Vive la Libertè! - Restoration of Rights

[Ner Giza]

Mimban, Expansion Region
​

Nera’s left hand came up and rubbed her lower lip between her thumb and forefinger as she looked out over the swamp. The staging area was solid enough to accommodate the Tempest Hunter from sinking into the mire well enough, her astromech 99 had done some scans locating just the right spot large enough not only for Ner’Giza’s vessel but those others who would be transporting troops in for the planned offensive maneuver. Finally Mimban had worked itself into open rebellion against the Empire and the Alliance was bound by honor and duty for a final push against the government complex to oust the ruling council in favor of its own government at last. It was moments like these that made all their personal sacrifices take on meaning.

For her part, Nera was to accompany the Jedi Master Luy along with Parker "Maverick" Tam for a direct take over of the council while in chambers. While the attack force would lock down the building, it was left to the Jedi to deal with this Imperial body of overlords and decide their fate once and for all. That part still kind of freaked her out, Jedi and Luy a Master! She expected, well she didn’t know what she had expected from all the old folk tales and snippet of lore that Aurel would find in his quest for knowledge. Where was her brother in all of this? She lowered her hand and shook her head before taking out her Quick Draw blaster pistol and checking it over for the third time in the last half hour.

Although she was geared down heavy, carrying her: Vorantikus Blaster Rifle, DH-7 blaster pistol, and 4 frag grenades, this would not be a repeat of Naboo where she was sinking into the mire under the weight of her armour and gear. The city was built upon a nice bed of stable ground and wouldn’t interfere with the advancing party. Ji Hu, Slippken, and the rest of the Quilting Bee were already offloaded securing their perimeter in preparations for the strike.

The droid’s binary music pulled her from memory of Naboo; as always thoughts of that place made her wonder if Fersuw Wethas and Commander Nalskel Tarlaps ever wed or were even alive. Clipping her blaster to her side she shook her head and replied, ”I don’t know Nine-nine, you’re the one with the spy net, not me. For now stop your search and keep an open channel during the entire mission. Don’t leave the ship!” She didn’t have time to handle personal matters at the moment and exited the ship. Truth be told, that's how she liked it these days. Gazing about the area she looked for the large Feeorin as she had never met “Maverick” before. All she knew was that wherever her brother was it had better be some place secret, some place safe.

@Sangga @Axym

 

[Parker Tam]

Parker Tam trudged through the swamp to what he was told would be the meeting/ staging area for their mission. He was told to meet a Twi'lek named Ner Giza and a Jedi Master who, in all honesty, forgot the name of. He'd never met a Jedi before, and up until a little while ago, he thought they were just myths. So it was needless to say that he was a bit excited to meet such a person in real life.
Leaving his own ship behind in a secluded place was a bit hard. As a pilot, he was way more comfortable in the cockpit of a fighter, but the "powers that be" decided he would be more of use on the ground this time. It wasn't that he wasn't a good soldier, but ground work wasn't his area of expertise. So he would have to rely on the Jedi and the Twi'lek for tactics and the like during the mission.
As he neared the designated meeting spot, he noticed a ship was already there waiting. Walking up to the exit ramp, he gave a friendly wave to the Twi'lek and introduced himself. "Parker Tam reporting for duty. You can call me Tam or Maverick if you'd like. Either one is good with me." He looked around the area and then back to the Twi'lek,. "You must be Ner Giza? It's a pleasure to meet you."
He wanted to ask what the plan was, but without the Jedi present, it would be a dumb question. So he kept his questions to himself, for now.

@Sangga @Kayenta Moenkopi

 

[Luy]

Luy descended the ramp, adjusting the sit of his root-stained robes. They flowed down from his shoulders, accentuating the size of the Jedi. His saber was at his side, with his blade in a sheath at his back. A great inhaled was followed by a deep sigh, as he felt much of the living Force around him once he left the confines of the craft.

