Ask Event A Joining of Minds

[Sylphrena]

Syl spotted the insectoids as well, and her eyes widened in shock. The numbers shocked her, and as the tram rushed towards the ship, she almost willed them to move faster. She almost regretted not carrying a blaster, she could have helped. Almost, but not really, she was who she was.

So all she could do was wait, wait at the very edge of the ramp as the tram got closer, till it was close enough for the Glymphid to jump to her. She would reach forward to grab him, to pull him in, and if he fell short she would try to grab him with the Force to pull him the rest of the way to the ship. Once he was on board she would turn her attention to the remaining passenger on the tram, the little Amaran who had been firing at the insects giving chase.

Ignoring Dusty for the moment, she reached out with the Force, hand held before her, and grabbed in a telekinetic hold before pulling lifting her into the air and floating her towards the ship. The moment Trini was in the air and clear of the tram Syl shot her other hand forward, and the tram shot forward with a powerful push. With the tram sent crashing towards the pursuing killiks, Syl would pull Trini the rest of the way onto the ship. Only when everyone was on board and the ramp was closed would she finally respond to Dusty's question.

"No," she said, "no gunner booth. It's all up in the bridge. Come on, this way." With that she started leading them back towards the bridge, where she would point out the co-pilot and navigator's seats to the duo, from either which they could control the ship's paltry armaments.

"What happened in there? Where's everyone else, all the other delegates?"

@Nefieslab @AutoFox @Fantasy Liver

Spoiler: Summary

Syl helps Dusty on board and then pulls Trini onto the ship. She used TK to send the tram back along the tracks towards the pursuing killiks.

 

[Arcturus Alkaios]

Ouch. That meddlesome dug actually managed to touch the Sith Governor, receiving a hurt black-eye. How dare it. It looks like however, Arcturus managed to slam it successfully into the ceiling as intended and after a bit of time tending to his eye, he glanced behind and the dug was no longer a threat now. He was receiving communications in his comlink and was going to respond.

But that was not the end of things... but something felt wrong and he knew he had had little time to react and little time to think. Shortly after the walls would explode after cannon fire pounded on them. Although Arcturus didn't know it himself, but his eyes were able to see past the foolishness of the foolish fool that is the cause of the explosion and was able to react on instinct. Arcturus no immediate obstacles in his way, he would do a full combat roll towards the Dome that would let him avoid the area, explosions, and any harm caused by the cannon fire. Although the combat roll wasn't perfect and at Arcturus' age he can't execute a combat roll perfectly anymore as these younger Champions can. So he ended up sprawled on the ground, although he was unharmed.

Arcturus would then rise up and look behind him. No sight of Amira. Is she dead? Arcturus doesn't know... Sith Champions are a dime in a dozen, but she was different... But unfortunately Arcturus doesn't have time to go looking for her, he would turn around and then start making his way to the Sith shuttle. Anyone else, if they too slow, Arcturus can't help them at this point. With pain caused by the dug and irritation at that fool who asked for people to come aboard after endangering people with explosions, Arcturus would use that to draw the Dark Side to himself as he would attempt to go towards the Sith shuttle, ready to lash out at people who would get in his way.

Spoiler: abridged

Arc gets a black eye > rolls imperfectly to avoid jedi going brrr on the wall > arc moves towards the shuttle ready 2 fite

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The tide of the battle was turning. Maybe not for the soul of Ruusan but to escape the tattered mess of the chamber. Ruusan could not be saved if they were all joined or dead. Determination beat strongly in Alex’s chest as hope began to flicker in her heart. The Force continuing to roar through her body. They were close. She reluctantly dropped Aezz’s staff. It was too unwieldly. Instead, picking up the spear hurled by the Sith. (@Sreeya) The Joined Senator skewered…at least she hadn’t killed him. Hefting the spear, she nodded her thanks. Sith and ISC troops began pushed towards the chambers. The ragged holes in the structure giving a small opportunity for evacuation. Alex raised her voice to encourage the others to follow ISC Rangers command. “Follow-“ Her voice was cut off as the walls caved inward. Her command to the unknown Jedi going unheeded.

Alex had half a moment to react. Her left hand shot out, the Force blossoming forward. A barrier springing to life in an instant. Chunks of duracrete hammered into the shield. Alex’s body groaned under the weight of her efforts. The wound on her side seeping open.

The dust settled and an eerie quiet fell over the battle. It continued but for a moment Alex saw with startling clarity. Whatever small advantage they had won was gone. Allegiance no longer mattered. She saw people fighting for their lives covered under rock, steel, and blood. They had been so close. Why was she always so close…but never enough? Never enough. The blasted shuttle tried inching into the hole it created. A powerful burst of the Force ripped from her hand towards it. That was no Jedi. Her eyes flicked across the disaster. She was so tired of losing. Emotions long locked deep inside…the pain of so many lost ones finally bubbled to the surface. Alexandria Voran could take no more.

She dove deeper into the Force. Consequences be damned. Her mind was awash in the Light. The Force spreading out from her like tendrils. She sought Life. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks as she worked, the Force burning through her reserves. No more. Any living soul she could find, who was not taken by the Joiners, she found. The debris covering the hallway lifted. Lifting free of the trapped bodies. Straining…screaming she set the piles of rocks aside…careful to avoid further damage.

Her knees shook, eyes opening. Her gaze fell on Lon screaming on the ground. Exhausting pulling at her, Alex slung the spear over her back. She gently bent down to lift the Cato Neidmodian to carry him into the chamber. (@Phoenix) A broken weary voice came forth. Her eyes searching for anyone still standing. “We have to save them.” Her meaning clear. Those who could not walk themselves would need to be carried. The Grandmaster walked forward on tired legs.

Spoiler: Alex's Actions

Alex sends a powerful Force push at Null's ship. She creates a hasty Force barrier to protect against the debris before lifting the debris off all those (non-joiners) trapped under it in the hallway. This nearly exhausts her before scooping Lon up to carry him into the chamber for extraction. The debris Force maneuver cleared with Nef.

