A Poke in the Eyeball (ATTN: The Ancient Eye - OPEN)

[Jorus Merrill]

THE SECRET NIBELUNGEN SYSTEM
THE OUTER RIM

A Lotekk-class Deep Space Transport was a curious beast. Half superfreighter, half Star Destroyer, it had a tendency to get where it was going. That right there made it downright unique in the Outer Rim, a land of detours and pirate raids.

One such raid, and maybe more, had impacted the remote Nibelungen System. An autocratic and self-righteous Jedi theocracy, Nibelungen was Jorus’ personal idea of hell. With @Jaxton Ravos and [member="Seydon Gunn"], he'd run a small insurgency while trapped here. Built a hidden base in the undercity, too, and transmissions from that base had given him a clear idea of the basic problem.

The Sith, some splinter faction called the Ancient Eye, had conquered the system.

Nibelungen comprised one main world and five habitable moons, each overgrown by city to become an ecumenopolis. Each one had a Jedi Council at the head of its government. And all those Jedi-in-name-only were, no doubt, dead or in hiding while the Ancient Eye ran the show or stripped their treasuries bare.

Jorus let out a slow breath and toggled the system-wide subspace comms.

“My name is Captain Jorus Merrill of the S.S. Gossamer. I'm looking to talk to whoever's in charge of a Sith group called the Ancient Eye. If you call back and I don't pick up, I'm taking a leak, so leave a message.”

 

[Joy]

Officially, Ben Brijj was part of the Resistance.

Unofficially? He worked for nobody but number one. Still, none of his crew had cause to like any o’ the Sith. The opposite, by and large. So they’d happily agreed to set course for Nibelungen not so much to help [member="Jorus Merrill"] as to wreak vengeance and plunder riches.

Sith were notorious hoarders.

Long Ben’s tiny corvette with a crew of a mere dozen or so desperate souls sat in space near the transport, waitin’ for some sorta response.

 

[Ever Dawnracer]

In the midst of all that was getting a government established, a massive ship had slipped it's way through Republic Remnant space. It had not done so without being detected, but it also hadn't stopped. The idea had been to merely let it go. What harm was it if it hadn't stopped? But for the intelligence community of the Republic Army, that just hadn't sat all too well. Especially when a probable location had been determined right next door to their friends the Sovereignty.

So who go the call? The Rangers did.

Not long after the huge ship exited hyperspace, an Amathia-class diplomatic vessel bearing the call signs of the Republic exited hyperspace. They caught the very tail end of the transmission that was broadcast, and the captain of the ship could only blink in response to it. Which didn't matter at all to Ever because she wasn't on the bridge anyway. She and the other Rangers were gearing up.

"I hope when I get used to this it stops itching," she said, scratching at the edges of her Gaiter.

"It's probably a good thing I knew what you mean when you said that," Jabir said, pulling on his boots.

She stared deathat him from across the ready room. She'd get him for that later.

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Smallgrin Ben"]​

 

[Mereel Vaun]

Mereel walked in as Ever's squad was armoring up. When he boarded the Republic vessel, he had already been in full armor. All he had left to do now was plop on his helmet and he'd be ready to roll.

The diplomatic proceedings on Nadiem had been interesting for sure, especially with the arrival of another Mandalorian with clan kinsmen in tow, but part of him just wanted to leave the village and explore Nadiem's terrain the whole time he was there.

A mysterious vessel travelling through Remnant space gave him the perfect opportunity to slip away from the slow process of setting up the new government. It wasn't something he could help with anyway, he wasn't a politician or lawyer.

An extra gun on a mission like this though could make a massive difference if things went south, and so he went. He leaned on a wall and waited for the squad to finish gearing up. "So, anyone want to make bets about what we're going to find here? I bet fifteen credits that it's just some hulking cargo hauler that looks like osik."

[member="Ever Dawnracer"]​

 

[Gauntlet]

Somewhere in Space

A light freighter spun aimlessly adrift, with only minimal systems active and a big karkin' hole in its aft leaking fuel quickly.

"I can't fix it, boss!" A raspy voice squealed across the corridors.

Another voice retorted, this one deeper. "If you don't fix it I'll make sure you suffocate first!"

Gauntlet sat himself down in the co-pilot's chair, the actual pilot a corpse now. A blaster wound from one ear to the other. He looked over to his fried friend. "Looks like it's just you and me, pal." He patted the corpse on the shoulder, causing it to slouch forward.

That is when he noticed a flashing light along the comms panel. Curiosity getting the better of him, he switched it on.

"--looking for... Sith... taking a leak...."

Gauntlet chuckled to himself. "Sith, huh? That sounds like fun." He sat up and shouted back through the ship. "Listen up, boys! I want the engines prepped we're hunting some Sith with their pants down."

