NationStates Jolt Archive

Yuuzhan'tar


"So we have been dragged into war? Good, for it is in conflict that the Yuuzhan Vong truly live..."

The Dark Lord Kunra stood over a holoprojector showing a map of the galaxy. His dark, menacing gaze shifted from sector to sector and planet to planet, searching a target for the massive fleet of the Yuuzhan Vong. "Who shall fall victim to our might? Any opinions?"

His gaze shifted to his sparse collection of military advisors across from him. All oozed fear, the way he liked it. But sometimes fear lead to mistakes, a necessary risk for loyalty. One Admiral spoke for the others after a brief moment of discussion. "It occurs to us, M'Lord that the Tidani fleet was recently devasted at Kuat. They would be as good a target as any. This world" - the general shifted the map to focus on a single system - "is refered to as Harvest in our databanks. It is their main source of food stuffs. It's destruction would force the Tidani out of the war."

"I believe you are right Admiral. This world is a civilian world. Lightly defended. Ripe for the picking and strategically important. Mobilize the Terror and her escorts. They will proceed to this system and ravage the world."

"Yes M'Lord!" The Admiral quickly turned to carry out his master's orders but was halted by a final command.

"One more thing Admiral - you will lead the attack personally. You have taken some initiative already. Prove that you are capable of greater responsibility. And remember, failure is not an option..."

With that final grim warning, the Admiral quickly left the briefing chamber to carry out his duties. Such an appointment cannot be refused of course, even if it inspired such terror in it's appointee that he could hardly function. Still, this would be a simple attack. Nothing too difficult and the rewards would be great. Those in the Dark Lord's favour were almost like princes. Of course those without his favour barely lived long enough to learn they had earned his ire...

Several days later the squadron under Terror was ready and formed up at the edge of the Yuuzhan'tar system. Admiral Yuunka stood on the Star Dreadnought's massive bridge staring out the viewports ahead of him. Speaking to the navigator without turning he issued his orders. "Set coordinates for Harvest. Prepare for hyperspace on my mark. All ships slave navicomputers to that of the Terror."

"Coordinates set, sir!"

"Very well jump in 3... 2... 1... mark!"

With that, the small fleet streaked off into the deep blue of hyperspace for the journey to Harvest. No one knew for sure what awaited them on the other side of the endless tunnel that is hyperspace, but everyone knew that it was nothing the Yuuzhan Vong could not defeat.

Harvest, 4 days later

At the very edge of the Harvest system the Yuuzhan Vong fleet suddenly emerged from hyperspace. Alongside and aft of the Terror were a dozen Sekot-class Star Cruisers and a dozen and a half Pirya-class Frigate/Gunships. All of them turning in unison to the green dot that marked their target. Comm silence was in effect, but still the ships remained coordinated perfectly. Hidden in the belly of one of the vessels was a yammosk war coordinator, controlling the movements of the entire fleet and devouring each ship's tactical information. Soon battle would be joined. Soon the Tidani would feel the wrath of the Yuuzhan Vong.

Vertigo System, Gravity: Tidani Forge World

Admiral T'dek stood on the bridge of the THCS Starfall. He was at Gravity watching over the delivery and installation of the Godulan Probability Drives on the Emec's Forge Shipyards. They had been procured in secret from Tidan's trusted ally, and military hero who had saved them in numerous battles over the years since they had joined the GFFA. Now things looked like they would be getting much darker before any daybreak, and the Universal Council planned as such. These drives would ensure that Tidan's most valuable military asset would be able to escape from harm.

Just then an emergency communication screamed over the usual bridge noise.

Long range sensors and Adept Service is reporting incoming ships. Unknown origin and identity, preparing for hostilities. Target data follows.

The information showed one massive vessel as well as multiple other contacts.

T'dek's orders to take the Third Fleet to Harvest soon followed. He bagan readying them to move immediately.
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Mirage System, Harvest: Tidani Farm World

Admiral Phel started arraying the defense fleet to meet the invaders. When the ships finally arrived in the system Calaos was shocked. The tired defenders of Harvest saw their worst nightmare before them, apart from a full scale invasion force. The Yuuzhan Vong! Once allies they had helped to free, now forced to fight.

The defenders pulled themselves together and powered weapons and defenses.

