A Remnant of the Remnant

[Judas of Vahl]

A Remnant of the Remnant​

​

Aboard the Nocturne
Debris Field, Exodo II

And so it began. The trip which would bring back memories of old, to the Emperor's own past and that of galactic history. The upgraded Pellaeon MkII-class Star Destroyer drifted along the debris fields of a site even more rich in history than the spare parts and metallic corpses orbiting it. Even in that case, it wasn't what the Emperor was here for. Dranok Lussk was here for a single reason: to recover a relic of ancient history, restore it, and then put it to use. It was old, symbolic, and was the command ship of quite possibly the greatest strategist in history. The Chimaera.


The man sitting upon his command chair in his personal chambers glanced over to @[member="Circe Savan"], a wonderful business proprietor and a very loyal ally that he'd known for years. A few hyperspace tugs flanked the battleship, ready to pick up the old Star Destroyer whenever the need be. "Miss Savan, is this it?" He asked, pointing to the screen displaying an old husk of a ship.

It was to be a husk no more.

 

[Onrai]

"Indeed it is, Dranok. The vessel matches the lines and modifications of an Imperial Star Destroyer, and what little hypermatter is still left in its reactor appears to be powering a beacon with that vessel's transponder code. This is the Chimaera indeed."

There wasn't much she could say on the matter except stand there in awe next to the Sith Emperor, someone she herself had been exceptionally close to for quite some time. "Imagine all the technology we can reap from this vessel... The Chimaera was the most high-tech ship in the entire fleet when it was lost. The Maw database of weaponry should be on this ship... Think of everything we can construct from those blueprints!"

This was her gold mine as much as it was his.

@[member="Dranok Lussk"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

"Indeed, I've done my own research on it as well." The vessel itself was fearful enough. The old flagship of the famed Grand Admiral Thrawn, who personally added many specific components to the vessel. Granted, it was an ancient Imperial-II class Star Destroyer, but it was a very good one. Maybe even the Cloaking Device or onboard tactical analysis computers would be repairable. If not, they could just stash the technology and schematics for later use.

Dranok leaned over, jamming a button down on his console. "Okay boys, let's bag this thing and head over to Mon Calamari. Go ahead and send word of our coming."

 

[Onrai]

"If I may... make a suggestion. There's a shipyard I feel would potentially refit this vessel a lot quicker than what the Mon Calamari shipyards can do. It's a ways away, but we should be able to reach there. There are some... interesting ships located there, ships I've personally brought there. Ships you may find useful if what I assume you're thinking of ever happens. The Irregular Fleet reborn."

She smiled. This was an opportunity to show him all the vessels she had acquired. Vessels including antimatter prototypes, unique Sith starships... and the location of something particularly extraordinary.

@[member="Dranok Lussk"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

The Emperor gave a slight nod of the head to Miss Savan. The Irregular Fleet, born out of the depths of the Maw in ancient history. Back during the Remnant era when Daala and her allies kept pushing the fight forward against the blasted Alliance. But now, the Rebels' new regime was beginning to crumble. The Galactic Republic was cracking from the inside out as they spoke.

"Bridge, belay that order. Take us to Serpena, notify the yard crews." He waited a few minutes in silence as the bridge crew re-plotted a course and jumped off to Serpena.

 

[Onrai]

Immediately after the vessels dropped from warp on Serpena, the Imperial ships would find themselves overwhelmed by an entire sector fleet's worth of ships. All sorts of ships, from Venators and Dreadnaughts to CR90s and starfighters of almost every type, were there, and an overwhelming amount of IFF signatures would ping on the ship's sensor systems.

"Now you know why I want those scrapped ships, and why I fought so hard to salvage Raxus Prime. Welcome to the Irregular Fleet, Dranok."

