---

---

---

---

Yiithren listened to Caldwell's message intently, pondering whether or not to join the whatever craft are going to aid the Aegis, or to stay behind and help defend the factory. Both were equally important, as without the factory they wouldn't be able to construct the proper facilities and reinforce their current fleet, but with the Aegis where it was, they risked losing a hell of a lot of firepower. Not to mention the life of his chief engineer as well.

"Your orders sir?" Kurqruik asked, turning towards him.

He glanced over at her, still deliberating, before finally coming to a decision.

"Ready the jump drive," he said, leaning back in his seat as Kurqruik walked over to a nearby wall console and had four members of the crew reassigned. "Lathoor, plug in the coordinates."

"Already on it," he replied, his appendages becoming a blur as he entered in the location to his station.

"Everyone else strap in and be ready for an engagement when we arrive. I don't want the Empire taking us by surprise," Yiithren warned as the crew slowly got everything ready. After a few more minutes of preparation, the drive was finally ready, and the crew prepped for combat.

"Ready to jump on your command," Kurqruik said.

Yiithren nodded. "Good. Now lets go make sure our engineer doesn't get himself killed. Initiate jump on my mark."

"3..."

"2..."

"1..."

"Mark."

Erin, Hok'Ren, and Meteor were already outside of the bank, down a couple of levels from the rest, when the sounds of fire above them resumed as Rhosom and Denni returned fire to their pursuers and Wrench sighs. "Krayt, they're gonna get torn apart up there." The captain shrugs, checking around a pair of corners at an intersection. "We can't get up there to offer any kind o-Contact!" A pair of red and white armored Coruscant Guard clones had come around the corner as Erin checked it, but were quickly gunned down by the trio. However, the sound of the brief firefight attracted a group of three more troopers, one of whom was already calling for back up. The familiar sound of LAA/Ts approaching could be heard and after a brief exchange with the trio, the Special Forces soldiers made a break for the rally point. "Guardian, this is Meteor, we've been had two levels down. Let us know when you're in the sky."

A bolt streaks over the Zabrak's head and his response is to slide to a stop and turn and put a grenade from the underbarrel launcher into the group chasing his small fireteam, scattering them and leaving the survivors of the explosion shaken and disoriented.

---

Eri's shot find's its mark through the creature's...leg. While her intended target had been it's ankle, her slightly higher vantage point put the shot through its leg, only furthering it's rage as the Terantatek rushes the trio, though its rush is a little less controlled and forces the Sangheili to dodge back towards the doorway to the final point of the confrontation. Jerius is already pelting the beast with more blaster fire as it regains it's footing and gives chase, unaware of what it's walked into.

---

"The Alderaanians met their fate in my home version of this universe because they resisted the Empire, though not outright. In fact, it was Princess Leia Organa who was ultimately caught siding with the Rebels and while it did not prove that all of Alderaan was guilty, well, that was excuse enough for Tarkin." Settling into his seat better, Jason goes to continue speaking when the captain's voice comes over the intercom.

"Diplomatic team, this is the captain of the Taris. We're exiting hyperspace now and have already received clearance to send a shuttle to Castle Organa." Jason thanks the captain before standing and looking at the rest of the diplomatic team.

"Seems the time has come to present our case. Are there any specific requests we should make to prove they're free of Anubis' influence? A test of some kind?"

---

When the two finally reached the smuggler's moon, they were directed to a landing pad next to Jerus' and then guided to a cantina where the Beskar'gam clad bounty hunter sat with his helmet off by a young Twi'lek woman and three glasses with a warm brown liquid in them sat at the table with him. Noticing the pair, he beckons to them to sit while giving the Twi'lek her tip for helping them find their way. "Welcome to the Prancing Nexu, one of Nar Shaddaa's more honest establishments. Our point of contact for the job should be along soon, so in the mean time, have a glass of Corellian whiskey, on me."

---

While she had not delayed it as much as she had perhaps hoped, Eri was able to roll out of the way of the Tarentatek, and into the chamber. The beast was fast on her heels, and when she recovered from her roll and was back to her feet, she turned back and was face to face with the creature before her. However, she was far from alone.

In addition to the blaster fire from Jerius, all ten of Eri’s team finally had their sights on their quarry. Eri was still too close for high explosives, but everything else was quickly thrown at the beast. In such an open chamber, everyone had an angle to be able to fire at once. A volley of carbine fire, needles, and automatic plasma weapons barraged the beast from all sides. It was met with the explosive bursts of the rest of the concussion rifle ammunition they had remaining, and an overcharged plasma pistol shot from one of the Unggoy. The veritable light show of all of the weapons fire at once was enough to be blinding by itself, much less with all of the high-energy plasma, piercing needles, and sheer kinetic force assaulting it. Eri added in her own shots as well, aiming at its head and firing her beam rifle to the point of overheating.

