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After a while she managed to hide herself, moving through the trees the sith warrior moved herself into position. She located her Mistress and the fighting around the area. Her body moved quietly as her boots griped the large trees. She watched the fighting looking for an opening as she tried to keep her presence down drawing closer. Moving leaping and diving she reached a point to get within striking distance. As some of the soldiers came out of their daze she took the time to wait for them let them focus on the main Sith forces before all they heard was the ignition of light sabers and soon the hum of it’s swing before several were struck down. Another brought his rifle up only to be sliced in two before he could pull the trigger. She’d managed to sneak up on the lot of them she was rather proud of that as she moved in to try and help her Mistress if possible striking at anybody getting near who didn’t bear sith markings.
Khan stayed close with Venefica's group, taking care to conserve his energy where possible. He would need it. If the plan worked he would definitely have a chance to gain recognition soon... And he had to make sure not to pass up said chance. Therefore when the enemy troopers got close to their group, Khan made a point to stay mostly out of the way. A meager force push here, pushing one trooper into another's blasterfire, a chop with his vibroblade there doing slightly more then causing one to stumble- though that gave one of Venefica's troopers a chance to score a nice head shot. In short, he was making sure he had plenty of stamina left to do something memorable once they reached the city. Something that would prove himself, gain the recognition he felt he deserved. Prehaps defeat a Jedi Master, or singlehandedly take a quadrant of the city... Of course his goals were high above his actual current abilities, but he didn't see it that way.
Khan smiled as he realized they were nearing the edge of the city. It wouldn't be long now... With the majority of the Republic forces confused by Venefica's mental prowess they would easily be able to enter the city.. and hopefully secure it quickly. He would have to play a part, a major part, if he was going to gain any recognition for this. He couldn't let the others take all the glory. But what could he do? He would have to wait for an oppurtunity to present itself...
(Do tell if I misusnderstood or missed anythng, I've been without internet for a bit and by the time I got back there was much too much to read through, so I just skimmed bits and pieces- and I wanted to write this up quickly before I missed more. I'm with Venefica's group.)
She tried to swallow the disgruntled sigh as sounds of ecstasy left the lips of the other woman that nudged her away from her master's side. Those same sighs came from Carach. Uggh, adult moments.
Lips pouted further as she stepped up with the besalisk, giving that short woman a wide-berth. Fingers came up to pinch her freckled nose as she got a good wiff of Qun's breath. "You smell like starship fuel," she grumbled. Senses extended to snatch a platoon of her master's droids. Using technometry, they slid out of line and positioned themselves around the two masters and two mind-frakked padawans around the beach in a protective arc.
Fingers trembled as she felt the ebb and flow of the darkside at her back.
NPCs Location: Beachhead Controller: Meric Nadun NPCs: 152 Graug Objective: Kill and be killed Opponents:Darth Arcanix and her horde
Good. His ploy had worked. It would go unnoticed for a time, which was perfect because the ticks needed to feed in order to actually be effective. At the same time he was more than busy directing his troops against the enemy. They were getting slaughtered, of course, but they were doing their own modicum of damage against the enemy. Truthfully he couldn't ask for much more than what they were doing. They were destined for death regardless of what they did. At least this way they helped thin the enemies numbers. That and they bought time for his... allies to reach him.
I was beginning to think I'd be facing the might of the One Sith alone.
He projected his thoughts to the various Jedi that were approaching. Of course he was also aware that a large group of Graug were charging the wookie defensive line from the rear as well. There wasn't much he could do to stop that. Not in a quick enough manner to have it actually be worthwhile, of course. So he let them come. Lifting his hand, a lightsaber jumped from his belt to his palm, and he thumbed the activation switch, sending a pure, black blade springing to life from the hilt. Meric didn't like red blades. They were associated with what he considered to be lesser Sith and so he wasn't going to use them. Black was more of his color anyway.
The limbs of Graug that gotten to close to him began to litter the terrain around him. Of course Wookies were fighting them as well, and there were more descending upon them from ahead, but this was the forward beachhead and its goal had been served: to soften the blow of the enemy forces. As first lines of defense go, the first line is never the strongest line. Not that it mattered anymore. Reinforcements had arrived.
There was also the matter of the dark rage he was feeling from across the way. It came from the same direction that he'd unleashed his blast of Destruction. So, he'd managed to piss one of them off. Good. A Sith not in control of their emotions was much easier to defeat than one who truly knew how to feed on the rage, the hatred, the anger that he felt. He was aware that there were more Sith Lords out there than the two he could feel approaching. There were the two he'd sent the ticks at, after all, but they were maintaining their distance, and so he would focus on the rage beast coming his way.
"I've counted four Sith Lords so far. Two at range. Two approaching. The one leading the horde of Vong is yours to deal with. I'll take out the other and proceed to attack the two that lurk beyond."
He said all of this rather matter-of-factly as he approached the coming Jedi and their reinforcements, cutting his way through the Graug that were attacking the beachhead from behind. After he was certain that he'd been heard, he moved away from them, deliberately choosing a wide open area to wait for his opponent to approach. He was looking forward to killing her and her friends. Their kind had no place in this galaxy that he was starting to shape. She was just another brick in the wall.
