What're You Doing In My Swamp? | First Order Invasion of Galactic Alliance Held Dagobah Hex

[Stephanie Swail]

LOCATION: Swamps outside Fort Nemo, Dagobah
OBJECTIVE: Repel the First Order – hold the line
ALLIES: The Galactic Alliance and allies in vicinity - [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] | [member="Marl"] | [member="Draven Dursden"] | [member="Tiland Kortun"]
ENEMIES: The First Order and allies in vicinity - [member="Kayrce"] | [member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="The Major"]

The slight hiss from her burning blue plasma blade as the rain connected could be heard between blaster fire and the sound of what appeared to be dropships in the far distance. The terrain and climate of this bog certainly was the second enemy to battle apart from the First Order forces. Stephanie blinked rapidly and wiped her brow as mud began to slide over her eyes thanks to the rain that was getting harder.

She span around, couching amidst the small crater, upturned roots and loose gravel and sodden puddles of mud and rain. The Padawan peered around, and then the fire-fight started again.

And this time she fell to her knees, shield in front of her huddled tight.

"Will you PLEASE…!" Stephanie shouted to deaf ears.

Blind-fire was the worst, but it meant the enemy was in as much of a pickle as she; the planet was playing them both and testing all their natural survival instinct. Then, she remembered the call from her Ranger support.

"[member="Marl"] – it’s a dead-end here! Don’t detract all Rangers from the base and keeping the Commander alive! He’s the first priority – I can handle this a little longer!"

The blaster fire stopped, and the adrenalin kicked in. It was a case of who pulled away first, or who got lucky with a shot, or who had the support to gain the upper hand. Maybe it was a wave of troopers trying to flank? But, flanking who? They didn’t know numbers – this was a spontaneous attack but it proved the First Order were closer than the Alliance would prefer.

Stephanie rose slowly, her shield gently lowering and she focused once more, not for a sight or sound, but a feeling. A feeling that she had struggled to control around other humans who felt the same. Fear. The fear that made sentient beings open themselves up for desperate signs of hope and resolve. The same fear she had felt on the cliff-face, and the same fear she felt now – the same as the soldiers to her far left.

Her eyes snapped open, and she ran as fast as possible, sweeping her saber left and right at small trees, sending soft embers spitting up as she split the wood and caused them to buckle and partly collapse. The disorientation around an area already affected by harsh climate was her key to survival. She smelt it. Blaster fire.

With a final heavy swipe into a tree than snapped in half, Stephanie slid to a halt, shield raised and blue blade pointing out towards a murky armoured figure on the ground as the rain fell around them.

”For the preservation of peace and justice in the galaxy, you are under arrest!"

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Location: Swamps near the Cave
Allies: Alliance, [member="Ever Dawnracer"], [member="Mishel Noren"]
Enemies: First Order, [member="Therran Graush"], [member="Kyrel Ren"]

The Jedi was here and he was going to keep fighting the Sith. Pushing the one back was his first goal, and then getting into a clash? That was part two of his plan. All he needed to do was keep them busy. Without turning an eye to sky, he knew what to expect. But for now? He was going to continue on. He had a war to fight on the ground, and that involved repelling the dark side, and his favorite foe, the Sith, from the world of Dagobah.

All that mattered was the fight. He was a Jedi, but he was the warrior, the one who would put himself between the dark side and the normal of the galaxy. The people who didn’t need to concern themselves with the greater war that was going on. The war between monsters.

He knew what it was, to be a Jedi, to be a Sith. They were powerful beings, controlling powers that some people could never understand, and never have. With the friends he had, the ones who he knew he could count on to make the choices that were needed, it was pulling the fight from him. There was still the group of Ren, but others, some with history of that group, had arrived.

His body was walking as he felt the other presence nearby. The one from the light side. He grinned, darkly, as his eyes surveyed the terrain. Looking at the kid, yeah, the only way he could describe her. “Just focus up.” His gaze never left where the Sith was, or should be.

The Force was moving in unnatural ways and Starchaser was sensing it in the brush. This whole world was alive, and full of conflict. As a Jedi, he knew that he had to keep fighting. The Force blast was coming at him and he could feel the Force, angry and determined, and moving fast. Reaching out with his hands, Coren pushed the Force to absorb as much of it as he could, but the supercharged blast pushed him back. Digging his heels in, he concentrated on the Force. Green lightning was extending from him, grabbing onto anything it could, to disperse the Force energy around him.

Coren was going to have to absorb the power from this Sith, in order to stop him, yet the stunning energy of Electric Judgement was jumping between flora, fauna, and soldier as he reached out, hurling a blast of it towards the Sith.

Elsewhere, the Sentinel teams had arrived at the cave. Charges were placed. “Time to bring it down.” The Sullustan looked around as he checked the charges and detonator one more time. It was going to go down. He started waving soldiers from the Light Side Coalition away from the cave. It may not stop the Force well, but it would definitely slow the dark siders down. He made himself a safe distance, hearing the fight in the background before hunkering down.

A hand closed on the detonator, to take the cave and collapse it on itself.

 

[Alasdair Sitra]

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Hex M, 50 GSM // Dagobah System​

Enemies:
The Galactic Alliance
[Directly Engaging: [member="Stephanie Swail"] ]

[member="Asaraa Vaashe"] | [member="Marl"] | [member="Draven Dursden"] | [member="Tiland Kortun"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]
[member="Qymaen sil Jurai"] | [member="Jak Sandrow"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Tanaski Yumi"]

Allies:
The First Order | The Galactic Empire
[member="The Major"] | [member="Emilia Ravel"] (RIP) | [member="Kyrel Ren"]
[member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Therran Graush"]

The Jedi are a dangerous enemy.
There was no denying that what she was seeing was a Jedi, the blade itself was enough evidence that they had come across one of the orders foot soldiers. Kayrce’s attempts to put on overwatch had been enough to keep the majority pinned, but the Jedi? Her form had slipped through the trees and swamp as the shadow made its way closer to Rolf’s position and his hastily prepared cover. Yet this meant that Kayrce, and also Rhun were both free and open to make the most of the situation.

You will find yourself tested. For their defence is like that of a Star Destroyer; unbreakable.
She rolled over a fallen log, landing in a kneel and raising her blaster up. She took a quick scan of the scene, the Jedi had it’s weapon pointed at the ground, a form of protection as well, clearly having found Rolf by the words being formed by moving lips. She however had made one mistake, she had disregarded the flank. Rhun had been moving still, now near the crash site proper and with a quick series of shots released cover across the area where the Jedi had been before she had moved towards Rolf in an effort to draw the attention of her comrades upon himself. This left Kayrce free to follow through with her own attack.

But when enough pressure is applied, even the most unbreakable defence can be defeated.
The First Order weapon in her hand opened up, shot after shot breaking through the mist with pinpoint accuracy at the Jedi, her finger tapped the trigger repeatedly to assure she had full control over the attack. The intent was simple, either she would find her mark and the Jedi would die by her hand, or she would at least cause enough pressure that the saber would have to be raised allowing her First Order comrade to apply his own pressure.

