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Difficult terrain. Bitter conditions. Master Zark felt his age in each labored cloud of breath. Azure plasma provided too little relief from the omnipresent cold. Only faith sustained him. Frost rimed the old Jedi's greybeard but still he pressed on. Loose rocks tumbled and he lost his footing.
He watched the Lightsworn shuttles descend like a sign from the heavens. Zark's smile faltered when he sensed something. It was a presence he had not felt since...local legends claimed these mountains were haunted. Perhaps those old tales might be true. Burning engines shone like a beacon for him to navigate by. Fresh hope pushed tired old bones back up to his feet. Not so far from the fight.
"Your focus determines your reality," Master Zark quoted the sacred texts to himself through chattering teeth.
Shrines to the darkside once festered on dozens of Alliance worlds. This one had been in a deep slumber and the Imperials could not be allowed to reawaken it. Numb fingers tightened their grip on his burning lightsaber as he prepared himself to confront servants of the great shadow looming over a helpless Core Worlds.
Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal Bounty Hunter License: Link Seeking Bounties on: x | x | x @Jacen Voidstalker Toggle on: Verified
The Huntress stilled at the sound of his voice, boots planted firm in the snow. Behind the T-visored helm her hazel eyes narrowed, focusing on the robed figure who hadn't even bothered to turn fully. Her hand hovered close to her Bodo Bass gunbelt, but she did not draw. Not yet.
Sweat beaded at her temple under her helm despite the freezing air, dampness clinging beneath the synthweave. A lick of her lips and she could taste the salt from it. The tremor in her fingers pulsed with the ache pounding just behind her eyes. Still got a bit of time, she told herself, forcing her breathing to steady, each inhale burning through the rebreather filters.
SHe should have kept it simple. Less words. More action. But something still clung and nagged at her that made her grimace and reply instead of shooting first.
[ You don't need to remember me ] she shot back, her voice flattened and sharp through the helm's modulation. [ All you need to know is that I don't miss. ]
The wind caught her words and flung them across the snowfield, carrying the weight of her threat. Beneath the cold precision of her tone, her jaw tightened, the withdrawal gnawing at her patience.
This man, this Browncoat, was standing between her and the credits she needed to keep her mind her own. And she wasn't about to walk away.
[ So we can do this the hard way. Or the easy way. ]
"All of his Alliance at risk and the Deep Core returned to rightful Imperial Rule...and the chancellor has not seemed to respect the weight of the war by coming in person, likely preferring his retreat elsewhere, shirking responsibility in favor of respite." Kroeger spoke up in regards to Alicio's hologram. "The Alliance has grown bloated, decadent and weak and a message has been made starkly clear by our siege and victory over the Core that is the case. Your constintuents of which you have coerced and seduced to the polls can no longer be lied to that the Alliance...is somehow strong and competent." He stated, pulling his cigarra to his lips for a long draw of the scented, stimulant herb, his eyes flitting with an expression that portrayed a placid nature in his lone, organic vessel of sight more than anything else despite the venom in his words.
"If it is the duty of the elected body present to act in the interest of its people...then it would favor peace over continued war. But...it seems as if your Chancellor would rather send the sons and daughters of the Alliance to die in the millions before he would field the prospect of...conceding position of power. Rather...ironic for a government so vanguard in the pursuit of Galactic peace and democracy. But- I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures." Kroeger remarked, eyes traveling to those present as he drew his cigarra once again.
"So then, what is more important. The safety and security of your people....or laying them all at risk to claw at the power and privilege you have stolen from them? The lives of comfort you will continue to live while they starve and die in the name of a nation that is a false visage of what has come before..." Kroeger concluded.
DECADES PRIOR… “Afraid Yuchi’ttal?” said Zanza Hijikata. The Atrisian Jedi Master startled her young Arkanian Padawan out of a compulsive dance of nervous prods and rechecks of her utility belt’s gear and the Jedi Armor plating beneath her robes. Kylass Starhaven’s Master standing right behind her with her hands on her hips, a wry smile etched across her lips, and the scar-split brow above her eyepatch cocked high.
Zanza seemed relaxed, even jovial, which was rare for Kylass to experience. The Zanza she normally saw was a grim-faced, strict and disciplinarian warrior; barking a new set of saber drills or Force-Kata for Kylass to execute back the Jedi Temple. But here she was, almost, too calm. Too calm for a looming battle when she was the furthest from it. Kylass frowned and looked down at her lightsaber hung off her belt.
“Fear is natural before battle, Yuchi’ttal,” said Master Zanza. “It is merely the mind telling the heart to steel itself for what is to come. Let your heart be steeled by the Force.”
“Master it’s not that…I…I don’t think I can…,” murmured Kylass, hesitant to even suggest her wavering conviction to someone so battlehardened like Zanza. She didn’t want to sound like a fool, or worse, sound like she had judged her Master poorly for the violence she had made her expert profession within the Order.
“I’m not like you, Master, I can’t strike someone down…I can’t slay a per--” Kylass’ mumbling was interrupted by a swiftly jutted open palm from her Master. Kylass fell silent and lowered her head again, feeling embarrassed for letting her emotions sour what should be a meditative clearing of her mind and soul before battle. Zanza knelt down to her and placed both her hands onto Kylass’ shoulders.
“Yuchi’ttal…,” Zanza began, calling Kylass by her Atrisian nickname. “You honor me as your Master by finding life, even of those who would harm yours, as sacred. But you must understand, our enemy is not as philosophical as you are. They aim to destroy you, me, and the Alliance. Yuchi’ttal…we must not let them.”
Kylass’ eyes widened, she shot her head back up, and her expression hardened. “I shan't let them Master,” Kylass said.
Zanza nodded. “I know you won't," said Zanza. “Trust in the Force, it is with you. And so am I. Always.”
The Atrisian stood up and stretched out a hand to help Kylass up too. “What we do in life…,” Zanza began.
Kylass reached out and grabbed her Master’s hand to stand up. “...Echoes in the Force for eternity,” Kylass finished.
Claxons blared in the Alliance Dropship and red alert lights flooded its interior a deep crimson. Orders began to be shouted only to be drowned out by in-coming artillery fire that rocked the hulls…
…PRESENT…
Kylass slowly opened her eyes and glared down at her own fists, docked together knuckle-to-knuckle in the lap of her crossed legs. “What a strange memory to conjure from the depths…eh? Yuchi’ttla,” scoffed Kylass.
Many dreaming episodes of that past-life often faded in from the mists of her memories when she dove deep into her own mind. All them, Kylass knew, were belayed by feeling, a ripple in the Force. Dreams were but messages from the deep. Something was wrong, something that drew old memories of old fears and dread, and it wasn’t the looming prospect of facing the forces of the Dark Side. Kylass had become accustomed to dealing with Darksiders, as Jedi warriors the Sith and their ilk had been her and her Master’s specialty. But still that old memory forewarned dark work.
“We’re below the higher-atmo’ now Masser’ Jedi,” called out a grey bearded Ugnaught Spacer, Lunken Sollard, as he stomped over to Kylass’ wall-mounted bench along the hull of the U-Wing. Henna Ashina
had made the call and Inosuke Ashina
had made the mission clear. The Lightsworn had been scattered and with whatever transports they could muster in several Jedi Strike Teams they were now dispatched into Arkania. “We should be crestin’ the peaks o’erlookin’ the Impz’ landings soon a ‘nuff, if ye’ want to see them,” said the Ugnaught.
“Much obliged Captain Sollard,” Kylass said, unfurling her crossed legs and unbuckling herself from the seat.
