Dominion The Bryn'adûl | A Fleet Burns | Hex below Draemidus Prime

[Primal Architect]

The Bryn'adûl | A Fleet Burns

A strange fleet of mercenary vessels has appeared in three separate systems just beyond the edges of our borders. Scans have revealed that this amassing fleet is an attempt by the Hutts and crimelords to put together an army to attack us when we eventually take Nar Shaddaa. The fleet of Dire Conviction moves, led by the Divine Brutality and Fleetmaster Ver’kad.

Destroy their ships, burn them into the astral plane.

OBJECTIVE A: FIRST WAVE
- Via boarding craft, infiltrate and take control of the enemy capital ship and destroy it.

OBJECTIVE B: SECOND WAVE
- Via boarding craft, deploy to the supporting frigates allowing the enemy to maintain superiority in the dogfights, primary objective is to disable the weapon systems of these two frigates.

OBJECTIVE C: ASSASSINATION
- Infiltrate the Capital ship of the enemy fleet and reach the command deck, eliminate the Captain and his battle meditator.

OBJECTIVE D: FLEET BATTLE
- Engage the enemy fleet in a fierce naval battle, they outnumber our ships but cannot match our ferocity. Destroy them, all of them!

Spoiler: Tag List

- Sethrak | Keldothera | Galak | Sylok'Vanari | Krarolk T'manu | Primarch Drek'ma | Badar | Ver'kad Inuk | Tathra Khaeus | Osam | Tolfik Aenon |
|

 

[Ver'kad Inuk]

POST: One
TAGS: Badar |
OBJ: D

Verk’kad stood aboard the bridge of the Divine Brutality, he had become a Fleetmaster. A new title, the first of its kind as now their naval forces had been organised into individual fleets and groups. They had been reorganised into something much fiercer, much more powerful and ready for battles of the grander scale likened to Yurb. Ver’kad had lost many hands, Drawl he had served with for years that day. But that was the price of their mission, their crusade.

The weight of that felt heaviest now, looking through the viewport towards the forming fleet of enemy vessels ahead. Ver’kad told himself this was just a test, a preliminary to the real thing. They outnumbered their enemy, but it felt real to him. Ver’kad steeled his nerves as the announcer spoke over the comms channel; their first wave of boarding crafts were to be launched in thirty seconds.

“Debauchers, ready positions for coordinate transmission. Butcherer class ships, hold steady positions; aim for enemy vessel trajectory paths. Force them into the choke point!”

The plan was simple, use the Butcherers heavy beam fire to lock down the travel paths of the enemies and force them into a choke-point where the Phedraks could concentrate fire.

 

[Sethrak]

Objective: First Wave
Post: 1



Sethrak waited patiently in the boarding craft. The upcoming battle was on his mind. Yurb was a rare failure for the Bryn Adûl. A failure that Sethrak felt a personal grief for, but above the grief, anger. Angry that the battle was in vain, angry that the Bryn were smited by such weak forces, angry that he himself had not performed as well as he should have, and most of all, angry at Tathra for leading the Bryn into such a defeat. The oldest and strongest of the Drael, yet he didn’t organize the Bryn fleet until after the defeat. It was foolish. Could the Titan truly lead the Bryn if he allowed himself to make such a mistake?

But enough. Sethrak had made mistakes, and the Titan should be expected to make them as well. Sethrak saved Tathra at the forsaken planet of Ylesia when the infection spread, and the Titan had saved Sethrak on the same day when he gave in to his injuries. Although Sethrak had grown to not form attachments with fellow Drael, the exchange on Ylesia made him see Tathra in a different light. Sure, the Titan had needed saving twice in recent memory, and he had led them to a defeat at Yurb, but Sethrak was willing to be patient for just a little bit longer. A few mistakes don’t equal weakness, and Tathra was strong, precise, and wiser than almost all other Drael. The strong and proven deserve to have second chances.

Now was not the time for philosophy, however, as the battle was soon to begin. Sethrak was to join with wave one-the same as Tathra- and help secure a breach for the second wave to finish the job. He still wasn’t used to the adrenaline and the plethora of thoughts that rushed one’s mind before a battle. He wondered if a being ever truly did get used to it. What he had gotten used to was twisting the thoughts and adrenaline to his advantage. He planned the battle out in his head...the landing….the rush of Bryn troops into the enemy ship...the explosions, shouting, and blaster fire. Imagining it now would help when it was actually happening. His next thought was interrupted by a voice….

