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Allies: None Nearby - [member="Aela Talith"] Enemies: The First Order, [member="Castor Ren"], [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] Location: Hoth Wildlands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI
Castor would not have the pleasure of seeing the effect of his efforts before both Jamie and the speeder rocketed out of the hangar. Regardless as to whether or not Castor was around to bare witness to his misdeed, Jamie felt the surge of torturous agony cast from the man as a sharp needle. Into the blanket of white at full tilt the blonde leaned forward in the seat, gripping her head with one hand to soothe the discomfort that now lingered. To say that the wilds of Hoth were anything but impossibly awful would be an outright lie. It had been terrible within the confines of the open hangar, but outside? Outside was as miserable as one could possibly imagine. The bitter cold, coupled with the speed of both the speeder bike and opposing wind direction felt similar to thousands of knives cutting across her face and chest with each passing minute.
Equipped with nothing but the clothing on her back and a sense of urgency the blonde pushed the speeder to its' very limits. With little in the way to navigate around, save for large dunes of snow here and there, there was little concern for pushing the speeder into top speed right from the get go. Despite the dreaded cold and now added headache for the history books, Jamie knew that if Castor and the red haired woman caught her, her predicament would be far worse than it had been to start, and a second chance to escape would likely not be had.
To mitigate the chill clinging to her body, Jamie drew on what little she knew of Tapas, forcing herself to concentrate heavily on her connection to the Force, rather than her direction on the speeder. Still, a constant shiver was better than hypothermia or frostbite, and thus she would deal for the time being, at least until she got somewhere warmer. To her disadvantage she hadn't a helmet or HUD or really any means of navigation. The plan was relatively simple: stay ahead of her pursuers. Lacking a helmet had a far more detrimental drawback however, in that she needed to shield her eyes by squinting so that the snow would not blind her entirely.
Thunderous roars could be heard overhead, even through the howling of the storm around her. A flash drew her eyes upwards briefly. What Jamie thought was simply lightning at first became clearer, as several more flashes of orange and yellow suddenly lit the sky. Explosions? Something big was happening on Hoth. Perhaps that had been why Sieger sent her away to a cell so hastily before. Is the Alliance retaliating? So much for peaceful resolutions. The Jedi sighed as sapphire eyes drew back in front of her, seeing what looked to be a small, partially obscured mountain range off in the distance. Perhaps there it would be easier to lose the tail that was Castor and the woman whose name she did not know.
The small comlink on the speeder's console flickered, drawing the woman's finger to activate the system. Whatever chatter had been transmitted turned to nothing but white noise, though perhaps that was the storm blocking the communication, or she was simply out of range to transmit. An echo of engines behind her reminded Jamie that her captors were still hot on her trail. The only way to go now was forward.
Was she truly so valuable to the wolves of the First Order that they would risk their lives to pursue her through the mountains?
Location: Hoth Wildlands Objective: Save the Padawan Allies: [member="Jamie Pyne"] Enemies: [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] Ship:The Sneaky McSneakyface
"Three life signs."
The call went out and seemed to echo within Aela's ears. They had narrowed their search to a specific area, the bracelets that she and Jamie wore linked them, and when she focused upon her padawan she could now almost sense her exact path across the open planes of the planet. The storm made visibility almost zero, and that along with the multitude of warzones raging all across Hoth it was difficult to get a clear picture. Yet a mixture of their sensors and Aela's own abilities had been able to track down her padawan.
Or what she hoped was her padawan. "Can you take us in?"
Aela asked, glancing at the pilot.
"No, the Storm would knock us off course. We'd be just as likely to crash."
The Jedi Master frowned, looking down at her feet for just a moment before scanning the console ahead of her. For a second she simply thought about trying for it anyway, but she knew putting everyone in danger like that would just make all of this worse. Biting her tongue Aela shook her head.
"Alright, head over the mountains." She said with a glance at the map. "Over that ridge, set us down in the narrows."
She glanced over towards the comm-line, taking a deep breath and dialing in an open line. "Jamie. This is Aela. If you can hear me, follow the bracelet."
It was really the only thing that Aela could think to say. If she gave away their position the First Order would be able to find them. If she gave her a meeting point then they would be able to cut Jamie off, so the only way was to tell her padawan something no one else could follow. She just hoped she was listening.
Just as Brask'ari'sabosen was approaching the turbolift there was an explosion somewhere in the station that rocked the corridor that she was traveling down on Level Two. Lights flickered and went out, then after a moment the emergency lighting came on in the corridor.
The Chiss promptly turned around and started back towards the surgical wing where there was a stairwell on the other side.
As the blue-skinned doctor entered through the doors into the lobby, she heard voices from inside and put her hand upon the charric pistol that was resting in the right hand pocket of her white lab coat, then hugged the wall in the shadows. Intermittent flashlight beams could be seen in the darkness roaming around rooms in a search like pattern, then Karisa heard someone call out.
"First Imperial Medical Services, First Order Navy. We're here to help, anyone still about?"
It could be a ploy, but she didn't think so. Karisa stepped out and was relieved to see it was Major Eldrel and the Admiral? Karisa had joined the FIMS after leaving Chiss Space when the One Sith dominated it, then the Iron Empire. She had been previously been a medical officer with the CEDF, and was a trauma surgeon by subspecialty. Karisa or Dr. K as she was known among the non-Chiss had been acting Chief Medical Officer on the station.
"Admiral, Major... " she greeted curtly in perfect Galactic Basic with a cant of her dark head, then glowing red eyes peered at each of the officers. "I am Dr. K, acting CMO of the Kuragin, There is no one left here in surgical. I had them evacuated with the first klaxons per protocol. What is the sitrep and plan as it stands?"
::This TK-4261 3rd Imperial Infantry. Staff Sergeant Desmaris, we need any extra supplies and troops you can bring down to the trenchline. Sergeant Torian we need that cover fire of your to continue. 3rd will charge in two mikes!::
The crackle of her comm unit coming to life, HUD display offering a readout of the encrypted channel, user identification key, and location coordinates as the Staff Sergeant followed Captain Draken and unit towards the ever encroaching sounds of artillery fire and the screaming of fighters swooping in for a strafing run before returning to lower atmo.
