Campaign Shadow Offensive || CIS vs NEO

[Confederate Tactician]

EMBERFALL: PART 1

1.1. The purpose of the Confederacy is to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Outer Rim, through cooperation, mutual respect, and collective action.

OOC THREAD​

With the newly established alliance in the Southern Systems Alliance, Confederate parliament had found itself in a wondrous position of having new friends. But this was by no means a happy occasion or reason to celebrate.

The Confederacy took slights against their allies very seriously.

Naboo was a dangerous blow dealt by the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders that left the Republic in a wounded state. The first taste of support came in the form of a quick reaction force sent by the Confederacy to lend aid in whichever way possible.

But this was not enough.

Military leaders turned their gaze to the strategic world of Umbara, located right on the border of Mandalorian and Alliance space, with a devious plan to strike and hurt the Mandalorians in an area they would not expect while their attention was elsewhere. A preemptive counteroffensive to hurt their war effort and deal a psychological blow while the Mandalorians recovered from their most recent incursions.

But it would not be easy. A wounded animal was a dangerous one, and the dark world of Umbara was infamous for its deadly surface and logistical risks. A massive expeditionary force was assembled for the dangerous mission…​

Suggested for fleeting and boarding

A steadfast supply line needs to be established and held between the orbit of Umbara and the surface. A fleet is tasked to make this possible and secure both the orbit and the blackened skies of Umbara, but this is easier said than done.

The Mandalorians’ reputation is well known and they will do whatever they can to prevent a Confederate foothold in the region. Ships and fighters have their work cut out for them in this bloody battle in the skies against a formidable and resourceful enemy.​

Suggested for groundpounding and duels

While a foothold is established in the sky, troops on the ground have an equally dangerous objective to launch an assault on a crucial Mandalorian base on the surface. But landing by air or shelling the fortress is out of the question, with the dense jungle and anti-air batteries making it incredibly dangerous for fighters, artillery and gunships to even get close.

So a different approach was decided on. Jungle bashing and fighting through the defenses to reach their target. Troops are tasked with establishing a clear area for operations and fighting through the jungle to get to the enemy.

But darkness and fog shrouds every step, making the Confederate army vulnerable to not only the dangers of the jungle, but also the very enemy they are seeking to destroy.​

You know what’s up.
​

​

​

 

[Vemric Keldra]

KELDRA
ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: Jas Katis | Tarra Vos | Briana Sal-Soren | Laphisto | Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn | Jara Voss | Zal Thraynrok | Zenva Vrotoa | CIS
ENEMIES: NEO
ENGAGING: Brent Warnel (eventually)
PERSONAL GEAR: In bio

Spoiler: Fleet

-Flagship: CNV Requiem - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)

1x Independence-Class Star Destroyer
=CNV Eternity - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)

2x Sovereign-Class Assault Cruiser
=CNV Grande Deceptor - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Anarchist - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)

3x Murkhana-class Escort Frigate
=CNV Guardian - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Pilgrim - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Triumph - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)

4x Ambassador-class Corvette
=CNV Prophet - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Judgement - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Huntress - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)
=CNV Avenger - (Shields 100%/Hull 100%)

*All starfighters on these ships have been replaced with squadrons of Raptor-Class Starfighters or Vulture-Class Starfighters

REQUIEM​

The struck swiftly and hard.

Despite Jas Katis ' actions on Naboo, his reports had made it clear that the Mandalorians wouldn't stop. And they didn't care for peace. If there was one thing that Vemric despised, it was anarchy.

So he authorised the mobilisation of the Confederate Forces to strike the Mandalorians where they'd least expect - and to gain some technology for the Confederacy to boot. And despite protestations, the Sephi decided to lead the assault himself. It was only by the insistence of Xazzex Xivar , Jas Katis and even Eva Tektus that he relented to have at least one body-guard, namely Tarra Vos , with him as well as wearing his armour.

Now he stood on the bridge of the Requiem, overlooking the dark planet of Umbara.
"Deploy our troops and give them fighter escort. And Admiral," Vemric slightly glanced over his shoulder at Miles.
"Yes, Sir?" the grey man asked.
"Tell them no quarter, for the Mando'ade would give them none. Let them taste real fire-power." said the Sephi, a coldness to his usually aloof voice.
Miles hesitated for a second. In all his years serving under the man in front of him, he had never received such an order.
"Yes, Sir." he said after a heartbeat. It was clear that the Sephi was taking the alliance quite seriously, so he relented and gave the order to all the ships to deploy their payload.

Vemric glanced at the stoic Shadow Trooper standing not far from him.
"The Mandalorians are known for their boarding action. Are you ready to face such a warrior?" he asked her.
After her answer, he would look at the Jedi on his other side. It did surprise him that some the Republic chose to accompany the Confederacy on this assault, the Grandmaster of their Jedi order no less.
"Doesn't an assault like this go against the very Jedi creed?" he asked her, voice sounding somewhat bored. He still remembers the lectures Vilka Keldra had given him when she was still a Padawan a long time ago. He never could stomach the pacifistic nature of the Jedi. It always stood in the way of achieving order and stability.

"Sir, enemy ships inbound." came Miles' voice from behind.
Vemric turned to face him.
"All weapons at the ready and keep shields and comms cycling." he ordered. "And have all remaining squadrons at the ready for deployment at a moment's notice."
The bridge scrambled to see it done.

He would wait to see what the Mandalorians would do, before fully mobilising the fleet.​

 

[Tarra Vos]

KELDRA
ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: Vemric Keldra | CIS
ENEMIES: NEO
ENGAGING: Brent Warnel (eventually)
Gear: Armor, Assault Rifle, Cryo Grenades, Smoke Grenades, Vibroknife, Utility Belt​

A mission was given, and it was her duty to see it through. Simple as. The fact it had taken half the Executive Council to get Vemric to accept a bodyguard didn't bothered Tarra. As a Shadow Trooper it'd been drilled in to her to obey orders, and if the man ordered her to stay behind then that was precisely what she would do. That said, a Shadow Trooper left in the barracks while one's supreme leader ran off to war would be... perturbed. Almost like leaving behind your drop ships when you planned a ground invasion.

Whether Vemric appreciated her presence or not, Tarra made it a point not to intrude on his space or ask needless questions. Hallmarks of a Shadow Trooper, really; they were known for keeping an extremely low profile. Hopefully it wouldn't become necessary to use her cloak while aboard ship so Vemric didn't try losing her in the corridors. So far they'd avoided as much.

She stood off to the side in full armor with the assault rifle cradled across her body in both hands. Some might find the dark figure holding an ominous weapon disturbing, but Tarra wouldn't know. It was just another Tuesday to her.

After their arrival, Vemric set into motion positioning pieces on the battlefield. Tarra remain at her post with a vantage point over the bridge until she was needed. A moment that arrived surprisingly early after their arrival. The dark helmet turned so her synthesized voice could be understood to be a direct response to their commander, "Always, sir." It was a shame there weren't more of her number on board, actually. A Shadow Trooper never turned down a fight with a Mandalorian. They understood one another. Whoever lived celebrated such an encounter. It wasn't like fighting paper tigers known as planetary security.

Vemric hadn't been expecting an impassioned cry filled with blood lust, she hoped. Brevity was a virtue among Shadow Troopers. From what Tarra knew of the man, he probably appreciated that.

His attention swung quickly to another visiting the bridge. A Jedi Grandmaster, in fact. Another worthy opponent with a different set of skills. Shame there wouldn't be an opportunity to spar with them, but they should remain poised for combat against the Mandalorians and not wear one another out ahead of time.

A call out of enemy advancement drew everyone's attention. Tarra unconsciously checked the weapon in her grasp. Not that it should suddenly have changed from one moment to the next, but contact with the enemy was at hand. It never hurt to triple check everything.

 

[Takeshi Ryu]

Takeshi Ryu sat inside the pod. He was all set regarding weapons and gear. Now just was the waiting phase. The Hellion folded his arms across the chest, his mind drifting one thing to another in rapid succession. Memories of home, the ship's vibrations and what awaited down on Umbra.

