Dracule "Drac" Mihawk stirred in his sleep, something intruding on the peace of his rest. The sound repeated, a persistent beep in a unique tone non-aquatic species would have trouble hearing. This time it penetrated his sleep-heavy mind and the Mon Calamari bolted upright in his bunk, "What? The beacon..."

Leaning over, he pulled his datapad from his bedside table and hit the glowing button in the center of its screen. Slasher's face appeared and he said, "Knight of the Ykntola Order: It is time for us to gather. Coordinates and timestamps are at the end of this transmission. Note them carefully, because they will self delete after thirty seconds. I'll see you there and provide more information soon...but come ready to fight. And come as quickly as possible." The relevant information appeared superimposed on Slasher's face, and Drac quickly wrote them down on a scrap of flimsiplast. A moment after he finished the screen blanked itself.

Rising from his bed, the Petty Officer strode over to his desk console. After seating himself he keyed up his squadron commander's comm unit. It's worth a chance I suppose...though he may be asleep as well. A moment later, though, a sleepy and slightly grumpy looking human appeared on the screen, "Yes, Drac?"

"Driver. Sorry for the short notice, but..." he was interrupted by the other.

"But you need a leave of absence?" Driver's expression was resigned now, if anything, "You're not the only one. Go ahead. There's nothing coming up for Nazgul right now, so you're clear. And whatever it is...good luck." The picture turned black a moment later.

"Err...thank you, sir." Drac said to the room at large. Shaking his head, he stood and walked over to his small closet. He opened the door, fingered his Vast Empire flight suit, then shoved it to the side. Another flight suit, this one dark grey and almost unadorned, hung behind it. He pulled it from its hangar and slipped it on.

The Mon Cal's next order of business was to get equipped. He stepped over to the small chest where he kept his weapons and opened it. Two combat knives quickly slid into their built-in sheathes in his sleeve and boot. Several grenades followed, slotting into pouches on the front of the flightsuit. His favored blaster pistol followed, snapping securely into the holster hanging from his right hip. Drac paused, then removed a final weapon. It was a Sat'skar sword, recently purchased expressly for his participation in the Order. Its sheath fit into an angled loop on his left hip, leaving the hand-and-a-half blade clear of his legs and available for easy access with a crosshand draw.

Now ready, Drac took a breath and stepped out of his quarters. The doors slid shut with a note that fringed on finality. He walked quickly toward the hangar that housed his personal starfighter. Several soldiers and officers saw him on the way, and several looked ready to stop and question him. His baleful stare backed them off before they could delay him, though. He had no time to explain today.

It didn't take long to get to the hangar, and even less time to prep his ship. As he flicked the engines on and accelerated out of the hangar, Drac exulted at the quality of the fighter he was flying. He'd never taken the E-Wing out on a mission before. With sixteen missiles packed into it and its triple blasters, it was the most destructive ship he'd ever piloted. Even more than that, though, it was his. Slasher had given it to him after a mission, as a reward for his dedication or so he said. More likely that he was investing in the Order...well, there's no problem with that. I'm quite sure he'll find the investment worth it by the time all's said and done.

As he oriented for his first hyperspace jump, Drac re-check the coordinates Slasher had given him. Confirming them, he pushed his hyperspace lever forward and jumped into the alternate space.

The first jump lasted only twenty minutes...just long enough to get him well out of sensors range. Now that his course was hidden he could afford to go straight to the location. But hefore he did, there was something else he had to do: Opening a hypercomm channel, he called up the frequency Slasher's message had come on, "This is Dracule Mihawk, Gray Knight of the Order. I am enroute, ETA of fifty minutes. Please give my regards to the Grand Master." That done, he shoved the hyperspace lever forward again and settled in for the wait.

Albino woke up to a fearsome sight in his face. A Large Aklay peered over him, drooling and screaming at him. Despite this, Albino laughed and playfully pushed the creature aside. the creature screamed again, then scuttled to a small device on a table near him. Albino noted that the device had a red light on and jumped up, scowling as he wiped a large globule of saliva off his cheek.

