Log:Resistance: A Certain Point of View
Resistance: A Certain Point of View
OOC Date: April 24, 2020
Location: Troiken System
Participants: Ektor, Tallissan Lintra, Elrych Cometburn, Poe Dameron
The Troiken System is a remote one, falling between the endpoints of the Perlemian Route and the Hydian Way on the outermost rim of the known galaxy. Most know of it only as the homeworld of the Xexto species, a former Republic member world which has been independent since the fall of the Old Republic. The New(est) Republic had received a desperate appeal from the world, stating that they were being invaded by the forces of a tyrannical warlord, and pleading for help. The Republic Fleet- already stretched in defense of its members, and wary of provoking a new fight on behalf of a remote non-member world, could commit no ships. The Resistance, on the other hand, had responded. General Dameron and Black Squadron were on the way, with the objective of figuring out what was going on in Troiken, and blowing up the bad guys. Whoever the bad guys ended up being.
Historians might recall that 80 years ago, the system had been briefly thrust into prominence as the location where the Stark Hyperspace War ended. Scientists might find it of interest as the source of an ancient Arkanian experiment which resulted in the creation of the Quermian species. As for those with less reputable knowledge..
<<Loooooooot of spice comes out of Troiken, yeah? You think we're gonna have time to have a little look around on the ground, after? Do some shopping, maybe?>> Ektor had cracked with a short cackle over the holo terminals while in hyperspace.
Black Squadron emerges into realspace to discover a one-sided fight underway. A Carrack class cruiser (the *Regulus*) and a pair of Marauder corvettes hover in orbit, with thirty fighters deployed (both new and old model Zeta fighters, and a half dozen Naboo NS-1 bombers) escorting a number of landing craft to the surface. They are being resisted ineffectively by 11 mismatched fightercraft and a trio of civilian grade gunships (the Ghtroc Countess *Indictidile*, YT-2400 *Unruly Bantha*, and Ghtroc 720 *Devious Leaptig*)
<<"Maybe, Xer. If you're good. Hah!">> The T-85 'Black Leader' emerged from hyperspace in a sudden flash, its red sublight engines coming to life as sensor information populated in front of the pilot. Poe Dameron tightened one glove and squinted his eyes. The sudden transition from hyperspace to real took a moment to adjust.
<<"Looks like a one sided fight here, the locals being the far less equipped. That looks like a voluntary militia flight there.">> Poe says, pointing with his hand despite no one seeing him.
A flip of a switch on the dash broadcasts the Commander's voice. <<"This is Commander Dameron of the New Republic answering a distress call detailing an invasion. If you are carrying out an invasion at this moment, it might behoove you to stop. If you care anything for the lives of your men, you will halt your operations.">> That said, BB-8 broadcasted over an encrypted signal marking the troop carriers and NS-1 bombers as TOP PRIORITY targets.
<<"This is your only warning.">>-- <<"Lock S-foils into attack position. Xer, you got the personnel shuttles, we'll hit the bombers first then dance with the fighters. Everyone here?">>
<<"Wooo, Ektor. Are you going shopping for the squadron? Or is this personal shopping for gifts?">>Fiver blats its disapproval from behind her and gives the countdown for coming out of hyperspace.
Black Four transitions not far behind Black Leader, the squadron lined up like they are running exercises into the maelstrom of a sizable dogfight. Her gloved hands move over the controls opening the S-foils, the targeting computer already bracketing the nearest NS-1 bombers despite Black Leader's call to stand down.
<<"On your six, Black Leader.">>
<<"Oh, you guys. You're not actually going to go on a spice binge are you... right?>> That was Elrych in Black 12 which apperates into normal space not long after Poe and the others. The Jed taes stock of what he sees, shaking his head as Eggsy give him a quick rundown, <<"Quite a party we got going on, at least they invited us even if a little bit late.">> The Jedi reaches out with the force, drawing it, or attempting to, into himself to aid in the combat that's most likely to come. S foils lock into attack position, shields go to double front for the first clash. <<"Twelve ready to go, Force Willing.">>
<<Drek, I gotta be *good*?>> Ektor 'complains' to the General's jest. << I hear you, Pretty Boy: arming proton bombs, gonna start with the big transport first, then see what's left, after,>> the Tionese bomber drawls lazily, seemingly undeterred by the THIRTY fightercraft who are deployed to oppose just such an attack run. <<Maybe I'll share, maybe I won't, Sunshine. But no lie? Pretty Boy said I gotta be *good*, so we all know that ain't happening, yeah?>> Elrych earns a dumb chuckle. <<Come on, Elrock: would *I* go on a spice binge?>>
A broad spectrum transmission from the *Regulus* is sent to all ships in the system. A sharp, feminine voice states, <<Republic squadron: this is Commodore Lyra Toltek of the Hydian League. Be advised, we are here at the invitation of the legitimate government of this system, carrying out a legal fleet action on their behalf against an alien crime syndicate. Your intervention here would be.. unwise, Commander.>>
<<"Interesting, Commodore. Seems I recall a similar action in the Ileenium system not too long ago. You may remember.-- To save us some time, I'm signaling for a battle fleet to arrive, Commodore. You can comply with my mandate, or we'll turn you, your crew, and all your ships to slag.--">>
<<"Militia.. rebels.. spice traders.. whatever you are that's fighting the Hydian League. What's your role in this? Is there anyone /official/ that can confirm or deny the claims of our good natured Commodore here?">> Poe triggers a signal to bring in the Resistance battle fleet. Not wanting to take any chances on firing on the wrong party here. In Poe's defense, he has seen the Hydian League responsible for some awful action.
