A Blaze in the Endor Sky [First Order Dominion of Endor Hex]

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Endor
Objective: 3 - Recover Armor/Slay Gorax
Allies: [member="Misha Ren"], [member="Thomas Kyrel"], [member="Darth Veles"]
In the area: [member="Warok the Defiler"]
Post: 2

After a short time, their shuttle delivered them safely to the surface of Endor. As the ramp lowered before them, Ashen Ren and [member="Misha Ren"] would watch as the forest scenery became visible. It was not the first time that the pair had ventured into the woods, but today they would not be allowed the time to explore for pleasure. They were not far from the location that was said to be the current home of Vadar’s armor, a Gorax cave, of all places. Truly, such a piece of history deserved a better place to rest.

“Stay alert,” Isla said in a low tone to Misha, but offered a slight smile.

Together they approached the mouth of the dark cave, there were presences inside. The sounds of blasters and screams could soon be heard coming from within. Isla peered into the darkness with narrowed eyes. Even from outside, the scent of mildew and must tainted the air. It was the smell of death and decay – the kind that usually drove people in the opposite direction. But of course, they would push forward. The black hilt of her saber found her gloved palm, she would continue with caution.

The Knight of Ren would remain a step or two ahead of Misha, the narrow tunnel would not allow for them to travel side by side. Though Isla was well aware of Misha’s abilities when it came using telekinesis, perhaps she was also feeling a bit protective of her apprentice. The darkness was thick around them; Isla was tempted to crack a light rod, but did not wish to alert anyone to their presence just yet. Reaching out, she could sense the presence of one of their fellow Ren and others with him.

It seemed that this cave was simply crawling with life.

 

[Greifen Ren]

Location: Endor
Objective: 3 [Recover Darth Vader's armor]
Allies: [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Thomas Kyrel"] [member="Warok the Defiler"]

The moon illuminated Greifen Ren's pale face between his black cowl as the Knight's glowing eyes connected with it beyond the treetops. He was close to the cave. Many Knights of Ren had been dispatched to take the armor, but few traveled together; instead they relied on their own dark-attuned senses to guide them there. Not at all dissimilar to what Darth Veles had done - it seemed an inherited tradition from the Sith, to rely on one's own skill with the Force rather than technology to surmount challenges. This would be important especially here, for it would take strength in the Force alone, and nothing else, to obtain the ultimate prize.

Greifen Ren, too, had arrived later than others. As he approached the mouth of the cave, he could already hear the echoes of several screams ahead. That was when he saw a few others - first Ashen Ren, and then Darth Veles. It seemed that their company had not gone unnoticed by the natives as well - soon he saw the presence of a small Ewok, speaking directly to Veles himself. Greifen knew immediately that the creature was no ordinary Ewok; there was a presence around him that spoke of inner power. The creature, somehow, was versed in the Dark Side.

Greifen turned his chin up again, observing the dank stalagmites above and smelling the air. "The Dark Side is strong here..." He murmured to his present company, nearly a whisper. "No doubt due to the item we seek. It has... made a home for itself."

The Dark Side was a fickle master, Greifen knew. Even objects, given prolonged exposure to it, could develop a 'mind' of their own, so to speak. The echo of another scream came from beyond.

They had perhaps not yet considered that the armor did not wish to be found.

 

[Tanomas Graf]

Post: II
Objective: I. Engage the Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium fleet over Endor...and search the salvage of the Death Star II
Location: Over Endor
Allies: The First Order
Enemies: Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium

The entire First Order fleet would stare in absolute awe as the entirety of Death Squadron surged in what looked like a flying wedge formation. A dozen star destroyers along with numerous other cruisers, frigates, and corvettes impacted the Ssi-Ruuk front line with the speed of a large-eared gundark, possibly staggering the enemy ships. Turbolaser fire soon engulfed the Endor sky to anyone on the planet that looked up and hundreds of TIE fighters spilled out of the combined hangars of Death Squadron, intent on combating the Ssi-Ruuk fighters or die trying. A well placed volley of concussion missiles from a nearby Victory X-class Star Destroyer destroyed the bridge of a Ssi-Ruuvi cruiser and caused it to plummet into another enemy ship, garnering cheers from the bridge crew of the Admonitor.

Admiral Graf admired the battle from the bridge of the Admonitor, Death Squadron's command ship. A large tactical map, like the one present on the Abdicator's bridge during the Battle of the Deadly Void, lit up the entire bridge so that the rest of the crew could easily see the location of other ships in the squadron and coordinate accordingly. A bright white light blinded Graf as another of the over-a-hundred Ssi-Ruuvi ship exploded in a large fireball. Tanomas smirked but his eyes still hurt. He took another drink of his tea and looked at it in disgust, it was cold.

"Tell the First Order fleet to get their arses up here, and someone get me a damned brandy!"