She followed Lunken into the cockpit and stood beside the support craft’s pilot, a blue skinned Gungan named Ricochet Rider, but by his thick Naboo accent was spoken with the swagger of: Reekoshay Raidah. Lunken sat into the co-pilot’s chair on the other side of Reekoshay and swivelled forward. Ahead of them the white caps of a gnarled and jagged range of peaks flew below them and the raging battlefield spread out into view.
Down the mountain ringed valley was a sprawl of trenches before a mountain entrance to a fortified base. Turbolaser cannon and blaster fire flew across the snow fields, bathing the pale void in flashes of streaking greens and reds. Hulking walkers progressed over the trenches into the battle, and flanking the U-Wing’s approach into the side of the battlefield was the sudden realization of the Galactic Empire’s bearing might.
“A-Tees!” yelled Reekoshay. Just beside their approach vector along the edge of the ensuing battle was a horde of AT-AT’s making their way closer to the trenches. Their cannons belched laser fire and their colossal truncated legs shook thunderous rhythms for their march.
“I need you to drop me onto that AT-AT,” said Kylass.
In shock both the distraught Ugnaught and Gungan looked at Kylass, then at the AT-AT, and then back at the Arkanian Jedi.
“Youss want to wha’?!” snapped Reekoshay. “Youssa cray Masta’Jeedai, Reekoshay no flyboy anywhere near those layzer-breathin’ monstah’s!”
“I don’t need you to flyboy anything Ricochet. Just strafe it with the doors open, I’ll jump,” said Kylass, turning to the Ugnaught. “Lunken I need to get onto the AT-AT,” she said.
The Ugnaught regarded the Arkanian for a moment, then nodded. “Fine, Masser’ Jedi,” said Lunken, his wide lips bent into a serious frown. “But ye’ better make this fracken’ count!” he said with a finger pressed into her face. Kylass smiled and retrieved the face-plate to her TEMPLAR-Class Jedi Temple Guard Armor , locked it in place over her visage and left for the bay doors.
“Bring her around on that A-Tee and Front-Shields to full, Reekoshay!” commanded Lunken.
“What?!” answered Reekoshay.
“Just do it you scaredee-fish!” said Lunken.
The Gungan pouted and pressed his hands into the control yoke, grumbling to himself, “No one calls meessa a scaredee-fish.”
The U-Wing swung around and veered right at the AT-AT marked by Kylass. The bay doors opened and a torrent of biting cold and whipped snow battered Kylass. Bolts of hot laser fire exploded across the frontal dome of the deflector shields. Kylass sunk into the Force, dulling the noise and action around her and let it guide her focus. The U-Wing was approaching fast onto the back of the marked AT-AT. Kylass reached down to her belt and unbuckled her split-saber.
“Masser Jedi!” Lunken shouted to Kylass one last time. Kylass glanced over her shoulder at the Ugnaught.
“May the Force be with ye’,” he said with a single slow nod.
Kylass raised her hand to her head and with her first and middle finger tapped her mask in a salute…and jumped! The U-Wing banked away, catching stray laser cannon fire. Kylass dived through the air towards the high arching back of the AT-AT. She threw out her hand to cushion her landing by blasting the air between her and the armored plating with the Force. The blast braced the air into a thicker mass that caught her and dropped her in a rolling landing. But her momentum was too fast! She was going to roll right off! In a split second not too soon, she ignited her saber and buried it in a long gouging stab into the armored plating.
Hanging by the hilt of her impaling lightsaber Kylass dangled off the side. “Well…let us not do that, ever again,” she exhaled to herself in relief. She had latched onto the AT-AT and no doubt her first impact and roll would have sent echoes down its interior. Kylass hoped those inside would have dismissed it as artillery echoing. But now was time to find a way in.
Kylass looked across the AT-AT towards the cockpit access tube. Its overlapping plates were thinner than the main body and should provide easier access for her saber. Kylass climbed back onto the top of the AT-AT’s back and slowly began her way. All the while she could feel, whoever was channeling the Dark, begin eating away at her own presence in the Force. It was like wading through a black high tide. She was getting a bad feeling.
Dangal did not flinch. As Khronas descended with the force of a hawkbat's strike, snow whipping in his wake, the Jedi Knight raised his lightsaber into a measured guard. The sapphire blade hummed as it caught the descending Sith sword, plasma sparking violently against the runed steel in a crackling clash. The weight of Khronas's strike pressed down, muscles and rage behind every ounce of his strength, but Dangal held his ground with calm precision, boots anchored deep in the snow as Khronas jumped back.
The soldiers around them regrouped swiftly, falling back into a defensive arc as their commander met the threat head-on. Blaster fire lit the edges of the skirmish, but Dangal's voice cut through the storm with quiet authority.
"Hold formation. He is mine." Dangal said as his troops focused on other targets.
Sparks hissed into the snow between them, Dangal's attention sharpened briefly at the edge of his senses. A fierce presence, moved through the storm above. He turned his head just slightly—enough to catch the sight of Bernard launching himself from the cliffside, vanishing into the swirling white like a meteor falling to earth. A cloud of snow billowed upward as he struck the slope below, already driving his will into the heart of the enemy. For a heartbeat, Dangal allowed himself the smallest nod of acknowledgment. He was not alone on this mountain. Everyone was working together to halt this Sith wave.
Meanwhile Khronas's eyes—one organic, one machine—gleamed with anticipation as his weapon ground against the lightsaber. Dangal's expression was unreadable, his breath slow, his mind still. He felt the twisted threads of the Force wrapping around his foe, tugging at fate like storm winds against a cliff. Yet he did not bend.
"You ask if I know my destiny," Dangal said evenly, his tone a calm counterweight to the Sith's venom. "I do. My destiny is to stand where others would fall, so the light may endure. And yours, is to be reminded that the future is not for the Dark Side to claim."
With a controlled twist of his wrist, Dangal redirected Khronas's overhead blow, sliding the Sith sword off to the side. Snow burst upward as the blade struck the ground beside him, the mountain itself seeming to shudder at the force. Dangal stepped fluidly into the opening, blue blade flashing upward in a measured strike aimed not to kill, but to test his opponents speed and resolve. The storm thickened, winds howling between them as the clash of light and steel ignited the frozen pass.
Before he could really process what was going on, the battle had kicked off in full swing. What was at first likely to be light blaster fire exchanges, quickly swelled into a vivid and brutal representation of what war means. Explosions had quickly become a constant on the snowy plains, as machines of death were unleashed by both sides.
He'd watch in awe as bombardments were launched, the only thing he was able to do at the moment being to keep a hold on his hat to ensure it wouldn't go flying off from the shockwaves. After feeling a strange surge flow through him (unknowingly caused by Solan Charr
), he had elected to try and get some shots down range, unholstering both of his pistols from his sides. With a quick twirl of the blasters, they were aimed forwards towards the approaching forces. Streaks of yellow blaster bolts being unleashed down.
However, he'd notice movement from the corner of his eye. Before being able to react in any meaningful way, heavy blasts began landing near him. Several others near him flinched and ducked down as the bolts from the MG slammed near them, and he was coerced into doing the same. Holstering his blasters back to his sides, as he navigated along the trench line. There was a sudden grab at his arm, as he glanced towards the trooper.
"We need to take out that nes-"
The trooper's head violently snapped to the side, as a bolt had sniped them directly in the skull. Slumping down onto the wall of the trench, as Gavin had flinched. "By the Stars-!" Crouching down afterwards, as another bolt almost dealt him the same fate as the unmoving trooper.
With an inhale, he spent a moment listening. Brushing past the others very loud noises of war, to focus on determining the direction of the blaster fire. To which...he's got it. Traveling down along the trench line, as he ushered others to stay down. "Keep down, keep down! You'll get picked off, otherwise!" Eventually, reaching back to where his cycler rifle was.
