Nothing

[Akhilleus]

Objective: Kill Sith for waking him
Allies: [member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Cyril Grayson"]
Location: On way to surface.

Spoiler: Armory

Fighting Claw
Gnullith
Mqaaw'it
Gila Stomach
11 Razor/Thud Bugs
HAED Slugthrower
LightClub

Zator had seen and been through many battles, first during his time as a Vong, then during his time learning the force beneath the Sith, even now as he devoted himself to the resurrection of the Vong and the destruction of the Sith Zator had become even more intimate with it. So much so that he could sleep through a battle without even being phased. Napping on the Chimera, the Vong Shaped Tof lay on a makeshift cot in an abandoned storage closet. He had been too large for any of the regular beds offered on the ship so Zator had simply took a storage closet and turned it into a giant bed. Resting on the multiple sheets tied together he snored loudly, the passerbys on occasion would look over at the door out of fear. IF there was one thing no one wanted to do it was wake Zator during one of his naps.

Then came the sharp chirping of his com link. Rolling over the jedi reached over trying to grab the communicator in the dark to no avail. With a growl he finally sat up. “WHAT?!” The aggravation in his voice was apparent. “Wait what do you mean we’re in a battle?” Nodding his head as the other voice filled him in. Turns out the Republic was being attacked by a bunch of cowardly Sith. They never seem to learn.

The Sith had already fallen apart once, and now the One Sith was on its last legs. How long would it take for them to realize that they had failed? Opening the door Zator strolled out his large frame taking up a portion of the hallway as he walked down it and to the armory. If they were going to war he was going to want more than his simple lightsaber and lightclub. Those were for engaging the jedi, but one needn’t forget that there were more than just Force Users on the field of battle. Zator hadn’t been raised to hate technology during his time amongst the Vong, but more so to embrace its uses so it was no surprise when he snatched up a HAED slugthrower for general use along with his typical assortment of Vong tools including a handful of both Razer and Thud Bugs. a Gnullith that he inserted immediately the proboscis went down his throat and the biot attached itself to his face.

Now fully equipped Zator made his way to the escape pods, why take a Starfighter down to the surface when it would be faster to jettison himself down. “I’m on my way down. Who needs assistance?” Zator asked sitting himself in the drop pod and jettisoning away from the ship.

 

[WolfMortum]

Location: Foot of Mount Meru.
Objective: Discern the intentions of the Sith Empire on Deneba.
Allies: [member="Zator Carr"]
Persons of Interest: [member="Xenro"]

Veiere Arenais turned as the form of [member="Xenro"] came into view, black robes draped over him and showing little sign of armaments himself; possibly one who had not expected to see himself within close quarters of his enemy. Veiere's right hand slowly moved to his waist to where the lightsaber of his former apprentice was clipped whilst his eyes focused as the Sith pulled a blade of a different sort and cut open his own arm, spilling blood the look of black across the sand floor beneath him.

The scene was as grotesque to Veiere as you might imagine though he knew the tales and legends behind those of the dark side, there were some that dove deeper than others in the pursuit for power and control, that they would seek the path of necromancy or other possessive ways to corrupt and abuse the natural flow of the Force. As a Jedi it was only to be expected that Veiere knew not the secrets of these ways and like so many, remained ever aware of the environment that he now shared with the Sith Lord.

For a moment the Jedi Knight remained silent, the gentle breeze of the wind passing him and signalling the calm before the inevitable storm; yet yes, knowledge was what he sought and in the presence of one such as foe standing before him, Veiere had an opportunity to question their motives. Whether the other chose to answer was of another matter entirely...-though it was the least that he could do, to try.

"This planet is barren and hardly the target I would expect of the Sith..." He spoke up, ignoring the taunts and aggravating words of the other; "Save for the obvious, what is it you have come for, that you would attack this system of all others. What is your objective...". That they held a hatred for the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order was clear, everyone knew this and yet the target did not seem to make sense to Veiere when they could have chosen a far more heavier populated planet. Thankfully they had neglected to do so as far as he knew though this did not feel like a typical call to war, it was a skirmish and their tactics were not of an invading armies but rather guerrilla warfare.

Conscious of the Stormtrooper still out cold on the ground behind Veiere now, his eyes took to the ground in-front of [member="Xenro"] in question of his seemingly insanitary methods. His armor had been a reluctant acceptance believing that he would meet the resistance of an army; it had broken his fall and though still bruised and worn, had managed to save him any broken bones by nothing short of a miracle, yet his opponent did not bare the same and this had stood out to the Jedi who preferred maneuverability and freedom over the constraints and weight of such gear. Thus he decided to reach for the straps at the shoulders keeping his chest-plate in place, undoing them and removing the plating to reveal his tan Jedi tunic beneath, the traditional image of the Jedi Knight of old. "I would not have you bleed out before we can discuss the matter of this conflict..." He spoke out once more, this time reminding the Sith that he was of no use to Veiere, dead. Nor did the Jedi wish to see any further loss of life, even his oppositions. "Stop this madness and give yourself to the Order, that you might be judged for your crimes by the Republic and one day find redemption within the light..." He finished speaking, dropping the leg guards and freeing himself entirely of the armor set, "There is nothing that justifies the need for further death here".

 

[Hailey Sosis]

Objective: Cause Mayhem and ram the prison gate
Allies: The Black Empire
Enemy: The Republic and there cruel ways, [member="Travot Ravenna"]
Equipment: Hide Armour, two red lightsabers, two woe bringers and a speeder bike
Note: I am now a Knight, and new tags have come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgeaZJJ21II

Harley did not break when as speeder thrown, she was too busy laughing maniacally. The impact of speeder did not even register with her, as she was going full throttle towards the prison gates. The speeder had anchored down, and making leaving a trail of sparks from the concrete road. Though truck speed was not altered, and she was still heading towards the gate at pace. As she got closer, the guards began opening fire with blaster pistols. The speeder was protecting the engine ironically, and as shot came through the windscreen. She began to tie down, the accelerator pedal. Then jumped out of the door, she was to stupid to check behind her to see what happened. She ran forward towards the gate, as speeding speeder truck had rammed it now, and broken into it...........

