Ask Invasion Attack On Dathomir

[Max Dram]

The first screams General Dram heard among the trees brought a grim smile to his lips. The comm was military grade and extremely high quality, but it still did not quite convey the raw impact of hearing enemies burn with you own ears.

The Nightsisters fired back of course, with perverted version of the bow and arrow. Soldiers went down, but not many and not for long. The witches had certainly been repelled by the armored fire, but as the column ground on Max had the feeling that most if not all had retreated out of range. The fanfare and fireworks were keeping them at bay and providing an excellent screen, but they were costing time and resources to maintain. Even now he watched a unit pause to manouvre around an Occupier tank that was readjusting its position.

The sounds of battle up ahead continued to feed over the comm. They were catching up with the Grand Marshal and Commander Baize's first wave, but too slowly. They had to maintain momentum.

"All armoured units cease fire" Max ordered "flanking regiments peel off at intervals, form up facing our perimeter and move your armour to high ground. You're the rear guard while our core pushes forward. Core armor keep it moving, though stand ready to fire on any attacks in your field of vision". As they closed on the palace, the risk of attack from the rear increased. The second wave would leave a fifth of its strength actively guarding those rear flanks, and with their armored units stationery they would be quick to provide fire support from their vantage point.

The General turned his head, holding onto the back of the rolling Scorpion tight as he looked back down the column. "Rear units, send your treadspeeder troops up front". He would bring all treadspeeder equipped units towards the front of the column, enabling at least some of the second wave to spring forward to Altair or Baize's aid if required.

Dozens of tank barrels fell quiet and the partial silence that descended added a new level of eeriness to their approach. On one level it felt counter intuitive to stop firing, but if their forces were to combine on the palace quickly it was necessary. They would still be ready for anything, every man in Max's sight had years of training under his belt.

"Air command, this is Dram. Send a couple of XG-1s forward to spot" he requested. They had limited aircraft available, but the pilots would be well placed to any approaching threats and he heard their engines on the air within moments.

@Phoenix @Raydo @Altaris

 

[Asher Teric]

Despite their inevitable progress into the jungle, Asher couldn’t help the way that his teeth ground together with mounting frustration. From his position along their flank, he could feel the vague warmth of flames that burned through dead tree branches, undergrowth and the corpses of fallen Nightsisters. It slowed their progress to a crawl, and it often meant waiting for their own destruction to subside before advancing forward.

All the while, harassment from the natives didn’t cease. Streams of pink plasma zipped through the air - fired from the canopy above or from hidden crouches along the jungle floor. It made the Nightsisters easy targets to track, but every one of them managed to wound or kill another Imperial in their wake. The platoon behind the Lieutenant had thinned since they began their march, and there was still no end in sight. The news that they were abandoning their larger vehicles only compounded a poor situation.

Things were going to get worse before they got better - and Asher gradually allowed those doubts to flood back into his mind, fueled by the feelings of dread brought on by the mysts. Why were they even in Dathomir? To bring a single Witch to justice - for crimes that had occurred years ago? To appease some foreign Senators, lightyears away? He’d seen the HoloNet. He’d seen the promises that Karn had made.

How many Imperial casualties were justified in gaining approval and praise from a worthless institution?

Without much alternative, Asher continued to march forward - applying raking fire along the outside perimeter of the assault group. He aimed to catch any fleeing or camped out Nightsisters in the stream of blaster fire - focusing his efforts along the canopy above.

 

[Renfry]

Main Assault Force​

The main assault would begin making more progress as they broke off their forces slightly and left rearguards, but this advance was also partially owed to the fact that the attacks on them seemed to recede for the time being.

The XG-1s would be able to see that the natural and unnatural mists alike were mixed throughout the area around them, but the green mists seemed to come to an end shortly thereafter. Ahead, and at the junction that the forward units were beginning to approach.

They would be able to see the palace *sitting atop its small mountain at the far end of the valley. To actually approach and take it from the ground was no small feat, and finding a way to the top would undoubtedly be one of their great struggles.

The XG-1s would relay the options to their commanders. The first option was to press onward through the valley. It narrowed into a canyon at the far end and eventually would lead to the base of the mountain upon which the palace sat. The palace's mountain ascended from the south rim of the canyon before the canyon wrapped around and reopened once again into the south jungles. Although there were no immediately visible means to ascend the mountain, the Nightsisters must have had some way up.

The alternative route was to try to leave the valley and approach from the south side, sending them through the south jungles and leaving them hoping to find a way to ascend to the top of the canyon and then further to the top of the royal mountain. This, too, would send them through more jungles and take significantly more time than the canyon approach and leave them potentially fighting at night on the planet.

*OOC Note: The palace's presence on a small mountain is from numerous previous threads includin and is not being made up on the spot. See discord “map” for further visualization of positions.

