Safe to Say (They Have it Coming) | First Order

[Delilah Graham]

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Spoiler

https://youtu.be/-44gLMIacq4

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THE OLD FORT - PA'DESH​

BRIEFING ROOM 201​

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The briefing room in the Old Fort on Pa'Desh had been, in a previous life, a chapel for one of the ancient and extinct religions that had been observed by early settlers of Pa'Desh. It had been repurposed by the First Order Security Bureau as a ready room to discuss missions and go over intelligence with groups too large for an office or conference room. Delilah stood like the priestess or prophet that may once have occupied the space, one fist against her hip, the other hand atop the pulpit that stood, slightly elevated, above the stonework pews that lined the chapel. Another addition had been a holoprojector installed on the altar in front of the dais, which currently projected a slowly revolving First Order insignia.

Some things didn't change.

The room was filling slowly. Total collapse of the government hadn't quite knocked the First Order personnel out of the habit of punctuality, Delilah was pleased to observe. Her eyes settled on [member="Isobel Nakano"] who sat in the front pew. Her head was lowered, and she appeared to be staring at her lap for a moment, but she seemed to sense that she was being observed and raised her head. Her dark eyes met Delilah's for a moment, but they were gone again, shifting to one side and then down again before Graham was able to offer a reassuring smile. There was something the matter; Graham's soft spot for Isobel -- code name Lotus -- compelled the older woman to make a mental note to follow up with her afterwards.

Delilah continued to scan the room, but Lotus' was the only familiar face she saw so far. Missing from the room was [member="Val Pellian"] -- codename Crane -- who had been Isobel's partner in tracking down the lost colony on Terra Damnatius. The pair had escaped Dosuun together aboard a stolen freighter, or so Isobel had filed in her after action report. The others filing in, Delilah did not recognize. The meeting had been posted seeking volunteers for a dangerous mission, and it would require more than just a Security Bureau effort to accomplish. The Retribution Corps -- or regular Stormtroopers, Delilah wasn't quite sure what they difference was at this point -- would need to join with elements from the Navy and the Bureau to achieve their aims. Even the Knights of Ren were invited, though Delilah was somewhat wary of their involvement. Without the Supreme Leader to tug their leash, she had concerns that they might start playing for power, and she didn't want her mission to become a battleground for some intergalactic pissing match.

As the trickle slowed, Delilah centered herself at the podium and switched on the microphone. A momentary squeal of feedback caused a collective cringe before falling silent, and Delilah leaned forward. "Everyone, please budge up if you can. There's room here at the front, and along the sides. Thank you. Yes, please take your seats." She put a pair of glasses on and studied her notes, then looked over the group again, peering over the rim of her glasses. "No, Lieutenant Faraday, the patrol meeting has been moved to two oh six. Off you go. Mm -- now then. Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Delilah Graham, an analyst and handler for the Security Bureau. I've gathered you here to propose a rather risky course of action for which I am hoping to gather volunteers."

She paused and hit a key on the computer she had precariously set upon the pulpit. A familiar orb appeared on above the dais. "Our target is Dosuun. Heart of darkness, so to speak. Our intelligence suggests that the Imperium forces have all but abandoned ground operations on the capital. This does not bode well for anyone left behind during the evacuation, but it does provide us with an opportunity." Another brief pause as she manipulated the controls. The view zoomed in to focus on where Avalonia had once perched. "During the Sack of Dosuun, Director Shepard completed a critical mission to secure at least two contingency bunkers in the capital complex. Here and here." Two white dots appeared on the map. "These bunkers contained key personnel, intelligence sources, weapons caches, and financial resources that would be key to the continuity of the First Order.Our signal intelligence indicates that these bunkers should still be in tact."

She zoomed out again, showing the planet, but this time rotating slowly, with sporadic glowing red icons moving around it. "The planet is not without its defenses. Regular Ssi Ruuk patrols still fly over the planet along with some larger ships -- picket patrols, mainly. My plan -- my proposal -- is that we stage a feint raid on orbital debris left in the wake of the battle for Dosuun. Mind, there is plenty of useful and valuable scrap and debris to salvage, so if we can get anything we might as well. But the point would be to draw the scales' attention to orbit, allowing a smaller force to infiltrate the city and recover the contents of the vaults." As she spoke, blue and green dots representing the diversion team and the infiltration team, respectively, appeared and went into action. "Advance drone reconnaissance has revealed the location of what appears to be functional debris-clearing equipment in the vicinity that can be used to clear the way to opening the vaults."