 

[Armand Temi]

The Jedi Enclave of Deneba
A: [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Alyona Volkovna"] [member="Bryn'jarr Astaris"]
E: [member="The Harbinger"] [member="Ashmedai"] [member="Xenro"] [member="Haytham Kaze"]

Cath listened carefully to [member="Veiere Arenais"] instructing her to contact the Chimera. While the padawan was relieved to know the enclave was secure, she immediately resented the idea of hailing Master Grayson and shuttling off to the Chimera. While she knew her emotions were extremely un-Jedi-like, the headstrong Eldorai could not help but feel disappointment. She realized it was wrong, but inside, she felt a burning passion for, not necessarily the battlefield, but for engagement and for action.

I don’t want to be on the sidelines in the Chimera, thought Cath. I want to be out there at the base of the mountain, with Knight Arenais. That is where I should be.

This was the first time she’d regretted her decision to retire from politics. As Home Secretary of the Republic, she was revered, listened to, included. Right now, the stubborn girl felt excluded. Is it because I’m young? A woman? Inexperienced?

No this would not do at all. Like the noble blood running through her veins, she was used to having a say, and those words would be spoken today on Mount Meru. Knowing she risked the ire of the older and wiser Jedi Knight, Padawan Lorr did hail [member="Cyril Grayson"], but it was only to have him send a shuttle to the base of the mountain. She would not make her way to the Chimera.

Shutting off her commlink, the young Eldorai walked slowly out of the enclave, through the smoke, dust and residue of whatever munitions had exploded against the broken building. Cath immediately felt the Darkside of the Force swell against her like a dark, tsunami wave crashing against her and pushing her back. Trying to locate Veires Arenais’s Force signature, she made her way across the plains, heading to the base of the mountain.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Location: Spaceport, Meru City
Allies: [member="Connor Harrison"], Captain Loken (NPC of [member="Cyril Grayson"])
Enemies: None so far

“Master Harrison and Padawan Lunelle from the Silver Sanctum Coalition requesting a communication line into the Galactic Republic frequency,” Setzi broadcast as The Pirate’s Foe slowly touched down upon a landing pad at the Deneba Spaceport. The request had been granted, and after an exchange with a Republic Army Lt., she had the name of one Captain Loken whose forces had secured the port and were shuttling out evacuees.

Like the younglings, thought Setzi hopefully. Still, Astrid could be anywhere if she was here at all. It would be like finding a needle in a huttstack as the saying went.

Shutting down the freighter’s power system, the brunette Padawan turned to Connor, her heart-shaped face already flushed with excitement. “I know you have your own armor, but there are extra supplies in a hold right before the cargo bay,” she instructed. “Blasters, thermal detonators, medicine even… I was a pack rat on my sojourn and amassed quite a stash of useful items.”

Setzi rose from the pilot’s seat, gave Connor a quick kiss on the cheek and went into the back of the ship to change into her armor. The reports of had been happening in the Deneba City and across the planet were blood-chilling, and Padawan Lunelle knew that she needed more than just robes and a saber to fight whatever force had decided to wage internal warfare against Deneba.

 

[Joza Perl]

Location: Approaching Denny’s Deneba

Joza wasn’t particularly fond of The Republic, but she was less fond of Sith. And when reports of a Sith attack started coming out of Deneba, she moved quickly. The galaxy had been alight with rebellions and invasions recently, and it didn’t look like that trend was going to stop. Both the Alliance and the Sanctum had been launching attacks on Sith held words, trying to dissolve their presence and break supply lines. Some had been successful, some had not.

Her teeth ground together as she recalled the Sanctum’s recent defeat on Ruusan. Her body had healed from the battle, but her mindset had been forever changed. The events surrounding that fight were a turning point for her—into Force knows what. It just so happened that she had a sour look on her face whilst suiting up for battle.

“Do you have to do that here?” The man in the pilot’s chair shifted his gaze slightly to catch the pink woman struggling with a gauntlet before rolling his eyes and turning his focus back onto the nav. More than often, Joza had someone fly in her stead while she meditated, smoked, or struggled with armor. The Zeltron had not inherited her father’s expert flying skills, and more than often left that task up to a trained pilot. While she could usually get herself from Point A to Point B without crashing, she was less than confident that she could enter a war zone herself without getting shot down.

“Approaching Deneba.” The pilot, Ivan, announced before leaning over and squinting at one of the maps. “Huh. Looks like we’re not the only Sanctum ship who answered the call.”

“Huh?” Twisting her head so that she could get a better look at the little blips on the screen, she squinted. “Who is it?”

“Not sure yet.”

 

[Gray Raxis]

Objective: Kill the beast!
Location: Denaba city
Allies: My saber Whisper and my sword Calm
Enemies: Sithspawn and zombies, [member="Xenro"]

Gray's armor was holding against the zombies, even if their mass of bodies was becoming a really annoying obstacle holding him back. So what was he to do about the fleeing creature that was attempting to create more zombies as it fled in fear? Gray's answer was simple: don''t let it. He held Calm in his right hand and used his left to try and pull the sithspawn into him via the force. At the same time he also pushed out all around him with the force to try and blow the zombies away. If his attempts worked he would then try to stab the sithspawn through its core with his sword, and if it didn't then he would move on to the next move.