@Nefieslab @SlagathorTheUnknown @AdventCore @LadyRen @Sicadorito @everyone else

 

[Galek Ordalos]

Amidst the chaos and giant bugs being torn in half, there was no masking the sheer panic that flashed across Galek’s features. The Induparan only vaguely registered what was going on below the stairs and made no attempt to investigate further - instead latching onto another ISC soldier with all his might - bending forward to compensate for his own height and attempt to completely shield himself behind the ISC Specalist.

Hazel eyes grew wide, watching as his fellow Governor Lon was tackled and shackled by ISC Rangers - though not before being properly disarmed. When did the Neimoidian get a gun!? He didn't question it, his eyes snapping towards the emergency exits when Livi called out for them to get moving. He didn't hesitate for even a moment, scrambling forth like his life depending on it - cause really, it did. The Induparan barely made it a few meters before the sound of explosions and shattering duracrete filled the air - lethal chunks of masonry showering the hallways and crushing those who were unfortunate enough to be within the blast zone.

"GOVERNOR--!" A voice directly to Galek's left called out, and the Induparan barely had time to register where it had come from before he was abruptly shoved to the left - tumbling sideways and proceeding to harshly smack his head and shoulder onto the ground. He could immediately feel a warm trickle began to draw down the side of his face, while bits and pieces of palm-sized stone pelted the Governor in various different sections of his body. All the same, he was spared from the majority of the damage - and a quick glance to the right revealed the fate of his savior.

One of the ISC specialists who had arrived with Livi lay broken on the ground - the vast majority of body crushed beneath a fallen section of the wall, while a crimson puddle rapidly began to expand beneath him. An outstretched hand - the same one that had saved the Induparan from his own demise - still stuck out from beneath the fallen section of wall - the last vistages of life causing the fingers to twitch and convulse weakly before going still for the final time.

Yet another wave of nausea washed over the Induparan - long moments passing before he finally found the strength to pull his gaze away from the carnage. It didn't matter if he escaped from Ruusan or what happened next - for those lifeless eyes were forever burned into the recesses of the prince's mind. A trembling hand came down to plant against the floor, allowing Galek to push himself up and back to his feet. Pain shot through his temple and a hand instinctively rose up to investigate - drawing back to reveal the steady trickle of blood that flowed down from a cut above his hairline. His eyes watered from the dust that filled the room, and the Induparan's gaze nevertheless searched his surroundings desperately - attempting to find some place to hide or, better yet, pinpoint wherever Livi had been blasted.

Before he could, however, Galek's eyes snapped in the direction of Lon - following the desperate, pained cries of the Nemoidian until he finally locked onto the fallen Governor. A shuttered breath escaped from the Induparan as he noted the mangled stump where the man's other leg had once been - and for a long while Galek could do nothing but stare in abject horror - his feet melting into the floor and refusing to budge a single inch.

He was oblivious to his surroundings or how long he'd been standing there, but Galek's feet eventually did begin to move. Without explanation and to his own surprise, however, the Induparan found himself moving closer to Lon - managing to avoid tripping over himself or any debris until he finally reached the crawling, legless Governor. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, and the words he wanted to say seemed to evaporate at once. He wanted to provide some comfort or reassurance, and yet nothing passed his lips but stuttered, hardly-audible breath. Where his words failed him, Galek leaned down - gritting through the pain in his own body as he looped an arm beneath the Nemoidian's own - attempting to lift half of the Governor's dead weight onto his shoulder.

Hazel eyes snapped around the room and towards those who had survived - raw desperation and pleading filling his expression as he attempted to drag the Governor with him - unable to carry the man's weight alone and clueless on how to address the injury. For the moment, he only vaguely acknowledged shuttles beginning to arrive.

Spoiler: TLDR

Rolled 17/20 for defense against the exploding wall. ISC NPC died defending Galek who took some minor damage to his head/shoulder. To my eternal surrpise, dude miraculously managed to growing a pair and is attempting to help Lon instead of hiding under a rock.

 

[Altair Din]

Altair was satisfied to see that the Killik he cooked was successfully immobilized and taken out of the picture. The tiefling rapidly prepared to engage the other bugs, but that was when an explosion rocked the corridor behind him. He whipped around to spot a huge hole in the wall and Senators thrown in different directions. He saw his own sister get tossed around like a ragdoll, the sight making him see red. Whoever was shooting the building was going to be murdered. Altair growled as he began to turn in that direction before he stopped himself.

There was something crucial missing here. And that was someone taking charge. He thought for a moment and fell back to the officer training he was getting at the military academy. He couldn’t let emotions get the best of him. Altair inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled, looking at all the Imperials and ISC soldiers fighting. He looked over at the Grandmaster who was moving the debris around and then he considered the bugs behind him.

He had been getting reports about the fleet battles and it wasn’t looking good. Altair whirled around and glanced at Sol (@Mr. Teatime ), “We need to leave,” He said simply, “Push back on three. One, two, three!” He hoped the Wrean would do the same as him and send a powerful concussive blast in an attempt to send the remaining Killik hurtling back just enough to buy time to run.

Altair whirled around and rushed towards the stairs, spotting the Grandmaster (@Valen Pelora ), “Jedi! Clear the path of the Bugged people!” He shouted, pointing ahead at the joiners, “Everyone needs to leave NOW!” He shouted as he stopped by where his sister (@llamallove )was. The Force coursed and pulsed through his entire body as he hoisted her up and unceremoniously over his shoulder. Something he certainly wouldn’t have been able to do when he was that chubby little kid she saw last.

The tiefling leapt up the stairs, using the Force in an attempt to knock aside anyone that looked or acted remotely suspicious. He came up near the giant Wookiee Senator (@SlagathorTheUnknown )and spotted Celeste (@LadyRen ) in his arms. Whether the woman could hear it or not, a very familiar voice cut through her mind - words spoken once before atop a roof when all seemed lost, “You’re too stubborn to die here,” It said simply.

