Mission The High War: Zion || Ascendancy

[Korvis Laerann]

Location: Fort Luck

Wearing: Khanate Uniform

Tag: Sylvia Alvaro | Var Talon

Korvis let loose a frustrated grunt as he threw himself back against the rear of the holding cell and into a seated position. How did he get to this position? Why was it that a man couldn’t just do a job and get paid for it? One thing was for certain, though, he’d never do a job for this man nor this organization again. And if he managed to get out of this debacle he’d ensure word got out about this. What Korvis provided was a service. A service that wasn’t free and absolutely warranted payment. Afterall, it’s not like his line of work was exactly safe. This job in particular had him slipping through Pike Syndicate and Hutt space. Quite the unsavory folks. And then encroaching into the territory of where Confederacy’s new found self as the Ascendancy. Whatever that was. And if this was a rebranded form of what once used to be the Confederacy, then, it wouldn’t be too far off to assume that certain laws still held true. Including the illegality of transporting unmarked and unregistered goods as he had done with this job.

“Hey,” he called out, his attention directed to the lone Khanate brute that remained. Some kind of prison guard, he assumed. “Get me a drink, would ya?” His gaze rose from the duracrete floor to meet the figure of the man he’d just spoken to. There he saw the man rummaging through the belongings that had been confiscated from him by his captors prior to being through here. “Ugly! Put that down!” There was an anger that graced the tone of his now raised voice. “Who the kriff do you think you are going through that?!”

His words seemingly fell upon deaf ears as the brutish figure continued to dig into his belongings, tossing things here and there as he lost interest in them.

“Hey,” he started again, “I’m talking to you!”

Again there was no response from the brute.

“Put that down!”

Once more, his jest was met with silence.

“Did you need me to talk slow for you? Put. That. Back!”

For a moment it seemed as though the brutish man rummaging through his things would reply with nothing. But then, the man shifted. “You. Shut it.”

Korvis rolled his eyes and then stood. Stepping toward the energized gate to the cell, he turned his neck to either side, letting loose a series of audible pops and cracks. “Oh you just wait til I get out of this cell!”

Rising from his seated position, the brutish man approached his cell door, his eyes narrowed, he leer piercing downward into Korvis, whom he towered over. In his hand, he held a personal item very dear to the smuggler. It was a trinket given to him by his mother, prior to his departure, or rather as he saw it, his abduction, to the Jedi Order. An Order of Force monks he’d abandoned years ago.

“Put. That. Down!” An unfiltered anger and frustration flared in Korvis’ eyes as he noticed what the man was holding.

The brute reached forward, leveling his hand in front of him, palm open and facing upward. It seemed as though he was about to ball his fist and crush the item for a moment, but all in an instant there was a massive kind of quake that ripped a tremor through the facility with which he was being held.

Korvis stumbled for a moment but was able to catch himself by reaching out to the metallic railing of the cell. The brute on the other hand, stumbled backwards for a step, before awkwardly shifting forward causing his complete loss of balance. All in a moment, the man’s head collided with the cell’s control mechanism, letting loose a flurry of sparks as the interface shattered.

A lucky string of events for Korvis, though.

For a brief moment, the energy field constraining him to the cell flickered. And then, it faded completely. He wasn’t confined by the cell anymore, but he was by no means free of his captors. His hands were still bound uncomfortably in the aftermarket stun cuffs they’d intinitially restrained him with.

Without hesitation, Korvis acted upon his good fortune in that moment and vaulted from the cell. Quick as he could, he looted the brute’s unconscious figure in an effort to find the control mechanism to release his cuffs. It wasn’t long before he did find it and released himself.

“I told your friends they’d regret this,” Korvis said as he approached a locker and pulled out what seemed to be a Khanate uniform of sorts. Slightly large for him, but it would at least lessen his likelihood of being recognized as an escaped prisoner for now. “And you,” he said as he approached what looked to be some kind of master control panel for the holding facility. “You, I just said to wait until I get out of here. And well, I’m out.” He senselessly mashed a number of commands on the console, unsure of what each would do. By the time he’d finished, sirens and alarms were sounds, lights were flashing, and seemingly every cell was open. Though to the extent with which their prisoner operation encompassed was anyone’s best guess.

Laying in a lean-to fashion against the console was some kind of stun baton, also of the aftermarket variety. He picked it up and approached the prone brute which was now beginning to regain consciousness. “Not what you were expecting, huh?” In a flash, the baton energized and he jabbed it into the brute’s side. Electricity erupted from the weapon and coursed through the brute’s body, causing the man to seizure and convulse violently.

“Oh this thing can’t be legal,” Korvis murmured to himself. “I like it.” Once more he energized the weapon and thrust it into his captor’s side, rendering the man unconscious again.

“Right, now how to get out of here.” He reached down and retrieved the token that his mother had given him and then gathered the rest of his belongings that the brute had so rudely been rummaging through.​

 

[Artemis Verd]

​

Sentinel Rhamani knew they would be targeted, this was the job after all. Anti-Air could be heard around the drop pod, and Rhamani watched as several were punched out of the air. This was the job - only the few would make it, may Aurora bless their path, she thought to herself. "Void Knights, prepare to jump, there isn't much room on the platform. Ready your packs." Rhamani's orders cut through the chaos, her voice's authoritative tone pushed through it all. "On my mark."​

​

"DROP!"​

​

Pods opened up, releasing their charges as the Void Knights used their jet packs to guide themselves onto the platform. Their armor created a resounding thud as they each made landfall. Anti-Air had a hard time pinning them once they were released from the pods. "On me Knights, fire! FOR THE VANGUARD!" High-powered rifles, pistols, and blasters sang in unison, a cacophony of violence that saw to the death of every single person who dared to defend the rig.​