The bickering in the back silenced, and a few minutes later the engines hummed to life.

[member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="Smallgrin Ben"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Mereel Vaun"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

The youngling was sleeping off a Tillian cola hangover.

He'd been up past bedtime trying to card shark [member="Jorus Merrill"] at Sabaac until... well, to be honest, he didn't really remember. There had been a sugar high. He kinda sorta remembers bits and pieces of that. Running around like a crazy man... well, he was a youngling. But, at some point, he'd just crashed.

...and, as he started to wake up, he was realizing that he was on the maintenance catwalk overlooking the hangar.

For reasons.

Possibly good reasons. He was certain that, at the time he'd decided to crash here, there had been a good reason why. He just had no idea what that reason was. So he scooted along on all fours to get the feth down from here as quickly as possible.

Where was here, anyway?

When he'd arrived, Sor-Jan had been looking to off-load a couple of cases of Alderaan beer. With all that Metal Lord-Corellia-Free Worlds... whatever they're called. Congregation? Constituency?

Anyway, with all the talk about Corellia and Alderaan lately, Sor-Jan had somehow wound up passing through the system. Which possibly explained a recent BOLO sent out by the sector rangers looking for a 1.4 meter tall kid with a bowl cut for suspicion of ungentlemanly conduct related to a bar brawl and gambling ring somewhere outside Leilani on Delaya.

And what was he going to do with a couple of cases of beer?

Why, use them as barter for getting into another game of Sabaac of course! What else would he do with him?

Plus, he'd been able to trade a couple for some Tillian's cola. Which was much, much more drinkable.

And possibly also why he'd been running around like a wild man.

...had he won the last game against Jorus?

Feth, he had to pee. Did this trawler have a refresher on it? Because if it didn't, it was about to.

Pausing, Sor-Jan stopped just long enough to realize that he was on a ship in the middle of Jorus-only-knew-where. And didn't even know what ship he was on.

Then, with a shrug, the boy simply kept it moving. He was too old to sweat the details.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

An invite from the one and only Jorus only meant it was going to be a good trip. Starchaser had learned a lot from Jorus over the years, and while they had complimented each other in ability, he always felt Merrill knew just a bit more. And that was really true. Lately, Coren had been focused too much on the war effort, and even if he was helping adjust the Jedi under his guidance to prepare for a more all out conflict with the Sith and Knights of Ren, he needed time to get away. He missed the exploration of his past, but he knew where the Force was calling him now.

And yes, he even had Ahch-To installed on his navcomputer and with Porter. He was going to have to take a trip out there. See if he could reconcile his ways with that of the Jedi. He knew he was mostly a Jedi, but nowadays? He wasn’t sure if mostly was good enough, or just what this galaxy needed. Someone waving their lightsaber at the forefront of battle and making it known they were a Jedi.

To return the light against the darkness.

Still, he was here now. “Ancient Eye, that’s the Sith that brought us out here?” Coren muttered to himself. He was at the back of the bridge, feet up on a desk and reading through the datapad. “And you know, I’ve never been here. Brought us to some far out place, y’know?” Shaking his head, he was excited to hear what the Sith were going to say.

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Whisper]

Nibulungen Space
Some Random Freighter
Crew's Quarters

There was absolutely no way that [member="Gauntlet"] was waking her up like this. The teenaged slicer groaned, covering her face with a pillow, trying to close her eyes just a little longer. She hadn't been sleeping much, you know, with the giant karking hole in the side of the ship. Such problems were not great for one's sleeping health.

Then the yell came, and she slowly rose from the grave. Her hair was a mess, frizzled and sticking in all directions. She was dressed in her sleep-wear, black pajamas with pink kittens on them. Her mother had gotten them for her fourteenth birthday, and they were very comfortable. Yawning, the rubbed her sunken eyes as she stumbled her way to the cockpit, glaring absolute murder at the man in the seat.

"There had better be a good karking reason you are waking me up for this. Why in the name of all this good and holy are we going after Sith? You know, the dudes with the scary laser swords and had-lightning? That isn't good for my health, you kelp-for-brains nerfherder."

 

[Tristram Senan]

Location: Stowing away like a real Rebel
Allies: Cool folk and these space rats
Enemies: Sithies and Prohabitionists

Tristram had to admit that he was excited, and it wasn't just because of the liquor being past around like candy at a kid party. Trying to sleep off a few too many in a not so advisable or comfortable place he overheard a conversation about some secret Siths having taken over and now plundering some system. It got his attention. It got his attention faster than a freshly uncorked bottle of quality wine the next table over. So naturally he followed them to their shuttle, mind tricked them into letting him tag along, and found himself now on some karking big ship heading towards the fun. That was where he was at now. He was a stowaway on a vessel heading to ruin some Sithies fun and overthrowing some tyrannical shadow government in the process. Tristram was just so excited right now for what was to come.