He knew of the fighting powers of Mandalorian and their savagery. They're a threat not to be underestimated but neither are they invincible. He made sure to remember to switch his gun to patricale rounds and stocked himself whatever else available that would be useful. The Neo Crusaders seemed pretty determined to kill or enslave everything that was not wearing a T-Visor. So they must be put down like a kath hound gone mad.

It's us or them. No middle ground, no discussion. Violence is the only thing those BucketHeads want.

So he and the rest of the coalition will oblige them. Still Ryu grimaced, anxious. It is only natural given he will be jumping into a dangerous world filled with heavily armed zealots. He gritted his teeth, fighting down the fear

Subsequently Ryu pulled a holoprojector and activated it. Immediately it came to life, giving form to a photo. It was a family photo of his uncle, aunt and cousins and him together. They were all wearing traditional Tao clothing sitting on their knees inside their ancestral dojo facing the camera. Inside the visor Ryu allowed a small smile.

It was taken during a special night when he was going to ship out and enlist with the Hellions. Quietly he whispered with a bowed head.

"Ancestors give me strength. May my hands be swift and my soul be true. If death should take me, comfort our family.”

 

[Jas Katis]

UMBARA | CNV REQUIEM
THE CONFEDERACY | HELLION PRIVATE MILITARY GROUP
ALLIES: TC | Takeshi Ryu | Azmodan | Saram Kote |
ENEMIES: NEO |
ENGAGING: FIGHT ME, COWARDS
GEAR: In bio | unit equipment

BANG A GONG​

This was a different fight. It wasn’t just another contract with the Hellions, this was an official engagement. No rules or terms and conditions, no concerned employer worried about their city block. This was total war. Sanctioned, official and with no limits on how to engage or take the objective. The Mandalorians kicked the wrong door down and now they had a proper army answering them.

Jas hated politics. But this?

He lived for this.

”Saram, you better get those batteries. If we can’t get the big guns in closer, we’re going to have trouble.” He remarked as he glanced through the hologram of the tactical map at the Strill. Their biggest hurdle was the landing zone. On a planet as dangerous as Umbara, they had a time limit to establish a proper base. If the enemy’s forward guns couldn’t be silenced, the whole operation would be nothing but a waste of men and resources. All around them, the hangar bay was bustling with activity as vehicles rolled into place and gunships attached to their cargo. Fighters and droids prepared for their escort mission as well as the almost guaranteed dogfight awaiting them.

”Move out. Let’s get ready.” He ordered the team of officers, sliding on his helmet to address his men. They were in the vanguard, first in line to establish a perimeter for the gunships. Marching to his men, he gave Takeshi Ryu a slap on the shoulder. ”Let’s go give these kriffers hell.” He spoke with a faint growl in his voice. Their transport wasn’t located in the hangar like the rest. Their rides waited for them in the magazine of the mass drivers.

Three companies’ worth of Hellions and Confederate Marines to secure a landing point against all manner of barbaric foes. He made sure to order some men to carry flamethrowers and incendiary rockets for their launchers, just in case the jungle decided to join in on the fun as well.

The troops file in to enter their pods, Jas being first in line. He checked his rifle one last time and made sure his lightsaber was safely stored away. With everything set, he clambered into his drop pod and strapped in.

:: Vanguard to bridge. Ready for orbital drop. ::

Once the order was given, Jas took a breath and prepared for the descent into hell.

The drop pod jostled as the autoloader slid it into place. A second or so later, the pod lurched and inertial dampeners worked overtime as it was sent into the atmosphere at a ludicrous speed.

The entire thing rattled and shook under the strain of entry, quickly followed up by a few nasty bumps as flak exploded around them. Dozens of pods rained down in a fiery blaze toward the designated zone. Jas glanced at Takeshi in the pod with him. The boy took a moment to regard what looked like a family photo. He spoke a quick prayer for comfort, bringing a smile to the Pureblood's lips. "You should say a prayer for our enemy, Ryu. They're going to need it." He commented with a faint chuckle behind his visor. A violent mixture of nervousness and excitement swirled in the air around him from the other pods. It all came to a head when the pod lurched one last time and the green light flickered to life.

The door blew off and Jas leapt out. Around him were dozens of other troops, all hopping out and retrieving their gear from their pods. In a matter of seconds, the Confederacy flared out and moved to secure their LZ with weapons at the ready. Temporary barriers deployed and troopers set up repeater emplacements while others scanned their surroundings. Teams of demolitionists stripped trees with detonite chords or flamethrowers while others fired the occasional shot into the jungle at whatever looked to be a threat.

 

[Kroeger]

​

D E M O N
CONTRACT : MANDALORIAN NEO CRUSADE
IRON LEGION, 'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
3rd SQUADRON 112th ARMORED ASSAULT
B-COMPANY, 'BRUISER'
'HELL'S HAMMERS'
OPPOSING : Jas Katis

MAN IN THE BOX
​

It had taken some time. Kroeger was put on ice for a short while after Coruscant, his already cybernetically patched form wrought with burns in the wake of his nigh death in Galactic City. The treatment of the Trade Federation's medical droids was too little too late, even so, he lived and breathed. The Iron Legion was all but obliterated but even so, with his connections made through Aurodium Sword and the Federation it was closer to becoming whole once more. Though his retine of 'Old Guard' had long gone, the once Imperial Veterans had been replenished by the forgotten of a Galaxy in turmoil.

Penal troops, wanted fugitives, disgruntled war veterans from most all colors and down on their luck mercenaries now donned the banner of iron. A rigorous train up on Kroeger's native Adumar seperated the boys from the men. Within six months, he had rebuilt two of his battalions to fighting strength, supplemented by Trade Federation acquisitions of old yet familiar New Imperial wargear seized upon the government's collapse.

Still a great deal of work to be done, but it'd all be for naught if they could not execute in their first test. Through the Trade Federation's proxy in Aurodium Sword, the Iron Legion was enlisted into the services of the Neo-Crusade. The most talented man-for-man fighters of the Galaxy gladly taking conventional ranks into their combat power to bolster their ability to wage large scale combat operations of which Kroeger had a great familiarity and proficiency with, having led formations in three of the past major wars.

However, then, they were the Empire's finest with a strained but effective logistical train and training pipeline to support them?

Now? The Lost and the Damned. Where purpose and identity was lost, they'd have one in the Legion. Loyalty to no man or government, only the Legion.

The commander's screen of his Caraphract thrummed to life as the rest of the repulsorlift tank's systems. Kroeger's cybernetic hand grasped the control stick of the commander's controls, his infrared camera taking a quick headcount of the armored formation staging around him. Most of these tank commanders were trusted veterans, with the dismounted infantry role being left those more green. It was evident in the flags being raised atop the vehicles around them, a banner not flown for some time. A plane of ebon black with the Iron Sun beset broken steel that was once the proud war banner of the New Imperial Order. Less a signal of its return and more a warning to the enemy they were soon to face. Barran-class IFVs took their load of newly trained Stormtroopers donning scraps of Imperial armor, Archais brushstroke fatigues and various weapons and tactical gear. Whatever could be used to complete the 'MTOE' of what was needed to mechanized war. A rapid firing blaster, an anti-tank weapon system and the proper comms, even if some teams needed them relegated to one man to serve as 'radio-telephone operator'.

Radio checks began to fill the company net as the vehicles and squads were finally consolidated, final checks made and loaded up. They were ready to do battle now. Not long after the headcount, Demon-Actual took the net.

<"All Hell Hammer elements, Demon Actual...report 'redcon one' and form up on me."> He commanded, the command being carried out as the vehicles all conducted their final checks, sending up their ready status before Demon took lead on the convoy.

<"Mandos report the Confeds are moving in vicinity 'Zesh Besh' 784, 882...four klicks north. We have observer teams set ahead of the 'FLOT' to send up any new movements. The terrain is tight, conditions are foggy, our thermals will cut right through it. No vehicle or team make any forward movement without bounding with eyes to watch your back. Acknowledge."> He put out with his designated platoon, squad and section leaders all acknowledging his guidance. Soon enough, the trail into the jungle ended with nothing but the harsh, unforgiving terrain around them. All the while, the two forward observers, trusted and well trained men kept their eyes on the most likely and dangerous confederate approach, set in their hidesite with macro-binocs emplaced.

