Skirmish Dressel Dancefloor | COV vs JUN

[Sera Rosh]

+ UNDERGROUND PAGECLAIM +​

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

WORLD ON FIRE​

Dobby chirped softly at her.

"Oh goodness." Sera whispered as she slapped her palm against her forehead. "Why didn't you remind me earlier about the cameras?" How could she be so daft? You could see it's been a while since she last did something like this. Lord Creuat would have had her do so much exercise without help of the Force, that it was crazy. Or he would have if he was still the good Master she remembered instead of what he had become. Now, he'd just slaughter her, no doubt, for her stupidity.

"Can you find a terminal to divert them, Bud?" she asked him quietly.
He chirped out a quiet affirmative as he rolled ahead. They ducked around another corner and found another terminal where he could plug in to win them some time.

But as Dobby inserted his scomp into the slot, the little droid lit up suddenly as a crackling sound could be heard.
"No!" Sera cried, lunging toward him, summoning the Force to shield her from the current as she yanked him back out of the socket.
Her heart was pounding, the mission clear out of her mind as she looked over her little friend. Smoke rose from between his panels and his lights were dead. "No no, Dobby, please." she cried, tears welling in her eyes. She wasn't in the place where she could get him to repairs and she had nothing with her to jimmy him. Yet, she couldn't just leave her lifelong friend.

Perhaps she could find some tools in this large ship.

If everyone on it wasn't already rushing towards her cries to end her.

But before she could start dragging him towards a secluded spot, the hair on her neck rose suddenly and she instinctively intensified her barrier before turning.

And sure enough, bolts slammed into her barrier.

At the end of the hallway stood an armoured Mandalorian - female judging by the figure of it. Sera's eyes flashed as she summoned her saber into her hand and one of the green blades ignited.
"I suggest you let me pass, Mando'ad. I just want to get my droid out of here now and I don't want to hurt you." she snapped. Clearly the plan of repairing Dobby here wouldn't work anymore with this person's presence.

She needed to win time to come up with a new one.

"Oh, before I go, can you tell me what happened on Ryloth as I won't be getting that information now?"

Keep thinking of that escape, Sera.​

 

[Kamon Hourn]

---

​

LOCATION:OBJECTIVE 1 | DRESSEL SPACEPORT
TAG:
ALLIES: Reggie Rau | Carduul Akahl
OPPS: Zhea Nox | Toby Perris | Briana Sal-Soren

​

KAMON HOURN
THEME​

Amidst it all, there was conflict within Kamon. He had foresworn his allegiance to his kin when they crossed the line of honor and started slaughtering innocents in the name of Solipsis and his followers. Kamon knew well that Ryloth was not the same situation. As hard as it may be to believe, the Mandalorians were on a diplomatic mission - their consular ship was in the form of a Ha’rangir Star Destroyer, but a diplomatic mission even so. When Kamon was debriefed, he even recalled learning that their ship’s captain went so far as to only target military targets when he gave aid to the Mandalorian skirmishers below.

It was the renegades within the city, the disillusioned and entrenched radicals who hated his people who started the fighting. They were the ones who used civilians as shields against Mandalorian weapons; they were the ones who started shooting his own people in the streets. And these Jetii had the gall to follow them and asked for answers? He sure as osik would not kneel on bended knee and apologize for beating those damned terrorists when the odds were stacked against his side in the first place.

Yet, even so - he had sworn within himself that he would not raise his blaster against the innocent again; but the question was, were the Jetii really innocent? One could make the case for those who served the Galactic Alliance, but even so - what little he knew of their order was that of warriors who fought with unnatural abilities and called it honor. It was not honorable to place blame at the feet of his people for the sins of others, yet even so... he felt a pang in his chest as the situation began to deteriorate.

His eyes rested upon two Jetii who caught his attention at the outset - the Kiffar woman, and a young man, as thin as a beanpole. They were Jetii, but they didn’t seem altogether as pretentious or judgemental as their leader did. Could he raise his blade to them, if called to do so?

That question would soon be answered, as Reggie Rau literally sprung into action.

"Does it really matter that much to you, Jedi? The way I see it, you have already made up your mind, no matter what we say happened. Yes Ryloth burns - that's what happens when a population shoots at you before you step off the shuttle - not that you would listen." she said jadedly before drawing her pistols as her jetpack started to hum against her back as it powered up. "We know how you kind operate - regardless what happened, Ryloth burns and you're here to collect the debt. So stop wasting everyone's time, Jedi, and do what you came here to do."

With that she shot into the air as both pistols rained golden bolts at the Jedi that seemed to lead the rest of them. If the woman tried to block them with a saber, she'd surely get a surprise.

The old pain Reggie had against their kind had mellowed over the years, yet it flared brightly for them to feel as she made the first move.

It was probably rash in some of her kin's eyes, but she still had a score to settle with them and here they were on a platter.

"Wait!" she cried to whoever would listen, keeping the barrier up but not yet unclipping her lightsaber. "We can sort this out! Let's just calm down!"

She had little to no personal issues with Mandalorians. She still felt a middle-ground can be found between their cultures. Yet she knew how militant they were - they hardly ever tried to stop the fire from spreading.

So she moved in front of her padawan as she held up a stopping gesture to whatever Mandalorian tried to rush them.
"I doubt either of our cultures want or can afford a war between us!" Zhea added to whoever would listen, though it was probably for naught.

So she at least summoned her staff into her hand for at least some protection.

"Get your barrier up and start moving, Toby." she mumbled at him as she braced.

