Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Allies: UCM and our allies
Enemies: Anyone who dares come near my hospital
Post: 2
Tags: [member="Sterling Kinslayer"] [member="Aditya Fitz Kierke"] [member="Beth Cadera"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Cleru"] [member="Adenn Kyramud"]
Taozi listened quietly as two Confederate members responded to her welcome. She closed her eyes, and lowered her head. How could they not see that two wrongs don't make a right? The first woman [[member="Scherezade deWinter"]] was correct, that the Jen'ari were already murdering Chiss when the CIS arrived. That didn't mean they weren't murderers for being the second group to contribute to genocide. Eshan... If the Confederates had opened their eyes they would have seen those... monsters killing Mandalorians as well. And those worms... No man could ever come up with such an abomination. Did they only see what they wanted to see? Only hear what they wanted to hear?
The second woman [[member="Srina Talon"]] seemed to be deluded into thinking they were hiding behind the wounded and the sick. Clearly the Confederacy did not understand that the Clans fought for their wounded, not behind them. They did not understand who they were attacking. They did not understand who Clan Tal was. They did not understand Taanab. They ignored the pleas of a woman who introduced herself as a doctor, over a Mandalorian.
The doctor let out a shaky breath, tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. She barely heard Sterling approach, and looked up when he squeezed her shoulder. Yes... She nearly forgot he was here for her. For the patients under her care. For the children. Taozi turned, and looked into Sterling's eyes. The Komo was strong, and she knew that he would give his life for the injured, the sick, and the dying under her Clan's care. She touched his forearm, and pulled it away from her, looking at him seriously.
"Be careful out there, your medical AI isn't functional yet. If you feel yourself slipping, fall back. You're more use to me alive than dead or dying."
It was then that Taozi walked back to her desk, to send out one last message on all open Mandalorian comms, including the hospital PA system.
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do, but do not forget what they've done."
Allies: UCM and Defenders Enemies: CIS and Allies Equipment: Armor - Rifle - Pistols - Sword - Knives - Honor Blade - Popper Rounds Objective: Defend the Hospital and City Location: Defense outside the Hospital
Noah let out a low groan as he read through several reports came filtering in from soldier and civilian alike throughout the city about how the Confederacy was attacking. He slammed the datapad down on the small table in front of him, shattering the screen. The best reaction? Probably not. Understandable? Probably. "Another week and I would have been home on Alderaan with Alex and the twins..." Noah muttered to himself. His hand came to his face, rubbing his eyes, before he looked down at his now useless device. Letting out a now louder groan he called for his current aide to gather up another datapad for him.
One might wonder what Noah was doing on Tanaab and the answer was quite simple. A few months beforehand Yasha had approached him and gave him a special mission unique to his talents. Knowing of his time withing the Republic Army Commandos, she had commanded him to travel to worlds that were less 'strategically important' than other and raise local forces to help the planets protect themselves. The key words were 'protect themselves' these forces would be purely defensive in nature and while they would be trained by Mandalorians there would be no Mandalorians among their ranks.
For each planet he would be given a stipend of credits and equipment and once that stipend ran dry he would have to barter and scrounge for whatever else he needed. Thankfully thirty plus years in the army meant Noah could out-barter and out-scrounger even the most thrifty of Jawa's. This lead to him acquiring five thousand sets of old New Republic Army armor, five thousand carbine variant CDR-1's, though these were easily acquired due to him owning the company that produced them, and five thousand JB-1 Recon Speeder Bikes. Dusting off some old field manuals Noah had decided what type of unit to create.
Noah decided to raise five battalions of light dragoons, each battalion consisting of a thousand troops. Light dragoons were light infantry mounted on speeder bikes but instead of fighting from the bikes the merely used them as transportation. Noah thought that with the wide open plains of Tanaab this type of unit would be perfect. He had also scrounged up some artillery but those had been given to [member="Kaine Australis"] for a special project, he hadn't inquired too much about it, trusting Kaine not to make a fool of himself or Noah.
Pulling up a map of the city Noah began to think of where to best assign the units. He assigned the 3rd Battalion under Captain Hewlett to defend the hospital due to the captains defensive accumen. He sent Captain Simcoe to defend the west sector, Captain Tallmadge to defend the east sector, Captain Brewster to defend the north sector and finally Captain Woodhull to defend the bridges in the center of the city, with order to blow the bridges if the enemy got too close. Sighing Noah also ordered them to transmit coordinates to Kaine. Why? He didn't know but he would take any help he could get.
[SIZE=9pt]Location[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: Outskirts of Pandath[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Allies[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: The Confederacy of Independent Systems and its Allies[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Enemies[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: Anything and anyone relating to the United Clans of Mandalore[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Specific Tags[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt][member="Madalena Antares"][/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Post[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: One[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]This could possibly be the most influential day of Eli-Mae’s life to this day. The young woman had recently begun to study the force under the tutelage of the master Voph. This had been the day that she had heard about since the fateful day she joined the confederacy, the day she would finally prove herself to her master as well as to herself. Just before taking her spot in her drop pod, she looked down upon herself, she was wearing a set of Dauntless phase I armor, she had been given it to use for this battle, as she didn’t have any armor of her own. On her right hip, in a holster sat a blade that was made specifically for the Knights Obsidian to be wielded in battle. Looking at it gave her great pride in herself, even 6 months ago it was unthinkable for her to even be anywhere but her parents’ starship. On her back was strapped a Sabnach-series Disruptor Rifle, this would help her should she need to engage with enemies at a long range this would be very helpful. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]After thinking for a moment she would finally step into her drop pod preparing to go planetside. She would not think as her drop pod entered the atmosphere. She would arrive on the ground completely unharmed, stumbling out of the drop pod she looked up seeing several other drop pods being blown to pieces by anti aircraft guns, before her she saw the startings of an assault group coming together, she had been told to report to The Knight Commander Madalena Antares for further direction, she was to be under her command during this battle. Eli seemed a bit out of place, while others were also wearing similar armor to hers she had opted to leave the helmet behind. As she strode across the rolling plains she would spot who she assumed to be her commanding officer not far ahead of her. She sprinted to catch up with her before speaking “Ma’am I am Apprentice Eli-Mae I was told to report to you for further orders” The small redhead spoke as she stood before the knight[/SIZE]
Location: Outskirts of the city Time: 0640 Hours Equipment: Personal Dauntless Armor, SC4 Blaster, Tactical Recon Handguns, XZ-77 “Buster” Comms Device Post: 02 Objective tags: [member="Nathan Vance"], [member="Maeve Archeron"], @Joannis Campbell, [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"], [member="Madalena Antares"], [member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Darth Metus"]
If the landing part of commandos had intended of landing anywhere in the city, the shielding and the canons would have certainly made it much harder and more risky overall. The chances the dropships would have been able to penetrate the shield in any way would have been slim at best. Thankfully for Luna, and those in the shuttle with her, there was no chance that the Dauntless would be landing anywhere near the city, and certainly not setting up an FOB anywhere in the range of those massive guns. They weren’t going to just hand the mandalorian’s free targets like that.
Instead, the first wave of shuttles, carrying nothing but Dauntless commandos, hit the surface after mostly surviving wave after wave of anti-ship and flak fire into the air. Not having the city as a target had it’s advantages, but that didn’t mean that the landing was completely clean and safe. Luna made herself a mental note to get with her squad commanders once everyone landed and see who was missing and who had made it. It was impossible that everyone in the first wave made it to the surface, but having an exact headcount would help in knowing where they stood in terms of manpower.
The light inside the cabin changing from red to green snapped Luna out of these planning thoughts, instead pushing her into a much readier mindset than before. They would be landing soon, and if everything had gone correctly with the other teams landing at the location, then there would people there ready to meet them. Hopefully a couple of sith. The commander certainly wouldn’t mind having some forcer protection while she directed the first few phases of the building operations. Not having to worry about a Mandalorian with a lightsaber stabbing her in the back would be quite nice.
A soft thud of the shuttle touching onto the ground signified that they had landed, and when the doors slid open, the light from the outside blinded everyone inside momentarily. The second that moment passed, however, omega squad filed out quickly and orderly, scanning the area for any enemies. It seemed like, for the moment at least, that the intel was correct and the mandalorians were sticking to that one centralized building. Which was an interesting choice, so to speak. Made Luna’s job easier, however.
