Korriban,
D-DayKitt licks her lips, picking up her clothes and quietly wriggling back into the important bits. Her shoes and armour bundled in her hand, she tries to silently leave the room. It had been a few days and she had come back to meet Trizz each night, but that still did not mean she wanted to be caught in her quarters. She bites her lip, trying to slip through the door as stealthily as possible as her cheeks flush. She had slept longer than intended tonight even and she needed to get back to her own quarters. Hopefully, Azazel would not notice... Not that it was likely. The Sith had been holed up with Andrea in the woman's den now for days. A tinge of bitterness begins to sweep through her before being crushed down by the shame of her own actions. She was certainly not one to be talking at this moment.
"Going so soon?" Came the voice from behind Kitt, Trizz stretching in the door frame of her bedroom, wearing nothing.
Kitt looses a squeak of surprise and nearly fumbles everything out of her arms as she quickly turns about. “Ah, n-no! I was, uhm, just going to fetch... breakfast! Yeah, you must have worked up an appetite too after last night.” The door beside her begins to open, someone to check up on the noises outside. Kitt kicks the door back closed, her cheeks a bright red, frazzled at being caught again.
Chuckling she walked forwards and presses herself against the young echani, kissing lightly over her cheek. "Still shy and embarrassed huh... careful, unless you want to be dragged back to bed again..." She ginned and winked, "Want to grab some food together?"
Kitt squirms and lets out a small whine, “Yes, but you have to get some clothes on!”
She let out a laugh, "Of course, I will so be patient, and that gives you time to put the clothes you did put on the correct way, your pants are inside out dear." She smirked and went to grab her clothes and armour, taking time to put them on.
Kitt looks down, noticing the error now. She flushes and follows Trizz, not wanting to be caught in the hallways in an indecent way. Getting her clothes on, correctly, and donning her armour once more, she tries to smooth out her wild hair in the mirror, eyes flickering over to Trizz. Breakfast together could be nice... And it could make her look better, saying she was up early and came over to eat and await orders from Azazel... She frowns, biting her lip. This was some very lowly behaviour from herself.
"So..." Trizz began, after she made clear the hallway was clear for Kitt's benefit and they started walking to a nearby mess hall. "Any regrets?"
Kitt pauses, a million things racing through her head before she coughs, “That new crick in my neck between that one thing... and that other thing...”
She let out a bark of laughter and grinned, "Noted, you did seem to enjoy the massage I gave afterwards, with the oils...." She trailed off with a purr as they reached the mess, she nodded to some of the Korriban personal but mostly they ignored her, she was one of the elite, Andrea's command circle after all.
She flushes and nods, still smelling a little... fruity from that. “I imagine they do wonders after a rough training session,” she winces, rolling her shoulder where she still had a sizable bruise. She still wasn't sure if that was from her first rough and tumble with the Zabrak or from the training mats, but it did feel a little easier after last night. She looks at the various plates of food before the Sun Guard soldiers. Curiosity hits her as to just what the appeal was to what they were eating. They were supposed to be of the same race, after all. “You know what, I'm not so sad about never being to my homeworld now. Not if I would have to eat that... weird... slimy... thing... Wait-- is that still wiggling...” She shudders and looks at Trizz, “Please tell me there is other food than that here.”
*******
Meanwhile In Andrea's Chambers...She traced her lips over Azazel's and then kissed her deeply, sharing the icecream she had taken in her mouth and passed it to her lover before pulling back with a chuckle and then settled back against her, scooping some icecream for herself from the bucket wedged between them, gesturing to the holographic images of Hutts in Love. "So... you and... Hakkri... really watched my series, like this? Huh... well have to admit." She smiled and licked some of the cream from her spoon. "With company it is actually fun to watch that old show of mine again..."
Azazel licks her lips and giggles, leaning in and licking the corner of Andrea's lips. “You should see it with Hakkri. He might know every episode by heart, but he allows himself to be sucked into the drama every time. And the commentary,” she smiles and nuzzles against Andrea's side, twining her fingers with hers.
She squeezed Azazel's hand back with a smile. "Hmmm I see..." She traced over the side of her lover, "Glad to see you... got over the shock of some of my... more adult films, though you have to admit, after a while... you really got into the mood of it, wanting to act out scenes." She smirked.
“Mmhmm...” she smiles slightly, fingers tracing over Andrea's front before she lowers her hand, looking at her face, “With Gra'tua coming, I really do think the three of us... Need sit down and talk...”
Azazel barely said that or a alarm was heard, Andrea recognizing it to be the alarm she had set up in case of the sensors registering ships exiting hyperspace that were not scheduled to arrive.
Andrea blinked and cursed, "Well, it's time." They were luckily dressed already so all Andrea needed at least was to put on her new armour, which had been adjusted for her new frame. "Are you going to your ship or join me in my Academy command center?"
Azazel pauses for a moment, reflecting on this. She grimaces and stands, going to get on her own armour, “I will need to attend to my ship. My captains are each otherwise gone and my crew performs better with an active presence.” She moves over, before donning her helmet and tugs Andrea closer to give her a deep kiss. “I will return to you once these insects are dealt with... And we will resume this talk.”
She kissed back and smiled, "We definitely will, now stay safe you and don't get in the way of my ion cannon." She smirked, walking together with Azazel before they had to part ways, a nervous looking Kitt joined her mistress while Andrea hurried to her command center, a hologram of her captain on the Dark Rebirth, Reneva was already present, a holographic pad for Azazel also ready so they could remain in contact.
"What do we have?" She asked the room.
