Ask [Lantillies] Bitter Resistance

[Raya Kryze]

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Truth be told, Raya was more-than-a-little relieved to find herself back on the front lines of the Crusades. While the Kryze had recently taken some domestic assignments across settled Mandalorian territory, it didn’t take her more than a week-or-two to become restless - that familiar need for thrill, and a desire to be in the thick of things itching at the back of her mind every second of day. There was something unmistakably cathartic to be on the front - to tone out the rest of the Galaxy and devote herself to that singular objective - and it drew Raya right back to leading this latest campaign.

While the FWA collapsed upon itself and nearby systems fell under the Mandalorian banner, Raya turned her sights to Lantilies. The city-planet a jewel of the Perlemian - renown throughout the Mid-Rim for its shipping and shipbuilding industries. Industries that Raya had every intention of seizing and utilizing for her people, by whatever means necessary. Initial attempts at diplomacy had collapsed within no time at all, and it wasn’t long after that a fleet had been deployed to initiate the assault.

It had only been hours since the vanguard had broken through orbit and made landfall on the Lantillies - staging themselves within a commercial district of the capital from which to branch outwards, having long-since established ground and air superiority over their corner. Expansion, however, had thus-far proved to be bitterly difficult. The Lantillies were well-equip and ferocious when it came to defending their home, and it meant that the Mandalorian’s had to bleed for every inch of ground they seized. For the moment, a tense stand-off had occurred - both sides digging their heels in and establishing trenches and barricades along their respective sides. A change in approach was in order, and Raya had long since begun to strategize their next moves - delayed only by the anticipated arrival of Nox.

By the time Nox arrived, the Mand’alore would be greeted by the site of an established war-camp from which the vanguard operated. The majority of the warriors consisted of men and women of Clan Kryze, and as a result, banners in their colors hung proudly from balconies and decorated the front of office buildings that had been converted for use. Men and women turned to greet their Mand’alore with respect as he passed - though he would undoubtedly feel the tension from some - century-old Clan rivalries not quite so easily forgotten. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t long for him to be guided towards the office building where Raya had established herself.

As per usual, the Kryze was adorned in her signature bronze beskar’gam - the unique color having gradually become her trademark amongst the crusading Mandalorians. She carried a pair of blaster pistols on her hip, and the helmet of her armor was neatly placed on the edge of the HoloTable she stood before. A holographic projection of the city was displayed - an aerial view of each district, alleyway and street visible to be reviewed.

Upon spotting Nox, Raya stepped past the table - flashing the Solus a faint smile while extending a hand to clasp his forearm to shake. “Mand’alore.” She nodded. Even if the man was a Solus, countless battles and campaigns together had earned her respect in full. “Glad to see you’re still kicking.”

@Orbit

 

[Nox Solus]

Surprisingly and rarely, Nox was not leading the crusade of a planet this time, instead being the one called in. The mantle of responsibility fell on the Kryze, and specifically Raya but from what he had been informed she was progressing well. Kryze had managed to spear through whatever defensive blockade had been strewn up before seizing a portion of the capital.

A somewhat large assortment of shuttles flew through the air and toward the camp through the secured air space. Each one was occupied with Solus crusaders but also munitions and other supplies as well. Nox inhabited the one in the lead, the door opened and allowing him to view out of it and to the landscape below. The war camp stood out impressively and gave validity to the reports and he was impressed with the sight he beheld. What also stood out were the fortifications and trenches that opposed each other, the most likely reason why he had been called in. Nobody wanted the conflict to be dragged painstakingly through the mud. That just led to more deaths and destruction that the Mandalorians didn't want. There was a reason they wanted the planet.

Eventually, the shuttles would land in the center of the camp before everyone disembarked. The supplies would be offloaded as the crimson crusaders situated themselves but Nox would press on with Zuus and Vroj. Despite the thick air from constant combat, the underlying tension could be sensed by the Mand'alor but his massive stride did not hitch. If any of them were brazen enough to act out, they would find out just how hard Nox's steel resolve was that led him to become Mand'alor of his people. He spliced through the crowd with ease as he would arrive at the office building.

Nox entered the makeshift command center and spotted Raya by the holo-table. There wasn't any change as her armor was still a bronze beacon that he could spot a mile away. He on the other hand had gotten an entire make-over, his beskar'gam entirely jet black except for the gold trim/marks and his helmet. It was crimson, just like the colors of his clan that he proudly displayed, and to serve as a reminder to him. It was a proper suit for a Mand'alor.

Nox would approach her as well, a grin appearing underneath his mask as his hand extended. Her forearm would get a firm squeeze and shake in return before he replied, "Raya." After her comment, his visor gave her a quick glance up and down as if to check if it was really her, "I'm surprised to see you're on the ground." The two had been on countless missions and the usual serious edge that was associated with him lessened slightly. Another Solus would enter, one recognizable for her as it would be Zuus; the crusader offering her a halfhearted salute as he strolled in.

After motioning to the holo-table, Nox began to walk over as he glanced over at the Kryze, "Mind giving us a fuller report of the situation? We know the gist, at least. The supplies and munitions we brought can be offloaded while we talk."

