Invasion Operation Shadowdance: TSE Invasion of NIO-held Muunilinst, Orinackra and Ord Thoden

[Errix Feh'room]

OBJECTIVES: Assist in rescuing the Eternal Empress.
LOCATION: Aboard Raider Class Corvette
TAGS: Caarlyle Rausgeber Alina Tremiru Kuben Woods

Spoiler: 890m Fleet Under Errix

• 1 - Raider Class Corvette(150 meters)
  • Audacity - Errix’s Ship
• 2 - Lancer-class Frigate(500 meters)
  • Pride
  • Prejudice
• 2 - DP20 Frigates(240 meters total)
  • Bellicose
  • Belligerence

The storm lingered at the fringes of the debris field. It had threatened the small gathering of ships assigned to Errix for what felt like eons as one of the officers tracked its path across their own. The five ships had done little more than use bursts of engine power, keeping the majority of their systems to low power mode as they crept through the debris as best as possible.

The electrical storm beside them, a possible deterrent to anyone willing to come near to check for errant signs among partial hulls and twisting, colliding debris. The power of the storm had been well displayed when one hull fragment, stuck in the clutches of the cloud, had shone as brightly as the day it had left dry dock.

Power had surged through the old thing, the rust of its hull at odds with the sudden ferocity of the light display it was putting on. It had been short lived however, the external lights shattering with the overload as the internal lights flickered before seeming to pop out of existence as the thunderous enigmatic cloud had passed them by.

It had brought sweat to his brow watching the display. The knowing that what they had witnessed could very well be them next was not a fact lost upon the crew as they continued to run silent for the duration.

The long range scan had revealed the beginning of their operation with the drop pods headed to the surface of the planet. He had a part to play in all this as well though. Errix was quiet as the crew stirred around him, waiting for the signal for their own operation to begin.

There had been no one speech from their direct commander. No words to bolster them. Merely a silent confidence that was sparingly given.

Two DP20's along with a pair of Lancer frigates were situated in the messy debris field. Their forms obscured by the floating masses around them as they continued operating in low power mode. Crews aboard were careful of their actions, mindful that a slip up could ruin the opportunity they had sought here in the debris field.

One DP20 was idly floating beside the hull of a wrecked vessel, its rotation near to matching the flotsam as The Audacity's bridge took visual stock of the situation. Errix leaned back and forth, checking the relative position from his own in the half cleared center of their position.

Each vessel was staggered, all behind some form of cover as the electrical storm crackled on and away from them at a terrifyingly slow pace.

"Mark this position on the map. We'll be returning shortly." Errix called over the bridge before signaling for the Audacity to power up. "Bring us about to rendezvous with the boarding pods as planned. All other vessels hold until receiving the confirmation signal. Feh'room out."

A simple command as the Raider Class Corvette powered up and hurdled through the field it had passed through already, leaving behind the other four vessels floating in silence amidst the debris of old ships and space junk.

The Audacity made good time reaching the vessel in question. Even having to navigate the shifting fields of debris, the navigation officers were doing a tremendously splendid job of predicting the projected changes given there was limited activity around them. The sleek dark hull of the Raider Corvette cut along the pitch black of space with ease, powering shields up to full capacity as the weapons were checked with a final ping of the long range scanners. The communications officer gave a bland glance to the switch he had been told to wait for, his fingers itching a little at the sight of it.

"Boarding parties, this is the Audacity. We will be running interference ahead of you. When finished, signal us before departing with the target in hand and we will run interference once again to provide cover. Audacity, out."

The Audacity was posed for the signal to begin, engines flaring in preparation for darting ahead of the boarding pods to skirmish with whatever attempted to divert their path to the opposing vessel. To the ship that held their prize.

 

[Seela Leini]

Location: Hangar Bay, The Wrath
Call Sign: Ragnos Fighter/Interceptor - Designation: SV-2121 - Star Scythe Two
Onboard Equipment: FAE/A-09 Anti-G Suit │ “Judicator” Adaptive Battle Rifle
Allies: The Amalgam Moff Drybis Lyken Errix Feh'room Tranquility
Enemies: Caarlyle Rausgeber
Theme: Amber Mark - Worth It

The choice to stay at Malsheem and to refrain from fighting for her Father’s besieged Empire had been offered to her upon her ascension to the junior officer corps. Her accomplishments at Ziost, shooting down a Jedi ace and contributing to the victory over the Alliance, had been rewarded with various honors, including personal attention from her God and the divine Overlord of the Sith, Darth Carnifex . No longer the fledgling pilot she had been only a few months prior, SV-2121 was firmly battle-tested. She had seen many of her peers killed in action, but her failure over Generis, which had led to the deaths of three of her squadmates, still yet burned hot in her chest. Of course, her commanding officer had tried to tell her that their deaths were not her fault, but she could not relieve herself of the burden of responsibility.

Even personal attention from her God had failed to alleviate her guilt.

That was why she had refused the offer to stay home.

The air within the hangar bay of the Wrath was that of frantic, yet disciplined activity, as technicians and pilots ran towards their stations, with many making various last-minute adjustments to the craft owing to the electrical storms brewing outside. SV-2121’s assignment to the Amalgam’s squadron had been one of many such belated decisions. Now, she would be flying under an insane witch who seemingly was unable to stop making senseless references to “your writer”, “my writer”, “Bond movies”, and other fourth wall breaks. The witch had just finished a nonsensical, fourth wall-shattering spiel about her writer playing nothing but short characters, before pivoting into another rant which was undoubtedly just as insane, which SV-2121 opted tuned out.

Capitalizing a break in the witch’s rant, SV-2121 turned to the Amalgam and gestured to the witch's interceptor.

“I flew the Tuk’ata over Ziost, my lady.” She began, knowing already that the Amalgam planned to live test her new interceptor. “Are you sure you don’t need me to at least...help you get familiarized with the cockpit? The controls aren’t nontraditional, but there are some quirks with the design."

To say the least, SV-2121 could not even begin to comprehend the mind of the Amalgam.

 

[Ishida Ashina]

MUUNILIST | HARNADIAN | DAMASK PLAZA | SOUTHERN CULTURAL CENTRE
+0:44 FROM FIRST CONTACT
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
I LIKE THE WAY YOU DIE

​

How did she go from fighting the galaxy’s cruellest monsters to huddling in the streets with a bunch of laymen.

No, that wasn’t true. Cruelty found no debate between xenophobic monster and Sith. They both fed on terror, growing in malignant evil by suffocating liberty and attempting to squander the influence of light. Monster was a generous term, that found home in several manifestations.

All of them needed to be eradicated by Ashla's searing benevolence.

Momentum would help steel her resolve, and move on from her former ruminations. So Ishida poked her head out, immediately being met by a dollop of water on the ski-jump of her nose and she snapped back under the tarp. She suppressed the impulse to grimace while she wiped the liquid off her nose with a grunt, and looked the way of the other white-haired Padawan.
It was an istant before she heard the laserfire, and the distinctive sound of plasma chewing up metal.

Her mother would often wistfully ruminate on the romantic potential of rain, how it cleansed and purified without question –– gave life, and continued on in it’s independent existence through a self sustained cycle. Ishida remembered the matron of Ashina Estate talking about this for hours, sometimes. But all the little girl was thinking about was perhaps the silhouette of her brother, Inosuke Ashina , re-emerging over the cliffside in a drenched, prodigal return.

"Ishida, we've got to move!"

Now, that silhouette was a Sith Trooper. One that had no intention of running into anyone’s arms –– only cutting them off before searing through hearts. There was no care, no kindredness in something that dark. Any autonomy within these soldiers had been conditioned away, with blind allegiance sworn to Emperor after Emperor for an eroding Empire. Their loyalty unquestioning, their strength unquestionable.

A trill of something –– purpose or terror, she couldn’t tell which –– spiked through her and she leapt up from her position.

“No! We stand!” Ishida defied, lurching into action and slamming to a stop as the first trooper made itself visible. It was purpose, then. She landed just behind the spot Bernard had chosen to run into, covering his rear as the soldier he’d shot at evidenced himself.

But the Jedi, instead of charging, threw her lightsaber. It flew in a spin toward the trooper who happened to be the fastest runner, and at the front.

If he’d had the time, the face behind the visor would have laughed. Instead, he tracked the incoming weapon, and nimbly caught the hilt with his hand. Now he laughed, a deep victorious bellow that shook the armour plating he sported.

And now the Padawan charged forward. She ran like a normal, small girl in good shape. Not superhuman. Just enough to give him time to react, and those in the immediate vicinity to get a little further away.

Feeling bold, the trooper chose to use the lightsaber instead of its blaster, and swung. Its glowing white blade plowed across the Jedi’s neck.

The Jedi’s body thumped into the Trooper and her head ––––

Stayed right where it was. There was no mark across it. There was no smell of burnt flesh.

But there was a pain in the trooper’s own neck, and he belatedly became aware that the Jedi’s right arm was raised, her hand near the point where the pain began.

Ishida, unhurt, stared into the visor of the helmet that she’d killed. Cold and implacable.

The trooper fell, feeling the tug as his neck slid off the shoto blade in Ishida’s hand. Made of nothing other than Ashina Steel.

But he was only one of –– she couldn’t see how many more. Two to three at least.Delight cracked on the Padawan’s mouth, and she flashed a toothsome grin until a plasma bolt whizzed past her ear, singing her snow-white tresses. The smell was atrocious.

All around the plaza, heads turned in their direction. Panic plain on their faces. Bernard and Ishida –– along with the contingent of Alliance personnel at their beckon –– had established themselves as the go-to’s for protection and sanctuary. And now, they wanted to cash in on their investments.

“Oh, yeah,” she nodded slowly and riddled with uncertainty as she retrieved her saber from the fallen triooper. “Okay. Yeah. We draw them away.”

