Ask Event Killik With Fire

[Quin Leonkri]

Quin gave Etr a nod of acknowledgement as he spotted the Mandalorian. They’d met at a Coruscant carnival… with circumstances unimaginably different from what was going on now. If anything though, he was glad that they were going to be fighting side by side, and not against each other. The arrival of the Sith was even more surprising in that even in his second time meeting one, they would still be fighting alongside each other instead of against. Maybe that was how it should be, he found himself wondering.

He turned when he felt someone nudge him to see a man offering him a datapad. Despite his surprise at the sudden gesture, he accepted it, giving the man a brief smile as a thank you (@Nor'baal). He was curious to see who it was, and though he didn’t recognize his face, Quin did see the symbol of the Hutts on his arm where his sleeve had slipped. From the looks of it it was branded on, and he decided it was wiser not to ask, especially not at a time like this. He looked on the datapad to find a message telling people to evacuate.

“Man. I hope they can get out in time.” And that we can stop this. He hadn’t been paying attention to the conversation about hostages as his view was to simply save who they could however they could, but he did straighten up when he saw the bugs begin to approach with… children? He couldn’t believe it. When they began to discuss defense, he gave the man speaking his full attention. Jedi and Sith in front and blasters in the back was what he understood. Quin was no tactician, but it at least sounded like a solid plan and one that he could get behind.

“I don’t have anything better,” he said with a shrug, and he unhooked his lightsaber hilt from his belt as he moved up alongside the man (@Phoenix). He just hoped that he would be ready for what that entailed.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Quin is moving up to the front alongside Varyn

 

[Drow Venn]

Well, damn it all.

Drow's excellent repeater position would be hampered by the fact that if he were to actually use the repeater, there was a very good chance he'd punch some holes into some kids. He had done some real terrible stuff in his life from his days as a mercenary to his current role as a Jedi Shadow but risking children's lives? That went a step too far and, because the Killiks were willing to use them as hostages, they had just cemented themselves in Drow's mind as an enemy not worth losing any sleep over.

But killing them could wait - right now, the children took priority. Drow closed his eyes and knelt down next to the repeater. He started to open himself up to the Force and let his environment wash over him. He could feel the teeming lifeforms all around him from the single-celled to the grizzled mercenary humanoids below to the giant whales that lay dormant in the oceans all around them. And yes, he could feel the fear radiating from the children below him. That same fear threatened to overwhelm him too if he didn't have the familiar warm glow that was the Force. And, you know, the heavy repeater next to him didn't hurt either.

Drow focused hard on what was around him and sprang into action. A 10 foot by 10 foot piece of sheet metal from the half-completed skyscraper that Drow was occupying came screaming out towards the ground. Propelled by both gravity and the Force, the construction material fell fast; horizontal and parallel with the ground. Drow would use the Force to send it flying through the air in an unpredictable but accurate pattern - aimed at slicing through the necks of the Killiks. With his speed and the lower heights of the children, it was aimed to behead those Killiks who were guarding a child in the first group without harming the hostages.

TL:DR: Drow begins beheading Killiks with sheet metal - Yondu's arrow style. OOC Note: Drow is Councilor level in power but not in rank.

 

[Wayson Hanson]

“Ma’am, do you have anyone inside the plant? We need to have a constant stream of communication with them to make sure the Killiks don’t have a back door into the plant and make our defense here pointless.” Wayson said before anything else, they couldn’t allow themselves to be tricked by the Killiks. So far they have proven very crafty and Wayson sure didn’t want more surprises today.

Turning back to listen to the blue skin man and the Sith speak he wanted to feel disgusted, but deep down he knew. A single-life shouldn’t outweigh another, but fifty or even a thousand can’t equal millions. If he wasn’t a Jedi responsible for life and light he would have dealt with the nightmares and focused on the big picture. The blue skin fellow rubbed him the wrong way, one could see the bigger picture without being so callous to those whose lives might have to be sacrificed.

Except when he saw the hostages he broke, children some not even old enough to form facial hair others just learning why you needed to shave. The Corellian Defenders behind them wouldn’t dare shoot into them, which meant it would be up to them to the people taking up the front row. Any defenders would lose heart and the will to fight if they had to watch the children be slaughtered. Sadly even Wayson had to accept that the likelihood of the children being joiners already was high but if they could be saved that would give the defenders something tangible to remind them of the stakes.

The plan of the Sith was smart and Wayson couldn’t quite find many faults with its logic. All he had was the knowledge that the Corellians will fight harder if the kids were saved. Wayson will move up towards the Sith (@Phoenix ) feeling that the Sith cared more for the people than he should and such a thought brought a bit of confusion to the Jedi, though ultimately Wayson found the idea comforting in a strange way. Turning around the Jedi spoke up looking to the Mandalorians.