Strike Force​

Altair deflected the strike adeptly and yanked the weapon harshly. She was pulled forward and only narrowly avoided the blow landing on her face. Even so, it slammed into her left shoulder and nearly spun her off her feet. For a moment, she wondered if she had dislocated her shoulder, but knew she didn't have time to think about it. Adrenaline was pumping, and she would fight tooth and nail to her last breath.

She let the power of the Shadow flow through her as she sent a bolt of lightning through the weapon they were both holding and up into his hand. Normally, such materials would not have conducted such an attack well, but this was forged in magick and Sheehan hoped that fact would take him by surprise. At the very least, it should put a quash on any follow up attack and make him think twice. At least, she hoped.

At the other end of the fight, Ailis would find that the ichor was not, in fact, a concussion bolt for it lacked the burning, physical quality of a concussion bolt. It was simply a push given physical light attached to it, a reminder that the magick of the Nightsisters was in many ways wholly different from the Force as it existed for the Jedi and Sith.

As the saber of the Knight came around, it simply swept through the energy before that orb slammed into the Knight's chest. Ailis would be knocked backwards and prevented from launching an assault against the First. The Imperials took cover, but Ailis would be stuck in a compromised position now. Knocked over and outside of cover as arrows from Nightsister energy bows spat out to strike the Knight.

For the moment, however, the First seemed to have withdrawn rather than pressed the attack in order to avoid being gunned down by the Imperial troopers.

Imperial Knights​

The Nightsister looked at @Astrid al-Bahir before motioning toward her. Come, we will speak, she said, leading the Knight toward the village, though stopping before reaching its actual borders. The Nightsister took a seat on a large, knotted root and motioned for Astrid to sit on a stump across from her.

Although the Clan Mother was the only one to make an appearance, there was an eerie sensation nonetheless that many more waited in the trees.

What guarantee do we have that you will leave once the Queen is apprehended? she asked directly. The Singing Mountain Clan remembered the false god and his Queen that marched into their village and killed their people. They knew well the predatory nature that lay in both of them, and had never willingly submitted, but they were still Dahtomirian, and they had no interest or desire for outsiders of any kind to sully their world. Whether they liked the Queen or not, she was still one of their own, and they'd take one of their own over an invading army any day.

@Aadya Rasheer would arrive at the location they were told they'd find the Frenzied River Clan, but as the shuttle began to vanish once again, there seemed to be no response. There was no sign of a village and the only sound that met them was the rushing water of the frenzied river.

The rushing water and the sound of the varied wildlife that lived here in this place. What Aadya decided to do next would be entirely her decision.

Meanwhile, @Wiley Winnz would make the trip to the Misty Falls Clan alone. As he disembarked from the command shuttle and pressed forward in search of the Nightsisters, he would quickly find that mistakes had been made. Almost out of thin air, the Nightsisters appeared around him, weapons at the ready and attacking.

A half-dozen Nightsister fell upon him, two with magick-forged duskblades, two with energy bows, one with a energy lance, and one with a red lightsaber. One held him in place with a net of magick weaved to his feet while the energy-bow wielding enemies opened fire on him. The others stood at the ready to deal with whatever he threw at them.

The Singing Valley Clan had longstanding animosity with the Forgotten Valley, and the loyalty of the Frenzied River had always been more toward the Winged Spirit, but the Misty Falls Clan had neither of these traits, and it showed through now. To travel Dathomir as a foreigner alone was dangerous enough and together, the Imperial Knights might have stood a chance, but without support, even a Knight Captain would be overwhelmed and the end would come for him.

 

[Katara]

As parts of the main assault force began peeling off in bits and pieces to protect their perimeter, the forces left behind were much too small to be strong enough to protect themselves, much less the bulk of the main assault force. And while the Nightsisters had the advantage of attacking from out of sight and with the protection of the trees, while the defenders were out in the open. And while the attacks had stopped as the Nightsister forces had pulled back, the protective forces were much too tempting a target to be left untouched.

So as they would move to take up position, every now and then an arrow would fly out to take out a trooper, leaving the rest moving in terror, wondering if they were next. As for Katara, she would hold back as the assault force reached the point where they had to choose, waiting to see where they went.

@Phoenix @Alhon @Raydo @Altaris

 

[Ailis Drast]

Ailis experienced a brief window of uncertainty as she swung her saber to deflect the glowing green energy that the Nightsister had sent her way. The Nightsister's magick was a mystery to the Sith turned Imperial Knight and she had no idea how to truly predict what the witch could do with it. The blade passed harmlessly through the energy before it slammed into Ailis chest and sent her flying backwards.

Ailis disengaged her lightsaber as she tumbled for a moment before planting her left hand and catching her roll. She started to push up against the ground, head snapping towards the enemy line as she tried to recover from the attack. Raising her saber out towards the enemy line and parallel with the ground as energy bolts came flying from the tree line, she held down the activation stud and both yellow blades sprang to life.

