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Objective: Take the Refinery Complex Location: Refinery - Access Hallway Allies: Strike Team One Enemies: The Sith Empire | [member="Jantar Keltainen"]
Cenric wasn't exactly the smartest person in the galaxy. Unlike many others he had no higher education and his primary schooling had always been short by his own choosing. He was a farmboy from Lorrd, not much for great philosophy or debate. To him the world was black and white. There was good and bad, there was right and wrong. His father had always told him about the shades of gray that existed in times of war, but right now he wasn't facing any of that.
He was just facing one woman. A woman that was trying to confuse him. "No."
Cenric stuttered for a second, half caught off guard by his own quick answer. He had no real wit to counter with, and he knew himself well enough to know that he wouldn't be winning any long-winded discussions. What he did have was the nature of his people, the talent Lorrdians called kinetic communication. Reading humanoids and even aliens not on their words, but on the language of their body. He could tell from the way the woman postured herself, she was strong, self-assured, and most definitely trying to put him off his own game.
That was more telling than anything else.
"I'm not going to kill you." The Padawan pulled himself together, not deactivating his lightsaber but taking up a more defensive stance. "I'm going to arrest you."
He pointed at her. "Throw your lightsaber away and put your hands above your head."
She had anticipated facing against other Force Users, it would've surprised her if the Rebels hadn't brought at least a few along. What she hadn't expected, was to be greeted by a fireball heading her way. As such, Leliana's group was kept from moving into the Security Hub proper.
Instead the assassin quickly fell to the ground, legs bent so the fire ball would soar over her torso. But a split second decision; remembering she had Legionnaires behind her, she summoned the Force to her hands and redirected it upwards.
Fire struck the ceiling, roaring across its length and lighting up the otherwise pitch-black room. But in turn it did illuminate enough of the Hub to reveal an armoured woman. Key details; such as her opponent being blind went over Leliana's head, mainly because a helmet was concealing them. But it was also in part because she was only focused on the fact she was her enemy.
That, and the very real bolter that was being raised up to fire in their direction.
"Move!"
Leliana's group didn't miss a beat as the fire above them died, plunging the area into darkness once more. The bolter was fired and the squad made their best efforts to avoid the blast. As the main target, the assassin quickly rolled out of the way and behind the door's threshold. The pellets tore through the area she had been in previously, a good deal striking the Legionnaires behind. While they had moved to the side, a few were clipped either in the shoulder or thigh; one in particular getting a nasty brunt of it in the leg.
But he still pushed through the pain.
"Stuns!"
Two soldiers grabbed a stun grenade each, activating them before tossing them into the room. Neither was likely to affect Elpsis, but they were not intended to. They landed behind her, towards any Rebel troops that were around her.
Leliana kicked against the ground, darted around the doorway and into the Security Hub. It went without saying that she couldn't allow the armoured woman to fire another shot - not until they were all inside. So the Assassin led the charge, throwing two seperate Force blasts towards her foe. The first was aimed towards the bolter, hoping to knock it aside. Followed up be a secondary attack directed towards Elpsis' legs.
It allowed an opening for both the Legionnaires and Lawbringers to move into the Hub. A couple of the soldiers aimed and fired towards Elpsis, while the remainder were focused on the other Rebel forces. The Nezumi however, didn't engage straight away. Instead, they used their very small stature to avoid the incoming attacks and scramble for the darkest areas nearby - never pausing for too long before moving again.
Objective: Defend the refinery complex Location: Refinery — access hallway Allies: A knowledge of the Jedi Code Enemies: [member="Cenric Marus"]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8chWFuM-s
Well she’d established he wasn’t going to kill her. At least not in cold blood. But it would be interesting to see what he would do if unprovoked — but by the same token, she did not come meekly. It was a game she was keen to play.
Jantar liked games.
She smiled. “I’m pleased you’ve decided not to kill me — that makes me feel a lot safer. But tell me something — for I’m quite sure that an arrest, if executed correctly — isn’t something I’d resist.”
“You see…arrest implies a law has been broken. From where I stand, the only one to break the law around here is you. You’ve trespassed and damaged property. I, on the other hand…well, I’m at a loss to what law I’ve broken to warrant an arrest.”
“In fact, to apply you own argument, you are the law-breaker and therefore you should throw away your saber and surrender. Then we can let the governing authorities deal with your transgressions.”
Location: Sith-Imperial Collection and Refinery Complex Dorn Objective: Help the rebels become one with the Force and/or embrace the Dark Side. Allies: Sneering Imperialists, incl. [member="Elani Zambrano"] & [member="Samka Derith"]. Duelling: [member="Aten Ramses"] Equipment: Lightsaber, Handgun, Anti-Ysalamiri, Shard of Nil, Grav Core, Blackroot Potion [3 - 1], & Invisibility Potion [2]. For a few moments, Adrian would be dividing his attention between maintaining his lightning, keeping his lightsaber in the air, and reaching for the grav core at his wrist. Unfortunately, his opponent chose that exact moment to launch an attack of his own.
As Adrian reached for the sleek black object strapped to his wrist, he felt a sudden surge of energy from the direction of his opponent. A surge of energy that was heading his way. Reacting on instinct, he dropped everything else, letting the lightning disperse and his songsteel lightsaber clatter to the ground, though he kept a slight active link to the latter. The relief he felt after finally letting up his assault was intense, though this was not the time to unwind. Thrusting his hands outward, the young Sith manifested a half-sphere of invisible energy, which shifted into an incandescent purple as the massive surge of raw telekinetic force smashed into it.
Clenching his teeth from the exertion, Adrian began to feel the telltale signs of exhaustion. Literally growling in anger, he thrust his hands outward once more, propelling the half-sphere towards his opponent at a breakneck speed, drawing on the dark power emanating from somewhere in the complex to compensate for his own fatigue. Hand snaking to his waist, he would pull forth a strange metal flask, quickly imbibing a blackroot potion. Throwing the empty flask to the ground, it would dissipate in a sickly green cloud of smoke, his eyes glowing the same unnatural colour as the magical ichor began to replenish his reserves and mend his bruises.
