SWRPF Archive The Integrated Balance of Power (IBOP) - Informational Thread and Training Centre

Quinlan Vos

Landing field, Dellalt

The twi'lek female known as Commander Lorqus nodded and gave the Jedi a brief smile after he'd introduced himself. "Thank the Force we have a Jedi flying with us. This mission is going to need every ounce of luck we have, and then some, to pull it off."

Quinlan smiled pleasantly at this. It was good to know that there were those in the galaxy who still believed in the Force, even if just a little. For the Commander was correct in more ways than she probably imagined. The good news was, that she was opened to the Force, at the very least on a subconcious level, and that was enough for the Force to work miracles, even in those who were 'technically' non-sensitives. Contrary to popular teachings, Quinlan was more than well aware that the force could work through anyone. It was just easier do so through those who were conciously receptive to it.

Lorqus motioned to the four X-Wing's behind her. "I sent the other eight fighters of my squadron up with the rest of Ranroon Base's fighters to cover the evac. I believe Lt. Shard has an X-Wing variant as well. That gives us a total of six fighter to pull this mission off with."

The three other Blue Squadron pilots in Lorqus's flight began to mount their X-Wings. Quinlan took that opportunity to speak into his communicator.

"RZ-L(Raziel), bring the Raptor to my location."

The grey jedi Master looked at the Commander then turned around. Less than half a minute later, a gunmetal grey modified StarViper-Class Assault Fighter came into view as it hovered closer and closer, but did not touch down.

"That's close enough Raziel."

Quinlan looked back at the Commander, indicating that he was ready.

"Well, we better be off Master Vos. We will follow your lead to Lt. Shard."

"I was about to defer command of this mission to you, Commander. Hmmm...I suggest we share leadership."

The Grey Jedi master did not want to seem like a usurper to the rest of the squadron members. Although they were trained to follow orders, human nature was still human nature, and if anyone understood the concpet well, it was he. This was no time to ill affect the pilots morale. So in his mind, a joint command would yield the best results.

Quinlan gave the Commander a respectful nod, then quickly added, "Please send my droid the projected coordinates." He quickly patched a link through his communicator, then after that was done, he remembered to add another bit of important detail.

"I'll lead us through the atmosphere." Without further explenation, Quinlan employed the Force to leap high up and unto his waiting ship. Once inside, he continued to hover as he made the proper adjustments for a quick ascent. Within moments, he and Commander Lorqus' Blue Squadrons would be blasting off.

To ensure a relatively safe passage, the Grey Jedi master mentally contacted StormBringer and requested of the Force Master to keep enemy forces off their backs, should they be spotted through his cover.

Tag: AdmiralNick22, LSA

 

IC: Commander Melnica Lorqus

Landing Field, Dellalt

Four T-65 X-Wing starfighters lifted off the landing field, preparing to follow Jedi Master Quinlan Vos into the atmosphere and space beyond. The Jedi had made clear that he did not want to command the mission soley himself- he prefered joint command. This suited Commander Lorqus fine, though she herself has no problem following the direction of a Jedi Master.

"This is Lorqus. Lead the way Master Jedi. We have a rendezvous to keep."

TAG: greyjedi, LS_A

 

Quinlan Vos

Dellalt

With gravity defying grace, all five ships moved in a synchronous delta formation. Their engines roared and they were off, rocketing skyward as they streaked through the planet's atmosphere. Almost as soon as they traversed the lower atmosphere, an unnatural formation appeared all around the ships, almost as if a protective tunnel or corridor somehow formed itself to provide cover and safe passage.

Quinlan reasured the pilots that the inclement weather formation was nothing to worry about.

Moments later, all five fighters were able to break orbit without incident, thank the Force. They proceeded through a pre-set flight path that would hopefully allow them to slip by the enemy undetected and expedite their joining with Lt.Shard .

Tag: AdmiralNick22, LSA, PoT

 

AdmiralNick22, Saber_Leader, DarkSide_Apprentice

Kegan, Outer Rim Territories

Magma missiles were launched in small volleys, reinforcing the attack that had been set loose on the weakened Republic capital ships. And, moments before the two groups met head on, all coralskippers spewed forth from their positions of cover, divided into four main attack groups.

One group led an assault on the Allegiance, the two smaller groups attacking the Riptide and the Shooting Star, while the last broke apart and engaged the overwhelming number of Republic fighters. Magma missiles were launched and plasma fire sprayed in a chaotic battle for the glory of the Slayer.


Scores of New Republic starfighters rushed out to meet the asteroid-like alien craft. Their objective was to keep the coralskippers off from the main Republic fleet. It was a difficult task, given the magma missiles and plasma fire that spewed toward them.

