They came from the Nubula

“They Came From The Nebula”

(Open Story RP)(Group Event)(The Battle of Khar Delba)

Location: All Sith/Imperial Installations Across the Stygian Caldera (Korriban, Dromund Kaas, Ziost, etc.)

#openrp

Invasion alarms all over the Sith core rang out in unison as this was the first time in a long time that such warnings were given on one of the most secure territories of the Known galaxy. The Stygian Caldera through all its history, provided the various sith empires of the millennia a very wonderful natural fortification. Nebula that prevented many outside intrusions, left only one entrance in and out of the area famously called the Sith Core. To hear alarms stating that the Sith core was under invasion usually meant that someone was able to accrue a sizable force and overwhelm the various defense platforms and fleets guarding the Caldera entryway in the Horuset (Korriban) system.

One would think this was only a drill and that it should be ignored, save for only one fact… There were no such invasion drills and many Sith and Imperials felt what was happening would be impossible in the first place. Now, military bases, academies, government buildings, and even the fleets were at attention waiting for the announcement of whatever was going on. A moment later, a mandatory undeniable hologram came through on all military/sith/govt terminals.

While it held the appearance of Proxy; everyone’s favorite Zakuulan Holobot, the droid was anything but its usual cheerful programming. “It is with deep regret that I must state the fortress planet of Khar Delba has been taken by unknown invaders. While their flagship hangs in orbit, we have been unable to decipher any known ties or affiliations. Their warriors… dressed in strange primitive clothing have descended in many transports and overwhelmed local Sith and Imperial forces on the icy world. Local reports from the surface before communication was lost, suggest they are capable of using the force, though their alignment with it wasn’t clear.”

Proxy took a moment as if to process another bit of information before relaying the message across the channels once more. “They appear human in nature, though their dress and warpaint suggest some small differences. The Empress of the New Galactic Empire, the Dark Council of the Sith, and all others in the immediate hierarchy have been told of this invasion in its earliest stages and have approved large mobilization of the military should local forces fail. They have also asked for Sith volunteers in leading battalions across the planet’s surface. Any Sith of any rank may serve, though you are asked only two things... Dedicate your hearts… and go without the guarantee of coming home…”

Proxy allowed a moment for it to settle into the minds of these organics. Surely, being told they could easily die during battle would deter the number of volunteers to lead troops, but it was required to be said on the directive of the Empress. When he felt enough time to process this had passed, he started onto his last part of the announcement. “Winter gear and rations will be provided to all Sith and troops alike. All spaceports are shut down for civilian and non essential travel for the time being. Instead they are filled with transports ready to move you to the local fleet before transport to the Khar Delba system. May the force ever serve you and for the Empire!”

-~-

The Gemina – World ship of Tollere

Alarms sounded as troops ran to battle stations, organized chaos at its finest. It had taken only a few minutes for the might of House Tollere to gather before heading to the conflict zone.

The Gemina was a key ship in the Tollere Navy and abroad Lord Solus’s bridge stood several noted members of the ancient Iron house, knight Terrogate, knight Shadowsun and apprentices Ky’skara, Xuurdjem and Ziyal Moya.

The jump to lightspeed was fast and dirty, leaving little time for anyone aboard to prepare as they were rocketed towards battle.

Dropping out of lightspeed into the Khar Delba system it was apparent that they had been late to the party. The 4th fleet was fully engaged with the enemy and had their hands full. Within moments of arriving one control ship had already begun dropping droid fighters to assist the 4th as the rest of the House positioned themselves for hot-dropping onto the surface. Their target was the fortress itself.

The Municifent Class support ships began to immediately release a large Task Group (Task group (36-640 vessels, plus maintenance and support crew): A task group consists of three to ten squadrons, led by a rear admiral.)  into the atmosphere to begin their assault as the heavy turbolaser batteries began to pummel the surface. Dorrian watched as the robotic forces began their descent to the surface to secure a landing spot and begin the push on the fortress. Droids were expendable, organics were not; at least the Empire's troops would be protected for a bit.

\*\*\*\*\*

-Ziyal

It was only a few months prior that Ziyal had left Dathomir for the first time after three decades, in search of knowledge. Now the Nightsister stood on the bridge of a Tollere worldship that was about to engage in battle, tk defend Sith territory.

Like everyone else, she had also heard the invasion alarms and seen the holo transmission that called all Sith to arms. "Not my fight" had been her first thought as she wasn't a Sith, but quickly she realized it was her fight because the invasion threatened her new home.

Nervously the Huntress watched her superiors on the bridge commanding the Tollere fleet. She felt useless, she knew nothing about war, apart from the few clashes between rival clans she never had seen real battle. The Sephi wanted to help, but didn't know how, all she could do was wait for her superiors' orders. But she knew that once they would start the ground assaults it was her moment to shine.

Maybe she wasn't equipped to command a squad into battle, but she was able to assist them in many other ways.

-GM

As the Tollere Navy joined the battlefield, they were met with a precarious situation. Hostility for the moment seemed paused albeit tense. It appeared as if both sides had one reason or another for not shooting each other.

It would be up to House Tollere to evaluate the situation and make sound or rash judgment on which moves their house was going to take next. It could very well decide the route this battle was going to take.

The full breath of Tollere ground assault forces have now made their way planetside as the heavy turrets and turbo batteries of the massive world ship “The Gemina” finished its barrage around the drop site, presumably destroying any chance of any major ground forces anti landing party. The House Tollere response to the invasion once safely landed now moved onwards through the snow and icy winds towards the fortress just several miles away..

~\*~

Ten complete squadrons of battle droids are now deployed ready for instruction, just outside the range of the massive fortress. The Tollere commanders, support personell and special ops led by Knights Terrogate and Shadowsun have prepared a makeshift command post of tents set up behind the foot of a small hill, the only distinct landmark aside from snow capped trees that separated the Iron army and the invaders captured fortress.

-Terrogate

“Brothers… Sister..” the Artifex says looking at those gathered around the table inside the canvas tent, at least here they were somewhat protected from that blasted freezing blizzard that roared outside. Even being at the base of the hill provided little shelter from the elements.