ALLIES | NIO | GA | NJO | Bernard of Arca
ENEMIES | THE SITH EMPIRE | OPEN

 

[Moff Drybis Lyken]

Location: HMIS "The Wrath" (Marr-class Star Destroyer)
Objective 2: Free Ingrid L'lerim and eliminate Caarlyle Rausgeber if possible
Allies: TSE | CIS | EE | Seela Leini Errix Feh'room Tranquility Ingrid L'lerim Grand Moff Decimus
Enemies: NIO | GA Caarlyle Rausgeber

Spoiler

Flagship:

-HMIS "The Wrath" (Marr-class Star Destroyer)


-2x Tammar-class Corvettes
-1x Thanaton-class Corvette
-3x Gozanti Cruiser
-Helix Squadron, 8x Caedus-class Superiority Fighter
-Obsidian Squadron, 6x Caldoth-class Bomber
-Ember Squadron, 6x Caedus-class Superiority Fighter, 2x Sith-Imperial TIE Interceptor
-10x Squadrons, Vulture Droid-class Starfighter
-3x Squadrons, Hyena-class Bomber
-2x, Munificent-class Star Frigate (In reserve, in outskirts of system)

As he faced the front view of the bridge of his flagship, Drybis turned to one of ensigns, who had spoken and soon gestured to the holocom.

"An incoming transmission sir".

"Very well, who is it?"

" Grand Moff Decimus sir"

"Ah, put him through immediately"

The Ensign obeyed and the transmission from his superior came through on the holo.

"Moff Lyken. I trust everything is in place for the mission? We can afford no slip ups if we are to save Ingrid from her present situation."

"Yes Grand Moff, I am nearly there, and several others of the task force have already arrived". "Our attack is set and our soldiers are ready". He straightened his back a bit more. "I understand your concern sir, and I promise, we will save the Empress, at any cost".

At that same moment, the loyal Duros Colonel stepped to his side to inform Lyken of their arrival.

"Sir, emerging from hyperspace now"

"Very good Colonel Luk'Jo, contact the task force, encrypted transmission, scrambler code 453H6"

"Yes sir, patching us through now"

The "Wrath" exited hyperspace almost next to orbit, and Drybis could see the New Imperial ships located directly ahead of him. He could see the NIO flagship, which was holding the Eternal Empress, Ingrid L'lerim , prisoner.

Drybis had volunteered for this mission for two main reasons. Firstly he was given command of the naval assault and secondly, it was an opportunity to network and hopefully gain some respect and favor of a powerful galactic figure. Still, he had to complete this mission. And that, he would do, no matter the cost. He had also been informed of some important information by his contacts in Sith Intelligence, that Caarlyle Rausgeber himself was on the opposing side and onboard the Imperial Star Destroyer himself. Drybis had faced himself briefly at Helgard before the NIO feel back in retreat. Since then. he had studied more of the man's tactics and strategies. He had a slightly improved opinion of him, believing he was a bit more than just an New Imperial pawn. He realized he was similar to many other high ranking naval admirals, always out for their own power and personal goals just as much as they were for the goals of their faction. Lyken was not much different, but unlike them, had compassionate for those under his command, or as much as he could allow himself to have. His goals have always been tied to his purpose, which drives him to do what he does.

Drybis now nodded to the Colonel and prepared to speak into the comm. The secure transmission reached to all ships within the task force and all their mercenary allies who would arrive whenever they could, if they did at all.


"Task Force Valkyrie, this is Moff Drybis Lyken, all commanders and officers, report in immediately".

"And sir, our boarding parties are beginning to engage, allied vessels are aligned at the assigned attack coordinates".

"Good Colonel, launch Star Scythe squadron and inform The Amalgam to contact me once they have all assembled after initial launch". "And also launch Helix and Ember Squadrons to provide support for the boarding parties and their ships". "Keep Obsidian held in reserve, but ready, we will need them later once the Empress has been freed".

"Yes Moff Lyken, right away".

He stared back out from the front bridge viewport and prepped himself mentally for yet another naval engagement. However, this would be the first time Lyken had rescued such an important figure in a naval battle. And the man hoped he would be 1 for 1 when the dust settled.

"Oh and Colonel, launch half of the Droid fighters the gracious Grand Moff lent us, hopefully they cause some havoc for Rausgeber and his cronies". "Have them directly target the enemy shield array". "If we eliminate it, well, this could be over very quickly once we have successfully rescued the Empress". "Oh, and also alert the droid frigates in reserve to block off any avenues of escape within the system". "Lastly, have the rest of my forces assemble to our sides in attack formation Prontus Three".

"Yes sir, it will be done".

The Moff turned back to the bridge view near the holocom and waited for the battle to commence.

Theme: The Fleet Arrives

 

[Trajan Fett]

S U P E R C O M M A N D O
SONS OF MANDALORE
NIV 'CONFIDENCE' COMMAND DECK
Beskar'gam | Main Weapon | Side-Arm | Melee | Grenades
Cradle | RUUSAN Injector + Chernil'borg | Ravenous Grenades

TAURUS
ORINACKRA '65
Attached to Prefsbelt Special Warfare Command

​

Orinackra. A planet Kurze was more than familiar with- while New Imperials sieged and battled through the prison facilities housing many of their own prisoners of war, the Sons of Mandalore were ultimately tapped for a mission of a higher degree of specialty. Capture the then head of the Sith Banking Clan, Aerarii Tithe . Stormtroopers, or at least, as they were in the New Imperial Order were incredibly effective fighters but they hardly could battle the distinction between lethal and non-lethal measures. It would all burn, in their eyes.

To return here in this context, as escort to another prisoner was as poetic as it was pragmatic. With the Mandalore Sector now well under New Imperial and Sons of Mandalore control, a fate which was certainly bewilderingly unlikely considering the gauntlet those worlds had been run through, they could now fully adopt their role as Supercommandos. Highly trained and impeccably equipped warriors able to be applied in versatile roles throughout the New Imperial Order's tactical demands. In exchange? Credits or - in the case of Prefsbelt Command, other valuables.

The charge for Kurze escorting the highly dangerous asset that was Ingrid L'lerim came in the means of the fruits of 'Project RUUSAN', the highly classified Prefsbelt Command's operation to accomplish one goal- find a way to kill midichlorians and weaponize it. To most of the Galaxy, an insidious, despicable act, an affront against the nature and how it operated all it once.

To the Sons of Mandalore...another tool in the arsenal.

Within the Command Deck of the NIV 'Confidence', Trajan stood aside in waiting. Although Ingrid was seemingly safe aboard, she was the head of state to a Galactic power...there was no chance that someone wouldn't have their eyes on snatching her from under New Imperial hold.

In his Beskar'gam, the only face he'd shown to any of Prefsbelt Command or L'lerim for that matter was the t-visor.

Fully equipped in his panoply of war, his guard was never down as went the saying-

Be calm and professional...and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

ALLIES | NIO | Caarlyle Rausgeber | Gallius Orcana | Jivim Vaak
ENEMIES | TSE | Alina Tremiru | Kuben Woods | Moff Drybis Lyken | Errix Feh'room | Tranquility | Seela Leini

 

[Jin Kyrel]

Objective: Lifeline (Mount Up)
Equipment: Imperial Knight Battle Armor, Crossguard Lightsaber
Allies: NIO Aerarii Tithe Kolson Vrask DECEASED Aron Gowrie Irveric Tavlar Hâwmâr Lurais Zakaria Black (Open)
Enemies: Lady Marrow (TSE)




War, Endless War had occurred all around. Some of which Jin Kyrel could not take. While the Imperial Knights had continued to fight in numerous battlefields, Jin felt a shadow over him, a feeling yet familiar and yet something he couldn't place his finger on. Something that made him dread when he heard a fanatic death cult known as the Brotherhood of the Maw destroyed the gatekeepers of the Unknown Regions. Driven to a slight bit of insanity, and an obsession with what was stirring out there, but before he could dive into an investigation, when the Sith Empire struck back at the New Imperial Order, Jin reluctantly answered the call. Feeling that a time had come when he as a Knight kept to his oath. To defend all New Imperial Worlds, or be it his life was forfeit.

When the world had come under attack, many were rushed to mount a defense. Perhaps to confuse the Sith in close quarters urban assaults. Perhaps others wished to try their luck in space, and maybe others would try more destructive tactics through the use of Artillery guns. Jin was hesitant how one Imperial Knight could help turn the tide of the battle, and for once his obsession with legend and history would pay off. His own tactic would come from a myth he heard. A tale of the Clone Wars when a Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi, both foolishly and heroically led a joust against Separatist forces. It was said that the men only had Verpine Lancers, speed and the smooth morale of the general to lead them. While Jin did not possess the latter quality of a legend. He would use what was known as "Kenobi's Charge" To strike fast and hard. Providing support wherever he could.

What was once a worrying look had turned into a cocky smirk. Even as he heard the first explosions, and the shakings of the base he was inside of. Moving quickly, the once Imperial Stormtroopers nervous to hear of the plan. When Jin had explained it as a Calvary that would do essentially hit and run tactics on the speeders, providing any help they could. They had breathed more easily, and agreed to the idea, as what seemed to be a small number of a couple hundred Stormtroopers and one lone Imperial Knight. It would have to be just enough to try this hair brained maneuver. Perhaps with just a little luck it might work.

Within the hour, they had gathered what lances they could muster along with the speeder bikes. Nerves were shot, and doubt was all around. The doors of the hanger opened, and the revving of the speeder bikes drowned out the noise of the screams of the dying, the explosions. If others were to join more would be welcome. Within moments, the ride would begin, and with it the help of a brave few against mounting odds of an invading force.

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Objective: Sabotage the communications.
Location: Landing on Ord Thoden.
Allies: The Sith Empire.
Enemies: New Imperial Order.
Tags: Darth Strosius & Aurelion Nova .

​

"We're landing in two minutes. The ship will stay in stealth while we're gone, but there is no telling how long we'll be able to stay undetected. Seeing as this is the traitors that we're talking about, probably not long".

