A Cluster in Turmoil [ Mando'ade Dominion of Hapes Hex ]

[Soeht]

Hapes: A Dark Secret

Just as Monika opened her mouth to answer [member="Jorel Imos"]’s first question, the helpless voice yelled again. Monika jumped. She quickly scanned the area from where the voice came from. She clinched her jaw.

Jorel asked another question. Monika [acronym="Go forward."]closed her eyes[/acronym] for a second.

When her eyes opened, Monika answered Jorel's second question with, “They tell me to see this through.”

At that moment, Monika drew her blaster pistol. She cautiously moved forward – slowly bringing the blaster up. Her finger on the trigger.

 

[Darth Metus]

Fireteam Deathsinger.

They were a freshly-formed congregation, yet the Ma'alkerrite knew he could rely upon them all the same. In truth, their inspiration hailed from the relationship Malok had with a very old friend. The unit was small, close-knit, and operated with an efficiency that brought pride to the name of ApeX. Now, they had a mission to do. Now, that very same old friend walked through the door! Looking up from the azure projection of Korda, the Ma'alkerrite was greeted with the sight of a fellow Behemoth. At once, Malok's expression lightened: the hardened, professional exterior wavered...and the young chimp inside...the very same who looked up looked up to [member="Arlox"] all those years ago...gazed upon the new arrival.

"Uncle! You've arrived." he began. "And you've grown grayer since last I saw you!"

Although they were not bound by blood, the two might as well have been. Arlox had been a greater presence in his life than even his own sire at times, and because of it Malok always referred to him as "uncle." For a moment, the older Ma'alkerrite was greeted with a toothy grin from the ApeX Commander, but a light, accented voice quickly pulled him back to reality. 'Twas [member="FN-9999"], a relatively new addition to the organization and to Fireteam Deathsinger. However, her background was more than enough to warrant her a place amongst the company's best. Today, she would have an opportunity to prove her worth. Raising a closed fist to his mouth, Malok cleared his throat; the air of professionalism had returned.

Although he made a mental note to treat his uncle to a drink later.

"That I did Sydney. Both of you, come, have a seat." he said, motioning to the available chairs. Malok then gave them a moment to situate themselves before getting the ball rolling. "As you may be aware, Mand'alor the Exile has contracted our services. Below, the Kordan people are in the midst of a brutal civil war. In exchange for a prime locale for erecting a Colony...in addition to a prime locale for a new, ApeX Firebase...we must deal a decisive blow to the enemy. One that will dismantle their ability to continue the civil war."

The Ma'alkerrite hoisted a mammoth finger and touched one of the enlarged portions of the map. This caused it to magnify several times over, providing a view that all could easily see. "Our target is this fortification." he began, indicating the Outpost. "Our intel suggests that this was once a Mandalorian Outpost utilized during the Death Watch and True Mandalorian conflict. However, it is now a location vital to the Kordan strategy. They lack most modern technology, and as such must rely on ground transit for supplies. This Outpost provides the majority of their water to the various theaters; so put simply, we take the Outpost, we effectively eliminate their ability to fight."

"We will accomplish this by dividing their attention. Our main Force will attack from the front whilst Fireteam Deathsinger breaches the building. We are looking to take this Outpost as cleanly as possible, so our target is the head of the serpent. Once he is eliminated, the rest of his force will either scatter or join him. Either way, the Outpost will be ours.

"Now...If there are questions, now is the time to ask."

[member="FN-9999"], [member="Arlox"]

 

[Arlox]

Arlox took Sydney's judgement of Arlox's size and strength as a compliment. "Hehe, it's what were about, us Ma'alkerrites." he said this with pride, the majority of Ma'alkerrites were mostly gigantic, built monsters. Heck, Arlox could even remember some Ma'alkerrites back on the home planet that were taller then him. He missed his home planet sometimes.

Arlox then turned his attention back to Malok, he was also glad to see that Malok had the same excitement for meeting each other again, all though it was temporary when Malok's grin was instantly put back down. It was good enough for Arlox either way. "I've grown grayer? is that even possible with my silver fur?" he chuckled at this, but he quickly stopped as he saw that Malok was going back into a professional attitude, he stopped talking like a buddy and sat down, also putting off anymore fun and getting right onto business.

Arlox was very careful around those that wasn't a Ma'alkerrite, but Sydney seemed okay, and if Malok chose her as apart of the Deathsinger Fireteam then she must've had some form of skill, he's excited to see what she is capable off.

But Arlox shut off any more distractions and started to listen to Malok's debriefing about the mission, he got most of it in and understood what was needed. When Malok asked the need for any questions, Arlox asked "Yeah I have one, will the entire team of Deathsinger breach the building from behind? or will some of them be with the main force to lead?" Arlox was never the sneaky type, usually he preferred to be on the front-lines, but if he was needed for the breach then he'll still go regardless.

