Invasion Darkness Rises; the Battle of Kintan - TSE Invasion of SJO Kintan

[Darth Empyrean]

Wrong Account. ))

 

[Wyatt Morga]

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Location: New Kalandra, on the retreat.
Allies: Elise
Enemies: N/A

Darkness.​

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It washed over the city in droves, mixed with the smoke and forcing even the Jedi Master to choke on its miasmic cloud. His eyes watered as his speed finally began to slow down, and his once harsh sprint was brought low - now a mere run, a relative crawl for the Jedi Master who had been fighting for days, stopping the dead from suffering thousands of times over, and fought two Sith Lords -​

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Only to narrowly escape the last one.​

​

His throat felt raw, but he knew there wasn’t time to ponder this - physical pain was just that, physical. More still needed him, Elise still needed him - he couldn’t let the Jedi Master down, not after the promises he made, to the Order, to the Silvers; To the Jedi as a whole. Wyatt was their beacon, at least for the moment.​

​

He broke through that harsh clouds as his senses ran shocks through his spine; his precognition feeling the death that was coming for the people of the warehouse. Every fiber of his being demanded he stay, that he wait - to stop the oncoming barrage with the Force and to save the people of the City from that genocidal rampage -​

​

And yet, he couldn’t. He wasn’t even sure he had the strength left to do that - that it might yet see him dead with them, buried in a tomb that knew no sound.​

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“Elise!”, he cried out, finding her amidst the rushing crowds. He was covered in mud and blood, and his expression was one of exhaustion - more than obvious even in the steps he took.​

​

“We have to go…”, he offered in a far lower tone, resting a hand on her shoulder before motioning her towards a nearby exit landing.​

 

[Cara Dorniarn]

​

Location: Near the fortress.
Objective: Support TSE allies taking the rubble.
Tags: Joycelyn Zambrano Darth Carnifex Darth Prazutis Lirka Ka Taeli Raaf

______________________________________
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Skittish speech rose and fell through Cara's personal comms as Aidee's frantic description of events flooded in. Legionnaires, Sithspawn of all sizes, and enemy troops-turned-allies painted the already crumbled landscape with more destruction and weapon fire. The small droid had breezed around the platoons that began to wrap around the fortress after its detonation, the troops then bolstering the ranks of already established TSE troops and providing support for any Sith in need of some more firepower.

She rolled her eyes at the droid speak and replied, "Very good. Keep high and out of the way, I'll be up shortly." They were traversing the new tunnels when the news was aired over comms. The detonators had been set and it was time to go. With those loyal legionnaires and more Cara emerged from the tunnels. Having lead the back of the column she failed to see the initial blast, the shockwave passing over seconds before she looked behind to watch the plumes of smoke filling the air as walls collapsed. The time had come. Fortress Kh'aris had fallen, and the goal of the Empire sat squarely in its iron hand. All that remained was to curl its fingers to choke what little resistance was left.

An amalgam of Empire forces surged the new ruin in droves; beings and creatures tearing through SJO and Kintan ranks to the tune of Sith-Imperial conquest. This was progress, ridding this old and faulty planet of the source of its degradation. Soon, new life and commerce, technologies, and paths of opportunity would be forged on this dustball. It just took a little overhauling.

Amidst the troops Cara made her way to the front lines of the assault, smashing into and breaking anyone remotely opposed to their little house call. She even used people to smack into another persons, but that was a usual tactic. What better fodder than those surrounding you? As long as they qualify as an "enemy," of course. Through the Force she lifted chunks of wall and stone, hurling them one after another, and pushing them to break up clots of adversaries.

Aidee whistled from above, following its creator as she beelined from opposition to opposition. It recorded the events to save for later review, as per her orders, and managed to dodge a few wayward shots from both sides of the battle.

 

[Acaadi]

Objective: Fight monster (singular) ... Don't die?

Allies: Kat Decoria Kyra Perl Jerek Morrows Judah Lesan Jr. Niklasz Tassik

Enemies: Darth Prazutis

Acaadi had never felt such a sense of victory crumble so swiftly. The great hulking form of the sith was pierced by shards of rock. The monster wasn't human, far too large, he didn't recognise what it was. When it stayed standing the doubt crept into the back of his mind. Then, as its wounds healed up almost instantaneously he felt his hope ebb away.

The thing drew even more of the dark side around itself. Acaadi felt a sense of it bursting into motion before it even dropped its weight to sprint forwards.

There was some truths that even the Force could not undo. The sith charged forwards with its bulk into an inexorable charge. Yet at fifty miles an hour running through a stationary stone was exactly the same as being stuck by a stone thrown at fifty miles an away. Batting it away with an arm was the same as having one thrown at the same arm. Cutting a stone in two was merely turning it into two missiles with dangerous velocity.

Small chunks of rubble lifted from the ground. He didn't need to thrown them at the sith. He merely suspended them in the air in the vicinity of his path. Of course he would be able to charge through them, but to do so would invite the same damage that his shards had caused.

The mirialan felt his strength waning. His foresight snapped back to the present. It was like having a small thermal detonator go off behind the eyes. This monster finally presented Acaadi with an insurmountable challenge. A terrifying avatar of the dark side of the Force that could not be stopped.

Kyra leapt for the far wall and finally he let the warnings sink in. Keeping his wall of rubble and debris suspended in the air before the Jedi knights, he turned and fled after her. Down were more sithspawn, but even if that was the only way out he would take it over another few minutes against the sith who had dug his way down to face them.

 

[Valkren Calderon]

Location: Fortress Kh'aris, on top of rubble.
Objective: Protect Fortress Kh'aris, survive.
Callsign: Hades 1-1
Personal Assets: Hades Platoon.
Enemies: Lirka Ka
Allies: Beltran Rarr
---------------------------------------------------

Valkren blinked, and in an instant- a soldier from Hades vanished from his peripherals.

A 'thunk' was all that could be heard in the heat of the moment.

He'd shift his gaze over his shoulder plate momentarily to investigate the sudden disappearance of one of his comrades. At the commander's investigation he found the ranger almost non-visible underneath a large chunk of their own fortress walls. Valkren had to move his glance away, the image of the crushed commando feeling as if it had suddenly been seared into his mind. With an inner roar, the soldier pushed forward a few steps. His rifle fired off several three-round bursts in the direction of their attacker. Seemed like range wouldn’t be the answer after all. A sharp piece of debris flung directly past the commander, the man didn’t flinch during his approach though.

He was now hell-bent on getting another hit in.

The discolored plating from the blood of his ally and dust from the fortress still fresh in his thoughts, his steps cautious through the horrid terrain. He attempted to make his shots as precise as possible, but moving and firing put a great disadvantage on even the most trained marksman.

"Beltran, I'm moving!" He began shifting his steps to circle her, wanting to get a good flank at the armor he had previously shredded with his rotary cannon.

Suddenly, a tremendous force slammed into his upper torso- another body?

He hadn’t seen it coming, the tunnel vision he had gained from his engagement had him ignoring clear signs of attacks from the beast. She had swung one of their own fallen men, hitting the commander and sending him onto his side.