Darth Strosius took Valen's attention as the Sith Acolyte was seated within the ship, holding the hilt of his Lightsaber in both hands and steeling himself for the fight ahead. Together they made up a three-man team with the sole purpose of infiltrating and sabotaging the Communications Station in order to cripple the New Imperial Order's ability to coordinate their troops across the battlezone.

It was a high-risk mission and not one that was handed down to just any odd Sith. Valen was apparently doing something right and leaving an impression, or at least that's what he silently hoped was the case, having been granted this opportunity to strike a strategic blow against the Imperialist Traitors.

"Silent and deadly" Valen replied under his breath, turning his eyes up upon his fellow Acolyte and giving his compatriot a nod in confidence and assurance, "I've got your back. We'll cut out their tongue so that our troops can take their heads and mount them back home on Dromund Kaas" he smirked.

He was still young despite his experience and achievements thus far. A mere eighteen years old, Valen's confident words would speak louder than his deep-seated apprehension for the mission parameters. They had no backup and this time Sigma-Five-Delta would not be there to accompany him.

As the vessel began its descent, Valen rose to his feet and returned the hilt of his weapon to the right side of his belt, instead of moving to retrieve one of the satchels full of explosives, raising it up over his head and slinging it against his left shoulder.

"Word of advice...-Try not to get shot at while carrying these" he added, a strong hint of sarcasm escaping him.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch, The Night Queen, Lady Stuztala, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium, Archon of the Primyn Group​

Location: Rausgeber's command ship
Objective II.: Rising Resistance
Equipment: Military uniform || Empyrean gland
Writing with: Caarlyle Rausgeber

[ Requiem for a Dream ] ​

The trial was over, she took note of most of the punishments, there were some, of course not, because it could not be done as a military state. But in the end, she didn't lose now either. Unfortunately, she knew nothing about how successful her efforts against Bryn’adûl had been, but she would continue to do so as soon as she got home. They promised her to be sent home, perhaps this was the most surprising, and she accepted most of the punishments because they had no secrecy. They were not a Sith.

Now, however, she was not heading home, but was aboard Rausgeber's ship in the NIO area. The red-haired woman didn't know why she was here, they didn't tell her. To tell you the truth, she was in a better position than she thought. The Empress expected to be executed, all of which did not happen. She didn't know if it was a pleasant disappointment or not. Adrian said yes, she felt the opposite.

Her dead husband's hallucination was just lying on her cell's bed and she made another ironic remark as to why she hadn't escaped yet, and of course scolded the woman's excessive loyalty. The woman did not feel like going into the game today. To her the transits and the ship had the advantage of being able to feed unnoticed, which was sorely needed after months. Again, it was easy to act that she was a human.

During her entire captivity, it did not turn out that she was not a human anymore. Rurik Fel didn't seem to tell anyone what he saw during the duel. As the door opened with the hiss sound, the lights caused the woman pain. Although it didn't show on her, it hurt. Another soldier who thinks himself better than others. Ingrid didn't like the misbehaviour among the soldiers. She, too, always gave respect even to her torturers; she expected this from others too. But… she said nothing.

Through the Force, she felt several people here while they were escorting her, keeping the pace, her movement, in the same time it was military and yet elegant, and there was something else in it, the sign of a predator, death. After all, her history as an assassin, spy, and agent was quite well known. Many consider her as the Unknown Region's best in this field. Even these abilities can make her daunting. The rest of the world did not know much about her other abilities, for the woman had hidden them, especially her proficiency in the Force, as well as the fact that she was no longer human. The faster pace didn't bother her, Ingrid kept the speed what the soldiers wanted.

She made no sound due the jabs; she could not afford the luxury of anyone seeing any pain in her. As they reached the bridge, she immediately recognised most of the high-ranking people there. Of course, Rausgeber was not unknown to the woman.

"So you wanted to see me before the NIO would let me go home to Kalidan." said in her usually cold, military voice, without emotion.

If her attendants let her, she stops with a rigid, military posture, in a small straddle and she puts and clamps her hands behind her back. Her stand and appearance reflected determination and strength, with no sign of weakness. The captivity and tortures, the judgment, and the former acts did not break her either. The man may have grinned, but she looked at him with a cold, emotionless face. Nor did she object when she was led to the chair set up for her.

"It’s not necessary, I haven’t tried escaping so far, I wouldn’t do it now either. But, if you feel false safety because of this, Admiral Regent...!" she did not finish the sentence.

She let her hands and legs be tied and bound, she didn't resist. The red-haired woman reckoned that she would probably be able to escape without revealing her true abilities, but she had no intention of doing so. Even now, it was as dignified as a marble statue, though because of her coldness, the ice statue may have been more accurate. Dignified, even in this humiliating situation, it was not in vain that several senior NIO officers compare her to Tavlar, as if the woman were also made of iron.

She watched Rausgeber with her blue eyes as he spoke, coming closer and finally squatting down. The smirking, the arrogance, reminded her of Adrian and Tubrok. Such men were her weaknesses, luckily she mourned Adrian as much as she did on the first day. As it ran through her mind the hallucination of her dead husband shook her head. Throughout, she looked into the man's eyes without blinking, the woman's blue eyes revealing no emotion nor her gaze.

"Yes, I did my homework on the Rausgeber bloodline, I know their activities in the Unknown Region, how they worked in the First Order, what happened after it collapsed, how you got to the NIO and I know your military career, Grand Admiral, yes." the woman was still speaking coldly, without emotion.

During the long “foreplay,” it was obvious that the man wanted something from her. She almost remarked this out loud when the man mentioned the deal. So that was the reason the woman was here and not en route home to Kalidan yet.

"During the long months I was on Coruscant, COMPNOR tortured me almost every day, they didn’t get any information from me. Why do you think, Admiral Regent, that you will achieve more? I have worked together with GA and the NIO, but I will not and will not continue to say anything that would endanger the Eternal Empire."

She raised an eyebrow for a moment, when the man mentioned the lend an ear. In the woman, this reaction was quite a big emotional manifestation. And the Empress knew even if she said yes, it would have been impossible to accomplish.

"Yes, I'd rather talk about the business, Grand Admiral, I'll consider your future request afterwards." now she smirked for a moment and in the end smiled with a predatory smile, showing no fright or weakness, though she knew the request was only a simple courtesy, nothing more from the man. If he’s serious, he’ll try to do what he wants without consent. But no, the woman was not afraid of further torture. She had a feeling that things were moving into that direction, that’s always been the case with NIO.

 

[Adrian L'lerim-Vandiir]

Adrian L’lerim Terassi Vandiir
Prince of the Eternal Empire, Disciple/Acolyte, assassin, sorcerer and alchemist
Uncrowned King of the Pocket Sand, Heir of the House L’lerim, Member of the Primyn Group​

Location: ???, Definitely not Kalidan
Objective II.: Braking the Silence; Survive
Equipment: Mnami Mirsûra, The Crow Cane | Deck of the Pocket Sand | Estran Attire | G1 OmniLink || Empyrean gland
Tag: Jax Thio

[ Supreme ] ​

Adrian hasn’t been to Real Space since Serenno, he was a baby then, now a young man. But it was time for him to return home. After all, he hadn't spent any time with his real mother or his stepfather, only with his sister in a loose sense. After all, if someone can be called that who was born or created of the energy of the soul of the boy’s parents, when they exchanged their soulshards. Eina; matriarch of the Valkyrja. The “woman” raised and taught him.

Since the young boy had changed quite a bit in Nether, it was likely that his mother’s biological patterns were corrupt and he was indeed a Shadow-born hybrid or just the Netherworld changed him, making it easy for him to travel between Realspace and the Netherworld. He could do exactly like the Shadows or Valkyrja. He could feel the rifts and slid through it from one world to another. He had been practicing for a while to always go with ease.

So he could rightly hope it would happen again, but now something went wrong. Theoretically, he chose the gateway… well rift that leads to Kalidan, but it didn’t get there at all. He knew that world was a tundra and taiga world, and that’s where he got, everything was just not what it was supposed to be. For a moment he ran his fingers through his hair, a little confused and nervous.

His first thing will be to find out which planet he is on, then decide if he goes back to the Netherworld from here, or else he can get easily to Kalidan, possibly Dromund Kaas.

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

✠ High Imperator of the Rim-Guard Order ✠

✠ Objective: III. Lifeline, Protect the Head
✠ Location: Muunilinst, Harnaidan
✠ Gear: Agema Armor, Lightsaber Pike, Lancer-pistol, Scutum, Holo-Projector
✠ Assets: 11th Banner (181 Paladins), 12x Excidium-class Tanks, 8x Stormeagle Gunships
✠ Tag(s): ​

Allies: Irveric Tavlar , open

Enemies: open

⮚ THEME​

The Rim-Guard had arrived the day before on the planet of Muunilinst. The troops had directly arrived, after being regrouped and reinforced at Brentaal, from the battle at Ilum, while the Phalanx was undergoing repairs at the Antagonistes, the High Imperator chose one of the new assault cruisers and its commander as the forces to accompany them. Princeps Maximus Marcus was still one of the most capable battlefield commanders he had, proven himself at Csilla, Sev Tok and Ilum, fighting the most despicable enemies the galaxy had to offer. Now the 11th would add another incarnation of the Sith to the list and - to their battle honours.

The High Imperator had not yet the chance to meet with the leader of the New Imperials, but doubted that there would be much time to converse either way. War was on their doorstep and there were plenty of preparations to make. The city of Harnaidan apparently had suffered in the past already and now would experience war again.

Ecthelion was standing in front of his men, they were at a central location in the city, a square which would allow them to move to the front which required their help the most. Enough space to host the gunships and tanks as well as the golden ranks of the paladins with their red capes blowing in the wind. They could have been statues as motionless as they stood and waited.