"Also, is it just you, me and Sydney who will breach the building? or is there more members of Deathsinger coming?" and that was the last of the questions Arlox asked.

[member="Malok"], [member="FN-9999"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"To find Manda'lor of course." [member="Vilaz Munin"] should be close if Pilot had spoken true. As he spoke he moved a hand to deflect a blaster bolt that had strayed his way. He looked around the field, ignoring the signs of combat for the signs of the wreck he and [member="Satia"] were looking for. Soon enough, the downed ship came in sight. Whats more, Echani soldiers making their way to clear it out. That would be problematic. "We're not the only ones searching. Make quick work of these Echani filth." The Iridonian people had very little in common with Mandalorians, but they did share a hate for the Echani.

Wait, do Mando's hate Echani?

A question for the big man they were off to find. He pointed to the group to give some indication to the acolyte with him where he was heading before he took off. He kept low to the ground as he drew his new blade, and a red edge formed just as he closed in on the taller beings. With a fury that only his people could attain he hacked and slashed with the sword. The glorious sound of bones cracking and bodies falling.

 

[Poe]

[font="Papyrus][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#f8f8ff]​These Echani were swarming about, like annoying buzzing insects just primed for swatting. On the heels of my Master, I drew my dagger made for cutting flesh in one hand, the Sith Sword he gave me until I was ready to create my own weapons, in the other. The Sith whip would remain asleep for now. We charged through the Echani, raining death in our wake. Bones splintered, flesh ripped, and the blood of warriors turned the green fields red. One of the Echani got between my Master and myself, taking aim to drop Master Krest from behind as he fought one of his brethren. The Sith Sword hummed as it dug deep into the Echani's left shoulder blade. Wrapping my left arm around him pulling him close to me, I buried my extended teeth into the flesh of his neck; ripping the meat away; following it up by slowly dragging the dagger's sharp blade across his jugular.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/font]

[font=Papyrus][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#f8f8ff]​Stepping over the body in grand victory, I recalled my pace catching up to Lord Krest. [/COLOR][COLOR=#7b68ee]​"The enemy has numbers, Master. Go save this Mando, I'll hold them off." [/COLOR][COLOR=#f8f8ff]​Without waiting for a response, I placed the dagger in my mouth, calling forth the Sith Whip. I snapped it once as I faced the group of warriors. Whips are underestimated by many. Everyone thinks they just can sneak it and do their damage, but a well trained user of this weapon can educate them otherwise.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/font]

[font=Papyrus][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#f8f8ff]​In a sidearm motion, I unleashed the whip removing legs from bodies in quick session. The Echani that didn't feel the bite halted, perplexed by the attack. The next best thing about a whip is it's mobility. With a flick of my wrist, I shot the whip in a counter motion from my previous assault as it was still flailing about; removing heads as it returned to me. I walked over to the legless Echani, twirling my Sith Sword's blade until it's point faced down; and killed the wounded enemy where they laid.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/font]


[member="Krest"] [member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Objective 1: A Consumed People
Location: Hapes Cluster; Hapes
Allies: @Prelat Mantis | [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Keira Ticon"]
Spirits: [member="Isley Verd"]
Post 6



At some point, Amaya wandered away from [member="Dredge"] and Keira talking. Her boots walked across a thin metal bridge that rattled with each step, hands at her side as they fidgeted. Restless, was the feeling she had now and so she moved her hand to the rail and found a set of stairs. She wasn't entirely sure where it led, but it led somewhere that wasn't Keira and Dredge smack talking each other like a pair old men over a fence. Amaya saw someone and then they were gone, "hey! Hey wait!" She shouted and then looked back down where Keira was and shrugged, she was fairly certain she'd be able to track her aunt down later. As the girl looked about she noticed that wherever she was, it wasn't exactly the best place to be. "Hey, you there! Stop!" Feth, whoever this person was they sure knew how to run. She ran again and this time found herself in a darkened room with low light, and there she saw a man with long braids. "Hey! Hey who-" And then he turned, "... what in the..."

 

[Hansen]

Sydney Ramek
Unidentified Mando'ade Frigate
Objective IV: Bring your own.
Post: #2

Spoiler: Equipment

• x1 Mark III Katarn-Class Commando Armour [Sage Green Markings]
• x1 DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
• x2 DC-15s side arm blaster
• x2 N-20 Baradium-core thermal detonator
• x2 Vibroblade

