Sith Empire: Conquest of Mon Calamari (finished)

[Ashin Varanin]

OOC/ Others from the faction can join too, of course, but this thread is a training mission for my Apprentices in the Sith Empire. Any masterless Apprentices of the Sith can join in too. If it's allowed in a Dominion thread (I didn't see anything against it in the rules) I'm also inviting those under my thrall, to give the thread some color. Muahahahhaha...
@[member="Mikhail Shorn"] @[member="Jhar'vokh"] @[member="Spencer Jacobs"] @[member="Anaya Fen"] @[member="Darren Shaw"]
Spencer, since you're part of another faction, but it would make IC sense for you to be here - your call (and you'd know better than I if it's OK for you and my rogue buddies to jump in). We could treat this as a follow-up from our existing thread.
IC/

The setting: A large hotel suite in the capital city of Dac, the waterworld known as Mon Calamari.

The host: Ashin Varanin, Dark Jedi Master and agent of the Sith Emperor.

The food: Delicious.

"Mon Calamari has had a difficult time recovering from the galactic dark age. Its legendary shipyards aren't what they once were, and its politics are heavily divided between the Mon Cala, the Quarren and the Amphi-Hydrus. These are deep racial divides, and much as I would like to unify the planet peacefully, the world is on the brink of a wasteful civil war.

"We are going to bring order to this world, and we are going to do it my way. Ladies, gentlemen, these are the rules. You will abide by them or you will face the consequences.

"No murder. None. Kill only those soldiers who oppose us. We will have to rule this world once we're done -- there's no way a unified planetary government can emerge right now -- and that means what we do has to be disciplined. Precise. You break it, you buy it.

"There's a strong possibility we're about to become very rich individuals -- people tend to shower gifts on people they see as liberators or conquerors, and we may well count as both -- but that will be at their discretion, not yours. No stealing or claiming special bits of technology, no planting your personal flag on certain cities.

"This is about teamwork. Understood? Good. Now: The plan.

"First, we're going to break the Amphi-Hydrus terrorists. They're mind-control experts, and there's a lot we can learn from them about influencing animals and people, but first we need to stop them from promoting civil war. Their main staging point is an island not far from here, and they're gearing up to attack this city. I've procured us some armed assault boats. We're going to conquer that island of Amphi-Hydrus terrorists -- pacify, not eliminate -- then come back here as saviors and see if we can get the Mon Cala of this city to accept us. From there, we'll take submarines to a Quarren stronghold and attempt to sway them to our side. We may have to fight some hardliners, but again - nothing egregious. We can't afford to spark the civil war.

"Questions, concerns? If not, feel free to head for the boats."

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya stood just behind Ashin her eyes scanning and her mind touching that of every apprentice before them as she explained their orders and their instructions. Her face was impassive, though she was impressed by Ashin's plan, she showed no such emotion on her face. She would have loved to slip in a comment about fighting frogs but it would not do to set such a poor example.
Stepping forward next to Ashin as she finished explaining she gave her a small nod before addressing the appetences before them. "You have been selected for this mission by us personally. Disobey us and you will find yourself back at square one on Korriban, this time with a mark against your name. We need Mon Calamari to be a willing ally. This is not Junction or concord dawn, we are not here to crush and enslave the nation. We are here to prove to them that the sith are worthy of their submission."

It was an entirely different tactic from what they were used to, be Anaya had complete faith in its success.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

High profile mission involving a key planet and the Empire's reputation, with a policy of zero collateral damage? An endeavor which would require restraint and tolerance... And one of the first people they brought along was Mikhail Shorn? Yeah, this mission was going to end well.

Mikhail stood at the very back of the small gathering, leaning against a wall. He didn't generally go in for the whole "cooperative teamwork" thing. Not his style. In fact, this entire mission was not his style. He considered leaving. He honestly didn't give a damn about whether or not Mon Calamari came under the Empire's sway. Galactic politics affected him like everyone else, he understood that all too well from his experiences in the Galactic Republic Army. Mon Cal was a key resource point, especially for their shipyards, though they'd been defunct of late. If the Empire gained Mon Cal it could be a turning point in the war. He probably should give a damn. But lately, he just had trouble caring about... well, anything. And since when did Mikhail ever do what he should?