Outnumbering the Yuuzhan Vong as they did, the Republic's fighters managed to bring down six coralskippers in a matter of seconds, with a dozen more destroyed before a full minute had passed. Less than five minutes after that, the fourth Yuuzhan Vong starfighter group was destroyed. Having completed its objective engaging the bulk of the Republic's starfighter force, the coralskipper attack group died in glory and service to the gods.


Peeling off from the main dogfight, Major Ekim Roylat's Diamond and Blue Wings were cleared for a torpedo run on the left most Yuuzhan Vong cruiser. That same cruiser was currently engaged by the New Republic warships Champion, Shooting Star, and Firestar. Already weakened and busy with defensive actions the ship was a prime target for assault.

The trio of X-Wing squadrons formed point, with the Y-Wings and B-Wings behind them. A squadron of A-Wings flanked each side, as the group prepared for the coming onslaught, knowing full well that even if they were successful that much of them would not come back.

Or so they thought.

They flew forward with a tenacity and undaunted courage that was the hallmark of New Republic pilots, going all the way back to the brave souls that attacked the Empire?s first Death Star. As they headed toward the Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser, they were surprised to find no sign of enemy opposition, at least, not in the form of coralskippers. And, so, they set loose their planned attack.

Their attack was coordinated with the Assault Cruiser, Champion, each fighter under Major Roylat's command participating in the torpedo volley. As the Yuuzhan Vong dovin basals struggled to protect their open flank, they divided their attention from a single threat to two.

Torpedoes from both the Champion and Roylat's squadrons were sucked into the gravitic anomolies now so familiar as the primary defense line of Yuuzhan Vong warships. There were far too many warheads, however, for even the dovin basals to absorb. Many torpedoes slipped through the gaps in the cruiser's defensive shield and slammed into the ship's hull, breaking through yorick coral and sprouting explosions right across the vessel's sides. Suffering under the considerable barrage, the Cruiser broke apart.

Greatly weakened from the cruiser's continued assault, the Nebulon-B frigate, Shooting Star, was finally granted a small degree of relief as its attacker was destroyed. With the alien cruiser finally destroyed, the frigate was free to focus upon the swarming squadrons of coralskippers that were firing missiles and plasma bursts into its sheilds managing to breach some areas and cause hull damage.

The Matalok that had sought cover behind the bulk of the Cruiser was suddenly open to attack from the the Bothan Assault Cruiser, Champion, and the Nebulon-B Frigate, Shooting Star. It survived only long enough to capture a trio of Republic fighters within its arrest tentacles before it, and the captured fighters, were destroyed in the onslaught from the Republic's capital ships.


Admiral

 

AdmiralNick22, Saber_Leader

Kegan, Outer Rim Territories

Each of the three coralskipper groups that remained were focused on one task alone. They were to rain destruction upon their assigned targets. One group had been assigned to attack the MC-40 light cruiser, Riptide, while the other maintained its focus on the on the Nebulon-B Frigate, Shooting Star.

Unfortunately, the Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser that had been leading the assault on the Shooting Star fell, leaving the coralskippers to carry out their mission without the aid of a capital ship. A similar result was expected from the second Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser, which was given new instructions to plunge into the heart of the enemy formation as it continued its attack on the MC-40 light cruiser.

The last coralskipper group launched a constant, unforgiving onslaught against the enemy flagship. Firing plasma cannons and missile launchers, the coralskippers used every weapon at their disposal in their assault on the Allegiance. Some of their number went as far as to fly around to attack the Star Cruiser's bow, which had already been weakened in the opening stages of their engagement.

Calling for the Matalok to join the fray, the Yuuzhan Vong command tasked the vessel with capturing any enemy starfighters that were flying around at the forefront of the Republic's formation, particularly around the Allegiance.

Meanwhile, all other warships continued to spear into the centre of the Republic's formation. Flanking the Miid Ro'ik Warship, the pair of Uumufalh Gunships sought to ram into the MC-90 Star Cruiser's bow and rear from its broadside, even as they fired upon the vessel's weakening shields.

Slightly behind them, intent on the same target the Miid Ro'ik Warship spared some of its dovin basals, acting as tractor beams, in an effort to draw the large ship toward it while it sought to ram the vessel's centre.


AdmiralNick22, Handmaiden_Yane, LightSide_Apprentice, Protege-of-Thrawn, Ktala, greyjedi125

Near Dellalt, Tion Cluster, Outer Rim Territories

Smiling as he oversaw the entire battle, the infidels scrambling in an effort to evacuate and seek cover from the plasma fire falling down from the sky. The wrath of the gods was upon them for their blasphemy and Jeekahk Nagakah was their instrument, their hand, their vessel.

One.

Additional troop transports and other landing craft headed down toward the planet's outer atmosphere awaiting an opening for a clear point of entry. They were provided with a small escort group, but were not granted the order to swoop down upon the infidel world until the time was right.

Two.

