Invasion System Shock: Devising a Virus | TSC Invasion of GE-held Coruscant Superhex Objective One

[Arris Windrun]

TSC: Riffraff Ranat Snees D'ner Gillem Naniti | OPEN
GE: Vireth Yuri Maji | OPEN

​

Something sinister was afoot on the great city planet; few were privy to the utter chaos before it unfolded. On a day like any other, with the endless hustle and bustle natural to an ecumenopolis, dozens of ragtag agents were strategically positioned across various levels of the expansive city.

A grand-scale slicing operation was underway, led by Riffraff Ranat, who was well aware of the power of going unnoticed. Some weeks in advance, a few palms had been greased to obtain access codes and to ensure the right people would look the other way at the right time. Slipping beneath notice, one Ranat and her compatriots had laid the groundwork for one of the largest cyberattacks the galaxy had ever seen… And in moments, they would spring it.

Summary: The Sith Covenant springs a massive cyberattack to cripple Coruscant's infrastructure and create a "digital front" on the battlefield to impede the planet's defenders and sow chaos. Imperial forces will have to track down, shut down, and otherwise stop these attackers or risk the Covenant turning Coruscant itself into a weapon.

​

 

[Riffraff Ranat]

Tags: Friends — Snees D'ner | Gillem | Abishai Jade | Naniti | OPEN
Foes — Vireth | Yuri Maji | OPEN

OBJECTIVE ONE
Prologue - 2 Weeks Prior
Coruscant​

It hadn't been easy to get a small crew planetside but even under authoritarian Imperial rule, there were always cracks in the system to slip through. On a planet with a population well into the trillions? It was merely a matter of appearing meek and choosing one's opportunities wisely. Nondescript maintenance uniforms were always helpful for slipping by unnoticed and once planetside, Riffraff was able to fabricate more thorough disguises.

A few of her operatives had been nabbed during that initial quiet insurgence, picked up on unrelated warrants or poorly maintained falsified documents. None of them were in possession of Riffraff's tech at the time thankfully, and most only sparse detail about the plan in motion. Close calls were part of the deal and with any luck, her compatriots would be retrieved post operation. If luck was absent? Well, Riffraff could only hope they didn't suffer overlong.

Those who arrived ahead of the job never met up in person of groupings larger than two, and they were generally expected to keep to their disparate ways whilst sharing only brief encrypted communications about set up. Things moved somewhat slowly for that reason, but it was safer that way. Gradually, key terminals across various levels of the city world had been identified, staked out, and accounted for in the imminent cyberattack.

Present
Undercity
Somewhere Between Levels 5 and 4
Amongst Wiring and Air Ducts
​

Tucked away deep within the bowels of the undercity, Riffraff was ready. Slicer spikes with pre-loaded malware had been divvied out to various agents and provocateurs. All of her agents and associates were dispersed throughout the higher levels and those amongst them that she trusted the most were equipped with closed system comms that relied on small power cells to generate signal rather than the grid or any kind of towers to be operational. Signal was likely to be a bit spotty at times, but they'd make it work.

Riffraff didn't mind that she'd be buried deep within the bowels of the planet for most of the operation that was happening above. In fact, there was a quiet sense of safety operating from her ranat's nest of a slicer den. Her role was not without risk however, and digital safeguards must be closely monitored throughout the operation. She always had an escape hatch planned, physically and encryption wise, but the slicer was hoping things would go smoothly enough that it wouldn't come to that.

Cracking clawed knuckles, the purple ranat keyed up comms and started the necessary work of aligning code for the inevitable cascade of controlled dysfunction. She'd been careful in her planning to leave life systems as untouched as possible, given that the entire planet needed infrastructure to maintain a functioning atmosphere with breathable air, but mistakes or slip ups were bound to happen.

[[ Look sharp, gang. We go live in 30 seconds. ]]

Higher Levels
​

Lights across numerous city blocks flickered, then went out. Comms supported by various transmitters and receivers throughout the city crackled and cut out. Ships and speeders at various altitudes were suddenly flying blind, several were soon colliding midair and showered screaming civilians below in sparks and detritus.

Water piped through city systems stopped flowing properly, it backed up and pooled disastrously in others. Crucial heating and cooling elements were suddenly on the fritz and the pandemonium soon spread from electrical sources to infect sentient souls with confusion and terror.


Summary:
Mission critical — maintain control of specific terminals, continue to sow chaos by keeping key infrastructure and systems unusable or unreliable.

What we seek to gain — further hindering defense of the planet by creating chaos, assisting our invasion forces, eventually working toward more lasting control of key infrastructure/ systems.

 

[Abishai Jade]

The first strike was to Abishai's gut, doubling him over and robbing him of breath. The second was across his face, spinning him away towards the alley wall to his right. He tried, desperately, to grab at something that would keep him from falling. It was unsuccessful. He fell to the ground, forehead smacking harshly against a pipe.