He landed with a thud, and the breath knocked out of him. The sudden ‘shove’ out of the engagement had Valkren confused at his whereabouts for a moment, he’d push himself up with a free hand, attempting to stabilize his rifle with the other back towards their enemy.

Kark me..

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

Location: New Kalandra
Allies: SJO Yuroic Xeraic Beltran Rarr Wyatt Morga Lanik Dawnstar Aaran Tafo Reggie Faayare Taozi Fuyuan Ryv Erika Garter Sin Kiff Brayde Mig Gred Tyluko-Kai Kaimana Wagyl Victor Akani
Enemies: Sith Darth Voyance Hailyn Sarrius Daruna Darth Prazutis Irveric Tavlar Karina Lowe
Engaging: Kainan Wolfe Taeli Raaf Darth Bellum

"We missed the giant droid completely! However, it appears that our fire control system has been acting strangely" a frustrated gunner reported.

"Reinitialize the fire control system software! However, we don't even have the right kind of firepower to fire at that gigantic droid anymore: we have to focus on containing the enemy long enough to get the civilians to safety! All units, do not engage enemy armor head-on!"

The grim realization was that a bug in the fire control software made the Silvers think the enemy droid was around the fortress, while it was actually somewhere else altogether, and destroying a city block with exposed mortar emplacements. On the bright side, if there was but one silver lining from that specific failure to hit the droid, which was somewhere else altogether, it was that enemies that remained at the fortress were pinned in place, at least for a bit, even with zombies for support. However, as the afflicted units began reinitializing the fire control software, there were reports of large explosions matching the known trajectories of the last volley of surface-to-orbit missiles. The enemy orbital fire was so focused on firing at these that they ceased firing at the spaceports from orbit. The artillery crews remaining were re-triangulating the known locations of enemy forces, including but not limited to, artillery, while taking into account enemy creeping barrages. Poodoo: was that bugged fire control software responsible for us missing the second prong? All other units in the Silver forces on other worlds will need a patch after this! she thought, while realizing the full extent of the disaster brought upon.

"We failed to score a single hit against the enemy interdictors!"

"We need covering fire to ensure the safety of our own forces! Fire the surface-to-orbit missiles in MIRV configuration, now!"

"We're being hailed!"

"Patch it through!"

"This is Tyluko-Kai Kaimana : I am here to help provide fighter support. It looks as if the Sith are starting to increase their attack on the spaceports!"

"We must cover the civilians' retreat! The next wave of transports should depart momentarily"

What was folly was that the enemy falsely believed destroying the interdictors with giant ground-based missiles was the goal; in that context, any hit was a plus. In her mind, the real benefit came from the enemy orbital fire being drawn onto the first volley of surface-to-orbit missiles. Which may have meant some more civilians getting out of this mess alive, despite failing to score a single hit. The advantage of the silos was that the second volley could fire something different from the first one without being bound to a specific ordering as with in a magazine. Here a second volley of these surface-to-orbit missiles, each of which containing fifteen concussion missiles, was once again fired at ships in orbit, with the buses apparently fired at the interdictors.

What subsequently happened to a half-dozen of them was that their payloads were released at much lower altitude than the others, so 90 concussion missiles ended up hounding Eternal Empire aircraft from above, but still at a somewhat low altitude, supported by the Jedi's own aircraft. Fighters, dive bombers, dropships. The others released their payloads in high atmosphere, also splitting off in fifteen different submunitions aimed at different parts of the interdictors, such as the gravity well projectors, their engines and their weapon hardpoints. Also, while there previously hasn't been much success in fending off the Eternal Empire's aircraft, the Sith airpower, too busy hounding civilian-laden transports or spaceports, was taking fire, and they were easier targets because the civilian-laden transports followed more predictable trajectories. Of course, whatever anti-aircraft was left was still roaring and firing at enemy aircraft, be it dropships, fighters or dive bombers.

"The captured civilian convoys appear to have suddenly changed routes!"

"Ensuring the civilians' safety is key here! Even with the evacuation transports from Admiral Sal that just arrived"

Also, with Kainan Wolfe sending out "Danger close" warnings to the Sith, prior to firing a massive volley of chemical weapons, the enemy was forced to alter their paths, especially those units with captured civilians in tow. Ironically, this may have meant more civilians potentially proving to be savable. Especially since these drastically reduced what options were available. Because even the enemy units guarding these convoys of captured civilians complied with these orders and went out of the areas set to be fired chemical weapons at. Right now, a significant portion of the city was being subjected to chemical weapons fire, and, once all that was said and done, much of the city would become a battlefield as enemy forces engaged them in close-quarters battle. As horrifying as this level of destruction has gotten, the Jedi only needed to hold out long enough to get the civilians to safety. Better leave this city now so that we can fight another day, I suppose, she thought.

Because the majority of field mortars were already destroyed in earlier attacks, all other forces mostly did one of the following: reinforce the beleaguered forces that the Eternal Empire engaged, in which case they would fight tooth-and-nail at close quarters, or chase the convoys of captured civilians that had yet to make it to some location codenamed "the Arena". The latter strikes were to be surgical in nature, but at close-quarters nonetheless, especially given what they hoped to achieve. Yes, there were rebreathers on the soldiers' standard issue armor, which kept the vile gas at bay, but as soon as a soldier's armor was penetrated, on their way to their next fights or as a result of being hit, trouble would ensue for those whose armor was penetrated and were still inside the areas that were gassed by the enemy.

Speaking of which, she received a telepathic message from the Arena: Retreat. The time has come, we cannot hold -- launch the shuttles -- all remaining escorts, move in to protect. Strength in numbers, move out if you can. I repeat. Regroup. Regather. Retreat. Elise broadcasted in the Force. While the situation in the city was growing dire, the forces engaged all over the city were doing their best to remain coordinated, despite the casualties taken in the initial attack: both in the form of armor being lost, and also from the lost mortar emplacements. It was then that some soldiers that knew couldn't make it back to an extraction point had the idea to take cover behind manholes, and throw grenades, as well as handheld rockets, under the advancing enemy vehicles, while other soldiers, knowing they wouldn't make it to evacuation, simply took the remaining thermobaric charges from the lost mortars' ammunition reserves with them and playing dead underneath the newly-formed piles of rubble, waiting on either enemy vehicles to advance, their position being surrounded by enemy elements, or the enemy flamethrowers to hit them. Once that happened, the thermobaric charges would detonate in a fiery explosion, catching the enemy. Bogged down fighting EE forces, most of the ground forces would do their best to undertake a fighting retreat, so that they would hopefully fight anothe dayr.

Yet, the enemy all over the city would find that, even in retreat, the remaining Jedi defenders are more determined than ever, while their numbers were dwindling, and also using Parthian shots with combined arms. Machineguns, grenades, were fired at enemy infantry and light vehicles, while handheld rockets were fired at tanks either on the flank or the rear. Or maybe underneath if they were hiding behind sewer manholes. Even with the battle going sour all over the city, they were still supported by aircraft, engaging in strafing runs under fighter cover, to cover for the others' retreat, as well as whatever armor was remaining. But since the enemy anti-aircraft and aircraft also managed to hit some craft badly enough in low-altitude runs that, to some unlucky craft, crashing onto the advancing enemy, or enemy artillery, with an overloaded bomblet generator or energy torpedo launcher was the only possible course of action.

