The Alderaan Offensive [TSE vs. FWC]

[Matsu Xiangu]

LOCATION: Juran Region - Juranno
OBJECTIVE: Begin movements from all fronts, combat defensive forces.
ALLIES: [member="Six-O"] | [member="Imogen Daniels"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Farah"] | [member="Lok Munin"] | [member="Idris Voahan"]
ENEMIES: [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Aela Talith"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

By now, the roar of machinery on the brink of mobilization was close to deafening. No longer was it simply the vicious venting of heat from howitzer tanks blasting in to the air, but the ear-splitting creak of massive Sith walkers. To stand among them was to feel constant, heart-stopping vibration from the sheer mass of moving parts and the wall of sound they pumped out. Even to those men and women who frequented such theatres, the multi-pitched thunder of these machines made nerve-endings itch.

To Kronos however, it was just the sound of a good time to be had.
By now he was nestled deep within an AT-HAW, waiting for the signal to move out. The seat shook underneath him, a well-built construction still shuddering with force as moving parts smashed and rolled and pushed. In his concentrated haze he imagined he might even be a part of it.
The signal came in.

“Still right on time boys, let’s roll!” he shouted, pinching open yet another bag of blood against the side of his wide, toothy mouth. Usually he might mete out the portions he’d brought but this moment called for a second helping. After all, one needed to keep their muscles fed after an hour of shelling a city - as a pan-galactic bodybuilder, he knew that. The contents of the bag that didn’t fall down his gullet coursed over the white underside of his neck and soaked the front of his suit, stark tributaries meeting and parting on roiling flesh. “I’m so KARKIN’ jacked!” he growled as he did a quick flex on the AT-HAW’s first step, admiring his musculature.

_____________​

The shelling of the city had, of course, drowned out the thunderous sounds of the machinery responsible for the assault. But eventually the artillery stopped falling and for at least a moment there was an eerie, perfectly still silence as those who’d survived counted their limbs. Somewhere in a skyscraper that had remained standing, the man covered in red-mist loosened his protective grip on his wife where they huddled in the refresher, all the glass in their apartment shattered from the sheer concussive force of the barrage outside but they themselves somehow alive.

Strangers pulled each other from rubble, made tourniquets for wounds, carried one another to a relatively safer spot in the few minutes of quiet.

But then the unmistakable sound echoed across the distance. Creak-smash, creak-smash, creak-smash - the massive weight of the moving walkers couldn’t be felt yet, but the sound alone renewed the movements of those Alderaanis with a job to do. Those up high enough and those close to the edge of the city facing the valley’s fields had an excellent view of the line of machinery descending from the battery, and a collective bout of terror fled through them.

Until…

The scream of bombers soaring over the city renewed their faith. They remembered who they were - a people from a long line of fighters against, quite simply, evil. Revolutionaries. As the roar of sound caught up with the speed of the bombers now flying at top speed towards the approaching force, as the bright blades of Jedi started to glow among the city streets, the people of Juranno found their spirit to fight.

_____________​

From their position of observation, Matsu and Six could see the force move from the battery towards the city. A relatively clear space ahead of them, this force of 15 AT-HAW’s, 5 AT-PAT’s, and 10 of the 40 211’s would serve to draw fire but more importantly, would attempt to decimate anything that turned on the Sith infantry in its approach across open ground.

The bombers screeching out from over the city came in to view just as the assault was mobilized - a small offensive force of five considering the fact that they’d had to coordinate so quickly but enough to begin bringing the fight to the Sith.

From the infantry position the bombs that fell out of the delivering ships were round, black specks cascading through the air. Where they landed, the earth erupted in massive orange-red-brown blooms of thrown soil. One of the AT-PATS teetered and slammed in to an AT-HAW at its side, fuel igniting within both machines and spitting a gargantuan fireball in to the sky. A second AT-HAW was destroyed, hit precisely by falling bombs and exploding outwards, shrapnel skittering alongside adjacent machines like rain.

By now however, the AT-PAT’s had managed to bring the bombers in to the sights of their back-mounted heavy turbolasers. Bright streaks of sizzling light shot through the dark of early morning, one-two, one-two, one-two. Wings clipped, portviews destroyed, hulls ripped open, three of the Alderaan bombers were shot out of the sky to bury their noses in the ground.

What remained, the bulk of the assaulting force, moved on. And in moments it would be time for the infantry to follow. Lined perfectly - firefighters in front, an advance, and the main assault force now on the very brink of controlled frenzy as things got underway.

Another minute more, enough to bring the tension to a screaming boil and the armor just that much further out in to the field, and Matsu’s signal was thrown down the line - time to move.

 

[Salara Zambrano]

ALDERAAN​

---

​

---

HIM Castillo, Castellan-type​

En Route to Alderaan​

Objective; Lend Assistance to [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

The Castillo was surrounded by the azure hue of hyperspace, by now her husband's campaign against the Free World Coalition was well underway. Empress Salara Zambrano had been given the word of Alderaan's progress, surrender or annihilation. A malicious smirk crept upon her features. The Epicanthix noble would ensure that one of these would be met. "Knight-Commander Ixard." She summoned, the Knight-Commander of her Talonguard. The towering man moved with haste, his armor gave him away long before he reached her. The Talonguard were made of the men who would have perished, men she took and turned into the Talonguard so that they might continue to serve their emperor. These were pure Epicanthix soldiers from Panatha, holdovers from her husband's reign. The sigil of the talon over the blood droplet glistened in the dim light of the Castillo's bridge, he barely fit over the walkway.

"My Empress, what is your will?"

"Prepare your legion Knight-Commander," she began, Salara turned to meet his gaze, "[member="Darth Prazutis"] has called for surrender or annihilation, and we shall ensure that one of these is met."

Knight-Commander Ixard placed a hand over his heart, "your will is my command." He bowed his head with respect and waited for his dismissal.

Salara sent the Knight-Commander on his way and turned back to face the viewport. Her communications officers reported, "the conflict on Alderaan continues to go well, we are receiving coordinates for drops, your majesty."

"Beautiful, now send word to Darth Carnifex's personnel inform him that we shall be joining him shortly."

"Of course."

The star defender continued its swift march through the stars to ensure the fatal blow against Alderaan and its kin.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Xin Boa"] | Gear : Rebel Corusca Ring - AE-AS3 Armor - VT Bolt Blaster - VT LRS Rifle | Coming For : [member="Adrian Vandiir"]



After rummaging through previous hidey-holes and crates on the Dahlia, Delila had managed to find a little array of treasures she had left aboard the vessel during her time in ORC space. Most of the technology was old and second hand (beyond the weird, bodyglove type armor underneath her clothes) but was in decent enough working order. Taking her seat in the co-pilots chair, Skreech sat perched behind her shoulder, staring at the mass of vessels in the system.


Disapproving look did head in the Nautolan's direction at the mention of himself and Skreech staying closer. There was a shift in her seat, making a face as she was trying to get used to the too-tight armor. Although if it wasnt tight, wouldn't do its job properly.


"You expect me to agree to putting you and Skreech in danger?" Eyebrow raised, taking in the vessels in front of them. When the Dahlia was in cloaking mode, one was flying blind. Arguing when one was trying to concentrate on not burning them alive in the atmosphere. "What if something happens to you, hm?"

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​Into the city they went.

The damage done to the city wasn't truly evident until he breached the torn lines and made it into New Aldera. Rubble and fires were everywhere with entire blocks turned into blasted ruins as a result of the massive artillery barrage on Alderaan's seat of government. The path he took should've taken them down a major highway according to the blueprints of New Aldera and the map on his HUD, but it couldn't show the full extent of the damage. The highway was turned into a cratered valley, debris and the hulks of ruined vehicles and fortified positions were thrown up on either side. There were bodies everywhere one looked around the streets, scattered forms of dirt covered people moving in scattered groups frantically through the city, dropping out of one building to jump into another or behind some sort of cover as the thundering army came through.

