The Evacuation of Dellalt

[Mariel Dawnrider]

Dellalt​

Evacuation Day​

On the horizon, the red tide of the Sith Empire loomed. Slowly, one by one, it enveloped planet after planet, sector after sector. For those people who lived on the world formerly protected by the Silver Jedi, it was their worst nightmares come true.

It wasn’t secret. Something this size couldn’t be. Not without risking people who needed to leave getting left behind.

“Hey, don’t cry.”

Harper knelt in front of a small child- Dana- they’d come from the same farming community, traveling all the way to the Capital City.

“Where’s your mom? I know she’s here somewhere. Come on, stay with me and we’ll find her, okay?”

Taking the little girl by the hand, Harper looked up, shielding her eyes against the noonday sun. A trio of large ships, big enough to hold tens of thousands, rose above them, with numerous smaller vessels volunteered by their captains. Her own family was already on board, which was a relief to the young woman. She’d come back out to help with the boarding process for countless others, looking for people who seemed lost or out of place in the crowds. Dana more than qualified.

Not everyone was leaving of course. Enough people were stubborn enough, or simply didn’t care enough, to go anywhere. Located on the edge of the Tion Hegemony, some of them would even welcome the Sith with open arms when the time came. Harper had…. Concerns about that. If someone had reported this migration to the Sith…. Well. Hopefully they would simply let them leave. But there was no way to hide what they were doing- and their intentions were transparent.

Get out off world before the Sith came. Start over. There were people who had come specifically to help with the process, not involved directly but sympathetic to the needs.

For now, Harper focused on looking for Dana’s mother, her own complicated feelings about all of this aside.

One task at a time.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Harper Kade"]

For most theory was easier than practical stuff.

You crammed, studied, until it all clicked together at the test. But it wasn't that way for Alden. It only showed once he was back at home and putting his metaphorical back in it again. The Sith Empire was coming and that meant they had to go. It was as simple as that for him and his ma.

Pa was more neutral about it all.

They'd always need an engineer as far as he reckoned, but... once the rest of the family became *strict* with him? That was the end of the discussion.

All of them were already loaded up in the evac ship. Cramped, cornered, probably trying to keep a blanket on his little sis, but that was just how things were. For Alden it was obvious- while they had to sit tight and keep each other safe, he'd make sure that everyone *else* was okay.

This was his community.

He knew Gran, knew Dirk, knew everyone around. It didn't matter that he'd left for months at a time to attend the Levantine Exploration Corps.

Some things were as thick as blood.

"I ain't going!" "What do you mean??"

"Mah forge's here, so that's the end of it!"

Alden blinked, before turning his head a bit and notice the argument a little bit off to his right. The Smith and his sister, of course it was. Belmont sighed before stepping up, smile ready in hand and offering his hands in consolation. "Hey, look, we can move da forge, no?"

"What?" "Yes!"

"NO. Our fam forged here for..."

And so it went. Alden sighed internally, but kept his smile up.

This would be fine. Eventually.

 

[Republic Engineering]

Tion Cluster // Dellalt // Vault's City Starport.​

As one would expect of a humble people seeking to flee the ambitious grasp of the Sith Empire, their Starports were rife with rovings crowds, searching for ways to leave - and start their lives elsewhere.

Hopefully, as some imagined, far away from the meddlesome hands of the Sith.

While the process wasn’t easy, with those wanting to flee leaving their entire lives behind, and the local authorities doing everything they can to keep the peace… everyone was on edge in one way or another. After having been cleared through planetary customs, and given a small alcove in which to land his vessel, Arcanus could feel the tension in the air.

It struck him as soon as he popped open the canopy, the shortness of breath and the tightening of the chest. He felt the metaphysical collection of their fears and conflicting hopes.

The sensation was far from pleasant, but who was he to blame them?

These people were choosing to abandon their hearth and home, to strike out into the darkness with nothing more than what they carried with them, and their dreams for a better tomorrow. If anything, the Jedi was sympathetic to their plight.

Which, he supposed, was the reason behind coming to this world in the first place when word had reached his ears.

Removing his helmet, and safely locking it inside his resting Starfighter, the Epicanthix started towards the Starport’s primary terminal. Perhaps there, he would be able to find someone who’d be able to direct his efforts where they were needed most.

| [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Harper Kade"] |​

 

[Zef Halo]

Far from his Coalition home, Ember was bound by duty to serve the people. When the Silver Jedi Order fled with tail between legs they had left behind a large chunk of space ripe for the Sith to take. Everything they had promised and sworn to was tossed away the moment they put their life before their duties as a Jedi.

