Of Truth and Traitors [EOTH, CA]

[Tsair'ra'Nuruodo]

Things had changed.

[SIZE=11pt]That was the inherent thought going through Tsair’s head as he sat aboard his “Diplomacy Kariek” in the middle of nowhere. The deep depths of the Unknown Regions were the most marvelous place for a meeting, and whom were the Hand meeting today? The very Ascendancy they had abandoned centuries ago.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]At Csilla the Hand had bled to help their allies among the Sith, and assail the False Ascendancy. Though Tsair couldn’t help but laugh at all that nonsense, it was politics: he didn’t [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]actually[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] care the Ascendancy had become subservient. Just who they had decided to deem their overlords. But in that same regard, it gave him a small kernel of hope in his heart when he began to see that not all had given into these “Jen’ari”: though he enjoyed the Sith Emperor’s dubbing of them as simple “heretics” far more. Rolled off the tongue better.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]They both had bled at Csilla, these distant cousins. And now it was time for them to connect, or for the Hand to see if they were worthy of connecting again, if they would allow for the Great Goal to push forward stronger than ever. Whatever diplomats this “Chiss Rebellion”, “True Ascendancy”, or just the simple “Chiss Ascendancy” had were contacted by the vast network of spies and commandos the Hand held. Coordinates were given for a meeting place, that simple nothingness where almost none could find them. A hyperspace lane the Hand had been mapping for nearly 40 years now.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And so, the old politician who called himself “Tsair” sat aboard his command throne. His kariek, one of the only ships in the entire Hand navy that was not batterer and abused floated at low power. Just waiting, it’s meager weapon systems ready for anything, of course.[/SIZE]

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

UNKNOWN REGIONS​

---

​

---

Undisclosed Location; Space​

[member=Tsair'ra'Nuruodo] | [member="Dezoti"] | [member="Sivan"] | [member="Rorschach"]​

​

Sometimes all it takes is something as simple as a common enemy. ​

A single Ticsuti-Class Chiss Star Destroyer - named The Vumesin'ci - emerged from hyperspace, blinking into existence at a relative distance from the other craft in the system.

Standing alone at the bridge viewports, dressed in his military uniform of a pristine black-and-burgundy color, Mitth'orn'eruod stared at the other vessel. The deck was filled with commands from officers to crew, and after a moment the Star Destroyer began to move forward. During the course of the invasion on Csilla, Mitth'orn'eruod had been ground side, unable to reach his fleet to assist with opposing Jen'ari forces in space above. From the reports of the battle, there had been another element in play, a denomination of the Chiss from decades prior, one known as the Hand of Thrawn. The name brought a smile to Mitth'orn'eruod's mouth. He was a member of House Mitth, a descendant of Mitth'raw'nuruodo, and someone who prided himself on being as prominent for the Chiss as his ancestor had been...

Albeit in different methods, admittedly.

From the crew deck, there was some chatter across comms. Mitth'orn'eruod remained unmoving, simply observing the vessel a distance away from the viewports, knowing his officers would rely any pertinent information. It didn't take long for one such officer to walk over and nod his head before speaking.

"Vice Admiral, sensors indicate the vessel in system is our contact," The Chiss said from behind Mitth'orn'eruod. "Communications are preparing to contact and organize docking responsibilities for the meeting. Would you wish to shuttle to the Empire of the Hand's ship, sir?"

"Thank you, Commander," Mitth'orn'eruod responded, offering a glance over his shoulder and a nod to the Chiss. "I will join the Hand at their request, and allow them to host the meeting to feel more at ease. Have both Commando Captain Prusde'zoti'lore and Exarch Vero'rschach'brast on the bridge in the next four minutes, they will escort me to the meeting once I have had a moment to confer with them."

Mitth'orn'eruod let out a low exhale, red eyes bright, as he watched a moment longer. With everything taking place on Csilla, and in Chiss Space, the opportunity to unite another force against a common enemy meant this particular meeting was very important...

"Also, Commander, alert the Two-o-First to man their starfighters... I want a loose patrol in the area, just in case."