Agents from the first wave were asked to hold their positions. As eager as they were to strike, the opportune moment had yet to come. Patience was ordered. Scattered as they were, so few in number compared to the might that had yet to reinforce them they were not beyond defeat. At least, not yet.

Three.

From his position above the infidel world, knowing that victory was so near, the Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Commander put out a call to his subordinates elsewhere within the Tion Cluster. As he made the call for reinforcement, he noticed a small group of Republic fighters heading out from the planet's atmosphere toward one of Dellalt's moons.

It took a mere moment to summon a coralskipper squadron to pursue them.

 

IC: Major Ekim Roylat

Second Battle of Kegan

"That got 'em!"

One of the pilots from Diamond Wing shouted cheerfully into the comm as the Suuv Ban D'krid cruiser exploded under the combined barrage from the fighters and the Assault Cruiser Champion. Shortly thereafter, the Matalok cruiser that was seeking cover behind it also exploded, victim of a massive barrage from the New Republic forces.

Major Roylat opened a encrypted channel to the Allegiance.

"Admiral, my boys took minor losses in the attack. The big Vong cruiser now has its flank open. That gunship is surging towards you, leaving it wide open to a attack from my squadrons."

Reforming into attack formation, the massive double wing of fighters surged at the Miid Ro'ik cruiser. Coordinating their attack with the MC-90 Allegiance, the group unleashed its final volley of torpedoes. Hundreds of the projectiles shot off towards the unprotected flank of the big cruiser. If timed right, the attack could knock the cruiser out of the fight, securing the victory for the New Republic. As soon as the torpedoes were away, the fighters opened up with their array of laser and ion cannons. These individual blasts would add their strength to the overall attack on the cruiser.

TAG: Saber_Leader, LS_A

 

IC as Vorin Rancis
Kegan

Admiral Rancis watched as first one, then a second, Vong ship was struck by torpedeos from Champion and Major Rolyat's fighters and began breaking into pieces. Not only did it open up the enemy's flank, it freed up Champion and Firestar to aid the rest of the fleet. Rancis was about to issue orders when his comm officer fed a transmission through to him.

"Admiral, my boys took minor losses in the attack. The big Vong cruiser now has its flank open. That gunship is surging towards you, leaving it wide open to a attack from my squadrons."

Rancis considered for half a second, then nodded. It worked against the cruiser, so it was worth trying against the warship. "Have Champion move to that flank to support those fighters. Guns, keep up the fire on that warcruiser; make them keep their shields on our attacks." The fact that Major Rolyat had only minor losses was encouraging; it suggested that stripped of their fighter escort, Vong ships lacked significant anti-starfighter weapons. Time to test the theory. "Fighter control, have 4 X-wing squads and our B-wings begin torpedeo runs on the remaining cruiser. The rest of the fighters will screen the capital ships; clear those fighters from attacking fleet!"

"Firestar concentrate on the gunship on its side; we can't allow it to hit Allegiance's engines. Riptide, Shooting Shar, cease fire on the cap ships; concentrate on starfighter defense. Our fighters will help out. Helm, Guns, keep on eye on all oncoming enemy ships; Intel suggest they fight to the death, and those gunships might be trying to ram us. Manuever and blast them out of the sky, but don't let them touch us. Divert power as needed, but concentrate on the warship for now."

Tag: Nick, DSA, LSA

 

IC: Commander Melnica Lorqus

Space, Dellalt --> primary moon

The Twi'lek pilot first had a feeling that there was trouble headed their way when her R7 unit began to beep excitedly. Modifying her sensors, she saw that the fears of R7 were valid.

"Master Vos, we have incoming. The Vong have deployed a squadron of skips to intercept us. That outnumber us nearly three to one."

The four X-Wing's of One Flight, Blue Squadron streaked towards their destination, following the highly modified StarViper attack fighter piloted by the Jedi Master. Commander Lorqus felt slightly nervous, her lekku twitching inside her helmet as the skips got closer.

"Do you have any Jedi tricks up your sleeve?"

TAG: greyjedi125, LS_A, DS_A

 

Banden O'Jara and Nizzal
New Republic Outpost, Dellalt, Tion Cluster

R4 bleeped excitedly, as Banden led the way toward the trio of coralskippers. The group broke through lower atmosphere as one and sped toward Banden in an arrow-head formation. No fire was exchanged thus far, but in the distance, many more black spots seemed to be dropping down into the sky eager to join the attack. Banden noted it. "Come on down, and get burned..." he muttered to himself.

These first three coralskippers were among the few survivors from the first probing wave. Virtually all of their comrades had disappeared, destroyed by the fierce winds within the sky or having plummeted to Dellalt's surface.

Under the Jedi Knight's guidence, the formation of New Republic fighters circling over the landing field, moved to engage the enemy. They were charged with covering the skies above the base as dozens of civilian and military transports loaded the people of Dellalt for evacuation.

