_Yridia II

Bridge of the Magnus Kaerner_

“The Halberd’s defenses seem to have gone offline, sir,” informed one of the many communications officers seated throughout the bridge. Oberst surveyed the scene before him. Though the initial surprise of the assault and the sheer numbers had initially given the attackers the advantage, superior training, weapons, and the timely arrival of some form of help, albeit unlikely help, had turned the tide of the battle. Oberst made a mental note to have a long conversation with Anshar about asking the Jedi for their assistance. His mind had not yet even wondered what Anshar had promised the Jedi in return.

The Y-wings of Odan-Urr were themselves rather old, but they had still performed their function admirably. With impeccable precision, they had dropped out of hyperspace almost on top of the enemy flagship. Devoid of a fighter screen, the battle cruiser could not fend off the bombers. The ion bombs and heavy ordinance had severely damaged the larger ship. Though they could never have hoped to have destroyed it, the fighters nonetheless silenced the vessel.

After that, the attackers coordination had collapsed. Anshar had been correct. These were Imperial tactics; more to the point, they had been Imperial tactics being carried out by less than professional soldiers. Without the commands emanating from the Halberd, the attacker’s coordination had fallen apart. Some vessels had fled the fight while the others become easy targets for the more powerful Tarentum cruisers. The corvettes were the first to go, but even the assault frigates seemed to be less imposing than they had at the beginning of the battle.

“Sir, enemy fleet is approximately 90% controlled,” said the XO. “CAG reports enemy fighter forces are withering, and many of the hyper capable ships have fled.”

“Excellent. Send word to all forces that boarding of the enemy command vessel is to commence. Detachments from all ground units - including Odan-Urr’s are to board the transports and conduct an assault on the Halberd. Our own detachments are to take key persons of note as prisoners as well as any pertinent information,” responded Oberst in his usual, commanding voice.

Years of constant training among his soldiers had instilled a fierce loyalty throughout the ranks. Each and every man and woman was ready to bleed and sacrifice themselves for the betterment of Tarentum, and obey their superiors without question or judgement. This day was no different.

_Yridia II

Orbit_.

“Weapons ready and loaded. ETA on arrival?” called out Cedran Canor of The A Squad 1st Special Operations Detachment. Originally stationed in the 1st Infantry Regiment, Cedran had often surpassed his superiors, earning more commendations than even the top sergeants in his former detachment. Checking the power supply in his blaster rifle, he couldn’t help but glance at the respected figure accompanying his detachment. The Corellian Dark Jedi before him seemed to radiate with an aura that filled his troops with incredible vigor.

“Estimated time of arrival - two minutes. Make sure you have your gear ready and waiting, Corporal. Once we drop you off at the LZ, we have orders to leave immediately to accommodate the arrival of additional transports,” informed a voice through the overhead speaker. Even as they spoke, the A Squad 1st Special Operations Detachment were busy making final preparations and weapon checks, as per habit.

“Once we board, we will begin clearing the LZ of any hostiles, alongside the Fourth Platoon Rangers of Odan-Urr’s Tanduran and Dac Unified Commandos. Our two forces will then guard any entrances until reinforcements arrive. I will consult Anshar regarding further orders,” said Jason Hunter, gripping the extinguished hilt of his borrowed lightsaber in his cybernetic hand. The plan was in motion, and yet another victory for Tarentum was close at hand.

_The Halberd

Hangar Bay_

The sounds of blasterfire could be heard ricocheting off the thick bulkhead of the hangar bay. Raiju deflected a series of blaster bolts, originally intended to incapacitate two soldiers of the Fourth Platoon Rangers. Circling his palm towards the enemy reinforcements, he sent a substantial gust of Force energy at one of the mercenaries, hurling his chosen target into a nearby group of fresh reinforcements.

“Grenade!” called out one soldier from behind. Turning around, Raiju caught the explosive device in a Force grip, successfully launching it back at its point of origin, and leaving a sizable dent in the enemy’s reinforcements. Dropping into the highly defensive stance of Soresu, the Nautolan created an impenetrable barrier between the mercenaries and the Fourth Platoon Rangers. However, with a constant wave of reinforcements arriving through that door, they could never clear the LZ in time.

Unless....

