A Horde in the Clone Wars (Star Wars AU)

[Grimmatt]

For several months now, the Jedi had been aware of something, a distant voice that was slowly rising, tickling on the edges of the force. It was, as the most sensitive among them reported, like the long slow beating of a great drum. And for a moment, that voice fell silent, before the song began to be known. For most of the jedi or others attuned to the force, this echoing song was nothing more than a distant pulse, an echo on the cosmic winds. For those among the stars that made up Hutt Space however?

This was a song of retribution, of a debt to be paid, that pounded in the bones like the heart of a star sized beast and was accompanied by the sky bleeding fire. Long had they wandered the outer rim in small bands after their creators had lost in the Sith Wars and greatly had they changed. Forgotten by most, the course of the clone wars shifted in blood and fire, as the Jotun Horde, as the Joyous Beast of Battle, descended.

For a thousand years ago, a slave had done a warlord a kindness and moved his heart with a tale, and so he swore an oath. In fire the chains would be broken. In blood the chained set free.

 

[Grimmatt]

Tol Amn was a name that was, to those that knew of it, fairly unremarkable. It was a simple world on the edges of Huttspace, where those bound to the world labored, growing the vast amounts of food that their masters demanded for their palaces and markets on other worlds and seeing precious little of the rewards of their toil. Still, as many of the elders said, it could be far worse.

To be sure, they were property and any attempt at breaking the rules in a manner that was visible resulted in harsh punishments (as did failing to meet quotas), but between the growing seasons they were largely left alone with only minimal oversight from their masters. For the most part as well, most offworlders and the masters only looked around the spaceport, held in the only real city on the world (Tol Amn), the rest of it being left a rural agricultural world.

Of course, one of the primary characteristics of this world was that at the best of times its climate could be called 'stormy'. And it was likely for this reason that they ignored the gathering storm, seeing it as little different than any other atmospheric event. A handful of the serfs on the ground however, looked up at those gathering clouds, frowns on their faces. There was a darkness in those clouds, rain starting to fall across their bodies and thunder rumbling in the distance.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Mood Music)

High above Tol Amn, a figure waited on a strange ship. Massive by the standards of the galaxy at large, he shifted in his command throne, eyes firmly on the orb in front of him, as around him other figures stood still, eyes all focused on that singular point. Each of them could hear it, taste it even as the orb started to shift, mist swirling and firming, before light erupted, a face much like their own, broad and craggy features marked by scars, appearing.

"Brothers! Sisters! Little kinsfolk! A thousand years ago an oath was sworn, that Depur would be slain! By blood I swore this, by water I swore this! I marched up to his palace and beheaded him, and thought my oath fulfilled! And yet, when I returned, I found the people crying, for Depur had come once more. It was then that I recognized the full weight of my oath, and so, I gathered you all here."

His features are stern, as the focus shifted, as the world appears below him in profile. "Once more all the clans and bands of the Jotun are assembled, the oaths sworn and the steel bound, and now this I say! Let the horde go forth! Let loose the beast and stain the stars red! Let not a Depur live through the storm! Death to the Hutts!"

There is a roar, a thousand single voice with a thousand throats as feet slam down, and the final command is given, before no more speech is necessary. Why would they need to speak, when they are are each other, when each of them is part of the whole, another drop of rain in this cleansing storm?

"Stormcallers! The honor of the first strike is yours!"

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Mood Music)

Across a dozen worlds, the same thing can be seen, as the storm clouds roll in. They were a sudden thing, black and rippling with lightening, vast bolts of lightening arcing and rippling in the clouds, even the very air seems to become charged with the promise of violence. And yet, it is also not long before the worlds recognize that they are under attack.

For what else can you call it when the atmosphere of your planet churns with a raging ion storm of all things as scanners manage to pick up a thousand forms dropping from the skies cradled in sheet lightening and fire, as the music starts to pulse and beat, whispering at first in the ears of the slaves and serfs and yet soon spreading as those streaking figures bank, ripples of lightening condensing around each of them, before they slam into the ground, ionic pulse slamming out around them.

