Profit Margins (Cato Neimoidia)

[Darron Wraith]

Thirty Droids.

Very unfavorable odds for a squad of soldiers as they would simply be overrun by sheer numbers. That was the brilliance in how the Trade Federation had made their armies. Very cheaply made, very cheaply equipped, but the sheer numbers were always overwhelming. Its what allowed them to simply run over most combat forces, even if the majority of the droids would be lost. Their numbers where the answer, as for everyone you took down there where five more that would replace them. That was the one thing the Trade Federation had gotten right, was the fact that their forces were so cheap they could easily be replaced. There was never any need for medics, or really repairs as each droid was so cheap it didn't really merit much of anything to try and save them once they where damaged. It was very simple, efficient, and brutal. Had the four men there been soldiers they would have won with their 30-1 advantage. Not today, though.

They were facing Jedi.

Adamant Company had been formed with an express desire to take on darksiders in the most hostile of situations. To be the Jedi who could go into the blackest of holes and save the day, do the things other Jedi couldn't do. While staying firmly within the code as a quick response team to stop darkside insurgency, this mission to Cato Neimodia was simply a test run. So what could this many droids do against men who where training to stop those even more powerful than themselves? It was a simple exercise, but the team was quickly proving its worth. The sounds of servo-motors crashing to ground and energy blasts being deflected back on their senders echoed throughout the hall.

Each member of the team fought with a different style, and it would be quite the show for whoever was able to watch.

Ben Watts was the epitome of defense, as his mastery of Soresu shone through. No blaster bolt made it to him between his efficient defenses, and he used only the bare minimum requirement of energy with each swing of his blade. It was an interesting display of efficiency to say the least. Seroth Ur-Rahn was physically the smallest of the team, yet his raw physical strength was breath taking. His two bladed variation of Djem-So was a study in power, and he was simply dominating all those mechanical opponents within range of himself. Jaxton Ravos was the largest of the team, and he fought with Makashi. His blinding offensive speed was more product of his athleticism. Normally a man of his size wouldn't fight with such a "dueling" form, but he pulled it off well. The pile of droids around him was evidence of his martial prowess.

Then there was Darron fully immersed in Vaapad, his twin blue blades working furiously. For every blaster bolt that came towards his powerful frame, a bar of pure energy met it and sent it defly back to the shooter. The GrandMaster of the Jedi Order appeared to be surrounded in blue light as his staccato strikes fired from every angle. That was the beauty of Vaapad, it was power, speed, grace, and ferocity, with precision in there. The inner workings of the form were well known, and he was the eye of the storm as he appeared to be using dozens of blades. Such was his speed, the droids around him where nothing, and he shredded them like paper dolls during his onslaught. After a few seconds all the droids had been dispatched of, and he allowed a grin as he saw the rest of Adamant Company standing strong.

"Well done all of you. Yes, Jaxton I do know where the hangar is, but right now we need to head to the bridge to turn off the droids so that everyone else can have an easy day."

He deactivated his blades as he ran towards the turbo-lift. With a wave of a hand it opened, and all four of the Jedi got inside the cramped space...just barely. An odd sounding tune played as he activated the lift to send them to the desired floor. It was then that he noticed how slowly it was going, you've got to be fething kidding me.

"So, from what I've read. The bridge will have destroyer droids and IG-100 Magna Guards, known also as the droids who can fight Jedi. We are to take all droid opposition out, spare the Neimodians at all costs okay?"

A few more awkward seconds ticked away, as the lift moved at a snails pace. Taking a chance at humor, Darron spoke once more.

"So, call signs for the team. Ideas?" Turning to Jaxton, Darron let slip his comical idea. "How about Pinky for you my Zeltron friend?"

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] @[member="Seroth Ur-Rahn"] @[member="Ben Watts"]

 

[Sky Kerberos]

"Let us try from the outside then," she said as they entered the atmosphere. "We will be there to support your talents, Boolon, and to fend off any soldiers if they should get in the way."

Best to not needlessly barge in to take control of the cannon, if they could do so more covertly. Hopefully the knight's skills would allow the cannon to be there's without too much notice of the enemy, for if they still believe it to be under their control, it could prove to be an important tool in the battle.

She nodded to A'donari, silently welcoming him to their operation.

@[member="Padak Arciso"] @[member="Boolon Murr"] @A'donari Cinn

 

[Adonari Cinn]

The ships door closed suddenly after A'donari had effortlessly jumped on board the vessel. With a jerk under his feet he knew they were air born and that they were on their way to the planets surface. Trying to remain focused was becoming easier for him while the ship dropped into Neimoidia's atmosphere. He felt connected and reassured by the force flowing around the Jedi who were aboard the vessel. Listening to the thoughts from those around him he gathered that the Jedi Knights and Masters alike were working to get on the same page from the way they spoke about the different steps they could take towards accomplishing their mission. The Jedi Master whose back was turned to him seemingly spoke the complete opposite thoughts A'donari had been thinking just moment before. Avoiding conflict if at all possible was in his mind was always the smartest decision but odds are that wouldn't be a possibility on this day.