After crouching down and waiting, the fire from the MG eventually stop. Grasping onto his cycler rifle afterwards, and peeking over the trench. Looking to where he thought the nest was, and fortunately being correct. Hoisting his cycler up, and resting it on the snowy ledge of the trench. Looking through the rifle's scope, and aiming over towards the nest. Watching as there was a person still near the MG, and one hobbling their way over to it. Directing his aim over towards the one who had been near the MG.
Inhale......exhale......
With a pull of the trigger, a shot was fired towards Raiber.
Cressida could barely suppress an eyeroll at the proceedings devolved further. These Imperials and their pet 'negotiator' from HPI had no sense of occasion, no subtlety. It would have been funny if it weren't so sad. She activated her microphone and glared down at Runar Ævar
, her dark eyes glinting icily. "Let us engage in a thought experiment," she proposed, patient and calm, her tone more like a law professor than a firebrand politician. "I hereby propose that the Empire unconditionally surrender and unilaterally disarm. I propose that the so-called emperor himself present himself to this body, that he may be adjudged for his crimes and appropriately penalized. You, presumably, would not support such a proposal, and yet you would not -- again, presumably -- hold yourself responsible for the death of millions and billions out of mere defiance -- in a battle the Empire might not even win?"
She didn't bother to wait for a response.
"Of course not. Because thought you speak calmly -- one might say snidely -- you are not here on a mission of mercy any more than you are here in possession of any intellectual integrity or consistency. You are playing to the galleries, hoping to convince the people of the Galactic Alliance that we in the Senate view them as disposable, numbers in spreadsheets to be flung at enemies. Nothing can be further from the truth, but you know this. You stand in the well of this Senate and whine about a lack of civilization while advocating for the barbarism of tyranny. Do you have even a passing familiarity with the concept of irony? What about shame? When this Empire does as all Empires do and represses people, silences opposition, imprisons dissenters, or heaven forfend, uses its military might to destroy worlds and kill millions, billions, would it bother you to have your words played back to you? You are asking the Galactic Alliance, for the sake of a phony peace, to abandon those already under occupation and countless billions more to the kind of barbarity that would make the destruction of Csilla look like childsplay."
She paused, to allow the reverberations from her voice to die before speaking loudly and firmly into the microphone: "Never."
"The Galactic Alliance has a mandate to protect the people within our borders, including those temporarily languishing under the illegitimate rule of your friends in this so-called empire, to use all means necessary to ensure the freedom and liberty to which all sentient beings have an innate right." She paused briefly, leaning slightly into the microphone. "I would counter-propose that the gentleman recognize the following three truths: that his authority in this chamber is nil; that he has no standing to suggest to this august body what to order for breakfast, let alone how to convene its session; and that he would be better suited to sitting quietly."
"And your friend the -- Grand General, wasn't it? Well, if you say so -- has presented the kind of political analysis not typically seen outside the deranged ramblings of message boards for involuntary celibates and remedial political science classes at backwater Jakku community colleges, which rather predictably misses the point of Chancellor Organa's statement."
"Mister Speaker, I will turn now to matters of substance, specifically the matter proposed by my honorable friend the member for Veradune," Cressida said, inclining her head towards Alexandra Feanor
in the neighboring pod. "I add my voice to her proposition and join her in extending the hand of friendship those nations, neighboring and distant, who oppose the particularly destructive and short-sighted brand of this Empire. Those nations with the vision to recognize patterns in history and the wisdom to know that the moral arc of our galaxy is long -- often twisted -- but always -- always -- bending toward freedom, toward peace. And not the cheap and tawdry peace offered by our visitors -- but a true peace, based on justice and respect for all sentients, not based on the brutal domination on offer."
Solan's eyes watched as the battle proceeded, as the enemy continued their push and as his droids continued their defense. The separated forces under the command of men like Gavin Restur
exchanging small scale counter assault while Magdalena Bloodscrawl
seemed to be pushing forward. The IFF transponders that soldiers had been given so that his droids could differentiate them would be helpful as well to let him know the risk of certain actions. For example, the inbound Interceptors would need to hold position in the rear for now and provide anti air suppression considering the presence of Magdalena Bloodscrawl
and now Kylass Starhaven
who he had been informed was on one of the AT-ATs.
Wide enemy suppression of movement was out of the question, meaning the Seismic Charges that he had ordered brought up would remain unused for the moment and instead could be used to target something else. He considered those options but was given notice that the AT-ATs were still proceeding forward, taking none of his call for surrender. It was then that the comms crackled to life and a wide area message was delivered in return for his request of surrender. He was disappointed, knowing that the words of the man were fair and that he had no valid retort for what they must have suffered.
"The one who responded over an open line, There is no valid excuse for what you suffered. I have slaughtered plenty of slavers and Brynadul for the very things you have suffered. But know that supporting a Empire who seeks to create weapons of mass destruction, that uses thousands in an assault on a civilian structure, that would just as soon use the people of the galaxy for its experiments and tyranny is no better. I understand the wish for Order, Peace and Freedom, for those who have committed great evils to suffer retribution, and I wish to be able to ensure that Justice is dealt in time. But, you have chosen to side with those who will do nothing to actually stop such acts if it means further domination of your common man." He would respond, knowing that it likely would achieve nothing but he could not leave such a open call for hatred unanswered.
And in a way, that compatriot of Thomas Barran
only fed Solan's power. With each second as more hatred grew, as more death flooded the field of battle, and as more fear took over, Solan would latch onto it like a Parasite. His form further unsightly and inhuman as he turned, leaving the Outpost and taking only with him a single communicator to interact with Nida Vaal. His voice crackling to life, CT-312
and Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra
hearing the following words as Solan gave a final order before he would need to focus.
"Commander Vaal, Ensure that these Imperials do not cross the Trenches. Inform those who have pushed forward about what is coming." He would leave it there, pausing for a moment before speaking once more.
"I am sorry, oh Planet of Arkania and the life beneath our feet. I cannot allow them to come closer." He spoke, looking out over the snowy plains, letting Magdalena Bloodscrawl
and Kylass Starhaven
feel what was coming next.
For Prowler II
and Tiberius Zaarin
, the feeling would be like an emptiness. A nothingness spreading out in an instant, flooding over the Imperial Soldiers and a deathly chill all too different from the simple cold of the air filling the ground infront of the trenches. Solan's body and form simply ceased, no heart beat or warmth coming from him. His breath gone and instead a ghostly hand reached out apart from his body. It called out to the dying men and the souls around the Imperial Walkers. The two walkers that had been struck feeling the pull as their wounded would be called to Solan.
Ko Vuto
's efforts not far from Solan would be felt as well, the Kel Dor would feel nothing but dark nothingness coming from Solan's direction, the force itself being devoured infront of the man as the very ground seemed to become devoid of even color itself. Tendrils of dark energy reaching out, spreading over the ground like a corruptive evil that threatened to eat the very planet away itself. Solan's dark sorcery sapping away every hint of life and warmth from that place.
Sharad Dhavale
would witness soldiers not far from him simply falling dead, being drained of their life, a simple nothingness being felt but Sharad himself spared from the dark nihility that sapped away the very breath of his cohorts. Some even seeming to be drained and their forms falling and crumpling infront of Sharad. There was no softness to it, only a simple snap and the life gone from them while Solan's reach continued to expand out across the field.
Even those in the Temple, like that of Dangal Olderem
, Khronas
, Darth Apophion
, Corazona von Ascania
, Voldran Molf
, Zark San Tekka
and Jacen Voidstalker
would feel that dark pull, that wish to surrender to the nothingness but it was directed away from them and the temple. Aimed instead for the main contingent of the Imperial Forces, pulling away at the very souls that stood before the Alliance forces.
