|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 3, 2018 10:37:22 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
On the equator of the planet ran a vast forest that extended beyond the horizon. It was one of a few protected places on the planet, a sanctuary for countless species many of which were yet undiscovered. Low mountains dotted the sea of trees and rivers cut through them.
Four Lambda shuttles raced over the tree tops as they honed in on a locus of Force energy in the forest. Force sensitive individuals in each shuttle meditated and communicated with one another, peering into the void to locate their new home. In unison, every Force user ordered the shuttles to halt. Gliding to a stop over the trees, 20 Adepts jumped into the foliage below.
Several minutes went by. Suddenly, the trees around where the Adepts leapt began to shrink. Like a wave that spread out from them, the forest began to fade away as if the pages of time were going backward. It took over an hour for the recession to complete, and the shuttles landed on bare open plain near the Adepts.
A circle of open land some three miles in diameter was cleared of all vegetation. The forest floor was barren, seeing the first light of the sun in over an age. The adepts stood up, exhausted from their efforts and loaded back into the shuttles which promptly took off and raced skyward.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 3, 2018 10:43:15 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
Miles downrange from the clearing, the Acclamator was still coming out of the fog it had created around itself from the heat and pressure of its descent. Hangar bay doors opened up and shuttles loaded with crew raced out to get ahead of the ship to ensure a safe landing. Crew shuttles and transport craft loaded with small walkers and terrain moving equipment raced over the forest as the lumbering Acclamator roared overhead.
James stood on the bridge of the ship, looking out over the bow to the forest ahead. The clearing was just coming into view, brown and bare. Steam was rising off the surface as the sun baked away the long locked moisture in the ground.
They were almost to their new home
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 3, 2018 15:15:14 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
Excavation was well under way. In just a few short hours, thousands of tons of equipment was unloaded and began to move the terrain around. The ground was a swarm of activity in the center of the clearing. The Acclamator was still being unloaded from the edge of the space, and James was overseeing the entire operation from the bridge.
In the very center of the area, a deep well was forming. Massive loaders were displacing soil in their search for bedrock. Out in the plains, equipment was leveling the ancient ground. Around the clearing, trees were being harvested for wood supports and gangways.
Day turned into night, and massive lights were erected around the area illuminating the workspace as though it was midday. Night crews came to replace the day, and work continued well into the night. In the morning, a new wave of transports would be arriving to deliver the materials to erect the new temple. This new Jedi temple would be a harkening to the power of the Old Ones. Sitting on a locus of Force energy, the Adepts could train and James could find meditation in the ancient ways.
C'nah-tro. (/kə'na:t⟨ɾ⟩oʊ:/ kə-Nah-tɾɾow)
|
|
|
|
Post by Maximus Titus [RETIRED] on Aug 3, 2018 18:11:19 GMT -8
Alarms rang out. Fear was thick in the air as the Freighter fell from the sky. Sand filled the view port for miles as it hurtled toward the ground... And then darkness
Titus' eyes snapped open as the dream replayed itself for another night in a row. It was the same thing, over and over again. The YZ-900 Freighter coming out of hyperspace, the controls suddenly going dead as they made their descent towards the surface of Serenno. And then the crash landing somewhere in a desert. He still had no idea exactly where they had landed. Just that he had woken up in a small metal room aboard a Corellian Mining Corporation Digger Crawler known as the Luceria. Chained by the ankle to a number of other... prisoners.
He rose to his feet to the chatter of chain links, his dusty cloak covering his almost naked form. His gaze passing from the Annoo-Dat Prime, to the Stenax, Dashade, and Ssi-Ruu that he had the pleasure of sharing this cell with. Soon a chorus of metal on metal began as they too rose to their feet. The door to the cell opening moments later as they were herded out and toward the mess hall of the Crawler.
Titus could barely count the days he had spent captive aboard the mobile prison. They all seemed to blend together after a while, as he went through the daily routine. His ground joined dozens of other groups of varying Saurian races, as they moved into the hall and took their seats to eat their breakfast. Guards stood upon raised platforms, blaster rifles at the ready for any sign of disobedience.
As far as He could understand it, the former governor of Serenno had gone missing. The reason for his disappearance seemed to entirely depend upon who you asked. Some say an assassin had struck the Count down. Others told a story of some young maiden having stolen his heart. Regardless of the truth. The man's absence had left a power vacuum across the world. A vacuum that a number of Warlords and Sith had sought to fill by rising to power.
In the more civilized centers of Serenno, this had culminated in Warlords taking over city centers. But out here, in the harsh terrain of Serenno's desert, they had been forced to adopt different tactics. Instead of stationary settlements favoured by most places, the Serenno desert tribes had converted Mining Crawlers and Multi-Environment Tracked Transports into mobile towns and cities to live.
Titus finished his food and rose with the rest of his group as they made their way over to the wash pile and dropped off their dishes. Heading out of the mess area, to the front of the crawler as he felt it come to a stop. The large loading door descended, before they filed out of the Crawler and set upon the moisture farming equipment. They worked in teams to collect the water that had been farmed by the machines, transporting it up on to the crawler. Once the cargo was loaded, they were herded back on and the Luceria began its journey back to the mobile city of Anavio.