"Oh, galaxies, Fiver, I don't believe that be-atch one micro-second. But Dameron has got to do what he's got to do. Keep those weapons up and active." Maintaining position with all weapon systems hot, Lintra quips to her squadron mates before the fight really begins.
<<El-rock, are you taking bets on who is who? How about you Ektor?">>
Elrych was growing in the Force everyday, but the one aspect he had yet to grasp was the finer parts of diplomacy and... sussing out truthful or malicious intentions from subjects through the Force. It was on his list though. His intuition told him something similiar along the lines of what the General thought of the situation. He had enough experiance as a smuggler to tell if someone was bluffing or not. It all sounded bad. However, as he reaches out with the force to suss out the real intetions behind both parties he was bomabarded by hundreds of voices... intentions both good and bad. <<"Can't get a read, General... it's all you on this one.">> He'll have to spend some time with Leia's Holocron soon.
Ektor keeps his comms on the encrypted Black Squadron frequency, as his light bomber takes such a reckless approach vector toward the largest Hydian transport, that the squadron of escort fighters is taken aback, and needs a moment to redeploy an intercept formation. << Soooo... I'm waiting to blow them up? Is that right? Arright, look at me: all patient and drek.>> The Y-wing delays its solo run of doom, and Ektor belatedly checks his sensors. "Huh. Indictidile?" Chewing his lip, he flips comms back on. <<Hey, Pretty Boy? For.. probably very innocent reasons, I seen one of them Troiken ships, before. Named after some psychotic insect thing. Captain gas this amazing set of- I'm getting off the point. They run with one of the Wild Space syndicates. Ain't sure if it's still how it was, but they used to run the black market in this sector. So.. Yeah, that part of Whatsername's line might not be COMPLETE drek.>>
The response from the Troiken defenders is less precise. <<Commander Dammerung! Heroes, yes! We were attacked, unprovoked- COMPLETELY unprovoked, they invade our property, save us now! Hooray, Republic- Republic good! Evil, vile slavers bad!>> Someone is trying a bit too hard.
The Regulus responds to Poe's ultimatum, and comment of their prior encounter, <<Ancient history, Commander. I will order my ships to cease fire, unless they are fired upon. That is the extent of any compromise I can offer. Any ground forces are beyond my control.>>
<<"Copy, Xer.-- Copy, Elrock..Stand by.. drek this is convoluted..">> Poe laments over the encrypted channel. <<"I appreciate your patience and compliance, Commodore. For the sake of clarity: We received an emergency transmission from a local government in this sector imploring for military aid against an invading Warlord named Nim. Do you have similar intelligence and intentions?">>
Poe has chosen to ignore the defenders save for. <<"Troiken Defenders, we are at a cease fire. Do not fire upon the Hydian League or New Republic vessels or we will defend ourselves.">>
Poe checks the timing of the incoming fleet.
The waiting the game, the 'he says, she says', is worse than a dogfight for the young captain. Every crackle on com, every change of position has her more and more on edge as they face down what amounts to two unknown forces. "Fiver, keep it all hot. I don't know how this will play out." Knowing that the real reckoning will happen, most likely, when the fleet arrives, Lintra makes no commentary on the dialogue over coms.
Elrych Cometburn angles his T-85 towards the grouo of craft claiming imprudence on part of the Hydian League. The name Nim isn't overly familiar to him, but those who know a certain King would likely have heard the name or one similar to it as one who had occupied his planet for a long time before liberating it. Elrych scans with the force, and again he is deflecred, but keeping in on a small group seemed to clear up some of the clutter from hia previous misadventure into clearvoyance on the matter at hand.
Incoming Resistance fleet in... Sixteen minutes.
