The Return [TRE/SJO Invasion of Dromund Kaas]

[Velok the Younger]

Mission: Sink the Tenchu
[member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

Of the hundred mouse droids, twenty had died in the initial charge. Sooner or later, courtesy of indiscriminate glopping, fifty more found themselves pinioned in various positions: angling around corners, whizzing through corridors, trying to jack into scomp links, and bumping into assorted obstacles. Webs and fields and zones of glop had brought them to bay. Osmotic fields slowed some, making them easier targets for the glop projectors. The remaining thirty mouse droids made it into air vents, maintenance shafts, crawl spaces, conduits, and all sorts of nooks and crannies.

Osmotic fields were great for keeping out chemical and biological weapons, floating spores, insects, and pests - but full-sized enemies, not so much. Osmotic fields, after all, weren't full-strength force fields: their role was sanitation. Vermin control. The two robed figures shoved through with effort and continued their lightsaber-wielding charge through the maze of corridors. Their robes were burning in earnest now. On occasion they staggered, but they rushed on. The labyrinth’s shielded doors baffled them, osmotic fields slowed them, but they kept moving with unnatural determination. Mobility, saber interception, and durable armor helped them deal with the storm of anti-boarding particle beams. Even so, they clearly couldn't last long: extreme numbers of Famos emplacements were tearing holes in just about everything, and sooner or later the two saber wielders would succumb uselessly.

The grinding noise continued to reverberate through the hull around the broad breach and the closed hatch. Then it stopped.

 

[Connor Harrison]

LOCATION: The Citadel, Dromund Kaas
OBJECTIVE: Take the Citadel; Destroy the Jedi Knights
ALLIES: [member="Vrak Nashar"] | [member="Stephanie Brown"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"]n | [member="Catalys Maijora"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Vraukt"]
ENEMIES: [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Kaden"]

--

A fighter streaked down overhead, a spiral with one wing torn off and smoke and flame spitting outwards as it fell behind the Citadel, and left a plume of black smoke rising from behind the building.

Joon was now moving a little quicker, with purpose. She had a goal, and an aim. To destroy the Light. There was no glory to be found in taking the Citadel personally, and no reward she sought. All she wanted to do was cause pain, kill and instigate fear in the hearts of those she met.

She slowed down as the Lord who took her from the tomb so long ago, Vrak, was engaging in battle with a woman; dark haired and kitted out in armour like a coward. Joon’s eyes focused on the pair, and she wanted nothing more than to charge in and take her head.

But she didn’t.

Taking a moment, she looked up and decided to take the high route, like she had done whilst creating trouble on Naboo. So with a little run, hop and jump she launched herself into the side of a building and climbed a couple of floors up, fingers tight on the beams and stonework on the outside as her robe dangled behind.

Pulling herself onto the roof, she knelt and looked out. Pockets of smoke rose in various areas around the Citadel. Blaster bolts fizzed through the air. Lightsaber blades sparked and clashed. Cries and commands echoed around the streets.

Joon closed her eyes and pushed out with the Force, her eyelids fluttering slightly as she gave herself to the darkness.

”Death is coming…." she hissed to herself.

 

[Soeht]

The Imperial Citadel: The Veteran​

At the sight of [member="Vrak Nashar"] shoving a shuttle at the Jedi Rangers, [acronym='Not listening?']Azsedo[/acronym] braced himself. He threw his left hand out and grabbed the color of Padawan Yenaleda with his right. He pulled her back as if to shield her.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]’s and [member="Coci Heavenshield"]’s actions made Azsedo’s preparation useless. His eyes watched the shuttle strike a durasteel plated ruin. Yenaleda stared in awe as the building collapsed.

Speaking to Yenaleda, yet with his eyes forward, Azsedo told her, “Padawan, listen.”

A pause given to allow for Yenaleda’s attention to turn to her master.

“Your place in this battle isn’t to die,” he said to her, “If the battle seems lost, you’re to return to Voss and seek help.”

Yenaleda returned a nod in affirmation after a second’s pause.

Thurion then gave the command to attack. [member="Jericho"] rushed to engage the Sith head-on. At that moment, Azsedo began to march forward.

“Support the rear, Padawan,” Azsedo instructed Yenaleda.

Then, he turned his head slightly back to tell her, “And may the Force be with you.”

“And with you as well,” replied the Padawan.