The furious glare a young boy gave him after seeing his lightsaber hilt described it all.

Dellalt was not the only world in this part of space where antagonism towards the Jedi spiked when the Silvers decided to run. They were many and they were in their right. Ember had to watch out.

He was warned by a Coalition intelligence agent that such situations can bring out the worst in people. Some fraction of the population could develop such a hatred towards the Jedi that they will actively turn to the Sith to seek some form of vengeance towards the Jedi who had abandoned them, others were opportunists and would pursue furthering Sith goals for their own gain. It was a good advice, something Ember had not even thought about.

Naivety. Not the first time he'd heard that from others. Ember closed his eyes clearing his thoughts before reopening them to the reality before him. Starships clouded the skies, some descending and some ascending. Sullen and angry faces were common, their sad energy could be easily felt through the Force. It sparked a nostalgia unfamiliar to Ember. Nostalgia to a home and home was what this Jedi did not ever have. He isolated himself from the ethereal's emotional current.

"Here, let me help you with that." The Jedi approached a man vigorously trying to manually override his ship's ramp to open. "Right code but giving you an error?"

"Yeah, it's been like that for months. Too lazy to fix it, so I got myself a security card instead. Issue is I forgot my card inside."

"Right. I'd take that whole button panel out if I was you. It's the easiest 'security' method out there to break." Ember materialized a scramble key from his jacket's pocket. "Mind if I?"

"Go right ahead." The older man replied moving to the side leaving the Jedi to do his work. "You a starship thief?"

Ember chuckled. "Not really, no. Just an electrician."

"With a lightsaber?"

The Jedi paused for a moment before the tension was loosened by the elder man. "Not everyone thinks the way they think they do." Ember remained silent, only working on opening the ramp but his ears completely focused at what the older man said. "I thank you, Master Jedi."

"For what?" Ember said, emotion slightly picking up in his tone. "They ran. They fled. They broke their oath."

"No one is the same. Can't judge the many by the actions of the few." He replied just as the ramp opened. Ember turned to face him, silently gazing at the eyes of the man. "Thank you, Master Jedi."

"Ember." The Jedi gave him his name before leaving his side with a nod. "Take care of yourself."

"May the Force be with you." The man called from behind with a smile warming the Jedi's back.

May the Force be with us all.

[member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Harper Kade"]​

 

[Mariel Dawnrider]

It didn't take that long to find her. She was frantically searching for the little girl and the nervous energy from that pinged at her hard. Even in this crowd of people, tense and uncertain, that particular flavor of sharp fear- of a parent missing a child- cut through the fugue like a knife.

It was, she mused softly as she handed over Dana to her relieved mother, the one thing she was good at.

Oh, not in general. In general Harper knew she was good at lots of things.

Here though, she meant with the Force.

Making sure they both knew where they were supposed to be headed (a small private ship for them, called Liberty's Endeavor), she lead them toward where the ship was listed as being docked.

She had considered joining the Silver Jedi Order, once upon a time. But back then she didn't see the appeal. Not in learning to use the Force, becoming a Jedi.... but the constant travel, the monastic lifestyle. Her family had farmed on Dellalt for three generations. The soil stained permanent lines in the palms of her hands and the prints of her fingers. Even when she scrubbed it clean, she could still feel it- it was good, it was literally grounding. And she had made the decision to let others go instead. To take care of her family, the land.

Now though?

With a wave and a smile, artificially bright for Dana's sake, Harper saw the pair off once they reached the right area. She'd known Dana since the day after she'd been born, her family living just up the road from her own. Now? Chances were good she'd never see either of them again. Even the larger ships carrying lots of people- while they would bring them to the same destination to start, there would be no reviving the small, tight knit community that they were leaving. She wouldn't say forced- they had a choice. But the choice sucked. Under the Silver Jedi, Dellalt had been mostly left alone. There had rarely been any weight put on them by the society that ostensibly held dominion over the planet. That was fine. It let the people there do as they pleased with a maximum of freedom.

The Sith Empire would not be so laissez-faire. They could stay, but it would be under the burden of an authoritarian regime topped by Sith.

For a people who had basked in the benign neglect of the Jedi for so long, it seemed simply intolerable.