”Supplies and reinforcements incoming, ETA 5 minutes. Captain Draken and 13th company attending. Hold the lines.”
With an increased burst of speed, her boots hammered down the ice-lined corridors as she barked orders into her comm unit, now patched into the private channel that rerouted to the armory they’d just exited.
”Specialist Trynn, enlist an non-medical personnel to running supply lines to the trenches immediately. PLX launchers to be distributed amongst units not already possessing one, along with two bandoliers of ammunition-“
Alarms shattered the staccato of the squad’s progression, HUD sensors lighting up in a riot of colors, the woman cursing as ground under them shook and rattled with the force of impacted, the deafening roar of an explosion overriding the cacophonous noise. Ice and metal rained down, knocked loose from the walls of the outpost by the concussive force of the shadow bomb, a few troopers crushed under its merciless onslaught. The true damage lay behind the unit, a support beam having collapsed beneath the force of falling ice and snow, the unlucky souls trapped beneath lost to the avalanche of snow and metal. Saying a quick prayer for the fallen soldiers as her father was known to do, she moved to an exposed half suit of armor, kicking the rifle from the twitching hand, picking it up with a quick move and firing it point blank into the side of the exposed helmet.
The spasming and anguished groans instantly ceased, the soldier no longer struggling to find breathe and strength to continue. Another flash of data informed the Staff Sergeant of zero life forms left beneath the mountain of sleet, a satisfied nod as she turned to observe the Captain’s opinion of her callous and methodical act of mercy. Perhaps instead of mercy, it was strictly a decision made from pure rationality, the only path forward, any injured left behind a liability and distraction.
Without waiting for the order to continue, even as it came, she set boots to the ground, addition rifle shoved towards another soldier with little more than a nod.
The trenches opened up before them, the open maw of the vehicle hanger all but hidden behind the ivory blanket of snow. Skidding to a stop, she was glad for the dampening capacities of the armor she wore, the explosions rocking the mountain side, AA fire, keening of fighters slipping through the lines and returning fire, an annoying buzz compared to the electronic chatter of commanders issuing orders, including the Hapan man beside her. As his men dispersed, Des dropped the bag of disruptor pistols at the edge of one of the entrenchments.
”Disruptor pistols to be distributed as needed, Private.”
Without waiting to see if the nearest soldier would indeed follow her commands, she surveyed the field in front of them, rifle held at rest in front of her, searching for the best use of her person. Off to the left, heavy artillery fire took out an entrenched AT-AT, white-armored bodies flying amongst the growing smoke and flashes from quickly burning fires. The tell-tale spark of a vibrosaw smashing into the side of the decimated AT-AT, two black and white dots tumbling to the snow in an undignified jumble. One corner of her mouth ached to curl into a smile even as she mentally filled the incident away to add to his personal bill.
Turning away, she noted a spattering of red dots on the far ridge, North of the outpost. Too far for her HUD to identify as friend or foe, she assigned them the mental identifier of ‘opposition’ until proven otherwise.
”All units, be alert to unknown presences on the North Ridge. Identification unknown, treat with caution.”
Each squadron leader had probably already been alerted to the disturbance above, but more warning was better than none in her opinion. Another explosion rocked the ground, sending the Sergeant flying forward as a B-wing swerved and recovered, firing on the walkers acting as sentinels, meters ahead of their trench. Rifle swinging up to her shoulder, finger poised on the trigger, Des sighted, HUD display locking onto the swiftly recovering B-wing before firing into the air as it swooped within range.
The sharp wailing of alarms locking onto a new enemy target saw her gaze swung around, a flash of light off to the side emanating from a mechanical….dragon? What the karking hell was this?
”Incoming from abo-!”
Flinging herself to the ground as the trenches were hit with a flurry of hypervelocity bullets, rain of plasma, and a stream of energy from the fething thing’s tail. Screams pierced the air as soldiers when down, burst of fire springing forth along the lines and dying, leaving charred armour and bone in their wake. Luck was with the woman, a few scraps from shrapnel the worst she suffered, even as those around her fought through the pain. Her suit responded to her increased heartrate, needles injecting lower potency stims into her bloodstream. The quartermaster could hardly afford to lose her mind to the powerful stims meant to push through pain and fear and keep the soldiers of the Order fighting against their failing bodies, her suit custom designed to reap the benefits of the stim without overriding her own mental acuity.
”Staff Sergeant DesMaris, locking onto target. I need a clear shot. Cover me.”
Swinging her rifle around to rest on her back, she launched herself out of the trench, making a beeline for the nearest cover of a walker, the snow and icy showering her as the Alliance fire rained down, the 13th covering her back with returned fire. Slamming into the ground as a well-aimed bullet took her in the shoulder, she cursed and tore the useless piece of armour off, throwing the twisted piece of Duraplast to smoke in the snow, a quick glance at the wound as her suit worked to identify and evaluate the damage. Muscle and bone where largely intact, another round of stems, pumped into the bloodstream to combat the stinging pain.
Another few yards and she was safe behind the makeshift parapet of an AT-AT closer to the front lines of their target. PLX Launcher settled on her good shoulder, she grinned wickedly as she loaded the weapon with a gravity-activated guided missile. Watching as the mechanical monstrosity of [member="HK-36"] continued firing upon FO forces, she queued the missile into GAM mode and waited. Green LEDs locked onto the flying dragon, increasing low pitched beeps as the missile tracked its target, finding the repulsor-lift signal emanating from the vehicle and acquiring the signature with relative ease.
Finger slamming the trigger back against the casing, the missile rocketing off towards its target, unlikely to lose its path. Stumbling backwards against the recoil, she swung the weapon around, joining its brother strapped against her back.
