NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: What exactly does the Psionic Storm do?

IC: One soldier went down under the first three shots, and another was injured, his steaming, black blood staining the ground. This was quite enough to alert the others to the attack. They turned swiftly to face the enemy, returning fire with bolts of what looked like crimson lightning. One activated his communicator, crying "Alert! Under attack, unkno-" before a shot shattered his skull. Two others also went down under these seven shots, leaving three, two of them injured, to face the Psionic Storms... One of the survivors, the higher ranking of the two veterans, swept the attacking force with rapid-pulse fire. His gun was clearly a different variety from the others.

OOC: The red 'lightning' is the standard mid-range setting of their weapons. It crackles through whatever it hits, kind of like real electricity, but does so quite a bit more destructively.

OOC: Think very large bolts of blue lightning flying through the air around your troops for about 30-45 seconds per storm, now, there are 5 storms. I'm so used to people knowing what the Storm is, that I didn't bother describing it like I usually would...

IC:

As the last of the coruscating azure bolts faded, it was evident that there were still some living enemies... Oh well, there was a solution to that...

The Ghost were already cloaked, and the Templar had shields, but they still lost a pair of Ghosts to the random fire of the enemy... Unfortunately for the enemy, there were only 3 of them left, and that still left 8 Ghosts. Now 8 shots rang out in quick succession, and 8 more, and 8 more, and they would continue firing until the enemy was destroyed...

Sivv'Nakh came out of Hyperspace with a slight flash of brilliance, and immediately flexed his wings. Despite the lack of air in the void of space, he had no trouble changing course and moving towards the planet nearby.

It was an unassuming world. One with a rather tainted history and tenants of a similar nature, though they had long since met their fate. Canyons and crags and the occasional volcanic river dominated its surface, and in one spot, the tombs of the most infamous sith lords to be named in history.

The Death Angel came to rest about thirty kilometers south of the Valley of the Sith Lords on Korriban...

OOC: I am very, very sorry about the sudden and lengthy absence; I was unexpectedly without internet access for a while.

IC: Already battered and stunned by the Storms, the remnant of the band went down quickly under the withering fire of their attackers. However, the damage had been done... Kerek Dral was aware of the attack, and even had a general idea of its location. The D'zukaru paused only a moment to consider his next move, then sent out its orders.

"All forces, alert! One search party has been destroyed by an unknown enemy. Proceed with caution. Squads 5 through 30, and scouts 1, 3, 5, and 7 are assigned to search the area of the fight. Somebody is hiding something there, and I want it found. You will search the following area... (description)"

This would bring almost two thirds of the searchers into the forest, enough that it would be difficult indeed to take out any of them without others hearing the fight. Lord Dral didn't like concentrating this much of his effort on a small area, but this was the first sign he'd gotten of anything important, and the D'zukaru didn't want to risk losing it. Besides, an attack against its soldiers was an insult to itself.

(OOC: That's 100 still with Dral, 100 continuing the search, and 200, with four scout saucers, investigating the fight. Feel free to detect and understand the transmission of those orders.)

Meanwhile, Captain Tanash sent the Locust hurtling after the mysterious form of the Death Angel at top speed, blue light flaring up brightly around the vessel. He was reluctantly giving up any efforts to avoid notice in order to keep from losing the trail. With luck, he would be able to slip into the system quietly and return to more stealthy methods, but he had no real hope that his ship would not be detected.

OOC: I am very, very sorry about the sudden and lengthy absence; I was unexpectedly without internet access for a while.

IC: Already battered and stunned by the Storms, the remnant of the band went down quickly under the withering fire of their attackers. However, the damage had been done... Kerek Dral was aware of the attack, and even had a general idea of its location. The D'zukaru paused only a moment to consider his next move, then sent out its orders.

"All forces, alert! One search party has been destroyed by an unknown enemy. Proceed with caution. Squads 5 through 30, and scouts 1, 3, 5, and 7 are assigned to search the area of the fight. Somebody is hiding something there, and I want it found. You will search the following area... (description)"

This would bring almost two thirds of the searchers into the forest, enough that it would be difficult indeed to take out any of them without others hearing the fight. Lord Dral didn't like concentrating this much of his effort on a small area, but this was the first sign he'd gotten of anything important, and the D'zukaru didn't want to risk losing it. Besides, an attack against its soldiers was an insult to itself.

(OOC: That's 100 still with Dral, 100 continuing the search, and 200, with four scout saucers, investigating the fight. Feel free to detect and understand the transmission of those orders.)

Meanwhile, Captain Tanash sent the Locust hurtling after the mysterious form of the Death Angel at top speed, blue light flaring up brightly around the vessel. He was reluctantly giving up any efforts to avoid notice in order to keep from losing the trail. With luck, he would be able to slip into the system quietly and return to more stealthy methods, but he had no real hope that his ship would not be detected.


OOC: We don't detect transmissions... Too much effort, we just read your mind...

IC:

On the Ground:

The Team would be quickly pinned if they didn't move out of the area quickly. They knew the net was closing, and the only way to escape would be to simply break through the lines. They turned towards the town, charged their weapons, and began to move as quickly as they could. When they encountered the enemy, they would kill them...

A pair of large, batlike ears twitched, and their owner hissed: "Quiet! I hear something."

This was one of the larger groups, led be an experienced fighter; he had been glad to have the Listener, despite the creature's somewhat lower combat ability. A moment later, the Listener spoke again.

"Sounds like a small group, approaching quickly from that direction." he said, gesturing vaguely with his blaster.

"Right, then." the leader said quietly. "If they're coming to us, we might as well wait for them right here. Concealed positions, everyone!"

A few moments later, 11 Vaxintorians waited, roughly hidden, with weapons pointing toward the approaching enemy. At the first sign of motion, they would open fire.

A pair of large, batlike ears twitched, and their owner hissed: "Quiet! I hear something."

This was one of the larger groups, led be an experienced fighter; he had been glad to have the Listener, despite the creature's somewhat lower combat ability. A moment later, the Listener spoke again.

"Sounds like a small group, approaching quickly from that direction." he said, gesturing vaguely with his blaster.

"Right, then." the leader said quietly. "If they're coming to us, we might as well wait for them right here. Concealed positions, everyone!"

A few moments later, 11 Vaxintorians waited, roughly hidden, with weapons pointing toward the approaching enemy. At the first sign of motion, they would open fire.

"Sir, I sense something. More of them. Over there," The Ghost points in the general direction of the enemies they were unable to see yet.

"Well then, open fire. We will do what we can."