Of course, the Silvers had left. They hadn't been driven out.

Frowning as the pair disappeared into the ship, Harper turned around quickly, her gaze worried and closed off- and slammed right into someone.

"Hey!" came the reflexive exclamation.

Then she paused, and blinked.

"Hey," she repeated again, this time with a smile. "Should have guessed you'd show back up when stuff got tough, Alden."

It had been six years- it showed with both of them, but she thought he'd changed more.

[member="Alden Belmont"] [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] [member="Ember Farseer"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] | [member="Ember Farseer"]

It had taken him a bit to find a solution to the smith's problem.

Eventually noticing a discarded repulsor-craft that was 'broken', but... didn't take him more than a few minutes between their arguing to get the shoddy thing working. Once it was softly humming right in front of their nose they immediately went quiet. Then began to argue who would grab the front or back, which allowed Alden to smile, detach himself after pointing out the ship they were supposed to board and go see if anyone else needed some help. That was around the time when Alden collided against someone suddenly turning around.

"He-" Alden tilted his head, noting her eyes first and her freckles second. "Hey."

Why was she so familiar to him?

Then blink.

It was her smile that suddenly set it all into perspective. "Harper, hey!" Gliding past them was the repulsor-craft, now loaded up with a forge and the smith still arguing with his sister. They did take the time to wave a thanks to him, which was answered with a quick wave back and a smile, before they returned to Kade. She had... grown up since they had last seen each other.

Somewhere in those six years she had grown into a woman.

"Well, haha, you know how it is." Scratching the back of his neck a bit, while smiling at her goofy like. "How have you been? You look really great!" Oh good, lord, now? It was literally in the middle of the evacuation.

Get your crap together Alden, nobody was interested in your flirting right now.

"Did you already get your family inside?" Suddenly worried as he looked around to see if her parents were anywhere nearby. The places were rapidly filling up, it was a good thing he had insisted for them to get up as early as possible. He pulled her away a bit, casually without realizing, once several burly men came walking by carrying huge containers.

"Oh, sorry." Pulled his hand back a bit.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

Location: Dellalt, Vault's City Starport

Jaster was here on business when the evacuation first started. Dellalt along with Chaluula and Chandaar were much needed trade hubs for Jasters trade ships to reached the Mandalorain Empire from the territories of the Republic Remnant. He had a few small Trade Ships that he forced to leave behind the Terraforming Materials that he promised to the Mandos, under his tough thick armor was still the man who served with the Healers Guild for some years. Refugees needed a place to run to and he would find them somewhere to rest their heads without worry. He was no Jedi or some needed hero, just a businessman who was at the wrong place at the right time.

The Colossal Mandalorain Figure in his tall armor and glowing red eyes was atop a medium supply box with the symbols of the UTC on the side. Beside him were two soldiers in flat black Republic Trooper Armor and leading to the cargo hold of a transport vessel were an assortment of droids unloading many creates and boxes. From on top of the create, the man was able to echo his voice within the starport. "Please, do not rush the ship as they are loading those who are in front of you," He lifted up a datapad before speaking again, "A reminder to those who just arrived, Vessels in port 1A though 1C will take refugees to the Silver Jedi planet of Sneeve," Jaster had no idea how to pronounce that planet so he probably buchard it, "From there to a Sliver Refugee Camp, Vessels in Port 3A through 3D will take you to Commenor Space where a Refugee Center will find you a place," He then pointed to the three large ships and some dropship transports lay docked behind him, "These ships here in port 2A through 2C will take you to the Republic Space of Teth, Senator Dracks has agreed to take anyone who wishes to flee the system."

He then looked to one of the only Humans near him that was in Uniform, but none that the locals would probably know. He was a officer of the United Trade Conglomerate, and under Jasters command. Once they were finished speaking Jaster spoke up again. "Evacuation of Chandaar has just finished up, once those ships are freed up, they were arrive here to help out with evacuation, there is enough room for everyone." That was a lie of course, his transports were the larges ones to arrive and they could fit half the city maybe. It was the outlying towns he was more worries about.

[member="Harper Kade"] [member="Ember Farseer"] [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] [member="Alden Belmont"]

 

[Eye of Solomon]

Spies had reported it in, and scouts had confirmed it.

There were Jedi on Dellalt.

Though the Empire could not spare a large task force, nor would they for sporadic leads on Jedi, they did grant Commander Ignacio Valladares the chance to take a single Prison Ship and a small escort to further investigate. If there was nothing, then he was ordered to return straight back home with his ships.