A sensor operator looked up, they were expecting this so he showed no panic or even nervousness, "Unidentified contacts, multiple, they are at the edge of the system and closing, we will get a closer look of them as soon as they are in range."
"Very well, launch all fighter squadrons, better have them in space than in their hangars and establish contact with Azazel as soon as she is on her bridge."
As Azazel reaches her brig, before even reaching the pad, she begins barking out orders. “Launch all fighter squadrons, establish defensive ship patrols and ready LS teams to launch when I give the signal.” She steps onto the projector at the command center and takes a deep breath as a line is established and she would appear to Andrea. Kitt was already about to race off to join a potential boarding party but is held off by a raised hand from Azazel, “You... stay here, for now.” She turns her attention to Andrea and bows her head, “Well, hello there.”
She nodded to Azazel, her facial features serious, anxious. "Multiple unidentified contacts approaching, thinks it's that force Traiserus send?"
Azazel offers a wry smile, “Unless I've not been the only one blabbing about secret planets...”
She let out a snort, "Remind me that my next secret base is only known to myself." She turned to Karis, her commander on the ground. "I want the Sun Guard on the perimeter, patrols around the clock." She then turned to Khanna and smirked, "You seem to have a way with the Tuk'ata... go to them and prepare them to hunt in case some kind of ground force breaches our defenses."
Khanna smirked and went off to the Tuk'ata grounds of the academy, Andrea turned back and looked at the sensors, willing their foes to reveal themselves.
Andrea growled, "Well there they are, power the ion cannon and be ready to fire, Azazel are you seeing what I am seeing? Three cruisers from what it looks like and... two support ships?"
Azazel furrows her brow, looking at the sensors. “The order was for three, so that sounds correct...” She checks the readings, “Undetermined number of support vessels, I am willing to bet there are more...”
It seemed the intruding vessel had detected the numerous squadrons in space and were launching their own as they steadily approached.
Once their squadrons were launched the ships... simply stopped.
Andrea blinked, "They stopped? After launching all those fighters..." She turned to Azazel's image, "What are they up to?"
Azazel pauses before leaning forward, “How about I just ask...” And that was her genuine intention as she sets her comm-officers to set up a line with the vessels, fully intent on making only herself to appear, in order to keep Andrea's pure-blood nature a secret.
After a moment a link was established as the hail was accepted and a hologram appeared of a handsome looking man in what appeared to be some kind of combat uniform or outfit, his hands behind his back. He narrowed his eyes and then nodded to himself, "Lady Kurkova... or should I say Lady Azazel?" He smiled, narrowing his eyes. "We were not expecting you here, a added bonus. Ah but how rude of me, I am Marcus, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She mocks a curtsy. “Tis my name, was that meant to be a revelation of some secret revelation? I'm afraid it is quite old news. After all, everyone appears to know my name these days. Such growing popularity, whatever will I do, unable to hide away from the adoring masses.” She levels her gaze with Marcus. “Colour me curious, I know why I am here, but why are you, Master Marcus. A bit far off from common trade routes, is it not? Did you get lost? I am sure I can refer you to an excellent navigator were it the case.”
Marcus made a show to look surprised, "Oh? No, not lost, we are just part of a small expedition you see, exploring hyperspace routes and look and behold we found ourselves this system. As far as our records show it is on no recorded map, so we thought to claim it, yet you are here. Would you have a problem if we approach and make planet fall?"
Azazel looks taken aback, “It's not on records? Well, my my my, there seems to be a problem with that, dear Marcus. This planet has already had claim laid to it some time ago. Now, as far as touching dirt, I'm afraid I can't answer that quite this moment. You see, first I must know by who your expedition was funded.”
Marcus muted the sound for a moment and seemed to confer with someone who was no in view before he turned back to Azazel and resumed sound. "Shall we put an end to the charade? We both know why we are here, that world is Korriban, tombworld of the first Sith and I represent a power you have recently had a meeting with, my father sends his regards..."
Azazel smirks and leans forward, “And whose bastard son do you happen to be, I wonder. The lickspittle Jehemath or the foolhardy Traiserus, hmm? Come now, don't be shy, fess up.”
"Well my father did mention you were a arrogant one, he never said you were rude. Jehemath is nothing but a puppet, a infertile puppet at that, there's your answer. Now then... while I am happy to talk to the servant, where is your mistress, hmm? You yourself informed the Mecrossa Order that another sith was in control of Korriban, so where is she, hmm?"
Andrea was listening and remained silent, she turned to her people, "Find out from which ship that bastard is broadcasting." She simply said before returning her attention to the conversation.
The signal was coming from one of the bigger cruisers but which one was unclear.
“Anyone could have told you I'm rude. Didn't the lady of the resort tell Jehemath? She really did not like me last we talked,” she appears to take on an aloof expression, “Now, now, she's just shy. What about your father, though? Is that who you were talking to a moment ago? Why doesn't he show off that pretty little face of his, instead of sending a child to talk to the grown-ups.” She shakes her head, clearly disappointed. “Is he there with you? Mind telling him our dance back at the resort really was fun, I was hoping he would give chase... Of course, not one for fun and games, is he? Spoilsport.”
"No that was one of my officers informing me someone on the surface of Korriban was listening in on this conversation, my father is not here, he apparently needed some time in a bacta tank and some facial reconstruction after your encounter with him. Nicely done I must say, I have hardly seen him quite enraged like that... apparently he wants me to cut out your heart if I had the chance." He paused and smiled, "And the hearts of your unborn children."