The Ghosts opened up on the suspected locations of the enemy with their Canister Rifles, the odds were good that they would at least nick them, since the spread was capable of making even a near miss from the main charge rather painful.

"Yeeargh!!"

Between the blind shooting and the fact that most of the Vaxintorians were already behind trees, there were no major injuries, but several near misses caused minor wounds. The Listener lost a large chunk from one of his sensitive ears. The trees between the two groups prevented the use of the lightning mode, and there was a slight delay while the warriors adjusted their weapons. This took only a few seconds, however, and then they returned fire with beams of crimson light that blasted easily through the foliage. This was intended as a precise long range setting, not for blind fire, but it would still put large holes in anything it hit...

The leader tapped one of the other experienced soldiers, then made a few swift gestures. the two split up, sneaking around the edges to approach their enemies from the right and left. Meanwhile, two smaller groups had heard the Listener's yell, and were converging on the battle.

"Sir, we're being flanked!"

"Understood. We will deal with them..."

The Ghosts were safe from most of the fire, since it was blind fire, but they already had a good read on the enemy locations, and they were adjusting their aim to compensate, the trees caused some minor problems, but they would be able to work around them... They hoped.

The Templar moved to the flanks of the force to deal with the approaching enemies. They were not all recovered from their previous exertions, but enough of them were ready to deal with whatever was coming.

The scout ship emerged cautiously from a hole in space, near the far edge of the system. While one of its Kenaryn crew began scanning the area with its complex set of sensors, the Yamiri agent waited silently, her eyes unfocused. She was performing her own search, with careful mental probes. Her eyes widened as she encountered the Vaxintorians, and she flinched, snatching back her scan, when it brushed against the mind of Kerek Dral.