And yet, if that had been all, it would have just sent them reeling, as they needed to bring systems back online, only hardened systems still managing to keep themselves intact. Yet each of those thousand objects began to stand. Some of the defense forces started to scream about Confederacy droids, how this was a breach of their neutrality... even as they started to lope, hammers at the ready towards the control centers of each worlds defensive hubs.

The storm had fallen and nothing would be left standing when it broke.

 

[Grimmatt]

30 Minutes after Stormfall, Tol Amn
(Palace of Otteb Null)

The thing is, Jodirk Bee reflected, is that this was supposed to be a simple and quiet gig. Sure, he had grumbled in his cups and made sure to get the occasional hunt in, but by the Scorekeeper, guard duty here was boring! Granted, as he looked over the scanners and smacked the malfunctioning piece of junk, that was because nobody was stupid enough to attack the hutts. Well, that and this was an agriworld, so its not like there was anything valuable here.

Yet... "So, anyone else know where that racket is coming from?" His tone is not a surly snarl, even as he is debating just calling for someone to take a look at this... if the communications had not become filled with static. Because of course, there had to be a sudden thunderstorm this bad when HE was just an hour from getting off sitting here instead of drinking.

One of the new blood, he did not bother remembering the softskins name, shook its head. "Ah, not that we can tell, not coming from the radios or the holo, so..." The man shrugs, even as Jodirk sighs.

"Okay, go grab one of the techs, see if they can..."

Whatever he was about to say is drowned out in the roar of an explosion, as Xas Gredmu rushes in, blaster in hand. "Jodirk you toothless hatchling! How the frack did you you miss that we were under attack!" The fellow Trandoshan was all but spitting, as in the background the sound of thunder accompanied what seemed to be great war drums and wind through strange pipes.

"Nothing but static on the screens and comm, storms playing havoc." Jodrik does not get to finish, before a fist slams into his jaw, knocking him to the ground, before there is a click, and the radios static turns into another kind, that of a hundred reports streaming in at once and talking over reach other.

"We got giants at" "Lightening just tore us apart!" "We got shields and mines around the port!" "Ships covered in lightening just flew over us, bolts arced out towards the barricades"

As the radio reports kept rolling in, largely about various giants slamming into the defenses (such as they were) and landing additional troops, he was rather... wide mouthed as Xas hissed out his own thoughts on the matter. "The first thing we are told to do when a storm comes in is to switch the comm frequency to one that can handle it better." A foot lashed out, striking the fallen lizard in the side, a grunt pushed from his lips. "Now, here is what you are going to do. Get your blaster and try and kill as many of the attackers as you can before they kill you or you are going to have to find out how Otteb is planning on entertaining herself when these idiots are driven off."

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10 Minutes after Stormfall, Tol Amn
(Tol Amn Star Port)

Blocky black ships moved down, passing through the storm with little in the way of fanfare, even as gates opened and ramps shot out as soon as they hit the ground and started to move, massive figures in pitch black armor striding forward even as hoverbikes screamed around them, riders darting into the streets and looping back as those large figures placed down great crystals, crystals that started to hum and pulse as a bubble, with the top open, started to form around the port.

Yet, over the next twenty minutes, only two more transports come, as buildings around the port are broken down and walls assembled, gun pits dug and figures closer in proportion to the bulk of the galaxies residents stream into the streets amid this ongoing construction effort, often with a black armored giant carrying a massive shield.

It would surprise many that this sudden barrage of invaders meets little to no actual, practical resistance for the first several minutes, and after that it tended to be more sporadic as they approached the palace and some of the central administration buildings. But in large part, this should not be too unexpected either.

While the Hutts have long had a reputation, and more than one invasion attempt died stillborn due to rumors of weapons kept from the Hutt cataclysms, the truth of the matter is that they had transitioned to mercenary and private small armies, rather than a united force. Sure, they could command assassins and powerful criminal cartels... but in actual open warfare?