Ner and her people moved out, it was a sight to behold. Efficient and set to their tasks. They were a long, from there first official encounter, of Bothans and Spycraft. She seemed to command effortlessly, her troops clearly already briefed. So this was Mimban, a swampy ball of a planet, rich in resources and rich in an opportunity for them. Luy looked around and picked up Ner’s gaze, and then a pilot’s arrival.

He looked to the pair, his meaty fists resting on his waist. It began to rain, first merely a few drips and then a torrent seemed to bring the water out of the ground. Luy looked up to the sky and smiled. It was a world covered in swamps, moisture was going to be a concern. He looked back down at the pair, an eyebrow raised as if to herald his question.

“I would suggest that we do not appear to be the conquering heroes, prior to our talks. Once this landing site is secure, Ner, you should pick a guard or two and then we should make best speed to the government building.” He turned to the pilot. “What do you bring to the table, Sir?” Luy looked the pilot up and down, an unknown should be confirmed before they pressed on.
@Kayenta Moenkopi @Axym

 

[Ner Giza]

Ner’Giza raised her hand in greeting to the rebel eager to meet the man. She had heard about his independent streak over Nar Shaddaa, disobeying a direct order from Commander Ion of all people. First things first, she would set a little ground rules, knowing exactly the temperament that came with hot shot pilots. She was actually glad Luy was not there for these things were best handled in private. Fortunately the man introduced himself upon arrival and she smiled reaching her hand out to greet him properly. ”Pleasure to meet you Maverick”, she said retracting her clasp after a firm grip of his hand. She would go on to comment, ”I hear tell that name rings true. I’d appreciate not having to argue with you during combat, however, if it's all the same to you? I can’t have a repeat of Nar Shaddaa here. Are we clear pilot?”, she asked, though there was only one acceptable answer he could make.

Pilots gossiped worse than droids and there were few that were unknown to Nera. The man had skill, there was no doubt about it, but he needed to learn to work as a team. Running ‘maverick’ and charging after the enemy on his own, refusing to come back to formation afterwards, not once but twice? His zeal could have cost them the life of Hugo and then where would the Alliance have been? As it was they had lost three pilots that day, though no one laid the blame on his head she was not going to leave the concern unaddressed. This was a small matter though and not one she felt needed to involve the Jedi, having said her peace she turned her attention to Luy as she saw him striding forward to join them.

”Certainly sir”, she commented before waving to Dozer to get his attention. With hand signs she directed the man to set guards on the site then get ready to move out. She watched as she saw the man run off, informing the other teams assembled for the offensive against the government complex. In addition to her own, three other squads would be tending to the military take over while it would be their task, in the company of Master Luy and Maverick, to lock down the council chamber and deal with those inside. She was glad that would be handled by the Jedi for she didn’t care to meddle in diplomatic affairs.

@Axym @Sangga

 

[Parker Tam]

Tam was slightly taken aback at Ner's comment that had been directed at him. But then he remembered vividly getting berated by Commander Ion after the battle over Nar Shaddaa, for going off on his own and going against orders.

The pilot had to admit, that he was in the wrong, and deserved the Commander's correction. And now, it seemed Ner Giza had done her homework, and there was no use in skirting around the truth. She was not going to allow that to fly while she was in charge.
So he saluted and gave a quick smile. "No worries Ma'am. You can be rest assured that I will not let Nar Shaddaa happen again."

As the Jedi approached, Tam gave a polite bow of respect. He had never seen a Jedi before, but he was instructed by his superiors that they deserve to be treated with the utmost honor and respect. Upon the Jedi's question of what he "brought to the table", Tam answered... his words desperately not trying to sound like he was bragging. "I'm a darn good pilot Sir." He decided not to swear in the presence of a Jedi. "And I'll do whatever you want me to do for the cause."

@Sangga @Kayenta Moenkopi

 

[Luy]

“A pilot? Well, while we are on solid ground those skills will not be seen. But I hope to bear witness to your aptitude.” Luy smiled and bowed his head to the roguish young man. “As for the Sir, simply call me Luy. If you must be formal then Master is the title that my brother’s and sister’s call me.” Luy paced ahead toward the direction of the Council building, and turned back. “Well then, come one you two. I have lived long enough to forgo patience when I see fit.”

