Star Wars STAR WARS: INTERVENTION (A story-telling style OT starfighter game)---Always taking new players!

OGG: Posting from phone. Sorry for lack of normalnessm. Never done this before. Sorry for short post. Bible study starting. If I missedsomething in my post, sorry. Rushed. Wanted to get a tag in.

IC: Captain Stakes
Sword of Justice

Stakes nodded to both, "A trap, yes. General, we don't have a Go Team. But take a platoon of King's Army soldiers with you. Report your findings. And finyour best rescue pilots. Maksure they have Naval Guards in support on each shuttle."


Tag Coffee, Falcon, Sith

 

...continued

IC: Yavscout, Flavin, Wa Yays, Aurora Cradmoon, Sgt. Vestor, Sounil Mistry, Delicate Delinquent
Location: Berroll's Donn star system


"Wa Yays, did you see what happened to my droid Deputy?" Yav asked, anxious for news on his counterpart.

Wa Yay shook her head. "Sorry, no."

Yav sighed. "Alright, what alert status are we at?"

"Condition Two."

"What's that when its at home?"

"Threat probable, but not present." Flavin put in.

The Merc's resident elf nodded his understanding. "Similar to Yellow Alert, then. Alright, stand us down from alert status. Everyone not involved in repairs can relax. We'll stay here until repairs on the bow are complete. Maximum range scans though, I want plenty of warning if the Empire comes looking."

"Yes, Captain." She acknowledged, turning to C.T., "Alright, send the message out. Set to Condition Three throughout the ship. Everyone to return to non-combat duties. Also, I want all bridge-trained personnel up here for me to check out."

Flavin stepped to the clone's side, put a hand on his shoulder and leaned down to put his head beside the others'. "Yav wants to put together a team to properly analyse the data from the Johnny Boy disappearance. There is a PX-4 vehicle in the TIE Hangar with sophisticated sensor equipment. Take anyone you need." He glanced forward towards the Gossam. "When Chief Petty Officer Wa Yay can spare you, of course."

* * * *

Yavscout descended the white spiral staircase at a relaxed pace, intending to visit the gunnery deck.
He would have to find a cabin of his own sometime soon, though he would not need much room, since most of his stuff was lost with Deputy.



He paused and looked back up to the bridge deck, three levels above now, where his vac-suit and other stuff still was, then shrugged and continued his descent.

* * * *
Deck Eight

A gaggle of Mercs wandered along one of the network of corridors, leaning into the open doors that revealed cabins on either side.

Some rooms had other Mercs or Jod personnel making themselves at home on the bunk beds, in rooms that were not disimilar in size and layout to those on the Johnny Boy, with between two and four beds, desks and comfortable chairs with an entertainment vid-screen.

Rachel Williams turned to look back at the Wookiee. "I don't care; we're not settling for bunk beds. You and me cannot share a bunk bed. If nothing down here, we might have to check Deck Nine."

* * * *
Main Hanger

Vestor stepped out of the parked Gamma-class assault shuttle, and looked around for security of some type, like that Wolf character.

He couldn't see much of the walls below a certain height, with the space packed with ships from the Authority. They were packed tight in here. Shuttles, dorsal-finned transports, the Hunk of Junk and the Detective Wyms.

Movement from above attracted his attention, and he looked up to see the black N-1 starfighter passing overhead on its way toward the mag-con field behind him.

All starfighters were being moved by tractor operators to the smaller hangar.

"Security?" He called, looking around for some sign that someone had heard him.

Aurora stuck her head out the airlock. "Sergeant, it it okay if I go see Mac now?"

The Jod non-com glanced at her. "I refer you to the last time you asked me that."

The Merc pilot subsided without further comment, recalling that he was unlikely to let her go while they were on Yellow Alert, even though there had been no enemy contact since leaving the Greater Javin. Well, apart from whatever had happened to Captain Taller's ship.

"How are the prisoners doing?"

Cradmoon shrugged. "Just chilling on the floor. We got any long term plans for them?"

The sergeant ignored the question. "Hey, I can't even believe we forgot about them. Suppose they had gotten free. Can you imagine the trouble they could have caused? Doesn't bear thinking about." Vestor sighed and leaned against the ship. "Security?! Anyone around?"

****

Elsewhere in the hangar, the twi'lek, Sounil Mistry, had honoured Wolf's request to join him on his patrol of the hangar.

She, along with her team and Nate's, found cabins on Deck Eight, and while she left the ex-Imperial up there, she had followed the volume of chatter coming along the hallway to find several dozen people sitting at the circular tables in one of the canteens on that deck, and had picked up two plastic bottles of muja fruit-juice, one for herself, and one for the clone that she was due to meet.

Now she held out the second bottle to Wolf as she caught up with him on the thin strip of deck between the Hunk of Junk, and a Jod shuttle with its side fins folded up. "Here. I brought this for you." Sounil frowned and cocked her head at the distant-sounding voice. "Hey, do you hear something?"

Tag: Wolf, C.T.

 

IC: Wolf
Delicate Delinquent Hangar bay

Now she held out the second bottle to Wolf as she caught up with him on the thin strip of deck between the Hunk of Junk, and a Jod shuttle with its side fins folded up. "Here. I brought this for you." Sounil frowned and cocked her head at the distant-sounding voice. "Hey, do you hear something?"

“Thanks,” Wolf accepted the bottle with a smile then took a quick swig of the fruity drink. He frowned as he heard something…

"Security?! Anyone around?"

Wolf lowered hand as he quickly recapped the drink. He nodded towards the Jod shuttle. “I did. It sounded like someone looking for us,” he headed towards the sounds of the voice as he came to a stop in front of a couple of people. One he didn’t recognize the other was Aurora. “Are you looking for security? Is there something I can help you with?”

Tag Sith

 

IC: Captain Timothy Stakes
Hanger Bay, Sword of Justice, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)



“Captain Stakes, Fress wasn’t a Lieutenant was she? A lot of us are good pilots but it would take someone with a higher rank of Lieutenant to pull off what she did. Wouldn’t she be promoted to Captain as soon as she took the lead…”

Fress glared at Frances with a warning expression cutting him off. “Like I explained earlier Captain Frances, experience will always outrank any title. I accepted the rank but will go anywhere my skills are needed. Can we please drop the subject? I know my rank will change as soon as I officially move into the Guardian squadron leader position which isn’t that far off. Until I hear other wise, it’s Lieutenant.”

"Mr. Childe, rank and promotions are handled by the Command Staff. Until further notice, Miss Colias will remain a Lieutenant. While we are one force fighting together now, until such a time that our ranks and forces can be stabilized into a stronger unit, I don't want to be promoting people unless we have to. And right now, Miss Colias can fulfill her duties and any further asked duties of her as well as a Lieutenant as she could as a Captain."

"Call me paranoid," Perez raised his voice to get his point across to the whole group, "but this has all the hallmarks of a trap."

“I completely agree. I sprung a few traps in my time. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to use precaution, General. You just never know what kind of situation you could be walking into. Anakin and Obi-Wan had a saying back then. If you find a trap, you spring it."

"Quite so. Recommend we have empty evac transports, say at least four of them, trailing the rescue flight by thirty, forty, standard minutes? That'll give you enough time to land, secure the complex, and find out that its either a trap, or there are survivors. And if I'm wrong, they can return to the ship, or stay on station."

One of the Queen's Guardsmen raised a black-gloved hand. "Any reason we can't bombard the shield generator from orbit? I mean, we're inside the shield that it's generating, right?"

Perez turned his way. "We're not firing on anything till we find out what took out those other ships. Captain? Recommend I take a team across to another of the King-class battleships to check their logs, replenish our ordnance, and, if we have time, try to determine what is going on with that ion storm."

"I agree about it being a trap," Stakes thought back to his Academy days and one lesson one they had been taught...

...Stakes looked to the General, "I don't like traps. General, I'm giving you two of our Theta-class T-2c shuttles with Naval Guard support and what we have left in starfighter support to cover our orbit and back door. With sixteen passengers each for the shuttles, take what you need for your mission, including equipment to restart a ship's life support systems if needed. The only way we're going to survive down there with Beasts is deploying everything. That means a planetary side landing. Once forces are deployed, the Sword of Justice will resume orbit. But I'd rather be prepared," Stakes turned to the Deck Officer who had just returned and heard Stakes' comment to Perez, "Make sure the General has everything he needs."

“Before we undertake this mission…I would like to know who or rather what made someone an Exile? There is so much I’m sensing around this place and this planet. If you want your information and that power generator turned off, having us go to a planet that we have little information of is…well….almost asking for a suicide mission…especially when you and others around you know what we are walking into.”

At times, Stakes wished he didn't have to deal with these "free-thinking" mercenaries. What made the Kingdom's Navy and King's Army wasn't the ability to ask question, but rather the ability of discipline and the training of the officers that lead them. And, except rarely, none questioned their officers' orders. These mercenaries, however, had the ability to do it often.

At that moment, however, Timothy realized he had everyone staring at him. Including the Queen's Guardsmen. He was bound by the Royal House's order. While the King was dead, and very well the Queen as well, the Queen's Guardsmen were sworn to defend the Royal House and the Royal Palace, regardless of how many survived in the Royal Family or the state of the Royal Palace. To answer this question was certain death. The Queen's Guardsmen were loyal to their sworn orders.