As Titus settled back in for the night, he couldn't help but wonder what had become of the Praetorians. His fellow Saurian Jedi. Had they perished in the crash. Or had they been divided across several Crawlers, destined to live out the rest of their lives picking up scraps for these pirates entertainment
|
|
Koi Deo
Member
Posts: 7 
Affiliation: The Circle of Jedi Lords
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Koi Deo on Aug 3, 2018 18:26:01 GMT -8
Far away from the scorching, parched deserts, in the oceans of Serenno, a large battle was being fought for control of a cluster of food-producing emplacements. They had taken the smaller clusters with little resistance, however, this larger cluster was considerably better defended. The assault had started with Mobile Fortresses climbing onto one of the outermost platforms and swiftly taking it over, followed by Leviathan Carriers deploying troops and subfighters. The battle had very quickly intensified when the warlord deployed thousands of aqua droids to fight against the invading soldiers. Koi was leading the assault, with her elite troops currently attempting to storm a corridor filled with B2 Droids. They were easy prey for her lightsabers, which cut large, cleaving arcs through the ranks of the droids. As they attempted to break through, more and more droids filled the corridor. Deo realized there was no realistic way to win this fight through conventional measures. She knew something drastic needed to be done. Once this corridor was taken, they would have a direct route to the droids control center.
"Commander! Pull your troops back into the airlock! I'll cover you!"
This order came just in time as an explosion rocked the large passageway. Rocket battle droids were filling the hallway. Unfortunately, their programming didn't account for the fact that if this passageway was flooded, they would be destroyed and the entire floating structure would sink, or at least a significant portion of it. As they pulled back into the airlock, she shielded them against the hail of laser fire surrounding them. She took a brief moment to glance out of the window. The forces outside were clearly having a difficult time against the seemingly endless numbers of aqua droids. They were not losing ground, but they weren't gaining ground either. Plasma shots and laser bolts filled the water as Acklay Mobile Fortresses crawled all over the structures and the ocean floor, supporting the subfighters and soldiers that were trying to break through the seemingly endless droid reinforcements. Pulling herself away from the window, she ran back into the airlock. Sealing the corridor off, she flooded it and waited a few minutes before draining out the passage and opening the door. The droids that had been putting up quite a fight were lying broken, short circuited on the floor. The hall itself was being blasted by heaters attempting to evaporate all the leftover water from when the corridor had been flooded. These individual airlocks could come in serious handy as they would allow for strategies like this to be employed. This installation was the last of the ones within range of the coast, and would allow for a great deal of food to be shipped to the capital city. Which is why this was such a crucial battle. Above the platform, starfighters were hesitant to bomb positions due to possibly damaging or destroying the platforms, killing everyone on and near them. Because of this, the fighting was very linear, with little to no starfighter support. As Koi made her way down the corridor, she couldn’t help but wonder if this would work...
|
|
Koi Deo
Member
Posts: 7
Affiliation: The Circle of Jedi Lords
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Koi Deo on Aug 5, 2018 19:42:23 GMT -8
Following the engagement in the hallway, the party of Commandos proceeded down the corrudor, destroying the occaisional droid in their path. They made their way to the control center and deactivated all the droids. Following this, the enemy capitulated almost immediately. This platform meant that they now had sufficient control over the oceans that rumors would begin to spread along the shoreline. Granted, these would appear to be unfounded and the leadership of the other governments on shore would most likely not act on them, but rumors nonetheless. However, several of the shore based warlords would now be suddenly and inexplicably robbed of their primary food supply. Submarines were laying large support columns that would hold the hovertrain lines that would make their way to and from the platforms, shipping food to the underwater metropolis known as Stellaris. For now, though, food was shipped aboard convoys of submarines while the lines were being constructed. Similarly to the scene being played out in Fiyarro, Koi and her military leaders stood gathered around a holotable at the center of Strategic Command located in the underwater city. Across the walls were a number of holoscreens and computers banks showing what feeds from across the ocean, from fish mounted with small cameras. Currently showing no new threats, they were focusing on the holoscreen at the center of the table. They had clearly just arrived in the room, as they were getting settled. Deo had changed out of her battle robes, instead wearing a simple yet elegant dress.
Koi Deo
“Ah, good. Everyone is here. I think it’s time we begin. The level of unrest across the planet continues to rise as we’re all aware. Your report?”
Internal Security Director Filmore
“All Stellaris branches remain as secure with no notable breaches. Internally, things have been as tight as they have ever been. Director Braddock has been keeping an eye on events in the wider world.”
Intellegence Director Braddock
“Erm... yes. Agents and cameras show no threats beyond those previously identified. Saffia continues to remain under siege, as it has for the past year. Carannia remains occupied, with enemy presence noted at several other points throughout the planet. Our fleet has also managed to remain hidden despite the arrival of a group of ships in orbit, that have begun colonisation efforts at the equator of the planet. Intelligence suggests that there is a former Count, belonging to House Malvern, that has begun building up forces in Fiyarro. Intelligence Agents are monitoring all known situations.”
Koi Deo
“Good. It’s clear that our safety needs to be the first priority going forward. To that end, where are we on the oceanic occupation project?”
Military Director/Grand Field Marshall Petaín
“With the successful occupation of cluster A, all coastal platforms have been secured, and are being heavily guarded against enemy incursions. We don’t want people on land getting wind of our new food supply.”
Facilities and Logistics Director Watson
“As far as the food supply goes, with the capture of the coastal platforms, we now have enough food that the hydroponics farms are now completely redundant, and we are producing a surplus. The farms will be kept active in the event of a siege, however.”
Koi then brought up a map of the various oceans of Serenno. At the moment, most of it was red, surrounded by a thin, turquoise line that consisted of their territories.
Koi Deo
“So are we all in agreement that phase two can be initialised?”
All Directors
“Yes, we are.”
