The Eighth Battle - Coalition Invasion of Triumvirate Ruusan

[Subject 37]

Olmondo: Inner City
Allies: Laguz Vald | Cameron Centurion | Dak Canton
Enemies: Tempest | Siobhan Kerrigan | Kei Amadis

Kiran mouthed a couple of swears as he slowly shook his hand, fingers curling into a tight fist before he slowly let them go. The blow to the man's armor hadn't exactly been according to plan, he'd meant to strike the man in the face and simply end it there with one good blow. It had been a far-fetched thought, he admitted, but at the very least he'd tried. A frown pulled at his lips as he felt an odd sort of prickling sensation across his skin, as though tiny needs were stabbing into his flesh.

The sensation wasn't painful...just odd, as though his entire body were falling asleep.

Almost out of reflex Kiran stepped back, taking one, two, then three large footfalls away from the Jedi. The odd ooglith around him seemed to squirm suddenly, Kiran feeling the nerve connectors within his skin growing more taught. A scowl now pulled on his lips as he realized what was happening, the Jedi was using the force. The Mercenary pulled his blaster from it's holster, immediately pointing the weapon towards the Jedi but not yet pulling the trigger.

"That's funny, seeing as how your compatriots just slaughtered a hundred innocent civilians." There was no lie in his tone, no statement of misleading fact, there didn't have to be. The Sanctum was technically at fault for killing the hostages. Sure Kiran had brought them out there, sure he'd put the collars on them, but ultimately he had not been the one to cause their deaths. They could have negotiated more, they could have paid him off, they could have done any number of a hundred things, but instead they had simply fired their weapons.

In truth it was what Kiran would have done, but then again Kiran never claimed moral superiority. "I can't trust a word that comes out of your mouth, no one can."

Credibility was a tough thing to earn.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Location: Valley formerly of the Jedi.
Allies: Sith Triumvirate (Got you back, boo).
Enemies: Filthy mudbloods invaders. [member="Shmi Labooda"] and her two friends.

Armament:
Armour.
Nagajj & Tsaisibola.
Rudis of the Dark Lord.
2x curved hilt lightsabres.
Vibrodagger.

“… -Path from here only gets more dangerous”

A constant breeze of cold air flowed through the ruin like a ghostly river, fed by the air differential of hot and cold on either end. Darth Ophidia lingered along the walls of the ruin’s path. Her right hand reached behind her hip and loosened the Rudis from its sheath. Lightsabres cut faster, but right now she wanted the dark. The metal blade was easily concealed among the folds of her robes.

Her breath was slow, her ears listened intently through the audio sensors of her helmet. One foot in front of the other, practiced steps to make minimal sound without the cost of speed. This was like breathing, second nature. She heard footsteps that were not her own. She had heard the voice before, and saw the ambient congregation of light further up. Silent like the predators she so admired, she stalked through the shadows to come around them.

How many were there? Two? Four? Three. She sensed three. Weaker in the back, stronger in the front. Could she take out the strong one right away? The two others would likely run. If not, then she would be trapped in a three v. one. That would be bad. No, she would take out the potatoes before she cut the meat.

The short sithsword was out, the assassin inhaled and held. Then she released herself in a burst of speed. The Rudis flashed in a quick cut as she strafed past the group, darting from one shadow to another. Ophidia lashed her dark blade out against the rightmost Jedi’s throat, seeking to cut most of the way through, but leave the head on the shoulders.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Location: 2 Olmondo
Buddy: [member="Lassiter"], [member="Dak Canton"], [member="Cameron Centurion"]
Enemy: Jedi people, but no one specific at the moment. Let us know if you wanna fite (warning: might throw coffee in your face)

Sena handed Ameli in her jacket. All the blonde could do in that moment was stare at her with blank eyes. The kindness of the gesture was not lost on her. In that moment she let go of her rage and wanted nothing more than to give her tutor a big, tight hug. She didn't, deeming it inappropriate for the company. Ameli didn't care as much, but she knew Sena would. She communicated every bit as much of that hug through her expression as she could. To anyone peeking into her brain in that moment, they might think Jeez girl, it's just a jacket. But it was more than that. It was a symbol. They stood together against the cruel oppression of the unimaginative wardrobes. Fashionistas of the Dark Side, unite!

The blonde was now all smiles as she let the dark robe drop to the floor. Sure, it was war. Sure, it was urgent. But soldierboy would wait for her to put this beauty on. She took her time to enjoy the feel as the sleeves wrapped around her arms. When it was on she breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Much better" she almost sang, bending down to pick up the robes again. She'd put them on as well, leaving her in a weird mix of Sith tunics, leather jacket, Sith robes. She stuck out, but man, she was in love with this jacket right now.

'Thaaaaaank yooooooooooooou~' her voice practically sang into the mind of Sena, through their telepathic connection. With a light bounce in her step, she followed the soldier out and towards their destination. With her mood suddenly improved and her frustration gone, she managed to notice that he was actually quite handsome. Shame he'd probably end up dead or scarred beyond recognition, in this battle or the next. Oh well.

At long last they found themselves standing in front of the man who was in charge of Olmondo's defences. As Dak introduced him, Ameli looked over to Sena, thinking Decanii? We're Decanii? What the kark is a Decanii? The commander had an intimidating presence, radiating of power. Awesome. She wished she could just poke him on the forehead and suck out all his knowledge. Ameli was ambitious, power-hungry and impatient. It was really that last part that made the former two a little more frustrating than it needed to be.

"Yeah" Ameli replied, sounding a little absent. She was distracted by the radiant silver-green eyes that he showed them, if only for but a moment. "We'll do those things, that you just said. Won't we?" she looked over to Sena, knowing she wouldn't reply anything. Bet you're wishing you picked someone else to be your voice right about now, don't cha! The girl grinned. "Yeah. We'll have fun." After giving out another set of orders, the man vanished. He behaved about as powerful as he seemed. Hot. "Did you see his eyes?" was the first thing out of Ameli's mouth after he bounced. "Man" she muttered, mesmerised. Then she remembered they were in a war-zone. Right. Time to do war stuff.