::All Units, I repeat ALL UNITS. THIS CAPTAIN STRAIN, TK-4261. FALL BACK TO OUTPOST VEERS IN ORDERLY FORMATION.PREPARE FOR LAST STAND. EXCEPTIONS, ARMOR UNITS AND 3RD INFANTRY. ARMOR CONTINUE MISSION. 3RD GET IN THE TRENCH AND COVER YOUR COUSINS AS THEY MOVE. TIME NOW!::
The order to fall back had her gritting her teeth, the soldiers around her responding with efficiency and falling into formation around the officers in their midst. Retrieving her pistol from her thigh armor, she fell back, again surveying the chaos around her. Eyes lit on the South slope and the defenses that had yet to be activated in the bedlam. Breaking away from the group despite angry orders to return to heel, she tapped into the private comm channel of her personal unit, the 53rd, fondly known as the “Hexes” after the cheekbone tattoos they all sported in honor of their commanding officer.
”All members of the 53rd to me. Headed to South Ridge, target uploaded.”
The coordinates of the Ion Cannon flashed across the displays of the remaining units of the 53rd, a chorus of affirmatives meeting her call for back-up. They needed fire-power and the Hexes would give it to them.
Location: Hoth, north of Echo Base Gear: Signature Allies: Team Smash [member="Aver Brand"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="HK-36"] Enemies: First Order | [member="Torian Pierce"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Shaydae Desmaris"]
The Shamans quietly stopped at the ridge overlooking the invasion as it took place. Around Draco, the shamans silent mutterings continued, hazing the area around them, helping the already camouflaged warriors remain hidden from sight as the warlord took stock of the situation below.
Alliance forces were advancing on the First Order fortress with First Order reinforcements arriving slowly from the rear with armor and walker support. Interesting that the Alliance army did seem to be splitting its attention. Inside his mind, he developed an idea of what he could do to sway the situation in his favor. The Alliance didn't know he and his forces were there or whose loyalty they held, or who commanded the Cult. Draco doubted they even knew the cult existed or else the puritan Jedi he remembered, prone to punishing those they saw as wicked first and determining guilt afterwards, would have long since hunted them down.
With a barely audible hiss from his helmet Draco spoke to the group, a whisper to be passed down the line. "Load concussion grenades, fire with fifteen meters between." Nods from the bestial creatures down the line acknowledged his order. Better to do it this way than to engage the much larger First Order army. This way the cannibals of the outer rim could pick off survivors as they tried to claw their way out of the mountain of ice and snow he intended to drop on them.
The warriors across the line carefully launched a single concussion grenade in a long wide line, a few extra aimed at the center of the line from the Master himself. Here goes nothing.
Hoth: Outpost Veers Allies:
Team S: [member="Tomas Yarrow"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Rusty"] | [member="Draco Vereen"]
Team U: [member="Aeron Kreelan"] | [member="Isar Kislo"] | [member="Tsuki Aihara"] [member="HK-36"] | [member="Sol Stazi"] Enemies: [member="Chron Terix"] | [member="TK-4261 Strain"] | [member="Shaydae Desmaris"] | [member="Torian Pierce"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Anora Shaw"] | [member="Hatori Ikari"] | [member="Pharazon Draken"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | Outpost Veers Gear: Main in bio + stripped-down Power Armor with jetpack for atmo drop + SDC 13 Note for the Lazy: The Force Disperser makes Aver seem like a NFU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQe88ybEIe8
War weighs heavy, heady. Spraying snow. Cracked cries. Barking blasterfire. Aver looked at the carnage below with a tepid smile. Watching, drumming metal fingers on a metal wheel. She was waiting for the last of the marines to hop on, for the Firemane forcer leading them. Heavy thuds, tank dipping – everyone was on. She drove off. The screeching of battle was muted, below. Experience inured, and Aver was stone. Pinpricks of light – explosions – erupting all along the hills above Outpost Veers. Grenades, ripping apart the ridge. Sheets of ice rumbled, a giant awoken from slumber. Hide shuddered, shaking off the sleep. Many a dream would come crashing down today. They cut along the southern slope, their repulsortank but a smudge of metal in whorls of snowflakes. Already they were heading to the open theatre, where enemy reinforcements had bitten into their flank. Rest awaited but the dead. Aver thumbed the remote detonator without hesitation. Her beat didn’t skip, her breath didn’t hitch. Thousands of lives in those trenches, pressed close, packed like sardines. In retreat, animal overruled man – and in the face of nature’s cruel mercy, civilisation crumbled like a house of cards. The network of detonators they’d rigged along the slope would go off in sync at the depression of the trigger. The mountain would roar in pain, an agonized cry before its blood of boulders and ice would drown the soldiers of the First Order. Regret would find no purchase in her heart. War… weighs.
Location: Hoth: Outpost Veers, at a mountain slope. Objective: Purge Allies: Team S: [member="Aver Brand"], [member="Tomas Yarrow"], [member="Draco Vereen"], @Rusty. Other allied folks: [member="Aeron Kreelan"], [member="HK-36"]
Enemies: First Order. [member="Torian Pierce"], [member="Chron Terix"], [member="TK-4261 Strain"], [member="Rexus Wenck"], [member="Hatori Ikari"], [member="Pharazon Draken"], [member="Shaydae Desmaris"], [member="Anora Shaw"], [member="Kyrel Ren"]
Outpost Veers.
Gear: Imperatrix Armour, shatterbolter, hard sound carbine, revolver, grenades and thermal dets, wrist bolter, 2x lightsabres.
Everything happened so fast. The charges were set, Siobhan and the marines hopped onto the tank. The Countess climbed inside the metal colossus as it drove off, blowing up clouds off snow as it did so. She gave 'Vrygg' a nod, as the mercenary took the detonator in hand. Rusty got a quick response, telling him not to go near the trenches.
