"The Blitz" | First Order Invasion of Galactic Alliance Held Planet of Skor II

[Darth Carnifex]

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Location: Metrobig City
Objective: Beat up Gabriel
Allies: [member="Samka Derith"], [member="Mishel Ren"], [member="Kaalia Voldaren"], & the FIRST ORDAH
Enemies: [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] & the Alliance Dogs (Literally)
Equipment:

• Blades of the Arch-King
• Shroud of the Tyrant
• Primordial Signet Ring

It was the same song and dance he had engaged in with other Masters of the Light. They were always hesitant to fully commit themselves to receiving him directly, his physical power was typically greater than theirs and like waves against a stone he could whittle them down with time, the strain growing too great on their joints and leverage fulcrums. Crimson struck against cerulean and viridian, a shower of sparks flying with each connection. Both were masters of war and had proven their merit as warriors time and time again on the battlefield, albeit Gabriel had secluded himself on Sulon since their last encounter while Carnifex continued to wage war in all parts of the galaxy.

He faintly acknowledged the spectators and non-linear combatants that had begun to orbit around their mighty upheaval, they were ultimately inconsequential to the true struggle between these two titans. Carnifex was more careful of his footwork, there was a large number of debris littering the combat zone and the wrong move could put him on the ground or trip up any maneuver. It was obvious that Gabriel noticed this too as he reached out to fling a small pile of stones and dust towards him. A couple of the stones bounced harmlessly off of his durasteel armor, but the dust tried desperately to cling to his cloak and shrouded face.

He pirouetted back, a momentary retreat, to push away the dust that attempted to choke his face, to fill his mouth and clog his eyes. In that same moment Gabriel's blade sliced through a portion of the Sith Lord's crimson armorweave cloak, which while affording him substantial protection against energy-based attacks, was as paper before the hungering edge of a lightsaber. A strip of the smoldering cloak tumbled to the ground, its edges brimming with heat and fire before a gust of dust from the Dark Lord's retaliation snuffed it out. Carnifex flung his right arm forward after pivoting around to face Gabriel, the air undulating in the wake of a concentrated cone of telekinetic energy that erupted from the Sith Lord's nexus aimed squarely at Gabriel's midsection.

 

[Aeron Kreelan]

LOCATION: Metrocity West

Allies: [member="Saul Perth"] [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] [member="James Mathison"] [member="Spencer Varanin"]
Enemies within the area: [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Mishel Ren"] | [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]
Generic Omega Pyre Forces.
U-Wings | Cobra-Class Gunships | M47 Illria-Class Dropships bearing troops of HBD-300 Droid Series | Omega Pyre Spec Ops in Mk II/H Battle Armor | BTI-HPC | | VT-Portable Shield Generators | Squib’s in salvaged armor made out of spare bits, tensor weapons, and Standard Thermals, Standard concussion, standard energy grenades. Dispatch of OBL-1, OBL-2, OBL-3, and OBL-4 defense drones.


The hum of the incoming Omega Pyre forces sang through the air. This area of Metro Big City had been hit the hardest, near the epicenter of where the Dark Side being by the name of Dredge had conjured up such a dark sphere of volatile energy that it had sent a concussion wave outward. The lingering stench of the Darkside still saturated the very ground, the buildings of the former bazaar all but scattered skeletons upon the urban terrain.

There was no ignoring the stench of death and charred electronics and metal. Billows of smoke and grit went flying within the backwash as the first U-Wings came in, carrying their load of Alliance and Squib reinforcements. They were here to not only to assist in securing the perimeter, but to provide back up against the combination of the lingering Yuuzhang Vong remnants and any First Order active enemy interactions. Considering how [member="Connor Harrison"] had made that command to kill anything that wasn't identified as a First Order soldier, they didn't have to wait long to find a fight.

Aeron along with her Squib companion, Duckee, hit the deck to the cover fire of the crew rearing their gau rotor laser machine guns. She could feel them, at the very least, one. The Sith. The very same one she had felt back on Barkhesh.

"Stay close to me." Aeron cried out to Duckee, before turning to her troops. "Spread out, lock this area down." buzzing outward were the OBL drones, searching and hunting down for potential risks and any First Order, Graug, and Yuuzhang Vong troops.

"We use tunnels!" Duckee huffed out to Aeron. "Go down, secure yes. Good job and sneak up behind bad bads. Surround yes?"

Aeron's blue eyes fixated on the Squib. "Okay, go do that. I'll help to provide a distraction."

Turning towards where she felt the clash of forces originate from. Needless to say, she bore down on [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] fairly quickly.

Catching sight of the female, Aeron wasn't going to take any chances. Afterall, she was no Jedi. Which is why her SI-17 stealth blaster would be making a quick hello. The weapon itself makes next to no noise, and the bolt that it fires is completely invisible to the naked eye.

Of course, this also makes it far more difficult for a Jedi or Sith to deflect the SI-17's blaster bolt. Though through natural instinct and battle precognition this is still possible, it is far more difficult with no visual or auditory aid. This makes the SI-17 slightly more effective against inexperienced Force Users.

Which is why Aeron, the ballistickinetics Zeison Sha Master, summoned the Force in a powerful upward thrust of energy that was meant to toss Kaalia back with enough omph to potentially break bones. At the same time, Aeron snapped her left arm up, and if the chance was available, you bet she was going to send a bolt from the stealth blaster right at the woman for a surprise attack.


Meanwhile back on GADF Compound...

"Commander Veepee! General Tarr has commed in that we have First Order Emissaries at the Palace."

"What?!" he cried out, shock and then a grim expression forming over his face. The Corellian's jaw gave a flex. They wouldn't ignore the request of the King just to have a chat. Not with so many First Order forces already deployed.

Eyes shot out towards the rest of the officers and Squib Allies.

" Contact what forces are available to secure the palace."

"Right away sir."

Messages were then sent to Watchman [member="Arisa Yune"]. ( [member="Rakieh Atur"])

[ This is Alliance Command. We are in need of reinforcements to ensure the security of the King. Request Alliance forces that can be spared to be directed to these coordinates. ]

As [member="Aedan Miles"] came in, he was flagged. Soon, he too was sent a comm

[ This is Alliance Command, identify yourself. ] as they had not had any contact with the Iron Empire citizen. Was he here to help or was he here for other reasons?

Finding out was going to be pertinent for next steps.