Approaching Coci and Thurion’s position, Azsedo drew his lightsaber and ignited its green blade. The fighting quickly escalated. His eyes caught Vrak attacking Coci with Force lightning. Massassi warriors were attempted to swarm Thurion and Coci. A madness possessing them prompted them to also attack Jericho.

Acting quickly, Azsedo dashed toward one of the Massassi rushing towards Coci. The warrior swung a massive vibroaxe down. Azsedo lifted his lightsaber up to intercept the attack – thus giving Coci the ability to give Vrak her full attention.

Azsedo’s lightsaber failed to cut into the axe. Then, Azsedo threw an open palm toward the Massassi’s abdomen. A telekinetic strike sent the Massassi flying backwards into a crowd of its allies.

“I’ll cover your flanks!” [acronym='He will kill you if you ignore me.']Azsedo[/acronym] told Coci and Thurion.

[member="Joon"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Location: Citadel
Allies: Sith ([member="Darth Carnifex"]
Enemies: Jedi
Objective: Kill them
Gear:

Spoiler

• Armor
• Beskad
• Pistols (x2)
• Rifle
• Sonic Grenade (x1)
• Concussion Grenade (x1)
• Flashbangs (x2)

The familiar resonance and melody of war filled his ears, and its unique and literal art treated his eyes. The Light and the Dark charged at each other, both unleashing their load upon each other with blasters, slugthrowers, ordnances, their blades, or their own fists. The Mand'alor wasn't a zealous at all, but to see an ancient enemy being slain and falling to their fate where they once stood made him happy but his facial features would not display them in front of the warring masses with or without his helmet.

He was happy as he was bringing justice to an old crime that has never been addressed until Vilaz claimed the mantle of Sole Ruler through combat. He was bringing honor to himself, his family, his clan, and his followers. And at the same time he was attaining glory.

Finally those that marched unto the Manda, precisely those that were affected by the unforgivable Excision, could finally know what peace was in the Mandalorian afterlife. Like Vrak, that spoke on the comm link, Vilaz had no intent to take in prisoners during the battle. Perhaps he would be much more interested in taking Jedi prisoners as slaves and have them work in manual labor for the Aka'liit if they had won the battle.

"The skies are mine," the Sole Ruler said to Kaine before he jumped out and flew into the air with the aid of his jetpack. His elite warriors did the same thing and followed the Concordian. From his view he could see the Jedi and their soldiers standing still, awaiting for the Sith to close the chasm in between them. There were much more Sith and Imperial casualties than Jedi no doubt, but the storming wave of the Sith didn't stop.

"Fetch," the warrior said and unleashed an anti-personnel wrist rocket into the ranks of the Jedi. Then his Faithful followers did the similar actions as they fired energy and kinetic projectiles into the enemy, launching wrist rockets, and throwing grenades as well. That should disturb the little comfort zone that the Jedi and their allies had of just waiting for the enemy to come to them.

 

[Athena Heron]

Location:Jungles
Objective: Free the beasts, secure outposts, preen
Allies: [member="Veritas"] [member="Maleagant"] [member="Aeterno"]
Enemies: Jedi [member="Mishka Larraq"]

They were close. And there. She felt a flicker of not one but TWO familiar presences in the dark. Pink-lips frowned for a moment. Pushing these thoughts to the side, soft-booted feet began to run through the jungle, weaving between the vines and trees.

Wings folded up right behind her, tresses of dark hair whipping wildly in the humid air. Without much sound the Sith scholar and mentalist emerged on a group of massassi being lead by someone in a mask and armor. But best of all, the Jurgoran. Another erupted through the brush. "Stop!" Voice rang out with authority of someone not to be questioned as her dark-eyes bore into the man with the featureless mask and silver lightsaber.

The darkside swirled around Athena in a palpable wave as her attention bore into the closest snarling, beast. There was no hesitation as she reached into its mind. Mentally cooing it, saying hello, and latching on.

"Help me," eyes flickered to the man. "We can USE them," chin tipped to the second beast. A tendril of the dark reached for the man's mind, so he could feel what she was doing.

And in that moment, she knew who he was. Concentration faltered for a breath. Caid.