Then bang. No emotion crossed Siobhan's face when the mercenary 'captain' triggered the detonator. The fact that countless lives, stuck in the trenches, which would now turn into a death trap instead of protecting the First Order stormtroopers, would be drownd by a flood of ice and boulders did not trouble her. They were the enemy. C'est la guerre. Beneath the helmet, her face was an expressionless mask, save for the cool sort of smile her lips curled into. No room for remorse or regret in her icy, vengeance-filled heart.
The mountain roared like an enraged war god. Massive explosions erupted, as their charges set off. Chain reaction. They would produce two tremendous, beautiful avalanches, coming from both the south and northeast, for, unbeknownst to our party, the labours of Draco Vereen and his band had produced similar mayhem on the northeast of Outpost Veers.
The drone whirled and spun around, taking a perimeter around the city. All recordings would be saved and/or sent back to Alliance over encrypted channels.
Each step down the stairs felt slick and damp, like balancing on a thin sheen of ice. The temperature was different, almost cavernous in the the shift. Sounds echoed like they were tapped against stone, reverberating throughout and growing lower with each pass. He had thought the floating city outside seemed slightly depressed but this took the cake. His equipment bounced against him with each downward step, mask jostling against the clip on his chest, until they came to a final flat surface.
“How do you know of Ugnakaaraar?” The voice came out of the shadows, lights dangling from the walls in small metal cages. Relit narrowed his eyes as he felt the sudden press of the barrel once more.
“Uhh...connections throughout the underground spoke of the Renegades.”
They all guffawed and expressed their own form of shock and awe at the words he used. Relit smiled and laughed, a bit nervously, as he looked around.
“I’m sorry, I am not used to such...controlled conversations.” “No no, it’s fine. We just have not heard that name in a long time.” “Ugnakaaraar?” “No...well yes. But the Renegades as well.” “I see.” “And what else do you know of the Renegades?” “Not much. Things went quiet some time ago, shortly after the First Order took to this sector.” “And you must think that coincidence?” The voice continued to speak from the dark. “Well...no. I am a pragmatist at times.” “Pragmatist...what does that mean?”
He had forgotten that this wasn’t their primary language. “It means I assume the simplest answer is likely the right one.”
“Well, then you and I are alike in that way.” The short figure stepped forward. “You are not used to such controlled conversations. What are you used to, then?”
Relit looked over his shoulder, the men had dropped their weapons moments ago. Shrugging, he turned back to what he assumed was the leader. “Warm expression, hope, the joy of a temple or sacred place.”
“Ah...well we have none of those things here. You will find all the warm expression topside, in the great cloud city.”
“My interest does not lie in Cloud City, not directly.” “Then where does it lie?” “With the Ugnaughts...with Ugnorgrad and the Renegades.” “They were wiped out.” The words came out dripping with resentment. “Tell me how.” “How?” The man laughed as he found a stool. With a great sigh, he sat and motioned for another to hand him an object. As the bowl filled his small hand and came to life, he breathed in and exhaled smoke. “Would you like some...it’s flame leaf, from Gentes.”
Relit held up his hand, shaking his head. He was a plant, afterall.
“The Renegades and Ugnakaaraar were toppled as most men are...by money. Or lack of it. Funding was traced by First Order systems...through various establishments throughout Drunkenwell, Chazwa and Denon. All their funding was stripped from them and quickly after, it all went to chit.”
“That was it. Credits?”
“Mmm...yeah. As I said...money. It controls everything, it seems.”
Objective: Crashing to Hoth like a glitter bomb...
Allies:GA Officially [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Nawago"] | [member="Joza Perl"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Sanya Val Swift"] (Others with GA characters)
Enemies: All who would harm Wampa!
Theme X
"This is not the way I wanted to land on Hoth Joza! Feth everyone strap in to the crash webbing."
Bryce took up position next to the pilot and buckled in steadying himself for inevitable snowy landing. Taking up the comm he began to transmit on all frequencies both Alliance and First order.
:: Mayday, mayday. The is the civilian transport "The white Hat". We have suffered a complete engine failure due to hair care and will need assistance where ever we carsh. ::
"Wait pilot where are we heading?" Bryce asked.
"Some old militray base, Veers or something like that?" The pilot answered.
"The one where all the fighting is?" Bryce continued.
"Yep, no worries I'm like a leaf on the wind captain i'll get us down!" The pilot replied.
"What, there are no trees on Hoth... crazy mof..." Bryce said before getting back on the comm.
:: Hoth Control "White Hat" again, looks like it will be smack down in the war zone, if you can tell folks not to shoot the civies we would really appreciate it! ::
"I'm like a leaf on the wind, watch me sore!" The pilot continued.
"Yo leaf guy, what's your name again?" Bryce asked.
"They call me Wash mon Capietain!" Wash answered.
"Well... Wash was it, sore us to a soft landing if you could ok!" Bryce said turning back to the bridges front windows.
The ship continued to fall at the less than idea rate for survival but the pilot was skilled and continued to muscle the ship down. AAA fire, landing craft and fighters from both sides battled around them as continued to careen through the madness. A large white sheet now filled the windows as they made their final approach.
"Gear down!" Wash called out.
"Not gonna need them" Bryce answered sarcastically.
Snow flew in all direction as the white hat hit the battle field hard. Like a stone on a pond it skipped a few times till smashing head long into a fallen walker. Kicking back up into the air it tumbled a few more time before coming to rest just outside the First order's trench lines. As they hit the bridge's view ports gave way spraying the bridge with snow. As the ride finally came to an end Bryce looked around to see a big shard of glass had just missed decapitating the pilot wash.
"I'm a leaf see, I'm a leaf!" Wash said as he unbuckled and ran out through the now open bridge view ports and into the snow of Hoth.
"Dude, there is a battle out there, get back in here before... BOOM!
In the blink of and eye Wash disappeared in an explosion meant for something bigger Bryce was sure. As he came to grips with the finality of Wash's ending huge explosions in the distant cliffs reviewed walls of snow like tidal waves heading toward them.
Feth, they crashed into a mine field and were about to be swallowed up in an avalanche. Good times...
