Mission [FIRST ORDER] Eternal Eclipse

[Braith]

CLASSIFIED // FIRST ORDER
SECURITY BUREAU DIRECTIVE-007: PROJECT ETERNAL ECLIPSE
LOCATION: ZAKUUL SYSTEM

STATUS: EYES ONLY // FIRST ORDER COMMAND

The time for hiding is nearing its end. However, we will not invite the galaxy to witness a house that is not yet in order. Zakuul is our forge, but its embers are still choked by the dregs of the old regime. Before the Supreme Leader issues the call to the wayward fleets, the Zakuul system must be purged of all dissent.

This is the final test of our resolve. We move as one body, with clinical precision. There are no reinforcements coming. There is only the Order, and the chaos we must cauterize.

OBJECTIVE I - OPERATION: CAUTERIZE

Location: The Last Bastion, Zakuul Proper.
Primary Unit: The Sovereign Hand & Stormtrooper Corps
Directive: Strategic Paralysis. The Zakuulan resistance has retreated to their final Eternal stronghold. They believe the Spire protects them. Prove them wrong.

Infiltrate and neutralize the command structure. The foundries in the sub-levels are to be preserved; the insurgents within them are to be liquidated. Total pacification is the only acceptable metric.

OBJECTIVE II - OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE

Location: Zakuul Sub-Orbital Moon [Sector 4-G]
Primary Unit: First Order Naval Command & Starfighter Corps
Directive: Absolute Orbital Supremacy. The lunar array provides the resistance with their only remaining long-range comms. They have ignored our terms.

Establish a hard blockade. TIE wings are cleared for the systematic destruction of life-support and communication hubs. We do not require the facility; we require the silence. Show the system that the high ground belongs to the First Order.

Upon the successful completion of Project Eternal Eclipse, the Supreme Leader will authorize the broadcast to the wayward fleets. Do not fail him. Our future as the masters of the Core begins with the blood spilled on Zakuul today.

Signed,


Xobr'ai'thiram
Director of the First Order Security Bureau​

 

[FT-444]

ETERNAL ECLIPSE - OPERATION: CAUTERIZE
Omen - Chapter 1

GEAR: Blaster Carbine, Pistol, Vibro Knife
OBJECTIVE: Operation: Cauterize
TAG: Open

ANESTHETIZE

ZAKUUL

FT-444 sat in the cramped interior of the Shadow Troopers transport, a void of matte-black surfaces and dampened vibrations. A single data-spike was slotted into his wrist-comm, projecting a flickering, low-light holomap of a mission directly onto his retinal display.

Priority Directive: [REDACTED]
Operation: Eternal Eclipse
Phase: Initial Infiltration / Perimeter Destabilization
Target: [REDACTED] Communication Array / Power Grid

Omen's gaze remained fixed on the tactical overlay. His gloved fingers traced the projected heat signatures of the resistance sentries; little more than glowing embers waiting to be snuffed out. The directive was clinical: "Total sensory blackout of the sector. Zero survivors. Leave the infrastructure intact for First Order reclamation."

The transport's deck plates groaned softly as the landing struts engaged with the terrain of the designated landing zone. The ramp hissed open with a suppressed, hydraulic sigh. A rush of cold, sulfur-tainted air filled the cabin. Omen stood, his Blaster Carbine snapping into his grip with lethal familiarity.

He stepped off the ramp and into the gloom.
Five hundred meters from the landing zone, the first obstacle appeared: a Resistance lookout perched atop a rusted cooling pylon. The scout was young, huddled into a heavy flight jacket, blowing on his hands to keep them from freezing. A long-range macrobinocular set hung around his neck, useless against a ghost.

Omen moved toward his first target with a soundless gait that defied the gravel beneath his boots.

The scout reached for a comm-link, perhaps sensing a shift in the air pressure or a shadow that didn't belong. He never touched the device. Omen was already there, a silhouette emerging from the fog like a bad dream.

One gloved hand clamped over the scout's mouth, the reinforced servos in the gauntlet ensuring total silence. With the other, Omen drove a vibro-blade upward into the base of the skull; a surgical, instantaneous disconnection of the central nervous system. No struggle. No gasp. Just the soft thud of a body being lowered carefully to the durasteel floor to avoid a sound.

Omen retrieved the scout's comm-link, crushed it in his palm, and resumed his march toward the array.
​

 

[Valas Sarokhan]

Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought
Command Bridge
Zakuul​

---

The Mandator Siege Dreadnaught hung in the black as though it were in suspended animation amidst the First Orders Fleet.

The Terrestrial body of Zakuul hovered in space, ambient light from the planet illuminating the Dreadnaught's hull and other ships in the fleet.

On the Command Bridge the Iron Hand oversaw the work of Officers to either side of himself. He stood on a small platform, dressed in armor that was synonymous with the Sovereign Hand. Holographic displays surrounded him, allowing him to track operations throughout the ship as well as around the fleet.

Officers relayed information to him. The Commander of the Dreadnaught stood nearby, flanking him and prepared to give his instructions to the rest of the bridge crew.

Staring into the holographic displays Valas attention was drawn to the sound of the Captains voice when he said...

"Lord, the fleet is moving into position to blockade the planet and lunar array as the Supreme Leader has will."​

...it drew a grunt of acknowledgement from Valas who continued studying the various displays.