Albino scooped up the communication device, and the holopad next to it, noting down a few details that appeared over Slasher's face as he spoke. The Aklay crouched down to attempt to see what was going on and as Albino glanced behind himself he giggled; putting the communication device in a drawer, and pocketing the Datapad.

Albino strode over to his Wardrobe, and pushed all the uniforms, save one to the right with the back of his hand. This one wa not jet black, like the majority of his others, but a dark shade of grey; Albino also slipped on a belt, with a scabbard. Albino then Drew the contents: a shiny new sword. It was a Falchion, but extended, Albino measured it as about 70 centimetres, or just over 2 feet long. The blade edge was also sharpened to a cruel extent, as Albino had found out when he 'tested' it on a combat dummy. The blunt edge was reinforced, making it a very efficient blocking tool too. Albino Slid the blade carefully and delicately into the scabbard and patted the hilt.

Albino walked briskly up to the balcony, Grabbing the Slug thrower sniper rifle and a few magasines that were propped up against the wall along the way. He stood at the balcony and gently kicked a pad on the railing, causing it to fall down onto the extra supporting beams just in front. He whistled a quick tune note that rose and fell cleanly, clearly and smoothly, and was replied by a avian howl as a large, airborne reptilian creature glided down and landed with a metallic dong reverberating around them as the small platform vibrated. A Dactillion. Albino ran his hand down the creature's neck and whispered

"Are you hungry? I have some Bantha cutlets here for you"

While gesturing towards a bucket sat against the wall. The Dactillion pecked at Albino's hand gently, and stuck it's long beak into the bucket. Albino patted himself down, making sure nothing was forgotten, the zipped up his pockets and locked them off. He also slung the rifle over his shoulder and tightened up the straps on the Feasting dactillion's harness, and patted it's side, them bounced up onto the seat, securing the ankle and knee straps onto himself. When the creature had finished off all the meat, It turned around on the platform as Albino leaned in on it's neck and held onto the seat handles, one on the back and one on the front. The Dactillion held it's head high, let out an echoing hoot and Launched itself off the platform, Unfurling it's wings ad it nearly hit the floor, then soaring up and above the clouds.

Albino took his hands off the handles and unshouldered his rifle, he popped a magasine into the chamber then using the palm of his hands he smoothly lifted the ball of the loading spring up and back, then slammed it forward and down, the rifle was semi-automatic. He gripped onto the flying lizard with his knees and raised the rifle, breathing deeply in and out. Looking through the scope, he picked out a small bird. taking one deep breath and holding it, he gently squeezed on the trigger, and the bird squawked and nearly pooped with the pressure, The dactillion quickly swooped down upon the bird as it fell, and using its front claws, decapitated the bird. Albino giggled as he got an image of a bird head landing on someone. The dactillion continued the descent untill it hit the landing platform, whereupon it plopped the dead bird into its beak as Albino jumped off and jogged to the briefing room.

When he reached the door, albino took a deep breath strode in and tapped a code into the holo-projector. a second later, Atrasin's back appeared, and as he turned round, he sighed. Before Albino could say anything, Atrasin spoke out

"You too, Albinostorm? off you go then, be back as soon as possible"Albino closed his gaping mouth and lowered his hand, and simply nodded and pressed the off switch, and jogged off to the hangar.

He saw that his TRI was waiting for him, modified cockpit open, Albino Placed the rifle under the single seat and pulled a few straps as tight as he could. He jumped in and placed his datapad into a slot on the keyboard. Without him saying a word, the Spherical cockpit closed, The TRI- fighter lifted off and floated out of the hangar. Albino folded out a keyboard and typed a quick message to Slasher - En route to you now. He also entered 2 sets of co-ordinates, one on the fringe of VE space and another nearly doubling back on the first. The TRI rotated furiously as it rose out of the atmosphere, which warranted a metallic humming "sorry, avoiding some birds" from a speaker inside the cokpit. Albino folded away the keypad and sat back.

"You have it from here, sleep me please"

And a thin white gas rose up from the floor, which reminded Albino of stale sourdough, before he drifted off into a Synthetic, dreamless sleep.