As the chaos ensued, The Sith Acolyte gave the order to fire. Battle cries and a volley of blaster fire began to unload from behind the Republic and Wookiee forces. Using her own blaster, Faye joined in with the group, maintaining a distance from the defenders. She glared at the clash between Sith and Jedi and saw a stray blaster shot go over the two. It was a miss, but she grimaced, ducking behind the rock for cover as she ripped her comlink off her utility belt; "Leave the Jedi alone. If you take a shot at her, I will kill you myself." That applied to all of the squad. This would give the Sith Knight an opportunity to persuade, or possibly capture the girl.
In the heat of the gun battle, the defectors to the Republic had been subdued or killed, either in Nightshade's fire, or even possibly by their own men. It was hard to tell, with the chaos that continued. With the Republic's forces occupied by the ambush, Faye hoped that it would provide enough time for Venefica to resolve the Jedi issue. If things turned sour, the teenage acolyte could hop in, and while sloppy with a lightsaber, could provide an opportunity for her comrade.
Location: Kachiro City Objective: Objective A , support time is over, emulate Mean Girls Allies: [member="Darth Vidar"] Enemies: [member="Kira Liadain"] | [member="Sabena Shai"] | [member="Soliael Devin Talith"] (Claimed w/ Vidar)
Anja watched as Vidar and Soliael engaged -- turning her attention to the blonde Jedi. The brunette Witch glanced over to her and her apprentice. "Who says I'm interested in fighting? Perhaps we can debate instead.", she wondered. She still maintained a firm grip on her vibroblade but showed no signs of aggressive tendency, much unlike her rather impulsive red friend. Pushing a loose strand of hair, consequence of Soliael's earlier roughness, the Host Lord turned her attention away from the two fighting and took a step towards Kira.
"You seem like you have much to say.", the Umbaran remarked; perhaps a bit ironic being gauged towards a Lorrdian, known for their kinetic communication. Not that one couldn't say much in gestures, perhaps even more so than through voice. Anja knew a few rude gestures of her own -- not that she was interested in demonstrating, yet. Her armour -- with helmet and gloves removed -- was still equipped to defend against lightsabers and energy attacks. A fact that may become useful assuming the Jedi has no interest in a friendly debate.
Why all the fighting? One could wonder on that very much... The Host Lord of The Primeval wasn't here to chirp about religion, to say the least, but it would be a waste of energy to engage an opponent without knowing more about them first or perhaps avoiding the fight all together to conserve for more decisive battles.
Location: Kachirho City
Objective: A
Allies: Pubs and I have no idea
Enemies: [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Faye Terrik"] [member="Khan Ra"]
The tip of green beam of plasma signed the Sith’s leg, the cloth and flesh offering no resistance to the weapon. As terrifying as it was, it felt as if she cut through nothing but empty air, while her eyes clearly saw her lightsaber graze the woman’s leg, leaving a searing orange line where cloth and skin used to be. The smell of burnt tissue also proved the success of Elizie’s attack, her nose wrinkling at the foul stench. For a second, this initial hit made the Arkanian think she could win the duel by defeating the Sith. Makashi users relied on their footwork quite heavily, needing to implement it in dodges and attacks alike, every movement precise and having its purpose. Even though the emerald blade did not burn its way through the knee, its original target, the Sith’s injury gave Elizie a slight advantage, just a tiny one, but it was definitely there.
The Padawan gravely underestimated the power she had unintentionally granted to the Sith by hurting her; the incredible pain combined with the woman’s hatred strengthened the Dark Side, allowing the Sith to feast on it. Despite feeling the sudden spike in power radiating from the woman, the white-haired girl could do little to fight against such a powerful manifestation of the Dark Side as the unexpected telekinetic attack gripped her throat like an invisible hand made out of steel. In that moment, Elizie’s wall of faith started to crumble and she panicked. Instead of breaking the Sith’s focus and freeing herself from the woman’s grasp, the young Jedi instinctively reached to her throat, trying to remove the hand that could not be removed. As her four clawed digits found nothing and the Padawan’s brain also realized the attack was telekinetic, Elizie’s white eyes stared at the Sith in pure terror, the hand holding the lightsaber pointing towards the ground again alongside her body.
Think! She had to calm down and think to survive! With adrenaline pumping through her veins, the paralyzed Arkanian did the only thing she could, the last effort to calm her mind; repeating the Jedi Code for herself, remembering the words one by one. It all happened incredibly fast, through to Elizie it felt like all eternity as she rediscovered her inner peace and found it possible to focus again.
, just in time as the Sith trooper got up and wanted to get into the Jedi's back. Elizie had to focus on the Force now, let it guide her movements and eliminate the immediate threat both opponents presented. She paid no attention to the battle growing closer.
As the Sith's soldier made his way past the Arkanian, the girl flicked her wrist, bringing her lightsaber up and removing the soldier's arms just below his elbows. It was cruel, but he would live and the move saved her from being shot in the back of the head. In that very same moment, the Arkanian's left palm opened up to release Force push at the Sith, not to directly attack her as must to distract her and break her focus to make her release her hold on Elizie's throat.
