For a Purse - Republic Dominion of Cato Neimoidia

[The End Narrator]

The 7th Fleet would come out of hyperspace with an explosive force of dispersed energy and a cinematic flare that would befit its legendary status. Alarice stood on the deck of the Dauntless, an MC-180 Remembrance Class Battlecruiser, flanked by several different ships of various shapes and sizes. The fleet was somewhat impressive, considering the circumstances – enough firepower to handle any occupying forces or even alien forces that might have snuck their way into the Galaxy during this strange event that managed to suck away life and put it somewhere.

She looked at the gem that was Cato Neimoidia, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked to Lieutenant Saverin, nodding softly. “Master Rekali, Master Grade, if you would."

The Lieutenant nodded softly and patched the communications line through to the Jedi Master waiting in the hanger bay. Admiral Mollari would return her gaze to the viewport, staring out at the rag-tag fleet that orbited Cato Neimoidia. A frown would come across her lips as she stared at the lead ship, it appeared to be an older class vessel - one she had seen once at the Battle of Coruscant. She took a step back and moved towards the TACOP Station and gestured towards the apparent flagship.

"Identify that vessel." She said in a deadpan voice. The younger officer nodded and began running a full scan over the wedged shaped starship in the distance.

THE TACOP Lieutenant gestured to the screen when the scan was complete. "According to the database, it is the Decimator." She brought up list of known sightings. "It was seen at the Battle of Couscant and Carida." She turned to look at Alarice. "Both of which you were present ma'am."

Alarice leaned back and brought a hand up to her chin, rubbing it gently. "Interesting." She gestured towards the vessel in the distance. "Either that is an ex-One Sith officer commanding that vessel or they stole it from their junkyard." She chuckled softly. "Either way, it's an eight-hundred year old piece of junk..."

Spoiler

Destroy the pirate fleet orbiting Cato Neimoidia
Secure the Ruling Council members from Pirate Lords
Assist in reestablishing communications and defensive measures

 

[Placeholder 0123]

Cato Nemodian of was the next target. Graxin knew nothing about the world, and he did not care. His duty was to serve and nothing more. To give reason for all the bloodshed in the war this far, and justify the death of so many young men and women when their parents asked why he had drawn Ession into the war.

To help their allies he had said. To maintain peace and democracy in the galaxy he had said. To stop the Sith menace he had said.

They were all empty promises. It was all he could do now to help the Republic rebuild before returning to Naboo. After that, he would choose his own end. It was only fitting.

The masked Jedi Master stood near the dropships, awaiting Admiral @Allarice Mollari's word. A small team of Peacekeepers stood with him.

"We're ready to move on your word, admiral." He keyed into the comm.

 

[The End Narrator]

"Master Rade - you're clear to move out. Secure the Ruling Council - expect heavy resistance." She spoke through the comlink as she turned towards her TACOPs officer. "Deploy the fleet, open a channel to their flagship and give them a warning." She gestured to her side as she moved away. "Tell them they have ten standard minutes to pack up and if scanners don't detect hyperdrives coming online - we'll take them out of the sky." She turned back to the viewport, seating herself within the confines of the command chair.

This was going to be an interesting day indeed, probably a much more interesting one than her previous few days had been. Reports being filed, investigations into missing crew members and even the One Sith's engagement at Kuat. Things were going to be a bit hectic for a while - but this is where she found comfort and solace - in space combat.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

[Placeholder 0123]

"Keep the cad warm ma'am. We'll be back in time for lunch." Graxin replied.

The Peacekeepers had all heard the exchange, and the Republic soldiers weren't exactly left out. Graxin might not have held a military rank in the republic, but his actions had given him a certain military power. Before leaving the Republic, he had served as a stand in general, and had done the same on Kashyyk. The Republic men and women would follow him here.