The commander turned to watch as the other shuttled descended from the sky, beginning to drop off their payloads. Markings of the rough decent, being blacked marks on the hulls of the shuttles, and some even having full holes in their armor, marked just how intense the decent was. Still, Luna was proud to see that many of the first wave of commandos had landed safely. She just hoped that the next few waves, including the waves of troopers that would be starting their own landing soon enough, would be as well off.
With the rest of omega squad surrounding her, she waited until everyone was seemingly offloaded, including the crates of defensive equipment every squad had brought with them, then spun her finger in the air, indicating to the pilot to take off. The shuttles began to do so, and headed back into the atmosphere, heading back for the Rebellious Hawk to pick up the second wave of commandos. Luna watched for a minute, then nodded toward the equipment then to her squad. “Start getting the ewebs unpacked..” Her head looked toward the man that could only be described as the leader of this whole thing, whom Luna was still impressed made it the planet before her. “I’m going to go give the CO an update. Tien, you’re in charge.”
The hulking Keshiri nodded to his commander then started to bark out orders while Luna took the opportunity to make her way over to the vicelord, giving him a quick salute as she walked up. “Vicelord. Happy to see you made it this…planet in one piece.” Her eyes cast toward the city, seemingly protected by that massive shield generator, while continuing to speak. “I’ve got six total squads of commandos landed at this point. If things are schedule, I’ll have the first two of eight companies landing within the next few moments. We’ll get a perimeter set up, then begin clearing the area to set up the walls, offloading zones, and the command tent.” It was this moment she realized she had been speaking non-stop so far in this conversation, not exactly giving the man that much time to speak. She shrugged it off, straightening her back and looking back to the dark skinned man. “Is there anything you need of me, vicelord?”
The scorn of the Jen'ari. They had been subjugated by false leaders. Aristocra's searching to fatten their own pockets. The Sith Empire had come as liberators, standing side by side with the Chiss resistance to expel the false leaders and remove the Jen'ari from the system. Dezoti had been there, her and her Commandos fighting through the blood of their allies and the false Sith.
Aboard The Vaunguard Aristocra Prusde'Zoti'Lore sat in her shinned Commando armor. It was unheard of for an Aristocra to head a battle themselves, but the ex-commando refused to step back. She saw the destruction of Copero. Her knuckles tightened as she gripped the armrest of her seat. She remembers. And now, they would remind the CIS.
"Aristocra Prusde'Zoti'Lore, we're nearing our destination. Sensors pick up a large scale fleet battle. We arrive in mere minutes."
"Admiral Sutth'ivum'une, order our fleet to attack the closest CIS vessels. We'll strike from the edge, and work our way in before they have time to react. Be ready for their sensors to pick us up. Shields to maximum, and scramble our fighters."
There was a swift salute from the admiral, and the orders were filtered through the ranks. Soon enough, perhaps too soon or not soon enough for the Chiss men and woman who came here to help their allies in the Mandalorians and justice for Copero, the lines of hyperspace faded, and the reality of war was in view. Even Dezoti paused for a moment. The CIS had brought not war to the Mandalorian's doorstep.
But pure, violent genocide.
"It's Copero all over again.." She mumbled it to herself, but swallowed the rage, the fear, the hate. She pressed a button on her chair, activating a com not just to her fleet, but to the Mandalorians below.
"It took us some time, but we are here. We never forgot the kindness of the Mandalorians. We never forgot the cruelty of the CIS. We waited, in silent fury, for our moment to strike. For when we could get our justice. A justice the Jedi chose to ignore. The CIS chose to forget. But we remember. And it's high time we remind the Galaxy we will not sit quietly while injustice of those with too much power is ignored in favor of their justice."
It was a short speech, but that's all that needed to be said. The Chiss had arrived.
Pandath by it's very nature was a Spaceport. A behemoth spaceport that acted as a hub for trade and a major stop on the Parmelian Trade Route. As an AgWorld, choking the position represented dominance over an entire hyperlane from one side. A blockade here, a checkpoint there, and at least one Mandalorian supply line would be wholly disrupted.
In order to assure that goal was achieved, the Confederates had to accomplish several tasks. One, to secure the city, and two, to weaken the Mandalorian presence as much as possible. There were designated harriers sent in to harass Mandalorian defenders, raiders poised to ransack key locations and cause panic and confusion- and there was a main force, utilizing the Chaos in order to achieve their final goal.
Pushing the UCM from the system would take a massive effort on the part of each and every Confederate. Alkor and Hevn simply had the most heinous job of the bunch. Their hand-selected team had been briefed on the importance of going in and being ghosts. They were offered means to terminate themselves should the need arise, and some even took it.
Once his boots were on the ground, he stared skyward. Alkor could already see the o-zone layer darkening as turbolaser fire burned away at it. Violence from the skies rained down against lumbering shields, which quaked horrendously under constant pressure.
Their play was to hold a hospital? To hide behind the weak and invalid? How far the mighty fallen, indeed.
Particularly, the lack of resistance was immediately obvious. Defenses concentrated around the outer perimeter were sparse, if invisible to the naked eye. Their small team had been ejected along the outer fringes of the city and spaced apart to maximize their efforts at infiltration.
It appeared the UCM had already made that job a simple matter.
"Mortus," Alkor muttered into the short range comm to [member="Bedrovelse Hevn"], "this is Glaive. Proceed to the rendezvous point quickly and execute Omega Protocol."
He lowered the comm and slipped into the shadows, pressing toward the Control Tower that directed air traffic on and off world. Alkor was a bit sad, however.
Location: Arriving in space Objective: Defending the planet Allies: UCM and allies
Taggin: [member="Adron Malvern"] [member="Xobos Yakieer"] [member="Voph"] [member="Azmodan"] [member="Srina Talon"] [member="Garza"] [member="Vanessa Vantai"] [member="Kiff Brayde"] [member="Livia Maddox"] [member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Quoron Cadera"] [member="Gianna Aegis"] [member="John Locke"] [member="Gerhard Manndorf"] [member="Dezoti"] Enemies: Those who would seek to do harm to the planet and those living on it Resources: x5 Miid ro'ik(8100m) 11x A-vek Iiluunu (8800m)30x Coral SKipper squads per 10x Suuv Ban D'Krid (7200m)36 Coral Skipper squads per ship1x Vua'spar interdictor x1 MandalBioEng Chthonian-Class Attack Ship
When she first heard Mand'alor's request for their assistance she was half tempted to tell her where to shove it however what was offered in return for there assistance is what peaked her interest. She continued searching into more ways to creatre and modify herself and her creations even going beyond the standards that normal vong would approve of and hearing that she can have access to 800 years of shaper knowledge in return? That was an offer that she couldn't refuse.
She sent a small fleet to Tanaab after they met up with one of the Mandalorian's Bio ships that alone impressed her that such a thing could be created, Now the fleet was united as she kept an eye on it from the vilips as she tasked her Yammosk to command the fleet. She sent a message to the Mandalorians defending Tanaab to inform them that she is giving whoever can translate and speak Yammosk control over instructing the fleet. After the fleet entered hyperspace heading for Tanaab to face against the CIS and its allies, She heard of their warcrimes and of their achievements that they cling to so boldly but she paid no mind to a lion that holds onto old victories to justify its actions.
After all this was said and done she went back to her chambers in unmarked space as she began to test and practice with her new abilities, She knew the warrior she sent were capable and bread for this, give them the promise of blood and they will bring you the oceans, give them the promise to die with honor in the field of battle and they shall move mountains and darken stars. That is the vong way and who was she to stand in their way, Perhaps this may mark the day of a different kind of relationship If the Mandalore keeps her word.
For now she simply sat down in her chambers as she viewed the battle from her villip as they transmitted visual pictures and images to her when they find something useful or if she wanted to know out of curiosity,This would be the first time in history as far as she can remember that the vong helped a faction other then their own and this time they shall see how vile and powerful the vong can be.
The Mandalorian Guards had made it to the shield generator without issue. The attack seemed well underway. Ruus and his men dismounted the airspeeders, which they parked to the side of the building neatly, and marched up to the shield generator building entrance. Their blaster resistant shields glinted dully in the light as they made a single row across the building's front. Ruus' gave a short glance around and seeing no body nearby called into Pandath Security forces dispatch "Shield secured." he placed his hand on the handle of his WESTAR-35 and waited. What else was there to do but wait?