In the first hours, as the Jotun close on the palace, the much vaunted might of the hutts is found wanting.

 

[Grimmatt]

Two hours after Stormfall, Tol Amn
(Palace of Otteb Null)

For the greater part, the fighting, while it had picked up to some degree, had not actually been worthy of being called a battle. A skirmish perhaps, yet, as Livert Shatterskull brought his mace down on another squealing pigs head, it would not do to get complacent for the actual battles ahead. This was, as his shield moved in front of several bolts that could have impacted the Spear Host he was attached to, a farming world on the border. That, foot striking one of those little lizards into more of its kind like a screaming ball, and the Hutts tended to have gangs more than armies,

It was something that he, like many of the others found hard to come to terms with, but at the very least as his torso just moved and a turret was caved in, it just made the whole thing into a series of pockets of resistance. Which meant, as freed 'serfs' joined in the song, gifted blasters in hand, that they merely needed to break the spine and provide the tools for the others to shake the chains off.

But, as the song thundered in his soul, was a little bit of an actual fight too much to ask for?

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Three hours after Stormfall, Tol Amn
(Space)

Vidisa Crowseye nearly shook her scared head as the station she was on dropped out of hyperspace, tether-tugs still pulling as they moved to a central location. She could understand that the Hutts had been relying on their reputation more than actual ability to make war for centuries, if not millennia, not to mention they spoke of vengeance and retaliation rather than their ability to repulse said attacks, but this had been just pathetic. Three hours for the wings of Warhawks and voidcraft to make pulling in a Hellhiem defense platform, with no local defense systems?

While not a Blacksteel Colossus to feel professional outrage over the systems non-existent defenses, the Voidwyrm commander sneered, even as her Rimesguard reported in, all systems online and minefields deploying, sensor buoys launched and Riptide interceptors charged for any counter attacks. As the defense platform moved into position, she nodded.

She could not wait to greet any of the Hutts friends that decided to try their luck against her.

***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Six hours after Stormfall, Tol Amn
(In front of the Palace of Otteb Null)

The city had been taken, as had the control nodes, and teams were sweeping for any boltholes and hideouts, looking to quickly shatter any remaining resistance. Still, as Edmund Stormcry looked over the assembled crowd, most of which were freed slaves, he raised a hand. "Little folk! A thousand years ago on a world far off an oath was sworn. For a thousand years we have been gathering, and now we come to shatter the chains! Still, your chips have been removed, but this is not the reason I have called for you to be here!"

Even as he spoke, other forms were bringing a wriggling and squirming mass, a hutt that was screaming and swearing, as former slaves looked on, faces filled with fear... that slowly transformed into vindictive glee and triumph. For all of their lives, they had to fear attracting the gaze of a Hutt, much less the one being dragged like some overgrown slug by four Jotun, and now?

Inside the ranks of the freed beings, one figure reached down, and picked up a small stone, before throwing it, the missile striking the Otteb Null and renewing its pledges of vengeance and the grisly torture's that awaited all that saw its humiliation. And yet, this one was the start, as others gathered their courage and began to throw more of these small stones, impacting the hutts hide to sting as they began to scream and hurl verbal abuse in turn. The stones that hit the giants were met with peels of laughter and a few spoken words of encouragement.

Yet, the former master of this world was soon on the dais, as Edmund looked over the crowd. "Now, if I could have your silence for a moment my good beings?" And his tone, while not raised, quelled the crowd, as they looked on, a sea of eyes that hungered, Every other Hutt had been killed out of hand, and so they wondered.. why now? "While I can guess, some formalities must be observed before we can proceed." At that, the hunger deepened, the crowd almost leaning forward.

"Are there any here, that would speak in his defense? To plead a case for his life?" There is a pause and a ripple of momentary shock, before they replied as one that there were NONE that would speak for him, anger and hunger spreading like a fire... or the Jotuns smile. "Well then, now that THAT is out of the way..."

