Scalebound (Downfall)

[Sick Cycle Carousel]

The red Lethan covered with black twirls of tattoos, were concealed by a jet black sith robe.The First order had found her while she had been searching for the rumoured Vader's fortress searching for evidence or holocrons to further her power. Unfortunately she had been found before she could personally find it, only to realize she was searching right underneath the fortress itself. Now she was summoned to a meeting with Kyrel himself, Its a wonder she had even survived, most lords would have struck her down for such a thing.


Her life had begun down a path of such drastic turn of event, now she is fighting alongside the first order to maintain and rebuild their empire. Only time would tell how this would play out. At this point she did not know where she belonged, Ashara felt a high level of mistrust, granted she would have felt the same. Baring her feelings on the matter she entered the bridge to find a towing droid, Ashara must have looked like a dwarf to its eyes, only standing 5’5 with her athleticism. She had only known a few droids that she thought were worth more than spare parts, by the look of him she thought otherwise.


“How may I be of assistance” She spoke sounding very clear to Kyrel.

@HK-42@Kyrel Ren[member="Yasha Cadera"]@Karisa@Thorne

 

[Tendra Daklan]

It was hard to feel sympathy for those who were around him. The young man was not oblivious to the widespread destruction and despair that had claimed the Outer Rim, or the millions of innocent that had fallen prey to it. The injuries he had suffered could still be felt to this day. Only a twisted sense of satisfaction was felt by Tendra, as he looked upon those around him. This far away from Yalara, how could he feel anything else?

Stopping in his stride amidst the crew of the FIV Aggressor, the youth cast his gaze among the stretched stars, his pale face reflected in the transparisteel window port. Panatha, a planet mostly foreign to Tendra, was still a place he felt strangely connected to. He could feel the dark side emanating from the distant star system, undoubtedly a result from the Sith Empire's arrival.

Resuming on his course, the Ren Disciple walked calmly through the hallways of the Star Destroyer, stopping only this time once he had reached the bridge. [member="Kyrel Ren"], the one who had sought Tendra out and tended to his injuries, lay just beyond the door before him. Stepping in, clad in refitted Knights of Ren armor, Tendra stood before the former Master of the Knights of Ren. The force-using sect had all but fallen apart now, especially after Sieger's will had culled their ranks. Remaining silent, the young man waited.

[member="HK-42"]
[member="Ashara Evanaris"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

The secure room in the Esperell plantation wasn't so much a 'room' as a 'duracrete box' hidden behind a secret panel in the library. It had technological and construction tricks that made it difficult to locate if one didn't already know where it was. It had supplies, thank heaven, and cots that -- while not especially comfortable -- at least kept one from sleeping on the ground. Tinned food and openers, a 'fresher and a rudimentary shower that had long gone cold after the estate's main power system went offline, and a small collection of books helped to pass the time.

What it didn't have was anything that would entertain a two-year-old girl, and though it was easy to explain to Benazir's five-year-old charge that it was extremely important that they stay quiet, by day three he was starting to get bored and antsy. George Fortan was an imperious little thing on the best of days -- Benazir had taken to referring to him mentally as Little Lord Poodoobritches when he was at his worst -- but now, cooped up in what amounted to almost a dungeon for the seventh day -- or was it eighth? -- he was unhappy and exceptionally bossy.

A quiet dinging sound alerted Benazir to the tripping of a motion sensor. She clutched Reima to her hip as she stood and walked over to the door, holding her eye up to the peephole. The security control panel was on low-power standby, so the cameras weren't available to feed the monitors, so she had to do it the old fashioned way. Her long eyelashes brushed against the glass as she leaned in to peer out.

There was a man in the doorway. He turned and advanced, frowning as he studied the room. She couldn't quite make out his face, at least until he seemed to alight on the door panel. When he came close enough, she recognized him as George and Reima's uncle, Thaddeus Vitalis. She reached for the door's manual locks and began working through them. She eased the panel open and whispered to the astonished Vitalis: "Colonel, thank goodness. Come inside, quickly." Once the man had crossed the threshold, Benazir closed the panel behind him and resealed the locks. "Children, look, it's your uncle!" She approached from behind and pressed a blaster pistol to the small of his back. "I assume you have the security passphrase."

She flicked the safety off and smiled reassuringly at George before nudging Vitalis with the blaster.

[member="Judicar"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Thaddeus Vitalis"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"We will make landfall near the capital, it must be reinforced at all cost. Without control of the capital, it will be more difficult to reclaim the lost territories."

As the Behemoth II trudged on through the battle, its hundreds of turbolaser cannons opened fire on any and all available Ssi-Ruuk ship in the vicinity. Energy blasts, larger than most Corvettes, scythed through enemy craft with impunity, scattering debris and superheated particles to the solar winds. Anything that dared to try and get between the massive dreadnought and the planet's atmosphere was annihilated without hesitation, some of the more unfortunate Ssi-Ruuk cruisers merely rammed aside by the Impervium reinforced prow.

"Supreme Excellency, my sensors detect a Ssi-Ruuk communications vessel at point oh-four-seven, its engines are powered down. A small flotilla of frigates and cruisers protect it from attack."

"Move the ship into position, and prepare firing sequence. Target their central axis."

The Behemoth II slowly pivoted, coming to a halt as its engines reduced speed to more easily maneuver into position. Trajector calculations scrolled across the bridge's sensory screens, thousands of different variables taken into account as energy was diverted from Isotope-5 generators buried deep below the dreadnought's hull. As the dreadnought lined up with the Ssi-Ruuk communications vessel, that energy was then ejected through multiple channels and focused through kyber crystal lenses, compacting the energy and supercharging it as it went. Protective blast shield doors opened up at the dreadnought's prow, revealing a long dark chasm spiraling deep into the Behemoth II's belly.

​

​

Four emerald tributary beams simultaneously shot out from the dreadnought's prow, converging via focusing coils to form one powerful beam that was then amplified further by an even larger primary beam that was expunged out from the center of the dreadnought's prow. The supercharged beam was then ejected through empty space, bypassing other ships along a straight trajectory until it evenly collided with the Ssi-Ruuk communications vessel. The alien ship was completely and utterly torn apart by the blast, which contained enough concussive force to send the surrounding picket ships spinning out of control in a cascading wave away from the point of impact.

"Firing sequence complete."

"Prepare to disembark ground troops, and inform King Servelus to prepare for our arrival."

[member="Yasha Cadera"]​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Don’t worry, Kaine. We will succeed and the Ssi-Ruuk will be nothing but the vanquished our next generations demonize in victory songs. Their blood will be a fitting offering at the Temples for daring to touch our People.”

