Someone…or something…has been biding its time – The Republic Dominion of Cyrillia

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Objective 3

The oddities with the Force were not really a significant stumbling block for Jacen. His weeks of training hardly afforded him a great advantage in combat from being able to call on it. Truth be told, the intense physical training regime had been of more benefit. He followed the soldiers out of the rear of the cramped shuttle, he shouldered his carbine and took a position in cover without a thought. He made himself a part of his squad of soldiers with complete ease, following the group as they started laying down covering fire on their "welcome party".

"Group two, go!" shouted the squad commander. Jacen realised that was the fire team he had followed as they leapt from cover and advanced whilst the others provided fire. It had been a while since he'd been right at the front lines of something like this. No point staying behind with no firing solution, he joined them in the mad dash to the next cover.

He rose up, carbine set to set, and picked off a Rodian taking aim. Blue arcs rippled across his body as he fell like a stone. No idea exactly what this lot had done besides resisting an inspection, could hardly go breaking codes by using lethal bolts already.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Two things happened at once. Corvus received a communication from [member="Ordo"] requesting priorities and a loud clang shook her from her train of thought as she was about to respond.

Dealing with the noise first, she spun to see Master [member="Kian Karr"] and Padawan [member="Uri Aureleos"] staring at each other. The trouble with not having the Force to warn you of such things was that you became sloppy and ignored the basics - like looking and listening.

So she turned her attention back to the Mandalorian. "Field Marshal? Corvus Raaf here. I'm in one of the droid factories. As well as some hi-jinx from some who should know better, I could use a hand in sweeping the facility for any terrorists."

She signed off and walked up to the two Jedi. "Busy are we?" She couldn't keep a straight face if she tried.

 

[Kian Karr]

"I was merely giving the padawan an example of what not to do when sneaking up on someone." Kian said and a broad, cocky grin spreading across his face, though his voice never betrayed a hint of it. Kian often liked to use his deadpan voice and antiox mask to comedic effect. Corvus was likely use to this, years of friendship had given her the ability to read the Kel Dor, not only in the force but in the subtle ques of his body language.

"So," Kian said glancing between the two and rockying back on his heels, "what we doing?" Kian chuckled a little. He had heard Corvus mention something about terrorist when she'd communicated with the Mando. He glanced around looking for anything dangerous in the area, but they were fairly safely tucked away for the moment. "Where do you need me?" Kian added, wanting to know exactly what the plan was.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Uri Aureleos"]​

 

[Uri Aureleos]

Uri tensed up as his master walked back to them. He wasn't afraid she would be angry. Disappointed probably. She could make him apologize for something he didn't do with her disapproving stares. Luckily for him, Master Corvus found the humor in the situation. Master Karr did as well. He didn't want to admit it but since entering that other world, Uri found himself more on edge.

"Sorry, Master Corvus," Uri gave a sheepish grin. After the tension left the room Uri walked over and grabbed his light sai. Another nick added to it but no real damage done for how hard he thrown it. He was lucky neither of the masters commented on how he didn't ignite it. In the moment, he had forgot. It was stupid of him to do so. If he had then he might have remembered to aim as well. Which wouldn't have been good for Master Karr. He doubted seriously injuring the master but even a little cut would have made Uri feel guilty. He was already feeling guilty enough as it was.

[member="Kian Karr"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Stormfire-class Assault Frigate Audacious, Cyrillia System

"First step is to assess the situation," remembered Herson.

Gir nodded in agreement, "So what's our situation?"

"Aside from that big ship over there, we do not have any threats."

"Yet..." added the commodore, "we don't see any threats here yet, or they have not arrived. If we're standing still here not performing any operations, and not in a defensive position, we're wrong."

Herson began to manipulate the holos of the system, zooming in on icy moon on the system's uninhabitanted gas giant. His hazel eyes darted all over the orbital body. Gir watched him and raised an eyebrow.

"Planning on reenacting the Battle of Hoth?"

Herson blushed, "No sir. It just seems like it's in a good position for our ships."

"Why's that?"

It's not too far away from Cyrillia," noted the lanky man, "and we could probably even use a gravity sling-shot maneuver to get us into range for a quick micro-jump to Cyrillia, but it's far enough away that we could get a better warning if there were any enemy ships approaching from outside the system."

"Fair enough," said Gir, "and if I were establishing a permanent defense for this system, I'd probably place a listening post on that place, even if the base's occupants would hate me forever. But this is a case where we need to make a hasty defense. If we place all of our ships there, we might even act as a good roadblock to counter that intra-system probing attack that you mentioned, but what if they come from another vector that we don't know about and completely bypass us?"