This would continue to spread, unhindered and without halt, aiming to reach as far as possible, to reach to the very core of the Imperial forces. To cull any who stood before the Alliance Forces. Solan had offered surrender, and should they surrender he will stop, but until that point he will continue to drain each and every one of his enemies, all who stood before the Alliance on this field of battle. He would continue until interruption, or until they have surrendered to his forces and his allies. None shall leave this plain alive otherwise.
Nida watched, seeing the progression of the battle and thus far the successful attempt to keep them away from the Shield Generators. The Imperials have largely been stalled out and with their use of a Destroyer's strike it hindered the progression of imperial forces. The Droids of the Alliance Forces had little to no reason to leave their trenches or the Fort. Even now the Imperials did not threaten to overtake the trenches, and instead Nida could progress with operations properly. It was only when Solan's message came through that a saddened look touched her face.
She did not wish to accept that his use of that power had become common place. Since the battle on Kesh two decades before, he had become familiar with the use of Force Drain, especially the component of it involving the life force of others. The power had become something he employed without much thought, and it was only the antithesis of his wish to bring life and peace. The corruptive time spent as a Dark Spirit, his barely living form in all honesty, it hurt her to see her King in such a state of being and reason.
But, he has not forgotten his humanity yet. She was given the order to ensure he died if he should ever forget that and turn on his own.
"Alliance forces forward of the Trenches, Evacuate to a safe location away from the primary Imperial Forces. Artillery and Force Support will be launched soon, and we cannot ensure your safety." The message was mostly for the recently arrived Kylass Starhaven
and the forward pushing Magdalena Bloodscrawl
, though if they were capable enough then her Lord's sorcery wouldn't be as much a worry. As for her part.
"Jedi Master Dynas. Provide additional support to the Hyperion Heavy Artillery Droids. They will be firing in sixty seconds." She offered to the Jedi Master, crossing her hands behind her back and holding the Datapad tightly.
"And Jedi Master... Soldier... I apologize for what you see next." She would state. It would be soon after that Solan's actions would start to happen. From this position the wave of death would be all too clear. The mass loss of life, the reaping of souls on a cold and apathetic level. There was no excusing what they would see as she looked out over the field of battle, as she understood what she was seeing was simply the result of war and the Imperials thinking their domination of the galaxy was a pre-destined right. Her eyes turning down and away for a moment as her own abilities in the force left her sick to feel the nothingness that spread out infront of the trenches.
"My Lord is no Jedi, and he has the best in mind for the Galaxy. But his death and rebirth has allowed him to become too familiar with that ability. If you could forgive him for the use of something like that to ensure the least amount of our soldiers lose their lives." She would look over, almost as if pleading them to not hold his actions against the rest of the defenders. Solan did after all take his duty to the furthest extreme in terms of dealing with those around him.
And she had a duty all the same.
"Hyperion Heavy Artillery, fire. Bring down the AT-ATs." After a moment of wait, the blast would sound. The Mass Driver Cannons, railguns with a single destructive purpose, would fire. The shots screaming through the sky as the sound of each round breaking the sound barrier echoed across the valley. Imperial forces would feel as the rounds impacted, slamming into AT-ATs, Lighter Vehicles, and the ground around them. Magnetically accelerated rounds rupturing armor and tearing through durasteel without mercy or thought behind each shot as the droids continued to fire.
This was not a single volley either. As Prowler II
and Tiberius Zaarin
would find themselves assaulted with volley after volley, the autoloaders fashioned into the droids ensuring a constant and thundering barrage continued.
"Screechers, continue your wide area barrage. High Explosive Missiles to ensure the enemy do not escape on foot." True to her word, as apathetic as the Hyperions or Solan's actions, the Missiles would screech across the skies of the battlefield. Landing indescriminately around the imperial advance and wiping away any life that thought to escape on foot. Nida would turn her eyes on this wave of fire and death, ensuring that each life taken was witnesssed and they had been snuffed out without a complete disconnection between human and machine.
"Soldier... Ashe was it. Is this what you expected today?" She looked over, the dark look in her eyes the sight of someone who had ordered strikes like this a thousand times before. After all, Kesh and its people had spent the last two decades not simply pushing the Brynadul out of the sector in the far reaches of the Outer Rim. They had culled them, wiped out every hint of Brynadul from the surrounding worlds and essentially saw them as nothing more than a pest. A genocide of likely millions over the last two decades had created this unfeeling droid army that answered to the Dark King of Kesh.
"Or is this not how a war should be prosecuted. Should we have made more effort to simply disarm and seek their surrender? Or is their campaign of fear and destruction worth this, does it warrant such destruction?" She waited, letting CT answer before her gaze moved past CT. The presence of Lysander von Ascania
causing a sense that something was off. Nida had surved long enough to know what a change in the force felt like, and while the use of Force Cloak hide the specifics, it still left an strange flow to the force.
"Hmm... Legionnaires, ensure security around the Generator is heightened... and if any of our guests are likely to go missing. Ensure that their knowledge does not leave this place." She would speak into a communicator with the rear guard of the Shadow Legion. The words only heard by CT-312
and Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra
who was near her at the time and not a ally wide frequency.
POV: Project Adam
Location: Onboard the Star of Kesh's Command Deck
Adam kept his gaze on the Imperial Destroyers, noticing one of them fire down below in low orbit, something that caught his eye and made him smile. They would be stuck in a situation where they would be unlikely to respond quickly as it took a very slow approach to pierce through a planetary shield and be in range to do something like that. This meant the Imperial Forces in space should be separated and hindered in aiding eachother quickly.
And with the arrival of Admiral Reshmar, that was all that was needed.
"Admiral Reshmar, I think now would have the highest success of an engagement. An imperial destroyer separated from the others in order to get under the Planetary Shield and to strike the ground of the battle below. If we act now while you activate the Abolisher and Jamming arrays, we can defeat them in detail while we have the opportunity." He would wait only long enough for a response from the Admiral before nodding to his own bridge staff. The three ships were nothing on the surface, but as the imperials would soon find out, looks could be decieving.
Ailuros
would be informed that the strike was beginning, that the cruisers were moving forward. They had stayed out of maximum effective range so far, but in no way were they far enough for them to enter that range to be more than a few minutes. The cruisers approaching the remaining Destroyer complement, taking an approach that would allow them to link up with Reshmar's own forces as they did.
It took about fifteen minutes, five more than the activation of the Abolisher and the Jamming arrays. They would reach the point where fire could begin as they aligned their weapons, not relying on the use of turbolaser fire yet as Adam smiled and spoke.
"Fire all Maser and Mass Drivers, and loose the first salvo." The words would echo throught he bridge and soon ADM. Reshmar
would be greeted to the sight of what kind of weapons Solan preferred in his ships. The rippling of missiles would be seen from the two Hellfires, 110 Heavy Warheads with 90 Warheads screening infront of them, launched in a single volley at a Star Destroyer as the ships continued their approach.
In concert with the initial volley, the Star of Kesh would unleash its full forward facing complement of weapons. Eight Heavy Long Range Maser Batteries crying to life as they fire at the bridge of the Star Destroyer, Long Range Ion Cannon fire aiding as the weapons aimed to rip through the Imperial Shields and to cut the head off the snake. Mass Drivers ripped through the openness of space and impacted along the sides of the supporting craft near the Destroyers while fifteen more Heavy Warhead tubes unloadeded on the enemies. Dropships were beginning to be scrambled, ready to land on any destroyers that have lost command and control in order to sieze them as Solan all too loved to do when he was in command of his ships.
