The Battle of Thila

[Dire Wolf]

(Don't know if you noticed, Timtank, but there is a posting order. Its okay this time because right now my post is me by myself. But next time adhere to it please.)

Hundreds of little fluorescent blue triangles hovered in the air above the holographic representation of the fortress, each one representing a unit with the IFF tag of a Republic military asset. The soft blue light didn't strain the woman's sight terribly, though the veritable sea of red at the outskirts of the holographic terrain diagram offered her no such mercy. The intrepid Republican cannoneers had done a tremendous job in keeping the enemy just out of arm's reach. As it turned out, the range of a cannon based around indirect fire (IDF) increased considerably with the altitude. If the Republic had one thing on their side, it was altitude.

Tali once again heard the hiss of air escaping her helmet as she pulled it off and laid it to rest on the smooth surface of the holographic terrain diagram table. A chair seemed to find its way to her as she sat down upon it and propped her head against the table with her arms. How would the Sith break through the seemingly impregnable defenses of the Republic? Anything that got even remotely close was pulverized into oblivion by the howitzers and energy cannons. There was far too much anti-air to hope for an aerial bombardment, and the fleets above seemed to be holding their own. While she was far from a military expert, the woman could find no point of entry for the Sith.

"You can't look at this like I'm the defender. Where would you attack, Tali?" Her first master's voice rang inside of her head. Before Ingemar passed of natural causes he was a well respected master that had fought in the Mandalorian War from fifty years prior, and was nothing short of a tactical genius. Especially in the defense. "If only you were here now, Master. The Sith wouldn't come close to touching this place." Sadly, he wasn't. Master Beleren and the rest of the Republican defenders were depending on her. So, she began to look at the base as if she would attack it.

Bak'mral was built straight into the mountain. Not all of the complex was out on the plateau. The command center where she had taken up shop was one of those structures. While this aided in the defense of the fortress it also provided an Achilles heel of sorts: the other side of the mountain was relatively unprotected. The shield didn't allow aerial or orbital troops to drop in, and the strong anti-air craft made any attempted bombing run from the leeward side of the mountain a suicide mission.

"Why go over the mountain, or try to break the shield, Tali? Why not just go through the mountain?" Her feline master's voice echoed within her head once more. The woman shot to her feet so quickly that the chair she had sat on flew backwards and off of its wheels. Her hands began to wave about with renewed determination, and the holographic terrain model spun with her motions. A few commands later and she saw a representation of the mountain, the base, and the cave network.

The route the Sith were most likely to take was by no means a short one, but it was certainly a shorter path than the next few candidates. Unfortunately the room wasn't precisely defensible, and the last thing she wanted to do was waste resources on the fortification of a room that may not need defense at all. Tahlia picked her helmet back up and slipped it over her head, "Master Beleren, this is Tahlia. I believe that I have found one potential point of ingress. They may be able to drill through the mess hall. It may not be worth sending a platoon in, but I would recommend sending one or two men to monitor the vibrations of the wall. I'll continue to search for more points of entry."

And with that perfectly enunciated message away, the Jedi sat back down in her chair to review more potential breach points and tactics with a renewed vigor.

[Foxfire]

Honog listened to the female sith. She had jobs for all but him. He was not about to make a fuss at not getting a job or mission within this mission. He noticed that she said she'd send the mining and demo crews to their positions. Moving to the sledges and noting their course he ran ahead scouting the lay of the land. Honog knew none cared for him yet all wished him to disapear. Thusly he had all but disappeared with his new student Sol. This mission though Sol was not ready for, yet maybe the next mission.

Clearing the route was easier than he had thought a few mines and scout droids were what was on the route. He knew also that there would be more dangerous and hostle things ahead and soon. Taking out his scopes he looked ahead. The turrain got worse and gaps made the route very dangerous. Using a few thermo dets and his saber he cut and slashed clif faces to either fill or smooth out the path. He worked in utter force silence yet the physical noise he made could be heard for miles.

Checking the lay of the land again a few miles later Honog sighed knowing that his efforts might be seen as useless. Did he care? No if it helped push the mission further he gill and gut his own to speed the end of this misson. Com-ing back on a direct line-of-sight Honog called the platoons of the way being clear and of his coming back to meet them.

Doing so he wondered if his pressonce here would be able to draw the focus away from the mining crew and the demolitions. Thinking it over once the platoons meet up with the three he would leave to draw another bit of distraction and a bit of trouble.

[Cassy]

Cassy stood in the central command hub with her hands behind her back, sitting on the small of her waist. This standing position made her curvy features stick out nicely, but such things mattered little in times such as these.

She stood near the central display of the command hub, it's lights flickered on and off. Various holosheets and stats popped up from the metal array in front of her. It's blue glow cast a beautiful visage upon her features. Her features, glowing in the holo light from the central control panel, were settled upon one man. The General. They stood near the cental hub together, albeit silently.

A few times, Cassy's emerald eyes flecked up too take in his features. He had the mind numbed, grizzled look of someone who's life had been washed with war. Something one could not wash out.

She pursed her lips together as she studied him, a small look of admiration and respect for such a being passing her features.

She felt a ripple in the Force, and soon afterward she saw Master Beleren
crossing the room. She stepped before him, as did several other Jedi. They filed across from him silently. Cassy stood next to a blonde Jedi male, somewhat taller than her. She couldn't help but to think of Sirius briefly, and wondered where he was. If she'd ever make it out of this too see him again.

She didn't linger her gaze long, but turned and listened to Master Beleren's words. She closed her eyes as he finished, his words on loss...losses to come sinking in. As she heard her name, she looked up, slightly shocked and bowed. Not standing but noticing when he also mentioned the blonde Jedi knight next to her.

When he was done speaking, she stood. Her curly locks fell onto her shoulders and breasts as emerald eyes looked up towards Knight Firestar. When Master Beleren had completely finished, she was the first to speak.

"Master....I can't tell you how glad I am that the Force brought you here to help..." it was out of turn, but she bowed again her locks falling around her as she stood. With a silent look at the former Grandmaster, she eventually turned towards Knight Firestar as everyone else filed away, and Master Beleren had stepped off to speak to the General again in private.

The blue glows cast by all the command consols shadowed everything beautifully in the room. When they were alone, Cassy finally spoke to her partner in the coming battle.

"So....it looks like it's just me and you." her eyes narrowed playfully, but mouth and features were dead serious. She performed a bow, in greeting for they would likely face a lot together in the coming hours and days. "I hope...we learn to move in unison...function as one through the Force....that attitude may be all that keeps us alive in what's too come." a small smile crept upon her face. "We'll be the Jedi correspondents up on the walls of the Fortress.....we should get into position A.S.A.P....the sooner we get up there...the more we'll know about the lay of the land...the defenses. I'm sure getting to know some of the troops operating the battery canons and such wouldn't hurt either....they'll be looking to us for guidance like Master Beleren said...." with that her lips pursed together for awhile. Her eyes flecked around the room, it seemed everyone would be moving into position.

"Shall we?" Cassy would motion towards the large double doors. They would eventually slide apart in four directions as Cassandra and her partner made their way through. The huge glass tube led into another area, but one could see the lay of the land from inside of it.

Eventually the doors on the other side opened and they stepped outside onto a patio like area. Cannons were already being loaded and clips were already being stuffed into guns. Several Republic troops noticed them and saluted, Cassy firmly nodded to them all as they passed by. She noticed a lift, that looked like it went up the side of a skyscraper, but it truly was just the side of the fortress walls.

