Invasion Into Hell, We March (Authority Invasion of Naboo)

[EmKay]

"Status report."

"The wounded can move again, the death toll is large, but it could have been much worse, sir. More units from fallen dropships have gathered, and we are a force opver a hundred strong."​

​

"Good. We will have time to mourn the dead later, right now we have a war to wage. Make sure my Knights and the other soldiers are prepared for the march."

"Yes, Commander. We should be able to mobilise within ten minutes."​

​

"Excellent, you are dismissed."

With that, the reporting Obsidian bowed and departed, leaving Atretes to meditate and complete the healing he'd begun earlier. He would need his strength for what was to come. They both would. He felt Sigma resting within him in much the way he was resting himself, the two consciousnesses in harmony for now. There were brief thoughts shared between the two, but nothing more substantial than a word or two. Meaningless banter that filled the time of rest. There were flickers of influence that liked to tendril their way into Atretes' consciousness. Something unknown that Sigma hid from him, and that he didn't like the feeling of. The internal battle was at a calm, but the inevitable was there, waiting for an opportunity. The perfect moment to strike and lash around his will. Atretes knew now, but could do nothing until that time came. It was the worst kind of waiting, but he occupied the time in-between. With things like this.

Unable to continue his meditations, Atretes broke out of the trance and stood, stepping out of the small shack he'd built for himself and walking the makeshift encampment they'd collectively gathered into. Many of the Knights were doing the same as he was moments ago. Meditating and collecting themselves for the coming battle. Others were healing, and some were acting as sentries. It was all very efficient, and ensured nobody got too close without the whole base of Obsidians knowing. The sounds of war echoed from what sounded like perhaps a few miles away, and the wrecks of other dropships had littered the ground around them. The survivors from those wrecks had been added to bolster the unit, adding in a non-Force element and a few scores more of Knights. They had a small army gathered here, of Marines and Obsidians, and a number of working droids, all working to regroup and come together for their own march. A strange thrill ran up Rhoujen's spine at being the leader of this group, and something within him clicked that he'd bring a great deal of change to the Obsidians. That was something for another time, however.

He walked the line of wounded, and watched the miracle of the expert healers. Their work knit bone back together, healed flesh, and even reconstructed someone's face in one instance. It was a wonder to behold, and he wondered what marvels he could accomplish with such knowledge. He mused on that for a few moments, then realised the wounded had stood. They nodded to him, he nodded in return, and then he turned to a sentry with a meaningful look. The Knights stationed there knew, and she let out a wordless bellow amplified by the Force that summoned all present to gather. They formed ranks based on branch and position, and Atretes walked a distance before them, looking to all assembled and watching their faces. Some were nervous, as expected, others were simply doing their jobs, and a few had the expression of pure dedication to this cause, of wishing to do their best and prove themselves to their Commander and Lord Marshall. He smiled internally, but his face never showed a flicker of that emotion. He turned away from them, towards the sounds of war and Theed, and spoke.

"FORWARD, MARCH!"

With Atretes at the front, the mass of Authority soldiers strode forward, all in step with the military precision expected of the newly reformed forces. Marines held their rifles ready across their chest, Knights held their lightsabers in-hand, ready to flick them on at a moment's notice, and droids flanked the sides and coned around the front like a shell to absorb the initial attacks. Though their march of two-or-so miles to reach the city would be long, they would ensure they were prepared before they even saw the walls.

 

[Ikki Ike]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

Ikki had been wondering and was now wearing a handmaiden outfit as she slid along in the vents and glad she had gotten cleaned off. She was wondering what they could do while she was moving, she had cleaned off her hair and the smell was still there somewhat but she was fine now it was mostly gone. She could blame it on the dirt and grime as she listened. Her senses bringing her about and the gloves with the slice wire spools were one to protect her.

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

|Outskirts of Theed, East|​

Allies: ASA & Allies [[member="Salem Norongachi"]]​

Enemies: OP & Allies​

Objective: Clear the air. Clear the ground. Annihilate.​

"Atta boy," a hand had dropped to lift a fallen comrade, "easy... nice and easy."