Location: Attached to the FIS Kuragin, Deck C
With [member="Micah Talith"] and [member="Allyson Locke"] [member="Spark Finn"] [member="Ipsy"] [member="Keric Dynt"]
Enemies: [member="Fiolette Yvarro"] [member="Magnus Ren"] [member="Aralu Sar"]
Allyson was on Vexen's mind as the blast doors slid away. Her words still rang out in her mind. Even the din of battle would not have drowned them out. She had tried to sound a little defiant, but truly she had seemed broken.
The Defel didn't know how Spark had managed to get the doors open, but it had saved Vexen's sensitive hearing from having to take a baradium detonation. The barrier slid away.
It revealed a graveyard full of skeletons.
Cover shields jutted up from the deck like headstones. Behind them danced the pale skills of the First Order stormtroopers.
“Cover!” Shouted a sergeant. The Alliance force was already pressed back into the recess around the door. The barricades that had risen up gave the defenders plenty of cover, whilst the boarding troop had almost none at first. One of the shield drones pressed on, but the troopers quickly and efficiently focussed their fire on it.
Vexen closed her eyes and trusted the Force. She stepped out into the open. Little more than a shadow in the murky emergency lighting she moved faster than any creature had a right to. She dropped into a roll, feeling the warmth of a bolt graze the fur of her shoulder. As she came back up she drew a stun baton and slammed her outstretched foot into the nearest barricade. She stabbed forwards, using her momentum. The trooper behind the barrier took the stun baton right between the eyes. The shock sent through him did little as the strength of the blow alone had stolen consciousness from him. Now that first barricade was hers. She lashed out with the Force and sent two more stumbling away.
“Stay close!” She called to Ipsy and Spark. Micah could look after himself. Or so she thought. She felt the Force twist and convulse nearby as if something was trying to tear through the field. She looked to the Talith with concern in her eyes. It seemed his uncle had decided to drop in with another test.
A ragged circle fell from the vault door. Its weight struck the stone floor with a clap hard enough to pop Linna’s eardrums. Reeling from the noise, she staggered back against the wall. Two men lunged through the gap: white parkas, blue blades, assorted burns. One snarled, gestured, and the sonic servodriver tumbled from Linna's hand. It was no weapon anyway. She closed her eyes, as if an ignored death would pass her by. She closed out the world and listened to the universe.
The universe said <<Now.>>
Between and behind the advancing cultists, Linna's newest creation twitched on the floor. Her head tilted as, in her mind’s eye, she found the switch and visualized it fervently. A third blue blade lit the room, this one brighter and more pure. Its light calmed her through her eyelids. The lightsaber spun toward her. The blade sheared into a cultist’s leg without resistance. As his brother in arms jumped for Linna, her activated saber thudded into her grip for the first time.
She ducked low and quickly; his saber snicked away a chunk of hair. Then the weapon fell to the side, followed by the cultist. His weight dragged Linna’s blade, turning a precise hole into a long slash up through his collarbone. Where his associate radiated agony and rage, this one put out only confusion. Fear. Then nothing.
Zeltrons in general could fight, and fight well; their culture valued combat abilities. But when possible, they preferred not to kill. Shivering, Linna closed the cultist's eyes and circled his profane friend to leave the vault.
Five minutes, her father’s shade had warned her. The chill deepened. Venmock was on his way.
The two cultists had brought an enclosed speeder. Her sonic servodriver hotwired it in thirty seconds flat as she turned the heater to max. A small force field shivered snow off the canopy, revealing the landscape of Hoth.
Far across the glacier and the North Ridge, she spied the peaks of the Clabburn Range, smoother and lower than Mount Ison. That was the heart of the violence. Weapons fire painted the clouds. Off to the side, a black landspeeder threw up a plume of snow as it approached this old stone building on Mount Ison. In theory, the resort on the other side of the mountain offered Linna safety from the incorporeal Dark Master and his associates, but she had zero desire to test that theory.
That left exactly one option.
As quickly and thoroughly as possible, scrape off that star-consuming Sith Lord like clart off a thousand-credit shoe.
Kyrel was careful as he made his way through the trenches, all around you could hear the screams of the wounded and dying, the barking of orders. And the swift and violent explosions that came from bombardment on both sides. This was truly a frozen hell, and the Knight of Ren was quickly trying to get through the trenches with only the Force as his ally. When bolts of blaster fire came at him he directed them with ease. This the battlefield was where the mechanical monstrosity belonged. This being his fourth battle in this Force-forsaken war. He had fought and every time he had grown stronger aided by the conflict around him that fed the dark side. War was not merely a test for the Vader obsessed Knight, but this was also a way of life. War fueled the power of the dark side through rage, suffering, and anger. This allowed for Kyrel's own powers to gain strength and that was one benefit to it all. But for now he was using such powers to survive and so he needed to reach the Seargent that was spoken of not long ago.
When he finally reached the Seargent he watched as the stormtrooper that he had heard about managed to survive the tank blasts that were given to him. He was then amazed by the ferocity the stormtrooper showed when killing two enemy soldiers with what looked to be a chain axe. Another unusual weapon that belonged to the Stormtrooper, but impressive nonetheless at the way he dispatched them. He watched intently as the trooper faced off against a wild Tauntaun. A beast native to the Icy world and in most cases can be domesticated. He watched as then all of a sudden with a sudden primal display of dominance the trooper headbutted the Tauntaun killing it. Kyrel approached the man when it was all over and then it happened. A blast from the side of the mountain occurred sending tons of ice and snow in a deadly avalanche that began it's way towards Outpost Veers with great haste.
