Ask Shu-Toran: Shoot to Thrill

Arthos Vizsla

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Shu-Toran is a massive volcanic planet with vast amounts of veins and mines of ore/minerals throughout the planet. Despite the hostile climate and volcanic nature, the atmosphere of the planet is still breathable for species and not completely shutting off the surface from approaching travelers. Under the surface, a network of tunnels and cave networks, as these are the safest places for the cities to reside and continue their mining operations. Even though there is a network of cities underneath, the beating heart of the planet’s infrastructure relies on one massive tower called, the Spike on the surface. The structure and planet, once ruled by different noble families, had fallen to just one that ruled from the Spike after a power struggle. With the structure having just recently been able to start repairs, the family has an iron grip on the structure, the head of the family is a young man who knows exactly the value he stands on. After strife with the old Empire and Rebel Alliance that almost led to the destruction of their planet, the people have taken more of an isolationist view but even nobles need help from time to time.

If successful, the planet will provide a very ore-rich planet for the Mandalorians.

Another planet crying out for a change.

How to bring about that change? As was becoming increasingly common, that was up to Arthos Vizsla and his Mandalorian vod to decide. Lurking in the passenger bay of the gunship he had claimed for himself, Arthos called for the vod who were with him for this mission as he started up the holo table with the schematics of The Spike.

"Vidha. Cyrian."


He looked up from the schematics, his helmet off to one side of the table as he eyed his vod. His youthful face on full display, Arthos made no attempt to cover himself as a Child of the Watch might have done in the past. Instead he rubbed absently at the rough beginnings of a beard that he was trying to grow. It wasn't as thick as he would like it but he needed to grow it out more if he wanted to try and sculpt it into something he actually liked.

"Way I see it, we've got a couple of options here to get the planet supplying Mandalore."
he tapped the hologram of the Spike, "Violence or Violently Diplomatic."

Pulling up an image of the current noble in charge of the planet, he grunted.

"This is the current leader - he's an authoritarian piece of shrak. But he could give us everything we want without disrupting supplies just for killing his main rival. OR we can contact his main rival, kill him and have the rival take over... but there's gonna be a transition phase where things go to hell. And when things are hell like that the supplies lines are in chaos."
he frowned ever so slightly, "... I think we might need to make a deal with the devil, but I'm open to suggestions."

Sometimes they could afford to be the champions of the common people... and sometimes it just wasn't practical.


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Vidha Solus

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Vidha stood in the passenger bay with Arthos. She eyed the Sith warily, glad her helmet was on. She didn't trust anyone who could use something she couldn't see. Arthos must trust him if he wasn't wearing his helmet, but then again, he rarely wore it unless it was in battle. If she remembered correctly, he was the same age as her, if not a little younger. She found this amusing but didn't say anything about it.

Personally, Vidha liked the Violently Diplomatic idea.



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Cyrian Vrax

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When Sergeant Cyrian Vrax was told he was going to be attached to joint operation with Mandalorian Warriors he thought his superiors were joking. Cyrian had never spent any time working with troopers from a different state, the closest thing was working with a planetary militia that was already allied with the Empire. Why he was leading a platoon of Imperial Shock Troopers on this mission was utterly unheard of.

He knew mandalorians prized strength, the fight, and a warrior spirit. As a career Trooper he certainly met that criteria, though he was sure that he fought very differently than they. Of course it made sense not to send an academy officer. The infamous pride of a mandalorian would likely be bruised by the self righteous officers that caused all kinds of issues on any battlefield they touched.

"Stability is always better to work with than chaos." Cyrian remarked, surprised his input was considered at all. "Removing rebels and rivals seems like a more sure way to get results than prolonged talks and the hundred skirmishes that will come if we disrupt the established order."

His words were deeply entrenched in Imperial language. Order. Rebels. Stability. Chaos. Imperial did not operate in thr gray. It either was the way the Empire wanted it, or it was madness.

This joint operation was likely going to demonstrate the stark differences between those militant views very clearly.

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Arthos Vizsla

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Well what was he to do?

The other Mandalorian of note voted for supporting the rival and gaining an ally that was more palatable but less stable than the current ruler. Whereas the Imperial, in true Imperial fashion, suggested they prop up the current regime and benefit from the rigid and oppressive structure of the current system. Worst thing was that as the ranking Mandalorian, it was his decision and he could see both sides of the argument.

He didn't want to prop up a corrupt regime but he also didn't want to need to spend the next decade helping police a planet made massively less productive in the short term. In the end, he frowned ever so slightly before picking up his helmet and pulling it on. As the seals clicked into place, he addressed Vidha and Cyrian through the impassive lenses of his helmet.

"Ready your forces for an assault on the compound of the rival."
he decided firmly, "The current ruler is tolerable but an interruption to supplies for the war effort in intolerable. Prep your squads for urban warfare and make sure they're warned about civilian casualties - they are to be as close to non-existent as possible."

