Dominion Ash, Rock and Steel: MIR Dominion of the Ash Worlds!

[Zesiro]

Zesiro remained beside Prystill as the conversation continued, content for the moment to listen rather than add another voice to the growing discussion. Sae had already been surrounded by enough people when they first noticed her, and Zes saw no reason to contradict her own advice simply because the conversation had become more interesting. If anything, allowing the woman to speak without interruption was proving considerably more useful.

By the time Sae began laying out an actual path toward Naboo, Zes glanced toward Prystill. The faint smile that appeared suggested she hadn't forgotten their earlier conversation. "Well, I think she just answered your question about what she wants."

There was considerably more substance to work with now than Imperial sympathies and financial connections. Sae wasn't asking Mahporeem to simply support her politics or throw its weight behind the Imperial bloc she was attempting to create. She was proposing a diplomatic mission, identifying the people Mahporeem should approach and even suggesting the order in which those relationships ought to be developed. King Veruna and Sibylla Abrantes first, then potentially the Chancellor once there was enough political support behind the effort.

Zesiro considered that for a moment, her attention returning to Sae and the others. "She's also telling us quite a bit about how politics work in Theed. Who matters, who influences whom, and who she thinks we need on our side before anyone goes near the Chancellor." There was no disapproval in her voice. Zes had spent too many years around politics to be scandalized by the idea that relationships and influence mattered just as much as official titles. Sae's suggestion that Veruna should feel as though he controlled the establishment of those diplomatic channels was particularly revealing.

Her blue eyes shifted back toward Prystill. "Which means if you're seriously considering sending anyone, I'd want to know more about all of them first. Not because I think Sae is misleading us, but because I'd rather we understand the room before we walk into it." Internal Affairs could look into whatever Mahporeem already knew about the political relationships Sae had described while Prystill considered the diplomatic side. It was precisely the overlap in their responsibilities that had brought the two women together in the first place.

A small smile returned to Zesiro's face. "I'd say you've got your first headache."

She let the humor linger for a moment before nodding subtly toward Sae. "But I think you were right to wait. She told us more because nobody rushed over there asking her for it." Zes paused, considering the conversation still unfolding before them. "I'd still let Victport finish with her. After that, though?" Her smile grew slightly. "I think you have a very good reason to introduce yourself."

Sae Felix Yorwell Percival Bridger Victport Graras Prystill Oasay

 

[Karl Von Strauss]

​

Tags: Felix Yorwell | Aurelian of Vandemar | Marlon Sularen

Spoiler: Fleet Kaiser

• Allegiance IV - Obedience | Status: Green
• Imperial XI - Dominance | Status: Green
• Imperial XI - Resolve | Status: Green
  • 96x NCE-100a 'Hund'
• Paralyzer Cruiser - Precience | Status: Green
  • 16x TIE/DA "Defender of Authority"
• Victory I - Submission | Status: Green
• Victory I - Compliance | Status: Green
  • 40x N&Z Omni-Directional Droid Starfighter - ODDS
• Lianna II - Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier | Statuses: Green, Green, Green, Green
  • 16x NCE-103, TIE/dv Devastator

Karl moved to his simulation capsule and watched as the others deployed their fleets. He remained silent and contemplative.

There was no rush to be the first to place his pieces upon the board. If anything, being last afforded him a rather useful advantage: intelligence. He had been given the opportunity to observe where everyone else had chosen where to put their strength before deciding where his own would be placed.

He scrolled through the simulation's innumerable simulated warships; he picked his few and began to drag them onto the field. Unlike Sularen, he chose to pick a middling spot to deploy; after all, he was meant to be a neutral power in this demonstration.

The first to emerge was the largest vessel in the fleet, an Allegiance IV, followed shortly by a much smaller Paralyzer cruiser. Rather than forming a traditional battleline, the two vessels were positioned with deliberate separation, the Paralyzer taking up a position well above the projected axis of the opposing formation.

