Open Invasion Damage, Inc: Invasion of Byblos

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin felt his blade swing in on its planned trajectory, slicing through flesh like a hot knife through butter. The Sephi had not been banking on the Sith Lord’s hatred empowering him for one last blast of the Force that would deplete him of his reserves. Lightning shot out directly at Sevrin as the Sith Lord dropped.

The Sephi’s saber had completed its arc, meaning that the blade was laterally positioned to his right. This meant that his torso was wide open. He was hit square in the torso by lightning, feeling the agonizing pain that bodily lifted him and sent him sailing through the air.

Sevrin collided with the wall behind him and dropped down like a rag doll. Smoke rose from his torso, excruciating pain coursing through his body. His muscles spasmed involuntarily a few times from the aftermath of the attack.

The Sephi was silent for a moment before he opened his eyes to stare at the ceiling, taking shuddering breaths as his fingers spasmed. He was still smoking when he coughed, weakly speaking before addressing the Jedi that had been hanging back and out of danger, “Vahn….” He rasped, “..Help….I’m….hurting from….carrying us both,” Sevrin gave a smug scoff, but it came out as a pained cough.

@The Steel Stag

 

[Vahn Berand]

Vahn felt the Sith Lord’s lights go out, an he exhaled. It felt like he had been holding that breath in for ages. His shoulders sloped, relaxed as he allowed himself to slip from the powerful, surging one-ness he had felt with The Force. He allowed himself one lingering moment of serenity as his consciousness dipped back into the temporal world.

Then he saw it as if in slow motion; Sevrin hitting the wall, Sith lightning crackling off of his body as he crumpled to the metallic floor below.

“Sevrin!” Vahn shouted, and he broke into a run, dropping into a slide to bring him beside his Fellow Jedi. He tugged him up, gathering the wounded man onto one arm. At once, he placed his palm on the Jedi’s chest while opening himself back up to the Force to channel deeply once more the healing energies of the Light, stitching the burns and wounds from the Sith’s last hate fueld blast of lightning as best he could. Vahn was no expert in healing, not by any stretch but he knew enough to get the Sephi Jedi back onto his feet. He hoped.

“Damnit Sevrin don’t drop on me now we have a jo-” Vahn paused. The Sephi Jedi’s words cut more deeply than any saber and he found himself staring out into the neutral space between the stars hanging outside the hangar. Head empty. No thoughts. He didn’t know for how long. Probably not long enough.

“I’m just,” Vahn sighed. “I’m just going to let you have that one. Then I’m going to get you on your feet and hope a stray blaster bolt puts me out of my misery. Either one of us would do, really,” he allowed a few more moments of Healing before he let Sevrin slump unceremoniously back to the ground and pulled himself onto his feet. He paused long enough to offer his hand to bring the other Jedi Knight to his feet and then turned to walk away back down the junction of the hangar.

Vahn’s pace slowed as he passed the fallen Sith Lord. His gaze caught something familiar. A leather wrapped lightsaber, all too familiar. He felt a chill crystallize in his chest. Grandmaster Oota. This was his, his lightsaber. He remembered it. How could he forget? He’d been just a boy, still newly found and learning the basics of being a Jedi. He’d been obsessed with lightsabers; dangerously so, and Oota had noticed. He’d taken time out of his day to teach him, to instruct him in the fine details of his saber all while reminding him that a lightsaber was not a tool to cause harm; it was to protect, it was a Jedi’s last option in his quest to make the galaxy a better place. Vahn clenched his jaw as the memory flowed back into him. The Sith Lord had taken it. Asminys had claimed the gentle Master’s saber, twisted it, perverted it, and used it to commit unspeakable acts.

The hand around his lightsaber twitched. He could do it. He could do it right now, and the only person who would know would probably agree with his choice. He could do it and exact revenge on who knows how many innocents, Jedi and non-Jedi alike. He didn’t know how long he stared, but he sucked in a breath, and exhaled. No. No he couldn’t. It’s one thing to take a life out of necessity, or in order to prevent greater harm. He wouldn’t have been doing that. He would have been doing it because it would have made him feel good. That made all the difference in the world.

Instead, he could do one thing. He could accomplish one small, pure task. Vahn set his own lightsaber back on an attachment point on his flight suit’s belt, and channeled a small flow of The Force. The Sith Lord’s twin lightsabers rattled, and then leapt up into his hands. He could make sure these tools never hurt another innocent person again.

They were heavy in his grasp, his hands sagging momentarily before he compensated. His brow furrowed. There was something dark in them. Hatred, anger, and resentment mingling together. Despite this, he could feel one note, one single emotional tone buried under the layers of dark side energy coiled within the kyber crystals.

“It feels like...they’re crying?” Vahn said aloud, despite himself.

“Nevermind, let’s go.” He turned quickly, fixing the two lightsabers onto their own attachment points on his belt while jogging towards the exit of the hangar towards where he last heard reports of the Jedi intercepting the second boarding team.