The vessel weaves and maneuvered its way through the storage yard. The ships were all in a sort of standby mode, almost entirely uncrewed and running on significantly low power. "And if you look to your left, you'll see the Turbulent, the Black Hex I recovered during the Dark Harvest crisis. As well, docked in its hangar bay, purged of the harvester infestation of course, is Velok's Aleph-class starfighter. I stole it from him during the chaos of the auction that saw him killed. Many powerful ships are here... I've been storing them for the right time."

"Put the Chimaera there." Circe sent an order to the tugs, who began to tow the Imperial-class Star Destroyer into a nearby drydock that was part of the shipyards. "Now, let's have some time discussing this place, shall we, Dranok? I know you can see what use it can be to you."

@[member="Dranok Lussk"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

The fleet was stunning, a congregation of ancient vessels, re-purposed warships, and a multitude of even more Imperial vessels. Of course Dranok knew the whereabouts of this Empire, but most of these ships weren't even his, so he paid no heed. Perhaps he should rethink his views on this place. Maybe it would become useful in the future. Everything was a possibility. But for now, he had to stay on task with repairing his new treasure.

"Sure." He rose from the seat, "Let's go." Minutes later, they were off strolling the corridors of the Nocturne, making their way to the command bridge before stopping at the massive viewport to observe the mass of ships flying back and forth and the shipyards buzzing with a newfound purpose. Being the Emperor put his wishes in top priority, thank God for authority. "Miss Savan, do you think these repairs and minimal modifications are easily done?"

He yanked a datapad from his belt, swiped across the screen a few times with the modifications listed below:

• ​Modernized weaponry
• Improved hull
• Improved shields
• Replacement of additional turbolasers for point-defense weaponry
• Repairing of cloaking device
• Hull painted black

"I hope these aren't too hard for your crews."

 

[Onrai]

"The first three are rather standard for what we do here. The latter can be done as well, yes. The cloaking device may take some time to fix, considering we have more advanced cloaks available. Worst case scenario, we can remove it and use the remaining stygium to create a more efficient cloaking device. And a black hull - Mmm, Do I sense a trace of Caedus crossing your mind? A little Anakin Solo action?" She raised an eyebrow, smirking at the Emperor. As far as she knew, she was probably the only one who could smirk at him and not get assaulted.

"Shall we find a more private area to talk? Perhaps on board the Turbulent?"

@[member="Dranok Lussk"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

The Emperor paused for a moment, pondering his question to relocate. It wasn't that he didn't trust his crew, he trusted them even more than the Sith in his order. Out in the dark void, the only ones you could trust were the men standing at your back and to your sides. Upon each ship that he'd served upon, Dranok Lussk had earned their respect. "Okay, fine. Let's go." And he couldn't help but add in a remark, "But let's keep this strictly business related."

 

[Onrai]

"Fair enough. I merely wish to catch up, after all." The two entered the elevator leading down to the hangar bay, and once inside the shuttle, Circe gave a soft sigh, leaning her head down on the nearby table as she took a seat, head in her hands. "Starting to feel and understand the whole rationale behind why Kreia wanted to do what she did. Existence has reached a point where it sucks for me, Dranok. Hard."

She had no husband, no kids, and was completely and utterly alone. But then again, Dranok was Sith Emperor. He didn't care, nor did he have time to listen to her regretting past actions.

@[member="Darth Arcis"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

The Emperor sighed, not really wanting to hear the problems of someone else. He was the Emperor, if anyone should be complaining about things, then it should be him. He had too much effort devoted into this entire Empire and the loyalty of some still lacked volume. "Miss Savan, I am not an expert on these emotional matters. I am merely a man of knowledge, wisdom, and strategics." He coldly replied. "I have nothing that I regret and too much to look forward to."

"Now if you will please, let's get to working on my new ship."

 

[Onrai]

"I'm merely curious what happened to our children, but fair enough. You did come here to acquire ships."

