Mission Operation Scimitar | An Age of Strife Story - Pt. 2

[Sahar]

Sahar|Imperial Knights|Iridonia
Tags:// Sycamore Warrey

"Sahar."

She replied in a hushed tone, eyes ahead and looking for any sign of them. Sycamore seemed solid enough, but she wasn't looking for a doofus with a lightsaber as her backup; she wanted killers, not comedians, by her side.

"Perfect place for a cult, out in these parts. Would not make sense to house it in the heart of the capital, no. Too much hustle and bustle. Too much noise. Too many people traipsing about in each other's business."- Sycamore Warrey

"If only the public relations department weren't such a fucking hinder, I'd of asked for orbital bombardment, and we'd of been back on Bastion by now."

Sahar scowled hard; if she wanted to play whack a mole, she'd instead put her energy into fighting the worms in the Jedi order, not Iridonians playing mock cultist with their contrived idolatry.

"Why, this place reminds me of a little place back on Serrano…"- Sycamore Warrey

Sahar could tolerate it no more.

"You talk too much, silence before you tell everyone and everybody we're here, you imbecile."

She sighed loudly before something took her attention, she turned away from the knight, narrowing in on an Iridonian watching them before scurrying quickly down the alleyway when realising that the knight had seen them.

"GO"

She darted after them, beckoning the man to follow her as she threw her cloak to the side. ​

 

[Jorus Fel]

T H E _ E M P I R E
501st STORMTROOPER LEGION
OPERATION SCIMITAR
IT'S TREASON THEN
Siyndacha Aerin

Sympathy for the Devil
​

With each word the Echani spoke, the face beneath the white locks grew clearer in his mind illuminated by the familiarity of her SILVER eyes. They had a memorable look to them. Hardly one that can lose themselves in a crowd. Old voices whispered in his mind, of conversations long forgotten on the long dinner table of his home estate. The name. The name flashed from dusty holocrons that lit up for yet another lesson in the chambers of their residence from a time that seemed so distant it was almost foreign now to the stormtrooper.

A time when he had been groomed as an heir.

A time long gone past and a future no longer plausible.

"[...] My reaction times will also be quicker than yours,”

She had just about finished introducing herself to the squad when Jorus brushed away the prodding thoughts with no more clarity than before.

"Hope you're right." he said with a low voice, speaking for the rest of the squad.

"The only question,” Aerin looked to Fel again, “is which of us will take point, and which will take up the rear.”

...

“I can be effective in either position.”

Cred choked and a little less subtle Mantellian shove dug into his ribs. Jorus eyed his squad, certain they were biting their lips to keep childish howls at bay. He couldn't help but faintly smirk too before he cleared his throat against a rising chuckle.

Ahem...

"We'll take your--" rear, say it, Bookie.

Say it.

He could hear their thoughts all too clear. The buckets hid their faces but he knew they were on the verge of wheezing.

"--six. We'll be on your six." he nodded to congratulate his rich vocabulary for the lifeline offered.

"Your saber will be much more useful to meet any frontal engagements than our armors." Jorus explained his reasoning, then continued. "We're the 501st, we've all trained to eliminate force users of whatever nature but this squad is all green."

"We've not really fought one before."

A pause, then a cheeky thought escaped his lips as he tilted his head at the Lady Aerin.

"But shouldn't be a problem given your expertise, right?" ​

 

[Kriegan Tavlar]

PRODIGAL SON
501st STORMTROOPER LEGION
8th AIRBORNE BATTALION 'ALL-IMPERIAL' | B 1-8 COMPANY | ENIGMA PLATOON
SUPPORTING | SPECIAL OPERATIONS
NIO | Castor E-196 | Lily Stevens | Leto Karazyn | Katja Javik | Margo Liaeris | Kav Canthar

ROADS TO BURN
​

He let the violent burst of his blaster thump into the chest of one of the first Chiss soldiers to appear in the entrance way with cold precision and efficiency as the stormtrooper section went about deliberately slaying the Chiss unit within the course of only a few bloody seconds. There was more forward progress, the standard room clearing procedures of securing points of domination and visible angles, corners and vantage points of attack was established before they focused forward again.

Not seconds later- Vaiken's call over the commo came down and a flash ignited the darkness in blinding light. Ambush. Perfect, Kriegan thought. The violent crack of blaster fire rung out in all directions.

<"Contact! Contact!"> One of the stormtroopers shouted out as soon as the first shot rang off and they began to follow through their well trained and practiced movements responding to fire- immediately seeking cover, prioritizing the threats and engaging with violence of action. The lock in the engagement was broken all but immediately when Castor began to thump grenades down the corridor, sending Chiss insurgents into cover when they didn't maim, brutalize or kill them with bursts of jagged shrapnel clogging the closed interior.

<"Enigma-Lead, path to barracks clear!">

<"Acknowledged- move up!"> Kriegan commanded, glancing over the barrier he'd taken cover behind before moving up with a crouch run to the next usable cover ahead.

He then watched the Commando do his work, Castor thundering ahead of the squad only to deal death in the form of a grenade the squad's rear.

With a wave of his hand- the section moved forward down the next corridor an open lobby with several other offshoots undoubtably leading to bays holding the quarters of the Chiss insurgents. More resistance came for them. Several heavy weapons were emplaced, waiting for the Stormtrooper's arrival and as soon as they breached the entrance way the hellfire from several repeaters and heavy blasters came raining down unto them. A single trooper was hit with a punishing burst in the leg but the rest managed their way to cover and immediately began returning fire.

<"Frag out!"> Kriegan shouted before heaving a thermal detonator in the direction of one of the Chiss gunners before kneeling down behind his cover, following the explosive crack with a few well placed bursts from his blaster down range.

