Invasion Thou Shall Not Suffer an Empire to Live | AoC invasion of CIS-held Siskeen & Ryloth

[Tess Valnora]

RYLOTH

Objective: Overwatch
Location: Capital Bio-Dome
Nearby Allies: Holt , Ciri Jade , Rann Thress , Draconis Sederius Wolf , Open
Hostiles: Open​

Spoiler: EQUIPMENT

Weapons

Spoiler: Compact SMG

(20 round magazine)

AMR-211'Longbow'
B2 rifle 'Oathkeeper'
SGP-12
Shadow's Sting (gauntlets)
"Silence" shotosaber
"Viper's Bite" assassin's knife​

Gear​

Spoiler: 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:​

Spoiler: Trench coat

Norris root dyed leatheris trench coat]

PD-00 "Second Skin" Light Armor
​

​

The comms would not be silent as reports from different parts of the city were being attacked. But the one that brought Tess the most worry was the report of an orbital bombardment, “Error. We have a problem, and we need to leave now!” she said to her droid. She wanted to take her ‘Longbow’ with her, but it would be too heavy to make a quick escape. Taking the rifle off of the railing she laid it on the floor and covered it back up with a blanket. She would either have to get a new one after this or come back after the battle and try to locate it.

Tapping her commlink Tess gave a quick report to the other CICOM in the area, “This is Valnora, I am moving from overwatch due to imminent orbital strike. I will be relocating to a safer location either near the edge of the city or outside.” After she finished her report, she reached her arm out for BD-404 to climb up and then vaulted the railing into the open-air sixteen floors up. As she fell, she twisted her body and aimed her wrist-mounted grapple toward the building and fired. It quickly made purchase and grew taught, jerking her body before lowering her at a safe speed to the ground.

Tess disengaged the grapple and it quickly reeled itself back up ready for another use. The street she stood in was deserted, creating a ghost town vibe. She ran around the corner of the building and found her speeder, knowing the clock was ticking on her life she had no time to think and just act. Hopping on the vehicle roared to life, BD-404 climbed off of her shoulder and in between the control arms of the bike to stay out of the way as she opened up the throttle away from the center of town.

Buildings whizzed by as she drove, she didn’t have to worry about pedestrians as she went due to the city being evacuated but she still worried how much more time she had before the strike took place. A thought suddenly hit her: What was she doing? Other CIS agents and soldiers were still in the city trying to evacuate civilians. And here she was trying to save just herself. She needed to do her part.

She yanked on the left yolk and pushed hard on the right causing the speeder to fishtail in a one-eighty U-turn. “Let’s find someone to help Error.” Was all that she said before gunning the speeder back toward danger. It didn’t take her long to pass by her original spotting nest. That was when a call for aid came across the comms, “Error! Map it!” Tess called out before hitting her commlink, “Viceroy, this is Agent Valnora, I am coming up to your position now. Hang on!” The droid created a holomap in front of him showing her where the call had originated. A couple turns later and she was in sight of a burly man in armor sprinting away from four Lylek Riders.

“That’s him. Error, plugin and take over!” Tess commanded as the droid turned off its holomap. BD-404 quickly extended his scomp link and plugged into the interface on the speeder taking controls from the Crow. When she felt the speeder controls change she unslung her B2 Rifle ‘Oathkeeper’ and fired a binary shot into the back of one of the pursuing riders, dropping him immediately. The large insect however didn’t appear to notice and kept up the chase.

“Keep in pace with them, don’t overtake them yet Error. We are better off being at a range than up close with those insectoid mounts.”

BD-404 chirped in acknowledgment as he slowed the speeder down significantly to keep out of range of the creatures and their riders. Tess began firing at the Lyleks, but their natural body armor made killing them increasingly difficult.

​

​

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Spoiler: edit

had to correct objective as it was incorrect.. oof[/edit]

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

LOCATION: Aboard Nocte Aranea, landed on Ryloth
WEARING: Nightmother's Armour, Taak'tabi boots, Light-shield Bracelet, Leather Coat
WIELDING: Chakram, Sword,
ALLIES: Agents of Chaos, The Siskeen Coalition, Twi'lek Freedom Fighters
ENEMIES: The Confederacy of Independent Systems
TAGS: Anesia Jy'Vun , Madalena Antares

There it was again, Madalena giving more speeches. The Nocte Aranea boomed with the voice of the other woman. CIS knew of the AoC coming and did not prepare. Instead, they had prepared for the celebration, put civilians onto the streets. It seemed like the world she had left behind. Perhaps the once Nightmother of the Ryloth's Mandragora was not privy to all aspects of how the Confederacy was run. Perhaps she was, once again, a naive child even when it came to much larger stakes than the one that had sent her away.​

Katrine knew why she was here. For the world, her parents once protected, for the civilization of magic she'd help bring out of the shadows, for the many children that would someday be claimed and feel the power of the spirits. They were not happy with the state of their own religion, they had abandoned it. Their claws and paws pressed into her shoulder, their sharp endings tapping on the side. Time was of the essence, her job had to be executed. Centuries ago, they had been betrayed by her ancestors and ensured a severe punishment on both of them. One cast out and abandoned, the other locked in the tomb for eternal suffering. For all the mercy the spirits could show, they could be equally vengeful and unforgiving. The fact that their Shamans had walked away from the changed order was accepted and blessed. Sometimes, the destruction within was made and could not be stopped. They would not allow for the betrayers to pray to their holy places when they knew nothing of them when their betrayal had caused the false followers to be deaf to them.​

Their hold softened as she felt Anesia move closer to her, her sapphire gaze focusing on her away from the beautiful sights of the planet. Dathomir runs deep in your veins, Mandragora veins.., the Nightmother had heard, her head moving in the smallest nod. "Indeed," Katrine had only whispered. Her past was the present and future of her family; her family's past was her present and future. How intervened the two religions were to her, yet Katrine never failed to make the distinction between them.​

She could feel the spirits reaching out for the other Witch, eager to have her within their belief, eager for her to become Mandragora; yet, when it came to the Witches of Dathomir, even ones that had become Sith, Katrine waited. If Anesia wished to become one, all she had to do was ask. She would never to do so, she would never attempt to sway her. Her power was far too ancient, too powerful. The choice would be hers. If she could hear the calling someday, she would join.​

Until then, all the spirits could do was reach out and desire.​

What was now? "I am Mandragora. My future is my family's past. My past is my family's future. A wheel that never stops turning," the blonde Witch responded without putting any more thought into it. Anesia was not wrong, not in the slightest. There were fresh wounds within her. How easily could she be read, she wondered. "They will mend in time. Not today. Today, I serve the spirits," she warned, head-turning back to the sight of Ryloth land drawing closer. Daylight ahead, the darkness in the distance, she knew they were approaching their destination. Others would come as well, no doubt. Katrine would be ready for them, as would the spirits.​

Anesia responded a single word to her question before she'd offered her words of encouragement. They did do this for the future, for the Larentia. Her daughter was a child of the demon, child of the spirits.​

The large vessel made it finally drop, a thump announcing its landing onto the ground. "It's showtime," Katrine declared before she'd obtained the rest of her outfit, adding the chakram and sword before putting on the coat. The final touch was the mask over her outfit, putting it on.

​

It brought her no great pleasure to make this track, it brought her no pleasure to rise to the place where she had discovered her history. Discovering the spirits on that day had been forever engraved in memory. The day she had touched the grimoire was the day Jart had chosen her, yet it was unknown to Katrine that Doashim and Lylek planning on doing the same afterward, keeping their plans secrets from her. It seemed a lifetime ago when she had begun her journey of discovery. It had made a difference in her growing up, pushing her forward. The Lupine had long believed she had come to the past to save her sister but looking back on the way the events had unfolded, she'd come to understand that it had always been her destiny to come here. Here, in the past, she had finally grown up. She had found the truth of her possession by Avarisa, the truth of the Hawk origins, she had discovered more Lupines than before when she had once only thought only the Van-Dervelds had survived... there had been so much. And today, she had Larentia. Two of them even, one inspiring her to name the other. The adult one had so much knowledge of their species and had been able to tell her so much.​

Today though, at this moment, she was only partly Katrine Van-Derveld Hawk. She was the Spirits' Nightmother; their vessel into the second dawn of their rebirth. Their vengeful nature would not set to harm their former children but they would deliver a message strong enough to echo through the ages. "Come," Katrine had only said to the Witch, her voice coming stronger through the mask before she'd marched. Making her way through the ship, already her twenty Droidika and ten Examplar Battle Droids had ceremonially exited the ship, aligning themselves around the ship. "Your Highness," one of the crew members addressed her as she exited. "Stand down. We track this final stretch alone. I have no interest in warfare today." She was not here for a full-on war, she was here to deliver a singular message to the Witches that no longer served the Spirits.​

Before the man could protest, Katrine had moved forward, following a well-known path in her mind. Using the communication system within the helmet, the Lupine sent a singular message to Madalena Antares privately: "Nocte Aranea had landed, we track to the mountains and will meet you there." The two had never met, yet Scherezade deWinter had given her two things prior to this mission, a frequency to contact Madalena once they were on the ground and secondly, a warning to physically stay away from Madalena lest she wished to weaken herself in this mission. The explanation had not been fully explained but Katrine took the warning none the less. Madalena Antares was a name she remembered well from her time with the Knights, though prior to now she knew nothing of her connection to Scherezade. She still respected her for her achievements.​

 

[Bella]

Objective/Location: From the Chandelier (Tags)
Fighter: iNf-46 Needle Interceptor - Miracle Seven
Onboard Equipment: AoC Flight Suit, Survival Kit w/ EVA Suit, G47 “Pipsqueak”
Allies: AoC (Dimitri Lindzinsky), Allied Chiss Fleet ( Lash Salem Norongachi ), Golden Lance ( K Kaine Australis )
Enemies: CIS ( Amelia von Sorenn Tyrias Aran Kathryn Foster )

Chaos.

Bella watched helplessly as the Golden Lance moved to target the capital bio-dome city, an action which would almost entirely nullify the entire basis of the operation to free Ryloth. Her fingers quivered with dreadful apprehension around her center stick as the prospect of potentially millions of innocents dying slowly dawned on her conscience. Although she was the leader of the squad, Miracle One made no apparent effort to contain her rage as she spoke, especially given the order to hold course around the fleet. As such, her sense of frustration was mirrored by the pilots under her command as they communicated over the channel. However, Bella remained eerily silent. For a moment, the diminutive Togruta contemplated disobeying the order to hold position with the fleet, but with the recent translation of the Confederate dreadnought in the system, she knew that her interceptor would be shot from the heavens before she could maneuver into firing range.

Now, it was up to the Confederacy to halt the murder of millions.

