Invasion [GA | DE] Operation Shadow Hand | GA Defense of Tython, Empress Teta, & Prakith

[Lord Kalrath]

Kaleth
Tags: Aris Noble , Zaiya Ceti , Braze

The Echani swung his blade. Kalrath didn't flinch. The old sith just let the boy cut through his mask, revealing the tattered zomboe-like flesh that lie beneath. His maw was, to say the least, disgusting, shrivled up in a way one would expect a mummified body to be. He let out a scoff.

"That could have been a killing blow," the Sith stated bluntly. "You display weakness..."

A light would shine into his eyes, a beam emmited from the colorful child, who got swept up by the other to lead her to safety. That was at least tactical. She knew she didn't stand a chance, so she did what she could to stall. The ancient Sith lord gave a nasty grin as he brushed the charred remains of his face mask off of himself. His blazing eyes looked down at the young Echani padawan, his throat clicking with dark energy.

"She's smart," Kalrath noted. "I'll kill her last."

His maw opened. A horrific, bloodchurning scream escaped from within, ripping through the air. The atmosphere became fridgid, and runes on Kalrath's tongue began to glow an unsettling yellow hue. Lightning surged out of his mouth, blasting towards the padawans and filling the room, ripping apart the walls.

 

[Detritus Ren]

Location: Tython, Kaleth Temple
Allies: NSO, Knights of Ren, Dark Side Elite
Enemies: Jedi: Jonyna Si Taam Moghul
Equipment: Ren Lightsaber, Orbalisk Armor

Detritus would await eagerly with his crackling, fiery blade within his grasp. He felt the Orbalisks dig deeper into him, as if feeding off the growing darkness that surrounded the Master of Ren. He would hear an unknown language spoken between the two Jedi Knights, while Detritus stood anxiously anticipating to begin the battle between himself and the Jedi. The Orbalisks seemed all too impatient, as they gnawed into their host while Detritus would look upon his two enemies with a disdain unlike any other. His hands gripped the hilt of the Ren tightly, as with one breath was he ready to unleash himself upon both Jedi. He held himself back, not wishing to fully give into the murderous frenzy of the parasites just yet.

First would the male Cathar say that Detritus would be the one to die, following that was the call to battle answered by none other than the female before him. He could sense the Force swirl around this one, unlike the male this one showed to be very strong in the Force. A vicious smirk appeared behind his mask, as he looked upon the two with eyes blazing yellow, steeped in the Dark Side of the Force. He stood as still as a statue, waiting to see how the Jedi would approach him, how would the first move to this deadly dance begin?

The continuous crackling of the Ren provided an eerie moment of suspense, at last did Detritus be given his wish as he watched the female Cathar Jedi strike with her own fury. Her blade was an interesting one, not all dissimilar to Force Swords of old. She would strike first with a sonic slash to which Detritus made no outright defensive move. Instead, the mad cultist would dig his heels into the dirt, as if making himself like that of a steady boulder. He placed his saber arm up in a defensive motion, but not to absorb the sonic attack with his saber, but as if to take the brunt of the blow with his whole arm.

The first strike, a sonic blast would crash right into him. Detritus would use the ample dark side energy as if adding a brace to the impact. When the sonic attack had struck his arm, the sheer force of the blast almost knocked Detritus from where he stood. The saber arm that bore the blow was bruised, blood slowly dripped as the sonic blast tore a couple layers of skin right off Detritus. He gritted his teeth, as he felt fresh pain course through him, the Orbalisks digging teeth deeper into him, feeding off the conflict, off of his own dark side energy.

Detritus had barely regained his composure as the second strike came, this time an electrical blast. There was a hint of fear, before a burst of anger had caused Detritus to extend out his free hand. The hand would take in the full force of the electrical attack, as it was absorbed into the palm of his hand, the energy coursing through his veins only for him to see the Jedi Woman come for him.

Another electrical attack came for him once more, this time through the pain felt through his saber arm, would he try to flick his wrist as if to spin the fiery blade. The spin would attempt to act as a conductor while the Ren would absorb the Lightning through his blade. Detritus would try to retaliate in kind by taking his free hand that absorbed the electrical attack, and channeling his pain into his rage would he attempt to use the Force by first summoning objects he could from the ground, then sending a barrage of large rocks, metal, and pieces of the ancient temple from millennia of decay would be sent flying towards the two, as if to overwhelm the two for a brief moment, and provide the Master of Ren an opening to retaliate against his foes.​

 

[KN-967]

Location: Empress Teta, Cinnegar East Bank
Allies: Monos | Salvor Thul | Kroeger | Thomas Barran
Enemies: Ashley Nevermore | Gress D'ran | Lycus Merita
Interacting: Jon Hojkstra | TK-818
Theme: [x]

“Never said it would be easy.” Kane said, grinning behind the white faceplate of her helmet, snapping off another burst of fire from her ARC, chewing up duracrete as the group pressed forward, deeper into Alliance territory as the group fought into the cluster of buildings. The buildings surrounded an open square, marksmen and machine gun nests, whatever other surprises the Alliance teams may have left for them such as mines and blast tubes. It had devolved into a slow grind, clearing rooms and hallways for the six troopers who had managed to cross the bridge before it fell.

A message burst over the comms traffic from Kroeger , “Ugh, your daddy is griping about your comm issues,” she said aloud, so that Jon could hear her own annoyance. “Demon. Location, east bank, approximately four clicks north east of your position, engaged behind enemy lines.” A bolt turned a fist sized chunk of duracrete near her head into powder, her return fire disrupting her report to the Commander. “Task, pushing for Maglev connect to shield generator complex. Status, total fubar but making it work.”

KN-967 slid behind cover and tore off her helmet, short blonde hair pressed down flat, stuck to her face from sweat. It revealed how young she was, fresh, green. Ice blue eyes pierced through the fog of war, cold, calculating. A slight hint of satisfaction on her smirk. “Here,” she popped out the long range comm from the inside of her helmet and tossed it to the Commando.

“Recon, trade with me.” Her trooper pulled off his own helmet and traded with her, revealing a young man much the same age as Kane as the pair swapped helmets so that he would be the one without long range communication issues. The young woman managed to slide her helmet over her head without issue, the HUD flickering back on as she quickly changed its call-sign back to her own. However, before Recon could reaffix his own helm, an Alliance marksman hit a blast-tube, allowing them to fire upon the stormtroopers from odd directions. The bolt laced out from a window and took the young man’s head clean off, leaving behind a fried stump. He dropped into a pile of meat and bones, the helmet rolling in the dirt. “I got some of his brains on me,” Kane grumbled, disgust dripping from her tone. I didn’t know he had that much in his skull, she thought callously, wiping some of the remains off the lenses of her new helmet before re-engaging with the enemy forces.

