Seeds of Rebellion

[Michael Scott]

Instead of sitting in the middle of space and waiting for an entire squadron that was already late, James positioned his interceptor and looked at the awesome firepower raining down on Muunlinst, he was in awe and began laughing uncontrollably after he turned off his mic. Ever since he was little he knew the Imperial Navy was the best thing that ever happened to the galaxy, this incident proved no less as the fleet laid waste to an entire planet. He smiled so hard that his cheeks were hurting and he had to force himself to stop smiling and turn his fighter back around towards the planet; the planet which they were supposed to be entering right now if the bomber squadron had obeyed orders. Those bastards should be shot for not coming out here, he thought to himself, why join the Navy if you don't want to fly? Even though he didn't know what was happening, his intuition knew what was going on, but it wasn't his concern. No Shields, All Guts!

 

[Jacques]

Elston threw on his helmet, as per his orders. But all he could think of was how much he wanted to take out that Thane guy first...but he doubted he would get the chance. "Sir, it's Yawkey-ahhh, screw it." He said, waving it off. Nobody cared, and there were bigger, much bigger things on the young private's mind than some idiot getting his name wrong. With a sigh, he leaned back comfortably and hoped that nobody would be deployed and they would figure that the orbital bombardment was enough to send the rebellion into shambles.

...There was no way that was happening.

The stormtrooper just wanted to make a run for it. Go to a ship bay or whatever they were called, he wasn't a fan of flying and had no reason to find out the name, and steal a freighter. He could be able to fly it, well enough to take a jump and just get the hell out of there. Elston looked around, wondering if he'd be able to pull it off.

'There's no way I could pull it off...I just have to face it, I have to go to the ground and kill Muuns and just pretend I'm happy while I'm doing it...' He thought to himself, just wondering if he could take his blaster and end his own misery. Too bad he wasn't depressed enough to do that, though.

 

[Vayna Akhara]

The fire from the capital ships high above was raining down on the defenceless world as Istana and her flight screamed down through the atmosphere, their speed causing the wingtips to glow red and leave a bright trail behind them as they fell on their prey. Istana levelled out and began a strafing run down one of the main thoroughfares, her laser cannon blasting a stream of death into anyone who hadn't got into one of the buildings. Ahead of her loomed a massive grey structure, a huge shopping mall, into which a stream of people were fleeing, seeking a safety that was illusory. The tall blonde held her thumb over the release mechanism as she sped towards her new target, accelerating as she closed, until, almost as if it seemed she would crash, she pulled her Tarkin-class TIE interceptor up into a vertical climb, hitting the release button as she did so.

The proton bomb's aim was true, the heavy explosive disappearing into the mall as she climbed, rolled and reversed into a Stavak turn back over the city. A moment later, a huge fireball erupted from the base of the building, and slowly but surely, it began to collapse, faster and faster as gravity took over. With an earth-shaking roar, the falling building finally hit the ground, dust and debris being thrown in all directions, the huge structure now nothing more than a vast pile of rubble ... and corpses.

But Istana wasn't even watching. Instead, she'd already selected her next target; a power station that had been damaged, but so far not yet destroyed, by the orbital bombardment. The fighter leapt forward, eager to kill.


(OOC : Stavak turn - the Star Wars name for an Immelmann turn, according to me)

 

[Count Sam]

Kelvin continued to take puffs from his cigar with a smile on his face as he watched the amazing site of fire being rained on a planet and as some of the low officers on his ships dragged the body of the dead traitor away. This was Kelvin's favorite place; yeah he always enjoyed being in the middle of a massacre and shedding blood with his own hands. He was a bloodthirsty devil and that was a thing he was known for ever since he was still a pirate.

 

[Vayna Akhara]

Istana screamed towards the power station, her laser cannon already punching gaping holes in the superstructure of the complex. Three proton bombs remained - not that more than one would be required to level the target. The remaining two - well, she had a whole planet to aim for, she was sure to find plenty to aim for. Gauging her run-in to perfection, she pulled up and released the bomb in one smooth motion, rolling away to starboard whilst keeping low to the deck. A second later, a huge mushroom cloud appeared in her rear vision as the power station was torn apart.