Koi Deo
“Then let us proceede posthaste.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 5, 2018 20:31:15 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
There had been a lull in the construction as a thunderstorm rolled over the forest on the third day of excavations. Now in the 5th day, the crater had opened up to encompass over 3,000 feet in diameter, and some 400 feet deep. The base of this crater was solid stone bedrock, and massive machinery was in the final stages of chipping away at the surface, flattening it further.
Machinery and equipment was being driven to the center of the crater in preparation of supplies being flown in from the orbiting transports. Two massive landing areas were being cleared on the bedrock for their approach.
Around the perimeter of the clearing, a great white wall was being erected. The core of the wall was a durasteel structure which provided strength and stability to the exterior. A massive brick laying machine was busy riding the wall laying a continuous stream of concrete to the exterior of the metal core. This layer was reinforced with carbon fiber filaments to further add to the strength of the wall. The exterior of the wall would come later on.
The fields were busy, and James watched it all from the comfort of the command deck of his transport. The Adepts were guiding and directing according to his commands and wishes. They were an extension of his intent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 5, 2018 20:44:32 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
The crater was a flurry of movement as one of the massive transport ships appeared on the horizon. The very center of the crater was a flat plain of stone several hundred feet in diameter. It had a rough texture, but the overall flatness of the area was precise to the millimeter. Now, massive drilling machines began punching into the stone around the central area, preparing cores for the steel structure to be erected on.
One of the transports roared overhead as it descended on outstretched legs. It came to rest with a massive groan, and the roar from the engines was deafening in the crater. As it began to shut down and open up its loading doors, its twin appeared on the horizon.
Thousands of tons of materials and supplies began pouring out of the hold. As the other landed, it shut down as well. Opening up its doors revealed massive containers being moved out. It carried the central core, the heart of the new tower.
Work continued into the night, as steel began to erect, and concrete poured and set in massive layers providing strength to the base of the tower. In the morning, the tower would have a beating heart, a Tokamak to produce limitless energy in mind bogglingly massive amounts. The only thing more powerful would be the beating heart of the largest ships in existence.
In his quarters, James was busy working out orders for his Adepts. They would continue the work as he slept, working in shifts to see the project completed. None of this would be possible without their dedication and unwavering attention to detail. His guidance give them purpose, and they gave him the results he craved.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 6, 2018 12:59:40 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
James stood in the large room, looking at the consoles displaying data pouring out of the Tokamak. It was still in the process of coming online, but the room was mostly calm and silent. The sounds of pumps moving liquid helium around the piping and the sound of the murmuring of the staff were about all that echoed around the LED lit room.
It was bright, and the light reflected off the warm white colors of James' robes. As he bent over to inspect the readouts, the golden laces sparkled. He was a stark contrast to the plain white-robed technicians overlooking the startup. Everyone wore protective eyewear and masks, hiding all features of the multi-species crew working around the clock to get the core running.
Approaching the deck were two Adepts. A Cerean female in a green robe had her long black hair braided and over her right shoulder. Her companion, an Iktotchi male dressed in dark brown robes, stayed two steps behind her. Approaching, they both bowed slightly to James.
-Sa-Rah-
My Lord, we have completed the installation of the shield reflectors around the outer wall. We are ready to test once the core and shield generator is online.
-James-
James turned and offered a slight bow to them in return. Good. Things are on track then. Any issues that need to be considered?
-Sa-Rah-
She shook her head and pulled out a datapad to show the adjustments that were made. No, my Lord. Donnu Ja here foresaw some issues with the terrain around pylon 16C. Apparently, there was an ancient riverbed there that made for slightly softer soil. We went in and reinforced the area there with durasteel rods and probably more cement than what was necessary.
-Donnu Ja-
Taller than most, and broader to boot, Donnu was one of the eldest of the Adepts. His age and subsequent knowledge were a boon to the others, who often relied on him more than he preferred. One of his horns was still in the process of re-growth, having been recently damaged, and it caused his head to tilt slightly toward the other side. His voice was raspy, but relatively quiet compared to his companion's. The weight of the reflector would have caused that section of the wall to sink over time, damaging the future exterior surface with cracks.
-James-
He nodded and smiled. Thank you both. Now, go get some food, and rest. I will have further assignments for you later.
They both bowed and walked out of the room. James turned and focused his attention on the readouts once again. Things were beginning to stabilize, and power output was increasing. The lights in the room fluctuated as they switched over from external generators to the Tokamak.
James pulled out a small holo display and held it in the palm of his hand. He opened a channel with Karel Rei, his Adept in charge of getting the central systems online. The blue image flickered as a human man came into view. He was wearing more ornate robes as an Adept, but since his operations were mostly indoors at the time, he was able to show off a little more.
Karel, the Tokamak is online now. At 43% and rising. Are you ready on your end?
-Karel Rei-
My Lord. We are ready on our end. I will begin the central computer boot sequence now. Please hold. The image flickered as he moved around. He gave orders, barking them across what was for him a large room. He was speaking in several different languages. Okay, we should be up and running in a few minutes. I'll reach out if we hit any snags.
-James-
The image flickered and disappeared. James pocketed the device and bid the Tokamak technicians a good day as he walked out of the room.
Taking an elevator to the surface, he arrived at a yet unfinished level of the tower. The dark night sky was lit up from below as powerful work-lights lit up the massive crater. Work was continuing hundreds of feet below as building structures came together, forming a bulbous lower level to surround the Tokamak. Huge cooling arrays with snaking lines encircled the base like a root ball of a tall tree. power lines were being laid out in trenches that extended outward from the base. These lines would form the network of power and data lines to the outer wall. There atop fortified towers sat shield reflector arrays would provide a primary level of defense against all but the most powerful orbital lasers. Around the towers were quad-turret positions, five to a tower. Each tower was 90 feet in diameter, and there were 50 towers in total around the entire enceinte making up the 3 miles in diameter outer fortification.