“The Empire has called to us for aid and we have answered. Lord Solus, would be proud of you all.” The broad shouldered Cathar looks around to those gathered.. Leutnant Shadowsun, Apprentices Ky’skara, Ziyal and his own apprentice Xuurdjem.

Speaking above the howling wind that assaulted the tent Knight Terrogate spoke… “my fellow ironborn, this is my plan.. I am recommending we hold down here just out of range of the now occupied fortresses defensive turrets, maintaining a foothold here, close to the fortress with the majority of droid troops until we get an answer on if we are to begin the attack. As you saw, it seems some kind of negotiations or ceasefire are taking place and the war is in a holding phase, but... I can't see it lasting long. We are sith after all.” Terrogate smiled and chuckled. “We need to be prepared to take a tactical advantage when the fighting inevitably resumes.” he said, his deep growling voice suddenly one again becoming more serious.

“Errhmm… I’ll also need covert teams as well..” he continued clearing his throat. “I need a commander to lead a team to identify and feed back precise Coordinates to the world ship in orbit pinpointing the fortresses key defensive outer towers and turrets. And I would like a secondary team to sweep the area and try to find if there is a way to get undetected into the fortress itself. Sewers, maintenance tunnels... whatever is possibly available.”

The Cathar looks around for possible volunteers..

“If the fighting begins again I want us to be able to take out their main defences while holding the attention of the invaders ground forces with our droids knocking at their front door. And perhaps... If we can manage to find a way inside.. we can sneak a team in behind enemy lines at the same time and take them on from inside the walls as well as out.. Possibly even open the door if they refuse to come out and overwhelm them with our numbers.”

“If anyone has anything else to add, now is the time..” he said, looking around for additional ideas or input. They were a team after all, a family. And success would require a complete team effort.

-Ziyal

Khar Delba was yet another new world for the Huntress and it was much colder than she had prepared for. Her Nightsister robes didn't offer her much warmth, making her tremble as she followed the others to the makeshift command post at the foot of the hill. Being the last one, made it easier to get through the snow, as the other much larger Ironborn had created a path in the thick layer of snow.

Inside the tent it was still cold, but at least they were protected from the icy winds. The others had already gathered around the table at the centre of the tent. Ziyal quickly squeezed herself between them, so that she would also be able to see the plans. Knight Terrogate began to brief them on the ceasefire and the plan to take the main fortress of Khar Delba.

Slowly she raised her hand and cleared her throat. "Ehmm.. I'd like to volunteer to join the secondary team to find a way to enter the fortress undetected." Ziyal said with a hint of confidence in her voice, the Huntress knew that her special set of skills would be extremely useful. "I am trained in stealth and I have ways to find entrances that others can't see" she added as she looked at the two knights that were in command.

-GM

The enemy didn't take kindly to the barrage not too far away from the fortress. It was clear the enemy forego fully taking the spaceport like earlier reports stated. Now they were willing to make their own landing zone. Commanding the legions of warriors inside the fortress to prepare for the coming battle, the few hundred warriors began tuning their vibroweapons and blasters. They began their religious rites to the War Goddess.

-Terrogate

Terrogate smiles. “Excellent, then.... wait..what’s that..” the Cathar commander said suddenly halting... “everyone be silent..” he said sharply...his feline ears straining, something had changed. There was somthing.. a noise being carried possibly on the icy breeze. The warrior moves to the tents entrance and sticks his head out. The sharpness of the cold air cuts him like a knife and he closes his eyes. Stretching to identify that pitch on the very edge of his sensory range. He pulls his head back inside the tent and faces the gathered members.. “I can hear something. He looks to Ziyal the nightsister, can you sense it?”... he asks, still trying to make out the low droning sound. Terrogate then turns to Leutenent Shadowsun.. “somthings changed my old friend... we need to know what’s going on..”

-Xuurdjem

Xuurdjem listened to his Master carefully, sizing up the situation. His winter gear saved him from the biting cold. "I do, Master. My idea to draw their attention by feigning a slow retreat only to flank them. Shield from aerial attacks to pull attention from the ground troops. Make them think we are about to siege, drawing their forces out." He was determined to make a name for himself here on this battlefield. He had led his own group before becoming an apprentice and now he could show his prowess. Looking at the map splayed on the table Xuurdjem felt a rush of energy and pride. "I would like to be involved in the distracting forces as support. If they swarm out of the gate they will clash up against our droids. Our front line concaves like a bowl while slowly moving back. We pull them away from their defense and flank from the sides of this hill with fast and heavy hitters. It should grant them a temporary boost in morale, making them want to pursue us here." Xuurdjem pointed to the hill. "Then with our counter attack it will drop their hopes of victory into a dumpster fire. If I only knew how to get them to charge at us."

-Shadowsun

Dorrian stepped off the transport before it had even come to a complete stop, heading directly for the nearby command post. The biting, frozen wind whipped at his face as he made his way forward, grumbling to himself about his dislike for ice. Stopping at the command post, three T-series tactical droids had already began organizing and allocating resources and troops. C-9979 landing craft were constantly cycling in and out to bring resources and more troops to the battle dropping off all types of droid armament to bring to bear.

Dorrian had long ago abandoned the original droid designs and upgraded and improved them across the board. He favored the B3 design as it had upgraded armor plating, repeating blasters and a faster tactical response time. Same went for the Mark 2 Droideka with its upgraded armor, shields and multiple heavy repeating blasters. As he was watching formations begin to form the newest landing craft opened its bay and began to unload rows of NR-N99 persuader tanks and IG-277 Hailfire tanks to support the ground troops. Entire crates of “Buzz” droids had already need unloaded and activated to accompany any and all troops and Dorrian set to activating a separate crate that had been modifies to carry a speaker instead of the typical laser cutting tool.

As Dorrian worked diligently to hand out the newly activated “speaker” droids to his fellow house mates and several droid squads to maximize their coverage the final landing craft carrying the heavy equipment landed and began to unload its contents, the Mobile Heavy Cannon, based on Umbaran designs. Dorrian smiled at seeing them finally reach combat, watching as they took up defensive positions to provide long-range fire support. Behind the Heavy Cannons came a group of 49-v99 Deflectors that were quickly passed around to the different battle groups. This would give them the added protection they needed to get to the fortress in one piece.