Side-slipping to port, Istana noticed movement on the ground below; people running for cover from the bombardment, men, women, children. Calmly and without hesitation, she pressed the firing stud, her laser cannon lashing out, vapourising the fugitives before they could reach sanctuary. The Emperor had decreed them to be traitors; there was to be no mercy for them. So she had none.

Blaster bolts suddenly arced towards her from a burning building directly in her path. Individual shots, poorly aimed and no danger, but shots nonetheless, Transferring more power to her shields, the tall blonde slowed slightly to get a better idea of where in the structure the firing was coming from, then aimed and fired her cannon. The front of the wrecked building exploded under the hammer blows of her guns, and the front wall fell, bodies mixed in with the falling rubble. Istana pulled up then rolled back down; there were still more targets to be destroyed.

 

[dskod1]

Büro sat in his chair listening to the music of the belting guns that continued to hit the surface of the planet. The Obedient shacked with each pounding shot and in the background the sound of the radio works its magic to make one of the most beutiful pieces of music that Büro loved. The sound of Traitors death. He right elbow was rested on the arm rest and his hand risen in the air, moving with the music that he hears in the background. His hand falls to the armchair as he begins to ponder. 'How could anyone betray the mighty empire. I just cannot seem to fathom it. Still these traitors would act as an example to other people who would dare try and defy the might of the empire'. The comm offcier turns to the grand admiral from his work station.

"Sir, over 80% of the planet has been destroyed."

The grand admiral nodded and than stood from his chair. He walked back to the elevator turning as he entered. Before hitting any of the buttons however he looks over to the captain who had been quietly standing still in the corner.

"Captain Renne has the bridge."

He says with a clear voice, The captain bowing to the grand admiral and making his way to the front section of the bridge. Büro hits the button and the doors swiftly close the elevator once more on the move. As swiftly as the doors had close they were already open again. Büro walked a short distance forward and turned left. The soldier standing on guard outside the comm room gave a salute and than opened the door for Büro. He nodded in acknowledgement and continued inside the room. The door closing behind him. He goes to the center of the room kneeling once more on one knee with his head looking at the ground. He puts the communication back through to the emperor.

"My Lord, Over 80% of the planet has been brought to dust. What is your will?"

He awaited for a reply unable to see the image in front of him, instead seeing the floor.

 

[Crim]

"Keep on 'em!"

Darius Pearton shouted through the comm, "Pearton to Jury, you are to deploy more bombers. Begin preparation for surface extermination. All ground soldiers get to the transports." Pearton scanned through the viewport. Thousands of people were dying on Munnilist. Base Zero Delta was a truly immoral command. However, it had to be done.

 

[Lavi]

The 224th reported a launch rack malfunction, apparently, delaying the scrambling action. A certain team of mechanics will most likely be questioned afterwards regarding the rack's maintenance.

Once the bomber squadron arrived at the rendezvous point, they began their descent to the planet's surface.

"Diamond formation, boys," Bernogne advised his wing. "Let's make this a live-munition exercise."

He brought his TIE in front of the leading TIE Bomber, acting like a pointman for the bomber craft. The other TIEs were to surround the bomber squadron, providing a comprehensive field of protection and detection against potential enemy interception fighters. However, Bernogne highly doubted any were in the skies. This was a massacre.

 

[Vayna Akhara]

A fireball erupted astern of the screaming fighter, and Istana pulled up and climbed, turning to port and looking down to see what structures remained standing. In the distance she could see huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky, and below her, most of the buildings were rubble or teetering on the edge of collapse. There were no signs of movement, only a haze of smoke and ash hanging in the air.

They'll probably send in the ground forces to smoke the rest of the rats out of their holes. Still, in the meantime, we pilots get to have fun.

Ahead of her an overhead tunnel which had once connected two buildings, fell and smashed into the ground, a thundering roar accompanying its destruction. One of the buildings it had once linked shuddered, groaned, and began to collapse. The blonde pilot decided to help the other on its way with her last proton bomb. Banking to starboard, she lined it up in her sights and began her attack run.