The level ground was being prepared for a gigantic garden. Water lines were being buried, and holes were being dug for trees. Grass seed and fertilizer was being spread, and large walking trucks were spreading water over the ground. Automated walkers were planting trees in the holes and filling them in. From the very edge of the enclosed space, they worked inward.
The roar of the engines of the adjacent Acclamator transports exploded to life. With groans, they both lifted off their weary legs and slowly ascended into the atmosphere at a glacial rate. They were empty, but that didn’t mean they were much faster than before.
James watched them both disappear over the horizon. Below, workers and equipment began the process of filling in the crater with the displaced material. there was less to fill in now that the base of the tower outstretched into the area that would soon be below ground. Soon, it would be covered in metal reinforced cement, and sealed off with a thick layer of soil. The next two days would be busy as the ground set in preparation for the next two transports to arrive with their cargo. The finishing touches to the exterior walls and the outer layers of the tower would be onboard, as well as the interior systems to be installed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 7, 2018 14:19:20 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
Over 1,200 feet above the flattened plain below, James stood with four of his Adepts, watching the work continue. Half of the acreage had been covered and planted, though it would be some time before the grasses and trees exploded their color over the area.
The base of the tower was in a mostly finished state. A gentle slope extended from the base of the tower to the outer rim. It was a compromise between the curvature of the planet and a flattened surface. Workers began clearing space around the base as two Acclamator transports came in for their landings. The muffled roar of their engines was dampened by the thick walls surrounding the group.
-James-
He turned and faced his Adepts, arms folded behind his back.
We can go ahead and begin populating the lower levels of the tower and move our way up. Ja Niis, if you will take over the inventory process, you may want someone to help you.
-Ja Niis-
The young Togruta woman bowed her head in response. Her youth meant her montrals weren't to their full height yet, but the pair were already taking on a unique curved shape thanks in part to her nightly ritual or tightly wrapping them before going to sleep. Her purple skin was accented with white and green markings, while the stripes on her lekku and montrals took on an almost ultraviolet appearance. The lekku swayed as she bowed her head.
Yes, as you wish.
She turned to a young man in the group, Patar Squito, a Kiffar and one of the youngest of the Adepts.
Patar, would you like to assist?
-Patar-
At only 16 years old, he was, in fact, the second youngest of the Adepts. His olive skin was darker than normal, and it accented the single silver bar tattoo above his left eye. Due to his inexperience, he had yet to continually carry his own lightsaber, but his budding psychometry was developing quickly. He smiles at the request. He and Ja were like little brother and big sister, and he enjoyed any time he could spend with her.
Yeah! Unless there is another place for me, of course.
-James-
He nodded his head. He knew the bond the two shared. While it brushed the edges of the emotional bonds Jedi should refrain from, he was not entirely convinced that complete lack of bonds was beneficial.
Yes. Both of you go ahead and get started, thank you.
He watched them leave and continued to the other three.
That leaves the placement and installation of the gear as it comes in. If you all will take positions, you should have teams waiting to follow your commands. If not, you know where to pull from.
The remaining three bowed and took their leave. James watched them go and lingered before turning and watching the work continue outside.
A large girder ascended outside the window. The tower was well on its way to its full 1700 feet in height. Within a week, it would be fully functional. The central nervous core of the tower was already pulsing with incoming data as it measured the weather patterns, local gravitational fields, solar activity, it was one of the main systems to keep the complex operational.
The reactor core was outputting about half its capacity, and it was already too much for the current usage for the complex even as the quad-turrets cycled and tested their systems. The shield wasn't online yet, but once it was up and running, it wouldn't take much. Like turning on a light, it will use most of its energy to turn on, but as a shield, it will take more energy when it's being assaulted. The one thing he wished he could have included was shield capacitor banks on the lower levels, but that would be an addition for another year.
The skies lit up with pulses of green light as the turbolaser batteries tested their systems. Another upgrade he would do later is missile launcher systems on the walls as well as a projectile based CIWS/C-RAM system. Perhaps an anti-capital ship system would be prudent as well. He filed these plans away in his mind.
For now, the most important tasks were getting the tower up and running. Crew and staff had been sleeping in the makeshift bunks on his personal Acclamator at the edge of the ring. Once the barracks were completed, he could put the ship back in orbit, and the remaining grounds could get their coverage.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 9, 2018 13:25:51 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
-Aayla-
Aayla Truo'to wiped the sweat off her forehead. The humid heat was not unbearable, but it was obnoxious. Her teal skin was turning a darker green in the sun, and she wished she could have a little less on than the white robes she was wearing to get the rest of her skin tanned. She was overseeing the wiring of the lights along the avenues that led from the tower to the outer walls, and she and her team was just finishing with the first avenue. She had a bad habit of taking a hands-on approach to her work.
At the outer wall, she listened to the whining of the turrets atop their posts as they continued cycling their systems. They were done test-firing for now, but they were still fairly loud for just being powered. Perhaps it was the downside for going with some second-hand tech, or perhaps it was due to their sheer enormity, maybe a mixture of both. She laughed at the thought of just one of the laser bolts hitting anything like a small freighter unshielded.
One of her team ran up to her, a Corellian man, his tool belt, and electrical wiring danced on his hips as he came to a stop.
Ma'am. We are going to head over to the next avenue and begin working.
She nodded at him.
Go ahead; I will be over shortly.