---

---

“Without truly knowing our enemy, it is difficult to say.” Vael answered to Erthos. “We know Anubis is a liar and a false god, but a clever enemy can take many approaches. Infiltration, corruption of those who are already present, or simple surveillance could lead them to betray our secrets. Accidentally or otherwise. Taking on any ally is a risk, but…one that may be necessary. To start, we may simply speak with them, learn of them, and determine how much they cherish their own values. That will tell us how resistant they will be to adopt the values Anubis seeks to spread through this galaxy.”

Regardless of his own concerns, Vael was ready to proceed with the negotiations. For now, he was ready to follow Erthos, being that he was the most familiar with this planet and its people, as well as the general etiquette expected in this galaxy.

---

---

In spite of being on an overwhelmingly crowded planet in a different universe, Thaz did not feel too out of place on Nar Shaddaa. Even in the short walk to the cantina, she saw people of more species than she even knew of in her home universe, but the general feel of the city was almost familiar. Even among the advanced technology that made the city function, Thaz could see that hardly anything was cleaned or maintained with any real degree of care. There was refuse in the streets, and every being they passed acted like anyone else might jump them at any moment. It was a kind of anarchy that Thaz was perfectly familiar with in the places that Kig-Yar tended to frequent back home.

As Thaz and Samus approached Jerus’ table, the Kig-Yar was looking with quick, keen eyes around the establishment. “Hmm, ‘honest’. Sounds boring. Still, reminds me of this place back on Venezia.” She remarked as she took the seat next to Jerus. “I remember this drunk Human bet me I couldn’t down a whole bowl of this…curry stuff at once. He acted like it was burning his mouth from the inside out, but it didn’t do a thing to me. I didn’t get it. Still don’t. Anyways, he wouldn’t pay up, so I bit off his finger.”

Jerus chuckles as he watches the crowd, his attitude setting a tone that while he seemed relaxed, his blaster could come free from it's holster in a moments notice when required. "Then you'll fit in around here just fine. Our contact's known for taking time to ensure that all the details are finalized and that payment is accurately proportional to how well the job was done, so we've got time. Order something to eat, maybe have a dance. We'll be fine."

---

As the shots pepper the beast, it can do little more than shield itself and spin, attempting to locate the one source of it's pain and anger. Due to its wild movement, only one of Eri's shots found it's mark, but it did not hit the brain. Just as Jerius is lining up a rocket to maybe stagger it so that her next volley would hit, the beast unleashes a roar so powerful, it wracks the minds of those present and sends the jetpacking clone flying away. Spotting one of the Unggoy, it rushes the small alien and grabs it up before it can dodge away and fling it into a Sangheili before it roars again, now charging the recovering Jerius.

DAEDALUS AWAY TEAM 2 // JEDI TEMPLE // CORUSCANT

The dark figure let go of their grip on Sheppard as it dodged the incoming fire. Sheppard raised his P90 and opened fire on a group of the armoured individuals. They didn't instantly duck for cover but once they discovered their armour wasn't fully effective against them they took cover. Not before a couple of them had went down. The man with the blades continued to dodge and pirouette through the air. Sheppard raised his voice to be heard by the agents from the Glasgow. "We'll cover you, you guys need to take out the one with the blades before he wipes us all out-" As if to illustrate the point Sheppard jumped to the ground as the dual bladed weapon came spinning through the air, cutting at the air where he had been. Slicing two of his marines in half.

Sheppard pulled a grenade from his vest, squeezing the trigger and pulling the pin. "FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

DAEDALUS // HYPERSPACE

Caldwell sat on the bridge of the Daedalus looking over the data they had on the fleet they were currently heading towards. Most of the ships had agreed to come with them, with them leaving the Solonis behind in order to guard the shipyard from any potential threats. He was skeptical about this, they had no real chain of command going into this and it was likely to be a pretty big fight from the data provided. Even if they could hold the line, how long before the Empire sends an even bigger fleet? No, they had to make a stand here, but with the understanding that this wasn't going to be the final stand. Merely a call to arms for other peoples of the Galaxy.

Look at him, planning revolutions within another Galaxy now. Had Elizabeth brought them here to only deal with a local threat it would have been so much easier, go to the Capital, beam him to the system's star. Job done. Anubis Complicated matters.

TEYLA // TARIS // ALDERAAN

"I am unsure. This Anubis while off my universe is unknown to me, I have not been told much of Earth or its war against the Goa'uld just that it was long and hard fought. I feel like Vaels suggestion holds the most merit, you know these people and how they should react. It is the safest course of action."