NPC
Location: Flanking Darth Venefica’s main force Controller: Elizie Adasca Forces: 60 Wookiees, 60 Republic soldiers Objective: Ambush the attackers Opponents: Nightshade squadron
It's about time you got here. That was her only thought as she saw Kezeroth arrive, making an entrance as he always did. While the sudden and all too obvious entrance of the monstrous Gen'Dai, most would have taken a second to balk or at least calculate how they would readjust their position to avoid drawing the ire of such a being. Keira, on the other hand, was completely at ease with his presence. Or at ease as she could get on a battlefield. He'd been the one training her those past few weeks, and they'd engaged in a number of what could be called sparring matches but were closer to actual duels in which neither of them held back. That had been the reason she lost her left arm and now had a cybernetic in its place. Most would have called it an unconventional mentor and student relationship, and they wouldn't be entirely wrong.
It seemed that the Jedi was an Ataru user as well, something that would add a new dynamic to their fight. Acrobatics were something that she took advantage of in almost every battle she found herself in, and this would be no different, except for perhaps the fact that some of her moves would be anticipated. A challenge had been what she'd come seeking, and it seemed that she would get her wish.
Instead of making an attempt to dodge both attacks and regroup afterwards she blocked the first cut of both blades, sabers sparking together for the briefest of seconds before the woman struck from a different angle. That one she deemed to avoid, twisting to the side and bringing her blade up in a low block, though that only lasted for another few moments as she gauged the best approach that would reap the most favorable results. This was the time to be more creative, and so she moved forward with a series of short, fast slashes that began directed at first her waist, slowly moving the attack up to head height. The intensity of her attacks was slowly building, but she wasn't quite ready to begin with acrobatics of her own yet. That would wait until their fight had moved on just a bit further.
Strengthened by the presence of her cousin and bolstered by the continued work of Master Rekali, it didn’t phase her when the three droids proved much tougher to deal with. It simply added to the pleasure of the contest.
It wouldn’t have been any fun if it were easy.
The woman – no, the droid, given the lack of sensation from her mental probe – taking cover behind them , the shimmer of fabric that caught her feline gaze even as she tore into the front most of the trio. She made a mental note of the droid that seemed to have the tech built onto it to deceive the eye. Decidedly fascinating to the woman who was a shapeshifter at her core. Claws drove furrows deep into the war droid’s durasteel plating as her mind set the thought aside, while her hind legs lashed out in a twisted maneuver to send another one stumbling back. A lucky bit of the Force might have it stumble back into the crates covering the smaller of the four droids, or even into the third war droid off to the side.
The sounds of death and destruction were deafening around them, the once-pristine skies and wroshyyr canopy sundered and sullied by the overwhelming odds. Even through all of that, with the oppressive darkness trying to choke them out of this life and into the next, Marakai stood firm within the Light and within her beliefs.
The Force Scream that cut through the air courtesy of a Sith would receive an answering roar in return. The sound formed in her chest and blasted out of her gaping maw, bolstered by the Force and the energy still pouring from the beacon that was Master Rekali. She would have poured more forth into it, but had no chance to do so and sustain her attack at the same time.
The droids opened fire.
As did the trio protecting the slicers at the other turret.
Marakai’s roar melted from a response into a righteous sort of feline outrage. As best she could, she redirected the Force energy into a shield, but it wasn’t her specialty by any stretch. Bolts found their way through, sizzling through her fur, one even finding purchase in her shoulder. Between one blink of an eye or a droid’s photoreceptor and the next, she’d torn out of her feline shape and into her human one. A mane of wild auburn hair topped a powerful, sleek physique clad in armorweave with strategically placed beskar plates.
Armor that marked her as a Mandalorian, along with the beskad and the rail-gun rifle crossed on her back.
The twin amber blades that sprang to life marked her as a Jedi, however, and one that was no stranger to fight laid out before her. With thanks due to the solari crystals within her matched hilts, the amber blades were wider than a normal lightsaber, and thus suited to deflecting larger amounts of blaster fire.
I have the answer.
I can take the pressure.
And I will turn it around.
Marakai could not deflect the bolts back at the droids – it was simply more expedient to just deflect them away from herself and Stali and move onward. There was an inhuman growl in her throat as she wrapped herself in the Force and used it to enhance her attacks. Speed, strength, and ferocity rained down upon the droids in a blur of amber blades and even a violent Force push intended to throw them off balance, if not over the edge of the bridge and into the doom below.
Graug rose up to stop her. Slash. Another. Slash. Another. Slash. Another. SLASH. ANOTHER. Slash. Darth Ayra was a raging red lightning across the battle field, her Lightsaber raining down upon Graug after Graug. A wookiee came into her path and met the same end. It mattered not too who or what stood before her. The beast within had risen it's snout and smelled blood. That congealed, crimson taste came to her mouth and she salivated at the thought of satisfying her blood lust. Her light robe was already soaked by everything that fell in her path.
The flash that was the Sith Lord was closing in towards Meric Nadun. He had awakened what was inside all those who fell to the dark side of the Force, molded and trained to use the creature that they could become to do great and wondrous things. Surrendering herself to the pull of the dark side, Alicia Drey had become it's property and subsequently it's guide many years ago to the hands of Darth Pandeima, when they met on that fateful day at the Hanna carnival.
And the woman that she had molded to become Darth Ayra bore down upon Nadun with a fury few could rival.