"There's something very powerful down there, and a vile army that services it. From what I have heard, I do not think it could be the one we are here to look for. Keep us well hidden; it is best if we watch from afar, for a time."

~~~Aboard Victory~~~

Barän was showing his guests the combined kitchen and dining area when Tômas burst suddenly into the room, holding a large, heavy looking drone in one black-gloved fist. The device was vaguely egg-shaped, with a strange-looking turret on the large end and a lot of complicated steering equipment.

"Captain, next time we find a decent asteroid field, I'd like to test a few of these."

"What are they? You think we can capture Sivv'Nakh with those things?"

"Aye, if we can catch him in space and at a moment of weakness. With enough power, I'm fairly certain we can hold him, too. There isn't much that can break through a bubble-shield."

"Ah... yeah, that might do it. I'll keep an eye out for a good test site. Speaking of which, where do you two want me to take you?"

The Locust dropped back into real-space, and Tanash promptly reactivated its cloak. Raiding vessels can scan a system quickly, thoroughly, and subtly, and this was done while the vessel glided toward Korriban.


Kerek Dral attempted to trace the probe that had touched its mind, but failed. The scan had been skilled enough that it almost escaped Kerek's notice, and its reaction came too late. Now, however, Dral was ready; any other attempts to examine the thoughts of the D'zukaru commander would result in an immediate mind-to-mind struggle.

One of the Vaxintorian soldiers fell to the ground, severely wounded, and several more had been injured. They were refining their aim a bit, based on the angles of the incoming fire, but it was still far from accurate. This was a minor matter, though... the primary purpose of their counter-fire was an attempt to keep the attention of the enemy focused on them. The true attack was the two who approached from the sides, and in moments they would get a view of their foes. It would not be long before reinforcements arrived, either.

The Locust dropped back into real-space, and Tanash promptly reactivated its cloak. Raiding vessels can scan a system quickly, thoroughly, and subtly, and this was done while the vessel glided toward Korriban.


Kerek Dral attempted to trace the probe that had touched its mind, but failed. The scan had been skilled enough that it almost escaped Kerek's notice, and its reaction came too late. Now, however, Dral was ready; any other attempts to examine the thoughts of the D'zukaru commander would result in an immediate mind-to-mind struggle.

One of the Vaxintorian soldiers fell to the ground, severely wounded, and several more had been injured. They were refining their aim a bit, based on the angles of the incoming fire, but it was still far from accurate. This was a minor matter, though... the primary purpose of their counter-fire was an attempt to keep the attention of the enemy focused on them. The true attack was the two who approached from the sides, and in moments they would get a view of their foes. It would not be long before reinforcements arrived, either.

The Ghosts were holding their own rather well, they lacked the defenses of Terran Marines, but they were better shots, and they had better weapons. They began moving forward erratically, moving by two man teams, one man would cover his teammate, and his team mate would bound forward, from cover to cover.

On the flanks, the Templar prepared their skills, waiting for the first enemy to come within their range, unleashing the power of their Storms on those that thought to better the Psions.

The leader of the band, getting a view of his enemies, quickly aimed his gun to include the maximum number of targets in the line of fire and pulled the trigger. A dart of purple light trailing red sparks tore through 30 meters of forest... and obliterated everything within a meter of each impact point. He fell, blasted by the lightning of the Psionic Storm, before firing another shot.

On the other side, the Vaxintorian charged, his blast rifle carving through everything in range with a jet of crimson flame.

The remaining soldiers kept up their fire, watching for any sign of motion.

OOC: The purple dart etc. is an atom-twister molecular disruption bolt (Type 2). When passing through any solid object, it sends out a continues, disc shaped wave of energy, powered by the destruction of the matter in the bolt's path, which reduces anything it strikes to its component atoms.

The "flamethrower" setting is the standard short-range Vaxintorian weapon - it's very powerful, but only extends to about five meters.

Current losses: 8 dead, 1 severely wounded.

Once again, Sivv'Nakh took the form of the blind old man, and wandered off from his initial landing point. Korriban was a desolate world, rent asunder even more so since Lord Chronos had been to the world in search of Jedi artifacts.

He came here every so often to walk amongst the barren crags and ancient architecture. He pondered the nature of the world, rendered virtually uninhabitable by the lingering energies of a few beings of power who chose this place as their grave. Their bodies were long since destroyed but their souls remained.

He could sense them. They hated him. They hated him because they could not get close to him. They hated him because his very presence radiated some form of purifying aura that held at bay even the dark forces that had so deeply entrenched themselves here.

He came here, because tormenting the lingering spirits of some of the most vile personas through galactic history by mere virtue of his occasional furlough to this world was deemed a suitable penance for both him and them.

Penance would be exacted.

He hoped the others would come, he hoped they would also see what his presence there accomplished, but he did not hold much hope. To him they were but hatchlings. All things were. Hatchlings needed to learn, to understand, to be made aware.

And besides, he knew he would not feel remorse if this place were to be desecrated by weapons once again.

The dead pricks deserved it.

No obvious threats were coming into view yet, so Captain Tanash brought his vessel swiftly to the planet where the strange statue-thing had landed. The place looked desolate, barren, almost cursed, and it had a feel even darker than its appearance could account for.

Tanash smiled. This was almost like home.

The Locust roared through the atmosphere, scanning for any signs of life or technology.

The leader of the band, getting a view of his enemies, quickly aimed his gun to include the maximum number of targets in the line of fire and pulled the trigger. A dart of purple light trailing red sparks tore through 30 meters of forest... and obliterated everything within a meter of each impact point. He fell, blasted by the lightning of the Psionic Storm, before firing another shot.

On the other side, the Vaxintorian charged, his blast rifle carving through everything in range with a jet of crimson flame.

The remaining soldiers kept up their fire, watching for any sign of motion.

OOC: The purple dart etc. is an atom-twister molecular disruption bolt (Type 2). When passing through any solid object, it sends out a continues, disc shaped wave of energy, powered by the destruction of the matter in the bolt's path, which reduces anything it strikes to its component atoms.

The "flamethrower" setting is the standard short-range Vaxintorian weapon - it's very powerful, but only extends to about five meters.

Current losses: 8 dead, 1 severely wounded.

OOC: Ooh... Messy. Then again, Personal Shields should be able to at least keep the Templar alive...ish.

IC:

The Templar were hard hit by the attacks, they all survived, to some extent at least. Their shields had absorbed the brunt of the enemy attack, and now they turned to deal with the second Vaxintorian. Only 2 of the remaining Templar still had the strength, or conciousness, to act, but act they did, unleashing their Storms one last time, before they staggered off back towards the fighting with the rest of the enemies.

The Ghosts were becoming desperate, and they knew there was little chance that they'd survve to make it off this planet. Oh well, these things happened. The Ghosts had one trick liable to stop the enemy for a short time at least. Lockdown shells were enough to take out almost any device they encountered, now all of the Ghosts fired off a single shell, hoping they'd gagued the distance properly, so that they wouldn't be caught in the blast.

EDIT:

Almost forgot this part:

Carrier Group:

They Warped into Korriban in a flash of azure energy, enough ships to take a single enemy apart, and there was only one true enemy here.

OOC: Gotta love shields. Just count yourself lucky the group only had one blaster capable of using that setting...

IC:

Hearing the sounds of the combat ahead of them, and noting a pause in the incoming fire, the eight Vaxintorians still capable of charging did so without hesitation. Then the lockdown shells hit, and their guns stopped firing. This was very bad news, but they were too close to retreat; their only hope was that their enemy had also been affected, or that they could close enough to fight hand-to-hand before they were all shot. Tossing aside the useless weapons, they drew an assortment of blades and rushed on.

A few moments later, three more soldiers arrived from one direction and opened fire, followed shortly by five from the other side.