 

[Michael Scott]

As James flew with his squadron in the diamond formation he began to wonder why there wasn't any type of resistance. Just because this was a Delta Base Zero doesn't mean they couldn't counterattack, or does it? Not for me to worry about, he thought to himself, I'm just a normal Ensign taking orders happily. Finally as the squadron entered the atmosphere James saw a large number of destroyed starfighters and capital ships in their docking bays, if it weren't for the Delta Base Zero and the cleanup those ships could've destroyed most of the fleet. Maybe they were planning to defect or attack us or something. James started to lose his excitement and adrenaline as he realized that there wasn't going to be any resistance and saw a few shuttles from the ground forces.

Damn rebels, they wanted a fight and we brought to them. Too bad they couldn't last long enough to get there asses whooped by us.

 

[Count Sam]

"Sir it looks like we are almost done with the bombardment!!" the ship's captain said to Admiral Kelvin as he waited for further orders from the Admiral who seemed to be enjoying his time but was at the same time starting to get bored since there were no resistance.

Still though there was something wrong with that easy victory that he did not understand..

"Give orders to all troops to get into their shuttles and pods and get ready for their deployment on the ground...Also give signals to our fighters crews to get ready to retreat and cover our shuttles as they make it down to the planet." He ordered as his captain quickly started to issue his orders.

"After all we are not sure what might strike us so we better be in the safe zone." He added as he looked at the planet.

 

[Allu'rah Danan]

Kiada's heart seemed to freeze when they were given the order to fire on Muunilinst. She had sworn to protect the Empire, and now she was to fire on its people? Sure, Muunilinst had rebels, and she was fine about quieting the discord they had caused, but bombarding the entire planet? They would kill countless innocents, civilians with no part in a rebellion! But if she refused to comply with orders, she and her entire fleet would be branded as traitors. So who would she save? The countless faceless innocents, or the score of men she knew so well? Kiada punched the controls to seal the cockpit of her TIE Defender and let out a frustrated roar before pushing the button on her helmet to open up the com channel. "This is Commander Atar. Orders acknowledged, Command. Launching the 32nd Assault Fleet," she said through gritted teeth. There was definitely a raw edge to her voice.

In minutes, Kiada's Defender and her squads of Bombers and Fighters were launched and forming up. Her three lieutenants, all of whom were piloting Interceptors, were falling into formation with their squads. Each of the three squadrons had five standard Fighters and four Bombers, and the Bombers had been filled to their maximum capacity with thermal detonators. As the Twi'lek took point and the three squads fell in behind her, she understood why. The Holocaust of Muunilinst was in full swing by the time the 32nd Assault Fleet had entered the atmosphere. The entire surface of the planet was wreathed in flame. Even though she could not hear the screams of the dying Muun, she could feel them. It made Kiada's stomach turn.

"Commander Atar. You and your ships are to give support to the ground teams and clean up any rebel forces remaining on the surface. Please commence your bombing run immediately to try and cull their numbers before the ground forces land. Their ETA in your vicinity is fifteen minutes. Acknowledge."

The Twi'lek was silent. Even though she had deduced her orders before receiving them, she still had to fight back an overwhelming urge to vomit. She was sickened by this slaughter, this massacre. "Orders acknowledged, Command. Commencing bombing run," Kiada replied coldly as she attempted to steel herself for what she was about to do. Opening the channel to all her ships. "Bravo Team, Delta Team, Echo Team, this is Alpha Leader," she broadcast to the three squadrons. "I want all Fighters to form up on me in dagger formation. All Bombers are to get behind us in a standard bombing line. Leaders acknowledge." Her lieutenants sounded about as pleased with the orders as Kiada felt as they acknowledged and fell into formation. Bravo and Echo Leader trailed after Kiada's Defender to the port and starboard sides respectively, and the Fighters they led came behind in angled lines, forming a narrow V. Delta Leader was directly behind her, and his five Fighters made a triangle behind him that filled in the body of their dagger formation. The bombers fell into a single long rank. The Sergeants of the teams held the vital positions in the rank, With Bravo 1 ending the port end, Echo 1 capping the starboard end, and Delta 1 held the middle.