Slice, dice and destroy. Red rain fell, as each Graug and Wookiee that came into her path fell under under her blade and subsequently joined the other bodies that she crossed. The clouds had parted on that dark day and fell across the surface. It was beginning to swim red as wounds of the dead and the living joined.
Kachirho would never be the same.
Suddenly the opening came. The bodies had parted and the moment came to be. Time seemed to slow as Darth Ayra entered a sprint, Lightsaber in tow at the helm of her charge and robes fluttering in the rain and winds that bellowed around her, the One Sith and their enemies. The scream that came from her was the beast announcing that it had turned it's gaze upon Meric Nadun. It was something that couldn't be helped, for the temper that Ayra had was an unadulterated one that fueled herself and the hatred for the Galactic Republic; and this man, this Sith, who dared to join forces with the older of old in the face of the new order made her even angrier.
A Wookiee dared to jump in the way, lifting a bowcaster to take her down. The streak of green hit off the crimson beam of the Sith Lord, catching the beast by it's neck. She leaped and cleaved her way through the Wookiee, rise up with what had been the creature. The rain began to beat heavier, the wind began to become stronger in it's gusts and down came the woman, Lightsaber high above her head in lowered slash from above, the momentum of her fall and the dark side carrying her towards her targets head.
And so the duel between Darth Ayra and Meric Nadun had begun.
[member="Reverance"]: The mounted Vong were fast…..incredibly fast! The first wave of YVH-1 and EMBU droids faced heavy casualties when they set out against the mounted Vong soldiers. But one thing droids had over human soldiers was the ability to calculate at a far greater speed and capacity. It didn’t take long for the YVH-1 and EMBU droids to begin accounting for the vast speed of the beasts. Working in units, the droids began to calculate the trajectories and lead the beasts, accounting for their vast speed, in a way that in a dogfight, one has to account for the movements of the enemy pilot. Similarly to a dog-fight however, the Vong were also adapting to the droids new strategy.
Then the first of the singularity mines went off. It took a handful of wookies with it and drew the immediate attention of the Republic commandos. The troopers rapellng down into combat had the best view of the events…..and they saw the culprits. It wasn’t until the second mine went off that some of the dropping down soldiers realized what was happening. It took several more minutes for the reports to start going out over the comm channels to the others. They had seen several of the mine packages dropped. The soldiers who were on the ropes began targeting the impostors on the wall whom they had seen drop the packages. There would be friendly fire casualties…..but these were soldiers not Jedi….and this was war!
[member="Cryax Bane"], [member="Xenia Nastassia"]: "Sir, the hackers are at it again!" Intelligence Officer Chad Denera yelled over his shoulder as he worked frantically to get out ahead of the group. He and several others had been given the vital, yet relatively ignored task of handling the attacks of the enemies slicers. They had been taken completely by surprise in the initial cyber attack when the Republic's communications had been severed, and now were frantic just to keep up. They had gifted the enemy slicers the initiative at first, and they were hellbent to make sure they didn't do it again.
"Get out ahead of them!" Chad's commanding officer yelled, sweat forming on his brow. The brass had already threatened them all with demotions if they didn't get their act together. Now was the time to shine! They had split into two groups, task force A worked on blocking any further attempts to sabotage communications while task force B struggled to lock the hackers out of other vital systems. They were holding on.....but only just!
PC ACTIONS:
Kian felt [member="Darth Hauntruss"] targeting him. He could feel the darkness of her gaze…..the coldness of her words. Then he saw her cutting across the battlefield toward him and he raised his lightsaber defensively, thinking she meant to ride him down. Then she leapt free of the bike, sending it skidding toward them and Kian realized what she was going to do. Kian threw his arms up pushing with the force to drive the bike back, pushing it away.
But not fast enough. Kian saw the flash….felt the heat….and then he suddenly got the impression of flying. The blast had sent Kian flying backward, but he had moved it far enough away that the blast hadn’t done any real damage.
That was until he met mid-air with a Vong soldier. Kian felt his head snap backwards, colliding with the Vong’s face and he slammed down to the ground, the air rushing out of his lungs with a burst of static from his anti-ox helmet. For a moment, Kian wasn’t on the battlefield. He wasn’t anywhere really. He was lost in the void between consciousness and sleep….floating on the tide of the force.
It was the cold touch of the Sith’s mind that drew him back to the world of the living. He felt the cold tendrils….the dark repulsiveness of her touch on his mind. Kian gasped from the oppressiveness of the presence and he began to rise to his feet, pushing back with his mind to keep it clear….to keep it his. As he rose, the Vong on the ground grasped for him and Kian thrust his arm out at the Vong driving the hilt of his lightsaber into the Vong’s throat and thumbing the activation. With a gurgle the Vong fell lifelessly to the ground and Kian rose to his feet. He felt pain in his side, but luckily his armor had saved him from a pair of broken ribs.
As Kian rose to his feet he saw what had happened with the Smoke Demons. He saw them beginning to absorb the Republic soldiers and their Wookie allies. He also saw the increasing attack from the Vong and the onrush of Sith soldiers. Their reinforcements had arrived.
“Fall behind the EMBU droids.” Kian said into his comm, watching as the EMBU’s advanced on the Smoke Demons with their energy swords. The YVH-1’s that were still functioning turned their attention to the ever constant flow of Sith soldiers and began targeting the Vong on the higher branches. Their army seemed endless.