"We'd be scrambling to get there...what would guess sir, a thirty minute jump?"

"I haven't run the figures," admitted the commodore, "but I would guess something in that vicinity. That would be an issue though, wouldn't it? You're on the right track conceptually, but think closer..."

"Cyrillia's moon?"

"Exactly," agreed Gir, "close enough that we can easily get to anywhere in the vicinity quickly, especially using the gravity slingshot tactics that you've already mentioned..."

 

[Orick T'ane]

The shuttle lurched as it made contact with the rogue ship. Orick checked his weapons one last time as he stood up with the other marines. Chief Rawnuka stood up and began barking orders at the marines in the shuttle, " Lets go, get up and get ready, Lanos, get that breaching charge prepped for the outer door, Flik, get the kriff up here and cover your partner. "

Orick smiled faintly as he remembered getting yelled at just like that when he was a marine. Two figures, a devaronian and a Mol Cal ran forward each holding the side of a large breaching charge. Orick braced himself for what he knew would be a rather loud bang as the two marines put the charge against the now exposed hatch. There would be a quick flash followed by a rather loud bang and a shuttle filled with smoke. The poor saps on the other side have it much worse, that shaped explosion will turn anything on the other side of that door to a fine mist, regardless of how much body armor the being was wearing.

"Fire in the hole" Was the last thing Orick heard before the world went white.


[member="Gir Quee"] [member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus chuckled. It had taken a while to get the measure of Kian’s humour – but sometimes even she didn’t know when he was being serious – but this time she knew he was joking. Uri on the other hand probably didn’t.

“I’m sure he learned a lot from your faultless performance of being oblivious to him. Excellent acting, truly believable. And we’re here as there’s been a report of a group of terrorists here with explosives. We need to rescue any hostages and then disarm any bombs. All without the use of the Force. Piece of cake really.”

And then she turned her attention to her Padawan. “No need to apologise, you were learning from one of the best there.” She smiled ruefully. “I’ve neglected you of late, so I am the one that should be sorry. But I have plans to make it up to you – and they involve a picnic.” With this she turned on her heels and strode off again in the direction she'd been travelling. "Hurry up" she called.

[member="Uri Aureleos"] | [member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Ordo"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Stormfire-class Assault Frigate Audacious, Cyrillia System

The bright flowing lines of hyperspace travel abruptly turned back into realspace. The industrial world of Cyrillia loomed in front of them, though the mostly barren moon of Cyren was even closer to them. Gir's gaze swept across the distant bridge viewport. His eyes briefly stumbled upon the suspicious large vessel in orbit around Cyrillia. The ship's hypertransciever had kept them informed. He knew that the vessel had been boarded. Gir himself would be interested in knowing what the Republic troops would find onboard. The chaos of the Netherworld had presented many opportunities for those willing to them, whether their motivations were noble or base. The voice of Lieutenant Jess Valton, one of his communication's officers, interrupted his reverie.

"Sir, Commander Sned states that they've detected a distress call from the galactic north," said the communication's officer, "he's requesting permission to investigate."

Gir rapidly punched in a series of commands into his command chair, pulling up a brief map of the system. Most of his ships were still spread out, ready to intercept the suspicious cargo ship or throw themselves forward to delay enemy attack. The Boreas was among the rearmost of his vessels. It's the best equipped and best suited for such a mission...but if it's a ruse...

"Flight control," decided the man from Hast, "redirect Spearhead Two from boarding support operations to investigate the distress call's origin. Lieutenant Valton, please inform Commander Sned to prepare his men for the mission, but they are authorized to investigate it yet. Once Spearhead Two has located the origin of the distress call, we will decide from there."

"Yes sir."

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"] | [member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian fell into step behind Corvus as she lead them into the facility. "Terrorists, explosives, no force." Kian rattled off as they moved. "Sounds like a typical day." Kian said jokingly and unclipped his lightsaber from his utility belt. "See ya soon." Kian said as the approached a darker area of the building and Kian darted off to the side, vanishing into the shadows. It made sense for them to split up, Kian could provide cover from the shadows and hopefully clear some of the terrorist out. He had confidence that they would be alright on their own. Kian knew Corvus well enough to trust her skills, and she spoke highly of padawan Aureleos.