"I doubt that they'll be able to take the lifts all the way up into this area. But they may drop some shock-trooper type Sith on our heads up here....which is why Master Beleren put us up here...." as she spoke, she never stopped looking around. Off of cliffs, down the sides of the fortress walls. Taking in their position. "I believe this patio wraps all the way around the exterior of this fortress.....but the flanks are our responsibility...hopefully we don't encounter too much trouble..." she blinked twice, pushing some more hair behind her ears as she looked down off the edge of the fortress.

She blinked twice, looking up into the older Jedi's features.

"Oh I'm sorry....was I rambling? Forgive me...." she smiled a bright smile as best she could although her eyes looked somewhat worried at what was ahead.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Dan's mind was wandering, he did quite have strong feelings about what was about to happen, his mind returned to the present when his name was spoken along with the name of Novo's, he looked around for a moment before realizing that he was actually standing by the person he had been partnered with. She was wearing dark robes and was slightly shorter then he was. Dan returned attention to the last ten seconds of orders fortunately his orders where part of that last 10 seconds. Only a moment went by before The female Jedi began speaking, "So....it looks like it's just me and you." It was right there he realized in her eyes that she did have a sense of humor, which was good because that meant they would get along great, if he could get his sense of humor to work during such a dark hour. She continued, "I hope...we learn to move in unison...function as one through the Force....that attitude may be all that keeps us alive in what's too come." At this moment he knew she was possibly more chatty then he was, he managed to barely get a slight greeting in, It's nice to meet you Novo's! She continued more this time giving what sounded like orders, "We'll be the Jedi correspondents up on the walls of the Fortress.....we should get into position A.S.A.P....the sooner we get up there...the more we'll know about the lay of the land...the defenses. I'm sure getting to know some of the troops operating the battery canons and such wouldn't hurt either....they'll be looking to us for guidance like Master Beleren said...."

Dan couldn't help but give a grin as they started their walk outside, This was around the first time he said anything along the lines of a joke all day, Well i can see you ain't that chatty, don't worry I'll do all the talking. He said continuing behind her as they walked to their post on the front wall.

They where at their post now she was peaking over the edge and he was taking in any assets they might have, roughly 13 men on their wall and a couple of cannons, nothing much to count on if things got much worse, "I doubt that they'll be able to take the lifts all the way up into this area. But they may drop some shock-trooper type Sith on our heads up here....which is why Master Beleren put us up here...." Dan nodded in agreement, not really paying attention to what ever it was she was looking at, with all their assists counted he turned back to her as two men where jogging past with weapons in hand, Dan gave a nod as they passed him, and Novos spoke again, I believe this patio wraps all the way around the exterior of this fortress.....but the flanks are our responsibility...hopefully we don't encounter too much trouble..." She interrupted herself, "Oh I'm sorry....was I rambling? Forgive me...." Dan smiled before looking at her, Believe me, it's a good change to have someone else talking, normally i have to figure out how to break the ice with everyone else. He said.

There was a short silence, By the way, my first name is Dan, don't worry about titles. What about you? Is it just Novos? He said before leaning against the cannon that was just behind him. The day was just beginning, but it felt like he had been on Thila for years now, and he didn't like it, in light of not having a better sentence, He had a bad feeling about this, he thought to himself.

[Cain]

Exhausted, weary of war and the Sith alike before even touching down in the battle zone, Jack forced himself forward after Nieraan. He stepped off the ramp well behind the others, his arms folded behind his slumping cranium for support. Jack maintained a casual gait. He was in no hurry. A quick whiff of the air outside beset upon Jack a heady mixture of exhaust and burnt flesh. Before he could even wrinkle his nose the blast wave of an explosion overhead ripped over the Sith drop site just as Jack stepped off the ramp and onto Thila's surface. This planet was hot. It stunk. And it was loud. Jack may have turned around right then and there had the drop ship not promptly pulled up it's ramp and took off behind them.

With a sigh Jack lumbered up to where the Sith had gathered. He snickered at the suggestion that Nieraan be put in charge. Aside from that, the conversation was frightfully dull. The Commanding Officer confusion was solved by the appearance of yet another random Sith Master over a holoprojector. His attention wavering, Jack immediately began to rummage through his jacket for a cigarette.

Success! With nicotine came some semblance of relief. Jack found himself able to focus enough to catch the last bit of their CO's plan. He frowned. Blow up a wall? Jack thought, How pedestrian.

Jack huffed as soon as the holo cut out. "How exciting," he groaned to no one in particular. Lazily Jack plucked the cigarette from his lips and blew smoke through the side of his mouth. "I believe I'll hang back here. Best to leave the front lines to the Noghri," he yawned, motioning in the direction Honog had sprinted off of his own accord. As well as any of you other masochists who are turned on by the thought of strapping on some explosives and throwing yourselves at a wall.

[Rugs]

A gentle, lopsided smile touched the surface of Nieraan's features beneath his solid mask, amusement fluttering across his face at Yin's comment. "Indeed," he muttered quietly, a spark of humor riding beneath the surface of his words. Whether Yin meant it to be an insult to some of the Sith who were higher up than them in rank, if not intelligence, or some jab at Nieraan himself--or a mix of both--he couldn't say. But he was used to her direct, sometimes sarcastic ways, and appreciated them, if nothing else.

There wasn't time to ponder it, though. While Makura played around in his pockets, searching for one of his usual cigarettes, Nieraan folded his arms and relaxed his stance, glancing at a dropship that came roaring in overhead as Hervor spoke.

It seemed the plan was to have a force move ahead to pave the way for the full assault on the fortress. Push to the bluff, blow a hole in the side of it. Take away a portion of the turtle's shell to sear the meat within. A decent enough plan, if it worked, Nieraan supposed. Though dangerous.

The dropship's engines screamed as its passengers moved away from it, carrying cargo to get a shield up and running once they had the forward post set up. As the dirt and dust and leaves were pushed up around them, he turned his sights to the mountain ahead of them, only to glance Honog already rushing off to do whatever it was that Noghri did in battle.

"Workable, I suppose," Nieraan muttered, to himself and to his comrades. "But a single force pushing straight ahead will draw their full attention." He huffed a laugh and smirked ruefully, shifting his weight from his left leg to his right. "You're all lovely people, truly, but I'm not in the mood to be a decoy for any of you.

"Surely we have the numbers and ability to push somewhere else at the same time," he went on, turning his head slightly to face Zarene, a brow arched slightly. "Split their focus. Give the demolition teams an actual chance to make it to the mountainside."

Perhaps actually put the Noghri to use, he mused. He's stupid, but he can be a wrecking ball when he wants to. Might as well make something out of it.

Of course, Nieraan wasn't the one in charge, nor was he really any sort of tactician; not for things on this scale. But it seemed a simple consideration to him, not at all dissimilar from tactics emplayed in a lightsaber duel. Draw the enemy's focus away from your true intention, and punish them for their distraction.

He folded his arms and waited to see what the others might say, and his lips curled again to smile at Jack's refusal to move to the front. "No Makura," he said, his grin hidden beneath his mask. "You're coming with me. Wherever we wind up."

They'd have to get that worked out and move before too long, though. Time was of the essence.

[Kiserius]

(Asked Cain if I could post a few days ago, didn’t want to disrupt the posting order, but it’s just Ylenic reacting to Beleren’s orders).

The hefty chains of command weighed heavily on the back of the Caamasi Jedi Knight who carefully, thoughtfully exited the central command center, watching as his two younger human compatriots as they swiftly passed him to head off to their respective assignments. He had the feeling they had hardly acknowledged his presence at all, which he thought was quite a dangerous tactical error given that he was more or less responsible for acting as the reserve in the event of any serious breaches in the defenses. He would have to find some way to contact with them when things began to heat up, as effective coordination and use of scarce resources were the keys to ensuring victory. Still, he could not blame them for their enthusiasm. From Master Beleren’s actions and what he picked up of his surface thoughts before he respectfully pulled back, he surmised that they were new to this sort of thing. That was likely why he was assigned to a support role and given discretion, in case the young Knights bit off more than they could chew.