“Launch in Thirty, Warriors.”

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Post: One
Objective: A/C
Tags: Krarolk T'manu | Keldothera |

The Titan sighed, sitting alone in the boarding craft - waiting for the others of this particular wave to arrive. One nuisance after another, one problem, one mistake after another. In the passing months, the loss of Yurb and an outbreak within their own territory that required an entire installation and planetary populace to be lost. And now, an entire enemy fleet had formed without their notice on the edge of their borders. The humans were growing bold, a strike was needed.

This would be the first. The fleet of Divine Conviction had grown in size since the battle at Yurb, they had known to improve their fleeting capabilities after that fateful loss. But, these things took time. Time was a concept most Draelvasier did not quite grasp yet, they were young and impatient. They wanted success now, immediate. They did not understand the long trodden road one must take to achieve such a thing as a true victory. But they would learn, over time.

If they were to surpass him, to outlive his own lifetime - they would have to. Tathra rose as the others boarded, mostly Brutes alongside a larger contingent of drones. The first wave was to follow Ver’kad’s assault. Their phalanx of Phedrak fighters and Ra’maks would clear the path to allow the safe passage of their boarding crafts.

“Launch in thirty, warriors.” Came over the communications channel from the command deck.

They were to be prepared.

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Tathra Khaeus Krarolk T'manu Sethrak
Post: 1

Keldothera stormed into the boarding craft, she’d been listening to the deck commander try and explain the simplest of things to her for fifteen minutes. Wasted her time, her only solace was the joy of his shrinking posture when her rank was ushered without even her own words. A fiendish smile crept across her features as she looked to her helm, then across the mostly empty divide between the two sides of the craft to see the Chieftain himself. Her fingers curled nervously around the edges of her helm, nodding to him as the others began to board the craft.

“My Chieftain. It is an honor.” She spoke, bowing her head before taking her seat.

Keldothera was a General, one of the 10th Regiment and she had fought across many battlefields with the exception of Yurb. She had for the most part served under Galak alongside his protege Pavium, but had never ever fought alongside the Titan himself. That was something she was indeed envious of her kin for. But, it seemed now she was to be granted an opportunity to show her worth to him in person. Obviously the rank she had earned spoke for itself, she had fought hard to become a General. Even though the Draelvasier as a species did not quite hold the biases or even genetic differences between sexes of other races, Baedurin males were very much still the hounds the holonet portrayed human males to be.

She did not look kindly on those guided by selfish desires. At least, not honorable desires like hers indeed were. She was ready to fight, and ready to prove her worth. She had chosen to be in this first wave for a reason, now was a time to rise among the ranks of the Bryn!

 

[Badar]

Post: 1
Objective: Fleet Battle

Another battle was at hand. Badar had seen many in his life. Always, he commanded his ship in space combat, something many Bryn were unsure about. It was a privilege and an honor. He had befriended the Titan, and, in Badur’s mind at least, earned his respect. Now was no different from any other battle, apart from two things. The Bryn were recoiling from several heavy blows, first Yurb and then Ylesia. That was the first thing. Defeat was foreign to the Bryn, and this battle had a certain feel to it: The men wanted revenge.

The second change was that after the battle of Yurb, Tathra and the Fleetmaster of the Dire Conviction, this fleet, had reorganized the naval fist of the Bryn. Now, it was the true right hand of the Bryn Empire while the ground forces were the left fist. The right hand would strike first, dazzling the foe and clearing a good hit for the left hand, which would finish the foe.

If the galaxy wasn’t afraid of the Bryn before...they should be now. This battle would be a rude awakening: There will NEVER be another Yurb. These mercenaries should be honored to be the first victims of the reorganized navy. The goal was simple: Clear the way for the boarding craft. Badar would follow Ver’Kad’s lead.