​

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Location: Endor
Post: 6/38
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Ssi-Ruuk
Objective: Create an Ewok reserve (BYOO)

"Where are you going?" Virginie asked.

"Up among the trees, getting to the glider ramp"

As Dunames climbed up the ramps among the trees, with a belt full of grenades, meaning that she had five rounds of standard-issue First Order fragmentation grenades to throw at the Ssi-Ruuk from a hang glider. The Ssi-Ruuk expected a few broken limbs from the Ewoks in hang gliders with their stones being thrown from above but frag grenades were another bag of beans. Virginie was a little uneasy around such a slugthrower that was around as long as she was tall, and she wasn't quite as good a shot as Dunames so she wasn't as effective at delivering the suppressive fire. By that point she hoped that Dunames' plan would work: the Ssi-Ruuk had no air support or anti-aircraft because they expected Ewoks' primitive airpower to be ineffectual enough not to warrant deploying anti-aircraft. And the Ewoks around the Ssi-Ruuk were forced to resort to hit-and-run tactics on the ground since the Ssi-Ruuk made a breakthrough on the Ewoks' spearmen lines. And then Virginie used her com-link to contact Merrily:

"Merrily, come in"

"What is it now, Virginie?"

"Z-5s, move into position!"

 

[Perth Levov]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xik-y0xlpZ0

Spoiler

As ever, I’d be delighted to tag along with anyone else’s story if you’ll have me.

She was warming to the First Order – or was that stalking them? Either way, she found herself running into them more and more often. A coincidence? The Force at work? Perth didn’t really care – she was here for her own reasons and they happened to coincide with those of the First Order.

She vowed to introduce herself formally sooner or later – for they seemed to have set up a mutual understanding. She didn’t get in their way and they didn’t appear to want to stop her activities either.

So she found herself on the Sanctuary Moon following up another lead. This one was not from her fabled notebook but from cross-referenced intelligence. A notable couple of Sith visited the region and there was a chance of finding ancient Imperial artefacts.

As she approached Endor, her viewport was filled with the forested moon. It orbited the gas giant planet of Endor and was the farthest moon away from it. Allegedly an enchanted world, it was notable for being the native home of the Ewoks, and being the location of the Battle of Endor – which resulted in the downfall of the Empire.

One oddity she noticed was the volume of recorded shipwrecks. There was an in-joke amongst pilots that it was a desert island planet – so many had been marooned here, which added to the rich number of sentient species that lived here.

 

[Samka Derith]

Location: Fornow
Objective 8
Allies: First Order, Graug/Zambrano forces
Enemies: Slave Rebels, Ssi-Ruuk invaders

Taken back slightly at the Sith Lord's tone, Sam raised a single brow. Not that [member="Darth Prazutis"] could see her through a com-link but her face was always naturally expressive anyway. In the background the sounds of battle and death raged.

"I am your gracious ally here to cover your behind. Rest assured your offensive is secure now." She spoke with her usual blend of confidence and arrogance. Sam reclined slightly and cast her eyes out of the window and to the muddied ground below where Stormtroopers were piling corpses to burn. "Please don't hesitate to call if you need reinforcements, my Lord. In the mean time, I'll be landing more troops to crush the invaders. Best of luck with this whole slave business."

With that, Sam cut the link with the Dark Titan and hailed the First Order forces in orbit. The landing zone was secure and more of the army were free to land without fear of enemy harassment. It didn't take long before multiple troop transports and vehicles descended from the skies. It was no grand army, this regional offensive had stretched them thin, but it was enough to do what was necessary. The Ssu-Ruuk were strong in numbers but lack direction. They didn't have to take on their entire army, only silence the voice that controls them.

The Knight of Ren stood watching the unloading of the First Order's war machine with her hands folded behind her back, cloak lightly blowing in the wind, as she silently contemplated the offensive to come.

Spoiler

OOC: delayed and short so sorry for that! Unexpected business has caught up with me!

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Objective: BYOO - Investigate possible Ssi-Ruu incursion on Bakura

"According to the ancient literature," the scientific attache was telling Fenix excitedly as the Major pulled his pants up, looking idly around a bedroom in the First Order's temporary embassy -- a luxury hotel -- on Bakura. "The Ssi-Ruuk called this planet Xwhee, and thought of it as the jewel in their crown, their promised land." She wrung her hands excitedly, kicking her feet under the sheets in excitement, clearly salivating at the thought of being able to examine the Ssi-Ruuk again.

Major La Fortune thought it was ghoulish. If he had known that the attractive blonde scientist would be so obsessed with the lizard freakshow that was threatening the galaxy, he would have taken gone back to the room of her slightly less attractive brunette friend who was less bubbly but almost certainly less fascinated by these alien scum. Thank God he had had time for a shower, he reflected as he pulled his uniform shirt on, tucking it in carefully before donning his jacket. "I don't give a damn what their sound for it is. In fact, I couldn't give a damn what any of their sounds are, except the sounds they make when I burn a hole through their disgusting faces with my blaster. Do they have a word for that?"