Altair moved to the top of the stairs projecting his voice with the Force and bellowing so all could hear, “ALL INJURED OR CARRYING INJURED GO TO THE LEFT AND THE IMPERIAL SHUTTLE! ALL ABLE-BODIED CLIMB THE ROPE AND INTO THE ISC GUNSHIP! MOVE MOVE MOVE! IF YOU DON’T MOVE, YOU’RE LEFT BEHIND! THE FLEETS ARE TAKING CASUALTIES! ALL COMBATANTS CLEAR THE PATH!”

He and his soldiers would attempt to engage and blast back any Joiners that actively got in their way. Barring any further resistance, he ran towards the open ramp of the motley crew’s ship, aiming to rush right into it with his sister. The others would have a very small window to do the same and get to their designated escape routes before the shuttles had to move again to avoid being shot down by Killik.

Spoiler: actions

Altair uses a huge force push against the bugs at the bottom of the stairs to buy time to run up stairs. He then attempts to use force push to throw any joiners in the way so he can carry his sister to the motley crew ship.

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil quickly pivoted to match the Killik in an attempt to maintain distance, one of the secondary claws somewhat catching him along his left-side ribs while the other would find air. He felt a sting of pain, although he couldn't tell if the claws had gone through his armorweave or not without looking.

The half-Wrean nimbly sprang back away from the Killik, saber back on guard, head tilting slightly as he heard his direction. Sol sharply nodded in reply to Altair (@Sreeya), not bothering with telepathy. With a vicious sweeping motion of his right hand in time with Altair's push, Soleil doubled down on the Tiefling's powerful concussive blast to launch the Killiks back. Maybe the soldiers with them would fucking shoot them so they couldn't follow.

Once he was disengaged he'd run quickly up the stairs, staying near Altair and channeling the Force to support him and Amira (@llamallove). His presence in the Force roiled like stormy seas, his body tense even as he ran. Soleil wasn't much of a soldier, but he was medic-certified and could treat the wounded. Besides, he had a feeling he might be more injured than he felt. He followed the train of injured and those carrying them to the Motley Crew shuttle ramp, on guard to get any more threats out of their way.

On his way by, he pulled Zoella's lightsaber back to his belt. All the while the incessant clicking and half-formed words buzzed against his mind. Something about all the psychic noise had him absolutely livid, lightning running wild through every nerve. He spotted Arcturus up ahead, not injured from the look of things. As much as he hated not being able to reliably speak on his own, he was relieved for Altair's booming voice getting things in order. There was too much chaos and they needed to get the hell out.

He'd join the others in helping keep the escape path clear, serving as support with the Force and keeping an eye on Arcturus. Once a the shuttle he'd assist in getting the injured aboard as quickly as Wrean-ly possible. (@The Good Doctor)

Spoiler: TLDR

Sol partly dodges the claw-stabbing, dodging one while the other clips across his ribs to some degree. He joins Altair in pushing the bugs at the bottom of the stairs away so they can retreat, and is ready to fight as he runs to the motley crew ship. The hive mind is really frustrating him and he hates it. He'll help get the injured aboard the shuttle.

@Nefieslab @Sreeya @llamallove

 

[Livi Cross]

Livi looked around at the room to account for all the ISC Senators who were her first priority. She and the other ISC soldiers focused on the joiners, using their blasters on anyone that blocked rescue or escape attempts. She felt odd about it considering many of them looked like normal civilians. This was far more sinister than AMS - there was no decay of the flesh, no infected appearance, these were just regular people that were mentally gone. Her hands trembled before each shot, something that never happened when she engaged soldiers.

She looked around and still couldn’t spot Senator Kalayli. God damn it. Livi sighed and began to rush towards the stairs when she saw the horned Sith from earlier emerge again. He loudly barked orders and she hoped the diplomats would listen. She glanced over at Galek and Lon (@Altaris @Phoenix ), “To the Imperial shuttle! Go!” She screamed as she ordered the ISC soldiers to keep engaging the Joiners until the Governors had safely boarded the ship.

Livi made her way down past the chaos, moving and lifting debris until she spotted the purple twi’lek (@Sicadorito ). She reached out and hastily grabbed her out of the debris, helping her rush up the stairs, “Come on! We gotta go! Are you able to climb the rope?” Livi asked as she pointed towards the ISC Gunship that was closer. While the twi’lek looked rattled, she couldn’t spot any severe injuries. If she was able, Livi would help her up the rope before doing one last check to see if anyone else needed assistance.

Spoiler: actions

Livi and ISC soldiers engage joiners. Livi grabs Ryssa to help her up into the ISC ship

 

[The Gatekeeper]

--SPACE--​

The space around Ruusan seemed lit up by short-lived stars as lasers flared through the void and ships burst into brief balls of incandescent light and dust.

In sights not seen since the Galactic Civil Wars of old, fleets clashed in the dark and hundreds of sentients died in silence. Vessels of the old wars, those used by those Joined to the Killiks, fought against ships both old and new as the battle raged, growing fiercer as the allied forces began to realize that apathy was death. That staying put would accomplish nothing - they had slipped the noose around their own necks by rushing to the rescue and they were going to need to do something about it before the stool was kicked out from beneath their feet.

As the Fleet Commander of the FWA went down with his flagship, elements of the remaining FWA fleet engaged with different elements of the Killik and Joined Fleets. The twin frigates, Fifth Element & Face Off, turned into the path of the three Shardships approaching from behind the bulk of the allied fleets and began to unload. Every weapon they had was concentrated on a small area of the closest Shardship as their starfighters desperately entered the fray against the literal swarm of Dartships. 12 heavy turbolaser shots blasted out from the Vigil-Class Frigates everyone three seconds as their crews forced their ships to fire as rapidly as they could.