Space brightened to a tapestry of green, reds and the yellow-oranges of ships exploding. The heat created by the energy bursting from the Behemoth II’s cannons was enough to scald bodies, incinerate ships built for war. Carnage uncontainable.

“Nussyn’s gown…” Yasha breathed in a sense of pugilistic wonder at the power of the Behemoth’s main weapon. A shiver crept down her spine. From the Sith’s main gun, there was no escape. Her wolf-helm swept over her face, sealing her away behind the HUD and vicious mantle of Mand’alor the Infernal. A hand swept out, and the Longinus Spear flew from its’ place perched along the black throne’s mighty side, to her open gauntlet-clad palm.

“Mando’ade landing parties, form up.” The retinue of Mandalorians the Infernal brought with her gave their assent with an ‘OYA!’ over their comms. In her ear, the comm link to her Panathan family roiled as a passive feed. The screams and plight of the Panathan Peoples ringing clean. She nodded to [member="Darth Carnifex"], and her armoured form swept along the way behind them, as the Dark Lord and Mand’alor went to war.

“Go! Go! Go! For the King!!” Hector Fitz-Kierke yanked a grenade off his belt and lobbed it at the Ssi-Ruuk rushing the crossroads in the Capital City of Panatha. His aim was as true as his conviction. Behind him, his wife Ada and daughter Adrestia rushed the flock of children and wounded to the safety of the Temple of Nereus. Draped in her Deacon’s robes, Adrestia’s booming voice led them, while she carried an injured man over her shoulder.

“To the Temple!” The Epicanthix people were not going to death conquered quietly. Each abled bodied Citizen, Layman and Slave caught up their arms, creating a resistance to coincide with King Servelus' military push… Hector feared it was not enough.

“Girak! Girak, we need that help!” Hector called into his comm. His husband, Girak Kierke was above, in the rear guard of the massive coalition fleet. The Defiant Mantis and its’ retinue of Mandalorian ships nestled between the Sith and the Chiss ( [member="Thorne"] [member="Karisa"] ) , firing at any Ssi-Ruuk ships, which squeezed by the front. Word of other cities falling lingered in the cochlea of his ears, ringing with the hammer and anvil throng of screams and weapons’ fire. He dove behind rubble, as the Ssi-Ruuk behind their detonated brethren rushed, firing at the herd of survivors. Ada fired her pistol into the mob of lizards until her power pack went dry. She knelt behind the body of a fallen soldier, and checked him for power packs, and stripped him of his weapons, as a streak of green flashed across the sky.

“By Nereus… that was the Behemoth’s main weapon. Hector be strong. Yasha and Emperor Zambrano are close. Hold your position, love. We are coming.” Girak’s voice fritzed and faded out with the crackling of the bright green band across space. Hector watched the beam tear at the sky.

“Nereus’ beard…” A cascading explosion in the space above Panatha was catastrophic in appearance, shrapnel igniting in the atmosphere. Hector reached for another grenade, triggered it and threw as the Ssi-Ruuk glanced up at the wreckage of their communications ships. “… hurry, love. We’re running out of ammo. House Fitz Kierke is protecting as many civilians as we can in Nereus’ Temple… your cousins are doing the same in Qocia.”

He sprinted backward, covering his wife and daughter’s communal retreat to the Temple, stopping only to drag a groaning and wounded officer to safety.

OOC: Yay, 2000 posts!

 

[The Major]

Hours had since bled into days. Churning pools of time ran red, raw, slicked in smoldering charcoal bits which twirled so high past the level of the Director’s head it had long since drowned her into a state of numb automation. Sybil saw, but was demolished by her infinite failures in service to her adopted nation. Her azure eyes saw, yea, but clouded by the chaos they dimmed under the shade of black, fiery cloud and raining ruination.

In this stupor, she gave orders, fought endlessly since abandoning Dosuun, watched once proud lines shatter and falter as stronghold after redoubt was crippled, then crumbled. In this stupor, she was dinged, battered, burned, slashed, and occasionally given a glimmer of respite in the form of bacta baths when not actively fighting in a manner unparalleled in its horrid savagery. Her affectionately named “Garbage Suit” now really did resemble a walking, scorched ash can of tin rubbish as opposed to a once glorious, pompous set of ultrachrome armour.

At some point thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Sith Emperor, his agents -extensions of his will, and the razor sharp tactical acuity of the Chiss Ascendancy, the battle for Bakura now at least was blowing past the sorry state of stalemate which was literally bleeding the First Order Remnant a painful, attrition laced death. As allied ships flooded the sector the Impervium was starting to experience a most vengeful peeling as their armies and fleets now contented with the resources of this titanic coalition. Remnant ships were now able to escape, overloaded with civilians and decimated forces who managed to survive until this point when so many more were reduced to fuel for the lizard menace. Some streaked away into the safety nets near Sarvachi or Yaga Minor. The fleet that was present and in fighting shape, now freed up on the flanks, could redouble their efforts to both the surfaces of Panatha and Bakura.

While the planets were still burned in the wake of the horde’s advance, there was some manner of hope restored as space-to-ground support took form as Resurgents which could amplify their effect with connecting bombardments on the enemy formations. Star Destroyers now filled the skies, but this time they weren’t simply lacerated into scrap metal. Instead they spread out and earned back territory as reinforcements streamed out to capitalize.

One such First Order Star Destroyer began to lumber over a very specific hill in the area of operations. Transports burst out at speed towards the objective.

​

​

An Estate, The Estate,​

Near. But not near enough. ​

In time. But not on time.​

Never enough time.​

♫I don’t want to crash anymore. ​

I just want to soar through the space -let wind hit my face...♪ ​

Murmured she.​

Under the helmet it came it out like garbled, slippery sighs anyway.​

The Ssi-Ruuk were not indifferent to the value of this particular plantation. The formation set to march and raze this bunker set out with every seeming advantage. Now they faced extermination.

Stormtroopers and FOSB heavies, Hunters, leapt out from their battle taxis and gave the enemy chase. Most of the foes seemed to be picking on a Major and his 44th Platoon. Perhaps the battalion of Imperium’s assigned to capture the property and entech those inside the estate thought the soldiers dyed in red would make a good meal. Now, being blasted, crushed, or torn into globose chunks of gore and melee weapon assisted piles of pulled external converted organs might provide a poignant but brief education in the field of underestimation.

Eventually the attacking troops would link up with the platoon, either on the field or inside the mansion.