 

[Kaleb Sunwalker]

Location: Tython, Evacuation Platform
Allies: NSO, Knights of Ren, Dark Side Elite
Enemies: Jedi: Jasper Kai'el
Equipment: Lightsaber, Stygian Codex

Kaleb would continue to pace into a circle around the Jedi before him. It was clear that the man was unaware of what recently happened, or how Kaleb had been hunted from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, to out here in what he would call a barren wasteland. He was tired, exhausted, angry, and the dark whispers of the Holocron he had stolen from the Bogan Collection hadn't ceased to help with such matters. Regardless of what Kaleb had said, the man seemed unwilling to fight. How strange? Surely Kaleb could walk past him, unable to be apprehended. That would have been far too easy.

The Jedi Knight would narrow his gaze towards the man before him. Even with the ignition of Kaleb's emerald blade did the man just stand there. He had repeated that he was here for the civilians. It appeared as if there wasn't enough motivation for the man to engage Kaleb. He could feel his eye twitch as he stared at the man, as if the Jedi Knight had been offended albeit only slightly. He had been chased this deep into the Core, and now he had a chance to take his revenge.

Anger was quickly rising within the fallen Jedi as he stared at the man. "Of course you came to help..." He would say almost chillingly, as Kaleb would walk towards the crowds of people. Off in the distance would only the thunder and lightning increased in intensity. Kaleb could feel harsh winds blow against his face, the brown cloak to his tan Jedi robes would billow with the howling of the winds. If the man didn't answer his challenge so willingly then he would have to make him answer.

HURT THEM


Would Kaleb hear another eerily whisper from the Holocron. The voice sounded as cruel as a madman's lullaby as the Holocron spoke to Kaleb once more. Kaleb seemed hesitant at first, but his feet kept dragging towards the crowds of people looking to escape offworld. Kaleb had been chased, and hunted by his Order like fugitive. Days he had been given barely a respite from it all. Now he would look towards the people as the man suggested that Kaleb fight like hell.

Kaleb kept his focus on the innocent. A part of himself tried to reason that hurting others wasn't Jedi-like. The temptations of the Stygian Codex couldn't be ignored, as he had taken a moment to wrestle with his decision. He looked to the panic crowds, the wind kept gusting, as slowly he could feel the rain fall upon the Jedi Knight. Drawing upon his anger would Kaleb wish to test out his new abilities as he looked once towards the crowd, and back to the man. "Can you save them from me?" Kaleb asked, a deadly threat hidden behind his question. His focus turned back to the crowds. With both palms raised would he try to use the force to lift everything he could off the platform. Supply crates, power supplies, pieces of scrap metal and junk would lift as Kaleb sought to gather it all together to use as a weapon. He looked to the frightened crowds of people, then back to the man. A moment of hesitation came to him, while he came close to send the collective of junk as a sharpened weapon to use against the innocent. One way or the other, would the Jedi face him.​

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Kaleth
Tags: Kaleb Sunwalker

​

"Can you save them from me?" Kaleb asked, a deadly threat hidden behind his question. His focus turned back to the crowds. With both palms raised would he try to use the force to lift everything he could off the platform.

Jasper wasted no time at that moment. No more words were shared. He lifted his mechanical arm, firing three crossbow bolts from the weapon concieled within it.

<Seydan, the refugees,> he spoke into his comms.

Then he bolted for the dark Jedi, drawing his lightsaber quickly as he closed the gap. The Sentinel of Harmony would leap up above him, bringing the blade down above his opponent's head in a heavy first blow. The time for waiting was over. He had given the man the chance to walk away, but now there was no more time to spare. He hated fighting, but this is what the people needed. Jasper wasn't going to leave them to a terrible fate.

He was gonna fight like hell.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil remained silent as he stood beside his wife. He watched the Sith'ari. Watched the Force and how it flowed around him. Undeath, certainly. The Force shifted wrongly around those who had returned from the natural flow of life and death. He'd seen it much with his own father. With the undead the Sith Order brought with them on the other war front.

The rune along his spine burned. Death was the simple term for what it represented. A symbol older than even the Sith runes he'd adapted. It glowed even from under his robes in the presence of someone so powerful, yet unreturned to the flow of the Force. The rune wanted to fix what had been broken by Solipsis's revival. He reached a hand up, tracing a much more modern sequence of runes in the air. They glowed bright as he let Valery be the one to banter. If he was going to let them talk, then Kahlil was going to do a little prep work.

One by one the runes would settle on the ground around him, spreading across the area as he kept his gaze firmly on their foe. It wasn't going to be as useful as if he'd had more time to set up, but even a little prep would help.

Darth Solipsis | Valery Noble

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Kaleth Temple
Interacting with: Aris Noble | Braze | Lord Kalrath

-

Everything happened in a blur of motion.

"Gah!" Zaiya exclaimed in startled alarm as strong arms suddenly scooped her up, her world spinning as she landed with a jingle of jewelry and a grunt, her stomach pressed against Aris's shoulder. Her colorful hair swirled around her, obscuring her vision, as she found herself hanging upside down, with only the view of Aria's backside, the sound of his voice, and the subtle thrum of his energy as they touched to identify him.

Before she could gather her thoughts - and breath - Aris leaped into the air, and Zaiya felt the rush of wind and the sensation of freefall, unable to do anything but cling desperately to whatever she could find. When they finally landed, Zaiya's skin was a medley of pale yellows with gray and silver highlights in anxious alarm, her hands fisting tightly to the fabric of Aris's clothes at his back.

"I was trying to help!" Zaiya protested, her voice muffled by her hair as she struggled to push it away from her face.

"Pfft!" She attempted to brush the strands away, her heart racing with adrenaline. She was lighter than she appeared. It made sense, given her petite stature. With relief, she felt the bright light from her SSH wristband deactivate, but she still felt helpless, hanging over Aris's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Zaiya didn't want to escape, only for the others to be at risk. Her parents had sacrificed themselves to protect her. Zaiya didn't want that to happen again. Not to Aris or Braze.

Zaiya tried to lift her head up and peer around but could not see anything besides Aris's rear. Frustration and concern made Zaiya dazzle in hues of faint yellow-edged by flecks of lavender. Off to the side, she could hear the hum of Seszil hovering nearby, faithfully following Aris's command to protect her.