Craters formed in the side of the Shardship that was targeted, chunks of resin and rock breaking away from the majority of the ship's tremendous frame. It was a salvo that would devastate lesser ships - but the Shardships answered in kind, able to take the damage and deal it out ten-fold. Two of the Shardships began to push toward the rear of the Sith and ISC fleets and the FWA frigates stood in their way. Co-ordinating their fire in a way that only droids and hive minds could, the two Shardships fired a salvo of their own - and the Fifth Element ceased to exist, bursting into super-heated shards and fragments. As the Shardships pushed onward, their smaller weapons leant aid to their swarm of Dartships and the battle began to shift. Further ahead, the carriers of the FWA pushed forward alongside the Sith, seeking to try and snipe across the distance at the Interdictor. Though a good target, the comparably weaker turbolaser blasts, the sheer distance and the presence of many craft between the firing turrets and the target meant that the Interdictor was safe from the fire, with only one of the blasts making the target and being absorbed by the shields handily.

Even with fire being poured in their direction by the rear elements of both the Sith and the ISC fleets, the Shardships began their ponderous advance.

Now being isolated by the movement of both the ISC and Sith fleets, the Hutt fleet would begin to receive hails from the Destroyer and Corvette from the ISC's first attempt at flanking the Joined Fleet. They would be coming into formation with the Hutt fleet, adding to their defence even as the Killiks began to turn their attention onto the Hutts. One of the Shardship from the bottom pack and one from the top began to close the gap, looking to squeeze the Hutt fleet between them. They and their swarms would either force the Hutts to push forward, with the Sith and ISC and FWA in total encirclement - or they would push them out, leaving them unable to reach their allies or the planet.

Or just outright destroy them.

As the Sith fleet pushed hard ahead, the heavier frigates and combat carriers would carve a bloody path through the initial picket-line of Raider corvettes that the were simply out-classed. However, in the same way that they outclassed the corvettes, the ISD-IIs out-classed both the frigate and the combat carrier, hammering them with heavy fire as the Victory-Class Star Destroyers did the same, looking to group up and target the Sith forward elements in packs. The presence of the Liberty-Class was something of a deciding factor in any grouped combat however as its strategic use of ion weapon kept weakening the shields of the Joined ships currently being targeted by the frigates and carriers, allowing them to score much deeper hits than they otherwise might have done.

In atmosphere and low orbit, the battle was bloody and it was fierce. Shuttles were shot down, gunships and blastboats clashed and corvettes and starfighters danced. The efforts of the allied fleets, to focus their ships on securing their people, allowed the allies to gain a momentary gap where they controlled the airspace around the dome. Low orbit, however, suffered from higher casualties as resources were allocated to the dome to complete the mission.

Spoiler: Allied Fleets - Casualties and Important Updates in Red

ISC

• 2x TL-2 Battlecruiser, Rose of Tatooine, Heart of the Rim (Heavy Damage, unresponsive on coms)
• 3x TE-2 Carrier/Destroyer, Rodian Pilgrim (Destroyed), Neimoidia's Revenant (Medium Damage), Masquerade (Light Damage), The Defiance of Fate (Medium Damage)
• 5x CR-90 Corvette, Impulse (Destroyed), Signature (Destroyed), Requiem (Destroyed), Nova (Destroyed), Royal Fury, Rodia's Guidance, Dexterity, Bastion, Fluke, Vessel (Destroyed)
• 352x TE-34 Wing Fighter (176 Fighters lost, 352 remaining)

Hutt

• 1x Cal Class Battleship - The Despoiler
• 1x Strike Class Cruisier - The Bountious Reaping
• 2x Praetorian Class Frigates - The Subjugator, Glory of Carkoon (Medium damage).
• 3x Interceptor Class Bulk Cruisers - Jiliac (Destroyed), Jabba, Doruuga (Medium damage), Garatha (Medium damage).
• 8x Z-95 Headhunter Starfighters (47 Fighters lost, 8 Remaining)

FWA

• 2x Quasar Fire-class Bulk Cruiser/Light Carriers (Total Recall, Judgement Day (Heavy Damage))
• 1x Vigil-class Frigates (Fifth Element (Destroyed), Face Off (Heavy Damage), A New Hope (Destroyed))
• 2x VCX-820 Escort Freighters (Tombstone (Destroyed), Pointbreak (Heavy Damage), Commando)
• 2x GAT-12 Skipspray Blastboats (Cobra, Top Gun (Destroyed), Salvation, Armageddon (Destroyed))
• 2x Blastfin-class Blastboats (The Terminator (Destroyed), Die Hard (Light Damage), Big Trouble)
• 0x ILH-KK Citadel-class Civilain Cruiser (Eternal Huntress) (Destroyed)
• 4x Preybird-class Starfighters (4 Fighters lost, 4 Remaining)
• 6x Cloakshape Starfighters (2 Fighters lost, 6 Remaining)
• 6x Razor-class Starfighters (6 Fighters lost, 6 Remaining)
• 8x Tau-7 "Arrowhead" Starfighters (4 Fighters lost, 8 Remaining)
• 8x SS-54 Light Assault Ships (8 Lost, 8 Remaining)
• 0x AA-110 "Warpig" Gunships (Intraplanetary Variant) (All Lost)
• 4x HKD-600 "Assailant" Dropships (20 Lost, 4 Remaining)
• 20x Z-95 Headhunters (16 Fighters lost, 20 Remaining)

Sith

• 1x 'Liberty' Class Star Cruiser, Eternal's Wrath (Light Damage)
• 5x Yuso Class Corvettes (5 Yuso Corvettes lost, 5 Remaining)
• 8x Nesuto Class Combat Carrier (2 Combat Carrier lost, 8 Remaining)
• 9x Pugio Class Frigates (3 Pugio Frigate lost, 9 Remaining
• 434x Fighters (116 Fighters lost, 434 Remaining)

Spoiler: Killik Fleets - Casualties and Important Updates in Red

Joined Fleet

• 1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer
• 6x Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer (2x ISD-II Lost, 6 Remaining)
• 9x Victory-Class Star Destroyer (5x Victory-Class Star Destroyers lost, 9 Remaining)
• 18x Raider-Class Corvette (12 Destroyed, 18 Remaining, 5 Engaging Escort Starfighters)
• 563x TIE Starfighter (437 Fighters lost, 563 Remaining)
• 28x TIE Interceptor (76 Interceptors lost, 28 Remaining)

