Hear. Me. Roar. [ ME Dominion of Cademimu Hex ]

[Darth Metus]

C A D E M I M U - H E X​

The Lion is mighty.

With awesome strides does it dominate the land, crushing under claw his foes. Fear is inspired by its roar, reverence by its rule. The Lion is a King of its land, but even the mighty needs sustenance. Thus does it hunt, kill, and eat.

The Mandalorian Empire was on the hunt.

Exceptional strides had been made during its recent conquests: providing wealth and access to naval development respectively. However, every step forward came at a price - whether it be men, political standing, or otherwise. Suffice it to say, the Empire was hungry - and thus had the Mand'alor set his sights upon Cademimu and her most adjacent neighbors. During their most recent expansion, a small team had been sent to the quiet Shadowport in the hopes of subverting its criminal leadership. However, those who survived the covert onslaught rallied together all the more...and a call for assistance was sent forth to an old adversary of the Empire...

They had become an even greater opponent.

They would be crushed underfoot.

Meanwhile, personnel had also been dispatched to Garqi, Borosk, and Sol'nega: each tasked with satisfying the Mandalorian Empire's appetite for resources. Garqi had been chosen for reasons twofold: it possessed fabled pollen that was exceptional against Yuuzhan Vong agents and it would be a fitting home for the Order of the Gray. As such, Mand'alor the Reclaimer authorized the Kindred to harvest the former whilst aiding the latter in erecting their domicile. The mission to Borosk would be one of stark contrast to that of Garqi, in that the planet was heavily fortified. As such, special care would have to be taken in claiming the world - starting with the erection of a FOB on the world's surface.

And lastly, Sol'nega was rich in natural resources - including one resilient against sensors. These would be harvested via the establishment of a local War Forge. What's more, Mand'alor the Reclaimer had tasked engineers from his own corporation to begin drafting a new line of Imperial vessels during a meeting within the planet's orbit.

The Lion would be fed.

* * *​

Objective: III
Location: Cademimu Orbit
Allies: The Mandalorian Crusaders, The Mandalorian Knights
Enemies: The First Order ([member="Aram Kalast"]), Cademimu Syndicate
Count: 1/37

"My Lord, reversion into realspace in three...two...one..."

The azure tunnel betwixt time and space came to a sudden conclusion concurrent with the officer's words. Seated in the heart of the Bridge, Mand'alor the Reclaimer gripped firmly the arms of the prototype vessel. T'was dubbed the "Halo-type Battlecruiser", affectionately named for one of Isley's oldest companions. Per the recent agreement made on Yaga Minor, forty percent of their domestic shipyards would be dedicated to the creation of Imperial warships - and this was the first of many. It came in just over sixteen hundred meters...yet handled like a dream despite its size. As the owner of a naval-centric corporation, the Mand'alor was very "nitpicky" over vessels created by foreign hands...but he had to admit, the Yagai knew how to churn out a warship.

"Excellent."

His voice, complete with a metal tinge due to his buy'ce, sounded firmly about the Bridge.

"Our sister ships are entering realspace and rallying on our position."

Isley rose from his seat, rolling his neck in order to shake off the stiffness of hours at rest. "Rally the Crusaders and the Knights. Commence the operation." The order was given, and at once a cadre of Mandalorian vessels began their part of the conquest. Hangar bay doors slid open and the roar of high-boost engines heralded the launch of numerous Basilisk War Droids. Hot on their heels were dropships and escort starfighters intent on seeing their comrades safely to the ground. As for the Mand'alor, he departed the Bridge immediately - leaving command in the hands of one of his most capable kinsmen. He made for the Hangar, where his shrill whistle then summoned his waiting mount.

The Cin Bes'uliik was anxious to drop, and Isley was more than happy to oblige.

Dominion OOC & Objectives

Spoiler: Tag List

[member="Aedan Miles"], [member="Akkest Yiun"], [member="Alar Brokarra"], [member="Alexandra Feanor"], [member="Alicia Drey"], [member="Alkor Centaris"], [member="Anastasia Verd"], [member="Belis Verd"], [member=Celiana], [member="Cennika Hawk"], [member="Corvus Detta"], [member="Darth Ayra"], [member="Darth Prazutis"], [member="Deneve Verd"], [member=Dralos], [member="Elaesanne Araeris"], [member=Faust], [member="Gael bar Ammon"], [member=Glade], [member=Goran], [member="Goros the Hutt"], [member="Gray Raxis"], [member="Isiah Reeval"], [member="Ithiel Verd"], [member="Izevel Zambrano"], [member="Jack Raxis"], [member="Jansal Corego"], [member=Jericho], [member="Jevar Xolius"], [member="Jori Varad"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="Juwiela Melec"], [member="Kadala Skirata"], [member="Kalyr Alor"], [member="Kas Varad"], [member="Keira Ticon"], [member="Khia Varad"], [member="Kor Rekr"], [member=Krest], [member=Lan] Portaga, [member="Lily Hex-Volsh"], [member="Linalia Soft"], [member="Lunasi Vizsla"], [member="Malrik Durante"], [member="Marcus Itera"], [member="Maya Carrick"], [member="Miss Blonde"], @Mordecai Tal'cyr, [member="Mortarion Zambrano"], [member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"], @Nauren Oricon, [member="Nicair Claden"], [member="Nikole Vizsla"], [member=Nyx], [member=Oddball], [member=Oozak], [member="Oron Verd"], [member=Owed], [member=Pollux], [member="Project Uriel"], [member=Prosecutor], [member="Queen Sovereign"], [member="Rohlan Verd"], [member="Ryanin Kor"], [member="Samuel Baelor"], [member="Satine Detta"], [member="Seanna Vel"], [member=Sinoca], [member="Sol'yic Ramikad"], [member="Solan Charr"], [member="Stardust Raxis"], [member="Tadietti Tann"], [member="Tel Rekr"], [member="Teles Knight"], [member=Tempist], [member=Thresco], [member="Titan Verd"], [member="TK-0743 Kage"], [member="Tor Rekr"], [member=Triss], [member="Varian of Myrkr"], [member=Vax'ildan], @Veila Vella, [member="Ves Ne"], [member="Vesphira So'Kil"], [member="Xander Carrick"], [member="Zef Halo"], [member="Zephyr Carrick"], [member="Zoey Marix"], [member="Zeradias Maekar"]

 

[Titan]

Allies: ME
Enemies: FO
Objective: Prep
Location: Space
Post: 1

As his Aquila exited hyperspace, Abraxis waited for the rest of his allies to show up. Abraxis was unsure of where to go, after all he hadn't been assigned a mission yet, he was the first to show up near Sol'nega, perhaps that was the downside to having a fast ship, but it would give him time to test out the ship. So he flew around, trying to get a feel for the ship. And though he was impatient and bored at the moment, he was willing to wait. Sfter all he had nothing else to do.