Though, I may end up doing the same. I’ve never fought a Dark Jedi, much less a Sith before. They don’t tend to show up that often on localized fringe wars on planets that can barely afford to ship their senator off to Coruscant much less offer any real chance for power, or in seemingly mundane trade disputes that turn into flash conflicts. They’ll be the real threat to this fortress if they’re not handled carefully: they are the sole unknown factor, they are what will see this particular battle decided. Republic soldiers, I imagine, are not typically trained to handle force users, much less skilled ones. Still…who said empirical experience is needed to deal with them?

The odd little Caamasi in his yin-yang robes paused for a moment, walking toward the edge of one of the numerous dull, blocky stone parapets that lined the outer surface of the fortress. His hands played over them absently as he engaged in further thought, chill and smooth to the touch, eyes gazing out to the bleak, worn, lifeless mountains that had likely already felt the opening salvos of the conflict somewhere just beyond his vision.

We and the Sith are not that different. Oh, yes, philosophically speaking we differ from them quite immensely, but not so much in material ability and weaponry.Should they not also fall prey to similar weaknesses? Sonic weapons to eradicate one’s concentration, making it difficult to call upon the Force for more than the most basic and brief of abilities. A blaster set to deliver a wide cone of stunning energy is far more difficult to deflect with a lightsaber or dodge than a small, concentrated bolt of lethal energy of one set to kill. Flamethrowers, flechette rifles, scatter pistols, shotguns, acid launchers, grenades, gas...all possible to defend against singularly and against small numbers of opponents, but it’s not like any of us have unlimited reserves of Force power. How would our Sith compatriots fare if all such techniques and weapons were used in tandem by their opponents, foes led by a commander capable of telepathically transmitting orders in real time? One able to throw illusionary threats in with real ones? One with knowledge of many of their techniques? Not too well, I think. Many of our order have been done in by far less and I doubt the Sith are as grand as they claim to be.

The slightest shadow of a smile flitted across Ylenic’s face before it was quickly superseded by a frown.

Still, I'm skeptical that there would be more than a few platoons trained to handle such weapons, even if they were available. If I can get three-fourths, or even half a company of such specialists, I would be lucky. It’s not like such specialized weapons are commonplace or particularly useful when lower cost, more universally useful blasters are available. Furthermore, they would need my full attention and guidance to be effective against any skilled Sith, as I would need to penetrate their mental blocks to find out their weaknesses…ordering my platoons to shoot rockets and grenades against a Sith particularly strong in telekinesis would be suicidal, for example. That means I would only be able to assist at one of the possible breach points…if another became overwhelmed while I was engaged… .

Ylenic paused, shaking his head mournfully as hot shards of anxiety began to prick his neck. He took a long, deep breath, engaging for the briefest of moments in a calming meditative trance.

No use getting anxious about it. What will be, will be. I cannot show the slightest bit of hesitation, a slim sliver of doubt or anxiety, for if I do both my enemy will be emboldened while my allies will be disheartened. It’s the same thing at the negotiating table, show a little bit of weakness and the wolves will certainly go for one’s throat. Now then, off to prepare a diplomatic “welcome” for our itinerant, acerbic guests..

The golden-furred Caamasi took one last glance at the desolate, barren mountains of Thila before abruptly turning, making a purposeful stride toward what passed for an armory in Bak’mral. It would take some convincing and doubtless more than a little hassle to acquire the men and weapons that he needed, but such things were surely trivial to what he was normally forced to negotiate for even the most mundane of diplomatic agreements.

[Dutch]

A slow smile would crawl onto Jessoin's face as Hervor spoke. For a supposed hag, the Zelosian had to admit that she was quite attractive, in a different way than he expected. Those thoughts were quickly dashed as the woman went into more detail with her plan. Bring the very fortress down around the Jedi? Bury then beneath boulders and stones... let their own defense be their demise. How poetic. He would look up at the group of Sith around him as Hervor continued on. It seemed that they would need to split up after all. He wasn't bothered by this, Jess knew he could handle his own with the likes of mere Republic soldiers. Their weapons wouldn't even touch him. As a matter of fact, some of those weapons would indeed be the source of their demise.

But it was time, Jess stowed his holoprojector and turned his head until the bones in his neck popped audibly, before he turned it the other way to crack that side. He sighed as he felt the fluids move better, and his muscles relax. It was indeed time. Jessoin laughed at Neiraan's words. The man may have been a savage, but damn did he make Jess laugh. He nodded and shot a sly wink at Zarene before he turned to gaze towards the fortress.

"Good, I shall take one team on my own then... we all know Makura needs his man to watch out for him, lest he twist his ankle and need help walking..."

Jessoin said, his tone playful, yet with a hint of insult. He laughed at his own words and looked back at the group once more before he made a half-arsed attempt at the Sith military salute before he turned away and began to stalk off. Oh how he could not wait to feed upon the sheer terror the Republic would soon pour out into the Force- their very emotions fueling the object of their fear. And that was why the day would go to the Sith...

"Let us give them a show! Let them quake in horror as we draw near!"

He turned and held his arms out, his long stride propelled him backwards as he laughed and gestured for them all to move along. His laughed did not cease as he turned back around. How could he? He had already had a taste of mass murder from his workings for Renata, but from some of the tales whispered within the halls of the Temple, he heard that a Sith on the field of battle was nigh unstoppable from the sheer amount of the darkside that brewed in it.

And Jessoin wanted that. He wanted that very badly.

***

After several moments Jess made it to one of the drill teams, he let the Force guide his steps as he approached a group of young men, boys really. They stared at him with a mixture of fear and respect. One of the men jogged up to the Zelosian and snapped a smart salute.

"Sir! Lady Hervor already contacted us. We are to follow your orders until otherwise directed by Her."

Jess nodded and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. He couldn't tell any of the man's features from his fully armored form. As a matter of fact, nearly the entire group around the massive drill was well armored and equipped. It seemed the Sith military truly spent no expense on their soldiers. He smiled at the group and gestured out towards the future field of battle.

"This gentleman, is the arena. This is where the show of your life takes place. The Republic think they are untouchable within their great wall. I say, let's take that wall, and make it their mausoleum. Now, let me ask... who wants to hear some Republic dogs wish for their mothers?"

He laughed and pulled the Force into his body to perform a couple assisted jumps up the drill until he stood on top of the great machine of war. His legs were spread shoulder-width for balance, and he was careful to not get caught up within the actual drill- bit. He began to draw the Force into his body more and more, but this time, began to focus it, crystallize it. Purple arcs of lightning would dance across his body, which made his hair feather out more and his eyes would turn a dark amber color as more pooled into him.

Let them know, death comes...

With a great roar Jessoin pulled on the Force for a last push and screamed a battle cry as he thrust both arms up and out. A massive bolt of lightning thundered from his fingertips and Jess cackled madly as he pushed more out, a long, steady stream of electricity that roared and thundered. He let the stream end and panted a laugh as he heard the thunder rumble off the great wall itself, and wiped a drop of sweat from his head.

"Forward!"

Barked Jessoin as he once more drew at the Force to wave his arms forward. A barrier within the Force would be projected around the drill and his team, and he watched the wall with greedy, golden eyes as the leviathan of battle below him rumbled to life and began to roll forward, an entire platoon of Sith troopers flanked and followed Jess.

And he stood on top of the world, as he moved to make it crumble before him.

[sparrow]

"As long as the main force keeps the defenders occupied and off our backs, we'll do our job," Zarene replied to Hervor. Thousands would perish assaulting the fortress. She did not envy their job. But it was necessary sacrifice. "Put the droids in front. Maybe have the noghri on point..." She was cut off by a loud roar, followed by the sight of a greyish animal running past them, out of the clearing, howling and leaving a trail of dust in his wake. Okaaaaay... that was weird.