Any who broke from that rule would answer directly to the young Rally Master.

"I'll convey our price for this service to the ruler of the planet."


He had a holocall to make and demands to secure.


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Vidha Solus

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As long as the job got done, Vidha wouldn't complain. Now would not be the time to doubt her actions, let alone Arthos'. She nodded, showing her consent, and eyed the Sith, hoping he understood the 'no killing civilians' order. She wondered if he would find it hard to take orders from a Mandalorian. She would soon find out.

Vidha moved forward ahead of the Imperial, so she would be one of the first off the ship. They were on a Mandalorian gunship that also served as a kind of transport. The Imperial's platoon gathered behind him, stiff and unmoving. Vidha gave a miniscule shudder and turned forward again. She beat her vambrace against her chest plate once; any other Mandalorian in the vicinity who heard it would know what it meant.

For Mandalore.



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Cyrian Vrax

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Cyrian got the immediate impression that the Mandalorians were referring to he and his Assault Troopers when it came to no Civilian Casualties. It was certainly a good call to make. The Empire had very specific rules of engagement that were specific to the situation, namely in prioritizing who was considered a danger and who was considered essential. When dealing with rebels they often looked at civilians as hostile until proven otherwise. But in this case the rebels were not Imperial subjects, and so the rules were a bit more fluid.

"I'll pass the word that no one is a hostile until they're demonstrating hostile intent. It won't be a problem." Cyrian spoke. But it very well could be a problem. Weapons were a part of many cultures, and brandishing one could demonstrate hostile intent to a Trooper. It was a good thing that Cyrian kept his helmet on per regulation... that way his professional tone could do the work, and not the uncertainty in his eyes.


Cyrian looked over to his squad leaders while the Mandalorians gathered their own. "Set for stun first. No accidents up front. Prepare for urban pacification measures. Smoke and shock is authorized. Thermals on standby if necessary."

The Trooper Sergeant was no doubt heard, and the Troopers he had would understand those orders. But the no civilian casualties... that was going to cause a degree confusion he was not going to deal with.

It was becoming more certain that this military operation was going to be an interesting cultural experience.

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Arthos Vizsla

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Arthos marched back out to the hanger bay a short while later, having hashed out a deal with the local ruler. It seemed that the despot was very aware that his rebellious rival was gathering forces for an attempt on his life. Worse, the population didn't care enough about the despot to try and protect him. Most of them were also not against him enough to try and join the rebels though - which meant not only would they kill the rival today but also dampen the spirits of any of the civilians looking to engage in rebellion of their own.

"One of the Rebel leader's primary financial backers in a nobleman who lives in the Spire."
he informed Cyrian and Vidha as he headed for a transport, gesturing for them to follow him, "We'll land and approach their estate. If we can get them to talk with minimal violence - excellent. But really?"

He eyed the other two as the transport would begin to lift off, other transports collecting their warriors. His own were already loading up as well - they would be supported on this mission for sure.

"Really I expect us to be denied entry and have to force the issue - this will bring the rebels out to defend their strongest ally. We crush them all that way."
he suggested, grabbing a Mandalorian carbine from the rack as the ship shook around them slightly, "We have six transports and six gunships. Roughly three hundred warriors, not including pilots and gunners. I say we assault the front with a third of that force, allow the enemy to reinforce themselves from other flanks. Then split off the other two thirds to encircle them and squeeze them between us."

He pulled up a hologram of the noble estate - a square block of land in the Spire itself with a mansion home in the middle of carefully maintained artificial parkland. A perimeter wall boasted turrets and gatehouses.

"Suggestions?"



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Vidha Solus

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Vidha nodded along with what Arthos was saying. Politics were certainly complicated, but she could see how this could create trouble, even if everything went right. "Sounds good to me," she replied, blasters in hand.

She figured, however, that the Imperial's philosophy of acting only if the civilians proved hostile would not work; most of the civilians were likely to be hostile for one reason or another. She figured for her, she would only kill civilians for self-defense; if they got in the way.



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Cyrian Vrax

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The plan was sound, and the target was more defined. That was a good thing. Imperials did not work well in a fluid environment. When you gave them a clear target they were excellent at dealing with it. Entire populaces were pacified and put to work in a matter of days with the proper application of force. Leave them sus out targets or live in ambiguity, and their training began to show a great series of weaknesses.

Cyrian was not a particular exception to this, so when the battle plan was drawn out he was supportive, but with an exception.

"The Empire has provided a pair of fighters to the operation. I suggest we keep them close by for air support as needed." Cyrian added. "The plan is good, but I've been air dropped one too many times with anti-air tearing us up to not want fast movers in play." Cyrian's forces were assault troopers and were good at doing just that. "We can take that front door if you want. Assault Troopers are good at taking point, but I suspect your warriors may be a bit faster in maneuver with those jetpacks. You'll probably be best hitting one flank each while we hold your center."