Azazel fumes at that comment, fists clenching as she leans in, “I will see this Galaxy burn to ash before I allow harm to my children.” She closes her eyes, allowing herself to recompose, “But that does, give me quite the idea... Enough hiding between holographs and ships... Why don't you launch off in another vessel, we can leave our ships where they are if you desire, and you shall reach the surface unharmed. Then, we can cross swords if you wish. Like true warriors of the Sith. You may stand a chance then. Because I assure you, challenge me now and you will be naught but drifting debris.”
"Oh I think I am more than comfortable here to talk, don't you agree? Coming alone, into the den of a dragon? Do you think me a fool?"
“No, simply a coward and one who does not understand honour. After all, I did much the same. Funny, you know, I made it out unscathed to boot. Are you admitting I am better than you? And your father?”
Suddenly a sensor operator on the Dark Rebirth looks surprised, he had contacts, new contacts almost right on top of them, a squadron of fighters, that were even for their sensors hard to detect.
When Reneva heard that she interrupted the call, "Cloaked fighters!" She shouted, "Open fire with our flak batteries, now!"
Marcus frowned, "Well I suppose that is a begin to hostilities, see you soon." With that he cut the transmission.
Azazel growls, “Backblasted, inbred, bantha-dung hut'uun.”
Andrea growled, "I want sensor scans, now! If there are more stealth capable squadrons out there then I need to know!"
Meanwhile Reneva had ordered the Flak Batteries to fire while the interceptors set up a wall, looking for movement among the stars that might reveal more threats.
While it was difficult to get a lock sporadic fire in the area the enemy squadron was detect did score some hits but some craft were still flying, but no more than 4.
Azazel furrows her brow, seeing nothing on the sensors before giving out a command, “Advance interceptor units, eyes on the skies for stealth units.” She looks at the scanner information from Andrea and instructs, “Lock on targets, fire turbolaser batteries.” She feels uncomfortable back at the helm of the ship, really wishing she had Ibeth or Ilo and one of her pilots here.
The turbo laser fire, as expected went wide of their targets.
Azazel offers a small smile and shrugs, “At least I tried?”
Andrea frowned, "I've always wondered... what happens if a planetary ion cannon blasts hits a group of fighters.... planetary ion crew, target a enemy group of interceptors as best you can... and fire."
While the gunnery crew of the planetary ion cannon wondered if their mistress had gone bonkers, expecting them to hit interceptors, it did reveal to the invaders that there was a planetary weapon on the surface.
The sensors of the Academy did discover two more enemy squadrons, deep within their defenses.
It seemed that stealth was their only advantage because their aim was embarrassing, Azazel's people on the bridge of the Daghda saw how the nearest squadron... seemed to launch a volley of torpedoes... that hit each other and detonated prematurely. The other two squadrons simply missed.
Azazel raises her brows in alarm at the display. “And I thought I had the worst pilots in the business.”
Reneva looked at the situation, "Make sure the sensor data from the base is shared with Azazel, I want flak cannons to target the stealth bombers in the middle of us... Interceptor wings 1 and 2 deal with the last remains of the first enemy squadron."
The sixty interceptors swooped in and just obliterated the remaining vessels of the first stealth bomber squadron, while the flak batteries of the Rebirth also managed to take out some craft from the second squadron.
Azazel calls out, “Target the stealth units dead ahead. Mk2 squads Alpha, Beta, Charlie, turn about and engage bombers. Mk1 Charlie, Delta, advance and give them support.”
The second squadrons manages to evade the flak coming from the Daghda and continues on it's way, straight for the Daghda. Meanwhile the third squadron had a little bit of trouble as the entered a dogfight with multiple enemy squadrons, narrowly missing weapons fire. Azazel's MK2 squadrons swerve to the side, avoiding a near collision with the enemy craft and their own but manage to close the gaps.
"Targets in range, your orders?" A officer asked Andrea.
She smirked, "Target the enemy cruiser in the middle, disrupt their formation... and have the flak batteries open fire at that squadrons that conveniently is within range of our base defenses."
The flak batteries of the base are unable to hit anything, they had failed to calculate the speed of their projectiles with the atmosphere and attempted to correct that mistake if they were required to fire again.
The blast of the ion cannon impacted the cruiser in the middle head on, the massive blast of ion energy almost entirely depleting the cruiser's shields and having it's crew scrambling to try and get power back to said shield in case the planet defenses fired on them again.
Meanwhile the enemy interceptors seemed to have received order to close in quickly and speed ahead of the formation, closing in on the defender positions.
The formation of cruisers, support ships and remaining fighter squadrons follow steadily, Azazel's sensor crew reporting rapid fluctuations of their shields as they desperately try to restore their shields to full strength.
The stealth bombers continued their attack runs, the second squadron still having problems with their targeting computers and fail, but loop around, out of range of the guns of the Dark Rebirth. The third squadron... tries to fire but due to the overwhelming numbers of interceptors their torpedoes go wide and impact somewhere in the wastes of Korriban, while doing this they gave opportunities to Azazel's MK2 squadrons who happily blasted a few of the bombers apart.
Trying a gamble, Reneva ordered the starfighters and bombers to loop around and either divert some of the enemy interceptors or successfully evade them and launch bomber runs on the enemy capital ships. While also ordering the remaining interceptors to pull back and remain at station, but giving her flak batteries ample room to open fire at the approaching wall of enemy craft.