Kian dropped down in a crouch and began to make his way around a large cluster of crates. He heard speaking up ahead as he went and knew he was coming up on some of the terrorists. Kian slowed his pace and moved silently. Without the force to silence his steps and help him hide, Kian had to rely on the skills he'd learned as a younger Jedi. Leaning back against a crate, Kian listened to the two men talking.

"How much longer are we going to put up with this crap?" One asked the other.

"As long as the boss says." The older man replied without much enthusiasm in his voice.

"I just think..." The other began but was quickly cut off by the older man.

"I think you should go check the perimeter again." The older man said irritated with him. For a moment, Kian thought the two would get into a scuffle considering the look on the younger man's face, but after a moment of hesitation, the man shook his head disdainfully and turned and walked away. The path he went on would likely put him in Corvus and Uri's path.

"Incoming." Kian whispered over the comm system and crept around the corner and came up behind the older man. Kian could feel his muscles tense, like a predator before its final pounce. When he moved, he moved with speed and silence, slipping his arm around and across the man's throat, while bring his other arm around and locking his arm in place. Kian pulled the man back by his throat, his arm muffling any cries the man might elicit. Within a few moments, the man was unconscious and tucked away behind the crate, his hands bound behind his back with a length of cord.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Uri Aureleos"] | [member="Ordo"]​

 

[Uri Aureleos]

Uri grinned at their banter and sarcasm. How they easily poked fun at a mistake that could have been scolded. It was refreshing to have a moment of whimsy after spending so much time in the thick of destroyed worlds. He had almost forgot where he was for the moment. Forgot how he was on his sixth... or maybe seventh ravished planet. His master reminded him with her apology. He shook his head as she said the word 'neglected' although one would have to be looking closely in order to see that he did. He didn't feel neglected. The galaxy was keeping him busy as of late. In his mind, he made excuses for her. She was headmaster of the academy on Ossus. Grandmaster of the order now. Certain things take precedence over others. Uri fell through the grates in a way, but he didn't harbor any bad feeling for his master. The opposite actually. He had a closer relationship with his 'neglectful' master than he had with anyone else. He was close with a few monks on Agamar and to his pet Agamarian Beast but he never had a connection to any of them like he did with his master. Master Corvus was like a mix of a mother and a sister to Uri. Though he would never tell her this. Feeling this way probably wasn't the Jedi way, plus he imagined she would give him a dirty glare for comparing her to a mother. His mind still wasn't sure what family was however. The other padawans threw the term brother around so loosely that it confused him.

He perked up when he heard 'picnic' the idea of it gave him hope for good things to come. He opened his mouth to reply but she was already back to the mission at hand. Uri follow behind her as Master Karr went in a different direction back to his game of stealth.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

The boarding parties launched, and docked with the rogue vessel. It seemed too quiet. No fighters or resistance had dispatched to engage as of yet. Kayleigh's team landed on the opposite docking tube as [member="Orick T'ane"], and found the situation was similar. As her team placed breaching charges along the hull she received a communication from Field Marshal @Ordo. Ah, the Mandalorians have arrived. "This is Admiral Kayleigh Tyven of the Republic CDF. We have disabled an unidentified vessel, potentially smugglers or slavers, and are in the process of boarding. Breach and board yourselves, or fall in behind myself or Captain T'ane."

The blonde cut the communication as the explosion shook the ship. Her team of 6 entered through the new opening and stepped through the opening with extreme caution. Weapons raised and at the ready they scanned through the smoke and scattered debris quickly and quietly, in search of enemy combatants. It seemed that the power to the ships electrical or lighting systems were either offline intentionally, or damaged, leaving only the backup lighting illuminating a deep red hue throughout the corridors of the ship. Kayleigh spoke through the HUD in her helmet to [member="Gir Quee"] aboard the Audacious. "How are we looking out there, Commodore?"

 

[Orick T'ane]

The smoke began to dissipate as the built in fans filtered it out of the shuttle. the marines moved forward quickly and smartly, the professionalism was evident in their movement. Orick drew both of his pistols and followed the marines into the enemy ship. The lighting that dull red that only emergency lights provide. He watched as the chief moved his people forward, stopping at every junction for security before moving on. A large set of durasteel doors marked a the beginning of the cargo hold and Chief Rawnuka stopped the group again. " Lets go Flik, get your code breaker up here and hack through these doors."