 

[Galak]

Post: One
Objective: B
Tags: N/A

Second wave. Either first or second, the dread was the same. Those in the first wave were proud to be so, but were happy to see the arrival of the second. Those in the second spent every second after the first was deployed itching to follow them, but then realised they wished they were in the third by the time it was their turn to move.

Once again he was in the latter position, waiting anxiously. But as he looked around it was a comfort that he was not alone. His brothers stood by his side, again and again. However, he did find it odd that Tathra continuously called for him to fight under his leadership. Did the Titan not wish for Galak to prosper?

No, that was not possible.

“Second wave, launch in sixty!” A voice boomed across the ship, Galak checked his weapons and watched as the others did the same. Galak rose, placing his turret onto the magnetic holster on his back.

“Brethren! The order is simple! The Titan will punch a hole in the enemies defences aboard the capital ship of the enemy fleet, we will hit these two frigates.” Galak referred to a display, a psychometric signal given to them all, relaying an image of the two frigates to each of them.

“These ships are providing anti-fighter support to their nearby vessels, we disable their firing mechanisms and we’ll make the duty of our naval brethren easier.” Galak had to act like he knew exactly what he was talking about, truth was he had no real clue. That wasn’t even the worst part of today.

 

[Ver'kad Inuk]

POST: Two
TAGS: Badar
OBJ: D

Ver’kad steadied himself, watching as the enemy fighters were launched - it nearly matched their own. Perhaps they were droid fighters of some kind, if not they were in trouble indeed.

“Artificer Kad, I want a scan on those fighters.” The fleetmaster ordered, turning to one of his ready view screens, his hands found themselves perfectly shaped around the stones as his mind brought forth information, flickering images as he was connected to the entirety of the ship from the command podium. Their fighters were ready, but the Butcherers needed another few seconds.

“Launch fighters on my command.” Ver’kad spoke calmly, his mind pushing through the rush of information useless to him, returning to the present. The enemy fighters were nearly in range of their ships, but the support frigates were also moving up to defend the capital ship. They’d need to launch their second and third waves shortly after the Chieftain was able to confirm a successful board.

Three. Two. One.

“Fighters, launch! First wave, launch!” The fleetmaster growled, hands tightening round the orbs in his palms as he leaned forward. “Main batteries, prepare fire on their cruisers moving into position on our flanks, ballistas keep their troop transports from reaching our ships!”

In an explosive moment, dozens of ships and fighters rocketed out from the Carriers sitting behind their main line of Conquesters and Butcherers.

“The first wave is away. Repeat, first wave is away!”

 

[Badar]

Post: 2
Objective: D
Tags: Ver'kad Inuk





The battle had begun. Badar watched as Ver’Kad’s ship continued forward. The fighters of the enemy did indeed match the fighters of the Bryn, an observation Ver’Kad probably made as well. Badar launched his own two squadrons of fighters from his Butcherer. Badar had seen these numbers before, and they were problematic, however the Bryn fighters were organized this time. Squads moved together in tighter, cleaner motions. The Bryn should have a victory here.

The time had come for the transports to launch. They did so. The fighters must do their job, and protect the transports. With the way things were going, it seemed to be a guaranteed success, but nothing could be perfect; several transports didn’t make it to their targets before being destroyed. A sad fate for the Bryn on board.

Regardless, most of the first wave made it to their destination. Good. Soon it would be time for a second wave that would attack the frigates. Hopefully the Bryn fighters could continue their cohesive success. If not, the second wave would have trouble taking down the frigates.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Post: Two
Objective: A/C
Tags: Krarolk T'manu | Keldothera | Sethrak |


Tathra did not speak, he merely returned the nod to the General. He had approved her request to transfer from the third wave departure to the first. The Emissary had many kind words to offer in her regard, but also worths of caution. Whilst he appreciated the Emissaries opinion, he also knew better than most how to make a flower blossom.

Attention and dedication were required. He watched silently as the rest of their boarding craft unit found their seating arrangements as the count-down reached zero, in unison those within stomped their left foot into the metal floor.

They were ready for what would come. Following a massive burst of Phedrak Fighters, the many boarding crafts of the first wave exploded from the projectile hangar bays of the Phedrak Carrier, their tendril covered exteriors propelling them through the mass collision of fighters toward the enemies capital ship. The first waves boarding crafts were built specifically for tasks such as these, their exteriors constantly shimmered with magnetic ion-disrupting shields, allowing them to bypass the shielding of enemy vessels to successfully board.