-Ziyal

Standing between the other Ironborn, Ziyal listened carefully to everyone's suggestions. The fact that they were going for the main fortress made her both nervous and excited.

Suddenly the Cathar warrior stopped, asking all to be silent as he walked to the entrance of the tent. After a few seconds he turned and looked at the Huntress, asking if she heard something.

The Sephi had a good sense of hearing, she had indeed picked up a sound carried on the icy winds. "I'm not sure" she said and stepped away from the table and joined the Cathar at the entrance.

She stepped outside into the snow and began to recite the Ears of the Chiroptix Spell. Her hands moved in flowing circular motions in front her as she summoned the Ichor creating an orb of glowing green mist. Eventually she split the misty orb in half, and brought it to her ears as she finished reciting the spell. Her ears tingled as the ichor entered, and almost instantly her hearing was significantly enhanced. She now was able to hear what the noise that was carried onto the freezing winds was. "They are chanting" she said as she stepped further into the snow. "I'm not sure what language it is but it doesn't sound good. It sounds like they are preparing for battle" the Nightsister said as she turned back towards the Cathar.

-GM

Minutes later, a force of enemy soldiers came forth from the fortress. They were fully armed and armored. It was clear that they were going to give everything in this battle and expected the same. However, there was someone obviously leading them. A young woman, covered in war paints, a vibroblade in one hand and an handheld energy shield in the other. Walking out in front of her troops, she called out loud enough for the enemy across the battlefield to hear over the roar of the wind.

"Unknown army! Where is your leader! I wish to speak to them!" Her voice echoed towards House Tollere. This was yet another instance of first contact. How would it be handled this time?

-Terrogate

A short time later the droid army and it's commanders stand at the battle grounds, the enemy following their war chants had marched outside the fortress and now stand toe to toe with the House Tollere droid army. The icy winds howl and cut across the sentient beings and droids alike who now stood at the foot of hill where the Tollere leaders had made initial tactical position.

“So nice of them to come out and meet us like this.” says the lead Commander Terrogate to Lieutenant Shadowsun and Apprentice Xuurdjem with a small amount of sarcastic humour. The three Tollere warriors stood at the rear of a defensive wall of battle droids as the final strategic droid and weapon locations are set into place. “It seems we won't even have to deal with the fortresses' defenses at this range, and they do seem very eager for a fight.” he continues with a devilish grin. “I do hope Ziyal and the special operations unit manage to find their way inside while we deal with the main army here.” he added thoughtfully. The Sephi had taken a dozen of there best black opps soldiers and gone in search of an unguarded entrance way into the fortress itself some time ago. Sewers, old maintenance tunnels.. Anything that would possibly not be known to a foreign invader and allow them inside unnoticed would suffice.

Inside he desperately hoped the Nightsister could somehow find her way into the fortress and have the foresight to close the entrance for him. Having the enemy army trapped out here in the elements, and facing against their army of machines that did not feel the cold would be a considerable boon to the Tollere leaders plan of an outright victory and without the destruction of Naga Sadows fortress..

Terrogates ears pricked up and he raises his eyes as he sees oddly enough the enemy sending a representative forward.. a woman by the look of it. She held a Vibroblade in one hand and an energy shield in the other… The Commander squints in the sharpness of the glaring white snow trying to get as much focus as possible to make her out. He sees war paint, pride....and also bloodlust.

"Unknown army! Where is your leader! I wish to speak to them!" Her voice echoed and carried over the battlefield towards the House Tollere army. She looked focused, and ready to die at a moment's notice, as did her warriors gathered behind her. The iron warrior Terrogate knew this look.. And an animalistic snarl appears across his maw, the hot steam of his breath blowing out into the freezing air like a small cloud and then quickly dissipating. He was born of a less civilised age himself, a people whose culture is built on the past glories of each clan's brave warriors. The Cathar knew that people like these were not easily routed, nore frightened by machines.

“Lieutenant Shadowsun” said the Artifex turning his head sharply and upwards meeting his fellow iron knights gaze, I need you and the apprentices Xuurdjem and Ky’skara to use these next precious minutes to set our troops properly into place and ready to engage. I want heavy guns up on the hill and aimed at the bulk of their forces. I need our battalions split over a defensive line, not concentrated in the one large area as we had first planned. I don’t want to give them a single target or just one angle to defend as they charge us.” commanded the Cathar knight as he looked back to the woman.

“Lieutenant Shadowsun, set your speaker droids and ready your surprise. I’ll try to buy us as much time as I can.” he continued. Terrogate then turned his attention to his red skinned apprentice and he places a hand on the Togrutas shoulder. “You have your orders too my apprentice. Do not hesitate or flinch in the face of war. Remember the force is with you, and our empire is counting on us.”

Terrogate lowers his hands and touches his dual sabers attached to his belt, focusing inwards he then raises his force assisted defences and makes his way across the battlefield to engage the warrior woman. Stopping in the dead center of the field separating the two armies the Commander halts. The icy winds hitting against him caused a dusting of fine white snow powered on his mane and leather armour. “I AM HERE! He yells out to the woman across the snow field. “IF YOU WANT TO PARLAY YOU MUST MEET ME ON NEUTRAL GROUND!”

-Ziyal

The moment they heard the rhythmic chanting of the enemy, knight Terrogate ordered Apprentice Ziyal to take a special operation unit to find a way into the fortress. Despite the fact that the female leader of the enemy requested a parley with them, all of them knew that the enemy was prepared for battle.

As fast as she could, Ziyal gathered a dozen special ops soldiers dressed in snow camouflage and began to move towards the fortress. Using her ears she listened closely to hear the enemy movements, making sure that they wouldn't cross paths as they snuck through the snow covered forest.

When the fortress was in sight, the Huntress and her team stopped and took cover in the tree line. There was a large open area where the trees had been removed as part of the fortress defences.. "I will need two of you to come with me as I move closer. The rest will stay here and cover us" Ziyal said. Two soldiers volunteered at once and the rest began to spread out along the treeline. "I will conceal us with magick, but once we are at the base of the outerwall, I will use a different spell to seek for an entrance. I hope that being so close to the wall will give us cover, because I'm not strong enough to hold Concealment for the three of while i use another spell." The soldiers nodded, knowing it was up to them to keep her covered as she would seek for an entrance. "Stay close" Ziyal said and softly began to chant the Spell of Concealment to cloak herself as well as the two soldiers.

