Yag'Dhul Insurrection: Rally Point

[Fromikeable]

zark DreadPirateMike Harukei Ash

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Horst thumbed at his data disk as he waited, sitting half-stressed in his chair. He'd been in the army long enough to know that it was the moments like these, the downtime, that really drove soldiers insane. There was too much to dwell on and not enough to do. Thoughts of the missions ahead, the incoming trials, and the only methods of distraction were to stare out a porthole at the rushing hyperspace (which was said to drive people insane all on its own) or to stare at the bulkhead and listen to it clink and creak with the goings and comings of the crew and the engines.

Both fascinating options. I oughta' see if there's room in the budget for something to kill time.

Luckily for him, an army major proved a third, more interesting option as she approached, saluting him. Waving a hand idly to put her at ease, he looked at her expectantly, the data disk tapping on his chin.

"We're just about ready for the briefing, General."

"Got the comms set up?"

"Yes sir."

"Then let's go." Standing and rolling his shoulders, the general accompanied his subordinate through the halls of the Anenke, taking them and their crew in. Saul ran a tight ship, and Horst couldn't imagine that the man's promotion had made the crew more lax in their duties. They were a good bunch, just like the rest of the Fearless Fourth, but Horst was glad they'd had so many additional volunteers. Insurrections like the one that awaited them were basically civil wars, and fixing them wasn't as easy as rolling up, bombing a few things, and sending in the troops.

This was going to be rough, and they'd need all the help they could get.

The major opened a door near the bridge, entering into a large conference room. Following her in, Horst stopped to talk to her one more time.

"Where's the Fleet Admiral?"

"Said he'd be along soon."

"Good, gives me a minute to get organized." Looking at the crowd of assorted commanders, soldiers, and sailors, Horst made his was to the front of the conference room to the podium. Plugging in his data disk there, he started sorting through files, picking out what he'd need (and what wasn't classified) to give the briefing.

"Everybody take a seat, hang out for a minute." Looking at the back of the room, Horst eyed a small cadre of technicians stationed behind comconsoles, the lot of them scurrying about setting up a number of cameras and microphones.

"Let me know when we're good. Send out the alpha priority alert, let everybody know the briefing's comin' at 'em." The briefing had been scheduled, of course, but with so many people on so many different ships all needing to hear what he had to say, Horst felt like a minute warning was warranted. Everyone needed to get to a holoprojector, to an earpiece or radio, or even just to the nearest ship loudspeaker.

After all, there was no telling who was on the crapper.

[DreadPirateMike]

He'd missed this, Jaidan had rather swiftly concluded while navigating the somewhat labyrinthine interior of a capital ship with what he'd been pleased to discover was still a practiced ease. He didn't miss the ships themselves so much; while he'd become well acquainted with them indeed during eight years of deployment to one war torn world after another, he held no particular love for either the cold and no nonsense design or the cramped, almost claustrophobic interiors of most warships. And while the Ananke in truth may have possessed a great deal of space by most measures - There were few ships in the galaxy that got much bigger than an Unyielding Class battleship. - they really packed in the sailors on these things.

But then, that was what Jaidan HAD missed. The bravery, the professionalism, the unwavering sense of PURPOSE in the men and women all around him. All he had to do was stop, close his eyes and concentrate a moment, and there was such energy to draw upon here from some of the finest souls that the Republic had to offer. He hoped at least some of them understood that while a Jedi Knight had of course always been a symbol of hope and strength for them to rally around in the darkest days, they had always returned the favor in at least equal measure.

Some things had changed since then, of course. The way they looked at him, in particular, was subtly different. A Jedi had always stood out among soldiers, of course, but as a Jedi General, he'd never truly felt like an outsider among them. He was a fixture then. A noteworthy fixture, to be sure, but an accepted and welcome sight all the same. Now? He was plainly something of an oddity, a curiosity. Everyone treated him with the utmost respect, of course, but underlying it was a subtle disquiet, a sense that his presence meant something was different from their routine. Something not quite right. It was to be expected, of course, a wholly natural byproduct of peace. But he couldn't deny the ever so slight pangs of loss.

