Dominion [NEO] The Great Taming | [Dominion of Kashyyyk Hex]

[Ninurta Slaabur'r]

​

Kashyyyk, the verdant jewel of the Mid Rim, stands as a bastion of Wookiee culture, resilience, and unity. From its towering Wroshyr trees to the labyrinthine Shadowlands, makes it both a fortress and a sanctuary for those who call it home. But now, the harmony of the forest faces a dissonant threat as the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders position for attack, devised and spearheaded by Beastmaster Ninurta. This is no ordinary raid; it is a calculated strike to dismantle the soul of Kashyyyk—the Elder Council of Kachiro.

The planets rich natural resources are a coveted prize in the warpath. The Wroshyr trees offer unparalleled materials for ships, vehicles, weapons, and fortifications. The fertile lands and position in the Mid Rim present strategic opportunities for expansion, resource cultivation, and dominance over crucial trade routes. Even the unique ecosystems of the Shadowlands, teeming with exotic flora and fauna, provide untapped potential for bioweapons. Central to the campaign is the Neo-Crusaders' ability to forge and manipulate alien alliances to strengthen their assault. The Rodian hunter clans, enticed with promises of expanded hunting grounds and access to Kashyyyk's famed Ryyatt trails, have eagerly joined the fray, using their sharpshooting skills to dominate the canopy levels. Meanwhile, the Trandoshan Blackscale Clan, longtime adversaries of the Wookiees, has been lured into the conflict with opportunities to raid and enslave their ancestral enemies. Hints of potential rewards from the moon of Trandosha add further incentive, tying the Neo-Crusaders' impending reign to the power struggles of the region. Even among the Wookiees themselves, dissent is sown. Outcast Madclaws and exiles from the Shadowlands have been charmed by the beastmasters silver tongue. Promises of redemption and revenge, lured into the Neo-Crusader fold with the vision of reclaiming what was lost and exacting justice against those who cast them out.

Ninurta spearheads an unrelenting assault on the canopy level of Kachiro, where the Wookiee Elder Council governs. The feral horde he leads—a savage tide of Madclaw exiles, shadow-dwelling Webweavers, and a towering Terentatek—climbs through the towering Wroshyr trees, bringing chaos to the upper city. Neo-Crusaders join the charge, their disciplined formations wiping away what the feral beasts could not. But Wookiee warriors and freedom fighters have mounted a fierce defense, their knowledge of the Great Tree's vast platforms and suspended walkways grant them a crucial edge. Every branch and platform becomes a contested battlefield as the Shyyyo Heart Tribe fights valiantly to protect their tribal elders. A path must be carved through them and Elders taken captive!

While the assault rages in canopy level, Neo-Crusader forces focus on securing lower Kachiro, where the docks and ports are vital lifelines for reinforcements and supplies. Rodian hunter clans, lured by promises of expanded hunting grounds and control of the Ryatt Trail, join the fray, stalking through the lower city with calculated precision. Snipers concealed in the canopy level rain death from above, targeting Wookiee resistance fighters and mysterious Jedi shadows attempting to regroup. Aerial combatants equipped with jetpacks and basilisk droids streak through the dense maze of massive tree trunks and stretch into the coastline. Engaged in perilous dogfights while skirmishes erupt on precarious walkways and platforms. At sea level, Wookiee aquatic forces clash with Neo-Crusader amphibious units, the docks becoming a battleground of clashing blades and heavy weaponry. The Shyyyo Heart Tribe's engineers and warriors coordinate a multi-level defense, leveraging every inch of their city's unique geography to resist the Crusader incursion and protect communication relays, ports and docking stations our fleets need in order to land!

​

The Blackscale slavers join the Neo-Crusader fleet to establish space superiority over the Kachiro Orbital station. The battle rages in the orbit of the planet, with capital ships trading devastating volleys and wings of fighters being deployed. Blackscale slavers, infamous for their ruthless efficiency, seek to capture fleeing Wookiee vessels, exploiting the chaos of war to expand their operations. Neo-Crusader fleet commanders work to maintain discipline among their new so called "allies", ensuring the Crusade's objectives remain paramount. With opposition already heavy, we cannot afford to face the Trandoshans as well. Temper them now while there is time! Meanwhile the defenders and Wookiee ships, fight tooth and claw, using Kashyyyk's gravity wells and the thick planetary atmosphere to gain tactical advantages. The Shyyyo Heart Tribe lends its support by coordinating planetary defenses, using their intimate knowledge of Kashyyyk's terrain to outmaneuver their attackers and strike back from unexpected angles. Break through the veil of opposition and land planetside on the coast!

 

[Ninurta Slaabur'r]

The forest floor was alive with shadows, the distant glow of bioluminescent fungi casting faint halos in the gloom of the Shadowlands. My breath fogged the damp air as I drew the combat stims from my belt, the vial glinting faintly in the half-light. With a practiced motion, I pressed it to my neck, the hiss of the injector masked by the guttural growls of the feral Wookiees gathered nearby. I felt the burn immediately—a rush of fire in my veins as the stims mingled with my Falleen biology, pushing my pheromones into overdrive. The faint, primal musk filled the air like an invisible command, and the growls around me stilled as dozens of yellow eyes turned toward me.​

The swarm moved like a living storm, a cascade of flesh, muscle and sinew. Hunger, claws and fury. My eyes flicked across them, feeling their anticipation in the air, their loyalty not given, but demanded. I breathed in deeply, the combat stims coursing through me, turning my pheromones into a sharp, biting command. They were mine. All of them.

I stepped forward, my voice low and resonant, threading my words with promises and power. "...you have been cast down into the shadows, but here—now—I offer you the promise of vengeance and revenge. Swift retribution. The tribes above see you as nothing but beasts, They have forgotten you but I see warriors. I see a community worthy of the skies above. The tree they built is yours, and you—yes, you—can rise once more and live in the sun. I will give you this." Some bared their fangs in hesitation; others thumped their chests in primal agreement. The exiles were the easiest—fallen warriors longing for a return to glory. The ferals were harder, their instincts warring against comprehension. I used what gifts I could, coaxing the alphas with a mix of pheromones and low, soothing tones, showing them the might of the pack they would join.

Over time, the horde grew. In flashes of memory, I saw the gathering swell: Madclaws emerging from the roots of fallen Wroshyr trees, shadow-crawling Webweavers drawn by the pheromone-coated bait I left for them, and other predatory creatures of the Shadowlands lured by carefully laid trails of blood and more meals. Then, there was the Terentatek—a nightmare of claws, tusks, and venom. It demanded my full concentration, a week of careful manipulation, and the sheer force of will to tame it. Even now, as it loomed behind me, its massive form sent waves of unease rippling through my forces.
​

The ascent began with a roar.

