Invasion Total Eclipse of the Heart || Objective 3: And If You Only Hold Me Tight

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Sepan-8
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (Hidden Lightsaber), Echo Stone
Enemies: (Heading towards) CT-312

The escalation was beyond a simple civil war. There were too many aggressors, too much happening all at once with specific targets. There was something behind this that held Lily suspicious that the High Republic were being attacked from outsiders. Seeing a governmental official turned to dust by a disruptor rifle, that only added to the suspicions. Lily knew that was a style of weapon that was not easily available nor would it be something that just anyone would have on them. Tapping the comms, Lily called out to her Master, "Master Briana, I think this is an attack operated beyond a simple civil disagreement. Someone is using a disruptor rifle and targeting governmental officials." While she was aware that Briana Sal-Soren likely had an idea that this was something more than a planetary issue, providing evidence, that would help.

Looking down the street where Lily was going to head down to organise the vanguard, a turbo tank exploded out of a building and Lily blinked. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. There was a level of chaos that stunned her, but it was a coordinated chaos, it was a level of forethought and organisation that she didn't think had been prepared for. The belief that this was a civil war, that faded from her mind, someone darker was involved in this and Lily refused to just believe the natives were creating turbo tanks and utilising disruptor rifles. Breathing in deeply, this needed more than simple patrols and peaceful efforts from the High Republic.

Grabbing her Lightsaber, Lily ignited the crossguard Lightsaber. Feeling the surge of Light Side energy poured into her Lightsaber embolden and strengthen Lily. Charging forward, Lily gestured to several vanguard soldiers, "we have snipers target governmental officials, sweep the rooftops, and we need to prevent the tank causing any more destruction." Lily stated, providing orders to the soldiers nearest her as she moved towards the tank to handle that since it seemed like the biggest threat.

Then she spotted several drop pods crash into another building. Lily watched as they crashed into a corpo tower. There were going to be civilians nearby and innocent lives of those who had hoped to just worked and earn a living this day. Lily rushed forward and hoped to arrive at the building before any more damage could be done. But Lily watched in horror as the building exploded and collapsed. A devastation that was too callous and didn't give any advantages to the Ripoblus. It framed them poorer since they were willing to completely destroy the city to damage a few.

Looking up to the rooftops, Lily spotted someone with sights focused over to the embassy square. Using the Force to boost her abilities, she launched up. Taking several large jumps from building to building, Lily reached the top of the roof. Looking at a woman in camo armour, Lily held her cyan Lightsaber and pointed it towards the soldier, "do you understand what you did? The devastation you were causing with the destruction of the building?" Lily started to take in everything that she had to see in this soldier, they were definitely over equipped to be a simple Ripoblus rebel. This was an outsider, this was someone who could provide information on what happened.

Lily didn't leap into action because of this. Because she was hoping to figure out something about why this was happening and why this soldier wanted to blow up buildings. How was this helping anything? There were too many questions, so answers were going to be just as important as ending this war.

 

[Kas Larsen]

Kas Larsen (Main) Kharis Larsen (NPC 1) Caden Larsen (NPC 2)

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  "I'm a Jedi Sentinel, using everything in my arsenal to keep the peace."

  
  
  

  MENTIONS: Briana Sal-Soren | Lily Decoria
  EQUIPMENT: Kas' Gear | Echo Stone
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8| CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Rendezvous with Aiden | Unite with Allied Forces | Defend & Secure the President
  ALLIES: Aiden Porte | Fervos Kej | Lorn Reingard
  ENEMIES: Isur | Malrok Duskwell | Diamond Dog | Isur | Sal Katarn | Keys
  
  In meeting with a familiar face, the assignment back on Ryloth, Kas recognised Fervos Kej coming towards him and the two were back-to-back engaged with the conflict unfolding. Kas had reignited his Lightsaber hilt's beam to counter-deflect, deflect and parry incoming blaster bolt fire from the Rips forces. The young Corellian Jedi was calling forth his experience, knowledge and Jedi training to the field. Citizens depended on him and he will not give-up on them and having an ally as fierce as Fervos the tide could turn maybe while joining forces together.
  
  "Nice to see you again, Fervos. Let's fight the good fight." Kas acknowledge the feline hulk of an individual and saw Aiden coming into view. "Master! Glad you're alright and made it." Delighted that his master made it but this was short-lived on the move again.
  
  When Aiden gave the order to advance forward and press against the enemy forces that were pouring into the Plaza. Kas kept his stance in the Jedi ready positioning as he followed after Aiden and Fervos likely providing aid to the confrontation. However, he felt through the Force there was a sudden change, Aiden halted in his path and then confirmed to Kas about the change of priorities. Listened to the comm chatter and his master the order from Lorn Reingard came into effect immediately.
  
  "On it master let's not waste any time engaging unnecessary Rips forces only clear and secure a path." Kas said to Aiden and glanced to Fervos. "Good to have you with us, Fervos. Any ideas or suggestions feel free to say." The Padawan Learner said.
  
  Kas opened up his commlink device to contact both Caden and Kharis to pass on the details that Jedi Knight Lorn Reingard had distributed to all forces within his comms radius. Perhaps Caden and Kharis can render aid to the civilians within the Eastern area of the Plaza where the Juggernaut of a Tank had erupted through the Plaza Square. Meanwhile, Kas would be clearing and securing a path with Aiden and Fervos for the President who'd be with the Grandmaster Briana Sal-Soren and fellow Padawan Learner Lily Decoria it looked and sounded hopeless but Kas wasn't about to lose any hope. Not while he can draw breath and move.
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

  

  
  
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  "I'm a Jedi Guardian, my lightsaber is an extension and it will serve to protect."

  
  
  

  FURTHER INFO: BIO
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8| CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Clear out Enemy Forces | Aid all Citizens | Get to the East of the Plaza Square
  
  Kharis had managed to round-up what citizens that she was able to lend her aid and support to while the chaos erupted. Her comms device pinged it was a message from Kas and a replay of Jedi Knight Lorn Reingard's orders came through. Kharis got ready and set there were some weapons and other equipment lying around from fallen allied and enemy forces. She began to motion for any fit and fighting citizens to rally up to defend their home, their President and themselves.
  
  "Everyone, if there's anybody who is fit and willing to fight. Now's the time, we stand a better chance united. We've got other civilians out there to the East that need our help." Kharis' voice boomed loudly to fill everyone with hope as best as she could.
  
  Some men and women that weren't apart of families came to her call, a sign that a few citizens were willing to stand their ground and they were going to help possibly friends, families of theirs in the East of the Plaza Square. Kharis helped gather and organise what spare equipment and weapons had been made available from those who had fallen. The men and women who volunteered from the citizens she rescued began to form up. Some of them were experienced some weren't but they'd help each other.
  
  "Master Reingard. This is Padawan Learner Kharis Larsen. I'm leading a small team to lend aid to the East of the Plaza Square to rescue those civilians trapped. We'll do what we can master. Larsen out." Kharis hoped her comms reached Lorn Reingard .
  
  Kharis then dropped a brief comms alert over to her younger brother Caden and the message sent was a replay of what Kas had issued to her. She was hoping this will reach Caden, perhaps he had gotten a group of citizens that could take up arms and fight back against the Rips forces entering the Plaza Square. The team she had rounded up were ready but Kharis would lead the charge and draw heavy fire, engagements to herself against any squadrons of the Rips and then let the citizens open fire on those distracted by her. Kharis' team moved out and didn't hesitate, wasting no time to render aid for other citizens caught in the crossfire.
  