Gray was going to need to get a hold of the Republic and inform them of the sith element to this terrorist attack. He didn't know why they were here yet or what they were up to, but it was likely some plot to gain control of the system. Why they picked this desolate system was beyond him though. If they were seeking to draw out of the Republic troops and fleets, a much largely populated planet would have been better. Denaba might have had some development over the years, but it wasn't much. It was a desert planet with no real draw to it other than dirt cheap building costs.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Location: Spaceport, Meru City
Objective: Escort Setzi
Allies: [member="Setzi Lunelle"]
Enemies: None so far

Not reacting to the kiss on his cheek, Connor still felt this was a surreal dream. From feeling alone, to now feeling he wasn't in a heartbeat. It wasn't a dream, that was for sure, but he had to tread carefully to both convince to Setzi his intentions were true, and also ensure her faith in him was never broken. The Silver Sanctum Master slowly toyed with his tongue across the bottom lip as he looked out of the viewport. He knew what he was here to do, and he came prepared with his combat armour for any hostiles that came their way. Hopefully none, but you never knew who was watching.

After a moment, he stood and unclipped the latch across his neck for a little more air and maneuverability. Walking through the ship he had only been in once, he looked around casually as he made his way to wait for Setzi.

His fingers flexed by his lightsaber hilt, the Skywalker blade ready to spring into life at any moment to protect or take a life. He exhaled slowly, composing himself and remembering it wasn't just his life now in his hands. The other life was much more priceless.

Stopping before the cargo bay, peeking into the hold, Connor nodded at the array of supplies Setzi had. After a moment, he edged in and took a blaster rifle he slung over his back, noting it was a medium range weapon, nice and standard. And a couple of med-packs. Because you never knew when you would need them.

"Just borrowing a couple of items," he called as he tightened the blaster strap across his chest and walked out. "You just get me where you need me and focus on finding your daughter if she's around. I'll be right beside you no matter what."

Who knew what sort of nightmare they were walking into.

 

[Thema Csapla]

Location: Deneba, Mount Meru
Enemy of Interest: [member="The Harbinger"]

Despite the fact most of the city had been evacuated, Deneba was still a raging battlefield. More precisely, Mount Meru, and the nearby Jedi Temple. Countless lives had been lost to the acts of the Sith perched upon Mount Meru, but even with her limited precognition, Thema could feel the massacre was drawing to an end. Jedi of all calibre and rank were storming the mountain, with the objective of finally ending the carnage, and weakening the Black Empire. Had the Chiss been a younger padawan, or an elderly Jedi, she would have been along with the first wave of refugees taken into the Chimera. But this wasn't the case. The Force had willed her to stay and fight, assisting the seasoned Jedi and Stormtroopers fighting the battle on the planet's surface. Armed with only her wits and her lightsaber, she was determined to strike down at least one of the Force-sensitive heads of the attack.

But that moment wouldn't come as she'd expected it. No, as she reached the foot of the mountain, she was hit by a sudden, sharp tingling in her skin. As if she were being pricked with a dozen knives, all making invisible cuts into her skin. It was not unlike the sensation she'd felt at the dawn of the attack. She knew it was the Force, simply reacting to it's misuse by the Dark Jedi's dangerous practices. Her comrades must have felt it, as she did. Yet none of them were reacting as she did. No, both Cath and Master Rhur were perfectly calm. Perhaps their Jedi training was tempered in such a way as to resist these impulses? To keep a bubble of peace around them at all times, shielding them from the Dark Side? The possibilities were endless.

But for whatever reason, Thema didn't have that. Against her better judgement, she turned to the side, rotating her body slowly... Stopping only until the tingling ceased. In front of her was a Dark Jedi, lightsaber in hand, looking as sinister as she'd expected one to be. She involuntarily tightened the grip on her own weapon, and padded towards the presence slowly, anger echoing in her footsteps. The Force was guiding her steps, that much she knew. Whether it was the Dark Side, or the Light, she couldn't tell. The Jedi doctrine was all blurring amidst the chaos.

"You." She spat out, approaching the monster with thumping footsteps. "You... You started this, didn't you?" She asked, actions not quite her own. She didn't know this man by name, but she could feel what she was saying was true. There was a sort of eerie glow to him that said a thousand words, telling her exactly what he'd brought upon the city. Destruction, death, plague, and suffering. "You fired upon this city, upon my home, for what? To send a message? To make us fear you?" She snarled, now less than five paces away from his target. Raising the green, crossguarded saber up in a combat-ready stance, the Chiss bored her red eyes on the man, venom in her stance. "You made people suffer. Innocent people- The elderly, the sick, even children!" She closed the gap between Force-wielders with two steps, and an arcing slash of green plasma towards her target's chest.

 

[Darth Kentarch]

Location: Meru City
Objective: Stop Sith bad guys
Allies: Jedi & Republic, [member="Cyril Grayson"]
Enemies: The Sith and their goons, shamefully I have to add zombies now apparently to my list of enemies.

Among the back alleys of the streets of Meru, Matthias and the Republic soldiers moved from cover to cover trying to avoid the madness that engulfed the city. The Jedi carefully led the soldiers through fire and smoke, using his force senses to guide them to the space-port. As they passed down another darkened alleyway, Matthias raised his fist to signal the Republic to stop. He pointed to two figures ahead of him, two armed terrorists shooting at innocent people who happen to stumble across them. "Weapons to stun, take them down." Matthias whispered. Not soon later two rings erupted from the blasters of the Republic soldiers striking the terrorists dressed in faux-mercenary gear. The terrorists fell to the ground unconscious before they even knew what hit them. "Grab 'em. Get them off the street." Matthias helped moved one of the bodies off the street and out of site.

Removing his glove from his right hand, the Jedi Master reached down and placed the a hand on one of the terrorists foreheads. The force swirled around him and Matthias peered into the man's mind. The terrorist's body convulsed as his mental defensive broke and the force invaded his mind. Yet the terrorist remained unconscious. Matthias said nothing as he probed the man's mind, yet after a few tense minutes he finally stood and let the man go. "Its a trap." Matthias said, his voice still a whisper. "Darth Carnifex or whatever he calls himself these days organized this attack to lure the Republic military and Jedi here." He continued. "The rest you don't need hard evidence for. The biological zombie attack then is triggered as the Republic forces move into respond. Then the Sith Triumvirate forces arrive to help push out the disorganized Jedi and Republic response and push them out of the region." Matthias pointed to one of the Republic soldiers. "Send my report to Cyril Grayson. He will want to take down Carnifex personally."