'Still, it would be wise to go unnoticed if we expect to take this planet. We'll not only need to sustain as few causalities as possible throughout the long battles that are surely to come but have the strength to sustain control of the world in the months after the war is over.' A'donari thought to himself.

After the last of the woman's words were spoken she turned behind her and acknowledged A'donari for the first time since his arrival. He nodded accepting her polite gesture before looking away. It was all that he could do to keep his mouth shut and thoughts to himself. Seeing the woman's face had shocked him. He couldn't tell if her features were more stunning with or without the aura of the light side of the force surrounding her both inward and outwardly. Without another thought on the matter he forced himself to focus knowing this was neither the time nor place to be overly friendly. Besides the woman's face could always be thought of later on if he survived the day that was waiting before him.

 

[Ben Watts]

Ben laughed at the comment from Seroth as he deactivated his lightsaber once the room was clear. Ben was impressed with the way that all of them fought together, all of their styles meshed well together, and Ben realized that together they would be able to accomplish good things. Following behind Darron, Ben loaded up into the elevator, standing next to Jaxton who dwarfed him in size. Ben peeked up at him and smirked as his large frame took up the bulk of the elevator space. He had only known the team for a few weeks now but he already felt connected with them. They were all warriors, all dedicated to the Jedi, and they all wanted the same thing: peace.

The music in the elevator was almost soothing to Ben. It was like the calm before the storm and it was ironically mocking them as they rode up to their next destination. Darron discussed what they would be fighting and Ben racked his mind trying to remember what the droids were capable of. They were well trained droids, albeit a little slow, and they would pose a bit of a bigger problem than the droids they had just been fighting. No matter, Ben was sure they would be able to handle it, it wasn't like he had been in worse situations before.

Letting out a laugh at Darron's joke, he turned to stare up at Jaxton. "I like Pinky, very fitting." Which was funny because it wasn't fitting at all. Humor.

 

[Seydon of Arda]

"...Perhaps 'Fuschia'." Seroth said amiably after a turn, readjusting the ride of his belt harness and checking for nicks by errant blast bolts. "Though, if I may? Maybe some word having to do with 'Steel' or 'Iron'. Certianly as implacable as beskar."

Better to end, the boy reasoned, a tease with an honest compliment. Truly, in the Zeltron's presence, Jaxton resoundingly dwarfed their lesser frames. What struck Seroth midst their droid-melee in the barracks chamber below was the finer touches Jax placed upon his sword-work. One moment, he saw a Makashi fient blur into a plodding Shii-Cho hack, then swiftly transform into the familiar vector routines native to his own favoured Djem-So. Passing guilt served as reminder to allow the Zeltron a greater deal of his respect, 'specially in the face of his prowess in a Grav-Ball arena. ...Nine Hells, what putrid music did these Neimoidians prefer!?

"...Though, Darron?" Seroth suddenly piped up to speak over a rather grating section of shrill glass-flutes in the elevator music tune. "...I've heard 'Knight Knocker' is your shorthand in Council transcripts."

 

[Delila Castillon]

@Anemone Nivalis | @[member="Gezzo"]

"Split up from me Lieutenant. You make have to take command of the soldiers in your gunship. I trust your judgement."

With that, Delila stepped foot inside another separate vessel. Soldiers stood from back to front,crammed in together like sardines. It would only be a moment, now hopefully, given good luck, no one would crash. Then the tightly packed crew may have a problem on their hands. Shaking her head, Delila stood need the gunship opening as they took off, heading across the large crevice that spanned between two cities. Captain Gezzo could faintly be made out, already starting the fight.

"Pilot, if we have some type of armament I suggest we engage them. Take out some droids before we hit the ground"

Red bolts started to fire from the front of the gunship shortly after her suggestion. The gunship was banking now, coming to rest diagonally from the large gathering of soldier droids. It gave them time to jump out and find vantage points behind buildings or pillars within the city. It wasn't the most ideal location to be fighting in yet better than simply standing out in the open like a pack of idiots.

"Lets move out!" She commanded, stepping off the gunship before it had even fully stopped. It was a well practiced move, others Delila would be face first on the duracrete. Soldiers streamed out behind her and started to fire, with heavy gunners setting up behind the line to do their part against any heavily armored droids.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton ducked his head as he joined Adamant Company in the elevator. The Grandmaster asked for callsigns, and quickly it degenerated to the three Jedi deciding to call him "Pinky". Jaxton laughed amicably, he had been called far worse by his old grav-ball team. Then @[member="Seroth Ur-Rahn"] suggested they name themselves after metals, to fit the theme of "Adamant" that the Grandmaster had thought of.

