Open Kashyyyk Flashpoint Kashyyyk: Clash of Navies

[Renfry]

Spoiler: OOC

This is primarily a cPvP to enable some interesting and fun fleet combat

The battle lines had been drawn with ships from the FWA and the Empire on opposite sides of a chasm of star-lined space. Both sides had begun flinging volleys of turbolaser fire across the vast distance, but most of it thus far had simply slapped harmlessly against the shields of the opposing ships.

Darth Andruil watched it all from aboard the bridge of the super star destroyer. One of the Empire's lead destroyers was limping back to Imperial lines, streaks of fire billowing from its side where rounds had made it through the shielding. It had taken the brunt of the fire from the FWA's local force.

Now starfighters streaked across the open space, the first and most daring of the vanguard meeting one another as micro explosions lit the space between the capital ships. It was the first time the Empress Andraste had been seen on the battlefield, and the ship would no doubt strike uncertainty and fear in those who flew against it.

And ever-onward the lines of ships moved. The first shots started to strike with greater power and the shields began to shimmer as they reflected the immense power of the enemy's strikes. She could feel a sense of anticipation welling within her even at this distance. She thought back to when she had boarded the FWA ships on Byblos. That had gone worse than this and felt like a lifetime ago.

Fire became more intense between the sides and she saw the first flashes of the ship's point-defense cannons going off. It was a good indicator of the growing proximity of the enemy fighters. In truth, she had no intention of remaining for a protracted fight. Some of the guns continued to bombard the surface until they came into closer range of the enemy fleet.

She reached out to the Shadow, feeling the power of the lives that were being snuffed out. It was unmistakable, and it was empowering. More than she would have liked, it felt good to wield such power.

 

[Darth Tempest]

The flames of war had come for the planet of Kashyyyk, and Vahliri Kahtal had arrived with them. The half-Annfyn sat behind the transparisteel cockpit of her Impetus-class Interceptor slender fingers curled tightly around the controls. She was amongst countless Imperial soldiers and Sith who had been summoned to accompany the Imperial fleet to Kashyyyk, yet another theater of the conflict that spread across most of the galaxy.

Vahliri was dressed in her signature red-and-black Sith robes, the ensemble of cloth and armorweave fitting tightly to her figure, while the curved hilt of her lightsaber hung unignited at her hip. The half-Annfyn’s black hair was pulled back away from her face and into an intricate braid, while the air around her was scented heavily with her usual floral perfume.

Even as she dutifully answered the call, Vahliri couldn’t deny the turmoil she felt deep within the pits of her stomach. This wasn’t the Acolyte’s first time at the forefront of the war - she had been there on Denon with Sol, down in the trenches, cutting her way through FWA soldiers and defenders.

This was different.

Vahliri couldn’t help but stare towards the viridian surface of Kashyyyk just ahead, honeyed eyes drifting across its surface. She watched as the steady glow of orange spread across its surface - bringing with it the death of thousands of men, women and children. No soldiers. Not Jedi. Not her enemies or those who had taken up arms against her. Not those who threatened the people that she cared about most in this world. Just innocent people - whose blood she now shared a part in spilling.

She exhaled harshly through her nostrils, forcing the troublesome thoughts down into the recesses of her mind. The half-Annfyn knew that this wasn’t the time to contemplate or question, and a part of her simply wished not to address it all together.

Instead, she simply gripped the controls a bit tightly and pressed on ahead - keeping her attention on the battle unfurling all around her. For the moment, Vahliri flew her starfighter in close formation with the Empress Andraste - eyes alternating between staring out her viewport and flicking down to the radar her ship’s terminal - carefully surveying for incoming FWA ships. She was prepared to break off and engage enemy fighters if they approached, but remained close enough to defend from an attempted boarding of the Empress’ vessel.

@Phoenix

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Fire and ash. Hungry tongues of destructive power, devouring the surface of a vibrant world. Lives extinguished like stars going dim in the bitter night, and an aching pain that blossoms like the piercing of thorns within the nautolan's fast-beating hearts. It is grief that he feels, a horror that glistened within crimson eyes. The cockpit of his Impetus-class Interceptor is alight with the glow of the burning planet. He can't think of anything else to feel, other than sick.

