Invasion Fade To Black | GE Invasion of GA Held Arkania, Champala, & Ord Lithone

[Kylass Starhaven]

BACK AT THE HIRATA ESTATE...

PRELUDE TO ICE & FIRE POST 2​

|Location| Hirata Estate - Lightsworn Enclave, Atrisia
|Current Objective| Attend Lightsworn Debriefing
|Tags for Proximity| Pak Jaehyun | Jin Taeyang | Henna Ashina | Jannik Morlandt | Corr

A heavy silence followed the end of Senator Parthi’s speech. The weight of the intruding quiet sank into the main manor within the Hirata Estate, filled every space, and embalmed the gathering of the Lightsworn in a suffocating unease.

Lady Henna Ashina laid bare the situation and the stakes. No one knew more than Kylass what had befallen the New Jedi Order, and in turn the Galactic Alliance, she had seen it before. It was almost poetic how history rhymed with itself, and how the present became a ruthless memory of a relived past.

She was young the last time it happened. The last time the Jedi Council and the Order relinquished their roles as protectors of the realm and defenders of the faith of Light and good. The Lightsworn however, were in no position to take up that heavy mantle as they were now.

Their numbers were few, their positions stretched, and their resources strained across vulnerable lines of supply. Kylass had already seen how the starships used by the Lightsworn to ferry arms and refugees were ravaged. Captain Tolin’s battered Wake of Balmorra, had become more battlescared than her old Delta-7 with its lengthy service in the frontlines of the wars against the old dark foes of the Maw and Dark Empire.

But, in the grim silence, a slight grin began to pull at the edge of Kylass’ firm and flatlined lips. She had some hope that the Lady of Hirata would invoke what the Lightsworn had been founded on; that covenant of absolute zeal against the Dark.

The grin grew into a larger smile when others added to the sentiments on the duty of resistance to the rising might of this new Dark Lord’s Galactic Empire.

But honoring duty alone will not stop the dark. Honor and bravery without means of preservation or victory is the strategy of martyrs and martyrs are only useful when there are those left to carry on the fight.

Would the New Jedi Order and what was left of the Alliance’s political will carry on if the Lightsworn dashed themselves against the rocks of the Empire? She doubted it. This was no time for martyrdom. The Jedi needed leadership, not more dead heroes. Kylass thought of her own fallen Master. She had, had enough of venerating the fallen in tucked away enclaves.

Kylass stepped forward and walked up from behind Jannik as he finished his level-headed approach. She paced through the ring of Lightsworn and their allies who had crowded around Lady Henna.

Kylass emerged to the front, unwinding her crossed arms to place her four Arkanian digits on her waist, with the other hand, resting on the pommel of her saber.

“That which was long divided, must unite,” Kylass began as she came to a stop right before Lady Henna. “That which was long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been," she continued. “My Master taught me this bit of Atrisian Wisdom on the cycles of history, of Empires, Alliances, and the Force.”

Kylass eyed Lady Henna and then passed her gaze down the crowd of Lightsworn. “That divide is coming, perhaps it is already here,” said Kylass. “How long has it been since the Core was united by the Alliance when it cast out the One Sith?...Now the Core is lost, and the Empire is primed to fully cleave one half of the Alliance from the other. Although, now we may be resolved to stymie this rupture here and now, in this battle to come…still yet, that which was long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been. We should be careful in being the collateral to a division so near its completion, and we do not spend our strength for winning a battle, to then lose the war. This intervention will cost us a price we are already in debt to pay.”

Kylass sighed, then smiled. She finished her silvery eyes’ sweep of the Lightsworn and returned to watch Lady Henna. “My Master also shared with me the wisdom, that the Light does not discriminate where and onto whom its bright beams land,” said Kylass. “The wheel of time turns, and the cycles continue of division and unification. But let it be known to the Empire, the Alliance, and the Galaxy at large, that the Lightsworn were there to meet the Darkness. The cost we pay here will be met by those we conjure to our banners when the time for a greater counterattack dawns on us.”

Kylass paused and narrowed her gaze at Lady Henna. “You but only give the call to muster,” she said.

“You have my saber.”

​

​

​

 

[Selrik Lorcas]

“Amusing,” he said as he stepped to his place in the pod, his own guards left OUTSIDE of the chamber in order to be respectful. “See if you can find out more about those Galactic Empire delegates.”

This was clearly a directive to the younger representative, Dayna, and not spoken aloud to all present. His eyes surveyed the grandness of the room, taking in the sights of those present along with the size of the chamber. He could admire grand architecture, even if it was related to a governmental system he despised as it bred wanton waste and inaction more often than it did order and the strength necessary to lead. At the least, these people realized the truth of the galaxy around them, that they had a mutual enemy that needed to be dealt with before they destroyed everything.

He did not take a seat, choosing to stand with his hands clasped behind his back as his eyes drifted from the senators and other Alliance representatives to fall upon the members of the Galactic Empire’s delegation. The presence of a soldier did not bother him. Were they needed, his Sentinels could enter and dispatch any threat at a moment's notice. He felt no reason to worry.

But he did clear his throat and activate the pods mic.

“All do respect to the senators and representatives of the Alliance, but you make a mistake when you treat these members of the Galactic Empire as Imperials.”

He let what he said linger for just a second.

“Imperials are reasonable, logical people who ultimately share a similar goal to that of the Alliance: peace. Our methods to achieving it may differ, but the goal does remain the same and it is common ground between us. The people before you, the ones that demand capitulation after a single victory against you, an act of pure arrogance with little teeth, do not seek peace. Sycophants rarely do, and I assure you that is what these people are. Only sycophants would follow a ‘galactic’ ‘emperor’ who rules no galaxy. Only sycophants would follow a man who twice before failed to achieve dominion of the galaxy and disappeared when it got tough for him.

“Solipsis is no Emperor; just a Sith playing at empire. One need only see the tantrums he threw at Cademimu V and Ord Cantrell as evidence of this. A legitimate emperor would not engage in such childish antics, but they are common amongst Sith. The people before you are nothing more than lapdogs and yes men who crawl back to him every time he reappears. Without him they are nothing and with him they are less than nothing.”

He stared at the delegation from the Galactic Empire without flinching. His poise was perfect, measured, hailing from years of experience in the theater of politics and leadership, not to mention true Imperial doctrine.

“I may not have a perfect understanding of the system of the Alliance government, but these people who make demands of you represent an illegitimate government that has openly engaged in acts of terrorism. I would think there was a law within your government demanding a response to that.”

At this point he yielded the floor back to everyone else and stepped back beside Dayna so that they could converse quietly.

“Find anything?”