​

:: Cartagena to Vanguard, signal when ready for transport ::​

​

:: Copy that Cartagena, Vanguard out ::​

​

​

Their duty now was to secure the LZ. "Vanguard! FORWARD!" Rhamani ordered as the Void Knights began to push creating behind them a small and secure zone. Slowly but surely they would secure the landing site, their armor made sure of that, and once the AA was knocked out their Lancer Corps could come in and participate in securing the sector. The other objective were calling for medics, Rhamani placed a call upward.​

​

:: Cartagena, Vanguard - Medical Corp ASAP. Objective Alpha ::​

​

:: Copy Vanguard. Medical to Alpha. ::​

​

Kuben Woods and their unit would be contacted by the Cartagena alerting them to medical personnel inbound via a shuttle being escorted by the Vanguard's Lancers. Rhamani and her team continued to push forward, "snipers!" She called out to her team as she angled her rifle upward taking out a sniper as she did so. She wondered where the other Ascendant forces were for a moment and called out to them via comms.​

​

:: Paladin Rhamani to Ascendant Forces. We're securing a section of the rig, meet you all in the holding cells. Watch for snipers. ::​

​

​

Dreidi Xeraic | Abel Denko | Luna Evanstance | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng​

 

[Ciri Jade]

//Location: Zion; Port Luck
//Current_Objective: Meet up with Ally
//Alternate_Objective: Capture or Eliminate Gaus Philistia
//Tag: Tess Valnora

Streams of intel crossed the screen of her datapad as she scrolled through, assessing what had been gathered and sent through to the higher ups. This operation under the Ascendancy had a familiarity to that of the Ministry of Secrets, yet with far more firepower backing them up. Pulling up a file received prior to the operation, the coordinates to a rendezvous had been sent by Tess Valnora, a fellow former member of the Ministry. Working with someone familiar again made things easier, even if dealing with the Khanate wouldn't be so easy. Removing a small datachip from the datapad in her hand, she breaks it in half, dropping the shards onto the floor. What was coming left her with little worry about scraps being found.

Picking up her A-180 Blaster before slotting it into the holster on her hip, Ciri peeks out into the narrow streets. Once she was certain the coast was clear, she slips out into the shadows, making her way towards the rendezvous, using what little functionality was left in her old chronometer to keep track of time.

As alarms began to sound, she moved quickly toward the coordinates that Tess had sent her. With the operation underway, they had a date with the head boss of the area.. and Ciri didn't like to be late.

 

[Militus Iella S.]

"Work"​

She had been kneeling for some time now, watching the area with a watchful eye, ignoring the still arriving pods that were crashing into the pier and flooding the Opfor base with friendly operatives. After watching for about forty seconds, she would reach at her back, drawing a single AP arrow, and bringing it to the bow in a fluid motion, drawing the box back and pivoting to an area that she could see blaster fire from.

Damian would rise from his position behind cover and begin firing overhead into several enemies on a rafter shooting down on them. He would raise a hand and signal a nearby squad to assault forward as he spoke into the comms.

She drew the arrow within the drawstring, her form perfect, easily putting a regular human to shame as she drew, and perfectly released at the optimal point, letting the 'missile' fly with a whistle; at speeds at nearly mach two the impact was devastating, hitting one enemy, and careening him directly into his ally, pinning them both to the ground, groaning and writhing on the same arrow. Iella canted her head, observing it with curiosity. Though, it was briefly; eyes scanning towards her pinned down allies as her hand again moved to her back, drawing yet another arrow.

The man simply nodded and went to work, pulling open his back of drugs and tools as he began working on his new patient. Damian noted that the legionnaire's rifle was still strapped to his body, so they had a weapon if someone got too close. He needed to continue pushing the assault. So he stood and began moving forward. They had no time to lose, every second they wasted they would sacrifice more lives. They had taken the initiative, but it would be on them to keep it and push the enemy on the back foot.

An enemy she had been watching in an adjacent warehouse had been toying with the door, peeking out right where Kuben Woods was about to make his push. She drew again, and again at the exact point of optimal release, would loose another missile of death, hitting the enemy square in the chest and sending him far into the room he was peeking out of. Iella glanced at the medic behind him, spotting an enemy contingent moving to flank, her hands moving to grasp a concussive arrow from her back.

Fish in a barrel, at this point...

​

 

[Tess Valnora]

Objective: HUNT
Location: Port Luck, Level 5
Tag: Ciri Jade || Open

Spoiler: EQUIPMENT

Weapons​

Compact SMG w/ 4 - 20 round magazines
B2 rifle 'Oathkeeper'
SGP-12
Shadow's Sting (gauntlets)
"Silence" shotosaber
"Viper's Bite" assassin's knife

Gear​

Utility belt
Suppressor for SMG
SOAR - Slicing Operation Assistance Routine
Smoke grenades (2)
2x-4x Scope (1) - When not attached to B2 rifle
Medi-kit (1)

Armor:​

Norris root dyed leatheris trench coat
PD-00 "Second Skin" Light Armor

Luckily Tess didn’t have to wait very long as Error began beeping and motioned toward a brown-haired female keeping a low profile on the other side of the square, “Keep it down Error. I see her.” Tess whispered to the droid before quickly making her way to Ciri’s side, pulling her around to the darker narrow alley, “You have no idea how nice it is to see a familiar face.” She said in a hushed voice. Being on Port Luck for the past month she had felt almost abandoned with the minimal contact she was able to make without risking the mission. For most of her past missions, she had been in clear contact with at least one of the other agents of the C.I.S.

