A storm brewing

[Silas Karn]

Nil was no war droid and certainly not capable of going toe to toe with the charging Alliance forces. The skilled assassin had fulfilled its duty the moment Silas was released and without being ordered was to immediately return to shadows. However, the famed thorn, the legendary Jedi, had managed to call upon another immense act of will. Alternating from the Stasis art to channeling a Telekinetic assault. More impressively was the manner to which it had been employed. Attempting to use the volley to crush the droid, not wholly removed from the Sith’s own variation of the technique, Kenobi lashed out at Nil. Despite the master’s great wealth of knowledge and skill the Jedi the volley did not simply scrap the assassin outright.

However, the blow from the telekinetic volley did slam into the droid and with the finer control carried across the currents of the Force the attack caved in the left side of Nil’s chasis. The damaged extended outward and rendered the droid’s left arm impaired. As the cascade of system failures sounded internally within the assassin’s own central processor it was perhaps through great fortune that it’s’ stealth field generator remained intact. Though certainly denied from further aid to Silas or Kyr the crafty droid was able to re-activate the generator to effectively remove itself from combat. Unfortunately for Silas this meant Nil was taken out of the equation for a possible retreat outside of potentially rather inaccurate cover fire.

Hitting the ground, freed from the stasis field, the Lord Sovereign immediately signaled Nil with, what effectively was, an emergency button on to the side of the normal access to his com-link. The order was for an immediate retreat. Lifting the hulking Zabrak off of him the steely Echani granted his reply. “Of course, plenty of room, and time for a proper discussion.” Looking back to the pair of interlopers, “However, our exit will not come without a few scars I’d wager. It’s not as if these Alliance dogs will just let us walk away.”

Not immediately reaching for his lightsabers Silas instead called upon the Force and began channeling a subtle guard should Kenobi attempt to recover the stasis field upon him or Kyr’amur. Speaking such that only Kyr’amur could hear him Silas outlined a plan, “Our best bet will be to sprint back to the town. Use the civilians to shield our egress, with a Jedi here they will be hard pressed to simply fire upon us.” In a disgustingly heroic fashion, so much so as likely to draw Kenobi’s ire, Silas drew his lightsaber and ignited its deep violet amethyst blade.

Holding the weapon defensively out in front of Kyr’amur the Sovereign elected Vaapad in lieu of Makashi’s limitations in deflection. “Let’s go!” With his command the pair began to fall back. The Sovereign was protecting Kyr'amur as if saving a hostage, as if he was the champion of light here to rescue the poor victim of circumstance. Internally the serpent was cackling at the very premise. However, Silas was keen to hold his sights on Varn and Kenobi as the immediate retreat was a ploy. A proper exit from the planet would likely require a direct confrontation. As such the setting for such a conflict to allow for the pair to depart was extremely tenuous.

[Varn Badaash]

The rest of Rangers from the Silver Mynock had already begun setting up a perimeter at the edge of the village. Thanks to Silas’ storm most of the residence had already begun to retreat to indoors even before the mandatory stay indoors call was made by the local governing body. Their were seven Rangers and a handful of local guard who had volunteered to assist in protecting their homes who made up the perimeter at the edge of the town. Lastly the Silver Mynocks armored freerunner pulled in to be the last defense and held a firing arc to shoot over the Rangers. These men and woman would do their best to protect any innocents from getting put into harms way.

Varn stood up as he watched the Echani and Zabrak rise and start rushing towards village. Silas’ blade caused an eerie purple glow to dance across the falling rain. The Dashade quickly lifted his right arm, the shoulder cape brushed away to reveal the built in armaments of his Stalker armor. There was a loud crack as the Flechette rifle released a cone of small shrapnel at the fleeing Sith. Without even waiting to see if some of the flechettes landed Varn dashed to Kenobi’s side.

“Master Kenobi,” his dark eyes briefly looked at the burn across the humans neck. “There’s something you should know before we pursue, the Zabrak seems to be suffering from some memory loss, based on some of what I overheard I think he’s been living here for some time, he even might be able to still be reasoned with if the Sith endangers some of the people he might now consider friends.”

He knew they couldn’t just stand here and converse so Varn turned and pushed after the retreating threat. In the darkening sky he also spotted the Mobquet Transport slowly beginning to float over the village, a set of spot lights glaring through the rain. It was no combat vessel but it could keep track of the Sith and Imperial while also providing some light air support. The Dashade raised his Prax rifle and would only fire if Kenobi gave him his own lightsaber defense against potentially deselected blaster bolts.

“Threat coming your way Captain,” Varn spoke urgently into the helms comm unit.

“Understand Ranger,” the female voice of Ranger Captain Alim replied, a hint of concern hanging in her voice. She had seen some of the destruction Silas could cause but it was clear she was ready to stand steadfast. “We are ready on this front.”

[Kyramur Null]

Kyr hissed as he saw the defenders in the village ahead. Anyone else armed as he was with but a nightstick and a single blaster rifle would have seriously considered laying down his arms in surrender.

Kyr'amur Null was not one of those.

When all else fails, a direct attack can confuse and disorient, allowing one to break through.

He roared, giving full voice to the fury in his chest, and raised his blaster rifle. But rather than trying to truly hit any of his opponents, he spread it out in a pattern meant to make firing back as difficult as possible.

Even for one of his skills, taking down this many foes from range would be difficult. In close and personal, however, his size and strength would hopefully, along with Silas' lightsaber, give him the edge.

As he closed distance, he smiled, raising the nightstick in preparation for combat, baring his fierce teeth at the enemy in an open challenge to come and fight.