While Matthias wanted to help stop the Terrorists, the zombies could become a more pressing issue. "Get to the spaceport and help secure the area. I got another job to do." He said before dashing off down a street. Now he had to find the source of the zombies and stop it.

 

[LT-137]

Location: Meru, District Four.
Objective: Eliminate Various Targets of Opportunity, Pacify Insurgency.
Allies of Convenience: The Galactic Republic, The Jedi Order, Local Law Enforcement Agencies.
Current Target of Opportunity: Unknown.
Equipment: See Possessions.

https://youtu.be/NFwCN2ANBaM​

Kneeling in the darkness as they watched a group of Republic soldier's patrol through the dimly lit street before them, Fireteam Aeacus waited in silence with their rifles at the ready. They were strangers to this world, and as they had made their clandestine infiltration, it was unlikely that the locals or the newly arrived Military would take kindly to their presence - what with the City under Siege and much of its population mercilessly slaughtered. As time began to slip through their lusterless obsidian fingers, the Patrol had moved on with their search. Naiad had to commend them for being thorough, but he also silently criticized them for wasting his time. Pushing such rancorous thoughts into the depths of his mind, the Operative wordlessly signaled his comrades forward, dashing across the exposure between cinnamon-dusted buildings scant seconds after. They had much time to make up for and in response, cast off their stealthy approach as they surged through the back alleys.

Dodging another patrol, by activating their suit's sensor dampeners and packing themselves into a crenelated doorway, the Fireteam had made it to their target's locale. Or at least, where his trail had led them too. They had found him by piggybacking onto the broadcast, and bashing their way through the walls of encrypted data that bounced through various terminals dotting the city. It wasn't an easy process to do on the run, but when the point of origin had been located, they circled back into the Republic's search pattern and speared right towards their destination. It wouldn't be long until they were discovered by one of the roving squads, so with their time bleeding away - subterfuge was swiftly replaced by the heavy-handed approach.

Aeacus circled the busted building like carrion, looking for an ingress that would permit them entry. Had they not found the atomized hole on the opposite side of the door, it was a certainty that their Operation would've been uncovered almost instantaneously. Moving in with their weapons sweeping the interior, the Fireteam began securing the location - until they had found the bound corpses of the Children displayed in the broadcast, with the HoloRecorder still active.

Damn.

Shouldering his rifle and sighting his target down the length of the fluted barrel, the former Sun Guard unleashed a nearly invisible bolt of cycled tibanna into the darkness, severing the feed's connection and ending the broadcast in a sudden hail of static. Breathing a sigh of relief, the Operative turned towards the mutilated youth's and began freeing them from their bonds. Gently pulling them from their frozen canvas of death, he ran a gauntleted finger across the side of their flensed faces - wishing that they were spared such horrors.

"Solari," At the sound of his name, he tore his gaze from the fallen Child and turned towards its source. Aeacus Two, Miri Dorvin. Once a former Jedi Healer, who had lost her way and her powers, now the Fireteam's Medic, moved out from the darkness and knelt beside her Commanding Officer. "They're gone. I can't bring them back from this, so don't even bother asking. Three and Four are gathering whatever Intel they could about the broadcasting components in this room. We need you on your feet."

She was right, He thought, blinking away the tears that begun to form beneath his eyes. For once, he was glad that she couldn't see with her mind's eye. Nodding his acknowledgment, the former Sun Guard roused himself from the blood-stained floor and walked away from their fallen forms. "Report." He said in a growl. Turning away from the small collapsible terminal, Three - a former Slicer that the SIS had apprehended and made anew; named Rhel Suvan, didn't bother glancing at his Commander when the order was given. Instead, the man was enthralled by the crystalline screen before him, and the data that scrolled down its transparent surface.

"There isn't much. I can tell you that they smuggled themselves in, just like we did if these Logs are anything to go by, but they're good at covering their tracks."

Naiad retorted, nearly snarling as his words passed through the suit's vocabulator.

"That's not sufficient enough of an answer, Three. Get me something we can track. I want that maggot found so he can pay for all of this."

Raising his gauntleted hands in a submissive gesture, hoping to disarm Naiad's rising temper, Rhel turned back to the terminal and let his fingers dance across the input board. After several seconds of near-silence, the Slicer found what the former Sun Guard was looking for. It was a video that was recorded before the room's previous occupants had left - a transmission of sorts that was sent out to another disparate group in the city. While it was a cold lead, it was still something they could use.

"Triangulate the destination point."

Doing as he was bid, Three pulled up the map of the city and began working through their complex encryption keys. Admittedly easier than before, due in part they weren't on the move and had something to reference in regards to the command requisites, the signal they had found was still pulsating near the northern edges of the City. Flipping the terminal around so Naiad could see, the former Sun Guard leaned in, mentally memorizing the map - before uploading the data to the Squad. Old habits, he thought with a smirk. With the NavPoint set and the terminal lashed to Three's thigh, FireTeam Aeacus made for the broken wall that they had slipped through - only to stop dead in their tracks. Nothing was alive in the building, they had aggressively scanned with their weapons and passively with their sensors to ensure that was the truth - yet as they stepped onto that rubble-strewn portal, a blip appeared behind them on their HUD's motion tracker.

Raising a clenched fist, and pivoting on the spot - Naiad bore witness to what triggered his suit's scanning system. One of the Children's bodies began to twitch as if they still lived. That was impossible; he told himself as he watched a blood-curdling transformation take place. Flesh sloughed from their diminutive bones, pooling about the newly revealed cords of tissue beneath. Naiad could hear Miri shout something over the squad-level comms, but he was enthralled by the disgusting sight before him. He knew that the Force worked in mysterious ways, but if this was what the darkest nature of man had wrought with his vile emotions - such a power didn't deserve to exist.