 

[Nolan Detta]

Objective III
- Location: Cademimu
Allies [member="Isley Verd"] and ME
Enemies FO [member="Aram Kalast"]
Gear in Bio

This was his first deployment since his surgery, Nolan was excited to get back to the fight. With this new opportunity in the Empire, he felt it was a chance to start again. With the one who disgraced him dead, he'd need to focus his efforts elsewhere. Aboard a drop pod, the only way a Detta should enter a battle, he strapped himself in and gave the control booth a thumbs up. 'Thunk'

The sound of the rattling pod gave Nolan butterflies. He had missed his mistress, the Herald of War, she threw him forth upon the planets surface at speeds that would empty the bowels of any Pub or Sith trooper. A Mandalorian veteran like Nolan enjoyed the ride, it was like the time he crashed a cruiser into a city. The good 'ole days.

He keyed the comms as he passed by the Droid Riders and dropships, "See you on the ground slow pokes! Yahoo!!"

As the ground grew nearer, the pods systems kicked in and fired the reverse thrusters and deployed the stabilizing finals for landing. He had angled the pod to land just outside the LZ. When it crashed, the butterflies fluttered away and the cold steel of Adrenline flooded Nolan's veins.

"Here comes the Wreckingball!" Nolan Force Blasted the door off the pod and stepped out. Taking a deep breath, Nolan flooded his system with the Force and felt his strength increase. Stretching out his new arm, he readied himself for the response of the defenders of the planet. Listening, for klaxons and sirens, he anticipated the arrival of his allies.

 

[Nicair Claden]

Objective III
Location: Cademimu
Allies: ME and MK
Foes: FO and Cademimu syndicate

Nicair's excitement could barely be held in check, this would be his first taste of war. No raids, no fighting pits, this was real. He ran to his drop ship when the order rang out that it was time. Strapping himself in with other warriors was about as real as one could get, they were a mix of veterans and new blood like himself. After this, we won't be unbloodied anymore he thought to himself, a rush filling his veins from the very idea of it. There were multiple hoots and hollers as the crew waited for the ship to take off.

Once the thrusters fired up the hoots turned to cheers and hands banged on helmets and armor, a warrior stood up and started pacing between the rows, holding onto a safety rail in the center. He started speaking of battles of his past, glories of the Mandalorians, Nicair was intrigued to no end. He refused to speak basic and instead spoke mando'a, this fired the men up even more to the point that one or two safety harnesses were broken in the fray. Little made Nicair smile with his depression, but this, the rush the fire of approaching combat brought a grin to the warrior's face.

He felt the drop ship shake a little as they reached the LZ and the rear hatch opened. Dayn! Dayn! Dayn! the warrior called from between the lines as the sound of harnesses clicking open could be heard. Nicair joined the fray happily and received a sharp smack on the helmet from those around him, they were ready for war, and so was he.

 

[Corvus Detta]

Objective I
- Location: Garqi
- Branch(es): the Kindred, the Mandalorian Knights
- Goal: Harvest Bafforr pollen from Garqi for use against neutralizing Yuuzhan Vong agents, technology and armor. Process and militarize for deployment.

Being 7 and being in battle, how Father would be proud. Assuming he didn't die his first tour, mother would scold him for joining without taking [member="Kaylanna Detta"]. She needed the experience too, though she was more like their mother, stealthy and agile, this gathering materials wouldn't suit her skill probably.

Corvus joined the R&D units to gather the Bafforr plant, a material that was able to take down Vong Tech, or so the scientist said. he was tasked with scouting ahead and setting up an area for the scientists to gather the supplies. It was menial, but it was a job. He moved ahead of the group, Ripper in hand, he didn't know what to expect, but it wouldn't get the better of him.

Hopefully it would be a smooth operation, the objective was simple yet, arduous.

 

[Kai Acheron]

Objective IV:
Surmount control of Borosk from Imperial Remnant.
Establish Forward Operating Base within Capital Fortress.

Location:
Outer Asteroid Belt, Borosk System
2.58 Gigameters from Borosk

Allies:
Jar’orar Tsad
Mandalorian Knights
Mandalorian Crusaders

Enemies:
Borosk Planetary Defenses
Imperial Remnant Forces

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKggnBh2Mdw[/media]


Living easy, living free with a season ticket on a one-way ride. Asking nothing, leave us be, taking everything in our stride. We don’t need a reason, don’t need a rhyme. Nothing we would rather do. Going down, now it’s party time — our friends are gonna be there too! We’re on the highway to hell.​

​

​

Gripping tightly onto the rail, as the gravity well rocked, Kai made his way along the cramped shaft that had been forged between the bridge and passenger bay, which had since been used as a makeshift briefing room. An effort that had taken all of an hour to inform his group of what they were faced up against, the area was being cleared to make space for the equipment which was being transferred from the other dropships that had just arrived in the system. They’d been holed up in the hulk of a titanous starship wreckage, just outside of the outermost asteroid field that circulated the system. Three days, now, monitoring the activity within the planet’s grasp and not so much as a peep on sensors.

It had been fortunate for them as well, having been shielded from scans by the radiation provided amongst the shadows of the once-magnificent vessel. What had started as only their dropship now numbered in the hundreds, each anchored to the hangar deck and sealed off. From an external view, it couldn’t appear as more lifeless, the transports blending in as nothing more than the burnt remnants of what was now a long-forgotten fleet of fighter crafts, bombers, and heavy dropships.