But if he found something?

He was given full reign to detain Jedi terrorists and their collaborators.

As luck would have it, Commander Valladares' small fleet emerged in close proximity to Dellalt to discover quite the commotion going on in orbit. Comscan detected several barges full of civilians being escorted from the planet's surface and into hyperspace. This surprised the Commander, he hadn't expected to stumble across a full-blown evacuation amidst an inspection for Jedi activity. He inwardly cursed, he'd brought no Interdictors to supplement his small force.

He would have to do without.

At once he ordered all fighter wings scrambled to intercept the barges and their protectors, the two escorting Vyitkas opening their lofty hangar bays to spew out a stream of fighters and interceptors. The final two ships, a pair of Velox-class Fast Frigates, fell in line with the Prison Ship's full tilt advance towards the evacuation.

A voice wafted over the open channels, "This is Commander Valladares of his Excellency's Imperial Armada, all ships in the system are to power down their engines are acquiesce to search and inspection. Any who refuse to comply with these orders will be terminated without delay. This is your first and only warning."

Fleet:
Imperial Dungeon Ship [1]
Vyitka-class Escort Carriers [2]
Velox-class Fast Frigates [2]
Starfighter Squadrons [15 Squadrons - 180 ships]

[member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Ember Farseer"] | [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]​

 

[Kiso]

Location: Arriving in Orbit
Goal: Help Evacuate and Escort
Fleet: (let me know if this is too big)
-3XChiselhead-class Corvettes
-2XArquitens-class Frigate
-1XAdmonitor-class Light Cruiser "Tenryuu"
-21 TIE/Reaper


Another planet on the brink of being captured by the ever advancing Sith empire, would it be a peaceful take over and subjugation. Of course, not they were Sith, the only thing they knew was hate and anger, going so far to probably kill have the planets citizen at the mere mention of the word 'Jedi' or something else that they did not like.

With the Ancient eye and Shrouded Republic not currently at war with anyone the cyborg general was able to amass a small fleet of ship and head out to the wold of Dellalt, small reports coming in of an evacuation, herself picking mainly frigate class ships so accommodate any refugees that were not able to find passage on other ship.

"General coming out of hyper space in one minute, what are your orders”? the oddly dressed commander paced around the Light Cruisers bridge, link the upgrade from the smaller chisel head class corvettes. "We will hang back and observe the situation, send out a message and tell them who we are and why we are here, don't want the locals to think we are the Sith Empire now". It was a joke more than anything else, but with the use of star destroyer like vessel the Shrouded Republic was often mistaken for the Sith or Galactic Empire.

Coming out of hyperspace the view of the stars and nearby planets turned from a blur to a still image, a rather nice sigh, well would have been a rather nice sight, until her eyes caught sight of an unexpected grouping of ships, "... are those, no already". There in the middle of orbit was a fleet of Sith ships, some carrier looking vessels and frigates, the perfect ship grouping for taking out escaping people, by where here? we’re not the Sith concentrating further up on their border?

It did not matter they were here and judging from the way their ships where positioned, not willing to let a single refugee ship out of the system, 'over my dead body'. "Signal the other captains, tell all ships to from up around the command ship, deploy fighters but keep them close, they outnumber up in that regard, and hail that Sith ship". The deck officers quickly went to work, fighters scrambling, the small 21 strong squadron probably not doing a lot, but it was all they had, 'now the waiting game, will hey answer or shoot first'.

[member="Eye of Solomon"] l [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] l [member="Alden Belmont"] l [member="Harper Kade"] l [member="Ember Farseer"]

 

[Mariel Dawnrider]

The momentary blank on his face twisted the corner of her smile slightly and she wondered if she'd made a mistake- but then the realization hit him and he changed from befuddled to beaming in the span of a heartbeat.

But then, he'd always been like that.

This was hardly the time for reunions, but a minute or two wouldn't hurt. And it had been a long time.

You know how it is.

She did. Really, it should have surprised her more if he hadn't come. If there was one thing she could have said about Alden, it was that he was dedicated. When he left it had been to something else.... but with his family in danger, well.

She laughed at his incredibly awkward compliment, shaking her head. The embarrassment flowed off of him in a wave, but she couldn't help it.

"So do you, but-"

They were jostled and she looked over her shoulder as she continued.