"Well, looks like he's already doing that," she muttered as soon as the surprise wore off, and she hung up the comlink.

Her squad was gathered some distance away, organizing their equipment, performing last-minute checks on their speeder bikes. Byar, fiddling with the controls on his speeder bike, looked up from his hunched over position when she approached. "So did you catch all that?" Zarene asked.

Byar nodded. "Sure did. I have Carby getting all the portable sensor systems ready. With the battle going on we'll actually be able to use them without bringing the whole garrison down on our heads. Shen's prepping the charges. Second squad looks like Pallen's boys. Decent fellow, worked with him once before."

Tapping the buttons on her datapad a few times, Zarene brought up a small holoprojection of the surrounding area. Several blinking dots were displayed in the areas around the fortress. These were areas they had already scouted, but their need to avoid the Republic forces meant that they had not been able to explore the places fully. But these were all promising locations, likely spots for caches and tunnels, good places to start. She pointed to one of the blinking dots. "We'll start here. Back of the mountain."

"Good place to start as any," Byar replied. "Got any inspirational words before we ride?"

"No. Let's just go."

[Apillis]

"As long as the main force keeps the defenders occupied and off our backs, we'll do our job."

Hervor chuckled in response, "They will."

She then turned to the major accompanying her, "Prepare the men... They're going to get busy digging. Tell them to not to bring too much ammunition."

The major took on a grim look on visage, "Yes, my Lord."

"Are you sending them to dig into the cliff side as well, my Lord?", asked the remaining colonel with her as the other had gone off to prepare the artillery ranks.

Hervor and the major looked at each other, then back at the colonel as she crossed her arms under her chest, "No. They're going to advance. Despite the animal's antics, it's not enough."

"Then shouldn't they have extra ammunition?"

Hervor and the major looked at each other then back at the colonel, "You've never been in a trench battle, have you? A battle of attrition."

The colonel chuckled, "Of course not, there hasn't been such a battle in decades."

She smiled a little, "Colonel, what's a soldier's most valuable tool on the battlefield?"

The colonel looked a little miffed and offended by the inquiry, "His weapon, of course, my Lord."

Hervor smirked as she then uttered with the sharp authority of a commanding officer, "Major!", the man abruptly snapped to attention when she uttered his rank, "What's a soldier's most valuable tool on the battlefield?"

"His shovel, my Lord.", he answered quickly, while the colonel stood confused.

Hervor smiled, "When I was a young Knight fighting the Mandalorians five decades ago, I thought the same as you, colonel.", she then looked out into what was to be No Man's Land before them as she went onto say, "But... when fighting the Mandalorians on their own soil. The fire fights were often just battles of attrition. Soldiers spent most of their time digging rather than shooting. I spent so many hours in those days with the soldiers just digging. Most our time felt like it was spent in a hole digging. Digging for their lives. Digging for shelter. Digging for protection. Digging to hide. Digging for their dead to bury. Majority of their time isn't going to be spent out there shooting, it's just going to be spent in the mud and the blood of a hole in the ground. Which is why they don't need to bring their spare ammo stores... not yet at least. This is trench warfare, colonel. Get used to it, the longer this war drags on, the more you're going to not just witness but experience it first hand."

On her little holo-communicator the other colonel suddenly chimed in, "My Lord, our artillery units are ready."

Quickly responding to the communication she inquired, "And the seven AM5s, colonel?"

He grinned at the question, "Ready, my Lord."

She smiled in turn, "Excellent.", she then turned to her communications officer, "You still have a channel ready to connect with the base?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good, open the channel now.", she ordered.

There was much she had to say. In truth given the situation, it was best the Republic general just capitulated now. The Republic soldiers and himself were essentially trapped in there, and all Hervor needed to do was wear it down with time, and the environment itself. Even if her current strategy failed, she had several others in mind--some she was just beginning to see as possibilities as she observed the situation, while the Republic in this case was left with only one, which was to survive. A hope of theirs that Hervor opposed immensely.

After all, it was in the general's best interests to surrender, because once that option is no longer available when the time comes to breach that base's defenses. That base will be turned into a tomb of the Republic's dead soldiery. She does not have interest in prisoners, not this time. Normally she will not take a prisoner under the rank of captain, but even that personal rule of thumb had worn thin with her. The general was the only prisoner she had any interest in, but even if he winds up dead--she does not care, capture or kill--either is a desirable result.

Her literal century of studying philosophies to draw on to explain the folly and fallacy of placing their faith in the Jedi to help see them through the day. This battle in its way was pointless, for the outcome was clear to her. There was no hope, there never is--it is all swallowed in darkness and despair. The sooner they see that, the more it ensures the Republic soldiers' own survival. But pride, silly pride prevents them from conceding their senseless hope to inevitability. Their persistence is nothing more than logic having met its death.

What does one say to a man who has yet to understand the reality before him?

Well, the communication with the Republic base was made. The holo-projection of her visage appeared upon the holo-communicator of the Republic base's command center. With a deadened gaze of nonchalance and the belief of looking upon a man who very well may die by her own hand as she wills it, she uttered, "My d*** is bigger than yours.", communications were then ceased with the base.

Changing her communication back to the colonel commanding artillery she ordered, "Fire."

Acting the second upon her order, the colonel relayed the order to the AM5s, which all simultaneously fired their ion missiles in a hailstorm upon the Republic's grand fortress. And though they struck only its great shields, they begun to waver under the destructive power of the seven Hramajama AM5 LRMLRCs' ion missile barrage.

Hervor smiled just a bit at the sight, "Keep a steady volley, colonel. I want to give our artillery something to blow up by the days end."

"Yes, my Lord.", the colonel responded over their communications enthusiastically.

She then turned to the major, "Give the order for the soldiers to advance. If all goes well, the Republic will be more distracted by AM5s' barrage than the advance of the soldiers.", truth be told, she did not really care, they were just words to keep a sentimental veteran major at ease and lacking resentment while in her command, keep him focused on his duty than on her.

The order by the major was given, and the charge was made by the first advancing soldiery. Firing whatever they had to provide cover for their buddies who were digging for their very lives beside them in the tough, rocky ground of the mountains of Thila...

((Edit: Fix'd a couple typos, though there's likely more.))

[Jace]

"Master....I can't tell you how glad I am that the Force brought you here to help..."

I may be too little, too late, thought Jace in response to the younger Jedi's comment. He was skilled in the Force but even he had little chance against the armies arrayed against him. Whatever hope they had rest in the General's tactics and the resilience of the fortress Bak'mral. The Jedi would not even dare to hope that their enemy would make mistakes. They knew the value of this base and the abilities of the man was who in command. Even the recklessness of the darkside could prove disadvantageous for the Republic forces.

He watched as the few Jedi present on Thila filtered out of the command room. They now had their orders and would see them done. The only one who had not been present was Tahlia who had received her orders earlier. Jace could only hope she found whatever vulnerabilities the base had before the Sith did, the consequences of not doing so were too dire to consider. In truth, the former Grandmaster wished he had at least one more Council member to reinforce this position. This battle was going to be taxing in the extreme and experience was all Jace had to combat the sheer numbers that the Empire was fielding. The presence of Master A'Kla was at least a welcome addition though the Jedi was unsure of the Caamasi's battle experience.

Before he had time to consider any other matters, Tahlia's voice resonated over his comm. He listened to her report without interruption before finally saying, "Good work."