"Where's Braze -- gah!!!" she cried out in fright, bringing her hands up to cup her ears as a sudden, deafening bellow made the Lovalla yelp in pain. Arcs of lightning seemed to dance everywhere, and Zaiya scrunched her lids closed tightly, the nictitating membranes automatically sweeping over her eyes to protect them from the flashes of bright light and any potential debris. By now, her skin was the hue of solid pewter, broken only by the pale yellow flecks of color edged with silver, signaling the intensity of her fear at that very moment.

Poor Nana didn't make it, the lighting arcs slamming into her frame, sizzling and overwhelming her servos. She gave a choked [ Gahhaaaah---erraha] before falling in a smoking heap to the floor with a solid thud.

Spoiler: Gear

Robe and cool jewerly | BCA - Solid State Hologram Tool Band | The Babysiter Droid AKA - Nana

 

[Aris Noble]

"So is Braze. So am I. I told you we're trained to protect people, and that's what we're trying to do. You're not, so just let us-" There was a lot he was going to say. Braze had decided to try and take this challenge on his own, which was foolish enough. Seszil could protect Zaiya so at least Braze wasn't fighting an unknown Sith alone. And even Zaiya helping wasn't much of an actual hinderance.

If they had communication.

But this was too random, too spontaneous. They weren't trained to work together, and both of them sought to strike first against something they didn't know or understand. It was beyond dangerous for them. He wanted them to regroup, he wanted to shout for Braze to retreat while they still could. but as he looked over and saw the mask split and the Sith's face underneath that mask, that dreadful feeling he had worsened even further.

He didn't even have the time to jump further away. The scream came. Aris always had superior senses to others. He'd learned that it wasn't just his strength that was far above where it should be for someone his age, even as a Jedi. He could hear the fighting outside the spaceport as more and more people arrived to Tython to wage war. Now he heard nothing.

Aris didn't make a sound as everything cut out around him. Mind numbing pain, and the heavy ringing in his ears sent him straight to the ground before he knew it.

Braze | Zaiya Ceti | Lord Kalrath

 

[Ruus Kote]

Friendly Units:

• 3 squadrons of Busayr-class Heavy Assault Transports
  
  • Lead squadron: I'dadr squadron
• 3 squadrons of Jai'galaar-class Fighter-bombers (currently unavailable)
  
  • Lead squadron: Asmulr squadron
• 3 squadrons of Kyr'galaar-class Multi-role Fighters (currently unavailable)
  
  • Lead squadron: Kalikir squadron
• 1 squadron of Ram'ser-class Super-Heavy Bombers (Ash'amur)
• 2 Strill Securities Jurkad Verde Shere'shoy Mechanized Infantry companies
• 2 Strill Securities Jurkad Verde Kad b' Marev Armored Battalion companies
• Ruus Kote's HQ Company (actively engaging)

Units in Reserve:

• 2 Strill Securities Jurkad Verde Shere'shoy Mechanized Infantry companies
• 2 Strill Securities Jurkad Verde Kad b' Marev Armored Battalion companies
• Ruus Kote's HQ Company (actively engaging)

Ally Tag(s): Ashley Nevermore | Gress D'ran | Makai Dashiell | Casteel Mer'taal | Lycus Merita | Alicio Organa | Silas Westgard | Damian Du Couteau | I'dadr Gargon | Vo Pandyn | Shev Skirata | GA, MP and Allies
Enemy Tag(s): Thomas Barran | Ardana Vorco | Kroeger | Maestus | Minako Aoki-Barran | KN-967 | TK-818 | Kazian Blackwood | Jon Hojkstra | Sahar | Rath Nihro | Salvor Thul | DE and Allies

Equipment

• Armor:​
  • 'Verd'jurkad'gam'
    • Left Vambrace:
      • NML-02VTB Nano missile Launcher
      • PC-05V Plasma Caster
    • Right Vambrace:
      • TBP-01V Tractor-Pressor Beam Projector
      • MML-01V Miniaturized Missile Launcher
        • 2x Cretanr'ika-lcass Guided Plasma Micro-missile
        • 2x Striilir'ika-class Brilliant Micro-missile
    • Back Mount:
      • A-03S Verpine Shatter Autocannon
• Weapons:
  
  • B-01M Beskad
  • M-06S 'Skirata' Mra'jitr (2)
  • RP-05A Ripper Pistol w/ 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' Short Range Optic
  • AR-2CQB Verpine Assault Rifle w/ UGL-02 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher and 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' Medium Range Optic
• Explosives:
  
  • 3x CryoBan Grenades
  • 3x NOVA40 Plasma Grenade
  • 2x Smoke Grenades
  • 2x Class-A Thermal Detonator
  • 2x Det-Packs
  • Implants:
    
    • 'Verd' Enhancement Package
    • 'Gar Tkiriyr' Neural Interface

Buy'ce gal, buy'ce tal
Verbor'ad ures aliit
Mhi draar baat'i meg'parjii'se
Kote lo'shebs'ul narit.

​

Empress Teta. Now that was a world Ruus had no intention of visiting. Not that it was a particularly kadtape sprawl of urban building as far as those went, but Ruus had long accepted that he didn't belong on coreward planets like this. He sure as haran didn't want to raise his ad'ike here. Made him wonder what the haran he was doing here. Facts remained, however, that there was yet unfinished business here. Alor Kyrdol had heard from the Black Fleet that an old enemy of theirs, or what was left of it, was apparently due to make an appearance.

Ruus had been at Rhand. He had seen what they could do first hand. These shabuire weren't the Maw, but if intel was to be believed, then it was the one and the same shabuir in charge. Then there was the added fact that galactic instability tended to be very bad for business. When he'd asked Nyles Kote what in haran their alor was thinking when they were being deployed here, this was what he was told. There was no love lost between Ruus and the Galactic Alliance, and he understood that they coffers were a lot lighter than they used to be, but he had a lot of inhibitions about the vode under his command being asked to die for a public that likely lumped every Mandalorian under one category and didn't give an osik about them.

Ruus knew they needed another high profile client to keep everything as comfortable as it had been in the recent years, but he didn't know if he could. He had to, however, he knew that much. Not just for the credits, but to scratch that itch that every Mandalorian if they were being honest with themselves had, and if not him, then who the shab else?

Fleet had dropped them off and left in a hurry. This was the Protectors operation in truth, not theirs. Ruus wasn't quite sure what to make of them yet, either, but as he saw them take up their positions, he had a feeling that if nothing else they sure as haran knew what they were doing. In the vein of those who knew what the shab they were doing, he was surprised to see the Carians present. He had no idea they were still around after the fall of the Confederacy, but pleasantly surprised to see that they were still alive and kicking. There hadn't been time for a meet and greet, however, they'd gotten straight to work. If he knew the Carians, however, trouble would find them soon, or failing that, they'd make trouble.