Meanwhile, Tanash cursed as the sky above his vessel filled with ships.

"Battle stations, everyone! It seems we've been led into a trap."

OOC: Gotta love shields. Just count yourself lucky the group only had one blaster capable of using that setting...

IC:

Hearing the sounds of the combat ahead of them, and noting a pause in the incoming fire, the eight Vaxintorians still capable of charging did so without hesitation. Then the lockdown shells hit, and their guns stopped firing. This was very bad news, but they were too close to retreat; their only hope was that their enemy had also been affected, or that they could close enough to fight hand-to-hand before they were all shot. Tossing aside the useless weapons, they drew an assortment of blades and rushed on.

A few moments later, three more soldiers arrived from one direction and opened fire, followed shortly by five from the other side.


Meanwhile, Tanash cursed as the sky above his vessel filled with ships.

"Battle stations, everyone! It seems we've been led into a trap."

Two of the guns failed in the blasts, the rest continued to fire, unleashing a barrage into the enemy that was apparently engaging in a suicide charge...

The Templar returned just in time to play a little trick on the enemy. Hallucinations, semi-solid illusions that were capable of dealing some damage to the enemy. What form was chosen for the Hallucinations? Why, the charging Vaxintorians of course...

Unprotected and without support, the charging Vaxintorians went down quickly. The illusions added further chaos to an attack that was already doomed. The last soldier went down almost at the feet of the nearest Ghost... just as the first group of reinforcements arrived.

Three Vaxintorians stepped out of the trees behind the enemy and to their left. They immediately opened fire, one with a rapid-fire pulse gun (much like a standard Vaxintorian blast rifle, but a bit larger, and designed to maximize the rate of fire).

EDIT:
Current losses: 17 dead, 1 severely wounded.

Unprotected and without support, the charging Vaxintorians went down quickly. The illusions added further chaos to an attack that was already doomed. The last soldier went down almost at the feet of the nearest Ghost... just as the first group of reinforcements arrived.

Three Vaxintorians stepped out of the trees behind the enemy and to their left. They immediately opened fire, one with a rapid-fire pulse gun (much like a standard Vaxintorian blast rifle, but a bit larger, and designed to maximize the rate of fire).

The Hallucinations were silent, but they moved as swiftly as their living opponents. They rushed the approaching Vaxintorians, 6 figments of a powerful mind, waving weapons from another world, fighting things that seemed so similar to them, and killing under a foreign sun. The Ghosts had less luck, their armor was light, VERY light, and they fell with just one or two shots, but they gave as good as they got, unleashing a last fatal barrage as the first ones went under...

Far away from the site of this battle, in a blasted clearing, shattered by the power of a warped and twisted psyche, something stirred...

The three soldiers poured fire into their opponents as quickly as they could, then drew blades as the Hallucinations came within reach. Sharply curving, lightly serrated Vaxintorian scimitars met heavy sabers; spiked clubs blocked a slant-bladed battleaxe. Three against six, they were quickly overwhelmed.

However, five more were even then emerging from the forest on the other side, and more groups were converging from all directions. Efforts now began to capture a few prisoners alive, Vaxintorian stun beams blasting toward the battered Templar and the remaining Ghosts like purple lightning.

In the midst of its army, Kerek Dral felt a power stirring in the distance...

The three soldiers poured fire into their opponents as quickly as they could, then drew blades as the Hallucinations came within reach. Sharply curving, lightly serrated Vaxintorian scimitars met heavy sabers; spiked clubs blocked a slant-bladed battleaxe. Three against six, they were quickly overwhelmed.

However, five more were even then emerging from the forest on the other side, and more groups were converging from all directions. Efforts now began to capture a few prisoners alive, Vaxintorian stun beams blasting toward the battered Templar and the remaining Ghosts like purple lightning.

In the midst of its army, Kerek Dral felt a power stirring in the distance...

One Templar was knocked down, and stunned by the beam, the Ghosts were killed when their psionic dampeners failed, and then there were the other Templar. They knew they were as good as dead. They knew there was no hope. They did what they could to make it short. They each knew they didn't have the power left to survive the use ofa Psionic Storm. And that was exactly what they did. Each and every concious Templar spontaneously...detonated??? Their bodies shone with light, and they seemed to fly apart as the Lightning took hold, sweeping the area with a storm unrivaled so far in this battle...

Something stirred again, and a small disturbance could be noted in the clearing, a gateway to...something.

The five Vaxintorians present were slaughtered. So were several other groups, nearby. Still, more soldiers hurried onto the scene of the battle to see who, if anyone, was left alive...

Kerek Dral selected 30 of its soldiers and headed toward the clearing, leaving the others to guard the camp and communication gear. The D'zukaru did not bother to explain where he was going; Lord Dral was used to unquestioning obedience.

Finally, the gateway solidified, and from it stepped something that may have been Protoss at one time.. Now it was a twisted thing, mauled and damaged by the time it had spent in the Spectral Realm... It had faced Sivv'Nakh, and survived, and it wanted revenge...

A short time later, Kerek Dral and its guards arrived. The Vaxintorian soldiers formed two groups at the edge of the clearing, and the D'zukaru slithered between them. Great glowing eyes regarded the twisted creature with interest.

"Well, well... what have we here?"

A short time later, Kerek Dral and its guards arrived. The Vaxintorian soldiers formed two groups at the edge of the clearing, and the D'zukaru slithered between them. Great glowing eyes regarded the twisted creature with interest.

"Well, well... what have we here?"

Your doom...

It didn't seem to move at all, the speed and power was so fluid, but it crossed the distance between them with 2 massivbe strides, and its blades were active and at the creatures throat so quickly that nothing could have prepared them for it...

Kerek Dral was a high-ranking D'zukaru lord; the creature was more than capable of destroying a small army single-handed. It was also half-expecting such a response. Spikes harder than the strongest steel emerged from its soldiers as the blades flashed in, and layers of dark shielding appeared arround the D'zukaru. Two tendrils coiled around each of ex-Protoss' arms, and several more brought gleaming claws into existance near him.

"I advise you to reconsider."

At the same time, Kerek's gaurds aimed an assortment of weapons at the attacker.

Kerek Dral was a high-ranking D'zukaru lord; the creature was more than capable of destroying a small army single-handed. It was also half-expecting such a response. Spikes harder than the strongest steel emerged from its soldiers as the blades flashed in, and layers of dark shielding appeared arround the D'zukaru. Two tendrils coiled around each of ex-Protoss' arms, and several more brought gleaming claws into existance near him.

"I advise you to reconsider."

At the same time, Kerek's gaurds aimed an assortment of weapons at the attacker.

Shortest straw... Challenge liberty, downed by law... Live in infamy, rub you raw... Witch hunt riding though, the shortest straw... Shortest straw has been pulled for you...

The simple power embodied in the Half Eternal Protoss was enough to flatten clearings, the one they stood in was evidence of that, but the power he controlled now was even greater... The first strike had been a forbidden Glyph, the Glyph of Sound. This was another forbidden Glyph, the Glyph of Force...

Similar to the Glyph of Sound, it sent out a pulse of energy, dissimilarly, it was powerful enough to shatter armor, bone, stone, trees... Anything it hit that was not protected in some extraordinary manner was going to be destroyed...

I disagree...

The 30 soldiers were instantly obliterated; Kerek Dral's shielding shuddered under the imapct, and the creature swayed slightly.

"So be it."

A dozen claws, blazing with power, slashed with blinding speed toward the ex-Protoss. Just one of these blows would have sliced through a block of solid steel without even slowing.

Do tell me why I'm killing you before you die...

Current losses: 47 dead, 1 severely wounded.

The 30 soldiers were instantly obliterated; Kerek Dral's shielding shuddered under the imapct, and the creature swayed slightly.

"So be it."

A dozen claws, blazing with power, slashed with blinding speed toward the ex-Protoss. Just one of these blows would have sliced through a block of solid steel without even slowing.

Do tell me why I'm killing you before you die...

Current losses: 47 dead, 1 severely wounded.

OOC: I'd like it if he could win this fight, I'm intending him to go on a mad rampage, and eventually try and take on Sivv.