But for reasons that were beyond her comprehension they simply refused to act.

The only opposition the Golden Lance faced was a lone frigate, which seemed to be a mercenary vessel since it appeared to be the only vessel of its class in the enemy fleet. The craft seemed to be putting up a spirited and desperate resistance, but regardless of whether its crew succeeded or failed in their objective, they were almost certainly doomed to die in the attempt. All the while, the rest of the fleet held their fire, including the large dreadnought that was in the best position to hinder the attack.

“They’re willing to let millions die...just for the satisfaction of knowing that they didn’t fire the first shot.” Miracle One spoke softly, her voice simmering with rage as the words left her lips.

“Why isn’t the dancer (Dimitri Lindzinsky) firing on them?” Miracle Three asked with distinct panic in his voice. “Our capital vessels are well within range!”

“Cut the chatter and focus.” Miracle One ordered with a growl, sensing that her pilots were losing focus. “When that vessel fires on the city, we need to be ready for the lightshow to begin. Stay with your wingman, maintain awareness of your surroundings, and most importantly, execute.” She finished, before murmuring inaudibly under her breath.

“They’re going to be thirsty for blood…”

 

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Location: The E'care Shukur | Ryloth | Aft of the Golden Lance
Objective: Act to attempt to prevent the death of thousands of innocent lives
Allies: CIS | Tyrias Aran | Luna Terrik | Srina Talon | Darth Metus | The Monster | Kiff Brayde | Kathryn Foster
Neutral (For Now): AoC | Twi'lek "Freedom Fighters" | Siskeen Coalition | Madalena Antares | Scherezade deWinter | Dimitri Lindzinsky | Lash | Bella | Strider Garon | Oceiros Sunstrider
Persona Non-Grata: K Kaine Australis
Post Count: III

"Ma'am, they're preparing to fire on Ryloth, their target is the Capital Bio-Dome."

Amelia turned towards the large screen before her, eyes upon the Battlecruiser that had become so hellbent and blind to the cause of their so-called allies that they were more than willing to put the lives of countless thousands of innocents on the line - and for nothing more than because they could as it appeared to those that watched on. Her fist balled tightly, blood beginning to drip from her palm where her tails began to dig into her skin, a low, rolling growl of anger, hatred - were she not dead to the force, it would be as if one was experiencing all emotions in a singular moment.

"Ma'am, does your order stand?"

The woman's eyes flashed from their Golden-Yellow to the brilliant blue, a sign that only came when her species were experiencing intense emotion, specifically anger and rage. Her words slipped out, almost as if she had barked them rather than given a calm and collected word as she was known for.

"Open all hailing frequencies, any vessel in range, make sure they hear this. I don't care if someone has to stand outside the ship in a suit and carry an antenna - make sure this gets out."

As she turned her attention once more to the looming threat, a moment of clarity struck her mind. This was not the time for her to focus on a perceived enemy, as one had already presented itself, and another had already taken it upon their shoulders to attempt to strike. Now she was focused, her mind clear on what was to come next, and even if the decision meant costing her the position of Grand Marshal, then so be it.

"Agents of Chaos, one of your own - affiliated, mercenary, kin, ally - it matters not, is barreling their vessel towards Ryloth with the intent to destroy countless innocent lives on Ryloth. Your vessels are not may worry at this moment. I do not care for you nor will I take action against you; however, I will take action against the individual who has deemed it necessary to break from your established tenants and seek the deaths of innocent lives. If you intercede, I will take it as proof that you are of the same mind, and that your presence here is for nothing less than to take innocent lives."

She paused for a moment, her fist remaining clenched as she took a breath, focusing herself.

"If you truly are here because you uphold some altruistic motives, that you truly believe in ensuring the safety and security of innocent lives; then you will not stop me. I am offering you a momentary truce on this battlefield, a truce that will last until we've dealt with the enemy, until we've dealt with the Persona Non-Grata, ( K Kaine Australis )."

With that the message cut out, the woman turning her attention momentarily to the crew on the bridge that seemed awestruck, many unsure of what their actions would be, only for them to be shaken back to the moment when her words rang out.

"All vessels, target the Golden Lance, Full salvo of Ion Cannons on their Aft Shields, I want them torn down. All Long Range Turbolasers and Heavy Turbolasers will focus on their engines. I want that vessel exposed to give the Aegis a fighting chance."

As the order was given, the fleet turned its attention upon the Golden Lance. Their weapons locking on, gunners awaiting the final order. For the moment she paused, it wasn't hesitation, no, it was contemplation. She was about to break the standing order, to let the enemy fire first - though it was beyond that now.

"Ma'am?"

She looked to the Lieutenant waiting nearby.

"Your orders Ma'am."

Amelia turned her attention back to the viewscreen. Brilliant Blue Eyes fell upon the Golden Lance before she mere nodded and almost whispered the words.

"FIRE"

Turbolaser Cannons, Ion Cannons, Missile and Torpedo Launchers, all manner of weapons unleashed upon the Golden Lance, their primary focus on its Aft shields. The E'care Shukur would have shuddered had it been a battleship upon the oceans of some planet. Its Long-Range Dual Heavy Turbolaser Turrets unleashed a broadside, salvo upon salvo streaming from the vessel. Joined by the vessels Heavy Ion Cannon and Heavy Turbolaser Batteries. Though it was not the only vessel unleashing its weaponry. The Tho Yor Star Destroyers unleashed their own volley, a mixture of Baradium Missiles, Proton Torpedoes, and a continuous salvo from their Dual Heavy Turbolaser Cannons and Heavy Ion Cannons.

A burst from the Thoros class Battlecruiser would have shaken the vessels around it had there been the atmosphere, its Orbital Autocannons, and Hypervelocity Cannons unleashed their own salvo, followed by a burst from the Subjugator II's Ion Pulse Cannon. Every vessel in the fleet whose weaponry had the potential of striking the Golden Lance unleashed hell, salvo after salvo streaming towards the vessel. It was as if the crew was more efficient, their courage unwavering, and had Amelia been capable of feeling such effects, even she might have found a calming effect in the Battle Meditation created by ( Tyrias Aran ).

Taking another step forward, she brought her hand up, lightly resting it against her chin as she watched and waited. That was all she could do at that point. Watch and wait... watch to see if her fleet would be unmolested by the Agents of Chaos. Watch to see if her fleet would have any effect upon the Golden Lance. Watch to see if the Aegis would succeed in its own objective.

Now only time would tell...

Spoiler: Ame's Fleet

• The E'care Shukur
  • (16) Squadrons
  • (6) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
  • (6) Squadrons - Crescent II Starfighters
    • (3) Squadrons w/ Standard Weaponry
    • (1) Squadron w/ Light Ion Cannons
    • (2) Squadron w/ Concussion Missile Launchers
  • (4) Squadrons - RMS-BC11 Starhammer Superheavy Bomber
• Thoros class Artillery Battlecruiser
  • (1) Squadron - Vulture II Starfighters
• Subjugator II class Star Destroyer
  • (4) Squadrons
    • (2) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
    • (2) Squadrons - Colla class Droid Tri-Fighters
• (2) Providence II class Assault Carrier
  • (16) Squadrons
    • (6) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
    • (6) Squadrons - Colla class Droid Tri-Fighters
    • (4) Squadrons - RMS-BC11 Starhammer Superheavy Bomber
• (2) Tho Yor II class Star Destroyer
  • (1) w/ Baradium Missiles
  • (1) w/ Proton Torpedoes
  • (4) Squadrons - Crescent II class Starfighters
    • (2) Squadrons w/ Standard Weaponry
    • (1) Squadron w/ Concussion Missile Launchers
    • (1) Squadron w/ Concussion Missile Launchers & Proton Torpedo Launchers
• Tho Yor II class Mothership
  • (9) Squadrons
    • (5) Squadrons - Crescent II class Starfighters
      • (3) Squadrons w/ Standard Weaponry
      • (2) Squadrons w/ Light Ion Cannons
    • (4) Squadrons - Kesh II class Modular Transport - Bomber Configuration
• (2) Tho Yor II class Attack Vessel
• (10) Kesh II class Modular Transports - Bomber Configuration
• (2) Accuser class Corvettes

Spoiler: Action Report

• Amelia has Fired First
• Sent out a message for a temporary cease fire between CIS Fleet and AoC Fleets
• Focusing Fire on Golden Lance Aft Section
  • E'care Shukur
    • Port Side - Long-Range Dual Heavy Turbolaser Cannon Turrets - Broadside
    • Heavy Turbolaser Batteries and Heavy Ion Cannon Batteries
  • Thoros class Artillery Battlecruiser
    • Orbital Autocannons
    • Hypervelocity Cannons
  • Subjugator II class Star Destroyer
    • SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon
    • Long-Range Turbolaser Cannons
  • (2) Tho Yor II class Star Destroyers
    • (1) Firing (10) Baradium Missiles
    • (1) Firing (20) Proton Torpedoes
    • Dual Heavy Turbolaser Cannons
    • Heavy Ion Cannons

Spoiler: CIS Reserve Fleet

• (2) Subjugator II class Star Destroyers
  • (8) Squadrons
    • (4) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
    • (2) Squadrons - Colla class Droid Tri-Fighters
    • (2) Squadrons - RMS-BC11 Starhammer Superheavy Bomber
• (4) Argente class Assault Cruisers
  • (8) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
• (4) Saboath II class Assault Cruisers
  • (12) Squadrons - Vulture II Starfighters
• (2) Murkhana class Escort Frigates
  • (2) Squadrons - Vulture III Starfighters
• (5) Comfort class Medical Frigates
  • (5) Squadrons - H-Wing Search and Rescue Cutter

​

 

[Faye Malvern]

Location: Siskeen Diplomatic Conference
Objective: Get Everyone Back on Track
Wearing: xxx | Cridhe Gras | Akaran Engagement Band
Confederate Tags: John Locke | Luca Donskoi | Raven Thystle | Daegon Corvinus | Seraphina Corvinus | Corius Harckon | Visanj T'shkali | Lesya Kosarev
Chaos Tags: Derek Dib | Enlil | Gabriel Volturi | Annasari | Holly Starstorm | Larentia | Alwine Daye | Izwi Kutaurira | The Red of Sinner ​

Being greeted by a man who suggested that the delegation were here on anything but peaceful means disgruntled Faye a little. Weapons were part of a uniform, like the robes Lord Commander Voph and High Marshal Akaran wore, nothing more than decoration during proceedings like this. Still, keeping the peace was for the best. The man who spoke now must have been invited to take part by the Viceroy of Siskeen, there was no need to insult or assume before they had even begun. Faye offered Enlil a friendly smile. “I’m a politician, not a warrior, and do not carry weapons.” She followed Exarch Locke through to the room and took a seat beside him.