Kyrel slightly cursed himself, as he did not foresee the enemy would pull a trick of this type upon them. He then looked to Torian and approached him. "Seargent, I wish this was better circumstances that we met, and I could have arrived sooner, but it seems we now have bigger problems." He said pointing to the Avalanche with his gloved hand. He then continued. "I wonder what is the scale of it? It seems this is going to favor of the enemy, but I think not." He said as he was about to continue, one of the troopers then spoke to him. "My Lord... we have heard news of your arrivel and we could use your assistance. This is the 53rd unit heading to the South Ridge, towards the Ion Cannon." Kyrel nodded as he looked to Torian. "It seems I am needed elsewhere. I am certain we will meet again Seargent but until then best of luck." He said as he went off back into the trenches.
He used the Force to give himself a burst of speed, he would make it to where he was going. But as he was on his way and almost out of the trenches, the avalanche hit with a sickening crash. Snow and Ice went everywhere. Some areas like the Hanger and Trenches were not hit as badly luckily for Kyrel, but as it cascaded downwards onto the Outpost other areas weren't so lucky. His comm around the area went silent as for a moment Imperial troops were buried underneath. But thanks to the heat of the armor some were starting to get out, and much more were being helped out. Kyrel felt that his fellow Ren, the Disciple could handle herself, and so he pressed on making his way to link up with the 53rd unit at the South Ridge. If he was lucky he might engage the enemy, instead of crawling through trenches like some rat in a tunnel.
The dim lighting in the cooler flickered and the sound of the fan guttered slightly.
Lydia could hardly be bothered to notice; she had hatched a plan. Using her datapad, she connected to the station's public broadcast system. There was an evacuation signal pinging across the station, and the security channel spoke of a suspected Alliance infiltration. That made sense, now that Lydia thought of it. It was highly unlikely that the Alliance terrorists had only attacked the Promenade Deck. Whether they were trying to destroy the station or take it over, a multi-point attack would make the most sense. And it was just like the Alliance to hide behind their good-guy propaganda image while slaughtering innocent civilians. It wasn't the first time the unarmed reporter had found herself in the Alliance's crosshairs for the sin of existing.
"The people need to hear about this," Lydia declared to [member="Arlen Rossi"] and Nalyr. This was easier said than done, given that they were on a stricken station and there was a better than odds-on chance that they wouldn't survive the encounter. She dug into her pockets and pulled a data cable from within, trembling fingers plugging the cable into the drone and then the datapad. The camdroid stared at her, unblinking, uninterested, until she opened her slicing app and hacked past the FOSB's censorship protocols to establish the communications override. The camdroid's indicator light went from red to blue. Lydia held the droid up and let it hover, unshackled by gravity. "Connect to the network," she told the camdroid. "Relay signal, priority code ABS-00192. Confirm." She looked over the droid at her producer, eyebrows furrowing.
There was a little humming as the droid's processor whirred, then there was a chime. The indicator light turned green.
"This is Lydia Finn-Camden on a live signal from the FIS Kuragin. Suspected Galactic Alliance terrorists have attacked the station with hull-breaching attacks. I was filming on the Promenade Deck when the hull breached there. There have been confirmed attacks on multiple levels, including the medical wing. There are an as yet unknown casualties, some of which the station security channels are confirming to be civilian casualties. The station is likely to be destroyed as a result of this attack. Evacuation is currently underway. I'm reporting this in case I and my archival footage don't survive the Alliance's attack. Their lying propaganda must not cover up the murders of innocent people they have committed here. The truth has to be known, whether we survive this or not."
Her attention was torn from her remarks when a sudden silence and darkness filled the room. The fan had stopped. And was it her imagination, or had it become a few degrees warmer? Lydia's pulse quickened.
"We can't stay here," she whispered, trying to control the panic that was threatening to take hold. The droid's emergency light flicked on, and Lydia was comforted by the fact that if they were going to die, at least it wouldn't be in total darkness.
She took a breath, struggling to keep it shallow, and whimpered: "We can't stay here."
An eyebrow quirked up as the girl Ren from Mustafar spoke and her companion ignited their lightsaber, sending their presence out to clash with hers. She was admittedly amused by the grand standing, the eagerness, of the girl's companion. Was she supposed to be intimidated by his unspoken message of bloodlust? If that was the case, then he was facing the wrong opponent. She had been playing this game of war for over a decade now. She kept an amused expression on her face as she got to her feet, one lightsaber in hand but not igniting it yet.
"You know, I was hoping you survived Mustafar," she responded, almost cheerfully. "I admit though, I'm disappointed. You're quite diminished from what you were then. I admit curiosity at what happened. Ah well."
She rotated her neck slowly, looking for all the world like she was getting ready for a refreshing exercise routine, stretching.
"I'm sure you both know how this works. I can't let you pass, and you need to kill or incapacitate me to continue on your mission. Best get on with it."
Purple light ignited from her blade, clashing with the amber being emitted from the boy's blade. She brought the blade up in a traditional Makashi salute, bringing it up and down to her side. She would wait and let them come to her. She wasn't in any rush.
Location:Mechanical Dragon conducting strafing runs aimed at the trenches by Outpost Veers, attacking directly [member="Shaydae Desmaris"] (I already spoke to her through PM's, she's alright with the dragon moving further away from HK's current location closer towards the trenches to fight her)
Allegiances: GA, other Mechanical Dragons, Wyvern and Squid Drones, and HK
Enemies: Shaydae, combat storyline with her, those in the area would be able to witness the engagement, [member="Kyrel Ren"], [member="TK-4261 Strain"], [member="Pharazon Draken"] (Sorry for not waiting for your post about reaction to the strafing run, I wanted to get the post up before I went to sleep and work in the morning, otherwise it would have been another 24 hours before I could post to Shaydae)
The large metal beast spread its stabilizator wings, angling them as its body turned vertical in the air, rotating sideways to circle back around towards the trenches and the base nearby. Its metal body jerked suddenly as a barrage of homing plasma missiles erupted out from the units on the ground, shots from PLX launchers aimed to take down the winged beast. It yanked to the side, wings folding and tugging close to its body, causing the droid to turn suddenly, one missile missing it narrowly as it spun around, other projectiles coming in behind the droid. It would be quickly apparent that although far more scarce than the mass produced swarms of Wyvern drones, these dragon droids were not as simple as their more serpentine lighter counterparts. They were heavily armored and armed cunning creatures, inhabitants of one of the worlds so close to the fringe of FO space, staying out of the wars of organics until very recently.