The Hellions dropped and eyes were on them immediately. As soon as the first impact hit the dirt, the vicinity was reported up.

<"Demon this is Bruiser-91, break...we have drop pods in vicinity of grid 'Zesh Besh' 6733, 8824...altitude 210 meters. I can't see much with the jungle shrouding our view but that's the best laze I have, how copy?"> The scout trooper sent up. Kroeger couldn't help the smirk beneath his helmet.

<"Good copy..."> He replied. The guns were due to sing soon enough. He reached for his communications control panel mid movement, switching his channel to the 'fires' net where he could reach his artillery assets. A platoon of guns set back about fifteen klicks, far from the fight.

<"Hellfire this is Demon, immediate suppression grid 'Zesh Besh' 6733, 8824 - altitude 210 meters, drop pod infantry under tree canopy, requesting delay in-effect, over.">A sufficient request. Delay fuses on the mass-driver rounds meant they'd punch through whatever was between them and the target, set to burst below the tree canopy, ideally cutting through a good deal of the drop trooper element.

<"Hell's Hammer elements, Demon. Red and White platoons push off to east and another west. Create a fatal funnel where I'll stage with Black platoon to cut them down as they try and make a quick escape. Kick out your dismount troopers five hundred meters out and get gun positions established."> He commanded. In the jungle, it was a slower crawl to avoid any knick or terrain feature in the area of bad visibility. Repulsorlifts had little difficulty trudging through it however. Within minutes stormtroopers were disembarking into lower set terrain to establish gun and ATGM positions as the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles spread out across as great a distance as they could manage. The artillery might not kill them but they'd break cohesion and stir chaos, where they'd run into the firing sectors of the main guns of Kroeger's vehicles or the sweeping barrels of his dismounts.

Within two minutes of dropping, the ever familiar shriek of mass-driver artillery rounds rained over the drop troopers. They were seen and their time was limited.

 

[Laphisto]

ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: CIS

ENEMIES:NEO

ENGAGING:OPEN​

TRACYN [Flagship]

Shield​	Hull​	Technical data​	Damage Stats​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​

Air'mar Heavy Cruiser

Shield​	Hull​	Technical data​	Damage Stats​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​

[Air'mar Assault Carrier]

Shield​	Hull​	Technical data​	Damage Stats​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮​	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]​	Healthy​

[Fighter Compliment]

Name	squad amount/Total	Technical data
Basalisk Heavy FIghter	16/192	Star fighter Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's] [all] LO-RIDS
Pheonix Intercepter	10/120	Star fighter Data LO-RIDS
Pegasus Bomber	16/192	Star fighter Data LO-RIDS
Pegasus-6AV	3/12	Star fighter Data

Laphisto stood upon the bridge of the Tracyn, the hum of the ship's power systems thrumming faintly beneath his boots. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back, a low rumble vibrating in his throat. His lone ear pinned itself flat against his skull — a silent signal of the tension boiling beneath his otherwise composed exterior. The moment the fleet snapped out of hyperspace, the bridge crew leapt into action. Officers scrambled between stations, holo-displays flared to life, and friendly IFF signals were transmitted immediately to Vemric Keldra and the rest of the Confederacy fleet. Though the emblem of Clan Ordo gleamed visibly across the right wing of his flagship, Laphisto had not come in support of Mandalore — not today. His presence served a different cause. He was here against his kin, standing in quiet defiance of blood and banner alike.

Stepping forward, his voice thundered through the command deck with unmistakable authority. "Launch all fighters and cue up the war forges on the Assault Carriers. I want those factories primed and ready to start replacing fighters as they go down. Make it a directive — if a fighter takes above seventy percent damage, they're to land immediately and hop into a new one."

A cascade of acknowledgements echoed back to him as crew relayed the command. Tactical displays shifted, fighters scrambled from launch bays, and the ship's AI began coordinating readiness reports. Laphisto approached the central holotable, watching the digital manifestation of his fleet adjust in real-time. His fingers danced across the console, redirecting fleet positioning. He pushed the Tracyn forward, taking the center of the formation with grim intent. The Assault Carriers slid ahead of him in a sharpened V-formation, while the heavy cruisers took up the spearhead at the very front, prepared to draw first blood. "Load AP and HE rounds into all mass driver cannons," he growled. "We want to hit them hard, and with purpose. Let every shot tear something apart."

Without turning, he called to his comms officer, voice sharp with precision. "send the Greenlight to Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn . tell him im on my way , an dget commander tarien and his men prepped in the gunships." Command codes were relayed instantly, and four Basilisk squadrons peeled from the formation in tight formation, their orders clear and unyielding.

"Keep all bomber craft in reserve," Laphisto continued. "No targets, no bombs. Wait for solid identification. I want clean payload delivery, not scattered wreckage."He paused, watching as the formation settled into place. "Send word to the ground team. Tell them they'll have some semblance of air support… but only once those AAA guns are offline. Until then — they're on their own." with that laphisto made his way off the bridge speaking on his way out to meet with teh boarding party " admiral you have the con"

 

[Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn]

Gabriel Umberhorn

ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: | CIS Laphisto Vemric Keldra
ENEMIES: NEO
ENGAGING: OPEN
GEAR: Armor, Sword, Shotgun

"Things have changed, we will need to adjust our deployment strategy. I will descend via drop pod with the ground forces on the Requiem. Rendevous with me near the drop coordinates that'll be transferred to you securely." Chirped Gabriel through his secure line directly to Laphisto. In truth he had yearned for gripping combat in the closed confines of ship halls but plans needed to be adjusted, his Maulers needed more combat data, and so he would join the ground forces to ensure that the droids were used to the best of their abilities.

Only a small compliment was available, but he was sure they would prove their worth and gather the data needed for Cantoi to move foward with it's goals. Gabriel in the days leading up to the engagement was silent, only sparingly interacting with command. He had ensured that a datapad listing his objectives as well as the specifications of his gifts for Vemric Keldra were delivered. Where they were needed he'd be sure to call in for drops.

Moments later the conflict had kicked off, the rush had hit him and war called. He loaded into an orbital pod along with many strange faces, he had borrowed some of the CIS's covert armor as to avoid standing out despite the fact that at his side he carried a sheathe that radiated heated constantly. Through the drop his mind steeled itself and his mental barriers rose even higher. There were no expected encounters with other force sensitives but the man would not be caught lacking.

The drop pod doors exploded out and he joined rank with the CIS's elite ground forces. Jas Katis Takeshi Ryu He remained silent as orders were barked and men moved. The drop location had been marked for Laphisto so that when the anti-air fire lighthened up he could join them.​

 

[Vreegan Fett]

Vemric Keldra Laphisto [Tags for Right Now]
​

Spoiler: Mandalorian Warfleet | Iron Blockade

F L A G // : Iron Crusader | Tambor Pattern Lucrehulk Class III | 4,810m DESTROYERS //: 3x Minotaur-class Robot Ramship, Packed Full of Hypermatter | 1,600m (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) 2x Providence Class Carrier/Destroyer (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) CRUISERS //: 3x Manticore-class Heavy Cruiser | Heavy Artillery Variant (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) 3x Militor-class Autocruiser (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) CARRIERS //: 4x Mandalorian Neo-Crusader Carrier (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) FRIGATES //: 4x Harpy-class Medium Escort (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) GUNSHIPS/CORVETTES'//: 4x Hellstorm-class Strike Corvette (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) 4x Looted BSD-DP40 Heavy Gunships (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) (Shields 100%/Hull 100%) STARFIGHTERS DEPLOYED //: Imperial Phlac-Arphocc Hyena Tactical Bomber Imperial Phlac-Arphocc 23 Model Droid Tri-Fighter Umbaran Long-Range Attack Starfighter

Vreegan stood at the heart of the command bridge, his visor locked onto the swirling mass of warships forming above the Planet of Umbara. The glow of tactical holoprojections cast harsh shadows across his Beskar-plated form, the amber light reflecting off the golden crusader sigil that adorned his shoulder pauldron.

Mandalorians did not wait and they certainly did not suffer intruders who thought themselves conquerors. The Confederacy had finally gathered the courage to strike, and Vreegan would make sure they learned the cost of their arrogance. With a silent hand signal, the bridge crew sprang into action.