Killik Fleet

• 6x Killik Shardship (Roughly 5km in length, Battlecruiser-scale Conventional Weaponry, Located behind Sith, Hutt and FWA main fleets) (1x Light Damage)
• 2,220x Killik Dartships (Roughly 8m in length, Swarming at Sith, Hutt and FWA Command Ships) (780 Lost, 2,220 Remaining)

--Tram Station--
​

As Trini scrambled to try and drive, the encroaching tide of smaller killiks began to advance faster and faster as they realized that some of the non-Joined had managed to find their way into their nest. Screeches that would haunt the nightmares of those who heard them, rang out and echoed throughout the tram station as the dozens upon dozens of killiks surged after them. Several of them were taken out with each madly aimed blaster bolt from Trini's blaster pistol despite the weapon's small sized.

The killiks were overrunning each other in their haste to reach the group of senators and their droid friend. They needed that haste, however, as Dusty immediately started moving the little truck as quickly as possible - right before abandoning the truck for the ship that Sylphrena had brought.

For a moment, Trini was left stranded on the truck bed, firing back even as the truck rolled to a stop - the killiks seemed to sense that their meal was getting away and their feet clinked hundreds of times against the metal of the tram line as they charged the distance. As Trini was assisted up to the ship, the killiks would begin to form up on the truck itself, covering the droid Forteear, would find itself desperately batting at the creatures that torn at its chassis as it tried valiantly to keep them from leaping after Trini.

Unfortunately, the dutiful droid would be aboard the truck when it, and the accompanying killik swarm, were sent flying backward. Even with relatively little force behind the throw, the weight of the truck meant that the landing was accompanied by the uncomfortably wet crunching sounds of several dozen of the cat-sized killiks being crushed by the weight of the truck.

Once aboard the ship, they would be able to see that the airspace around the dome seemed to have been secured for the allies for the time being, though how long this might be was anyone's guess.

--Landing Pad & Surrounding--
​

For the flaming landscape of the landing pad, two titans duelled in a world (and weight-class) all their own.

Killiks and soldiers fought around the Rancor and the Tanker Killik as they proceeded to battle each other with enough force behind each attack to crush their own allies. Hence why even the Killiks were keeping well back from the battle between the Rancor and the Tanker - even with a hive mind they didn't want to risk their foot-soldiers being crushed, well, underfoot. They were right to be concerned as fire from the Tanker Killer splashed everywhere around them as the Rancor was able to force the Tanker's head up at the last minute.

The Tanker's flames burned Joined, Killik and allied forced alike as it was unable to direct the stream of flames once the Rancor latched onto the side of its 'neck'. Being a large, beetle-like, creature it didn't have a neck, per say, but that didn't stop the Rancor from finding purchase amongst some of its lower-head chitin plates. Roaring its own objection to having a chunk of its face armour now being pulled and tugged at by the Rancor's mouth, the Tanker pushed forward with the Rancor attached to it.

Using its six, powerful, legs the Tanker began to lift the Rancor despite the pain of its chitin being pealed away. If the Rancor didn't release, the Tanker would use its own grip on its face to ram both of them off the landing pad to the streets below.

The streets below, currently, an absolute bloodbath.

Joined, un-Joined locals, Killiks and now Rrodossk and his allies themselves were battling in the streets. By managing to avoid hitting the landing pad, Rrodossk and the remains of his crew had managed to land on the streets below the landing pad. Being that it was the civilian level of the city, the enemy that Rrodossk and his allies faced was, more often than not, Joined members of the Ruusan security forces.

Indeed, half a dozen of the Joined turned away from their work subjugating the non-Joined and opened fire on the FWA men as they were getting their bearings after crashing/landing.

--Semi-Pro Slugs Sledding Southbound on Stairwell of Slight Slaughter--​

If the streets of Ruusan were chaos and the space around it was aflame, then the Dome and the senator within found themselves in a place currently characterised by both. Despite all of his intentions, the would-be rescuer had blown the wall clean through, sending what had been a group of people soldiering on into panic once again.

It seemed, in fact, that everyone involved minded the ship's entrance quite a lot - already a duo of ISC wing fighters were making a pass at the ship, the shots pinging against the armour, tearing out sections as they came in for another attack run as Null was on the ramp. As well, Sith ships were making their attack run and the yacht of the Great and Terrible Nor'baal was coming into range, firing with its more powerful weapons even as the ship was rocked by a powerful Force Push from the Jedi Grandmaster.

@Celeste Stythani's concentration and willpower to try and save others was great but it was not enough to save everyone, or even most of the people she tried to removed from the blast radius, some of the debris finding its way away from people such as @Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl . In her haste to protect others, Celeste was unprepared to properly shield herself and was quickly buried for her trouble. A more measured, and more powerful, response came from the Jedi Grandmaster, who was able to create a barrier with the Force that was far more effective at screening some of the damage - the debris being lifted off helped as well, even if her own wounds were beginning to worsen because of it.

Some were knocked down and all they had to worry about was pain, disorientation and perhaps a concussion. They were the lucky ones. One of the ISC specialists fell bonelessly to one side, having put themselves between one of their governors and harm and found that they were able to protect @Galek Ordalos only by paying the ultimate price. Further ahead, @Lon Tendree cried out for someone to protect him, for someone to save him from the pain and the very real chance of death he now faced - answered as he was by those who would drag him to safety if needs be, the governor would still never be the same.

Thankfully for those who were able to move under their own power (@Arcturus Alkaios , @Xyla Teresi , @Nor'baal , @Ryssa Kalayli a), they would be shielded from further harm. Already the Joined had taken a beating, from the blasters of the ISC & Sith soldiers to the Force attacks that had sent many of them sprawling, they were kept suppressed as the survivors fled back into the dome.