Before them stretched onslaught, blood, over turned dead transports. Screams that seemed to echo in the rolling, emerald hills of Theed's countryside. They were not, in fact, echoes- but, the voices of hundreds of men from both sides voicing their pain; obvious numbers were of their own. "We need medics," the Authority soldier ordered into his com, then shot off coordinates. That same boy he helped to his feet rested just beside him, a gaping hole near the right rib cage had taken the flesh and the fabric. It was only the adrenaline keeping him alive, the platoon leader knew. The kid's face was ashen and beaded with sweat and it was clear the pain he was in.

"I...."

"Shhh. Save your strength, soldier."

The wounded boy only blinked, then sucked in shaky breath after shaky breath. He never complained, not once. "I ha-....have tttthe," his hand shook, presenting a small chip from the confines of a cargo pocket, "lloooo-" he shook, the loss of blood taking its toll on the young soldier's body, "loca-a-a-ations of ddddee defense. Some... no...not all." Deon's sweaty palm grasped the platoon commander's. "I-I'm sorry I...cou...et...re..." The light in his eyes dimmed and the man frowned. Then he screamed, every ounce of pain seemingly coming to life and Deon Garret's body writhed. It didn't seem to stop.

Platoon Commander Garret gave a nod, then averted his gaze for a moment to brace himself and gather strength.

When he looked back, the shot fired point-blank into his son's temple. Too racked with pain to have seen it coming, there was no struggle, and given the torment he was in would have caused the senior to intervene in his own flesh and blood's peace. The man wasted not a moment before he trudged forward and bend at the waist to scoop the fallen into his arms, chip still between his fingers.

Deon Garrett had been amongst the men first deployed on the ground, the front-line. The fact that he lived as long as he did with Theed defense closing in at every quarter proved that what he fought to live for was important. Information. It was always information....

More devastation pummeled them, like fiery hail from the skies. The very ground shook with the blasts and more soldiers of the Authority fell. The sound of quick retaliation scored the ears of those present and the Commander moved, taking cover beside a transport. There was silence, then static, "SHOOT THEM OUT OF THE SKY! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!", he all but cried, his voice dire and booming over the com system.

What was left of the tanks, droids, and walkers, a fourth of them swarmed the area, the rest at each respective side of the map {North, West, South], extending out about a mile. Closing in, guarding, protecting. "Move out," ordered the forlorn father, while wading through what was left of the small battalion towards one of the vehicles. It came to a stop in time and the hatch opened, "Sir?"

"Take him. His body... his mother would want a proper burial and this is the best way to make that remotely possible."

"Aye, Commander." The bulk of the tank driver slipped out, his arms outstretched for his deceased brother-in-arms. Then the hatch was closed and that tank forged on.

"Salvage the weapons.... salvage everything from those transports and let's move. We have a city to burn."

Troops scattered, maneuvering expertly around the dead and into the crash sites to retrieve what they could use. What every able body could carry. It was safe to assume that multiples of shotguns, pistols, slug throwers, and rifles. Even more than a few explosives, machines guns and medkits. The ASA had come prepared with what the armory manifest offered, but they couldn't get it all, they didn't have the men to carry it. And after each defunct transport or vessel had been pillaged, they were set afire.

A vast number of pyres littered that small piece of hell on Naboo and soon the plumes of smoke would offer a blanket of slight reprieve to scatter.

 

[Steph Zenima]

LOCATION: Outskirts of Theed
ALLIES: Abrion Systems Authority, @Anesia Jy Vun, [member="Salem Norongachi"]
ENEMIES: Omega Protectorate, hopefully people with less complex names
OBJECTIVE: Brain damage?

Did they crash?

Maybe. Probably. Somebody died of whiplash, so it was very likely. Actually, not just likely, it was so. There had definitely been crashing.

Not that Steph had noticed at the time, she had been leaning upon that sledgehammer hilt lost in the realm of her own stupid thoughts. Was ah alwais ginger, man? That was the main thought. Steph Zenima, as it turned out was much older than one could give credit for. Much older. Although most of that time was lost to her, or rather locked. Boundaries, my friend. She couldn't physically recall the very many times she had been built and rebuilt. Not to mention the time she was dismantled and made flesh once again. That was a fun day.

But there was a naggle. Ahm ah really a natural ginger? Did ah no hauv white hair? That last thought made her frown, obviously perplexed by that last though. It was a fleeting thought, leaning towards an albino creature and white hair and red eyes. White hair?! 'At's pure mad! Ahm no a farkin' grann-

Then Stephanie Zenima woke up with her head embedded in a hull.