"While 'Pinky' and 'Fuschia' are both wonderfully creative names, I think I'll go by 'Rogue' instead." Jaxton said, referencing his old Grav-Ball team mascot, as well what some would say is the mascot of Corellia in general. Though Jaxton did his best to hide it, a small sense of pride could be felt from his tone.

"...Though, Darron? .. I've heard 'Knight Knocker' is your shorthand in Council transcripts." Seroth spoke to their Grandmaster @[member="Darron Wraith"], and Jaxton let out a hearty laugh.

"Those reports are exaggerated. He's more like a Knight Stalker." Jaxton joked as the elevator and it's ancient music continued upwards.

 

[Dizzy Zechs]

Charlie Forward Assault
@[member="Gezzo"]

The 73rd had split up to hit the enemy from both sides. After his most-recent crash landing, Commander Zechs found himself situated amongst Charlie. Castillon had gone around. They busied themselves engaging the enemy droids across the bridge-way while Dizzy smirked from cover. Reloading his Assault Cannon with glee and a heavy hand.

"For the Republic!"

He shouted. Leveling his colossal weapon at the enemy positions. It was time for some suppressing fire. Oh yes indeedy. It was time to show these Army boys just how Naval Assault Troopers do it, sexy-style.

 

[Darron Wraith]

Feeling his face grow flush for a moment, the GrandMaster of the Jedi Order rested his face into the palm of his unencumbered hand. Having placed one of his hilts on his belt, and like the rest having deactivated his blades. A few idle moments went by as the terrible music droned on, and a chuckle couldn't help but escape his lips. Oh Rosa, even when you aren't around I'm still reminded of you. Yes, they had met while he had been training her. Yes, he had known her father during his original time with the Order before being frozen for two decades. It was all enough to make his head spin if he allowed himself time to think about the awkward subject matter, or the jokes the Council had made on the matter. Yet to hear them out loud, and from two Knights no less was absolutely hilarious given their situation.

Another explosion rocked the ship, and the turbo-lift slowed.

"Well, since we have another twenty floors to go up. Anyone want to make suggestions for Master Watts...especially after eviscerating your GrandMaster verbally?"

Leaning against the wall for a moment, the GrandMaster reached out with his senses. They would be to their floor soon and this conflict would be over, they all just needed to exercise patience.

"Also while we are on topic. I do love Rosa Mazhar very much, and we did nothing until after she was promoted. I refused to press the matter, and we both tried to not let anything happen. It is what it is, so if anyone has anymore opinions on my love life please go ahead. Just don't catch me in the training hall." A small grin cracked across his face as he spoke the last bit with sarcasm, before turning to Seroth. "Shall we call you wee-man?"


@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] @[member="Ben Watts"] @[member="Seroth Ur-Rahn"]

 

[Ben Watts]

Ben could not help but smile as the other two went in on giving Darron nicknames. Ben knew of their relationship and he had no problems with it. He had known Darron for awhile now and he knew that it did not effect his role as a Jedi in the tiniest bit. While Ben was not to keen on the whole relationship thing, he understood where Darron was coming from, if he loved the girl then he saw no problems with it. She was, herself, a valuable member to the Jedi Order and the two of them kept their relationship under wraps. Ben had even witnessed Darron reprimand her, publicly, when she refused an order he had given while they were at the war summit. He knew that Darron was a true Jedi, through and through, and as long as it stayed that way Ben would never speak up.

As the explosions continued to rock the ship, Ben did not flinch, but instead stood steadfast as they approached their destination. He closed his eyes for a moment and he searched the force, trying to figure out just how many droids they were about to fight, the number was not great but at least he had an idea. "I have always been fond of being called Ben," Ben said, breaking the silence, never one for nicknames or pleasantries. He even hated being called Master Watts, but it was what it was, and he would waste his breath if he corrected everyone who spoke it. "Anyways, it looks like there is going to be heavy opposition once the elevator door opens, they know we are here and they are obviously unhappy. Once we make it out of this alive we can go back to discussing our private lives, but just so we are all clear, my private life is confidential."

Who was he kidding, he didn't have a private life, everything he did was dedicated to the Jedi.

 

[Seydon of Arda]

"For a 'wee-man'," Seroth began with a kindly laugh. "You certainly seemed impressed."