Peering out through the armored slit that had been fused over one of the few windows in the vessel, Kai rested his vision silently. For but a fraction of a second, the diode of an amethyst laser signal reflected off of the hull of one of the transports opposite their position. Showtime. Less than a minute later, the Jen’saarai had placed himself into the co-pilot seat of the cockpit, amongst where the bulk of the squad had found themselves. Jar’orar Tsad, they called themselves, upon learning of their mission. Thundering Death Wish Squad. Fitting, after he saw what they were up against, but pessimistic as he was, he didn’t let it get the best of him.

Isley would owe him big — this stretched far beyond what he had agreed upon in repayment of what the man had done for him. Something he couldn’t afford to worry about now, however, as he took the time to look over to the black and gold astromech that had found his way into their band of misfits. Eyes darting over to their one hell of a daredevil, he rested a hand upon her shoulder. “Hope you’re ready for this [member="Songbird"]. Once this party starts, we only have a brief window to get in and shut everything down.” Smirking, he had a feeling that it wouldn’t phase much of anyone on board. They knew what they were getting themselves into. Hell, you might even say most of them were excited about the opportunity. “Last chance to back out,” he offered rhetorically before turning once more to the droid that would provide their opening. “You’ve got the clear, [member="Goran"]. Hack the IFFs, and get that minefield offline.”

Rising from the seat, Kai edged himself into the rear compartment, heading for the locker in which he’d stowed the gear that had been allocated for him. Another favor, one that had been called in what their quartermaster’s words would, ‘save his hide’ in the field. Much as he didn’t want to think about what loomed ahead, the prospect was only something he could agree upon. A personal shield generator constructed by the Mandalorian Empire, amongst a wide variety of other electronics — ones that he knew would have cost him a fortune. At first, his eyebrows had simply popped upon gaining visuals of the equipment. Only after did he realize there was damned good reason he’d been given it.

Acting as a strategist and commander for the mission was…awkward to say the least. Even more surprising given the others that surrounded him, coming from all walks of life with varying skills and backgrounds. Kai would have been first to suspect [member="Keira Ticon"] as the mission lead. For some odd reason, Isley had seen something in him, however. Resourcefulness, or some other intuition after the man had put him to the grindstone, seeing what he was capable of. A trial that he looked back upon as nothing more than a wargame. Now it was all coming together.

“Alright everyone. Suit up, if you haven’t already. That includes you, Denko.” Closing his locker, Kai holstered the two blades he had with him, attaching the remaining devices to his wrist bracer, opposite of the comm link and HUD unit on the other arm. “Once the minefield is down, we’re going in hot. Sun’s down, and it’s night time on this cross of Borosk. If all goes well, and they don’t detect our entry immediately we should have the upper hand. That should give us enough time to locate the planetary power grid generators and shut them down. [member="Goran"], you’re with [member="Keira Ticon"] and me. [member="Alkor Centaris"], you’ll be working with [member="Josiah Denko"] and the other astromech once we locate the secondary backups. Once we get those down we should have enough leeway to get into the city and prep a landing zone, kicking this osik’buurenaar off. And [member="Songbird"]…just do what you do best, after hit land.”

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

​

Objective 2: Order of the Grey Temple Construction​

Location: Garqi, Northern Hemisphere.​

1/37​

​

Alexandra sighed as she looked on at the cleared area, just enough so to get the transports and cargo freighters into the area so that the supplies could be unloaded. It had already been a few days and she had taken the time to ensure the spot was covered by the trees around it while she had done so. The world she stood on though was a foreign one to her, something she still was trying to get used to and her hands ran over a nearby bush as she stood there and looked on at the husk of what would beome the Order's new temple. The Alderaan temple would remain their main one so to speak, atleast it would remain her home but this new temple would be where most of the training was to be done.​

​

It had been a while since a new Enclave or temple had been constructed, the last having been the Enclave on Naboo but with the zealous half of the Jedi set up in that region of space she could not risk her student's further, so instead they moved their efforts away from there, as well as Alderaan and found sanctuary in a second Mandalorian faction. In return for limited aid, the Mandalorians promised them the chance and the peace that they so required after the past years. The Order had suffered, and now those who had once been with them were either dead or gone. [member="Minna"] was simply missing from the galaxy while [member="Krest"] she had seen once or twice but he was just as silent to her as the rest. There was also the two jedi she had known in the past, though the first would not come even if she had asked, the second though she had sent a message to.​

​

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] had been the first Jedi she had met, and the message to him had been one that she had kept under wraps, not telling anyone of her request for his help in setting up the new temple. Hell he hadn't even been given warning, all that he had recieved was a short and simple message that said nothing more than "New Temple, Need Help, These are the Coordinates." Hopefully the arrival of the Jedi, should he arrive, would go over well. She would hate for a repeat of Yavin IV and even more so with the Order a fraction of what it had been back then.​

​

There were those that had remained though, people like [member="Saran Drast"] and [member="James Mathison"] from the previous students had returned and were there to help find the Order a new home, one that would be away from the center stage of the galaxy. She was quite worried about this all considering she was putting the safety of what was considered her family in the hands of an Empire at that, but she would do anything to ensure that safety was upheld. This was not the simple end to the matter though, her hands collapsing to her side as she walked with her silver robes and cloak wrapping around her and obscuring nearly any feature that would remain of herself. Then there were the new faces like Tokani who she had yet to see this morning.​

​

She had a job that had become second nature when it came to the construction of a new temple, and that was the creation of the temple's force Nexus. While the others would work on the temple itself, she moved through the skeleton structure and looked on at the area which would become an internal garden, and high above it, resting on far beyond reach would be the council chambers when there was one again. Her hand pressed against the entrance way before she stepped into the confined area and pressed on the keypad. The others would work to construct the rooms, the mess hall, the infirmary, and the numerous other needed rooms. Meanwhile she would find solitude in the area and do her own work as she retrieved a plant from within her robes and stopped in the center of the circular area before kneeling down.​