The Iron Crusader, his Lucrehulk flagship, began its slow pivot to present its full dorsal weapons array. A formation of Manticore-class Heavy Cruisers surged forward, their long-range mass drivers aligning with precision, ready to test the resolve of the enemy's shields.

"All units, hold formation," Vreegan's voice rumbled through the comms. His eyes remained locked on the Confederate fleet. "Let them come." Beyond the towering bulk of his warships, swarms of Hyena Tactical Bombers and Droid Tri-Fighters streaked into the void, their formations tightening as they prepared to meet the enemy advance.

The Mandalorian Neo-Crusader Carriers launched wave after wave of Umbaran Attack Fighters, their sleek forms vanishing into the planet's atmosphere to provide air-support against Jas Katis . Harpy-class Escorts and Hellstorm Corvettes maneuvered into a layered perimeter, ensuring any Confederate strike craft that tried to punch through would meet a swift and fiery demise.

Yet, Vreegan knew that a battle won in space alone would not decide this war. The fight on the ground was equally critical. "Push them back. These aruetiise fight for their Independent Systems, remind them why such a great power had been banished to the annals of history!" As his words settled across the transmissions frequency, the Confederate fleet finally made its move.

The CNV Requiem, along with its escorts, began advancing in a textbook wedge formation disciplined, efficient, but predictable. Vreegan's lip curled beneath his helmet. The enemy commander likely believed the Mandalorians would break under the weight of sheer firepower.

Vreegan lifted a hand. "Deploy the Minotaurs." At once, the three Minotaur-class Robot Ramships surged ahead, accelerating at full burn toward the Confederate lines, their heavily armored hulls prepared to withstand blistering enemy fire before unleashing their devastating hypermatter payloads.

 

[Seva Beroya]

GALAAR
BASE | UMBARA
ALLIES: Kroeger | NEO
ENEMIES: Jas Katis | Laphisto | Saram Kote | CIS
ENGAGING: Come at me bishes
GEAR: Everything in bio​

Spoiler: Strill'sevitar Force

• 2x Companies of Narglatch-riders
• Platoon of riderless Narglatches
• Battalion of Clansmen with jetpacks - each geared as Seva without a Narglatch or Basilisk
• Various Umbaran toys

FEAR INOCULUM​

Blasted Confederates.

Them dropping into Crusader territory meant that the Hellions would be amongst them once more. She had lost some folks in the siege of Dee'ja Peak due to the damn Hellions. She'd make them pay for it. With some Ha'rangirs in orbit, she could unleash the gods' wrath on them if she had to.

Darkness enveloped them, Seva's black armour blending into the shadows like a hot knife into butter.
"They'll taste lightning this time." said Jet as he stood next to her.
"No mercy this time. Use the locals if you have to." said Seva as she scanned the jungle in front of them. "Where are the cats?"
"Prowling the shadows along with some Umbaran tanks." he said.
"Good, 'cause I expect the Hellions won't be the only ones we face. Are the rest ready?"
"Yes. Mira and Aranov's forces on one flank with Buruk and Alora's on the other. I kept a reserve back to bolster where needed." Jet answered.

Just then, the boom of mass-drivers could be heard, dampened slightly by the jungle foliage, but still unmistakable. It meant the enemy was dropping in.
"Show time, Jet ol boy." Seva smirked as she turned towards Beviin to mount up.

Before long, they were all dispersed throughout the jungle, moving on the landing zones, but keeping to the shadows, waiting. Some were bound to make it out of hell somehow.

They were ready to ambush those that tried. ​

 

[Brent Warnel]

The CIS fleet that slipped back into standard space over the world of Umbara was well-maintained, well-armed, and very well-coordinated. The main Mandalorian reinforcement fleet sent to oppose them had been quickly called up and sent but was no less brilliant, and Brent was hoping they had what it took to destroy these interlopers. Brent had a plan to help his fellow Vode during this space battle, and it required the newfound ship he had acquired.

Brent had borrowed the ship he was in now from a local Alliance outpost his Clan had raided barely a few days ago. The blockade runner, a CR90 class ship, was perfect for what he was about to do. Outfitted haphazardly with several outdated Imperial Drill Pod Boarding Crafts and chalked full of heavily armed and armored Mandalorians, it was perfect for the close-fighting in cramped starships.

As the Mandalorian fleet engaged the main CIS fleet, and fighters and bombers from both sides rocketed toward each other, Brent's blockade runner overloaded the reactor power, pouring more energy into the engines and shields than they should have. It would damage them beyond repair, but he only needed them functional for a little while. As the CR90 screamed toward the enemy Flagship, it used what cover it could from the Mandalorian fleet.

The ship was essentially a ghost; his boarding crew was on it, but that was all. They knew it wouldn't survive; it was about to be reduced to pieces by the Confederacy, and there was no point staffing it with other personnel. All it needed to do was hold together long enough to get close to the Flagship.

"Full power, use the other CIS ships as cover as we near their fleet. It will limit their fire, and aim for the Flagship's hangar bays; the shields will allow us entry there," Brent said to the few members on the bridge. The CR90 continued forward, moving so fast it was difficult for enemy fire to target as accurately as they would like, allowing their ship to absorb damage in non-critical areas and continue forward. It wrapped around the larger Confederacy ships as it powered forward, nearing the behemoth of the Flagship known as the Requiem.

Here was where it got rocky. The Requiem and its support ships knew their course now and opened up with everything they had. Turbolaser, missiles, proton torpedoes, ion shots, flak, and anything else on board began to berate the CR90, crippling it.

"Aim us at the hangar bays, and then get in the boarding pods!" Brent yelled to the pilots. A couple of flicks of the switches had the rapidly disintegrating ship change course slightly toward the hangar bays before it began to lose all control thrusts. Brent and the others on the bridge ran toward their boarding pod, which had been retrofitted to replace the emergency escape shuttle. As they piled in, they quickly donned their boarding shields, ready for impact.

As the CR90 neared the Requiem's hangar bays, it was struck with a full broadside, turbolaser and flak cannons erupting throughout the ship, destroying any resemblance of normalcy in its flight path and disintegrating it into several larger pieces.

"We're tumbling!" One of the pilots said to him, holding onto the boarding pod's restraints as the artificial gravity and inertia dampeners in the CR90 gave out, and they felt the G's of the spinning ship in full force.

"You don't fething say! How close are we to the hangar bays!" Brent barked over the comms, barely keeping himself conscious as they spun out of control.

"Close enough!" came the reply before a muted thump echoed through the pod's hull as it launched from the wreckage of the CR90. What Brent had hoped would have been a coordinated dropping of several Mandalorian platoons of heavy infantry into a singular area became a scattering of pods across a wide arc of the Requiem's flank. Some were in a great position to bypass the shields and impact the hull, digging in and releasing Mandalorians into the interior. Others were not so lucky and detonated on impact with the ship's shields or were spewed out into the darkness of space.

Brent, by the Manda, had penetrated the outer layer of shields, but his pod was unstable. "Stabilize the damn pod before we impact that ship!" He saw his pilots working the controls of the boarding pod before it finally leveled out, moments before it impacted the hull of the Requiem, burning through the outer layers of dense armor and spilling a squad of Mandalorians on the inside.

"Shields up, take the hall," Brent said as he exited the pod, shaking his head to eliminate the nausea from their erratic flight. "All squads," he said over their encrypted comms, "Converge on the bridge. Link up if possible, and push as larger groups when you can."

"On me. Keep your shields up; we have knife work to do," Brent stated as they stalked down the halls of the Requiem en route to link up with their other squads and destroy this ship from the inside.

Tarra Vos | Vemric Keldra

 

[Takeshi Ryu]

Tag: Jas Katis Kroeger Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn Seva Beroya

Minutes earlier​

At his commander's remarks Ryu looked before a smirk surfaced on his hidden face. When fighting besides a legend like Jas Katis, one's confidence certainly can be raised; like he now felt as their pod sped downwards toward the world. He then added to the prayer.

"And Ancestors let our foes drown in their own blood!"