YOU FAILED….YOU AND YOUR LIGHT
Kian shook his head, further pushing away the Sith’s incessant, worming voice.
“No, we fight.” Kian said striding toward the Sith as he spoke. “And we will continue to fight you and those that follow you.” Kian thrust his arm forward as he spoke, sending a fallen YVH-1 droid hurtling toward the Sith.
As Kian spoke the words, there was a renewed rush of soldiers. Republic reinforcements were trickling in a few units at a time. They struggled forward, attempting to seize back the area blasted clear from the exploding speeder. Both sides would be struggling to seize the area, having been force back from the explosion.
Location: Objective B - Stronghold - [member="Vrag"]’s, Dredge’s, and other Sith Forces on Northeastern Branch. Controller: Kian Karr Forces:
Objective: Rally and Reform battleline. Opponents: One Sith NPC forces at Stronghold
Location: Objective B - Stronghold - [member="Reverance"]’s forces Controller: Kian Karr Forces: Under the assault of Vong the forces have faced heavy losses.
YVH-1 Droids [200]
EMRU [200]
Republic Commandos [400]
Wookie Mounted Troops [400]
Wookie Reinforces, both Mounted and Footsoldiers [1000] - currently enroute
Objective: Counteract the attack of Reverance’s soldiers Opponents:
YVH-1 Droids/EMBU droids are targeting mounted Vong. After initial heavy casualties, they have adapted to attacking in waves, using their programing to anticipate the trajectory of the moving targets. This is allowing them greater success against the Vong then the Republic Commandos and Wookie forces.
Wookie mounted troops are mirror the tactics of the Vong, keeping their mounts moving they are hitting in guerrilla tactics.
Location: Stronghold - Objective B Forces: NPC slicers Objective:
Actively working to cut off the slicers attempts to jam communications by identifying hacks and locking them out of the system.
Working to override the hack of Xenia Nastassia in an attempt to stop her from taking over the automatic turret system and gaining access to the Republic network.
LOCATION: Advancing towards stronghold along Northeastern branch. OBJECTIVE: B, take stronghold. | Short Term: Move to defend Xenia Nastassia's efforts. ALLIES: [member="Vrag"] | [member="Xenia Nastassia"] | [member="Cryax Bane"] | [member="Darth Hauntruss"] | [member="Darth Adekos"] ENEMIES: [member="Dak Canton"] | [member="Marakai Al'Orren"] | [member="Meeristali Peradun"]
Once more she didn’t notice the gunman or the shots he took over the din of battle until the Force alerted her to incoming danger. The reaction time itself wasn’t enough, but the distance between herself and the man and the frantic quality of the battlefield was certainly a boon. Two of the bullets plunked through the carapace of Vong in brilliant incendiary reactions but one managed to reach her even as she cut to the right, following instinct – talk about serendipity considering the thousands of soldiers on both sides and the smoke demons crowding what must have comprised of his visual of her. Regardless the bullet tore through her left shoulder, the trapezius to be exact, a small area when viewed from the front. It was more of a graze but the smell of the burning flesh the bullet left behind filled her nose. First blood, but at least he’d come out to play.
Amber ringing her irises she turned in the direction the bullets came from, sprinting forward and climbing one of the Vong warriors milling forward, using his head as a jump-off at the same time she spotted a man frantically pulling the clip from his weapon. It seemed she had been thwarted in her efforts to remove something troublesome from the field by one of her allies – she made a mental note to thank him later.
Turning back to where Xenia was crouched she reached out for the woman’s mind, feeling a sense of elation, determination, and danger incoming. The slicer had brought ample protection with her in the form of droids but history had proven no droid was a match for a strong, determined force-user – in time they would fall. With the intention of engaging any Jedi attempting to stop Xenia, Matsu started crossing back towards the cover the slicer was hiding behind.
Jedi not yet engaged - taking a post to get over there.
When I turn around and look at my life, shadows in disguise
But I'm working on an interruption of hypocrisy
You're on any other side
A short time after engaging [member="Keira Ticon"], Sera, while still entirely focused on the duel, overheard some heavy fire passing by towards the advancing Republic forces led by [member="Kian Karr"]. Whatever weapon was being fired was no joke, and she winced at the sounds the bolts made upon impact with both droid and sentients alike. Moments later the firing ceased but was then replaced with the sound of screaming Wookies and the crushing of metal as droids were dispatched. The surface beneath her began to shake slightly as the heavy pounding of something large approached.
Keira blocked and knocked away Sera's initial strikes, though that was to be expected, they were more so intended as a deterrent as she avoided opening strikes. With the second batch side-stepped her opponent engaged another series of abrupt and rather fast slashes of her own. Sera's eyes remained transfixed on the wrists and angle of the hilt of her opponent as she made strike after strike. The Twi'lek's own sabers twisting in her hands, the right hand held her saber pointed towards the ground, working her weapon in a horizontal fashion to knock away a number of the attempts to sever her waistline from the rest of her body, the left saber was held at bay until the attacks were raised closer to her head. Her Lekku were precious to her, to say the very least, and they were also easier targets so she was certain to utilize both blades in their defense. Her Dark Jedi opponent was a non-traditional fighter, and while she recognized a number of the movements Keira was making, she was still unsure of what exactly she was capable of. Thus, she was forced to continue feeling her opponent out, rather than diving into a full onslaught of attacks.