“I see you got my drop point.” She continued, “we have two paths to choose from with our target. And it depends on whether or not they had a premonition of the attack or not.” BD-404 hopped off her shoulder and scampered down the alleyway toward the next intersection. Keeping near the wall it looked down the perpendicular street, once satisfied the area was cleared from prying eyes let out a low whistle.

“We’ll talk on the move,” Tess stated with a glance toward Error. “Luckily our choices are relatively in the same direction.” Knowing all of this was in the report she had previously sent to high command didn’t matter, she was just glad to be talking with someone. Reaching the alley corner, she held out her hand to Bd-404, who jumped up and settled on her shoulder once again. She knew that the most likely location their target would be is his personal quarters, and that was where she wanted to search first, but that could waste time if Gaus had somehow caught wind of her off-world transmissions. As they moved through the streets Tess made sure to relay her thoughts to her partner hoping she would have some input or outside information that would help.

 

[Var Talon]

ZION - ORBIT

This was a stupid plan.

It was not often that Sylvia worried the Echani. Typically, it was the other way around. During years past, when their actions were far less legal, he was always the one getting into gunfights. And even as a Medjai Knight, he was the one diving into ruins and other hellholes feet first. Var was always confident as ever when he went on mission. Why? Because he knew that Sylvia would tear the Galaxy apart to pull his sorry self out of the fire. Now, it seemed, she wanted to see him return the favor.

Var and his newfound student had only just arrived in the Expanse when Sylvia dropped the plan on his lap. She told him that she would allow herself to be captured so that they'd have bearings upon landing. A direct path to those being held by the Philistia at Port Luck. But this meant deliberately putting herself in harm's way. And, of all the places to launch a play like this, she picked the slaver den. They used to work adjacent to these kinds of monster before. They knew what happened to people in those cells, especially women.

But she still wanted to do this. And so, after one furious parting kiss, Sylvia ran off into the fire. And the time came for Var to save her. He promised that he would.

At the present day, Var strode onto the dropship that had a number of Medjai Knights present. He would have said more in greeting, but his mind was focused on the mission. So, most received a raised chin in acknowledgement before he sat down. The sole individual who received anything verbal at all was Kusana . "Listen, I know you're brand new to life out here, so please know you can stay on the ship. You don't have to stick your neck out here."

Kusana had followed him from Coruscant to the Expanse in the hopes of laying low and starting anew. Var promised - and meant it - that she would be safe with the Medjai. And she would be. But as soon as it came time for the mission to begin, she tagged along. Maybe it was because he was her only connection to this foreign world. Or maybe it was because he said he'd teach her what he knew. Overall, Var didn't want the young woman to be alone, but he also didn't want her getting in harm's way. It was a catch-22 if ever there was one.

"But if you're in, buckle up. Ship's about to fly."

Kusana | Abel Denko | Luna Evanstance | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng | Sylvia Alvaro​

 

[Abel Denko]

ZION - ORBIT

Should be good to help the Ascendancy maintain peace around here, right?

It was a simple enough question - one that was posed amidst a cough. And if the circumstances were any different, the Knight would have taken the words at face value. But, for some reason...something was off. He could...see beyond the words she said. See the pain. See the doubt. See the dying embers of hope. When Abel was but a young apprentice, his Master once told him what was clouding his mind. It was like Saer was able to see inside his very soul. Perhaps this is what was occurring; a glimpse into the world of the young woman.

And thus, Abel felt compelled to reach out. His dominant hand came to rest upon her shoulder and he gave it a light squeeze. He was quiet for a moment as Draconis' speech filled the loud speakers, but afterwards, he smiled. "We're doing more than keeping the peace." he began. "Down there are people - good and innocent people. They're locked in cages with no one to help them. It would be easy for us to go on our own way and to forget about them, but we can't."

"Because we have the power to do good, we also have the responsibility. It's not easy. It's not diplomatic. Hell, we would all prefer not to go to battle if we could avoid it. But sometimes, to save the innocent, we have to take up the blade."

The young woman then asked what his goal was on the surface and if she could tag along with him. To this, Abel nodded. "Of course you can. My goal is the same as everyone aboard this ship. We're going to bust open those cages and get every slave out. Piece of cake right? Stay close, I'll keep you in one piece."

He then motioned over his shoulder towards the blonde-haired woman beside him. His own apprentice, Illyria. "And this lovely lady is my apprentice, Illyria. If we get separated during the fighting, get to her. She's a whizz with the saber. Ain't that right?"

As the Knight spoke, the dropship's engines hummed to life. It was nealy time to launch.​

Luna Evanstance | Dreidi Xeraic | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng | Finnea Virlee | Yeshua​

 

[Yeshua]

ZION - ORBIT
Boarding the Dropship

The Engineer was concerned.

Understandably so. Normally, their place was on the bridge aboard an armored, shielded, and well-armed warship. But now, the Vampyre was leading them to the hangar to participate in a close-up fight. As they moved closer to the dropship in question, Finnea made a final plea for Yeshua to change his mind. Now, as of recent history, the Vampyre was more inclined to consider her request. It was hard to hear her request anything of him and say no. But. They had already explored this operation at length. Already discussed it at length.

And above all, it was too late to turn back now. Deep down, she knew this.

"My lov-erm...Decurion Virlee," he began, turning to face her briefly. "What ifs can go on forever. And, if not me, who aboard is capable enough to fight as well as I do? As we can? We can do this and succeed. And when we do, I'll give you a week off, paid, for the trouble."

