Public A Trip To Vulpter

[Kael Vos]

Intelligence reports indicate that a valuable Jedi holocron lies hidden in a secure the abandoned Imperial refinery on Vulpter, 12th Star Reaver Battalion duties are to recover it at all costs. Opposing forces and mercenary scavengers are already moving to claim it.
​

The massive MT-2 dropship shuddered as its engines throttled down, settling onto a flat plateau far from the looming silhouette of the Vulpter refinery. Dust spiraled into the air, catching the harsh sunlight as the ramp slowly lowered. Lieutenant Kael Vos led Sky Razor platoon out first, Nemean armor clinking softly with each step, the soldiers spreading cautiously across the rocky staging ground. Above them, the dropship's hangar doors opened fully, and a squadron of T-65XN2 WolfX starfighters roared into the sky, engines flaring as they looped overhead in tight formations. A pair of Predator B-Wings followed, scanning the distant terrain and ready to provide overwatch should the situation escalate.

Vos activated his compact scanning device, projecting a holographic overlay of the terrain and surrounding structures. The map highlighted the distant refinery, the jagged ridges and boulder fields lying between their current position and the target, and possible approach vectors for future maneuvers. Every rock outcrop and shallow defile was noted—potential cover points, sniper positions, and choke points were all logged for Jedi Knight Dangal.

"All units, maintain formation. WolfX squadron, perimeter sweep. We're here to observe, not to engage yet. Keep eyes on the refinery and record everything. Nothing touches that holocron before we do."

Ahead of them, another element of Alpha Company had deployed from pairs of LAAT gunships, touching down on a forward rise several hundred meters closer to the refinery. The company was spread out and divided. Their positions were marked on Vos's holo-grid, a forward screen for recon and early engagement if needed.

The platoon fanned out over the plateau, forming defensive positions while Vos continued scanning. The MT-2 rested behind them like a grounded sentinel, engines cooling, its bulk a reminder of reinforcements ready to move once the order came. Every step, every sensor ping, and every potential hazard was meticulously recorded. Vos tapped his GARBR-5 against his armor, signaling the soldiers to stay alert. Ahead, the rocky expanse stretched toward the refinery, the soon-to-be battlefield waiting silently, jagged and unclaimed. Bravo platoon was already en route, landing before the rest, hopefully they would punish any resistance up ahead before they arrive.

 

[Laphisto]

A Jedi holocron an artifact worth thousands to the right buyer was far more than a prize of credits to the Lilaste Order. To them, its knowledge held greater value than any fortune. Until now, the Order's Force-users had been trained almost exclusively through the guidance of Laphisto and Zinayn their wisdom supplemented by what little could be shared between students. Even the Diarchs, Diarch Reign and Diarch Rellik , had offered fragments of their own experience when they could. But such training was insular, limited an echo chamber of lived memory passed from one soldier to the next.

A holocron, however, was different. It was no mere repository; it was like introducing new blood into a stagnant bloodline, a spark of vitality into a fading flame. Within its crystalline matrix lay lessons from generations past, preserved with clarity untouched by time. For the Order, it represented revitalization, the promise of growth beyond the boundaries of their own knowledge. And yet, in a galaxy where knowledge was as dangerous as it was powerful, they knew such treasures seldom remained in the hands of those who needed them most. Too often, such things slipped into the grasp of profiteers, rivals, or enemies.

The Lilaste Order would not allow that. Whatever it cost, they would see to it that this holocron did not fall into the wrong hands hands which, all too often, had never been their own. Several kilometers from the foundry on the opposite side of the structure from where Kael Vos had touched down an Air'mar Assault Carrier descended through the haze. Its repulsors churned up dust as the vessel eased onto its struts, settling into place with the heavy finality of durasteel meeting earth.

The choice of ship had been practical more than anything else. With every Greh'ova-class assault ship recalled for refit, the alternatives were limited: either a Star Destroyer, far too conspicuous for the situation, or something smaller and less likely to draw unwanted attention. The carrier fit the need well enough. He had, however, managed to bring Tarians Sword with him. he assumed it would be more than enough all things considered.
Laphisto had been in motion the moment the carrier began its descent into orbit. By the time the landing sequence was underway, he was already in the hangar bay, moving to join his men. The battalion was well-prepared; squads had begun filing into the new LAHT transports, their crews running final checks, while the LAET/C gunships were already hard at work securing the walkers for rapid deployment. The atmosphere was efficient, purposeful soldiers and pilots moving with the sharp rhythm of a unit that had drilled this procedure countless times before.