 

[Ever Dawnracer]

Allies: [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Jak Sandrow"]
Enemies: [member="Therran Graush"]
Gear: Dawnracer's Gaiter, JSA-VAR, Ranger Armor, Ranger Blaster Stave, Ranger Scutum

Her explosive sailed as the Force user was sent back. It cracked into the forest beyond, exploding against a tree with ferocity and sending wood shrapnel flying all about the area around it. It didn't do much good for her but at least the enemy wasn't advancing on their position any longer. That was good enough for her. Though given the rage and the rise of debris that lifted because of it, she didn't particularly think she was out of the woods. Especially when Jak started sandbagging.

She ducked down behind the natural barrier and swapped mags even though she hadn't expended the full volume of the special rounds. It was better to go into the next fight fully loaded than it was to go in and need a full load but not have it. While she had the time, protected as she was, she swapped the power pack in her stave. Better safe than sorry.

"Jak, how long can you keep that up?" she asked as she looked at him. "He has a propensity for these sorts of things."

She glanced at Coren as he moved away, but focused her attention back on Jak as the attack slammed against his barrier. Off in the distance, in the direction they had arrived from, she heard an explosion. Who knew what that was, but it wasn't her problem and she didn't have the patience to think about it for more than a few seconds before she popped up after the wave went past and aimed yet another explosive round in Therran's direction before ducking under cover again.

"Kind of nice having this barrier. Might want to be careful though, Jak. You're pretty committed and if these guys get gutsy I don't know if I can keep them off you long."

Inside her helmet she was grinning. She hoped one of them got gutsy. She wanted a good fight.

 

[Samka Derith]

[SIZE=11pt]Location: Dagobah Bog[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]Allies: The First Order[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]Enemies: The Galactic Alliance - [member="Veino Garn"][/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]As Mishel disappeared back into the swamp, Samka wondered if she’d made a mistake. This wasn’t mercy, this was practicality. If the girl was no threat, there was no sense wasting effort to kill her in the midst of all these soldiers. If the girl continued to present a problem, however, Samka would kill her herself. She hoped the girl had retained more [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]honour[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] than that.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]For now though, her attention was focused on the armoured figure in front of her, [member="Veino Garn"]. She stood on the spot as he spoke to her.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]“A speech of half truths,” she replied factually. “I have no plans to die among this putrid swamp.” A half smile lit up the teenager’s face. She brushed a lock of hair from her fringe, letting him see her fully. He could see her young, soft features, some might call them ‘cute’, with large eyes, light freckles and a button nose. It was marred slightly by the electrical burn across her cheek but much more off-putting was the smile. It was as far removed from the type one would expect from a girl of Samka’s age and appearance.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]It was sinister, even demented. Around her the Dark Side swelled, bringing ice to the veins of all living things who came close to her presence.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]“My victory doesn’t depend on fleets or soldiers, if it did I would not be so foolish to come with such sparse numbers,” Samka chuckled slightly, rocking back and forth on her heels. “The planet itself longs[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] for me,” as she spoke the snake around her neck wrapped itself tighter around her body in an almost comforting embrace, the serpent stared at the encroaching Jedi with caution, tongue flickering as it did so.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]“You may lie to yourselves as long as you wish but this is a world for the Dark Side. I’m not here as Dagobah’s conqueror, I’m here as its savour![/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]” A mad gleam sparked in the young woman’s eyes as she gestured to the swamp around her, another crackle of lightning from the approaching storm accented her words shortly followed by the rumble of thunder. “It already is mine, you simply haven’t realised it yet.”[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=11pt]“So, Master Jedi,” her head cocked sideways, regarding the man with curiosity but other than that, Decitus Ren remained motionless, “Get off my planet or you’ll die on it.”[/SIZE]

 

[Kier Grey]

Cpl. FN-6767 "Scars"
Dagobah Surface, FOB Romodi
Allies: [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Luther Ando"]
Enemies: The Galactic Alliance | [member="Sol Stazi"] | [member="[/COLOR]Kip Hollaran"] | [member="Lyra Sunfell"] | [member="Nuuc Lapt"]

Spoiler: Equipment

• FO-02 Stormtrooper Armour (Tank Trooper Variant, one-color white passive camouflage)
• FastTurn-3 Hydrospanner
• Plasma Torch
• Stuncuffs
• T-8B Self-Loading Precision Carbine
• G-11F Blaster Rifle

Scars lazily notes the snarl that Twigg seems to exhibit opposite her sat in seat besides what was obviously a close-friend in Rexus, she's watched briefly but now she goes to rest temple of head against comforting leather seat with her legs slung across seat on her left with arms folded and held closely against gut with chin pulled forward in direction of arched knees attempting to ignore the throbbing pain radiating all through body. The dull thud and sizzle of burns omnipresent, listening with keen ears the woman hears Rexus' compliment from the place between sleep and consciousness unable to fully submerge herself in the former even as breaths are deep with eyes shut loosely. "I've had much worse" Scars calmly whimpers the retort burrowing head against the seat, desperately clasping at sleep with mind. Begging it put her weary mind into the blissful ignorance of sleep absent haunting dreams of the past. Scars listens to Rexus marvel at her seething injuries, true she'd survived though only because in her mind the shots didn't strike her torso. Scars does make a comment though, attempting to now shift right-leg as stims ware off and the damage to hip sets in truly. "I'm going to need crutches...." Pulling face away from seat bringing gaze up to find Twigg in a salute and she meets his gaze for a moment despite fear wrapping its' insidious fingers around heart for a moment and offers up only a fleeting smirk in Acknowledgement before using hands to fumble at the thigh plates, she struggles and grunts loudly trying to get them around limb that now laid limp on the chair but with a pair of audible clicks she breathes a sigh of sheer relief; the most worthless of body-parts, right-leg had been up-armoured with the standard infantry kit.

Rexus pulls up beside Twigg and barks some order at the Troops and Scars struggles to get the left plate for a moment, satisfied by the grip around thigh followed by the fastening of two retensioners Scars now puts torn gloves; revealing unblemished hands beneath them save a thin layer of mud around helmet and heave it over nape. Using both hands she manages to assume a standing position wrapping right-hand around a medical crutch sitting in net hanging above seats Scars pulls it down carefully and presses its base against floor, making her way to the vehicle's exit emerging; she places it against ground with each step following behind Rexus with a determination that surely rivaled the Supreme Leader's brandishing G-11F Blaster Rifle in mechanical hand she would appear more dead than alive with the blooded bandages, crutch and cracked visor. Standing behind Ando she listens before snapping at some Galactic Empire Stormtrooper who she'd noted stared since disembarking from Repulsor tank, perhaps drawing attention to her own wretched condition. "What are you looking at?" Scars snarls at one of the Galactic Empire's Stormtroopers from behind her annunciator. "Show me a gun-bunker and find me a collapsible chair. Let's stop holding our blasters in hand" She'd gone from tired and weary to furious in a surprisingly short amount of time; bubbling pain and lingering gazes had seen to it. Scars has never been partial to outward attention and had come to fear that attention towards her accompanied mockery and scorn for her artificial and cybernetic appearance.