He nodded and ran back to his team. Several of them jumped on a hover-truck and sped off to the next project. Aayla turned and looked at the wall, analyzing its rough, unfinished appearance. Specialized granite was being imported to the temple grounds, layered with crystalline matrices that would be semi-reflective of laser fire.
There were tales of ancient temples built entirely of crystal as a form of laser defense. Unknowing invaders would attack with modern blasters and lasers, firing wildly at the structure in hopes of hitting someone or something of value: spray-and-pray methods. What they didn’t expect were the crystal temples to absorb the light and energy and the blast them into oblivion with their own attacks.
Ancient, and possible fairy-tales for sure, but there may have been some truth to it. The hardened granite would be resilient to impacts from projectiles, and heat would be of no use against its natural armor. The real trick was to absorb the light energy from incoming blaster fire and disperse it into the stone face. A light-sink to reduce damage.
The unfinished surface was fiber reinforced concrete around a durasteel core. It was functional, but not attractive. She started to turn around and go back to work when she felt a slight pull. It was subtle, most would have missed it, and she would have too if it weren’t for her training in the Force. Testing the pull, she started to walk away, now staring at the wall. The pull was real.
Crouching down, she pumped with the assistance of a force push off the gravel avenue. Dust and rocks scattered from where she once stood. Reaching up and out toward the top of the wall, she pulled herself up and over, landing on top with feline grace. Pulling out a pair of binoculars, Aayla began to scan the forest that started several hundred meters from the wall.
The ground around the walls was completely torn up from the equipment used to construct them. The edge of the forest wasn’t looking so great either. Trees were damaged and torn up, and plant life was ground to a pulp. She filed that thought away as a project for another day. Looking for movement, a flicker caught her eye, a glint of light. She zoomed in and continued scanning around, marking the location but keeping the appearance of ignorance.
She lowered the pair and looked with her own eyes at the spot while scanning the area with her head. Slowly raising them again, she scanned the area with them slowly, capturing images of the glint of light that shone back at her.
To keep up appearances, the ran down the wall and began scanning other areas of the edge of the forest with similar patterns. She spent about 5 minutes scanning the forest and running up and down the wall's perimeter. On her last pass, she noticed the glint of light was gone, but most likely because the sun was in a different position.
Jumping down she jogged over to her remaining team finishing up the wiring
Hey, when you finish here, head over to the other crew. I must run a quick errand.
She didn’t let them respond, instead force sprinting back to the central pillar of steel and stone. She was gone in a flash.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 10, 2018 14:01:57 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
Construction outside was calm. It was pitch dark, with only the avenues lit. Construction on the tower was still ongoing, but there was a snag earlier in the day that would require a new crane to be flown in. Teams were still hauling in crates of materials to finish furnishing the inside.
Along the walls, the turrets were still. The hum of electricity still echoed, but they were otherwise in standby mode. On the tower-side all along the ground walked several pairs of patrols. Ever since the sighting earlier the day before, everyone was on guard, but otherwise everything was business as usual.
A shimmer appeared in top of the wall on the southern side. As the patrol walked by on the ground, the shimmer jumped down to the ground below, leaving barely any signs of its landing. Quickly, quietly, invisibly it moved. Methodically to avoid any detection it crossed the plain to the tower. It waited for a patrol to walk by, then slipped inside.
The grounds were calm as work continued. The obsidian tower vanished against the night sky.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 10, 2018 20:15:24 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
Sa-Rah, Ja Niis, and Aayla marched toward the Lambda shuttle. Their black laminate armor shone against the lights of the hangar. Lord James walked ahead of them and stood to the side as they boarded Go as my proxies. Ja Niis, you are my mouthpiece. Sa-Rah, Aayla, you are my eyes and ears. Serve this temple well. May the Force be with you.
He bowed and they bowed in return. Each one put on their masks that covered their vitals, while their stillsuits underneath the armor provided an air-tight seal around their hands, feet, and necks. Each carried a DC-15A blaster and a DC-15s side arm blaster along with several thermal detonators, emp grenades, and their lightsabers. Sa-Rah carried a pack with some rudimentary hacking gear, Ja Niis had the medigel, and Aayla carried the comms.
Onboard the shuttle, it lifted off and raced out of the hangar, toward the open ocean.
-Aayla-
She opened up her blaster and checked the tibanna gas cartridge. So, Master Koi needs some help, huh? She closed the rifle. Placing the butt of the stock on the floor, she leaned onto it and looked at the other two. Her left lekku twitched in amusement
-Ja-niis-
Seeing the amused twitch, she smiled. No, I think she is capable of handling the situation on her own just fine. We just so happen to be the emissaries chosen to carry the introductory formalities to her. She leaned back and looked up Hopefully she accepts.
-Sa-Rah-
She sat, arms to her side, and eyes closed. One of her brains was in a meditative trance, and the other only passively listened to the conversation. She will. She said quietly, returning back to her meditative state.
The shuttle raced ever onward toward the Ocean.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Aug 11, 2018 7:35:14 GMT -8
= Approaching Stellaris =The Lambda shuttle raced along the coast as it approached the city. The co-pilot shouted back One Minute The pilot reached for the comm Stellaris, this is Lambda niner-three-eight, coming in for pad seven, five klicks out. Special delivery from Jedi Master James WrightThe three Adepts secured their gear as the shuttle shuttered and decelerated. Looking at one another and then forward to the cockpit, they watched the pilots bring the shuttle in for a landing. They stood up, slung their rifles over their shoulders, and headed down the ramp, immediately hit with the dense ocean air
|
|
|
|
Post by Maximus Titus [RETIRED] on Aug 16, 2018 19:19:26 GMT -8
Titus stood on the bridge of The Saurian Deliverance. Watching as the white-blue tunnel of hyperspace spiraled around the ship. Suddenly a proximity alert sounded as the streaks of stars pulled back into their individual points within the void. His claw tightened upon the backrest of the pilot seat as the freighter was ripped from hyperspace and fell towards the surface of the planet...