Attention vessels, you have entered Tidani space without authorization. Turn back now or face the consequences.

The stress and fatigue could be heard in Calaos' voice. They had just recovered from the incident with Azaha, and now the Vong!

One thing the Yuuzhan Vong had learned from their war with the galaxy all those decades ago was that if there was one thing more intimidating than the sight and sound of a Yuuzhan Vong warrior it was complete silence. The message from the defense force was received loud and clear, but no response given. Instead, the squadron continued to bear down on the expanding green orb ahead of them.

For minutes on end the silence dragged on, wearing heavily on the minds of the Tidani defenders until they had become so nervous that many prayed for the horrendous noise of battle if only just to end the silence. Ahead of the rapidly forming Tidani defenders the Yuuzhan Vong steadily floated toward them. Their formation never changed. Their speed and bearings identical. The coordination of the squadron was uncanny. No one but the Yuuzhan Vong could move in such a manner.

Finally, after what seemed like hours the ships reached their maximum firing range. Before their weapons flared to life, however, Admiral Yuunka gave the enemy a final chance to surrender as honour dictated. Transmitting on the same frequency the Tidani warning had been broadcast on he sent is own message.

"Honourable Tidani foes! We were once allies, but fate has made us enemies. We do not wish to see blood shed here. Surrender and your lives will be spared. We have come only to occupy this system. If you choose to fight we shall slaughter you to a man. You have been warned."

As the message was sent, the fleet charged weapons and began launching fighters. Although orders dictated that the settlement should be taken without a fight if possible, the men all secretly hoped for a bloody outcome. There is no glory in peace.

Admiral Phel watched the broadcast that was echoing through the fleet. The war had reached Tidani space.

He sent the orders to the fleet.

I know you are all tired, but right now we are all that stands between our homes and the enemy. Give them our answer!

The fleet unleasted their energy weapons followed by a wave of torpedoes. Fighters swarmed from the bays of the carriers. The tidani knew they were out muscled, but they had superior numbers and they would make the Vong pay for a victory here.

The sudden attack from the enemy came as a surprise to Admiral Yuunka, but he was quick to recover. Turning to the comms officer he issued his orders. "Fighters engage the enemy fighter screen. They are ordered to save their torpedoes for larger ships if possible. Gunships should concentrate their fire on enemy fighters and escort vessels. Order our cruisers to concentrate their fire on the largest ship in system. It's likely the flagship. Destroy it. We shall target the other vessels."

Moments later the Yuuzhan Vong fighter screen screamed toward the incoming enemy fighters, dodging energy weapon fire as they moved in to engage their counterparts. In the rest of the attack force dovin basals picked off torpedoes with microsingularities, their immense gravity triggering and absorbing the ensuing explosion. Deflector shields crackled as enemy fire impacted and shook ships. No damage as yet, but it was only a matter of time. Seconds after the enemy's fire volley the Yuuzhan Vong returned fire. The laser and turbolaser cannons of the Pirya's lanced out towards the enemy escort ships and fighters. Laser fire sought out enemy fighters while the turbolasers hunted down the enemy escort vessels.

The Sekot Cruisers turned their concussion missiles and turbolasers on the largest ship in system, assuming it to be the flagship. Tiny concussion missiles sped across the vast distance between the fleets to impact against enemy shields. Designed for use against capital ships, the tiny missiles were probably the most effective weapon for a smaller ship against a bigger one. At the same time bolts of turbolaser fire shot past the speeding missiles to weaken the shields for their impact. Ion cannon fire, too, lanced out at the vessel weakening energy shields and disrupting electronics at the point of impact.

Following just behind the Piryas who were moving in closer to the enemy and ahead of the Sekots who stood off at a distance and pounded the enemy, the Terror slowly moved forward. It's enormous bulk lurched toward the enemy formation, it's surface alive with turbolaser fire lancing out left and right. Port batteries targeted single ships on the port side while starboard batteries did the same on their side. With enough firepower to pound a planet into dust, Terror was a formidible foe indeed.

The fighters launched interceptor missiles at the enemy screen, firing their small Razor beams and then spinning away in evasive manuevers as the two fighters swarms met.

