Private A Canter Unto Carlac

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

C A R L A C
Orbit
NIV Menace

Hangar One​

The liaison officer could not disguise his contempt for the entourage for the Imperial Knight. The young Pa'Deshi lieutenant, while smiling, hid a sharpness in her tongue. Rough and coarse. "While I do understand your orders, ma'am," The lieutenant began again, "The Admiral Regent is a man of critical importance to the war effort. His knowledge, capacity as a commander makes him vulnerable when... Outside." She paused, "This of course," Wouldn't be the last time she attempted to intrude in this manner. She'd tried twice before to raise the same point. But each time, Saaveina had rebuffed her. "Is a critical role for our Order. For the Sovereign, perhaps it would be better for some of our Stossjaeger to accompa-" She was cut off by a comotion. At the far end of the hangar.

Prefsbelt hangars were cold, sterile and efficient. Even around the shuttle which they had docked in, little mind was given. Pilots still briskly marched through the hangar. The only mind or attention paid to the Imperial Knight and the vessel was a small engineering team, fulfilling a request for refuel, and a detachment of four Stossjaeger, lead by their youthful officer. But now, the orderly maintainence of the hangar seemed to stop, with the hiss of a door. And that's when he entered. At the far end of the hangar, briskly moving through. Assailed by a hail of salutes, and barks of "Hail Rausgeber!" The lieutenant turned back and watched the man approach. White unform with a black greatcoat. He held clenched to his figure, a metallic black case, emblazoned with the Prefsbelt sigil in grey.

"Grand Admiral," The lieutenant snapped to attention before the man. The Stossjaeger, waiting in parade formation did the same. A click of their boots. "Hail Rausgeber!" She saluted. Rausgeber, now close enough to examine up close was a strange figure. He was youthful. Tidy. And well kept. But it was his lack of creases. The deficet of wrinkles which was most curious about him. He was sort of, in that regard, an enigma of sorts. Betraying nothing as the lieutenant approached, "Sir, allegedly there's been a," And then she descended to a tone, unlistenable. The Admiral Regent's face turned from cool indifference to a taut scowl as the conversation continued. The lieutenant backed off, sensing this sort of anger, from his erect posture. "Sir-I-I apologise!" The lieutenant seemed, genuinely distraught.

Carlyle brushed past her, "You needn't be lieutenant," He snapped back, "I'm sure this, replacement will serve well." Carlyle approached, and put the case down, offering a gloved hand to the Knight, "So you are to replace my mighty Stossjaeger?" He inquired, a wry eyebrow arched in curiosoity, "Well, I hope if that is to be, you were appropriately briefed on my itinerary," He craned his neck to the crew of engineers around the side of the shuttle, filling her, "Are we cleared gentlemen?"

The chief mechanic got up from his haunches, "Of course sir! Hail Rausgeber!" Carlyle raised a palm, and nodded to the man, easing his posture.

"Very well. Shall we?" He offered with a wry smirk, "At your leisure of course." He gestured to the docking ramp.

 

[Saaveina]

H E A L E R
Q U E E N O F S W O R D S
CARLAC - PHOL STATION
Caarlyle Rausgeber

​

She wasn't made for the tight corridors of ships or the secret bunkers of the underground and both were perhaps her least favorite dwellings of all. Nature was her comfort zone, or the quiet solitude of meditation, not sterile steel. This assignment had been handed down to her directly, bypassing the typical chain of superiority to land in her lap as if by special request. Escort the Grand Admiral around the icy world of Carlac and ensure no harm comes to him. It was simple enough and given the amount of homework she had done on both the strange man and the planet they were venturing to, she could have done this with her eyes closed.

All the same, she would afford the lieutenant who walked her to meet the Admiral with the respect her authority earned and nodded along in silence to verify her understanding. In her suit of armor and cape, the Imperial Knight looked extraordinarily out of place amongst the crew- bathed in white and gold. The codru-ji walked with her helmet tucked beneath an arm and the other arms tucked into the small of her back beneath her cloak, narrowing her silhouette to allow easier passage through the ship's interior. She moved beside the lieutenant, rather than behind her, offering no expression of reassurance or irritation towards the woman's insistence that some of the command's personal guard accompany the two of them.