Yavin IV had in its way been a brutalizing forge. The youth's frame still managed a sympathetic shiver, remembering the days spent in meditative healing. Darron had been unrelenting, as he'd promised, and Seroth held no bitterness or wounded pride for their long hours of swordplay and training. It was certainly more tempering than what exercises the Tython instructors could have concocted, with more care towards reinforcing double meanings behind more obvious truths. Most Jedi had very little trouble accomodating to those more subtle performances; it left Seroth flabbergasted. Such was his character flaw, he readily admitted, and hoped to soon overcome. Though, he would always prefer the battering point of a raised blade to self-indulgent cleverness. Such was why he prefered the Grandmaster's 'methodology'.

"I have always been fond of being called Ben," He heard Master Watts speak up. "Anyways, it looks like there is going to be heavy opposition once the elevator door opens, they know we are here and they are obviously unhappy. Once we make it out of this alive we can go back to discussing our private lives, but just so we are all clear, my private life is confidential."

The shrill bars of grating 'music' suddenly rang sharper in Seroth's ears, taking a fast moment to check over his waist-harness and summon his hilts to hand. Cramped in with three taller bodies, with Jaxton's taking up the most space against the back plated wall, they would need a fluid exit from the elevator lest they become trapped in a killing box. The minutes idled as they waited, pacing on the spot, legs aching for motion. The youth recalled the fixed layout of the controller-bridge, the staggered seating down to a wide plastisteel viewport panorama, rows of banked work stations flanking a deep-set 'throne' for the commander.

"...We'll have to be careful," The Knight murmured. "Of injuring the indentured crew."

"...And I think I have it," He then said, startling the quiet as he squeezed to turn about in his awkward space. His gesture flew to Jaxton, Ben, and then Darron in turn. "...Rogue, like you said. ...Shield. ...And Aegis." His knuckles tapped lightly to the Grandmaster's polished breastplate.

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

Anemone nodded as she quickly made her way into the opposite gunship. She would rendezvous with the Major later. For now, she had a job to do. "Pilot! Let's get moving!" The ship swiftly left the ground, headed for the droids. It had been sometime since she was in charge of anything. And the first time she was leading this type of engagement. Her breathing slowed as she attempted to slow her heart, and regain her calm. Panning her head about, she laid eyes on the many soldiers whose lives depended on her command. It was time to prove she didn't simply gain the position from being book smart.

As they neared the battle, Anemoen could make the position of both the Captain and the Major's squads. She looked to two of the solders standing to her side. "You two! Give us some cover so everyone can dismount!" With the nod, the two sliders pulled their rifles to their hip as they began firing into the crowd of droids. It wasn't the biggest barrage, but it would be enough. The ship landed 200 meters behind where the Major's squad took cover. The flood of soldiers followed Anemone as they hit the ground running, a good 50 meter sprint before they all took cover. "All heavy weapons, suppressive fire!" With those words, a barrage of blue bolts instantly began to flood into the crowd of droids, giving cover for Anemone and the soldiers with the lighter weapons to bound forward another 50 meters and set up behind cover. Once they were set, Anemone drew her own pistol, assisting the group in laying down cover to allow the group of heavy weapons to bound forward as well. This trend continued until Anemone and her squad found themselves but 40 meters from the Major. "Continue laying down fire!" The entire squad instantly began to yet another barrage, forcing the droids to either seek cover, or become scrap metal.

@[member="Delila Castillon"]
@Gezzo

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

While the Republic space forces slugged it out with the Neimoidian ships in the orbit of Cato Neimoidia and the 73rd Infantry was engaging the droid forces, the compound of Tan Weedin was falling.

The droid forces had been alerted about the sudden arrival of enemy forces in form of a column of Atrisian walkers. However, they had been ill-equipped to respond appropriately. What combat droids they fielded were great in numbers, but mainly equipped with small arms and repeaters, the grenades they had would cause barely a dent in the thick armour plaiting of an AT-AT.

Barrages of red bolts streaked through the air, wrecking a hell of their own and taking down synthetic and organic alike as squads of stormtroopers assaulted the positions of the droid force, covered by the heavy laser fire coming from the walkers. The earth shook when one AT-ST was struck by a missile to the legs and tumbled down, then there were tremors when a red laser beam sizzled towards the droid position, blasting them.

A piece of wall was struck by the impact and tumbled down, crushing the shooters beneath it. Starfighters piloted by Neimoidians were called into the fray, but upon seeing the mechanical behemoths they faced abruptly turned tail and steered their craft away, realising that sacrificing themselves for a futile cause was most foolish.

A flood of white-armoured stormtroopers overtook the droids. Intense fire with E-webs greeted them, but the troopers sought cover and lobbed in grenades, Droid forces coming in from the flanks found themselves blasted or crushed by walkers.

Moira had joined a squad of stormtroopers outside of the walker, using an SR-4 rifle with scope to snipe droids that reared their heads. As the AT-AT fired another volley to blast droidekas, she bolted towards the entrance. "We're going in. Weedin must be recovered alive. Terminate all resistance."

