Public Hope in The Future [ Empress Teta ]

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Braze Makar Clyne

Jonyna growled as she watched the proceedings. She knew better, scrappers wouldn't be trying to bring ships with jammers. Her days as a rebel taught her that. No, these were hostiles.

"Dawn of Hope to Phoenix Wing, we'll be prepping for a battle. Prepare for engagement."

Jonyna then turned to her comms officer. "Prep the Lifelight's B-Wing squadron for take off, and have the Tenacitys form a preliminary ring around the medical frigates."

The woman, a cathar by nature, made sure to activate the encryption before speaking. "Yes ma'am. Dawnbreaker to Lifelight, prep Claymore. Tenacitys, form around the Bacta Frigates. We'll be prepping for action."

The ships slowly moved into position, as Jonyna considered her options.

"Jennie." Jonyna called over to her weapons officer.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Tell the Venators to fire a warning barrage. Ions only."

"Yes ma'am!"

A few seconds later, the space rang out. Twenty Four Ion Turbolasers fired on in sequence, aiming for the debris field. They would disable their ships, then move in with the B-Wings.

 

[Junko Ike]

Objective: Deliver supplies and aid

"Shots fired." The voice came up as Junko turned towards the viewport. THe ship had been heading in.. things were simple and then seemingly shots had been fired... not towards them but venators were engaging with shots towaards aanother vessel in the distance. "Bring up the information." She said it while sitting there as they started to shift and be alert... if there was a chance of a firefight they had to adjust. She didn't know the cause so no red alert. "Have shields prepared and fighters at the ready. Calculate deployment positions for flowers to defend our transports." She said it while bringing up the screens so that she had a full view. The biots were on the move as the ships biot was directing things without speaking.. just sending the information along the living ship which fed into all of them. "Deployment calculated, fighters ready as needed and we sent an alert to the Admiral Bei Fong. Perimeter Fleet will be ready if someone tries to persue us." More confirmations coming. "Transports are away with escorts towards the planet and we have kitik armor deployed. "Good, observe and report for now." She said it and wated. Alliance ships making a first shot looked one way but Atrisia wasn't listening in on communications so... maybe they threatened the people. "Start spinning up the Nobuna, if need be we can help those alliance ships."

 

[Makar Clyne]

Fleet
x3 Circinus-Class Bulk Corvette 100|100
x2 Delphin-Class Frigates 100|100
x1 Verne-Class Armored Cruiser "Tethys" 100|100
x6 Cloakshape Starfighters

As Makar was about to speak back to the old salt captain, warning came in on his ship's sensors. Ion blasts were headed their way, shot by the enemy cruisers. The captain scowled as he watched the twenty four ion shots clash into the various wrecks in front of the ship. Had this been the plan all along? Distract him with comms long enough to disable his flagship with ion batteries?

"Captain! Ion blasts came from enemy cruisers just ahead!"

"Bring us about then, and shut off our comms! I have nothing more to say to the snakes of the Alliance! If it a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get! Begin moving debris out of the way with our tractor beams!"

At Makar's command the tractor beams came to life, clearing the way for a shot. He had a plan to deal a blow to this fleet, and it started with giving a good opening salvo. The broadside positioning of the Venators made them the largest targets, but he knew they would be the toughest kills. Instead, he would focus the majority of the firepower on the smaller ships first. He just needed a clear shot...

"Fire the turbolasers and mass drivers first! Weaken the shields, then fire thermal shells towards the hangar bay! I want whatever dog is at the helm of that ship to know just who they are dealing with!"

Weapons on the Tethys began to come alive, with all twenty turbolasers peppering the strong shields of the Blazing Dawn, while the 12 mass driver cannons began to fire their electrically driven projectiles into the side of the great beast of a ship. All of this was to give time to get the "Trident" ready to fire. It was loaded with the weapon's deadly thermal shells, which is sprayed in bursts of five, each shell traveling at such an extreme velocity it could crack capital ship armor. This was without considering the pyrotechnic effects of the shell, being able to melt through durasteel like it was plastic.

"Herne, Taisch! Begin spinning up the hypervelocity guns! I want those Corvettes silenced! Aim for their command deck and don't stop firing until they're headed for the planet's surface!!"

The commanders of the Delphin-classes could hear their captain's anger, and they knew there was no turning back now! They began lobbing their glowing slugs towards the enemy corvettes, an unrelenting wall of baradium and durasteel headed for the lighter vessels, with all intent to bring the corvettes crashing down.

As Makar watched all of this unfold, Cloakshapes began flying out of the hangar, forming a defensive line near the corvettes of the fleet. He knew that what he was doing now could never be taken back. But he didn't ever want to be back in a cell, not now, not ever! If it meant losing his entire fleet he'd do it, so strong was his conviction to die a free man. His only consolidation was proving whatever foolish Alliance commander had fired on him wrong when they chose to fight the Cerberus Fleet!

