Sith Empire: Conquest of Mon Calamari (finished)

[Lord Ghoul]

Quite content to stay back, Mikhail faded to the background as the Dark Jedi called Darren Shaw took charge. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched Darren give orders. "He sounds like one of my 2nd Lieutenants. So new. So eager." The thought took him by surprise. He hadn't thought of himself as that man in.... a long time. And he reminded himself why he no longer commanded soldiers.

Mikhail did not lead. Not anymore.... not after.... A deep hurt reopened within him. And his usually sharp tongue became quite silent as he lost himself in the painful memories of a former Captain, staring at the wreckage of his once brave and vibrant Company. 152 men and women. 152. No, Mikhail Shorn did not lead anymore. He would only get more people killed.

His hurt turned to anger as the strike force worked its way through the fort. Mikhail's blade became a blur of crimson as he slew frogs left and right. Relentless, remorseless, and ruthless, drawing on the power of the Dark Side and letting his inner anguish feed it. He killed and killed yet again. The crimson blade he wielded never seemed quite satisfied with the tide of bodies. It hungered for more. It seemed as if he stood outside his body, watching himself slay the frog-like beings without pause or hesitation. Stars, what had the Sith done to him?

When it was done, the Amphi-Hydrus army lay either dead or pacificed. Mikhail stood near the back of the small group who were now at the village. He trembled with exhaustion and unspent rage. He longed to kill more, to feel the lifeforce of these other Amphi-Hydrus perish beneath his blade. And so part of that trembling was also fear. Fear at what he had become. He managed to restrain himself from continuing to impale the now subjugated amphi-hydrus on his blade. But it took an effort. What would happen if he let go? Would he try to kill them all? Mikhail's jaw muscles clenched. No satisfied smirk appeared on his face for the benefit of the group. His ice blue eyes stared fixedly ahead, seeming to stare through Ashin and Darren.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"The tunnels will take care of themselves in the long term, Darren. Once the holdouts learn that everything is well here, they'll either dig in farther or be convinced to come back here to their families. And we'll be leaving enough Sith scholars, warriors and troops here to ensure cooperation. The Amphi-Hydrus are only a marginal population. Tirdarius's show of force will ensure the Quarren pay attention."

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

As the comm cut out, Ashin's instructions passed forth, Tirdarius stepped away from the communications console, his face an expressionless mask, the pale, slender features barely in motion as he considered what the other Sith Lord had advised - that being the polite way of putting it - and weighing it up with what he understood of the Mon Calamari. Their tacticians have always admired a good show of force when used efficiently, but they are not so foolish as to capitulate after but a single strike, he thought. No, they needed to do something more here, combine the savagery of the bombardment that Ashin had commanded with something a little more...subtle. And I have just the thing, he thought.

Striding along the walkway, he arrived at the large black Captain's chair that had been placed near the observation ports for his convenience, relocated there instead of at the back of the Bridge purely so that he might view the results of his instructions firsthand. No Sith needs sensors or officers to tell them what is happening beyond the hull of their vessel, he thought as he sat down carefully, his long black robes floating to rest around him. He placed his slender arms along the rests at his sides, and pressed a single button on the right to activate the ship's internal comm system, to better enable him to pass forward commands. Far better than using an officer to relay my instructions, at any rate, though he did that from time to time, anyway.

"Prepare for combat. All hands to battlestations," he commanded calmly, though like as not, most of his officers were already at their posts, having been informed beforehand that the possibility of combat was considerable, given that the Sith were engaging a planet not yet aligned with them. And I would hardly have anyone aboard my ship that did not know where to be at the right moment, Tirdarius thought cooly, preferring those who would carry out his tasks efficiently. "Gunners, target the facility located bearing 180 degrees South at 200 kilometers," the Sith Lord instructed. "Destroy their shield grid and disable the facility: power generators, weapons, hangar bays. Otherwise leave it intact." He half-turned in his seat and glanced over his shoulder to look at the crew down there in the command pity. "Helm, bring us into a lower orbit and assume firing position," he finished.