This... was not something that would be easily forgotten. No, this would linger for years to come, in the back of his mind like the weight of an anchor. In his dreams, as nightmares.

But... such was the way of war. They had been warned, hadn't they? It was their refusal to turn from the Jedi that had caused this, and perhaps it was important that Krinn was able to tell himself that. To believe that excuse, because deep down, he knew that this was wrong. And even deeper, he knew that it meant nothing in the end, because his loyalty to the Sith Empire had already been decided, his greed and pride like an addiction that crawled with the dark through his veins.

The bombing of Kashyyyk was an entirely horrific thing that made him want to vomit. But it would not be enough to make him betray the only people he had ever known since he had lost his parents. This was the cost of war, and Krinn would accept that, no matter how badly it hurt.

His knuckles are pale, grip tight and unyielding upon his vessel's controls as he pulls the Interceptor alongside the Empress' massive destroyer. He's fairly close behind another Sith, he knows. He can sense her ahead. Krinn would provide what support he could. He would defend his comrades, and his Empress, no matter the consequences.

Dark eyes watch the large vessel that makes it's way back to Imperial lines at a burning crawl, the damage to it's hull evident to all, both enemies and allies alike. It's a bitter reminder that this was no simple game. There were a great deal of lives as stake, including his own. The weight of his lightsaber upon his hip is so entirely useless in the cockpit of his Interceptor, but at the very least, it's presence offered comfort.

@Phoenix @Altaris

 

[Maru C'renic Tel Illo]

From the planets surface the results of the Sith bombardment horrendous to view, swathes of fire and destruction as shots came down from orbit to smash into the ground below throwing up dirt and fire, smoke billowing from what could only be described hell-scape of flames as ancient trees ignited.

Standing on an overlook, sheltered by defensive structures and local shield emitters Maru stood looking over the burning forest. He was no master, he couldn't control the frustration and sorrow of the lives lost in those flames. But he was a Knight, he could release those feelings and attempt to center himself once more. His eyes drifted up and through the smoke he could see the ships above. Did the Sith even understand what this was? That in this campaign to have the universe that the more they burned away the less they would be left with? He took a deep inhale and moved away from his view remembering the lessons of his master when she had mentioned the Sith.

“They turn a world to ash, gather it to a mountain and build a throne upon it and cry. Behold my perfect world” only for them to realize that the dead poor subjects and so they try again and again”

He held those words close as he moved through the soldiers preparing, while he knew how to fly he was no combat pilot he would be no help up there in the stars. But down here on the soil? Now here he could be of use as he rejoined a group of soldiers and joined in a team lift to help carry a wounded civilian to a waiting speeder. He would have to distract himself helping out where he could while they waited for the invaders to make landfall.

He caught his breath for a moment before turning to help with another lift, his armor already covered in dirt and soot thanks to the flames his saber firmly locked to its place on his back crossing over his shoulder and reaching clear down to his hip. It made leaning over tricky but he would make due as he worked and waited.

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex and Jade jumped out of hyperspace in the atmosphere of Kashyyyk- a technique her previous master had taught her. It was not good on a ship- her ship rattled as they shot through the atmosphere. They weren't in the atmosphere for very long- soon they were diving towards land. Silex landed in the greenery at the base of a mountain.

She jumped out of her ship, and waited briefly for Jade to hop out after her. "This may be a little much for your first mission, but the best way to learn is in the moment. Make mistakes and learn from them," she said.

This had been her previous master's favorite method of teaching- throwing her headfirst into the deep end to see what would happen.

@Taygood

 

[Jade Hart]

Jade hopped out of their craft, heading out into the greenery of the forest away from the mountain regardless of what her master might think. Forests soothed her. Truth be told, she was fed up with this arrangement, the Sith and the Jedi, and despite the temperate climate, she shivered with agitation. This 15-year-old padawan had basically been plucked up from the safety of her Jedi temple and under the pretense of "training" deposited here like a sack of flour by the whims of her "master". Quite unexpected, and like a bumbling fool, Jade had followed, frowning and kicking leaves around. She heard booms and bangs in the distance, somewhere, and flying in she had glimpsed an epic space battle above. Surely the Sith would not prevail? Perhaps Kashyyyk's fleets would push them back soon? If not, she feared an invasion force would follow, in which case, it would not be safe to wander around in the open. Growing up in Nar Shaddaa, Jade was adept at this type of survival thinking, unfortunately.