He looked at the signals and action of those spreading out before them. “Do not start any violence, we must not draw the first blood. Let the people appreciate that we are coming to make words, not wounds.” Luy reached back and pulled up his over-large hood, his mane of tendrils being hidden. Luy continued walking toward the government complex. His hands moved into his sleeves before him. Soon they were in sight of the walls. The great dome set atop the building itself, the whole complex some fifteen stories tall and covering a vast area. This was their bolt hole, the council would no doubt be aware of the strikes now.

Luy halted, stepping back around a wall corner, then turned to the others. “So, what are our assets? What can we do to get in?”

 

[Ner Giza]

Exchanging a grin with Maverick, she cued her comm link and the squads moved out. As Master Luy made his pronouncement on how this engagement was going down, the squad leaders responded across the open channel, ”Roger that” as well as various forms of the same. It was a tall order but she knew the troops were well trained and each of them aware they had not come to decimate a world but to free one. No doubt many longed for the day when the Alliance would do the same for their own people.

She knew that word would have been filtering in from the front line and all across the planet about the success of the other engagement. No doubt the council members were trying to hold things together, bolstering for a last stand effort to hold onto this world for the Empire. So while Luy’s intention were sound, she also knew that the closer they got to the council chamber the more dug in those who stood in defense would be. There was no way they were getting through this day without the spilling of blood.

Proceeding to the complex, the strike teams divided one to either side of the grand structure in which the council had taken refuge. She could hear the sounds of challenges being made as the rebel forces took guards into custody but she knew it was only a matter of time before someone provoked open combat. Once they entered the walls it would be a different story altogether. ”I suggest the attack squads advance first, Master Luy”, using his preferred designation. ”Neutralizing any resistance to clear us a path to the front entrance. Our team can then enter the building and work our way to the main chamber where the council are sure to be fortified. Slippken and Ji Hu are both packing explosives. If need be we can blast our way into the chamber. I mean, unless any one is good at slicing? By passing security codes isn’t really my area of expertise.” She looked to Maverick not unwelcoming of his take on the situation. Prone to going rogue he might be, but she had read the report and the man’s tactics had been sound at Nar Shaddaa, the bombing of the moon had been prevented. No one could argue that fact.

@Sangga @Axym

 

[Parker Tam]

Tam looked back at Ner Giza. His mind was racing at all the possibilities on how to breach the front entrance and gain access to the main chamber that held the council. But all of it came from him being in a cockpit and not on the ground.
He was about to voice those ideas, but quickly realized those weren't quite the kind of ideas Giza was looking for. This mission wasn't about him, it was about following orders. Orders that came from Giza and the Jedi.
So Tam kept the ideas to himself. Giza, it seemed, wasn't one to mess with, and for some reason he felt he didn't want to disappoint her... Probably more so that he didn't want to be court-marshalled for not following orders, but also he didn't want to be the one that caused an entire mission to fail.

But then he realized he could help somehow... "I could probably slice it. The control panel shouldn't be much different than the Imp's fighter's ignition controls. I've had to hot wire a few of those in my day... shouldn't be too hard. If it's of Imperial make that is." he suggested. "Which it should be, usually the protocol is when taking over an area, they change up all the controls and security systems to their own Imperial hardware and specs." He stopped when he realized he was starting to "babble" too much. So being slightly embarrassed, he just cleared his throat.

"Other than that, I'll follow you two. I'm trained for tactics up there," he pointed to the sky, "but not so much down here. I'm a good shot, don't get me wrong, but I've been told I make a better decoy than a soldier."
It was a bit hard having to admit that he was lacking in certain areas, but he would be stupid to try to fool the Commander or the Jedi into thinking he's something he's not.

There would be a day, he hoped, when he would be in command of his own Squadron, but it wasn't this day. Today, he would do whatever he was told to do. And for some strange reason, he was ok with that.