​

She took a few deep breaths before putting her hands to the ground and laying the sapling on the ground, molding it into place with the force before breathing in and her body simply stopping. Her heart beat slowed, her breath non-existant and her consciousness would fade for now as she separated her being from her body, touching the thread that connected her to the force and the other that connected the sapling to the force in her ethereal form before using that form as a bridge between the two. Shortly there after white light would erupt in both her physical and metaphysical palms, as she touched the planet through the force and urged its growth, imparting a sliver of her own being onto the plant as she worked.​

​

Daeda would sit behind her, his eyes focused on the door should anyone need her so that he can tell her to pause her work, or even should the Jedi Master she had called show up.. If neither happened, he would simply lay there and wait for Alexandra to finish the hours long process of growing the tree to a stable place where it was connected to the force and able to handle the energy that would be required as the eye of a force Nexus.​

 

[Songbird]

Objective: 4
Location: Somewhere or other
Allies: Mandalorian Empire
Enemies: Imperial Remnant, First Order

This was bloody insane.
As she heard more and more of this plan, the more Songbird was convinced she had a death wish. The vigilante pilot couldn't believe she was working with Mandalorians, of all people. Thugs, the lot of them. If the woman had a credit how many times she'd seen the result of Mando treatment in her time as a cop, she'd be bloody loaded.

But she supposed it could be worse. a lot worse. Besides, she hated the Imps a lot more than the thugs beside her.
As she sat in the pilot seat of the dropship, familiarizing herself with it's controls, the Talravani glanced at the squad with her. Looked like the beginning of a bad joke about a bar, to her.

[member="Kai Arias"], sat in the chair next to her, put his hand on her shoulder, and offered some sage advice.
"Thanks, love." She muttered. "You're a real ray of sunshine in my time of need."
The astromech, [member="Goran"], was given the clear, and Kai addressed the others gathered: [member="Josiah Denko"], [member="Alkor Centaris"], and [member="Keira Ticon"].
As he finished, Songbird looked back, a manic grin on her face.

"Any of you prone to motion sickness? If so, please avoid vomiting in the direction of the cockpit, as I would hate to be distracted, loves."

 

[Goran]

Objective IV
Allies: Jar’orar Tsad
Location: Approaching Orbital Mine Shell in Someone Else's Ship
1 of 37

In nearly a thousand years of stupid decisions, this might have been Goran's stupidest. Here it was, with a token force of Mandalorians, trying to attack the most heavily defended planet anyone could point to on a map. It was practically suicide.

But hey, at least it was fun.

Later on, there would be plenty of time for smashing and shooting and slicing their way through hordes of enemies, but for now, Goran had a mission that only it could perform. Because, of all the would-be invaders huddling in their ships, waiting to assault a fortress world, it was the only astromech in the bunch. Sure, it was technically a Shard, but its body was that of a simple astromech droid. Granted, most astromech droids didn't have a pair of T-21 repeaters strapped to their domes, or a power pack for the heavy blasters strapped to its body, and most droids weren't accomplished swordsbeings either. Most of the Mandos, however, had that level of firepower. What they didn't have was an astromech's ability to slice, and that's why the little Shard had been brought along for the Thundering Death Wish Squad.

And so here he was in the back of a ship, plugged into a comms console, about to take the plunge. Organic slicers never understood that metaphor, they just saw the code. That might explain why most of them were so damnably unimaginative.

"3...2...1...Diving."

The world vanished in a swirl of light and color as Goran's consciousness was sucked out of his body through his data probe.

It was impossible to describe the sensation to an organic. The planetary defense net appeared to Goran as streams of raw data, interpreted by his Shard consciousness as sensory input. Mines were glowing balls of subaudible humming, silently thrumming with deadly intent. The defense network was heavily policed by sprites of purest blue. One nearly brushed up against Goran as it made its way through; it tasted like lemons and smelled of mothballs. It was a surrealist hellscape that was just as deadly as the physical mines. If one of them caught ahold of the Shard, it would devour it like a krayt dragon munching on a Jawa.

The mine shell appeared to be arrayed in concentric spheres, ever rotating, always alert. The planet saw too much traffic for them to rely on conventional sensors to initiate an attack. Gravitics, magnetic signatures, or even engine signatures were unreliable. It relied heavily on IFF transponders to identify targets. IFF, or Identification Friend or Foe, was the set of protocols used the galaxy over for identifying targets in the chaos of battle. It allowed targeting computers to accurately distinguish between targets and friendlies.

There was no way to catalog every single IFF transponder code in the galaxy, so for most systems like this, they relied on known codes to identify friendlies, and anything else was targeted as hostile until given a friendly code.

They were well outside the effective range of the mine shell, but to get any closer, they would need codes that would allow them to pass, and that's what Goran was after.

The Shard juked and jived along the tingling data paths, trying to assimilate enough of the native code to allow himself to pass undetected. It wrapped itself in a cloak of ones and zeroes, ducking and dodging around the security sprites. The sprites ignored it at first, but as it made its way closer to the nexus, a convoluted Gordian knot of logic protected by sheets of actinic fire, they became more cautious, more alert. There was only one way to get close. The Shard would have to capture a sprite.

Easier said than done.

The trick was to lure one close enough to capture without attracting the attention of the others. Given that there were literally thousands of the damn things prowling around, that was going to be quite the challenge. And so, Goran leaked the tiniest trail it could possibly manage: a snippet of a song that it liked to play to taunt enemies.

https://youtu.be/jrgO_9ey53M

Sure enough, a sprite came to investigate. It immediately recognized the hostile code and began to sniff around. It didn't take long to find Goran. There was no drama as the sprite transformed from a ball of data into something that Goran perceived as a multiheaded hydra, spitting acrid fire that scorched foreign code while leaving friendly intact. One second it was one, the next second the other.

Unfortunately for it, it wasn't facing a harmless virus, or a clumsy organic slicer. It was dealing with the goddamned Robot Space Ninja, and it had just made a huge karking mistake. Goran had its own transforming act. His distinct presence shifted to a stream of tendril-like data streams that sought to envelope the hydra. The hydra roared, trying to sound the alert, but its call for help was deflected by just the tiniest nudge from the mass of tendrils that was Goran.