Her and her master were in a large forest, the outermost edge of which was burning. The forest bumped up against a mountain and Maru's overlook. For now, vegetation, bushes, and tall trees surrounded Jade and Silex, some of which were the giant Wroshyr. Jade's steps crunched as she walked over the forest undergrowth- sticks, stems, rocks, insects, nuts, and dry dirt lay strewn around. The sun was high in the smoky sky, but the forest canopy provided some dappled cover. Jade put her hand on the trunk of an immense Wroshyr tree several hundred meters high. Here, she felt safe. Then she smelled the smoke. Let it come, she thought.

Her gray Jedi robes swayed in the wind, with jeans and a t-shirt underneath, a blue lightsaber on a belt on her hip. A scarf wore the girl’s neck like a chain. Navy blue with dodecahedrons knit into wool. She stretched and scratched her scarf, tapped it, picked it. The fibers dug into her skin making tiny pinpricks.

Out her sleeves burst her lost and found Kowakian monkey-lizard. A hog in paradise, he took to the forest floor with great glee, cracking nuts before climbing the Wroshyr tree. KWAKWA BWWAAA, Jade looked up. The monkey had scaled the top of the tree, giving a clear view of the landscape. She turned to her master, "He says there's someone else over there-" pointing towards the overlook where Maru was- "if they are Jedi, can you communicate with them, master?"

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex turned to Jade and raised an eyebrow. Right now, with battle in the future, she was in a no-nonsense mood. "Why don't you try, padawan," she said. "I brought you here to practice. If you don't want to be here, then just stay by the ship with your pet. But if you are going to be here, you are going to help,"

Silex looked up the tree where the monkey had gone, and then over to the outlook. She could indeed feel the presence of other Jedi there.

 

[Galek Ordalos]

Kashyyyk was burning.

News of the Sith Empire’s arrival and subsequent attack on the planet had spread like wildfire across the Galaxy - consuming the HoloNet and prompting an emergency meeting of both the ISC Executive Council and the governing board of ISCRA. In less than an hour, decisions on how to proceed where made, and Galek found himself boarding a shuttle bound for the Wookiee homeworld. The Consortium would not violate its carefully-nurtured neutrality by intervening in the fire-fight between Imperial and FWA forces, but neither would they sit on their hands in the face of yet another large-scale humanitarian crisis.

The fleets in orbit around Kashyyyk would receive momentary notification of additional vessels coming out of hyperspace, positioned on the opposite side of the planet as the current battle taking place. Within moments, a fleet of civilian transports and medical ships dropped into orbit around the far side of the Wookiee homeworld - the emblem of ISCRA proudly displayed across their hulls. Each and every vessel was equipped with skilled personnel and supplies to begin establishing field hospitals across the surface of the planet, as well as to begin the process of evacuating civilians to neighboring planets and back into Consortium space. Additional steps had been taken to ensure that there would be enough space for overwhelming majority of Wookiee’s that would flood abroad the civilian transports.

Naturally, there was a trio of capital ships hovering just behind - the military vessels acting as an escort for the refugee mission - and as a warning to anyone who considered opening fire on the ISCRA vessels.

Galek was positioned on the bridge of Emil’s Hope, hazel eyes fixed out the viewport of the Arquitens-class Command Frigate. Though the Induparan prince rarely led these operations in person, the scale and significance of the crisis called for doing more than organized from a distance. He was dressed in his usual style - donning a cream-colored Sherwani and black dupatta. The Induparan prince kept his hands tucked neatly against the small of his back, eyes lingering on the planet that dominated the horizon.

He briefly turned his head to the side to acknowledge the officer standing just a few paces behind him. “Open communication channels to the surface and ships currently in orbit around the planet.”

“Yes, sir.”

Within mere moments, communication channels were opened and Galek’s voice was broadly transmitted outward. The frequency would quickly be picked up by both the navies around Kashyyyk and civilians located on the ground, making the presence of ISCRA abundantly clear to all parties involved.