The spell visually concealed them, but it was still a risk as someone might notice the untouched snow being disturbed as they moved across the open area.

Swiftly the three of them moved closer to the massive building. At the base of the outer wall of the fortress, the Nightsister told the two men to prepare themselves. As she began to recite the Ears of the Chiroptix spell once more. This spell would allow her to find hidden places from the sound vibrations that emaciated from those places. Using her ears she began to scan the high wall hoping to find a way inside the fortress.

-Xuurdjem

Xuurdjem knew what his Master wanted from him and as the Cathar went to face their leader the Togruta turned to march away behind the hill. A speaker droid stuck with him during his movements on the field. The cold was new to him, but House Tollere was prepared for this. The cold weather gear kept him from freezing on Khar Delba and the snow drifts misted the air with their flakes. A fortress loomed across the battlefield like a monument to darker eras. Hundreds of warriors set up on the opposition and hundreds of droids and Tollere warriors waiting for hell to be unleashed. This was by far the largest scale war he'd ever been involved in and it would be most enjoyable.

-Shadowsun

Dorrian watched as each of their team made their move, each understanding their roles. Seeing Terrogate dire forward in an attempt to meet the enemy commander and discuss terms he turned to a nearby command droid and gave the order to ready up. It nodded and began sending out the command.

The rank and file of the droids before him came to life, taking battle-ready stances, photoreceptors locked forward. Six Umbaran design Heavy Cannon droids took position upon the hill he was perched on, waiting for the command to barrage as the ranks tightened formation slightly, ready to open fire. Four platoons stood ready to charge before him with three NR-N99 Persuader battle tanks falling in behind each platoon. The ten IG-277 Hailfire tanks filled in the gaps between each platoon as they were much faster than the rest. Buzz droids crawled the grounds en mass, even attaching themselves to some of the combat droids and tanks to get closer to the enemy as several dozen Mark Two Dorideka rolled about, filling gaps where needed.

Standing quietly as each of the droids before him moved into position, Dorrian kept a close eye on his Housemate and friend Terrogate as he approached the enemy. A pair of macro-binoculars helped him survey the terrain and enemy defenses. He had but to give the signal and hell itself would be unleashed. Turning momentarily he instructed a nearby command droid to bring up a speeder for him, in case he was needed elsewhere. His gaze returned to the field of battle so he could keep a watchful eye out.

-GM

The Commander stepped forward alone though she did not leave her weapons. When she was close enough that she considered it neutral ground she finally spoke out to the man.

"I am War Chieftess Alina! You are not the same as the powdered humans hiding behind helmets and immense armor. You are a warrior! Like me!"

She motioned for two of her guards to draw a wide square around the area for them. Once they began to do so, she looked the man in the eyes again.

"I will make you a deal! Show me your might as warrior. Face me in single combat! The ways of my people! If you win, my life is your hands... if I win, I expect the same! Our honor states no one gets involved! No one sabotages the other! Do you agree?! Or shall my army cut you down here?! You are well within my range!"

She smirked as her men seemed hyped up at the thought of a trial by combat between the two leaders. But she also knew that these 'Sith' as they liked to call themselves were devious from the few she faced. If she told him to halt any schemes he may have had, she expected him to honor it... or show his  dishonor.

-Terrogate

The iron knight stands still as though made of solid rock as the War Chieftess Alina introduced herself. The leather straps of his armour along his waist, his white capped golden mane wiping around in the icy wind and the hot steam of his breath the only signs he was actually alive. “You are a warrior like me” she says… of that he was almost certain, she was strong, fierce.. And quite beautiful.

“You are well met War Chieftain, I am Knight Terrogate of Tollere, and yes. You are correct to pick me out as a child of war like yourself..” he said, his deep growl of a voice carrying early the distance between the two commanders.

The War Chieftain Alina continues, weapons at her sides.. "I will make you a deal! Show me your might as warrior. Face me in single combat! The ways of my people! If you win, my life is your hands... if I win, I expect the same! Our honor states no one gets involved! No one sabotages the other! Do you agree?! Or shall my army cut you down here?! You are well within my range!"

The large broad shouldered Cathar takes a moment to think over the opposing commanders offer as two of her warriors begin to trace a square into the snow.

The droid army at his back was still being positioned and optimised, and Ziyal had her team trying to find a way into the fortress to take it while the bulk of the invaders army was out here preparing to fight. He needed to give them as much time as he could. But.. But perhaps there was an even better way..

“I accept, and promise to uphold the traditions!” roars out the Cathar, lifting his eyes and his maw as he speaks to better project his voice so even her warriors in her front lines could hear. “but on one condition. If I win… You swear to surrender your troops and the fortress you have laid claim to me. I have already received word of civilians, children..being slaughtered and I have no wish to slaughter your warriors here today as well. You have my word they will be treated with respect…” Terrogate now meets the gaze directly with Alina and continues with a warning.

“But know this War Chieftain Alina… The Sith are resolved. Our Empire spans the entirety of the Galaxy.. To try and count our numbers is to try and count the stars themselves. Even now a force ten times the size of the one you see behind you is preparing to enter the system... Mark my words War Chieftain, this will only end in your surrender.. Or your annihilation.”  The Iron knight now waits, preparing himself for the enemy chieftain to accept his terms and the fight to come.

-Ziyal

While the enemy had marched upon the Tollere camp, Ziyal and her special operations team had successfully moved closer to the Fortress. Ten of the special ops soldiers had spread out over the treeline with their weapons ready as the Huntress and two soldiers had moved even closer, under a spell of Concealment, to the outerwall.

It seemed that the enemy forces were preoccupied with the negotiations back at the Tollere camp. This gave Ziyal the opportunity to put all her focus in finding a way into the fortress. As the two soldiers with her covered her, she used the Ears of the Chiroptix spell to scan the outerwall and surrounding area of the ancient building.

The spell she used gave her the ability to see without using her eyes but more importantly to see what was hidden. As she moved along the thick high walls she began to pick something up. Ziyal knew that on the other side there was a narrow corridor, with no windows or doors, a tunnel that led from one side to another. But that wasn't all, as she continued she picked up different vibrations, something that wasn't supposed to be there..Ziyal stopped, focusing even more, trying to see what it was.