Tathra instinctively grasped the two handle bars across his chest as the ship rocked from the explosion, one of the boarding crafts exploded as a spiralling fighter crashed into it - killing everything inside in an instant.

“Do not be afraid of your fear, to fight it is to fight yourself and that is needless and foolish. Hone it, my brothers. Master it! Your fear is a part of you my brethren! Use it like any other tool in your arsenal.”

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: A
Tags: Sethrak | Krarolk T'manu | Tathra Khaeus
Post: 2

Keldothera slid her helmet on, hiding her grin of excitement as the boarding craft shot through the air. When the explosion came she was indeed distracted by her fear, but by the wisdom of the Titan she was able to look past her fear and to the Drael under her command.

“Take heed of the Titan’s words my warriors!” Kelda looked to him then with a nod of respect. Her creator, her idol was now right before her, in the flesh. It was a strange and beautiful thing, as was he. She would not fail him, not in this lifetime. She was a good Baedurin, a good Drael. She always had been.

But she was a better warrior than either of those things. She was ready for the slaughter. They had lost at Yurb yes, but that did not make them weak. They had never been weak, every day they grew stronger and she knew that in her heart!

The General looked to the ceiling as the orbs flashed red, they were only a few seconds from impact. They had made it.

“Brace!”

 

[Sethrak]

Post:2
Objective: A
Tags: Tathra Khaeus


The timer hit zero.

Immediately Sethrak felt the boarding craft launch, the sudden and powerful move making him tense up, despite being strapped in by a metal harness. With him, there were mostly grunts, as well as a few aervalin and one of the massive baedurin, the biggest and strongest of the Drael races. A well balanced group. Balance...something the Bryn should have. It seems natural, the Aerevalin and the Baedurin were both strong and weak in their own ways. One was fast, nimble, the other was strong, and durable. Yet it seemed that the races were not equals. Baldar, a ship master, was a baedurin. The Titan, leader of the Bryn, was a baedurin. Even the Aerevalin were bred to be better than the drones. Sethrak always made sure his commanded group was equal. The baedurin in his pod would do no more or less than the drones, apart from his individual performance that was sure to be better than a single drone.

Any second now the craft would hit the mercenary capital ship, and the Bryn would begin the assault. Today, the Bryn'Adûl would show that it takes more than one defeat to slow them down. Yurb was just a defeat in words. Their resolve had never been stronger. Outside of his pod, the others were in the same situation. Some were blasted before they could reach the ship, but the others were likely thinking the same things Sethrak was thinking. Once they breached, the united fury of the Drael would be unleashed.

They approached the ship.

 

[Galak]

Post: Two
Objective: B
Tags: N/A

This was the worst part, by far.

Galak felt his stomach sink at the call, their first wave was away and the second wave wouldn’t be far behind them. The Emissary forced himself to stop looking to the floor as a small group of 10th Regiment Brutes had hooked up to an exterior viewscreen, displaying the conflict outside of the ship and watching as both Tathra and one of his best Generals flew recklessly off into the thick of the naval conflict.

“They’re making it through! That capital ship is ours for the taking!” He spoke enthusiastically, but his choice of words gave the Emissary pause. The large Brute rose to full height, standing over his comrades as he looked down at the viewscreen. Indeed it seemed they were making it through, that was good. But they had a different target entirely and that was another matter entirely.

“The taking, Minor? No, we will destroy that heretic vessel and every damned mercenary aboard it.” Galak folded his arms, putting on the lecturing disappointment thick to get his point across. The Minor nodded meakly, he understood his mistake and that was all he could want.

“Take your seat, we depart in a moment.”

 

[Ver'kad Inuk]

POST: Three
TAGS: Badar
OBJ: D

Now the second wave would depart soon, it was time for them to close in the enemy fighters into their chokehold and draw the frigates in. Once the frigates moved, the second wave could launch and soon leave them defenceless to be battered by their ballista's.