The last thing she needed was to have to watch her own back. The Prefsbelt Command was notorious for its ire towards the Force Sensitive and even more than the collective, burned the disdain of the Admiral. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she would do her duty regardless.

His entry into the hall was signaled by the stark barking of his crew and she turned her head, focusing her attention down the way as he approached. Rather than mirror the salute of those around, the Imperial Knight offered one of her own, reaching her uppermost right arm around to curl a fist against her plated chest and dipped her head respectfully. "Grand Admiral," Saaveina stated, "A pleasure."

The same hand reached to grasp his in a firm shake and silently, the guardian sized him up. He was shorter than she was, but not by any amount that mattered. He looked to rival her in weight. Good, perhaps she wouldn't have to babysit him after all. "So I was," she answered him, "And so shall we go. Our transport to the plant has already been arranged and should be waiting for us."

The Knight moved by him with his gesture and dipped her head, smoothing back her braids in tandem, and placed her helmet upon her head, looking it into place. And down the ramp she ventured, head scanning as she descended, scowling into the inside of her helmet at the whipping wind and ice blasting them on the platform. It was a short walk across the deck and into the actual station, but she hated the cold. "Mind your step," She called back over the gale, "There's ice!"

The guards posted at the end of the narrow platform rushed to open the doors, revealing the bustling, warm innards of Phol Station- one of the Dual Barony's projects, of course. This, the Knight slipped into and waited just beyond the threshold, brushing off the strange looks she was more than accustomed to by now: even on a planet as mixed as this one, one of her kind in Imperial Knight armor was an oddity.

Oh, ever the irony.


​

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

PHOL STATION
Saaveina
​

The Grand Admiral slowly followed her across the platform. A dark grimace had settled over his features as he huddled within the confines of his coat. His steps, rather than the long flowing strides were short and cautious as his physical form seemed to shrink beneath the callous wind chill. Bit by bit, he made his way across, slowly navigating it. "I appreciate your concern," The Grand Admiral gruffly barked over the howling wind, "But I assure you this isn't my first-!" And then a stumble, he caught himself in time, dropping his case with a dull thud. The Admiral growled as he leaned down to pick it up, "This isn't my first time in the snow!" He snapped. He staggered forward, toward the entry, eying up the guards.

"Admiral Regent Rausgeber," The Grand Admiral pronounced coldly as he stepped inside the warmth of Phol Station. His hunched shoulders and shrivelled posture corrected themselves now that he was finally inside, "With my escort." He gestured to the knight behind him. The officer eyed the crew, "I trust, and perhaps this is somewhat unsolicited advice," The chief of the New Imperial navy growled, "But maybe, just maybe consider putting your hangar to your lovely facility inside." His expression was deadpan, but his voice was rife with malice. "But perhaps that's something I can express to your superior." He wryly mused, "Speaking of, where is he?"

As the guard detail reported the arrival of their guest, the Grand Admiral turned to his guard, "I trust you had no issues getting inside?" He offered idly. It was just words to the void. "Should be criminal to have such a poorly constructed platform. Even on Hoth, we had the sense to heat and seal our hangars." He glowered, pursing his lips, "But that is something out of both our domains, no?" He sighed again, clicking his tongue. "So, Knight..." He scrunched his face slightly at the term, "What should I call you?" He raised an eyebrow, "I'm certain that you have something perhaps a little less... Degrading to be called, no?"

 

[Saaveina]

K N I G H T
Q U E E N O F S W O R D S
PHOL STATION - CARLAC
// Caarlyle Rausgeber //

​

His half-stumble outside did not go unnoticed, but the woman would not mention it, and whatever reaction she may have had was well-hidden beneath the indifference of her helmet. She allowed him to be the one to announce himself, rather than do it for him, having heard a rumor he was the sort to be tickled just the right way over something so trivial. A nod of her helmeted head saw her affirmation and greeting towards the guard he spoke with.

