The Shields of Life

[Taalong Vorr]

Rodia
- Outer Rim Territories
- Totorut City
- Evening

The Rodian Planetary Generator Complex​

​

​

The lush world of Rodia had a proud history of support of the Galactic Republic in times long gone. It was a proud bastion of technological and scientific advancement, and it was from here that one of the most numerous species in the galaxy stemmed. Many people in the galaxy had taken to speaking Rodian as a second language, and it was not uncommon at all to see them filling the ranks of every nation and faction playing on the stage of galactic politics.

The jungles and swamps that blanketed the surface of Rodia were broken up only by the mighty domes that encased the many cities that the Rodians built. They were immense shield networks that helped protect their very safely guarded homeworld, and they were a fixture of the isolated protection that the Rodians clung to through most of their history.

But the Galactic Republic was no longer around, and its former supporters that were neither conquered or in a place to submit found themselves in an uneasy position. For the Empire was on the march. Once again the mighty Crimsons banners of the despotic Sith were being flown from one end of the galaxy to the other in order to bring peace and order to the lawless regions of space. It was they who determined who was lawless, or even sentient, and as that was determined they would do with the deviant worlds as they wished.

Rodia did pose a special problem to the Sith Empire however. Those powerful domes would never be breached as they an armed force that stood before them was wiped out. Something had to be done about them so that the Imperial war machine could bring order to the Rodian streets and bring them into the fold of the proper galactic governance.

Enter then a small team, a tiny strike force when compared to the mighty fleet breaking shields that encased much of the world. They had the intelligence they needed, and bore the munitions needed to carry out their charge.

Two Sith Acolytes, @Taalong Vorr and @Sarla Malvern, rising stars among the Sith ranks were teamed up once more to lead a charge. Matched with the assistance of @Arcturus Mars, a very skilled soldier of the Imperial Army they led a small strike force that would obliterate the source of power for those mighty shields, bringing them down and power to the Empire.

But it was not an easy task before them. The planetary generator complex was massive, a city in itself, and their team was not remotely large enough to take on even a fraction of its security. They needed cunning to endure their task.

And cunning was what they had, as a traitor lived among the Rodians. He had provided them with the access codes and a transport vessel. The vessel, while appearing to be loaded with supplies for the on duty crews, was in fact filled with thermite charges!

The thermite was actually a back up plan however, as it would be a reckless and wasteful way of bringing down the shields. Instead there was another way. By accessing the primary mainframe they could simply overload the generators, forcing repairs that would take nearly a month, more then enough time. But that would require accessing the primary control room, which was the true difficulty.

Taalong Vorr knew well their struggle, and while he was indifferent to the method they disabled the shield, he was eager to be the first to kill Rodian warriors in the battle for their planet.

As the transport they road in shook and rocked, they entered through the outer shield of the generator complex, and began their mission.

"Do we dare attempt domination of the control hub?" Taalong Vorr asked the others. "Or shall we separate to place charges strategically to bring the facility down?" Vorr merely presented the options as it was what they had. In either case... their duty was dangerous and would inevitably end in many deaths.

The Transport

​

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She arrived on the planet on the transport with the others, and a small strike team. Their mission was simple, destroy the shield generators. Though actually doing it would be trickier, as they are guard day and night. She had surveyed the thermite, which was a backup plan, though she wanted back up in place, as quick back up if things went south. She headed to the main area, as she did the transport jarred a little as it passed through the shields.

She then listened to the possible plans, she replied, Do we even havê the manpower, to actually hold the hub, long enough to get the main force in? She did not think they did, and thus she rather blow the place and go home, they could be repaired later. She looked at the others, but she was on the side of blowing the power station and rejoining the sith forces, as soon as possible. She looked at the others, to see what they thought.