So yes, they did crash.

Her name was mentioned. “...whit...” she groaned, pulling herself out of the dent made by her own forceful noggin'. Swiftly the tiny terror located her beloved sledgehammer and joined her best friend always and forever outside the unfortunate wreckage. So yes, can visually confirm that there was a crash. We just have to be one-hundred percent.

“...ah cah feel mah teeth...” she asked as they began to move, surely making their way down town, faces pass and I'm homebou...n...d? I'm sorry, I don't know what happened there. Pop culture leakage, a necessary evil when one gets down into the nitty gritty of things.

Her own relatively unmarred fists of rage tightened grip upon her unholy weapon of extreme bludgeoning. You say smash. I say:

“How hard?”

 

[Laith Varad*]

Location: Side streets; Theed
Allies: ASA
Enemies: OP
Objective: Travel towards his Primary Objective

​

...taking a knee after detonating the explosives that had destroyed the Pergola Bridge he would have retrieved his Assault Rifle from the soldier he'd handed it off to and continued to wait awhile longer. No doubt attention would draw some troopers towards the destroyed bridge, Laith was counting on this, he only need wait for his next opportunity with a bit of patience before acting. Bringing his right forearm up Laith would access his datapad once again and open a very rudiment map of Theed itself; the information it offered him would be limited, like a tourists map, but it would still compliment his knowledge with a better understanding of the lay of the land and different streets running throughout Theed. As he studied the map Laith would nod his head once then rise to his feet...

...looking between the soldiers who had accompanied him, which about a dozen men, he would explain..."We need to hit our primary target next. Secondary target can wait. We'll need a distraction."...the ASA soldiers he was with knew what he meant, some of them would likely die, but at this point they were willing to participate if it meant victory for their faction and the posthumous glory that would come with it. Ascending the stairs leading up to the streets of Theed from the confines of the dock that had been built on the banks of the Solleu River running through the city Laith would have crouched down and flipped the safety of his Assault Rifle off...

...as he came up the stairs he'd wait until he saw what he thought was a squad of Protectorate soldiers, or members of the Naboo Security Force, and taking aim Laith would raise his weapon. The Assault Rifles butt found a place in the crevice of Laith's right shoulder, his left hand supported the throat of the gun, and designating his targets with the friend/foe designator in his helm load out he would squeeze the trigger after slowly exhaling to maintain his accuracy. When the trigger compressed a three round burst was fired from the Assault Rifle into the center mass of one man who was dropped...

...after Laith had fired the first shots the other ASA Soldiers with him did likewise. This is when they realized that they hadn't surprised their enemies but rather they'd engaged them in the midst of their own attack. In an instant several ASA Soldiers fell when the OP squad returned fire. It only took a few moments to realize that they were engaged with more than one squad and that the enemy had also outflanked them as another man dropped due to sniper fire...

...while the bulk of the soldiers that Laith had brought with him engaged in a firefight on the streets of Theed he took four men and moved backwards, using suppressive fire to cover his withdrawal, before darting down a side street with his men. The Mercenary had no intention of engaging the enemy in a prolonged firefight inside the cit which could ultimately end in his defeat however the distraction would draw out other security forces and clear a path to the next objective for him. The ASA Soldiers had orders to engage however as Laith left with several men the remaining soldiers would begin to fold, attempting to retreat back to the river where they'd try to make it to safety. By that time Laith was still well on his way...​

 

[EmKay]

The droids were the first to retaliate to the incoming fire. While the Knights and Marines steeled themselves for the battle ahead, Systems Authority heavy artillery remained a ways behind, waiting for the all-clear order for the shielding around Theed to be lowered. As they neared, the mass of soldiers could begin to feel the electricity in the air, hear and smell the sensory input of war, and before they quite realised what was going on, most were automatically taking cover from weapons fire attempting to destroy them and halt their advance. They needed no orders. While shouting over the battlefield was well and good, these men and women were trained well enough in the recent weeks to have something called common sense. Right now, it dictated getting into Theed and not dying.

