Prelude: The Oppressed

[TetNak]

The Raxulon Mountains, Outside of Raxulon, the Capital of Raxus Secundus

Map

Prelude

Star Wars: The Republic's End

RAXUS SECUNDAS has been ravaged by the invasion of the OCCUPATION. For the last two years no ships have left the Raxus System. The capital, Raxulon, remains a stronghold of the OCCUPATION, which has defeated every attempt to regain control of the planet.

Deep within the Raxulon Mountains, the RAXIAN RESISTANCE continues to fight for independence. Their secret base is buzzing with activity as they plan their next strike.

[Prelude: show]

Star Wars: The Republic's End

RAXUS SECUNDAS has been ravaged by the invasion of the OCCUPATION. For the last two years no ships have left the Raxus System. The capital, Raxulon, remains a stronghold of the OCCUPATION, which has defeated every attempt to regain control of the planet.

Deep within the Raxulon Mountains, the RAXIAN RESISTANCE continues to fight for independence. Their secret base is buzzing with activity as they plan their next strike.

[TetNak]

For the last two years the Raxus system has been under siege, invaded, and occupied by a mysterious force. Their surprise had been complete and absolute, as had their victory. It was unknown what was happening on Raxus Prime, but the rumor was that the Occupation had taken control of Raxus Prime and even Raxus II, a barren ice planet. What was known was they controlled all government facilities on the planet and hundreds of thousands had been killed. And yet, damage to the planet had been minimal, as the Occupation wanted to preserve it as if they were going to stay. There were small, loosely coordinated, pockets of resistance around Raxulon and elsewhere, but none had mad much traction. All attempts to contact the outside world had failed. The massive blockade the Occupation had built caught everything in it's net.

Near Raxulon was one of Raxus largest military installations that had gone unnoticed by the Occupation, some how, some way. It was built inside a mountain range, and housed various things such as missile defense systems, air speeder patrols, and cargo craft. A piece of the Raxus Homeland Militia was based here which made them the last major force to be reckoned with. Sorties had been made over the last year, and while some had success, nothing had turned the tide of the invasion.

Today these was a palpable excitement in the air. The top brass had something big planned. The briefing was scheduled and the time was now. People began to file into the command center where they would learn the next step toward liberation.

[TetNak]

General Fec Alec stood next to a giant holo-image of Raxulon. The Siniteen was the highest ranking member of Raxus Homeland Milita remaining. Before the invasion he was thought of as more of a police keeper, as was all of Raxus Homeland Militia. There was little strife other than typical crime, and the planet had a predominately low crime rate. Even the large city of Raxulon was peaceful. He was unproven to say the least, but he had led the militia to several small victories. Standing next to the general was Colonel Esp Bolum, a Gossam pencil pusher that served as a quartermaster before the war. He aided with logistics of the current forced and attempted to keep communications between the cells up and operational.

Pilots, soldiers, and others filed into the circular briefing room and took a seat.

[WalterPeck]

Anakin stood among the pilots and militiamen as they filed into the briefing room. Like many of them, Anakin had been part of the resistance for what seemed like an eternity. The enemy was cunning, capable, and any victory achieved over them was small and short lived. The Oppressors had lived up to their reputation.

Over the last two years Anakin had built a reputation as one of the best pilots within the Resistance and Anakin was all too happy to feed that reputation. Of course the help he had received unlocking his... "potential" had helped immensely. Anakin hadn't seen that person in a long time and he hoped to one day find him and repay him.

Pushing those thoughts aside Anakin took a seat and anxiously awaited the start of the briefing. Excitement was in the air and he was hoping to put a lasting hurt on the enemy. Leaning over to his friend and gunner, Anakin whispered, "So whaddya think this is about? Ya think our spies finally uncovered a weakness in the Oppressorss defenses? Nothing I'd like more than to kick these nerf herders off our world." Anakin smiled at the thought of destroying them.