  

  
  
  
  

  
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  "I'm a Jedi Consular, study and use the Force to defend and protect others."

  
  
  

  FURTHER INFO: BIO
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8| CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Clear out Enemy Forces | Aid all Citizens | Get to the East of the Plaza Square
  
  Caden had been treating injured citizens that he managed to get them out of harms way. For those who were fit and well enough to actively lend support they kept going. Using one of the store fronts as a miniature camp that'd allow allied forces and civilians to fallback on. His commlink device went off and received the transmission from both Kas and Kharis about the orders from Jedi Knight Lorn Reingard. A frown formed over his brow and he was determined to extend his aid and support to more civilians.
  
  "Citizens, I am needed on the Eastern front of the Plaza Square. More of your fellows are trapped by the Rips forces and Black Sun Syndicate. Anyone that's a medic please do remain here, treat those injured." Caden glanced around to those in the grouped civilians he wasn't expecting anyone to join him.
  
  Caden did last minute medical checks before he would depart from the store front that was being used as a small makeshift outpost. Just before he completely left a guards and civilians took up arms to join him in his travels to the Eastern area of the Plaza Square. The young Padawan Learner nodded his head over to the individuals joining him. Others that took up arms stayed to protect the injured and those treating them all as Caden departed.
  
  "Thank you all for joining. I will do my best to lead and defend everyone. To those of you who know formations and tactics. Share and help guide those who aren't as experienced. I'll try to draw as much attention as I can away from you all.." Caden said calmly as everyone began to move out on his lead. "If you struggle or get close to being overwhelmed fallback to safer zones. No risk takers."
  
  The team nodded their heads and saluted to Caden for those who were military experienced ready to follow and put faith in the young Jedi as they began running to lend aid. Any civilians and allied forces that they manage to free and get out of the Eastern zone would be enough for Caden to call a success. He'll need to clear a path and secure various zones on the field to perhaps build up forces that can fight back to hold the line until Republic forces come in to engage the Black Sun and Rips forces.
  
  "This is Padawan Learner Caden Larsen reporting in. I am on my way to the Eastern zone of the Plaza Square with a small team willing to fight and rescue those trapped. Will keep you all posted of our status. Caden out." Caden putting out his own comms transmission message out to all allied forces that were capable to receive his communications on the channel used.
  
  

  
  
  
  

  

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Sepan-8
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister energy bow, Ichor sword
Ally: Voli Cholrass
Enemies: Isur | Malrok Duskwell

Dreidi guided people indoors, her hands waved as she shifted materials to form barricades and protective walls. Dreidi breathed in deeply as feeling things going further and further downhill. Looking over to Voli, "keep calm and be aware. I think there will be antagonists in this conflict, outsiders who are wanting to boil the tensions." Grabbing her Dathomiri bow, prepared to face anyone attempting to harming, or killing innocent lives. Things were going to only get worst and explosions were happening all over the place.

"We need to head back to the embassy square. Keep your eyes out." Heading down the street, Dreidi held the bow in her hands, not yet drawn but she was ready to launch an attack as soon as she saw someone. The golden eyes focused on a Karkarodon attacking soldiers and raging like a barbarian. Dreidi looked over to Voli, "caution. Assess for other threats and make sure that we are not flanked by threats."

Launching an energy arrow from her bow, Dreidi focused her attention on assessing the defensive abilities of this man. His raw strength and axe were going to be an issue but Dreidi was nimble, jumping around see if she could wear him out or cause him to slip up for Dreidi to slip in and attack. "Voli, you need to be agile, evasion and try tiring this man out before striking." Dreidi whispered to her Padawan as she wasn't too sure how her Padawan would feel in an actual fight.

While her Padawan had been exploring elements of the Force that Dreidi was not pleased about, she did not think Voli was quite ready to handle a fight without her support or lead in a fight. Looking over to Grisial, she informed her Vulptex to tuck into the alleyways and scout around to sense out other dangers.

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

Sapen 8
Embassy Square
Lorn Reingard
​

Sarad paused mid step as he stalked across the Embassy Square that had become a battlefield.

Rips engaged Dims and High Republic soldiers all around him. Civilians ran for cover or took up arms where they could. None of this seemed to affect Sarad who moved with purpose, guided by the flow of the force as he perceived it.

At one point, rotary canon from the Juggernaut roar behind him and firing overhead he actually closed his eyes letting his senses pulse outwards. Like a ripple in a pool of water the force carried his mind, extending it across the square and causing the presences he felt to light up all around him. When his eyes open again they held a faint ochre hue, he exhaled a breath slowly and spoke over the comms...

"I have targets for you, Pilot."

....he referred to the Pilot in command of the Turbo Tank after his departure, his arm swept forward again towards the corridor that he'd already identified as the most likely egress route for the President...

"Explosive ordnance, there."

...then his hand swayed, his fingers tracing an unseen line through the air...

"Targets there as well."

In response the Juggernaut fired another volley from its multi ordnance launcher, pelting the corridor that was meant for the President with explosive firepower. There was no immediate target, the ordnance merely fired. Explosions would rock the corridor and throw debris skyward causing it to rain back down across the ground. It would make the terrain more difficult, slow progress in and out.

Then there was Caden Larsen, his small team moving towards the Eastern Zone of the Embassy Square. Two regular and two medium anti personal canons would open on his team the moment they were detected. The Rips around the Juggernaut would likewise follow suit with small arms and explosive ordnance after locking down the area to create a literal kill box. The North Eastern section was in their hands for now. It would not be poetic unless the Padawan Learners team was especially prepared.

As for Sarad his head turned in the direction of Lorn Reingard . He didn't know the man but he recognized the lightsaber ignited in his grasp. He was cutting down the Rips that attempted to obstruct his path with what appeared to be ease.

In a burst of speed that saw the outline of Sarad's form become a blur he moved. He'd come into focus again to interpose himself between Lorn and wherever he'd been moving, well out of reach but within loud speaking distance. Blasterfire would actually catch Sarad on the duster, it was bound to happen eventually but in a display of how resistant this particular item was the shot would deflect off...

"Mmmmm."

...he pursed his lips, the Tako'raas duster was invaluable. His eyes focused on Lorn...

"My name is Sars Sarad. Your people should not have crossed the Black Sun."

...the edges of the duster opened, he pushed them back to reveal the lightsaber over his right hip and a pair of vibroblades on his left.

Spoiler

A little something for Kas Larsen 's NPC Caden in this as well. Lots of firepower thrown out.

​

 

[Fervos Kej]

Objective III: Capital Plaza, Sepan 8
Allies: Aiden Porte , Kas Larsen
Enemies: Isar du Vain , Malrok Duskwell
Loadout: VSF Wild Dog , x2 VSF Wolf Claw MK. 2

"Should I think of anything profound, I shall give it freely! For now though, I can think only of bringing the wrath of righteousness down upon these invaders," Fervos said, his gleaming sword continuing to cut through and swat away the bolts of blasters that whizzed by. While he was not force sensitive, his training had allowed him to imitate their ability to block, if given a good enough weapon.

There was a choice yet to be made for The Togorian, one that would determine the way the day went. He could allow young Kas to charge in, but sending such a young Jedi into the fray would not be smart.

While he was certain Kas could hold his own, clashing with a man that could sever the force would be a tall order. So, Fervos lifted his grenade launcher and leveled it towards Malrok and his troops. He fired four of the high explosives at the invader, sure that they would at least disrupt the soldiers. Even if they did not blow the man to pieces, it would perhaps help open a path. Which was precisely what Fervos needed, a path for the two Jedi to run through.