The Iron Hand had a reputation for brutal tactics. He appreciated siege craft and the long, drawn out battles that it could involve. It was synonymous with a chess like approach in his opinion. Of course he could also appreciate bloody combat. As the adage went iron did not break it bent.

Turning his head he'd finally address the Captain...

"Launch TIE Squadrons and target life support and communications hubs across the lunar array. Squeeze them until they are out of breath."

...a pause as the Captain shouted orders across the command deck of the bridge...

"Prepare the orbital autocannons for bombardment. Locate high population, low industrial zones and await my command."

Again orders were relayed.

The First Order would need the industrial capacity of Zakuul but the populace should also have any thoughts of further sedition burned out of them.

 

[Althea Varrick]

ETERNAL ECLIPSE - OPERATION: CAUTERIZE

GEAR: Standard issue officers pistol, comm links
OBJECTIVE: Operation: Cauterize
TAG: Zareen Dreesen

Althea walked from the landing shuttle with her hands behind her back as the Captain approached her.

"Landing site secure Director, minimal resistance. Are you ready to proceed to Objective Alpha?" he asked in a mechanical tone through his white helmet.

Althea looked around, the lines of storm troopers had formed a perimeter around the shuttle in a wonderfully show of professionalism and order thar make her proud to be an Imperial. She was here an her position as a scientific director, she hoped to salvage useful data from a nearby facility while utterly gutting their scientific hierarchy to ensure any secrets shared with the first order were share only with the first order. The base was well defended, it had been questioned why she wished to make landfall, but this was how she liked to do things.

"Captain, this operation is yours, please proceed when ready. I shall try to stay out of the way for now.

I have updated your HVT list, one of the Zakuul has cut a deal in exchange for he and his family to be allowed to defect. Target codename is paperclip, please ensure the information regarding his likeness is disseminated to your soldiers."

"Very well Director.... MOVE OUT!" he turned and yelled though his amplified voice caster to tell his soldiers to get a move on.

Althea walked over to the squad specifically assigned to escorting her and nodded. She was not their commanding officer, but they knew her value to the order so would be very pliable to her suggestion, like the Captain.

She looked at Zareen Dreesen as the sergeant busied himself planning their route. The Director quickly mentally brought up her name, rank and any annotations on her service record. "Corporal Dreesen, it appears I am your ward, try not to get me killed." she said in an entirely neutral but not unfriendly tone. Their sergeant guided them into their APC and they were ready to go.

 

[Agethelos Kresten]

OBJECTIVE II
MISSION- Absolute Orbital Supremacy.
----
8TH ELITE TIE FIGHTER SQUAD
COMMAND- AGETHELOS KRESTEN
CODE NAME- APEX

Commander Agethelos is aboard the Mandator Siege Dreadnaught, Dressed in his flight suit, helmet in hand as he waits in his Tie Fighter
A "Mk. II Superiority Starfighter - "Reaver"

"This isn't your first battle and it definitely wont be your last" he thinks to himself as the Dreadnaught moves into position

And that's when the Orders came, klaxon blaring in the hanger deck as a message appears on his console,
"Your order are to Target life support and communications hubs across the lunar array. Squeeze them until they are out of breath"

"Message to all 8th Squad members, You have your Orders, Launch your wings and follow them, Show High Command why we're the best" Agethelos says over his headset.

His systems are all checked and ready to go, He proceeds to launch his Tie fighter along with the others, Weapons hot as he and his Squad flies out of the Dreadnaught and into the battle.

TAG Ayven Kresten Valas Sarokhan and Open to anyone wanting to join 8th Squad, or anyone on OBJ II in general.

 

[Zareen Dreesen]

Zareen did not answer immediately. Instead, she stepped up into the APC with the kind of practiced ease that came from years of repetition, one gloved hand catching the hatch's edge just long enough to pull herself inside. The motion was fluid and economical, every movement stripped of anything unnecessary. She took her seat near the rear access point, positioning herself where she could monitor both the interior of the transport and the world beyond once the ramp dropped again.

Only then did she turn her attention to Director Althea.

"Understood, Director," she said, her voice steady and low, neither deferential nor casual, simply certain in a way that suggested she had already begun planning three steps ahead.

She reached up and tapped the side of her helmet as her commlink synced with the squad channel. A brief cascade of data scrolled across her HUD: the updated HVT list, structural schematics of the Spire, projected resistance choke points, and a handful of tactical overlays she absorbed without comment.

"Paperclip flagged," she added a moment later, her tone shifting as she transitioned fully onto the squad frequency. "Priority capture. Non-lethal if compliant. Anyone else, standard rules apply."

Acknowledgments crackled back over comms, crisp and efficient.

Zareen leaned forward slightly, bracing her forearms against her knees as the APC lurched into motion, the low hum of the engine filling the compartment. Outside, Zakuul's skyline slid past, polished spires marred by smoke and structural scars, the city's once-pristine symmetry broken by signs of ongoing conflict.

Her gaze lingered on the view for a moment before sharpening again.

"Sergeant," she continued, her tone calm but unmistakably directive, "when we breach Objective Alpha, we split into two elements. First team pushes the upper levels, command nodes, comm relays, anything that keeps their leadership talking to itself. Fast and decisive. No delays."

She let that settle before continuing.

"Second team stays with me. We take the sub-level access points. The foundries are to remain intact, which means we secure the space before they understand we're inside their perimeter."

Her attention shifted briefly back to Althea, not questioning her presence, but accounting for it with the same precision she applied to everything else.

