Mission Compliance | The Neshtab Crisis Pt. III

[Ignacious Korvan]

THE NESHTAB CRISIS - PART THREE

​

*Artwork by Avelion
*Neshtab Lore by NorikSigma

Spoiler: Supplemental Reading

• Aggressive Negotiations | The Neshtab Crisis Pt. I
• Hostile Takeover | The Neshtab Crisis Pt. II
• IMPNET News Update | Neshtab Accepts Imperial Annexation!

---

With the Imperial annexation of NESHTAB came yet another increase in tensions between the GALACTIC ALLIANCE and THE EMPIRE. Despite the Empire’s efforts to contain them, several key members of the NESHTAB COLLECTIVE were successfully extracted from the besieged mountain stronghold of Fort Netus, resulting in a government in exile being established within the borders of the Alliance. Despite this minor setback, the Empire’s Central Government has been quick to establish themselves across the planet with a pro-Imperial puppet regime installed to grant the native populace some semblance of self determination.

Despite initial successes to that end, unresolved complications lying underneath the surface threaten to unravel everything the brave souls of the Imperial Armed Forces fought and bled for. A well led and armed RESISTANCE MOVEMENT is spreading throughout the planet - sowing discord and malcontent amongst the native populace. The regional office of COMPNOR has dispatched a task force to root out and eradicate this resistance movement before it gains further traction in the pursuit of regaining Neshtabine independence.

Meanwhile, the CIRCLE OF THE HOWLING WIND; a dark side cult that was able to escape destruction preceding the Imperial occupation of the planet - is rumored to be thriving deep within the caverns of the planet. Reports of blood sacrifices and whole communities falling silent are spreading throughout the countryside. By order of the Lord Regent, this world must be brought to compliance - either quietly, or by force.

​

​

​

​

---

OBJECTIVE 1: HYDRA
"Cut off one head, two more will take its place."​

While Imperial order and stability is quickly taking hold upon the world of Neshtab and its myriad of settlements, intelligence reports indicate the presence of an exceedingly threatening resistance movement growing within the fringe communities of the planet. COMPNOR has dispatched a task force to investigate these reports, and if proven valid; to bring these communities into compliance. Initial surveillance has revealed that the leadership of this resistance movement is referred to as ‘The Hydra’.

While local reports insinuate that this ‘Hydra’ is a single figure, analysts within COMPNOR suggest that this is an entity composed of a small collective of leaders instead. Find the leader(s) of this movement, and purge them with extreme prejudice. Only then will the body die...

Spoiler: Character Recommendations

COMPNOR, ISB, COMPforce, Purge Troopers

Spoiler: Intelligence Data

Three villages are rumored to be supporting (overtly or tacitly) this ‘Hydra’ and their organization. While targeting all three villages would be the most thorough approach - time is of the essence, as the longer this operation proceeds, it is suspected that the harder it will become to locate them.

​

• Bluebloods: A split-off of the Sixer mercenary societies from ~300 years ago, this smallish settlement in the mountains maintains a very specific type of Core World Nobility culture that has long since gone extinct. They have a very aloof attitude to the others on Neshtab, and have a very mercurial sense of honour whenever they deal with enemies; particularly when they sell their military services to other groups. This village would make for an ideal recruiting ground for Hydra and their growing movement.
  
  ​
• Nest Ankelin: Physically isolated from the main tunnel networks, Ankelin has fringe views about Neshtab's many political configurations. Namely, that they are all a bad idea. They claim to be the Truest Neshtabines and protect their independence fiercely, especially against droids. As a result, however, they have preserved gunsmithing forms that have long since gone extinct. Sporadic reports have been intercepted regarding the presence of Hydra - or at the very least, agents representing their interests.
  