His T-visor lingered a split second on the two Jetii in front of him; yet even so, his muscles sprung into action. He primed a cryoban grenade and tossed it low - allowing it to roll toward the group of Jetii just as he engaged his jetpack. He pulled two M.I Model 6 Hybrid Pistols from his holsters and began laying down a torrent of fire at the pair. His two squad mates engaged their jetpacks as well, one taking position atop a small, single story stall - launching a rocket at the group as he landed. The third landed opposite his companions, arming a thermal detonator and throwing underneath the ship the Jetii landed within.

​

 

[Chani Seable]

DUST DEVIL
ORBIT | DRESSEL
ALLIES: JUN
ENEMIES: Signy Bralor | COV
ENGAGING: Kjartan Hammer-Hand
GEAR: 2x Pistols, Vibroknife & grenades

SOLDIERS​

Chani had deployed with the rest to board the Mandalorian vessels while the rest won them time.

As she moved through the void with her EVA suit, she noticed a ship that seemed unnaturally active as some patrol fighters deployed and the large destroyer even sent a salvo towards some other ships.

Of course it did.

These alkin'i knew no other way than to be hostile to everything and everyone. After what they had done to her world, she couldn't see them any other way anymore. So she started moving to that ship. It looked important enough, after all.

Before long, she got to the ship and made her way to a hatch just above a hangar bay. Chani knew she was small enough that scanners wouldn't have picked up her movements as she slowly moved through the shields. She then jimmied the hatch open and drifted in before shutting it again. After getting out of her suit, she stuffed it out of sight before peering around the corner into the maintenance hallway to see if the coast was clear. So far it didn't seem as if anyone was planning to use the maintenance shaft, so she moved quick.

Chani still marveled at how large Star Destroyers were as she peered down through the grid into the hallway below to see if she could drop down. Given where she entered, it shouldn't be too far to the Core, but it will still take some time with how careful she would have to be on this active ship.

After checking for a minute or two longer and no movement, the Twi'lek dropped down into the hallway. She immediately moved into an alcove to avoid any surveillance picking her up. From this alcove, she pulled an EMP from her pack and activated a ten-second timer before rolling it out into the hallway. She waited until she heard it go off, hopefully killing the hallway's electronics.

Then she darted out and made a beeline for the next hallway. Someone would probably notice the dead surveillance and come to investigate. She had to move before they locked everything down.

She just needed to figure out the quickest route to the Core.​

 

[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

"Hmm... Maybe if I did this. Maybe that... No, that's stupid. Gotta go with this. Yeah, that works." Sahan muttered to himself as his eyes darted across the HUD of his sunglasses, which was how he was manipulating the images of the schematics he was seeing.

Unfortunately, since he was still very much preoccupied, he bumped into a man as he came around the corner. Sahan dismissed the schematics on his glasses and flourished his hands. He obviously made sure he didn't drop his drink first and foremost, and he also made to catch the man to keep him from falling.

"My apologies; I was not paying attention..." Faint images flashed across his mind as he touched the man, though he could not quite make out what they were. On reflex, he scanned the man's face, searching any public database. The results labelled him as Jared Starchaser . No bounties, unfortunately. "Nice armor, Jedi." He said that last word with only a slight amount of venom. "You weren't with the Alliance, were you? One of those Outer Rim Forcers. Shame what happened to that Trade League that was more than just a trade league." The Sith ruined a lot of good things in the Galaxy. Then again, so did Jedi.

"Sahan Dragr, Kestrian Forgemaster. Don't let the lack of armor fool you." Sahan grinned at Starchaser. "You one of the 'company' asking about Mandalorians?" He assumed that's what Reggie meant, that some people were looking for the Covenant or Mandalorian in general. "Now why would Jedi be looking for us? You looking for trouble?" He looked over his sunglasses, red eyes piercing Starchaser's own. "Because the Iron Covenant will happily oblige."

 

[Sindel Krymer]

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

| Location | Dressel, Planetside​

| Objective | Unknown​

The Firrereon stepped outside, the grubby lights of the shadowport reflecting off his armor, several other conscripts and veteran Mandalorian warriors meandering about. Sindel's gaze shifted left and right as he adjusted himself to the nuances of Mandalorian armor, his HUD populating with a host of information. He lifted his forearm up as he tapped a few buttons on his gauntlet, his rangefinder lowering over his visor as he looked around. The rangefinder provided a magnified view as additional information scrolled down, his gaze tracing over the horizon and then glossing over the tops of the buildings. ​

​

He was picking up an anomalous signature of some sort as the other Mandalorians around them finished getting their gear ready. The sound of blaster fire already began ringing in the distance, a ruckus that drew Sindel's attention briefly away from his scanning of the perimeter. It seemed the party had already begun with their visitors, Sindel resting a hand on the grip of the holstered blaster at his hip. ​

​

One of the veteran Mandalorians pointed at Sindel and shouted, "Oi, get into formation, di'kut." A small twitch of his eye betrayed his calm demeanor at the comment, though his emotions remained hidden behind the visor. How dare such a primitive savage speak to him in such a way? Sindel begrudgingly moved into formation towards the back of the group in silence, his gaze shifting to stare directly in the general direction from which the Jedi was silently observing them, out of sheer coincidence.​

Elayne Mann

​

 

[Kito]

//: Lily Decoria //: Briana Sal-Soren //: Elayne Mann //: Toby Parris //:
//: Siv Dragr //: Carduul Akahl //: Reggie Rau //:
//: Attire //:
//: Equipment in sig //:

Negotiations.

Kito had always been wary of them. Too often, she had watched her father when she was younger. He wanted peace; he didn't want them to keep fighting as they did. What the man forgot was that he was the leader of a clan of warriors. They were meant to fight even if it made life hard.

It was better than what happened. It was better than being underneath the heel of the Sith.

The Padawan bit her tongue as she walked beside her Master, her hand resting on the hilt of the blessed odachi. As much as her Master tried to reassure her, to explain what was happening in a sense, Kito didn't trust it. She trusted none of this.