<"Well- we found the barracks."> He remarked to Castor behind cover before turned to point in the direction of the enemy with a flat hand as he spoke to the Commando.

<"They have three casualty producing weapons that need to go- past that, we can advance and hit the engineering bay. Aurek and Besh will focus fire on the weapons at our twelve and two. That last one? I don't much care to worry about it anymore, copy?"> He all but commanded to the operator before clamping his blaster against the top of the barrier and sending another burst in the direction of one of the repeaters- hearing the click and thud of superheated tibanna cracking against duraplast before the muzzle flash of the heavy gunner disappeared.

 

[Katja Javik]

The Empire
SCAR Squadron
Hal Vaiken | Lily Stevens | Margo Liaeris | Leto Karazyn | Kav Canthar | Kriegan Tavlar | Castor E-196

​

In spite of Leto's less than warm demeanour, she trusted him not to get her killed, at least as long as he was relatively sober. Still, it wasn't exactly comforting to stare into the abyss below. "It's ladies first now?" She remarked as she lowered herself to the ground and hung her legs over the open vent. "A minute ago it was 'follow my lead'. You're giving really mixed signals here." She glanced over her shoulder at him before lowering herself into the vent.

As she neared the other end of the vent, she heard Hal's voice chime in over the comms. :: Bloody hell, Sarge. Give us a minute. :: She replied a moment before she reached the metal panel covering the vent. "You better be behind me, Phantom." She told her companion, without looking over her shoulder to confirm her was with her as she was already focussed on her next task which saw her retrieving a small, non-descript tool from her belt and using it to loosen the bolts that held the grating over the vent - after confirming the surrounding area was clear.

She carefully removed the cover and got to her feet in the larger shaft. Her HUD warned of silhouettes of their Chiss adversaries in the distance but they weren't approaching the pair yet, seemingly not noticing the intruders. Using two fingers, she signalled in the opposite direction to confirm where they were headed.

 

[Margo Liaeris]

STALKER

Objective: II - Root & Stem
Location: Veroleem - Surface Deployment
Tags: Hal Vaiken | Kriegan Tavlar | Castor E-196 | Lily Stevens | Leto Karazyn | Katja Javik | Kav Canthar

Ghost

<<"Stalker, I need a hole through that wall - get me in their faces!">>

‘He wouldn’t.’

‘Surely he wouldn’t even think of it.’

‘He... he was going to do it.’

A split second of incredulity flashed across Margo’s mind, but her training kept her from wasting valuable time in bewilderment. She reached for a detpack and smeared some tar in a non-too glamorous fashion across its side. Then, with a mighty heave, threw the pack with a spiral toward the wall that Kav was charging too. It bypassed the heavy, and hit the duracrete siding moments ahead of him. No time delay was needed, as the explosive burst on impact - causing chunks of duracrete and debris to fly both outward and inward. Margo rose up shortly after, mentally cursing the heavy as she followed him through the breach. The pair would find a squad of extremely surprised Chiss soldiers on the other side of that wall, who had seemingly witnessed a power armored trooper burst through a duracrete wall.

Margo would rush through moments behind Kav, leveling her pulse rifle and unleashing with two three-round bursts aimed at a pair of troopers scrambling to aim downward from a series of catwalks within the hoist house. As she opened fire and pushed forward to find cover behind a series of crates, her voice shouted over the comms: <“ARE YOU KRIFFING CRAZY YOU DAMNED MOOSE?”>

 

[FN-999]

R E B O R N
THE 908TH​

Objective: Finish what we started
Location: Iridonia, suburbs of Malidris
In Proximity Of: 908th Legion | 501st Legion | Huang Shoushan | Nukth Kelga'an | Petra Dunstan | Ruaridh Aodh | Open to cooperation
Engaging: Chiss Elements

"Shite..." Ruaridh breathed, inaudible. "No questions, Baron. I put two squads within pissing distance of the main spearhead, I'll signal them immediately and-"

"Nevermind that, Commander," Cairn cut him off. Ruaridh fired off orders to his rapid response teams as the Captain continued. "If STRIDER have proved incapable of clearing the road of a simple mine by now, they clearly are not up to defending your men. I will pull some of our other units guarding the artillery and rush them to the front."

[Clearance denied, Captain.]
​

[STRIDER is a valuable asset, and their skills could save hundreds of lives here. Unless you wish to take responsibility for the gross neglect and destruction of the 908th Legion's artillery corps, I would strongly advise you cease to entertain the idea of sending reinforcements from the troopers guarding them.]

The threat was blatantly clear, but it was necessary.

FN-999 knew that debate was fine when developing a battle plan prior to the start of hostilities, but even the slightest insubordination in the middle of a battle could lead to tactical chaos and needless slaughter. As a legion commander, the stakes were especially high for FN-999. While misplaced assets among a squad or platoon may only cause single digit casualties with negligible impact on a larger battle, a command dispute among a legion in battle could lead to the pointless deaths of hundreds of valiant troopers and rapidly turn a multi-stage offense into a disorganized horde.

"My men report a heavy wave of hostiles headed for the stalled vanguard, on a northwest approach. I've organised a distraction but it may not be enough. Warn your defusal team."

[Understood. Thank you, Lieutenant. Nines, out.]

To the colonel, the captain and lieutenant symbolized yet another example of a cliche he had seen play out time and time again in the Imperial and First Order armies. An arrogant commander would lead by decree, projecting his ego even onto his superior officers, while a lower ranking but serious and competent officer took on the real burden of command and interunit diplomacy. As the highest-ranking commander on Iridonia, he had the unique opportunity to reprimand the commander and reward the subordinate, reversing the cycle and ending the headache it gave everyone around them.

Perhaps once the battle was over, FN-999 would refer Lieutenant Aodh for a promotion.