 

[The Major]

Hex M, 50 GSM \\ Dagobah
Upon Dagobah ground | Present Time | Behind Front Line of Ren Spearhead
First Order Security Bureau Operations Task Force
Allies: [member="Kyrel Ren"], [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="Kayrce"] |[member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="Therran Graush"] and The First Order
Enemies: [member="Kip Hollaran"] | [member="Lokthra Dawning"] | [member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Tiland Kortun"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Cathul Thuku"] and the Galactic Alliance

The battle rages, and unnatural noises permeate amongst the foul trees. Powers magnify, detectable as swelling like beacons or prickling radiation to those accused to wander space with such sensitivity. The hunters had sprinted for a significant splattering of spastic seconds, each terrible tick further imprisoning them to the reddish haze of unrelenting violence and despair. Surly, the trio took cover on an elevated position which offered an excellent perch for everything in a 360 degree area for a few dozen meters thanks to the surrounding bog pools. Thick rocks could withstand no small share of abuse and were of suitable height to kneel behind during a firefight. It wasn’t perfect, but for the ragged band it would do momentarily. At the very worse, it would at least serve as a strong enough position to offer a last stand if it came down to such drastic wires.

At first the chrome plated operator and unwounded deathtrooper provided overwatch while their bleeding comrade patched his wound and secured the affected arm to his chest by wrapping a spent bandolier tightly about the wrist. Pulling it taut, he abandoned his heavy blaster and produced a sidearm. Once that was complete the woman pulled a data-cord from near the jaw of her helmet and ran the plug into a tiny slot often used for debugging data on blasters. A personalized targeting program ran its routines and eventually everything was running synced to the HUD. This would assist in aiming by using a specialized ultraviolet beam -invisible to the naked eye and most sensors- that was attuned to false image coloring software currently taking up processing power the tiny computers within that soot marked, slime splashed dome. Little tricks like this are what helped propel her acquisition and targeting to nigh incomprehensible levels.

What did this matter? Why. Nothing. Above the Major a massive explosion rocked the swamp overhead. As she looked upward, the auburn haired sniper recognized a twisted shape looming above and pieced together that the entire rear section of the Beat Siren was engulfed in flames as the patrol vessel spun end over end like a mad clock at breakneck speed. The surviving Station Chief gaped in awe in the spectacle as suddenly a dozen different secure channels begged for guidance in her ears, becoming an indiscernible din which sounded indistinguishable from a mass, hysterical scream.

Aboard the Beat Siren, all control was lost as powerful turbo laser blasts pounded relentlessly into the craft. Like an insect the ship was swatted as the shields popped. Then the inferno continued, bisecting the vessel in one place and exploding the engines with another. Fuel tanks ruptured as overpressure buckled the frame. Like a malicious demon the vessel careened down, gushing horrifyingly wide swathes of searing liquid flame that threatened to consume the entirety of this front line. It was worse than a coordinated bombardment. It was pure and utter chaos, and the worst part was that alliance troops and First Order line intrusions could see the woeful dance of falling, exploding ordnance and tornado shaped gushes of flame burning so wantonly that the thunder itself lashed and pierced against the hull.

Hell. Pure Hell. And in about a few moments an entire space-ship was about to collapse at full speed into the Alliance axis of advance. Some escape pods gushed outward from the twirling vessel, but a portion of them were consumed by the torrent of flash melted steel. Perhaps in the future military strategists would examine the ruins of this great battle, arguing on this being a titular example of why an admiral does not fire full salvos at enemy ships currently speeding over their allied strong points.

Meanwhile, the Tirade took glancing blows as its speed was its best defense at the moment. Along with the Hemwick, their officers immediately ordered a complete retreat due to onerous loses. They could not withstand firepower like this for any longer, and it was little else than suicide. They alerted their compatriots below that one final pass of LAAT/is could exfiltrate before they fled for their lives. If one wasn’t on the ships then, then they would have to find another means off this torrid planet. The Tortuga was now much farther from than planet after completing its cloaked circle maneuver. The officer thereupon gave the order and they revealed themselves discreetly.

Spoiler: Fleet Status

FOSB Operations Task Force:
FIV Tortuga
Nightgaunt Class Stealth Corvette
Shields: 100/100
Hull: 100/100
Status: Nominal

FIV Tirade
Boneshatter Class Assault Frigate
Shields: 66/100
Hull: 54/100
Status: Routing

FIV Hemwick
Boneshatter Class Assault Frigate
Shields: 55/100
Hull: 71/100
Status: Routing

FIV Carousel
Boneshatter Class Assault Frigate
Shields: 0/100
Hull: 0/100
Status: Destroyed, all hands lost

FIPV Beat Siren
Kerunos System Patrol Vessel
Shields: 0/100
Hull: 2/100
Status: CRASHING (75% casualty rate at last scan)

FIPV Blackhole 3-3
Kerunos System Patrol Vessel
Shields: 0/100
Hull: 0/100
Status: Destroyed, all hands lost

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Dagobah high orbit
Allies: [member="Qymaen sil Jurai"] [member="Mazik Stazi"] [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] [member="Lokthra Dawning"] [member="Gir Quee"] [member="Rick Kaloo"] [member="Amaya Cardei"]
Enemies: FO [member="Hogrum Veed"] [member="Charlotte Reed"] [member="Sieger Ren"] [member="Robogeber"]
Directly engaging: [member="The Major"]

"Looks like Robogeber has instead found himself stuck in the very same quagmire his allies have been, one that proved dangerous to the GE forces he ordered extracted from this planet" Cathul commented, while noticing that neither enemy fleet has actually returned fire.

"Might be best to ensure the failure of the enemy attempt at exfil ourselves. It's possible the enemy is laying in wait in orbit"

"Open a channel to our friendlies still in range to fire at the enemies trying to accomplish what looks like an exfil objective, stat!" Cathul hollered towards the communications console, screaming stat as she would if she was actually handling patients in a medvac mission, with a tone that suggests urgency.

"Channel open" the communications officer turned to the FLEETCOM frequency capable of reaching to [member="Lokthra Dawning"] and [member="Roth Tillian"].

"Lokthra, regardless of whether or not you're stuck in the mud, you are to open fire at Robogeber from underneath his formation; he is on an approach vector towards the shipyard and he is in position for us to spring the trap on him" she told Lokthra one more time just to make sure there isn't another communications problem on her side, prior to switching to the Wild Knights. To Roth. "Wild Knights, we have a new set of targets to spring a trap to: we will exploit the First Order's piloting problems and hit the fleeing enemy frigates with everything you've got"

Since neither enemy fleet within firing range of [member="Lokthra Dawning"] or Cathul have returned fire, one may be wondering whether the ranking naval officer currently in charge of the FO exfil objective was either a scion of the Hux family, a rather senior starfighter pilot that was transferred to a CIC billet in an attempt to mask the full extent of the First Order's piloting problems, or both. And yet, however tempting to order Lokthra to spring the trap on Robogeber above the Mirialan's position, the same sort of trap that totaled the Sith flagship on Thyferra, that quagmire could also prove to be a problem to Lokthra, who is in the thick of it, and banging her fists on the communications console in an attempt to hail any friendlies in range, with instructions for each group of friendlies, fuming at Lokthra's swamp-induced communications issues; however, she didn't curse the Wild Knights because they had a minefield to deal with. Lokthra has fallen prey to the same communications problems as the enemy, apparently, or perhaps she has her own idea of trapping the enemy on this muddy planet that required radio silence for it to work, she thought, while being reminded that telepathic comms may not work any better either, due to the abundance of the Force on this planet. And the Beat Siren was crashing towards the planet, leaving a thick trail of smoke in its fall.

