Looking Through All The Options.

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Isamu Baelor"]

Coruscant was attacked. The war machine failed in not only protecting the planets it controlled, but its capital. Twice now it had been attacked, and twice the attackers had gotten away. This was a problem. As Ferus stepped into the military instillation, he thought of a different kind of solution. Fast acting soldiers that could insert where needed.

Though, his plans were more for the offense. But he assumed General Baelor could find a defensive use for such an idea. Ferus had announced he was coming prior at least, though not exactly why. As a Sith nation though, he figured it would be a normal occurrence for the military personnel. Through the front doors he stepped, and right up to the receptionist.

"Hello darling. Find me General Baelor." As a Sith Lord, he knew he would be recognized. Now he just needed to wait for Isamu.

 

[Isamu Baelor]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Isamu was incensed. Once again, an enemy had struck at the capitol of the empire. They had sacked the Sith temple, the heart of the Sith. They had attacked his home. It all angered him, but what angered him most was the death of his people. A strike by the enemy had recently took the lives of many innocents, and this raid was no different. More of his people died, and for what? A statement? It sickened Isamu. He deeply regretted that he had not been there to protect his home.

Isamu walked with purpose, flanked by numerous Sith officers. In the aftermath of the attack, there was a great many things that had to be approved. Outside of the typical military duties post attack, Isamu's soldiers were also on humanitarian duty. Soldiers had to rescue the alive, and dead, from rubble. They had to distribute aid to those affected. There was a lot of red tape which had to be cut through. Even in trying times like this, bureaucracy still managed to rear it's ugly head. Isamu looked down the corridor, and saw Darth Ferus. He had been expecting the Shadow of the Dark Lord.

Isamu dismissed the officers flanking him. Whatever Darth Ferus had to say, it would only be for the ears of the General. Isamu approached the Sith lord, and spoke. "Walk with me, Darth Ferus." Isamu said. His intention was not to be disrespectful, but the reality was that there was little time for talk. The enemy attack had to be analyzed, defenses rebuilt, new defenses made, and a counter-attack to be organized. The old stalwart was drowning in work.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ferus completely understood why [member="Isamu Baelor"] had asked him to walk. This was a busy day, and the Sith was not here to demand the General to pay attention to what the Sith wanted. Ferus had too much respect to speak as such a way. Keeping pace the dark cloaked man would get right to the subject, figuring it would be too much of a waste to exchange pleasantries when action needed to be taken.

"We both know we were attacked, and we both know the One Sith was too slow to respond. We are in the midst of war, and another party has chosen to join in. I'm sure you'll agree that we need fast acting troops. Troops that could get from orbit to ground in seconds, without needing to be dropped off. That could hit the ground in disaster areas to bring refuge, or punch a hole in the heart of our enemies before they even know we're here."

Perhaps he was laying it in a bit thick, but time was ever short. And while the Sith cared not for rescue missions, he understood the power such undertakings held. Care for the people, and they would gladly lay their lives down for him. Red eyes glanced over to the general patiently, simply waiting for a response.

 

[Isamu Baelor]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Isamu listened intently to the Sith lord speak, and agreed with all he spoke. He looked down at his datapad, examining the work he had left to do. After some thought, he spoke. "I have a little time." Isamu said. "Come with me, Darth Ferus. I have something you'll want to see." Isamu said as he resumed walking. "When Darth Hauntrass returned, do you remember the council she called?" Isamu asked. "In the time since, I have worked to strengthen our forces. The development of the Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Phaedra, and Croesus vehicles were but a part of that." Isamu said, as they entered an elevator. Isamu inputted his credentials into the computer, which activated the elevator, and lowered them deeper, into restricted areas of the Sith military installation.