The Captain looked straight at one of the Queen's Guardsmen. The Guardsmen stare betrayed nothing less then loyalty to his sworn oath to the Royal Family.

He then turned and looked at Kasumi, "To answer that question in full would seal my fate, Jedi. And that of my Kingdom, of which I have sworn loyalty even in the face of death. But, I can say this. To be an Exile is to be the greatest traitor to our people. If there are any traitors left planet-side, they are to be killed on site, unless other circumstances dedicate otherwise. I except to find none left and those that are left, if any, are to be refused by even their traitorous brothers. Regardless, none are to be trusted. The only survivors we should find are at that complex with the emergency beacon is coming from."

Stakes turned back to the General, "General, you better get going. We'll be deploying immediately."


*******************************************************


30 minutes later...

Music: Klendathu Drop

The sensor readings from the two Theta-class T-2c shuttles and the starfighter screen left around orbit slowly grew more and more in distance as the stormy clouds gave way to the dead ground below.

As the ground neared, the loud speaker in the hanger announced: "Deployment intimate. Deploy in one minute."

Stakes looked around the hanger. The hanger bay had been transformed into a deployment ready force. 892 King's Army soldiers, 68 Naval Guards, and 12 Queen Guardsmen stood in ranks---in squads, platoons, and companies---in escort formation around the numerous vehicles---6 TX-130 Saber-class fighter tanks that formed a forward arrow to the front and a rear facing arrow arrow to the rear of the formation, 6 T4-B heavy tanks---2 spaced out from each other behind the front arrow of Fighter Tanks, 2 in a similiar formation in front of the rear arrow of the Fighter Tanks, and 1 off to each side of the formation---with a All Terrain Open Transport carrying 59 seated and standing King's Army soldiers in the middle of the formation with a PX-4 Mobile Command Base slightly behind and to the right of the open transport.

Before the lift had been in place, 2 Sentinel-class landing craft (54 King's Army soldiers each), 3 Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier (one carrying 3 Ultra-Light Assault Vehicle, the other 2 Ultra-Light Assault Vehicle, and the last transport carrying 5 74-Z Speeder Bike), and 2 Theta-class T-2c shuttles (with 16 Naval Guard each for light infantry support) deployed around the landing Battleship and were ahead, landing as an advanced scout force. They were just reporting in as landed and securing a advanced scout position on a nearby hill overlooking the landing. The scout forces were divided into Scout Elements One, Two, Three; 2 Assault Vehicles and 2 speeder bikes were Scout Elements 1 and 2. Scout Element Three was considered "heavy" and alike to a advanced light force with 108 King's Army soldiers, 1 Assault vehicle, and 1 Speeder Bike.

Stakes looked up from his position within the PX-4 Mobile Command Base. Out in front of them, the troops and a escort formation of vehicles was out in front of them. While only holding 7 passengers---the command staff of the operation including the infantry Colonel---Stakes, Kasumi, Fress and her Clone Trooper friend, and four Queen Guardsmen packed themselves aboard the Mobile Command Base. While they lacked seats and stood at the moment, Stakes felt it was safer for the time being until a threat factor could be identified.

Soon, the rough crunch and resounding thud of the Battleship's landing struts connecting to the ground could be felt throughout the ship. Suddenly, the red lights around the hanger turned to green and the landing lift lowered. Air and dust were whooshed away by the sudden explosion of air pressure release from the Battleship. Landing lights from the Battleship and lift flooded the area around them.

Stakes watched on quietly as the Colonel assumed his role immediately from the command chair. Stakes could hear the communication chatter from the loud speakers in the command base,

"Sword Spear Command to all units, advance. Hold one klicks North of current position an await further orders."

As the Mobile Command Base rumbled forward on it's tracks and into the planet below, Stakes looked to their non-Jod company, "Impressive how quickly we can deploy? A whole deployment, from orbit to ground, in less then five minutes."

"Scout Element One to Sword Spear Command."

"Sword Spear Command. Go."

"Command, all clear. Scout Element One heading 2 klicks North-West, Scout Element Two heading two klicks North-East. Scout Element Three heading North two klicks."

"Copy Scout Element One."

"Colonel," said one of the officers in the Mobile Command Base from his console, "Sensors are picking up the remnants of a old battlefield one klick North of our position."

"Colonel," said a crew member, "Structure confirmed. No energy or life forms."

Another crew member spoke up, "Scout Element Three confirms report."

The Colonel activated the comm as the vehicles and soldiers ground on through the lifeless planet, the Sword of Justice lifting back up to orbit behind them, "Sword Spear Command to Scout Element Three, what is your location?"

"Scout Element Three. One klick North of your position."

"What do you see?"

"We have battlefield remnants ahead, sir. And a complex. We're sending in 3 squads to check the structure out."

"Copy. Hold position and report findings."

"Copy. Scout Element Three clear."

"Colonel, communications are picking up the distress signal from the friendly complex."

"Colonel, sensors are picking up the complex. Energy output confirmed. But we can't get a reading on anything else, including life forms," said another crew member.

"Copy," the Colonel said, then asked, "Communications, get me a copy of that distress signal ASAP."

"Yes, Colonel."

The Colonel said, "All Main Force units, continue advance 2 clicks North. All field officers, keep the ranks tight and ready. We'll be bypassing Scout Element Three and proceeding to the distress signal."

"Colonel," said Captain Stakes, "Where are our Beast friends?"

"Out of sensor range, Captain. Odd for them to be holding back like this."

"Colonel," said the communications officer, "Distress signal up."

The Colonel, Communications Officer, Captain Stakes, and the non-Jod Merc crew turned to the broken up-holographic display that generated itself in the middle of the cab.

"This is Prison Control Complex Exile. I repeat, this is Prison Control Complex Exile. We are under attack by Beast forces! I repeat----" The holographic display of the King's Army Officer fizzled out, the rest of his transmission lost to static and lost data.


End Music


"That was helpful," The Colonel stated without excitement, "We already knew they were under attack."

Stakes knew something wasn't right. Something seemed off. "Reply the message...stop, zoom in to the lower right...stop. There," Stakes said.

"There what?" The Colonel asked.

"It's standard Jod Military policy that a emergency activation of the distress beacon comes with a lock-down of all systems, right?"

"Well, yes," The Colonel said.

"Lock downs are in red. That console screen is green, meaning active without emergency."

"So it was staged?" The Colonel asked.

Stakes nodded, "I believe so. Plus, zoom out and focus on the upper torso of the officer. Good. Now, look at his rank. Colonel in rank, right? Whenever did you see a Colonel that young in a King's Army position of this importance?"

The Colonel nodded, "So, your saying that this message was staged and done by someone within our own ranks? So, as to prelude to the fact that the civil war at home was more then just random bad luck?"

"Correct."


Tag Coffee, Falcon, Sith

 

IC: Chief Medical Officer Russel Cook
Caverns, Unknown Planet


Four of them---Russel Cook, Chris Street, the Rodian crew member, and a human male crew member---and two Astromech Droids, Yav's Deputy and Lasso's Dude to be precise, was all that remained. They all wore the following Enviro-suit:



"By the book, the Johnny Boy is operational," Said the human crew member who was one of the maintenance crew members, "But, without a hyperdrive, we're as good as stuck."

"Wherever we are," The Rodian said in basic, "We need a hyperdrive. It looks as if we're on the bottom of the galaxy proper," The Rodian pointed upwards in the night sky to the galaxy proper in the distant, looming overhead and taking up the expanse of their view, "Pretty view though."

"Pretty or not," said Russel Cook, "This planet is hazardous. No breathable atmosphere," Russel looked back to the two astromech droids that dragged a hover sled with an extra suit for Taller, supplies, and weapons, "And I don't want to be here any longer then I have to. That green lizard thing we encountered earlier right outside the Johnny Boy was as big as a land speeder!"

"That's why you have us," the human said, raising his blaster rifle in reference, "Your health insurance policy."

The group stopped at the entrance of a cavern, Street already there and scanning the descending darkness with a flash light, "You sure the life sign reading is saying this direction? That's over a mile through a dark cavern and Force-knows whatever else animal or animals are down there," Russel asked Street, who was point man on the group.

Below, somewhere deep down there, was Captain Rick Taller. Somehow, still alive, without a breathable atmosphere.

Problem was, there was also a second life sign detected with Taller as well. But, it wasn't animal, nor was it human. And the scanner couldn't even define it into one of the known "alien" groups known in the galaxy. So, the question was, who or what was with Captain Rick Taller?



Tag Mitth, Sith (if needed for Deputy; I know your busy with other posts, so no worries if you can't)

 

IC: Deputy the Astromech, unknown planet caverns


Deputy had gathered that things were not okay in the State of Denmark.

The organics had not exactly laid out the problems of the day to him and Dude, probably because they were droids, but there were significant clues around both aboard the Johnny Boy, and now on this desolate world.

He had his radar-like sensorscope extended up from his dome, turning slowly, and was transmitting a distress call on all known frequencies, including Naboo military, though he conceded, his systems were not powerful enough to send the binary signal that far.

//Dude?// He bleeped softly, //When you were in that escape pod from the Strident Haze, telling us not to send help after you and Master Hank, I bet you thought it could not get any worse. Well, guess what? It's wor-, ooh look, stalactites!//

Tag: Dude, Mitth, Bravo

 

IC: Fress ColiasOn shuttle headed towards the complex

"So it was staged?" The Colonel asked.