Maybe it was the anticipation, but the journey through hyperspace to the rendezvous point seemed to take very little time, though the chrono on his display noted otherwise. Drac felt like only a few minutes had passed since he entered the alternate dimension when he brought his ship back into normal space again. As soon as he exited hyperspace he ran a visual and sensors check all around, to assure himself that there weren't any...unexpected visitors. He didn't know a lot about the Order yet, but is was clear they had enemies. That was fine by him, so long as he did all the killing and none of the dying.

The Mon Cal's caution was futile, however, as every ship in the immediate vicinity pinged friendly on his Friend-or-Foe scope. Satisfied that there was no danger, he banked and aimed his craft at the main hold of Slasher's flagship, the Horn of Victory. As he came on course his comm unit beeped a transmission alert at him. He switched to the appropriate channel, but was interrupted before he could speak, "Lord Knight, you are cleared to land in Horn of Victory's main hangar. Continue on your present course."

Confused, Drac hit the 'talk' button, "Acknowledged, Control. How did you know who this is, though?"

"You did receive your snubfighter from our Grand Shadow Knight, did you not?"

"I did."

"He has provided records of your craft's transponder signal and engine emissions signature. You will be recognized and welcomed wherever you go on business of the Order, Lord Knight."

"I see, thank you. Where am I to go once I have landed?"

"You have the run of the ship at this time, Lord Knight. You may do as you wish."

"Understood. Thanks again."

Minutes later Drac popped the hatch on his fighter, removed his helmet, and jumped to the deck of the flagship. A man was there to greet him, a head mechanic by his uniform. The human saluted him, then spoke, "Lord Knight. I am Jayus Quimbel, in charge of maintenance and repairs on all craft belonging to Knights of the Order. If you would be so kind as to provide me the appropriate access codes, I can get your fighter's final check scheduled."

Digging out a small piece of flimsiplast, Drac handed it to the man, "Here are the codes. By the way, Mr. Quimbel, would it be possible for you to repaint my ship when you run that maintenance?"

"Certainly, sir. It's easily done. What do you want on her?"

"I'd like the main color to be dark gray, with all details in navy blue. Also, please add my name and position and the ship's name just below the hatch."

"We'll get right on it. What do you want her named?"

Drac thought for a moment, then smiled, "Krakana, Mr. Quimbel. Krakana. They're a predator from my homeworld. Decidedly vicious, and with quite the array of weapons. I think it fits her well."

"Aye, sir." Turning, Jayus gestured toward a door a little ways off, "If you'll go through there, you'll find easy access to the rest of the ship."

"Thank you, Mr. Quimbel." The Mon Cal turned away from Krakana and made his way to the door. It opened for him and he found himself in a hall. Directly accross the way another door stood open, this one leading into what appeared to be a pilots' ready room/meeting chamber. A familiar figure stood within, leaning over a terminal at one of the stations on the main table. Smiling, Drac stepped forward and raised a hand, "Albino, It's good to see you here. Been here long?"

"No, just a couple of minutes actually..."

Slasher watched as the knights who had answered his summons began to arrive in the conference room where the briefing and assignments would take place. The group of knights was somewhat smaller than he had hoped, but that was to be expected, not everyone had showed much enthusiasm for the invitations to join the order he had sent out, but those who had responded were a good group, and he hoped that they would be able to do much together. Standing up from his place at the table, he began to address those assembled.

"My Friends, welcome officially to the Ykntola Order, I realize that most of you know each other, so we shall dispense with introductions, and get right down to work." Slasher nods to the R2 unit in the corner, which activates the holoprojector, putting up a display of a planet.

"This is the planet Didnorat IV, population 3 million. I trust that everyone read the information which I provided to you on your way here regarding conditions on the planet and the forces which are engaged at present."

This comment is met with nods from around the table, so Slasher proceeds immediately into the Military briefing.

"The Didnoratian military forces consist of nine active duty regiments of a hundred men, and ten reserve regiments of a hundred men." Slasher nods to the droid, who puts up the defensive positions of the Didnoratian military forces on the projection.

"As you can see here, the 9 active duty regiments are organize into 4 brigades of 200 men, with another 100 man element which is their elite unit, consisting of those who are charged with defending the important sections of their capital." Slasher nods to Hunter-Morrell, who was looking very intently at a portion of the defensive positions displayed. "You have a question Hunter?"