@Sreeya @Arclight

 

[Renfry]

The door snapped closed in front of her, and so did the one behind her. Something was afoot even if Renfry didn't know precisely what that "something" was. On an enemy ship in the middle of a battle, it wasn't difficult to imagine that she was still on edge.

The door ahead sprang open and a full strike team awaited. Attacks came quickly over the space that separated the two groups. As much as Renfry might have liked to get the drop on the enemy, it simply wasn't possible now, and she was forced onto a defensive footing.

Still, she held a powerful command over the Shadow, and it heeded her call. As the telekinetic blast traveled down the hallway, her left hand came up to produce a sheen of green as she stepped to her right. The telekinetic blast struck her shield, exploding outward with a dampened force that slammed her back into the wall to her right, sending a shot of pain through her. But she didn't quit.

Acting quickly, Renfry's left hand sent a small, green orb down the hallway at the woman who was trying to begin to grip her. If it struck, the concussion bolt would hit like a blaster bolt, knocking her back and off her feet while also leaving some nasty burns. She didn't expect it to hit, but it should distract the woman from getting a grip on the Nightsister.

In the event that the woman continued to manage her grip, Renfry would resist it with the Force, preventing it from taking hold. And her mind began to scramble. Five against three were not numbers she liked, and the look of other soldiers beyond told Renfry precisely how this battle was going to go.

Fall back! she shouted, quickly checking to see if the others had managed to extricate themselves from the attacks as well. If they had, she would begin a retreat. With this many Jedi aboard the ship already, Renfry didn't fancy their odds. It was enemy home turf with plenty of soldiers and security systems and the three of them cut off. No, this wasn't good. But with luck, she hoped she could cover the others to help them find a way out. Fighting retreat was never her first choice, but most other options had been taken from them. This wasn't a battle they were going to win.

@GABA @The Good Doctor @Valen Pelora @Wit @Isen @Die Shize @christhebarker

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin coughed a few more times as Vahn walked over and healed him. The effects were instant, and he felt some of the agony disperse. The Sephi exhaled shallow breaths as he was set back down, the spasms finally fading away. Sevrin took Vahn’s hand and rose to his feet with a bit of a struggle, feeling a weakness throughout his whole body from the attack.

He realized he had to actually lean against the other man to stay on his feet. One of his arms remained on Vahn’s shoulder as he struggled to stay up, “Yes, it would have to be a stray bolt,” Sevrin said casually, “Because you’re certainly not going to be anywhere near the line of fire.”

Sevrin had to lean on Vahn until they left the hangar, but he could feel his energy slowly coming back. He said nothing in response to Vahn’s commentary about the saber ‘crying’. The Sephi’s thoughts wandered back to his experiences dealing with a certain woman with empath struggles and he decided he was better off steering clear of any emotional weapons.

They were out in the hallway before he finally felt steady enough to walk on his own. Sevrin reached for his comlink, speaking into the channel that Alex had set up with central command, “Hangar is clear. What’s the status? Valtiere and Berand on approach. Tell us where to go.”

Central command had visuals of them and everything else happening and could guide them to the action.

@Eccles @The Steel Stag

 

[Darth Stolas]

THEME​

The Shrike's opening shots flew through the empty space where the Y-wing had been as it broke off to flee a missile. Stolas moved to intercept but was drawn off by the arrival of another threat, the mystery Blackfin (@Vera Coulter) flying in from the side and above.

Arrowheads scattered through space around the incoming assault of a charging blastboat, the Shrike itself twisting and angling up and away from the Blackfin's line of fire, the first ion bolt narrowly missing beneath the hull and the rest flying into the chaotic mess of ships and empty space. Turret fire drew attention and clipped some targets but the anti-infantry weapon wasn't going to punch through shields on its own.

Stolas snarled in his cockpit and continued his upwards maneuver, banking left and twisting the ship, flipping it over and down to dive down after the Blackfin. It was just long enough to get a burst of laser and ion shots off at its rear from close range, a fly-by attack before his ship raised back up and accelerated to go after his original target, the Y-wing. The Shrike and the others would quickly outpace and increase the distance from the Blackfin and the other ships engaged in a chaotic brawl.

The Y-wing (@Drow Venn) and the squadron around it were being chased by missiles, heading in a direct line toward the Lone Digger across the battlefield. They were also pursued by Storm Squadron's Arrowheads and a series of TIE fighters, the section of the intercepting Sith fighter screen they'd boldly ignored. Stolas had to admit their plan was brave and could appreciate its aggressiveness, but it left them very vulnerable.

The E-wings would be fired upon by TIEs and Arrowheads the entire way to the Arquitens, caught in a crossfire from behind of their own making. Their entire formation had enemy fighters on their tail as a result of flying right through the screen without engaging, laser fire from the TIEs and mixed laser and ion from the Arrowheads lighting up the void.