"All Butcherer class ships, open fire on these coordinates. Close the gap!" In the moments, the Butcherers primed main batteries opened fire as massive beams of pure energy vapourised the fighters caught in their pathways, forcing those outside of them into the thick ranks and crossfire of the Phedrak Fighters.

"Frigates in coming, second wave. Prepare to launch now! Conquesters, turn batteries and main shielding forward facing! We will prolong the frigate assault!" The Fleetmaster turned his attention then to the view outside, watching as the massive battle continued. Their ra'maks controlled the lanes, this battle would be theirs without any further surprises.

 

[Krarolk T'manu]

Post: I
Objective: C
Tags: Tathra Khaeus | Keldothera

“Launch in thirty, warriors.” Came over the communications channel from the command deck.

"Understood, Chieftain" was the unified response of the Zealot Elite trio within their Shard.
​

Krarolk rushed to the Shard's control panel, warming up its engines and preparing to initiate combat maneuvers once the transport left the carrier it was stationed upon. Abvor and the Zealot Commander took a seat on opposite ends of the Shard's interior walls, bracing for a sudden liftoff. With a loud thump, the Shard was ejected along with dozens of other boarding craft.

The Zealot Elite immediately sent the Shard hurtling forwards through space, engaging all basic systems and sending the vehicle into the midst of the battle. As he turned the Shard right, away from the heaviest gunfire, Krarolk began to scan his surroundings. He was looking for the largest vessel in the enemy's fleet - the vessel on which the fleet commander resided. The trio were assigned to infiltrate the vessel, assassinate the commander and his meditator, and then destroy the entire warship from within.

Krarolk soon identified the largest vessel within the pirate fleet, one that seemed to be about the size of a light cruiser. He veered the Shard to the left, putting increased power into its engines and aiming for the flagship's open hangar bay. In response, two turbolaser cannons turned away from the Bryn'adul's capital ships and fired upon the Shard.

"Look out, things are gonna get bumpy!" yelled Krarolk excitedly, filled with adrenaline as he faced down a new challenge.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Post: Three
Objective: A/C
Tags: Sethrak | Krarolk T'manu | Keldothera |

When the boarding craft made contact with the capital ship, the lights turned dark as the boarding craft rocked onto its side. Tathra pried free the mechanical brace, directly opposite him, a Brute’s bracing jacket had snapped in two places. His head connected with the side of the metal, his skull crushed in his own helmet. Tathra checked for a pulse, no such luck. The rest, whilst slightly shaken were ready. All that was left, was to pull the latch.

Tathra moved to the front of the group, the ruby crystalline blade of his Axe glimmering with its molten vapour. The red lights shone once again, breathable air aboard the ship was confirmed. Time to fight. With his free hand, he reached up and pried open the hatch, the adjacent wall of the boarding craft unfolded as the muffled sounds of battle became incredibly loud. Their forces had begun the attack already, engaged in smaller firefights all across the ship. This was a larger area, a munitions factory aboard the ship that led to an interior traversal for ships and whatnot connected to a ship wide elevator system. That would be their way to the bridge.

“Forward warriors!” Tathra called out, rushing forward with Axe in hand. As a trio of what he could only recognise as Black Sun mercenaries turned their maser blasters to them, he threw the Axe forward in a spinning motion, cutting through the trio. Around them more turned, shocked by the sudden arrivals, not sure whether to fire at those charging toward them or the Savage Drones darting between them.

The Axe spun in its spiralling swing back to the Titan’s dominant hand, returning to his grasp as Tathra snarled; he never got used to that feeling. But every time, it granted him such satisfaction.

“Tear them down, Draelvasier!”

 

[Badar]

Post: 3
Objective: D
Tags: Ver'kad Inuk


Badar ordered the gun to fire. He had considered the idea before the order, but hesitated. He had acted before being ordered before, but it always felt odd, and disobedient. If he had fired, it could've hit Bryn ships, and without being ordered to fire, hitting his own men would be a bad call. Now, however, most Bryn fighters were cleared. Every ten seconds a beam emitted from the butcherer, turning enemy fighters into dust. It was an amazing ship, but in Badar's humble opinion, the Bryn needed diversity in the navy. They had a small selection of ships, unlike any Navy in the galaxy's history. The old Empire came to his mind. They had Star Destroyers, two variants, plus victory Star Destroyers, lancer frigates for fighter control, SSDs to dominate entire fleets, and hundreds of other ships. It simply wasn't logical to have such a small selection. It made the enemy's jobs easier, they only needed to know a few ships' strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps, now that the Navy was reformed, Badar would propose new ships to Ver'kad or Tathra.