Hunter points to the defensive positions on the projection, "I can see the 2 Divisions which are deployed to the South and East of their capital, and I can see the other 3 regiments deployed in defensive positions to the North and West, but what are all of these symbols scattered throughout the rest of the Northeast and Southwest?"

"Those are the rest of their forces, the militia as it were," Slasher begins, pointing them out, "They have been informed that we are on our way, and they have asked us to form our brigade up with the units in the North and West, they are not sure which direction the enemies primary attack will come from."

"So we're just gonna sit there and dig in while we wait for the enemy to make a move?" asks Drac

"Essentially, but I have already informed them that the positioning of our unit is temporary, and that we will move to engage the enemy wherever they are coming from."

The projection zooms out, giving a larger view of the area surrounding the enemy capital,

"I expect the enemy to come at the city from the northwest, because the major industrial center of the Didnorat IV is to the Northwest of the Capital, in the city of Mrontilo."

The projection zooms in on this city, and the major spaceport highly visible along it's western edge.

"The enemy does not appear to be coming for only a short stay, as they are moving in 50,000 men. I believe that they want to take over the industrial and economic center of the planet first, because they need some way to keep their army supplied, and while Capital City has a spaceport, it is designed for arriving diplomats and tourists. As such, it is much to small for an invading army to effectively use as a supply point. The spaceport at Mrontilo is three times as large, and is designed to accept the bulk freighters which carry the goods that they make."

"So what are we going to do?" asks Albinostorm, looking intently at the projection, "If they want us to deploy around Capital City, we'll be fighting a losing battle from the very beginning."

"Exactly, which is why we will use the following positions instead," Another group of glowing symbols appear on the projection, one in the city of Mrontilo, and one in the Northwest corner of Capital City."

Slasher turns back toward the projection, and begins to point out different places on the projection.

"IX Hispania Brigade Headquarters will be here, in Capital City, I will command the brigade from there. With the Commission of Brigadier General."

A small emblem appeared above the symbol which Slasher had pointed to, with a IX-CO inside the emblem.

"Also staying at Capital City will be II Regiment, companies A and B, under Lt. Col. Drac."

Two additional emblems appeared next to the IX-CO, one saying A-II-IX, and one saying B-II-IX.

"I Regiment, under my XO, Colonel Hunter-Morrell, along with C Company of II Regiment, under Captain Anival Velasquez, will be at Mrontillo, and will set up the best defensive positions that you can."

Emblems representing II Regiment and C Company, II Regiment, appear over the city.

"You are to hold as long as possible, and if you are forced to fall back, make that spaceport unusable to the enemy."

"Any particular way you want it done?" asks Goth,

"Use your imagination, and have fun." Slasher replies, "As far as the enemy reinforcements are concerned, that will be the responsibility of the Naval branch, which will be under the command of Rear Admiral Bacredi."

Turning to the group, Slasher says, "All right, you have your orders, particular assignments for those I did not directly mention can be found on the roster, which any of you can access. Good luck, Get your men ready."

OOC:

Orders:
I Regiment: Get ready to land on planet, fortify Mrontilla, I will introduce enemies later, just fortify.

II Regiment: Get ready to land on planet, Fortify your section (North West) of Capital City, and wait for further instructions.

C Company, II Regiment: Same orders as I Regiment.

Navy: Prepare to intercept and engage the coming enemy reinforcements.

OOC:

Chain of Command: Army

IX Hispania Brigade (240 Men + Command Personnel)

CO: * Slasher (N.B. * is a 1 star, ** is 2, etc.)

XO: Colonel Hunter-Morrell

I Regiment (120 Men + Command Personnel)

CO: Colonel Hunter-Morrell

XO: Captain Albinostorm

A Company, I Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: TBA

XO: TBA

B Company, I Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: TBA

XO: TBA

C Company, I Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: 1st Lieutenant Goth

XO: TBA

II Regiment (120 Men + Command Personnel)

CO: Lt. Col. Drac

XO: Captain Anival Velasquez

A Company, II Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: TBA

XO: TBA

B Company, II Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: TBA

XO: TBA

C Company, II Regiment (40 men + Command Personnel)

CO: TBA

XO: TBA

Each Company is broken up into 2 platoons of 20 men, which can be broken up into 4 squads of 5 men.