Stolas himself fixed his guns on the Y-wing, matching speeds to stay close, and fired in bursts from below and behind. He dipped left and right to maintain target and kept his eyes and sensors open to watch for any ships coming in to save them, although the vast majority were occupied by their own battles. This rear assault chase could easily result in a large number of downed or damaged E-wings and he wanted to be aware if others showed up as well.

A Corvette was also rapidly charging along toward the Lone Digger and this had not gone unnoticed, especially at it began to fire. Doctrine demanded engaging with the most immediate threat. As the Sokar adjusted so did the Arquitens frigate, turning its guns on the corvette and firing at it during its approach, perhaps hitting some of the bombers on the way.

The Little Wing moved above the Lone Digger and the frigate's guns, medium laser cannons and light turbolasers at near point blank, continued to fire at its underbelly, the corvette's heavier guns unable to fire back from its position. It launched a barrage of concussion missiles of its own as well toward the the wide underbelly, focusing all its fire on the central section to try and crack it wide open.

Unfortunately the bombers the corvette carried had been dropped off at fairly close range and were able to launch their torpedoes uncontested, exploding against flashing shields and wearing it down. The missile-chase maneuver of the E-wings had mixed results. Some missiles lost their lock and flew off into empty space, some maneuvered around the bridge and continued to follow, but a good number slammed into the bridge shields, energy flashing to resist and weakening from the impact.

Should Drow make it closer to the Arquitens his maneuver with the missile would be a success, the ion shot disabling its tracking lock. That missile's explosion would strike the underbelly shields while the Shrike carried on chasing down the enemy ship now on its lonesome with an interceptor right on its tail.

If Drow still made it beneath the frigate under Stolas' heavy fire, the Shrike would keep tight on the Y-wing throughout, firing yet another burst from its six mixed cannons as Drow went beneath the frigate's belly.

Storm Squadron and the TIEs would continue their pursuit of the E-wings as well, turning around the frigate's bridge and firing at their target fighters while they were targeted by more of the Sokar's missiles.

As for the reports from Pedee and one of Asminys' men, Stolas had to deal with his own work. They would have to handle the Jedi somehow on their own.

@Morse @Fantasy Liver @Killa Ree @Darasuum @The Good Doctor

 

[Drow Venn]

Since Drow had yanked the throttle towards the direction of the Arquitens before diving down towards the underbelly, he was still able to fire off the ion shot before Stolas fired his second time.

Drow was thankful to Vee for distracting Stolas for it gave his slower craft some time and room to maneuver and get ahead of the Sith's fighter. Unfortunately, however, after that, Stolas was pursuing again. Drow had some distance due to Stolas engaging but the Sith rapidly closed it and was proving a difficult foe to shake, especially with Drow having to maneuver between and fire upon enemy craft.

As maneuverable as the Y-Wing could be and as skilled a pilot Drow was, it was only a matter of time before flying straight underneath the Arquitens with no backup against a better ship was going to result in a disaster. Which is why Drow didn't do that. As soon as he realized the Shrike had taken the bait and pursued him instead of the E-Wing, Drow, engaged the thrusters harder, yanked the stick every which way and performed a series barrel rolls. To paraphrase a young, "spinning was a good trick" and even as Drow spun and turned, he kept the Arquitens in his sights, firing three sets of torpedoes at it as he spun. The spinning trick would not shake the fighter completely but it would make him harder to hit as he delivered his payload.

"Blast!" Drow said as his head slammed forward, his ship rocked by one of the blasts even as he turned. The pilot behind him was good and a couple more hits like that and he was in trouble. His shields were already getting dangerously low so Drow yanked the stick upwards, trying to confuse the Sith pilot behind him and hoping help would arrive before things got too hairy.

"Byron, buddy or anyone out there - I got a tail on me that I can't shake!"

Drow commed, his Y-Wing racing out from underneath the Arquitens where his allies would be able to see the Shrike if it followed him and open fire. If his ship was in danger of exploding, he'd eject both himself and Sparky from the ship. If not, he'd pull up and away from the Arquitens,

@Darasuum @Killa Ree @Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Pedee had announced there were Jedi, and now the doors shutting them into a segment of the ship was clearly more than a mere coincidence. Something was amiss and Tiamat would not overlook that feeling in her gut. She trusted her instincts and yet before they could make any further progress in their new enclosure, one of the doors snapped open, revealing the Jedi party and the trap was sprung. Though with the number of Jedi present, this must have been what a welcoming party looked like when the Jedi hosted!

On the downside, it was with a rather aggressive hostess of a Jedi as the leader of the group focused on Tiamat, lashing out as soon as the door revealed their presence. It would be though that the Jedi Master's offense would be met with resistance. As Tiamat felt the Force grasp her, the red haired woman knew where her power laid in the dark side as it contorted to her command. The surprise and sudden attack still was enough for the Sith Lord to stumble forward with a slight awkward foot angle as she pressed back. Her blade raised swiftly as the stun bolts came, the Ranger working in unison with the Jedi Master.