The officer was quiet as the Grand Admiral addressed him, allowing the man to finish before responding. He held no outward reaction to the advice he was extended as if there was something expected about it- perhaps he'd heard the same numerous times over. "I'm sure Lord Halketh would be honored by your company," the officer responded with a saccharine smile, a righteous foil to the indifference the Admiral had shot at him with, "however he is occupied for the duration of your visit with planetary matters." That same disgustingly friendly smile held on the man's face- it was completely antagonistic, though there was no way to pin it for certain.

Looming behind the Grand Admiral, Saaveina began to form the distinct impression that these guards had been schooled on how to agitate Rausgeber specifically. Such earned a scornful scowl cast into the safety of her bucket, the enjoyment of her job was going to hinge solely on his mood. With his attention returned to her, she gestured with a hand for the officer tasked to escort them through the station and to their transport beyond to get going. And once he had, she followed. "No issues, no sir, just as you had none as well," It wasn't a jab, though the slight shift in her tone suggested it was intended as a light, playful remark, "though when we were on approach the tower said the other platforms were occupied," she relayed, "how strange."

His pressing on her name and the apparent bitter taste her rank left on his tongue were both found amusing. "It is an honor to fulfill the position I do in order to preserve the Order's structure, but if you prefer to call me something else, my name is Saaveina."

The codru-ji marched on, eyeing the other denizens as they moved on their way, tending to their own affairs. Occasionally, some in the greater throng of people would pause and gawk at the Grand Admiral and his entourage, whispering amongst themselves. It was rare the Carlaci people got visits from other Warlords and governors, much less the head of the entire New Imperial Navy. So much so, was this an occurrence, that the Imperial Knight remarked on it: "You're popular- that's hard to come by here, so I've been told."

What became immediately apparent, as the two progressed deeper into the station, was that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Other New Imperial worlds had been plagued with dissent and rioting citizens as of late, though this icy corner of their territory seemed calm and collected. The presence of station officers and security did not appear elevated. "I'm surprised," the Knight murmured to herself faintly, "it's so quiet here."

Surprised, but thankful.

A quiet security job was a good security job.​

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

P H O L
Saaveina ​

Carlyle could almost feel the seething mass enter his stomach. That irascible, primal need to scream an ear off. But he knew it would get back to the council. To Tavlar and the whole wretched lot. So rather than allow the slight to pass, Carlyle smirked. "As I am sure his Lordship is especially busy with matters of state, I cannot by any means truly begrudge him that." Smile. A grin beamed across his features. "But I'm also certain his Lordship would not be able to provide the appropriate specs for the engineering equipment I seek to purvey." He paused, "I'm happy to wait until a representative you deem appropriate, is able to escort me through your fine facility." Oh that settled it. Carlyle had been on the fence. But it seemed Halkeath would be extending Rausgeber's visit to Carlac. And that made him quite, quite happy.

"Seems I'm not popular enough to be granted audience with his lordship." Carlyle's attentions turned back to his escort, "Nothing to be done about that unfortunately." And that hideous, unnatural smile seemed to still permeate. "Still, no matter, I would far prefer a professional assessment beyond this.... Political pleasantries." He strained a little, turning back to the guards briefly, and then to a set of chairs, "As your Admiral Regent," Carlyle's smile faded, and was replaced with a callous scowl, "And holding as apart of my political sovereignty over all vessels in the realm, I commandeer these chairs." He gestured to both of them, roller seats sat at a security terminal. Not waiting for the guard to respond, Carlyle pulled both out, placing his case on one, and then sort of, skidding the other.

"Come Saaveina, sit down before you fall down." Carlyle sat on one of the chairs, and began to spin himself around idly on it. "If it's as quiet as you assess, who knows how long we may be waiting for a member of appropriate rank."

 

[Saaveina]

K N I G H T
Q U E E N O F S W O R D S
PHOL STATION - CARLAC
// Caarlyle Rausgeber //

​

She did not know the Warlord of this planet at all beyond what she had heard rumor of between the Knights, nor did she know the Grand Admiral well either, but with her limited knowledge she could easily patch together the picture that the two did not care for one another. Politicians would always claim to have a dislike of politics, wouldn't they? That's how it worked when things weren't particularly going in their favor, so it seemed. The Grand Admiral, thus far, had reminded her of the pups back home when they didn't get their way.