A smile appeared on her face and she reached for her lightsaber. She had sensed a possible way in several feet underneath the snow and Ice that was packed against the outerwall. Holding her bronze lightsaber downwards she switched it on. The magenta blade crackled loudly and she began to push it into the snow. Instantly it sizzled and melted away until she reached the icy layer underneath. Not stopping there she continued to push the blade further down, melting the ice away. It didn't take long until she had created a large hole next to the wall.

Only now they were able to see what she had picked up, a large crack in the outerwall. The Huntress switched her saber off and dropped down. Erosion caused by the harsh weather of Khal Delba seemed to have caused the old stones to crumble. She placed her hands on the cold stone and began to push. Without much effort it gave way, creating a large enough opening for them to enter.

-GM

"Your kind slaughtered our children when we told them of our kids being sent here to be amongst their families... their new homes! How am I to believe you will spare us?!" She spoke out of anger. Her little brother was one of the teens destroyed in the wreckage.... even now, her heart ached just to see him one more time.

When the subtle threat was made, she couldnt help but snarl a little herself before it turned to a smirk. Looking back to her men, a small bit of laughter broke out before she turned back to the Sith.

"We may die this day! Or the next! Or the next! But we will take alot of yours with us! The Ashla and the Bogan is our ally!"

Meanwhile, for Ziyal, besides a few elders and kids, the fortress was empty. The only ones inside were ones who couldn't fight and thus needed to be protected. It would be up to the Sith how she wanted to handle this once both parties came into the view of the other.

-Ziyal

"Mam, we should inform base about the entrance" the captain of the squad told Ziyal. Nodding in agreement the Huntress said "yes, we should inform them" but before the captain could press the comlink on his wrist, to contact base, she stopped him "wait, don't contact knight Terrogate, Artifex of Tollere " she said as she held his arm, the captain looked surprised. The Cathar warrior was in command of the ground assault, but that also meant he would be busy negotiating with the enemy. The Sephi let go of his arm "He will most likely be negotiating with the enemy, we can't risk them overhearing that we found a way in…. No, send word to Leutnant  Dorrian Shadowsun - Iron Knight instead, he is next in command." "Affirmative " the captain said and accessed his comlink..

Moments later, the entire squad made their way down the narrow dark tunnel. Using the same spell, Ziyal quickly found out that the fortress wasn't abandoned, she picked up the sound of children and immediately realized that only those who weren't able to fight were left behind.

Ziyal was right, only a few elders and children had remained at the fortress. "Captain, I will need one of your men to accompany me to the control room. I need the rest of your men to round up everyone you can find, in the main hall. And keep them there. I doubt they will be a threat but make sure you take their weapons." Ziyal told the soldier. "

As the captain and his men began to round up everyone, the Huntress made her way to the control room of the fortress. Inside the control room the Ironborn Sister took full control of the fortress, shutting all the gates, and raising the shields so that no one could enter or leave. Using her own comlink she contacted the Maelibus warrior. "Leutnant Shadowsun.. we have successfully taken control of the fortress. We also have their children and elders.. standing by for further orders."

-Terrogate

Terrogate snorts into the cold air as the War Chieftens anger heightens. It was a sad state of affairs but this was war.. And they were the instigators. How many families had they killed in their invasion? Defending soldiers and guards? Brother, fathers, sons… Morhers and Daughters? How many more who hadn't been militarised had fled into ice wastelands instead of facing the invading hordes? The elderly.. The young.. Terrogate had lived through an invasion before over four thousand years ago, then Mandalore the Ultimate had brought his people to near extermination.

No, the Cathar had little pity for these invaders. And his attempts to save these people by way of submission without death, was proving futile. But he was prepared for this potential outcome.. He, after all, was here to bide time to prepare for battle, and for Ziyal to take the fortress. This was of the upmost importance. He had raised his force defences before even walking the icefield.

Terrogate knows even if his army fails here, without the access to the fortress, the cold would inevitably kill the invaders and they would still have won. If blood needed to be shed this day to give Ziyal time.., then blood it shall have to be..

“First you call me out, putting your life on the line to face me…and now you refuse to trust my word? ... And there for my offer?” He says, his deep voice echoing across the space between them.. But inside he was gathering the power of the force around him… His words a decoy.. He was getting ready to signal the offensive.. “If death is what you so wish this day War Chieftain Alina. Then the mighty Iron army will be happy to deliver it to you!”

And with that the Cathar immediately bending the sheer will of the force charging through his body applies a force blind to the War Chiefen as he began to  turn and run away from the enemy army he uses force speed through augmentation to instantly speed up his sprinting speed to near on a blur to the normal eye. The bright signal would be clear to the Lieutenant Shadowsun and Terrogate needed to get clear of the incoming fire of the heavy guns mounted high on the hill behind the battle droid defensive line. The stray blaster bolts that may come close should be deflected by his force barrier if he stays low and below the droids laser blaser height.

The Cathar bends low, running on all fours back towards his army, it was a desperate and animalistic run for his life. Cutting diagonally left and right through the white snow blanketed ground as he attempted to dodge the incoming fire and anything that might be coming from the enemy at his back. This was about to get really bloody, really quick.

-Shadowsun

Dorrian watched patiently, well, almost patiently as the large Cathar in his viewfinder spoke with the enemy leader. Hearing everything over the comms he simply snorted at her comments, until she invoked those ancient names. How dare she use them as if she was in the right. If she wanted to die so badly, sacrificing her men in the process, so be it.

Through his earpiece he also heard that Ziyal had encountered only women and children within the palace, civilians mostly. They had taken the fortress easily and made their way to the control room with little effort. Dorrian smiled at the thought of them having no escape now as he relayed the next set of orders to his inside team.

“Wonderful news Captain. Set their defenses to our use and alert the fleet that the fortress is under Tollere control currently. We will shortly have no resistance left on the ground and anyone that wishes to come down and see is more than welcome. Keep the civilians safe, with no unnecessary casualties. With the way negotiations are going, if they return to the fortress, open fire. None leave the field alive. Shadowsun out.” He ended the comms and had enough time to look back at Knight Terrogate to notice his actions.