"Don't you see how hopeless this is? Every moment you spend fighting me is a moment Sith-Imperial reinforcements come ever closer. You and your rebel friends are dead men walking, you just don't know it yet. But perhaps, if you surrender quietly, the Saaraishash will be merciful. Perhaps, if you embrace the Dark Side, you might survive this folly."
"There is nothing here for you, Jedi. I died in vain because of you and your child's fantasy of a cause."
The man whom was once Ras Val'kor chuckled, his voice a twisted joining of unnatural baritone and a serpent's hiss. His eyes went black with malice as he stared into the servant of the Light.
"You... have... failed."
The new entity looked down at the mangled armor of Ras Val'kor, noticing the intact sets of grenades lined along a belt. Another smirk came over his face as he returned his attention to the Jedi.
"And now you will disappear."
Tugging free a grenade meant to disperse heavy amounts of radiation, the possessed body of the Rebel tossed it up and down playfully, teasing at the fact that he very well might prime it. For whatever Cedric hoped for, the timing to do so had been long missed. The opportunity to spare his ally and friend of this new miserable existence could not be redone.
This was the fault and wrong-doing that he must embrace in his path.
To look upon failure incarnate, to behold a miracle.
Objective: Take the Refinery Complex Location: Refinery - Access Hallway Allies: Strike Team One Enemies: The Sith Empire | [member="Jantar Keltainen"]
Cenric was feeling annoyed now.
Talking really wasn't his way of solving these problems, especially when he knew he was facing down a Sith. These were the people who had slaughtered and killed their way across the galaxy. These were the people that oppressed and broke entire nations. They had invaded Coruscant, all but destroyed most of Thyferra, and committed untold acts of genocide and atrocities. There was no arguing those facts. There was video footage, there was written archives, hell Cenric had seen it himself.
"You've aligned yourself with a government which committed multiple genocides, slaughtered innocent people, and destroyed entire worlds." He sounded matter of fact, taking a step forward. The saber in his hand was still burning brightly.
He scowled.
"No matter how pretty you dress it up, as long as you still stand with them you support a group of people who have killed billions for their own gain." It was an inarguable fact, one that could be attested to by countless beings all around the galaxy. "There is no law in that. Only oppression."
There was nothing else to say really. The Sith Empire was not 'good', they had proven that a dozen times over. "Now drop your weapon and surrender."
The moment the assault let up Aten was already sprinting at the Sith, his arms pumping, legs cycling as Aten pushed his body onwards. If he possessed the knowledge Aten could’ve possibly summoned the force to bolster his physical abilities, alas such abilities were beyond the Morellian. He was forced to rely on his own muscles, practices, everything that the Sith who stood opposite of him obviously wasn’t used to. The energy of the strike having met the Sith’s barrier, Aten was already moving his foot placing itself on the wall and kicked off. The velocity from the sprint and the force from Aten kicking off the wall propelled the Jedi into the air.
Beneath him, the air roared the energy of the half barrier rushing just beneath the Jedi. Adrian had displayed his fear, his true modus operandi. Adrian was cautious, almost too much so. Not only that but was incredibly liberal with his usage of the force, even moreso when it came to defense. Left hand swinging down another telekinetic strike launched out at what would seem to be Adrian’s throat but instead was at the base of the flask knocking it from his hand. The Sith had all manner of creations and Aten wouldn’t let the acolyte bring any more to bear.
Gravity taking control Aten’s leap was coming to an end what distance between him and Adrian now gone. Right fist coming down the saber deactivating within his grasp Aten simply reached out with a thought and the gauntlets output went from low to high. His right fist would come around Aten letting a buildup of the force be felt by Adrian to make the Sith fear another telekinetic strike. This was simply a ploy as this would be an all too real thrown punch aimed at the Sith’s chest. Gravity, the momentum from the run and jump, and now the gauntlet would amplify the strength behind the blow to a tremendous degree. On impact, the gauntlets would release a massive sonic wave to not only disorient the Sith and throw him backward but it would be accompanied by vibrations the gauntlet would emit outwards in Adrian’s direction, vibrations with the true purpose of shredding armor, and thick chitinous shells of Sithspawn.
A shame, his vibroblade missed at cleaving the Jedi’s skull in two. But he didn’t expect this to be an easy fight considering the nature of his opponent. It’d be, without a doubt, much more easier to fight Romi with a ysalamir nutrient tube or with a voidstone, but he chose not to. Take it as a challenge for himself and not rely too much on peculiar lizard to counter his enemies infected with the Force. Readying himself in a stance and blade held horizontally and pointed at Jade, Vilaz then activated his Dinu’ul on his left vambrace which would strip him from any other personal shielding he had, however it was much more ideal when in combat against an orthodox Jedi with just the Force and a lightsaber.
A lightsaber that produced a crimson blade.
Interesting...a unique addition to his collection of lightsabers he took as trophies from Jedi he slain.
”Just know this will be the face of your death, Jetti,” Vilaz said coldly and menacing to the female Jedi. As soon as words were said Romi took the offensive and approached the Warlord with finesse and elegance. He blocked the horizontal slash of the lightsaber with his double vibroblade; however, it would result with it being useless as the lightsaber cut through the materials of the blade, specifically the hilt. A good weapon thrown to waste, but he had more on him.
In succession the Jedi jumped with grace over the Munin. Simultaneously she did another series of attacks in the air...a classic tactic by the Jedi. The warrior raised his left arm above his head and allowed his shield to protect him from the trails of attacks. One or two did hit his right shoulder pad though the attacks wouldn’t cleave through as they were constructed of beskar.
As she landed behind him in which Vilaz did turn around and meet her, the lightsaber would find itself not only cutting his repulsorpack, but also his assault rifle that was slung on his shoulder.
Frustrated and irritated at the destruction of some of his equipment he was, but the fight wasn’t over. The Mandalorian would draw both of his pistols and begin a rapid volley of blasters at the Jedi all in center mass. He had other tricks up his sleeve, all that would have their fair share of appearing. In the meantime, the Warlord opted for something simple and generic. No point in going all force at the beginning of the fight.