The remaining Mark Is who had not yet engaged take the initiative as they spy the stealth bombers slip about and turn to engage it. The remaining Mark Is and Mark Iis continue on their strike, reinvigorated for the fight after landing chance strikes on the bombers who dared ignore them. The ISF VIs retreat back to assist with the forming wall as Azazel takes Reneva's lead and fires her flak weaponry, few as they may be at the approaching wall of interceptors.
While the MK2 squadrons distract the bombers, one squadron of MK1 fighters swoops in and just destroys every remaining bomber in it's path, inspiring Azazel's pilots with their show of dedication and skill in destroying whoever dares to stand in Azazel's way. The last remaining bombers fare just as well as they get destroyed by interceptor fire.
Andrea watched the approaching wall of enemy squadrons, biting the inside of her cheek. "There's so many of them... inform the gunnery crews, aim for the middle of that approaching wall... and fire... I imagine even if the blast only graces some of those enemy fighters the immediate effects... will be interesting to see."
The blast was utterly accurate and sped forth... going right through the middle of the formations of interceptors... and it's effects... those squadrons that were hit full on, simply ceased to exist as they exploded when their systems just couldn't handle the massive amounts of ion energy.
Those graced by the blast crashed into each other, leading to more explosions in space as literally Andrea's ion cannon set off fireworks in space.
Andrea smirked and ignored the cries of joy and jubilation for the moment, "Right this battle isn't over, my compliments to the gunners of the ion cannon." She turned to Azazel's hologram, "I think my people can do a good fireworks show." She said with glee at the destruction.
The cruisers closed in still, the one in the middle managing to get some of it's shields back but still not at full strength.
While ordering the interceptors to engage the enemy craft Reneva made the calculating gamble to move forwards and open fire with her spinal laser at the already weakened enemy cruiser in the middle.
The spinal laser went wide and the squadrons managed to score some hits and glancing blows on the enemy craft but nothing stellar.
Azazel opens her mouth, about ready to order to divert power away to power the hypervelocity cannon before thinking twice. Instead, she orders the advancement and firing of the spinal cannon upon the ship with the shield fluctuations. Meanwhile, fueled on by a rush, her ships advance to engage the enemy interceptors.
Enemy squadrons were obliterated by overwhelming numbers, the spinal laser of the Daghda however had some trouble as it overheated and the crews reporting it needed to be cooled down before they could fire again.
After the success of the gun against the enemy interceptors she told them to aim for the middle cruiser once more and fire.
The blast graced the cruisers shields, doing minimal hurt but it was still telling since their shields were already sapped from the first hit.
The fury interceptors who were evenly matched against the enemy interceptors incurred some losses, 4 interceptors being destroyed by enemy fire and others damaged.
The ones in the grand melee did surprising well despite being outnumbered and their numbers not at maximum, destroying nine fury interceptors. Azazel's fighters meanwhile, still inspired by the actions of one of their squadrons, dodged every attack and only closed the net around the enemy interceptors.
The bombers and starfighters sped off, going for their targets, while the cruisers... were now in range, spinal lasers became active and sought targeting solutions, while the middle cruiser, also revealed a mass driver cannon, aiming it straight at Andrea's Dark Rebirth.
As the cruisers fired, both Andrea and Azazel could see that each cruiser had at least 2 spinal lasers, the first cruiser missing, barely. But the other two managed to score successful hits, before the round of the mass driver slammed into the Rebirth's shield, taking a good chunk out of them, reports coming to captain Reneva Shitha that that volley alone had brought her shields down by 30%.
Reneva narrowed her eyes, "That's fine, we can take that..." She was reluctant to get closer but smiled, "We may only have one spinal laser... but..." She turned to a pit with some gunnery crews. "Are missiles and torpedoes loaded?"She received confirmation. "Very well... fire away."
Meanwhile Annihilator wing 2 engaged the approaching enemy starfighters while wing 1 and the bombers started their attack runs on the nearest enemy cruiser.
It seemed that during all those battle simulations and drills the maintenance crews neglected to go over the spinal laser and as a result overheated and key parts fused together as circuits simply melted due to a overload and the heat.
A volley of missiles and proton torpedoes sped forth but their aim was somewhat poor and their trajectory easily spotted by the cruisers who would be able to shoot them down with their flak easily when the time came.
The dogfighting was fierce still between fury wing 1 and the enemy interceptors, neither side giving ground or allowing the other to take down some of their fighters. Wing 2 managed to eliminate the remains of one enemy squadron... leaving one squadron surrounded by angry Andrea squadrons.
While they weren't made to engage other fighters, the Annihilators of wing 2 managed to down some enemy craft and engage them on even ground. The attack runs of the other starfighter wing and the bombers was nothing to write home about however.
Azazel checks the status of the turbolasers and it was still down. However, given the time passed, Traiserus' bastard was now in range of her mass drivers and she instructs them to fire. Her fighters continue to push on to destroy the last of the interceptors as other move on to engage the starfighters.
The mass driver rounds... barely miss the cruiser, it did notify them that the Daghda was indeed a threat however.
Azazel's interceptors managed to detain the enemy starfighters, making them unable to attack runs to the capital ships of the sith.
Meanwhile the new squad leader of Bezol's former squadron was doing rather well, he led the squadron to greatness as his squadron wiped out two enemy squadrons without effort.
Andrea saw the damage being dealt to her flagship and cursed, "Fire the ion cannon! I want at least one of those cruisers disabled!"
They however missed again, perhaps their efforts had been concentrated on destroying tiny fighters with their oversized gun.
One interceptor squadron of Andreas was destroyed, their screams unheard as the pilots were blasted apart with their fighters.
One squadron of anihilators, ceased to exist as assault laser fire from the Traiserus star fighters obliterated them under a massive onslaught.