OUTFIT: Moff Standard | GEAR: Blaster Pistol | COMPANIONS: Imperial Sentinels x4
TAGS: Dayna Rhyss | Alexandra Feanor | Arsenio Tagge | Feridade Parthi | Kroeger | Redak Boyd | Runar Ævar | Janus Vipsanius ​

 

[Skye Mertaal]

Bounty Hunter Name: Skye Mertaal
Bounty Hunter License: Link
Seeking Bounties on: x | x | x @Jacen Voidstalker
Toggle on: Verified
Post #2

A lone starfighter shimmered against the pale sweep of the mountains, and Skye's eyes narrowed behind the visor. Coordinates locked, she banked the Shadow Phoenix in a wide arc, Stygian cloak holding, and tracked the craft to a wind-scoured plateau.

The Huntress set down a klick away, the terrain hiding her approach. Cloaked and silent, she kept the Phoinox's slave circuits at the ready just in case. A quick scan of public records pointed to Alliance or Jedi. Either one could be worth months of credits.

Rising from the pilot's chair, she felt the cold sweat on her back and the faint tremor in her fingers. Clammy skin, hollow ache behind her grey eye, and that red glowing cybernetic eyepatch -- early withdrawal creeping in. She pushed through it, strapping on her harness, checking every weapon, Anti Force gear, and grenades once. Twice.

The Taozin nodule lay cool against her collarbone as she stepped into the wind, keeping low. The plateau was her destination, but distance and the environment would be her shield... since patience and utter willpower were the only things keeping her upright.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

“Bwoo-dweet beep-bwoo bwoo-dweet bwee-bwoo, Bwoo-dweet, bwoo-dweet bwee bwoo-beep bwoo-dwoop-bwee. Bwoo-dwee-bwoo bwoo-dweet bwee-bwoo bwoo-dweet bwoo beep-bwoo.”

Caelan heard the call over his comlink and knew that the fire was real. Whomever had forced Fate out of the system was now trying to manipulate the path forward for the scientists that he’d brought with him. Undoubtedly they had access to the stations full schematics since they were capable of turning on security measures in such a way. That ultimately left him at a disadvantage in knowing where they could be routed through. Even though Fate could figure it out, he, Caelan, could not see it and study the potential outcomes.

“Fate, take out the cameras around you with your blaster.”

"Bwoop-bwoop bwoop-beep bwoo bwee-bwee, beep."

Fate scanned for the nearby cameras and quickly placed well aimed shots directly into them in order to disable them. After doing so, he felt the ground moving and quickly skittered towards the nearest corridor to look down it.

"Bwoo, bwoop-bwee? Bwee-bwoo - bwoo - - - beep beep bwoop-bwoop bwee-beep - bwoo."

Caelan thought for a moment, but was interrupted before he could continue.

"Bwoo. Bwoo bwoo bwoo - bwoo bwoop-bwee bwoo bwoo - -bwoo bwoo - beep bwoo. Bwoop-beep bwoo bwoo bwoo."

“Good,” Caelan said into his comlink. “Let me know how it goes.”

While Fate began transmitting a signal meant to override the orders of the cargo droid, Caelan pinpointed a likely source among the handful of loaners within the facility, a person dressed in fire equipment utilizing systems in an office environment. This seemed out of place to him and was worth checking. If they weren’t the right person, he’d move on.

Yes, he’d felt the changes in his room, knew the door was locked, but he also had anticipated that being the case. He didn’t plan to utilize the corridors or the ducts. There was a trick that he’d seen used by Master Noble and some others, mainly the Shadows, and he figured now was as good a time as any to employ it.

Allowing the Force to flow through him, and taking a deep breath of oxygen so he wouldn’t need to breathe again for a while, he allowed the molecules of his body to change, and WALKED THROUGH THE WALL IN FRONT OF HIM.

---

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Ines Pen-Ar-Lan ​

 

[Wymar]

P E N I T E N T
THE GALACTIC EMPIRE
Battle Armor [MODIFIED] | Lightsaber
501st STORMTROOPER LEGION | 1st BN, 327th STRM RGMNT
1st ARMORED ASSAULT | DIVARMOR | 'BLIZZARD FORCE'
GE | Tiberius Zaarin | Meliant
FOCUS | Kyric​

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BORN IN WINTER​

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ARKANIA
902 ABY
GALACTIC ALLIANCE​

The hulking mechanical movements of the armored beast's towering legs were audible even through the troop bay doors of the walker. A slow foreboding heft of a limb before its armored foot depressed into the frozen earth, the crackle of snow inaudible in the shadow of the the AT-AT. He sat on one of the many seats accomodating the 40 or so Snowtroopers crammed into the belly of the mechanical monster. They each were conducting last second PCCs and PCIs of their weapon systems and equipment, pulling the cold weather hoods of their armor over the respirators, checking ammo packs and pulling on the full panoply of their arctic weather gear. The cobalt striping and finery of the 501st was abandoned in favor of a mere Legion number on the back of the helmets simply reading '501', allowing their otherwise argent equipment to blend into the arctic environment.

His saber was held in both gloved hands over his lap. A recent modification to the blade. The hilt was longer, meant to be wielded with both hands, with two metal prongs that would extend out to vent the crimson kyber into a crossguard. Once more he found himself divergent from the collective objective and aim of his Dark Side Elite counterparts. They sought to despoil the Temple of Arkania and again, Wymar didn't seem to hone himself in on the dogmatic, theological mission of the Empire's war machine. In it stead, amidst the troopers.

The chin mounted laser cannons beneath the beast's muzzle fired off a heavy burst into the fortifications surrounding the shield generator, each gun thrust back with recoil compensation of the massive influx of tibanna gas charging each shot. <"Never cared for 'at ats'. Too karking slow, clunky and easy to hit. Hell of an imposing presence, though."> Commander Grimm remarked, stepping in front of Wymar, nodding upward once to get the Knight's attention before he lofted the gaze of his sallet toward the Stormtrooper.

<"The walkers have all advanced past phase line 'Aurek'. Another hundred meters and I'm giving the command to dismount. We need to slip past the shields and overtake their defenses."> The plan was already briefed ad nauseum as it usually was in army matters, but it didn't hurt to affirm things were still on course.

<"I'll be joining you. You keep the troopers pressing forward...I am remisse to say my objective will deviate from the Legion's."> He said to his Imperial Stormtrooper counterpart as he rose to his feat from the jump seat. The Commander nodded a few times in acknowledgement. Typical of Wymar's sorts but he'd proven more useful than most of the others in Grimm's perspective. He at least didn't care to pontificate over his own greatness or dark prowess. He was a work horse if anything and they'd learned to trust one another's judgement.

The troop bay doors open and rappel lines uncoiled with a pressurized pull of the line toward the earth. The troopers mounted them in rows by section, hitting the snow pack and advancing, bounding by any means of cover when able toward the shield generator.

Wymar vaulted himself from the walker, landing with black boots depressing into the soft white before his gaze drew a skew to a familiar presence.