The carriers tried to avoid fire by waiting behind the fleet, but the concentrated fire was quickly and more frequently getting through. The shields were straining but just barely keeping up.

The cruiser shield wall broke as the Terror pushed through. Inside the tidani formation its massive broadsides were devestating. Dozens of ships had fallen already by the time the Quor destroyers focused their fire on it. The Quors, powerful little fireships, launched their arsenals at the command ship some even ramming it.

The Bagala destroyers darted around the battle trying to use their stealth and agility to cause damage to the flanks of the enemy.

From behind the fleet the planetary batteries fired through at the Vong ships. Taking advantage of any clear shots, still several of the tidani ships met their fate from this friendly fire.

They fought with all their strength. Their homes behind them, death before them.

The Dasan fighters held their own relatively well against the enemy fighters, despite not having been design specifically for fighter-to-fighter combat. They were all around fighters, skilled in all duties a fighter is called upon to perform but without a mastery in any. Even so, casualties were inevitable. First two, then three fell to enemy fire. Then it became a matter of who was a better pilot, them or the enemy. Many a time it was the enemy and more fighters were lost.

Beside and behind them, the Piryas continued to pour laser fire into the enemy fighters and turbolaser at the enemy escort destroyers. Soon the enemy fire became too much for several of the frigates. Two were shattered by massive internal explosions, another cracked in half and two more heavily damaged and leaking atmosphere. Still they fought on.

The Sekots, receiving the least of the enemy fire, continued to target the enemy carriers. Most had received some sort of damage ranging from half-strength shields to a missing port "wing" section. Fire continued to pour out and trickle in. To those who couldn't trace their lineage back to the warrior caste, the battle seemed to be going against them. To the descendants of warriors, however, the battle could be won, but only with further fighting.

The Terror by far received and dealt the most damage. Fire was incoming from all sides and it soon became too much for even the venerable dovin basals to stop. Enemy fire impacted deflector shields, slowly weakening them until finally the starboard shields collapsed and enemy fire raked the armoured hull. Wounded, but not dead, she continued to fire. Gradually the yorik coral armour was reduced to molten slag and the heavy durasteel plating cracked open. Vast sections of the starboard side were now exposed to the vacuum of space. Still, the terror fought on, desperately trying to manuever her wounded side out of the enemy fire.

The Orpus cruisers who had been acting as a shield wall were now around the middle of the fighting. Until now firing at whatever was coming at them, now the ones on the outer edge of the fight turned their attention to the Sekots in an attempt to draw fire from the hurting carriers. The Orpuses near the center of the fighting turned around to close the pocket around the terror.

The Quors continued to spam the Terror with their fire, even while they fell to other ships in increasing numbers. The crews of the Quors though, from the Cald warrior tribe, had been bred for war since the earliest times and they would not fold under even the greatest strain. As long as they drew breath they fought.

The Bagala destroyers now turned their attention to the Piryas who were moving through the fleet and flanking the capital ships in many positions. The Bagalas were best at this sort of work, hunting down smaller sized ships, and went about their work even as the chaos flared around them.

Each moment that passed reduced the number of defenders, but the fire from the ships and the planet were starting to take its toll on the smaller force sent against them.

The Terror was now crippled. Her forward shields had fallen and her port shields failing. It was only a matter of time. Explosions covered her entire starboard side. From her bridge, Admiral Yuunka ordered the other ships to withdraw. The battle was lost. Harvest would not fall, but the Tidani would pay for their victory.

Fighters returned to their motherships, dodging enemy fire the whole time. The dozen remaining Piryas and seven remaining Sekots formed up and jumped to hyperspace. Behind them Terror continued to take fire. She was doomed but her turbolasers continued firing. Suddenly, however, the turbolaser fire stopped. For a few seconds she just floated in place, silent and still. Then, in a bright flash she disintegrated before the eyes of the Tidani. The massive self-destructive explosion quickly engulfed her and quickly expanded out into the enemy formation all round her. The operation was a failure, but Admiral Yuunka made sure that the Tidani victory would be pyrrhic at best.

The massive explosion tore through the Tidani ranks. As the ship had been crippled before its destruction many of the ships had begun to move clear, however it did little good as many of the ships near the Terror vaporized in the explosion and numerous more were damaged or crippled. One of the two carriers was also destroyed in the explosion, it had been that of Admiral Phel, and his loss was felt throught the fleet and system defenders, the other carrier remained but was critically damaged.