Aiglos was the last one of the Order who had a lightsaber-weapon, his pike had survived aeons. The blue blade ignited as he stood and reviewed the plans and deployments of Marcus, from external view he would remind himself of the old Honour Guard. A time long gone and forgotten. His Agema would soon replace the epitome of honour and body guards.

✠ ✠ ✠​

Princeps Maximus Marcus had reviewed and altered the battle deployment himself, nobody except for him would touch the 11th, even the High Imperator approving his addiction to detail. The place was as perfect as it could get, equally close to most city gates which were rated as highest possible entrance by the Sith forces. Marcus had spent the last twenty hours with reviewing the entirety of the city plans, including sewers, highways and the buildings in the combat zones themselves. It reminded him of Sev Tok.

The forces of the Rim-Guard were small, but in this kind of environment it would not matter. It would not even matter on an open field except the enemy would offer the heaviest of firepower. The gunships were ready to transport the Cadres where needed or to commit attack runs. The tanks would wait for the actual ground battle to start and bring in their weight where needed, not exclusively to the Paladins of the Order.

The sirens started to call as the Sith made planetfall.
​

 

[Eva Betrik]

Objective III - Front Chimera
​

Location: Harnaidan, Damask Plaza
Allies: TSE | Open
Foes: GA | NIO | Bernard of Arca | Ishida Ashina

"By Typhojem," Eva whispered, as the first lightsaber she'd ever seen flew across the plaza. The blade was blazing white, throwing up sparks where the rain hit it. She watched as the trooper who had caught it collapsed to his knees, then hit the ground, gasping and gurgling through a ruptured throat. The young corporal felt a surge of fear; the Jedi had just been playing with him. All around her, the troopers who had been crossing the plaza turned toward the threat, the white-haired woman and the pale man who accompanied her. The sudden attackers were outnumbered, but what did that matter? Panic set into Eva's mind, visions of that alabaster blade carving off her limbs while the Jedi laughed.

She had to force herself to calm down, to remember why she was there.

Muunilist was the first new planet that Corporal Evalina Betrik had ever set foot on, and it left her feeling more than a little out of her depth. It was nothing like her backwater homeworld of Soullex, with its rolling hills and occasional farms. Soullex's entire population probably didn't equal the population of Harnaidan alone; the briefing had said that some fifty million people were crowded into this city of gleaming marble, living and working among the spaceports and financial districts. It was a thriving center of commerce, one of the most vital worlds on the eastern side of the galaxy... but it was also right on the front line between the Sith Empire and the upstart New Imperial Order.

There had been time for Eva to get to know the city a little. She and the other members of Soullex's Redtop militia had landed a week earlier, arriving in fits and spurts under cover identities as freighter crews and business travelers. She had wandered the streets, checking out the stock exchange, scouting the various spaceports... and finding the best eateries. On her second day in Harnaidan she'd found a little cafe across from the main docking buildings of Central Port, a good place to set up surveillance and quietly meet with other members of her battalion. The place had also provided her one true love: pancakes. By Typhojem, she lived for pancakes.

The time until the planned arrival of the fleet had flown by, and Eva and her squad had spent most of it planning - and stockpiling their tools. They hadn't been able to risk smuggling in explosives; it carried too high a risk of discovery by the vigilant NIO authorities, and would have tipped them off that the Sith were planning something. Instead, they'd made careful purchases of everything they needed to build bombs on their own - fertilizer, electrical components, timers. Buying all the parts at once would have gotten them put on a watchlist, so each squad member had purchased one component, along with a bunch of other items as cover. Then they'd assembled them in a rented garage.

When the Sith fleet had struck, so had they. Sergeant Zenik, their grizzled squad leader, had drilled them well on the plan, and it'd been executed without a hitch; in the opening moments of the battle, the charges they'd set had collapsed the supports of a dozen landing pads, crippling the freighters that occupied them when they collapsed. There would be no escape for the greedy bankers and politicians who had turned against the Empire... not by that route, anyway. Eva had felt good after that, like she'd done something real and useful and important for the first time in her young life. The Sith had brought prosperity to her homeworld; now she was paying them back.

Their next target was one of the local tram stations; shutting down public transit was a key element of their plan to disrupt local logistics and prevent easy movement among the enemy. With any luck, it would also prompt civilians to stay in their homes and await the return of the planet's rightful rulers. It was the same kind of operation that the Redtops frequently performed on their own worlds, going scorched-earth to keep the enemy from invading too quickly. Eva had been expecting to serve within the Sith Empire's borders, doing that kind of defense... but when a call had gone out for SICA volunteers to assist in this operation, she'd jumped at the chance. They couldn't just stay on the defensive.

The tram station had been a little ways across town, and the SICA squad had cut across Damask Plaza, which they had determined earlier in the week to be the quickest route. They'd passed actual Imperial Army troopers patrolling the area, working to take control of the city now that they'd arrived in force... and that was when they'd run into the Jedi. Eva shot back to the present as Sergeant Zenik called out orders. "Ambush!" he shouted, throwing his broad frame to the ground; he didn't want to become the victim of Bernard of Arca 's next blaster bolt. "Get into cover and lay down suppressive fire! We've got them outnumbered!" He raised his rifle to his shoulder and opened up.

No one said it, but Eva knew they all thought it: what did outnumbered matter against a Jedi?

The young corporal ducked and moved in toward one of the abandoned bazaar stalls, taking cover behind an overturned fruit stand. Beside her, Pvt. Kafka and Pvt. Irinov hit the deck as well, laying down panicked, scattered fire over the plaza. They hadn't taken quite as well to the drills or discipline as Eva had. "Short bursts," she hissed at them, "not automatic fire!" As it was, they'd only give away their position, and they were as likely to hit friendlies as enemies - though nothing was what they were most probably going to hit. Still, her words took root, and the pair of them - raven-haired Kafka and rosy-cheeked Irinov - stopped being complete idiots about fire discipline.

As the square lit up red with blasterfire, everyone trying to bring down the Jedi and her companion, Eva joined in. They hadn't been able to smuggle in blasters, either, so they'd picked up local sporting-grade guns and tinkered with them to push their limits. Her rifle wasn't much different from the kind of gun she'd used to hunt the womp rat packs that menaced her family's nerf farm, and it felt good in her hands. Still, she couldn't see any way she'd be able to hurt the Jedi; that white blade would surely deflect whatever came her way. So Eva aimed at the other guy she could see, the pale man with the blaster. Breathing out slowly, she steadied her weapon... and opened fire.

"Throw down your weapons!" Sergeant Zenik called to the pair. "We have you surrounded!"

They didn't have the square surrounded, not yet, but it was worth a try.

 

[Jaeger Harrsk]

H E L L I O N
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
COMPNOR | POINT KANOS, HARNAIDAN
S O _ S I N D _ W I R

HARNAIDAN '65
OPERATION: DAALA​

Half a decade had passed since the New Imperial war machine had begun cutting swathes of the territory of their former lieges the Sith. Half a decade since the traitors declared defiance against the scions of the dark side. Half a decade since the start of one of the most brutal conflicts the galaxy had witnessed - the Third Imperial Civil War. Against all odds, the New Imperials had prevailed across the Braxant Campaign culminating with the reclamation of the Imperial homeworld of Bastion.

And now the Sith were at the gates, seeking revanchism over their past failures and mostly, Jaeger believed, teach dissidents a lesson. Harrsk knew their ways well, he - just like Irveric and most of the New Order - was a cadre of the Sith. Everything they had employed against the Sith was what they were taught by them. That aspect of the New Order was most evident in the methods of COMPNOR - the most radical of radicals among the Empire.

Fighting fire with fire.

A dogma the New Imperials had forgotten as the likes of Lucien Dooku and Enlil were allowed positions of power and influence. The influence that had tempered the Order, weakened their conviction and fractured the One Will. An influence that COMPNOR sought to uproot today through Operation Daala - liquidating the New Imperial leadership through a calculated orbital strike on the converged Assembly.

<"Harrsk, you have command over Point Kanos, we're going to try and funnel as many Sith here as we can and create a kill zone. If they want to go for the crown, they'll die paying for it.">

<"Roger that."> came the Commissioner's reply through the comms. Red hologram projections of the tact-map illuminated his sunglasses and sharpened the scars on his face.

"Sir, I'll call the order to halt operation Daala." Zion, his right-hand man, stated.

"You will do no such thing, Zion." Jaeger sharply ordered as he pulled out his access code from the inside of his leather jacket. Inserting it in the slot of the tactical platform before him, he added, "Operation Daala proceeds with an addit-"

"But, Sir, the Sith-" the officer protested, a pallid mask enveloping his face.

"-ional sequence." Harrsk continued as if he hadn't heard the protest and turned the key inside the slot. The holographic projections of the tact-map shifted to reveal the familiar wedge-shaped star destroyers. Cloaked in orbit. "Status on Task Force Nocturne?"

"Sir, with all due respect, this is insane! All of our ope--" Zion's words trailed off as smoke erupted from his chest; a searing blaster hole in his midsection. The trusted adjutant fell flat on the floor, eyes wide open in shock.

A leopard never changes its spots.

<"Captain Varg, status on Nocturne.">

<"Standing ready and operational, Commissioner.">

<"Very well, Captain. There's been a slight alteration to Operation Daala. We are proceeding as planned but we're shifting the target to the whole planet.">

<"Sir, are you propo--">

Jaeger keyed in the activation codes, engaging the slave-circuits of the task force and assuming remote control of Nocturne.

<"Yes. Execute naval code...

<"Base Delta Zero.">

Cloaked, the multiple vessels begin a course to predetermined positions.

The clock ticked.