"Do we now have a fix on the enemy artillery positions, and which ones we can safely engage?"

"Yes, but some of them report they can't engage enemies at point-blank, especially around the spaceport"

"Then have the mortars around the spaceport fire at enemy batteries that are away from our own forces, and some distance away from civilians!"

And, since the artillery around the spaceport could not effectively engage in fire missions at the column of enemy armor, especially not at point-blank as was currently the case, they were instead firing thermobaric charges at the enemy artillery some distance away from the spaceport. Even those MLRS units and other guns remaining were fired at by proton rockets, mortar-fired thermobaric charges and some concussion missiles. Nikto militia would then fire triple-stage tandem charges from handheld launchers at Irveric Tavlar 's armor as that column was preparing to fire at the Arena, while remaining mindful of not firing these at glacis front armor plates. So the enemy would face handheld rocket fire from the flank or the rear, whatever they could get. Of course, the rest of the militia also fought tooth-and-nail keeping the Sith forces off the civilians, and off the spaceport, or the Arena even. It was just a matter of time until whatever civilians could make it to one of those transports and, from there, off-world. And transports brought on the planet, Mando or not, would soon start, if they haven't already, loading up on civilians so that they would live, at the Arena or elsewhere.

Spoiler: Summary of actions

• Had anti-aircraft fire at the enemy landing craft, surface-to-orbit missiles and airpower
• Had fighters engage airborne threats harrowing the retreating civilians and their escape routes
• Fired thermobaric charges from mortars, and proton rockets at nearly all enemy positions including but not limited to, anti-aircraft, artillery and the advancing enemy formations (primarily Tacitus')
• Had field artillery conduct hit-and-run attacks on Tacitus' infantry
• Had some infantry units cover the civilians' retreat and intercept captured civilians
• The remaining infantry fought tooth-and-nail at, throwing grenades, machineguns at the enemy and retreating at close quarters
• Dropped plasma bomblets as well as energy torpedoes on the besieging forces (except for Irveric's forces)
• Dropped heavy bombs on enemy forces advancing into the city as well as the enemy artillery
• Had armored units fire at the advancing enemy
• Some heavily damaged attack craft crashed onto enemy lines, exploding
• Some suicide crews detonated grenades and thermobaric charges underneath enemy vehicles
• Fired surface-to-orbit missiles at the Flauros and the Vapula (Kor) in MIRV configuration and released a much larger volley of concussion missiles in high atmosphere
• 90 concussion missiles were fired from MIRVs at Tacitus' aircraft

Spoiler: Forces

Infantry:

• Silver Jedi Snipers
• Silver Jedi Regulars
• Silver Jedi heavy weapons infantry
  • 45 Jairdain 120mm field mortars
  • 210 Ventooine heavy EM plasma machineguns
  • 370 MiniMag PTL launchers

Artillery:

• 105 MobileMortar-4s (55 in mortar configuration, 50 in missile configuration)
• 63 Barataria main battle tanks
• 26 Sabre heavy mortar carriers (mortar configuration)
• 50 Hwacha MLRS (anti-aircraft/rocket artillery)
• 24 Hailfire-X-2 artillery droid (rocket artillery)
• Rosalina surface-to-orbit missiles
• 90 Quad-lasers (anti-infantry/anti-aircraft)

Aircraft:

• 80 Chiloon-IV fighter/bombers (both configurations)
• 13 Telepath-III strategic bombers
• 34 Tsubame torpedo bombers

 

[Cenric Marus]

Location: Space
Enemies: The Sith Empire & Co. | Murao | Viktor Goetz | Darth Athora
Allies: Silver Jedi & Friends | Kiso | Mig Gred
Objective: Strafe some ships
Ship: J-1

Feln's head swiveled slightly as some of the Bombers suddenly broke off and cut through the storm of turbolaser fire towards a different target. His lips thinned and he glanced over at his sensors, batting the side of the console until the small bit of static faded away. There he saw a small blip as a ship headed directly towards their position.

A ship like that was designed to cut apart formations, if it got too close it could do more damage than even a few fighters could.

Feln let out a small curse, reaching up to flick a switch when he stopped and spotted something else.

A fighter broke into formation behind him. It's sleek profile was slightly different than that of the others he had destroyed, the tight edges and profile catching the glint of lasers that continued to fly all around him.

His fingers tightened on the controls, lips thinning as he banked a quick left and then right.

The fighter doggedly pursued him, rushing quickly on his path and launching several torpedos. Alarms blared within the cockpit of the small j-1, and with a curse he quickly flipped on his communicator. "The run is yours, I gotta shake this fighter."

A quick acknowledgement echoed into his ears, but Feln hardly paid it any mind. His grip tightened, and then he wrenched his controls upward. He felt pressure on his chest, a tightness forming as the Fighter suddenly shot upward on the odd z-axis that was space. The torpedos quickly turned with him, but Feln sent himself rocketing towards one of the Sith Ships.

The vessel fired it's point defense canons, the streams of lasers floating over him as his fighter rolled from left to right.

Then at the edge of the ship he suddenly cut down at an almost impossible angle. The Torpedos attempted to bank, but found their single engine too little. The weapons crashed against the Sith ship, exploding in a torrent of flame.

As he turned down the side of the Sith Ship his fingers quickly reached up to flick a switch. If the pursuing fighter broke through the flame they would see the J-1's engines float apart for a brief moment, a mechanism depositing as one of the fighters seismic charges fell into space and mere moments later exploded outward in circlet of brilliant blue.

Feln's own ship shooting forward even as the blast expanded outward behind him.

 

[Amaya Cardei]

​

Location: Kintan System
Objective: Clear the Void / Elimination
Allies: Darth Athora | Murao
Opponents: Kiso | Mig Gred | Victor Akani
Fleeting: via Vice Admiral Imara Sentongo, Battlegroup Elidibus

​

​

General Darth Bellum 's fleet continued to choke the planet through its blockade, aided by Kaalia Pavanos 's forces it would be hell in the void to even attempt getting down to the planet let alone escaping it. In what seemed to be an over-eager attempt at engaging the enemy Victor Akani engaged the HIMS Elidibus which until now had otherwise been on standby. It would now be turned toward the battle at hand the weapons the Mundi fired would mostly be rendered mute by the Elidibus' defenses and those that did get through sent but a shudder throughout the dreadnought. It would, however, return fire, all weapons on the Ki-Adi-Mundi, the rest of Battlegroup Elidibus would break away from its current stance and begin the trek toward Sal's forces.​