 

[Darth Osano]

Objective: Free the beasts, secure outposts, swoon
Location: Jungles
Enemies: No one important
Allies: [member="Veritas"] | [member="Athena Heron"]

Maleagant and company eventually arrived in the clearing that currently held the Centurion and the Heron woman. The Shi'ido came to an abrupt halt just in front of the undergrowth he had stepped out of. Apparently everyone was in the middle of something. A group of Massassi and their handler looked poised to defend themselves from the small horde of wild beasts that had burst into the clearing. The sounds of battle had probably set them off into a rampage, but something had stalled them. One of the beasts was staring with something resembling contemplation at none other than Athena Heron and the others had stalled as well, caught in a state of second-hand confusion. What joy it was to know that she had survived the initial landing. But where were her Handmaidens? Dead already?

No, wait. There they were. Lagging behind as usual. She really should've considered a more proper security outfit.

One of Maleagant's guards aimed a rifle at the stalled beast, only to have Maleagant push it back towards the ground. "No, not yet." Better to wait and see if this latest display of mentalism actually paid off before wasting ammo on a bunch of pointless secondary targets. There were supposedly Jedi creeping around this jungle, after all. It would be nothing short of tragic if they finally found one, only to realize they had expended all their ammo keeping the local fauna population in check.

 

[Kratacos]

Citadel Assault
Allies: [member="Vrak Nashar"], @Joon
Enemies: [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Jericho"], [member="Soeht"]

The Sith Knight's armoured boots tracked through the blood and grime that already began to coat the ground of the battlefield.

War.

This was war.

It was his first true battle. He had taken life before, animals, other Sith, peers, Rogue Jedi on occasion. But this was a whole new feeling, one that he had never come close to knowing.

Peace is a lie.

A shuttle crashed down into the earth, explosion shaking the very ground itself as Vraukt spun his lightsabre through Ranger and Jedi alike. Crimson blade spun up over his chest, catching a bolt and deflecting it elsewhere. Where it went, it didn't matter to the young Pureblood. Above them, were Jedi, commanding the forces of those that would prevent the homecoming of the Resurgent Empire.

The leader of the assault, Lord Nashar engaged one with lightning somewhere, and the flood of Massassi that Vraukt merged with gave him direct path to the two other Jedi from whence the dark haired female Jedi came, right to [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] and his compatriot [member="Jericho"].

 

[Caid Centurion]

Location: Jungles
Objective: Secure Outposts
Allies: [member="Athena Heron"] | [member="Maleagant"] | [member="Aeterno"]
Enemies: [member="Mishka Larraq"]

Caid was just about to vault into action when he sensed it, the rapid, sudden approach of another. In fact the approach had been so quick and light that he'd only just registered it enough time to slowly turn his head and see the form of Athena Heron emerging from the foliage. Her command was, as it should have been, ignored by his warriors. However, the young Sith forced a simple command into the minds of his Massassi - creatures programmed to respond mostly to strength.

Stand down.

The warriors kept their weapons held at the ready, but they did not press home any attacks against the beasts. If nothing else, Caid was showing his old, well...whatever they had been, a great deal of trust. His trust did pay off however as the Jurgoran suddenly stopped their aggressive charge. Throughout the encounter, Caid had remained largely motionless. This was not do to any real level of shock on his part, but he was ever transfixed by the casual elegance of her presence. A serene beauty that betrayed the power and passion that throbbed beneath her blue skin.

When Athena attempted to join part of her mind to his, he closed her eyes, barriers instinctively raising, preparing to battle for the freedom of his mind. However, Caid allowed himself to lower his barriers. The resultant effect was similar to the calming action she was currently taking against the creatures. Exhaling softly, the young Sith turned towards the beasts without saying anything. He had no particular talent for manipulating beasts or at least...he'd never actually tried. He did know how to lend his strength to another, and it was all he could do for Athena in the moment.

His mind now fully open, Caid allowed the power of the Force to flow almost freely through him. It was this state that brought him a degree of awareness that perhaps a non-indigenous foe had drifted nearby their location as well as another steward of the dark side. Effort was required to keep his attention focused on assisting Athena for the time being, trusting in the capability of the Massassi to keep them from any immediate physical harm.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Location: The Citadel
Objective: Drive the Jedi from Dromund Kaas and reclaim the ancestral throneworld of the Sith
Allies: [member="Vilaz Munin"] & the Resurgent Empire
Enemies: The Silver Jedi
Equipment:

• The Tyrant's Shroud
• Shuk'orok
• Blades of the Arch-King

The stench of death permeated the air.