OOC:

Chain of Command: Navy

Primary Fleet

CO: * Bacredi

XO: TBA

Fleets

Ykntola First Fleet

First Tier:

Y.O.V. Invincible - Corellian Frigate (F)

Y.O.V. Somerset - BAF

10 support craft

Second Tier:

Y.O.V. Devonshire - BAF

Y.O.V. Bedford - BAF

10 Support Craft

Third Tier:

Y.O.V. Iron Duke - BAF

Y.O.V. St. Albans - CR-90

10 Support Craft

Grand Shadow Knight's Flagship and attending vessels

Y.O.V. Horn of Victory - BAF (F)

Y.O.V. Sound of the Charge - Gozanti Cruiser

Y.O.V. Deathbringer - CR-20

Y.O.V. Landron - Guardian Light Cruiser

Various support craft

N.B. an (F) indicates a Flagship

Anival noticed with concealed disgust all the members that made up the Ykntola Order,  A Faleen, Two Mon Calamari, and three humans, not including himself. Anival had sworn he would never let his hate for non-humans interfere with his career. Standing as Rorran stood, Anival waited, till he left the room to leave.

Anival and the other’s had been briefed, walking away regretting being placed under a Mon Calamari, Anival took deep breaths, and calmed himself. It wouldn’t help his career.

Anival was about to turn when abruptly a droid found him, face to face, nearly hitting him in the process.

“Sorry sir, but Master Rorran has changed your objectives, here is what he wishes you to do.” The droid, bowed as Anival took the data pad that was offered, and walked away. Anival clutched the data pad, and walked towards the Nameless, stepping onto the ship, Anival felt safer, he looked around to make sure no one else was in there with him, then settled down, and looked at the data pad.


TO:
Knight Anival Velasquez

REGARDING:
MISSION OBJECTIVES

Greeting Captain Velasquez, your objectives have shifted slightly, you are to take your ships, and capture the spaceport,  a copy of this message is already sent to your CO.

This task is important it will allow us to transport the bulk of our forces and also allow for any supplies we may need. We have taken the liberty of bringing your ships, Isis, Hermes I and Hermes II, and the unnamed Lambda.

-Grand Shadow Knight, Rorran.

Anival read and reread his new orders. He was glad, maybe he wouldn’t have to spend so much time, with the Mon’cal, maybe.

“Captain, we have loaded the troops, and are waiting on your command, also would you be going aboard the Isis?” asked a uniformed man, maybe early twenties.

Anival thought for a while.

“I will go aboard my personal craft, my Theta.”

“Yes, sir, again one more thing, all ships while serving under the Ykntola banner are to be pre-designated, YOV.”

Anival frowned.

“Alright.”

Anival turned and stalked towards his ship, there was a long day ahead, and he needed to be in top condition.

“Pre-flight check, 3po.”

“All systems ready.”

Anival nodded, then a thought hit him, he hadn’t consulted his CO, Anival shrugged and sent a message to the Mon Cal.

TO:  LT.CL Drac.
SUBJECT: Departure.

LT.CL Drac, I am sure you have received our new orders, I am taking off in the next five minutes, a quick battle is a decisive battle, however, I wanted to know if you will honor me by accompanying me on my vessel. Please respond, otherwise I will take off in fifteen minutes.

Captain Anival Velasquez.

Anival sighed, and stretched his arms over his head, he would wait for the reply.

After the  briefing, Hunter left the room and walked to another briefing room where the 120 men that made up I Regiment were waiting. He was nearly there when he was tapped on the shoulder. Turning, he found Albinostorm standing there with a questioning expression upon his face.

“Yes?” Hunter said.

“Did you want me to accompany you to the briefing?” albino asked.

“Sure. But I warn you, you won't be doing anything but sitting there and you just heard the information. If you want to, you can go to the hangar and make sure the shuttles are being prepped for we're being deployed shortly. Its your choice.”

“True. I'll just go to the hangar. See you later.”