Leaving the girl sputtering on the bed, he picked up his holster, and made his way towards the door as he strapped it on. By the time he made it to the mess and poured himself a cup of coffee, he had been sought out by a page. "You're wanted in the command center, Major." What was this -- finally, some action? He grew bored of babysitting diplomats; perhaps he would finally get to shoot one of those revolting aliens, right in their scaly little faces.

 

[Soeht]

Bakuran Deception
​

A shuttle from offworld landed at the spaceport in Salis D’aar. Three First Order diplomats exited the shuttle. They were greeted by a group of Bakuran officials - one at least being Prime Minister Blaire Captison.

“I’m greatly honored to be able to meet with you. I’m Molly Tara,” said a human female of average height.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet a First Order diplomat,” replied Captison as she exchanged a handshake with each diplomat.

“You must be hungry,” continued Captison, “There’s a transport waiting for us. Please follow.”

Captison and the diplomats began to make their way to a speeder limo. Soeht followed - slightly behind the group.

“I’ve heard the opposition has been giving you trouble,” said Tara.

“Yes, they have,” answered Captison, “I share their sentiment, but it’s just not practical.”

“It’s a hard decision, I guess,” Tara told Captison, “To give up independence, I mean.”

At that moment, the group had reached their speeder and entered it. Soeht entered a different speeder that would follow the Prime Minister’s.

Once the Prime Minister was seated, she solemnly said to Tara, “If it’s the price to pay to survive, so be it...”

Looking out the window of the speeder, Captison said, “The Ssi-Ruuk are prepared to attack Bakura at any moment...”

[member="Fenix la Fortune"] [member="Sentiri"] [member="Sage Annel"]

 

[IT-88]

ENDOR
#3
Objective: Take Down the shield generator
Allies: FO
Gear: Can't link from phone :-(

88 and the rest of Beta Squad had been walking a while, the sounds of the battle becoming ever distant. All fifteen soldiers were on high alert, this far deep into enemy territory they needed to be. 88 had taken point and was scouting ahead, using his receptors on infrared for signs of incoming lizard-folk. There was a low creek that the squad travelled along to keep out of sight. Hopping the water and mud would confuse their more sensitive opponents.

Sitrep 88? The commander called over the comms.

There was a pause, then followed by, Contacts, half a click north by north east. Scans indicate an ancient building. It must be the one we're looking for. Over.

The commander let out a sigh of relief. He contacted command to let them know about their discovery.

 

[Progflaw99]

----- ----- ----- ----- -----​

Location: Aboard the Concordia, En Route to Rattatak​

Allies: [member="Avicus DuSang"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"]​

Post (2)​

----- ----- ----- ----- -----​

​

Watching carefully as the young Pantoran moved forward and introduced himself his mind was cast back to the brief visits he would make to the Ren academy on Skye. The initiates there tended to be young, likely of similar age to the Pantoran before him. Taking up the rear and following silently, Castor observed the grandiose ornament of the Concordia with a detached wonder. It was certainly an elegant interior despite its relatively standard outward appearance. He noted several key design differences between this ship and several others he'd been on, which was arguably a small number. Castor always felt more comfortable with the familiar feel of solid ground beneath his feet. Lightly his boots carried him across the decks, twisting and turning till they arrived at a lift. Entering behind the small group he stood, patiently as it carried them to their destination. A gentle chime sounding as the car came to a halt and the doors opened.

As the small party took their leave of the lift the Disciple of Ren once more followed behind. Both listening to the Fleet Admiral as well as maintaining a mental picture of where exactly they were going on board the ship, he smirked. He had no jurisdiction over... well, anything really and so he would without question avoid those decks mentioned. He knew all too well what the punishment for such a transgression would be, and it would not be painless. It did cause him to ponder however, wondering what was so secret. With an imperceptible shake of his head, he cleared his mind. It appeared they were arriving at a room which the Fleet Admiral wished them to take note of. Mentally locking away the information, Castor took in a deep breath as the Fleet Admiral opened up a large room. A wry grin crossed his features. A training room.

The Ren had done his homework, visiting the archives at the Bastion and researching as much information as he could about the planet he had been tasked with visiting. The records showed a large concentration of barbaric tribes, raiding, pillaging, and warring with each other. It was a rough way to live, constantly in a state of conflict whether that was to survive or flourish. Violence was littered throughout the planet's history and the most recent reports from the planet, though dated, indicated that tradition was still the driving force behind the clans on the surface. It was rare that the First Order would stoop to the customs of others over their own indomitable imperialism however this was one exception. These barbarians would respect only one thing and it would have been unwise to open a long term engagement of hostilities. Barbarians they may have been, but they were skilled in the art of combat. It was this that had drawn Castor to be selected. While yet a Disciple he was by far one of the most proficient with a blade. Unlike others, Castor wielded no lightsaber and had grown accustomed to the heavy weight of his blade, powerful strikes and thrusts carried out with a grace that could only be matched by those above his station. He still had much learning to do but viewed this as a challenge, as a test of sorts.