But she would listen to her Master and at least trust the woman and her former Master.

"If we have accords with another group of Mandalorians, why didn't they come with us?" The question was genuine as she didn't understand how they could understand this group better than others like them. If anything, she felt like they were walking into a trap or even a mess that they wouldn't be able to fix.

"How do we know this will work?" Kito chewed on the inside of her lip as she let her eyes scan the room. She felt as if she was being watched, as if someone was waiting for them to make a mistake. She exhaled softly, trying to quell these emotions. Use them somewhere else besides letting them spiral her mind.

"Master," her voice showing her caution. "I believe you are too trusting of others…"

Kito had grown up fending for herself, and even when she found a home, it was soon stripped away from her.

Trusting others always came with a price.

"I hope your Master…" Kito sighed, "I hope she speaks as well as you say she does… Mandalorians — they're like Shapers… we like our ways and hate when outsiders interfere…"

As she finished, her eyes flickered towards the direction of where she sensed movement. The hunter was aware of more than just what she could see. Growing up in the wilds, she learned to trust her gut, and it was telling her there was more going on than what the eye could see.

And what her Master was letting on.

They came upon those they were looking for. Kito kept at her Master's side, her attention fluttering between the words coming from the former Grandmaster and the movement of the Mandalorians. She watched everything, took it all in, and waited.

Her fingers itched for the grip of the odachi... but she behaved...

For now.

 

[Elayne Mann]

DRESSEL DANCEFLOOR
Blade-dancer of Ashla - Chapter 1

GEAR: in bio
ALLIES IN PROXIMITY: Briana Sal-Soren | Jared Starchaser | Lily Decoria | Kito | Rik Perris | Romi Jade | Zhea Nox
ENGAGING: Sindel Krymer
OPPS IN PROXIMITY: Carduul Akahl | Kamon Hourn | Reggie Rau | Sahan Dragr | Siv Dragr

SOLDIER​

DRESSEL

The first note of the symphony was a ringing sound of a bolt of blaster, cutting through the humid air of the shadowport like a flash of lightning. It was the Mandalorians' violent response to the Underground's considerate approach, the signal that the time for diplomacy had ended and the time for the dance had begun.

Elayne didn't wait for the echo of the shot to fade, nor for the instruction from Briana Sal-Soren and Romi Jade . The blaster bolt was enough of a telltale.

From her perch on the gantry, she saw the warriors below; armored in the cold, unyielding beskar that had become a symbol of terror on Ryloth. They were scanning, their rangefinders dipping as if searching for a phantom, and for a fleeting second, one warrior’s visor locked directly onto her position. It was a moment of coincidence, a shared heartbeat of recognition, but Elayne was already moving before he could even call out the contact.

Then she leaped with the grace of a bladedancer.

Utilizing a sudden, violent surge of Force Augmentation, Elayne launched herself from the refueling tower. She was a falling star wrapped in Chandrila's linens, her body coiling into a tight, kinetic spin that defied the pull of Dressel's gravity. In the transition between the sky and the ground, the silence of the port was shattered by a familiar snap-hiss.

A blade of pure, bright cyan ignited in her hand, casting a sharp, ethereal glow against the grime of the refueling manifold.

As she neared Sindel, she kicked off a protruding pipe mid-air, redirecting her momentum into a dizzying horizontal corkscrew aimed directly at the warrior's upper plate. She sought to use the Mandalorian's own armored shoulders as her next springboard, her blade humming a low tune as it swept toward the gap in his guard.​

 

[Rik Perris]

DRESSEL | IN RELATIVE PROXIMITY TO TREELINE​

She had no idea how Rik Perris managed to sort of stay put.

He sort of found the Order tolerable, and his padawan had been part of the reason, and the Jedi there who earned his respect, and... Lossa Aureus ... and Zeri, which he hadn't been expecting. But Ceri stepped away from the Order and it'd seemed like she wasn't coming back. Then Lossa stepped away, from the High Council and the Order, to give more time to her daughter. He could respect that decision; that it had his doubts gnawing at him had nothing to do with her.

It was all him. His experiences. The timing was only a coincidence.

Ceri came back to him, in the end, around the same time as Lossa pulled back, but staying in a temple started to make him antsy, sooner or later, and that later had come and gone by the time of her return. Staying too long in one place soon enough made the former Wayseeker feel as if he were shirking his duty, but more Jedi were finding their place in the Underground Network than ever before, and it was with them that the Corellian and his student gathered. He couldn't hope to give his padawan the full foundation and training he knew she'd need by remaining in the heart of the Republic, nor was he trained that way.

Resuming training, Rik had given the young Nabooian a solid refresher on what they'd covered before, bringing her bladework in the first form and her existing telekinetics up to snuff once at for all, resuming stamina and physical enhancement work, and improving her barriers for sustained and speed-blocking, before moving on what he'd had in mind since the first period of training her.

At all of five-foot-seven and being the ball of energy she was, Ceri would be suited to the fourth form, so in the latter half of the time they had to train, Ataru became the focus. Much of the acrobatics would have to wait, though, having been made aware of the intent for Dressel as they were, but it was a good compliment to her speed, and the stamina he'd fostered for it. More telekinetics were also added to the mix, which she grasped well — pun intended — and could use to get a hold of things, and that lead easily into work on aim and control. Ceri could catch a fly, in a manner of speaking.

A really big fly.

But more than being prepared physically, he had to make sure she was ready. Rik questioned it when she returned, made sure she understood that it would continue to be a difficult path. An often unsafe one, but he would always counsel her through it until she had the resilience she would need. There couldn't be a repeat of what had happened before, or after... but the discussion from that day would resume, and soon. Then they were off, heading towards what he believed would only be more fighting.