"As your master said young Kas, we must make protecting the president is our top priority! Turning the tide of these whoresons, should be secondary. If you can keep up with your master, I would recommend joining him in reaching the target. I shall defend this plaza with my life, and send as many of them back to their ancestors as I can!"

With no end of zeal and fury, Fervos charged at the line of Rips before him. He had let the grenade launcher rest on it's sling as he used both hands to swing his sword. It was a sight to behold, the enormous man-cat swinging a glowing golden blade that crackled with energy, roaring as he clashed with some of the criminals.

His swings were wide but controlled, keeping enemies close enough to make blaster shots tricky, but far enough to not be overwhelmed. His stamina would not fail him now, he needed to maintain the pressure. If he let himself stop, he'd be overrun, and the Jedi might be next. Even as his muscles ached and his lungs burned, he didn't falter.

Block, block!

Swing!

Stab!

Lunge!

It was a dance he'd had once before, when clearing his way through Sith Troops in the Outer Rim, even that couldn't prepare him for a fight like this. One where there was no retreating into the jungle to recover, now he would win, or he would die...

 

[Laurent Costeau]

|| TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART ||
Love Lost - Chapter 1
———
TAG: Briana Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | Open to scrap come at me bro

END OF SUMMER​

EMBASSY SQUARE , SEPAN 8

"This way!" She shouted, spotting the guards and Laurent Costeau , waving the Griffon and the rest to move towards her, to guide them on the path of questionable safety.

His eyes laser focus on the canopy of buildings across the horizon of the Embassy Square, anticipating buzzing red plasma that threatened to breaks the sky and the sovereignty of the Dimak, Laurent recognises the voice that calls him as of one of the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order.

“Tighten formation, fall back, cover for me,” the Griffon ordered the guards that had formed a phalanx to be the first line of defense. He broke off from the line to clear the way, making it easier for all of them to fall back to the designated space, to meet the Grandmaster and perhaps takeover the escort of the President.

“What’s the situation update over here? You two are all good?” Laurent asked Briana and the President when he made it to the rendezvous point, eavesdropping her communications with the Vanguard Commander. He notices that the Grandmaster’s focus is diverted, somewhere, but he decided not to peruse. Instead, he took initiative of taking over the care of the President.

“Shall I escort the President to the Vanguards, Grandmaster?” he asked, taking off his bulletproof overcoat in the process, signalling to the President to offer putting it over her shoulder for disguise and protection.

 

[Diamond Dog]

ONE BLOCK FROM EMBASSY SQUARE
BARRELING THROUGH BUILDINGS
HEADED DIRECTLY FOR THE MIDDLE OF HOTEL SIERRA AKA THE HR COMMAND POST
APPROACHING FROM THE REAR

Black Sun: Isar du Vain Sars Sarad Isur Fenn Stag CT-312
High Republic: Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren Bastila Sal-Soren Kas Larsen

Diamond Dog, the most productive bounty hunter the galaxy has ever seen, had spent the entire night welding together the disparate pieces of the turbo tank in a spice-fueled mania. He'd learned a lot about its inner workings, and about its specifications. Enough to even squeeze in a cybernetic input terminal in the cockpit made most of the usual crew for this sort of tank obsolete.

The engines were running, the sensor fed information directly to his brain, and the controls responded to him within nanoseconds. They were all set to go.

He pushed the throttle forward. The whole tank rumbled as it shot from stationary to half its maximum speed. Kingsley's crown jewels he'd underestimated the power of that engine.

Fortunately the dampening on this thing was so far ahead of everything else that they barely felt it in the cockpit.

"Oh damn. Really doin' it, huh. I'm not drunk enough for this."

Isar knelt under a chair and pulled out a cooler he'd put there yesterday, flipped it open.

"Want one?"

"Alcohol is immoral," the Gank's faceplate displayed a moralizing frowning face.

His high was wearing off, though. It would be difficult to work overtime without one.

"But give me that deathstick. It's supposed to be laced with glitterstim. Good for the mind."

The Turbo Tank barrelled onward through the streets. DD heard reports trickle in about the fighting. Heaviest near the embassy square. There was something important about the square. Some reason they were supposed to head that way.

DD shrugged, putting the coordinates into the nav-system. It glitched for a second, refusing to take the destination point. It took a nice thwack to the dashboard to make it work properly. A nice, straight line now connected the dot representing them with the dot representing the destination. It even had a nice little checkered flag at the embassy square. Neat!

<Maintain your current direction for ERROR meters.>

"Should be getting there in about a minute," DD said.

DD trusted the nav-computer. He kept the throttle in full-forward position as he applied a fresh deathstick. The Gank's physiology made him remarkably resistant to even the heaviest drugs, so the spice gave him what could be best described as a buzz. Though, he thought he could make out the glittersti--

The Turbo Tank shook vehemently. DD dropped the empty injector, fully alert and eyes on the road again.

The Tank had smashed front-first into a residential building with enough momentum to punch a whole through its side, and enough engine power to bore its way through to the other side. The Turbo Tank burst free from the building like a sledgehammer through a wall.

"Bumpy ride ahead. Best put our seatbelts on?" His mask flashed a 'safety first' sign in huttese.

<Continue straight, then continue straight, then continue straight.>

The nav-computer led them on a bumpy ride directly through another building, then through another. The alternative routes would have been through areas marked with "extreme traffic conditions", which DD really hadn't been in the mood for when it turned out this Tank could ignore obstacles like buildings with minimal difficulty.

"I'm getting the guns ready, should be at the square momentarily," DD's mask displayed a big thumbs up.

There was now only one obstacle between the fire-decal painted Turbo Tank they'd snuck into the city center and embassy square.

<Continue straight.>

"Final obstacle," DD braced against the dashboard.

The back of the hotel, which would soon be formerly named Sierra and which--unbeknownst to DD and Isar--served as the improvised HR command post, was about to make acquaintance with the most radical Turbo Tank Sepan 8 had ever seen gunning for it at full-speed.

 

[Isar du Vain]

ABOARD TURBO TANK:

“Hnn,” Isar remarked wisely as he swayed in his seat, handing DD a death stick, even as he himself gulped down some cold corellian red ale from the cooler he’d hidden under the seat.

He smacked his lips, wiped his mustache, and muttered, “S’pose I should do something.”

The Zeltron closed his eyes, instead of concentrating through the blistering hangover, he let the spinning take him. Around and around and around and INTO the depths of the Force known as the White Current.

Grasping the strands, he wove an illusion about the tank, pushing and pushing until the hull of the tank shimmered and disappeared from view.

The juggernaut turbo tank was now invisible, not just to the naked eye, but also to sensors.

“There, we’re invisible, mate. Best I can do,” hiccuped Isar.

Diamond Dog

 

[Malrok Duskwell]

Objective III: Capital Plaza, Sepan 8
Allies: Aiden Porte , Kas Larsen
Enemies: Isar du Vain , Malrok Duskwell
Loadout: VSF Wild Dog , x2 VSF Wolf Claw MK. 2

"Should I think of anything profound, I shall give it freely! For now though, I can think only of bringing the wrath of righteousness down upon these invaders," Fervos said, his gleaming sword continuing to cut through and swat away the bolts of blasters that whizzed by. While he was not force sensitive, his training had allowed him to imitate their ability to block, if given a good enough weapon.

There was a choice yet to be made for The Togorian, one that would determine the way the day went. He could allow young Kas to charge in, but sending such a young Jedi into the fray would not be smart.