ALLIES: NIO | Irveric Tavlar | Zakaria Black | DECEASED Aron Gowrie | Aurelian Sigismund | Lyra 'Sybila' Voikryt | Willan Tal
ENEMIES: TSE | Darth Mori | Lady Marrow | Lucien Dooku

 

[Calruss Shiman]

Objective: Breach the ship and extract the empress safely
Location: Space
Allies: TSE
Enemies: NIO and GA
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim / Open

White Rabbit
​

The day had come, a day the people of the Eternal Empire longed for in their hearts. Ingrid, the eternal empress was finally going to return to her rightful place. With the help of their "allies" the sith empire, it was sure to be achieved, even if Calruss had his doubts on their true motives. Although one thing was certain, the empire couldn't perform this operation without their help. Due to agreements with the overlord, the empire was not officially allowed to get its hands dirty in this operation, but that didn't affect anything off the record for a few EE agents.

"ETA 10 minutes..." Mar, the co-pilot mentioned as he slowly turned on their cloak, hiding them from the sight of any wondering imperial ships that were in the area. They were beginning to get to the supposed location of the holding ship, a cruiser that was surely filled to the teeth with imperial soldiers itching for a battle.

For the first time while serving the Empire he was doing something under the nose of his superiors and especially his father. None of them ever sanctioned this operation, but his loyalty to the empress was above everything else. The only reason his pilots Mar and Kodo agreed to take part was only due to their shared understanding of the matter. However, awaiting them back home was sure to be unknown repercussions, one of which all of them would have to live with.

"I trust you can get inside the hanger safely when the offensive begins?" Calruss asked from behind, his arm folded and expression cold as they began to see the outline of a ship in the far distance of space "We're not here for nothing kid. We can get you in there" Kodo replied with a confident smirk, as well as his co-pilot who offered an encouraging nod on the matter. His pilots were crucial in his missions, without them he'd be not where he is now. With that fact, he never set authority over them and treated them as equals. He was not an officer of the empire, so it was only right to put forward this notion.

"If we seize our courage we will prevail, you have my word"

​

 

[Caarlyle Rausgeber]

OPERATION: MALICIOUS ENDEAVOUR
Location: Orinackra System, NIV Confidence, Command Deck
Task Force Confidence
Allies: Gallius Orcana | Jivim Vaak | Rexus Wenck | Trajan Fett
Partners: Ingrid L'lerim
Enemies: Alina Tremiru | Grand Moff Decimus | @SV-2121| Damian Frost| @Moff Drybis Lyken| @Tranquility| Errix Feh'room
B R I E F I N G

Carlyle watched her with some wry amusement as she whittled down his achievements and reputation. The bloodline was an unanticipated honour, or perhaps some jaded jab at his heritage. Where his current form of course had come from. Pausing and eyeing the monarch with a steely gaze. “Your majesty,” Rausgeber mused flashing her a smile, “You have assumed too readily that the goals of the broader Order, align with my own personal vision and projects.” Carlyle leaned in, and with a leather gloved palm, cupped her cheek, stroking it, “What I am proposing now is nothing that concerns either the Alliance’s senate, nor the bickering of Bastions political elites.”

“Consider this, an appeal of sorts. And unlike Jaeger Harrsk and his perfidious minions, I do not intend to truly… harm you…” There was a soft chuckle sprinkled in there as his glove slid, cupping her cheek and then her chin, forcing her to gaze into his deep blue eyes, “The bottom line is that I assure you the brutality of COMPNOR and it’s methods will not be visited upon you in my custody.” Carlyle paused, and licked his lips, looking like a crazed predator. “Rather, my purpose here with you is simple.”

“It concerns a reasonably recent acquisition to your crown. In particular, Pa’Desh.” Rausgeber clinically informed her, removing his palm and stretching his digits. “Now the extent of my request, I am not quite at liberty to say. But I assure you it will be neither malevolent destabilising at all to your rule.” The Admiral Regent curtly extrapolated, “And I dare say your majesty,” And somehow Rausgeber’s grin grew wider and wider, “It would be beneficial, and perhaps more importantly, critical to your health and wellbeing.”

“What I want,” Carlyle began with standing and stretching his haunches, before squatting again, “Is the reclamation of property we were incapable of retrieving during our evacuation.” Rausgeber informed her in a cheery fashion, “Consider it simple asset retrieval. Some sample extractions. Minimalist in scope and scale. Easily achievable with your cooperation.” He then paused, “But of course, it would be poor business sense if I left without any concession here.”

He looked at his guards, and gave a nod. The two Stossjaeger leaned down, and in a pre-arranged show of theatre, loosened her leg restraints. Enough that they did not dig in, but not enough for any true freedom of movement. “In return for your future cooperation, I will let you go.” Carlyle politely informed her, “Currently, in the ventral docking bay, there sits a Lambda-Class Executive Shuttle. It’s pilots, personally picked for this purpose. And being the efficient gentlemen they are, they have keyed in coordinates for Ahch-To.”

Rausgeber paused, letting the moment settle and gauging a reaction. “From here, you will be delivered there curtly, providing access codes to ensure the safe conduct of yourself and my men. Upon arrival and contact with your government, you will explain to your staff and soldiers what has occurred and will draw an agreement between the Eternal Empire and Prefsbelt Command for entry with Pa’Desh, with the knowledge and consent of this,” He waved a hand toward the Mandalorian standing at the back of the command deck, “Gentleman here. And then, you will return to your titles, your home and whatever else tickles your fancy.”

Rausgeber then paused, “But, I am a pragmatic man. And have been burned in many similar arrangements before. There is the necessity for leverage. Is there not?” He cackled, “Of course, how can I truly trust your intentions and word? Are you not the leader of a belligerent power whose raised its arms in defiance of my superior? The Sovereign Imperator Tavlar?” He quirked an eyebrow at her, a gesture of wry jocularity. “Ergo, the imposition of one final term. If you would excuse it. One to ensure your ready compliance.”

“You will be able to survive.” He stood, and looked down at her, his eyes wild with manic energy “I’m sure the sharp pain you felt in the middle of your back upon arrival was noted. That,” He wagged a finger in front of her face, “Was not a mere blade or rifle butt, but rather an injection. I’m sure you’ve felt a mild nausea coursing through your veins since I summoned you here, your majesty.” Carlyle speculated, tapping his chin, “Surely you’ve felt yourself becoming weary. Withering. Weak. Your body was exposed to specially bred microbes. Little demons which now swarm and attack your essence with unrelenting hunger.” Carlyle grinned, “And once they have bred. Spread themselves through your corporeal form, you will die. Given the dosage, and my estimations on your size, weight and diet, your expiry date is in…. Seven hours. Give or take.” Rausgeber triumphantly.

“COMPNOR, the Alliance and the High Command may bicker about what happened here.” Carlyle drawled coldly, “They may investigate, but for all intents and purposes I will never have been here.” Rausgeber continued, relishing in the moment and her expression, “You’ll be repatriated. Buried with your beloved, and forgotten. Another tombstone on Irveric Tavlar's road to eradication of the Sith.”

Carlyle chortled slightly at the notion, “And the Commodore here will,” And now he shot daggers at Damming, who too seemed horrified, “Ensure that your slow demise is deemed merely an act of radiation poisoning. A failure with ventilation. Whatever fabrications deemed necessary to cement this conspiracy.” He began to pace back and forth before her, “But while this microbe is crude, it does have a counter.”

Carlyle extended an arm and open palm to the Mandalorian standing at the back of the vessel, flanking the Stossjaeger, “Our friend here, will be one of your chaperones on this journey, and with him he has the antidote. Administration takes very little, and you will only experience perhaps a spate of aggressive muscle spasms but they will subside. And perhaps most importantly, you will inevitably survive.” He paused, “So it merely becomes a question your majesty. Will you agree to the terms I’ve laid here, or will you die?”

“Commodore!” A bark from the crew pit echoed around the command deck, “Sensor ping sir. Faint. But we picked up a fighter signature. Not one of ours!”

Commodore Damming approached the crewman, leering over her from the command deck and glaring physically into the crew pit. “Are you certain? With this interference ensign, we hardly can tell whose who.”

The Ensign turned back, and gave a nod, “Can confirm. Unidentified vessel was using encrypted IFF, beyond our standards.” She paused, and continued to engage with the console, “Wasn’t on the books for any of our squads we’ve got stowed.” Rausgeber’s expression tightened, and he shot a glare to Hernand who seemed dumbfounded by the events. His face looked as if he’d been made party to a conspiracy of murder. “Orders sir?”

“We-we’ll-” Hernand tried his hardest, but was stammering, “Are you certain you detected something ensign?” . Too much for the old man to handle. “Send out the fighters, order picket line forward to investigate, and prepare for us to scour and engage.” He then looked to the Admiral Regent, “Milord, did you authorise any further excursions out here sir? Because, if so we-” Before the Commodore could give properly, the Commodore was cut off. By the domineering Admiral Regent who strode to the fore, and right into Hernand’s face, until there was less than a foot between them.

“Are you questioning my capacity as a commander Commodore?” Carlyle spat, glaring at the man, “No. I did not authorise anything further than my transports.” He paused, and turned to the crew, “Belay the Commodore’s orders. Malicious Endeavour is in effect!” Everyone knew what meant. But Carlyle, out of childish joy nevertheless proclaimed it, “I am in command.” He paused, “Tighten vessel formations, launch the fighters!” Rausgeber barked, “We proceed full ahead, in defensive formation till we breach this storm. Battle stations on full alert. Ready to blast anything that flies at us!” He looked down at the crew pit, “Comms, authorise a communique for the Tregessar, and Fleet Command Bastion. I want it sent as soon as we have the range!”

The crew of the Confidence jumped to the orders prepared and given. There was a sort of electric energy present. The Confidence was a backwards patrol ship. Now they were being commanded by the headsman of the New Imperial Navy. A stunning change in fortune for the crew. As they bustled along, Rausgeber approached the Mandalorian. He licked his lips, “Mister Kurze was it?” Carlyle inquired, inspecting the Mandalorian. While the mission was delicate, and the proposal for Ingrid’s release given to the man, the Mandalorian had only received his orders through the intermediary of Stossjaeger officers and Fleet Admiral Karlist Rax. This was their first time meeting.

