Blocking and Lokkin'

[Tmoxin Temi]

Location: Morpho Center for Imperial Training on Lok

Tmoxin sat in her office persuing the holonet specifically a wine catalog, so that she could order a new shipment for the cantina and of course for the private refrigerator in her private quarters. Lok was essentially a desert planet so naturally hot and dry; therefore Commander Temi figured she needed more white wine in this shipment than her favorite Corellian red. Or perhaps something more thirst-quenching like muja fruit sangria? A fresh, sweet wine to sip while she soaked in the nearby sulfur pools which had therapeutic properties especially on sore muscles. Her thoughts were interrupted by an appearance from Sgt. Major Ulysses.

"May I help you, Sgt. Major?" she asked as he lingered at her door.

"Commander, I'm worried about our recent activity on Morpho. I fear it's attracting... unwanted attention."

"We built a training base and nothing more," she said dismissively. "The war games have been successful, the laboratory is about to be started, and you my friend, are being paranoid." She went back to her datapad. Perhaps some Arkanian mead would be a nice addition to the cantina.

"If you were more interested in our Agent's reports versus what alcohol is stored in your private reserves, you may feel the need to be as vigilant as I do."

Tmoxin rasied her head slowly and narrowed her eyes at Ulysses. "Would you like to spend a couple hours in the clink for that statement, Sgt. Major?" She trusted her fellow officer with her life, but his snarky advice all too often bordred upon insolence. How dare he question her drinking habits as excessive as they were at times?!?

He opened his mouth but stopped and pulled himself up straighter. A little more respectfully now the Sgt. Major said: "I suggest building a deflector shield around Morpho. Commander," he recommended. "Nothing elaborate but right now we're absolutely exposed. I will have potential contractor information sent to you upon your approval."

Tmoxin thought about what Sgt. Major was suggesting. Luckily for her, her second in commands were more paranoid than she was about keeping their activities not only secret but sustainable. The Commander had been quite reckless as of late in her dealings - her bounty, the interest in slave purchases, not to mention her high value captive in the detention facility...

"Okay, let's proceed with building a shield. I'll conduct the contractor interviews myself."

 

[Connor Harrison]

The troop transport for new recruits hadn’t taken long to traverse the Corellian Run to Lok, at the request of Kyle to meet with one Commander Temi, a name heard from his recent investigations into the operations of the Imperial remnant forces and the One Sith.

From Coruscant, Kyle had plenty of time to think on the journey across, and he was adamant to impress the Commander with his words and his devotion to the cause. He wasn’t a god, he wasn’t a Force user, but he was a man who would sweat, bleed and fight for the glory of the Imperial forces.

---

Now, outside the Imperial Outpost on Lok, Kyle was one of the last to move forward into the facility, his white armor of the ancient First Order speckled with sand and dirt, the helmet under his arm as he walked through to find someone to help. A young man in an officer’s uniform caught his eye, and Kyle moved forward to stop him.

”Excuse me, I’m here to see your Commander Temi, I was told he would be stationed here.”

As the officer excused himself with instruction to wait, a number of Stormtroopers passed by. Kyle was still fascinated by the message the faceless soldiers could convey – emotionless soldiers serving an almighty force behind them. Just what the galaxy needed. And Kyle felt this Temi could be the man he cut through insurgents for.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

The Imperials were becoming a valuable asset as of late. Strong of will, unquestioning in their loyalty, and excessive in their shows of force. They were the perfect little soldiers that would be so desperately needed in the coming days. Sylvanan had taken a particular liking to Captain Hans and his companion. Normally, the stifling formality of the Sith Officers tended to make the Arkanian less than optimistic about his meeting with them, but their skill had quickly outweighed that detractor.

He did not so much arrive on Lok as he appeared. His cruiser was an Espada class, unseen and unheard of on such backwater worlds. It was only the soft whir of his swoop that announced his approach.