"You heard the pretty lady. Off your shebs." Graxin waved his men aboard - accompanied by two other dropships full of Republic soldiers. "Spool up the drives pilot. We're green for assault, and it's going to be hairy down there. Don't get us killed, aye?"



[member="Alarice Mollari"]

 

[The End Narrator]

And so it would begin and neither the pirate fleet or the Lords holding the Ruling Purse Council would respond on the ground below. She would message the dropships that passed by the viewport, with a full compliment of fighter escort. "Master Rade - they aren't responding, which means they're preparing for an assault." She paused briefly. "Your objective stands, secure the Ruling Purse Council with no casualties.” She turned back to the TACSOP Officer and motioned.

“Deploy the fleet, line formation – extended.” She moved back to her command chair. “General quarters.” The alarm klaxons would sound as they always did, and with that the lights on the bridge would dim a bit, Alarice stared at the stagnate pirate fleet – a hand coming to her chin in thought.

What could the pirate commander be thinking? Maybe he was curious as to why the Republic has showed up suddenly? He wasn’t making a run for it so he obviously wasn’t interested in stealing from the Neimoidians…maybe it was a bad business deal from long ago.

Who really knew, these Neimoidians had a tendency to burn bridges from time to time.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian Karr came out of hyperspace in Dorin's Hope, and hit the button to disengage from the hyperspace ring that allowed the small Jedi interceptor ship to travel long distances. A general call to arms had gone out for support against pirates on Cato Neimoidia and Kian had luckily been in the area. He saw a Republic fleet ahead of him as his interceptor began to close in on the aerial battlefield ahead of him.

"Jedi Master Kian Karr hailing the Dauntless." Kian said opening up a frequency to the 7th Fleet. "Where can I be of help Admiral Mollari?" Kian said, the light interceptor bobbying and weaving across the sky. Kian still couldn't believe how fast these ships were. They had been designed for Jedi and only a Jedi could fly a J-1.

As Kian spoke he brought up the dossier that had been forwarded to him along with the request for assistance. He perused the objectives, coming up with tactical plans depending on where he was needed.

​

[member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Graxin Rade"]​

 

[The End Narrator]

Her fleet would begin to lumber forward - moving out in a line formation, expanding out as their own weapon systems would come online respectively. Each Captain would report systems green, and weapons ready as she recieved the message from Master Karr. Admiral Mollari keyed her comlink and followed the Jedi ship as it passed the viewport of the Dauntless.

"Master Karr, so glad you could join us." A shimmering blue figure of the Kel Dor Jedi Master would appear before her, she always found their race interesting and suspicious at the same time. Never truly able to examine their facial features or expressions - except beyond the eyes. Maybe that is how they could be read, the muscle structure above their "nose" so to speak. Anything denoting anger or even fear - she allowed herself a chuckle and pointed towards the planet to which he could not see on the holo.

"If you care to engage the ruffian fleet you're headed for, by all means - the fighters could use some Jedi leadership or you can go down to the planet and assist in the communications issue they're having down there." She motioned as she leaned back. "The choice is yours."

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"Consider those communications back up!" Kian said peeling off from the fleet and making his way toward the planets surface. Kian had spent his time with the Jedi as a Shadow. That had meant that he was use to working on his own and sneaking into places....even hostile ones. Given a choice between a dog fight and an infiltration job, Kian would always take the infiltration job.

First thing first was getting on the ground and getting the communications up, then he would have to worry about working on getting the ground defenses up. If they could seize control of those systems as well, the pirates were as good as beaten.

Moving at the speed Kian was moving, he cut through the atmosphere and immediately went into evasive actions, avoiding the enemy fire that was suddenly being pored at Kian as he broke into the skies above Cato Neimoidia. These pirates were getting bold. Kian had delt with pirates once before as a padawan, but hadn't had many dealings with them since. His duties always seemed to have him focused on the Sith.

"Where should we land?" Kian said to his R9 series astromech droid. There was a tirade of beeps and tweets from the droid and words flashed across Kian's tactical display.