"The enemy commander responsible for exfil will soon realize it is doomed; fire broadsides at the routing stragglers! Hold the Lothal's main battery, it won't be of any help here; Chiloon-I squadrons, fire cluster missiles at the enemy frigates, Chiloon-II squadrons, drop plasma bombs at the Tortuga at point-blank range!"

The surviving frigates were then coming under heavy fire, moving much slower than they used to, with hundreds of turbolasers, ion cannons, and also cluster missiles, both from the C-9980s and the fighters, solar ionization cannons firing at them like equally many darts in an attempt to deliver justice to the enemy fleet tasked with the exfiltration. And the Chiloon-II squadrons were headed towards the new hostile object that just appeared on their sensors, closing the trap on it with heavy plasma bombs dropped at point-blank range, mostly from above. The First Order was just as trapped on Dagobah as the Galactic Empire was the other day, and Cathul was forced to put a lot of effort not to laugh at the enemy predicament. Trapped in this swamp, she didn't give the First Order a very long life expectancy, and even if the enemy was to move into position to attack her, by attempting to doing so, they may potentially come under fire from supporting elements, including fighters, and of course, [member="Rick Kaloo"], who has been held in reserve should the need arise. She was lucky thus far that the reserves weren't quite needed to accomplish the main objective: drive the First Order out of the planet, but for how long that would last?

Spoiler: Summary of actions

• Fired at the routing stragglers [member="The Major"]
• Had two squadrons of fighters launch cluster missiles at the enemy frigates at range
• Had two squadrons of bombers drop plasma bombs on the Tortuga

Spoiler: Fleet

Capital ships:

ANS Lothal (Lothal-II-class artillery carrier) | Shields: 30% | Hull: 100% | Firing at: FIV Tirade (port broadside guns) FIV Hemwick (starboard broadside guns)
ANS Locus of Control (C-9980-class frigate) | Shields: 100% | Hull: 100% | Firing at: FIV Tirade
ANS Big Seven (C-9980-class frigate) | Shields: 100% | Hull: 100% | Firing at: FIV Hemwick

Attack craft:

24 Chiloon-I fighters launching cluster missiles at the Tirade and the Hemwick
24 Chiloon-II fast bombers dropping plasma bombs at the Tortuga

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Allies: GA
Enemies: FO, and the swamp
Equipement: Woebringer, Taozin Amulet, Grenades in back pack....

Rekha had gotten lost easy to do in swamp filled with things. Even poor AB was struggling but at least he had GPS to move about with. Rekha shaking her head had to stand still and look around again.

Where was she? Better yet, where was everyone else? Did she dare try to use communications?

Maybe, "OW!" She reached over and smashed the bug that decided to bite her. "What was that.." She felt a bit off..but not bad. She took a few more steps. The water seemed to be rising. Nahh...can't be she thought.

There were sounds of battle all around her now....what the feth!!

 

[Kyrel Ren]

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Objective: Duel [member="Mishel Noren"] with [member="Varas Kyrel"]​

Allies: [member="The Major"] [member="Therran Graush"] [member="Rolf Amsel"] [member="Kayrce"] [member="Emilia Ravel"] (RIP)​

Enemies: [member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Jak Sandrow"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] [member="Qymaen sil Jurai"] [member="Tanaski Yumi"] [member="Stephanie Swail"] [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] [member="Ever Dawnracer"]​

Equipment: Vader's Bane Lightsaber, Armor of the Enforcer, Zark's Second Lightsaber, Gloria blaster pistol​

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The battle was raging across the swamp, darkness and light clashing against each other while the Father and Daughter pair stood side by side, red blades in hands as Kyrel couldn't help but smile by his Daughter's words how she would not run nor turn on him that had made Kyrel feel warmth. Perhaps this was love or what he had been lead to believe that it was. Either way, Kyrel couldn't help but respond to her words. "I know you will my daughter... We stand together as one." Despite her attempt on his life, only a day earlier Kyrel couldn't help but his love for her outweighs even that. It would show that on this day a bond between Father and Daughter would be like no other.​

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Then as he had expected Mishel had arrived, the abomination's sight along with Vader's Bane intense desire for blood and the power that had traveled between both Master and weapon had made the vat-grown Kerrigan spawn a fixture of pure hate for Kyrel. His hand was gripping the hilt as tightly as he could as she spoke in words that sounded like gutted up basic. It seemed that perhaps she was both foolish and illiterate neither would surprise him even with the gibberish that was uttered from her tongue and truly shown how far the former Ren had fallen. She gave off the appearance of someone who was highly unstable, her words did not help either as Kyrel couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at what she even was saying.​

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She then started to speak to Varas which made his temper start to boil. His Paternal instincts kicking in. He had sensed her intent even before she had arrived. She was not here for him. She was here for Varas that was something he would not allow. He would tear her limb from limb and enjoy so in the process as he would not allow her nor anyone else come close to his flesh and blood.​

​

He sneered at Mishel saying angrily. "You have no right to speak to her... She is not your family nor were we ever after you left traitor! If you even lay a finger on her I shall send you back to the depths of Chaos from the depths you belong you predatory schutta." He had said growing tired of her games and even her intent for Varas. He couldn't put a finger on it but he had grown to care for Varas greatly. Through even the past 24 hours he could say that perhaps she was his only friend in the Galaxy. The only one who truly understood him and would be by his side no matter what. Even if she didn't have a proper Father or Mother. That doesn't mean he wouldn't stop being a Father and at this point was ready to tear this she-beast that had dared to prey on his daughter with such force none of the likes no one has seen.​

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With her mocking and the use of an explicit gesture, he began to step forward slowly speaking. "You seem to have given yourself to insanity.. Allow me to release you... You were a fool not take mercy if it was offered to you, your second mistake was made your intent to go after my daughter... That was your biggest mistake. He said ignoring her flat out mockery of him as he continued. "I had once decided to kill you... But I think you will be better suited to pay for betraying your oath within the dungeons of Vader's Fortress back on Mustafar... I would give you the option to surrender but I have waited far too long for this moment and now that I have perhaps the only friend I have to protect I won't waste time with such pleasantries." ​

​

He had said raising his saber, he glanced back at his daughter thinking to himself that she was the reason why he was doing this. She was his only friend perhaps the only one who had shown him any love or affection. Something that he had been grateful for and had grown fond of her to the point where he would have done anything for her. Such as now by protecting her by preventing a witch's clutches from even touching her something that he could not allow. He spoke to her telepathically their Force bond making such communication easy. 'Remember your training my darling, Varas. Synchronize. Move as one by fighting together we have a clear advantage against our enemy then apart." He then looked at Mishel raising his blade slowly prepared to strike with raging fury. "Shall we begin." ​

 

[Diysuperguy33]

Location: Dagobah orbit near Dagobah Shipyards
Allies: GA & it's allies | [member="Cathul Thuku"] | Qymaen sil Jurai | Mazik Stazi | Mathieu Bahreiko | Gir Quee | Tristram Vos | Nuuc Lapt
Enemies: FO | Cyrus Tregessar | Sieger Ren Robogeber | [member="The Major"]
Objectives: Defend Dagobah Shipyards at any cost | Engage

"Transmission errors fixed ma'am"

As soon as the transmission system flickered to life, Lokthra immediately had incoming from Admiral Thuku:

"Lokthra, regardless of whether or not you're stuck in the mud, you are to open fire at Robogeber from underneath his formation; he is on an approach vector towards the shipyard and he is in position for us to spring the trap on him"

"Very well. Order the rest of the fleet to convene on our position -- full power to thrusters. I want to be engaging by the time my orders are received. Respond to the Admiral, let her know we were having communications trouble, and that we have received her orders and are engaging momentarily; then let FLEETCOM know we are back online. "

"The ships have all reported in. ETA 4 minutes at full speed"

"Perfect. Open a communication with the rest of the fleet" she ordered.