"You're well fed, that is for certain" Sydney releases a nervous chuckle in Arlox's direction, easing off the pedal of her anxiety. Sydney cautiously walks beside Arlox the threat of being stepped on lingers omnipresently within her mind. Sydney remains silent while the two ostensible kinsmen exchange what she could only assume was some kind of customary banter between the two Ma'al men. A certain sense of familiarity fills the air and the scent of a red wine marinade fills her nostrils; Sydney hymns softly, it was the smell of home. With the sudden shake of her helmeted head, she breaks from this trance. Sydney gives a polite dip of the head towards Malok after he gestures to the vacant chairs. Hand depresses the foldable chair and her armoured body finds a seat on it. Sydney crosses right leg over left thigh with an audible stretch of bodysuit accompanied by a faint. "Ow." From Sydney, forcing her right boot back to the floor; It is the armour's fault for its wearer was still becoming accustomed to the range of motion it would and wouldn't allow for certain positions. If one could believe it the bodysuit was still stretching to accommodate Sydney's limber figure. The native Avalonian waits for Malok to conclude the brief before raising her left hand with fingers extended, a coy smile concealed beneath faceplate. "Are we going to be employing lethal or less-than-lethal tactics to subdue the target?" Hope swelled in her heart for the latter, else she wouldn't be coming back alive with clean hands. Sydney carried an impressive arsenal with her; Precision Marksman Rifle, Anti-Armour Weapon and Blaster Rifle all in one modular package held in right-hand close to her torso.

[member="Arlox"] [member="Malok"]

 

[Strider Garon]

Location: Hapes
Enemy: [member="Dredge"]
Allies: [member="Preliat Mantis"] [member="Keira Ticon"] [member="Amaya Verd"]
Post: 3

The Lone Wolf and The Hound of Keldabe squaring off against Dredge. It didn't cross the old man's mind on what the feth was the likes of Prelait was doing here, no, it was 'we been here before'. Dredge forever intertwined in both Mandalorians history, yet in different ways. Strider would not question his lost vod, he knew this beast had done terrible on him and the wolf was well known for his tenacity in holding grudges. The sight of him, full on taking it to the force entity was no surprise either. He was like a badger, no karks given. Just keep swinging and see where it all falls afterwards.

Inspiring the blood lust of Prelait was, Strider had already tried his bit at fighting Dredge and was stalemated. With Kierra and Amaya on the field also engaging the Force God Demon Ghost thingy, the odds still did not look in their favor. Strider looked down to his hands, gripping the borrowed lightsaber. It was the only tool he had on him that could possibly do anything to Dredge but he would have to leave the safety of his anti force bubble. And he knew the moment he came out of that he would be nothing more than a play thing for the dark entity.

He will bide his time, for now. The old man slowly walked up, keeping safe distance from Ticon and Amaya so he did not disrupt their connection to the force with his Ysalamari Tube and its anti force bubble. For now Strider will play as mobile shield for the two allies. A quick safe zone if they needed it... or until Strider could think of a better plan of attack that did not include martyrdom.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Drip. Drip.

Beads of Kolto fell like rain from Alkor as they pulled him from the tank. His exposed torso was rife with scars from wounds that had finally closed, some even years after opening. He groaned as his muscles responded to neural stimuli, but did not react with the honed precision they would have before.

It would be some time before his body was the machine it once was. His left hand moved almost normally in spite of the atrophy. It did not share the lancing pain of his right side. "You must have blown out the synapses in the right side," a doctor explained when his fingers would not listen. "There were extreme signs of pressure and kinetic damage. You were throwing punches and striking an extremely dense target. Beskar can take a beating. The human body can't."

He looked at the hand-made-useless. "Not your body, at least. You have a frail disposition in many ways. Malnutrition, evidence of neglect and flagellation- I don't know what sane person would walk around like you did." She jotted several lines on his chart. "You will need to rehabilitate, and probably conform to a better training regimen to make your body equal to the tasks you expect it to perform."

His initial response was to spit at her, to toss venom and challenge her authority on the matter. The frosty sensation that crept over his body reminded him to remain passive. "I see," he muttered. "Thank you."

Alkor pulled the dark trousers over his exposed legs with his left hand. He attempted to clasp the belt, but failed. He let out a grunt. "Let me help with that," a familiar voice called. He glanced up.

Asha smiled warmly at him. "Su cuy'gar, vod'ika," she said softly as her hands closed and fastened the belt. "You almost died."

Alkor watched her expression, then looked away. "Many times," he answered. "Yet, I am here."

She stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head leaned against his chest, and he glanced down. "Yes," she smiled, her voice muffled. "You are here."

He stared down at her, then up at the doctor. The woman smiled knowingly as she stepped out of the room. Alkor watched the door slide shut. "You can let go of me now."

Asha shook her head. He felt something warm against his flesh. "It was terrifying," she sobbed. "You suffered so much..."

Alkor pushed her gently away, and her puffy, red eyes found his. "Our people have suffered," he reminded her. Her eyes widened, and she threw both arms around his neck.