The death toll of the Sith were many, but each drop of blood spilt would pay for the reclamation of their world. It was a price worth paying. Carnifex watched as the Mand'alor rumbled up into the air, his Vod following suit as the sky was filled a dozen swarming Mandalorians hungry for Jedi blood. Compared to the ravaging horde of the Sith, the Jedi were placid and immobile from their defensive fixtures. They knew that meeting the Sith head-to-head would go poorly for their Jedi, who have resigned themselves to a life of sloth and decadence in the illusion that their isolationism made them secure and powerful. The dozen or so rockets launched at them from the airborne Mandalorians might knock some sense into them, but by then it would be too late.

And while Vilaz and his ilk took to the skies, Carnifex would follow his brethren along the ground. He ignited one of his sabers and began to sprint towards the front lines, heedless of the dangers that lurked all around him. Blaster bolts hurled through the air, some of them impacting his armorweave cloak and harmlessly getting dissipated by the material. There were several Jedi directly in front of them, all of them preoccupied by battle with other Sith. Carnifex wasted no time in coming to the aid of his fellow Sith, using their distraction as an opening to deliver fatal or debilitating blows to cut a path through the carnage.

He wouldn't rest until Dromund Kaas' soil was saturated with the blood of his enemies.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

LOCATION: Space of Kaas
OBJECTIVE: Discuss philosophies
ALLIES: [member="Catalys Maijora"] & [member="Vitor Avendahl"]
ENEMIES: [member="Sorel Crieff"] (soon.gif)

Ah, sometimes the Thirriken wondered what it would be like to be humanoid.

No cause for concern to wade into a battle, because they simply could wear a helmet and then they faded into the background. A drop of a dime and nobody would wonder what laid behind that visor. There was clearly some tension between his two associates and Tai clicked with his tongue in silent annoyance. Why was it that his allies always had to play games with one another?

It always seemed to devolve into a struggle of wits and power.

"Once upon a time a very promising student of mine." Tai remarked after a moment, while studying the new shape of his feathers. It didn't seem nearly as pretty as they should be.

But that was the sacrifice you needed to make when you were making yourself part of the legitimate spheres of the Galaxy.

"I have Knighted him... he is his own humanoid these days."

It wasn't particularly clear from his tone what Lord Fa thought about that. If they could read his mind, they would find out that he didn't particularly mind either way, in the end he needed worthy allies and associates... not slaves and lackeys. They usually did not have the initiative or imagination to serve him as well as they should, but trustworthy and strong friends?

That was a different story.

"Catalys, you had an idea where to strike best, yes?"

 

[Neesa]

Citadel Assault
Allies: [member="Vrak Nashar"], @Joon [member=Vraukt] (not-soeht)
Enemies: [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member=Jericho], [member=Soeht] (also apparently not-soeht)
Gear: Bio

The battle had quickly turned into bedlam. Normally Neesa would have found that undesirable, but anything was better than the shuttle. She had faith that the Sith would retake this world. It was the way that spoke of it with such reverence and the determination set on their features whenever they spoke of their return. That didn’t necessarily mean she had faith in her surviving the trip from orbit.

With just a chest plate beneath her robes she was not outfitted for taking blaster bolts head on, but then who was? Better to keep mobile and out of sight. Even the best armour could be destroyed protecting the wearer from a few shots.

Neesa kept close to Vrak as he dashed forwards. This had always been his quest, his vision. Even if she wasn’t fully pureblood she shared enough of it to follow him. Perhaps he would never realise that just small complements had bought her loyalty as much as any promise of power. They were rare for her, worth a great deal.

A group of defending soldiers managed to hold a charge of massassi, blaster bolts tearing through the beasts. At the least they provided exceptional cover. Neesa dropped out of sight beneath a piece of fallen masonry and stretched out with the Force. One of them had a grenade. When the soldier heard it beep he reached for his belt, but it stayed firmly in place. The soldiers dove in all directions, throwing themselves from cover as it went off. Several died in the blast. Neesa stalked in with the massassi to finish the others.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