The Cauldron, as it was called according to the archives had survived centuries, the blood soaked rock of the interior floor turned a deep crimson hue. It was where they would be headed, where they would challenge all comers in a bid to subjugate the people of Rattatak and bend them to the Supreme Leader's will. Perhaps they would even turn The Cauldron to their own cause, recruiting mercenaries to further their goals in the far reaches of the galaxy, only time would tell. Castor's attention was drawn back to the training room as the Fleet Admiral issued a challenge to their ward. This would prove to be amusing.

 

[Sage Annel]

Bakura
Post 1
[member="Sentiri"] [member="Soeht"] [member="Fenix la Fortune"]

For the first time, Sage was on official First Order Security Bureau business with Sentiri. The Chiss woman was always a dominant presence in any room she entered, and Sage found it somewhat unfamiliar to feel like a subordinate when conducting business. Until going the First Order, Sage had always been her own boss, even when she served others' endeavors, it was to her own ends always. Now she was a part of something greater, and what's more, she was a small part. No longer was she the smartest person in the room (or at least the most cunning), no longer was she one step ahead of everyone else. Sentiri had changed that fact. Now the growth that had been long stifled by pride could begin.

The company of "diplomats" arrived on Bakura in a shuttle bound for the capital city of Salis D'aar. While Sage was rarely involved in anything in a combat capacity, her official business often involved the slightest bit of violence (whether it was just highly targeted or incited by the young near-human. This time around however, she wasn't even operating as an agent of the FOSB--a spy--but rather as a diplomat meant to sway the leadership of Bakura to support the First Order's annexation of the planet. Persuasion had never been a weak suit of Sage's, but usually she played a rather long game of seduction. The impending attacks of the mythic lizard people (which Sage had heard so much about in briefings and seen so little of in reality) made the annexation of the planet, and the whole galactic hex, a time-sensitive priority. While Sage, who had a particular proclivity for Trandoshans, found the idea of lizard domination exciting in theory, her practical interests and professional aspirations dictated that she lend her tongue to this endeavor.

When Sage arrived with the other two diplomats, she was greeted by several human representatives of the leadership of Salis D'aar. Sage had foregone the flashy attire in which she was usually seen for a much more modest First Order uniform, and she attempted to maintain her poise as she greeted the attache. Sage recognized one among the welcome party as the Prime Minister, recalling Blaire Captison's face from her pre-mission intelligence dossier. Among the party, too, was a heavily armored man in dark clothes. Sage had never seen a Sith Lord in full regalia before, and even she--insensitive to the Force though she was--felt the tingle of his presence even from afar. This was not a mission in which Sage wanted to get caught up in a fight.

When the mixed company reached the speeder limo, Sage took pains to sit beside the other woman, clearly a close advisor to the Prime Minister. Sage's strategy was this, if Tara could be swayed, Capiston would feel pressure from forces that she considered personally friendly. She would not believe she was being strong-armed by the First Order. Sage sat just close enough to the other woman so that--if she knew her biochemistry well enough--her Zeltron pheromones would begin having a subtle effect.

Sage said nothing save to introduce herself to the others, preferring to wait on Sentiri's lead before directly engaging in the negotiation. Still, Sage was sure to put on a pretty face, smile, and listen intently to what the Bakuran officials had to say. When the time came to speak, hopefully they would already find the young woman amiable enough that they would listen.

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Location: Endor
Post: 7/38
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Ssi-Ruuk
Objective: Create an Ewok reserve (BYOO)

The Ewoks' valiant resistance came to an end, when it became clear that the Ewoks' primitive weapons could only do so much against the more advanced and bigger Ssi-Ruuk. And so the Ewok spearmen fell back into the woods as if they were nearly completely routed. Meanwhile, Dunames still made her way to the nearest hang glider launch ramp, Virginie's backup arrived: a platoon of Z-5 droids, which were formidable droids in their own right, thanks to the large repeating blaster. In her Ewok form, the F-11D felt like wielding a large blaster the size of the sniper rifle she just entrusted to Virginie moments earlier. Man did it take long for Dunames to climb up the massive trees, encumbered by the bulk of the blaster, as well as the grenades tucked in her belt. But after a few moments, where the Ewok spearmen fell back, the Z-5s' heavy repeating blasters were fired, six in a line, and then the Ssi-Ruuk casualties shot up.

"Dunames, looks like you will need to go deeper behind enemy lines"

"Why?"

