defy the tyrannous stars
Perspective: Mazik Stazi
Allies: [member="Ayden Cater"], [member="Astarii Saren"], [member="Aerion Ivelisse"], [member="Knight"], [member="Reshmar"], [member="Gir Quee"]
Bridge, Unyielding-class Command Cruiser Rebel’s Hope
Unknown Region, Inbound to Site Designation OMEGA
“Go,” Mazik said, drawing his Captain from his reverie and eliciting a surprised expression from the human’s face, “I don’t need to be a Jedi to know what you are thinking. You’re right, you can do more down there than you can up here.”
“Your confidence in my command capabilities is overwhelming,” Zark replied finally, unsure of what else to say and so content to fall back on sarcasm.
“You know that isn’t what I meant,” Stazi growled, the uncharacteristic act of understanding quickly giving way to his usual rage, “Alliance science divisions aren’t sure what exactly that thing is out here, but they knew enough to throw just about every ship they could muster on short notice at these Sith to stop it before it activates. If it does, it won’t make much difference which of us is in command up here.”
“You just want your own ship again,” Zark scoffed, a defense mechanism the Commander had grown to recognize emerged only when the Jedi had lost an argument.
“There’s also that,” Mazik said, grinning, and relishing the look of horrified surprise on his Captain’s face when the man realized the Duros was even capable of such an expression.
“Very well, I trust you Mazik,” Zark finally answered, staring the Commander in the eyes so he would know his words were not empty, before raising his voice so it could be heard across the bridge, “Commander, you have the con. Have my shuttle prepped and waiting for me with a squad of the best this ship has to offer. Arix, you’re with me.”
Surprised faces glanced at each other throughout the bridge, all save the cyborg third officer who fell into step behind Captain Pulsar as he headed for the turbolifts. Not for the last time, Zark felt ashamed. A part of him wanted to stay for a few more moments, to give a speech, to explain that he wasn’t running. But if he was going to trust Mazik to establish his own command discipline, it needed to start now.
“Hyperspace reversion in one minute, Commander.”
“Give me shipwide comms,” Mazik grunted as soon as the two Jedi were out of sight. As soon as his communications officer gave him the signal, he began, “This is the XO. By now some of you may already be aware that I have assumed command of the Rebel’s Hope, effective immediately. Captain Pulsar, along with our third officer and a team of our best trained men, will be joining the planetary assault with the ultimate objective of boarding, disabling and, if necessary, destroying that station.
I am certain that many of you by now have heard the rumors, and while I urge you to remain focused on the duties before you, understand that with the Captain travels all our hopes for final victory in this battle. We must do all that we can to afford him and others the time they need to complete their mission. May the Force be with them, and with us all, Stazi out.”
Nervous, muted applause broke out briefly on the bridge, and was quickly quieted with a renewed scowl from their new commanding officer. The Duros counted down the final seconds to hyperspace reversion in silence, steeling himself for what would likely be the ultimate test of his ability to lead under pressure. Time to prove everyone else wrong, everyone but Zark.
They dropped from hyperspace, and prepared though he had been by estimates command had made of their own forces, the sheer awe of such a vast array of radiant and terrible weaponry arrayed before them took Mazik’s breath away. The darkly comedic part of his brain mused that they better make him an Admiral if he got his men through this.
“Incoming message, Commander, fleet wide.”
“Let’s hear it,” he ordered, and as Ayden Cater’s voice filled the bridge he swelled with pride, commanding that the speech be relayed throughout the carrier. With Cater’s final call of action stations, the Commander knew it was time to get to work.
“You heard the man, form up with the rest of the 5th,” his voice boomed but he did not bellow, decades of elocution perfecting his tone, “Launch fighters, shields up! Helm, take us in at half impulse, and keep comm lines open with the Light of Ashla, I don’t want any delay in receiving new orders from Admiral Teros.”
“Aye, sir!”
Bridge, Indomitable-class Star Defender Light of Ashla
Unknown Region, Site Designation OMEGA
“All vessels, checking in Admiral.”
The Draethos, ancient by human standards at five hundred years old, stalked up and down the command deck restlessly. Eyes closed, breathing relaxed and exaggerated, Teros held no fear for his own death or doubt in the Alliance’s ability to prevail. The silent and fervent prayers he made to the Force were for the souls of the sentients on all sides who would not live to see the end of the day.