The hordes surged up the Great Tree of Kachiro like a living tide, claws digging into bark, ropes swinging through the branches, and beasts crashing through barriers of wood and metal. The Shyyyo Heart warriors met us first, their war cries cutting through the canopy as they leaped to intercept us. A Wookiee warrior swung down from a branch, his Ryyk blade slashing toward me. I met the strike with my beskad, the clash of metal ringing out as the weight of the blow nearly drove me from my perch and over the edge to the shadows below. A grim fate that was bestowed not to myself but my weapon as it was forced from my hand! I kicked hard, creating the distance needed to launch my forearm forward and bathe the warrior with a warm glow. The scent of charred fur and flesh clung to the air and a crispy barbeque was delivered plummeting into the abyss below.

 

[Sig Dryggo]

Tags: @Open

​

The call of war isnt easily ignored by a Mandalorian. In fact a True Mandalorian sought war- for warfare runs through their very blood and flows into every facet of their society. At least that’s what Sig believed. It’s what most Neo-Crusaders believed. It didn’t matter what was then, all that mattered now.

The Neo-Crusaders had stalled: victory after victory meant nothing if they didn’t keep seeking them out. It wasn’t his plan to re-enter the fold so quickly, in fact he had planned on waiting far longer. But the Game needed playing, and he believed bis guiding hand was required to ensure Mandalorian Glory.

When word spread through their fleet and clans that Kashyyyk would be the next strike, Sig couldn’t be more gleeful. The Wookie warriors would surely produce incredible Foundlings, and those who would serve against them would be put down. Even if no allies were gained, the Neo-a Crusade would still claim victory through terror and sheer force. Sig was all to glad to make it known that he, as well as others of Clan Dryggo, would be at the front lines of this coming conflict.

In fact he currently sat not just behind tbe lines, but beneath them.

Sitting at the bottom of the freezing sea was Sig and a dozen of his vod. Above them they could hear the conflict beginning to form, the roaring thunder of war muffled beneath the waves. After a few minutes of double checking their equipment Sig gave a nod and they began to slowly ascend. Coming up beneath the docks they could see above them dozens of Wookiees preparing the harbor.

Off in the distance the ships and boats of Rodian slavers emerged over the horizon, their forces speeding towards the opportunity the Crusaders had now provided them. Peering up he could see a wookie commander above shouting orders in their native language, which Sig didn’t care enough to attempt to understand. Launching both arms forwards, his hands exploded from beating the great brute’s feet. Gripping them tight, he yanked hard to bring the Wookie down and smashing into the water, parts of the dock surrounding him following.

As he entered the water he would meet Sig’s vibroblade knife, turning the water crimson within seconds. Not a moment later Sig and his vod shot forth out of the water, their jetpacks placing them upon the docks, in the middle of the Wookie defensive line.

Without a word Sig and his vod began sweeping the docks, opening fire on anything that moved. While the Wookiee did prove effective, easily killing several of the warriors, the dock was quickly overwhelmed and taken by Sig and those who remained. As the last wookie was cleared from the dock, Rodian ships began to dock. Glancing at the nearest of these ships, Sig grinned sinisterly. <“This is Dryggo: the docks are ours. All ground forces push into the trees, cut off the lower city support, kill anything in your way.”>

His orders were clear and broadcast to every Neo-Crusader that wasn’t in the upper city with Ninurta Slaabur'r ‘s forces. Today was a day for glory, no matter the cost.

 

[Vreegan Fett]

​

Vreegan observed the tactical display screen as the initial Mandalorian forces landed on their designated targets, intent on eliminating any Wookiee opposition on the planet and cowering the other species that resided on the world.

However, he was not naive enough to think that they could achieve control over the planet without incurring bloodshed and sacrifice, given that the Wookiees' superior strength was more than capable of challenging hardened beskar.

He had anticipated that, considering the planet's history, traces of the Silver Jedi Concord would be present. However, none of his vode had reported any such encounters. If they had, they chose not to share this information with the rest of the Crusaders, likely to retain the potential glory for themselves.

This behavior did not surprise him, as not all Mandalorians exhibited discipline from a mental perspective. He had arrived in orbit with three Slythmonger Assault Frigates to assist the Trandoshans known as the Blackscales in their effort to wipe the skies clean of potential interference but Vreegan certainly didn't trust them to act strategically.

The defender's Auzituck Anti-Slaver Gunships were nimble and sturdy, as they zipped around the heavy firepower of the Trandoshans.

Vreegan commanded from the command chair, his voice slicing through the charged atmosphere of the bridge with precision. "Man the gunwales and establish a wall of fire!" The crew responded immediately, adrenaline coursing through their veins as they hurried to their designated positions.

Outside, the vastness of space shimmered with an ominous glow, populated by the silhouettes of enemy gunships darting like predatory birds. "Ensure they are only straffing the gunships! We require them perfectly aligned with our main batteries!" The air was thick with tension as the blaster cannons began to hum, creating a symphony that seemed to resonate throughout the ship.

The Mandalorian's keen eyes were fixed on the tactical displays, where enemy craft flickered across the star-studded expanse. The stillness of the battlefield was abruptly broken as the crew unleashed a relentless barrage, brilliant plasma bolts illuminating the surrounding darkness.

 

[Armel]

Lower Kachiro, Kashyyk

KA-CHUNK!​

The sound of a mass-driver shell ejecting into the turret basket echoed around the tank turret. A neo-crusader quickly hoisted another shell and set it into the cannon breach before forming a fist with his right hand and punching the shell in. The breach sealed shut and a small light above the turret turned from red to green.

"UP!" he screamed and moved back as fast as he could.

Not even half a second later Armel shouted. "ON THE WAY!" and the turret shuddered as he fired the main gun.

KA-CHUNK!
​

Another shell launched into the turret basket.

Peering through the sights Armel watched as a Wookie Kas tank burst in flames. Armel let out a sigh of relief and felt a hand slap him on the back. He turned briefly to see his loader, a Zabarak named Veel, with a huge grin on his face. The Zeltron simply gave the man a nod before looking up to open the tank hatch. The sound of the outside battle began to flood into the looted AAT. Slowly he peaked his head out and bore witness to the full extent of the chaos, Kashyyk was burning. Armel wasn't usually assigned to armoured vehicles but today the type of warfare they had expected saw the conscript volun-told to get in the tank. It wasn't bad so far.

With it's repulsorlifts set to their max settings the highly modified tank drifted slowly above the water, closing in on the shoreline where the Neo-Crusader vanguard worked on storming the defences. As he watched the carnage a tank to his left suddenly erupted into a fireball, it's burning wreck plunged into the water and slowly sank. Armel quickly turned back in and back into the relative safety of the tank as another to his right returned fire.

The radio suddenly came to life and the voice of Sig Dryggo filled the turret.

<"This is Dryggo: the docks are ours. All ground forces push into the trees, cut off the lower city support, kill anything in your way.">

Armel raised his hand to the side of his helmet and spoke.