Even so, everyone knew at some level that the war wasn't really over. Not when worlds like Dac and Shili were still in Sith hands, or Onderon in Mandalorian clutches. The Republic owed those people better. Had pledged better, and would one day make good on it. So, that in mind, it was good to be back. When they were needed, these people would look for Jedi among them once more. And with such men and women around them, those Jedi might know that one way or another, things would be alright. And in the meantime, despite the dire emergency they were rushing to intervene in now, he looked forward to serving with the again.

Nodding to General Stellar with a nod and a soft smile, he closed his eyes, and went back to gathering that strength. After all, he might well need it soon enough.

[Ash]

Phantom never spent much time on large ships, nevertheless a large capital ship such as this Unyielding-class battleship. The Ananke was truly nice, but it was a bit cramped for his taste. Azura, years back, had some nice, smaller ships that were luxurious, but then again they weren't batteships like this craft of war. Throw in all the personnel it took to run one of these beasts and it was not a good time.

The man ran a hand lightly over his hair, working the salt and pepper back slightly. It wasn't long in the least, but it was a slight habit of his. At least he was in his combat gear. He was prepped for a hot drop in ahead of nearly everyone else and begin his job as soon as he could, so being in anything resembling a uniform would only slow him down. He didn't even really need to wear a uniform, but it helped him blend in and not draw attention to himself.

Today, with this mission to Yag'dhul coming up, he didn't care about drawing attention to himself. Being with Republic Intelligence, he had more important things to worry about than an odd look or worries about him carrying any weaponry. A pistol on his leg was all he had on him.

The briefing was to start soon, so he was making his way to a conference room now, and when he showed up, he made sure he did it along side three other soldiers, moving around the room to a spot where he could watch every entrance at once, as well as the briefing. He knew the general idea already, but this would cement everything as well as give him mission orders by General Stellar. He didn't personally know the man, but his dark eyes glanced at him, nodding slightly. Moving his eyes, he caught a Jedi. So the order was sending one, but he shouldn't be surprised. His mistrusted kicked in and he let his eyes pass without a second glance. He took a seat finally on the rearmost row of seats, and proceeded to wait for the briefing to start.

[Harukei]

The Anenke had always been a center of activity. Throughout the shifts that the entirety of the crew went on, there was not a single soul that didn't do nothing short of their best. From the quartermasters that kept track of the supplies, to the deckhands that provided the required maintenance and sanitation throughout the ship the crew of this and every other ship within the so called Fearless Fourth. The Fleet had being built slowly but after being tested time after time in several pacification and insurrection campaigns it had gained a status of the best fleet contended by the sixth and the twelfth . 

Pride was something the fleet had acquired thanks to its professionalism and devotion for the Republic and what it stood. But the fleet took pride as a whole that it was from the top, from the command that this ethic had been etched. Not all the sailors and marine personal in the fleet new their overall commander personally, it was an impossibility but they knew, for the stories that had been running through the fleet of the hard work that the man did. Of course, it was also a source of pride that they were the fleet under the command of the most senior member of the Admiralty, a first among peers and that such a distinction had changed what was expected of the Fleet Admiral and those under his command.

Saul had noted this change on them, on the people of his fleet, on the Captains and Commanders of his vessels, on the cooks and the pilots and every servicemen aboard from the different branches attached to the fleet. As if a flame had been stoked inside them, making them act and work as if they had become a paragon for the rest of the fleets of the Republic. He did not showed it, but behind his morning caf, there was a smile of joy as he looked on the reports. 

Even as elements of the fleet had been assigned for a mission to the Givin world of Yag'Dhul, and other were left behind to continue to patrol the frontier, all gave their hundred percent. Standing behind the leader of the Firing Control, he could see the dedication of the technicians, ensigns and petty officers, they all acted with the same intensity and intent. The officer, a Duro by the name of Gar Zhug would turn at him. 