The dragon's body hissed and coughed as from its belly a cloud of chaff suddenly erupted, shot from a build-in launcher towards the other missiles that were now chasing after the droid. The chaff did its work, causing some of the missiles to spin off wildly and fly off their course, losing track of their target, others erupted from the interference of the anti-missile field, exploding outward and catching other projectiles in its path.
However that would not be the end of the dragon's troubles as it turned back towards the outpost and the trench lines, its rotary cannons coming to life once more as they rotated and threw a barrage of hypervelocity pellets into the trenches before they would be possibly buried underneath the avalanche and into the backs of retreating stormtroopers as it gave out a screeching hissing roar, opening its maw wildly as fire poured out from it, spewing forth burning sticky napalm in a long stream like a forked tongue of flames to cover the retreating soldiers in the incendiary solution.
More missiles were fired at it as the dragon passed even closer to the FO lines and position, it would come so close by Shaydae that before she fired her missile she may have felt the whip of wind from beneath its wings hit her face, this time the beast did not had as much time to react as the missiles erupted around it, clashing into the cover of its deflector shields, its body being yanked and rocked in the air from the impact, yet the droid spun to stabilize itself and evened out its flight, seemingly unharmed although the flickering energy bubble of its combat shield disappearing told a different story.
Its wings spread once more and the draconic machine was about to turn in the skies for another pass at the retreating FO infantry when Shaydae's missile finally caught up to it, finding its mark like the other projectiles that took its deflector shield down. There was an explosion from the dragon's chest where the missile struck it, black smoke cascading from it over the FO positions, raining down shards of Duranium shrapnel and black blood-like oil that mixed with the chaos of battle and the snow beneath it. In its flight the dragon was able to notice the missile's path with its glowing red eyes, and the person who fired it, a lone shooter that was now climbing from the makeshift walker pillbox to move out towards the Ion Cannons, or at least he didn't knew where she was moving out to but the direction. The droid tracked her from up above, hungry for vengeance.
After her transmission to the 53rd Shaydae would be able to hear another screech from the dragon, as well as the scream of its jet engines and the movement of wings through the air. However this time they were growing closer and louder much more quickly. When she would look into the direction of the noise, she would find the droid still active, and heading literally right for her, the red glowing predator eyes trained upon her much smaller figure, large metal maw opening wide, almost unhinging as it bore fangs like Duranium swords aimed at her. Although the droid could have thrown another barrage of hypervelocity pellets towards her, or unloaded his payload of proton bombs and torpedos, it decided to settle for a more brute approach, to try and make example out of her by mincing her alive with its fangs.
With each second the dragon droid moved closer towards her in a direct path, careless if he would crash into the ground, a tank, or even allies afterwards, all that mattered was killing whoever damaged his draconic vessel body. However in the approach Shaydae would be able to notice another thing, from the dragon's chest there would protrude a glow, a vibrant colorful illumination that peeked out from a cavity of twisted and melted metal, an opening created by her previous missile. She was looking at the droid's Sourcefyre energy crystal heart, path to it opened after the dragon's armor, body, and the crystal's casing were damaged and torn open.
But Shaydae realize what she was looking at swiftly enough and would she be quick enough on her feet to take advantage of the opportunity?
It was with continued work that I ran through the trenches to get closer towards the tanks and various artillery that were firing upon us. My intent was to quite literally, grab the bull by the horns. I was prepared to suffer a lot of pain to see this through. I was prepared to almost give my life for stopping this. The reason why I couldn't say it completely, is because I needed to see my mother. I fought for her. To potentially find out who she is, and why she left. To discover more of my past. I could hear on the com systems that there was various fighting left and right of places that were needed. Even hearing my mentor Kyrel being called to the Ion Canon. As my call came up for aid in cover fire, That's what I got.
It was about to get even better.
As an avalanche was tumbling down the mountains, and literally creating a snowball effect, It started to roll over everywhere. Filling various portions of the trenches, and even headed over to the Galactic Alliance side. However, the problem for them, is that for them to move their tanks closer, they would have to move over unpacked snow. Snow that would allow a fething heavy tank to sink. Even if it has repulsor systems, Tanks were never that far off the ground because of how heavy they were.
It would be like driving down the road that was filled with potholes, and sinkholes without trying to fall into them. Which was fine by me, but what got be ready, was that with the tanks being respectfully limited in their transportation methods, It would be much easier for me to get close to them. but for me to do that, I needed to get out of the trenches and to them as fast as I could. What was nice, are the boots that I had received, and wore with me. While it was part of my armor, they were going to be well used as I ran from the cascading snow.
I ran as the devil upon my heels. Using the sides of the trenches like running walls, and springing back and forth from side to side when necessary and even rolling to reduce the impact upon the ground. Only to launch myself into the air at the lip of the trench to stand on top of the trenches themselves. Yes, I was in full view of the tanks. Yes, I was a prime target. But so was all the other Armored vehicles that were still here fighting against the rest of the tanks.
They were more of a priority than I was, and my size would allow me to slide, and dodge my way past this. I was thanking my gym teachers in schooling for teaching me dodge ball, and for my father who taught me the Ataru fighting style. One that has very high mobility and aided in my literal dodging of rounds fired at me. Aided with the humming cyan bladed lightsaber in my hands to deflect any of the smaller blaster bolts if I was able to reliably do so.
I needed some cover while I did my work. Taking a very brief moment to shut the lightsaber off, I used my telekinesis abilities to take an upside down dome of snow, and toss it into the air. Large enough for me to stand in. After hopping in, I pushed my senses of the force out to the closest tank. Breathing in, and out. Focusing, I used my abilities over technology to find the command switches within the tanks. Searching for anything and everything useful. Once I got it, I smiled brighter than the sun.