The killik that had grabbed onto @Soleil Altan in an attempt to impale him with its lower limbs screamed into his face in anger as it was thrown from its location with the Force alongside its immediate allies. @Altair Din and Sol working together were able to blast the collective killiks back, one of them slamming into the wall so hard that its chitin snapped and cracked open slightly.

Across the entire dome, senators, governors, Jedi, Sith, Hutts and ISC were once again united in their shock and horror as they limbed toward the brief promise of freedom. Even as the ISC and Sith soldiers fired, putting down the Joined who had been thrown around and those who stood in the way of extraction, more were beginning to come. Among them, however, were survivors who had hidden themselves under chairs or under bodies to try and avoid being forced to Join or killed for non-compliance. Joined after Joined pulled themselves away from attempts to force others to Join, only to meet the blasters of @Livi Cross and her ISC specialists.

As the group made their way back into the dome, toward their rescue shuttles, it seemed, for a moment, as though the representatives and their rescuers were being smiled upon. For a moment, the Joined and the Killiks themselves seemed to actually pause in their assault, in their relentless pursuit, and clutch their hands to their heads in pain as, above them, thousands of their Joined minds were snuffed out.

@Phoenix @Nor'baal @llamallove @lizziie @LadyRen
@Altaris @Sreeya @The Good Doctor @Sicadorito @Xorism
@SlagathorTheUnknown @Mr. Teatime @Braden @Valen Pelora
@Fantasy Liver @GABA @AdventCore @Wit @AutoFox

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Whoever had yanked Ryssa’s arm, taking her out from behind the debris met a second or two of fierce resistance as she tried to remove herself from the person’s grip before the governor turned and saw who it was (@Sreeya). She’s trying to help, you idiot! She attempted a few deep breaths to steady herself, but the dust that lingered in the air wasn’t helping.

“I am so sorry—” she stammered just before the woman exclaimed that they had to go. “Yeah, I can climb.” She didn’t know what rope she was talking about, but even so Ryssa blindly let her rescuer lead her up the stairs, trusting wherever she was taking her and not paying attention to much else, and soon found herself in front of a ladder that led up to… a ship! Oh, that was the best thing she’d seen in her entire life, and whatever discomfort she felt from her cut promptly disappeared for the time being.

She was more than grateful for the help as the trooper helped her up the ladder, and made a mental note to send whoever this was the most expensive gift she could think of once they got out. For the first time, things were beginning to look up, though she did wonder how Lon and Galek were faring…

Spoiler: TL;DR

Ryssa is letting Livi lead her up the stairs and is starting to climb the ladder

 

[Lon Tendree]

In that moment, Lon Tendree's entire existence was pain and fear. It gnawed at his mind and at his severed limb. The blood continued to drain free, and the shock in his mind continued to grow.

He was only vaguely aware of the heroic actions of the Grandmaster as she returned to carry him out. He'd never much liked Jedi to put it lightly, but there was no question that what she did went above and beyond, and even he - if and when he awoke - would recognize that.

His friend Galek, likewise, helped in carrying him out. A debt he, likewise, knew he would never repay. But all of that would come on later reflection if later ever came. As pain tore at his body, darkness tugged at the corners of his vision.

It was only a few seconds later that Lon slipped into unconsciousness in the arms of the Grandmaster and his friend.

@Valen Pelora @Altaris

Spoiler: TL;DR

Lon passed out while being carried.

 

[Crux]

Space
​

Crux listened in as the ISC fleet commander came online, proposing that the allies move their heavy ships forward together to engage the enemy head-on. In any other situation, the bounty hunter would have called him insane, but this was way out of his league and whatever he could do to preserve his own life(and maybe Nor’baal’s), he was willing to do.

“Copy that.” He nodded to the ship’s captain to begin their maneuvering, when another crew member spoke up.

“Sir, the friendlies are moving away from us… wait. Scanners show incoming hostiles on both sides!”

“Well, that settles it,” he decided, planting his feet firmly onto the durasteel floor. “We’re moving forward. Keep up with the Sith fleet and cover their right flank. We’ll punch a hole through those pieces of bantha fodder.” With the Glory of Carkoon, Doruuga, and Garatha taking increasing amounts of damage, they would have to move out of the way of the enemy forces if they were going to get out.

“Ready the cannons and ion turrets, and fire when in range.”

Spoiler: TL;DR: Hutt Fleet

Hutts are moving all ships forward so that they are covering the right flank of the Sith fleet, firing at the Joined fleet in front

 

[Trini Halrixien]

Trini fired wildly into the gleaming, chittering horde as what looked like all the Killiks in the Galaxy descended like a wave on the little speeder truck. Many of the creatures were smaller than the average member of their species, but they were still about the same size as the little Amaran. She was, she knew, a handy nibbling size for them, and an even more convenient bite size for the adults.

One of the insectoids reared up directly in front of her, and she yelped. Reflexively, she fired her blaster, and the thing's head exploded in a mass of slimy arthropod viscera. She prepared to defend herself against more of the beasts, but abruptly found herself being lifted up; she struggled for a moment before realizing that the hands on her were standard mammalian opposables, not the pincers of insectoids.

She got out just in time.

Beside her, Forteear reached up to be taken, but as he did, the Killik tide broke over the truck. The droid did not even have time to cry out before he was pulled down and swarmed under by juvenile Killiks, which leaped after Trini like nightmare grasshoppers as she was lifted away. She cried out in denial as she felt a twinge in the Force, and the abandoned vehicle flipped, killing many Killiks as it did, and likely smashing what was left of the loyal droid.

She didn't have time to grieve. Baring small teeth, she shoved her way toward the shuttle's cockpit. She'd had cause to look up during their escape from the tram station, and had seen the state of the aerial battle above the city.

"We need to get to the spaceport, or whatever's left of it!" She called. "This one," she pointed to Dusty, "says he has a yacht! And I'm sure there's a starhopper or something I can use, I'm a pilot too!"

She pointed upward.

"The odds of us making it through that furball in the upper atmosphere without watching each-others backs are pretty slim, otherwise!"

