Log:Sith Empire: Thyferra: Operation Sundered
A Sith team moved in to eliminate a key target in the war for Thyferra.
OOC Date: May 9, 2022
Location: Thyferra
Participants: Caius Sentari, Kin-Li Kel, Kol Goren as Self/GM, Tamsin Cas, Sith Empire
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
Night has fallen over the eastern hemisphere of Thyferra. It is in the late hours of the night which encroach on what some would deem the early mornings hours that Councilors of the Sith Empire, personnel of The Mark, and even a hired gun or two supplementing the Empire's forces tread through the rainforests in a bid to approach the private residence - a rural compound - of a high-level bureaucrat within the security forces of the planet Thyferra. Among the planet's security force officers, the individual in question - Khantis Dorr - is considered a target necessary to the war effort against the occupiers of planet. He, along with any personnel around the compound, must be eliminating. Survivors could be utilized later for propaganda purposes and thus the entire site is expected to be appropriately cleansed to prevent the Empire's victory being twisted to allow for any survivors to be utilized as a rallying cry.
A Lambda-class shuttle was dispatched with a special cargo. This comes in the form of a strike team tasked on this night of Operation Sundered Serpent with the targeting and elimination of Khantis Dorr. When the shuttle lands within a clearing in the rainforest that is best described as an 'uncomfortably tight fit' that has the pilot and co-pilot quite literally sweating; the boarding ramp descends. This permits the special cargo to venture into the rainfall of Thyferra. The rain itself is at least warm and creates a soothing atmosphere as the warm, heavy droplets patter against vegetation of all stripes. The shuttle had landed far enough from the compound to prevent notice or identification. From there the special cargo in the form of a Councilor, Mark, and hire guns of the Sith Empire must forged a path through the rainforest for a short trek as they pursue a signal beacon broadcasting the location of a Mark detachment surveilling the compound. It is a sodden trek, but one that passes with minimal reason to complain. Unless one is given to immense wells of a complainer's attitude.
Operations such as these are taking place across the face of Thyferra and this is simply one gear within the overall machine.
As the strike team approaches the compound, a trooper in a suit of the crimson armor of The Mark steps from the underbrush with a call to the team, his voice modulator low in order to broadcast it as a harsh whisper, "Glory," he calls out to identify himself as part of the blockade team.
ET-1141, known to some as Kol Goren, is garbed in that trooper armor and he wields his F-11D rifle while his helmet turns this way and that. The goggled lenses of his helmet survey the rainforest floor as he begins to speak, "A perimeter has been established. We will maintain position to prevent any escape attempts. We have counted a minimum of six security personnel - bodyguards. They are running routine patrols, but most are attempting to stay out of the rainfall". There's a pause before the helmet nods and the trooper concludes, "The perimeter will hold and prevent escape from the target site. That direction is the rear of the compound. There is no wall, just open ground," he says with an arm that lifts and a hand that knifes toward the north. Then, from there, it seems that his report is concluded as he offers a swift nod of his helmet to the mysterious Councilor among the group in the robes and mask - Tamsin Cas.
Then Kol Goren - or ET-1141 - steps aside, merges back into the shadows of the rainforest, and presumably returns to join the blockade force which has surrounded the compound. This in turn leaves the strike force to pursue their mission.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel moves with the minimum of noise he is able to generate; alas, he is not a stealthy man, so it is not as if he is very quiet. He does, however, have the benefit of sealed armor which does an excellent job of at least muffling his voice.
He carries a readied, modified Galaar-15 at the low ready. Calmly, he asks over the comm channel, <"Who has very good vision and is good at spotting things? I am moderately skilled. Whoever is most adept should be on point."> That being said, he takes the lead...for now.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
The hooded and helmed Councilor who had been selected to accompany the assassination team stepped down from the shuttle, a pace or two behind the Mark stormtrooper, the faceless mask turned in ET-1141's direction as they listened to the report that was given. Gloved hands rested comfortably at their side, as the mask turned away, studying the compound ahead as the rest of the team gathered. When they spoke, the voice was sibilant, distorted, mechanical, "I sense a total of thirteen life forms within the compound. Ten large enough to be human sized, and three of a smaller size. Children, perhaps, or large animals." As ET-1141 broke off to join the blockade, and the question was posed, the Councilors moved into point position. "I will attempt to move us into position where we can begin to eliminate the forces from a place of surprise." If you can get the drop on an enemy? Absolutely get the drop on an enemy.