With a nod, Albino moved away and headed towards the hangar. Hunter turned and started walking again. When he reached the double doors that led to the conference room, he accessed the control panel on the side and opened the doors. Taking a few steps forward, he was quite pleased to have the undivided attention from every soldier the moment he entered. They were much more disciplined than Nazgul Squadron had been at their last briefing. Snorting softly at the thought of his squadron, he quickly made his way to the front of the room. Reaching the podium, he began, pulling up images that he had gotten from Slasher after the first briefing. Running over their battle plans and their objectives and orders, he was again surprised at the total stillness that had come over the soldiers. Nazgul had surely never done this, at least never at any briefing he had attended. Giving a small smile, he started to finish up.

“So, any questions?”

Quite a bit appeared to be thinking, but none offered any up.

“Alright then. Meet up at the hangar at 1300 hours. Dismissed.”

Giving a curt nod to the soldiers, he left the conference room, followed by a crowd of soldiers that slowly dispersed.

OOC:

By the way, I have an AT-TE, some assorted Battle Droids, a Basilisk War Droid, a Dwarf Spider Droid, and a TIE Mauler that can be used for my Regiment.

Albino was genuinely impressed with the Ykntolan troops. They were crisp, clear and precise. They were also often stereotypical soldiers, walking tall and proud, and they treated Albino as if he was a war hero, or so he thought. He was not used to being in a command situation, and although he reported to Hunter, he was still above the Rank-and-file.

As Albino strode past, giving all th transports and equipment, the soldiers froze and saluted, holding it there untill Albino responded.

"please, do not do that, as far as I am concerned, I have yet to earn my stripes."

At this, all the soldiers relaxed a bit, some even daring to say a few things to each other, but most remaining sombre. Albino walked up to a Squad leader, who sharply saluted, and whipped his hand back down to his side. Albino spoke first, recognising the CAT badge on the other man's beret.

"I believe your squad is composed of snipers."

The SL replied with a smile:

"Yes, we are Ykntola's finest, so you would be led to belive."

His eyes had shifted to the Deathwind sniper rifle slung over Albino's shoulder. Albino noticed this, returning the smile,

"Good, because I have plans for your squad, can you take me to them?"

The SL replied with a nod; taking Albino to a Shuttle nearby.

The men were In the process of shifting a couple of large crates onto the shuttle, grabbing a few choice items off the top. One man, a Noghri, actually, grinned as he picked up a pair of macrobinoculars and a shoulder mounted grenade launcher, with a few shells too. He turned and secured them over his head, taking extra care with the live ammunition. He turned to see Albino and his SL, and stopped to salute, giving his friends a warning, in the form of a quick "Sirs". The others quickly followed suit, and Albino smiled as he explained the situation to them.

He was going to take them on top of some buildings, during the fortifications, in groups of 2. They would take mortars and grenade launchers and sniper rifles, and gain as much of an advantage as possible as soon as possible. He only hoped Hunter would agree with this, he thought, as he sent a politely worded, but firm request over his comlink.

OOC:

This will be short at first, but I will flesh it out as time allows.

Drac shifted uneasily in his seat, aware of the struggle going on in the city below him but unable to do anything about it at the moment. He had to remain patient and wait until Captain Velasquez confirmed that an LZ had been secured for A & B Companies. The Mon Cal hated to be so cautious, but he well knew the Order could not stand to lose the artillery units that would be coming down with his men. If any one thing was going to save them in the upcoming battle, it would likely be the artillery.

In an effort to pass the time, he opened a communication on the comm channel shared by all the officers of A & B Companies, "Men of the IX Hispania Brigade, here is where we prove our worth. Our goal is simple: Drive the enemy from the planet and defend the Capitol City. Our means is simple too: If it's not a civilian and it's not a servant of the Order and its Grand Shadowmaster, kill it. We're here to stay and we mean business. Give no quarter to our enemy and ask for none in return.

"I need not say anything about what will happen if you should fail to do your duty this day; I know that will not be the case. You are the best trained, most disciplined, and most courageous unit that will see action today. Your enemies are fighting for personal gain, for duty, or for no reason at all. But not you. I know what you fight for, men of the IX Hispania Brigade, I know who you fight for. You fight for each other and for the Order we have all sworn fealty to. Keep that in mind today and let no one who fights for a lesser cause stand strong before you.