​

"It seems the Jedi and their Mandalorians have awakened the sleeping giant," Sentongo noted as she watched the Elidibus come alive. The Rae Sloane was jostled by the next volley but due to the polarization modification being activated previously. The Sloane took the energy weapons and used them to heal its own shield power. Parts of the particle cannon bled through to the hull but not enough to warrant significant concern. Repulsor field generator bounced missiles backward which meant they were now either free-floating or would find targets elsewhere. This was on top of the Sloane and Yage classes defenses, missile deactivation transmitters, chaffs/flares, and other systems ensured the big three's survival.​

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"Fire the Longbows." Now at a maximum charge, the Rae Sloane's twenty-four plasma railguns fired toward the Skira. Meanwhile, the Bolts maneuvered quickly around some of the Engima's firepower other commanders could see that it would be futile to do anything but a full-on suicide dive. Packs rammed fully into Engimas without care while the Daggers who survived continued their assault, and then the order arrived. ​

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"Deploy all fighters."​

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Seventy-two squadrons of TIE Bombers, Fighters, Defenders and Interceptors rolled out of their hangars, joined by the Elidibus's own forty-one starfighter squadrons. Swarm tactics would be engaged as they rushed the battlefield. A shimmer within the battlefield alerted Vice Admiral Sentongo, "run the anti-stealth suite."​

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"Relay information to the fighters, get rid of these gutless cowards."​

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The swarms would be fed the information necessary to track and target the stealth Torrents. The Yage-class escort carriers engaged their repulsor field generators to keep most of the projectiles way from them and once more targeted the Skira with their long-range weapons. "Vice Admiral, HIMS Serran reporting they're breaking from the blockade to engage the Jedi and Mandalorian forces."​

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"Acknowledged, it will be good to have them in the fight."​

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"Weapons ready on your mark."​

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"Fire."​

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The Skira would again feel the brunt of the Rae Sloane's wrath as her long-range weaponry reached across the void.​

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Spoiler: After Action Report

Battlegroup Elidibus - Task Force Rae Sloane

Missiles are either bounced back, deactivated or otherwise neutralized,
Energy weapons are used to heal shields, parts of the HPCs still make contact.
Sloane's shields are down 92%, Rimon and Yage are at 74%
Polarization add-on is on cooldown, Molecular add-on is ready for use.
Bolts and Daggers mostly dodge or evade enemy fire, those who don't suicide dive as a pack into their select targets.
Elidibus returns fire on the Ki-Adi-Mundi, and delploys fighters.
Task Force Rae Sloane deploys all fighters/bombers/defenders/interceptors.

• HIMS Rae Sloane, Firing @ Skira [Long-Range Only] [90% Hull]
  • Long-Range Guns:
    • Nerys Plasma-Disruptor Beams
    • Mars Mass Driver Cannons: High Explosive Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Bellona Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Atalanta Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Hyperion Solar Lance Arrays + Longbow Plasma Railguns
• HIMS Gunn Yage, Firing @ Skira [Long-Range Only] [86% Hull]
  • Long-Range Guns:
    • Mogh II Hypervelocity Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Mars Mass Driver Cannons: High Explosive Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Bellona Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Atalanta Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Eos Cannon & Shortbow Railguns
• HIMS Tev Rimon, Firing @ Skira [Long-Range Only] [86% Hull]
  • Long-Range Guns:
    • Mogh II Hypervelocity Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Mars Mass Driver Cannons: High Explosive Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Bellona Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Atalanta Mass Driver Cannons: Ball Bearing Mix (Rounds are ionized)
    • Eos Cannon & Shortbow Railguns
• 15x Dagger-V
  • Dagger Pack Alpha - 5; Moving, Standard Range - Mag-Pulse, Seismic Charges + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 1
  • Dagger Pack Besh - 5; Moving, Standard Range - Mag-Pulse, Seismic Charges + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 2
  • Dagger Pack Cestus - 5; Suicide Dive @ Storm 1 & Storm 2
• 75x Bolt-IV
  • Bolt Pack Aura - 5; Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 1
  • Bolt Pack Bilbringi - 5; Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 2
  • Bolt Pack Centares - 5; Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 3
  • Bolt Pack Dantooine - 5; Suicide Dive @ Enigma 1
  • Bolt Pack Echo - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 1
  • Bolt Pack Felucia - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 2
  • Bolt Pack Generis - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 3
  • Bolt Pack Helska - 5; Suicide Dive @ Enigma 2
  • Bolt Pack Isk - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 1
  • Bolt Pack Jenth - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 2
  • Bolt Pack Krayiss - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 3
  • Bolt Pack Lorrd - 5; Suicide Dive @ Enigma 3
  • Bolt Pack Mygeeto - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 1
  • Bolt Pack Nen - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 2
  • Bolt Pack Osk - 5; Moving, Close Range - Plasma Torpedoes + All Weaponry @ Firebrand 3

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

Position: New Kalandra Spaceport
Objective: New Kalandra - Assault the Spaceport
Allies: Darth Bellum ; Karina Lowe ; Kainan Wolfe - The Sith Empire
Enemies: Lanik Dawnstar ; Wyatt Morga ; Jessica Med-Beq Spaceport defenders - Jedi Coalition
Theme
Equipment:
Sith-Imperial Airborne Armor Mk. III
'Vishnu' Military Shield[Active]
SIF-57s
Claymore II Repulsor Tank
------------------------------------------------------------
"Sir...the shield over the spaceport has gone down." The man positioned in the commander's seat of Tavlar's Claymore II said, speaking through the muffled comms unit of his helmet as he peered back to the wounded General who occupied the seat adjacent and behind him. Tavlar's eyes beneath his own armored visage were awash with pain, suffering but nevertheless the stims and bacte kept him invigorated enough to continue to command.

"Tell the main batteries to stand by, continue the assault I want everything closing the gap. Choke them out." The Sith-Imperial muttered, his energy waning dramatically as time stretched on. His characteristic straight posture all but slumping into the leather backing and cushioning of the seat behind him ; the ever powerful stimulant faltering, pulling and grasping to keep the user upright as it continued to surge through his veins.

It was when Kor Vexen's comms flickered to life that Tavlar was able to do the same, his toiled eyes once faltering now sprung back into open consciousness as the ever foreboding voice scratched and raked at his senses.

" The time has come Tavlar. Target the arena and open fire... "

"Copy..." Was all Tavlar relayed back before he flicked the comms back to communicate with his artillery batteries.

"Major ; sight in all batteries on target codename 'wynoch'. Commence fire mission immediately until ordered otherwise..." Tavlar ordered in characteristic frigid stoicness as he leaned back into his seat once more, grinding his teeth he shifted his gaze through the viewport of the Claymore.

It was always a deeply peculiar feeling ; being in the thick of war all the while the pressurized compartment isolated him from the visceral sensations of combat. Each harsh spark of the tank's heavy laser cannon a faint thud from overhead and each surrounding explosion a flash with no follow through. It was only ever when the vehicle itself was penetrated that the facade was snuffed and reality kicked down the door.

But alas the mailed fist of Tavlar's assault carried forward ; listing a priority of targets descending from the threat they carried toward their armored advance. Concussion guns and disruptor rifles shredded through the more numerous but less armored militiamen as they parceled every fiber of will to keep the landing pads running a little while longer. Each blaster bolt sunk into the flesh of a Sith trooper another moment of ignition for a fleeing transport vessel.