Plasma bow shots showered around her as she drew on the power of the force to guide her hand, rotating the lightsaber back and forth and adjusting in minute movements to defend against the focused fire as she found her way up to a knee. There was a brief lancing of pain midway down her back as she found a foot on the ground, an energy arrow slicing across the armor at her mid back and impacting there with a brief scoring of energy.

She gritted her teeth as she hoisted herself up to her feet, focused on the incoming fire as best she could with the pain. There was a surge of anger in her chest that nearly drove out the pain before passing. There was pain, but she would use pain. She wasn't some damn Jedi who found tranquility in the moment of being pushed around and shot at, she was an Imperial Knight.

She drew on the pain as she stepped forwards, double-bladed lightsaber moving with a flourish as she deflected another pair of energy bolts. Spotting a Nightsister raising up to fire at her, she swung her saber in a targeted arc at another bolt that was coming from elsewhere. The bolt would deflect off the saber and fly at the witches center of mass as she prepared her own shot.

@Phoenix

 

[Max Dram]

The XG-1s reported back, transmitting their data on the Imperial forces' disposition and the route ahead. General Dram studied the options on his holopad, noting how Commander Baize's (@Raydo ) first wave were arriving at a juncture. The column could press on, down what appeared to be a narrowing canyon, and approach the witches' palace from the north. Alternatively, they could strike east now, circling around the higher ground to come at the palace from the south.

Max weighed the options, ultimately settling on the canyon. Either route carried risks, but pressing on deprived their enemy of time. In war, time was as important a resource as men and ammunition.

"We go on Commander" he confirmed to Baize over the comm "But hold your position until we're in visual range. We keep this tight, but with enough space between us to swarm any attackers from both sides". The first wave would pause, while the second wave closed the gap slightly, so the whole Imperial force was now in visual range of one another, though still with open ground between Jonathen's vanguard and Max's main force.

Max ordered a unit of treadspeeder scouts to head into the canyon first to scout for dangers. "We remember the Grand Marshal's words on first landing" Max said as the scouts rolled out "All units keep your eyes peeled and your weapons trained. We are closing in on their front lawn, so we can expect more serious resistance. Ready rancor pheromones and remember, you are the elite soldiers of the galaxy. Fear has no hold on you".

He turned to the armored units. "Occupiers watch our front and flanks, Scorpions full barrel elevation, watch the cliff tops". Aligned in the center of the column, the Scorpions would be best placed to scope out any threats from the ridges above. The more nimble UA-TTs were still with them too, padding along amidst the men. Max was confident. The witches had some scary stuff, but so did he.

The General called up more XG-1s up front to cover them from above and ordered the rearguard units he had deployed to fall back gradually towards their position. They would keep their focus outward, preventing any attack from the rear, but move closer to the main force to ensure they did not become too strung out.

With the scouts well on their way, Max spared a thought for the Grand Marshal (@Sreeya ) and the Knights (@Darasuum ) that were supposed to be bringing aid. He hoped both would reappear soon. Taking a breath, he gripped the rail with his metal hand. "All units, advance into the canyon".

 

[Altair Din]

Altair’s fist didn’t land where it was intended, but it still found purchase and dealt a blow. Before he could do a follow up attack, he felt a surge of pain through where he held the spear. He cried out as he released it, smoke rising from where he touched it. The lightning coursed up his entire arm, sending him back into a tree behind him. It put a short bit of distance, but he wouldn’t be taken out so easily.

His left arm was too pained to use right then, but he decided he would play dirty just as she was. The tiefling began to charge at her as if doing another physical attack - one she would be expecting. With everything burning around them, Altair used the Force to suddenly fling burning leaves and embers directly into the Nightsister’s eyes. With her focus on him, it was unlikely she would see such a cheap move coming. Altair had one goal in mind - putting this woman down as quickly as possible. Honor be damned. He would adapt quickly based on what his attempt yielded.

Meanwhile, the Imperials kept gunning down anyone that came out of the forest. Once that stopped, they would move in to support Ailis in her efforts, shooting at anyone that engaged her. Imperials would move in to engage with every inch gained on the battlefield.

@Phoenix @Arcangel

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Her words met with nothing but silence, Aadya couldn't help but wonder what she was walking herself into. It was possible that Wiley's coordinates were wrong and this wasn't where the Frenzied River clan were to be found, but that seemed like too easy of an explanation.

There was something more going on here, at least that's the feeling Aadya's intuition was giving her.

With a wave of her hand, Aadya shooed the two IK's Wiley had sent with her away, motioning for them to take rear positions and keep a look out for anything odd while she ventured further towards the river alone.

Perhaps the trio had scared away any would-be River Sisters and she'd have better luck conversing with them without the added company.