"Yeah, fam's on board. Yours made it too-" it wasn't a question, he wouldn't be chatting with her otherwise.

She blinked when he tugged at her arm, stepped out of the way of the men even without the added pull from him, and she arched an eyebrow at him. It had been one of the things that had annoyed her when they were younger, and she opened her mouth to say something that probably would have been sassier than she intended-

And then the bottom dropped out of everything.

She felt it before she heard anything. A rising wave of panic that caught higher in her throat than the low grade tension had at any point in the day. The entire feeling of the crowd changed in the span of only a few breaths, people reaching down to their communicators- Harper met Alden's eyes and her hand went fumbling for hers.

The message was being passed, from the larger ships open comms across the city.

The Sith were here.

"They can't *do* this," Harper exclaimed, looking up at Alden, frustration flashing across her face, clear as day.

She knew, immediately, what would happen if the ships didn't leave today. All it took was the ships in orbit claiming the planet for the Empire and every last one of them would be going nowhere. She wasn't the only one who realized it, and already the first of the large ships- the one she knew her family was on, was shutting the hangars.

Harper wasn't worried- for herself. She knew where they were headed and they had already agreed to meet there if she didn't make it back in time.

"Your family is loaded right? Cause they need to get moving," she said, already starting to turn away- Harper didn't know what she was going to do, just that it had to be something.

[member="Alden Belmont"] [member="Eye of Solomon"] [member="Ember Farseer"] [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Kiso"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Eye of Solomon"] | [member="Ember Farseer"] | [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Kiso"]

Alden felt it as she did.

Not through empathy, no, the panic of the crowd slowly sweeping up as a tide as they figured out was happening was beyond him. Instead Alden felt it in the Force, a jagged yanking feeling in the core of his stomach that said something was wrong. That the current of events was starting to spiral out of control. That every action from here on out was crucial.

The pressure he felt threatened to overwhelm him.

But eyes closed and Alden took a deep breath. Set his jaw, then released the breath. "They can try." Belmont set forcefully before nodding. "I made sure they got on the Spirit."

"Okay,-" Let me think. "-someone needs to make sure nobody is left behind in the chaos and panic." What Alden wanted to do was jump into his starfighter and take the fight straight to the Sith. But he was one guy, with one fighter (a perfect one, but that was besides the question), this was a better use of his time. Ensure that nobody would be left behind, if they wanted to get out.

He was about to go back to the settlement, but then paused-

"I could use your help, but I get if you are needed elsewhere."

 

[Eye of Solomon]

"Sir, one of the enemy ships is attempting to contact us, and they've scrambled fighters."

Valladares cupped his chin with his right hand, and rubbed his lower jaw in contemplation as he watched the holographic display update to reflect what his technicians picked up on the sensors. He had not intention to treat with these terrorists, let alone hear what they had to say. It was like they told you in the Academy, vermin like the Alliance were proficient at spewing their poisonous words that could worm their way into the soldier's subconscious.

It was better to destroy them than to give them the opportunity to spread their vile ideology.

"Playback my previous order in response, and relay this command to our pilots: Move into attack formation and destroy any transport that refuses to power down. We will make it clear that we are intent on making good on our warnings."

The pilots received their new orders and quickly organized themselves into five strike groups of three squadrons each, two to attack the transports, two more to disrupt the flow of evacuees from the planet's surface by aerial strafing, and the last group to intercept any enemy fighter that might try to attack the other groups.

Fleet:
Imperial Dungeon Ship [1]
Vyitka-class Escort Carriers [2]
Velox-class Fast Frigates [2]
TIE Fighter/Interceptor Starfighter Squadrons [15 Squadrons - 180 ships]
Strike Group Aurek - Attacking Transports
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Besh - Attacking Transports
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Cresh - Attacking Ground Evacuees
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Dorn - Attacking Ground Evacuees
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Esk - Running Interception Against Enemy Fighters
3 Starfighter Squadrons

[member="Kiso"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Ember Farseer"] | [member="Arcanus Sunstrider"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

Ember roamed through the crowded spaceport helping anyone with whatever he could, from small needs to greater needs he aimed to lend a hand. To serve as his code ordered him. When the news of a Sith-Imperial blockade broke out, the crowd began either hurrying in panic to their ships or powering down their ships in pure agony. Younger faces ushered for action, for a bold attempt at escape but their older siblings and family members disagreed. A moment ago they were all united in their intent but at the face of the Sith Empire their unity was torn. It was only normal. Most were civilians, fleeing their home was their bravest and riskiest move they had done in their lives. Leaving home was one of the hardest things to do or so Ember was told. He'd never had one but he could feel through the Force.