The bombers loyal to Traiserus launched a volley of electromagnetic plasma missiles which impacted hard upon the shields of the sith capital ships, giving them some hurt. Especially to Andrea's already weakened shields.
Another volley of spinal lasers impacted upon the Dark Rebirth, bringing it down even more, the shields were now at 40%. And the support ships, revealing themselves to be missile corvettes, launched a volley of concussion missiles towards the dark rebirth as well.
The flak batteries seemed eager to not have those missiles hit them and blew them up.... the explosions of the concussion missiles also blowing up two enemy bomber squadrons who were too close to comfort.
Otherwise the gunnery crews were half asleep.
The furies did their work, keeping enemy squadrons at bay and engaging enemy bombers.
The Annihilators had more success, those engaging other star fighters manged to wipe out the two damaged squadrons they were battling to avenge their fallen comrades, while some torpedoes of the other wing impacted on the shields of one of the enemy cruisers.
Azazel takes a deep breath and steps up. Her crew fidgets for a moment, still uncertain after the last time she had taken command so. “We are staggering our attack. I want heavy weapon fire and mass cannons divided between those bomb carrying supports. Heavy spinal laser target and fire the central cruiser...” They begin to exhale, believing her done before she picks up, “Reneva, Andrea, I'll see you a few moments. When the initial barrage is finished... Fire the hypervelocity cannon. Make it count.”
Kitt grabs her arm and gives her an angry expression, hissing, “What are you doing. You know what happened last time!”
Azazel offers a faint smile, “A leap of faith,” she murmurs, silencing the feed. “I am the Sith'ari.”
Azazel's people were just... they were inspired to great lengths by their ace squadron, who just wiped out three enemy squadrons, with the assistance of the other squadrons naturally, shouting over the comms. "For Alor and Clan!"
One blue squadron however did not far so well and was obliterated in the return fire, and caught one of the errant missiles of the missile corvette.
It seems the missile corvettes did not have much shields as the heavy turbo lasers of the Dagha wreaked havoc to them.
The Mass Drivers and spinal laser went wide of their target and then Azazel ordered to fire the hypervelocity gun...
Just before her systems gave out as all power was used for the planetary based weapon, sensors registered the concussion missiles launched earlier by Andrea's Dark Rebirth going through the flak barrage and impact on the shields, depleting them... just before the hypervelocity projectile impacted on the cruiser and a flash was registered as the cruiser suffered internal explosions and broke apart.
Andrea watched the screen as the middle cruiser was destroyed and smiled, frowning when she noticed all power had gone from Azazel's vessel... and her hologram was gone too, the call had died. "Ferglutz. Fire the Ion Cannon on the next target, Azazel's vessel is a sitting target now." She growled and stared at the sensor reading. "Those cruisers are a pain... Reneva disable the current target... and ready boarding craft, just in case."
The Ion Cannon fired and managed a glancing blow to the cruiser it was targeting, soaking away some of it's shield strength.
The bombers attempted a attack run on the powered down Daghda, but two of their number were destroyed by Andrea's interceptors and those that survived missed by a narrow margin.
The starfighters had more success, destroying 6 of Andrea's Anihilator craft. Some of the interceptors squadrons, while surrounded, managed to destroy several of Azazel's MK2 ships.
The missile frigates seemed to have some shoddy aiming going on as their missiles spreads would not fare well against any flak barrage that might come their way.
The two remaining cruisers however, noticed that the Daghda was without power and turned their weapons towards her, firing.
Azazel was illuminating the bridge with her pyro abilities when she stiffened, eyes wide as the force warned her, grabbing Kitt without warning she just ran from the bridge, opening the elevator doors with the force and jumped down, closing the doors behind her as she took Kitt with her, using the force again, tapping into the force powers of her unborn children briefly to save herself and her Echani lieutenant.
The crew on the bridge saw this happen, two operators, who had been in the middle of a rock, paper scissors game blinked and also just ran for it, managing to jump through the elevator doors before they closed and hold on for dear life since neither of them had force powers to save themselves from the drop down. Why they did this became clear... as spinal laser fire impacted upon the bridge... and blew it apart entirely.
More damages were incurred by more spinal laser fire as two shield generators and 2 turbo laser batteries were utterly destroyed.
Andrea watched with wide eyes as she saw the invasion force obliterate the bridge of the Daghda,"No, no, no, nooo. Contact the Daghda, contact her at once! NOW!"
"We cannot my lady, it's simply.. we cannot establish a-"A operator began before with a sudden hiss and smell of ozone Andrea ignited her saber and cut off his head and started marching out, snapping her fingers at her disciples. "Everyone to the Hydra gunboats, we are going up there... and if she is not alive I want every single son of a bitch on those cruisers exterminated, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!" She snarled, "Continue firing the ion cannon at them and don't stop until I give the order or all their ships are destroyed!"
Meanwhile Reneva also stared at what happened to the Daghda and had a more worldly view, it wasn't destroyed and could still fight and she continued to calmly give orders. Ordering the flak cannons to open fire at some of the missiles heading the Daghda's way while also ordering some of the interceptors to do the same. Meanwhile she continued having her launchers to open fire too.
More enemy interceptors blew apart now that Andrea's Furies had been reinforced by a second wing of furies. The most notable pilots however were those of the bombers... who wiped all the flak batteries on the left side of the vessel with their proton rockets and torpedoes, but this also made their magazines empty and they would need to reload their supplies.
