Ready & Unafraid

[SirNoodles]

Iziz,
Onderon,
Japrael System,
Inner Rim

Spread around the entire city of Iziz are Royal Onderonion Soldiers along with their allies. They are carrying out civilian evacuations and putting up defences such as turrets, AA guns etc. All these are being carried out in preparation for any Sith who dare set foot on their land

Falcon Darsten is stood right in front of the Onderonion royal family's home. It is guarded with many high rank Royal Onderonion Soldiers who are wearing armour and have guns - prepared for anything. Cameras are locked onto Falcon and once Falcon begins speaking, it will be broadcasted for many to see.
The cameraman nods and then Falcon clears his throat - as he normally would before making a speech. "So here today I am in the capital city of Onderon - Iziz", speaks Falcon fairly loud with a serious expression on his face. "It is no secret that the Sith have declared war on us: the proud people of Onderon. So here today I have returned to my home - the Sith's next target. Today we are preparing ourselves to resist against the Sith forces. We are doing our best to make sure that Onderon will stay standing. For those wondering, the intent of this speech is not to threaten the Sith, not to speak on behalf of the Republic... but to speak on behalf of the people of Onderon to show we are willing to fight back. Now we cannot fight the Sith by ourselves. I am happy to give my thanks to the Republic who I am proud to serve. I would also like to give my thanks to the Accord - Onderon's new allies. They are helping out with this preparation and I really do thank them for that. Anyway, that is enough from me. Goodbye."
Falcon then walks off and some clapping can be heard.

@Outlander

Spoiler: OOC

Soldiers from the Accord and Republic are completely welcome to join. If you do wish to join, please note that this is just a preparation for the Sith attacks where we will be setting up defences and evacuating civilians - no conflict is to happen and that means (obviously) death is disabled. This thread will also give a chance to socialise and get to know your comrades for this battle and a good way of establishing your help. If you have any questions feel free to ask either me or Outlander. (Also please forgive me if I've done anything wrong/shouldn't have. I'm not used to making these types of threads)

 

[Lucy Lou]

The smuggler stood at the back of the crowd. She wasn't much one for all the politics and fanfare of the senator's speech, but she was here because Bria had requested her assistance in this fight. Normally the woman would have just been helping with the evacuations and supplying the fighters, but this time it seemed like she'd be fighting as well. She stayed until the end of the speech. Allies or Mercenaries? She wasn't really sure about how the whole thing had gone down. After the speech, she turned and started walking down the street. She needed a drink. The woman was used to being in the background, not on the front lines, but at the same time. This was part of what she was contracted to do.

She walked past several different establishments, just wandering and lost in her thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she wandered up and down the streets, before a lucky glance showed her a familiar group of people. Friends maybe? Compatriots? Rivals for some? It depended on how the credits feel really. It seemed that on this particular case, they were on the same side.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Hezron stood among the people gathered here to listen to the speech, feeling like he was dressed ridiculously. His armorweave robes were covered by some armor, Mandalorian Tactical Armor, graciously borrowed from the Crucibles division for this upcoming battle. He had on himself his blaster pistol, and in the front pockets of the armor, the grenades he would use in the upcoming battle. In his grasp was his lightsaber pike, deactivated and used as a walking stick per usual, though the sense of normalcy was broken by the weight of the crossguard saber tucked on his waist, the backup weapon of his deceased sith master, a man Hezron had no fond memories over.

He felt uncomfortable in the extra layer as he nodded with the speech, feeling honored for the chance to be here, along with the other members of the accord, to help and defend this world. But at the same time, he felt a bit nervous. He had dressed in armor once before, when he was part of the sith. It was something he associated with his old life, one of constant fighting and bloodshed that he'd ran from when he'd realized the truth of the dark side and his own actions. That had been one of the first things he'd shed from himself during his recovery, and now he was wearing a different set, armed to the teeth for war.

'I can't believe it's come to this. Indiscriminante slaughter...' He thought to himself as the speech concluded, everyone cheering as Hezron stood, not moving to clap but nodding in approval beneath the T visored helmet he now sported as well. 'If they're going to do this sort of camapign of terror, they can't be allowed to go unopposed. Even if that means having to stir up some bad memories, someone has to do something about this.' He thought to himself as he began to head out to help the people of Onderon prepapre for the coming battle.