One...two...AH! she counted, the second bolt catching closer to the hilt and giving enough push back to make the woman lose grip of her saber. It fell from her grasp as she flew forward, utilizing the momentum from the blonde Jedi Master, the darkside carrying her in speed as she was pulled through the blast door and landed before Jedi Master as the Ranger called into her comm device. The door closed and locked behind the Sith woman, now forcing her to face the Jedi team in isolation.

The Force would coil around the Ranger's weapon, Inhale...and continue... Tiamat thought, the dance of the dark side would be met with little resistance, the Light flowed from the Jedi and the darkside ebbed from Tiamat as she grinned, trying to shake the tingle and numbness in her left arm caused by the second bolt without success, "This is awkward..." she hummed.

@Valen Pelora @christhebetrayer @Wit @Die Shize @Isen @Phoenix @The Good Doctor

 

[Vera Coulter]

She had hoped the Shrike would have continued pursuit, but there was a very brief chase. The moment sensors screamed of the pursuit, she tagged a sharp hard left, hoping to avoid some of the retaliatory fire. It was a close-quarters strike, and though the ion cannon itself had barely skimmed past her hull, the remaining laser bolts made an impact, and she yelled as the blackfin shuddered in protest. Her shields had taken a good hit, and wouldn't last much longer against direct assault when the Sith's ship reeled away, and she scowled.

"Oh no, you don't."

Adjusting the trajectory of her ship hard and up, Jaws would continue in pursuit of its' prey, albeit the prey was some distance ahead considering the faster speed of the Shrike. Twelve of BDF's starfighters came in tight formation behind her, half of them banking to a narrow breakaway to charge and engage the Arrowheads still flanking Darth Stolas, three remaining with Vera and the remaining three breaking off to flank and engage the Arquitens assault and any TIEs or other ships that would have proven problematic. As the Jedi would ping over the comms about the Shrike, she would grunt in response. "Blue Team Leader through six, take down those TIEs and Arrowheads. Seven to nine, assist in taking down that Arquitens. Ten through twelve, watch my back. BDF remaining fleet, stand by. Force be with you."

Three torpedos would be released towards the pursuing back of the Shrike, followed by another barrage of heavy laser turret fire. However, in that time she would keep in mind the Arquitens itself, and the threat of missiles and strikes from enemy vehicles. The six assaulting the other Arrowheads would engage with torpedoes and ion cannons, as well as the other three against the Arquitens Lone Digger, swooping low and serpentine to avoid missile assault and strike to further weaken the ship's shielding, if not outright damaging it with medium laser cannons and torpedo strikes.

Her alarm systems would continue to blare, but she wasn't going to give up until the threat was eliminated. A Ranger's duty was to serve and protect, and she would do so until her dying breath.

@Mr. Teatime @Darasuum @Fantasy Liver @Morse

 

[Pedee]

Pedee readied assumed a fighting stance when the doors were enclosed all around them. But they were making good progress. But it looks like people from somewhere have closed the doors on them. She was readied for battle in case the defense was stalling for time for additional soldiers to come, or for the Jedi presence that was board already.

When the doors opened, there would be a whole gallery of Jedi and a catperson there to greet them. These Jedi didn't seem to be playing around. Anyways, Pedee saw a hand facing her and orange lightning first thing. She would dash to the left side in order to dodge. Her dad designed her with reflexes and agility to react to threats extremely quickly. Yet, even those has it's limits as her right arm still got caught by the lightning. Pedee could feel the pain, and she dropped the vibrosword she was holding from that hand as well. "Kriff" she said

Well, the door is closed though as Tiamat was taken. There was no way to help her, but on the other side there was no way for them to contuine attacking her and the Dathomiri lady. But that wouldn't last That all happened so quickly... Pedee looked to the other Sith Lady who was holding her own still. Pedee also noticed a lightsaber on the ground. Might have been Tiamat's. With her good arm, she would quickly discard her remaining sword, grab the lightsaber, activate it and then quickly move towards the bulkhead, and then cut a small section though it. In the hole she created, she wouldn't waste anytime going through it, back to the hall they originally came out of. It wouldn't take very long and best of all, no Jedi.

She would then make her way back to the boarding shuttle she came from. The Dathomiri lady can come with her if she wants, but Pedee isn't bound by her programming to protect her and Pedee sure as hell isn't wanting to stay around.

@GABA @Phoenix @Valen Pelora @Wit @Isen @Die Shize @christhebarker

 

[Isen Ramm]

The Force moved fast, real fast. The doors opened and closed quickly, a Force pull on one Sith, a Force push on another, an orange electric bolt from the Jedi side of the door and a green orb of Force energy from the Sith side. Both the orb and the redheaded Sith were going to get through the open door before it slammed shut, and both would have hostile intent...even if the Sith's passage through the threshold wasn't voluntary. Isen's lightsaber was in a frontal position and ignited for that very purpose. The orb was faster than the Sith, with blaster bolt speed and precision- headed for Vinry who was holding the stasis on that tattooed Dark Lord.