Comms

"The Karthage will lead the first, full power to all weapons, the rest of the fleet follow behind, ensure they are behind us at all times, I want us to soak up most the damage. The fleet shall fire on their flagship, the FIV Alliance; it is already severely damaged from the other fleets, we shall finish it. All ships have the order to fire at will; using any means necessary to destroy that ship, so long as they are behind us"

"Our weapon placements are inefficient. Give target priority to the Alliance, but shoot whatever First Order flying-junk you can. Are the hypervelocity cannons still at full power?" Lokthra asked with distastefulness in her mouth.

"Almost ma'am. They will be ready by the time the rest of the fleet gets here though" Her first officer said with nothing but rejoiceful glee.

"Perfect, fire two on engines of the Alliance and the last on the FIV Stamina. Escape will no longer be an option" Lokthra ordered with ann excitable face. It was a dark thought, the first of many, Lokthra is at war, someone had to die. Although she is a Jedi and believes in peace, she believes in freedom even more.

"How long un---"

"---The fleet is here"

Giving her first officer a smile "Order the fleet to engage. Fire all weapons."

A tale of redemption, the battle to make or break Lokthra was upon her.

Fleet

Spoiler

ANS Kartharage (Okami Class Heavy Cruiser)
Shields: 100%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready

ANS Hardtrot (Hardcell X Class anti-starfighter frigate)
Shields: 98%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready | Convening on Karthage's position

ANS Helios (Hardcell X Class anti-starfighter frigate)
Shields: 100%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready

ANS Heartfolt (Hardcell X Class anti-starfighter frigate)
Shields: 98%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready | Convening on Karthage's position

ANS Kart (Kalla Class Missile Corvette)
Shields: 99%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready | Convening on Karthage's position

ANS Kelthrawn (Kalla Class Missile Corvette)
Shields: 99%
Hull: 100%
Orders: Red Alert: Armed and Ready | Convening on Karthage's position

Actions

Spoiler

1. All ships convened on Karthage's postiton in high orbit.
2. Firing all weapons (including hyperveolicty) on Robogeber's fleet.

 

[Asaraa Vaashe]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Location:[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] Dagobah, GA FOB[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Allies:[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] GA, SJO, CiS and allies[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Enemies:[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] FO and allies[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Nearby:[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] | [member="Marl"] | [member="Draven Dursden"] | [member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Tanaski Yumi"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Enemies Nearby:[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [/SIZE]Varas Kyrel | [member="Kayrce"] | [SIZE=10.5pt][member="[/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=arial][SIZE=10.5pt]Therran Graush"] | [member=”Mishel Noren”][/SIZE]

Engaging: N/A
[SIZE=10.5pt]

Spoiler: Gear

[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Armour:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Sasori Armoured Robes[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Murr Earings[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Weapon:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Asaraa's[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] Lightsaber[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Droids:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]
1 Pack of [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Pred-X[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] - Deployed as scouts for the Silver Jedi Expeditionary Force[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]1 Pack of [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]War-X[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] - Deploying with the Silver Jedi Expeditionary Force

[/SIZE]

Asaraa had thought that she was good at trash talking to break someone’s concentration, but even she had to admit that [member="Mishel Noren"] was something else altogether. It seemed like she knew the Ren arrayed across from her, throwing out insults and what could only be seen as inside jokes. Very effective inside jokes for that matter if the man’s, she’d called him Kyrel Ren, reaction was any indication, he really really didn’t look happy. Still, as the other girl sped over near to her the young togruta shook her head, her Lekku “Stop you, why’d we want to do that, you’re doing such a good job shaking him up.” That wasn’t a very Jedi-like thought, was it? Probably not but this really wasn’t the time to worry about that, not when there were more pressing concerns to deal with

Then though, Tanaski vanished, bounding out into the swamp to Engage the Ren and the troopers surrounding them, leaving Asaraa to defend Yuroic alone. The Padawn’s silvery blade danced out, weaving a wall of light in front of her that seemed to be as solid as any brick wall, blaster bolts ricocheting off back at the troopers who shot them as Asaraa settled into a defensive strategy. Opened to the force she could sense the bolts, but knew that this was far from the end as she glanced back over her shoulder quickly, blue eyes focusing on the man behind her. “Uhh…I could use a bit of help here master.”

Cocky as she was the Padawan knew that taking on two opponents like this was a little beyond her, just a little mind…ok a lot. Especially given the Aura leaking off the man, a deep dark strength in the force that threatened to consume all before him. Somehow she didn’t think he’d settle for the discussion she’d had last time she faced a Master in combat, unconsciously her red hands tightened around the hilt of her saber, the silver saber wavering just for a moment as a bolt slipped past her guard to fizzle out in the swamp next to her foot. A grimace danced across Asaraa’s face as she resettled herself taking a step forward, her natural aggressiveness warring with the need to hold her position and defend the Germander. The Ren, Kylo, didn’t seem to be facing her, didn’t seem to care that much about the Jedi at the moment, his attention almost entirely focused on the young woman who’d breezed so easily into the clearing, something Asaraa found she was glad off, she couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to face such animosity head one but now…well, she’d faced master’s and dark Jedi before and survived, her shoulders seemed to settle as a feeling of calm settled over her like a cloak. Just remember your training and it’ll be fine.

 

[WelshPsych]

Location: Dagobah Swamps
Allies: [member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] | [member="Marl"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Tanaski Yumi"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | @others I might have missed
Enemies: [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Varas Kyrel"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="Kayrce"]

The drop ship had luckily missed Yuroic, he was spitting mud and earth from his mouth however, the jump he made was clumsy and he ended up with a face full of muck. Fortunately by the time Yuroic was back on his feet, the Silvers had arrived, they were taking action and names from what he could tell. He mourned the lost soldier the First Order suffered, it was hard to watch those whom you care for dying in front of you. It was hard for Yuroic to watch as someone suffered that lost. His eyes stared at the Rens, they were standing unfazed by the loss of one of their own. Perhaps now was not the time to mourn in their eyes, or were they truly not bothered by death to care. Hearing Asaraa and Tanaski talk, Yuroic shook his head. He might have been older than them but he wasn't that old that he needed a babysitter, kark sake, he was Asaraa's Master.

"Go assist Stephanie, you need to keep together. You will have strength in numbers, these Dark Siders have training and experience over you but there are more of you guys if you work together. I can handle myself, I might be older than you, but I ain't senile yet!" Yuroic commanded Asaraa, igniting his saber, he trudged over to where Kyrel, Varas and Mishel were standing. He heard the tail end of the Ren's speech. His interlocked sabers gave the look of a saberstaff for the time being as he turned his gaze over to Mishel. Seemed she was pissing them off so Yuroic felt sure she was here for the Alliance, unless it was for her own agenda, sadly times like these you could never pick and choose your allies. "So you take the daughter and I take the broody one?" Yuroic suggested.