As greetings were shared, and old flames rekindled, Faye settled back in her seat. It wouldn’t be long before they got to the core issues they faced with this succession, but first...

At the prompting of Viceroy Daegon Corvinus , she turned her attention to the screens, but nothing could have prepared her for what she witnessed. Faye put her hand over her mouth and swallowed the vomit that attempted to make an appearance. Her raven gaze cast itself elsewhere, anywhere but the screens that seemed to plaster the entire conference room. She was a minister of words, not violence. The only time she had seen such barbaric acts of aggression was when Serenno had fallen when her family had been brutalized. The hand she had placed on her armrest tensed, until the sharp nails at the ends of her fingers sank into the wood. Her only saving grace, and the only one stopping her from leaving the room altogether, was Alden.

He was her anchor, her lighthouse in a storm. She turned her gaze to him with a panicked expression in her eyes. Adron is on Ryloth. One of her hands reached out for one of his, to find the touch that would settle her mind. Apart from her own confusion and fear bubbling to the surface, Faye could feel the confusion of almost everyone in the Confederate delegation. Not only their confusion but their terror too. Nobody had expected the attack on Ryloth to be today. Half the members of the group would not have attended the meeting if they did. She swallowed again, and tried to push the swirling storm of emotion to the back of her mind. She was not here to talk of terrorism and war. She was here to discuss Siskeen. Others could handle this issue.

The first to speak, and to address the travesty out loud, was Lord Commander Voph. The two had been in close ties since the announcement of the Confederacy First edict, and Faye trusted him. The back and forth between the delegation from the Confederacy and the delegation from Siskeen did not at all tie in with the reasons they were all in attending. Still, it continued. Back and forth. One representative from the Confederacy speaking, only to be responded to by the Agence of Chaos, not the Viceroy of Siskeen. Faye sighed and turned her gaze to drink in the room once more. It was high time to get back to the topic at hand.

“If I may, Exarch Locke?” With his permission, she rose from her seat to address the gathering.

“I would like to begin by extending my apologies to you, Viceroy Dib. It appears the assumption that we would allow this massacre to occur knowingly, along with the presence of a few members of the AoC, have sparked a tainted taste or two in some of my fellow delegates, but might I remind everyone gathered here today that we are not here to discuss the past or Ryloth or each other, subtly or otherwise. Only the future of the people and planet of Siskeen. I can assure you, Viceroy Dib, from now on, personal aspersions and judgments from either of the delegates representing the Confederacy and the Agents of Chaos…” At this point, she glanced specifically at the agents. The Confederacy wasn’t innocent when it came to expressing their personal opinions in a less than pleasing manner, and Faye was well aware of that, but neither were some of the members of the agency. “...will be cast aside.”

Faye cleared her throat again and stood up a little straighter. “I believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting each other briefly in viceroyalty meetings gone by, Viceroy Dib. My only purpose here is to help you and your people spread your proverbial wings. The Confederacy has never wished to hold anyone hostage to the contracts they or their ancestors signed, and I’m afraid the fact that you are the first is where some of the animosity and confusion lies. This is just as new for us as it is for you, the path we’re about to take has yet to be paved, but I have confidence that together we can find a way that will suit everyone.” She offered him a smile that said much the same. Now that everyone had had a chance to greet each other, or insult each other, it was about time that they got to business. “I must express my disappointment that this subject has come to a head like this when it could have simply been a peaceful meeting between the two of us, but as we are all here…”

“The first topic I must bring up is the suggestion that the cameras and reporters leave the room. I would like this to be a place of honesty and sincerity, and in my experience nobody is ever sincere sitting in front of a camera. I understand it’s your wish to broadcast this as it occurs, and I would have no qualms if it were being broadcasted to your system alone, but as of right now the AoC is using it and likely anything we say against the Confederacy to spread fear and propaganda amongst the people of Ryloth. I beseech you on a humanitarian level, and in the interest of remaining neutral in these trying times, to end the broadcast. At least to Ryloth and its corresponding systems while the attack is ongoing. In this case I believe this war is best left fought as wars are intended, and not with the words of those trying to aid you in your succession.”

“I would also like to request that the members of the Agents of Chaos remain silent for the duration of these discussions, as the succession of Siskeen pertains to Siskeen and the Confederacy alone. Unless we are mistaken in believing that you wish for independence and not to defect to the AoC, their words here are welcome but unnecessary and will ultimately cloud both of our judgments.” Faye pressed her lips together for a brief moment, before carrying on.

“On that note, in terms of discussing your succession from the Confederacy, the first order of business I must raise is one of time. There are many Confederate assets in this system, removing them all will not be as easy as you may assume. I can give you my estimates for it but I’d much rather begin by asking you what time scale you are looking at as an ideal?”

 

[Toph Graystone]

Actual Face | Holographic Avatar
Actual Voice | Avatar's Voice​

Location: Ryloth, Capital Embassy Hotel
Objective: You can't stop the Signal


"You mister Allister are one sick f*ck." Spinning around in a chair Toph mock rolled her eyes at the sight of the director of Public Safety's less then flattering nudes. The slicer had spent the last week on Ryloth trying to see what kind of score she could make during the festival. Already the girl had managed to introduce a virus into the app used by many of the patrons. One that would allow her to piggy back off the devices with a signal. She didn't know what use such a large scale hack would be for here. Partially it was just for the lulls. Security here was very lacking. Today her new challenge was the seduction of the director. More over that was just a way to gain access to the public safety systems. Toph had discovered, very easily she might add, that dear mister Allister had a thing for Gammoreans as well as a secret Ashley Madison account. "What would your wife think. Oh that poor woman."

At long last the question she had been waiting for. A simple request to return the favor. Though waiting for may be a stretch. She dreaded opening up the image she'd prepared. Still it had to be done. Toph turned to the other monitor and clicked on the file name 'DO NOT OPEN UNTIL SICKO ASKS'. Bile rose in the Miraluka's throat as the image of a rather porty naked gammorean came on her screen. She quickly dragged the offending thing into the chat window and nearly blew chunks all over her keyboard in the process. "Never again. I will not target sick freaks again."

Now all she had to do is wait. Wait for him to open the image and allow her little surprise infect the government device he most definitely isn't supposed to use for this sort of thing. A knock at the door drew her attention though. I said no room cleaning today. Looking around the room as she stood Toph started to reconsider that request. The place was a mess. Sighing she grabbed the walking stick she had used on this trip for effect and tapped her ass to the door. Opening it she found the concierge who'd checked her in the first day. Toph leaned forward on her cane, hair hiding the slight smirk she had. "What seems to be the problem?"

"I am sorry to disturb you Ms. Hickinbottom, but we have received several noise complaints from your room."

Toph gasped in fake surprise. "I...I am so sorry. I was just listening to a holodrama and I'm afraid I can't tell when I have it up to loud. I'm blind you see and I can't see the dial number." Toph started crying half way through her little melt down, trying her damnest not to laugh at the wrong moment.

"Its ok. Just try to keep in lower then you have it now." The concierge tried to consol her with a hand on her shoulder. If Toph didn't know any better she would swear by the tone of his voice that he was a little sweet on her. Maybe after the job was done she would find some time for play. "So...why aren't you out enjoying the festival?"

"Oh crowds give me a terrible fright. I'm afraid I'll loose my cane and without it I can't figure out where I am going."

"I see." The concierge looked thoughtful for a moment. "Is there anything I can get you? I get off in half an hour. The bar is pretty dead. Perhaps we can get a drink."

Toph quickly changed her mind about that play time. This one was far to eager. Sensitive ears picked up the soft chime she'd set to alert her when the package had been downloaded. She needed to get rid of this guy quick. "Actually there is something. I've heard there is a wonderful BBQ Ronto on a stick stall down the street. I haven't been able to go down there...because of the crowds. But do you think you can get me some?" When he nodded his head yes Toph gave him a bright smile. "Great. And make sure they don't forget the pickle. And maybe later we can get that drink." Toph closed the door with a wave before he could respond. She leaned against the door and let out a long sigh. Toph couldn't wait to get off this world. Rushing back to the bank of screens Toph slid into the chair and began to work again. It was too easy. Allister truly was using his official device for his sexual fetishes. With the virus doing its job greating a back door for her Toph now had administrative access to the Confederacy's emergency broadcast system. Just as she was about to yell out in triumph a new message popped up on her monitor. One she'd been been expecting that had originally drew the Miralukan girl to this horrid world in the first place.

"Hello darlings. The meeting on Siskeen is going as planned, but we got a lovely new morsel we can use. All the channels have just broadcasted this."

Sweetness. Toph gave the screen a wicked grin. Finally something real to do. And just like that she went to work, clipping the video file into her program and began to code the broadcast that would be heard through out the galaxy. With access to the CIS's emergency broadcast system she could force every device in their space to turn on and began to play her masterpiece. Using the festival app Toph arranged for every device using it to appear to be the source of the broadcast, hiding her real persence long enough to get the job done. Right before it went live Toph sent the file to @Ripley Kuhn with a simple message. "I cracked their system. I hope you are having as good of luck with the rest of the galaxy."

With an flourish on the finger Toph hit the enter key, forcibly sending the message to every device on every world in Confederacy space. The entertainment terminal turned on in her room. The typical message that this was an emergency broadcast showed on the screen before it was replaced with the holographic projection of her holonet persona. "This is your friendly Melon Lord. I come to tell you that your leader is dead and I am now in charge." The avatar laughed hard at her joke. "Syke. I'm sure he is just find. In all seriousness he shouldn't be. Ryloth is under attack by a vicious terrorist group calling themselves Agents of Chaos. An unforseeable and unprovoked attack. Or so that is what he wishes the masses to believe."

The avatar on the screen was replaced by the HNN recording of the meeting. The familiar face of the Viceroy of Siskeen was front and center. “I knew what would come to Ryloth. That is why I sent word, by a trusted associate, to get the details that I knew of into Confederate hands.”

The avatar was soon back. "That is right folks. The powers that be knew in advance that what was coming to Ryloth. But instead of cancelling the festival and preparing for this invasion the Confederates allowed the crowds. They inserted themselves among the people, to use as a shield. To use your children as hostages. This is not the act of a government that cares for its subjects, but only sees them as objects to use and dispose of. It is time for you to throw off the invisible shackles they have given you and take back your freedoms." The message didn't end. Instead the avatar was replaced once again with the footage of the Viceroy, this time playing on a loop. Toph leaned back in her chair with a sh*t eating grin for all that she had accomplished today. A week of work, trying to worm her way into their systems had paid off. Now....no reason to waste the momentum she'd gain. "Lets see what else I can do for Darkwire."