She hesitated and looked over the group. "The odds are long, it's true, but the reward could be great. The people in those bunkers are top-notch analysts. The intelligence could help us secure the cooperation of a dozen key planets and corporations in our space. The weapons caches could be used to supply uprisings on twenty worlds. And the financial resources at stake would drastically improve our current standing. It is a risk, but a calculated one. So I'm asking for volunteers. We have the approval of our command and we have access to equipment requisitions for the mission. Now I just need you. Team Aurek -- infiltrators and support on the ground. Team Besh -- the diversion team. Any questions?"

The First Order​

[member="Amadeus Ren"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="The Major"]​

 

[Rexus Wenck]

The Death Trooper sat at the back of the room. His associate, one Dergan Twigg right next to him. He leaned back in his chair and cast a derisive glance over the woman briefing them. It was dumb. No doubt the lizards had already snaked their way through and looted these supposed caches. It would explain, at least in his mind, the still prevalent threat of the Imperium within former First Order territory. Still, he crossed his arms, and looked around, examining his fellow denizens with a sneer. He however raised his hand, he would at least raise his disagreements publicly.

"How sure are we 'at the runts 'aven't gone and blagged these joints?" He asked with an Avalonian street drawl. "You're suggesting that we go down to a hellhole that we know nearly nothing about, far away from any mission support to go and look for some shrak that mightn't even be there?" He shook his head, "I've paid my dues to the Order, done my time. Surely its worth adding a little incentive for us to head down there?" He propositioned with a smirk passing across his features, displaying his crooked, yellowed teeth.

[member="Delilah Graham"]

 

[The Major]

“That’s interesting. I didn’t know the Deathtroopers were resorting to haggling prices for action like a bounty hunter -or a prostitute…” Croaked the Major derisively through a plume of cigarillo smoke. The Director did not seem so impressed with the attitude of the trooper. Once upon a time these men and women were the order’s staunchest warriors. She did realize, however, that times had changed. Up until now the bespectacled woman had been utterly silent while a rather detailed intensive briefing occured -and not without some measure of skill -she might add.

“We’re all upon hard times though, aren’t we. The hardest imaginable. I understand your skepticism.” She began to rummage through one of the pockets of her great coat before pulling out a field datapad that appeared to be just about as battered as the woman handling the device had been.

“However, if you want to know why this needs to be done. Ask the crew down there yourself.” This device she slid across the table towards the hulking man with teeth that looked about as charming as how his breath smelled. Not that the Major would judge. It had been a proper 4 days since she last bathed.

A feed popped up along with some telemetry cycling telemetry data which identified the location of the transmission. Eventually a screen of static cleared to show an obvious egghead receiving.

::Hello? Are you receiving me?:: Whined the man, whose tiny voice seemed all the smaller coming from such a diminutive speaker.

“Go ahead.” Urged the Major to Rexus. “Ask him what’s happening.” She exhaled another plume of rancid, piss colored smoke, revealing a sharp, bestial grin that would have been fit among any unhinged Death trooper.

[member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] ​

 

[Vonnegut Pyre]

Briefing Room 201
The Old Fort, Pa'Desh

The threads felt differently. Not a perfect fit but they were clean. Fresh. The way they rest on his shoulders was far looser than he recalled, the normally appropriately filled out figure of the Lieutenant feeling somewhat diminished in lieu of their trek across the stars. Rations had been... well... rationed. Despite their reintegration, the crew of the FIV Falcata had been struggling to rebound from their ordeal, some had even received orders to stand down for a time, their psych evals coming back in the negative. With a pained expression Lt. Pyre shifted his weight from one foot to the other where he stood awaiting his commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Valencia. The pair's presence had been requested. An odd request, thought the junior officer. It was unusual for such a short turnaround time between missions. Grudgingly however, Von admitted that they weren't living in normal times - much had changed over the past few weeks and months.

A few moments more and the Lt. Cmdr. came strolling around a corner, a silent glance passing between the two officers before they strode onward down the corridor towards the designated briefing room. Foreign faces reigned supreme. Some alien, others human, none of them familiar to the Lieutenant. Quietly the pair of corvette officers found seats near the front of the room and patiently waited for the briefing to begin. They did not need to wait long. In an opening statement several others present shifted in their seats to accommodate the quickly filling room before the woman at the front dove into her address. Filing away the woman's name for later, Lt. Pyre listened with an expression nearly as impassive as the monotone durasteel of the Falcata. What was the phrase? Out of the frying pan, into the fire? If he was concerned or otherwise affected by the thought of going once again into the great void of space he didn't show it.