Through the viewfinder, he notices an anomaly as if the air itself around the Knight seemed to shimmer for a brief moment. He raised his right hand into the air, causing the tactical droid next to him to stiffen in response and ready himself. It must have been perfect timing to see Terrogate at that moment because within the blink of an eye he had turned and crossed several dozen yards away from the enemy captain.

“FIRE!” It came out like a roar as he dropped his hand, giving the signal.

The heavy cannons roared to life, laying down a heavy barrage of massive explosions just at where the Cathar had been standing, knowing full well that he would be plenty clear of the ensuing rain of fire. At the same time, every B3 droid began a heightened march toward the enemy, blasters leveled directly at them. Dorideka's sprang to life rolling out ahead of the advancing army. They were to keep the enemy corralled into a more manageable space while the main force advanced. The Hailfre tanks also tore off, zigzagging across the field in front of the advancing main group, unleashing hell with their rapid-fire missile pods, creating a “carpet bomb” effect. The Buzz droids moved through the main group like a swarm of scarabs, clinging to individual droids as they moved.

It wasn't long before the first blaster shots could be seen as the first of the Dorideka's made it to their position. Shortly thereafter, Terrogate made it to his pre-designated regroup location and was quickly met by a group of B3 droids and a portable shield generator. No chances were being taken as the enemy was too arrogant to be trusted to be a fool. The heavy cannons continued their barrage until the first of the B3 droids was within firing range with their rapid-fire forearm blasters, after which the tight-spray flamethrowers mounted to the B3 units lit off as they continued their unrelenting march to victory.

-GM

When Alina saw the enemy open fire, she rushed back to her line of troops before yelling only one simple command to them.

"Shield Wall!!" She ducked behind the front line of her troops as they began to stack their energy shields up as one. And with the field gaps in the wall, blaster fire was laid upon the approaching droid army.

With as much firepower as the enemy was giving them, the wall would only survive the intial barrage before the troops found themselves exposed. With nothing else to protect them, the army of 150 made a desperate charge on the enemy.

Meanwhile, in the fortress the elders protested the occupation angered as they did everything possible to protect the children. It seemed this people really leaned on the whole next generation gimmick. They wanted the Imperials to have not more than a small sliver of sight to see the children massing behind the elders. Was this pack mentality taken to the max? or was it something else not yet seen?

-Ziyal

Not long after Ziyal had taken full control over the fortress, the captain of the squad contacted her, telling her the elders were resisting. Quickly she walked over to the security station to use the camera system to see what was happening down there. "Captain I have eyes on you" the Sephi said as she watched the live footage, seeing the elders gathered around the children. Something felt off, she had merely ordered the soldiers to gather everyone in the main hall, no threats to harm them, but still they protested, blocking the view of the children, trying to hide something. Luckily on the cameras she saw everything that happened from at least four different angles plus she could now access the fortress internal defence system. She turned to the soldier that had joined her, "can you control the fortress defences to help the others?" "Yes mam, ofcourse" he answered and walked over to the security station. The fortress internal defense system included wall mounted laser guns that now moved to aim at the protesting enemy.

"Captain, we have you covered. Disarm them and make them sit on the ground. Keep your eyes on them at all times. I will call in for backup" "affirmative" he answered. Ziyal could see the soldiers now using a more aggressive approach to round everyone up.

The Huntress used her commlink to report back to base. She was unaware of the situation back there and therefore again contacted Leutnant Shadowsun instead of Knight Terrogate. "Leutnant, we have full control of the fortress, the enemy is gathered in the main hall and we have them at gunpoint. Something is off, the elders are resisting. Please send back up, I repeat please send back up."

-Shadowsun

Dorrian watched as they threw up a shield wall and began to charge the ranks, knowing full well they couldn't withstand a constant barrage from the heavy cannons. This was no less a risky maneuver but safer than staying under the pounding guns. He acknowledged her determination and bravery but thought it was misplaced.

Hearing the call come through from Ziyal he immediately patched it through to Terrogate, seeing he was closer to the entrance so he could decide whether or not to join him in battle, or head to her. As the transmission went through the Hailfire droids stopped their barrage with the heavy cannons. The battle droids, however, did not. Several rows were run over in her initial charge but she was now surrounded.

Dorrian made contact with their supply ship and immediately had their reserves brought down, several squads of advanced Commando droids and one squad of his elite bodyguard droids. Within minutes a transport was visible and heading straight for them. As the transport raced by, the loading ramp was open, allowing Xxurdjem and his squad to jump aboard on the fly, carrying them away into the fortress.

Dorrian smiled once more at her bravery before it vanished, him reaching for a microphone and bringing it close to his lips.

"All Tollere forces. Release your Buzz droids toward the enemy, do not keep them close. All Buzz droids, advance." His voice was calm and smooth as he spoke. He gave his housemates a few moments to release their modified droids before he began his next attack.

Watching the swarm of Buzz droids head for the enemy like a flood almost made him smile. His voice started low and soft, slowly building in volume and intensity until he sounded nearly like an opera singer. The tone though had a far different effect. Sentient creatures caught within its range were left disoriented and confused as the sound interfered with the synapses inside the brain. Something she couldn't account for as now a wall of this sound now surrounded her and closed in every second.

Powers Used:

Hypnotic Voice (racial passive) (Projected through the modified Buzz droids)

-Xuurdjem

Xuurdjem was waiting behind the hill with his squads of B-3 and Droideka for what seemed a lifetime. The thrill of combat of this magnitude was too immensely difficult to contain. His senses were all on high alert and to a small degree the Force seemed to grant him its presence here and now. He didn't have to see it, Xuurdjem gave the order to have his team charge the hill in order to board the transport. Racing to meet the timing for the Droideka his team sprinted and rolled on. "Droideka! Make your mark at T minus five seconds!" He ordered aggressively. His emotions were swept away by large scale war and he became a leader. This was his group now. They were under his full commanding authority and he wouldn't let anyone get hurt without a justified reason.

