Chain Lightning [ATTN: Ri'essi Union]

[Darth Osano]

IN ORBIT OF SOLOVARNA
ORDER OF BATTLE: [x05] Xo'Xaan Heavy Cruiser, [x03] Deimos-Class Gunship

Oftentimes, the astounding stupidity displayed by select organics was amusing to TD-18. Yet, every time he assumed he had seen the absolute depth of idiocy and the highest degree to which they lacked proper judgement, one of them did something that outdid the last one. Sometimes it involved activating self-destruct sequences in factories, endangering the lives of those within and around the factories. In this particular instance, it involved a large amount of little league corporate entities with aspirations of meaningful influence attempting to threaten one of the founding corporations of the Tion Hegemony.

In Levantine space.

To anyone with adequate perceptions, the Levantine Sanctum and the Tion Hegemony were both very accurately described as slumbering giants. In general, it is ill-advised to poke a slumbering giant with a stick. Especially if one's stick was of insufficient size to compete with the stick of the giant. It is even worse advised to poke two slumbering giants with a stick, let alone smacking the both of them upside the head and not even having a stick to defend yourself in the impending aftermath.

It would seem that, aside from sub-par products, the Ri'essi Union was the galaxy's largest manufacturer of bad ideas.

Near the top of their incredible list of poor decisions was their choice in location for headquarters. Solovarna was a technological backwater. It lacked a meaningfully unified government and a defensive fleet. Why anyone would put their corporate headquarters on a world that could not defend itself was beyond TD-18. Why anyone would put their corporate headquarters on a world that couldn't defend itself and then attempt to take the piss on the galaxy's most potent and unholy alliance of business Sith was so terribly beyond TD-18 that it threatened to overload his programming and result in untimely shutdown. TD-18 distracted himself with easier paradoxes to think over- such as "this statement is false" and "new mission: refuse this mission."

But it is time to focus less on the bad choices of the Ri'essi Union. But instead, the ramifications of their actions. These ramifications would take the form of five Xo'Xaan heavy cruisers and three Deimos gunships appearing in orbit of Solovarn while the rather pathetic amalgamated fleet of the Crystalsong Commonwealth was still deployed elsewhere. Ramifications would also include a transmission to the government that encompassed the land Ri'essi Union headquarters of Skytower.

// BEGIN TRANSMISSION \\​

SALUTATIONS,

AN ENEMY OF THE TION HEGEMONY CLAIMS THIS WORLD AS ITS HOME. HARBORING THIS ENTITY, THE RI'ESSI UNION, IS AN UNWISE DECISION. IT IS HEREBY REQUESTED THAT THE BUILDING OR AREA KNOWN AS "SKYTOWER" BE DESTROYED VIA CONTROLLED DEMOLITION AND ALL EMPLOYEES THEREIN DETAINED UNTIL THEY HAVE RESIGNED THEIR POSITION WITHIN THE RI'ESSI UNION. COMPENSATION WILL BE GIVEN.

YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOTTED TWO STANDARD HOURS TO ANNOUNCE INTENT TO COMPLY. THIS FLEET WILL REMAIN IN ORBIT UNTIL "SKYTOWER" IS NEUTRALIZED AND EMPLOYEES ARE DETAINED. FAILURE TO ANNOUNCE INTENT WITHIN THIS TIMEFRAME WILL RESULT IN CONTROLLED ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT OF "SKYTOWER." UNNECESSARY CASUALTIES AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE ARE EXPECTED IF THIS ACTION WERE TO BE TAKEN. COMPENSATION WILL NOT BE GIVEN. THIS FLEET WILL REFRAIN FROM DOING SO UNLESS STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE IS NOT TENDERED WITHIN THE GIVEN TIMEFRAME.

THE TION HEGEMONY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

// END TRANSMISSION \\​

 

[Nyxie]

A return transmission along with the locking signals of countless ground-based defenses, silos and turrets, both native and corporate, met the fleet of cruisers which could somehow fold weeks of space travel into the span of fifteen or so minutes.

THE RI'ESSI UNION SENDS ITS REGARDS. UNIDENTIFIED TION HEGEMONY WARSHIPS, PLEASE CEASE AND DESIST IMMEDIATELY OR BE FIRED UPON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF OUR ORBITAL DEFENSE INSTALLATIONS, AND YOUR LIFEBOATS AND ESCAPE PODS WILL BE SHOWN NO QUARTERS.