Accidentally, or through the Force, his movement ended at a pair of man and woman discussing among themselves. The man emanated a light sided aura not different from Ember's. The aura's calming nature brought a dose of hope surging through his mind and to those around him. While you could not erase the desperation from their faces, the people around the unknown man had a burden of their shoulders lifted. Such was the beauty of the Light side of the Force.

"My apologies for interrupting." He came in close to the pair, nodding his head in acknowledgement. Lightsaber dangled on his waist as someone shoved him in a hurry. Ember did not see the point of wasting time in idle talk. Time was of the essence so he went directly to the point. "Another fleet had shown up, seemingly hostile to the Sith-Imperials." The Jedi Knight stated shifting his eyes from the lady to the man. How had he known this? As a child slave to a marauding pirate crew you learned to absorb the useful talk from the useless chatter. Pirates were chaotic, they thrived in it and Ember had learned to filter the important from the less important even in a cacophony. That skill was further improved in his days as padawan in the New Jedi Order where he often was in the midst of a crisis.

The Jedi Knight paused for a moment, a mess of decisions dancing within his head. To risk the blockade and the casualties with it or to leave the people to the eventual yoke of the Sith Empire? Who was he to decide their fate? He was only a protector, a guardian. Ember was no tyrant, no abuser of the gift of the Force he wielded. This was not the way of the Jedi. One thing he was certain of - he would not abandon the people of Dellalt as the Silver Jedi did.

"Ember. Ember Farseer." He finally introduced himself after a moment's pause. A decision still not settled in his mind but nonetheless he added. "I am no naval expert nor pilot capable of impossible features but I will do what must be done to help the people." It didn't sound grandiose as it was worded. On the contrary, his tone hinted of a collected man certain in his beliefs and principles.

But he could not do this alone.

​

[member="Alden Belmont"] [member="Harper Kade"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Eye of Solomon"] [member="Kiso"] | Arcanus' writer is on an indefinite LoA.​

 

[Mariel Dawnrider]

Harper paused, blinking for a moment at Alden. She opened her mouth to answer- and they were interrupted.

There wasn't time- time for chit chat, time for careful consideration. The Sith were here, and people needed to get off world before they claimed the planet. The problem was that Harper didn't know what to do. Not really. She'd been about to rush off, but without any real plan other than 'do something, anything'.

"Harper Kade," she said by way of immediately reply, nodding her head in Alden's direction. "Alden Belmont. We..... we're *from* here. These are....." She didn't know how to word it, and the frustration showed.

Harper was a farmer. She was used to working hard- long days, easy evenings of family, of music and laughter. She knew the soil, the rainy season, the way a seed felt when it was good for planting, heavy in hand, and when it had been harvested too early for planting the next season. Knowing when decisions and choices could be slowly mulled upon and when snap responses had to be made. But this was different. This wasn't crops and livestock.

"This is.... was.... our home," she said, voice tight.

These were their people.

She looked back and forth between the two.

"We need to make sure everyone willing to risk it makes it onto a ship before they leave-" she said firmly. "And that anyone unwilling has somewhere safe to go. To hide, if they have to."

[member="Alden Belmont"] [member="Ember Farseer"] [member="Eye of Solomon"] [member="Kiso"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Eye of Solomon"] | [member="Ember Farseer"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Kiso"]

"These are our people." It was as simple as that for Alden. He hadn't been here for years, but the moment he had stepped foot on the planet the young man simply knew this was the case. It didn't matter that the faces had changed, the streets and buildings, didn't matter that he could hardly recognize Harper. Feth, could hardly recognize his little sister that had once barely reached his hip.

And now?

She was already reaching his shoulder.

"Any help you can give would be welcome, Ember." Then, a nod, in response to Harper. "There are caves nearby, we-" A glance over to Kade if she remembered them from when they were younger. "Played there at length when we were kids. Anyone who doesn't want to leave can be sheltered there for now."

Alden mulled for a moment, looking at the chaos, the desperation, there wasn't a leader here.

No one they could simply look to and follow along. No guidance when they needed it the most. "We need a way to reach all these people, the three of us will never be able to reach all of them at once." Back to Ember, the saber had been noted from the beginning of the conversation. But it didn't matter. The Silvers had cut and run, he was here, Jedi or not- they all had a role to play here.