But for now he needed to keep an eye on the battle at hand. It seemed under control, but as both he and Ver'Kad surely knew, looks could deceive. These were mercenaries. The hirers could be near, besides, they wouldn't hire some cheap, unexperienced mercs. These were veterans, tested through combat. This battle wasn't over.

 

[Sethrak]

Post: 3
Objective: A
Tags: Galak Tathra Khaeus Krarolk T'manu Keldothera

The pod breached the ship, as Sethrak noted another boarding ship was blown to bits. A shame, the Bryn on board never had a chance. However, the Warlock did have the chance. The second the doors on his pod broke open, he, as well as the rest of his men charged forward. Just like he had envisioned, blaster fire erupted, killing several of his men. He spun his spear in a circular motion as he had many times before, deflecting blaster fire as the oils on the spear began to heat up. The enemy arguably had an advantage, as they were able to take good positions, while the Bryn had no cover. But the Bryn had blast-resistant armor and skin, as well as weapons that could redirect the blaster fire as Sethrak was at this moment.


The battle was well in progress now, and it was a tug of war match. In times like these, the leaders among the Bryn needed to step up. Sethrak was one such leader in this battle. He surged forward, slicing down two mercenaries as he did. Behind him, the boarding party of his pod followed, shielded from blaster fire, they returned fire more accurately, killing several mercenaries. He could feel the fear rolling off the defenders. They knew their demise was near.

Sethrak chose to wait here. He could easily push forward, but if the other parties didn’t move at the same time, he could be flanked. He awaited the Titan’s move.It’d take a minute, but soon the Bryn would surge forward and clear the way for the next wave.

 

[Krarolk T'manu]

Post: II
Objective: C
Tags: Keldothera | Sethrak | Tathra Khaeus

Krarolk veered the Shard to the left just as the first turbolaser bolts flew by.
​

Then, he engaged in evasive maneuvers, swerving and turning erratically to throw off the gunners on the cruiser's cannons. However, the Zealot Elite's skill could only get him so far. About fifty meters away from the vessel's hangar, a turbolaser bolt fired at close range struck the Shard's engine modulator before Krarolk could turn. Suddenly, the Shard accelerated to full speed, with no signs of stopping. Krarolk yanked the shuttle's gear backwards only to experience no result.

"Damn it! I'm lowering the Shard's ramp now, we're gonna have to jump and ditch the ship!" called Krarolk to the other two Elites.

Right as the Shard careened into the cruiser's main hangar bay, Krarolk manually lowered the ship's ramp. Then, he sprant backwards. By his estimate, he would only have two seconds to leave the Shard before it smashed into the other end of the hangar. Time seemed to slow down as every second became precious, the trio lunging out of the Shard fully armed, the wind generated by its momentum soaring past them. Then, time resumed its typical flow. The Shard slammed into the far end of the hangar, creating a massive explosion that killed dozens of crew members instantly and started a blaze that threatened to slowly melt the hangar, and then the entire cruiser, into a pile of liquid metal.

As the three Elites rose up from their fall and gathered their bearings, they realized that a new variable had entered their assassination operation. They had a time limit: they needed to kill the fleet's commander before the flames nearby consumed all routes of exit.

​

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

Objective: B
Tags: Galak |
Post: One

The Ra'mak Alpha darted through the battlefield as it moved into the hangar bay of one of the frigates, opening fire in spiralling directions across the hangar bay, destroying dozens of fighters moving to take off. The Primarch would see that the Frigates were destroyed.

Below from the launching crafts, Rhivaks would be deployed to support the forces moving into the frigates alongside the Brutes of the 10th. These mercenaries had made the mistake of believing they could withstand the military might of a species united. They were wrong, very much so.

Drek'ma had no intention of delving into the fighting himself, he would oversee the battlefield from above.