Internal thoughts broiled relentlessly, however. A feint to orbit, a small strike team to the surface, not even a fully fledged combat force. Logic suggested a suicide mission but there was a subtle genius to it he had to admit. Salvage wasn't one of the Falcata's primary directives, or secondary, or even tertiary but he knew the corvette's crew would be more than up to the task. The only variable was the 'ol girl' herself. She'd taken a beating in the long trek after the collapse and even the collapse of the Order itself. To ask so much of a tired beast of war could be tempting the fates. Slowly and deliberately his eyes moved to his right to meet with Lt. Cmdr. Valencia's. The two had developed quite the knack for non-verbal communication. It helped that the two had easily fallen into a mentor/mentee relationship from Vonnegut's first arrival. The plan wasn't a bad one by any stretch, but it had holes. Lots of holes. They wouldn't be the only vessel, certainly, but the Falcata was a warship at its core, not a common salvage ship or repair barge. They were capable in their own right but the Falcata would need significant support if they were to be able to hold the attention of their savagers for any significant length of time.

As the floor opened for questions a man from rear of the room let fly an almost sarcastic quip. A twitch flashed at the corner of the Lieutenant's lips and then it was gone. The sour taste in his mouth however remained. Traitorous, the soldier's words were not - in fact the question of if there could be such a thing given the poor state of the Order was one Pyre often found himself contemplating. In public however, it rubbed him the wrong way. Opportunists never sought to serve a greater purpose, only themselves, and the Lieutenant was well aware of what those consequences could spell out. In uncommon form, he let a sneer develop at the corner of his mouth as he peered backwards as the man spoke. This man would be one to watch. It seemed he wasn't the only one who felt off put by their comrade's comments as another's voice was joined. In an unexpected turn of events, the woman produced a device and offered it to their colleague. The proverbial gauntlet had been thrown but how it would be responded to is what drove Lt. Pyre's curiosity. He would leave the verbal jousting to those who had been here the longest - for now his duty was but to observe and listen.

[member="The Major"] : [member="Rexus Wenck"] : [member="Delilah Graham"]​

 

[Pravina Venkatappa]

Cadet Pravina Venkatappa and Lieutenant Colonel Yang Pike
Post 1
Location: Alchazeri Island - Old Fort (Briefing Room 101), Pa’Desh
[member="Vonnegut Pyre"] [member="The Major"] [member="Rexus Wenck"] [member="Delilah Graham"]

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Amongst the slow trickle of various military personnel entering the briefing room was a pair of fighter pilots, one petite and dark-skinned while the other was eight-feet tall and light-toned. Both were dressed in the standard First Imperial military uniforms, which were marked according to their wearer’s respective ranks. Pravina suppressed a frown when she saw how full the room appeared as she walked down the aisle. However, upon hearing that there was seating available near the front, her instincts directed her to go there. The cadet did not think of her eight-foot tall mentor until he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Take a seat at the front, I’ll be standing at the right side of the room.” Yang gently touched her shoulder before turning away to move to the side of the room. It was only then that she realized that the towering Epicanthix had decided to move because he was instinctively aware of his large frame in a way that Pravina wasn’t.

Nevertheless, Pravina quietly took a seat at the front row of the room and began to listen to the briefing. She felt slightly nervous without the towering Epicanthix by her side. After all, she was only a cadet and it was only through his connections that she had been allowed to attend the briefing. Pravina was glad that she didn’t look or smell as ungroomed as many of the others. The pair of towering stormtroopers she had spotted near the back of the audience as she entered the room had not escaped her notice, especially given one of the men’s crooked teeth. To say the least, she couldn’t imagine letting herself go to such an indecent extent, especially when her benefits included free comprehensive healthcare.

Immediately after the briefing ended, Pravina looked to the corner of the room. Her mentor, Yang Pike nodded at her before she turned back around to face the stage. With a deep intake of air, Pravina raised her left hand and focused her gaze on the redheaded leader of the briefing.