While the captain of the ship was hopefully making some kind of call, not that he would know what the captain was doing, Tristram was in a group with some of the other crew of the ship drinking from a bottle and singing drinking tunes. The only pleasant singing voice in the group came from the Rogue and Rebel himself to sadly, but that didn't matter right now! They were having a great time and getting into the mood for hunting down some Sith! In fact as soon as the song they were currently singing died down and another swig was taken from the community bottle, Tristram said, " You know what I think? Kark the Sith!" A cheer rose up from those gathered around him as he said this. Clearly it didn't matter what he had said in that moment just that he had said something.

" I'm serious here friends. They stroll on into town all quiet like and take over. Then they snatch up whatever it is they please silently from the good people who worked and earned it. All the while just patting themselves on the back for being so clever."

Boos and curses and exclaiming of how not right that was followed Tristram's slightly drunken words. He waved them back down to silence as the bottle continued to be past around.

" It isn't right, so who is ready to fight them? Who is ready to fight them in the streets? In the sewers? In their pathetic little nests they call homes? Like I said before, KARK THE SITH!"

A drunken uproar in agreement followed and everyone seemed ready to go out there. From their behaviors it was as if they were just going to have a brawl with some other guys across the room instead of going after dangerous psychopaths with mystical abilities and plasma swords. Tristram knew he was only raising up some bravado from the drunken fools, but he didn't care. It might carry them through their fear later that he got them pumped up right now. The important part was that he was feeling excited and getting himself ready for what came next.

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] [member="Gauntlet"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Smallgrin Ben"] [member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Whisper"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

“My name is Captain Jorus Merrill of the S.S. Gossamer. I'm looking to talk to whoever's in charge of a Sith group called the Ancient Eye. If you call back and I don't pick up, I'm taking a leak, so leave a message.”

​There it was, a message for @Mythos. A message for their king, or perhaps for the War-Chieftain himself; acting as a proxy leader overseeing the governing of the worlds. That made him responsible to some extent, however he wouldn't deign to reply to apparent enemies. The Ancient Eye was strength, and discipline and they would show it in force.

​An assortment of individuals had arrived at their doorstep, arrived at Nibelungen in hopes of fighting back the oncoming tide. However they'd soon find that this fight wouldn't be won so easy. The Bellators, the slave soldiers, the Tol Varen. All were called upon. The Promethean Guard stirred, each individual ready to fight for their lives to defend The Ancient Eye.

​The Matador entered the inner sanctum of Mortem on Edemar, entering his chambers. The large man stood still, overlooking several navigational panels, all reflective with a light marble. They shot to life as he twitched his fingers, several mechanical arms erected from sliding panels beneath their feet as the Matador's Sovereign Impetus armour was grafted onto the heavy frame, each massive ceramic plate slowly placed onto his body. The entire procedure took nearly half an hour, Oribuir finally resting against the length of the armours mechanical spine.

​Soon, the Matador would leave Edemar and return to Nibelungen and her five moons. Minutes later, The Matador arrived on the outskirts of Mortem, observing her landing pad as [member="Solan Charr"] stood at attendance, the newly revived man now under the reign of the Ancient Eye.

​"Some rabble has gathered just beyond Nibelungen. Let us greet them Warlord Charr."

​The Matador stood ahead of him, observing Edemar's midnight purple sky.

​"Greet them with war."

​​| [member="Kainan Wolfe"] | [member="Seras Rose"] | [member="Kyle Raymus"] |

 

[Mythos]

Beasts... Only they understand nature and the force in it's entirety.
- Mythos


The God of the worlds of Nibelungen was busy these days, building and creating armies with equipment and the sort, when the call came of a "Captain Merril, Jorus" He was in catasin military base in the world of Angramar, not a hundred miles from his capital city. No doubt that the instant engagement of orbital vessels would be hailed by [member="Kainan Wolfe"] and the fleet of the shrouded republic, another faction that made it's home here in the five sisters of Nibelungen. Initially it would not need to be a hostile engagement but if some would come here into Nibelungen looking for a fight, they would find this a tougher force storm to swallow than Atrisia.

In was a range day, range was hot and heavy. They were testing out a new weapon specifically designed to pierce and destroy Phirk alloy armor, it was so powerful that even a good mile away he needed hearing protection. With him was [member="Seras Rose"], unknown to her she would rule when he was no more... when that time came was unknown to him... but not to the seers of Ankhypt.

The weapons testing was going off well, troops and rangers hot and heavy but Mythos was more intent on his beasts. He loved beasts and creatures of the wild that he could tame and control to his will and purpose, in the range where he was Typhojem and Groom hunted the wild beasts called gankas, a form of cattle. He stood in a platform made of stone, around him several soldiers at a good distance and several cages filled with various beasts and animals from all across the galaxy.