Screebee in the meantime received an update from the Blastport.

::Affirmative, Screebee. Tractors are in progress for securing vessel. First Order forces will be dispersing through the facility. Galactic Alliance Marines are en route to engage.::

"Fizzcap Cap Commander catching ship!" He cried out, bouncing excitedly on his chair. His ears gave a twitch and he pressed the comm with a paw, leaning forward to say, [ Good job Fizz Cap Commander Relit! We get more to help. You very good.]

Turning around, he began to flip another toggle and switched to another frequency.

That's when the incoming message from [member="HK-36"] came in.

This is HK, I just landed in MetroBig area with a group of Greycloaks, let me know your situation, currently I am going to respond to the reports of a First Order squad moving into the tunnels.

Moving in the tunnels? That was no good.

"Mama Fatee should know." he told himself. Quickly, he made the selection to communicate to the underground warren to warn them.

[ This be Screebee, loud and clear. We got baddies at tunnels, keep eye out. Be safe. Greycloak coming to help. ]

Flipping back to HK-36, Screebee added, [ Greyclock guy, Command good. Ensure Mama Fatee's warren be okay. Need those tunnels secure very good so Squibbs and friends can move in and out throughout city. This very big important. ]

"Alliance Command, this is Therapy Command, we confirm that medvac is en route now, and casvac is en route as well, over"

"Ensure we have plenty of cover for those medevacs." Veepee ordered, "Get Commadore Pulsar's reinforcements to ensure that Captain [member="Canal"] and our boys with Second Lieutenant [member="Raph Thule"] are safe."

Spoiler: Aeron’s Gear

• 
  Asheran Armorweave Armor with Lightshield bracer
  
• 
  SI-17 Stealth Blaster
  
• 
  Czerka Fighting Knife Boot clipped
  
• 
  Wrist dart bolter with 5x BA-K177 Browncoat Kamino Darts on right wrist
  
• 
  AI-Wrist Blaster Left wrist
  
• 
  Telescopic stun grenade staff
  
• 
  Force Imbued Disc-blade on lower back
  
• 
  2 Anti-Force User Grenades
  
• 
  2X Serum Aurek
  
• 
  2x TS-N Healing Serum
  

 

[Alleycat]

Location: NE Metrobig City near King's Residence/Gov't Building
Allies: FO [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Castor Ren"] [member="Brennan Cabrol"] [member="Jacques"] [member="FN-999"]
Enemies: GA [member="Choli Vyn"] [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] [member="Elmont Block"]
Gear in bio
___

Sasha knew she was being followed in the shadows by a rather aloof masked Knight of Ren. The Stormsniper had seen [member="Jaron Lesan"] after her initial squad deployed off their long range assault transport, but then had lost the Force user as the fireteams moved out. Was he stalking her, or just being watchful? She would give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but if he tried anything the man would find he had messed with the wrong gal for she was a Corellian, a redhead, and a Starkos. Enough said.

Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, the before mentioned Ren was now beside her jogging as if it the two were just out for a carefree run along the alleyway Sasha had just turned down that would lead directly to her intended destination.

[ What the... ?! Don't sneak up on me like that. I'm a marksman for a good reason. ] Sash snarked as she reholstered her side arm that had been quick drawn kinda forgetting he most likely outranked the NCO, but her Corellian spirit sometimes reacted before using wise thought.

Then, he had the audacity to say there was something stuck on her well-honed derriere. [ Nice try, buddy. I bet all the girls fall for that line, but...I'm not all. ] the redhead smirked in full Corellisi drawl too that would come through on her helmet's vocoder. With that said, Sasha double-timed her jog as the government building was visible up ahead.

Slowing to a walk as she approached the other Knights of Ren before the gate where they were, FN-2020 stopped just short of them and stood rim rod straight with sniper rifle held diagonally across her torso looking at them in a general sense as she didn't know who was the one in charge. [ I'm Sergeant Starkos. I was ordered by command to report to [member="Castor Ren"] for back up as needed. Where would you like me? ]

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Location: Peowing the Ambitious Destroyer
Allies: [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Asmus Janes"]
Enemies: [member="Thalera Isianthar"]
Ship: TR-20 X-Wing

White-knuckled grip wrapped around the fighter's controls. The butterflies in her belly were calmed as she took a deep breath, hazel's transitioning between the readout and the view of chaos outside her tinted-canopy. Asmus had her back. She could trust her XO; she wanted to trust her XO. Any thoughts of hesitation were quickly pushed from the teen's mind as her bird picked up some speed and maneuverability in stealth mode.

Sensors beeped rapidly as her first baradium missile lined-up. Thumb pressed down on the fire mechanism and the payload launched. A flash of brilliant orange and magma filled up the bottom left of her canopy just before she zoomed past and brought her ship up and around to prep for another pass. The helmet that was a smidgen too big for her head tilted as her head did, hearing the switch in wingmates. At the same time her targeting monitor beeped in warning.

Teeth grit as the teen took the bird in a steep, double-barrel roll. Green-fire zipped just shy of her starboard wing from a group of pursuing TIES. Luckily, she was just a hair faster and flexible in this thing. Despite that, they weren't giving up.

"Got you Freckles, hang on," Wilson chimed in over their shared comms for the Wraith Squadron.

She weaved sharply to starboard, wondering if she'd easily get lost and separated from her wingmates in this chaos. An explosion behind, suddenly propelled her ship a bit faster than normal. The cockpit shook slightly.

"Whew, thanks Wilson," she breathed.

"Get going, you're clear for a second run. We can talk about a reward for me later," she couldn't miss hearing the cocky-grin on his face. The teen rolled her eyes. Her smaller form scrunched up against the seat as she turned the fighter around and made a second pass at the shield towers, sending a second baradium payload on its way. And that's when her targeting warning went wild. Two TIES coming in.

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Location: Tailing [member="Sasha Starkos"]
Alies: FO, Sasha Starkos [member="Castor Ren"] [member="Brennan Cabrol"] [member="Jacques"] [member="FN-999"]
Enemies: GA [member="Choli Vyn"] [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] [member="Elmont Block"]
Gear: Bio
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She was definitely Corellian, the accent was noticeable right away, and her attitude dispitenthe fact he was a superior to her confirmed itnall. Jaron simply chuckled at the accusation he was trying to use it as an excuse to look at her posterier. Instead of justifying her comment with an answer, Jaron simply reached for the peel in stride and pulled it off her butt. Lifting it in front of her, he shrugged.