Kiada's forces swooped down towards the service, less than a kilometer from the ground. Almost all the buildings taller than that had already collapsed. Kiada couldn't see the ground, or the surviving Muun that were running for their lives, because of the dust cloud sent up by the crumbled structures. However, the orange glow and plumes of black smoke rising from it hinted at fires already burning on the ground. She sighed and shook her head. If there were rebels on this planet, they were not putting up enough of a resistance to justify Delta Base Zero.

They finally came to an area where the dust cloud was thinner, and there were signs of movement below. However, Kiada hesitated to give the order to her Bombers to drop their payloads. This isn't right. We shouldn't be doing this, she thought to herself. What to do?

 

[Syn]

Mistral had spent most of his time with his men waiting. The space battle was going on and now they were being sent down to the planet. He didn't know what else to do and reports that the surface was being bombed was a little startling. There were more civilians down there then rebels and he looked at his forearms with all the names. He couldn't imagine giving that order let alone carrying it out as he stood up and grabbed a bracer. He checked it and secured it ejecting the blade to be sure and followed suit with the second. He looked a the men with him and just nodded feeling the ship as it went down and he spoke. "You all know what to do when we get planetside, find the rebels and take them out. When you find civilians get them out I want a clean sweep and not unneeded casualties. Is that understood?" Mistral looked at his men as they nodded and he looked at the other troopers in the ship. He would have to be careful how he acted but he had sworn an oath to help as he flicked his earring and popped his neck holding the hilt of his sword in its sheath.

 

[Vayna Akhara]

Taia wasn't listening to the small-talk going on around her; she'd heard it all before, the talk about who would kill the most, whether they might find themselves a woman - or a boy, depending on their tastes; whether there'd be much opposition when they went in, and why was it always the 'flyboys' who got to have the fun of smashing a defenceless nest of rebellious scum? It was just background to her, the idle talk of fighting troops the Galaxy over.

She checked her weapon again, even though she'd already checked it twice; a weapon failure in combat would be almost certain death, she'd seen it back in Avactaris Delta III, and she wasn't going to allow it to happen to her. The ARC-9965 blaster rifle she'd been issued with was a significant advance on the old E-11 blaster, or even its successors like the E15 and E-19. It did, however, go through its power packs a lot more rapidly, so they were issued with an additional six clips, as well as a half-dozen frag grenades to attach to their armour for use in the coming landing. She worked the rifle over, checking each piece was aligned perfectly, parts moved smoothly, and the sights were properly aligned. Then she set the weapon aside and started on her pistol.

This is your weapon, it is what will separate you from the dead, if you allow it to. It is your shield and your sword, cutting down those that would slay you that you might live another day, another hour, another minute. Care for it as if it were your life-spouse - no, more than that. Care for it as the most valuable object in your Universe. Know it intimately, know its workings, its foibles, its strengths and weaknesses. Keep it clean, keep its parts strong, keep its workings smooth and clean; and you shall be rewarded with its faithful service and protection. The words of the old Clan armourer echoed through her head as she worked, a reminder of the values her life had hammered into the tall young woman, values she would uphold this day.



"Alright, listen up! Word's come down to prepare for drop. You all know your assigned transport; board them now and wait for further orders. Alright, mount up!" The slim blonde climbed to her feet at the barked order, swung her rifle over her shoulder, and strode to the shuttle she'd been assigned to. Though they had not yet received detailed orders, everyone could guess they were here to teach Muunilinst a lesson, make an example of it for the Galaxy to see. The prospect of killing civilians meant nothing to her - she'd done it often enough in the past, killing a man for the first time using a knife when she was only eight years old, and taking part in, even leading, raids on other clans through the years. The rebels were fools, weakening the whole Empire with their stupidity; on Avactaris Delta III, amongst her Clan, such selfishness and refusal to put the good of the whole over their own desires was punishable by death, and so, if the Emperor commanded the deaths of all the people of Muunilinst, so be it; it was no more than they deserved.

She set her helmet on her head and strapped herself into a seat along the wall, waiting for that gut-wrenching lurch as the shuttle was dropped onto the dying world below.