"If we can hijack one of the comms we can play a message that they will all hear. Up for that?"

 

[Jaster Awaud]

Jaster and his men were reading to get the survivors of the next occupation of this planet by the sith onto the transports as soon as possible. He had heard the call of the Sith Fleet that was in space, and his defensive fleet was still escorting the refugees of Chandaar. They would not be able to get most of the transports off the ground in time. The Small Fighter group that accompanies them were only Republic Fighters and Bombers. They would be able to hold off the attack or bombardment, but the casualties of this attack after his fighters were destroyed would be disastrous. He rushed though the crowds and was able to pull some Republic Troopers who wore the colors of the UTC in disguise. "Trooper, we need to find a place for these civilians if we can not get them all off," He pointed out a small group of about 12 Troopers who were protecting and organizing the crowd, "Ditch the Armor and get the civilians in town to find cover, if ships start falling from the ports, people will get hurt."

He started to return to some of his Fighter Pilots who had escorted them here, it was at this point he heard the conversation between the 3 individuals. They seemed to be organizing some kind of way to flee the town and find cover. He walked over to [member="Ember Farseer"], [member="Harper Kade"], and [member="Alden Belmont"], he spoke up as he tried to get them on the transports. "Find your transports and get ready to leave, if your staying take what you need from the creates, we need mores space for the Refugees."

[member="Eye of Solomon"] [member="Kiso"]

 

[Kiso]

Location: Arriving in Orbit
Goal: Engage the Sith Fleet [member="Eye of Solomon"]
Fleet: (let me know if this is too big)
-3XChiselhead-class Corvettes 1-100% 2-100% 2-100%
-2XArquitens-class Frigate 1-100% 2-100%
-1XAdmonitor-class Light Cruiser "Tenryuu" 100%
-21 TIE/Reaper All operational

Kiso did not react to the Sith dismissive nature of their haling attempt, just repeating the message that they had send out before hand, watching from afar through her SES on the enemy’s movements. "General the enemy carriers have released fighter, all splitting off into different strike teams, what are your orders"? It was a tricky situation, even if the planet had enough forces to take on the strafing runs that still left the strike teams on the transports and the one strike team as screening cover, even that along being enough to outnumber her own fighters, the only advantage the TIE reapers having was hyper drive capabilities... that gave her an Idea.

"You TIE's have their missiles loaded up right"? the deck officer has a small head nod, "get them to power up their hyper drive, set coordinates for just behind the enemy fleet, get the Chisel head to join them as well, in addition have our frigates open up on the closest enemy frigate, get then to put deflector shields forwards". "Hopefully we will be able to destroy one of their frigates and allow our cruiser to get closer, then we can open on the enemy fighters with Tenryuu's cannons while they figure out what is going on, before that fire off the rail gun at one of their carries, get them to pull back a bit so their own TIE's have nowhere to run".

The crew quickly went to work, Tenryuu’s low calibre rail gun charging up, aiming for one of the Sith Carriers, before letting off the oversized shot in the meantime two Arquiten class ships began to open fire with their turbo blaster on the front most enemy frigate. While this was going down the 3 Chisels heads and TIE's powered up their hyper drive, jumping to light speed, a second later appearing behind the enemy frigates the Arquiten class's where firing upon. "Have the Chisel head captains keep in mind they are much faster than the frigates, keep to their blind spots". She just hopped her plan worked.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] l [member="Alden Belmont"] l [member="Harper Kade"] l [member="Ember Farseer"] l

 

[Zef Halo]

Ember nodded as he listened to the two, Harper and Alden, explain. The Jedi looked down feeling the saddening emotions radiating from the lady. Things were looking grim, that was for sure. Words from a nearby passer boomed through the three informing them of the naval engagement up in space. Whoever had arrived was now taking the Sith's attention. Perhaps a good opportunity?

"I understand." He nodded once more and looked around him before laying his shifting eyes at the two. Before he could add something a heavily armored man interrupted him urging them to look for transports to leave. Glancing between his armor and the armed men moving around Ember's only assumed these were merchant escorts. A noble deed. "I can help with the comms. Any long distance transmitter will do with a dozen large capacitors and I can get the message out but with the engagement in space we might try something else - I can get a heavy jamming signal out there with the same ingredients and maybe, just maybe, I can get Sith sensors in a mess giving the people's a bigger chance of escape."