Braze Jonyna Si

 

[Dashiell NPC]

"Dr. Waymire." Kebii'kara intoned through her visor, fire-spear in one hand and beckoning for her drakeling companion to return to her perch on the Lasat's shoulder.

The sounds of a vessel settling alerted him to a visit upon his location. He had been reviewing operational information on the fly, standing with his datatablet and going over the recent vaccination efforts. There was data of how many refugees were in the tent city versus how many that had come through the clinic already.

Voice cut through the din and he found himself face-to-face with a Mandalorian. It wasn't surprising she knew his name. First off, it was printed on his coat. Second, since he had taken the role of Director of the ArcDash Foundation, he was more recognizable overall. In-person meetings. HoloNet calls. Governmental visits. All had put his name out there.

"Please call me Cyrus." He paused. "How can I help you?"

 

[Akar Rhonvogg]

Tython, Aboard B.L.I.S.S. Saint Maldra
Tags: Braze , Makar Clyne , Jonyna Si

"My, isn't this a fancy installation. Pazarro Krimenon III , what a wacky guy. Leave it to a Mon Calamari to come up with something like this."

Akar settled down into the captain's chair of the B.L.I.S.S. "Saint Maldra," wiggling to get comfortable in the velvet seat.

"And cozy too," he remarked behind his Tusken mask.

"Excuse me, Director Rhonvogg," one of the crew's members began, clearing his throat. "Phoenix Wing is preparing to engage with the ones claiming themselves to be scrappers- Scratch that, I'm getting word that said scrappers have since opened fire."

"Steady on," Akar stated. "Saint Maldra is built like a small moon. She has the necessary defenses to keep herself afloat. Prepare our NF-01 Nano-flares if necessary."

"Understood, sir."

Akar slouched back into his seat, taking in the developing site beyond the viewport of the massive space-station's bridge. An entire cities-worth of engineers and philosophers called the Saint Maldra home. Tython would have need of her aid, not to mention the additional space for housing civilian refugees. Braze had called in a favor from Krimenon III, and that old bag saw fit to honor it. Why? It was probably down to the old Mon Calamari's hatred for the Empire. He simply wished to prop up those who opposed imperial might.

Whatever that wound up looking like.

"Put me on the GA line," the Tusken director stated. "It should be crucial to coordinate."

"Dawn of Hope, this is the Saint Maldra hailing. Master Jonyna Si , I presume? I am Akar Rhonvogg, acting Director of Krinemonen Hydraworks subsidiary Phoenix Initiative, temporary captain of the Balthazar Longterm Interstellar Settlement Station Saint Maldra. One of your order called in a favor with my employer, a fellow hater of entities which refer to themselves as Imperial. Thus he sees fit to assist in propping up the recovery of your Galactic Alliance here on Tython. Now, I understand that things are getting a little hot in Tython's airspace, but the Saint Maldra carries high-end industrial fabricators and a stable ecosystem which can support roughly one million organic individuals. Those pirates represent a bit of a pressing issue in regards to getting those resources to your people. Whatever needs to be done to ensure that Tython recieves it, I stand at the ready to assist."

In the meantime...

"Send out a L.E.I.F. Ensure that an initial wave of our personell arrive on Tython."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

EMPRESS TETA

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : OPEN | ( Balun Dashiell )

Crunching along the streets, Makai was making his way to the old Mining Guild headquarters. As far as he knew, the guild had been disbanded. Some members had died in the Empress Teta invasion and long occupation. Others had left world. Some retired from the mining business or handed over their companies to heirs.

It was the perfect opportunity to rebuild the guild. The premise was simple ; a guild comprised of those who owned mines or extracted resources. Membership fees were collected. A result of being a member meant the guild flexed their power in terms of negotiating tariffs or taxes or shipping disruptions on hyperlanes. In some ways much like the Corporate Interest Guild but singularly focused with the chance for more members to be in agreement. Those in CIG had each others backs but with the varied businesses it made some things difficult. Makai hoped there would be more cohesion and ability to push agendas forward.

Plus, he had plans for a new vision. One where planet environments were protected without harming profits. Appeal to the planetary government on one end and push for less regulations on the other. A critical piece considering the Blackwall in place in the Sith Order.

His brother would be around eventually, but for now he would scope out the headquarters, see if any information was left, and then head to the under construction hospital.

 

[Braze]

[Comms to Makar Clyne
[Comms to GA Jonyna Si
[Private Comms to Phoenix Wing Crew]

TAGS: Makar Clyne Jonyna Si Akar Rhonvogg​

---

Fleet Composition

Spoiler

Apex Predator: Baby Shark Flagship x1
Aegis Care Cruiser x2
Blizzard-class Heavy Starcarrier x2
Crafty Collector Crab x2
Fugu Frigate "Puffin' Tuff" x10
B-Zero x4
Tuitio Support Boat x2
SS-Phantomray Stealth Assault Interceptor x2
SS-Ebonray Assault Interceptor x4
Balthazar Long-term Interstellar Settlement Station (B.L.I.S.S.) x1
Lucky 7's Starport x1
HS - Omni Tug x 60

[Private Comms to Phoenix Wing Crew]

The warning barrage had barely dispersed through the debris field before sensors flared red. Return fire—a wall of baradium, ion pulses, and angry metal came screaming back from the Cerberus Fleet.