It seems Dark Rebirth's crew were on a roll, the flak battery crew managing to take out the missiles headed for the Daghda and a few enemy bombers to boot as well, missing Azazel's fighters entirely.
The concussions missiles they were launched were easily noticed... but the torpedoes following in their wake were masked by this launch and would almost surely slip through the enemy's defenses.
Azazel's flames were soaring high, to light the engine room. The light she gave off and the prior drills after the last use of the hypervelocity gun had her crew more easily running through and making things happen. The lights begin to flicker on and Azazel severs her draw on her force powers, unwilling to keep drawing upon it. Kitt looks at Azazel with wide-eyed shock and apparently had with the anger expressed on Azazel's face. “What?” she snaps, clenching her fists as she stares back at the Echani.
“I thought you hated this ship,” she smirks and shakes her head.
“It was a gift from Solomon and has been my home since I was a child, they have defiled my home.” Kitt simply continues to shake her head as Azazel moves, standing atop a crate as she cups her hands over her mouth, “The bridge is destroyed. Until future notice, this is now the command center of the ship! Determine all systems are back online! I want someone running me sensor reports regularly! Electronic Warfare Suites are to be online and scrambling enemy communications. If they don't already know we're still alive and kicking, then let them think they've won! LET THERE ARROGANCE BE THEIR DOWNFALL.”
She directs her attention to the weaponry specialists, as far as she could tell from their markings down here. “Heavy weapons target bomb carriers! Mass Drivers and Spinal lasers fire upon the battle cruisers!” She points at the communication specialists rappelling their ways down after someone set a grapple hook to lower them after the fall of the bring, “You two, get my communications back online and let them know the Dark Lady lives on!” She stops and cries out, “AND SOMEONE BRING ME MY HOT CHOCOLATE!”
Witnessing the destruction wrought upon their home, especially noticing the bridge was just... gone. It demoralized Azazel's pilots and their attempts to take down enemy craft was barely yielding results. Except for a number of interceptors engaging the last enemy interceptors, wiping them out in retaliation.
The crew on the jamming suite reported being successful though I might be difficult to notice any changes in the actions of their foes, meanwhile most of the Daghda's fire missed or went wide, probably due to their need to adjust on confirming their orders, the spinal laser fired, but not on the cruiser it was supposed to, at one of the missile frigates, taking a huge hit to their shields.
Azazel snorts and calls back, “Her and I will have to talk about her apparent lack of faith in me. Later, though. For now, let her rage on. The hut'uun and his crew must be prone to error at this point, sure of their own victory. Let her go in for the slaughter. If she brings me the bastard child that I might deliver him to his father in pieces, I will show her just how much I appreciate the gesture.” Even though they could not see it, a nasty sneer was upon her face, fueled with malignant intent. If they captured the creature alive, his death would be a long, drawn out affair.
Karis nodded, "I will pass that on."She then focused back on the overall battle.
The ion cannon missed again, again barely glancing the enemy cruiser.
Azazel's fighters were still mucking about as the enemy bombers tried to attack again, but were gunned down by Andrea's furies without mercy.
The starfighters fared a little better, those engaged with Andrea were neither losing or gaining ground, the ones battling with Azazel's itnerceptors managed to take out seven fighters. Five MK1 class and 2 ISF 6 interceptors.
The last remaining interceptor squadron... just fled.
More missiles were launched, one volley scattered wide so a flak volley wouldn't take them out so quickly as before...
The enemy cruiser fired their spinals at the Daghda still, it had regained it's power but it's shields were still the lowest due to the power reboot, taking it entirely down, once again, Azazel and the Daghda needed to rely on their armour to save them from destruction for a next barrage.
Just after their barrage the cruiser that saw incoming missiles opened fire with what flak batteries they had left but failed to take them down and the missiles damaged one of their spinal laser batteries, enough so it would not fire.
Interceptor squadrons were ordered to try and take out enemy concussion missiles, the bombers with their payloads gone retreated while it's accompanying starfighter escorts joined the dogfighting battle of the other starfighter wing.
Reneva frowned, "Bring the Dark Rebirth forward, let's see if we can make ourselves a target so the Daghda can recover. Fire any and all weapons, heavy ions on the cruiser... everything else... I want to see one of those missile corvettes destroyed.
The interceptors of wing 2 manage to destroy the incoming missiles, all of them, the other squadrons and starfighters did nothing remarkable, except still being locked in battle.
The Dark Rebirth, fired it's weapons... and that was about all that could be said about it.
While the interceptors were not made for it, the missile corvette's shield had already taken a beating and their continued fire dropped those shields entirely.
The hyper velocity gun fired and hit the third cruiser full on, taking a massive hit to their shields, that would make it's crew perhaps a tad worried.
Andrea was fuming still, she had gathered all her disciples and her most elite forces as she held on to her seat, her eyes closed, centering solely on her rage and hatred that was building up, directed at these sniveling cowards who dared to make a attempt to take HER world from her! She had barely registered Karis reporting that Azazel was alive, her relief had been quickly squashed under her anger.
meanwhile Karis looked at the holographic image of the head operator of the planetary ion cannon. "Now then... if you could hit the cruiser this time... it would help a lot."
It seemed they took those words to heart and the ion cannon blast hit the third cruiser, depleting it's shields completely and causing malfunctions all over the ship... temporarily disabling everything it seems.
The lone squadron engaging four squadrons of Andrea's tried to make a run for it, but the squadron was wiped out by the pilots of Annihilator wing 1 who took the opportunity to reap more souls in retribution for their fallen comrades.