  ​
• The Claw Tribe: Offworlders from long ago, these tribals live in the snowdrifts and are best known for their unique rituals that allow them to tame even creatures that the Stormsingers have failed to tame. There is nothing about them specifically that would single them out as prime candidates for Hydra infiltration/subversion, save for the fact they are easily the most remote and isolated of the three communities. For the Empire to truly bring Neshtab into compliance, we must know what all of its communities are doing - including The Claw Tribe.

---

OBJECTIVE 2: RECKONING
"Suffer not the darkness..."
​

While the Empire and Galactic Alliance engaged in a pseudo-confrontation over the fate of Neshtab and its relationship with the Empire, the danger posed by ‘The Circle of the Howling Wind’ fell by the wayside. Over the past few weeks however, their actions; ranging from the wholesale abduction of small villages, and the use of their native populace in malign force rituals - have rendered the Circle a threat that can no longer be ignored.

A strike team of Imperial Knights supported by special forces units has been assembled to meet this threat, and resolve it once and for all. Suffer not the darkness.

Spoiler: Character Recommendations

Imperial Knights, Special Forces

 

[Varus the Sigillite]

Varus stood in his argent armor, his lightsaber-pike in one hand, the large shield in the other like a crusader of forgotten times. A statement of silvery-grey plates and a white tabard imposing himself onto the view of anyone. He came alone, no other Vindicator was assigned to this task as no more were required, nor requested. Varus himself answered the call by Ignacious Korvan to support this mission and bring down a heretic cult of Dark siders.

He had landed at the point designated by intelligence where the task force of Knights and maybe special forces would advance from. His approach was not that of an incoming comet or equal to the righteous wrath he represented. The Vindicators were a hammer, yes, but they were acting and working both in silence and secrecy when necessary. So his approach and landing were not known outside of those who ordered the mission and eventually those who would join him.

For now, he waited. He was early and it would certainly prove more brotherly to wait for those who would join him eventually. He waited.
​

 

[Tamna Korvan]

I N Q U I S I T O R

THE EMPIRE
SHADOWS | NESHTAB
TAG: Varos Ignacious Korvan | Varus the Sigillite | Open
GEAR: Armour | Lightsaber | Pistol |Vibroblade | Vibroknife | Grenade loadout | Various poisons

PART V​

It always devolved into chaos, didn't it?

The Circle of the damn Howling Wind ignored and here they were, having to bring another try-hard terrorist group to heel. All because the pacifists intervened. And many within the Empire were too weak to bring them to heel as well.

It was disappointing.

The Viper could feel the Darkness pulsing all around. She had always been good at pinpointing the locations of Dark Siders, even before her brief time with the Jedi. Kandara never suffered the Darkness. It had its own problems, but the Bogan was never allowed a foothold on the planet. That hunter-instinct is something that she had drilled into her then-Squire Varos Ignacious Korvan until he had near-perfected the art. Hunt and take down those that walk in the shadows, no matter who they were.

No one was above that, as Halketh 's death had proven.

Amena moved like a shadow through the belly of the small town, her contingent of specialised Death Troopers moving like shadows alongside her. The green from their visors shone ominously on the icy world. But those green visors would see anything long before it sees them.

It was with her senses wide open, that she caught wind of a familiar presence.
<Good to be on the same battlefield as you are once more, Varos. You still able to track properly?> she projected to her old student. She knew exactly where he was, even without their old link. The young Korvan had a calm about him that would stand out like a sore thumb anywhere. Especially on a planet like Neshtab currently.

He was good, but sometimes too much of it could be a bad thing.