Madalena Antares | Derek Dib | Enlil | Judd Hunter | Alwine Daye | K Kaine Australis | Gabriel Volturi | Dimitri Lindzinsky | Holt | Hanna | Beric Layne | Annasari | Lirka Ka | John Locke | Effie | Holly Starstorm | Luna Terrik | Raven Thystle | Ciri Jade | Oceiros Sunstrider | The Monster | Faye Malvern | Corius Harckon | Bella | Kyrinov | Prennis Keeoli | Jai'galaar Gred | Scherezade deWinter | Srina Talon | Daegon Corvinus | Millu Lee | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Nerium | Herah | Darth Empyrean | Lash | Darth Metus | Rann Thress | Vytal Noctura | Julra Repraj | Kyyrk | Damsy Callat | Shalita Verd | Lunara Azure | Visanj T'shkali | Kat Decoria | Tess Valnora | The Bridesmaid | Larentia | Maeve Archeron | Allya Vi'Dreya | Thalia Senn | Strider Garon | Adron Malvern | Zaldros Sabolte | Darth Miseria | Katrine Van-Derveld | Shamira Karuto | Ryk Gaelir | Shuklaar Kyrdol | Rylan Kordel | Alluria Ivalice | Tyrias Aran | Seraphina Corvinus | Asaraa Vaashe | Viana Morreth | Anesia Jy'Vun | Duckie Talon | Lesya Kosarev | Amelia von Sorenn | Rayne Centaris | Gerwald Lechner | Luca Donskoi | OOM-001-JELLYBEAN | Daiya | Redd | Alora Fae | Jason Farkas | Izwi Kutaurira | The Red of Sinner | Darth Elyria | Xobos Yakieer | Astrid Skovgaard | Théodoro | Eira Talon | Salem Norongachi | OOM-016-ASTRO | Kathryn Foster | OOM-002-HONEYCOMB | Raven Thystle | Luna Vega | Anakwor Farlorn | J'onns | Moe Uilor | Ripley Kühn

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Location: On the border
Objective: Get to the castle!
Wearing: Armatura | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | The Sofitor
Wielding: 7 Nozhi Blades | 1 Whimsy Knife | 1 Whimsy Witch Knife | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Clarion | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke | Combat Gauntlets | Tessen | 2 TOTT-001 Arc Light Blaster | 2 Dissuader KD-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets | The Parasite | Vita Stones | Shiftglue
Ready Somewhere in the Background: About 20,000 Churi of War (on their own damn ship, we don't need more bird poodoo) their helmet lasers are not functional in this scenario.
Allies: Agents of Chaos, The Siskeen Coalition, Twi'lek Freedom Fighters
Enemies: The Confederacy. | Attn: Vytal Noctura & Co., we will probably be at the castle in the next posting round.
Tags: Still not directly engaged with anyone.

Scherezade's landing on Ryloth was, all things considered, done. Checking her map, she frowned as she realized she hadn't exactly landed close to the capital biodome, which had been her initial destination. Instead, she found herself standing in one of her favorite spots on the planet - the play where day met night, where light met dark, and where, much closer than she'd anticipated, were thousands of birds.

Chit. She could smell it all the way to here.

Sighing, she looked around, trying to pin down where in the border of eternal sunlight and eternal moonlight she was, when she heard it. An accent that she couldn't quite place, getting near her atop of a bird that looked like a queen.

As much as a bird could look like a queen when a blue haired woman was riding it as it wore armor and was in the process of chitting itself. There was only one thing Scherezade could do in response to that.

Scherezade smiled, and waved the woman.

"Heyyyyyy!" she shouted, coming closer to her. From a not too far distance, more Churi were beginning to move towards the place where they now stood. Not always a good sign - if one Churi decided that Scherezade was pecking food, the rest of them would as well, and she sort of preferred her flesh when it wasn't bird food.

"We're near the Mandragora castle thingie place," she said to the woman on top. Because, if she was a woman seated on top of a Churi, there's no way she was a Confederate, right? Those people treated everything that wasn't totally serious like it was beneath them. "Wanna come with?"

The birds loomed ever closer. Scherezade looked behind the woman's shoulder for a moment and lofted a brow. It was a few miles away, but… Churi could run. Maybe riding one all the way to the castle wasn't such a bad idea after all.

 

[Darth Miseria]

F I G H T - F I R E - W I T H - F I R E

Location: Capitol Building - Clansmoot
Objective: Prepare to Kick Butt and Take Names
Equipment: Derriphan Armour | Lightsaber | Famine & Pestilence
Tags: Adron Malvern | Xobos Yakieer ​

Forever was an understatement when it came to the length of time it had been since she saw Darth Malphas. Their first meeting had been a defining moment in Dianahs life, shortly after she had left the Jen’ari Empire and struggled to find her place amongst her Father’s people. Darth Malphas had shown her the light, or rather darkness, and he had done his best to nurture it. Darth Miseria owed him, though it loathed her to admit it. On the horizon of the twilight lands, the bunker finally came into view, and with it all the familiar force signatures of days gone by.

Miseria streamed past the squire waiting at the entrance, to be greeted by doors that swung open automatically at her presence. “Darth Miseria!” A youngish man skipped up to her, with a less than impressed expression on his face. It seemed the war loomed large on everyone’s mind, even if they didn’t have to fight it. “Where is he?” She asked, trying her best to keep her voice from turning impatient. It wasn’t this poor fellow’s fault that her childhood home was under attack. “Darth Malphas has just taken his other apprentice to the mountains on a speeder. He left one behind for you to take.” Darth Miseria nodded her head, and indicated to the man to show her where it was.

They took the long winding tunnels through the bunker down to the waiting speeder. “They’re waiting for you, I’ve sent the location to you.” Darth Miseria offered a stiff nodd to the man as she swung her slender leg over the speeder and settled in for the ride. Bright, white, unforgiving light flooded the bunker as the door at the end creaked open for her to ride through. The minute the crack was large enough for her to fit, Miseria sped off. There were rarely any harsh winds in the twilight lands of Ryloth, but as Miseria sped past the acrid land to her right, and the frozen waste land to her left, the wind whipped against her head.

It would have been refreshing, were it not for the silver helmet wedged over her thick raven curls.

Before too long, the map she followed beeped aggressively, letting her know she had arrived at her destination. The speeder came careening to a stop beside the two already waiting. From there, it was only a short walk following the strong force presence to the mouth of the cave where her fellows waited. “Darth Malphas.” She called as she approached them from behind. “Xobos.” She nodded her head to each of them in turn. “It’s good to see you again, even under circumstances such as these.” Finally, Darth Miseria joined them both by their side, and turned her gaze to the yellow tinged mountain in front of them.

“Why did you call?”​

 

[Lash]

Objective: investigate Moon Fortress
Location: Outer Ryloth System
Allies: Dimitri Lindzinsky Bella Strider Garon Salem Norongachi
K Kaine Australis
Enemies: Tyrias Aran Amelia von Sorenn The Monster


Lash was reading over the latest data received from the scans of the fortress on the moon below. As far as he could tell the facility had been abandoned long ago and lay unclaimed. The Imperials who once called it home had long since been pushed out of the system as had any group who would have taken up residence in its fortified walls. That the CIS had not taken possession of the facility made sense, the preliminary scans showed it had been in disrepair and battle damage from some war or another in its past had never been repaired. convinced that the moon fortress was no threat Lash sat the pad down and returned his attentions to the Ryloth system and the seemingly stalemate non-battle unfolding before him.

"General, Send down an engineering team and security detachment and have them investigate the fortress. If they find anything worth taking, have them pack it up and move out of the system. We will meet at the rally point." said Lash as he adjusted himself in his chair. The General nodded and ordered an attendant to pass the word along. Lash continued to watch the forward screens as they showed the lack of action being taken by all the participants of the battle accept the brave Figate commander who Lash was sure was insane. The Battlecruiser had built up a charge large enough to power a weapon much like his own mjolnir neutron cannon, which Lash was sure would make short work of the dome it had been targeting. Yet the beam had not been delivered and the small frigate, against every odd imaginable, continued to harass the battlecruiser.

"Commander, The newly arrived CIS commander is transmitting on all channels. " stated an officer at the communications station. LAsh looked from the screen to the man then back to the screen. A moment later the transmission was up on the screen before him. Lash watched as the woman offered a temporary pause to hostilities in space around Ryloth going her time to deal with the battlecruiser possibly saving the people on the world below. Lash had no problem with the offer, he had no need in the death of so many innocent people and it did bye him time to do what he had really came here to do.

"Commander, Your orders" asked the Admiral from his seat next to Lash. Lash thought about having the Agitator fire its proton beam at the battlecruiser in aid to the CIS for a moment. The beam would do the job they were intent on doing but that seemed like it would make their job too easy and he knew it would not go over well with his new Chaos allies. He thought about aiding the battlecruiser and firing on the CIS flagship just to see what reaction he would get. At this range only the longest of ranged weaponry would be effective and he could maneuver around the moon using it to cover his force until whatever response arrived. He considered many different actions and what he perceived would be the come of these actions before settling on doing exactly what he had planned to do all along.

"Nothing, let the CIS deal with the battlecruiser. We have more pressing business," said Lash. He looked to a monitor to his left which displayed a small group of pickets and fighters. "Admiral, Delpoy the picket forces," ordered Lash returning his gaze to the battle finally underway deeper into the system. The CIS force had begun to bombard the battlecruisers aft sections in hope of breaking through its already weakened shielding He had no doubt he had seen the last of the Golden Lance

FLEET

1 Imperious Mk II-class Star Defender Termagant
1 Aurora-class Siege Destroyer Onager
1 ISD III-class Star Destroyer Agitator
1 Pelagic-class Star Cruiser Long Bow
1 Proclaimer-class Star Frigate
2 Odysseus-class Cruisers
1 Mantis-class ELINT Frigate
1 Moray-class EWAR Frigate
4 Imperial Reconnaissance and Exploratory Corvettes
11 Wake-class Multi-role Pickets
6 Intersector-class Patrol Pickets
4 Liberté-class Light Corvettes
Attack Craft
TIE Seeker Starfighter
TIE Locust Fast Interceptor
TIE Talon Line Interceptor
Novawing Missile Boats

 

[Luca Donskoi]

Location: Olanet Conference
Wearing: Wedding Ring | Prosthetic Arm | CDF Officer Uniform
Allies: Faye Malvern | Daegon Corvinus | Seraphina Corvinus | Visanj T'shkali | John Locke | Raven Thystle | Corius Harckon | Kyyrk
AoC: Annasari | Gabriel Volturi | Alwine Daye
Other: Derek Dib | Enlil | Holly Starstorm