Then came the Star Destroyers. Two Imperial XI-class Star Destroyers dropped from hyperspace in close proximity to one another. They did not remain at a comfortable standoff distance, nor were they behind the rest of the fleet. They were placed forward, beyond the battlecruiser's nose. Then, interestingly, two Victory I-class Star Destroyers followed, positioned somewhat behind the Imperial XI-class vessels, their starboard and port blast shields opening as their torpedo tubes were loaded. These ancient but mighty still vessels had no immediate purpose other than long-range missile fire, but Karl was smarter than that. What was he planning?

Finally, four Lianna II corvettes emerged and dispersed themselves around the larger vessels, creating a loose screen around the fleet.

There was little that was conventional about the arrangement. No grand battle line, no obvious artillery formation, no attempt to maximize any one aspect of the fleet. It would almost make an Admiral think Karl had gone mad.

He opened his communications channels, but kept quiet. He wasn't going to approach either side, but he'd allow himself to be approached.

"The wildcard is set," he said to himself. "Let's see if they utilize it."

 

[Shae'ri Mor]

That's...a Lot of Moons

Equipment • Junkyard Saber {Borrowed}
NPCs: x2 Battalions of Imperial Stormtroopers
Interaction{s} • Erve Kozzit

Shae’ri Mor turned her attention toward the sounds behind her. The scraping had ceased, but the silence that followed was worse. Somewhere beyond the narrow passage, something dragged against the soil with the slow, deliberate patience of a predator that knew its prey could not escape. Then came the stormtrooper’s scream, abruptly cut short.

Erve did not hesitate. She took off toward the tunnel where the trooper had been dragged, her boots hammering against the packed dirt. Shae'ri watched her disappear into the gloom before the truth settled upon her; they were standing between two separate threats.

“Split up!” she ordered, already moving. The stormtroopers divided their attention, some following Erve into the darkness, the others rushing after her as she charged toward the scraping sounds.

She stopped in the tunnel. A hole had opened in the wall ahead, its edges collapsing beneath the weight of something forcing its way through. A golden monstrosity emerged from the darkness, curved horns scraping the stone above its skull. Its claws dug deep gouges into the dirt as it hauled itself forward, its teeth glistening with saliva.

The stormtroopers opened fire. Blaster bolts struck the creature’s gold metallic hide and scattered away in brilliant flashes, leaving nothing but smoking scars in the soil. The beast lowered its head and charged.

Shae'ri braced herself as the stormtroopers continued firing, their shots breaking against the creature’s golden skin. At the last instant, she reached into the Force and seized the charging demon’s momentum. Its foreleg buckled. The monstrosity stumbled, crashed forward, and struck the tunnel floor hard enough to shake dust from the ceiling.

The Twi'lek moved before it could recover and drove her blade into its flank. The strike bit, but barely. The creature twisted beneath her, its metallic hide turning the blade aside with a shriek of tortured energy.

“Their skin reflects energy weapons,” she shouted, wrenching herself clear as the beast began to rise. She thrust out her hand and drove the Force into its chest. The golden demon staggered backward, then crashed onto its back, the impact sending a dull tremor through the tunnel.

“Concentrate your fire on its stomach,” she ordered. The stormtroopers shifted their aim and unleashed a sustained barrage. Blaster bolts hammered the exposed region, and for the first time the creature’s reflective hide began to weaken.

Its golden sheen flickered. Cracks spread beneath the impacts. Shae'ri turned toward the darkness where Erve had disappeared. “Erve! Repeated, concentrated attacks weaken its skin! Aim for the stomach, it appears to be it's vulnerability," she yelled, as the monstrosity thrashed beneath the storm of blaster fire.​

 

[Felix Yorwell]

Tags: Aurelian of Vandemar | Karl Von Strauss | Marlon Sularen​

Task Force Yorwell (10,000m)