Lady Shepard, Sybil, former Director of the Security Bureau, ignored any of that splendor. The little slip of paper stuffed into one of the pockets in her armour had been very explicit. This note at least gave her body a reason to perpetuate its tyrannical existence upon this universe, and so she went. Blaster bolts pinged and danced off the plates of her ashen suit. A foe would place themselves in her way, and she lashed out, extracting from them the hidden paths of freedom carved out from songsteel battleaxe which sung in whining, metallic chords -freeing fingers and claws from hands and arms, freeing fractional parts of skull and brain tissue. They flew, and she only felt a distant longing to join the fleeting sparks and drifting dust.

As occasion would chance it, Sybil, through such wanton violence found herself inside and somehow more grimy than before. Everything in her motions were automatic. Instinctual. She picked this path, went through those doors, wandered down that corridor, until she found herself following a trail of battle to a library. Her boots creaked against the grain of the floor, looking for a way to proceed in a lifeless shuffle that suggested something in her psyche was about to permanently retire.

Odd, it was almost like the only thing compelling her on this journey was the struggle. In this moment of near-peace dread crept up her limbs. Outside the rhythmic thumps of grenades going and blasters poking drew her back to the war where things were simple, where she could drone away the guilt. Groggy as the effects of the latest hit of combat drugs wore out, Sybil noticed the painting of Talbot upon one of the walls. Her heart climbed into her throat, freezing the once conniving Director in place, smashing her very soul with a repressed realization of her liability involving the late Vatalis death on Dagobah.

What was she doing even here? She couldn’t be involved with a person without somehow getting them killed. And she was to be trusted with finding these children -keeping them safe. She’d get them killed. Somehow. Superstition got the better of Sybil, causing her to imagine the portrait of Talbot to narrow its eyes at her presence, silently accusing her of killing the progeny of the Grand Moff... perhaps of killing the Grand Moff, killing Dosuun, and killing the First Order itself.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Thorne"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Yasha Cadera"] | [member="Judicar"] | [member="Thaddeus Vitalis"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Transports streamed down through the atmosphere, beset flak from Ssi-Ruuk anti-air emplacements down on the surface. From this elevated, albeit dangerous, position, the Sith Emperor could see the entirety of the Ssi-Ruuk force as it besieged the ancient walls of Canthar. Sith-Imperial Bombers that had joined the transport's escort broke away to begin coordinated raids on the enemy lines, particularly their armor emplacements and rear communication hubs. If the enemy could be deprived of their means of relaying orders, then it would make it all the more simple for the Sith to join forces with the local defenders and push the scaly invaders back into the stars.

Already a sizable landing area had been cleared a mile or so beyond the outskirts of the battle raging in and around the capital, Sith-Imperial walkers brought down on massive corvette-sized transports and moved into position for an attack on the Ssi-Ruuk's flank. The Emperor's shuttle landed somewhere near the center of it all, where a tower had been erected to serve as the command center for the war effort.

"We'll crash into their flank, taking pressure off of the capital. Tear a hole through them until they're divided and broken." spoke the Sith Emperor as he emerged from the shuttle, flanked by those who would ride into battle with him; including the Mand'alor. "Take your Mandalorians further around and see what you can do about the lizards inside the city, Yasha. Give the defenders a chance to regroup."

[member="Yasha Cadera"]​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="The Major"]

Yasha nodded as the wolf-helm surrounded her severe face. The battle raged round, Yasha's troops chomping in their buy'ce's to rush the Ssi-Ruuk. While Kaine prepared to break and fissure the lizards' main forces, Yasha's Mandalorians would secure Canthar.

"My bes'uliik'e and I will see it done. We will not let the city fall, I will convene with the House Kierke forces in the Temple of Nereus and radiate, cleansing the city one sweep at a time. You give me the distraction." From behind the HUD, Yasha watched the detailed scanning reports of the invasion, feeling the ease of nerve, which settled upon her. Battle fit well on her shoulders, the true calm that moment before the guns began to fire, and smoke curled round their troops.

The shuttle opened to the Jungle's balmy light. Waiting for her, was the Bes'uliik Solus Rekr. The Infernal saddled onto her steed and set up the droid link. Her family near, in the ancestral Capital. The chatter of her soldiers was a welcome distraction, as the power systems of her Bes'uliik whirred to life. She sat beside the Dark Lord, spear propped in her hand as the metal beast churned. Mandalorians of Death Watch, and various Clans formed up behind Yasha with a single electronic whistle.

"Steady, vode. Target the lizards, and throw up the shields around the Temple. Once the Infernal reaches orbit, it'll send the Yicheffe Atmo-Carrier with a full complement of gunships and shield generators to disperse through Canthar and Qocia. Kaine. Count your kills... And when this day is done, we will feast at the Palace." The compliment of Mandalorians formed up behind their Mand'alor, as Yasha surged forward, rushing her forces through the jungle to flank the arrowhead of the Sith troops.

[member="Adenn Kyramud"]

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Panatha, homeworld of [member="Yasha Cadera"] and her family, even if only spiritual for the Mand'alor herself. But it was still her home, a home that burned in the fires of war thanks to the Sii-Ruuk. Now, Adenn himself had little to no connection to the place, but the Mand'alor did, and Aditya did; those two facts made his actions acceptable to himself. Those actions you might ask, head to Panatha and join in the defense of the planet. That's where Adenn found himself now, in the launch bay of the Aegis Eternum, about to head down to the planet. Adenns ship had snuck along with the Sith fleet of [member="Darth Carnifex"], one of many, but its cargo completely unique. Mandalorians of Clan Mortui.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adenn stood in the launch bay, next to his drop pod, with his most elite of warriors. While the Mand'alor and many other Mandalorians were entering using the venerable Basalisks, Adenn and his men didn't have enough for each of them; and they worked better together, so they would deploy using drop pods. Their target area, where the most Kierkes were located, Nereus Temple. Apparently it was the target of the other Mandos as well, convenient for Adenn and his men. Not so much for their enemies.

Smirking behind his helmet, Adenn observed those with him, their armor, and their shields. Adenn himself wore his own set of the power armor. All together, each of them with armor stood at 3 meters tall, or over. Together, they'd form a beskar and human wall between the temple and its people, and the Sii Ruuk. Chuckling lightly, Adenn motioned for everyone to enter the pods. The lizards would regret burning Panatha, Adenn would make sure of it. With a shuddering rock, the drop pods were off, headed towards the surface of the planet.

There was no speech, no grand declaration that the enemy would die, no, they all knew what they were doing, and they all knew they'd get it done. Within moments, several violent crashes, ensued right outside the Nereus Temple. Immediately the pod doors fell open, and out walked Adenn and his Beskad Warriors and Beskad Elite. There were 5 of the elite terminators there, their Jaig Eyes proudly emblazoned on their helmets. Alongside them came an extra 25 Beskad Warriors. Together there were 30 of them, not including Adenn.