Spinning his blades, he prepared himself for the fight, he was ready for what was coming. "So being a Ren, is it a religious cult? Like do you guys have pamphlets? Or is it more trying to rebrand Sith since that name is tarnished? Always been curious and never had a chance to ask. Also is the cross guard Lightsabers like a requirement or was that just the old First Order thing?" He could sense the strength in the Dark Side that they both had, but he gave an air of being unfazed. "Oh, do you have a Code? I mean all good Force User Groups have a Code. If you guys want to be taken seriously, ya gotta to have a Code." He smirked to himself as he talked.

 

[Asharad Graush]

DAGOBAH SWAMPS​

OBJECTIVE DESTABILIZE AND SHATTER THE JIDAI SCUM​

ALLIES HIMSELF​

ENEMIES [member="Taheera Sollo"]​

​

The Jidai liked to waste time, that much he gained in knowledge from combating her multiple times.

A mud wall that did nothing to protect her, even the protection bubble that rose to protect her wasn't enough to prevent her from sliding backwards from the sheer force of the attack. Graush walked forwards, the crimson blade deactivating as he hooked it back to his belt. No, she had been a nuisance, and she would suffer. The hydrastaff, still coiled around his left arm would feast upon her, he decided. Mix her blood in the mud of the planet, perhaps after he implanted her.

Still, when she reached out to him to open her mind to him, it gave him pause.

The hydrastaff wasn't subject to these memories though, uncoiling from his arm the closer he got to her, the weapon found itself in his palm, hardening and tightening into a spear.

Still, his epicanthix bloodline prevented him from seeing those images she sought to share with him. Making him see anything was an attack, as it was an invasion into someone else's mind. The most he felt were her impressions, perhaps her thoughts attached to the memories he couldn't see, but her last bid attempt at finding common ground fell on deaf ears.

Always balance, he thought to himself. His lips parted behind that helmet, his lips stretching into a malevolent grin.

I thought you Jidai were meant to meet a common ground before attacking your enemy. He was cold, even his 'telepathic voice' showcased that much. There was no care for her wants, or her feelings. Like him, locked in that suit of armour, his emotions were shut down and would be impossible to find. He wasn't taught to save lives, to care for them. The amount of people he cared for could be counted on one hand, and the Graush Sith Lord had learned that much on his own. The only things he needed to feel on the battlefield was rage and pain. Something the Mirialan was on the opposite path of doing. Even at the risk of your life, no matter the enemy.

Glancing to his hand, he saw the shaft of the hydra-spear, cold to the touch before he looked back to this... Weak Jedi before him.

"We both use the Force," he started, nodding his head. "That's where our similarities end."

His cybernetic palm found itself wrapping around the hydra-spear as well.

"You seem to think that I want peace, a balance in the Galaxy. A world for us to live in harmony, together." A shake of his head. "No."

"I just want to kill you."​

​

And with both hands, the Sith Lord thrusted forwards with the hydra-spear. ​

Not to immediately kill her as he initially wanted. ​

But to watch her suffer as the spear threatened impale her kneecap.​

 

[Zef Halo]

Objective: Exfil invaluable FOSB asset | Kill 'Asharad' (Take hold of the corruption)​

Location: Near the Cave of Evil [Dropship crash wreckage] ​

Allies: First Order, Galactic Empire, [member="Varas Kyrel"], [member="Kyrel Ren"], [member="Emilia Ravel"], [member="The Major"], [member="Rolf Amsel"], [member="Kayrce"]​

Enemies: Galactic Alliance, [member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Ever Dawnracer"], [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] , [member="Tiland Kortun"], [member="Qymaen sil Jurai"], [member="Jak Sandrow"], [member="Tanaski Yumi"], [member="Stephanie Swail"], @whoeverismissing​

'Asharad' was too strong. Had he underestimated him? Impossible. Therran had the power. The promised power of the dark side. Anger boiled more and more with each unsuccessful attempt on his cousin's life.

The man seemed reluctant to die already and hand the crown to the younger of the two siblings.

Danger sense twitched in the back of his mind and Therran's mind went to work. A barrier of the ethereal formed stopping right in its tracks any projectiles fired at him before the barrier itself was wrecked by a blast of green energy heading his way. A force enhanced step to the side and his hand opened forth right at the tempest of green energy heading his way. He felt the strain on his physical condition through the immense exertion of stamina he utilized in the following move.

The chaotic green lightning energy was 'devoured' by his hand, absorbing it before unleashing it in return as a storm of Force lightning so typical for every Sith to use aiming to fry to crisp both 'Asharad' and his accomplices while the 'oomph' sending them back.

Time ticked away. With each passing second fighting his formidable sibling, Graush's claim for his cousin's crown seemed to drift further and further away.

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Faction: First Order \\ Enemy: Galactic Alliance
Enemies in Vicinity: [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] \\ [member=Marl] \\ [member="Draven Dursden"] \\ [member="Tiland Kortun"] \\ [member="Qymaen sil Jurai"] \\ [member="Jak Sandrow"] \\ [member="Ever Dawnracer"] \\ [member="Tanaski Yumi"] \\ [member="Stephanie Swail"] \\ [member="Coren Starchaser"] \\ [member="Mishel Noren"]
Directly Engaging: [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] (soon)
Allies In Vicinity: [member="Samka Derith"] \\ [member="Elensa Jari"] \\ [member="The Major"] \\ [member="Kyrel Ren"] \\ [member=Kayrce] \\ [member="Varas Kyrel"] \\ [member="Therran Graush"] \\ [member="Rolf Amsel"]
Equipment: Lightwhip \\ Armour​

The desolation of the oncoming wave of droids sparked the power within, the rush of the Force through her veins flooding her with the desire to crush, rend, destroy as the static sparkle of electronics ripped through the air. A curved eyebrow arched up royally as Ara turned, a familiar voice, childish, cocky, and even more unintelligible than she remembered drifting from the trees around them, her aura tarnished and twisted in the Master’s mind’s eye. Crimson eyes snapped from the grotesquely posed corpse, to the former Disciple of Ren, disapproval etched in the thin lines formed between her brows as she frowned, head canted to one side, watching with cool indifference as the young girl babbled.

A thread of power snaked out, intent on wrapping itself around the girl’s throat and constricting until the flow of life giving oxygen would die within its grasp, cutting off the noise that fell from her lips in an incomprehensible cascade.

Move on ahead, I’ll handle things here and catch up shortly. Stay hidden, we’re outgunned here.​

The cool whisper of Samka’s voice brushing against her own thoughts juxtaposed beautifully with the roiling heat of her anger, the soft touch of power grasping for Mishel dying before it managed to reach the girl at the Overlord’s command. There was a stark contrast in their grasp of the Force, the diminutive Master an icy chill, as cold-blooded and merciless as the serpent currently wrapped around her form. The Zambrano embraced her passion, the warmth of rage and lust for battle constantly simmering just beneath the surface, fire reflected in her gaze and her laugh. Opposing bookends sculpted of the Darkness.

The light touch of a hand drew her from her contemplations, the temptation to refuse the order always there, bloodlust warring with duty. A small smile of approval as she glanced to Elensa, the young woman hidden from natural sight, yet her aura still shining brightly to Ara’s perception.

We shall have to remedy that soon.