"Where I come from-" The Jedi paused slightly baffled at his own words. Was the Outer Rim Coalition home? "Blockade running isn't something too rare. They jam the blockade, get a hotshot pilot on the control stick of a freighter and slave circuit the rest of the runners to his freighter. If it's way too hot, they put empty ships on the sides where the fire would come from. Durasteel is expandable, people are not."

But that was the Coalition, they had aces a dozen. Dellalt? May the Force smile upon them.

Yet, Ember would not make the decision, not of indecisiveness but it was these people's home. It was their decision, the Jedi would only give his all to help them in whatever action they took.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Kiso"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Eye of Solomon"]​

 

[Eye of Solomon]

"Sir, we're detecting hyperdrive signatures from the enemy fleet."

The Commander's eyebrows knit in thought, this could only mean one of two things. Either the enemy fleet was planning on getting out of the system while the getting was good, or they were planning to make a precision hyperspace jump to a more advantageous position.

"How many signals?"

"Twenty-four, sir. We're not detecting any hyperdrive activity from the remaining three vessels."

That settled it then, there was only one possible course they were preparing to take. "Angle the Velox around, I want their anti-starship weaponry facing our rear. I then want our own weapons primed, we're going to take the fight to their flimsy flotilla."

The two Velox frigates turned silently in formation until they were perpendicular with the rest of the Imperial fleet, both starboard and portside weapons covering a large field from in front and behind the other ships. At that time the Admonitor's railgun fired, singing through the emptiness of space on a direct collision course with one of the Vyitka carriers. Unfortunately for the Admonistor's commander, the Vyitka was even larger than the pocket star destroyer and possessed stronger defenses. The particle shields shimmered with the impact, but they were not penetrated.

One of the Velox frigates also suffered some fire, and the shields took a pounding but they still held.

At that moment the enemy's ships materialized behind the Imperial fleet, turbolaser batteries and anti-missile octets narrowing in on the corvettes and the fighters as they suddenly warped right into their sights. The gunners had been waiting, they had been notified of the enemy's anticipated tactic and kept their guns hot and ready.

The Imperial Prison Ship in the meanwhile thundered forth, engines burning bright as weapon emplacements took aim at the enemy ships that had deigned not to microjump with the rest of the fleet. The nine hundred and fifty five meter warship was larger than any ship in the system, and it had enough firepower to prove a formidable adversary in its own right.

Commander Valladares smiled, eager for bloodshed.

Fleet:
Imperial Dungeon Ship [1]
Vyitka-class Escort Carriers [2]
Velox-class Fast Frigates [2]
TIE Fighter/Interceptor Starfighter Squadrons [15 Squadrons - 180 ships]
Strike Group Aurek - Attacking Transports
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Besh - Attacking Transports
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Cresh - Attacking Ground Evacuees
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Dorn - Attacking Ground Evacuees
3 Starfighter Squadrons
Strike Group Esk - Angling Around To Engage Enemy Fighters
3 Starfighter Squadrons

[member="Kiso"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Alden Belmont"] | [member="Harper Kade"] | [member="Ember Farseer"]​

 

[Mariel Dawnrider]

Their eyes met when he mentioned the caves and Harper just nodded once. That was all.

She was about to weigh in when they got approached by a random dude telling them what to do. His accent marked him as a foreigner (nothing wrong with that) and Harper paused, and looked him up and down with a certain frank appraisal. No, not from around here. Probably meant well, but who walked up to strangers who lived somewhere and ordered them around? Inwardly, she snorted. Silence for a beat and then she turned back to Ember and Alden.

"Anyway."

A beat.

"If you two can handle that, I'll start getting the word out to stragglers, couple people I can tap in for that. A lot of folks aren't going to opt to get in the air if the Empire is. It's one thing to sneak out it's another to do it blatantly."

She didn't agree, but she didn't blame them.

"If home is close enough for them, so much the better, but a lot of people came a long way to get here today. Anyone who doesn't have somewhere to go, we'll get them to the caves."

Already she was starting to turn away, mouth set in a line and far more intent on the doing now that there was a plan. Harper wanted to get out of here so badly she could taste it. But she wasn't going to leave people behind with no where to go when the Empire landed either.

Her own passage off world would have to wait.

[member="Alden Belmont"] [member="Ember Farseer"] [member="Eye of Solomon"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Kiso"]