He could sense the small outline of a mortar station currently being assembled to rain down fire near the crossroads at Point A and B. He could not estimate their range at this time but would send this information through a simple telepathic ping within the mind of Commander @FN-999 nearby.

"Motar, Mortar, nearest to Site A. 5 batteries in total."

FN-999 flinched as a foreign presence crawled its way into his thoughts.
​

With no way to confirm or deny the Imperial Knight's projection and no way of response, he would just have to trust the Knight, as loath as he was to do so.

[Vernis, this is Nines. Launch a 3-shot artillery strike at the given coordinates. Transmitting now.]

[Nines, this is Vernis. Firing in T-minus 20 seconds.]

Three medium artillery cannons of the 174th Artillery Battalion swung their barrels into position, each loading a high-explosive shell. From left to right, each cannon fired, with a three second delay in between.

[Strike launched.]

« Got it, Commander, » he answered while giving a look at the tactical map that displayed on one of the several screen that spangled the deck, « We just received the location of sites A an' B. They'll soon be added to the officers' HUDs and to the main control pannel of the 'Téméraire' in order to make it helpful to the pilotes. The dropships are ready to lift off by now. Thank you, sir -- g'luck to you, too. »

At the same time, yet another communique entered the comms system.
​

[Captains, quick update for you as you drop. We've detected a mortar squad setting up between the two Sites. The 174th has launched a light artillery bombardment of the area, but there may be one or two survivors when you land who-

[The strike successfully landed. ReCom confirms total destruction of the mortar site and no survivors.]

[-never mind, the strike worked out even better than I hoped. When you land, each site will be marked by Reborn Commandos, or ReCom, operating within enemy lines. They will secure the perimeter until you land.]

[Nines, out.]​

 

[Castor E-196]

Master Sergeant Castor E-196
Imperial Navy Special Forces Command; Attached to SCAR​

Objective: clear the barracks and engineering bay. retrieve intel
Allies: A: Katja Javik Leto Karazyn || B: Castor E-196 Kriegan Tavlar || C: Lily Stevens Hal Vaiken || D: Kav Canthar Margo Liaeris

Bringing up the rear, Castor continued firing down the hallway even as the group broke into the barracks level.

Several heavy weapons were emplaced, waiting for the Stormtrooper's arrival and as soon as they breached the entrance way the hellfire from several repeaters and heavy blasters came raining down unto them. A single trooper was hit with a punishing burst in the leg but the rest managed their way to cover and immediately began returning fire.

Castor slid into cover as he fired from the hip, gunning down a Chiss with a scoped blaster just before crashing into cover behind a pillar. The commando recharged his blaster as Kriegan took cover beside him, directing the soldiers into cover. Castor looked out at the enemy, watching their firing positions from the doorways, some elevated, others not.

<"Well- we found the barracks."> He remarked to Castor behind cover before turned to point in the direction of the enemy with a flat hand as he spoke to the Commando.

<"They have three casualty producing weapons that need to go- past that, we can advance and hit the engineering bay. Aurek and Besh will focus fire on the weapons at our twelve and two. That last one? I don't much care to worry about it anymore, copy?"> He all but commanded to the operator before clamping his blaster against the top of the barrier and sending another burst in the direction of one of the repeaters- hearing the click and thud of superheated tibanna cracking against duraplast before the muzzle flash of the heavy gunner disappeared.

Clear, concise. Good. Castor nodded.

<"Roger.">

The ELITE tossed out several smoke grenades before leaping from cover. Using the cover of the smoke, he dashed towards another pillar, closer to the nearest offshoot hallway. He felt a charric bolt slam hard into his side. His shields took the brunt of it but the inertia was enough to unbalance him,forcing him to dive the last few yards into cover. One of the Chiss was trying to flank them, rounding the corner at the pillar just as Castor reached it. A quick strike from the butt of his blaster and Castor gained himself a charric blaster. Bigger punch and larger ammo burst. Ideal for what's next.

Castor popped out of cover and continued on, charging towards the nearest hallway, his path obscured from the other Chiss groups by the smoke. The Chiss here did not expect a charge so soon, and the soldiers slew their repeater around to hammer Castor even as he fired from the hip, charric rounds shocking and physically bludgeoning them. Castor pushed himself, darting back and forth in a zig zag pattern at superhuman speed, but still grunted as several shots impacted him, watching his shields drain. His HUD went on the fritz for a second before the power systems cycled, but he could not take more chances like this.

He threw his knife as he got closer, killing one of the repeater operators. The distraction was enough for him to empty the last of the charric blaster's cartridge into the two survivors at this repeater before barreling into the last survivor, knocking her off her feet and slamming her against the wall with the inertia.

He skid to a stop and dropped the charric blaster, grabbing hold of the repeater.

<"Repeater neutralised.">

The smoke was beginning to dissipate, so Castor wrenched the repeater of its tripod and began firing it at the other Chiss strongpoints from his side of the lobby, using his thermals to guide his shots. It was up to the Stormtroopers to finish the job.

 

[Kelinna Tryn]

R E A P E R
THE EMPIRE
FACILITY INFILTRATION | VEROLEEM
TAG: Hal Vaiken | Margo Liaeris | Katja Javik | Kav Canthar | Leto Karazyn | Kriegan Tavlar | Castor E-196
GEAR: Armour | Sniper rifle | Pistol | Battle rifle | Vibroblade | Vibroknife | Grenade loadout

HALLOWEEN​

The corridor was clean.

It remained as Hal dropped down after her while muffled sounds could be heard on the other side of the door at the end.

The duo had a moment to breathe and catch their bearings before they had to press on. He used the moment to check on the rest of the squad who's responses would be coming in dribs and drabs as the smaller teams all got into position after the chaos that had erupted outside.

