How do I know you're not making faces at me under that thing? [CIS Dominion of Utapau]

[Darth Vulcanus]

Regardless of how hard he had tried, the Combine was simply being overpowered and quickly surrounded by the Omega Pyre and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Medon was facing some of the worst days he hoped would never come, he was being forced to make a decision between giving into the Confederacy or being oppressed by the Protectorate later. Either way, there was no way the Combine could survive as an independent entity any longer. He wasn't making this decision on his own either, the whole of the Combine government was in on the details and the repetitive arguments, of whether or not to join either of the powers, were constant.

In the recent weeks, however, a new offer had been put forward by the Confederacy of Independent Systems that set off the largest powder keg. The Confederacy had offered that a new governmental style be implemented into the Confederacy so that the two governments may merge into a single power. The details of the plan were shared with the representatives and before long it turned from a battle between to majorities to a battle between the majority and the very outspoken and radical minority. From there things deteriorated rapidly and peace was crumbling faster and faster. The "radicals" claimed that the actions of Medon and the rest of the majority were doing exactly what the Combine was created to protect against, submitting aliens to human control. In truth, Medon was worried of the same thing but he knew that if he did not try to work with the CIS that the Combine would lose everything it hoped to achieve.

As it turns out, the minority radicals did not agree in the slightest. No sooner had Medon announced that the Combine would be hosting a meeting with the CIS, did the radicals take a splinter faction of the Combine and seize a number of ports and a military complex in Pau City. Now Medon found himself in the midst of a small civil war on Utapau where the radicals were keeping reinforcements from landing, thanks to the emplacement of several Tolmalok Anti-Aircraft Walkers around the city. Not only that, but the radicals now controlled a small force of aircraft and a small army of sympathizers who would die to protect the Combine rights they thought we being given away. Medon's only hope was to meet with the CIS and request their assistance in liberating Pau City from the radicals and then seeing if an agreement could be put in place.

 

[Daxton Bane]

Daxton sat in his shuttle waiting for the command to deploy, eyes closed in silent meditation of the void. It wasn't clear where the Wayfinder of the Seekers was heading, whether to assist in the diplomatic efforts or quell the rebellious minorities but it hardly mattered to him. After all, in the end diplomacy usually entailed bloodshed and where there was blood to be shed, Daxton was usually in the thick of things.

Gathering the Force around himself, he tried to find his center and clear his mind of any irrelevant things. An uncluttered mind was the foundation of a good warrior. Taking another deep breath, he relished the opportunity to do so, before the chaos of battle that was to come.

 

[Feena]

Feena was in a shuttle now, trying her very best not to vomit in front of the others. It was no secret that the great and powerful Feena Mason had a little case of space sickness... and motion sickness... and a great fear of heights. But she thought she did a decently good job at hiding it, all things considered. Especially in her condition. She never threw up in front of anybody that she worked with. Not once. That itself spoke a great deal about her self control.

Clutched in her hand was a medpac, but that was not the only medical supplies she had brought. Health stims, bacta, midisensors, flexclamps, synthflesh, kolto, Antiseptics, Bacta patches, bone stabilizers... the list went on and on for several pages. Feena had personally checked her datapad many times to ensure that everything on the list was accounted for.
And it wasn't just medicine and healing that she brought with her. She had loaded up food packs, blankets, lightrods, power packs... anything that could be needed by civilians.

This was the important part of this entire operation, in Feenas eyes. This was what would win for them. If the people learned to love them, then they would have the world.

 

[Malok]

The events of recent days had placed a great deal of stress upon the shoulders of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' Grand Marshal. This was due to the fact that a simple, peaceful request to meet and discuss the future, working relationship between the Combine and the Confederacy had caused a literal civil war to break out in the capital city. His first priority, while diplomacy was paramount, was the civilians endangered upon the world; and as such he had saw fit to bring a sizeable task force to put an end to the fighting once and for all.

As such, from the depths of hyperspace surged forth a congregation of Confederate vessels; spearheaded by a Resolute-class Star Destroyer upon the bridge of which Genesis stood. Garbed from head to toe in his trademark armor of white, his eyes were plastered upon the terminal before him and the holographic projection of Pau City's layout. By this time, the call had been sent out, and those who were participating in the liberation of Pau City were instructed to fill the shuttles within the fleet's hanger bay in preparation for launch.

While the initial phases of the operation were set to take place, the Grand Marshal's Ambassador, one Vorhi Alestrani, was tasked to meet with the leader of the Combine Collective in order to discuss the terms of Utapau's entrance into the Confederacy. If all went well, the battle would be swift, collatoral damage non-existent, and the Confederacy would welcome a new world into their midst. To this end, the Grand Marshal opened up a line of communication from his helmet and spoke across the fleet's P.A. system.