IC:

Only after you tell me why I'm killing you...

The claws hit the shield, which shimmered and dimmed, but held up under the onslaught admirably. The Protoss responded in kind, bringing its massive Psionic Blades to bear against the enemies shield. There would be no escape for this...thing.

OOC: Sure, but not too easily. Kerek Dral's pretty tough, even among the upper ranks of the D'zukaru. I was thinking it might be interesting if they teamed up, but this'll work fine.

Simple. You aren't.

The psionic blades cut deep into the shadow-shield, causing a backlash of crimson lightning. Before they could carve a path all the way through, Kerek flung its opponent aside; the deep gashes quickly smoothed out, the shield thinned somewhat by the blows. The D'zukaru sent a lance of scarlet power blasting towards its enemy while drawing back its claws for another strike.

OOC: By the way, is that one Templar that was stunned still alive?

OOC: Sure, but not too easily. Kerek Dral's pretty tough, even among the upper ranks of the D'zukaru. I was thinking it might be interesting if they teamed up, but this'll work fine.

Simple. You aren't.

The psionic blades cut deep into the shadow-shield, causing a backlash of crimson lightning. Before they could carve a path all the way through, Kerek flung its opponent aside; the deep gashes quickly smoothed out, the shield thinned somewhat by the blows. The D'zukaru sent a lance of scarlet power blasting towards its enemy while drawing back its claws for another strike.

OOC: By the way, is that one Templar that was stunned still alive?

OOC: Alliance works too...

IC:

You are weak... A perfect catspaw... You will serve as the instrument of my vengeance...

The thing that had once been a Protoss halted its attack. This creature was strong, but it was weak as well... It would be a useful tool against the foul beast that had caused his corruption...

OOC: Yes, the Templar did surviuve, but he's badly wounded.

Kerek Dral wasn't fond of insults, of course, but it had learned to put up with them when there was something to gain from it. This creature was an impressive fighter... in some ways, more so than Dral itself. He might prove a very useful ally.

Still, this could be a trick. The D'zukaru halted its attacks, as well, but kept its claws ready.

Vengeance can be quite entertaining. Please, tell me more.

Meanwhile, two badly injured soldiers were being carried back to the Vaxintorian camp, a Vaxintorian warrior and the stunned Templar. The medical care they would receive is rough, but quite effective.

For the Vaxintorians, the scans would have revealed little beyond the occasional clumps of corrupted life that still managed to eke out their survival amongst the blasted and worn rocks.

The only sign of the Death Angel's presence was that of a fading cloud of dust around his landing area and a small set of tracks leading into the canyons.

The Yamiri agent wasn't willing to risk mental scans until she knew more about what she was dealing with, but she certainly noticed the waves of hatred rising from the planet. The Scout's sensors easily allowed her to watch the brief battle.

She was quite certain, when the two stopped fighting, that this was not a good sign.

Normally, a fading dust cloud wouldn't even be noticed, but it was virtually the only motion to be seen. Even then, it was pure luck (be it good or bad) that one of the soldiers happened to see it.

"Captain! I see some dust down there!"

"We've got a fleet right above us, and the whole place is dust. What's so important about it?"

"It looks like it could be a landing site, and very recent."

Finally, Tanash realized what he was hearing.

"Wait - moving dust? Where? Let's get down there! We'll have a better chance near ground level, anyway."

The Locust dropped like a rock, stopping a short distance above the ground. The location of its plummet was carefully chosen... close enough to the dust cloud that tracks would be easy to find, but far enough that they wouldn't be disturbed.

Normally, a fading dust cloud wouldn't even be noticed, but it was virtually the only motion to be seen. Even then, it was pure luck (be it good or bad) that one of the soldiers happened to see it.

"Captain! I see some dust down there!"

"We've got a fleet right above us, and the whole place is dust. What's so important about it?"

"It looks like it could be a landing site, and very recent."

Finally, Tanash realized what he was hearing.

"Wait - moving dust? Where? Let's get down there! We'll have a better chance near ground level, anyway."

The Locust dropped like a rock, stopping a short distance above the ground. The location of its plummet was carefully chosen... close enough to the dust cloud that tracks would be easy to find, but far enough that they wouldn't be disturbed.

The Protoss Carriers screamed towards the planet, chasing down the Vaxintoran forces, as they felt the deaths of those they had left behind. Hundreds of Interceptors streamed from the carriers, dropping through the atmosphere to search the planet for any signs of enemy presence. While all of this was occuring, a small task group of Terran ACS was summoned to the area by the Protoss calls, it was only a few Gunships and Dropships, but it was enough that they could take any single world against any numerically equal foe. And with a company of ACS, ANY foe was badly outnumbered.

It was obvious that the Vaxintorians could not hope to hide from this force for any length of time, and equally clear that the Locust could not defeat them all. Since the advantage of surprise was not available, Captain Tanash decided that it would be best to play the part of a random bystander... after all, it wasn't far from true.

A quick transmission went out.
Attention, approaching forces: please state your intentions! We are peaceful explorers, and do not seek trouble. Be warned, however, that we will fight if fired upon.

The Raider's 20 primary energy cannons were charged, and gravel and steel ball bearings were loaded into its eight large projectile launchers. Dozens of soldiers readied the ship's collection of smaller weaponry.

It was obvious that the Vaxintorians could not hope to hide from this force for any length of time, and equally clear that the Locust could not defeat them all. Since the advantage of surprise was not available, Captain Tanash decided that it would be best to play the part of a random bystander... after all, it wasn't far from true.

A quick transmission went out.
Attention, approaching forces: please state your intentions! We are peaceful explorers, and do not seek trouble. Be warned, however, that we will fight if fired upon.

The Raider's 20 primary energy cannons were charged, and gravel and steel ball bearings were loaded into its eight large projectile launchers. Dozens of soldiers readied the ship's collection of smaller weaponry.

Reply:

You lie. You slaughtered or bretheren, and our Terran allies. We are all linked, we know what you intend now...

The Carriers also knew where the ship was, due to the transmission. The Robot Interceptors converged on the area they believed the enemy occupied. The butchers would pay...

I know nothing of what you speak. A team was recently left to explore a sparsely settled world; if your friends attacked them, I sorrow for your loss. They were given strict orders not to start any fights, however, and I am sure that none of them would lightly disobey the one who watches over them.

At the same time, Tanash addressed his crew.
"Well, my friends, it looks like this may be the end for all of us. Still, nobody lives forever; at least we'll go out with a bang. At the first incoming shot, fire at will!"

As a blue glow surrounded the Locust, they waited with grim eagerness for that first shot. What better way to die could there be, than in honest battle against overwhelming force? If they sold their lives dearly enough, each of those who fought here would earn a minor place in Vaxintorian legend.

I know nothing of what you speak. A team was recently left to explore a sparsely settled world; if your friends attacked them, I sorrow for your loss. They were given strict orders not to start any fights, however, and I am sure that none of them would lightly disobey the one who watches over them.

At the same time, Tanash addressed his crew.
"Well, my friends, it looks like this may be the end for all of us. Still, nobody lives forever; at least we'll go out with a bang. At the first incoming shot, fire at will!"

As a blue glow surrounded the Locust, they waited with grim eagerness for that first shot. What better way to die could there be, than in honest battle against overwhelming force? If they sold their lives dearly enough, each of those who fought here would earn a minor place in Vaxintorian legend.

There would be only a very few shots fired. Thje Carriers and their massive twinned Particle Disruption Cannon were reaching the area quickly, and were nearly in range for atmospheric combat. The Interceptors began to converge from all directions on the enemy, shields coming online, and powering up their plasma batteries for combat. A single Carrier Flight was the first to start the show, 800 Robot Interceptors, and 1,600 plasma bolts later, and the fight was on.

Sivv'nakh knew they would follow his trail. In fact it was the very reason he was allowing one to be left. He would allow the newcomers to... understand him.