While he was certain Kas could hold his own, clashing with a man that could sever the force would be a tall order. So, Fervos lifted his grenade launcher and leveled it towards Malrok and his troops. He fired four of the high explosives at the invader, sure that they would at least disrupt the soldiers. Even if they did not blow the man to pieces, it would perhaps help open a path. Which was precisely what Fervos needed, a path for the two Jedi to run through.

"As your master said young Kas, we must make protecting the president is our top priority! Turning the tide of these whoresons, should be secondary. If you can keep up with your master, I would recommend joining him in reaching the target. I shall defend this plaza with my life, and send as many of them back to their ancestors as I can!"

With no end of zeal and fury, Fervos charged at the line of Rips before him. He had let the grenade launcher rest on it's sling as he used both hands to swing his sword. It was a sight to behold, the enormous man-cat swinging a glowing golden blade that crackled with energy, roaring as he clashed with some of the criminals.

His swings were wide but controlled, keeping enemies close enough to make blaster shots tricky, but far enough to not be overwhelmed. His stamina would not fail him now, he needed to maintain the pressure. If he let himself stop, he'd be overrun, and the Jedi might be next. Even as his muscles ached and his lungs burned, he didn't falter.

Block, block!

Swing!

Stab!

Lunge!

It was a dance he'd had once before, when clearing his way through Sith Troops in the Outer Rim, even that couldn't prepare him for a fight like this. One where there was no retreating into the jungle to recover, now he would win, or he would die...

O B J E C T I V E - 3
S E P A N - 8

MALROK DUSKWELL
⟁Tip the Scales⟁

Malrok spotted weapon too late. The projectiles it spat only revealed their nature when round of high explosives detonated amidst the Black Sun Enforcer's position, scattering ferrocrete shrapnel and once-living debris in an instant cloud of dust and smoke.

The concussive blast rang his bell like a Mireborn's fist, the rupturing the air battering from each of the projectiles. Enforcers were flung, blackened armor collapsing inward, pieces freed from figures. One of the enforcers crossing to cover Malrok was atomized mid-stride, his form rapidly transformed into jagged splinters that slashed into Malrok’s right flank. A ragged gash opened under his pauldron, shrapnel embedded under the chest piece. Pieces that were once human an instant before.

The vision-spinning, and ringing in his ears began to clear as he staggered one step towards cover. With a hoarse growl through clenched teeth he thrust his palm outward as the next salvo came, calling upon the Force to stop the madness erupting around him. His will met the incoming projectiles with a crude telekinetic shove, not successfully shielding or neutralizing the grenades, only scattering the grenades wildly, carelessly. In unintended arcs the grenades flew, blowing open the edge of a vendor stand, collapsing a support beam, sending debris toward friend and foe alike.

It was hard to control the Force precisely freshly after having your brain rattle in your skull.

The dull light of his phlegmite spear flared again as the grey-green plasma licked outward from the crystal, sheathing it in molten fury. Malrok inhaled once and dashed from behind cover.

The massive Togorian was already among the disoriented enforcers, sword raised, deflecting blasters without precognition, spilling black sun blood in sweeping arcs.

Mid-sprint, the Condorian raised his wrist; a line fired from the whipcord launcher on his vambrace, aimed loosely to arms of the advancing warrior, an attempt to snag one of his wrists or elbows with the tether. Something, anything, to slow the reaping harvest of the massive blade.

Regardless of the whipcord's impact, Malrok followed soon after. With the shortspear swept up, Malrok moved to intercept, stepping into the outer edge, of one of Fervos's swings.

Malrok's spear was angled for a messy parry, the heat of the force crystal aligned against the blade's edge.

If their weapons met, if Malrok was fast enough, he would leverage the blade upwards to clear enough space to dip under and use his momentum to jab the spear's shaft at the larger opponent in a fluid motion – a parry/riposte to drive the blunt pommel of the spear toward the Togorian’s diaphragm, just below the sternum.

Assuming he could pull it off. There was no honor in this. Just buying time and preserving the main force, one way or the other.

Spoiler: Summary

• Malrok is caught off-guard by the first grenade volley; suffers shrapnel injuries to right flank and armor.
• Defensive actions:
  • Reactively scatters incoming grenades with crude Force redirection. Causes collateral damage to surroundings.
• Offensive actions:
  • Potential collateral damage
  • Fires whipcord at Fervos's torso to restrain or hinder movement.
  • Moves to intercept melee attack with short spear.
    • If able, follows up with a twisting pommel strike to the midsection.
• Items used:
  • Whipcord launcher,
  • phlegmite shortspear (ignited, channeled with Force, think very primitive Lightsaber).
• Current Status:
  • Lightly concussed,
  • Superficial bleeding,
  • Moderate pain
  • Defending remaining enforcers,
  • Actively engaging Fervos in melee.
• Wounds sustained:
  • Shrapnel damage along right flank and shoulder;
  • armor integrity partially compromised.
  • Minor concussion

ALLIES: Isur | Black Sun Enforcers
FOES: Fervos Kej | Aiden Porte | Kas Larsen | Dreidi Xeraic ​

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

Blaire could hear the heart dropping sound of cracking.

The place that Bastila had been, she was no longer, and all that was there was an empty hole in the glass viewport.

A scream tore her throat. Without thinking Blaire raised her empty left hand, the blaster, she kept in her right hand and pointed toward her sister's killer. Blaire fired three bolts as the woman casually jumped from the overwalk and into the still panicked crowd.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

In her left hand Blaire could feel the sudden, insane, but unmistakable sense of her fingers curling around the rough spun fabric of Bastila's robes. The weight of what she held in her empty hand nearly yanked Blaire to the glass strewn floor, yet she kept her feet.

With nothing guiding her but instinct and what seemed crazily like her body moving on autopilot, she took a step back and pulled her arm as though she were trying to lift something heavy. She strained and struggled until to Blaire's shock and surprise, back through the hole came Bastila as if she was being dragged back up by an invisible fishing line.

It was an impossibility.

Blaire Sal-Soren. Only child to Baros and Teyla to be Unblessed by The Force at birth watched Bast float back onto the over walk wide-eyed and exhausted. Her arms ached and her legs felt numb but her weariness provided an excellent mask for the horror she felt inside as she panicked over the realization of something that should not be hit her.

I can use The Force

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Ariadne Bastila Sal-Soren | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Kas Larsen]

Kas Larsen (Main) Kharis Larsen (NPC 1) Caden Larsen (NPC 2)

• 
  

  

  

  
  
  

  "I'm a Jedi Sentinel, using everything in my arsenal to keep the peace."

  
  
  

  ALLIES: Aiden Porte | Fervos Kej | @Others
  ENEMIES: Sars Sarad | Malrok Duskwell | Isur | Isar du Vain | Diamond Dog | @Others
  EQUIPMENT: Kas' Gear | Echo Stone
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8 | CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Reach the President | Clear & Secure a Path | Defend & Protect the President
  
  After hearing Fervos Kej had said that he will remain behind to engage Malrok Duskwell and the squad of Black Sun Syndicate, the Rips forces. The Corellian Padawan Learner kept his Lightsaber hilt in hand only ignited the blade of it to defend himself, his master and any civilians in their route to the President. Caden and Kharis were occupied to rally against enemy forces to the East of the Embassy Plaza Square. Civilians and wounded were trapped his faith in his siblings was strong as placed a lot of hope in him. Kas nodded his head over to Fervos and eyed up his master, Aiden to support the charge in getting to the President.
  