"Mandalorians aren't known for their negotiation skills, 'less it's at the end of a blaster," he reiterated on the transit to Dressel, "There are exceptions, but keep your eyes open. If this goes bad, get behind me and remember your barriers - lightsaber's limited in its use at a distance, when your opponent relies on slugthrowers, particle weapons, disruptors, rockets, grenades..." the list really could go on, but he didn't need to. They'd been over this in more detail ahead of departure. "If they take to the air, you're faster and can bring them down to earth. Levels the playing field a bit, but don't by any means underestimate a Mando: most of 'em have trained for this from the time they could walk and understand."

Earlier than they could remember, most like. He'd started about that early, himself. He'd looked at Ceri then, still so young, knowing the kind of Jedi he intended to make of her.

"Disarm and disable if at all possible."

After they'd disembarked, Rik and Ceri, remained near the far edge of their group, getting a read on the gathered Mandalorians and feeling out any... outliers. Almost as if he could feel eyes on his back, Rik shifted his stance in response, turning just enough to eye the treeline in suspicion. Of course, as he expected, it'd taken little time and even fewer words from Briana Sal-Soren , who was heading this op, for shit to go sideways.

"Predictable," he groused under his breath as bolts, grenades, Mandalorians, and more started to fly toward the bulk of his group. His armoured form stepped in front of Ceri, without obscuring her view, and a shield bubble went up around him and Ceri as he began to step toward the darkness of the forest to weed out whoever... or whatever felt like it was boring into the two of them. Or maybe just his padawan. "Barrier, Ceri. Come on, let's move."

If these were Sith, he'd have his shotgun... but bolts of empyrean Light wouldn't do any good, here.

Ceri Fraissi • Yael Kandar
​

 

[Brent Warnel]

ENGAGED
Unknown City | DRESSEL
TAG: Connel Vanagor
GEAR: BIO

Chatter on the comms, the other Mandalorians and Jedi had engaged each other in the spaceport, and reports were filtering in of incursions within the Mandalorian's fleet as well. Some type of engagement in space was happening based on what reports filtered through the local data-net.

"Wyyr'kull, take the kids to the ship, prep for my return," Brent snapped as he listened to the engagement occurring from the Vod still in the spaceport echoing through the comms. He was not sure how many Jedi were around, how many were in the fleet, but it was enough to make them brazen.

Wyyr'kull hesitated, looking between Brent and The jedi. Before he grabbed the boy, he tossed a small device to the Jedi, a comm unit, no doubt. He then grabbed the boy and threw him over his shoulder, trotting off toward the ship with the kids in tow.

"All that talk, Jedi, and yet your kin sneak aboard our ships and engage us in the spaceport. There's no honor among your kind, just pretty words."

Brent waited no longer; he launched a Force-Breaker Grenade at the Jedi, sealing his suit before the grenade would detonate. Brent pulled out his pistols and used his jetpack to roar into the air, raining fire down on the Jedi.
​

 

[Darion of Myrkr]

BYOO
Cerys Dyn

There was a sudden stillness in the air, an unnatural quiet like the air had been sucked out of the spaceport. Darion followed the crowd's stare to an empty spot on the concourse. Fifty feet away from him, he saw a wet trail leading up to a tiny puddle where small droplets of something warm fell from nothing on the dusty concrete floor.

Rats, he thought. Why was he constantly involved in the business of rats lately? The rebels' ship raid on the Imperial shipyard first and now this - someone sneaking by with a stealth field generator belt. Not the most common gear found in the galaxy.

The rest of his kin may have had thoughts of their own, questions they wished to pose. But Darion had none. He levelled his carbine toward the empty spot and started pulling the trigger. Blaster bolts tore through the quiet, screaming toward the invisible man.

 

[Signy Bralor]

SIGNY BRALOR
HIGH ORBIT | DRESSEL
CAP for the Buurenaar'gam
TAG: Kjartan Hammer-Hand Chani Seable Rel Ahn-Dross
GEAR: MNV-52 STARFIGHTER
VISIBLY PRESENTING: Female

“<Your rotation swap was not recorded with flight command. Carry out your assigned patrol route, then report directly to me immediately.>”

Her father's voice came through loud and clear, she knew that voice, she knew he was happy to demonstrate that when it came to command structure he had no favourites and she would face discipline. "Fuck" she said to herself looking out at the incoming vessels. If it wasnt for them showing up he likely wouldnt have even noticed her absense for a few hours and her misdemeanor would have gone unnoticed, but this was a developing situation

::Confirmed Alor, my apologises for the scheduling oversight, I shall see it is not repeated. Continuing to patrol zone four and investigating contacts, patrol 1 out:: her own voice was flat and professional, mirroring his, even while her teenage mind came up with her key points for the battle when she got home, petulence over comms would incur his wrath a hundred times more than a little creative reinterpretation of the duty roster. She flipped off the comm and noted her new assignment from the air officer.

The squadron continued and she quickly detected another four squadrons of fighters launching to join her. She didn't get a lot of time to admire the wing she had slotted into when energy readings spiked and both fleets opened up on each other. Her telemetry updated with mythos fleet firing solutions and the squadrons separated to clear a path.

::Signy, take wolf squadron and Eopie squadron into their ventral sector. We have fighter advantage but keep it sharp and watch their point defensive. Confirm Wolf 1::

::Confirmed Alor'ad, Wolf and Eopie attacking from ventral sector:: the teen replied to their wing leader.