Sera was unsure of where this one's allegience lay, and what her moral grounds were, and while Sera had great compassion for her foes, she did not expect her enemies to grant the same benefit to her. Just as she deflected the last of Keira's strikes she took the moment of pause to glance over her shoulder at what was approaching from her flank. "You have GOT to be kidding me!" The Jedi meant to say that to herself, but as [member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] approached nearer she was entirely taken back by what she saw before her. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HE--" Her words were cut short as the massive Gen'dai prepared to let out a Force Scream. She was familiar with this from last time, and she saw what had happened to Gavin as well.
Sera quickly gathered a bit of Force Energy and thrust it forward at Keira to hopefully knock her back just a few steps, enough to perform a handspring backward and call forth a Force Barrier to shield her ears from the incessant roaring of Kezeroth. Why is he here? Whose side is he on? What in kriffing hell is going on?!Why did he leave me on that planet if he were simply going to try and kill me here, now? How anti-climactic. She recalled the memories he poured into her mind, and they suddenly flashed forward through once again as she laid her eyes on him, her Force Barrier still up to protect herself for the moment. The memories were painful, and they surged like a thousand nightmares again, ripping through her mind one at a time at lightning pace, but what felt like an eternity. Her mind trailed off again, and she found herself in his tight grasp, unable to move, her sabers and arms pinned against her small frame. She was terrified then, and she was even more so now. Perhaps this time should his massive limbs grab hold of her he would in fact, end her life. She had hoped so much that she made some kind of positive impact on him, but she had no honest way of knowing what was running through his mind.
The Padawan released the barrier, backing up a couple of steps with her sabers extended towards Keira, while her eyes shifted between her and Kezeroth, unsure of what to do, unsure of whose side he was on, and very aware of what could transpire, should she be forced into tackling both the Gen'Dai and this girl. She gritted her teeth in defiance of her disadvantage, and prepared herself for the inevitable. There would be no retreat. Not today.
____________________________________
NPC Actions: Wookies holding the line at the far end of the stronghold, outside of the entryway, continuing to fire on advancing Sith troops.
Now was the time for the real test of endurance. This was a moment for Rusken to truly serve his Republic and the countless lives that depended on this battle being won. His age had mad him a bit slower in reflexes, but he still knew how to put up a fight. He saw the Vong and their controller approaching, and went in to make his mark. He charged forward with lightsaber at his side, cutting through troops and deflecting blaster fire as he carved his way to get to the Sith that was commanding them.
During this a reminder of past wars echoed within the veteran's mind, how many allies had fallen then and how he thought himself incapable of carrying out mass-murder just to avenge the bloodied soil that his comrade's corpses lay upon. This war was the end-all-be-all for the old Jedi, and he'd be damned if he didn't give into this feeling of blood-lust just once to become feared among Sith. In giving his command of the Peacekeepers over to Graxin, he freed himself from the burden of worrying about other lives for the time being. He was free to advance upon his target and let them feel the wrath of an old Guardian.
For those that did fight valiantly with Rusken, they would be remembered. As would any of his comrades. Unlike the Sith, all of those that fought here with courage had a heart to stand up to the tyrannical monsters that roared mockery and disapproval. Rusken truly felt sorry for them and how they had to turn to such extremes just to seek a place in the galaxy. But their path had been chosen, and so it would seem that it led them toward death.
A pity.
Rusken kept up the fight, and still pushed toward the Sith that had already signed her death warrant.
And so, in the loving embrace of Dak Canton, Adekos continued to be carried Southward. Stars exploded across his vision after Dak Canton headbutted him. Tiny, imaginary Z5 Maintenance Droids began circling around his head, making all manner of cheerful binary beeps in stark contrast to his present situation. Somehow the Umbaran had managed to retain consciousness, but it was a tenuous sort. As of post-headbut, he could do little more than have saliva dribble out of his mouth, eyes rolled back in his head, and give pained groans. He only dully felt Canton start punching his lower back, but that would certainly hurt more as soon as the concussion was done settling in.
Having battered already aside valiant One Sith infantrymen and the Yuuzhan-Vong fodder that insisted on surrounding them, it was only a matter of time before the lovely couple ran into something heavier. Something like a Fire-Breather, which would stop their clandestine flight from the field of battle. They crashed into its soft, delicate legs and were subsequently split apart. Running into soldiers tended to lower momentum, so Adekos was able to avoid having his spine disintegrated upon impact. This was not to imply he was in any position to do anything further. He lay face first in the dirt, the Fire-Breather kindly stepping over him and Dak, ignoring them completely.
Seven disgruntled Yuuzhan-Vong warriors then decided to take it upon themselves to respond to this situation. They approached Dak, wherever he happened to land, amphi-staffs (or whatever suitably primitive weapons they insisted on toting) in hand. Adekos bided his time as most villains did- by seeping tears, spit, and teeth fragments onto the wooden walkway and trying to pretend he was in a much happier place.