Whether or not the stasis would hold after the door closed was immaterial, really. The green orb was still a threat, and because it came from the target of Isen's Force Push, Isen was able to react with some speed and precision of his own. His right hand which held his ignited cyan-bladed lightsaber flicked out and intersected the green orb before it could find it's target. The redheaded Sith was not far behind, and with one fluid motion, the blade never stopping, looping and falling in behind the Sith who was stumbling through the door. Isen's blade stopped short of contact, inches behind her neck. Isen's eyes were cold, still, and unflinching. He gave away no emotion, just the matter-of-factness that the other Jedi knew him for.

"This is awkward..." the Sith said. Isen was a little surprised by the Sith, she was not what he expected. She was...charming even. Isen hadn't been through enough battles to get know some of the Sith personally like some of the Jedi veterans. He knew that some of the Jedi and Sith had relationships, for better or worse. Isen didn't know any of the Sith by name. He would recognize Darth Stolas after his exploits and propaganda campaign, but he was in a small group that Isen would recognize.

He looked at the redheaded Sith with his blade buzzing just behind her ears and said, "This was...easy." He let that sit for a few moments. "Are there any Dark Lords on board the ship, or are they all apprentices like you?"

To be fair, Isen had no idea if she was an apprentice or not. It was possible. She didn't look much older than him, and he had been a Padawan not too long ago. And if she wasn't an apprentice, then it was a not-so-subtle dig. Isen was satisfied either way.

@GABA @Valen Pelora @Wit @Die Shize @christhebetrayer

 

[Orenth]

The Lone Digger, armed with heavy deflector shields that were soon to fail, angled to address the refitted corvette who also had formidable shields of its own. Or at least, it had. The torpedoes impacted against the shields of the Lone Digger as direct impacts blasted away hull armor on the Little Wing. The first volley of torpeods struck shields but hopefully would have depleted its last reserves.

Remaining close and using the rotation limitations of the turrets, E-wings supported and blindsided turrets with missiles or cannon barrages. The rest of the light bombers would maneuver amid the proximity of the command frigate before firing the rest of their torpedoes beneath the command frigate's shields before pulling away.

The trailing missile behind Byron's cloakshape starfighter was keeping pace with the Astral Mantle and almost seemed to gain for a moment. Byron was over the frigate and noted the damaged Little Wing. It began to slow as it adjusted to keep its batteries with ideal targeting angles. Byron brought his starfighter back around as he heard the battle groups coordination over the communication link. "Get to your escape pods." He shouted over the link knowing that if the incoming missiles didn't cripple them then any subsequent batteries would. Unlike the Sith, the Jedi didn't have grand reserves of forces or warships. This was relying on the joint assistance of the BDF, the Sector Rangers and the Jedi Order and a scrappy bunch at that.

Byron jerked around one of the ventral turbolaser batteries underneath and close to the Lone Digger's hull. The chasing missile, able to make turns and remain persuing, wasn't responsive enough before it impacted against offensive emplacement. His own missile was taken care of but the Little Wing would continue to fight to the bitter end.

The Jedi saw the arrowhead starfighter early on his targeting computer but felt the approaching moment. The hard grip of his ship controls vibrated as he fired on the Shrike following Drow's Y wing. Behind the Sith he was still expecting the ranger with the blast boat to not be far behind and take that into account. But the Ishi Tib's bomber's lack of speed would make the chasing Sith also slow. If the Sith broke off, then the Knight would immediately pursue with aimed shots of his laser cannons and begin gaining missile lock.

@Killa Ree @Mr. Teatime @Morse @Fantasy Liver

 

[Darmus Onn]

Darmus watched as his idea to close two doors was made advantage of by the Jedi and his fellow ranger. A sharp excited cried suddenly filled the control room and the old ranger turned on his feet to watch a larger screen showing the Sith that had cleared the entire hangar before, go down under the combined efforts of two more Jedi. Where they kriff were all these Jedi coming from!? "You guys called the Jedi?" he asked, incredulously, as he moved away from the control board and stared at the collection of screens. "That's some timing," he continued, looking at the relieved face of the control room's supervisor. "All I know is some Jedi Master tried to make contact with the bridge and-" he stopped as he saw Darmus' face morph into a severe frown, "You didn't establish contact?"

"Boss, they're fleeing!" one of the operators exclaimed, claiming the attention of the supervisor and thus yanking him away from the poor old Sector Ranger. "The Jedi captured two Sith and the others are running!" Now other operators exclaimed similar cries of joy and relief, for all aboard the Gladiator-class ship the Sith troops appeared to be in retreat. Darmus, never one to let hierarchy restrict him, moved towards the central communications unit and opened a ship-wide line:

"Attention all crew, jedi, the Sith are in full retreat. Open comms to the fleet-" the supervisor snatched the mic from Darmus' hand and killed the line. The rest of the ranger's intended message lingered between them; -and tell them we're winning.