When he rolled over, his vision had blurred. Abishai blinked a few times, but his attacker remained doubled. He tried, but failed, to stand. How had he lost this fight when he was winning it so easily to begin with? The shock of the turn around was only surpassed by the shock to his head after he fell.

"Wait...wait...just hear me out..."

"We done talking, gutter-boy," came the approaching attacker.

The approaching thug was on the left...no...the right. His vision was not clearing.

"It was fifty credits..."

"My fifty credits. No one steals from Ballak Shau and gets away with it," snarled the man as he reached out and grabbed Abishai by the shirt, yanking him to his feet.

"He is still talking about himself in the third person though," Abishai blinked to push blood away from his eyes, but failed miserably.

And then the lights went out.

"Wha..."

The pause before the killing punch was all Abishai needed. It wasn't pretty, but brawls rarely were. The young man bit the wrist of his assaulter, drawing blood, which he spat out as he was dropped to the ground.

For the first time in weeks, he opened himself to the Force, letting the pain fuel him. The impression of the attacker's location crystallised in his mind's eye, and his foot kicked out quickly. There was only one place you aimed when you wanted to down a man quickly. And Ballak Shau dropped immediately, clutching his groin and letting out a breathless groan.

No time was wasted in asserting his dominance, as Abishai jumped to his feet, shoulder ramming into his attacker's chest. Within a moment, he had his knee on the man's chest, and he gave him not even a moment to plead.

He punched. Once. Twice. It felt good. A third time. Straight across Shau's face. A smile slowly formed, unseen in the dark, as Abishai wailed on the man, until his legs stopped twitching.

Panting for breath, Abishai slumped to the side. His senses were alight with the thrill of the moment, a high that would take some time to come down from. It was dangerous being untethered like this. But when he got this way, reason was already gone.

With bloodied face and fists, Abishai stood, and stumbled towards the exit of the alley. Sentients all about scrambled past the alley. He could feel that this darkness was more than just an accident at the local transformers. He could feel more to it. Perhaps a way off this metal rock, and away from all the debt he had incurred by killing a crime lord's right-hand man.

Fyi, Riffraff Ranat @Open
​

 

[Naniti]

The Covenant were Sith. They had plenty of bodies to push around and command, but of those trusted with autonomy and duty fewer were intellectually inclined. Not stupid, by any means, but not driven to less physical or authoritarian pursuits. Which presented a problem even for the immense talent of Riffraff Ranat . Not that they expected to amass an army of the galaxy's greatest slicers it would seem, but it would help if their assistants were at least capable of independent action. Understanding the importance of things; how the various facets connected and where the enemy might try to intervene. It wasn't mandatory, but it was wise. So, Naniti had offered to join those enabling Riffraff's pursuits on Coruscant.

Not that the Togruta was known for being cloistered in her room trying to break her way through some planet's security. No, Naniti liked studying matters of a more... galactic scope. Perhaps even 'metaphysical' in nature. A personal interest spurred on by a vision of the distant future. Hopefully distant; she was hardly ready to face it just yet with the limited information available. It wouldn't stop her from being prepared, however, to be more than a speed bump for their enemies.

Naniti had spent some time brushing up on slicing, bypass spikes, and even some electrical knowledge for messing with the wiring. Skills that should prove useful in their mission. It'd be enough to keep sassy gremlins from thinking this minion was all thumbs, and couldn't slice their way out of a trash compactor.

In the time between arrival and launch, the violet woman had taken to maintaining her cover by not engaging in any questionable activities. If anything, she'd spent her time mapping the layout of the area. A city world was one giant maze, and eventually it'd come time for the mission to end. Be a damn shame if she couldn't avoid a drag net and became a permanent resident. Fortunately, such a future was not in the cards. Didn't mean she could kick back and let dominoes fall as they may.

Between strolls, Naniti planted Riffraff's packages in preparation for the show.

Shame there wasn't time or opportunity to buy or purloin plenty of souvenirs. Plenty of holodramas had been made on Coruscant or featured it. Be a problem hauling them around when the time came. It was important to remain light and nimble to avoid the Imperial counterstroke. Might still manage a few small items. Larger ones if customs didn't get in the way of shipping a completely innocuous package well before Riffraff made a mess of things.

No artifacts though. Arris would be disappointed, but those sorts of things wouldn't make it through customs and the underworld was not something Naniti could afford to be associated with in an Imperial databank. Maybe next time.

At last, Riffraff announced the commencement of the festivities. The Togruta didn't mind. There were benefits to having montrals. Not that Imperials ever even begrudgingly acknowledged it. A lack of lighting only benefited her in keeping photos and videos from capturing her presence. And for those with nightvision or a flashlight, she'd decided on adopting a mask to conceal her features. Nothing flashy. Just something appropriate for a maintenance worker.