The price for victory that day had been extremely high. Over half of the fleet had been lost, and the rest were a mess. After a short time the Third Fleet arrived under the command of Admiral T'dek from Gravity. They began the clean up, and called in the tugs to pull the damaged and crippled ships back for repairs. A few of the smaller enemy ships had been discovered intact including one mostly salvagable Pirya. Its surviving crew would be taken prisoner and interrogated for information.

Until the fleet could be recovered in any serious numbers, the system was left without a dedicated defense fleet so they ordered the Inferno Fast Action Fleet that had been stationed in the Tidani System to take over defense here for now.
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The prisoners had been taken back to Adept HQ where they were debriefed. The warrior casts proved very difficult to crack and revealed little useful information, but a few from the worker cast proved much more cooperative.

Tidani command was in an uproar over the battle. The were outraged that such a small force could do such damage to a whole fleet, even as damaged as they had previously been. The problem was clear, Vong bio-technology was a weapon they had to better understand and exploit.

From their data regarding the Vong previous to their defection the Tidani Command came up with a plan, and with the information they pulled from the prisoners it started to come together.

What was left of repairs and replacements to the Fourth Fleet, which had been severely damaged at Terivine, had now finished. With the survivors of the Harvest battle quickly filling the shipyards back up, the Pirya was bumped to the front of the to-do list.
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Talaax Space, Yun-Ne'Shel 13: Vong Research Station

A single damaged Pirya reverted to normal space and approached a large gas giant. In view was an orbiting research station. The Pirya transmitted the events of the explosion that occured just after the Vong fleet left Harvest. What they didn't know yet was that while they were watching the data burst, the ship was also painting all the defensive targets in the area.

Suddenly the Thrid Fleet appeared right on top of the Pirya. As soon as they arrived their weapons opened up on the defenders. Mydra corvettes did their best to jam the Vong to prevent them from calling for help, at least right away.

Yun-Ne'Shel 13

The tiny station on the edge of Yuuzhan Vong space was a home for a myriad of terrors large and small. The fearsome dread weapon, devourer of ships, was worked on here. The mabugat kan, that most dreadful combination of grutchin and dovin basal, designed to destroy HoloNet relay stations and satellites thus crippling communications between systems. Grutchins, the little insectoid terrors used to such great effect during the so-called Yuuzhan Vong War. Countless numbers of biological agents and weapons passed through this station as well. As such it was a valuable target, if not for destruction than theft.

Unfortunately for those on the station, it's defenses were severely lacking. Only a single frigate, a squadron of fighters and an ennead of warriors aboard. Despite this, and despite the jamming of communications, the defenders were quick to respond. The lone frigate interposed itself between the enemy and the station, firing all its weapons at the nearest enemy. The fighters scrambled forward, ignoring other fighters and attacking enemy capital ships with proton torpedoes. The warriors on the station donned their living armour and armed themselves with their choice of weapons - blaster rifle and amphistaff - and prepared to repell the enemy.

So the informants had broken but managed to still find a way to lie. The defenses had been expected to be much greater, which meant the inbound ships were grossly more that overkill. No matter, the mission timetable would simply be accelerated.

The defenders took massive amounts of fire to ensure their destruction, even while the battle started a Sandsifter Troop Transport pushed forward to dock at the station. They knew the warriors that awaited them on the other side of the doors were bloodthirsty Vong warriors, perhaps some of the best fighters in the galaxy. Which is why the Tidani Transport carried warriors from the Cald Tribe (http://images.filecloud.com/95768/Scorch.gif). The very best Tidan had to offer was waiting to storm the facility.

Also on board was Master Rayje and his Padawan Sinder. They would be leading the troops into battle. They moved to the airlock door, behind them the troops stood in their flameplate armor readying their weapons. Each soldier carried a large rifle with bladed edges that worked as both a projectile rifle and a large sword, and a close range energy weapon mounted on their gauntlets.

Then the doors opened, the jedi darted through and off to the sides and the soldiers raced through firing.

The space forces were quickly dispatched, dying a warriors death - fighting to the very end. Even surviving members of the frigate's crew, floating through space and rapidly dying attempted to steer themselves at the enemy.