Typhojem was a sith spawn of incredible ferocity and hunger, he was born from the conjoined bodies of three unborn tuk'atas and molded by Mythos to have dominion of fire with a feral form of Pyrokinesis. Groom was the Tuk'ata that had accompanied him through the wars and battles of his life, even hermitage. The fire and smoke of burnt cattle flesh entered his nostrils and he smiled at their tainted smell. "Seras" He said, smiling to his protege.

"When i went to Korriban to dig up the Axe of Adas, i found myself encountering various different creatures none of which were friendly. Out of all the creatures and beasts of Korriban none fascinate me more than the Pelko Bug."

He spoke while placing his hand inside one of the many cages pulling out a crystalline jar filled with the insect in question. "Their bite mimics losing your limbs to a lightsaber but after so many trips into Korriban and so many stings of their poison i feel it is more like a bite of a child now a days"

He Opened the Jar, placing his hand inside as the insect attacked it.

"They are attracted to force sensitive beings Seras and once they attack, knowing they wont kill, the toxic exert ends up killing them"

The bug displayed exactly what he was talking about, after stinging his hand for several seconds causing an intense swell red to form near the markings on his arms the insect fell flat and dead inside the jar.

"It will kill itself to cause you pain Seras..." He looked at her intensely with his bright yellow eyes. His tone now sank deep and strong, a command, not a conversation anymore. "Relate to that level of pettiness."

His teachings were interrupted then and there by a trooper scout riding a new speeder to his location. He had strictly given command not to be disturbed here unless it was of utmost importance. Annoyed but curious Mythos gestured him to approach but not before being cornered by the two massive hounds at both his flanks... Mythos smelled his fear... he smelled his fear more now and more accentuated with a hint of urgency. This would be good.

"My Lord. Several Vessels in orbit, one hailing for the leader of the Sith... lead Ancient Eye"

"Sith Lead?" Mythos echoed. The curvature of a smile creeping on his lips. "Is everything that doesn't brandish a Galactic Alliance flag Sith these days? Who calls?"

"A Man named [member="Jorus Merrill"]. We hav-"

"I know of him. Is he hostile?"

"It does not appear to be hostile Sir, but he does have an attitude"

Now Mythos laughed at that, he nodded and took the communicator away from the man then gestured for him to take his leave. As the man turned away Mythos snapped back one last comment. "Don't worry, they wont attack you if you aren't nutritious"

The sound of burning flesh, cries of pain and broken bones so close to him this time... it had been a while since he had relished violence so much.

He took the communicator and eyed Seras then eyed the communicator again. He pondered if he should respond or unleash preemptive strike, he decided for the former mainly to clarify being called a Sith. He was sith, the ancient eye however were not.

"This is the Lord of The Ancient Eye. I however i have no Sith in this system. Try Sullust. The Ancient eye does not stand for Sith, by all means... come and see for yourself however i will warn you, any hostility in the system will be met with deadly force. Safe landing Mr. Merrill."

He terminated the call by crushing the communicator in his hand and casting it into the firing line, then turned to his captain and gave him a hand gesture.

"All of it, prepare the orbital defense system, scramble the fighters, alert Winter Moon. Execute protocol fifty seven, defcon nine."

All over the system now, all five planets of the Nibelungen system had alarms blazing.

"Seras. Get your lightsaber, today you earn the right to be my heir."

There was one more being, one warrior who had been waiting for this moment to feast on blood. If they gave him the chance, he would come... [member="The Matador"]...

​

 

[Riamah]

Winter, the location and home of the Shrouded Republic, the leftovers and remnants of the Dominion. Those that remained loyal to those ideals gathered, Ra'a'mah Numare was among those few. Her role within the Dominion had been head of intelligence and thus carried that position here too. She was also the Lord of Whispers. Not a face or name known by many to be a sith, she kept her alignment hidden from her peers. This included those within the Shrouded Republic. Within the Ancient Eye only two people knew she was sith. Same for the Shrouded.

The message from Jorus came through to her as clear as it had the others and Ra wondered at the lack of competence of her crew for them to have missed the mobilizing of this new force. When Mythos said to alert Winter, she was already one step ahead of him and began the alert.

She was a businesswoman before being sith, but that didn't mean Ra couldn't be a warrior. If the business was being a sith, then she was ready on that front. If this force made it as far as Winter, surprises would be waiting for them.

@Mythos [member="The Matador"] [member="Tristram Senan"] [member="Whisper"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] [member="Gauntlet"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Smallgrin Ben"]

 

[Solan Charr]

[member="The Matador"]

Solan felt weird being in a new body, even if its composition was similar to that of his old one. He required a force sensitive body that had matched his lineage. While he may not have the same blood flowing through his veins that his family had, he was still like them in how he had been born. His bones were still inherited from his Vahlan side, and his eyes still strained to see things clearly as the world remained slightly cut off from him, the Miralukan portion of his body interfering with such a basic process of life.