“Fly above them and hit them. They won’t be able to defend themselves against you in the air.” Wayson asked the Mandolarians, (@Faded , @Timmen ) he was no commander but from his estimation, they needed to use all their resources to the best possible extent if they wanted to win this fight.

That was when he felt a large draw on the Force and saw a large metal sheet fly to the Killiks holding the kids. This was their moment.

“Let’s use the Force to help pull the kids free.” Wayson called out to the other half a dozen force users. They had the power if they were united in the goal. (@LouJoVi @Altaris @Tom )

Wayson quickly drew the Force into his being focusing on the goal of saving lives and reached out with his mind. He saw the kids feel their fear and grabbed three of them with the Force and with a tug as strong as he could muster with the sudden assertion. It would hopefully drag them out of the Killik's grasp.

It would exhaust him quickly but if they all worked in their own ways to get the Killiks away from the kids then maybe they will be able to free at least a majority of them. It might not be possible but any attempt would be seen by the defenders and they will at least won’t all lose heart in the fight to come.

Spoiler: TLDR

Wayson asks the Corellian Officer to keep in contact with anyone inside the plant in case Killiks somehow sneak past them. Wayson asks Mandalorians to fly up into the air to strike at the Killik's formation. Wayson uses the Force to grab three kids pulling them away from the Killiks and towards the defenders.

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion was surprised with the group that was formed to defend the Core. There were Sith, Jedi, Mandalorian and even a Chiss. It was a group that he never thought that was capable of working together. Perhaps it was the effect of the imminent destruction that made them ignore their differences.

However, the Acolyte would still be careful, not letting his guard down. Beyond the possibility of having Joiners among them, he didn’t trust the Jedi. They could try to do something against the Sith while they were distracted. The Annfyn was going to watch them closely.

His attention was turned to the officer, when she started to argue that they needed to save the hostages. The Annfyn wanted to laugh. Does she really believe that the Killiks didn’t already turn them into Joiners? Even if they had bug brains, the insectoids would at least do something obvious.
After one of the Sith voiced his opinion, Caerllion decided to also speak what was on his mind. “In my opinion we should consider the hostages as already completely lost. The Killiks must have already turned them into Joiners and are expecting us to save them, so they can ambush us or have a free path to the Core.” he said, his voice being distorted by his helmet.

“It’s sad, but it can be a very real possibility." he turned to the Jedi that had proposed to save the children with the Force. "If you still want to save them, I propose that they should be maintained away from our defenses and under vigilance until it can be proved that they aren’t Joiners. So close to us, they can still try to stop our attempts to defend the core and even turn us into Joiners.” (@Richie B.)

Without anything else to say, Caerllion followed the Sith and Jedi (@Phoenix @Sicadorito) toward the front to face the Killiks with them. Three in the front would be capable to stall the insectoids long enough if the other three Force users tried to rescue the hostages. Funny enough, the Annfyn thought that it seemed eerily similar to the strategy of a video game that he played some time ago. It couldn't be, no one would ever try to apply such a thing in a real life situation where they were trying to stop a possible Apocalypse. Nope, only an idiot would do that.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Caerllion proposes that the hostages must be maintained away from the defenders and under vigillance until is proved that they aren't Joiners. He moves with Varyn and Quin to the front to help fighting the Killiks that are coming.

 

[Bast Emblai]

The Captain sat back quietly, observing. It was the first time she had seen Sith, Jedi, and Mandalorians peacefully gathered. Suspicious glances and tensed muscles revealed all was not resolved, but remarkably, the atmosphere was not hostile, just coldly cordial. One uniting factor tied them together, it seemed: fear.

No matter how the instructing officer tried to calm the crowd, nothing could cover the shrieks and sirens just outside. Doubtless some were afraid of death, of pain. Others were afraid of failure, still others humiliation. There was no point in immediate reassurance because they had every right to be afraid. Lies would save no one, and in her opinion, should be reserved strictly for comforting the dying.

A young man approached Bast, his head held high. As he introduced himself, she gave the kid a slight smile. While she had remained stoic yet extremely grateful at the others’s greetings, it was clear Bryce was genuinely interested in helping.

“Well Callaway, typically we do a background check first, but given the current circumstances, I might as well say you’re hired. I’m Captain Emblai. You can call me Bast if you would like.” Bast extended a hand. She genuinely did hope he might join sometime in the future. They needed new blood.

Once more, the tone shifted towards solemnity as the leading officer explained the strategy. If Bast were to place credits on it, she would guess the woman had been working less than five years. Optimism rarely lasted longer than that. She knew exactly what the woman was trying to say. These people were hers as well. She had been born and raised on Corellia, worked and almost died defending their best interests. And still, the group simply could not afford to have recovering hostages be a priority. Objectively, it would be a losing game. Painfully personally, the community had already been gutted. She could not let them be utterly obliterated as well.