He sat back, waiting, knowing that the gunnery crews would even now be working out co-ordinates for their bombardment - something which only the most experienced officers could put into effect with any level of precision. Most bombardments are designed purely to turn the surface of a planet into slag, to lay complete waste to a city or level a continent, he thought, knowing well enough that there was an art to this. Our gunners will have to fire by the volley and assess the damage of each one individually to be certain we do not just destroy it entirely. We want the Quarren humbled and trapped, not annihilated. Not yet, at least, but that was Ashin's call, not his own. He would leave the giving of that command to her.

Still, a mere bombardment would not provide the tactical edge that they were looking for. We have deployed our Sith on the surface, true, and it will be their responsibility to perform the final takeover, but we need a true show of force, too. Simply firing a few turbolasers at an isolated facility would not suffice - it would not be nearly overwhelming enough to cow the population into submission, as the Sith preferred. So be it. Let's so off a little. He swivelled his seat around so as to face down the bridge's command deck, then gestured with a hand to summon forth the military officers awaiting his pleasure, two men dressed in the neatly-pressed grey uniforms of Sith naval officers, accompanied by a woman wearing her hair clipped short and dressed in the black-and-red of a Starfighter Corps officer. Both will be needed here.

"Colonels, organise several strike teams aboard assault shuttles, fully armed for boarding and infiltration," he instructed cooly, looking at the two men with his deep grey eyes, his expression not softening for a moment. Hard moments require a hard response, he thought. "Major," he said, turning towards the female officer, "your squadrons will provide escort and cover for the shuttles. Destroy any ship that tries to resist, and take out any weapon hardpoints that target either your fighters or our assault ships," he remarked. "Your orders are to board and take command of the orbital shipyards by force. Keep the casualties to a minimum and kill only those who resist or refuse to surrender. You have your orders. See to your men, and bring us victory, or do not bother to return. Dismissed."

The three saluted smartly and spun about in unison with a sharp military turn, the back foot being used to pivot the entire body into the motion, then strode off down the bridge and off to their respective assignments. The prize of Mon Calamari has always been it's shipyards - it's time to stake our claim on them now, Tirdarius thought, the hint of a pleased smile curving his lips, though only just. If things went to plan, they'd have more than just another resource available to them.

"Bridge to Gunnery Control. Fire when ready," he instructed, turning his chair back to the observation windows, waiting for the inevitable barrage.

Silence fell across the Bridge, though elsewhere on the ship, frantic motion might have been observed: pilots running for their ships, troopers and their officers heading for the heavily-armoured Assault Shuttles that would attack the Shipyards, Engineers at their stations, Gunners preparing their weapons. The tense silence held for a few moments, then a lancet of red energy burst from the turbolaser nearest to the Bridge, followed shortly by a further array from the others, a brilliant, bright volley of high-powered energy that descended at incredible speeds towards the surface of the world, carrying destructive intent with it.

Moments later, a second volley fired as the gunners determined that the damage of the first had been insufficient. The ship's hangar bays opened and began to disgorge the sleek Sith Fighters and their bulkier Shuttles from the bays, streaking through the vacuum towards those most valuable of Shipyards, to take control in the name of the Sith. This is how wars are won, Tirdarius reflected, sitting patiently in his chair, to await the results. His hand once again moved towards the Comm controls, this time targeting the dedicated channel possessed by those Sith on the surface.

"Tirdarius to Varanin. Phase two of our battle plan has begun. Surface bombardment has been initiated, and capture of the orbital shipyards is underway." He clicked the comm off. Acknowledgement wasn't necessary. The singular purpose of the Sith here was now to be recognised by the sentients of Mon Calamari, and would not be something soon forgotten.