These massive warriors of beskar stepped out, into the light. Gazing around himself, Adenn noted the locations of the defenders, and of the attackers. Smirking behind his helmet, Adenn spoke up, shouting with his armors loudspeakers, with all his warriors doing the same.
"Bic b a jate tuur ash'ad kyr'amur!" (It's a good day for someone else to die.)

And then the opened fire. Holding their shields before themselves, they wielded the heavy guns they carried as most would regular blasters. Opening fire, they spat death at their enemy, and that enemy died. They died by the dozens, and Adenn and his warriors formed a physical barrier of metal between the lizards and the Panathans. Shouts of "Oya" were heard from the Mandos, for now they were doing what they excelled at. Taking the brunt of the damage so that those weaker than themselves would survive, in this case the Panathans were those weaker than themselves.

In the corner of his eye, Adenn noted that the enemy seemed numberless. Though their arrival had halted the enemies advance, Adenn knew the enemy could still try to advance. But that simply meant more killing for he and his men. A fact that was good in his mind, for it meant there'd be plenty of killing. His men and he would be counting their kills, to compare later. And Adenn simply couldn't be anywhere but the top, so with a loud shout of "Oya!" he kept firing, and the enemy kept dying.

[member="Yasha Cadera"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="The Major"] [member="Benazir Totah"] [member="Tendra Daklan"] [member="Cooky wonder"] @other people

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Planet Bakura​

Fortan Estate Grounds​

Thoom-thoom-thoom-thoom.

The engines of the transport thrummed loudly, rapidly, as the repulsors and ion systems worked in tandem to bring the large transport down to the front of the estate grounds quickly. Landing struts crunched onto carefully maintained grass, digging deeply into the soil from sheer weight, before the hiss of hydraulics sounded and the rear ramp-way lowered. From within, forty crimson colored stormtroopers exited at full speed; each soldier was part of a squad within the overall platoon, with each squad commander knowing exactly where to be and when. It was like watching a highly choreographed march, as the sea of red armor took up surrounding defensive positions, blaster rifles, barricades and launchers hefted from within the transport, before being setup in preparation of the rapidly approaching enemy forces.

Judicar was the last one from the transport, as he completed coordinating via his helmet comm with his platoon. His combat boots crunched the ground underfoot as he moved his considerable size and weight toward the manor, blaster rifle held across his front in gloved hands, ready to be used. Alpha Squad were waiting ahead, crouched and maintaining a observation position.

"Let's move," Judicar ordered, pointing to the manor, as the transport engaged repulsors and began to rise from the soon-to-be battlefield. "Enemy forces will be converging on this position any minute, we don't have long to find the children and escort them to safety."

Alpha Squad joined Judicar as he began running toward the manor proper, dark cape billowing in his wake, crimson armor barely reflecting the surrounding area. The small group of ten burst into the mansion, spreading out, weapons raised and ready. Several quick hand signals sent Alpha to work, as the Major leading them made for the stairs to the second floor. The squad moved quickly, soft breaching into rooms and corridors, reporting sections cleared by the numbers.

"George, Reima," Judicar called, as he stepped into a bedroom. There had been a fight in the manor previously, from the look of it, so the need to locate the heirs to Fortan grew ever more important. "We're here to escort you to safety. Are you here?!"

Suddenly a report came through, as members of Alpha Squad engaged enemies within the mansion proper, in a different wing. Judicar sprinted from the bedroom, grabbing a small stuffed toy from the little girl's bed as he did so, strapping the item to his belt. The tall trooper bounded through the hallway, reaching the banister to the stairs and leaping over. He landed with a heavy crunch of armor, before continuing toward the distant sounds of battle, knowing time was of the essence.

"Report on forces engaged?"

<<"Lizards and a First Order soldier, sir.">>

"I'm almost there, assist the soldier now!"

Judicar sprinted as fast as his legs would allow, his breathing in his helmet coming in short controlled bursts, the visor panels fogging momentarily before being automatically cleared via self-cleaning mechanisms. Rounding a final corner, the next wing of the mansion revealed a pathway toward the library, of which there was a scattering of Ssi-Ruuk warriors in various states of injury or death. Whomever was cutting a swath was doing an excellent job of it. Ahead, Alpha Squad were engaging down several corridors, using corners as cover as they peered around and opened fire. Judicar didn't wait, instead stepping out into the hall and opening fire, knowing that if the lizards were inside the manor already, then the battle outside was well underway and openings had appeared in the defensive positions without.

"Push to the library, move, move," The tall trooper ordered, as he engaged with a Ssi-Ruuk warrior in close quarters. A flourish of deflections and a knuckle-plat vibroblade stab to the reptile's skull ended the fight quickly, before Judicar stepped over the large corpse and entered the library. He saw the lone trooper in damaged chrome armor. "I am Major Judicar, desination SQ-33744/2, we're here to escort the Grand Moff's children to safety. Identify yourself."

From behind the tall soldier, the remainder of Alpha Squad entered the large doors. They took up defensive positions, intent on holding the lizards beyond at bay...

"Have you seen George and Reima? We don't have much time!"

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

​

WILD SPACE

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Exiting Hyperspace; Bakura System.​

​

The Chiss fleet broke from hyperspace, reverting to realspace amid the battle raging around Bakura. Debris, explosions, large Ssi-ruuvi Imperium warships were in orbit, exchanging round after round with First Order vessels. The placement of the Ozyly-esehembo navigator had been precise, landing the Chiss forces beyond the Ssi-ruuk fleet, in wedge formation with all front-of-line vessels arrayed to open fire. In those precious moments from arrival to engagement, the fighters were launched, sensors were brought online, shields were raised and the Chiss fleet brought to combat effectiveness.

"Begin firing on the support and rear vessels," Mitth'orn'eruod commanded, as he stood and walked toward the viewing port. He narrowed his eyes, watching as megamasers began opening fire almost immediately. "Break their reinforcement lines while their front-of-line warships are ahead of their formations. Prepare shock nets to assist in disabling the closest starships, and begin moving our wedge in behind their own."

Commands were relayed across the bridge, then through the fleet, before the flagship began turning. The attacking Chiss wedge would move up behind the Ssi-ruuvi Imperium's vessels, spearing through their formations and forcing a break in their positioning and headings. Granted the Chiss would be fired upon from two sides, however the element of surprise and the coming destruction of the rear-most lizard vessels would balance out the force discrepancy. Mitth'orn'eruod looked back to Brask'ari'sabosen, smiling...