His bio-suit made him look like one of the Sith Inquisitors, though that was only a coincidence. As such, when he presented correct identification at each gate, no one batted an eye. Behind him, a heavy lift droid arrived in its own swoop, accompanied by two silent technicians in full Katarn armor. They were obsidian statues, only moving as Sylvanan moved, his personal warriors.

Sylvanan did not bother making a physical appearance. His image simply rang on [member="Tmoxin Temi"]'s holocom, and would continue to do so until she entered. Meanwhile, the Arkanian made a B-line for the base's core reactor. His allies needed a shield. He would provide.



[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Sgt. Major Ulysses strolled up to Kyle Amedis and gave him a curt nod of respect. He was here to accompany the stormtrooper to the Commander's office which was in the main building of the Morpho Center.

"Commander Temi doesn't like surprises," he said. "What is your business with her today, soldier?" They walked side by side through the grey, unadorned hallways. The Major knew what type of mood Tmoxin was in today as he himself just narrowly missed a trip to the prison because of her temper earlier. Then again, he knew that she very much enjoyed meeting one on one with her troops, especially playing Sabaac with them in the cantina, and they entertained her like the diligent soldiers they were, even though he knew more of the younger men would be more comfortable playing a raucous Pazaak game without her present.

The Sgt. Major knew that this particular trooper had been among the procession when they were stationed on Gyndine accompanying Warmaster Hauntruss as the Sith Lord checked upon a large shipbuilding project and he also knew that this particular soldier showed much promise in recent raining drills. He stood with Amedis outside of the Commander's office as he waited for a response to his question, presumably to prep the Hapan officer of the reason for his visit.

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

About to speak, Kyle stopped himself at the notion that Temi was a female. Making himself feel stupid resuming all Imperial high-command were male, he shifted slightly at the prospect of serving under a female officer and having to watch what he said, how he said it and when he said it.

He faced the door, not turning to the highly decorated officer beside him.

”Well she doesn’t exactly know I’m here. It’s more of a spur of the moment visit to see if I can be of service to her.”

Finally, he turned his head slightly.

”Ill-advised it may be, but you don’t get anywhere without trying so I’ll take the risk.”

He offered a curt smile and straightened his back, holding his posture as a trained solider to make good impression on whoever lay beyond the blast doors.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Sgt. Major Ulysses said, "Very well." He signaled for Amedis to wait outside as he entered his security credentials into the door pad. Her office door hissed open and closed to swallow him in.

Eventually he came back out and the door was left open. He motioned for Amedis to finally enter the Commander's office. The soldier would immediately see that for an Imperial Officer, even a high-ranking one the furnishings were quite luxurious and not at all like the drab grey utilitarian offices of most Generals or Colonels. Surely the Hapan woman had an interior designer brought in from off-world to decorate the lavish space with black and greel wood, a long roomy desk, wall to wall bookshelves and full length window with a view of the Morpho base. On the bookshelves he would see a small replica of an antique Hapan Battle Dragon ship. There was a leather chair opposite her desk and a love seat in the corner. Amedis would also see that to the right of the office was a small refresher and what appeared to be a bedroom, again lavishly decorated.

Commander Temi herself sat at the desk and looked up as he entered. She wore the requisite black Imperial uniform, her reddish hair tied up with shoulder length tendrils framing her face. Although her face remained impassive at the sight of Amedis, her skin did have a little color from the unforgiving desert conditions of Lok which made her seem less imposing.

"The Sgt. Major said you wanted to meet me, soldier. Please sit down," she said, motioning to the chair across from her. "First of all, thank you for your service. Can I have someone bring in any refreshments?" she asked her finger hovering over a button that would presumably bring a droid or other type of lower-level assistant to bring around drinks or food.

Despite what Sgt. Major Ulysses said early, the Commander seemed quite amenable to the surprise visit, and while her welcome could not be seen as warm and friendly, she was at least cordial and respectful.

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle entered as he was allowed to do and immediately saw the Commander, just as he expected for a male or female of the Imperial high command – the dark uniform, steely gaze and imposing aura about them. Only his eyes flickered around the room as he entered, taking in a rather comfortable looking environment, cozy and relaxing away from the dangerous world beyond the safety of the compound.