It looked less like a city and more like a post apocalyptic wreck.

The security forces of New Aldera had realized early enough that there was no way they were going to hold the entire city, the forces stacked against them were overwhelming. They were forced to issue a full retreat deeper into the city amidst one of the largest artillery barrages in Alderaan's history while getting civilians as far away as possible. They only had so much time and those who remained? It was too late now. The Jen'Lazea converged from all sides the legion's warbands split the city right into pieces and each moved towards a sector. He could hear the monsters behind them, far behind the roaring Blackblade transports he led through the streets.

When [member="Darth Carnifex"] stepped off back a ways the leader of this particular Blackblade force took his place one Major Tiamat. The Dragon held a blaster down by her side while she issued orders to the battalion behind them, preparation for the assault of the palace. She finally turned towards her silent master and spoke "Your excellency we've received word. [member="Salara Zambrano"] and her talonguard have entered the system. She's expected to make landfall shortly."

What Salara Zambrano didn't know was that Kaine wasn't with his retinue, he departed to handle the nuisance that was [member="Rai Seren"]. The whelp wouldn't take long to handle and his nephew would be back before long "Inform Salara to rendezvous with us and notify her that Kaine will be along shortly, he's dealing with an...annoyance." ​He said to the Major turning back towards the road ahead.

Far in the distance his map showed a series of red barricades blocking across multiple streets, an update from the armada's scanners feeding information into his HUD. The enemy pulled their forces back to more defensible points deeper into the vital organs of the city, the deeper the horde went the more sounds of fighting raged around them as the Jen'Lazea fell towards these new lines like a tide. But he could see the fortified zone from here in the distance with great concrete barricades lining the street, dug in pillboxes lining either end. There were only a few pieces of enemy armor present, limited resources were forced to spread across the entire line to stem the tide of the enemy.

This was precisely the reason why the combat assault tanks were pulled to the front of the moving column, positioned just behind the Sith Lord and his retinue. As they came closer to the lines closest to the palace blasts erupted from the cannons of their tanks as lasers of green and red crossed from either side in the air. It started small at first with the enemy security forces trading fire at longer distances with the app​roaching column, but quickly escalated. He activated the internal components of his armors magcoils without even lifting a finger, the major taking one step backward once he ignited his lightsaber and pointed forward towards the line. All through the force of chariots the Crownguard ignited lightsabers of crimson those without magcoils resorted to deflecting blaster shots away, while the Shadow Hand only did so when it came to trace shots that went wide.

It was for the Major's protection while aimed in and returned fire with the infantry. They were going right into the thick of the fighting now weaving through explosions as the enemy armor began trading firing with the CAT's. "Take control" He ordered the Major as they sped up coming closer, and closer to the enemy, the firing becoming more intense as the lone chariot of the Zambrano Titan moved further ahead of even his own Crownguard. He crouched down low and launched himself through the air. They managed to get a close distance to the battle line. This particular point was closest to the royal palace, from here they could make the rest of the distance on foot.

​As soon as he landed he reached out with the force to snare a fired rocket out of the air, with a pull he sent it hurtling into an enemy gun emplacement sending the entire position up in an orange plume. The force flowed through his body enhancing his speed and reflexes, carrying him right into the enemy line of determined warriors. Prazutis unleashed a ferocious flurry of strikes with his lightsaber carving his enemy to pieces. He wielded the blade in one hand and used his other to deliver more tactical app​lications of the force at distant enemies, a blast of lightning to char broil a distant target, a blast of telekinetic energy to pull a retreating target closer or launch one away.

All around him the twenty crownguard converged, widening the breach made by their master and carving into the line, while the Blackblades began to emerge from their transports and open fire at the enemy.

It was glorious.

 

[Mariel Dawnrider]

Location: Juranno, Juran Region, Alderaan
Objective: Seriously? This again?
Allies: [member="Alden Belmont"], FWC
Enemies: The mother-karking-sith-again, [member="Six-O"] [member="Matsu Xiangu"] [member="Vaylin"] [member="Imogen Daniels"] [member="Farah"] [member="Lok Munin"] [member="Enyo Typhos"]
Gear: HA, Blaster Pistol, HAHAohgods

His lightsaber was next to her, and she grabbed it, not knowing it was certainly the thing he was looking for but knowing it would definitely be something he wouldn't be leaving the room without....

After all, it was why he'd left Dellalt to begin with, right?

Fingers curled around it for a moment before holding it out to him. The ringing was starting to fade, making it possible to hear each other, but everything was still muffled.

"Gotta move, now." There was a weight, she knew it.

Each helping the other, they managed to get out of the room before another shell hit too close, the force of the explosion shattering the room's exterior wall and flinging them against the opposite wall of the hallway. Harper hit hard with her shoulder, arms going up to cover her face as hot shrapnel rained around them. Wincing and hissing, she shifted, pounding on the door next to them.

"MOVE LET'S GO!"

Up and down the hallway, ducking down each time a new explosion sounded, not knowing if it would be the last- a direct hit on the hotel. More than one of the rooms on the exterior side of the building had been blown out completely, and Harper didn't take too much time to look, to really see if someone had been in them or not. Just long enough to feel if there was still pain, still someone to pull out-

There wasn't.

A dozen people, all Dellalt refugees, all who knew the pair already from the debacle there, gathered up.

"Head down," Harper told them. "Get to the basement."

Without knowing what local plans were already in place for the populace, she didn't know what else to do, to offer. With the shelling in the streets they couldn't send them out there. But staying here might cost them more than their lives, depending on who it was attacking them. Harper wasn't a military sort- she grew up on a farm- but the list of potentials with this sort of firepower was small.

Harper and Alden brought up the rear, ushering, hurrying. On the ground floor however, Harper paused, freezing in the middle of the hallway.

Silence. Not just near the hotel, but everywhere.

The shelling had stopped.

Which meant it was all about to get so, so much worse.

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Kor Vexen"]​

New Alderaa​

​

Kei stormed into the command centre.

The guard were everywhere, preparing to fight to defend the city. The guard wondered around, gripping ammo containers and basic first aid kits and new suits of armour. They studied screens, deciding on the best positions and the best place to set up landmines to take out the oncoming storm. They were deciding on code words, the best place to make shots from and the best place to hide from the oncoming blaster fire that would be raining down upon them.

Kei stood tall, sliding the helmet of the armour onto his head. The commander of his forces joined him, silent. Kei studied a map for a few moments, eyes locked on specific locations. John William Lyson looked across to his leader, hands clasped behind his back. Kei stroked his finger across the map, pointing towards the palace. It was guarded, but it wouldn't be able to hold off against a full scale assault.

"We have recieved wor.."

Kei silenced the man with a single hand gesture. He normally needed the man to advise him, but now was not one of those moments. He didn't look up from the map, instead just breathing in deep. He exhaled, looking up the armada of ships floating above them. Landing ships were flying down towards them, each ship carrying so many men. The anti air guns wouldn't be able to hold them off for much longer, wouldn't have the ammo.

"How many men to we have fit to battle"

He knew the answer from the look on the man's face. He didn't even need to hear the answer. They were low on numbers, eight hundred odd combat ready. The civilians were fighting back but not even they provided the numbers required to hold off The Sith Empire forces for long enough. The numbers they had available wouldn't be able to hold off the invading forces for long enough, enough time for backup and reinforcements to arrive.

"Contact the palace guard. Take command of the cities forces. You are to lead the defence of the city yourself under my authority. I want a detachment of men ready to fight, ready to leave. I will co-ordinate the defense of the city gates myself"

Kei pointed at the main gate. The Sith Empire forces, lead by [member="Kor Vexen"] were marching towards it with haste. Kei would hold them off for as long as he could, the army fighting around him. John would know exactly how to coordinate a defense of the main city, falling back to the palace to provide ample cover and ample protection to the surviving and battle ready soldiers. Those who couldn't fight would fall back to safety.