"This time it wasn't an excuse... though you got a nice derrière..." Jaron saw no harm in commenting while they were on the subject.

They were not far from the destination it seemed, and Jaron was about to be reunited with some of his fellow Knights. He usually worked alone, and the temptation to bail was strong. He may have for what the sniper had said. Sergeant Starkos? He knew the name. His aunt was a redhead by the name of Katara Starkos, and the name wasn't a common one. Jaron gulped hoping he had not just hit on some cousin he didn't no about. If that had been her daughter... Judah's daughter... yeah he wasn't going to think about it now. All he could do was add his own name in the mix.

"Jaron Lesan, Knight of Ren adding my assistance as well. Tell me where I'm needed."

If the name meant anything, Jaron was about to find out. Most of the Ren didn't know him anymore, or the fact his master had betrayed the First Order. Jaron had hidden long enough to avoid the issue. He was grateful for the seclusion, and tended to keep things that way.

 

[Choli Vyn]

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Location: Location: King’s residence, North East Metrobig
Allies: [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] [member="Elmont Block"]
Those outside the gates!: [member="Brennan Cabrol"] [member="Castor Ren"] and [member="Jacques"] @Sasha Starkos [member="Jaron Lesan"]

That was when the big man spoke. All Squib ears perked and went twisting forward, a few short muzzles straining forward for a good look while the more wary Alliance soldiers that supplemented the Squib guards still held their weapons trained. This war had barely begun with the staggering strike against their borderworlds; the fact that the First Order was now here was not a surprise and certainly couldn't just be a coincidence? Right?

"We are not here to harm those who call this place home, but rather bring order to your streets... You can hear as well as I, you know the Graug and the Yuuzhan Vong yet roam, sowing chaos and inciting fear among you. It is this which draws our attention to your King, we wish to make him an offer."

"What he say?" One Squib would murmur.

"Wait he's moving his hand! "

"Oh its the shiny!" another cooed.

"I come to speak with your King, not to slay him - here is my weapon as a show of faith."

Poopa, gave a twitch of his whiskers, a rear paw tapping on the floor of the tower from where he stood. That's when @Sasha Starkos [member="Jaron Lesan"] approached Castor and his companion. Immediately, Poopa cried out.

"You stay still! No move!" gestures were made to the new figures. [member="FN-999"] had not yet arrived, and if he had been seen, it might have riled up the Squibs even more.

"Poopa!" the thump, thump, thump and heavy breathing of an out of breath Squib came running beside her.

"Big King want to talk."

"Oh so it is barter?"

Shoulders shrugged.

"He has a shiny!"

"Oh he does???" interest immediately went to the shiny.

"Okay, okay..."

An Alliance member wasn't too keen on all this. His fingers flexed against his weapons.

"There are four now. He want to gab. King say okay. So only he want to gab, so only him!"

"Yes, very good idea."

"koovy!"

"You so smart Poopa!"

"I am very big smart." Poopa preened.

"We take his shiny, and he comes in to talk." the three huddled up together talking to each other seemed to believe that this was a good idea.

With a sudden spin, Poopa's high voice went sailing out towards [member="Castor Ren"].

"Okay, you can give your shiny weapon to Bubpa." The sudden arrival of a blue and white Squib with -- was that a salvaged piece of old storm trooper armor plates he was wearing mixed in with old Techno Union gear? - oh you bet!

"He will take your shiny. You can come in. No other." the first hash of the deal went out.

Meanwhile inside of the Palace....

General Tarr was not amused.

One could even see the vein throbbing along his temples, face getting a good rub down from his palm in growing frustration. The Squib were rather particular about their bartering, and while he disliked this idea, he had to go along with whatever the King would want.

That didn't mean, however, that he would allow his own Ambassador nor the King come to harm.

"We take their weapons and keep things simple. Hands where visible." he suggested, only to add in that the Alliance guards will reamin just to ensure things don't escalate. Or if they do, they can still protect each other.

"We don't want them using any of their gas grenades here... no weapons at all."

Elmont was right. They had to at least hear the First Order Emissary out. Even if it churned her insides.

"Okay, what's the plan," Choli inquired, shifting under the light weight of her pack. Well, she had her own blaster - even yes, her own lightsaber - and there were a few things she could do if things went down. But this wasn't her job; this was [member="Elmont Block"] 's and [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] 's mission. She was just here by invitation.

But that didn't mean she wouldn't be ready. She had her Bodobas gunbelt with her QQ-15L holstered, currently hidden by the Warden Cloak that she wore over her spacer armor. Good thing about loose cloaks was that the poncho like material hid what she wore underneath well.

Spoiler: Gear

• Warden Cloak
• Bodo Baas Gunbelt
• QQ-15L-3 ExCon Suit
• Browncoat SSH Light Paddle

Tools

• Holodriver
• Servospanner
• Oubliette Satchel
• TerentAttack Cuffs
• Hypoinjector Wristband
• Antidote Synthesizer
• 2X Serum Aurek
• 2x TS-N Healing Serum

Weapons

• QQ-83N Sidearm
• Shoto lightsaber, (waterproof, Lorrdian gemstone)

Droid

• R4-P6 - Pebbledrone

 

[Saul Kruger]

Location: Close to Blastport Entrance.
Alies: First Order in Vicinity.
Enemies: [member="Relit Vandal"], Galactic Alliance in Vicinity.

----------------------------------------------------​

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Screams. Smoke.​

​

Death.​

It covered the metropolis below like a thick blanket. War had come to Skor II in full force and Saul's dropship afforded the Sergeant a front row seat. Flak cannon fire threatened to blast the transport out of the sky, with each near miss jarring and rattling its occupants. A small electrical fire had started in the cockpit but its sparks and sputters didn't deter the pilot from approaching his destination - the Metrobig Interplanetary Blastport.

Sublight engines roared as the dropship descended towards the Blastport and hydraulics hissed as the blastdoors were opened. The dropship hovered six feet from the ground, throwing dust and debris around below.

"Go," Saul ordered, and so they did.

His six man squad thudded in unison as they landed, with blood from a previous engagement dripping off their scorched armour. The thuds were quickly followed by the deafening sound of an explosion as a ground-to-air missile destroyed their transport above. Shrapnel showered down on the squad as the wreckage of the transport fell around them.