It gave him no pleasure to do this. His thoughts echoed through the minds of his bridge crew.
'Begin.'
Allies: [member="Ayden Cater"], [member="Astarii Saren"], [member="Aerion Ivelisse"], [member="Knight"], [member="Reshmar"], [member="Gir Quee"]
Bridge, Unyielding-class Command Cruiser Rebel’s Hope
Unknown Region, Inbound to Site Designation OMEGA
“Go,” Mazik said, drawing his Captain from his reverie and eliciting a surprised expression from the human’s face, “I don’t need to be a Jedi to know what you are thinking. You’re right, you can do more down there than you can up here.”
“Your confidence in my command capabilities is overwhelming,” Zark replied finally, unsure of what else to say and so content to fall back on sarcasm.
“You know that isn’t what I meant,” Stazi growled, the uncharacteristic act of understanding quickly giving way to his usual rage, “Alliance science divisions aren’t sure what exactly that thing is out here, but they knew enough to throw just about every ship they could muster on short notice at these Sith to stop it before it activates. If it does, it won’t make much difference which of us is in command up here.”
“You just want your own ship again,” Zark scoffed, a defense mechanism the Commander had grown to recognize emerged only when the Jedi had lost an argument.
“There’s also that,” Mazik said, grinning, and relishing the look of horrified surprise on his Captain’s face when the man realized the Duros was even capable of such an expression.
“Very well, I trust you Mazik,” Zark finally answered, staring the Commander in the eyes so he would know his words were not empty, before raising his voice so it could be heard across the bridge, “Commander, you have the con. Have my shuttle prepped and waiting for me with a squad of the best this ship has to offer. Arix, you’re with me.”
Surprised faces glanced at each other throughout the bridge, all save the cyborg third officer who fell into step behind Captain Pulsar as he headed for the turbolifts. Not for the last time, Zark felt ashamed. A part of him wanted to stay for a few more moments, to give a speech, to explain that he wasn’t running. But if he was going to trust Mazik to establish his own command discipline, it needed to start now.
“Hyperspace reversion in one minute, Commander.”
“Give me shipwide comms,” Mazik grunted as soon as the two Jedi were out of sight. As soon as his communications officer gave him the signal, he began, “This is the XO. By now some of you may already be aware that I have assumed command of the Rebel’s Hope, effective immediately. Captain Pulsar, along with our third officer and a team of our best trained men, will be joining the planetary assault with the ultimate objective of boarding, disabling and, if necessary, destroying that station.
I am certain that many of you by now have heard the rumors, and while I urge you to remain focused on the duties before you, understand that with the Captain travels all our hopes for final victory in this battle. We must do all that we can to afford him and others the time they need to complete their mission. May the Force be with them, and with us all, Stazi out.”
Nervous, muted applause broke out briefly on the bridge, and was quickly quieted with a renewed scowl from their new commanding officer. The Duros counted down the final seconds to hyperspace reversion in silence, steeling himself for what would likely be the ultimate test of his ability to lead under pressure. Time to prove everyone else wrong, everyone but Zark.
They dropped from hyperspace, and prepared though he had been by estimates command had made of their own forces, the sheer awe of such a vast array of radiant and terrible weaponry arrayed before them took Mazik’s breath away. The darkly comedic part of his brain mused that they better make him an Admiral if he got his men through this.
“Incoming message, Commander, fleet wide.”
“Let’s hear it,” he ordered, and as Ayden Cater’s voice filled the bridge he swelled with pride, commanding that the speech be relayed throughout the carrier. With Cater’s final call of action stations, the Commander knew it was time to get to work.
“You heard the man, form up with the rest of the 5th,” his voice boomed but he did not bellow, decades of elocution perfecting his tone, “Launch fighters, shields up! Helm, take us in at half impulse, and keep comm lines open with the Light of Ashla, I don’t want any delay in receiving new orders from Admiral Teros.”
“Aye, sir!”
Bridge, Indomitable-class Star Defender Light of Ashla
Unknown Region, Site Designation OMEGA
“All vessels, checking in Admiral.”