• 3x Refurbished Imperial-I class Star Destroyer​
  • Yorwell (flagship)- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x TIE/VI "Vindicator" squadrons (elite)​
    • 4x TIE/ME Meteor squadrons​
  • Tacticus- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 3x Twin E-Wing squadrons​
    • 3x TIE/ob Obliterator squadrons​
  • Triumph- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 3x Twin E-Wing squadrons​
    • 3x TIE/ob Obliterator squadrons​
• 1x Disruptor-class ion cannon carrier​
  • Arrestor- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2 1x STX-TIE squadrons
• 4x Laimar-class stealth carrier​
  • Canto II- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 3x Lambda Scout squadrons​
    • 2x TIE/D Vulture squadrons​
  • Merriweather- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 3x STX-TIE squadrons​
    • 2x TIE/D Vulture squadrons​
  • Steadfast- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 5x TIE/D Vulture squadrons​
  • Eastern Winds- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 5x TIE/D Vulture squadrons​
• 5x Celox-class frigate​
  • Auspex- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x STX-TIE squadrons​
  • Cato- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x STX-TIE squadrons​
  • Vulkan- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x STX-TIE squadrons​
  • Purrgil- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x STX-TIE squadrons​
  • Parabola- Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 2x STX-TIE squadrons​

Task Force Yorwell - Reinforcements (5,000m)

ARRIVING IN 2 POSTS​

• 2x Sykes-class fleet carrier​
  • Julius - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 8x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
    • 4x Harrier-class strategic bomber squadron​
  • Ulus - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 8x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
    • 4x Harrier-class strategic bomber squadron​
• 5x Emblazoner-class escort frigate​
  • Nyere - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 1x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
  • Alaar - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 1x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
  • Cougo - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 1x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
  • Mapua - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 1x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​
  • Erdu - Shields 100% | Armor 100% |​
    • 1x Hassion-class starfighter squadron​

Task Force Yorwell - Actions

• Lambda Scouts scan 3 of Marlon's ships - Triumphant, Vanguard, and Dominion
• Scouting party retreats to Felix's fleet after being engaged by enemy starfighters
• 4 additional STX-TIE squads are deployed to protect the scouting party as it returns
• Scouting party uploads data identifying the three ships and sharing the data with Aurelian

It was not long before Felix's fleet was joined by Aurelian.
​

He brought only a single ship: a grand battlecruiser whose bow spires extended forward like a set of fangs. Felix was not familiar with the model, but based on the military doctrine of Vandemar, he could assume that it was an extremely powerful battleship and command center. The commodore went to hail Aurelian, only for the lord to beat him to the punch.

"Commodore Yorwell, do you prefer our commands to be separated or united? If the latter, under whos command?"

Felix paused for a moment to think. Aurelian's battlecruiser was likely far more durable than any of Felix's vessels, and though he was not a naval commander per se, his experience with general military leadership was nothing to scoff at. Furthermore, having Aurelian command freed up Felix's attention to focus on micromanaging his far more numerous and specialized vessels. With that in mind, the decision was easy.

"I believe it would be wisest to have one staff under your command, Lord Aurelian." replied Felix. "I will maintain a defensive perimeter around your flagship and use my forces according to your plans."

With a flick of his fingers and a tap on the floating interface, Felix's fleet moved.

For the most part, only slight adjustments were made to his wedge formation. The Laimar stealth carriers in the backline moved backwards and slightly further apart from the center of the fleet, taking a new position along the flanks of Aurelian's battlecruiser. The Celox escort frigates fanned out, widening the coverage of their point-defense guns at the cost of firepower concentration. The ion carrier and Star Destroyer trio simply shifted slightly downwards, allowing Aurelian's battlecruiser to fire its main weapons without worrying about hitting its own allies.

Then came Marlon's fleet.

"Why am I not bloody surprised..."

At its center was a large wedge-shaped battlecruiser, a trio of Star Destroyers on each side. As Felix had expected based on his study of Imperial naval history, Marlon was bringing a battlecruiser-centered, top-heavy fleet to bear against his foes. At any moment now, starfighters would emerge en masse from his capital ships.

"Retrieve a scan of the hostile fleet."

Simulated scanners shot out from the Lambda Scouts, running over the battlecruiser and its escorts. He had completed target scans of the main flagship and two of its six escorts when a vanguard of hostile starfighters slammed into the scouting formation. Small dots blinked out on the screen as several STX-TIEs were lost in dogfights with the attackers.

Recognizing that he had overstayed his welcome, Felix called the scouting force back. He also deployed another four STX-TIE squadrons from two of his Celox frigates to bolster the existing force, ensuring the Lambdas could make it back to their motherships safely. The scouting reports from the shuttles came in shortly afterwards.

