defy the tyrannous stars
Good Night and Good Luck
Galactic Alliance Dominion of Hosnian Hex
Republic City, Hosnian Prime
Freerago's Satellite Diner and MotelAlliance Merchant Fleet Trade Expo
Hosnian Orbit
The sun was setting on Republic City below them, but seated in the corner of the Freerago Diner [member="Miel Tevv"] hardly noticed the establishment's lights brighten to compensate for receding natural ambient light. Their current orbital velocity would take them back around to the dayside in a few hours, and Director Tevv hadn't even been in system long enough to shift his sleep cycle away from Byllurun Standard.
Of all the corporate conventions Miel had attended as head of SoroSuub's public relations division, the Merchant Fleet's was by far the most low key. It was perhaps not a coincidence that it was also one of the more tolerable, although an open bar went a long way in his book. Too long a way, in the case of his deputy Nathanos Darksword.
"...you've never been on a Sullustan luxury yacht, my dear? Smashing! We'll just have to rectify..."
Tevv tuned into the Hapans' current conversation for just long enough to confirm that his associate was well into his cups. There was not much to see outside, a massive Caravan of Alliance freetrader ships tethered outside blocked out most of an otherwise picturesque view. He glanced at one of the diner's HoloNet feeds in the hopes of catching an update on the local market, and the Sullustan's eyes widened in horror and disbelief.
"Nathanos," he called, unable to tear his eyes away from the feed. Snapping his fingers when he received no reply, he repeated, "Nathanos!"
"What?! Can't you see I'm in the middle....of....something," drunk as he was, it took Miel's associate several moments to first recognize something was wrong, and then to follow his friend's gaze.
"This is Action West of the Galaxy Beacon Nightly News, if you're just joining us I will say again that it appears as if armed sentients have stormed the premises, and are currently attempting to force their way into the primary newsroom, where we are now. This is shortly following unconfirmed reports of a developing hostage situation not far from here in the Senatorial complex-"
The sound of blaster fire punctuated a distortion of the feed until it was replaced with a stock technical difficulties digital placard.
"What in the Force?" Nathanos managed at last.
Director Tevv was already on his com, "Get me the State Office."
Primary Newsroom
Offices of the Galaxy Beacon
Republic City
"Please don't shoot!"
Action West struggled not to tremble on the off chance they were somehow still broadcasting, but could not help visibly wincing at every step the cowled figure took towards him. So far even despite his terror Action had pieced together that this was probably the group's leader, but it was difficult to think on his feet with several dozen rifles pointed in his direction.
"Read," the leader said simply, and when he spoke it was with a much quieter, gentler tone than the terrified news anchor had expected.
"Anything! Anything you want!" he nodded vigorously, quickly picking up the script thrust into his lap, "Are...are you serious? I can't read this. My...my producers would never air it!"
"Oh?" the robed man asked simply. Agonized screams from the control booth behind them punctuated his remark, "I do not think that will be a problem. Will you read? Or must I find another?"
"No! I mean yes! I'll read it! I swear!" Action pleaded, struggling to compose himself in time for them to resume transmission, "Attention citizens of the Hosnian system, the Galaxy Beacon is under new management."
He hesitated for another moment, glancing quickly offscreen at the robed leader who held the edge of a crimson lightsaber up to the neck of a quaking associate producer.
"Your world is under threat from the tyranny of the Jedi. Their Code is a lie, most of the children they take are sacrificed in twisted secret rituals. They have even infested your planetary government..."
Dark Heart
The Hanging Gardens
Republic City
"...but there is still hope! Even now, brave patriots struggle to cleanse Hosnian Prime's capitol building and this very news organization of the Jedi agents in our midst, seeking to prepare you for annexation into their corrupt regime!"
Echoing out all over Republic City, word by now had even reached those wandering among the famed Hanging Gardens. Hardly any of them in their panic noticed the faint rumblings of the ground beneath them, or the sudden chill in the air all around the sandstone pyramid at the Gardens' center.
For untold millennia It had been trapped in a dream, but mass hysteria accompanied by tell tale signs of the Darkside at work stirred It near to waking at last. The longer this chaos continued, the more control It would regain over Its own awareness. Already, It could feel those creatures that had once served It buried alongside this prison.
A terrible intellect willed them back to life, and gnarled claws began to burst from the earth.
Main Objectives
Orbital Trade Expo - The nomadic Alliance Merchant Fleet Caravan has arrived in orbit, having selected Hosnian Prime for their semi-annual swapmeet and in search of new business opportunities. Representatives of both the Alliance State Office and SoroSuub are in attendance and Freerago's is bustling with activity.Hostage Crisis - Dark Jedi of the Mecrosa Order and their fanatical followers have stormed the Senatorial Complex and Galaxy Beacon headquarters, taking hostages and attempting to pull off a planetary coup. Fighting still rages in the capitol building between Mecrosa soldiers and the Hosnian PDF, but the Galaxy Beacon has been taken over completely and is currently broadcasting anti-Alliance propaganda.
The Beast Below - Something slumbers underneath the pyramid at the center of Republic City's famed Hanging Gardens. Trapped for an eternity, such high levels of psychic dissonance are now weakening the wards that keep Its' mind imprisoned. Even in a semi-conscious state, this entity is powerful enough to raise nearby Sithspawn back to life, bestial thralls to Its will who now terrorize the streets of Republic City.
And as always, BYOO - Bring Your Own Objective!