"I'll keep your path clear," Zareen said. "If there's recoverable data, you'll have the time you need to extract it."

It wasn't a promise so much as a calculated expectation.

The APC jolted as it cleared the landing zone perimeter and accelerated toward the Spire. In the distance, the structure rose, massive, defiant, and already marked for dismantling.

Zareen checked the charge on her sidearm out of habit, the motion smooth and unhurried.

Then, quieter, almost to herself, though still audible across the squad channel, she added:

"Command structure collapses first. Once that happens, they stop being an organized resistance."

Her helmet tilted slightly toward the front of the transport, her voice settling into something colder, more certain.

"After that, it's just cleanup."

Althea Varrick Braith

 

[Vladic Drakov]

FIRST ORDER

ZAKUUL HIGH ORBIT | ABOARD THE MANDATOR IV-CLASS SEIGE DREADNAUGHT
TAG: Valas Sarokhan
OBJECTIVE 2: OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE

THEME MUSIC​

All that could be heard in the corridors leading to the command deck were the clattering footfalls of one man. Even though he was hardly the only one within the corridors, it seemed as though his steps echoed the loudest within the spartan durasteel hallway. Many who noticed who it was walking past them stopped and stood at attention, a few nearly dropping whatever was in their hands. A dutiful pair of ensigns snapped a smart salute at the man, who returned with a crisp and effortless salute of his own as he walked past.

While most around him today would not know him well, those who did would know that he was not in the frame of mind for interruptions. He was a man on a mission, and that mission lay within the bridge. The door to the bridge snapped open with a violent HISS - causing a few bridge officers to casually glance his way, until they too realized who it was stepping within their bridge. The captain turned, and after a brief lapse in composure, cast a spare glance at the armored force user next to him. He stood at attention as Grand Admiral Vladic Drakov approached, and sized him up in silence for several moments. Finally, Drakov chose to break the silence. “Who gave you the order to commence operations, Captain?”

If it were possible, the Captain’s face blanched paler than he was a moment ago. But to his credit, he spoke evenly in response. “We have a member of the Sovereign Hand in our presence sir. Hand Valas Sarokhan.” Drakov stood there, staring through the Captain as if he wasn’t even there. His face hardened slightly as his lips pursed, as if he were weighing the answer within the invisible balance of his cold judgement.

But after a few more moments, the Grand Admiral directed his attention to the Hand. “I was unaware of your presence, Hand Sarokhan.” His words were not so much a greeting as they were a statement of fact, as if evidence laid before him. He continued on without pause. “I’m sure you could educate us all here, as the Iron Hand - what is the remit of the Sovereign Hand within our First Order?” Everyone else remained silent, save for the carrying out of their duties to keep the ship functional while the two men stood off across from each other. Drakov’s tone was cold and soft, as if he needed no other volume to be heard, despite the ambient noises native to a command bridge.

​

 

[Valas Sarokhan]

Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought
Command Bridge
Zakuul
Agethelos Kresten | Vladic Drakov ​

---

The Doors hissed wide just after the Iron Hand had become aware of a TIE Squadron being launched.

A thin smile, menacing according to some who saw it would grace the corners of his mouth.

He'd caught the Captain's look in his peripheral and hearing the voice of the Grand Admiral he would have turned and fixed his gaze on Vladic Drakov . Behind him the holographic screens would have flickered off though they could be recalled at a moments notice. Valas stepped off the platform, raised only inches higher than the rest of the command deck where he'd been standing.

Stepping to one side he'd have deferred access to the bridge to the Grand Admiral who obviously carried authority over all naval forces within the First Order with him...

"I prefer to move outside of official channels, Grand Admiral."

...it wouldn't be the first time the Iron Hand had appeared without the fore knowledge of those around him nor was it completely uncharacteristic of a member of the Sovereign Hand.

When the Grand Admiral went on to pose his inquiry the Iron Hand answered...

"We serve the Supreme Leader, of course."

...his smile never faltered, he did tip his head though before commenting such that the Grand Admiral would understand more than anyone else on the bridge...

"Zakuul is of special importance to the Sovereign Hand."

This was because Zakuul, as a planet held a special connection to the light and dark sides of the force.

Regardless Valas, having already stepped aside in deference to the Grand Admiral would have offered contrition though this may have been false in its sincerity...

"I've had the Dreadnaught launch its fighters to begin the attack on the lunar array and begun to charge the orbital autocannons. If I'd known you were onboard this vessel I'd have suspended my enthusiasm to carry out the Supreme Leaders wishes."

As the Grand Admiral Vladic could supersede anything that Valas had attempted to do now the Iron Hand was more curious as to whether or not he would. He expected that the Grand Admiral would call for the orbital cannons to be powered down again. Time would tell if he was correct.

 

[Vladic Drakov]

FIRST ORDER

ZAKUUL HIGH ORBIT | ABOARD THE MANDATOR IV-CLASS SEIGE DREADNAUGHT
TAG: Valas Sarokhan
OBJECTIVE 2: OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE

THEME MUSIC​

"We serve the Supreme Leader, of course."

...his smile never faltered, he did tip his head though before commenting such that the Grand Admiral would understand more than anyone else on the bridge...

"Zakuul is of special importance to the Sovereign Hand."

This was because Zakuul, as a planet held a special connection to the light and dark sides of the force.