Allies: Rebels - [member="Ari Vox"], [member="Noah Corek"] Enemies: [member="Leliana"], [member="Djorn Bline"], [member="Jairus Starvald"], [member="Dr. Vain Jar'He"] any other Sithies. Open for a duel. Engaging Leliana.
Precognition whispered in Elpsis' mind, as grenades were lobbed into the room. Her willpower wrapped around one of the stun grenades and hurled it back towards its point of origin ere it could reach the rebels. The small ball landed within the midst of charging Stormtroopers and Nezumi, exploding with a blast wave that knocked some of the Imperials out of the game.
Meanwhile, the rebels were busy engaging the Imperial soldiers. Doubtless there would be a butcher's bill to be paid on both sides. Elpsis had other concerns. The Sith woman had managed to avoid her assaults through some quick acrobatics, and retaliated swiftly with dual telekinetic blasts. Elpsis held on tightly to her bolter, but a concussive blast connected with her legs. Ouch.
No bones broken, but the impact would leave bruises and caused her to stumble. Reacting quickly, the Force Master rolled, avoiding a salvoe of blaster bolts that was being shot her way by some of the minions. A scarler bolt connected with her hand. She felt a strong burn beneath her gauntlet and heat surged through her, but the harmful energy gave her fuel as she drew it into her, soaking it up like a sponge would water.
It fuelled the energy she unleashed upon the Sith apprentice - Leliana. The Sith seemed to be leading the charge. Good. Let her come. The Fire Mistress reached out to the Sith with a powerful application of Force Grip, focusing on her legs and feet. The invisible chains were not meant to shatter bones or twist sinew, but to impede her movements, negating her ability to leap about. The intent was to root the Sith's feet firmly to the ground, like an ancient tree. Elpsis squeezed the trigger and her bolter roared once more, firing buckshot towards the Sith.
(Trying to get all those I think are in this scene. Let me know!)
[youtube]
https://youtu.be/ZCk4RiKH9H0[/youtube]
Unn!
Her head whipped around, and her blonde locs began to lace her face. The crimson sheen of Kaalia's blades reflected off the Jedi's hair.
However, she was aware of how many seconds were left after her eyes made contact with her opponents; she wasn't going to give those up either.
Romi stepped to her left, a deft bend to her hip afforded a bit of space, while her lightsaber swished up and cut into the trajectory of the Sith Lords blades. The firm grip of her hand worked in tandem with the gentle give of her wrist while she parried the ghosts blade. She locked them in, pressing down with her own lightsaber before drawing them out into an over extension and under her feet while she took to the air; she launched herself upward while tucking her knees into her chest and watching the red-ish after images flow underneath her.
She was going to leverage the opening, opting for a kick towards the ghosts mid-section but was distracted by the chill she'd gotten down her spine.
Through her peripheral vision she noticed the Mandalorian from earlier about to pull the trigger, she'd left herself open. Quickly switching tactics she ran her thumb over the ignition switch of her blade and spun around furiously. The moment she reactivated her lightsaber was when she was almost a second off catching one of his rounds. The first few she blocked, stumbling back from the power. She switched her blade on and off, catching each of the rounds while continuously shifting her weight from each leg. Before long she had no choice but to keep her scarlet blade activated to match his volley.
She took a step...
One of his rounds seared the sleeve of her jacket; well Coren's jacket. She liked the color.
She took another...
When she couldn't catch up, she deftly dodged it with a spin or bend and then worked her way back up. She connected with one zooming barely a centimeter from her face. She turned about and sliced across, knocking two out of the air; she didn't have time to redirect. Then, she dropped into a squat with her lightsaber flashing up above her head forcing another to alter its course. Soon she was propelling herself up a few feet from the ground, somersaulting over a few more.
She landed in a crouched position in the center between both of them, flailing her arms with her palms angled out in both positions. A moderate, but well placed wave of energy protruded from her center in all directions. It was no where near enough to knock either of them off their feet, but they would feel it and maybe even push through it; she just needed a few more feet of space.
Her breathing picked up a bit, but she wasted no time. Her left hand quickly changed trajectory and was soon pulling a stray blaster pistol from a nearby corpse. When it connected she pushed off her feet and threw her body back. Sliding across the ground on her back, she aimed the weapon at the Dark Lord himself, pulling the trigger to release whatever energy was left; she didn't think about it.
When it failed her, she pushed her shoulders blade out and dug her elbows into the ground before pushing her lower body into the air and over, forcing her into a backwards roll that allowed her to land with one knee down and the other up. Her head whipped up and she spun around again, moving from knee to knee in order to put Carnifex in her path. Jumping to her feet.
She was on him.
She raced after him, pursuing him up and over piles of rubble and debris, while Coren was temporarily distracted. Either way she was closing the gap between them, and given their link they would fair better that way. Her target...remained steadfast in his personal pit of darkness just as she did in her desire to strike him down. With her hair flailing about her back, she gripped her blade and used the momentum of her charge to close in.
Objective: Have fun! Location: Refinery — access hallway Allies: History Enemies: [member="Cenric Marus"]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R6h_isTzt8
The young Jedi was feeling annoyed now - Jantar could feel the negative emotion and was tempted to feed on it — but she resisted. All in good time. She was having far too much fun — which could only put her into a better position when the real action started. Which it would — it was no longer a matter of if…but when.
However, if he was going to give her counter-arguments on a silver platter, who was she to refuse them?
“There are a number of key facts there that are worth repeating — because they’re valid, and I know you Jedi are sticklers for such things.”
“First of all, there are a number of tenets of the Jedi Code I’d appreciate you explaining to me. Firstly that a Jedi does not cling to the past. Yet you seem to be dredging up history. Perhaps I’m missing something.”
“Next, one of the most important roles of the Jedi was to protect the peace and justice of the government it served, and so no Jedi is above the law. Jedi are expected to follow the law of the planet they are on, surely? And if you break local laws, aren’t you supposed to suffer the consequences? There is, unless I am missing something, no such thing as galactic law.”