“Lieutenant Colonel Pike and myself will be with the diversion team..” Pravina spoke in a soft soprano voice after she was called upon. “We’ll be providing fighter support and...Lieutenant Pike has already begun the process of recruiting pilots for the raid.” The dark-skinned TIE pilot finished.

 

[BE-183]

183 had been down in the Armoury, in the middle of a game of limmie with the boots when her datapad pinged. The little gadget synced up with her HUD computer and had her whole schedule on it, ensuring she was never far from the brass' beck and call, a common setup for NCOs. Tagging her Zabrak buddy in the striker position, she checked the reminder, remembering the briefing which was coming up. She seemed to get lucky with these kinds of high-stakes, game-changing missions or whatever you wanted to call them; a track record her current Lieutenant took notice of with his 'recommendation' that she join this one. But she went along with it without any fuss. Never thought she'd see Dosuun again, but given the chance there was something she wanted to do there.

Bee showed up to the briefing in her reg-compliant PT shirt and cover, took a seat and relaxed; it was hotter than a Firemane's quarters out here and certain allowances were made in the barracks. She didn't agonise over the details, merely taking them in. The FOSB spook heading things was surprisingly upfront with the plan, going so far as to admit the risks, but such terms seemed to have lost their meaning over the years. What could be worse than holding the line against endless waves of those beasts? At this point, it just made a nice change to strike back.

The briefing room was a far cry from the clammy, cramped old converted storerooms and halls she'd seen so far in the keep, not that her standards were all that high. If she could handle sitting in a tiny escape pod for several hours with a jittery psychopath for company, this was nothing. Speak of the devil.

She snorted at the Death Trooper's inquiry, not to say she thought it invalid but amusing. His delivery was... unbureaucratic, contrary to the sophisticated agents and their propriety. Some could handle it, some couldn't. The fact remained, proof of the target wouldn't go amiss in this expensive operation, particularly one hosted by their intelligence department. Another spook was quick to provide. It was a woman the Sergeant couldn't recognise, much less name, but the air of self-importance made a strong first impression. She'd never speak that way to someone who could casually walk over and tear her in half, but she guessed it took all sorts to keep this junta running. She had to respect the intel crew anyway, they saved her hide often enough.

A young Pa'Deshi girl she'd overlooked added her voice to the discourse, volunteering for the orbital action. Her loud appearance half-drowned out what she was saying, and she barely looked old enough for recruiting. Bloody zoomies, things had gotten lax around here. Still it didn't hurt to be sporting. "We'll be relying on you. Do us proud," the Sergeant nodded her way, finally speaking up.

With prior questions answered, Bee said her piece. "Ground team here, where and how do we drop?" It was an important consideration, at least to her. "Looks like a lot of open space in that square; could make a good LZ." Having reviewed the map, she recognised the old memorial square adjacent to one of the white dots.

[member=Delilah Graham] | [member=Rexus Wenck] | [member=The Major] | [member=Vonnegut Pyre] | [member=Pravina Venkatappa]​

 

[Delilah Graham]

Delilah didn't enjoy these kinds of theatrics, but she said nothing and reacted not at all beyond letting her eyes flicker between Director Shepard and the stormtrooper who had mouthed off, [member="Rexus Wenck"]. She shook her head minutely and then cleared her throat. "We are seeking volunteers, trooper, not opportunists. If you don't feel up to the task, there's the door." She gestured up the central aisle towards the door dismissively before turning to address others who had spoken up. "Thank you," she told [member="Pravina Venkatappa"], inclining her head towards the other officer she had indicated as well, making notes on her datapad.

When [member="BE-183"] spoke up, Delilah nodded and zoomed into the map. "Excellent question. Yes, Kerkov Square is a suitable site for the landing. It's only blocks away from the intelligence headquarters where the two vaults we think are in tact are located. Additionally, construction on the National Archive building -- here -- " Using a stylus, she circled in white a section of the map only two blocks north of Kerkov Square. " -- provides us with the construction vehicles we can use to clear the debris from the vault entrances. Thanks to the relatively small buildings they were situated under -- one a cafeteria, the other a records office -- there is less wreckage to dig through there. Some other vaults may yet be in tact, but at present we lack the means to clear the debris from larger buildings to open the vaults. We are still seeking solutions for that problem."