 

[Raya Kryze]

Raya grimaced ever-so-slightly, feeling as the converted office-building shook from an explosion in the distance. Even as trenches has been established and ground troopers were stalled in their tracks, cannon-fire had been endlessly exchanged on both sides - rocketing buildings and fortifications without any real hope of making progress. It was far from ideal, and it caused more damage to the adjacent districts than Raya liked, but such was the grueling and harsh realities that came with war on the ground.

Unsurprisingly, it made the Kryze long to be behind her Starfighter all the more - weightless above the ground, where she would always be far more in her element.

She put the thought aside for the moment, turning her attention to the Mand’alore that approached. The Kryze didn’t miss the modifications that he had made to his armor - a change in appearance that matched his change in station appropriately. The Kryze huffed, unable to help but shake her head a bit when he remarked being surprised to see her on the ground. “Believe me when I tell you, not my preference.” She said with a sigh. “But, sacrifices have to be made,” The Kryze nodded at that, maintaining a small smile as she spoke. Her attention briefly turned to Zuus as the fellow Crusader stepped into the tent - reciprocating the salute in his direction. She wasn’t really the mans superior in any way, but it was a sign of respect she noted and appreciated.

“I appreciate it. As do my men,” She said genuinely. The added munitions and supplies would go a long way in keeping the fight going and maintaining morale - as would the arrival of the Mand’alore in the first place. “Have a seat,” The Kryze gestured to a few chairs that had been brought into the room and were positioned around the HoloTable. Raya returned to where she was standing before, zooming out on the map to show a wider view of the surrounding districts.

“Fighting has been.. Sluggish, since we arrived on the surface.” She grimaced a bit, gesturing to a few key points in the map. Markers had been placed to indicate their initial landing zone and where they had expanded control, followed by slightly-different colored markers to indicate where skirmishes had taken place. They would have a clear view of where borders had been established to box the invading Mandalorian into that singular district - lines drawn to correspond to the trenches outside. “Lantillian forces were far more equipped and prepared than we originally anticipated. Armaments, artillery, sheer numbers..” She shook her head a bit. “We’ve managed to maintain our position, but attempting to push further into the city has proven difficult. And far too costly for me to attempt it again on a whim.” Mandalorians - her Vod - had died in previous attempts, and Raya had no desire to lose any more lives if it could be avoided.

“More importantly.. Are the Anti-Air Railguns that were mounted throughout the city.” She pinched her fingers on the map, briefly zooming in on each individual rail-gun before flicking to the next. “Ray-shielded, and able to pick off our fighters before we can get a definitive hit on them. Hence why I’m down here,” She crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a sigh.

“Any conventional push into the city is going to be a bloodbath. Maybe we can do it - overwhelm them, outfight them.. But it’ll be costly.” The Kryze drummed her fingers against the table. “I believe there might be a better way to go about this.” She pressed a button on the side of the table, lifting the projection higher and bringing up a vague outline of a pipe network that ran beneath the city. “It’s an old sewer system. Unused and forgotten, from what we can tell - but it was discovered by my men after our initial landing. We believe that it runs throughout the entire city, and it could be our method of flanking the Lantillians and catching them with their pants down. Maybe get up-close-and-personal and take our their Anti-Air defenses."

She sighed, leaning back. “The only problem? We don’t have definitive schematics on the Sewer system - which means we don’t know where the hell it goes down there. We’d be walking in blind, unless we can come up with more concrete maps down there.”

@Orbit

 

[Nox Solus]

Raya informed them of the situation and both Nox and Zuus listened intently, their visors locked on the battle map before them. Both chose not to sit, preferring the angle of staring above with a bird's eye view of the map. The sit-rep wasn't exactly great as the assault had fallen into one of the worst outcomes, an urban slog. The task could be completed but as Raya pointed out, it would be at the cost of too many lives. Their enemy knew the city, were well equipped, and appeared to be trained as well.

But, a possible solution had been found with the sewer system and he recognized instantly the possibilities with it. Apparently, it had been forgotten about but he knew that was only a possibility. "And another problem, if we get discovered, it will basically be shooting fish in a barrel for them." Not only would they be funneled but they wouldn't be able to use their greatest advantage in their mobility. The idea of being lost idea wasn't pleasant as well but it seemed to be their only option so far without all of them being bombarded.

Nox thought to himself for a moment, the gears in his head turning as he inspected the map along with Zuus. After a few moments, he would glance over to his friend before murmuring, "Once more into the fray." Zuus, would glance back at him and chuckle softly before replying, "I expected nothing less, brother." There wasn't any surprise in his voice as he could figure out what the Mand'alor intended to do.

Directing his attention to Raya, Nox stood back to his full height before giving her a nod, "Take the sewers and try to find a way underneath. The rest of the Solus will head to the front line. We'll provide the distraction so you aren't discovered and buy you the time you need." Kryze had already been fighting for some time and it was their turn to tag in for them. Nox assumed Raya would want some up-close and personal revenge against the soldiers. Plus, knowing how most of the Solus adapted most of his fighting style since he became their Alor, they would all prefer the open ground and air to move. Lives would be lost for him but it prevented even more from falling if it worked and let Kryze move in for the kill.