“But, and this is where we are entirely in agreement — genocide is a distasteful and despicable thing. Do you know my race? Oddly, I didn’t until recently. A kindly lady on Dathomir told me. I’m a Vahla. Heard of them? You might be forgiven for not knowing of my people. You see, the Jedi attempted genocide of my race. Real genocide. Not indiscriminate mass murder — but true genocide. Your beloved Jedi tried to wipe out an entire species. On the basis that some were aligned to the dark side.”
“So, if we’re talking history and genocide — which, frankly are two things you brought to the table — I can hold you as accountable as any Sith Order. And you committed yours first. Plus, you’re the current criminal, so I’d say that makes you the one to surrender.”
“You see, you’re not only guilty by association — but by deed. I, on the other hand — based on your argument, am only guilty by association. I’m not dressing it up in the slightest. Everything I have said is a fact, isn’t it?”
“I mean, why would I surrender to someone who has confessed to being a criminal?”
In truth, he was the first Jedi she'd come across since finding out of her lineage and the Jedi's role in her people's past. There was every chance he would be the focus of the anger that had been building since she first discovered the facts.
Objective: Take the Refinery Complex Location: Refinery - Access Hallway Allies: Strike Team One Enemies: The Sith Empire | [member="Jantar Keltainen"]
Cenric didn't reply, there was no point.
He understood now what his Master had been referring to when he'd talked about the speech of Sith. This woman, whoever she was, decided only to tell half truths and pick the argument that would suit her best. She brought up and blamed Cenric for the actions of others, actions that occurred centuries ago while at the same time ignoring what the leader of her government had done but a few years gone. The Sith had committed wholesale slaughter of a dozen peoples, not just one. Genocide, indiscriminate killing, concentration camps. All of it done at the behest of her compatriots.
Yet she ignored that.
It was pointless. No argument would reach this woman. Nothing he said would make a difference. She could throw blame his way, but the fact of the matter was that she followed a government that still committed the same atrocities she was accusing him of. It was blindness, folly.
The mere fact of that, the idea that someone could be so lost within the indoctrination of the Sith struck him to his core. The line of logic this woman followed was as broken as could be, and any peaceful discord that they could have had ended the moment she had refused put down her weapon. He scowled, but by now it didn't matter. The Padawan had come close enough to the woman, closed the distance over the course of their conversation.
So instead of answering her her struck out like a Viper.
The force had never been strong with him, not in the traditional sense, but he was fast. Lightsaber combat, movement, it was what he was good at. So he pounced at her quickly, not with his lightsaber, but instead with his free hand. Fingers shot towards her wrist, reaching to grapple her and pull her hand away and to the side. At the same time his leg kicked forward, aiming to strike at her knee and bring her to the ground before she could have a hope to respond.
Location: Kolto Refinery Plant
Allies: [member="Leliana"] | [member="Jairus Starvald"] | @Dr. Vain Jar’He
Enemies: [member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"] | [member="Noah Corek"] | [member="Ari Vox"]
Engaging: Open for a duel
Objective: Repel and terminate
So far so good? A quick thought to himself as Djorn took cover from the brutal firefight taking place in the security hub. He was alive so that was a good thing, but as far as casualties and progression? Hard to tell; however, the defences of the Rebels weren’t extremely serious. They were indeed putting up a fight, but the countermeasures Djorn and his team encountered were just overturned tables and other similar items used for the means of fortifying themselves. The Rebels had to work with whatever their hands could get a hold of to defend their positions with. However, it wasn’t enough to keep Djorn and his Imperial comrades at bay. The Inquisitor and his soldiers had a decent footing within the hub which would allow any reinforcements to enter the fray at ease. Not wholefully, but unlike what Djorn and his unit had to face.
For the other teams? He wasn’t sure nor worried. Djorn didn’t bother to check in on either one of them. Leliana seemed capable to him, knowing her somewhat after being recruited into the Saaraisash. The other one, a Sith-Imperial Legionnaire officer, seemed to be able to deal with the situation at his area. No comms have been made of losing numbers or requesting for aid.
The Agent would take it as a good omen.
In cover Djorn readied one of his cryoban grenades as he detonated it, waited a few seconds, and threw it at the lines of rebels that were obstructing him and his team’s path. It was nonlethal, but it shouldn’t be overlooked for its purpose. In combat it was meant to freeze victims caught in its radius and would suffer from frostbite and the unforgiving temperature of the cold. Not only that but it potentially could damage any equipment that they carried and ice the floor that they stood. It’s be difficult for that particular group of rebels to maneuver around without falling.
”Ice to meet you,” Bline muttered to himself with a cold tone in his voice. Propping up from his cover the Inquisitor unleashed rounds of slugs from his interchangeable weapon systems, and would be joined in with his unit of Imperial soldiers as they too opened fire.
”Keep pushing!” They were on the offensive and they had to press on in order to gain some ground. There’d be injuries and death, but it was a sacrifice from each and one of them must take. It was the cost of war...and a cost in order to achieve victory. Just needed to make sure those sacrifices were not in vain.
The War Fleet's signs of battle more than showed now, the two damaged Shards were now nothing more than particles in the expanse of space. Star Destroyers worn by the exchange of turbolasers struggled to keep minimal shielding up. The Authority was fresh and ready for the fight they would not be deterred and it was their show of force that sent surges of renewed morale throughout the War Fleet. How interesting that the enemy viewed them as breaking formation when in reality the ever-shifting Imperial rhombus continued to surge forward moving in time to reach out and strike at the heart of the Armada. Now more than ever the War Fleet pulled together, the Behemoth was nearing her point - near the edge of where her massive cannon would pulverize the Lucrehulk. "Admiral hits ineffective - he sent his battlecruisers to take the damage!"