THE RI'ESSI UNION THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

The Chief of Defense looked out of the window of his office, giving a lovely one-finger salute to the ships in space who could not see.
Tion had friends with fleets. Ri'essi had fleets with friends.
Half of those "friends" were RRDI-made planetary defense installations, sometimes seen on other warships throughout the galaxy for their modularity and ease of use. The Electrosphere never did get the field test it deserved.

"I give them two, maybe three minutes, before pieces of Tion greatness scrub the atmosphere." He patted his subordinate. "It's their funeral."

The corporate city began evacuation.

(((OOC: I did not consent to, have time or desire to participate in this thread.)))​

 

[Darth Osano]

TD-18, mechanical hands clasped behind his back, turned away from the communications console. He looked squarely at the bridge crew, beginning to pace along the walkway. He saw no need for further communication.

"Our terms have been rejected." He announced flatly. "Order Goliath to enter atmosphere and prepare for tactical bombardment."

It did not make very much sense as to why a government would so staunchly defend a measly corporation not even three tiers in strength. Whatever the case, TD-18 would accomplish what he had come here to do without their cooperation. If the secretary of defense wished to further aggravate the powers that be in blind servitude to a corporation as inept as it was infantile, more power to him. He would likely need to resign from office once this ordeal was complete.

"What about their orbital defenses?" An officer spoke up.

"Our intelligence on this world suggests it is a technological backwater, nor is there any indication that the Ri'essi Union has undergone a development project to provide reinforcement with their own inferior technology. They are either lying or ignorant to their own limitations. Please inform Goliath to proceed."

Spoiler

Technology: The technology is slightly more advanced than that of humans (In reality not Star Wars-wise) but they have not developed space travel yet. They have also not discovered atomic properties. Their advancements include laser technology, flight, holocommunications and life support suits; to name a few.

From here.

Search results for Solovarna do not display any related development threads.

 

[RC 212]

[member="TD-18"]

Fleet
1x-Axehead Frigate- Retrofitted with dual Ion cannons and several connor nets.

2x Lancer Frigates- Bloodchild
Red Pearl

1x- Xo'xann SD- The Imperious

2x Lupus Class Missile Frigates- BlackRaven
Dead Orphan


Word had Reached his ears through taverns and starports and he had acted. Solovarna had been a rich hunting ground, where he had added many slaves to his wares. They toiled in misery aboard the Blazing chains fleet as he went to and fro across the stars. Today was a simple refit missions except when he had come into the orbit he had immediately been alerted to a contingent of vessels that were attacking the planet.

"How many vessels?"

"Three big ones, like this vessel and then five smaller support craft, looks to be some sort of attack or raid."

"The big fish eh? Looks like we might have another plunder today, sound quarters, prepare the fleet for battle!"

Klaxons rang across the bridge and red strobes flashed as the crew ran to and fro, desperate to keep their heads firmly fixed upon their shoulders.

"Bring us to the fore, right behind them, Lancers to our flanks, Lupus class to our front and Lancers behind them, Send the Axehead on collision course with the Flagship!"

"Aye sir ships moving into position!"

As the fleet moved he assessed the situation, they had clear shots on the enemies engines and they were distracted. Surprise was an excellent element. But esacpe must remain open too.

"Set hyperspace coordinates and bring drives online, prepare for emergency jump at my command. First mate, order the Axhead to fire into the enemy flagship on approach, connor nets on those five big ones. Lancers fire into the engines of the Xo'xanns, Lupus same firing solution.

As for us, open all batteries into the flagship as well, let's disable her boys!"

 

[Darth Osano]

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

ORDER OF BATTLE:

Spoiler

[Flagship] [Xo'Xaan] Adonizedek
[Xo'Xaan] Goliath
[Xo'Xaan] Hoham
[Xo'Xaan] Piram
[Xo'Xaan] Debir
[Deimos] Jericho
[Deimos] Ai
[Deimos] Gibeon

TD-18 watched impassively from the viewport as the Xo'Xaan Goliath began to edge out of formation, making for the planet. But, naturally, nothing was going to be that easy. A phrase TD-18 positively dreaded escaped the mouth of one of the bridge crew. A phrase that would have made his blood boil, if he had any.