All the while Tavlar's batteries fed rounds through the heavy guns of their emplacements, each round beginning as a foreboding whistle and echo through the sky as the denizens herded into the arena like livestock bared wide-eyed witness as ground shaking shells pounded into the mass of bodies feverishly trying to flee in the chaos ; the neck-snapping explosions claiming several in their wake and leaving unidentifiable mounds of charred flesh as soon as the smoke cleared just long enough to pave the way for another mass driver round to slam into the earth violently. Claiming the lives of another dozen innocents. Fitting that the ever dehumanizing grand display be hosted in the arena. A brief but brutal show of suffering and destruction laying before all who bared witness.

Tavlar took no pleasure in the order he'd given ; all but sealing his fate and seeing to himself that he see this coming war through to the end victorious or risk the vindicated and ravenous retribution of his enemies should they after capture him in defeat.

Spoiler: The Spaceport Assault

Left​ 12 -1 'Glaive' Light Repulsor Tank 8 'Cataphract' Main Repulsor Battle Tank 11 -3 Claymore II Repulsor Tank 172 -7 Sith-Imperial Troopers

Center​ 17 -3 'Glaive' Light Repulsor Tank 25 -2 'Cataphract' Main Repulsor Battle Tank 10 -2 Claymore II Repulsor Tank 170 -9 Sith-Imperial Troopers

Right​ 10 -2'Glaive' Light Repulsor Tank 8 'Cataphract' Main Repulsor Battle Tank 12 -2 Claymore II Repulsor Tank 172 -8 Sith-Imperial Troopers

Close Air Support 13 -2 MAAG [Embarked] 16 LAAT/ie

Artillery Batteries 3 WG-211 'Powerhammer' 7 -2 Claymore II - Art. Config 9 Claymore II - AA Config

• Spaceport shield falls.
• Armored spearhead continues to encirle and close the gap around the space ports - prioritizing anti-armor targets.
• Artillery batteries shift sights from the spaceport shield and unto the arena.

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Location: Kh'aris Fortress - The breach
Objective: Defend the breach, directly engaged with Lirka Ka and advancing Sith forces
Callsign: Icarus-1-1
Personal Assets: Icarus Platoon, first squad

Spoiler: Icarus Squad Loadout:

12 x Ranger Special Forces

• 12 x Accelerated Infantry Power Suits
  • Including 12 x OS-111 "Firestorm" Heavy Blaster Cannon
  • OS-112 "Valkyrie" Jump Jet
  • OS-101 Retractable Vibrosword
  • OS-108 Energy Shield
  • Enhanced speed and strength (via power-assisted internal frame)
• 12 x OS-115 "Bonesplitter" Heavy Assault Rifle
• 24 x OS-107 "Hermes" Sensor Drones
• Status: 3 K.I.A, 9 M.I.A

Allies: SJO, Valkren Calderon , Kyra Perl , Kat Decoria , Niklasz Tassik , Jerek Morrows , Kiff Brayde
Enemies: Sith, Darth Carnifex , Fiolette Raaf , Taeli Raaf , Joycelyn Zambrano , Lirka Ka

Spoiler: Personal Kit:

Armor: Accelerated Infantry Power Suit
Primary Weapon: OS-115 "Bonesplitter" Heavy Assault Rifle (chest rig)
Secondary Weapons:

• OS-111 "Firestorm" Heavy Blaster Cannon (A.I.P.S.)
• OS-101 Retractable Vibrosword (A.I.P.S.)
• Krath Itak Sword (back scabbard) Note to Force Users/Force Sensitives - this blade emanates a strong Dark Side aura
• 8 x frag grenades (chest rig)

Misc Gear:

• OS-112 "Valkyrie" Jump Jet System (A.I.P.S.)
• OS-108 Energy Shield (A.I.P.S.)
• 2 x OS-107 "Hermes" Sensor Drones (chest rig)

Beltran's vision swam as he fired. It was good that the beast creature, Lirka Ka , was such a big target because otherwise the Lorrdian doubted he'd have much of a chance at hitting her. Somewhere down the line, to his right, he heard the voice of Commander Valkren Calderon call out. He could see several of the Rangers moving forward, advancing on the creature and the breach once again, but when he ordered his own legs to do the same all he received was a wave of dizziness that forced him to a knee.

He was nearing unconsciousness, he knew. The blood loss from his abdominal wound was quickly turning from an annoyance to a potentially fatal problem. He knew his time was short, so he used what energy he could to keep firing, pumping three-round bursts into the creature until he finally lost consciousness and died.

With Calderon and his men on the advance, hopefully they would keep the majority of the Sith out of the Fortress until reinforcements could arrive. It was a hope, and a short-lived one as the creature began hurling massive chucks of duracrete at the line. The first took out the man next to Calderon, and the second took down the Commander himself.

Without clear direction, the line quickly began to fall apart as the remaining Rangers sought cover from the barrage of stone.

"Fight, you cowards." He murmured, keying his comlink so that they would hear, since he doubted that his voice would carry. He forced himself forward, half walking/stumbling, and mostly crawling toward the breach, using his rifle as a makeshift cane to stabilize himself. He just needed to get a little closer...to make sure he didn't miss.

When he was an arm's throw away from the beast, Beltran let his rifle drop. His vision swam far too much for him to fire it with any accuracy now. Reaching to his chest, he felt for the grenades he'd carried on his rig. A few had slipped away when he'd been buried in the rubble, but most remained. Palming one, he pulled the pin and threw it at Lirka. He then grabbed the next and did the same, repeating the process until all his remaining grenades were thrown.

In the split second it took before the first grenade would detonate, Beltran raised his off hand in front of his face and keyed his energy shield. It flickered uncertainly, the batteries of his suit now on their last legs, but activated. Without it, Beltran knew that he would be caught within the blast zone. Even with it, survival was far from a sure thing.

With one last breath, he forced himself to call out to her. "Eat this, Sith!"

Then the grenades exploded and Beltran's world once more, descended into darkness.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective: Assault Fortress Kh’aris from beneath.
Location: Fenn’s Cavern.
Tags: Cara Dorniarn Darth Carnifex Lorale Farmar Darth Prazutis Taeli Raaf Tekkio Lirka Ka | Kiff Brayde Kyra Perl Jerek Morrows Kat Decoria Acaadi Valkren Calderon

Spoiler

Troops: Varanin Legion.
Burrowers: Rupturer, Festerer,Blighter, Rumbler.
Fighters: Ravagers, Natasizi-tatek, Poisoners.
Equipment: Imperator’s Raiment, Zaudraka, SIF-7 Minos, Grenades.

Nyashjontû Wo!

“Imperius!” "Zambrano, it's time, we're set to detonate!" “Imperius!”