<"Acknowledged Dryggo. This is callsign Shuk'orok, we are hitting the beach and are ready to provide fire support.">

Dryggo, he had heard the name before, rallymasters had spoken it in hushed tones. He was never privy to why they didn't talk about Dryggo, he was only a conscript after all but as far as he could tell this Crusader had just finished taking docks and that was welcome news.

"We got a real scrap on our hands boys!" he shouted and the reply that returned were four loud cries of "Oya" from the rest of the crew. He smirked under the helmet. This was the war that the Rallymasters had talked so much about on Dxun.

The whole vehicle shuddered and then lurched forward as the AAT made it off the water. After a brief second the tank lowered down as it's repulsorlifts returned back to its normal output. Armel slew the turret to the left, spotting a group of Wookie defenders setting up a heavy repeater. His hands keyed for the tank's repeating blaster cannons and it let out a volley of blaster fire towards the wookies. The wookie carrying the gun dropped immedietly while the other managed to dive to the floor. He then switched back to the main gun and the turret rocked again as it fired, obliterating the area the wookie had tried to hide.

KA-CHUNK!
​

"UP!" his loader shouted. It was like clockwork.

Sig Dryggo | Open​

 

[Brent Warnel]

TAGS: Ninurta Slaabur'r | OPEN

When the call for war came, Brent responded. He had returned to his fellow Mando'ade now and had a purpose. War. He longed to prove himself again, and win back the trust of those vod around him.

Kashyyyk. The garden jewel. Everyone knew of it, but few people saw it up close, from the towering trees and beasts that lived in them to the deepest depths of the world and the unknown things that crawled in them.

Brent was one of the lucky few who saw it up close. In fact, he was seeing it closer and closer by the second due to the flames shooting out of the engine of the landing craft he was on. They had taken anti-aircraft fire upon entering the lower atmosphere and had been unlucky to take several rounds, damaging the crafts engines and leaving them with minimal steering.

Even now, the pilot still struggled to keep them on their course. Brent donned his helmet and checked that his jet-pack was operable.

"The engines aren't responding," The pilot voiced over the comm, "Someone tell me how bad we're looking. I'm still trying to work on it up here."

Brent slammed a switch down in the troop bay of the craft and watched as both sides of the ship's doors retreated into the hull. Light entered the compartment, and Brent got a good view of their surroundings as they rocketed towards the surface.

Brent leaned out of the craft and looked back towards the rear of the ship, noting the extensive damage and trail of smoke they were leaving in the sky. There was no coming back from the twisted steel and carbon scoring they had received upon entering atmosphere.

"Too much damage," Brent comm'd back to the Pilot, "Get us as close as possible, then jump ship."

Brent peered back outside and witnessed as ships streamed toward the planet's surface in a near-unending wave. Neo-crusaders, allied forces, and anyone else racing to take what they wanted from this planet.

"This is [static]: the [static] are ours. All ground forces push into the trees, cut off the [static] city support, kill [static]."

Brent looked at the identifier for the comm transmission, but it was unknown to him. The raging fire from the drop ship and the AA fire garbled the transmission. The message was more than clear enough: push into the trees.

"We're not going to make the docks; I'll get us as close to the treetops as possible. Get ready," the pilot called over the comms.

Brent held on as the ship hurtled towards the large trees and the villages upon them. As they got closer, Brent saw blaster bolts lancing back and forth between Neo-crusaders and their enemies.

"Go, go, go!" The pilot yelled.

His jet-pack ignited, launching him from the interior of the landing craft towards the large trees that had risen to meet them on their descent. Several vod were around him, all going towards a large clearing in one of the nearby villages in the trees.

He landed heavily, took out his rifle, and pushed up into a nearby group of Mando's who were engaging several defending Wookies on a higher level. Brent added his firepower to theirs, and they began to advance.

 

[Sig Dryggo]

Tags: Armel | @Open

​

Sig smirked as he walked along the docks, the wood creaking beneath his and his vod’s heavy boots. He walked out to watch as the Rodian hordes arrived upon the beach alongside the remaining Neo-Crusader forces. Among them was Shuk’orok providing fire support as well as various other tools of war. The beach itself was already a war zone with the Wookies having rapidly mounted a solid defensive.

Along the beach they had trenches already dug, remnants of wars past, giving the brutes just enough of an edge to establish mounted turbolaser cannons throughout the beach. At the edge of the tree line was a sea wall, built to withstand the rising tides that could hit the planet during the winter seasons. Today it was being used as a final line of defense for the city, protecting it from the incoming assault.

Sig knew his target.

As he began making his way down the long docks toward the mayhem unfolding at the beach, he nodded to a nearby vod; in response they tossed him their weapon, a shoulder mounted launcher that Sig quickly threw over his shoulder. Taking a knee he aimed down the sights of the launcher taking aim directly at the sea wall. The rocket launched forward leaving behind a thick smoke in its path. After a few seconds of flight it made its mark with a massive explosion.

While the explosion itself did likely kill some of the enemy, the smoke cloud it produced cleared to show the sea wall intact. Sig let out an annoyed grimace as he tossed the launcher aside. <“The sea wall is shielded, if we want our war machines to reach the city we’ll need to find a way to take down that shield.”>

He drew his pistols and charged towards the nearest cover on the beach, peeping himself for the fight ahead.

 

[Carduul Akahl]

Tags: Vreegan Fett​

“Maintain formation, Hrisssk. Your Blackscales are to deploy along their right flank while we maintain frontal pressure.” Carduul curtly ordered. A snarl emitted in response; “Very well. Sso long as you make good on the spoils we are owed.” Across from him upon the command deck was a hologram of a bulky Trandoshan the color of a desert, draped in the scalps of his kills - one of a Wookie among them.

“You will garner exactly what was promised beneath us. Now carry out your orders.” Was the stern statement thereafter. The hologram fizzled out, and his attention turned to the vast viewport - he had a perfect view of the battlefield without the need for holograms, atop the raised platform of the Kandosii-Type Deadnought's command deck. The first few forays against rival defenses were successful, and several dropships slipped past the tense fighting over the station. But without additional support, they may quickly be overwhelmed - that was his mission for the day. Break through to the coastline being used as a staging ground, and their victory will come much swifter.

Trandoshans and Wookies, each in their own ways, held many traits and values that were similar to that of each other and Mandalorian life. In fact, there were recorded instances of both species during the Neo-Crusades. United in purpose, both species could’ve forged a path of fire in the surrounding planets, easily laying claim. Instead, they embroiled themselves in squabbles not for dominance, but for old rivalries. Again, t’was eerily similar to the Mandalorian’s plight. They needed a firm hand to guide such a unity. All had to be brought to heel for the glory of the Crusade, so that they would all prosper in due time.