Location: Bridge, The Veil Objective: Command the Confederate Armada Allies: [member="Xobos Yakieer"] [member="Voph"] [member="Kat Decoria"] [member="Azmodan"] [member="John Locke"] Enemies: [member="Vanessa Vantai"] [member="Dezoti"] [member="Quoron Cadera"] [member="Livia Maddox"] Post: II
"Never forget your enemies, because they will never forgive you." - Avius Malvern
It took time for the Confederate armada to deploy into the system. The fleet was massive and with it came enough firepower to conquer three planets like Taanab. Of course, that did not mean that they were granted an easy victory. No, the United Clans fancied themselves as warriors, they would never surrender the planet without some feeble attempt at resistance. The explosions that showed it's wrath through the Confederate fleet were an example of the lengths these savages would go to in order to hinder progress.
"Savages." The word was spoken with poison and malice. It seethed from the Exarch as he watched his guard receive the brunt force of the explosive wall. His amethyst eyes gazed out at the minefield searchingly. Why would the Mandalorians keep a minefield around a world they held dominion to...unless they knew an enemy force was coming. The Exarch glanced to his apprentice, not able to hide the slight smirk that came over his lips. "They were waiting for us. Go now and do not return to me with the shame of failure." Xobos was not a soldier, she was a Sith. An apprentice, yet she knew the consequences of failing her master at such a crutial time. He watched her depart with a silent, almost examining gaze. Was she ready to take on such a command? Truthfully? No. She was not ready. She was both mentally and intellectually ill prepared for such a command and if she was any other it would surely end in failure. Yet, perhaps that was why the Sith Lord believed she would be successful, because she was not ready. In the real galaxy you don't get the luxury to be ready, you must survive on your own steam.
With his apprentice gone, the Exarch turned back to the holoterminal before him. He turned to the leader of his forces Vanguard, [member="Voph"]. He could hear the man's command, and even now in his viewport he smirked as the fleet pushed forth. "Viceroy [member="Voph"], continue to push forward, my main force will follow closely behind. We will make short work of their defenses and then take the skies for our own."
The Exarch glanced to the side, where one of his communications droids was approaching him. "Exarch, we have a specilized fighter squadron standing by for your direct orders." The droid held the Exarch a datapad, though there was a moment before he glanced down at it. "Begin a planetary wide scan. I want to know what our ground troops will be meeting and where we can best insert our main forces and get me a status report on the fleet."
"Yes, my lord." The droid turned away from the Exarch, allowing him to turn his eyes down to the datapad. Cyan squad. "I've never heard of this squadron before....Probably more hotheaded fliers looking for fame and glory. Very well. Order [member="Kat Decoria"] to report to Viceroy [member="Voph"]. She is to help him break through to the planet and destroy all defenses in between us and the planet." He handed the datapad back to the officer unit, before turning back to the viewport before him.
The bridge was loud. Orders were being called from one side of the deck to another, yet it ran in a well oiled machine. As the updates continued to come in, Malphas listened with a certain interest. He had to keep his eyes on the mission as a whole. The main goal was to push through to the planet and take it for The Confederacy, they could not forget that. It was in the next moment that a number of updates came through the communications team.
"Sir, we've lost communication to The Fortressa, we suspect it may have been hit by one of the Mandalorian mines."
"Exarch, two more of our escorts are disabled, they need to fall back to begin battle-ready repairs."
"Exarch, another allied ship has come out of Hyperspace. It's signature reads as General [member="Azmodan"]. The Grand Phalanx. It's pushed forward to the planet and is releasing it's complement!"
So it begins.
Malphas cast his cape from his arm, aiming a hand towards the space station that held dominion of the skies in between the planet and their fleet. "Order General [member="Azmodan"] to open fire on that station, rip it from the skies before it can harasss our fleet." The man turned to the holocall before him, looking to the command group with a certain gaze. "We push through, if we stop moving then we'll get caught in a lull and give the enemy time to respond. Keep pressing forward." He turned to the helmsmen of The Veil, a human who kept his eyes locked on the Exarch at all times, prepared to receive his commands.
"All forward Captain, let's stretch our legs." The fleet pressed on. The ships fired their engines and with one command, Taanab would feel the weight of the Confederate armada. Soon, it would host that weight. There was a noticable shift in the Force. A familiar one. It caused the Exarch to turn back towards the blast doors that led to the ships main spine. He had invited [member="Veiere Arenais"] to his ship as both an ally and friend. There was never any misunderstanding between the two. Adron was a Sith, who cared little for the Jedi and their views. Yet, the Silver Jedi Order were close allies to The Confederacy, duty demanded he bury his grudges. Still, there was something to be said for having an old ally as a new ally once again. He watched as his former master made his way down to the observation deck. The Sith Lord would give him a curt nod, a sign of respect not often extended, but that was all time could permit. A few moments passed before a woman wearing a black Confederate uniform approached the Exarch.
"Lieutenant Ring, I have a full status report, my lord." She reported, offering a crisp salute.
"Proceed." Malphas spoke quickly, his eyes never leaving the battle that raged on before him. The young officer knew better than to force the man to repeat himself. She turned to her datapad, her eyes looking over the information and speaking as clear and concisely as she could manage. "Yes, my lord. General Azmodan has the lead and has already begun deploying a number of forces to the planet. We believe he is acting autonomously as he was not entered into the Armada's order of battle roster. The planetary scan was competed and....Well, my lord the planet is all but empty." This, caused Adron to turn to the woman with narrowed eyes. "Empty?"
"Well, there are some lifeforms but most are being recognized as native life. There is only one moderately populated area that our maps show to be one of the planet's main cities, but even it's population is low compared to our previous reports."
They evacuated the planet.
"So they would turn this sector into a warzone afterall...This makes no sense. If they knew we were coming they could have amassed a true defense. Do we know anything about the planetary defense on the surface?" He asked, looking to the woman.
"No sir, but we will have reports coming in shortly as some of our infiltrators are reporting in. Though we've had no communications yet." The Exarch nodded at this, waving his hand at the woman to continue. "Uhm...there were a few communications transfers between the UCM and our own forces, the Admiral said not to bother you with that....and that's all thus far sir."
"Dismissed, Lieutenant." The woman saluted, yet again, before turning back to her own station. So the Mandalorians had learned of the Confederate invasion far earlier than was expected. A dissapointment, but still not a deciding factor in this battle. Again, he turned to the holocall where his allies {[member="Voph"], [member="Xobos Yakieer"], [member="John Locke"], [member="Azmodan"] [member="Kat Decoria"] [member="Gerhard Manndorf"] [member="Kiff Brayde"] [member="Cypher Rage"] [member="Visanj T'shkali"]}.
"I'm sure you've all guessed by now but we were expected. This changes nothing. This world belongs to us now and we are going to wipe this filth away from it. Be on guard, there will be a fight here and we will be ready."
Truer words have never been said before.
"What the hell is that?! Are those Mandalorian ships?!" The voice came from one of The Veil's deck officers. It caused the Exarch's eyes to turn to the viewport and what he saw caused his heart to skip a beat. Ships, warships had fallen from hyperspace and placed themselves in the midst of the battlefield. The Exarch stepped past the holocall, gazing out at the fleet that had been entered by [member="Vanessa Vantai"]. It was a formidable fleet to say the least, but they were not Mandalorian. No, those ships were all too familair. "The Sith Empire." The Exarch muttered.
The fire of the Dark Side had now spun into a vicious inferno within him. He could feel his armor, begging him for blood and death, and in turn pulsing his body with massive pushes of pain. This only served to enhance his anger. His hand tightened, the leather of his gauntlet letting out a cry as he stared out at the ships hovering over the planet. "Damn them." He hissed, before turning back to the holocall. "[member="Voph"], turn the majority of your fleet, aim your fire at those ships before they can fire upon us, now!"
Then he turned to his own deck crew. "Now, move our Battlecruisers into position beside [member="Voph"] and open fire, destroy them, destroy them all! Have The Dread Queen and the detachment continue to press against the planet's defenses." Exhaling, he worked to bring his emotions back into check, yet the expression on his face showed the hellish anger that was building up inside of him. His hand slammed down into a nearby terminal, leaving a destructive crack on the screen. He gazed out of the viewport with a hate filled face.