"In the time since, I came to a similar conclusion as you." Isamu said. "We need the ability to rapidly deploy our forces to the battlefield. We need drop-pod capabilities." As Isamu finished speaking, the elevator door opened, revealing a large R&D center. It was here, that Isamu's R&D team had been developing drop-pod technology, among other things. "Drop-pods." Isamu stated. "They will be dropped from starships, and break through a planets atmosphere." Isamu said. "They're still in development, but when finished, they will carry our forces safely into the battlefield."

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ferus nodded to [member="Isamu Baelor"] upon being asked if he remembered the meeting. And while he may have not been there to hear all of the discussion, he knew what Baelor meant. Silently he moved into the elevator after the man, still silently listening. It was a surprise, AMD a welcome one, that the General, too, was creating such tech. In fact, it meant that the two were on a much more similar path then either may have thought.

"Oddly enough, I too am having such pods be created. Though, mine are more for stealth. Have to be able to sneak the drop in so to speak, for my line of work. Speaking of." With that, the Sith brought up his own datapad, handing it to the general. "Project Kratos. A super soldier serum. The Assassins own this serum, and I plan to use it on these soldiers." Red eyes flicked from the RnD to Baelor again, studying. "This serum however can kill people. Not everyone can survive it, so dont expect it to be public. I need your help finding the strongest and most loyal the One Sith has to offer for this procedure. With how many times you've proven your own loyalty, I figured you would be the one to ask."

He would go on, this time staring back at the research team. "Of course I know you are busy, so I've arranged for you to get some more assistance. You do good work General, and I think its time even the Sith realise it."

 

[Isamu Baelor]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

"If you will, Darth Ferus, I want our teams to collaborate." Isamu said. "My plans go beyond drop pods. I envision new Star Destroyers. Ones with the ability to field armies at a moments notice." The development of these new Starships were a direct result of the raids on Coruscant. "Those armies require forward scouts, and your stealth pods could get them planet-side. Undetected."

Darth Ferus handed Isamu a datapad, detailing a new super soldier serum. Isamu scanned through the notes. Although it looked quite promising, Isamu was weary of the high fatality rate. Isamu handed the datapad back to Darth Ferus, but did not answer straight away. "Our people have bled, Darth Ferus. It is not something I will forgive, or forget." Isamu said, clearly still mulling over the Sith lords request.

After some thought, Isamu gave his answer: "I will do whatever I can to protect our people." Although Isamu had decided to help, there was one caveat."You will have your soldiers, but only under one condition: volunteers only." Isamu was an oddity among the Sith, he truly cared about his soldiers. "The men and women under my command are good soldiers." Isamu said, proudly. "I will not force them to take a serum that could kill them."

"The assistance is appreciated" Isamu said. Darth Ferus continued, praising the work of Isamu. Recognition wasn't important to Isamu, however. To him, his duty was all that mattered. "I do my duty, Darth Ferus. No more, no less." Isamu responded.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"With such a high mortality rate, only volunteers would be accepted. I am not a butcher of my own people, General. To force the soldiers will only break moral, and the people will not approve. I may be Sith, but I at least know how the public opinion works." Honesty was good. While he didn't out right say it, it was clear that Ferus did not care as much about the soldiers as [member="Isamu Baelor"] . And perhaps that was part of the reason why the Sith had so much respect for him. Moral was important, and keeping track of the soldiers was a trying task to begin with.

"Combining your fleets with my stealth is a good idea. The plan was to use them for strategic assassinations. Get in, get out, leaving the bodies. Inspire fear in our enemies. But forward scouts work as well. Their capabilities will be enough to clear an immediate landing area for the rest. I have four.. Prototypes I suppose, that are currently in the field. Gathering intel on this Galactic Alliance. I'll give you the reports on their missions to see where things can be improved, if they can."

A humble man as always. It was the humility of this General that first attracted Darth Ferus, and so far he had only seen good things. Very good things. "There are many within the Sith who, in your position, would pass along the work and would certainly not treat their soldiers as people. You are a change in the Sith, don't humble yourself too far. There are still those who will choose to try and tread upon you. Just know you have the support of a Lord behind you."