"Sounds good." Kian said glancing at the display. The droid had recommended a small, private landing pad that wasn't far from the communications hub. It had the added benefit to being somewhat secluded from the areas the Pirates currently controlled, though he wasn't foolish enough to think it was going to be that easy. Kian put the ship in line with the landing pad and went about putting the ship down. No sooner had it touched down, Kian was in motion, his lightsaber in hand he leapt from the cockpit and down to the landing pad, his yellow blade igniting. He looked about, and when he was certain there wasn't any enemy present, he shut down the blade and made his way toward the exit.

[member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Graxin Rade"]​

 

[Placeholder 0123]

"Understood Admiral. Happy hunting."

The dropships lifted from the hanger bay of the Admiral's ship, and shot out toward open space. Seeing a fighting force deployed down to the planet below would likely make up the pirates' collective mind - they could surrender, or crumble under the Republic war machine.

A war machine that barely ran as of late. Morale was low and reports of the One Sith moving on Corellia only served to dampen hopes of turning the war around. Recovering Alderaan had been a plus, and Graxin was infinitely pleased to have been apart of it, but things were still looking quite bleak.

"Set your weapons to stun. We're here to secure the council, not to slot them." He ordered through the raspy filter on his helmet.

There was a synchronized click as every man and women toggled off the lethality of their weapons.

The dropships hurtled rapidly toward Cato Nemodia, and would be upon the Purse Council in minutes. Graxin took the moment he had remaining off comm capability to tune in [member="Kian Karr"]'s frequency. He had fought alongside the Jedi when he was only a Knight on Csilla, as well as Ekul Selah.

But Ekul was dead now. A lot of people were.

"Master Karr. My people will be moving to deal with the council. Once you've finished with the comms, I would appreciate your help."

And then he was out of range. The Archlord breathed a heavy sigh, and slumped back against the bulkhead.

"Sir?"

"I'm fine-" He paused to read the young man's rank. "-Specialist. Just meditating. Jedi trick."

"Of course sir. We'll be arriving in five. We'll try not to bother you."

"No, no it's alright." Graxin forced himself back up to his feet. It had been so long since he had just sat down, but he couldn't alienate the men. Even if they weren't Peacekeepers. "We'll make a day of it. Have you ever seen a Neimodian turn blue? It makes for a good story."






[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"]

 

[Jannik Morlandt]

It was from one thing and onto the next. After retrieving his padawan from the orbit of Commenor, it made undeniable sense to aid in the continued safety of Cato Neimoidia once he got the news that some of those remaining in the fold of the Republic, those that had not vanished, were doing so. Just because he'd been out of sight hardly meant he was out of the loop. The brunt of his affiliations still involved the Republic, but otherwise involved the Jedi outside of that and perhaps some other interests. Lately, the sum of it was that wherever Chloe went, so had he.

The Aurora Hawk blipped out of hyperspace and into existence over Cato Neimoidia, perhaps a little cozy with the Seventh Fleet in its position. Reflexes that were still not fully ingrained worked in his favour as he moved the vessel a little bit off, putting a safe distance between himself and the Dauntless, and the back-end of Dorin's Hope (recognizing it for its usual contents of one Master Karr) as it broke off and headed planetside, making him briefly curious what the Kel Dor master was up to, and made him remember how long it'd been since he last set foot on soil. He'd get better at that hyperspace exit thing eventually, and usually he was just a little better with the aid of the Force. This day was a little trying on that account, to be certain.

"Well, Choli," he said in a raised voice - doubtless she was eyeing up parts of the ship most relevant to her interests, "we're here. Life waits for no soul. It's on to the next thing." Settled comfortably away from rubbing up against other vessels and wasting little more time, he opened a frequency to the Seventh Fleet. "Dauntless, this is Jedi Knight Jannik Morlandt and... Padawan Choli Vyn aboard the Aurora Hawk."