Signy pushed her ship nose down to find the belly of the enemy vessels, the other eleven fighters of the two squadrons she was heading followed suit and all of them switched to attack positions. She detected the opponents beginning to scramble fighters just as she launched a pair of heavy missiles into one of the ventral shield generator positions.
​

 

[Carduul Akahl]

Engaging (?): Romi Jade
Nearby: Briana Sal-Soren | Reggie Rau | Yael Kandar | Sahan Dragr | Sindel Krymer | Zhea Nox | Toby Perris | Kamon Hourn | Siv Dragr | Like a lot of people

There was a glimpse of one hooded figure that even beneath the hood, their features were unmistakeable. It was the same woman he had once met upon Ithor—in a conversation that was almost something meant to prove to outsiders that he was not some heartless, unthinking being hell-bent on violence. How ironic that fate brought them to meet, once again.

“What happened on Ryloth concerns us,” ... "We were under the impression that the crusades had ended,”
...
"We want to know if that's changed...If not, then help us to understand what happened, and explain why Ryloth is still burning."

“No, it doesn’t concern you.” Came a blander response. “Nor is there any Crusade. What occurred on Ryloth was invited by their own doing.”

It was true he was not exactly in a 'negotiatory' mood. He, of all people, knew of the taint that he Jedi brought to Mandalorians. Even now, when both factions may as well have been shadows of their formers selves, they sought to police them- to cage them, and seek for every little discrepancy that might give them the excuse to shove their proclaimed authority down their throats. Yet, ironically enough, he was not the one that threw the first blow of this altercation. Rather, it was those standing at his side who had opened with a volley of blaster fire and fiery bursts of jetpack-fueled movement. He was prepared to join them, but there was a nagging sense that felt amiss.

"Wait!" she cried to whoever would listen, keeping the barrier up but not yet unclipping her lightsaber. "We can sort this out! Let's just calm down!"
...
"I doubt either of our cultures want or can afford a war between us!" Zhea added to whoever would listen, though it was probably for naught.

Had the Jedi eagerly drawn weapons in turn, the decision would’ve been simple. Of all things, one of them insisted on working through things with but a shield held- as if they didn’t come here in the first place to antagonize them. His features scrunched behind the helm, hands weighing the polearm into his grip. Though, of all things he could feel, it was as if the weight was foreign at that moment. Lips pressed into a thin line from the brief moment of thought the outcried words spurred.

He had already lived through—led, even—one crusade. Whatever was the result of this, it wasn’t going to really be a ‘war’—just rats, fighting for scraps. Where was the honor in that? It was so easy to allow himself to get swept up in the blood-boiling need for conflict, to sharpen one's whole being by testing against another...yet this didn't feel as glorious as any of his conquests or skirmishes against Jedi did in his life thus far.

It was a moment of hesitation he shouldn’t have had, for it was too late to change anything. His weapon was again taken up in his hands, and levelled at the foes across from him. “If the Jedi truly wish to sort this out, then you can take this information to the new banner Ryloth chooses to sequester itself beneath: they spat in our faces by attacking us first!” His voice thundered aloud in outrage, but it may have been drowned out by the ensuing sounds of conflict.

It wasn't his story to tell. Or perhaps it was, as but one of the voices of a choir. Truthfully, Carduul wasn't sure whether this was the proper course of action. It was visible even in his movements, as his steps paced the sidelines and prepared to intercept the first aggressors to his kin.

It is inevitable after all, isn’t it? War. It was simply how the galaxy worked. Mandalorians craved conflict. Jedi often invited it knowingly in such moves as this, to both of their benefits and detriments. As more and more comm signals began to come through Mandalorian channels, as more blaster bolts echoed through the streets of Dressel from various skirmishes and scuffles emerging, it became all the more apparent that the Jedi craved such hardship as much as them.

This one moment of hesitation would be the only grace the Jedi would have. They would draw their weapons soon, he was certain of it. With a stance taken up, his jetpack began to heat up as the pointed end of the poleaxe was angled forth in a preparation of a charge as blaster bolts from his kin thundered out. “You all knew what you were doing when you came to track us down yet again; what follows is not a burden I wish to bear, while others have already spoken its fate. This is no war—merely a fool's quarrel you brought here.”

 

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Dressel | Low Orbit, The Akaan'ar
Equipment: In Bio
Engaging: Taam Moghul

Goodbye Raven​

The snap-hiss of a weapon whispered about in a thousand stories filled the corridor as The Cathar kept the blue-violet blade at the ready. Jaw slackened, Vara’s eyes widened, unbelieving.

A Jedi.

In the flesh.

She hadn’t laid two eyes on a real one until a heartbeat ago.

The woman grew up hearing the stories. And who hadn't? Acts of mercy. Impossible feats. Legends that shaped the galaxy into what they knew it as today.

And yet, she had never found herself convinced of their exploits.

Simple, exaggerated tales of entertainment for children to enjoy and occupy their minds with lessons in morality.

Nothing more.

And then, the Mando’ade had taught her the rest; lessons and experience simply put invaluable, passed on from generations.

The Jedi bled.

The Jedi fell.

The Jedi died.

They were men and women like any other. Of course, they were extraordinary. They were cut from a different cloth.

And as capable as they were, they weren’t untouchable.

And The Harpy was looking to prove it. Help this one become one with the Force. ​

"Lower your weapon and walk away."

Who in all hells did he think he was?

Vara’s response came, not with words promising pain. Her hand shifted. Gunmetal scraped sharply against leather. Freed from the holster without the expert flourish of a gunslinger, she brought her second pistol to bear in a heartbeat. A flick of the thumb, and the fire selector switch rested upon “SN”.

"Its not worth it, Mando." Taam warned in a deep, growling voice.

A chuckle rolled from her throat. Low and rough. Her locs and mane flailed at a shake of her head before resting on her shoulders again. <”Sooranir bat bic!”> Vara shifted with a snarl. In a fluid motion, a boot scraped over the durasteel floor as she slid a step back in preparation for his reprisal. Her trigger fingers curled down, the hair triggers biting her digits.