"Attention all personnel bound for the surface, saddle up and get ready to fly. All shuttles, prepare for liftoff. Our duty is to liberate Pau City from the rogue cell who have committed treason against their own people and put the lives of their citizens at risk. We shall rendezvous on the surface, one klik from the city. I want our fighters scrambled and ready to deal with the anti-air defenses in order to clear us a path down...May the Force be with you all."

With that said, the clone made his way down to the hanger bay and took a seat upon the shuttle occupied by Daxton Bane and Feena Mason. Upon departure, Vorhi would be there to meet with the delegation; a fact that he thought wise as both were "alien species" in their own right.

"Light up those engines!" he called to the pilot.

@[member="Praxis"], @[member="T:N1:LDR"], @[member="Sonja Mercier"], @[member="The Dark Templar"], @[member="Aedan Miles"], @[member="Shorurra"], @[member="Veret Jun"], @[member="Coop"], @[member="Olidiv Kenu"], @[member="Mehrk Gorbi"], @[member="Squr Tyson"], @Nocturno, @Lucious Montross, @[member="Korbin Edron"], @[member="Dharma Vessia"], @[member="Daxton Bane"], @[member="Swava Denko"], @[member="Darth Solrune"], @[member="Feena Mason"], @[member="Aluk Magar"], @[member="Kara Avoyos"], @[member="Seth Lockheart"], @[member="Sotir"], @[member="Vorhi Alestrani"], @[member="Subject 13"], @[member="Oron"], @[member="Myra Subach"], @[member="Alli Wren"], @[member="Pandeima"], @[member="Commander Black"], @[member="Crexis Vandan"], @[member="Elrax Mothris"], @[member="Farran Coiro"], @[member="Errol Ackeron"], @[member="Ember Rekali"], @[member="Ganon Steelfist"], @Jacen Peterson, @[member="Jalaak Ranaz"], @[member="James Moriarty"], @[member="Kataphrak"], @[member="Mose Wildrup"], @[member="Ksayral Zekaidos"], @Marsaun Timbago, @Mason Comachi, @[member="Montag Card"], @[member="Nero"], @[member="OBD-001"], @[member="Pollux Ojedrian"], @[member="Rave"], @[member="Sasha Santhe"], @[member="Siara Kai"], @[member="Vladimir Tedesky"], @[member="Voracen Raiz"], @Wiklea Ve'nar, @Xander Cobal, @[member="Xhal Taleed"], @[member="Zev Stargo"].​

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

Vorhi looked at Feena with a smirk on the same shuttle for peace-keeping and happiness. Negotiate, and show off the aid as a sign of trust and cuddliness. Good old-fashioned diplomacy. "Could be worse, Archon," he said with a chuckle. "They could've decided to make me drive." He wave his arm in front of his blindfold for the sake of the joke. A lame joke, but it' just might help her relax. "Oh, and remember don't refer to the aid as "Humanitarian," some of the Combine's politico's take that as a speciesist language," he said with a soft smile. He hoped Genesis and the soldier would be able to keep damage to a minimum for this fight. Still he smiled as the shuttle hailed Medon on a comm frequency. "Senator Telava, this is Huute Haamu, diplomatic envoy Vorhi Alestrani. We've come to talk, the others here have come to help liberate Pau city. Permission to dock, sir?" He'd do the talking. Talking he was good at. Besides, war wasn't really all that interesting.

 

[Kara Avoyos]

Despite the seriousness of the situation that they were about to dive into, Kara could not help but grin. This was her first mission as a knight of the Templar order and it felt good. Fittingly, the mission was more complex than her previous ones. Instead of wading into a fight, they were holding a line. Instead of relying of force of arms to gain victory, they also needed words and contracts. Breaking enemy forces would mean nothing if their diplomats failed, and all the talking in the galaxy wouldn’t do a bit of good if the traitors broke through the CIS lines and killed everyone. Everyone had to not screw things up if they wanted to not get their headquarters and hindquarters rearranged today.

It was an exhilarating mess with a large chance of utter failure, and she was more than ready to get started. The blonde, along with a few of the other Seekers, had been tasked with helping the Crusaders and regular military hold off the bulk of the enemy horde. Presumably there were no shiny objects laying around for them to steal, but brass didn’t want them to feel left out. It might have been for the best that Vorhi was going with the diplomatic party. The man might be good in a fight, but there probably wasn’t much his fancy fighting style could do against blasters at a distance.