As the full team surmounted the crest a transport flew by giving them less than three seconds to board. Xuurdjem was the last to enter and he'd be the first to exit. On board were a small group of Commando Droids and a B-1 pilot, "Good to have you back Sir." The pilot chimed. The reaction Xuurdjem had pulled him from his angst, which was truly a blessing. It was Noland! Working his way to the front Xuurdjem greeted his favorite pilot. "Noland! I am so glad to see you. That fortress over there. You and I," Xuurdjem clapped the droid's shoulder as he spoke, " we're gonna take that fortress back." The droid cocked its head sideways yet didn't turn away from his duty. "Sir?"

"I'm gonna need you to get us there as fast as possible." He turned knowing he did not have much time and had the droids give him a run down of their traits. Well… those that could vocalize in galactic common. "Mute the sound of the Buzz droids when we land.. We move on my hand signals." The rest of the time was devoted to teaching these signals to his group. "Adhere to these signals and you might make it to your next memory wipe." He looked at each droid, waiting for confirmation which he received. Time to land. Ear plugs in and droids muted sound from the buzz driod's frequency. This was the moment.

Before the craft could land Xuurdjem jumped out a meter from the ground. Next were the Droideka popping their bubbles as they landed and took a walking form, one rolling to connect the bubble in a wide array for maximum coverage. Everyone else filled out between the droids to be enveloped by their shields. Xuurdjem stepped to the front of the squads, Noland just off behind his right side. His hand signals were his words now and that is how he spoke. "Noland, five Droideka, six B-3 and four commando droids, on me. The rest of you, hold position and keep the transport secure." Xuurdjem rounded a Droideka to view the main gate as he checked his rooftops and cubbies, drawing his sniper rifle.

Xuurdjem made contact with Ziyal directly, "What's your status?" "We have reached the control room and now have full control over the fortress. Only elders and children have been left behind by the enemy forces. We are holding them in the main hall, under gun point. But the elders are resisting, something isn't right, we need assistance." She replies over three commlink. Using his hands to talk, Xuurdjem ordered his team. "Move on central command. Stay tight. Stay aware."

-Terrogate

“By the 4 moons that was close” Terrogate exclaimed as he puffs and pants heavily trying to recover his breath inside the shield behind the droid defensive line. The Cathar hadn’t even noticed that he was bleeding on his left biceps.

“Master Terrogate would like medical assistance. My sensors readout indicates you’ve taken damage?” Said a support droid, Terrorgate instantly looks down to his torso and takes stock of his situation. It wasn’t until he tried to lift his left arm to check his right shoulder that he realised there was blood and carbon scorching on his left biceps. The cold of the icy field and the adrenaline of the run towards the droid defensive lines masking the physical pain, for now at least.

“I’ll be fine. It’s only a scratch.” Replied the Cathar. Then at once the comlink on Terrogates belt chirps loudly. Terrogate checks it and Lieutenant Shadowsun had tried to patch an incoming through from Ziyal. Terrogates heart skipped a beat. He was glad she was communicating but had somthing gone wrong? Did she manage to find her way into the fortress? So much of their plan to retake the Sith stronghold rested on her success.

“Knight Commander Terrogate here Apprentice Ziyal. What’s your status iron sister?”

Terrogate listens as the Sephi Nightsister explains her good news of acquiring access to the fortress undetected but also that they now have full control of its defences. Should the enemy army route here they would have nowhere to go and be forced to face the cold wasteland of the planet.

His face changes however to a look of concern as she explains the prisoners behaving awkwardly.

“I understand” he replied back into the comlink, “I’ll send my apprentice and accompanied with a droid squadron in to support you. Until then, assist the prisoners to sit in on the ground so they cannot try anything. Do not split the elderly up from the youths, but keep a sharp eye them. If they should try anything, I give you full authority to do what must be done to eliminate any threats to our victory. By ANY means necessary!” The Cathar put an emphasis on that last part. He did not like the thought of killing old people and children. But this was a time of war,  and it would not be the first time an enemy had stopped to turning innocence into a weapon to achieve there goals. He truly hoped it would not come to that. “Xuurdjem and his team should be there momentarily. Terrogate out.” He finished.

After giving the new commands to apprentice Xuurdjem Terrogate turns and resumes his attention back to the battle raging ahead of him. As was the plan the buzz droids had now been sent forwards and the Might of the Tollere droid army was pounding the enemy shield wall during their advance.

The Cathar now would resume the duties his apprentice was originally ordered to do, command the flanking battalions.

Terrogate moves to the left of the droids reserve lines hidden behind the hill and out of the protection of the small shield generator. Overhead a Tollere support ship races past their position and in the trajectory of the Fortress. “Good luck Apprentices”. He whispers as it soars away from the battle.

Focusing his mind Terrogate joins the lines of the battle droids, droidekas and also several specialist commandos that have positioned themselves around the Tollere Knight.

As their battle plans commanded, as soon as Lieutenant Shadowsun sounded his special hypnotic voice to scramble minds and disorientated the enemy projected vis the buzz droids Terrogate commands the flanking lines to charge forwards splitting there force in half, emerging on either side of hill, their they would flank the enemy’s shield wall and attempt to break them apart in a pincer move.

Terrogate puts hup his mind shield, and then hears the deep growling sound of his fellow iron commander. To his surprise even through the barrier of the hill and not in the direct line of sight of the buzz droid who had been amplifying the sound he needed to focus hard on maintaining his mental defences to keep his mind from tearing in two.

Stern faced.. the Iron Knight commander raises his right arm, saber held in his fist and he ignited the golden blade with the familiar hum that normally preceded such times of war..

“CHARGE!!!!!!”

-GM

(Because of time constraints, i will have to auto some things. House Tollere has won the battle but some final things need to be done.)

The battle grew bloodier as both sides clashed for upwards of an whole hour. And whether it was on the battlefield or the children's short lived and stamped out rebellion within the fortress. It was something to be said of the tenacity of the warriors to keep fighting and the resolve of House Tollere to see their mission through to the end. Surely this would be something they could drink to for years to come. However, they still had work to do...

The War Chieftess had failed her Gods in their ultimate duty. She wouldn't be returning to Ashla or Bogan with smiles and cheers. She hadnt died on the battlefield as a warrior. Instead, she was chained by the droids of Tollere. Her warpaint washed away by the snowy downpour, her age was showing... she appeared to be no older older her early 20s. On both of her knees she looked to Terrogate, Artifex of Tollere wishing to have one last parlay of words with him.