Switching to the more offensive stance of Makashi and summoning the Force to re-invigorate his limbs, Raiju surged forth with terrifying speed, leaping over the durasteel barrier and subsequently decapitating two of his foes with a single flourish of his lightsaber. As the two mercenaries dropped to the floor, their heads rolling off to the side, the Nautolan reached out with the Force. A clamorous screech reverberated throughout the hangar bay as the mercenaries looked around in confusion. Their fears were realized when a tremendous mass of girders dropped from the ceiling, preventing both escape and reinforcements. Taking cover and firing wildly, the remaining mercenaries were determined to hold off the assault as long as humanly possible.

“Reinforcements, incoming!” yelled one of the Rangers as the drone of repulsorlifts made it’s way in through the hangar bay doors. Sliding down a long synthrope, the 1st Special Operations Detachment hit the ground, blaster rifles in hand. Jason Hunter was already engaged with the remaining few targets as he leapt from the still-airborne transport, his lightsaber materializing in his hand as a red blade descended onto it’s first unfortunate victim.

---

“LZ is clear, sir. Additional troops are en-route,” stated one soldier of the 1st Special Operations Detachment. With the only way in - and out of the Halberd blocked by a mass of debris, they were sure to have a fair number of troops on the premises by the time Odan-Urr’s Ratchets Maintenance Department and Tarentum’s Support Squad Alpha of the 1st Special Operations Detachment found a way through the barrier. Supplies were carried to the hangar by way of troop transport while the mercenaries no doubt prepared for a counter-offensive.

“Good. I trust our brethren will be here soon?” asked Jason, lightsaber sill in hand, the blade still blazing with fierce intensity as his thirst for bloodshed remained unquenched. Behind him, Tarentum’s forces rallied in formation as the commanding officers shouted complex drills. This, combined with Odan-Urr’s hit-and-run guerrilla tactics would make for an interesting attack strategy, indeed.

“The Jedi of Odan-Urr will be arriving on the next shuttle, Sir, along with that of the Tarenti,” replied the soldier, his voice heavily distorted through his helmet.

“Excellent. Anshar has informed me that we are to commence an attack moving towards the bridge. Along the way, we are to clear key points of interest and take a number of prisoners for further interrogation,” ordered the Corellian Aedile. Even as he spoke, the sound of repulsorlifts roared overhead as the final shuttles prepared for landing as dust swirled around the landing zone.

_Yridia II

Bridge of the Magnus Kaerner_

“How goes the assault?” queried Oberst, without drawing his attention away from the tranparisteel viewport on the ship’s bridge. His hands were clasped behind his back as he paced to and fro along the length of the viewport.

“Reports have informed our intelligence that the Jedi have landed, Sir. The rubble is beginning to be cleared as we speak, with enemy forces allegedly gathering for a counter-offensive,” reported the communications chief. Something troubled the Dark Jedi greatly, to him the entire mission felt... off in some way. Since the disabling of the enemy’s capital ship, the remainder of the fleet had all but ceased to defend the Halberd, possibly attempting to escape with their lives while they still yet live.

“Something is amiss here.. Keep me updated on everything that happens in the assault on the Halberd. I want full status reports and open communications with each ranking officer. If something goes wrong, I want to hear about it,” commanded Oberst, as his vision narrowed on the Allegiance-class flagship in the distance, hanging in orbit around Yridia II.

The Halberd

The sounds of a stage three alert rang throughout the halls of the ship. Both sides of the conflict were engaged in a brutal, bloody massacre as Tarentum and Odan-Urr’s forces struggled to gain access to the bridge.

Having arrived on the last shuttle only minutes, ago, Kaira was charged in leading the diversionary assault with the Melewati Bushfighters. It was decided that with their guerilla-style tactics, the Melewati would excel in capturing or destroying key points of interest with fast hit-and-run attacks designed to confuse the enemy. While these attacks were being orchestrated, The Tarenti were focused on the main assault towards the bridge where they would find and capture the one responsible for leading the assault.

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Week 2 of New Horizons has begun! You will find the events at the Tarentum Message Board.

You have until 11:59pm Eastern time tonight to finish up any submissions for week 1. That is a little over 12 hours from now. Week 2 events will run through next Sunday (16 December), with the exception of the Decoding event.

We will try to get Week 1 Results out to you ASAP.