Atretes didn't know where they were exactly. He could sense that Norongachi was close, but it wasn't important now. What was important was breaching the city proper. He looked across the field to those taking refuge behind ship parts, rocks, trees, and anything else that could be used to hide from the incoming blasterfire, and he gave a few gestures and a firm nod. They returned that nod, some with conviction and others with fear, and he prepared for the manoeuvre that would spell victory or damnation over this section of the fight. He drew his saber, rose, and charged. And they charged with him. The mass under his control stormed the gates, the objective to make it through and breach the effective range of the defending turrets. The droids fired heavily once they breached the shielding, distracting the turret gunners for some time, but not long enough to be wholly effective. Rhoujen made it to the safety of the wall, where he was forced to watch most of the Marines, all of the droids, and some number of Knights fall to the onslaught. What started out as near two hundred was now no more than a hundred and fifty, but upon seeing their fallen, those surviving felt a fury inside them that matched the flames wielded by the more incendiary Force users in the ASA.

"Bring it down." Atretes ordered, gesturing toward the gate they currently flanked.

In a sweep, those versed in telekinesis and pyrokinesis moved to the massive metal portcullis, and while flame heated and softened metal, sheer force sought to tear it down. The Knight Commander stepped out from his cover, and joined his Knights in bringing the gate down, but his was even more channeled emotion than his comrades. With his feet firmly planted, the Force gripped the gate by his will, ripped it, and hurled the mass chunks of heated metal into the space beyond. Protectorate and local forces that were intended to stop their entry were rent in two or smashed by the velocity of the metal, and the building behind was cut into at the base. That building, its structural integrity compromised, swayed and tipped, before falling toward the soldiers assembled at the gate. Dust and debris flew up from the crash, and they all used that cover to filter into the city.

Theed was breached.

While others swept out and cleared the immediate area of hostiles, using the cloak of dust as cover, Atretes ignited his own saber and was closely followed by those who shared his passion for this war. They followed him, up the ramparts of the wall that surrounded Theed, and together they fought their way through those enemy forces who manned turrets against their allies. Lightsaber clashed with armour or blade, the infantry posing little match to the powers of Atretes and his group. They mowed steadily through the wall-mounted defenders, clearing the gate's immediate area first. Those guards taken care of, the soldiers assembled far away in wait of an opening charged, mostly Marines and droids who survived the anti-air barrage. They flooded in and set to establishing a perimeter and charging up the walls. They pushed past the Knight Commander and rushed the walls, their force advancing and crunching hard on the opposing force. The second immediate line of defence for Theed was broken. It wasn't some trickery of the Force that did this. It was will. It was the determination of an army to prove itself. It was the individual men and women, with the drive to not fail, to live up to the name set upon them as men and women of the Abrion Systems Authority to succeed at this battle.

Even as the defences fell, Atretes looked to one of his party members who had a certain twitch to her features and a spark in her eye. He understood that look, and the hum that she held in the Force, and he said one simple phrase.

"Do it."

She knelt then, hand to the ground and face to the sky, as she unleashed the pent-up Force within her that begged for release. The skies began to darken, a thin layer of cloud cover at first, accompanied by a breeze and the trickle of rain. Then another of the Knights joined the position of the first, and Atretes and the others defended them. Sparks scattered and danced across the ground, then jumped across rain drops into the cloud cover like seeds that sought soil to take root in. Through the Force, the Knight Commander could feel the two merge their signatures, a temporary bond of the power that allowed them to pull off a marvelous ability Atretes was always awestruck by in its wrathful, terrible beauty. The clouds thickened, the winds gusted and swirled, and a bolt of lightning, originating from within the shields that now acted like a bio-dome for the clouds to collect and condense within, struck the ground with such force that the impact generated a small explosion of energy that left a crater and shook the foundations of buildings around it. Another bolt lashed out and cleaved the side of a building apart, and another screamed through the sky. A net of constant energy began to flicker through the cloud layer, obscuring the sensors of the AA guns and providing unstable light to the city below. Rains poured down heavily, impacting with what nearly felt like hail and was equally as cold. The Storm set, the two Knights rose, their eyes glazed over and their stance wobbly.

"Rest." Atretes told them, and they slumped to the ground beside a Marine manning a turret.

