Summer Invasion (CNS)

From Wikipedia of the Dark Brotherhood, an online Star Wars Club
I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid.
This article was originally created as an entry for a Summer Invasion competition and is not official DJB canon content. It is preserved here for historical purposes only.
Previous: Children of Revolution
Summer Invasion
Information
Conflict: Scholae Palatinae and Plagueis leaders seek to eliminate Naga Sadow or at very least prove that it does not deserve Clan status; the allied forces invade the Orian system.
Date: 36 ABY
Location: Orian system
Participants:

Clan Naga Sadow, House Plagueis & House Scholae Palatinae

Outcome: After Scholae Palatinae betrayed Plagueis, the invaders' alliance collapsed and their invasion was aborted.
Combatants

Clan Naga Sadow

House Plagueis

House Scholae Palatinae

Commanders
Strength
[ Source ]

The Summer Invasion was a conflict between the forces of Naga Sadow, Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae in 36 ABY. This operation took place by the allied forces of Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae against Naga Sadow following the perceived weakened state of the Clan following the events of their inner strife, the Children of Revolution. Their chief goal was to shame the Clan in addition to seizing the Sadow Palace on Sepros in addition to taking control of certain key assets.

The invasion of the Orian system began swiftly with the waiting fleets of Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae jumping into the midst of the Orian system from the Lorta system. The forces of the allied Houses struck out against the Sadowan capital of Sepros first, clearing landing zones through orbital bombardment and superiority through numbers of their fighter and bomber support. The conflict came to a head, however, when the Palatinaean forces betrayed the Plagueians causing their alliance to fall apart.

Preparations for the Invasion

The Palatinae Star Destroyers Indomitable and Warspite in orbit of Sepros with Plagueis's Baron visible in the distance.

Several months of prior to the Invasion itself, the Summits of Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae had began to co-ordinate and commit to a strike against one of the Clans of the Brotherhood in order to try to solidify their own holdings and to prompt a cascading response of events from the other Houses against the surviving Clan. As the continued their plotting they determined that Arcona was too stalwart in their defenses, however Naga Sadow was currently undergoing their own internal strife. The weakness of these so called disciples of another Sith Lord was disgusting to some, but it had also given the fragile alliance their opening.

Delivering a message to their allies in Plagueis, Xen'Mordin Vismorsus and Archangel opened conversations with Tra'an Reith to let their allies know that the time had come to strike. Agreeing to a staging area in the Lorta system, the two Houses prepared their armies for the inevitable invasion; all the while the Xen'mordin and his Aedile plotting to kill two birds with one stone by crippling the forces of Plagueis when they least expected it. As the fleets massed, Scholae Palatinae sent scouts to the Orian system, a tactic noticed by the local patrols of the Dlarit Corporation. The action itself prompted a state of alert from the Summit of Naga Sadow, Locke Sonjie and his Proconsul Teu Pepoi collaborating with the former Consul Macron Goura Sadow about how to respond to the enemy scout; the Sith immediately requesting that the Sadowan forces retaliate and put the followers of Palpatine in their place. Locke decided to prepare the fleets but to send an envoy for a peaceful resolution, the action also prompting the creation of temporary Firebases upon the surface of the planets within their dominion.

Allied Order of Battle

Main article: [[Ascendant Navy, Support & Armed Forces, Imperial Navy, Support & Armed Forces|Ascendant Navy, Support & Armed Forces, Imperial Navy, Support & Armed Forces]]

Sadowan Order of Battle

Main article: [[Dlarit Navy, Support & Armed Forces|Dlarit Navy, Support & Armed Forces]]

Combat Log

Invasion and Landfall

The jungle is set on fire by the orbital bombardment.