The Jen'jidai let out an 'oof!' "Our people!" she cried out in excitement. "Oh, wait til [member="Keira Ticon"] hears about this~"

 

[Malok]

Above, a single tube had fallen into disrepair. Electricity attempted to pour through its length - a futile effort to bathe the space below in light. Yet, despite its best efforts, the tube would not budge. Rust caked its innards, allowing only a drizzle of the flood pass through. Thus was a dim light cast down upon the room. Thus was the specter scarcely revealed to the woman's eyes. It was fortunate that darkness yet clung to the room; for the calamity of the Ram's form was...jarring to take in. In life, his skin was without blemish; save the occasional battle scar. Yet in unlife? The Ram's form was a reflection of his demise. His skin was ashen in some parts and completely charred in others. The rest appeared as if literally melted onto the bone.

His original eyes were gone. Consumed and evaporated by fire. In their place were two, piercing orbs of orange. His mane of, once-pristine, dreadlocks was now a haggard mess. Ash clung to every lock; and when he moved the air became cloyed with gray.

So fickle, this Unlife.

His voice was Ice.

His mouth was far too disfigured to form and release literal words, yet they echoed all the same. They would ring within her ears, easily causing a chill to race down her spine. The Ram advanced: a single step so that he might face the woman before him.

In dreams, one has a choice. One can be a butterfly or a dragon. Yet here? Among the living? Only. Ash.

The Ram extended a single, charred finger in the direction of [member="Amaya Verd"].

Do not flee, oh daughter mine. No harm shall come by my hand.

 

[Ria Misrani]

Objective 1: A Consumed People
Location: Hapes Cluster; Hapes
Allies: [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Keira Ticon"]
Spirits: [member="Isley Verd"]
Post 7

Amaya jumped back a step or two when the man approached, her eyes must not have caught his other steps because she swore he shimmered. She squeezed her eyes tightly, fething voidstars she was seeing things. Steeling herself she exhaled and saw the man with a piercing gaze, the girl noted the orange as it blazed through where his eyes should be. His hair beyond repair as the ash fell from his hair and body to the floor and disappearing all the same. His voice was cold and it gave her chills every time he spoke, and when he spoke it was not a voice but rather an echo that reverberated throughout the room. Amaya's brow furrowed as she took a step toward him, more curious than afraid now. "Dad?" She questioned her body still tense, "no... but, you, you..." And then his words echoed into her mind again, Unlife. Ash. "You, you are or were Isley Verd?"

"I- I have so many questions," she began to ramble when the single hope that she had found her father, or what was left of him ran through her mind. "So, so many questions about who I am and who I should be, what I should be."

 

[Malok]

Dad?

When last blood raced through his ashen veins, the Undying desired one thing. It was to do right by those he had sired – to find them and to fill the void where he belonged. With each day he deluded himself into thinking he was making progress; yet the Fire brought more than conclusion. It brought clarity: a newfound view upon his life. In truth, the quest for his children to simply refer to him as "dad" was so far from being complete. And yet, whilst deceased...the very thing he had lived for was spoken in death.

So fickle, this Unlife.

I am.

His response was as simple as the touch he rendered: a light stroke of the cheek with the rear of his extended hand. For [member="Amaya Verd"], the sensation would be akin to ice racing down her flesh...yet for the Undying, it was as holding one's hand over an open flame. So fickle, this Unlife. And you, daughter mine...your path is your name. Your name is your path. He retracted his touch. The heat began to remind him vividly of his demise. Instead, he began to move, making slow circles about her as he spoke.

Verd. Warrior. All who bear this name fight for the same: each other. Even if it is the Galaxy itself that seeks blood. That is who you are.

The Undying ceased his pacing and awaited the inevitable questions...and deep down, he looked forward to answering each and every one.

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Anika Nygaard]

Fireteam Deathsinger​

​

~Anika ran through the Temple chasing after the Ren. She had fought him already and had dodged what he had thrown her way, but she still needed to defeat him. It was all she could think about.. nothing more.. her legs were aching with all of the running and her sides burned from no rest. All of a sudden, the cave collapsed and fire and lava filled the area rapidly. Anika had to think quickly. Looking towards the ceiling, she saw a small platform she could lift herself onto. She lifted the multiple rocks off of her with the force and started climbing upwards to the platforms. It was only a few stone mantles in a row, but it worked and it got her past the lava. Anika was injured badly, but she got the sense that her presence would make things worse, so she left with the same people she had come with. Anika refused treatment, especially after hearing the news of how she had more than likely botched the mission. She was guilty and she felt like doing more damage to herself than being healed. So once their ship landed on Monastery, she took her ship, gathered some strength and left. ~​

​

Anika woke up in a panic. She was breathing hard and she had almost forgotten where she was. She looked at the time and once she gained a better idea of what was going on around the area, she heard a faint beeping coming from the cockpit. Getting up, she shook her head for a second as she almost ran into the wall. Anika had definitely been in the deepest sleep since the Invasion. She still had the nightmares though. They never seemed to go away. Once she got past her obstacles, like walls and chairs and the like, she sat down in the pilots seat and checked what was going on. It had just been a reminder that she had 30 minutes to eat and get ready.