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius steps off from the Lambda all kitted out, helmeted and ready, calmly striding behind Kin-Li as he checks and double-checks his carbine. <"I got nightvision. Compound looks lit though, won't a problem once we get there.">, he responds to the Man in Mando. He makes no attempt to be stealthy, for now, simply looking about.
His head swivels over to the Hooded Councillor as they speak, completely faceless and expressionless himself as he seems to consider the words. <"You lead, I'll follow.">, he says then, dropping down into a crouch and tapping at the side of his helmet. It emits a whine.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
The compound consists of a pair of structures. The largest among them is a two-storied rural home that bears the sharp design of some Thyferran architecture. It sticks out like a sore thumb within the rainforest landscape, because there's nothing natural about the blocky structure with the many viewports illuminated by light sources inside the structure.
A second structure appears to be what is likely some sort of vehicle storage barn. It isn't lit. It likely not in use at present. It is on the northern side of the compound; which is on the opposite side of the compound's footprint from the strike team.
A pair of lights rest near the rootop of the main structure, illuminating some of the grounds but doing so inadequately. There are still great swathes of shadow which cover and conceal the length and breadth of the open ground that leads to the rear of the main structure that is likely the rural homestead's primary dwelling.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel holds one shadowy hand up. <<"Hold here. Five meter spacing. Let's wait and see what's moving.">> He doesn't move in; instead, he freezes in place, adjusting his built-in nightvision and low light systems. And, then, he lets his eyes move back and forth, looking for motion, or anything out of place.
Kin-Li Kel's voice breaks in.. Not urgently, exactly, but with a change in tone to indicate critical information. <<"Break-break. Two guards on the south side, headed towards us. 50 meters. They are in the shadow in dark ponchos.">>
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
The Councilor proceeded down along the treeline, using the time given for the approach to, quite likely, get a better idea of the bodies that were moving in and through the area that could be seen on the approach. Though they spoke little, the did listen, and their attention shifted to the two guards moving in close proximity to where the team was preparing to infiltrate the compound. As the Councilor came to a halt, hidden in the dark canopy of trees, the slightest twitch of their fingers accompanied the sudden, and violent smashing of the two bodies together. One dropped immediately, the other falling stunned, but not out. <"One out, one still aware.">
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius, for all his bluster outside the field, is keeping himself remarkably under control and under the brush, hidden and crouching and quiet and five meters away from the nearest buckethead. Until a garble comes out from his helmet at the advent of both opfors being pulled into each other. Must be a sound of awe. His head swivels to the stunned guard and he takes a couple of shots without losing a beat, but both miss. <"Fark it, it was gunna get real anyway.">, he murmurs into the channel as he trains his carbine for further shots.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
One of the security officers is suddenly whisked up and aside, slamming bodily into his compatriot. The one used as an organic battering ram is left sprawled out on the ground, unconscious and looking for all intents and purposes mostly dead; even if he is just having a little nap. Meanwhile the other officer is thrown to the ground, a groan escaping him though it is swiftly strangled into silence by the sound of rain, wind, and thunder. While the officer is on the ground and stunned, "Why did you hit m--" and then his question aimed at his partner is lost to the soft whine of blaster fire that the wind and thunder conceals.
The security officer tries to scurry to his belly, dragging his blaster rifle around in a bid to return fire. He's still moving sluggishly however on account of his partner having just tackled him. He even attempts to shout an alarm, but such trivial things as voices are swiftly muffled and drown out by the heavy rainfall and accompanying wind.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
What response the Councilor had to the missed blaster fire was not communicated across the team's comms. While they had not moved from their place of cover, their attention also had not left the guard, who they could see attempting to reach their own weapon. Another flick of those fingers and the man;s neck snapped into an entirely impossible angle. If anyone were close enough to see the man's through, they perhaps could have seen the compression of an invisible hand there, compressing his throat and keeping him from shouting, one hoped. "Eliminate the target and move ahead. We have an entire compound to clear."