 

[Insanity]

Listening, watching. Always listening, always watching. It was how you learned what others thought, how they felt. It was a trait any sharpshooter had to learn. Qwarn knew it, had learned it, and he had slowly killed his curiosity. He knew how his unit felt, how they thought. He saw the worry-lines on the old Sergeant's face, the slight shake in the hand of his spotter. He knew that his own hands were steady, his face empty and passive. The comm chatter from his helmet and the general talk from the other nineteen soldiers aboard the transport flowed past him, empty words used to calm each other down or to repeat what they'd be doing. He had watched the bombardment from the start, staring out of a viewport aboard Flying Snake, ever since it began.

The many must pay for the crimes of the few. As much as he hated it, he knew that things would always work like that. He had long since accepted it, ever since his youth on Bastion. As such, he found himself in the confines of the troop shuttle, slowly shutting off various thoughts. If there was any resistance when the order was given and they began landing, only instinct would keep him and others alive. Plenty of thinking to be done -after- the initial contact. As far as it went, however, he doubted there'd be anything beyond token resistance. Whatever the case, he had his orders. Civilians, rebels, they were all targets. And as an Imperial soldier, he would do whatever he had to do. It was just a waiting game, for now.

 

[Demiurge]

The silence was broken. For several hours, the Dark Lord sat in the darkness of his throne room. But it wasn't the same as before. Even within the deepest core of his flagship, the emperor could feel the tremors and vibrations of the turbolasers firing, hear the thunderous booms as each massive energy cell discharged into a bombarding blast. Yet, the disturbances were eerily hypnotic, soothing to his mind until the humming transmission from his console began to alarm and open a channel to his fleet commander.

"My Lord, Over 80% of the planet has been brought to dust. What is your will?"

The Dark Lord was unmoving, but spoke promptly to the Grand Admiral.

"Cease the bombardment. What structures survive now on the surface will crumble to dust in the times that will follow. You've done well, Grand Admiral. Stand by, and await further orders."

At that, Lord Exodeus ended the transmission to the bridge, and opened another channel to the Imperial ship Seraphim.

In the centuries of internal strife on Muunilinst, the Muuns had created provisions in the wake of civil wars and conflicts. The most prominent of these, were centered built and sustained underground sanctuaries carved from the bases of the planet's numerous inactive conical supervolcanoes. The liquid iron core of Muunilinst also provided the planet with an abnormally powerful geomagnetic field, powerful enough to obscure electronic bio-readings and activity beneath the crust.

And they were used once again; despite the planet being in a state of utter devastation, the Dark Lord of the Sith could still feel teeming lifeforms. Some had escaped... many had escaped, to a place too deep for the penetration of an orbital bombardment to reach. Of the formerly twelve billion lives on the surface, Exodeus could sense no more than three-fourths of the planet's inhabitants perish. While some eighty percent of the surface lay in ruins, nearly three billion lives still endured. But all the same, it was a foreseen possibility, one he had prepared the Empire for.

"Grand General Luficel," the Dark Lord said, revealing himself to his Miraluka field commander, "The time has arrived. Deploy the troops to the surface to initiate the cleansing. Sweep each volcano, scour every area, until they are found. Male, female, elderly, and child. Purge all survivors found in the underground havens."

 

[Dmitri]

Lament. Euphoria. Despair.

Such melodies soothed the soul of Lucifel. In truth, they did not touch Lucifel for sadistic reason, but out of loyalty. All thus suffering was in the name of the Empire. The death, the destruction, all for the Empire. In times of crisis, casualties were... necessary.

Lucifel sat in the ivory throne that served as the captain's seat in the Seraphim, a Dominion-class capital ship, the Grand Admiral's flagship that served dually as a troopship and transport ship for ground assault vehicles. The Seraphim had been near the bombardment, the holocaust on the Muuns, but had not participated. It mattered not. For as Lucifel guessed the Emperor could sense, Lucifel sensed that there still lived a few Muuns on the planet. While most were dead, the destruction an echo in the Force, Lucifel could still sense survivors.