"Yes sir," The Commander said as he began relaying orders and commands to comms...

 

[Samara Raine]

​

Unspecified location in the Unknown Regions​

Aboard the CNS Vumesin'ci​

​

​

Sivan's eyes were closed with her dark head resting comfortably on the high-backed chair in the pilot ready room when the Nuruodo felt the familiar shimmer of reversion. A few moments later an alert came over the ship intercom for the 201st Fighter Squadron to report for deployment. The Flight Commander sighed as the power nap just didn't seem long enough, then she stood and began to pull on her helmet as booted feet carried the seasoned starfighter pilot to be the first out the exit; black gauntlet gloves and red-piped black flight suit with all the pilot accessories already worn.

The Wayfarer's main hangar was a buzz with activity as not only Saber Squadron was to launch, but also Vice Admiral Mitth'ern'eruod's shuttle, which they were tasked with escorting the VIP and boarding party to the rendezvous ship-to-ship meeting. After that, the squadron would provide CAP to the delegation assembled. Even though the location was in the middle of nowhere, it didn't mean that uninvited guests might possibly crash the talks between the Chiss Ascendancy and a representative from the Empire of the Hand; another loosely related Chiss organization based out of Nirauan, who had aided the Ascendancy under Thorne and the Sith Empire at the Battle of Csilla against the occupying Jen'ari recently.

Hess'iva'nuruodo crossed the vast hangar of the Chiss Star Destroyer quickly and with purpose. She climbed up the metal ladder onto the rack where her Nssis-class Clawcraft was prepped, then dropped down into the spherical-shaped cockpit with well practiced ease and strapped into the pilot couch. As soon as the top-side hatch was sealed by the tech, Sivan began the pre-flight and called out to the rest of her pilots to check-in receiving seven affirmatives. With Two through Eight accounted for, designate SS 201-1 keyed the comm unit.

::Flight Control, this is Saber Leader.... Eight green to go on standby. Awaiting final launch order.::​

Now, the hurry up and wait... Crimson orbs closed once again if only to get one more minute or two of rest because every one counted when sleep time was at a premium nowadays.

[member="Thorne"] | [member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"] | [member="Dezoti"] | [member="Rorschach"]​

 

[Luca Donskoi]

Location: Undisclosed Location; Unknown Regions
[member=’Tsair’ra’Nuruodo’] | [member=’Prusde’zoti’lore’] | [member=’Sivan’] | [member=’Rorschach’]

---

It’d been a long journey to this point and the war that had razed on Csilla at the hands of the two Sith Empires in their eternal struggle for power had also seen the Chiss split. Birthed in these dark times had been a sect of the Ascendancy that declared an allegiance and support for their occupiers and there had been the one to oppose such admonishments. So, when the time came that a new path forward way laid on a platter before them, they’d jumped at the opportunity for such. Thorne, the risen leader of that conflict, had shown the Chiss a new way – the correct way. And his vision of the Ascendancy mirrored Svenn’s own; they served the same purpose, though in different capacities.

During the tail end of the debacle of Csilla that saw the Sith Empire (TSE) come to drive the tyranny of the Jen’air Empire from the Chiss homeworld, Svenn had been tasked with other – classified – mission priorities. He didn’t get the opportunity to share in the final days of the conflict and see what had resulted. No, he only got the intel report from the concluded matter. A matter that still showed the great division of the Chiss Ascendancy, where the opposing forces but declared themselves as legitimate and over the other. The struggle that still ensued at ‘home.’

Svenn had come here at the behest of Thorne, the Vice Admiral of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet under the true Chiss Ascendancy that would see itself liberated of the shackles of tyranny placed upon its people by the very Empire the Ascendancy that bathed itself in falsehoods step out to support. The traitors and heretics would hopefully soon be enlightened as to their misgivings and their flawed analysis of the harm such support of tyranny dealt to the people that claimed to represent. But until such a moment came to pass, there would be that grievance from within the Chiss space. It would be a time of mourning and suffering until a united way could be pushed.