Shouldering his rifle as the pool began to bubble and boil, the former Sun Guard waited to see what would happen, rather than giving into his primal instincts and withdrawing into the shadows once more. Sure, he could leave this mess for the Republic to clean-up, it was the easier path, but these were the Children he sought to avenge. Honour demanded the destruction of whatever monster they became. Slipping his finger into the guard and resting it above the firing mechanism, the Operative watched as the grisly scene played out before him - making sure that his own internalized HoloCam was recording, just in case his thread was cut short before he could report back to the Director.

As the creature solidified and became animate, it's featureless face roared; spitting tendrils of liquefied flesh in all directions afore it's hulking mass. Narrowing his eyes and sighting down the length of his weapon, Naiad fired into the abyssal maw, matching the thunderous roar with a muffled bellow of simmering rage.

They would pay.

They would all pay.

 

[Alyona Volkovna (Алёна)]

Location: Mount Meru, Jedi Enclave
Allies: [member=Bryn'jarr Astaris] | [member=Veiere Arenais]
Enemies: [member=Ashmedai] | [member=Haytham Kaze] | [member=Xenro]

Alyona reached out with the Force and caught Ashmedai's discarded mask in an invisible grip, drawing it to her free hand. She turned it over as the Sith Lord spoke, his deep, rumbling tones almost soothing over the somber resonance of his ignited lightsaber. For the moment she was more interested in listening to the man that killing him. He clearly held no fear for Alyona and her partner, Bryn. Briefly, the young woman wondered if he held fear for anything. His words were wrought with banter she'd heard a dozen times before, following the same tired tune of the Sith she'd engaged in her past. As Alyona inspected the mask, she spoke, almost seeming to ignore the fact that the Sith Lord had drawn his weapon.
"Fun isn't what I'm here for," Alyona stated simply. Her tone was almost bored, and she discarded the mask. It flipped through the air and tumbled across the earth some meters away. The Jedi woman allowed her eyes to plainly drift over the various tattoos that marked the Sith Lord's naked flesh. His complexion remained light enough for the lines of ink woven into his skin to show perspicuously. His ink only added to his attractiveness, reminding Alyona of the markings born by Xavka Duquo, a Zabrak male she'd encountered on Togoria. They shared several qualities, at least on the surface. Alyona wondered if Ashmedai was the hunter that both she and Xavka were.
"What I'm here for..." The ashen-haired woman continued, "...is enlightenment." Her voice had taken on a sense of sincerity. "In your mind, my Lord, what purpose does the violence being wrought on this planet serve?" Alyona relaxed her stance just enough to express a desire for discourse as opposed to conflict, at least for the time being. As long as Ashmedai was willing to provide answers, Alyona would have questions. She had spent years living amongst the Jedi and learning from them, though she'd never truly become one herself. She relished violence, and though her Echani upbringing encouraged it as a method of learning, what the Jedi had taught her to appreciate was the value of greater knowledge.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Location: Spaceport, Meru City
Allies: [member="Connor Harrison"], Captain Loken (NPC of [member="Cyril Grayson"])
Enemies: None so far

Connor had not much to worry about as Setzi would trust this assignment to no one else but the faithful Jedi Master. He’d shown nothing but loyalty to her and her family, even when she was a Sith Lord. She may hire mercenaries and other wastrels to help her find her Sithspawn or do other unsavory business that had to do with her past.

But she would not trust anyone else with this search for her daughters. Not a soul but him.

Setzi was in the refresher near the cargo hold, half undressed, in only a thin bodyglove, slipping her armor on. She gave Connor a sly smile as he peeked inside the hold. The armor she pulled on was the Sanctum’s Jedi Expeditionary Armor made by Armatech (she’d met the Armatech CEO once anonymously on the battlefield where he shot her in the leg – the scar was still there on her calf - and she’d also met him in person on Voss when he’d thrown off his darksided shroud for good). This specific model was made to combat that bloody Vonduun Skerr Kyrric which Setzi hated so much. Feth, that crawling, living, crustaceous armor gave her the creeps.

With the armor still not fully fastened around her body, she met Connor at the point where he walked out of the hold and put her arms around him tightly, giving him one last gentle hug before both of them would be out – like he said – in unknown, uncharted hostile territory. Explosions, terrorists with assault rifles, viruses unleased on the city – the rumors were swirling for sure.

“Deneba City is the closest to us,” said Setzi, pulling back and looking up at the dark-haired Jedi Master. “I’m thinking we check a hospital or two before we get to any hot-zones. But before we completely leave the Spaceport I need to talk to Captain Loken. It’s very possible the youngest padawans may have been evacuated already and if that’s the case, we can check the passenger manifest to find out if Astrid or Amata were among them."

She turned around, smiling and asked, “Zip me up?” letting the Connor do the honors of getting her fully into the Expeditionary Armor.

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

Location: Meru Spaceport
Allies: Unknown
Enemies: Unknown
Objective: Decimate

Balaya could feel more people coming and she looked at the town itself as more things seemed to be there. She could see things roaming around and they avoided her presence as she pushed it out to ward them off. The spell she had been twisting as she came to the end and the massive zeltron stood there looking at the bodies as she focused on them. Her magics could bring back the ones who weren't already and well she was disgusted with a need to kill those who affronted her vision. Darksiders who slaughtered served less purpose for her while the giant of a woman standing in the armor spied others running and let one spy her before she brushed him off stomping on a black empire terrorist as she smashed him and the fourteen foot tank of a being letting them go when more arrived and she ripped his head throwing him into the air as he blew up. This was not.... worthwhile when she was sensing others around that were coming [member="Joza Perl"] and she bypassed things feeling more sithspawn as she crossed her arm over her chest letting the black veins tighten when she spied [member="Gray Raxis"] fighting them with a small look. The repulse from her chest and the defensive implants on the zombies as they were smashed against a wall with her massive stature to her advantage using the moment to bring things towards her and her large saber that was cleaving them. She wasn't a friend of the black empire and cared little for this but she did care about things ruining the reputaton and subpar undead or creatures paled next to her nightmare child.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Location: Command Center, Undisclosed Location, Yutan
Objective: --
Allies: Galactic Republic, Locals
Enemies: Insurgents (Sith)

It had been wishful thinking for Suravi to expect a smooth transition from the Senate to the Defense Ministry. The Kiribian was dealing with the Republic, after all. Her meeting with the Acquisitions Undersecretary and the Technology Director that day had to be placed on hold as she was pulled away for an emergency briefing.