The entrance room was wrecked, both by the initial firefight when the Government droid forces had taken it and then by the onslaugh it had been subjected to during the bombardment. Holes had been blasted into the walls, windows shattered, a curtain was engulfed in a small fire.

The wreckage of droids littered the area, along with dead bodies of organics. Moira turned a dead Neimoidian, who was missing his legs and who had a nasty hole in his back, over with her boot, scrutinising the face. "This is not the xenos we're looking for," she muttered to herself.

Suddenly there was the sound of gunfire and one of the stormtroopers roughly gripped her by the shoulder, knocking her down into cover while his armour blocked the shot. One trooper was struck before the droid peeking around the corner was mowed down. Moira rolled sideways as blaster bolts whizzed over her, bringing up her SR-4 to shoot another automaton.

More droids came rushing up before a stormtrooper pulled an ion grenade and thrust it across the room, taking them out with an ion impulse. Moira pulled herself up, gesturing them to follow.

She felt a cackle in her earpiece. "We got a life signal," the Rodian technician said. "Weedin and his surviving inner circle are down in the bunker. Hurry, droids are getting closer."

They quickly headed down, the door to the bunker had already been blasted open, by an explosive charge judging by how it had flown across the corridor, by the droids.

"Clear," a stormtrooper reported as he crossed the corner, levelling his blaster rifle. Moira nodded, gesturing them forward. They were hearing noise from a room further beyond, probably the command room. The sound of gunfire was clearly heard, along with cries of pain.


Weedin and his cronies had taken up refuge in the command room, hiding under tables and behind monitors, while their droids and the few organic fighters in their group returned fire, red bolts sizzling through the air. But relentlessly the battle droids advanced, mowing down the few resistance fighters.

One of the Neimoidian guards got out of cover and held up his hands. "Please, hold fire! I...we surrender! I'm a ptriot!" With a trembling hand he pulled a hold-out blaster from inside his uniform and aimed it at Weedin. He did not get much further because a blaster bolt shot out of Moira's rifle and shot the small lump on his forehead.

If you betray, do it wisely. In the same moment the Atrisian troopers burst across the corner and unleashed a salvoe of their own. The droids, suddenly caught from behind, turned to meet the enemy, heated salvoes were exchanged. Under the cover of ion grenades heavily armoured troopers equipped with repeaters stepped forward, blasting apart machines. Bolts ricochetted off walls, monitors were shot to pieces under the assault.

A few Duros with the Government forces broke ranks and tried to flee, but were caught in the crossfire and thrown up into the air when one of the stormtroopers tossed a frag grenade down the corridor.

Moira moved through the thick cloud of smoke, spinning to shoot a quick burst into a droid. She saw a Duros twitch on the ground and put a bolt through his head, nonchalantly treading on the corpse of the alien. Tan Weedin had sought cover under a table and slowly raised his head when the cacophony of bolts died down.

The agent grabbd his hand, pulling him up. His hand felt clammy, the skin was a mottled green. "Mr Chairman Tan Weedin, I presume," Moira said flatly. The Neimoidian looked shaken by the attack, breathing in deeply. Fortunately there was enough of the politician in him not to hug her or anything like that. Nice xenos, good xenos.

"Republic Military," she said by way of explanation, gesturing with her blaster for his cronies rise. "All resistance has been broken. You're safe now. Come with us...your great moment awaits."

Weedin breathed in, evidently not quite believing it before the politician took over. "Yes...thank you. Today Cato Neimoidia will be liberated. My people were just waiting to rise up and revolt against the Tyrant before we were betrayed. I need a secure line to the Republic Commander. Get me to a broadcast station and I will rouse the people to free themselves and this terrible conflict will be over. Komar's reign of terror is at an end."

"Peace in our time, sir. I'm sure your election will be unanimous," Moira could not resist being snarky at the moment, though he either did not pick up on the sarcasm or let it slide.

He was just waiting for us to take over, she thought sarcastically, sending a quick transmission to General Yu. The technicians at the hideout would convey a message to Admiral @[member="Cabbal Noir"], letting him know Weddin was safe and sound.

She also did not mention that most of the Neimoidians' fighters were droids anyway. But the Republic' invasion needed a figleaf of legitimacy since the Senate was concerned with a thing called public relations.

Further behind Weedin, who was quick to join the squad and head out, she heard a Neimoidian official mutter something under his breath. "Now that the Republic is here, we will never again be masters of our own fate. We wanted the Tyrant gone, but not like this."