Alone. Desperate. Vulnerable.

As Kyric hoofed it from his escape pod, exhaustion mounting quickly with each heavy trudge through the snow, a black silhouette appeared in his vision as the Crestfallen stood still, his cloak swaying with the snowfall as he clutched his two handed saber across his hips. Waiting.

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Fade to Black

Caelan Valoren ​

Also tagging: Ronhar Tane Zuv Ralen Keilara Kala'myr Kelig Ward Vireth @other imperials att obj. 3

A troubled frown formed beneath her firefighter’s mask. The cute little droid had just produced a blaster and gunned down the cameras. Moments later, she received pings about conflicting commands being sent to the cargo droids she had tasked to transport the scientists to the storage area. "Clever" she mused whilst tilting her head to the side, tapping a finger rhythmically against her arm as she calculated her next move.

Shaking her head, she ultimately concluded that the best solution would be brute force. While the gunslinging little droid proved to be rather capable at sending the cargo droids conflicting commands, she had one big advantage: Access to the facility's own systems. Those would help her keep the droids in line - but the constant interference was bound to make them more sluggish and prone to clumsy mistakes. On top of that, it kept the Agent somewhat more busy as she now had to both keep track of the conflicting commands and everything else. Ines allowed herself to indulge in a bad habit as she bit her lip whilst doing what she could to keep everything in order. Still, it meant that the cargo droids would march on.

As if that weren't enough, a small beep alerted her to another door being tampered with. But this one was on the exterior ( Ronhar Tane ). Suppressing nerves and exasperation, Agent Pen-Ar-Lan tapped into the closest camera she could access. Unfortunately, the feed was already dead. Whether it had been tampered with or if it was just a normal malfunction was hard to tell. Regardless, there was only one thing left to do.

Activating her comms unit, she reached out to her fellow infiltrators. Her youthful yet professional voice could soon be heard in the earpieces of her fellow Imperials "This is Agent Pen-Ar-Lan. I am doing what I can to slow the Jedi down. He is locked down tight - the situation is under control for the time being. Something's going on at the northern entrance though, but I don't have eyes on it yet. Might be more Jedi."

Her gaze then snapped to the camera feed as she saw the Jedi enter the corridor leading to the office space from the wall. A barely audible "By the stars" left her lips as she shook her head in disbelief. Her training kicked in and she quickly recovered from the momentary idleness following the Jedi's impressive feat. "He just walked through a wall. I have to go." Her voice, while stressed, was still controlled and precise. Browsing through a few menus, the Agent closed a couple of fire doors in the middle and the end of the corridor and locked them tight. If nothing else, it might slow the Jedi down - or at least tire him out.

Even then, the Imperial Agent was likely involved in a dance far more dangerous than she realised. While many Jedi could sense someone's presence and perhaps even their intent, few knew how to also identify their target's clothing and their immediate surroundings. The person whom she had been dealing with was potent indeed.

[...]

Anyways, this is the first time I've encountered a Jedi outside of my normal infiltration assignments. Just like all the others, this one looked kind and caring. His droid - while annoying - was pretty cute too. Handling him though - no amount of training could have prepared me for that. He was clever enough to figure out I was messing with him, strong enough in the force to find me and powerful enough to MOVE THROUGH WALLS to get to me. At some point, it felt like my only chance was the gambit with the scientists. Just thinking about this makes my heart race - when the Jedi put their minds to it, they can be pretty scary.

[...]

 

[Redak Boyd]

Janus Vipsanius | Runar Ævar | Kroeger |
Cressida Tolliver | Lander Stalwart | Feridade Parthi | Alexandra Feanor | Arsenio Tagge

Redak’s interjection was delivered crisply and without quarrel from his counterparts, no matter their seniority. There was a unity in the delegation that made the flustered attempts of their hosts to regain composure look almost pitiful.

When the Minister’s nod came, Redak stepped forward and addressed the Senate floor.

“Senators, you know we have achieved total reclamation of the Core Worlds. The Grand Vizier expected responses worthy of the gravity of the Emperor’s offer. This ceasefire is not a negotiation. It is the only door left open to you, and it will not remain so for long.”

He turned his gaze on Moff Selrik.

“Who among us could forget the Imperial Confederation’s claim to the mantle of the Empire… a charming fiction, if only for its novelty. Perhaps the architects of Operation: Cinder spared your capital on New Alderaan not from mercy, but because one does not trouble to burn an anthill when the colony is already dying.”

His gloved hands tripped through the air, fingers acting like a small arachnid on the prowl.

“After all, one does not dispatch a Star Destroyer flotilla to swat at gnats on the edge of the galaxy, especially when those gnats are busily debating who among them is queen.”

He paused for just a moment.

“Your tradition is commendable, Moff. Keep it. One day it will amuse the historians who catalogue the eccentric remnants of failed pretenders to the throne.”

Then, to the entire assembly, his voice became colder.

“We have not come to exchange pleasantries or bargain like traders in the street. The Emperor’s terms are plain: you will recognise all worlds east of Imperial Center as Imperial sovereign territory. There are no other conditions. The only choice before you is whether you will do so now, or after the banners of the Empire are raised over your chamber.”

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
OBJECTIVE III: SHADOW PROTOCOL

"Almost done...there! I've gained access", Garhosl said to Ronhar as he and the rest of his squad posted up throughout the hallway, weapons drawn and ready to fire.

"Anything of value?", Ronhar asked Garhosl as the Storm Commando continued to fiddle with the terminal.

"Let me check...labor droid schematics...worker schedules...maintenance logs...I'm afraid not, sir", Garhosl replied as he finished his search.

"Very well. Delete the data and unplug. Let's move on to the next one."

Ronhar and his men had been making slow progress throughout the factory, looking for data terminals wherever they went. Whenever they encountered one, Ronhar had Garhosl slice into it and look for any useful data, anything that might benefit Mahporeem and the Imperial Confederation. If they found anything, Ronhar would have Garhosl copy the data down before deleting everything off the terminal. Even if the terminal didn't have anything Ronhar wanted, he still had the terminal's data deleted anyway, as he didn't want anyone to know who had accessed the terminal: whether they were Galactic Alliance or Galactic Empire.

Ronhar had already done this to a half dozen terminals, and if he were lucky, he would hit dozens more before the night was over.

Still, there was one thing in particular that Ronhar was looking for, something that he had not been able to get his hands on despite extensive searching all across Mahporeem. That item?

A Droideka!

Ronhar had heard tales of their effectiveness from wars past, how they instilled absolute fear toward any enemy attempting to fight them. Ronhar must have combed every inch of Mahporeem looking for one, and had even tried and failed to buy a working example on Bracca, with no success.