And she struck.

The corridor erupted in unmitigated chaos. The sonic rounds drowned out thought like a howling banshee in the enclosed space as red particle bolts accompanied the ear splitting crescendo. Vara’s lips peeled back to a snarl. <”Mrenetr! Tahyur cuir! Bic b a Jetii! Jetii!”> The report tore from her throat, sharp with excitement. Beneath the visor, her lips peeled back from her fangs in a feral grin.

The blaster fire threatened to drown out her words, but her message read clear enough.

Her report was processed at the bridge in moments. The crew moved quickly. A brief transmission from The Akaan’ar reached Kjartan Hammer-Hand soon after. The entire flotilla would be made aware of this attempt at subterfuge now.

And before long, the voices of her kin threaded into her attention through her helmet’s tac-net.

They were coming.

​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Truth Be Told
Dressel
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

So he thought he could just send his friend away, and get what he wants?

Typical…

In a blur of Force assisted speed, Connel thumbed the crystal in his “bodycam” Datapad and threw it into the bandolier of The Mandalorian’s Wookiee friend. He would not feel anything more than many a poke. The crystal is meant to slip into Connel’s visor to give anyone that uses the datapad his perspective “Line of Sight”, but using it this way can act as a locator beacon. That was before catching the comm unit. Thank you, check your Bandolier…

No sense in hiding it.

He flamboyantly laughed at the claim of lies.

I speak for no one other than myself… and I’m not the one kidnapping… so learn the meaning of the word “honor” before you use it…

Before he could do anything, the Bounty Hunter threw some kind of grenade at him and he dropped back. The gas though, it seeped into the open part of his gauntlet. Where he opened it to show Wyyr'kull the tattoo.

Suit compromised at left gauntlet.

Connel realized what the gas was when he could not sense the impending danger of the blaster bolts hitting him in the chest. The armor held, but he still had to find cover and fast. Inwardly smiling at how dumb this guy will feel when he realized he was up against a Jedi who did not rely on the Force, he dropped behind a corner.

Pulling a “Force Blinding Flashbang, he pulled the pin and cooked it for a couple of seconds before slinging it into the air… in the path of the Mandalorian’s hover. Warnel did not feel the Force, if he did, he masked it well, it didn’t matter whether he did or not. It was still a flashbang being thrown in his path. The blinding light would slow him long enough for Connel to pull his rifle and fire a 40mm grenade at him.

All you had to do was let the kids decide for themselves to go with you! That’s all you had to do and I would have left you alone! No… you had to play your little mindgames… make’em think you’re helping them… using a sick girl to manipulate a boy… sick! Connel was still behind cover, but thumbing the “talk” button on the comm unit he was gifted.

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

 

[Taam Moghul]

Gear: Armored Robes of the Wayward, Kta Dom Lya Great Sword, Vaova Kaila Lightsaber, GAHP-2 Roundhouse Pistol

Tag: Vara Rasha

Although Taam hoped the Shistavanen warrior would comply and move along, he didn't expect it. No true Mandalorian warrior would walk away from an intruder, even if prodded with the Force. But that same Force spoke to the attuned Jedi warrior, a sixth sense that betrayed the Mandalorian's second weapon before it slid from it's sheath, her body telling its movement before fully executed.

Taam didn't understand the comment in Mando'a, but assumed it was something challenging. As fingers pulled triggers, the glowing blade was in motion, searing the stale shipboard air and defecting the first couple of shots. But the Mando's dual barrage was rapid, blaster bolts and sonic blasts forcing Taam to focus intently and to rely on the Force to empower the movement of his blade and himself. A few blaster bolts glanced off of the armor plate of his robes, leaving scorch marks.

The sonic blasts, however, bent around his lightsaber blade to slam into him, forcing him back. A deep, dangerous growl rumbled in Taam's throat. She was yelling again in Mando'a, surely announcing the intruder's presence. Taam didn't have long before more warriors arrived. The jedi kingit had to find a way off the ship. He had no idea if he had anything useful on the data spike, but he had to get back to the fleet for it to be analyzed.

A large, clawed hand shot out towards his foe, releasing a massive wave of the Force intent on throwing the Mandalorian back and buying him time to escape. The sealed door next to the computer terminal lead to a small docking bay, according to the schematics. He reached for the door actuator, hoping it would open.

 

[Rel Ahn-Dross]

Opponents: Kjartan Hammer-Hand , Signy Bralor
Other Tags: Chani Seable​

---

Opening salvos did not favor them.

Overwhelming brute force from the Mandalorian vessels would rip into the small Black Sun fleet which was outgunned. An Assault Cruiser and Destroyer-Class Frigates combined likely didn't have the firepower of a Star Destroyer which would inevitably be able to tip any balance of power in its favor.

When the opening barrage struck the Void Hammer the call went out amidst the bridge...

"Shields failing! Multiple impacts!"​

...while the ship shook with the impacts causing some crew to lose their footing and fall while others held onto their consoles to remain upright.

Rel studied the holographic displays. He was no fool, he knew that he was outgunned, his hope had been that the Star Destroyer would be less a threat during the opening salvos while it was refueling. His hopes had been dashed when the Buurenaar'gam had fired.

Now he was rethinking his folly.

There was one small advantage that Rel, possessed, if one could call it that. He knew the Ha'rangir-class Star Destroyer. It was not a terribly new design having been in service since the Enclave which his Clan was apart of, unless the Buurenaar'gam was an upgraded or retrofitted model he knew its capabilities and several of its systems.

Before anything could be said static came over the comms, he heard Kjartan Hammer-Hand 's message and another voice rang out across the bridge...