"Drengr (warrior), will you yet deny me my last wish. If I was to die here today, it'd be among my people during battle.. Neither Ashla nor Bogan will welcome me to their temple if I die disgraced or allow myself to be captured."

-Terrogate

Terrogate crosses the ice wastes of the Battlefield, the once pure white snowfield on the planets surface now stained red all around him lay bodies of the invading army and twisted scraps of metal of a bulk of the Tollere droid army.

The icy winds cut across the open field like a thousand knives as the Commanding Cathar Knight lifted his hand up to wipe the sweat from his eyes. Blood runs down his arm, dripping off his elbow and onto the ground adding yet a few more red drops into the ocean that had been spilled that day.

The iron knight steps up to the place where a dozen droid commandos had gathered as well as lieutenant Shadowsun, they were standing in a circle, in the middle of the circle they held a prisoner, on its knees and bound in chains.

Two droids salute the Cathar commander and move to the side as Terrogate approaches to allow him access to the prisoner. As Terrogate stepped into the circle he nodded to Lieutenant Shadowsun and then squatted down on one knee to be at the same level as the prisoner. As she lifted her head the Cathar recognised her instantly… it was the War Chieftain Alina…

She had the look of a defeated leader about her, the Cathar was not unsympathetic to her situation. She was a strong leader, her people had followed her bravely and unquestioningly into battle that proved to be their deaths.

There was no quit in them, just the desire to prove themselves before the gods. Terrogate had recognised these gods they spoke of, the same ones Mab had been studying in her absence from the Empire. She had spent weeks in front of journals, old scrolls and tombs to uncode and learn about the Je’daii and the two sides of the force… the ones the ancient texts referred to as the Ashla and Bogan.

Terrogate deep down felt himself drawn to this woman. He wanted to know about her gods, her culture.. a people that boasted fierce warriors and devout followers of not just the darkside but the force as a whole.. he could see himself as being at home in a culture like that. But this was war, and more immediate decisions must be made for the good of the Empire.

“Greetings again War Chieftain Alina” says the Cathar, although there was no sarcasm or spite in his voice. Only respect for a fellow leader of men.

"Drengr (warrior)” says the fallen Chieften. “will you yet deny me my last wish. If I was to die here today, it'd be among my people during battle.. Neither Ashla nor Bogan will welcome me to their temple if I die disgraced or allow myself to be captured."

Terrogate sighs, and stands back up to his full height in front of her. “I am sorry war Chieften.” He says solemnly. “I am sympathetic to your request, you are a powerful warrior, you and your army fought bravely and furiously and I cannot help but to commend your bravery in the face of death, but I cannot grant your wish this day.”

Terrogate could sense her supreme dissatisfaction at his answer, his seeming lack of respect to the warriors code.

“See, you were correct War Chieften Alina, I am different to those humans. And I am also different to many of the Sith you will come across, as is our mighty Iron house Tollere different to any other house in the Galaxy.”

The Cathar straightens his leather belt, making his sabers swing and his leather straps sway gently, brushing against his muscular legs.

“As we speak War Chieften my apprentice Xuurdjem and Nightsister Ziyal under my command have reclaimed ownership over the fortress you had until recently occupied”. Terrogate looks over into the distance at the outline of Sith stronghold on the horizon.

“They now have every man woman and child you left behind in their custody. They have not been harmed but you would do well to note that the fate of your people will depend solely on your actions from here on out.”

Terrogate pauses for a moment and then looks into the eyes of the War Chieften. Her faded warpaint was mixed with sweat and her complexion looked washed compared to an hour prior. She was still quite stunning though, and  whether she was a leader or not as of right now she had a choice to make for the good of her people.

“My offer is this Alina..” says the Cathar Knight.

“You will accompany us as a guest to return to the Empire to face the Empress and her council. And you will agree to answer all that they wish to know about any subject they wish. You will be under high security while with us as will your people we have captured. But you will all live, and I guarantee you they will not be harmed if you cooperate.” Terrogate takes a breath.. the pain of his injury now starting to heighten as the battle rage clams inside him “and when it is time, I will ask you again and if you still so wish it, I will ensure you receive your death in battle.

“This is the alternative.. “‘he continued, his voice was still even with no hint of malice. “...you may refuse to come with us and cooperate.. but then I give the order right now and have my officers slaughter your people immediately,  I will then drag you in chains to the Empress regardless. The council and there Sith officers will then will torture the information out of you regardless until you but an empty husk of the person you now are. And trust me.. they will make sure  that your remaining days are ones of true and unbridled agony.”

Terrogate then squats once more getting himself to Alina’s eye level.. “This is my offer war Chieften.. you would not get a choice if it was any other you faced today. For the good of your children, I suggest you choose wisely.”

-GM

Alina had hoped that the man would grant her the death she asked for. She had hoped he would grant her a weapon one last time to take her out in an honored manner, as tradition dictates. However, his denial didn’t do much but sadden her further… he was putting his loyalty to his Empress over the traditions of a fellow warrior. In Alina’s eyes there was no person that you could put forward of the Goddess Ashla and the God Bogan.

Dropping her head forward so the young woman could break contact with her captor, she heard him speak of the elders and young being captured and now being used as hostages. It was further disgrace upon Alina to allow those who cannot fight to be captured by an enemy. By tradition, she was supposed to now fight tooth and nail to ensure their safety… yet from the feelings of the heavy chains, she wasn’t going anywhere unless her captors allowed her to.

When he started speaking of options, she listened quietly while weighing them. Her head didn’t raise it’s view from the red snow beneath her… she could either cooperate and save her people, though it meant dishonoring herself. Or she could go out as customs dictated, fighting to the end but then the extinction of her people was a great possibility. In the end, her people's survival mattered more than her honor.

“If you give your word, I’ll accept your deal and speak to your Empress willingly. Though you have cost me a great honor, you have offered to spare my people. There aren't many of us left, to lose our next generation would be a tragedy.” She finally looked up again, this time with a look showing absolute defeat. “Besides, I would like to see this Great House you call Tollere… if they were able to best the Nexu Clan, your people are certainly one to be marveled at. Assure my people are transported with care…”

(RP Closed)