Unphased, the squad quickly assumed a defensive perimeter on Saul's order as he waited for the curious to come. They would.

They always did.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Location: King’s residence, North East Metrobig
Allies: [member="Choli Vyn"] [member="Elmont Block"]
[member="Brennan Cabrol"] [member="Castor Ren"] [member="Jacques"] [member="Sasha Starkos"] [member="Jaron Lesan"]


“You're not going to protest at letting them in to speak?” The King asked. Several of the others looking to him curiously at the question. Beequay didn't. He knew the King had been an ambassador himself once. Sometimes you had to learn the way others worked. All squib knew this when it came to making the right deal. If the other party left happy after you fleeced them for everything then it was a double good deal. But there was concern he was deferring to the Alliance.

“You know that we can't,” Tarr replied, choosing to reply to the King before answering Choli's question. “At least as long as nothing is discussed that could threaten the rest of the Alliance. But we can't stop you leaving if you choose.”

“Indeed,” King Adegabaydee called. “This is our bargain to hear out.” The other squib chattered realising the point. The king was making them all aware that whilst the Alliance’s forces were leading the fight outside this was squib business. Not just because they were the most shrewd negotiators in the Galaxy, but because this was about their home and people. “See their negotiator in.”



Trextan saw that side of her again. The side that wanted to move forwards, have a plan if not take control. It made him think of the hospital and how he would have to - begrudgingly - admit that it had been her driving the escape and him following. She had also, in a roundabout way - made him realise that he all too easily blamed others instead of dealing with the problems. She liked to take control of situations. That made him think: had she been running from that empty month where all control had been taken away? They'd run from the things they didn't like to think about and ended up at Skor after Dredge had arrived. But the First Order was an enemy that could be faced head on.

Muscles tensed on his jawline. Like Elmont he would have preferred a straight up fight to this. His hand had come to rest on his lightsaber subconsciously. He moved it away.

“Watch this one very carefully,” Trextan said. “If those soldiers outside move a muscle I want to know about it. If it comes to it…” he hushed his voice so just the Alliance members could hear. “...we can get them out of here. We've already got a pilot after all.”

 

[Rexus Wenck]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu_96h_FmDQ​

Allies: [member="Kyrel Ren"]
Enemies; [member="Raph Thule"] | [member="Sol Stazi"] | [member="Canal"] | @Kreic Dynt
Objective: Protect the payload VIP
Loadout: 1x FO2 Stormtrooper Armour; Orange Pauldron | 1x F-11D Rifle | 1x SE-44C Blaster Pistol | 1x VX Gas Grenades| 1x VX Injector | 2x Thermal Detonators | 1x Lightsaber

Captain Wenck nodded at the Knight of Ren, "Don't worry bossman," Rexus began, "We're gonna keep these karkers on edge." Rexus motioned to the troops behind him, "Come on you arsemunchers, I want movement!" Rexus growled, "Up to the front!" The advance of the Gundark Gunners was a slow and methodical advance. The attempts by Twilight Company to hold the advance were somewhat successful. The stormtroopers were now slowed somewhat by the attacks. Rexus was heartened a little at the Ren's quip about being even, "It's always our pleasure guv." he said with a small chuckle, before continuing the advance.

Sol Stazi's assesment of the battle was correct. It was a slog fest, the type of battle the Gunners had won battle after battle. However, the Gunners were not used to the light infantry doctrine employed by Stazi's units. That being said, Twilight Company were not the first, or even best guerrillas the Gunners had come across. Though, they were admittedly, the best armed. "Keep in tight formation!" Sergeant Twigg roared, "Don't stray and when you see one of those bastards with the big guns," Twigg paused, and smirked from behind the helmet, "Detonators out!" The shots fired by the lone gunman were nothing of concern. And immediately has he fled, the stormtroopers returned fire. Sure, he hit some targets, but the FO-2 was designed to take a beating. In short, Kreic wasn't worth the trouble of being attacked.
With the assurance that the VX gas wouldn't be effective against the men of Twilight Company, or Thule's marines, the stormtroopers lobbed detonators at the troops armed with rotary cannons, and large groups. Rexus listened more to the Ren, and was still taken back by his power. He listened to him request his support. "It'll be our pleasure bossman," Rexus said, "Don't you worry about nothing."

That was when he saw him. The lone runner, rushing through the ranks. Rexus had assumed he was some suicide bomber. But instead, he carried a baton. Wenck was taken back by that, but knew he couldn't lapse Kyrel's judgement, holstering his rifle, Rexus reached for his lightsaber and sidearm. As Thule moved to slam the baton into the Ren's head, Rexus ignited his golden blade, and let it clash with the breskar baton. He was taken back somewhat by the lightsaber knocking him back. Wenck however didn't let this stop him, and as he was pushed back, and let his trigger finger loose. The trooper fired three shots into Thule's gut at close range. "You've done karked up son." Wenck menacingly snarled. "I'm gonna take your head here, and I'm gonna wear it on my belt!"

 

[Mishel Kryze]

​

Location: MetroBig City
Allies: [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]
Enemies: [member="Saul Perth"] | [member="Spencer Varanin"] | [member="Gabriel Sionoma"]
Directly Engaging: [member="Aeron Kreelan"]
Objective: Obey - Understand

There may be hope for you yet, forceborn...

Neutrality. It was not something that was encouraged at the Bastion. Darkness with only limited lightsided training, and yet Mishel was now a contradiction of their order. She died after her surgery on Monastery. [member="Hazel Zanteres"] risked it all to bring her back and now as she stood here, clad in Ren armour she heard only the teachings of Dr. Zanteres, the teachings of [member="Bethany Kismet"] and they conflicted with what the Ren had taught her. Her senses alerted her to several strong auras the first of which she could not pinpoint but knew it was there, it was neutral and the second made herself known rather forcefully. "Sister!" Mishel's immediate reaction to the blonde woman's actions against the Knight of Ren. She watched Kaalia work her wind shape, something the teenager had only begun to grasp with fire. Elemental shaping, a type of technique taught to the Kro Varian Ren, who imparted some of the more basic knowledge to Mishel. She shut her eyes a moment, she tuned out the entire area to focus on the surrounding areas, "brother Connor has arrived and there are others who need your aid. Go."