[Wbweather]

"If only we could be so lucky. It's about time we had a few thing go in our favor. I'm ready to blast them off this world and out of this system. Something big must be happening. " Derk Kantrale might not have all the powers that his friend had been gifted with, but he was good shot with a laser cannon and no one could rival his hatred for the Oppressors or his desire to see them sent packing to whatever dark corner of the galaxy they came from.

[TetNak]

After everyone that needs to be here has arrived, the general clear his throat. Fec Alec has a very high pitches voice as typical of his species. "Sons and daughters of Raxus," he started, as he always did with big speeches. "As you have likely surmised, this is a briefing for your latest mission." A holo-image is displayed off what is now the Occupation's local manufacturing plant. There, they create local walkers and other instruments of war. It used to build various peaceful fabrications, but no longer. It was heavily guarded. Both Anakin and Derk knew there had been a mission to blow it up some months ago, but if failed as the ground forces were captured.

"This is our second crack at this installation, and it is time to up the stakes." He nods to the Gossam, "Colonel."

With a nod, Esp Bolum changes the holo-display to a detailed blue print. "The facility is guarded by a half dozen defensive canons. They can be fired on airspeeders or ground troops alike. And they have at least a squadron of Stormtroopers on guard." That was a hundred, the pilot and gunner knew. "Our airspeeders will begin the assault, destroying the canons and giving support for the troops detachment from are cargo speeders that will move into the facility once the canons are neutralized. Our troops will then engage the Stormtroopers and reclaim the base. Once there, we will liberate any tool of war possible."

The general is looking at the holo-display as it changes, showing different angles to the base. "We will destroy the facility after we're done. Whatever we cannot get, we need to make sure it doesn't function, ever."

[WalterPeck]

Anakin smiled at Derk, "You blast 'em while I fly circles around 'em." The two were a deadly combo and while Anakin didn't revel in violence he was ready to inflict pain on the oppressors. "Stick with me and I'll let you have some of the glory when this is all over." Anakin gave him a playful elbowing and settled down as the briefing began.

As the officers talked Anakin looked over the holo-projection of the manufacturing plant. Anakin had been generally aware of the first failed attempt and it seemed like it would indeed be a tough nut to crack. Plenty of defensive cannons and a detachment of highly trained soldiers. Clearly the oppressors valued the plant and what was inside it. Leaning over to Derk, Anakin whispered, "You sure you can hit those cannons while I'm evading all that fire?" While spoken rhetorically Anakin knew it'd take some skillful piloting to avoid that defensive crossfire.

After whispering to his gunner, Anakin remained silent as further details were explained.

[Wbweather]

"You just try to keep us in the air, I'll deal with the cannons." Derk taunts his friend. He knew that this would be a daunting task, but he had complete trust in Anakin's piloting skill. As dangerous as the mission would be, he was growing restless sitting and waiting. He turned his attention back to General Alec. He didn't want to miss any of the details. He began committing the images in the hologram to memory, visualizing the targets in his mind.

[TetNak]

Assistants take a few minutes to hand out datapads to everyone assigned to the missions, and if you were in this room, you were assigned. To Anakin and Derk it seemed almost everyone on the base was. It was important, no doubt.

When they look at their assignments, the pair are shocked. They are assigned to fly one of the cargo speeders to drop off troops after the initial fighting is done.

[WalterPeck]

As the assistant handed the datapad to Anakin all sense of excitement and anticipation was dashed as he read his assignment. At first Anakin thought there had been a mistake. Looking up to the resistance member Anakin asked him to double check, "This can't be right. I'm Anakin Skywalker." Anakin used his name as if that alone would change the datapad's text.

Getting a disapproving look from the assistant, Anakin read and re-read the datapad. Cargo transport?! This cant be right. I'm their best pilot. I need to be taking out those cannons. Not playing chauffeur to soldiers.

Anakin looked over to Derk, "This is bantha crap. There's no way we're flying a cargo speeder. Someone made a mistake. Someone made a big mistake and I'm getting this sorted out right now." Anakin looked for a ranking officer (preferably one he knew) to bring this egregious error to. As he scanned the room Anakin could feel anger rising inside of him. As far as Anakin was concerned this mission's only chance of success was with him and Derk in the air.