Aboard the station, the Tidani troops came up against a triad of Yuuzhan Vong warriors. Waiting behind makeshift barriers, the warriors took one last breath as the doors opened before letting loose a torrent of blaster fire. Behind that came a swarm of thud bugs, the nasty kamikazi insects that broke ribs and collapsed lungs. Behind even those came a squad of warriors.

Leaping over the barriers, the warriors charged the incoming enemy with nothing but death and hatred in their eyes and words. Battle cries and insults were shouted at the top of lungs. Amphistaffs whirled and slashed, stabbed, whipped and bit. Return fire from the enemy struck some down but most blaster shots ricocheted off the warrior's armour.

The two Jedi found themselves targets. The honour gained from killing a Jedi was immense. Unfortunately these warriors had allowed their comfortable billet to get the best of them. The Jedi and Tidani soldiers made quick work of this squad. The rest of the triad remained behind cover and poured fire onto the enemy forces. They would not pass.

Tidani lack vocal chords capable of speaking most languages other than their own. If it weren't for their ability to communicate telepathically they would be unable to interact with the rest of the universe without a translator. Because this made spoken language mostly unnecessary now, the Tidani soldiers opened their mouths and flooded the room with a very strong low pitched tone.

The thud bugs and blaster fire did heavy damage to the soldiers trying to pass their way through the door. Those that made it out from the first wave found cover and fired back at the Vong on the otherside of the room.

More Tidani poored into the room, and many plasma grenades were tossed across the room at the Vong taking cover. Finally a few of the more heavier armed soldiers made it in, and rpgs and rockets flew into the baricades and enemy.

The superior numbers of the enemy began to take their toll on the defenders. More and more fell to enemy fire and grenades until only a handful were left. Seeing that there was no hope of stopping the enemy here, the warriors decided to cut their losses and meet up with the triad in Lab Module 2. Using their last thud bugs for cover and emptying their blasters at the enemy, the warriors began to withdraw from the hangar. Behind them was the better part of a triad.

As the remaining enemy retreated the Tidani continued firing after them. Rayje and Sinder came out from their cover, and approached the Cald commander. One of the last thud bugs came right at Rayje, he dropped to one knee and swung his saber cutting it in half before it impacted.

He yelled back into the transport. "We're clear bring in the techs." A couple of Kybarite techs entered the station, several consoles in tow. They hooked up to the station computer and began slicing their way in.

"I've got a map of the station now sir." One said. "I've located the lab that stores what we are looking for, it's in Lab 1. I'm sealing the bulkhead doors to Lab 2, Barracks, and the Dorm areas. I'm not sure how long that will last or how many are already outside, but hopefully that will buy you and your men some time."

"Very good. Pull as much data as you can until we get back. Commander, I want this room held at all costs. Give me 100 of your men to retrieve the samples, and wait for our return."

"Aye Sir. DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, I WANT A LINE CREATED AND CONTROL OF THESE DOORS."
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The troops made their way into the station to Lab 1. They entered the massive comparment that spread out before them.

Rayje looked at the map, then turned to Sinder. "Looks like the things we are after are on opposite ends. We will each take 50 men and go collect the samples. Once you have completed your objective return here and we will return to the ship together."

"Aye Sir."

Rayje and Sinder took their squads and headed apart. Rayje went right toward the grutchin area, Sinder went left toward the mabugat kan.

With the second triad locked down in Lab Module 2, the third triad was all that stood between the enemy and their targets. The commander of the ennead decided that it would be best to defend only one target, that being the more valuable one - the mabugat kan.

As the enemy approached the lab, two waited in side rooms along the corridor until the enemy had passed by and sprung out. Thud bugs and razor bugs were loosed at the enemy from behind while the third squad attacked the enemy from the front. Blaster fire rained down on the enemy from both sides. Trapped in a narrow corridor, there was little they could do.

Sinder could only barely sense the enemy, and discovered the trap far too late. He turned to face the two squad behind him and fought viciously to deflect the incoming fire.

"Major GO! I'll hold them off while you get what we came for! MOVE!"

"Yes Sir!"

The soldiers charged at the 10 Vong infront of them, a few stayed behind to help Sinder against his will.