Fleets did not move as such, this Fiolette knew but regardless of this, she would press on with her plan. She needed her marines to get the job done, as down on Dubrillion itself they worked with their lives to reestablish communication. Beacons were now just barely rising, static came through but she could hear them. "Clear that up!" She directed her comms officers and moved from the command station and across the trenches. Down into the pit to see for herself as the officer and his crewers worked to try and get communications back. "Still static, we need more beacons." She vocalized what they thought, and another officer's reports of fifty squadrons emerging from the moon.
The Galidraani withheld any curses and ascended the stairs, she walked back across the trenches. "Inform the Authority they are to continue their focus fire three groups of sixes, targets are as follows. Fleet Carrier Aurek, Fleet Carrier Besh and Fleet Carrier Cresh, here - here and here. Focus fire, deploy bomber screen. Engage both turbolaser and heavy ion cannons."
"They've formed on the rearguard, they're falling into standard range."
"Engage them, missiles first."
A mixture of proton, concussion, and ion torpedoes were freed from their holdings as the four Marr star destroyers took aim at their attackers. Their shields rippled in the struggled to remain stable but fight on they would. Volley and thundered they were half a kilo, half a kilo, half a kilo onward all in the expanse of death rode the brave six hundred, and the six hundred more as the crews of the War Fleet's rearguard moved at their admiral's orders. Heavy turbolaser batteries sent forward their reply, they would not bow they would not be deterred this was their home and no rebel would put them from this. "Steady on the Rear!" Were the shouts from the commanders, "hold on together men, hold on altogether men!" They said, was there a man or woman dismayed among them? No.
They knew their purpose.
They knew on this day that if death called for them, willingly would they go to her arms.
For War was a greedy lover, and his wife Death lived to please and serve her husband.
Theirs was not to make reply.
Theirs was not to question why.
Theirs but to do and die.
Veridian hues scored across once more through the depths of space surging to strike at the left flank. Whispers and promises of death to the willing and unwilling, all together now as the harbingers counted their dead. The bodies of the recovered marked and tagged sent to the freezer to await their arrival home. Home they say, some know that is not the home that they shall see on this day. And as the screams of TIEs rush full into the netherworld as Death reaps what she sows handing their souls to her husband. War pressed on, and Fiolette Yvarro stood on the bridge of the Behemoth with the Supreme Admiral at her back. His eyes steadied on the Galidraani who had come from nothing, as she watched the flickers of life whisk into death. She closed her eyes and noted the four new battlecruisers, it seemed the rebels had an answer for everything. Death was a whisper in her ear once more but Fiolette had promised Taeli she would return home, and return home she would.
"Status on the cannon?"
"Nearly there."
"Mega laser ready at your command once more admiral."
All together now men, all together now - steady on the rear they said. Keep her formed on the vanguard they said, orders rolled from the mouths of men. The porcelain-skinned woman let her hand down on the console. Ruby red lips and piercing blue eyes gathered the data that rolled across her screen. The terrible opaque hue of teal as it scored the words ready on the monitor. "Do we have our target?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What of the mass drivers and the solar ionization cannons?"
"Almost there - new ships closing in on the rearguard!"
Fiolette shut her eyes and could feel the cold hand of death on her shoulder. The Xo'Xaan Star Destroyers held their form around the Behemoth acting now as the shield and in this line, she knew that life and death rested on her. "Keep the Shards by the carriers, unleash the missiles engage whatever fighters we have left in a defensive screen." Fiolette exhaled and as the orders were carried out and as the rearguard pulled together the vivid memories of Castameer played in the back of her mind. It haunted her slowly but she turned the ghosts away and rose from the station. "Try to raise the marines, and do we know if the Mandalorians were able to make it?"
Cannons to the right of them,
Cannons to the left of them,
Cannons in front of them,
Volleyed and thundered.
Stormed at with laser and missiles.
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death
into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
And rode the six hundred more as the officers and crews of the War Fleet's rearguard pulled together, for whatever psychopathic maniac convinced himself that he had been doing this for the betterment of the galaxy was wrong. Whatever megalomaniac decided that he would target the men and women of Dubrillion would be reminded that they were just as bad if not worse than the Sith. For at least the Sith had been honest about their dance with War and Death there was no disguise as to who or what they were. The Harbingers bore on their guns mass drivers and ion cannons, with turbolasers at bay joined into the fray for if this was the day they died. Then they would do so in defense of their home, in defense of the people who relyed on their military to protect them. This is why they served, and this was why they boldly rode and well into the jaws of Death and into the mouth of Hell. Laser cannons and turbolasers from the interdictors who made arriving through hyperspace more than a chore carried through the stars the aim of the left and invading flank.
The Authority's near 20,000 meters formed a delta shape wedge their weapons engaged on the carriers above them. The Xo'Xaans led by the Crimson Valkyrie gave their answer to the rebels as well, a fiery score of rejection. How it had been that this rebel fleet had gone nearly unscathed from the battle whilst the War Fleet now limped forward, another Shard was gone, and three more still felt the burn of combat the vanguard shifted forward all together on the front as they pulled the rear along. The Imperial rhombus continued to move at the retreating form of the rebel armada. Another cackle of the comms, a voice of one lone marine before he fell silent at his station.
The central and the vanguard of the War Fleet held together, the defensive screen continued sending what enemy fighters it could to an early grave if possible, as the Authority now acted to force the ever descending enemy central guard to either continue and crash or ascend into the slow surge of the War Fleet. The War Fleet now slowly moved out of the right flank's long-range which would once more force their hand to follow if they wished to continue the song and dance of war and death. "Weapons ready, and annihilation cannon ready at your command!"
"Commence primary ignition."
The Behemoth's guns fell silent as power was sent to the annihilation cannon. Heresiarch would press their attack launching turbolasers, heavy turbolasers and mega lasers, ion cannons, proton torpedoes, mass drivers and solar ionization cannons. The two ships let their fury go upon two of the battlecruisers and without remorse, the vanguard's Marrs and Shards took their weapons and focused on a third enemy battle cruiser and between the twenty Xo'Xaans their forces split to target another two enemy battlecruisers and as the cannon on the Behemoth's primary ignition continued.