"We have recieved word that a Sith Lord by the name of Darth Prazutis has arrived"

It was a name that Kei knew. Or more, a name that the armour knew. Raien Keth had met the man before, the memory sticking with him and therefore with the armour and Kei. That was a feature of the armour that Kei was still getting used to. Kei knew the name however, a feared Sith Lord who was respected amugst the One Sith and now appeared moreso amungst The Sith Empire. He was leading forces against the palace.

"Fall back to the palace. Take command. I will handle the gate"

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Alderaan Atmosphere - Crashing in Juranno
Allies: FWC | [member="Aela Talith"]
ALLIES: TSE | [member="Matsu Xiangu"], Vaylin, Six-O, Farah, Lok Munin, Idris Voahan

Trextan hadn’t been in a shuttle crash before. He’d witness one, as the blastwave from Dredge’s death tossed a U-Wing about as if it were a paper plane on the breeze. Jacen had made no mention of crashing. None whatsoever. He ran his thumbs underneath his straps, checking they were properly fastened. One of the soldiers walked the length of the passenger compartment checking for loose items before they hit the atmosphere.

When the first laser cannon struck the deflectors the teenage Jedi went slightly pale. He didn't want to die this way. He didn't really want to die at all, but being vaporized in orbit whilst watching a patch of metal shuttle floor seemed a particularly undignified way to return to the Force. Years in the Sith academy on coruscant had instilled a sense of pride that was difficult to entirely suppress. If there was to be a challenge he wanted to meet it face on with a weapon in his hand.

“We've lost the tail but we're coming in fast.”

Trextan wished he could see what was before the pilot. Even knowing what was out there would have improved his disposition whilst remaining equally helpless.

“IFF active, we have a window. Imperial armor is marching on the city,” the pilot added.
“Bad place for walkers, a city,” the soldier next to Trextan said. He was an experienced NCO, used to seeing young men Trextan's age finding their feet in battle. “The outer regions of the city will be a death trap if they don't bring IFVs up with them and control the skies. Trust me.”

“Heading down for the outskirts. Repulsors damaged but we have dampeners. This will be rough.”

It was an odd sensation, feeling the vehicle skid into the ground at speed, but having the fatal collision reduced by the inertial dampening field. It was exactly the same technology that stopped an A-Wing pilot becoming a pancake every time they hit full thrust. As they ground to a halt Trextan checked his person for damage. His focus turned inwards briefly, assessing his own state through the Force.

He was ready.

The soldiers moved swiftly out through the exit, checking the angles despite this still being held by loyal forces. They had weathered a great deal on this world. Some sections still held life from the Yuuzhan Vong galaxy after the treatment of the One Sith and their legions. The buildings that still had fresh paint were in ruins. An entire wall of a building stripped away to lay bare the naked girders and levels. All good ambush spots for the marching imperials.

 

[Aela Talith]

Alderaan Atmosphere - Just Outside Juranno
Allies: FWC | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Ryan Korr"]
Enemies: [member="Six-O"] | [member="Imogen Daniels"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Lok Munin"] | [member="Farah"] | [member="Matsu Xiangu"] | TSE

Aela popped out of her seat with what could be mistaken for little less than excited enthusiasm. The straps across her chest were removed in an instant, one of her lightsabers was within her palm before she even stood up, and before any of the others reached the door Aela was already standing there. Her face was an odd mixture of excitement, determination, and stoic perseverance that all seemed to mix together into the perfect blend. The soldiers that moved with her glanced around, watching the ruins that lay around them.

The young Jedi Master had long ago grown used to war.

She had fought in countless battles over the years. The Core, Outer Rim, even the Tingel Arm campaigns had all been something she'd been a part of. Aela knew how to fight i cities, she knew how to fight in plains,a nd she certainly knew how to fight in the inbetween. Her face shifted as she looked around, glancing at the crashed shuttle for only a moment before she motioned towards the men that had fallen nearby. "You."

She pointed towards one one troopers.

"Head towards the city, Alert the guard and tell them to gather away from the south." That was where the ruins were, where the Sith would have to march through to actually reach the city of the rest. It meant that she and Trextan were directly in their path, but right now that wasn't the worst of everything.

"No direct confrontation." She frowned. 'Not until they see us engage them."

She and the others would hold the main Sith force here, at least for a while. "Trextan, get them set up throughout the ruins. No one shows themselves until I give the signal."

Their spot was perfect for an ambush, a small section of already destroyed urban environment. If the Sith wanted to reach the city proper they would have to traverse this section, and that meant it was perfect for a fight. Especially considering they had a few moments of wait.

 

[Rai Seren]

Well, that was odd. Something other than his saber or hand or the Force was pushing her blade away from his wrist. It had to be something he was doing, but whatever it was, it meant that she couldn't strike him in a traditional manner, which was not good. She ought to have called him a coward for hiding behind the gigantic mass of armor instead of fighting like a real wielder of the Force, but she didn't really have much time to do so. He had also parried her blade away, which kept her from attempting an immediate reprisal. This was followed up with a flurry of attack that kept her pressing backwards, which was fine. Giving ground was not defeat, it was tactical.

Then came the pushes. Her whole body, her knee, whatever he could target. Each time she rolled with it rather than resisting it. She'd been taught not to resist pressure, because resisting was what caused injury. Rolling with the momentum prevented it and would, in a battle of physical blows, often lead to the attacker over-extending. That was not the case in her battle with Kaine, but it did at least keep her from getting sliced in half or some other terrible thing. He was fast in his armor. Surprisingly so. She was fast too, though, and smaller which meant harder to target. She was also completely unencumbered by armor and able to maneuver herself around some of his strikes while parrying others. She never blocked them because she knew he was stronger than her, almost everyone was, and that would be suicidal.

Every giant has a weakness, though. His was, to her, the reliance on armor. It might now slow him down much, but his body was essentially encased in metal that could, if one knew how, be used against him. She did know how, but she had to wait for the opportune moment, and amidst the continuous assault of strikes she didn't have it. Every second her pike was parrying or she was dancing about to avoid a strike. Some of her hair was singed off and she had a few in her clothing that left skin visible to the naked eye, but otherwise she wasn't really harmed as of yet. She wasn't tired, either. The crystal in her blade helped her recover her energy even during combat, and made it so she could go longer than most.

"It's a good thing that I'm not a Jedi, then," she said in response to his words. "I'm not inhibited by the choice of sides."

She danced back and away from him, further up the hill even outside the reach of her weapon. Weapon combat was not her only skill. She had not only studied in the temple of Stav Kesh during her studies. Each individual was required to study in all before moving on as she had two years ago. She wasn't one dimensional, even if she was more suited combat with a weapon and enhancing her body with the Force. There were other things she could do. A good thing because she had no way of winning this fight without them.

Take the joints in his armor. Knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, and others were all essential movable parts, meaning that the armor was, by necessity, weakest in those locations. Undoubtedly his armor had accounted for that in some fashion, from what she could tell it was with a lighter, more durable material. That was fine, she didn't care what was on the outside anyway. She reached through the Force for what was inside of his armor at his left knee, intending on crushing the bone and ligaments there. It wouldn't stop him. It wouldn't even make him much less of a threat to her, because she knew he was too strong for that, but it might slow him just a little and that would benefit her in the long run.

And this was all about the long run.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Darth Prazutis"] [member="Salara Zambrano"]

 

[The Story Narrator]

The palace guards had dispersed into the city to help the citizens evacuate through the trains, speeders, and thranta that were available. Small transport ships landed outside of New Aldera to take on as many as it could carry and move them off to the valleys, jungle, desert, and mountains. Strongholds of many of the noble families became makeshift refugee centers.

The refugee center itself was overrun with casualties of war.