Do you think this changes anything? Do you think a few ships will stop us from taking this world? We need to take this planet. You will not stop us. He glanced over to the terminal, looking to the metallic shards that fell back to it as he pulled his fist back. The display was a temporary thing, a brief outlet so the Force would not lash out of him as violently as it was known to. His anger was growing these days, perhaps it was the pull of Crimson Dread, or maybe more. He exhaled, running a hand over his head to smooth his hair back before rejoining the group at the holotable. No sooner than he could speak, did another klaxon ring, warning the crew of another fleet breaking into the planet's space. This time the fleet was Mandalorian, and with it came hellish fire raining out over the Armada's rear guard, [member="John Locke"]. A deck officer approached Malphas, whispering into his ear what he could of the Mandalorian's fleet. "Seems the dogs are finally here." Malphas muttered. He turned his eyes back to [member="John Locke"]. "Hold out against those ships and keep them off the main attack force."
Now, he turned to his own officer, [member="Kiff Brayde"]. "High Marshall. I want your fleet to fall back. Take up positions in the rear and support Locke. His fleet is outnumbered and outgunned, tip the scales. Now." The order was quick but the Exarch's words were law. All John Lock had to do was hold out while the fleet repositioned itself to better support him.
John was quick to return to the Exarch in the midst of commanding his own fleet. Even Malphas had to admit, that was impressive. To come under fire and still remain to council his allies? Most impressive. The information that came from the man was...valuable to say the least. The moment he spoke, Malphas' eyes quirked, throwing a hand to one of the passing officer's to stop him beside the man. "Listen to him." He commanded, and both listened to the explanation of the enemy armadas weapons. "Make sure the tech officer's get this new information and have the communications officers spread it across the fleet, immediately."
Speaking of the communications officer, he now approached the Exarch with an exhausted look. Of course, Malphas cared not for his energy, only for his report. "My lord, we have a message from one of our Knight's Obsdian, [member="Naedira Darcrath"]. The outage on the Fortressa was caused by an outside force, not a mine but a person. She requests aid immediately. We believe it may be a Sith Lord." A Sith Lord. The Exarch paused for a moment, he was not in a position to leave his command to face a Sith, no matter how much he wished. His eyes turned to the holocall, measuring the men who stood before him. They were not warriors, most were leaders but there were none he could send on this task and a simple droid troop would be like sending a child to face an Echani Warmaster. That was when, for the first time since they had arrived, a certain light came to his eyes. "Prepare a shuttle with a fighter escort, immediately. Hangar 1."
"Right away, sir." The man bowed before turning away, all the while the Exarch had set his eyes on [member="Veiere Arenais"] who stood down on the observation deck. The Exarch made his way to the railing, looking down at the man with an expectant gaze. "Master Arenais, it's time to go." He stated, not hinting to his meaning for a moment until he was sure he had the man's attention. "I've prepared a shuttle and fighter escort for you in the main hangar. The Fortressa , one of our main invasion ships, has come under attack by a Sith Lord. I have a soldier there but she will not last long by herself, you must go and support her, immediately. I am in your debt." He turned, not waiting for an ackowledgement or response, he knew his old master would understand. If the Jedi understood little else, they understood duty.
Once the Exarch returned, he saw that they had been joined by yet another fleet, no two. His eyes narrowed and he turned to the command staff. "Two more fleets have entered from hyperspace. The main fleet must push past the Sith Armada. [member="John Locke"] and [member="Kiff Brayde"] will stand at the rear, keeping the enemy at bay. General [member="Azmodan"] and [member="Voph"] will work to bring us upon Taanab so we can begin mounting a proper defensive formation." He turned to one of the officers, [member="Gerhard Manndorf"] with a dutiful look. "You must abandond your current mission. I want your fleet to let the Mandalorian ships go, move to support our flank with @John Lock." The Exarch had noticed that comms with [member="Cypher Rage"] had faltered. His amethyst eyes narrowed as he looked out to the group. "Find out what happened to Rage and proceed with your orders. See the Vicelord's will done."
Now things have changed. Now it was The Confederacy that had been caught unaware. The only difference was they were prepared to pay the price.
{OOC}
Darth Malphas' Fleet-
Armada Flagship- The Veil | Shields: 73% | Hull: 100% | Currently: Firing on [member="Vanessa Vantai"] Flagship
Targets: United Clans of Mandalore, and any sympathizers.
Fleet: See bottom of Post
Specific Tags: [member="Adron Malvern"] [member="John Locke"] [member="Vanessa Vantai"] [member="Kat Decoria"]
Post: Two
[Youtube]https://youtu.be/Wcz95p8Q2GM[/youtube]
Voph fell still as the carnage began to rage around him. His head turned simply to the hologram of [member="Adron Malvern"] and he nodded. A single nod. That was all it took. He was ready. His men were ready. It was time for war. And his target? The very beings that had destroyed him. Stripped him of everything that had mattered. The Sith. It was time for revenge. Voph stood, and spoke simply. "Combat Mode." The pedestal he had sat upon lowered into the floor, and the lights dimmed within the room. Voph reached out with his left hand, and called his helmet from the table it had been set upon. He slowly lowered it over his head, breathing a sigh of relief as the seals hissed shut. His reaction was akin to a junkie getting a fix after far too long. His fingers curled into fists, and the purple lights that served as eyes clicked on.
Deep within, he felt it. Calling to him. Pleading with him. Voph's calm and icy exterior faltered under the guise of the mask. His second skin. The claustrophobia that had once haunted him as he sat trapped within the tangled metal depths had become his strength. His fortress. Master and Creation had become one. Moving in perfect sync. Voph's purple eyes locked on Adron's once again, and Voph nodded. "The Sith shall be dealt with." Voph turned, and reached within to call forth his boon. His solace. It plead with him. To let it out. Let it fester. Let it boil over. Voph seethed with hatred and rage at the injustice the Sith had wrought upon him.
"All ships, Modulate shield frequencies, don't give them a chance to adjust." Voph reached out with the Force.
Peace is a lie. There is only passion.
As the guns began to power up, Voph's fingers released, and his arms raised. The Battle Meditation deepened, as Voph's immersion in the Force deepened.
Through Passion, I gain Strength.
Voph's fingers began to curl. In the dark void of space, metal began to creak
Through Strength, I gain Power.
Voph's hand closed, and his grip secured itself. His ships drew nearer. It was time.
Through Power, I gain Victory.
Voph strained against the resistance. His arm moved forward, and he stepped under the effort.
Through Victory, my chains are broken.
The ships had their targets. They knew the game. Danger close. A slug fest over Tanaab. All he had to do was say the word. And as he released his grip on the cluster of mines, Voph gave the order.
"FIRE!"
In unison, the XR cannons began to hum, a bright green glow coalescing about the end of their barrels. Every forward facing cannon on the Resolve, and her 12 Archwing escorts, fired in unison, the mines skittering between the shots to hurtle towards the hull of [member="Vanessa Vantai"] and her flagship. Beam after beam of devastating energy was surging through space towards the small cluster of cruisers. Fighters screamed past the Resolve, raining fire and bombs upon the opposing cruisers. And while they might have out numbered the Octarchy, there was one thing they didn't have.
"Task Force" refers to all present and functional vessels.
Task Force approaches planetary edge of Minefield
Voph uses Battle Meditation to augment friendly forces
Voph uses Telekinetics to grab five mines from the surrounding minefield, and throw them at [member="Vanessa Vantai"] 's Lead ship
Resolve splits fire between two Soverign Elite Cruisers under command of [member="Vanessa Vantai"] utilizing XR Cannons
Archwings fire upon individual Saturn Type Battleships, O-Variant under command of [member="Vanessa Vantai"] utilizing twin XR Cannons
Bomber Squadrons attacking Saturn Type Battleships, D-Variant under command of [member="Vanessa Vantai"] striking with twin squadrons where available (Five ships are being attacked by a single squadron)
Mynock Interceptors are flying defensive positions for the Bombers, staving off enemy fighters.