"I will have sensor crews begin planetside sweeps. Once a suitable staging area has been found, the launch commands will be given. What are your observations of the conflict upon our arrival, Chief Medical Officer Brask'ari'sabosen?"

Mitth'orn'eruod was not an individual prone to ignoring the views or opinions of others, rather he preferred to hear as many as possible, to then analyze and formulate appropriately. Besides, given Brask'ari'sabosen's career and service record, it was entirely possible she could see something a more military minded Admiral might overlook...

​

[member=Karisa"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Yasha Cadera"]​

​

CEDF - 2nd Fleet, 1st Battlegroup

Spoiler

Command Vessel [Talon 1]:

• CSB Vesci (Sovereign) [Mohn-Class Battlecruiser - 5000m] [100% | 100%]

Front-of-Line Vessels [Talon 2]:

• CSD Tin'si (Spear) [Batahn-Class Star Destroyer - 2000m] [100% | 100%]
• CSD Nact'un'isb (Javelin) [Batahn-Class Star Destroyer - 2000m] [100% | 100%]
• CSD Vumesin'ci (Wayfarer) [Mohe'in-Class Star Destroyer - 900m] [100% | 100%]
• CSD Nehso'cssa (Blackhole) [Ticsuti-Class Escort Cruiser - 500m] [100% | 100%]
• CSD Rcati (Star II) [Ticsuti-Class Escort Cruiser - 500m] [100% | 100%]

Support Vessels [Talon 3]:

• CSC Tsicert (Ferryman) [Tsicah-Class Star Carrier - 1137m] [100% | 100%]
• CSD G'enraszert (Watchman) [Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer - 1600m] [100% | 100%]
• CRC Csact'isi (Bulwark) [Fighter Screen-Class Corvette - 150m] [100% | 100%]
• CRC Lescah (Shield) [Fighter Screen-Class Corvette - 150m] [100% | 100%]

Fighters & Transport Vessels [Talon 4]:

• 15x Squadrons of Nssis-Class Clawcraft [120]
• 7x Squadrons of Clawcraft-X [84]
• 1x Squadron of Tether Ships [12]

 

[Lash]

IFW Ticsen'i let​

En Route to Bakura System​

Lash read over the information he had received from his sources inside the Chiss Ascendancy. He had been gone a long time now, but still he had not lost all of his contacts inside the CEDF. It had been a hard decision for him to leave the Chiss to fight to free them, but he would not have changed anything about what he did. The Ascendancy was free now no longer made to kneel to the former One Sith. Now the Ascendancy was what Lash had hoped it would one day be, A thriving paradise. The choices he made had conscienceless though, He and his people could never really go home. They left the ascendancy and could never hope to be welcomed back. It was not their way, not the way of the Chiss. He missed his family and the life he had but that was gone now. He and his people were exiled and no longer worthy of being Chiss.

Lash had not forgotten who he was and what the Ascendancy was. He loved his former home and would die protecting it even if it did not want him to. He and his people worked within the Known Regions to build a force that would be there when needed and protect the Chiss both in the ascendancy and without. Safeguarding the twenty eight colonies and the exiled worlds as well.

When Lash had heard the FIrst Orders call for help he had already known about the vile reptile horde now assailing the Orders worlds. Day before he had gotten word from a group of passing merchants from one of the exiled worlds that had picked up a large force of Ruuk vessels en route for the known regions. Lash had been too far away to intercept the force before it had reached its destination but had readied his force to move to assist where it was needed.

The Imperial Forge Works Fleet had left the Rothana system en route for Bakura three days ago making as few correction jumps ass possible to make it as soon as it could, Lash feared even with his haste ot would not be soon enough. He had fought the Ruuk before, many times. He had seen them swarm a world and use its people as fodder for its abiding appetite. Whole worlds enslaved to the saurian aliens had been cleansed and millions of lives lost fighting the Ruuk. Many of his men, his friends, his family lost. Lash would see to it the Ruuk would make no more headway into the Known Regions of the Ascendancy.

"Sir, we are starting the reversion counter" said a Chiss officer at the front of the command Deck. The man began punching numbers into a console then turned and looked at lash

"With your permission sir" said the blue skinned man. Lash nodded and replied

"You have the con commander." The man nodded then turned and engaged the countdown. A timer appeared on the large screen at he front of the command deck. The Jump officer announced the five minute countdown then went back to working in the console. Lash sat quietly reading through all of the data and reports he had on the situation at Bakura. He knew much had happened since their last drop out of hyperspace. His data was almost three hours old now and a war can be lost or won in less time. He wanted to help his brothers and sisters he knew had moved to Bakura to aid the Order in fighting the Ruuk. He finished reading and looked up at the timer, ninety seconds, a minute and a half and he would be in system. He closed his eyes and calmed himself as he had been trained to do then watched as the star field dissolved into a scene of sheer chaos.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Canthar, Panatha
Hasi' Sulemi, Arch-King Servelus Zambrano...

Distant sounds of battle carried on the strong winds as war once again engulfed Panatha.

War was nothing new not for Panatha, for the Epicanthix, or for Servelus Zambrano. The very ground their enemy now stood on was soaked with a thousand generations of blood, Epicanthix blood. Not since the days of Solomon the Black around eight hundred years prior had an outside invader conquered Panatha, but even then it wasn't annexation as much as it was a temporary occupation. While fear may run rampant on other worlds that bore witness to the savagery of the Ssi-Ruuk not Panatha. When battle came they were ready. When the enemy attacked Servelus was ready for it he rallied the whole of the Panathan Defense Force for battle. He constripted every able bodies fighter to support the war effort and secured those who couldn't fight in the safest parts of the city.

While their enemy was formidable they wouldn't victimize the Arch-Kingdom. Despite [member="Darth Carnifex"] and Darth Prazutis his family departing, this was still the world that the twin Sovereigns built. This army was still the elite, veteran fighting force that Brutus Mallear built. Magic flowed through the ancient, reinforced walls of the capital making them even harder to bring down and its defenders manned them with fierce determination to keep their enemy out. The largest structure in the entire city, the Hasi' Sulemi served as the command center for the Arch-King from which he coordinated the efforts of his entire empires resistance. Despite his desire to wade into the field of battle and stain the ground with the blood of his enemies, it was pivotal that he remain in constant contact with his forces across the planet. The war room was filled with his full cabinet while holographic representations of those who could not be there were present.

"Get our allies on the line and send them everything we have and where we need relief the most." Servelus ordered clasping his hands behind his back. Several of the advisors responded to his orders just as the Arch-King stepped away. It wasn't like him to be tucked away inside a command center, he needed to get some air. He walked out and to an adjacent room where a balcony awaited, he unsealed the doors and stepped outside. The smell of smoke and distant fire filled his nostrils, they were the smells of war. While others might've been unsettled the smells made him feel at home. Just then however a voice rang out behind him, a dark presence that seemed to reveal itself.