The explosion above ground sent more clouds of dust and loose debris falling down into the cavern. Its walls and vaulted ceiling was now lined with dark cracks like spiderwebs, intertwining and expanding across the rock and reinforced earth. It was weakened, so much so that in some places it threatened to collapse entirely. Light peeked in from above, illuminating the broken bodies, cracked chitin, and shattered droids that lay scattered about in Fenn’s cavern.

Joycelyn fought to catch her breath as she took two unsteady steps forward, one step back, and leaned on the tip of Zaudraka as it stood planted in the body of a Strider. With her right hand, she opened the seal of her helmet and pulled it back to reveal her face. Her black hair was matted with sweat, and stuck to her forehead. She was battered and bruised from fighting the Silver forces and their droids. Her black plate shone sharply where the blackening had been peeled off by blaster or metal talon.

“Mother Vahl, take this sacrifice.”

She stretched a blood drenched hand up into the air. The blue flames that wreathed her gathered in her palm. As it gathered, it shone a brighter and brighter colour until it was near a pure white. The dead lurched as blood was drawn from their bodies, into the air, and plunged into the fire. Their bodies becoming dry like paper before crackling with blue fire of their own.

“The blood of the fallen.” The fire in her hand turned a deep red, a black orb churning at its centre. “A sign of our devotion.”

She clenched her hand, and- Nothing.

No dramatic detonation or great power unleashed. Though Darth Vornskr the Second, the Sword of Vahl, smiled in satisfaction as the corpses around her crumbled into cinder and ash, leaving only metal.

“The cinders of their pyre shall light the way to home.”

Aese and Vexa stared at her from behind, unnerved, but knowing better than to speak up against the princess. They had seen her do many a strange thing, and they knew about the rituals of the Vahla, but this was beyond what they had imagined. Joycelyn gathered herself and looked at the two legionnaires. The rage that encased her now slowly burning out to fatigue.

“We must ensure that our troops are not ambushed through these tunnels as they ascend.”

 

[Lirka Ka]

Location: Wall Breach
Objective: Rip and Tear
Allies: TSE
Enemies: SJO, Valkren Calderon , Beltran Rarr

Lirka did not believe in a higher power, she evoked the Old Gods of Thustra for little more than expletives. The Force had just been a weapon , it held no greater purpose. She had become Godhood, and that was the only God in this Galaxy...but....maybe there might've been one. And it was telling her that throwing rocks was very rude. She felt the sick pleasure of hearing necks and armor snap from her rather...exotic assault.

She stood proud, cackling behind her helm. She finally stopped moving around to avoid the onslaught of Blaster Fire, letting it ping and burn against the armored plate. She breathed in, about to say something again: then a grenade exploded in her face. Lirka reeled back, snarling as she felt it sheer against the metal and stab into some of the flesh beneath. Then came another, but it had quickly become irrelevant.

While they had fought, Fiolette Raaf had done her work with the 173rd: made sense why Lirka had kept hearing all this buzzing in her ear, her wonderful little show of running herself through the dirt for half a mile had ruined the comm within her helmet. She had no knowledge of the charges being set around the Fortress. Until they exploded. Lirka paused for a brief moment once again as she heard the thunder roll from within the Fort. And the sound of even more debris crashing into the earth, she was given a much more unfortunate punishment than just grenades. More Duracrete and other rubble tumbled from the sky, and soon Lirka found herself buried under however many tons of rock...

And finally, things fell silent at the Breach.

 

[Lanik Dawnstar]

Location: New Kalandra
Allies: Wyatt Morga | Elise | Ryv
Enemies: Darth Voyance
Equipment: Jedi Armor | Aspis Shield | Lightsaber
Ambiance

What should’ve been a saber hilt cleaved in two and a Sith soon after ended up being nothing but empty air. Stumbling forward from the pressure placed on the cut, Lanik knew it was too late to draw the weapon back. To end the attack, going forward with the blow he caught himself spinning on a heel to turn and face the Sith Lady once more. Ready to deflect a lightsaber blow instead the padawan was met with a burst of sheer might that lifted him from the ground.

The telekinetic blow sent the Jedi whirling head over heel through the air. Breathing suddenly became hard for Lanik as he felt his still healing ribs fracture and break. He couldn’t keep track of his surroundings as everything spun around him as though he were performing a gymnastics maneuver. Eyes closing he brought the force to himself to do all he could and protect himself.

Semi-translucent energy cocooned around Lanik’s form, a thin protective shell to keep himself from what he knew to come next. The padawan didn’t need to see the building behind him, he could feel it, and feel it he did. Back slamming into the wall with enough force to buckle durasteel Lanik plowed through the wall, duracrete and rebar buckled inwards, giving way before his form.

Slamming into the ground within the confines of the building, half-buried in the rubble, Lanik’s eyes fluttered open. Face contorting in agony his sky blue eyes glanced over to where the pain originated. Through the Jedi’s right forearm a large piece of rebar penetrated through muscle, bone, and skin. Blood dripped down the pole of lead. Every movement felt akin to having the limb torn asunder. Crimson ichor flowed down the trapped Jedi’s head, darkness swimming at the edges of his vision. The last thing he saw was the form of the Sith Lady staring at him. “I’m sorry Master Morga.” The words came out little more than a whisper as the Jedi’s head fell back as finally, the abyss swallowed him.

 

[Jerek Morrows]

Darth Prazutis
​

The Sith continued, despite their best efforts. Perhaps, even, in a manner that beggared belief. The shield Kyra Perl manifested, then Judah Lesan Jr. assumed command of did precious little to halt the behemoth's onslaught. As the saber began its descent, the mist that now surrounded the Jedi reacted to the creature of Darkness.

All around Prazutis, it erupted into liquid fire, molten and pure. Where it was gentle to the Jedi, when a black hearted beast traversed where it ought not go, the Light sought to deny it. Flames that would never harm a natural creature became protective, warding heat that sought to expel the uninvited entity.

Jerek held his hands out and pushed the energy outward, seeking to rebuff the Sith Lord. His eyes remained level and his concentration even, despite the possibility of danger.

If successful, the Sith might reel, stagger away, or even burn in the purifying flames.

The die was cast.

 

[Reggie Faayare]

It took some time to get to the shuttles with the civilians, but Reggie and his group made it through the chaos. They quickly got the civilians in the aircraft's, watching out for any enemy forces that came their way. He didn't have many with him to fight, those who were still with him drained, injured, or both. The Padawan couldn't risk moving out with the group while the Sith increase in number throughout the city. Maybe he'd have to just go on his own while the others heal up and defend this position.

That's when a voice came into his head, ordering a retreat. Reggie didn't want to leave while the Sith continued to take a city that wasn't their's, but he knew that staying wouldn't do anything except increase the casualties. What could he do to change the tide of battle? What idea or plan did he have to push them back? Nothing. There was nothing to be done at this time. He reluctantly followed the order of the retreat, telling those with him to get into the shuttles and prepare to take off with the civilians. It was time to leave and fight another day.