"Alright, big boss. Lead the way. Let's have some fun" she told Sena. Conveniently for Ameli, she was the apprentice. To her that meant she didn't have to worry about thinking, planning, or anything really. She just tagged along.

 

[Sinistra]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Sinistra Gear: Sinistra's Personal Armor
2 sabers; 1 silver, 1 red
Fela/Arianrhod Gear: 1 red saber each, fitted armorweave bodysuits with full head covering masks.
Opponent: [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Setzi Lunelle"]

"Is this for real? This is delta?" Arianrhod snorted, dropping a small packet into the storage compartment on her swoop bike.

Fela looked hard at Arian as she shut the storage compartment on hers.

"Yes, I can assure you, this is an actual thing. We're spies, you know we don't just blast our way out of things."

"Yeah but come on."

"Enough. We're ready, let's go. Aurek, you have the ship."

The pair of young women pulled on their armorweave masks, and gloves; red goggles glinting as they adjusted them over the knit head covering.

Arianrhod and Fela climbed on and zipped out of the citadel, weaving through the battlefield. They had to arc wide around the fighting to get to the hilltop where they knew their master stood. It would take a few minutes to reach them and Fela sighed to herself under her face mask. She wasn't sure what they would find when they arrived where Lord Sinistra was but knowing their master, it could be anything.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The addition of another master to the circle did not bode well for her but Matsu continued on, and Sinistra rejoined her intention to the movements of the saber in her hand, a riposte ready for the pressing attack.

"In spite of my path of darkness? I might say the same of you. You are a person, who exists and has had a life, regardless of your path of the light. See? Foolishness."

She shook her head, her spirits still raised, and a chiding tone to her voice.

"Perception, Master Matsu. No one sees themselves the villain in their own tale. I am not some cackling monster, no more than you are a saintly pillar. We are people, no matter our choices, are we not?"

Her eyes flickered to Rasu and her warnings to the padawan, another chuckle issuing from the metallic vocoder. She did not acknowledge her remarks, keeping her attention on Matsu as they danced back and forth, the silver light casting bright halos on the ground around them as their blades sang and screeched.

 

[Jericho]

Location: The Valley of Jedi/Citadel
Nearby Allies: [member="Connor Harrison"] / [member="Solan Charr"] / [member="Joza Perl"] / SSC/Lotus Members
Nearby Enemies: [member="Darth Orcus"] / [member="Haytham Kaze"] / [member="Loray Tares"] / [member="Dagorn"] / ST/OS Members
Objective: Take the Citadel -> Take down Sith that are delaying SSC Ground Forces


There were too many sounds, too many voices, too many screams going on in the mind the warrior. When Joza called out to stating this was her fight went unheard, it was far too noisy, when he tried to make out what she said with his Lorrdian eyes he was distracted by Solan Charr. The man who was supposed to act as his support attempt to speak to him as well but again, the warrior could not make out his words. With his senses enhanced and not being completely used to them he was stunned by all the noise and all the words being said. He wanted it to stop, he wanted it all to stop and he was only growing angrier.

Taking a moment to shake it off, he faced the towards the twisted lovers and saw an opening made by Kaze, he could kill him right here, right now. The man's guard was down, his attention was focused on the Zeltron girl but Jericho then realized there was a gun pointed at her unlike what he has seen before. When the trigger was pulled, there was no flash, no bullet, nothing only a change in the aura of the Zeltron woman. In the quick moment, he knew that he had failed to keep Joza from harms way and the darkness had taken hold of her. He could feel the change within her and the gleam of her eye that echoed with hate and intensified to a brim of yellow. "Damn..." The warrior thought to himself as he began to make his charge once more, his mind fluttered with distraction and other thoughts. He could not lose another padawan and in her state of mind, she could be killed.

But again, he was stopped, another presence made it's appearance in the form of 40 mm grenade, a few blowing up in front of him and sending him flying backward, his temporary flight stopped by a soft tree. The warrior grunted and groaned; there was only the music of ringing now, faded sounds of battle and no voices. The ringing of his ears tuned out everything for a moment leaving the warrior with an almost alarming sense of peace. After the heavy ringing began to fade, he could only hear his breathing and that is what he really needed to hear. At first, it was like he was hyperventilating then it began to slow, the warrior taking in deeper and longer breaths of air to calm himself down.

The warrior used his air shaping to increase the intake of air into his body and reinvigorate his muscles and cool his frustration. "Focus...Calm yourself..." The warrior thought to himself as he began to stand up. He patted himself down to check on his armor, that was left mostly intact from the explosions. After all, that's what his armor was made for well that and battling sith. The warrior rolled out his shoulder and slapped his face with his hands to regain himself after this moment everything came back. All the noises, that the sounds of battle, the screams of war, but this time he was refocused. Jericho took out his double bladed saber and ignited one end, it's bright gold light piercing through the darkness around. He analyzed the situation for a moment and saw Connor Harrison pulled back into the fray by the whale warrior and another assisting him.

Loray, the master clad in armor made his charge firing another grenade toward Connor and that is where Jericho reacted. "Solan...Support...." The warrior stated calmly. Jericho stopped the grenade in place and threw it back towards the Dark master, knowing that he would most likely be able to stop it continued his charged and shaped the earth and created spear like edges from the ground aiming to pierce through his legs. Then on the focus of the whale like being, Jericho did a minor assist, using the moisture in the ground combined with the earth, began to change the ground under the whale into a thick mud aimed only to hinder the whale, hopefully to throw him off balance for the others to others to get away to cause some damage.