"Best of luck, men. I'll see you on the ground. Lt. Colonel Mihawk over and out."

Moments later the Mon Cal heard the shound he'd been waiting for hours for. Captain Velasquez came over the comm unit, "Lt. Col., C Company has secured a landing zone at the spaceport. You're clear to bring in your troops."

Thumbing the talk switch, Drac replied, "Acknowledged, Captain. Beginning our descent." Flipping a switch, he moved to the previous channel, "This is it, men. All craft, make for the spaceport at Mrontilo."

Suiting action to words, the Lt. Col. pushed his throttle forward and led the way down. As he entered the atmosphere and began to see superheated air stream orange and red around the E-Wing's shields a short narrow-beam message appeared on his monitor: Teskil in position. Awaiting further orders. That brought a confident smile to his face, a smile that turned into something else...something wilder and more vicious than true humor. Drac's blood was up, and he was ready for a battle.

A few short minutes brought Drac into range of the spaceport. As he circled it, he could see C Company taking up positions in the area. He hit the comm again, "A & B Companies, begin landing troops. All units are to form up and orient toward the highway leading southeast toward Capitol City. I will remain airborne and provide air cover until both companies have landed."

Both Captains confirmed his orders and the first ships of B Company touched down within moments. They unloaded quickly, then turned back toward space and the safety of the fleet. They were followed by C Company's transports in short order as the rest of Drac's unit assembled in the LZ. He followed the transports up with his eyes, suppressing an urge to pull his fighter's nose up and follow them. There's going to be a space battle, and a good one. But, that's not what I'm here for today. Krakana may have to wait to taste her first prey.

Landing, Drac exited his fighter. After a moment he ordered the R5 Unit that served as his hyperspace navcomputer to use directional thrusters to follow the convoy as it moved toward Capitol City. That done, he turned to his two Captains, who had just approached, "What's the sitrep?"

"No problems so far, sir. Enemy contact is negative, as expected, and the road to Capitol City is clear," was the report from Company A's Captain.

"Excellent. Let's move out, then. I want Mynock squad to take point. Have them keep an eye out for oncoming traffic, as well as possible ambush points. Longshot and Krayt Dragon squads are to form up on the artillery batteries. They're to keep an eye on the sky and another on each side of the column. Those batteries have to arrive intact, no matter the cost."

Turning to the Captain of Company B, Drac continued, "Have Comet squad trail our column to ensure nothing sneaks down the road after us. Klick and Shockwave are to remain with the main group, but at the end of the column. They're our main defense if something does come out of Mrontilo."

Now addressing both officers, "Those are the only special placement orders. Other than that, I want A Company preceding the artillery pieces and B Company trailing them. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, Colonel."

"Good," Drac gestured toward Capitol City, "Then let's move out. We need to have as much time as possible to plan our defense...to ensure that numbers don't matter in this battle, becuase they won't be on our side. And if the enemy does get to Capitol City, you can be sure that will be the case."

Anival turned around, Grahim had landed a few minutes after he had gotten a message.

“This is my XO, Grahim.” Anival said motioning towards the gungan, hiding his distaste.

Anival smiled convincingly, or so he thought, he was trying really hard to get along with the non-humans.

“Grahim, the command tent is near my ship, and our personal tents are a bit apart, I have also taken the liberty of assigning a squad to bodyguard detail, for security, only two of a squad will be used as that purpose. I will give you the tour later.”

Anival turned around, took a data pad, and copied the contents into another, turning and handing the pad to Grahim, he dismissed the other occupants.

“Study that, our lives could depend on it.”

Grahim nodded and looked at him, a look that Anival thought was shock, and alertness, shock that Anival was being nice, and alertness for any traps, he might be laying.

“Grahim you can choose two members of any squad, just remember only two, I have picked mine out already.”

“We, that is, me and you, will be bunked in the spaceport, our Command center is in the spaceport Control center, our troops well that is, the ones that won’t get stuck with patrol duty, will rest in that building over there.” Said Anival pointing towards a building.

Grahim was silent through it all, only nodding and murmuring agreement.

Anival patted Grahim on the  back.