“People of Kashyyyk,” Galek began, his singsong voice ringing out across the channel. “This is Galek Ordalos of the Independent Systems Consortium - operating under the mandate of ISCRA.


"If you can hear this message, we are here to offer safe conduct off-world for any and all civilians. You are immediately advised to evacuate and seek refuge at these coordinates,” At that moment, coordinates were immediately pushed out to all commlinks and datpads receiving the broadcast, highlighting where ISCRA vessels had already started to make landfall and establish themselves on the surface.

“Emergency medical facilities have already been established, and accommodations have been made to ensure adequate space to promptly transport all arrivals to safety. I repeat, you are immediately advised to evacuate and seek refuge at these coordinates.”

The broadcast was pushed directly to FWA and Sith fleets, the message resounded loud and clear to military officers on both sides. “Allow me to be clear - this is not a military exercise. Any attempts to interfere or harass ISCRA vessels will not be tolerated, and will be responded to in kind."

"This will be your only warning."

With that, Galek’s voice cut out and the live broadcast ended. In the minutes that would follow, the message was looped and repeated multiple times across the surface of the planet, reiterating where ISCRA had established themselves in order to seek shelter.

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

((OOC Note: Future posts won't be this long, but I bolded the cpvp actions)

Among the ships rising to defend the storied planet of Kashyyyk were the newest acquisitions to the sector's defense; two Vigil-class frigates - the Terentatek and the Wyyyschokk - as well as the Saava; a Quasar Fire-class light carrier. When he had first stepped aboard the Terentatek, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had been awed at the ship's size, shielding, and armament, and distinctly remembered feeling dwarfed by it.

Now, in the path of the Empress Andraste, he felt even smaller- like a bug, caught in a spider's net.

It didn't take a genius to understand that he and his frigates were outgunned against what might be the largest capital ship in existence. Furthermore, scans would show that the Terentatek was only operated by a skeleton crew, perhaps as a result of the surprise attack leaving less time to scramble an effective defense, or perhaps because it was the newest of Kashyyyk's capital ships.

A cheer went up along the bridge of the Terentatek as the lead Sith frigate limped away from the battle, but two cruisers had been destroyed in the attempt and the Empress Andraste hadn't even entered the pitched battle just yet; for now, the three capital ships comprised the majority of the defender's fresh firepower. "Launch starfighters" Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl growled, trusting that T-8R would translate his words and not the shake in his voice.

Six Stalwart models and six Arrowheads- the same starfighter contingent as its sister ship, the Wyyyschokk, buzzed out of the keel of the frigate and swarmed into the skies, jealously hovering around their capital ships. The starfighters would hunt in pairs, streaking out to intercept other small craft that tried an attack run. The Saava had a 36/12 split of Arrowheads and Stalwarts, respectively, and those wings also joined the fray as well at the Senator's command. The Wyyyschokk was in the lead, followed by the Terentatek behind and off its starboard side, and the light carrier Saava in the rear, functioning as support.

Again, it was an impressive sight... but all one had to do was gaze out the viewport that was dominated by the Empress Andraste sitting ominously out of range- its cannons occasionally hammering FWA ships that strayed too close or else the planet below- to feel completely, utterly, and hopelessly small.

So Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl came to a decision.

"Power to frontal shields, and weapons free" the Senator ordered the Wyyyschokk, "target the Andraste". The Wookiee watched as the frigate's heavy turbrolasers spat red bolts across the sky at the Empress Andraste. The two ships were currently at the edge of their ranges, so the shots wouldn't do more than wash across the superdreadnought's frontal shields, but it did feel good to be shooting back; especially in light of the other decision that Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had made.

"Power up our shields as well, and the hyperdrive" he ordered, steeling himself against the subtle shift in mood that rippled across the bridge of the Terentatek. It would take some time for the hyperdrive to power up, but the Wookiee saw no other options in the face of the Sith's largest ship. The Andraste had 2,200 heavy turbrolasers; the Terentatek and Wyyyschock boasted 12 between them.

"Sir, are you sur-" questioned a crewman, but the Senator cut him off.

"Yes" came the determined reply, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's tone heavy with the consequences of this choice.

Spoiler: Aezz's ISCRA React

A notification dinged right after Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl gave the order, notifying the defenders of an incoming fleet... not from other Free Worlds, as he'd hoped, but from the ISCRA. A snarl etched itself across the Wookiee's face as he listened to the open broadcast.