Thus, it is that very spectacle that had brought them here. The chance to unite is the face of such a dark time. That is all it took, right? Something as simple as a common enemy?

Svenn stood firm in the rear of the bridge, where astrogation charts mapped the area and scanned the area, putting forth a constant vigil for the slightest semblance of a hostile force emerging in such a pivotal hour. The men their monitored the comms and various subspace and interstellar frequencies, keen to hone in on anything that could be out of place. It is was they had been trained for. It was their expertise, as was it his, the Deputy Chief of one of the branches of the Chiss Expansionary Intelligence Division.

His purpose was not to monitor the comms today, though, and he awaited for time that was quickly coming where this rendezvous would actually occur.

 

[Rorschach]

​

Location: Deep in the Unknown Regions​

Aboard: CNS Vumesin'ci​

​

​

It was simply what had been on Rorschach's mind for months if not years. It was time for Csilla to be independent, to have the Chiss not bow under the pressure of foreign Influence. They had known it for years, if not ever since the end of the Four Hundred Year darkness. The One Sith, the Fringe, the Iron Empire and now under the rule of the Rogue Sith known as the Jen'Ari. It was a blow that had broken the back of the Chiss people. Too long have they welcomed the rule of Outsiders who pressured nothing but Totalitarian rule and the spread of Foreign Influence.

With what this meeting had to bring, or the Battle of Csilla for that matter which was the spark to lead to what was happening now. Rorschach was here for a single purpose, and that was to bring the Chiss together in the hopes of founding a new government that would finally see the Chiss as an Independent nation. That they could be in peace and spread their influence within the Unknown Regions once more.

While he himself had always been an admirer of Imperial Idealogy that has strengthed many of the Ascendancy's ideas thus far, and that of the Empire of the Hand as well. He felt bitter towards many galactic governments that dare try to rule what has been there's for centuries. Enough was enough and with the meeting that would be carried out between the likes of the rising Ascendancy and the pro Imperial faction known as the Empire of the Hand. This would be a day in when the Chiss would unite in creating a free and proud Chiss people once more.

One of the officer's alerted the elder Force User that he should be summoned to the bridge, he nodded saluting the man before walking in a stride. Wearing the newly designed Vitizer Armor and gauntlet, although sticking to an old fashioned approach with his old lightsaber dangling at his belt, he stepped forward unto a turbolift and set course for the bridge.

Within several minutes, he had reached the top level. Immediately walking, seeing the familiar design of an Imperial Star Destroyer's bridge, he had thought it was ironic how the outsiders gave them ideology and technology that would help them. Make them stronger, all the while having a power that not even his own people could understand. Stepping forward to the leader the Vice Admiral known as Mitth'orn'eroud Walking as if he had carried wisdom beyond his years, he bowed in respect to the Vice Admiral. " Vice Admiral Mitth'orn'eroud.. I have heard that I am to accompany you on this mission. I assure you in case you have any doubts.. The Empire of the Hand will be very cooperative... They do want a free and united Chiss as do we all." He said in a calm tone as he tried to remain positive about what they were heading into.

@Svenn @Sivan @Thorne [member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"]

 

[Dezoti]

UNKNOWN REGIONS​

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________​

Undisclosed Location; Space​

[member="Rorschach"] [member="Svenn"] [member="Sivan"] [member="Thorne"] [member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"]​

Four minutes. There was always a time crunch when it came to orders, and Dezoti was always one to keep to the schedule. When the orders came for her to arrive to the bridge, she was immediately on her way. For the time being, the 21st would remain on standby. They weren't going to be needed in this. She was in her full Commando Armor with her rifle in hand. She arrived in exactly four minutes, standing in salute to the Vice Admiral.



"Captain Prusde’zoti’lore reporting, ready for the assignment." She kept herself in salute, her rifle across her chest.