Location: Dromund Kaas orbit, CIC, SSV Tenchu
Objective: Provide close air support around the Citadel and Jungle Remnant regions
Allies: SJ [member="Ayumi Pallopides"] (direct) [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Jericho"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Vitha Sat-thuron"] [member="Mishka Larraq"] [member="Catherine Soja"] [member="Sko'saht"] [member="Kaden"] (indirect)
Enemies: RE [member="Tai Fa"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Vitor Avendahl"] [member="Joon"] [member="Aeterno"] [member="Vilaz Munin"] [member="Athena Heron"] [member="Maleagant"] [member="Veritas"] [member="Catalys Maijora"] [member="Vrak Nashar"]
Directly engaging: [member="Velok the Younger"]
Music: Green Wind (FFTA2)

"Now, these Sith are roasting"

"But there are mouse droids in the conduits: air vents, maintenance shafts, crawl spaces" the security chief reported to the crew.

"Engage the magnetic locks in the bow conduits! Also, lock on paralysis beams on those Sith intruders! And send a platoon for the last known location of the burning Sith! Two additional platoons are to scour the conduits, air ventsm maintenance shafts and crawl spaces on and near deck 62 for mouse droids and destroy them!"

"Copy that, captain" the marine leader for the relevant area of the bow acknowledged over comms.

While the two Sith [member="Velok the Younger"] brought in tow were being roasted, when they sustained fire from the Famos emplacements around them, with several units that could be brought to bear having the payload of both barrels fired at them, all three Sith had some paralysis beams fired at them from ceiling-based and even floor-based emplacements, with the wall-mounted emplacements firing last. If the paralysis beams hit, then they become easier targets, not necessarily easy; Jessica knew as much, especially when it came to fighting Sith in a boarding action or any kind of close-quarters combat. Sith seem to rely on close-quarters combat And firing might cease, when the targets are deemed neutralized. Also, the two platoons assigned to the task of intercepting the mouse droids across Deck 62 and any nook/cranny that mouse droids could have used to cause mayhem onboard were on the move and going into any cranny soldiers could possibly enter, knowing that ventilation shafts were not always convenient for human-sized sentients to enter. Judging by the directions taken by the mouse droids inside said crannies prior to these access hatches being magnetized, the mouse droids appeared headed towards the foremost hardpoints as well as to locations related to the spinal-mounted main gun. But with the mouse droids on the loose, they couldn't take any chances.

"The enemy doesn't even make much use of carrier tactics here. They are somehow afraid to fight us, and me in particular"

"Then again I can't in good conscience allow the fighter screen to be entirely dried up, nor can I allow this fleet to be devoid of bombers in orbit. Fighter squadrons 1-3, you will form up with bomber squadrons 1-3 and prioritize the Citadel; fighter squadrons 4-6, you are to form up with bomber squadrons 4-6 and make for the jungle"

"What's your plan? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with close air support"

"Here's the plan: drop the stun bombs about 20-30 meters behind the Sith, and then fighters will shoot at the Sith forces on the down low, firing guided cluster bombs while simultaneously moving in for a strafing run. Your priority targets will be the Sith themselves: the stun bombs will stun them and deactivate their lightsabers as well as the weapons of any support elements in their immediate vicinity. Understood?"

Meanwhile, with the distant explosions of RE ships, and the change in mission profile ordered by Jessica, she realizes that, while the enemy didn't even try to intercept them, she couldn't mobilize all the fighters for that purpose. The enemy having sustained thousands of ground troops' worth of casualties, and reports from the command compound where one [member="Ayumi Pallopides"] was positioned at, included few or no Sith elements beyond line infantry; from what Jessica knew, even the One Sith army under Darth Centax had a better idea of how to make use of ground forces than the Resurgent Empire has shown here today. Plus from what she knew about line infantry, frying the electronics may also fry their rebreathers, if so equipped, in addition to their weapons. As the twelve squadrons of attack craft departed the fleet to go fight on the down low, with six squadrons headed towards the Citadel and six more headed towards the jungle, preparing for a strafing run and loaded with special stun bombs, ready to be dropped on unsuspecting enemies...

"Close air support is on its way to conduct a strafing run on the Sith positions around the Citadel and in the jungle remnants, ETA 5 minutes" Jessica told [member="Sko'saht"] over an encrypted channel, as well as [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], the SJ commanding officer at the Citadel.