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Sangga

 

[Luy]

“Well, you appear to have things in hand Ner, and now Tam here has provided you with his skills as a slicer. The Force will provide everything else we need, as for entering the Council chamber, if worse comes to worse, I will be able to achieve access for us, by less explosive means.” He watched the attack squads taking the external patrols into custody with all but the occasional physical inducement. They would make it to the wall and Luy turned to Tam. “Well, lets see if this entrance is anything like an Imperial fighter’s ignition controls? The priority is with you Tam.”

Luy looked around, this was far too easy. Only a few pickets, no men on the walls or in any of the surrounding buildings? He turned to Ner, a familiar uneasy look would’ve taken her back to Kothlis and their first outing together. “We just walk up to this facility and have little to no resistance? Send men to the outlying buildings, anyone you can spare. I have a bad feeling about this.” He looked up at the wall, it was too tall for him to reach up to, even lifting one of the Rebels wouldn’t be enough, but they needed to get a look inside, a sneaky one at that. He turned to Ner again. “Get ready to grab onto the ledge.” He took a step back, raised his arms and focus on gathering the Force. It swirled unseen and unfelt until his arms and hands moved down slightly and then rose up even slower. With as much care as he could afford, he began to lift the slight form of Ner. Higher and higher until she could grab the ledge of the wall. She had to be quick over the rampart, but at least someone could look at what the enemy had in store.

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Axym

 

[Firen]

The cavalry was here! Well, at least Firen was here..same thing. They had been on another mission on Mimban but had finished and had been redirected to help their attack to get inside.

"Hey!" he said in a hushed whisper as he approached the Jedi Master "They said you needed backup! So we are here!" he said. He listened to the last bit of their plan quickly. He watched as the giant Jedi Master launched the Twi'lek into the air. "Oh me! Me next!" he said making sure his blasters were secure.

One day they would need to teach him how to use a lightsaber, but for now, he would do just fine with his blasters. He would wait to be thrown. He would pull himself up and start going down the wall the opposite way. He didn't see anything right away but was ready for anything.

 

[Luy]

Seeing that he had sent Ner over Luy prepared more Force energy to send himself over the wall. But a cry rang out, and the noble Kushiban Padawan came tearing out across the way with their own troops. At the call to be sent up, Luy grasped the Padawan with the Force and tossed them up onto the wall. With a final focus he took a few paces back to then sprint and Force Leap up onto the wall, his saber igniting.

Blaster fire came up from the compound and Luy began deflecting bolts. “We must move before the inner sanctum is alerted, to the entrance!” With that Luy jumped down from the wall and began advancing on the security detail. Climbing the stairs, and deflecting the withering blaster fire away from him Luy arrived at the door. “Cover my back, I’ll get this door open.” He pulled the blade back, the tip pointing to the top of the central durasteel panel. Plunging it in he began dragging the blade across the metal.

 

[Firen]

He came around the corner, shooting a guard that had been hiding and took up his position. As the Jedi Master advanced, Firen kept up, firing to keep him covered.

When the larger Jedi reached the door, Firen joined him, his back turned to him. "Will do!" the Kushiban sounded as Luy went to work on the door.

This would have been an easier task with a lightsaber, but Firen would make it work. He just had to be proactive bout defending instead of just deflecting attacks as they came.

They were rushed by two guards from behind. Firen raised a paw, a small wave of energy rippled out, sending both men flying backward. He wouldn't be able to sustain any type of Force usage for long given his skill level, even that left him a bit winded.

 

[Luy]

“Most impressive Padawan, you skills have come along fine!” Luy’s blade had almost completed its circuit. A lance struck him through the Force and he leaned aside as a bolt struck the door where he had stood. “That was too close.” He pressed hard and his blade finished creating a new door. He gathered the Force into his hand and shunted the metal inside and he lumbered through the hole.

The corridor was quiet, save a faint buzz of an alarm. He moved down the corridor, blade glowing. He reached and archway and found the Council at their seats of office. They looked defeated, scared and some were angry. “In the name of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance. You are hereby under arrest, and you are asked to submit and surrender. Call off your soldiers and cease all hostility.” His blade extinguished, and there was silence in Mimban’s Capital.

End Thread​

@Raydo