No more pretending.

On the bridge of the Baby Shark, Captain Vesperis stood straight, eyes fixed on the holodisplay while the ship’s shielding systems surged to full.

[Fleet Captain Atticus Vesperis] “All ships, defensive positions. Phase Line Black is in effect. Hold fire unless directly targeted. We protect the mission first.”

Across the formation, orders transmitted like sparks across a wire:

• The Aegis Cruisers fell back, repositioning on either side of the the flanking positions of the B.L.I.S.S. Station.
• Fugu Frigates reformed into a curved screen, drawing a perimeter around the medical ships and the starport.
• Tuitio Support Boats locked to the Care Cruisers and began cycling shield projection links.
• The Blizzards readied and released their interceptor wings—B-Zeros, SS-Ebonrays, and Phantomrays flared out like hornets from a struck nest.

[Zane Harlock] “He took the shot.” Harlock’s voice was low, almost disappointed.
“He had the out and he took the shot. Let’s make sure it costs him.”

[Grax Tolwin] “Jamming’s still live. Switching to firewalled backups. I've got Saint Maldra and Dawn of Hope on direct relay now.”

[Fizz] “Shield relays maxed. We’re hot. But we've got the buffer cells stable.”

[Jek] “All non-combatants secured. Cargo holds are locked down. If they’re aiming for us, they’re gonna have to dig.”

[Kip] “Launching scout wing. If those Cloakshapes make a move, we’ll be ready.”

[Gibit] “I’ve got torpedoes warmed and no patience left. Just say the word, Cap.”

[Fleet Captain Vesperis] “Negative. Hold position. Defensive only. This isn’t our war unless they make it ours.”

Outside, space churned with motion. The SS-Phantomrays vanished undercloaking, running silent scans for flanking vectors. Omni Tugs moved to reposition, dragging derelicts into a loose scatter-wall to confuse Cerberus fire control.

Vesperis tapped the console once, then twice, routing a tightbeam to a command line.

[Fleet Captain Vesperis] “Azure Phoenix. We are holding the line. No one passes us while our flag is still flying.”

[Zane Harlock]
"You hear that, Cap?"
The rumble of ion fire still echoed in the bones of the ship, even if none of it had touched the hull.

"That wasn't pirates starting a fight. That was us. Friendly reminder fire from our side."
He leaned one hip against the console, arms crossed, eyes narrowed on the flickering contact blips that now moved a little faster, a little angrier.

[Atticus Vesperis]
"Jonyna authorized it. Warning barrage only. Non-lethal."

[Zane Harlock]
"Mmm. Yeah. Sure. Real subtle way to say hello. Let's just hope the scavengers don't speak 'ion barrage' as 'declaration of all out war.'"

He tilted his head, tone dry.

"We had them hesitant. Now they've got cause."

[Atticus Vesperis]
"We stay on protocol. No escalation. Our line holds."

[Zane Harlock]
"Aye. And if they push through it, they'll find out what a wall of restraint looks like when it finally gets tired of being patient."

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Makar Clyne Braze Akar Rhonvogg
Fleet: Dawn of Hope

Jonyna frowned as the autocannon shells impacted the Venator's shields, slowly whittling down them. She needed to be bold, just like Ackbar had been on Mon Cala.

"Status on the B-wings?"

"Claymore is looping around, planning to use their jammers to hide them from enemy sensors. They'll be another few minutes before they're in position to counter-attack."

"Copy." Jonyna hummed to herself. With this much firepower, they certainly weren't scrappers. The Dawnbreaker held back, keeping beside the Lifelight to watch from afar.

"Ma'am, incoming hail from...wow that's a big station. Are we sure that's not a moon?"

"No, I've seen stations the size of moons before." Jonyna frowned, "Bring them on screen."

"Dawn of Hope, this is the Saint Maldra hailing. Master Jonyna Si Jonyna Si , I presume? I am Akar Rhonvogg, acting Director of Krinemonen Hydraworks subsidiary Phoenix Initiative, temporary captain of the Balthazar Longterm Interstellar Settlement Station Saint Maldra. One of your order called in a favor with my employer, a fellow hater of entities which refer to themselves as Imperial. Thus he sees fit to assist in propping up the recovery of your Galactic Alliance here on Tython. Now, I understand that things are getting a little hot in Tython's airspace, but the Saint Maldra carries high-end industrial fabricators and a stable ecosystem which can support roughly one million organic individuals. Those pirates represent a bit of a pressing issue in regards to getting those resources to your people. Whatever needs to be done to ensure that Tython recieves it, I stand at the ready to assist."