“I trust you understand and thinking what I think,” Carlyle turned his head to look over Ingrid, “If this is some ambush, she will certainly be part of it.” Rausgeber scowled, “Given you and your outfits proclivity for this sort of violence, I’m going to attach you two of my men. Codenames ROMMULUS and REMUS. They’re very good.” He assured him, “Best Prefsbelt arguably has. So contact them, frequency twelve-dash-seven-dash-two, and use the authorisation, ‘Imperator’. I want this ship locked down, and a rush to battle stations.” He then paused, and swallowed. “Keep the antidote close, and do not allow it to fall into hostile hands.” He paused, and scowled, “Destroy it, before anyone can capture it, or her alive.”

 

[Darth Banshee]

Allies: Grand Moff Decimus Kuben Woods Alina Tremiru Errix Feh'room Seela Leini Moff Drybis Lyken Ingrid L'lerim

Enemies: Caarlyle Rausgeber Trajan Fett

Fleet: 1x Harrower-class Cruiser Decimator
2x Tammar Class Corvettes Exar Kun, Jurak Uln
1x Squadron of Caedus-class Superiority Fighter (12)
3x Squadron of Scorpio-class Sith-Imperial Droid Starfighter (72)
1x Squadron of Caldoth-class Bomber (12)
2x Squadron of Vindican-class Troop Transport (24)

Darth Banshee was on the bridge of the Decimator, awaiting orders to jump to light speed. She pissed off, to say the least, this so-called New Imperial Order, was nothing more than a bunch of traitors, who have taken control of her homeworld. The battle had left her personal flagship damaged and being repaired, and unfortunately, this mission was urgent, so she got what she could together. As the uppty upstarts had captured the Eternal Empress, she wanted to curry favour with her, so rescuing her, would help so what towards that Goal. She wanted to retake Serenno back and sit her throne again, and have the right to deal with the pretender Lucien Dooku who now is sitting on her throne, a New Imperial Order Traitorous fether, who need to be drained of blood, and have the iron removed for that, to help forge a sword to kill other Traitors like him, she figured she has to kill at least seventeen thousand traitors to do this, but a feet worth doing, as it will be a sword of Sith Justice.

She stood up adjusting her armour, as she had dark thoughts about what to do, with the situation on Serenno, and how to regain it, as she waited for orders from Grand Moff Decimus, a droid of all things in charge of this assault. As she tightened her breastplate strap, she accidentally broke wind, and let out a fragrant smell. The nearby deck officer could noticeably smell it, as his nose twitched, as the smell hit him, and he moved away slowly, so as not to cause offense, as that would not be good for his career. She smiled a little, as it made her a little more comfortable, as she has released gas created by that rather spicy Mando Burgers that she had for lunch. She then sat down on the command seat and waited for the order to jump to light speed, and her orders to attack.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch, The Night Queen, Lady Stuztala, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium, Archon of the Primyn Group​

Location: Orinackra System, NIV Confidence, Command Deck
Objective II.: Surviving
Equipment: Military uniform || Empyrean gland
Writing with: Caarlyle Rausgeber

[ Requiem for a Dream ] ​

Something soon became certain that the man was a monster, a beast, and maybe even crazy; based on his facial expressions and body language. What was interesting, however, was that the man was driven by his own goals and not by what Tavlar or Chandra wanted. Self-interests? Really interesting; she wondered for a moment how this would exhaust the notion of treason. She did not know how much the local political elite would appreciate all this.

She never liked anyone touching her without her permission, but she learned to control her body so didn’t tremble when the Regent Admiral stroked her face. As an agent, when she had to seduce others, she got used to it, she learned to endure this. Rather, she looked up into the man's eyes with only an icy look, maintaining eye contact throughout. Based on her experience in prison, waited for a slap after them, so the red-haired woman was surprised by Rausgeber's actions.

She laughed softly at Caarlyle's words, for the first time in a long time, her voice was like before Adrian's death. The soft laughter could have had such an effect on men as when the lover caresses them softly, a feeling all the way along the spine or around the neck; the laughter was not played, it was as natural as possible.

"Does the Sovereign Imperator know he is cherishing a traitorous dog on his chest?" asked this time in a voice that strangers could rarely hear from her, at most those she wanted to seduce. There was a deep, almost purring, satisfied voice, while she smiled and her blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "I’m not afraid of the brutality of COMPNOR, they’re pretty amat… amateurs."

Her voice trailed off for a moment as she felt the weakness. For now, she thought they were trying to block the Force around her in some way, but the gland wouldn’t let that happen. Pa’desh; currently ruled by the Black Sun and ZU, they oversaw the planet. Baron had not yet been appointed there; at least based on the woman’s latest information and that was several months old. She looked into the man's eyes as he pulled his hand away. First up, then straight, after squatting.

"So in short, you want the Pa’desh's Baron position…"

She didn’t complicate it too much this time, though she didn’t even know she was a little wrong. It was actually logical that the man wanted that place because his family was interested there.

"We have nothing to do with your fortune when we reached the planet, it was already in chaos, and the benefits of the planet’s treasures and fortunes were already scattered by the underworlds, which Black Sun has since handled, but much of the lost property has never been found. The Eternal Truth and those behind them* stole them..."

And with that, they caused a lot of headaches for STRATCOM. Critical to her health and wellbeing? Didn't ask, but here she already knew it had to do with feeling weak. She remained motionless as the two guards loosened the straps a little. Ingrid didn't move afterwards to check how much looser they were. Ahch-To. The planet that would be able to kill the woman because of the Light Side nexus. There on that sector, the planet Skulenus was more interesting.

"I have worked with GA and NIO so far. How can you guarantee, Grand Admiral, that this will not put the Eternal Empire in even greater danger? Especially that I accepted some of the terms of @Ivrerik Tavlar."

Not her, but the Empire. The Empire was always more important of the woman than herself. Ingrid saw herself as a tool or asset that could be sacrificed for the sake of the Empire, anytime. She knew Adrian hated when she thought like this. She laughed again, like she was having a great time. This time a triumphant smile crept up to her lips.

"You know nothing about me, aren’t you?" She asked with a faint smile, but still in a cold voice.

The woman was not interested in ranks, she did not want them, she did not want to be an empress, she only fulfilled the duty that Tacitus left her. A short bittersweet laugh again.

"I don’t usually break my word, unlike you. It was the NIO who broke the treaty with the Eternal Empire, not us. Nor did I break my promise to Lord Hans Rennagen during the captivity. Of the two of us, you are, Regent Admiral who is more unreliable."

Still didn't move, just watching the man coldly. She would have liked to have made other moves, facial expressions as well, but she was raised and trained so that she could not do it. When the man talked about the poisoning, Ingrid shook her head sadly. She did not tell; the Regent Admiral did not know that the woman was not a human but a semi-Force Entity. She wasn’t scared, wasn’t afraid of death, the woman was part of Netherworld, she’s essentially sent home to where she’s belonged since Byss, laughed again and smiled broadly.

"Oh, dear Admiral Regent… you have no idea about anything. If you want to blackmail me, don’t do it with my life. I'm just an expendable soldier, nothing more. I don’t care if I live or die. You're just doing me a favour." Her smile softened as a lover looked at her chosen one. "You forgot something, and you counted wrong… I don’t have seven hours. If you lean close, I'll tell you why. If you are a coward to do this, Grand Admiral, ask the Lord Executor, he knows the answer."

Watched the man coldly, showing no reaction. What the man did was more impressive to her. The woman had already killed so many that it had no effect on her, the Empress understood what awaited her if she said no, but the man did not know her. She will not beg for her life, she came here to die, she accepted this in that moment when she made her decision.

"I have another offer, Admiral Regent!"

She told; the Empress never bargains, her voice cold and determined. She looked into the man's eyes again with a dignified, ruling gesture. Ingrid was not intimidated, if she had to, she proudly accepted her death for the Eternal Empire, anytime. She watched the interlude with an unshakable face, waiting for Rausgeber to turn back to her. The woman was a warrior spirit, never giving up easily or cheaply. She won't either now.

"Like I said, I have a different offer because your terms are unacceptable. If you don’t listen… I guarantee everyone will know before I died what you did here, how you betrayed the NIO, for your own sake. Pa’desh will only be a dream for you, because you will be happy if you'll be able to keep your life, Admiral Regent. If you think you have won, you are wrong!" she promised in her purr-like voice.


* Shadow Empire, although here we don’t know their name IC yet.

 

[Darth Daiara]

BREAKING THE SILENCE | MUUNILINST
Aerarii Tithe

​

Thing were not going as planned.

Aradia leaned forward from her perch, her blue eyes following the figures down the street. One such man walked beneath her, his steps quick and full of intention as he fled the other way. He looked rich. In the important kinda way. If he was one of her targets, what was he doing leaving early?

Something had gone wrong.

She dropped down from an ornate gutter, her steps light as she landed between the five guards. Two were dead before they could hit the ground-- the first lives taken by her new saber.

She straighten unflinchingly between the final three, her yellow blade held alight. Thruuuum. Thruuuum. Thruuuum. It pulsed in sync with the pounding in her ears. Her eyes slid left... then right.

She side-stepping to the left.

The tension shattered into a flurry of shots. She moved like water, advancing with seamless footwork. The shots she did not block, she dodged. Blaster holes singed through their chests. By the time she was on them, they were already dead. Make that five.

The yellow blade turned onto Aerarii Tithe next, wavering as each breath brought Aradia's shoulders up and down.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Spoiler: The Story

BREAKING THE SILENCE // MUUNILINST
Guarantor | Visions of Gold | Taxman’s Embrace | Limited Liability | Attire
Darth Daiara

The streets of Harnaidan, the capital of Muunilinst, were no stranger to well-dressed bankers and their entourages hurrying between meetings with prospective clients and business partners. Indeed, Aerarii Tithe knew the streets of the Muun city as well as New Escrow, the capital of his native world of Aargau. His former life as a Sith-Imperial Banking Clan official, and earlier as a successful corporate banker has called him to the world more times than he could recall.