“Alor, incoming fighters!” Called the sensor officer. The Rally Master whirled about to look over below - to the deck where the rest of his kin monitored the battlefield, and their condition. “Deploy Kom’rk squadrons, now!” He barked aloud. “Transmit orders to the Kal Kote to advance under our cover fire to provide fire support. I want a fighter-screen in place while we deal with the station.”

Gaze tilted back to the unfolding battle, where brilliant explosions and exchanged fire dotted the stars. Carefully, he watched as his ships - and that of their tense allies - moved into place. A barrage of blaster bolts streaked across, a reverberating Thoom-Thoom sounded throughout the ship as it initiated a salvo of its own upon the station’s defenses.

 

[Ninurta Slaabur'r]

The Falleen paused, his breathing heavy as he stared into the chasm. He tapped his comms, addressing all Neo-Crusaders.

<<"Neo-Crusaders, heed my warning,">> his voice growled with uncharacteristic respect. <<"The Shyyyo Heart tribe warriors are worthy foes to face in combat. Any one of them is a match for two of us. Do not underestimate and show them their not the only ones who rule the jungles!">>

Recalibrating his strategy, Ninurta surveyed the battlefield below, chaos blooming on every level of the tree. He activated his comms again, the authority in his voice cutting through the din. <<"All units on my level, focus forward and upward. Avoid unnecessary skirmishes. Prioritize the capture of the Elder Council—alive. Clear the canopy; Establish a perimeter around trunk. We will ascend together in stages.">> Each squad began the process of fanning out and returning back to the trunk. A coiled snake of coordinated beskar. "Covering fire! Ascend!"

Even now the Neo-Crusaders surged forward in squads, their discipline evident even amidst the bloodshed. Ropes and grappling lines soared upward, carrying warriors toward the council chambers at the tree's summit, others used jetpacks to scale and some attempted to use aerial-craft ( Brent Warnel ). Below, Ninurta's pheromone-influenced Terentatek ripped apart barricades, platforms and defenders alike, carving a path of destruction. As Ninurta ascended further, the air grew cooler, the light dimmer beneath the sprawling leaves. His Terentatek snarled, its claws finding purchase in the ancient bark. Ahead, the faint hum of a shield generators spread out was prevalent. Within his HUD, Attack markers appeared all around him. A 360 degree line of vision that mapped out yaw, pitch and roll. His visor scanned for the source of the bowcaster fire peppering his advancing squads. The bolts hissed through the air, some embedding into the wood with sharp cracks, others finding Neo-Crusader bodies, their armor jolted by the sheer kinetic force and sizzling energy impacts. Green enveloped quarrels launched and then were received and then sent back again! One platform above errupted in medium yield explosions. A kinetic and energetic force that was near useless against the Great Tree and devastating for its inhabitants.

The beastmasters mind churned. The battle was but a step in the grand game, but even now the demand was high. Every command he gave, every step he climbed, brought him closer to his the goal. Destabilize, supplement and control. It was the formula he was taught by his teacher and clansmen. Turning to his beast, Ninurta grinned. "Let us see if they understand the meaning of inevitability," he murmured.

 

[Vreegan Fett]

Carduul Akahl

​

Even with the arrival of Carduul Akahl into the system with a Kandosii-Type Deadnought and support craft, the Mandalorians and Trandoshans found themselves limited in their ability to expedite the assault on the Kachiro Orbital station.

The station's robust armor and shielding were capable of withstanding significant impacts, likely constructed from remnants of Silver Jedi Technology intended to protect against a Bryn'adul attack.

Vreegan was shaken from such tactical perspective, by a turbolaser battery striking the side of the Slythmonger Assault Frigate. It was not enough to penetrate through the outer-layer of shielding, but it would cause him to readjust the strategy moving forward in order to counter the swiftness of the Auzituck Anti-Slaver Gunships circling around the Mandalorian Fleet.

He directed his hand towards the command console situated on the chair, briefly examining the tactical map as the Kom'rk squadrons appeared on the screen to counter the enemy starfighter assault.

After a moment of consideration, he resolved to instruct the command crew to redirect their attention to the Starship Mounted Launchers.

"Load Diamond Boron Missiles into the main cylinder!" he commanded, his voice piercing the background clamor of the command deck. The crew immediately responded, their adrenaline surging as they input the proper chain sequence.

Wookiee starfighters, agile and fierce, darted between the larger vessels like fireflies in a storm, their pilots clearly skilled in the art of guerrilla warfare. He could see that they were not just defending their homeworld; they were fighting for their very existence.

​

Commander Barocca stood firm on the command deck of Kachiro Orbital Station, his imposing Wookiee figure outlined against the endless expanse of space. This crucial bastion for Kashyyyk was facing a fierce attack from the unyielding Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders.

Their swift and powerful warships zipped through the cosmos like hunters, determined to penetrate the station's defenses.

"Status report!" Barocca barked, his voice a deep rumble that commanded immediate attention.

"Shields holding at seventy percent, Commander," replied Lieutenant Jarekicca, his voice slightly shaky. "But we've sustained damage to our outer turbolaser batteries. We're struggling to maintain fire coverage."

Barocca nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. The Mandalorian fleet was aggressive, their tactical maneuvers expertly coordinated. He knew that if they didn't act decisively, Kachiro would not withstand the assault for long.

"Redirect all power to the remaining turbolasers," Barocca ordered, his tone firm.

"We need to thin their numbers before they breach our hull. Redirect all fighter squadrons to target their engines and shield modules. We'll crack their hulls given enough time."

The hangar bays opened with a thunderous roar, releasing a swarm of starfighters into the void.

Barocca watched as the agile ships formed up, their pilots ready to engage Carduul Akahl 's Kandosii-Type Deadnought as several Auzituck Anti-Slaver Gunships ran point to disable the bridge.

 

[Droz Munin]

[ Theme ]​

D r o z _ M u n i n

| Location | Canopy Layer, Kashyyyk​

| Objective | Push through​

| Focus | Feydrik Munin ​

​

The Mandalorians had organized an assault on the Wookie homeworld alongside some of their natural enemies with the Trandoshans, in a bold multi-pronged assault to take the canopy layer. Most of the squad with Droz had already fallen, finally being granted their deaths in battle, but Droz and his kin, Feydrik Munin remained to keep up the assault on their front. Naturally, Droz was covered in blood as he let out a blood-curdling warcry in their native tongue, wielding a cleaver-like beskad in each hand; shorter in length than the average, but with a wider blade for intense hacking. He beat his chest with one of his hands as an open invitation for the Wookies to come at him.​