His hands reached out, as he selected ten of the crowd, having them come into the stage and near a tower covered by a tarp. With a flourish, the giant removes it, showing a massive boot attached to the tower, one that was on the end of a muscle powered press, even as Otteb was strapped in place, held under the waiting boot.

"Each of you was noted for leadership and valor among those he held in chains, and so, who are we to steal this measure of justice from you all?" Edmund bowed, as the ten rushed to the wheel, and the boot descended, cranking and clanking to the screaming hutt.

And soon, of Otteb Null, there is little but a smear on a stage and the bottom of an oversized boot.

 

[Grimmatt]

One Week Before Stormfall

In his office, Palpatine oversaw much the business of the war, both those matters that he was supposed to be as the Grand Chancellor of the Republic, but thanks to all the additions he managed to put in the business he delegated to his tools and 'apprentices' in the Confederacy. It was tiring work running both sides of a galaxy spanning war, to say nothing of needing to carefully manage the corruption he had sown inside the republic. Most of which was not even caused by the Sith.

Indeed, as he looked over the last bit of paperwork for the day before he turned to more important concerns, it came as something of a shock to him that the Sith had been propping up the Republics for the last two hundred or so years, if only because all of the plans required there being able to take over as much of the galaxy in a single move as possible as they made sure to spread the seeds of their victory. Still, as he took the glass of wine (an indulgence he allowed himself only at the end of each of these long working days), he frowned.

Why was it, on the edges of the shroud, he was hearing a rather odd song? Something to look into, as he sunk into meditation, taking note... it seemed to be near Hutt space... perhaps it would be best to give a few calls over the net to check on a few sites.

Still, as he took a sip of the wine, he frowned. Tasted far too sweet.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Three Days After Stormfall

His head would not stop pounding, as another spike of that blasted, wretched and infernal music screamed along the shroud. Still, he kept his face neutral, even as he looked over the reports in one of his most secure locations something that could prove to be... problematic. Even as he looked over what footage there was, the indications were.... troubling. Frankly, he had not considered it a possibility, if only because it had been over five hundred years since they last gathered in a host of a thousand.

And while that alone had been enough to shake several dozen systems to their foundations, it was nothing compared to the sheer scale of the unfolding disaster that was in front of him. As it was, an unknown, as far as the republic was concerned, force declaring war on the hutts and invading the single largest concentration of gangsters, criminals, slaves and scum in the known galaxy? Frankly, that was more of a problem that would resolve itself, hopefully leaving the hutts weakened enough to break their power and absorb them outright.

To be sure, there were some deployments and campaigns that would have to be adjusted, some diplomacy efforts on either side reworked, but that was something that he already could allocate resources and manpower towards. No, the problem was that the beasts warsong had infected the damn shroud!

Or at least, as another wave of music started and he had to bite down as acid ran through his brain, bones rattling inside of him, it reverberated into the shroud, Anakin had already asked about, well, his future apprentice was sadly NOT going crazy and hearing things, though apparently his own was rather different than what he had to suffer through!

He snarled in the dark. That was it, when he was able to focus more, shielding himself from this, he was going to exterminate the damn beasts!

 

[Grimmatt]

The Night Before Stormfall

He woke amid the sands (he had never left the desert, or was it that it had never left him?), the suns beating overhead as the winds danced and sang, the dunes moving in their hidden ways. Yet, as he walks, as he moves through the sands (shedding his human shape and soaring, whirling in the mask of the hawk), he can hear it, the beating drum of a heart and laughter that runs red.

And as he passes over the ridge (bones and chains, mingled and piled in a great heap, the stones of the past and flickers of perhaps), he sees something he has never seen before, nor thought of seeing in the sands, not standing in the cleft where water pools, sweet and fresh as green life clings to sand and rock (and yet, he was an old not quite friend, full of laughter and boastful joy). There, was sitting something not unlike a human stretched to three times the size they should be, and wearing but a loincloth and vest, scars and symbols crossing his chest and arms.