---

Had he been thrown against the wall, Jarraj might have been killed outright, but landing on someone else did somewhat break his fall. The Sangheili was thrown to the ground by the impact, but was mostly unharmed. He pushed Jarraj aside and pushed himself back up to his feet to resume fire with his storm rifle, but Jarraj himself had more difficulty. He had a few cracks in his exoskeleton, particularly on one of his legs, which was covered in his light, glowing blue blood. After re-adjusting his mask to be able to breathe again, he tried to stand, but could not put much weight on his injured leg. Nevertheless, the determined Unggoy felt a blood rage almost like a wounded Jiralhanae and started to crawl towards the fuel rod gun he had dropped, muttering in his language to himself.

Eri did not understand why she felt so disoriented by the creature’s roar, but she recovered her composure as quickly as she could. The rest of Eri’s team that had been affected quickly resumed firing, but Eri herself recognized the beast’s next target as it began its charge, and recognized that he was not ready to evade. Whether it had been Jerius or one of her own team, the Tarentatek needed to be quickly stopped, or at least distracted. Now that they were in an open chamber, the tall ceiling opened up much more vertical space for them to use, and Eri intended to take advantage of it.

While Eri could not outrun the beast at a full sprint, her powerful legs could get her up to speed far more quickly, so she started to close the gap as she sprinted up behind it at the beginning of its charge. She fired two quick shots into its back as she ran, then dropped the overheated weapon aside to lose the weight.

Activating her thruster pack, Eri reached the Tarentatek before it reached Jerius, flying up onto its back. In one short, fluid motion, she drew her energy sword, activated it, and thrust it down towards the top of the beast’s head. She aimed her blade for some of the damaged scales she had previously pierced with her beam rifle to maximize the chance of the blade actually penetrating into its head. Though, once her thrust was in motion, her eyes were focused on the Tarentatek’s arms as she readied herself to fly back up out of its reach on a moment’s notice.

--------------------
Marcus Oliver, Security Team One and Mark Bradford / Unbroken Hope Bridge / Interacting with: Everyone within Fleet Channel range, @Sep
--------------------

Oliver looked to his view-screen as he heard the transmission, pressing down on the transponder and broadcasting to the fleet channel in response. "Understood, I'll have the Hope defend the station perimeter. Oliver out." Concluding his message and cutting contact with the Engineering Deck, he shouted over the bridge. "Navigation, bring us within 600 meters above the station and set ventral and side thrusts to idle after arrival. Systems Operations, I want all sensors out to 500m and greater." As a chorus of acknowledgement went through the ship, the sudden lurch of acceleration could be felt through the cruiser. Swiping through his terminal, he quickly engaged the TAC CON to Alpha Three as a droning siren and orange warning lights suddenly blared through the ship. Keying the ship's PA system, he spoke up calmly and professionally. "All elements, remain on alert for potential enemy contact. Oliver out."

Elizabeth and the two Marines tensed up, but only in response to the sudden alarm. Mark nodded and got over to his respective work station, and the trio moved closer to the VIP Engineer. "Ma'am, I'm not sure we might have the time to do this now. Should we get you back to the hangar?"

---------------------
Team Omicron / Immaculate Ageis Hangar / Interacting with: @EliteCommander
---------------------

Issac, having materialized to the closest podium near O'Connel's location, nodded with a devilish grin. "Understood Ma'am, interfacing with AI proxy now." Closing his eyes, Issac appeared to take a breath and jump before vanishing into the podium. Upon opening his eyes, he could see everything; the ship sensors projecting a 3D topographical projection of the area around him. Wasting no time, he called upon the AI to attempt to scan for flaws and exploitable errors of any kind that would prove detrimental to the ship's subsystems. He also noted that, while the smaller ships could easily be knocked around with the carrier's weapons, the most dangerous of the group were the Munificent-class frigates and Lucrehulk-class battleships. He just hoped that the ship's broadcasting system was far-reaching enough out of firing range so that they could wreak havoc on the enemy prior to exchanging fire.

Omicron received an orange alert from Issac as he pinged them a nav beacon to his location. The team of Spartans bolted from the hangar and began moving to the site of the beacon relatively quickly. Directives be damned now; that AI had to make it out of here alive.

---------------------
Sentinel 1-1 / Jedi Temple / Interacting with: @Sep
---------------------

Leon didn't reply. Instead, he signaled with his hands for the second team to continue the suppression of the staff-wielding troopers while he doubled back to reinforce the first team in focusing fire on the glowstick-sword wizard. Whatever this guy had seemed to prove to overpower this entire team- hoping that a stray round to the head would get lucky in putting this bastard down for good. Being part of the fist team, Liam doubled back to Leon and got within earshot by the man's side. "M7 is shite, I'm gonna need that stun gun fer range!" Leon was puzzled, but he didn't care. Momentarily taking his hand off the Battle Rifle, he reached to his hip, yanked the alien device off, and handed it to Liam. The Marine Pilot fumbled with the thing before quickly orienting the business end toward the robed figure, waiting until he turned to present an opening, and fired a shot the first team continued to repeatedly fire on the masked figure.