There was some familiar feelings though, one of which being the crystal in his hand, the saber that rested at his side, and the clothing he wore, all the same as before he died. IT was like he was in a new skin, pretending to be who he used to be. It was a train of thought that soon vanished though, leaving Edric to look up at the man that had brought him back. His hand closed around the crystal as this man spoke, not entirely comfortable with this creature and more here to keep an eye on his daughter. He didn't trust these people for a second.

That didn't mean he would not fight to his fullest. When he sided with a force, he stuck to it till the end, which meant he might have to explain himself later as he heard a name mentioned. With a slight grunt he turned his head to the side and waited till an assistant handed him a datapad. The name on it was what he thought and he sighed, knowing that if [member="Jorus Merrill"] learned of who Solan was, that his son would be in some hot water. He would much prefer this be handled diplomatically... but contrary to what this man's leader said, they are far more like Sith than anything else.

"Ill get right on it hot head, how about you let me worry about them, and you just go sit pretty." Just because he fought for them, didn't mean he would change how he talked to them.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_HoMkkRHv8​

Little did [member="Jorus Merrill"] know that in addition to [member=[/FONT]"Sor-Jan Xantha"] he had another uninvited guest. Miko was quite adept at being unnoticed when the time came for it. Not to a preternatural sense. Just rather observant and cunning. Always had been. When the ship had put in at his world to take on supplies, and word came that its captain was a famed explorer and pilot, Miko had quickly sold his small business and the craft that made it run, and pocketing a tidy sum had snuck onboard. He was done with his homeworld and the same life his father and father's father had had. So he had been skulking about the craft, raiding the fridge, and had even made a rather covert den in the cargo hold between a crate of Corellian brandy and some tool racks. Though, to be honest, when Jorus checked the crate he might be a little upset at the number of bottles missing.

Now, however, the ship seemed to be changing. It must be coming out of hyperspace. There were publicly accessible HoloNet terminals, and after borrowing a datapad when [member=[/FONT]"Coren Starchaser"] had left it on the table while eating, the young Anorian had been devouring everything he could about starships and their technology. Frankly, the pace with which he did so was frightening. Hearing Sor-Jan clambering above him, he figured it was Jorus and Coren, and so stood up to make his way to the bridge. If he could link the datapad to the bridge command console, he could probably download the basic schematics and info on this specific ship, and begin learning even more. Maybe pull a similar stunt to Academy and land him a spot on the craft.

So, stuffing his sandwich in his mouth, with a dribble of mustard from it hitting the deck, he stuck a half-done bottle of the brandy in his waistband and leapt up, lithe form catching gantry rails and cat-sailing away onto walkways towards where he had found the bridge was, one hand still thumbing through a text on the datapad, the other assisting in munching on the sandwich. Quietly he hummed a loud, jarring electronic song he had picked up in a Cantina on one of there stops. He had been on this ship for weeks really and was astounded Jorus hadn't noticed. He reasoned the captain must be either senile or terribly non-observant. Or both.

Strolling into the bridge humming, eyes glued to the datapad he sat down in the unoccupied command throne, and began wiggling silver inlaid hands across the console, linking the datapad to the console and beginning to copy schematics and general benign info over to create and idiot's guide to the ship, Sammich still clutched in mouth, he muttered and merely opened his jaw, the remnant plopping onto the consol as he muttered about biting his tongue, and grabbed the bottle of brandy to take a swig, still utterly unaware of the other two, and mildly intoxicated from the stolen brandy.

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

​

[-SOUNDTRACK-]​

Attn: [member="Mythos"] | [member="Ra'a'mah"] | [member="The Matador"] | [member="Seras Rose"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Kyle Raymus"] | [member="Mythos"] | [member="Tristram Senan"] | [member="Whisper"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] | [member="Gauntlet"] | [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] | [member="Mereel Vaun"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Smallgrin Ben"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="Kiso"] | [member="Formorta"]​

​

• 1st Fleet
  Rally Point Alpha, in orbit around Nibelungen

Ships Available For Deployment:

• 1x Valiant-class Star Destroyer (Dark Star)
• 3x Admonitor-class Light Cruiser
• 4x Arquitens-class Frigate
• 5x Chiselhead-class Assault Corvette
• Total Starfighter Count:
  4x TIE/Reaper Sqadrons
  1x RZB-12 Bomber Squadron

​Ships Deployed:

• 1x Admonitor-class Light Cruiser
• 1x Chiselhead-class Assault Corvette
• Total Starfighter Count:
  1x TIE/Reaper Sqadrons

The warlord was overseeing another the fleet movements from the bridge of his Star Destroyer, the Dark Star, a ship which which was rapidly growing in fame, if not infamy. It was another one of the naval drills that the navy of the Shrouded Republic kept carrying out, due to a very paranoid attitude concerning security. The people who were now the masters of the moon of Winter, had been caught unaware, once, at Krayiss II and the Sith Empire had taken everything from them. They would not be caught unaware ever again.