@Fantasy Liver @Wit

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

The Meeting Chambers​

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl was faced with a decision that he never dreamed that he'd have to make. Climbing up a rope was out of the question, even if he wasn't carrying Celeste, putting the ISC shuttle out of reach. FWA reinforcements were nowhere to be seen; waiting any longer was a death sentence.

That left the Sith shuttle as the only means of escape.

How many of these shuttles had landed troops on formerly free worlds? How many had ferried away captives and rebellion leaders to be executed?

Why were his steps getting lighter and easier the closer he got to the shuttle?

Following the path carved by the Sith/ISC troopers and the opportunity created by the sudden lag spike in the heads of the Joined in the room, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl carried Celeste towards the Sith shuttle (@LadyRen). He called out for assistance with the Senator's semiconscious body as he approached, feeling the weight of the burdens he carried lift ever so slightly as native tongue answered him. Strong arms were waiting to help him and Celeste aboard, if only he could get there...

If he was able to board the shuttle, the Wookiee would send a message to FWA forces alerting them of the ongoing evacuation and location, and requesting immediate support from all available planetside units to escort the ISC gunship and the Sith shuttle soon leaving the senate chambers. (@Issachar)

@Nefieslab

Spoiler

Aezz has a brief internal crisis, and takes advantage of the momentum swing to try and reach the Sith shuttle.
If possible, he alerts FWA forces to the current situation and asks them to escort the ISC gunship and Sith shuttle[/SPOLIER]

 

[Null]

A momentary wave of relief washed over the ex-bodyguard as he watched Celeste get pulled into the protective bushy arms of Senator Acewuhfugglesomthin (@SlagathorTheUnknown). Since Null always struggled with the name he simply called him Ace instead when studying politics with the Rattataki Senator. Not that he ever did too well in that subject. It was just one of the many she had to reteach him while she nursed him back to health after his mind had been nullified by the Void substance. He still couldn't believe she'd finally turned away from the Sith Empire. He was so proud of her when he heard it on the HoloNet Broadcast, and he couldn't wait to tell her. Even if Champion Din had used it to divide people when she revealed the information, the news meant everything to the former bodyguard, it was the best thing he could've heard. Though, she had always still held onto some reluctance. He wondered what must've been the final tipping point for her. Either way he was even tempted to thank the regal Tiefling for being the one to bring this to light... Wait, it seemed like most of the representatives from the broadcast were gathered here... Was she also in this grou--

"...no..." Null's trembling eyes had found the unflinching body of the silver skinned Champion (@llamallove). His heart sank, and twisted. He did this. Sure, he was not fond of the Sith - based on the opinions he'd have of stories like the Fires of Kashyyyk - but if anything Senator Stythani was walking proof that some Sith actually had the potential to be some pretty decent people. He was here to save these people -- not kill them. The Galaxy needed to come together and join minds now more than ever, but now here he was, inadvertantly hurting the Galaxy's chances of unity. But he swore he'd Sensed everyone further away... Why had the Force led him astray? He'd have to find some way to make up for this horrible blunder... To make things right to her and everyone else, if that was even possible at this point...

The young man's shaky gaze then trailed over to Governor Lonathon (@Phoenix) and froze. Had he done this?! This... This was horrible... He'd Sensed a clearing... Nobody was supposed to be there... Why... Why had the Force failed him...? Maybe the Rattataki Sorceress had been right before he ran off on his own... Maybe he wasn't ready to be back out in the world... Perhaps it was best he let her lock him back up in the estate again, like she convinced him for so long that he needed... At least he would be able to be back by her side -- even if all he could be again was her secret bodyguard.

But...

They had briefly discussed the possibility that he might've been a trained Jedi in the past, based on the things she'd apparently seen him doing before his mind was accidently erased by the periodic consumption of the Void. But her affiliation to the Sith had also made it impossible for them to arrange anything. Due to their traumatic capture on Rattatak, the two had agreed that they didn't want to risk being captured again, and never ended up investigating the lead any further. But now, now she was Free, and they had a Jedi right next to them. Yes, yes of course, that's who the telepathic voice must've been! He couldn't believe he didn't recognize it before -- the Grandmaster had attended the Joining of Minds... Where was she... She had to be around here somewhere... There was so much going on, but he could've sworn he'd just seen her--

Once again Null's dimming blues locked onto one more horror, this time nearer to the Prince of Indupar (@Altaris). A crimson puddle under a pile of rubble and ruin, and mangled limbs exposed just enough from Null's point of view to make out what was once probably a human.

He definitely did this...
And this could've been Celeste under the rubble instead...

The young man's knees shook, faltered, and buckled as he came crumbling down on top of them. He could feel his heavy heart beating in his chest and thrumming in his ears as he wondered who was under there. Then he realized, almost all of the big leaders and influencers from the trapped event were here, but one particularly important man was missing.

"No... Please no..." From what he could deduce, Null had suddenly come to the conclusion that by blowing open the hole in the wall he'd just inadvertently been the death of the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic himself -- Alexander Xerxes (@Braden).

"What have I done..." His voice was swallowed and nearly cracked. Any minute now he expected someone would be there to capture or execute him, but he couldn't find the strength to push himself to his feet and run. It was no wonder they were all trying to get away from him... He tried to raise his voice to speak, but he could barely bring it to an audible volume. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry everyone..."

It seemed Null could never be a hero...
His tale would always be one of tragedy...



A powerful telekinetic blast suddenly rocked Null's world, while an overwhelming volley from a glorious space yacht violently shook the unshielded Lancer and would likely begin to shred it to pieces before long. Then Null suddenly found himself deep inside the Lancer, his body crashing against the corner edge of the cockpit from the Grandmaster's telekinetic prowess. The young man groaned and tried to restrain a whimper through gritted teeth as he felt the pain coarse from the impact. He faintly opened his eyes to see through the length of his durasteel home and out the open ramp at the aft to see the broken wall of the stairway drifting away. Null grunted through his teeth as he pushed himself to his feet and began to turn toward the cockpit. He had to get the ship further away from them all. He didn't know how big the explosive radius of a Lancer Pursuit Craft was, but he assumed it wouldn't be good for anyone in the dome or stairway.