---

With the Immaculate Aegis sitting between two opposing fleets of warships, and without immediate access to its slipspace drive, there was no time for subtlety or careful diplomacy. What was needed was quick and decisive action, and for that, Falul gave no hesitation.

The Aegis did eventually receive a response from the local Separatist fleet, which was just finishing arranging its fighters and capital ships into combat formations. They received video as well as audio, so Falul was able to see the green-skinned being that answered him. The ship’s AI quickly identified him as a “Neimoidian”. “You arrive here not moments before an Imperial fleet follows at your back? Do you take us for fools? What reason could I possibly have to believe that you-”

Falul had no intention of making arguments to the Neimoidian, and given their delayed response, the thirty-six seconds required for the ventral lance to charge to full power had passed. No doubt, the Separatists had not been comforted by massive concentration of energy building around the weapon, but fortunately, the Aegis had not been in range to be fired upon. For Falul to make his point, he had only to give a single, simple order to one of his officers. “Fire.”

The fully-powered energy projector cut across the void in an instant, and hit straight through the center of one of the Imperial Venators in the distance. The intense, sustained beam pierced through the weaker ship’s shields, then bisected the hull from bow to stern before it could launch its fighters. Secondary explosions detonated from the center outwards, tearing the Imperial ship to pieces from within.

Falul broadcast back to the Separatist fleet on the same channel on which they had responded, so they could now see the Sangheili as well. “Is that sufficient?” He asked, though he left no room for a response. “I am moving my ship in formation with your fleet. Should we hold for long enough against our enemy, we may receive reinforcements.”

As the Aegis accelerated towards the Separatist fleet, it unleashed a volley of long-range plasma torpedoes back towards another of the Imperial Venators, as well as beginning the charging sequence once again on its energy projector.

@Sep@Zarkun


The Girls heard the announcement as the ship exitted Hyperspace and walked with the rest of the deligation team to the Shuttle. "This Anubis character seems very reminiscent to other villains that King Sonic has defeated in the past. I'm just hoping that we can pull out a win as we have in the past." She said "So... How do these people get so much power in your Universe? Eggman said that you don't have access to any Chaos Emeralds in your Dimensions? How do you stop these monsters when their power goes out of control? We have our own skills and abilities, but eventually, something more is needed." K'Tari asked Teyla.

Meanwhile, Sonia was walking beside Jason. "I am familiar with a lot of royal protocol, but one culture's royal protocol is another's barbaric tradition." She said. "What do i need to know? Do they respect submissive or dominant behavior? What are their biggest no-no's? What is their most important forms of artwork? The report wasn't very specific on their culture. But i do understand. You didn't wake up expecting to get flung into your own history, didn't exactly give you the time and forewarning to bring all of your history books with you." She smiled at him.


Eggman sat in the captain's chair with Jack and Oglivie stood around him. "A proper guys night out" Oglivie smiled at everyone. Thunderbolt stared daggers at him. "Well, you're essentially one of the guys are-Im not making this any better... Well, in any case, we are still going off to war and being big damned heroes." Eggman stared at him.

"Alright, if you're going to be a hero, then go get your squad ready." Eggman ordered. "Jack, you go get Egg-Wizard ready." He then put on a big smile. "Depending on what's going on, i might just show the others how much use Dragoon is. Best foot forward and all that."

"You are NEVER going to give up on that, are you?" Oglivie asked.

"I spent 40 years of your life trying to kill an annoying blue rodent. I think it's obvious to everyone that i gave up on giving up long ago." He grinned from ear to ear. "In the meantime-" He pressed the comm button and sent out a hail to the rest of the fleet. "So, what is the game-plan for this? Egg-Carrier has a powerful main cannon, but we're not going to survive long in the thick of things. We'll be supporting the rest of you with the Egg Bosses and our Drone Fighters. Daedelus, i don't suppose you want to use this as an opportunity to test out the capabilities of the Egg Viper we lent you?"

---

Vael had his intentions for how to approach these Alderaaneans, and he knew what his role would be in these talks. He did not intend to overcomplicate or overplan every word he intended to say. Though, he was still paying attention to those around him. One of the small, furred beings spoke of emeralds that, evidently, held great power in her world.