 

[Aithne Charr]

Obj: PVP with them Sith.
Location: Valley of the Jedi.
Allies: [member="Jericho"] [member="Connor Harrison"] (?)
Enemies: [member="Loray Tares"]
Observing: [member="Joza Perl"], [member="Darth Orcus"], [member="Haytham Kaze"]
Equipment: 2x Lightsabers, 15x Vibrodaggers, Jung-jii Fiber Armor, belt with number of pouches for seeds


Solan grinned from ear to ear as the seeds he threw towards [member="Loray Tares"] would now be needed using the redirection of the last grenade to force Loray towards the seeds as he pushed on the force and tied its energy to them. The process was one that took a few seconds anyways, starting it before Jericho even did his little trick with the Grenade. And instead of growing upwards like trees normally did, he sent them as sideways as possible, letting the trunks be aimed at the Knight as they grew and the foliage that grew around the trunks grow around Loray instead.

First, though, he had to make sure the two trucks slammed into Loray as they grew, both aimed at his body and looking to trap the being in place if at all possible once he had dodged the grenade, it took careful timing and he had to count every second inside his head to ensure that his work was being done with the utmost care and certainty. There were several things that could go wrong if he misses, providing Loray a shield while also giving a second to realize just what Solan was doing from behind his own earthen shield. But if it was working, if Loray did get trapped between the two trucks as foliage grew out around him, then that would be an entirely different story that Solan was going to take care of this instant.

What he intended to do was the second thing that he was more than known for, his hand reaching out as he stood up and made sure that Loray was trapped in the split second before a sharp snap of his fingers sounded across the area around him and almost instantly the two trees would erupt into an infernal of blue tinted flames, creating a furnace around Loray and most importantly creating a temperature that Lorays grenade could become very unstable in. Of course, this whole thing required that Loray be held in place and he hoped that [member="Connor Harrison"] or one of the two Dark Jedi nearby would lend their power in subduing the armor-clad being.

IF all came to work, Loray would be assaulted not only by the scorching heat around him, something that was no illusion or simple force power by the time it consumed the two tree trucks, but also his grenades which would likely be detonated by the heat around him. Of course, solan was one that knew full well of the abilities of these Sith. It wasn't so simple as that to take them out, but if this worked, then Solan, Jericho, and Conner would have dealt an undeniably heavy blow in the moments where Loray had turned to focus on the Charging Jedi rather than himself and Jericho.

(Ok, I know how terrible the writing, my apologies.)

 

[Loray Tares]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Gear: Items in profile
Allies: [member="Darth Orcus"], [member="Haytham Kaze"], @Shagorn'Ta
Enemies: [member="Jericho"] + [member="Solan Charr"] =Dance Partners , [member="Joza Perl"], [member="Connor Harrison"], @Alkor Centaris

Spoiler

Weapons
A pretty rifle
Stabbing thing
An artifact (hidden in the arm)
-Armor
Armor
Fabric cloak thing
Leather waist thing
-Other Stuff
Force Disperser
AI Wrist Blaster
Field Disruptor
Holographic Disguise Matrix
Melee Shield
VT-CERS Augmentation System

It was a lumber. The slow sort of begrudging step, the barren earth with its clenching and invisible hold across each ankle. Like a man dragging toddlers, or nightmares and the weight from all the worlds that preceded him, broken and destroyed in his once war-torn path. Showing a pervasive reluctance for each step, it would have been apparent that he was knocking the rust from his joints as he moved. But that apparent nature, and the assumption that followed, would have been an unintended perception. One that might have caused underestimation in just how quickly he could move.

The grenade, despite perfect aim aligned with the instruments of the armor, came hurtling back towards him. Which was good, gave him the opportunity to flex the swelling nature of the force within him. A hand lifted to stop his own momentum, a shimmering pool of black ink poured out in an instant. He was of a singular mind but he would sooner fall on his own blade then be trumped by mundane explosives. As the grenade injected into the freshly formed lens, it exploded and cracked across the shell, venting smoke and shrapnel back towards the original trajectory.

If the smaller crouching figure thought Loray wasn't paying attention, he likely didn't understand the autonomous nature of the Voxyn arm. Which was probably the case, given the overlay of the armor. For all the power that was flowing towards the ground, the hungry eye saw in color. Notable for such a feat, for such an amount of power poured into, it was too hard to miss. Particularly for the notion that the eye served as his depth perception, albeit skewed, for the purpose of combat.

The hand once erecting shroud now turned over, revealing an empty palm. Trees springing to life around him brought the deceitful act to a head as the smoke and shrapnel, still flinging out from the epicenter of his shield, sucked back into his presence. Spiraling for the briefest of moments, he tilted his head, inspecting the amalgamation of force energy. The nexus of Ruusan, the nexus of the saber, all congregating upon his person. And before the fire could be set, he released the monstrous force repulse while standing in the dilated center of its presence. The telekinesis spread out in a sphere, sending flaming shrapnel and burning wood outwards in an explosion of hate and malice and unbridled animosity. A loathsome sort of feeling, aimed at whatever stood before him.

He couldn't escape the lick of the flames, caressing the cloak and leaving hanging ash along the fraying ends where fiber once stood intact. He sidestepped, as the force repulse pushed outward, following its ever extending imprint. Mid-stride, he dropped the rifle, only to see it clatter against raised spikes of earth that projected from the ground where he once stood. But where his hand once stood stagnant gripping pink metal, it now stretched out with gaping mouth yawning open at the palm. From the depths of the stomach, hiding deep within the blackened arm, Loray felt the dry heaving and bile spit from the hand. Until the hilt showed itself, coated in excrement and saliva, the tongue of the beast forcing it out with a flick and curl.