 

[Kee]

Location: Space Unknown regions

She was in her room, she was cleaning her weapons. Making sure each one was working perfectly, she knew the 21st commandos would not be here, unless there was job to do, but she had not briefed on it yet. She was wearing the Duranex Body Glove, to try and improve her time getting the rest of armour on. She is in the mess hall with others, and some marines. She was not great socialising, so she was sat in the corner of her lot, just listening to them talk, and occasionally smiling and nodding. To there stories, she knew they where going to try frighten her at some point, as this was not going to be a cake run. She had a cup of water, with her and took occasional drinks from it. she was still working her place in the team, and who was who.

 

[Tsair'ra'Nuruodo]

Tsair couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the destroyer, his Kariek was a much more pathetic vessel in comparison. A frigate like vessel, that oozed the concept of paper thin armor.

[SIZE=11pt]A fine diplomatic vessel compared to Tsair’s hulking Destroyer Minotaur. Infinitely less intimidating: and if any of those less than competent diplomats decided assailing them was a wise idea the overconfidence was enough to spring a fine trap. For on the edge of the system, hiding themselves from sensors, was a much more intimidating fleet of a dozen or so Hand vessels. It never hurt to be prepared.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“How the Ascendancy has changed since all those years ago, no?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Tsair spoke to no one in particular, though it was evidently only going to apply to his senior officers and most experienced veterans: the original Chiss that had abandoned the Old Ascendancy with Tsair almost 4 decades ago. He was obviously amused, a small slit of a smile appearing on his rough features.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Hail that Destroyer.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]His comm officers worked like a machine, a holographic message sent to the bridge of Ascendancy’s Star Destroyer. The blue of his holographic form had that always amusing combination with his skin.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“It’s rather reassuring to see some of the Ascendancy still has half a brain in their skull. I do hope this Ascendancy is more agreeable to my goals than the one I served under.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He spoke like a military man, with the calculated grace of a politician. The latter was always Tsair’s calling: he laid his cards open, there was no reason to hide or simply not acknowledge his status as a defector to the Ascendancy: though despite the cold “harshness” of his words a smile still had itself plastered on his old and wrinkled features.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“If you so please, there is a diplomacy chamber aboard my craft. Far nicer to discuss face to face than bother with the faults of technology.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And that was where came the “Tsair charm” he sometimes called it, a seriousness that quickly warped to warm humor, like some kindly old grandpa over the steel willed idealist he truly was.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Thorne"][/SIZE]

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

UNKNOWN REGIONS​

---

​

---

Undisclosed Location; Space.​

[member=Tsair'ra'Nuruodo] | [member="Dezoti"] | [member="Sivan"] | [member="Rorschach"] | [member="Sivan"] | [member="Svenn"] | [member="Kee"]​

​

When the doors to the command bridge opened, and the familiar Chiss entered dressed in armor and robes entered, Mitth'orn'eruod turned and nodded in response to the bow once the pair had closed distance. While not overly familiar with the Force, nor particularly fond of it, Mitth'orn'eruod couldn't deny that the older Chiss had paved an uncertain path for others to excel in his wake; and for that, the Chiss had respect for him, as well as more acceptance for Force sensitive Chiss overall.

"Exarch Vero'rschach'brast," Mitth'orn'eruod nodded as he turned to look at the other. The Vice Admiral smirked. "You are very well informed. I do request your presence on the conference team, and let us hope the Hand do maintain an amicable attitude toward this meeting. Defeating the enemy in our midst will be considerably difficult, and allies would allow us to make greater strides and conserve our people's lives... but I'm getting ahead of myself."

The bridge doors opened once again, the armored form of a Commando entering. This particular individual was as skilled as they came, highly decorated and commanded arguably the best commando squad in the CEDF. This meant bringing her was paramount to maintaining equal balance of respectful caution but also devastating assault potential. Having this Captain to over watch the meeting would allow Mitth'orn'eruod to focus on conversation, leaving no cause for concern when it came to security aboard the enemy vessel.

"Captain Prusde'zoti'lore," Mitth'orn'eruod said, glancing toward the Captain as she saluted. The Vice Admiral returned the motion. "You will accompany the Exarch and myself for the expected conference. I fully believe we will be invited onto the smaller vessel, as it balances the power maintained by both sides. Not only will you maintain personal security, but I would request you record and remember as much as possible, so we can analyze data about our potential allies once the meeting is concluded."