Present​

Having been trained in being deployed in these pods the Hellion from Tao was able to keep his breakfast in. He held on tight to the seat's handles feeling the violent shaking of the pod until it hit the surface with a sudden halt. The restraints came off as he jumped out armed with his gun. He scanned around the perimeter next to the commander when suddenly all hell broke loose.

Yards away a sudden explosion erupted destroying a pod and instantly more followed. The force of the closer blasts knocked Ryu from his feet and he fell off a ridge, rolling down. Cursing in Taoian he hit the bottom of a ditch. Grunting some more, Ryu laid there trying to comprehend what just happened but time waited for no one. Head rigging he winced he stayed down with eyes opening.

Gunfire was being exchanged back and forth and so mayhem reigned on the field. The repeated explosions were deafening but he managed some cries of pain and anger nearby.

His heart racing miles away, Ryu forced himself to calm down. His training kicked in as he checked and noted he was still holding his gun with the left hand. Good, that's a start. The young Hellion then crawled forward to the opposite side of the ditch, his helmet picking a gun nest in that direction. He stayed as close to the soil as possible as he kept crawling on his belly.

All around Ryu can hear the madness, the whoosh of missiles, the roar of aircraft and artillery alike. Suddnely a body in front of him. He froze seeing the half burned remains of a fellow Hellion. Out of the latter’s shattered visor he beheld a familiar face with lifeless green eyes staring back at him.

"Quin." He whispered in horror with widened eyes.

He had drank caf with him just hours ago. Hitting his helmet to the dirt Ryu thought.

Focus, focus!

He crawled over his dead friend and finally reached the end of the ditch before climbing his way up. Carefully he stayed on the edge just out of view of the repeater singing out its killer tune in controlled bursts. He calculated the general direction of the gun emplacement with his helmet readings. Ryu readied a flash bang before switching to grenade mode with his rifle.

Taking a deep breath he waited for the next burst being shot toward his comrades toward the far left. Releasing it the Hellion tossed the device and he heard a scream of shock and pain. Without missing a beat he drew up and quickly aimed then fired a powerful bolt toward the emplacement in alien foliage, destroying it with extreme prejudice. He ducked down again, not taking the chance of an enemy sniper getting a beat on him.

Turning off the grenade mode Ryu couldn't help but think.

So this is war…

 

[Na-Nihilus Soth]

Admiral Na-Nihilus Soth
In-Orbit | Umbara
TAG: Vemric Keldra Laphisto Vreegan Fett Brent Warnel OPEN
GEAR: Confederate Third Fleet
MUSIC: Confederate Third Fleet Arrives

He was late. Soth didn’t like to be late.​

Refueling had taken longer than calculated, but Soth had not sat idle while he waited for his fleet to be fully prepared for battle. Like all Givin, the Admiral kept busy with his pre-battle calculations, and he made several grim determinations. Confederate victory in this upcoming battle was not guaranteed, and losses amongst droid and organic forces would be heavy regardless of the outcome. But the Mandalorians, skilled as they are, had become highly predictable. Their warships were formidable, but the bulk of their forces preferred boarding actions, seizing any ships from within to be sabotaged, scrapped, or added to their own armada.

Dangerous indeed. But also quite foolish.​

The Fist of Yag’Dhul roared through hyperspace along with its accompanying fleet, but this was not the same vessel from the one that began refueling a standard rotation prior. The jamming suite had been gutted, along with several gravity and atmosphere generators. Only the bridge maintained these essential components for organic life. Instead, the Fist had been loaded with as many battle droids and vulture-class droid fighters as it could possibly fit, along with those that clung to the hull that would be the first wave. Soth's plan was rather simple, essentially, he had turned his flagship into a hive of vipers, ready to strike the first unfortunate creature to board.

Of course, the ship's armament remained untouched. Ensuring it could provide quite the challenge to any Mandalorian vessel that came within range.

“Status!” Soth asked from his command throne, “-has the enemy been engaged?”

“Yes, Admiral, Confederate forces are currently outnumbered and enemy boarding pods are in range.”

“The moment we exit hyperspace, I want our first wave of fighters deployed, primary targets are enemy boarding craft. Capital ships are to maintain defensive formations, they are not to close on the enemy fleet unless ordered to do so.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

The bridge sprang to life the moment the fleet left hyperspace. They had dropped in not too far from the Head of State and Acting Grand Admiral's fleet, but enemy capital ships remained out of range for the time being. Following the Admiral's command, the vulture droids attached the hulls of the incoming ships, lifted off, and formed into squadrons, this first wave moving to engage the Mandalorian boarding pods and starfighters.

Aboard the Fist of Yag'Dhul, Soth tapped a command into his command chair before hailing the Confederate command ship as well as the flagship of their ally for this battle.

"My Lord-" Soth began, standing and offering a polite bow to the Head of State, Vemric Keldra . It was not necessary to offer either the regal title or the bow, but Soth respected the leader of the reborn Confederacy for what he was, the man who would lead to the full rebirth of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the one who would one day aid in liberating his homeworld.

"The Third Fleet stands ready. I have already dispatched the first wave of fighters to engage the nats that bite at your ships. I have two more waves of fighter craft and transports on standby. My cruisers will be in range of the enemy fleet in moments, but I await your orders."

Speaking of the enemy fleet, Soth turned his gaze to the viewport and watched as the vast Mandalorian Iron Blockade came into view. They were indeed a formidable force, and they had chosen to bring their own droid forces. This would be a difficult battle, but Soth had been prepared to suffer a minor tactical defeat if it meant inflicting a pyrrhic victory on the enemy. But for all his calculations, Soth knew full well what might happen if his ship was boarded and his carefully designed death trap was breached.

"TX-23, activate all battle droids and order them into the defensive zones. Prepare a wave of transports to head to the surface."

"Yes, Admiral," the tactical droid at the Admiral's side began, "We are detecting several damaged boarding pods drifting in space. Are we to take survivors?"

"No, they are to be destroyed. Every warrior that dies this day is one less we must face in the future. Our droid armies will overwhelm the Mandalorians in time, but there is no reason to prolong this conflict."

"Yes, Admiral. I will order our fighters to show no mercy."​

 

[Laphisto]

ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: Vemric Keldra Na-Nihilus Soth CIS


ENEMIES:NEO


ENGAGING: Vreegan Fett​

TRACYN [Flagship]

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy

Air'mar Heavy Cruiser

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy

[Air'mar Assault Carrier]

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Ship Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's]	Healthy

[Fighter Compliment]

Name	squad amount/Total	Technical data
Basalisk Heavy FIghter	16/192	Star fighter Data [ operating with LO-Va'karis Shield's] [all] LO-RIDS
Pheonix Intercepter	10/120	Star fighter Data LO-RIDS
Pegasus Bomber	16/192	Star fighter Data LO-RIDS
Pegasus-6AV	3/12	Star fighter Data

As Laphisto made his way toward the loading bay, ready to oversee operations personally, a transmission crackled through his commlink. It was from Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn . The message was concise, but the change of plans was unexpected enough to make the Earth Dragon pause mid-stride. He raised a brow, a dry chuckle escaping his throat. With a slow pivot, he turned on his heel and marched back toward the command bridge. The blast doors hissed open as he re-entered, and the crew snapped to attention at his return, offering crisp salutes. He waved them off with a flick of his clawed hand.

"Understood," he said calmly, tapping the comms and opening a direct line to Gabriel. His tone carried the weight of mutual respect. "Good luck down there, and may your blade strike with honor, friend." He moved back to the holotable, scanning the glowing projections that flickered above its surface. The chaos of battle unfolded in layers — squadrons shifting, capital ships exchanging fire, and the ebb and flow of tactical momentum changing by the minute. Then his gaze locked onto a concerning pattern: several ships bearing the transponder codes of Vreegan Fett were surging forward at high velocity, cutting a bold line across the battlefield.

It was unclear whether they were intended for boarding maneuvers or suicidal impact runs and frankly, it didn't matter. Either one posed a serious threat to the Confederate fleet. "Focus fire on the three ships targeting Confederate vessels, and bring our bow forward I want the sigil of Clan Ordo in full view. Let the Mandalorians know who commands this ship. If we can draw their attention, we might ease the pressure off Vemric Keldra and his line."