“ I can take the second line of defense,” she added to the other’s discourse. Drawing her blaster and donning her helmet, she took up a position halfway up the stairs and would aim for and shoot at the first open bit of insect flesh she saw as soon as they got in range.

Bast’s heart sunk when she saw the first wave of Killiks approach. A sea of them marched forward, as inevitable as a rising tide. In front were— she gazed through her visor intently, then swore. Children. The most despicable beings always used kids. She had seen it, and it would never fail to make her stomach churn.

A line of them, propped up as shields. A boy, scarcely older than six, was being held, his body limp. Bast knew the look in his eyes. It was the look of someone who had once fought but had given up, had been so overwhelmed by hopelessness he felt forced to play dead. She bit her lip hard. If any one of those things was getting past her, it would be over her lifeless corpse.

Spoiler: TLDR

Bast takes up a position behind the first line and attempts to shoot the closest exposed Killik with a single shot when it gets into range.

 

[Grerse'dava'nlon]

Maybe it's that Davan comes from a radically different culture than these people, but Davan can't comprehend that people are willing to jeopardize this very critical task of protecting the power plant by preserving the hostages who are most likely become Joiners. Do these people not learn? At least the Sith/Imperials made more sense. The Corellian officer and the Jedi (@Richie B.) are simply too idealistic and naïve.

"A sound plan" The Chiss responded in response to the Sith/Imperial's (@Phoenix) plan. Davan doesn't/can't play video games, but such a thought wouldn't have crossed his mind. The young Chiss would look at the Corellian officer. "Remember the needs of many... outweigh the needs of the few" questioning rescuing the hostages being 'absolutely imperative.' Some amount of hostages can't compare to the billions of lives, the shipyards, and stability of the ISC that's at risk. In response to the other Sith's plan for the hostages, the Chiss would have an alternative solution, a comprimse of sorts, or could be an addition to what he said. "We could use perhaps stun rounds. If the hostages are hit in the crossfire, it will not harm them. And if they are Joiners, they will not be a threat for a long time." he proposed. He tried at least.

Now Daven would go up a flight of stairs to reach a firing position, finding a spot higher up on a catwalk but otherwise parallel to the Sector Ranger captain. Davan would level out his heavy blaster rifle and would have a good view of the lightsaber wielders who are taking up position on the front. Davan would be able to see the Killik forces on the move, as well as hostages. Childern. Truth be told, the Chiss are a greater species and like a lot of Chiss, he is a bit xenophobic. These non-Chiss children being used as shields would not make Davan's aim or resolve waver when it comes down to it. That's what the Killiks are gunning for. These are no mere bugs.

Davan wouldn't fire yet, as he will wait a bit to get good shot first, for them to get closer and see what other strategems the Killiks have in store...

Spoiler: abridged

agreeing with varyn's plan> dialogue > a proposal of his own in regards to hostages > davan sets up firing position at higher elevation parallel to Bast > is ready to pew pew with rifle.

@lizziie

 

[Bryce Callaway]

Bryce swore colorfully as the killiks and their captives came into view; children. Suddenly the idea of even firing in the direction of the approaching horde was unappealing. Anger surged through the native Correllian as the Killiks utilized tactics that even the Sith did not, but he managed to hold his tongue as his mind raced for a solution to the problem. Then, the bearded Jedi weighed in, and the beginnings of an idea that Bryce didn't even know he'd been considering clicked into place.

Bryce cursed again as he thought back to his ship parked just a couple blocks away in the opposite direction that the Killiks were approaching. There'd been no reports of enemy air units, and the children were only in the front; he'd be uncontested in the skies and from the looks of things, the defenders needed every advantage they could get. Why hadn't he thought of this before?

"I'll provide air support from my ship, and we can use comm frequency 101.1 to communicate" he came to a snap decision, leaving his Z-6 and three extra power packs with the Ranger (@Kestrel). "And I'll be back for this, so take good care of it" he said to her, knowing that its firepower would be more useful here and that taking the hefty weapon with him on his dash back to his ship would only slow him down. Leaving a personal weapon like that behind might also assuage fears that he was ditching them.

The killiks with their living shields were still about ten minutes out; it would only take him two to reach his ship. He'd heard the scuttlebutt on those Tainted Killiks, and it would take more firepower than his blasters were capable of to quickly take them out. Besides, going to his ship would allow him to scout the reactor itself and make sure they weren't being flanked. Pulling out one of his pistols, the soldier would begin a brisk trot in the direction of his ship, keeping an eye out for any threats as he did so.