“It would be wise to rid yourself of your own reality’s preconceptions.” Vael spoke up to K’Tari. “We are, each of us, in a new place, and we have no choice but to adapt to it. These gems you speak of do not exist in my universe, and yet, there exist tools of destruction that can reshape a galaxy. The Forerunners, whom my people once revered as gods, did not require relics of power in order to create or destroy stars, build planets, or create a weapon that could kill all sentient life in the galaxy, all at once. The weapon that destroyed them. They required only their own knowledge, their own technology. Anubis, our foe, may not have some relic granting him his power, and there may not be one that we can use against him. It may be that we have to rely on our own strength.”

---

---

---

---

“I don’t know about this whole ‘war’, but I’m going to get my pay, get some tech from this universe, or some other ones, and sell it back home when we figure out how to get back. I’ll make enough to retire rich.”

"That is if we CAN get back home in the first place." the armored huntress replied as she looked over the navigation computer, "What if we can't? If so, we'll have to spend the rest of our days fighting in this war for however long it lasts. And it's not like one could send a postcard back to your family and comrades to let them know where you are either - well, that is if you have any anyways."

Not much else was said on the way back to meet up with Jerus - other then random remarks and comments sprinkled into the mix - as they quickly approached Nar Shadda. Once they landed, they entered a bar and found Jerus' lounging at a table as he rose a toast to his newfound partners.

"Welcome to the Prancing Nexu, one of Nar Shaddaa's more honest establishments. Our point of contact for the job should be along soon, so in the mean time, have a glass of Corellian whiskey, on me."

Samus waved her hand as to politely deny the offer. She was no stranger to alcohol in any capacity - for she often lurks in bars and cantinas back in her own universe when she wasn't working - however she simply wasn't in the mood for one at that moment. With that, Jerus allowed them to relax for the moment and do whatever they wanted. The huntress proceeded to remain seated as she began to chat to him.

"How was everything on your end?" she asked rather curiously as she pushed away a drink that was offered to her by the bartender.

Jerus takes a sip from his whiskey before answering, enjoying the taste of the classic alcoholic beverage. "Went fine. The Nautolan had no way of knowing I was there, since I kept track of him with while remaining cloaked. All the enhancements in the world aren't worth a damn if you can't see the final blow coming. And your side of the job? Thaz made it sound considerably more exciting than my end."

---

Kol'Zife sat in the heart of a frantic storm as the ship followed the others to aid their wayward ally. Even before Eggman linked up to ask how the situation was going to be handled, the Resurgence had it's battle plan. While the Empire's new Assimilator-class ships were clearly upgraded and, in many regards, superior to both the Arquitens-class Eques and the Venator-class, but there was still enough tech native to this version of their home that Y-Wings on a solid bombing run would turn them into limping giants instead of striding.

Or at least I hope they can. Of course the Supreme Commander would be gone when this happens... Flight paths for the fighters and bombers were plotted and even as they spoke, Spartan Company prepared for boarding actions and Wolf Company to repel any attackers that made it through the fighter screen and point defenses. The ARC troopers were already on the bridge and in Engineering, ready to do their duty as the Commandos headed for boarding pods that would be launched at any Venators in the fleet of Imperial ships. Combat Engineers and medics headed for their assigned squads and places as crewmen all over the ships donned their light combat armor and checked their weapons.

If the enemy did manage to get anyone on the Resurgence, they would find that the crew was far from helpless, having been through the same combat drills and sims that any of the clone and enlisted forces went through. It went without saying that the only way an enemy would claim this ship is if they killed everyone on board or if the acting bridge officer, the XO Kol'Zife at this moment in time, ordered all hands to abandon ship. So when Eggman came through with his own idea, the Twi'lek nodded. "It makes sense, given you know what that ship can do best. We'll try and keep the bulk of the capitol ship fire focused on us until we can meet with the Immaculate Aegis and their new Separatist allies. If possible, we need to get those allies out of the fight quickly."

---

Eri's tactic was clever and the attempts to grab the Tarantetek failed, however, she felt an unseen hand grab her and fling her into the wall behind Jerius as the Mandalorian rolled forwards to avoid the flailing monstrosity. An eerie laugh echoed throughout the chamber as a figured in black stalked out of the shadows from the path they'd lead the beast down. "Interesting to see that you're all still alive after that run." The figure ignites a crimson energy blade that Jerius and Eri both recognize as a lightsaber and the latter knows won't be set to simply hurt and leave welts.

"Dar'jetii!" Before Eri can move from her place of landing, the Clone has jetted forwards, a blade in his hands and crossed weapons with the dark Force Wielder. "Finish the beast! I will hold the dar'jetii until then!" The Sith cackles and unleashes a torrent of Force Lightning at Jerius as he breaks the blade lock, but the member of Clan Wren blocks it with a small energy shield projected from his gauntlet.

"Presumptuous, even for a Mandalorian. I'll make you suffer for that!" Ceasing the flow of lightning, he closes with the clone again and their blades clash as the Tarantetek finally regains focus and looks straight at the recovering Eri with a low growl.

