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Ingo and its neighboring system of Wobani were largely unknown to the galaxy. THe one being used as a prison planet off the grid. The research into the Medara and the ghost prison had led some fo the teams to discover it n older records but it was only used by the local systems themselves as a place to send problems and criminals who well paid enough. Some investigation into the status showed many of the guards just had funds in their accounts that couldn't be explained... shipments form high end businesses went to the world aas well as many other things. The prisoners ran things... or at least some of the higher standing. Jedi could be sent in to help if possible and arrest but the grandmaster was looking at such a problem on their borders and there needed to be a way to handle it. THen there was the chance that the world would only be a small part as a close system Ingo was largely unused but seemed a perfect place for a staging ground.
That world presented its own problems for them as all information showed it had been colonized dozens of times and things happened each time.. something at least to some... others lost funding and had to leave... some were mining operations that didn't find anything of value as far as they were concerned. She was looking at scans and after several attacks they were developing and using drengir scans now.. something dangerous like that hibernated sure... but then they woke up and usually lots of people ended up perishing... if there was a chance then they might as well try to protect if someone went there. The grandmaster thought about some fo the others ways they might be able to help and aside from one of their shield stations blockading the planet. She would likely need to consult with some of the other jedi masters she had who had faced them. There was also the chance for ships to test out some of the newer equipment they were developing as she debated dropping a few of the boxes on the planet to at least have a form of boots on the ground.
Objectives:
Objective 1: Prison World - The world itself is highly undeveloped with patches of buildings that serve more as guard barracks and landing pads. Heavy turrets for attacking ships and a scattering of ships in orbit to protect the world from attackers trying to break out the prisoners. Using new technology an infiltration team can be sent down to investigate some reports from the ships that communications below are failing in several facilities.
Objective 2: Welcome to the Jungle - THe jungles of Ingo are largely barren... trees and some creatures brought by the hundreds of different species that have tried to colonize the planet. Remnants of outposts scattered through the jungles and from scans Drengir are on the surface... but it is unknown if they are awake or hibernating.
Objective 3: Bring your own objective - We have two worlds one for each of you have fun, enjoy, stop a prison riot or start one... explore the jungles.
"You really need to learn pick better vacation spots, Gir," quipped Sariya.
Gir wryly grinned, "But I hear that many of them are your kind of people - rough and tumble."
She briefly hesitated before her face widened into a grin before she barked a brief laugh, "Well, you got me there..."
"Sir," interrupted the clipped voice of his ground forces liaison officer.
The blonde man turned his attention to the datapad that the army officer handed him. He briefly scanned its contents as he scrolled through its contents. Looks like everything is pretty much as expected. That in and off itself wasn't that much of surprise. The Another Chance had been carrying the regiments for over two weeks now - long enough for Gir to become accustomed to the style of reports that the generals and colonels (or rather their subordinates) wrote. He handed the datapad back to the lieutenant colonel.
"It looks your forces are well prepared."
The other man offered a polite if forced smile, "Everyone in the service has standards that they have to keep."
Gir nodded in agreement as he typed some commands into his own console, causing light to coalesce around the trio, forming a visage of Wobani and the immediate space around it. His own temporary command was the troop line creatively named "TL-142" consisting of two Fanladi II-class Star Carriers and a pair of Cimrab II-class Line Cruisers. While primarily intended to move the troops onto the world to secure the rebelling prisons, the troop line possessed enough firepower that he had little worry about being overwhelmed by opponents, though he did not have a lot of fast vessels, or really enough warships in sheer numbers to secure the space around the world. He'd necessarily have to link up with his allies in order to accomplish that. He briefly scanned his own console before coming across the information he needed.
"Colonel, please relay to the Surface Marshall that the first wave of transports will be ready to depart in fifteen minutes, assuming that we do not have any unexpected complications..."
The last time Caltin Vanagor was on Wobani was a mess. It was all labor camps and patchy land, to which it more or less still is to this day as Caltin surveyed from the Commander’s chair of the prison shuttle that was taking him and the team of Jedi assigned to him down to the planet. They were all green, even the Knights who were there, and while he did not show it, Caltin was concerned for their safety.
He knew the secret of this planet.
The real prison is a high density, maximum security fortress with one way in, and one out. It was impenetrable to multiple different types and styles of attacks. Even a “Base Delta Zero” from a fleet would take days just to pierce the protective barrier and maybe have a chance of doing damage. In the real prison there was a combination of technological supremacy and physical dominance over the prisoners. The key was the entry point. You see, the “Supermax” prison was not on the planet’s surface.
It was below it.
Be mindful of what you’re about to see Dagos.