A fact that Adam would receive disappointment for if the Legionnaires did not get the opportunity to board and steal the enemy Destroyers as Solan insisted was necessary for the protection of the Outer Rim by using such ships when at all possible.
He often found his master's need for such tactics tiring.
"Admiral Reshmar. The Primary Destroy is being focused on by my forces, support with the the elimination of smaller craft supporting the Destroyer, or striking the secondary Destroyer." He would hope that Reshmar already had that in mind, but there was always a chance for miscommunication.
"My vessels lack fighter support, if you could provide Picket aid as well, that would be appreciated." With that, the battle for the skies began.
Jacen sighed. She didn't even seem to be one of the people he had come to stop. He had tired of the conflicts before and he was immediately tired by this one. Perhaps, he thought to himself, coming out of retirement had been a terrible idea.
Some of the old reflexes were there. The Force moved around him as he held his ground.
"Does it have to be one of those?" Jacen called out. "For all I know you're out here on the mountain to collect some snow. Does it have to be a way at all?
The lighthearted comment might have been a mistake. Line's brows furrowed as her eyes revealed a bit of confusion. She did not even attempt to hide that she disagreed with him but would apparently not let it get in the way of what they were doing. She was stuck in there with him, not the other way around. With a slight shake of the head, she indicated that she had nothing to say.
***
Her hazel eyes fixed on the small vial the Jedi had produced. The clear signs of hesitation that had been plastered across her face seemed to dissipate as her gaze shifted onto him. Even then, she did not immediately accept the offer. Even though she seemed to believe in him, accepting treatment would likely breach a dozen protocols. "I-... I can't" she said, her tone almost sounding as if she was about to apologise.
By this time, the little medpack which had been buried somewhere in her kit had likely been found by the Jedi's thorough search. It was part of the Firefighter's standard issue equipment and likely far less soothing than the Lazerenzyme he had offered. She cast a careful glance at the closed door blocking the path to the medpack. Here too, she ultimately decided to do nothing. Instead, her focus shifted to the conversation at hand.
The shift in focus proved to be warranted. The Agent did not even try to hide her surprise upon hearing that the man who had been hunting her had fought the Emperor. Not only that - he had fought the Emperor on Coruscant. This was recent. Yet he still had enough stamina to conduct the chase that had just taken place. Although subtle, there was a clear shift in Line's body language. Her stance seemed to tighten, her posture was tense, and her eyes revealed glimmers of both fear and awe.
"Well" her voice was small, timid even. Her eyes were carefully scanning his, searching for his reaction. "It ain't really a secret. All you have to do is to walk the lower levels of Coruscant or Denon or even downtown Kor Vella. The misery, the poverty, the criminality - it's horrible. I have never met the Emperor like you have, but I do know that the Empire gives its people purpose and security."
It was clear that she was uncomfortable with the situation. Her eyes ventured back to the Force wall he was maintaining behind her "So, may I go?"
Sulfur orbs glared at the Jedi daring to call him a false name. Creuat’s focus on Bernard was more personal than anything else. A symbol of his past that must be destroyed in order to grow his power and ascend to a higher purpose.
The Sith did not falter when a multitude of vibro-weapons arose from the snow at the command of Bernard. He braved the barrage of weapons with a simple, yet powerful barrier encapsulating only his person and not his subjects. Should any under his command die from this proved they were weak as much as they were clumsy. Weapons fell softly on the snowy ground that were meant to harm him, and his barrier remained strong without a crack. A testament to his focus and strength with the Force; all of it possible with the Emperor’s gift and training.
You grow desperate, Bernard…
A remark when a curtain of heavy snow showered around him to impair his visibility manipulated by the Arkanian’s tricks.
…yet, I grow more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
True, he could not see him but it was not impossible to feel the direction of his aura. His raised and a violent, large blast was aimed at the moving Jedi to serve to harm the Arkanian and to punch a hole into the thick wall of snow obscuring his surroundings.
Enemies: Open
Location: hidden ahead of Alliance lines
Summary: Makko steals a walker from the second line of the enemy assault
Each shudder of the ground made his pulse skip a beat. He felt the first wave of enemy walkers pass him by. He clenched his fists. Hiding had been safe. But safe wasn’t going to save anyone.
Makko’s mind clicked through schematics as fast as his heart pounded. He’d studied Imperial code and gutted stolen holo-manuals. His implants had the full schematics loaded. Their best intelligence on every weak point. He didn’t need to carve the beast apart. He could have gone for a joint up close and made it stumble, but he had loftier ambitions.
Makko didn't burst from concerlment, he crawled out from under the weight of snow. He armor, lightsaber and energy shield would provide no protection against the heavy cannons of an AT-AT. Only speed would protect him.
The closest walker was barely fifty metres. His body screamed at him after remaining still for so long. He sprinted and launched into the air. He landed with both feet on the knee of the walkers front leg and lunched again. His grapple line caught the underside of the walker's chin. Makko swung up.
He didn't go for the armour. He went for the throat.
His dual phase lightsaber gave off no light as he started to cut into the thin protection of the tube connecting the armoured head to the body. A chunk of glowing metal fell to the snow below, instantly cooled in a hiss of steam.
Makko climbed up.
"Breach! Purge systems!"
The door to the crew compartment slammed shut. They knew they had a jedi on board. They would follow strict dogmatic protocols and purge their command spikes to stop him getting into their comms. It took Makko a few seconds to cut the door loose and step forwards. His shield deflected a pistol bolt as his lightsaber switched to longer phase. The purple blade lashed out and ended the conflict in one swipe.
He vaulted onto the durasteel limb, fingers and boots scrabbling until he jammed a vibro-spike from his belt into the maintenance seam. His neural interface hissed, data-lines racing from spike to wrist-rig. The AT-AT’s systems screamed into his head — encrypted, archaic, but not impenetrable. His thoughts cut like knives.
Makko strode into the crew compartment. He could hear a commotion behind him as the complement of snow troopers started to react.
They had yanked and purged a code cylinder. It would only slow him down. Makko took a seat and jammed a spike from his belt into the control panel. His neural interface buzzed, data-lines racing from spike to his implants. The AT-AT’s systems screamed into his head, encrypted and archaic, but not impenetrable. His thoughts cut like knives.
For three heartbeats, the machine fought him. Then the console sprang back to life.
Makko sealed the troopers in the hold. They would be able to breach back out, but they would have a long way to trudge in the open now. With what time he had, Makko turned the AT-AT's guns towards the walker in front of him.
Red bolts flashed across the white field as he targeted the rear legs of the walker in front.
Arkania System High Orbit Interdiction Battlegroup Reef Home
Reshmar looked over the sensor data scrolling down the edge of his power armor's heads-up displays. The Imperial force had ignored them for the most part, choosing to hold its position and concentrate on assisting the planetary assault. “Captain. Prepare to lock down the system,” said Reshmar, doing his final analysis of the tactical situation before him. A Destroyer was moving away from the imperial formation to concentrate on penetrating the planetary shield. He looked over at another screen and addressed the fleet's CAG.