His commandeering and swift slide into the nearby office chairs emphasized it, though in a more amusing sort of way over one of bother. She nodded at his beckon and eased herself down, threading the fingers of her uppermost hands before her upon bent elbows and allowing the secondary pair to rest over her armored stomach. "Hopefully not too long, I'm sure you would like some time to comb through the information thoroughly." The Knight pushed both sets of shoulders back, allowing the muscles to stretch beneath the heavy armor veiling them. She hated being idle for too long, but it was required now, as frustrating as that was.

Minutes dragged by and by the time the pair had reached ten, a clean-cut chiss officer wearing the Carlaci Engineering Corps pin on his uniform's lapel and a white Nova Vox lab coat approached, flanked by two facility security guards. He smiled, pausing to wait for the Grand Admiral to rise before speaking and offering out a hand rather than a salute, given they were indoors. "Grand Admiral, it's a delight to finally meet in person. Thank you for making the trip all the way out here-"

Saaveina rose, watching the man like a hawk. There was something about him that made her uneasy, though she couldn't quite place it. The red orbs fixed between his lids darted to her briefly with the movement, though he was even quicker to return his undivided attention to Rausgeber.

"-your flight was comfortable. I'm Major Thrale, Senior Engineer at Nova Vox, it's my honor to escort you through our humble facility today. Please, come with me, the transport awaits your arrival."​

'Oh I don't trust this guy for the distance I could throw him.' She thought to herself, 'This whole charade reeks of darkness and ill-intention.'

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

C A R L A C
Saaveina ​

"Saaveina, please," Rausgeber mused, with a condescending smirk, "I already know what I am here for. I understand what I am here for. In fact, I was even the one who requested this meeting." The Admiral Regent's smile slipped, and a snarl came over his features at the approaching click of boots. It was a quick slip, before he returned. All happy and smiling again. He approached the Major Vox with an extended hand, "I assure you, the flight was eminently passable." He paused, and offered a wink, "I am of course still standing, aren't I?" He flashed a smile, "Major, consider it my pleasure." He then paused, teeth sinking into his lower lip, "Must be quite an accomplished career if you're considered a Senior Engineer at Major." He raised a brow, "But what do I know? Other than specs, pricing and logistics of such things."

He then looked back at the guard still seated on the chair, "This here," He gestured with a sweeping brush of his arm, "Is my bodyguard, Imperial Knight Saaveina. I'm sure if you are to provide the family friendly tour for school children, she would be more your speed than me." He paused, "I conversely have made myself intimately knowledgeable of the specs of your posting." The Admiral Regent rebuffed Nova coolly, "So as much as I may appreciate an earnest want to showcase your facilities, faculties, forces etcetera on this frigid world, I am a man in a hurry, and this.... This tour, is most unnecessary." Carlyle's look darkened. It was clear he was eminently displeased with his position here.

"I would quite like, Major, to be provided the bare bones of when I can anticipate this reactor. How I can fit it in one of my Star Destroyers. And how I can optimally set it up back on Prefsbelt IV. And it to be done as quickly and optimally as possible." He then gestured forward, "So please do lead the way." He lagged back as Major Vox lead the way, "Apologies for my abrasiveness." Carlyle tersely murmured to Saaveina, "I assure you, the school children jab, it wasn't to you, it's at..." He grunted, "Her."

"The nerve." Carlyle grumbled, "To think I wouldn't study up on what I'm bloody well here for...." And of course he knew who was the cause of that. That smarmy, smiling git. Halketh.

 

[Saaveina]

K N I G H T
Q U E E N O F S W O R D S
PHOL STATION - CARLAC
// Caarlyle Rausgeber //

​

His jab did not go unnoticed, but it did go unaddressed. How long had she been an Imperial Knight to learn those situated above her often behaved in such a way? She didn't care, in truth, she was barely listening to him prattle on at that point, but whatever image he seemed to want to maintain was the side of the coin she was responsive to; assuming that's what he would want.