An auspicious occasion - the fifth anniversary of the New Imperial Order’s capture of Muunilinst and neighbouring Mygeeto and Scipio - had brought him to Muunilinst to celebrate. At the time, the NIO victory had not been a great day for Tithe. The then-Moff and governor of Sector Group II had led the Sith Empire’s defence of Mygeeto alongside Grand Moff Madelyn Lowe and had only just escaped with his life, narrowing escaping death at the hands of Gat Tambor in the vaults deep beneath the planet’s surface. He doubted that the Sith-Imperial Banking Clan had ever truly rebounded from the loss of its key banking worlds.

Fast forward half a decade and the Aargauun was here as a representative the very antithesis of his old employer - the Galactic Alliance - of which he was but a heartbeat away from leading. He had shared a meeting room on Muunilinst with the NIO, not as an enemy but as an ally. The small collection of medals he wore, presented by the Lord Imperator for his role in the battles of Bastion and Ziost, spoke to his support of Tavlar’s regime, a nation that had once tried to kill him. The Sith Empire, once a sprawling galactic power, was beset on all sides from all size with enemy occupations deep within their once strong borders.

And yet, freedom remained elusive. Emerging from the galactic west, the Bryn'adûl were driving deep toward the core, consuming everything in their path. While surgical strikes had been the favoured tactic to head off their encroachment, it was quickly becoming clear that only a united front could bring the invaders to a heel. Thus will the convocation on Muunilinst had sought to celebrate the five years of victories achieved by the New Imperial Order, it also sought to devise a strategy to counter the Bryn'adûl.

The Sith had other ideas.

Despite arriving under the impression this journey could be another meeting of powerful politicians and business titans, events had taken a turn for the worst when the Sith Empire had arrived in orbit and began besieging the world.

What had promised to be a soiree of like-minded individuals and the potential to build his business contacts had become a flight to freedom. Tithe hurried toward his shuttle, surrounded by his Alliance Senate close protection team, having excused himself from the proceedings when it became clear this was not a simple hit-and-run raid. Sith Imperial starfighters swooped overhead as reports were circulating that Sith Legionnaires had landed within the city limits. While the NIO was initially caught off guard, they quickly responded and redeployed their forces to hold the city.

Come what may of Muunilinst, all Tithe needed was a few more minutes to make it to his shuttle.

*Death of npcs were done at the invitation of Aerarii Tithe

 

[Ravraa Vyshraal]

OBJECTIVE 3 - BREAKING THE SILENCE - NIO

SHILI SECTOR AUXILIARIES

OPEN TO CONFLICT

​

Did the planet remember him?

He promised himself that he wouldn’t see it again, that he wouldn’t see the sight of his first death again, he promised his boyfriend that he would keep well and plenty away from fronts like this, and he promised Dorn-2 that once he retired from the warfront he would focus on himself. That he would finally get the mental and emotional peace that he had been denied for so long now.

The warning claxons calling out as his star destroyer, the NIV Emperiolo, slipped out of hyperspace to join the rest of the New Imperial Order lineup brought him screaming back to his reality. He tapped his fingers against the case that his blaster pistol sat in as he marched through the halls of the ship, his cloak catching in the wind of opening doors and passing stormtroopers and aux-men as he made his way to the hanger. The 501st kept a presence on the star destroyer, if anything, to just thank Ravraa for his service with the Legion. He never wanted to use them in combat, he never wanted to send another serviceman into the trials that he had faced.

Why couldn’t, why wouldn’t the Sith just leave the civilized galaxy well enough alone? They were raging against their own dying black suns, the Empire was lashing out in desperation, in a rage filled attempt to cling onto some sense of lost glory. The New Imperial Order had carved a bloody path through it’s frontier worlds and now threatened the very heart of their Realm. He had seen each and every world in that lineup fall, he had made planetland time and time again, he had heard the call of Judicators and Autokrators in his sleep, he had been there at the Sith Betrayl, and he certainly had been here for the first invasion of Muunilinst.

Why was he back on this world?

He loaded himself into a gunship, shoulder to shoulder with the other members of the Shili Sector Auxiliaries, many of them in the standard Strike Force garb of plate and cloth, with many of them cradling charric blaster rifles in their hands. A few of them had traded their standard helmets in for that of Beskar, with Mandalorian clan patterns scrawled into the metal. He looked between all of them, privates mainly. New cycle of volunteers to see the new cycle of violence, the perpetuation of the cycle he had long wished to kill.

Pinpricks propped throughout his skin, feeling as if there was a thousand razor sharp blades trying to worm their way out of him. It got worse when the gunship doors shuttered to a close.

His eyes held into the empty space across from him in the gunship as the vessel began to lift, the screaming of dozens of TIE fighters leaving the hanger to provide support for the transport crafts approach to the world drowning out the chatter between the troopers that surrounded him.

I’m sorry. He thought to himself.

Runa, I’m sorry. You never got to see the war this far out, did you? Always talked about how you wanted to be the one to plant the flag over Fortress Carnifex, how you would have loved to see the Despot keeled over on his own throne, littered with blaster bolts. We’ve gotten close, Runa. I hope you know that. Do you? Did you see me, did you see the remnants of Dorn-2 these past years? Conflict after conflict. Did you see the sacrifice of our brave pilot? Did you see me plant the flag, just like you said? I don’t know where you are, never even got your body, did we?

The rumbles of the gunship lifting from it’s rest and starting to jettison out of the hanger bay brought Ravraa back to attention as the seals clicked in fully. Shadowing all of them in darkness. Momentarily, he sat there in the pitch, alone with his thoughts. His holocommunicator rang at his side, and his fingers stopped dancing against his holster if only for a moment to bring the device up. An image of the Imperator appearing.

<"Ravraa, Secure avenues of retreat for the civilians, we need them hold up in the designated safe points.">

Another favor, another war, another battle.

 

[The Amalgam]

Wearing: Anti-G Suit

Armed with: Skin Shears (Purple Split-Saber}, Sith Assassin Pistol, Silenced Nine Millimeter Slugthrower w/ armor piercing rounds, Sith Sniper Rifle

In storage: Resistance Epidermis

Flying: Tukata Interceptor

Objective: 2

Other Participant in thread: Laertia Io

Laertia's equipment: Black Knight Chitin

Sword of Surt'r

Objective for Laertia: 1

Laertia's Allies

Model 1 Nuetralizers (007)
(Objective 1)

Model 2 Nuetralizers (007)

Model 1 Nuetralizers (007)
(Objective 3)

14 hours earlier...

Darth Xiphos grieved for Csilla in the privacy of her own head as she calmed herself before the battle ahead.

The reality of failing Csilla was like a dead weight in her mind, a crushing blow. They hadn't inflicted enough damage. The only consolation was that the Mercy was gone.

Even when the Galaxy united against the enemy they were culturally ingrained to despise, they still couldn't win.

If they could not beat an enemy they would kill happily, how could they hope to kill The Bryn'adul?

Xiphos had no choice but to press on. She could still stand. She could still fight. But she felt the weight of failure all the same.

She had honestly wanted a break. She had only come to repay the unwanted debt she owed The Amalgam for trying to help her save Csilla. That said, it WAS The NIO, and Xiphos fething hated the NIO at this point, vowing to help make them lose territory

A familiar, rotten darkness disrupted her meditation. She and The Amalgam were coordinating final plans before heading to their respective missions.

Xiphos stood as her former Mentor entered after Xiphos allowed the doors to open.

Xiphos, clad as always in her Black Armor, noticed The Amalgam was in a Flight Suit.

"Are you sure you don't want to play Tom Cruise with me? I mean, I know you like hijacking news sites with your insanity telecasts, but fighting to take a news station seems... beneath you."

"Even if it means I get to troll The NIO with endless video loops of filthy, overflowing toilets all over their airwaves?"

The Amalgam blinked.

"Where did you get the footage?" The SithSpawn asked, genuinely bewildered.

"One of the Model 1's have developed... unusual side habits..." Xiphos answered but did not elaborate further.

"You mean one of those merry pranksters I fought alongside at Generis? The ones you specifically programmed to murder and make action hero quips has developed a trait even you are disturbed by?" The Amalgam asked, clearly amused.

"I don't even know how he got on the college campus without anyone noticing." Xiphos said glumly.

"Still bummed about Csilla? Cheer up. At least those bastards can't use Mercy Station anywhere else."

"We had one chance, one chance to stop the Maw from overrunning Chiss space. Even when practically the whole Galaxy united we still couldn't stop them. Now the Maw is more powerful than ever! At the end, the Maw simply wanted Victory more than the other Major Factions. They can't even beat the ones they always want to destroy, even when they completely outnumbered them!"

"Daughter, planets can be retaken in the endless game of Galactic Checkers. But if they still had that superweapon? A whole great many more worlds would have faced the annihilation that Csilla did. Sometimes...the factions just need wake up calls. A nice hard, slap to the face to let them know how full of fail that they truly are. Like the one we'll be delivering to the NIO soon."

"Hmmm..." Xiphos grunted, staring out a viewport.

"Has Syd contacted you?"

"Why do you care?"

"Well considering I know for a fact even Starlin Rand hasn't talked to her since Csilla, I figured re-establishing a rapport may be necessary... whilst it is still possible."

"Syd continues to hide from me. I do not understand it. We went to fight for Csilla together. What changed?"

"Oh, it could be anything. She seems a real... mercurial sort."

Xiphos's back may have been turned, but she still felt the smirk on The Amalgam's face.

"Such tremendous disappointments aren't they? All those you truly loved and thought you could count on. Moya, Syd...yet I'm the one who stands at your side still."

"The irony is FAR from lost on me..." Xiphos growled. "There is no need for you to so happily remind me."