A particularly gruesome terrorist attack was currently unfolding on the planet of Deneba. Mass shootings, suicide bombers, biological attacks, looting. Most troubling to her about the attacks was that Kiribans were on the ground, led by Arisa. She felt a pang of guilt, because she had been the one to send them there in the first place. She wouldn’t know what to do with herself if Arisa had been a victim.

Someone had just unleashed hell upon that sleepy little planet. It was unclear who that someone actually was, but it had the fingerprints of the Sith all over it. Deneba had no recent history of insurgency, but the Republic did have a history contending with the Sith next door, through both direct conflict and the GR’s indirect approach of containment. It was only the logical response for them to finally strike back.

Where there was one attack, there was bound to be more. After finishing with the initial briefing, she took on the task of contacting the various leaders of the Maedocian and Fei Hu sectors for a holo-conference. Her call was answered by several foreign ministers, and a couple heads of state.

“As you may already know, Deneba is under attack by a group of heavily armed assailants, inflicting massive casualties upon the entire population. They started with the local spaceport, then moved into the city. There are also reports of viral outbreaks within the city, causing deadly mutations. The identity of the terrorists has yet to be confirmed, but based upon the methodology, and the current state of relations between the Republic and Sith in the adjacent sectors, there is high probability that this may be their doing.”

“I would advise you all to tighten security at your ports, and review newcomers into your systems. Many of the assailants had embedded themselves within the population prior to the attacks.”

“What will be the Republic’s response?” asked Governor Sardeya (Shador). The old Shadorian drummed his fingers against the cheek as he awaited her answer, digits marred with several nicks from the time of his previous profession.

“Efforts are already underway by Republic forces in the sector. Humanitarian aid, and counter-terrorism operations. More units are incoming as we speak.”

“Hmm...Shador couldn’t offer much in the way of humanitarian support, but I believe we could help pacify the belligerents.”

As a planet with a strong tradition raising assassins for hire, Shador’s business was that of killing.

“Thank you, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I will get you in contact with the theater commanders to setup arrangements.”

“If these attacks are indeed a ploy by the Sith, then I will speak to my superiors about getting Chroma involved.” said Minister Teilo (Chroma Zed).

The was no love for the Sith among the Chromans, having been subjected to the same kind of terror tactics during their enslavement under the old Galactic Empire. The persecution had led them to rebel against their oppressors by joining the original Diversity Alliance. The expansion of the Triumvirate into the region had been a troubling development for them.

“Thank you, Minister, I look forward to an update from your administration.”

The other representatives remained neutral on the topic of aiding the Republic for the time being, but they would all heed her words about upping their security. There wasn’t only the threat of terrorism, but also the spread of epidemics.

When it didn’t look like she would get anything more out the group, she wrapped up the conference. She would probably conduct some follow-ups to wring some more support, but now the priority was on rallying her own assets. She did not yet have command authority over Republic forces, but she had military might of the KSU at her beck and call. The Second Expeditionary Group had returned to the Kiribian military hub on Yutan after completing operations at Ruusan. They had the most experience fighting the Triumvirate, so she would call upon them.

“General Howle, I need an escort for teams of corpsman and outbreak response teams to the Maedocian sector, and I need it yesterday. We may have a class 4 biohazard on our hands.”

“Understood, ma’am. I’ve been following the news. I can get a flotilla outbound within the hour.”

“Not just a flotilla, but the whole group.”

“The group...should we be expecting more trouble?”

“Not entirely, but we never can be too certain. Delivering those medical supplies are of the utmost importance. The Republic home fleet will not suffer from the group’s absence. The SCO is on the scene, so follow his lead once you’re inside the sector.”

“Yes ma’am. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be mustering my people.”

“Very well, thank you, General. I know this is very short notice.”

“It’s nothing. We’ve already been on high alert since the Yutan attacks, so there isn’t much for me to do.”

“Alright, keep me posted. Goodbye.”

There were more calls to make, but she needed to take a break to make a more personal one outside the command center. Throughout her conversations with various analysts and dignitaries, she had been nagged by her anxiety over Arisa.

She tried her direct line over biocomm first, but there was no response. Her stomach started turning knots as she tried contacting KSA corvette next. It took a while, but she eventually she got a connection. She found herself staring down at the speckled reptilian face of a Yinchorri on the other side of the screen. Not the face she wanted, but she was ecstatic just getting someone on the line there.

“I’m Senator Teigra, checking in on the status of you all. How bad is it?”

“Sergeant Irsu. It’s chaos here right now. Lost a few people, but most of us were in or near the Constance when the schutta came in shooting. I was able to get about everyone on board for protection. Now the attackers are ripping through the city. If it wasn’t for Yune, we’d already be off this dustballl.”

“Arisa Yune? Where is she now?”

“She’s here in the back, working on her kit.”

“Could you get her on the line?”

“Yes ma’am. Yune! Call for you!”

There was some shuffling on the other side, then the image of the Yinchorri was replaced by that of a young Atrisian. Her face and top was smeared with dirt and blood, and her eyes were red as if she had just been crying.

“...Suravi.”

 

[Cathbodua]

There were reports of evaced ships coming in as she was working with the others. Wearing the bodysuit but also using the new proto-mesh to handle the situation and fields to keep the foul atmosphere of Shador out of the way. Credits were given to the locals to ensure they would protect the people as needed and with a medical ship and station here being brought in they could give support to the fleets of Resh and Gir that were close by while avoiding the conflicts. Her hands going over several while channeling the force into the mesh to rebound it and to her hand to amplify the healing energies while she stayed ready for anything but all reports had Deneba as a warzone.... Which the Hapen kind of wondered about given the whole desert thing and it not having that many people, value, resources or really anything.

