Skirmish Dressel Dancefloor | COV vs JUN

[Briana Sal-Soren]

“The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. It is what gives a Jedi their power, and it is in the pursuit of maintaining that balance, a Jedi fights.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi​

After the rise of the Mandalorian Empire, it was believed that the crusades of Vreegan Fett and his ilk had at last come to an end, and the Galaxy breathed a sigh of relief. Ryloth, on its surface, appeared to prove otherwise. With reports from High Republic intelligence unclear on the Mandalorian’s motives for their appearance on the Twi’leks homeworld, and the devastation that followed, it was easy to assume the worst.

Following their departure, an encrypted message from the Jedi Council was promptly forwarded across the secure channels of the Jedi Underground Network. The message was clear: what transpired on Ryloth could not be ignored, nor dismissed.

With the rise of new Sith forces, and this rekindled display of Mandalorian aggression, multiple fracture lines were opening in the Force. Left alone, those fractures would continue to widen, feeding one another, and compounding into potential instability within the broader galactic communities.

The Underground mobilized.

Publicly, brave Jedi deployed to follow after this band of Mandalorians, using established listening posts and relays leading them to Dressel, hoping to uncover the truth of all that transpired, seeking answers for a people left reeling in the wake of what seemed a blatant disregard for life.

In the shadows, the Underground Network begins to move…

Negotiations/Ground Combat
A small envoy of Jedi have been dispatched to Dressel after successfully tracking them to the planet, sent under the guise of opening up formal talks with Mandalorian leadership. Their stated purpose is simple, seek clarity for what happened on Ryloth and try to determine if the violence that unfolded signals a renewal to their crusading ways, or if this was an isolated incident of aggression, and why.

Espionage / Boarding / Combat
While Jedi envoys engage Mandalorian leadership in formal talks on Dressel’s surface, a contingent of Jedi and militia auxiliaries are dispatched to intercept and board select Mandalorian vessels positioned in low orbit to try and secure tactical logs, sensor records, and any other encrypted communications that might be tied to what happened on Ryloth and provide insight into future movements.

BYOO
As negotiations unfold, and covert operations press forward, Jedi, militia auxiliaries, and independent actors within the Underground are authorized to pursue mission-aligned objectives. These may include the protection of civilians, intercepting hostiles trying to disrupt talks or sabotage boarding operations, setting up a new listening post for future activities, etc.​

 

[Brent Warnel]

FOUNDLINGS
Unknown Village | Dressel
TAG: Connel Vanagor
Gear in Bio

"Rrraaaaughhhnn-ghrrr wrooaaarr raaahh?" Wyyr'kull asked.

"Because while our new friends deal with whatever they need to deal with on their fleets and on the ground, you and I will look for foundlings."

"Graaaahhrrr-rrrghhh wraaaanh uuurrrghh."

"Hardly. We're still a small clan; we need more. Therefore, I will take more."

Wyyr'kull breathed out a sigh before falling into step behind Brent. He was annoyed; he felt there were already too many foundlings in Clan Warnel. Too many young ones and not enough veterans to teach them. Brent...somewhat agreed, but his Clan needed to grow. The ebb and flow of the galaxy made mince of the Mandalorian people, and he wanted Clan Warnel never to fade again.

"It's 5 klicks from here, a small village," Brent said as the topographical overlay streamed into his HUD. "We'll see if they will go willingly, and if not, well, I brought some credits."

"Rrrraaaahhhnn-ghrooorr wrrraaaaghh uunnnrrgh!"

"That's not fair. You were dying in a battle brought to us by the Jedi who hid among the forests of your world. It was not my peoples weapons that burnt your flesh. It was theirs. Besides, I'm really not in the kidnapping mood, ya know," Brent bit back, "That's not my forte. But there's always street rats and orphans in the galaxy in need of a good home."

Ships streamed overhead, some Mandalorian, others of a sleeker and more nimble design.