It was an outfit Naniti would be glad to be rid of. Probably best Lysander didn't see her in it. He'd make a dry quip. Probably not even at her expense, but he'd bring it up again and again somehow. Maybe say something like she was good at fixing things. As if an aspiring Sith Lord should be known as a tinkerer! A woman had to set her goals a little higher than that. Worse part was how difficult it would be to remain mad at him about it too.

Riffraff Ranat | Abishai Jade | Open​

 

[Snees D'ner]

Friend: Riffraff Ranat Abishai Jade Naniti Gillem
Foe: Vireth Yuri Maji

Open!

​

Nar Shaddaa, in its own way, had grown too comfortable lately. Running a modest side business out of the Red Ronin gave him something close to stability. For someone of his tiny stature, it felt.. pretty damn good, having some pull in the underbelly. And it definitely beat the life he would’ve had scraping together back on Tatooine with his clan.. digging through sand and broken pieces of junk.

Snees had finally rolled into town with Riffraff packed aboard the Big Ages. It had been a bit of a gamble, even by his standards, whose idea of a good time often danced right on the edge of disaster. Luckily, they sailed through. The kind of getaway that reminded the Jawa why he put up with these sketchy operators and Sith.

He was in the same district when the signal buzzed through.

Soon, it would be time to hit that big red button, and not by accident.

Moving closer, there would be a slight detour. An old maintenance locker was bolted into the wall there, partially hidden by cables. Snees had been keeping an eye for most of the day. The Duskmold Rocket Launcher rested exactly where he paid someone leave it. Realistically, he'd be lucky to fire off even one shot. Something as a last resort. Still, clutching that beast made him feel bigger than he was.

Thirty seconds would go quick.

A wide brim hat was pulled down a little as he tightened the orange scarf around his neck and mouth. Snees scanned the area, yellow eyes glowing beneath. He had a sense of who he might be working with. The cowboy, Gillem, he already knew well enough, and he’d seen the acolyte noodlehead drifting out and about a couple times since their arrival.

Hopefully neither wandered too close if he was forced to squeeze a trigger.

Whether his role would be muscle or require a bit of slicing of his own.. only time would tell.

 

[Gillem]

GILLEM

Gillem had eyes on both of them as the togruta and Snees did their own things throughout the street. He had been keeping an eye on just about everyone for this operation. Not much got past him. He let out a soft sigh before he descended from the building quietly. Walking down the streets with his hands in his coat and his hat pulled down. The old Morellian Ranger armor hugged his body. Flexible with plenty of protection from blaster fire and slug throwers.

He walked up behind Snees.

“Well, look at that. You do know fashion.”

He tipped his hat at him. Then he opened up his coat to pull out his cigarette pack. His fingers dipped into the pocket to feel nothing.

“Hm. What the hell”

He patted his coat down as he searched for his sweet tabac goodness. Already he was starting to feel irked. There was two things you never took from a man. His caffeine and his nicotine. Unfortunately he wasn’t much of a coffee drinker.

“Say, you don’t happen to have a cigarette do ya?”

He looked back at Snees as he watched him pull out a launcher that was bigger than him. Riffraffs voice scratched into his comms with the thirty second warning and he quickly checked his belt for all of his equipment. Yep sure enough it was all there. Bullets, plasma cores and of course explosives.

His mechanical eye scanned the many faces around them, giving names and other personal information before he finally located Naniti.

“Looks like we are all here.”

Thirty seconds ticked by fast and then all hell broke loose. Speeders colliding into one anothers, pipes bursting, traffic lights flickering in different colors out of order. Instant pandemonium.

“She really don’t waste time.”

Snees D'ner | Naniti | Riffraff Ranat | Abishai Jade

Yuri Maji | Vireth​

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Engaging: Riffraff Ranat , Abishai Jade , Naniti , Snees D'ner , Gillem

Battle in The Base

The fleas were itching to bite...

The ISB weren't fools. Though the aggression from the Covenant was largely a surprise, the vast network that the Empire retained access to had not entirely been caught with their pants down. Thus, measures were taken in an effort to remedy, or at least limit, any potential damage set upon them from their aggressors. Nevertheless, there was always room for error...

Reiner hadn't found himself in a position within the intelligence community in some time, but his connections through the OIS kept him in the proverbial loop. And now he had been called back to Coruscant... the planet he had sought to avoid since his defection from the Galactic Alliance. Yet, it was perhaps that long, storied history that had made him a prime candidate to handle matters within borders of the ecumenopolis. As much as it pained him... duty did not care where one may be forced to lay their head.

He stood within the control room of the OIS office on the upper levels of Coruscant, his cold, iron eyes scanning the myriad of screens in front of him. His mind was sharpened... focused... for he knew that a storm was on the horizon.

"Have we extracted all OIS resources from the planet?"

His Chief Scientist Teneb nodded in response.

"Yes, Director. All assets are in transit to Arkania."