They had done their part. Atretes shivered at the cold that surrounded them now, but he gripped his saber tighter and nodded to his remaining accompanying escort. They slipped down from the wall, landing on a rooftop and sliding down to ground level where they discovered a Protectorate soldier, backed into a corner, rifle pointed outward like a trapped animal. Atretes looked to the soldier, and deactivated his lightsaber. With the gentle stroke of two fingers, the Force moved the aim of the rifle aside as the Knight Commander held himself proud before the relentless Storm, and he extended a hand to the frightened soldier.

"Join us, or die." he said.

The soldier quivered, uncertain. The clash of feeling was palpable to Atretes, that conflict between loyalty and survival. Unfortunately for him, loyalty won. Likely a side-effect of those manipulators pulling the heart-strings of the weak-minded. A blaster bolt lanced out from the soldier's weapon, but dissipated into the armour the Knight Commander wore. Without a second thought, Atretes stepped forward and re-ignited his lightsaber in a single motion, impaling the foolish footman through the chest. A last moment of clarity struck the dying man, the illusions of those above and around melting away in the final throes of his brain. Only at the end did he understand, and by then, he had already drawn his last breath. Rhoujen turned to his companions and jerked his head to the side before walking past them.

"Let's go."

 

[The Upright Man]

Location: Theed
Allies: Omega Protectorate
Enemies: [member="Ermac Laith"]
Objective: Defend Theed

Before he could hear it, he felt it and saw. In the distance, he squinted his eyes to see a plume of smoke rise high into the sky. The earth trembled. Then the tremendous roar of the explosion blew past him, knocking the cap right off his head. "Well I'll be," Wolfe said. He cocked the .48 and looked to the soldiers around him. "Let's move it marines. It seems the enemy are coming for us. They must love the smell of badass," Wolfe ordered. He motioned his hand towards the river when he got the order. Defend the banks. He began to jog, unhindered by unwieldy and heavy armour. Wolfe motioned to a nearby Mantiocore Heavy-Support Tank, the pilot poked his head out. Wolfe said, "Boy, get to the river, hunting season is officially open." Wolfe raised his foot and scrambled onto the hull of the Manticore, as the tank began to roll past the marines, more of them began to quickly climb on before being left behind.

Although not designed as a troop transport, with a platoon of forty-eight following behind and twelve sitting on the plating, it had become one. "Sierra sighted, open her up son," Wolfe barked the command, the twin rail guns exploded with raw ferocious power. The Sergeant Major had been standing, his cap having been placed back upon his head. Fingers in both ears. The sheer force of the ammunition expelling from the cannons was enough to blow his hat off his head again. He leaned down as the anti-personnel cannon began to open fire on the mercenaries. He scooped it back up when Private Pisch said, "Sarge, you might need sticky tape for that thing." Wolfe looked to him, "Can it, private. You've got guns to fire." Return fire was given as the platoon opened up on the small contingent of soldiers that had infiltrated into the city. Wolfe held out the .48 with two hands and slapped the trigger. The recoil shook his entire body, wrists snapping back. The corporal wasn't lying, it was damn powerful. Wolfe said, hopping down from the tank,"Some boys thinking they can get out of this mess, Fireteam Lima, on me." Wolfe and Fireteam Lima began to split apart from the main force, diving down a side street a block up from Laith, whilst the platoon continued their engagement with the remaining forces.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Location: Theed Spaceport
Allies: OP, Jedi
Enemies: ASA, Sith
Objective: Waitin' on a woman....

Corvus made her way to the cockpit as quickly as she could. Adrenaline and the potency of the Force that she was experiencing was making her anxious to join the fray.

But she knew, deep down that patience was key here, so she calmed herself and waited as VIPER finalised the prepping of the ship to take the militia to the front and evacuate the wounded.

[member="Felicity Mason"]
[member="VlPER"]

 

[General Mayhem]

Location: The ocean above Otoh Gunga, approximately 10 km out



Aliies: [member="Rahvin Talith"] [member="Ilyena Talith"] and a whole lotta droids
Enemies: [member="Knight"] [member="Ghorumgash Khazund-Veranum"] and other protectorate entities.
Tunage: A New March for the ages.


Mayhem hissed with electronic glee as her aquatic transports began descending towards the city, shining like a pearl in the Nubian waters. Soon the naval squadron would engage in true warfare. She had no doubt the might of the Gungans would stand forth soon, poised to regale her in glorious battle. Perhaps here she would find worth opponents to test her mettle.