The routine was interrupted by the crackle of the ship's comms. "Sir," the captain's voice carried through the bay, tense but steady, "we're picking up several starfighters in the area. Looks like GADF forces have been tipped off to the holocron's location. Do you want me to open a channel?"Boarding the waiting gunship, Laphisto frowned at the report. Around him, the rest of the battalion was already lifting skyward in coordinated waves, their transports rising from the carrier's decks with practiced precision. Overhead, the formation was shadowed by the distinctive angular shapes of two squadrons of Basilisk G-10 StarFighter's, their drives burning hot as they slipped into escort positions.

"Negative," Laphisto ordered, his tone clipped as he secured his harness. "Keep comm channels silent. Divert all auxiliary power to shields, weapons, and the War Forge. Shut down every non-essential system we'll cut our heat signature as low as possible. If they can't see us, they won't be tempted to hit our base of operations."

The LAHT infantry transports took the lead, steady and deliberate, while the LAET/C support craft fell in behind them, each carrying the battalion's walkers locked in place for deployment.

On the flanks, the Basilisk G-10 starfighters moved into position with practiced precision. Twenty-four in total, they spread outward, their drives burning bright against the void. Twelve swept ahead in a sharp V, cutting the path forward, while the other twelve mirrored them in reverse, forming a protective wedge at the rear.

Koa Ahina

 

[Koa Ahina]

​

Planet: Vulpter
Location: Northern Volcanic Fields, Exiting The M-2 Dropship
Platoon: Six
Squadron: 23 "Shadow Wing"
Mission: Secure the Holocron for GADF.
Status: Hired Active Duty, Private E-2 First Class

​

Koa felt the rumble of the thrusters easing the landing as the MT-2 dropship made landfall. Each platoon had received their mission briefing hours ago, but something about deployment always had a way of blurring the details. Thankfully, with every operation Koa had been part of, he never had to take command. He was just a private. To others, he was fresh meat—uneducated and unqualified to be among the Alpha Command unit at all. Regardless, it was his grit and sheer determination that had earned him a place among some of the finest soldiers in the Galactic Alliance.

He was no stranger to combat, either. While many dismissed him as an outsider or mere "hired help," he cared little for their approval. So he stood silently, waiting for the hatch to depressurize and allow him to march forward with the others. His suit of armor showed its age, but it still got the job done. Green trim lined the interlocking mechanisms that encased his body, worn with scratches and chips from past deployments. It wasn't pretty, but it worked. Besides, the risk was worth it—this operation involved a holocron. Every soldier knew that in the wrong hands of a Force user, things could go south fast.

Koa considered this a good cause—fighting any opposition that could pose a far greater threat than the Galactic Alliance itself. Some would argue he was on the wrong side, but Koa knew there was no such thing in warfare. Still, he was careful with the jobs he took. If he could perform and prove himself here, he might just secure a spot in the Galactic Alliance Defense Force. Doubt lingered whenever he thought about it. He was capable, but not elite…not yet.

The hangar door unlatched itself as searing waves of heat from a vicious red landscape poured into the dropship. His helmet slipped downward as the buzzing electronic seals clamped shut, a vibrant green visor flashing to life as he stepped off the MT-2. The scans came back normal, though the active lava rivers spiked across his display. The old-fashioned readouts made him smile.

They don't make them like this anymore.

It was a simple, truthful thought. Every war brought change, but most of it revolved around technology or foreign biological weapons. The galaxy was dangerous, and Koa was just one man in a suit of armor. He couldn't stop everything—or everyone—but part of him found peace in his years of service, even with the less favorable outcomes. Still, he moved on, pushed forward, and refused to stop striving to be the best soldier he could be.

His metal boots clinked against the rocky terrain. Mountainous spires twisted skyward, while rivers of lava lit the horizon with reminders of the planet's volcanic activity. Vulpter was a nasty place, one Koa would've gladly gone his entire life without seeing. Still, thanks to the insulation and thermal conductors inside his suit, the oppressive heat barely touched him.

A voice boomed over the comms.

"All units, maintain formation. WolfX Squadron, perimeter sweep. We're here to observe, not engage—yet. Keep eyes on the refinery and record everything. Nothing touches that holocron before we do."

Koa stood at attention, watching the hissing smoke rise from geysers to the east. He paused, listening as the lieutenant spoke. He'd heard a few things about Kael Vos from the other men. Two things, in fact: one, Kael was a hardass; and two, he was highly respected by those in Platoon Six. The unit was solid and worked well together. Koa was part of Platoon Six, though not in the same squadron as Sky Razor.

Instead, Koa had been assigned to Shadow Wing. They would split to Sky Razor's flank and take the high ground along the jagged peaks. High ground meant advantage, and in war, any advantage could save lives. Koa lifted his PGEM Submachine-Gun Slugthrower and began making his way toward the base of the treacherous ridgeline. Alert and ready, he peered through his visor, locking his aim down the weapon's iron sights.