Titus just about jumped up from the floor as he startled awake, his breathe coming fast and ragged as he returned to reality. He looked to the men he shared the cell with. All of them appeared to be resting peacefully, undisturbed by his actions. Perhaps they had just learned to zone out anything that did not directly affect their usual work schedule. Perhaps he would ask them one day.
He leant his back against the wall, starting to retake his position on the floor when he stopped midway. A disturbance in the Force causing him to stop in his place. It was a subtle shift in the currents. A familiar presence looming nearer and nearer. Like a long lost friend finally returning. And then he heard the click of the lock.
The door silently slid open, allowing Master Quintus to step into the cell. Titus had thought he'd seen the last of his old friend when the Deliverance had gone down. He stepped a couple feet forward, before Quintus closed the remaining gap. The two friends embracing in a hug
I thought you were dead, old friend...
It'll take a lot more than that to kill me...
As the two friends embraced and spoke, Titus noticed his fellow captors starting to be roused from their sleep by the commotion. His senses within the Force expanding further out then. Allowing him to sense several more of the Knights he and Quintus had trained. He move back from the hug then, regarding Quintus for a moment
What are you doing here? how did you get here?
I came to find you... And bring you this...
Quintus moved out of the door then, reaching off to the side. Titus instinctively caught the collection of gear as Quintus tossed it toward him. He looked down at the protective breastplate. His gaze traveling to the dagger that was all that remained of his weapons. Titus turned his gaze back to Quintus
We got lucky, and managed to overpower the slavers that had taken us captive. It took us a while to find the crawler that you were being kept on. But we're here now... And we need you now more than ever...
Titus glanced down at the emblem upon the armour. For a moment, he wondered what would happen if he refused. If he simply said no and remained a slave. Living each day as if it were his last. The Praetorians would undoubtedly fall apart as Quintus lead them into a final stand. His friends and their pupils would be slaughtered, either by sheer numbers or at the hands of someone far stronger than all of them combined.
In truth, his choice had already been made. He knew he could not let his friends die. Just as he knew he could not simply leave his fellow prisoners to suffer for his escape. Titus slipped his cloak off, before replacing it with his breast plate and shoulder guards. He tightened the belt and checked the dagger was securely in place
They’re all coming with us. Anyone that still can fight will help us...
|
|
|
|
Post by Maximus Titus [RETIRED] on Sept 7, 2018 19:44:55 GMT -8
Titus watched as Quintus moved to slice the chains, his gaze quickly moving to the others that had been helped captive with him. The Dashade rose to his full height and beat his hands against his chest
You free Jarl, Jarl fight for you!
My fellow Prime will join you! Hakaar Shekan, at your side!
Titus shifted his gaze to the Annoo-dat Prime then, as the man rose up and pledged his support. He turned to the Ssi-ruuvi then, watching his smaller cousin rise to join the others in their pledge
The Ssi-ruu fight for me... and I will fight for you! Freedom is not something to be passed up. I am known as Tengwar.
Titus nodded to the Ssi-Ruuvian. Quintus got to work slicing the bands that bound them together, allowing Titus to move around the room, to stand before the Stenax that had remained seated in his corner. The demonic looking creature lifted its gaze to meet his own, staring at him a moment
We shall shed blood for Vol! You can call me Valkor!
It is an honour to fight with you all! Quintus, open the other cells with as much discretion as possible. We will go and raid the armoury, to even the playing field!
Quintus nodded, before rushing off to give the orders to the Praetorian Guard. Titus meanwhile lead the raid against the ships small armoury, taking out the guard that stood on duty with relative ease. With the armoury unguarded, weapons were quickly distributed to the former prisoners.
And then they went on the offensive. Alarms were soon raised as blaster bolts started flying back and forth. Quintus lead the Guard in securing the control room of Luceria, while Titus headed for the room of the Crawler where the Sith Acolyte charged with the Crawler's governance was taking refuge.
Titus kicked open the door, his dagger in hand, as the Sith Acolyte came to a stop halfway to the landing pad where a Nemesis-class Gunship sat waiting. Titus watched as the Acolyte activated a red lightsaber
You're a fool if you think you can take me alone.... I will make you pay for ruining my chance to rise up!
The only ones rising up today, will be me and those you enslaved! Once you have been brought to justice, your master will be next!
The acolyte charged at him then, the saber raised in the air. Titus side stepped the attach, smacking the Acolyte on the back with the hilt of his dagger. The Acolyte tried to swing his saber around, but Titus grabbed hold of the man's wrist and held it in place. Denying the Sith a chance to strike him, before driving the dagger through the man's neck.
As he replaced the dagger within it's sheath, Titus turned toward the Gunship. Feeling a strange, but familiar pull, through the Force. He made his way across the top of the crawler, before stepping into the Gunships passenger bay, where a number of crates had been loaded. And there, sitting in a crate atop several others, sat his lightsaber and the vambrace that contained his light-shield
Not lost after all...
Titus slipped the vambrace on and then clipped the lightsaber to his belt. As he stepped out of the Gunship, the sun was starting to break over the horizon. Bringing a new dawn to the desert wasteland as Quintus appeared on the roof
Luceria is ours...