A week of shore leave, together, would do them good anyway.

With thus said, the Vampyre boarded the dropship that was very quickly getting occupied. He nodded to the Engineer accordingly. "Inform the pilot of your plan and timing. If we're going to do this, we'll do it well." he said. He then looked to the others aboard and introduced himself. "A pleasure to be riding with you all. I am Centurion von Sorenn, and this is my Signifer, Decurion Virlee. May we all emerge safe and victorious."​

Finnea Virlee | Dreidi Xeraic | Abel Denko | Kusana | Var Talon | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng​

 

[Titus Dorn]

PORT LUCK, EAST

Dorn was grateful for his Armor.

Seven years ago, he remembered running around with glorified scrap for personal defense. Those days were just as hard as they were deadly. But now, Titus was a walking fortress. The sacrifices they had made so long ago paid off - for now they could do more than defend. They could fight back. From his current position, Titus could see one of the anti-aircraft emplacements dead ahead. If he kept his current course, he might be able to make an exalted march west and meet the Legatus Rex. Of course, along the way, he'd endeavor to silence all three of the cannons keeping their air support at bay.

From behind his cover, the Legionnaire allowed his rotary cannon to spin up once more. He stepped forward and began to unleash hell from his position. The occupants of the pods which landed beside him joined in the furious assault. Their targets, firstly, were the horde of droids which seemed to crawl out of nowhere. They creeped out of corners. Popped out of manholes. It was like walking into a hornet's nest - but they would keep firing until the job was done.

Unfortunately, the numbers of the droids was astronomical. For every one that Titus mowed down, two more took its place. Their advance was slow - and he could recognize that it was slowing.

"We're gonna need something heavy to take the AA out!" he roared over the comm. "These droids keep throwing themselves at us, can't break through!"

The plea for something louder, stronger, and faster was made. Now it was up to his comrades to answer.​

Tegan Farron | Kyyrk | Militus Iella S. | Ciri Jade | Tess Valnora | Aliza Vale | Taiia Locke | Kuben Woods | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Artemis Verd​

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Objective 2
Tags: Abel Denko | Luna Evanstance | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng | Finnea Virlee | Yeshua
Equipment: Single blade Lightsaber, Armourweave clothing
​

Dreidi looked at her shoulder as Abel placed his hand on it and squeezed it. She wasn't sure how she felt about the touch, it was nice that he was attempting some comfort but she also didn't pull away so that he felt that he had crossed a line. In her mind, she didn't feel like Abel had, just some warning that he was going to squeeze her shoulder would have been nice but she also had to accept that others didn't know that was how she felt. Her nerves on edge, her emotions were clear and on show so it was hardly surprising that he could understand her feelings a lot better than she would have liked to be sharing. Looking around, she spotted that there was another person joining them and Dreidi nodded her head to Illyria politely with a small smile on her lips. She turned to Abel and nodded her head, she understood what he was trying to say but she also felt that there was some concern that not everyone was opposed to war, the ringing of the words from Draconis was still in her ears.

"Well, I understand that we need to jump into battle to save these people and that is what I want to do. I am here to do that, but I just fear that this will lead to retaliations and further conflict instead of ending the conflictions and fighting." Dreidi mentioned, it wasn't her fear that they couldn't win this battle, it was the war, it had always been an issue of winning the war. Last time her family went to war, they lost everything and she wasn't ready to help them enter another war that would lead to their demise when they were only recently starting to regain traction. "I know about using the blade to end the fight and to use the power to save and defend others, but restraint is also something to consider. Perhaps if we had been more restrained then we wouldn't have lost Naboo?" Dreidi shrugged, she wasn't sure if that was true or not but she also couldn't help but think about it. "Also, that guy on the comms seemed eager to jump into battle, so perhaps some of us are more eager to create bloodshed than we care to admit."

Dreidi entered the dropship, she wasn't staying behind and she didn't believe that what they were doing was wrong. It was just, since Naboo and seeing the Galactic Alliance, she was questioning how much jumping into combat a Jedi should be doing and whether she was doing the right thing anymore. "Saying it will be a piece of cake is jinxing it, you do realise that?" Dreidi poked her tongue out jokingly as she let out a playful chuckle. Chewing on her bottom lip, she didn't like the idea of being seen as needing to stick around others for protection, she didn't need a babysitter. "I know how to fight too. Been practicing my Lightsaber skills as well as my Force and Magick..." Dreidi spoke in half confidence, she was nowhere where she wanted to be in terms of her skills but she was better.

"Nice to meet you Illyria though. I am Dreidi Xeraic." Dreidi held her hand out to shake with the fellow Padawan.​

 

[Ciri Jade]

//Location: Zion; Port Luck
//Current_Objective: Capture or Eliminate Gaus Philistia
//Alternate_Objective: Find way to disable the AA
//Tag: Tess Valnora Titus Dorn

Entering the square it felt like business as usual, a quick sweep of vantage points and people among the crowd looking for threats. Taking note of Tess' approach, she didn't turn her attention toward her until after she was pulled along into the darker alley way. A quick glance through the alley was all it took to ensure they could speak freely to at least a small degree. "Nice to see you too." She replied in a similarly hushed tone, taking care to keep an eye out on anyone that may seem as if they may eavesdrop.

Listening to the explanation from Tess, she paused for a moment to consider everything she had seen in the intel report. "Another thing to consider would be how bold our target is. Even some members of the crime gangs back on Nar Shaddaa may surprise you." Watching the little droid move and signal, she followed Tess. Even as they moved she was careful to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious of them, or who may tail them.

