Post by Darth Xaos on May 25, 2016 1:38:30 GMT
Darth Reaver stalked along the breadth of Hawk Nest Station's bridge as he arranged the Jaig Legion fleet into formations he anticipated being most useful and heard reports on the readiness of Crusader Base. From the station Reaver would be able to simultaneously oversee the engagement in orbit and any landing attempts at Crusader Base or Jai'galaar Central. Near him on the bridge were Fleet Captain Tor Carid (the station's Commodore who was currently coordinating the bridge's fevered activity), Colonel Sepp Dorner (leader of Reaver's bodyguards) and Darth Emerok (present due to his skills as a pilot). Aboard the mighty Eclipse Super Star Destoyer Xendor, which presently hung menacingly over Hawk's Nest, were General Verna Occantir (Reaver's right-hand in the Legion) who surveyed the mustering fleet and Commodore Pec Darinver attending the preparations of his ship. A third of these similar scenes occurred in Crusader Base's command center. Here the leading role was taken by Commander Corvan Anno and present with him were the Sith Apprentices Aelor Kyr and Vaeros Kasto, supervised by the Sith Tyro Darth Niamh. Stationed elsewhere within Crusader Base were Sub-Commander Deeth Gedyc and his sister Colonel Etta Gedyc along with their renowned squads. Meanwhile, at Jai'galaar Central, Sub-Commander Bardan Bralor was present in case of enemy incursion within Gargon's ad hoc capital region.
Gargon's defenses had been designed with just this encounter in mind. Since Jaig Legion had taken control of the planet and brought it into the Union it was anticipated that Boba Fett's Mandalorian Protectorate would respond with invasion. Reaver was confident he would break the enemy on the beskar-like invulnerability of his fortifications. He had rehearsed the scene in his mind many times since the meeting on Dol Gorath, the waves of enemy ships rushing forward to be mowed down by a hailstorm of laser fire from the station, fleet and defense platforms. Transports blown from the sky and advancing armies incinerated by Crusader Base's potent defensive guns. He would triumph here easily, forecasting the Protectors' ultimate defeat, then speed to Vjun and crush the Imperial Remnant fleet.
Plans never survive first contact with the enemy.
That first contact came in a form that for several moments confused all onlookers. Emerging on the most probable entry vectors for enemy incursion were unassuming Action IV transports, one on each vector. Upon exiting hyperspace, the transports proceeded at full speed towards the Ld-12 and Md-12 defense satellites. Reaver and Verna quickly realized what was happening but before either could yell out a command the satellites' automated protocols, which had been set to high alert, locked on to the unmanned drone transports and fired. The resulting conflagration caused by the explosive cargo carried on each transport wiped the lanes clear of Jaig defense satellites. It was then that the enemy fleet arrived.
First came the snub fighters, roaring into realspace from several dozen trajectories. StarVipers, Skipray Blastboats, X-Wings, Firespray interceptors and an unidentified class of v-shaped fighter-bombers some fifteen meters long each and half as wide. The snubs emerging from the flanks and rear of Hawk's Nest surged forward, their trajectories suggesting to the tactically aware that the aimed to arc high over hostile optimal firing range then swoop back down to attack the Golan platforms from the rear where their guns were most sparse. Those snubs to the front of the fleet base spread into defensive screens in anticipation of Protector capital ships.
The support ships led, with small IPV-1 patrol crafts followed by compact but potent M22-T Krayt gunships and Pursuer-class enforcement ships then larger Interceptor IV frigates, Crusader corvettes, Vengeance-class frigates and Nebulon-B escorts. Finally the way was secure for the most fearsome ships the Mandalorian Protectors had brought to bear. To each of the two broad battle groups that had formed in front of Hawk's Nest were added a quartet of Aggressor-class Star Destroyers and a trio of Keldabe battleships.
Down in Crusader Base the first contact proved rather more jarring. The entire complex shook to the violence of a series of well-timed internal explosions. Lights dimmed as the base was forced into emergency power mode but began to flicker irregularly and dimly.
"Damn it all!" Corvan Anno cursed as he picked himself up, "Report!"
"The base's main reactor cores have been sabotaged," came the reply from the command center crew, "Emergency power has been engaged but someone is drawing it to communications control; they've shut down our external and internal communications but are using the power they're drawing to jam all personal comlinks in the base. The auxiliary power station is not responding to commands."