The flagship was identified as an Imperator-class battlecruiser - a well-armed and armored ship of the line also equipped with twenty-one starfighter wings and gravity well projectors. The first of the two escorts was a Relentless-class Star Destroyer, effectively an upsized Imperial Star Destroyer with a vastly upgraded starfighter complement. The second was a Claymore-class heavy carrier, another battlecarrier with the unique vulnerability of exposed shield systems. In all, there were a total of two Relentlesses and two Claymores alongside two vessels of an unknown class of Star Destroyer on the Imperator's flanks.

Felix swiftly transmitted the data from the scout scanners to Aurelian.

"My scouting force has acquired detailed information on five of Marlon's seven warships. I will be on standby for further orders."

Just then, the final player in the wargames arrived.

Like Marlon, Karl von Straus' fleet was centered around a large battlecruiser with Star Destroyer escort. Unlike Marlon, Karl had a number of smaller escorts in his fleet that could likely pose a significant threat to either side's starfighter wings. With his scouting wing being repaired and rearmed, Felix could not provide more advanced details as he had with Marlon's fleet.

Instead, he simply held position, waiting to see what Aurelian had in mind for him.

Tags: Percival Bridger

Brian had to admit, he had underestimated the boy.

Still, that didn't mean he particularly liked him.
​

Rather, Brian was beginning to understand that Percival's bluster and apparent geekiness was a calculated act. The moment the colonel had stepped up his questioning, the young man had delivered a situational analysis as thorough as that of any competent case officer.

"On the contrary," responded Brian, "I believe Commodore Yorwell would be rather impressed. Such young talent is rare to find these days."

"Which raises the question... if I may ask, Acting Director, what was your service record prior to your appointment?"

It was, of course, a test. Brian was well aware of Percival's background, having access to the report of the committee that appointed him to his present position. Percival Bridger had been an entirely unremarkable, if unusually competent lieutenant in Mahporeem Intelligence, with no major feats to his name and no significant connections in his family tree or social network.

What Brian was curious to know was how exactly Percival interpreted his own past and unlikely rise.

 

[Percival Bridger]

◆ LT. BRIDGER ◆ Aide-de-Camp Interim Director of Intelligence​	// DIVISION TECHNICAL OPERATIONS​	// LOCATION Cophrigin V, Viewing Gallery​	// TASKING

▸ TAGS　 Felix Yorwell

Percival's gloved thumb moved slowly along the curve of his teacup. The question appeared to embarrass him, though the pause that followed was perhaps a little too orderly to be entirely uncertain.

"You flatter me, sir. Though I should clarify that mine is only a temporary appointment. It remains Director Korr's office; I am merely keeping it in order until she is able to return."

He lowered his gaze toward the tea.

"Technical Operations, primarily… systems integrity, communications security, credential management, intelligence infrastructure. The sort of work that is generally overlooked, at least until something suddenly stops working."

His thumb came to rest against the porcelain handle.

"My service record contains no remarkable field assignments, celebrated operations, or particularly influential recommendations. I was competent, remained wherever I was placed, and did as I was asked."

That was true, though it omitted the quiet sequence of discrepancies Percival had uncovered shortly before Director Korr collapsed within her private office.

A duplicated authorization had appeared within the secure dispensary records while the officer to whom it belonged had been recorded using his credentials elsewhere in the complex. The inconsistency amounted to several lines of disagreeable data buried beneath thousands of legitimate transactions. Percival had noticed them because noticing such things was precisely what Korr kept him near to do.

Now she remained under guard in a secure medical facility, recovering from exposure to a toxin that should never have passed through the Directorate's internal safeguards. Counterintelligence was quietly examining several senior officers who might otherwise have inherited her authority. No accusations had been issued, though their credentials, communications, and private associations were receiving uncommon attention.

Then Korr's sealed continuity order had been opened and had named Lieutenant Percival Bridger.

"I suspect my appointment had less to do with what I had accomplished than with what I lacked," Percival continued. "I possess no political constituency, no family influence, and no circle of senior officers positioned to turn my temporary authority toward their own advancement. Under the circumstances, an unremarkable lieutenant may have appeared a relatively safe pair of hands…"

There were less charitable interpretations. Some took his mild manners and ready obedience as evidence that he would prove manageable. Others had noticed how frequently Korr requested Percival by name and how patiently she listened whenever he spoke, even when his reports wandered into the intricate technical details that tried the endurance of most senior officers.