"Of course sir, let's not waste any more time then." Major Thrale stepped off abruptly, walking with the swiftness of a man who was constantly on some mission or another. He was accomodating, despite the Grand Admiral's vitriol, and possessed a highly lax demeanor as opposed to the armored security roving about the place. "I'll start your brief in the transport."

"If you were actually concerned, I'm unbothered." Saaveina stated towards the man she walked with, "Though I'm sure whatever she did to invoke your wrath, well, can't say the same." His bitterness was most amusing to her and she chuckled softly, shaking her head as she did. "If that's how you wish to perceive it, then it's so. Maybe the Major here is just being friendly." It was a suggestion, perhaps one Caarlyle would find ridiculous, but a suggestion all the same, "I'm sure you get eager to show others your work when you're proud of it too, no? Enthusiasm is a good thing to have for a sales pitch."

The sliding entry doors whooshed open, leaving the little collective to pass under the overhang and across the heated path to where the transport craft awaited them. The wind, of course, had some things to say about their trek, but fortunately, there was no ice to reinforce its ideals beneath their boots. At the end of the short path, an airspeeder droned softly, churning up enough exhaust to unsettle the snow as it fell, casting it in swirling coils off to each side. Protectively, the Knight stepped out in front of Caarlyle, rude, though it was with purpose before he could enter the craft. She didn't want him to be alone with the chiss major for any stretch of time.

One couldn't be too careful.

Regardless, after boarding she would wait by the door, offering a pair of hands down to take the briefcase from the man if he wished to free his hands to aid in his venture up and inevitable settle into a seat.
​

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

Saaveina

​

"Thank you, Major." Carlyle mused. As soon as he was sure, the Major was out of earshot, his attentions turned to his new foudn confidant. "I cannot and will not abide by manners made beneath the thing veneer of a slight." Rausgeber barked, clearly glowering, before eyeing his escort, "You must understand Saaveina, I'm the Admiral Regent. Head of the Navy, whose been so kind as to come to Carlac," He then paused, "Not that I'm conceited enough to demand some sort of parade every time I arrive, but this showing-or lack thereof, it's Halketh's doing." Carlyle snarled, "That man has it out for me." The Admiral Regent seethed. "All because I'm outpacing him industrially and economically." The Admiral Regent proclaimed with some wry superiority.

"The Major here is not just being friendly, it's all calculated to disrespect me." Carlyle continued, "Back in the old days," His First Imperial career, "As Fleet, and later Grand Admiral I would have been greeted with at least a battalion. A hangar, bereft of sleet and cold, and I would meet with local planetary rulers. Dignitaries and members of the local defence council." Rausgeber glowered bitterly, "And yet, here I am, deprived of my typical assortment of guards," He paused slightly, and flashed Saaveina a smile, "Of course, not company. And given to a ranking Major." He paused, collecting his thoughts, "There's a certain, politics at play here Saaveina. Politics of irritation." Carlyle personally began to damn himself that he'd even considered the purchase. He should have just seen to the research and development on Prefsbelt IV. Not been subject to Halketh's own whims and embarrassments.

Carlyle however proceeded toward the transport, and examined it. "I do hope this is heated." Carlyle mused with a taut expression, "I'd loathe to catch a cold on my way in." He added, sighing before setting himself down and eying the Major. "Alright then Major, tell me. What exactly do you have on this reactor that I haven't already researched?"

 

[Saaveina]

K N I G H T
Q U E E N O F S W O R D S
CARLAC
// Caarlyle Rausgeber //

​

Inside of the dim, heated craft, the codru-ji situated herself to sit at an angle, allowing her to watch both the Grand Admiral and their escort given the tunneling nature of her helmet's eye slots. She kept close to Caarlyle, ready to act in an instant should the need for such drastic things arise. The man was suspicious of his surroundings and as much, as passive-aggressive as this apparent dispute was, wrought worry from the back of her mind to the forefront. She did not want to stand before The Imperator and Lord Executor personally to explain why she had failed in her duty. Such worrisome thoughts were given merely a sliver of her focus, however, as she remained intent on the mission at hand. The 'what-ifs' would be left well alone, for now.