The urban sprawl was hardly the best environment for mechanized infantry and armor traditionally, but his vode were Mandalorians, and the verticality of the urban environment allowed them to become some of the deadliest shabuire this side of the core. The thunder of distant artillery caught his attention, GA walkers if the units' sensors were accurate. Their air support bar Namor Netra's Ash'amur squadron and their transports were all busy keeping enemy fighters from attempting to support their ground forces or break through to the shield generator and bring it down. RoE stated that for the most part they couldn't bring down the sheer destructive firepower of the Ram'ser-class bombers without a clear enemy target and a confirmation that there was going to be minimal collateral. No one wanted a repeat of Rodia.

"Where the haran is Fenn when you need the di'kut and his di'kute?" snapped an obviously annoyed Mirta Kyrr over the command frequency. The twenty four squads of Mirta's mechanized infantry including her command company were roughly spread out across their portion of the frontline. The infantry were taking cover in the buildings that skirted the edges of their perimeter with the ADT-02M 'Cabur' Automated Defense Turrets of varying armament set up in vantage points. The IFV-01 Trataab'morut IFVs themselves were in the streets below, watching for any sign of enemy movement with their myriad sensor systems.

"Refit, vod, but I agree, we could have used the extra firepower," he conceded as he glanced back at the Manda tactical battlenet display at his commander's station. Aamer's tanks were holding position with commanding fields of fire down every major roadway that came through their positions, with three MBT-01D Jariler-class main battle tanks watching the two main roadways that went through their front with CHT-01D Ja'hailir-class Command Heavy Tanks coordinating their fire with the rest of the battalion. Aamer had another company of MBT-01R Jariler-class main battle tanks equipped with gyro-gimbal stabilized quad heavy MRP-01 Mass-driver Rocket Pod turrets holding back from the rest of his formation for fire support no doubt.

"Any wise words of advice before everything goes to haran, vod?" Ruus asked Kad b' Marev's dry humored usually quiet battalion commander.

"Kaminii or'kemi Oyu'baat...," chimed in Aamer on cue. Ruus let out an amused snort in response.

"I was expecting "Naas kar'galan, ne trikar, ne kar'aray!"," replied Mirta replied after a moment, sounding half-amused, half-confused.

Aamer's words turned out to be prophetic as the Manda display updated to show feeds from both Jor Kyrr's scouts darting across their frontline and the R/IS-01 'Nuhaatyc' Reconnaissance/Infantry Support Droid deployed with each infantry squad that were floating around and above their lines silently. "Haat o'r an nuhune, vode. Lenedat.Tra'cyar mav!" he snapped off over the command frequency. His two battaltion commanders didn't need to be told twice and at once the two deployed companies from each battalion snapped into action.

Ruus' HQ company held their positions as Ruus watched their positions over the battlenet, waiting to see what part of their lines would need support rather than committing to the fight carelessly. He studied the display, targeting solutions from the various deployed squads and the lines of armor engaging the enemy combat engineers with ripper rifles, class-d disruptors and verpine shatter rifles to heavy repeating rippers and verpine shatter autocannons.

Ruus was almost disappointed for a moment, but true to form, mechanical monstrosities began skittering out across no-man's land. Just when I thought they were going to disappoint us," he sighed, still transmitting over the command frequency. His 2IC, Walon Kyrdol, chuckled in response over the same line. At first, infantry weapons attempted to remedy the droids' presence, but then Aamer's tanks picked up the slack. Repeating heavy mass-drivers and tank-grade class-d disruptor weapons joined the fray.

Just when Ruus thought he had the measure of his enemy, calls of wounded men and wounded status indicators drew his attention to calls of "junkyard droids" falling out of the sky onto their positions. It took him a moment to realize that they weren't falling, they were diving. The realization hit individual unit commanders too as heavy repeating ripper, verpine autocannon, pulse cannon and particle weapon fire began lightning up the sky above their frontline.

Ruus cursed as attempted to raise the whole unit, succeeding a moment later, "This is Ke'gyce 6 to all callsigns, cease fire, let the Nuhaatyc droids handle this! Jammers on." A staggered chorus of "'Lek" answered him as Nuhaatyc droids chased off the smaller droids with pulse cannon fire. Jammers went live across the entire front, only leaving off GA and Protector frequencies.

"What the shab were those?" asked Mirta over the command frequency, belying all of their confusion. "Just came out of shabla nowhere!"

"No, we picked them up, just didn't think they were anything. Maybe we should worry about that, first" deadpanned Aamer. At first, Ruus was confused, but then he saw what Aamer was talking about over the magnified feed he was transmitting. Big shabla creatures with riders on the back of them. Honest to Manda cavalry. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't equal parts confused as he was concerned. It took some serious [abbr="guts]gett'se[/abbr] to field cavalry, and he was wondering where the confidence had come from, and whether it was misplaced or not.

"If my vod'ika can take on Strider Garon and his cavalry with less, then we can send these di'kute back to haran," he replied emphatically. Aamer didn't need to be told twice. His tanks began targeting and engaging the incoming creatures with mass-driver launched Dtema-class Carbonite Missiles and APFSDS rounds as well as fire from HCDC-01 Heavy Class-D Disruptor Cannons and SCDC-01 Super-heavy Class-D Disruptor Cannons. Ruus took a breath and then quickly raised both the Carians ( Anakwor Farlorn ) and the other Mandalorians with him (Vo Pandyn , Shev Skirata and I'dadr Gargon ), "This is Colonel Kote, we've been engaged and are holding. Status? Do you need support?"

Summary

• Ruus infantry are stationed in buildings along the line along with Cabur automated turrets.
• Their IFVs are in the streets below.
• Nuhaatyc droids are patrolling the area.
• Tanks have commanding fields of fire on the roads in.
• Scout on Haran'calyr recon speeders are patrolling the front.
• Scouts and the Nuhaatyc droids pick up the combat engineers.
• Squads in buildings, the IFVs and the tanks engage with light vehicle sponson and pintle weapons as well as infantry portable small arms and heavy weapons.
• The incoming droids engage, the ground-based ones are engaged by the infantry and then the tanks once their heavier armor is noted.
• The loitering droids claim a few casualties among the infantry as they're caught by surprise before fire is poured their way.
• Ruus orders sensor and comm jammer activated to mitigate the effect of the droids and orders the Nuhaatyc droids to enegage the incoming aerial loitering munitions.
• Tanks engage the war beasts/beast riders with their main weapons, using class-d disruptors, carbonite missiles and APFSDS rounds.
• Ruus raises the others on the front to ascertain their status.