“Commander. Have Adsertor launch her bomber wing with a squadron to escort. Move them into the atmosphere to engage that destroyer.” The officer nodded and gave the orders to the Concordia-class cattier in position to Reef Homes' port flank. He turned his gaze back to the main holo display, then spoke again. “Captain, engage the Tsunami array. Let's make sure no one calls for help. Have Abolere engage one of her abolisher field generators and cycle them to keep the system closed,” Reshmar looked to see an incoming message from Charrs AI friend. He read the message, then watched as the man's cruisers began to engage. “ He sighed, went to rub the bridge of his nose, forgetting the power armor. Reshmar jerked his hand away from his helm and returned his attention to the holo display. Very well, he would do as the AI requested and took in the remaining destroyers in the Imperial Armada. “Tactical, give me a solid targeting solution on that second Destroyer, ordered Reshmar. A moment later, a voice informed him that the vessel had been locked and targeted. Reshmar looked over the telemetry and then spoke. “ Captain, order the Concordia and Adsertor to target the destroyer and fire her neutron cannons,” The man stared at Reshmar for a moment, then turned to give the order.
Sensor signals began to appear on the holo display as the thirty-six bombers and their fighter escort grouped up and began to move towards the destroyer over the besieged world. The small group sped away, clearing the edge of the safe zone before the four massive Mjolnir Neutron Cannons fired at the destroyer. The light constant beams crossed the distance instantly, converting into a slug of infinite matter at the speed of light. They flash from the impact filled the forward display like a sun for a moment. Reshmar blinked as his visor cleared and allowed him to see once again. “Inform the AI we acknowledge his request.”
Kyric crested the bluff and rounded out to Wymar's left. The kiffar was surprised to see the stormtroopers continue their march for Fort Tagge with the Jedi Knight poised to face their commander, but the feeling didn't last very long. One man trapped out on the tundra wouldn't be the difference between victory and defeat. Not with the likes of Prowler II, Dynas, and Solan Charr singlehandedly impacting the entire battlefield. Those were key targets in taking Arkania. Kyric served a different purpose entirely.
Seconds before Wymar launched his assault, an image flashed within Kyric's mind.
Bernard stood with his back to the temple. Two Sith faced him, one familiar, the other less so. The nautolan Fallen Jedi wore the same cruel smile Kyric saw in his nightmares during his time in captivity. Battle raged elsewhere behind them. He heard echoes of ancestral enemies locked in their eternal war, but he couldn't see them, no. All he could determine from his bond with Bernard was the danger the old Jedi Master faced.
Wymar's blade pierced the haze. It hummed with dark power, scything out for Kyric's neck with pinpoint accuracy. The Jedi Knight stepped back. His ankle dragged through the snow and sent him tumbling away from the strike. The Dark Jedi course corrected immediately, forcing Kyric to throw his viridescent blade out in a wide parry to avoid dismemberment, instead. He hit the snow with his upper back and rolled away, springing back up onto his feet just as the sprawling lightning crashed into him.
Pain swept through Kyric as his muscles spasmed. He lifted his free hand between the two like a barrier and began to absorb the incoming energy. The Jedi stared directly into where he approximated Wymar's eyes to be, jaw clenched in a mixture of tenacity and focus.
"It ain't their banner I fight for," Kyric spat. "It's the people who'll suffer under yer Emperor's rule who I can't abandon. Not now. Not ever."
Kyric prepared to release his own web of emerald lighting in answer to his opponents assault, but a distant force fell upon the struggling Jedi Knight from what felt like nowhere.
Solan Charr's ritualistic drain seeped into Kyric's body and stole his strength. He fell to a knee and struggled desperately to keep his concentration on the energy manipulation, absorbing what little he could manage to keep from falling from the two-pronged assault of both his enemy and his ally.
This time, he wasn’t limited to the doctrines of concealment, not like his entry to Coruscant. Outfitted with his padded uniform lined with a harness draped and weighted with the tools to see his mission’s end. The Marksman broke off from the others to station himself upon the southern half of the Workshop’s outer premises, selecting a suitable vantage point to be his nest.
Half a click away, he resided at the upper rise of a hill, screened by a mixture of trees and thick foliage. The cold barrel of his rifle nestled neatly upon a torn log half-sunken into the dirt. Behind it sat the marksman, who lay upon his side, peeking just around the log and surveying the area with a slow scan through his macrobinoculars.
As for the end of the perimeter he couldn’t cover, he deployed a scouting probe to take a similar positioning at the opposite flank. While he may not be able to act upon all areas of the workshop’s exterior immediately, he can have his eyes set upon them, as per the Zealot’s wish.
Da’Razel, the first superior that the marksman has worked with on a repeated occasion. Why him? Perhaps it was faith that guided this dark-spirited Devaronian to enact Kelig as his guardian. But faith was never something Kelig believed in; orders, on the other hand, were. And the Zealot’s spirited direction was just that.
Good enough.
By the time Vireth and Da’Razel entered the Workshop, the surveillance was set, covered by the sniper and his probe.
A singular comms pulse noting enemy activity inside the workshop, with no reply given. Ward kept his eyes fixed on the workshop, watching for allies, enemies, or the unknown. Smoke billowed from the workshop’s architecture, a note of the violence commenced inside, or so he assumed.
Still, the sniper held his patience. His vigilance.
Khefiir took form with effort on the plains of Arkania. This had felt like a critical moment, and he'd found since his death that a spirit could do much in such situations. Encourage, distract, teach, warn. Some Jedi on Arkania were the students of his students. He meant to push that tenuous connection for all of was worth. Will of the Force be damned.
But manifesting was a hard challenging today. He felt, and he didn't feel often. Specifically he felt cold.
He'd tasted the vile Sith art of life-draining once or twice while he was mortal, but never at this scale. The nearest people, units of Imperial soldiers, were falling dead. With horror, Khefiir understood that the Alliance and its friends must have deployed this evil.
He felt very cold. Then, eventually, he felt nothing. By then he was scrambling to subsume his identity back into the currents of the Force and be gone, be nobody, be everywhere. Maybe he made it. Maybe.
Solan's eyes watched as the battle proceeded, as the enemy continued their push and as his droids continued their defense. The separated forces under the command of men like Gavin Restur
exchanging small scale counter assault while Magdalena Bloodscrawl
seemed to be pushing forward. The IFF transponders that soldiers had been given so that his droids could differentiate them would be helpful as well to let him know the risk of certain actions. For example, the inbound Interceptors would need to hold position in the rear for now and provide anti air suppression considering the presence of Magdalena Bloodscrawl
and now Kylass Starhaven
who he had been informed was on one of the AT-ATs.
Wide enemy suppression of movement was out of the question, meaning the Seismic Charges that he had ordered brought up would remain unused for the moment and instead could be used to target something else. He considered those options but was given notice that the AT-ATs were still proceeding forward, taking none of his call for surrender. It was then that the comms crackled to life and a wide area message was delivered in return for his request of surrender. He was disappointed, knowing that the words of the man were fair and that he had no valid retort for what they must have suffered.
"The one who responded over an open line, There is no valid excuse for what you suffered. I have slaughtered plenty of slavers and Brynadul for the very things you have suffered. But know that supporting a Empire who seeks to create weapons of mass destruction, that uses thousands in an assault on a civilian structure, that would just as soon use the people of the galaxy for its experiments and tyranny is no better. I understand the wish for Order, Peace and Freedom, for those who have committed great evils to suffer retribution, and I wish to be able to ensure that Justice is dealt in time. But, you have chosen to side with those who will do nothing to actually stop such acts if it means further domination of your common man." He would respond, knowing that it likely would achieve nothing but he could not leave such a open call for hatred unanswered.
And in a way, that compatriot of Thomas Barran
only fed Solan's power. With each second as more hatred grew, as more death flooded the field of battle, and as more fear took over, Solan would latch onto it like a Parasite. His form further unsightly and inhuman as he turned, leaving the Outpost and taking only with him a single communicator to interact with Nida Vaal. His voice crackling to life, CT-312
and Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra
hearing the following words as Solan gave a final order before he would need to focus.