As he came to a stand at the end of her desk, he looked down at her well defined face highlighted by her hair and waited for his invitation to sit. He did so, frowning for a split-second at the love seat in the corner of his eye line. Very cozy indeed. Kyle held out his hand to stop her calling for refreshments.

”I’m fine, for now, thank you Commander Temi. Please, continue for yourself if you so wish.”

He placed the helmet on the floor beside him, the humane face with dark eyes the only sign of life inside the armor that defined him as a symbol and a faceless tool of war.

”And it’s my duty to serve, please don’t thank me for it. However thank YOU for giving me the chance to talk, I know your time is precious to waste talking to a foot soldier like me. However, I am here simply to offer my services to you.”

He steepled his fingers together and rested them on his knee, tapping his thumbs together gently.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin listened to the dutiful trooper offering his services. This was the same way she had recruited the Sgt. Major and many of her soldiers both past and present. They only needed a willingness to serve. A cause to defend. To forcibly install order in a disordered galaxy. They were the metaphorical gables of rationalism and factualism - the hard cold truth of life which would eventually win out over that voodoo Jedi magic.

"I do have a need for your services," she said. Assessing the stormtrooper, she noticed his physique - he was the right build and had a certain charisma which would help with the task she may need him to do. "What's your name, soldier?"

All of a sudden, her holophone rang and she picked it up. "Oh great, Sylvana has arrived."

Commander Temi rose and picking her sunglasses up from her desk, she put them on and said to the soldier in his gleaming white armor: "Would you like to come with me? We're about to begin building an energy shield for the defense of the Morpho Center. It will also have a landing pad for AT-ATs and two to three Lambda-class shuttles. I think you'll be interested in meeting my colleague who is helping with the designs."

[member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

Sylvanan would never dare to bug his colleague's quarters. The Cabal relied on absolute trust, no secrets could be between them. If he needed to know something, he was confident Miss Temi would inform him of such, and vice versa. Still, something tingled at the nape of his neck, as if someone, somewhere, perhaps a pretty little Imperial with a high position, was speaking of him. Perhaps not in the greatest of lights either. Not that he cared much, there were more pressing matters to attend to.

"Hold it down you ignorant di'kut!" He boomed at the ensign. The young man, a boy really, whimpered in reply, and shoved the power cable back into the innards of the facility's prime generator. He was afraid of being electrocuted - which was impossible, Sylvanan would not ask someone to do something so dangerous if that were the case.

He breathed an audible sigh of relief that was only amplified by his helmet speakers. The green status light on the generator lite up, reflecting a bright emerald luminescence off the obsidian viewport of his visor. The two soldiers that had accompanied him stood guard nearby, well it was more like they were killing time - they were playing Pazaak - looked up from their game. The Arkanian shrugged.

"Please let the pretty lady through when she gets here. I'm really not in the mood for any..." He motioned toward the generator, whose innards were currently spilled out all over the floor. "Any lip for this."



[member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

About to speak up, Kyle was cut short by the Commander’s intercom. He waited, as expected, and soon rose from his seat as she did, with an invite to follow. Crouching to pick up his helmet, carrying it under his arm, the armor Kyle wore clicked softly as he stood back and followed the Commander out.

”My name’s Kyle Amedis, ma’am, call sign Harbinger. But that’s my own touch.”

He felt pleased walking beside someone in such high authority; he felt his was the right path and his footsteps forward were footsteps forward into something much bigger than he could have possibly imagined.

”It sounds an interesting plan you have, and I’m sure one that will be nothing but perfect for the facility.”

Kyle kept talking to a minimum – after all, she probably wasn’t really listening and it wasn’t as if they were best friends that a trooper could make chit-chat with a Commander of a whole legion.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

As they exited Tmoxin's office, they passed Sgt. Major Ulysses who appeared to have been standing there the whole time. The officer followed behind them as strode through the Morpho's corridors. The hallways were wide and straight, the entire building actually a bastion of order. Even though the activities that went on at the Morpho Center for Imperial Training were not always benevolent, most of the facility was well-light, clean with wide walls. All designed so nothing could be hidden from the Commander. She still felt that her legions belonged to Captain Vaiden but Morpho... Morpho was her child. And she would do everything she could do defend it.