Stakes nodded, "I believe so. Plus, zoom out and focus on the upper torso of the officer. Good. Now, look at his rank. Colonel in rank, right? Whenever did you see a Colonel that young in a King's Army position of this importance?"

The Colonel nodded, "So, your saying that this message was staged and done by someone within our own ranks? So, as to prelude to the fact that the civil war at home was more then just random bad luck?"

"Correct."

Fress raised an eyebrow as she listened to Stakes and the Colonel conversing about the holo message. Why would stage an attack with the beasts when there was a civil war going on at their home planet? It made no sense. The only reason she could think of was they were planning something. “The only reason I can think of for staging something is the fact they could be planning something or covering up something… Just a thought,” she said shrugging her shoulders a bit.

Tag Bravo

 

IC: Beskaryc Taab/Atin Taab
Crusader, Ord Pardron desert

With the Crusader safely on the surface Taab and son settled in to wait for their contact to arrive, fortunatly they didn't have to wait long. "I have something on the scope buir, incoming." Taab moved over to look over Atin's shoulder at the monitor. "That'll be them, let's go."

Atin lowered the boarding ramp on the Crusader as the Imperial craft did the same, Taab emerged first from the old freighter followed by the members of siege team six, their gear packed up and carried with them. Atin brought up the rear, and like his father was fully armored up in his beskar'gam. Taab wasn't expecting any trouble here, it wasn't like the stormies he had retrived were hostages being ransomed off. This was a simple snatch and grab followed up by a troop transfer. He had worked with the Imperials before (and the Republic before them) and they were typically good for the contracts they put out. It was just credits to them, and they were usually willing to pay for a job well done.

Taab reached the bottom of the Crusader's boarding ramp and onto the hot ground. Making his way towards the Imperial shuttle he could feel as his armor's climate control system struggled to keep up. It was a quirk of his own gear that it always seemed to warm up better than it cooled down. Maybe someday he could get a nice job on Mygeeto or some other ice world and be a bit more comfortable, but that was a concern for the future not the here and now. He glanced over to Atin who didn't seem to mind the heat at all.

Nor did the Imperial officer who had stepped off the nose mounted ramp of the Gully Jumper in his pressed uniform. Have to maintain appearences after all Taab laughed to himself. But still an NR2? That thing was probably even more ancient than the Crusader. Budget cuts for the Imperial military or a choice of the Hard Eight's captain? Didn't really matter he supposed, he doubted he would ever see any of these people ever again.

He stopped about half way between the Crusader and the Gully Jumper, Atin stood beside him as they greeted the Imperials. "They are all yours once final payment has been confirmed." He gestured to the troopers he had rescued and then held up an armored gauntlet, a data chip in his hand. "I have a record of the mission which may include some new intel for your spooks for an extra 2%."

TAG: Sith-I-5

 

IC: Kasumi
Command Post on Planet

Beasts....something Kasumi had been able to have the great luck to come across while in very close quarters. It had claimed part of her flesh, but it had also killed the pilot and the other men that came to check out the unknown ship. The Beasts were not fun. Kasumi was letting the lecture that Stakes gave her run in her head a bit.

"To answer that question in full would seal my fate, Jedi. And that of my Kingdom, of which I have sworn loyalty even in the face of death. But, I can say this. To be an Exile is to be the greatest traitor to our people. If there are any traitors left planet-side, they are to be killed on site, unless other circumstances dedicate otherwise. I except to find none left and those that are left, if any, are to be refused by even their traitorous brothers. Regardless, none are to be trusted. The only survivors we should find are at that complex with the emergency beacon is coming from."

Trust was something that didn't come easy for these people, however, it seemed that redemption came even harder. Her master, had she been with this group of people would have surely been considered a traitor for all time. Kasumi said a silent prayer that her master was not part of this group of people. She listened to the incoming information and watched on the screen. The man that was there was young. Kasumi stepped forward and gently touched the screen.

“The only reason I can think of for staging something is the fact they could be planning something or covering up something… Just a thought,” she said shrugging her shoulders a bit.

Kasumi stepped back and nodded with Fress' comment. "I would agree with Fress. This cover up is not to just cover up what I would assume should be missing people, judging from your conversation about people that this world is full of exiles. Then why is is so quiet? These people you say we should not trust, do not appear to exist at the moment. Judging by this young man's face...and if you look at his hands here...he was part of this exile group that you speak of as his body speaks of toil and hard life here on this planet. However, why would they set up such a young man? If there are all traitors as you say, then they would join together, not set one of their own up. They would all band together. The Jedi had several of their own that were swayed by the dark side, and while some came back to the light, others were lost. Is it not possible that there are exiles that have done the reverse? That they were exiled, saw the error of their ways, and then wanted to return to the life that they lost...or like our pilot friends that we newly aquired in the last battle that they heard about the prophecy and wanted to help their king as the alternative was too horrible to imagine? I have met a member of the Beasts in much tighter quarters than this, and it didn't hold back it's attack. I wonder if your "friends" were not expecting us, but rather are waiting for a pick up to be dropped off somewhere else?"

Tag: Bravo and Fress

 

IC: Jason Lasso, "He"
Planet of the Exiles, Northern Stretch


The skies were beginning to clear from a dark gloomy gray to a lighter redish-brown, the lightening starting to thunder and show more and more distant.


Music: Soldier (1998) Score Soldier Ships Arrive


They had seen the planet-side deployment of the King-class Battleship. The deployment impressive as the massive warship came from orbit, it's thrusters positioning the ship for a landing. Dust and rock thrown up by the landing thrusters and the ground shaking by the landing struts connection with the ground. Then, the deployment of the landing lift and a small army of men and machine rolling onto the planet.

If a war monger ever had a reason to droll over military firepower and display, it was here.

But for Lasso and "He," the two kept running, keeping to the rocks to hide their life sign readings. Running, the two kept up with the "Main Force".

"Keep running!" He ordered, "Their gaining!"

"I'm going!" Lasso replied, feeling the burning in his lungs and legs, "Why don't they attack already!"

"Go! Go!"

Lasso kept up the heavy pace, feeling his gear rattle against his body. To their right by less then 200 meters was the "Main Force" of the ground forces deployed by the Kingdom of Jod. But behind He and Lasso, keeping a distance as predators pushing their prey into a trap, was a pack of Beasts. He had said that he had felt a deep, but faint and subtle, darkness controlling the Beasts. As if one felt that something was slightly off, but they couldn't quite place it, but it felt wrong regardless. The Beasts kept a race with Lasso and He as if, on sensors, their life signs or sensor silhouettes would be indistinguishable from those of the Beasts, effectively masking Lasso and He's in the greater group of Beasts.

Both men felt like prey being lead into a trap by a predators. To stop would mean certain death at the Beasts...to continue would mean death at the hands of the Kingdom of Jod.





************************************************


IC: Captain Timothy Stakes, Infantry Colonel
Mobile Command Base Sword Spear, Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)



“The only reason I can think of for staging something is the fact they could be planning something or covering up something… Just a thought,”

"The cover up is almost a certainty," Stakes replied, "With the civil war at home as a result. The question is, how far does the rabbit hole go? How deep were the traitors within our military when the civil war started and when did they go off this planet?"

"I would agree with Fress. This cover up is not to just cover up what I would assume should be missing people, judging from your conversation about people that this world is full of exiles. Then why is is so quiet? These people you say we should not trust, do not appear to exist at the moment. Judging by this young man's face...and if you look at his hands here...he was part of this exile group that you speak of as his body speaks of toil and hard life here on this planet. However, why would they set up such a young man? If there are all traitors as you say, then they would join together, not set one of their own up. They would all band together. The Jedi had several of their own that were swayed by the dark side, and while some came back to the light, others were lost. Is it not possible that there are exiles that have done the reverse? That they were exiled, saw the error of their ways, and then wanted to return to the life that they lost...or like our pilot friends that we newly aquired in the last battle that they heard about the prophecy and wanted to help their king as the alternative was too horrible to imagine? I have met a member of the Beasts in much tighter quarters than this, and it didn't hold back it's attack. I wonder if your "friends" were not expecting us, but rather are waiting for a pick up to be dropped off somewhere else?"

Stakes and the Colonel looked at each other at Kasumi's last comment. If the Main Complex had been overrun, and if their were friendlies still there, were they really friendlies or traitors posing as them?

Stakes looked to the communications officer, "Can you get me a time stamp on that emergency beacon?"

"It doesn't offer one sir," The officer replied, "However, I can try to run a trace on the amount of data corruption. The more data corruption spread out through a longer period of time usually points to a longer length of time the message has been retransmitting itself."

"Get on it. I want information on it before we reach the complex."

"Yes, Captain!"

"Colonel," Reported one of the crew drivers of the Mobile Command Base, "One klick to main complex."

"Colonel," reported a officer from the command staff, "Scout Elements One and Two report reaching the Main Complex and seeing no activity; no response to hails from the Scout Elements to the Main Complex. Scout Elements One and Two doing a scan of the outer grounds. Security fences and other defenses look damaged, they report."

The Colonel said, "Copy."


"Colonel, contacts!" Barked the sensor officer.

"Location?" The Colonel replied.

"200 meters to port. Sensor readings on in and out, but multiple contacts. At least thirty."

"Speed of travel suggests infantry, Colonel," Reported another officer, "At a run."