He was of course speaking of his Padawan Dagos Terrek
. The kid had skills and was capable of going out on his own, and Caltin might use that so he could in effect be “two places at once”. It would have to depend on what they would see once they reach the ….
“Incoming fire!”
“Evading and Defending!”
The shuttle pilots were not combat trained, but they were both very good at what they did, able to get through the firestorm of cannon fire that should not be there. Obviously there was some type of uprising down on the surface as that cannon fire came from prison cannons. The defensive systems were not automated so clearly inmates were rioting and moving to take territory.
This changed things.
Keep us under their sensor basement…
“Won’t be able to land, Master Jedi.”
“Sensors are picking up activity all over the place. Too many hot LZ’s.”
Caltin smiled as he got up from the chair.
Just keep us low enough to keep from getting fired on and don’t stop. We’ll make our own landings.
Walking to the back of the transports, the big man opened the loading ramp, but not before hitting his comm-link to “wide-ban” so that the senior Jedi aboard the other shuttles would see what he was doing and imitate. Once the rush of wind rustling through the cargo bay the look of speeding landmarks rushing by and weapons fire being athletically dodged told the story. The Jedi aboard did not have to do anything, just did so, they were on their feet and preparing for a “no landing infiltration”.
I want all younger Padawans to provide perimeter protection and security. I want the older, more experienced to be engaging the outskirts, Knights and Masters are deeper. Let’s keep this organized in their chaos, it is a riot, little more, and until we find out what is really going on, let’s do this by the numbers.
Little more needed to be said as he jumped off of the ramp. The crisp, cool air refreshed his body until it was time to start twisting, maneuvering and dodging weapons fire. Soon amid all of the leaping and tactically falling Jedi, he found himself on top of one of the commandeered anti-air cannons ripping out wiring. .No sense in destroying it completely, the chaos was proof of how little there was any organization, it also told him that, from the look of things, that all of this was a distraction.
With more and more Jedi disabling the cannons in the area, they were more and more able to help the shuttles land more and more. As more and more Jedi gathered, he began shouting more directions out. They would NOT counter-man or override the prison staff, but they would offer their help in every way that they can. He did pull a few aside to come with him on his own mission. This included offering a spot to Dagos Terrek
, his Padawan. The kid was in a unique position, Caltin trusted him to act on his own, but he still had a ways to go. He could learn some things on what they were about to do, but it would not hurt him to come along either.
So the choice was his.
Meanwhile Caltin was busy… “discussing the matter” with the local Warden.
“Master Jedi, with all due respect, what you are suggesting is ridiculous.”
This is all a distraction, I’m sure of it.
“What exactly makes you say that?”
Call it a “hunch”...
That, or the last time he was on a prison planet in the middle of a riot exactly like this, that is what was happening.
Vaux sat in the hanger, looking through the data on Talyc Squadron's last mission. Everything seemed on par, but parts were only just getting added for repairs. Still, they'd all be ready. That was good. On of the officers looked over a bit with a smirk.
"Well you don't seem too happy flygirl." Vaux shot the man daggers.
"I already told you, not happening. Just tell me when it's time to fly." The officer just gave a faux scoff, eying the squad commander.
"Come on. You've got to learn to relax."
"I can relax. Just not with you." She gave a hint of a smile as she tossed a datapad at the officer and walked down to the hanger. Should could see the much larger star carrier, Another Chance, though the bay. The Gotal'ur Rang and a pair of Shield-class Escort Cruisers had been sent in a support role. The line cruiser's hanger was mostly prepped for helping the landing mission as opposed to the escorts more fighter focus. The vessels were flying in a screening formation, with the central cruiser powering its sensor array.
"Another Chance this is Dust, Gotal'ur Rang's AI. Main sensor array is fully powered now. I know we shouldn't exactly expect anyone, but a bit of early warning isn't bad."
Reports of Drengir even ones that might be sleeping were dangerous... the world itself was secluded and remote enough that people could find it and get lost. She left room for Draven to join her as she was holding her padawan yeeter and wearing the power armor... black metal gleaming aand allowing the jedi master to fight if there were any drengir and if there were any creatures that wante dot be hostile towards them... well they were going to have a bad time. THe shuttle dropped her down and the jedi master held the blade on her back as she walked.. the sounds of the jungle around her as well as some animals but there wasn't much for her to deal with here yet.
Gir watched the local holo-map with interest, watching flights of assault dropships slip out of the star carriers' bay before plummeting towards the world below. Sporadic cannon fire from the ground lashed out at the transports and a number of the droid fighters accompanying them, but by in large, it seemed relatively inaccurate and low volume. I suppose the prisoners probably weren't trained highly in artillery...though it only takes one lucky hit in the right spot, doesn't it? That thought sobered the man up, but he knew that with Master Vanagor and other jedi in the lead, the assault would likely proceed as well could be expected. While the infantry of the Concord Guard Repulsorlift Regiments and the Circarpous Sector Infantry Regiments weren't man to man equals with any jedi, they individually would at the very least match the abilities of the individual rebelling prisoners. And the Concord had thousands of the soldiers already deploying in the first wave.