"The Z-5s are pelting the enemy back with suppressive fire"

"Roger"

 

[Soeht]

Bakuran Deception​

Molly Tara was a First Order diplomat along with [member="Sage Annel"] and one other.

Coincidentally, Prime Minister Captison’s Chief of Staff was a lady known as Tara Offaiah. Sage had positioned herself next to Tara O. inside the speeder and began to work her Zeltron magic.

“The opposition doesn’t believe the attacks will happen or…?” questioned Molly Tara.

“The Senior Senator has convinced them Bakura is strong enough alone,” replied Captison.

“The Senior Senator? Dol Belden?” said Molly Tara, “I think we can talk some sense into him. Right, Annel?”

[member="Fenix la Fortune"] [member="Sentiri"]

 

[Zak Dymo]

#3​

S P A C E
First Order Ship Concordia
Objective: 5 - To Rattatak!
Tags: [member="Castor Ren"] | [member="Avicus DuSang"]

Stay away from Deck Twelve.

And also Deck Thirteen. And parts of Fifteen, and Sixteen... and Seventeen...

Should he be taking notes? He felt like maybe he should be taking notes. Fleety McAdmiral was rattling off a good bit of information in just a few short soundbytes. Especially with the whole 'trespassers will be shot' thing, you'd figure they'd have leaflets or something to pass out so that people remembered these things.

Castor Oil was being awfully quiet. Fleet McAdmiral was the only one doing the talking, but he seemed like he was kinda a big deal on board the ship, so maybe that was one of those polite things?

His former master had also done a lot of talking, but that had mostly just been because he seemed to like the sound of his own voice.

Deck Four seemed to be the lido deck...

...which, all the star transport romance holos talked about the lido deck. Just what the Hutt was a lido deck anyway?

"Cadet. I want you to hit me."

The young Pantoran just blinked.

Then, a moment later, it sank in that the man was serious. Like, seriously serious. Not like [member="Irajah Ven"] serious, which was like when she told him to go to bed but he could watch the holo for another twenty or thirty minutes before she'd come at him again.

"Let's see what you can bring to the table."

...was it a pot luck now? "Oh. Okay," the child answered simply. It wasn't the strangest request he'd ever gotten before. Darth Scorpius had him do lots of stuff. Fight people. Stab people. Shoot people. Just... never him. Always someone else.

In a circular side sweep, the youth's legs assumed a T-stance familiar to practitioners of various martial arts. Even as his legs shifted into position, his arms came up in a loose defensive position that was a staple of Teras Kasi. The boy rose up on the balls of his feet, bouncing and swaying slightly, before springing forward.

Without knowing his opponent, shifting his balance and opening himself up with a kick seemed ill-advised. So he opted to go low.

Keeping his stance wide and his body lowered, the boy struck out with an underhand, upward arcing jab that was tracking for below the belt.

 

[Skylar Walker]

Endor​

~​

​

Location: On the ground​

Objective: Help [member="Thomas Kyrel"]​

Post #: 1​

~​

​

Skylar had no clue why she was here in the first place. She had been back at Kyrel's place, meditating when all of a sudden, she had a vision of Kyrel in trouble. So she got suited up in her usual attire before then grabbing her purple lightsabers, splitting them and then hooking them to her belt and then grabbing her pistols and places them in their holsters. She pulled her brunette hair into a ponytail, before grabbing her mother's helmet, giving it a soft look and she put it on her head, before taking off to Endor where she sensed his presence.

Now Skye was facing a cavern. It was a deep dark black hole, but the sound of blasters and screaming could be heard inside. She studied the cave with the force real quick, before finding a shortcut, which put her above Kyrel and his men. She identified what was happening before then dropping from the ceiling, igniting her purple blades, as she then moved rhythmically and quickly as possible, cutting down every spider and then walked over to Kyrel before the next wave could come through.

"Kyrel.. it's me, Skye. I'm going to help you finish this mission. I know how important it is."

she said to him in a firm tone. Skye had known of the want for Vader's armor. She understood the want for it, coming from Kyrel, but personally, she preferred the Grand Inquisitor or Darth Maul.

More skittering could be heard echoing through the cave. She sensed where they were coming from before alerting the commander.

"Commander, they're coming from our front and back."

she warned. May not have exactly been Skye's place to tell him that, but she could sense them and she wanted Kyrel to be able to finish his mission.