"Link us to the Authority's priority channel, open encrypted intrafleet communications."
Another cackle, another marine's voice tried to break through, and again the Behemoth tried to respond. Static was all that could be heard but perhaps now, perhaps now those on the ground could hear the fleet above them. The officer worked to help as much as he could from his end, so perhaps whatever words of wisdom the Rear Admiral had to share. Could be heard by those on the ground. "Ma'am we have two Star Destroyers that are reporting structural integrity issues." Fiolette's reply was the same - their sacrifice would be noted, and as the channel opened she began to speak.
"Our day is not over, and though you are tired, though you are scared to know that I have felt this. Know that I have been where you are, I stand here on the Behemoth holding his Majesty's ship and fleet in my hands. I have not known you long enough but I have known your positions long enough. Know that on this day we make our stand, we make our stand against a terrorist organization who claims to want freedom and peace for the galaxy. But do make this easy for them, we will not go quietly into the night. We will fight to the end, we will fight to our last breath, to our last man. With every fiber of our bodies they shall know of our might, they shall bleed by our hands. Service before self, integrity in all that we do as men and women of this Imperial Navy we shall stand firm on this day. This day, the day we repelled the invaders, we are the Sith Empire do not let them forget that. So when we are questioned as to who you are, you are the Sith Empire and we give them our reply!"
Flashed all their weapons bare.
Flashed as they turned into air.
The game was now afoot as finally the War Fleet Black Iron closed the gap and the Behemoth's massive gun now prepared to fire. Fiolette no longer bothered herself with the whisper of death, for now, it spoke plainly into her ear. Reminding her that War wanted more and more, "you may fire when ready commander." Her voice was cold and unbroken as the violent rage of the Behemoth who had the Lucrehulk in her sights. Now she could see her, now she could feel her - oh she tasks her, tasks her and the Behemoth would have her. Forced into this death among the stars of Dubrillion the Maw of the Behemoth opened and forth with came the lance of death. The glow of a bright emerald hue as it crossed the vastness of the expanse reaching out for the Lucrehulk and with it the sweet promises of death.
The Emperor’s Fist Action Report;
Marines have attempted to reestablish communications with the fleet, however, the rebels have overwhelmed them in some positions.
The number of fighters that remains has dwindled considerably, droid fighters still remain although it seems futile.
War Fleet maintains its diamond/rhombus formation pulling tighter at the rear.
Heresiarchs while slightly forward recharge and fire aiming at a battlecruiser a piece, firing all weapons.
War Fleet just barely falls out of right flank's long range as the slow surge down to the Lucrehulk reaches its peak path.
The Authority continues to target on and fire at the three enemy Jaraden fleet carriers.
Vanguard Shard and Marr vessels target one battlecruiser all weapons focused fire.
A total of five Shard's are now lost, three more burn and two rear Marr's are also heavily damaged.
Authority in a delta wedge ascending beneath the enemy fleet in an attempt to force them up.
The central fleet of Xo'Xaans split fire and focus on two more enemy battlecruisers all weapons.
The Behemoth targets the Lucrehulk X with its Annihilation Cannon, and fires.
Ground units whether Saaraishash or Sith-Imperial may now attempt communications with the fleet.
Sith-Imperials may be able to hear the Rear Admiral's speech but it will be very static-y, and perhaps garbled.
Those gifted in the force may be able to sense that the situation for the fleet has not gone as well as hoped, the speech was and has reignited morale, however.
Jaster looked at the battle map, things were working to his almost supernatural planning when he devised the plan when hired. As a Merc Admiral Jaster knew there was only a few things that could ruin the plan from succeeding, and the main being "Luck".
His part of the plan was coming to an end, and to be honest, he was happy with the results. He relayed the last of his orders to the crew and the Tactical Team before more information was relayed to him. Really it was what he expected, enemy fire was now entering standard turbo laser range and the Battlecruisers requested permission to fire on the Vanguard. Yet he was steadfast in his orders to continue powering their shields and only those Meph Cruisers underneath the fleet were to engage the new arriving fleet.
He looked at the timer on his battle map and it flashed red zeros and he knew exactly what that meant. "Evacuation Zeta to the Spitefire and the Hellhound."
The comms officer nodded and relayed the order, and within seconds of the order the command bridge of the Spitfire and Hellhound was surrounded by escape pods. Out of the Hangers flew Shuttles of both Fel and Rebel class began to make their way to the Battlecruisers nearest them. Jaster had made the order that all the ships in the Center Fleet only be manned by skeleton crews so the evacuation were quick as the ships now drifted in their positions in a defensive screen for the super cannon of the Behemoth.
He lifted his eyes from the battle map once again as he looked upon the battlefield as a massive green light appeared and arked its way through the void of space. The Hellhound drifted a little out of position, and seeing this, Jaster cursed to all the gods in the galaxy.
'God Karking Damn It' Jaster thought.
The massive super weapon of a laser broke through the Spitfires' shields and broke apart the ship. It carved a large portion out of the Hellhound and the large Battlecruiser flickered lights against the blackness of space were a clear sign that it was out of commission. The weapons laser then made a B-Line for the Supercarrier as it slammed against the shields of the massive space faring vessel shook from the damage it received. Jaster held onto the holographic table as crew members around him shook and fell to the ground as those in seats attempted to keep themselves seated. Some were not successful.
When the shaking ended, Jaster knew he alive when he heard the coms officer ask for new orders. He hated Luck.
"Status Report, Lieutenant." Jaster yelled.
"Spitfire is destroyed, no word on if everyone evacuated, Hellhound is out of commission and venting atmosphere," She paused to get more updates. "The Super Carrier received a massive blow to the Starboard Side Arm, we lost 100 crew and reports are still coming in over the injured."
"Well except getting hit, things are still working as planned," He looked at the flickering holotable, "If everyone fallowed the Zeta Plan as ordered, the crew should be in shuttles and all 'Supplies' should be loaded," He turned his back to the table and began to exit the bridge of the ship, "Transfer command to Lord [member="Drox Fuga"] and begin evacuation." Before he left however, he turned to the Tactical Officer, "Oh, and turn the Fleet Transponder or its default setting."