"Interesting," Brent stated, "If I didn't know any better, I would think those were Jedi craft. I wasn't under the impression we had any with us. Monitor comms, Wyyr'kull, my Manda senses are tingling."

Wyyr'kull rolled his eyes with a grunt but did what he was told. Brent had an exceptionally acute sense of danger after his most recent...rebirth, and Wyyr'kull knew it.

The pair continued to walk toward the village Brent had picked out. A low socio-economic zone with several thousand inhabitants, ripe for the picking for new foundlings, or so he hoped.
​

 

[Rel Ahn-Dross]

Dressel Dancefloor

The Void Hammer came out of hyperspace at range flanked by three smaller Frigate-Class Destroyers.

It held at range, beyond the normal scope of regular turbolaser and ion canon fire along with its cohort.

News that Mandalorians were bound for Dressel had reached further than the Jedi Council and the Underground Network. These ships were registered to the Black Sun Syndicate which had established a controlling criminal enterprise across the Mid Rim that stretched all the way to the Unknown Regions. Without explanation the Syndicate had folded back in on itself, its criminal presence still felt if not seen freeing the region from the control of an underworld government.

The Ships hung in space, their ion engines on a low and slow burn. Their purpose was difficult to presume at this point. By all accounts this could be a small marauder fleet but it transmitted an old Mandalorian identification code on a lowband frequency.

On the bridge of the Void Hammer amidst the flicker of holoscreens and the sounds of a bridge crew that was working efficiently a large frame rested in a chair reserved for the captaincy.

Looking through a holoscreen towards one of the helmsmen a deep voice, resonating outwards would have called...

"Maintain distance, outside of their weapons range."

...when an affirmative was given he would turn his head state...

"Continue to transmit. Let them know we're not a threat."

...at least not yet, Rel had his misgivings but he had no desire to fire on vessels belonging to the Mando'ade whether they be associated with the Covenant or the Empire. Any reservations he had only stretched so far though.

For now long range sensors scanned spacecraft that were in Dressel's orbit or the vicinity of the planet. Refueling or so it appeared. A lack of a moon meant that vessels couldn't hide behind the terrestrial body and use it for cover to hide themselves. Everything should have been right out in the open, easy to identify be the vessels of opposition count themselves as Military or Civilian.

Tags: OPEN

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Dressel
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Ally: Kito
Opposition: Siv Dragr

"Hopefully these discussions go smoother than they did during the planned discussions on Moorja." Lily stated, she was not sure that these Mandalorians would be as willing to discuss the situation on Ryloth and how to avoid escalating conflicts. The Battlemaster remembered how warmongering the Mandalorians had been before when they were part of the enclave. The only hope was that they could intervene early enough and ensure that things were squashed before it could get out of control.

Looking over to Kito, her Padawan, Lily wanted to make sure that they were approaching this mission with the right mindset. Hoping that discussions could go smoothly, but anticipating conflict. "My master, Briana Sal-Soren will be leading these discussions, it will be a good time to observe how talks like this can go. We hope this will be boring, but be prepared for any escalations from the Mandalorians. They can be a volatile group." Lily mentioned to Kito, giving a small briefing to her Padawan before they arrived at the meeting. She figured it would help to know what Kito needed to be prepare for and what could be expected from the opposition during this mission.

"This isn't a group of Mandalorians connected to the Empire that the High Republic has a treaty with as well, they see things differently and follow their creed in a very different way. Important to note since that means we need to approach them different to how one would approach the Mandalorians under Aether's rule." Lily instructed. It was part of her experience talking but also the Echani training. Understanding the enemy and how they thought, it provided with more clarity in how they will act and react to the way the Jedi approached this meeting. It also meant that they could find ways to achieve victory in more clear ways.