However, if any place was likely to have Droidekas or Droideka schematics, it would be this factory here. Ronhar wasn't exactly sure what armaments it had been producing prior to its shut down, but he was almost certain that the factory would have archives somewhere in it with Droidekas or Droideka schematics. He was determined to find out at any costs: anything else he found along the way would be a bonus.

Garhosl unplugged from the terminal, having wiped it completely clean. Ronhar and his men proceeded down the hallway. As Ronhar made his way forward, he thought he heard a noise above him. He looked up-just in time to see a security door slamming downwards toward him. Ronhar jumped backwards just in the nick of time, as a moment later the door slammed shut.

Ronhar sighed to himself. It had been a small miracle that no one had been crushed, but now his way forward was blocked. Luckly, he had a solution, one that was at least quiet if not particularly stealthy.

Ronhar pulled Burnblade from its back mounted scabbard and activated the weapon. The sword glowed red hot within a fraction of a second. Ronhar carefully thrust his weapon forward, the door melting on contact with the weapon's superheated blade. Ronhar pressed the sword through the door until it reached to the hilt, and then began cutting a large circle. He created a cut out large enough to squeeze a man through before deactivating his weapon and resheathing it, taking great pains to carefully remove the now separate section of the security gate without making too much sound. Ronhar gripped both sides of the removed section, using his great strength to tear the security gate apart. Having successfully done so, he put the removed section of security gate against the wall and squeezed through the opening, followed closely behind by his Storm Commandos and Wookiee Troopers.

After all, he didn't have any time for delays!

TAGS:
Ines Pen-Ar-Lan
Caelan Valoren
Da'Razel
OPEN

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Caelan stepped through the wall and into another corridor, which he knew meant that whomever was watching was likely to see him on a different set of cameras. Security was good to have, but it sure was annoying when turned against him. Regardless, he walked through the wall in front of him and into another office, which would remove him from her view, and he continued this as he headed in the direction of where she was. It took a lot of focus, and frankly it tingled in a weird way, but it was kind of cool to walk through a wall. He wasn’t sure exactly how many people were capable of that, but he found it thrilling. She didn’t have long before he’d reach her.

Fate, meanwhile, was in a whole other predicament. While he was able to broadcast conflicting commands to the droids, which certainly slowed them down, it wasn’t overriding them the way that he wanted it to.

"Bwoop-bwoo beep-bloop beep-bwee. Beep dweep-dweet beep-bwoop dweep-bwoo bwee dweet?" he asked, looking back at the scientists.

They conferred amongst themselves for a moment and then one of them spoke, “We could try sealing them off from us? This blast door shut because of a fire on the other side. Maybe we start one in front of the droids and let the facility stop them for us.”

"Beep dweet-dweep bwoop-beep dweep beep bweep-boop dweet? Boop dweep-bwoo bloop-bwoo dweep-bwoo dwoop dweep-bwoo bwee-beep dwoop dweep-dweet beep-bwoop beep bwoop-boop beep-bwoop bweep-dweet bloop boop bloop boop-bloop dweep dwoop-bweep dweet bwee."

“No, no grenades, unfortunately, but clothing does burn and I have some alcoholic Icebrew.”

"Bwee-boop. Dweep-dweet beep-bwoop dweep dweet-bweep bwoo-bwee, bwoop-boop dweep-dweet dwoop-dweep dweet boop bweep bwee dwoop-bloop?"

“Uh… yes?”

"Bwoo-bloop bwoo-dweep bwee dwoop beep-bwoop boop-dwoop boop-bwoop. Boop-bloop bwee, bwoop-beep bwee boop. Bloop bwee bloop bweep."

The scientist reached into his bag and pulled out the flask of Icebrew. Fate knew that Caelan wouldn’t have approved of them carrying around the alcoholic variety while they were working, but in this circumstance it was beneficial. One of the others tore a strip of cloth from his own clothing and stuffed it into the bottle before Fate tottered over and lit it for them. Wasn’t quite as good as a grenade, but at least it had an accelerant. That would get a good blaze going, certainly enough to seal a blast door.

The scientist tossed it just far enough to smash into one of the droids and spray all over, causing a good flame to set in and the door between them to slam shut.

"Bloop, bwoo dweep-bwoo. Dweet dwoop-bweep boop-bloop bweep bwee bloop-dwoop bweep beep-bweep boop-bwee dwoop-bweep bloop dweet-bwee dwoop-bloop bwoop-bwoo beep-bweep dweet bwoo. Boop bweep-beep."

The little droid would start tottering off down the corridor at that point. The scientists seemed to look at each other and shrug as they had no alternative to what Fate said. He was right that the flame wouldn’t last forever, and the door would eventually open, so it was best they make themselves scarce. Eventually, they followed after the droid. Fate: the pied piper of scientists.

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ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Ines Pen-Ar-Lan ​

 

[Braze]

​

Tags: Feridade Parthi Jacen Breska Koda Fett ​

"No," he said, chuckling quietly, "I can't say I have. But I'm looking forward to it."

The Spear III was impossible to miss, its profile stood out even among the eclectic traffic docked in Fondor's pristine spaceport.

"Feel free to go say hi if you like," Braze's voice crackled over comms with a light almost playful tone.

He paused just long enough for the Captain to catch the look in his eye before keying back to Jacen.
"See if you can get close, maybe have that chat we talked about. Non-violent if you can swing it, but if he bites, you know how to play it."

Braze unclipped from his harness, already moving toward the exit ramp, grabbing his rifle in tow. "I'll be along shortly," he added, voice calm as he then spoke to the Phoenix Crew. "Prep for pickup. Soon as I'm clear, You get going and gone. "

Outside, the retrofitted Snare Bearer slid forward under the Werlaara suite's cloak, a phantom in the spaceport's periphery. Static discharge panels dampened local comms, DERP arrays fuzzed long-range sensors, and the emissions disguise bled their drive signature into the city's background noise.

In the belly of the ship, ion cannons thrummed at full charge while the tractor beams spun up with a low, predatory hum. Gibit checked the power cells on the ion cannons with a grin.

Braze gave the order as he opened the exit ramp.

The Sarlacc shimmered into view for only a heartbeat, just long enough for a precision ion volley to slam into the Spear III. Blue arcs danced over her hull, engines coughing out and systems dying in a flicker.

Tractor beams bit an instant later, like a hawk snatching prey. Within moments, the Sarlacc would have her prize in tow like a repo hauler snagging an unpaid speeder, only this one came with heavier guns and a bounty attached.

With a flick of his wrist, Braze sent a pack of six hunter-droids skittering into motion. He leaped off the exit ramp, dropping to the spaceport rooftop in a clean landing, the droids following after him. The skyline wind whipped around him as he leveled his Lightsaber Sniper-Rifle ( presently engaged with the Phantom Ghostfire Crystal ) sight lining up and locking not on Fett himself, but on the gleam of the jetpack, and, failing that, the speeder bike idling just beyond his form. Braze wanted to make sure he cut off the bounty hunter's escape routs first.