His headset comlink briefly chimed before a female voice flowed through its speakers.
"Another Chance this is Dust, Gotal'ur Rang's AI. Main sensor array is fully powered now. I know we shouldn't exactly expect anyone, but a bit of early warning isn't bad."
He nodded in agreement, "You never know what you might find. We've deployed a small number of our fighters to act as an early warning screening force in addition to our warships's sensor systems..."
"Tripwires" as some officers liked to call the starfighter pickets, though rarely to the "Tripwires" themselves. It was a dangerous job, with the potential of being overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of a superior enemy. But it was job that could save the lives of thousands of fellow soldiers and sailors. Some took it resolutely armed with that knowledge - some took it for the thrill and glory of being the underdog in the situation.
"Sir," reported one of the officers, trying to catch the admiral's attention, "We've just picked up several flashes of cronau radiation to ships with no transponders running..."
He blinked. With no transponders, those won't be friendly ships...or lawful ships, even if they're on an enemy's side...
"...coming from several different directions. Most of them are small, but I see two Corellian Blockade Runners moving together from heading 41.32.45..."
He tapped a button on his comlink to increase the sensitivity of his microphone, "I don't know you heard that, Dust, but it appears that we have company. My carriers are a bit sluggish to chase after that prey, but if you'd like, I can dispatch some fighters or my cruisers to help with the pursuit..."
Troop Line TL-142
Draven was as prepared as it came in regards to finally doing some field work under the instruction of his mentor. As well as likely the first time Draven would be encountering Drengir. Yet, he had a feeling he was more than capable of countering the potential threats.. and we'll whatever problems he might struggle with. Saki would be there to bluntly resolve the predicament. Even if it meant he had a field trial of air recovery.
Draven made sure he properly packed his survival kit. Wearing his full training uniform including his boots. Which while he would of loved running barefoot through the jungle. He knew better than to take any unnecessary chances when it was a high enough threat his mentor was showing up in person to deal with.
Draven landed his own temporary transport vessel in a nearby section to where he would need to rally with his master. Before he took to the trees. Moving along the thick lower branches. As he kept his senses tuned for any disturbances. Especially, rogue hammer swings. As he wouldn't place it past his mentor to take a casual or even serious swing at him. Just to ensure his response time was still up to the task.. Really, Draven never knew what to expect on any giving moment. Other than it was proven more productive to be able to adapt to the unexpected.
Dust listened, and noticed her hull’s own scanner pick up on the incoming ships. The AI looked through these scanners. Corvettes. Freighters. Fighters. Seemed easy enough, and sort of… underwhelming. If they were trying to break through this came off as weird.
Dust looking back at the captain over on their end as Gir pointed out the enemy, and that his carriers were slower. The captain thought, nodding a little as the Gotal’ur Rang began to pull into pursuit formation.
“Hear you loud and clear. We’re launching fighters now. Two HF-1 Hammer squadrons are heading to the surface, and we can borrow Slug’s Stinger squadrons and leave he with the carriers as support, while us, Moon’s Spark and your cruisers chase those bogies.”
In the hanger bay, things were somewhat hectic. The old Hammers were taking off to provide ground support. Meanwhile Vaux was climbing into her fighter and getting ready for take off. Weapons, engines, gens, life support, countermeasures. All clear and ready. With a thumbs up, her bright red Tal'galaar shot from the right hanger, now waiting for the rest of her squadron.
“This is CT. Talyc Squadron is taking off, and an interceptor squadron isn’t far behind.”
THe touch down wasn't bad.. the one with her was well.. Draaven was different then others she had met but he knew how to follow and he knew how to work. The smirk on her face under the armor was enough for her when she approached in the large power armor allowing the blade to remaain on her back and her held herself prepared. "Welcome padawan." The voice came out as the helmet retracted the mouth opening to reveal her face as the helmet retracted down into the neck piece. Saki looked the same and she was prepared for anything here. "We have a job. to make sure flesh eating monsters are not awake on the planet... hopefully you studied what they can do to lure people in and we won't get into some trap."
The prison was going to be dangerous and Krass had brought the celestial forge from the Ancilla to help with reinforcing the prison itself. She had done wonders with the Medara so applying some of that here would maybe become important. Her small stature remained at the forges bridge when she was looking over the designs of the facilities on the planet and the ones that were being problematic were around a section with a few outliers. She could head down and take those from facility to facility biots as they had the newer technologies to test out. "Prepare drop pods." A shuttle would be flashy and could be stolen if they were not careful.. drop pods were the way to go as it could also set up whaat they needed to retake some of the facilities. "We're headed down."