As he’d entered the room where the conference was to be held, Alden was a bit thrown off to see agents from the renegade group the Agents of Chaos amongst the delegates gathered. He couldn’t really say he recognized any of them in particular, but there was something familiar about the small, wolfish woman’s face. Like he’d seen her before, but couldn’t put a finger on exactly where that familiarity stemmed from. After all, much like any of the other delegates assembled here, he’d seen more faces come and go than he truly cared to admit. Yet, still, there was something familiar about this one. It didn’t matter though, as that query was not his concern. Instead the diplomatic proceedings around the welfare of the people of Siskeen and their desire to spread their wings and leave the nest was what had brought him here. Simply to offer his expertise as a member of the Confederate Defense Force’s High Command. That’s what he had prepped for.​

However, emotions among all gathered here would turn - more so for some present than others - as the public execution of a Rylothian civilian was blasted out over the HoloNet at large. A cruel, monstrous and barbaric ordeal, Alden could help be recoil slightly himself at the savagery displayed. Even so, he cast an eye about the room, having yet to take a seat and gauged what response he could from those gathered. It was only when his eyes connected with the Minister of Influence that his focus shifted, sensing the turmoil of emotions swirling violently from within. The gruesome nature of the event that had unfolded was hard enough for him to stomach in his own right; he could only imagine what it would have been like for someone who’d never paid witness to such a calamity to be enduring for the first time.​

He did what he could to provide a calming presence for Faye Malvern, their connection to one another amplified in recent months. She had long been the calming presence for him when he was an emotional wreck; it seemed strange to him that had to now be that presence for her. Still, it’s what he put his focus into now, while still trying to gauge the body language and response of the rest in attendance.​

From what he could take in, the responses were as he would have expected from the average person. Recoil. Disgust. Horror. Confusion. But it didn’t seem to be that way for all present, or maybe that was just him hoping so in order for an easier connection to be made between the Agents of Chaos and the savagery that befell a system just a sector of space away. He wouldn’t voice his thoughts, however they would linger on the surface that Faye would be able to follow them.​

But then came a challenge from the Lord Commander of the Knights Obsidian; it seemed the Miralukan who’d Alden only briefly encountered in the past had drawn the same connection that he had. It wasn’t a stretch by any means to connect the two, but the evidence was still too thin to solidify such an accusation. They’d need to build a deeper ledger against the Agents of Chaos to support this theory and here and now was not the place. It was sure to come in time, but Siskeen and its future growth and welfare were the concern. Deliberations beyond that only served as a distraction - something he’d been forced to pick up in recent months since his return home to Eiattu IV.​

Next the Exarch spoke after one of the Agents’ representatives. His words were assertive, and with the position he held at the helm of the Confederacy, carried a great deal of weight and authority to them. He was seemingly a master craftsman with his words, first debunking the claims of Gabriel Volturi , before redirecting the course of the conversation to the point they’d arrived here for. In the middle of it all, Siskeen’s own Viceroy, Derek Dib , held his ground like a true diplomat. He chose to both defend and dismiss the Agents as Alden saw it in his own attempt to return the conversation to the matter at hand - Siskeen’s secession from the Confederacy. A conversation the Confederacy was all too willing to have.​

As the Confederate delegates took turns speaking, they were solid and cohesive on their point that they desired not to force any system to remain that did not wish to be a part of it. And as the Minister of Influence spoke, she was straightforward in saying that the Confederacy would be more than willing to discuss the terms of Siskeen’s secession. And the proposition of a timeline to allow for the Confederacy to withdraw if that is indeed what Siskeen and her people truly desired.​

The Confederacy was not an organization of tyrants and desired nothing in the way of an Empire. Such things were far beyond the doctrine that served as the glue to hold the Confederacy together. More than anything, the Confederacy of Independent Systems held true to its very name. It was a collection of planets and systems governed independently in their own right yet united to a common cause. And with the “Confederacy First” doctrine recently pushed, it had sought to redirect its focus ever more in that direction. To focus on helping those within its own borders to become more prosperous and secure so that they could be whatever utopia it was they desired. It was the very outlook that Alden had seen in his early days within the Confederacy that had led to his choice to become a full fledged member. They were the beacon of light that embraced all and casting aside prejudice the rest of the galaxy seemed to cling so desperately to. Those systems that had joined the Confederacy had done so by choice and they held that same choice to leave its governance if they so desired for the Confederacy was not an organization of conquerors, but a family that embraced and adopted new members should they have desired to be a part of it. ​

​

Alden glanced to Faye, and saw that she was still noticeably tense and distraught, as she should be. What they’d all seen could not be so easily shaken. Not even for one so well rehearsed in dealing with such as Alden had been, being a career military man. He, himself, was still inwardly shaken, but outwardly he displayed a false strength. He needed to be that way for Faye to prop herself up against and so he would remain that way. An ever constant presence to calm the storm that raged violently within.​

 

[Enlil]

He poured another goblet out for himself, sat at the fringes of the ordeal and just outside the door. The King could hear them prattle, and their bickering was more akin to that of children than adults who ought be lording over entire worlds. Surely, a man who was supposed to hold sway over a hundred or more systems had more to offer than indignation.

No, he decided, this Locke fellow did not impress him in the least. To continue to drag on about the situation on Ryloth when the entire purpose of the meeting was the fate of Siskeen...

Aha. Perhaps there is more to this man than posturing and redundancy. His bright red gaze centered on the man for a moment as he spoke of not forcing the system to remain, and indeed, drawing terms to allow them to leave.

That should have been the end of it. But it dragged on.

Enlil sipped his wine, now sour on his tongue with each snipe and exchange of harsh words that passed. His expression shifted from one of indulgence to disgust. Everything now centered around a conflict.

Yet, they had not deviated from the proposed peace. He had vowed neutrality, the position of an arbiter. His emotions, his thoughts, his opinions meant little and would only serve to further detail the current course even further. He looked to Derek Dib for the man to address the situation and bring them back to order... lest he have to step in and do so himself.

At the very least, when Raven Thystle spoke, the woman sought to find an angle for the decision by Derek, and offer him hope that things would change and get better within the Confederacy. That was the first real sentiment shared between any of them that might remotely benefit the people.

He placed the goblet down and leaned forward, interested. Things had the opportunity to shift in balance. How would they?

Perhaps not, he mused as Daegon Corvinus turned the proverbial blade back toward the Agents of Chaos. These people have no interest in peace. They want to retain what is theirs without consequence.

Their presence is not needed...

He was no fool. The King had heard such things, and knew what they meant. The promise of a happy ending for all, but when the curtain fell and the people who backed him were gone, the pressure would return and Dib would be strong-armed into whatever decision the Confederacy decided.

Enlil was extremely aware of this man now. If that thought spread through the room, and people fell into the trap...

He looked back to Derek, now. You don't have a single real friend in this room, Viceroy.

Siskeen had made a mortal error when he admitted he gave the attack on Ryloth up to the Confederacy. He'd assured that the Agents of Chaos knew he was conniving, and this entire situation placed him at odds with the Confederacy. The only thing either side could do now was save face.

If those cameras disappeared, the only leverage he had would be gone. It would descend into chaos. How will you play this hand?

When Alwine Daye spoke, he blinked. She rebuffed the initial points made, combated the vitriol of the Thyferran, but ultimately gained them no ground. The entire situation was so...

He let out an audible sigh and hung his head. "This is what happens when you leave the task of leadership to the incapable," he muttered beneath his breath.

When Annasari chimed in, he shook his head. She might have made a proper advisor, in another life. There were nothing but differences of opinion in this room. Disorder. An utter lack of any direction.

Then, Dib spoke up. He waxed poetic, but he made a concise point. He sought freedom for his people, and friendship- but not an overlord, from the Confederacy. Finally.

The last to speak was a woman, the one who fancied herself a politician, Faye Malvern . Ah, such a flair for the dramatic. Such heart wrenching method acting. Enlil reached down and lifted his goblet once more.

Finally, the wine tasted good again.

"If you are all finished, it seems as though you have reached a consensus of secession. If there are no other matters to discuss, finalize the details and be done with this mummer's farce."

 

[Ripley Kühn]

Objective: Spread the word
Allies: Toph Graystone Madalena Antares
Enemies: CIS | Open

Ripley sat in a little bar on Rannon, datapad in hand, far from all the fighting. It wasn't her war to wage- the Agents and the Confederacy could have it out all they wanted, and she would sit here, sipping her drink, waiting on orders. The only reason she had agreed to the slicing gig, to begin with, was because it paid well, and she was quickly running out of credits.

She motioned to the barkeep to bring her another drink, then returned her attention to the screen in her hand. She had extremely bored, just scrolling through the holonet, looking for her next job. Maybe I'll find something more exciting than this, she thought.

She was suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from her earpiece.

"The meeting on Siskeen is going as planned, but we got a lovely new morsel we can use. All the channels have just broadcasted this."
"I want you to take his admittance to it and play it on a loop into every Rylothian frequency you can find. Open, private, it doesn't matter. Send it to everywhere in the Core as well, let it spread. And write… That the Confederacy knew we were coming, and has chosen to hide behind its civilians, behind the Twi'leks, and behind their children. That is the true face of the Confederacy."

Well, it seems this job won't be as boring as I thought. While she had been listening, the bartender had brought her the drink she ordered and placed it on the table. She picked it up and cleared it in one large gulp before getting to work.

Her hands were a flurry as she began keying in codes and commands to the pad. Windows flashed before her eyes, as she quickly clicked in and out of them, opening another as she waited on the previous to load. Turning the recording function on, she spoke:

"People of the Galaxy. The attacks on Ryloth today were planned, and do not think for a moment that the Confederacy was not privy to this. Instead of taking action to protect their people, they chose to hide behind innocents. To hide behind the Twi'lek people and their children. If they were truly valued citizens of their system, they wouldn't use them as fodder, throwing those at the festival in front of them as their shields."

She finished recording and threw over a frequency to disrupt her voice, making it sound computerized. She played if back, which drew a weird look from the people around her, but Ripley paid them no mind. She smiled to herself, satisfied, before keying in the command to attach the recording of the Viceroy after.

A ping came next, displaying the text from her partner in this endeavor.

"I cracked their system. I hope you are having as good of luck with the rest of the galaxy."

Ripley's smile grew even wider. She cracked her knuckles, chuckled a bit to herself, and bent over the pad. First, she chose to encrypt her own connections, to maintain anonymity and make sure no one could find her. Then, reaching out to the nearest communications satellite, the ones and zeroes seemed to run on and on as she attempted to break the mainframe.