 

[Rath Nihro]

D E V O U R

Engaged: Elise Ahana-Gwyneira

The Force Thief had an inkling that the Mandalorian had a plan up her sleeve, but nothing could prepare him for the onslaught that was to come. That was after dealing with the countless number of Sith who used some of the most vile magic that betrayed the very nature of life and death. Some even held the notion of being eternal like some kind of god. Yet none held the power over life like the Mandalorian before him could muster.

Of course the Force alerted his senses of danger, but by the time he figured out exactly what was coming for him. The next thing he saw was an obsidian black spike erupted from the pavement as it aimed to impale his face. Instinct took over as his skin felt the prickling notion of the Force alerting him. It certainly has been some time since he was genuinely faced with the potential death once again, yet he never forgot any of them.

The sound of wood coming into impact with metal could be heard followed with the hiss of pressurized air being removed. Slaked in blood at the end of the spike is the dark mask as the tree had effectively skewered where the eye would be. As for Rath, utilizing what micro bursts of speed as he nimbly moved through the air as if his body defied gravity in every sense of the word. Weaving through a rapidly protruding field of spikes, occasionally using his sword to deflect the spikes from piercing the vital organs of his body.

It grew increasingly difficult to see with one eye as there was a notable gash just over his right eye that led up into his hairline. His eye of corrupted yellow danced from side to side as he nimbly reduced further damage to the minimum. Multiple grazes along his arms, legs, and a couple of times on the sides of his abdomen. Yet for one thing was certain, Rath’s face was exposed to the smoke scented air. Eventually when the spikes had ceased to erupt from underneath him, the dark warrior skidded on his feet to a halt. The ache on his right knee continued to throb as a reminder of the previous puncture wound.

In his haste to get away from the death field, Rath’s concentration in the stop of blood flow had ceased as thus flecks of his blood had been scattered upon the now densely forested area. His right eye stung from the blood getting into his eye hence why he was forced to close it. As if that was bad enough, Rath suddenly felt vines wrap around his wrists and legs. His eye widened in surprise as there was yet a plant that existed on Teta that was sentient and carnivorous.

Well, the Shadow felt like this had gone on long enough, but he was especially curious about this power. It was something new to him, something that he didn’t think would be possible. The Force was a power that could perform many things if directed appropriately. So long as there is a goal in mind, it can be achieved in time. However, before the creepervines could reel the dark jedi in for a scrumptious meal. A flash of red lightning erupted from Rath’s body and coursed along the creepervines. Their movements had abruptly stopped as if frozen in place, and the next moment the plants had begun to rapidly wilt and crumble into ash.

The vitality that the carnivorous plants once had was swiftly drained until it could no longer sustain its short life. Truthfully, this whole field was like a big buffet of life energy for someone who could absorb it, yet Rath chose not to. Instead, he siphoned the energy that he had just gathered from the creepervines to cauterize the gash over his right eye and to allow his knee to mostly close up on its own. Leaving a faint scar in its place in the midst of the blood stained flesh.

Rath had wiped the blood from his eye so he could with both eyes, but he paused when he saw the back of a specter that looked upon the dense field of Ori’ramikad trees. So clustered that movement would be heavily restricted if he attempted to move through it, yet the specter was that of a humanoid woman with long dark hair with the familiar eyes of green. Yet when Rath blinked, she was gone. With a heavy heart, Rath pushed the emotions that had stirred to the side.

Much like how Elise was a shaman of nature, Rath was a sorcerer of death. With an outstretched hand sanguine lightning lanced from his fingertips towards the center of the area. Purposefully taking the vitality from the trees at the base as he spared more than two dozen trees from the fate. Giving the trees appropriate space to grow without hindrance. As Rath watched the trees that he had taken the energy from collapse in plumes of decayed ash. He dispersed the gathered energy from the trees back to the air, to the planet, and ultimately to the Force.

As this was going down, Elise would notice a glint of golden light in contrast to the obsidian trunks of Ori’ramikad trees and the thick grass. If she was to investigate it, she would find a yellow kyber crystal that radiated a sense of warmth and serenity. Lying next to it was a ruined silvery locket that now had been opened. While there was once a picture in there, it was damaged to the point of being irreparable other than it appeared to be a man and a woman from a peaceful time.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Lord Kalrath Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti

After Braze executed his initial strike towards Kalrath's mask, he arched his steps, conjuring the image of ascending a spiral staircase made of nothing but air. Braze twirled his blade quickly with a flourish to his movements as he leapt in to the follow up backswing which propelled him forward. The momentum gained from this aerial ascent amplified the power behind his follow up attack. This seamless transition from the strike that had sliced through the mask to the subsequent swing was executed with deadly precision, speed and force. The blade descended like a fulcrum towards the back of Kalrath's head, aiming for the back of the neck where the brain stem resides. However, before the physical strike could land, it was Kalrath's near deafening voice that was followed by a crackling surge of electricity.

As Braze was caught mid-swing, a crackling surge of electricity shot out, enveloping him in a small torrent of energy. The electrical assault zapped him, inducing a piercing tinnitus in his ears that mimicked the aftermath of a thunderous explosion. Despite this, Braze's boots, spared him from the worst of the shock. Yet his muscles only tightened up as he stayed the course.

As he witnessed Aris collapsing to the ground, the scene unfolding before them took a dire turn. The Nanny Droid, sparked and sizzled into silence, its circuits fried beyond repair. Amidst the chaos, poor Zaiya was but a civilian caught in the crossfire, devoid of any combat training. The grim reality setting in. This was a catastrophe in the making. Every second that ticked by swelled with the weight of impending doom, casting a shadow over what little hope remained.

In the distance, the sounds of battle pierced the tense silence, a cacophony of explosions, blaster fire, and distant screams echoing from elsewhere. The imminent threat loomed larger, suffusing the air with a near tangible sense of urgency and dread. This was not an isolated incident; the entire world seemed engulfed in turmoil, and they were at the heart of it, vulnerable and exposed.

 

[Liorra]

Mia Monroe​

"At katktas la gaa'tayl gar," commented Liorra, "la niceva ner buir, ba'slanar kaysh at kyorar ti Ren, ganar bic va cuyir par Kalyr Coren bal Romi la malyasa'yr su cuyir a etr be dha eso." And, Master Mara for that matter, names that people would recognize of course. To consider this fight solely that of the Jedi was to dismiss a greater threat at least in Lio's opinion. These dar'jetii were different than the run of the mill Sith they encountered on Dagobah.