@lizziie

Spoiler: TL;DR

Bryce leaves his Z-6 with Bast, and begins moving towards where he parked his ship a couple blocks away

 

[Logna]

Slowly, it began to dawn on Logna that he was lacking what most other members of the party seemed to have - weapons and force powers. But, he had always believed that a good heart and noble intentions mattered more than the force of arms and the genetic lottery of power.

He didn't believe it, but perhaps now was a good time to put that to the test.

Nodding in agreement as their commanding officer told them of the imperative to save as many Corellian citizens as possible, Logna found a helpful corner to peer around and squinted at the waves of Killiks on the advance. Spotting the children in the hostage's ranks, Logna hoped the presence of younglings would make his newfound compatriots a little more cautious with their approach. Staying close to Quin (@Sicadorito), Logna had to admit he was absolutely terrified.

"Remember the needs of many... outweigh the needs of the few." Logna heard one of their party members make the proclamation and turned to face the Chiss, only flinching slightly at the considerable more intimidating man as he spoke "Perhaps we can decide on the 'needs of the many' when the crisis is passed? Surely we cannot agree to sacrifice children, or indeed anyone, at the imagined and unexplored needs of the many? If we can save the hostages, we should." he trailed off at the end of his statement, not wishing to cause an argument - Logna just wasn't entirely sold on the idea of dispensing with the hostages, based on a thin line of reasoning as he saw it.

"I'll stick with you." he carried on behind Quin, looking around for a weapon or anything he could find that might make him somewhat more useful.

Spoiler: TLDR

Logna suggests saving hostages is probably a good idea.
Logna follows Quin and keeps his eyes out for a weapon.

 

[Etr Wyara]

"I definitely agree with him."
I said, nudging my Blaster toward @Logna .
"We cant kill these kids. What the hell kind of monsters are up for that? Be like bulldozing an orphanage because the house next to it caught fire."
Not the best comparison but hopefully people caught it.
"What if we just launched some smoke? Then most of the kids could escape and I'm sure the jedi could free the ones the killiks are holding onto."
I began to load Smoke Grenades into the MAG-79 and was ready to fire them.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Though she remained eerily quiet, Vahliri’s jaw set into a firm line when the Kilik’s came into full view, bringing with them the line of hostages - of children - that they had been told to expect. As much as she had hoped otherwise, the Champion wasn’t at all surprised to see whom the Insectoids had chosen to use as meat-shields. They would bank on the humanity and morals of the defenders to elicit a slowed, insufficient defense before overrunning the facility. Whatever came, the half-Annfyn knew that could not be allowed to happen.

She promptly ignored the philosophical debate going on in the background, her amber eyes flicking over to Varyn when his gaze settled upon her. She gave him a simple, silent nod of agreement - clearly in agreement with his apprehensions about the group. Beneath it all, though, Varyn would be able to see the cold distance behind her gaze. It was an entirely different side to the half-Annfyn - one that rarely surfaced outside of battle - and one that Varyn would hardly recognize.

“Agreed,” She said simply, giving a nod towards the plan that Varyn laid out. The half-Annfyn promptly moved herself to the front of the group of defenders - positioning herself amongst the front line of defense. She glanced back to fellow her fellow Sith and the Jedi, “Target on the big ones. They’ll take more hits and should will be our priority.” Her voice then projected back to those on the steps. “Focus blaster fire on the other Kiliks.” Her stance shifted side face with her right foot toward, while the crimson saber in her right hand snapped to life with a flash of red.

The fingers of her left hand twitched ever-so-slightly, the Force thrumming vibrantly all around her. There was still minutes to burn before they would engage, but the half-Annfyn didn’t take her eyes off the approaching Horde - cautious for any unexpected changes on the horizon.

Spoiler: TLDR

Vahliri moved up to the front with Varyn etc. Gave some further plan dialogue and is preparing herself.

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

​

The chaos came shortly after the Brentaalan slipped out of meditation, but he didn't move immediately. He watched as the Killiks advance, and aquamarines would blaze with a barely subdued rage as he saw the hostages they carried. Not even the most remorseless and cruel gangsters on his homeworld would've ever used children for meat shields, but that was besides the point. These were especially cunning and ruthless opponents-- ripping and tearing without any regard wasn't going to do anything but get him killed.

At least, not yet.

That he heard some-- many Sith, unsurprisingly-- immediately suggesting that the hostages were a secondary concern finally brought him to his feet. He might've held his tongue were it not for one's utterly callous words, (@LouJoVi) and to him he spat, "I know your kind didn't come here to save lives, but at least pretend to be reluctant when you suggest we let children be butchered." Indignation and hatred would radiate from the Brentaalan like heat from the furnace, and were anyone close enough and weak minded enough, they may have even started to warm up.