The Special Agent inclined her head and tapped another key, causing the patrol patterns of the SRI left in Avalonia -- primarily around the Garden District, where the entrance to the last elements of resistance operated out of the Garden Street Station -- to appear on the map. "As an added benefit, the scales seem to be focusing the bulk of their patrol effort in the Garden District. First Order partisans continue to use the Garden Street Station continue to harass them, striking from the bunker there, so it's rare that the patrols enter into the Palace District -- usually only in pursuit of rebels who flee there. We hope to establish contact with the partisans ahead of the operation to request that they avoid that, but it's rare enough that that is a mere formality."

 

[Rexus Wenck]

The Death Trooper audibly scoffed at the smoker, rolling his eyes. "It's just basics." The Death Trooper scowled at her. "This sounds like a-" Wenck frowned at the sound of a communicator, and the voice. No, it couldn't be? Could it. Twigg chortled and Rexus glared at him. His cheeks glowed bright red. If this was a ploy, it was well played. But if it wasn't? Kark. "No questions." He drawled. Jaw taut and clenched. His fists balled and the cocky sneer now gone. The grin he gave unnerved him, so he looked away. Rexus' eyes now looked out front as he was addressed by the FOSB officer.

He listened to the security, and glowered a little. But he didn't verbally pipe up. Instead, he sat still and waited for her to finish, before addressing the group again. Raising a hand, he looked over everyone. "Me and me associate 'ere will be part of Aurek." He begrudgingly smouldered. "Me and Mister Twigg have cracked many a vault in our time." he added, "What's one more for the record books?"

[member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="BE-183"] | [member="Pravina Venkatappa"] | [member="Vonnegut Pyre"] | [member="The Major"]

 

[The Major]

So sad. The Director hoped that the bark of one Rexus could be followed up with some bite, but such satisfaction would have to wait another day. His file proceeded him. No doubt if she poked a little more there might be a nerve she could molest and incite to a point of aggression. Again, Wenck's file proceeded him: profoundly expounded by the manner in which he conducted his ops. A watchful eye would be most helpful to make sure he didn't digress the rescue mission into an orgy of collateral and casualties. With that in mind, the auburn topped daredevil followed up the statement of the trooper.

"I'll follow the Deathtroopers as they breach the facility. Probably the safest position is right behind these gents. Give them an extra pair of hands and eyes to work with as well. In addition my firsthand knowledge of the facility should help speed us along." Said Shepard to Delilah.

[member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="BE-183"] | [member="Pravina Venkatappa"] | [member="Vonnegut Pyre"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"]​

 

[Isobel Nakano]

Isobel followed along with the briefing, but there was never any doubt as to what her answer would be. It was a shame how far the First Order had fallen, to where its soldiers seemed to want to be treated like mercenaries. On further reflection, Isobel couldn't necessarily blame them. After all, had any of them drawn a pay check since the First Order had collapsed in the wake of the Ssi-Ruuk Imperium's overwhelming onslaught? Were there any credits anywhere to pay them? A mechanism to deliver the checks, or to directly deposit them into bank accounts? Who was taking care of that? And if the answer was 'no one' then it was hard to expect loyalty, even if they were being compensated with room and board.

She hadn't been around the Old Fort for long, but even Isobel knew that it wasn't worth a stormtrooper's salary. For that matter, it wasn't worth an experienced field agent's salary, either. Thank goodness she had family money, and her business holdings had been more or less undamaged in the collapse.

When she had heard the spiel from Delilah, Isobel raised a hand. "Put me down for Team Aurek," she said. "And I may bring a friend." Whether [member="Val Pellian"] was available for this op or not, she hoped to touch base with him before she left. It would be a dangerous mission, and some things ought not to be left unsaid. "I'll go wherever you and Director Shepard think is best."

[member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="BE-183"] | [member="Pravina Venkatappa"] | [member="Vonnegut Pyre"]​

 

[Zrak Ren]

Zrak's presence was relatively easy to ignore if one didn't know who he was. He didn't move like he was either a noobie to war, nor did he walk around like he owned the place. He was just...present, and belonging. However, if there was something that caught attention, it was that he wore the Armor of Ren, and that he held his small pole arm like weapon called the Dragon rather casually next to him, keeping the blade away from allies by keeping it on the ground as he sat on one fo the side pews.

He was on time enough, so he'd gotten to choose his seat relatively easily. Scooting into one edge so that his weapon wasn't intruding anyone. He didn't need to promote any issues within he First Order. He had no issue with acting like an underling. He was only a disciple, for now, but he was working to fix that.