"You attack before questions, you fire your blaster indiscriminately," Mishel began to address the blonde. Her voice enigmatic at best as the vocabulator distorted her voice, the sounds of a breather could be heard as well. "You walk neither the path of the light nor the path of the dark. I sense that much from you, tell me, how do you discern such things?" In all honesty, it was a sincere question. Never before this day had the teenager encountered a force user who walked both paths or somehow collaborated them into one. For now, Mishel stayed her blade and instead took to walking in front of the other woman. "Your movements conflict with that of the Jedi, no? Or have I been taught incorrectly?"

Perhaps it did not matter. Perhaps the answers she sought were to be found elsewhere, far from a planet that suffers from the Yuuzhan Vong, from the Graug and from the Wrath of the Alliance and the First Order. "Perhaps you do not care about the outcome of this battle, of this war and that is why you fire without question." Mishel looked down to the ground for a moment and then drew her attention back to the blonde. "And just maybe I am once again the young fool who tries to comprehend it all." A hint of sadness in her voice as she placed a hand over her lightsaber. "I will fight you if I must but know that I take no pleasure in doing so." A Jedi uses their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.

A soft smile appeared on Mishel's face although it was concealed behind her mask. Grandmaster Kismet might've been proud in this moment, Seiger Ren? Not so much...

 

[Sieb Tevv]

​

TASK FORCE MORIDENA​

The effects of the K-wing bombing run proved less than inspiring, casualties high even with the To Vhins blinding the enemy. Sieb grunted.

Ok, no more frontal assaults.

As gratifying as they might be.

Tevv turned his attention toward the rest of the battle and after several moments of watching particle lances pound Admiral Thuku's fleet decided to give his commanders a little more direction.

"Designate those Halberd-class artillery frigates as high-value targets. Concentrate our firepower on them and the anti-fighter corvettes. CAG, keep our bombers and fighters out of this for now. Hold them back as a protective screen. You can engage once we've thinned the herd."

Karfeddion's Tears and the other mark three dreadnoughts moved forward to engage the artillery frigates. Sieb rubbed his earlobe as he watched, wondering how useful those accelerated charged particle emitters would really be on this scale. If all went according to plan they should carve through the already weak shields of the Halberds, enabling the dreadnoughts to make good use of their turbolaser batteries and heavy warhead launchers. Meanwhile, the larger Scythes went to work on the AA corvettes.

Grimacing as missiles swarmed out of two particularly large First Order cruisers, Sieb pointed to them on the tac screen.

"Those are Hellfires?"

"Yes, sir."

"Get me the captains of the Enigma and the Cypher."

Moments later, the two GR-90E - peeking from inside the Moridena's defensive skirt - started to mess around with the guidance systems of the Hellfire cruisers' missiles, along with the targeting computers on the cruisers themselves. At best, the missiles might explode prematurely while still surrounded by friendly ships. At worst, the transports might just make the missiles highly inaccurate.

[member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] | [member="Cathul Thuku"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

Location: Nearing Skor 2
Allies: GA Folks [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Aeron Kreelan"]
Enemies: FO peoples (Don't attack me I am not here)
Objective: Land


Aedan looked up and nodded to his communications officer as they transmitted on a tight beam transmission a simple message for the GA. [This is Aedan Miles here to supply military aid I will be landing my ship on the planets surface near the Metro City that seems to be under seige.] Aedan growled as he watched the space combat nearby hopping the FO would not find a single ship to be worthy of their attention as it rushed towards the planet a full speed shields slightly reinforced on the side nearest to the fighting fleets. He smirked as he gestured once and the ship started to roll onto its side presenting a new slimmer profile to the enemies just in case any of them got the idea to take some pot shots at his ship. He watched as they neared the planet pulling up a sensor reading of it he pointed to an open field near the large metro city indicating that was their new location to land. "We land their and disgorge the troops before moving into the city from their Nolan Detta will take command and I will be moving independantly to engage various force users. I will also be taking the Bogan with me they may prove to be useful."

 

[Sigrid Forsberg]

Location: Tenchu-class Dreadnoughthttp://starwarsrp.net/topic/107686-tenchu-class-dreadnought-silver-jedi-order/?hl=tenchu SSV Vánagandr, Skor Orbit
Objective: Prepare for airborne assault on hostile force in Metro City.
Allies: Galactic Alliance and friends
Opposition: Vong, [SIZE=11pt]Graug[/SIZE], First Order (Targeting FU gang specifically for dueling and debates)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6GrHnOLb-Y​

Many of her Jedi counterparts may have been feeling anxious or downright dour about the dark forces that descended upon Skor, but Usagi was practically trembling with excitement as she helped Master [SIZE=11pt]Yune’s[/SIZE] apprentice suit up in his power armor. War, this was quite literally what she lived for, what she had been built for, and she was getting better at it with each tussle with the Sith. Now she had been deployed south to deal with the Sith once more, along with their allies, the First Order.

She hovered [SIZE=11pt]about[/SIZE] Rakieh like a doting mother, running detailed checks on the status of his power armor, and making sure its systems were synced to her battle network. Master Yune had entrusted the Padawan to her care, and she would make it a top priority to ensure his survival as he gained more experience in field ops.

“Okay! Everything looks good. Now to complete the ensemble.”

As she came around, she handed him the matching helmet to the armor, though she wasn’t sure how much use the Miraluka could make of the HUD. It bugged her not know, so in the [SIZE=11pt]background[/SIZE] she was scraping the holonet for all information regarding Miraluka in real time, cross-referencing her internal databases back home. By the time she stepped off the dreadnought, she would be leaving as one of the foremost experts on Miralukan physiology.

“Master [SIZE=11pt]Yune[/SIZE] wants me to keep an eye on you, so that’s what I’m going to do. Tell me, have you ever rode a basilisk before?”

As if on cue, her personal mount came [SIZE=11pt]humming to[/SIZE] life behind her, servers whirring as it turned its head to face the pair with that large nose protruding with laser cannons and all manner of vicious weaponry made for vaporizing all those foolish enough to cross the path of the war machine. Of course, the master lock was engaged on all its system, so her big scary war droid was just all bark. For now.