We.are.winning

Darmus expected to wake up any second now. He definitely did watch that Sith in the hanger go down, right? That man looked possessed and was definitely of the caliber that had previously massacred ranger stations. Having one in custody.. being able to put him on trial. The Sector Ranger in him suddenly stood a little taller. The badge was on his chest, like always, but he actually felt it now.

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex was a little shocked at the speed the Sith whipped forward, but that had been what she wanted. It allowed her to take a few steps backward while the door slammed closed as Tiamat came to a halt. The Jedi Master had largely ignored whatever else had transpired in the room. Her sole focus was the red head once the doors had started to close. The com in her ear was squawking with some mention of trouble getting the door unlocked, and Sith cutting through walls again. (@Phoenix @The Good Doctor) She did notice Tiamat was without her saber but very much not defenseless. Alex sensed the Force being used when the Sith become stationary.

None of that. Bringing the rest of her strength to bear, Alex pressed on Tiamat’s body and mind. Sleep. (@GABA) Her singular focus was pushing that feeling into every corner of the Sith’s mind, every cell in her body. Slow her heart, lower her blood pressure, exhaustion deep in her bones. It would be exceptionally difficult for any Force user to wield their powers and resist the pressure. They did not need any surprises. She assumed her fellow Jedi would take similar precautions.

While maintaining her focus, her eyes shot to Isen (@Isen). His blade held close to Sith’s neck. She frowned slightly. “Enough.” The lone Darksider’s strength in the Force was obvious, just as the other’s had been. None of the of terrors they faced were apprentices. There was no need to pretend otherwise. Alex deeply disliked smarmy quips and digs. This was not a holodrama. Their lives were at risk as were the lives of every soul on the ship. Lives this Sith had undoubtedly taken. She knew there would be plenty of time to speak with their prospective captive…later. Now, reports continued to pour in.

“Jedi Valtiere and Berand have cleared the hangar…Sith pulling back.” Somehow the remaining two Sith behind the door had managed a second cut through. It was unlikely the Jedi would catch them before they boarded their craft. “We should ensure they don’t double back on us.” That was the smart thing to do. Alex quickly flicked on the secure ship wide com, Sevrin and Vahn included. “Masters Voran and Forge, boarding party repelled…one captured.” The message from the bridge came clearly across all coms shortly thereafter. (@Eccles) She did not stop the smile. Somehow, they were turning the tide. The sound of turbolasers firing signaled the fight outside still needed to be won. All the while she kept exerting as much pressure on Tiamat as she could manage. Her eyes never left the Sith. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. They weren’t done yet.

@Wit @Die Shize @christhebetrayer

 

[Vahn Berand]

Vahn broke his stride towards the second Jedi team, his flight boots squeaking briefly as he broke his momentum. The reports from the bridge of the Gladiator set his eyes wide. He was already surprised the fight against Asminys had gone as well as it did, but the second team had turned aside the second, larger

“They’re...retreating?” Vahn asked Sevrin incredulously. Then, bit by bit a grin crept onto his face and he lightly knuckled the Sephi’s chest. “Time for the counter-cut. You ready to do some more damage, Sev?”

Vahn was already half-trotting backwards as he spoke, before turning and breaking into a run back towards the hangar. Excitement boiled over in his chest, his entire body alive with sudden vigor. There was a levity in his step. They could do this. They were doing this. They were winning! It was time for the final push to send these bastards home.

The hangar had apparently been disrupted by Darth Asminys’ attack mid-sortie. Vahn could see a number of old Starwings primed for launch, each surrounded by a small spread of bodies. Likely the flight crew and pilots readying for launching into the swelling space battle around them. He gave a silent thought to them, and hardened his resolve as he clambered into the open cockpit of the nearest starfighter.

“This is Jedi Knight Vahn Berand, now recognizing callsign Vigil-3. Transfer a tactical read out to my onboard computer. I need to know what we're dealing with,” Vahn spoke into the ship's comms as he switched on system and subsystem, each with their own blinking read out that glinted like constellations against the tinted visor of his flight helmet. The fighter clad in the livery of Byblos hummed as its weapons and shields charge up for use.

“Sev, take up a position behind me. Seems we’re wing-mates again.”

In seconds, the Starwing was lifting, the folding wings slowly rotating into position as the fighter turned leisurely towards the long extension of the main hangar. Then, Vahn poured on the thrust, a little bit at first, and then more and more until the fighter was screaming out of the Gladiator and into the open starfield as a dance of death was woven between the stars.

@Sreeya

 

[Cyrene Nilar]

Cyrene stood up from her crouched position blaster still aim at the woman they pulled through the doors, glancing done to her belt she noticed she forget her stun cuffs, cursing in zygerrian under her breath.

she continued to aim her pistol at the woman, “Turn around, get on the ground!” she commanded with a smile behind her mask, this would mark her first arrests as a ranger and it was a sith, this would certainly win her some points with command.