As [member="Delilah Graham"] spoke, he followed along. Introducing herself first. By the time she said she was looking for volunteers for something risky, Zrak had already made the decision to check in. But he figured it would be best to stick around and wait through it rather then interrupt. He leaned forwards in thought as she explained their objective, ok, not necessarily just a combat operation which was what he was good at. But he could still take part well enough.

She mentioned space combat and he let out a soft groan but not loud enough to irritate anyone who wasn't right next to him, not his specialty there. Fortunately she went on to explain that they would have a ground task force as well, he smiled thoughtfully, eventually it was his turn to speak up, "I'm in. Set me up for Team Aurek, wherever the most combat is going to end up being at preferably but I'll go either way just so long as it's on the ground." he finally said. He didn't have much else to say, everything was mostly already set ahead. All that truly mattered was setting it up.

Sure he could give an evaluation of his abilities and where they could be utilized, but would they really care? It'd more likely sound like boasting then a strategic comment.

[member="Isobel Nakano"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Delilah Graham"] |[member="BE-183"] |[member="Pravina Venkatappa"] |

 

[Deficire Aeternum]

Deficire enjoyed whenever she was called into a briefing. It gave her an exhilarating rush of fascination as she watches as people discuss how to enhance the first order. And the people. She rarely sees so many people crowded into one room. It intrigues her. Although, Deficire never feels as if she does have a place in these meetings. She isn't any one of importance. She hopes being a part of the briefings will help make her feel as if she has an importance to the First Order but in the grand scheme of things, she is just another brick in the big building that is the First Order.

Deficire came to the briefing room and took her seat earlier than most. She patiently waited as she read a book that she saved onto her datapad. She awaited the briefing to begin as she began to watch all of the members of the First Order come in. She saw Death Troopers, Security Bureau Agents, Pilots, and more enter. She didn't recognize many of the people but a Knight of Ren ( [member="Zrak Ren"] ) that sat near her did stand out to her. Either way, she stayed silent until the briefing began.

Dosuun was the topic of this briefing: An infiltration on Dosuun. Deficire wasn't very familiar with Dosuun. Then again, she wasn't familiar with most planets. She was listening closely to [member="Delilah Graham"] as the entirety of the situation was being discussed. She contemplated on what she felt she needed to do to assist in this mission. She could help Team Aurek with the Invasion or help Team Besh with the Diversion. She eventually settled on Team Aurek. After all, she thought that she would fit better with infiltration.

Deficire watched the people in the room speak one by one on what their plans were. The Knight of Ren she was sitting near also decided to go to Aurek.

Deficire spoke, "I would also like to be a part of Team Aurek, if you don't mind. Although, I understand if I'd be needed elsewhere."

[member="Zrak Ren"] | [member="Isobel Nakano"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="BE-183"] | [member="Pravina Venkatappa"] | [member="Vonnegut Pyre"]

 

[Elena Lowe]

-= ILYA CARDONNE =-​

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FIV Candor, Nightgaunt-Class Stealth Corvette
Above Pa'Desh

Drifting high above the vibrant planet, a ship hummed and thrummed in the upper atmosphere, its antennae and instruments tuned and extended like so many fine hairs. Aboard, a dozen-or-so crew bustled to and fro. Some of them stared enraptured at scrolling lines of data, others listened intently to the voices pouring into their headphones, or delicately played with knobs and dials to increase the signal. At the bridge, the first officer rest his arm on his comfortably on his lap, his hand resting lazily on the yoke, and gazed down at the surface, watching thin wisps of cloud scudding by.

All of them were eager, desperate to prove themselves, thrilled at finally having an actual operation after so many months of hiding, of biding their time, of scuttling around in the shadows. Ilya had grown tired of that too. She was not the kind of creature who was accustomed to running from threats. But they had been weak, disorganised, confused then. Back during the collapse, when comms were going dark and systems across First Order space were falling to the Ssi Ruuk, none of them had known what to do. They were afraid, suddenly directionless. They were prey.

But that had changed. Months of scrounging, slithering in the shadows had paid off. They had a home, food, weapons, and numbers. Now they were ready to move out, to emerge and see what had been left behind.

Not that this was she'd had in mind.