Making her way down toward the river, Aadya would approach its bank and kneel down. She removed one of the gloves off her hand and ran her fingers in the water, feeling the power of the coursing river even with just this light touch.

It was impressive and Aadya respected it. There was little one could do against the power of nature, especially so on a planet like Dathomir. She wondered back to the battlefield, curious thoughts hovering on how the battle was going.

Standing back to her feet, Aadya looked across the river toward the opposite bank, her eyes scanning for anyone or anything that might be lurking there and watching her.

I call out once more to the Frenzied River tribe, Aadya said loudly, still standing near the bank of the river. I only wish to talk with you, I mean none of you any harm.

Aadya lingered, the sound of rushing water filling her ears, a welcome distraction from her invasive thoughts.

She hoped Altair and the others were doing alright.

@Mr. Teatime @Darasuum @Phoenix

Spoiler: tldr

Aadya sends her IK buddies to lookout positions while she continues and heads toward the river alone. She takes a moment to appreciate and respect its majesty and power before once again calling out to the Sisters of the tribe, wanting to speak with them as she had been instructed.

 

[Jonathen Baize]

The 12th Infantry Regiment had taken losses but were still healthy as they emerged from the green haze, seeing the canyon beyond. They continued firing as the sporadic arrow shots came, but even those died down as they approached the juncture.

Jonathen's comm cracked in his ear. "Yes, Sir. Holding until your command," he said, relaying the message. With the green haze clear, it became easier to see the fleeing night sisters. Jonathen's soldiers opened fire on the small remaining night sister forces. (@Wit)

Treadspeeders rushed past the front line, pushing towards the canyon, and a moment later, the word was given for them to advance. "Copy that, General, beginning our assault." Switching on his Regimental Coms, "Push through the canyon. Let nothing stop you. Move quickly and kill anything that moves." he ordered as they began to charge towards the canyon.

Spoiler: tldr

*Briefly Held position giving the 2nd wave time to move closer
*Fired at remaining Nightsisters that didn't flee
*Began assault on the canyon

@Alhon @Sreeya @Altaris @Phoenix @Wit

 

[Astrid al-Bahir]

The Imperial Knight followed along, her guardian Knights remaining at a respectful negotiation distance. As Astrid sat straight-backed on the simple stump, the other Knights kept themselves about as far from her as the surrounding trees were from the Nightsister Clan Mother. Diplomatic protocol and all.

Astrid could appreciate the Nightsister's directness. It was a change from the typical Imperial maneuvering and she could rely on hard, military facts. "There are practical considerations. Even if we wanted to, no current force could hold Dathomir or its people. Both sides would be killing each other forever if we stayed. Our landing site has mobile barricades, not occupation structures. Armies are not marching on villages. We gain nothing from deceiving you." Barricades rather than prefabricated bases and the like. Their forces were set up to move in and out. Any planned occupation would require separating out the villages to prevent hit-and-run tactics instead of a straight line to the palace. Instead, they sent representatives.

"You have my word as Imperial representative. We will leave once Queen Renfry is apprehended. Your guarantee is this and the impracticality of staying. Further, until a resolution, I remain in your care." Astrid believed in this new Empire and its more pragmatic, progressive leaders. She believed in its people, for whom she risked her life. Concluding this conflict would preserve the lives of all involved. Plus, Captain Winnz took the ship and Astrid couldn't exactly walk back. If word was broken she could end up a hostage- or dead.

"Heavier than sword or spear is the weight of only one life."

@Phoenix

Spoiler: Singing Mountain Diplomacy TLDR

Astrid gave a scout-confirmable tactical assessment to back up her statement the Empire has no intention of staying. She also gave her word and a philosophical point to back up her honesty and pointed added she and her immediate squad can't really leave Singing Mountain/their Nightsisters until things are resolved peacefully.

 

[Asher Teric]

“Yes sir,”

Asher called back to the General - listening to the words that echoed across their shared comms channel. Whatever doubts and fears the Imperial Lieutenant was feeling at that moment, that didn’t cripple his ability to contribute to the larger assault taking place. They were closing in on the Palace and perhaps even the Queen herself.

It was their best opportunity at ending the invasion of Dathomir before a prolonged assault could claim the lives of even more IAF.

Replacing the power pack in his rifle, Asher began to march forward alongside Commander Baize and the rest of the Regiment - pressing further into the canyon and towards the palace. He kept his eyes peeled for any sign of movement or Nightsister ambush.

Moving into the narrow, canyon pass gave them little opportunity for cover or escape, but he wasn’t about to raise those concerns in the moment.