Octarch Strike Fighters and Monarch Gunships are aiding Bombers with strafing runs against D-Variant Saturn Ships, under command of [member="Vanessa Vantai"]
Aquila-class ECM frigate maintaining Jamming field in Tanaab Orbit
Trajan was old. He had seen much in his travels, and this battle was nothing new. He had been given a mission, he was to take a small force and harass the enemy from a distance. As such, he stood on the bridge of one of the gestalts. Long after the main fleets had engaged the enemy and cleared patches of the mine field, only then did the ships drop out of hyperspace at the edge of the battle, out of range for most of the guns there. The tendrils on the man's back wiped in anticipation. “Launch the fighters, create a defensive perimeter. Send the Drop Ships in, and assist in building the base of operations. Take the long way, keep the planet between them and the other ships, drop into atmosphere on the opposite side of the planet from the objective.” His voice was cold, emotionless. The Starweird still had trouble understanding these...emotions. Long fingers drummed on his chest, as he kept his arms crossed.
“Main guns, begin the loading and charging process. Sensor crews, begin to pick targets of opportunity.” They were far outside of turbolaser range, while there was concerns....they could be easily taken care of. “Prepare microjump coordinates at all times. Keep them updated as we move. At a moments notice, if things get dicey, I want us out of here.”
The carriers and destroyers launched much of their fighters, to create a protective barrier from any pesky Buckethead fighters that went to poke their head where it didn't belong. The Heavy Drop ships moved off, circling far from the battlefield as they began their trek down to the planet surface. “Tell the Carriers to begin Electronic Warfare. Jam the signals coming from us, begin making it harder for them to pinpoint our own exact location for long range attacks.”
With the ever present grin on his mask, the man looked out the window. What target should they obliterate? Something smaller perhaps. It would take time to scan through the ships, and the situation, this wasn't some easy to do task that you just strolled in weapons blazing. At the far end of your weapon range, it took a great deal of planning. For now, he waited, gathering intel, and preparing his forces. Weapons were loaded, and charged. It would soon be time to spread destruction to the masses.
The flames licked and burned all around Scherezade as the trees burned so beautifully. She had finished setting the orchard on fire, and not a single tree within several acres had been spared. There had been no games of Force to cause this destruction, no clever tricks. Just a girl and her love for arson. A single torch, and the prices of apples on the planet would surely double in the upcoming seasons or few. She couldn't remember… Was Taanab the only agriculture world that served as a giant food source for the Mandalorians? If so, how would they like dem apples?! She ugly giggled a little bit and opened one of her holomaps, trying to decide what it was she wanted to destroy next.
Oooh! There was a plot of land a walking distance away where they grew crop for animal feed. Scherezade supposed this referred to things like the equivalent of corn and soy and hay and all of that. Food that you grew so that you could feed more food. Oh, she remembered the lovely boutique shop she'd once found on Coruscant, that sold special vitamin and mineral tablets for banthas that over the course of a few months made their meet more supple and was supposed to be healthy and all of that. Scherezade had regularly fed it to a few banthas on Naboo whenever she could, and then slaughtered one of them for food. The result was spectacular. It was almost enough to convince her she needed to add a Bantha farm to her assets, but it was hard enough to take proper care of Kaadus as it were. Not to mention the duck, the Loth Wolf, and the soon to be dragon, that she still had in her home, which was her tiny ship.
Scherezade stared to the sky. It was raining metal all around, as Confederates dropped from orbit in the metallic drop pods, some of them exploding like fireworks as they were either taken by the shields or hit by something that shot at them from further away than where Scherezade was standing. She couldn't say that she cared too much – her own sister had landed safely, and was with others on another part of the planet. Scherezade had taken a drop of her blood in advance so that she could find her in the event that she was taken or went missing. Sadly, there was nothing the Blood Hound could offer of herself in return, so they were going to have to somewhat play it by ear if the opposite happened. But she wasn't truly worried. If anything, becoming a POW would present her with an amazing opportunity to let loose on a government, a planet, and cause more collateral damage than she was permitted to in other instances. To be caught, that would be an adventure!
Beginning to make her way towards the other area she wanted to set on fire, Scherezade halted in her steps as she realized presence she knew slightly better than many of those dropping in from the sky. The corners of her lips curled into a smile; the first time, it had been the woman's outer markings that had told Scherezade what she was, even if not fully. The second time, it had been the scent of her blood that had marked her as someone Scherezade had met, though there wasn't enough familiarity to immediately know who. And now, a third time… There she was.
"To call them enemies is to give them honor they do not deserve," Scherezade answered with a grin as one of the preciously few Dathomiris she didn't want to outright kill stood next to her. The curvaceous Sithling raised her arm, showing the comlink she wielded. "I've been listening to the battle of words. Those tuna cans are holstered up in a hospital, using sick people as human meat shields. If we shoot, we attacked a hospital, if we don't shoot, they get a severely false sense of superiority and think standing behind innocents somehow makes them better. That is the gist of our enemies – toothless lions, cowards, would make better to the 'verse at large if we harvested their organs and sold them, or used them as fertilizer. Maybe I'll put in a request to do just that after we clear their stink from this planet."
Motioning for Vytal to follow her, Scherezade's voice remained mostly bubbly and happy, the torch in her hand bouncing alongside with her. "There is also a blood feud between my family and them," she found herself saying before thinking about it. It had been… Over a year since she'd last confided that information to anyone, "Many of them do not remember, because it has been raging for so long. I wish there was true joy in taking them out as I already have taken some out a while ago… But no. These are not the same Mandalorians that have opened war against my grandmother and kidnapped one of her daughters. The centuries have weakened them, turned their hearts and wills soft. Killing them before the Gulag was part of the feud, part of our revenge. Killing them now… It is like putting down a sick dog. It's a mercy that must be done."
While she'd spoken, the two warriors, fighters, Force Users, had continued to walk, and they reached the plot of land Scherezade had been aiming for, the burning orchard far enough behind them. "This area is the start of where they grow food to feed cattle and such," she explained, and then turned to Vytal with gleaming eyes and a wicked smile, "wanna show me how much damage a Nightsister can wreak?"
Silently, the Scimitar slide through the atmosphere. It kept a wide berth from the firing directions of the guns, and instead, went low to the ground as it moved back towards the landing zone that was over the horizon. With all the weapons pointed at the easily seen targets, and the chaos of war, the singular ship had a much easier time of it, once in the atmosphere. It settled down close to [member="Luna Terrik"] and immediately the commandos and troopers onboard the ship unloaded the cargo. “Set up the pylons, get the generators out and running! We don't have much time, this is a race against the clock people!” Crash moved over and patted her helmet before he began to shout at everyone else. “Double time! You heard the Adjudant!”
The Adjudant helped to unload as much equipment as possible. A popup medical tent and supplies, the temporary shield generator, and a few other odds and ends had been carried with her on the ship. As her troops began to set up the generators. As the first of the pylons was set up, and the generators began to hum to life, it was time to report in.
Allya checked in with the other commandos, made sure everyone had what they needed, and rounded up a few more hands to begin setting up the shields. They needed to be up first thing. Only then did she move over towards Luna. Her father and commander were there, and she swiftly and smoothly saluted them both. “Commander, Vicelord, we have made planet fall, a temporary shielding system will be up swiftly as we can, until the FOB's own shields can be brought up.” After that, she stood at attention, no longer interrupting them. Part of her wanted to reach out and caress her father's face, to hug him and be his daughter. However, this was the field of war. Death was around the corner. She had to stay focused and not be overwhelmed by his presence.
"I've prepared a shuttle and fighter escort for you in the main hangar. The Fortressa , one of our main invasion ships, has come under attack by a Sith Lord. I have a soldier there but she will not last long by herself, you must go and support her, immediately. I am in your debt".
"Oh, so not one of yours then?" Veiere responded with a slight quip. If Veiere hadn't known the man better, it would've sounded like [member="Adron Malvern"] had given him an order. The Dark Side was strong among those of the Confederacy and Veiere's sense of awareness had not dulled any, despite the fatigue this war had already cost him.
The Alliance they shared was something entirely new to Veiere as far as the Order of the Silver Jedi was concerned, however there were some among the Confederacy that displayed questionable traits that Veiere hoped never to witness. The Jedi Master had always been a man that believed in judging upon evidence, not one's affiliation, origins or the rumors around them. From his perspective, it was imperative that their ideologies were kept in-tact and forever practiced. Not only for himself, but for all whom called themselves Jedi.