"Perhaps they have some kind of command center for operations? This place feels more like a fortress than a place to live." Glancing over her shoulder briefly, she continued. "Be warned, if they do I'd wager it's about as fortified as a Hutt's treasure vault." As they turn the corner to head down another street, she slips her sleeve back briefly, checking her chronometer. She had been on communication blackout since inserting for security reasons, ensuring her comms her encrypted, she opens up the Ascendancy's channels just as Titus Dorn calls for aid emitted at a low volume from the device. Not risking sending out a response, she shuts off her commlink once more.

"We may want to see if we can do something about that AA while we're at it. We catch him, we'll have targets on our head by every person with a weapon on this rig. Having a few friends will be a big help."

 

[Kusana]

Var said she could stay on the ship if she wanted.

Was there really a choice? Her lightsaber was still in pieces as she showed it to him. "I don't think I can do much with just this. Maybe toss one half of the hilt as a distraction and the other at their head?" She was being snarky. She wasn't sure where that came from, it wasn't exactly unlike her to be snarky, but it was rare. "At any rate, if there are any spare blasters maybe I could snatch one...?" She trailed off toward the end of her sentence, clearly unsure of the weight of her request.

Her thoughts were similarly unsure. Are blasters expensive? What if I break it? Chaos take me, I hope I don't break it.

Var Talon
​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Walking quickly, her eyes widened for a second as her superior nearly slipped over his words! Thankfully he corrected himself fast enough and she could watch him with that same worried expression as they made their way to the dropship. Of course she knew there was no way they could change the plan or cancel it entirely... But she could still express her worry and dislike for a little while longer.
"Whoever told you I can fight, sir...You need to fire them asap. That is misinformation." It wasn't entirely false, thankfully she had been somewhat forced to learn close combat as a part of the military training and she wasn't entirely useless with firearms.

A loud sound of protest came from his side at the suggestion of a week off with payment as she worked her quick fingers over the panel that would open the doors to let them into the hangar where the dropship stood all ready to go. "If we make it out alive, that is, you'll be lucky if I don't send in my papers of resignation. Sir." Finnea emphasised, staring up at Yeshua as he passed by her, only because she was stressed about the upcoming tasks.

Not especially stressed about her part in it, which mainly was focused on code breaking and testing her new found ability to manipulate mechanics, but everything else that she was not in control of. If there was one thing the decurion hated, it was unpredictable situations. Now fully focused on the ship of doom ahead, she kept pace but had stopped pleading for another solution, it wouldn't work. Once they entered, he gave her the instructions to let the pilot know of her plan and carefully calculated timing but as she was about to leave to carry out the order, he introduced her to the small group of people. Finnea placed one hand to her chest and gave a respectful nod towards the little gang, but didn't speak. It was not the time or place to start a round of polite conversation.

Turning briskly on her heel, she walked out with quick steps to speak to the pilot, a man she had not personally picked for this mission and by God, she'd make sure he followed her instructions or else...!

Yeshua | Dreidi Xeraic | Abel Denko | Kusana | Var Talon | Illyria Le Fey | Meili Feng

 

[Militus Iella S.]

THAT WASN'T IN THE BRIEFING​

She had loosed a few more arrows by now, seven shots, eight kills. Things were going seamless, and the nature of her crossfire was too discreet to warrant a glance at her elevated, and distant position. She was safe, but as she observed the situation on the ground, she quickly realized that the grounf force in the midst of the fighting was becoming overwhelmed. Where in the chit were all these droids coming from, they weren't in the briefing. Though, with the nature of their appearance, she could see why.

They probably were hidden for this very instance. Well played Khanate... Iella's head snapped to Titus's position, drawing another arrow from her back, and in the same fashion she had been, drew, and loosed at the point of optimal velocity and damage. She pinned another, though unbeknowest to her, this specific time, her direction of fire had been noted by one of the droids on the pier, easily noting the way its supplementary unit had been pinned, and backtracking the trajectory to see Iella in her kneeled position. Quickly this information was relayed, and a few droids abandoned the dock immediately, swimming through the water with expertise, and beginning to climb up to her position.

"We're gonna need something heavy to take the AA out!" he roared over the comm. "These droids keep throwing themselves at us, can't break through!"

'Feth, Titus get the mic outta' your mouth' She thought, frowning behind her helmet, red luminescent eyes scanning over to the AA. When something in her Kioku-1 ran out with blaring alarm. Her head snapped around, and she lowered her bow, collapsing it and locking it at her back before standing and moving back inside the guard tower in full stride, moving across the room and rolling the corpse still sitting in its chair out of her way as she walked up to a weapons lock, quite literally putting her right fist through the lock and grasping at it, easily rending the metal with a few sparks of electricity.

She opened it, and her eyes quickly categorized everything inside. Though, she focused on the Heavy Launcher dead center, reaching in and picking it up effortlessly before briefly examining the make and model. She was an old girl this one, but Iella knew how to use it. She pulled the weapon effortlessly over shoulder, and turned to walk outside, though would immediately backstep and take cover behind the locker, as she made visual acquisition of a droid stalking the spot where she was just standing.

For now she softly rested down the launcher behind cover, and reached both hands downs to draw her rail pistols, flicking both safeties simultaneously, and sending a signal to activate her comms

<Radio Comms> <Just gonna' need oooooone second on that boss>

She said, for some reason beyond her understanding she turned, and immediately raised both weapons, firing two rounds simultaneously into the head of another encroaching droid. The dual rounds mulched its head, and it crumpled on itself, though her efforts were rewarded with a hail of blaster fire. She immediately moved to exit the opposing door, rising again and firing another series of rounds at two droids outside, felling them with well-placed headshots. She would make a lap of the platform and come back around, not yet sure how many droids had come after her, but not about to risk firing a missile when she her position was compromised.