Obsidian ignited from the dragon etched hilt, flecks of red blood hovering within the shadow of the core. And with that, he felt all the power once muffled by the arm. Now, now he was truly charging. With all the power at his disposal, filling his sails, he rushed towards the duo with force speed enhancing his already physically enhanced body.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Setzi is just there for healing: [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Connor Harrison"]
Opponent: [member="Sinistra"]

Setzi only arrived to help the wounded. She was far too sensitive still for battle, not after her sojourn away from Voss for months and months, just meditating to find out who she really was.

Were there family members who needed her? Perhaps.

Her sister who'd gone missing awhile ago, a body she never reclaimed. Her daughters who she'd abandoned to the Sith after rejecting her own Sith roots and attempting a life of redemption in the light. But here she was on the battlefield, a soldier and nothing more. Will this be my lot in life, she thought?

But she'd been invited to an impromptu tea party in the middle of the battle. Nothing could be more bizarre but Matsu Ike had hinted around at some type of get-together, so the Sith-turned-Padwan came out onto the hill. She felt the presence of her friend, Connor Harrison and hoped he'd survive today. If she needed to rush in and pull him out of the fray she would. "If you can hear me Connor, I'm here. Just let me know if you are in trouble and I will come to your location."

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Those Nearby
1st Fight | [member="Joza Perl"] | [member="Haytham Kaze"]
2nd Fight | [member="Jericho"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Loray Tares"]
3rd Fight | [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]
Bystanders | [member="Dagorn"]
Equipment: Koodan battle armor | Sith Aspis | Grabthar-class Breaching Hammer | Gun of Command | Greatsaber

Events sped up, a collision of alignments too jumbled and blurred for anyone to possibly keep track of whose allegiances lay where and which motives were true and which ulterior. The very air was pregnant with danger and Orcus relished in the knowledge.

Battle was the greatest gamble of all, every move a toss of the dice, every blow the potential to come up snakes. Adrenaline surged through the giant and his heart beat quick. Hideous might suffused thews and ossein as he drew up on the nexus to surpass all others this day in sheer, unadulterated strength.

“Amusing? Come now, a temporary diversion. What will you do in the long moments between fights,” he said, voice the rolling rumble thunder, “when the adrenaline leaves and you’re left with nothing but guilt and empty fury?”

Both Dark Jedi and Silver charged him, one with shoulder lowered, the other eyes clever and feet quick. Their movements uncoordinated with the other, each skilled in their own right, but they did not work as a team. Orcus reveled in the thrill, sorely tempted to seize the great hammer from his back and crush them like the bugs they were, but he knew better.

The earth beneath his feet grew soft and moist. Orcus took several steps backward, boots pulling free of the mud with a squelch. By giving ground, he allowed the angles of attack from the two charging foes to overlap, just barely.

“You charge like men with a united purpose.”

Yet again the short human’s blade skittered off the aspis, leaving naught but a scratch before the Jedi barreled into Orcus, armored shoulder careening into the cetacean’s plastoid covered stomach. The Herglic grunted from the force of impact and eight hundred pounds of Sith slid backward, enormous boots leaving ruts in the parched floor of the valley.

“Brave…”

The Darth held his greatsaber up under the Jedi’s left arm and attempted press the mouth of the emitter directly against the exposed armpit. Orcus flicked the activation switch. A crimson bar of fire sprang to life, angled to lance up through the unarmored armpit and into the adversary’s body.

“But delusional.”

 

[Zak Dymo]

When Boo landed and brought his troops in he would receive a message urging him forward to meet up with Tempest, Lyra and Siobhan to allow them to push deeper into the city.

Location: Approaching Olmondo
Allies: [member=Tempest] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] | [member="Charlyra Araano"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member=Cathbodua] | [member="Arisa Yune"]
Down With The Sithness: [member="Laguz Vald"] | [member="Cameron Centurion"] | [member=Lassiter] | [member="Dak Canton"]
Arms & Equipment: Robes (Mask), XJ9 (left forearm), Sniper Rifle (Scope) (Ammo 1) (Ammo 2), Amphistaff, Hold-Out Blaster
NPCs for Story Fluff: Coalition Infantry (1 Company or x150 NPCs, 5 platoons divided into 30 squads of 10)

A fog of cold air poured from out of the drop ship.

Snow flurries clung to the helmets and shoulders of the soldiers that stormed the broken remnants of the road to Olmondo. Surrounded by the army, the young Pantoran seemed perhaps even smaller and slighter of stature than was normal. The cloak and robes shifted silently with his passage, as though he were a ghost in their midst. Reaching up a hand, the child lowered the expressionless mask down over his face. The visor sealed itself into place with but a touch, illuminating the world before him with the familiar glow of the HUD.

While he could be complacent in a number of environments, one of the luxuries of the pressurized Sasori bodyglove was the addition of temperature regulation. Within his suit, the Pantoran was quite comfortable at twelve degrees centigrade.

"Secure the landing zone," the boy uttered aloud, the mask distorting his speech slightly so it seemed almost mechanical in nature. "I want one platoon here, guarding the flank."

Yes, the eleven year old was giving orders to the Coalition army. He'd led a unit of the Primeval Golden Banner 5th at Wayland. More than likely, he had more experience than any of the grown ups at situations such as this.

What did that say about the Sith?

...what more did it say about the Jedi?

Soldiers ahead announced the arrival of a courier. Someone named Kerrigan seemed to be waiting for him, whoever that was. Boo was only here as a favor to [member="Théodred Heavenshield"], because he couldn't be here, so the young Pantoran hardly felt obligated to be at the Jedi's beck and call. And who but a Jedi would be calling the shots?

In any event, the arrival of the courier re-established some communication with the ground force he'd been dispatched to reinforce. And so now they could all just reinforce away! Diverting one platoon out to the left flank, and another to the right, the boy set the remaining two with him on a road march that would re-trace the steps of the courier that [member="Tempest"] had dispatched.