Under any other circumstance he would've probably started swinging at the Sith, but the threat facing them mattered a hell of a lot more than one psychopath's indifference to casualties. Closing his eyes, the Brentaalan took a few deep breathes. Feeding into his anger had never gotten him far, and it wouldn't help him now. He grasped at the force around him-- the defenders, the hostages, the billions that called this planet home. Anger slipped aside, even as it hovered in the background.

Calm had arrived, and no matter how long it might stay the Brentaalan would take the opportunity to fall into the analytical posture he took right before any fight. There were ten large bugs that were of an immediate concern, and no doubt it would be up to the force users to dispatch them-- anyone else would be torn to shreds. In spite of their disregard for the human cost, both the Sith (@Phoenix) and Chiss (@The Good Doctor) brought up perfectly viable bits of strategy.

He approached the masked Sith, as well as the others drawing closer to him. That he recognized one (@Sicadorito) caused him to tense up for a moment, but he put it aside and spoke to the one who had a mind for strategy, saying, "If we can get a man with a blaster behind them, they can fire without having to worry about the hostages." Laeonas declared, before gesturing to his blaster. "I can try and go around, but I don't know if they'd catch me-- I can try and leap, but I can't make it that far." He went on. "I'd need more power or I'd need covering fire."

"...basically, I'd need you to throw me."

​

Spoiler: Relevant

Mayo chastises Caer, joins Varyn and the other FS bois, and suggests they flank the enemy by yeeting him over to the other side

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Fleur’s face was solemn and stressed. The camera switched to the bird’s eye view of the waiting battle below, and zoomed in on the Killiks in front.
"This just in: We knew the Killiks had taken civilian hostages, but we’re just now seeing that they’ve chosen to take our children.

We wait with baited breath to see what our defenders might do."

** On the steps of the Core. **​

[@LouJoVi @Richie B. @Phoenix @Kestrel @The Good Doctor @Faded @Sicadorito @Timmen @Nor'baal @Altaris @Tom]

"The doors, or maybe the lobby," the officer would pipe up as @Varyn Atrix spoke. A couple of the CorSec soldiers nearby gave each other worried glances as if they were uneasy with the idea, but the officer didn’t seem to notice. ”We… we have access to such measures, maybe, but any high explosives in the area risk damaging the nuclear core and causing a much bigger explosion than we would want.” Dropping a nuke on a potential nuke, in order words, was no bueno. ”I’ll- I’ll get my soldiers in place.”

On her command, about fifteen CorSec soldiers appeared and dispersed themselves along the steps leading up to the nuclear facility. They readied their weapon, ready to shoot as soon as the Killiks got in range.

As that happened, the officer would turn and shake her head toward @Wayson Hanson. ”All plant employees have been evacuated, but the security cameras are still online and we have CorSec security and Core managers on standby in case of an emergency,” she clarified. ”They will send us an alert if the bugs find a way in.”

With the soldiers in place and the Force Users headed up down the steps, the defense group was forming into a more fortified structure. Though he had requested help, @Wayson Hanson was the only one to reach out and try and drag the kids out of the Killiks’ grasps. It would fatigue him for a bit afterward, but he was able to yank three children from the second group of Killiks. The kids came floating over, bleeding from their arms and sides where the pinchers had tried to hold them back, but they were alive.

With some of their hostages scrambling to run the several hundred-meter distance between them and the Core, the Killiks began to up their speed to catch up. Within minutes they were in range of some of the blasters, and the first shot was fired by @Bast Emblai. It went straight through the cranium of a rather wide Killik in the middle group, and dropped it right there, dead on the ground.

And with that shot, they began running in.​

There were 100 meters between the Killiks and the stairs, but those in front were still holding the children out in front of them, this time to protect their faces. It would be much more difficult to shoot those particular Killiks without hitting the children now. The officer gave the command for her soldiers to start shooting, but they actively avoided any bug carrying a child - which was most of them.

The first wave of bugs (about 15 in total) if they reached the stairs, would be forced on a direct path toward the defenders. The Tainted Killiks stayed behind for now but did not slow their approach.

If those waiting for melee wished to engage, they would only have to wait a few seconds longer than those with blasters.

** Ship stuff. **​

[@SlagathorTheUnknown]

On his way to reach his ship, the streets would be almost eerily empty. Anyone who hadn’t already left their homes in the evacuation was surely hunkered down inside, and security had long since swept the area for panicked civilians. It was quiet too. There were no sounds of speeders or hovercars. There was no ambient conversation or sound of life. There was only the wind, the distant footsteps of Killiks marching behind him, and the occasional Walk. Walk. Walk. of automatic crosswalks.