He glanced sidelong at the young, mechanically inclined Choli, who'd come to join him in the cockpit.

"Admiral Mollari... If it's alright with you, we'll link up with Master Karr."

​

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Graxin Rade"] | [member="Choli Vyn"]​

 

[Kian Karr]

The Art of the Small was something that Kian had learned at the hands of the Jedi Grandmaster, and while he wasn't as skilled in the art as Kiskla Grayson, Kian had been working on increasing his abilities in it since that time. Using that skill now, Kian moved silently through the city. He still kept to the shadows of the building, just to be safe.

Kian could see the communication hub in the distance. He was almost there. His lightsaber was clutched, inactive, in his right hand, his dark black hood pulled up overing his face. Kian wore his typical Jedi Shadow robes rather than the heavier Shadow Armor that he often war into battle. This was the sort of work where one needed to be stealthy, not armored.

Then Kian heard Graxin over the comm systems and smiled. He had fought with the man once before, and though Kian didn't know him well, he was glad to have someone whose fighting skills he had seen along for the mission. "Copy that." Kian said in response. "I'll work on communications, then see what I can do about the defense grid...then I'm enroute to you guys." Kian said hoping more would be arriving soon.

Kian, seeing a patrol of pirates coming, braced his legs and put the force into his leap, taking him up and over the wall, landing softly on the roof of the building he was standing next too. Kian was still getting use to the weird feeling he felt when he used the force. He could still manipulate the force, but it was.....different, and certainly less powerful.

Darting forward along the roof top, Kian made his way toward the communication hub. So far he hadn't meet much resistance, but that all changed when he reached the edge of the building. Damn. Kian thought to himself when he saw the line of armed guards blocking the main entrance. How was he going to get past them?

Then Kian heard a transmission and the arrival of [member="Jannik Morlandt"]. Kian smiled brightly beneath his mask. Opening a comm channel, Kian connected to them.

"Jannik, good to see you've made it. I'm patching through my coordinates now. I'm actually bogged down and looking for a distraction....think you and your apprentice can do something about that?" Kian asked peaking back over the rooftop and down at the pirates beneath. Kian might have been able to get past them, or even beat them on his own, but he certainly wasn't going to chance it if help was readily available. Kian preferred not to take risks.

[member="Graxin Rade"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Choli Vyn"]​

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

These days were making her feel more and more like she was back in the founding days of the Rebellion, scrambling to worlds near and far to acquire support from those who wanted protection from the imposing powers that sought to destroy the galaxy. And, in reality, it really was not that much different. She had been political then, and more so political now.

And communications was key. The Rebels had done these exact same things--securing the people, and securing the Holonet for control of the radiowaves. She hated to admit it, but media was key.

Hawking downwards towards the surface of this influential world, Lasedri's dark blockade runner, Intangible, made its way towards the ambassadorial spaceport under escort of three StealthX fighters. The Republic was 'officially' here.

 

[The End Narrator]

“Aurora Hawk – this is the Dauntless, Admiral Mollari says happy hunting and may the Force be with you both.” The voice of a communications engineer would chime in over the comlink channel of the starship Aurora Hawk as it passed through the defensive line of the 7th Fleet. Alarice was busy barking orders to various crew members as they approached the front-lines of the priate fleet and almost immediately, the rag tag fleet opened fire on the more superior Republic vessels.

The impact of turbolaser fire upon the shields of the Dauntless were amicable but nothing that concerned Alarice, she watched calmly before she turned to the TACOPS Lieutenant. “Launch all fighters – four by four wedge formation.” She gestured towards the Decimator. “Bombers run middle ground between escorts wedge.” She moved closer to the viewport. “Concentrate all runs on that Star Destroyer bridge.” She moved to the left and spoke through the comlink channel, a holo of another woman in a Republic uniform appearing before her. “Captain Leina, have the Feora and Liberator move forward, point 475…approach the flank of that Carrack class and destroy it.”