To be honest, he could really have used one of the Primeval MIFVs about now.

Did the Coalition have MIFVs? If not, they should definitely requisition some immediately.

Explosions echoed like a roll of thunder ahead. Blaster fire and what may have been gun shots snapping like firecrackers just over the horizon. "Weapons out," the youngling announced, prompting the soldiers to un-sling their arms. The amphistaff coiled about his torso slithered up across his shoulders, it's head reared up beside the boy's cowled head. The stock of the Cerberus rifle jutted out from where it was slung across the boy's back.

He'd converted it to a slug thrower. Barbaric, primitive technology. But effective at killing.

An assassin had to appreciate efficiency.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Allies: [member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Setzi Lunelle"]
Opponent: [member="Sinistra"]

Matsu stayed with it, her blades dancing around with Sinistra as she listened to her and this one was different.. perhaps compared to many very self aware of it. She didn't seem to place herself as the victim nor as the hero which made it something different while Matsu moved back a little feeling the others. Sorel was observing, Rasu was there and Setzi was here as well. She was making a little distance to look over her and create some new attack or defense as the two of them seemed to be taking this as serious but also as a way to test the waters. She was about to move when the chrono chimed bringing her attention to it and Matsu spoke. "Time out."

There was a look at the sith but also at the others while she was going to her equipment pack with a smile. "Hmm do you mind? This has been a very exciting and fun experience but it is only proper we have customs that should be respected. You are welcome to join us." She said it pulling out the brazier and a teapot with some teas in a box. Looking at Sorel and Rasu as she spoke. "Oh don't give me that look, compared to many of the other sith we have faced she has some honor in her own way." She said it though while holding it out and set it down shaping an area of stone to set it one with the teapot and the water was there before she rose up looking at Sinistra and stepping up away from the others in case they were to keep going at it.

 

[Rasu Gan]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Objective: Matsu did what?!?!
Allies: [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Setzi Lunelle"]
Enemies: [member="Sinistra"]

She could sense the Sith's interest peak as she stood beside Sorel and Setzi, continuing her observation of the duel. She had acknowledged the presence of the new Padawan with only a brief nod, refusing to take her eyes of the pair of Force-users. While Sinistra appeared to be much more quiet and reserved than the ordinary Sith, Rasu remained alert knowing full well that this did not mean the dark sider wasn't deadly. The Shi'ido kept both weapons in hand, acting with caution as she felt a tremor in the Force. Shifting with unease, the Jedi Master turned away from the fight to stare out across the plains of the planet. She did not know what had occurred but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen, something that involved the mysterious Sith.

However her thoughts were drawn away from the distant landscape as the clashing of sabers stopped. Turning to face what she hoped was a fallen Sith, Rasu was instead met with a seated Matsu accompanied by some refreshments. Her jaw dropped. Had the woman forgotten where they were? Had she lost her mind? These were just two of the questions that raced through the Shi'ido's mind as Matsu began to brew the tea.

"Ummmm what are you doing Matsu?" Rasu murmured, keeping her eyes fixed on Sinistra as she approached the Atrisian Jedi. "Do you not realise how foolish and absurd this looks? We're in the middle of a battle!"

 

[Connor Harrison]

Objective 1
Location: Valley of the Jedi
Mission: Defeat @{Darth Orcus | Advance to the Citadel
Allies In Area: [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Joza Perl"] | [member="Jericho"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Setzi Lunelle"] | SSC
Enemies In Area: [member="Shargon'Ta"] | [member="Haytham Kaze"] | ST

The satisfaction of knocking back the Sith was short-lived . Connor looked towards Jericho, the Master as much of a mystery as himself, and nodded. He had seen the diverted grenade, and probably would have been out of action had it not been for him.

And then a voice touched his mind – more familiar than he expected – Chastity? Setzi? Was she here? It was Setzi; the one who had left when Connor tried to help, and now being planted in his head by the Sith tapping into his mind. It worked to serve as a distraction, and his anger built up all the more for it.

Looking back with illuminated eyes to the Whale-Man, the Sith was already up and lunged at the exposed section of the armour. To his own idiotic failing acknowledging Jericho and letting the voice deter him from a kill, Connor yanked himself back quickly at an awkward angle as the crimson blade emitted from the Whale-Man’s saber.

The lightsaber illuminated and singed his arm, sparking against the armour and temporality blinding him with the flash of light at close range.

With a grunt, he stumbled back and grabbed the side of his helmet, deactivating the illuminated night-vision sensor. His left arm burnt, and he couldn’t do anything for it. Amplifying what he could through the Force to repair the burnt tissue, it wouldn’t be enough to tend to the wound until after the battle. But the Sith had drawn first-blood, and so Connor would return favour.

With his right hand he unhooked the lightsaber and activated it, aiming it down to the ground. His dark eyes looked to the Whale-Man, noting the young Jedi who had started the attack. He took the lead without saying a word.

Spinning the blue blade 360 in his hand to build momentum, Connor raised his strike high to bring it down forcefully low, to begin work on wearing out the Whale-Man to either buy time for a fresh strike elsewhere or to wait until he could use his darker power for a hit.

 

[Lassiter]

Olmondo - Defense
Buddy: [member="Ameli Trahir"], [member="Cameron Centurion"], [member="Dak Canton"]
Enemy: None, so far.

Truly Sena asked herself the same question as many others would in her seat: why had she picked this particular acolyte to be her partner? The answer to that was the same as always though. Why not? Lassiter could pretend to herself that one person alone was safer than the group but time with Ameli was doing a very good job of proving that maybe, just maybe, two people increased the chances of survival by a fraction or two. Sure, it was weird that said fraction was taken by the person who’d strip down in front of a soldier and somehow managed to value her looks over her skills, but perhaps that was what was why.

She took no bull. Ameli was obviously very keen on handing it out, but she wasn’t ever going to take it.