"Good to have another heavy in, mm?" he asked in the meantime.
Lily lowered her rifle as she turned towards him.
"Helps a helluva lot." she told him. "Man sure knows how to make an entrance. Mauler would be proud." she added, the smirk in her voice loud and clear through the helmet.

She looked towards the door again.
"This place sure doesn't seem abandoned." she remarked. "Damn blue-skins really running an organised op here."
She looked back at Hal, the cold of her visor regarding him for a moment. "You know I gotta ask before we head in there, Sarge - you sharp enough to do this currently?" she asked him. There was no way he wasn't operating on painkillers. Despite being a weed that wouldn't die, he was still human. Once they breached to get to the ops room, she'd need him on high alert. Not both of them dead because he missed something.

And she wasn't planning on either one of them dying this day.

 

[Kriegan Tavlar]

PRODIGAL SON
501st STORMTROOPER LEGION
8th AIRBORNE BATTALION 'ALL-IMPERIAL' | B 1-8 COMPANY | ENIGMA PLATOON
SUPPORTING | SPECIAL OPERATIONS
NIO | Castor E-196 | Lily Stevens | Leto Karazyn | Katja Javik | Margo Liaeris | Kav Canthar

​

He tapped a SCAR operative to complete the task and what'll you know, it was done without a hitch. For all the nuances and toxicity that their team composition bred amongst them- they knew how to operate. Castor, in particular, preferred to keep his mouth shut and let his warfighting do the talking. He was already rising up the ranks of Kriegan's preferences of who to operate with from SCAR. Silent professionalism was one of the greatest virtues any trooper could have and Castor showed it in spades.

Not a second after Castor's mark was down, the last repeater hit the floor and the stormtrooper squad could move forward to fully seize control of the barracks. All that was left was the engineering bay.

<"Besh team, start clearing procedures and mark any mission critical equipment for retrieval and render safe. These rebels armed themselves somehow, we'll find out how."> Kriegan remarked before he continued forward, cracking open the breach of his blaster carbine to a light puff of electric smoke before he loaded a new power cell into his weapon and continued forward.

<"Aurek team, ready for breaching procedures. Remember- we're here to seize intelligence, soon as we assault through keep your eyes open for any mission critical intel pieces, datapads, terminals, anything. Copy?"> He said to his unit, a couple of them nodding in reply to keep noise discipline relatively intact before they continued forward.

Aurabesh script projected above the next blast door past the barracks bays signaled that they were meeting their objective.

They stacked up again, set the breach and within a descending count of five they blew the blast door once more and funneled into the room with their clearing procedures. What they found however, was no hostiles in sight, no movement, no lifeforms. Quiet, suspiciously quiet.

<"Search the room, everything."> Tavlar said with a wave of his hand before he lowered his weapon, narrowing his eyes behind the visor of his helmet.

<"I have a bad feeling about this..."> He remarked to Castor, gauging his thoughts. Worst case, another ambush. Best case- it was a job done.

 

[HICOM]

The Phantom Menace
Huang Shoushan | Nukth Kelga'an | Petra Dunstan | Ruaridh Aodh | FN-999
​

Mor'Zhul
The Phantom Menace


As is by design...

Hidden in the concrete jungle that was the besieged city of Malidris, a lone figure sat on an empty floor with his legs crossed. Sulfuric orbs burned in the darkness of the chamber, their wicked glare set beyond the physical realm of confinement but into the ethereal and at the battle that was unfolding.

The cult was serving its purpose as did the Chiss.

His Master's will would be done and they would finally be revealed.

Soon, very soon.

The Empire would be cleansed and its hierarchy of power forever changed.

The Force shuddered at Mor'zhul's corruptive touch as it bent to his dark will. He shut his eyes close and expanded his dominating presence into the world outside.

Like a tyrant's hand, he chained the minds of those of weaker will to his own bidding.

Suddenly, among the Imperial ranks, brother turned against brother. ​

OOC// Basically, Imperials affected by Mor'Zhul's mind control are starting to shoot at other Imperials. Go nuts.

​

 

[Shoushan]

​

Location: Iridonia ; Malidris
Direct Tags: FN-999 ; Nukth Kelga'an ; HICOM
Tags Nearby: Petra Dunstan ; Ruaridh Aodh
Equipment:
Reinforced Robes
Post Number:
THREE

So they destroyed them..

He said aloud as the signature within the force of the motor's disappeared in a flash. The battle between the Chiss and Cult Forces was taking a formidable turn as both sides would not give up ground. His concentration on the art of battle meditation was broken instantly by the immense power of the dark side of the force flowing through the area. Huang's eyes awakened from his disturbed meditation to see a blaster pointed directly at him by a member of the 908th Legion. The slow squeeze of the trigger was stopped almost instantly as the force seemed to wrap around him like a chain.

"So you wish to attack an old man...." Huang said grabbing the man's helmet within his dragon like grip. "YOU LACK DISCIPLINE!!! " He further added as flames gathered within his hands and seared the man with immense flame. The struggle of the corpse within his grip was amusing to watch and a small smile formed on his face. Every inch of the man was burned to a crisp as the corpse struggle finally finished and the charred smell of bone filled the air.

In a single motion the corpse was thrown to the side without care for the dead. Moving from the cabin within the back of the AT-AT. He found that the stormtroopers within it were fighting each other to the death due to mind manipulation or treason. A few stray blaster bolts flew in his direction as he moved his hand to conjure a wall of wind which dissipated the energy behind the laser. He shifted into a custom made force form as wind gathered within his hands.

A single motion brought that wind outwards as the walls of the AT-AT were blown out along with the troopers inside. Huang jumped down from the vehicle onto the ground now. He was going to find the cause of this dark side energy even if it was the last thing he ever did.