She quickly ran back to her room and pulled on a quick and easy outfit and then pulled her long hair into an easy hairstyle. Checking the time, 20 minutes had somehow already gone by. How it was possible she didn't know. Now she only had time for something small to eat so she poured a portion of a chocolate like cereal into a bowl, put some milk in it and went to the cockpit. This had been a common breakfast of hers when it came to missions and meeting people. It didn't have protein that she needed, but it was quick and easy to do.

By the time she finished eating, the console was beeping again, indicating that she had arrived to her destination. Smiling slightly, she knew who she was meeting, even though she was slightly late, she hoped that she hadn't missed too much. As soon as she landed, she quickly put her sabers on her belt and her blasters in their holsters and ran down her ramp. It pulled up and locked itself on it's own, which she liked. She ran as fast as she could almost going too far as she was a blur past the door she needed. Stopping and skidding to a halt, she turned around and ran back to the door she needed. Calming down real quick, she then opened the door just in to to hear [member="Malok"] .

"Now...If there are questions, now is the time to ask."

"There isn't a penalty for a new apprentice for being late, is there?"

she asked with a slight smile across her face. Anika panted slightly, trying to get to her location on time, but unfortunately she had been about a minute or two late and missed the briefing.

~ [member="FN-9999"] ; [member="Arlox"] ~​

 

[Zef Halo]

[12]​

​

​

Fethin' great.

The worst answer he expected was given to him and Jorel let her move in forward. He cautiously followed behind with his pistol aimed ahead. There was no telling what could be there with all the inhumane monstrosities roaming. So many questions and no answers to follow them.

Sweat broke on his forehead result of the inclining tension the closer the two got to the threshold of the next area of space within the building.

The scream once again broke the silence and the agent barely withheld from pulling the trigger.

Within the Force, the Hapan might be able to feel unnatural disruptions of the environment around them. As if someone or something was messing with the natural flow of things.

Crossing the threshold, Jorel quickly scanned their corners for any threats but there were none to be found. His eyes then fell to what was ahead.

A staircase. Upon it, a young girl sitting and silently sobbing. Jorel had the oddest of feelings that she had been the source of the screams. His gut told him something was wrong here.

"This." The agent began but lost what words he wished to utter.

"Does not seem right, does it?" Jorel rhetorically asked. His finger itched on the trigger.

​

[member="Soeht"]​

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"The synapses in your right hand are largely unresponsive," the doctor told him as she closed his fist with both her hands. "I've set this system up to document any impulses sent from your brain, and they all seem to die somewhere around your elbow. Now, there is a specialist scheduled to see you in order to work this out through therapy, but right now what you need is to let the arm rest and heal naturally. Your left arm, however, seems wholly unaffected by any damage. It's nothing short of a miracle."

"I didn't throw any punches with my left arm," he muttered. Asha glanced over at him sideways, a bemused smirk playing at her lips. He ignored her. "So, am I clear to use the left arm for the time being?"

"I see no reason why not," she answered, "but nothing too strenuous, just yet. Your body has been in Kolto for almost two months. You need to let it adjust to everyday conditions again."

"Can I pull a trigger?" his eyes narrowed.

"Ha ha," the doctor grinned. "At least your sense of humor doesn't seem to be atrophic."

"He's serious," Asha rested her cheek against her hand. She sounded bored. "He's always serious."

The doctor sat upright. "Yes," she sighed, "you're clear to fire a blaster- with your left hand. No accidents, do you understand me, Alkor Centaris? If I have to pull a bullet out of anyone or mend blaster burns, I'll hunt you down."

"If I shoot someone, it won't be an accident." She blinked at the sincerity and finality of the statement. Alkor did not smirk.

"Ahem."She cleared her throat. "Please, try to keep all your targets inanimate while you're in my care, mister Centaris."

"No promises." Asha elbowed him in the gut. Alkor realized that the pain was nowhere near as excruciating as it had once been, and stared at his naked torso in disbelief. "The pain is gone," he realized all at once."

"You airhead," the Mandalorian girl sighed. "You didn't realize a Kolto bath would close all your wounds? Have you never been healed before?"

He turned toward her with an unblinking stare. She matched his gaze for several seconds before she realized he was serious."....you really are an idiot."

Alkor reached to Asha's side and pulled the blaster from its holster. "H-hey!" she protested. "Give me that!"

He rose from his seat, and both women watched him walk toward the door. "Where do you think you're going?" Asha demanded.

"Target practice," Alkor answered without a look back. "I've heard from a reliable source that Mandos have to know how to shoot."

"When they're finished healing!" she huffed, storming off behind him.