 

[Marrius Connors]

Objective: Secure landing zone and oversee survivor evacuation mission
Location:
* Denaba Desert east of spaceport/city
* 9th Republic Assault Group
* Nagato - Recommissioned Bulwark Mk III Battlecruiser (III Corps command)
Allies :The Galactic Republic, [member="Gray Raxis"] [member="Salmakk"]
Enemies: Terrorist forces and their coalition of evil.

Republic Marine III Corps

Spoiler

1st Republic Marine Assault Regiment

1st Company
Gear
* AV-1A assault armor with
Left Arm Mount - CR-28 flame cannon
Right Arm Mount - E-Web heavy repeating blaster
Shoulder Mount - PLX-1 portable missile launcher

* 2nd Company
Gear
* AV-1c combat armor
* AI-321m "BurstStreak" Heavy Weapon System
* 3 AI-G01 Tibanna-Air Grenade
* 3 AI-Gx02 Si-Plasma Grenade

* 3rd Company
Gear
* AV-1c combat armor
* AI-321m "BurstStreak" Heavy Weapon Systems
* AI-G01 Tibanna-Air Grenades
* AI-Gx02 Si-Plasma Grenades

* 4th Company
Gear
* AV-1s scout armor
* AIB-1 Blaster Rifles
* AI-Gx02 Si-Plasma Grenades

* Mechanized Support Company
* 4 "AT-FSW" All Terrain Fire Support Walker Squadrons (12)
Left Sponson - Ordinance Sponson (6 @ Carbonite Missiles / 6 @ Incendiary Cluster Missiles)
Right Sponson - Ordinance Sponson (8 @ Flechétte Missiles / 4 @ LC-9 Thermite Torpedo)

Colonel Marrius Connors waited for Supreme Commander Forlon to finish his speech then he slid on his armors helm.. The suit hissed as hydrolic systems came to life and the motors and actuators began to activate. His HUD came online and the gyroscopic stabilizer hummed to life. a moment later the massive armor indicated it was ready. Text laying out systems and weapons on the HUD which were available to him. He stretched out his arms and spun them in a semi-circle to test the movement and reaction speed. The massive exo suit reacted like an extension of his body. He knew the armor was not as agile as the smaller suits which gave their operators super human speed and maneuvering but the heavier assault armor was still as agile as a human without augmentation.

Marius walked out into the lower assault bay and looked around at the swarm of military there. Three full regiments prepared for what ever they were ordered to do. For now, that was secure and protect civilians. It was something they were trained for but most often left to non-assault groups. Today though, they were protector not destroyer.

"Major, Open her up" said Connors to a man standing at a panel on the wall. A large Clank rang through the lower levels of the giant vessel. and Connors watched as light began to shine in around the massive boarding ramp ad it began to lower. Slowly the three hundred meter wide ramp lowered to the surface of Denaba. In the distance, nearly five hundred meters across the desert floor sat the Fuso, another of the three massive ships used by III Corps to transport them and their supplies from world to world. The Ramp slammed to the ground with a thud and the members of III corps began to deploy. Immeditally men and woemn ran up to the ramps only to stop in fear as they were met with the massive armored forms of th 1st company. Marrius knew they could be intimidating and that he needed to let the crowd know they were in no danger. He opened up his com channel and switched it to the external amplified speaker.

"Attention Citizens of Denaba, we are here to assist you. follow the instruction the troopers in the light armor give you. You are safe now." Connors said not expecting it to change much right away. It was only as the 4th company moved out from the rear of the hanger in their lighter armor that the people calmed down.

"MOve them to Fuso, We will be setting up housing and medical there" said Connors over the corps channel. The lighter armored scouts and the normal troopers of the other regiments began steering the survivors to the massive ship across the desert floor from Nagato. As the crowd began moving in the direction of the other ship Connors stepped off the ramp onto the desert. Its dusty cracked surface breaking under the weight of the assault armor. HE looked around the area out into the desert in all directions and typed in a set of commands into his suits computer. He opened up a channel to 1st regment and began giving orders.

"Ok Toril, You and the third are on defense. Have Fusos Marines assist you with deployment of defense. I want a full spread of launchers deployed around the landing zone at two clicks, load out with stun rockets. You and the 4th will be dealing with the refugees. Get them settled in and keep them safe. Keep your eyes open and on a swivel. There are reports of hostiles embedded in the civilian population. You can be sure at least one made it in with this bunch. Major Joreik, You and snd are overwatch. Get up on the upper hanger and observation decks and keep an eye out any anything good or bad. Keep me informed of everything going on out there. First your with me. We will move out and patrol and make sure nothing gets past us to the refugees. OK lets go. Colonel Myres, Support company is with the 1st. Move out and take up positions around Nagato and kill anything that doesn't wave its arms in surrender." Said Connors as the massive support AT-FSW walkers moved out of the darkness of the lower assault bay into the light of Denabas desert. Connors looked at the first of the walkers and shook his heas. He waved his arm and pointed tot he left so the walker would go to the left and not into the crowd of refugees now boarding Fuso.

"Myres, try not to step on anyone out here." ordered Connors. The walker nodded its body in a form of acknowledgment and moved off into the desert. Connors turned and followed the massive vehicle off and vanished into the desert to defense the Republic.

 

[Dune Rhur]

On the Slopes of Mt. Meru
Allies:[member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Cath Lorr"]
Enemies: [member="Haytham Kaze"] [member="The Harbinger"]

Thema had ran off after the one leading the attack on the Enclave. Dune grimaced but he had more immediate concerns. Just ahead was a Sith Lord pulsating with the Dark Side. He hoped the Force would grant Thema strength and wisdom.

The Bith announced his presence with the snap-hiss of his azure blade. Even a normal human would've heard the distinctive sound at this distance. He knew the being was simply being coy. A Dark Lord of the Sith didn't live that long by being deaf and blind.