"...And so we can come with a targeting solution fifteen percent faster than before, sir."

Saul took a moment and read the report in the data pad. 

"Engineering has confirmed this already?" The Admiral asked, not hiding his amazement at the progress since the refit. 

"Lieutenant Commander Xho and I went over the numbers. The adding of the Ion Cannons and the new targeting systems will not affect sub-light engines nor shielding in any way, nor life support we removed main reactor support from non-essential systems. At least in our predictions." 

He nodded in approval and continued the exchange for a couple of minutes with the Duro in his mother language. Finally turning to see the chrono of his data pad, the Fleet Admiral gave the Duro a nod before he retired to the meeting. He had been like this for hours, going section to section with all leaders and command to oversee preparations for planetary assault, something that he was sure the rest of his commanders were doing as well. 

For many the ship would seem cramped, but for Saul it was simply home. He had done his best to learn every nook and cranny of the vessel and so he was rather adept to dodge the crewmen crowded hallways of the ship and made his way to the transit system of the Anenke. In less than fifteen minutes he had reached the conference room, uniform as spotless as it could be and the five star insignia of his rank as Fleet Admiral on his collar, cap and epaulets. 

Saul crossed the room, waving the soldiers, the sailors and the holographic representations he saw until he reached the side of the podium to where Horst stood. 

"My apologies General, I was overseeing some minor details on the ship."

The Fleet Admiral said in a whisper with a half smile perched upon his lips as he regarded the Chief of Staff. 

"You didn't forget your flashcards, did you?" 

[Ghostie]

Kol Gedyc, Jedi Master and War Hero, was late.

Late for an insurrection, of all things. It was one of the first major events to happen since the War had ended. One side of the native Givin on the planet of Yag’Dhul had decided that they were better off outside of the Republic, and they were taking over the planet. Violently taking over the planet. Like many, Kol had watched the holofeeds when the civil war first broke out. He knew that the Republic would eventually be sending in the military to settle matters. But when High Councilor Jaidan Shatani had attached himself to the mission, the rest of the Council felt it was prudent to see if anyone else was willing to go. And Kol was never one to turn down a mission that needed to be done. No matter how exasperated he was from fighting and war, he’d always do his utmost to keep the Republic safe.

Except the Jedi Master had volunteered just as the military was finished mustering their forces and were about to head for Yag’Dhul. He was, in every sense of the phrase, a last minute addition. And he was going to be quite late because of it, if he didn’t get a move on. Tall black boots shining of a faux leather slapped harshly against the durasteel floor of The Anenke as the Jedi walked briskly down one hall, turned, and then kept going. The Unyielding-Class Battleship was an unfamiliar type to Kol, and he had been turned around more than once. It shouldn’t be this hard to find the command deck, but the Jedi was a bit flustered as it was, anyways, due to his quick departure from Coruscant and his hasty arrival on the ship. He could sense Master Shatani onboard, but that didn’t mean he was so easy to find through a maze of corridors. Stopping in the middle of the hall as a young woman with short hair, an Ensign, appeared, Kol put on a smile as he waved her down with his flight helmet in hand.

“Can you tell me how to get to the command deck?” There was no rank on Kol’s blue flight suit, accented in cream. He hadn’t been able to change yet, as he left his starfighter and went right for the briefing. The woman’s eyes seemed to search for some sort of insignia, but the only thing she found was a lightsaber hanging on his hip. Her green eyes went wide quickly, but recovered just as soon. “I’ve never been on one of these ships before.” Kol followed up with.

“End of the hall, turn right. There’s a set of turbolifts that go right up.”