After several months of planning, the Summits of Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae commit to their invasion of the Orian system as part of a grand scheme in which to eliminate a Clan of the Brotherhood and cascade of events which would effectively follow. With both parties determined to eliminate both Clan Arcona and Naga Sadow to see their own elevation, starting with the visibly weaker of the two Clans would ensure that the other Houses would join them in the destruction of the other. The invasion would begin from a staging area in the Lorta system, a few scouts sent prior to the full-scale invasion alerting the Summit of Naga Sadow before the arrival of the allied Houses' fleets. Unexpectedly, the fleets of Plagueis and Scholae Palatinae leapt deep into the system, between the gravity wells of both Orian Major and Minor to begin a more direct approach on the capital world of Sepros whilst simultaneously launching a full scale invasion of the city of Kel Rasha on Aeotheran. The fleet of the Dlarit Special Operations Group responded swiftly with the Disciples of Sadow moving equally as fast upon the Seprosian surface.

At the New Sadow Palace; Consul Locke Sonjie, Proconsul Teu Pepoi and former Consul Macron Goura Sadow convened to prepare the Sadowan response to the invasion, Macron himself acting as the vanguard of the response taking point in bringing forces to the waiting Firebases. As the siege of the bases began, Kalia Phoenyx and Methyas Pepoi L'eonheart of House Marka Ragnos initiated the Wartime procedures for the Clan's assets, declaring a "Code Black" to all SHADOW Operatives as well as requesting the full mobilization of Sadowan assets from their Sister House, Shar Dakhan. Elsewhere on Sepros, Trevarus Caerick entered a meditation with his apprentice Sildrin Sadow, and began to direct a planet wide battle meld to bolster the defenders. While en-route to the Dlarit Firebases, Quaestor Atra Ventus acknowledged the request, teaming up with the Pepoi Assassin, Mirado Pepoi L'eonheart, to eliminate invading forces along the route. Meanwhile, Roxas Buurenaar gathered a team from Sadowan assets off-world, a dedicated strike team to board and disable the attacking Plagueian and Palatinaean vessels. Kairus and Tyren Atema joined the young Mandalorian aboard their small transport as Xanos Zorrixor offered some local fighter support from his "borrowed" XJ3 Starfighter. Over on Aeotheran, however, the occupation of Kel Rasha continued in earnest, with the allied forces from the Ascendant and Imperial Legions rounding up Dlarit resistance fighters.

The invasion forces landing zone.

Back on Sepros, Atra found himself separated from Mirado, facing members of Scholae Palatinae alone until support arrived in the form of SHADOW Assassin, Setsuna Sakurazaki; the pair of fierce warriors continuing towards the Firebases without a second thought while elsewhere Macron gathered additional forces and planned a full offensive strike against their invaders with the aid of his new apprentice, Nihriya Rivers, and Tiberius Di Cloud. Hearing of the mounting task force, Shirai Ryu Dupar chose to fall back from the South-Eastern Firebase to regroup with a larger unit as the Dlarit base began to swiftly find itself overrun; upon arriving he also finds that Malisane Sadow and Masika Oshairana had also joined the growing offensive. As Macron's task group set their sights upon the Southern Firebase, Atra and Setsuna continued to find heavy resistance en-route to the South-Eastern Firebase; the pair finding themselves increasingly outnumbered and steadily requiring more and more aid as each of the Sadowan warriors had began to find themselves wounded, the stark resistance itself prompting Atra to declare "Desolation" protocol; to destroy the Firebases with pre-deployed explosives and not worry about potential friendly casualties.

As Macron's forces began to assault the Southern Firebase, Locke and Teu analyzed the battle from the Sadow Palace; watching as Malik and Xanos harassed the enemy fleets and fighters, as Roxas and his team boarded the MJHC Relentless and the remaining forces continued to push towards the Firebases; the pair finally admitting that they would have to enter the battle themselves and fight until the bitter end.

Counter-Offensive

The Dlarit firebases are lost.

As the South and South-Eastern Firebases erupted into smoke and flame, their self-detonations momentarily weakening the invading forces, Locke and Teu delivered new orders to their Clan, requesting that available assets either assault and destroy the hostile landing bases or to hold back and defend the Temple of Sorrow. As the ground engagement readied for their couter-offensive, the Fleet, directed by Admiral Araic Simonetti, began to retreat to minimum safe distance in order to do some field repair and resupply. The sudden shift in focus caused the Sadowan starfighters to fight harder, the XJ3 of Xanos taking far too much damage and crashing to the surface of Sepros with the pilot ejecting to safety; while aboard the MJHC Relentless, Roxas, Kairus and Tyren continued to fight against their Scholae Palatinae defenders. On the ground it had become increasingly more apparent that the invading forces intended to assault the Temple of Sorrow, the forces led by Macron and Atra still pushing hard against their adversaries and the landing bases as Locke and Teu entered the battlefield via MAAT. Back on Aeotheran, the resistance movement had been making small gains in the still occupied city, but the occupying forces had concurrently hunted down and cleared out a rebel cell that had set up a weapons cache in the forests outside the city.