It only took a handful of seconds for the marine to have panel pried off of the wall, wires were pulled out and attached to a small datapad in the Mom Cal's hand. It was at that point that the door opened and a stream of wild blaster fire filled thte hall way, cutting down two marines before they even knew what was happening. Orick dropped to the ground and rolled to his left, hoping that the small crate he found himself behind would hold up under the fire. " Admiral, we just made some friends in the cargo hold. They don't seem to want to show us their identification." He said as he began to return fire into the room.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"] [member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Stormfire-class Frigate Audacious, Cyrillia System

Gir nodded out of habit, despite the fact that Admiral Tyven wouldn't be able to see that.

"Well ma'am," started Gir, "we're looking good out here, at least from my vantage point. All's quiet out here, for the most part..."

***​

Gunship Spearpoint Two, outskirts of the Cyrillia System

"Is it here?"

"I don't see anything," said the co-pilot, "though there's a satellite over there. Looks like an older comm sat based on the full spectrum telemetry..."

"Let's give it a closer look...just for fun," said Lieutenant Hekra, pulling the yoke to the right.

The gunship banked sharply right towards the old satellite. Hekra briefly glanced at the sensor screen. Well, the comm's signals are getting stronger...and they're centered around the satellite...He brought Spearpoint Two in a loop to continually circle the object. Hekra glanced at his partner.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

The woman nodded as she glanced at her sensor screen one more time, "It's a crybaby."

"I'm reporting it up the chain of command," said Hekra, "if there's an active decoy around, something's up..."

"Maybe to draw us away from the ship in orbit. I wonder how they're doing, and what's onboard."

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"] | [member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Orick T'ane"]
[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

OBJECTIVE THREE

"This is Krill Three, Jedi Padawan Voidstalker, we're pinned down in the main docking bay. No need to reinforce we're holding," Jacen called over the comm.

He kept his head down behind a pair of metal crates. The enemy had poured more men into the docking bay to hold them off. However, the other teams had now directly breached the hull, they couldn't defend all parts of the ship at once.

"They're setting up a repeater!" someone called.

Jacen risked a look. Sure enough, they were mounting an eweb in a hurry.

"Got a grenade?" he asked the marine next to him.

"That's a long throw," he replied, but Jacen took the small ovoid and pulled out the pin. Looked like it was time for lethal measures, but in his opinion he was out of options.

He hurled the grenade overhand, and as expected it fell short. As it rolled along Jacen conjured all of his power and gave it an extra boost. Hardly the most inspiring feat, but the grenade accelerated across the ground towards the repeater. In the enclosed docking bay the noise was horrific, but it left the repeater a smouldering wreck.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Arceneau Trade Company
Merchant Fleet


To say that things were hectic was putting it lightly. More so when one considered that everywhere in the 'verse, Arceneau Trade Company ships were halting their normal trade routes and redirected to become more of a humanitarian aid relief and aid in refugee extraction missions.

Cyrillia would be no different.

Meire La'tyr, a Bothan Captain of Arceneau Trade would hail the Republic with the following.

​

[ This is Captain Meire La'tyr hailing from the Maerys, Arceneau Trade Company Merchant fleet. We are here to provide emergency aid in whatever capacity is requested. ] ​

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Orick T'ane"]
[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]
OBJECTIVE THREE


A field of stars ever expanding. He rushed through them, turning to watch them as they passed. He passed through star clusters, through galaxies, through galaxy clusters, filaments of structure, until in the end he was looking at a smooth, infinite expanse of galaxies. The universe was incomprehensibly large, and yet the Force transcended all boundaries.

Jacen's eyes winked open. The visage of stars replaced by a close up view of elephant tread, durasteel deck. A dull pain started behind his eyes, migrated to his right temple and then decided to make its home there.

"Are you shot? Can you tell me where you've been hit?" called a voice. He felt hands patting him down. Somehow he knew that voice had been talking for a while, but the words had seemed too small to notice.

Jacen sat up suddenly, the medic nearly falling back in surprise. Blaster fire still rang out across the hangar.

"The Force is back," he stated.

 

[Gir Quee]

Stormfire-class Assault Frigate Audacious, Cyrillia System

"Arceneau Trade company," said Lieutenant Herson, "that name seems familiar."

Gir nodded, "Pretty good big operation if I remember right..."

"So you're going to answer it?"

"No," replied the Commodore, "that's not my call, so to speak. If anything, I would guess that it would be a political matter, but if there isn't one here for that, it'll likely head to the Admiral. Besides, it may be political."

"Which you like to avoid on principle," observed Herson, "So back to the decoy..."