Regardless Valas, having already stepped aside in deference to the Grand Admiral would have offered contrition though this may have been false in its sincerity...

"I've had the Dreadnaught launch its fighters to begin the attack on the lunar array and begun to charge the orbital autocannons. If I'd known you were onboard this vessel I'd have suspended my enthusiasm to carry out the Supreme Leaders wishes."

“All of us aboard this vessel serve the Supreme Leader, Hand Sarokahn. And Zakuul is important to the First Order as a whole.” The Grand Admiral responded, undaunted. He knew the answers to the questions he asked the Hand, and he found it particularly illuminating the manner in which his questions were so answered. It mattered not how imposing the representative of the Sovereign hand was, which was reflected by the air of command and authority surrounding him.
“The Sovereign Hand’s remit is over matters of the force. That authorizes you to be here, on this ship. But as you’ve rightly come to the realization of - it does not give you the ability to override my authority. That also applies to Captain Tock, or any other commander of the vessels within the First Order Navy, except for in-extremis situations necessitating your provisonal authority.” The Admiral’s expression hardened, if that were possible. “This is not one of those situations.”

He then stepped over to the viewport of the bridge before him, staring out at the onset of the siege beyond. After a few moments, his attention returned to the Hand. Drakov held his gaze for several prolonged moments, saying nothing else. His look communicated an unspoken yet very clear punctuation to the point.

This was a warning. The Hand should disregard it at his own peril.

The tension would be broken when Drakov turned to address the Captain. “What is our status, Captain?”

The Captain had, up until now, stared at the exchange between the two men, likely mirroring the others around them all. But when spoken to, the Captain responded: “Our orbital autocannons are preparing to fire sir -” He hesitated, casting a glance at the Hand but then back to the Admiral. “...at your command.”

“Excellant.” For the first time since his arrival on the bridge, Drakov’s tone changed - carrying a hint of approval in his voice, if for no other reason than for the Captain wisely choosing the one in control within the room. He took a step closer toward the two men, stepping away from the viewport. “Does the Sovereign Hand have any guidance here before we commence bombardment? I imagine-” While his words were directed at the Hand, his gaze shifted to the captain. “-that you’ve already acquired target locks on... what exactly? Military targets? They are all focused within the Spire.”

The Grand Admiral’s tone was seemingly sincere, yet bespoke an unseen trap - one the Captain rushed headlong into. “Per the Hand, we’ve locked onto high population sectors of the city below, and the lunar array-”

“You will belay that order.” Drakov stated flatly, brokering no argument. His eyes met the Hand’s again as he continued speaking. “Disengage all target locks on civilian targets. Our mission is to subdue the planet and disable the lunar comms array. The people are as much a resource as the planet itself, and they will be brought into line; one way or the other. Not destroyed.”

Really? What did this Hand intend? Destroy the people of the planet, leaving corpses to man her factories and reap her grain?

His gaze rested on the Hand, expecting him to answer for what had just been revealed.

​

 

[Valas Sarokhan]

Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought
Command Bridge
Zakuul
Vladic Drakov​

---

The Aura of Command that the Grand Admiral possessed was obvious to anyone, even the Iron Hand though it would be less effective on him in comparison to the Captain and other Officers. If Valas was bothered by anything the Grand Admiral said or how he spoke to him in that moment it did not register on his features. In fact all that changed about the Iron Hand's expression was that the thin smile he'd offered shifted into an expression of indifference.

Valas watched.

When the Grand Admiral looked back to meet the Iron Hand's for a prolonged period he would see that deference only went so far.

He wielded the force after all, bent it to his will and manipulated it so why should he defer to this man who had none of those skills or abilities at his command?

Simply put because that was the will of the Supreme Leader as extended to the Sovereign Hand by the Black Hand.

As conversation turned to the orbital bombardment and the Grand Admiral stood down the target locks on civilian targets Valas would only offer that...

"The local populace already resists the First Order----"

...as was evident by the resistance in the Spire...

"---some lives lost now in a display of power will cow them if they seek to consider future malcontent."

This was only his opinion, it could have the opposite effect but it should be obvious now that the Iron Hand would not shy away from making examples of populaces to ensure their compliance. He did not care if the people loved the First Order only that they obeyed it.

As it happened there was one other thing that the Iron Hand would point out...

"Zakuul is much more important than its populace or industrial power as is. Much as you've informed us all Grand Admiral, the Sovereign Hands remit within the First Order is over matters of the force."

...a pause, his eyes turning towards the viewport so that he was looking directly at the terrestrial body of Zakuul before explaining...

"This Planet is unique in the galaxy due to its connection to the force which spans its entirety."

If that were so then Zakuul itself may well fall within the remit of the Sovereign Hand due to its balance of the light and dark side. It was a literal expression of the balance of the force.

 

[Alana Halak]

ETERNAL ECLIPSE - OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE
Omen - Chapter 1

FLYING: TIE/ca Mk. II Heavy Bomber
OBJECTIVE: Operation: Lunar Silence
TAG: Agethelos Kresten | Ayven Kresten | Valas Sarokhan | Vladic Drakov | Open

OVERDRIVE
​

ABOARD THE MANDATOR IV-CLASS SEIGE DREADNAUGHT

The air in the hangar of the Grand Admiral's Siege Dreadnought tasted like ozone and high-grade coolant; the scent of impending victory.