  "Fervos, we won't waste your efforts given to Sepan 8 or its people. Fight hard and give them reasons to reconsider." Kas stated to the hulking feline that was ready to throwdown his life and serve a noble cause. To stand against the chaos and thwart it back.
  
  Accompanying the Jedi Knight and hopefully there were Vanguard forces still active in the battlefield that can lend aid to hold the line against the Black Sun Syndicate and the Rips forces that were spreading throughout Sepen 8. The main and primary priority was defending and protecting the President until reinforcements arrived. Once they do, Kas had a plan in store that he entrusted with Caden and Kharis. Out of the trio it'd all come down to Caden implementing it while Kharis would keep the coast clear.
  
  "I'm with you master. Let's go." Kas said to Aiden as he was keeping up with the Jedi Knight to prepare for the battlefield ahead.
  
  

  
  
  
  

  

  
  
• 
  

  

  

  
  
  

  "I'm a Jedi Guardian, my lightsaber is an extension and it will serve to protect."

  
  
  

  FURTHER INFO: BIO
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8| CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Rendezvous with Caden | Rescue all Citizens | Support Caden
  
  Blaster fire, canons and explosions echoed through the Capital city grounds and showed no signs of stopping Kharis being concerned for the civilians along with allied forces that were active in the field. She was enroute to rendezvous with her younger brother Caden. The young woman was headed for the Eastern zone of the Embassy, Plaza Square where there had been reports of an apparent tank causing havoc where citizens and allies were enduring its wrath. Kharis got her commlink out to contact Caden.
  
  "Cade! I'm on my way with a squad of my own. Hang in there!" Kharis said over the comm channel line and hurried with the team.
  
  The team made it through to the point where Kharis saw Caden and his team were under heavy fire. They were retreating to ruined buildings that remain standing. They weren't able to take the tank directly and there was no sign of the trapped civilians that was mentioned in the reports she received. Kharis motioned for her squad to fan out, take over and help provide cover-fire for the inbound Rips forces pressing against Caden and his team. She had her Saberstaff hilt blades out at either side, deflecting blaster bolt fire from the Rips engaging as opposition.
  
  Dipped down behind cover with the men and women who volunteered to use assault rifles, grenades and blaster pistols to put up a fight while not in direct line of sight that was for the Juggernaut of a tank in the area. Kharis managed to reach Caden.
  
  "Cade, we can't take this tank head on. We need to retreat, come up with a plan and wait for reinforcements to lift the Tank's attention off us to then get to any civilians and wounded. C'mon let's go." Kharis said as she signalled for her team to retreat.
  
  Kharis using the debris from the ruined buildings for cover and gone from one piece of cover to the next. Avoiding direct fire from the tank unleashing all kinds of chaos in the Plaza Square. Caden no doubt followed close behind her with his team retreating.
  
  

  
  
  
  

  
• 
  

  

  

  
  
  

  "I'm a Jedi Consular, study and use the Force to defend and protect others."

  
  
  

  FURTHER INFO: BIO
  CURRENT LOCATION: SEPAN 8| CAPITAL | PLAZA - SQUARE
  OBJECTIVE: Rendezvous with Kharis | Rescue all Citizens | Support Kharis
  
  Caden was making progress in reaching the Embassy, Plaza Square that had reports of allied forces and civilians trapped by the enemy - the Black Sun and Rips. The team were getting close to the Eastern zone of the Embassy Plaza Square but not counting for them to confront the massive tank. The young Jedi Padawan Learner channelled the Force in an application of Telekinesis to use debris as cover and then moved down behind more solid, bigger formations from building debris and ruins.
  
  "Take cover everyone! Anti-personnel canons we can't fight against that!" Caden yelled out as an order to his team he gathered.
  
  Fortunately some of the volunteered civilian fighters and soldiers did line-up to building debris that acted as cover but wouldn't last long with the Tank clearing out the area and causing chaos in the Plaza Square. Now there were enemy troops approaching Caden and his team from the Rips emerged out of the rear from the Tank. In being a Jedi Consular, Caden used applications of Ballistakinesis while using small to medium sized objects to batter some of the Rips soldiers with. Aiding his team to hold out.
  
  "Kharis! We're pinned down here! Can't make any headway to any civilians or allied forces that are trapped. We can only go to buildings and other structures for cover. Rips forces are hot on our tail." Caden replied to the comm channel with Kharis,
  
  Caden making motions and signals to his team to disengage with the Tank being an overhead for the Rips so Caden and his team needed to thin the numbers of the Rips at best. Not a moment too soon there Kharis and her squad came rallying in to assist Caden, his team to make a hasty retreat to the best of their abilities. He had his Lightsaber blade ignited, the green beam of energy deflecting blaster fire away and back to its origins as Kharis rolled on into where he had taken cover.
  
  "Kay! Phew, we didn't know the enemy had a tank like this. Yeah we need to make a tactical retreat. Maybe we can draw out the Rips forces that came from the Tank. Thin down their numbers in different areas that won't have the Tank overlooking them." Caden replied, he made a few moves when Kharis motioned for him and the teams to make their retreats.
  
  The two Jedi and their small teams quickly and carefully moving in and out of different points of cover, the debris from buildings set across the Plaza Square. Blaster fire coming from both sides of the confrontation all while three Lightsaber blades deflected blaster bolts away and back to their source. Everybody was retreating and getting to safety, in hope they can come up with a plan and seize any opportunities to aid more allied forces and citizens within the Embassy Plaza Square.
  
  

  
  
  
  

  

 

[Voli Cholrass]

Current Outfit
Pre Built Lightsaber

Fear threatened to flood Voli's body, her hands were starting to shake to the point where she wrapped her fingers around her Lightsaber hilt. She couldn't give in to fear not now, not ever. Voli remembered very well how many times she gave into her fears when training with Dreidi Xeraic from not wanting to face the darkness that crept inside her mind, from letting fear prevent her from excelling in her saber training, and that same fear that nearly caused Voli and Dreidi to be killed by the mercenaries who were trying to steal the Force imbued trees.

If there was one thing that Voli failed at constantly was allowing fear to grip her. But she couldn't let fear conquer her not now, not when there's men, women and children trying to run from the surprise attack. Voli may be a Padawan but of the people that she and Driedi were protecting, she was a Jedi. And Voli needed to start acting like one. Taking a deep breath, Voli allowed the Force to flow through herm the fear started to fade away like a smidge of dirt on a Speeder Bike.

Voli reached out trying to feel for any threats in their immediate location while simultaneously escorting the people to their designated location. "Come on!" Voli shouted. "This way!" Yet in the midst of giving these orders, Voli felt an intense shiver vibrating her spine. A disturbance.

The Padawan turned and saw him a massive Shark like creature towered above her and Dreidi. Yet this wasn't some run of the mill muscle bound loser that Voli and Driedi faced before. This person had the Force. "Muscles don't matter Voli," she thought. "Gotta make sure that he doesn't get to the civilians."

It was now or never. The Padawan unclipped her blade pressing the activation button. The green blade shone in front of her as Voli held her Lightsaber to the side, the hum of the saber soothing her growing nerves. "Remember your training," Voli thought and she ran and leapt over the large Shark with a Force assisted acrobatics.

As soon as she was behind, Voli attempted to slash at the Isur legs with a horizontal strike hopefully crippling him and opening up an opportunity for Dreidi to attack.