Arriving at the meeting, Lily breathed in deeply as she looked around for where her Master would be. It had been a while since Lily had spent time with Briana, the Jedi Knight was keen to see her once again and introduce Kito to Briana. So much had progressed since Briana left her position as Grand Master of the Jedi Order, but at the same time, Lily was keen to demonstrate that she was still continuing the work and mindset of the Jedi that Briana had distilled into her. That legacy was going to continue forward and only get stronger.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Truth Be Told
Dressel
Over and Unknown Village

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • Throwing Lightknives
  • Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

The rest of the team were dealing with Mandalorians in another sector, but the Force was pulling him here. This village. Why? Only time will tell as the loading ramp opened and he stepped out, waiting for the green light. The village seemed eerily quiet, its stillness broken only by faint whispers of the wind. He sensed an underlying tension, as if the Force itself was unsettled here. His instincts urged caution, but he pressed forward, determined to uncover the reason for this mysterious pull.

With the green light. It was time to drop.

Once on the ground and stowing his HALO gear, Connel secured the area and started to move. The populace seemed to be frightened. Was it because of him, or the reason he was here?

TAGS • ARE • Brent Warnel
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Reggie Rau]

GALAAR
PLANETSIDE | DRESSEL
ALLIES: COV
ENEMIES: JUN
ENGAGING: Briana Sal-Soren
GEAR: In bio

RAZOR​

"Got any tihaar, mate?"

Reggie was leaning on the bar and sliding some credits as she spoke to the barman.
"Yeah comin up. Just take any fights it causes outside, got it?" he said.
"If someone else doesn't cause shit, you won't get it from me. Won't be here long. Just refueling." she said.
He gave her armour a look over, cocking a disbelieving eyebrow before sliding her a glass of the requested drink.

Reggie gave a deadpan look back before taking her glass and taking a seat in the corner, her helmet resting next to her elbow. She watched the rest of the room while she sipped her drink. Most seemed to be farmers with a few merchant-types that just stopped over on the planet like the Iron Covenant had.

Then a beacon flashed red on her vambrace, signaling an incoming comms. She pulled her helmet back in place.
<Repeat, Saxon?> she replied.
<Alor Rau, I said we just got hailed by some folk wanting to talk. They just passed and are landing on as we speak. Something don't feel right and I couldn't get hold of Alor Saxon or Alor'ad Celt.> replied Jotun from the Clan she had been pseudo part of.
<Noted. We'll be ready down here. Reggie out.> Reggie said before switching to Covenant-wide comms. She knew many were planetside to stretch legs while the ships got refueled.

<ATTENTION ALL COVENANT. WE GETTING COMPANY. STAY VIGILANT.>

The last remaining Rau got to her feet while her drink was still half, Kranak's weapons suddenly feeling heavy on her belt and back while her pistols were a grounding presence.

She knew there were few things that rivaled a Mandalorian's instinct. If Jotun had a bad feeling, she'd pay attention to it. They were still recovering from the mess on Ryloth, but she'd be damned if they were caught off-guard. They'd be ready for anything.

As she stepped outside into the street, she tried hailing Celt Saxon to no avail. It was odd, but Reggie was certain that her sister would be fine against whatever was going on. Neither of them were youngins anymore, but hardened warriors.

Reggie had just started walking back towards the starport when she caught sight of a group of people coming out of it together, looking as if they were looking for someone. She had no idea why, but the hair on her arms stood on end suddenly. She felt as vulnerable as she had on Thyrsus.

But her visor remained impassive and cold as her red armour stepped up to the group.

"I understand you are looking for us?" she asked the closest woman who seemed to be at the head of them.

And trusted that her Vode would be catching up momentarily. ​

 

[Sahan Dragr]

Spoiler: Equipment

Vambraces
Tusurki'aa Ta'hye Beskad
O'dteyase Saranuhlr
M.I. Model 6 hybrid pistol
M.I. Model 12 shatter rifle
M.I. 'Pulsar' jetpack
KestrisaurHide Utility Belt and Duster
Rulariyi Mandalorian Sunglasses

Sahan walked around outside the bar with a golden bottle of Flameout he had just purchased. It was supposed to be strong, and the golden bottle had caught his attention. He opened it and carefully added a black and purple powder to the drink. He swirled it and took a drink. "Not bad. Not bad at all." Certainly better tasting than that "degreaser" Yuri Maji had given him but also significantly more expensive.