The Colonel nodded; it sounded like Beasts, at those speeds, as to engage Jod forces. Most likely a "hunting pack"; the Colonel had engaged countless hunting packs---scouting parties before a main engagement or random mindless attacks to weaken Jod defenses and capabilities---back on the "Front Lines" back home. This attack was nothing new...or unexpected. Mindless creatures in the Colonel's view point, only the Beasts overwhelming numbers, speed, and strength at close range combat gave the otherwise mindless animals a chance against the Jod military. At long ranges, Jod infantry and armor could mow down hundreds of the animals; at close ranges, however, the Beasts' swarm and overwhelm practice of battle left little for the King's Army to be hopeful for. The Colonel jumped on the comm, "Sword Spear Command to Delta Group, redirect course of travel port by 100 meters. Engage possible hostile infantry. Confirm before engaging."

The voice of the speedy Fighter Tanks' commanding officer responded, "Delta Group to Sword Spear Command, copy. Redirect course to port by 100 meters and engage possible enemy contacts. Confirm before engaging."

"Colonel," said a officer, "We have a sand storm heading into Delta Group's engagement zone. It could obscure their sensors and ability to identify hostile forces."

The Colonel nodded, "Noted for the record."

Outside the Mobile Command Base, through viewports and via a holographic tactical battlefield display, 1 TX-130 Saber-class fighter tanks could be seen redirecting course from the front of the formation---leaving two Fighter Tanks in lead of the main force---with what appeared to be a platoon of infantry acting as escort and scout for the tank.


*************************************


IC: Tank Commander Rex "Target" Zacksport
FT 1-D (Fighter Tank One-Delta; "Molly"), Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)


Zacksport strained to look through his endless selection of sensors, switching from regular zoom-in vision to night-vision and then finally to heat sensors. Still, the small sand storm that now blew across his main intercept vector with the enemy elements wasn't providing him many choices.

"Scout Squads, what do you see?" The Tank Commander asked over the comm, hoping his lead infantry elements would have some intel to provide him. However, the sand-clogged Sergeant's voice was less then favorable.

"We can't see anything, Commander," Came a Sergeant's response from one of the two 8-man squads acting as recon. The second squad's report was like-minded as the first.

"No confirmation on enemy identification."

Cursing at the lack of positive reports, Rex strained through his sensors one more time. Finally, his medium laser turret gunner piped in, his comms like-wise sand clogged as the infantry units as he was manning the tank's turret gun outside the tank, "Rex, you need to make a ID! We'll getting too close!"

"I know! I know!" Rex said to his dedicated and long-time comrade in the tank with frustration, "I can't see jack through this sand storm!"

"Rex, we can't allow those forces to flank and surround us! If they're Beasts, we'll be done for! We need to engage first at long range if their Beasts!"

"Sith!" Rex cursed, "I can pick up signatures and all but two of them fit Beast profile. The other two seem more humanoid through the heat-sensor and one seems to be putting off more energy out-put, like a suit or something, then the others."

"Probably just traitors using those Sithing Beasts as their pawns! Come on man! Make the call!"

Rex didn't know what to do. They were closing within engagement range. The infantry would be at good medium range; with good accuracy and timing, they could get off 2 to 3 shots at this range in a minute before the Beast force hit their ranks. That didn't include the tank's firepower. But those other two signatures were confusing him. Were they from the crashed COR shuttle? Were they hostile COR forces? Defectors from the COR? Traitors returning home for unfinished business? Were they from the Main Complex broadcasting the emergency beacon?

Sword Spear Command, however, wanted answers and their demand over the comm forced the Tank Commander to make a decision, "Sword Spear to FT One-Delta, what is your identification of possible hostile targets?"

Rex had to make a decision and now. The sand storm was clearing. Sweat started to build on the Commander's forehead and then, "FT One-Delta to Sword Spear. Hostile enemy confirmed at port 100 meters. Engaging."

"Sword Spear to FT One-Delta. Copy. Hostile enemy contacts confirmed. Engaging at port 100 meters."

Rex blew a breath out as he addressed his infantry support, "Second Platoon, deploy line of battle. Squads by half to either side of the tank."

The infantry Lieutenant's voice came back over the comm through the sand storm, "Second Platoon copies. Recalling scout squads and forming line of battle to port and starboard of tank," 30 seconds passed as the Jod tank and platoon positioned themselves, then the infantry lieutenant's voice came back over the comm, "Second Platoon ready."

"Copy Second Platoon," Rex said, then said, "Engage."


*******************************************

IC: Jason Lasso, "He"
Planet of the Exiles, Northern Stretch


The sand storm slowed them down; even through the armor, it like needles ripping through one's skin. Lasso could only imagine what He felt like.

"The storm is clearing!" He broadcasted through the now tail-end of the storm, "I can see Jod forces!" As He and Lasso cleared the storm, Jason saw them too---the platoon of soldiers in line of battle, raising and aiming their weapons at He and Lasso to either side of a TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank---and waved his hand to wave for help, but moments before it happen, He yelled, "DOWN!"

The crackle of LR-Model 2 Blaster Rifles erupted across the line of battle like a deadly volley of solid fire. Lasso was down on the ground as the blaster bolts laced above, impacting the Beast pack that was behind them. The sickening thud of blaster bolts lacing through skin could be heard, but the Beast pack hurled over Lasso and "He" in a blind range. And the pack had doubled in size. Soon, the tank's duel heavy laser cannons rained death upon their spot of land and the ground shook and erupted. Now, the infantry fired by rows, the second row first, followed by the first row, in order to have timed reloads.

As the Beasts ran them over and Jod firepower rained death upon them with rifled blasters and tank weaponry, "He" knew that if they attempted to stand up, they would be either mowed down by the Jod infantry, blown to bits by the tank weaponry, or cut to shreds by the Beasts. One thing was sure, "He" could feel that dark grip---whoever, whatever it was---struggle to rein the Beasts in from their bloodthirsty rampage against the Jod forces, but to no success.

This information would be useful in later events, "He" was sure. Struggling admist the chaos of battle, He saw a small cave-like opening. Looking back and grabbing the arm of Jason Lasso, the Jedi ninja motioned for the mercenary to follow him in a crawl across the battlefield and to this small cave. The undertaking was nothing less then daunting with the hail of blaster and laser fire filling the air, exploding among the ground, and the Beasts falling all around. But. nonetheless, the journey was successful, if included upon the end a fast pull from He on Lasso's person to get him into the cave before a exploding laser round from the tank caused the cave entrance to collapse upon itself.

For a few moments as "He" collected his heavy breathing, the Jedi probed the Force. He could, if only for a moment, capture the essence of Kasumi and Fress through the Force, but he could tell that, as he struggled to find them for a brief moment and then they vanished among the fog of darkness, that they would likewise be unable to locate he and Lasso through the Force.

Jason took in a deep breath as he turned on his night vision and looked deep into the cave...finding the surfaces far too smooth to be of natural formation, but more of man or alien made, "Why do I get the feeling this isn't a cave?"

Outside, the sounds and vibration through the ground and light debris that fell from the ceiling of the "cave," told that the battle raged on still, but was starting to slacken.


Music: End


*****************************************



IC: Tank Staff Sergeant Will "Trigger Happy" Johns
FT 1-D (Fighter Tank One-Delta; "Molly"), Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)


Staff Sergeant Johns, the medium twin laser turret gunner, looked through his Model TDS.3 electrobinoculars and surveyed the now quiet battlefield. The Jod causalities had been light, two wounded and both non-critically. The Beasts had scavenged the usual array of different kinds of blaster rifles, blaster pistols, and projectile weapons to support their mostly melee-weapon equipped army; however, the ability for the Beasts to operate these blasters and firearms beyond random spraying of blasters and projectiles was limited. Coupled with a distance between the better equipped and trained Jod forces, poor accuracy of their ranged weapons among mostly melee weapons, and their lower-then-usual high number of numbers to swarm an enemy force, the Beast forces fell, only a handful of their blasted comrades ever coming within a few yards of the Jod forces...and those that did, the tank's closer range twin medium laser turret quickly helped to mow their numbers down.

3 squads of infantry stayed with the tank and the wounded soldiers that were being helped onto the tank's outer armor for transport back to the main Jod force, while the rest of the platoon checked out the remnants of the battlefield. Johns watched through his electrobinoculars as Jod infantry used their bayonets to check the dead, making sure the Beast wounded wouldn't put up a last fight (and those that did were quickly killed), and all-in-all the soldiers walk among the smoking craters of impact rounds from the tank in the ground.

Johns slapped on the tank armor 3 times, which meant "all clear".


**************************************************



IC: Captain Timothy Stakes, Infantry Colonel
Mobile Command Base Sword Spear, Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)


The Tank Commander's voice came over the loud-speakers of the Mobile Command Base as the main force moved on to it's objective.

"FT One-Delta to Sword Spear."

"Sword Spear. Go ahead FT One-Delta."

"Sword Spear, all hostile enemy contacts eliminated. Securing battlefield for enemy intelligence. Two friendly injured."

"FT One-Delta, copy. Secure battlefield and link up with Sword Spear Command combat elements 1 klick north."

"Copy Sword Spear. Link up with Sword Spear Command elements 1 klick north. FT One-Delta clear."

The infantry colonel looked back to Captain Stakes, "Enemy scouting party in force?"

Stakes shrugged, "Could be. Action?"

"Prepare to be attacked. Beasts don't attack in scouting parties of that force without a follow-up attack."