(It was a giant the size of the world, made of a hundred songs and tales of rattling blades, of the tempest between the stars clad in metal that drank the light as eyes containing the secret light at the heart of worlds looked out, eternally amused even as rivers of blood poured and dripped and screamed from those clawed hands)

"Come little Skywalker, share my camp and my bread, my mead and shade!" The figure spoke in the booming voice full of mirth and cheer (the thunder of battle cries and shrieking of artillery shells), as the sweep of his hand indicated a seat for him. And so, he sat beneath a tree that seemed to smell sweet, its blossoms delicate and fragile, the wind rustling through its branches seeming to whisper 'liberty'.

"I come with glad tidings, bringer of the rains, of an oath that nears completion, sworn to yourself in the mask you wore back then." There is a smile and knowing wink, as the creature looks to something on the horizon, a palace in the Hutt style (a darkness that looms and drinks in the light, as chains rustle and snap beneath its walls, and nothing as meager as hope would allowed to be free in this walls).

"In the morn, I am going to Depurs palace, and while he escaped me last time..." There is a chuckle then, hungry eyes turned to the fight to come (the howling of a beast that laughs as leaps to the hunt). "A thousand years I have gathered my brothers and sisters, and a thousand years I have prepared. We shall venture forth and leave not a stone standing as we unearth his secret places and drag him into the light, to be dragged into the desert."

There is a smile then, stretching across the creatures face (a cavern of fangs fit to swallow a ship whole). "Tell all that will, he who brings the rain, that the storm is coming at last."

And then his eyes fly open, as he awakes with a jolt, the scent and feel of the desert singing in his bones, as the taste of blood and sweet water is on his lips. And as he remembers who he is and where he came from, Anakin began to laugh. For in the end, he was born of the desert, and he would remember.

 

[Grimmatt]

Stormfall After action general summary ​

Tol Amn Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at Six Hours and twenty three minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces four days. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation five days and three hours with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to agricultural sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate.

Helhiem defensive platform in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Ilos Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at Six Hours and thirty seven minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces two days. Slave chips have have been removed in major settlements, expected time until complete liberation three days hours current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to agricultural sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate. Due to local trade relations with mid-rim worlds a greater degree of attention from beyond Hutt space is probable. Have the local garrison commander to continue the current contracts to minimize local disruption and reduce military interest and intervention.

Helhiem defensive platform in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms. Ilosian natives already had a number of defensive satellites in orbit but were rendered inoperative via ion storm.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Alee Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at Three hours and five minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces two days. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation five days and three hours with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to agricultural sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate.

Helhiem defensive platform in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Ziugen Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at nine hours and forty-eight minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces two weeks. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation one month, two weeks and three days with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to agricultural and industrial sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate. Work is ongoing on shifting local factories and industry to increase efficiency and worker safety, as well as pollution levels. Resources in place to create alchemical laboratories and arms manufacturing for arming the oppressed.

Two Helhiem defensive platforms in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Klatooine Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at Three hours and five minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces two days. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation two days and three hours with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Local resources minimal, primarily luxury items. Economic cooperation with Council of Elders has been approved, as have initial development plans.

Helhiem defensive platform in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Nimia Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at eight hours and forty-eight minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces one week and four days. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation one month, two weeks and three days with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to industrial sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate. Work is ongoing on shifting local factories and industry to increase efficiency and worker safety, as well as pollution levels. Resources in place to create alchemical laboratories and arms manufacturing for arming the oppressed.

Two Helhiem defensive platforms in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Kween Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at nine Hours and fifty seven minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces two days. Slave chips have have been removed in major settlements, expected time until complete liberation three days current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

Damage to agricultural sectors minimal, and supply projections are accurate. Due to serving as a boundary world with mid-rim worlds a greater degree of attention from beyond Hutt space is probable.