His mouth was silenced when he saw the look she was giving him out of the corner of her eye, she made a note of his name ane position in Weedin's council. If she had her way, the takeover of the planet would involve a far more thorough sweep, but the Republic liked to look good for the holonet and morally upstanding, even though a more ruthless sweep would serve as a warning to the rest.

"Some gratitude would be nice" she reprimanded him sharply. What with their lives just being saved and all. "Welcome to the brave new world of the Republic."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

"Look Master Wraith, I'm happy for you. Rosa's a sweet girl. Just . . ." Jaxton said and paused for a minute. " be careful. Everyone's watching." Jaxton said softly. He trusted Master Wraith, but he knew if something were to happen many questions would be asked, both in and out of the Order.

Seroth spoke, accepting Jaxton's designation of Rogue, and naming Ben "Shield" and Darron "Aegis". He supposed they would be adequat names, if Ben and Darron were to accept it.

"I guess that'll work 'Dagger' "Jaxton commented, referring to Seroth's lack of size as the elevator stopped. Jaxton edged forward and ignited his lightsaber, cutting around the edges of the elevator door, then took a step back.

"If one of y'all could give it a push?" He asked, inviting one of the more talented telekinetics the honor of clearing a path.

@[member="Darron Wraith"] @[member="Ben Watts"] @[member="Seroth Ur-Rahn"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

@A'donari Cinn
@[member="Sky Kerberos"]
@[member="Padak Arciso"]

As the airspeeder approached the ion cannon, taking light and incidental fire, Boolon squinted at the surroundings. "Yes, yes...you see that rooftop garden across the chasm?"

He began to hum gently in Ithorian as they approached the space between the ion cannon's barrel and the garden. Vines swelled and twisted into the intervening space, passed beneath the speeder, and latched onto the barrel. The tendrils worked their way into the cracks between metal panels, popping them free, then grew into the circuitry.

"Patience, friends," he said, eyes half-closed. "I'll need some time to work."

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

Moira had not received word from General Yu yet concerning his progress, but regardless the district where the compound lay had been secured. If there was going to be an election after this mess was over, Weedin would certainly have convincing arguments on his side. Arguments in the form of two AT-STs that were patrolling down the street.

Some might have found it terribly bizarre that the liberation campaign was being conducted by forces from the remnant of an old empire that had once tried to dominate the Galaxy by the muzzle of a blaster. However, to Moira such matters were semantics. Cato Neimoidia was on the Republic's list of conquests, but public relation rules dictated that the term "conquest" be replaced with "liberation".

The people wanted to think that their actions were noble and righteous, even when they were conquering planets wit names most of them could not spell, let alone identify on the map. They wanted to believe that their boys were fighting the minions of tyrants. "Life is all a game," Moira muttered to herself, glancing over to Weedin, who was getting ready in the comm station.

The room had taken some damage, as the scorch marks in the walls and some ruined monitors attested. The dead bodies had been dragged out, apparently seeing corpses would be taking things a bit too far as far as realism was concerned. People were so squeamish sometimes, Moira figured.

Originally Weedin had wanted to broadcast from a more secure location, but then decided that doing it from here, in the middle of his command post, would make him look more heroic, as if he had fought to the last bullet against the merciless droid forces of the vile tyrant. Moira had to admit that he understood a thing about public relations.

The politician prepared himself, brushing some dust off his robes and rubbing his hands together. "Comm systems active, we're on, sir," a Neimoidian technician said to him.

Moira sipped a glass of water as the proceedings started. A few Neimodians, some of them dignitaries, had been placed in the background, awkwardly holding blasters, though they were not loaded. Moira did not trust them, hence the lack of powerpacks, but it would make t look like they had actually done something. Stormtroopers stood further in the background, ready to intervene if need be.

Weedin cleared his throat, beginning, looking fatherly. "Citizens of Cato Neimoidia, I come here before you today not with empty promises, not with myths and lies, but with liberation. For years our people, who were once proud merchants living in wealth, have languished under the tyranny of one man, Komar." His voice turned outraged, he jabbed his finger forward into the holographic projection. A few images flickered across the screen, showing battle droids marching under a giant portrait of Komar.
"For years he exploited weak and mighty alike, feasted upon the fruits of our labours, his thugs put down anyone who dared to voice dissent. When Parliament refused to let the racket continue, his goons persecuted any delegate who stood up against this outrage. Unarmed protesters were mercilessly gunned by battle droids! Such was the violence that my followers were driven into the underground. But now we are out of the dark and the dawn is at hand." Scenes showed battle droids firing in the streets, though it was not quite clear at whom.
"An armed rising of patriotic Neimoidians has put an end to his evil regime in alliance with the Republic. As I speak his droid armies are being destroyed throughout the bridge cities, our liberators are marching upon his palace. I call upon all honest citizens to join our cause and take their planet back. The Republic came here to aid our rising, not as occupiers and we will make lasting friendship with them. Cato Neimoidia will move forward into the future and by the Force's good grace we shall regain the prosperity of the past. Komar will be found and punished by a tribunal of the people. Victory is ours."