‘Those were indeed some very weird eyes.’ Sena once more special snowflaked her way onto Ameli’s mind. ‘Keep your mind on what lies ahead. Focus on the bloodshed and your duty to the goddess.’

There was never a bad time to remind Ameli of her duty whether she liked it or not. She was one of the Ember now. Had been for the longest of times, Sena just hadn’t been all that strict with those particular reminders. A downside to building up favorites perhaps.

‘I think as far as it goes with battle it would be a waste for you and I to join the other troops. We have sabers, we work best in close quarters rather than in the open.’ Sena scratched her nose and took a look around. ‘We should find ourselves an ambush spot or something, a bottleneck, anything with a strategical thing-stuff.’

‘Don’t give me that look, Ameli. I am not a strategist. I follow, I do not lead.’

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Annoyingly, the Sith not only managed to make his attack seem worthless, but he also did exactly the thing Alkor hated. He forced the Jedi directly into the line of fire with his tactical movements and put the armored man in the way. It impeded the free flow of ferocity that made Alkor so vicious. If not for his status as an ally of the Silver Sanctum, he would have simply dismissed the notion of friendly fire as an afterthought. [member="Nikias"] had stressed that they needed to maintain positive relations, and so Alkor snorted when [member="Connor Harrison"] was made into an obstacle.

[member="Darth Orcus"] was cunning, that was at least apparent. The problem with this Herglic Sith, however, was the vanity and hubris that dripped in every word. He assumed that his stream of consciousness would be openly heard and embraced by unfortunate foes on the battlefield. For a moment, Alkor had indulged him.

That moment had passed.

The irritation had risen and bled together with myriad other synapses as they fired off in Alkor's darkly annointed form and at last the intoxication of combat flowed freely within him. Everything became vivid and numb all at once. He could feel the battle, but more than that, he had become the battle.

Everything had fallen into place. Alkor took the instant where Connor engaged Orcus to explode into motion. While he was not charged this time with enhanced speed, his mind still perceived at an inhuman rate. The nexus of their engagement formed an opening that the Sith would have to answer for.

The Jen'jidai vaulted off the ground and onto Harrison's back, using both momentum and the other man's height as a springboard. Everything the whale spouted was drivel. It flowed like the Force itself: through and around Alkor, but it did not linger. Somewhere subconsciously, Alkor perceived the words.

Perhaps the Sith would finally understand.

There was nothing but the fury.

Alkor could see it all. His body airborne, he brought the saber downward toward the Herglic's head. His intention was not to burn through with the lightsaber, however. As barreled toward Orcus, he focused entirely on a single point, something so impossibly small that anyone would have missed it- if they didn't know exactly what they were looking for. It wasn't a weakness visible to the eye, or even something that you could create by inflicting repeated damage.

It was a crack in the Force itself.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Location: Olomondo Inside the Ruined City facing [member="Kiran Vess"]
Allies: SSC in the City
Enemies: ST in the City
Specific Opponent: [member="Kiran Vess"]

Survival instinct was not so hard to speak to.

Keeping strong forward defense, outward calm, as the Jedi Master he was. The saber lowered into a forward guard across Kei’s body, and then turned off. If Kiran noticed, Kei had not moved the direction of the hilt, and would turn his body to face him if he side stepped or moved, matching his steps forward or back, coming no closer. There was still a guard there, Kiran just couldn’t see it.

“We are both soldiers.” Mercenaries, soldiers, used to war in his earlier years. “Not politicians. I will grieve for the innocent lives lost when the time comes.” Kei would, like Amadis did, hold personal vigil of his own. Kiran would not find Kei’s faith wavering in the slightest, used to seeing grizzly scenes over the long years, and calm certainty in his convictions. The death of the human shields had only hardened him to bring the sith here to justice. Though many of the coalition were not Jedi in the slightest, and would have their own approaches to war, that was the contrast among them.

“Master Amadis, council member of the Silver Jedi Order. None will harm your men if you walk out with me. Look to the battle, this will not be a victory.” Likely given the tech advantage, the numbers, the organization, and exactly why they’d struck, thousands of lives might be lost here. Instead of millions in the days ahead when the Sith were more prepared once again, moving as they were toward their borders. Amadis hated the numbers game, yet truths were hard to ignore. David vs Goliath, for most of his life he’d been on the opposite side of that, a young Amadis would have been among the ruins making desperate last stands against Sith.

“Come. Lower the weapon.” He’d lived long enough to see things finally go full circle, from what he’d helped to start.

Gear
Tempest Jedi Armor | Power Blade Mii Knife (Hip) | Lightsaber (Hands) | MCR Rifle Ion Ammo Only (Shoulder) | 2x Stun Grenades | Basic Field Medical Kit (Pouch) | Grappling Hook/Tie/Field Rations (Belt)

 

[Eugen Aker]

Location: Skies of Olmondo
Objective: Conducting SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission in advance of deploying ground forces.
Allies: [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Kei Amadis"], [member="Cathbodua"], [member="Boo Chiyo"], [member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Audren Sykes"], and Friends
Enemies: [member="Cameron Centurion"], [member="Kiran Vess"], [member="Dak Canton"], [member="Ameli Trahir"], [member="Lassiter"], [member="Laguz Vald"], and Friends

While on ingress, the top ground commander gave the Republic forces word to attack the (ruined) city from the west, as Coalition forces advanced from the south and the east. The transports would turn to make the western approach, while Arisa's squadron continued straight forward in a tight formation. It was a modified version of the A-Wing Slash, where she and the pair of B-wings flew at the front of the formation to serve a distraction to sensors, while A-wings flew under their exhaust, their signatures further reduced by the use of their phantom jammers.

As Olmondo came into visual range, Arisa got on laser line again to provide an update to the ground commander:

"Sparrow to Coalition forces, now on station, prosecuting SEAD mission, then will transition to CAS."