Banden flew his fighter at the group. "R4, keep a line open to those others buddies of yours out there. Help keep their ships clear if I decided to be....creative." Banden almost laughed at the expressive whistle from R4.

Time to welcome these aliens proper.


Meanwhile


Nizzal generated a small whirlwind of her own. It was not large by any means, but it would serve her purpose. Once the coralskippers were ensnared within, she focused upon the winds and with a single thought, caused the pressure inside the swirling vortex to drop rapidly. The upper portion of the whirlwind became increasingly heated with each passing moment as temperature in the area below plummeted considerably.

Trapped as they were, the coralskippers were sucked downward, two of them smashing against one another in a spectacular collision of yorik coral. The third coralskipper careened out of control, flung outward from the swirling mass, spinning erratically until it finally crashed into an expansive lake on Dellalt's surface. The fourth and final craft remained trapped within the whirlwind circling and spinning dizzily, unable to escape. She brough her hands together, causing the vortex to drop pressure even more rappidly, as it condenced on the craft, sujecting the inside of the craft to enormous pressures. It would pop, or it would crash.

"We are needed at the landing field," Nizzal heard Dankor say. She nodded. "I am ready." she said as she turned and looked at him, ready to move on. She gently released her storm after it was no longer needed. She watched as the other ships began to lift off. It would indeed be a task, to keep clear of the others ships as well.





TAG:LSA, AdmiralNick22, Handmaiden_Yane, Protege-of-Thrawn, greyjedi125, DarkSide_Apprentice, Ton_G

 

Dellalt


StormBringer inclined his head slightly as he felt subtle changes in the atmosphere. The enemy was adjusting to his atmospheric barrage. The Force Master smiled thinly as he decided to adjust his tactics for a brief period of time. For now, StormBringer decided to use his considerable control of the sky to provide safe corridors to the allied transports. Through the Force, he would send 'guiding knowledge' to the pilots to aid in their navigation of these corridors, outside of which, fierce icy winds would lash out at any enemy ships, much like force whips. Shards of razor sharp blades of ice would act as countless weapons provided by nature itself, should the coral skippers dare to approach the protective corridors. In addition, powerful funnels would simply suck them up and spit them out many kilometers away, causing them to burn up in the atmosphere.

Of course, this defensive move was also meant to lull the enemy into thinking they had a greater chance at landing their crafts. Too late they would realize the real danger they'd flown themselves into. Once the last Republic transport was away, the Vong were to learn a lesson or two about the Force.

**********

Meanwhile, Quinlan Vos and a squad of X-wing's had concerns of their own.

"Master Vos, we have incoming. The Vong have deployed a squadron of skips to intercept us. They outnumber us nearly three to one." informed Commander Lorqus.

"I see them." He responded, just as Raziel finished adjusting his sensors for maximized effect.

"Do you have any Jedi tricks up your sleeve?"

Quinlan could feel the Commander's nervous energy as the skips got closer. The Grey Jedi Master sent a calming wave to the Commander and all her pilots as he answered.

"If by tricks you mean surprises, then yes, I certainly do." Quinlan's glib tone changed to a more serious one as he became more focused on the job at hand.

"All ships assume attack formation." Just as he said it, the Raptor's S-foils began to part, and it was as if a deadly black metallic flower blossomed in space. "Pick a wing mate. I'll fly solo. Increase your the gain in your thermal scanners. It will facilitate lock on to their heat signatures."

"Increase your forward shileds at about 3 seconds from engagement range. Veer to flanking positions and target their rear. Switch and rotate shield strength as needed. Once in firing position, vary your rate of fire to stuttring effect, this way you'll be able to punch through the skip's defensive capabilities. I'm going head-to-head with a little surprise package I brought."

Quinlan did not bother to explain how he knew all this. Too many lives had been lost to 'learn' this information, both jedi and non-jedi alike. It was time for the Vong to pay in kind.

Even as he finished speaking, Quinlan had increased his forward shields and had ordered Raziel to 'drop' a proton torpedo for him to 'tug' right under the Raptor with the Force. The Grey Jedi Master knew that he would have to more or less aid in coordinating the other X-wings through the Force. He had no doubts that alot would be required of him and he was more than willing to give his all.

Also, the fact that this was just a delaying tactic by the Vong had not escaped his notice, they still had a rendezvous to keep. The Grey Jedi Master sent a signal to Lt. Shard updating him of their delay, something he meant to take care of with his protonic payload.

The time to pull punches was long past. Now it was all out war and both Quinlan and the Raptor were primed to do just that.

Tag: AdmiralNick22, LSA, PoT, DSA

 

IC as Lt. William Shard, Jedi Pilot, Trench flying on Dellalt's furthest orbiting moon

He felt calm overcome him. Death had threatened to perch itself on his shoulder and hum ominiously in his ear, mewing raspy threats and worries, doubts and despairs, sapping him of his strength.

But the Force surged and roared through him like never before, and death no longer existed.