Cyrian also assumed that it would allow for the best coordination of their fighter support if he had a front row seat. He preferred a pitched fight to running and gunning anyway.

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Arthos Vizsla

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Arthos reached out and patted Vidha on the shoulder with one hand even as he turned off the hologram with the other. It was nice to know that some of his vod had his back so completely - the Imperial also agreed with the idea and chipped in with his own two credits. Tactically speaking it wasn't a bad addition either and he was more than happy to grant the Imperial soldier control over the Imperial air assets that they had been allocated.

"When we approach the front gate, I will take point with the two of you and speak to the gate guards. Once resistance begins, Cyrian I want you to assume control of the fight at the front entrance while Vidha and myself move to the sides."
he pointed to the Imperial, "Remember; you're a stalling tactic to begin with. No charging the gate until they start getting reinforced; we want all our eggs in one basket before we spring the trap."

If they didn't, the flanking elements ran the risk of springing the pincers too earlier - and then getting trapped between the rebels already in the center and those who were trying to reach the center. Caught in a pincer of their own just to be ironic.

The transports began touching down and the ramp opened, allowing Arthos and his allies to disembark. Striding out of the transport with a carbine held loosely in his arms, he eyed the gatehouse. It was a duracrete structure almost two stories tall with no fewer than four anti-infantry turrets he could see but also an anti-vehicle turret as well.

He eyed the last one as he walked toward the gate.

"... that last one is illegal on this planet."
he told his allies quietly as they approached, "They're bold. Vidha - get some height to the right hand side and scout their numbers. No firing yet."

As he and Cyrian stepped closer to the gatehouse, a single guard came walking out to meet them halfway.

"The Count isn't expecting visitors."


Arthos stopped walking.

"The Count is accused of treason against the planetary government and is encouraged to surrender himself and all his rebellious allies."


The guard didn't blink.

"The Count will not respond kindly to such baseless accusations."


... the guard wasn't surprised. He didn't even pretend to be surprised, which led Arthos to believe that the guards were already well aware of the Count's inclusion within the rebellious forces on the planet. Which meant that he had been right... and that this was going to become difficult.

"Please pass the message along regardless - we'll be back in five minutes to accept his surrender."


The guard smiled a tight-lipped smile.

"No you won't."


Arthos responded with a small smile of his own.

"No, we won't."
he agreed, "But you have five minutes. If you wish to send last wishes to your loved ones, please feel free to do so now."

The guard nodded once before briskly turning on his heel and returning to the gatehouse as Arthos gestured for Cyrian to follow him back to the portable cover that the Imperials and Mandalorians were setting up. The whole point was to let them get a message out to their rebel friends so that the trap was worth springing.

"Afford your men the same, Imperial. Many will die assaulting this fortification."



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Vidha Solus

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Vidha felt a surge of pride when Arthos patted her on the shoulder. She would not disappoint him, or any other Mandalorian.

She followed him off the transport as they made their way closer to the duracrete gatehouse. It was certainly well-armed. Vidha was not particularly surprised when it turned out one of the turrets was illegal. She nodded at Arthos, and broke off from him and the Imperial.

Vidha walked around the side of the building, finding a ladder that started halfway up. She was tall enough that she could reach the bottom rung to pull herself up. When she reached the top it appeared to be an abandoned lookout, which fit her purposes. She walked to the edge, where she could see the Imperial and Arthos talking to a guard. She watched as the guard turned and walked away, back to the gatehouse. She could make out and hear what was likely at least fifty people behind the wall. She turned back to where Crix and the Imperial had returned to talk to their own men.

She pressed a finger to the side of her helmet. "I can make out at least fifty from here," she said over the comm. She took a step back, taking in more of the situation. This would be... interesting, to say the least.



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Cyrian Vrax

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This was a strange way of doing business. Perhaps that was the lesson that was to be learned here. That the Mandalorians were honorable warriors with strange codes that dictated informing the enemy that they were preparing to fight. It was a very odd thing that Cyrian had never seen. He'd fought in trenches, open field, space, and in urban environments, but outside of propaganda officers blasting messages he had never seen a cordial comment to an adversary.

That was a good lesson for the Empire to take away when dealing with their people, as the Assault Troopers that witnessed it could hardly make heads or tails of the situation.

Cyrian was happy for the helmet as his jaw was a bit dropped when he was asked to afford his men the same courtesy to step down.

"We know why we're here." Cyrian answered. "We'll do our job well."

Cyrian proceeded to assist his troopers in their preparation. He knew full well what was about to happen. They all did. Fortunately they had the medical training and the ability to handle injury. But they were not going to allow that as option A. These people found some serious hardware... but the Empire utilized weapons that the greater galaxy found illegal or unethical every day.