"Congratulations, Mr Chairman," Moira said quietly, tone very dry as the speech came to a close. The technicians at the hideout had helped set things up, it would be broadcast across comms channels in the city.

A stormtrooper commander seemed to look disapproving. Well, Moira assumed such. It was rather difficult to discern any emotion through a visored helmet, especially since the troopers tended to talk in a dull monotone. "In the Empire we do not need honeyed words such as liberation. Conquest is its own reward."

"I thought the Imperial credo of the day was 'bring order to the Galaxy'," Moira said dryly, watching Weedin as he stopped from the holo-comm, wiping sweat from his large forehead. "People like to tell themselves they're morally upstanding and noble. Then they can go home to sleep and safe sound. In the end it's just a game, the Great Game."

"Constant conflict and strife, until one will brings the Galaxy under its heel and shapes it as it sees fit," the stormtrooper commanded stated. "Victory alone justifies success."

Moira gave him a look. "Like the Old Empire tried, yes? Like the Republic and so many others."

The commander evidently disapproved of the precursor of the Atrisian Empire being taken down a notch. "Your Republic has not yet been tested. That'll come when it faces the Sith. We have yet to see how its 'democracy' holds in up a galactic war. Atrisia will endure and rise."

Moira shrugged. "There'll never be an end. One power prevails and rules, it rots from within and someone else rises up to challenge it. Like I said, just a game." She watched Weedin shake the hands of some lackeys. "The gods of war call. Let's get this show on the way and get your troops moving."

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

In Space

The Lucrehulk-class that the Rancor had been firing upon was suddenly racked with a massive explosion as an Atrisian ion cannon knocked out its shields long enough for the main batteries to piece the aging hull. A large section of the ring shape had been blown off one side, and the two pieces were now drifting away from each other at a speed that seemed great until one realized it was a fraction of the speed spaceships normally traveled at. The ship's weapons had stopped firing, except for a few locally controlled batteries. The hit had not destroyed it outright, but the explosion must have damaged something critical. Another ion cannon shot from the planet barely missed striking Akio's flagship, but all he could do there was hope the ground forces took it out before their aim got better.

"Prepare to move in on the next closest enemy ship."

So far the battle had been fairly tame, the enemy ships had not tried any fancy maneuvers or even attempted to focus fire. In fact most of them seemed uninterested in a direct at all, a fact that only seemed to become more evident as the broken ship continued to drift. As the Rancor began its slow turn through space, Weedin's speech reached space. Akio activated it so that the bridge could hear the speech, and he and his senior officers watched long enough to notice the stormtroopers standing proud in the background.

"The Republic certainly found themselves a well spoken puppet," the Admiral said when the speech had ended.

"What a farce." his chief of staff muttered. "Everyone knows they're trading one master for another, why bother with speeches and such? Just declare martial law and take control."

"You know as well as I do that deception is a powerful tool on the battlefield. Politics and diplomacy is a type of battlefield as well. A battlefield that we don't have to sign condolence letters for after each battle."

That caused the chief of staff to nod, as he knew that even the greatest victories rarely came without a cost in lives of good people. Whatever else Weedin's speech had been intending to do, it seemed to have had an effect on the neimoidian warships. Over half of the ancient giants were now slowly moving away, not fleeing per say, but clearly with the intention of sitting back and seeing where things headed. Neimoidians living up to their stereotype. Not all the ships were taking a neutral stance, and the Rancor was not in range of another ships with active weapons.

"Open fire."

On the Ground

As Moira's detachment secured Weedin's complex, the rest of the Atrisian ground forces made their way toward Komar's tower. Behicles were crushed and buildings toppled as the AT-ATs made their steady path through the bridge city. Undoubtably whichever neimoidian insurance agencies were left to pay for the damages would be cursing the Atrisian name for generations to come, but such was the price of freedom.

Their march was not unimpeded though as the droid armies massed as a near solid wall of metal in the streets before them. AT-AT and AT-ST lasers fired an almost constant barrage, mowing down the droids by the hundreds. The heavy walkers' armor was covered in black pit marks where blaster fire had connected from countless shots. On the ground thousands of stormtroopers charged through the streets firing as they went, destroying even more droids. A droid tank fired a heavy laser at one AT-AT, causing a deep gouge into its top armor. A rocket from a stormtrooper on the ground eliminated that threat permanently.