The Hydian League ships do cease fire, though they hold position screening their transports and bombers from any enemies.. and those transports continue into the atmosphere. <<Poe, if them boats get any further, they're outta my range. Now or never, yeah?>> Ektor notes, ruefully. "This is why I generally try to avoid *thinking*, Genius: drek gets complicated."
Commodore Toltek answers Poe with a smug, knowing note to her sharp voice, <<Quite the opposite, Dameron. Colonel Nim was empowered by the Primarch of Troiken to purge the armed Syndicate fortresses on the surface. I suspect your force has been lured in with a false plea by desperate spice runners.>>
<<"Cut the shuttles off and arm your weapons. They'll get the hint and stop.">> Poe orders. He switches back to the open channel. <<"Well, here's what's going to happen, Toltek.">> Poe didn't use her rank this time, since she failed to acknowledge his. <<"I'm going to need you to halt your shuttles. That is still showing hostile intent to invade. Unless you can verify that the Primarch authorized the invasion and eradication of a syndicate on the surface, I can't allow you to go any further as it violates the parameters of my mission.">>
Poe glances at his chrono again. <<"Additionally, I want to speak with your Colonel. I'm a /General/ afterall and deserve the courtesy of speaking with my peer.">>
"Here we go. I want velocities on those shuttles. If those shuttles don't begin a slow to move into a turn around, Fiver, we will have a fight on our hands."
The war of wills continues, Lintra's only comment over general encrypted coms, <<"Black Four, on standby, tracking the transports, bombers in our sights.">>
The Commodore's smug composure audibly begins to slip. <<You have no authority here to demand anything- I don't need to->> the transmission cuts off abruptly.
<<Moving into atmo and cutting off descent. On your wing, yeah?>> Ektor adds as he dives his Y-wing into atmosphere and races ahead of a descending Action V bulk transport. The bomber is pursued and shadowed by a half dozen crescent shaped Zeta-19 fighters, but not fired upon.
Moments after Toltek's transmission had been interrupted, a new channel is opened. A level voice with a slight rasp and a strong Caridan accent states, <<This is Colonel Quinctilius Nim, acting on behalf of Troiken Primarch Nosin Falco. General Dameron, I admire your resolve, but your four fighters are obstructing a legitimate action against violent criminal interests in a system where you and the Republic hold no authority. I am transmitting proof of my mandate to your craft now, and ordering all Hydian transports to continue their landing operations. Remove yourselves, General, if you have any regard for the lives of your men. This will be *your* only warning.>> The bulk transports begin to crawl forward once again, as the 'incoming data transfer' light blinks on Black Leader.
<<"Colonel Nim. A pleasure. This checks out. I have one separate issue.">> Poe glances out his canopy toward the Naboo Bombers. <<"I noticed you're in the possession of Naboo Design Bombers; a prototype that was stolen from a New Republic world. Curious.. how did you get your hands on these illegally obtained crafts?">> Poe orders the stand down and gets out of the way of his shuttles.
<<Copy that Black Leader.>> crackles over their general encrypted coms. "See Fiver. The general is real smart. He's asking about those Naboo bombers. I was wondering where those came from, too."
<< Soldier to soldier, I'd enjoy discussing the question, General, but I'm in the middle of directing a battle. Sadly, our conversation will need to wait. Nim, out.>>
<<That Hutt-sucker got a mustache? I bet that Hutt-sucker has a really twirly mustache,>> Ektor mutters as he gets the stand down, and veers out of the path of the bulky freighter, before being veeeery slooooowly crushed.
The remaining Troiken ships that had not already fled do so, now. Eight minutes until Resistance fleet arrival as ranks of Hydian hovertanks, armored troopers by the thousand, and an old Imperial walker disembark on Troiken.
<<"That's why we have attractive Commodores, Colonel. Regardless, I'll leave you to it. I look forward to our talk. Commander Dameron, out.">>
Poe closes his S-foils, entering cruising speed and angling away from the Hydian League ships. "I know, buddy. It doesn't feel right.. but it's legal. Troiken's Primarch ordered it; we just got faulty intel is all." <<"I don't think so, Xer. That was an Imperial accent. Every Imperial officer I've ever seen is clean shaven. They lack the class for a proper mustache.">> -- <<"Good flying everyone. I know it's not what we expected, but that's why we send advance parties. We'll wait for the fleet to arrive, join them, and jump out.">>
<<"Copy that, Black Leader">> More brilliant dialogue on the part of Captain Lintra scintillates over coms. Toggles are snapped pushed, s-foils close, and the T-85 begins to go into cruise mode waiting for the Fleet.
Elrych Cometburn turns his fighter about to rejoin his flight, reaching out with the force to plant a little need and want into the commodore's to want to grow a mustache. Because Elrych was not going to leave the action empty-handed.