 

[Kat Decoria]

Objective: 3 - Get the heck outta dodge
Peeps: Kyra Perl Acaadi Niklasz Tassik Judah Lesan Jr. Jerek Morrows + SJO
Enemies: Darth Prazutis Vandra Zambrano + TSE
Location: Ruined fortress
​

It seemed as if Kat's powers worked, Kyra snapped back into consciousness and as she looked around, Kat felt her body nearly collapse with exhaustion. It had taken everything she had to ensure that Kyra wasn't consumed by the darkness, and even then, Kat wasn't sure she had done it right. She was still learning and could have easily made a big mistake in her attempts to help Kyra of the corruption. Spitting out some blood, Kat knew that she pushed her body too hard, she was feeling weak and in considerable pain from exhausting herself too much. Head was spinning and all she knew was that Kyra was safe and running off some, at least the bone head had realised the danger and wasn't sticking around any more. Kat watched as Acaadi chased after Kyra, leaving her behind as Kat struggles to find a steady breath.​

After a moment that feels like a lift time, she sees the two Masters facing off against the big Sith monster, she wanted to help but she could barely stand, as she rose to her feet, she offered supportive words to her fellow Jedi before following her friends. Limping and weak, Kat wasn't catching up to them any time soon but she was putting space between her and the Sith monsters. Kat had to let out a long sigh as she felt her heart racing as she looked to Kyra. "Run you fool!" Kat shouted to her friend, not wasting time on being kind or considerate, things were bad and they needed to get out of there.​

 

[Tyluko-Kai Kaimana]

Location: Flying over the City and Spaceports
Intent: Help clear the airspace around the city, cover friendly evacuation
Allies: SJO, Jessica Med-Beq
Enemies: All you bad people
Post: 3
Equipment: Lightsaber, ship and armor in sig

Post Theme

Tyluko's fighter streamed across the sky at high speeds as the he desperately tried to take down as many enemy aircraft as possible in a vain attempt to help turn the tide of this increasingly desperate fight. Fighter after fighter he shot down, hoping....praying that it would make a difference. He was starting to get tired, and dehydrated which was rather bothersome for one of aquatic origin such as him, but thankfully his star fighter was customized to aid his biology.
"T7, I know we are in the middle of a battle here but would you mind flooding the cockpit?"

The droid chirped in concern. " No no I'm fine, it just soothes me a little". Tyluko smiled as he was pleased with the ease that he could now understand the language in which his droid used to communicate. Water started to flood into the main cockpit, cooling the young Dolphinarian down and soothing his frantic mind. Once he was completely submerged he took a moment to let the Force wash over him, giving him focus. Once he was ready he angled his craft to head straight back into the fray. "May the blessings of the water keep me, the might of my ancestors gives me strength." he said softly as he recanted the mantra of his long lost people.

As he sped back into the fray he managed to catch another number of Sith craft unaware as they were met with a hail of bright blue laser fire. He took a second to look down at the battle below; it did not look good, very little of the fortress remained and explosions and flames covered large swaths of the city. He thought of his allies on the ground, desperately holding out against a vicious and vile enemy. "May the Force be with you my brothers and sisters" he muttered.

Suddenly, he felt the Force tug at his mind as he started to hear a voice ( Elise ) in his head "Retreat. The time has come, we cannot hold-- launch the shuttles-- all remaining escorts move in to protect. Strength in numbers-- get out if you can. I repeat. Regroup. Regather. Retreat."

Tyluko felt his heart sink a little, "No...." he thought to himself; the Sith had won again. Painful memories of past enagements with the Sith started to come back to him; Midvinter, Kashyyyk.... his home of Mon Cala. He started to think back on the destruction of his people long ago. He started to slip into despair again.

No.

No.

"I won't do this to myself again, I will not allow this darkness to grip my heart again. Kintan may be lost but its people still need me. I am Tyluko-Kai Kaimana, Sage of the Dolphinarians, Defender of Mon Cala......I am a Jedi"

Tyluko shot back into the fray with a reinvigorated fighting spirit, laser cannons firing rapidly as he took down scores of enemy fighters. As he continued to harass the sith aircraft he started to sense despair in the minds and hearts of those fighting with him as orders to evacuate started to flood the comm channels. He needed to help boost morale, to encourage everyone to keep fighting for the sake of the evacuating populous. He suddenly remembered a story that he read in the Jedi archives that originated during the ancient Clone Wars "T7, patch me into the Silver Jedi network." His droid chirped in acknowledgement as if he already knew what his master was planning.

"Defenders of KIntan, my friends... do not give into despair, for it is when our spirits break that Sith truly win. Long ago during the Clone Wars there was a Nikto Jedi Master by the name of Ima-Gun Di. Master Di and his men fought valiantly against an overwhelming enemy force to buy time for innocent people to escape. He fought bravely to the bitter end, never losing hope or his courage. He stood as a light against an overwhelming darkness and his sacrifice allowed the citizens of Ryloth to escape and fight another day. I say we embody that energy today and honor that memory. Stand strong my brothers and sisters. For the people of Kintan! May the Force be with you all!"

Tyluko smiled as he started to hear cheers on the comm channel. Hope lived today. T7 chirped in excitement. "Thank you my friend, now lets finish this."

As Tyluko rushed back into the fight he started to lead ally star fighters to cover the evacuation efforts at the spaceports. As he fought above the spaceports he noticed a large explosion engulf the fortress as another large chunk fall to the ground.

He activated his comlink " OOM-7795 (Oomy) , Kladro Uz'ra please tell me you were clear of that explosion. Cover the evacuating civilians, save who you can and bring them to Kladro's shuttle. We need to get out of here."

And with that he corkscrewed back into the fray. " Jessica Med-Beq , I am moving to cover the evacuation efforts at the Space Port, May the Force be with you"

 

[Karina Lowe Legacy]

Sergeant Karina Lowe
Location: New Kalandra North City

Objective: Survive the bombing... Again

Enemies: Silver Jedi Order | Elise | Reggie Faayare | Wyatt Morga | Nick Dragovalor

Allies: The Sith Empire | Darth Voyance | Irveric Tavlar | Aerarii Tithe | Darth Bellum | LT-137 | Hailyn

Interacting: Elise | Aerarii Tithe


Equipment: Autokrator Assault Blaster Rifle | SIF-57s Charric Pistol | Thermal Detonators | Commlink | Scramble Key | Field Slicing Kit | Legion Service Dagger

'It's too late... There's too many...'

The words rang true in Karina's mind. As her gaze flicked between her companions and the civilians still filing into the Arena, the last pieces of the puzzle slipped into place. She was right to have been cautious, right to have been suspicious. The Jedi already knew, her keen senses having already picked up on what Karina was only just now grasped: The Arena had never been set up to process civilians, nor provide them with shelter against the battles raging in the streets. That had never been the intention.

No, the mustering at the Arena constituted nothing more than a trap, a snare designed to lure the people of New Kalandra into what would become one final punishment for their attempts at resistance. It was a typical move for the Empire, one that by this point had been carried out on countless worlds, in cities just like this one. For the first time, the thought of the approaching massacre made her feel slightly ill.

She stared in dismay as the soldiers of the Red Legion moved swiftly away, spreading out into the fringes of the crowd before disappearing altogether. A few regulars remained, looking about confusedly. The civilians had not yet realised something was amiss, but soon they would understand what was coming.