Jace did not need to tell the woman that they were running out of time. He suspected the Sith would begin their approach at any moment now. The Jedi relayed the message about the mess hall before moving back to the central holo which displayed the expanse of the battlefield. It was not the type of scene that a commander in his position enjoyed seeing. Once again he was struck with a vague sense of awe at the power that had been brought to bear against them. Jace could only shrug and wait for the inevitable first strike.

--------

General Velsim hadn't stopped swearing since he had guessed that Bak'mral would be the Empire's next target. If he was a younger and more foolish man, he would have welcome the challenge of testing his wits against the enemy commander. Velsim had become disillusioned by such thoughts of fame and glory; heroes ended up dead. He was no hero despite what the Republic would like everyone to think. How many soldiers had he sent to their deaths? How many would he send to die on this day? They called it the 'burden of command', Velsim called it hypocritical crap. He was well aware that his actions would not land him in some seat of glory in the afterlife.

"General, incoming comm...from the Sith," reported his communications officer. The grizzled old man remained silent for a moment as he weighed his options. Eventually he just let out a sigh and said, "Put it through."

Velsim could more or less guess what their commander would have to say to him. He had to admit that he was slightly surprised, though his face remained unchanged, as a woman's face materialized. The general knew that women could make capable commanders but he had thought the Empire conservative on such matters. Even though he was not face to face with this woman, he could tell that she was no stranger to command or death.

"My d*** is bigger than yours."

The general simply blinked as the enemy commander's visage disappeared an instant later.

Well that was...unexpected, he thought still somewhat nonplussed. He looked around and noted that his command center had become eerily silent. There were mixed reactions from his personnel, ranging from disgusted to amused.

"I think I finally found myself a wife," stated the general as a tired smile played across his scarred face. Even a crusty old man like himself was capable of making a joke from time to time.

"General, incoming missiles," stated another officer in a completely calm voice. Velsim swelled with a bit of pride at the composure of his soldiers. It was likely that they would all be dead by the end of this day yet they remained completely professional.

I'm a lucky man...

"Shields," ordered Velsim.

The base shook slightly as the Sith missiles collided with Republic shields. They would not break through so easily but both commanders knew that the fortress' shields could only take so much damage. He knew that the Sith would not simply be content to just sit back and wait until the happened. His intuition was rewarded moments later as he saw movement among the Sith line. The enemy had begun their advance. Velsim ordered their own artillery to return fire, the Sith would not make it to his walls so easily. Republic artillery had been consistent throughout the day to keep the enemy at bay but know they fired in earnest. There would be no holding back. Eventually his enemy would close the distance and his artillery would have lost its value.

Republic. Empire. Jedi. Sith. Soon all would be joined in the seemingly endless pandemonium of war until only one side remained standing. General Velsim, touted hero of the Republic, did not like his odds.

[Dire Wolf]

Tali heaved a heavy sigh as her eyes continued to search for more potential weakpoints in the fortress' defense. It wasn't long before the light began to strain her eyes, and it was all she could do to keep them open let alone focus on the many facets of the attacker's strategy that could bring about a weakness. So, the woman heaved a heavy sigh and fell into a chair that was located behind her. If the Sith had something in mind, they weren't bothering to set anything in motion... yet.

Her eyes closed and fingers pressed against the bridge of her nose to help alleviate the pain that began to grow within her skull. The Jedi Knight was not well versed in the ways of war. Tali vaguely remembered some of the more notable battles of history that was taught to her as a youngling, but once her master took her as an apprentice most of those lessons faded from memory. Odin focused more on diplomacy and personal martial prowess than he did on military strategy.

As if on cue the light emitted from the hologram changed and flickered, causing the woman to remove her hand. The holographic readout of the battle had changed and shifted into the visage of a rather striking woman. Or she would have been, had the Dark Side not ravaged her body and face as if it were a drug. "My d*ck is bigger than yours," the holographic visage said before imploding into the emitter. The topographical and tactical map of the battlefield reappeared.

Obviously the message was intended for the command center, but being in the communication center allowed her to see the routed messages. Had the situation been different she likely would have chuckled at the insult. As it stood, however, it only enraged her. Gave her heart purpose. It was then that she saw formations of vehicles slowly making the march towards the base of the hillock that the wall stood on. The hill itself was far too steep for the vehicles to drive up, so what could that possibly accomplish?

Then she remembered how the gigantic Roggwart that had chased her and Remiel on Vendaxa fell off of a cliff after the ground gave way. Were they planning the same? Tali rose to her feet at the thought, her eyes wide, and flew out of the communication center like a carrot-topped bat out of hell. The Force flowed in and out of her body like the air, empowering her movements and sped towards the edge of the wall. The wind roared in her ears as she passed a group of soldiers, and one had a long tubular weapon leaning against a crate. A pocket of her will enveloped the tubular weapon, lifting it from its place of rest and into her hand.

Once she reached the edge of the wall, the woman rose up and stood on the parapet to survey the approaching vehicles. A small smirk appeared on her face as she lifted the launcher to her shoulder and sighted in on one of the vehicles. "Looks like you're about to get... blown," her finger mashed the trigger back once she heard the shrill whine of the rocket's lock. There was a half a second of a delay before the air behind her exploded with a cloud of exhaust. The rocket ripped through the air and screamed towards the vehicle.

Tali let the used launcher clang against the stone parapet and then tumble down the long descent to the ground below. Her nose crinkled at the putrid smell of rocket exhaust as she watched the rapidly expanding plume of fire and smoke careen towards the drill. There seemed to be a man atop the drill, and one with a glimmering barrier around it.

Hm.

Force User.

"I probably should have grabbed another rocket..."

[timtank]

Everybody seemed to have been preparing rather nicely for the conflict that awaited them right outside those massive metal walls, and the soldiers appeared content. At this point they appeared to be confident that they could hold out, or simply accepted their fates and ready too fight until that final breath escapes their bodies. These men were trained to give up their very lives when the call is made, and one Jedi master was rather hesitant to make the calls that may be required.

The Kiffar Jedi watched as the many warriors put under his command, those whose very lives depend on the Jedi's decision. Theses facts were rather nerve raking. The amount of responsible trusted onto the man could surely overwhelm a lesser man; thus, Klon was the only one among this crowd who could handle such a pressuring situation. Those solders could make peace with themselves, understanding as foot solders they risk there lives to a higher degree do to foot solder status, as well as having made peace with death, they could not lead those around them in a campaign for victory.

Although the situation proves dizzying to a man even of Klon's stature, for because of his actions many will die, and his hands will be soaked in the blood of the fallen. The mind could fall to peaces in this situation yet the man's heart was in the right place, for he knows the fallen will not be forgot; thus, giving the Jedi master the courage needed to lead this rag tag group. He had to keep up planning the defenses of the fort's center so he spoke with the Captain's rather closely.

After he took a breath he spoke deeper into the issue. Making a number of request after the guns were set behind the barricades to get more useful gear and set troops. "Their is a total of 28 defensive towers and 12 large platforms with mounted turbo lasers scattered though out the whole fort, I need people positioned on top of them!" Yells the Jedi to those he was to assist on this bloody day.

Said Klon to one of the captain who then ran off to the masses of the army to report. One of the other captains made their way over and says "We also have guard droids ready... three types sir!" Klon nodded, hinting that they be brought out while one other captain states that he has found a store of mines that release a upward spray of thick green gas to the sky. The master simply held back waiting to be called with news related to the advancement of others.

"I need those gas mines spread evenly under the ground... Straight line if possible. Also as for the droids we have four ISD-04 Thunderhead as well as six SDU-MKIII, six SDT-2, and two Y3Z-4O droids... The group is small but well armored in terms of droids, we can hold them off..." Says the Jedi master who looked to the Captains for approval of his words before moving along. " If we put two ISD droids with three SDU and SDT droids with a Y3Z we have a useful droid force at the rear as well as the front lines."