"Starfighters attacking!"​

...an alarm on one of the bridge screens showed that a ventral shield generator had been heavily damaged.

Rel responded, a dour expression settled across his features...

"Launch Switchbacks and focus down those fighters. We have enough issues with that Star Destroyer and the other Mandalorian vessels."

An emphatic acknowledgement was sounded across the bridge. Signy Bralor and the other fighters soon found themselves the targets of combined point laser defense fire from the Void Hammer and the Destroyers aligned near it defensively.

In tandem with this the Void Hammer launched its compliment of 'Switchback' Interceptors, numbering a total of four squadrons or eighty interceptors in total. They were fast, nimble and boasted a very small spherical shape making them incredibly difficult to hit but this wasn't nearly as important as their kamikaze settings. A 'Switchback' boasted only a single laser canon, which given their numbers could still overwhelm a ships defenses but they were literally programmed to fly into and destroy enemy fighters, swarming and destroying them either en masse or via self sacrifice.

If Signy Bralor and her compatriots were expecting conventional dog fighting they would be sadly disappointed.

Even as this occurred Rel had opened comms to communicate with the Buurenaar'gam, there was something the Chieftain had said that given away something of the situation...

"Chieftain, we have no sabotuers aboard your vessels. Do not attempt to tailor yourself the aggrieved party. We are a contracted defense fleet for this system and have full authority here. As such unless you power down weapons, call back your fighters and explain your presence here we are obligated to engage. Many will die even if we are defeated. We are taking countermeasures to ensure our survival."

...not entirely a lie, Dressel had been within or adjacent to the Black Sun's sphere of influence before the faction had over expanded and rolled back in on itself. It was possible that such contracts existed even if Rel didn't personally know of them. He was sure that even if they were defeated many lives would be lost though.

Advanced targeting systems had singled out the RMHC-14 Angband Hypermatter Cannons and several of the RMMD-M5 Mass Driver Cannons on the Buurenaar'gam.

Engines engaged, the Black Sun Flotilla would advance.

The command was given, relied across all ships...

"Fire."

The Void Hammer launched an enormous salvo of explosive ordnance. Concussion Missiles, Advanced Cluster Missiles, Proton Torpedos. All of them targeting the Hypermatter and Mass Driver Cannons on the Buurenaar'gam. Quad Ion Cannons sent another volley supported by heavy turbolaser batteries that would target the Kalden'kad seeking to tax its defenses further.

Incredibly the Destroyer-Class Frigates were faring better than the Void Hammer. Built of a reinforced skeleton of durasteel with layered and reinforced plating as well as high output deflector shielding their role was literally to soak up as much damage from larger capital ships as possible. Raiding Fleets generally feared them for their robust design and the prolonged engagements they were created for.

As the Destroyers advanced along with the Void Hammer the two on its port would open up with volleys of heavy turbolaser and ion canon fire followed by concussion missiles launched at the Akaan'ar. The Destroyer to the starboard would do likewise only engage the Sapan'vod.

It wasn't a complex battleplan. If the Void Hammer could disable the largest weapons on the Buurenaar'gam it would have a chance, not for victory but to last longer. Like the Destroyers it had a reinforced hull with further damage reduction components, built to take a beating but this was within reason; the rest was just cake as they say.

Spoiler

• The Void Hammer - Hokk-Class Heavy Assault Cruiser
  • Shields - Heavy
  • Armor - Moderate
  • Superstructure - Undamaged
• Nok-Class Destroyer - Portside 1
  • Shields - Light
  • Armor - Light
  • Superstructure - Undamaged
• Nok-Class Destroyer - Portside 2
  • Shields - Light
  • Armor - Light
  • Superstructure - Undamaged
• Nok-Class Destroyer - Starboard 1
  • Shields - Light
  • Armor - Light
  • Superstructure - Undamaged

 

[Ceri Fraissi]

SPARKY
PLANETSIDE | DRESSEL
ALLIES: Rik Perris | JUN
ENEMIES: COV
ENGAGING: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT​

It had been hard.

When she had gotten back to the temple after almost getting sold as a slave, she needed a break. She needed to assess whether she still wanted to be a Jedi. It had taken her a bit to finally come to the decision that it was bigger than just her - the troubles in the Galaxy.

Master Rik had given her the space she had needed and hadn't judged her when she finally returned. He did train her harder though. At some point Ceri thought she was going to fall apart from exertion. But it paid off. She was stronger now with more endurance to show for it. He had made it clear that if she was ever in a situation like what had happened Ruusan again, she could be prepared and protect herself.

Now, they were descending toward the planet of Dressel. Ceri was chewing her lip as Master Rik briefed her once again about Mandalorians. Yes, he had prepared her as much as he could for this, but the fact remained that she still hadn't faced proper conflict. All of the things she had been involved in thus far, had been incidental and underhanded.

Maybe she needed proper conflict to test her properly.

"Disarm and disable if at all possible."

"Yes, Master." she replied, for once a bit introspective. "You really think we wouldn't be able to get through to them and resolve this without trouble?" she asked then, though, as the ramp opened for them to get out. Yes, she had a lightsaber, but it still felt wrong using it. Why did she need it if she could appeal to people? Even make friends with them?

She still couldn't understand it even after everything that has happened in short succession of each other.

There was always another way, wasn't there?

She was still grappling with the thoughts as they moved away from the main group to scope out another area. She was more preoccupied with that than with what was going on around and behind them. These armoured people were still people just like they were, weren't they?

Then Rik's words broke through her inner babble once again.

"Barrier, Ceri. Come on, let's move."

She snapped out of it and it took her a second, but she got the barrier up as he had commanded.
"Is something happening?" Ceri asked him quietly, looking around a bit, but they were out of sight of the rest by now. Something was making the hair in her neck stand on end. Was that what it felt like when the Force was warning you against something really dangerous?