"Hear you loud and clear. We're launching fighters now. Two HF-1 Hammer squadrons are heading to the surface, and we can borrow Slug's Stinger squadrons and leave he with the carriers as support, while us, Moon's Spark and your cruisers chase those bogies."
Out of habit, Gir nodded in understanding, even if Dust couldn't see him. He briefly pondered his situation and began to weigh different variables. Some commanders (and even some entire cultures) chose to commit everything they had to destroying an immediately known threat, but Gir preferred to have some vessels in reserve, just in case there was a surprise somewhere that he hadn't expected. Despite the droid fighters and dropships already being dispatched to the atmosphere, he still had hundreds of fighters, bombers, and gunships at his disposal - the benefit of commanding a carrier group. He eyed the relative numbers of small craft and thought about possible contingencies. He punched in several commands into his computer console and toggled his headset microphone to the channel he shared with Dust.
"Two fighter wings and the Fidelity are on their way to reinforce you."
That sent dozens of Typhoon II-class Starfighters along with the plodding Fidelity - while the cruiser might not be able to immediately keep the pace with the other Concord craft present, whenever it arrived, it certainly would have more than enough firepower and staying power to decisively end the battle in the Concord's favor against the incoming blockade runners. But it had to get there first, which meant that the mandalorian warships and the Concord starfighters would have to halt and at least slow down the blockade runners first. Gir thought that Dust was a capable enough commander to handle the interception. He turned his attention back to the primary mission: landing enough troops and subduing the ground defenses enough to restore order to the world. Noting that several of the groundside turrets were still firing at the Concord's landing craft, the blonde man set the Courage to move into position and neutralize the weapons with the cruiser's ion cannons. That should lead to a minimum of casualties and if we're lucky, we can still have those defenses intact to use ourselves when this is all over. Bright blue light began to lance down from the Courage to the surface below. Streaks of blue lightning sizzled across the ground turret's exteriors, even as the Concord forces below led by Masters Vanagor and Wyms began to retake control of the world.
This argument was becoming more and more pointless by the second. The Warden was a good man and was only doing his job looking out for the safety of his staff, prison staff as a whole, staff families and the prisoners. He did not care about rumors or speculation about some stupid alleged “Vault”. He was going to take his people and secure stations and sectors with or without the Jedi’s help.
What he was missing was that Caltin was trying to help him do that.
Warden… do you see all of these forces that are coming down and landing? Do you see those that I brought with me? We’re all here for the very same reason.
Then he pulled up a layout of the map of the area, showing the ins and outs of the sector that they were in. Then an overlay of an old file of his from the Old Republic he still had access to as a member of the New Jedi Order(Membership has its privileges). There was an entrypoint in one of the buildings where there was a huge lift going down further into the planet. A massive lift system built to move multiple large items. The layout that these lifts went down to was exponentially more massive than the surface prison could dream of. The Warden was visibly shaken.
“This is above my paygrade. What do you need?” His stance on the manner softening.
Just the chance to help you secure the planet and to get to this. That’s it.
There was more to all of this, but as the Warden said…
Draven came to a still as his mentor approached. His nerves a bit on edge as he gauged what his mentor would be doing. In case he would need to respond quick. She began to talk to him.
"We have a job. to make sure flesh eating monsters are not awake on the planet... hopefully you studied what they can do to lure people in and we won't get into some trap."
This was the important bit of her introduction. Though Draven was glad he had a formal greeting prior to that. It meant she must at least be eager to see how this fieldwork went. "Greetings, Master. I've done a bit of studying about the Drengir. Enough to understand they operate as a collective mind with a good bit of intellect. Capable of dominating other species into service. I believe they have a pretty good regenerative property. Toxins at there disposal.. and that the plants and life around can provide an indicator of their presence and activity." Draven expressed his level of understanding about the entity they could encounter.
He knew it wasn't a full understanding about what they were about to face. Though by expressing what he was aware of. He was hopeful any important gaps could be filled in... Or well he could always find out as they took care of things. Draven often times preferred action over idle discussions.
"And they are nasty meat eaters who can lure by imitating their victims at times... but there are worse things we could face down here... maybe." She said it with a shrug of her shoulders. SHe was well all for smashing them if the threat presented itself and started walking at she looked at the padawan... at least he was covered up and ready... it went a long way. "Though some reported other things... no one source was exactly the same so likely they alter themselves for different worlds or worse can change for different situations. We know they could influence and incorporate others or act like limbs to corrupt and control." She was looking but had the large blade at the rerady on her back while swiping at some of the trees with her hand to smack branches aside.