​

A Wookie warrior charged at him with raised fists in an attempt to swing at the Mandalorian and knock him off of the platform. Blood splattered against the wooden ramp as Droz ducked beneath the swinging Wookie's arm, both his cleavers cutting through thick fur and flesh with a clean cut to their midsection as the Wookie's innards fell out. The Wookie howled out in pain as it stumbled forward, dropping to its knees as Droz came up behind them and swung viciously down with both cleavers, converging on either side of the Wookie's neck in a grotesque V as the blades dug deep in. Droz snarled as he lifted a foot up and pressed it against the Wookie's back before roughly kicking it forward to free his blades, the corpse falling forward and sliding down the way he came, trailing blood as it went.​

​

He turned around and raised his arms up, either in defiance or arrogance as he called out to the Wookies, cursing them and their weakness to taunt them. They didn't understand a word he said obviously, but the tone and gesture was clear as the skies of Kashyyyk. Some of the warriors seemed hesitant to step forward as they raised their spears up to try and prevent Droz from passing. This wasn't the first time he's dealt with Wookies and at this point he made it a spectacle in dispatching them. Regardless of the fact, he was intent on making his way through the lot of them without mercy.​

​

He roughly shook his arm as the excess blood was shaken from his blades as he called out, ​

​

<"You still alive and with me Feydrik?"?​

​

​

Ninurta Slaabur'r | Brent Warnel ​

 

[Brent Warnel]

Brent and the squad he was embedded with were responding to a higher level where reports of a heavy counter-attack were emanating from. Brent and the Mando'ade around him boosted up from the walkway they were on to an elevated building overlooking what appeared to be some type of village square.

Brent was on a large branch that jutted out from the main trunk of the tree and twisted up and away. The space between the branch and the trunk had been built into what appeared to be some type of communal area.

The large village square rolled out below them until it ended at the massive trunk of the Wroshyr tree approximately 100 feet from their current position. All around the square were buildings, crates, ropes, bridges to higher and lower positions; and Mandalorians locked in a pitched battle with a larger force of Wookie warriors.

The Wookies had the higher ground all around the square, and they were making the most of it by pinning the Mandalorians in place. Any other force of warriors would have taken extreme casualties, but the martial prowess coupled with the beskar'gam of the Mando'ade allowed them to weather the fire, for the moment.

Brent engaged his jetpack and rocketed across the square to land amid several Wookiees who were pinning down the Mandalorians below him. His rifle was switched to full auto and the heavy bolts spelled death for the Wookiees around him. The remaining Wookiees turned their fire from the Mando’ade below them, focusing their heavy fire on him. His armor absorbed and deflected the rounds, but eventually they would get lucky, he had to get close and minimize their firing lines, and quick.

Brent pushed forward into the Wookies and continued to engage until his weapons blaster pack was empty. He quickly dumped his rifle to the side where it locked onto his armor, and Brent sprinted towards the nearest Wookie, sliding his hands into the Vibro-knucklers that were attached to the back of his armor in a well-practiced motion.

The Wookiee swung a heavy but uncoordinated blow at Brent. He was able to sidestep and deliver an uppercut to the Wookiee's arm as it overreached, the Vibroknucklers biting deep and rendering the Wookies arm useless. Brent stepped in closer and delivered several more strikes to the Wookie's midsection as it reeled from the initial strike to its arm. Wookies were large beings, but the amount of bodily damage Brent did in the first salvo of strikes had the Wookie reeling. It stumbled back, bleeding from its useless arm and multiple stab wounds to the chest and stomach. Blood poured from the wounds and it continued to try to catch its balance before finally toppling over the side of a balcony, disappearing from view.

Brent had no time to see if it died as he was grabbed from behind by another Wookie. This Wookie grabbed Brent by the collar of his armor and launched him several feet backward where he landed hard and rolled. Brent activated the Rayshields in his armor as he got to his feet, knowing the Wookie was going to use the time to try and find a gap in his armor.

The bow caster bolts hammered into Brent, but the Beskar and shielding deflected the bolts, leaving him relatively unharmed.

Blaster bolts tore into the Wookie from the side as another Mando'ade from across the square took advantage of the distracted warrior, putting him down.

Brent righted himself and turned to engage two more Wookies barreling towards him. Out came his Bes'briik; Brent whipped it out towards both the Wookies, making them stop or risk getting skewered, buying him a precious second. Brent quickly snapped it back and swung the point around on his right hand, holding the rest of the chain in his left. The Vibroknucklers made it awkward, but it was something he had trained for.

The Wookies were already charging towards him again. At the apex of the swing, Brent snapped his right arm and launched the tip of the Bes'briik toward the nearest Wookie, activating his jetpack directly after in a quick burst to launch himself up and over the Wookies. The tip of the Bes'briik sank into the flesh of the Wookie and as Brent landed behind the Wookie he pulled hard on the chain, knocking the first Wookie off balance.

The second Wookie roared so loud Brent's helmet deafened the sound. As Brent tried to capitalize on the off-balance Wookie, the second snapped its arm out and grabbed the chain faster than Brent could react, pulling with its superhuman strength. Brent still had a tight grip on the chain and he was yanked towards the second Wookie, getting wrapped in a Wookie hug, just not the loving kind.

Brent's arms were trapped by his sides, leaving him at the mercy of the second Wookie as it ripped his Bes'briik from its flesh and took a step towards Brent.

He didn't wait to find out how fast they could dismember him, his wrist-mounted flamethrower roared to life, singeing the two Wookies near him and lighting their fur on fire. The Wookie dropped Brent and backed up, trying to create space, but the flames reached out and continued to burn it alive.

The second Wookie was slapping at its legs as the flames danced up its fur. Brent quickly turned and doused it with the remaining fuel from the flamethrower. Brent returned his Vibroknucklers to their holders on his armor and coiled his Bes'briik back into a crevice on his wrist vambrace as the two Wookies burned to death near him.

Brent looked around, noting the timely arrival of his squad had helped turn the balance as the Wookies retreated towards the higher levels.

The comm crackled to life as Ninurta Slaabur'r exclaimed the Shyyyo tribe were great warriors and encouraged the troops in the canopies to continue to move upwards to capture the Elder Council; telling the Neo-crusaders to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Brent agreed, they were great warriors. The evidence was clear to see. Several Neo-crusaders lay dead in the square, having fallen to well-placed shots from the Shyyyo tribe warriors.

Brent placed a fresh power pack into his rifle and readied it for further combat.

"You heard the beast-master, the Elder Council is our target. Let's move!"

Brent activated his jetpack and launched himself higher into the trees, trying to catch up to Ninurta Slaabur'r .

Droz Munin | Feydrik Munin

 

[Carduul Akahl]

Tags: Vreegan Fett​

Unflinchingly, he watched as several of the gunships made their way through to deliver their blows against the bridge - lasers crashed against the shimmering barriers meters away from the viewport. Not long thereafter, the deployed fighters from the screen shrieked after them in pursuit. Sleeker profiles, better maneuverability - the hardy Gunships would no doubt have difficulty in fending off the predators of the stars. The Kandosii’s point defense swivelled into action, blasting away as additional Auzitucks encroached.