Corvan turned to the Sith, "You three need to find Deeth and Etta Gedyc, they're the best we have stationed nearby in the facility. Once you've found them you'll have to take back the communications center and the emergency power supply."
Meanwhile, Bardan Bralor was experiencing explosions from a safer distance as he observed the crude urban center around Jai'galaar Central from the capitol's confines. Violence in the city this early was entirely unexpected but for the moment he waited, unwilling to even consider plans of action before the first reports came in. Such intelligence arrived from the newly-born frontline quickly. Initial accounts stated that several of the gangs which ruled Gargon society had suddenly and inexplicably begun to fight amongst each other.
Only moments after the initial shockwaves occurred, the Protector fleet began to transmit a message. This transmission was the only thing to be allowed to come through in Crusader Base's communications systems and was watched by the commanders in the fleet and Jai'galaar.
The holobroadcast of Boba Fett, his helmet removed perhaps in an attempt to convey personal address, spoke to the viewers and listeners, "Mandalorians of Jaig Legion, this is your true Mand'alor. For over five years you have been in revolt against my rule. And, for over five years, I have been watching you. You've allowed your leaders to convince you that I have stayed my hand because I am weak. But the truth is that I too have been preparing for our confrontation and I have had agents and followers among your ranks since the beginning. When you took Gargon, my loyalists began learning the weaknesses of your defense installations even as they were built. You expected me to come and die on your waiting guns but I have begun this battle by undermining the defenses you rely upon to win. My allies in Jai'galaar are rising up and my infiltrators have neutralized Crusader Base. My fleet is mighty enough to overcome your orbital base and ships. Your friends on Concord Dawn will not be coming to your aid, nor will your erstwhile masters in the Union. You were once loyal Mandalorians, warriors of the Legion, but in your foolish pride you have sworn allegiance to the Sith. But the Sith have always lost in the end and they are losing again now, their reign is ending across the Galaxy. I'm now calling on those of you willing to return to the honorable path to do so. In exchange I offer you full pardon and a return to service in the Protectors. Our people have suffered enough, do not throw your lives and honor away, the lives of a new generation, in service to a falling cabal of power mongers."
At the conclusion of Fett's speech the front screen of snub fighters advanced cautiously, further hemming in Reaver's fleet. Behind them the support frigates and gunships fanned out for form pickets and the massive battleships and star destroyers cruised forward. Meanwhile smaller portions of snubs broke off to escort newly arrived convoys of transports. These transports too were of an unidentified class but looked almost more well-armed than the fighters escorting them. The transports moved in two broad streams, both moving to keep other ships between them and Hawk's Nest in the distance with one seemingly headed for Crusader Base and the other for Jai'galaar.
((OOC: Reav, I didn't assign Kalik Morit, Valnas Kon or Hadrien Valens to specific locations since it seemed like you have a lot of options for where they'll be more useful; assign them as you will. Also people will need to NPC as Reav's lieutenants. I'm sure he'll want to play a number of them but any players in this thread or other people please do volunteer.))
Gargon's defenses had been designed with just this encounter in mind. Since Jaig Legion had taken control of the planet and brought it into the Union it was anticipated that Boba Fett's Mandalorian Protectorate would respond with invasion. Reaver was confident he would break the enemy on the beskar-like invulnerability of his fortifications. He had rehearsed the scene in his mind many times since the meeting on Dol Gorath, the waves of enemy ships rushing forward to be mowed down by a hailstorm of laser fire from the station, fleet and defense platforms. Transports blown from the sky and advancing armies incinerated by Crusader Base's potent defensive guns. He would triumph here easily, forecasting the Protectors' ultimate defeat, then speed to Vjun and crush the Imperial Remnant fleet.
Plans never survive first contact with the enemy.
That first contact came in a form that for several moments confused all onlookers. Emerging on the most probable entry vectors for enemy incursion were unassuming Action IV transports, one on each vector. Upon exiting hyperspace, the transports proceeded at full speed towards the Ld-12 and Md-12 defense satellites. Reaver and Verna quickly realized what was happening but before either could yell out a command the satellites' automated protocols, which had been set to high alert, locked on to the unmanned drone transports and fired. The resulting conflagration caused by the explosive cargo carried on each transport wiped the lanes clear of Jaig defense satellites. It was then that the enemy fleet arrived.