While waiting for an answer from [SIZE=11pt]Mr.[/SIZE] Atur, she perked up as a new message was relayed to her by Vánagandr:

[ This is Alliance Command. We are in need of reinforcements to ensure the security of the King. Request Alliance forces that can be spared to be directed to these coordinates. ]

She would allow Master [SIZE=11pt]Yune[/SIZE] to respond to the hail, but the avatar was already working to issue taskings to her units according to the information provided by Alliance forces planetside. As the First Order on the ground looked to be the imminent threat, she would focus on eliminating them first, but the Ranger task force was carrying enough ground forces to comfortably respond to the infestation of Graug and Vong. The battle for Skor may be ultimately determined in the sky, but she would work hard to keep the First Order from getting too cozy on the ground and send them all packing back to Dosuun.

Spoiler

[member="Saul Perth"] [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] [member="James Mathison"] [member="Spencer Varanin"] [member="Aedan Miles"] [member="Rakieh Atur"]

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Samka Derith"] [member="Mishel Ren"] [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]

Apologies if I missed anyone. I'll also be directing my NPC forces in my Metro City posts as I get into dueling.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Reepicheep Memorial Park
[member="Ashin Karrde"]

The Retrosaber met with Ashin's face. Almost anyways. The energy blade stopped perhaps a centimeter and a half from the woman's skull, and flashed as if it had hit something. Jaxton didn't need to see the flash to realize what was happening however. Some Jedi had the ability to reinforce items, make a staff lightsaber resistant through sheer will of the Force. Ashin it seemed used that technique, or perhaps tutaminis admittedly, on her own body. The display of power was such that Jaxton could practically smell it. It was extremely impressive, and gave Jaxton a half a second of pause.

That half a second was all Ashin needed to land a slightly bent spear-hand strike unto the underside of Jaxton's left wrist. The strike, as Jaxton understood it, was intended to wear down softer tissue. Tendons and nerves and such. Ashin would now discover that Jaxton had none in his left wrist. Though covered in pink synthflesh Jaxton hadn't had a 'real' left arm from about halfway down the bicep since it was severed by Darron Wraith. The Clockwork Crisis was a mean schutta that caused all sorts of issues. Overall the strike put a decent impact on the durasteel, but wasn't enough to inhibit any motor functioning. At least not yet.

Jaxton let his thumb off the trigger of his retrosaber, the momentary switch no longer completing the power circuit. From there he pulled both arms down, ripping away the hand and guarding his mid and lower body before pushing his thumb just a bit forward. The retrosaber would ignite again aiming up towards the Conqueror's gut. Ashin's defenses were comprehensive, but so was his blade. Fighting off that much plasma had to be tiring. Eventually it had to break, he needed only find new ways to stress it.

 

[Vitha Na'iv]

Location: Tenchu-class Dreadnoughthttp://starwarsrp.net/topic/107686-tenchu-class-dreadnought-silver-jedi-order/?hl=tenchu SSV Vánagandr, Skor Orbit
Objective: Prepare for airborne assault on hostile force in Metro City.
Allies: Galactic Alliance and friends
Opposition: Vong, [SIZE=11pt]Graug[/SIZE], First Order

Vitha adjusted her wings and the saberstaff gripped in her fingers. Another day another battle, while most Jedi of her order spent their time busy at the tetemple and in Silver Space it seemed like she and Arisa were always out dealing with enemies in a more direct fashion. This suited Vitha perfectly, a creature of action she got bored at the temple and always felt a need to go out to engage something. Whether this be a hunt or a full scale war she needed action.

Having spent most of her life constantly looking for prey or looking over her shoulders for potential threats she supposed being in a place like Voss just wasn't interesting. Shaking her head slightly she turned back to the task at hand. Hopping forwards the door opened into the hanger bay. She was supposed to accompany Arisa's other padawan planetside and from there engage any First Order forces. This was going to be interesting, she'd purposefully stained her beak slightly so it looked like dried blood remained from her last meal. Jedi might be discouraged from causing fear but that was what she did naturally. She was a member of one of, if not the apex predator species in the galaxy and an Avogwi could be a truly terrifying sight when talons the size of daggers seemed to head directly for your face.

Entering she nodded at [member="Usagi Ike"], "Arisa said I was to accompany my fellow padawan down to the surface. Supposed to begin cutting my way through First Order troops and force them off the planet. Something also about keeping you alive and not getting shot."

 