While the deck crews scrambled around her like ants under the cold gaze of the First Order's elite, Alana Halak felt a surge of restless energy. She had read the briefings from the Grand Admiral and the tactical coordinates laid out by the High Command.

"Watch the mag-locks, TK-42," she snapped at a technician who was a second too slow with the thermal detonator racks. "If my payload is off by even a millimeter because of a calibration error, I'll have your rank for breakfast."

She scaled the ladder and dropped into the cockpit of the TIE/ca. Most pilots complained about the Bomber's sluggish handling compared to an Interceptor, but Alana thrived on the challenge. Anyone could go fast in a straight line; it took a prodigy to dance a heavy ordnance platform through a moon's canyons and drop a payload down a vent shaft while under heavy fire.

Slapping the activation sequence, the twin ion engines roared to life, a high-pitched scream that vibrated through her flight suit. She adjusted her helmet, the HUD flickering to life with the coordinates provided by the fleet's tactical net. She could see the markers set by Kresten and the strategic zones outlined in the High Command’s directives.

<Crimson-3 to Flight Control. Systems green. Permission to depart,> she said, her voice dripping with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

<Granted, Crimson-3. Stick to the flight path, Hotshot.>

I'll stick to the targets, she muttered to herself, a smirk tugging at her lips.

As the magnetic shield flickered, Alana pushed the throttles forward. For a brief moment, the moon loomed large; a silent, grey tomb waiting to be opened. Below, the atmospheric friction began to lick at her viewport as she dove toward the surface.

The High Command wanted precision? She'd give him a goddamn masterpiece.

<Engaging lunar descent,> she announced over the squadron comms, her eyes locked on the primary thermal generators of the moon base. <Try to keep up, boys. I'd hate for you to miss the fireworks.>
​

 

[Qyssara Voronez]

The golden hallways of the Spire resonated with far-off alarms, as the Zakuul Resistance holed up inside spotted the First Order Transports. Revvi recognized the tactical importance of choosing this location, as it was filled with countless corridors and hiding spots, yet she navigated through it without much trouble due to her experience as an operative.

Her eyes glanced around the corridor, using a crystal banner hanging on the wall to spot a lone Zakuul Knight, clad in heavy armor and wielding a lightsaber pike and shield, though they had temporarily set it aside to check their communications from central command.

She banged her gloves against the wall next to her and ascended halfway before making her way down the corridor, vibroblade drawn from her back belt holster before dropping down with the soft soles of her boots. In one fluid motion, her left hand clamped over his helmet, and another drove the vibrating edge of the blade upwards beneath the gorget.

The knight stiffened, eyes wide behind his visor, then sagged as the edge severed spine and artery in a single stroke. There was no sound but the metallic clink of his lightsaber pike striking the floor. Revvi lowered the body soundlessly and stripped the armor in under thirty seconds. The golden plates were heavier than her operative armor, but the fit was close enough after minor adjustments.

She sealed the helmet last, the HUD flickering to life with Zakuulan tactical overlays. Her own dark features vanished behind the impassive golden mask. To any scanner or hurried glance, she was now Knight Voryn Tel, third shift perimeter commander. The dead man's comm-code was already rerouted to her gauntlet.

She stepped back into the flow of retreating defenders. Stormtrooper breaching charges rattled the outer walls; the resistance was collapsing inward, funneled toward the command nexus and the sub-level foundries. Revvi kept her pace measured, authoritative, exactly how a Knight would move under pressure. A pair of panicked technicians brushed past; one saluted instinctively. She returned the gesture without breaking stride.

 

[Esmeralda Io]

Location: Zakuul
Thread Objective: Operation: Cauterize
Mission Objective:

• Escort Director Dr. Althea Leia Varrick to Objective Alpha.
• Capture Paperclip.
• Secure data from Objective Alpha.

Tag: Althea Varrick Zareen Dreesen

Esmeralda followed her squad leader into the APC, stepping up onto the platform before making her way inside and taking the last open seat. It had only been a few months since her enlistment into the First Order Army as an infantrywoman, and already, she was in the rhythm of how the First Imperials did things. Their way was discipline, merit, and unity, with little room for expression outside of those principles. The military was the state. Civilians were virtually nonexistent, and those few that were present worked closely with the military.

With everyone secure inside, the APC rocked with sudden acceleration, the hum of the engine filling the passenger bay as the driver pushed the vehicle up to speed. Esmeralda shifted back in her seat, then reached up to grasp the ceiling handhold, steadying herself.

It was then that the squad leader spoke, laying out the plan. They would split into two teams. One team would move to the upper levels in order to disable security and communications, while the other remained with the Corporal to capture the sub-level access points.

“Will the Director be with the second team?” Esmeralda spoke up, her tone registering soft, yet precise, seeking to clarify the squad leader’s instructions. “And we are going into the sub-levels, to secure the data?” She added, her gaze steady as she awaited confirmation.

Spoiler: Loadout

• First Imperial Army Trooper Armor
  
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III "Force Avenger" Energy Shield
  • Undersuit
    
    • Esmeralda’s Skinsuit
      
      • Sanguine Power Cell
  • Miscellaneous Equipment and Personal Effects
    
    • Esmeralda's Pendant
    • C1 Personal Comlink
    • Gauntlet Comp
• PbDR-01 N.S.
  