"They're early this time" he growled, his frustration growing as the broadcast continued. "but just as naïve as always." If Galek thought that the three capital ships he brought would deter the Sith if something the size of the Empress Andraste decided to bombard the coordinates that the ISCRA had just publicly broadcast to everyone in the system, then he had another think coming. There had been a time when Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had thought the Sith too smart to court war with the ISC, but now he was less certain that such a threat was a deterrent. Perhaps Emryc had some kind of hold over the Sith leadership... the Wookiee amused himself with the ridiculous thought before snapping back to the situation at hand.

"Open a secure channel with Galek" the Senator ordered, and moments later the Wookiee's holoprojected form would appear on the bridge of the Indupar Governor's ship.

"Governor" Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl began, his jaw set with the strain of the ongoing situation. "The ISCRA once again outdoes themselves; usually your response is after the catastrophe" he said, acknowledging their speedy response. "Since you're so confident in the fact that the Sith will not fire on your ships, I don't suppose you'd consider driving some of them between the Andraste and my planet?" A sarcastic request that might be humorous if not for the thousands of lives at stake.

@Phoenix @DonBongo @Nevermourn @Altaris

 

[Galek Ordalos]

In the minutes following his public announcement to Kashyyyk, Galek had immediately gotten to work - personally taking charge of the organization and initial first steps of providing relief to the planet. Despite his stately reputation, the Induparan royal was no stranger to overseeing refugee operations from the frontlines - most recently having led efforts on Mon Cala during its own humanitarian crisis. The bridge of Emil’s Hope - the very same vessel that Galek had renamed in honor of the late Chancellor - was effectively converted into an ISCRA command center, while Galek was positioned at the center of the room - barking commands to the men and women around him.

Within minutes of issuing the directive, ISCRA vessels began to make landfall all across the surface of Kashyyk. Large-scale civilian transports flooded into spaceports and open clearings, offering to spirit away countless Wookiee civilians from the surface of the planet. Medical ships - already equipped with onboard hospitals and countless trained personnel stood at the ready to provide treatment to injured civilians that required it.

It didn’t take long for the first refugees to begin pouring into ISCRA stations across the planetary surface - images of families, mothers with young children and injured civilians pouring into Galek’s datapad as they boarded the transports. Specific commands were issued to ISCRA central command to expedite any vessels originating from Kashyyyk through the standard ISCRA vetting process - bypassing the usual quarantine and waiting period. Galek anticipated no small numbers of refugees would flood into ISC territory, and it was imperative to proactively take steps to prevent a complete backlog of the system.

Galek’s attention was abruptly drawn away from the situation on the ground as an alert popped up on his datapad that indicated a channel was attempting to be opened between his vessel and the Wyyyschokk. He didn’t have to guess who waiting on the other side of that transmission.

“Patch him through.” Galek commanded. “Have the message transmitted to transport vessels as well.” If the Senator of Kashyyk intended upon expressing his gratitude to ISCRA or speak a reassuring message to his people, the Induparan was going to give him the platform to do so.

Smoothing out his sherwani, Galek greeted the Senator of Kashyyyk with a firm nod of his head when the holographic projection appeared before him - a somber expression etched into his features. He listened as the aged Wookiee spoke, and couldn’t help the way his lips immediately began to turn downward in response to the words. His fingers twitched, curling ever-so-slightly towards a fist. If the Wookiee was attempting to be humorous, it was both incredibly distasteful and inappropriate to the current moment.

Whatever reputation for catty remarks the Induparan royal had garnered during his time in the Senate, the Senator of Kashyyyk would see none of it just then. Galek kept his hands neatly folded against the small of his back and his posture straight - maintaining and air of regality and composure as he listened in silence.

Galek allowed for an extended pause before he chose to deign the Wookiee with a response. “We are here to do a job, Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl, and that is to see as many lives as possible to safety,” He said, speaking the Wookiee Senator’s name fluently and without missing a beat on the pronunciation, “And will see it through to the end.” With that, Galek dismissively flicked his wrist towards one of the officers stationed on the bridge - signaling for them to cut the communication’s channel between the two vessels.