The female Captain would simply bow and the eyes of Alarice would shift up to watch as the Avenger Class and the Freedom Class Frigate would move from the defense line and advance on the Carrack Class Cruiser and her support gunships, two very old Corellian class ships. Alarice turned her gaze back to the Decimator – why would this fool continue to stay here? Was it a trick? Did he perhaps have a more powerful vessel at hand?

….No…wait.

She turned quickly and shouted to the second TACOPs Lieutenant – “Scan that ship again!”

[member="Jannik Morlandt"] | [member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Graxin Rade"]

 

[The End Narrator]

"That it does..." chimed in November as she looked up from her seat. "I enjoy it especially when they begin stammering..." She chuckled softly. "At that point, they are hard to understand and you have to force them to slow down." She made a shooting gesture. "I'm joking of course." She nudged a trooper close to her, a new guy by the looks of it - one who gave her a stare of disbelief. "The Neimoidians are very slippery and won't hesitate to stab you in the back if they can see a profit from it, I wouldn't be surprised if we run into some Sith resistance of some kind down there."

A shrug would roll off her shoulders as she chuckled. It wasn't like November to really joke, but considering the state of things and how it could be worse, why not? She could be in far worse places than where she was now - far worse places.

Her gaze shifted from the young trooper up to [member="Graxin Rade"], a slender eyebrow raising as she motioned to him. "Don't have much time before we reach the city and the drop zone - mind telling me what brought you onboard?"

 

[Jannik Morlandt]

"You and me both, Dauntless."

With that, the channel was closed as he veered off, making for the planet, bolting right through the far edge of screen that the rag-tag fleet presented, evading what he could and shooting what he otherwise could not, and with little fanfare made it through the atmosphere of Cato as the transmission from his friend came in, along with coordinates, and a request. Thinking it over a moment, he came back with a response.

"We'd be glad to," the blossoming grin was evident in his voice, "I'd suggest securing your hat, my friend... and maybe plugging your ears."

Another channel closed, he pushed the 'Hawk into a sharp descent.

"Hold on, Choli!"

And he arced hard into the vicinity, lowering the vessel quite a bit closer to the line of buildings than was probably considered safe for quite the rattling, thundering, undeniably disorienting buzz of anyone nearby, passing quickly through the area, then pulling up and away. He hoped that helped, because it sure as hell was fun. Yet another side effect of his reformed psyche - nerves of steel.

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Graxin Rade"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="November Sinclair"] | [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Choli Vyn"]​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian was glad to hear that Jannik would be helping, but was a bit confused when he made reference to securing his hat and plugging his ears. Then Kian saw them. Coming in hot in the ship.

Crazy son of a....Kian thought as he dropped down on the roof and covered his ears. The building around him shook from the proximity of the ship and the sound was deafening. Kian recovered fast though, faster then the pirates who had scrambled behind cover and were picking at ears that were ringing. Coming to his feet he hit the edge of the roof without even bothering to look down, and leapt across the gap between both buildings.

The pirates below, too busy searching for the plan or hiding from assumed fire, never even bothered to look up to see the Kel Dor flying through the air and onto the ledge of the building. Kian froze for a moment, confirming that none had noticed him and wormed his way around to the back of the building. Pulling his lightsaber, Kian ignited the blade and began cutting his way into the building.

"Thanks!" Kian said into his comm, "I'll get into the communication hub and take care of the communications. Do you two want to rendezvous at the defense grid?" Kian asked. "You two can start clearing the place. Once we have control of the defenses and the communications, Graxin has requested aid in securing the council." Kian said as he cut the last few centimeters and pulled the duracrete wall piece away with the force.

Kian deactivated his lightsaber and slipped into the opening. "Ten credits says you can't take control of the defense grid before I get there?" Kian said smugly with a cocky smile on his face.