He sat down on a barren rock and looked at the sky. His presence a bastion of peace in the tormented landscape, even the wind was forced to bow down in reverence...

Doubtless Sivv'Nakh would have been an impressive sight, had anyone been there to see him. However, this was looking increasing unlikely.

At the first sight of plasma, every gun on the Locust fired at once. Gravel and steel fragments, charged with crimson lightning to add a bit of extra destructive potential, blasted through the air at about 0.7 c. The primary cannons, too powerful to waste on individual interceptors, shattered the air with explosive bolts. Sixty smaller energy cannons lashed at interceptors with bolts of scarlet lightning.

The first bolts of plasma to reach the Raider simply passed through it harmlessly, in a flash of blue light. There was only so much power the transfer shield could handle at once, though, and soon plasma was splattering against the barrier of purple energy that formed the ship's second line of defense. With each impact, the shield thinned visibly. It clearly wouldn't last long, but it wasn't going to go down in just a few seconds, either.

Tanash sent a hurried message back to the camp, where he had left Kerek Dral.

The Locust has come under attack, and we will not survive. The enemy uses small vessels in large numbers, and seems to have some sort of psychic connection. They will be coming for you soon; I advise you to call for reinforcements. We will hold them as long as we can. Remember us.

This message, and the recorded transmissions that came with it, were promptly sent on to Lord Dral. The D'zukaru diverted a tiny fraction of its attention from the dangerous being before it to authorize the call for help, and this message was swiftly transmitted to the base camp where the Locust had been stationed. The officer who recieved it recognized its importance and passed it on to his surperior, and in a remarkably short time, it reached Varduk Myandariin itself. Less than five minutes later, 30 Deathbolts and 20 Gateguides set out from the Locust's station. These were the swiftest ships in the Vaxintorian navy by a considerable margin, but by the time they arrived, a proper Battlefleet would be ready...

Doubtless Sivv'Nakh would have been an impressive sight, had anyone been there to see him. However, this was looking increasing unlikely.

At the first sight of plasma, every gun on the Locust fired at once. Gravel and steel fragments, charged with crimson lightning to add a bit of extra destructive potential, blasted through the air at about 0.7 c. The primary cannons, too powerful to waste on individual interceptors, shattered the air with explosive bolts. Sixty smaller energy cannons lashed at interceptors with bolts of scarlet lightning.

The first bolts of plasma to reach the Raider simply passed through it harmlessly, in a flash of blue light. There was only so much power the transfer shield could handle at once, though, and soon plasma was splattering against the barrier of purple energy that formed the ship's second line of defense. With each impact, the shield thinned visibly. It clearly wouldn't last long, but it wasn't going to go down in just a few seconds, either.

Tanash sent a hurried message back to the camp, where he had left Kerek Dral.

The Locust has come under attack, and we will not survive. The enemy uses small vessels in large numbers, and seems to have some sort of psychic connection. They will be coming for you soon; I advise you to call for reinforcements. We will hold them as long as we can. Remember us.

This message, and the recorded transmissions that came with it, were promptly sent on to Lord Dral. The D'zukaru diverted a tiny fraction of its attention from the dangerous being before it to authorize the call for help, and this message was swiftly transmitted to the base camp where the Locust had been stationed. The officer who recieved it recognized its importance and passed it on to his surperior, and in a remarkably short time, it reached Varduk Myandariin itself. Less than five minutes later, 30 Deathbolts and 20 Gateguides set out from the Locust's station. These were the swiftest ships in the Vaxintorian navy by a considerable margin, but by the time they arrived, a proper Battlefleet would be ready...

Hundreds upon hundreds of plasma bolts shattered the still air. Hundreds of Interceptors died as well, but there were many more where they came from, and they knew they could overwhelm the enemy by sheer numbers given time...

They could, and they did. The purple shimmer of the Locust's shielding gradually died away, and the massive steel plates that formed its armor couldn't hold up under this intensity of fire. The moment the shields went out, plasma started blasting turrets and burning through armor, and soon a bolt hit the power core. Half the ship was destroyed in the explosion, and the rest was reduced to twisted wreckage as it hit the ground. a handfull of survivors crawled from the pile of scrap metal, still carrying their weapons, but Tanash and most of his crew were dead.

They could, and they did. The purple shimmer of the Locust's shielding gradually died away, and the massive steel plates that formed its armor couldn't hold up under this intensity of fire. The moment the shields went out, plasma started blasting turrets and burning through armor, and soon a bolt hit the power core. Half the ship was destroyed in the explosion, and the rest was reduced to twisted wreckage as it hit the ground. a handfull of survivors crawled from the pile of scrap metal, still carrying their weapons, but Tanash and most of his crew were dead.

The Interceptors were shattered by the sudden detonation, most were destroyed or critically damaged, but they stuck around long enough to scour the area clean, before going looking for Sivv'Nakh...

The handful of soldiers that had survived the ship's destruction fought as best they could, but, without any protection or heavy weapons, most likely did no real damage to their attackers.

Current losses: 147 dead, 1 wounded.

Meanwhile, the Deathbolts were rapidly approaching Insiar. Soon they would arrive in the system.

The handful of soldiers that had survived the ship's destruction fought as best they could, but, without any protection or heavy weapons, most likely did no real damage to their attackers.

Current losses: 147 dead, 1 wounded.

Meanwhile, the Deathbolts were rapidly approaching Insiar. Soon they would arrive in the system.

A single task group appeared around Insiar. The Protoss remained on Korriban, looking for Sivv, while the Terrans secured Insiar from the newest threat...

Deathbolts plunged into realspace near the edge of the system with a brilliant flash of blue. The slender 100 meter crafts, roughly triangular in shape, spun quickly to present their full length to the enemy, forming a rough wall. Behind them, the 15 meter Gateguides slid more quietly into the system. Three of them formed a rough triangle and began circling, beams of blue light flaring up between them.

The Deathbolts waited, watching the enemy forces.

Deathbolts plunged into realspace near the edge of the system with a brilliant flash of blue. The slender 100 meter crafts, roughly triangular in shape, spun quickly to present their full length to the enemy, forming a rough wall. Behind them, the 15 meter Gateguides slid more quietly into the system. Three of them formed a rough triangle and began circling, beams of blue light flaring up between them.

The Deathbolts waited, watching the enemy forces.

"This is the Terran Battlecruiser Coelocanth state your intentions and nationality."

OOC:

Task Group:

5 Coelocanths

12 Hexapuma Heavy Cruisers

12 Protoss Strike Cruisers

16 Destroyers

5 Arbiters

200 Genesis Interceptors

"This is the Vaxintorian Deathbolt Scimitar. We've come to investigate a reported attack on one of our exploration vessels."

The Gateguides spun faster. Abruptly, a glowing blue disc appeared between them, 20 meters in radius.

OOC: 30 Deathbolts, 20 Gateguides, and a lot more coming very soon.

"This is the Vaxintorian Deathbolt Scimitar. We've come to investigate a reported attack on one of our exploration vessels."

The Gateguides spun faster. Abruptly, a glowing blue disc appeared between them, 20 meters in radius.

OOC: 30 Deathbolts, 20 Gateguides, and a lot more coming very soon.

And we have come to investigate the reported slaughter of one of our Special Forces teams...

"Send a grav-pulse request for reinforcements, maybe a Batcruron of Coelocanths, or couple Carrier Groups..."

The delay had lasted long enough. As the Gateguides spun, the blue disc flashed brighter, then shimmered into a complex pattern of concentric bands... and Deathbolts began pouring into the system through it, mixed with a few extra Gateguides. More of the little vessels began joining the three that formed the Gate's frame, and the portal within widened.

"You look like an observant group. I don't suppose you've noticed any battles in the area?"

We haven't been here long enough to see any "battles", we were sent here from Korriban.

"Get me those reinforcements, schnell. We're gonna be outnumbered here fast."

"Aye sir. 1 Coelocanth BatCruRon and 2 Carrier Groups are enroute, ETA 30 minutes with an added Arbiter boost."

"I believe we have an exploration team on the surface of this world. If you give us some information about the team you lost, perhaps they can find out what happened."