The comms fell silent. Anticipation took hold.

Kael Vos | Laphisto

 

[Kael Vos]

TAGS: Laphisto , Koa Ahina
LOCATION: Moving towards refinery will be entering next post
​

A crackle over the comms shattered the momentary calm. "Lieutenant Vos, contacts visual," a WolfX pilot reported, voice taut with urgency. "We got company... transport with armor and they got two squadrons of Basilisk G-10s with them. They're moving fast from the opposite side of the refinery. Can't send coordinates for some reason...I'm having trouble picking it up." The ships far in view as a blur but he couldn't really pinpoint them. The piolet decided to push further leaving the perimeter and squadron to get in closer range.

Meanwhile Vos's jaw tightened. He crouched behind a jagged outcrop, rifle raised, eyes narrowing on the distant ridge. "Copy that," he murmured into the commlink. "Shadow Wing to Sky Razor. High ground secured. Watch your flanks. Maintain formation no premature engagements."

Molten rivers cast shifting shadows across the terrain, making the ridge seem alive. Vos toggled his rifle's targeting array, scanning carefully. From the rocks ahead, a small repulsorlift hum announced Z-M0 55's movement. The tactical droid floated forward, scanning the terrain with photoreceptors glowing, projecting a faint holomap into the air. Its onboard processors rapidly combined visual reports from the WolfX pilot with topographic data and historical tactical patterns.

"Projected resistance along northern ridge ETA: Unknown," Z-M0 reported in its calm, upbeat voice. "Optimal approach through eastern defile. Probability of detection from high vectors: 72.4%. Recommend delayed engagement until within effective range."

He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the mission settle. "We're not here for glory," he reminded his squad silently. "We're here for that holocron. Nothing gets to it before we do."

The distant formation moved with precise coordination, protective wedges flanking the transports and walkers but none of it registered on Vos's holo-grid. He relied entirely on the WolfX pilot's report to map the enemy's approach. "They're organized and aware," he muttered quietly.

"Do not risk a firefight in the sky yet. Maybe we can take a clean shot at their armor when it lands, but until then, hold your fire. We need absolute control over this airspace" he said over comms. "Do you read me?" He waited in confusion for a response but then after a few moments of no reply from the pilot it could have only meant one thing. They were back in the dark with no eyes on the forces moving towards them.

"Alright where's the rest of alpha we need y'all on that refinery NOW Get moving!" he shouted. "Charlie make sure fire support is ready and able on my mark. Bravo keep guns high and low we don't know what we're expecting." He then turned around to his platoon as he continued with his orders. "Advance. And stay sharp this isn't a parade. Eyes open, trigger fingers ready, and cover each other. "Iron Claw" will stay here to secure a fallback position, let's go!"

Noticing Koa Ahina he gave a slight nod. He didn't know him personally but having strong men fighting by your side was always a good feeling. The plan was to get men on ground at the refinery first, bravo should already be approaching the structure close enough for firing range. Bravo covering the east with Alpha split up pushing the middle and the west side.

"Let's make it back in once piece." he said to Koa Ahina before pushing down a hill of rocks with the rest of the men.

Not too long after closing near bravo company, the group secured another ridge and just as they were about to cross over, a staccato burst of blaster fire cracked from the rocks below, scattering sparks across the ridge face. The first tracer shots didn't come from a aircraft, they were scattered, erratic, fired from hastily dug-in positions across the lava flats. Vos dropped to a knee, visor scanning. His HUD pinged multiple energy signatures. Too small to be armored transports, too irregular to be Basilisk squadrons. Z-M0's holo shifted, red markers blinking as it parsed the noise.

"New contacts detected. Classification: mercenary light infantry. Scans show mismatched armor, modified swoops, and paramilitary blasters. Estimated strength: platoon-sized element. Intent: harass and delay."

Vos's eyes widened. "What the hell! Why you wait till now to point that out!!"

Down the ridge, a half-dozen repulsor-sleds broke cover, jury-rigged turrets rattling off shots as they skated over the hardened volcanic rock. Behind them, scattered mercs advanced in loose formation, using the jagged terrain for cover.

"Sky Razor to all units," Vos barked into the comms. "Mercenary screen is moving to cut us off. Bravo, keep pressing to the refinery give em hell. Alpha, split fireteams and take their flank. Charlie, put suppressive fire downrange, force those sleds into cover!"

Vos's teeth then ground together as he raised his rifle, lining up a mercenary weaving between molten fissures before letting off a few rounds before hitting his target. He wanted his men set, overlapping lanes of fire. One quick glance to Koa Ahina as he gave a sharp nod again. With that, he slashed his hand forward.

"Advance! Fiiiiirreeeee! Iron Claw, hold the ridge! Alpha with me, let's clear these dogs out!"