With those words Klon surveyed the area for any nay Sayers before moving on "Now the gas mines is in the even that they break though the main gate and we start to become over whelmed their I will call for all soldiers to pull back, and then I will trigger the mines, following that we must ignite the gas via flame thrower or explosive. If we ignite the gas we create a new wall, this one out of fire... Witch should make for a effective deterrent in a despite situation. Although if they break though those gates the fort is lost, and fleeing may become the primary focus by that time...."

Still the captains of these forces have yet to challenge his rather unorthodox deterrent plan, seeing this he moved along to the next issue, setting up quickly, in witch to deal with this he sent off his forces to engage in none combat related labor. The Kiffar only hoped he had time...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moments later something changed, Klon could feel what seemed to be a ripple in the force and a cry of sorrow's past as the darkside marched onward. It was time, everything was about to happen right now so the Jedi master ran though the crowd and yells "Arm yourselves now! Take position and be prepared!" By the time this was said the shields started being beaten by a storm of missile fire. The impacts rocked the fort but it stood strong just as always. The master stayed in the back lines with his officers awaiting the breach that seemed rather likely to happen though what would be overwhelming odds and numbers. He waited with saber in hand disparate to purge the darkness from all...

[Cassy]

High on the walls of Bak'mral. Cassandra stood vigilant. Dark brown locks swirling down too her shoulders, bright green eyes set on the vast wasteland of rock in front of her. The walls of this fortress were high, extremely high. She could see about as far as the average bird flying through this landscape.

Just then, her vantage point payed off. On the horizon, flecks of several hundred visages began too appear. Larger shadows behind them, what she assumed too be the artillery mechs and droids, towering over the regular forces. Over the next few moments, the blotches of darkness came clearer into view. They pressed on. Even at this distance, Cassy could feel the anticipation welling up inside of her. At a certain point she had too calm herself down.

She was one of the only two Jedi positioned on the upper walls, the battlements of Bak'mral. The other, Dan Firestar was at her side. They were charged with defending the upper levels of the wall, and so they would. Surrounded by battalions of Republic soldiers, the sky itself seemed to darken slightly as the day pressed on. She smirked a little. Omen's always had perfect timing.

Soon enough, the alarms blared on. Several red lights began too spin, yellow ones as well. The MAC cannons manned by two Republic troops each, spun and pointed towards the fore, like a pin needle. Where the Sith were revealing themselves.

"Do not set! They will likely try to draw our fire away from them!!! We have to thin their ranks!" most of the Republic troops looked up at her in shock, but then processed what she was saying. Wait it out until their troops get close enough too hit as well. Merely firing back at their artillery wouldn't be enough.

'Then it began.'

A swarm, almost something like, a fan. Erupted from the Sith's line. The trails of smoke from their missle volley looked like something out of a bad dream. An endless array of smoke contrails erupted, so thick into the air only when they began to spread and streamline towards the fortress did the difference in them become apparent. For a moment there it looked like just a massive wave of smoke like water emerging from the top of their line. Now, the streamline of all their missles could be seen. A mighty first volley. Too make matter worse, Cassandra could easily see their Cannons charging. Mighty reb orbs of whirling gathering energy, sticking out from the thick swath of their black line like red globes of light.

Everything went into slow motion, the shields were being raised. A mighty fantastic grid, cast in see through blue with green lines running through it. Slowly, like lego building blocks it stacked itself up from the base of the fortress. For a moment there, Cassy didn't think it would raise in time. But sure enough, the dome passed in front of her, finally reaching the heights of the fortress. It began to dome, piecing itself together in puzzle fashion at the top above all their heads. A sight too be seen.

The slow-mo effect would end just as the dome would solidify itself above.

'The earth began too move'

The equivalent of what seemed like one million camera's flashing went off in the purview of both Cassandra and all the Republic Troops stationed with her up on the walls. The fortress would shake although the shields held firmly, the white hot flashes of the missiles would disperse as the flames and smoke whirled away. Slowly. The grid which had been perfect a moment ago had some cracks running through it's digital frame. Like glass. As the smoke swirled off of the dome, Cassy saw a sight that did not bode well.

Their missiles charging once more; only these were missiles of a different type than the first volley. Ion missiles glowed with an eerie red light. They loosed in a great fan.

Waves of red smacked the shield as the order too fire was obviously given. If the brightness of the missiles hitting was a million camera flashes, what she saw briefly before shielding her eyes and turning away from the shields was the equivalent of a star exploding. The ion missiles licked off the shield, which looked now like it was about too begin giving way. Thickening cracks and it flickering in and out of full power. She had to steady herself on the ground, without moving for fear of tripping in the mild tremor that had went off in the aftermath of their cannons. Eventually the ground and fortress steadied again.

"Now set!" Cassy knew that the orders to return fire would come any moment now from the General. Her com began blipping and flashing. It was the General. "Return Fire" was all she heard.

"FIRE!!!!!"[/I] was heard over all the intercoms too the troops stationed on the wall. Even those stationed inside the fortress too hold the back lines would've heard the General's orders repeated by her on their universally linked coms.

From an outside view, the fortress of Bak'mral began to practically glow with brightest blue light. The MAC cannons literally appeared out of the fortress' walls itself, and the artillery cannons on top spread and aimed at their ground forces and Artillery Cannons respectively. The bright glow from Bak'mral reached an apex, and then. A grand net. One that would draw awe inspiring whoops from the Republic forces. Would loose. What sounded like King Kong playing a 'him' sized Kongo went off as the mighty MAC cannons of Bak'mral loosed.

The net of blue light, approached line of the Sith. One moment later, the two Republic troopers stationed at each Artillery Cannon on the wall would pull down a grand trigger on the side of their cannon and loose. Covering their ears as the mighty artillery cannons jumped back on themselves from the force of their own shots.

Within moments, the spectacle of the Republic's lasers slapping against the Sith's lines could be seen. Some hit shields, others hit their mark as plumes of fire rose. A few moments later, their Artillery began landing. Large explosions of rock, sand, and dust. Showering into the Sith. The net of lasers continued too open fire while their Artillery reloaded for another devastating volley.

With the earth now shaking beneath her feet, and the grand array of light and lasers dancing out against the Sith in front of her. Cassandra almost felt like jumping off the damned fortress and bum rushing the Sith. What was this battle fever that she felt? Why did it keep arising? Her orders were too defend the outside of the fortress. Make sure the walls and battlements were not breached from above. She knew better.

Yet, as the battle entered full swing, she felt something as Dark as what was too come stirring within herself. The Republic Troopers around her grabbing their ears again signaled another loose from their Artillery.

"Loose!" a grand cannon shockwave erupted again from Bak'mral as what looked like camera flashes being taken from the fortresses walls could be seen. Joining the constantly firing net of lasers. Again, the ground itself broke apart in front of the Sith. Hopefully crushing, sending them tumbling, or outright evaporating them. In the those instants.

Her green eyes looked on, the battle was now in full swing. Looking too her right, she made eye contact with Dan Firestar for a moment. He was likely watching the same things she was. Could they together fend against any Sith that appeared upon the fortress walls? She certainly hoped for everyones sake they could. If not? Then the moment they fell, a torrent of Force Lightning or worse likely awaited everyone who'd been charged with defending the upper battlements with the two Knights.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

The time seemed to crawl by; hours had gone by without a peep from the enemy. Saying he was a little bored would have been a understatement. It wasn't a longing for action, it was the fact that he knew it was coming but couldn't do anything about it. A "helplessness", explained his feelings extremely well right now.