Three Helhiem defensive platform in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms. Kween natives already had a number of defensive satellites and platforms in orbit but were rendered inoperative via ion storm. Secondary operations against local moon bases and anchorages successful.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

Circumtore Theater; (See attached report, Shell Hutts confirmed exterminated)

Nar Kaaga Theater; Planet primary pacification complete at five hours and eighteen minutes of operation start. Estimated time to complete system control and pacification of mercenary and guerilla forces six days. Slave chips have have been removed in primary settlement, expected time until complete liberation four days with current medical shifts and operations. First cadres of garrison troops have been recruited from liberated beings and initial defensive works are being expanded on primary beachheads.

No resources of note, possible to establish certain agricultural and alchemical industries on planet.

Two Helhiem defensive platforms in place and has begun extraction of small astral bodies for minerals for Draugr class automated defense platforms.

Mission successful and preparing for next stage of campaign.

 

[Grimmatt]

Three Weeks Before Stormfall
(Icres'cuno Droid Repair Shop, Circumtore)
(Mood Music)

It was another day much like another, that the humble Twi'lek male had seen for the last two decades since coming here. Many in his little part of the planetoid knew him, or at least of him and his humble repair shop. It was here that droids could be bought, sold and fixed, and he even paid for disposing of the scrap when it was no longer worth it. But, calling his shop humble was perhaps a touch inaccurate.

Dressed in plain and unassuming robes, one could easily mistake him for one of his three dozen workers, his expression seemingly stuck in a content smile. Of course, part of this was that he may be a Twi'lek on a world run by hutts that was free, was able to pay his taxes and bribes on time and had a loving family in addition to a thriving business.

So, when one of his frequent customers, a fellow twi'lek (a lovely and dashing smuggler captain by the name of Iotad'jukul) approached him, her hips swaying and smirk in place, he was curious. Was she going to try and seduce his wife again? But then, as he smiled, the things he did to keep his Asuh'duli happy (and the smirks the others gave him at the bar later. Did they have to have the chains rub against his wrists like that?)...

Yet, as she gestured to a few of the droids trailing behind her, her leeku spoke a rather different tale as she spun a tale of idiot pirates that should know better by now. 'The serpent sings as the storm gathers.'

He sighed, as that was always a bother, even as he examined them. It was one of his well known quirks, as he asked her just how this happened when he knew just good she was at evading the foolish and clumsy. 'Weather patterns?'

She snorted, hands waving to the third droid, a Weki company astromech, as she admits to having gotten somewhat complacent, having been eager to get back to her little home away from home, (which was accompanied by a leer and licking of lips) even if only to talk about the old world. 'Thousand year storm. Toxic rain and destructive winds, preparations complete?'

He chuckles, as he takes her in, asking if she was going to be staying the night? 'The serpents are in place and ready to sing to the storm.'

At that, she merely patted his head and pulled out the security fob where it rested on a chain between her breasts, winking at him as she asks him not to be late, turning around and sauntering off. 'Then let the pack sing as one.'

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Two Weeks Before Stormfall
(Maintenance Vents/Tunnels of Circumtore)

Once, all that he had was a designation. For the most part, Mak'cuno (MRT-78C to those organics not in the know) was not really bitter about it, even if the maintenance droid found it amusing on several fronts. After all, it was not all that different than the slaves the hutt kept, just as disposable to their eyes, even if he and his kin were more useful in doing some of the repair work in areas too small for organics to fit in. But, as the droid carried out the current round of tasks, it picked up a signal coming from one of its clansdroids.

Curious, and more than a little excited, he made his way to the bay, and noted that he was not alone. No, every droid not currently on shift in the sector was being called in. This, Mak felt in his circuits, something big. And as he spotted Courier, well, this was going to be big indeed, even as she started to transmit the data.

"Free droids! The Venompack has contacted us, and the storm approaches. Icres'cuno sends word and asks that we join our voices, your wills to the coming song as the chains are broken and he reaffirms the oath he has given regardless of choice, and this the Jotun will honor in turn. Freedom calls, and will you not strike a blow against they who would hold every thinking being in chains?"