 

[Nukth Kelga'an]

Operation: Scimitar
It's Treason Then​

---

THE EMPIRE
THIRD SECTOR DEFENCE FORCES
First Anaxsi Free Brigade -- Second TodHusars Regiment
'Banshee' Company​

---

- IV -
BERZINGUE FROM ANAXES
The Anaxsi, the Chiss and the Zabrak -- Part. III​

---

Interacting with: FN-999 Huang Shoushan Petra Dunstan Ruaridh Aodh
— 877, Approaching Iridonia's Atmosphere, Iridonian Space

:: Here's Goldish-Actual-- approachin' landin' zone B! » Captain Reising declared on the comlink, « Banshee-Unit, do you copy? ::

Everything went better than expected for Kelga'an's Sons. The Banshees and the Goldishes were far more focused than usual. No one was talking at this very moment; all of them were absorbed in the matter of reaching site A as soon as possible, so they would allow Nines to do his part. They had a mission that would be done -- an engagement to the Reborns. Even Nukth felt this strange sensation in his mind: everything was clearer and more precise. Besides, he was confident in himself, but not cocky at all. Ah, strange knight, he thought. This was maybe the first time he thanked a Force user for his help. He hoped that he wouldn't be disappointed by him.

:: Copy that El'! We're reachin' our droppin' area too. G'luck Goldish-Unit! :: he answered as the ground was coming closer and closer to the dropship. The Captains had decided to perform what was called a 'tactical drop', which meant that the vessels were supposed to be the closest possible to the ground so the Hussars would be touching the ground sooner and faster. At this exact moment, Nukth saw an incoming call from Nines on his HUD:

:: Captains, quick update for you as you drop. We've detected a mortar squad setting up between the two Sites. The 174th has launched a light artillery bombardment of the area, but there may be one or two survivors when you land who-... ::

The voice suddenly cut, probably because of enemy jamming, Nukth thought. Then, the following declaration of the Commander put his mind at rest:

:: ... -never mind, the strike worked out even better than I hoped. When you land, each site will be marked by Reborn Commandos, or ReCom, operating within enemy lines. They will secure the perimeter until you land. Nines, out. ::

:: Copy that, sir! Everythin' is goin' for the best, at the moment. Approachin' drop zone -- over! ::

:: Thirty seconds t'go! :: the pilot announced on the dropship's internal comms. Nukth nodded to himself and verified his gear was locked and ready for the last time before the drop, more by force of habit than because he needed it. He put his thumbs in his belt, looking to all the men in this part of the Zeta. All of them were considered his sons, his minòt. He adopted each one of them and, after the end of their service as Banshees, he made sure that each one would yearn for a real life, with a new identity on the planet they wanted. :: Five seconds, Captain! Prepare for dropping! ::

:: GATHER ON THE MAIN DOOR! :: Kelga'an ordered while coming closer to it to welcome the first Banshee to jump, :: You'll be the first one to go, fiu, :: he declared to the young soldier with a grin behind his mask. As he finished his phrase, the door opened itself to let the Banshees go out. :: GO! GO! GO! ::

One Hussar after another, the company deployed its men in the skies of Iridonia. The Anaxsi were diving towards the point established by the Reborn's Command, in the order that Kelga'an determined a few hours before this very moment. The timing was tight to not land right on 908th's heads, but they were in for the moment and nothing went wrong. As the last Hussars jumped from the dropship, Kelga'an waited a couple of seconds and then follow him. Fortunately, they hadn't to deal with artillery batteries or anything that could slow down their forward movements toward site A. The ground was coming closer and closer; Nukth loved this feeling, and he hadn't experienced it in a while since the last time they-...

Wait... When was it...?

Nevermind. The Banshees were reaching the rendezvous point. At least, two platoons were already landed and one of them started to establish a security perimeter in the surroundings of the designed operation zone. Kelga'an touched the ground after all his Sons, looking around to see if there were any Chiss over there. But, as everything was taking place around him, he felt sick for a few seconds. He took a moment to understand that the Knight's meditation had disappeared... Damn Anaxes, he thought to himself. Anyway, he was going to do without it -- nothing to care according to him.

:: Nines, this is Banshee-Actual -- landing carried out. We're cleaning the sur-... ::

As he was about to end his phrase, his attention was caught by one of his Sons holding a blaster in front of him, ready to fire. His life was about to flash before his eyes when a prodigal Dub-Fi diverted the cannon and neutralised the Hussar before he shot. While Kelga'an tried to find out what was going on over there, he saw that some Banshees were turning their back against their brothers.

« Bordel de m-... » he choked while getting protected behind a cover, closely followed by '55 who seemed to still be on his side. The Corporal started to fire to the Banshees when Kelga'an shouted: « DON'T KILL 'EM FI! DON'T KILL YOUR BROTHERS!!! »

« But, sieur... They're tryna kill us! » the soldier grunted.

« Nevermin' Fi! Neutralise 'em, I'm sure we'll be able to make 'em back...! » Nukth answered while turning on his long-range comlink to contact Nines.

:: NINES! This is still Banshee-Actual...! Our soldiers are turnin' their back against us and we lost the power given by the Knight with us! Do you copy?! ::​

 

[Sycamore Warrey]

Sahar
​

"If only the public relations department weren't such a fucking hinder, I'd of asked for orbital bombardment, and we'd of been back on Bastion by now."

​

Sycamore barked out an irrepressible laugh at those words paired with a shake of the head in effort to regain his composure. Now THAT was funny. Entirety due to the fact that most certainly nobody would be so ruthless to actually propose such a thing. …Right?

Right?

"You talk too much, silence before you tell everyone and everybody we're here, you imbecile."