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel lets his carbine simply hang, dropping onto the sling that is designed for precisely this purpose. Without comment, he moves slowly forward, unhurried in the driving rain. A whirring vibrodagger comes to life in his hand, rain flicked and vaporized by the ultrasonic weapon.
He simply drops to one knee, and cuts the unfortunate with the broken neck's throat. Blood spurts. Then the other man has his throat cut for good measure.
And, then, he stands and moves back over to the team without comment.
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius simply watches the action unfold with another momentary garble as the remaining guard drops. His carbine remains trained towards the direction of the compound though. <"Seems we remain undetected.">, he communicates after a while, holding his position.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
The compound grounds appear to be cleared of personnel. For the moment. The way is clear. Rain, wind, and thunder continue to provide a backdrop for the events of Operation Sundered Serpent. The occupants of the structure are surely enjoying a cozy evening away from the elements. For all they know war will come to their doorsteps within the next few days or weeks and thus they will enjoy what may be the last days of peace for themselves.
The compound does not seem alarmed by the dispatch of two of its guards. There are no new blazing lights that spring to life, shouts of alarm, or scurrying of personnel in the shadows to take up defensive positions.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel's voice is dull, almost bored and uninterested after murdering the two guards. <<"Advance towards the structure, 3 meter spacing, keep your eyes open.">> And...he walks forward, carbine readied.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
<"ET-1141, tighten the noose. We are moving into the compound.> As the infiltration team advanced, the Councilor continued ahead, keeping to the shadows, as they focused their attention on the building ahead. <Eight life forms ahead. Three large on the ground floor, three small and five large on the second."> As their footsteps moved closer, again on the comms, <"At least two guards on the ground floor. Bets point of entry is either through that plate window, which would get us to the stairs, or a rear door at the southeast of the building.">
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius remains crouched but moving swiftly on the further flank of the Councilor, stowing comms for now as he concentrates on remaining stealthy and following along, carbine trained.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
The compound seems oblivious to the danger that lurks in its midst. Which can only spell calamity for the occupants. The rain pounds this particular region of Thyferra and the rainforest which surrounds the compound shifts and sways angrily as the storm only serves to grow in strength.
Through the comm channel a double-click acknowledgement is provided from ET-1141 in response to the command given by the masked and robed Councilor of the Sith Empire. That signal surely suggests that even now the perimeter surrounding the compound is tightening.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel turns towards the door at the southeast of the building, making a snap decision about the situation. <<"Stack on the door. Can anyone pick locks?">> The carbine is again left to hang on its sling. He draws his trusty vibrodagger. <<"Let's try the door first. If that won't open, we bust through the plate glass.">>
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
As the team made the approach to the building, the Councilor moved up to the door, helmet turned down as they studied the lock, before they stepped back, <"I have many skills. It appears that is not one of them tonight. But perhaps we can work together."> They were a team, after all. And the strength of the group might outweigh the strength of the individual. <"Be prepared for opposition on the other side."> Councilor Obvious. But they were all working on the door now.
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius lets out a garble from his helmet. It might have been a whine, who knows. He sure puts himself on pulling on the door along with the other two, however. He doesn't seem to be doing much of a difference on it, but who knows. Persistence is key.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
The door slides aside, by force, and beyond it is a dimly lit hall that is likely regularly used for the maintenace needs of the dwelling; cleaning supplies of one variety or another occupy shelves and corners. The noise of the door being forced open seems to alert an aging protocol droid from its rest mode and it promptly begins to greet the visitors, "Greetings," it begins in its programmed cheerfulness, "I am TU-5164. Welcome to the home of the Dorr family. May I inquire as to who is visiting?"
Droids. So simple. It does not see the danger that lurks in its midst. It only sees a potential visitor.
The way forward is opened. The hall leads into a corridor which seems to circle the entirety of the ground floor, with doorways that access to the more central parts of the structure. Somewhere in that corridor the sound of footsteps can be heard.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
The door open, the armored figure of Kin-Li raises his vibrodagger up, in a strong, forward grip. It is not fancy. It is no dramatic. What it is is effective. As the door comes open, he rushes through as a quick hustle.
The poor droid's polite and warm greeting is met with a flurry of stabs from the blade. STAB!! STAB!! STAB!!