An alarm blared as StratCom picked up a hulking behemoth accompanied by a small flotilla of vessels, dropping out of hyperspace. Without giving a hint of concern, Wolfe pulled up the StratCom report on his viewscreen and scrolled through it. It seemed the large ship at the center of the flotilla had hailed them over comms, but it had not displayed any outwardly hostile behavior, beyond its captain's snappy attitude. Then came the activation of Protocol 57, one of the many contingency scenarios preplanned for such a situation.

As always, Wolfe understood the need for discipline and calm. He did not, for one second, display any sign of worry. "Comms, notify Ra'a'mah to mobilize all special forces and stand by for instructions," Wolfe ordered, his voice clear and calm. "Alert Admiral Raymus to activate ground-to-space defenses and have the 3rd Fleet move to Rally Point Delta and stand by for maneuvers. His ships are to keep out of sight, behind Nibelungen, but ready to jump in if needed. Inform General Kiso to mobilize all ground forces and stand by for potential hostilities."

As always, Wolfe understood the need for discipline and calm. He did not, for one second, display any sign of worry. A commander needed to appear calm and collected in the heat of battle, so as to inspire his men. He watched his orders being carried out, before ordering another channel to be opened, this time to the new arrivals. He would give diplomacy a chance, first. "Attention, S.S. Gossamer. I am the Lord of Shrouds, Kainan Wolfe. Due to the security situation caused by terrorist activity, Shrouded Republic Navy protocol dictates that a ship of your size needs to be subjected to a scan. I am rerouting a patrol to your location. Please stand by for the completion of this procedure."

Soon enough, one Admonitor-class Light Cruiser, accompanied by its starfighter squadron and a Chiselhead-class corvette, broke from its standard patrol route and approached the strange ship. All the while, the Shrouded Republic's defenses were quietly scrambling for battle. Diplomacy had to be given a chance, but if that failed, the Shrouded Republic was ready to greet these strangers with war.

 

[Seras Rose]

Seras stood unmoving and on the outside unaffected by the heat of the range. In reality she could feel the heat bearing down but she was not about to let that show or affect her actions. The weapon that was being tested made her wince at it's power, a rare facial change from her. It needed some work, namely a sound dampener stuck on it somewhere but ignoring that it appeared from what her eye could see quite the potent piece.

Seeing Mythos move from her right eye Seras turned to focus on the beasts that had captured his attention over the testing of their weapons of war. He was proud over those beasts she thought, Typhojem and Groom especially. Though Seras did not know the background between Mythos and his beasts of war, she did not need to see it to know how far back they went. Silently wondering where they came from, her single eye looked up as her name was spoken.

"A bug with a penchant for force users.." Coming from the planet of Korriban, it was no real surprise given its history. As a former Jedi she knew of its inhabitants rather well, even if it was from the skewed lens of Jedi dogma. The thought how ever of having been stung enough by such a powerful toxin was enough to make Seras shift her stance as what that meant sunk in. She had her left arm seize up on her for a good five minutes after getting her shoulder cut by a lightsaber blade. Watching the repeated bites and the creature kill itself on his finger merely to cause pain to something it could never kill, she could only be amazed by how... Pointless it was. Trying to relate to such a thing was against her instincts... But perhaps that was the point? Pondering that Seras met his yellow gaze with her own, nodding in admission to his lesson.

The appearance of the scout was not much of a surprise but what was surprising was the message. It was no surprise that someone like Jorus had shown up, rather it was surprising that they showed as of right now no hostility. Sending a simple 'investigation' after their take over would be a rather anti-climatic response, but the galaxy was a large place. Their actions would only resonate so far it would seem. Though perhaps there was more to this then met the Eye.

The sounds of crunching bones and burned meat brought a interesting look over Seras's face. It was a difficult expression to read, somewhere between surprise, disappointment and disdain. Regardless of what emotion was in reference to what, she did not take pleasure in such things it was clear. Noticing Mythos's pondering gaze, Seras prepared to speak up and ask if he had some task for her. It turned out not as Mythos began to speak to Jorus Merrill. Perhaps they would fight before the day was done? Only time would tell.