The jedi beside her was seemingly focusing on the prisoner, what she was going she had no idea nor did she care as long as the prisoner was detained, she could throw her in the brig and her job was done.

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

That lightning had taken its toll, or might have. Vayla had checked her emotions before, during, afterward; anger and aggression especially. She could have given into both but hers had been no spontaneous attack and there was more than one reason she had gone for the droid over anyone else. Perhaps it was that sentiment, perhaps it was the preparation, but anger and fear had been held behind a wall and did not surface even as the lightning had from her hand. Conversely, she had been calm and in control, and would remain so for the next phase.

They had captured a Sith, one without a lightsaber but no less dangerous. This woman might not even lean toward such a weapon and could very well decimate with just two hands. Vayla was not going to give her that chance. While words escaped the Sith as casually as wind over a grave, Vayla sensed that Alex was sensing something else and followed her lead once more.

Both Knight and Master combined their efforts to plant a single idea into their target’s mind. Sleep. Through her helm, Vayla gazed into the Sith’s eyes as though searching for a soul where there might be none, but while one thought went out another stayed put. Calm. It was as much for herself as her enemy. The Jedi needed to remain conscious; focus too little and the bind might give, focus too hard and the Sith’s heart might give out. Morichro had its risks but Vayla was not alone in taking them.

They had a hostage but had to bind her and there was more than one way to do so. Even as war waged in the world beyond the walls, Vayla kept hers confined to the corridor. Even as Alex gave way to speech, Vayla said nothing and made no movement. Calm. She breathed in, slow and steady, breathed out, and the Sith might be doing the same or would be in the moments to come. Sleep.




@Valen Pelora @Isen @Wit
@Phoenix @GABA @The Good Doctor

 

[Vinry Forge]

Vinry knew what was at stake, and she also knew how much easier things would get for them if they could isolate the Sith. Divide and conquer wasn't just some cliched lines from millions of holo-dramas, it actually worked. So she was committed to hold the attack on the second Sith as long as she could, even if meant taking a hit in return.

But she wasn't alone, this time she wasn't fighting alone. So as the green bolt flew towards an amethyst intercepted it, allowing Vinry to hold the stasis attack till the door slammed shut without getting hit. The moment she lost visual contact the attack dropped. Immediately she shifted her focus to the other Sith. She was unarmed, or at least she looked unarmed, but Vinry did not make the mistake of assuming she was defenseless.

She didn't think, rather acted on instinct. She reached out with the Force and grabbed the blaster that was hanging from the waist of one of the other Jedi (@Die Shize). It flew into her hand and with a flick of her thumb she set it to stun before firing off two shots at the Sith's chest (@GABA). All the while she was watching her intently, ready to react to any sudden movements or attempts at attack.

@Valen Pelora @Isen @Die Shize @Phoenix @GABA @The Good Doctor

 

[Venthis Habrak]

The battle was evidently not quite what had been initially intended. Though Habrak was merely a small part of it, defeat was difficult to glean in this march to the Core. This was the assault of Lord Solas, the one who had levied the challenge to the Free World Alliance would lead the Eternality to glory in its crusade. Such stalling was not tolerable, and it was the duty of leaders holding banners in that crusade to do all in their power to forward it.

The Sakors final missile volley struck a number of the fighters, but there were many still flying about. The enemy CR-100 was utterly devastated in the cross fire between the two vessels. But this was not enough. Not enough to claim an orbital victory. The pressure they were applying would not due.

"Drop angle 20 degrees." Habrak ordered, the laser batteries firing on fighters that danced around them, "Recall our fighters to formation."

The tip of the Raider Corvette dipped downward towards the Gladiator. Preparing to close to range immediately. All chatter from the boarding parties was such that the battle within had not gone well. They would either need a pick up, or to have their escape covered.

Without orders Habrak was preparing to break the formation. But without orders was the best way to save those inside.

Habrak held his hand up, staring across the battlefield. "Fire thrusters."

The Corvette sped like a rocket at 80MGLT towards the Gladiator. It's speed likely drew attention, but that may have been for the better. The Lone Digger was getting pelted by bombers and fighters, and there would be seldom few opportunities for escape from within without the corvettes assistance.

The Sakor laid down hails of covering fire at Freewold Fighters and closed to range.

"Lieutenant Habrak on the Sakor." He called out on the Sith channels. "We have closed to range and are prepared to receive the boarding compliments."

@Darasuum @Killa Ree @Fantasy Liver @Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Tiamat]

There was an odd sensation of calm that radiated from the Sith, the tension from the Jedi and the Ranger, who was just yelling the entire time instead of doing something useful, made it a stark contrast in the hall. She would feel a Jedi (@Valen Pelora) working to reach into her mind while she felt the pressure of the Force slowing her body. The dark woman grinned beneath her helmet, knowing such a maneuver would be detrimental to the Jedi Master and anyone else that would take her lead (@Die Shize).