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
    • Silencer
  • Ammunition
    
    • Blaster Power Pack - Tibanna Gas / Power Cell (10)
• Esmeralda’s SE-14r Light Repeating Blaster
  
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
  • Ammunition
    
    • FAE/AM-01-S1 Energy Weapon Cartridge (6)
• FAE/MDE-01-S2 Semiautonomous Seeker Thermal Explosive (2)
• Infrared Smoke Grenade (2)

 

[FT-4655]

MISSION ONE
OPERATION CAUTERISE​

I​

Command protocols would be saying that the initial stages of combat were doing as well as predicted. That the First Order forces were able to make strategic landfalls into the area around the spire, obtain firing lanes and set up forward advanced positions under the ever watchful eye of the First Order Navy forces in orbit. Relay screens and command consoles would be stating this all across the channels ensuring that the military might of the First Order Resurgence was well documented and understood by all who stood beneath it’s bloody maw.

The reality was somewhere far the side of this statement.

FT-4655 had indeed made landfall, his squad along with the rest of Army Group 6 having been tasked with the assault on the main gate of the spire. When the assignment had gone through there had been whispers of elation at the chance to prove themselves against what was being declared the most vital and dangerous chokepoint of the entire assault. He remembered clearly the high fives and the words of encouragement from his squad as he had relayed the orders down, the excited jump skip they all had as they had boarded the assault craft.

That feeling of absolute elation as the ships had soured through Zakuul airspace towards what would be the final press to secure the First Order a future stable enough to bring order to the entire galaxy. To do it all in the name of the Supreme Leader.

Then the ramp had opened.
Then they had all died.

Four squads, nearly a full platoon of stormtroopers had been inside that transport. Twenty four dedicated and life-long loyalists to the cause, yet within forty seconds of the ramp being open only nine of them remained. Most had been cut down by stationary weapon fire that had unleashed a torrent of blue laser upon the front ramp of the landing craft. 4655 felt a chill run down his back as the thought raced through his mind, the only reason he had survived was that the body of 1762, one of the squad leaders from another unit had taken the blaster bolts that were heading his way, allowing him to throw himself out of the ship moments before it exploded and took half the stormtroopers inside with it.

The next thing he was doing was wiping grit and oil from the visor of his helmet. The tactical display was doing it’s best to readdress the scene being blocked from him, but the static green lines were not resembling any form of logical sense. A solid knock to his back saw him hit the ground again as the body of another trooper hit him having collected the entire kinetic energy of a blaster canon to the chest.

<< - - - rek report - - - >> The sound of static made FT-4655 realise that the communicator in his helmet must have been damaged in the fall from the landing gear and as he pulled himself up and behind a larger piece of debris the helmet was pulled away from his head with a satisfying noise of vacuum release. Sandy hair, chiselled cheeks and piercing blue eyes looked out at the scene around him, quickly attempting to gather himself and the situation. The muffled din of the broken helmet was gone, replaced now with the ever present clash of blaster fire and explosions. It was a realty made nightmare.

Finger moved into his helmet, his training kicking in. He knew how to rebuild one of these blindfolded, and it took no time at all to reconnect the communicator back from where it had shifted from. Grit was wiped from the lenses and after taking a single deep breath the helmet was placed back over that face and the loudness faded back to the controllable din of his dampened helmet space.

<<Berek Report!>> The order came through clear as day now, broken only in the usual way the First Order unit to unit comms were. 4655 reached over and grabbed a blaster that was next to one of the bodies of the stormtroopers; his own somewhere near the shuttle explosion.

“Berek reporting. We have made landfall. Moving to establish control zone now.” He offered back down the line, before blinking to change the frequency. “Berek, indicators on me. Regroup…”

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[Ayven Kresten]

FIRST ORDER

Mandator Siege Dreadnaught | Zakuul
TAG:

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8TH ELITE TIE FIGHTER SQUAD
PILOT: LT. AYVEN KRESTEN
CALLSIGN: STATIC
CRAFT: TIE/RV MK. II SUPERIORITY STARFIGHTER — "REAVER"
The electromagnetic catapult of the Mandator slammed Ayven into his seat, a familiar crushing force that he met with a calm, practiced breath. As he cleared the hangar, the TIE FIGHER responded to his slightest touch, its reinforced hull and upgraded Ion engines cutting through the vacuum with predatory grace.

He immediately banked, the solar collectors of his Reaver catching the harsh light of the Zakuul system as he slotted into position on the wing of his twin. On his HUD, the lead signature flashed: APEX.
"Static reporting in. On your wing, Apex," Ayven said, his voice the flat, disciplined monotone of a Coruscant-born officer.
While his brother handled the squad's tactical maneuvers, Ayven's light blue eyes were locked onto the scrolling data on his auxiliary monitors.

<< SYSTEM INTERFACE :: ONLINE >>

…signal handshake established
…data stream stabilizing
…Weapons online

<< HOLO-FEED :: SESSION TERMINATED >>

"Targeting computers online, lasers primed and ready. Ayven reported, his lean fingers dancing over the Reaver's advanced sensor array.
He felt the hum of the Mk. II's heavy laser cannons priming, a low vibration through his flight suit. Ahead, the Zakuulan moon loomed, a silent target waiting for the First Order's "cauterization."

Awaiting your mark for the first strafing run on the life-support hubs. Let's see if they can breathe in a vacuum."

