M E A T B A G
"We go where we wilt. We slay who we wilt. Let the Sun judge the righteousness of our deeds."
The First Order was once a monolithic bastion of Imperialist ideals. They stretched across the stars and brought their Imperial truth and enlightenment to all that stood in their path; be it peaceably or by force. They were the supposed heirs of an ancient emperor and his promise to the known universe, fanatically intent on bringing every star system beneath their crimson banner. However, as they exponentially grew beyond their humble origins and cast down their most hated rivals -- they grew complacent. They rested atop their laurels and grew soft as time soldiered on. It seemed they were unable, and perhaps unwilling to see the cancers that ate them from within and from without until it was too late. It was their hubris that brought about their inevitable downfall; speeded forth by the reborn Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium. It seemed those reptilian curs had caught the First Order unawares and managed to tear their manifested destiny asunder. At first, when the news began to spread, it was unbelievable. That authoritarian technocracy often proclaimed their technology was bleeding edge; that the rest of the galaxy found itself lagging behind their advances. If those declarations were true, then they should’ve seen this coming. They should’ve been able to repulse those creatures before they punched so deep into their territory, lest the mistakes of the past repeated themselves. Yet, as the data scrolled across a crystalline dataslate, Khonsu found himself laughing. The man held little love for the Imperial regime after they mistakenly decided to terminate their retainer contract with the Golden Company without prior notification.
Thus, when news of their demise spread across the HoloNet like wildfire? The Thyrsian knew it was time to collect on their outstanding debt. Sure, they could’ve done it any time before, and in following through with this daring venture -- they’d be labelled as opportunists. Since they were Mercenary Scum, such an appellation mattered little. There was also the chance of them being marked out as weak by their competition, but that too was of little consequence. The Golden Company was, and were the best Sellswords that credits could buy; their reputation could handle an inconsequential smear. With all that they’ve done, and were fated to do in the future -- such concerns were beneath them.
What mattered, and the only thing that mattered, in the end, was that the opportunity for collection presented itself. Much like the thunderous drums of war, it wasn’t something those mercenaries could easily throw by the wayside. Therefore, the Thychani Commander gave the order to muster in the Javin Oversector, in former Galactic Alliance space. It was unlikely that they’d encounter a First-Imperial presence in that area, but it was best to keep the element of surprise on their side. Especially if the Imperials were scattered to the winds by the Ssi-Ruuvi Vanguard. The Thyrsian’s knowledge on those reptilian curs was a few hundred years out-of-date, and thus they desired to adopt a cautious approach.
Well, that was until their detachment had reached the borders of what used to be First-Imperial space. It was there that they encountered the Ssi-Ruuvi Vanguard - and left nothing but molecular ash in their wake. They were weak, just as they were when they left their cluster twice before. How did this come to be; that the once mighty, and feared First Order come to be nothing more than craven wretches, beaten by a vast horde of space-bound reptiles? Khonsu was… disappointed. He was expecting more. He was expecting these once voracious conqueror's to put up a fight, to not go quietly into the night. Sure, they stood alone, but they were once all the stronger for it. That didn’t matter now. They withdrew from every front and found themselves assailed once again.
If fate was kind, their weakness would be expunged beneath the consecrating fire of Ssi-Ruuvi weapons. If they fought against the tidal press of destiny, then perhaps there might be something worthwhile that could be salvaged from the ashes if given time.
Their progress towards the Ison Corridor mirrored their initial successes against the advance force of reptilian curs, which left a sour taste on the Thychani Commander’s tongue. Were they simply charging into the fray, clearing a path for the First-Imperials to return, or where they simply pitted against the dregs of the Ssi-Ruuvi? He couldn’t tell, nor did he truly wish to weigh the odds. They’d take everything that they could get their hands on, and withdraw before a retaliatory First-Imperial force arrived, or run afoul of the true reptilian might.
Surely, this paltry rabble wasn’t their best. As it turned out, they were the best that the Ssi-Ruuvi had to offer. The advancements in technology that the Thyrsian’s employed swatted aside any opposition that those curs could muster; leaving their hold on this sector of space weakening by the day. They were systematically purged from the Coreward mouth of the Ison Trade Corridor and were forced to flee deeper into the ancillary hyperlane in order to survive the Sun Guard’s onslaught.
Weak.
They were weak.
Weakness was the gravest sin under the judging eyes of the Sun. They’d be mercilessly wiped from the stars, and the Golden Company would take what was owed from the First-Imperial survivors - by force if required. In the end? It was nothing more than a win-win scenario for the gilded warriors of the Sun Guard, as they’d be leaving the sector all the wealthier regardless of the outcome.
VARONAT // OUTER SYSTEM EDGES.
OPERATION COMMENCEMENT.
COMMAND DECK // ABOARD GCV "CASTIGATOR."
From the depths of the swirling azure dimension of hyperspace, Taskforce Myrmidon erupted back onto the planes of real space with a flicker of pseudo-motion. Nearly fifty warships of varying designs, each bearing the twinned mark of Thyrsus’ binary stars, began maneuvering into a staggered formation as they approached the distant world of Varonat. Their collective prize(s) were anchored in high orbit and doubtlessly clutched at the First-Imperial naval base below. However, it seemed they were still operated by the stranded authoritarian regime and assailed by the remnants of the Ssi-Ruuvi vanguard that fled from Indellian.
Their weakness would be expunged by the personified fury of the Sun, and whatever remained among the stars was free for the Sun Guard’s to claim.
Their weapons and shields were fully charged, as they sailed across the bespeckled canvas of infinite night. It wouldn’t be long now until both flotillas came within maximum effective weapon’s range. When that prophesied moment arrived, the skies above that ruined system would ignite with hundreds of ochre lances of solarized plasma; tearing through projected barriers and armour alike. In addition, dozens - if not hundreds - of magnetically accelerated projectiles and disgorged warheads would soon follow after.
While this would normally be a consideration in conventional void-warfare, the Golden Company didn’t care if their shots missed. The planet below was in danger either way and was already burning in some fashion or another. There would be many that would scream for justice, and for the Sun Guard themselves to stand trial for their crimes. But, the truth of the matter was, there was no singular governing body to enforce their laws upon those that populated the galaxy. The accusations of war crimes were nothing more than wasted breath.
Let those who caught themselves out in the open perish beneath the coming maelstrom.
Khonsu’s dark eyes narrowed behind the false-firelight of his visor, as he watched the opening salvos were unleashed. It wouldn’t be long now, the man mused. The Thyrsians would slaughter all that stood afore them in the heavens above Varonat and leave nothing but ashes in their wake. This would be a message, to both the Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium and their victims - the First Order - that the Sun Guard were not to be trifled with. As well, this would serve as undeniable proof to the stellar nations that populated the stars…
Always pay your Mercenaries.