"No matter what. When Panatha is in need we will always come home to defend her Servelus." said the Shadow Hand as he stepped out alongside the Arch-King, with [member="Vigdis Zambrano"] by his side. Atypical for the Sovereign he brought no escort with him that could be seen. Nonetheless he took the shorter Zambrano completely by surprise, the surprise faded from his eyes and there was relief "I never doubted you Braxus, you or Kaine. It's good to see you. When word came of the impending assault the clergy have been hosting sermons, leading prayers and declarations of faith for both of you." Servelus replied, a brief moment where formalities were dropped as he looked upwards at the Lord of Lies. Eyes of emerald met with blackened molten orbs of darkness. "To strike at our homeworld is to strike at us directly. They understand that to strike a god is to court annihilation." He said looking skyward.

"We bring the fire."

The skies above tore open and one after the other great monsters, creatures the size of dropships while some the size of starships descended, surrounded by falling pods whose numbers ran high. They fell like rain pouring from a heavy cloud their forms twisted, deformed, blackened. They were creatures born of the void madness manifested in the physical realm, terrors of the Great Beyond too horrific to put into words. Their bodies seemed to defy all conventional reality short monsters with toothy maws too big for their heads, writhing masses of tentacles and creatures covered in a chitinous armor. Their sizes ranged from creatures smaller than dogs to monstrosities the size of Imperial walkers. Some even stood as twisted, deformed men and women mutated by the voids embrace. They whispered, screamed, howled, roared, shrieked and babbled incoherently in unholy voices that pulled at the strings of sanity and at their masters command, they threw themselves into the enemy. Instead of a force of complete destruction they came as saviors not daring to strike at the planets denizens nor would they defile the landscape, they instead targeted the attackers with deadly intent.

 

[Vigdis Zambrano]

Panatha. Homeland of all Epicanthix, and the planet upon which Vigdis Zambrano finally set her feet. While Father’s business in the Sith Realms meant travel quite often, rarely did that travel take them as far to the southern areas of the Pacanth Reach. Now the young Sith treasured each second in her heart, locking away the picturesque scenery for future gleaming. Home. Papa finally took his daughter home... and it was burning.

The char of the Ssi-Ruuk’s indecent attack on their ancestral homeworld would never end with the cessation of the Epicanthix People. It was not in their future to be lost.

So [member="Darth Prazutis"] and his daughter foresaw, and so would the Planet of their birthright be saved. As Braxus spoke, King Servelus’ hand was grasped in small, lace-clad fingers.

“Worry no longer, cousin. The prayers of our people continue to venerate my father and his Imperial nephew. Panatha shall throw this reptilian menace off its back, and father will beget it.” The black cloaked daughter of Panatha’s Sovereign let her lips tilt upward as she watched the sky darken, not from ships descending, but her father’s unconscionable magic.

One day, the small child promised. One day the clergy would sing her praises. The Panathans would pray in her name.

The black salvation descended. A choir of horrific dissonance sang in the rhythm of destruction. Ssi-Ruuk would perish where they fought.

Stately despite her size, the child of Braxus wandered beside her father and reached to take hold of the fabric of his sleeve. A lesson in their family’s place strewed before her. Cousin down in the city, directing his Empire’s troops. King Servelus coordinating the efforts, while her father rained down with utter and despicable horror. This was the world of their blood. Their history and future laid in its soil and atmosphere. She breathed deep, glad for the breeze.

“May we see more of Canthar, father? Once the battle is concluded?”

Her eyes flickered to the holoprojections throughout Panatha. The Sith troops led by [member="Darth Carnifex"] speared at the invasion force’s belly. Passive commlink feeds spoke of the naval battle, Sith, First Order and Mandalorian Navies battering through the line after the Behemoth’s advanced entry. The Chiss at Bakura...

Black and crimson eyes rested on the Mandalorian bes’uliik charge led by [member="Yasha Cadera"], through Canthar. A flicker in deep black and red eyes. The temple of Nereus was a crux point of the battle, the hold out point of the citizenry and the defence forces around. It seemed to be the place where the most forces spidered, in a cyclic pattern. A heartbeat slowly faltering.

Without the Mandalorian reinforcement, and the cleansing scourge of her father’s monsters, it would fall.

All Canthar would fall. Vigdis stared outward, eyes focusing on myriad stimuli as her youth tried to make due with the images flickering through her impressionable mind.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Drive them back!"

The Emperor dove into the thick of the enemy positions, blaster fire reflecting off of his magnetically shielded armor while a gargantuan double-bladed glaive sliced gave and forth through entire ranks of Ssi-Ruuk like they were wheat before a scythe.

Around him surged the soldiers of the Blackblade Guard, his elite and unwaveringly loyal army, their ferocity nearly unmatched in all of the galaxy. Gargantuan hovertanks flattened entire columns of Ssi-Ruuk, massive laser cannon emplacements barking constantly as distant explosions rippled through the enemy lines. Aerial strikecraft soared through the air, tearing apart Ssi-Ruuk ships and raking the ground to inflict even more casualties. Monsters rained from the sky, delivered by heavy drop pods that impacted the earth at the heart of the enemy formations. From their bellies spewed forth innumerable hulks of ravenous biomaterial, slaved to the will of the Sith through genetic engineering and dark side magic.

Carnifex unleashed his hate against the Ssi-Ruuk for their blasphemy, slaughtering them in entire droves without restraint. Lightning cascaded around and off his being, arcing through nearby flesh until it sizzled and charred black as coal. His blade was slick with gore, large globules of congealed blood dripping onto the ground in uneven puddles. He spared none that he came across, murdering indiscriminately as his forces pushed the Ssi-Ruuk back further and further, driving a wedge between them and the beleaguered city.

"Establish a defensive perimeter, cordone them into the killing field. Second army, move to strike!"

As the Blackblade Army moved to stand between the Ssi-Ruuk and Canthar, a secondary force burst from the surrounding jungle towards the Ssi-Ruuk's real flank. It was made up of various alien species; Graug, Vanr, Karkarodon, Dashade, and many others. All of whom owned some semblance of personal fealty to the Sith Emperor, and all of whom were more than eager to spill blood. The Vanr flew overhead, casting Sith spells upon the now breaking Ssi-Ruuk ranks. The Graug, Karkarodons, and Dashade ran ahead with weapons drawn, smashing into them and carving flesh with wild carnal abandon. They would serve as the hammer, breaking the Ssi-Ruuk against the anvil of the Emperor.