Jonyna couldn't help but smile. She had only helped the Tingle Arm Coalition in a small capacity during it's brief existance, but that was paying off here.

"Saint Maldra, we appreciate any support you can gift. Keep in orbit while we deal with the pirates, and I'll make sure your fabricators and ecosystem is put to good use."

"Ma'am! Shining Dawn says it's shields are dropping soon!"

"Tell them they're clear to open fire with the Hammer Batteries. Our shields are heavier and we have more firepower. Blow those pirates out of the sky. And tell the Astrocats to hit their corvettes with ion torpedoes. We have the ability to fix our ships, they don't. One loss should be enough to force a retreat."

Jonyna had dealt with pirates before. Usually, they were skittish at best once they started taking losses.

The shields of the Venators would hold, she prayed.

The orders went out, and Jonyna watched as the 3 Astrocats fired their torpedo launchers in sequence, having been hidden by larger Venators, and by their jammers. 72 Ion Torpedos, fired in sequence, aimed through AR rangefinding, towards a fleet of pirates now in visual range. While they could still jam their targetting computers, they couldn't jam the eyes of the gunners.

Then the 20 Hammer Batteries of the two Venators opened up, intent on cracking the enemy shields through pure firepower. Just as they were designed to do, the particle batteries designed to use concussive detonation to double their damage against deflector shields.

She'd scare them at worst, chip away their shields at best.

At least...that was the idea.

Gosh, what she would do to have Zash right now.

 

[Junko Ike]

"More shots fired, they are returning fire." The news came as Junko sat there... the transports were fine.. escorted down to Dashiell NPC easily enough and they had a list of things that they could deploy like their medical pods to give them a hospital. "From what we are seeing princess. the risk is lower but being involved in a possible diplomatic incident even tertiary could be.... troublesome. The one advisor said it as she was sitting there and she was debating what to do... leaving meant they would abandon the people who needed aid... staying meant there would likely be some stray shots that go wide. "Are the ships that the alliance is firing on still using jamming?" SHe said it and had a small grin on her face as she adjusted the seat she was in... breathing deeper and deeper as she tapped the arms of it. "Yes though with enough firing at them it won't matter as much."

There was a few more thoughts while she was allowing the force to slip and slide around her... immersing herself through it and away with a current of energies. "Contact the Alliance's lead ship and offer what we can. We have a full comnpliment for defense." They had various means to saturate and control in this case as she was looking at the J-class which would make that debris field into something much more dangerous or bunch it all together for their aeon's missiles. Junko's mind was immersing itself into the white current... allowing her illusions to come as one hand stayed there with only a finger coming up and the form of herself moved towards the auditory enhancer. Built in to supercharge their systems and the voice came out towards Jonyna Si .

"Alliance vessel this is Atrisian vessel the Jade Dragon. In light of the hostile actions for protection of our royal envoy. We offer our assistance. We have two hundred deplyable fleet flowers, twenty eight kabaneri battleframe fighters and complimenting missiles. Our nobuna is spun up and prepared for system wide interdiction." The voice said it while Junko remained at the ready. The relayed information about the excalating attack was reaching their Admiral as they brought some attention. "We also have gravity resonance, sun seeker and hyperspace tracker torpedos. Aeon designaated self replicating swarm missiles are recommended only for complete saturation of an area without the risk of straying or friendly fire." Junko listened like she was underwater but was pulling as she thought about the look of the defensive response fleet.

 

[Makar Clyne]

Fleet
x2 Circinus-Class Bulk Corvette 50|100
x1 Circinus-Class Bulk Corvette 0|100 Disabled!
x2 Delphin-Class Frigates 50|100
x1 Verne-Class Armored Cruiser "Tethys" 75|100
x6 Cloakshape Starfighters

Once again Makar would leverage the copious tractor beams of his fleet, pulling debris and ship parts in front of his larger ships to take the brunt of the ion fire. His cruiser Tethys, and his Frigates Herne and Taisch, they were largely spared the brunt of the Ion barrage. His corvettes weren't as lucky however, they had to take the full fury of Jonyna's ships. One of his corvettes, the lead of their formation, was too slow in getting it's tractor beam activated, and it was hit with dozens of ion torpedoes, the blue bolts pelting it's shields and disabling key systems all across the small ship.

Normally a pirate crew would be forced on the back foot by such a development, but not Cerberus Fleet. These bloodthirsty zealots would fight to the last if it meant spitting blood in the eye of The Alliance. Makar was probably the worst offender of this, slamming his hand down on the armrest of his captain's chair.

"Reload main cannon with explosive shells, our target remains the same. Keep fire on the hangar bays of the lead cruiser! Keep their fighters grounded, and lock turbolasers on the same hangars! We'll show them that the Tethys can strike a mighty blow!"