As the Clan Summit deployed to the field, Methyas kept in contact with Kalia out in the field while he co-ordinated with the various intelligence and strategic resources at the Clan's disposal; the Miraluka choosing to strengthen the defenses at the Temple of Sorrow in fears of a small strike team against the Sadow Vaults beneath the Temple of Sorrow. The conflict continued longer, the various members leading the strike forces in the field striking out at the invader's landing bases; Malik Sadow and a small contingent against the Scholae Palatinae base while Atra and Setsuna Sakurazaki eliminated the Plagueis base. As the conflict out in the burning forests escalated, Trevarus continued his battle meditation in secret, hoping to weaken the enemy's morale.

Betrayal and Retaliation

The alliance collapsed before the invaders could reach the Temple of Sorrow.

As the Sadowans retaliated swiftly upon the surface, the Summit of Scholae Palatinae revealed their own plots; delivering their own "Order 66" and striking out against their allies, House Plagueis, in an attempt to cripple both rival units. It seemed as though Tra'an Reith had foreseen this betrayal however as he had begun to recall all his units to their crippled landing zone in retreat. The sudden retreat and subsequent shift in the battlefield tactics resulted in a full counter-offensive from the Disciples of Sadow against the would be assailants. A similar development was unfolding in Kel Rasha, with the rebels launching a full scale attack to retake the main plaza in the center of the city from the occupying military forces.

Leading the charge on Sepros, Macron Goura Sadow continued to lead his growing army against the fleeing Palatinaeans as Consul Locke Sonjie led his forces against the Plagueians and their desired exfiltration point. The strike force against the Plaguean assets encountered an ambush however, with a bulk of the forces separated between Locke and Teu Pepoi, although the timely assistance of Methyas Pepoi L'eonheart gave Locke a larger force to work with he ordered all nearby units to engage the ruins of the South-Eastern Firebase from all sides and these orders gave Atra Ventus the opening he sought to create a flanking attack against the Plagueian forces. Meanwhile, Roxas Buurenaar and his small team had disabled the communications array aboard the MJHC Relentless before fighting their way to the waiting Decimator transport so that they could rejoin the main Sadowan forces on the surface below.


Resolution

As this event has yet to be completed, the resolution has not yet occurred.

Major events

A squad of Ascendant troopers arrest a Dlarit sympathiser during the occupation of Kel Rasha.


Key figures

Sadowan Forces

Locke Sonjie


"Well, we’re not going to surrender, that’s for sure. We fight to the bitter end."
―Locke stating the course of action for the battle to Teu
Main article: [[Locke Sonjie|Locke Sonjie]]

Throughout the course of the Summer Invasion, the Sadowan Consul had been focused primarily on the defense and well-being of his people as well as curious as to why the assault had come in the first place. Taking a commanding role, Locke found himself co-ordinating the battle from the Temple of Sorrow until shortly after the Firebases fell when he believed it more efficient to lead from the front. Inspiring his people, both Force user and non-Force user alike, Locke drove a bulk of the Dlarit war machine straight to the Plagueian landing zone to confront their fleeing attackers.


Teu Pepoi


" It looks like Atra and Macron are handling the defenses well, though; they’ve killed a lot of the enemy, but they just keep coming."
―Teu updating Locke on the current state of the battlefield
Main article: [[Teu Pepoi|Teu Pepoi]]

Experience in War had taught Teu to never think to understand the reasoning of the other Clans and Houses of the Brotherhood, her wisdom from the previous wars supporting her Consul in their coordination of the Sadowan efforts to repel the invaders. While she generally took a backseat compared to her Consul, Teu fully agreed to enter the battlefield to help Locke take the fight to their enemy. When the pair were separated by a Plagueian ambush, Teu lead a dedicated strike team against the ruins of the South-Eastern Firebase.