Korr's record offered such speculation little sustenance. Her conduct had remained uncompromisingly professional throughout her career, her severity distributed without regard for rank or familiarity. Yet the small allowances she extended to her young aide had been consistent enough to attract notice.

It was very little... Yet, within Intelligence, very little was often enough.... Percival however was keenly aware, and understood how it might look.

"Although… I imagine you already knew most of that, Colonel."

Pale blue eyes settled upon Waltz beyond the darkened lenses. The diffidence remained upon Percival's features, though something considerably more attentive now rested beneath it.

"What I do not know is which portion of my answer you wished to hear."

He raised the cup toward his lips, pausing before taking another sip.

"Perhaps you might be so kind as to satisfy my curiosity in return. What did Naval Intelligence make of my appointment?"

As he waited, Percival's gaze lowered briefly toward the polished black cane resting beside his injured leg. It had arrived from Korr's secure medical quarters that morning, fitted precisely to his height, though he could not recall ever providing the necessary measurements.

A small card had been tied beneath its gunmetal collar.

Lieutenant,
If I must tolerate recovering under guard, you can tolerate the indignity of a cane. Use it. I expect to find both you and my Directorate standing when I return.
—Korr​

The note remained folded within his breast pocket... Percival had obeyed, of course. He only hoped nobody asked of its origins.

 

[Aurelian of Vandemar]

Aurelian

Hegemon · Lord Indomitus · Dragonknight

✠ Griffin of Vandemar ✠

✠ Directive ✠

Post III

✠ Sector ✠

Cophrigin V · Simulation Chamber

✠ Wargear ✠

Armor II · Sword

"I trust in your rank, Commodore." Aurelian meant it. He did not know Felix Yorwell, but his elevation to that rank and presence here were for now enough proof of capability and reliability. It was a simulation, but still, he was as much interested to see the capabilities of the other players as he was to fight the Grand Admiral-to-be.

"Remain in defensive formation, do not engage in an exchange of starfighters, we will lose such against Sularen's fleet. Keep complements in point-defense range for fire support. He wants the hypergate, he shall claim it." The Hegemon's voice was measured and authoritative, each part of his orders were short, clipped commandments. A restrained or maybe forgotten passion for war laying underneath.

With a deliberately calm movement that resembled the shifting of tectonic plates, he signaled for the starfighter command to prepare the launch of the Eternal Triumph's complement. They were a purely defensive measure, intended to out-dogfight enemy squadrons, intercepting strike craft and thereby protect the Eternal Flagship.

Aurelian inspected the relayed data and had his commands confirmed. Sularen might have a starfighter superiority, but he needed the gate and they held it. If the formation stayed in mutual fire support, they had a chance to outlast any strafing run and draw them in for ship to ship combat. It was a plan that depended on their reliable coordination and targeting, the alternative would be less than optimal.

The deployment of Strauss' forces temporarily tipped the board's balance. He was neutral. Could he be swayed to their course rather than join Sularen's? Even if the man had not remembered their previous interactions, Aurelian had not forgotten. But much had changed, the fall of the Confederation certainly has left marks if not scars and Strauss had been at the epicenter of it. He and Sularen. Yet it was to be seen if they joined arms.

Aurelian remained patient, for now time was on his side.

Spoiler: Task Force Valkorion 4.000 meters

Ship Class	Shields / Armour / Weapons	Actions
Eternal Triumph Eternal Flagship	100 / 100 / 100	Maintains Center-Rear Position
Starfighter Complements 8x TIE Praetorian (8)	100 / 100 / 100	Prepared to Launch

✠ Dispatch Directed To ✠

Felix Yorwell | Marlon Sularen | Karl Von Strauss

Eternal Duty · Eternal Loyalty · Eternal Order

 

[Lothar Braeyek]

Objective III - Moon Exploration - Augustus Tassar | Ash Cobalt | Jessica Bowers | QV-611

"102nd and 181st, advance! Target the pit, Inferno protects the walkers. Cobalt and vanguard, prepare charges to seal the pit, collapse a building onto it if necessary."