Location: Base of tree base Objective B: Reinforce the base! Allies: [member="Rael sul B'an"] [member="Gherron Vael"] Enemies: [member="Dredge"]
Something felt wrong. One ally was cracking, another was faltering. A tough foe was gaining ground and there was nothing that they could do about it. T-Eya was a politician, but she was also a fighter, much like most of her species. She had a will to survive and a will to do what was right. Though, sometimes, that will to survive failed in stopping her from doing something crazy. In fact, that happened a lot, but that wasn't really important at the moment. What was important was that something was drastically wrong at the bottom of the base.
"Droids, assist your fellows in repelling the airborne invaders. I have something else I must do."
With that, she jumped over the wall, and started sailing down the tree. She grabbed passing limbs in an effort to slow her fall, and managed to land with a thud on one near the base of the tree. Her protective garments were slashed in a couple of spots, and she was bleeding from one, but she would survive. It was too important that she did.
On the run she changed the sighting of her scope, making it set for closer range. Then she stopped when she could see her foe, [member="Dredge"], currently engaged with two Jedi. She lined up the sight, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and squeezed the trigger, sending a lethal round aimed at the monstrosity, in what she deduced was a weak point in the armor. Even if it didn't kill the beast, it could by the Jedi a moment or two of confusion with which to end the battle.
NPC Droids: Location: Base Defensive Wall Controller: T-Eya Carn NPCs: Two Dozen YVH-1s and One dozen EMBU's Objective: Objective B, assist [member="Kian Karr"] Opponents: [member="Reverence"]
At the command from their current commander, the droids turned to engage the enemy flying forces that were engaging [member="Kian Karr"]'s troops. Blaster fire erupted from the northern wall, aimed at the enemy and their fast moving vessels. While the YVH programming might have been somewhat slower in dealing with these new threats, EMBU programming was only somewhat based on that of YVH's. In truth, their programming was based on countless hours of recorded Echani combat data. They could adapt and thrive on the battlefield as if they were flesh and blood Echani warriors, and they had no remorse for killing. They unleashed a hail of blaster fire, while wisely keeping their backs to wall crenelations. They weren't stupid droids. These droids were a threat to any enemy.
It was a small rallying force. The Graug warriors from the Wroshyr tree were pouring in to join the throng of men and women under Graxin's command.
He'd already been outdone by the Sith Lords beyond the beachhead. There was doubt among the company that the Archlord could pull himself together enough to accomplish much here.
"It's good to see you both." Graxin said through a smile. He tilted his head forward in greeting of both Armand and Rusken.
Just beyond the gap in the walls that opened to the ocean, Graxin could see the Sith forces. They needed to move quickly to bolster Meric's efforts.
"Our friend is fighting the good fight without us. I think it's about time we joined him."
The gray Wookie tilted its head back and emitted a low warble. Its compatriots imitated the war cry. Those Graug that remained loyal were stoically quiet. Their bloodlust was tangible in the air around them.
The Peacekeepers looked more than a little disturbed. They had never faced Vong before. While they had shields to protect against blaster fire, Peacekeeper armor would shred like paper against an amphi-staff. They needed something to embolden their resolve.
"We stop the Sith here. Kashhyyk does not fall." Graxin shouted to the fighting force.
It wasn't much, but it was enough.
"Rusken, target their leadership. Armand, stick by me and help me direct the Peacekeepers. I've my own prey." He motioned toward the beachhead. "Let's get on with it. Dragonsflame will arrive with reinforcements soon!"
With that, Graxin turned outward toward the beach, and broke into a run. The Sith were waiting, and it would be rude to show up late to the party.
NPCs
Location: Charging the Beachhead
Objective: Link up with Meric's Graug/Halt the Sith Advance
That was the signal that reinforcements had arrived. Dropships would come down, bringing a hefty total of 500 Peacekeepers with them. But it was the sight in the sky that would get people's attention...
That monstrous blue dragon would swoop down, zipping past the dropships, and breathe a large dose of flames down toward the One Sith forces, just one blow, one attack, to bring a mental blow to the forces of the One Sith, before the dragon would turn and fly overhead where [member="Graxin Rade"] was. A figure would drop from the sky, off the dragon's back, as the dragon itself would fly off into the sky and out of sight, having finished it's work for now. The figure... It was cloaked in blue and red armor, with a red cape flowing from the back of it. Magnus Armor...
The figure would use the Force to quell the... "Force" of their landing, landing softly on their feet at Graxin's side. As soon as they stood to their feet, they would activate their lightsaber, the blue blade hanging menacingly, waiting to deliver swift justice to the Sith.
Jedi Master Joshua DragonsFlame had returned... And the One Sith was his target.
It seemed that the arrival of Kezeroth had shaken Seraphina more than even Keira had expected, something that immediately drew her curiosity while also giving her something of an advantage. Where most others were frightened of the Gen'Dai she had no issue with his presence, except perhaps not wanting him to intervene in her current fight. Though from his current actions it didn't appear that he wanted to nor would have any cause to interfere. Then again, he was the type to want her to learn from experience, something that was proven from his ideas of her learning the hard way, specifically through combat. Maybe after seeing her engage her newest opponent he would have a degree more of respect for just what she was capable of when not faced with someone nearly twice her size who outmatched her in all other areas as well. She'd never been much of one to care what others thought, but it gave her some sense of wry amusement, picturing him showing her any idea of kindness. The galaxy would disappear before her eyes before something like that had even the smallest chance of occurring.