She hoped for a glorious battle, and a strong one. Still, she was no humble fool or coward. She opened a comm-link, openly hailing whomever led this underwater base. "I've no interest in civilians. Should you surrender, you will be allowed to leave. Should you not, than we shall strike. What say you, mighty bosses of the Gungan people?"


She waited calmly. Giving them a few moments to respond wouldn't hurt, after all. She sat, awaiting to see what the next order to her troops would be. They continued descending, slowly. One way or another, she would ascend to the Gungan's capital with the unmatched fury of a Colicoid Matriarch, and she would do it brutally.

 

[VlPER]

Gungan scouts had already returned to the city and informed them that most of the ASA forces had inexplicably turned away from Otoh Gunga, and headed for Theed. This upstart and the few with him that had already started to decend to their under water sanctuary when the main force then turned away must not have gotten the memo. And then to add insult to injury, he was now demanding their surrender.

A second of static came over [member="General Mayhem"] 's comm system before the boisterous sound of laughter emanated from the Boss.

"Yousa might be wantin' to look towards yousas own forces. Yousa have been abandoned! Its yousa who are needin' to do the surrenderin' before our grand army comes and destroys yousa!"

The gungans after having seen the bravery of the Naboo to help protect Otoh Gunga were preparing to have their own say in this battle. If Mayhem were to continue to approach he was see a suitably sized army ready and waiting to give him a warm reception to Otoh Gunga.

*************************************************​

​

Back at Theed The ASA army seemed to finally be getting some cohesion with their forces and had finally begun to bring them all to bare on Theed, even despite the massive losses they had so far incurred. What was now developing behind them though was probably not something they would have expected.

Using the treeline that hadn't been blown to bits by bombs for cover, a large gungan force moved toward the rear of the ASA forces closing in on Theed. The second they stepped out onto the field a series of things happened. The battle horns of the Gungans began to blare across the field and announce their arrival to aid their allies. A glowing shield wall suddenly appeared along the long line of warriors exiting the forest. Then several lumbering hulks appeared. Huge Fambaas carrying the gungan shield generators. A second later they were activated sending a glowing purplish bubble around the entire force to protect them from bombardment and artillary till they were able to close the gap.

Their pace then increased. As they broke into a slow jog, the gungans began to beat their shields in unison and chant battle cries (Like this, minus the stopping to get shot bit )Onward they continued to push toward the ASA lines which had now been fully committed toward the Theed defenses.

 

[Feena]

Location: Palace
Objective: BATTLE MEDITATION!!!
Enemies: The jerkbags killing her people
Allies: The not jerkbags

Down in the City of Theed, the people were mobilizing. In some places, they still repeated 'We are Naboo' in high spirits. But it was stubborn, this cry from the people. A unwillingness to give up. The Authority was going to have trouble fighting their way through the streets. In almost every building, people waited for the attack, the instant enemy troops dared to set foot in their streets. And they were willing and ready to die. This was home. If they had to die somewhere, this would be it.

Once such citizen was not even technically a Naboo citizen yet. Her name was Lenna, and she used to call Druckenwell home. After the fall of that world, some of the survivors emigrated to other worlds. One such world that had opened arms to the survivors was Naboo, under the order of the new Queen.

Lenna had lost her home once now. Lost her friends, her mom, her sister, even her pet. They were all gone. But in that time, she had finally been given a new start. She had new friends, neighbors, a job at a local clothing store. She enjoyed this new life. It was a different culture to be sure, but Lenna had grown used to it. She'd grown to truly, honestly, love Naboo with all that was left of her heart. And she was going to die before she started over somewhere else.

Her neighbor, Mr Brisble, was an old man, but a nice man. He hobbled to the corner store every day, always waving to her when he passed by. She'd gotten so used to this exchange in her short time. One time, she brought him some tea and he let her borrow some cooking oil. It was a neighborly exchange. And now, this was another.

Mr Brisble huddled around a table in a local restaurant, now used as one of the many civilian bases. They were in the middle of the city, and the fighting was getting closer. The Palace was an objective for the enemy, that much they knew, but he could never wrap his head around why the Authority, this... not CIS, thought they could win this one. They were outmatched, outgunned, and they did not know the terrain. But even with all this, they were still fighting their way into the city, and somehow they were actually not doing too badly.