"Admiral, we've got a large number of hyperspace ruptures detected."

Of all the luck. "Recall Goliath. Turn the fleet towards the source and maintain formation."

It took time to cross the vast expanse of space. Time TD-18 would send pulling his pants back up, having been caught with them down. By the time Blazing Chains, or whatever similarly lame name they referred to themselves as, closed the distance into firing range, the Tionese taskforce would be ready to meet them. They maintained a tight formation. Two Xo'Xaans in the back, three in front. Between them, the Deimos-Class gunships would stand watch against any starfighters, but it seemed that would be an unnecessary gesture. The pirates were outgunned, but they would probably make up for it in ingenuity.

TD-18 immediately noted the Axehead zooming ahead of the rest of the hostile fleet on a direct course with his own ship. It was only lightly armed and did not look particularly resistant to anything. He was not familiar with the design, but he could tell it was as antiquated as they got. Whatever reason they had to take point must have been good, so TD-18 decided it would be best to destroy it first. Fortunately, Xo'Xaans were equipped with four long range quad-ion cannons. Against such a paltry, outdated design, it would be torn to shreds and left uselessly drifting before it even knew what happened.

"Target that vessel." TD-18 ordered, indicating the Axhead on the holographic display. "Open fire with all long-range ion cannons."

Before the Axhead could even get within range, it would be bombarded with a torrent of relentless ion cannon fire. That did not bode well for it. Of the rest of the enemy fleet, the Lupus-class cruisers and the rival Xo'Xaan were the only real threats. The Lancers would be utterly useless.

"Order Goliath and Hoham to begin making targeting solutions for the two missile cruisers." TD-18 continued, addressing the two Xo'Xaans on either side of his own. "Adonizedek will target the enemy Xo'Xaan. Be prepared to open fire when it comes within range. All other ships maintain position."

 

[Darth Osano]

[[ Continuing, as opposing force has discontinued posting. ]]

Suddenly, and without very much warning, the hostile fleet broke rank and fled. Miraculously, the Axhead was able to dive at the very last moment and avoid the majority of the Ion cannon shots. A second volley did not come, as it turned to flee just shortly after. TD-18 opted not to give chase, as he was here to level a corporate headquarters. Not chase after some piratical riffraff. At the very least, this diversion would enable more people to be evacuated from the target zone. Then again, that wouldn't even be an issue if the government in question had simply complied and underwent a controlled demolition of Skytower. Maybe when Goliath entered the atmosphere and loomed above the city, they would change their tune.

"Maintain position." TD-18 ordered, opting to not get caught turned around once again. "Order Goliath to resume orbital bombardment procedures."

Still bristling with annoyance at the delay, TD-18 watched impassively once again as the Goliath lumbered out of formation and made for the planet. This time, hopefully, there would be no more trouble.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="TD-18"]

When Sith Lords were involved, at least when intelligent Sith Lords were involved, things weren’t all that cut and dry. It seemed that the droid in question had specific orders, destroy the building or at least coerce the government into doing the work for ‘em.

Nothing was as simple as that, it never was, so when Ovmar heard about this opportunity… he was all over it. Immediately talked with Ardik and figured the plan out.

TD-18 would keep ‘em busy, while Ovmar descended with a stealth transporter to the roof of the headquarters. There was always something new to learn… always.

He cloaked himself and his astromech in the Force and entered the building.

Now… where was his goal.

 

[Darth Osano]

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

As the defense chief had claimed, the full might of Skytower's orbital defenses opened up on the Goliath as it descended to take position over the "corporate city." Corporate city was a strange term to TD-18. Why would a profit-driven company want to own a city? All revenue generated from taxation would have to go back into the payroll of local officials and infrastructure. That was not a money generating enterprise. Then again, the Ri'essi Union was not an establishment that made sound decisions. As exemplified by their continued existence.

At any rate, the full might of Skytower's orbital defenses did impact the Goliath. But the primitive missile technology simply smashed uselessly into the shields of the Xo'Xaan. The star destroyer did not flinch, but continued it's fear inspiring crawl towards the center of Skytower. Orbital bombardment would commence shortly. By the end of the missile barrage (some of which were intercepted by point defenses, incidentally), Goliath's shields had been reduced to a small degree. Also by the end of the missile barrage, the Solovarnans were out of ammunition.