Gir turned his head to face a local system chart projected by his command chair's holo-projector, "The decoy doesn't look like it has its own propulsion system, meaning that someone dropped it off. Since it's well clear of any gravity well, and in a particularly unpopulated part of space, I'd guess that a ship jumped in and dropped it off. Let's start by charting any routes that intersect the drop-off point with vectors that would take a ship to Cyrillia, or any vectors that would clear the system in one shot."

"That's a lot of vectors," whistled Herson, rapidly punching in commands to his terminal.

"True," admitted Gir, "but once we get another detailed scan of the ion trails in the immediate area, it should limit things a bit..."

"Why not due that first?"

"Because we can do it now," replied Gir, "the resolution we'll need to get a trace on the radioactive drive trail will have to come from a bigger ship. And let's hope that trail isn't old..."

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

"I'm fine," Jacen reiterated, holding out a hand, palm forwards, towards the medic. Better than fine, he thought to himself as he reached for his belt.

The sudden return of the Force had hit him like a sledgehammer and overwhelmed him. Now, however, he felt an icy calm descend over him as he immersed himself in the Force. It was akin to returning to a warm blanket by the fire after being left out in the cold for weeks.

The trademark 'snap-hiss' came as the golden blade burst into life. He stood tall and confident and looked to their remaining opposition. Just a handful of men now, but well dug in by the blast doors. A ripple through the Force seemed to indicate their attention turning towards him. It was quickly followed by a pair of blaster bolts that he smoothly deflected.

This wasn't training any more, a single slip and he'd be dead. Even in his calm and focused state, it was hard to keep that thought from plaguing his mind. Fortunately after deflecting a few bolts there was a round of loud swearing and frightened calls from across the hangar. The enemy almost immediately retreated, sealing the blast doors behind them.

 

[Orick T'ane]

The firefight in the cargo bay was beginning to fizzle out. whoever it wads that was opposing them had to have begin to fall back. Chief Rawnuka stood in the middle of the corridor, shouting commands and being the rally point that everyone needed to continue on. " Lets go, stop laying about and get that cargo bay secured. Lanos, take Blug and go sweep the room for more. Fly-boy, you're going to have to get a bit more involved, no standing in the back and watching us do all of the work." The chief saw Orick standing up and tossed a blaster rifle at him.

Orick snatched it out of the air and wondered who it was that no longer needed the weapon. " Got it chief, you just point to where you need me and I'll handle things." He did a quick check of the rifle to ensure it was fully charged and moved forward to line up with the marines.

The two marines that the chief had checking the cargo hold stopped suddenly, " Chief, I think we have a problem. there's enough explosives in this crate to rip open a hole in the ship. " The devaronian said.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian wondered how [member="Corvus Raaf"] and [member="Uri Aureleos"] were making out as he continued deeper into the building. He had neutralized one terrorist and as he approached the next group, he saw that they were surrounding something metallic looking. Sneaking around the corner for a better view, Kian saw the tell-tale signs of an explosive device wired to a timer. Idiots. Kian thought to himself as he looked at the explosive. They were going to get themselves and a lot of innocent people killed.

Pulling a small, silver sphere off of his belt, Kian thumbed the activation and threw it forward. The metal ball bounced along the floor and the three terrorist turned to watch it. As the ball bounced toward then, producing a high pitched clinking noise as it went, the focus of the three men was drawn to it while Kian swung around their flank and dropped down to cover his eyes and ears.

The metal ball settled at the three men's feet just as it went off. An eruption of a bright brilliant light sent the three men stumbling about clutching at their eyes. Kian sprang from his cover, moving toward them quickly. The closest to him was stumbling backwards and Kian swept low with his kick, taking the man out at the legs. As he felt, Kian pushed him down, driving the man's head into the ground and knocking him unconscious. Kian never broke stride as he continued foward, his right arm striking out and catching the next man in the throat. The terrorists hands were too busy clutching at his eyes and he didn't expect the blow to come. With a gurgling grunt, the man went down hard alongside the other.

The final man had recovered enough for his eyes to open wide in fear as Kian closed with him, driving forward with his head and connecting hard with the man's face. The headbutt drove the final man backwards, his eyes rolling up into his head as he landed hard upon the ground. Turning finally to the device, Kian shook his head as he looked it over. He might be able to unarm it himself, but he didn't want to take the chance.

"Corvus, I've got one device secured. Do we have techs coming in to disarm?" Kian asked over their secure comm.