Good. We shall hold our course to Anavio... A couple other towns will be gathered to resupply the city. I'll strike at the Sith in charge, meanwhile, You and our new allies will sneak aboard the other crawlers and begin freeing the prisoners. We will outnumber them, and rid these Warlords from their stewardship...
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Sept 8, 2018 0:46:39 GMT -8
James stood atop the spire that rose from the plain below him. The great wall was beginning to take form as giant crawling machines began layering it with the crystalline stone on the eastern wall. Tree planting was finishing up, as was the grass laying and fertilization. People and machinery scurried around the plain. A few shuttles raced heavenward, the last Acclamator Transport ascended just two days prior. The remaining construction crew and implementation staff would have to leave via a stream of shuttles once it was all said and done, leaving the tower to James, his Adepts, and the various handfuls of support staff that made up the core of this temple.
The air was crisp this high up. It was far from the tallest structure on the planet, but it wasn’t created to set any records. It was to become a fully self-sufficient enclave where he and his students could train in safety and security.
Which made the feeling he was being watched feel even more intriguing.
Lightsaber in hand, the blade hissed as he swung around behind him. A thin figure shimmered and then revealed itself. A BX-Droid? How did you get up here?
The chassis was rusted, pitted, and patched with pieces of metal. How it had a fully functioning cloaking field generator was a marvelous question. James had many questions, most of which he didn’t need the droid to vocalize. It was unarmed, save for a single holoprojector it held in its open hand. It beeped a few times as it tried to vocalize, and the holoprojector lit up. James looked down at it, his blade holding at the droid’s head.
And old Koorivar wandered into frame. Looking up at James, a long-outstretched finger pointed and shook. You! You and your Jedi friends will be no match for the power we have stored here! Already many of the forces are at work destroying what you hoped to conquer with. This planet belongs to us! You cannot leave, but you cannot stay.
James lowered his blade and started to chuckle. I’m impressed you got a BX up here with me undetected. He looked around and then back at the hologram So, then what would you have me, us, do?
The Koorivar swiped downward with his outstretched arm and screamed. I want you to die!
James, exasperated, looked skyward and then back down. Cliché much? You couldn’t think of anything better? Tell you what. I know that there is some intense fighting going on around the planet. I didn’t particularly want to get caught up in it, so we came here. I don’t want to send anyone to fight you -
You landed on my home, and I will destroy you for it!
James blinked and paused before asking You'll do what?
The Koorivar began cackling and rubbing his hands together. You fool. It has already begun. I am bringing the fight to you.
There was a long pause, and the two looked at one another. James shifted his weight around, blade still humming by his side.
Ok? I feel like the timing was off there. Was something supposed to happen? He tapped a comm link. ::Everyone on high alert. We may be getting attacked by an unknown force. Be read-::
You fool! You cannot withstand the awesome might of my mighty army!
To the west, the forest began to move and shift. Sounds of crashing trees compounded with the tell-tale signs of the mechanics of a droid army. James watched as 6 of his Adepts raced to the will with a handful of security forces. He looked back at the hologram where the Koorivar was cackling and shaking.
Soon, you will all die!
James sighed and slashed at the droid cutting it in half. The hologram fizzled and faded. Grabbing it, he jumped off the roof just as the first of the Tri-Droids appeared through the trees. He muttered something about them scorching his brand-new wall as he descended.
|
|
|
|
Post by Maximus Titus [RETIRED] on Sept 19, 2018 4:09:45 GMT -8
Night had fallen across the desert once more. All across Anavio and the surrounding towns, sounds of battle could be heard as Quintus and the brave band of recently liberated warriors moved about. Freeing more and more of their brothers and sisters so that they too might rise up. The guards were slowly being taken by surprise as this much larger force rose up against them. Outnumbering and outgunning them.
Titus kicked the door open that lead from the interior of Anavio itself to the broad open deck at the front of the M-ETT. His blade and shield were both activated, casting a red glow against the surrounding area as he walked outside. At the very front of the crawler stood a male human clad in a black cloak. It didn't take much deducing to tell that this was the warlord responsible for Anavio and the trainer of the acolyte he had killed on Luceria. Titus held his saber up, tip pointing toward the man
It's over Sith... lay down your weapons and give in...
No... no, no, no, no, NO!
Titus watched as the man shrugged off the cloak and leapt through the air at him. He raised his shield, deflecting the first strike as he kept his shield in a sweeping motion to the side. As he speared his saber blade forward, the Sith stepped to the side. The blade barely missing the loose trappings that the Sith was clad in. Titus swung his saber toward the Sith then, almost landing a hit before the Sith managed to position its saber to deflect the blow.
As the Sith leapt away, Titus deacticated his Shield. The red wall of energy retracting back into his vambrace as Titus let out a roar of challenge. As the Sith raced in, He brought his saber over to parry the strike, striking out a moment later with his free hand to grab the Sith around the neck. His iron clad grip tightened around the Sith's neck, before he slipped his saber around and through the humans chest. Causing the man to fall limp a few moments later
Return to the Force and be cleansed...
Titus deactivated his saber and let the man's body fall to the ground before he turned around. Doors leading out to the open deck started opening as newly freed prisoners rushed out to gather in a large crowd. Their gazes passing from the dead Sith up to Titus. Looking at him expectantly.