 

[Jaz]

Eris and Jenton arrived on their ship, landing it on the outskirts. Eris sprinted ahead, too fast to hear Jenton telling her to slow down. She slowed once she reached the middle of Iziz. A woman was struggling with several little children. Eris touched her shoulder to get her attention. She pointed to the older one, who looked about four.

"I'll carry that one for you," She said. The woman hoisted the child up onto Eris's back, and she took off running. She found the evacuation site and waited for the child's mother before handing him off and heading back to town. She repeated this for several other children. Jenton had just arrived by the time she had finished.

"I forget how fast you can be sometimes, you gotta slow down." He panted.

"Sorry," Eris replied with an indifferent shrug. After a long pause, she jogged over to the others, who were aiding in preparation. "Who needs what and where?" She asked, enthusiastically.

 

[SirNoodles]

(OOC: I hope you all don't mind that I'm using my GAR character too as he's helping out)

"Who needs what and where?" comes a voice of girl.
Mark Darsten, who has bee talking with his friends he worked alongside with back in his Onderonion Military days, turns around to meet a girl who looks a few years younger than him. "Oh hello", says Mark, who is a little surprised as he completely didn't expect this. Neither did he expect the enthusiasm. Especially since the only people he's seen to be enthusiastic is the soldiers of Onderon and, of course, his father who is currently at a meeting.
Mark then pauses for a second, thinking of what she could do to help. Maybe she could help him and his friends out with evacuating some annoyingly firm old people who would refuse to move away. "Well I suppose you could help me out with evacuating some old people out of their homes." Chuckling slightly at the thought, Mark then explains, "They're kinda the type who say "I was born on this planet and I'll die on this planet!"."
Mark then wonders for a second what a girl so young is doing to help. The thought hadn't crossed his mind yet. Before opening his mouth to ask, he notices a man she was with before. He looks very similar to the well-known army of peace - the Jedi. "Well we're about to head of now if you'd like to help. That's if, of course", he says loudly, looking at the man she was with earlier who he is guessing is her master, "If it's okay with you."

 

[Jaz]

Another man--a soldier, approached them. Eris looked at him as he explained what was needed. "They're kind of the type who say, 'I was born on this planet, and I'll die on this planet,'" The man said about the older civilians who needed to be evacuated.

Eris cracked something resembling a smile, "Well, tell 'em they can do that after the fight." After a pause, she added, "Yeah, I'll help, just tell me where."

The man seemed to notice Jenton, and asked him for his approval.

"That's fine, but she's with me once the fighting starts," Jenton responded. Eris grinned and looked around. She saw a few houses with soldiers standing in front, vainly trying to coax the elders out. She sprinted over.

"Look, you need to leave." Eris said to the first one, an aged twi'lek.

"Now you listen 'ere," He spat, "I ain't leaving my home for no damn batting competition."

Eris might have found that funny if the situation hadn't been so dire. She took a breath to keep from snapping at the man, "No. Battle. B-a-t-t-l-e. Guns. Bombs. Laser swords. Pew pew. Boom!" She explained, feeling her dignity slowly dying.

The man's eyes widened, "B-But...I don't wanna go."

"It's just for a few days, at the most," She told him. "After the fighting's over you can all come back."

The man agreed to be escorted to the evac site, and Eris moved on. She did her best to talk the elderly into standing down and evacuating. She carried a rather frail old woman to the place, holding her on her back, slowed by the weight. After, she returned to the soldier. "You know, I think half of them don't even know what's going on." She told him.

 

[SirNoodles]

"That's fine, but she's with me once the fighting starts", says the girl's master in response to Mark checking with him.
"You need not worry, sir", replies Mark, sounding assuring. "The fighting isn't due for a few days. Besides I can guarantee you I'd take care if things did go unexpected."
With that being said, Mark's old friend Corporal Nardul nudges him. "C'mon, Mark. We got a lot of old folks to persuade." Then they all go off to the site where the old people are.

Mark chuckles slightly. "Yeah, that's the problem. They barely know what's happening. Half of them wouldn't even know who the sith are."
Feeling like he's been a little rude, Mark decides to introduce himself. "My name's Mark Darsten", he introduces himself, extending his arm out as though he is expecting a handshake. "My father's Falcon Darsten. You might've seen him or heard about him before."