There was no time for any retort besides the exaggerated act of screwing up of the face into a sneer, only to evaporate the very next instant at the sudden turn of events. It all happened so fast that before Sycamore truly knew what he was doing the pursuit was underway, heavy footfalls smacking against the ground in effort to not only avoid being left behind, but to match the pace of the Inquisitor.

“Aha!” Sycamore exclaimed, words forced at intervals from the exerted effort as their pursuit turned down one alleyway, jerked abruptly off into another at breakneck speed. “All part of the plan!” If the plan had been to draw an exorbitant amount of attention to the pair on the main thoroughfare, a better plan had never been concocted and executed in the history of the Imperial Knighthood. It certainly wasn’t merely obliviousness stumbling into chance that led to this series of events. Ohhh no. Such a thing could only occur if one failed to take credit for the series of events.

Sycamore had long ago learned that subtle difference.

The true question was, where was their quarry leading them? As best Sycamore could tell, from the brief glances offered of towering buildings ahead paired with the orchestra of blaster fire, explosions, and concert of other noises that accompanied the gift of violent liberation that the Empire offered, they were being drawn closer to the city itself.

The city, and hopefully, the hive of disorder that all cultists represented. A disorder that was to be expunged and put to right by the sword and the fist of the Empire.

 

[Kav Canthar]

R A N C O R
THE EMPIRE
EN ROUTE TO VEROLEEM
ALLIES: Hal Vaiken | Margo Liaeris | Lily Stevens | Leto Karazyn | Katja Javik | Castor E-196 | Kriegan Tavlar
ENEMIES: Chiss Forces
ENGAGING: Chiss heavy gunners
GEAR: Commando Armor | Z-6 Rotary Blaster Cannon | TL-50 Heavy Repeater | C-10 Heavy Blaster Pistol | Phase-Knife | Grenade loadout

Stalker threw the det-charge, she hefted the thing clean across the distance, where it hit the wall.

There was no delay as the explosive went off, delivering a thunderous crack and boom, as duracrete was scattered in every direction at the point of impact. Rancor grinned inside his dark helmet even as he was pelted with debris and wafts of passing heat. His TL-50 began to charge, as the alternate fire-mode was engaged. The Ragithian bounded through the dust and smoke, and landed with a heavy crunch of powered Stormtrooper armor--

"<<Oh yeah!>>"

--and immediately turned to unleash with a concussion blast at the closest Chiss that were recovering from the explosion. Each was thrown clear off their feet, as the sonic wave battered them with deafening force, before Rancor switched to the primary firing mode. The TL-50 began to spew out blaster bolts from all three barrels, rapidly, as the heavy took aim and worked on the Chiss immediately around.

Stalker was in through the hole not moments after, her own weapon popping off.

The hoist house was wide open, larger than it seemed outside, with catwalks and ladders that led up to a tower. Stalker had started to fire at those overhead, which left the recovering Chiss gunner teams on the ground floor. Rancor didn't waste time, as he rushed toward the enemies who had been knocked down, where a sweep of the TL-50 tore them up, as blaster bolts raked across their bodies. Ahead, one of the tripod gunners tried to rotate the charric to aim at the SCAR heavy, but Rancor wasn't having any of that--

<<"Crazy? Not according to my psyche evals!">>

--and took aim with his heavy repeater, as he moved forward at combat pace, firing as he dropped the Chiss in succession. There were more along the wall, several teams intermittently spread out at the consequent tripods, which meant a straight line of targets to mow down... to which Rancor did, as the heavy weapon he wielded began to spit deadly blaster bolts en masse.

<<"I got this side, Stalker, let's do this!">>

 

[Zorah Fel]

Streets of Iridonia
Lucien Dooku | Tish Cowen ​

Mortar shells cracked the earth with raucous booms. The air screeched with the sharp report of blasters. Smoke wafted through the air, fires climbed high, curling up duracrete walls and consuming the fallen. Zorah’s nerves were all but gone, despite the destruction around her. She felt comfortable, almost, as if she was exactly where she was meant to be, here in the thick of it, in the blood and smoke and flame, lightsaber clutched in her hand, her power-shield shining from her vambrace..

<"Make sure the rookie doesn't fall behind,” the Warden began, <”or take a bolt to the chest, for that matter.">

Zorah muted her comm channel so the others wouldn’t hear her teeth grinding. She knew he had teased her on purpose, but she couldn’t help herself. It was simply her nature.

She followed behind the Warden as best as she could, forced to split her jump in two to cover the same distance. Blaster bolts trailed her trajectory through the air, some coming close enough to scorch her armor. When she came flying through the hole in the wall that the Warden had made, he was already fighting, crossing blades with a cultist-

No, not a cultist, she realized. A Sith.

They were swarming the compound like locusts. When trepidation sought to rear its ugly head, she thought of the Emperor's ghost and the memories he’d shown her, of his brutal clash against Darth Prazutis in the Sith-Imperial palace. Hers was the blood of iron, of implacable will and unflinching determination. Teeth bared, she stretched out one stiff leg-

And crashed her boot into the face of the Sith that had tried to strike the Warden down, shattering his jaw and fracturing his skill. The Knight-Errant used his body to soften her landing, rolling to a low crouch, her shield tucked tight.

The Sith came like a tide of coruscating red. The fight was on.

​

 

[Tish Cowen]

I N Q U I S I T O R

THE EMPIRE
STREETS | IRIDONIA
TAG: Lucien Dooku | Zorah Fel

SURVIVAL​

As the Zabrak descended upon her, the Inquisitor felt a cool warmth spread throughout her.

Lucien.

At the same time, a saber whirred through the air to clip her assailant. It wasn't enough to drop him, but it was enough to have him draw back slightly with pain...

...which Raina capitalised on immediately and vehemently, argent blade a blur.