The order reached TA-147 amidst the fray..

Lothar's eyes settled upon the pit.

"You heard him, Mr. Keeves. Take us forward."

The AT-AAW lurched ahead, its armoured bulk grinding through the debris as brilliant bolts tore through the darkness, hammering into the creatures and breaking their advance. Meanwhile, the other walkers of the 102nd advanced in measured formation, their guns sweeping the streets ahead.

Lothar watched the 181st press forward alongside them. Despite the creatures swarming amongst their ranks, the Legion held with admirable discipline. He gave the pit one final glance.

The Empire had come to Tristram and now it meant to take it.

 

[QV-611]

Thread Objective: That’s...a Lot of Moons
Location: Spacer Outpost, Moon 33/V “Tristram” - Moons of Iego
Tag: Augustus Tassar Ash Cobalt Lothar Braeyek Ronhar Tane Jessica Bowers

"102nd and 181st, advance! Target the pit, Inferno protects the walkers. Cobalt and vanguard, prepare charges to seal the pit, collapse a building onto it if necessary."

QV-611 pressed her attack, laying down an unrelenting stream of cyan-hued plasma to cover the advance. Another hulking rat-monster was scythed down as a barrage of hyper-ionized plasma ripped through its body, blowing deep, steaming craters into the flesh. The Junktrooper’s pupils shot wide open beneath her helmet as a surge of dark exhilaration filled her system. Nevertheless, she quickly remembered her discipline. She laid off the trigger, granting her weapon a momentary reprieve as the walkers’ heavy guns swept the streets ahead, their thundering cannons turning the battlefield into a cacophony of destruction.

The Junktrooper rose from her crouching position and rushed forward with the advance, her boots pounding against the debris-strew permacrete. However, it was then that she gave a sharp gasp, before coming to a sudden halt. Her ears twitched as a delightful melody suddenly seized her awareness, eliciting an ecstatic sensation akin to the rush she had felt only a few moments prior, after killing several enemies in quick succession.

However, this was different. It lingered, stretched, and deepened, in a manner that was far more compelling, and wholly intoxicating.

The Junktrooper did not—could not—resist it. Her body moved of its own accord, her boots carrying her left into a nearby alleyway while the song continued its melody, weaving through her consciousness like a silken thread pulling her deeper into the shadows. Her mind screamed at her to stop, to turn back, to rejoin the advance. And yet, the aria drowned out her thoughts, before wrapping around her will and drawing her forward.

All the while, the ground began to shake beneath her feet, manifesting a low, ominous tremor that vibrated through the soles of her boots and up into her spine. Something was coming. Something hypnotic and hungry.

And QV-611 could not help but to feel drawn to its siren song!

Spoiler: Loadout

• Smog Trooper Armor
  
  • Vambraces
    
    • Grappling Device - L
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Forearm Vibroblade Mk. II - R
  • Foot Guards/Boots
    
    • FAE/A-14 Energized Foot Gear - Shock Boots Replacement
      
      • Jetboot Thrusters (2) - Removed
  • Model 6 Modular Backpack
    
    • Hydration Pack
    • Medpac
      
      • ABC - Aerosolized Bacta Canister
    • Plasma Cutter
    • Crowbar
    • Omnitech Multi Gadget Model 1
    • Industrial Adhesive and Sealant
    • Field Rations
    • Armor Repair Patches
    • Weapon Cleaning Kit
    • Backup Comlink
    • Signal Flares and Market Beacons
    • Spare Power Cells
  • Supplementary Systems
    
    • Repulsor-Assist System
    • Camofibre Coating
    • FAE/U-02 "Eleleth" Ultralight Propulsion System
    • Energy Shield
      
      • Phase III "Force Avenger" Energy Shield
• FAE/W-18 Medium Tri-Mode Blaster Cannon
  
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
  • Ammunition
    
    • FAE/AM-01-S5 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium Gas and CryoBan Coolant (4)
• BG-D 6 Outlaw
  