"Curious," Alkor muttered to himself. "No one ever mentioned that part."

 

[Darth Metus]

Questions were a good thing.

In some regimes, to have inquiries about a mission would be met with fury. To dare not understand the totality of what would transpire, at the instant of briefing, was a grievous offense. Yet, the Behemoth thought differently. In his mind, only very few questions held the category stupid. And it was better for everyone to walk away on the same page than for all to perish due to confusion. Thus did [member="Arlox"] speak, asking the first question. The Ma'alkerrite gave his old friend a nod of acknowledgment whilst hearing him out...and somehow was not surprised at this inquiry. Having been reared at his feet, Malok was a front lines type of simian as well.

But one has to do what they must.

The Behemoth parted his lips to answer, but before he could one [member="Anika Nygaard"] entered the room. She was terribly late, and at a glance seemed to have booked it getting here. Malok's gaze narrowed ever so slightly, for he expected his one and only student to be a tad more punctual. However, it seemed that the Behemoth had much more to teach her than the ways of combat and strategy.

"To answer your question, Arlox" he began. "The whole of the Fireteam will be breaching. It's necessary to make sure the best hands get this task done." He then thrusted his chin in the direction of his tardy student. "And no, we have a fourth. This is my Apprentice, Anika...who will be learning the lesson of arriving on time very soon." His attention was then placed upon Anika momentarily, in regards to her own question. "Typically a dock in pay is the penalty, but...I'm feeling nice today. I'll fill you in on the way down; but next time, your cut is getting dashed for every minute you're behind."

Suffice it to say, a Master knows when his student has been through a storm. He didn't know the details, but the ApeX presence on Monastery informed him of a beat up Anika refusing treatment and booking it off the planet. In light of that, Malok felt that giving her less to beat herself up over was the right thing. Having said that, Malok answered the final question.

"Lethal."

"Now then, the main force will Hail the Outpost before we arrive. If they surrender before we land, we won't even have to lift a finger. But. Given how things are going, I assume we'll be diving directly onto the roof."

Malok pressed a button on the console before him, thus deactivating the map. In his mind, the briefing was over and it was time to depart. He motioned for the door before leading the way out, heading for the Hangar. There awaited them a refurbished Kor'mk-type Fighter/Transport, engines purring and weapons ready. The Behemoth wasted no time and boarded straightaway. He then motioned for Anika to take the seat next to him and began repeating himself regarding the mission. Meanwhile, once everyone had seated and strapped in, the Kom'rk would rise within the Hangar.

And then, the Hail began.

"Attention Kordan Outpost, this is the First Battalion of Nightshrike Company. ApeX. We are giving you one opportunity to surrender in peace."

There was no verbal response. Just the sound of blasters being fired wildly over the comm.

[member="FN-9999"], [member="Arlox"], [member="Anika Nygaard"]

 

[Arlox]

Arlox was satisfied with the given answers, it sounds like regardless of whether or not he'll have to join in on the breaching of the building, they'll still get some action as Mandalorians are renowned warriors, Arlox was skeptical of them surrendering but hey, they get to fight if they don't surrender, that's what Arlox was betting on.

He then took a look at the late arrival, this is Malok's student? a pretty face who comes late to the debriefing, Arlox wondered what Malok saw in her, but he didn't question his choice completely as the girl must have some skill if she's in Deathsinger, or let alone Malok's student. Arlox also grew excited when Malok confirmed that they would be doing the mission lethal, he was looking to test out his hammer on some enemies and there were no finer test subjects for Arlox then battle-hardened Mandalorians.

When Malok deactivated the holo map, Arlox stood up from the chair and followed behind Malok through the door, and then on ahead to the hanger. He was looking to sit next to Malok in the Kor'mk Transport to catch up after all the time they've been apart, but then he instead got Anika to sit next to him. Arlox sat on the opposite side instead with Sydney, who Arlox actually wanted to talk with about something.

"Hey, did I do something wrong earlier?" he asked, he noticed that as Arlox was walking inside the debriefing room earlier, Sydney was cautious and careful around Arlox and he wondered if he did something that made her angry with Arlox or something.

When the comms were filled with sounds of blaster fire, Arlox controlled his excitement and said "Well, looks like we'll be fighting then." Arlox didn't want to seem too bloodthirsty in-front of the others, but he was looking for a good fight.