 

[Cyrus Tregessar]

Location: Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Vader
Objective: 1 - Destroy the Ssi-Ruuk Fleet
Post: 2
Allies: [member="Tanomas Graf"] | [member="Aran Piett"] | [member="Erich Arnstein"]

Initial analysis had been incorrect, apparently. What had earlier been termed 40 odd cruiser sized vessels had resolved, following high-level scans, into some 130 large ships, about fifty of which were identified as the 900m long Shree-class Battle Cruiser and the remaining eighty or so as the frigate-sized Wurrif-class ship. Rounding that out was literally hundreds of the small gunships termed 'Picket Cruisers' and thousands of droid fighters backed up by piloted heavies. Threat analysis right now was mostly notional, based off old historical reports. Both classes of ship should have been woefully undergunned, but evidently Ssi-Ruuvi technology had improved over the past several hundred years, and the power readings were immediately reported as being so far removed from the historical baselines that the shapes on the viewscreen were familiar, they might as well have been totally different classes of ships altogether.

Not that any of this came as a surprise, given the presence of the bloody huge warship protected by a shield in Endor orbit.

All this information was handed in a report via data-slate to Cyrus shortly after he'd taken his seat in the command chair. He reviewed it quickly, then handed it back to the officer.

"Get this information sent out o the fleet, we need to be ready for anything. The Shree-class remain our priority targets, at least until that shield comes down. Assume similar capability to First Order class analogues until otherwise observed. All captains are reminded to keep clear of the main line of fire of the enemy flagship, independent maneuvering is authorized within formations."

That changed the game a bit. The First Order fleet was larger in pure numbers than their enemy, but with only around thirty star destroyers, including the Vader and Admonitor. About half of these were in Death Squadron itself and Cyrus had only five brand new IDX's to really even things out, each practically just fresh from the yards. A sizable group of Crusiers and Carriers and large number of frigates and corvette packs rounded out the fleet.

Following the initial plan, Death Squadron surged forward like a spearpoint, aimed at the heart of the Ssi-Ruuvi formation. Cyrus observed for a while, watching as the reptilian fleet bowed inward, forming a funnel-like formation that widened at the mouth. Designed to prevent easy outflanking while pushing the spearpoint into a cone of death. A decent counter, he supposed, but it neglected the fact that Imperial Star Destroyers could take significantly more punishment than any Ssi-Ruuk ship.

"Commit the reserve to reinforce the center. Have Admiral Sekerian extend his formation into a claw, we'll tear the funnel apart."

The Vader's main propulsion unit thrummed to life, the entire ship reverberating as it came online. All around it the various escorts, there to safeguard the life of the Supreme Commander suddenly followed suit, and if they were dismayed at the sudden risk to the life of their leader, they said nothing. The Vader would be moving forward to support Death Squadron in the center, hopefully fixing the Ssi-Ruuvi forces and preventing them from maneuvering again to counter the movement of the two wings.

Those groups of ships split off into four tendrils, each sweeping up and above the central force and then arcing back down. Viewed on the main display, it made the First Order fleet look something like a five-clawed hand, reaching down to rend and tear at the actually-clawed creatures who faced them.

"And make sure the fighters and corvettes know to watch out for the gunboats, they like make ramming attacks."

 

[Alasdair Sitra]

Spoiler

Post 02

Still they lingered in the confines of the transport.
Each time any of them tried to escape the mound of bodies at the door prevented a true exit from the gaping murder hole that contained them. What had felt like years was probably only seconds, but even for a Stormtrooper they would be stretched out to unbearable levels.
“Return fire, return fire!” The order came through his helmet, some unknown designation from another transport, clearly the panic had started to overcome people’s control of the comm system.
A series of blaster fire scattered through the door towards whatever and whoever was pinning them down and with a quick tap on the shoulder several of his squad, most of whom were still alive scattered through the door as the rain of death stopped momentum. He was next, pulling himself across the white mound into the outside, however he felt the force before he heard the explosion.

The shuttle was ripped open by some unseen attack, launching sideways and sending bodies scattering. RN-4655’s momentum had kept him going forward although he was now airborne and landed with a solid and uncomfortable thump into a muddy pit. His armour had done it’s job though, the shell protecting his body from any formidable damage that could have occurred from the fall even if the glossy white was now mud stained and scorched. The dampners in his helmet had reduced the noise of the explosion so that he wasn’t suffering any shellshocked effects, but it was still uncomfortable as the focusing arrays turned to static as they adjusted to the sudden change of lighting, angle and the internal compression systems attempted to make the most of the situation.

“Fives you still with us?” Static, it filled his ears with the words as he rolled from his back onto his stomach, hands grasping for a blaster that had been thrown from his grasp. “FIVES?!”

“Still with you.” He released the magnetic hold on the pistol at his thigh. A sidearm was better then no weapon and there would be plenty of discarded rifles on the kill zone around him. “Locate on me, find cover. Let’s re-assess this.” He moved to one knee, a large piece of the lander was located nearby, standing upright and wedged in the mud like a long lost cultural artefact. He moved behind it, allowing precious moments of respite as he gathered his surroundings.