"I'm your only real buddy at this point besides Maple..." The Amalgam said, still thinking about that letter she had sent Starlin to torture him with valuable knowledge that could destroy Laertia mentally...but also his master. Knowledge that might help break Julia fully to the Darkness. But Starlin had to know in revealing it he could potentially play into The Amalgam's hands. That was part of the torture of keeping a secret.

If he revealed it he could do significant psychological damage to an enemy of the Jedi...but could he live with the consequence of even his own Master potentially hating him for it? Did he want the one blow he could strike also be the one blow that could drive someone permanently to the Dark Side? Maybe multiple people? Would the Jedi consider that a victory, driving someone to the Darkness by telling them the truth?

The Amalgam knew the boy had to be weighing the consequences carefully...very carefully. That was part of his torture, knowing what he knew, knowing that Syd Celsius had murdered Laertia's parents when she was still Darth Phyre.

Whatever he decided, The Amalgam was ready to take advantage of his slightest misstep.

Unlike so many others, she wanted only what was best for her daughter.

"Taking any of your boys with you?" The Amalgam asked, changing the subject.

"Of course." Xiphos answered. "You can have the battle of the Stars. Go and find a way to rescue Ingrid L'lerim ."

"It's sad I never got you to enjoy Starfighters as much as I got you to enjoy the Lightsaber. But you play enough with that Micro-Fury of yours, I guess."

"Perhaps another time. These NIO aggravate me." Xiphos said, still looking out the viewport.

The Amalgam sighed. No spending time together today.

"Good hunting, Daughter."

The Amalgam left Xiphos's quarters, even the Darth Phyre hiding in her mind wanting to give Xiphos a break.

Present:

Star Scythe Squadron was a collection of experienced Veteran Pilots, both officially Sith and Mercenary, as well as Seela Leini .

The Amalgam took great amusement in pointing out the fact that both double digits in her designation could be equally devided by 007, and While she had gone over the flight plans and check ups she simply could not help but break the Fourth Wall. (Heck, at one point she had a Fourth Wall break inside of another, clearly active Fourth Wall break. That was like, sixteen walls!)

As they prepared to Launch, the Amalgam gave an amused smirk as SV asked if she wanted pointers for controlling the Interceptor.

But the Amalgam was an ace. And if there was one thing she knew intimately, it was imperial starfighters. Besides, she had read the manual.

"Good of you to offer, but I really should be the only one to unhook it's bra..." The Amalgam said, slinking over to her sleek, custom white Tukata Interceptor, stroking a wing.

"What's that, Lassie? You wanna help me purge the heretics and sacrifice their babies to my Dark God?! Ohhhhh, how scandalous!" The Amalgam gushed, going from a twisted physical intimacy allegory to referencing a long, long defunct RL tv show at the drop of a hat. Even the narrator was appalled by the Lassie reference and immediately deducted twenty XP from the Amalgam in disgust.

The Amalgam didn't care, hearing sexy saxophone music as she started stroking the wing. The technicians, having heard the horror stories about how fething crazy she was, slowly backed away.

"Who's a good girl? You are!" She said to the interceptor, admiring it's design.

Then, she paused.

"Wait, was Lassie a Girl or a Boy?" The Amalgam asked, before shrugging and climbed into the cockpit as Moff Drybis Lyken ordered all fighters to take off.

"Don't worry about me, SV. I'll be like Groot. I'll ride it like I stole it!"

The Amalgam soon climbed into the cockpit, putting her flight helmet on. She flawlessly activated the controls, as though she had ridden it for years as it slowly hovered upward. She waited until every other fighter in Star Scythe Squadron was ready and in their own fighters.

"Ah, the bells and whistles...these modern fighters truly are spiffy." She remarked, departing the hangar with all her Squadron in tow.

"Moff Lyken, This is Star Scythe One, reporting in as requested." The Amalgam said after all fighters were following her lead, also going from a dated tv show reference to pure business at the drop of a hat.

"We are ready to be let off the leash."

Okay, so she wasn't quite done with throwing in another Lassie reference.

Meanwhile...

Xiphos made her way to the surface via drop pods from a Sith Carrier.

She was leading a Squad personally to help them size the Media.

Grasped in her hand was a powerful, deadly blade with a scorched hilt. The only real comfortable reminder she had of Syd.

My love, why won't you talk to me? Is it because of Starlin? She asked through their bond.

All she received was an overwhelming surge of emotional shame Syd was feeling. But Xiphos could not deduce it's nature.

When you are ready to talk just do it. I...I know I have done...questionable things...but it was all out of necessity...

No response. Xiphos sighed and continued making her way to the Media Objective. Her skeletal son's noted her distress but chose not to inquire.

Besides, they were happy just fighting alongside their Mother...why ruin it with questions?

Rohak Vizsla

 

[LT-137]

// Wild Space Region // Orinackra System // Orinackra //
// Grid Coordinates: J-3 - New Imperial Controlled Territory. //​

OBJECTIVE II - HIGH VALUE ASSETS | COLLECTING OUR DUE

​

Like hungry, iron children, the forces of the Sith Empire translated from lightspeed in a staggered flicker of pseudomotion. Their engines flared to life as the Ion drives took over, allowing their hyperspace motivators to cool in jets of unrefined tibanna gas. With the lingering traces of reversion fading into obscurity, these newly arrived warships found themselves taking position above the world of Orinackra. Their position was near-enough to the planet that their warships were anchored in the highest of heavens above that benighted world, but such placement denied them Orinackra’s gravitic embrace. Instead, these once majestic warships - brimming with malice and venomous intent - pitted themselves in direct opposition to their would-be foes.

In many respects, the situation that these Sith-Imperial warships found themselves in would be considered suicidal. They were too few to engage a Super Star Destroyer head-on. One would’ve expected the Sith Empire to deploy yet another armada of faceless warships in the hopes of bringing that mighty vessel to its knees. How could they not, after all? It was the favoured tactic of many Sith-Imperial Commanders, and was utilized on countless battlefronts during the Third Imperial Civil War. Overwhelming force was their bread and butter, as it were. So, when the scene and the setting unfolded before their proverbial eyes - questions were being raised. The Sith Empire was up to something, that much was clear.

But, as to what? The Probe Droid, whose sensors passively swept the system to avoid detection from the newly revealed hostile presence, couldn’t say. There were a few items of note that could be applied towards a working hypothesis, however. Orinackra was a Penal World, and with the Sith-Imperial presence in the System, it was likely that they either sought to spring one of the many prisoners in the planet-side facilities, or incite a rebellion of sorts amongst the incarcerated populace. There was even a chance that such an operation was mounted to intercept a prisoner transfer… which lent some credence to the oddities detected in the Sith-Imperial deployment pattern.

There was someone, or something of worth aboard one of the New Imperial starships anchored above Orinackra.

If such conjecture were true, then it was likely that the small Sith-Imperial flotilla wasn’t alone in their suicidal stand against a vast superior force. Perhaps, there were more warships littered throughout the system. With the spatial interference provided by the coming ionic storm, and the slowly - ever-expanding field of debris, it wouldn’t be hard to approach the System undetected. They could easily drift through the astronavigational hazards on momentum alone, making small course corrections with chemical-based thrusters when needed. On a starship’s sensors, they’d appear as nothing more than drifting debris.

Such a tactic was clever, the Probe’s synthetic intelligence had to admit. But such cleverness would only get them so far. If there were other ships out there, in the depths of space, it was likely that they were considerably smaller than the standard, and expected Sith-Imperial Battlecruisers. Such warships wouldn’t be capable of navigating through the debris field undetected, as they would be spotted solely by the parting debris in the wake of their inertial momentum. No, it was likely the Sith Empire broke away from their standard operating procedures and elected to attempt something new, but not wholly unprecedented. That was where the Probe’s logic circuits cycled around to the size of the Sith-Imperial flotilla - and began to hypothesize that similar-sized warships lurked somewhere in the void.

With such potential for violence written in the stars, the Droid activated its chemical-based navigation suite, and began powering up it’s integrated comms unit. Equipped with an array of sensor jammers, the Probe’s activation cycle would appear as nothing more than an errant piece of the debris field. Merely a piece of something that had broken off during the countless collisions between the wistfully spinning echoes of what came before. While such tools aided the Probe’s desired intent, they were far from perfect. Should the Sith Empire truly be navigating through the astronavigational hazards present within the system, there was a chance their sensors could detect an erratic piece of debris.

Visual readings would be nigh-impossible to discern, as there would be too much interference to register a positive reading. Even if they were looking out a viewport, the Probe would be very difficult to see.

Nevertheless, while the possibility of detection existed, the Probe knew that it had to transmit their findings. With such information in the hands of competent commanders, more informed decisions could be made to affect the outcome of the coming battle. What resources they had on hand could be better allocated on the battlefield, ensuring the correct and properly measured responses were made when the enemy revealed themselves. It would’ve been pointless to expend the firepower of a battleship to counter a small collection of nimble corvettes, for example, when a pair of well-armed frigates or a cruiser would do.

Thus, the risk that the Probe was taking was paramount to the success of their newfound endeavour. ​

​

Spoiler: NPC Complement and Summary of Actions.

Security Echelon Aurek

• Referenced: SEA is currently enroute via hyperspace.
• Written: Recon Droid passively sweeps the System from the debris field and identifies the Wrath and their flotilla; as they are not within the debris field and positioned directly opposite of the Orinackran Defence Fleet. Potential ambush is speculated with the ionic interference of the coming storm and the debris field, thus the Recon Droid elects to transmit said findings. Hopefully, without being detected.

Allies: The New Imperial Order.
Enemies: The Sith Empire and Friends.

Relevancy Taglist:
| Caarlyle Rausgeber | Trajan Fett |
| Grand Moff Decimus | Kuben Woods | Alina Tremiru | Errix Feh'room | Moff Drybis Lyken | Seela Leini | Ingrid L'lerim | Darth Banshee | Calruss Shiman |​

Post Changelog:

• Removed mention of the NIV Tregessar, the NIO SSD - as it's not deployed to this Theatre.