“Thanks!” The words were out of his mouth and over his shoulder as the large man took off in a pace that was somewhere between a power walk and a jog. A jaunt, if you will. Down the hall and turning right, Kol found the lifts in and instant, as they weren’t far from the turn. There was one full of sailors and soldiers, ready to close its doors before the Jedi waved for them to stop and let him onboard. A man with a well kept moustache held the door for Kol, as the Jedi squeezed into the front of the lift, his back towards the crowd.

“Thanks.” He nodded to the man, who simply nodded back, and also eyed the lightsaber, but had little reaction towards the symbol. Given their mission, he might have expected to find Jedi along with them. Or he already encountered the Councilor. Either way, it made little difference.

One quick turbolift ride up, and all the occupants spilled out and onto the command deck. Kol took a few steps forward from the doors so that others could easily walk around him, as the man searched for some sort of sign of where he was supposed to go, but he didn’t find it. So instead he searched in the Force, and the other Jedi wasn’t hard to find. Following that, Kol sidestepped around large monitors and rushing personnel, caught up for a moment as he studied the layout of the command deck, and what everyone’s responsibilities were. As suited as he was to the frontlines, he always found large ships like this a marvel.

The conference room wasn’t far from the turbolifts, situated behind them somewhat, in fact. No one else was heading in when Kol finally found the room. The sinking feeling of being late was realised as he slipped quietly inside. General Stellar, whom Kol only knew by reputation and name, was already at the podium. An admiral was up there with him, someone the Jedi didn’t know and who was rather unremarkable, save for his piercing gaze. Master Shatani was not far off from the pair, and catching the Echani’s gaze, Kol gave him a nod and a small smile. The Jedi took up his own spot standing against the wall in the back, his helmet tucked under one arm as he hoped that his late showing wasn’t interrupting anything just yet.

[Fromikeable]

Jedi masters, Republic intelligence, the entirety of the Fourth Fleet, and entire armored divisions, all volunteered and ready for the madness to come. The assemblage was intimidating, to say the least. The only requisitions Horst had needed to file had been for logistics and support.

Horst hadn’t been the only one who had felt like a soldier without a war, evidently.

Winking at Saul, Horst half-hearted covered his mouth with a hand, the other pointing at his holopad. ”Flashcards? C’mon now. You can’t write with crayon on those.” About to continue, one of the technicians from the back came running forward, carving through the packed crowd that had formed.

”Ready sir?”

”Yeah, let’s get this rollin’.” As the technician retreated, Horst patted the Fleet Admiral’s shoulder. ”Hop a squat up front, throw somethin’ at me if I start ramblin’.” As a large holoprojector behind the podium was activated, the doors to the room were shut. A technician began to announce a countdown, prompting the crowd to grow silent. When they got to two, they went silent as well, the lights on the cameras activating in a series by the time one rolled around.

Horst finally cleared his throat, knowing full well that it wouldn’t make him sound any less like he’d gargled with sand.

“Good mornin’ Fourth Fleet and volunteers. This’s General Stellar. Here’s the deal.” Picking up a small remote, Horst tapped a button, prompting the holoprojector to display the planet of Yag’Dhul.

”By this point, Yag’Dhul’s under damn near total occupation by the insurrectionists headed by the Matrix of Certainty. Since we’ve left the Core, intelligence has confirmed that their agenda’s simple; total demolition of the Mathematocracy and secession from Republic space. It’s still unconfirmed that they’re tryin’ to join the Empire, however intelligence has also confirmed the identities and operations of at least three Imperial agents on the planet. Given that Yag’Dhul is still a Republic planet as far as we’re concerned, that’s a complete violation of the treaty, and any forces that see them are to use whatever force necessary to knock their teeth in.

Now we know they’re expecting us, but thanks to that, they’ve made two big mistakes.” Another press of the remote zoomed in on the planet, highlighting a holographic city full to the brim of tactical dots and logs. ”First of all, they’re spreading themselves thin trying to solidify garrisons in their problem regions. We’ve got a few insurrections fighting the insurrection down there, plus a real unhappy populace. Both’ve got the M.O.C. redirecting troops away from cities into the country. That gives us a good chance to punch into one and establish a planetary beachhead.”