The surprised cries of the other woman didn't elicit any reaction from her other than the slight quirk of a smile on her lips. "Oh, come on, he won't hurt you right now. You're a bit preoccupied, in case you haven't noticed." The unanticipated wave of the Force directed towards her caused her to stumble back a few steps, but she quickly righted herself, watching with some semblance of interest as Seraphina stood paralyzed with fear for a few moments. Most other adversaries would have taken advantage of such, but she wanted this to be a fair fight. Well, mostly. It would be no fun if she was able to win simply because the Jedi was left defenseless for a split second, however easy it would have been.
While she harbored her own less than pleasant memories with physical reminders to go along with them about Kezeroth, she didn't allow hers to cause her to freeze up. If anything, they only drove her forward. It was true in all respects that Kezeroth was fully able to kill her with a simple wave of his hand and had most likely considered such a tactic before, that only sparked her willingness to both learn from him and keep up the rivalry the two of them had pushed back and forth in their interactions.
After seeing what transpired due to the Jedi simply laying eyes on her Gen'Dai mentor, she decided to save that as a strategy to employ later, on the chance that things went completely awry in all aspects. But for now she didn't want any distractions on either of their parts. Springing forward she let a burst of the Force propel her movements, granting her greater speed for just a split second. Her blade swung at Seraphina's head, though she leapt just before it could make contact, a tactic she'd employed at least twice before against the same opponent, the same that was currently training her as well. And it was something that had been at least marginally successful, at least against Kezeroth, so she could only hope it would reap the same rewards here. Instead of waiting for Seraphina to adjust to her attack she sent out another burst of the Force, this time towards her back.
It was designed to unbalance rather than to end a fight, though it inevitably helped towards the latter if one's opponent was unprepared. She knew that the Jedi was still at least somewhat unfamiliar with her own improvised fighting style, and that was something she intended to take full advantage of. No tactic could be spared under circumstances such as this, and she wasn't about to let up.
The Sith was a cheap little schutta. She'd run off into the throng of Sith forces to hide. Book grit his teeth in frustration, and took a moment to glance down at Jason's vitals.
The entire status icon was blank. Jason had disappeared.
Confused, the older Dreadguard shouldered his rifle, and opted for his Shattergun. The weapon was a semi-automatic street sweeper, for all intents and purposes.
His motion tracker caught a swift shift of movement. Too quick to be one of the soldiers, and too close to be one of the Vong.
"Shields won't do anything against that lightsaber." Stanley quipped.
Book span with reflexes honed through years of training and genetic predisposition. The force was a powerful ally, but one should never underestimate the base instinct of flesh and bone.
The lightsaber collided with the half-point between the outer plate and the more exposed back layer. It sliced through part of the metal and singed Book's skin, along with hampering the armor's ability to survive high falls.
The lightsaber would have cleaved straight through had Book not turned at that last second.
Growling in pain, the Dreadguard brought his Shattergun up to chest level, and let loose right shells of spreadshot in four different directions. There were no republic forces nearby. The shot had a wide arc, and anything it caught would be unfriendly.
Better than trying to pick out the Sith in a crowd.
Adrenaline kept Book on his feet, but the wound would soon prove to be too much for the soldier. Eventually, the pain would force him to his knees, and then he would need a bacta injection.
This all registered in his mind, but he was a bit too preoccupied with tearing this Sith apart to worry about it.
We broke apart, tumbling across the bark of the bridge. When I fetched up against the corpse of some dead Wookiee I lay there for a quick sec, groaning, lower half soaked in my own piss, feelin' about ready to vomit. Pushed myself up and reached for my assault rifle. It wasn't hanging from my shoulder. Must've lost it when we landed. I found it, five paces away.
'Bout that time I looked up and right into the leering eyes of a bunch of Vong fuglies. Seven of 'em. All starin' at me. They can never say that Dak Canton is one to be short on weapons. I palmed my Merr-Sonn power 5 AEL special in my right hand, then made to grab Seydakiin with my left. Pain blasted through my nervous system and I remembered, "Oh yeah, that's the crispy one."
My hand hurt like hell. Everything hurt. The Vong didn't care. They came at me, one chucked a a snake-spear at me. The length of hardened organic whatsit slammed tip first into my duraplast chest plate and put a little scratch in it. I swept the snake away with my burnt hand, flinging it as far as I could. The Vong charged, so I raised my Merr-Sonn and pulled the trigger. The lead Vong's brain matter sprayed everywhere.
These guys weren't the elite soldiers they had been way back when. Mass production being what it was, the quality on "Vong Warrior Caste" had gone down pretty substantially. Fancy armor or not, a headshot is still a headshot. And I had all my ducks in a row.
I ran toward my rifle that lay nearby, squeezing the trigger of my pistol once, twice, three, four, five more times. Another spear arced toward me and cut across the gap in my armor between the right cauldron and the chest plate, tearing my shoulder open. Hissing at the pain, I bent down, scooped up the rifle in a hand that screamed in protest, turned and squeezed the secondary trigger.
Thunk.
The remaining Vong got a taste of my friend the underslung grenade launcher... and the thermal detonator that vaped 'em all.
Everything after that was blinding white light and a thunderous roar.