(Droids)

Spoiler

FFS - B.L.A.S.T.A. X2

FFS - MF-B​

FFS - MF-BO​

FFS - MF-FB​

FFS - MF-F​

FFS - C.A.T.C.H. x2

FFS - GLMMkI​

FFS - BG-MkI​

FFS - CES-G​

FFS - S.P.A.R.K. x2

Target: Koda Fett
Bounty Link: Koda Fett Bounty
License: Braze's Bounty Hunter License

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-- This post is made in accordance with the Bounty Hunter's Code. The target's toggle was active at the time of posting. This post includes a valid license and links directly to the bounty as required by board rules. --​

 

[Kaleb Sunwalker]

​

Objective: Gain access to the knowledge of the Library and its dark secrets.

DSE Team: Voldran Molf Talon Draven Khronas Tyro Lok Damien Zannen
Enemies: NJO

Kaleb sat as silent as the grave aboard the transport shuttle. Since Coruscant he was more changed, more rejuvenated since breaking open the sealed Nexus on Coruscant. Kaleb now felt more confident in himself, more capable to serve the Emperor as he always intended. Those same intentions had now brought his masters will to Arkania. He couldn’t say much about the frozen hellhole, but he knew enough from his archive days to know that Arkania was a treasure trove. Filled with remnants of an ancient Sith library from long ago, though he was unsure what could be found inside, or if it even wanted to be found.

The transport rocked a little back and forth, his eyes drifting to many different faces aboard, though Sunwalker had said nothing to no one throughout the entire ride towards the Temple outskirts. Every once in a while his face scanned back towards the information on the Temple, though his mind was puzzled by one question. What was the Jedi keeping from them? Why still fight against the darkness? Of course this line of thought followed him since Coruscant he couldn’t figure out why the Jedi still persisted though it was best left to leave such pondering behind. Right now all that mattered was achieving the Emperor’s goals, to fuel his power and in return the Elite becomes stronger. Just as the dark side willed.

By the time the transport had landed, many of the Elite jumped off only to be greeted by blistering winds. The frigid temperatures were something that Kaleb couldn’t get used to, he was sure he felt his hands and feet almost freeze. Focusing inward and drawing upon his determination the Temple structure before him had strengthened Kaleb to keep going. His feet stopped, his eyes stared at the library just to drink in the design of it, the frozen decay that brought some sense of beauty. He swore that if the Temple wasn’t damaged he would have loved to examine it more closely. Quickly snapped out by the approach of the group moving forward. Just like last time Voldran was taking the lead. The door opening and many of them approached the interior. While he was glad to delve into the depths, his eyes scanned around looking for signs of the Jedi, or if they were being watched at all.

When he was sure enough he pressed onwards. Sticking close to the group, he wasn’t in the mood to wander off. The last thing he wanted was for the Jedi to ambush him, for now he moved each time many of the others moved, stopping as they stopped. His boots constantly crunching through ice, stone and metal all around he saw ancient markings, glyphs while noticing the intricate details on the walls. The Force felt as if it was slumbering, a quiet beast put to slumber long ago. The structure frozen in time while many feelings coursed through him. Inquisitive minds, the hunger for knowledge, terror, fear, anger. So many emotions warped around the structure, so many presences that flickered all throughout the halls.

“We must be cautious, this place is very old, full of many secrets. Some secrets left unfounded for a purpose.” Kaleb said aloud cryptically. While he followed after Voldran he could feel something darker reach out to them all. His eyes went wide, the cold increasing all around him making Kaleb turn towards the direction of the library. Making sure the others followed behind, he followed after Voldran and the source of the sinister presence that tempted him through this sanctum of dark knowledge seeking out the whispers, the relics that called to them with promises of both reward and power.

 

[Lander Stalwart]

Fondor
Tags: Redak Boyd , Janus Vipsanius , Runar Ævar , Kroeger , Cressida Tolliver , Feridade Parthi , Alexandra Feanor , Arsenio Tagge

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm
​

“Senators, you know we have achieved total reclamation of the Core Worlds. The Grand Vizier expected responses worthy of the gravity of the Emperor’s offer. This ceasefire is not a negotiation. It is the only door left open to you, and it will not remain so for long.”

"Ah... reclamation. Nothing like claiming sovereign worlds as your own against their will," Lander chimed in. "I believe you will find that there is no interest in recognizing the right for which to do so. Autonomy is the bedrock of a civilization that can progress. What you carry is the rot of the ancients, a brutish misunderstanding of what it means to be civilized."

Lander took a breath. Nobody was here to be civil. He was not going to pretend to be otherwise. The Mandalorian Empire was a matter of moving past the actions of the generation before. This was hell, here and now.

"Your Empire will be the same as all others," he stated. "Maybe you will snuff out our will. It doesn't matter. When time marches on, as it always does, you will find that you are weighed down by the same weaknesses as all others who have come before you. The bureaucrats you call Moffs will pick each other apart to dredge up what crumbs of power they can grasp over their rivals. And when the pool runs dry? The only place left to scramble is up. While you tear yourselves apart, the bitterness and hatred festering under your conquering thumb will begin to gnash it's teeth. The beast will not be stopped when it finally has the taste of blood on its tongue. If you seek to be recognized, I will not do so."

The brood who followed the scraps of that Maw would not rise in his Core. Not while he lived and breathed. The answer was what it had always been, even as these people cobbled themselves back together time and time again. There was only one thing left for him to say.

"I am going to war. That is the official stance of Sacorria."

If this Alliance was to fall, it would be in a blaze of glory. He was going to die with a gun in his hand, not capitulating to barbarism.

 

[CT-312]

//: Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra //:
//: Arkania //:
//: Attire //:
//: WEARING: GAHA-32 Lionheart Commando Armor| Contact Lenses| M.I. 'Halo' jump boots //:
//: EQUIPMENT: GABB-15 Talon II | M.I. Model 6 hybrid pistol | Shiva Knife //:
//: ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT: Taozin amulet | 1 x Arrow head of Absence | LK Spider Slicer Droid | Navi/Barca//:
//: Objective I - Fire & Ice //:
//: Bounty Hunting //:
​

CT-312’s visor stayed locked on Jedi Dynas. There was something building in its forward chassis. A low deep pulse was emitted. Suddenly a burst of searing light bursted out. ‘Was that a turbolaser?’ Her helmet tracked the beam across the snowy tundra. Following its molten path through Imperial armor and infantry. CT-312 did a quick glance to the bottom corner of the HUD. Double checking. Confirming. [- REC -] still burned red. Good.