[Ben Kenobi]

"That complicates things." Ben commented as the villain ran off with Kyr'amur in tow. They were fleeing towards the nearby town and no doubt they were making an attempt to escape. If the High Priest of the Sith was captured here then it would eliminate a massive threat. Though if he was permitted to escape it would almost ensure that he would only too soon strike again. Then there was Kyr'amur... if he was going to go back to his old ways as an Imperial Warlord then stopping him here and now was the best option.

But in doing so it meant a pitched battle would ensue and from the looks of things, so long as the enemy had an opportunity to run then they would continue to do so.

Ben rushed off after the enemies of the Galactic Alliance with his lightspear in hand. he did not like running after his opponents as it generally allowed the enemy to choose the ground on which they would fight. If they were to discover an advantage in terrain or in any setting... this was their opportunity to do so.

Until that time came though the Sith and the Imperial would lead the Jedi and the Ranger on this merry chase into the unknown.

[Silas Karn]

The call for the settlers to formally stay at home and non-essential alliance to disperse was surprisingly effective. Sovereign noted as he and Null reached the village that compliance with such frantic orders was nearly imperial levels. Though the harsh storm was certainly a deterrent to outdoor activity that could not compare to the willingness for nearly ninety percent of the inhabitants to have fled the scene by the time Silas and Kyr’amur reached the streets of the village. This was made further worse on the fleeing pair as aerial support was swiftly called in.

“Pick your target swiftly and I will guard our retreat. I’d rather not risk harm while you are still so woefully ill equipped to defend yourself.” The priest called out to Kyr’amur as he maintained vigil. The pair began to filter through the myriad of access ways and alleys of the farming settlement. It was obvious to the cunning Sith that should they be cutoff, a proper hostage might be their only bartering tool to make a successful exodus. Though Nil could still make it back to his infiltrator, departing without being shot down or worse hunted by an alliance fleet was foremost on Silas’s mind.

[Varn Badaash]

The Dashade rushed along with Master Kenobi, trailing behind the Sith and his Imperial ally. The glow violet blade made the two stand out in the growing storm. Radio chatter filled Varn’s helm and he relayed important information to the Master Jedi.

“The Silver Mynock is tracking them from the sky, and the towns folk are off the streets.” The gravely voice of the large alien spoke up as the rushed along. “The Rangers have recruited a few guard and will hold a perimeter around the Silas’ location.”

The two of them rushed into the streets of the small farming town. Varn’s eyes darted to an alley that the Mynock’s spot light was currently focused on. He raised his rifle and began to cautiously approach. “On your order Master Kenobi.”

[Kyramur Null]

"Understood." Kyr said, acknowledging Silas' suggestion.

'If you don't have the advantage, create one.' It was one of the first pieces of advice his trainers had given him as a child. It had proven it's worth many times before, and would do so again now.

A simple leap and pull put him on top of a low overhang, where he rolled to his stomach and took aim at their pursuers.

'Come and meet your deaths, if you dare!' He screamed from within his mind, lining up his sights, and waiting for the perfect shot...

[Ben Kenobi]

Arriving into the streets he and Varn made to the alley where the Silver Mynock’s spotlight was blazing, illuminating the Imperial and Sith duo. Ben barely noticed the call to challenge of the Zabrak, he heard it though and instantly knew that the enemy was not going to give much more ground as the continued to prepare their escape. He could also sense the blatant danger of entering that alleyway. If they set foot in then they were going to take immediate fire or more from the High Priest.

Ben’s resolve solidified. He could not show hesitation in the face of these dastardly villains. He looked to Varn and gave him a nod. They would use the same tactic they had used on Nal Hutta. Engaging his yellow blade he carried it in a ready position out before him, he would not let a round, stray or otherwise, to get by him and strike his Antarian Ranger ally and in doing so they would close the gap between the enemies they sought.

If they could get close enough then they could move this situation into a pitched battle and hopefully incapacitate the Sovereign and Null. If they could do so then they would be saving this town from a very potentially hot firefight from blazing street to street…

[Silas Karn]

Nil signaled its ready status and Silas confirmed the assassin’s new position between the fleeing duo and his ship. Though the Sovereign had wished to push the scenario closer to a clean egress Null’s new defensive positioning made that difficult. “Maintain a hundred meter distance between us. I’ll signal if you’re needed to intervene in our exodus. Otherwise remain ready to make for the ship.” Once finished Silas disengaged his lightsaber. Recognizing the need to incapacitate over slaying outright their primary pursuers the Sovereign altered his typical combat strategy.

Flipping a small switch at the front of his belt Silas activated the personal shield generator that was incorporated seamlessly into his custom armor. With a refined movement the former battlemaster sparked alive the knuckles of his gauntlets, humming with the immense currents that ran within them. Though the cunning serpent remained on a hair trigger to recall his sabers in any needed defense, Silas edged out in front of Kyr’amur but remained grounded. With everything in place and Null making his choice the Sovereign set his sights on wielding the terrain to his full advantage. The climax of their flight drew near.

[Varn Badaash]

Just like Nal Hutta Varn thought as he pulled in to flank Kenobi’s right side. His personal shield generator hummed to life as they slowly approached the alleyway and his targeting HUD waiting to lock onto either of the threats. One step closer and Varn spotted the Echani warrior, his posture spoke of his many battles as it was clear he was ready for close combat. The part that worried Varn though was he didn’t spot the Zabrak. In response Varn’s vibroshield spiraled out from its compartment in his own stungauntlet and the Dashade lower the Prax rifle to rest across it. He was really to unleash the weapons fury on their opponent as soon as he made an aggressive move.

The yellow glow of Kenobi’s saber illuminated the rest of the alleyway and that’s when the Rangers targeting computer picked up Kyr’amur’s movement atop a structure on the far end of the alley. “The Zabrak is on the...” his voice was drowned out by the first shot from the well trained Imperial commander...