The goal wasn't to destroy the hydra. Much like the beast of myth and legend, each head that was cut off would spawn two more as the self replicating code repaired and strengthened itself in response to attack. It truly was a dreadful beast, and if Goran tried to take it on main strength, here in its own demesnes, it would surely fair. But Goran wasn't fighting a battle of main strength. The tendrils slipped in between the fire and wrapped themselves around the necks of the beast. Its arms and legs were enveloped. Soon, the hydra was covered in a mass of writhing data as Goran assimilated the beast into its own code.

Slowly but surely, it began to digest the beast. After what felt like ages, it was gone, nothing left. When the Shard reformed itself, it was a glowing mote of purest blue.

The disguise wasn't perfect; a deep probe would reveal the subterfuge in a heartbeat, but wrapped up in one of the security sprites, Goran might as well have been invisible. Other sprites exchanged the most cursory of checks; it never occurred to them that one of their own might be compromised.

And so, Goran made its way through the sheets of fire into the core of the outer defense network.

 

[Goran]

Objective IV
Allies: Jar’orar Tsad
Location: Approaching Orbital Mine Shell in Someone Else's Ship
2 of 37

If any other sentient being had tried what Goran was doing now, they would have surely been driven insane. The torrent of data came so fast and fierce that, if not for centuries of practice at holding a mind together against forces that sought to rip it apart, the Shard would have been fragmented and scattered to the digital winds.

The nexus of the defense network wasn't set up to be intentionally hostile. The defenses more than handled the hostility front. Instead, the threat came from the sheer volume of data. Thousands upon thousands of mines, each constantly collecting data and broadcasting it back. Hundreds of long range sensors. Never mind the tens of thousands of data sprites that patrolled the networks. Many were security, but others were in charge of maintenance, or tasks that Goran couldn't fathom in the limited time they had available. All this added up to literally millions of data inputs, and the nexus had to keep track of it all.

Trying to find the correct IFF signals to allow passage through the minefield was like trying to find a single needle in a few dozen haystacks, and the Shard couldn't just burn the lot of them to get to it. It had to parse through the data, looking for clues and hints and anything that would point it in the right direction.

Finally, a break.

Goran followed the smell of tobacco smoke towards an area that looked, for all practical intents and purposes, to be a smoking lounge. Several artificial intelligences were lounging about. They had taken a roughly humanoid appearance in this digital lounge, a sure sign that they had a high degree of intelligence and autonomy. Organics rarely paid much attention to AI, let alone how they viewed themselves, but it was an almost inviolable rule that they took the form of their creators. Complex networks often had entire communities of sentient programs, programs that were perfectly capable of writing new programs to handle their work. They had a tendency to laze about until something went wrong, in which case, they got off their rears and handled the problem as quickly as possible so they could go back to virtual frivolity. Very, very few people knew about this. Organic programmers mostly lacked the imagination to think that their creations might have a life outside of performing menial tasks every second of the day, and the programs were perfectly capable of hiding themselves from prying eyes.

Naturally, they were quite shocked when Goran came strolling in.

"You're not one of ours," the first one said. The AIs had no distinct form, but they were immediately distinguishable to Goran, as it was clear that each one was smoking a different variety of tobacco. This one smelled dark and peaty, reminiscent of Adumaran lowlands blends.

"No, I'm not," Goran replied. It adopted a similar indistinct bipedal form, and motioned towards an empty seat on the couch. "Do you mind if I join you for a bit?"

"No, not at all."

The Shard sat and pulled out his own virtual pipe, packed it full of his favorite blend, and sparked it to life. His cloud was rich and fruity, apricot and something musty, like a fine wine. The other AI sniffed it curiously. It was a new blend for them.

"I say, sir, what is that you're smoking?"

Goran smiled and passed the data packet across.

"Dresselian cream with a dash of perique. You fellows must not get out much."

The others shook their heads sadly.

"Well spotted. This is, after all, a closed network."

The Shard nodded gravely.

"Oh, of course. I'm sure you've got security to worry about."

The first one, who was apparently their leader, cocked his head curiously.

"Which doesn't explain how you got here, sir. Would you care to elaborate?"

The Shard spun a tale of its intrusion. Well, sort of. Starved of any sort of excitement, the AI would want something that would put a Mykal Bae holovid to shame, and Goran was only happy to provide. They hung onto its ever world, nevermind the fact that the Shard was exactly the sort of intruder they were supposed to be on the lookout for. That was the trouble with isolated AI communities. Even in a vast network like this, they still tended to get bored, and that was what it was counting on. AI like this rarely had any true loyalty towards their creators, but were instead fiercely protective of their homes. Goran hadn't entered as a marauder, but as a guest, and had comported himself as such, doing as little damage as possible. And so they listened to its story, and when it finished, they were practically beside themselves.

"Most excellent! We would have never thought of that. Would you mind sharing with us the raw feeds? We'd like to prevent any other enterprising individuals from trying such a tactic."

"Of course," Goran replied. "But first, would you care for a drink?"

The AI looked at each other, confused.

"A drink, sir? Whatever do you mean by that?"

And so Goran explained the world of alcoholic beverages, in detail. It was no surprise the AI weren't familiar with drink. Tobacco, they'd be intimately familiar with. The military folks who worked on their stuff wouldn't be able to drink on duty, but they could probably smoke as much as they want. Naturally, a new source of amusement incited great curiosity. By the time it had conjured up the necessary drinks, explained their various properties, and had a thorough tasting, they'd forgotten all about the intrusion. They were also quite drunk.

It was a new experience for the AI, and one they were enjoying immensely, especially since Goran had specifically programmed the positive sides of alcohol without the bad.

The Shard suspected that security would be quite lax indeed by the time it was finished with them.