None would survive, it was the Emperor's command.

[member="Yasha Cadera"] | [member="Adenn Kyramud"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Vigdis Zambrano"]​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Defend the Temple! Sweep in a widening arc through the city. The Blackblades have our back; we have theirs! Shield generators, activate around the Temple District! Clan Hamsha, rescue the wounded, bring the civilians behind our shield barriers! Death Watch and [member="Adenn Kyramud"]’s Clan Mortui! Unleash the nether on these beasts. Oya!!”

Yasha roared, spurring her bes’uliik on as she swung round the Ssi-Ruuk bands and broke to the Temple of Nereus. She saw the blaster fire from her grandfather before she saw him.

Hector Fitz-Kierke fired his blaster rifle until the power pack ran dry. Tossed it back to Ada, and pulled his combat knife. Roaring out, he launched at the Ssi-Ruuk, stabbing at scale and sinew. Anything to staunch the forces from overtaking the House Kierke line. Knocked to the ground, he rolled from a lizard’s tail. Dazed...

“Rrrrah!!” Yasha carved the Ssi-Ruuk in two with her Longinus spear, flipping off the back of her mechanical beast as Solus Rekr pummelled and tore through the lizard line. “Up, Papa!”

Grabbing his arm, Yasha pulled him onto his feet.

“Y..Yasha? You’ve grown...” Hector staggered, putting his arm around her side to catch his breath.

“Amen, Glomkhoduil. Get behind us. Go!” She stabbed through a Ssi-Ruuk with her spear, kicking with her boot and yanking the spear back out.

“I can still fight.” Hector grunted, holding his side.

“Arm him!” Yasha nodded and one of her troops handed Hector a rifle and personal shield. Roaring forward, Yasha assaulted the Ssi-Ruuk near the Canthar population’s hold out point. Her spear struck true, Mandalorians sweeping through street after street with a militant precision.

Further back, Clan Hamsha restocked the medics and handed out weapons packs, as pilots lowered shield generator tanks into place. Vano connected her comms network with the Temple, Sith Troops and King Servelus, creating a sympathetic link between them to coordinate troop and civilian movement.

“Shields activating, Mand’alor.” The canopy of protection for citizens in Canthar, not too soon. A beacon signal radiated out, letting the citizens and other Panathan peoples know the location of safe zones popping up in Canthar, Qocia and strategic places in the Jungles. Reinforcements led by [member="Ambrose Cadera"] hit the Holy City of Qocia, bolstering the citizenry and defence forces there, radiating out from the mid-point at the Temple of Nussyn guarded by House Kierke.

The sky opened.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]’ horrors cascaded through the gap with a singular terror. Screams billowed, but for Adrestia, Yasha’s Aunt who stood on the spire of the Temple. Her arms raised in prayer.

“Our gods hath answered!” Adrestia shouted.

“[member="Darth Prazutis"]?! Tell me the demon army’s you?! Aunt Adrestia, get the heck off the roof!” Yasha sent out the comm, her inner spirit already knowing the answer. The monsters descended, running through and decimating the Ssi-Ruuk while leaving the rest of the populace and troops alone.

They were going to win. Alongside the gaping demons flying down, a Yasha-Class Atmospheric Carrier broke atmosphere, hovering off toward the far side of Canthar from the Sith holdout position. On board, Captain Girak Kierke ordered gunships to spread out, shifting position from Canthar closer to Qocia to aide the efforts there. All hails were done in Epicant, by Captain Kierke, also Patron-Lord of House Fitz-Kierke.

“Oya!!” Yasha shouted, and pushed the Mandalorians on. “Kyramud! How goes, buddy!?”

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="The Major"] [member="Vigdis Zambrano"]

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Even with all of the fire they were pouring into the enemy, it wasn't enough. There were too many of them, and slowly, Adenn and his men were being pushed back, step by agonizing step. Thankfully, none of Adenns men had fallen, yet. At this point though, even with all their training, all of their armor, it was inevitable that someone would be injured enough that they couldn't keep fighting. Already though, all of them were sporting injuries to some extent or another, most not severe thankfully.

Though that was the case, Adenn noted that there were several Panathans still fighting alongside them, who had been farther back last he checked. That was unsettling, it meant that they'd had to move back further than expected. This simply wouldn't do, so, letting out a shout, Adenn slammed his shield down before himself.
"Not another step back Mortui!" He shouted into his comms to them.

The effect was instantaneous, all of them stopped their slight backwards march, and instead stood firm against the enemy. Then the sky broke upon and creatures came forth. This addition didn't faze the Mortui clansmen longer than a second before they resumed their attack with renewed vigour, for they feared that this would be another enemy to fight. And the size of the beasts was impressive, so much so that it would be hard to defeat them, if they even defeated the lizards.

After that came more reinforcements, in the form of [member="Darth Carnifex"] and [member="Yasha Cadera"]. Their intervention was a massive boon to the embattled Mortui warriors. But the fight wasn't over yet. In fact, as soon as they appeared, several rockets flew forth and struck the Mortui clansmen, one even hit Adenn. One of the warriors that was hit half fell/half took a knee, with smoke coming from his left side and blood seeping out. He placed one hand on the wound to stem the bloodflow, and took cover behind some crates while still firing. Another warrior was hit shrugged off the explosion with a pained grunt before continuing on. Adenn himself took the rocket to the most armored part of his chest, and grunted with annoyance and pain before marching forward once more.

The lizards charged as well, and then they were in combat range. Adenn swung his shield, smacking a lizard back and into another one, while some of his men hit, stabbed, shot or otherwise killed lizards. The help of those monstrositys was welcomed, and needed. Before long they were pushing the lizards further and further back. Before he knew it, [member="Yasha Cadera"] near/next to him and speaking to him. Grinning he responded.
"Took you long enough Mand'alor, I thought I'd have to face off an entire invasion with only my clanmates." Adenn let out a chuckle, hiding the pain from his wound. "Other than this annoyance," He motioned to his wound, "it goes well. Hopefully we'll be able to make some more progress soon, especially thanks to those creatures."

With that, Adenn gave a dubious look to the monsters. As of now, they hadn't attacked any of hsi men yet, only the lizards. But who knew, that could change. If it did, Adenn would be ready to fight them back with all his strength, as depleted as it was slowly becoming. Shaking that thought from his mind, Adenn gave a vicious kick to a Sii Ruuk that had charged him, somehow making it past everyone else. Said lizard was broken upon the spikes on his leg plating, causing Adenn to grin slightly. Shaking the lizard from his boot, Adenn started marching forward again, letting out a shout of.
"For Mand'alor! For Panatha, drive back these spineless cowards and leave naught but ashes behind!"