He leaned over the holotable again, issuing rapid adjustments to fleet spacing. "Space all ships two kilometers apart no tighter. I won't have another chain reaction like Bastion. We came close to losing half the fleet last time. Let's not repeat that mistake." As the orders were relayed, one of the bridge officers turned sharply toward him, voice urgent.


"Sir, we're detecting several Mandalorian boarding pods adrift in open space. Confederate fighters have begun opening fire on them. Orders?" Laphisto's expression darkened, and a deep, guttural growl rumbled in his throat. His gaze shifted toward the tactical readouts, confirming the officer's report. He stepped forward, voice cold and commanding.


"Open a channel to Confederate command now. And scramble our own fighter wings. Intercept those pods immediately. I want them captured, not destroyed. The Mandalorians may be our opposition, but drifting helpless in space is no way for a warrior to die. Divert any captured pods to one of our Assault Carriers. They are to be taken alive prisoners, not corpses. And once this battle is over, they'll be returned to their kin with honor." A moment later, the channel to the current Confederate fleet commanders opened, static buzzing briefly before clearing. Laphisto leaned in slightly, his tone edged with restrained fury and heavy disapproval.

"This is Laphisto of the Lilaste Order," he began, voice low, laced with a growl. "I don't know which one of you gave the order to destroy those boarding pods, but I'm telling you now stand down. Killing drifting, defenseless combatants is dishonorable. That's not war. That's butchery."

He paused, thinking for a moment before looking into the holoprojector with a glare - or was he squinting?- "Leave the pods to me and my men. The Lilaste Order is here on mercenary contract under the Diarchy's banner and we do not tolerate such conduct. If this is how you treat your enemies, I begin to wonder how you treat your allies."He cut the channel without waiting for a reply, turning back to the bridge crew with fire behind his eyes. "Move fast. Let's show them what honor looks like."

 

[Zal Thraynrok]

​

The Allure Company​	225 Wingless Jumpers​
Squad Formation Zaliffer Thraynrok​	Zulu Squad 1 - Team Lead - Assault Rifleman Zulu Alpha 2 - Scout Sniper 2 - Assault Riflemen Zulu Bravo 2 - Heavy Machine-gunner 1 - Assault Riflemen 1 - Missileman/Sub-Machinegunner​

Gear Details in bio under Squad Tab​

The Allure broke formation from the CIS lines and left behind its sister ships for the time being. Burning hot and bright as reports of artillery fire came across the scans as the ship captain signaled to the Major at the base of the stairs into the cargo bay. The first contingent of the ground forces were already seeing some form of enemy contact on the ground as Major Trask turned to inspect those assembled before him. The same armor as those that were supposed to lead the dwindling number of personnel assigned beneath them. Down to the squad leaders that stood beside their comrades and waited for orders just as the lowest of them did.

"LZ is hot and under fire. We are being sent in to silence the attack. Then perform advanced recon and provide coordinates after we have found the batteries keeping the big ships at arms length. Follow the basics, keep in contact, coordinate and cooperate." Trask spoke clearly and concise, offering nothing more as he motioned for everyone to step to the side. Zal shot Maxir and Rica a sidelong look as the ship shuddered against the withering fire that threatened to knock them directly out before they even broke into the thermosphere of the planet.

All of that incoming fire came into full view as the doors they had been standing on opened wide. The shield flickering slightly as Trask saluted them a final time and raised his voice above the groaning of the hull.

"Sync your maps, rally with your squad and target the largest threats. Good luck. Land well my little bricks." His words cut off as he leapt forward and pierced the magnetic bubble shield as the shield system in his suit engaged. Second Lieutenant Donnall the first to follow directly after Major Benlin as she performed a near perfect dive with her gear on. The strange coordinated flow of personnel funneled out of the belly of the Allure as it streaked hot across the mesosphere and delivered its cargo of personnel into a direct jump toward the planet surface.

All of them slung into the waiting gravitational pull that helped slingshot them from near motionless to a blur of fire against the shield around their body. Each of their vision dimmed against the pull of the planet as their coms came alive with confirmation that the Allure had pulled away despite taking some blows to the cargo bay doors and wing plating. Informing them they would be unable to deliver supplies for the time being until diagnostics were completed to check integrity and realign with the main group. Noting the incoming enemy starships on their scopes as a possible modifier to that timeline of supply drops.

All of it nearly a buzz in every being's ear as they burned through the atmosphere and through the clouds before the shield fizzled out. All the while incoming fire arced through the dark sky towards them. Trying to knock a few of them off their flight paths as one streak of fire came to an abrupt halt mid flight. All missed with Zal’s head being locked in place as he watched the dark surface slowly gain color beyond the dark shadow it was most known for being. Training kicked in after a long and panicked few seconds of reality setting in. Freefalling towards a foreign planet that was not the training grounds they had all become so intimately familiar with in their short stint.

Sliding his arms together with great effort until he finally managed to press the button that was no doubt pulsing brightly and waiting for him the entire time the reentry shield had been down.

The wings of the same shield forming as his lower body slung ahead of his chest in an unpleasant yank. Expected but no less uncomfortable as he watched incoming fire slip across the sky and settle over what he guessed was the landing zone. Destructive power was shown clearly to remind them all why they had jumped as Zal adjusted his helmet to scan the air around him. Seeing a majority of the unit nearing the same semi-open area. Adjusting his view once more as he pulled at the assault rifle to check the sling was still there.

Feeling the familiar weight as he came close enough to the ground to begin pedalling his legs until he was rudely greeted by the waiting solid surface.

Grunts and others sounds of pain echoing in his helmet as others landed and oriented themselves.

"Zulu Squad on me to the trees. Section delta by thirty five point six.” His voice cracked at first through the communication system in his helmet as heads snapped up and looked all around in varying directions. A smear of heads twisting and turning to find their designated leads as Zal sighed and began moving towards where he thought the artillery pieces were last he could figure.

A filtering of ground forces slowly orienting themselves until each squad had formed up. His own group kneeling as they listened to the fighting further in.

"Zulu-Alpha takes the lead and gets us headed towards the flank of the attackers. Zulu-Bravo on my six and sweep as we go. Weapons ready but check for friendly signatures. Move out." Raising his assault rifle and gripping it tight as they began to move. Each sound earned a sharp appraisal from the end of their weapons as the four members of Zulu-Alpha kept themselves within eyesight of Zal and Zulu-Bravo team while guiding them through the flora.

The fighting grew louder with each step forward until they could watch the outgoing rounds with such clarity they could nearly count the rounds.

<Zulu-Alpha fall back and begin picking off targets of opportunity. Will signal you to switch to covering fire while Zulu-Bravo moves up. Return to free-fire until otherwise informed.> Zal made sure to keep his coms tight as the four man team peeled away from their forward position to slink away until they were out of sight.

Leaving Zal to coordinate with his own team as he held up a hand and pointed at the nest of gunfire. Turning in time to see something creeping along the foliage behind his four man team. An unprofessional pause as each of them canted their head before turning to see eyes watching them with hunger.

"Fuck.” The word slipped out as he raised the assault rifle over his team's shoulders and plucked the trigger once. A test shot as the rifle did nothing more than click. Blood running cold as a silent snarl was the return he got for the effort. His thumb jammed against the safety-switch as Darren, Jude, Lyles, and Kelgor twisted to throw themselves from whatever loud noise was coming at them. A string of blaster shots burned through the air as one hit center mass on Zal’s armor before he rolled and aimed once more once he felt the click of the safety and the switch-lever shifted.

A large paw darkened his visor as his slugthrower spewed fire in a rapid report. A screech of pain as the paw landed on his helmet and the body tried to crush him to death directly as someone else threw a string of what sounded like curses before more slugthrower rounds went ripping through the air. The shots rang in his ears as he struggled to breathe beneath the beast while smaller explosions began to make the ground shake as something hit the ground around him. Something metallic by the sounds as he squawked and struggled to remove whatever was on top of him.

A single string of repeated fire and smaller explosions drowned out as his hold slipped before something moved the weight on top of him to the side.