First came the snub fighters, roaring into realspace from several dozen trajectories. StarVipers, Skipray Blastboats, X-Wings, Firespray interceptors and an unidentified class of v-shaped fighter-bombers some fifteen meters long each and half as wide. The snubs emerging from the flanks and rear of Hawk's Nest surged forward, their trajectories suggesting to the tactically aware that the aimed to arc high over hostile optimal firing range then swoop back down to attack the Golan platforms from the rear where their guns were most sparse. Those snubs to the front of the fleet base spread into defensive screens in anticipation of Protector capital ships.
The support ships led, with small IPV-1 patrol crafts followed by compact but potent M22-T Krayt gunships and Pursuer-class enforcement ships then larger Interceptor IV frigates, Crusader corvettes, Vengeance-class frigates and Nebulon-B escorts. Finally the way was secure for the most fearsome ships the Mandalorian Protectors had brought to bear. To each of the two broad battle groups that had formed in front of Hawk's Nest were added a quartet of Aggressor-class Star Destroyers and a trio of Keldabe battleships.
Down in Crusader Base the first contact proved rather more jarring. The entire complex shook to the violence of a series of well-timed internal explosions. Lights dimmed as the base was forced into emergency power mode but began to flicker irregularly and dimly.
"Damn it all!" Corvan Anno cursed as he picked himself up, "Report!"
"The base's main reactor cores have been sabotaged," came the reply from the command center crew, "Emergency power has been engaged but someone is drawing it to communications control; they've shut down our external and internal communications but are using the power they're drawing to jam all personal comlinks in the base. The auxiliary power station is not responding to commands."
Corvan turned to the Sith, "You three need to find Deeth and Etta Gedyc, they're the best we have stationed nearby in the facility. Once you've found them you'll have to take back the communications center and the emergency power supply."
Meanwhile, Bardan Bralor was experiencing explosions from a safer distance as he observed the crude urban center around Jai'galaar Central from the capitol's confines. Violence in the city this early was entirely unexpected but for the moment he waited, unwilling to even consider plans of action before the first reports came in. Such intelligence arrived from the newly-born frontline quickly. Initial accounts stated that several of the gangs which ruled Gargon society had suddenly and inexplicably begun to fight amongst each other.
Only moments after the initial shockwaves occurred, the Protector fleet began to transmit a message. This transmission was the only thing to be allowed to come through in Crusader Base's communications systems and was watched by the commanders in the fleet and Jai'galaar.
The holobroadcast of Boba Fett, his helmet removed perhaps in an attempt to convey personal address, spoke to the viewers and listeners, "Mandalorians of Jaig Legion, this is your true Mand'alor. For over five years you have been in revolt against my rule. And, for over five years, I have been watching you. You've allowed your leaders to convince you that I have stayed my hand because I am weak. But the truth is that I too have been preparing for our confrontation and I have had agents and followers among your ranks since the beginning. When you took Gargon, my loyalists began learning the weaknesses of your defense installations even as they were built. You expected me to come and die on your waiting guns but I have begun this battle by undermining the defenses you rely upon to win. My allies in Jai'galaar are rising up and my infiltrators have neutralized Crusader Base. My fleet is mighty enough to overcome your orbital base and ships. Your friends on Concord Dawn will not be coming to your aid, nor will your erstwhile masters in the Union. You were once loyal Mandalorians, warriors of the Legion, but in your foolish pride you have sworn allegiance to the Sith. But the Sith have always lost in the end and they are losing again now, their reign is ending across the Galaxy. I'm now calling on those of you willing to return to the honorable path to do so. In exchange I offer you full pardon and a return to service in the Protectors. Our people have suffered enough, do not throw your lives and honor away, the lives of a new generation, in service to a falling cabal of power mongers."
At the conclusion of Fett's speech the front screen of snub fighters advanced cautiously, further hemming in Reaver's fleet. Behind them the support frigates and gunships fanned out for form pickets and the massive battleships and star destroyers cruised forward. Meanwhile smaller portions of snubs broke off to escort newly arrived convoys of transports. These transports too were of an unidentified class but looked almost more well-armed than the fighters escorting them. The transports moved in two broad streams, both moving to keep other ships between them and Hawk's Nest in the distance with one seemingly headed for Crusader Base and the other for Jai'galaar.
((OOC: Reav, I didn't assign Kalik Morit, Valnas Kon or Hadrien Valens to specific locations since it seemed like you have a lot of options for where they'll be more useful; assign them as you will. Also people will need to NPC as Reav's lieutenants. I'm sure he'll want to play a number of them but any players in this thread or other people please do volunteer.))