One optical sensor is destroyed on the blade punctures its head, then he severs its main cranial linkage with a slice. The third attack misses as he moves to catch the droid in his arms.
Carefully, Kin-Li lowers the sparking, smoking wreckage to the floor.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
As the droid was eliminated, and so, with luck, could not raise the alarm, the Councilor advanced past the sparkling mess who had, after all, only been trying to be polite, moving at speed through the corridors, trusting their sense of life rather than their sight, though that too, served them well, as they proceeded into the main area, just beneath the stairs. The growling snap hum of the lightsaber preceded, but only just the appearance of the dark robed before as it descended between the two, before the Councilor weaved into motion, bringing the blade down in two graceful arcs, as perfectly coordinated as any dancer's step and step again, two bodied ending up at the bottom of the stairs, bathed in that deep crimson red glow, that spilled on the ground like blood. <"One more on the ground floor. The rest upstairs.">
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
<"Affirm, shooting to kill.">, Caius communicates, having moved up at by flank of the Councilor. No reaction from him at the appearance of the lightsaber - seems he's used to this now. Instead, he just levies his carbine towards the other guard and and fires a two-shot burst, one of them hitting the man on the right leg.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
Kin-Li Kel expertly dispatches TU-5164. As he's mechanically butchered, that same voice in all its cheerfulness turns to cheerful alarm as it asks, "What are you doing? Why are you doing this?" Even as Kin-Li Kel savages the mechanical contraption. Its protests and alarm are silence and turn to a garbled, "Please storrwrwrwrwr," as the droid's mechanical voice garbles away. It is effectively slain and is gently lowered to the floor a sparking, hissing husk.
The pair in the foyer never stand a chance. When the door opens and some figure out of a nightmared, soaked to the bone and draped in dark attire, with a mask that bears about as much emotion as a wall steps through to greet them. Even the more experienced of the two stands in awe at the sight. There's fear, but there's also indecision. Much akin to staring at the speeder that is preparing to strike you as you wander mindlessly into the street, so too do the pair stare with surprise etched into their features. They prepare to act. Instinct takes over and they both begin to raise their weapons as that red beam bathes the room in a mixture of white lighting and red glow. While one of the pair dies in silence, the other lets out a strangled cry.
This is as the blaster battle between Caius and one of the security officers begins.
Up the stairs the call of alarm can be heard, along with a terrified scream that erupts from a voice on the second floor. Soon the pounding of boots can be heard from above as what is likely a response from other bodyguards within the dwelling's second floor, heading for the stairs.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel slides the vibrodagger away as he bounds up the stairs, switching it off so that he does not sever any important bits in the process of simply shoving it somewhere, rather than taking the time to properly sheathe it. He mounts the stairs at a dead run now, the time for stealth past. Rather than simply charge headlong, he stops to peak up over the top of the stairs, down the hallway.
In a blur of motion, his left hand drops instinctively to his blaster pistol, and three bolt, glaring angry and red, zip out. Alas, they do not actually hit anything. <<"Three at the top of the stairs!">>
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
As the team moved to advance on target, the Councilor moved in time with the Mandalorian, not at all thinking that that was entirely the greatest irony in the galaxy to some. As the Councilor advance,d they moved to provide blocking for the armored figure as the lightsaber danced and spun, taking full advantage of the range of attack as they cut down two of the guards, but not the third. As they moved, any shots were avoided, in that preternatural way that such nightmares had.
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius lets out a garble as the Councilor goes on ahead of him. He doesn't skip a beat moving on along with them though, clearly intending to guard their backs as he changes position towards cover nearer to the base of the stairs, shooting a two-shot burst blind as soon as he dives in. He missed both shots, obviously, but the benefit of his fleet feet and the ample barrier ensure he isn't hit once.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
The pair of bodyguards move to accost the figure ascending the stairs. As the nightmared armed with the red blade ascends, a blaster bolt or two is casually flicked away with a hum of the lightsaber. The younger security officer seems to have the right of it. While the two veteran bodyguards approach the steps, preparing to engage the masked figure directly. They are swiftly cut down. The younger security officer had already began backpedaling, attempting to create distance between himself and the nightmare. A pair of shots spring from his pistol as he grips it between both hands. Neither strikes their target.