Really, they were still creeping around, albeit in a different location. This corvette likely the last of its kind, and it gave their little band of miscreants the perfect opportunity to spy on what remained on the First Order, which had been reduced to a pathetic band of loyalists, squatting in a crumbling stone fortress on a world that neither understood nor liked them. It was a sorry sight indeed. Still, they were the most organised and well-equipped of the scattered remnants, not including the worlds that had been spared the wrath of war.

Wordlessly, a technician handed Ilya a datapad, and the woman stared down at it without much interest, but as she read its contents, she nodded slowly.

"If they're heading in, it's a chance for us too. I'll tell the boss."

The technician nodded impassively, and with a slight flicker of annoyance Ilya considered reaching out and burrowing into her brain, just to see if she could provoke a reaction out of the snobby little woman. She would like to watch the girl squirm. It would lighten her mood.

But no, she was on strict orders to behave, and besides, there were other things to do.

Sighing, Ilya turned away, moving to a wall-mounted monitor and typing in a key with deft, precise movements from her long pale fingers. A few minutes later, the commlink was established, a two-way signal between the ship and to the station known as the Hydian bastion. Ilya spoke without preamble.

"What remains of the Order is preparing a raid on Dosuun. They plan to distract the Ssi Ruuk patrols long enough to deploy ground teams. No doubt you will receive a full intelligence report soon. This could be a great opportunity for us, Madam, just think of the treasures that remain there."

"Certainly this is good news, Ms Cardonne" came the voice in reply, smooth feminine tones accompanied by a hard, authoritative edge. "You and your team have worked hard, and your patience has been rewarded."

"This was not what I had in mind when I accepted this mission, Madam. I've been stuck up here for days."

There was a moment of silence, and Ilya stared into the monitor. Perhaps it was unwise to speak so plainly, but she had never seen the appeal in lying. It was cowardly, a sign of weakness.

"I know, Ms Cardonne, but you are an important asset, and rest assured you will have your chance to use your... Unique talents. For now, take comfort in the fact that your mission above Pa'Desh will soon be over. We have what we need."

"Very well Madam, I will be in contact."

Switching the communicator off, Ilya Cardonne stood and stretched. Finally, she would get off this stinking ship, and away from these lifeless spooks, with their instruments and notepads and whispered secrets. Perhaps soon she would even be afforded the opportunity to cut off a few heads.

Whether they'd be Ssi-Ruuk heads, or the sorrow skulls of the First Order operatives below, only time would tell.

| [member="Deficire Aeternum"] | [member="Zrak Ren"] | [member="Isobel Nakano"] | [member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="BE-183"] | [member="Pravina Venkatappa"] | [member="Vonnegut Pyre"] | ​

[member="The Major"]​

 

[BE-183]

Bee crossed her arms, leaning askew in her chair and smiling at Rexus. As far removed as they were from a standard human, the Death Troopers were still prone to humiliation. "Good to be working with you again Rexus, Twigg," she nodded their way. "Hope we don't end up spaced again, though I wouldn't count it out with you two." Her smirk quirked up to one side, showing she wasn't too serious. Once a Stormtrooper, always a Stormtrooper as they say, so she still counted them among hers. The training and service stuck with you, like gription.

Fortunately, as the spook in charge explained, the square was very close to their next objective, handy to gain access to the vaults. That served her quite well. She only needed a moment with the monument. "Right, that covers the where. So the how? Lander, gunship, drop pods?" She didn't mind whichever way they went. But with the diversion, they could probably opt for more troop transport and less assault.

First hand knowledge, was it? Though Bee wasn't too smart, she could put two and two together. This must've been the Director Shepard that Graham had mentioned. In other words, a big shot of the highest order or the FOSB equivalent of the Grand Admiral. "I'll be right there with you," she added uneasily. She'd have to watch what she said; she probably wouldn't risk talking much with this Director, just to be safe. She was only a Sergeant after all, so she could easily disappear.

She saw some unfamiliar hands volunteering from a few disciplines. Out here, things had become more tight and mixed up since the great collapse. It wasn't uncommon to cross services, and old rivalries were often pushed aside. There used to be quite a bit of old imperial contention between the Navy and the Corps, because they were separated early in the academies going into completely different schools of thought. The Navy saw the Stormtroopers as simple-minded brutes, and the Stormtroopers viewed the Navy as corrupt elitist pricks. But that was no longer the case, now that everyone was stuck shoulder-to-shoulder here on this little island. It was their home, and though they liked to take the chiss, the different branches were family at the end of the day.