At Mythos's command, the troops of the Ancient Eye would begin moving. They were already for the most part deployed either patrolling, hunting down the Jedi resistance that called itself the 'Hand of Light' or defendeding key points and supply convoy's. Because of this the ground portion of the army was effectively already on high alert and the orbital defense cannons were no exception. While some of them were still incapacitated around the planet and even a few were completely destroyed, the ones that were still operational had been heavily defended. They were not about to let such a vital assets be easily destroyed. Charging up their systems and moving into position would take time of course, but they were not wasting that time. While no cannon would directly begin targeting the S.S. Gossamer, they were keeping a sharp eye on its course. The Republic Diplomat ship that dropped into the system shortly after would receive a similar treatment, not targeted by weapon systems but closely watched and a careful eye kept on its course.

On the ground, troops would begin shuffling around. New patrols were routed, the alert level was raised and troops who had been sleeping and resting were waken from their bunks and geared up for a potential attack. Though it would remain fairly still on the surface, Nibelungen's new rulers were not going to be caught with their pants down.

"Aye." Seras said quickly in response, though the weapon she had claimed in the initial assault was never far from her. It was a lightsaber staff she had claimed from a Jedi Knight she had slain, a good weapon that its owner had not used to its full potential. Only time would tell if Seras could, or if she would fail just like its maker. "We shall go to meet this Jorus Merrill then?" She asked with a calm, focused tone. Battle was in the wind, Seras could feel it. But they were at the most difficult part, waiting for it all to begin. But she was careful to temper that desire for it all to start with discipline. Only a fool strikes before they know where and who their enemy is after all.

[member="Mythos"] / [member="Ever Dawnracer"] / [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Kiso]

[member="Mythos"] | @Ra'a'mah | @The Matador | @Seras Rose | [member="Solan Charr"] | @Kyle Raymus | @Tristram Senan | @Whisper | @Coren Starchaser | @Sor-Jan Xantha | [member="Gauntlet"] | [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] | [member="Mereel Vaun"] | [member="Ever Dawnracer"] | [member="Smallgrin Ben"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] |​

​

• 1st Fleet
  Rally Point Alpha, in orbit around Nibelungen, abord the Chisel Head Corvette 'Kuma'

Drills were an essential part of military life, from the lowest of soldiers to the highest rank of generals, something that her mentor and practically adoptive mother had hammered into Kiso from a young age. So although seen as paranoia to some among her rank, the Cyborg General fully welcomed more training and understanding of military command, more then willing to undertake the same exercises on a regular basis until sh had even the most minute detail mastered. It may have seemed a little over the top but Kiso had not been present to witness the fall of the Dominion, just the aftermath, but one thing she gathered from the old conflict was that the Sith were sneaky and persistent, and the only way to prevent that was having a constant and vigilant watch.

Besides Kiso had a lot to learn if she wanted to surpass her mentor, something that would require a lot of effort if suspicious of them being an almost immortal energy vampire turned out true. Her inner though and digital processing was interrupted by one of her deck officers as a secondary message was relayed to them after Mythose's main message reached Wolfe, "General we have been informed of a unknown ship entering our operational range, current inlet form Miss Ra'a'mah and a short message indicate the vessels owner to be a certain Jorus Merrill, as of now the Lord of Shrouds has deployed a Admonitor-class Light Cruise, a Chiselhead-class Assault Corvette as well as TIE/Reaper Squadron".

"Thank you for the update lieutenant, I do not know Merrill personally but I have sifted through data on the man, hopefully he does not start any trouble with us, it is not us the enemy he should worrying about, but if a fight does break out, let them know that we are not ones the back down... I might not totally agree with the ancient eye and their methods, but I will bot simply bend my back to any unprovoked attack against us"! The lines between good and bad where always blurred in her mind, as of this instant, if the someone attacked them simply on the notion of a few Sith then it was them who where the bad guys, not the AE or SR.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​"No. They are here Solas. And not for diplomacy as you might hope."

​The massive Dravalan retorted, using his wrist terminal to contact [member="Kainan Wolfe"], [member="Mythos"], @Ra'a'mah and @Kiso. Small blue cylinder like shapes formed on his wrist, the small models of each of the people he had contacted. The Matador had not expected an attack so soon, however he was not entirely surprised. Hundreds of Jedi had died on Edemar, on Nibelungen, on Caradim and Erebos and all of systems moons. It was no shock that someone had come along, ready for a fight. The Matador was tired of fighting insurrectionists and lone Jedi, tired of enforcing the truth upon the ignorant.

​He itched for combat, like an uneasiness in his knuckles begging him to close his hands shut over the throat of someone, anyone. He'd gladly accept [member="Jorus Merrill"]'s. The shape of the Matador's helm would become visible to all he'd contacted; the jaw guard remaining retracted as a metallic plated set of lips sat pressing closed as red glowing eyes addressed his fellow members of the Ancient Eye's higher echelon.