He then looked to a readout in front of him, looking at the status of the fleets as they knew them. Visual on the Astrocats had been made by some of the frigates, and Makar smiled.

"Herne, Taisch! FIre all mass drivers and concussion missiles at the Torpedo Launchers of the main frigate that fired on our corvettes! Disable those launchers and keep further ion blasts from our ships!"

Jonyna Si Braze Junko Ike Akar Rhonvogg

 

[Kebii'kara Solus]

OBJECTIVE ONE:

---

CURRENT MISSION - It is Meat and Right...?
Immediate Goals -
1: Investigate the Opaline Creed
1.1: Speak to Dr. Waymire about how best to help

FRIEND(s) - Diarch Reign || Laphisto

FOE(s) - Hopefully none

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Dashiell NPC || OPEN

---

"My name is Kebii'kara, sir." the Lasat would intone, motioning for her drakeling companion to remain as stationary as possible. "My assistant, Beviin-" at the mention of her name, the Drakeling chirped something oddly resembling a "hello" in Basic. "-and I are volunteering at the tent city."

It would be presumptuous, not to mention errantly prideful, to think that the good doctor would have known of her, let alone her name. Refugee crises weren't exactly known for droll, painfully slow activity - except to accentuate the buzzing tensions building underneath. In addition to this, she was, or at least wore, the beskar'gam of the Mando'ade - and famed "space-faring hyper-warriors who contested both the Sith and Jedi and their respective polities" and "soup kitchens" didn't ordinarily mix, save for the worst of headlines; and yet here she was - armed and armored, but not here for war or to drag some hapless refugee for some bounty or another.

Being both a doctor - and the newly appointed director of ArcDash Foundation - Waymire no doubt understood the subtle social games of play at, well, play. The Lasat carried herself with a genteel gentleness, a softness born not of passivity, but of discipline and restraint - in her hand, a flyer from the Opaline Creed, one he had no doubt seen many times. It was held in a casual way, able to be observed and no doubt intended to be a point of conversation, but not to be hammered home - perhaps some consideration for the work that he himself did.

"We were wondering if there was anything we could do to help?" a question phrased in such a way that she would consider what the leaders of this community wanted, and would weigh those concerns. Kebii'kara did not intend to force any issue, but rather attempted to politely raise an inquiry in a way where both parties felt in control, and heard.

She would wait for a response, her shoulder-to-shoulder long pale-scaled companion being more vocal in expressing impatience than the Lasat was.

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Makar Clyne Junko Ike Braze Akar Rhonvogg
Fleet: Dawn of Hope

The Alliance needed a win. That was what was on her mind at the moment. The GADF had taken a beating at Woostri, and morale was low.

"Incoming hail from the Atrisians, Ma'am."

"Alliance vessel this is Atrisian vessel the Jade Dragon. In light of the hostile actions for protection of our royal envoy. We offer our assistance. We have two hundred deplyable fleet flowers, twenty eight kabaneri battleframe fighters and complimenting missiles. Our nobuna is spun up and prepared for system wide interdiction."

"Stand down Jade Dragon, we're handling the situation." Jonyna pressed her luck. The Dawn of hope needed to prove it could defend itself. "Keep your fleet on standby, I want all friendly forces focused on assisting those on the ground. The Dawn of Hope can handle a few pirates."

"Ma'am, we just got word, the Shining Dawn's shields are about to drop."

"Pull them off the front line, and push the Lifeline forward, front facing. I want the Astrocats focusing fire on those frigates."

Slowly, the two Venators pulled back, using the last of their shields to break formation as the Lifeline, the massive converted battlecruiser pushed past them, using it's frontal shields to distract as the two venators pulled away. They had sustained damage, but nothing that couldn't be repaired.

The Lifeline opened fire with it's super-heavy Ion Thunderer batteries, aiming for that armored cruiser, while the Astrocats opened up with yet another volley of ion torpedos, pushing forward towards the fleet of pirate vessels, concussion and mass driver rounds deflecting off heavy duty shields designed exactly for this purpose.

Jonyna watched intently. She knew the Dawn of Hope could handle this, it was simply a matter of timing.

<This is Claymore One, reporting over encrypted comms. Claymore is in position, beginning attack run.>

Out from behind Makar Clyne , a sudden barrage of ion cannon fire from the B-Wings opened fire, before a rear barrage of turbolasers aimed at the bulk corvettes that were pummeling the Alliance's front line.