A rigid nod was all Reiner could give in response. His primary (and only) concern was the safeguarding of any and all scientific research retained within the archives of Coruscant...

That is... until the network went dark.

"What seems to be the problem?"

A nearby technical officer approached him, his head lowered as if he were about to get strangled by Reiner's non-existent Force powers.

"Several systems have gone dark, Director. Many others have begun to function erratically at best."

So, he would think to himself, the Covenant has already struck...

"Get in touch with our contacts within the ISB. Tell them that we have rats inside the wire."

"But Director, we don't have authority to-"

"Our authority is that of the Empire... of the Emperor himself. Make it happen."

Reiner may have no longer been a part of the intelligence community, but the close relationship between said community and the OIS remained strong. And Reiner planned to use that to the fullest extent.

"I will take control of all operatives within planetary limits. Contact Pious Tapp . I hear he has access to assets that may be useful. Should he provide any... resistance... remind him that we serve the Emperor... and should his throneworld fall, those that did not commit their greatest effort to the contrary will be severely punished."

His eyes shot to the others.

"And for the love of the Empire, will someone get me a system diagnostic?!"

 

[Riffraff Ranat]

Tags: Friends — Snees D'ner | Gillem | Abishai Jade | Naniti | OPEN
Foes — Reiner Ghadi | OPEN
AOE Mentions — Vabaun Redmond | Lucius Redmond

OBJECTIVE ONE
Coruscant
Undercity
Somewhere Between Levels 5 and 4
Amongst Wiring and Air Ducts

​

From within the relative safety of her slicer's nest, the ranat continued to keep on eye on her malware trackers but shifted focus to more critical areas. Some of her agents were providing hurried reports of civilian unrest, perhaps even uprising in aid of their tenuous new masters.

That wouldn't do.

Riffraff swiveled in her collapsible travel seat, a must have anywhere she set up shop for an operation as big as this, and searched quickly for the correct coordinates. Once her prime locations were identified, she passed on a quick PSA to the general encrypted comm line.

[[Those babysitting our key terminals, sit tight, eyes up. Engineers or worse'll be showin up soon enough to get their grimy mitts on 'em. Can't let that fly, got it? Anyone outside ISB Headquarters, you're about t' get a show.]]
​

The woman chuckled to herself then, enjoying these early stages of the game. This was not the time to grow complacent though, she knew there would surely soon be hounds in the wires and hack-backs looking to shut her down. She'd need to stay alert.

Higher Levels
​

As rolling blackouts continued, and basic utilities remained inaccessible across vast swaths of the planet, conflict ramped up.

Some of the previously sapped electricity suddenly surged back into a couple of key towers which were very visible from the ISB HQ. Numerous billboards and advert screens flared to life once more, all of them flashing a variety of a few hand selected images. These images depicted the unquestionable brutality of Imperial forces against civilians.

Months and months ago, one of Riffraff's contacts had mentioned in passing the shaky change of hands undergone by the Core. Since then, the sly ranat had been paying damn good credits to be kept abreast of news as it trickled out and stashing away details as she did. In preparation for this assault, Riffraff had prepared a number of sound bites, images, and various helpful bits of reference materials just in case.

High upon dozens of skyscrapers there was now a rotating display of Imperial sins against citizenry, fabricated or otherwise. Who could really tell in the heat of it all? Riffraff had also taken the liberty of co-opting a very popular youth resistance logo which watermarked a few of the images. Over various crackling loudspeakers, PA systems, and public broadcast stations, one simple message rang out in the voice of many, repeated over and over:

"RISE UP! RESIST!"​

Summary:
Mission critical — maintain control of specific terminals, continue to sow chaos by keeping key infrastructure and systems unusable or unreliable.

Current actions — Continued besiegement of critical infrastructure, protect key terminals, and guerrilla propaganda/ disinformation campaign

 

[Yuri Maji]

Wrong objective, ignore

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Engaging: Riffraff Ranat , Abishai Jade , Naniti , Snees D'ner , Gillem

Battle in The Base

It didn't take much convincing for ISB to shift control of many of their assets over to Reiner. A smart move on their part. With the chaos in the streets and ISB's headquarters besieged, someone had to take control of the situation. Besides, if they had said no, well... they certainly wouldn't have survived much longer after the battle was over.

Reiner poured over what information could be presented to him. Despite the pandemonium happening outside, the ISB had the foresight to at least keep some systems on an isolated network. It wasn't enough to correct the damage, but it was a start. Reiner could at least coordinate some semblance of an effort to stop whoever had the gall to take this shot at the Empire's network. But first... he had to assess the situation.

"Director, we just received word from Tapp. He has given us the green light to handle his assets on-world."

It was something, at least. Reiner had heard whispers of Tapp's work, rounding up former Imperial operatives from previous regimes and bringing them into the fold. Hopefully his work would continue to pay off...