[member="Rexus Wenck"] | [member="Delilah Graham"] | [member="The Major"]​

 

[Delilah Graham]

The Special Agent continued to notate volunteers for the different teams. "Thank you," she told [member="Zrak Ren"] and [member="Deficire Aeternum"] and [member="Isobel Nakano"] in turn. "Welcome aboard."

Delilah nodded her appreciation at @BE-183. She was pleased that the trooper was asking the right questions. "Fighter support will escort troop transports down to the surface and provide cover for the surface team or distraction for air patrols as appropriate. We're going to require a great deal of flexibility on this operation, so our ability to not be bent out of shape is of critical importance." She inclined her head and continued to note down people who volunteered.

"I think we've got the start of a good command team," she declared, glancing over the room. And Rexus Wenck, she added wryly to herself. Best to keep him out of a position of responsibility, Delilah decided. We'll monitor our signal intelligence to determine the right time to move. We're aiming to have forty-eight hours' notice. Stay by your -- uh -- commlinks, I suppose. I'll be in touch with your commands to ensure proper coverage and logistical support. If you have any more questions, now is the time."

​

The call had come in the early morning hours at the Old Fort, as the rays of the sun were just peeking out from beyond the distant ridge. By the time mid-morning ran around, the last troop transports were loading out. Delilah stood on the windswept bluff overlooking the Old Fort and checking off names and equipment as it was loaded on board. Finally, she crossed the last name on the list and clicked her commlink. "Command, this is Graham. All present and correct. Requesting clearance to depart from staging area Aurek. She clambered into the shuttle and slapped the key to close the ramp, then made her way to the cockpit. The pilot was just getting clearance from air control when she strapped herself in. She opened a channel to the rest of the shuttles and the naval task force in orbit.

"Good morning, everyone. This is Graham. Team Aurek is in motion. Prepare for the jump to lightspeed. Not long now."

​

Dosuun hung large in the viewport of Delilah's shuttle. It and the others comprising Team Aurek streaked towards the planet in a low burn. In the distance, the first salvos of the distraction team lit up space. Delilah braced herself against the crash webbing as the shuttle began its entry into the atmosphere. Soon, they were breaking through the cloud cover that blanketed the planet, and the reality of Avalonia was laid bare before her. Delilah's breath caught in her throat; the city was all but unrecognizable. The buildings -- those that still stood -- were bare skeletons of their former selves, twisted and collapsing. The skyscrapers and marble arches, the parks and reflecting pools, even the Imperial Palace were gone. She swallowed around the lump in her throat and opened a channel.

"We're touching down shortly. When we land, stormtroopers, establish a perimeter so we can unload and get the camoflage netting over the ships. Then Team Aurek heads north to secure the debris moving equipment. Look alive, people." Delilah herself would be staying at the ship, overseeing the operations and signal intelligence from the small computer station that had been installed in the cargo hold of this shuttle. "Let's do a comcheck. Sync to frequency zero seven theta three and check in."

 

[Zrak Ren]

Zrak nodded simply as she started finalizing their jobs, reminding them to keep near their com links and mentioning now was the time for any further questions. He didn't really have any, he would do his job, and he would enjoy it beyond measure. They wouldn't be starting now it seemed but it'd happen soon, so he'd be ready. Zrak gave one more nod as they finally finished up, "Looking forward to this." he said simply.

Preparation:​

He was quick to prepare himself, getting in his full armor, stretching, and arriving in a very short time. As they waited on the ships his patient appearance was incredibly deceitful for the interest he had in this battle. He just hoped it wouldn't be a total waste of time. Not long, just be patient.

Arrival:​

Zrak felt the firepower around them as they began to truly close in, he focused his mind, sensing the incoming weaponry, and preparing himself. Feeling for any that might be coming towards the transport that he was on. But the distraction was far from them, for now. He narrowed his eyes as he saw the first remnants of the city that was. Well well. He wondered just what they would think of the destruction that had come to it.

He heard Delilah speak of the commlinks giving more orders and ordering a Frequency sync and check in, he swiftly adjusted his commlinks to the zero seven zeta three ordered and spoke into the comms, "Zrak Ren of Team Aurek checking in. Ready to get started"

[member="Delilah Graham"]
[member="BE-183"]
[member="Kirie NPCs"]
[member="Deficire Aeternum"]
[member="Isobel Nakano"]
[member="Rexus Wenck"]
[member="Pravina Venkatappa"]