 

[Braze]

[Comms to Makar Clyne
[Comms to GA Jonyna Si
[Private Comms to Phoenix Wing Crew]

TAGS: Makar Clyne Jonyna Si Akar Rhonvogg​

---

Fleet Composition

Spoiler

Apex Predator: Baby Shark Flagship x1
Aegis Care Cruiser x2
Blizzard-class Heavy Starcarrier x2
Crafty Collector Crab x2
Fugu Frigate "Puffin' Tuff" x10
B-Zero x4
Tuitio Support Boat x2
SS-Phantomray Stealth Assault Interceptor x2
SS-Ebonray Assault Interceptor x4
Balthazar Long-term Interstellar Settlement Station (B.L.I.S.S.) x1
Lucky 7's Starport x1
HS - Omni Tug x 60

[Phoenix Wing Crew]

LOCATION: Bridge of the Baby Shark – Empress Teta Orbit
️ STATUS: Post-Strike Tension – Communications Locked Down

---

The stars above Empress Teta had calmed for all of five minutes. Then the Jedi lit the spark. Now a full-scale engagement was unraveling in orbit again—ion burns, fleet mobilizations, and a relief effort knocked off course before it even touched dirt. Inside the Baby Shark, two men stood in the quiet storm of what should've been peace.

Zane Harlock rose out of his chair with the kind of restless energy that only came from something festering. One boot scuffed against the deck plating, then another. He started pacing, slow at first, then picking up a rhythm like a caged predator who knew damn well the bars weren't made of metal.

ZANE HARLOCK:
"I had 'em hesitatin', Vesperis. You know that look. They weren't shootin', not yet. But they were thinkin'. Doubtin'.
And then she fires—bang—and that chance is gone."

ATTICUS VESPERIS:
"You know I didn't order that strike. All I did was flag the signal jamming. I said maybe.
I expected someone would ask questions—not skip straight to the discharge report."

HARLOCK:
"Yeah? Well they didn't ask. No orders. No hail. No ultimatum. Just a Jedi up top makin' a call from a ship.
That's not keepin' the peace, that's swingin' your saber first and hopin' folks clap after."

VESPERS:
"They might be playing it cautious. Trying to reassert control in a zone that's been passed back and forth between empires.
If they think the sector's unstable..."

HARLOCK:
"Bantha fodder. That wasn't caution—! That! That was posturing.
Flashin' firepower like it's a badge of wisdom. Like 'peace' means whatever the biggest ship says it means."

He ran a hand through his 'hair', turned sharply at the viewport as if watching the Lifelight itself might flinch under scrutiny.

HARLOCK:
"They should've hailed first. Issued a damn warning.
Let 'em know where they stood. Instead we're here—with aid missives grounded and civvies caught in another crossfire over scrap."

VESPERS:
"It doesn't look good. Firing on unconfirmed hostiles without direct engagement protocols? That's a stain that doesn't wash clean easily.
We were supposed to stabilize the orbit, not set them alight again."

HARLOCK:
"You know what gets me? Used to be Jedi walked the same dirt we did. Knew what desperation looked like.
Now they hover over it, dressed in fancy robes and wrapped in the Galactic Alliance's toys like a flag buys forgiveness. They ain't peacekeepers, Vesperis. Not anymore. They're dogs of war without a leash. If this is the kinda decision they make now... No concern for the lives on either side. Just a stage, a headline, and a name to shine. This wasn't about fixin' nothin'. This was treatin' a symptom with a hammer.
And now we all look complicit—for tryin' to do the right damn thing."

The silence on the bridge that followed the outburst was cut by the friction between two familiar forces. Vesperis sat, arms crossed tight, his face unreadable, but not unfeeling. Harlock paced nearby like a storm looking for a hull to split. The two had stood on different decks, in different wars, but moments like this always dragged them back to common ground.

ATTICUS VESPERIS:
"...You don't know that."

ZANE HARLOCK:
"—Don't I?"

Vesperis leaned back slightly, posture straight but not at ease. Harlock was an engine with no brake, burning on instinct and fire. Vesperis was meant to be the counterbalance. The one who could stop the spiral. The voice of reason. The one who could talk him down.
The one who had to.

ATTICUS VESPERIS:
"It's not over. We still have the mission. The people. They're relying on us, Harlock."

"The Phoenix Wing doesn't fold because a few things went sideways. That's not what a good crew does.
We're here to protect them and get the job done. To keep going—even when everyone else forgets how."

 

[Junko Ike]

Objective: Relief

Junko listened to the reply and sat there. Their transports were continuing and she looked at the commander on the bridge. "Orders." The man spoke as he was there and Junko spoke. "We have no cause to go against them, they wish to do this on their own and we will focus on the relief efforts.... but keep things on standby and at the ready." She said it as she breathed in and then out.. herself immersing into the current again as she focused and thought about the sleekness and dimensions of their vessels.. the fleet being able to come and its people would be there while she continued to construct mentally within the current and her transports were remaining there. The Commander looking at it as he spoke. "Deploy fighters aroun d the ship, defensive screen with phalanx shielding activated. We'll spread the planetary shielding over the area for stray shots." There were nods of confirmation as information was being brought in with their turrets deployed and opening up to cover the transports.

 

[Dashiell NPC]

"My name is Kebii'kara, sir." the Lasat would intone, motioning for her drakeling companion to remain as stationary as possible. "My assistant, Beviin-" at the mention of her name, the Drakeling chirped something oddly resembling a "hello" in Basic. "-and I are volunteering at the tent city."