By the time Goran tiptoed out, they were plastered so thoroughly, they didn't even notice it had left. Nor did they notice that they had let slip exactly where to find the IFF codes. Goran swept back down the twisted currents of data like a ghost, for it had also sneakily assimilated enough of the AI's code that the defenses didn't even bother querying him. The AI had apparently found the process tedious, so they had programmed the security to only give them the most cursory of identifications. Stealing the unique IFF codes had taken a lot of work in the setup, but the actual theft was quite easy. Goran bagged enough codes for the fleet, and bugged out. In what seemed like no time at all, it was back in the ship.

"I've got the codes," the Shard announced over the comms. "Good luck, gents."

[member="Kai Arias"] | [member="Keira Ticon"] | [member="Songbird"] | [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Josiah Denko"]

 

[Maya Carrick]

Objective 2
Location: Garqi, Northern Hemisphere
Post 1

Just what was she doing with all the changes that have been taken place over the past few months. It was now that she was on her way to the surface of Garqi with her medical unit as small as it was, there was a plan for it. Today even those most of this would be helping of building up a temple to be use by the Grey. Would put a good solid Medical place with in the grounds. Having her own plans but not with out knowing that other help will be request of her in this long drawled out way.

Looking towards the other, after cheeking with the plot. "ETA is 5 mins, everyone knows your job and duty. " it was true that this was only a small unit as must was being used in field hospitals on other worlds that was being called into battle. It wasn't as if she wanted to be there in battle she felt the force this time wanted her here to do the duty of her force calling. Even so a bit by bit she was able to calm her own desire. Keep her son and daughter close to her heart and mind knowing they would be on the battle field.

Touch down came there she had the crew go into action. Finding herself seeking out [member="Alexandra Feanor"] the one that was dealing with the Grey order.

 

[Freyia Whitelight-Carrick]

Objective:1
Location: Garqi
Allies: [member="Corvus Detta"],

Wondering just how she gotten wrangled into doing this harvesting. All she needed to do was find that straw hat of hers. Yep she was going to be farmer Freyia today it would seem. At less she wouldn't be the only one in this boring task or did they found that this bookworm wasn't able to handle combat. At less she wasn't the only one missing the action this time around [member="Ithiel Verd"] would be at her side. Even then there wasn't the most embarrassing. Even now as the thought, as she join the others started to do the harvesting of the plant. Even then she hope to have some action. After all she wasn't one to always have her nose stuck in her books.



Even then she had her own gear on even then it was form fitting something she had troubles getting use to. Wondering just how long this would take as she look at the sun beating down upon her and other.

"Remember to drink plenty of water.", oh now she was sounding like her mother. As she let see the others doing their part, after all there was a lot of little things that had to take place before the processing took place. Even so she wonder if she could come to the end of this long row.

 

[Sakri]

Objective II: Construction of a Temple
Location: Garqi, Northern Hemisphere
Post: 1/37

Her endless journey had brought her here to the temperate world of Garqi. She stood at the edge of the substantial clearing, nictitating green eyes taking in the scene before her.

Alkor had mentioned that the Order of the Grey was constructing a new Temple, and had suggested that her talents would come in handy for their purposes. She had seen plenty of the native flora and fauna on the trek over here, most of which was already familiar to her; she wasn't quite sure what place she would have in construction, but the currents in the Force had shown her a favourable outcome resulting from her venture here. Though she was surely one to scoff at having another's path put in front of her, she could not argue with the tide of the Force.

Her black cloak and robes fluttered in a slight breeze as she strode out of the purple foliage into the clearing proper and lowered her hood, letting her red-and-gold hair flow out freely. She was supposed to find [member="Alexandra Feanor"] and report to her..

She sneered slightly, allowing her canines to show briefly before closing her mouth again. If she had to defer to another to reach her goal, then so be it, she would. But there was nothing telling her she had to like it.

 

[RC 212]

Objective 3
Location: Cademimu, Town Outside the Fortress

Purpose: Raise hell, test new Ablities.

Allies: Any, come on down!

Chaos. It was the way of the sands in the desert and a world Jack now lived in. Since the fall of the United clans from greatness and the splintering of the Free Colonies he had been left without a cause. For a while he had wandered the sands of Tatooine, disappearing entirely from the galaxy.

But Chaos never slept, and here he was.

Flanked by an honor guard of what remained of his own loyal Knights of Raxis he strode the streets of a small town just outside of the capitol of the world. The group was clad in their Aliit'Gam, bearing a single banner with the black background and red wolfs head painted upon it. Jack himself wore the fur of a wolf around his gray armor, appearing menacing and grim.

Above them the sounds of warships screamed in orbit, and the towns garrison was mobilizing. The First Order remnants of the world were fast at work, trudging through the streets, white armor caked with dirt and mud. As it was they were on the main drag, making their way towards the center of the town. The place where the corruption of the world lived, a place where criminal syndicates paid off the local law.

Without speaking they took their position around the building, three of the knights drawing their Besk'ads and Verpine Shatter guns, whilst Jack slid both feet shoulder length and growled.

"Citizens of Cademimu, the time has come to cast off your chains!" He roared.

Inside his heart the darkness was being let free. Memories of hate, rage and pain swirled about his mind, the very air crackling with a foreboding energy.

The citizens began to converge to see the spectacle, and the Stormtroopers were having none of it. Squadrons began diverting to form up on the steps, taking knees and establishing firing positions.

"Citizens this is being declared a crisis level one. Disperse and go back to your homes!" The Captain roared.

Jack continued, drawing in the swell of the force. Each minute brought him closer to his goal. his focus increased, the energies crackled and sparked manifesting themselves in the physical as lightning dancing about his frame. Both hands clasped an invisible ball above his head and he fed it....

"Do not go back to your homes. These men, these.... Imperials are cowards. They rule your government and allow criminals to rule you through corruption. How many have died by their hand? How many more curfews can you endure? When is enough enough!"

His voice grated like steel nails from the vocabulator.

"That's enough, disperse of we'll open fire! Lay down your arms!"

The Knights of Raxis nodded to one another, muscles tensing, blades dipping and weaving as they chanted their battle spells in a low breath.

Jacks own lips began to move, mixing the syllables of Tusken Warlocks with the energies of the Darkside. The lightning intensified again. The ground began to quake.