They had landed slightly forward from the initial zone according to his helmets mapping systems, hence why they had become such easy targets, from the appearance of the scene around them several other landers had met the same fate, probably the ones from his battalion as they would have been synced to the same head lander. Bodies of stormtroopers were scattered across the surprisingly open killzone, but even if they had believed the worrying situation it seemed more had survived the landing then had not, already units were forming up and advancing across what cover they did have towards the trench line that held the enemy forces.

The sound of two other Stormtroopers announced the arrival of two members of his squad, Three and Aurek. They fell into position near him with blasters at the ready, occasionally they would release a pot shot towards some unseen enemy.
“Any sign of the others?” RN asked, his helmet still playing up after the explosion.
“They are en-route.” Aurek answered, “We lost Six and the Ace in the lander.”
“Damn it.” RN felt that tang again. Ace had been their best, not once in any simulation had she been shot or downed. First combat mission and she was gone. Were they really ready for all of this. “Okay lets get our group together. We need to push forward.”

~Four-Six-Five-Five. Move your unit forward, there is an emplacement due north of your current position pinning down command. Take it out.~

“Or we can just do that.” Three responded.
“I guess so.” RN tapped his helmet to try and get something to reconnect, a static flush went through but somehow things began to reconnect. “Alright everyone on me, let’s go push them out.”

 

[Perth Levov]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgP_2zf0NV8

A lot of Endor’s terrain was largely covered by massive, tightly-knit pine and redwood forests. However, the Forest Moon also contained vast dry deserts and grassy plains, small oceans, secluded lakes, and even mountain ranges. The moon’s low axial tilt and regular orbit of its gas giant primary helped ensure a comfortable climate. But it was the forest area that was drawing her in.

Perth instinctively worked the controls of her ship, bringing it lower as she scanned the vast areas of trees. After the Rebel celebration of their victory over the Emperor, the records stated that Luke Skywalker had built a pyre for his father near the towering trees, not far from the Ewok villages. There he had watched the roaring flames consume the remnants of Darth Vader’s mechanical attire.

But perhaps something had survived?

As she cruised over the tops of the immense Ewok father trees, Perth searched with her mind, reaching out and touching all life-forms.

She caught the stirrings of the small Ewoks in their tree cities. She sensed large predators on the prowl: one humanoid behemoth, a giant Gorax, crashing through the trees, no doubt searching for Ewok dwellings low enough to grab.

As she flew onward, her mind ranged far and wide across the Endor wilderness. Then she felt a ripple, an echo of something that definitely did not belong here. Everything else seemed to have its place, but this did not. A darkness that seemed to absorb all other senses and cast a shadow over everything that was near to it.

Perth changed course and followed her senses, circling once until she found a clearing large enough for her ship. The repulsorlifts whined, and her landing jets kicked up fallen forest debris as she landed.

She quickly exited the craft, covering the ground between her current position and the darkness with a steady crunch of twigs and dead leaves. The breeze died, as if the forest were holding its breath around her. Finally she manoeuvred through the trees that had become blackened and twisted the closer she got to her destination. It was as if life could not be sustained within a given proximity of whatever was drawing her closer.

And then she stepped into the clearing. An almost perfectly natural circle, created not by man but she suspected by the Force. The darkness that had consumed the man in life was still having an impact in his death. Ahead of her was what she had sought – Darth Vader’s funeral pyre.

The ground surrounding the old burned area remained dead and black. Though the thick forests of Endor were resolute, nothing living dared approach this scar. And she suspected it never would.

The bonfire had been large and hot, according to the reports. Perth knelt in the dirt and allowed her fingertips to brush the soil. It was electric. She received images, thousands in the space of seconds. Places and faces flashed through her consciousness. And emotions too. Pain, anger and hatred. And…love? She jerked her hand away and realised it was numb. As she cradled it to her chest, feeling returned. It was as if the spot she’d touched was sub-zero.

Tentatively she put her hand back to where the sensation was most acute. The images returned but she pushed them aside and new visions filled her mind. Not memories – at least not Vader’s. These were…the forest’s? And she saw it. Humanoid in appearance, and over six metres tall. It’s body was covered in thick, matted fur.

A Gorax. No doubt the one she sensed earlier. Which was when she realised it was no coincidence. A Gorax had been here. Long ago. Not the one she just saw, but there was a link. She had no idea what that was yet, but she knew she needed to find the creature. The Force was telling her.

Vader was telling her.

Spoiler

Just to say that my pursuit of the armour is not because I have a desire to claim it, but it seemed a sensible way to FINALLY make a formal contact with the Knights and the First Order.

 

[Sentiri]

Location: Salis D'aar, Bakura
Objective: 4 - Win over the Bakurans as allies to the First Order
Post: 01/37

Bakura, a planet filled with passive moderates. The world was "discovered" by a human mining corporation and a colony was established. Despite there already being a native species on the planet, the Kurtzen, the two groups avoided the conflict that was often considered an invasion on behalf of the colonial settlers. This peace was thanks to the passivity of the Kurtzen and the medical aid provided to the native population from the humans. The two groups managed to coexist peacefully. The colony grew into a planet-wide government. The world's economy became interplanetary through exporting repulsorlift coils and refined precious metals mined from the planet and the surrounding solar system.