Once the group reached the core reactor, the young ensign would notice their arrival and would scurry over to let them in.

"Sir, the Commander is here," he said meekly to the the Arkanian who was currently disassembling the generator.

Before Tmoxin addressed Tal'verda, she turned to Kyle and said: "Mr. Armedis, how are you at training other stormtroopers? Do you have any specific experience with military instruction of any kind?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking around in slight awe at the goings on, surrounded by all sorts of technical equipment and busy bodies.

”I’ve not trained Stormtroopers – you could say I’m still a baby in the grand scheme of things, but I did train officers in CorSec ranging from anti-terrorist groups, hostage rescue, building raids and hand to hand combat before I…left.”

Kyle answered without even looking at the Commander, too busy watching the fuss over at the generator.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

As they waited for Tal'verda to acknowledge them, Tmoxin continued her investigation of Amedis's experience in training soldiers.

"Interesting," she said cocking her head at him and removing her sunglasses. Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity. "These... recruits are very undisciplined. They will need to be taught hand to hand combat as well as rudimentary weapons training. There's a rifle range here on Morpho that you could use." So far this soldier had exhibited signs of unwavering support but his mettle would certainly be tested with the "training" she had in mind.

"Are you aware of how low recruitment has been lately especially in the Core Worlds? After those high-ranking Admirals were executed it seemed that our intake numbers dropped right off. I just can't wait around for Headquarters to get their posteriors in gear," Tmoxin grumbled.

From her pocket she withdrew a pair of short gloves and slowly donned them, covering her pale, white hands in a sheath of black leather.

"Sometimes we have to take matters into her own hands. Isn't that right, soldier?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Shivering a little at the icy tone to the Commander’s voice, Kyle glanced at her and nodded slowly. He’d certainly need to do more to show he wasn’t just one of the troops here because they had nothing better to do.

”I will report for training as and when you see fit, and I’ll certainly corral the others I am with for sure.”

While he was aware of some trouble in the current wave of recruitment, it wasn’t something Kyle let bother him. He was here, and it wasn’t his job to convince others. If those without morals and conviction didn’t want to enlist, then the legions were better off without them. They would only be a burden.

Watching Tmoxin slide on the leather gloves, something about her power excited Kyle, but it was a little too dangerous to let get in his way.

He turned to the other troops and exhaled slowly.

”Sometimes you need to see the blood, dirt and sweat on your own hands to know the job has been done correctly, Commander.”

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

"Plot. Scary. Stormtrooper. Eat the children. Sacrifice the bathrobes." Sylvanan murmured in a sing-songy voice as he stood up from the generator. Lubricant stained his gloves in patches of mossy green and dirty brown. He dusted them off on his breast plate, and stepped forward toward the duo.

The Arkanian was no Sith, Imperial, or any other important fellow under the sun. He cared about the galaxy , and that was why he was here. He clapped his fingers, and the two soldiers that had provided him escort left the building - along with the shaky young ensign Sylvanan had verbally tortured. He stood up to his full height, and stared at the two, their faces reflecting in the glass of his obsidian visor.

"New friend, Tmoxin?" He asked quietly, observing the man. "Protege, long lost child, tin can?"

From the sound of his voice, one could guess he was smiling. He motioned toward the generator. "Augmenting the power output so that your generator will survive producing a shield of that caliber."







[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Good attitude this soldier had, thought Tmoxin. Very promising. He would see her face light up with approval for a brief moment. Then as she turned towards her Sylvanan Tal'verda her whole countenance became once again a mask of Imperial coldness, a glacial divide between them. Sylvanan would feel the chill from Commander Temi as well. It wasn't as if he had done anything personally to her, but she didn't quite know the Arkanian that well yet and trust was to be earned and not doled out wantonly.