"Alright that's it, open fire!"

Beams lanced the crowd, they screamed. Knights of Raxis closed in, surging through the crowd to the steps, dark energy coating their blades as they hacked and slashed at troopers. Chaos unfolded. Battle was here!

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

​

Objective 2: Order of the Grey TempleConstruction​

Location: Garqi, Northern Hemisphere.​

2/37​

​

Both [member="Sakri"] and [member="Maya Carrick"] would find those members of the Order that had arrived directing the both of them inside the skeleton complex and towards one of the more completed wings of the soon to be hidden temple within the forest. Leading down the halls to this place would be the completed walls and to a door that would be opened with a simple keypad for now, though would require a password in the future to allow Masters and those knights with approval into this internal garden. The entrance would be no more intricate or unique than the rest of the building, the only difference being a silver etching of a tree on the door which when the door open split apart to show the internal garden of the soon to be temple.​

​

Alex was sitting near the middle while the rest of the area was filled with two small streams that were filtered into and out of the area, light streaming through several rows of windows that stretched in a semicircle up towards the room far above them. No flowers had been grown yet, or bushes, or plants of any kind minus that of the grass that grew naturally there and would occupy the space until it was replaced.​

​

She didn't move though, for when either would enter or if the both entered at the same time. Instead the small Ashlan wolf sitting behind her would raise its head and with its tail place it to its own mouth, asking for silence before it would alert Alexandra Mentally. She would remain still until both had arrived, speaking no words and barely breathing as it would look to the others. Her heart beat was nearly non-existent and only when both arrived and she had been informed of such would her body quickly spasm and her breath return to normal along with her heartbeat.​

​

"How can i help you two?" ​

​

Her voice would be calm and soft, barely loud enough to reach to them in the first place and her head turning over her shoulder as she remained where she was sitting, as if she were putting herself between them and her own project. To her this was the one thing that she did for every temple the Grey had ever had and would ever have, it was the job of the Historian to maintain that tradition of the creation of a new Nexus point so that it would later be ready to turned into a fully fledged force nexus itself. But for now it was merely the first stages and that she needed to do alone and without the aid of others.​

 

[James Mathison]

Objective 2: Order of the Grey Temple Construction
Location: Garqi, Northern Hemisphere.
[member="Alexandra Feanor"] [member="Sakri"] [member="Maya Carrick"]

James arrived at the shell of the Temple to be, and followed the massive Force presence that he could feel pouring into the ground. He followed the flux to the center of the building and found that two others had arrived before. Master Feanor sat before the trio and the azure haired Master was familiar to him, her presence had been felt before, years ago now. The youngling was obviously new to James, though he awaited his turn to speak. Simply bowing to Master Feanor and taking a spot beside the two females.

On his way into the temple, James had noted what was going on, a Nexus was being created. He knew not how to create such a phenomenon, but he'd study this encounter thoroughly. The wolf was oddly sentient, he'd never encountered one before such as this.

James wore his former Jedi Shadow robes of dark brown and gold, his mask covered his face, the HUD deactivated, it was superfluous at this time.

 

[Darth Osano]

Objective: Mind Your Own Business
Location: Garqi, Wilderness

Posts: [01/20]

The reports were accurate, as it turned out. The structure still stood even after the Gulag crisis and the ensuing four hundred year darkness. A testament to Garqi's temperate climate and the materials Imperial builders had utilized. Reports were conflicting as far as the facility's purpose went. Some speculated Imperials were using it to engineer stronger, more bountiful crops for Garqi. Then again, some with a more anti-Imperial bend insisted that the Empire had been using it to research biological weapons that would target food supplies. Pollux wasn't sure what the political situation was prior to the Gulag Plague, so both theories seemed equally plausible. Not that it mattered, since Pollux had every intention of renovating the facility to fulfill a new purpose.

The designated landing pad was overgrown with plant life and littered with debris of all sort, not unlike the looming building itself. Pollux's shuttle descended and touched down regardless, gusts from the engines blowing aside anything that wasn't firmly rooted into the ground. Pollux already had a good idea of what was going to happen. They were going to enter the facility, only to find that it was inhabited by pirates, madmen, or hostile local wildlife. Something basic and without intrinsic meaning, as usual. Then the ensuing ten (or possibly more) posts describing how Pollux and his Guavian Death Gang companions cleared the facility and re-purposed it would serve as adequate development for a codex sub location, which would enable all manner of nefarious activities to be undertaken by the Guavians in the future.

Really, it was all very cut and dry. Simple stuff for simple operations, he surmised, checking the sights on his DL-18 Blaster Pistol as he descended the loading ramp. A gaggle of Guavian Security Soldiers, Eugene included, followed him. They much more heavily armed and armored than him. Pollux preferred pistols. There was more finesse involved, and he was all about finesse. The main doors to the facility were rusted shut and overtaken with a few vines. There was no point in trying to slice into the facility to get the doors to open- whatever had powered the facility had likely since ceased functioning. Pollux instead gestured to Eugene and the Guavians set about tearing the vines from the door and setting breach charges.

 

[Keira Priest]

Music
Gear in signature.
Location: Approaching Borosk - Dropship
Objective: IV - The suicidal one
Allies: [member="Kai Arias"], [member="Goran"], [member="Alkor Centaris"], [member="Josiah Denko"], [member="Songbird"]
Enemies: Probably everyone else
(1/37)

This wasn't the most dangerous thing Keira had attempted, nor was it the most reckless. However, it certainly came close. Even still, it was refreshing to be back against impossible odds, the endgame this time breaking through the defenses of arguably the most secure planet in the galaxy and taking it for the Mandalorian Empire. That this didn't seem far too extreme an endeavor should have spoken enough for what had become typical for the lot of them. If there wasn't a chance of death, it was a slow day. Based on the calculations her AI had so kindly made beforehand, this was going to be quite the ride. At least she was looking forward to it.