"Don't worry Adron, Sith Lords are my specialty..." Veiere smirked back at his old friend, suddenly on the move alongside him as they descended the observation platform and soon parted, the Jedi Master moving for the nearest set of turbo-lifts in order to head below and make his way for the aforementioned hangar, his shuttle being prepped for the ship to ship transition. Curiously, Veiere could already hear the call of the Force coming to him. There with it, came a sense of apprehension and anxiety, the familiar signs that often came before a far greater threat to himself or those around him, those within his potential to safeguard. From the moment the turbo-lift had reached the appropriate level, Veiere's pace had picked up and pushed into a run suddenly feeling the urgency, yet not knowing just how dire the situation that awaited him on the flagship was.
"Captain, best we make no stops along the way..." Veiere called ahead of himself as he ran towards the shuttle, the crew around her seeing him coming and suddenly scrambling into position, picking up on the Jedi Master's distress. Much like his writer, Veiere was the kind of man whose humor came out at the worst of times; Call it a habit of trying to lighten the situation.
The Ne’tra’galaar broke into the Taanab System and went to cloak once more. Vi breathed deeply. This fleet, they were ready and spoiling for a fight, and they were about to have one…
“Commander, this is Visanj T’shkali, Renegade Fleet on site, commencing attack.”The transmission was short and sweet, but the weight of it didn’t go unnoticed.
It had been almost nine centuries since Dagata had gone to war. Nine centuries since her people had risen together, former slaves, refugees of war-torn worlds, fugitives from the Empire, who took up the Starbird of the Rebellion and fought against the darkness of Palpatine’s regime. Formed after the Battle of Hoth, the Dagatan society was home to those forsaken and forsworn, and yet they refused to allow others to win their freedom for them. The militia was raised, and Dagtan blood would mingle with the blood of Rebels and Imperials alike. At Endor, they flew with Calrissian and Ackbar, and then – a year later – they fought on the sands and in the skies over the Jak, and watched the Empire fall. But when Mon Mothma betrayed them, robbed them of justice, Dagata broke from the galaxy, declared its independence. Their leader, Shalya, slapped Luke Skywalker’s face and branded him a coward for his complicity, and in her first decree as Baroness, she declared that no Sith or Jedi was welcome in Dagata’s space, and they would die if they came. Ever since, they’d lived apart, isolated and sheathed in their righteous anger.
Dagata was never large, but when Dagata went to war, all Dagata went. Dagatan children, just four and five years old, scoured the battlefields, slicing the throats of the enemy’s wounded. All of Dagata, Vi thought. But today, today was a different day. Only days before, she’d received the call: Jenn Fay, the ancient Pau’an Prime Minister who’d been a close friend and ally to her house since the days of Shalya, had been found alone in his office with the doors locked and his throat slit. The Council of Ministers had seized control. The Blood Captains – leaders of Dagata’s Militia – had broken away and come to their Baroness, crossing a line over which they could never return. This would be the beginning of civil war, a battle for Dagata’s future. But that way a fight for another day. Today, the Baroness of Dagata would lead her people into battle. Today, war and only war lay ahead. Peace would have to wait until tomorrow.
Vi took a deep breath, then commenced her broadcast…
“Dagatans, this is your Baroness! Today we reclaim our place among the stars. Today we remind those who would enslave and oppress, harm innocents and plunder their worlds, we remind them that the stories told to them as children, of monsters in the dark, are true. Every man among you has made his choice, to stand with his Baroness, and make no mistake, your Baroness stands with you! Together, we stand against the darkness once more, shoulder to shoulder with new friends and old.”Vi took another slow breath.
“To our enemies, we offer no quarter. Leave nothing which will tell their story. To the innocents, our solemn promise to hold them safe from harm. There will be no surrender from us, no retreat, and every inch of ground and space they wish to take they will pay for in gallons of blood and tears. For every blood-stained suit of beskar laid at my feet, I am personally offering one million credits. For whomever brings me the head of Kaine Australis or his false Mand’alor, ten million! To those who fight beside us, we shall break no covenant, forsake no friend, by our deeds today they will know that Dagata and Dagatans will stand, bleed, and even die with them! Give them your honor, your respect, and your sure faith! Make your mark on Taanab! For nine hundred years we have held our anger and withheld our hand. Today our silence ends, today our grievances are past and our fidelity is renewed! Today, we claim our birthright! I love you all, and will see you in hell!”
Vi ended the broadcast. She’d done well, she thought. The ancient practice of offering bounties for enemies had been observed. The force knew why they were there and what this means to the history of the galaxy. They’d made their choice, and now it stood to make sure it was not in vain. It wasn’t a big fleet, not by anyone’s reckoning, but it didn’t have to be. It was enough, enough to make a statement, to change the course of history. So much, Vi thought, so much stood on this. Then came the message, breaking her reflection.
“Baroness, we are with you! We are all Shalya’s children, and we will remind the galaxy of that fact. We will not see hell, and you, you will live in the Force forever! You will be proud, Baroness, proud of Dagata today. May your Grey Flame burn bright forever! Your will be done, Baroness, The Force wills it!"
Vi was proud. The Force wills it.
“All ships! Concentrate your fire on the Pitiless Spirit! Take it the hell out of my sky!”
The Force wills it, Vi thought as the fleet burst forth from hyperspace, forty-four ships and over a thousand fighters with all guns and missiles firing against the enemy.
In response to his message, an image appeared on the screen that struck everyone in sight of it with a combination of terror and dread. Whether it was because of his reputation as a battle scarred veteran of over a dozen conflicts or some sinister aspect of his Dark Side aura, the purple and crimson armor that many have learned belonged to the dread lord Daxton Bane. Many have spoken of many near impossible things done by the man, yet his mere presence alone, it highlighted how seriously the CIS took this threat to be.
His voice, dark and coy, seemed calm and even amused at his challenge, and when he spoke it was with the condescending tone of an elder explaining the obvious to a child.
“You and that pitiful force will do nothing at all because you are irrelevant. Stay and I promise you death will come on swift wings before you you even realize it. I have fought your kind before and I am still standing, ask yourself how many of your brothers and sisters stood against me and can say the same thing. If you are so eager to die then come and find me on the planet, or watch as purge it of corruption and filth before you runaway with your tail between your legs. Your foul teachings shall feel my purging touch and I will burn the infection clean and begin anew. Now run along now, its time for the big boys to get to work.”
Daxton could not help but smirk, beneath the hihly reflective face plate he wore, even though no one else could see him. The Zabrak couldn’t resist poking the Mandalorians and their faulted pride with that response calculated to get every Mandalorian in hearing range to be determined to throw their lives away in defense of world already lost.
He had met the giant scaly one a little while ago, not entirely sure that it wasn't a statue at first, the creature was just so gigantimous...to be fair the duckling still wasn't sure that Garza wasn't a statue. He was a great obstacle course though, fulls of little bumps and ridges for the duckling to scramble over, trying to see how high he could get. He hadn't even looked around to see where they were, not until there was a shake, a roar of engines...the scaly one must be sleeping...maybe. maybe if he got high enough he could wake him up and he'd play! The noble knight Sir Duckington for Ducksville began to climb on his most urgent and glorious quest.
[SIZE=12pt]Location: Tanaab Clan Tal hospital[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]Allies: Mandos and Defenders[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]Enemies: CIS and Attackers[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]Links:[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]
[SIZE=12pt]70 Titan tanks, 20 Imperium class super heavy tanks, 15 EL-5 Mobile Siege Artillery, 50 AAA, 300 AT-Ads[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tanks are centered on the titans and also spread out to support the trench line. AT-Ads are directly at the trench line to help protect the troops better. Beskad Warriors are also in a supporting role, are heavy infantry and defending important individuals, such as Taozi. Fuyuan . Beskad Elites with Adenn and/or Aditya.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Chulan cloaked and hiding around the hospital and acting as vanguard soldiers. Will conduct hit and run missions.[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]Ion mines deployed at 500m from one another, all around the hospital and trenchline. They are all cloaked, so can’t be seen.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Every single soldier has their helmets on with recording devices, so everything is being recorded in the battle.[/SIZE]
[media]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6DqVlQSMI
[/media]
Adenn had listened as Aditya spoke, calming ever so slightly. What she said was true, there was no sense in attacking Tanaab, it was a peaceful world that wanted to be in the Mandalorian fold, but the CIS didn't see it that way. It didn't matter though, once she said that she loved him, Adenn let out a small smile before whispering it back. When the klaxons sounded, Adenn took the offered helmet and put it on, bowed his head to Aditya and walked out, head held high. As he walked he heard the speaches and his fist shook in anger, the self righteousness of the CIS was obscene. They thought that what they did was justified, no matter what they did.