Spoiler: Outsider Command

Capital ships:

SSV Tenchu (Tenchu-class dreadnought) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Midvinter (Mateus-class elite carrier) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Dellalt (Sionoma-class elite destroyer) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Kenobi (Tector-X-class Star Destroyer) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Gallia (Tector-X-class Star Destroyer) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Tano (Munificent-X-class heavy cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Jarrus (Munificent-X-class heavy cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Wren (Munificent-X-class heavy cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Hardcase (Lothal-class artillery cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Tup (Lothal-class artillery cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Rex (Lothal-class artillery cruiser) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Reath (C-9980-class assault frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Chasin (C-9980-class assault frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Chopper (C-9980-class assault frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Baker (C-9980-class assault frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Rail (C-9980-class assault frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Honoghr (Hardcell-X-class anti-starfighter frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%
SSV Husavik (Hardcell-X-class anti-starfighter frigate) Shields: 100% | Hull: 100%

Attack craft:

312 T-70 X-Wings
144 TIE Reavers

 

[Velok the Younger]

Mission: Sink the Tenchu
[member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

Not every narrow passage accepted pursuit. A dozen mouse droids got in where people had never been meant to fit. The ship's commander had expectes the droids would move toward the spinal mount; she was entirely wrong. That mistaken assumption hobbled the search somewhat.

Still, all things considered, the advanced containment measures found success. Eighty-eight mouse droids took the brunt of automated and hand-held weapons. Squealing and wailing, they succumbed and became inert. Shortly after particle beams breached the droids’ tough little casings, certain internal alarms began to ring all throughout the ship’s forward section.

Specifically, radiation sensors.

***

Meanwhile, the two armored figures finally stopped. The paralysis beams bound them in antipersonnel forcefields. Helpless, they floated in midair. Glop emitters plastered them, blocking the corridor. The fields smothered the flames and left them clad in ashes and torn metal.

Masks fell away from emaciated faces, drawn rictus-tight by a heavy dose of Gunjack. Bloody foam dripped from their noses. Padawan braids lolled out from the ruins of their hoods.

There, too, radiation sensors began to tick viciously.

***

Back at the breach, the Sekairo’s cargo door yawned open. Metal squealed on metal as a bulky shape squeezed through the gap. Beyond lay a significant stretch of broad utility corridor, as previously selected. Intense use of particle beams had scorched and pitted the bulkheads, wrecked fixtures, and generally made a hellhole of this area.

Beskar tank treads bit into the ragged floor. A Skocha-class main battle tank, the Sekairo's payload, lurched into the Tenchu. Its monstrous particle cannon fired dead ahead, down the battlecruiser's long axis. The Tenchu’s multilayered outer armor would have shrugged off the gun with ease. The internal bulkheads tore apart in a long straight line.

As the tank squealed around the first corner, Velok peered into a display and realized the corridors narrowed drastically. Internal security emplacements came to bear on the tank without purchase.

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Location: Jungles of Dromund Kaas
Allies: TRE, [member="Veritas"], [member="Athena Heron"], [member="Maleagant"]
Enemies: SJO
Objective: Avoid Getting Eaten
Gear: Tattered Robes, Yellow Junksaber (lightsaber with an unstable core), The Force


His feet hurt.

In fact, most parts of him severely ached, but his feet in particular. More or less barefoot and unaccustomed to wilderness hikes, Zarek tried to limit his stops as best he could, embracing the pain. But every so often he would have to pause anyway to treat a myriad of fresh cuts and pick the pebbles out of his skin. With the state he had been left in by the crash, all things considered it was fairly slow going. Aeterno began to despair of the notion of ever reaching Kaas City at all given his current limitations.

The Sith Knight sensed the creature stalking him before he saw it.

Aeterno had to give the hunter credit, with the vibrancy of life signs skittering across practically every square meter of the jungle around him, it had managed to get almost within pouncing range and remained completely undetected by even his keen, freshly vat grown natural senses. But the human, battered though he may be, was strong with the Force and had once been a sorcerer of some repute. Reaching out a clawed hand as the beast reached the apex of its leap, he locked it into Force stasis. Sensing both its fury and terror at being so trapped, Zarek cocked his head to gaze upon the creature with his physical eyes.

"Hello there, little friend."