 

[Daxton Bane]

Reaching for his pouch he took a small tin container and opened it before offering his companions some. "Corellian Rock Candy." He explained, indicating the very popular minty confection that spacers usually sucked on during long hyperdrive journeys. The small candies were an assortment of rainbow colors and sizes. "I find these greatly relieve the stress. That and I love the purple grape ones. Would you like some?"

@[member="Feena Mason"] @[member="Genesis Rostu"]

 

[Seth Harkness]

Seth headded off for the shuttle and found himself a seat while he waited quietly for Josiah to get there. As he sat there he nervously messed with the red cloth around his head, it was something he had stared doing when he was nervous.

@[member="Josiah Denko"]

 

[Feena]

@[member="Vorhi Alestrani"] @[member="Daxton Bane"]

Feena clutched lightly at the arm rests, nails gently digging into the leather. She smiled at Vorhl and his non-serious recommendation that she watch what she says.
"I'll be careful," she smiled, letting herself relax somewhat.

Relaxing was a terrible idea. Letting her gaurd down, just a little almost caused the bile to rise in her throat. Pregnancy really did not help motion sickness either. Without a word, she eagerly accepted Mister Banes offer of rock candy, on the off chance that something sweet on her tongue might cause herself to calm down a little.

It worked.

"Oh, thank you. I think you just rescued the interior of the ship."

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

Medon sat at an elongated table, rubbing his long fingers against his temples as he listened to the various reports coming in about how the Combine Military was being pushed back by the rebels. How did he let things fall apart like this? Everything seemed as if it were going to work exactly as he had envisioned it, but now he was bending over to the CIS...shame, such a shame. As Medon sat, contemplating life, a signal came through from the CIS diplomat who would be trying to convince him to peacefully give up everything he had tried to build.

"Yes, please dock and my soldiers will escort you to the meeting chambers."

 

[Darth Metus]

It would have taken an individual who was blind and deaf to miss the sight and sounds of the operation's preparations. First, there was an announcement over the Star Destroyer's P.A. System that truly kicked things into gear. Then, there was a blur of soldiers rushing about the corridor, orders being barked, and constant movement. Unfortunately, Josiah was neither deaf nor dumb, so he was subjected to the chaotic symphony of militant noises as he made his way to the ship's hanger bay. Garbed in his Templar Armor for this operation, he was fully equipped to handle any situation that the field of battle may through his way...though he deeply wondered whether or not his apprentice was. This was, being perfectly honest, the first warzone that the young Seth would be entering; not counting knocking over some derelict ships onto confused pirates.

Josiah eventually made his way into the shuttle within which his apprentice and plopped into the seat beside him. He reached out and gave the boy's hair a confident ruffle, coupled with a warm smile. This was the best strategy he could think of for any potential pre-game jitters; for if one's master was confident, then hopefully said confidence would trickle on down and fill up the student.

"Alright Seth, just like before, I want you to stick by my side in this operation. Understood?"

@[member="Seth Lockheart"].

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

Vorhi nodded. "Docking senator."

He smiled as the ship landed. This was an odds situation, but part of diplomacy was creating a more practical environment then what was at hand. He smirked as this shuttle landed. "Alright, everybody smile. Hearts and minds--that's what were after," he said as he opened the ramp nodding as he walked down. He waved at the guards. Pau'an senatorial escort. Decent, but not the ultimate in military. Still the Combine's equipment was nice. He smiled cheerily. He'd always wanted to do this. "Take us to to your leader, fellas!"

He smiled, walking towards the conference. "Military personnel follow Rostu. Aid-givers, diplomats, follow me. Time to bring a little love and peace to Utapau!" He said with a jolly wave, walking forward.

 

[Seth Harkness]

@[member="Josiah Denko"]

Seth laughed softly when he ruffled his hair " I will, don't worry". the blue eye boy said as he return the red cloth around his hair to keep it out of his eyes. " What are we here for again?" he asked looking around still a tad bit nervous.

 

[Darth Metus]

"According to our intel, and what was blared over the P.A. System, there is a rogue cell on Utapau who have taken over the capital city. That in itself is treason; but this also poses a risk to the civilians. All of this is due to the fact that...well, being blunt, the cell is terribly racist against anyone who is human. They despise humanity and are enraged that the Collective would engage in talks with the Confederacy; who has a human at the helm. However...well, it's a confusing thing to be upset over, since the Bothans and Rodians were the first races, aside from Humanity, to join up. Hell, Bothawui is our capital for crying out loud...Nonetheless, we're going down there to liberate the city and to put down this rogue cell."