A second, smaller contingent of forces had broken off from the Weedin rescue group and were taking a separate path to the tower as General Yu had promised. Despite their smaller size, the resistance was less as most of the forces had gone to block to main thrust. Now they came in on the side of the main droid army, and the droids found themselves fighting two fronts. A squadron of TIE Bombers arrived in a timely fashion and began dropping bombs into the center of the massed droid army.

One neimoidian driven hover tank, either by suicidal desperation, or more likely accidentally during a panic, rammed into the knee of one AT-AT. The damage was enough to caused the AT-AT to fall forward, stopping its moment. The following walkers had to take the time to move around their stalled brethren before continuing their march. By now the tower could clearly be seen through the buildings, it was only a matter of time before the Atrisian forces arrived to their destination.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

While the Atrisian forces were waltzing through the capital city of Cato Neimoidia, blasting enemy robots and causing all sorts of property damage - but then, the city had required some remodelling anyway and with less buildings traffic would be able to proceed far easier - Tan Weedin had been given the pleasure of riding in an AT-AT.

Some of his companions had been suspicious, what with apparently suspecting that they were exchanging one master for another and all, but Weedin was a bold fellow who took the initiative. Moreover, the call of power beckoned him.

Moire was in the cockpit alongside him, keeping a watchful eye on the Neimoidian. She was not anticipating betrayal from the Imperials. Not because she thought they were above that, she expected them to act in the manner as she, was but because behaving comically duplicious was not in their interests.

As she had thought before, when one betrayed, one was advised to do wisely. Nonetheless she kept her gun at her side, wondering for a moment how the space battle was going. It seemed to occupy the Republic fleet's time.

But no matter, war demanded casualties.

The Neimoidians got a good view of the devastation their city had suffered during the battle, some looked outraged, others resigned, Weedin's features were inscrutable. Moira imagined some might soon want to use the free space to construct a palace.

Their destination was the command post of General Yu. Now that the streets had been cleansed, Atrisian forces were on the march, not to mention Jedi attacking the ion cannon, their drive was relatively unimpeded.

Finally the AT-AT came to a halt at the command post, the Republic Agent and Weedin disembarking. The stormtroopers at the gates had been informed of their coming and waved them through.

Moira confidently strode through the command station, untroubled by the stormtroopers watching her, gesturing to Weedin to follow her along with the rest of his dignitaries. "General," she said, throwing in a quick salute when she stepped into the station, addressing Yu. "My thanks for your assistance. Looks like your walkers made quite an impact. Weedin's secure here until Republic forces arrive."

Unspoken, though obvious was the fact that she would be keeping an eye on the alien. Trust was good. Control was better...and the Atrisians were not part of the Republic, after all.
"Republic Command has been informed about his rescue. Any info on the situation up in space?"

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

General Yu returned the salute, what might have been the faintest hint of respect showing on his face. It was probably more than he showed the average person he encountered. Despite his bolterous personality Yu was not an easy man to please. "The Atrisian Empire aims to be of service agent. And if we can kick some butt and steal all the glory along the way, then I don't think anyone back home will complain!" A deep laugh followed his words, his mood still high despite how many of his men must already have died. Or more likely, his attitude was how he coped with the knowledge he was sending troops to their death.

"Don't need to worry a blonde hair on your head--imagine that, natural blonde hair--the Admiral's got them on the ropes upstairs." When he said Admiral it seemed like he was referring to a singular person rather than a rank. As if saying admiral could only possibly mean one person. Which, given the centuries of isolation, made sense. "Seems our boy Weedin here has scared off a bunch of their ship commanders. Once we take out Komar, or his tower, I suspect they'll suddenly decide they were revolutionaries the whole time. Speaking of towers..."

Yu turned to his holotable and after a few touches on teh controls the map shifted to display the target tower. The battle was starting to show signs of having spread to the base, though the main force was still some ways away. "I could flood the entire tower with stormtroopers if I have to, but it'd be far easier to simply blow the thing. Do your people have any intel on how best that might be accomplished?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

"I'm sure the Republic will appreciate your enthusiasm and deploy you to all the high-risk enviroments. You can gain the glory, the senate plunders the resources," Moira responded deadpan, though she didn't mind the lame jokes. If it helped him cope with leading his men, then that worked just fine.

"I never worry, I'm too busy winning," she stepped forward, looking at the holograms on the table. She typed in a few commands on her comm, sending a message to her technicians. "As it happens, I have blueprints of the lower levels. You could storm the building, place charges and make it implode," she said with a short smile.

Weedin looked aghast at that, apparently he had been let in as well. "That tower holds hundreds of citizens, if not more, many of them simple civilians. I cannot rally my people to freedom if I'm a butcher."

Moira felt annoyed at his hand-wringing and felt some discipline would be a good idea right now, but kept her cool. "They sided with the enemy, sir. They chose their fate. The press will report they were enemy soldiers. This will save lives."