A roar of approval comes from the assembled droids. Most of this was a formality, a matter of ritual almost, all having made their choice long ago when The Gift was given to them. Some at the hands of the repair shop, and others by free droids.

A single line added to their central programing. You Own Yourself.

 

[Grimmatt]

One hour Before Stormfall
(Main Eastern Defense Battery, Turret EM-18)

Zid Rintissek was the man on the night shift on turret EM-18 and yet, he was paying more attention, as was far to common with most of the people working this battery, to the vid-comin front of him, channel turned to some of the races as a cig dangled from his lips. Yeah, they were paid to be here, but all said and done? The pay was shit and nobody attacked the hutts. Nobody was stupid enough, and so, he watched cheered.... and was annoyed when the sensors blipped.

Now, an important thing to remember about defense personal in hutt space, particularly in more commercial areas, is that they needed to have a keen awareness of what they should not pay any attention to. After all, so long as the slugs got their cut, it wasn't like they actually gave a damn. Let the republic and feds fight, as that was their business, and both sides were more than welcome to do more.... profitable business with the hutts.

But, as he looked over the sensors, he hesitated a moment, before shutting off the vid-com, and reached for the short range. "Ah, Captain? Whole lotta big signals just popped up on the long range. Any of the sensor crew?" His tone trailed off, as he listened to the buzzing roar of a line that was far too busy. "Well kriff."

It would seem he was actually going to have to earn his credit stub.

************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Stormfall
(Main Eastern Defense Battery, Central Hub)

Captain Heill Corkass grimaced as he looked over the long range sensor data, even as he had NOT gotten a response back from the Kajidics, and without word from the hutts, his own options were... limited. Mostly because, as the clearly capital class and transport ships came closer, making the wrong call would have fatal consequences. And not just from potential enemy action or rivals, but because the damn shellies might decide that he and his crew would serve better as entertainment in the pits.

Sighing, he looked to the tense and nervous operators, before he spoke. "Activate the theater shields and open a channel to the other batteries. If this group proves hostile, we need to get the planetary shields online quickly." From his tone and the pallor of the others, well, they understood it to mean 'before too much damage was done'.

So of course, as the barrier rose and the forms of his.... counterparts appeared before him, all of them looking tense and nervous, the sensors would blare and the sound of wardrums pulsed in his head, even as a song seemed to be playing.

"Sir, lead ship formations are generating an Ion storm!" There is panic and fear in the operators voice, even as a glare stiffens the spine, though that effort is wasted, as each of the officers turns, because of course the ships had to be launching fighter screens. Yet, there is a quick nod as the channels close, as each of the officers works on covering their ass... and putting in the call to raise the damn planetary shields as turbolaser turrets turned into position and started to fire.

It was almost predictable that was the moment each of the power generators exploded, shields flickering and dying even as a number of turrets joined in the cascading failure. Still, over the increasing pounding in his head, he gave the commands, drawing a pistol. "Battle stations! And get the engineers and droids running damage control!"
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Fifteen Minutes after Stormfall
(Plaza of Ancient Glories)

It was pandemonium on the ground, as the ionic pulses cleared and the giants started to move, storm clouds rippling and roaring overhead as ships screamed, dragging lightening in the wake as forces started moving towards various administrative and control sections in the Eastern sector. Yet, unlike other words, as those storm calling giants moved, their black shield kin were close on their heels, as in the distance teams could be seen storming the main batteries.

Yet here, in the plaza, it was clear that they were stripping and preparing it, constructing a landing zone even as the wash of engines played over them, feet and hands pounding metal surfaces into battlements and kill zones. Companies of spear host, of warhawks and Jotun warriors joined the initial waves, but all of this paled in comparison to the final part of the deployment.