Arisa was going to do her best to knock out the jamming station(s) and AA systems ahead of the deployment of Republic Forces, for the LA-ATs were most vulnerable while making dropoffs.

Altogether, the squadron fired off dozens of ion missiles in staggered salvos. The missiles flew under inertial guidance to avoid being jammed, using coordinates derived from the Republic task force's earlier surveys, modifications made to take in account friendly forces entering the city to avoid hitting them in the process. As an added precaution, the missiles were set to detonate upon impact rather than airburst, to limit the spread of crippling ions during detonation. That's partly why so many had been fired (on top of overwhelming their AA systems with sheer numbers). The jamming station(s) and surface emplacements detected within the city were being targeted in the missile strike.

--------​

A single LA-AT diverted from the rest of the transport squadron to answer Coalition healers' request for pickup. It touched down before the group, then a big armored Yinchorri Dragoon medic pulled the side door open and waved them over to enter quickly. There were few occupants within, as this transport had been dedicated for medivac. Much of the space was taken up by small medical stations for delivering life-saving critical care to the wounded right on the spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGjwXI0n5-I​

 

[Sinistra]

Location: Valley of the Jedi
Sinistra Gear: Sinistra's Personal Armor
2 sabers; 1 silver, 1 red
Fela/Arianrhod Gear: 1 red saber each, fitted armorweave bodysuits with full head covering masks.
Opponent: [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Setzi Lunelle"]

The chime sounded and Matsu disengaged, stepping back to attend to a pack. The Sith Lord stood for a moment and chuckled to herself before she radioed to Fela, cutting the external speakers again. Her second was not far from the hilltop now and the point to point transmission had no trouble connecting.

::Situation yellow. Continue approach.::

Message sent, Sinistra disengaged her saber, the silver light extinguished as she stepped a few paces backwards and leaned against a stone statue of a figure long forgotten to time and history.

She had the opportunity now to really look at the few who had been drawn to the skirmish and she recognized at least one face, although she kept that bit of information to herself. Darth Azurea was a name that even a low level lord like Sinistra had heard, though just through intelligence briefings.

Rasu seemed incredulous at the notion of teatime in the middle of a battlefield but as Sinistra and Matsu had began combat out of obligation for the social contract of battle, she wasn't put out at the prospect of stopping it.

Sinistra crossed both arms and legs as she waited, switching her external speakers back on to speak with the 4 women.

"Do not be so alarmed, Rasu I believe? Your friend and I were simply passing the time. I do not think this day will be won or lost based on the doings of ours."

She gestured to the valley floor where blaster fire and the cacophony of combat centered. It was about that time that two women clad in black walked slowly towards the small circle, their hands visible, their weapons clipped to their belts. Sinistra glanced to the direction where they approached and stood up as the pair took a knee.

"Splendid, did you bring it?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Gimme."

She fanned her gloved hand open and closed in Fela's face while the kneeling woman opened her duffle and produced a cannister. As she closed her fingers around the brushed metal exterior, she could feel it was still piping hot and the Sith Lord giggled.

She unclipped the mug from the frog on her belt, setting it on the base of the statue. She opened the cannister, steam escaping from it as she went to sniff it and scowled under the mask. She set the thermos down and with careful hands, she reached up and popped the seals on her mask, freeing it from her suit.

Fela looked shocked as Sinistra tossed it to her, catching it with fumbling hands as the Sith lord picked up the thermos and took a long, slow inhale of the contents.

"There is nothing like a fresh pot of caf. I have one of those really fancy machines on my ship, the one with all the settings and too many choices. This smells divine."

She poured a hefty serving into the mug, and cupped it between her hands. She sipped the caf with her eyes closed, enjoying the flavor of the roast and rolling it over her tongue. She turned to face the Jedi women, her face revealed to others for the first time.

She was older, with lines at her eyes and mouth. She had dark eyes and brows, though the suit she wore covered everything but her face, obscuring her hairline. Without makeup or proper sleep, she looked more worn and tired. Her voice was velvety and rich, a deeper alto that carried confidence and weight.

Fela and Arianrhod stood but did not make any movements, save to shoulder their packs.

"So, why here and why now?" She referred abstractly to the invasion, though the Jedi women were left to make their own conclusions as to what she may be talking about.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVRj4j7NT-w​

Location: Somewhere down on the battlefield stretching out before the Triumvirate Citadel
Allies:

• The Sith Triumvirate
• My boi [member="Darth Adekos"], even if he doesn't like me hanging around

Enemies:

• The Smelly Plebeian Coalition
• [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
• And his soon to be widowed deceased wife, [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

Gear:

• Laid-back Sith Armor
• Muh Lightsabresaber

Vornskr now abandoned the beast as it tumbled through the air, launching himself off of its back a moment after Coci delivered the blow to its chest. The beast continued along to roll across the ground before finally coming to a halt several meters away from its rider and the Heavenshields, and shakily it rose to its feet and shook its body violently as it cleared the debris that had collected in its fur and mane during the fall. It fixated its gaze on both its master and the woman who had inflicted such wounds upon it, and while Coci's affinity with animals and the mind may be considerate, the beast's brain had been saturated in the Dark Side of the Force from the moment of birth with a combination of science and sorcery. Such afflictions were not easily remedies, and so long as those enchantments remained placed upon its mind it would understand no command save for the ones that originated from Darth Vornskr.

Vornskr's aforementioned jump sent him up and over Coci's position, well out of her lightsaber's range, before coming down several paces behind her with an impact that shattered the soil and rock beneath his armored feet. There were no more words to be spat, his attack was instant and ferocious as he whirled around to swing his blade first in a horizontal arc aimed to bisect Coci right at the waist before he let loose with a monumentally quick barrage of short chops and jabs meant to attack all zones of defense he could reach at the position he was at. Like before his swordplay was near perfection, each attack launched with surgical precision with intent to either maim or kill, he gave nothing less to the wife of arguably one of his greatest nemesis within the wide spectrum of the Light Side of the Force.