The Bakuran people's moderate views allowed several extraplanetary governments to hold sway over Bakura's place in the galactic community. And yet, when the Ssi-Ruu invaded, the world turned to the production of military vessels in order to protect itself from any more would-be invaders. Once more, those invaders were on the doorstep. And once more an extraplanetary government would enter into Bakuran space to make their offer of diplomacy and expect in return an oath of fealty.

But not every Bakuran was so easily won, nor were they all moderates. And the First Order, that extraplanetary organization offering aid in exchange for loyalty, was not so virtuous in their intent. Yes, the Ssi-Ruu were a threat that would be better handled with more allies. But while the world Bakura had a rather modest upbringing far out into the Outer Rim, the planet's value was now far more substantial than its early existence. The Ssi-Ruu only provided a convenient cover for appropriation. And certain members of the Bakuran senate were not blind to such devices.

Sentiri mulled these thoughts over as the shuttle touched down on a landing pad near Salis D'aar, the planet's capital city. The Chiss woman knew quite well that whether the intent of the First Order originated from a true desire for collaboration was inconsequential. The protection of the planet and the mutually beneficial relationship of Bakura and the First Order were of the utmost importance. But that fact would need to be conveyed to the Bakurans.

Still, there was no room for failure in this. Her orders had been clear. The military might and the resources of the Bakurans would come under First Order jurisdiction; permanently. Nothing less was acceptable. Sentiri had been informed that certain pieces were in place to insure that hospitable takeover. But the Deputy Director was kept in the dark as to what exactly that meant, a point she was far from pleased with. The Chiss woman's job was knowledge, and a lack of knowledge was simply unacceptable.

The Deputy Director exited the craft alongside her two traveling partners. One was her own Agent, [member="Sage Annel"], acting as a political advisor to Sentiri, herself a provisional Moff. Though rather green, Sage had been assigned by Sentiri specifically for her charismatic talents, along with the half-Zeltron woman's influential pheromones which she seemed adept at using. The other, Molly Tara, was a Prefect working under the foreign policy ministry and in charge of all political operations within the Bakura Sector. Sentiri had assumed that her purpose here was not just to oversee the talks with Prime Minister Captison and the Bakuran Senate, but also to keep an eye on Sentiri for Grand Moff [member="Natasi Fortan"]. After all, her position as an acting Moff was not a permanent posting.

The Chiss woman remained quiet as the lot of them piled into vehicles and sped off towards the government complex. Sentiri smoothed her black pant suit as she sat away from the other women, crossing her legs as she leaned back slightly in the plush seating. The Bureau Director's face remained unchanged as Prefect Tara and Prime Minister Captison made polite small talk over the issues that they would face with the Bakuran Senate. When the Prefect made a candid remark to Sage, Sentiri resisted a grimace. No subordinate of the Bureau would be following orders from anyone but its Director. But the severe Chiss woman let it pass.

Not giving her Agent a chance to respond to the sly comment, Sentiri spoke for the first time. "I'm sure Mr. Belden will come to see reason. As will the rest of the Bakuran Senate. That is why we are here.

[member="Soeht"]​

 

[Dunames Lopez]

Location: Endor
Post: 8/38
Allies: First Order
Enemies: Ssi-Ruuk
Objective: Create an Ewok reserve (BYOO)

Once Dunames has arrived to the [first] hang glider launch ramp, she paid close attention as to how the Ewoks strapped themselves to these airborne vehicles. She was a little uneasy, not realizing that she will have to throw the grenades fast because she is a lot heavier than a normal Ewok - four times as much. Or that she may not even have the time to launch them before she makes ground. Polydroxols, while shape-shifters, still obey the mass conservation law. But, while the Z-5s make shorter work of the Ssi-Ruuk than the Ewoks did, hang gliders were designed for one Ewok, not four. So she had to make for the second ramp, thinking that she has to drop the whole belt of grenades at once. Sure it will make a bigger boom inside the Ssi-Ruuk lines, but would the pain justify such a reckless operation? The Ewok-shaped Dunames would be going straight into a race for survival once the belt of grenades detonates. As she departs the tree-borne ramp, using the hang glider, she rigs the belt of grenades to explode five seconds after the belt detaches. Five seconds later, her hang glider crashes into a tree.

"May the Force be with her" Virginie wished in front of Merrily.

"Dunames!" Merrily screamed, upon Dunames crashing her glider into the Ssi-Ruuk, as if for a kamikaze attack.

"Stay among the trees, don't touch dead animals" Virginie then instructed, while looking for the Ewok-shaped Dunames.

"Roger, roger"