Malrok Duskwell

 

[Fervos Kej]

Objective III: Capital Plaza, Sepan 8
Allies: Kas Larsen Aiden Porte
Enemies: Malrok Duskwell , Isar du Vain , Diamond Dog , Isur
Loadout: VSF Wild Dog , x2 VSF Wolf Claw MK. 2

As Fervos was about to bring his blade down on another Rip soldier, a loud Thwip! sounded through the air. It was the sound of a whipcord winding around. Maybe if Fervos had not tired himself out so, he would have had the wherewithal to cut down the fibercord. Unfortunately, he was indeed caught unawares by the line. It wrapped around him, forcing his sword from his hands as his arms were constricted.

For a moment things stood still, he had underestimated his opposition, a luxury no warrior could afford! Malrok's glowing spear soon collided with Fervos' abdomen. The blunt end of the weapon knocked the wind out of him, painful shockwaves driven into his spine as he lowered himself!

Though his body ached, and his stomach felt sick, he refused to fall. He would never bend a knee to villainy ever again! A fire burned in his eyes, one of defiance and rage. Even as he staggered around, trying to find his feet, his muscles were flexing in an attempt to break free. It was a valiant effort, but the powerful bindings were meant to restrain nearly any humanoid.

"Hear me well, I do not plan to die here," Fervos said, each breath coming ragged "If you duel with me warrior, I can only promise a swift end. No matter what underhanded tricks you may try, I shall continue to fight!"

Perhaps monologuing during a fight was poor form? Regardless, The lion grasped onto the fiber cord with a single paw. It was a longshot, but what other choice did the Togorian have? As he tugged, he put all his might into holding onto the cord. The idea was simple, bring Malrok in close enough to be unable to use his spear, then kick, stomp, claw, or bite whatever he could. Barbaric perhaps, but potentially effective!

 

[Lorn Reingard]

​

The Force was screaming.

Lorn stood near the remains of a collapsed archway, his saber humming, held in a slow, controlled guard. His breath came ragged. He'd lost count of the soldiers he'd had to cut down. Behind him, the corridor to Hotel Sierra still held, though barely. A few dozen meters of battered stone and broken permacrete now separated a collapsing city from what was left of its leadership.

Then, a voice cut through the chaos, smooth and calm, utterly unaffected by the ruin or the shrieking that danced around them. "My name is Sars Sarad. Your people should not have crossed the Black Sun."

Lorn turned. The man was already there, positioned between him and the next wave of Rips. His long duster cloaked him, blasterfire skimming past as if the war didn't concern him in the slightest. He looked as if he'd stepped out of a different, already-won battle.

Lorn didn't respond immediately. He let the Force slow time, if only for a moment. He took a measured breath, stepped forward, letting the embers of the last explosion drift past. He felt the pain in his ribs where debris had landed, but pushed it aside.

"You brought a Juggernaut into a city full of civilians." Lorn's voice was controlled and calm.

He stepped once more, closing the distance slightly, but still keeping himself between Sarad and the corridor. His saber remained lit, its golden blade humming softly in the charred silence between blasterfire.

"This is a Republic world. The people here asked for aid, not occupation. The Black Sun has no claim, and whatever Imperials you're in bed with? They earned their exile from this part of the galaxy long ago."

Behind them, the war roared louder; the Juggernaut's rotary cannon tore into a tenement at the far end of the square. Yet, in this immediate space, everything shrank to a pocket of stillness, a standoff between two combatants who hadn't yet struck.

"Stand down," Lorn said. "You've made your point, shown what you came here to show. Pull your men back. Let the civilians go. Before this becomes something that can't be undone." His saber dipped slightly, not in surrender, but in a gesture of respect. Jedi didn't posture. They warned. And Lorn had seen what happened when warnings went unheeded.

"I don't want to kill more of your people, and I don't want them to kill mine. I don't want this city buried in another hundred years of conflict just because someone needed to make a statement with Imperial scrap metal."

Another explosion rocked the square, followed by screams from behind Lorn. He didn't flinch. "But I will hold this line. I will protect that woman," he said, jerking his head back toward the corridor. "And the Republic will not forget what happened here."

The Force prickled across his shoulders again. Something was wrong: a distortion, a warping ripple sliding across his senses. A presence… shifting, then disappearing.

He didn't turn, didn't break eye contact. Whatever was coming, an explosion near the hotel, could be handled later. This was the moment that might tip the scale.

"You don't have to keep going," Lorn said quietly, his voice edged with something almost like grief. "There's still time. Choose something better."

Sars Sarad​

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

Sapen 8
Embassy Square
Lorn Reingard | Kas Larsen
​

Blasterfire roared from the Juggernaut in the background. Its anti-personal weaponry targeting the squads lead by Caden Larsen and Kharis Larsen. Combined with the manpower that Rip soldiers who'd disembarked from it had added and the North Eastern section of the Embassy Plaza was securely in their control.

The Juggernaut was an obvious target but small arms wouldn't damage it, even heavier weapons would struggle. Anything on the ground that it detected was a target too and anything it targeted was likely dead. At this point, fire belching from its canons in all directions it was only a matter of tiem before new ordnance had been loaded into its launchers. The Rips around it maintained a perimeter, they were trained and they knew that it was their biggest advantage this deep inside of the city; they would wait for targets to reveal themselves and suppress what the Turbo-Tank couldn't destroy after the first few destructive bursts from its canons.

***
The Ochre of Sarad's eyes dimmed slighlty as he stood across from Lorn Reingard , listening as the man made a plea based in sentiment and for concern of the people he was defending. Looking back over his shoulder Sarad glanced in the direction of the looming presence of the Juggernaut as it cut a path of destruction with its weapons. It didn't appear he was concerned that man he stood across from would attack and his eyes would turn forward again...

"The Galaxy lives for war. If not today than tomorrow. If you follow the threads of the force as I do then you know that there are to many competing influences in the background for peace to be more than a dream."

...there may have been a hint of reservation in his voice, Sarad wasn't usually in the business of killing civilians however his fatalistic attitude meant that he also recognized the inevitability of death...

"I don't imagine the Republic will forget."

Tapping his fingers against the lightsaber on his hip it appeared as though he was considering what Lorn had to say, the world around them seemed slow and static despite the battle that was unfolding...

"The line you've chosen is emboldened by strong moral convictions."

...a thin smile touched the corners of his mouth, Sarad could appreciate moral conviction considering the particular path of the force that he followed. It often caused him to seek out Jedi or Sith to test himself in combat, the belief being that only then could he evolve and gain further enlightenment. Exhaling he was quick snap...

"You should have chosen a line that was more flexible."

His silhouette blurred then, the ochre in his gaze. Sarad moved but only to his left.

A side step that was perceived as a flash of motion.

He'd been square with Lorn, obstructing the man with his own frame. When he moved, in a flash the Rotary Canon from the Juggernaut unleashed a torrent of firepower aimed specifically for the Jedi. Like a high powered gatling gun it fired to many bolts of energy to be deflected away or back at it, it was capable of literally chewing up a man until nothing was left.

Sarad had taken his lightsaber in his right hand now, still deactivated but prepared to ignite.

Spoiler

The Rips around the Juggernaut are maintain a strong perimeter, expect them to defend the Turbo-Tank while it continues to belch out a mammoth load of firepower. None of them will disengage from the perimeter they've formed unless pressed until given the command to widen the perimeter which is likely to occur after more of Embassy Square in in ruins.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

​

The Juggernaut's weapons sang, their roar echoing through every crack of ruin and collapsing street. Buildings wept fire, metal screamed in protest. The square had become a carcass, devoured by iron and heat. Amidst it all, Lorn stood exposed beneath a bruised sky, his lightsaber casting gold against the blood-colored dusk. Sars Sarad's words still rang in his ears: "You should have chosen a line that was more flexible." Lorn didn't have time to respond.