“Status?”

“Shields holding strong; it’ll take more than fighter fir-”

Thoom! The entire ship suddenly rocked to its core. Attention redirected towards the station, grimacing as the few remaining turbolasers unleashed a powerful salvo. They were getting desperate to batter through this ship’s defenses, it seemed.

“Sustained a direct hit to port side!” Called another, “Still holding - but their weapons systems surged to the Turbolasers! We can’t take sustained fire like that without losses!”

“Redirect Ion Cannon Fire from the opposition and refocus upon the station’s remaining turbolaser batteries.” He affirmed not a moment later. The Kandosii - the Indomitable, as it was in Mando’a - could hold well against the harshest conditions. Now was the moment to seize the fact they had focused their attention upon it. “We will hold. Order all boarding parties to their pods. That station will serve the Crusade well once we seize this planet.”

In the decks below, shouts of order resounded and Crusaders moved from their barracks. The clatter of blasters being picked up, boots running across decks as small fireteams huddled into the capsules that would deliver them unto their foes.

He was still keeping several wings of this mighty vessel in reserve - intent on deploying them only when the appropriate opportunity arose. While overwhelming with force worked during the raids and their previous conquests, it would be unwise to use that tactic against such a dogged defender of the skies. The Gunships and the Warships that backed them were at the moment, distractions, requiring a proper application of force to adapt. They haven't shown all their tricks, yet.

For now, however, the Kal Kote’s guns roared aloud as it had motioned closer to the fray between the larger ships under the cover of the Kandosii’s turbolaser fire, serving as a picket ship that would ease the pressure off of themselves while they engaged in a deathmatch with the station's staunch defenses.

“All fighter squadrons are to form up on the Kal Kote, maintaining the screen to ensure no additional interference. The more desperate they are, the more of their hand they will expose - to which we will summarily dismantle.”

His gaze re-focused upon his own makeshift battleline, wary of new threats that would inevitably arise. Boarding action was always a risk in pitched battles - but the loss of the station would be sorely missed in establishing the planet’s defense. It was simply too great and opportunity to ignore given the Crusade’s doctrine. Should he secure the station, their troops would secure the skies and be able to provide support almost unimpeded to planetside forces.

Spoiler: Fleet Actions

• Kandosii moves closer to the Station, unleashing Ion Cannon fire upon the remaining turbolaser batteries with intent to disable.
• Kyramud battleship, the Kal Kote, advances closer to skirmishes as a picket ship to aid fighter screen.
• Fighter Squadrons form up around Kal Kote to form a strong skirmish line.
• Kandosii prepares to launch boarding pods with the eventual intent of capturing the station.

 

[Armel]

Lower Kachiro, Kashyyk

Armel could hear the bowcaster rounds pinging off the hull of the tank. Shuk'orok answered with a volley of blaster fire from it's own cannons, strafing the wookie defences. The modified AAT was slowly advancing on the beach alongside the horde of Rodians and Neo-crusaders. Armel slew the turret to the right and opened up with the coaxial blaster cannon firing on two more Wookie defenders. The first burst was not enough and they continued moving and so the Zeltron had to fire another two burst before they finally went down.

"Tough bastards." he heard his loader say.

"Aye. I've always hated 'em for that. On Er'kit the masters used them as gladiators and in their off hours they always tended to rip apart one or two slaves like myself who were sent to service their cells. It'd take waves of slave soldiers before we'd manage to at least tire 'em out." Armel never knew if they were always cruel and feral beasts or if that was the work of the masters. What he did know is that like before they were very hard to take down.

The comm unit suddenly came to life, the voice of Sig Dryggo again.

<"The sea wall is shielded, if we want our war machines to reach the city we'll need to find a way to take down that shield.">

The turret whirred as Armel turned it to find the wall that Dryggo spoke of and soone enough he found it, a large sea wall that protected the inner portion of the tree cities.

"Prep HE." Armel said calmly and lined up the sights on the sea wall. He then looked down further into the tank and could just make out a slither of blue armour where the Driver was. "Get us close, we'll unload everything we got on it."

"Missiles as well?" The driver asked and Armel nodded.

"Everything." he said before turning to the comm unit and switching the channel back to the Neo-Crusader net. <"Shuk'orok moving to engage.">

The AAT lurched forward, picking up speed as it advanced up the beach. It bypassed several Wookie defenders who in vain blasted it with their bowcasters. Armel remained focused entirely on the sea wall, ignoring as the sound of blasterfire pinging off the hull picked up. With razor focus he pulled the trigger of the main gain and a HE shell flashed across the battlefield and square into the centre of the sea wall. It was quickly followed by a volley of four high-energy missiles from the vehicles hull mounted ordnance launchers. As soon as the main gun was loaded he dumped another shell and the sea wall was clouded in dust and smoke from the repeated explosions.

Sig Dryggo​

 

[Vreegan Fett]

Carduul Akahl

As the battle for Kashyyyk raged in orbit, there were several tell-tale signs that the Mandalorians were poised to achieve victory over the Wookiee resistance. Reports from the surface indicated that they were effectively pushing the defenders back into the dense underbrush and the trees, where their flamethrowers would prove significantly more lethal as fires were bound to spark.

Even with several burnings, it was unlikely that every concealed location of the Wookiees would be eradicated, as they possessed an unparalleled understanding of the terrain and could effortlessly retreat into the shadowlands to reorganize and harass the remaining occupation forces.

Though he had more pressing matters to attend to as the Orbital Station launched a vein-offensive against Carduul Akahl 's fleet nearby fleet, he observed that the Rally Master had sustained some damage, evident from the faint marks on their bridge shielding.

However, the starfighters launched from the hanger swiftly outpaced the wookiee fighters, destroying them in intense dog fighting around the fleet. "Follow the Rally Master's lead, lock on to the station with the Diamond Boron Missiles and begin firing sequence once the ionized round hits home. Unload the entire stockpile if you have to but bring down that station!" Vreegan said with a soft lean on the command chair.

Observing the tactical display with heightened focus, he noted the moment when the ionized round discharged from the Kandosii-Type Deadnought struck several of the station's turbolasers, rendering them inoperative. This created a crucial opportunity for his own offensive maneuver.

A metallic sound echoed, followed by another, as the safety module of the cylinder was disengaged; a mere gentle touch on the console was sufficient to initiate the missile launch.

​

<< Brace for impact !!!!! >> Commander Barocca shouted to the crew members stationed at the terminals, who could only watch in disbelief as the ionized round struck the shielding of three of their remaining turbolaser batteries.

The impact breached the defenses, rendering those specific batteries inoperable and causing the station to tremble as the Wookiee Commander was forced to grab ahold of a nearby railing to steady himself.