  • Ammunition
    
    • Slug Magazine (4)
• Ion Slicer Vibroknife
• FAE/MDE-01-S2 Semiautonomous Seeker Thermal Explosive (4)
• Infrared Smoke Grenade (2)
• VKA-7J “Hurricane” Combat Stimulant (7)
• BWE Healing Capsules (4)
• BWE Soldier Survival Solution (2)

 

[Prystill Oasay]

Objective: II - VIEWING GALLERY
Location: Simulation Chambers, Cophrigin V
Outfit: Ministerial Uniform
Tags: Victport Graras | R'ayne Asara | The Lord of Hunger | Sae | Illithor Du'thra
Direct Interaction: Zesiro

Pry remained quiet as Zes spoke, her attention drifting between the other minister and the increasingly revealing conversation happening across the gallery. There was something almost amusing about it. She had approached Zes because she wanted to know what questions she should ask Sae. Instead, they had done nothing, offered nothing, promised nothing, and Sae had proceeded to answer nearly every important question herself.

Prystill smiled faintly. "Apparently my first lesson in diplomacy is knowing when to keep my mouth shut."

MX-4X shifted slightly behind her. "I have several years of observational evidence suggesting that particular lesson may prove challenging for you, Minister."

Pry slowly looked over her shoulder. "Thank you, Max."

"I remain at your service."

She turned back to Zes with a quiet laugh before considering the Internal Minister's assessment more seriously. "You're right. This is different." Supporting an Imperialist political movement inside the High Republic was one thing. Pry could already imagine how easily that story could be turned against both Sae and Mahporeem. Establishing legitimate diplomatic relations with Naboo was something else entirely.

"If we approach this as supporting Sae, we risk making every accusation against her considerably easier to believe. If we approach Naboo because establishing relations with an important Mid Rim government is in Mahporeem's interests..." Pry gave a slight shrug. "That's just diplomacy." And successful diplomacy could benefit Sae without Mahporeem ever needing to declare itself the patron of her political movement.

Pry's reddish eyes shifted toward the Ettian again. "She's also just given us something considerably more valuable than an invitation. She's given us names, relationships and an order of approach." King Veruna first. Sibylla Abrantes alongside him. Chancellor Vexx only once sufficient groundwork had been established. That was useful. It was also one woman's assessment of a political environment thousands of light-years from Corrox.

Pry looked back toward Zes. "So let's find out whether she's right." The words carried considerably more confidence than her earlier admission about being new to Foreign Affairs might have suggested. "I want everything we can reasonably assemble on Veruna and Abrantes before I send anyone anywhere. Their politics, interests, relationships, opposition, where their influence actually comes from." She paused. "Especially anything that confirms or contradicts what Sae just told them." A small smile appeared. "Consider it my first official request for all that Internal Affairs information I warned you I'd be bothering you about."

MX-4X immediately interjected. "Shall I prepare the appropriate interministerial request, Minister?"

Pry considered that for half a second. "Yes."

The protocol droid straightened almost imperceptibly. "Excellent."

"Max?"

"Minister?"

"Try not to make it thirty pages."

There was a pause. "I shall endeavor to constrain myself."

Pry wasn't reassured. Her attention returned to Sae as the ambassador continued laying out the political landscape in Theed. There was something else there that interested her. "She doesn't want this hidden." Pry spoke more thoughtfully now. "That may actually be the part I like most." For much of her life, important things had happened behind closed doors. Owners negotiated ownership. Sith whispered commands. Criminals made arrangements in back rooms. Politicians made decisions and eventually somebody else walked onto a stage and told everyone what those decisions supposedly meant. Sae had just been offered privacy and rejected it.

"She wants people hearing these ideas. She wants Imperialism discussed rather than whispered about like it's something shameful." The former entertainer understood the value of an audience. The information officer understood it even better. "And she's right about one thing. War changes what people are willing to listen to." Pry wasn't celebrating that fact. She had lived through enough collapsing governments to know what came with it.

"But we need to be careful with the Sith argument. If our entire case for friendship is that they're frightening and we're farther away, then we're only useful until someone else defeats them." She looked toward Zes again. "I'd rather give Naboo reasons to want Mahporeem around even when nobody's shooting at them."