He could sense the million and one questions racing through all of their minds. Their fears that this was where the road might end. Their hopes that this might be the start of something much larger. And others that were filled with confusion about what this all meant. This was not meant to be how it was. But the Force seemed to be guiding things ever further along the path that he had been started upon
Anavio is free! You, are free! Free of their slavery! Free to make a choice! I have started upon a path that will not be easy! But it is not one that I can easily pull away from now... The Sith control these deserts, forcing those they do not find worthy into slavery! I cannot stand idly by as this continues! I cannot do it alone... You have all felt the sting of slavery and have all risen up against it. So my question is: Will you join me brothers?! If you want nothing to do with this, then let it be known. You may leave in peace with what ever aide we can spare. But stay, and we shall topple the Sith and Warlords that have have seen fit to claim this desert as their home!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Sept 29, 2018 22:39:19 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
An army of old, rusted droids broke against the outer walls. Laser fire, missiles, and shrapnel washed over the surface, scaring it and scoring it in pockmarks. Chunks were blowing over the army before it. It wouldn’t be long before it ruptured, with a metallic army pouring through the puncture.
On the other side, the Adepts ran toward the wall. The limited army they had with them had only a few weapons. They weren’t adequately prepared for this type of fighting. Not yet.
James sprinted up to them and watched as the lights flashed on the other side of the wall. The smoldering ruins of the turrets before them glowed against the pulsing lights.
I will hold them here. Our turrets around the ring can focus on this point once they break through. I can get the stragglers. All of you, go. Ensure the safety of the remaining defensive batteries around the ring. We have to hold out for 20 minutes until the orbiting Acclamators can arrive to aid us.
The Adepts nodded and sprinted off. The few soldiers took up positions around James. Weapons leveled at the wall.
Moments later, the concrete began to crumble under the combined fire of the army. A few droids began to stumble over the rubble. These were easily picked off by the snipers near James. However, more started to come over, weapons firing. With his saber, he blocked the incoming fire from his team while they opened up on the waves of enemies.
A single rocket raced toward them, but it was intercepted by one of the nearby turrets blasting it out of the sky. With a wave of his hand, any turret that wasn’t otherwise occupied with taking out the Tri-Droids on the other side of the wall began to fire on the opening.
The air became warm with the torrents of laser fire coming from the batteries around them. The soldiers around James stopped firing but continued to aim at the opening. The continuous impacts of the bolts on the rubble was deafening and blinding. James couldn’t help but grin.
Rockets streaked overhead from the mechanical army, but they were intercepted mid-flight. He shook his head and activated the hand-held holoprojector.
So, what is your plan now?
The old Koorivar looked annoyed, with spoon half lifted to his mouth.
I am enjoying dinner, call back later!
James looked at the hologram with confusion.
Um, what?
The Koorivar slammed his fist down on a table just out of view from the projection.
Damnit I said I am eating! Now you are spoiling my appetite, goodbye!
The projection dissipated, and James stood there with the device in his palm frozen in disbelief. He looked back to the soldiers behind him, pointing to the device.
Did any of you just see that?
They all nodded
Good, ok so I am not crazy, and you all can back up my story here. All of you, head down to the southern entrance and help with the defense there. I am sure that this breach is contained.
He said as he looked up, his face glowing with the continual laser fire. He was considering how he would fill in this ever-widening hole in his wall.
Maybe a giant gate would work?
He said under his breath as he turned once again to the breach. Putting his saber away, he first folded his arms in front of his chest, then buried his face in one of his hands as he shook his head.
The nerve!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward James Wright on Oct 9, 2018 16:38:18 GMT -8
= Serenno Central Forest Expanse =
The droning concussive blasts from the turrets along the wall were numbing. James looked around and headed over to a wall segment where his Adepts were fending off a new group of super battle droids who had scaled the wall. With a single force push directed through his foot, he ascended the wall segment and ignited his saber. James stepped on top and began slicing through the rusted armor of the droids. He and his team were less cutting through them and more bashing them with the glowing blades. Many of the droids were missing fingers, arms, chunks of armor. It was odd that they would throw themselves needlessly like this. Perhaps quantity over quality?
Karel Rei fell back from the group and closed his eyes. Noticing many of the features of the droid army as the team, he focused his energy and summoned a force push, a wave from the side that overtook the wall and blasted the entire droid army off the top and into the oncoming waves of walking rusted metal. With a momentary reprieve, James and his Adepts looked over the wall to see what they were facing. Without a single word, they all raised a free hand outward at the army and sent out a single, combined blast.
The wave hit a section of the army and blew apart rusted components. Many lost arms, legs, and some were completely disintegrated by the blast. Decimated, the army continued over their fallen comrades, marching on to meet their fate. James looked over and nodded at his Adepts before jumping off and into the fray. He was quickly joined by the others, and they began cutting apart and blowing away the remnants.
Concussive bolts continued to tear into the forest as some straggling Tri-Droids stumbled over the foliage. The blasts hit them and detonated munitions inside, causing them to erupt into gigantic fireballs.
James' commlink beeped. With one hand, he blocked laser fire from droids with his saber, he reached into his pocket with his free hand, and a holographic image of Patar Quito appeared. He was wearing a headset and projection lenses as he worked the central computer systems.
-Patar-
My Lord, I have located the source of the droids. Their command center is not far from here. It seems to be coming from a tower in the forest. However, radar scans show a tunnel \and cavern network underneath. There looks to be an entrance facing the Tower, I have sent the coordinates to your holopad.
-James-
Good job Patar, I will go check it out.
-Patar-
Good luck, Force be with you
The hologram dissipated, and James finished off the closest droids to him. He shouted over to Karel as he put away the projector.
You have this under control.
-Karel-
Aye, my Lord. Go!
With a nod, James took off into the forest
|
|
![Maximus Titus [RETIRED] Avatar](https://i.imgur.com/kQoE3aE.jpg)