Once more, the Scout rose just enough to peek over the trench. Blaster leveled outward. Pulling the trigger. Playing the part of a disciplined Galactic Alliance Trooper. Bolts spat from the rifle toward the Imperial lines. Not too accurate. Not too wasteful. Just enough to be convincing. Every pull of the trigger was more data feed logging Dynas’s destructive capability in exact detail.

The Jedi Droid’s voice cut in over comms. Giving orders to the GADF forces. Suddenly, he turned. Right towards her and the soldiers nearby.

He turned toward CT-312 and the soldiers nearby. "You there—with me back into the fortress. I'll serve this battle better with what comes next."

For half a second CT-312’s body stilled. ‘Chit.’ Had her cover been blown?

No.

A quiet breath left her in silence. The bounty contract’s “avoid detection” clause should hypothetically still be held. Jedi Master Dynas didn’t know CT-312’s face. Her intent or name. Heck, to him… she was just another body in a sea of Alliance soldiers. Giving a crisp salute to match the others and fell in step behind him.

At the rear entrenchment CT-312’s HUD kept recording. Capturing every detail. Soon coming to a halt, the chassis of the Jedi droid brightened. One arm rose, gathering the Force or something like it. The air around them began to shimmer in blue aurora. GA soldiers around her froze. Watching with slack jaws. Confused.

"The battlefield is a circuit. A living breathing network of harmonics. A concert of the living and machine. I am the current. Allies are to be brought into perfect sync — enemies into perfect discord. Til ALL. ARE. ONE."

HARMONIC OVERWRITE
PHASE 1: Initiation (Subtle Interference)
Neural lattice engagement: SYNCHRONIZED
Force-channel routing: STABLE
Shard core resonance: CRYSTALLINE

No orders were given, but to follow him here. ‘Ah.’ So that’s what this was. He pulled them here to guard the process. The others were still staring. CT-312 rolled her eyes beneath the visor. Toggling her voice modulator to a flat command tone. “Secure the perimeter. No one in or out. Master Dynas is not to be disturbed.” The soldiers snapped out of it. Scattering to their respective posts.

CT-312 stayed close. Planting herself where she could watch the Jedi Master Droid without drawing his focus. Every motion. Every flicker of power and sound. All of it was being recorded. This close… the data would be perfect.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Location: Near Fort Tagge
Taral-type Sith Trooper Armor Mk. II
Bounty Hunting

​

The Sith's gaze pierced through the white veil ahead, where massive AT-AT walkers moved like towering giants toward Fort Tagge. Beneath his own boots, the ice sang an eerie tune as the bitter wind cut sharply through gaps in his armor.

Lysander propelled himself forward confidently, movement soon blurring with the surge of Force Speed. It quickened his pace just enough, but still not a full sprint, for he needed to remain cautious in this alien terrain. Nearly a dozen moons had passed since his descent into darkness within the Outer Rim; he had honed patience akin to that of an apex hunter, shaped between the academy and under the tutelage of two different Marrs.

He'd survived worse, faced crueler trials; there would be no hesitation in him.

His footsteps muffled, precise, like whispers of the flurry itself.

Fixed on Fort Tagge's parameter, he began plotting a path forward. Through the HUD of his helmet, the beeps of scanners searched the proximity for enemy patrols. This urged him to use stealth. From there, he began weaving between spiky ice ridges.

Midway across the unforgiving expanse of ice, he paused near a deep chasm. A sudden gust of wind threatened to knock him off balance, but he steadied himself with grace. Another moment was taken to calculate the distance.

Opting against using a cable or any other gear, Lysander relied solely on the Force, centering himself and letting the dark energy flow through his limbs. With a sudden, powerful push, he drove himself forward, barely clearing the gap, and landing in a kneeling stance, his armor just inches above the ice.

He stepped forward to the edge of a ridge, looking down upon the Galactic Alliance stronghold. Beyond those walls, a last line of defense, he knew there were Arkanian scientists waiting for him, ripe for the taking before the battle could devour them.

Through the currents or energy around him, he already sensed distant movement, life forms likely to meet their end at the hands of the Imperials.

After surveying the surroundings, he would vanish back into the shadows, a ghost on a mission.

​

 

[Jacen Breska]

BOUNTY: KODA FETT
​

WEARING:: Halcyon Armour | Contact Lenses | Wrist Mounted APG | Ancile Shield |
EQUIPMENT: MAIN WEAPONRY: VW-864 Maser Rifle | DC-902d | Sunshot Pistol | Shiva Knife |
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT: 3x Ion Grenades | 3x Kushute Grenades | 2x Stunner Grenade | Valiant Red Injector: x4 Spares | Taozin Amulet
LOCATION: :: ::
TAG: Braze Feridade Parthi
Target: Koda Fett
Bounty Link: Koda Fett Bounty
License: Jacen Breska's Bounty License

Jacen continued to hover in the Phantomray Braze had loaned him for this. Braze had mentioned the ship had some fancy stealth suite installed, but Jacen didn't remember exactly what it was. All he cared about was that he was virtually undetectable in his present location, and that was all that mattered.
He leaned forward on the controls, his eyes on his instruments and staring out of the canopy of the fighter.

"You want me to go talk to Koda Fett alone?" He asked, his hand on his forehead, "Outside the ship? I have him now I can just..." His finger hovered over the trigger before he stopped and shook his head,

"You're the boss, boss. I'm sitting ready, waiting for Koda to make a move. So far he's just content to...brood. I imagine he's brooding. I don't think Koda's ever smiled. I feel like someone would have mentioned it. No one ever mentioned how Koda Fett smiles. They only mention how good of a bounty hunter he is. I don't see it. He's just standing there. Menacingly."

Maybe Jacen should do some more brooding. It'd probably get more people to notice him.
​

-- This post is made in accordance with the Bounty Hunter's Code. The target's toggle was active at the time of posting. This post includes a valid license and links directly to the bounty as required by board rules. --

​

 

[Inosuke Ashina]

HIGH LORD OF THE LIGHTSWORN
ATRISIA, HIRATA ESTATE

Parthi's holographic apparition flickered out of sight, leaving a cogitating silence in its wake. It was short-lived. Henna spoke first, acknowledging all cardinal concerns. Inosuke looked on with a sense of pride, hidden behind a stony visage, as the only evident conclusion succeeded her words. She was many things, but among them, his greatest advocate. It wasn't uncommon for her to speak first. Her Hapan enterprise obscured the few small moments that Inosuke often required to consider, though Henna's conclusions frequently oreshadowed his own. Despite appearances, Inosuke had always been the least forward of the two.

After allowing a moment for the Sworn to speak, a raised palm commanded a hush over them. To honor principle, Inosuke had yielded this junction to the conference, but in truth, he loathed to deliberate. Their path was self-evident. None of their divergent peers were present to contradict.

"I hear you," he assured. "Our path is clear; we will answer the call."