"Get me a secure line to whoever is in charge. And pull every technician and codebreaker you can from ISB. We need to get a handle on this before they can do more damage."

Not moments after the words left his mouth, multiple towers lit up in the distance, their screens overtaken by images of Imperial actions within the Core. It sickened him, seeing such misconstrued and ill-interpreted visuals of the Empire's work. They sought to bring a new order to the galaxy that had not been seen in too many years to count. It was they who were meant to create a new future that would bring the savage denizens of the galaxy to heel. Those citizens that truly understood the Empire's mission would never buy into such slop, yet there were always those that may...

"And Lieutenant... on the double."

 

[Naniti]

Objective One, Coruscant

Naniti stood in the dark in sight of one of the lynch pin terminals. Honestly, the Togruta felt something was off. Other than the power, the sewage treatment facility, and every holo-advert this side of Alderaan. Fortunately, despite having a vibroblade on hand, she was a fully trained Sith [Acolyte]. Vibes were a completely legitimate instinct to trust. Which left her to turn her attention elsewhere for a few moments.

Lips pressed together before her feet tapped the deck plating. Her hoverskates snapped to life and suddenly the violet woman literally shot down the pitch black corridor. Each turn had her nearly parallel to the floor with an arm stretched out not to waste a single inch as the Togruta whipped around corners.

Someone had the bright idea to try rerouting control to another terminal in the area. Might not be a perfect patch, but Coruscant would take anything it could get to show it had matters under control. And it was Naniti's job to make sure they did not.

As the final stretch lined up, two figures on either side laid down fire.

With harsh shoves with either foot, she wove her way down the gauntlet. The blade sliced up and down to deflect a bolt away with sharp pings responding to shrill whines of fire. Flashes of light lit up the cruel masks of those that thought to defend, and the expressionless one their assailant wore with every exchange.

Death rattles came in stereo just seconds before a loud bang was followed by a hollow thump of metal. Naniti stood with her sword skewering the last of three guards to the wall. Their rifle had dropped from a limp hand as the life surrendered from the mortal coil.

A lone technician stood with a terminal's guts torn open, wires everywhere, and a deck in their hand. Naniti could faintly see them in the glow of the screen they'd brought to life. She could detect precisely how far away them were with echo location. Their wide-eyes said more than words could convey. Especially when they swallowed, their eyes blinked, and resolve to interact with the console over came them. Perhaps a last act of defiance. A desperate need to restore order. A commitment to the Imperial cause.

None of it mattered.

Before their finger hit the control, one of the Togruta's hands shot up and propelled the man straight up into the ceiling before their body was slammed back into the ground. Their deck made more noise when it snapped against the floor and skittered away.

[[Imperials may try to reroute command pathways to other terminals. It won't purge our code, but it could give them a fighting chance?]] she sent back on the encrypted line. Naniti wasn't really sure what the odds might have been, really. She knew enough to be extremely dangerous, but slicing wasn't her full time passion.

A quick inspection then she'd gut this makeshift work and return to the main target.

Riffraff Ranat | Snees D'ner | Gillem | Abishai Jade
Reiner Ghadi | Yuri Maji
Open​

 

[Snees D'ner]

Friend: Riffraff Ranat Abishai Jade Naniti Gillem
Foe: Reiner Ghadi

Open!

Weapon: Duskmold Rocket Launcher

​

The Jawa didn't jump; that should've said plenty. Shoulders shifted, yellow eyes sliding sideways beneath the brim, catching the cowboy's reflection in a cracked panel. By the time the voice finished, he turned properly. A little huff was lost in the fabric around his mouth.

“Careful,” rasped, rough as Tatooine’s sand. “Compliments cost extra.”

Pockets were searched without optimism, already knowing what they wouldn't find. "Bad night for vices."

He'd already learned back on Nar Shaddaa that nicotine was sacred for the tall one. "Thirty seconds. You picked a hell of a time to quit."

[[Those babysitting our key terminals, sit tight, eyes up. Engineers or worse'll be showin up soon enough to get their grimy mitts on 'em. Can't let that fly, got it? Anyone outside ISB Headquarters, you're about t' get a show.]]

A few towers snapped back to life, and a wash of light rolled across the street. That pulled Snees’ attention past Gillem. Screens flared, revealing scenes of brutality.. Imperials swinging, bodies down, framed clearly. Real or not, it no longer mattered. The message was already loose. Panic and noise followed after.

Alarms started tripping out. The city was screaming in the wrong ways.

If Imperials did show up right away, that only supported the propaganda.

“They’re comin’.”

Tipping his chin toward the wall, one wiry finger pointed at the locker. "Got somethin' stashed in there," calm as breath. "Big."

Stepping forward, the door creaked open to reveal the rocket launcher. Nothing but bulk and bad intentions. Nearly as tall as he was.. the Jawa stared at it and snorted.