That said, she wasn't leaving this nest until she got some fire on those AA guns. She just needed to regain control of her overwatch.

Titus Dorn Tess Valnora Kyyrk

 

[Draconis Sederius Wolf]

Spoiler: Tag

Militus Iella S. , Finnea Virlee , Kusana , Ciri Jade , Dreidi Xeraic , Titus Dorn , Yeshua , Abel Denko , Var Talon , Tess Valnora , Artemis Verd , Korvis Laerann , Sylvia Alvaro , Illyria Le Fey , Taiia Locke , Kyyrk , Aliza Vale ,

The various hovercraft would race across the water as the guns of the massive artificial island began to open fire on the invaders. The interiors of the craft would shake as the marines of the Swamp Rats prepared to deal with this threat. But they were not defenseless. Main cannons of hover tanks would take aim as the gunners sat in their harness, eyes through a scope as hands deftly maneuvered controls keeping the guns on target. A simple trigger squeeze would be the only warning of the cannons bellowing massive roars of cannon fire, the guns rocking the craft as they hurled rounds at the base at speeds exceeding Mach. And the crews would watch the breach slam back in its cradle, before ejecting the spent casing as the loader fed another round into the weapon, his only word as he closed the breach once more to the gunner.

"UP!"

BOOM!​

The crews of these vehicles would work in a deadly concert, the commander of the vehicle a maestro in the chaos as he selected targets for his gunners to destroy, and directed the movement of the craft. Geysers of water would kick up around them as the battle on the open sea was joined, and though the enemy's fire was strong, the will of the Ascendancy was stronger. Several hovercraft would turn into fireballs of plasma, molten metal, and exploding munitions as the enemy's main cannons would slam into them, but the rest did not falter in their advance. Engines screamed as they were redlined and the craft skipped across the waves as they closed the gap closer and closer. Soon the lighter cannons of the fighting vehicles would join the heavy guns of the tanks, spraying lethal fire across the waves as they were less intended to kill and destroy like the heavy cannons, but to suppress exposed positions and rake the enemy manning those positions. Missiles would be launched with a high pitched squeal as their rocket engines were ignited and they flew across the water to the massive rig. A hail of flaming arrows that would cause any living man to second guess his determination to man his position.

The waterborne troops of the Ascendancy and SLDF were coming. Like a hurricane they flowed across the sea. None could measure the will, the determination, or the hell these men and women brought with them. The first craft would catch a lucky wave as it shot into the air, using the water as a ramp as it took flight, and slammed through the outer wall of the rig as it skidded for twenty meters before coming to a stop by slamming into another durasteel wall. But the crew was not idle as they crashed, nor were its occupants. As it slid the infantry fighting vehicle would set its weapons to cyclic fire, shooting the laser cannon and repeating blasters as fast as the equipment would allow in all directions. And the moment it stopped moving, a single order was uttered in the troop bay as the doors opened.

"DISMOUNT! GO GO GO!"​

And with a war cry reminiscent of screaming banshees and revenants, the marines would pull their quick release on their harnesses, and go charging out the door with rifles raised. Faceless warriors in black armor would disembark with fire in their hearts, steel in their hands, and a soldier's duty forefront their minds. Their weapons would roar like fire breathing dragons in the close confines of the rig, spitting red hot metal into the enemy as fifty meters down, another wall gave way to a hover craft carrying Ascendant Legionnaires refusing to be outdone by their SLDF peers. The outer levels would devolve into chaos as the firefight between the two fighting vehicles and around them unleashed screams of rage, cries of terror, and the sounds of gunfire, blaster fire, and cold steel running through pirate, legionnaire, and trooper alike. The two squads of fighters would brawl like the mad bastards they were, taking all comers as their vehicles rained unholy hellfire down on clumps of enemies around them. And they would soon find they were not alone as rappel lines would shoot up from below followed by the first squads of the troops below who'd established their landing zone. Tanks circled the wagons as they provided security, allowing for the Fighting Vehicles to open their bays safely to allow for troops to attach ascenders to the line and shoot for the gaps created by their brethren and missile fire. Pirates and smugglers would find themselves being surrounded as soldiers in tattered dusters, heavy power armor, and bearing the mark of the legion would begin boarding the rig. Those that would surrender would find themselves thrown to the ground and secured in binders, but those that dared to resist would find no such mercy and be gunned down or ran through with ruthless efficiency. The battle for the rig was no longer a one sided affair as the defenders would no be faced with a decision to either stem the enemy above, or try to buy time against the new boarding parties from gaining too much ground on the lower levels. A radio transmission would reach the beleaguered attackers above.

"All Commands, Task Force Trident, CODEWORD LIBERTY, I SAY AGAIN, CODEWORD LIBERTY! TRIDENT ACTUAL, OUT!"​

 

[Kyyrk]

"If you can't go through, go around. If there's not a path, make one." Kyyrk's direction to Titus Dorn was short and to the point. But it also served as an acknowledgement of his request. Unlike Titus, Kyyrk was having no issues with the droids. For every two that arose, three more were struck down. Such was the beauty of a Lightsaber and Force Lightning. Kyyrk paused, closing his eyes and reaching out through the Force. Titus was right. The AA needed to be brought offline. Think.