@Mr. Teatime @Morse

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The fluctuation in air density made the transport shake slightly as it adjusted to the air in the dome. It was cooler and thinner, not nearly as humid and dense it was in the jungle world beyond. It caused a slight tremor which shook some of the cargo. The rattling continued, but this was normal. The cargo was somewhat hastily put together due to the short notice of the mission, and the necessity for easy access to it made strapping it down to intergalactic standard a moot point. So long as none of it came loose they'd be alright... but loose thermite was a risk that few were truly willing to take.

The question from Sarla was not a surprising one. Most of the ones on board the transport may have been unwilling to perform any form of long term hold out. It was a dangerous mission for the band of less then twenty to attempt. No matter how good they were, this position was one of the most well defended spots on the planet for the virtue of what it was.

The only thing that had allowed them entry was a high ranked traitor amongst the Rodians, and even with such assistance they were still facing an uphill battle.

But that was only if it did in fact turn to a battle.

"We don't need to hold control hub for the force." Vorr pointed out. "We merely need to take it long enough to disable the shields, and do enough damage that they cannot be brought back." This sort of mission was something Vorr had done before, but never on the scale they were attempting. Wars on Kalee saw shields protecting base camps... not the entire planet. "If we are quiet enough we can do this without anyone knowing we were here... it would appear a critical malfunction... but we would need to silence the guard and hide bodies." This was something the strike team was trained for, but they could only take on so much.

Vorr thought then to address the second option. "We will be spread very thin if we attempt to disable it with force... making it difficult to escape and likely some will be spotted... some may be left behind." Vorr spoke sternly, but not as though he would be opposed to it. "Though fixed detonations would be more permanent and... assuring of victory." This point would give credit to the second idea.

Vorr looked only to point out the merits of each option in that moment, but he was indifferent to what was chosen, so long as they succeeded and did not lose their lives in the process.

@Mr. Teatime @Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She liked the idea of just blowing the shields up, this meant they did not need to be around. They were few in number, on a world full of people who would attack them once this deed was done. Laying low is would be the priority after this was done, so to avoid the backlash. She turned to her men, Start planting the explosives now. This was what minions were for doing the boring stuff, though in this case, she would have to get her hands dirty as well. She picked a bag of explosives, then moved off to start planting them.

At critical points on the shield grid power systems, the problem was they were being patrolled by the local security. The security guards would be easy to deal with, the issue was after they dispatched one lot, then another may come. This means their bombs might be found, and eyebrows may be raised when guards don't report in. The order of the day would not to kill them, but planet the bombs, and move on. So they are not looking for the bombs.

She looked at @Taalong Vorr and said Try and avoid contact with the security forces, as they find out what we are up to, the mission may fail, due to their weight in numbers. Her voice was actually stern for a change, as killing was not the answer here, but stealth.

@Morse

 

[Taalong Vorr]

It was easy to sense the haste in Sarla's mind. She did not seem the sort that was eager for battle, certainly not prolonged ones, and most decisively not in the way that Vorr took to them. Battle was the grounds which birthed Taalong Vorr, his world Kalee was a world of fire and ash of a million conflicts, scorched and salted with the blood of all those that had fought and died for whatever the day demanded. He had been fortunate to not be among them, and more fortunate to have been allowed entry to the Sith Empire, the greatest tribe that the galaxy had ever known. But all the same he would not stand aside as battle presented itself.

Though prepared for such great moments in the history of the galaxy, he was also not willing to throw his life away easily. He understood Sarla's thoughts, and took to amending the plan to satisfy both strategies.

"I will bring the technicians to control hub in order disable the shields. Once they are down detonate your bombs, destroying the hub... and their ability to reactivate them." Vorr nodded. His team would relay some explosives as well, but Sarla would bring the bulk. "We will move swiftly and they will be blind to our presence." He assured her, looking to the door of the transport which had landed.

The transport landed in an isolated zone, not particularly meant for that sort of transport. Within the hour the presence of the transport would be noted, and they would need to have dispersed in that time.

The two teams broke off, Vorr leading a small contingent of technicians tactically forward to the control hub elevator, which was a tall tower overlooking the facility. Sarla would break off to lay explosives at and around its base.