The warriors in front of the Tidani were pushed aside readily enough but suffered few casualties as a result. Rather than follow the soldiers into the lab, however, honour took over and they went for the Jedi. The triad, now cut down to twenty-one warriors was still seemingly a match for a Jedi. The warriors well remembered the lesson of Ganner Rhysode, however, and opted to forgo single combat and instead attacked in unison.

The few soldiers who stayed behind to aid Sinder were the first to fall to a combination of blaster fire and razor bugs. When all but Sinder were dead or wounded, the warriors tossed aside their blasters and moved in with amphistaffs. Amphistaffs lashed out at Sinder from all sides, but he dodged and parried endlessly. The force was with him, for now.

Two, three, four then five warriors fell to his lightsaber. Perhaps if the warriors had been more experienced he would have fallen sooner. Eventually though, it became too much for him. A warrior lashed out with his amphistaff, looking to land the weapon's venomous fangs in him. As Sinder was distracted in knocking the attack aside a second warrior hurled his amphistaff at his shoulder. There was no chance to dodge and the living weapon impaled itself in his right shoulder.

With amphistaff flailing around in his wound, Sinder could fight no longer and collapsed in immense pain. A lower ranking warrior stepped forward to deliver a killing blow, but his sub-altern stepped in the way, rightly believing a live Jedi to be worth more thana dead one. The young padawan was restrained and bandaged with blorash jelly and quickly wisked off to the barracks module.

Rayje waited at the entrance to Lab 1. He and his men had met with no opposition and successfully retrieved the dead grutchin. Now they waited for Sinder and his troopers.

A group of about 30 troopers arrived with a dead mabugat kan. Rayje was puzzled. "Where is Sinder."

One of the troopers walked up to him and saluted. "Sir, he ordered us to go ahead to secure the objective. We were ambushed by a group of Vong, he and some of the soldiers covered our movement."

Rayje looked concerned. He reached out with the force to try to sense his young Padawan. He could not. The venom stole too much of his strength for him to be detected, and all Rayje could see were the numerous voids of the Vong.

Just then the techs broke in over the comm. "Sir, the Vong in Lab 2 are trying to break through the bulkheads, I'm trying to stop them but it is only a matter of time."

"Understood. We are coming back now. Prepare to leave immediately. Rayje out."

One of the soldiers spoke up. "Sir, aren't we going back for him?"

"He has become one with the Force. There is nothing we can do for him now, and we have run out of time. Come on let's go!" And he ran ahead, the soldiers just behind him.

Once they were on the transport, it disconnected and returned to the fleet.

"This is Master Rayje. We have completed our mission."

Admiral T'dek looked pleased. "Excellent, we will be leaving shortly. The longer this station is out of communication with the rest of the Empire, the more likely it will be noticed."

The Fleet prepared to leave as Rayje looked back at the station, as if hoping to see his Padawan following somehow.

With the raid over and communications restored, the station commander contacted Yuuzhan'tar to report the damage done and the prize gained.

"We have captured a Jedi, Dread One." The commander spoke to a hologram of Lord Kunra.

"You have? This is most excellent news Commander. But I know from the blaster damage on your armour that this is not all that happened..."

"You are correct as always, my Lord. The enemy was able to steal a good portion of our computer database as well as several samples of grutchin and mabugat kan tissue. I have failed you. My life in payment..." the commander spoke solemnly and bowed his head in expectation of the invisible hand from across the Empire.

"You have failed, yes, but your failures do not outweigh your success. Send the Jedi to me, Commander. Should he divulge valuable information the honour and glory will be yours alone." With that the hologram winked out and the Commander raised his head, a triumphant smile on his face. An hour later Sinder was on a transport back to Yuuzhan'tar where he would feel the torment of the Embrace of Pain and the searing touch of the Boiling Caress. He would give up his knowledge or die. Simple as that.

Sinder stood up to the pain for as long as he could. Finally his body went into shock. His wounds flared and his mind drifted in and out from the pain, he heard some of the questions and started screaming and mumbling. He went on and on, his mind unable to control what he said, a few things were decernable.

"...kuat diverted attention from...real fleet ready to strike...shipyards will fall...Corellia..."

Eventually he broke into screaming incoherently in his native tongue.