[member="Jannik Morlandt"] | [member="Graxin Rade"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Choli Vyn"] | [member="November Sinclair"]​

 

[Placeholder 0123]

Graxin allowed himself a bit of amusement at the exchange between November and the soldiers. He folded his arms over his chest, and watched in silent as they drew closer to the Purse Council's location. He lofted a brow as the woman spoke, though his expression was thankfully hidden by his mask.

The ruler of Ession was never to appear in public with his or her face uncovered. It was an age old tradition, and one Graxin did not intend to silly for his own comfort.

"Why?" He asked quietly. No one ever asked why he helped the Republic - not a soul. "I don't know. Ession has little stake in this war now. We lost more men fighting for your people on Kashhyyk than the entire population of the Republic garrison there. We've given enough of our blood."

He tileted his head back to look at the handful of Peacekeepers in the shuttle. They were all volunteers now. The remains of the one proud military force had been recalled back to Ession in light of the recent crisis to keep it safe. A token few had remained to help the Republic secure its lands.

"My people need allies, and we never left the Republic. Perhaps we will have a senator at your meetings one day. Perhaps the Jedi who have taken shelter on our world will walk the halls of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant again. Maybe not in our life time, but we hope for these things. For our children at the least."

The ship began to shake as it broke through the atmosphere. Graxin reached up for a handrail, and tilted his head toward November. "And I have to make sure my people died for something on Kashhyyk and Prakith."



[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Alarice Mollari"] | [member="Jannik Morlandt"] | [member="November Sinclair"]

 

[The End Narrator]

"I wasn't there...but the Jedi Temple was destroyed..." She gestured lightly. It came down to the truth that Darron Wraith had collapsed the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Maybe, it was a display of power or maybe to prevent the Sith from getting it whole...no one would know. She bet [member="Graxin Rade"] knew that but it wasn't going to hurt to bring it up.

He was murdered, that she did remember. Ugly broadcast too.

November shrugged and resumed loading her rifle. "Maybe, I'd like to see Coruscant again some day."

A bit of a lie, she had been on 1313 when the Sith invaded Kashyyyk, but that wasn't like being on the surface.

"Regardless of what happend, I'm sorry for your loss. Let's try to get this done quick and make their sacrifice not in vain, huh?" She offered to him wit a quick glance before looking back down at her rifle.

[member="Kian Karr"] - [member="Jannik Morlandt"]
OOC - on phone. excuses typos.

 

[Thane Drexel]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

Piloting one of the SteathX escorts, Thane checked his systems for a final approach.

"All wings report status. Landing pattern. No one lands until Lady Lasedri is on the ground. Commander Lasedri we got you on approach. See you on the ground."

The Galaxy had gone to the can and now it was time to clean up. Thane had been lucky enough to not be one of those who disappeared. So he stayed by his best allies side. Geneviève was his best ally, six years after the massacre of Makeb had bonded Thane to her cause. The escort team continued on to the landing zone.

 

[Kana Truden]

Cato Neimoidia. Now that was a planet Kana had only been on once. Long ago in a thread of time the felt long since forgotten. In a sense she could actually feel really bad about it. Perhaps in it’s own way it was Kana’s fault for forgetting, but she hardly was the only one who had been there.

Still, this was no place for idle daydreaming. People were still gone and the images of Alderaan still burned. The Republic still had relief efforts to run all over the galaxy and Cato was definitely on the priority list.

In her absence she had been appointed a task for today. Defense grids. Perhaps it was the Order who had spoke of her thing for using electronics and devices, or maybe it was just sheer luck. Did it matter? No. She was here to help and that was good enough.

A familiar voice echoed in her comlink as she set foot on Cato. It was Kian and Jannik, a challenge was issued.

“Make it double and I’ll show you wrong, Dorian.” A cocky remark with enough attitude to it to clearly seep into the others headsets.

Kana pushed for the defense grid consoles and terminals.

{ [member="Choli Vyn"] | [member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Jannik Morlandt"] }​