At the moment he was leaning against a tall antenna with a small rock that he had found on the wall; he was holding it, tossing it off the edge of the tower, then calling it back to him with the force. He noticed a small change in Cass' attitude as she looked out to the void ahead. Dan saw them too, the sith troops marching ever nearer to the base. Dan pulled a pair of stub Electro binoculars off his belt and began to zoom into the sea of sith. Dan's stomach started to turn as he saw the army...Great! Over Kill, suits the sith well! He said taking in the tanks and massive group.

Dan sighed before giving his first order, Alright Men! He shouted loud enough that each man on the wall would hear him. Take cover, spread out along the wall, don't bunch up it makes you to easy a target! Cass cut in to shout her order, "Do not set! They will likely try to draw our fire away from them!!! We have to thin their ranks!" Dan pulled one of his two sabers from his belt, the clouds where setting in now, it got a little Grey, but Dan could still see clearly.

Several more long minutes latter, and the tanks where in range, the shields of the base where being raised, the Battle of Thila had truly begun!

Cassandra spoke again "Now set!" It wasn't literally two minutes latter before the General stated on the comms, Dan's went off too, the order to fire had been given. Cassandra made sure everyone else heard, "FIRE!!!!!" The cannons on the walls complied by letting off their first volley. About half the shots hit their targets, the rest missed.

Dan began holding his lightseber hilt more tightly in his right hand, the constant flashes hitting their shield had no effect on the shield, Dan had to squint to avoid temporary blindness though. At the same time he felt a strangeness in Cassandra, he didn't know what it was, but he thought it wise to have some sort of final reassurance just to be safe. Three things never to forget in battle, 1) Keep a calm head, 2) Don't forget to breath, and i forget the third one! Dan said, it would likely be the last of his jokes for the day, but he felt it would cheer Cass up a bit. Dan was determined to get as many people through this as possible.

Dan began looking to the edge of the shield seeing that not far from it where foot runners, some of them appeared to be possible sith apprentices, but he couldn't tell for sure, To be safe though he barked off another order, Watch that edge boys! Got uglies trying to walk the shield! He said pointing at the small amount that where still roughly 10 minutes away, Pick your targets and wait 'em out!

He got some acknowledgment yells, "yes sir's" and even a ''HU RAH'' from the men. Dan let his finger slide to the power switch of the lightsaber, but it didn't come to life, he didn't press it, he waited, and partly wondered if waiting on the wall was wise, being on the ground might have been a good idea right about now, but Dan stood there waiting, he had though, decided that if a Sith tried to duke it out with him, he would divert the duel to the ground to avoid getting the troops in the line of the fight.

Now seems like a really nice time to be back home! Dan muttered and took a final look to his left at Cassandra. He looked back before speaking his final words before the battle ahead,

I got a bid feeling about this!

[Rugs]

"Guess that's that," Nieraan muttered, turning to look at the soldiers and equipment gathered for their assault.

Jess had already moved off to lead his unit into the attack, and that left Nieraan with Jack and a wall to break into. I still think loading the Noghri up into a cannon and just launching him would be more effective, he mused. But disdain aside, Cho was powerful, in his own ways, and could make a grand distraction to allow the assault teams to move forward.

Perhaps that was something they could put to use.

But Nieraan decided that was concern for later and moved on, grabbing Jack by the shoulder to turn him around and give him a push toward their men. "Come on, we've got work to do."

---

Everything had checked out, and all the men were ready. Nieraan took his position on the great drill overlooking his men, and found himself nodding. The skies above roared and crackled as missiles from above slammed into the shield protecting the mountain fortress, and through his helmet he could hear the distant sound of weapons fire and explosions as the main force began its assault. It would draw the defenders attention to give them time to get to the wall and punch through it, but time was of the essence.

"We ready to move out, sir?" An officer asked, standing straight and stiff, as if Nieraan was his superior. He supposed that, in many ways, he was.

"Yes, let's get to it," the Firrerreo muttered, voice distorted slightly by his mask's speakers. The great war machine lurched beneath him. Ahead, and to the east, he could see Jess' team pushing into their assault. Nieraan's team wouldn't be far behind.

There were stories he'd heard of war. Stories of great speeches given to great armies by their great leaders to inspire confidence and whip them into a patriotic furor. Nieraan had no plans for any of that, but he supposed he should say something.

"Men," he said, standing forward and leaning onto the rails of his siege engine as his units armor swept by the sides to take the lead, "there are a lot of good men ahead of us. There are a lot of honest, hardworking men up there, waiting in that mountain."

A short pause, a ripple of amusement worked through his core.

"Let's go kill them."

[Foxfire]

(occ-sorry for the lapse of a post but a noghri is known for being quiet....lol)

Honog had eased as close as he could without both the Jedi and the mechanical static posts spotting him. Simply sitting in one spot hiding in a divot of rock and debris. He had a view of both sides. Knowing that his coms would ping his location and would start the war before it started, not some thing he wanted to be known for.

His natural senses told him both side were ready. The Sith were on the move and the Jedi were aiming. What the Jedi didn't know was how close a powerful sith was to their front-lines. Sitting cross legged with his sabers in his lap he waited.

When the rumble started Honog drew in closer the curtained veil of the force around about him. He had to hide till the first strike from both side were done with their testing the lines. Then and only then would he raise as a nightmare and lay waste to the Jedi's front lines.

Honog watched as both sides threw their first volley at each other. Shields were the main factor on either side so dragging down those as soon as he can would be best and his first goal for the day. Of course other goals would rise before him but first things first. The breaking a hole through which he could insert himself. Stepping out of his hole he crushed a nearby scout droid tossing it's remains at another damaging it as well. With out igniting his sabers the noghri rose from his cover. Simply walking toward the wall Honog knew that this day much blood will be spilled.

[Dutch]

Jessoin watched as the first missile descended towards them. A single missile? Really? Against the heavily armored force that moved towards them? He laughed for a moment before another volley was unleashed their way. His smile almost faded until an idea arose. Those golden iris' watched the plumes of smoke that designated a projectile, and let the barrier down. None of the troopers seemed to notice, how could they without feeling the Force? He waited as they flew closer. His eyes slid closed a moment and his mind sent a wave out with the Force to locate and lock onto the missiles. Long fingers lanced out as he shot his arms forward, ropes of the Force sent out to latch onto many of the missile. They descended further, and just when they looked as if they would strike the drill, and end the threat, Jessoin cried out and spun his body. The missiles arced in a loop in mid air around him, and with a leap Jess sent the missiles flying straight back at their masters.

"Weep Republic scum!"

Cried the Sith with a cackle as their own weaponry flew right at them. More were fired, and once more Jessoin repeated the motions. Lock on. Latch. Fling back. Rinse. Repeat. Not once did he ever fear the weaponry, nor did he ever stop laughing. Cheers from the soldiers around him could be heard as the missiles exploded against the Republic shields. Their own artillery was aiding in their downfall. It was almost poetic. Under him, the drill's exhaust bellowed and roared in a steady rhythm. Whumf Whumf Hiss.... it went, over and over and over. An idea dawned on Jessoin, and he keyed into Nieraan's personal channel.

"...Onin... I had a most splendid idea. What's robed, yellow and brown?"

He started before he switched off the channel. His eyes found the highest ranking soldier below him and he called down to the man. He ordered them to make noise in time with the war drill. The Republic could easily see they were coming, it was time for them to hear it as well. All around Jess and his drill, more and more Sith soldiers began to bang fists against their armor, clang melee weapons together, they screamed and they shouted. Jaunts, jeers, insults, promises. Their emotions blanketed the area so thickly in the Force, and Jessoin drew those emotion deep within himself. There was just so much of it, he barely skimmed the rim of the Force around them and yet he was filled to capacity. The Zelosian reopened the channel to Nieraan.

"Answer? The Jedi as they hear us coming..."