The Seperate Fleet attacking the rear was having better luck with their attack. Commanded by a Rebel Admiral that was appointed by Cedric himself for this invasion. Jaster knew he could trust the man. He was loyal to the cause, and with a fresh fleet, high moral, and combat experienced Ex-Dominion Naval Personal commanding the warships they served on years ago. They were ready to take their revenge on the Sith that broke their nation to its core. They moved in a line formation, using the full force of the Meph superior weapons capability they took the hits dished out by the Sith Fleet, and increased the firepower of their turbo laser by firing back thanks to their Molecular Shields. They also took advantage of their Advanced shields systems and Missile Deactivation Transmitter. This made damage to their battlecruisers limited and allowed them to continue to push harder against the Rear Guard.
A Heavy Cruiser was not as well protected as the Battlcruisers and commanded by droids, and as such was destroyed in the ensuing battle. Three other Corvettes also parishes as they formed up to destroy and protect against the Fighters that were forming up to attack the fleet. With little care for their lost, as sentient being cared little for the lost of Droids, the fleet continued on. They were beginning to join up with the Right Flank, that was keeping its distance, and out of range of any enemy fire for most of the battle.
Jaster walked to a Hanger bay that was near the Command Bridge and stopped a NN-2 Droid that was pushing a cargo container. Opening the lid and checking its contents he was satisfied with what he found. "Be sure to place them near the Hyperdrive Engine and continue the Supercarrier on its course to the newly arriving fleet."
The droid nodded once, "Roger Roger."
He looked back at the ship as he boarded the shuttle. This fleet did not belong to the Rebel Alliance, to think a Merc Admiral would be given command of the 1st Armada was somewhat amusing. This fleet was commissioned by the Dominion Senate, stationed over the planet of Serenno, and given to [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] to command. Once the Domenion fell, it was left to Drox Fuga to hide the fleet. When Jaster was looking for a fleet, he was able to cling to his friendship with the Dominion Lord and the Silver Jedi Admiral to give him the Mothballed Fleet. The only thing that was requested was that Drox join the battle, and Jessica get to know that the Sith were defeated.
He was a distraction for the real Fleet to come in, commanded by [member="Alyson Halle"]. His job was just to make them assume the Rebel Fleet was defeated. When in reality, they were far from it.
"Guess My job here is done, order the Jamming to be turned off and send the signal to Empress Halle" He boarded his shuttle and evacuated the supercarrier with the rest of the crew and headed for the Excalibur. The Delta-9 would continue on to the Authority Fleet at its top speed.
Warrior Critically Damaged
Completely crewed by NN-2
Action Report;
Center Fleet was hit by the Annihilation Cannon, the Spitfire was destroyed, Hellhound out of commission, and the Delta-9 damages. Carriers and Battlecruiser are taking heavy damage, Euphoria is in critical conditions.
[*]Fighter and bombers are still engaging with the Vanguard Fleet.
[*]2nd Fleet engages the Rear Guard with full force, they are joining up with the Right Flank
2nd Fleet takes 1 Heavy Cruiser and 3 Corvettes out of commission
[*]Super Carrier is evacuated and enters Close Range of theCrimson Valkyrie at ramming speed
[*]The Rebel System Wide Jamming is shut off and communication in the system is reestablished
[*]The signal is sent to the real Rebel Fleet
Khaji nodded, then pushed the throttle forward and the stick back, arcing them up into the air above the Refinery. The stick twitched this way and that as Khaji maneuvered through the weapons fire coming up from the raging field of battle. In a matter of moments, or several thousand heart beats for Khaji, they were clear of the air space around the refinery and skimming the tops of the waves towards the new coordinates.
--- --- ---
Tabigarashu Madara said:
"Everything looks quiet from the outside," Hirou murmured. "Which is typical of how this cult operates. It's only once the interior is reached that their presence becomes clear. Still, we don't know who might be watching. We approach with caution."
The facility was far enough from the major incursion points of the Rebel forces, that Khaji was able to give them some altitude to view the scene.
Unfortunately, that scene was utterly quiet and devoid of any clues. Khaji's eyes roamed the scene, and picked out a set of work sheds and small craft garage on the outskirts of the facility.
"I am going to set up down overr therre. The garrage and sheds should give us some coverr as we dismount and gatherr ourrselves to enterr the facility." Khaji said, then angled the skimmer away from the garage and sheds, angling towards the ground. Once they were only a couple of meter above the ground, Khaji angled them around and through an area of small hills, keeping the throttle down to keep from the engine wash from doing too much to give their position away. A few minutes later, the skimmer glided to a stop behind the garage, settling to the ground with a soft thump.
Khaji quickly secured the engines, and released his restraints. He instinctively checked his weapons as he exited the craft, then crouched and moved to the edge of the building, his ears swiveling as his paws padded silently. He stopped inside the edge of the building, half-lidding his eyes so he could focus on listening. After a moment, he turned back to the Muun and the Nezumi and made a quick set of hand signals.
Location: Kolto Processing Plant, Deep Lab Allies: TSE, incoming [member="Leliana"] [member="Djorn Bline"] Enemies: Whoever is upsetting the Progenitors (Rebels, [member="Ari Vox"] [member="Noah Corek"] [member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]) In Scene: [member="Dr. Vain Jar'He"]
Not even a thank you.
Jairus huffed to himself as the Imperial Legionnaires marched into the room and immediately jogged over to Vain. The doctor was even less patient with them -- even though the caf should have at least eased her tensions somewhat -- and shooed them over to him. They were professional, patient and meticulous with their report as Jai listened.
It seemed that the initial assault had allowed the Rebels to seize control of the security hub and cut power to most systems.
That in turn had sealed a lot of the reinforcements behind thick bulkdoors (funny how one of their own security procedures had been turned against them) hence why it had taken so long for this unit to double-back towards their charge. Somewhere in their mind Jairus could almost grasp the feeling of cards and money changing hands, before the alarms went off and forced them into action.