Though there were Rodian workers about, the crews busied themselves with their work, and did not note the dark force that infiltrated their facility.

@Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

She nodded at @Taalong Vorr, as he said he will take the technicians to the control center. She figured a prolong battle, would ensure there downfall and mission failure. So she was happy he agreed with her, and to keep this mission low key. The transport landed, and people began to depart, quickly. He took the technicians, and head to control center. She broke off and took the explosives with her, as they each moved there separate ways.

She and her team moved quickly and they kept together, one after the other they moved between shadows. Then stopped and waited for people, not to be looking in their directions, so they could move on. She wanted to get to her destination without a kill, and without being noticed.

@Morse

 

[Taalong Vorr]

They were not alone at any point of their travel. Though they had a meager few troopers, they would certainly be enough to dispatch any that approached them. Fortunately they did not have to. They kept to shadows, held still as repuslor craft flew over head, ducked down as service droids moved about, and concealed themselves when the presence of a guard was made known. Their feet were light, and their silence deafening, as they utilized only hand signals to guide their own movement. They knew where they needed to go, they were guided by the layout that they had been given by their turn coat within the Rodian command structure. It would be enough to certainly get them to their targets.

Taalong Vorr and his cohort arrived quickly to the base of the elevator, which was tied to a great network that ran to many levels of the grand facility. They appeared to have increased security, as they may have known the Sith were seeking to make a move at Rodia. In spite of this, they did not have more then two guards. Vorr was unconcerned with how they would be brought down, knowing that they would fall quickly.

Before they revealed themselves he looked around, sensing anyone who would be near. But there were none that were close by. A few workers scattered around the facility, but nothing of immediate danger to them.

"Take them." Taalong Vorr ordered. He reached out his own hand, unleashing an unseen force of energy at the two guards, which pushed both of them back to the wall behind them. As they hit, Vorr charged. They were very close to the guards, and the trooeprs did the work that needed to be done. The rodians died in silence with the slip of vibroblades to lethal points above the chest. The elevator would now be theirs, or at least an accessible one.

They entered the elevator, and started the lift. They sped quickly up the mighty tower that controlled and distributed the energy to the generator.

Once at the top, they had a lengthy platform to cross. The platform was ten feet wide and solid, with a hand railing running to either side. Once at the other side, one would see the door that led to the control hub. No doubt there would be some guards inside, and that would cause them a problem.

But the larger, more immediate issue appeared immediately. A single Rodian soldier with a blaster standing beside the entry door.

He had an accident, as the same force of energy Vorr used before, threw him sideways over the railing. The Rodian did scream on the way down, but it would be better for there to appear to be an accident then to fire blasters at that height and alert those inside.

"We have reached the control hub." Vorr alerted the other team of their progress.

Once the deed was done, Taalong Vorr led the small group of Troopers forward. They took up positions around the door. Vorr stood just before it. They tampered with the door control, and it slid open, revealing a large number of consoles and a dozen workers... with limited protection.

Vorr's blade was ignited as he entered and the troopers and technicians accompanying him unloaded on the helpless workers.

@Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

Sarla was still moving through the shadows, she and her team were being cautious. Though each move was very time consuming but worth it. No one was looking each time they placed a bomb. Also as no one was missing, patrols were not stepped up. Though every time they stopped, her heart missed a beat. The bombs where always put just out of sight, so not to be readily seen. Though each bomb was set, before breaking cover. Then planted, then back into cover. She did not want to be seen, and she made it all the bombs were in place. Though this was hard work, but having a small group made it easier.

Then she contacted @Taalong Vorr, Bombs are all in place, no one noticed me. Sorry, it took so long, but the Rodians are none the wiser and are not looking for the bombs. How long till you ready to blow these shields, and go and lay low. She wanted to be out of here when they blew the shield generators, as that would cause problems if she was in the area. She started to move away from the area. So not to be caught up in the chaos, this was also trying to be stealthy.