A passing thought as she nodded once, drifting into the shadows of the swamp as Samka pulled attention away from the pair who pressed forward, towards the dark heart of Dagobah and the chaos that awaited.

A soft, deep chuckle escaped her lips as they moved through the bog, a distant splash and plop of a living being dropping into the viscous liquid of the muck hiding the smooth sounds of their passage. Each movement timed and precise as they followed their quarry, no longer guided by the siren call of the Cavern nestled into the Dagobah landscape, but to the twin presences of [member="Mishel Noren"] and [member="Tanaski Yumi"] as they converged on the Ren and yet moved on. It amused her to no end that their enemies would guide them to where they were needed most, the rapid movement of the pair a light in the darkness, swiftly moving through the fog and humidity, a natural beacon to the darksiders trailing after.

Have we taught you nothing?

Disappointment continued swirling within her gut as she considered her former sister, the teen never having exhibited the discipline and patience necessary for their way of life, the constant efforts of the council of Ren and Samka herself falling upon deaf ears time and time again. Yet, it seemed she had fallen even farther in her time away from the structure and regulation of the Bastion, a young woman left to her own devices, destined to suffer for them.

Not unlike yourself once. Reckless. Foolish. Prideful.​

Taunting, the whisper skimmed against her mind, a phantom voice in the silence of the swamp, invading her thoughts with its mocking presence.

And what did that cost you, Tessaren?​

A flash of memory rose unbidden, a sudden shudder in her step as the vision overcame her, a momentary distraction before she could push it away. The sharp, metallic flash of glass and steel, gleaming in the garish light of neon and florescent signs, spun past her gaze, too fast to stop, her breath caught in her throat as she stumbled. Sweat broke out across her forehead, mixing with the natural moisture of the air around her, curls matting to the sides of her face as she pushed onward, a silent growl of anger curling in her gut.

Everything. It cost me everything. And yet, here I am.

The dark chuckle resonated within her bones, the invisible spectre coiling around her, embracing her in its warmth, a familiar embrace from long ago, but one she could hardly forget.

Yes, you are. ​

Was it…proud? The tempting whisper sang to her, beckoning her, growing stronger as the sound of blaster fire and twisting metal grew to a crescendo, the mixture of light and dark clashing in a tawdry mix that pressed against her mind until she released her grip on the mental map, her awareness returning to her body with a zip of power. She no longer needed to sense when she could hear.

I was there, in the beginning. It was I who tested you, called to you, accepted you. It is my heart you have fought with, embraced. And now, I call you again, and you answer. My loyal servant. ​

A hand shot up, a silent signal to the Disciple with her to halt, her passage growing far more staggered as they progressed, the press of the cave against her mind pulling her concentration more and more. Its words wrapped around her mind and heart, doubt and pride coalescing until she could hardly tell where the cavern’s presence began and hers ended. Arguments rang in her mind, hollow in their attempts to discredit the assertations the Darkness made. Talon had accepted her, guided her, molded her. Samka had pulled her from the clutches of death time and again. She had fought her way from the bottom, embraced the power offered her and proven her worth against the odds of her upbringing, her past, and her own vices.

And yet here, in the heart of the swamp, her path had begun. The cave had tested her, pushed her to the limit of her mental fortitude. It had sought to crush her and leave her for the slugs and snakes to consume, a husk of a girl who sought power from Darkness. She had persevered and it had gifted her, a crystal tuned to her emotions, her passion, her desperation. A crystal that had fought alongside her, strengthened her, called her from death.

Dagobah itself had molded her.

And now it needed her strength once again, to purge the word of the light that sought to dig its tentacled fingers into the very heart of the planet, the power that thrived on death, destruction, and decay.

 

[Elensa Jari]

​

Allies | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |​

Enemies | The Galactic Alliance | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] (soon) |​

Equipment | Armour | Lightsaber Pike |​

The two advanced soundlessly: one Master, one Disciple, one's mouth silenced by long discipline and pragmatic caution, the other, never again to make a sound, forever muted. They were in perfect accord in this regard - there were things within the swamps that bore little but hostile intent, and to hear them coming was to gain an advantage. The natural ambient sounds of the jungle were a weapon in themselves, masking the trail of the two Ren, that their whispering footsteps would not be heard over the rustling of leaves and the faint eerie calls of wildlife concealed within the trees.

The darkness refused to be silent, however, a whispered cacophony of muted sentience pressing against their minds. With each step towards the destination that Ara was leading them inexorably towards, the sound became stronger: not an audible noise, no, but a faint scream that could be felt in the back of one's thoughts. First you might dismiss it, a mere figment of your imagination brought on by fear, by the caution needed to survive in such a dangerous place. But the closer you got, the louder it became: no longer a whisper, but an undertone that was only just inaudible. Something you might hear, but not comprehend.

The more experienced of the two Ren was clearly struggling with something: though she set a punishing pace through the jungle, her steps were halting, staggered, as though she were grappling with something only she could see. Her presence through the Force was stricken with tempestuous emotions - just as well, given that Elensa was having to follow those in order to follow her. Hapan night vision was terrible, and the deep gloom of the jungle was leaving her footsteps similarly broken: her foot nudging a hardened tree root one moment, or stumbling as the elevation of the ground shifted as they moved from one surface to another. And yet we press on, with the Force there to guide us.

The other woman presented a quandary for Elensa, her presence within the Force at war with the confident warrior that moved so firmly through Dagobah's dense foliage. There was a struggle going on there, Elensa felt, emotions fluctuating through sadness, a wistful melancholy flowing through her that was music to the mute Hapan woman, a taste sweeter than any nectar. It changed then, moving towards a self-determined anger, the sort of quiet rage that the young woman had felt so often among others of their kind, the type that would drive them through any obstacle. Whatever battle she is fighting, it is only making her stronger. That much came through with the force of a scream in her ears.

A hand raised, a simple enough signal: stop. Elensa paused, booted feet coming to rest against the fog-covered swamp, a soft exhale coming from her lips as she drew breath quickly, then releasing it once more, catching it while she could. Her senses extended outward, seeking to find the threat that she was certain the older woman had detected, to result in such a pause. And yet...I feel no danger towards us. That was odd - why else stop?

It was true that the faint tingle of danger could be sensed no matter where one stepped, but this planet was drinking in blood, tiny lights of energy extinguished with each passing moment as lives were snuffed out in a vain struggle for supremacy. All those little lights: pop, pop, pop! Perhaps theirs might yet be among them, when their moment finally came: a furious struggle, and then a sudden cessation. Would our own lives simply seem to flicker and vanish, as theirs do to us? There was some comfort in knowing that she would never find the answer to her own question: one which could only come with her death. And perhaps this is the place to meet it. Danger was, indeed, all around them. Death could come at a moments notice.

There were others ahead, she could sense: little candles in the black, some placid and calm, others roaring and spasming as though touched by a breeze. One light, one darkness. Soon, she suspected, the two Ren would join those others, and then they'd meet that contest that her survival instincts screamed at her to avoid, even though she desired little more than to jump in and teach some of those others the lesson of pain that she had learned long ago. Which we will not accomplish by standing around, the young woman thought, throwing a stern glare at her companion.