He scratched his head as he walked along. His scalp had started itching. Probably a sign his hair was starting to grow back. Finally. And to distract himself from the discomfort, he was pouring over various schematics he was working on, including his armor that was still in major need of repair. He had them pulled up on the HUD of his sunglasses, which made him mostly oblivious to the ongoings around him. He only kept up enough awareness not to bump into anyone or anything.

"Things would go a lot faster with Arty back up," he sighed to himself. He had so much to do and could not be in more than one place at a time. He had to admit he was slightly envious of his brother's ability to do just that. And Jericho had his own talents and preferences, so Sahan was not about to rope him into his own projects. No, he'd simply have to do what he could when he could.

<ATTENTION ALL COVENANT. WE GETTING COMPANY. STAY VIGILANT.>

The comm caught Sahan by surprise, lost in thought as he was. He lost his grip on his bottle. Thankfully, he was able to catch it, perfectly balanced on his foot. "Close one." A passing Dresselian clapped at the feat. Sahan couldn't help but laugh.

He wondered what kind of company Reggie was talking about. He wasn't really in the mood to deal with any hassles at the moment, due to his itchy scalp, but maybe it'd provide a distraction from it.

He took another swig of the spiced Flameout.

TAGS: OPEN
Jared Starchaser​

 

[Sindel Krymer]

S I N D E L . K R Y M A R

| Location | Dressel, Planetside​

| Objective | Unknown​

There was a soft hiss as the conscripted Firrereon placed the helmet over his head, his features now obscured under the imposing visage of the Mandalorian's trademarked T-visor. A series of lights on his chest mount lit in sequence as a stream of data began to flow over his HUD. All systems were green and in optimal condition. The armor itself wasn't quite to his specifications or liking personally, but for the time being, it would be sufficient. He would have the time to make the needed modifications for his work and role to be optimized. ​

​

Much of the Mandalorians' practices and ethics were still foreign to him, but he had grasped the gist of it all since his rescue and summary conscription into their ranks. Was it simple and barbaric to him? Yes. But the former could be rectified and the latter aligned with his practices either way, so neither posed a conflict of interest to him. His pursuit of knowledge and experimentation was now freely hidden beneath the guise of Mandalorian barbarism. No more pesky rules or laws to restrain him or hold him back, so long as it was all done 'for the sake of the Mandalorians'.​

​

His head tilted to the side as a communication came through in his helmet, a global message meant for all of the Iron Covenant present on Dressel, no doubt a response to the Covenant's actions and mobilization. Sindel reached down as he plucked a small red cartridge up between his index and thumb, raising it up to eye level as he inspected it for a moment before shifting his wrist slightly. A small section of the vambrace he wore opened up as he slid the cartridge in before his hand pushed the plate over the opening. He next reached over and grabbed a blaster pistol loaded with standard tibanna and inspected it before holstering it at his hip. ​

​

It was time to see what all the fuss was about. ​

Elayne Mann

​

 

[Zhea Nox]

ECLIPSE
PLANETSIDE | DRESSEL
ALLIES: Toby Perris | JUN
ENEMIES: COV
ENGAGING: Kamon Hourn

BUSHIDO​

It was still strange to be in this kind of situation without Simon Meinrad constantly by her side.

It had taken A LOT of convincing to get him to let her be a proper Master to her Padawan and show him how an actual negotiation can go and that she didn't need a militant ex-Imperial to botch the situation with just his presence. It did help that Hobbs backed her up and having him vouch that she could hold her own against the Mandalorians.

So she had told Toby to pack light and they loaded up into the inconspicuous freighter.

It had taken her a little bit to get into the habit again of having a Padawan but once she found her rhythm but once she found it, she was like a tigress whenever Simon complained about her being busy all the time - seeing as it was indeed his fault that she had lost her previous padawan. Yes, she had played that card against him - that he owed her.