 

[Wiley Winnz]

Wiley’s arrogant smirk dropped for but a moment and was replaced with a slightly warmer smile. But Aadya would see neither with the Knight-Captain’s helmet in the way. He was used to being a pilot who relied on luck and skill, a Sith that pulled on the manipulative and corrupting side of the Force. But he had never thought of himself as being clean enough to hear such a phrase utter on his behalf. He hoped it was genuine but it would not matter. He replied in kind to to the Knight before she left. “May the Force be with you.” He emphasized the sentence with a jut of his chin, as if she was in more need of support than he was.

He had a bad feeling about this ​

The Upsillon command shuttle landed near the Misty Falls tribe. The vessel remained on guard but would also be left behind. In the thick and arguably lush vegetation of Dathomir the man would lose sight of his ship before long.

He was alone, at least physically for a brief moment until half a dozen witches fell upon him. The man would not have time to give credit where credit was due. The ambush, even with the Knight-Captain being on guard would prove successful as the man’s feet would be rooted to the spot. “Wait!” It was all he could manage to get out in time.

Wiley could sense the lethal intent by body posture alone. His right hand pulled his lightsaber hilt into his grasp from his belt and activated it in one fluid motion. The purified white blade would extend from his hilt in time to block the first plasma bow from one of the two archer-sisters. It was not easy to accurately deflect a blaster bolts but the Knight-Captain had experience. He aimed to have the deflected bolts strike back at the archer-sister’s own weapon and take it out of commision.

With that in mind, the skull that had belonged to Raksis fell to the reddish dirt at the man’s feet. It was a sturdy piece of remains and would survive the drop. The Knight-Captain hoped he would have time to explain bringing it but he was doubting it. He was a Sith no longer. You are no Sith. Raksis’s own voice seemed to whisper in the man’s ear. Was that a trick of Dathomir, a hallucination of the Ossein. He was not sure but it did not make it any less true. I’m a Knight-Captain of the Empire. Wiley Winnz. He said that thought allowed. “I am Knight Captain Winnz! Oy stop!”

The man’s left hand would simultaniously focus defensively. Wiley knew it would be in his best interest to not harm the people he was coming to convince. While his saber attempted to deflect the blaster bolts back at the ambusher’s weapon, his open left palm would splay his gloved fingers and try to absorb the first few bolts. This would non-aggressively showcase his abilities and hopefully give the would-be assassins pause. The man would bring his lightsaber around and continue to deflect the blaster bolts back towards the Dathomirian bowomen’s weapons.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Wiley leaves the shuttle behind and is in the wilderness when he gets jumped and respond by dropping Raksis's skull to defend with his lightsaber in his right hand. Wiley uses his left hand to protect against the first few blaster bolts from the other side. He deflects the blaster bolts back with his lightsaber back while trying to tell them mean Nightsisters to stop.

@Phoenix @Logan

 

[Renfry]

Renfry let herself flow into the Shadow, carried over its currents like a bird across the landscape of Dathomir before bursting into real space once again in a flash of green under a rocky outcropping. She could hear the whine of ship engines overhead and the low hum of armor beneath.

The east canyon had few people atop them, a handful of Nightsisters who Renfry knew were particularly gifted in the Shadow. Only one of the Shadow Killers - particularly gifted in stealth and camouflage - crept from out of the outcropping to look down into the canyon below, cloaked in the Shadow and simply... waiting. Watching. Lurking in invisibility. The Nightsisters may have lacked most of the Imperial technology, but they were terrifying in their own way. Renfry knew that she had some technological tools stored away even from before she was Empress, but those weren't what she reached for. She reached for the power of Dathomir because that was what would protect them.

Renfry took a seat with a group of the woman who gathered around her, beginning a quiet chant. She drew on the power of her Sisters as they mimicked her words, and she - perhaps for the first time in her entire life - truly drew on the full depths of her power.

Strike Team​

Sheehan brought her polearm up, ready to intercept the attack from Altair, but it didn't come. At least, not in the way she had expected. The burst of flames and leaves slapped across her face and though she closed her eyes to avoid her eyes being burned out, it didn't stop the scorches across her face as she was forced to leap back. There was no attack of her own, and she knew she was on the back foot now, but she focused on the Shadow, letting it guide her through whatever inevitable attack came next.

Ailis was knocked back and one of the huntresses put damage on the Imperial Knight, but the Knight wasn't out of the fight yet.

Ailis deflected bolts back at the Nightsister who tried to step out of the way only to still catch the bolt in the shoulder. The First was nowhere to be seen, but the Nightsister with the energy bow was knocked back, out of the tree and onto the ground, alive, but unmoving.

More arrows and blaster shots were exchanged as both forces were wittled down in size. Neither seemed to gain any distinct advantage over the other, but the bodies of the dead and wounded for both sides began to stack up.

As the soldiers from Altair's group began to counter-attack as well, the fire from the Nightsisters seemed to diminish if ever so slightly. Were they falling back? Dying? Was it a ruse? It was difficult to say.