"Commander Vaal, Ensure that these Imperials do not cross the Trenches. Inform those who have pushed forward about what is coming." He would leave it there, pausing for a moment before speaking once more.
"I am sorry, oh Planet of Arkania and the life beneath our feet. I cannot allow them to come closer." He spoke, looking out over the snowy plains, letting Magdalena Bloodscrawl
and Kylass Starhaven
feel what was coming next.
For Prowler II
and Tiberius Zaarin
, the feeling would be like an emptiness. A nothingness spreading out in an instant, flooding over the Imperial Soldiers and a deathly chill all too different from the simple cold of the air filling the ground infront of the trenches. Solan's body and form simply ceased, no heart beat or warmth coming from him. His breath gone and instead a ghostly hand reached out apart from his body. It called out to the dying men and the souls around the Imperial Walkers. The two walkers that had been struck feeling the pull as their wounded would be called to Solan.
Ko Vuto
's efforts not far from Solan would be felt as well, the Kel Dor would feel nothing but dark nothingness coming from Solan's direction, the force itself being devoured infront of the man as the very ground seemed to become devoid of even color itself. Tendrils of dark energy reaching out, spreading over the ground like a corruptive evil that threatened to eat the very planet away itself. Solan's dark sorcery sapping away every hint of life and warmth from that place.
Sharad Dhavale
would witness soldiers not far from him simply falling dead, being drained of their life, a simple nothingness being felt but Sharad himself spared from the dark nihility that sapped away the very breath of his cohorts. Some even seeming to be drained and their forms falling and crumpling infront of Sharad. There was no softness to it, only a simple snap and the life gone from them while Solan's reach continued to expand out across the field.
Even those in the Temple, like that of Dangal Olderem
, Khronas
, Darth Apophion
, Corazona von Ascania
, Voldran Molf
, Zark San Tekka
and Jacen Voidstalker
would feel that dark pull, that wish to surrender to the nothingness but it was directed away from them and the temple. Aimed instead for the main contingent of the Imperial Forces, pulling away at the very souls that stood before the Alliance forces.
This would continue to spread, unhindered and without halt, aiming to reach as far as possible, to reach to the very core of the Imperial forces. To cull any who stood before the Alliance Forces. Solan had offered surrender, and should they surrender he will stop, but until that point he will continue to drain each and every one of his enemies, all who stood before the Alliance on this field of battle. He would continue until interruption, or until they have surrendered to his forces and his allies. None shall leave this plain alive otherwise.
Nida watched, seeing the progression of the battle and thus far the successful attempt to keep them away from the Shield Generators. The Imperials have largely been stalled out and with their use of a Destroyer's strike it hindered the progression of imperial forces. The Droids of the Alliance Forces had little to no reason to leave their trenches or the Fort. Even now the Imperials did not threaten to overtake the trenches, and instead Nida could progress with operations properly. It was only when Solan's message came through that a saddened look touched her face.
She did not wish to accept that his use of that power had become common place. Since the battle on Kesh two decades before, he had become familiar with the use of Force Drain, especially the component of it involving the life force of others. The power had become something he employed without much thought, and it was only the antithesis of his wish to bring life and peace. The corruptive time spent as a Dark Spirit, his barely living form in all honesty, it hurt her to see her King in such a state of being and reason.
But, he has not forgotten his humanity yet. She was given the order to ensure he died if he should ever forget that and turn on his own.
"Alliance forces forward of the Trenches, Evacuate to a safe location away from the primary Imperial Forces. Artillery and Force Support will be launched soon, and we cannot ensure your safety." The message was mostly for the recently arrived Kylass Starhaven
and the forward pushing Magdalena Bloodscrawl
, though if they were capable enough then her Lord's sorcery wouldn't be as much a worry. As for her part.
"Jedi Master Dynas. Provide additional support to the Hyperion Heavy Artillery Droids. They will be firing in sixty seconds." She offered to the Jedi Master, crossing her hands behind her back and holding the Datapad tightly.
"And Jedi Master... Soldier... I apologize for what you see next." She would state. It would be soon after that Solan's actions would start to happen. From this position the wave of death would be all too clear. The mass loss of life, the reaping of souls on a cold and apathetic level. There was no excusing what they would see as she looked out over the field of battle, as she understood what she was seeing was simply the result of war and the Imperials thinking their domination of the galaxy was a pre-destined right. Her eyes turning down and away for a moment as her own abilities in the force left her sick to feel the nothingness that spread out infront of the trenches.
"My Lord is no Jedi, and he has the best in mind for the Galaxy. But his death and rebirth has allowed him to become too familiar with that ability. If you could forgive him for the use of something like that to ensure the least amount of our soldiers lose their lives." She would look over, almost as if pleading them to not hold his actions against the rest of the defenders. Solan did after all take his duty to the furthest extreme in terms of dealing with those around him.
And she had a duty all the same.
"Hyperion Heavy Artillery, fire. Bring down the AT-ATs." After a moment of wait, the blast would sound. The Mass Driver Cannons, railguns with a single destructive purpose, would fire. The shots screaming through the sky as the sound of each round breaking the sound barrier echoed across the valley. Imperial forces would feel as the rounds impacted, slamming into AT-ATs, Lighter Vehicles, and the ground around them. Magnetically accelerated rounds rupturing armor and tearing through durasteel without mercy or thought behind each shot as the droids continued to fire.
This was not a single volley either. As Prowler II
and Tiberius Zaarin
would find themselves assaulted with volley after volley, the autoloaders fashioned into the droids ensuring a constant and thundering barrage continued.
"Screechers, continue your wide area barrage. High Explosive Missiles to ensure the enemy do not escape on foot." True to her word, as apathetic as the Hyperions or Solan's actions, the Missiles would screech across the skies of the battlefield. Landing indescriminately around the imperial advance and wiping away any life that thought to escape on foot. Nida would turn her eyes on this wave of fire and death, ensuring that each life taken was witnesssed and they had been snuffed out without a complete disconnection between human and machine.
"Soldier... Ashe was it. Is this what you expected today?" She looked over, the dark look in her eyes the sight of someone who had ordered strikes like this a thousand times before. After all, Kesh and its people had spent the last two decades not simply pushing the Brynadul out of the sector in the far reaches of the Outer Rim. They had culled them, wiped out every hint of Brynadul from the surrounding worlds and essentially saw them as nothing more than a pest. A genocide of likely millions over the last two decades had created this unfeeling droid army that answered to the Dark King of Kesh.
"Or is this not how a war should be prosecuted. Should we have made more effort to simply disarm and seek their surrender? Or is their campaign of fear and destruction worth this, does it warrant such destruction?" She waited, letting CT answer before her gaze moved past CT. The presence of Lysander von Ascania
causing a sense that something was off. Nida had surved long enough to know what a change in the force felt like, and while the use of Force Cloak hide the specifics, it still left an strange flow to the force.
"Hmm... Legionnaires, ensure security around the Generator is heightened... and if any of our guests are likely to go missing. Ensure that their knowledge does not leave this place." She would speak into a communicator with the rear guard of the Shadow Legion. The words only heard by CT-312
and Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra
who was near her at the time and not a ally wide frequency.
POV: Project Adam
Location: Onboard the Star of Kesh's Command Deck
Adam kept his gaze on the Imperial Destroyers, noticing one of them fire down below in low orbit, something that caught his eye and made him smile. They would be stuck in a situation where they would be unlikely to respond quickly as it took a very slow approach to pierce through a planetary shield and be in range to do something like that. This meant the Imperial Forces in space should be separated and hindered in aiding eachother quickly.
And with the arrival of Admiral Reshmar, that was all that was needed.