[member="Yasha Cadera"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Vigdis Zambrano"] [member="Vigdis Zambrano"] [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Samara Raine]

​

Bakura System, Wild Space​

CEDF 2nd Fleet, 1st Battlegroup​

Aboard the CSB Vesci
Bridge
[member="Thorne"] | [member="Lash"]

There was a momentary shimmy of the vessel as the Mohn-class Battlecruiser reverted to real space. Outside the forward transparisteel viewport the battle for Bakura was in plain view. Ssi-ruuk ships were pounding away at the planet below. The Bakuran's were not alone now in their struggle against the aggressive reptiles. The Chiss had arrived to aid the Imperials, and to help stop the Ssi-ruuk from encroaching any further coreward or in their case further northeast into the Unknown Regions. Better to fight and end them here than in Chiss space.

Brask'ari'sabosen listened thoughtfully as Mitth'orn'eruod began giving orders to the bridge crew. He had such a keen strategic mind. It was fascinating to watch and learn as fleeting wasn't the Sabosen's strong point nevertheless it all intrigued her. The Admiral was like a conductor of an orchestra. What a pleasure it was to see him in his element. Usually she would only see his actions from afar while the Chief Medical Officer was aboard her medical frigate with the other support vessels of the 2nd Fleet's 1st Battlegroup. This was an honor and privilege to be aboard Mitth'orn'eruod's flagship.

Crimson eyes flicked from the Admiral to the planetary scans being relayed to his station, then after a moment back to Mitth'orn'eruod. "Seems the continent of Prytis has the most hostile activity, which makes sense as that is where the capital city of Salis D'aar is located. The namana plantations are to the south of the city in the agricultural region, and the mines and quarries are in the mountains north of there. Most of Bakuran noble's estates are scattered in-between as I recall from a visit a few years back," Ari stated. "There will most likely be cloud cover and abundant rain for the ground troops as well as the air support to deal with."

Whether that bit of information was helpful or not to Mitth'orn'eruod was not Brask'ari'sabosn's concern really. The Chiss doctor's biggest concern were the approximate 68 million souls who called Bakura home. There would be massive casualties. It would be a major humanitarian crisis. Her mind was already checking off what would be needed now and in the future to help these people. That is if any of them survived. The sacking of Dosuun had seen utter destruction of the First Order's capital world. Hopefully the CEDF were not too late to intercede before it got to that degree of catastrophe for the Bakurans.

"Once a forward operating base can be achieved by the Marines, I plan to deploy with a Cimsoo."

 

[Lash]

Bakura System ​

IFW Ticsen'i let ​

"Open a channel commander" said Lash watching the battle on the screen before him. The Chiss has seen the Ssi-ruuk in battle before. He knew the chaos they would sow and the carnage they would inflict if given enough time. He had seen entire worlds devastated and stripped of its resources, mainly the population. The Saurian creatures needed to be stopped here or their force would become too powerful for even the powers of the known regions to handle.

"Channel is open sir" said the communications commander. Lash waited a moment took in the sight before him once more then spoke.

"To all forces, This is Admiral Stela'shlit'nuruodo of the Directorate. I have arrived to aid as I can, My force will begin an assault on the Ruuks Left flank, I request all forces clear a path." Lash paused a moment to look at the position of the vessels around the besieged world. He had no doubt he could not carry out a full barrage without damaging no Saurian vessels. The battle was too convoluted and forces from at least four different forces were now present. He waited a moment more then continued. I will attempt to carry out bombardment operations without inflicting damage to now Ssi-ruuk forces as best I can. Again please clear your forces between my position and the Ruuk fleet." Lash motioned for the channel to be closed. The Chiss officer nodded and closed the channel. He watched as the forces fought in the distance. The two Aurora class destroyers were slowly moving up into position flanking his command carrier. Beyond them were the assorted vessels of the Directorate IFW task force. In the distance an image he was familur with caught his attention. CEDF vessels had arrived before him and were engaging the enemy. Lash turned to his communication officer

" Open a channel on all CEDF comm frequencies, Let us hope they have not stopped monitoring their old channels." Lash looked again at the Chiss fleet in the distance. They were across the main Ruuk formation from his force but their attack was beginning to make headway into the reptilian hordes picket forces. He had not spoken to anyone in the CEDF for many years, and never thought he would again. Yet here they were, Fighting a common foe.

"Open sir" said the officer as he returned to monitoring the combat traffic. Lash straightened his uniform. He knew the transmission was only audio and would be sent as a burst laser transmission but still felt a degree of importance to the message and its recipients.

"Too all CEDF forces, I am former CEDF admiral Stela'shlit'nuruodo. I wish to extend a greeting and to request sensor data transfer. My forces have been scanning the system since our arrival. I have two long range bombardment vessels flanking my flagship now and with your shared data believe I can better target these Reptilians with greater precision and impact fewer allied forces." Lash said pausing to consider his next words. He had not been exiled but he had left the Ascendancy to fight the One Sith long ago. He was not sure how his presence here would be received.

"I will wait three minutes for my formation to complete its maneuver and form up. Once that is done I will begin firing on the Ssi-Ruuk vessels. I await your response." Lash nodded and the channel was closed. He was not there to fight any of the combined forces brought together to fight the alien force but he was certain without data from the far side of the battle he could not engage the Ssi-ruuk with the Aurora's without friendly casualties. That did not mean he wouldn't. The Ruuk would be stopped here no matter the cost. He only hoped he would nave have to fight the Impier and sith of his brothers and sisters before it was all over.

Spoiler: Directorate IFW Force 1

Ticsen'i let - IFW Impellor-class Battle Carrier
Ch'ar tikn - IFW Aurora-class Siege Destroyer
Cssin's'et - IFW Aurora-class Siege Destroyer
Htizi - IFW Victory-class Star Destroyer
Bsoci - IFW Victory-class Star Destroyer
Ch'avzom - IFW Abolisher-class Containment Cruiser
Pushin't - IFW Vindicator-class Cruiser
Ch'or - IFW Vindicator-class Cruiser
Seati k'hah - IFW Kantos-class Defense Frigate
Rcati k'imsi - IFW Kantos-class Defense Frigate
Rokuv csan - IFW Indictor-class EWAR Corvette
DFP-1011 - IFW Intersector-class Patrol Picket
DFP-1014 - IFW Intersector-class Patrol Picket
DFP-1019 - IFW Intersector-class Patrol Picket
DFP-1023 - IFW Intersector-class Patrol Picket