He could sense Cath's wash of emotions beside him too. "Easy, Cath. We will take this one together. Follow my lead."

His tone belied his anger at very recent events. Training kept his negative feelings from spilling over.

"Sith Lord, you have no place here. Go away."

There was no anger or malice in his voice. The gentle tone was almost eerie in the situation. Being would strain to hear a whisper where they ignored a shout. If the Dark Sider ignored him, Dune would soon draw his attention.

 

[Tyberius Fel]

Location: Meru City, Alleys.
Allies: Republic and Affiliated.
Enemies: Radical Jihadists.

Vorian spectated over Cyril's focused, yet frantic attempts to save the life of the young woman. This was no ruse, no farce --.. he truly concerned himself with the life of each and every civilian here. It made him contemplate further: What toll did it take on him to do what he had to do wearing the mask of Darth Mephirium? Vorian was certain had it been any other man, they would have gone mad from guilt or power, but not Cyril.

Together, the two broke out in a light jog towards the epicenter of a vague feeling of wrongness emanating from the dense urban landscape of Meru City. Cyril halted and Vorian along with him.

"On my right. We have force users -- powerful ones too." Spoke one of the few beings in the galaxy who could claim to be at one point, both a Sith Lord and Jedi Master.

The Arkanian took the opportunity to fulfill Cyril's previous direction to inform Republic forces in the area of an attempt at misdirection on the part of the One Sith or Triumvirate. He lowered his hands to a comms system on his wrist and broadcasted a message to the Jedi and Republic forces stationed in or around Deneba.

"Attention: This is Jedi Knight Vorian Adasca. Myself and Master Cyril Grayson have come to a conclusion that the One Sith, Sith Triumvirate or another hostile force may enter the system and utilize the chaos in an attempt to make Republic forces appear incompetent or perhaps some other type of Ruse. Be wary and proceed with caution." Nodding to Cyril, Vorian spun his pommel into the snap-hiss of ignition. With a few twitches of muscle, Vorian brought himself into the standard Soresu opening stance. Afterwards, he expanded the force around him, heightening his senses and giving him an added situational awareness. If anyone attempted a quick surprise attack at their flanks or rear, it would be relatively trivial for the Arkanian to pivot smoothly on his heel and meet them with a stubborn Soresu defense.

"Should we intervene in the battle?" Inquired Vorian, tilting his head in the direction of the battle between Ticon and Carnifex, along with the shadowy specters that loomed around the two.

 

[Salmakk]

Location: Wave Runner-class Modular Transport Moappa's Edge, Deneba
Allies: [member="Willam Forlon"]
Enemies: Ebola

Moappa's Edge sped across an expanse of deep canyons and seemingly endless plains. At first, it had seemed mesmerizing to the mon calamari for brief moments, but soon after it turned into a monotonous blur of red and orange shades. With his FA-4 pilot droid at the helm, Salmakk opted to make a call on the local subspace radio, causing a small holo of his adopted brother to appear. Salmakk could tell from the angle and the man's jumpsuit that Gir Quee was travelling on some military warship in the depths of space. A brief exchange of pleasantries between the two soon turned to deeper topics.

"The number of casualties is not insignificant," said Salmakk.

"We both know that tired line: a single death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic," said Gir, "not that I condone mass killings of any beings. But strategically, from a manpower perspective, these attacks are responsible for how many deaths? Hundreds perhaps? The population of Denon alone is in the billions. The Republic will stand in the unusual event of Deneba falling. They could even probably repopulate the entire planet several times over with immigration from other Republic member worlds."

"That is very cold, brother."

Gir's face smarted and recoiled slightly at that last word.

"I am in no way saying that we should not help these people," said the former Republic admiral, "but I think it is helpful to look at this situations from a worse case scenario to start planning and enacting preparations in the case that Mount Meru's population is eradicated. Rugen has been untouched so far?"

"It has," said Salmakk, leaning back into his chair, "and admittedly from a business perspective, we would come out ahead if the city does fall. At least, that's what I imagine that you will say."

Gir hesitated, "Yes, that is true. Traffic from the Gamor run would continue to run here, bringing with it the same profits and trading opportunities that Mount Meru was once afforded. But I've never known you to take an especially in-depth interest in the economics of a venture before, aside from rough feasibility. What are you doing now?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're clearly not at Rugen," replied Gir, "you're on your ship traveling somewhere, aren't you? As collected as you typically are, sometimes I wonder if you have too much heart."

"An insult?"

"An observation. You're my brother. I'm inclined to worry about you, especially if you're putting yourself in harm's way."

"I'm headed to Mount Meru now," revealed Salmakk, "I intend to link up with the Republic commander there to do whatever I can to help. Even if it is as simple as transporting people away on this ship. I think that sometimes you forget, that Matthew Lucerne made our company based on people with such ethos."

"I know that ethos drives many of us, myself included, even if it may not always appear that way to you. I act and think on a larger scale, though I trust you and the others to correct and guide me on the smaller scales."

"Will you act on that, then?"

"Profits is a secondary part of our mission...the Lab's mission," begrudged Gir, "I am already working with Azira to see what the Labs can do for the people of Deneba. I myself may be there soon as well."

A slight "bing" emanated from the Edge's cockpit, causing the mon calamari to turn his eyes from the projector to the ship's viewport. The massive hulls of the Bulwark battlecruisers rose up like mountains from the desert plateau. His droid gently banked his starship around one of them in a large loop, allowing Salmakk to see some of the straggling refugees enter the massive ship under the watchful eye of [member="Willam Forlon"]'s men. It looks like they'll have plenty of space for everyone...probably won't need the Edge for transport, but you never know...

"Gir, I am there now. I will leave you now."

The man bobbed his head up and down in acknowledgement. "May the Force be with you."

"And with you as well."

The holo-projector flicked off. Salmakk turned to face the almost comically small head of his droid.

"Do we have clearance?"

"We are moving in to land now, sir..."