@[member="Seth Lockheart"].

 

[Seth Harkness]

@[member="Josiah Denko"]


" Grate, sounds like fun" Seth said in a playfully sarcastic tone, adding a laugh in after that. Seth tended to act.. weard when he was nervous, but it helped him from at lest freaking out. He still looked nervous none the less no matter how hard he tried not to me.

 

[Darth Metus]

Despite the fact that many people were able to veil their true emotions behind wit or humor, Seth's ability to delude Josiah into thinking that he wasn't nervous...had long since past. That was one of the many "perks" of being a mentor; one was afforded the opportunity to learn about the person they were instructing quite well. As such, despite the sarcasm spewing from the youth's lips, Josiah knew better. He then took advantage of the Zeltron blood flowing through his veins in order to project calming emotions over his student; as he typically did prior to large events.

"Well, keep calm young one. The light will guide and protect us both."

@[member="Seth Lockheart"].

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

Dark boots of metal clanked across the steel floors of the hanger and the very weight they carried radiated purpose, focus and lethality. Blue eyes scanned the beings in the hanger, studying that they were living up to the standards set for them. Confederate soldiers were expected to be precise, lethal and loyal without question but Nocturno saw that these qualities were not met as they should have been. The only true warrior in the CIS, whom could model these standards, were those who wore skin of steel and had hearts of circuitry and wire. It was disgraceful, the fear he felt from those around him as the ice of his presence shadowed over the organic beings he passed. Worthless, pathetic and weak, it would take a great feat for any of these standard infantrymen to impress Nocturno.

Without even a word, the Commander stepped onto the shuttle in which the Grandmarshal had ordered him to. @Genesis Rosu, was already aboard the shuttle and had just told the pilot to fire up the engines. Nocturno was pleased with his new leader's proficiency in the arena of military planning and commanding, it was a shame such a man be stuck with pitiful troops. Nocturno would not say so to his commanding officer, not now at least. The cyborg took a gentle seat beside Rosu and as he did great ping of pain shot up through what little of an organic spine he had. This pain was unbearable of late, he needed to take a rest and look over his systems once these foolish Combine dogs had been put in their place

"Grandmarshal" Nocturno began in a voice of icy static "My forces have loaded onto their shuttle...they are eager to play with these rebels." of course the droids weren't eager to do anything, they were soulless machines after all.

 

[Seth Harkness]

Seth sighed a little and relaxed a bit " i'm trying to" he said closing his eyes a moment and took a deep breath " its just hard" he added with another sigh, as he begain to mess with the red bandanna around his head again. @[member="Josiah Denko"]

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

Why was he always the one stuck with the Jedi? Sure, maybe in Zev's dying moments he had a sudden revelation of why the Jedi weren't bad, but Lucious still couldn't stand them in the slightest. They were always so peace this, and keep calm that and yadda, yadda, yadda and so on. By the force, Lucious just wanted to sit back and have a drink or two then go find some nice look Twi'Leks to exploit for a night. Was that too much to ask? Was it so wrong for a humble bounty hunter to go on and just party his hard earned cash away?

Lucious continued to complain in his own mind as he approached Josiah's shuttle, leaping on in one bound and raising his hands in the air "Guess i'm stuck riding with you guys...again."

 

[Malok]

At that moment, there was a sound of metal clattering against metal. This din signified the entrance of the Supreme Commander of the Droid Army: Nocturno. He was a rather interesting character, recovered during the events which transpired on Kamino. While his existence was, according to the small sum of information that Genesis knew about him, one of pain; and this fact was something that pained the Grand Marshal to know. However, these thoughts had their time and place. Now was the time to focus on the operation at hand.

"Excellent," came the reply of the clone as he regarded the cyborg with a nod, "then let's get this show on the way. Pilot! Let's be off!" he commanded. There was a sound of affirmation, and in that moment the Grand Marshal's shuttle and the shuttle carrying Nocturno's droids lifted up within the hanger and jettisoned forth towards the planet surface. As they rocketed through the heavens, they were accompanied by an escort of starfighters dispatched to see them safely to the ground. They were the first wave, and were to be followed by the additional shuttles still within the hanger.

Once upon the ground, only a small distance out from the sinkhole city, Genesis was the first to disembark. Shouldering his blaster rifle, he surveyed the area before issuing an order.

"We're going to have to repel down, give the enemy a surprise. Our first target is the anti-air fixtures. Whist we attack those, the additional troops can focus on holding the line and preventing the entire city from falling to these rogues."

@Nocturno.