 

[Jason Farkas]

Location: Viceroy's Mansion
Equipment: Nothing but Coffee and a beautiful face
Mission: Evacuate the clan elders, stay next to Gerwald and follow his orders
CIS: Darth Metus | Redd | Astrid Skovgaard | Darth Elyria | Shalita Verd | Gerwald Lechner
AOC: Madalena Antares | Kyrinov | Hanna | The Bridesmaid | Nerium


Jason was watching all the members when suddenly, he felt something. Something unfamiliar. He quickly looked around when his eyes saw this woman. All black. She looked as pretty as she was mysterious. He analyzed her and quickly realized, that she was the source of this feeling. Was this the dark side? It was the first time Jason ever felt the dark side next to him. It felt strange. But who was this woman? What was her job here? For a moment he thought about approaching her, but he got quickly interrupted when this big explosion came up and scared a few people. Jason himself quickly looked around and wondered what that could have been. Who did that? A bombing? Are there now terrorists running around? As fast as he thought about approaching miss mysterious( Darth Elyria ) he began to think what would be targeted next, but Gerwald already answered that question. Jason nodded and replied "Yes, master". He waited for the others to go after them while doing so he was thinking of what he could do to actually help here. At this moment he wished, he already had get some training in combat as well as in the force. Then he could at least try to do something. But no.

 

[Sabine Delacroix]

​

​

Attire: This
Location: Ryloth, Vureshakkairn Castle - Assembly Hall
Equipment: Lightsaber, Mask
Enemies: AOC
Allies: CIS + Allies
TAG: Vytal Noctura | Shamira Karuto | Viana Morreth | Katrine Van-Derveld | @Anyone I missed around or headed to the Castle

For the people of Ryloth, even the witches the day had been one of peaceful celebration, a thing she truly did not care to involve herself in, for her part she simply at in quiet isolation within the Endless Library of Vureshakkairn Castle a pile of old books layout upon the table next to her in various states of disarray, some lie open with places marked for review, others lie closed with their avenues for exploration exhausted. What she was after would not be easily found in a single book, rather it would require a careful and methodical search by one who knew the ways of the Sith but was not blinded by their dogma. The state of the galaxy that she had found herself in was frankly disappointing, with little more than children playing at running empires, though she supposed the same could have been said in her own time. Had they seen what she had they would realize just how infantile they were.​

She forced her mind back upon the book before her as she sat quietly in her chair in the darkest corner of the library she could find and turned the page in absolute silence however concentration was not meant to be, Ryloth was stirring the force tugging at her and pulling at her as the witches would say the spirits had become restless and then she felt something different, death and destruction quickly she closed her book and laid it upon the table before she stood and slowly reached for the mask upon the arm of her chair. She ran a gloved hand over it a moment before she placed it over her face concealing her eyes behind a blackened scarred metal, she imagined the witches found it disquieting but truly she did not care. Drawing the hood of her cloak forward her blonde hair completely disappeared beneath the shroud and she began to move like a shadow through the library toward the door and with but a thought she reached out to her pet.​

<< Ritsas, come my pet it is time to feed >>​

As a faint roar could be heard from the mountains as she exited the library, a slight smile upon her lips as her pet responded, her lightsaber bounced against her hip with every step as she moved toward the assembly hall. She watched with amusement as some of the younger witches moved to one side as she moved along the corridor then quickly continued their journey elsewhere, they were right to move away she was not their friend and she was not one of them if anything she was a guest, and as a guest, she had sworn to the Nightmother that the Castle would be under her protection as payment if any dared to approach it with intent to do harm. She did not know or care what else was happening on the planet but today it would seem would be the day that payment was required.​

 

[Seraphina Corvinus]

​

CIS: John Locke Raven Thystle Kyyrk Faye Malvern @Visanj T’shkali Corius Harckon Daegon Corvinus Derek Dib
AoC: Alwine Daye Enlil Gabriel Volturi Annasari Larentia
Other: Holly Starstorm Enlil
Location: Palace, Pristine City, Olanet [Conference Area/Room/Hall]
Wearing: XXX
Weapons: None

Slender fingers curled into the material of the black suit-jacket that Viceroy Dib wore, briefly, finding solace in the knowledge that the much taller man was intact. The beheading was still fresh in her mind. It lingered in haunted fawn-brown eyes and obviously weighed heavily on her tender soul. For a moment that seemed to span an eternity she’d feared the worst. That Derek Dib had been compromised. Injured, or worse. Her shoulders scrunched together as the embrace was returned. The effect made the Thyferran seraph seem even smaller than she actually was. Against the white dress shirt—Enveloped, fleetingly, she all but disappeared.

Seraphina was slow to realize that her actions were rash. Words of comfort flowed down to her ears from Derek Dib and she tried to collect herself before pulling away. There was a potential for the delegation to see her as impetuous and unprofessional. They would not appreciate her tears, nor, her sentiments. No matter how justified. Her cheeks burned at the thought of embarrassing Daegon, however, there was no regret. She would not apologize. This mattered. Kindness, mattered.

Hearing that it helped Derek in some small way only affirmed that.

Careful eyes darted toward his face as he reassured her that he would do what was necessary to ensure the safety of the Siskeen System. Her head tilted, briefly, while she tried to discern that which had not been spoken. She could hear it. The same way she heard an aria, a voice, or a whisper.

A combined assurance; coupled with a request.

‘Have Faith’​

Sera nodded. She understood. The gentle aura of kindness that radiated from her being would seem to move with her like a cloud whilst she passed the other seated individuals. While she moved, she found that she was able to pinpoint that the oppressive presence exuded from Gabriel Volturi . It was thick, like oil. It had almost been her undoing upon entering the Conference Hall, but, she was slowly acclimating. She could not cast it off, though, she could breathe through it with no small amount of effort.

The small exchange with the Viceroy of the hour kept her courage steady, even, whilst speeches and information passed her by. Eyes. She could feel them burning holes in her body. Questions. She was thankfully a footnote as much more important discussions began. Sir Kyyrk spoke of security while many more of their party continued to relinquish weaponry and guards at the instruction of the doorman. She scampered back toward Daegon as Derek had bid her. At the side of the Viceroy of Thyferra was where she truly belonged. No doubt, the small separation had dulled his patience. He would need every ounce for what was to come.

Daegon did not suffer blind fools. That was the main reason Derek and Daegon held easy conversations in past engagements. Neither man toyed with the other, nor, did they play games with one another. Such things were meant for school children. They were not. She could feel his thoughts. His mood had taken a decidedly darkened turn and her hand immediately caught his. It would be in full view, unhidden, whilst he pulled out a chair for her. If the others at the table were not their friends? If their motives were unclear? Perhaps, it was best not to address them at all.

This was the Siskeen. Derek Dib minded his own. They had their own governing system, their own fleets, their own army, and could well handle their own. Just like Thyferra. He did not require the aid of an outside party to negotiate for him. He did not require an outside party to make thinly veiled threats on his behalf. Through the force—Or otherwise.

If Derek wished to threaten? He would do it himself.

There were many exchanges that passed by. Seraphina listened avidly, learning, while she did so. Some of it pained her to hear. It was skewed, but, perhaps that was the nature of this meeting? Perspective. Alwine Daye seemed to be one of the Agents that had very much to say. Her questions were unclear. Loaded, to say the least. How could they taste a lie within her being if she believed that she was telling the truth? Ignorance, especially, from those who were determined to follow a certain belief regardless of proof and presentation could be a dangerous thing. An example:

“Ryloth is under imminent threat. An attack is impending. Immediate action must be taken to ensure calamity and devastation does not occur.”

Nowhere within that warning did it state WHEN the Agents of Chaos would descend. Security measures had obviously been taken, but, threats came in daily from various parts of the galaxy, on, and on—Life still continued. It mattered. The CDF presence had risen dramatically. They couldn’t tell Ryloth not to hold their national celebrations or else they were the very tyrants they were accused to be. The words were twisted to fit the scenario. Either by accident, misinformation, or otherwise. The rest of the dialogue didn’t make sense. What did an Echani population have to do with whether or not a world was protected? The Brynadul were monstrous. Everyone, knew that. If they were such a threat and the Agents were capable of waging such war—Why didn’t they? If the concern for the galactic community was so strong, why, did they not step up the Brynadul? Overextension, halting the spread of galactic terror, had caused fractures within the Southern Systems. They could not do it again, so soon.

The notion of Ryloth or any other System in distress not holding weight caused her to visibly flinch.

Seraphina simply didn’t understand. Why say such a thing?

A fair woman, an Agent, she presumed ( Annasari ) seemed a little upset. Perhaps, she was as concerned as Seraphina was. Her words were stern. For a neutral party there was very little neutral about this.

Raven Thystle and John Locke both made attempts at trying to explain their perspective. It was the one that she knew. It was also what she hoped for. To leave this room on friendly relations versus being at each other’s throats. She followed along with what Viceroy Thystle spoke of. The delegation did not altogether seem to hear her, though. There were too many large minds and opinions that flowed to allow truly constructive dialogue. When John Locke spoke Seraphina could feel the weight. The Exarchs could be exceedingly intense. However, not typically unreasonable.

Faye Malvern obviously attempted to put a lid on the hostilities. Sera watched the faces of the others in the room, briefly, to gauge their reactions. Often what mattered was the unspoken. The pale woman reached up with her free hand and placed her hand on her elbow. Silent support. It was hard to stand up in a room full of tense, angry, individuals. They bandied words like swords. She could see that Luca Donskoi also acted as a lighthouse for her, but, Sera wanted to help. It was all she could do.

The doorman ( Enlil ) must have played a larger role than she initially suspected. He kept speaking for the Siskeen, yet, she had no idea who he was. She hoped that Visanj T'shkali and Kyyrk were watching. Something about him, unspoken, caused her to feel uncomfortable about having him at her back. Her lips parted, but, another ping on their Holo-Comms caught her attention. She reached for the unit that was on the inside of Daegon’s breast pocket. Pulling it free, the words that caused the screen caused her eyes to widen.

“People of the Galaxy. The attacks on Ryloth today were planned, and do not think for a moment that the Confederacy was not privy to this. Instead of taking action to protect their people, they chose to hide behind innocents. To hide behind the Twi'lek people and their children. If they were truly valued citizens of their system, they wouldn't use them as fodder, throwing those at the festival in front of them as their shields."

Soft eyes stole upward and fell on Derek Dib . This was his house. Pain arched through her—Such pain that it would be nigh palpable. While some might accuse it of being an act, perhaps, they had simply forgotten what true emotion felt like. Were they all so jaded?

“We are not these monsters.”, her tone was small, slight, and possibly unheard. It wavered. Both from the fear of speaking up and the remembrance of being dismissed by Alwine, coldly, at simply being the “female” at Daegon’s side. “We are NOT these monsters.”