"Mr. Tal'verda, I trust you are well. I hope you don't find the dust on Lok too taxing on your system," she said, acknowledging his fragile medical condition. "And yes I guess you can say this is a protege of mine. Please meet Kyle Amedis who is one our company's finest soldiers. I have a special project for him."

She allowed them time to greet each other and then continued. "I'd like to hear about your progress so far with the energy shield. Can you indulge me for a few minutes and then I'll stay out of your way and let you work."

[member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle straightened up meeting a new figure of authority, his eyes confident, posture rigid and strict – a typical foot soldier who knew when to respect those in higher command. With a sharp incline of the head, he also knew when to respect those enough to simply acknowledge them and stay quiet.

Listen and observe.

The fact that the Commander suddenly dropped in a “special project” filled him with eagerness and dread – he knew many who had gone on special projects and never come back. But, a protégé? A fine soldier?

Words were all well and good, but action was important to back them up. He stood slightly behind his Commander – yes, he wanted to class such a figure as his Commander – and kept still and silent like all good symbols of power did.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

"Sure, but you have to bring me hotcakes afterword." The Arkanian snickered. He offered a friendly nod toward the Stormtrooper - not half the respectful, solid figure the two Imperials portrayed. He'd done his time in their ranks. Done more than young Tmoxin had, and was likely off beginning the war against the Republic back when the Stormtrooper was finishing his junior academy tests. Sylvanan had earned the right to be a bit informal.

Not to say he offered either of them disrespect.

"Once the power is gauged, we should be green for installation. I'm afraid I can't stay entirely long - I have contacts that need speaking to outside of Sith space." The obsidian face plate that hid his expression suddenly faded.

A pale white skinned humanoid grinned from beneath. He looked like any average human in bone structure, but his hair, lips, and flesh were as white as snow. His eyes were a luminescent shade of blue, like a pair of Ruun gems. A fleck of stubble lined his chin - it was time consuming to shave when you lived within a bio-suit.

"I'm sure you understand, m'dear." His smile grew - if that was even possible. "I could use your help for a moment if you aren't above getting your hands dirty." A pause. "Both of you."

There was something heavy in his voice. A meaning that Tmoxin might catch, but likely sounded as if he was just a bit too eager to change out the generator for the soldier. The unspoken words were clear .

Is he one of us?




[member="Kyle Amedis"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin gave Sylvanan a thin smile at best. When his obsidian mask gradually vanished, she nearly recoiled at Tal'verda's paleness. She feared for what the blistering sun of Lok would do to his skin if he were to step outside without his bio-suit. He looked so sickly - she just wanted to bring him a bowl of soup or something.

"Hands dirty," she repeated with her upper lip slightly curled. "I'm not above it but I have others who conduct those activities for me." Tmoxin could think of half a dozen unsavory acts which fit into the category of "activities," mainly embezzlement, slave trading, war crimes, the list went on. But perhaps she was reading far too much into Mr. Tal'verda's words and he only needed help to unravel some electrical cords or something.

"What is the nature of this dirty work?" she asked curious as to what the Arkanian was involved in.

[member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

It was time to unveil Sylvanan's grand plan. So vile was it that he would not dare speak of it to Tmoxin's underlings, save for this lone Stormtrooper. It would be difficult to justify such an action for the future, but it must be done. The Arkanian was never one to shy away from even the hardest of decisions.

"I need you..." The obsidian plate came back to life, shrouding his expression in a darkness that seemed to absorb all the light around it. "To..."

He trailed off, and marched over to the generator. His shoulders slumped as he brooded over the piece of machinery. Then, ever so slowly, an oil-caked glove motioned toward the generator's power core, a small box of wires to his far left.

"Hold the power cable down while I test the output! Evil and vile, I know, but it has to be done." The Arkanian huffed an amused little laugh. "There are two cables, big, ribbed and bronze. Hopefully that isn't too familiar."

Subtext.

"Once the output is right, we should be green."






[member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Kyle Amedis"]