Arms crossed, Shorn rolled his eyes at the speeches - more like lectures - in the same impudent manner that had been his undoing while in the GRA. But at least his time within the Army taught him that one didn't simply "pacify" terrorists. He glanced at the other occupants of the room, preferring to remain inconspicuous for the moment. Not that he didn't want attention. He loved attention. But... the right kind of attention. Mikhail, leaning against the wall, continued to stare as people continued to talk, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. No excessive force, with a bunch of Force Users? Right. He couldn't wait to see this one go down. Maybe he would stick around.... just for kicks.

 

[Garza]

Darren would rather had been back at his sacntuary. Darren would rather not help the Sith gain their planets. He told himself that this was the only time he was doing this for the Sith. Ever since Kodiak had left on persional buissnes he had to run the Alliance. Darren was wearing his normal white armor making him stand out amoung all of the black and red. He shook his head at the speeches the two wemon were giving. One was Ashin, His current master. The second was Anaya the Emperors Hand.

Darren was standing up at the front on the right side of Ashin. Just looking pretty for the Sith. He had helped with the slection of his own group of Sith apprentices that he would lead. it was considerably small. 25 able bodied Sith ready to fight. He was carrying his normal weapons into battle 2 white lightsabers, one crimson red blade and a white and blue sith sword. Not much could be done about the battle that would take place. He knew that there would be one. And he was ready.

He noticed a man in the back who was looking amused my the speeches and didnt want to be here. Typical Sith wanting all the action and glory. But not much was being taken from the creatures they were going to kill. He had no questions himself and there for stayed silent unless spoken to.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin nodded as Anaya finished speaking. "Good. I'm glad we're all squared away. Here's the target."

A holoprojector brought up an image of an island.

"We'll land here, if possible. We'll draw the Amphi-Hydrus militants out to face us in the jungle and on the beaches. Meanwhile, some of us will take this hilltop fortress for oversight on the village. We want to leave the village untouched. Our endgame is to surround and capture the village. Again, the more survivors we leave, the more people we'll be able to learn from. These people are masters of affecting the minds of animals and sentient beings. Some of them ride mind-controlled rancors. We could stand to learn some of the powers they wield, or at least learn how to counteract them when we face them again, later in this campaign. Make no mistake: Mon Calamari is not our final destination. You will be facing Force users of all kinds during this campaign.

"And for those of you who respond best to carrots rather than sticks, know this: Exceptional performance will earn you quality time with a holocron containing some of the most useful forgotten secrets of the Sith, as well as my personal instruction.

"All right, everyone. To the assault boats. Feel free to ask questions on the way, but I think we're clear."

 

[Allyson Locke]

It had been some time since she had first run into Ashin, she was sitting here and the group’s emotions were starting to be a bit much on her. The young Jedi Padawan wrapped her arms across her chest for a moment trying to block out everyone else. She focused on Ashin and what she was saying, this was probably something out of her league, but she was needed for something. Spencer felt like she didn’t belong, she felt the dark side all around her and she was worried about how she was going to be taken.

Here she was an outsider and this caused her to cling closely to Ashin.

Soft hazel eyes locking with each of the Sith as she sat and listened to Ashin, she had done some training with the woman learning and honing her sensitivity to emotion. She was scared and terrified, but it was hard to feel her own emotions with so much going on around her. Tapping into the ability she started to feel sensitive to non-force users now. The new development was something she was going to have to get used too.

Her mind snapped, realizing Ashin had finished talking and was asking for questions. Now not only was Spencer biting her lower lip, she sucked it in just for a second and then released it as she spoke up. Her mind locked on to one thing that the woman said. Personal Instruction. Spencer enjoyed the attention she received from the dark Jedi, she was learning so much and it bothered her a bit to know that someone else could get that attention, taking it away from her. She needed to do well...she had to do well!

“Um, what am I supposed to do?”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"You're the team specialist, Spencer. You'll be helping keep the village pacified, emotionally, using some of the things I've taught you - and your special gifts, of course. And once we get back here from the island, it'll be your job -- yours and mine -- to pacify this city and make sure they accept us as their saviors."

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya picked up on some amusement from a sith at the back. Catching a glimpse of him she remembered him as Mikhail Shorn, her eyes narrowed as she looked at him and upon instruction to head for the boats she made a beeline to pass right by him.
"Shorn, with me." She said as she passed, summoning him to join her. At least if he was close she could keep an eye on him. Once they were aboard the boat she glowered at him "Want to tell me what you find so amusing about this?"