Dust gave a nod as well, seeming to pick up on it Gir's own move. She was still somewhat figuring out human interaction. As she quickly noted and marked the cruiser and fighters on her ships own screens, she'd answer the Admiral.
"That would definitely be helpful. I'll make sure our squadron know."
In the Tal'galaar, Vaux took lead as Dust quickly contacted her, the two Mandalorian cruisers that prepped to intercept bringing their engines to flank speed, even drawing on shield power in an uncommon move for Gred vessels.
"CT, you have two wings of Concord fighters joining you, but based on my calcu... what I'm seeing if you hold speed you'll hit at about the same time."
"Got it dust." The Mandalorian pilot would then flip her comms to connect to both the other Mandalorian squadrons and the Concord squadrons. "This is CT, Talyc squadron leader. We have some more friends that I'm hoping are running max speed right now. You know the drill. Intercept and hold them up. They'll have blockade runners so be careful. Once the big girls get in range watch the hail, and be ready for the storm. As for my own squadron, lock into attack position." As she said this, the small collection of TwinTails opened their s-foils. Vaux smirked a bit under her helmet. Her brother might've been a bit tired of fighting, but she was just getting started.
Meanwhile, the Hammers would duck down to the planet, giving the signal that they were on station and ready to assist.
Captain Taicho watched the brilliant-colored plasma bolts jet out from the planetary defenses to the orbiting vessels and back again. An entertaining light show, if one that was quite possibly deadly. While he had joined the Silver Fleet to see all manner of worlds and meet many different kinds of people, he had soon found that the luster of travel wore off quickly, at least when visiting such exotic locales such as the prison world of Wobani. His comlink crackled with the baritone voice of his Second Flight leader.
"High Flight Lead, my sensor readings show some additional readings near the incoming blockade runners. Looks like small craft of some sort, possible enemy snubfighters. "
Taicho spared a glanced from the world and began to fiddle with his own sensor console. That might make things a little more hairy. Taicho hadn't been concerned about the blockade runners. Though reasonably well armed for their size, the corvettes didn't have many weapons that were effective at tracking their small and fast fighters. It almost would require being overly predictable or sheer bad luck to get hit by one of those things. But enemy fighters of their own complicated things, and were probably a bigger threat than the corvettes. He fiddled with the fighter's sensor array and began to speak to the ship's computer.
"What? No, that's not an X-wing...though it doesn't look too far off. Correlate it with the ship database off of the Another Chance."
A quick digital display message popped up saying that the ship was processing the request. The processing logo soon displayed to show the wire frame of a Zerek Zenith, and compared it to the sensor readings from the squadron's ships. He glanced at the probability of a match. 87% isn't too far off...might be some modded ships, or we just may not have good enough readings yet for whatever readings. He toggled his headset comlink.
"Looks like we've got a squadron of Zerek Zeniths accompanying the blockade runners. A little outdated compared to our ships, but still dangerous if we're not careful. Keep your eyes peeled..."
Only a scant few minutes passed of them zipping across the outer edges of Wobani's atmosphere until he could see the bar like gray blobs on the horizon resolve into the more angular and recognizeable forms of the legendary Corellian Corvettes. The warships shot out bright red darts of turbolaserfire at the Concord fighters, causing several ships to dive or peel away from the incoming fire. His HUD briefly flared red, announcing that an enemy was attempting to get a weapon's lock on him. He began to weave his fighter from side to side even as he scanned his attacker, eventually coming face to face with a Zerek Zenith in a dazzle-pattern livery of red and black. The two fighters shot towards each other in a classic head to head attack, attempting to pepper each other with cannon fire as the battle was joined.
As the transports pulled up to make the trip, there was a melange of different types from armored speeders, armed speeders, walkers, and swoop bikes. No, Caltin wasn't going to drive a speeder, especially since there were drivers for each, he was riding a swoop bike. Cinching up his body armor as it was being offered, he didn't want others to fear, he just wanted to prepare properly this time. When everyone was ready to go and the transports were loaded, Caltin let the hovertank escorts pull into the lead before they set off.
He was disappointed to see that there was still fighting but at least it was more "containment" now than "retaking". The surface vaults were soon approaching when he received a message on his comm-link from the lead tank, the staging area was being attacked and to be prepared. Relaying the message to the transports to form a perimeter on slowing. What he saw, he didn't like. Their staging area was not against a mountain wall, or a rock face, or even in a command center, they were wide open. The saving grace was the anti-personnel cannons in place, that would at least secure their preparations.
Stepping off his bike and meeting with the Commander, General Namide, the massive Jedi Master looked over the maps of the vaults for a few moments.
What do you have in the way of forces here General?
