A collaboration between [@Letter Bee] and [@CaptainBritton]

[b]Surface of Kintan
1400 hrs, Unknown Date, 4 ABY[/b]

[hr]

Preliminary scans of the surface of Kintan revealed the consolidation of forces was formed in and nearby the once-abandoned fortress of Kh'aris, with an excess of 3,000 troops plus armored augment, not able to be completely revealed from orbit. Though, it was evident the Hutt forces were preparing for a siege in the fortress.

The fortress itself, built prior to 30 BBY, was used by Dooku and Separatist forces before being abandoned in late 30 BBY. Kalo Zysh and his troops occupied the fortress as their headquarters upon Zysh's appointment of governorship. Standing atop an arch bridging two mountains, the only ways in and out are the two gates on either side of the arch, or by air.

Leonard's orders from his shuttle were: "Deploy the bulk of our forces by the gates; but our best - the mercenaries, Droidekas, and the tanks - are to be deployed by air. It is time to engage."

He then drew his spice injector, and said, "I will be operating at reduced intellect once I use this to increase my fighting skills. Raj, you be the leader then; keep me safe if you want your paycheck."

A smile at his other companion. "Ken, it would be good to fight beside you."

Ken's response was a nod as the shuttle began its attempt to land on top of the arch, escorted by still more droid starfighters who were taking fire from the fortress.. "For the efforts with liberation of Kintan and the freedom of the slaves there, I am grateful."

Then all talk ceased as the final phase of the liberation began.

And grounded there, with unoperational legs, being more of a gunnery platform lying on the ground, was a stripped-for-parts AT-ACT, with weapons systems intact and built into some sort of flak tower, being stripped of most cabin plating with quad laser batteries dotted across the hull, creating a massive crossfire of green and red lasers, with the primary heavy laser batteries on the still mobile head giving a large-spread flak sweep.

Troops scattered around the fortress itself, manning the walls and putting out an impressive array of fire at the assaulting forces.

"Keep on holding!" Leonard screamed in defiance as the Hyena-class droid bombers took fire for the landing craft; with the survivors landing on the fortress grounds and shifting into walker forms. His L/AAT, already smoking from holes blasted into its armor, safely made its way onto the fortress walls as well, opening its doors so that Leonard, now carrying his energy shield and cortosis vibroblade, Ken, who now had his shield belt and swords activated, and Raj, who was carrying an assault rifle, can attack the defenders with their Droidekas in tow!

Nikto supplemented by their pirate commanders manned the fortifications, wielding a wide array of weapons procured from the Hutts. A280s, E11s, and other weapons threw blasts forth against the oncoming horde, both on the arches and on the fortifications themselves. As Leonard and his entourage arrived, they were met by multiple of these Nikto, prepared for close-in combat and hand-to-hand. A squad of seven met them, attempting to encircle them as their transport left.

Leonard sped towards the centre of the squad, the speed of his reflexes giving away the fact that he had already injected himself with spice. Ken took on two other Nikto, vibroblades on each hand. Raj, meanwhile, shot a wrist-mounted taser at one Nikto, blasted another with a pistol, and charged yet another as he turned on his jetpack to increase the speed of his tackle. As for their Droideka Mk. IIs, they were already laying down a counter-wall of fire...

The Nikto fell all around, the conscripts meant to face other crime lords, not a droid army. The best of the squad to hold up was the commander of it, a Twi'Lek in spacer's rags, wielding a sword and DL-44, prepared to meet Raj's charge, jumping in front of Raj's initial target and taking a broad swing.

Raj ducked underneath the Twi'lek's guard, and moved to punch at the captain's chin with an uppercut, even as Leonard and Ken were taking out the other mercenaries...

The Twi'lek recoiled, attempting a thrust at Raj's center mass, with his off hand bringing his DL-44 to bear. The Nikto around crumbled easily. The whole fortification seemed to shake as the Nikto either jumped off the wall or died. And it was an easy choice, though most died, crushed as a mass due to the fall.

But Raj was already drawing a vibroknife of Mandalorian armor to parry the sword, even as his other hand shot the wrist-mounted taser that was going to be used for the initial target. Leonard and Ken were now pushing further into the conscripts, with the former's faculties being dulled.

And the fortification continued to shake, long after it began its abandonment, even after the retreat had ceased. Dust flooded the ground, and the wall began to crumble. Charges were bringing the wall down, and were hoping to take the invaders already on the wall with it.

Raj, once the Twi'lek was brought down, would give the signal for a quick evacuation, then rush towards Leonard and gesture to Ken to help him get their leader back to the shuttles. They would then do so, hoping to save the tanks they used as well!

The walls crumbled around them, sewing confusion, as the combined Hutt forces retreated within the central keep of the fortress, and fired out of battlements both atop and within the keep, creating a 360 degree base of fire.

The next order from Raj would be: "Once the rubble has settled, send out three of the assault tanks - assuming we saved the tanks - to bombard the central keep's gates; said tanks have an energy shield, so they should be safe from counterattack for a few crucial minutes. The forces we sent to attack the gates should also have broken in by now."

He then turned to Ken. "You did well, [i]Believer.[/i]"

As enemies surrounded the keep, the fire from within intensified, until tank fire collided with the keep gate, turning it to ash and revealing a wave of fire pouring out against the attackers from within.

Raj kept his cool. "Another wave of Droidekas are to be sent to engage the gate's defenders at almost point-blank range! Also, send in our strongest mercenaries once the droids have punched an opening; Wookiees with bowcasters, Bothans, and even Gungans and Quarren and those 'Shark Aliens'. Humans follow after. Go, go, go!"

The fire summarily ceased as the Droidekas rolled in, the blaster fire contained within the keep for what seemed like hours, but only minutes, very tense minutes passed, and all fire ceased. The entire fortress was taken in just fifteen minutes. And dragged from the rubble of the firefight, the Togruta, Kalo Zysh, hands held high and a grimace on his face. It was either be executed by Hutts, or submit as a prisoner.

Leonard, recovering his faculties from the Spice he had taken, went to Kalo, and spoke: "Kintan is free and even if I let you go, the Hutts will just execute you as a failure. But join me and you can live your remaining days in luxury, swimming in credits."

Kalo dropped to his knees, seeing the small state he'd built set on fire, and remained silent for a solid minute, staying there. "You destroyed my home.." He managed to mutter. As distraught as he was over the whole dishonor at the defeat, he'd built more than a state, he'd built a home for himself. "I- I will join you. I just, wish to leave this place. These people- Thousands lie dead here." He becomes choked up, allowing to be ferried away. Kintan belonged to Leonard.

The banker-industrialist, now a warlord, nodded in agreement. He would then make his way to the comms suite and announce that the Nikto were free from their chains...