, the emotions fading from his face as his breath left his body. Her blood sang as the Force pulse with the darkness of the death. All around them, more deahs rang out in the force, signalling their victories over the native aliens. She deactivated her saber but kept it in hand, she could feel more force signatures ahead. A larger group, with Force users awaited them. "There are more ahead. Be prepared. Shall we show them the might of the Supreme Leader?"

She did not wait for an answer but strode ahead, back straight, head held high. Battle rage in the forest around them and she thrived n the screams of the dead and dying.

[member="Kriel Firin"] | [member="Perth Levov"]

 

[Pharazon Draken]

[SIZE=11pt]Location: Infinite City, En route to the capital building[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Objective #: 2/4[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Post #: 4 [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As went the saying concerning the galaxy’s best laid military plans, none survived first contact with the enemy. Before the stormtroopers and their diplomatic charges had even landed the shuttle had been forced to open fire upon rooftop attackers threatening to end the diplomatic mission before it had even begun. Pharazon heard the pilot’s directive and adopted it immediately, better living diplomats and an [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]insecure[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] landing site than a smoldering pile of blaster burnt corpses by Pharazon’s reckoning. The moment the shuttle touched down the entirety of 4th Platoon was surging down the landing ramp, blaster rifles ready to eliminate any Rakata that found itself within the sights of a stormtrooper. The thumping of their boots was quickly overwhelmed by the cracking and snapping screams and booms of blaster fire. A disciplined and precise torrent of burning death was being unleashed by the stormtroopers of 4th Platoon as they rapidly surged forth to establish a makeshift initial [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]perimeter[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] for the diplomats as they poured out of the shuttle immediately after them. Pharazon knew that as soon as the last official was off the shuttle they had to move fast toward the capitol building, if they were pinned down Pharazon knew he could not ensure the survival of the diplomats and their vital mission.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Pharazon was at the head of his men as they stormed across the pavement, brutally, efficiently, and horrifically accurately he belched bolt after bolt of crimson death into their Rakata foes. He blasted one who had survived the shuttle’s terrifying volley atop a building and contemptuously watched its body fall smoldering to the immovable pavement below as he blasted the eyestalked head from another that had thought to charge them. The brilliantly white armoured stormtroopers fanned out by squad, each covering a separate area to ensure that no Rakata could easily target the diplomats rather than them without risking imminent death.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As the last of the diplomats and other staff made their way out of the shuttle and onto the landing pad Pharazon cursed mentally as he saw the detonator soaring through the air, its owner having thrown it and disappeared.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Incoming, clear the pad!” Roared Pharazon over his platoon comlink and helmet speakers for the benefit of the non-helmeted among them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Diplomat and stormtrooper alike scrambled to get clear of the imminent explosion to their rear. The shuttle roared as it barely managed to escape the blast zone. With a thunderous boom the detonator exploded, causing a veritable storm of duracrete shards to cascade out in all directions as it vaporised the area that had once been a landing pad. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A blaster bolt slammed into the building wall next to where Pharazon had taken cover briefly. We cannot stay here [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Pharazon thought rapidly devising a plan for them to fire and advance on the capital building, hopefully without dying in the process. But as luck would have it before Pharazon could even give voice to his next order, Ambassador Brentioch decisively ordered their advance on the capital building and began to lead the way. He also watched as Platoon Sergeant Remus Cain, his protege of a sorts, send an imperial detonator into a building window on a floor packed with Rakata insurgents raining fire down upon the beleaguered imperial procession. The floor then exploded as body parts and flames burst from the windows.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Refusing to be entirely upstaged by this dauntless and capable Ambassador, however, Pharazon rapidly barked out orders to his men and ‘suggestions’ to the diplomats and other non-military officials and experts like the intrepid Doctor Ven.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Squads one and two form up and the front, squads three through five, fan out around the diplomats to the sides and rear, I want no angle of attack uncovered” he ordered firmly and decisively.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I would advise all non-military personnel to keep their heads down, keep moving, and if you are armed to fire at your own discretion” Pharazon finished, attempting to rein in his aggression when talking to those not in his platoon. They were in the middle of a combat operation but Pharazon knew when aggression was useful but also when diplomacy was necessary.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He watched as his men formed up around the diplomatic corp and move as cohesive units facing in almost all directions and keeping deadly accurate fire and pressure on the Rakata. Several of his troopers had been hit to minor degrees, but for every injury these former oppressors of humanity gave 4th Platoon the grenadiers spat death back in reprisal. Seeing that his men were in position and all of his charges had moved away from the landing pad as fast as they could have run, Pharazon gave the order to his men to begin the advance.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Go, go, go! stay in formation and do not stop!” Pharazon roared as he and 4th Platoon surged forward with Pharazon and the Ambassador leading the way to the capital building. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Woe to any Rakata between us and our destiny, I am the wroth of humanity, the vengeful revenant made manifest of billions murdered, I will not be denied Pharazon darkly waxed rhetorically. They would not be stopped, this world would be theirs, it was their birthright and the revenge of all species enslaved by the Rakata, the conquered had become the conquerors.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Valessia Brentioch"] | [member="Gunther Creed"] | [member="Irajah Ven"] | [member="Jaina Ventor"] | [member="BE-183"][/SIZE]

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Objective: Build a spaceport in an industrial area
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Unknown
Post: 13/20

"Really? The same one we have? Wasnt't it recalled in the aftermath of Korriban?" the control tower foreman asked Dunames.

"Korriban was an old recall notice: now they should have a proper version suitable for traffic control"

"You may want to order a new sensor array, too"

"That, too, is going to be the same grade as we have onboard"

While a tactical display much like those used in the state-of-the-art CICs across the navies in this corner of the galaxy was ordered, Dunames was apparently overseeing the process for getting the rest of the project done, hoping that the tactical display will arrive on time, from Tatooine perhaps. If the Castameer tactical display was centered on the control tower and be used in an air traffic control mode, then surely she could get the traffic control equipment replaced on Cademimu, Lanteeb, or JanFathal? Anyhow, the work on the control tower could not be fully completed without a sensor array, a proper suite of communications equipment and a tactical display. That was going to be stuff any spaceport that size was going to need, regardless of traffic volume, unlike the white elephant-shaped museum added in as a late addition to the project. Also another crewmember is carving a life-sized sculpture of a white elephant in white marble from Lanteeb, which is nearly complete. The massive hoversled is almost ready to be hauled in position where the white elephant statue is to be: in front of the main entrance of the finished spaceport.

"Now, what's up with everyone making such a big deal about white elephants?" Dunames asked the would-be artist.

"After Mindabaal, Mr. Mallidan gave us a slab of white Lanteeb marble for sculpture purposes so that we can have artwork in the next spaceport we rebuild"

"He did that?"