"I wonder, how did they know to go underground?" pondered Lucifel. "Were they tipped off? If they did, they were fools not to flee. The Sith have ways of detection that scanners cannot, so their volcanos won't save them."

A hologram of the Emperor, Darth Exodeus, appeared before Lucifel, as if an epiphany from a god. Lucifel immediately stood up and bowed respectively. He was not like the other generals, who bowed and reveled in the Emperor's wake out of fear. Lucifel gave his courtesy to the Emperor out of respect and admiration towards Darth Exodeus. As a Force Adept and of a species dipped in the Force, Lucifel could only admire Exodeus' brilliance, a radiance of skill and power.

Lucifel guessed what this honor was about. The Emperor and Grand General had discussed the possibility of the Muuns hiding underground in the "smokers" during the massacre. Thus, Lucifel and several legions under his authority accompanied the Imperial fleet to Muunilinst. The bombardment would purge the planet of most of its life, and Lucifel would come in as if an angel of death after the wake of the storm to depart the survivors of their lives.

"Grand General Luficel," the Dark Lord said to Lucifel, "The time has arrived. Deploy the troops to the surface to initiate the cleansing. Sweep each volcano, scour every area, until they are found. Male, female, elderly, and child. Purge all survivors found in the underground havens."

"Survivors are both a sin and a blessing, in the times of war," said Lucifel. "They can amass support against their attackers or spread the word of our deeds. However, Muunilinst has betrayed the Empire for the last time. All life shall meet its maker." Lucifel straightened out and saluted the Emperor. "I shall serve as the angel of death here, the shinigami, bringing all life to Hell. Your will be done."

Lucifel bowed a second time, a queue to his communications officer to terminate the transmission. Some commanders feared the wrath of their commanding officers if they dared end the transmission first, but Lucifel was about effeciency, and so was Exodeus. Exodeus had already parted upon Lucifel what needed to be said and there was little point in Lucifel continuing the transmission.

Lucifel barked orders for all ground forces to enter Phase 2, with the prior one having been preparations for launching. Lucifel had done some research on the "smokers" and the Vault-spires concerning them. Most of the Muuns would have held up there, in the inactive volcanoes. However, the volcanoes also led to obvious entrances, entrances that could be defended and rigged. Thus, Lucifel had decided for two approaches. A third of the soldiers would attempt to infiltrate the volcanic tubes through natural openings or man-made ones that led to the vault-spires. Another third would be using Javelin-class drop ships to drill straight into the interior of the shafts, attacking them from the middle, forcing the Muun survivors to either attack the surprise attackers, or try to flee to the entrances, where soldiers would be waiting. Either way, soldiers would be attacking from multiple sides. The remainder of Lucifel's forces would be on standby, reinforcements to be sent in case certain areas required assistance.

Lucifel knew that it would take too long to try to eradicate all the survivors, especially since more survived than originally hypothesized, other methods would be used. In locations closer to the cracks between tectonic plates, explosives would be placed in key points to try to 'dentonate' some of the inactive volcanoes; this measure was to be done before soldiers infiltrated vault-spires nearby in case the eruption affected them too. Biological warfare was also being used; a couple Sith that had entered the fray had petitioned the usage of some sithspawn and beasts, though Lucifel wasn't sure if the Emperor had approved it or not.

Lucifel stepped onto the hologram projector. Giving a suddle nod to the communications officer, a transmission was sent to all of the ships that pertained to ground forces, though other ships could have listened in if they had wished; Lucifel didn't care.

"Soldiers of the Empire, executors of the Emperor's Will, the time has come," said Lucifel. "The Muunilinst had their chance at becoming one with our glorious Empire, to walk with us as we approach the enlightment of galactic hegemony! However, the Muuns felt unworthy, heretical, and thus rebelled against this great Empire. We gave them the opportunity to come back to our flock, our united community. They could have accepted the governor-general we sent, but they refused. They didn't want to be Empire. They wanted to be rebels, traitors, slime on the windshield needing to be wiped away. They wished to prove a point, to try to get others to do the same. However, what they were met was the choirs of angels trumpeting the end with winds of fire, armageddon blazing Muunilinst. Through our heralding, they may hope to become martyrs of the conquest to come, the dawn of a new age. But martyrdom is not what shall be found here, only ash and ruin, the idol in which to be worshipped as the example of the Empire's might. To bring into completion this holy ground, the first place to be shown the true power of the Empire, all must be eradicated. Go, harbingers of the Empire's might, and annihilate all that remains on this sad apocalypse-touched planet. The Muuns have cowered in their hellholes that once bred minerals and heat. Where magma once flowed, blood shall flow in its stead. You have your orders. You know what you must do, for what must be done. All Hail the Empire! All Hail Emperor Bayne, the Darth Exodeus, Dark Lord of the Sith!"