The Commander had turned to him, clasping his shoulder firmly, looking him in the eye with the respect of not a distrustful man to a mystical jedi, but as one soldier to another. "It'll get ugly out there lieutenant. Despite all our advances, that starfighter isn't made of the Force itself."

He had nodded, already accepting what his plan might cost him. He had tried to smile, ready to fire off some cocksure bravado as he had dozens of times when flying with Blade Squadron. The comment died and dragged with it the smile, as he remembered his failure on Yavin IV, when he had trained above the canopy, allowing pride to sully his efforts and render his exercise a failure.
He'd not allow it this time. Not with so many lives at stake.
"Thank you Commander, but this is our best shot at giving them a bloody nose enough to get the transports clear. You'll be leading the charge?"

The Commander shook his head with a melancholy chuckle. "No, not me. One of the Captains of the guard will do that, we've loaded all the transports with as many minds and material as possible. This project will be able to continue elsewhere, and that you'll agree, is greater than any of us."

Will looked him in the eye, and used the Force to truly see into him. He felt a surge of comraderie, of kinship, of sympathy for the man. This bravery, this loyalty, this dedication, this is what the Yuuzhan Vong spat at and trampled upon. This was the bulwark that protected the peace of innocent lives against their onslaught, and with every blow more of the bulwark failed and crumbled, costing men like the commander their lives, stealing from them their reward for such brave conduct.

The Jedi had a duty, he settled on it then. A duty to not just be the mortar that fills the cracks, but the bricks themselves that strengthened the fortification. Indeed, to stand in front of the defenses and meet the attack head on.

"And you?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

The Commander straightened his back and turned to the hastily constructed war room. "I'm staying here. If the Yuuzhan Vong intelligence service isn't up to tracking down this base after you do what you're doing, I might just get to play that behind the lines asset role I ruminated on earlier." He smiled, this time of a man who was staring at death and found the leering oppression to be funny. "Besides, if they do find me, I'll have some surprises for them. I'm not adverse to making them hurt."

Will Shard stayed quiet. It wasn't a noble nor a very jedi sentiment, but on a level he couldn't help but agree with him.

Chaos tootled at him from the astromech socket on the right, telling him he was 900 klicks from the point where the moon's orbit would bring them periliously close to to the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. The point where he'd pop out from the sensor shadow of these ravines and valleys to blast a new window in the cruiser.

He hoped that with the enhanced synchronisation afforded to him by the jedi starfighter, he'd be able to open enough of a window to allow the transports to fleet. At the very least it may confuse the enemy enough to allow the defenders of dellalt to regroup for a counterpunch.

He had sighted the target they had all agreed upon. It was the biggest of the ships, although that was more a visual estimate as the sensors still had trouble differentiating the different classes of ship, given that each had been grown. It sat in the middle of the nearest of the two enemy groups, and was closest to the orientation of the major civpop, near the mouth of the valley where the native sauropods left the lakes to the greater oceans.

He had t

 

Dellalt


Quinlan Vos received Lt.Shard's transmition, and knew that his time to act was now or never. His window of opportunity was immediate and his margine for error was zero, and so, in less than a flash, he incorporated Lt. Shards plan to his own.

Already knowing that Blue squadron could see what he was doing, he was off.

The Raptor fired a proton torpedo at the middle of the incoming skips. 0.09 seconds after, he fired all his ships thrusters and accelerated to 99% lightspeed. In a daring maneuver, the Raptor fired a burst of laser cannon fire just past the torpedo then streaked past it at blinding speed. Just as the gunmetal ship passed the torpedo, it launched a cascade of concusion minds aft. 0.10 seconds later, a warning signal was sent to the rest of Blue Squadron. 1.10 seconds after that, a dozen concusion mines were detonated. 1.5 seconds after their detonation, the proton torpedo he had fired blossomed like a small star gone nova.

That should give pause to the skips harrassing Blue Squadron.

Traveling at 297,000 klicks per second, Quinlan Vos seemed to materialize just about a klick away from Lt.Shard. Without Raziel, these crazy maneuvers would have been impossible. Without wasting time with introuctions, Quinlan fired another torp, two whole seconds before Lt.Shard release his mighty payload. Two second later, he used the Force to guide in the proton torpedo he'd been dragging with him all along. The weapon did not release any detectable emissions, and furthermore, Quinlan was intent on having it detonate againts an already compromised section of the Vong Warship and detonate it himself, hence maximazing the blow to their enemies.

Like Lt.Shard, the Grey Jedi Master was completely given over to the Will of the Force. This was a battle for the very survival of all sentients beings. There was little doubt in his mind that this battle would probably be the greatest conflict he'd be involved in since the Clone Wars themselves, but this was one battle he was not intent on losing.

Tag: AdmiralNick, Ktala, LSA, DSA, anyone else involved. ( Nice tactic PoT, I pray that it works.)