“Innocent people are dying. This conversation may be destined for greatness—But while humanity and morality is mocked and called into question here? Confederate citizens are dying on Ryloth. Their blood is our blood. Siskeen blood, is my blood. Our blood. That is why this discussion warrants more than flippant insults and a quick dismissal.”

She paused. Startled, by her own words. Everyone was watching. Cameras. The whole room. Her eyes filled with salted water and began to burn while her head tucked low. Sera set the comm, face down, and then wrapped her hands in her lap. Shoulders tight. Mortified. Terrified. The reports of bombings and violence were ever rising.

Seraphina felt powerless. She did all she could do. Mourn. Grieve. Pray, for peace.

Cry.

​

Spoiler: OOC

I do have permission to move forward toward Derek - Can be found here.

 

[Tyrias Aran]

Location: In Orbit of Ryloth, aboard the Sapphiric Scorn
Deployed Fleet: Providence II-class Carrier/Destroyer | Farstar-class Military Space Station | 4x Squadrons of RMS-SC01 Starbird-class Space Superiority Starfighter | 1x Squadron of T-77 "Talon" Stealth Interceptor | 3x Squadrons of Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mk III | 3x Hellspear Frigate | Argente-class Assault Cruiser | 8x Terrus-class Flak Corvettes | 7x Miraj-class Heavy Assault Dropships | Comfort-class Medical Frigate | 16x Squadrons of RMS-SC01 Starbird-class Space Superiority Starfighter | 10x Squadrons of Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mk III | 3x Squadrons of RMS-BC11 Starhammer-class Superheavy Bomber

Allies: Amelia von Sorenn | Luna Terrik | Darth Metus | The Monster | Kiff Brayde | Kathryn Foster
Unauthorized Fleet but not yet Hostile: Dimitri Lindzinsky | Lash | Bella | Kyrinov
Hostiles: K Kaine Australis

At long last word had come from Command ( Amelia von Sorenn ). The Rules of Engagement had changed, even if only with regard to one of the many unauthorized warships in orbit of the planet or within the Ryloth system. Commander Jamieson didn't waste time following the orders of the Grand Marshal of the Confederate Defense Force either.

They had done far more than was called upon by any defense force. They had warned them off, making it clear in no uncertain terms firing such a weapon would be considered an Act of War. There had been a vessel -- even if unauthorized -- in pursuit making it clear the Golden Lance was not welcome. There was a small fleet of Confederacy vessels in orbit above the planet with their weapons trained not only on the Golden Lance, but the other unauthorized vessels in the system. Every starfighter squadron of the nearby Farstar-class spacestation had even been launched in preparation to screen the capital ships and assail any hostile fleet in the system. Every Orbital Defense Platform was primed and awaiting a target, or having established a lock with their rail-guns. And they had held... They had been patient beyond all measure. They had every right to have blown that ship out of the stars, and now with its energy leveling off in what was a sure-fire indication they had built up their charge directed at a civilian center full of living, breathing people -- they had even right, reason, and need to put that ship down.

"Have Platforms Five Six and Five Eight's rail-guns unleash hell on that ship," ( K Kaine Australis ) his voice rang out to send the various Communication specialists to work. "Flak Corvettes are weapons free from any ordinance or material dropped. I want the Apophis [Argente] to show them our own mass drivers in action and pry that thing open like the ugly tin can it is. Keep bearings on the other vessels, but have Ship Captains standing by for further instructions."

Even if the comm system were incapacitated by the jamming, support craft had been launched and taken up position along the Sapphiric Scorns' hull. Latched on, they directed an amplified beam of stimulated radiation at the rest of Fleet Marshall Tyrias Aran's localized fleet. While far from sophisticated, simple orders like 'fire' were easily conveyed. Especially when that was the one order every one of their ships was prepared to receive and the Golden Lance was the only active hostile vessel in the region.

Perhaps the station had two Orbital Defense Platforms fire, or perhaps three. It would be up to the Commander there with the strongest communication channel to direct the platforms' actions. Though even if they weren't available, the Platforms were capable of managing themselves -- protecting the worlds of the Confederacy was, after all, of vital importance no matter what some would claim.

Meanwhile, Tyrias could feel the reinforcements arrive in the Force. Good. Her fleet had been assembled to protect the planet from attack, but the intelligence hadn't suggested a fleet of such size managing to circumvent Confederate space entirely. Perhaps, later, the question would be asked how they got there. Was it through the Corporate Authorities of Denon's [Darkwire] space? Navigating the strait between the Confederacy and the Silvers? Seemed an unnecessary risk. Perhaps through the Outer Planetary Alliance region. However they did it, and whatever they hoped to accomplish by devastating an entire planet only to saunter off afterward, claiming no responsibility for their actions or the aftermath of what happened, the Calvary -- as Humans put it -- had arrived.

The Chiss Fleet Marshal reached out to touch the hearts and minds of the souls that had joined her in defending Ryloth. She could feel them. The resolve to defend those they had been charged with -- their solemn duty to protect all citizens of the Confederacy. Their desire to protect their own -- people of the Confederacy -- and to not take frak from outsiders that claimed to be more devoted to those people than the men and women of the Defense Forces. Nameless, faceless people that appeared from the void claiming to have a world's best interests at heart, with no actions to demonstrate that. Flowery words. That sort they said the Confederacy itself used. A prime example of projection if there was one.

Their emotions washed over Tyrias, but she was not consumed by it. If anything, she helped even the spikes high or low out so that they could focus on their duty. To be the prime example of the Guardians and Protectors they swore an oath to be in the face of any danger. No matter the personal cost. That was their duty, and they would perform it gladly.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Ryloth – Middle of nowhere
Equipment: Lightsaber, Faceless Armor (Sans Mask), Miraluka Mask
Mental state: Curious
Tags: | Darth Miseria | Adron Malvern | Oceiros Sunstrider |

She didn’t expect to get any sort of facing from the man. In her time training underneath him, he didn’t ever offer her those sort of formalities. It wasn’t the sort of thing that she seemingly deserved. Or had earned. At least not yet. And that was perfectly fine with her. It wasn’t as though she needed to see the eyes of the man that had attempted to kill her under the guise of training so many times over, to feel his eyes take in her form through the force. The mark on her forearm was plenty enough to do that.

So as he began to speak, she kept her head downward, and mouth shut. There was nothing for her to add, and there were no questions she could ask that wouldn’t be answered in due time, she knew. Any out of turn question would more than likely end up with her writing in pain, and after a few months of being tortured by her own mind, more pain along the..physical side wasn’t exactly high on her list.

“You've kept your blade sharp enough in your gallivanting around my planet, so now we'll see if you can take out the trash on Ryloth as well.”

Those words were..pleasant to hear. It was rare to hear she had done a good job, and despite the tone, she knew the man respected it. Illyria was his kingdom, and Xobos had acted as his hand admirably. At least, in her mind that is. “Quite a feat to receive such praise from a man such as that, little master. Perhaps we are doing the right thing.” Ambrus’s words reflected her own thoughts, as they often did. Though she did appreciate the words, she remained silent, only bowing her head in respect in return.

One of the benefits of not having eyes not a normal sense of vision was when the light changed suddenly, there was little that needed to be adjusted for to see normally. As was the case when the hanger door opened, revealing the hot outside world Xobos had just come in from.

“oh, a speeder bike ride. How exhilarating,” Ora remarked as the dark lord mounted his vehicle and sped away, obviously expecting Xobos to follow right behind him. And that she did, leaping onto the extra speeder, cranking it on with a whine, then speeding away with a cloud of dust left in her tracks. Perhaps they were going to meet these dissidents, perhaps they were leaving. There was doubt in the back of her mind regarding that last idea, but without a destination being revealed, her mind only wandered at where they were going.

It ended up with them arriving..in the nowhere. How..predictable, as usual.

She was thankful to hear the whine of another speeder pulling up, letting a tiny fraction of a smile cross her otherwise emotional face at the sight of one of her sisters. Returning the greeting with a bow of her head, her head moved to Adron once the question had been asked. It wasn’t as if it hadn’t been on her own mind this whole time. The middle of nowhere didn’t exactly seem like the kind of place to face down an enemy.

 

[Judd Hunter]

Location: Planetside
Objective: Alter of Spirits - Kick them in the Testicles
Loadout: Phase 1 Haywire Armor | R91 Assault Rifle | Phase X-E “Hyper Frost” CyroSonic Heavy Pistol | JH-70 Glitter Grenades | Elemental Grenades | Whimsy Knife | Neurotechnical Inhibitor | Vita Stone
Essential Gear: BD-9 | Cigarettes | Lighter
Allies: Agents of Chaos, The Siskeen Coalition, Twi'lek Freedom Fighters | Jai'galaar Gred | Hanna | Oceiros Sunstrider | Thalia Senn | Strider Garon | Katrine Van-Derveld | Anesia Jy'Vun | Madalena Antares
Enemies: The Confederacy has chosen. | Holt Beric Layne Lirka Ka Effie Luna Terrik Ciri Jade Prennis Keeoli Srina Talon Millu Lee Draconis Sederius Wolf Darth Empyrean Darth Metus Rann Thress Julra Repraj Damsy Callat Shalita Verd Lunara Azure Kat Decoria Tess Valnora Maeve Archeron Allya Vi'Dreya Adron Malvern Darth Miseria Shamira Karuto

White knuckles gripped the arm rest of the seat as Judd watched the defense platform quickly feel the screen. He honestly believed they would crash this time. At the last moment the pilot pulled left on the pilot stick, skimming the surface of the platform under the turbolaser arcs. Judd let out a sigh of relief. They'd made it through the line this far. Only one of the shuttles had been lost in the initial barrage. But as if he had spoken to soon the second shuttled exploded in front of them, having taken a stray blast directly into the cockpit. Here he believed that the drop pods were more suicidal, but scans already showed that Jai'galaar Gred and the other's pods had made it to the surface. The pilot jerked the shuttle around the debris field and sent them rolling over and diving past the edge of the platform. This was the last layer of them. Thank the the gods. With one last bit of spite the shuttle shuttered from an impact. The pilot looked grim, but determined to get them to safety.

The shuttled streaked through the atmosphere trailing smoke behind as it zeroed in on the landing zone. The pilot wiped the ship around as they flew over the pods, bringing it down with a hard thump and a bit of sliding. Judd felt the impact the most up front and was sent forward into the console before his crash webbing could restrain him. Leaning back the merc put a bracing hand on his ribs as he looked over to the pilot. She looked to have a broken nose but was non-the-less give him a bloody smile. "We'll that was fun. But lets not do that again."