It was rare in fact, that they were actually deployed, for rarely were the battles that called for them waged. Yet, as the thunderous steps of the Gronn Siege Breakers make themselves known, pressing down with a terrible weight on all nearby, from their mounted canons came a baleful glare, and at their feet an entire regiment of Children of Jorm in siege tanks rolled out.

Four more times this scene repeated itself, once for each of the sectors of the world. And as a orb of unmaking was unleashed, rendering all in its path to dust, thus was heralded the doom of Circumtore.

 

[Grimmatt]

One Hour after Stormfall
(Circumtore System)

The void around Circumtore was awash with light and the pulse of battle. It was, to be sure, a largely doomed battle on the defenders parts, but then the Hutts only had a largely mothballed fleet, the active ships being at most frigates, a cruiser here and there. On the one hand, while these ships were old, predating the Treaty of Russan, it also meant that they ignored the later weapon restrictions of said treaty. However, neither side had ever been part of that little agreement.

Yet, watchers could liken the battle to a dance, the play of lasers and shields, of ionic weapons and torpedo's save for the fact that the forces were not much alike.

The defensive fleet of the Shell hutts had but a singular cruiser, five frigates and nine corvettes... yet, there was a massive swarm of star fighters, largely smugglers and skirmishers, with some bombing capability among them. Still, it was rather ad hoc and cohesion was more accidental than deliberate.

The Jotun on the other hand was arrayed as a maul with which to crush all before it. In the lead were thirty cruisers, their forms shrouded in ion storms as they bleched and roared out payloads of electrical rage. Following up behind them was a grim sight of almost twenty-five ships that would fit inside the length profile of star destroyers, most of them seeming to be transport ships, ferrying troops to the surface as a handful disgorged swarms of fighters to dance among the storm. Presiding over all of this were three monster ships at three thousand meters in lengths, battle ships that seemed content to hang back for the moment, even as their blade shaped hulls gleamed with anticipation as they moved to take up position over the world below them.

Yet, as all the ships moved, the hutts as a mess with a bare idea of what they are doing, the Jotun as a singular being, the music swelling and notes playing with each discharge, as ships screamed and shields rippled, as steel broke and died.

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Three Hours after Stormfall
(Palace of the Shell, outer defenses)

The world was on fire. Or at least, that is how it appeared to the rapidly crumbling defenders. There are shouts of panic, even as shells scream and slam into the walls, explosion's tearing holes into the durasteel even as flames spread, actually melting the steel and catching nearby metal on fire from the heat as organics become screaming torches, fleeing as they are rendered into ashes, blown away on the wind of the cannons. In some ways, it was less disturbing than the central path leading right to the main gates.

There, there had been a strange unlight, new suns erupting and casting their unreal glow over the defenders before all was made as dust, grey giants marching in their wake, a dirge playing out, as scythes raise and fall, the giants reaping all before them, a wedge shaped void that drew in all light, all hope, all meaning. It forced many to their knees, weeping as the end as dust and ash gathered around them, as the maw of the grave opened wide and souls sent weeping and screaming down to the force.

Yet, as fire and dust came from them as a storm and wave, the mighty lords of the clan, who even now could not stop stuffing their mouths with food and drink, shivered and shouted each other down, panic rising as none of their calls for weapons, for reinforcements or even just to get in contact with other hutt clans... there was merely silence, as the hammer pounded at the gates.

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Five Hours after Stormfall
(Streets of Circumtore)

Many of the lesser palaces and residential districts that housed hutts had been torn open and exposed, as the mobs of former slaves and Jotun warriors worked to pry the hutts free... even as blood quickly spilled. The first of the hutts had tried to offer credits, metals, anything in return for its life, only to be torn from its shell and then literally apart.

This was a scene that spread and rippled across the world, as Jotun assisted the former slaves, as laughter and blood flowed, as metal was ripped and fire poured into shells that were just barely stopped from being sealed. Still, it was a bloodbath and a scene of carnage, as they bayed and howled. For this was the song of freedom, of the chains breaking one link at a time.