@Morse

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The carnage inside of the control hub had been devastating. It was nothing short of a complete massacre. Though their troopers were not great in number, armed with blasters and led by an Acolyte of the Sith, they were undeniably a lethal engine in the face of poor unsuspecting civilian technicians. They had turned only to meet their death and in less then a minute they had all been laid low. Their bodies were sprawled across their consoles in burnt and blooded heaps. The stink in the room was palpable, of rotted leathery Rodian skin and seared blood pooling within them. It would have horrified anyone of the gentle galaxy at large.

This site however had echoed itself before Taalong Vorr. The Empire was rebuilding its strength, collapsing those foes that would dare stand before them. In some moments that strategy required grand and honorable battle. In others... it required a silent massacre that hardly a soul in the galaxy would ever know of... let alone remember when the business was done.

Taalong Vorr breathed a sigh, his lightsaber in hand having dispatched the final Rodian technician. There were no alarms raised, no casualties, and nothing to stop them from completing their work. He levied his weapon back, and drew the blade in, leaving the sound of some sparks and slumping corpses that were feeling the weight of gravity against them.

It seemed Sarla's work had moved quickly, she made a call stating she had completed the placement of the explosives. A momentary thought had Vorr realize he could be considered at her mercy at this moment. Were she an ambitious and fearful Sith, she could detonate the explosives then and there, killing what could be a dangerous adversary one day. But Vorr was no real competition to Sarla. She sought prominence of position, and he thought only on the great campaigns of the Empire. Nothing to gain from treachery... everything to gain from cooperation.

"Return to the ship." Taalong Vorr directed. "We will finish here and meet you there."

Vorr looked on the blaster wielding technicians of his cohort, whom he nodded to. They took up separate positions on the consoles. They began to work their technical genius upon the control hub, and signals began to read immediately. Red lights flashed, readings began to drop, digital diagrams started to lower.

No doubt other sections of the facility would be alerted, but it would be too late.

A final deep tone was heard, and the sound of the generator dropping power could be heard in every corner of the facility.

"It is done." A technician said, ripping out cabling under the console to buy them even more time.

"Go." Vorr ordered the group of troopers, who left with him in tow. As they reached the door before the platform, they sealed it shut. It would take an hour to gain entry and repair the damage done... and that would be far too late.

The cohort moved down the elevator and back to the ship. There appeared to be a bit of a panic in the facility, but it seemed geared more towards what they perceived as a technical issue, not direct sabotage. The patrols were the same in number, and far more stationary around positions they considered to be essential. Vorr witnessed a patrol make its way to the elevator they had left, but they struggled with the now locked control panel.

Before long Vorr and his squad was at their transport, where Sarla and her team would already be. The bombs would be behind them at the tower, and the vessels engines kicked back on. They would have a simple rush to escape, and with no shield to hold them in, they would be able to fly right out. There was only one more task to complete.

Vorr looked to Sarla, with a simple suggestion.

"Do it." Vorr nodded

@Sabrina

 

[Sarla Malvern]

Sarla Malven was on her way out, of the area, all her bombs were placed. She wanted to get to her ship and meet up with @Taalong Vorr before setting them off. So they could all get a clean getaway, as once she presses the button to blow them, then chaos would ensue. She knew this her bodyguards knew this, and her fellow sith would know this. She heads to a landing pad. As she got there, she pressed the button.

Then there were multiple bangs, throughout shield network. As each explosion happened, she could see the shields protecting the planet collapsing around them. This was it and the empire could now invade much easier, it would take too long for them to repair it. The repairs will be done under the imperial flag, and not their own. This was it, she had done it, well they had done it, but it was her plan. She then boarded a ship, before the chaos ensued. Then took off to join the invasion fleet.

As they took off, she sat down with her book and had a cup of tea made for her. She was going to look forward to giving her report, and joining the main invasion that this heralds.

The End

@Morse