The jurgoran was far from little, but it was nonetheless a comforting sight. The Sith recognized the Dromund Kaas native from the last time he had been on this world, or a version of it anyway, which meant that things were not as different here as he had feared. Reaching out with his will, he sought to lull the primitive animal into a state of relative calm. Zarek had little experience with taming wildlife, but his study of Sith alchemy and familiarity with Sithspawn somewhat cross-applied. Feeling the jurgoran calm somewhat, he strengthened his hold on the Force stasis before he set about the methodical task of dominating the creature's mind. It resisted at first, screeching in anguish, but soon the screeching stopped along with any expression whatsoever. A simplistic, if effective approach, it would nonetheless tax his concentration keeping the ravenous amphibian so enthralled.

Still, for his purposes, it would serve well enough.

"Down, boy," he commanded.

Exerting his influence to force the jurgoran to stoop, the Sith Knight hauled himself clumsily onto its back and shoulders.

"Lets see if we can't find your friends," Aeterno whispered as much to himself as to the mindless beast.

For nearby, the human sensed not just other jurgoran but the all too familiar presence of other servants of the Dark.

At last.

And yet Zarek could not help but feel as much apprehension as elation about a second encounter with these mysterious Sith, if that was what they even truly were. He was still a stranger to them, and possessed no credentials save his mastery of the Dark Side to prove his allegiance. Not even a crimson saber.

The Sith Knight had earned more with less.

 

[Catalys Maijora]

GenoHaradan Frigate [x] - Orbiting Dromund Kaas

Catalys stepped away from Vitor, turning his full attention once more to Fa.

"Something like that," he replies. "Hard and fast, of course." The agent turns towards the bridge, stepping into the center of officers hard at work. "Move us in and quiet, I want our approach to be uneventful." Without even a single 'yes sir' or any other verbal acknowledgement, the ship's engines slowly ignite and the vessel drifts closer to Kaas. The world coming into full view of the bridge.

Turning back to Fa thrice, "we should move to the hangar." Catalys begins his trek down from the bridge into the corridor, and from there it would take several minutes before he arrived at the hangar.

In that time the ship will have already made pace, moving into position and breaking atmosphere. From high atmosphere they'd be able to deploy quickly and in the safety of distance. Not a single eye would able to spot them, ensuring that the stealth systems maintain their otherwise well kept secret. Catalys grabs an old drop pack from his Primeval days, from a shelf containing many others like it.

"I recommend taking a dropship or shuttle, but... Well I prefer going in fast. I'll scout ahead, be your vanguard. You two come in prepared and use your vantage point to identify key positions."

A simple plan, but effective.

[member="Tai Fa"] | [member="Vitor Avendahl"]

 

[Catherine Soja]

Location: Citadel
Objective: Provide reinforcements and support fire from vehicles and troops to citadel forces.
Allies: SJO forces
Enemies: Sith
Directly engaging: Nobody at the moment. Possibly [member="Darth Carnifex"]

As her forces moved in their vehicles comign to a stop near major high ground spots or places with good defensive cover Catherine checked on everyone. "Alright everyone get into positions and remember focused fire on enemy troop positions. Don't worry about the sith too much unless you think you can throw enough fire to hit em. As they all gave the ready signal she gave her command. "Fire!" The blaster fire levels went up ten fold as repeaters and heavier cannons along with carbines and rifles let loose into the sith from higher up positions. Not THAT much higher but elevation helped either way. From here they could fire on any foes trying to gain access to the citadel and force them to take cover or get blasted. Catherine ever the jedi she was could be picked out by her green corellian styled jedi robes over her armor, her saber at her side for now as she commanded her troops. Some sith did fire back their troopers were not utterly incompetent and she noted some of her own fall to injury or death. However that number was far fewer than the sith woudl take if they tried to assail from the position they were in. It would take time to try an approach from another angle and she could adjust for that.However she could feel the sith that were present, the dark side flowed through them strongly.

 

[Zef Halo]

Vitor's eyes followed the captain of the ship for a moment before he left the crew member to his duties as the command to approach the planet was given.

When the time came for the Sith to depart, he calmly followed Fa and Catalys to the hangar of the stealth frigate. There, the bulkier man was already placing what seemed to be a drop pack on his back.

Catalys' recommendation for both Lord Fa and Avendahl made the latter turn his gaze upon his former master implying that he was okay with either so the decision laid on the Thirriken's shoulders.

Meanwhile, he unclipped the helmet from his belt and set it on.

Vitor was ready to go. "Sounds like a good plan to me, Lord Fa."