 

CONCERNING THE END: Some of you may or may not be aware, but a time will inevitably come for the Integrated Balance of Power to be brought to its conclusion here within the RPF. It may surprise you to learn that we are fast approaching that stage. The more observant among you may have noticed that events are already being directed toward a climax, upon which a fitting ending may be determined.

There are two things I wish to make a note of, to help explain what can be expected. The first, and more complex, is the sporadic manner the game will conclude with. There will not be a single obvious end for all groups, but rather a series of significant conclusions for each. The reason for this is primarily due to different posting rates, development and detail, storyline pacing, and player availability. That said, those factions that are more easily able to come to a conclusion will be among the first to be concluded. Those that are more difficult will continue until a more fitting time comes for their own ending.

Second, I know that some players had or have envisioned certain endings for their character(s) and/or had hopes for certain possibilities. If there are any personal requests that you have, then I'm certainly willing to hear them. Now is the time for these things, and any such future opportunities may be limited if not entirely unavailable.

In the event that you are wondering, there are no set plans or hopes of my own for IBOP to continue in this format beyond the conclusions mentioned above. This game was designed as an alernative Expanded Universe, where characters not mentioned in Star Wars, characters of your own design, were given a chance to shape major events concerning Star Wars history. Whether or not IBOP will return in a future RPG edition is something I cannot presently forsee and, as such, believe will be unlikely.

That time is still not immediate, however, with no reason for present events to change dramatically. This notice is simply that, a message to keep everyone informed.

 

Nooo! What will we do without IBoP?! I forsee mass e-suicides!

 

Some of us may see some much needed sunshine, so it can't be all bad

 

OOC: Well, this can only mean one thing....


TIME FOR WOTBOP!

War of The Balance of Power!

*sniffle*

It still won't be the same

But i understand LSA, and will lookforward to an awesome ending.

 

OOC:Sorry for the OOC, but as is usual, all good things must come to an end. It's a shame that such a RP staple will be disappearing. It's this RPG in all it's factions that originally attracted me to the RPF. It will be a shame to see it go. I look forward to a later version...please.

 

AdmiralNick22, Saber_Leader, DarkSide_Apprentice

Kegan, Outer Rim Territories

Coralskippers were spread thin among the battlefield, divided into only three groups, each with a specific target. While that division allowed them superiority of focus and strength, it also singled them out as priority targets for the massive starfighter force of the Republic. As such, timing was critical and haste a virtue for coralskipper pilots.

Scores of the asteroid-like fighters carried out their orders with suicidal dedication, if not outright intent. Already weakened from trading blows with the fallen Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser, and suffering considerably from enemy bombing runs, the Nebulon-B frigate, Shooting Star had been greatly weakened.

Shields began to fail and systems crashed offline as continued volleys of magma missiles hammered into the failing vessel. With several coralskippers conducting suicide dives into the vessel's hull, particularly around its vulnerable bridge and mid-sections, the end seemed near for the loyal frigate.

Despite attempts by the frigate to ward off the alien fighters itself, even after receiving additional fighter support of its own, the Shooting Star crumbled beneath the sheer relentlessness of the Yuuzhan Vong, breaking apart like so much other space debris.


Mirroring what had recently transpired across the opposite side of the engagement zone, the second Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser traded final blows with the MC-40 light cruiser, Riptide. Continuing its assault upon the Republic light cruiser, aided by swarms of coralskippers, the Yuuzhan Vong Suuv Ban D'Krid maintained its seamless onslaught. A testament to Mon Calamari engineering, the Riptide's shield systems took a severe and constant beating without failing entirely.

Before long, New Republic starfighters flew in to provide additional reinforcement to the rapidly weakening vessel. Working to destroy the coralskippers that were attacking the Republic ship, while some of their comrades moved to engage the Yuuzhan Vong cruiser directly, they succeeded only in slowing the enemy's assault.

Even the most fiercly determined men and women could not prevent the inevitable. Yuuzhan Vong pilots who had dropped all missiles in bombing runs on the light cruiser began to take their expected suicide runs. One after another they ploughed into the light cruiser's hull, punching holes through the vessel and opening it to the vaccuum of space.

While the New Republic eventually managed to bring about the fall of the second Suuv Ban D'Krid Cruiser, it was certainly not without cost. The loss of the Riptide was an unfortunate casualty of this vile war.


Reports indicated that at least two full coralskipper squadrons were destroyed, one from each of the two splinter groups that had been assigned to attack the Riptide and Shooting Star. Those that remained were scattered, some seeking to aid the assault against the Allegiance while others pursued the Republic fighters responsible for the fall of the two Suuv Ban D'Krid and pair of Mataloks.

There was no doubt that the Battle for Kegan had just reached its height. Under the leadership of the resilient Admiral Rancis, the New Republic brought the fight back to the Yuuzhan Vong.