Glancing down the street, he tried to gauge where traffic would funnel soon.

Then it was back to Gillem.

"Things a brick. Too heavy to wrestle. You help me line it up."

The same hand traced a short arc toward a nearby maintenance cart tipped on its side. It gave him just enough height to cheat the angle.

"I'm ready to squeeze."

 

[Gillem]

GILLEM

A chuckle escaped him at Snees’ comment about compliments, watching him pat down his pockets.

“Tell you the truth I was not expecting to quit smoking tonight.”

[[Those babysitting our key terminals, sit tight, eyes up. Engineers or worse'll be showin up soon enough to get their grimy mitts on 'em. Can't let that fly, got it? Anyone outside ISB Headquarters, you're about t' get a show.]]

Riffraff’s voice scratched over his commlink and Gillem’s eyes squinted from the discomfort of minor feedback. He watched as towers sprung to life with video feeds of Imperial soldiers committing atrocities and war crimes on civilians and non civilians. It wasn’t something new to him, real or fake, it fit the narrative perfectly. Though the Imps preached of order and law they were tyrants. Twin headed snakes who would bite you in the back as well as the front. No angle was safe when you played with them, nicely or not.

Snees’ voice called him back from the screens.

“Yeah, if we didn’t have their attention then, then we do now. Remind me to never give Riff my resume.”

His eyes traced to the locker where he pulled out the massive weapon.

“Geeze, you really do not play around do ya?”

He helped hoist the heavy weapon over to the cart, setting it flat over the edges of the basket. After setting it down he followed Snees’ movements and guidance with the muzzle to make sure he had the angle that he needed.

He then tapped his comms.

<This is Gillem calling for the purple acolyte. How are things on your end?>

He heard the sound of a few blaster bolts followed by the thuds of bodies, groans of pain, exhales of death.

<All good I assume?>

A blaster shot rung off and he quickly side stepped just in time to avoid it.

“Son of a-”

His eye marked a handful of troopers heading their way, barrels pointed their way. He could hear their comms.

Quickly he drew one of his revolvers fanning the hammer dropping a few of them then quickly looked at Snees.

“Please tell me that thing packs a hell of a punch?”

He spoke over his shoulder at Snees as he gave him cover fire, drawing his second revolver, firing off towards the approaching men as he looked at him.

Allies: Snees D'ner | Riffraff Ranat | Naniti | Abishai Jade

Foes: Reiner Ghadi​

 

[Riffraff Ranat]

Tags: Friends — Snees D'ner | Gillem | Abishai Jade | Naniti | OPEN
Foes — Reiner Ghadi | OPEN
AOE Mentions — Acier Moonbound Ivory Delvin jeth Jordi Massad Kesh Hevro Hasuras Na-Gerra Varin Mortifer Lysander von Ascania Ansisa Xan Atropus Darth Amaymon St. Thomas Barran Yuri Maji Kirie Arris Windrun Lina Ovmar Makko Dres Nilira Vornix Meliant Da'Razel Krasskorr the Maw Remowa Srina Talon Mercy Darth Carnifex Vesper Thrace Quinn Varanin Aelissandre Eurydice

OBJECTIVE ONE
Coruscant
Undercity
Somewhere Between Levels 5 and 4
Amongst Wiring and Air Ducts

​

[[Imperials may try to reroute command pathways to other terminals. It won't purge our code, but it could give them a fighting chance?]]

[[ Yeah kid, good instinct, splitting pathways as we speak.]]

Despite the speed at which she worked and the literal electric speed of data transfer, being so deep in the undercity buried away from the fray had its disadvantages. News traveled slow and Riffraff was constantly accounting for the fact that she was always a few minutes behind the boots on the ground. Save for the invaluable updates from her few dozen agents higher up.

It was just as reports were filing in about the status of the most critical conflict zones when the ranat realized there was a back-hacker honing in on one of her key control zones. She huffed an annoyed little growl under her breath, one long purple ear flicking as she swiveled to that screen. Now was not the time to get tangled in some piddly chit of chase if they didn't absolutely need that sector controlled. Just a little more time before she determined whether to cut and run from that zone…

<This is Gillem calling for the purple acolyte. How are things on your end?>

He heard the sound of a few blaster bolts followed by the thuds of bodies, groans of pain, exhales of death.

<All good I assume?>

[[Damned Hounds in the wires, nothing needed from you except deadly force against anyone so much looking in the direction of your terminal.]]

She didn't mean for it to be but her voice was terse, gravelly with the way adrenaline was catching up. Had he called her an Acolyte?! What a chutta…

Another angry growl and curse, the ranat decided to cut and run from the banking sector. Would've been nice to maintain a hold there but if she didn't focus in now, she'd let slip the whole damned mission. Success on the ISB and Palace front meant higher likelihood she'd get a second chance at some of those tantalizing accounts before everything was secreted away or pillaged.