[member="Catalys Maijora"] | [member="Tai Fa"]​

 

[Jairus Starvald]

LOCATION: Breaching the atmosphere
OBJECTIVE: Dark Temple
ALLIES: [member="Catalys Maijora"] & [member="Vitor Avendahl"]
ENEMIES: Silver Jedi Order & Sith Spirit

A sense of dread rolled itself up and down his spine.

It originated from the depths beneath their feet, beneath the floor of the ship and even lower to the planet itself.

This was no surprise.

After all, Dromund Kaas was a world of the Darkside and it was immensely strong within it. But this felt different to Tai, different enough that before he could turn to follow his associates out, he closed his eyes and truly focused on that feeling. Until it led him to the source.... and it disturbed him. Disturbed him more than anything else ever had in his life.

Enough that he hissed for his allies to halt.

"Stop." Lord Fa repeated, before turning to the pilot of the ship. "We move here."

The feathers of his wing brushed past the captain's head and suddenly he'd have a pair of coordinates, a light tug pulling him towards a single quantifiable location on Dromund Kaas itself.

For Lord Fa had stared into the face of Hunger itself... and it looked back with malice.

He followed Vitor and Catalys then, into the hangar bay, where he studied the shuttles. He was keenly aware of their looks at them, studying him from the corner of their eyes, wondering what it was that had shook him so. But he kept his silence for now, there would be enough time for endless discussion later. Now it was the time for swift action.

Whilst Catalys picked a vehicle for himself, so did the Sith Lord and his former apprentice for another. They would breach the darkness that was gathering on Kaas and find out what exactly was happening.

 

[Catalys Maijora]

GenoHaradan Frigate [x] - Upper Atmosphere - Dromund Kaas

Without further ado, Catalys sprints with the drop pack fixed to his back and rushes towards the opening hangar door.

The thin veil of shielding allowed objects to move freely from within and without, but prevented the elements from penetrating. Once the agent reached the edge he did not hesitate, but instead took the blind plunge into figurative--yet to some degree literal--darkness. For Kaas is a Sith world, and their destination had a strong connection to the Dark Side of the force.

The pull of the strong winds carried Catalys far from the ship and quickly, already the frigate became smaller and smaller until it grew blind to him under the blanket of clouds that he passed through. Ice stuck to his armour, water built up in droplets that pulled across his form. The build up of speed turned a destination of minutes into a matter of seconds, and before too long the twin thrusters burst to life.

A drop pack became his salvation, the single thread between life or death. If anything had gone wrong--and it could have--there was no chance of survival. The drop pack continued to burn and the agent made his landing just outside the entrance to the dark temple. A location that intrigued the Umbaran whose connection to the force well... Was weak.

[member="Tai Fa"] | [member="Vitor Avendahl"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

Location: Exiting hyperspace
Allies: SJO [member="Arisa Yune"] @Thurion Havenshield
Enemies: TRE (Not Mando's plox leave me be friends.)
Objective: Find out who ruined my vacation.

Aedan Miles was highly irritated someone had decided to invade the allies of the Iron Empire and now Aedan had to come and help out the SJO Luckily he had been visiting a friend who had volunteered to tag along so after hurrying their men onto their ship and leaving they were finally arriving. It looked as if the attack was already taking place and Aedan eyed the land carefully his dark violet eyes flickering with flashes of silver almost like lightning flashes in his eyes. He nodded to the captain of his troop carrier the Evakmar Mk 3 known as Shinigami. It was guarded by four ships that wouldn't appear on sensor scans due to their Duranium hulls the four Shinigami-class star destroyers moved forward in a diamond formation around the assault ship escorting it around the edge of the naval engagement. Turning his attention towards the planet below Aedan growled darkly as he recognized it memories of a fight long past flashing into his mind before he turned making his way towards the hold his helmet held in the crook of his arm as he felt the occasional impact of a stray turbolaser blast. Soon they would enter atmosphere and things would get hairier from there on out. Once they landed it would be their time to shine he had brought his full force with him today even borrowing a unit from the defense of Eclipstica which was already heavily guarded as it was. Instead they were now preparing to rain death and destruction on the Resurgent Empire.

Army

Spoiler

1x Red Fang
2x Shadow Gundan
1x Drakon Regiment
1x Clan Akaata Milita
1x Dark Jedi of Bogan
Total numbers= 15,475