From one side, near the communications panels, an Ensign approached silently and waited. Mitth'orn'eruod turned to look at her, raising eyebrows.

"Vice Admiral, the Hand leader has contacted us."

"Thank you, Ensign, prepare to put it on the deck display..."

* * *​

​

Meanwhile, in the flight command crew of the bridge, a Lieutenant quickly pressed several sequences of buttons on his panel. The commlink buzzed to life, the status report of the fighter squadron assigned to patrol duties coming through clearly. Selecting another few settings on his panel, the Lieutenant activated his own comm and cleared his throat.

"Flight control here, copy that, Saber Lead. You are given permission to launch," The Chiss officer said, voice crisp. "Your orders are to maintain a patrol perimeter around the meeting vessels in system, but maintain interception range should any surprises appear close to the Wayfarer, copy?"

On the control board, the squadron appeared. Numerous flashing lights began to show, indicating the pilots - and their assigned fighters - were pre-flight checked and prepared to launch on the leader's command. Another button command opened the hangar bay doors, the space beyond clear of all friendly personnel and obstructions for perfect launching conditions...

"Launch when ready, Saber, good hunting."

* * *​

Mitth'orn'eruod turned to face his intelligence agent, Kes'ven'nuruodo, offering the Chiss a nod from across the room. The command was non-verbal, it didn't need to be, as the expectation was simple: Analyze the entire conversation, on multiple wave frequencies, to determine as much information as possible about the individual the Vice Admiral would be meeting. Anything could be important, from shifts in mannerisms, emotional displays, micro-twitches, as well as sound within the vessel itself, internal atmospheric conditions, reflections on hulls.

"Open communications, Ensign."

The bridge was bathed in a brilliant orange light, as the holoprojector on the deck was filled with the visage of an older Chiss. Immediately, Mitth'orn'eruod noticed several things about the commander of the Empire of the Hand. His age, the numerous wrinkles across his face that showed a seriousness, the aged Imperial-like uniform, which was likely a maintained uniform from his earlier days. Additionally, his voice was clear and concise, the inflections of that of a leader who considered words important. Mitth'orn'eruod suspected that everything shared by this Chiss was formulated, pondered, and refined before leaving his mouth. It was also of note that he deemed to offer a smile in accompaniment of his stern opening statement about the Chiss Ascendancy - but retort wasn't needed, pride often proceeded a fall.

"Greetings, I am Vice Admiral Mitth'orn'eruod. It is a pleasure to finally have the chance to speak with you," The considerably younger commander said in an equally crisp and clipped tone. "I appreciate your invitation to attend our conference aboard your vessel. My delegation will be across promptly. The Wayfarer out."

The Ensign cut the communication, the image winking out of existence on the bridge. Mitth'orn'eruod turned on his boot heel, facing Kes'ven'nuruodo.

"Any information you have is appreciated, please send it through to my datapad, Agent Kes'ven'nuruodo," Mitth'orn'eruod said in a low voice, before motioning for his selected delegates to follow him - the Exarch and Captain, respectively. "Also alert me immediately should any vessels revert from hyperspace. Do not concern yourself about interrupting the conversation, as I will have the datapad in low-activity mode. My second-in-command, Commodore Qrert'aset'etthesdu now has operational control of this vessel. Stay sharp, stay vigilant."

Walking from the bridge, Mitth'orn'eruod offered a nod to his second-in-command, before turning right in the corridor and making his way to the hangar bay. Glancing back, Mitth'orn'eruod raised an eyebrow as he addressed both Exarch Vero'rschach'brast and Captain Prusde'zoti'lore...

"I'd like your thoughts on the upcoming meeting and the leader of the Hand. Also, Captain, please contact your squad and have them be prepared for any emergency hostage retrieval scenarios, just in case."