Galek couldn’t mask the irritation that seeped into his posture and voice. Whatever else, it was abundantly clear that the Induparan deeply cared for the people who comprised ISCRA and constituted the convoy. Even still, whatever annoyance and bewilderment that Galek felt by the Senator’s words paled in comparison to the reaction from his people.

The message from Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl was broadcast directly to thousands of Wookiee refugees aboard ISCRA transports, and it was immediately met with looks of horror and betrayal by the masses. Betrayal, towards the Senator callously disparaging the very agency that was spitting them to safety. Horror, at the mere prospect that instead of encouraging ISCRA to provide aid to people of Kashyyyk, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl suggested that they hurl themselves into the line of fire. Within mere moments, crowds of Wookiee civilians erupted into boo’s and cries of disapproval at the message - angered shouts for the Senator to resign and countless profanities hurled at the Holo-projection. Many of the refugees were eerily silent - the horror and betrayal never quite leaving their faces as attempted to process the message.

Dismissing the disparaging remarks all together, Galek immediately lifted up his datapad and went back to work - his attention solely fixed onto the job ahead of him. The Induparan was fully committed to spiriting as many innocents as possible from the flames of war.

Regardless of the fact that he had just burned Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl’s career to the ground.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden was really unsure about flying for the Sith. On one hand, he'd be working for the Sith. On the other, he would be getting a good paycheck. Jobs have been drying up for the fighter pilot for hire and so tough choice will have to be made. The mercenary pilot would be flying one of his ships, the Neutralizer. Aden would be flying his vessel diagonally upwards to the Andraste's port sides with some altitude. He'd be flying with a squadron of Sith fighters. He wasn't leading the squadron but they weren't leading him either, is is merely he'll follow them loosely.

Once Aden gets into range, the possible command ships are apparent, it must be one of those Vigil class ships. Those frigates seem to be going straight for the Andraste, a ship that massive? That won't end well for them. Are they suicidal or out of options? Or both?

Anyways, Aden would move straight forward, the squadron he is accompanying is going to go after that leading Vigil class @SlagathorTheUnknown . Is that the command ship? Possibly. Aden and the squadron he is with is not going to fly through the turbolaser fire, they are going to be off to the sides and then attack it at an angle. That's the plan anyway.

@Phoenix @everyone-else

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex heard the distant cry of Wookies in the distance, and when her holoscreen lit up, she saw why. She cringed inwardly at what she saw occur between the senator of Kashyyyk and the governor of Indupar. Yet another reason why politics were not for her. "Come on, we don't have time for you to make up your mind. Shove down your feelings, they will only distract you," she said to Jade.

She marched ahead of her through the forest and unhooked her light saber from her belt, not unhinging it or turning it on yet. "At the ready," she said to Jade as they walked towards the lookout where Silex had felt the other Jedi. She spared a glance up at the sky and could see massive ships exploding silently in air. She couldn't tell whose ships were whose from this low and it didn't make her feel any better.

 

[Jade Hart]

Jade had heard the booming voice from the sky and groaned, pounding the tree in front of her. The wood made a deep sound like a drum. She put her ear to the tree trunk and pounded again. It was hollow. Hearing voices above her, she looked up. Dozens of furry Wookie heads poked out of holes in the tree higher up. They had heard the voice in the sky too, and were starting to come down via ladders and hidden staircases which unfolded out of the trees.

Rolling her eyes, she whipped out her datapad. "By my calculations, we can tie 50 Wookie children all over the ship using forest vines, or maybe twenty five Wookie adults and fly them to safety, but, wait-" she typed a few more numbers out "-if we fly to a nearby planet the Wookie fur might be thick enough to insulate the innermost Wookies from the cold of space, though they would need oxygen masks." She breathed deeply, fondled her scarf, and wiped her mouth. The smell of smoke was getting closer. Looking up, she saw a bunch of ships flying around. It was going to be hard to signal to them, and she doubted they could land in the forest.

"Master, get out your communicator and try to get in touch with the ISCRA, or the Sith if you prefer. Tell them here we are."

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex didn't say anything about Jade telling her what to do, since she knew the girl was right. She pulled out her communicator and reached out to the ISCRA. She notified them briefly that two more Jedi had arrived to help in any way.