 

[Asanté Tsilor]

COMPLIANCE
Objective 2 • Reckoning

313th Stormtrooper Legion • 'SABRETOOTH LEGION'
Task Force Sika' Dwa (40/40)

Allies: TE • Ignacious Korvan Varus the Sigillite Tamna Korvan
Enemies: N/A

TSILOR'S LOADOUT
• UNIVERSAL COMBAT PLATFORM 'STORM' MK. V
• SRK-65 PARTICLE-BEAM RIFLE
• AP-25i 'SIMP' PARTICLE-BEAM BLASTER
• VIBRO-KNIFE

POOR, LONESOME STORMY: REPLACEMENTS -- PART I​

NIV 'LIBERATOR', NESHTAB'S SPACE, 878, HUNT FOR 'THE CIRCLE OF THE HOWLING WIND'

Tsilor came to Neshtab with a batch of the best troopers from his battalion -- the so-called Task Force 'Sika' Dwa', TF-SKD. Their objective? To provide support to the Imperial Knights' squadron that had been called to this world so they could hunt a dangerous Sith sect that Asanté discovered in the reports about the battles that had already been fought over the now-Imperial world. Asanté knew little about what he and his men would have to do in order to purify Neshtab from this threat -- the last threat the planet had on his surface. Bundled up in his new armorweave, the Kiffar looked at the dropship's porthole as the vessel was leaving the tight space of the 'Liberator', observing the atmosphere of Neshtab. While the surface was coming closer and closer, Asanté sighed, shifting his gaze to his second-in-command, 4th Battalion's XO -- 2nd-Leftenant McAlastair. The man followed his superior in each and every mission the leader accepted, or he was forced to take.

'Ah... Mac, replacements?' the 1st-Leftenant asked while looking at the troopers who were getting to know each other as their ship came to the world of Neshtab, 'They seem like us... We looked like 'em just a few years ago. 'Am pretty sure they'll become as good in their job as we're-...'

'If they stay alive... Sorry, I didn't intend t'say that. It's just that they seem so... still.' Merrick was right according to Asanté. They would remain this still until the real start of the mission they would have to lead alongside the Empire's Knights. But for the moment, Asanté didn't pretend to make them stressed because of the mission; the following hours would be as stressful as any operation could be. And it would be quite enough for them.

 

[Davin Votan]

Objective 1: Hydra
Post 1
Tags: Anyone that wants to join

Davin pulled his hood up against the howling winter winds of Neshtab. The entire environment was covered by large icy plains, leaving an exceptionally bitter air that lingered constantly. Particularly anywhere near a body of water. Behind him walked other COMPNOR Operatives in similar civilian winter garb. A KXR DK-60 was slung against his armored torso, hidden beneath a thick winter jacket. The small group moved almost effortlessly through the snow towards a series of lights that stood out in the whiteness of the surrounding area. They'd made it just before dark, as intended. Local custom dictacted that strangers that needed hospitality were to be given it.

A common theme in many cultures on cold or otherwise harsh planets. Their Gods would judge them if they failed. COMPNOR planned to take advantage of that. Davin had over just transfered over to COMPNOR, headhunted for his unique past and devote loyalty to the Empire, as most Members were. Selection had sucked just as much as Commando selection had, but again, not the worst thing compared to his early life. They'd found he had a knack for languages and his early years on the streets had given him an almost chameleon like ability to blend with a group when he wanted. Evidently it hadn't went away, and COMPNOR had put him through language classes and a sort of harsh acting school. Davin had loved every minute of it, finding a new discipline to master, another tool in his mental belt. Which was why he was on point, that and his years of combat experience.

Davin smiled as he itched his beard and gave a friendly wave toward a local that had noticed them from the roof of their home, appearing to be attempting some last minute maintenance before the storm arrived in force and gave a hesitant return wave. Davin shouted "Hello Kinsman." Adapting a local accent as he did. "Can you give shelter to a few unlucky strangers? We didn't make it to our speeder before the storm overtook us and now we can't walk back to our town." Wind howled as the man looked on at them. Seeming to contemplate the question. Davin kept the smile but prepared to draw if he needed.

They were reb hunting after all.

"Sure. Just watch yourselves." The local replied, before pulling something to his face and pulling it away. Maybe a comm.

"On my honor." Davin lied with the same false smile. The team approached the local with the gait of prospectors. A harsh but respected profession on an icy world.