"Come on, Sergeant. No laying down." Jude scolded as he came into view and offered hand. A fresh scorch mark covering what used to be a magazine pouch on his chest while the heavy machine gun was used like a walking stick to pull them both up. A popping sound making a clear report as the com line flickered to life.

<First day out and already trying to die.> Yaldr came through the com-line as Zal examined their situation again. An armored foe that had been blasted apart by explosive slugs and a beast that was bearing a saddle. Taking a few more breaths before glancing back to the foliage around them.

<Can it. Keep an eye around the foliage, Zulu squad. No doubt there are more of them around. Continue with our objective.> Nodding to Jude as the man picked up the heavy machine gun and moved into position to begin assaulting the flank of the landing zone attackers. A grenade prepared and thrown into the enemy lines while Zulu-Alpha were taking long range pot-shots at those hunkered down with the other two of the team keeping an eye on their surroundings.

The other 25 squads acting together and independent in the same configuration as some launched their initial strike with missile barrages when two squads formed up together. Others lobbed a string of grenades into the enemy lines to disrupt their formation before the heavy machine guns began to lay down heavy fire while the snipers moved into favorable covered positions to begin waiting for targets to appear.

Allies: Jas Katis | Laphisto | Saram Kote | Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn
Enemies: Kroeger | Seva Beroya​

 

[Carduul Akahl]

Allies: Kroeger | Seva Beroya |
Enemies: Jas Katis | Saram Kote | Takeshi Ryu | Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn | Zal Thraynrok
Engaging: None, yet.

Explosions lit the skies above Umbara like flashes of distant thunder, each streak of fire heralding a new challenge. At last, someone had taken the initiative, had the boldness to face the Crusaders directly. And so began a contest of wills, a pure facet of life itself that was as omnipresent as the wretched Force. No matter the result, it would result in something stronger emerging from the conflict.

It was war. Total and all-consuming.

And it was glorious.

Umbara had been one of the Crusade’s earliest conquests, its treacherous terrain embraced as both a challenge and a gift. To the Mandalorians, it was a second Dxun—a hunting ground where the strong thrived and the weak perished. Carduul had seen to its fortification personally, ensuring that its tangled forests and oppressive gloom would bleed any invader dry.

This was Mandalorian territory now. Every inch of it had been shaped into a weapon.

The enemy was bold to tread here, but so too were the Crusaders. As Carduul observed the streaks of fire descending toward the surface, his blood quickened. Their approach was audacious, but audacity alone would not be enough.

Reports were already coming in: enemy pods breaking atmosphere, mass-driver volleys targeting key points of resistance, and forward units clearing paths with detonite and flamethrowers. The Confederacy meant to carve themselves a foothold.

So be it.

Many of his warriors bore personal cloaking generators, their heat signatures shielded to counter the enemy’s thermals. Others relied on the natural camouflage of the jungle, their beskar blending with the shadows. They lay in wait, still as predators, until the first Confederate troops set foot on the ground.

So too was Carduul awaiting.

Just as the first shells from Kroeger ‘s mass-driver volley landed, did the fireteams throughout the jungle begin to fall upon the Confederate incursion. Sniper fire threatened to pick off soldiers that strayed too far, or grew too eager with their attempts to clear the trees. Blaster fire erupted from the shadows in calculated fury. Flamethrowers and repeaters roared to life in contest, but for every section of jungle the invaders cleared, another ambush awaited them.

And once again, Mand’alor was upon the frontlines, as one should. Carduul moved like a storm through the chaos, his poleaxe in hand and his crimson armor gleaming through the shadows. Around him, the battle began to unfold in viscera and carbon scoring.

His voice thundered through the comms, a resolute decree that carried the weight expected of him;

“Warriors of the Crusade, the enemy comes in numbers.
Let them.
The jungle is ours, the shadows are ours, and so too will their lives be ours.
Show them the true meaning of Dha Werda Verda.”​

 

[Jas Katis]

UMBARA | LZ ALPHA
THE CONFEDERACY | HELLION PRIVATE MILITARY GROUP
ALLIES: TC | Takeshi Ryu | Azmodan | Saram Kote | Zal Thraynrok
ENEMIES: NEO | Kroeger | Carduul Akahl | Seva Beroya
ENGAGING: Kroeger
GEAR: In bio | unit equipment

TAKE ME OUT​

The suspicious silence had every trooper on high alert as they readied the LZ for defense. Jas made sure to let them strip the shield generators from the pods and connect them together in the event of an aerial attack. Recon troopers disappeared into the jungle to scout ahead while others worked to reduce the jungle to a burning mess.

Unfortunately they didn’t have much time to get everything sorted. The familiar whistle of artillery shells echoed in the distance. ”Artillery incoming!” He barked as he sprinted for a shield generator. Other troopers did the same, but not all were so fortunate. Several shells dropped into the ground or burst overhead to claim the lives of those not quick enough. The shield generators powered up to cast their protective bubbles against the dealy artillery strike before they lost any more troops.

Jas, however, was more interested in the nature of the artillery. There was a familiar whistle to them that he hadn’t heard in decades. ”I want the location of that artillery.” He ordered a nearby officer. ”Send it to me. And get me two squads, this LZ is way too hot.” He ordered. They needed to get something more secure for the main force to land, but they needed the reinforcements. Artillery was an odd weapon for the Mandalorians to use.

Right now, the recon teams were the safest of the bunch which was not saying much. Blaster fire lit up the shadows of the jungle. :: Overlord, this is Katis. LZ is hot, I repeat. LZ is hot. I need tri-fighters to hunt that artillery. :: He hailed the mothership as he studied the surroundings. An idea came to him.

:: Overlord, requesting strafing runs once the gunships touch down. I want the Vultures to burn this jungle down. Rotating sorties, I want a fire big enough for the Elf to see from orbit. :: He snarled into his commlink as he turned his gaze upward. Artillery continued to splash against the resilient shields, but they wouldn’t last long. Two already flickered red against the onslaught. To make matters worse, blaster fire rained down from the shadows and trees as well. At least it served to make the troops feel better, they could do something about that.

Repeaters and missiles answered the Mandalorians with a surprising amount, while a few troops readied their anti-material rifles to return fire against the enemy snipers. In the grand scheme of things, small arms fire wasn’t much. But it did serve to lift the spirits of Jas’ forces which was the most important aspect. Luckily they didn’t have to wait for long.

A squadron of Tri-fighters screamed overhead in their hunt for the enemy emplacements, heavy cannon fire and ion bolts glittered the night sky as they pursued their enemy. Quickly following behind the deadly fighters were dozens of Vulture droids sheltering the gunships from enemy fire.

The first wave had arrived.

Troops cheered as AAT’s and Hailfire droids touched down and rolled forward. Dozens of Marines disembarked with more equipment and dedicated defensive systems. The LZ was still dangerously exposed, but at least they could shoot back. And once the gunships cleared out or moved on to support the Recon teams, the Vulture droids turned their sights on the jungle.

In a matter of minutes the jungle was set ablaze with particle bolts and incendiary rockets intended to burn away the fog and shadow of the jungle.

:: Move the Hailfires to the back and get the tanks in place. We need to secure our flanks. :: Jas called out over the comms as he watched the troops scramble into place. From a brief glance at the medics, they had lost almost an entire company in the first minutes. It would have been worse if it wasn’t for the deflector shields. At least they could return the favour now. Hailfire droids locked onto signatures in the jungle and coordinates fed to them by the scanners before dumping dozens of rockets and missiles onto the enemy positions. All the while Vulture droids circled around the area to burn the jungle and pursue stray enemies caught in the open.

The momentary breath of air allowed Jas to look for his pod-buddy. :: Ryu... Ryu, do you copy? Where the hell are you? :: He called out, hoping the kid was still alive.

 

[Takeshi Ryu]

Tag: Jas Katis Zal Thraynrok Kroeger Seva Beroya Carduul Akahl Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn​

Ryu would crawl from one spot in the ditch to the other. Each time he took turns firing in short bursts of three or four particle rounds each then ducking down into cover before slithering to another position. Dirt flew as enemy shots blasted the edges of the ditch. Honestly the trooper didn't know if he hit anyone yet besides that repeater crew from earlier but Ryu wasn't going to let himself cowered away. He was now more determined than ever to kill the Crusaders and whoever else with them with every opportunity he had.