@Bryce Callaway would find his ship just as he left it – locked and unbothered.

** Construction watchtower. **​

[@Fantasy Liver]

The sheet @Drow Venn ripped from the building fell quickly toward the ground, but before it smashed into the street, the Force altered its direction and sent it clean through the necks of the bugs below. It was only his skill as a Force user that kept the sheet from beheading the children as well, as the varied positions the bugs held them hostage made it impossible to cut straight through without hurting one of the kids.

It went through about ten of the Killiks before the metal sheet lost its momentum and ended up lodged in the neck of one unfortunate bug, killing it, but not slicing clean through its neck. It toppled over, allowing the teen in its pinchers to wiggle free and start a mad dash to try and get away from his bug captors. The other children were able to get free as well and did their best to try and get away.

Fortunately, Drow hadn’t been spotted quite yet, but the Killiks were certainly now on high alert, searching for the source of flying metal sheets.

Spoiler: Killiks Remaining

Hostages
Hostages saved: 3/50
Hostages lost: 0/50
Pending…: 11/50

** Group 1 (Dark Blue) **
Tainted Killiks: 3/3
Killiks: 19/30

** Group 2 (Light Blue) **
Tainted Killiks: 3/3
Killiks: 29/30

** Group 3 (Green) **
Tainted Killiks: 3/3
Killiks: 30/30

** Map can be found on the Discord.​

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn's saber lit in his hand, a blood red shot out and cast a glow over the ground next to him. He could see others starting to try to rescue the hostages, and he silently wondered how they would ever manage to hold off these creatures. He took deep breaths, accepting one terrible truth: this may be his final day. There is no death, there's the Force, he reminded himself, and while it was a comfort, it didn't stop the adrenaline pounding through his veins.

As the bugs drew closer, Varyn struck. The ranged troopers were firing at the bugs not holding hostages, so Varyn focused his attention on the ones with hostages. They put the children in front of their faces... smart, but bad for visibility. They may not be blind, but they'd have a much harder time seeing him approach than if they didn't have a kid in front of their face.

He moved quickly, the grace and practice of a lifetime spent with a lightsaber in his hand showed through, and he struck low first. The goal was to take out the creature's legs in a clean blow - passing under the hostage - before arcing up a moment later and into the bug's abdomen-ish area and hopefully bisecting it.

If his strike was successful, he'd quickly move on to the next creature, bringing his arcing saber down on another bug and hoping to score a follow-up strike before they had time to fully react to the aggressive maneuver. All the while, he didn't stop moving, relying on the Force to warn him when the time came to dodge an enemy's attack. Come on, Shae-pivot don't fail me now.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Varyn uses the blindspot created by the hostage to try to take the legs off a Killik and then swing up into the main body. He then makes a quick attack at the next bug in line with a lethal blow to the main body as well (assuming there's no hostage in the next row). He's also moving constantly to make himself a much harder target to hit.

 

[Bryce Callaway]

Bryce entered his ship, holstering his pistol as he did so and beginning launch procedures as soon as he reached the cockpit. Not long afterwards he was airborne, and flying over the nuclear plant to hover a little ahead of the front line of defense about 60 meters in the air. The defenders had already begun engaging, from the looks of things, and Bryce knew that he had to be careful how he utilized the firepower his Firespray could bring to bear.

That meant an unorthodox approach.

The soldier's hands danced across the controls, aiming his tractor beam at the closest of the tainted Killiks. He wasn't exactly certain if the device was built for smaller items like this, but there was only one way to find out. If he was able to get a lock, the beam would lift the tainted killik straight up, presenting a clean, stationary target for the light blaster cannons on his ship; two shots from each would certainly take the dangerous bug out without endangering any of the children in the horde.

@lizziie

Spoiler: Bryce's actions

Bryce enters his ship, and takes off
Bryce hovers in front of the nuclear power plant, 60m off the ground
Bryce attempts to get a tractor beam lock on the nearest Tainted Killik
If successful, two shots from each light laser cannon on his ship (4 shots total) will be aimed at the TK

 

[Quin Leonkri]

“Hey. That was well said,” Quin remarked to Logna(@Nor'baal) at his statement that they should save anyone they could. He’d kept quiet because he didn’t want to start a moral argument now of all times, but he really did feel that they had an obligation to save those children. If some of the others were willing to let them go, he would do it himself, regardless of what they would say. The Padawan nodded as the man said afterwards that he would stick with him— it would be good to watch out for each other.