Captain Lindsey for all his efforts and those of his men had lost their battles in the streets before the palace they stood their ground when others couldn't. It gave the civilians the time they needed to escape. Word passed back and quickly to the families, no word was heard from Ana and the children. They had stayed loyal and true to the very end. They wouldn't leave Alderaan not again, not to see the Sith walk upon it once more and make claims of victory. The people sought to protect the symbol of their freedom, the hopes of their tomorrow.

There would be few traitors today to weedle favor from the Sith. Whatever they knocked down would be rebuilt. Whatever damage inflicted would become memory again.

Alderaani were more resilient than anyone could imagine. The amount of physical damage the sith forces inflicted upon their home only added to their resolve to survive.

 

[Saeva]

Location: Alderaan, outskirts of Jurrano
Objective: Bring about the destruction of Jurrano
Allies: TSE
Enemies: TSE haterz
Equipment: Standard armour | Standard lightsaber | Standard blaster pistol

Whatever happened around him and on other fronts had completely left his mind. All his focus was on deflecting those incoming shots. Not thinking, but feeling and acting. He couldn’t be sure if he had redirected some back, but with the amount of pressure the soldiers behind him was laying on he had a good feeling. That is to say until he found himself horizontal and level with the ground, light smoke rising from his left shoulder.

He had been shot clearly, but not much had registered. One moment he was pushing his limits as a human shield, the next he was ground. Two soldiers lept over the cover and crouched in front of him, laying down suppressing fire. Muffled shouts surrounded him but he could not make out the words. Someone was pulling him, however. Soon they were behind covers again.

A moment or so later, one of the soldiers was reaching for his helmet, likely wanted to confirm he was alright. Whatever made the moron think removing his helmet in the middle of a warzone was a good idea, however well situated behind cover he thought them to be, was beyond him. It was not for that reason, however, that Idris’ hand suddenly shot up in a iron clad grip of the man’s wrist. “No” the metallic voice uttered. That could not be allowed to happen. He had to remember why he was here, what was at stake. It was as if a fire in him sent jolts through his body, fuelled by the Dark Side and bringing him back into the present fully.

The armour had soaked up most of the damage, though the impact was all on Idris. That would likely leave a lasting mark. It created an exposed area on his armour, but aside from that he was good to go. He released the man’s wrist whose compassionate concern quickly turned to deep concern. It wasn’t the man’s fault, he was just trying to help. As if to remedy their awkward misunderstanding, Idris held his hand out which the soldier gripped after a moment’s pause, helping him to his feet.

Some greater force must’ve not wanted to see Idris on his feet, as just then he could make out the shouts coming from a squad ahead of them, warning “Incoming! Bombers!” Little time passed from that moment until that squad was eviscerated, Idris being tossed back down with the impact of the blast. Thankfully Idris was already practically level with the ground, whereas the soldier who had been holding his hand was violently flung further away. Shrapnels and a large piece of metal pierced his chest. Dead on impact.

Idris had been in the heart of it, but he had survived. This was not his day to die, not yet, not when so little had been accomplished. What remained of the squad he had been fighting with was scattered. But in the end, they weren’t his squad and not his concern. Making sure his lightsaber found back to his grip, Idris rose back up to his feet, protesting bones be damned.

From what he could make out from here, what remained of the resistance forces were pulling back towards the city, the bombers providing them with the cover they needed. Idris felt the impulse to charge on ahead after them. But that would be stupid. Instead he set off on a light jog towards one of those walkers, linking up with whatever ground forces fell in behind it.

 

[AMCO]

Location: New Aldera
Objective: Survive the battle and "liberate" relics. If possible steal a statue.
Allies: TSE and Friends (Command: 6 + 11 Legionnaires)
Enemies: A bunch of pacifists (Don't look at me like that, I'm just doing my job.) and [member="Delila Castillon"]
Gear: Vibrorapier, Particle Beam Pistol, a pair of shock collars, and a concerning amount of thermal detonators.

Teams of legionnaires traded fire with the few defenders that remained in the area, holed up amongst the rubble. It finally made sense to him why they were still holding this area, they must still be defending the tunnel, hoping to rescue as many civilians as possible. The artillery barrage had moved further inwards shortly before his landing, but now it ceased there too. The silence was deafening as both sides stopped firing, perhaps uncertain about what would come next. "Surrender or Annihilation." They all heard it. They all knew what it meant. The Shadow Hand had given the word, and the city would fall.

Ceasing the initiative, Adrian unleashed a telekinetic blast at one of the few remaining enemy positions, throwing them from cover while the well-disciplined Legionnaires laid down covering fire and took out the exposed defenders. While he had kept them busy, the more experienced officers had ordered a flanking manoeuvre, which was successful at eliminating the last traces of resistance. Of the thirty legionnaires that had emerged from the transport, seven were incapacitated, two of which were fatalities. With the commanding officer of the small force being amongst the heavily wounded, Adrian assumed command, ordering three troopers to stay behind and keep the wounded alive until they could be evacuated. After notifying Command of all essential developments, the Acolyte rounded up the rest of the legionnaires and made his way towards the location of the smuggler's tunnel through the shattered cityscape.

Boots trudging through dirt, rubble, and the occasional pool of blood and gore, they marched until they were two blocks away from the supposed entrance, before being called to a halt. Taking the four most stealth capable troopers with him, Adrian ordered the rest to split into two groups and surround the structure from a distance so as to be ready to provide fire support if necessary. Leading the small team through the nearby ruins, the Acolyte stretched his force-enhanced senses to their limits, traversing the once beautiful hellscape until he detected a sentry up ahead. Proceeding alone, he snuck up to the lone guardsman, using telekinesis to push over some rubble in the distance to distract him, then grasping his head from behind and violently invading his mind. His amateurish attempt at Drain Knowledge garnered him some distorted information on enemy positions and a bunch of garbled memories of happier days gone by, but left the victim a comatose wreck, at least until the Acolyte thrust his vibrorapier through the prone guardsman's heart, ending his life instantly.

After eliminating two other sentries the way was clear and the order was given for both groups to converge on the structure supposedly containing the tunnel. Firing at the heavily damaged walls, the group's four heavy weapons specialists laid down suppressive fire with SIF-71 LMGs, particle beam bolts blasting holes in the walls of the residence and ripping through the defenders within. The volley finished as quickly as it had started, but there was no respite for the remaining troopers, as Adrian flung a lightning bolt through the cloud of dust billowing forth from the destruction, sending one of the defenders flying as his legionnaires, right on cue, stormed the building and drove the butts of their rifles into the remaining Alderaanians, sending them to the ground with brutal efficiency.

He had managed to secure four mostly intact prisoners. Not bad. Not bad at all. Four of his legionnaires grabbed a prisoner each, pulling out their sidearm and using the shell-shocked prisoners as human shields. The hostages and their handlers leading the way into the basement, he followed closely behind, with the rest of his force taking up the rear and holding the perimeter. He didn't know what he had expected to find; perhaps more "soldiers", if you could even call the conscripted law enforcement that had made up most of the resistance so far soldiers. He certainly hadn't expected to find a large chamber crammed full of frightened civilians and the few wounded defenders that had survived the ruthless onslaught of the Sith forces. Suddenly unsure of himself, even the battle-hardened troopers apparently felt the same way, as they looked at each other and to him, probably hoping that the young Sith wouldn't order them to open fire at the unarmed men, women, and children. Thinking quickly, the Acolyte stepped forward. "The Shadow Hand demands surrender or annihilation and his word is law." With the last part, he looked pointedly at an exhausted-looking medic, deciding that she might as well be in charge. Shaking head in exasperation at the stunned-looking civilian, he continued. "Well..." Finally overcoming the shock, she looked at the many scared looking non-combatants around her, then finally spoke, her voice strained. "We would... like to surrender. Unconditionally." Flashing her a cheerful smile, he had the hostages dumped amongst the wounded. "Excellent choice! You three! Stay here and guard the prisoners. The rest of you, with me to the tunnel."