Immediate as ever, the High Lord. His verdict adjourned the meeting in short order. As he stood, he would elaborate this one time, before beginning his stride out of the audience chamber. "Rectifying the path of our peers? Mending division? No. Let our retribution be surrogate for the conquered. Such is our charge. The Empire will know our swords as they have on Balmorra and beyond."

Steps began, parting the multitudes of Jedi gathered. "We are no small thorn."

The Hall of the Sun loomed over Hirata from where it had plunged the distant Hebo mountains. Inosuke turned his gaze up towards its pinnacle as he departed the estate's entry. A mental cue pinged through the Force, and after a small delay, the ground began to tremble. At Ishida's distant command, signaled by the High Lord, the structure began to rise from its mountainous enclosure. Jedi began their trek from the enclave through the mountain pass to board the monolith. In space above, the Lightsworn fleet prepared to attach and support.

Among the war procession and Hiratan flock, Inosuke spotted the distinct colorless mane of his middle child. He halted her with a gentle hand across the shoulder as she passed by. Inara turned, expression preemptively wearing the disappointment of the denial she anticipated.

"You must stay, act as regent until I return."

"What about Ikuma!?" Inara protested.

"Still arbitrating with our peers."

"I'm twice the warrior half of these people are—"

"I know, but I need you here. Shinzou will advise you."

Inara huffed, knowing she wouldn't convince her father otherwise. "I can fight," came her final, futile objection.

"Your time will come," Inosuke assured. "But not this time. Your mother would not find a tatter of focus with you on the line."

Disappointment previously foreseen came to fruition. The young Ashina cast her eyes towards the ground.

"You understand why this is important, do you not?" Inosuke prodded.

"I do," Inara affirmed.

"Good." A pause as Henna Ashina caught up to them. "Now, hug your mother. We spare no more time."

Inosuke joined the procession up toward the Hall. A stall in its ascension allowed the last of their nascent army of light to board. Above, Accord-class cruisers began their calculations, and volunteer fleets moved into formation. Once the hall was in space, it took its place as flagship among its lessers. Hyperspace calculations began, and within moments, all of the Sworn ships slipped into faster-than-light travel. Soon, the Alliance would find its call answered.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Henna Ashina | Corr | Jannik Morlandt | Kyric | Kylass Starhaven | Jin Taeyang | Pak Jaehyun

Honorable Mentions: Ishida Ashina | Shinzou Ashina​

 

[Thomas Barran]

TAGS
Friend: Voldran Molf Artam Macek Sharad Dhavale Tiberius Zaarin
Darth Apophion Flannigan Tagge Meliant Wymar Tyro Lok Prowler II
Khronas Lord Creuat Talon Draven Damien Zannen

Foe: Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra Makko Vyres Corazona von Ascania
Gavin Restur Dangal Olderem Jacen Voidstalker Kyric Ko Vuto
Solan Charr Ailuros Skorvek Bernard Magdalena Bloodscrawl
Alexandra Feanor

FADE TO BLACK - PART FOUR

​

ABOARD THE MV: HEART OF MAR'ZAMBUL,
ARKANIA, GALACTIC CORE COLONIES (903 ABY)

<"Great Khan, your presence is needed in Docking Bay 4.">
<"What is it, Masugei?">
<"Ummm.... Arkanians, all fighting-aged. They say they want to join the 1st Auxilia.">
<"Interesting.... I'll be down soon.">
​

The Bloodhound could not deny that he felt the whiplash like everyone else, but despite the sudden change of risk-factors, he still found himself feeling glad for good it would do for his highest-ranked Darkhan, having watched as the rogue Arkanian struggled for years against the next ceiling of his own potential. The bullishness could only take the Archon-Elect so far as the legion's commander, especially when his peers and subordinates alike needed something more to break out from his shell of limitation, and in noting the sudden, amiable arrival of Arkanian compatriots, (men of whom Rook had clearly understood to seek the rogue's path) the one-eyed Woad could not no longer deny his friend's eventual success in self-actualisation.

Rook... What is it with you today?
One minute you're a risk, next you're an entirely different animal.
​

'There's plenty time, Great Khan. I can hold the bridge easily for now.'

​

With a smile, the Khan joked,'No you can't, man.... Can't even hold an apple with your arm in that state.', though he trailed off to drop the act, nodding appreciation for Dreamer's quickness to help whilst injured. After all, the rogue Chiss had no need to go out of his own way in such a fashion, and whilst retaining his right to autonomy and recovery alike, could have sat back and let the young Zabrak handle coordination, but with strategic involvement, watching battles unfold, studying the tidal ebbs and flows of war, this was how the blue-skinned Darkhan pulled his weight most efficiently.

'In any case, I won't be long.'

Now.... Let us see what you've dropped on my lap, Brother.

AUXILIA
IV

​

TUWAN GLACIER, SOUTHERN LURON VALLEY,
ARKANIA, GALACTIC CORE COLONIES (903 ABY)

'So what am I getting, amid these digs of ours?'
'You get one Stonechewer, I get two.'
'I've made magic with less, I'll take it.'
'Alright, Brother.... Lets get to work!'
​

Ghoul was gladdened to see his old friend had snapped out from his traumas, and judging by the way Rook had been behaving, something new was forming within the rogue Arkanian's mind, perhaps coming to the same awakening that still burned within Dreamer's soul by then. Finally becoming the perfect complement to the greater thinker among Trilunars, and just in time for the battle to move onto it's second phase, the rogue Atrisian chanced a backward glance to exclaim,'Glad to have you back, Brother! Lets remind these bastards why they fear the Unknown Regions!', before turning back to the task at hand.

'Enclosure Three goes over there, first two can be opened.... Here! Yeah, right here, perfect.'
'LEASH-CABLES!!!!'
'ALREADY ATTACHED!!!!"
'Good, lets begin.'

​

The Seeratteri, known also as Stonechewers, had always been a thing of legend in the Uknown Regions, though many from it's native place in Wild Space always feared these creatures, but purely on the grounds of their destructive potential. However, the Mawsworn (and more-specifically, all who were affiliated with the Scar Hounds) had always coveted these behemoths for use as controlled, directed warbeasts, a desire of which only the Mongrel could have sated in those days, but the Khanate had been uncharacteristically cunning in the wake of Defiant Imperium's downfall, making sure to retain a growing collection of Stonechewers well into the last decade of the 9th Century ABY.

Holding over with the slowly-multiplying, scant few additions they had - though only until such a time that fate decreed they find their way back to Seeratter.

​

'Whats the plan here, Ulusar?'
'The big one goes down, like down-down, but for us.... Trenchworks and speeder-gullies leading to the frontlines.'
'Huh....'
'The chunky fellow here does the gullies, and the little one there does the trenchworks.'