 

[Garza]

Darren nodded his head at Ashin. He was suprised that she didnt want to go after them. But that could be a personal preferance or just not wanting to do it herself. It didnt matter to him. he was debating who he should tell about the Crystal cave when he thought about it. If only the frong people knew about it. Maybe he should keep it that way. Darren pulled the part that he had ripped off and held it in his hands. He didnt want the Sith to have it. Yet he didnt want to go there just quite yet.

Darren put the piece of parchment back in the breast pocket and clsed it up. He would kppe it untill it could have been in use. Darren used his helm to take a shot of the map before he gave it to Ashin. "I believe you may want this."

Darren didnt want to stay here any longer than he had to. He was not neede here anymore. Or so he thought. If he had to stay then he would, If not he would return to his sanctuary and finish fixing up his armor so it would fit the perfect specifacations for him.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin nodded, accepting the map from Darren. "Thanks, Darren," she said. "I'll give you a call when we move to hit Gand, if that's something you're interested in. You did well, and you'll be rewarded."

 

[Garza]

Darren nodded his head at the compliment and added "Thank you. And you can cantact me when that happens. You know Ill be there." Darren then gave a two finger salute and turned aorund to walk away. Alot of the Sith were watching him walk out of the are with looks of hatred, respect, awe, and disgust. he didnt care what they thought about him. They couldnt judge someone who could lead them to battle.

Darren thought about the upcomming dominion of Gand. What would that place bring? He would just have to find out. He walked up to his fathers ship. Black and kept in good condition. he rubbed his hand on the wing as he passed it. he took a step up and got in. He thought about maybe getting a astro droid for his ship soon. that way he could have someone to talk to on his trips.

Darren had sent out a fourm ealier about Hunting beasts on a planet that was almost like hoth. he fired up his engines and flipped some switches to get it up in the air. He kept going reguardless of what his head kept telling him. He wanted to go back for some reason and only he and maybe the other person knew why.

He talked to himself saying "I promised my self I wouldnt think that." He then activated the hyperdrive to go far away from here.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya remained silent throughout the whole time in Sirella's garden, building a small force bubble around her to keep whatever it was that seemed to be affecting the men away from her. A smile curled on her lips at how she worked, a true seductress through and through.
She fllowed Darren, Sirella and Mikhail through their destruction, allowing them to deal with the worst of the resistance. This was their day and besides, she was interested in Sirella and how the plant woman worked, and what better way to learn then observing in battle.
Alas, much to her disliking, the amphibians were not content to leave her out of it and she found herself absorbed by the fight once more. Lost in the great dance that was death, twisting turning and cutting everything that waltzed in front of her. By the time it was done she found herself humming, not only through her voice but through the force. Quietening herself she moved to stand with Mikhail and closed her eyes next to him, her lekku trembling with delight.

"I can taste their fear." she breathed, the first thing she had said since they left the boats.

[OOC: I am SO so sorry for the delay! I've been super busy and this moved so fast!]

 

[Zalen Zennoch Ziad]

Using the Niman style dual wielding, Zalen was able to keep a large number of Amphi-Hydrus at bay while he slowly killed off the overly ambitious ones, but he was about to go on the offensive. Zalen flipped forward and sliced open two Amphi-Hydrus with relative ease; others charged in immediately. Using a wide Jar'Kai sweeping strike, he downed half of them and parried the others successfully. He retreated a few steps in order to draw them in a bit more. When they were close enough he slammed his hand to the ground and used a mild force wave that put them on their backs. Zalen swiftly took them out with a wide ranging lightsaber throw.

Zalen deactivated his lightsabers and sat down. He started to meditate while surrounded by a dozen Amphi-Hydrus bodies. He wouldn't follow Darren into the bunker because there was no need, Zalen had done his part.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer blushed a little as she felt Ashin kiss her cheek. She was getting quite the attention. Still, the affection she was receiving from the Dark Jedi was nice. She sat up on her own, but she didnt move beyond that.