The tunnel which would lead them to the city centre had apparently partly collapsed during the latter stages of the bombardment, but the people trapped on the wrong end had made good progress excavating it, but not good enough to save the unfortunate ones that had been in the section of tunnel that collapsed. Ordering his men to get to work in the tunnel, he assisted by using his telekinesis to get large rocks out of the way and keep the tunnel from collapsing again. As the legionnaires excavated the tunnel, he was left alone with his thoughts for the first time in quite a while. Hearing the weeping from the room behind them as those within mourned the deaths of those who had been their friends and neighbours, their sons and daughters, their fathers and mothers, all at the hands of him and his men, he was left with a distinct feeling of discomfort that even his usual coping mechanisms were unable to fully suppress.

 

[Vaylin]

Location: Alderaan - Juran Region | Jurrano Mountains
Objective: Assist Sebestev & Neda - Move into the City
Allies: [member="Six-O"] | [member="Matsu Xiangu"] | [member="Imogen Daniels"] | [member="Lok Munin"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Farah"] | [member="Idris Voahan"] | Followers of Dust | TSE
Enemies: [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Aela Talith"] | FWC
Equipment: Sith Lightsaber x2 | Shoto Lightsaber x1 | Armour | Oculus | Firestarter |

It was all music to Vaylin's ears, mixed with the chaotic destruction of Jurrano, the dogfighting of fighters and the sheer brutality of war hidden within the cold mist all around her. Every step she took, was either over a frozen body or across red stained snow. There was no efficiency in the the forces that had been deployed, just carnage. Still beating bodies were left in the snow, one attempting to grab ahold of Vaylin as she passed by. The poor sod was greeted with fire, their screams echoing out as the flames blasted away the cold. Like a moment's snapshot, revealing the Valkyrie before the cold's embrace cloaked it once more.

The Dustbringers were close behind, their armour aiding in their movements - able to see clear enough through the blizzard. They trailed behind Vaylin, who was using the activity of the Firestarter to keep herself warm. Any Alderaani soldier they crossed that was still breathing, wasn't for very much longer. Sebestev and Neda's forces were tended to, wherever possible at least. But for the most part they pushed forwards, catching up with what remained of the Sith Forces and aided in their attack against the remnants of the 9th Combat Brigade; the 'Bleedin' Manks. To their credit, they never faltered as their combined forces fell upon the Alderaani soldiers. Unfortunately a group of them had never faced the ferocity of a Sith.
Vaylin leaped towards the small squad, saber plunging through the chest of one before roaring out with fire, swinging it around like a flamethrower. Those that survived backed off, giving the Zabrak room to move. From afar it looked like was a red streak swinging through the storm. Carving through the cold as the blade fell upon any enemy that fell within Vaylin's reach.

Then it grew quiet, eerily so was the last dredges of combat died away. And just like that the raging storm took over, roaring across the terrain like a howling beast. If one listened closely, they could hear the cries of the wounded, both Sith and Alderaani, though the latter was soon to be snuffed out.

"Commander!" The Zabrak turned towards the Dustbringer calling for her, a total of free with near a pool of water - dragging someone out of the freezing water; Sebestev. In the storm there was no easy way to discern which side he was on, but the lack of any Alderaan symbols hinted to whom he belonged too. Vaylin summoned fire into her hand, warping it carefully and blowing down across Sebestev's body. His shivering and shaky breathing would soon even out, fire casting around him in a warm embrace.

The Sith's forces in the mountains had managed to squash the 9th Combat Brigade, but had suffered heavy losses. A breather would be needed, to regather themselves before setting forth onto the city proper.

"Once he's stable, have him gather what is left of his forces." Vaylin ordered the Dustbringers to remain by Sebestev's side, while the Valkyrie moved forwards were another was crouched by the mountain's edge. It was small clearing where the storm had lessened, slipping down over the edge where a steep path winded down towards Jurrano's Northern Wall. "Status?"

"The main force has mobilised for their march on the city. We're on the opposite side, so their attention is almost entirely focused on them." The Dustbringer handed the electrobinoculars over to the Zabrak. She peered through them, scoping out Jurrano, then up to the fighting the skies. Vaylin pulled her commlink out, patching in to the Crimson Valkyrie up in space.

"This is Commander Vaylin. Captain, deploy more fighters to hit Jurrano." It would take time for them to arrive, but more ships would poor from the hangars; this time accompanied by bombers and heavier craft.

There was an eerie silence as the artillery shelling grinded to a halt, leaving smoking rubble within Jurrano. If she listened carefully, Vaylin could just about hear the cries and yelling of the Alderaani within the city. But it was snapped away when the Zabrak turned to see their remaining forces gathering, and she spotted a familiar face amongst them.

"Neda Chazzak, somehow I'm not surprised to see you and the Iron Fist here today." Vaylin was familiar with the woman from the few times the Zabrak had fought alongside them. "I hope you're able to press on, we've still got a city to conquer." The remaining Dustbringers eventually returned, carrying the wounded with them where possible. Now was the time to address those that remained.

"The Alderaani Forces that greeted us here have been squashed, and now the city lays before us. As they lick their wounds, pull their wounded from the rubble, our forces will be marching upon the city in mass. But us, we have an opportunity to slip between the cracks." She looked at every single person that was present, staring straight into their eyes; or visors. "Feel the blood coursing through your veins, fueling the inferno of war that burns within you. Melt away the cold, and rain fury down upon our enemies."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

It was less thinking and more instinct, his body moving of its own accord while his mind plotted different stratagems that could garner him the edge in this conflict.

Jab.

Parry.

Riposte.

Block.

Retaliate.

Attack.

Kill.

Dark energy surged through his veins, darkness seeping from every corner of his being, radiating with power. That power was fed by emotions so strong, they seemed to almost pollute the Force around Carnifex. Rage poured out of him, and a malignant cruelty -- a lust to deform and destroy everything around him, to blot it out and erase it.

But they were not the only emotions the Dark Lord of the Sith fed upon.

Pain and fear were there, lying beneath the obscene hatred that made itself readily apparent. Pain of losing his son on Mandalore, and the fear of all of his triumphs being turned to ash. Years ago the Emperor had learned to utilize all of his emotions to his advantage, storing them away in his subconscious until they were ready to be used. Now he drew upon all of them, flooding every fiber of his being with their negative energy until he practically radiated darkness.

"Then you are nothing, indecisive and fleeting."

He swung his lightsaber upward in an arc that took the blade through the hardened earth beneath their feet, spraying dirt and stone upwards in a tumultuous fountain. At that very same moment, Carnifex felt a pressure building in his left knee, though not through physical sensation. He had long since lost the capacity to physically feel, his tactile sense having been sacrificed in return for his temporary immortality. However, his old master [member="Daxton Bane"] had taught him long ago the importance or wrapping your body in a cocoon of protective energies to stymy any attack delivered onto your person through the Force. It was what prevented most combatants from being outright choked by an opponent, or having their lightsaber ripped from their grasp before the battle could even begin.

Carnifex snarled, the sound more animalistic than Human, and strengthened the energy around his knee; pushing away the sixteen year old knight's grasp away as if he were physically pulling her hand away. Then, with casual barbarity, he extended his free hand and launched a full barrage of blood red lightning across their field of battle, the arcing energies snaking through the air like daggers on a direct trajectory to pierce and electrocute the upstart Seren heir.

[member="Rai Seren"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Salara Zambrano"]​

 

[Rai Seren]

Repulsed. She should have expected it, though it was always worth checking. Sometimes people that were overly full of themselves forgot to do the simplest of things because of their arrogance. Kaine wasn't like that, clearly. His strikes were fluid, almost rehearsed, but her responses were natural parties jabs that didn't do a whole lot but still provided brief reprieve from his own attacks. For her it was feeling him out. For him, given the amount of rage filled energy she felt from him, it was about killing her.

She expected no less.