Taking charge of the formation, Liorra led the Mandalorians into the Jedi's hearth. ""Bic kapr cuyir etie akaanir a ibic ki'agr cuyir dta s'irki ui etid, val cuyir seyrida de etie tsad droten. Make at malyasa'yr be mies malyasa'yr at ucara etie sara'gagr par waadas bal subr, etie tsad droten cuyir nayc katlase ui Eskarie ra Darjetii."

The task here was simple as the al'verde had pointed out, just to evacuate and get people out. Take them back to their own dust-riddened world where they themselves were just able to care for their own people. "Ner buir malyasa'yr urcir mhi o'r Keldabe, la cuyir athu'neha kaysh Ke'gyce teh Ku'abapr ti le'ibahyav bal surgir." Rifles at the ready, she kept her senses and eyes opened to their surroundings. Signaling with her hand, she noticed movement ahead and had the formation hunker down while they observed.

 

[Auteme]

Aerarii Tithe ​

The sudden blaring of klaxons shocked her back to her body; she sat up, looking around. Her senses were brought back to herself. All across the bridge she felt chaos erupt.

"Chancellor, our communications have been cut!"

She was about to ask a question when she felt a surge of decisiveness cutting through the chaos -- two sources. Not merely decisiveness, either, but bloodlust. She instinctually pulled the threads from her clothes. The Force morphed and shaped into a makeshift barrier, just in time to block a pair of blaster bolts aimed for her back.

She spun, her assailants -- Tithe's bodyguards -- moving to get better angles on her. She was quicker; a glob of webbing slammed one into the wall, while the other was enveloped completely in a glowing-white cocoon. The man squirmed inside.

She approached the one now stuck to the wall. With a thought his blaster was pulled from his grasp, and he was pressed harder against the durasteel. "Where is Tithe?"

Her patience was thin. He gave her a glare. The way he'd moved, the look in his eyes -- it reminded her of the New Imperial stormtroopers.

"Lock these ones up and get them off the bridge," she snapped. The cocoon melted, releasing the guard now stripped of his armour and weapon. The Senate Guards nearby jumped into action on the first, and then the second when she released him as well. "Get to our hangars and lock them down -- I want eyes on Tithe's shuttle, now.

"Perav," she looked to her aide, "Keep me updated. You two, with me. Rest of you, sweep the ship, and alert the marines on board. I want Tithe found, now."

She marched off the bridge flanked by a pair of Senate Guards, mind already racing. Tithe's money had helped build this ship. Was it possible he had cut their comms? Could he have a backdoor into all of their systems?

Even as the situation spiralled, Auteme felt strange. Calm, but beyond that -- thankful. She had something to do.

She could win here, all on her own.

 

[Onrai]

Objective: To fulfill her own agenda (Objective 3)
Location: Ground, Tython
Equipment: ???
Direct Tag: Eina L'lerim-Vandiir | Closed
Tags: Raphael Gallustrade

"Made up?"

The utter hubris of Eina, and the presumptions made, sent an emotion Onrai hadn't felt in a very long time down whatever accounted for a spine in her transfigured state: fury. The continual denial of the greatest evil she had personally transgressed in the domain of, fought a servant of, and witnessed the depravity of which the Maw's worst excesses were childhood teasing in comparison, stirred a deep-seated rage that hadn't so much as simmered within the woman for decades. The calm, carefree expression she had cultivated in her simulacra of the old Onrai crumbled in a tempestuous rage.

And Eina had the gall of saying she could "find her way back"? She could "be herself" again? There was no going back from the revelations she had witnessed! If she did not do what she had done, there would be no hope.

"Because you know nothing and the souls you commune with know nothing."

Finally the words came out and began to flow forth furiously from shadowed lips. "You speak of hundreds of years as if that time is anything but a mere speck of galactic history! Akala was the closest thing anyone of this time has ever experienced to the whims of the Father of Shadows, and were she not distracted as a child was, she would still rule this domain as a mad Celestial. Her intentions were as if we were the dolls, toys to be played with to satisfy her curiosity void of all concepts of morality and malignancy." As she spoke, Onrai's form began to float, rising off the surface of the world. Perhaps it was an unconscious draw of the energies of Tython themselves. Perhaps it was merely an exertion of her power. Or perhaps she had just been made that angry. Whatever the reason, she began to move closer to Eina, slowly but surely.

"I speak with the knowledge of millions of years, before the petty echos of light and dark were made manifest. I have slain those gods of Oozultharoum, of Xanthiir, of the charnel pits of Mezzallmech, the great Ooradryl and his brood, and claimed the knowledge of the Architects for my own. Your own mother herself bears the knowledge of Thargorogaraht! Mekal, the writhing mass of cancer made manifest, has watched and consumed the galaxy since before the first sentient life made manifest on half the worlds of the galaxy in its quest for dominion! The signs of the past are all around you - in the Aur Diamonds, in the Diatian Clockwork, and in the ruins of Penegelen. But even showing the prison of the Father of Shadows to your great Cardinal wasn't enough to persuade him, the most devout Ashlan, of the threat." Now she had mentioned Pietro, whose capture and transfer to the custody of Darth Solipsis had, in part, been engineered by her, though she regretted it and wished he had instead understood what he had been shown. Whether a positive or negative benefit to the conversation, still her fury carried on until she was mere meters away from Eina.

"You want a sign the Father of Shadows exists? That there are evils beyond your comprehension?" She pointed to the monstrous Rift cleft into the surface of the galaxy. "Let us journey to the Abyss of Ruh. At the base of the Abyss is a gate, a rift to the Charnel Worlds of the Nine. The knowledge most horrid known to open the way is mine, through I will take you there, and if the horrors of Diyu and Nephil alone do not convince you, then I will personally open the seal upon which they are bound and give you an opportunity to speak with him yourself!" Her statements made, her exuding of raw anger concluded, she crossed her arms and waited to see what the woman had to say in response to this.

If she rejected the opportunity outright, who knew what would come next?

 

[Syd Celsius]

Wearing: 90 Suit

Armed With: Wind and Fire Wheels



Arrived With: Clone Knights (100)

Equipment:

Old Mercenary Set Replicas

Multi-Shield Generator Belt



Clone Offense Troopers (8000)

Equipment:

DC-15S

Seeker Rail Detonator

Model 9 Armor Piercing Grenade

Assault Battle Droid

TX-130 Tanks


Arrived in:

BWE Corporate Heavy Cruiser (Tears of Kara-Shehr, Corporate Profits, Pragmatism)

Bacta-Works Heavy Cargo Hauler (Heart of Lysandra)

Antony-Class Battle Cruiser (Severed Head of Dooku, Light of Obi-Wan)


It was the first time Bacta-Works had ever truly amassed a fleet.

That said, it was one hell of a fleet.