"A pleasure to meet you. To meet both of you." Waymire held out his hand in greeting to the Lasat. "Thank you for coming and volunteering. Lots of work to do sadly but I'm confident with time and a bit of elbow grease the Core will be restored to glory in no time and the people will be settled into security."

Not the easiest goal to achieve but it was still possible.

"We were wondering if there was anything we could do to help?"

"Plenty to do to help, question is what do you feel comfortable with? I noticed you have a flyer for the Opaline Creed. I'm concerned about their intentions. If you would like to help me question some that live in the tent city I would appreciate it. If not, I can use you elsewhere in one of our clinics."

Kebii'kara Solus

 

[Balun Dashiell]

HOPE IN THE FUTURE
Apparel: Force User Apparel.
Utility Belt: Lightsaber, K-16 Bryar Pistol.
Starship: "The Nomad" Commercial Heavy Freighter.

The Nomad dropped out of hyperspace with a lurch—only to plunge straight into the heart of chaos.

Streaks of light sliced across the void, turbolasers painting the stars as opposing fleets clashed in the cold silence of space. Capital ships loomed like steel giants, exchanging devastating volleys while fighter squadrons darted between them like angry insects. It was impossible to tell who was fighting who, but one thing was painfully clear: Balun Dashiell wanted no part of it.

"Chit!" he hissed, eyes wide as he instinctively yanked the yoke to the side, sending the Nomad into a sharp spiral. The heavy freighter groaned under the sudden maneuver, its frame shuddering as Balun angled the nose toward the planet below—Empress Teta.

He didn't wait for a second shot. "Chip! Full shields to aft!" he barked, fingers dancing across the controls. "We've got company on our six and I'm not in the mood to play target practice."

The astromech droid chirped in alarm as it rerouted power, the ship's deflectors flaring to life behind them. Balun pushed the throttle to maximum, engines roaring as the Nomad dove toward the upper atmosphere like a bird fleeing a firestorm.

The freighter might not have teeth, but it did have a name—and a purpose. Registered under Dashiell Retrofit™ and flying under a banner of trade and humanitarian relief, the ship was no pirate cruiser or covert warship. If any of the larger vessels up there took the time to scan her signature, they'd see that. Maybe that would earn him a sliver of mercy—or at least keep someone from blowing him out of the sky.

He gritted his teeth, eyes flicking between the storm of energy blasts behind him and the growing curvature of the planet ahead.

"C'mon… hold together…" he muttered under his breath as gravity began to pull them into the atmosphere, the air heating around the hull.

The only objective now was clear: get to the ground—fast—and stay alive.

Fleeters: Makar Clyne | Braze | Jonyna Si | Caelan Valoren | Akar Rhonvogg

"Speech".
'Thought'.

 

[Makar Clyne]

Fleet
x2 Circinus-Class Bulk Corvette 22|100
x1 Circinus-Class Bulk Corvette 0|100 Disabled!
x2 Delphin-Class Frigates 30|100
x1 Verne-Class Armored Cruiser "Tethys" 55|100
x6 Cloakshape Starfighters

Yet another barrage of ion weaponry, it was becoming apparent that they had no intentions of destroying Makar's fleet, they wanted to lock him in a cell somewhere. He'd never let that happen, not without putting a plenty of Alliance dogs in the ground first. He knew the type of captains employed by the alliance, most would be aghast at the thought of simple pirates causing damage to their fleets. If he couldn't destroy the Venators, then he would have his pound of flesh from a different source.

"Begin loading another volley of Hypervelocity shells! This time our targets are their corvettes! If we inflict enough damage to their fleet, it will give us an opening to retreat!"

"Aye captain! Communicating to Herne and Taisch, they'll focus all cannons on the corvettes as well! What do we do about the B-Wings?"

"Move our remaining corvettes into position to fire on the passing fighters! And have our Cloakshapes move to intercept, they may be old, but they're more than enough to engage B-Wings!"

At Makar's command the ships began their repositioning, Ion torpedoes and blasts of blue energy colliding with ships. All the while the enemy B-wings continued their assault. The pilots seemed to be in the clear, until their RWR systems began to blare inside their cockpits, automated voiced repeating messages of missile locks from enemy fighters.

The aged Cloakshape fighters used the disabled corvette as cover, zooming at full speed over the dead engines and into a diving attack against the B-wings. They locked their missiles and lined up their laser cannons, for as powerful as Claymore's assault ships were, the trained crew of Makar's fighters had a slight tactical edge. being quite the hardened pilots themselves. Their bursts of laser fire ripped through space, each Cloakshape spraying laser bolts towards the larger, more lumbering ships.

At the same time the squadrons were doing their evasive dances, the corvettes repositioned themselves with their forward-facing guns all aimed at the passing B-wings. They had to be careful, for what was coming might rip those corvettes in half if they weren't careful.