With the assailant dropped, she turned to nod at the young Fel in thanks. Just then, Dooku's voice reached them once more.
<"Make sure the rookie doesn't fall behind-- or take a bolt to the chest, for that matter.">
A smirk spread on the Demici's face.
<She's quite capable of looking after herself, I believe.> she said, bemused. Normally, she wouldn't mind backing up an Errant, but in this case, she believed Zorah to be able to handle herself just fine.

She felt the ebb of the Force suddenly coming from Lucien. They were moving. Raina let the Warden make the first move, before she jumped back into action as well in one leap - just in time to follow him through the wall as he made their entry.

It was chaos as rifles were turned inward to assault the Knights, their blades and hands a blur as they dealt with the blasterfire. But that wasn't the final trump card thrown their way, despite the Knights alleviating the pressure on their men.

It had been so long since the last time she had seen that armour - that she had fought against it. But she recognised it immediately as the robes were discarded. She had grown up with that armour walking around on her homeworld.

The Sith.

Violet eyes flashing dangerously, the Inquisitor did not wait for them to come to her. Like a bolt from a blaster, Raina shot forward in a flash of argent, crashing against the crimson with vehemence.

She was in her element now - hunting and dispatching Sith.

 

[Hal Vaiken]

IMPERIAL SPECIAL FORCES
SCAR SQUADRON
Lily Stevens Margo Liaeris Castor E-196 Kriegan Tavlar @]Katja Javik Kav Canthar Leto Karazyn

​

"He would." Sarge nodded. Mauler had been a Cataphract tank turned human. He'd shrugged off hits that would've otherwise killed whole platoons and carried on without any care in the galaxy. Rancor had big shoes to fill. Literally. The commander wondered how long before they'd bury another comrade before static in his comms cut off his fleeting ruminations

:: Bloody hell, Sarge. Give us a minute. ::

Sarge sighed, shaking his head. The rest of the squad had remained radio silent, while Spectre's response was practically in no way different.

"You know I gotta ask before we head in there, Sarge - you sharp enough to do this currently?" she asked him.

He turned the visor back on the Reaper: "What?-- Think I won't have your back in there?"

"I'm fine, Lily. We've been through worse." he added plainly, not too certain he believed it. The Ringo Vida shipyards collapsing underneath their feet as they sowed destruction, the moon peeling off above their heads on Tython. And many more.
​

 

[Kelinna Tryn]

R E A P E R
THE EMPIRE
FACILITY INFILTRATION | VEROLEEM
TAG: Hal Vaiken | Margo Liaeris | Katja Javik | Kav Canthar | Leto Karazyn | Kriegan Tavlar | Castor E-196
GEAR: Armour | Sniper rifle | Pistol | Battle rifle | Vibroblade | Vibroknife | Grenade loadout

HALLOWEEN​

"What?-- Think I won't have your back in there? I'm fine, Lily. We've been through worse."

Lily watched him for a moment while the others chattered over the comms, chewing her lip behind her visor before she muted her comms.
"I know you'll have my back, Hal. You always have." she said finally. "And yes, we've been through worse, but there's always a first time. You were hundred percent on Ilum and you still almost died. You're definitely not hundred now - listen to yourself." Candid. But there was no room for error - not with Imperial-trained Chiss.

"I don't want to bury another exceptional soldier." And there's still that bottle on Concord Dawn. Unspoken, but there. "But if you insist..."
She unmuted her comms and hitched her rifle back against her shoulder, barrel still pointing downward.
"Let's get to it, then. We need to get to that ops room before the rest of the team walks into shit blind." she said, back to business as she started walking toward the door.

Positioning herself to the side of the door, she looked over at Hal.
"Whenever you're ready, Sarge."

He better be as fine as he says he is or it all goes belly up.

 

[Ignacious Korvan]

Grand Moff Korvan​

Objective: I - Hit & Fade
Location: Aboard the NIV Ave Imperator - Shu Torun
Tags: Ashkur Kilslee | Abeodan Charidot | Julius Haskler | Open

Spoiler: 43rd Imperial Fleet - Battlegroup Vengeance - 33,644m

• (1) Legate-class Battlecruiser (Flagship - 5000m)
  • NIV Ave Imperator
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (2) Pellaeon IV-class Star Destroyers (Battleline - 4000m)
  • NIV Sturm
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Niruaun
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (3) New Imperial I-class Star Destroyers (Battleline - 4800m)
  • NIV Triumph
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Voracious
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Bastion IV
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (3) Valiant-class Star Destroyers (Battleline - 3000m)
  • NIV Avenger
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Primus
    • 
      [*]Shields: 100%
      [*]Armor: 100%
      [*]Power: 100%
      [*]Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Iriad
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (4) Endurance-class Fleet Carriers (Auxilliary Support - 4,160m)
  • NIV Dauntless
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Bellicose
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Vaunted
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Serenno
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    
    
    ​
• (4) Onager II-class Star Destroyer (Long Range Weapons Platform] - 5200m)
  • NIV Barrage
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Axiom
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Mallius
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Executor
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    
    
    ​
• (6) Tirailleur-class Artillery Frigates (Ranged Support - 3000m)
  • NIV Trident
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Tiberia
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV New Aldera
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Veroleem
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Maulor
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Brutor
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (8) Gurkha-class Corvettes (Ranged Support, Escort - 1384m)
  • NIV Hornet
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Baroque
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Raider
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Lament
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Prakith
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Ouroboros
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Eros
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Wasp II
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
    ​
• (10) TXS ‘Vandal’-class Corvettes (Escort - 1,800m)
  • NIV Telos
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Jocasta
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Lorath
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Pharos
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Nebula
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Jericho
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Moras
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Vornskyr
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Blood Crow
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%
  • NIV Outrider
    • Shields: 100%
    • Armor: 100%
    • Power: 100%
    • Subsystems: 100%

"They will not call your fleet away." There was so much communicated yet unsaid in Korvan’s response to the Admiral. From the deadpan and direct manner in which the words were said, to the firmness in Korvan’s eyes which appeared as though they could pierce durasteel; Korvan’s unspoken words would be crystal clear to the admiral.