The General, a long time military man who didn't like Jedi, thought that they didn't have the stomach for combat and felt that some of them wearing body armor was ridiculous. "Really? You really think I have forces out here? I was taken from my assignment to babysit you people so you can play "hero" while the real fighting is in the surrounding areas! You want forces? Use your own, I barely have enough here to protect your sorry butts!"
The General was gruff and deserved a punch in the face, but Caltin would leave that to someone else.
General, you can have your battles, we're saving the planet.
Just standing at ease and shaking his head. "You look like you're having a party, to me."
They were on the same side, Namide was just an old soldier and used to doing things his way. Caltin however was about to intercede when another officer came running up with a portable comm-link. "Sir, we have a call coming in, it's from the comm-link of a Warden droid."
The blue visage of an older man, a man who was very recognizable but Caltin couldn't put his place to the face though at the moment. The man, wearing prisoner garb from the look of the angle of him and the camera looked to be slicing into the droid. "Is anybody out there?! This is prisoner 3746au7 formerly of Republic Special Forces 186th unit “Gamma Squad”! We're in the Northern Vault, there's Esh-Ka everywhere and we have wounded here. Your staff and defenses are down and we're running out of ammo! We can hold our position but not for long! Is anyone there! There are children here!"
The vid cut out at that moment and right then and there the General's tone changed, as did his face. "The Northern Vault? That's where the prison staff families were taken to! How did they find it?" Looking over troop displacement, he was ignoring the Jedi at the moment, his focus was on his people. "Lieutenant, how far away is Ceta Company from there? We need to get those people out, and someone finds out who these 'Gamma Squad' is, or was?"
Caltin knew. Can we help?
The look of annoyance washed away from the General the moment the offer of help came. He still thought that the Jedi didn't belong there or involved in the operation but he was not going to turn away an offer for a helping hand when he received one, especially from the Jedi, who could frankly run roughshod over the planet if they wanted to. So he pulled out the topographical layouts of the quickest routes to the vault that was under attack. "What we're looking out is one way in, one way out. Most vaults have separate entry points, this one was chosen because of how well defended it is, it is inside a mountainside."
Something about this didn't sit right with Caltin though as he looked at the layout. There was something that just seemed to be too "straight forward" about it. Looking over at a couple of Knights, Zeke, who was there to offer support and help, as well as Verrin who was looking over the landscape. Caltin had other plans and ideas though.
Mantias, Verrin. I need the two of you to get with your Padawan groups you were assigned, I need your groups to enclose the area, above and in front. They are going to need to keep their wits about them as they spot and assist with containment. We will be moving into the vault and getting the families out. This is not “babysitting”, there is just something about this that is not sitting well with me.
Realizing that he may have worded his orders in a way that relegates them into not helping, or "secondary roles", he clarified. The two of you will be joining us, I just need your groups prepared, don't worry. Now if you could prepare them, I need to speak with others as well as the General for a moment, please.
He noticed that he didn't need to speak to Moryn, as the Zeltron Knight was already preparing the vehicles for departure. However there was more he could say to his former student. ~Hey, if you could coordinate what we can and cannot ride, even if sitting on the side of a vehicle if need be(like troops on a tank). We need to get there fast, but I don't want to sacrifice anything we don't have to.~
Then came Katbrak and the General, there was what was unsettling to him about this whole situation. What was it? This vault is so well defensible, was there a small force protecting them?
The General needed their help, but he was not going to be second guessed by anyone. "You are in no position to question my orders, Jedi. The vault is hidden and out of the way, there are so few people who know about the place there was no need!"
Holding up a flabbergasted hand, Caltin clearly meant no disrespect. General, that was not a negative reflection on you or your men, or anyone. I was simply asking this because there is something too convenient about this. The Esh-Ka should not even be on this planet, but on Belsavis and with that, they had a millenia to learn about the layout of this planet aside, there's something about this that is...
Shaking his head he spoke into Sasdba's mind ~Is it me, or does it seem like this is a way to draw us away from something else?~
Looking over the map, there was what Sasdba’s was pointing out that caught his eye. He still didn't like this but the General was barking in his ear about how they were wasting time and while he didn't like the attitude, the military leader had a point. "Look, I understand you want options, but each second you sit here planning is a second that families are in danger. Either your people move, or mine will!"
Yeah, the General had a point, they needed details, but they didn't have time to get them. So there was the option that Caltin was always up for when he needed to be, but wasn't the best option. General, do you have any dropships? They don't need to be loaded, but some that could fly overhead and keep the attention on them for a few moments?