Makar's flagship computed a firing solution, and Makar reclined in his chair, a short chuckle lost in the din of the bridge.

"Fire all guns!" He commanded, as Herne, Taisch, and Tethys all began to fill the space in front of themselves with hypervelocity shells.

The frigates recoiled from the blasts of their own cannons. One, two, three, four, five shots, all aimed at the small corvettes of the Alliance fleet. Glittering slugs of metal sung through the vacuum of space, traveling at ridiculous speeds, headed right for the ships, their path predetermined by the advanced targeting arrays and skilled gunners of the medium ships. Meanwhile, Tethys' autocannon laid down a suppressing barrage at the Astrocats, keeping them at distance so no one could save the poor corvettes.

Jonyna Si , Braze , Akar Rhonvogg Balun Dashiell

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Makar Clyne Braze Akar Rhonvogg
Fleet: Dawn of Hope

The tide had turned. Jonyna watched as the B-wing strike did little, and caused Jonyna to wonder if the B-wings needed a refit. They had been built during the time of the Enclave War, but that was a thought for a later day. Still, the skill of the GADF's pilots should win the day here.

The B-wings spun around, using their superior maneuverability to allow them to get their aft-quad laser cannons to bear, opening up on the Cloakshapes as the corvette's guns pinged off the heavy deflector shields. The pilots shifted, heading straight for the Astrocats, as the larger Frigates withstood another round of suppressive fire, while shifting their missile launchers to open fire on the fighters, once more with ion torpedoes. The intent was to disable, not destroy, as much as they could.

Jonyna was about to lean back, but then the rounds hit the Busy Bee. She had purposefully set up the Tenacitys to draw fire from the medical frigates, but she didn't expect the pirates to bring them to full bear against them.

"Ma'am! Busy Bee and The Wall are reporting their shields are dropping! They're taking damage!"

"Evacuate. We can save the ships later, save the crew."

"Yes ma'am!"

As evacuations began, Jonyna couldn't help but snarl a little. She hated this. Not being able to see her opponent dead in the eye. Relying on delayed orders, it was why she could never be a soldier. But...she couldn't let her corvettes to ruin.

"Order the Lifeline to shift position, get them in the line of fire between the Tenacitys and the enemy."

 

[Junko Ike]

The reports coming in from two places were helpful as the fighters deployed shields into a wall. The overlapping energies shimmering while the commander remained at the ready. Junko's attention immersed within the white current and she was continuing as the first alert came. Two Rokujo MK. V appearing at the edge of the system flanking a Kaede MK. V as the similar looks were there but the size difference. The ships seperating as the power readings would show their advanced lavenrings spinning up and forming one more vessel each... and then each vessel would make another one and then they would keep going. The rapid duplication giving off the readings it was drawing from reserves pulled by the hypertech generators and three ships rapidly spinning up towards ninety eight vessels.

The commander remaining there as he looked on the screen and weapon systems read active. The ships didn't move but he had told Jonyna Si they had vessels incoming.... that they could self replicaate was in the design specs as Junko continued to focus. The white current focusing on the vessels as she could maintain it. Few aside from Cira or Je'gan, Master Ijet or like Ashin Cardé Varanin could pierce a white current illusion. One of the sith in the Fringe lords who had attacked Atrisia... Ovmar might have seen that only the initial vessels were there with all of the others showing similar but slightly varied readings to improve the illusions. The replication continuing as the Commander spoke and Mitthm"ar"anuruodo Khan stood on the bridge of the vessel. Sleek black bodyarmor and a glowing red eye.

"Deploy fighters, make a pathway to the planet for the Dragon to follow." She said it and remained there looking on. THe information on their screens show the fleet that was firing on the debris field. Information from the draagon came in and assistance had been declined which raised an eyebrow as they continued to remain on the edge of the system. The replication of the fleet continuing as it would continue to double and focus. She knew the stake while directing coordinaation and setting the fighters to be prepared and ready for swarming. "THe princess certainly knows how to show off. Her Falleen masters would be pleased. Do not break it understood." She got nods of confirmation as the crew continued working and they could observe and box in as the initial vessels were moving among and with the others giving them cover.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

EMPRESS TETA

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : OPEN

Walking around the new-to-him Mining Guild headquarters that frankly, needed quite a bit of work and nearly all the windows replaced, a flash in the sky caught his eye. Glass crunched under his feet as he got to a better position, trying to get the sun out of eyes. The half-Galan leaned back, cupping his hands around his face to look better and another flash. It was slowly dawning on him there was a battle occuring high up past the atmosphere of the planet.

A small frown. The last thing the planet needed was a ship to crash down upon it.

Distantly he could see planetary defense forces streak across the lower atmosphere, as if checking out what was going on. Perhaps calling for evacuation? His droid, Thirty-Seven, was checking out the pediatric hospital site and unable to answer any questions about comm or holonet chatter.

Guess he would know when the debris crashed around him.