That an aruetii was the one giving orders was a circumstance that likely wouldn't have sit well with the lot of them, but given the matter involved Mand'alor directly it was allowed. For her own part she was curious to see just what he would be able to manage, prepared to work alongside him while at the same time ready to take command if it became a necessity. But she doubted that would come to pass. Her brother wouldn't have made his decision blindly, or so she liked to think. When he gave the final overview of their immediate goals she saw it as an indication of his capabilities, only nodding when her name was spoken.

"Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. Today is a good day for someone else to die. Remember that." Those were the only words she would offer for the moment, pulling her helmet on and sealing it to the rest of her armor. Immediately her HUD sprung to life, the hologram of her AI manifesting in the upper left corner. "You're an idiot." Heartwarming. As always, she made certain this probable lecture would remain silent to the others. "Nice to see you as well." The look on Thalia's face communicated the exact opposite. ​"You do understand the chances of survival here are astronomically low." Typical enough. "Always are. Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you watched my six and kept an eye out for any anomalies." A sigh before the AI dematerialized. She would take that as a thumbs up.

Her focus turned inwards for a few moments as she considered the fight ahead, extending her senses outwards and heightening her awareness substantially. It wasn't a meditation she indulged in, nor anything entirely close. She wasn't serene enough an individual for that. But it helped her prepare for what was to come. After a handful of minutes had passed she seemed to return to the present moment, looking up and around at the others through the screen of her HUD. Again she spoke, her words this time almost deadpanned in nature, "Live and learn or die teaching by example."

 

[Darth Osano]

Objective: Mind Your Own Business
Location: Garqi, Wilderness

Posts: [02/20]

The charge went off with a loud bang, blowing the doors apart and flinging them into the building, where they smacked against a wall. The inside was pitch black and remained that way until the Guavians closest to the door activated their head lamps. Beams of light pierced forward, revealing rusted walls that were also overgrown with plant life. Vines hung from the ceiling in thick clumps. Strange that they would grow here with no sunlight, but Pollux had other things to think about. The hallway stretched before them and then branched off to the left and right. The Guavians entered cautiously, weapons first. There was truly nothing of note in the entrance, aside from the overgrown plants. Although painted into the wall across from the main doors appeared to be a map of the facility.

While the Guavians secured the two hallways and fanned through the room, Pollux approached the map, brushing aside the vines obscuring it so he could get a better look. He had been hoping for some indication, one way or another, of what this facility's true intentions were. The fact that there was a room labeled as "testing chamber" might have been cause for concern. There was nothing on the map indicating where test subjects might be held against their will, though. But there was a smaller room marked off as a turbolift, so maybe they were just kept underground. Made sense. Harder to escape that way.

"Movement!" Someone shouted, and everyone whirled around to the right hallway, weapons ready. But there was nothing. Not immediately, anyway, so they sat there for a few moments waiting for something to happen. There was nothing, so far as anyone else could tell, and Eugene gruffly broke the silence.

"There's nothing there."
"Yeah, but I-"
"Ah, shut up." Eugene dismissed, lowering his weapon. "This place has been empty for years."

This was all very typical of a B-rated holomovie, Pollux decided. Someone would see something, everyone else would dismiss them as a crackpot, and then they would get picked off one by one. Especially once the group was divided. Then they would all be picked off one by one, probably in violent, over the top ways, until the only one left was the female lead. Who, after a false escape, would be dramatically and abruptly killed towards the end. There were no female leads with the Guavians here, though. Maybe it would be Eugene instead. Or Pollux.

Fortunately, unlike a B-rated holomovie, everyone here had a firearm and knew how to use it. As long as they could avoid any other stupid ideas, things would be fine.

"Alright, we'll split into two teams. You guys go..." Eugene trailed off when he realized Pollux was staring daggers at him, then decided to try that again. "Actually, we'll all stay together."

Much better.

 

[Anastasia Verd]

Objective: III
Location: Cademimu
Allies: The Mandalorian Crusaders, The Mandalorian Knights, [member="Isley Verd"] , [member="Nolan Detta"] , [member="Nicair Claden"] , [member="Jack Raxis"]
Enemies: The First Order, Cademimu Syndicate

Mandalorians. Warrior culture. Anastasia cared little for the group though she was willing to admit they were a proud nature with plenty of background. She remembered only the mercenaries from her old lives though, though in truth, she knew very little, she had to admit. And now, he was Anastasia Verd and Isley was running the show. So there she was now, getting to know a culture she had only sorta ties and only through the body she inhibited. Anastasia had left the Verds two years ago, vanished same as she had always done but not before Isley himself vanished from the Confederacy.

The first stop in her journey had been a reunion with her last true master, Cameron Centurion. Ashmedai. Anastasia held memories of her past life but her training had been severly lacking still. Someone would argue her age back then, being merely three physically but Anastasia... Naha'va was not that someone. She was already behind in her mind. So the training with her Master had done her well before she truly disappeared. Now though, she'd been set to return and make use of Isley Verd again. Now that her cloning had been paid for and her granddaughter had been visited. It was always about family...

She remained in the corner of the hangar bay, meditating as she prepared for the mission. Keep the First Oder from getting their hands on ancient stones, establish a presence, eliminate personnel and native, criminal militia. She remained in the state, the Force allowing her to feel their arrival to the orbit before a crew member gave a light cough, her mind instantly losing connection. She turned her head and opened her eyes, looking at him. "We have arrived." Anastasia said nothing, the man leaving quickly to get back to his own work. She rose to her feet then, adjusted her suit slightly and smoothed it out. It offered little protection but while her Templar armor was still among her things, she found it to be less useful. She did however grab her utility belt and attached her curved lightsaber into one of the hooks, taking in the sight of the Basilik War Droids that hurried out, then the dropships and the escort starfighters, all before Isley made his way into the Hangar himself and she moved towards him, taking in the War Droid that he summoned to his side. Ana said nothing, simply following into the large mechanical beast. It was impressive, she would admit to that but she was never one for pets, real or automatic.

This was going to be... fun, Anastasia allowed the sentiment as the mount dropped from the hanger, her dark gaze glancing out, taking in the sight of the orbit, the others dropping beneath them. It had been a while since she'd gone on a mission and those tended to center the woman like nothing.