“Maybe a pitcher of ale will get you into spirits.” Beamed Anival, as he steered Grahim to a cantina.

A Twi’lek waitress walked up to them, Anival didn’t say anything just smiled, Twi’leks did look good, for not being human.

“A pitcher of your best ale, two bantha steaks, and if you can find a sabbac deck, the bigger the tip!”

The waitress smiled and walked off.

OOC:

Watch this area as a map will follow. if you are not slasher and you don't like the map, to bad. Lucky you're even getting this. PS. BETTER MAP TO FOLLOW. THIS IS THE SPACEPORT ONLY

“Sir! Contacts coming in, seems to be the planetary defence force!” A yeoman at sonar reported, printing out a hard copy for Bacredi. Bacredi picked it up and looked down at it. Shit, Bacredi thought, nothing our ships can’t handle, though. Just what ships to send…. He had it, he looked up at another yeoman waiting to type out a message. The yeoman’s terminal was blank except for the blinking line that was waiting for a word to be pressed into it.

“Yeomen, send to Iron Duke, Surprise, Euphrates, Aegis Fate, all of Cobalt Wing to intercept positions.” The yeomen began to type out after Bacredi issued his string of orders, and he typed with 1 word per second and sent it. He looked up again and Bacredi already had all of his other orders ready. “Yeomen, new message—send to all ships excluding the ones you just sent to…inform them to blockade the planet.”

“Yes, sir.” He smiled as he typed the message and sent it to the fleet. All ships began to adjust their course to move into a threaded formation—which would be patrolled by the fighters and ships. The capital ships would stay in one formation, however. The blockade should stop this next advance.

"Connect me with our captain on the surface." Bacredi immediately saw a image go up of Lieutenant Grenn.

"Grenn here." Grenn had his pilot's helmet on and was most likely doing a routine patrol.

"Grenn, move all of our wings slash fighters up to the surface. This blockade has to stop the enemy's advance." Bacredi finished sadistically. He knew they would.

"I shall," it looked like he flipped something. "All fighters, move to the surface in squadrons. This is Lieutenant Grenn."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Aye aye, sir."

RAF Smuggler’s Moon, Bridge.
The Gallofree Medium Transport—commonly abbreviated GR-75—went through space slowly but patrolled thoroughly. The Smuggler’s Moon had a small escort of 4 Raven Starfighters—from Red Squadron’s 3rd flight, and was in constant contact with the Invincible. The captain of the Moon—Lieutenant Commander Namache—waited patiently for any contacts…if there’d be any. The sonar operator looked up and quickly dialed a key above his head.

“Sonar contact, just jumped out of hyperspace.” The sonar operator repeated his findings to the bridge, and the captain looked as calm as ever. The captain turned around and looked for the officer of the watch.

“Officer of the watch turn towards the enemy, alert Red Flight. Battle stations.”

RAF Invincible, Bridge.
Zhar Bacredi heard the ping first—then the rest of the bridge reacted. “What the hell was that?” Bacredi queried.

“A message from the Smuggler’s Moon, I’ll read it now—‘Sighting of enemy ship, CR-20 transport. We have our techs checking the name and transponder codes now. We only have 1 flight of reinforcements, over.’” The yeomen turned back to his screen.

“Bloody hell, inform Red Squadron to for up on us and bring White Knight Squadron.” The Invincible turned full rudder towards the Smuggler’s Moon and began to pump her engines. Within the hangar of the Invincible, the pilots of White Knight Squadron began to load up into their bombers. They had just gotten out of the bombers from a routine patrol. Lieutenant Koren—White Knight’s Commander—saluted the men as they all got on and the ion shield fell for a second. The fighters flew out.

Red 9, Raven-Class Snubfighter.
“Unidentified transport this is Red 9, RAF to YOB Subflotilla. Do you read me, over?” Red 9 flew over the unidentified transport and her counterpart. Red 9 thought to himself as the transmission came back.

“Red 9 this is YOV Devastation, we read you. We are proceeding to course as ordered. We require an escort to the surface.” Red 9 turned back in towards the Moon after clicking confirmation.

“Smuggler’s Moon this is Red 9…target is one of ours.”