Assigned to bring down the mighty New Republic flagship, Allegiance, the last organised group of coralskippers fired volley after volley of plasma fire and magma missiles in a hopeless effort to turn the tide of the battle.

Engaged as they were with the bulk of the Republic's available starfighter pilots, the Yuuzhan Vong were only minimally successful, with a very low rate of survival. Coralskippers fell in pairs and trios, unable to stand an assault from so many hostiles attacking from varying angles.

Like their comrades elsewhere in battle, those pilots who had run dry of missiles took it upon themselves to fly into their target, as opposed to attacking it from afar. Their suicidal attack runs, combined with

 

AdmiralNick22, Handmaiden_Yane, Protege-of-Thrawn, Ktala, greyjedi125, DarkSide_Apprentice, Ton_G

New Republic Outpost, Planetary Surface, Dellalt, Tion Cluster

Fearless even among the bravest, and craziest, of Jedi Knights, Banden O'Jara was a force to be reckoned with. He flew his fighter at the group of approaching coralskippers, his loyal droid, R4, maintaining open lines with the astromechs of his support fighters.

Those New Republic fighters followed Banden's guidance, moving further from the landing field and seeking to protect the evacuating craft. As the alien fighters opened with their first volley of plasma fire, the Republic's pilots moved into evasive action.

Seconds passed and soon the two groups were going head to head. The three coralskippers maintained their arrow-head formation and flew directly toward their targets, all making the most of their plasma spitting craft. A single magma missile was launched from the leader, which streaked directly toward Banden's custom starship.

R4 screeched a warning as the missile locked onto the fighter. It would prove difficult to evade the missile without falling prey to several bursts of plasma fire in the process.

Complicating matters further, six more coralskippers were coming in fast behind the first trio, ready to follow up the initial attack. Not quite in range of the Republic's fighters, the coralskippers held off from firing for the moment.


Nizzal brought her hands together, causing her vortex to drop pressure even more rapidly. As it condensed on the craft, subjecting the last coralskipper to enourmous pressures, the fighter began to shudder violently before it was torn apart, its debris spinning around in the fierce whirlwind that had it ensnared.

"We are needed at the landing field," Nizzal heard Dankor say. She nodded. "I am ready," she said as she turned and looked at him, ready to move on. She gently released her storm. Looking toward Dankor as she was, Nizzal noticed that several transports were already heading out from the sky into the space that was above and beyond. They were only a few. Nizzal joined Dankor and met with General Neb Tisdale as the final large transports were loaded.

Only a small series of freighters and yachts remained, most of the outpost's population prepared to evacuate. "They will need you," Calmand Dankor indicated, as he nodded toward one of the larger ships. He had every confidence in StormBringer and Illusior to hold things on the ground and in the skies. It was time to leave. "They will not be abandoned."


Silent and still, eyes shut to the world, Illusior felt the intricate web of energy that was the Force as it swirled around his friend and brother. StormBringer was powerful and strong, his commanding presence was a solid foundation upon which the might of the Yuuzhan Vong crashed and splintered. Illusior could feel the man's focus shifting, flexible and ever adapting to the changing environment that surrounded them.

StormBringer channeled his considerable abilities as he provided safe corridors to allied transports. He offered a sense of guidance and knowledge through the Force, offering aid for navigational purposes.

Lost to the Force, the Yuuzhan Vong strayed. Fierce icy winds lashed out at seemingly random enemy ships, whips within the sky delivering punishment to evil doers. Illusior knew there was no random aspect to the display. Every coralskipper that fell from the sky, every alien transport that was torn asunder, was brought a fate deserving to it, sent by none other than the Master of Skies and of Wind. StormBringer offered no mercy to those that denied it to others.

Shards of razor sharp blades of ice, countless weapons of nature, embedded themselves into coralskippers, while others sliced through the alien craft, protecting the safe corridors and passages erected by StormBringer just like a tunnel through a dangerous mountain lair. Elsewhere within the sky, powerful funnels sucked alien vessels up further into the air and spit them out many

 

IC: Major Ekim Roylat

Battle of Kegan

The battle had turned in the New Republic's favor, as the brave defenders mamaged to secure the destruction of four Yuuzhan Vong captial ships. With the last of the coralskippers scattered and severely depleted, the New Republic fighter units were free to attack with a fury against any remaining Yuuzhan Vong capital ships.

Yet, even as victory was nearest, the battle could yet take another heavy loss.

The Allegiance.

Major Roylat was already dead. He had decided as much during his first lucky escape from Kegan during the initial Vong onslaught. He knew that luck, or perhaps the Force itself, had ensured him and his pilots escape.

Yet brave Admiral Rancis was in danger of losing his ship and possibily his life. It was for this reason that Major Roylat decided to act.

"All fighters, this is lead. You have all done well, but we have one last task to perform. The Allegiance is falling fast. Lets make sure that it makes it through this battle."