The spinning circle of Gateguides had increased to ten, and now a few Raiders began coming through.

"I believe we have an exploration team on the surface of this world. If you give us some information about the team you lost, perhaps they can find out what happened."

The spinning circle of Gateguides had increased to ten, and now a few Raiders began coming through.

There were 20 of them at the beginning of the mission, according to out Protoss allies, only one remains alive, crippled and unconcious.

"Do you have any details on the location of the attack?"

"Do you have any details on the location of the attack?"

No, all we know is that they engaged a hostile force on the planet, and were cut off and slaughtered by superior numbers. The count we got at minimum was 200 enemies.

"Well, I'll see what our team knows. A force that size surely can't hide for long."

The Gate was up to 15 ships, and now a broad, flat, 400 meter long Hunter glided through it.

"Well, I'll see what our team knows. A force that size surely can't hide for long."

The Gate was up to 15 ships, and now a broad, flat, 400 meter long Hunter glided through it.

I'm certain that 200 opponents with bizarre energy weapons will be hard to miss.

"ETA Coelocanths and Carriers, 15 minutes."

Gateguides were joining the frame with ever-increasing speed, and the Gate was growing swiftly. By this time, a 1.5 km battleship was coming through, with more Deathbolts darting past near the edges of the Gate.

"I have just received a report from our exploration team - they say that they were attacked by a small force, and forced to open fire in self defense. One of the attackers was captured alive, and is now being given medical attention. Is it possible that this was your group?"

Gateguides were joining the frame with ever-increasing speed, and the Gate was growing swiftly. By this time, a 1.5 km battleship was coming through, with more Deathbolts darting past near the edges of the Gate.

"I have just received a report from our exploration team - they say that they were attacked by a small force, and forced to open fire in self defense. One of the attackers was captured alive, and is now being given medical attention. Is it possible that this was your group?"

Our reports indicate that a hostile force occupied a village, and that our men attempted to draw out the garrison to deal with them in a geurilla fight. If that was you, I am afraid that the destruction of our team constitutes an act of war... Now, close your gate, and we'll talk about this, or, we'll close the gate for you.

"Prepare the FTLI, and ready the Arbiters for Recall."

"I am glad to hear that our team was not responsible for the deaths of your people, since they have occupied no villages. They will be instructed to locate this unknown other force, which is presumably responsible for the unproked attack on our people, as well. We shall get to the bottom of this matter soon enough."

OOC: FTLi will prevent new Gates from being started, but it won't close the one that's already open. The only way to close a Gate by force is to destroy the Gateguides.

"I am glad to hear that our team was not responsible for the deaths of your people, since they have occupied no villages. They will be instructed to locate this unknown other force, which is presumably responsible for the unproked attack on our people, as well. We shall get to the bottom of this matter soon enough."

OOC: FTLi will prevent new Gates from being started, but it won't close the one that's already open. The only way to close a Gate by force is to destroy the Gateguides.

We do not believe you. I think that you are the threat we were sent to combat. Power down your weapons and prepare to be boarded, if you do not we will be forced to eliminate you.

"Prepare the Arbiters to activate on my mark, send the Cruisers to hit their Gate Builders, then drop the FTLi on them."

OOC: That's quite alright by me, I had guyessed that would be the case, I have a better plan for destroying the gate...

"Scan the planet yourself, and you will see that our camp is not located in or near any other structures. If, however, you cannot be bothered to base your decisions on fact, know that we will fight back if fired upon. Do not seek to approach us in force if the lives of your people have any meaning to you."

"Activate the Net."

At this command, a wave of purple light washed over the are. The Vaxintorian FTLi system was active, although currently at a low power setting. Nothing could get within 15 light minutes of the Gate without traversing the intervening space, or passing through the Gate itself.

Deactivate your Faster Than Light inhibitor, and stand down. Our sensors are unsuited to scanning inside atmosphere, since we are unable to enter atmosphere, we leave that to lesser ships. Now. You have 5 minutes, if you do not we will destroy your gate and your ships. Your time starts now.

Sivv'Nakh's awareness engulfed the stars, and he watched the two combatting fleets, ebbing and flowing in their numbers, in a vain attempt to overpower each other for something they knew little or had no right to care about.

Presently, the two groups were just staring at each other, but he could feel their tension, their fear and hatred. Even the slightest twitch of even their smallest respective vessels betrayed them.

He could see that further fighting had taken place on the surface, though it looked as though this round was only consistent with small arms fire.

He had hoped that by making his departure as noticeable as possible that they would have followed him, that any destruction they might bring would be solely focused in a system where such damage would have minimal ecological impact.

He would have to force the issue. Send the message loud and clear.

Eldritch circles began to pulse about his resting place, not solely beneath him, but on nearby cliffs, in the air, all about him great runes were flashing into existence, their arcane powers flooding into reality with increasing strength. As the pulsing grew in amplitude and frequency, Sivv'Nakh reached out towards the fleets around Insiar...

And began to pull.

"Sir, something is... wrong."

"What do you mean boy? What could possibly be wrong?"

"We're being pulled. Towards... Give me a monent to check... KORIBAN?!"

"Koriban, what's there to pull us?"

"According to the report, some kind of Angel..."

Could anyone really be foolish enough to use scanners that couldn’t function through an atmosphere and lack scout craft capable of covering for that flaw? Surely not; the Terran must be lying. Either they were very good at atmospheric work, and hoped to lure their opponents into one of their areas of strength, or they were trying to cover up an actual weakness by exaggerating it to the point of unbelievability. It was hard to say which without more information, and best not to count on it either way.

Clearly the enemy wanted to bring in reinforcements, probably right on top of the Gate. If they believed themselves capable of defeating my current force unaided, they would have no objection to the Net. It certainly wouldn’t do to drop it now, though it would be surprising if they actually waited the full five minutes before attacking.

These thoughts ran through the mind of the D’zukaru who commanded the initial attack force in mere seconds, and there was no noticeable delay before the creature’s reply.

“I have offered proof of my statements, though you refuse to look at it; you have not even pretended to try to support your claims. I have offered our assistance; you resorted almost immediately to threats. You seem to believe that you are a full squad of Enforcers, and we, a lone thug with a single knife… but you have given me no reason to believe that you have any greater claim to authority in this place than we do, and you will find that we are not easy prey if you attempt to carry out your threat.

“It seems that the only way to appease you is through surrender, and this I will not do without true cause. So, in the short time that remains before we meet in battle, I ask of you only the truth. Who are you, why do you bear us such enmity, and are you the ones who attacked and murdered our explorers?” ((T=2 minutes))

As the message was sent, the five Gateguides that were most hidden by the rest of the fleet activated their cloaks and headed for the far side of the Net at high speed. Between their small size and their powerful equipment, they were by far the most effective Vaxintorian vessels at stealth.

Meanwhile, in the Vaxintorian camp on the surface of Insiar III, the Ghost had been put together reasonably well. While it would take the man some time to recover completely, he was no longer in danger from his wounds. He had been searched, scanned, deprived of anything that seemed to have even the slightest potential as a threat, and chained into his bed. Now, the Vaxintorian medical gear brought him awake. The first thing he saw was a creature resembling a giant snake with arms, coiled near the bed and grinning at him.

“So, then, how are you feeling?” the creature asked. “I patched you up as best I could, but I’m not used to human biology. I understand that in… about three minutes, now, we’ll be getting a bit of a fireworks display up there. A batch of our reinforcements are having a talk with a group that’s probably with you, and it looks like the shooting’s about to start. I don’t suppose you’d care to explain why you attacked us in the first place?”