Taking command of that singular tank, I turned its main canon around. Facing it towards its friendly, buddy, and comrades. I could see within my eyes as though it were my own vision, the redical of the aiming systems. And pulled the command code to fire. I could hear the blast loudly as it fired time and time again after it's friendly tanks. It was aiming to shut down their entire tank platoon not by shutting it down, but by destroying itself from the inside.
By now the Clone managed to get up on his four and awkwardly crawled. He would sometimes lose his balance, coordination, and rhythm which would cause him to stumble in his tracks and lay flat on the floor before trying again.
What was he crawling for? Something to wear; anything to cover his body below his waist. At this current state that he was in, Canal wouldn't give a damn if he had to wear some lady's undergarments.
The door to the master bedroom opened and introduced Elliot to the soldier. When the SIS agent asked him what he was yelling about, the clone gave Locke the finger and then his body fell flat on the floor.
"Just throw me some underwear. I don't care who's it is."
Holding her left hand out slightly as the Jedi master rose, she watched Brennan from the corner of her eye. He was eager, his blade jumping to life as he stepped up beside her, an internal growl growing within the Knight. Any chance they might have had at securing information from the Master before this battle was waged was lost to his bloodlust and bravado. A flash of annoyance crossed her eyes, one side of her mouth twitching up into an amused smirk, a look shared with their violet-eyed opponent, almost, but not quite apologizing for her companion.
A low chuckle flowed around them as she inclined her head in acknowledgement of the woman’s words. The jab at her diminished aura was not missed, although the Knight did not let the internal turmoil it dredged up show on her face, a casual, relaxed smile never wavering.
”Agreed, although, I have survived far worse than a little cave in.”
Shrugging once, her thumb snapped to the guard on her saber, igniting the crimson plasma as their opponent activated her own. Red and purple threw the room into sharp contrast, the red overpowering the purple, contrasting colors clashing against the Durasteel floor and walls. Returning her salute, she dropped her blade to point at the floor, eyes roaming over the woman, an assessing glance hiding behind the flirtatious move.
She rather liked their opponent from their previous, albeit short, encounter, appreciating the witty repartee and easy jabs the women had exchanged in the depths of Mustafar. Having proven herself a worthy partner in the dance of duelists, her appearance set the blood thrumming in Ara’s veins in anticipation of another battle of wills and blades.
”Perhaps you can convince me to enlighten you.” The ren shot back, one eyebrow raised in welcoming challenge.
Taking a slow couple of steps to the right, she put distance between herself and the disciple, a non-subtle attempt to flank the woman. It was a calculated move, wondering whom the Jedi would target first. Out of the pair, who did she consider the bigger threat? The knight who felt greatly diminished within the force but was a known bladesman, or the unknown Disciple accompanying her?
Normally, the girl wouldn't hesitate in her attack, but she would not underestimate the woman in front of her, especially with the brunette at a such a dramatic disadvantage. No, for this battle, patience and caution were her allies and useful tools in her arsenal.
Location: Bespin, Hotel Suite Objective: Find Armor, Equipment Allies: [member="Elliot Locke"] | [member="Canal"] Enemies: Alcohol, Women, Hangovers
While Elliot went to go fish Canal out of his tank Jorg quietly began to look around the room. His lips were thin, his mouth felt dry, and the taste of vomit lingered on his tongue. His head ached but he managed to push through it, world spinning slightly as he moved around the room and began to look for anything that might have been left behind.
The Duffel bags that they had carried onto Bespin were seemingly entirely gone, their blasters, Rifles, and even their armor had been taken. Their wallets had also been stolen, though most everything in there had been fake. He frowned for a moment, seeing something draped over the edge of the couch. Quickly he scrambled over towards it, finding a pile full of clothes along with what appeared to be...A smile broke out on his face, though in truth it was the smallest of gestures the universe could have given him.
Slowly, with just his index and thumb he pulled out a repulse glove from under the pile of clothes.
The Soldier Inspected the device for a moment, noticing a slight...smile coming from it. He frowned for a moment, leaning in to give the device small sniff before quickly looking away and sighing. His head shook from side to side, but slowly he put the glove on.
It was better then nothing.
"We need to go!" He yelled at the others, walking over towards the kitchen. He began to look through cabinets, searching until finally he found it. Bactavil, headache pills. Jorg let out a sigh of relief and tipped the bottle back, pouring three or four pills into his mouth before throwing the bottle at Elliot.
Objective: Defend and fight
Allies: [member="Atham'aali'kema"] [member="Micah Talith"] (FYI)
Enemies: FO [member="Magnus Ren"] [member="Aralu Sar"]
Location: Anoat Space Station
"We will need to be lighter, faster," she whispered back to Maalik, without seeing him or knowing exactly where he was due to his suit. Myrtle ellipses remained on the Rens, however, attention fixed.
There. In that moment the masked-ren stood in front on his companion. He protected him. People were messy and complicated and the healer wondered if there was more to this Ren than his murdering and taunting
surface. How many layers of that were already built up? How deep would she have to go to uncover something with more depth? How different was he than how Maalik had once been, slaying Jedi not too long ago and serving the Vong.
The Mirialan healer wanted to believe there was more.
A wave hit her then, she stumbled back a few steps before she was able to use the force to slow her momentum and steady herself. Hip bumped lightly into Maalik. If she hadn't used the force, she probably would've body-slammed into him or into the farther wall. The bottom of her cortosis-staff scraped against the floor as her weight tipped back to her toes and she launched off to meet the masked Ren head-to-head. The force gave her strength and speed, pumping through her body to make her muscles perform at a preternatural level.
Staff came up to block a potential blow from his saber, and the plasma end went straight into a jab for his armpit. There as a gap in armor there. Keen-eyes the color of jungles had seen it on his form.
"You know nothing about me," she breathed, teeth gritting, tattooed-cheeks set into a grimace. "Have you chosen your path or was it chosen for you?"