 

[dskod1]

Büro had managed to make it all the way back to his seat on the bridge however he was interrupted from sending a message out to the fleet by the grand generals speech. Büro acknowledged the order however he did not like the grandeur that was added to it. This was military not the public, although, he thought to himself, I suppose it would assist in morale and strike fear into those that would dare think of betraying the empire. Traitors was far from Büro's mind. He did not think that the military would dare betray the mighty and glorious empire. Still it was always a lingering problem that he would keep in the back of his mind. Büro clicked a button and once more his voice would be heard over by captains and admirals alike.

"This is grand Admiral Büro, All bombardment and bombing of the planet is to cease, bombers are to return to there hangers and all fighters are to prepare to escort transport shuttles to the planet. All transport shuttles will take as much ground forces as required by the grand general to designations provided by the grand general. I hereby give permission for the Grand General to designate both areas to bomb or bombard if needed be."

The transmission ending abruptly finely once more Büro would stand as the lights previously created by the attack on the planet ceased. To bad, he thought, I really wanted to see the entire place brought to dust. He gave a short sigh as he once more would have to be put on communications. Twisting his he clicks another button on his chair and he quickly turns around and places his hands behind his back. A holographic communication would appear to Grand Admiral Lucifel. Instead of saluting however Büro nodded in acknowledgement of there near identical ranking.

"Grand General, You would have heard over the latest communication from me about the protection and powers I have handed over to you for this operation. I will effectively letting you do what needs to be done unless you need me to move the fleet. Do the empire proud Grand General."

He once more nods wit his head and the communication ends. he nods to the captain who begins deploying shuttles from the obedient. Turning around Büro was tired and would go get some sleep for the rest of the operation or until communicated. The crew knew they had to wake him if he was needed. Turning around in the elevator it soon closes and Büro leaves for some shut eye which is conveniently located right next to the elevator and comm room.

 

[Vayna Akhara]

"Soldiers of the Empire, executors of the Emperor's Will, the time has come," said Lucifel. "The Muunilinst had their chance at becoming one with our glorious Empire, to walk with us as we approach the enlightment of galactic hegemony! However, the Muuns felt unworthy, heretical, and thus rebelled against this great Empire. We gave them the opportunity to come back to our flock, our united community. They could have accepted the governor-general we sent, but they refused. They didn't want to be Empire. They wanted to be rebels, traitors, slime on the windshield needing to be wiped away. They wished to prove a point, to try to get others to do the same. However, what they were met was the choirs of angels trumpeting the end with winds of fire, armageddon blazing Muunilinst. Through our heralding, they may hope to become martyrs of the conquest to come, the dawn of a new age. But martyrdom is not what shall be found here, only ash and ruin, the idol in which to be worshipped as the example of the Empire's might. To bring into completion this holy ground, the first place to be shown the true power of the Empire, all must be eradicated. Go, harbingers of the Empire's might, and annihilate all that remains on this sad apocalypse-touched planet. The Muuns have cowered in their hellholes that once bred minerals and heat. Where magma once flowed, blood shall flow in its stead. You have your orders. You know what you must do, for what must be done. All Hail the Empire! All Hail Emperor Bayne, the Darth Exodeus, Dark Lord of the Sith!"

The echoes of the Grand General's speech died away, and outside the shuttle Taia could hear the cheers of the regular troops. From the Stormtroopers, however, there was silence; they did not need speeches to ignite their bloodlust or stoke their rage, they were already killers, straining at their leashes. Another voice came over their comms, this time that of the battalion commander.