Yet, somehow, Toby managed to win over the stalwart ex-Imperial.

Once she had that rhythm, she really leaned into homing the young Perris' skills that head so far. His saber-work greatly improved, especially after Simon got involved with his saber training, as did his mental and telekinetic skills. Where once the barrier could barely repel a fly, he could now repel the particle bolts that she had told Hobbs and the boys to send toward him. She was so glad that she had gotten a padawan that really wanted to learn and enhance his skills.

Now they were both on the freighter that descended toward the surface of Dressel after Briana Sal-Soren managed to get information of where the Mandalorians would be. Zhea was well aware the likelihood of negotiations actually happening was slim, yet she had experienced both sides of how the Mandalorians could be. Jos Krayt had been pleasant where she had also been on the receiving end of a Mandalorian's ire when she had faced Droz Munin and his comrades on Naboo.

She looked up at Toby - still baffled that such a youngin could be so tall.
"We always try the peaceful way first," she started. "But we have no idea what we're actually going to be dealing with in this group. It can go bad at any second, so stay behind me when it does. And really concentrate on keeping up your barrier when you raise it. I don't need to tell you that Mandalorians use mostly slugs and particle weapons and even disruptors, none of which can be deflected with a saber. Oh, and find a way to incapacitate the jetpack of the Mandalorian you face. Once you have them on the ground, it's slightly easier." She had tried to prepare him as much as possible in the little time that he had been under tutelage. She could only hope that things didn't blow out of proportion that would force him into a situation that he was only slightly ready for.

Eventually they stepped off the ship and through the port where a Mandalorian and her comrades faced them, clearly wary.

But perhaps she could appeal to one of them as her eyes found one with black armour that she sensed that seemed different from the rest.

Maybe there was hope.

 

[Yael Kandar]

DRESSEL DANCEFLOOR
A Brave New World - Chapter 1

GEAR: in bio
TAG: Ceri Fraissi | Rik Perris

PSYCHO KILLER​

DRESSEL

It was still awkward, sharing meals, tales, and especially bunk, with fellow Mandalorians after her two years of self-imposed exile. She had been used to be the only Mandalorian in the room; proud, cold, distant, hiding a world of guilt and shame behind a mint dark-blue Beskar’gam.

She had been spending too much time around her own kin in the Ka’rta Kelborn, so when they finally touched down in Dressel to refuel, Yael decided not to sit with the others.

She was a lone dark-blue shadow perched atop a stack of weathered cargo crates, her silhouette broken by the edges of the industrial equipment. She wished that it’s been a month since Kestri, so she could approach Gailen Keldau to talk, or better yet, he can come and woo her out of her pathetic loneliness like he always used to do, but it hasn’t been that long, and for once she decides to respect his wishes.

She obeserved the perimeter, gaze sweeping over the Iron Covenant's tired ranks; warriors she had fought beside on Ryloth; now caught in the vulnerable lull of a pit stop. For once ever since she returned to Kestri, she got to relax. They all got to relax for just a bit. But it seems like Manda still hasn’t returned to her side completely.

<ATTENTION ALL COVENANT. WE GETTING COMPANY. STAY VIGILANT.>

<Copy that, Reg,> she replied, her voice steady and devoid of Dressel’s humidity's lethargy. <Perimeter is soft, but I'm pushing out to the treeline. If anything tries to interrupt this refueling, I’ll intercept from the flank.>

She slid her helmet on, the HUD flickering to life and bathing her vision in a tactical amber glow. The pale blonde hair was tucked away, replaced by the cold, unblinking visor of a renowned Mandalorian duelist. She felt the familiar pull of the hunt, but this time, it wasn't just about the kill. It was about standing her ground for the people she had once abandoned.