Then, she felt out with the Force for the presence of the Jedi she had felt earlier. She gave a slight nudge, just alerting him that they were there to help.

She knew Jade didn't like Silex in that moment, but she knew they had to put aside their feelings and work together.

@DonBongo @Taygood @Altaris

 

[Maru C'renic Tel Illo]

Maru had been helping load up another transport when suddenly communicators started lighting up with the messages being broadcasted and he grabbed a spare communicator looking over and finally an honest smile split his face “Oh thank the stars” he mumbled putting the communicator into his pocket since he figured he was going to be needing one. He looked back to the waiting transport, those onboard looking back to see if he would join them when he felt a nudge and his head snapped looking towards the source.

He wasn't great about using the force for communication, but he at least knew how to do it even if his return pulse was clumsy and heavy handed acknowledgement and he turned back to the waiting civilians and gestured “Go!” he called out over the engines “You know where you’re going to get to it!” he called loudly and then turned back towards the woods where he had felt the presence.

He was going to need to cover a lot of ground quickly and he would be damned if he borrowed one of the speeders or transports just for himself besides the ones at the outlook were packed to the gills already. Instead he focused on gathering the force once more. While projecting it out isn't his strong suite projecting it inwards was a talent and he took a few steady breaths before one foot dug into the ground launching him taking powerful leaping strides he was off like a bolt.

He had no choice but to slow down as he got to his fellow Jedi, taking a moment to lean over and catch his breath unable to even offer a greeting to his fellow knight or their padawan short of a wave and a raised hand. He was confused why they were waiting until as he tried to catch his breath and tilted his head back only to see the Wookies and his smile faded

“Oh come on” he grumbled and then turned to look to Silex “Please tell me you have something that flies”

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex nodded at the Jedi that had arrived. It was Maru- she remembered him from Yavin IV. "I borrowed a slightly larger starfighter from Yavin IV, we can fit about three people on it not including a crew of two," she said. "What can we do to help the evacuation? If the fighting comes to the ground, I can fight, but keep Jade helping with evacuation," she said. She didn't think the girl wasn't capable, she just didn't want her to get hurt on her first mission.

Silex looked up at the Wookies above her. "We can start by evacuating them. What was the plan for getting past the battle in the sky?" she asked Maru.

@DonBongo @Taygood @Altaris

 

[Renfry]

Andruil's attention shifted to the new ships dropping out of hyperspace, their IFF tags declaring their affiliation with ISCRA. Her feelings on them being here were mixed, but she made no attempt to intercept or attack them for the moment. A war with the ISC wasn't what she wanted for a multitude of reasons, but there was no denying that flying into an active warzone and bringing a warship escort with you was dangerously close to stepping on the toes of a foreign power.

She hailed Governor Ordalos after a few moments.

Governor, she addressed him. Her voice wasn't exactly welcoming, but things had not devolved into threats, and hopefully they would not.

I see your coordinates and I see your trajectory, she said. He had made no attempt to hide either of them. In fact, he had made it quite obvious for this exact reason. I hope you and your people understand the risks you are taking. You're flying into a planet under active bombardment. I can't guarantee their safety, she said, pausing for a moment.

Still, so long as you remain on the far side of the planet and keep your warships out of firing range, I don't expect your risk will be high, she said. The underlying message was also clear. She didn't want their warships in firing range and they would need to continue to move their evac points as the planet rotated. While she wasn't and wouldn't actively target their ships, she had a point: it was an active warzone.

It didn't take long for the message that had been relayed to thousands of people to be taken and broadcast to the rest of the galaxy. Andruil who had recently made her own broadcast saw it within a rather short period of time and actually started laughing on the bridge of the command ship.

Ooooh my, she said as she watched it. For such a serious moment of combat and death most probably wouldn't have been able to find humor, but for her, she had no trouble.

The Senator was anti-Sith, but at this point, he just sounded belligerent toward everyone. No doubt, he would not be appreciated by the rest of the galaxy.

More reports came in about one of the lead ships priming its hyperdrive. She could guess what he was planning, but he'd be a fool to try it. It was a one in a million maneuver, and far more likely to kill him and everyone on his ship than to even scratch the Andraste. Even so, the ship's shields were at combat power, and they were designed to combat particles moving at hyperspace.