"Admiral Reshmar, I think now would have the highest success of an engagement. An imperial destroyer separated from the others in order to get under the Planetary Shield and to strike the ground of the battle below. If we act now while you activate the Abolisher and Jamming arrays, we can defeat them in detail while we have the opportunity." He would wait only long enough for a response from the Admiral before nodding to his own bridge staff. The three ships were nothing on the surface, but as the imperials would soon find out, looks could be decieving.
Ailuros
would be informed that the strike was beginning, that the cruisers were moving forward. They had stayed out of maximum effective range so far, but in no way were they far enough for them to enter that range to be more than a few minutes. The cruisers approaching the remaining Destroyer complement, taking an approach that would allow them to link up with Reshmar's own forces as they did.
It took about fifteen minutes, five more than the activation of the Abolisher and the Jamming arrays. They would reach the point where fire could begin as they aligned their weapons, not relying on the use of turbolaser fire yet as Adam smiled and spoke.
"Fire all Maser and Mass Drivers, and loose the first salvo." The words would echo throught he bridge and soon ADM. Reshmar
would be greeted to the sight of what kind of weapons Solan preferred in his ships. The rippling of missiles would be seen from the two Hellfires, 110 Heavy Warheads with 90 Warheads screening infront of them, launched in a single volley at a Star Destroyer as the ships continued their approach.
In concert with the initial volley, the Star of Kesh would unleash its full forward facing complement of weapons. Eight Heavy Long Range Maser Batteries crying to life as they fire at the bridge of the Star Destroyer, Long Range Ion Cannon fire aiding as the weapons aimed to rip through the Imperial Shields and to cut the head off the snake. Mass Drivers ripped through the openness of space and impacted along the sides of the supporting craft near the Destroyers while fifteen more Heavy Warhead tubes unloadeded on the enemies. Dropships were beginning to be scrambled, ready to land on any destroyers that have lost command and control in order to sieze them as Solan all too loved to do when he was in command of his ships.
A fact that Adam would receive disappointment for if the Legionnaires did not get the opportunity to board and steal the enemy Destroyers as Solan insisted was necessary for the protection of the Outer Rim by using such ships when at all possible.
He often found his master's need for such tactics tiring.
"Admiral Reshmar. The Primary Destroy is being focused on by my forces, support with the the elimination of smaller craft supporting the Destroyer, or striking the secondary Destroyer." He would hope that Reshmar already had that in mind, but there was always a chance for miscommunication.
"My vessels lack fighter support, if you could provide Picket aid as well, that would be appreciated." With that, the battle for the skies began.
The undead he was conjuring up at first started slow as the spell was just being in effect, but as time went on, they went from walking, shambling corpses to full-on running and sprinting,If they died with a weapon in hand and were brought back they would wildly without accuracy of any kind start shooting at their former comrade in arms no longer capable of stopping or controlling their actions they only had the mindset of attacking those who used to be their allies as Skorvek maintained his spell he added a little twist to them, some of the dead would run up and latch onto whatever vehicles they could find and seem to glow before they exploded as if they were turned into walking grenades to cause as much chaos and damage within the ranks as they can muster.
Meanwhile Skorvek himself decided to finally join the field as he felt the death wave that Solan unleashed attack the imperial lines,all that meant for him was a mass amount of more undead to call forth as the lord of the dead was now engaged in battle attacking the imperial line with his spear as he began cutting and carving through the lines with the rest of the GA forces as he unleashed a massive wave of lightning towards the empire line aiming for their walkers and support craft if any are hit they would feel the potency of the lightning shorting out electronics damaging armor crippling some..destroying others and soldiers fried by the lightning who would only later be brought into the undead horde that was now forming.
This was the first time Skorvek used such things in such capacity since he ripped open a gate to the netherworld itself, but he knew he needed to do much to support and destroy the enemy that was marching upon the ice.
As Dynas channeled with little resistance, his body began to shift—metal whirring, gears sliding, plates reforming into something greater. The ritual's reach was boundless, touching every machine in its grasp. Circuits, gears, engines—all fell beneath its influence. Even Epyon, no mere chassis, bent and reshaped under his command.
This was not a base function. No other Shard could will such change. A sapphire light crowned him, the mark of his mastery—the sign of one who spoke the language of the inorganic.
At CT-312's question, Dynas' voice hummed through the glow.
"Through this ritual, I seize the threads of every machine on this field. When it is finished, they will answer to me. And through me, to the Alliance. You must have felt it within your own body, soldier."
At the Ground Commander's request, he adjusted his focus, pouring strength into the artillery droids, gifting them with power beyond their design.
"It is done. Their systems overclocked, their fire honed beyond intended limits."
The light from his body flared brighter, a beacon of crystalline blue, blazing across the snowfields—a signal to friend and foe alike. A rallying flame for allies. A radiant warning to enemies.
"I am familiar with the dealings of the dark, commander. But if it is deemed necessary to help uphold the virtues of freedom and autonomy, then I will not condemn your lord's actions."
Then his tone shifted.
"…I am detecting alterations in enemy neural chemistry and brain wave pattern. Their aggression has spiked. Tread carefully—push them back, but do not underestimate them."
ALLIES: Temporary overclocking of key systems, adaptive shield modulation against enemy fire patterns, automated targeting prioritization.
ENEMIES: Power throttled further by activation of safety triggers. Simultaneous disruptions in targeting, movement, and resource management. Command relays experience severe latency spikes.
With her request to begin more meaningful negotiations with the Alliance Senators nearby approved, Dayna gave a stiff formal bow to the Grand Moff and exited the Confederation's pod. The short walk to Senator Feanor's neighboring pod was filled with retrospective thought on her recent actions.
She had fallen into the trap laid by the "false" Imperials. She had allowed them to get under her skin AND elicit a reaction. Dayna had been disciplined enough not to let the whole meeting know she had been weak, but the Grand Moff knew and that was enough. Was she allowed to seek out the Alliance because he didn't want her near a Confederation microphone? Was this a chance to redeem herself? Or did she even matter that much? She was an aid, her role was to give information and advice when asked. Her discipline would only affect how she rose in the Empire.
As she approached the opening to Senator Feanor's pod Dayna noticed the Senator struggling a bit. Dayna stepped towards the Senator's aid and showed her hands with a genuine smile. "Things seem to be going rather poorly with those guys out there. Perhaps I could convince the Senator to form a smaller group to discuss how the Alliance and the Confederation can help each other?" the Supervisor was careful not to use the word Empire. That was the ultimate goal of the Confederation, but for now they were much closer to the Alliance than the two forboding empires of chaos the galaxy knew.
Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal Bounty Hunter License: Link Seeking Bounties on: x | x | x @Jacen Voidstalker Toggle on: Verified
The cold gnawed at Skye's bones, but it wasn't the elements that made her skin clammy beneath the armor. That pulse of hers continued to hammer in her ears in that quick staccato beat that clawed at her mind while she had to force the faint tremor in her hands so she could curl them into fists.
Through the visor, she locked on the Jedi's silhouette. Even without sensing the Force anymore, she could tell he was calm and centered despite the obvious reason for her presence, and she hated the ease of it.
[ You Browncoats always talked too much. ] Her voice came out harder than she meant, carrying an edge stripped bare by the ache in her skull.
She shifted a step closer, snow crunching underfoot. The blaster stayed at her side, but the twitch of her fingers betrayed how close she was to drawing. Every second she waited, the itch clawing through her veins screamed louder.
The hunt wasn't just about credits anymore. It was survival.
And in this case, in the next second, Skye Mertaal definitely shot first -- unholstering the Ssi-ruu ion paddle beamer to send a thin silver beam at Jacen's in an attempt to paralyze him in place.