[member="Malok"], [member="Anika Nygaard"]. [member="FN-9999"]

 

[Hansen]

Sydney Ramek
Kom'rk-class fighter/transport
Objective IV: Bring your own.
Post: #3

Spoiler: Equipment

• x1 Mark III Katarn-Class Commando Armour [Sage Green Markings]
• x1 DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
• x2 DC-15s side arm blaster
• x2 N-20 Baradium-core thermal detonator
• x2 Vibroblade

Upon hearing that they'd be employing lethal tactics in the operations; Sydney sinks a little. She had never killed a man before, not in self-defence, anger or by some unfortunate accident. Sydney had some very strong moral views on murder and for a moment she cannot help but mentally chastise herself as a murderer for what they were about to do; Killing for credits. But was it really that different from what the likes of the Navy did? There was the illusion of duty to Supreme Leader and Fatherland, that is extolled within the Navy. Sydney would know, she was a sailor once. But never a zealot like so many of her peers, that's part of why she discharged Sydney couldn't immerse herself into unquestioning obedience and take on an amoral compass, that was not how Father and Mother had raised her. Sydney's gaze find itself thrown over shoulder with an awkward twist of body; examines the newcomer, she is beautiful and has the look of a stalwart protector about her, Sydney steadily twists back around and attempts to ignore the newcomer out of some personal sense of inadequacy. With the holotable's projection receding and the light fading into darkness it signalled the brief's end, Sydney rises from the foldable chair and she holsters her DC blaster in the holster harness wrapped around left thigh. Sydney listens to the sound of blaster fire from the antenna rising out of her backpack before giving a disappointed sigh. Mandalorians knew no reason, Sydney inwardly reasons that if anybody couldn't see reason to not fight it would be these 'savage' warriors.

Sydney's eyes snap towards Arlox, seated in the deployment bay chair. "Oh?" She gasps anxiously looking up at Arlox's spheres in that skull that Sydney notes were almost as large as her own torso. "No dear, you didn't do anything wrong. I am just somewhat anxious is all." Sydney's lie was carefully constructed to be plausible; Containing truth, Sydney is nervous about the upcoming combat but would not dare reveal that she was frightened by physical confrontation or her lack of comprehensive hand-to-hand fighting training. When Arlox makes his next observation about the necessity of combat she response first with an obviously disappointed sigh. "Yes....I guess I shouldn't be surprised, they are Mandalorians." With that Sydney revealed a certain personal contempt for the Mandalorian culture, speaking of them as if she looked down on them as uncivilised beasts. It shouldn't come as too surprising however, Sydney was after all obviously Imperial from her accent and most likely had foreign sensibilities when it came to fighting. Taking a seat aboard the shuttle opposite Malok, she reaches up behind head with a pained groan and pulls the safety harness straps down and connects it to a center donut shaped locking mechanism that sits neatly over her abdomen. Securing the foreign woman to the chair.

"Marching on in haunting silence,
Upon the shores, we go
Monsters on both sides
Applaud the violence
Upon the shores, we go."

Sydney's voice recites the piece of poetry with a tone filled with melancholy, lamenting and chastising obsession with slaughter and killing. In her own way it's Sydney's pre-emptive apology to the Force and a prayer in one; she'd become superficially accustomed with the ideology of the Jedi while away from her homeworld.

[member="Arlox"] [member="Malok"] [member="Anika Nygaard"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Objective 1: A Consumed People
Location: Hapes Cluster; Hapes
Allies: [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Keira Ticon"]
Spirits: [member="Isley Verd"]
Post 8


Isley Verd stood before her and when he reached out to her, she felt the cold sensation on her skin. If death had a feeling then Isley was it, he felt cold - like death. There was no other way of putting it, Amaya surmised. To her, it was simple - this man was her father even if she had never seen him before in her life. Your path is your name, name is your path? Leave it to the dead to speak in riddles she gathered and watched him circle around her. His hand now withdrawn from her as her body rushed heat back to where the cold had been. She listened intently as he gave her an answer, Verd. Verd. Warrior. All who bear the name fight for the same... Each other, even if it is the Galaxy itself that seeks blood? "I know, I know I'm a Verd but... there's just, so much I mean..." Warrior? The word rang in her mind, "I'm just some scavenger from Taris, a salvager."

She took the axe from her back. "I mean this, this is.... It was, I mean my moth- um, adoptive mother I suppose. She told me it was yours, you once held it and that I should have it." Amaya shook her head as she held the weapon in both hands, "I barely know how to hold it let alone wield it like a warrior." She was disappointed that life never afforded her the opportunity to really get to know her father. Even if he stood before her now, he was a spirit - nothing more and nothing less. "Mother... Ajira Cardei, do you remember her? Is she really my birth mom?"

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Dredge"] [member="Persephone Callas"] [member="Amaya Verd"] and errbody else.