The other starfighters engaging a majority of Azazel's forces managed to take out a damaged squadron of MK1 fighters and completely destroy them.
The missile frigates opened fire with turbo lasers, or at least tried to, the first missing the rebirth while the second seemed to have trouble charging their laser weaponry. Their missiles looked like they would impact on the rebirth but it's flak batteries managed to make good save, barely.
Cruiser 1, badly damaged and harassed had it's crews fucking up, firing wildly but not hitting anything, it's heavy ion weapon overcharging and needing to cool down before they could fire.
The third cruiser... was drifting idly in space, no sign of power.
A series of explosions come from Cruiser 1, as the last remainder of its flak batteries were destroyed by the torpedo barrage.
Reneva saw the gunboats soar past, headed directly for the damaged cruiser, "Well that will be taken care off, focus all regular weapons on the nearest missile corvette, I want all heavy and higher weaponry open fire on the disabled cruiser, they seem fond of shooting ships that are without power, let's return the favour."
Outnumbered and outgunned two enemy squadrons were just plain overwhelmed by the number of interceptors going at them and blowing them out of the stars.
Rebirth's turbo weapons fail to land hits on the missile corvette but it's ion weapons... completely disable the shields, it was now vulnerable, even to interceptor attacks...
The heavy weapons of the Rebirth opened fire on the disabled cruiser, scoring deep hits and inflicting damage, the heavy turbo lasers opening a gap in it's hull... a gap for where the utterly accurate torpedoes were racing straight towards to...
Azazel sips idly from her mug of hot chocolate with a satisfied groan. She trusted Andrea and Reneva to capitalize on the last hit she had landed. Hopefully they were out of range of return fire still as well. She smiles, one hand raised high again to create an impromptu torch as apparently glowsticks had been passed about the crew as well to illuminate the depths of the ship. She looks amused about the ship as someone grumbles about their party materials being broken into, earning a small chuckle from Kitt who was sitting on the box Azazel was standing upon. “It's like they're getting used to working in no power. Think they'll be able to go back when Xen brings the generator?”
Meanwhile, the interceptors, cheered on by Starbuck Ace, the mandalorian squad leader, begin to close in for the kills. On both carriers and the remaining squadron.
The last star fighter squadron tried to give a good fight but they were outnumbered 5-to-1 and as the last one was hunted down the pilot's voice shouted out over the public channels. "Whyyyyy!" Was his last word as his starfighter was destroyed by four of Azazel's interceptors.
The missile corvette was turning to run but the interceptors would have none of it, firing away their shots punching through the hull as if it had no armour to withstand it, some internal explosions happened, followed by some of Azazel's pilots strafing towards the bridge and riddling it with fire, destroying the corvette.
Again the planetary ion cannon fired, hitting the damaged first cruiser, it's shields gone it had no defense and one by one, systems shut down, making it dead in space like the Daghda...
The last remaining interceptor squadron of the big wave flees further, energy spikes indicating they had hyperdrives.
The last remaining missile corvette escort to the cruisers had it's crew panicking, enemy interceptors were all around it and a capital ship was opening fire at it, i na desperate attempt they launched their last missiles by a... dedicated... group of Azazel's pilots made kamikaze runs on the missiles, shouting their loyalty and dedication to the sith'ari on all channels before they died.
As this happened a spread of torpedoes reached the third cruiser, going for the gap in the hull the heavy turbolasers of the Rebirth had opened up, just as the cruiser's energy flickered back to life... giving the crew aboard a glimmer of hope, before they all died in a fiery explosion as the torpedoes detonated close to a number of power cores, breaking the mighty cruiser literally in half.
Reneva smiled and joined in with the cheer of her crew as she saw one of the enemy cruisers break apart due to the torpedo barrage. "We are not done yet ladies and gentlemen, please, all weapons, fire at will on the last remaining corvette."
On the bridge of the corvette a lieutenant turns to his captain, as several concussion missiles and torpedoes could be seen racing straight towards the observation window of the bridge. "Sir... I just wanted to let you know, I've always-" And then the bridge exploded, along with the rest of the ship.
Azazel looks up, curious at the sudden sparks of light before the engine room thrums to life once more. “Oh, I was expecting it down a tad longer.”
One of the crew grimaces, “Well, Dark Lady, if you wish we can turn it off again to give you your quiet time? If it pleases you?”
“No, no, just pleasantly surprised.” She looks at her comm wristlet as data streams at her. She raises her brows curiously, “Re-establish communications and focus all energy on restoring shields.”
After a moment, the comm-officers, shoving each other forward in a stumbling display finally agree to both say it, “Communications back online, Azazel. Ready to patch you through.”
Azazel nods and calls out to Karis, “Sorry, back again. How fares the battle?”
Azazel just asked that as a familiar male voice comes over the call, "The battle fares very well for you, it seems my father was mistaken that this world was easy conquest. I thankfully figured as much." Marcus's voice... was strangely happy despite the fact that his fleet seemed to have been all but wiped out.
Azazel raises her brow, “Ah, I wondered if you still lived. Very good. Come to swoop in now that both are vessels are heavily damaged and our squadrons depleted, hmm? Quite the cunning rat, I admit.”
"I am many things lady Azazel, but suicidal is not one of them. No my father gave me this task to prove myself, but I had a feeling things might go bad, how fortunate then that the force you just destroyed were utterly loyal to my father, while those loyal to me are still alive. My thank for that." He let out a chuckle that was quite filled with sadistic mirth as he so casually glossed over the fact that hundreds of people had just died. "Enjoy your victory, you and that mistress of Korriban. I have no doubt we will meet again, either due to my father, or no doubt your own crusade against my good old dad." With that his voice vanished and the Korriban Academy's sensors would see the fleet it had discovered at the edge of their sensor range, turn about and heading towards a vector that would take them to a safe hyperspace lane.