The shuttle flew past the Chimaera's drydock, giving a close-up look of the action. Several nearby cargo containers were being emptied of what appeared to be large ingots of metal, towed into a Lwhekk manufacturing ship and smelted into newer, thicker hull panels for the aging Imperial. The process was approximately ten percent complete. While the hull was ripped away, mass removal of the outdated and damaged interior systems was in place, replacing it with more modernized equipment found in Tulak Hord and Ranator-class Star Destroyers. The weapons were being removed and dismantled, replaced with Blas-Tech weaponry as used on other Imperial Star Destroyers.

"The Chimaera will surpass even the Invictus of the same name weapon-wise..."

@[member="Darth Arcis"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

"Miss Savan, I understand that the weapons and equipment on the inside will be refurbished to modern standards.." He paused, tugging at the side of his hood in a dazed moment. "But what about those cloaking systems?" He understood that they had been mentioned earlier, but he preferred to address the issue with detail. He wanted to know if a damaged cloaking drive would just need to be repaired or would they need to replace the thing entirely. The former was probably much easier, but he wanted it modern as well. "If we repair it, can we merely upgrade it upon restoration?"

 

[Onrai]

"In order to determine whether we'll have to replace it or not, we'll have to disassemble the thing first. If it's in good enough condition, we can simply repair it. Worst case scenario, we'll replace it, but keep its stygium in a newer and more efficient cloaking device. Repairing it and then upgrading it would be more trouble than simply replacing it. But then again, this is your ship, after all. I'm only a humble servant whom you could kill with a simple glance."

Whether that was her regretting them not being together, or just sarcasm, he likely couldn't tell. Neither could she. "I'd recommend replacement and reuse of the stygium, personally."

@Dranok Lussk

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

"Alright, let's do that." He said, ignoring the attitude in her voice. "Let's just replace the Stygium and get that thing functioning." He could always upgrade it and modify the vessel later on. He just really needed this Star Destroyer intact and ready. He had some business to attend to without using any standard Imperial vessel, and one with a cloaking device and specific modifications would be most fitting of his endeavors. "So how much progress have we made?"

 

[Onrai]

"Most of the hull and system work appears to be complete. The frame appears to be structurally sound, and we're working on giving it a fresh coat of paint as well. I'm assuming you'd prefer black?"

Most of the features on board the ship could be retained and upgraded. The metal-crystal phase shifters would be disassembled, refurbished, and reassembled... and their specifications would be copied, for later use by Circe herself on a new warship generation. But for the time being, her focus was on the repair and refitting of this historical artifact.

@[member="Darth Arcis"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

The Emperor cocked his head towards the woman, pleased by her information regarding the repairing vessel. "Good, good." This was very excellent. He was making progress in terms of his personal power. This vessel would be the best known in the entire galaxy, revived from the dead to fight for Imperial service yet again. The best officers, the best crewmen, the best soldiers, the best equipment. Everything about this ship was to be perfect.

"Yes, paint it black."

@[member="Circe Savan"]

 

[Onrai]

"The work is still proceeding according to plan. But I of course am copying all the information down from the ship and its technologies... for logistical reasons, of course. And speaking of logistics, will I receive any payment for this? Perhaps training from the ruler of the Empire himself?"

She had not much else to say. The work was proceeding as planned. All she could do was pass the time.

@[member="Darth Arcis"]

 

[Judas of Vahl]

@[member="Circe Savan"]

"You shall receive whatever your heart desires.." He mused, strolling back and forth to inspect his new, sleek Star Destroyer that would be filled to the brim with the best of everything he could muster. He sure hoped these repairs and minor improvements were suitable enough for such a vessel. It was to be his symbl across the galaxy.

"Teachings in what, exactly?"

 

[Onrai]

"Wait. Whatever my heart desires?" She stroked her chin, smiling deviously. "I want you, Dranok. One day, you, like all the other former Emperors and Empresses, will be overthrown. I wish for you and I to work together to formulate an Empire out here, with my irregular fleet at the hand. I... I miss you."

She said nothing else for the time being, waiting for the words to sink into the Emperor himself. This certainly wasn't how Sith typically talked to each other, much less a subordinate to the Emperor.

@[member="Darth Arcis"]