He felt it before he heard it. The Force coiled tight in his gut like a scream about to break. He moved purely on instinct, a breath before the world ended. A wall of red death ripped toward him. The Juggernaut's rotary cannon howled, chewing into the space where Lorn had stood with absolute mechanical hatred.

He dove sideways, barely clearing the initial arc. He was a blur of motion wrapped in flame. He hit the stone hard, shoulder-first, pain exploding through his ribs. His off-hand threw forward, fingers spread, as the Force slammed outward in a concussive barrier, flaring just as the next volley crashed down. The barrier dissipated under the weight of fire. Cracks split the stone wall behind him as he slid across rubble and into partial cover.

He was pinned. Dust clung to his lashes, smoke burned his lungs. The Force howled through him now, no longer a whisper or a guide, but a survival siren. The sky lit up again as more blasterfire stitched across the square. He reached up, thumb tapping his comm. There was no time for a full message, just a blip, a ping of his location, a code that signaled 'cut off, holding'.

Sars hadn't moved to finish him. Not yet. Of course not. Lorn spat into the dust beside him, blood bright against the ash. Then he shouted over the cannon's howl: "Is this what passes for strength now? Hiding behind a tank while it tears apart civilians?" Another wave of cannon fire hit barely a meter too far left, scorching his cloak with its heat.

He twisted further behind a support beam, drawing breath through his teeth. The air reeked of plasma and smoke. "You wanted a fight, Sarad?! Then face me. Not with your cannon, not with your death machine, but with you." He stood, exposed again, halfway crouched between cover and sky, saber held low, its blade humming with defiance.

"You said the galaxy lives for war. So live in it. Show me what kind of warrior hides behind the death of strangers. Or was your faith in the Force always just another excuse to run from a fair fight?" He wasn't yelling anymore. His voice was lower now, cold and sharp, cutting through the battlefield like his saber had done minutes before.

"You wanted to test something. I can feel it. That's why you stopped me, that's why you're still standing there. So do it. Call off your cannon. Step forward. Let's see if your philosophy holds up to the heat." He didn't know if Sars would take the bait, but he had to gamble.

The corridor behind him was half-blocked with rubble. His comms were clipped, his people bleeding. He had maybe three more meters of space before another barrage reduced this pile of stone to vapor. "Come on," Lorn murmured, tightening his grip on his saber. He set his jaw, eyes locked on the man who had nearly incinerated him. "Come test your truth."

Sars Sarad | Lesha Tarot (Where my troops at)​

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

Sapen 8
Embassy Square
Lorn Reingard
​

A Soldier actually took aim at him as Lorn leapt aside, seeking cover from the endless onslaught that the rotary canon was belching out.

He didn't kill the man. Instead Sarad, turning his head would lift his arm and manipulate the fingers of his left hand as though he were crushing something. In response the Blaster Rifle the soldier had been aiming bent under the pressure rendering it useless. To fire would have caused the weapon to explode in the hands of the soldier.

Turning his gaze forward again Sarad would regard Lorn Reingard from a distance over the roar of the canon. He didn't respond, not initially. He wanted Lorn to feel how close he was to death, the rotary canon would chew through the stone and debris until barely a meter remained before Sarad finally gave the signal to stop.

Only silence followed, the rotary canon ceased. He'd stand there remarking that...

"You have heart at least."

...before his lightsaber ignited in a phosphorescent beam that caused heatwaves to ripple through the atmosphere around it...

"A shame I didn't meet you somewhere else."

The ochre in his eyes flared, the power he commanded flashing through them. He'd raise his lightsaber, turning it horizontally so that it ran from his right to left at shoulder height. His feet shift, turning him to lead at an angle with his right profile while his left hand hovered near the outside of the same hip near the rear.

In a way he was beckoning Lorn to step out and face him, accepting the Jedi's challenge.

The Rotary Canon on the Juggernaut was silent, its barrels cooled. It swiveled above the command deck of the Turbo Tank taking aim at other targets then it fired again, belching out a monumental amount of firepower. Nothing was free in life, Lorn was paying for his reprieve with the lives of whatever soldiers and civilians remained in the square.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

​

He was getting too old for this. The thought crawled up through the back of his skull, uninvited, somewhere between the rotary cannon pulverizing the wall next to him and the heat flash melting the metal edge of his cover into a warped, hissing curve. Blasterfire tore at the stone like it had a grudge against gravity itself, kicking up flecks of pulverized permacrete, glass, and chunks of whatever was left of the awning above.

Lorn ducked, pressing his back tight to the half-collapsed column. His heartbeat pounded in his ears like a war drum that had lost its rhythm. Debris slammed into his shoulder again, and he wasn't sure if it was the same bruise or a new one; his entire left side was numb. The barrier he'd thrown up earlier was long gone. His hands trembled. The Force was still there, he could feel it coursing through him, but it felt like trying to hold back a flood with a cracked dam. Another impact. Something exploded two levels above, raining a dead datapad and half a stormshutter down into the alley beside him. He tried to breathe. Couldn't. Tried again.

A sharp, pained scream tore through the chaos. Lorn turned just in time to see it. Across the street, a young man, barely twenty, had leveled a scavenged rifle toward the square, toward the Juggernaut, toward something. But before he could fire, the weapon folded in on itself, as if someone had grabbed it and crushed it into a twisted sculpture. Confused, the man pulled the trigger anyway, and the weapon exploded in his hands. The blast knocked him backward into the rubble. His scream choked mid-breath as he writhed in agony, his left arm mangled beyond recognition, eyes wild with pain and betrayal.

Lorn's stomach turned. That wasn't just battle, that was control, a precision cruelty. Then, silence. The rotary cannon ceased its fire. Not a flicker, not a sputter, just off. The sudden quiet was deafening.

Lorn's eyes locked on the man in the coat. He stood like a man who hadn't moved an inch through any of it, as if the Juggernaut's fire had been mere background music. "You have heart at least," Sarad called out. Then his lightsaber ignited, bright and warped by heatwaves, humming like something alive and very old. "A shame I didn't meet you somewhere else." Sarad fell into a stance Lorn didn't recognize: elegant, lethal.

The cannon didn't turn back toward him. He groaned and stood, pain raking through every part of him. Was he trusting the Force? Maybe. Or maybe he was just too tired to keep hiding. He stepped out from behind cover. It wasn't brave, or stupid; it was simply what was next. Every step toward Sarad felt like a decision, a declaration: not today. Not to tyranny. Not to fear. Not to the fire and metal of Imperial death machines rolled out by blood-money syndicates. The tank loomed behind the warrior. Lorn eyed it once, felt its hum through his bones, then looked back at the man.

He brought his saber into both hands, holding it diagonally across his body, feet shoulder-width apart. He exhaled slowly, letting the last lingering terror bleed out through his fingertips. The Force wasn't screaming anymore; now, it waited, ready. He would not strike first. That wasn't how this worked. He would see what this man truly had to offer.

Sars Sarad​

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

SEPAN 8 — EMBASSY SQUARE

"Briana," he called through the comm, his voice hoarse but sharp. "You're going to hit resistance near the Plaza's northeast archway. The tank dropped troops there. They're digging in, and they know she's moving." Behind him, an entire wall across the street buckled and dropped like a curtain, shattered by the Juggernaut's cannons. "I'll clear the path. Get her to the hotel. If I fall, don't stop."