Atra Ventus


"Executive Director Ventus to all DSOG personnel. Mission Successful. Plagueis is cut off."
―Atra reporting his success to Dlarit forces
Main article: [[Atra Ventus|Atra Ventus]]

While still considered young by many, Atra is a skilled tactician and powerful leader, operating as a small surgical strike team with the aid of Sadowan Assassins Mirado Pepoi L'eonheart and Setsuna Sakurazaki. As one of the first to the Dlarit Firebases, Atra was able to successfully harass invading forces until he was overrun and requested immediate destruction of the forward bases. Following the destruction of the Firebases, the Quaestor continued to be a thorn in the side of Plagueian forces by eliminating their initial landing zone as well as flanking their exfiltration point.


Macron Goura Sadow


"This is no victory, only a delaying tactic. Let’s roll."
―Macron issuing orders to his strike group and apprentice
Main article: [[Macron Goura Sadow|Macron Goura Sadow]]

The Son of Sadow was furious at the would-be conquerors the instant they stepped foot in the Orian system, being among the first to begin the campaign against them as they attempted landfall. Macron used his own experiences from the past to lead a large strike force with full armoured division against the Palatinaean forces; succeeding in delaying them from the Firebase and eliminating their landing zone. Macron's influence as a leader had many Sadowans following him during the invasion, even as they fought to trap the retreating Palatinaeans.


Roxas Buurenaar


"I'm not getting saddled with all the blame. You get to enjoy the fireworks, too."
―Roxas speaking to Kairus and Tyren Atema aboard the MJHC Relentless
Main article: [[Roxas Buurenaar|Roxas Buurenaar]]

As a former Battle Team leader, Roxas took advantage of his location off-world to create a small strike force of like-minded individuals to go for the heart of the attacking fleets. Enlisting the aid of one of the Sadowan Decimator transports, Roxas and his team surprisingly boarded the MHJC Relentless with the intention of disabling the vessel from within. While this boarding action did not go entirely as intended, Roxas and his team were able to disable the vessel's communications array before returning to the surface of Sepros to aid forces there.


Ascendant Forces

Tra'an Reith


"Indeed. I am one step closer to defeating my premonitions."
―Tra'an speaking with Kuro Kogarasu
Main article: [[Tra'an Reith|Tra'an Reith]]

As Quaestor of the Plagueian forces, Tra'an co-ordinated extremely well with Xen'Mordin of Scholae Palatinae to ensure their strike against the Sadowans would be incredibly thorough and accurate. Upon arriving in the Orian System, the Shi'ido collaborated with his Aedile more than his Palatinaean allies to ensure that they would be able to crush the Dlarit troops across the system. His sheer presence as well as tactical brilliance had allowed his Ascendant forces quite the upper hand until the time had come for the betrayal from their "allies", had he not foreseen this event losses would have been much greater.


Kal di Plagia Vorrac


"It's simple.We burn our way to them and destroy their base before time can take its toll."
―Kal planning the ground assault with Tra'an
Main article: [[Kal di Plagia Vorrac|Kal di Plagia Vorrac]]

A brilliant strategist, the Plagueian Aedile operated as the head of the invading forces for the Ascendant armies upon the ground while his Quaestor remained aboard their flagship in orbit commanding the battle there. Level-headed and direct, Kal's movements and direction through the invasion itself were fairly paramount to the successes the Ascendant forces achieved throughout the campaign. Had it not been for the betrayal of the Palatinaean forces, it could be said that the invasion may have been successful largely in part from Kal's command of the Ascendant forces.