"Alright, listen up! You heard the Grand General - we're to mop up the surviving Muuns. Most of 'em've taken refuge in the empty lava tubes o' the big extinct volcanoes that dot the planet, and it's our job to go dig 'em out. The rest o' the ground-pounders're staying topside or workin' their way down. We're not - we're gonna go in an' hit their tunnels directly. These shuttles're hardened enough t' burrow their way into the old lava tubes an' cut off the Muuns from behind, flush 'em out. Once we hit the tunnels, work yer way along 'em, kill anyone an' ev'ryone. That's all."

Taia didn't react to the announcement - she'd already figured most of it out. She seen the transports they were going in on, and knew the capabilities of the Javelin-class shuttle and its ability to burrow through rock to reach subterranean targets. Then there was the fact that each four-man section included one Oppressor flamethrower, and that they all carried additional grenades, meaning their equipment loadout was geared towards close quarters fighting. Add the fact that the planet Muunlinst had been talked about as their destination by those with their ears to the ground and informal sources of information, and it was possible for a soldier to put two and two together, as the slender blonde had done.

If only High Command knew just how accurately we'd worked out what was happening, even without information from above. Munnilinst and its hollow volcanic lava tubes, Javelins and close combat weaponry - we knew this was coming almost as soon as the Fleet set off. The only things we didn't know were how thorough we were to be, and our objectives. Now we do.

The shuttle door hissed closed, and the vehicle's engines started up, rattling the occupants. She checked her weapon one last time, out of habit more than fear she'd missed something, as the shuttle taxied towards its launch position.

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Istana climbed high into the sky over the burning world, her three flight members forming up behind her. Doesn't look like we're going to see much air-to-air combat today. Pity; I could do with a few more kills. Oh well, maybe next time ...

"Form up on the capital ships and escort the transports once they emerge. Keep four clicks from them, and eliminate any ground fire that you spot on the way in. Once the shuttles are down, prepare to fly top cover for the squaddies. Out."

The four Tarkin-class TIE fighters slowed as they approached the larger ships, and swung round to begin to come alongside the Star Destroyers.

----------------------------

Silence for a few seconds, then the roar of the engines as the shuttle began to accelerate forwards, slamming the Stormtroopers back into their seats as the Javelin rocketed out of the launch bay and arrowed down towards Muunilinst. The escorting fighters closed up as the shuttle hit the upper atmosphere and began glowing as it thundered down towards the slopes of the target volcano, a fiery harbinger of Death.

 

[Insanity]

The wait was over. As Grand General Lucifel issued his orders and the naval bombardment ended, followed by a speech, the rest of Qwarn's unit settled down. Reality was settling in full-force for those who had been trying to fool themselves. They were all snipers, survivalists, men and women who never had to get close to their enemy unless they had to. The orders were unnerving for most, the first real-life instance of close-quarters they'd ever see. Qwarn felt the shuttle begin to lift off, flying out into the void that was space. He felt nothing, no worries, no hatred, no regret for what he had to do. It was just something that had to be done.

Pulling his helmet on, he sealed it tight and checked the comm-lines, HUD, and minor displays. The Sergeant had opened a rack near the front of the shuttle and was in the process of passing around grenades and some E-11 rifles. Qwarn was graced with a thermal detonator as an extra, as were two others in the shuttle. The shuttle shook as it fell through the last of the atmosphere, gravity seizing it as the pilot leveled out. There was no going back now, no matter what some would wish.

The transport settled down and the rear boarding ramp lowered, the unit shuffling out and covering the angles in case some Muuns or other surviving humanoids decided to ambush the landing craft. There was nothing, but that didn't mean they'd lower their guard. "Divide up, two-man teams. The nearest entrance to the underground is one klick to the east. When you get there, wait until the assault teams have cleared the interior. After they've given the all-clear, you're to move in and disarm or avoid any traps the Muuns left behind," the Sergeant snapped, using his hands to indicate who was to go with whom. Before it was even done, Qwarn and his spotter were already moving. Hell if he'd let the assault teams get all the kills.