Jessoin left the channel open as he laughed, and lightning began to arc all around the man. With several thrusting motions of his arms, Jess lanced bolt after bolt after bolt of lighting at the Republic. They slammed into the shield and webbed outwards in purple arcs, each one striking the same spot. More and more Jessoin lanced lightning as sweat began to fall from his hairline.

"Fall! Fall! FALL!"

He screamed among laughter, and indeed, the shield's generators wouldn't be able to take much more. It was truly a beautiful site, the two displays of defenses. On one hand, the blue sheen of the Republic's shields, the color occasionally streaked with orange and black explosions as well as arcs of dancing purple from Jessoin's lightning. Then there was the Sith he led, protected solely by the barriers he stopped to throw up between arcs of lightning. Missiles thudded against it and exploded, seemingly in mid air. How useless must the Republic feel as their munitions seemed to fail before even striking anything? Even from a distance, he could feel their fear, their doubt, their realization.

And it only further fed Jessoin as his eyes began to take on a reddish hue in the iris', his crimson flecked gold eyes watched the wall hungrily as he laughed and tossed lighting, now timed with the rest of the army that clanged and bellowed war cries.

It was glorious.

[Apillis]

And so the trading volleys begun...

As the ion missiles of the AM5s rained down upon the fortress' shields--weakening them with every explosion, the Republic fortress' own artillery rained down upon the heads of the Sith soldiers digging trenches for cover--for their very lives. As the shells and blasts rained down upon their heads as they dug, the soldiers took cover in what little was there. Despite the enormity of their numbers as they dug, nevertheless it takes time to dig trenches in rocky, mountainous terrain. Time they had in short supply as their lives were being snuffed out by flashes of fire and light.

"This is a problem.", uttered the Major.

He merely echoed Hervor's own thoughts as her fiery hued eyes narrowed in their gaze as the right corned of her upper lip curled causing her to express a vexed sneer. While the soldiers of her command dying was not only naturally expected but prepared and planned for, it was occurring at a pace that she did not approve of, she needed them to hold out long enough for the fortress' defenses to be brought low--a break in the wall caused by the young Sith she sent on ahead. Once the AM5s missiles volleyed again, and the shields of the great fortress were still managing to hold up, yet the Republic's artillery own return volley falling heavily upon the heads of her first wave she sent out to dig trenches.

"Prepare our next wave to support the first", Hervor commanded.

"But...", the colonel replied taken aback, "So soon, my Lord?"

"We don't have much of a choice as it stands, colonel", Hervor reluctantly conceded to the reality before her.

It was only a second later she turned her back heading to where a row of speeder-bikes utilized by scouts were parked nearby. She hopped on one of the speeder-bikes and took off only seconds after another volley of AM5 missiles launched flying fast ahead of her until they were out of sight, but she knew in that second another volley of Republic artillery would be coming in return. Pulling the speeder-bike up soaring it into the air while utilizing her vast prowess within the Force to augment her own physical capabilities thereby amplifying her already keen motor skills, she begun to lift herself off of the speeder-bike. Planting one foot on the seat of the speeder-bike, and then placing her other at the center of the handle-bars to steer it with that foot and simultaneously maintain balance. She then picked herself up letting go of the handles of the speeder-bike rising to a stand. High in the air she flew passed her soldiery digging trenches, while at the same time the return volley of the fortress' artillery was just being fired yet again with the purpose of crashing down upon her soldiers' heads.

Taking in a deep breathe--the sky around Hervor and above the heads of the Sith below. The air had grown thicker, denser--even in thinned mountain terrain air. But a darkness was gathering, brewing there in the sky high above the Sith--just ahead of their frontlines. The growing presence and its power--it can only be described as evil that was being conjured--something born of hate and wrath. The sight in the next instant was something akin to the tales of old of Sith 'sorcerers' unleashing power to the likes of which had been seen for ages. Channeling through Hervor's being was a conjuration of dark, malevolent power made manifest by immense bolts of lightning as she held out her arms wide almost as if inviting the fired artillery to her. It was as if a veritable lightning storm was contained within her and she merely let flow through her very existence out into the sky itself with her being the very eye of the storm. The numerous powerful bolts of lightning she unleashed crawled and crashed through the sky smashing into the oncoming artillery blasts and shells detonating many of them right there in the sky. The smoke of the explosions became clouds in of themselves in way, for the lightning that Hervor was channeling through her to skip across as they found their intended targets.

Nevertheless ripping through the clouds of smoke were many of the artillery that even with Hervor's power could not manage to stop, and still fell heavily down upon the heads of her soldiers--leading to the deaths of more of her soldiers. As the smoke cleared, Hervor remained standing on the speeder-bike glaring at the Republic fortress desiring its shattered ruin with a greater ambition and want than she did prior. For she still lost many soldiers despite likely having saved many as well with her actions in that moment. The trenches being are nearly dug by this point, and once the second wave moves into aid what is left of the first, they will be finished quite soon. And while there will be still difficulties ahead, the advance of the Sith ground forces will become a little easier.

Boldly and arrogantly, Hervor remained there in the air hovering, it was an open challenge--not to the Republic forces, but the to the Jedi themselves who hunkered down and cowered behind the shields and walls of the fortress. And at last her usual faint smile grew back on her visage as she held out hands casually to her sides, her palms up--it was a gesture, wordlessly saying, Well..?

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

((OOC---This is to avoid interfering with Cass and at the same time set up
Honog's entry.))

Dan spun the saber between his fingers when he realized a terrible truth... there where far more then just a few of the Sith at ground level, but enough to fill a small freighter twice. Dan took a breath and pulled his second saber, deciding to favor his speed and agility over brute force and accuracy in this up coming fight.

The troops where getting nervous and Dan sighed, and with that the first set of Sith crossed the shield, pushing through it. Dan held his fist up clutching the saber tightly and held it there, the troops took their targets, but waited... And over what felt like hours, Dan slung his arm forward signaling the men and snipers to take their targets down. Several of the Sith did surprisingly drop dead and lifeless, but not enough.

Then came a second volley, and a third, and a fourth, before finally the Sith where at the edge of the wall ready to climb or jump to the top. Dan still didn't power his saber... One of the many jumped up and landed directly in front of him and was partly surprised to See Dan standing there, Dan quickly reached down to the Sith who was likely still an apprentice, and grabbed his chin with his saber still in hand and gave a bit of a twist only dizzying the young man, then with a hop and a twist, Dan gave a force kick to the Sith's chest, sending him off the wall and back in the direction he had come from.

Then Dan hit the switches to his sabers and the orange/yellow blades came to life, each with it's own snap hiss. And Dan began cutting some of the cables the Sith had attached to the wall to aid them in their climb, sending a few of them to a fall back to the ground, where some wouldn't recover and would possibly die upon hitting the ground or the rocks at the bottom of the tall wall.

Yet another Sith landed on the wall this one landed firmly and was ready for a fight, charging Dan cutting some of his men down as he came. Dan quickly prepped for the fight and dodged the first attack then blocked a series of chained attacks that Dan quickly found a weakness in, they where random aimed only at killing, and the anger the Sith had blinded him, Giving Dan the opportunity to let the Sith loose sight of everything...

With one of the final sweeps of the chain Dan made a quick side step assisted by force speed, the Sith lost his only focus point and By the time he had found Dan again, it was to late, and his life was already ended...

Dan felt worried for a moment now, he looked around to focus on a powerful presence he could sense. A green skinned force user was on the wall, wreaking havoc on the troops, droids, and equipment. Dan sighed before grabbing onto a crate with the force and lunging it forward at full speed toward the double bladed wielder, and if the monster was stupid enough to ignore the crate and keep killing the men, then Dan who had already leaped into the air following the crate, would get his kill in early on this creature.... Dan's only goal at this point was to save the men who where being chopped down by the maniac...