"Agreed. But..." Stakes looked to Kasumi and Fress, "...I wonder if they will let us reach the Main Complex."

"Sir?" The Colonel asked, confused.

"Let us capture the facility, then attack. We call in for support and as the Sword of Justice responds planet-side, they board and take over the vessel and get a easy way into Actulize Station."

"Captain, there's no way a Battleship full of Beasts is going to get past Actulize Station's sensors. No way!"

"Yes, but all you need is a few traitors posing as Jod military awaiting to be rescued. They get Beast eggs aboard the Battleship, they hatch, and then they slowly take over the key sections of the SOJ. I've heard of it happening before, whole research vessels taken over by Beast eggs and King's Army having to retake the vessels or space stations by force...by the time they do, all the researchers are dead and their data transmitted to who knows where on the enemy side of things."

"Your referencing Research Station Greater 2?" Stakes nodded, "Sir, that was a isolated incident."

"None-the-less, a lesson to be learned. And if those eggs are carrying Masters, then we'll have whole crew members working under the enemy's control."

"Captain, that would require a Greater to be among them. We haven't seen a Greater in years!" The Colonel protested, adding, "Ever since 3rd Corps killed that Greater on Prime Two three years ago."

"Just stating the what-if, Colonel," Stakes stated, "It would be interesting to see if that was their plan."

The Main Force rumbled on to the Main Complex, getting closer and closer. In the vast distant, a silhouette of a massive fortress-like complex could be seen as lightening rained down still, despite the clearing skies.



Tag Coffee, Falcon, Sith (if needed)

 

IC: General Perez, Theta-class T2-c shuttle
Location: Orbit of the Exiles


Perez ordered the two shuttles to take different routes through the mass of floating ship hulks, in case of attack, with shields up full.

Full Spectrum Tranceiver sensors were on full, looking for sign of life or power among the wrecks.

"I don't like this, Sir." The pilot confided as both he and Perez checked the dark windows of every vessel that they passed. "Who evacuates a vessel and remebers to turn all the lights out."

"I think these have been here for a while, Captain. Alright, drokk it, take us clear of this, I want to send a wide-band signal, and reach as many of them as possible."

"You got it." The view outside banked to one side as the shuttle broke in the other direction, flying towards the roiling brown ceiling that was the 'ion storm'.
The shuttle got clear of the various craft, banked into a shallow curve, and faced the wrecks.

"Okay-dokey, targeting only the King-classes, send a wide-band telesponder challenge. They may have too little power for our sensors to read after all this time, but the automated systems might pick up and respond."

The pilot attended to his controls, pressing an illuminated blue button on his boards.
"Despatched, General." The pilot went silent for a moment, then, "Response received, Sir. From the...Vella Gulf."

Perez smailed and slapped the pilot officer on the back. "Right, that's where we're going. Inform the second shuttle, but it is not to follow us in till we advise the hangar safe."

"Copy that, Sir."

Perez could feel a sense of anticipation building up within him as they descended in the direction of the response, the huge bulks of the metal carcasses rising around them as they dove into the morass.

He wondered why there was no sign of collisions among them. No signs of decaying orbits.
And where were their various crews? Had they gone planetside as the supplies ran out?

Well, tough sith if they had; Captain Stakes was only rescuing the personnel manning that fort.

One of the reddish-brown King-class battleships grew in the front port as they closed rapidly, encircling it once, then aiming for the huge dark maw that was the hangar bay.

"No magcon field, General. You'll have to seal your suits till we can either energise one, or seal the doors. Braking thrusters."

The General felt the deceleration as the ion storm overhead was replaced by the artificial hangar ceiling, dark brown pipes lining the metal.

"Deploying landing struts. And we're down. No threats detected." One nice thing about the Theta classes was that the onboard computer scanned for threats upon landing, and was perfectly willing to open fire without operator permission, if the setting wasn't selected.

Most owners preferred the comp to check with them first, to avoid friendly-fire incidents, like the narrowly-avoided one on Imperial Centre when a Sith Inquisitor's shuttle had gleefully announced Game On! on discovering that the landing platform was protected by rooftop snipers on surrounding buildings.

Perez turned his chair round to look out through the open airlock door at the rear of the cockpit, where he could see through the further open hatch protecting the cargo/passenger bay.
Between the doors, the stretch of deck could be lowered to form the disembarkation ramp.

At the moment, the floor-cum-ramp was occupied by two Naval Guards kneeling to either side of a supine power droid. Like everyone on this mission, the guards were vac-suited.

"Everybody ready?" The General enquired.

One guard gave a thumbs up.

"Sir," the other acknowledged.

//Glom//

One of the kneeling Jod patted the power droid's thick grey carapace.

"Get a room." Perez chided with a smile. "Okay, hangar is open to space, so check your helmet seals. After securing the hangar, try to reactivate the containment field. Pilot, seal all hatches, draw off the atmosphere from the airlock and lower the ramp."

The circular durasteel hatch rolled across to seal the exit, there was a muffled hiss of air being drawn from the airlock, then the ramp started to lower.

One guard reached down next to the droid, pulled on a piece of string, and crossed gloved fingers, willing this to work.

The flattened balloon sandwiched between droid and ramp somehow inflated with the jerk of the string, and the second that the ramp hit the hangar deck, the expanded balloon deposited a now upright automaton onto its blocky feet, and it started to move forward.

"Hold."

//Glom?//

One guard aimed his LR-Model 2 around the sides of the hangar, while his counterpart stepped out from under the cockpit, with his blaster aimed up at the ship exterior as he backed away from the vessel.

Tag: no-one

 

IC: Staff Sergeant Holy
Command Center, space station, Northern Stretch


Holy snickered to himself. However much man tried to make computers, even AIs, the end all, be all answer to man kind's problems, Holy---a religious man by nature---was never disappointed by what a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ could do. It seemed to solve those problems without a computer or AI's input.

Or, in this case to be more precise, it avoided the AI's input all together. Holy never considered himself a intelligent man when it came to computers and technology. He rather considered himself "well-rounded" in the studies of technology; while Holy took prayer over computer help any day of the week, he didn't ignore the God-given abilities that man was given to operate such computers and technology either.

Having a sensible background in technology, as Holy liked to put it to comrades and friends, the Staff Sergeant had been able to use a modified hand-held holo projector. While the space station's AI thought---and processed through data usage by Holy's chosen console on the bridge----that Holy was reviewing and then recording the security footage that the AI allowed him to see to the portable holo projector (that replayed the security footage quietly before recording it), the Staff Sergeant's portable holo projector had a special trick. A separate, encrypted, and hidden program on the holo projector connected with other space station systems, producing a small pop-up window for Holly to write into (and which his body effectively blocked from view from the station's AI cameras). The pop-up window would register as nothing more then a extra window for viewing a second security film that the station AI allowed. While this was true, to an extent, within the pop-up window's code language was a small trick from Holy's hand held holo projector that allowed him to type in and access other systems. The process code from the little trick was well-covered, acting as nothing more then a data relay from one system to the other, displaying itself as a harmless energy in-put / out-put register code. By the time the AI discovered that it had an extra energy in-put / out-put code in it's system, Holy hoped to have everything he needed.

In fact, it worked better then he had thought. He had access to everything, except for the core operating files of the AI. But, everything else was his.

Bringing up some brief operational history first of the station, Holy created a secured comlink that would be masked as old security footage feedback from the console to the AI. While the AI was indeed complex (Holy had never seen anything like it before), once you got a mole inside the everything but the main core files, the AI was really nothing more then a highway of data to navigate through...just be careful you don't get caught by the AI's "police" within it's system.

Opening up a comlink, Holy made sure to speak down, as he looked at a manual to operate the station's systems, when speaking, so the AI couldn't see what he was saying.

"Captain, this is Holy, can you hear me?" The Staff Serge whispered.


*******************************


IC: Captain Victor Paulsome
Mess Hall, space station, Northern Stretch


Victor jumped slightly as Holy's voice came over a new channel; the infantry captain brought the soldiers and Havah to a halt in the corridor. "Yes. Where are you transmitting from?"

"Don't worry about that," Holy said over the comlink, "I found a back door in. I need you to listen and do not respond. The AI cannot know your talking to me."

Victor waved his soldiers and Havah onward through the corridors and they continued walking. Holy continued talking now.

"The station's AI has been hijacked by a virus code calling itself 'Dark Force'. It seems that this new friend has been here for a month now, recording data, altering transmission codes, the whole nine yards. Funny, per our home world's time line, Dark Force came online in the station a mere just over 2 years before the civil war at home. It's been able to map out our defenses, weak an strong points, and classified information for months now. It's been the unexplained reason as to why our defenses fell and the civil war was so successful so quickly. The COR had our number since the beginning, knowing classified military routes, secret hyperspace jump points and exits within the Kingdom of Jod, and even access codes to planetary defense stations. However, the one thing Dark Force has been unable to discover is the location of...well, where we're going after this mission. I don't want to give the computer any more hints then it needs. Anyways, it seems that that Kingdom of Jod information isn't even on the station's AI memory or data banks.

"It appears that one year before the war began, Dark Force took full control of the AI. But no one knew about it. It covered itself and masked itself from all virus scans. Whoever made this Dark Force code knew what they were doing. Anyways, here comes the interesting part. A particular data transmission, secured as classified, was altered one year before the civil war. I did some looking and it seems to go to a world in the Northern Stretch known as the Planet of Exile. It seems that communications from a building known as the 'Main Complex' on this Planet of Exile were intercepted before reaching Jod military high command, altered, and resent out. And likewise for communications coming from Jod military high command. In short, Captain, this Dark Force virus code had the communication systems of both this station and the Main Complex completely under it's control.