Efforts were redoubled as she was repulsed. Fruitless though it was. She was going to have to make changes to her repertoire when next they did battle. She'd be ready for him then. She hadn't actually been seeking to fight him when she came to Alderaan. It was simply her last stop before she headed for home. When the opportunity presents itself, however, one should not forsake it. If nothing else she was learning about his tactics.

"Wrong," she said. "It means I will be stronger than you could ever be, because I have the full power of the Force, and you only have a part of it."

As soon as her eyes noted the red electricity splaying forth from his hands she released her pike, holding it in front of her with the Force and using it to catch the lightning for directing into the ground. A normal staff would have melted but the heat sink would protect it from that, and this in turn protected her from his attempt to turn her into a crispy version of herself. She wasn't ready to die. If she had a sibling alive she would find him, somehow.

Reaching out through the Force, directing via her other hand, she unleashed a wave of energy at Kaine. She wasn't without her own command of the Force, and she was still quite energetic despite their combat. Benefits of her saber crystal.She wasn't going to let him win easy, even though she was certain she couldn't achieve the victory she wanted. Not yet. But when this battle was over she would know what to be ready for in their next bout, and she'd be able to prepare for that time.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Darth Prazutis"] [member="Salara Zambrano"]

 

[Salara Zambrano]

ALDERAAN​

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Objective; New Primary; Coordinate with [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

Secondary; Aid [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

Salara received word to rendezvous with her kin. "Knight-Commander Ixard, with me."

HIM Castillo arrived in the Alderaan system to find itself joining the Sith offensive. The Empress watched for a moment as her ceremonial armor was taken down and proper combat armor placed on her body. Much of its aesthetic matched that of her husbands the difference was in the material. She wore lighter armor that gave her the ability to move easier than the heavy armor that Kaine often wore into battle. Her son, Alvarex a member of the Blackguard led a small contingent of men, "you are not going down alone, mother."

"So be it, when we reach the ground please ensure that your father is returned to us."

He bowed his head with respect and turned to bark orders at his men.

"And Alvarex."

The young man turned his head just over his shoulder to hear the next set of orders.

"Take your brother, Sarlow needs to feed."

Alvrex's nostrils flared and he was grateful that his mother could not see his facial features shift. His brother was a disgrace as far as he was concerned. The only good thing he did was to create that whelp on the throne and even, Alvarex would have her head just as well. "At once mother."

He marched from the bridge and went through a narrow corridor that met with it, down past his mother's personal chambers and meditation room. "It seems mother wishes you to be released from your kennel, brother."

"Shut yer trap and get me outta'ere, Rexie boy."

He kept his 'trap' shut and opened the door, "and let loose the dogs of war, mhmm?"

"Yer sass is noted."

"Heavens, you reek of whiskey."

Sarlow grabbed his hat and moved past his brother, "let me guess, she wants us to fetch the old man."

Once more the younger said nothing, rather he shut the door and followed the disgrace out to the bridge. Sarlow was led to the armory to change from his typical garb into his own armor, Solomon's Wolf. It enhanced his form and would keep him moving, Alvarex turned and allowed his brother to change. He watched as his mother departed the bridge with his sisters in tow the Prince kept his hand on his blade. "C'mon lets get this over with," Sarlow interjected.

"Indeed."

The Empress boarded her war barge, Knight-Commander Ixard and the primary company of the Talonguard were with him, the other companies poured into the other war barges. Together they departed the Castillo's hangar, like the old Iron Warriors of the Dark Ages as told by the historians of the Reach. Their descent through Alderaan's atmosphere wasn't without incident two of the barges were forced into early landings. "See to your men Knight-Commander, leave me your finest sergeant."

Sergeant Vethrus approached from the formation, he was bulkier than the Knight-Commander but smaller as far as Epicanthix were concerned. "Your majesty, I am Sergeant Vethrus my squad and I will be with you."

"Beautiful."

Wordlessly, the Sergeant took the point and led them from the war barge's landing through the now war-ravaged Alderaani landscape to meet with @Darth Prazutis. Almost immediately Salara recognized Major Tiamat. "Sergeant Vethrus, are you to take all day?" Teased Prince Alvarex as he gripped the body of a large wolf as it sprinted pass. "Perhaps it is your age!"

The Sergeant disregarded the Prince and kept his focus, the sound of his gun whistled promises of death.

Salara concentrated on the force and felt it move around her and she pulled on it, summoned it to her will and created a static barrier between her group and any would-be enemy. The twins, Mavrianna and Ephraazel used force push to keep the path clear until they reached their great-uncle's side.

Upon arrival, Salara moved to meet with Prazutis personally. "I've dispatched Alvarex and Sarlow to be ready for Darth Carnifex." She had no doubt that her husband could deal with the annoyance. Her sons would be there to make sure their father came back to their mother and lend him any aid he might require. Salara could feel Kaine, even now, and she knew that if he needed he could reach out to her. And she would be there to help him, for now she waited for her kin's word.

 

[Darth Bellum]

Kor Vexen​

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​

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New Alderaa | Location​

Akguza Guards /TSE Legion/| Company​

​

​

The waves of droids supported by walkers would approach the main gate to the city, the thunderous march being heard across the city as they came like a relentless horde of metal and death that rained fire upon any who stood in their way. But the droid forces with armor support seemed to be lacking something at the forefront, a leader to be spearheading the assault, and for good reason. The general assigned to the subjugation of Alderaan had no need to be at the forefront with the droids in assaulting the main gate as they were nothing more than a tool to whittle down the defender's numbers so that the main Legion that held on the outskirts of the city could advance with minimal casualties to their non-expendable personnel. Was it the most cost-efficient tactic? Probably not, but it was a tactic that could easily be replicated and prove effective without the need to recruit and enlist additional biological soldiers.

Vexen stood in the cold dark interior of the transport that was making its way to the city, but rather than land at the enemy's doorstep like they might have expected him to, he as well as a small detachment of men and droids had veered far off to the side of the city to approach it from a different flank. With the numbers superiority held by the Sith Empire, a majority of the defending commander's forces were likely being directed to the front line to prevent a complete breakthrough and collapse of their primary defensive lines. In the darkness, Vexen brooded over the circumstances of the invasion as he mulled over the details. After extensive artillery barrages and waves of droids assaulting the outer city limits, the enemy commander was performing rather admirably in the defense of the city.

The silence was interrupted by a series of beeps as Vexen raised his hand up to his chest, his palm flashing as a hologram of his Lieutenant appeared. The female figure would offer a bow before her warbled voice was heard, " The supporting batallions have been dispatched to the areas you desired m'lord. Their standing orders are to prevent civilian transports from taking off once they arrive. " Vexen, who was illuminated in the dark with a ghostly blue shine on his armor would nod as his vocoded voice spoke, " Excellent. Continue to send out the droids. With [member="Darth [/FONT][FONT='courier new']Prazutis"] and his men having penetrated the city, and en route to the palace there will only be so many of his men to divide amongst the fronts. This city will fall. " Vexen would conclude his message with an order to inform him if any complications arose before he curled his fingers into a fist to terminate the hologram.

The sounds of battle intensified as his transport had approached the city. While the thought of slaughtering the noble family that might be hidden away in the palace brought forth some rather fond memories of his past, his presence in the city was for a much more different reason. The best way to cripple a city's defense was to go after the enemy commander, or force him away from the primary front, something Vexen intended to do and create more pressure on the defenders. His transport would sail through the air as it came into the city, flying in low before landing in the middle of a street. Vexen and his small squad of men, as well as Akguza guards, would file out. The armored Sith General stood as he looked around, most of the streets had been cleared as people fled to evacuation centers. Vexen would find them.