Trade. Resources. Security. Access through the Outer Rim. Political cooperation. There were possibilities, though Pry wasn't yet arrogant enough to pretend she knew which ones mattered to Theed. That was what diplomacy was apparently for. Then something Graras said reached her. I shall have to introduce you to our Foreign Affairs Minister Prystill Oasay later today.

Pry blinked. Her head turned toward the High Commander. A slow smile spread across her face. "Did he just volunteer me?"

MX-4X answered immediately. "The High Commander appears to have informed Ambassador Sae that he intends to introduce you, yes."

Pry looked back toward Zes. "Well. It's nice to know someone has confidence in the new Foreign Minister." Her humor softened as she watched the conversation continue. She still made no move toward it.

Zes had been right before, and Pry saw no reason to abandon good advice simply because her name had entered the conversation. "Let them finish." She gave Zes a small nod. "Then I'll go discover exactly how much work they've just created for me." Pry's smile became a little more mischievous. "And if I come back promising Naboo half the Outer Rim, you have my permission to remind me about this conversation."

 

[Jessica Bowers]

OBJECTIVE III: THAT'S...A LOT OF MOONS
[PvP, PvE,]
​

Bowers almost had to tune her optics to focus on what she saw emerging from whatever hell hole existed beneath them. A moment of radio silence spread amidst the squad of Inferno operatives, as each of them observed and disciplined assessed the menace that was about to clash with their ranks below. This was far, far from any shootout, bank robbery or whatever else she had to handle on the force. The positive side? She didn't have to worry about their grade of voilence.

​

"Fire at will! Coordinate your targets." Tassar overrode any comms frequency with his command.

The Marshals command broke the silence and each one of them took positions behind low walls surrounding the structures roof,

<''This is it! We got the high ground, so let's keep it that way!''> Bowers called out, having turned off the voice scrambler minding the foul creatures would not understand them anyway. Everyone took aim to cover the walkers flanks and rear. Having gained the fire at will-clearance, it wasn't a nano second after that they begun firing their weapons. The creatures turned out to be tough bastards, but they expertly, yet slow and steady picked them off one by one.

"Reform the line! 102nd suppressive fire down the streets towards the pit. Inferno, Cobalt and Vanguard, clear up our rear. 181st will hold the line."

Bowers made a swift handsignal that made the squad reposition themselves to another side of the roof, with a better shooting angle to protect the 181st rear as they advanced and took the majority of damage.

"102nd and 181st, advance! Target the pit, Inferno protects the walkers. Cobalt and vanguard, prepare charges to seal the pit, collapse a building onto it if necessary."

The new orders were acknowledged and Inferno swiftly changed positions once again.

The AT-AAW lurched ahead, its armoured bulk grinding through the debris as brilliant bolts tore through the darkness, hammering into the creatures and breaking their advance. Meanwhile, the other walkers of the 102nd advanced in measured formation, their guns sweeping the streets ahead.

As they noticed the walkers starting to advance, Bowers looked down and around at the streets below them. Their weapons would lose their effectiveness and stopping power the further the walkers went, and they also ran the risk of losing sight of them.

<''Alright, Inferno! Prepare for close quarter combat! On me!''> she commanded, before hanging the blaster on her back, swung over the edge and sliding down the ladded. The other squad members followed closely and as soon as each of them touched ground they immediately grabbed their blasters again and moved down the street in a tight, disciplined formation with cover at all sides and staying close to the walls. At a corner, Bowers could hear the creatures moving up towards them along a narrow alley. She peaked around the corner and readied a C-25 grenade and tossed it into the horde, making short work of the most of them. On her signal, two operatives made a beeline for the other side and the opposite corner, while she and her third teammate aimed their blasters from behind their corner and down the alley, the sound and light from three blaster rifles concluding business with the remaining foes.

The squad on the opposite side of the walkers had done the same, ensuring that the left flank was covered. All while the might of the Empire slowly suppressed the things that tried to kill them. The battle looked to turn to their favor, even though many men were being lost to the merciless, mindless violence of these creatures.

[Just a little, tiny finishing one from me! Yay for our Dominion!]

Augustus Tassar , QV-611 , Ash Cobalt , Lothar Braeyek , Ronhar Tane​