They didn't ever see much action in their role as Vain's protectors.
"I see. You and yours have done fine work, Lieutenant. Wait outside and secure the corridor, please." Some of them glanced over to the Doctor, still busy trying to rewire the systems from this location and failing miserably. Vain didn't even glance up. The Lieutenant sighed but saluted. In times of emergency... they probably figured following in the wake of a Sith Lord was more beneficial to their survival.
Maybe it was.
The Force flicked against the back of Vain's head to get her attention. "Doctor, I am not in the mood anymore for your antics today. The Rebels are being pushed back in key junctions, but we have a lot of work left to do. You have your caf- we won't do much good here anymore. Follow."
Or she would be left behind, Jairus was slowly running out of patience and control when it came to her.
Either way- he and the unit would follow the sounds of battle. The Lieutenant signaled that the hyper-elevator was coming up ahead... specifically where the blaster fire was coming from. Good- it meant that it was still in play. They'd break the resistance there first, take control of the elevator and then attempt to regroup with the pockets of imperial legionnaires.
The reports from Mirial had been pulled up again while they were in transit.
Even Ardeth, his face scarred and ravaged with one eye burned out completely, seemed to turn a shade of light green at the short clips of video captured by the Imperial Agents who had infiltrated the site at Mirial. Gore spread across the rooms, rituals of the occult with seemingly no point to them, this was... pointless. Which was the greatest affront to the Muun.
Slaughter humans (they weren't worth much, no?) but at least have a point behind it, otherwise you might as well be a human yourself.
As Agent Ri'Had went to scout ahead Ardeth offered his hand for Hirou to jump on. "I can make myself invisible, High Inquisitor, if you jump in my pocket I can keep both of us out of sight."
Sadly Ardeth wouldn't be able to keep Ri'Had invisible at the same time, but that didn't have to be a problem.
Shimmering out of existence the Muun followed ahead once the fellow agent gave them the all-clear. A soft murmur as he leaned in- it might have been a bit strange for Khaji to have a disembodied voice suddenly brushing past his ears, but such was the way of the Sith sometimes. "We will scout ahead, Agent, ensure a path is free for you, if there are targets we will paint them for you."
Something told him that Khaji would be more effective at destroying targets than either of them were.
Aryn had intended to keep his focus on the Crestfallen as it crashed, and especially those who came out of the vehicle. If there had been those within that he expected, they were who he wanted to track down, who he wanted to face in response to the attacks they had meted out upon the Alliance and upon Coruscant itself. That, was until his ships scanners detected the Spear II. It had been some time since he had last encountered Fett, and as he thought of their last encounter, he felt a stiffness in his hand, the same hand that the Mandalorian had firmly crushed and broken when he last descended upon the former Supreme Commander on Hosnian Prime.
His pursuit of the Spear had given Aryn enough of an indication that the Mandalorian had left the craft, and as he received reports from the ground, he knew where he could find the Bounty Hunter who had become one of the Sith Emperor's many attack dogs. He flew back to the refinery he had shot down the Crestfallen near, readying his ships slave drive to land a fair distance away as he slowed down over the refinery, opening his cockpit and launching out with the jetpack equipped to his armour.
It was unwieldy at first, Aryn was still relatively unused to using it, but he had enough control and his instincts allowed him to descend safely, his gaze set upon the Mandalorian as he ducked to and fro in the field. As he hit the ground, he was a fair distance from the man, Fett still distracted with the Rebels he was slaughtering as Aryn took the A320 from his back. In moments he had the weapon ready, configured as a high-powered sniper, and he levelled the weapon carefully.
As he focused, he fell into a kind of meditation. The blaster bolts and explosions around him seemed to quiet, to cease as he focused, his gaze locked upon his target and all of his thoughts poring into the force, willing the perfect shot as he lined up the weapon. It was a rather unusual use of the force by the standards of any traditional Sith or Jedi, but Aryn was neither any more, and he had started to learn to take advantage of all of the force's benefits, even those that were considered oddities.
Locking onto his target, he brought his crosshairs neatly over where the Mandalorian's heart would lie beneath his armour, Aryn's finger wrapping tightly around the trigger as he pulled back, letting the red bolt fly.
OBJECTIVE: Earn Credits LOCATION: Dubrillion, Refinery Complex ALLIES: The Sith Empire ADVERSARIES: The Rebel Alliance - [member="Aryn Teth"]
This war-zone appeared to be nothing more than a hotly contested mess. The lines in the sand were no longer lines, except a field of grain that had been muddled about to the point you couldn't decipher where each man stood. Each individual found themselves encapsulated by their own personal conflicts, in which they faced down members of the Sith Empire or Rebel Alliance within close proximity to their enemy- barely paying them much attention. At the very least, that is what Fett saw today. Imperials with their backs turned to the Rebels and vice versa. There was sure to be some order to this all, but instead all Koda saw was chaos. An entity in which he thrived off of.
Aryn's crimson bolt soared across the battlefield as the Mandalorian grounded himself, shuffled about and fired several bolts of his own into the invading Rebels. Fett turned his helmeted head over his shoulder, a focused expression worn across his face but concealed by his helmet. His entire body began to turn as a Rebel came screeching across the Refinery's Outdoor Complex, it's attention ensnared by a conflict of it's own. Fett's finger was ready to reach for the trigger once more, easing itself into position as the barrel pointed directly across from him, but had that very kill stolen from him.
A victim of circumstance, truly. That Rebel could not be accounted for, and so Aryn wasn't to blame in the end. However, maybe Koda could feel somewhat thankful for the Rebel that inadvertently saved his life. Unfortunately for Fett, he hadn't realised the origin of the bolt and could do nothing to pursue the one who fired it. Instead, he stepped left. Furthering his approach towards the Refinery, but this time finding himself utterly concealed by a downed shuttle transport, waging a war of his own outside of Teth's line of sight.
If he wanted him, he had to come and get him. It was about time the two of them ended this rivalry once and for all.