Deeper in the second floor another panicked shriek can be heard, along with urgent shushing.
Meanwhile a gun battle continues on the first floor. Caius Sentari makes use of the cover of the stairway, while he exchanges a mad flurry of blaster bolts with one of the security officers.
Outside the driving rain and thunder seems to grow in intensity.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel presses up as he is leapfrogged by the masked figure whirling the red stick of death. His previous efforts at fire, while not effective at creating bodies, are VERY effective at creating suppressed, panicked guards.
He wastes no time. As the final guard in the hallway attempts to backpedal, Kin-Li bounds into the hallway, ruthlessly drops him with three quick pulls of the trigger. One round goes high, but the other two smash into the man's face; he drops, two blackened holes where his eyes used to be, a horrific scream frozen on his lips.
<<"Covering the hall. Go.">>
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
With the last of the security detailed left in the Mandalorian's capable hands, the Councilor proceeded down the corridor, heading with that odd, unerring certainty towards what would, when the door was kicked open, reveal the family room. And the family. The screaming of the children had no effect, the pleading of the mother, had no effect, the last gasp attempt of a man trying to protect his family? Second verse, same as the first. The Councilor did not even spare any words for the man, as they moved into motion, whirling strikes cutting down the man first, and the woman second. All that was left now, was cleanup. Like bussing your table after a meal at an all you could kill buffet. As the Councilor depressed the button of their lightrsaber, the remnants of screams still echoing in the building, their comms clicked on. <"ET-1141. Advance the fire team. Burn the complex to the ground. We will regroup on the shuttle."> And then, only footfalls, as they made their way back out of the building.
[ Caius Sentari (Cai)]
Caius has had time to settle behind cover, now, with everyone else scrambling upstairs. He takes a single breath to steady himself. And aim. And let loose a two-shot burst that strikes his nemesis guard true and twice, once at the torso which drops the poor bastard and again at the head which propels the body backwards. Caius lets out a happy little garble at this as he stands himself back up, listening into the chatter. <"Right, off we go then.">, Caius says, moving over towards the stairs to await the Councilor and following on along at her flank when she exfils.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel watches the target and his wife not just die, but die in pieces. There can be do doubt that their mission here is complete. <<"Target eliminated. Time to go. Spread out once we hit the yard.">> He holsters his pistol as he turns back down the stairs, readying his carbine as they prepare to move outside to longer potential engagement ranges.
He takes the point again, moving at a combat hustle, crouched and ready to react, clearing corners as he goes, but moving at basically a walking speed. Then he clears the structure, and moves at a crouched hustle, into the driving rain, towards the waiting shuttle.
[ Kol Goren (KO)]
Khantis Dorr is no more. Nor is the spouse of Khantis Dorr. When Khantis Dorr falls to the floor, slain; then his wife seeks to dive upon him in her state of fear and panic. The life of the unfortunately named Adora Dorr is swiftly cut short when the loyalty which she feels toward her husband is what places her in that predicament. Even if her life was forfeit already, she simply made it easier.
They leave behind three young children, now orphans.
<<"Understood, Councilor,">> comes the cool, clipped tones of ET-1141's voice through the comm network.
As the strike team makes good their departure from the structure, the crimson armor of The Mark begins to emerge from the treeline. Ahead of that initial departure from concealment and cover is who may very well be the trooper from earlier in the night, <"Councilor, I have three units prepared to engage the structure. I will oversee the razing. I also took the liberty of having comm traffic, outside of our own network, jammed. Communications did not escape the compound.">
Then ET-1141 offers a swift nod of his helmet toward the masked and robed Councilor, along with a brief glance of his goggled lenses to both Kin-Li Kel and Caius Sentari. Then the trooper in the crimson armor steps aside to permit the strike team to depart the area and make their way back to the Lambda-class shuttle which had delivered them to the operating area.
Meanwhile a trio of crimson armored troopers approach the structure. Despite the downpour of rain and fierce winds, the troopers set the main structure alight. Among the rain, winds, and thunder one can almost fool themselves into think that they hear the sound of screams as the fire begins to spread through the main building, faster and faster as more of it catches.
Operation Sundered Serpent progresses according to plan.