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[Augustina 'Gussy' Nargath]

FIRST ORDER

ZAKUUL - Operation Lunar Silence
TAG: Vladic Drakov | Alana Halak | Valas Sarokhan
SHIP: Resurgent Mk III-class Star Destroyer - The Gauntlet

The Ersteel Lady Cometh​

"Alright, you lot," Her voice crackled through the rebreather she was wearing, her eyes looking out through the viewports on the bridge, her arms tightly crossed behind her back. Like a monument of military strength and an inescapable no-nonsense demeanor, Commodore Augustina 'Gussy' Nargath watched how the entire might of the First Order's navy was emerging and immediately setting its trap. The strength hidden by the First Order was just shown for the first time in a long time. Yet, where she once only knew about their existence from afar, now Augustina was part of this very machine, this logical and unfeeling union of strength and order which just appealed to her own desires. "Diplomacy is the tool of the weak, cunning is the tool of liars. We are going to give those who do not hand us Zakuul, our most brutal honesty, our most unabated truth... might makes right."

She was glad that she was approved to join in this mission so soon, she already had imperial credentials, from her first steps as an officer in Eriadu's own self defense force to being a high ranking officer in the late Eternal Empire, this woman had not been sitting still. Especially when anyone with a bit of thought, would've checked or traced her lineage as well. Imperialism was in their blood, woven in their very nature. Probably more so and much thicker within her own blood and soul than most of her kin though.

"Open the secure lines," For a moment her head turned slightly, her pupils reaching the corners of her eyes as she glaced from the side towards the communications' officer at the bridge. As she turned her eyes back towards the sight of the planet in front of the ship, the continuous echoing and pinging of friendly ships exiting hyperspace and forming up to fullfill their duty of blockading the planet of Zakuul before they could do some idiotic thing as involving other planetary systems or sectors in their own stupidity. "Prime our weapons...send out our TIEs to support the lead wings."

The sounds of buttons being pushed, switches being toggled and sliders being moved were a comfort to the Ersteel Lady's ears, it meant her men were doing their work and in return, she'd make sure they'd all get to watch it all in realtime. Even if they were but a cog in a larger machine, Augustina loved the cold efficiency the fleet was bringing to bear on Zakuul. "Send our transponder codes to the flagship, request our orders from the Grand Admiral and we'll act upon them without delay."

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[Althea Varrick]

ETERNAL ECLIPSE - OPERATION: CAUTERIZE

GEAR: Standard issue officers pistol, comm links
OBJECTIVE: Operation: Cauterize
TAG: Zareen Dreesen Esmeralda Io

"I'll keep your path clear," Zareen said. "If there's recoverable data, you'll have the time you need to extract it."

"Perfect" the director said to the planned intention before nodding a confirmation to Esmeralda Io of what was anticipated. "The research I am interested in requires certain, containment option, that are much easier to facilitate below ground." she did not anticipate dealing with live research specimens as security protocols usually mandated termination, but that is where the labs were.

The APCs finally disgorged their soldiers near one of the loading areas and the storm troopers began moving. The shields on the APC simmered as the vehicle took incoming fire. There was several defensive team including a group manning a heavy repeater. The turret on the APC returned fire to cover the disembarkation but the positions would need clearing on foot.

"RPG!!" the driver yelled as a missile streaked in and the second APC in their column rocked in the explosion. Damaged but not crippled. The needed to secure egress before any more heavy weapons were brought to bear.

Althea herself also stepped out of the APC and took cover, she was not optimised for combat but moved precisely, firing her pistol with deliberate precision at targets of oppurtunity.

 

[Qyssara Voronez]

As she advanced deeper into the spiraling corridor, Revvi's gaze flicked upward beneath the golden visor. The stolen HUD overlaid a pulsing web of emerald communication relays, live traffic spikes from encrypted bursts. She isolated the highest-density nodes: three converging signals originating from a fortified junction two levels below, near the primary weapons depot.

Cross-referenced with the resistance's own tactical chatter, it screamed central command post. Perfect. Destroying the depot would cripple at least one of their resupply zones while preserving the foundries above for First Order reclamation. She adjusted her route, boots ringing with deliberate authority down the polished hall.

A thunderous crack split the air ahead. A fresh breach had just been blown in the outer wall thirty meters down the corridor white-armored Stormtroopers from the 111th Infantry Division poured through like a flood of plasteel and blaster fire. F-11D Blaster Rifles primed as two retreating Zakuulans were cut down in a hail of focused firepower to breach their superior armor. The defenders screamed for reinforcements over the com-line.

Revvi's cover demanded she act.

Without hesitation she ignited the fallen knight's lightsaber pike, the emerald blade humming to life. "Hold the line!" she bellowed in Voryn Tel's modulated baritone, charging forward as any loyal Knight would. The lead Stormtrooper turned, raising his rifle in confusion at the friendly signal until Revvi's pike sliced clean through his helmet and torso in one brutal arc.

Two more died before they could register the betrayal: one decapitated mid-stride, the other impaled through the chest plate as she spun inside his guard. Blaster bolts scorched the air around her; she deflected one with the pike's guard, then drove the humming blade through a fourth trooper's neck seal.

 

[Agethelos Kresten]

OBJECTIVE II
MISSION- OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE
----
8TH ELITE TIE FIGHTER SQUAD
COMMAND- AGETHELOS KRESTEN
CODE NAME- APEX

Lunar Silence, It should be an easy mission, Reports indicated that there are just some very small point defense on the lunar array.
"Shouldnt be so hard to take the array down." he thinks to himself

And just as he said that,
"Rebel fighters spotted 11 o' clock!" he says to his squad "They must of been hiding behind the Array."
"Prepare for a Dogfight." he says with a smile as they all get into a reversed V shape formation,

"Here they come!" he says just as they clash.