 

[Jaz]

Eris took the man's hand and shook it. "Yeah, the name sounds familiar," She said, when Mark introduced himself and mentioned that his father was Falcon Darsten. "I couldn't pick him out of a crowd though, I've just heard of him." She was never one to keep up with politics too zealously, preferring instead to see where help was needed and provide aid there. She used to complain that all they talked about was taxes and money--petty things like that--now she missed it. War was the main topic of discussion, now.

"I'm Eris," She told Mark, "That's Jenton." She motioned towards her master.

She took another glance around, seeing the old folks were grudgingly agreeing to leave for a while. None of them were all too pleased, but that wasn't important right now. "So, what now?" She asked, "Gear up?"

 

[SirNoodles]

Mark shrugs. "I dunno", he replies honestly. "As I said, the invasion isn't due for a few more days." Mark then thinks for a few second if there is anything to do especially judging on how eager she appears to be. "Well I'm not sure myself. " After spotting her master, he adds, "Maybe it's best you return to your master. I'm not fully sure on what you Jedi are here for. Maybe he'll be sure."
It's true - Mark barely even expected the Jedi to be here. After all they hadn't been involved in any of the other conflicts as far as he knows. But he's just glad so many people are volunteering to help Onderon - regardless of the fact they are Jedi, smugglers or even criminals.

 

[Jaz]

Eris nodded and ran back to Jenton. Worn out from the day's events, she sat down on the ground and took everything in. Everyone she saw now was here to defend the planet. The evacuation ships were taking off to god-knows-where. Eris watched the sky, not quite sure what she was expecting. She watched the clouds and the ships pass over their heads. Jenton looked at her from his seat on a bench before turning his glance to the soldier. Jenton waved at him--an invitation to join him at the bench while they waited.

 

[SirNoodles]

Mark watches as the girl runs back to her master. Once she has returned, Mark pulls out his rifle as he hears ships start taking off near where he is. He then jogs over to the ship and checks the man in the cockpit seeming as none of the flight control are at the scene. Once he arrives at the ship, the pilot opens his window.
"State your name and show some ID!" shouts Mark over the sound of the engine.
Ignorantly, the man then closes his window and then his engine starts sounding as though he is preparing for take-off. "Son of a b*tch!" mutters Mark before waving for the flight control to see. The flight control then arrive at the scene and say their thank you in a dismissive way to Mark. Mark then returns to the location he was at around the site where the elderly were being evacuated.
In the corner of his eye, he notices a wave and turns his head to see who's waving. The girl and his master are sat at a bench and the master is waving in a way of an invitation. Seeing as he's done what he was meant to, Mark slings his rifle around his shoulder and walks over to the bench, taking his seat when he arrives there.
"Jenton, isn't it?" Mark asks, yet again extending his hand for a handshake. "Not sure if Eris told you but my name's Mark Darsten - I'm a member of the Republic's Army and a former member of the Royal Onderonion Military."

 

[Jaz]

Jenton shook Mark's hand and gave a quick, single nod. "Jenton Ulysses, Jedi Knight," He said. He looked forward, watching everyone bustling to get done whatever needed to be done. Distracted, he spaced out for a few moments before shaking himself back to the present.

"Sorry, I'm a bit distracted," Jenton apologized. He looked at Mark, "So, Republic Army?" After scanning his uniform, he added, "I suppose I should call you Lieutenant Darsten, hm?" The half smile that played across his face suggested a hint of teasing.

 

[SirNoodles]

Mark watches as Jenton is paying attention to the bustling and everything. It does seem very hectic. "Well the thing is", explains Mark, "Onderon is really taking this battle seriously. Way more serious than Zeltros did. We're one proud nation of people and to have our dignity taken by a bunch of mad, lightsaber-wielding lunatics really wouldn't be acceptable for us." After a pause, Mark continues explaining: "Ever since our planet was first populated we'd achieved a lot of success. Very few people managed to build a fortified city you're sitting in right now to be protected from life-threatening beasts out there." He points in the direction of the wall and beyond it.
After the seriousness dies down, Jenton then makes a joke: "I suppose I should call you Lieutenant Darsten, hm?"
It takes Mark about a second or two to process the joke before he starts chuckling slightly. "Just because I'm 18", replies Mark, jokingly, "doesn't mean I can't be a lieutenant." In still a joke way, he sarcastically brags, "I managed to be able to use a gun fully when I was about, I dunno, 6 or so... Maybe even younger."