"Heavenly Blue" by Kalafina

Location: Hapes Prime orbit, Interior region, Hapes Cluster.
Time: 1340 hours Hapes time.
Objective: Defend Hapes and seize back the planet, protect survivors and establish alliances.
Enemies: Dredge, possibly Imperial Remnant.
Neutral: Mandalorians
Allies, Silvers

Relina's Gallinorii fleet exited Hyperspace above Hapes Prime in force. It was only a three hour trip, but with the emergency situation, it felt like an eternity. Major Relina Zhan, Ducha of Gallinore, looked upon the planet through the canopy of the Terminus fighter, still docked on the Type D-505 Wyvern Battleship Ouroboros. The Ship looked like a bigger, bulkier, and much more imposing version of the iconic Hapan Battle Dragon, but sported much more modernised features. It was not long, however, before she intensely felt something was very, very wrong. It was worse than any battle she had fought in before... She literally thought she could hear terrified screaming before a sudden silence. Her heart sank into some deep abyss in her mind before her blood suddenly, but briefly ran cold. She felt distinctly as if she had lost something... not just friends and family, but something deeply intimate. There was a great deal of emotional and even physical pain, but she didn't report it. She simply grit her teeth and bore through it, even though for a brief moment, it felt like her nerves were on fire.

When her eyes refocused, part of the planet was obscured from her view by Megos, Hapes' largest moon, but she could see what appeared to be a thundering cloud of ash and dust spreading outward from the northern hemisphere, on the second largest continent, and a brief green flash. The moon moved slowly out of the way to reveal a glowing, gaping hole in the ground exactly where Ta'a Chume'Dan, the capital city of the Consortium's Capital planet was supposed to be located.

".... you've got to be swaxi'fing me!" she swore in a raised voice in Hapan, her native tongue. "Command, this is Angel leader. Requesting time to launch." she added over the comm, anger evident in her voice. She felt a rather intense desire to shoot an SRAM into the engine block of the ship that fired that beam.

"Stand by, Major Zhan. We are assessing the situation. The attack was not from the entity, but from a foreign force seeking to destroy it, according to the Ministry of Defense CIC IFF data.... Imperial remnant weaponry." The ship's Captain replied.

"..." Relina remained silent and watched as a few of the ships exited the planet's orbit into hyperspace. "And Her Majesty?" she asked, finally, as a sense of hatred washed over her being. If the Government of the Consortium remained intact or was otherwise taken over temporarily by the Ministry of Defense, then she'd swiftly petition for formal war to be declared in retaliation. She held this thought for the moment, however. She was angry, but she couldn't allow this to affect her judgement. If she launched, she had to remain focused.

Other contingents from other Consortium worlds appeared to join the few who had been there already, as well as a number of foreign vessels. The Captain's voice resounded. "...Unknown. A joint M.O.D. and R.O.N.I. task force is investigating and will be keeping us updated.... Trust me, I don't like this either, but we need everyone to maintain discipline."

Relina had never seen so many ships around Hapes prime in her life, not even during the last war. A transmission was recieved from an Alderaanian vessel, offering medical aid, to which Ouroboros immediately took initiative to relay MOD's response in Basic, "Rodger, Dr. [member="Rashae"] Lovous. This is Captain Ariadne Le'Fiel, commander of the Gallinore Militia and Captain of the Ouroboros. Your aid is welcomed, albeit unexpected. We ask that you aid any survivors and our own medical and rescue personnel on the planet's surface. The Royal Navy is prepared to retake control of the planet. All Squadrons and Marines, the light is green to being operations." the Captain ordered in Hapan-accented Basic.

"Angels, lock and load. Prepare for launch." ordered her squadron.

"Yes, My Lady!" came the reply from each Angel member.

"Sergeant Major Xan, take First Lance. hard drop. Secure a landing zone. Commander Ashla, load up two flights of Gamma-class Assault ships and follow them in. Take heed, however. Once you leave the ship, you're on your own until further reinforcements arrive." Captain Le'Fiel ordered ship-wide. "Lauch fighters and drop pods!"

"Over the target insertion point in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1." An Ensign replied. The pods were then launched a moment later, carrying troopers to the surface to supplement any forces still present, foreign or domestic... with orders to engage any opposition on sight ruthlessly and without quarter. They were also to protect any Hapan nationals still alive. Of course, finding the Queen Mother was of the highest priority

"Drop pods away... releasing mag-docks in fighter bays now."

In the next few moments, The signal was given for fighter launch. "Angel Squadron. Launch!" Relina ordered, firing up her pulse detonation ion engines, pushing forward the throttle, and speeding off into the void to link up with the medical frigate.

"Angel Squadron, Meteor Squadron, Mobius Squadron, Talon Squadron, and Agiel Squadron are spaceborne."

On the planet below, the falling orbital insertion pods looked much like meteorites on their way down to a viewer on the ground. As they neared, a whistling screech resounded from each pod as their repulsors and retro-thrusters activated to slow their decent. All in all, twelve armoured soldiers, a few among them Charubah Cyborgs, emerged from a group of pods, their advanced blaster rifles armed and set to lethal. As an advance special operations force, they would quickly begin scouting a landing zone, seeking any signs of life out there on the outskirts of what remained of their once glorious capital city.