An explosion down the hall near the cockpit blew Null right back off his feet and shook the ship once again. He cried out as he slammed into the opposite side of the corridor, molten durasteel bits peppering the heavy armor hidden beneath his long armorweave coat. A piece of something smoldering shot across his upper cheek, cutting a trail of crimson in its wake as it grazed him. The young man tried to restrain his grunts and whimpers as the damage to the ship was gradually battering him within it. He struggled to push through, grasping the helm attached to the upper back of his armor's neck and pulling it over his head to don it.

The Knight Lurker Helm snapped and hissed as the environmental suit connected. The HUD flickered on. The voice scrambler automatically activated. Not that any of that mattered, he just needed to protect his head. At the same time he reached the pilot's seat, remaining standing braced against it as one hand yanked the controls to try getting the ship to fly away from the dome -- if it could even still function under the reign of half a dozen medium ion cannons to its vulnerable hull. With his other hand he tried to raise the shields, if they even still worked, and then he'd slam his palm down onto the comms and broadcast a message from here to any ship or device that the crumbling Lancer could reach.

"This is the black Lancer Pursuit Craft near the dome--!" The deep and gritty synthetic voice would cry out over the comms before another blast shook the cockpit. Null's body thrashed around. He tensed his muscles as he tried to keep himself steady and endure any shrapnel that hit him. "CEASE FIRE!! THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE RIGHT BEHIND--!" He wasn't really sure where they were at this point, but either way he was cut off by another shockwave that rocked the ship as it screamed and sank through the air, plumes of fire bursting forth from its hull as the Lancer began to fall apart. "I-- I WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP!! I--!!" He rocked under an explosion not far behind him and realized that he was going to have to abandon ship any second. "I'M --... So sorr--" And then the console erupted in front of him, and Null was sent flying back through the Lancer towards the open ramp as he watched his home begin to explode and sheer apart all around him... (@Nor'baal)

'Celes--'

Spoiler: actions

Null falls to his knees seeing more of the carnage he caused. After being Force Pushed deeper into the ship he dons his helmet, steers the Lancer away from the dome and stairway, and sends a communication. His ship is unable to take much more than the initial volleys of cannons against its unshielded hull, is heavily debilitated by the ions, and ends up blowing Null back toward the ramp as it is beginning to reach its final moments.

Xeres is not actually dead (as far as we know?), nor is he the person under the rubble. That's the brave individual that sacrificed their own life to save Galek, but Null doesn't realize it.

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Chaos, Chaos surrounded the Supreme Chancellor as he pulled himself free from the rubble that surrounded the once great meeting chamber. Reaching up he felt the warm sticky blood that had partially dried on the side of his face. Pain raced through his skull, the words of Lars Omah still rang through his mind. He grunted through the pain as he began stumbling forward through broken stone and steel. The pain had reignited the Dark Side energy hidden deep down inside of the Hynestian dignitary.

Stumbling out of the building he was spotted by a pair of the Killik beasts, they both eyed him with a strange sense of curiosity before charging in his direction. No longer tied by the distinction of being just the Supreme Chancellor, Alexander Xerxes was able to let loose the full strength of his abilities. Summoning forth a spurge of Force Lightning into the bullheaded charge of the first Killik he reduced it to a hulk of burnt flesh before it reached him.

Turning his attention to the second Killik, he raised his hand again ready to destroy the creature. When a surge of pain shot through his skull, it was all the Killik needed to reach the Supreme Chancellor. The creature sprung into the air before collapsing onto Alexander pinning him to the ground. Its mandibles clicked as if it was trying to communicate with him, mocking him in his final moments.

The creature flicked its head to the right, before raising its clawed hand and bringing it down to snuff out the Hynesitan’s life.

—​

His life and a hundred others flashed before his eyes as a blaster shot rang out. A smouldering hole appeared in the right hand side of the Killik’s skull, the insectoid creature collapsing on top of the Chancellor. From underneath the dead carcass he spotted an ISC agent scramble down the ruble. “Supreme Chancellor, is that you. Kanyu, quick come help.” Another ISC soldier appeared on the ridge line as Alexander was able to push the dead Killik off him.

“Supreme Chancellor, you were thought dead. Come with us quickly, there are evacuation ships nearby.” The soldier helped Alexander up. “Can you walk?” “I can.” Alexander replied, much of the headache was gone, perhaps the adrenaline of his near death experience pushing him forward. “Lead the way, I don’t want to spend any more time on this World than I have to.”

@Nefieslab

 

[Dusty Daytonus]

"Not anymore toots. Check the wreckage. That's what used to be my ship." Dusty remarked darkly as he saw the flaming wreckage of his once-beautiful space yacht. True, he had another yacht at home but you never forget your first yacht that the Hutt Cartel bribed you with, as they say.

Well, blasting out of here in his ship was no longer an option but the thrillseeker inside of Dusty thought of another plan. Holstering his newfound blaster pistol and rummaging through the ship, Dusty found himself a fire extinguisher, a plasma torch, and a small screwdriver. He gathered all of them together, giving some to Kyle as he made his way to the escape pod bay.

"Bill the citizens of Ploo for the goods and thanks for the save!" Dusty called out as he scurried into the escape pod with Kyle and jettisoned. Using the escape pod's bulk and his own piloting skills, Dusty aimed the pod right at the Tainted Killik. Hopefully, such a collision would put it out of the fight and, if not, Dusty intended to start blasting as soon as he touched ground and the pod bay doors were able to open. It was a bold plan and those were Dusty's favorite kind. Besides, he wasn't going to leave the remains of pleasure yacht's crew to fight aginst the Killik hordes with nothing but serving trays and massage tables.

TLDR: Dusty jettisons an escape pod at the Tainted Killik fighting the rancor on the landing pad and then he and Kyle emerge from the pod to kill some Killiks.