The back door in her virus had provided a clean exit — like a ladder pulled up before the Hound could bust through to give chase, through closer and closer back channels. Her chair swiveled again, time to get fething nasty with it.

Red-orange eyes with slit pupils raced along the lines of code, her clawed fingers flying across several keyboards. She spared a glance for her breathing device, still plenty of time. The muck and filth this deep in the bowels of Coruscant wasn't for the faint of heart, or lung for that matter.

[[Alright, final push. Only the terminals near squads 2, 10, and 17 matter now. Guard 'em like yer mother lives there. Or I dunno, like you do. Whatever matters more.]]

Higher Levels:

ISB HQ

"RISE UP! RESIST!"
​

That message, those images, they continued to blast and glare across the city block adjacent to ISB HQ with the obnoxious vehemence only possible thanks to Riffraff's override of public nuisance ordinances in the code.

The ISB Headquarters came into view beneath the storm's shadow. The outer defenses were already in shambles. Trenches torn open. Barricades shattered and half-melted. Imperial lines still held in places, but it was desperate now... patchwork resistance.

The Palace​

The storm that had brewed as if the sky itself were ready to pass cataclysmic judgement on the city planet. Crimson and obsidian lightning ripped through the skies in thunderous booms and flashes like mortar fire. This was no ordinary storm. Lightning surged from the sky impacting the top of the ship, for a split second the power flickered.

Then the second, bolts of crimson obsidian-flecked lightning slammed into the palace spires. Each impact sent ripples through the Force, the air thick with pressure and dread, as if Coruscant itself were being weighed and found wanting.

Mercy smiled as the bolts descended upon them, threatening to destroy them all.

It was beautiful.

Sudden darkness reigned and the only lights that tore through the night were caused by the storm or tools of war: sabers, blaster bolts, fell Force energies screaming through the sky, and so on. The opposition had failed to find the rat in their machine and now she, along with her helpers, were enforcing a horror motif upon them all. All systems were down, save for those entirely unconnected to the grid.



Summary:
Mission critical — maintain control of specific terminals, continue to sow chaos by keeping key infrastructure and systems unusable or unreliable.

Current actions — Total control of critical infrastructure, protect key terminals, and guerrilla propaganda/ disinformation campaign

 

[Naniti]

Naniti slid to a stop in sight of the key terminal. She had to threaten a few people back into their crawlspaces in the backout; they'd started to think it was safe after she'd left to take care of business elsewhere. It most certainly was not. Wasn't their problem, and they should stick to staying alive out of her sight had been the message.

That's when a man's voice slipped over the line. The Togruta's brow furrowed for a second. Riffraff had responded in short order, but Naniti was pretty sure she was the Acolyte in question. Riffraff wasn't an Acolyte. Probably best not to bring that up in the middle of the mission though. Still, she opened the channel and split her attention between it and the echolocation, <Dealt with a problem.> There was a pause. <Might have another unless I draw the party to you. One, big bash?> she asked. Two separate parties, or one big one.

Soon enough Riffraff came back on the line and struggled with convincing them their job was important. Personally, though, it was the latter. Best she definitely didn't respond to that line of conversation.

Or would it? Maybe going absolutely nuts wouldn't be a bad thing under these circumstances? Still not something she wanted to entertain though.

Riffraff Ranat | Gillem | Snees D'ner | Abishai Jade

 

[Snees D'ner]

Friend: Gillem Riffraff Ranat Naniti
Foe: Reiner Ghadi

He tracked the weapon as it came free. The cart creaked as the launcher settled across it. There was a whole lot of truth in that mass. Snees watched the basket dip to one side. One hand braced the frame, while the other nudged the weapons from behind. A finger width, maybe two. Not that it was going to make the recoil kick any less.

The Jawa crouched slightly with a bend at the knees, spine angling forward; his weight married the cart.

“Playin’ around’s expensive too,” he rasped again, playing off his earlier comment. “This is cheaper.”

He didn’t look at the cowboy when the comms crackled again. Purple chatter meant Riffraff was breathing. That earned a cant of his head. One glowing eye slid sideways beneath the brim.

“All purple tonight,” Snees muttered. “One crawls outta trash cans, the other’s got horns acting like they don’t hear you.” His shoulders rolled once. “Guess that makes you the odd one out, Gillem.”

He snapped a small fist into the man’s leg without looking, then returned to the launcher, a sign that the giant lug was somehow growing on him.

His left hand slid on the forward grip, the right finding the trigger’s housing. A thumb brushed the safety. Leaning in, his cheek pressed close to the stock. Now he was aligning behind the optic.

Chaos ensued, and he studied the different lanes and angles. Smoke drifted in the distance. Adjusting the elevation, he began measuring the distance. Rockets didn’t really forgive bad guesses. The blaster fire came closer, and the revolver near him replied. Snees didn’t flinch one bit. Troopers finally broke into range. An entire battalion. That white armor was always easy to spot.