~~~~~~

Then the pull began...

((Is Sivv'Nakh pulling across Realspace, or some Hyperspace equivalent, or through a shortcut, or what?))

Current forces in the system:
1.5 Battleships
3 Hunters
8 Raiders
72 Deathbolts
34 active Gateguides, and 23 not in the Gate.

Could anyone really be foolish enough to use scanners that couldn’t function through an atmosphere and lack scout craft capable of covering for that flaw? Surely not; the Terran must be lying. Either they were very good at atmospheric work, and hoped to lure their opponents into one of their areas of strength, or they were trying to cover up an actual weakness by exaggerating it to the point of unbelievability. It was hard to say which without more information, and best not to count on it either way.

Clearly the enemy wanted to bring in reinforcements, probably right on top of the Gate. If they believed themselves capable of defeating my current force unaided, they would have no objection to the Net. It certainly wouldn’t do to drop it now, though it would be surprising if they actually waited the full five minutes before attacking.

These thoughts ran through the mind of the D’zukaru who commanded the initial attack force in mere seconds, and there was no noticeable delay before the creature’s reply.

“I have offered proof of my statements, though you refuse to look at it; you have not even pretended to try to support your claims. I have offered our assistance; you resorted almost immediately to threats. You seem to believe that you are a full squad of Enforcers, and we, a lone thug with a single knife… but you have given me no reason to believe that you have any greater claim to authority in this place than we do, and you will find that we are not easy prey if you attempt to carry out your threat.

“It seems that the only way to appease you is through surrender, and this I will not do without true cause. So, in the short time that remains before we meet in battle, I ask of you only the truth. Who are you, why do you bear us such enmity, and are you the ones who attacked and murdered our explorers?” ((T=2 minutes))

As the message was sent, the five Gateguides that were most hidden by the rest of the fleet activated their cloaks and headed for the far side of the Net at high speed. Between their small size and their powerful equipment, they were by far the most effective Vaxintorian vessels at stealth.

Meanwhile, in the Vaxintorian camp on the surface of Insiar III, the Ghost had been put together reasonably well. While it would take the man some time to recover completely, he was no longer in danger from his wounds. He had been searched, scanned, deprived of anything that seemed to have even the slightest potential as a threat, and chained into his bed. Now, the Vaxintorian medical gear brought him awake. The first thing he saw was a creature resembling a giant snake with arms, coiled near the bed and grinning at him.

“So, then, how are you feeling?” the creature asked. “I patched you up as best I could, but I’m not used to human biology. I understand that in… about three minutes, now, we’ll be getting a bit of a fireworks display up there. A batch of our reinforcements are having a talk with a group that’s probably with you, and it looks like the shooting’s about to start. I don’t suppose you’d care to explain why you attacked us in the first place?”

~~~~~~

Then the pull began...

((Is Sivv'Nakh pulling across Realspace, or some Hyperspace equivalent, or through a shortcut, or what?))

Current forces in the system:
1.5 Battleships
3 Hunters
8 Raiders
72 Deathbolts
34 active Gateguides, and 23 not in the Gate.

We have told you all we can. We have no need to support our claims, since I have 200 Protoss describing the creature that attacked them to me. Perhaps I might have some visual representations of your race, to rule you out?

"ETA Backup, 5 minutes sir."

"I'll stall them as long as I can then. Prepare all weapons for firing, in case they are the ones that attacked us..."

OOC: Terran ships really do lack any atmospheric capability, the same goes for the fighters that are supporting them, since they have no atmospheric capability, they have no atmospheric sensors. Also, it was a Protoss Templar, not a Terran Ghost.

IC:

The Camp:

"I am fine. We pledged to defend this place, after our Leader so foolishly destroyed portions of it, and got himself killed..."

Sivv'Nakh seemed as though he was pulling a great weight, and in truth he was. His magic had severed the chunk of reality that played host to the Miehmish and Vaxintorian fleets from the standard rules of the universe and he was now pulling them to the planet as he would pull a bucket of water from a well.

To those inside the separated region of space, the only indication of movement would have been in the form of a strange gravimetric disturbance, and then the rather jerky shifting of nearby star patterns as light years passed like hopscotch squares.

There was about three hundred light years between Insiar and Korriban, and even the most basic calculations would show that already they had cleared half the distance in but a matter of minutes.