The Lucrehulk based HCH was the pride of the Company. Glistening white in space. A battle cruiser in all but name.

As it came out of space, massive targets lit up all over the screens of its bridge crew as it approached the world of Tython, two of the fleet's heavy Cruisers and one of it's Antony Class Battle Cruiser splitting off to help the fleet of Cessair Ideon just as the fleet of Amelia von Sorenn also arrived, The HCH transmitting friendly signals as it got closer to Tython, firing on smaller ships that got within range, the final cruiser splitting off to run to the surface, under heavy fire for a while, before the constant fire of both the HCH and some of the Cannons from the Antony Class drew bigger attention.

The Tears of Kara-Shehr sped as fast as it could to the surface heading to a good landing zone outside Kaleth. It was still under heavy fire as it landed.

As soon as it's cargo bay doors opened up. The First that came out was a woman with blazing red hair and a a gold and blue catsuit that reflected everything around it.

This was the infamous Syd Celsius, cursed now with the face of The Amalgam, and at her intense battle cry, thousands of Clone Troopers began flooding out, along with Tanks, and Droids. Their goal? Lay waste to as many Sith as possible assaulting Kaleth.

The Sorceress, though robbed of a great chunk of her knowledge, was still one of the most powerful Pyrokinesis Users in the Galaxy, and she used it to conjure a series of flame tornados to burn alive the squads of those Empire Soldiers who had been setting up attack positions around the landing warship.

Syd watched as the walls of tanks charged ahead of the Clone Troopers, engaging enemies around the temple, and coming under heavy fire, and sent scores of heavy fire balls at at enemy defensive emplacements, even as the tanks mercilessly showered laser cannon fire on those same positions and any Sith Soldier in front of them in a ruthless blitz attack, the fields around them already awash in flames, bolstered by Clone Offense Trooper Squads providing escort and covering fire, while the Acclamator itself fired it's point defense cannons into the air to try and down the TIE Fighters, Ion Cannons flashing at Sith gunships as they tried to land more on the surface.

And in the midst of all this, she felt his presence, always filled with totally justified and understandable loathing towards her, stepping out with the troops, disguised in form fitting, horned black armor, batting aside blaster bolts. Syd felt his power shift in the Force as he teleported to around the immediate area, cutting down stragglers and Marksmen trying to fire at the clones he led. The Clones were aggressive and tenacious, and would keep the pressure up across the battlefield while matters got settled at the temple itself.

Syd descended from the sky, floating towards Nathan, who subtly recoiled in his body language, and she felt his inherent disgust towards her.

Nonetheless, she tried...

"Nathan, we should test the limits of this Bond. Maybe we should see how well we do fight--"

Nathan had already known she would ask due to their Bond, and he refused to have any of it.

He teleported towards an LAAT filled with Clone Knights on board that had descended to escort him to the main theater of war, got into it, and flew off without a word. She would be left to scour the battlefield outside Kaleth. He would take the Sith to task in it's interior.

Despite being closer to him than any lover, Syd felt utterly alone as she went to fly over a mass of Clone troopers pressuring against the enemy...

Darth Wallgof

Darth Apophion

Detritus Ren

Maestus

Caltin Vanagor

Darth Solipsis

Kahlil Noble

Valery Noble

Braze

Aris Noble

Zark San Tekka

 

[Marlon Sularen]

O P E R A T I O N_S H A D O W_H A N D
Objective : Ashla's Tears

DARK EMPIRE
TYTHON, DEEP CORE

After proceeding to land his starcraft within Hangar 23, Darth Ptolemis would make his way towards the bridge greeting the Grand Admiral who remained seated within his Command Chair. As the Sith Lord approached Sularen, the Grand Admiral would proceed to have his Command Chair turn around to face Ptolemis as he spoke once more, speaking of how the Emperor had sent him to assist the Grand Admiral against any boarding parties just as the Grand Admiral had expected. "It is acceptable yes." Sularen said. "Your presence here is much appreciated Lord Ptolemis." the Grand Admiral added. As Sularen finished, another individual would proceed to join the Grand Admiral and the Sith Lord on the bridge, asking Sularen if there were any security breaches on the bridge.

"The NIV Predator has been outfitted with state-of-the-art internal security systems designed specifically to counteract the efforts of any boarding party." Sularen explained. "If our security was compromised, we would known about it already." the Grand Admiral added, fully confident in the recent upgrades made to his Flagship "However that is not to say our enemies won't attempt to board my flagship given how overconfident our enemies often are in their abilities. Even then your presence here along with that of Lord Ptolemis, in addition to the security systems and the onboard compliment of soldiers should be enough to keep this ship out of enemy hands"

Sularen then turn around his command chair to face the viewports of the bridge, proceeding to gaze upon the rift that lay in front of the NIV Predator which lead straight to Tython's orbit. Soon, the Predator would join the rest of the Imperial Fleet and confront whatever force the Alliance had brought to face them head-on in a battle for supremacy over Tython's orbit, a battle that would determine whether the Empire could establish a foothold in the Deep Core. Owing to his experience with the Second Great Hyperspace War, the Grand Admiral knew well that the Galactic Alliance would overcommit to this battle, largely in an attempt to snuff out the Empire while it was still young, but he knew exactly how to handle their antics and most importantly how to embarrass them on the battlefield in spite of their overwhelming strength.

As Sularen thought about how the battle would proceed, the Colonel Rackham would receive a notification from his datapad, before proceeded to address the Grand Admiral. "Sir. We've received some data from INV Edifice, they have a visual on the entire Alliance Fleet." the Colonel proclaimed. "Give me a visual." the Grand Admiral ordered as he turned around his Command Chair to face Darth Ptolmis and Sinestra, with a massive holographic display of the battlefield above Tython opening up right infront of the four individuals. The holographic display showed Admiral Cott's fleet, currently scattered across the Graveyard and Asteroid Field surrounding Tython's moon of Ashla while a larger Alliance Fleet was gathered at the other side of it. "They must have at least 50 Warships out there, including several Battlecruisers." Colonel Rackham pointed out, having stood beside Sularen throughout most of this period. "Not surprising" Sularen retorted. "The Alliance has a tendency to go overkill in these types of situation." the Grand Admiral further explained. "Nevertheless this will be an opportunity for us to display the true might of the Empire to those who may oppose us."