[Ria Misrani]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Allies: [member="Audrey Saint George"] | 103rd "Bloody Banthas"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Enemies: [member="Relit Vandal"][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Gear: [/SIZE]FO-02 Stormtrooper Armor | F-11D | SE-44C | 1 Riot Control Squad | 2 Standard Squad
[SIZE=10.5pt]Objective: Get Dr. Saint George + Squints to the Museum[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Tarkin looked back over at his men and they nodded and so he bought the gag, he swore he could hear a particular Mon Cal rasping into his mind. [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]It's a trap![/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] He had little other choice and then the tractor beams. He cringed, he wasn't the only one oh it was a terrible sound like nails against a board. "Yeah, no, no worries we're the 103rd Bloody Banthas of the First Order Stormtrooper Corps." The officer admitted as he received a communique from the vessel that they were going to try their best to wiggle out of the tractor hold. "What you've got there is the FIV Discovery, Conyers-class. She's a science ship just gave us a ride in." Tarkin winced, the sound from the ship pulling on the tractor beam, it wasn't budging at all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Strovenko had stood there completely deaf to his commanding officer. Instead, the young man had managed to stream a game of boloball into his helmet. He had to thank the creator of these new helmets. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," he whispered his eyes watched the flashes of his favourite team, Avalonia BC taking on Prosperia BC it was the game of the year for Balance sake! The Provisio Game, as both cities sat somewhere overlooking the Provisio River. "C'MON YOU BLOODY NERFHERDERS!" He shouted, perhaps a bit too loudly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Excuse me?" Tarkin demanded to know, "care to come at me again with that, Corporal?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I, um no-, no- sir I uh..."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Dmitri! Strovenko!" Viramontes shouted, "are you two streaming games on your helmets, AGAIN?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"N-no, mu'um," Strokveno answered he was quite nervous about the whole thing. Here he was in the middle of Skor II with Balance knows what getting ready to come down on him and he was busy watching a bloody boloball game. "I, yes, yes mu'um was watching the bolo match. Roses en Crowns, mu'um."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]And then from the back of the platoon, but of course from the back of the platoon. "IT'S CALLED LIMMIE SCRUB!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Upset, Strovenko wrote back to Grant, [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] it's boloball, ya whiny wompa get it straight, bloody Varudana can't get a thing right can you?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Grant wanted to break formation right then and there, he leant over some and watched as Sgt. Viramontes seemed to laser in on him. Why was it always him? New Habat was amazing, better than Avalonia he thought. "On my world, we call it Limmie, like a proper gent."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Oh for Balance's sake, THE LOT OF YOU!" Tarkin shouted, "and you all wonder why we keep getting the arse assignments!" He looked up toward a particular direction, not that it could've been the direction in which he was being watched, but he sure did act it. "I apologise, sir, Master Jedi, sir we will get right down that hallway just as soon as I take care of this little problem."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Tarkin with his hands on his hip brought his arm to view, popping open his arm panel. After a few moments, of pecking at it there was a rather disappointed 'awww' from the men and women of the 103rd. He knew when he was posted out here, it would be terrible, hard even. Yet, he was proud as he was in the First Legion, Alpha Legion! And then he was handed the 3rd Platoon of the 10th Company. It was like being handed a bunch of twelve-year-olds and poor Viramontes was their fed up babysitter. "You are all Stormtroopers, now get it together!" He projected his disappointment, "we serve the Supreme Leader, we are the extension of his will, the extension of our government and of our Grand Moff Natasi Fortan!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"The lot of you call yourselves troopers? You're not fit to wear the plastoid!" He got personal with Strovenko and then looked at Dmitri, "you want your fathers to be proud of you? What do they have to be proud of? A bunch of school children havin' a go over a game? There won't be a bloody game, or ANY games if the lot of you cost us this battle, this war!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Now I get it, you're all proud of where you call home. Juarez you're from Ranau, Grant you're from New Habat and Strovenko, Dmitri you're both from the river sides of Dosuun. I get it, believe me," he sighed, "and it is good to have that pride but use it properly. There are Yuuzhan Vong 'ere, and these Squib did not ask for them. Do you NOT recall the Ssi-Ruuk? Do you not recall the damage to Aram Kalast Stadium, Strovenko?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"LOOK AROUND YOU!" The officer wanted to get this through the thick skulls of his platoon. "Look bloody around you, look behind you! Do you see those poor fellows? Do you see this?" He gestured at the bodies, at the way the blastport looked. "Did they ask for this? No. Do they deserve it? No. They don't, now we're here to help Dr. Saint George and her team get to the museum. To do that we'll have to help."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Now I'll ask you all, are you Stormtroopers?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"We're STORMTROOPERS SIR!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Good, now c'mon lads, lasses and Dr. Saint George. I believe our good friend the Jedi has established the fastest route out, and we'll show him and the rest of our brothers and sisters that we are not just the misfits, the outcasts. We'll show them that when you call the Banthas to service, we'll make it bloody. OOOH-RAH BANTHAS!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"OOOH-RAH BANTHAS!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Lieutenant Ranulph Tarkin watched as Viramontes worked her way through the platoon and he looked down the established route. He knew it wasn't the fastest, they were being set up and he knew it. He looked back down to his men, "SHIELDS!" He shouted and the shield squad drew their shields up forming a tight protective square around the civilians. "INFANTRY!"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Guns at the ready, "BANTHAS! CHARGE!"[/SIZE]

 

[Connor Harrison]

LOCATION: MetroBig City
OBJECTIVES: Secure the sub-network system
ALLIES IN AREA: [member="Audrey Saint George"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Mishel Ren"] | [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] | [member="Ranulph Tarkin"] |
ENEMIES: [member="HK-36"] | GA in area
GEAR: Ren Attire / Crossguard Lightsaber / Wristblade

--​

There was little noise coming from the station inside, and a warm wind funneled down the track from the east across them and out to the west. Darkness filled both sides of the tunnels as Connor and the Stormtroopers emerges into the main station, which was abandoned.

The large, wide platform was empty bar a few holo-stands, lights and message boards. Small chunks of debris scattered the ground, obviously from the ceiling above. Connor stood on the lip of the platform and looked left, and then right.

"Captain, take the left tunnel. You'll be led on a track out of the city. Secure the next station and clear out anything you find."

He jumped down onto the track, the gentle howling of the wind meeting him even inside the helmet.

"You two come with me in thee right. This goes into the city. Expect a little more resistance, but we will take the station and secure a way in and out for the First Order, and stop any Alliance cowards fleeing."

Turning his head to look back the way they had come down the tunnel from the surface, Connor had that feeling. The feeling that he just....felt. Maybe it was assuming they would not be alone for long, or there was surveillance. He reached up and touched the side of his helmet. No visible read-outs, bar the troops around him.

Calling for help would be worthless - he had arrived late, and everyone was busy with their own pockets of Alliance resistance. He had the unit, that was enough. Connor turned back to the tunnel track and moved into it, lightsaber fixed to his side, not stalking anyone for a fight.

"Keep in contact and if you need help, you emergency radio at once to the fleet to have the station orbital striked. No survivors."

With that, he started in.

 

[HK-36]

Location: MetroBig City/Tunnel Entrance
Objective: Wizard Wars
Allies: Transmission Sent To [member="Choli Vyn"]
Enemies: Coming For [member="Connor Harrison"]
HK Inventory: Phrik Droid Body, 2x Magnetic Revolvers loaded with Neuranium Pellets, HK-Killer rounds, DUST balls, pistol variant of Grappling Hook, HypnoGaze photoreceptor attachment, built-in jet system attachment, Abregado combat shield, black Chameleon Cloak, Sliver of Light Training Lightsaber, Spear of Rae, Anti-Force Users grenades, Vonduun Skerr Karamik, Grav Gloves.
Greycloaks (3 droids) Inventory: Greycloak body, 2x Magnetic Revolvers each loaded with standard pellets, HK-Killer rounds, DUST balls, pistol variant of Grappling Hook, HypnoGaze photoreceptor attachment, built-in jet system attachment, Abregado combat shield, grey Chameleon Cloak, standard blue-blade combat lightsabers, Spear of Rae, Anti-Force Users grenades, Vonduun Skerr Karamik, Grav Gloves.


[ Greyclock guy, Command good. Ensure Mama Fatee's warren be okay. Need those tunnels secure very good so Squibbs and friends can move in and out throughout city. This very big important. ]

The reply from his blue furred allies came in soon enough, HK transmitted back using the silent droid communicator,

Copy that, secure the tunnels, protect the warren. So far tracks of only one sign, let me know if other areas need reinforcement, these things usually do not take me too long.