The implication was clear. Major Roylat was asking his pilots to follow him in for what was most likely a suicide run.

Switching his shields to double front, the brave Major flew dangerously close to the massive Miid Ro'ik cruiser. He unleashed a furious barrage of laser fire, as well as disgourging the last of his proton torpedoes. Behind him flew his pilots, diving just as low and firing from every gun they had. A malestrom of red laser fire and blue torpedoes streaked out at the Vong cruiser. Sometimes at point blank range, the fighter dove amongst the rock-like cruiser, intent on killing it before it had a chance to ram the Allegiance.

TAG: LS_A

 

IC as Vorin Rancis
Kegan

Admiral Rancis shuddered as the bridge around him rocked from the impact of Vong attacks. The battle had turned in his favor, even with the loss of Shooting Star and Riptide. The enemy was down to its warcruiser, and like Allegiance, it seemed badly damaged. Still it came, and it's intent to ram became more and more obvious. Still, Rancis had mad an important discovery; as the Vong cruiser increased it's speed, more of the Republic's shots had breached its shields. Their seemed to be some kind of connect, like the Vong were trading shield power for speed.

"Have all ships open fire on that cruiser; try to kill it before it gets to us," Rancis ordered. Still, even if they were successful, that cruiser had a lot of inertia behind it. "Helm, full power to the eninges; get us out of their path."

Rancis could only hope that the rest of the fleet could kill the oncoming cruiser, and that Allegiance could get out of its way in time.

Tag: LSA, DSA

 

AdmiralNick22, Saber_Leader

Kegan, Outer Rim Territories

Ploughing through open space and flanking the mighty Miid Ro'ik Warship, Commander Gharkih Huk'k's Uumufalh Gunships speared for opposite ends of the MC90 Mon Calamari Cruiser, Allegiance. Suffering considerable hull damage, portions of their structure breaking apart as they flew, the pair of Uumufalh Gunships hit full force into the Allegiance's bow and aft, soon to be joined by the Miid Ro'ik Warship, which was intent on the ship's centre.

He could see the enemy cruiser as it was struck. No doubt its commander would be filled with fear as death knocked on his blast doors. Gharkih smiled wickedly. He knew that he would die on this day in service to the Slayer and honour of the Yuuzhan Vong. It did not mean he would surrender or die without fighting. He called for all available dovin basals to propel his flagship with all haste as it plunged toward the heart of the New Republic vessel.

What few coralskippers remained were unified in their final efforts, conducting suicide bombing runs into the Star Cruiser before them, all the while spraying globs of plasma and unleashing the last of their magma missiles.

One more weapon was set loose in those final moments of battle. The half-metre long grutchins were released from their holding ship, springing forth to latch onto the Allegiance's exposed hull. Acid-dripping pincers began to chew through metal, seeking to render the warship unable to maintain or support what little life it sheltered.

Torpedoes and lasers blasted away, tearing through yorik coral and portions of the Yuuzhan Vong flagship. With both gunships failing, their charge was now the primary target for Republic forces. As large as it was, even without adequate shielding from its occupied dovin basals, the vessel could not be destroyed so easily.

It veered off course and hit the escaping MC90 off mark, but they collided nonetheless. Commander Gharkih Huk'k watched it all from his command room, linked to the cognition hood as the mighty yammosk joined him in a final, determined cry of battle. They plunged with what strength they had, intent to draw blood from their sworn infidel enemy.

Well, that was ... fun. Perhaps we will cross paths again in the future, before the end.

 

AdmiralNick22, Saber_Leader, DarkSide_Apprentice

Kegan, Outer Rim Territories

Battles were never pretty. This one was not any different. Hundreds of men and women died in a fight to save a ruined world, and many more extragalactic warriors met their end seeking to continue to bring such devastation to future worlds.

Wreckages of Yuuzhan Vong and Republic craft hung in deep space, some drifting toward Kegan more quickly than others, and some simply floating without life or hope. Countless lives were lost in a battle that would not soon be forgotten. But even so, several more such battles had occurred, were still occurring and had yet to come, across the entire length, breadth and depth of the galaxy.

It was the first time in a great many years, perhaps since the Galactic Civil War first ignited, that such carnage had been witnessed across such a vast space. More intense and unforgiving than the Clone Wars or the Galactic Civil War that followed it, the war with the Yuuzhan Vong was a hallmark in history, comprising of some of the darkest days the galaxy had ever seen.

It was time to head home from Kegan. Home. Where the next battle awaited them.

 

Saber_Leader, congratulations on a fantastic job at Kegan. While you did suffer some losses, you have proven yourself one of the finest fleet players in the faction. Feel free to wrap things up (And get the hell off the Allegiance, which is probably breaking up) and bring your fleet back to Mon Calamari. The final stages are about to begin...

--Adm. Nick