 

[Dezoti]

​

UNKNOWN REGIONS​

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________​

Undisclosed Location; Space​

[member="Kee"] [member="Sinist"] [member="Rorschach"] [member="Svenn"] [member="Sivan"] [member="Thorne"] [member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"]​

"Understood, Vice Admiral Mitth'orn'eruod." She kept herself brief and to the point, understanding the urgency of the situation. To reunite the Chiss again was a dream of all Chiss. As [member="Thorne"] had decreed she radioed into the rest of her squad. "21st, be active and ready in case anything happens while I'm away. Commander [member="Helion'Nuruodo"] will be in charge while I'm with the Vice Admiral. We don't expect any violent confrontation, but be ready for it regardless." And with that she signed off, falling in behind her superior with her rifle across her chest in a ready but nonthreatening manner.

 

[Samara Raine]

​

Unspecified location in the Unknown Regions​

CAP in vicinity of the CNS Vumesin'ci ​

​

"Flight control here, copy that, Saber Lead. You are given permission to launch," The Chiss officer said, voice crisp. "Your orders are to maintain a patrol perimeter around the meeting vessels in system, but maintain interception range should any surprises appear close to the Wayfarer, copy?"

"Copy, Flight Control. Orders received," SS 201-1 keyed back over the comm unit matter of fact. The Rinsi would provide combat air patrol as their primary role with a strike role secondary meaning they would be permitted to actively pursue any enemy vessels sighted and not be restricted to defensive encounters.

Hess'iva'nuruodo flicked the last set of switches on the flight panel in her Clawcraft and was rewarded with another battery of green status lights while waiting for Word.

"Launch when ready, Saber, good hunting."

"Roger that, Wayfarer. Two-o-First commencing launch sequence momentarily. Place the Two-o-Third and Fifth Fighter Squadrons on standy. The Two-o-Seventh Bomber Squadron can stand down for now," the Commander responded with additional orders for the Wing under her command, then she toggled quickly over to the 201st Fighter Squadron's channel.

"CAP/Strike is affirmative. Two Flight take low patrol. One Flight high with me. Clear skies. Sabers. Word is launch."

A round of double-clicks ensued, then that was that... launch was initiated.

Saber Leader was pressed hard into the pilot couch when the tractor beams took hold of the Nuruodo's bird and catapulted the Clawcraft forward, to be joined half a second later by the additional kick of the Chiss fighter's afterburner. The bay wall rushed past the frontal viewport of the spherical-shaped cockpit with rapidly increasing speed. There was the familiar crackle of the containment field followed by the noise of displaced air ceased as the blackness of space embraced her craft.

Easing back on the throttle, Sivan leaned her fighter into a long, sloping turn and watched the other Clawcraft of her squadron being launched one after the other from the Vumesin'ci's port-side hangar falling into squadron formation behind her immediately, then the Flights veered off in well-practiced precision taking up their designated patrol overwatch positions in the space around the two vessels of the Chiss Ascendancy and Empire of the Hand.

[member="Kee"] | [member="Sinist"] | [member="Rorschach"] | [member="Svenn"] | [member="Dezoti"] | [member="Thorne"] | [member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"]​

 

[Tsair'ra'Nuruodo]

Calmness was the overwhelming feeling within Tsair’s Kariek, there was little fear of the new Ascendancy and it’s mighty destroyer. Such vessels were horribly unfavored in the tactics of the Hand: easy to watch them too.

[SIZE=11pt]There was little to entering the Kariek, it’s hangar was small and thankfully empty of any Clawcraft. Diplomatic vessels and diplomatic vessels alone entered this “warship”. A handful of the Empire of the Hand’s soldiers standing to greet the Chiss and his entourage. They were Imperial undoubtedly, but they were distinctly...not. Armor was too curved, there was that vague alien feel to the well known design of an Imperial Stormtrooper though instead of Legions of white armor there was a distinct light blue in the coloration of the armor, bright red streaks moving down their armor as some sort of denotation of their elite rank.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“This way.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And with that the soldiers turned on their heels, making their way to Tsair’s meeting room. Where the Chiss patiently sat, awaiting the leader of this new Ascendancy. Undoubtedly a deciding meeting today.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Thorne"][/SIZE]