However, Adenn wouldn't let the anger get a hold of himself, no, he had to be strong for his men. Many of which were visibly showing their anger, uncontrollably shaking with rage. As such, as he walked past them, he hugged his vode if they were that angry, saluted all of his men he passed, and each patient he passed was given a strong nod. Each was meant to show that everything was going to be ok, even if it wasn't going to be, they had to believe it would be, if only to fight harder for their family, for their aliit.
He neared the outside of the hospital and heard the sounds of battle, so the CIS had attacked this place, even though saying they wouldn't. His face in a grimace, Adenn made his way into the trenches around the hospital, intent on joining his vode in defending the hospital. Some sort of animal was attacking, but they weren't getting close, there was simply too much fire being poured at them from the troops. Not only that though, someone else had their forces attacking. It wouldn't be enough though, no matter what happened, it wouldn't be enough. They fought on and on, shooting at those who were attacking, both the animals and the troops, not letting them gain any ground.
Even as this happened, they received regular reports from various sources of attackers coming into the city. There was also a FOB somewhere and someone wanted to make a shield generator. Adenn couldn't see any of this, but his Chulan could, they were afterall spread out everywhere around the place. They reported everything they saw and made their moves against the enemy. The entire time Adenn didn't look up, nor did any of his men, they didn't want to bother themselves with the space battle, lest they distract themselves. That plan came crashing down with the message from Captain Maddox.
Livia Maddox said:
“… Mandalorians of Tanaab… this is Fleet Captain Livia “Fury” Miles. We are engaging the enemy, and they are more numerous than any report could tell. This is not an invasion force, but a syndicate worshipping our annihilation by their hundreds. I cannot lie, if ever we all need to raise arms, it is now. We fight for Tanaab, but also for every planet beyond us. This is the place we must beat their armada back, lest they entrench and continue until every breath from every lung is gone on all our worlds.
It was said across every channel of the Mandalorians, so that everyone would hear what was said. Upon hearing this, many looked up at the sky, Adenn included. What they saw shocked them to their cores, above them was a fleet so massive that it couldn't be counted. The armada up there blocked out the stars from sight and created artificial shade across much of the planet. At the sight, many despaired, Adenn very nearly being among them. The sheer shock of so many ships for just this one world, no... not just this world, but for the entire Mandalorian space, was unthinkable.
Even as Adenn numbly stood there looking up, a soldier next to him collapsed to the ground, holding his helmeted head in his hands, with the sound of crying coming from him. Along the trenchline various reactions were happening, but a majority of it was despair. Even as the fighting continued, they just couldn't grasp so many ships. Couldn't grasp the concept that the CIS would do this, when they claimed to be peace lovers. Sinking to a knee, Adenn had his own weapon hanging by his side. This was no longer a fight for a single world, nor for the entirety of Mandalorian space. It was a fight for the very survival of their people, something that Adenn hadn't partaken in so far.
Looking up and around, Adenn's hand went to his helmet, while his mind went to Aditya and his newborn children. A picture sprang up in his HUD, a picture with Aditya and Adenn holding their new born children, looking at peace, relatively. Tears threatening to spill out from his eyes now, Adenn blinked multiple times, even as resolve came over him. He had to be strong, not only for his men, but for his family... his aliit. Looking around himself, Adenn saw that the despair was still there, and looking down, he saw that the man was very nearly broken completely.
Taking a deep breath, voice shaking at first, but then slowly hardening with resolve, Adenn spoke. He opened his comm to all his forces, to all his allies, to anyone who was on that channel, and spoke. Adenn spoke with the feelings of a newly made father, of a soldier who had seen the horrors of war and continued on, with the conviction of a man fighting for family.
"Men.... no, aliit... look up, but don't despair. Look at them, at the huu'tuun(cowardly) CIS, at their numbers. Then look to the city and the outskirts, where the enemies army outnumbers us, but don't despair." Taking another deep breath, voice firmer now. "They come in numbers to eliminate not just us, but every one of our number. The CIS isn't here for just one planet, they're here for extermination of our culture, of our families, of our vode next to us."
Looking around himself, Adenn saw his men looking at him. They knew what it was he said, and were confused as to where he was going.
"They don't come to just kill us, but to kill the wounded who we defend, the helpness and the helpers. No more say I! No more shall they rampage how they have, no more shall they kill us without retribution. Today we shall become retribution itself and send those chakaar to hell itself! They come in numbers, but why? Because they can't beat us fairly! They need the numbers to defeat us, they need surprise to defeat us."
"Look at every engagement we've had with them these past few years. When have they fought fairly, when have they come at us with even numbers?! NEVER!! They ambushed Eshan, blamed us for Umbara and H'rratth, attacked us over the years where we least expect it. Now this, we learned they were coming so we prepared to defend those who couldn't defend themselves. But the CIS knew we knew apparently, or else they wouldn't have come in such numbers. They knew if they came in fair numbers and fought against a prepared enemy, that they wouldn't win! So they do anything to balance the odds in their favor, attack us unexpectedly, or with overwhelming numbers, all to beat us."
"But they won't beat us, not in anything fair, not when we are prepared. Look up and look around vode! The CIS you see isn't an unbeatable enemy, they are cowards! They claim we are evil, yet cover their own evils and ignore it. We know what we are, we know who we are! We are warriors, fathers, mothers, spouses, sons and daughters of Mandalore. We are vode, we are aliit, we are MANDALORIANS!"
Looking around once more, Adenn saw that the despair was still there, but it was tempered with resolve, with courage and honor for the future. With hope and love for one another.
"Let them come in their numbers, let them come! They are cowards, liars, and deceivers. We are vode, and no matter what happens, we cannot be eradicated, we will not be destroyed by such paltry numbers! They claim superiority, and they are, in one aspect alone. They are the biggest cowards! Fight them vode, fight them here on Tanaab, fight them on every planet, every moon, every system, and give them nothing, but take everything from them! Send them to hell vode, bring them to their knees and slaughter them! They are unworthy of anything, so take it all from them! Their lives, their ships, their troops, their family. Take it all, and give nothing!"
"For each other, for Mandalore, for our aliit!"
A cry of "for our aliit" came from the lines of Clan Mortui, from soldiers in the city, on the outskirts, perhaps even in the ships. War was inevitable, but so were Mandalorians. They'd survived centuries of war, they'd survive this. Even in despair, even outnumbered, family would help them through. There was still despair there, even in Adenn himself, but there was also resolve. A resolve to see their families once more, to hold each other and see a new day.
The despair of before, it would only be gone if the CIS were pushed back, so Adenn and his men would push them back. They wouldn't give into despair, not anymore, they already had once, if they did so again, it'd be over. There were still those who despaired, that was to be expected, but they'd fight now, not just lay there. Adenn looked back at the hospital, to the floor where his children were, where Aditya was. He saluted there, slamming a fist against his chest. Then he turned back around, to his aliit right beside him. They were better now, maybe killing even more CIS would be even better.
Looking at his map, Adenn took note of those who had made their little speeches. There was [member="Scherezade deWinter"], [member="Darth Metus"], [member="Srina Talon"], and a few others. They were all unimportant, no matter what ranks they held within their groups, to Adenn they were just names. He knew who they were, but simply didn't care. Smiling slightly, Adenn remembered the air support from [member="Valdus Bral"]. Smirking slightly, Adenn sent a message to him.
"I have a target for you. It's Darth Metus' location, I think also one of, if not their main, FOB. Hit it with what you will please. Sending you the coordinates now, happy hunting vode. For our aliit."