As Vexen wandered the streets of New Alderaa, a squad on the way to the front would spot him and immediately turn to fire upon him. The Legion soldiers that were not in the immediate vicinity of Vexen would scatter and scramble for cover, the Akguza droids activating their small shields the size of dinner plates on their arms to intercept weapons fire. Vexen would turn as blaster bolts pinged uselessly off his armor, the grooves carved into the Phrik dispersing the heat and force over a large area, at best causing him to have his body forcefully turned. He would raise a hand out to the side as his lightsaber flung from his belt into his clawed grip, activating. A blaster bolt would fly at Vexen only for him to make a singular stroke that sent it flying back into the head of the one foolish enough to fire at the armored Sith. Vexen would remain in place as he simply deflected and reflected blaster bolts back at his enemies as the Legion soldiers returned fire. At this point in time, the squad may have reached out with a distress call, which Vexen was counting on.

[member="Kei Raxis"]​

 

[Darth Prazutis]

It was quite the chaotic scene.

​The Blackblade Guard marched ever forward against the enemy like a dark tide, a sea of death surging with the Sith Lord who stood as the tip of their spear. In the very front stood the Crownguard their movements precise, crimson blades spun in the air deflecting bolts and slicing into the enemy. The palace guard were determined, strong willed fighters far better than the standard military of Alderaan. But they faced the best House Zambrano had to offer today, renowned jedi and mandalorian killers of a thousand battlefields. There was no enemy they couldn't face down, no army they couldn't break, no fortress that could stand their vicious assault.

​The fortified position broke under the juggernaut that was the Destroyer and his Crownguard, the tide of guardsmen behind them surging through, using barricades and destroyed armor as cover from the assault of the next line, the next force thrown at them. The closer they came to the palace the more fortified enemy positions became, and the more determination these Alderaani fought with. Squads of blackblades took cover behind the hulking SI-CATS that rolled right over the barricades and let loose with missiles and high powered explosive cannons on a set of fortified positions that the royal guard were using to pin down their enemy, and slice to pieces anyone unfortunate enough to step out without a way to protect themselves from its rage.

They went up in great green explosions of energy, but still they fought. He could hear their hushed whispers through his enhanced senses, the dying declarations "For Alderaan" and "For the Queen" ringing out before they fell silent. But even as the enemy let loose their own war cries against the enemy, they would find no such thing among the Blackblades. Major Tiamat carried a rifle in both hands and coordinated her battalion with grace from the front. He could see her icon on his HUD as he lifted a group of defenders into the air with the force, allowing Tiamat and her fellow guardsmen to cut them to pieces.

​The Dark Titan charged.

​A forcefield gate blocked passage its blue energy shimmering with every shot tossed into it dissipating on its front. He became the tip of a spear with the Crownguard forming on either end behind him, ending out wide. Some switched to blasters working in tandem with one another to block and blast while others used careful applications of the force to snap necks, wield telekinesis to crush their targets with thrown objects, or even lift entire gun emplacements into the air and turn them on their comrades. Their defensive wall allowed the guard to advance.

Darth Prazutis let loose with raw controlled emotion, a storm of hatred exploded around him as he unleashed a vault of emotion tucked away within. Long has it been since he mastered control over his own emotions, particularly how to use them to his own advantage. The dark side flowed through his body bubbling until it finally hit a breaking point. He broke into a run towards the gate and thrusted a hand forward. A sickening blast of pure dark side energy erupted in a shimmering wave, an abomination to the physical world the shimmered much like the forcefield did but in a far different way. It was violent the way it thrashed about, a crimson lightning sparking within just as it slammed into the barricade.

​The mortal barricade was obliterated in its wake. He held control of it as it continued past, utterly disintegrating a trio of soldiers unfortunate enough to get caught up in its path before dissipating.

[member="Salara Zambrano"] would come down to quite the battlefield. A great black crimson tide surged as her family's infamous Blackblade Guard pressed ever forward. The ultracrome clad form of Major Tiamat standing among her troops giving orders and fighting with grace only the Dragon could afford. But it wasn't too hard to find her husband's uncle. He was cut from the same cloth her husband was and could only be found in one place: the front. He led the charge with twenty Crownguard at his side slaughtering the defenders in intense battle.

He could feel the presence of Salara behind him and it drew his attention, she was strong in the force often deceptively strong. She didn't wade into battle often in recent years due to among other things health complications, but it was easy to forget she was born and raised among the warrior culture. Still he had a very good relationship with the cunning Salara and welcomed her presence on the field. Today was no ordinary conquest after all, and the breaking of Alderaan and the FWC would be something to remember for years to come.

The Shadow Hand spoke a few hushed words to his protectors and they all moved taking center position both in open and behind cover while he moved back to meet with Salara "Greetings dear Salara you're a welcomed sight on the field with us today. These Alderaani are resilient I'll give them that much. I expect we'll have to slaughter most of them before they decide surrender is a far better choice than annihilation." He said right off looking back towards the front, ever observant even in combat to everything around him, still listening as she told him who was dispatched to accompany his nephew back to them. They would need to be erased before they ever would be compliant to the Sith. "The last of the Seren brood, an inexperienced whelp thought it was her day to exact vengeance. I felt her presence, gauged her worth, she'll be nothing more than a speed bump for him. We press on to take the palace, gut the royal family and crush the beating heart of their government. The Sith banner will fly high come day's end."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]| [member="Rai Seren"]

Jen'Lazea Battlefront
High Warlord Malgrog...

It was glorious.

The God-Splitter rode atop a massive glycon strapped with a great combat platform on its back. This particular beast was larger than its normal brethren and had two command seats one for the driver, and one for the High Warlord that allowed him to remain p​lugged into his horde and take control of the beast to unleash devastation.

​Their quarry were fierce fighters and determined to stand against their enemy. They fought for every destroyed street, and p​ile of rubble they stood on even some civilians contributed which made them work at least for every block. But they were all inferior sp​ecies. The graug were fighters biologically, and culturally everything they were existed for war. Every race in his horde was sup​erior excep​t for some of the mercenaries that shared sp​ecies with their enemy of course, but that could be forgiven.

These p​altry security forces weren't p​rep​​ared for the brutal style of warfare the graug were accustomed to. A knockdown dragout fight for every sector turned the burning New Aldera into a meat grinder. He already gave the order to all of his Warlords setting his legion loose, meaning anyone who so much as looked threatening was slaughtered by his all too trigger hap​p​​y warriors, and eaten by vicious monsters. Their enemy were overwhelmed in every asp​ect when it came to this war left with their fortified positions and receeding battle lines to face their enemy.

But he quickly got rid of that advantage.

Emergence holes rip​ped open all over the city especially behind enemy lines or right in the middle of fortified streets and locations behind defensive fortifications. These were worms specifically to dig tunnels, a race of monstrous worm that long served the horde in digging their underground complexes and in the case of war, they dug both battlefront garrisons and emergence tunnels that let his soldiers surge out where the enemy least expected them to, overwhelming their positions with shock troops and beasts of war slaughtering everything in their path.

The boom of his glycon's back mounted cannon rang out shattering glass in a wave, its shell detonating in an orange plume a distance ahead to destroy one of two tanks that entered into their path. They dared to confront the eye of the storm and would suffer for it. The second of these tanks sank into the earth as a great worm tore open a tunnel on their position, overrunning it completely.

The city would fall.

[member="Kor Vexen"] | [member="Kei Raxis"] ​

 

[Six-O]

LOCATION: Juran Region - Survive Ambush, Press Attack on the Juran Gate
OBJECTIVE: Support Sith Organics
ALLIES: TSE | [member="Matsu Xiangu"] | [member="Imogen Daniels"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Farah"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Lok Munin"] | [member="Idris Voahan"] | Sebestev Szradislav | Xerrzyk the Ghastly
ENEMIES: FWC | [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Aela Talith"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | House Panteer | Jurano
GEAR: Cylix Pistol | HPB Pistols x 2 | Magnetic Reaper | CF6 Concussion Rifle | SIF-71 | YVHa-60 Chassis


Manic delirium pulled in every direction, a spectacle of dissolution the young Lord had never witnessed in his seventeen meager years of life.