Matters only got worse for the defenders as a series of Diamond Boron Missiles were launched from a nearby Slythmonger Assault Frigate into the breach that had been created, ripping through the outer layer of the station's hull and causing numerous small scale explosions.

<< Shields are failing sir, at this rate we will have to choose between keeping ourselves in orbit or redirecting power to our remaining offensive weapons >> Lieutenant Jarekicca roared back, looking at the numbers fluxing down and down from its once high percentage on the terminal. They had to make a choice to either fight or keeping the station stabilized in high orbit.

<< Redirect our primary power to our batteries, use our backup generator to keep us in orbit of Kashyyyk. Switch them back and forth if you have to in order to contain the power surges. >> The Commander barked, watching as five of the several Auzituck Anti-Slaver Gunships were blown apart by the Kyramud battleship, the Kal Kote though they did not retreat from the battlefield, firing whatever they had available at the picket line.

The remaining two Turbolaser Batteries began to focus fire on Carduul Akahl Kandosii, leaving the smaller anti-starfighter point defense lasers to handle the incoming pods.

 

[Sig Dryggo]

Tags: Armel

​

As the Neo-Crusaders and Rodian slaver clans made their advances on the beach, elsewhere amidst the chaos new developments were unfolding.

At the base of the sea wall, just beyond the Wookie defenders and war torn beach, was a small team of four Neo-Crusaders. They bore the symbol of Dryggo and wore helmets traditionally associated with Mandalorian Stalkers. These four were a special team overseen by Sig himself for stealth missions. While an active war zone surely wouldn’t require active stealth, he was an unconventional strategist who hoped to exploit the obvious.

With the bulk of the chaos on the beach and the trenches dug throughout it, these four stalkers had encircled the fighting and had little trouble reaching the sea wall undetected. Once there, the lead of them, a female, wearing a mixture of purple, white, and black armor, stepped forward and kneeled down at the foot of the towering wall of steel.

Taking the pack that was sling over her shoulder, she produced a series of fist-sized charges: EMPs. She handed them out and with only a nod the three others had their task. Spreading out across the length of the wall, the four stalkers placed a series of detonators at its base. Then, with laser precision and perfect synchronization, the four shot forth from their wrists vibro-wires with hooks at the end. Attaching themselves to the top of the wall, they began methodically moving up it; along the way they placed their detonators.

As they finished they saw Shuk’orok and their AAT take aim at the wall. Standing atop it, the four ignited their jetpacks and launched forward; behind them the eruption of explosions and the sound of metal twisted and metaling away.

Sig watched as the four flew above the conflict below, a satisfied grin forming upon his lips. Turning to face the choking smoke cloud that now enveloped the sea wall, he waited. After a few moments the cloud cleared bur only just: for there was now there was only heated shrapnel and chunks of smoldering metal. The sea wall had fallen.

<“The wall is down, push into the lower city!”>

With the order issued, Sig jumped down, from the elevated platform of the docks, into the knee high water just below it. Drawing his pistols he began slowly pushing up the beach, the howl of bowcaster bolts growing more intense with each push forward.

With the wall breached it was only a matter of time before Sig and the others reached the lower city. He only hoped their efforts would allow them to aid the upper city assault sooner rather than later.

 

[Armel]

Lower Kachiro, Kashyyk

Armel watched through the gun sights as the smoke cleared revealing a large hole blown through the seawall where the missiles and tank rounds had hit. He grinned under his helmet.

"Holy kark, was that all us?" His loader asked with is head peaking through the loader hatch. Scanning the area he eyed the four Mandalorian stalkers who had just cleared the wall.

"Nah, we had some help. Looked pretty though eh?" he said, his face glued to the gun sights.

Armel had never been in this position before, with the other tanks in the platoon having been destroyed or otherwise occupied Shuk'orok was in the position to lead the charge. Up until now it had been training exercise after training exercise but Armel had the chance to earn the glory of being the first man to scale the proverbial wall. It was a prospect he would not give up.

"Driver advance through the opening." The tank lurched forward and with the sea wall gone the Wookie defenders outside started to melt away as the horde of Rodians and Mandalorians surged up the beach. Before the smoke had fully settled Shuk'orok had entered through the breach, just barely squeezing through. Pushing past some debris the tank layed down a blanket of covering fire with it's blaster cannons. As they made it further Armel turned to his loader.

"Prep HE agai-" he said before suddenly being cut off as the whole tank rocked with an explosion. Armel was thrown to the left of the turret. As quick as he could he scrambled back to his seat.

"The fuck was that?" he heard the driver shout. Armel began searching frantically but came up on nothing.

"Anti-tank gun I think. I can't see it though." he said, the urgency in his voice was high as another explosion rocked the tank, this time the anti tank round falling just short and kicking up a huge plume of dirt and sand.

"Keep us moving!" he barked to the driver before grabbing his comms handset. <"Shuk'orok to anyone out there, Wookies got a anti-tank gun out there and it's pounding us."> he said before the unmistakable whistle of another round whistled past the tank and into the sea wall.

Sig Dryggo | Open​

 

[Ninurta Slaabur'r]

Ropes and grappling lines whizzed past him as squads of Neo-Crusaders surged upward. Above, jetpacks flared, their blue flames casting eerie shadows in the dense canopy. The coordination was near flawless and yet a single sound warned the beastmaster that everything would be tested in the next few moments.

A shrieking hiss erupted from the adjacent wrroyshr trees.

Ninurta froze for a moment, his sharp eyes scanning upward. From the dense foliage above, massive shapes emerged. Wookiee warriors astride Katarns, the massive reptilian predators of Kashyyyk, charged into view. Each beast was heavily armored, their scales augmented with plate coverings, and their riders carried plasma throwers—weapons that could not exactly harm beskar, but could superheat the metal and cook the wearer alive over time. Not to mention interfere with the tool utilized to progress with the climb.

<<"Dragon troopers, incoming!">> Ninurta barked into his comms. <<"Brace for heavy resistance! Anti-air units, focus fire on their mounts!">>

The first wave of riders descended, their Katarns leaping between branches with shocking agility for creatures their size. Plasma arcs lit up the battlefield, searing through Neo-Crusader formations. One vod, caught mid-climb, was engulfed in a spray of molten plasma. His groan of annoyance changing to a warcry as his body plummeted against the Great Wrroyshr trees trunk. The dragontrooper was on him and within seconds the grapple eroded away under the heat and another had been broken from the climb.

" Olaror bat gar ctubadr ge'cita! Ibic an gar pabida?!"

Tags: Brent Warnel Droz Munin Feydrik Munin

 

[Sig Dryggo]

Tags: Armel

​

As graceful as a stage performance, Sig made his way from trench to trench as blaster fire and explosions became more intense with each push forward. As he reached the sea wall he found himself beside the AAT that had assisted in taking the wall down. As he did so he was forced to dive behind a nearby tree; anti-tank missiles were raining down upon their forces, pouring in through the freshly ruined wall.