The wheels continued to slowly turn and Karina felt as if she was falling away from herself. Rooted in place, she stared into the throng of people. The Treasurer-General had suggested moving along elsewhere and he was right. Of course he was right. But where would they go? Was there anywhere they could retreat to where these people would not be gunned down, torn apart, or otherwise slaughtered? Karina was beginning to doubt it.

She had captured these people, and she had brought them here believing that she was doing them a favour, saving them from themselves and their annihilation at the spaceport. But now, now she had lead them to their deaths.

A certain hollowness spread through her body, and she bowed her head as the Jedi turned away. Karina understood her in that moment, the choice that she had to make, the duty to which a Jedi was bound, she wondered if perhaps one day, she would have such purpose.

Shots sounded from ahead, a tank flipping over seemingly on its own and triggering a chorus of shouts and a surge of people hurrying out of the way at the centre of the crowd. Karina's head jerked towards the source of the disturbance, looking up to see the Jedi make a run for it, ducking into a side alley with her gaggle of civilians scrambling to follow.

Miserably, she held up her hand, stopping her squad from pursuing even as they stepped forward. She spoke quietly, without emotion.

"Let them go. There's nothing we can do for them."

They looked at her strangely, but she merely shrugged and said nothing more.

Panic was spreading rapidly through the crowd, and already people were beginning to surge back towards the entrance arches, fighting to get out. Her squad raised their weapons, but she knew there would be no point in attempting to step the tide. Shots sounded from the other side of the arena, where most of the crowd had converged, rushing the exits in a blind panic.

She opened her mouth to speak, ready order their withdrawal, but her soldiers already understood, and stepped aside, pulling back to keep the repulsortank safe, and allowing the hysterical civilians to stream past them.

Her commlink crackled, and Karina strained to hear the short, clipped words. Then, clear as day, she heard the order: the artillery was firing, and she knew exactly where it was headed.

She whirled, teetering on the urge of panic. Keying her commlink she called out, her voice blasting across the local channels

"Incoming fire! Run for cover, get out of the Are-"

BOOM

The first blast flipped the world upside down, and Karina hit the ground hard, covering her face with her hands as the air in front of her ignited in a flash of blinding white, and a wave of grit and rubble hurtled through the air. She rolled aside as the archway fell apart above her, crashing to the ground with a thud and another spray of shattered masonry.

Scrabbling to her feet, she stood shakily, only to be knocked prone once more when a second shell fell to earth nearby, and Karina curled into a ball as the air rained rocks and glass.

The next shell fell further away, Karina wincing as she witnessed a dozen-odd terrified civilians swallowed by the blast, their lives snuffed out in a single instant. She stood again, clambering over the fallen slabs and twisted metal beams that now choked what remained of the Arena's entry. Small lacerations covered her face, and she once again felt the warmth of blood trickling down her cheeks, leaving dark red tracks through the dust-coated skin.

Pushing past the rubble, she made it to the alley down which the Jedi and her civilians had disappeared down minutes earlier. Karina hesitated, but another falling shell struck the arena behind her and she was spurred forward, her boots clattering against the pavers as she ran.

A short time later, Karina burst out, panting, onto an adjacent street. The artillery strike was still going, still close, still thundering, but now it was out of range. She looked around, some people had made it out in time, and they hurried down the road, putting as much distance between themselves and the Arena as possible.

Up ahead, she saw the figure of Elise, helping the fleeing citizens, directing them towards... Something. She considered running up to her, considered jumping in and aiding in their escape. She stepped forward, her heart thundering. Karina reached into the satchel on her thigh, pulling out the confiscated saber and- she stopped.

It was a rock.

She dropped it, and it fell to the ground, breaking in two.

One of her soldiers approached from behind, his armour coated in grime. He nodded grimly.

The Jedi slipped away into the crowd, gone for good. Karina turned away.

​

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Objective: Stop Prazitus long enough
With: Kyra Perl | Kat Decoria | Acaadi | Jerek Morrows | Darth Prazutis

It defied all logic and understanding of the force. JJ watched as the Sith Lord treated his attacks, wounds, and the defenses erected by the Jedi as if they were nothing. At least he had bought the padawans the time they needed to flee, if they would actually listen to him. JJ was no longer paying attention to that any longer. There were only two things on his mind at this point. The first was to ensure Kyra's safety, and the other was to stop Darth Prazutis .​

​

Jerek had the right idea. JJ remembered his father telling him a story about the time he stopped a Sith Lord using Force Light. Where it was nothing for a Jedi, the light itself weakened those who used the dark side. Light overcomes the darkness, it was how Judah had said it to his son. This was a skill JJ had never been forced to use in battle, but if one Knight could use force light, then Judah could simply add to it.​

​

Closing his eyes, JJ summoned the light from deep within who he was. This was going to be taxing, but using the one thing that was corrosive to the dark nature of the Sith Lord was their only hope. All they could hope was that the Dark Master would attempt to use the force while surrounded by the light. It would only be in their favor. Adding his light to the barricade Jerek had made, Judah rested his hope on their chance of escape with this action. They may not defeat him, but they could repel him.​

 

[Elise]

Elise felt the thousands of voices cry out as the first missile hit the city.

There was only the whistling as it sped towards them from up above, and then the ground-breaking shatter as it collided into civilization. She reached her arms out, catching her balance as the ground shook and bodies slammed desperately by her. Her breath dragged through her ears, the master staring in horror as dust billowed out. A shock wave sent people onto their knees in a wave.

Wyatt's hand laid on her shoulder, warm surprisingly tender. It brought her back, the woman's eyes moist as they locked onto his in turn. There were no words.


Only peace, right?

She took a deep breath, matching it in sync with his.

And then she nodded, following the master out the drop shuttle he had found. Her hand reached out, grabbing the sweaty palm of the desperate mother. Force be willing, the woman had made it through with her.

The boy however...

"Wait, the evac shuttles!"

Her cry was lost to the wind as the pilot took off.

More fire rained down on the city, the sky chaos around them. Drop ships landed, some in flames and others safely. Orbital attacks rained down from the heavens, and it was only the deft doge of their own pilot that spared their ship of such a shot. Elise gritted her teeth, holding tight to the rails and the mother as the maneuver nearly tossed them both off.


As they rose higher, the extent of their loss became clear.

Smoke billowed in dark, thick plumes from the ground down below, masking the place the arena had been. Her chest tugged, a streak of tears reflecting firelight as in the distance ... the space pad found itself overwhelmed. As ordered, all shuttles too off. Explosions rippled through the air like children's bubbles escaping from a wand... lives popped out of existence.

Through the chaos and the cover, a handful of evac shuttles made it out. She watched forlornly as they zipped low and into the horizon, fleeing towards the next, free city. A little light of hope.

Her voice echoed back out there the force, a final message to those that remained. "I'm sorry... Khaladria has fallen."


"For those of you left in the city...", she offered, the sky darkening to the smoke that rose into the air. "May the Force Be With You."