Kyyrk couldn't take them all down on his own. He could only take down one. And he'd spend the rest of the battle trying to hold it. The question was not if he could destroy one, the question was which one? Think. Kyyrk's eyes snapped open and he turned, casually beheading yet another droid. There was really only one answer. "Frost, converge on these coordinates. Priority one. Disengage only if you have eyes on Gaus." Kyyrk had highlighted an AA emplacement. The northwestern most on the rig. He was going to the Northeastern. Kyyrk had the utmost faith in every combatant on the field right now. But Kuben Woods had stood next to him in the face of two powerful Rakatan Warlords. Some people he just trusted a little more. "When the AA's finished, call it."

Kyyrk ducked into a side room, furiously typing something into his wrist mounted datapad. He paused, sidestepping a bash from a security droid, which was promptly returned with enough force to crumple the droid's head. Kyyrk resumed typing, finally hitting the send button, broadcasting his message to the fleet command above. "Fleet command, I've sent you a route. Hit atmo at the designated coordinates, then fly low along the corridor. Start your first run, we'll signal when the platform is safe to approach."

Kyyrk stepped over to a nearby console, and pulled the main power lever to disengage the cages in the room. Who said he couldn't multitask? As the prisoners began to get to their feet, Kyyrk's saber ignited once more. "Follow me, keep your heads down. If you find a blaster, feel free to return fire!" He wasn't far from the landing pad. And help was on the way. They just had to get that AA down...​

Titus Dorn | Militus Iella S.

 

[Tess Valnora]

Primary Objective: HUNT TARGET: Gaus
Scondary Objective: SABATOGE DEFENSES: Anti-Aircraft
Location: Port Luck, Level 5
Tag: Ciri Jade || Open

Spoiler: EQUIPMENT

Weapons​

Compact SMG w/ 4 - 20 round magazines
B2 rifle 'Oathkeeper'
SGP-12
Shadow's Sting (gauntlets)
"Silence" shotosaber
"Viper's Bite" assassin's knife

Gear​

Utility belt
Suppressor for SMG
SOAR - Slicing Operation Assistance Routine
Smoke grenades (2)
2x-4x Scope (1) - When not attached to B2 rifle
Medi-kit (1)

Armor:​

Norris root dyed leatheris trench coat
PD-00 "Second Skin" Light Armor

Tess slowed to a stop near a guard rail that overlooked the level below. A fifteen-meter drop stood between her and the platform below. She pointed at a rather large building compared to the surrounding structures, “That would be their command center. About a hundred or so meters away. Aside from going to blow up each of the AAs ourselves, I believe our best bet would be to infiltrate there and sabotage the station’s defenses from the inside.”

The building had not seen a lot of external forces in the past two weeks, but it didn’t mean they weren’t there. “If we could infiltrate and extract him without anyone noticing… No, you’re right. Someone is bound to realize the target is missing before we could ever hope to leave the building.” Tess stated as she turned to look back at Ciri.

She tapped Error on the head, “I was able to hack a terminal on my first week here and gained a full layout of that structure and stored them in Error.” she said as she scanned the surrounding area for possible threats. She then pulled out her handheld holoprojector and extended her arm toward her fellow operative, “I also made a copy for you in case we get separated. Don’t worry, it’s hardened.”

The kriffing alarm was not helping her think of a good solution, they could find a maintenance entry or a vent. Tess was starting to worry a bit about her judgment calls. She reached down and adjusted her gloves before asking, “You’ve been doing this longer than I have, and this is the first time I’ve ever taken point on a mission this big. Any ideas on which route we should take?”

 

[Kuben Woods]

Location: West side of rig
Objective: Redirect to hit target
Time: Present

Spoiler: Equipment

Personal Combat Rig, DART rifle, HP-001 (blaster configuration), frag/stun grenades, lightsaber (concealed)

Spoiler: Tag

Militus Iella S. , Aliza Vale , Artemis Verd , Titus Dorn , Kyyrk

Damian had just rejoined another squad pushing across the crisscrossed corridors of the rig as he received the transmission, having to bite his tongue as Voph issued what many would have considered a command. The voice in his head chuckled as he brought his rifle to his cheek and fired several more rounds into the enemies before him as the squad paused to get a bearing before continuing the assault. He tried not to think too hard on the comment, but the voice in his head said out loud.

Funny how some things never change, eh Legatus Rex?

Now isn't the time.

Hahaha, it would seem the Jedi still call the shots, despite naming you their war chief for the army.

He didn't bother answering it as he simply looked at the coordinates and formulated a plan in his head quickly, noting his position and Kyyrk's. He would kick him in the 'nads later, right now he had a job to do. He quickly made a mental map for a route, possible threats en route, and what they'd need when they got there. He would turn his head as he yelled at the Decurion coordinating his squad's fires while others leap frogged their position and assaulted towards the next point of cover. They just needed an opening, and the fleet would have it.

"Decurion! Give me two! I need explosives!"

The man Damian called to would say something over his internal comms before making a raised fist and pointing a knife hand to Damian. Two Legionnaires would rise from their positions, one with a repeating blaster rifle, the other with a rifle but a satchel carrying what looked to be a large amount of plastic explosives. Damian nodded as their local comlinks sync'd up and he smacked his chest twice with his left hand. The non-verbal command to the other troopers was simple. Stay on me. He would then shout to the squad as he took a spot ready to sprint forward.

"I'm going to the Northwestern corner! Drop the gun there and guide on follow on forces! Continue assault when we push past!"

"Aye sir!"

"COVER!" Damian roared as he vaulted over the top of of a low wall they'd been using as a support by fire.

