Set-SPEnterpriseSearchTopology : Could not connect to the HostController service on ServerX

Followed the KB on how to setup Search Topology in SharePoint 2013:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj862356.aspx

All the commands executed successfully until I get to the activation of the topology:

Set-SPEnterpriseSearchTopology -Identity $newTopology

Couple of things:

1. Search Controller service showing as started on the server in question
2. Disabled Windows firewall on all nodes