‘You will not leave this post.’

‘The Triumvirs will not even come close to asking you to leave.’

‘I will shoot you where you stand if you think otherwise.’

Some things were better left unsaid, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be communicated. All of that being said, Admiral Charidot had proven himself a capable and, thus far, loyal officer to the Empire and on a personal level - to Korvan himself. During the assassination attempt on Bastion, Charidot could have easily delayed in his actions to save the Grand Admiral from further attempts on his life, instead backing away in surprise as the Clawdite assassin pumped more than three shots into the Grand Moff’s chest.

That was why Ignacious had recommended the Admiral for a commendation; he did his duty, and did it without hesitation or second thought. Hopefully he would repeat the same conscientiousness today. “I, in turn, shall not delay in returning to complete our entrapment of the Chiss fleet. But for this plan to work, we must both play our part.” His tone softened, as if granting Admiral Charidot an unspoken degree of leeway in the conversation. “Now, if there is nothing else...” He began again, hoping to cut short any followup questions.

“We have a war to win.” At that, the communication channel would shut off. The Grand Admiral would waste little time in issuing directives to the forces under his command. “On my mark, divide the fleet into three strike groups - I shall command Group A, Rear Admiral Commodore Chrias shall command Group B, and Commodore Iraine shall command Group C. Group A shall retain 50% of the fleet, while the other two Groups will divide the remainder amongst themselves. Groups B and C shall rendezvous with the 313rd fleet’s interdictor flotilla and advance deeper into Chiss occupied space. Their orders are to pull as many convoys out of hyperspace as possible and secure any and all cargo of military value. Group A shall plot a course to these coordinates:”

Ignacious began to personally key in a series of coordinates into his terminal and relay them to the nav station. Rear Admiral Feros nodded in acknowledgement, and the comms stations were busy relaying orders to the indicated commanders.

In short order, the Chiss fleet began crumbling under the weight of the Imperial onslaught, with several ships hastily plotting escape vectors and engaging their hyperdrives in a desperate retreat. Korvan grinned slightly at the observation. A less experienced commander would consider the retreat a failure, for the only logical result of their retreat was to rally reinforcements and return with greater force. But Korvan did not just consider such an outcome; he was counting on it.

Leaving mopping up to the 400th Talmshaa, the 43rd Battlegroup quickly set about deploying as ordered - save for the promised Onager-Star Destroyers, as well as a sizeable force of starfighters deployed by the previously departing battlegroup.

 

[Abeodan Tyiskore Charidot]

Spoiler: 400th Talmshaa Fleet

400th Talmshaa Fleet

Pellaeon III Class Star Destroyer NIV Resurgency II [100 | 100 ] NIV Dispatcher [100 | 100 ] NIV Trident [100 | 100 ] NIV Kraken [100 | 100 ] New Imperial I Class Star Destroyer NIV Impulse [100 | 100 ] NIV Pioneer [100 | 100 ] Praefect Class Star Destroyer NIV Herald [100 | 100 ] NIV Berserker [100 | 100 ] Stalwart Class Carrier NIV Intruder [100 | 100 ] NIV Paramount [100 | 100 ]

Escolta Class Frigate NIV Mercenary [100 | 100 ] NIV Siren [100 | 100 ] NIV Torment [100 | 100 ] EF 96 Nebulon A Escort Frigate NIV Glory [100 | 100 ] NIV Persuiter [100 | 100 ] NIV Eternity [100 | 100 ] TXS Vandal Class Corvette NIV Challenger [100 | 100 ] NIV Messenger [100 | 100 ] NIV Deceptor [100 | 100 ]

Admiral Charidot showed little reaction to the Grand Moff Admiral's words at this time. He was merely asking a hypothetical question in the event that the Triumvirs had dire need for his fleet however small that possibility was at this time. Korvan's gaze merely served to cast his shadow of authority over the man. But he knew when to stop on the matter to avoid a possible enemy at this time. He did save the man's life within Fortress Imperator and had even been given an accomodation for it. However his true loyalty lay with the House Vethres of Bal Talmshaa and not the other officials that made up the Hierarchy.

Charidot said nothing as Ignacious Korvan resumed the campaign with a simple cut of the transmissions between them. The 400th Talmshaa Fleet had suffered only minor damages so far from the Chiss Resistance Force against them. As they slowly began to crumble away into nothingness. Although some elements did slip by the Imperial Offensive into hyperspace no doubt to rally more forces in a counterassault.

"Intensify forward batteries and regroup around the planet with the Onager-Star Destroyers. Formation Delta 45." Charidot said as the last salvo from the 400th Talmshaa Fleet broke the back of the Chiss Military Might within the region. The Starfighter Squadron from the 55th Flight Wing would return after clearing the Chiss Clawcraft out of the way from the fleet's approach. The Resurgency II moved forward towards the planet and made a hard turn with a shake of the bridge. Sending him into a slight tumble to which Rear Admiral Furn caught him before he fell into the crew pit.

"Send our occupational forces down to the planet to secure their loyalty to the Imperial Regime. All Fleet Command are to hold their position for the time being and recycle their shields for the upcoming engagement." Charidot said with a firm tone watching as the entire fleet moved into the desired formation around the planet. The Onager-Star Destroyers moving into the fleet as the admiral brought up his playbook and adjusted to accommodate for these new forces within his already predetermined fleet patterns.

The Occupational Force launched from the hangers of the 400th Talmshaa Fleet down into the surface.

Ashkur Kilslee
Julius Haskler


​