Lord Augustys Raal Panteer was cut from a much more delicate cloth than most. Silken works of art, satiny displays of cinema and theatre, books with the finest sort of velvet print. There was no firmness to him, even his lanky build had an almost elastic sort of bend, mellow, compassionate. His eyes were of the softest sort of blue, unyielding in their kindness, his gaze was said to embrace you with the warmest sort of lenity.

Neither Martial nor Cruel, Rough or Selfish. Augustys was simply pure.

Yet here, all around him, his City burned.

It left him dazed, entirely unzipped and unwound, largely disjointed from reality. There even seemed to be a haze beyond the smoke and grit and heat that scalded his wet eyes. A sort of abstract sheen that made the World both hyper detailed yet also lacking punctuation.

"The 9th Combat Brigade has fallen, the Mountains are overran, we are defenseless here. We need to move our Forces towards the Crossing - on the morrow we'll have made it in to the Alaskan Lowlands, if we make it to Fort Orrus---- "

"Fort Orrus, are you mad!? " Sir Serid Thorin, Allegiant Praetorian of young Augustys Panteer, interrupted the boys Uncle, Aurryn. "Juranno is home to nearly two million Civilians - we can't abandon these people!"

"Easy Thorin, don't think you're above Chains, boy. . . "

Aurryn Gaul Panteer, brother to the Augustys' Father, acting Baron General of the Royal Banner Guard of the House. This man was the mirror opposite of his Nephew, envious of the boys position above him, bitter towards a younger Brother that was no longer here. Many would say the Baron General was a threatening sort of man, weathered, ruthless, his gaze as barbed as his snide, rasping, voice. He'd seen well over a hundred battles in his day, fighting against both the One Sith and the Primeval. Grave Aurryn Panteer, he'd been called, it was a rather fitting nickname.

"That's enough, " the young Panteer suddenly intruded, ceasing the bickering of Serid and Aurryn immediately. "Sir Serid is right, just between the Summer Palace and the Juran Gates there are hundreds of thousands of our people." Said Augustys, touching a dirty palm to a bleeding wound that sat above his brow and wept slowly down his face.

The Baron General grunted harshly, "You're not a Warrior, not a Soldier, Augustys Raal Panteer." Like knives the words were meant to stab and cut, but just as more were about to slice, Aurryn was severed from speaking for a third time.

"Today I will have to be, Baron General. "

"New Aldera has already sent word, all Royal Houses are to evacuate to the nearest Forts and Bunkers. Don't be a fool, boy! Our Mountain Emplacements have been taken, Aerial Support is erratic at best because of our position. " The elder Panteer tossed his head in disgusted fashion, turning away from the conversation, agitated eyes gazing upwards at the surviving husk of the burning Summer Palace.

"I said enough, Uncle. " For the first time in his life his words lashed more ferociously than his samite tone had ever know, "Sir Serid, I'd ask you to accompany me to the Juran Gate. "

The man, Augustys' Allegiant Praetorian, whom had seen him grow from his very first breath, beamed with pride, with honor and duty. "Of course, M'lord. . . yes! " He said, breath catching in his chest.

"Empty everything from our Armories. . . everything. " The young Lord spoke up immediately after, "Dispatch across all of our Emergency Broadcast lines for our people to flee towards the Lowlands, or to come to the Summer Palace. It'll need to be fortified in anyway it can, should we fail or have need to fallback. We need all of our First Responders tending the wounded and coming here. . . and anyone that is able and willing. . tell them to join us in the defense of our home."

"Right away, Lord Augustys! " The Praetorian acknowledged.

"Mobilize everything we have, the National Defense Force, the Juranno Security Alliance, our Royal Banner Guard - all of them, any of them, whatever we have that is still alive. We will not allow our City to fall uncontested. "

Perhaps it would have come as a surprise to [member="Aela Talith"] and [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] when an actual Defense Force linked up at their position, coiling themselves around what they regarded simply as two brave citizens in a cluster of destruction. With them came a full spectrum of support. Heavy Weapons of every make and yield, Light and Medium Grade tools of combat, Explosives and Close-Range toys to give these invaders a kiss with.

What they called the Juran Gate was in fact the opening of the Mountain Valley that Juranno once peacefully slumbered within, a natural sort of defense that saw two rock walls filter would be intruders in to a division 9 kilometers wide - of course, without the Mountain Artillery, it was less of a hazard and more of an irritant. Beggars, however, could not be choosers.

Boom, boom.

The ground throbbed beneath Lord Augustys Panteer as he looked towards Serid, had he not been so terrified, assumably, there would have been a jest offered about how silly he must have looked in this Armorweave and Blast Vest. The House Panteer Ancestral Sword clung loose from a sagging belt around his waist, a Heavy Blaster Pistol in his hand. Teeth clacking so loud he actually feared the men beside him may hear it over the rumble of marching Sith Empire Armor and instantly lose any small amount of morale they already had.

Boom, boom. . .

Tremors intensified, pebbles coming loose, rolling down the massive debris piles of duracrete, glass and thousands of other building material types. The screak of weapons from Fighters and Bombers that were jousting out beyond the smoke field and above the advancing Sith was suddenly broken as multiple blooms of flame flowered in the distance before blasting intensely in to the Alderaanian dirt.

BOOM, BOOM!!

The fierceness of the shivering ground had become so great as the mammoth machines of war stomped ever and ever closer that the skeleton of a bombed out building, hidden back beyond flames and fluttering sediment, collapsed under it's own compromised weight.

But the young Lord had no time to further dwell on the bubbling panic within his stomach, he looked once more to his Allegiant Praetorian, gave a singular nod of his head, and the Order was sent out. The Battle of Juranno began.

Within not even a blink of the eyes, War was unleashed. Sith Armor fleeced with an endless wave of assault, their advancing formations battered with savage frenzy. Not a single moment to rest, just a surging tide of enemy firepower.

Right near [member="Farah"] men were gnawed to the bone, their bodies diminished to smoldering hurdles for her to leap over. The Sith Infantry collapsed all around [member="Matsu Xiangu"], [member="Enyo Typhos"], [member="Lok Munin"] and YVHa-60 as well. Hundreds dead in what seemed less than a minute - minor payback for the misery unleashed upon Juranno.

The Armor rapidly altered course, it's blast plating strong enough to weather the storm for now, but not endlessly at the intensity of that opening volley. In their haste, another dozen men were crushed to pus and pulp under the massive feet of an AT-PAT, popping and tearing them in ways that would haunt mens dreams for a lifetime to come.

The surprise Counter-Attack left the Sith scrambling to disperse their spacing and gain their bearings, but they were in this fight win, lose or draw.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mte1MZpF5Ig&t=[/youtube]​

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

Alderaan Atmosphere - Just Outside Juranno
Allies: FWC | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Aela Talith"]
Enemies: [member="Six-O"] | [member="Imogen Daniels"] | [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Lok Munin"] | [member="Farah"] | [member="Matsu Xiangu"]

After unbuckling himself from the crash webbing, Korr accompanied Aela into the urban rubble, watching his step as they picked their way through the mess. He rolled his shoulders and grimaced. During the crash the restraints snapped hard into them. He would likely feel it in the morning.

Provided he survived the day.

Korr held a lightsaber hilt in his right hand, while a shoto bobbed against his left hip. His only weapons. Aside from them, he wore only simple earth hued garments after the fashion of the Jedi, with boots that went up to just below the knee.

Gray eyes surveyed the terrain and Ryan breathed out a slow sigh. Another day, another battle, another Sith Empire. So long as the Force existed, so would the Dark Side. No matter how they might try, the Dark Side would never be eradicated completely. But try they must. Korr could feel the grind of it wearing him down, little by little, like waves pounding on a rock. In time, the rock would erode completely.

But not today.

Korr glanced at Talith, "I suppose now we wait."