Main Assault Force​

The eerie feelings of the Imperials never really went away. At the front of the assault force, @Jonathen Baize would make it into the canyon without issue and begin to hear blasterfire from the strike force as they did battle with the Nightsisters. But jungles were funny things and canyons were even worse. They could distort sound and twist the near to seem far and the far to seem near. The commander would be forced to decide: rush forward to aid the forward team or take a more reserved approach.

While Max would be able to continue moving the forces forward, he - and all the other troopers in his force - would suddenly hear a voice among them. It was another quiet whisper, but this one not from Renfry.

Must you execute the orders of others? Some politician from a world not your own? Do your lives matter to your Empire so little? Turn back and live, she said.

Imperial Knights​

@Wiley Winnz and his bad feeling were present for good reason. Despite his shouts to stop, the Nightsisters did no such thing. Despite his attempts to hit only the Nightsister's weapon, deflecting so precisely was extremely difficult. The arrow snapped back, nearly striking her in the chest but a last second twisting of her body meant it hit only her shoulder, still knocking her backwards and to the ground with a grunt.

The other five Sisters became all the more vicious. One stabbed at him in the belly and another at his upper back. Two of them continued to hold him in place as the floor began to pull him downward and swallow him up. The fifth - the lightsaber wielder - simply watched, waiting and seemingly satisfied with their work. In truth, she was simply ready to protect her Sisters from attack from this invader.

He was strong in the Force and he was a capable fighter, but she knew that there was simply no way for one man alone to fend them off. The strength of the Nightsisters was their unity and their world. He could deflect the front blade but not the rear. He could use the Force to knock away one sister and avoid being swallowed by the ground, but not both. Choosing to defend one thing would mean failing to defend another, and that would mean doom. It was just a matter of choosing how he wished to die.

@Aadya Rasheer would find still nothing but eerie silence as she looked around the area. She would be able to see a village in the distance, and as she drew closer she would see no one was present. She would be able to walk into their village, but there was nothing but the rushing of the river water to greet her.

The more she looked around, the more she would see that the village had been abandoned very recently. Perhaps not within the last few hours, but certainly within the last few days. She would be able to make out the occasional footprint leading into the woods.

What exactly this meant and why the village was now empty would be the subject of rampant speculation, and the decision about what to do next would rest singularly with Aadya.

The Clan Mother was still scowling as they spoke to @Astrid al-Bahir, but she said nothing. For a long while she said nothing as she considered the many angles of this particular deal. The implications.

Vanya, she finally said. There was a slight rustle from the leaves of the jungle and a woman appeared a moment later. She had long hair braided down her back and the same facial tattoos of all of their people. Her eyes were no less intense than the Clan Mother as she stared at the Imperial Knight. It didn't seem to be a directly hostile gaze. Probably.

The Clan Mother spoke to the woman in Dathomiri before Vanya disappeared once again into the jungle.

Some words hold power, but most are empty, she said. Promises and empty sayings were nothing and could easily be taken back. The Clan Mother knew that their Queen - for all her faults - was their best hope of driving back an external assault. She also knew that the Queen had brought the invasion on them all.

Would you stake your life against your promise? she asked, her eyes finally settling back on the Imperial Knight. She wanted to know if the Knight's words had power or if they were simply empty.

Vanya reappeared several moments later a feathered quill and parchment in hand that she handed to the Clan Mother before preparing to leave.

Luna, Vanya, and Vanya stopped. The Clan Mother began to write on the parchment for several moments before stopping.

Zapechatannyy krov'yu, she said, and the words resonated in the Shadow. Words of power that seemed to vibrate the very air around them. The Clan Mother turned her attention back to Astrid, now speaking in basic once again.

My First, Vanya, will take a small group of our fighters to lead your troops to the Queen, she said, pulling a knife from her own belt and handing it - handle end - toward Astrid.

And you will swear to me a blood oath that your life is forfeit if even one Imperial trooper is still on our world in two week's time, she said. Although the power of the Nightsisters was mysterious and illusive, Astrid would gain a very real idea that any such oath - sealed with blood - would be unbreakable.

 

[Katara]

As the troops started moving towards the canyon Katara raised a hand, though the gesture wasn't needed. They knew not to follow, others waited there, so for now the sisters would wait beyond the entrance to the canyon, effectively trapping the advancing troops inside.

Word would go out, and her sisters who had pulled back and were still capable of fighting would circle back to gather near the entrance to the canyon, still hidden among the trees on either side of the path to the canyon. They started chanting once more, feeding into the mists as the sisters began preparing their magick.

If the troops tried to return the way they had gone they would learn a simple truth. The way was shut, it was kept by those in the shadow, and the shadow would keep it.