---

"I fear the politics of Alderaan, young princess," Jason says as the reach the shuttle that would take them planet side, "is something best learned through experience. The only thing you need learn about before talking with them is that honour, both personal and House, is of the utmost importance." The group boarded the shuttle and the Scorch Guard came up behind them before the ramp closed and the ship took off. Silence reigned as they first entered atmosphere and then approached Castle Organa. Before long, they were within the House Organa spaceport.

As the diplomatic corp, such as they were, exited, none other than Bail Organa himself awaited them, along with several members of House Organa's military and their Star Barrier Battalion, their specialized blades crackling with energy and their shields braced. "Lord Organa."

Bail makes no move to speak at first and simply appraises the group before him, pacing back and forth. The Scorch Guard had their weapons down and in the least threatening position possible while still being ready to jump to the group's defense while the soldiers of House Organa were none too shy about aiming their rifles at the new arrivals. Finally, after several minutes, the leader of House Organa speaks. "Who are you? Because the ship you arrived in has no records in the Republic military database."

Jason answers first. "I believe, Lord Organa, that my allies here will speak for themselves, but I am Supreme Commander Jason Erthos, leader of the Republic Remnant from...a different version of this universe."

Caldwell hit the comm button as he entered hyperspace sending a message to the Egg Carrier. "Our pilots aren't yet accustomed to its controls. So I think we'll stick with our F-302s." Afterwhich the ship jumped into hyperspace. It didn't take the ship long to prepare for battle, and within ten minutes it was dropping out of hyperspace in formation with the Immaculate Aegis. Fire was already beginning to rain out from the ships of the Separatist fleet, many of the shots that landed on the newer Imperial Ships glanced harmlessly off the shields, more advanced than anything that had been seen in this universe before. As soon as they dropped out of hyperspace 12 F-302s launched from the bays of the Daedalus, moving in support to the formations already let loose by the Separatist forces.

"Open Fire all batteries, target the nearest Imperial Vessel and fire missiles, normal ordnance."

"Sir?"

"We only have so many nukes, I don't want to use them unless I absolutely have too. Open a channel to the Aegis."

He waited a second before the comms officer spoke up. "Channel open sir."

"Commander Falul, for the sake of the battle I'm putting myself under your command. You have a better readout of the situation. Though we've discovered that our transport beams can pierce through the traditional shields of the Res'-" He paused correcting himself. "Venator class ships. If you have troops ready, I could transport them across to enemy vessels for either sabotage or even potential ship capture."

---

Novak shook her head after she had spoken to someone on her earpiece. "No it's okay, the Daedalus is going to go on without me." She turned back to the board. "The sooner we can get this done, the sooner we can add improvements to your faster than light capabilities." Novak turned to the chief she had been working with. "This is your ship, we've determined the main access routes. Where should we start making changes to the electrical grid to account for the shield relays?"

---

The man with the red blade fell under the fire of bullets, as the troopers started taking cover due to the kinetic weapons having more effect against their armour which had been specifically designed to combat blasters. That's when things continued to go south, as a wall towards the back of the building was blown open, a cloud of debris filling the room before a dropship hovered on its side, the door opening and dispensing four different soldiers. Sheppard looked up as the dust cleared. Tapping his earpiece as he shouted. "Fall back!" He noticed a couple of perplexed looks at the mention of falling back, which made sense they were currently winning after all.

"It'll take nothing short of a nuclear warhead to stop those four. Trust me, we need to get out and back to the jumper."

---

Given the Aegis’ role as a capital ship, Falul had moved his ship deep within the formation of the Separatist fleet. Its weapons outranged the turbolasers of the other ships around it, so Falul’s only concern for positioning was to ensure it had a clear line of sight onto its target. The weaker Venator-class vessels simply could not stand up against the concentrated intensity of the Aegis’ weapons, but even so, destroying them was only a delaying tactic at best. It was the Assimilators that carried the real threat of Anubis’ Empire, and it was for their presence alone that Falul reasoned they had not retreated. Based on what limited information Falul had about the vessels, they were powerful warships that would not break so easily as their lesser supporting ships. Without being able to know the precise capabilities of the Separatists, Falul’s focus had been on buying time for his own reinforcements to arrive.

By the time the Daedalus had contacted Falul, he already had ample time to consider his options. In front of him was a constantly-updated holographic display of the ongoing battle, as best as it could be interpreted by the ship’s sensors. He already had positions in mind of each of the ships in their fleet when they arrived, with the Daedalus being the first. Its projectile weapons too outranged turbolasers, but they would be largely ineffective against the powerful shields of an Assimilator. In this battle, the quick, nimble Human vessel could serve the role of a defensive screening ship much more effectively. Its weapons could both target and destroy strikecraft and other small ships. While the Separatist ships seemed to be able to unleash veritable swarms of fighters that far outnumbered opposing strikecraft, Falul had, thusfar, found their individual quality to be lacking, in addition to their uninspired strategic maneuvering. The Aegis had launched its own Seraphs in defense, but enemy bombers were still placing undue pressure onto their shields. The Daedalus could close up at least one of the larger gaps in the Separatists’ lines.