​"The forces that arrived at Nibelungen, they will retreat back to whence they came. Or they will attack. Kainan, Kiso. Bring them to the planet, ground them. There will be no escape for them."

 

[Jorus Merrill]

Aboard the Gossamer: [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] [member="Miko Spar"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Tristram Senan"]
Allies and Potential Allies on Other Ships: [member="Smallgrin Ben"] [member="Ever Dawnracer"] [member="Mereel Vaun"] [member="Gauntlet"] [member="Whisper"]
The Other Guys: [member="Mythos"] [member="Solan Charr"] [member="The Matador"] @Ra’a’mah [member="Kainan Wolfe"] [member="Seras Rose"] [member="Kiso"]

<<This is the Lord of The Ancient Eye. I however i have no Sith in this system. Try Sullust. The Ancient eye does not stand for Sith, by all means... come and see for yourself however i will warn you, any hostility in the system will be met with deadly force. Safe landing Mr. Merrill.>>

Coren Starchaser snorted.

That transmission ended with a comm squelch, as if the transmitter had broken. “Link lost,” said Adurak. The Arcona comms officer tilted his triangular head. “Receiving a new transmission.”

Jorus eyed the displays. The Nibelungen system had acquired a whole new fleet since he'd been here last. That lined up with the footage of conquest he'd received from his associates on the ground. “Put it through.”

<<Attention, S.S. Gossamer. I am the Lord of Shrouds, Kainan Wolfe. Due to the security situation caused by terrorist activity, Shrouded Republic Navy protocol dictates that a ship of your size needs to be subjected to a scan. I am rerouting a patrol to your location. Please stand by for the completion of this procedure.>>

Terrorist activity - the Ancient Eye? Or, more likely, local resistance forces fighting back against the occupation? Jorus exchanged a glance with Coren…

...at which point a young guy he'd never seen before pranced onto the bridge, dripping sandwich fixings, and started playing with controls. Crewer high on spice? Stowaway? Feth him regardless.

“Vars, show our friend the door. Now ain't the time. Kid, you want an autograph, Starchaser's got his next photo op tomorrow.”

Vars Aveppar, Trandoshan sensor operator and security chief, ushered [member="Miko Spar"] elsewhere. A well-groomed Squib took his station for the moment.

Jorus raised his voice. “Bizznip, what're we looking at?”

“Transmission source is fleet. One Star Destroyer, three light cruiser, nine little boy, not much fighter.” The Squib adjusted his spectacles. “One of cruiser, one of littles, twelve of fighter is come for scan.”

“Good man. Adurak, give me a voice link with shroud-man.”

“Established,” said the Arcona.

Jorus cleared his throat. “Attention Lord of Shrouds Kainan Wolfe, this is the Gossamer. Due to the security situation caused by the unprovoked conquest of the Nibelungen system, Underground protocol dictates that a fleet of your size needs to be subjected to a scan. Thank you for rerouting a patrol to my location. Your compliance is appreciated. Please stand by for the completion of this procedure.”

A Lotekk Deep Space Transport had really good sensors, the better to avoid and quantify trouble. As the customs force drew near, the Gossamer began to scan the utter feth out of them. Jorus already knew more or less what his sensors would find. That lead ship was a Commenori Admonitor, a quick little cardboard box. The corvette was probably too small to be a real threat, and the same went for a single TIE squadron, model unknown.

Their scans would find an armed freighter, partially full of smaller freighters and similar boats. No contraband per see, though not all of those ships had their paperwork up to snuff.

 

[Kyle Raymus]

(The Overseer)

• 3rd Fleet

Fleet Composition:

• 1x Prototype SICC (The Overseer)
• 2x Ardan-I class Heavy Frigate
• 4x Admonitor Class Light Cruiser
• 4x Chiselhead Class Corvette

​Fighter Complement:

• TIE/Reaper (7 squadrons, 84 ships)
• RZ-110 (1 Squadron, 12 ships)
• RZB-12 (4 squadrons, 24 ships)

"Roger that Command, positioning fleet at Rally Point Delta. All ships preparing for combat."
Jorrus Merril. For heaven's sake, not him. He had to fight alongside him during "The Incursion" during a mass ground assault. He also heard plenty of the man. Enough to learn of his annoying attitude. The 3rd fleet was battle ready, with the overseer cycling it's power systems and preparing to activate it's interdiction field. The fighters were fueled up and ready for immediate launch from the Fleet Carrier and the rest of the ships. Everything was ready, and Jorrus was not fleeing without taking out "The Overseer" first.

"Activate ground-space defenses. Prepare the cannons and target the lead ship."

Winter's defense systems began gaining power, and once the moon rotated far enough, Jorrus would be in it's firing arc. It would only take 20 minutes. Time is unstoppable, but this time it was on the Shrouded's side.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]