The hostile bombardment went on nonstop, raining hell wherever it struck. Fighting battle hardened warriors was vastly different from purging some street thugs. In his experience the latter most often won't have equal or superior firepower than you and won't go out of their way to fight to the finish but now he had a front row to what the former can do.

We'll show them.

Thought Ryu as he reloaded a new clip into his gun. A blaster bolt kicked up more dirt piling on the top of his helmet back.

"Who you learn to shoot from, a blind drunken Gungan?!" Ryu suddenly exclaimed in taunt to the unkowm enemies though it was unlikely they could hear him due to the intense firing being shared by. Shocked at what he just did, the Hellion laughed at himself.

Then the trooper from Tao heard the familiar collective roar of their air support. The cavalry has arrived. The earth shook as if in an earthquake with massive blasts consuming the alien jungle out. Relieved he hollered, joining the cheers of his fellow troopers. Taking advantage of what the bombing runs just provided he sprang up and sprinted back to the landing zone.

Entering the deflector shield he soon heard Jas call out for him. Without missing a beat he waved his right hand, replying.

"Here boss, got thrown earlier and took cover, eliminated a gun crew and kept shooting when able."

Turning back to the desolation wrought by their air cover Ryu couldn't help but whistle in amazement.

"Those flyers sure know how to light up a party."

Soon he noted the armor and marine reinforcements they had, nodding. Good they're going to need it.

 

[Kroeger]

​

D E M O N
CONTRACT : MANDALORIAN NEO CRUSADE
IRON LEGION, 'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
3rd SQUADRON 112th ARMORED ASSAULT
'HELL'S HAMMERS'
XT-62 | MBTb
ALLIES : Carduul Akahl | Seva Beroya
OPPS : Jas Katis | Takeshi Ryu | Azmodan | Saram Kote | Zal Thraynrok

STEEL RAIN
​

<"Splash! Target number Aurek Besh one-one-zero-zero!"> The artillery control element barked through the radio comms in the well calculated five seconds before rounds hit the earth.

<Splash, one-one-zero-zero."> Kroeger replied before he pulled the lever of his cupola, the heavy metal cover to his hatch springing open and locking into place. He grasped for his macrobinocs before standing up in his seat, pulling them to his eyes, the cybernetic glow of his crimson replacement a dull illumination in the darkness of the jungle beneath the visor of his helmet. The snap of ordnance hitting earth was as audible as it was visible, the crack of the round making impact flashing through the trees. One and then another...another. Getting a view of direct effects was a fool's errand with the jungle obscuring his line of sight. Regardless, he took the opportunity unbuttoned to appraise the state of his unit. His tanks and IFVs were sprawling through the forest, the march and clammor of dismount stormtroopers digging into positions between barking out orders filled the gaps between the vehicles, going where they couldn't in more favorable terrain.

He nodded, content for now until the shriek of Confederate fights dominated his attention. His comms were alight with the harrowing words. <"Red air! Red air! Hostile air!"> And with it gritted his teeth and pulled himself back into the hatch of his Cataphract.

<"Hellfire, Demon...conduct survivability when rounds complete. Don't let those fucking fighter spot you."> He barked out, his voice harsh with the command, indicating urgency. The fire direction center was quick with a reply.

<"Good copy, good copy...break...rounds complete, Aurek Besh one-one-zero-zero, fires down approx five minutes."> The other end replied to which Kroeger nodded, pulling open an adjustable timer on his console, punching in five minutes. As soon as they were back up, they'd be hit again. He doubted the Hell's Hammers had the numbers on these Confederates. The Mandalorians were more skilled than they were a military able to mass troops.

Even so, Kroeger had most all of the cards he needed to make his hand, just needed to be dealt the gut shot. They had favorable terrain, their positions well placed, hidden and difficult to get to. They had the luxury of time and positioning...they could wait and let the Confederates present themselves like a multi coursed meal.

The AATs and Hellfire Tank Droids began to crawl deeper into the jungle and soon enough, in the sights of Imperial tanks.

<"Tank identified! One-two-hundred. Index 'sabot'!"> The commander to one of Red Platoon's tanks barked out, a flip of the gun's control panel shifting the mass driver cannon to the desired ammo type. The mechanical arms of the tank's autoloader shifting the anti-tank round into place. It had been a workhorse of Imperial armor, able to adjust the tibanna settings to punch through armor or splash on impact with a high explosive yield, good for forcing infantry out of cover or buildings.

<"Fire and adjust!"> He barked out to his gunner, adjusting himself in his seat to get a better view of the vehicle through his thermal sights. Then came those ever cathartic words for any tanker from his gunner.

<"ON THE WAY!">​

He barked out in reply before his finger pressed down unto the triggers of his gunner hand station, the MegaCaliber Six singing its fine tune of bass-y thumps of his laser cannon into the turret of one of the advancing AATs, three shots and the vehicle exploded with a violent inferno. Each platoon mortar then fired off two shots of illumination rounds each into the air above the approaching Confederates, the rounds bursting with a slow descent that created a harshly bright light, washing out night vision and exposing the enemy advance.

<"Weapons free! Dismounts and IFVs! Start closing the gap! If they wanna use their air, they're gonna force danger close and torch their own with it. Execute!"> Kroeger said, the adrenaline of the rush of battle commanding the tone and inflection of his voice. His gunner was engaging freely, peering through the commander's view to catch a bust of a Hellfire's missiles thudding into the earth but meters away from him, one of them catching the side of his tank in a glancing blow. He grit his teeth only to view a pair of sabot rounds coring the target, leaving it to turn and sputter out into an explosive roll.

All the while, stormtroopers under the fire support of their IFVs began to advance, bounding one after the other. Whilst one element moved, the other laid hate. Rinse and repeat. They were going to deny the enemy freedom of maneuver and force their indirect support elements into weapons restriction status, danger close or make the situation too hairy to use it outright.

 

[Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn]

Gabriel Umberhorn

ORBIT | UMBARA
ALLIES: | CIS Takeshi Ryu Jas Katis Zal Thraynrok
ENEMIES: NEO Kroeger Seva Beroya Carduul Akahl
ENGAGING: OPEN
GEAR: Armor, Sword, Shotgun + Vibroknife and Service Pistol


The artillery was indiscriminate, despite being a master in usage of the force, none of his skills would save him from storms of shrapnel. At first he was content in laying in a the trenches formed by their drop pods impacts and reading through operation data, seeing if there was a means to lighten up the pressure but when a young man's body fell ontop of his own he snapped back to their present with a plan in mind.

He grabbed the dead soldiers vibro knife and service pistol, "Your contribution will not be forgotten." He memorized the ident of the fallen trooper before snapping over the lip of the crater he got a read on the locations of all of his allies, ensuring that enough survived to mount proper counter-offensives. He broke cover briefly, he was low to the ground and quick, enhancing himself with the force and making full use of his armors exoskeleton to cover ground. He joined up with the young Takeshi Ryu

"We need to pull back and -" Before he could finish his statement the area was lit up, bright lights that would harm night vision. The jungle was now on fire, his nature climate was coming to be, With their attackers revealed and sent into a moment of confusion plans would change.

"You keep your head down." He said to Ryu, noting that the younger man had been getting too excited for his own good. Gabriel then broke off, heading into the thicket where he would catch unsuspecting enemies. He'd allow his flechette launcher to bark before he transitioned into a more effective tool, the vibroknife he had borrowed. Where he could, he'd drop into a position and erupt into a frenzy of melee strikes before retreating once more. Never allowing himself to be caught in one place for too long.

Despite his efforts he was getting grazed, bullets, shrapnel, the works. His trust in the CIS covert armor was whole, and he pressed forward. He had noted that troops from the Wingless Jumpers ( Zal Thraynrok ) had begun to converge on the area, he aimed to bridge the gap with them, clearing up what resistance he could so that they might reinforce Jas Katis and his troops as soon as possible.

His secondary objective was to ping large concentrations of troops, he was quick and could allude most enemies and so when there was a cluster too large for him to handle he'd mark them for ally troops to take on.

*Editorial note - Changed flare section to respect jungle being on fire​