"Right, of course." The chiss smiled, shifting forward in his seat as the aircraft lifted from the ground with a gentle sigh, roving away from the station to venture into the dark, snowy storm situating itself over the enigmatic, isolated world. Fingers roved over the keypad on the holotable fixed central to the seating arrangement and it was a gentle swipe of his badge that activated the device with a chime, illuminating the cabin with a wash of cyan light. "You're a man with an impeccable eye for engineering marvels and, if I may, I've studied your schematics for years, sir. I'm a big fan of your work, which is why I asked to be assigned as your escort. But, that's not why you're here." With those words offered, the officer swiped upward, casting the schematics for the reactor he had overseen the design of to life in three-dimensional space for the cabin to view. It was a complex, but highly intuitive design, one the chiss manipulated to pull apart in real-time to expose the innermost workings beyond the cylindrical chassis.

"As you know, the Carlaci methods of design often challenge convention for the sake of performance and result. This reactor adheres to our trademark well. I needn't school you on the value that can be found beneath the surface on a number of planets, well, this reactor capitalizes on perhaps some of the most precious and long-lasting resources scattered throughout the galaxy." Major Thrale drew his hand from the hologram and with it, came distinctive shapes. Crystals. "While not necessarily abundant in some of our current occupied space, there are plenty to be found in more Silvered places, if you understand my meaning."

Silvered places? The Jedi? Power crystals? The Knight felt a hand ease down to the hilt of the saber tucked against her hip with the association.

"The prototype we've been able to construct operates on two sizable Luxum crystals, specifically, in order to provide the ionic charges necessary for proper power conduction and distribution." The Major gently pushed the twin holograms back into their place, central along the inner conductive chambers of the reactor. "From what testing we've done in our limited space, we've been able to deduce that similar crystals could be used in place of Luxum, so long as they can substitute the ionic properties properly."

A reactor powered by lightsaber crystals? The codru-ji narrowed her eyes skeptically towards the chiss, though the expression was concealed beneath the golden visage of her helmet. She had heard murmurings of such a thing before...​

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

Saaveina

​

"A fan? Of my work?" The cogs in Carlyle's head could almost be heard to turn. Maybe he had been too abrasive. Too callous in his conduct. "It's not often one meets a mind such as... Mine." Although it was something of a fraud. Carlyle of course had literally been a droid when his best work was chartered and created. His best designs, the Tregessar, the Malice, the varying model of Resurgent-Class... They were all made arguably a different man. Callous as both may be, one was hooked up to a processor and supercomputer. He was just... Flesh. Weak. Bone. "Perhaps I have judged you too harshly." He conceded with a stiff upper lip.

Carlyle listened intently to her words. Eyeing her, and sizing up the property. He opened up the case in his lap, popping the locks, and withdrawing a tablet. Rausgeber delicately closed it, and turned on the datapad. His eyes darted back and forth from the engineer, to the pad and back as she spoke, detailing the machinations of the machines there. "I never really have had the pleasure to work with Luxum. Too often incapable of being found in the parts of the Galaxy I once haunted. What with embargoes, blockades and what have you." Rausgeber mused, running some calculations. Dosuun was far removed from Ambria. "Kyber, ironically in its purest form being a commodity easier to harvest. From the sabers, and vessels which stood against us." The First Order that was. An a triumphant, proud gaze seemed to peer out. "So, should we find a suitable supply," Which Carlyle certainly had, judging by the grin pursing his lips, "Then I dare say we could modify your designs somewhat, no?"

"But based on my theories, if I may..." He paused, eyeing the major, "With some additions to power oscillation, maybe the addition of a containment chamber for fusion leaks, a third radiation stabiliser plied to the core," Carlyle paused, "Atop your advised changes regarding the ionic properties and fluctuations, we could perhaps remove Luxum altogether. Substitute your Luxum for far more stable materials." He paused, "More abundant, if one would, and may in fact improve reactor output, by say..." He paused, "Point five, to point six. By my reckoning?"