While this conversation took place Andrea and her squads boarded the sole remaining cruiser, stalking it's dark corridors, killing those who stood in their way. Engineering was soon in the hands of her people whiel Andrea fought towards the bridge, encountering a group of figures, whose attire would later be recognized by Azazel when showed to them as what Zarra was wearing, Mecrossa assassins. Breaking through the bridge Andrea faced and defeated a black robed figure, a force adept whose skill did not match hers in the slightest and she brutally killed him without mercy.
Turning off life support to kill the last hoards of resistance on the ship and the cruiser was hers now.
Andrea went straight towards the Daghda after she left her people in charge of rounding up survivors of her newly acquired cruiser. Escorted straight towards engineering where apparently Azazel had her new command center with her bridge destroyed. When she laid eyes on her she marched straight towards her and before Kitt and Azazel's crew she cupped her cheeks and kissed her deeply with a growl. Pulling away, "Don't ever make me worry like that again! Especially since we just got each other back!"
Azazel blinks and draws Andrea close, kissing her back. “If I didn't scare you sometimes, how ever would you be able to show you love me, hmm?” She purrs and nuzzles in against Andrea's neck, smelling of heavily of smoke. “It was so sweet you rushed like that to avenge me, love.”
Kitt clears her throat and shuffles her feet, perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed for earlier claims she had made against Andrea, slightly inclining her head respectfully to the pureblood.
Andrea huffed but smiled, "Well it felt good... there was a force adept on the bridge, thought in my rage it was that Marcus guy, but have since been informed the coward had a second fleet and was just watching from the sidelines?"
“Yes, I am afraid so. A cowardice play, sacrificing so many... But it goes against his father's will,” the was a light of curiosity in her face, she was obviously planning something. “Traiserus just took a great blow to his forces. I have no doubt those were his puppets of the Mecrossa believing him to be their rightful master. If I were to assume he held a force user and forces of the order in each of those cruisers, that must be a crippling loss, while those still loyal to me are still alive and ready to heed my command.” She touches her brow to Andrea's, whispering, “Thank you, please, keep that cruiser safe, I will have Xen take any information he can from them as soon as he arr—”
She is interrupted as a new feed comes through, barking out with a metal ring through the intercoms set up in the engine room. “Xen Grian, returning from the Wheel. We have picked up Zarra, Gra'tua's disciples and the reactor core as you desired and without incident.”
Azazel flushes and calls back, “Welcome back, Xen. I am afraid you will be quite busy here soon. But good news, you and Bezol both can collaborate to see the ship upgraded as you desired! I've even begun breaking down the walls for such installments. You're welcome, no need to thank me.”
No reply comes back, as the Kubaz was just standing there at the helm of the returning Aberrancy, dumbfounded and wondering what in the name of the Sith Gods he had just missed.
Andrea chuckled, "The cavalry has arrived, huh?"
Azazel rolls her eyes and shrugs, “Just a bit late. But, always a bright side, right?”
She smirks and nods, "I suppose so... let's see about cleaning up my system and salvage what we can... and then... well I feel a dire need to release some stress... what about you?" She said, all but purring.
Azazel smiles and is ready to speak up before Kitt clears her throat again, “Would you happen to know where Trizz is?”
Andrea blinked and looked towards Azazel's bodyguard, frowning as she thought for a moment. "I think she is still on the surface of Korriban... why do you ask?"
Kitt pauses, trying to think of an excuse. “Training,” she finally decided. She thumps her armour to overemphasize it. Azazel furrows her brow, “We are on vacation of sorts. You can relax, little dove.” Kitt frowns, “No, no. I think I need a good training session. Trizz... offers very vital skills I could definitely use some learning on.”
Andrea blinked, but did not question it, nodding. "I'll have her see you, she is a very valued member of my circle. Her medical expertise for one helped me during my... transformation." She nods and turned to Azazel, grinning. "So... shall we?"
Kitt flushes and bows her head dismissing herself, turning away to get ready for departure. Azazel watches after the girl, uncertain, “She seems different. I almost get the feeling she is lying to me. That cannot be so, it is Kitt.” She shrugs and lightly takes Andrea's hand, “But yes, let's go. I do not know about you, but I am still feeling quite a rush.”
"Then by all means... let's take advantage of that while you have your Xen plunder the data aboard the cruiser." Andrea said with a smirk, taking Azazel's arm in her own and guided her away to the hangars with Kitt in tow.
Some dandy thought he and a fleet could waltz in and take Korriban, it was determined that was a very bad idea...
There were loses however:
4 Squadrons of Fury interceptors gone (Andrea)
1 Squadron of Annihilator star fighters gone, as well as 1 squadron that lost half of it's fighters (Andrea)
Azazel lost 6 squadrons worth of fighters
The Daghda also has it's bridge missing along with a number of shield generators and turbo laser batteries (Azazel)
But it was not without rewards:
Both sith gained a new minor, Andrea a new commander, to command her newly acquired cruiser and Azazel a new ace pilot squadron commander.
In addition Azazel learned the ships send were constructed at the Tallaan system in the Tapani Sector, as well gaining a number of worthwhile salvage from the destroyed fleet.
1 Spinal Laser
2 Advanced Ion Engines
1 Tractor Beam
3 Turbo Laser Batteries
5 Flak Cannon Batteries