Breathing slowed, long in, and longer out. Everything narrowed.

“Hold ‘em right there.”

The safety clicked under his finger.

Locked in and committed, he aimed for the center of the oncoming mass.

“Utinni.”

The trigger was pulled, and a rocket tore free. The impact arrived not even a second later. The warhead burst on impact, the explosion tearing it open as a crawling biofilm splashed free and started to move. Vents, exposed systems, all places that it could be fed. Whatever was there, it wouldn't work the same again.

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Engaging: Riffraff Ranat , Abishai Jade , Naniti , Snees D'ner , Gillem

Battle in The Base

It was as Reiner had said all those years ago...

A storm of Force powers raged across the Coruscanti sky, clouding both air and mind. It was the true nature of the disgusting wizards that constantly tried to extend their will over others. He had warned the Senate about such power during his tenure among them. The Jedi... the Sith... whoever it may be, such power would always devolve into pandemonium. It had to change... and if Reiner had to kill every last wizard, warlock, shaman, and witch to do it, then by the Empire he would see it done.

His hatred for those that partook in such esoteric practices had remained a secret, for he had to keep up appearances for as long as it would take. His love wasn't to the Emperor, but to the Empire itself. His vision... a vision shared by many of those within Imperial circles, would eventually bring the galaxy back to a place of stability and peace. But... for now... he would bite his tongue and press forward in silence.

"Director, we have pulled every technician available. They are ready at your command."

"And the operatives?"

"Ready as well."

His first message would be sent across one of the few secure channels they managed to maintain, calling out to every techie and slicer they could muster.

<<This is Reiner Ghadi, Director of Sciences and head of the OIS. I have assumed command of all ISB assets for the time being. We have rats in the walls, and it is up to us to see the vermin exterminated. You will have unrestricted access to any and all systems. Do what you must to take our city back.>>

Moments later, some of the screens in the distance began to flicker, a sign that the Imperial agents had already begun their work. It would take time, but eventually, with any luck, they could at least regain control over the planetary network.

His next transmition would be received by Kazimir Tragovic , a valuable asset of Tapp's and the man currently holding authority to coordinate with other operatives on the ground.

<<Wardog, this is Director Ghadi. I'm sure Lieutenant Tapp has already informed you of the situation. I am sending you coordinates of suspected insurgent activity. You and your fellow operatives have the authority to deploy as needed. Use any means necessary. If you can bring one of these interlopers in alive, then do so. If not, well... the security of the Imperial Center is your top priority. Do what you must. Ghadi out.>>

The rumors Ghadi had heard about the man told of brutal efficiency and cold-hearted violence. In this moment, the Director could only hope that the rumors were true.

 

[Riffraff Ranat]

Epilogue
Coruscant
Undercity
Somewhere Between Levels 5 and 4
Amongst Wiring and Air Ducts

Cyberattack concluding in financial sector of Coruscant, including the Financial Center

Destruction wrought, total control secured, Riffraff had very little juice left in her rebreather before she had to abandon her little slicer’s den. Before she did though, with a job well done on the war front, the wily ranat turned her attention back to the banking sector’s digital systems.

One of their key terminals was mercifully still intact and that’s where Riffraff focused her last ditch efforts to claw back some riches for herself and her kin. Working for the Covenant had thus far been lucrative enough, but this was a payday that would be life changing if she pulled it off.

Minutes ticked by, breathable atmosphere dwindled down, the muck and grime seemed to be seeping through the very walls and Riffraff typed away furiously.

Searching…

Searching…​

There!

She’d found the “oh chit” protocol code wherein so many accounts had been funneled elsewhere in the past days and hours leading up to this precise moment. There would of course be substantial credits she could fish back out of its giddy hole or resources that had been stashed in physical formats for more secure transfer. But Coruscant was a city of trillions and the entire financial sector was currently under the thumb of her malware.

Warning sensors beeped, Riffraff might not have the air she’d need to climb… but she was almost done. Just a few more lines before she had it…

Thousands of encrypted transfer records, straight shots for her to reach in and pluck them back out. Made her think of the old trick of punching a tiny hole through a coin and tying a string through it. When you used the coin on an unthinking machine then pulled it back through, you got your coin back and whatever goods or service the machine safeguarded.

This was a fair bit more complicated but the ranat chuckled through clenched fangs, starting the feel the weight of shoddily filtered air on her lungs. The attack was lined up, her reverse credit wire ready to be initiated. Riffraff entered her 16 digit approval to run the program.

Millions of credits began to poor backward, the number in her own account would soon rival that of royalty.

Turning away from the screens, The ranat slung her small pack over her shoulder and hustled to a little escape hatch in the back of her nest. She’d leave the programs running for now and return later when she had more air. For now, it was time to see what the Covenants had made of the higher levels.