Then he saw someone familiar approach (@Tom), and their eyes met for a brief moment before Laeonas looked away and started to talk to the others. It had been a while since they’d last seen each other and Quin was quite willing to catch up, but now wasn’t the time and the man clearly wanted to be left alone. So he kept his gaze fixed on the incoming wave of Killiks, drawing his lightsaber alongside the Sith. His fear of being in the front was only mildly comforted by the others at his side, but he forced himself to remember the purpose of why he was here today. Billions of lives were at stake, and if he and the others weren’t here to make a stand, who would?

Here they come.

When he was in range, Quin would follow Varyn’s example and aim for the Killiks at the edge of the group, the ones with children. He would attempt to free the kids first by cutting the limbs that connected to the pinchers that held them, and then trying to slice clean through the middle part of the bugs. If it worked, he would move onto the next nearest one on their right flank, fighting defensively to try his best to not hurt any of the hostages.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Quin is attacking a Killik with a child to his left(their right flank) by first attempting to cut off its pincers and then trying to cut it in half. If it works he moves on to the nearest one, staying in a defensive position.

 

[Wayson Hanson]

There was little joy in war and none when you are almost alone in saving the kids. There was no way for him to do it alone for now he needed to change tactics. Sadly he will have to fall in line with the others, only together will they prevail and it hurt his heart to stop attempting to free the kids until they got into melee range. Charging now would be suicide and he would not be able to save the kids.

When the group of Killik's charged at them with the kids upfront the Jedi knew the defenders weren't going to risk killing any of the kids. He couldn't blame them he would feel disgusted if he were in their shoes and was responsible for ending an innocent life. So far the three kids he did save just ran off encouraging him to feel like they weren't in fact actually turned. Something that eased his heart knowing even if it was only three that a few of them would survive.

Still, he had used up more power than he would have wanted and now had to try to recover. So he put away his blaster pistol and took out his shoto blade now having both his lightsabers out and ignited. When the Killiks got close Wayson moved slowly to the left flank of the group so his body was facing one of the Killiks that had a child in their arms.

When it got in front of Wayson, he would side step to the right side of the Killik keeping his Shoto out to defend himself while cutting up with his other lightsaber to cut through the arms of the Killik before going for a quick jab of his Shoto to the head of the bug. The quick attack would hopefully finish the bug off.

If he managed that he would make sure the kid runs off, standing his ground waiting for the next Killik to come at him. Small movements and quick acts were what he had to focus on as he tried to recover from the use of the Force.

Spoiler: TL'DR

Wayson stays with the group until the Killiks reach them. He will switch out his blaster for his shoto blade, keeping it up for defense, while moving to face the right flank of the Killik's first wave. He waits until the Killiks reach him before side-stepping to the right of a Killik holding a hostage, using his standard lightsaber to slice upward at the arms holding the hostage, and his shoto blade for a quick jab at the Killik's head. If he succeeds he will stand his ground for the next Killik standing in a defensive stance.

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

The black-haired human’s comment (@Tom) made Caerllion roll his eyes under the helmet. “Of course I’m here to save lives. If I wasn't, I would be helping the Killiks or not be even here. It’s you who should have more consideration. How many other children and families would we save if we don’t distract ourselves with those already lost?” without saying anything else, the Acolyte prepared for the fight.

When the Killiks got close to them, Caerllion could see how some of them were holding the children. While the Annfyn was being serious about the possibility of sacrificing the children in exchange for the lives of all the people in Corellia, he couldn’t avoid getting mad with how these insectoids were cowards by doing such a dirty move.

He was aware that it would not be beyond a Sith to do something like that, but such action still caused aversion on him. The Annfyn still needs to learn more and become someone cold hearted, or he would never fit in the Order.

Caerllion used the Force to enhance his speed and moved against one of the Killiks that were close to him. Perhaps it was his good side, or only an attempt to show through the holonet that the Sith weren’t so bad, but the Annfyn avoided the child that the Insectoid was carrying. Rather than doing a direct attack, he went around the creature and targeted its legs. This way avoiding the meat shield that it was using.

If he was successful in getting close to the Killik, Caerllion would cut off its legs. With the Insectoid immobilized, the Annfyn would then cut off the head. Before moving against the next bug, he would gesture to the kid to go to where the others were protecting the Core.

Spoiler: TL;DR

Caerllion gives an answer to Laeonas' comment. He moves around the killik that is closest to himand targeted its legs. If he was successful in cutting off its legs, he cut off the head. Before moving against the next bug, he would gesture to the kid to go to where the others were protecting the Core. Of course, if the child survives the fight.

 

[Grerse'dava'nlon]

The Chiss was past arguing at this stage, no use at this point. If there were some among their are willing to pull punches because of the Killiks using hostages when there are there are billions more lives at risk, no matter how illogical it was, there was no changing their minds, and not worth the effort anymore. This sort of thing is another reason why Chiss look down upon outsiders. If worse comes to worse, Davan knows can try finding a ride to get himself out if things start to go badly. But at least there are some that are willing to get complete the objective by any means needed.