As Sularen finished speaking, one of the bridge officers cried out from his post, notifying the Grand Admiral of an important development. "Sir! We've intercepted some sort of signal, it seems to be coming from Admiral Cott's Ship." the officer said. "Good. That must be our signal." Sularen replied. The large holographic display of the battlefield up ahead would soon disappear as Sularen would once more turn his command chair around to face the viewports of the bridge. "Initiate the Visual Cloak and Activate all Stealth Systems. Then move the ship to join the rest of the Imperial Fleet over Tython and signal Captain Baize to begin executing the plan. It's about time we joined the battle." the Grand Admiral ordered. Hopefully Admiral Cott's ruse had worked on the Alliance and would be sufficient enough to bait them into at the very least committing some force to pursuing the Imperial Fleet gathered at Tython. The Alliance had a far more superior fleet so there was no reason for them to not take the fight to them.

Thus, as the Grand Admiral had previously ordered, the NIV Predator initiated it's visual cloak with the magnetic prosperities of the metal used in the Predator's Hull soon being activated, rendering the entire Warship invisible to the naked eye with the Hull reflecting all light. Shortly afterwards the Predator's Advanced Sensor Suite along with it's Vast Array of Stealth Systems would go live, which would interfere with the sensors of non-Imperial Vessels and ensure that the Predator would remain undetected by the enemy. Once the NIV Predator had initiated the visual cloak and had activated all it's Stealth Systems, the thrusters of the mighty Superheavy Battlecarrier would come live with the Warship soon traversing the rift making it's way towards Tython, ready to join the fight against the Galactic Alliance and their Allies.

Tags [Friendlies] | Zethran Cott | Ignacious Korvan | Sinestra | Darth Ptolemis | Aerarii Tithe
Tags [Hostiles] | Amelia von Sorenn | Cessair Ideon | Arla Rodarch | Vaux Gred | Ari Naldax | Ordo | Reiner Ghadi ​

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

OPERATION: SHADOW HAND

Tags: Auteme , Aerarii Tithe , Marlon Sularen , Cessair Ideon, Zethran Cott

B O U N T Y

The communication from the Supreme Commander came through loud and clear, and though Reiner cared little for the current Alliance chain of command, he would respond in kind nonetheless.

"Open a channel to the Supreme Commander. Ensure her that we will remain in place until it is time to strike."

A strike that would be of his choosing, yet it was prudent to adhere to the pecking order. As the message went out, the former senator's eyes drifted toward the holo map laid out before him. The Alliance surely had the numbers, but in his time during the Second Great Hyperspace War, Reiner had learned that it was severely detrimental to underestimate one's opponent.

His eye's drifted toward Auteme's ship, narrowing as he pondered the consequences of this battle.

"Have our gunners double check their weapons systems. I want no surprises..."

His small fleet was a footnote in the grand scheme of the military arm of the Alliance, yet even the smallest insect could turn the tide, should one know how to steer the fleas.

"Ready all fighters. They will embark on my signal. And do ensure we remain out of range from these Imperial ships. I would hate to waste good plasma before the time is right."

The orders were vague enough, yet fully understood by his crew. Every member of this force was hand-picked by Reiner himself, for he knew that he required utter obedience, should their play bear any semblance of fruit.

As the pieces were laid bare upon the board, he cracked a sly grin, his old soldier mind finally returning in full force.

This would be a turning point in his career, he could feel it...​

 

[Taam Moghul]

Objective 3: Clash at Kaleth
Gear: Kta Dom Lya, Lightsaber, Robes of the Wayward, Armored Jacket
Allies: Jonyna Si
Opponent: Detritus Ren

Taam's cheeky comment seemed drowned in the dark energy that emanated from the stoic figure before him. He was no mere Darksider. The sizzling blade, the helmet, the aura, Taam sensed he was of the Ren. This was not a foe to toy with. The Cathar Knight's features grew sober. Then, as Jonyna moved against the enemy, Taam's lips curled back to reveal a snarl of large fangs.

A moment after his mate launched her attack, Taam bolted forward. He took an oblique angle to Jonyna, a flanking move, with the great Force sword in his hands. In the span of a breath or two, he saw the Darksider take the brunt of the sonic blast that surged from her katana. It rocked their foe, but only for a moment. Likewise, the crackling streaks of lightning were absorbed into an outstretched palm.

It was a tick after this second attack that Taam raised Kta over his head and brought it down, leveling the blade in the direction of their opponent. A burst of brilliant light shot out from the glowing heavy songsteel blade, a golden flash of Light energy intended to buffet the Dark warrior. But Taam's follow-on strike was interrupted by the barrage of rocks and scrap that lifted from the ground and flung around them. Taam's hand extended, a subtley shimmering shield of the Force spreading out to deflect the debris from he and Jonyna. Moving forward, the shield advanced with him as he closed in to meet this stranger blade to blade.

 

[Denn Verdan]

The sound was cacophonous, extending past the physical realm, and into the unseen dimension.

Denn could feel it in every fiber of his being. Then, pain. So much pain. His muscles twitched in reflexive response to it, passed to him over the membrane of the Force. It was the difficult part of the Jedi ability to sense and empathize with others.

The structure rumbled. Whatever had happened, it had impacted the very matter of walls and floor.

Powerful. Very powerful.

But the pain passed to him told him that there were survivors. And they needed help. He compartmentalized the pain away.

It was not so very far from here. He moved quickly, seeking out the source of the pain, but there were obstacles of his own to overcome, and it seemed he would not arrive in time to intervene...

---

Aris Noble , Zaiya Ceti , Braze Lord Kalrath Denn Verdan

 

[Kazian Blackwood]

LIFE DURING WARTIME

Ellayina L'lerim
​

L'lerim's outside perspective had me grateful, but I was as of yet unsure why they had sent her, this young girl no fresher from the academy than I was. A squad of shadowtroopers would have been infinitely better, but with the failure of the Krath coup I reckoned we just couldn't afford it. Was this really how far the ISB had fallen from how I had seen our organization just a few weeks ago? It had been the ISB and COMPNOR that had secured Korvan's victory over the other warlords, had it not? The propaganda blared on the Imperial holonet night and day with the arrival of our saviours, the Sith especially. We had put action into words, but now we were damned putting our own actions into motion, and the time for talking was long over.

It was time to get out, and pay hell one way or another.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not have to crawl through the muck down below. Easier may be a matter of subject there."

Plus: I had a gun. So did she. We weren't helpless outside of this room, not while watching eachother's backs at least. I could pass for confused refugee or irate citizen enough that I doubted Alliance forces would gun me down on sight. Ellayina was a different case in her tactical gear, but maybe that would get us far enough towards Imperial lines that we wouldn't need to worry.

"Let's get a move on, before the Empire makes any ground and these blocks start getting hit."

I reached for my holster belt on the counter and tightened it around my waist as I made my way for the door.

"Now tell me, with all that gear, what is it you actually do Agent?"