"Master, I...I feel something off."​

 

[Brent Warnel]

THE BATTLE
Unknown City | DRESSEL
TAG: Connel Vanagor
GEAR: BIO

Brent's blaster bolts hit him, driving the Jedi into cover. Whether the Force-Breaker grenade seeped into his armor or not, Brent did not know. But he hoped it did, so the Jedi's ability to connect with the force was dampened for their fight.

Brent rocketed into the air, continuing to rain fire down on the Jedi's position, keeping his head down as the Jedi quickly threw a device into the air, the flash-bang registering on Brent's HUD for only an instant before it detonated. The visible wavelengths of Brent's HUD shone bright white, forcing him to snap his eyes shut for a half-second as his systems compensated for the brightness.

The half-second was too long; a thunderous retort deafened him, the explosion from the grenade impacting on him and throwing him backward and into a nearby building. The cheap structure buckled under his weight as the wall collapsed, and he landed in the middle of a living space, pistols flying from his grip. He heard the Jedi call out-.

All you had to do was let the kids decide for themselves to go with you! That’s all you had to do and I would have left you alone! No… you had to play your little mindgames… make’em think you’re helping them… using a sick girl to manipulate a boy… sick! Connel was still behind cover, but thumbing the “talk” button on the comm unit he was gifted.

Brent chuckled as he stood, the pain fueling him. The Jedi was putting on a show, but not for Brent's sake, for someone on the other end of the comm-chatter Brent's helmet was receiving.

"No games, little Jedi," Brent said, his voice amplified well over the noise of the city as he stood up and dusted himself off. Red warning beacons flashed on his HUD; two of his ribs had been broken, scorched skin under the suit, but, thank the Manda, he was whole. Medicine flooded his system from the armor's built-in stims, giving him relief.

"The children need help, but I can't give that to them here. The choice was given and made by the boy, but your self-righteousness wouldn't let you believe someone would willingly choose a path other than yours." Brent's jetpack sputtered as he activated it for just a moment, leaping from the building and back into the street.

Before he landed, half of his Whistling-Birds roared from his vambrace, targeting the Jedi who was hiding behind cover. Brent hit the ground running, charging toward the Jedi's last known position, ready to engage in close quarters, Vibroknucklers coming out of their sheaths and slipping into their well-worn positions on his fists, ready to deliver a killing strike should the Jedi show himself.
​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Truth Be Told
Dressel
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

More lies, no accountability, justification…?

... again… Typical…

Yeah, he was not quite able to sense anything through the Force at the moment, but that meant nothing right now. Connel watched the Mando dive into a building for cover and send some kinds of “drone” things out at him. He grabbed his Lightblaster and targeted them just as quickly before they could do anything. All the while the guy was trying to stop himself from laughing at what his foe was saying. Oh… “No games’’ well that changes things… sorry… let me leave you alone then…

Could his T-visor pick up sarcasm?

Heard the entire conversation and only giving a kid who didn’t want to go clearly, only one choice? Yeah… I’m the “self-righteous” one…

His UAD launched, might as well have an extra set of eyes.

Heat Signature moving quickly to your position…

Whatever the gas was, it was being filtered out, but Connel could not rely on his connection returning and hiding. That Schutta was around somewhere and looking for him, so he would be ready for it.

You want me to leave you alone? Let me talk to him. No games… no trying to play him like you did. You can even be right there if you want. Let me offer to get him help here. If he still wants to go? I’m a man of my word. I’ll walk away. Was he expecting the hunter to go for this? Not in the slightest, he would probably get mocked for it, but if it could plant the seed? Slow him down? That was fine.

Either way, time to move and gain better footing, closer quarters, a tighter alley. Plenty of throwing knives.

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

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

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

Lily shook her head to Kito, "if memory serves correctly, the beliefs of Mandalorians like these, they are very against the way the Mandalorian Empire conducts itself." She figured this was the enclave group returning to the galaxy after a time away. The time that Lily spent around and studying the history of the Enclave gave Lily some insight in how they thought and acted towards other groups of Mandalorians. "It would likely trigger escalation in the situation. We want to end this before it gets any worse."

"There is no guarantee that this will work. We can only hope that they will be open to hearing what Master Briana has to say." Lily was honest and not going to hold back on the fact that this was not likely going to be successful, but a Jedi needed to be optimistic. Or at least, Lily always aimed to be hopeful that everyone could be reasoned with and were good people. "Nothing is ever guaranteed, and we must always be prepared for the worst outcome. However, should a Jedi not hope for the best? Should we not aim to solve things without the use of a blade?"

It seemed contradictory that the born fighter, the trained warrior was the one who sought to ensure things were dealt without the need of violence. However, it was likely the influence of her close friends and understanding the more of what the Jedi should be. She would always be there to handle things should diplomacy fail.

"Maybe I am..." Lily was not against being too trusting, "I think I would rather being too trusting and hoping for the best in others, than believing that I will always be let down by others." Looking over to Kito, with a knowing glint in her eye, "you should understand that too." The conversation held after the conclave provided some insight that Kito was not as skeptical of others in the way that Kito might present herself as.

Before Lily could confide to Kito that she knew that her Master could ensure that the discussion did not escalate too quickly, the Mandalorians decided to prove her wrong. Firing directly at Briana. The moment that happened that Lily ignited her Lightsaber the instant the guns were fired. There was no hesitation from Lily and her expression darkened as the Jedi Knight switched from her easy going attitude to one not tolerant of anyone attacking someone she cared about.

"Stay close Kito, seems these Mandalorians do not wish to talk so we need to teach them a hard lesson." Lily stated firmly to Kito as she held her Lightsaber in a defensive stance as she moved forward.