Would this be easy? No. But would it end well for the defenders? Not at all.

Cyrian formed up on the covered position, the company assembled and ready.

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Arthos Vizsla

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Well if the Imperials didn't want to have the chance to call home to their loved ones prior to the battle then that was their loss. Arthos himself knew several of his warriors would be sending poetry back to sweethearts and virtual postcards back home to their loved ones. It was something of a mixture between tradition and something that Arthos liked to let his warriors do.

They might very well all be warriors but they were also all people and he would have them remember that they were more than just instruments of war.

"Fifty?"


A solid forward guard but one that spoke of someone who was very much expecting to have their position assaulted. They knew that they were going to be coming, on some level. Had they known precisely, the rebels would already be here but that was fine - there was time and they would come.

They would come.

"Cyrian; prepare your men to begin the attack. Focus on causing as much death as you can, feel free to go up into the buildings."
he told the Imperial before turning back to Vidha, "I want you and your warriors to the right, act as sharpshooters for now. I'll take the left with some of the heavier weapon users - act like the anvil."

Moving over to the warriors who had gathered to the left, Arthos carefully ducked his head in time to avoid the first shot from the rebel emplacement.

"For freedom!"


The enemy's warcry was decent but he had his own.

"Mandalorians... TO BATTLE!"



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Vidha nodded at Arthos' orders. She beat her vambrace on her chest plate once, and then gestured for other Mandalorian warriors to follow her. She walked back towards the right where she had climbed the ladder, and directed a few vod up there. She had a blaster in each hand and more blasters at her hip and ammo on her boot.

She glanced over at Arthos where he was with the rest of the Mandalorians and nodded. She turned to the Imperial who was directing his troops for a brief second before focusing ahead once more.

As the other side opened fire, their men surging forward, Vidha returned fire, along with her fellow Mandos.



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Cyrian Vrax

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19036dc9c47d44828c89ff25c81944bf.jpeg

Sergeant Cyrian Vrax was at the command of dorn company of the 96th Assault Corps Brigade. They were brought here to bare against an enemy that they did not understand, nor were they rightfully required to. They were under orders to participate in a military operation with Mandalorians in the spirit of greater cooperation, and to learn how to bridge gaps between the two cultures. Though the Empire was immensely more powerful, the Mandalorians were a culture of great strength that would be a great ally rather than a liability.

The order to use non lethal force had been unusual in their circumstance... but then their opponent fired a rifle shot... real and whole... at their line.

"Big mistake." Cyrian muttered to himself, as he began directing the situation.

"Lethal force authorized! Engage and assault the compound! Assault Pattern 2 Besh" Cyrian roared clearly and loudly for all of his subordinates to hear.

All at once the Imperial line opened up on the compound. A jetting roar of blaster bolts blew through the air and with limited explosives being utilized. Coupled with some smoke that was thrown forward, the Imperial assault held their position and fired a barrage of organized fire that the compounds 'militia' had likely never thought would be brought against them.

They were Imperial Assault Troopers. They pride of the Imperial Army. Their devastation was infamous, their engagements swift and crippling.

And among that fire was Sergeant Cyrian Vrax, coordinating the assault, and taking aim at exposed firing positions to leave the enemy dead on his feet.

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Arthos Vizsla

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Arthos didn't lose his head at having his head almost shot off because, simply put, it wasn't the first time someone had tried and it would doubtlessly not be the last time. All he needed to do, ironically, was keep his head and make sure that he was cool, calm and collected. It probably looked out of place to the Imperials, to see the warriors of the Mandalorians all anger and fury and excitement being commanded by a young man doing his best to be stone faced even beneath the helmet.

But right now Arthos wasn't required as a warrior - he was required as a commander of men and director of a battle.

"Rally Master!"


Turning his head from where he had been looking over some sensor data from the gunships currently doing strafing runs against the front line defences, he eyed the young Mandalorian before him. Lightly armoured, darkly coloured, and with minimal weaponry - a scout who had chosen the profession.

"Report, vod."


The Mando nodded.

"Rally Master, we have reports of men and armour moving into the main compound of the enemy from both flanks. We observed and the flow seems to have stopped."


Meaning that the rebels had committed fully to the defence - they were going to throw everything they had at the Imperials at their door in an attempt to counter-attack and smash their way through and toward the leadership of the planet. Nodding to dismiss the Mando, Arthos moved through the blaster fire until his armoured form slammed up against the duracrete that Cyrian was using for cover at the moment.

"Vrax!"
he called out over the din of the battle, "The Rebels are all here now - they're going to push against you and your men for a counter-attack with everything they have. Fall back in the face of their attack - my men and Vidha's will wait out of sight at their flanks and when they over-extend to chase you, we'll smash into their sides. Then you counter-attack front. Ready to smash them utterly, Imperial?"


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