“The local fleet’s anti-fighter capabilities are insufficient. Move to these coordinates and target enemy strikecraft. “ Falul ordered, though he agreed with Caldwell that his ship’s greatest potential contribution would lie outside its primary weapons. “The Venator-class ships are destroyed easily enough; we need not board them. You have the schematics of the Resurgence, yes? Then target their reactors. You should only need to transport a modest amount of explosives to disable each of them. But it is the Assimilator ships that should be our focus.”

Falul brought up what information they had on the Assimilators, as well as a specific part of the previous battle they had engaged in just after arriving in this universe. “These are the ships that Anubis has created. That he has designed to outstrip any opposing ship of this universe. These are the ships that have been destroying his enemies, and the ships that the locals fear. We need to prove that they are not invincible. They were not designed to face us. When we first arrived here we were attacked by a group of ten small ships utilizing Anubis’ technology, and most likely the same enhanced shielding. By this report, your transporter technology was able to pierce those shields once they were sufficiently weakened. If we can substantially weaken even a portion of an Assimilator’s shields, you should be able to use your nuclear weapons to destroy it.”

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@EliteCommander

Yiithren watched as space disappeared and then reappeared beyond the ships main viewport in a rapid fashion. Where there had once been an open void filled with sparkling stars, now there was a darkness lit up by warfare as several ships engaged each other at a distance. To one side there was the Aegis and Daedalus, to another a fleet of semi-circular craft that he recognized as Separatists from the data he'd been given, and finally a fleet of Venator-class ships opposite both. Moving the Va into position near the Aegis, Yiithren ordered a communications channel be established with the larger craft.

"Yiithren here," he said, once the communications link was opened. "What's our plan?"

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It was fortunate for Eri that she had the experience of sparring with Jerus. She recognized immediately the invisible influence of the Force, though that would not simplify the problem of having to deal with its user. She had been under the impression that Jedi were rare, so she was not sure why there was one here, but he was obviously hostile, and a deadly threat. Although, Jerius was also correct that the Tarentatek needed to be dealt with. Swiftly.

The beast and Eri stared one another down for a moment. Her attempt at finishing off the creature had been thwarted by the Jedi, but fortunately for her, she did not need to make another herself. This was a moment in which she could rely upon her team; all she needed to be able to do was step aside.

Quickly, Eri dove out of the line of fire, giving her team a clear chance to open fire once more. Once again, needles, carbine fire, concussion blasts, and superheated plasma barraged the Tarentatek from the front. But, the greatest amount of firepower came from Jarraj. The Unggoy, though with a broken leg and bleeding his luminescent blood, did not allow himself to be overcome by pain or fear. Emboldened by his allies around him, he managed to crawl to his fuel rod gun and shoulder the weapon once more.

“Die you big…dumb lizard!” Jarraj shouted as he fired five consecutive fuel rods. What he lacked in eloquence, he made up for in anti-tank ordinance.

After removing herself from the line of fire, Eri sprinted to the aid of Jerius. From her sparring matches with Jerus, she knew to temper her aggression. This opponent would likely be able to act and react in ways no other Human opponent could. She had to apply her skill with a blade, not mere brutality. As she sprinted forward, she took a plasma grenade in her off hand, though for now, she simply held onto it tightly without activating it.

Eri’s opening strike was precise, calculated, and drew from Vael’s teachings. As the Jedi’s blade clashed with Jerius, Eri approached him from behind. Rather than attack his center mass, she swung low, towards his legs, using her longer blade to attack from a range that he could not immediately retaliate. By swinging at a point so far from Jerius, she intended to constrain his possible responses into something predictable, and forced him to choose between defending against her or Jerius since his lightsaber was simply not long enough to guard against both simultaneously.

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Samus shrugged at Jerus' final remark.

"If you could call it that way." she retorted, "The Gamorrean seemed to have been in some hot water himself. Found ourselves in a shoot out between its hit squad and a rival alien gang. Didn't start because of us though. Thaz was able to take the bounty down from afar."

She reached into her waist compartment and reveal the now sanitized tusk of the alien in question and placed it down on the table for Jerus to see. But before she could allow him to comment, she held her finger up before revealing the datapad she was given by the Kaleesh leader.

"I was also given this as payment through the rival gang's leader." she remarked as she gave it to Jerus to look over, "He told me these were some prototype schematics for something, however I'm unable to decipher what it says. Care to explain what it is?"