Clicking the remote again, the focus shifted across the planet to a much larger view, a flight path appearing as a dotted line. ”At the same time, these guys’re trying to hedge their bets. Most of the ruling Mathematocracy’s been taken hostage by the M.O.C. and kept in the capital. The minute we drop out of hyperspace, though, we know for a fact that an armed flotilla’s supposed to move them here, to Fort Pythagoras on the eastern continent. We can’t hit either stronghold without ground support, but while they’re in transit, we’ve got a golden opportunity to free the government.”

Another push of the remote zoomed out to a planetary overview again, albeit with the inclusion of two big arrows pointing at the previous two locations. ”So we’ve got two initial operations launching the second we pull into orbit. Operation: Quad Root’s the ground invasion of the city of Parabolis. An invasion force headed by the 24th Armored Division’s gonna’ blitz the city, eliminate all hostiles, and hold the place long enough for the main force to arrive. Orbital bombardment’s gonna’ be kept to a minimum thanks to all the non-coms still in the city. Watch your fire.

Meanwhile, Operation: Femto’s gonna’ be lead by Chief of the Navy Talion to save the Mathematocracy. The Fourth Fleet’s gonna’ detach a strike force to zip into the atmosphere, intercept the flotilla, and rescue the meritocrats. Do not, and I mean it, do not engage the city of Dodecapolis or Fort Pythagoras. They’re both armed to the teeth, and takin’ them without losing half the fleet’s going to need to come later.”

With a final click of the remote, Yag’Dhul faded away, leaving Horst at the podium alone looking at the cameras and crowd. ”That’s all I got. Questions?“

[DreadPirateMike]

It became abundantly clear even before General Stellar began his presentation that for better or worse, this briefing would be at least as interesting as the general alert and call to arms which had initially drawn Jaidan to this operation. The first such indication came when his private meditation was disturbed sooner than expected by something rather out of place. A sudden feeling of hostility, and there was nothing vague or generalized about it; this was unmistakable ill feeling, close by and directed at him in particular.

Admittedly, feeling such a thing wasn’t entirely unexpected. But he’d rather assumed he’d at least begin the mission first. Still, the impression was lacking in the intensity consistent with actual, harmful intent, so he simply chose to let it go rather than scanning the room to try and assign a face to it. His eyes did come open, however, at Kol Gedyc’s arrival.

The younger man’s smile and nod were of course returned, although Jaidan’s smile had a touch more mirth to it, a tightness one might associate with a suppressed laugh. Amusement at another’s expense was unkind, of course, and he’d soon reduced it to only a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, but at the same time, it was hard to fault himself too much. Even before the war, long before anyone was calling Kol the Hero of Yaga Minor, Jaidan the Knight and lightsaber combat instructor had already recognized one of the premier upcoming talents of his generation. And now, here he was. One of the greatest warriors in the galaxy, who just happened to combine the imposing physique of a Black Sun enforcer with the good looks of a holovid star. One would naturally assume that such a man walked with confidence wherever he went. So to see him slinking in almost like some nervous school boy late for his lectures…the levity was unexpected, but welcome under the circumstances.

As to the General’s query, Jaidan actually did have a few pressing questions. How, for instance, did a planet in the middle of Republic space expect to join the Sith Empire? If the Sith were assisting this uprising, how did they expect to annex it? Had some military buildup been detected that would suggest they were planning to back up such a blatant act of war? And what of the Tapani Kingdom, essentially next door? Did they have some stake in all this? Clearly, this briefing was the end result of a long chain of intelligence gathering, and that it was all as much news to him as to anyone else sitting in this room was a cause for some concern. He was well aware that the Jedi Council could also at times be selective with what they did and did not readily share with the Republic, but the days ahead would require a greater degree of cooperation and coordination than that. The erosion of that partnership was something best addressed and corrected sooner rather than later.