Speaking of Thurion, Vornskr had yet to engage him or actually acknowledge him combat-wise, but he knew that it would not be prudent to allow himself to get wrapped up in a double envelopment by the Heavenshields. So with a rapid-fire telekinetic command he ordered his mount to intercept and flank the Valkyri Master; not to kill, he didn't expect his beast to do significant harm to Thurion, but rather distract and delay his involvement in the duel he was currently waging against his wife. Ugh. He could smell the compassion for each other rolling off of them in waves, a feeling he thought he once knew, and it nearly made him physically ill. Their love was such a horrendously glaring flaw in one's personality that he couldn't comprehend on any level how one could subject themselves to such... submission, and continue to function normally.

It was anathema to everything Vornskr was and everything Vornskr stood for, and he vowed to sever such bonds if not for his own sake, then to watch Thurion's heart crumble like weathered stone.

 

[Marcus Tritum]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c1m2BAg2Sc

Location: Olmondo City
Allies:
Nearby: [member="Lassiter"] | [member="Ameli Trahir"] | [member="Cameron Centurion"]
Farther: [member="Kiran Vess"] | [member="Laguz Vald"]
Enemies (none near):
[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Tempest"]
Equipment: Soldaten gear, Click my face


So remember back when I couldn’t see the shells whistling through the air? Yeah, that was because one of the Sith’d just stripped down to her birthday suit in front of me. And oh man, was I ready to give her a present. But funny thing about Sith, they’re a bit like praying mantis. You can have as much fun as you want, but they’d eat you alive in the end.

Much as I’d like to bring up the subject later, I really wished I could just forget about it at the moment. It was a particularly stiff subject, in armor that’s a no-can-do. Ow.

Well, the guy in charge, Centurion Centurion, gave the orders. Off in the distance came a rumble like thunder. He went one way, the two other Sith went another. Lots of talk about close quarters combat. I trailed behind them, rifle at the low ready, used to being the good little bodyguard. Maybe we’d engage some coalition troops, or Firemane mercenaries, or whatever they used.

~ ~ ~

Fort Nowhere

In the courtyard, [member="Loray Tares"] would find the tank crews of the garrison prepping their vehicles, while infantry hurried to the armory. Flight mechanics ran out fuel lines to the shuttles and gunships stationed outside. Comm officers coordinated with one of the Herglic Trade Empire cruisers in space and the Myrmidon company stationed on it. All in all, a bustle of activity.

[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Orbit, Cardan-V class space station[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Commander D’ik, we’re receiving a transmission from the ground. Get geared up. The Myrmidons jump to these coordinates in ten mikes.”[/SIZE]

“Launch.”

Four drop pods launched from the Cardan Five in orbit above Ruusan. They fell hard and fast, meteors from on high, an iron rain.

On the surface of the planet, five kilometers from Olmondo, a cloud of dust moved forward at an alarming rate. The closer it drew, the more the shapes within the cloud articulated, emerging from a mirage of heat. Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and above them gunships and dropships.

The pods streaked overhead like fire through skies before slamming into the earth a thousand meters in front of the approaching armored column. In the sudden silence, nothing could be heard but the distant humming of the nearing vehicles. Suddenly, a staccato chorus of groaning metal. Hatches burst open and enormous figures in power armor emerged. They wielded absurdly large firearms and had battle hammers strapped to their backs.

Darkwater Myrmidons, the last word in shock troops. Period.

The armored battalion engulfed them, splitting round them like a creek ‘round a boulder. They clambered aboard the outside of IFVs and the rears of tanks, hanging off like obscene ticks. Dropships swooped down, lamps lowered so they could hop aboard.

By now, the Coalition and Firemane forces ahead would’ve been alerted to the presence of an approaching enemy unit from the rear, but with most of their infantry and aircraft deployed toward the front and engaged in close quarters battle with Olmondo’s defenders, pulling them back to defend the flanks would be suicide.

The artillery would take time to reposition and aim at the new threat. Time they didn’t have.

Lykos-class main battle tanks whipped across the terrain at 330 kph, six anti-personnel turrets, an anti-aircraft quad cannon and a heavy blaster cannon each; all ready to unleash hellfire and brimstone on the enemy. The APC/IFVs were just a bit faster, but they kept pace behind their larger cousins.

Commander Mobius D’ik switched to the First Armored Battalion’s comm channel and spoke directly to the gunship pilots. “Commander D’ik to flight lead, over.”

“Commander D’ik this is flight lead, send it, over.”

“Flight lead, hostile AA is laser only. No SAMs. Requesting AGMs on their location, over.”

“Wilco, Commander, over.”

“Commander D’ik, over and out.” The Myrmidon scowled behind his helmet as he peered forward at the enemy lines.

Dozens of concussion missiles and light torpedoes belched from the Triumvirate air support overhead and sped straight for the Hydra AA units, leaving white contrails in the air.

Missiles had many disadvantages. Range was not one of them. The Hydra AA was laser only, which meant that the air support’s air to ground missiles would devastate them long before they were able to return fire.

Had the Coalition really thought that the forces at Olmondo were all the Triumvirate could bring to bear; the same Triumvirate that consisted of the most powerful Primeval and Fringe remnants? They’d pay for their hasty push forward into the city, caught between hammer and anvil.

“Commander D’ik to the First Armored Battalion, let’s show them how the boys from Fort Nowhere say hello.”

x720 Herglic Marines in Koodan-class armor.
x4 Myrmidons
x48 Vornskr-class APC
X15 Lykos-class MBTs
x16 Dreadhawk Gunships
x24 Pyrrhus-class dropships