Furios Morega


"I say we spring the trap. Kill off the soldiers now rather than wait to avoid another trap later."
―Furios speaking with Nariah in the jungles of Sepros
Main article: [[Furios Morega|Furios Morega]]

Flight Leader of Primus Pilus and specific war details, draw from RO since not enough information in weekly fiction. Noted as a Strike leader. One of the Flight Leaders of Primus Pilus, Furios was one of the leading elements upon the surface of Sepros under the direct orders of Kal Vorrac. A skilled combatant and brilliant warrior, Furios directed a contingent of Primus Pilus and Ascendant forces against the South-Eastern Firebase while ensuring that the path from the Plagueian landing zone to the Dlarit Alert base was cleared of all potential threats. As the situation began to deteriorate with the Palatinaean betrayal, Furios found himself supported by the bulk of the Plagueian forces in full retreat.


Telum Vas Umbra


"The Scorekeeper will remember your deeds, and if you find yourselves on Dosha hunting Wookies on a clear and sun filled day, do not worry for you are already in the arms of your Goddess and she has rewarded you well!"
―Telum speaking with their Trandoshan warriors
Main article: [[Telum Vas Umbra|Telum Vas Umbra]]

Telum Vas Umbra was one of the most influential members of the Plagueian invading forces, taking charge of the Ascendant forces Trandoshan assets and operating as a guerrilla fighter amongst the jungles themselves. While his efforts for the Ascendant forces were ultimately successful, he also found himself in the unfortunate situation of being a prisoner of war briefly during the conflict. Luckily for Telum, he had been placed under guard of a cocky journeyman who allowed the Sith to escape.


Imperial Forces

Xen'Mordin Vismorsus


"The time has come. Execute Order Sixty-Six."
―Xen'Mordin to Archangel
Main article: [[Xen'Mordin Vismorsus|Xen'Mordin Vismorsus]]

One of the most instrumental figures in the Invasion itself, Xen'Mordin had schemed alongside his "ally", Tra'an Reith, all the while plotting his crippling blow of the Plagueian forces in order to uplift his own House and its desires. A cunning strategist, Xen'Mordin had been restricted to the bridge of his Flagship, the Excidium II, by order of his Aedile in order to ensure the continued security of the Emperor and the Palatinaean Empire.


Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae


"Fire Plan Aleph. Full broadside, Lieutenant. I want to watch them burn"
―Archangel aboard the Warspite
Main article: [[Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae|Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae]]

As soon as the Palatinaean fleet jumped into the Orian system, Archangel immediately took charge of the Fleet, focusing on clearing landing zones and maintaining their own defensive screen against the Sadowan fleet so that their landing parties could breach atmosphere without fear of being gunned down. A calm and collected Admiral, Archangel directed his fleet ruthlessly until the order had been given by his Emperor, a successful change of tactics giving them an edge on the unaware Plagueian fleet.


Thran Occasus


"Target the closest corvette and engage, guns free."
―Thran issuing a command to the Black Aces
Main article: [[Thran Occasus|Thran Occasus]]

While Archangel took charge of the Fleet itself, Thran immediately focused upon maintaining a screen of superiority for the Palatinaean fleet. Assuming the role of Flight Leader for the Black Aces, Thran and his squadron of fighters scrambled to engage the Sadowan fleet and their fighters. The squadron itself made a huge mark on the combat above, disabling the stragglers of the Sadowan fleet while maintaining a strong defensive presence for their Capital Ships.


Xantros


"Last one to the rally point is a Arconan-Lover!"
―Xantros to Eetherbiail
Main article: [[Xantros|Xantros]]

Commander of the Battle Team Caliburnus, Xantros has been one of the most direct members of the Palatinaean invaders; his tendency to lead from the front meaning that he encounters heavy resistance quite often and typically encounters the opposing Vanguard before the rest of his House. While Xen'Mordin was pulled away from the front, Xantros became his adjunct, leading the bulk of the invading forces at the behest of his Emperor; a task he took to exceedingly well.


Eetherbiail


"MOVE PEOPLE! FORM UP! WE NEED TO KILL THIS THING!"
―Eetherbiail responding to an ambush

A young Knight of Scholae Palatinae, Eetherbiail has been one of the most active members of Battle Team Hephaestus during the invasion as he took point in the destruction of various installations and assets of Clan Naga Sadow following his landfall. While still young, Eetherbiail has a playful attitude yet still acting as a commanding force upon the battlefield. His guidance has helped many of his comrades in rather tough situations which may have resulted in far more casualties.


Trivia