 

[Jaz]

Jenton took the time to really admire the structure of the city. "Impressive," He commented. Listening to Mark explain, "You're right, most governments just assume something like that--what happened on Zeltros--would never happen to them. Then, when it does, they aren't ready." He shook his head and sighed.

"I managed to be able to use a gun fully when I was about, I dunno, six or younger," Mark said.

"I'm impressed, Lieutenant Darsten," Jenton responded, "I can't shoot to save my life."

Once again distracted by his own thoughts, he looked at Mark, "So, this gonna be your first big battle?" He asked.

 

[SirNoodles]

"I can't shoot to save my life", responds Jenton.
Mark chuckles slightly. "Don't worry about it", replies Mark. He quickly shoots the lightsaber a look, "You know how to use them. If I have to be honest it'd be way cooler to use that then a gun."
Mark notices that Jenton is distracted by his thoughts again. He decides that it is best not to bother him about it and give him his own time to process his thoughts. "So, this gonna be your first big battle?" asks Jenton.
With barely any hesitation or reluctance, Mark nods. Right after nodding he replies, "I haven't been in major battles. I'm quite nervous but in all fairness, aren't we all? This battle could change Onderon, the Republic and the Sith. Certainly a lot of pressure involved. But my dad's certain we'll win and that we have the upper hand. I see his point - we're heavily fortified, got civilians out of the way, have about three or four armies involved and the Sith either have to face us or those forests and their bizarre yet dangerous creatures." Saying this is really giving Mark a confidence boost. He hopes it is giving the two Jedi confidence boosts too.

 

[Jaz]

"Part of my training was mental preparation for a fight, so a year or so ago, I wouldn't have been too worried at all, but now..." Jenton nodded indicatively towards Eris, who sat a few yards away, totally oblivious to the conversation, "It's her I'm worried for." Then, not wanting to dampen the otherwise high spirits, he added with a small chuckle, "I guess I tend to dote."

 

[SirNoodles]

Mark chuckles slightly along with Jenton's. He then looks at Eris before looking at Jenton again. "Don't worry", says Mark, reassuringly. "She's a strong one - I see it in her. Plus if you need, I'll keep an eye out for her too."
Mark then, just like Jenton, scans his surroundings. It feels weird for him to see his home scattered with people who are preparing for possibly the biggest battle within a hundred years. What also makes Mark feel uncomfortable is the thought of his home and friends getting killed/destroyed. This could be Iziz's last stand. The walls could be destroyed, creating an opening for the creatures to get in along with the Sith. Thousands of years' hard work destroyed within minutes. The walls aren't built to hold off this type of war. The Jedi may be able to sense it that Mark is worried about one subject more than anything - his father Falcon. Falcon seems so eager and carried away to do his best to make sure he'll win. Mark wouldn't be surprised if he got into a ship, drove it and camocazied it into a Sith's ship.

 

[Jaz]

Jenton nodded at Mark's reassurance. The planet looked strange, now. Even with all the soldiers and volunteers, it seemed deserted. Jenton tried to remember the last time he had slept. He didn't feel sleepy, in the normal sense of the word, but he was mentally worn out. "Hang on," He said to Mark, then addressed Eris, "Hey, Eris, how about you try and get some sleep, alright?"

Eris looked up at him and nodded. She ran to the ship and climbed in. Once she was safely inside and the door was close, Jenton turned back to Mark. He could only imagine what was going through his head. Having noticed the way Mark referred to Onderon in the first person sometimes, Jenton guessed this was his home planet. Just to confirm, he asked, "I'm guessing this is where you're from?"

 

[SirNoodles]

Mark is broken from his concentration as he is approached with a question. "I'm guessing this is where you're from?"
Mark nods in response to the question. He then asks, "Where are you from, Jenton?"
Judging on the fact he is a Jedi, Mark is guessing he's atleast from a Republic planet. After all most Jedi are either from Republic or Jedi worlds. Not much, as far as Mark is confirmed, come from outer rim or more distant planets.

 

[Jaz]

"Where are you from, Jenton?" Mark asked.

"Coruscant," Jenton responded, nonchalantly.

He understood Mark's desire to protect this planet. People always got attached, at least in some way, to their homes. Jenton himself was somewhat attached to coruscant, but more so to his ship, as that was where he spent most of his time. He promised silently to do whatever it took to keep this planet intact.