"If the rumors are true, Captain, about there being a secret military coup being deposited on a planet of exile ten years ago...and odd that this AI system would label such a world in the heavily defended and forsaken Northern Stretch....then it is possible that whoever was on that Planet of Exile could have been moved off the planet and Jod military command would have had no idea that it happened. And then, started working behind the scenes with whatever knowledge they had on our Kingdom's political, social, and military areas of sensitivity. Take advantage of those weak points within our culture and society, and start the civil war after quietly killing the King first.

"Captain, put Mr. Jeth on."

Victor looked to Havah Jeth and motioned a series of quick numbers via his hand and a symbol that meant "talk". Once the Arkanian had the secured comlink, Holy piped in to both the Captain and Havah Jeth.

Holy said, "Havah, act as if no one is talking to. There is a refresher two doors down and to the left around the corner. Captain Paulsome will post the group outside and he and another soldier will enter with you to the refresher as if you have to go in and take care of business. There is a AI camera in there. But someone was smart and knew something was wrong. The camera is active, but someone installed a camera device that takes a camera of anyone entering, waits, and then takes another photo. The second photo, in terms of the person entering to take care of business, is then intercepted over the live imagine. Whoever did this knew their game, since the process code in the system is well hidden and the device itself shouldn't be visible on the camera or station security would have found it. I'm thinking House of Royal Intelligence if I have my cards right.

"In any event, it should buy you enough time. There is a whole ventilation shaft that is sound proofed and sensor proofed, leading from this refresher all the way down to the station's main AI core. Like I said, someone knew something was wrong and took care of business on the down low very seriously. Once you enter the main AI core, you'll need to directly access the core, disable the Dark Force virus, and then terminate the station AI. Convert all station's system to manual control. Then, I can create a new encrypted communication line to our destination and alert Jod high command of the development on the station and the Dark Force virus program. I have a feeling, after all, this is what we were here to discover when first sent here by Royal Intelligence. I just didn't think they thought we could do it...more of delaying tactic with our lives to keep the COR guessing of what the Kingdom of Jod was really doing against them. We'll sure have a nice surprise when they hear from us! Can you do all that, Havah?"


Tag Mitth

 

IC: Kasumi
Mobile Command Post


The Beasts were there alright, that much was certain through the Force, but there was something else. Something….friendly. Something familiar. Kasumi closed her eyes and tried to find the signature, she tried to get a clear reading but couldn’t. It was similar to what Yoda was able to do, hide using the life Force, however, this was not light….it was different some how. Darker….either way, she couldn’t get a complete read on it. Kasumi took a deep breath and tried again….blocking everything out.

Kasumi’s eyes shot open again. Could it be them? She couldn’t be sure. Kasumi looked over at Fress and saw the same look of confusion. She had to stop the firing so that they didn’t kill the wrong people.

“Captain, I’m can’t get a clear sense, but there are….”

"Sword Spear, all hostile enemy contacts eliminated. Securing battlefield for enemy intelligence. Two friendly injured."

Kasumi heard the news and she tried again to find the signature. It was hidden, not gone from the Force, but hidden….that much she could tell.

"...I wonder if they will let us reach the Main Complex."

She heard the comment/question.

“I would think that they would. If it was a trap, they would want us in the midst of it. In my opinion they would not think that we would have seen the trap being set, until it is too late. In a way we have the upper hand. And Captain, are there any reports on the dead? Were they all beasts and were here signs of beings other than beasts out there?”

Tag: Fress and Bravo

 

IC: Fress Colias
Planet of Exiles

“I would think that they would. If it was a trap, they would want us in the midst of it. In my opinion they would not think that we would have seen the trap being set, until it is too late. In a way we have the upper hand. And Captain, are there any reports on the dead? Were they all beasts and were here signs of beings other than beasts out there?”

Fress closed her eyes as she focused on a signature, it was there and yet someone was hiding the signature. It felt familiar. But she couldn’t quite get a lock on it long enough to identify the presence. Just as quickly as she sensed the presence it was hidden in the Force. Jason Lasso quickly rose to the back of her mind but she quickly dismissed it. The kid was missing and it would be almost too canny if he ended up in the same place here. That would be one heck of a lucky break. She focused her mind on the ground below and could sense friendly’s and beasts not too far off. She glanced at Kasumi with a slightly confused expression on her face as she whispered in Kasumi's ear. "I don't know why but Lasso rose to the back of my mind as soon as I sensed that one signature. It's just strange, the kids missing, we couldn't be that lucky could we? There has to be a way to stop the firing before we accidentally kill the wrong people."


Tag Bravo, Kasumi

 

IC: Kasumi
Mobile Command Post

"I don't know why but Lasso rose to the back of my mind as soon as I sensed that one signature. It's just strange, the kids missing, we couldn't be that lucky could we? There has to be a way to stop the firing before we accidentally kill the wrong people."

"I had been thinking the same, but was afraid it sounded strange to say. However, that is not the only name that came to mind. The other sign is close to...what I can remember of He, but I am uncertain. The signs come and go, as if hidden....but not by the light side...if you know what I mean. As for luck? Maybe. But if it is the will of the force...then luck has nothing to do with it. I'm hoping that they are still alright, but we would need more information from the Captain....and then we need to find a way to locate those people that aren't beasts....so we don't accidentally kill the wrong people." Kasumi whispered back.

Tag: Fress

 

IC: Fress Colias
Mobile command post, Planet of Exiles

"I had been thinking the same, but was afraid it sounded strange to say. However, that is not the only name that came to mind. The other sign is close to...what I can remember of He, but I am uncertain. The signs come and go, as if hidden....but not by the light side...if you know what I mean. As for luck? Maybe. But if it is the will of the force...then luck has nothing to do with it. I'm hoping that they are still alright, but we would need more information from the Captain....and then we need to find a way to locate those people that aren't beasts....so we don't accidentally kill the wrong people." Kasumi whispered back.

“I find these Jod only tell you what they want you to know, not what we want to know,” Fress whispered back with a frown as she eyed the captain knowing he was a stickler to get information out of. She had to literally barge on the bridge just to get the Captain to talk the one time. Rex had told her it was him that gave her alias away from to them. Which Rex wouldn’t have done so if she had kept better contact with him in the last few months since joining the Mercs. He had come to the back of her mind as to the one who was hiding himself. She grinned. Maybe she hadn’t lost her touch as much as she thought she had. She quickly frowned again as she eyed the captain wearily. “Do we come right out and say it and tell him our suspicions or is he easy to trick with mind tricks?” She whispered after a few seconds of silence.

Tag Kasumi

 

IC: Kasumi
Mobile Command Post

“Do we come right out and say it and tell him our suspicions or is he easy to trick with mind tricks?”

Kasumi smiled at the thought, but thought better of it. She whispered back, "Let's see what the response is to the question of other life signs, after that, we will take appropriate action. While I am not sure I approve of only getting part of the information needed, I can understand their hesitation to give us everything. They really don't know us from any other double crossing agent out there. I would advise a bit more patience towards them."

Tag: Fress

 

IC: Fress Colias
Mobile Command Post Planet of Exiles

"Let's see what the response is to the question of other life signs, after that, we will take appropriate action. While I am not sure I approve of only getting part of the information needed, I can understand their hesitation to give us everything. They really don't know us from any other double crossing agent out there. I would advise a bit more patience towards them."

Fress smiled a bit and nodded in agreement. She wasn’t fully convinced on being a double agent or not. After all they did have that file on her with her life story on it and all connections she had. “I’ll go along with your idea,” she paused for a second and gave a quick wink. “For now, my way includes a tranqulizer dart filled with truth serum.”

Tag Kasumi

 

IC: Captain Timothy Stakes, Infantry Colonel
Mobile Command Base Sword Spear, Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)


“I would think that they would. If it was a trap, they would want us in the midst of it. In my opinion they would not think that we would have seen the trap being set, until it is too late. In a way we have the upper hand. And Captain, are there any reports on the dead? Were they all beasts and were here signs of beings other than beasts out there?”

Stakes found the Jedi's question of the dead off. FT One-Delta hadn't reported any non-Beast hostile contacts. The Captain looked to the Colonel, who by his facial structure, the infantry colonel found this to be a waste of time. Stakes was aware of the fact that Jedi and Flight Lieutenant were whispering back and forth...in a crowded mobile command pod, it wasn't hard to miss. But he let the women have their whispers, it was of no concern to him.

"Sword Spear to FT One-Delta," the Colonel said, "Update request."

"FT One-Delta to Sword Spear. Battlefield clear. Returning to Main Force."

"Copy FT One-Delta. Can you confirm all none-Beast enemy contacts in engagement?"

There was a pause over the comm from the receiving Tank Commander, who then responded, "Confirmed Sword Spear. No non-Beast enemy contacts encountered."

"Copy FT One-Delta. Sword Spear clear."

The Colonel looked to Stakes, who then looked to the Jedi, "There's your answer."

As the complex loomed closer, getting with-in a quarter mile, the Colonel started to deploy his forces. First, it was the light infantry---the Naval Guards---supported by a platoon of King's Army soldiers. As the advanced recon force ran ahead at the double quick, breaking free of the main force in hopes of connecting with the Scout Elements One and Two and provide a in-force recon and security of the complex's outside.