Briana blew out a strained breath, their shared line cutting out before she could say anything, Lily's voice carrying through next on the earpiece.

"Master Briana, I think this is an attack operated beyond a simple civil disagreement. Someone is using a disruptor rifle and targeting governmental officials."

Nausea churned her gut at the implication. Everything seemed to be looking worse and worse by the second, there would be a lot for them to figure out once they returned to Naboo. If they returned. Thankfully, that train of thought was promptly interrupted, the steady cadence of boots pounding permacrete and quickly making their way towards them, distracting her. Coming to a screeching halt, Briana silently signaled to the group, indicating for them to cover in a cratered alcove and crouching low until the regiment of Rip troops marched by.

"They're clearing a path for us right now, but the window to get there safely is closing fast, they're being pressed hard. Are there any shortcuts that can be taken? Back alleys, access tunnels?" She glanced back towards Zoraya, expectant.

"There's an old maintenance route we can take up ahead," The president explained, gesturing. "It cuts around the Plaza and lets out half a block from the hotel, but we'll be in full view until we get there —"

"We're running out of places to take cover under anyways," Briana quickly interjected, "We'll split up our group and make a run for it." She gestured towards one of the shorter guards, close enough in build and height to pass at a distance for the President. "You. And you three," she added, pointing to a trio of others. "Take the President's cloak, keep it pulled over you, and follow the original route. Keep moving like you have the President with you." No one had to question what she meant, or ask for clarification on what she needed them to do. The guard in question simply nodded and stepped forward, holding their hands out to accept the heavily embroidered cloak.

Zoraya's brows shot up at the suggestion, hesitating for more than a few heartbeats. Guilt twisted sharp in her chest, realizing she might have to insist and force the issue if she wasn't going to willingly comply — but, then...

"Be careful out there El," Zoraya murmured, shrugging off the cloak and wrapping it around the other woman's shoulders, clasping it around her neck with the sort of reverence one might have when signing off on the death warrant of a close friend. El straightened under the new weight around her shoulders, the faintest lift to her chin. "You too, ma'am." It was easy enough now, to recognize the look shared between them, that more was being risked than either of them had the space to voice. The decoy team slipped off into the shadows, the guard in the President's cloak glancing back just once before they were fully out of view.

Clearing her throat to break the tension, Briana jerked her thumb over her shoulder. "Right...the rest of you, with me and the President. Times not on our side, so let's move."

BRIANA.

Cataclysmic pain and sorrow surged and writhed down that familiar old bond linking her to Bastila, a sensation that in that moment, felt very much like a speeder-bike crashing into her at full speed. It stopped her in her tracks, utterly bound and frozen by the dawning realization. Bastila was... here. She was here...

-------------------------------------------------------------------
​

FOUR YEARS PRIOR, CATACLYSM OF NABOO

Dread coiled within her like a snake, a glacial chill moving through the atmosphere long before she ever heard the booming sound of the heavens being ripped apart, another wave of darkness descending on them like nothing she'd ever seen. Screams erupted in every direction as panicked civilians ran this way, and that, everyone in search of shelter and protection against the endless horde coming for them.

When one wave of netherworld monsters fell, husks of obsidian dissolving into ash, there was another wave there to immediately fill the ranks of the last, no matter how many her and Vizion cut down in their struggle to her family's Estate.

BRIANA!

Bastila had been reaching out for her since they'd landed, the cry of her voice edging her onward the entire time, her attacks growing steadily stronger and more ferocious with each sweeping stroke and cut of her humming blue saber, crimson globs of viscera snaking down her dominant arm; unable to tell if the blood was hers, or if it belonged to someone — or something — else.

"We're almost there, just ahead!" she breathed, ignoring the ache in her bones and bolting as fast as her legs could carry her, pushing on past her deepest fears. A third blast shot down from the skies, and more Nether-born legions swarmed in like locusts.

"We're not going to make it! We need to fall back!" Vizion shouted, eyes wide with disbelief and his breath falling rapidly.

BRIANA!

Her voice rang through again, but it was so much louder this time, more urgent. She was so close.

Whatever protests and shouts came from Vizion, once he realized what her plan was, were fully ignored — plowing through the slim path ahead of her and forcing her way through the carnage and straight for the already engulfed Estate. Abject horror seized her, the blue light of their defensive shielding shimmering up and around her home, even as the roof began to cave in.

The sight hollowed her out.

"No, no, no!" she half sobbed, half raged, panic and bile rising in her throat.

Rallying every bit of strength she had left, Briana willed her legs to move yet again, carrying her to the control panel on the east side — deft fingers flying over the paneling. The system flashed red, and she slammed her fist into it. "Let me in, damnit!"

A hand against her arm whipped her around. "It's over."

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“Shall I escort the President to the Vanguards, Grandmaster?” he asked, taking off his bulletproof overcoat in the process, signalling to the President to offer putting it over her shoulder for disguise and protection.

Unbidden memories had swam up from the depths of her mind, leaping and dancing across her eyes like a silver fish until Laurent's voice cut through, causing Briana to flinch.

Sal-Soren blinked slowly, the mental haze beginning to clear, slowly coming to realize where she was again and process what'd been asked. She shook her head, and pulled her lips into a thin line. Laurent was more than capable and ready, but could she really just leave him to shoulder this alone? Entrust the safety of the one person who would be needed to lead these people if they made it out on the other side of this?

Could she actually leave Bastila, again? She didn't answer right away, the pounding of her heart pulling her in two different directions. Duty or family.

"I just have something I need to take care of." She took off her comlink and pressed it into Laurent's hand. "Follow the plan and I'll try to meet up with you all soon."

And she was off, back in the direction that they'd all just come from.

Hang on, Bast. I'm on my way.

TAG: Lorn Reingard , Laurent Costeau , Lily Decoria , Bastila Sal-Soren , Ariadne , FYI: Vizion Trozky | EQUIPMENT: Ligthsaber, Echo Stone, Astor's Dagger

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[Sars Sarad]

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Sapen 8
Embassy Square
Lorn Reingard
​

He'd wait for Lorn Reingard to appear.

Watching as the Jedi came out from behind the remnants of the permacrete he'd used for cover. He moved slowly, his body clearly in some amount of pain though there was a stoicism that accompanied every stride he took.

As for Sarad, he maintained the stance he'd taken. The Heatwaves created by blade of his lightsaber distorting his image behind it. The Heat could actually be quite oppressive unless you were accustomed to it, Sarad never flinched.

Out in the open, as Lorn took his stance with his own lightsaber held diagonal across his body Sarad could better appreciate the flaxen hue of its blade prompting him to comment.....

"A fine weapon."

...he was appreciative of such things. After his comment there was a stillness though.

The Stillness would stretch between both men. It was a calm, a moment they could use to regard one another and center themselves. To Sarad the battle occurring around them was a footnote, happening somewhere in the background or far away. Blasterfire and explosions faded into the peripheral.

The Ochre of his eyes flashed, he became a blur again.

To see Sarad's style would be to recognize it as a mix of two forms. It was cemented in Shii-Cho, the forefather of styles but augmented with Makashi transforming traditional movements and swordplay into much more sweeping and affluent maneuvers that compliment lightsaber combat. An aggressive but measured style.

As he came at Lorn his lightsaber would move into sweeping arcs and flourishes meant to contact his opponents and send crackling energy between the two of them. Parries might to drive Lorn's weapon to his right. Footsteps meant to bring Sarad his opponent and offset him to his left.

It was a feeling out phase, one where precision and specifics were less important but Lorn should make no mistake that Sarad could be very precise when he chose.