@Phoenix @Alhon @Raydo @Altaris

 

[Jonathen Baize]

The 12th Infantry Division pushed forward to the canyon, decimating the remaining Nightsister forces, leaving a wake of the dead and dying, including their leader. @Wit

They would continue to march onward into the canyon. The Nightsister magik never coalesced after their forces broke or scattered outside the canyon.

Hearing the fighting up ahead. "Keep moving forward! Watch the cliff sides and report any signs of ambush!" he spoke over the comms as they continued forward towards the Grand Marshal. Treadspeeder scouts still scouted ahead, reporting back anything suspicious.

Spoiler: tldr

*Given no defense made against Imperial Fire, Imp Forces broke the resistance of the Nightsisters outside the canyon.
*Continued onward towards the Grand Marshal while maintaining an active watch for ambush[/spoler]

@Phoenix @Wit @Altaris @Alhon @Sreeya

 

[Wiley Winnz]

Spoiler: Music Change

The first volley of energized arrows were stopped by Wiley's hand and one was even able to deflect back towards one of his ambushers. However it was not as accurate as the man had intended and sent the woman reeling.

"Sorry!"

he shouted genuinly but could see the fire in the eyes of the remaining five natives. The Knight-Captain may have just signed his own death warrant. Wiley's feet continued to sink down into the ground of the planet by the second but the Jazaq had nerves of steel and refused to panic. The slingshot pilot was an adrenaline junky by nature and could remain calm under the most dire of circumstances. But that did not mean it would help him in the end. Wiley would just be less hysterical than the average would-be-corpse. The man was not ignorant, he knew he was desperate and so too did the Nightsisters that outnumbered him still.

"I just..."

Wiley used his right hand alone to hold his lightsaber hilt and rapidly spin it into a reverse grip. The man reached his purified blade behind him to intercept the strike for his upper back aside and avoid damaging his Knight uniform. The swing would have enough force to connect with the dusk blade aimed there. He did not have time for a counter attack since he was busy also trying to manage a third danger.

"...want to..."

A blade coming for his front would meet flesh. But not before Wiley brought his clenched gauntleted in fist to intercept. The razor edge of the duskblade caused sparks to fly on impact but pierced through the metal protection and caused a flesh wound on the man's wrist beneath. The blade still managed to graze the inside left of the man's abdomen before skating past, taking some of his life-fluid with it and spilling droplets onto the earth that was trying to swallow him up. Before the bloodied duskblade could lacerate him anymore, the Knight-Captain used his injured left hand to grasp the duskweilding nightsister in front of him by the arm she had struck him with.

"...TALK!"

Mandalalorians did not have a monopoly on headbutts. If given the opening, Wiley would try to use the nightsister's own stab against her and maintain his steely grip. If she were off balance the Imperial-Knight would pull her towards him and lower his helmeted head to strike the bridge of her nose. This could possibly breaking the her nose and further discombobulate the ambusher.

Wiley wanted to anchor the frontal attacker if he was to be dragged down into the ground and furthermore limit her movement. In addition, the other nightsisters might risk hitting one of their own if they continued their assault. But maybe they were just as ruthless as Sith. One of them clearly had a crimson saber but Wiley had yet to see her make a move. Maybe they would allow their sister to die for the sake of killing one outsider. Then again, all the tribes were dying for one Dathomirian, Queen Renfry. That was their choice to make, just as it had been Wiley's choice to come alone. Everyone had their regrets, if they managed to live with them. Maybe by the end of the day all of the Ossein's troubles would be erased, permanently.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Wiley continues to sink into Dathomir's ground. He defends with his right one handed lightsaber, switching to reverse grip to protect his upper back. His armored left partially protects his arm and belly from the brunt of the frontal duskblade attack. He tries to grab ahold of the same Nightsister and hold onto her, potentially bringing her down into the earth with him among other consequences. However she manages to cut into his phrik vambrace and abdomen enough to cause a flesh wound. But he also tries to headbutt the Nightsister if possible. He's desperate.

@Phoenix

 

[Max Dram]

As the General's main force caught up closer to the vanguard at the mouth of the cavern, it was clear there had been an exchange of fire between Baize's men and a section of forest hiding Nightsisters. Trees in the mid distance still burned from heavy weapons and Max ordered the Scorpio tank he was riding to follow up for good measure.

The vehicle slowed as the Scorpio's turret turned hungrily towards the trees, loosing several heavy shots into the brush in an effort to ensure any witches hurt were down for good. Max nearly lost his grip on the tank as it reverberated from the force of its own shot, but the rippling wake gave the General a thrill. It was the closest he had got to the kill so far.

They steadily entered the canyon, with Max once again focused on the way ahead. It was clear from the comm that the Grand Marshal had encountered resistance, but the General was in no position to rush to his aid. The treadspeeder units out front would reach him imminently and Baize would be in position to act on their intel.