As he stood to get his bearings he could hear his comm come to life warning them all of the defensive strategy the wookies were now utilizing. It would be for naught. Turning, he leaned back to look up the large tree he found himself at the base of. While they were surely their enemy today, Sig did have great respect for the beast-warriors of Kashyyyk and their ingenuity; as demonstrated by the city that hung high in the canopies above. The fighting above seemed as intense as it was below. Yet below they had the additional reinforcement of Rodian slavers. Reinforcements that needed to reach the upper city.

Taking a few steps back, Sig ignited his jetpack and propelled himself upwards. Going up about halfway, which was still a considerable height for the massive trees of Kashyyyk, he pivoted and began flying in the space between the upper and lower city; all the while his eyes scanned keenly for the location of the anti-tank battery that was now fielded. About a klick away from the AAT and breached sea wall, nestled on a small platform on a massive tree trunk, was the battery.

Setting course straight for it, Sig was confident. It served him well, as the new barrage of incoming missiles proved easy enough to avoid,”; the warrior spinning and diving throughout the air to avoiding being hit.

Perhaps over-confident.

A split second after the final missile passed, Sig believed he was in the clear. When he turned to face forward once more he was met with not a missile but an overcharged bolt from a bowcaster. The shot made impact at the center of his person. His armor absorbed most of it bur the overcharged shot did leave an impact, likely breaking a few ribs. More concerning was his flight path, which was now throw askew. Trying to regain control after the momentary hiccup lead to the warrior crashing into the ground, leaving behind a small crater in his wake.

Letting out a pained groan, Sig slowly stood to his feet, anger now taking hold. Looking up he could see the platform above, three Wookie warriors operating it. He wasted no time. Tapping the controls on his forearm, his jetpack began to slowly rev up. After another few seconds it ignited.

Sig shot up and clear through the wooden platform the anti-gun battery sat on, sending shards of wood in every direction. His jetpack deactivated and Sig brought down his full weight onto the nearest Wookie, who let out a shriek before attempting to throw him off. As the Wookie did, however, Sig drew one of his pistols and let out a single shot into the beasts’ head.

The second reacted immediately, firing their bowcaster at Sig. despite the impact furthering the pain he already felt, the Mandalorian didnt stop: he charged full speed at the Wookie and launched himself into their stomach. Letting out a gasp for air, Sig kept the assault going by throwing his leg forward and sending the Wookie backwards, falling to their death.

The final Wookie remained on the battery, electing to ignore the fighting and instead do as much damage as they could while they could. A valiant, yet ultimately meaningless, effort. Drawing his knife; he made his way over to the seated beast. Over-confidence, it seemed; was today’s curse. Just as he brought the knife down, the wookie warrior turned to reveal several thermal detonators set to blow.

Before he could react and stop his attack, the detonators exploded, sending Sig back hard against the tree. A mere moment later the gun battery followed, causing a massive explosion and sending Sig and the tree it sat upon back down into the lower city. Beneath the rubble Sig let out a groan before shoveling the splintered and charred wood from atop himself. He was injured but there was still a fight to be had. <“This is Dryggo: keep pushing forward!>

It was the only order that mattered. Victory, at any cost.

 

[Brent Warnel]

Brent's pace was quick. His jet-pack struggled to keep him in the air with his heavy armor, but it continued carrying him towards the top of the Wroshyr trees to look for the Elder council. He would jump from level to level, never staying longer than he had to. Ignite his jet-pack and fly to a higher level, land and engage the enemies he deemed necessary, dispatch them. Ignite his jet-pack again, and continue the process.

Ignite, land, engage, dispatch. Ignite, land, engage, dispatch.

The vod around him were keeping up with his pace as the climb continued and Ninurta Slaabur'r 's responder was close, just a few levels up from Brent's current position. Once he caught up with the other Mandalorian, they could advance with their respective parties to the council.

Ignite, land, engage, dispatch. Ignite, land, engage, dispatch. Ignite, land-

A Shyyyo warrior waited for him on this level. This Wookie was tall, its fur a shimmering gray. It bore old scars on its face and body, marking it as a distinguished warrior. It also bore new wounds, and blood caked its fur and body to the point Brent did not know how it was standing.

It made no move to advance as Brent and several Neo-crusaders landed around it, which is what made Brent pause. Every Wookie had roared its challenge as soon as they had landed and engaged them, but not this time. It was eerily calm on the walkway as well, an almost eye-of-the-storm-type scenario. Several Wookies lay dead on this level near the still standing Shyyyo warrior.

It had no blaster or ranged weapon as far as Brent could see, only a large blade in its right hand. It pointed it at Brent and barked a single mangled word in its language.

Brent did not understand the language, but he knew an honor duel when he saw one. It looked for death, but a good death. Brent would give it what it asked for.

"Go up brothers. Honor demands a moment," Brent spoke to the vod around him. He heard their jet-packs ignite as they continued towards the treetops.

Brent slung his rifle, pulling out his Akrab dagger in his right hand and his trench knife in the other.

The Wookie roared and sprang forward, off balance and clumsily swiping its blade in a huge arc at Brent's head. He ducked and stepped to the left, slicing his Akrab dagger across the Wookie's arm as it crossed where he had been standing. He turned his trailing shoulder towards the Wookie's body, spinning his body and arm and stabbing his trailing dagger directly up into the Wookie's neck in a reverse grip.

Brent quickly pulled it out as the Wookie staggered back and fell to its knees, dropping its sword. Blood gushed from the wound, pouring down its fur. It stayed on its knees for only a second before falling face down. Brent touched his knife to his chest in a sign of respect, then slid them into their sheaths.

Ninurta was one more level up. He readied his blaster.

Ignite. "Dragon troopers, incom-"

The Katarn crashed into him as he crested the pathway of the level above, pinning him on his back to the floor. Brent's rifle clattered away from him as the impact drove it from his hands. Fire exploded over Brent's armor as the Shyyyo warrior riding on the back of the Katarn ignited a flamethrower, dousing Brent.

Brent turned his Rayshields up to maximum to try to deflect the damage as best he could. The Katarn had pinned his left arm with its foot, and the weight of the beast kept him from pulling it free. Brent felt the pressure throughout his neck as it bit down on his helmet, trying to rip it off. His right arm was still free, and he reached across and grabbed the Katarn's leg that was pinning his arm.

Brent squeezed, and his crushgaunts caused the beast to rear up and squeal in pain as it let go of his head and bit down on his right arm. The Katarn jerked violently, and Brent's arm was pulled away from the beast's leg. Its other front leg grabbed Brent's right arm, pinning it to the ground.

The beast blocked its rider from using its flamethrower, but Brent was in deep trouble, pinned and unable to move. The Katarn roared in his faceplate as he commed to Ninurta Slaabur'r , "I need help Vod!"