With nothing left to say on the matter, everyone set to digging without missing a beat, and without so much as a milisecond's hesitation, the Mawsworn Auxiliaries set into a focus that would serve as an exemplary influence to all the subordinates in their midst. From dugout-construction and HESCO filling, to the direction and solid-feed trough filling for the beasts, there was much for the Mawsworn for to do on the ice, and that was without the logistics and supply matters considered. The Marauders were fully aware of the workload at hand, but the inspiration in seeing active Darkhans at work was enough for all to sling their blaster-rifles over their shoulders, and without a single word of complaint uttered in the process.

​

'Soldiers forget - this work makes them stronger fighters, this work makes them into their own personal battlements.'

 

[Cato Panaka]

Tags: Flannigan Tagge , Voldran Molf , Darth Apophion , Tyro Lok , Khronas , Talon Draven , Damien Zannen , Kaleb Sunwalker

Theme

Cato hated the snow...

His boots crunched into it with each step, his jacket buttoned nice and tightly as he did his best to keep warm. Arkania's frozen landscape served as a harsh reminder of the lengths one must go to in order to serve the Empire. Life as an Imperial Reclamation officer was tough, demanding one to endure the least hospitable of environments on a rather regular basis. One couldn't do the job without a strong sense of purpose, and the will to see it to the end. Thankfully, Cato had plenty of that sentiment to go around.

His approach was swift, his footsteps filled with purpose as he and his team neared the site. They weren't far behind Tagge and his team, but unfortunately the snow had presented certain unforeseen logistical problems. Nevertheless, Cato wasn't going to let a little snafu like that keep him from the task at hand. Pulling a holopad from the folds of his jacket, his eyes darted to the screen as they pressed forward. The signal was growing weak... yet another inconvenience they would have to overcome.

"Make sure we get the signal booster up and running as soon as we link up with the Lord Curator. I won't have us getting stranded on site, even if we have the whole of the Elite with us."

Especially if we have the Elite with us, he would think to himself. Despite his great fascination with the rich history of various Force orders, Cato had little desire to rub elbows with them. Individuals that held such power in their hands were unpredictable... dangerous. One couldn't truly trust them, no matter how much they offered a hand in friendship. Yet, such sorcerers had their uses, and so long as they bankrolled his archaeological endeavors, he would swallow his pride and feign submission.

A sharp sound echoed through the chamber as the group approached the site, causing Cato to instinctively cover his ears. Sonic emitters, from the sound of it, though activated prematurely, if Cato's calculations were correct. Thankfully, they had come prepared, as they knew that the tech would be put to use against the ice. Cato and his team quickly applied their ear protection, allowing them to continue unhindered by the emitter. As they drew closer, the staggering Rodian came into view, his body convulsing in pain. Cato's eyes shifted toward the likewise-fallen Lord Curator, prompting Cato to extend a hand, offering to help pull his comrade up.

"Lord Curator, it is good to see that you have things in order."

His head nodded in the direction of the Rodian.

"Shall I put a blaster bolt between his eyes?"

 

[Koda Fett]

B O U N T Y - F E R I D A D E _ P A R T H I​

He was lounging in a half-seated lean and cycling bounty listings when another ship shimmered into view over the spaceport, drawing his attention and reflecting in the visor of his helmeted face. He groaned, seeing the incoming alert from the Spear III as ion cannons thundered immediately afterwards. The high-traffic area erupted into screams, shouts, and the frantic stampeding of civilians.

Likely thought the Empire had come for them, too.

Someone was tracking him. Fett thought having a Black Crown would prevent this, though some hunters were less concerned with the repercussions of crossing the Black Sun than others.

But, the Spear III was tough. She could wrestle with the best of them. In her autonomous state, the Spear III rocketed up into the ion cannon fire towards the Sarlaac and into what would be a head-on collision. Systems focused entirely on thrusters and shields, and the shields were done for by the time it reached the ship above it, with the thrusters enabling a hairpin turn to avoid a screeching and scraping sound of metal on metal. It swung around, sinking low.

Fett pushed off the ground, rolling over the railing and into freefall.

Braze - Jacen Breska

​

 

[Tiberius Zaarin]

Major Tiberius Zaarin
Point Aurek, Arkania
Wymar | Dynamis "Dynas" Ultra | Solan Charr | Thomas Barran | @Warposters​

The deep, rhythmic thoom-thoom of armored footfalls reverberated through the command cabin of Zaarin's lead All Terrain Armored Transport. The beast's massive legs drove into the permafrost with hydraulic precision, each step shaking loose cascades of snow from its armored frame. Through the narrow forward viewports, the glimmer of Arkania's shield generator loomed, their primary target dead ahead in the far distance.

Zaarin's gaze fixated on the tactical holoprojection, two additional AT-ATs Callsigns Bastion Two and Bastion Three trailed in echelon right, keeping proper interval per his orders. All three walkers comprised his rear assault element, pushing up to Phase Line Aurek in support of the vanguard armor.

“Bastion Two, Bastion Three, maintain 200 meter spacing, weapons tight unless designated hard targets present. Our job is to preserve combat power until breach point. Copy?"

Below decks, the troop bays thrummed with life. Snowtroopers in white plastoid armor ran last-minute gear checks under red light, their squad leaders barking readiness reports into helmet comms. In their minds, the battle was already decided, the Empire's war machines did not come to negotiate.

The lead element of the assault force opened up with sustained fire, the chin cannons' crimson bolts hammering the enemy's forward emplacements. Return fire lanced through the snow haze, splashing uselessly against the walkers' armor.

Zaarin toggled to the infantry net. "Helios, your platoon will dismount at Release Point Kappa. We'll lay suppressive until you're past the enemy screen. Watch your spacing, enemy has interlocking fields of fire."

As Phase Line Aurek blinked green on the holo, Zaarin caught a flicker on the auxiliary scopes, a lone contact moving across the left flank ridgeline, beyond the shield's glow. He shifted magnification. The figure's gait was labored, dragging, the wind tearing at worn robes.

Kyric had escaped capture.

“A Jedi!?”

A smirk fell over his smug face.

"Bastion Actual to Vanguard Actual, pacing you at two-zero-zero meters. Right flank is covered. Good hunting."

His attention shifted as red lights lit up over the tundra. Explosions echoed and roared in the expanse between opposing sides. Smoke billowed over their advance, and through it Zaarin's chin guns found a series of droids pivoting for a firing solution. One precision burst, and their surroundings would be nothing but a burning wreck.

"Bastion Actual to Vanguard Actual, be advised, enemy droid elements attempting to reinforce from grid eight-five."

He keyed the fire support channel, calling for support from Shadow Squadron.

"Grid eight-five, enemy droid column. Priority target, danger close. Fire for effect."

They marched on unaware that their air support would soon smash into the enemies and a dogfight would commence.