As she stepped past the last of the floodlights and into the green gloom of the treeline, her HUD shifted to thermal. The world turned into a map of cold blues and flickering oranges. She felt the weight of her Scattergun, the familiar balance of it, and for the first time in a while, fighting for her own people feels like the only thing that made sense.​

 

[Sera Rosh]

SPARROW
ORBIT |DRESSEL
ALLIES: JUN
ENEMIES: COV
ENGAGING: Celt Saxon
GEAR: In bio

WORLD ON FIRE​

She never felt like she fit properly within the Order.

She always felt like she needed to move - to reach more people to help. She had no idea how Rik Perris managed to sort of stay put. So when the High Council had quietly issued the creation of an Underground Network - to reach those that the Order couldn't and to deal with situations that the Order couldn't officially be seen doing, Sera jumped at the chance.

The Sparrow could fly again.

When news reached them of what happened on Ryloth, she made sure to mobilise as well to find out what happened - or to make the Mandalorians answer for it. They couldn't let more worlds get ravaged by yet another player of violence.

Due to her ability to fly under the radar and because she had Dobby, Sera was one of the few tasked to get what information they could from Mandalorian vessels while the rest kept them busy planetside. So while the main body headed with Briana, Sera suited up to head out into the void and quietly board one of the ships that was currently being refueled. Two small entities would be a lot less noticeable approaching than a shuttle.
"Just stay close, Dobs, and let me know if we get noticed." she told the astromech before they would pop the last door to head out into the void.
He chirped an affirmative at her before opening his repulsor slots to be able to propel himself through the void as well next to her.

With that, they both headed out.

The EVA boots luckily now came with repulsors of their own to make traversing Zero-G a bit easier. The duo moved slowly through the black towards a ship that seemed important judging from the red and gold colours on its hull.

When they landed on the gundeck, Dobby rolled toward one of the access hatches next to one of the turbolaser turrets. His scomp-link popped open and he jimmied the controls a bit to have the hatch pop open. Sera gave him a thumbs up before drifting inside. He waited for her and then hopped in too and once inside, he jimmied the controls again to have the hatch shut again.

Sera was already getting out of the suit when he joined her.
"Good job, buddy." she whispered as she stuffed the suit behind a pipe to have it out of sight. "Ok, get me a layout of this place."
Dobby stuck his scomp link into the control panel again and turned it a few times. After a minute, he withdrew and turned back toward Sera, firing up his holo-projector to give her a 3D visual.
"So we can get what we need from the Core Data Bank, the CIC or the bridge, is that right?" she asked him quietly.
He softly chirped an affirmative again.
"Allright, let's head for the Core Data Bank first." she said.

With that, they both quietly headed in that direction.​

 

[Siv Dragr]

G U N S L I N G E R
Dressel
​

Engaging: Lily Decoria | Kito
Nearby: Reggie Rau | Yael Kandar | Sahan Dragr | Sindel Krymer | Zhea Nox | Toby Perris | Kamon Hourn | + More

Siv moved quietly across the dusty rooftops of Dressel's starport. He was well-accustomed to making himself unseen or at least unnoticed -- and yes, there was a difference -- and the Ninyr'kad were exactly that. The unseen arm of the Iron Covenant, dedicated to intelligence and covert operations, had been a natural choice for Siv to join after being integrated into the Iron Covenant.

Whatever losses that had been mitigated by the brave actions of the vod did not negate the fact that operationally, Ryloth was a disaster for the Iron Covenant. Their objective had been an utter failure, and their actions most definitely had put them on the radar of larger galactic powers. Needless to say, the Ninyr'kad were suddenly very invested in all HoloNet traffic on Mandalorians and Ryloth. That's how they'd gotten the tip off of the Jedi intervention. That's why Siv was on Dressel of all planets. Hed arrived because the Jedi had.

He crouched low as the noise of boots rolling against duracretes echoed up from the streets below. The Mandalorians were coming up towards the edge of the starport. Siv nestled into a secure place behind a ventilation stack, free to observe without being observed, and toggled the macrobinocular zoom of his helmet's HUD to get a better view of the confrontation.

Siv remembered very well the last time Mandalorians and Jedi had gotten tangled this far in the Outer Rim. After all, he'd been their primary target.