As the troops went about their business and the complex loomed closer still---with reports coming in of the "all clear" from the units around the complex---the Colonel started issuing orders and editing some of Stakes in the meantime, which he had full operational authority to do so, being the ranking ground operations' officer.

"Sword Spear to all Main Force units. Encircle Main Complex for defense. First through Fourth companies, scale the building and secure those outside railing positions on the second and third levels. Companies Fifth through Ninth, secure outside defense with tank support. Naval Guard units, support outside defense in flanks. Company Ten, on Sword Spear to escort in rescue party. Break," The Colonel said to divide orders, "Delta Group, relink with Main Force and assume outside defense. Break," the Colonel said again, "Scout Element Three, report update and then report back to Main Force---birds have been called in for air-lift. Scout Elements Two and Three, deploy skirmishers and recon in front of Main Force on all fronts. Sword Spear clear."

As the Jod forces went about their orders as seasoned veterans with flawless motion, Scout Element Three reported back in, "Scout Element Three to Sword Spear."

"Sword Spear. Go ahead Scout Element Three."

"Recon of bunker complex had given no further intelligence. It seems this was a command post for whatever happened here. Tunnels under the complex have been collapsed with no way to discover their route of travel without ComScan support from the Sword of Justice."

"Copy Scout Element Three," replied the Colonel, "Deploy all forces to Main Force. How copy on air transport?"

"Shuttles in view and preparing to recover Scout Element Three. Scout Element Three clear."

As the Mobile Command Base came to a lumbering halt just in front of the main doors---first turning itself around so the cockpit faced outwards from the Main Complex---to the Main Complex, Jod forces all around deploying to defensive positions, the Colonel looked to Stakes.

"It looks too dark," The Colonel said as holo camera gave feeds of the dark and forsaken-looking structure. The Main Complex looked like a pymid, with massive cargo blast doors, security barriers, and security fence all lining the outside base of the complex's gray thick walls. From there, dark, unit windows sprout upwards along the building in levels, some larger or smaller then others, but all retaining a strict form as to allow for a fortress-style defense. Two catwalks---more added levels outside with railing---surrounded the complex outside, both half way up and three-quarters to the top. At the very top of the structure was a landing pad for a shuttle. Through the construction of the outside defense walls, the infantry colonel could tell this building could put up with a full orbital bombardment and survive; not only that, but several recessed gun ports could be seen along the wall in various spots. The Main Complex was designed to survive. With no outside battle damage, other then the outside security fences, the Colonel was puzzled. Maybe, just maybe, Captain Stakes' statement earlier had more truth to it then he would want to admit.

"Yea," Stakes said as he made sure his pistol and sword were ready, "But we ain't turning back now. Comms, do you have that time stamp?"

The comms officer nodded, "Yes, Captain. But I'm getting a year ago, sir. It doesn't make sense."

"That it doesn't," Stakes said as he nodded to the two Queen's Guardsmen. Of the four Queen's Guardsmen, two would stay in the Mobile Command Base, while the other two, with the Tenth Infantry Company, would escort Kasumi, Fress, the Clone Trooper, and Stakes into the complex to discover the source of the emergency beacon.

As the ramp lowered and the 2 Queen's Guardsmen escorting them cleared it, Stakes waved the Mercs with him along the way and down the ramp. Despite the skies clearing, the air still felt chill. As his boots kicked up the dead-looking dirt, Stakes addressed the infantry captain that would be coming with him.

"Captain," the infantryman said to Stakes as Jod soldiers could be seen scaling the wall behind them, "My men have been trying to gain entrance through the main doors. But their locked shut and every command override we've tried doesn't work."

"Do the blast doors have power?" Stakes asked.

"Yes, Captain," the infantryman responded and Stakes turned to Kasumi, "I hear you have certain special powers that most Jedi don't have...powers you used at The Block. Mind trying to open those heavy blast doors?"

As he waited there for a response, he started to wonder what the Jedi were whispering about. But let it be.


Tag Coffee, Falcon

 

IC: Sergeant Vestor, Aurora Cradmoon, Sounil Mistry, Delicate Delinquent Main Hangar
Location: Berroll's Donn star system


Vestor in his blue-and-gold vacsuit, looked at Aurora as she stood in the shuttle's side hatch, leaning against the side edge.
He had not seen the female Naval Guard for a few moments, and asked after her.

"Oh, she's in the fresher," Cradmoon advised.

"There's a fresher on the ship?" Vestor's eyebrow lifted in surprise.

"I suppose there would have to be, given the length of some space trips."

"She really in the fresher, or in one of those, you know, one of those spacetrooper tubes?"

The Merc glanced inside. "Is that what they are?"

"Oh...you didn't."

Cradmoon went all 'rabbit in headlights' as she caught his inference, and was quite happy when Fress' mate turned up, trailed by a leggy twi'lek.
"Are you looking for security? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yeah..." Vestor trailed off, hoping the clone would supply his name.

"Wolf." Sounil identified the clone with a gesture, then indicated the Jod non-com, "This is Sergeant Vestor."

THIS IS THE BRIDGE. SET CONDITION THREE THROUGHOUT THE SHIP. YOU MAY STAND DOWN FROM COMBAT CONDITIONS.

Vestor glanced at Cradmoon, following the loud public address announcement. She had an expression of hopeful expectation like a pet dog eyeing your half-eaten burger. He knew what she wanted, and could not help but relent.

"Okay, go."

Her pale face split into a grin and she raced off between him and the security pair, towards the other side of the hangar

"Don't run!" The Jod smiled as the Merc managed to turn a sprint into a fast walk, and turned back to Wolf. "Sorry 'bout that. Follow me please."

He stepped into the shuttle, glancing back to ensure that Wolf and Mistry were following, then stopped inside the ship and pointed at the deck by his feet, where the four bound and hog-tied Imperial shuttle crew were. Three were different levels of active, while the last...was very still.

"Can you do anything with that?"

Tag: Wolf

 

IC: Wolf
Delicate Delinquent

Wolf frowned as he followed the Jod crew member up the shuttle ramp and glanced down noticing four Imperials tied up on the middle of the deck.

"Can you do anything with that?"

Wolf frowned as he got out his comlink and called the bridge. “I haven’t been on the Delicate Delinquent for long, lets see if there is a detention level on this ship,” he said as he heard the bridge answer. “Security to bridge, we have four Imperials bound up and we need a place to keep them. Is there a detention level we can put them in and where is it located?”
Tag Sith

I C: Fress Colias
Mobile Command Base Sword Spear, Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch

"Do the blast doors have power?" Stakes asked.

"Yes, Captain," the infantryman responded and Stakes turned to Kasumi, "I hear you have certain special powers that most Jedi don't have...powers you used at The Block. Mind trying to open those heavy blast doors?"

Fress raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Stakes, special power? It’s called telekinesis genious she thought to herself. “Captain, when it comes to moving objects with your mind, weight and size matters not, that includes knocking blast doors off the hinges with one’s mind. A certain amount of Jedi could move anything with their minds. And if Jedi couldn’t move the blast doors, a lightsaber makes a handy door maker,” she glanced at Kasumi with a slight smile. “Need any help?”

Tag Coffee, Bravo

 

IC: Kasumi
Mobile Command Post

"Confirmed Sword Spear. No non-Beast enemy contacts encountered."

"Copy FT One-Delta. Sword Spear clear."

Kasumi had heard that there were no non-Beast enemy contacts. She had never said Enemy...the assumption that all on this planet was an enemy proved to her that they were if not just one edge, they were a bit one minded..and lacked all but maybe a little forgiveness as transgressions could be a mistake and could cause someone to be willing to make amends. The feeling that Kasumi had of more people being out there, and not enemies, was still strong...and the signs of Lasso...and...He...were off and on..then gone. Which to her meant that they were being hidden, but by what? Or rather by who?

"Yes, Captain," the infantryman responded and Stakes turned to Kasumi, "I hear you have certain special powers that most Jedi don't have...powers you used at The Block. Mind trying to open those heavy blast doors?"

Kasumi went to respond but had to smile at Fress' comment on the Force.

“Captain, when it comes to moving objects with your mind, weight and size matters not, that includes knocking blast doors off the hinges with one’s mind. A certain amount of Jedi could move anything with their minds. And if Jedi couldn’t move the blast doors, a lightsaber makes a handy door maker,” she glanced at Kasumi with a slight smile. “Need any help?”

Kasumi smiled.

"Fress, I will let you know if I need help with cutting a door open, but I'm going to try something else first. I will however need your quick thinking if there is an alarm rigged on this door once it is open. Captain, you seem to know quite a bit about what happened on the block, it makes me wonder how much you actually know about each of us."

With that said Kasumi placed her hand on the code pad and the door itself. Through electronic manipulation she was able to feel each lock unlock on the doors and was able to fool the code pad into thinking the code had been put in. She stepped back and looked at the captain.

"If your men would be so kind to try to pry the doors open now."

Tag: Fress and Bravo

 

IC: Captain Timothy Stakes, Infantry Colonel
"Main Complex", Planet of Exile, Northern Stretch (Jod Star System)


“Captain, when it comes to moving objects with your mind, weight and size matters not, that includes knocking blast doors off the hinges with one’s mind. A certain amount of Jedi could move anything with their minds. And if Jedi couldn’t move the blast doors, a lightsaber makes a handy door maker,” she glanced at Kasumi with a slight smile. “Need any help?”