The Sith did not react the way Eri anticipated and instead leapt up into the air, flipping and landing some feet away as the Tarantetek forces a large chunk of the floor up as a barrier between itself and the hail of fire from the Sangheili's team, however, as the fuel rods reached it, their explosive impact shattered the stone before impacting the unnatural creature and sending it stumbling back. The lightsaber wielder, in the meantime, had alternated between blasting lightning at Eri and exchanging blows with the Mandalorian clone as he tried to close with the Sith.

"This place should be abandoned, even by your kind, dar'jetii. What are you doing here?!" The Sith parried an attack from him and send him sliding back with a blast of the Force.

"Freedan Nadd's spirit hasn't quite passed on, much to the contrary of the late Meetra Surik's beliefs." Spotting Eri moving to attack again, he surprised her by dashing inside her guard and delivering a powerful uppercut to the alien's jaw. Noting the others would soon be turning the attention to him as his pet had stopped moving, he held up his hand and locked them in a Force Stasis. With them locked in place and only able to watch, he could finish the two in front of him and the others at his leisure.

"Dirty trick, dar'jetii. But it won't help. Mandalorians have hunted both your kind and Jedi for years."

"Oh, I know, for as little good as it did those Mandalorian clowns who'd come in here to loot the tomb."

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Taking the datapad, Jerus reads it over, mumbling to himself as he flicked through the designs and specifications. "Yeah, weapons, tools, explosives. Looks like a lot of it's in Aurebesh, but the aiming specifications are to accommodate for Kaleesh masks. Gotta say, it's an impressive collection, guy must have been looking to branch out from simple Cartel jobs."

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This Jedi’s capabilities went beyond even what Eri had witnessed sparring with Jerus, though she likely had at least a few minor surprises for him as well. She did not know by what means he was projecting lightning, but it was not as energetic as the plasma shots her shields were designed to resist, so they could withstand the bursts he was using. He did jostle her head with the strike he landed, but the fact that she had a fully-sealed helmet deadened the blow considerably. Although, the fact that he could seemingly freeze her team in place was alarming. It made him a threat she could not afford to underestimate.

Eri growled audibly. This power he had access to frustrated her to no end. The Force was the only advantage he had. He relied on it - depended on it - to surpass her. She saw the way he attacked, the way he moved, the kind of swings he made. She knew she was better than him. She had every confidence that her skill with a blade surpassed his, and were she in his position, with the kind of power he could wield, she would have already killed the both of them. She wanted to fight him, to overcome his advantages and prove by how much her skill with a blade outstripped his own…but she had to resist the lure of pride. She could risk her own life, but would not risk those of her allies. This Jedi needed to be killed, by whatever means she could.

Eri had to quickly think of what advantages she might have, and fortunately, it only took a quick look at her surroundings to give her inspiration. The beam rifle she had dropped in pursuing the Tarentatek was still on the ground, nearby. She expected he could use the Force to prevent her from reaching it, but…why would he? What reason would he have to fear the weapon? She knew Jedi could effectively protect themselves from the blasters of their universe, and this Jedi practically radiated arrogance. He had no way of knowing that the weapon had a near-lightspeed beam that would make any amount of reaction times pointless without hands that could move at light speed as well. If anything, from his perspective, her using a ranged weapon would just make it easier for him to overwhelm Jerius.

“Just hold him off for a few seconds.” Eri said to Jerius through their comms before dashing at a full sprint towards the beam rifle.

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Thaz took a long drink of what Jerus had ordered for her, but even the hint of an additional reward was easily enough to draw back in her immediate attention. After putting down the glass, she leaned over towards Jerus, paying little mind to any notion of personal space as she looked over the schematics along with him. “Hmm, weapons, new designs…no way to know if they’re better than what we already have yet. But, uh, schematics from another universe, exotic weapons, exotic tools. Still valuable, yes, even if they’re not better. I want a copy.”

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Vael gave no real reaction to the Alderaanian guards, regardless of any kind of threat they might have been trying to convey. He had his eyes only on the one identified as Lord Organa. He was, in all likelihood, the one with which they needed to speak. Vael looked down upon him, his expression entirely unreadable to any Human not exceptionally familiar with Sangheili mannerisms.

Vael tilted his head somewhat at Erthos, though not out of disapproval. Indeed, he found the Supreme Commander to be refreshingly straightforward for a Human. Though, even Vael might have allowed for introductions before disclosing the more difficult-to-accept information they brought with them.

In any case, Vael followed up just after Erthos. “I am Vael ‘Virisusai. I was selected to represent the Swords of Sanghelios by my shipmaster. Our purpose here is to negotiate with you for your assistance.” Vael stated directly.