Davan switched his heavy blaster rifle to stun mode. Even in it's stun setting it still packs a big punch. The front-most Killiks had raised their hostages to their face-levels, shielding them. Problematic since the bodies will still soak up blaster fire. Although the larger tainted ones are appealing targets, sticking out due to the larger size while they were in the rear, and aren't holding a meat-shield to protect them. The tainted ones are the most dangerous ones, so taking them out sooner rather than later is a good idea. Davan would aim his rifle and then fire four heavy stun blasts at the leftmost Tainted Killik, a different from what the Resistance fighter would be aiming to kill. After those four shot she would let his heavy blaster rifle rest.

The heavy-stun blasts should be enough to put the tainted one down if they connected. Hopefully they did of course. Davan is well aware of his surroundings and is ready to react to the Killiks accordingly. Also while in his elevated position, Davan should have clear shots at his target.

Spoiler: abridged

Davan switches heavy blaster to stun mode, davan shoots a seperate tainted one four times with heavy stun-blasts

@lizziie

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

​

The Anfynn's reply fell on deaf ears as the Brentaalan retreated into his own thoughts, and it was good that he had. Getting preoccupied with his disdain for the Sith wasn't going to help anyone, least of all himself.

He finally drew his sword as the Killiks advanced, but unlike the other force wielders, he didn't wait for them to fall upon him to act. As one drew close, the Brentaalan wrenched it off it's legs with the force, before slashing down the middle, hoping to bisect it's head in two. He had positioned himself in between the first and second group of killiks, though he mainly focused on his right flank, where the bugs carrying children were more numerous. He couldn't yet rip and tear until they were all killed, what with the hostages in the way-- so, he was precise.

One came barreling forward, screeching as a child wailed, caught in it's claws and pressed forward. Rather than remain in place, the Brentaalan would leap upwards like a frog, landing just behind the bug, hoping to slash back across it's abdomen and end the miserable creature's life before it could even turn to face him. If he did, the creature would've collapsed, it's guts spilling out onto the durasteel floor before the Brentaalan would climb onto it's back and drive his sword into it's skull-- careful to avoid the child in it's grip.

Should the enemy be dispatched he would simply turn on his heels and face any more of the bugs that came forward. His movements had been calm and dispassionate, emptied of the malice that had been dripping from him just a few minutes prior.

​

@lizziie

Spoiler: le action

Laeo attempts to yank one bug off it's feet before it reaches them and kill it, followed up by taking a quick leap over a bug with a kid in it's arms and cutting it as well.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t resist the urge to aggressively roll her eyes - fluted ears flicking with agitation the moment that she picked up on Laeonas’ holier-than-thou commentary. She wasn’t the least bit surprised to see the Jedi - or more accurately in this case, Jedi-reject - already begin to question the intentions of and throw vitriol at the Sith who were currently fighting to defend Corellia. The half-Annfyn had little tolerance for fools - and even less so when there was something far-more-dire to address ahead of them.

As a result, Vahliri didn’t bother wasting breath to snap back at the Brentaalan - nor did she entertain his strategically insane proposal.

Crimson plasma hummed as Vahliri stepped forth - moving swiftly to meet the charge of incoming Kiliks. The Darkness billowed vibrantly throughout the half-Annfyn’s body - flowing through her extremities in order to enhance her agility beyond traditional means. She was a duelist by speciality and natural agile with a lightsaber, and that finesse was only amplified through the usage of the Force.

The moment that one of the creature’s came into her range, Vahliri abruptly pivoted on her left foot - springing onto the Kilik’s right flank while turning to face him. Her curved saber flicked upwards in a vertical arc - aiming to cleave clean through the arm-joint that would’ve been exposed by the creature covering its own face with a hostage - one she hoped to free as a result. At the same time, the half-Annfyn’s left hand snapped down to her waist to grasp the shoto on her right hip. She ignited the blade and swung at the same time - attempting a draw-cut to slice beneath the hostage’s legs and through the lower abdomen of the Kilik to slice him in half.

Regardless of the effectiveness of her attack, Vahliri immediately brought the shoto blade diagonally across her body in a defensive guard, while her curved saber maintained its forward tilt - prepared to follow-up with another strike against the Kilik or move on to the next. Her gaze snapped towards Varyn for only a split second, giving the Champion a subtle nod of her head before returning her attention strictly to the fighting.

Spoiler: TLDR

Vahliri pivots onto the side of one of the hostage-carrying Kiliks, attempting to slice through its arm with her saber while using her shoto to cut across its lower abdomen.

@lizziie