Lasers fly across his viewport. as the fighters lines crash into each other,

Agethelos quickly maneuvers his Tie Fighter "Try and stick together! and make sure to try and gank with your partner if you can!"

He gets one of the enemy fighters in his sight,
He locks on,
BOOM
The enemy fighter explodes.

"One down, Add it to the score!" he says to his twin with a laugh, Ayven Kresten , but after his tone shifts suddenly, "And clean this up quick, We have bombers coming in and need to make way for them. Is that understood!"

"Yes Squad Leader!"

 

[Vladic Drakov]

FIRST ORDER

ZAKUUL HIGH ORBIT | ABOARD THE MANDATOR IV-CLASS SEIGE DREADNAUGHT
TAG: Valas Sarokhan
OBJECTIVE 2: OPERATION: LUNAR SILENCE

THEME MUSIC​

"The local populace already resists the First Order----"

...as was evident by the resistance in the Spire...

"---some lives lost now in a display of power will cow them if they seek to consider future malcontent."

This was only his opinion, it could have the opposite effect but it should be obvious now that the Iron Hand would not shy away from making examples of populaces to ensure their compliance. He did not care if the people loved the First Order only that they obeyed it.

As it happened there was one other thing that the Iron Hand would point out...

"Zakuul is much more important than its populace or industrial power as is. Much as you've informed us all Grand Admiral, the Sovereign Hands remit within the First Order is over matters of the force."

...a pause, his eyes turning towards the viewport so that he was looking directly at the terrestrial body of Zakuul before explaining...

"This Planet is unique in the galaxy due to its connection to the force which spans its entirety."

The Grand Admiral’s eyes latched onto the Hand as he spoke. When he was finished, Drakov lips creased fractionally; as if he begrudged a full smirk. It was at this point that Drakov came to the unabashed opinion that Valas Sarokhan simply wanted his way, bloodlust and all. Either that, or he was an unmitigated fool who held no concept of reality. “Once again, Hand Sarokhan - you demonstrate why grand naval strategy does not fall within your purview.” His tone might as well have been a block of ice smashing across the Hand’s face. “I am not accustomed to my authority being challenged, and nor do I intend on becoming accustomed to it. But-” He paused, raising an eyebrow before he continued: “...I shall indulge you, this one time.”

His hands clasped each other behind his back, as if he were lecturing a student. “First, not everyone on the planet is part of this final resistance. Only those within the spire. That is why we’ve focused our attack solely on the spire. I am not averse to sending a message, yet I intend on sending the right message while balancing the entire needs of the Order - not just the members of your brotherhood.” He paused as he began pacing.

“All resistance is at the spire, yet your orders targeted civilian areas throughout the city. Our orders were not to decimate the people of Zakuul, but to crush the resistance and its leaders. Once the head falls, the body shall die. If some of its limbs refuse to die, only then shall we apply force to hasten its end.”

“Second...” He carried on, the word punctuating his prior words as if a verbal period. “...naturally your concern is only about the value of this planet in the force, yet its value is not restricted to the force - so you will not be able to claim jurisdiction here. I would say ‘nice try’, but it wasn’t even an ‘average effort’.” Drakov gave a very rare, and very large smile at that last barb launched from his lips. “Zakuul will serve as our capital world. Its value as an industrial center, and seat of government is immeasurable. We need as much of the infrastructure intact, as well as the people to man it. The people are as much a resource as anything else. Plus, I imagine whatever value it has in the force will be vastly inhibited by the sheer force one of our autocannons can inflict upon the planet.”

His eyes bored into Sarokhan’s. “Those who step out of line will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. If an example is to be made, it will be made. Under my orders, or those of the military governor once we establish control.” The Admiral’s smile soon faded as a brief pause settled, yet was soon gone.

“Lastly, but most importantly - you forget, Hand Sarokhan; these rules of engagement were not established by me alone. They came directly from the Supreme Leader.” And there it was.

The trap that Drakov had laid for the Hand, from the very first question he had asked the Hand. Clearly the Hand was too short-sighted to see the trap for what it was. Now to slam it home.

“Are you... questioning the orders of the Supreme Leader?” Drakov paused yet again, allowing the weight of the question to hang in the air for several pregnant moments. “If so, that is another conversation entirely. I was willing to indulge you here, but I can assure you - HE is far less patient than I when his authority is challenged.”

The air was all but sucked out of the room. Security officers tensed, as their eyes were focused on the Hand. Death Troopers were intermixed alongside the Naval Security troopers, their hands flexing on the grips of their blasters. Alone, none of them were a match for the devastation the Hand could visit upon any of them. But together, the Hand would accomplish little more than killing one or two, and damaging the bridge before falling under a hail of blaster fire.

Drakov was not afraid however. He stood his ground, meeting the challenge head on, and punctuating his point by the firmness in his eyes. He would not back down, and regardless of the outcome - The Black Hand would hear of this. Valyra Keth

Behind the scenes, the transponder codes of The Gauntlet would be received and acknowledged by the bridge crew of the Siege Dreadnaught, with orders relayed to reinforce the blockade of the planet, and dedicate air support to both the lunar relay assault, and the ground assault against the spire.

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