But none of that was immediately pertinent to the mission itself, and so it would have to wait. Preferably, for a private conversation. Only one immediate tactical consideration needed voicing.

”Yes, one question. The ground assault component. Would I be correct in assuming that we will be attempting to insert advance units into the city ahead of the armored column’s arrival? To scout the area, attempt to ease the arrival of the 24th? I can fly a starfighter. I’ve even done so on several occasions in which other pilots were attempting to cut my flight short. But I suspect it is down there, in that first role that I will be most useful to you.”

At that, he looked over at Kol and favored him with another smile.

“Master Gedyc, on the other hand, is quite an accomplished pilot if memory serves. And plainly in possession of his own transportation. If I may be so bold, I believe he’d be quite the asset to this Operation Femto.”

[Harukei]

"If I may interject."

Saul spoke calmly, deciding that it was about moment for the fleet elements to speak, for the retaking of Yag'Dhul would not happen if they did not passed through the defense fleet and the orbital defense stations. He moved into the podium, dancing around Horst before he typing the keys and introducing the data unit he had used to store the rough planning he had managed to come up with with the information he had available. It was very likely that the permutation of the Givin defense fleet had changed, for all that he knew it could have shrunk or grown bigger which left at all a single option on how he arranged his forces. 

"Since we do not know the formation or even who commands Yag'Dhul's defense fleet, I have arranged the Task Force in two battle groups, three different escort squadrons and two carrier squadrons."

A holographic representation came to live, filling the room with a fading blue-white lambent. A sphere that represented the homeworld of the Givin loomed over the table, as green markers that represented the Republic and red that represented the latest known information provided by the Givin Defense Forces. He rose his right hand and pointed towards two ovoid shaped representations. 

"Given that we do not know the full complement of their fleet, the Task Force first objective is to take control of these orbital defense platforms. Battle Group Aurek under my command will emerge from Hyperspace at heading zero-point-thirty four, engaging the fleet elements as we use the distraction of the battle itself to launch specially modified payloads with contingent of special operations personal attached to the Fourth Fleet aimed towards the stations themselves."

The Admiral allowed the idea to sync, it was nigh suicidal move, but even in the heat of battle, the capsules that resembled more like heaps of sheered metal and torn hull, were shielded against sensors and had a rudimentary control system. The men and women going inside those, were not amateurs and they were the best of the best for a good reason. He returned his attention once more.

"This objective will bring three results. We shall deny and use against the enemy an useful asset for their battle capabilities and at the same time we will tap into their Battlenet, pinpointing the location of the Mathemocracy as well allowing us to gain space superiority. Once the first phase is completed, Battle Group Besh under the command of Vice-Admiral Suurgave will emerge."

A tall and gaunty holographic representation of a Duros nodded and stood up to speak.

"Our jump will be pinpointed, at the same moment the special ops units capture the orbital defense platforms, Battle Group Besh will perform a close jump from the edge of a nearby system and appear on heading zero-point-ninety-six, performing a pincer maneuver and creating a corridor for the carrier groups to send out fighters."

Saul nodded to the Vice-Admiral as the hologram sat down. It was all a plan that hung by the mere seconds. Military operations seldom went as it had been planned, but Saul understood when to modify. He was certain that the Givin Insurrectionist expected a well coordinated offensive, they had analyzed his tactics, his plans, his every movement down to the very number of losses and exploits that even a munitions carrier had done. They awaited a well organized enemy and Saul intended to give them just the opposite for that. He wanted them to feel comfortable, to feel that their math had done their job and that the destruction of the fleet elements and the newly minted Chief of Naval Operations was as inexorable as the pass of time. In short, he wanted them to be arrogant enough to ignore what mathematics and physics would tell them.

"After that the fleet elements will form a planetary blockade and perform guard and support duties."

The Admiral finally said, as he allowed the room to be grow silent.