Her mind sprung its defenses, but then there was another odd sensation that the Sith women felt, well, more like nothingness as someone with more sense hit her with several stun bolts. Unconsciousness settled in quickly and the woman fell to the ground, leaving her to the will of the Jedi.

Extra awkward...

 

[Darth Stolas]

The Shrike and the rest all chased the Y-wing and many E-wings that raced across the open plains of space, firing their weapons all the while. It could have been much worse if not for the reinforcement on the flank by the Blackfin and the Starwings that Vera brought with her. The Starwings' arrival disabled some fighters with ion cannons, and while torpedoes had no tracking they did force anyone in their path to move aside and draw immediate attention, some flying at the right angle even to meet the frigate's shields or deal damage. A mixed group of both Storm Squadron Arrowheads and TIE fighters broke off the chase to defend their wingmates and engage the flanking force.

Between the chasing Sith ships that remained and the second missile barrage from the Sokar there were a large number of lost E-wings, although many pilots could also eject with only the missiles or shots to cockpits proving lethal with any certainty. The space around the Lone Digger soon became a chaotic mess of ships going after it and others going after those ships, laser and projectile fire filling it.

Stolas himself had that Blackfin tailing him the whole way, able to keep up well enough due to the Y-wing's slower speed. As he fired he dipped left and right, turned to correct fire, flying out and swooping back in to attack and giving the blastboat a very difficult target. The torpedoes missed and would detonate off in the distance, and although the Blackfin was poorly suited to a dogfight, Morgan was also very stubbornly sticking to the Y-wing bomber when reasonably he should have changed targets.

Laser fire skidded and skipped across shields, more often when he was angling in for attack than not. Morgan could dodge all he wanted but with his obstinate pursuit of a single target was getting him tagged by enemy fire, wearing down his shields and making it difficult to get a disabling shot off on the wildly evasive bomber.

Flying beneath the Lone Digger was the crux, three sets of thrusters flaring as they turned and chased. The Y-wing spun and delivered torpedoes on approach that impacted against the frigate, damage bleeding through and one even leaving a crater where it landed. Morgan corkscrewed in the opposite direction to deliver fire into the spin's, rocking the enemy vessel sharply from the impact. A laser blast the blastboat skidded across the Shrike's side plate and jerked it around, leaving new burns marks and a section of smoking metal. Morgan grit his teeth and snarled, lining up for the final shots.

They would come as Drow's Y-wing just came out from under the frigate, pulling up, ion and laser shots flying into his path. Ion bolts were the ones to make it through the flickering shields to disable the craft, cyan energy running wild through the engine systems. Unfortunately, Morgan had no time or room left to continue his assault.

Reports were coming in about ship status and boarding failure, strike teams down or driven off. If they couldn't take the BDF flagship a slugfest would be too costly. Iron fingers tightened around the controls as he flew, fury warring against his training and doctrine and forcing him to make a decision.

"All forces retreat!" Stolas growled into the comms.

He accelerated and dropped down, turning, rotating the Arrowhead on its axis, but a bolt from the Blackfin came in and made solid contact with one of the Shrike's maneuvering fins and weakened shields. The ship shook in protest as the fin was blasted off, rocking to the side as it passed beneath the Y-wing floating dead in space, whipping back around to head back under the frigate with increasing speed to widely remove itself from the Blackfin's line of fire. The mysterious Cloakshape's fired chased him from above, cockpit alarms were blaring warnings about shield strength and hull damage, a new one joining as a missile lock was forming along with the incoming bolts.

The lock would break as he slipped back beneath the Lone Digger but not before a shot impacted above his starboard laser cannons, burning through the electronics and rendering them useless. Yet another warning alert sounded.

"Form up!" he barked over squad comms. At this point his best option was to rejoin the rest of Storm Squadron and for the fleet to back off and make to leave. He'd come out at high speed from under the other side of the frigate to join what was left of his squadron. The boarding team would still have their carrier ship to return to and escorts away from the Gladiator should they get to it.

Lone Digger had been under assault and while it wasn't crippled it wasn't faring too well either, turning to angle away for the retreat along with other Sith vessels of the fleet and whiled they all worked on a transition to lightspeed. One turbolaser was disabled and couldn't turn from Byron's missile dodging and another was in even worse shape, the hull across the entire ship marked by torpedo and cannon impacts that bled through the shields and found lucky gaps where they were failing. Smoke trailed from a few deep blows as it turned and accelerated. Its guns and the defending fighters focused on discouraging further fighter attack rather than going after the wounded Little Wing.

Another Sith corvette however decided to try going after the Jedi corvette on its way out, perhaps as a distraction, sheer spite, or some combination of both. Either way, however, its escape path was also angled to engage the limping Little Wing without proper support from other Sith ships. It was a high risk, high reward tactic that could backfire if a dangerous enough BDF ship noticed to intercept before it reached effective firing range.

@Morse @Fantasy Liver @Killa Ree @Darasuum @The Good Doctor @Phoenix @The Steel Stag