Mr Brisble looked at the hologram of the city, his thick grey mustache twitching in agitation. He knew war strategy. In his old war days, he had been a General, before his damn leg got blown off. Naboo still had the advantage here. The more they pushed into Theed, the more people this 'Authority' was going to lose. They seemed to be underestimating just what the people of Naboo were willing to do to protect their home. It was going to cost them.


In the tower, high above the City, the Queen smiled. Her heart beat like a drum, perfectly in time with the one she called her 'Soul mate'. The faint, distant sounding voice of Vorhi announced the arrival of Keter.

"Keke, you came."

She spoke slowly, trying not to let her concentration dwindle for an instant. If she let up, just for an instant, they might fail. But now that he was here, she had more confidence than ever. The will of her people would win out.
The people would never give in.

[member="Keter"] [member="Vorhi Alestrani"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity moved as fast as she could, the battle in the distance getting closer. Not close enough to worry- yet. And Daddy was going to protect mom. She would be alright. Daddy could do anything, so at least now that was not something she needed to worry about. No. What she needed to be concerned about was how to get to the Princess of Theeds office, so she could climb out the window and get down to the city.

"Space Wizard," she said into her comm again, "I'm almost out. Just a few more minutes. Can you hold out unti-"

She froze. Staring back at her was a stranger. The Queen daughter looked her up and down. To all else, she looked like one of the Queens handmaidens. She was wearing the uniform, but it was outdated. The new uniform had gathering on the shoulders, and a deep blue sash around the waist, not aqua. Besides all that, she wasn't fooling anyone. The entirety of Naboo recognized the Queens handmaidens faces.
In a second, the Queens Daughter pulled out the knife, steadily holding it out to the imposter. Her hands shook, unsteady, unused to the weight of the blade. She'd had basic self defense classes, but that had been it.

"Who. Are. You?" she demanded, not realizing that her wrist communicator was still recording every word, "What are you doing in the Palace?"

[member="VlPER"] [member="Ikki Ike"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

Location: Theed
Allies: OP
Enemies: Authority players.
Objective: Get my paycheck.

Alexandra smiled as she stood there, her body covered in Malfrost Sentinel armor and at her side a dauntless blade. Over her shoulder a CZ-838 as she smiled wider and waved off the stealth ship that had flown her to the roof of the building she stood on. Her legs fell under her and she kneeled to get a bit of a vantage point without some random soldier taking a shot at her. Her eyes scanned the battlefield... no the city, as it had become a warzone and she took the sniper on her enemies, shots fired off at the enemy as shock slugs impacted into groupings. Her smile as she would find a certain skill at this she had forgotten, perhaps not having the force wasn't all that bad.

 

[Ikki Ike]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

Ikki looked at the girl and then the knife as she wished for a moment she could feel the force and her sense of direction was good and there just had led her to a person instead. Her body moving a little as she was there in the robes squeezed into the vents. She looked up removing the hood and speaking softly almost childlike. "I heard the attack and grabbed a robe, one of the palace guards likes his good time before his shift. I am paid to service." Her hands were in front of herself and Ikki meekly bowed her head as she laid there not moving forward but her brain was calculating, factoring and focusing on the numbers.

The length of time it would take to unspool a line of slicewire ad use it to go through the girl, through the knife and move forward. She had been shown how to use her mind by the Oswaft to create information shouts (their method of communicating sending physical bursts of information that could destroy star destroyers or communicate with other people) She was more then certain the size of the castle and general skeeviness of people coupled with the attack would protect her story. Perversion and vice were often worse in those who said thy were good while she remained with an impassive face and the robes concealed her equipment.

"I am Ikki, a courtesan from Theed and I just want to survive."

 

[Darth Nephthys]

Location: Space
Objective: Land on Gunga
Allies: ASA
Enemies: The Protectorate


Slipping in a starfighter was not too shabby. It was easier to slip through as a singular ship than as a massive freighter. So while the fleets played their own little fight, Darth Nephthys did her own little trajectory path of avoidance. Granted, there were a few bolts that went streaming across her canopy, hitting her shields and igniting them a brief green hue for a moment.

She hit atmo soon enough, and her destination towards Otoh Gunga would be neigh incoming soon.

Here's to an interesting landing.

Along with more waterworks.