Kasumi smiled.

"Fress, I will let you know if I need help with cutting a door open, but I'm going to try something else first. I will however need your quick thinking if there is an alarm rigged on this door once it is open. Captain, you seem to know quite a bit about what happened on the block, it makes me wonder how much you actually know about each of us."

Stakes smiled thinly, "That's classified."

With that said Kasumi placed her hand on the code pad and the door itself. Through electronic manipulation she was able to feel each lock unlock on the doors and was able to fool the code pad into thinking the code had been put in. She stepped back and looked at the captain.

"If your men would be so kind to try to pry the doors open now."

Stakes looked to the infantry captain who motioned for his soldiers. Soon, the door was opened---stale, rotten air flooded out---and 2 squads (16 soldiers) flooded into the darkness with night vision goggles. After no sound of enemy action after a few moments, the infantry Captain taking his sword out, he motioned everyone else in. Stakes, Kasumi, Fress, the Clone Trooper, two Queen Guardsmen and a escorting half squad (4) of King's Soldiers took up the middle of the formation. A squad of 8 soldiers up took up the rear behind them, with a half squad further back from them providing a rear guard. The infantry Captain and a squad of 8 soldiers walked in front of Stakes' group, while the 2 squads who entered ahead of them proved forward by a good distant in leap-frog fashion, with a advanced recon of 4 soldiers in front of them. If anyone was going to take the company of soldiers on, they would face significant firepower from wherever they did it.

Entering, a long corridor---dark by inactivity except for emergency fixtures----greeted the Jod and Mercs.

"Captain?" Stakes asked up ahead.

The infantry Captain looked back and said as he looked at a scanning device he held, "Nothing on scopes. This corridor ends up ahead by 50 yards at a main lobby. That's best I got, sir."

Stakes nodded and continued on in silence. When they reached the main lobby---the King's Army soldiers for the most part ignoring the skeletons in Jod uniforms as they spread out in defensive positions and took the upper level and searched side rooms on both levels----the story became clearer. The main lobby was a half moon, double level, area with a tile floor with the Kingdom of Jod symbol on the floor in the middle, with a half circle receptionist desk squarely in the middle and against the far back wall. Couches, chairs, old trees and plants that had since grown wild on the walls and ceiling without care, were spread about to either side of the center of the lobby. Several see-through wall offices were located to either side walls and two sets of stairs flanked upstairs around the rear of the receptionist desk. The upstairs, which copied the bottom level's shape, was carpeted and held several larger offices and meeting rooms. A bank of turbolifts was to the far left and far right of the desk and on the far side of each set of stairs.

Stakes looked at the bodies of the four skeletons----two officers behind the desk and two security guards standing sentry at the turbolifts---their deaths had been unexpected. The skeletons looked, oddly, relaxed. Only one guard had a blaster out and in near his hand.

As the above level was cleared, Stakes looked at the blank console screens at the desk. Even a old, dust covered now, coffee cup was at the desk. "Looks like these men were caught off guard...by someone they knew," Stakes got up and looked to the infantry captain, "Secure this lobby, Captain."

The infantryman nodded, "Yes, sir," And then looked to soldiers upstairs and some downstairs, "Half squad upstairs, half squad downstairs. The rest," The captain said as soldiers discovered two emergency staircase leading upwards by the turbolifts, "To the stairs. Move it!"

"Captain," Stakes said, "Give me a squad," and nodded to the turbolift doors, "We'll take the way up through the lifts. I don't want our forces isolated to 2 routes to get ambushed."

The Captain nodded and Stakes was handed his squad. Now with 12 King's Army soldiers (including the 4 escorting troops) and 2 Queen's Guardsmen, Stakes looked to Kasumi, Fress, and the Clone Trooper, "Okay, we get the hard way. Floor by floor. Lets move."


**************************

5 minutes later


The turbolift doors were pried open by a few soldiers and the rescue party piled onto Level One: Living Area; mess mall, living quarters, medical bay, etc. No bodies, yet.

"Okay," Stakes said, "Lets split up. One Queen's Guardsmen and five soldiers to the right with Kasumi and Fress. The other five soldiers, one Queen's Guardsmen, and the Clone with me to the left. We'll meet back up here. You two soldiers stand sentry at this turbolift. Okay, move out."


Tag Coffee, Falcon

OOG:

Coffee and Falcon, okay, you two ladies have free reign on Level One: Living Area. You may make up what you discover, etc., with the following guidelines (see below). Level One is circular in nature with one turbolift and one emergency staircase. To the left of the lift, around the corner, is the Mess Hall, half of the living quarters, and a game room. To the right, the medical bay, the other half of the living quarters, and a gym.

Guidelines:

1) No Jedi or Sith remains / encounters

2) No living beings

3) No Beasts or other alien remains. Humans only.

4) You may have limited, emergency power in the medical bay. Records may be found there. This is not the only medical bay. A medical bay #2 is located higher up, but is currently listed in the file's systems as locked down.

5) If medical records are processed, a increase in "unexplained" patients one year prior. Reports hint to a unexplained biological reaction in the body.

6) Several days after the first medical reports are found, the first patients die. Reviews of their death show traumatic bleeding of the internal body organs due to a alien biological agent found in the body. The biological agent is unidentified and only small traces of the agent were found in the patients days later. At time of death, the biological agent had multiplied and consumed a large portion of the body's internal organs.

7) As of last medical report one year ago, 100 patients had become ill within days and 30 had died 48 hours of becoming sick. 40 more died 72 hours later after the first deaths, 20 were reported as cleared and sent home, but still had mild symptoms, while 10 were cleared of all infection and symptoms and returned to their work.

8) It seemed a handful of patients' bodies fought off the biological infection and were effectively immune to the unknown alien biological agent. 1 out of every 10 patients were immune to the agent.

9) All deaths happened one year ago.

 

IC: Kasumi
Main Complex, Level 1

Kasumi nodded and watched the others move off in the emergency power lights, that even now had some that were flickering on and off as the power drain began. She opened up a bit to the senses around her....and got a flood of pain, death, and darkness. She closed herself off again, but not before the feelings brought her down to a knee. She slowly got back up and opened her eyes. So much death, and before she wanted to see a medical bay she wanted to learn more about these people. She started off down the hall way in the direction of most of the living quarters, as if being drawn to them. She turned and entered the first living quarter.

She looked around it and it appeared not prison like, but rather like barracks. It was much different then the Block and it's lack of comfort. This room, from what she could see through the light, there were books, a holo image of something....family maybe. The room was turned upside down, almost as if by a mad man. But nothing was taken, just things off of shelves and torn papers, but the one thing that seemed untouched was the holo image. Kasumi gently picked up the emmiter and used electronic manipulation so that she could see the image.

Kasumi saw the images of the children and her heart sank. This did not look like the family of someone who was considered an exile. The smiling family spoke of love, of someone being proud of the person taking the picture, and of hope. Kasumi placed the emmiter back on the stand next to the bed. "I am sorry....for what ever happened to you. And I'm sorry for your loss."

Tag: Fress

 

IC: Fress Colias
Main Complex Level 1

Fress watched as Kasumi moved into the living quarters of the complex. She sensed Kasumi opening then quickly closed herself down again. The sensations from this place were strong enough to bring one down to their knees. She had to keep herself closed off as well. She moved towards the mess hall and entered it noting this was nothing like the block and there was no way this was what she was told. They never treated prisoners this well in Corellian Prison, so why should this place be any different?

Fress saw a couple of doors not too far away, the curiosity was getting the best of her. She headed down to the first door and walked in. It looked like a game room of some sort. There was a holo sitting down at the other end, she headed towards it and stopped when she saw what looked like humane remains sitting on a chair. She stepped towards the corpse and studied it.

It was in a relaxed position with a blaster belt now sitting on the floor below the chair. Fress reached forward opening her mind to the room and the feelings overwhelmed her enough to bring her down to her knees. She focused on channeling the majority of the feelings out focusing on this one man as images flashed before her eyes.

//”I get to go home soon,” the man said proudly. “I haven’t been able to hold my new baby girl yet,” the man stopped as he looked at his counter part who had a solemn expression on his face. “What is it?”

“No one is going to be allowed to go home, there’s a new virus killing everyone here. It has the medics stumped. Until they figure it out, we’re being quarantined.”

The look of horror and disappointment in the one man’s eyes was enough to tug on her heartstrings.//

The images stopped and Fress blinked her eyes rapidly now wanting to look at any files the medics may have left behind. The next place to go is the med ward. “I’m sorry you never got to see or hold your baby girl,” she closed her mind again to the assaulting feelings as she stood up blinking back some tears. This man never got to go home. What really is this place? She thought with a frown, she felt like she wasn’t getting the entire story or truth from Stakes.

The lights flickered off for a minute then flickered back on. She had a feeling the emergency generator would have only so much time left. She reached to her belt and rummaged through the pocket grabbing her spare flashlight. She had a feeling she was going to need it soon. She headed towards the med ward that would be a good place to get some answers from.

Fress stepped in the quarters where Kasumi disappeared too, she found her friend studying a holo. She gently tapped her friend on the shoulder. "I had a vision and it makes me want to check medical files. I'm going there now if you want to come?"

Tag TBC Kasumi