Max switched to Knight comms, contacting the three dispatched to find aid to update them on the army's position. "This is Command, sitrep on your outreach" he requested (@Darasuum @Mr. Teatime @Logan ). He prayed one or more of the Knights had succeeded in recruiting rival clans to their cause, feeling in his bones that the Queen would make them bleed before they day was out. Reinforcements would ensure it was worth it.

An ethereal whisper fluttered in his ear, seeking to sow doubt and division. Max saw some of the men closest to him flinch and pause, clutching their weapons uncertainly in their hands. His head snapped around, fury rising in his chest at the cowardice of these witches, skulking in the dark while they tried to play with men's minds. He would not have it.

The General did not have the Nightsister's powers, but there were other kinds of magic in life, not least the power of the human heart. He keyed the comm, leaning in to an instinctive urge to protect his men from the insidious whispers on the air.

"Call out the navy, call out the ranks".

The men around him stiffened, cocking their heads inquisitively.

"Call out the air force, call out the tanks". Max was no singer, but his deep voice was good enough for this and they had all learnt the words in basic training.

"From the cliffs of Arda, call up the sands" others were joining him now "don't forget the loy-al bannnnnner lands!".

Rank by rank the men and women of the invasion force joined in with the General's marching song, their voices joining in a wall of sound that shut out all hostile thoughts, bolstering their pride and buttressing their morale. Singing as one as they marched, the bonds between them were made stronger, every soldier drawing spirit from those around.

Max bathed in the collective voice of his comrades, echoing off the canyon like the walls of a cathedral. Try as they might, these twisted witches would not break them.

 

[Altair Din]

While his attempt didn’t blind her as he desired, it still made her shut her eyes and leap back in surprise. Altair pushed the offense, rushing towards her to attack again. She would likely expect it and draw up her spear in defense. The tiefling whirled in with his fists, but it was just a feint. At the last moment as he closed the distance, he lowered his head and did something he hadn’t done in a while. The points of his horns would drive up towards the underside of her chin and through her throat while she was still temporarily blinded.

She would expect attacks towards her torso and elsewhere, and her spear would meet his gauntleted fists. He was unconcerned with what she did in response while his arms would press against the body of the spear, his head intending to gore her.

Altair’s men provided Ailis the cover she needed, but they did not give chase to the survivors that retreated. The First getting away was a blow to the Imperials, but the retreat would allow them to press forward depending on how Altair’s fight ended.

@Phoenix

 

[Asher Teric]

Whether it was outmaneuvering or pure luck, Asher watched as Imperial Forces rushed through the cluster of Nightsisters. Blaster fire ripped through the treeline and further into the canyon - cutting through the natives like a hot vibroknife through butter. The screams of the injured and dying briefly filled the air, echoing off the canyon walls as warning to those who stalked further within the narrowed terrain.

Even as Imperials continued to gain ground, Asher couldn’t help the nerves that rose up within him - watching as their forces funneled themselves into between stone walls. He kept his rifle tilted upwards ever-so-slightly, scanning the cliff-sides for any sign of ambush by additional Nightsister forces. Any additional resistance was met with blasterfire from Asher, attempting to clear the way towards the Palace.

He heard the whispers and felt the brush of mist that ran across his spine. He felt the sickening dread, building into the desire to throw down his weapon and run back the way he came. Perhaps he should have. Perhaps he would have - were it not for the voices that rose above the whispers. Voices from his own brothers in arms, from their Commander and from the General leading from their tanks.

“But, who’s sticking in here? Who will defend,
every inch of Empire, no matter what they send?
Who’s standing firm in our own front yard?”

The voice of dozens echoed across the canyon walls, drowning out the whispers that Renfry and the other Nightsister’s attempted to drive them mad with. It was only united that they were able to brave the horrors of Dathomir.

“The soldiers of the I.A.F,
that’s who!
The soldiers of the I.A.F!”

@Sreeya @Phoenix @Raydo @Alhon

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Aadya heard the call come across the coms but saw no point in replying. She had no way of returning to where she had come from. No ship, no swoop bike. It would take her forever to walk back and that in and of itself seemed like a death sentence.

Of course, it wasn't like she was making much headway here. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like the Frenzied River Clan had abandoned this place, though it did appear that they had done so recently. She saw the footprints leading into the woods but those seemed like breadcrumbs that would lead her to an untimely demise.

The woods of Dathomir were not hers to traverse. They belonged to the Witches, and Aadya was willing to respect that.

Instead, she decided to try the only thing she could think of at the moment. Perhaps the Frenzied River Clan held a clue in their very name.

Kneeling near the bank of the river, Aadya would center herself in the force. Reaching out, she would attempt to commune with the river itself. It might seem strange to some, but Aadya had seen the magick of Dathomir firsthand. This place was different, spirits were strong.

Perhaps the mother river would speak back to her, if it so chose.