Standing from his seat Judd moved to the rear, looking over the other five soldiers in the passenger bay before opening the ramp and stepping down into the fresh air. He watches as the others came over the rise to check on him. "Don't say it. A drop pod was the better choice." Not saying another word Judd pulled the cigarette pack from a pocket and reached for one of the sticks. Instead, as he looked inside, he groaned and turned the pack upside down. Crushed and broken cigarettes fell out. "Great. This job just went to hell." Crumbling the pack in his fist Judd tossed it into the distance and moved to listen to Madalena's briefing.

 

[The Monster]

Location: Approaching The Golden Lance
Ship: The Aegis Light Frigate
Objective: Destroy The Golden Lance, and stop them from bombing the entire planet
Allies: CIS and affiliates
Enemies: K Kaine Australis and Madalena Antares , AoC and affiliates
Theme: The Needs of Many, Over the needs of a few
​

Captain Clark was watching his viewscreens with bated breath, the capacitors on The Aegis were charging slowly due to their shunting of most of their power into the engines, and he was quietly debating letting off the gas just slightly to give them the maximum power available for the one shot they had. And then a shout from his EWar crewmember got his attention.

"Sir, it's the fleet! They're firing on The Lance!"

Clark couldn't believe his ears. They'd broken the tenuous cease fire between them, especially with the AoC doing everything they could to goad them into doing so, to assist this mad crew in their one objective. Someone made a decision finally not on reason or logic, or political sith spit. They'd made a decision based on the morality of the situation. But that also presented a huge problem.

The Aegis was in their line of fire.

The ship shook as a round ricocheted off her hull thanks in part to their current angling and Clark's eyes went wide with terror. They couldn't lose that gun!

"Helm 180 degree roll! Get our belly up to protect that gun!"

The ship would roll violently as it cut through the hail of fire from the rest of the fleet, shuddering with each impact, shaking as rounds would tear into and through the 3.5 meter thick armor. And while most of the rounds would harmlessly bypass the Aegis and strike The Golden Lance, multiple rounds would hit the Aegis by the sheer amount of firepower brought on by the fleet. Calls would echo through the bridge again. Sections of the hull would be vented into space as multiple hull breaches occurred, and they even lost the entire battery location for turrets 7-10. Clark would send up a small prayer to whomever might be listening, a prayer so loud Tyrias Aran might even hear it through her battle meditation.

Come on old girl, just a little bit further.

Then finally something gave. A massive explosion from the stern of his vessel as one of the smaller primary drive engines failed spectacularly as the heat shielding finally gave up and the thruster engine exploded with a massive ball of blue flame before shutting off for good. The ship shuddered as it lost precious thrust towards its target, but Clark didn't hesitate with his counter.

"Engineering I want all the power that was routed to that engine to be put into turret 3,"

"Aye Sir!" The engineer quickly worked at his station, trying to reroute power through their failing power system.

The hypermatter reactor, having been put through such a strenuous workload was starting to go into meltdown, and power levels were increasing because of this but not within safe levels. The standard safety procedures for such an event was to jettison the reactor and brace for impact as the cascade failures within the reactor would cause it to detonate like a bomb. And their capacitor system was already one in such a case as this. They had to use it, along with the rest of the ship to bring down that Battlecruiser. And the Hades cannon nestled in turret three began to spark as electricity began to flow up and down it's power systems. The round inside the barrel began to spin as weapon charged, the rails glowing with the amount of electricity in them was being stored and prepping for the much larger charge that was about to by thrown through the cannon. The targeting systems for Turret 3 would begin to glitch and get hazy as even the electrical systems in the turret were affected because of how much absolute power was being generated and stored in the cannon. In terms of a game Sergei had taught the entirety of the crew for physical fitness, Ord Janon Football, it was 20 seconds left in overtime and they were down by a single point, fourth down, twenty yards from the goal line. They didn't have any room for error, no room to back down. It all came down to this collection of moments. The galaxy would remember them not for what had happened before, but instead what happened here and now. So onward the ship pressed, duty and oaths remembered, any personal thoughts or ambitions clearly forgotten.

And then the next problem arose.

The Golden Lance, in what Clark couldn't tell at a misguided attempt of mercy, or act of extreme malice, dropped the massive weapon that it had been charging to bombard the planet. And while to some it would cause cries of joy, Clark felt his heart almost stop as he saw it tumble on the readout, directly for Ryloth. If that thing hit the planet, not shot it, but actually hit the planet, he'd crack the planet and kill everything on the surface. His face was that of utter terror as he saw the thing tumble and was about to order the Aegis to move to intercept, when they rocketed right past the blasted thing.

No.

NO.

His orders were extremely quick to his gunner, almost unheeded in the cacophony that was occurring in the bridge now as screens sparked and a fire started from circuitry in the bridge literally melting and then catching fire.

"GUNNER THREE, FIRE ON THAT WEAPON NOW!"

"BUT SIR-"

"NOW OR IT'S ALL FOR NAUGHT!"

The gunner nodded his acknowledgement as he brought the cannon around. The turret would turn relatively slowly as for all aboard the Aegis, as time seemed to slow down. He swapped his screen to give him the gunner's view, and saw the massive weapon tumbling in space behind them as he lined up a shot. Clark's hands were shaking.

They had only one chance to do this, and there wouldn't be another.

But with clear, concise, and smooth movements the gunner got his weapon trained on the bomb. The computer would calculate a quick but accurate shooting solution, and changed his crosshair from red to green as it acquired target lock. And then, with a massive discharge that actually moved the Aegis slightly in its flight path to hit the Lance, the turret fired. A durasteel coated Tungsten slug shot out of the cannon, accelerated to a fraction of the speed of light in a massive awe inspiring display of the true power of the Hades. And in less than a second later the weapon exploded in space with the force of a thousand suns. And as The Aegis continued on its flight path to ram The Golden Lance, Captain Clark could only breath a small sigh of relief as he thought to himself one thing.

My duty, is done. Nos ex Aegis, digni sunt.

The Aegis's systems would begin to catastrophically fail as the power surges through all systems caused multiple explosions on multiple decks. And right as the Aegis slammed into The Golden Lance, it's hypermatter reactor would finally go nuclear, annihilating all aboard in a massive 3 kilometer wide explosion of all of the kinetic energy they'd built up, all of the fuel in the reactor, and all of the energy in their capacitors went up into a massive blast that would be visible to all, even on the ground. A ball of white hell fire would suddenly appear in a blinding bright white light that encompass the area surrounding the two.

The Aegis, and all 150 members of her crew were officially lost. Heroes all.

TLDR:

Spoiler

The Aegis, being on it's direct intercept course with The Golden Lance, unfortunately got caught in the crossfire between the allied CIS Fleets and the Golden Lance. Moving to shield their trump card, they inverted the ship, so their belly armor would take most of the hits, managing to continue to close the gap. When K Kaine Australis jettisoned the Daedalus Cannon, Captain Clark realized that the weapon was now a much greater threat to the people of Ryloth, and so was forced to fire upon it with his one shot of APDS he had loaded into turret three, so that the blast wave would be much less felt on the planet of Ryloth. This caused a massive cascade failure aboard the Aegis, causing the ship to go nuclear and detonate on "impact" with The Golden Lance. All crew aboard the Aegis, including Captain Clark, are KIA in a massive 3 kilometer blast that can be seen from the ground on Ryloth.

Location: On Ryloth, moving towards Strider Garon forces
Gear:

Spoiler

Gen 2 Armor, M-416, L-7 pistol, also all standard squad leader kit listed here

Objective: Intercept any forces moving to the Capital Bio-dome to give the civilians time to get to safety.
Allies: CIS and Affiliates
Enemies: AoC and Affiliates​

Sergei was running at a solid pace in his unit's formation, when a bright flash of white light painted the ground around him and a thunderous boom echoed overhead as if someone had detonated an artillery shell directly on them. Sergei stopped, he paused as he looked down, and then looked up skyward. His eyes would find the blinding bright light, almost as if a new sun had been born directly over the skies of Ryloth. He choked on tears as he tried to find his voice, and 80 commandos paused as they all gazed skyward. They'd all had friends, or what any of them could even consider family on that ship. Comrades. Brothers in arms. A few even lovers.

And now, they were gone. Their home, was no more. They were an army without a home. Without anything left to lose.

Sergei wanted to cry. To scream. To curse his brother's name. To tell him he was a fraking fool and that he should've been there. He wanted to break something, anything. Instead he spoke through open comms to all present around him.

"Our brothers and sisters above just bought us the chance we needed. May their strength never be found wanting in the halls of heroes. Because that's what they are, heroes. Even that blasted stark raving mad captain that I hired. Now we must honor their memory! Remember your oaths that you swore! Your duties that we still must uphold! The Aegis is gone because they fulfilled their oaths with their dying breath! DO NOT DISAPPOINT YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE WATCHING US NOW! ARE YOU WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE?"

"EGO SUM DIGNUS!" Was their cry, all at once through loud speakers in unison.

Their resolve had been hardened. They knew that their comrades' sacrifice in orbit would not be in vain. That they had finally obtained what they all sought. Because the only ones who ever truly saw the end of war, was the dead. And no matter what, the dead must be honored. Sergei's men would start their march again, moving much quicker now as they knew they had a job to do. Sergei was just thankful that his face shield was polarized.

Because he couldn't stop crying.

(Edits are as follows: Sergei side didn't post initially, so had to redo and changed the theme music because I found something that fit it better.)

 

[OOM-004-DOUGHNUT]

Location: Western Parade Route on Ryloth, moving to Join his squad
Allies: CIS + Allies
Enemies: AOC + Allies
Equipment: Standard CDF Kit + HE Loadout
Tags: OOM-001-JELLYBEAN | OOM-002-HONEYCOMB | OOM-003-CUPCAKE | OOM-016-ASTRO | Ryk Gaelir | Luna Terrik

Dougnut had been on the far side of the dome helping to secure another part of the parade router, seeing all the happy faces of squishy organics made him happy it simply meant he was doing his part to keep the proceedings safe and fun for all to enjoy. They had been told to be on alert for possible incursions but no more specific details like a place or time, he continued to scan the crowd and patiently observe but then...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

and then promptly followed by another very loud

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Dougnut nearly jumped out of his skin, that is if he had any in the first place he tapped his wrist come and called out. "Hey is that fireworks? You guys, better not be setting off explosives over there I am the demolition expert you shouldn't do that without me, I'm gonna take this up with CDF Command!" he was quite annoyed Until both Jellybean and the Grand Marshall herself gave out orders to explore some tunnel where the other droids were, so he abandoned his post as ordered and moved across the square as rapidly as his wobbly legs could manage, there he found Jellybean and all his follow droids staring into a tunnel Donut simply walked up to join them and stared into the dark tunnel his photoreceptors focusing in on the blackness "Uhhhhh she wants us to go in there? Why don't we just collapse the tunnel would that be a better idea? I got lots of explosives!"