And there were still four more warships in orbit.

"Sir, incoming transmission from their president."

"Their what?" TD-18 did not spend a lot of time around democratic institutions, evidently.

"Their head of state. He wants to negotiate."

"Typical. Now they see their folly." TD-18 commented. "Patch him through."

 

[Nyxie]

One day, the foolish invaders would come to regret that they wasted their time on what was not the Ri'essi Union, but an office for it's personal manufacturer. As "payouts will not be given in cases of substantial collateral damage or inhumane methods," they weren't even being paid for it. If they wanted to waste their time under the false assumption that they were making any difference, that was their prerogative.

(((You can ignore me if you want, doesn't change that this isn't the Ri'essi Union.​

​

This, and I quote from the submission, is "Ri'essi Union Manufacturing Co.")))​

 

[Raziel]

. Mispost

 

[Verdict Hook]

*Verdict sat with his men on the edge of Space, close to the Ri'essi Union headquarters of Skytower, he was in his Kandosii-Dreadnaught when they intercepted a transmission from TD-18, to the Skytower.*
Very interesting... *verdict thought to himself on the bridge, his Mandalorian patrol, bored of sitting in space.*
....Jump to hyperspace outside of the planet. I would like to talk to this droid..
*The Dreadnaught falls out of lightspeed on the opposite side of the planet of the droid fleet., Verdict motions to his men to open a new transmission*

-TRANSMISSION TO TD-18-

I am Verdict Hook, a member of the Mandalorian Army, my men and I would like to help you in this attack against Skytower, We will aid you in taking over the city, as long as my men and I can raid the Corporations wealth. Please respond if you accept our offer.

-End Transmission-

*Verdict sat back in his chair, waiting for a response.*

 

[Darth Osano]

Thankfully, TD-18 knew fully well that the target he was assaulting was- in point of fact -the headquarters of the Ri'essi Union Manufacturing Corporation. It was rather clearly and explicitly stated in their corporate database entry. This fact was then double checked with infochants and other informants on the planet. People could try to dance around the truth of the matter and make really sad attempts to avoid consequences for their actions all they wanted, but it would never change the reality of the situation. Namely that Goliath, a Xo'Xaan with a guncount higher than the collective intelligence quotient of of the Ri'essi Union Manufacturing Corporation's executive leadership, was about to open fire and blast Skytower into oblivion.

Well, that was what was going to happen, had the wisdom of the head of state of the government that encompassed Skytower not kicked in, prompting the man to reason with the agitated Tionese in orbit.

"Do not open fire. Repeat, do not open fire. We will cooperate." The president transmitted, remarkably calm for someone who no-doubt had tremendous fear in their heart. Probably what got him elected in the first place. Or chosen by the oligarchy- however these people did it. "We will comply with your demands."

"Excellent. Inform Goliath to maintain position and to hold fire."

The orbital bombardment ceased before it began. Another happy ending.

"This is a reminder that the employees of the Ri'essi Union must be detained until they resign their positions. You would also do well to refuse them further use of your land and advise neighboring governments to do the same. Inform us when controlled demolition is underway." TD-18 continued. Frankly, he didn't care one way or the other if he had to commit atrocity here or not. He just wanted to leave. "The Tion Hegemony thanks you for your time."

[member="Verdict Hook"]

// BEGIN TRANSMISSION \\​

SALUTATIONS,

THE TION HEGEMONY HAS NO INTEREST IN SUBDUING OR RAIDING THE REST OF THE CITY. WE WILL BE DEPARTING THIS SYSTEM AFTER OUR OPERATIONS ARE COMPLETE. WE MUST REQUEST THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM LAUNCHING RAIDING OPERATIONS ON THE CITY HOUSING "SKYTOWER" UNTIL THE SOLOVARNANS HAVE COMPLIED WITH OUR DEMANDS AND WE HAVE DEPARTED.

THE TION HEGEMONY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

// END TRANSMISSION \\​

 

[Velok the Younger]

By holocomm from the Tionese ships, Rave stayed abreast of the situation and prepared to notify the Hegemony that Tion would, indeed, be paying Tion for this.