The Draethos, ancient by human standards at five hundred years old, stalked up and down the command deck restlessly. Eyes closed, breathing relaxed and exaggerated, Teros held no fear for his own death or doubt in the Alliance’s ability to prevail. The silent and fervent prayers he made to the Force were for the souls of the sentients on all sides who would not live to see the end of the day.
It gave him no pleasure to do this. His thoughts echoed through the minds of his bridge crew.
'Begin.'
1x Indomitable-class Star Defender - Light of Ashla | 10.01 → 10.02
1,700 Hull / 1,700 Shield
Armament: 17
Defense: 17
Target: 01.10 Dark Blade Class Dreadnought
Speed: 2 Hexes
Maneuverability: One Turn
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
24 Inimica-class Heavy Gunships (2 Squadrons)
12 M47 Dropships
10 CXR-75 Heavy Dropships
2x Noble-class Star Defenders | 10.01 → 09.03
1,000 Hull / 1,000 Shield
Armament: 20
Defense: 18
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser, 01.10 Dark Blade Class Dreadnought
Speed: 4 Hexes
Maneuverability: Three Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 M47 Dropships
2x Nonnah-class Assault Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
900 Hull / 900 Shield
Armament: 17
Defense: 16
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser, 02.10 Wyyrlok Class Star Destroyer
Speed: 3 Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
8 M47 Dropships
6 CXR-75 Dropships
1x Sentinel-class Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 5
Defense: 8
Target: N/A
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Four Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
12 B/E-3 B-Wing Multi-role starfighters
8 M47 Dropships
1x Unyielding-class Command Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 15
Defense: 10
Target: 02.10 Wyyrlok Class Star Destroyer
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
24 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
8 M47 Dropships
2x Horn-class Escort Cruisers | 10.01 → 10.04
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 15
Defense: 14
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Four Turns
12 RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptors [MKII Variant]
6 M47 Dropships
4x Shield-class Cruisers | 2x 10.01 → 10.04 | 2x 10.01 → 09.04
450 Hull / 450 Shield
Armament: 0
Defense: 20
Target: N/A
Speed: Four Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
2 M47 Dropships
4x OS-B1 Avengers | Attached to Horn Escorts (2 Per Escort)
50 Hull / 50 Shield
Armament: 20
Defense: 16
Target: N/A
1,700 Hull / 1,700 Shield
Armament: 17
Defense: 17
Target: 01.10 Dark Blade Class Dreadnought
Speed: 2 Hexes
Maneuverability: One Turn
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
24 Inimica-class Heavy Gunships (2 Squadrons)
12 M47 Dropships
10 CXR-75 Heavy Dropships
2x Noble-class Star Defenders | 10.01 → 09.03
1,000 Hull / 1,000 Shield
Armament: 20
Defense: 18
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser, 01.10 Dark Blade Class Dreadnought
Speed: 4 Hexes
Maneuverability: Three Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 M47 Dropships
2x Nonnah-class Assault Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
900 Hull / 900 Shield
Armament: 17
Defense: 16
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser, 02.10 Wyyrlok Class Star Destroyer
Speed: 3 Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
8 M47 Dropships
6 CXR-75 Dropships
1x Sentinel-class Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 5
Defense: 8
Target: N/A
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Four Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
12 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
12 B/E-3 B-Wing Multi-role starfighters
8 M47 Dropships
1x Unyielding-class Command Cruiser | 10.01 → 10.03
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 15
Defense: 10
Target: 02.10 Wyyrlok Class Star Destroyer
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
Attack Craft: Deployed, Holding Position
24 T-70 X-Wing Starfighters
8 M47 Dropships
2x Horn-class Escort Cruisers | 10.01 → 10.04
500 Hull / 500 Shield
Armament: 15
Defense: 14
Target: 01.10 Invidia Class Cannon Cruiser
Speed: Six Hexes
Maneuverability: Four Turns
12 RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptors [MKII Variant]
6 M47 Dropships
4x Shield-class Cruisers | 2x 10.01 → 10.04 | 2x 10.01 → 09.04
450 Hull / 450 Shield
Armament: 0
Defense: 20
Target: N/A
Speed: Four Hexes
Maneuverability: Two Turns
2 M47 Dropships
4x OS-B1 Avengers | Attached to Horn Escorts (2 Per Escort)
50 Hull / 50 Shield
Armament: 20
Defense: 16
Target: N/A