Death, it was said, was an impatient one. It did not like to be kept waiting, not after so many years of uncomplaining delay. Far be it for us to delay it further. The darkness must always be fed.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

​

​

"Funny Kyrel," Mishel said with a lowly smirk, as she looked up at [member="Kyrel Ren"] her voice darkened, "cause you and I, we were never family. You made sure of that the moment we met, the moment you knew who I was." Her eyes drew up to shift her focus from Kyrel to [member="Varas Kyrel"]. Just focus up, remember what you're here for. Dawn of Dagobah. Right, after that. Smash Sir Clanks-a-lot's face, what about Varas? She's a big girl, she can carve out her own path out of Daddy Tinbucks's shadows. Boy, you're making good use of those Jedi mantras. Yeah, well - fam damily reunions tend to bring out the edge lord in everyone. Especially if your family is anything like mine. "Right." She looked at [member="Coren Starchaser"] and then at [member="Asaraa [/FONT][/SIZE][SIZE=14px][FONT='lucida sans unicode']Vaashe"].

Just focus. She shut her eyes a moment and pushed out every thought that ran through her mind, and recalled [member="Ember Farseer"]'s teachings what little she received from him between Utapau and now. Ember didn't give up on her in that cave. He stayed by her side, this isn't going to be easy Mishel. If, if you're as serious as... Well, forget everything the Ren taught you. Just forget it, you've got more in you than they ever thought was possible. Take this little cord here, right now it's nothing but when I attach this and this, look. It shines, it just needed to get there and just like you, I'll help you to shine and get to where you need to go. Can't promise I'll be able to teach you everything a Jedi needs to know, but I'll be there. Ember, how well do you know force speed? Uh... I can go really fast for a short amount of time, why? I want to make it my power, I want to craft force speed. Well, that's uh... that's neat. So, I guess you better learn how to breathe while you run. You weren't that great at it on Utapau, here I'll show you... The force can help you but you'll need to work on this to really make it a thing. But, I'll be honest, it's probably not the craziest thing I've seen.

The Tygaran teenager gave Coren a look, it said that she would be back. "I just need to get a running start, you two bang away with Puppet 1 and Puppet 2 over there." She started out running without the aid of the force, passing [member="Margaret the Grey"] on the way no doubt, "the two Jedi behind me are gonna need your help and don't worry I don't think the Renateers will mind your look much." Mishel focused on her running again pacing herself until she made her way around a tree and headed back. When you see your target, hit it, and concentrate on your speed. You won't be able to talk as much at this point in time, once you get into a groove you can give out little phrases, Mishel. The more you practice and the more you use it the way you want to use it, the better you'll get it. Concentrate focus, keep running Mishel just keep running let the force be your strength draw from it c'mon, c'mon MISHEL! That's it! That's it! Sound barrier broken!

 

[Eugen Aker]

Location: Approaching Airspace over Cave of Evil
Objective: Support ground forces in vicinity.
Allies: GA and friends ([member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Mishel Noren"] [member="Allyson Locke"])
Opposition: FO and friends ([member="Ara Zambrano"] [member="[/SIZE][SIZE=12px]Elensa Jari"])
Directly Engaging: Anyone I find in the cave when I get there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ekZ6iYk7ik​

Her dour mood must have been obvious as she now had Allyson approaching her with words of encouragement. That she was needed. That Allyson needed her.

She just looked over at Allyson somberly, unable to match her smile or warmth.

"I'm fine, just tired. Now let's see about requisitioning some spare fighters and get into the fight."

She began to shuffle for the shuttle's boarding ramp toward admin station within the hangar to speak with the commanding officer, but she didn't even make it three steps before her ears were assaulted with thunderous explosions from beyond the hangar entrance. The booming shook the hangar crews, both figuratively and literally.

"We need to get moving," she said with an urgent tone, system flooding with adrenaline.

Things were obviously getting serious outside, and she wanted to get out there before it got even worse.

After a quick conversation with the CAG commander on deck, she was able to snag a couple Kiribian X-wings for herself and Allyson. Previously operating outside the FOB in a warzone, they were already both kitted up in their armor and weapons, so they could both drop right in their fighters and leave when ready.

In her cockpit, she connected her wrist computer to her control console, projecting a long list of messages from her counterparts on the panoramic holographic display. Everyone from Coren to the Supreme Commander himself had been making requests of Allyson and her.

"We're certainly the popular ones at the moment," she told Allyson over a private line, who could also see the messages. "Since the Rogues seem to be mostly indisposed at the moment, we'll borrow the designation."

A few keypresses and she was now Rogue Leader, leaving Allyson to make her a similar change.

"Rogue Leader to Hornet (Coren) checking in. Rogue 09 (Allyson) and I will be there with you in three minutes. Try to keep everyone in one piece until then."

She switched channels back to the MAC to announce her departure as she lifted her X-wing off the flight deck by repulsorlift.

"Rogue Leader, launching!"

With a small press on the pedal, her X-wing surged forward out of the hangar for the cloudy skies of Dagobah outside. S-foils split, and ion engines kicked in to further boost her rate of acceleration.

The panoramic holo display of her cockpit automatically adjusted to the poor weather condition, generating a new false-color rendering to scrub out any fog obscuring her view.

Shortly after launching, a new CAS request was forwarded to her console from Fort Nemo. An airstrike on a specificsets of coordinates.

She recognized one set as the Cave of Evil, which she had been not even a day before. She frowned.

I have a bad feeling about this.

She was hesitant to fulfill that particular request, something in the back of her mind cautioning against direct violence on the nexus.

She hailed Coren to get some clarification.

"Rogue Leader to Hornet, what's going on at the cave?"

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Samka Derith"]​

--------------------------​

​

Veino listened as she spoke and slowly shook his head. The Dark blinded its servants even as it promised them independence. It offered them freedom even as it robbed them of their will. It manipulated and showed them only what it willed.

"No," he answered after a moment, "You're very wrong. This world no more belongs to the Dark than it does to the Light." He reached out a gloved hand and rested it on the bark of a nearby tree. The Force surged within its woody veins, following the flow of water materials as it circulated its own life. The leaves danced with the movement of both the Force and the slow wind from the approaching storm. As lightning crackled in the distance, the electricity raised the hair on his arms. "What you sense is only part of the picture."

An animal slithered beneath the muck not far away from them. A large one, from what he could tell, but it mattered little, for it paid no interest to those that walked upon the surface. Its concern was its own and nothing they did would affect it, much as they would never affect the planet, or the galaxy, and certainly never the Force. No, such things were beyond mortal ken.

Conflicts such as these were flashpoints, sparks blazing bright as wildfires, but ultimately insignificant compared to the vastness of the Force.

"What you sense is not the Dark waiting to be liberated, but the Force in the purest sense of its existence. Light and Dark co-exist here. Without us present, they would do so peacefully, as growth and entropy rely on each other. "

He stretched out his mind. Yes, he felt death, anger, hatred, but also the gentle growth of plants all around them, of compassion and kindness. They all existed together within a balance, each kept in check by the balance to create a healthy ecosystem. Tension and balance existing simultaneously.

"We are all outsiders on this world. It desires us not nor needs any of us." He raised his hand to gesture around them again. "You may not think you need fleets or armies, but you are a Ren, yes? Not a Sith? It is to the First Order that your allegiance belongs and not to yourself. What will your masters say when you allow their resources to be destroyed in pursuit of your own goals? Is such... rebellious behavior tolerated?"