The rest of the squad would immediately go into either rapid or cyclic rates of fire as they surged the amount of firepower they were pouring down range. Damian raised his rifle and fired a couple of shots before pivoting the weapon so that the buttstock was in his armpit and his other hand was free. The other two troopers behind him followed suit as they rushed to keep up with the old dog. Shots would still ring out flying in both directions as while the surge in firepower would help keep the enemy's heads down, it wouldn't keep them from trying to get lucky shots off. It was however enough to get them the opening they needed. Damian would stop at the hallway as he waved the other two in as they finished their own run. A blaster round would glance off the rearmost one, but thankfully the heavy plate of his shoulder guards had caught it so he kept running. The moment they were both inside Damian would brush past them and raise a hand before laying parallel to the ground. The three would then immediately press towards the battery with Damian leading their formation, and the two Legionnaires flanking him. They were close enough that they could shoot past him, able to engage opposite corners of the far hallway, but far enough away that if someone got ideas to ambush from the side, they would at best only get maybe two of them. Even then Damian would not let that happen as they fast walked down the hallway with weapons at the high ready. The good thing about the hallways was that the small amount of room meant a small team like his could overmatch any presenting force in the hallway. The bad thing is that it would be relatively to fix them in place as they had less room to flank or otherwise pivot to outmaneuver their enemies. Damian could feel his blood pumping even higher as the shade that sight in the passenger seat smiled ever so wider. It was waiting. Waiting for him to be caught in a position that risked lives. Waiting for him to be caught in a position where his drive to win, would be met with his need for control over the beast inside of him. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but everything came with risks. And if he had to, he would do whatever it took to win.

No matter the cost.

 

[Illyria Le Fey]

​

tag: Abel Denko | Luna Evanstance | Dreidi Xeraic | @Artemis Verd | Meili Feng | Taiia Locke | Var Talon | Yeshua | Kusana | Finnea Virlee | Draconis Sederius Wolf​

​

Illyria was polite when Abel introduced her to Dreidi, as those mannerisms had been taught to her from a young age and it was expected of her to always, even in the face of impending battle, be ladylike. She offered a soft smile but otherwise said nothing as her own thoughts occupied her. It had been a very long time since she had been on a mission like this, even longer since she had held a lightsaber in someone else's defence, and between the nervousness and uncertainty, Illyria knew that she had to centre her own thoughts and emotions otherwise it was going to be a repeat of Lorta. Panicking and screaming, and hours of Abel having to console her when it was all done and finished.

She refused to be that person again - the type that acted like a frightened child. But the moment of thoughtful reflection was short-lived as they all shuffled into the dropship. Despite her obvious indecision, Illyria follow them as she refused to be left behind. She wanted to grow as a person, grow as a woman in the Force, and the only want to do that was to face the danger head-on. The young noble snapped back to reality when her name was spoken. Her gaze turned toward Dreidi once more, a soft and polite smile finding her lips.

"The pleasure is all mine. It is also a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mister Von Sorenn. I am Illyria Le Fey." The young woman's manners were refreshing - Illyria was so accustomed to Abel's Padawans, or at least those associated with him, to be so... uncouth. Her gaze flicked briefly over to Luna but this moment, like the previous, was short-lived, and there was little time for formalities or small talk. Illyria found herself thrust much too quickly into battle. One moment she had been at their sides and the next the order had come through --

"All Commands, Task Force Trident, CODEWORD LIBERTY, I SAY AGAIN, CODEWORD LIBERTY! TRIDENT ACTUAL, OUT!"​

-- and she had been rushing forward from the dropship alongside those warriors in black.

​

​

​

 

[Ciri Jade]

//Location: Zion; Port Luck
//Primary_Objective: Capture or Eliminate Gaus Philistia
//Alternate_Objective: Find way to disable the AA
//Tag: Tess Valnora Open

Following Tess' steps, she looks down at the structure pointed out as the command center. Based on its location and size, she could hazard a guess as to what may await them. "I agree, getting inside the command center is our best bet. If I can access their system, we can do more than just shut down their defenses. Bonus points if we find the target inside. However, if we do.. that means we will have less time to disable things and move before they retaliate. If we had the number of agents the Ministry had, this would be easier to handle. Getting in and out with infantry wouldn't be the same." Looking at the building, she noted any entrances, exits, or anything of substance that she could see on the exterior.

"If we catch him alone, perhaps. But, I have a feeling an alarm would be raised either as soon as we grab him or shortly thereafter." As Tess spoke, she looked over at the little droid, a slight chuckle at the mention of the droid's name. Turning her gaze to their surroundings she checked for any curious individuals or threats as well until Tess spoke up again. Looking at the outstretch hand, she took the holoprojector, gently tucking it into a pouch. From the same pouch, she produces a small comms unit and holds it out to toward Tess. "Appreciate the map. This is for you, encrypted comms set to a particular system outside of Ascendant and old Confederacy set ups. Should we get separated, we can still communicate without worry. This and mine are the only two comms units connected, so no eavesdropping from outside sources. Feel free to speak freely."

Attempting to ignore the blaring alarms along with the distant sounds of blaster fire were failing she she turns her attention towards getting inside. If they wanted to disable that AA, they would need to get a move on. Placing a hand on her fellow operative's shoulder, a small smile curled her lips. "You're doing fine, Tess. I see a maintenance pathway there." Carefully pointing towards a particular walkway leading up to the side of the command structure, she nods slightly. "We can get inside from there. However, getting to the actual command center proper, may take some creativity. We'll figure it out once inside. I'll need to be inside before I can attempt to access their systems anyway. I'm not sure if that structure is connected to the outside or not."