The word miracles continued to go through her mind. She had done something good. Still she regretted not being able tk save everyone. Looking over at Ashin and gave her a tired look.

"My body feels useless, but I am happy I was able to save someone. I want to create miracles with you. "

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Trust me, Spencer...soon you'll be able to create your own miracles, without guidance from me or anyone else."

 

[Daxton Bane]

Daxton wanted to punish someone, anyone. Crush their face as he drained their life essences into the ground. Unfortunately, killing frog men was far from satisfying. Oh their eyes bulged in surprise when he grabbed them by the throat, they twitched just fine as he slowly crushed their windpipes until they were unconscious.

The Masters wanted casualties kept to a minimum and that severely cramped his style. Where was the joy in ending a life if all he could do was beat them into unconsciousness.

Using Force Push to tip a Rancor and its rider on its side, he decided to reveal himself. "Play times over!" Let them come, Daxton was hankering for some good old violence.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya made a noise of disgust at Ashin and Spencer and rolled her eyes. She wondered if Moridin was even aware that the Dark Jedi he had employed to train SITH apprentices had a Jedi apprentice. An apprentice that would more than likely return to Coruscant and tell all she had seen. Noting it as the first item of discussion when she had a chance to get Ashin alone she moved to stand next to her, not bothering to conceal her anger in the force.

"We have a planet to claim, Master Varanin." she reminded her coldly.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer smiled till the twi'lek moved closer to them. Her anger surged through the red body and Spencer felt every ounce of it. Coming out of her meditation made her even more vulnerable to Any emotion in the area.

The girl grabbed her head and winced in pain. She knew where It was coming from and looked towards the Sith. She was the source and Spencer figured it was because of her existence.

"Ashin, I am going to try and meditate to regain my strength. "

Working her way to her feet, a d moved away from the Jedi Master. With a last moment she sent a mental message through the Force to the dark jedi

'Ashin, I feel my presence is very unwanted from some of your companions...the red one she's extremely angry its quite crippling'

 

[Sirella Valkner]

The girl, Spencer, was exhausted. Sirella could see the condition plastered to her face. Everything was calming down now. Vines crawled along the ground toward the girl. Sirella licked her lips and watched as a tree slowly lifted the girl off her feet and pulled her towards the witches awaiting arms. “I think it would be best if I took this poor little girl back to my ship.” She paused. “Where it is safe, and you can all come up when you’re through here.” Spencer was in Sirella’s arms now, helpless. A devilish smile crept over the womans face. “Yes all of you are welcome on my ship,” she added.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin nodded slowly to Spencer.

"Anaya, I respect you as a combatant and as a lieutenant, but you will not question me in public again. In private, of course, I'll answer every question you have.

"Yes, Sirella, I believe your herd ship will do nicely for our next venture. In the meantime, however, it is indeed time to gather and return to the capital, leaving this island to our forces."

She touched her comlink. "Tirdarius, we're pushing for the capital. Execute. Thank you."

EVERYONE

Ashin raised her hand and gave the signal. Lightning punched up from her hand and struck the clouds, repeately, and thunder rolled across the island: A signal everyone could see and feel, a flare gun of the Force. It was the signal that her commandos were moving in to take possession of the subdued island. As shuttles converged on the island, it also became clear that the lightning was a signal for everyone to rendezvous at the village, where dropships were landing to pick up the Sith and replace them with a mixture of troopers and other Sith.

Ashin politely but firmly took Spencer's exhausted form from Sirella and stepped into first dropship. "First, we need to assert our control of the capital. Politics, Sirella. I believe that's your affair. Anaya, if you could see to it that all of our Apprentices are given assignments for specific politicians to...impress...I would appreciate it."

OOC: EVERYONE: You've done a great job and we're wrapping up. Feel free to add a final post or two if you like, but this Dominion is all done and a judge signed off on it. We're slated to be on the next version of the map. Next move: the conquest of Gand. You're all invited.