Not really waiting for an answer, Caltin turned to Sasdba for a moment as another Jedi came up extolling Verrin was being recalled to Yavin VIII to meet the Council. Caltin wasn't angry because the Council was the Council, he was a big believer in that, but his facial expression was priceless, it screamed "NOW???!" Shrugging it off and mentally wishing the Padawan well, Caltin turned his attention to the other Master.
The Aliance Army calls it a "Tank and Spank", I take the main group and kick open the front door, keeping their attention. Even "try" and push in just enough to draw as much attention to the entrance so you and a smaller group can come in the rear entrance, grab any hostages and get out without anyone being the wiser?
The General's expression changed immediately to skeptical optimism... "That just might work."
Let's do this... As Caltin hooked up his utility belt, the general, without suggestion, began organizing what troops he had in the area, and was calling in whatever dropships he could get. Caltin however was headed to the transports as Moryn seemed to already have everyone gathered up.
Jumping on top of a hovertank so as to gather all attention on him, and so he could be heard better, the massive Jedi Master made verbal clearance of his plans, or at least idea. We're going to be moving in two groups. I will be taking the main group and we will commit to a frontal assault on the northern vault. Now this is not something Jedi do normally, but that is where the families of much of the staff of this planet were hidden and are now being held hostage. While we are moving towards the known entrance and drawing as much attention as possible, Master Katbrak will be taking a smaller group over the back of the mountain and through a previously thought condemned tunnel and come in from the rear and get those hostages out while the military assists and covers their exit. Those of you with a Sentinel or Consular background will be coming with me, those of the Guardian faith (not the rank) will be going with Master Katbtrak.
As most of the Padawans, Apprentices, and few Knights moved into their respective groupings, and loaded onto transports, Caltin pointed wide over all of them. Trust in your instincts and believe in the Force, we'll all get through this and most importantly get those hostages to safety. Remember, the main group is going to draw attention so the smaller team can reach our objective. Now let's move.
Jumping off the hovertank, he nodded to both Moryn and Zeke. It's up to the both of you where you want to go, I won't direct you. He could use either of them, but he knew that Moryn's heightened senses would be beneficial in the tunnels, yet his abilities would be beneficial on the field.
Climbing onto the speederbike he rode in, the massive Jedi Master pointed directions at some of the tanks.
There was no planning left to do, they were going in almost blind regardless of what they planned.
There was nothing left to be said, he had spout out all of the inspiration that he could do.
There was no meditation...
Not a thing left to do but move out...
As Katba and her group moved out, Caltin let the assault vehicles form up in front of him, they were going in at attack speed but would not be taking any more fire than they had to. The walkers, the hovertanks, they were bringing up the sides and the rear several Jedi followed Caltin's lead and got on speederbikes. As the convoy moved out, the Jedi Master was in constant contact with the General and forces were converging from all directions. The most important group was the dropships, they drew the attention of the Eshka out front and at the opening of the vault.
As the firepower, in a futile effort, fired on the dropships in the air as their engines roared them to and from, the Jedi came in from the ground. When the hostage takers finally turned their attention to their real does it was too late, the Jedi were attacking. Not very "Jedi-Like'' in some respects but this was a rescue effort and if anyone was passionate about a rescue, it was the massive Jedi Master who accelerated to full speed, hopped into a squatting position on the bike as he still controlled it with the handles and leaped, with assistance of the Force, into the largest crowd of Eshka.
He was the diversion for the main group…
Some who watched Caltin's attack of the large force of Eshka looked on in inspiration.
Some who watched Caltin's attack of the large force of Eshka looked on in awe.
Some who watched Caltin's attack of the large force of Eshka looked on in fear.
Most thought that he was nuts.
In many ways Caltin did fly by the seat of his pants, so to speak, in situations like this but not in the manner that most would expect. No, he improvised on where he would move and which groups he would focus on, but one of the reasons that Caltin had always trained so hard was that he could "expect the unexpected", nothing caught him off guard. That was why he could use a very tight Force Shield around him, nothing too strong, but an extra set of body armor in a sense.
His jump into the center of the largest group caught most of their forces by surprise, but one thing that was learned about them is that Eshka went for the biggest threat first and to them that was Caltin. Quickly emanating a powerful aura of light out in all directions, his purpose was to blind the enemy forces momentarily, it worked. As dropships zoomed overhead, Caltin began throwing punches, kicks, and swinging Conservator, taking down every Eshka he could within reach.
The massive Jedi Master did not remain where he was though, seeing those fallen drove him to push hard towards the vault entrance, using the Force in forms of pushes, pulls, levitation and throws to head that way. The cannon fire from the Eshka was aiming where he wanted it to, on him and away from as many other Jedi as he could so that they could attack, he used his training in SoreSu, Shii Cho, and Djem So to his advantage. Each blaster bolt that sailed through the air bounced off of his trusted lightsaber and was willfully redirected at another Eshka. They were shooting themselves, at least anyone who understood their screams saw it as that.