Adenn would wait for whatever answer came and respond before closing his comms and getting to work. He organized his men and coordinated with the clan leaders of the Chulan. The Chulan were told to engage targets at will, something they'd get to with gusto, while Adenn himself chose to get out there with his forces. Some of his forces would stay behind to defend the hospital, but several of them would move out and attack the various groups already out there. He responded to [member="Cleru"] in those moments.
"We can't get them out of the system, but there could be more defensible rooms lower, especially if there's a bunker. For now though, the kids... my kids can't be moved, not stable enough." Sighing, Adenn made up his mind on something. "Come on down, my men will defend everyone in there, I need you for some help with something else."
Adenn would wait until Cleru was there before outlining his plan to the Chiss.
Chulan
There were squads of Chulan spread out everywhere, reporting in what they saw of enemy movement. However, when Adenn gave the go sign to attack on their own, they did so with gusto. Seeing as there were 1500 of them spread out, they were near practically every notable person and item from the CIS. There were 3 squads(10 per squad) of Chulan near [member="Scherezade deWinter"] and co. After receiving the go signal, they made their move.
Squad 1 moved in, under their cloak, and neared the little group, still 10m out though. Squad 2 split, have going with squad 1 and half going with squad 3. Squad 3 meanwhile set up sniping positions in the trees, anywhere from 15m out all the way to 50m. Each sniper had a verpine sniper rifle while the other squads had their verpine shatterguns and shoulder mounted plasma canons. Those that were closer had their personal cloaks activated, while those further away simply hid themselves using the foliage to remain hidden. Only a small amount had cloaks though, and that was the elite of the Chulan, those that decided to hide themselves for now while half their number attacked.
At an unseen signal, half their number attacked. Half of squad 3 opened fire on deWinter and Vytal, aiming to either incapacitate or kill, either or. It didn't matter to them. At the same time, half of squad 1 decloaked seconds after the shots were fired and opened up with their plasma canons. They kept their shatterguns hidden for the moment, intending to use them as a surprise weapon. Then a voice range out from their number, the voice was distorted from a mask, but still clear enough.
"Surrender now and you'll live, fight and we'll hold nothing back."
TLR
Adenn and forces learn about the enemy, despair, then a speech occurs, rally and beat back those attacking the hospital.
30 Chulan are near deWinter and co, half their number attack, demanding surrender.
Location: Taanab - Ground [Middle of Nowhere-Good Clip from Pandath]
Tags: [OPEN] + [member="Garza"]
Allies: CIS + Friends
Enemies: UCM + And Friends
Quote:"Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster."
The silvery Exarch never heard the rebuttals that were made toward her final statements. She didn’t need, or want, to hear the keening shrieks of those that were too muddled in their own self-righteousness to know up from down let alone right from wrong. These were not the Mandalorians of old. They were a new breed. Vicious, as wild dogs when they had the advantage, but when cornered? Helpless, mewling beasts.
Strange. But, not unexpected.
They had burned her world from the skies. Dropped a capital ship on it. Ravaged it with worms.
They had a full and robust marriage to the Sith Empire.
And now—They hid within hospital walls, with the sick, with the injured, after evacuating an entire planet. The scans that [member="Adron Malvern"] had taken confirmed that the largest concentration of life seemed to be there. They collapsed on the location under the guise of protection when it was truly an act of provocation. She could see it. No doubt, the rest of her peers knew it as well, especially, those with boots on the ground. Human shields were a disturbance. The Confederacy were not the Jedi. They were not forgiving, or kind. But…this? Human shields?
There were no words. She simply saw red.
The Confederacy could not afford to be hamstrung with Mandalorians that were willing to draw their own civilians into a battle that didn’t concern them. It represented a gross violation of any moral compass she knew, yet, on a battlefield? They should have expected it. War was never made to be fair.
There were two desired effects. The Clans were either seeking to cause the Confederacy to hold back, or, in a far more sinister method—Egging them on. The hospital had been announced and dangled before their noses as if its destruction were some sort of prize. Was there an invisible rumor going around that a Confederate couldn’t bare to leave a hospital standing? They spoke as if they knew.
They did not.
The Clans only needed to accept that the Confederacy had come due to their own actions. The method of their arrival, the show of force, was all proportionate to the threat level that the Mandalorians themselves had provided. Enough, was enough. They would spare what they could, but, war was war. It was not made to be kind. It was not a delicate game of handshakes and empty platitudes.
It was bloody. Painful, and final.
By the time her starfighter made it to Taanab there were only six Ghosts left. The space battle was going a lot differently than they had anticipated. No one could have known that the Clans knew they were coming. But, entering into a full minefield? That told the rest of the story quite easily. The subsequent arrival of a variety of fleets? She had kept track as much as she could. But, her goal had to be to get to ground. It had to be.
She could feel her little one waking up.
By the time she landed the number of Ghosts had decreased to four. Srina pulled out her datapad and activated her systems. She had to be quick. Her signal would probably be picked up sooner rather than later. First, she surveyed the area. Mostly flatlands. Not a soul, no homes, and nothing to really impede the process. She sent her slightly altered coordinates up to the waiting drop pod, so it wouldn’t land on her head, before she prepared a brief report. She tuned into the channel that she shared with [member="Darth Metus"] and [member="Adron Malvern"]. “Reporting in. My team is planet side, but, there’s only four of us left.”
“Titanfall is still a go. Stats holding.”, she began, briefly, checking on [member="Garza"]. Srina was bothered. The travel through hyperspace and subsequently, the battle overhead, could cause harm to the massive beast that she had somehow bonded with. Kuat had left her feeling…Bereft. Empty. As if her purpose had been snatched from her fingers. Taking care of someone, or something, that didn’t really need her to do so fit the bill. Garza could handle himself. He had for decades before her. He would for years to come. He had chosen her. He chose, to need her.
He had chosen to call her mother—When clearly, nothing else ever would.
“Your scans were accurate as far as the chatter goes. The Mandalorians are, for the most part, centered on a hospital. We’ll work on the outer shield and start mapping defenses until we can bring down the turbolaser towers. Critical supply lines have already been targeted. More, will follow.”
Srina fell silent after that. She had more to report, but first, she needed her little one. The drop pod was speeding down quickly. At first, it was just a speck in the sky. Every second it grew larger still.
She switched the feed. He was awake. Waiting, and more than ready, to escape captivity. “I’m here.”
Silver eyes flickered. She still had eyes in the sky in the form of the few fighters she had left. They would help her pave the way, but, she couldn't have them destroyed by her child. It was with that in mind that she gave a warning.
Basic Flight Suit [Only, in Fighter] Heart of Cold Terentatek Body Glove - Full resistance to standard telekinetics, pronounced resistance to advanced telekinetics.
Corran had been in the city pretending to be a visitor with his companion Oscar. They were here technically for pleasure but it was mostly business or made it seem as such. He had been casing the city for the Eternal Empire with his lord [member="Darth Tacitus"] having given the orders to black watch which made its way down to Corran and Oscar who took the job for the Empire. Pretending to be a couple they quietly observed many different things. Eventually the mandalorians caught wind of the invasion and had sent out a general communication about the CIS in large invading the world. Corran and Oscar then had to end two civilians and take their places to continue their mission less they be found out in some fashion and detained.
Currently
Corran sat in the locker room retrieving his gear placing his armour under his clothing making himself still look like a lost civilian however a rich one as he allowed Oscar to gear up the proper way. He had brought however a pistol that he hid down his back and then also a pair of rather interesting looking gloves on to. He walked out of the locker room with Oscar looking frightened as anything he had to. He ran into a group of mandalorians with one looking like a leader more than the others.
He stumbled into one of them shaking as he quickly moved his glove to the neck slit of the mandalorian swiping it at it. None of them would be able to use the force with Oscar having his Void stone harness on underneath the echani armour he was wearing. Which is what Corran was hoping would throw them off their guard enough that his hit would hurt or kill the man he had attacked. Even if it hadn't he would quickly move backwards. "You mandalorians are terrifying. Your no better than the CIS. You both work with Sith and using a hospital as the main headquarters why would you put so many wounded and innocent in dangerous conditions."
Oscar would be recording data from his helmet camera. They were hoping to get some dirt on the mandalorians and Conners' movement hadn't looked like much an attack and would make it seem like the mandalorian had been attacked by someone else or something else potentially even another one of his guys.
R