 

[Darth Osano]

TD-18 waited patiently on the bridge of his ship now. A live feed of the proceedings on the planet's surface was displayed on a large monitor, which TD-18 watched impassively and the bridge crew occasionally stole glances at. For a primitive world, the Solovarnans were conducting themselves rather orderly. He supposed the threat of orbital bombardment was more than enough to put the fear of screwing up into their hearts. Demolition crews were entering Skytower, ready to detonate the foundations of the Ri'essi Union's headquarters and bring the building tumbling down. There was no effort to evacuate the building of supplies or anything, as the Solovarnans anticipated that would just test TD-18's patience.

The building and much of the surrounding area had already been evacuated, and the military personnel previously dedicated to shepherding the fleeing civilians was now focused on doing that in addition to separating the employees of the Ri'essi Union. They would be detained at a large structure of some sort until they could figure out a way to get them all to resign their positions. There was little doubt that any of them would resist, as living for another day and not getting their home city bombarded from orbit was worth far more than the measly paycheck they received.

Given that this was their headquarters, it was also highly likely that very valuable personnel would be included among those forced to resign. However would the Ri'essi Union recover from this tragic loss? Everything indicated that they would attempt to ignore it and pretend like nothing happened. Such was life, TD-18 supposed.

 

[Darth Osano]

At TD-18's request, the demolition teams took their sweet time in rigging the controlled destruction of Ri'essi Union's headquarters. Rushing it would only prove hazardous, and it would buy a little extra time to ensure that the area surrounding the building was fully evacuated. Hopefully the employment of more mundane forms of destruction (as opposed to orbital bombardment) would keep the damage done to other surrounding buildings from being too severe. Not that it really mattered to TD-18. This was mostly for the benefit of the Solovarnans, who had nothing to gain and seemingly everything to lose from sheltering the Ri'essi Union.

The evacuation continued, and the former employees of Ri'essi Union Manufacturing were put to work signing resignation papers where they were detained. By no means was it anything official, more of a symbolic gesture undertaken by the Solovarnans to appease the powers that were in orbit. They unceremoniously recanted their employment to the company, vowing to never associate with it again. At least, that was what the document said they would do. They actually just wanted to go home and be done with this torrid affair.

Hopefully they would get severance payment. The last time someone hadn't gotten severance payment... Well, a fleet had appeared above Solovarna, and the rest was presently unfolding.

 

[Darth Osano]

Hours passed, well over ten. Darkness fell over Skytower, but still the project went underway. TD-18's fleet wasn't going anywhere. They had all the time in the world. Finally, as it crawled towards the small hours of the morning, everything was in place. The people were evacuated in totality and those formerly affiliated with Ri'essi Union Manufacturing were now little more than unemployed people still confined to a makeshift detainment area. It was well out of range of the impending explosion.

"Admiral, the Solovarnans say they're ready to commence the demolition."
"Bring it on screen. Tell them to proceed."

The massive video display of TD-18's flagship switched to a view of RUM's headquarters. It looked exactly as intelligence had suggested it would and corroborated with the appearance given by the bounty poster. There was no way the building they were presently demolishing was anything other than the actual headquarters of Ri'essi Union. Besides, the Solovarnans could not afford to dupe the Hegemony. Nor would they be inclined to. Perhaps what employees had been evacuated held some small degree of loyalty to the company, but the entire planet or just the local government certainly did not.

With a series of audible pops, controlled explosions ripped apart the interior of the building. Smoke and fire sprang every which-way from the hastily-set demolition charges. This had scarcely occurred for two seconds before the building folded in on itself, crashing to the ground and turning into a massive pile of rubble and twisted durasteel. It to several minutes for the dust to settle, but once it had the destruction was clear to behold. The mission was thusly completed. The headquarters of Ri'essi Union Manufacturing was destroyed, and the employees therein neutralized by forcing them to quit their jobs or become detained indefinitely.

"Thank the Solovarnans for their cooperation. Reparations will be sent shortly. Recall the Goliath, chart a course home."
"Aye, sir."

The video display blinked into darkness, and TD-18 about-faced to make his way back to the helm.

"We're done here."

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="TD-18"]

Tion, on behalf of Tion, paid Tion the Tionese bounty on the enemies of Tion. The payment of Tionese credits was an example of true Tionese largesse: generous, but cheap. Just go with it.


Heil Tion.


(Also, a certain hirsute snob received a Talisman of Concentration.)