The machine quipped over the comms as he moved deeper within the tunnels alongside his cloaked guards. They moved silently, their feet almost gliding over the soil and duracrete to leave as little footprints as possible, using the metal claws they would usually use to dig themselves in as anchors against telekinetic attacks to distribute their weight and pressure, a technique they have applied over and over again.


Scanning viciously they moved from cover to cover, checking corners one by one as they tried to keep on the trail of the FO forces who moved ahead of them, and little did they know a Ren disciple among them. However there was little the machines could do in the tunnels as the marks and residual tracks of the soldiers became less and less visible, the droids were coming to the limit of how far their technology and tricks could bring them when suddenly luck struck.

Somewhere off in the tunnels there was a noise of something impacting the floor, subtle and soft but the mechanical audioceptors picked up on it. The sound of Connor jumping from the lip of the platform onto the tracks.

Mark the projected source location, follow.

HK sent quick silent orders the Greycloaks acknowledged with affirmative pings of data as the machines moved out towards the origin of the noise, slinking through shadows along the walls, moving from cover to cover, from corner to corner. Finally they came to underground crossroads, tunnels splitting left and right.

Ironhide, head left scout and report in, if there is another squad silence them, Iron-Borne and Blade, you are coming with me to the right, we are investigating the noise origin.

Yessir

Yessir

Yessir

The machines split up, one cloaked assassin droid following the direction in which Connor's stormtrooper Captain went, the other two joined HK in his hunt for the phantom squad.

It would not take long for them to catch up with the FO soldiers after that, picking up on their heat signatures first through the darkness before confirming visual with their photoreceptors.

Monologue Split Maneuver

HK informed his honorguards, the droids acknowledged it with silent nods as they split off from him, taking opposite sides of the tunnels.


HK himself moved closer towards Connor, it was nowhere close enough to really engage in melee, that wasn't HK's intention at the moment either way, but close enough to be seen behind them should he drop his cloak, or heard, in fact,

"Well, well, well."

The droid spoke up from the tunnels behind Connor and his squad,

"Look what the Nexu dragged in, Sith lapdog soldier and a Ren if my scanners and knowledge of your uniforms is correct."

HK quipped, leaning by one of the wrecked subway cars as his cloak dropped, it would be the red glow of his eyes that they would see first before the rest of him materialized, raising his hands slightly as he pulled and contorted his fingers in weird gestures, they did not seem exactly like any hand signals.

His companions, hidden, reached to silently take their revolvers from their holsters.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Reepicheep Memorial Park, Metrobig City

[member="Jaxton Ravos"] was entirely correct: attrition would wear down Ashin's Force protection, which benefited from a full-body variant of Force Weapon as well as comprehensive tutaminis. She'd told Spencer on occasion that she could take any hit, but lesser attacks would wear her down eventually. Jaxton appeared to have grasped that, which already gave him more common sense than most Jedi she'd fought.

Her spear-hand strike glanced harmlessly off a left wrist that should not have been so resilient. Some kind of Force protection of his own, possibly - Matukai stone-skin came to mind - but the more likely explanation was a lifelike prosthetic hand or arm. She'd had one of her own before her first death. There was no way to tell how far up the arm that prosthesis might go - how much of him would go inert if she pumped Force lightning into him.

But that was a problem for another heartbeat. His sabre hissed off. A longtime Trakata practitioner herself, Ashin recognized immediately that there was no reliable way to predict where that blade would go when he turned it back on. Without hesitation, she wrapped her right hand in the same protection that she'd just used on her head. A quick step forward brought her into range to try and grab the emitter. The goal was to place her shielded palm over the spot where the blade would project. Enough reflected energy might damage the emitter matrix and cause the weapon some grief. Between the archaic cord and the vibrant blade, the retrosaber looked jury-rigged. Maybe she could turn its phenomenal power against it.

 

[FN-999]

Location: Vong infested area of Metrobig City
Allies: [member="Sasha Starkos"], [member="Jaron Lesan"], [member="Castor Ren"]
Enemies: [member="Choli Vyn"], [member="Trextan Voidstalker"], [member="Elmont Block"]
Objective: Go through a Vong infested area of Metrobig City and escort [member="Castor Ren"]
Gear: In sig

The first minute through the Vong territory, there was silence. Not a living thing stirred, the only noises made by the footsteps of the three stormtroopers and some crumbling buildings surrounding them. Not wanting the fate of their comrade, the three troopers walked silently through the ruined roads. This was away from the battle zone, so there were few sounds from above. The troopers made sure their blasters were loaded and kept an eye out for any Vong.

The next three minutes were similar to the first, complete silence and crumbling ruins. Joe wondered if there even were any Vong around here, or if it was just a wasteland.

However, five minutes in the troopers started to hear noises. Strange, creepy noises. The three troopers went into a jog, desperate to escape. Suddenly, Joe saw a head. When he looked back, it was gone. The next twenty seconds would be perhaps the longest in his life. Six Vong jumped out from all directions, smashing into the troopers. One of them quickly slaughtered a trooper, and another Vong engaged the second trooper. Joe was pinned down by a Vong, who was much stronger than he was. It slashed at him multiple times, only missing because of Joe's sudden twists and turns. The Vong grabbed him and hurled him against a wall of a collapsed house, his blaster flying away from him.

Joe slammed into the wall so hard he almost fainted. He regained conciousness and reached weakly for his riot baton just as two Vong closed in on him. They raised their staffs up, about to pierce Joe's neck. Just about when they were about to slam their staffs down, Joe jumped to the side as the two staffs slammed down right where he was before. His will to survive fueled him, and grabbing his blaster, he ran.

The Vongs also started running, but Joe managed to keep up his pace. He then grabbed his blaster and started firing backward as he ran, taking out two Vong. He had lost track of time, but his helmet tracker said he was very close to the Ren now. He fired back three more shots, crippling a Vong. The three Vong stopped their chase and searched for new hiding spots. Joe was the only survivor of that attack.

He came around a bend in the road, and finally found [member="Castor Ren"] and his escorts. He walked toward them as he started to regain his energy. As he joined the ranks of the other troopers, he called to Castor.

"Hey, Ren! I'm here."