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl hesitated, but quickly recovered. No. She didn't believe her. Handmaidens did not do it for payment. It was meant as an honor to serve your planet. Her face scrunched up with rage and she held the knife even tighter.

"You are an awful handmaiden then, climbing through holes while your Queen puts herself in danger!"

And what's more, this 'courtesan' didn't seem to recognize her. She didn't seem to have any clue who she was. That told her right there that something was wrong.

"If you are really who you say you are, then you will help me. This is your home, right? Do you want to lose your family and friends? Do you want them all to die? Because I don't!"

She was ready to do anything now. Mother spoke so much about how killing was awful. But this was not one of her lessons. This was life or death. Not just hers. The Force had brought her here to protect her people, and Felicity was going to do that, no matter what it took.

[member="Ikki Ike"]

 

[Luna Vega]

Outside of Theed, North
Allies: ASA and Allies
Enemies: OP and Allies

Objective: Survive.




"Fer ahhh Jeeedai," the pirate took a shot in the dark, "ya seem ta be enjoyin' the slaughter." Her hand rose, machete pointed at [member="Talon Vosra"] from meters away. That itch, that inevitable itch told her she was out of her league here. But a corsair did love a good dance. Luna was between two soldiers, just a few hairs back, weapon between their uniformed shoulders. "I thought ya were suppos'ta be som'serta mystical healer?" Perhaps the Yuuzhan Vong were right about them. Head tilting, causing a few strands of bright cerulean to fall in front of her eyes as she gazed about the bodies the man had just tore down.


Assault rifles were brought to the ready by the men next to her, their scope lining up to the bastard Jedi's head. There were more than this, she thought suddenly. Where'd they go? Vega wouldn't spring first. She'd wait for his move. "How diplomaaaaatic are ya, Jeedai?"

 

[Ikki Ike]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

Ikki looked at the woman and gave a nod of her head to her order. Because it was an order at the best of terms while she spoke. "Lets go then." Ikki started moving to get going. "Which way are we headed?" It wasn't much of a plan but she was more then certain she could come up with a new plan on the fly. She hadn't had much of one coming in anyways.

 

[Una Gal]

Una lowered her body out of the doorway. It hung for a moment in mid-air before her boots made contact with the floor, and like Gravy, she sunk down a little. It was a sickening sensation, seeing the twisted scene that was laid out before her. The right side of her body still felt like it was on fire, a pulsing fire that got hotter with each movement and burned all the way up to her neck. She hoped Gravy didn't feel the same way as she ignited one side of her double bladed saber. The impressive 1 meter beam of light shone out in a ray of colors. This was when she liked it best. A mash of vibrant tones of red, blue, green, yellow and every other color imaginable made up the blade. It was a beacon for sure, but that was the way she liked it.

She did as she was told. Una had little to no experience in the battlefield and though she had no doubt she could defend herself, it didn't hurt to have help. Taking up position behind one of the large mechanical legs of the spiders, she kept her eye on every direction. The spider droids made it much easier to keep up with Gravy. They were huge towers, announcing their oncoming slaughter with footsteps that shook the earth beneath them. Her hands snapped to her ears as the chain guns unloaded into some poor idiot. Behind these beasts Una had hardly needed to lift her saber. A few had given it there best but Una had been on target. Gravy was still a few feet away from her, a seconds walk away. "Are we there yet?" She called out over the heavy boom of the guns and the occasional explosion some distance away.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Location: Palace, Ventilation system
Allies: OP, Naboo,
Enemies: CIS, err... ASA, I mean.
Objective: Lose the extra weight



Her quick change could either mean two things. One, Felicity was mistaken, and this girl was just a serving girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or two, Felicity was correct, her feelings about this situation were genuine, and she was with someone dangerous right now.
She took a deep breath, sheathed her knife at her waist (for the time being) and put her comm up to her mouth.

"Jedi," she said with a sigh, "Go on without me. I'll find you out there. Somewhere. And if not, well, I'll keep communications open. If there's something I can do, you contact me. And don't worry about the Queen."
She didn't look at the girl, but that prickling in her mind told her that it was best to give out as much faulty information as she could.
"The Queen is locked in the throne room. She'll be safe there."

She lowered her wrist, and motioned with her head for the girl to move back.

"That way. We're heading that way. Move."

[member="Ikki Ike"] [member="viper"]