Some of the guns fired at the approaching vessel, but most continued to pound the surface of the planet far below. More fires, more death, more havoc. She thought to herself how many rituals that draining life force could have powered. It was almost a shame, but maybe not a missed opportunity.

She started issuing orders immediately. Move frigates into intercept course. Ensure our shields are at full, lock tractor beams on the lead ship, and open fire on it with forward cannons. Move half our fighters back to defend the line and half our bombers to begin bombarding smaller villages, she said.

Other cannons and ships continue firing on the planet. Begin by targeting major population areas and cities: Kachirho, Awrathakka, and Rwookrrorro, she said. While it may take hours to bombard a whole planet, with the firepower of the ship it would only take minutes to obliterate an entire city. There was an undeniable feeling of power in it and she realized then and there why the Sith did what they did. She understood why Andraste had built her Empire and why Palpatine had wiped his enemies from the face of the galaxy. It was intoxicating to hold total sway over the life of another.

Meanwhile, there was still a flurry of activity and transmissions on the bridge as her other orders were carried out as well. Two Pugio-class frigates moved forward, opening fire on the approaching vessel, but more importantly, preventing easy access to the Empire's flagship. Behind them, a Gladiator floated ominously should the other, smaller partnered FWA vessel get any ideas about following suit with its lead.

Nevertheless, shots began slamming against the Andraste's shields. She could see the flashes far, far off in the distance, but her eyes flicked down to the scopes to get a better view of what was going on.

So it begins, she said to herself.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Altaris

 

[Jade Hart]

Jade saw another figure, this one on a transporter. She hadn't met him, but his force presence felt like a kindred spirit. She waved at him, then turned back to the Wookies. They were swarming out of the trees, probably a couple hundred of them. They looked around in confusion at her, Silex, and Maru. She looked at the ships they had and shook her head. "This isn't going to work. There are too many. Could we lead them to an open space where a larger ship can come pick us up? I saw a place near where we landed. It's not far from here."

The massive trees heaved and rocked as explosions sounded in the distance. A thick branch shaped like an artery cracked and fell right next to her. Jade jumped out of the way and shuddered. Green ropy vines wrapped around the fallen branch. "Or we could tie the Wookies to the outside of the ship, using these vines as seatbelts. Your call."

 

[Silex Tan]

Silex considered the situation. "It would probably be better to do both- lead them to an open space where a larger ship could pick them up and tie others to the outside of the ships we have and fly them to where the ISCRA is evacuating people." she said.

She turned to Maru. "Is there fighting on the ground, yet?" Another explosion shook the ground they stood on, knocking over a couple wookies. Silex only kept her balance by stablizing herself with the Force.

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

A small shuttle carrying a hand full of Jedi Healers, medics, and trainees arrived at one of the few ISCRA emergency medical facilities set up for the evacuated Wookiees and other civilians. It wasn't the most impressive sight, but at such short notice, these were the only medical inclined Jedi they could find at such close range. "Governer Ordalos, a small group of Jedi Healers has arrived at your facility to offer assistance." Read the message sent to Galek to keep him up to date on the situation.

Clove was within that shuttle. She was classified enough to help where she could now that she was at the very end of her Padawnhood and had proven her abilities in the medical bay. Did she have a formal medical degree? No, not yet. However, as a Jedi Healer trainee, that medical degree was less important. Especially in a time of crisis when they needed all the help and support they could get.

Although she wasn't sure how useful she'd be; while the facility was out of reach of any physical fighting, the Jedi were close enough to feel the death lingering in the Force. And, while Clove had experienced the sensation of an old, lingering death, the sensation of people dying one by one was new. It was choking.

Still, she couldn't let it overwhelm her, and judging by the other Jedi Healers and trainees, they were also doing their best to keep their heads up and help as much as they could.

So, once they were cleared and approved, the Jedi began rushing around the facility, assisting the first few civilians who had survived the initial wave of bombings. Clove found herself in front of a Wookiee who appeared to be suffering from a bad arm injury. Thankfully, with a few stitches and a lot of bandaging, the wound was closed before the Wookiee could bleed out. And with one patient helped, she hurried off to the next.

---

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Tag @Altaris ​