As many of the Jedi, and the soldiers (both on foot and in the vehicles) figured out what was going on and focused their attacks on the vault opening, many retreated inward towards the innards of the vault itself but not if Caltin, or anyone around him had anything to say.
Oh no you don't!
Sprinting through the Force, he raced past many of the foes, cutting down those he could reach and began fighting like an enraged Rancorr. You will answer for your crimes now! The rage in his eyes was terrifying... but fake... he wanted the Eshka to see that they were in a fight for their very lives now.
~We've got to hold them until Master Katbrak signals that she is out and away safely!~
Vaux grit her teeth as she pulled tight and took aim. VK whistles that they seemed to be something called a Zerek Zenith. Soon her bright red fighter and red market wingman would be jumped by a low sweep of two Zeniths. She smirked a bit, having swapped to an ally comm frequency.
"I think these karker's think our big girls are sluggish. Time to show them a thing or two." She couldn't stay on her first target, but she could take on these brave souls. She'd cut on jammers and send out chaff and flares before pulling the larger fighter around. The Tal'galaar rattled a bit as she was pulled around on the edge, and her wingman kept pass with every turn. So they chased Jal? This would be fun. TwinTail's might've been a older fighter at this point, but that didn't mean they were bad, and she had a knack for asking for mods to her ships. The ace took aim, squeezing the trigger and the deep thudding of the Uurs and more standard blasts of the ion cannon filled her ears, and bolts filled the space in front of her. The poor lead fighter really didn't like that. Of course as the enemy wingman broke another issue reared its head.
The corvette's were firing into the swarm of fighters. Frak. If there was one thing she didn't like to deal with it was corvettes. Cruisers and SDs were easy to hit, but corvettes, even for a fighter, could be slippery.
"Gatal'ur Rang, Sleet, where the frak are you!?"
"Just hold out a little longer guys, we're getting into range soon."
"Could you make that faster by any chance?" This came from one of the Stinger pilots, who was definitely not having a good time. Meanwhile, a pair of Stingers tried to pull off a small torpedo run, breaking of as other fighters and corvette fire drew them away, while a Blackbird managed to get a very short strafe in while pulling away from a chaser.
Topper pulled his old heavy fighter into a back as he and his wingman Kandosii followed suit. She would also very quickly voice her concerns.
"I don't like flying this close to the deck."
"How'd you get the callsign Kandosii if this scares you?"
"Oh shut up! I know why you're Topper now at least, aruetii'vod." The two heavies weren't the only of ones there. There were sixteen in all darting around the skies. With that though, the pair would soon get sight of one of the Concord groups seeming to be pinned, and Topper would take the lead with a quick climb, then quickly both would pull down and let loose a burst of particle fire before. quickly breaking off. The pair kept going before Topper hit his comms.
"This is Topper, anyone on the ground need a bit of overhead cover, cause we've got plenty of hurt to hand hand out."
There was... a lot happening on the planet and Krass looked at it all from a scanner.. Caltin and forces were doing a lot... admiral quee was in space with another and she was heading in semi-carefully... kind of but not really as the forgemaster tapped her chin about what best to do for the situation. SHe was looking at it and motioned with one hand as the runabout came down and she jumped out. Her quartermasters armor gleaming under the robe for a moment but she held a hand out as it fabricated from the micro duplicators a scanner she could hand to some of the ones here with her. Aa look on their faces but she was taking the interest. "See what you can do and start making a staging area... I want to test out a few new things." She said it with a smile on her face that only got wider. The packages behind her being deployed as two biot boxes were set out aand the silver tendrils dug into the rock and ground to extract resources and more matter to convert as it started duyplicating for her several biots.
Draven nodded his head in understanding. When his master Saki filled him in with the last remnants of information. Which supposedly would be vital for him to be wary of. Pertaining specifically to what creature they would be hunting. As he began to tag along with where she wished to lead. He was curious to how susceptible the creatures would be to extreme levels of temperature changes. Such as if he was to flash freeze them. An effort which Draven would have to be wary of trying to pull off. As if he wasn't careful it might get out of hand.
It was merely one of many options Draven was weighing on his mind. In a matter of quick seconds. As he tried to process how best to counter what he was aware of regarding the Drengir. The trickiest aspects seeming to be their uncanny level of intellect, adaptability, and resilience. Not to mention their bag of nasty tricks.
Draven also was being wary of their environment. Evident by how he had falling silent and his eyes were constantly darting as his senses seemed to be sharpened. To ensure he was being careful about his surroundings. Not taking any moment for granted as being leisurely. As Draven knew better than to drop his guard in order to get lost in his head whenever it was field work.