 

[Garza]

Darren was just going to follow Ashin around untill he was told to go. He had nothing else to do other than talk to Sith and he didnt really like that Idea, but what intregued him was that the woman Ashin was talking to had a lighter signature than everyone else here. Even him! So it was most likely that she was a Jedi. She didnt know what to do at the moment and so Ashin answered her.

WHen she was done Darren spoke up "What would you like me to do? Im flexable and would fight just about anywhere." Darren didnt like it how only he was a Dark Jedi with a Jedi who was invited here. Something else was up, and he wanted to know about it.

 

[Sirella Valkner]

The message had come through private channels. She knew of course, that Ashin had her own agenda, her own plans, and that the woman was just using her to stir up some sort of trouble. For what purpose she wasn’t sure. She didn’t care. Ashin was smart that way, very plant-like. The island was mostly abandoned. At one point it contained a sprawling resort which had fueled the pitiful economy, but now…

“Those toad spawned homunculi have scared away the snowbirds.” Sirella said bitterly, “It won’t be as much fun this way.”

A boy approached her, it hadn’t taken much, show a little leg, wink in his direction and he was all hers. Others were staring, gawking even, as he approached. Some may consider him handsome. “I’d like you to show me the garden,” she whispered blowing in his ear as she talked. Helplessly he obeyed. As they walked she felt her hand across other mens chest and beckoned them to follow exerting her mental influence on them. Soon she had an impressive escort. In this setting everything was made easier. Men were already looking for an attractive woman. As she walked down the hotel corridors she hummed a tune and threw seeds as one might throw rice at a wedding.

The garden was everything Sirella had expected. “My poor babies…” she said stepping forward and caressing a plant. It’s great white flower wilting. “Didn’t they notice you had nothing to eat?” Licking her lips she stared over at the other plants. “Alright slaves.” She said to the men. “I want you to start digging. We are setting these plants free! Bringing them back to the Botany Bay.”

The drones began to claw at the dirt with their bare hands. “You.” She said to the first boy she had encountered. Security guards were starting to crowd around the group, trouble soon. “Let me give you your reward.” The mindless boy reached in to kiss her. Their lips touched and Sirella raked her hand through her hair as if it were grass. But it wasn’t grass. With her other hand she slowly rubbed her color bone. A seed, stuck to her tight clothing, burst open and slowly extended into a spiked branch. It punched through the boys throat causing him to cough a little blood into her mouth. Valuable nutrients.

The guards noticed the blood and started to crowd her, “Oh this won’t do.” She said snapping her fingers. The Force was a powerful ally. The seeds she had strewn about all erupted in growth spiking, pinning, ensnaring, and even eating the hapless fools.

Giddily Sirella sang;
“We saw the speeders passing on the way to the ball
I wonder if you noticed we had nothing at all
We smelt you coming out again with brandy for breath
I wonder if you noticed we were starving to death”

A maniacal laugh echoed down the festooned halls. “Don’t worry my babies, this entire island will be free.”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin walked with Darren on one side and Spencer on the other, as the whole group headed down to the docks where her nice new assault boats waited.

"You'll be the focus of the infantry battle, Darren. It's your job to set the example for these Sith apprentices in terms of combat. You'll be fighting in the jungle, dealing with rancor-riding Amphi-hydrus."

And there was another force at work -- her old Master, Sirella Valkner, a witch of terrible power, waiting for them on the island. But that was all part of the surprise. All part of the plan.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Mikhail's eyebrows rose as a twi'lek ordered- no, summoned him to follow. Great. She knew his name. He loved it when this happened. Shorn was not the type to be summoned. Or really even ordered. He tended to respond in a less than agreeable manner. Usually with a lot of snark and maybe some neck-snapping to get the point across. Well, this should be fun.

The twi'lek whirled on him suddenly, her eyes dangerous. Shorn raised a single eyebrow. Oh brother. Alpha Sith. Dominance threatened. Fear me. This was that kind of attention he would rather not have. He didn't like ending up with a lightsaber in his gut. Unfortunately, most of his conversations tended to end that way. Or similarly, considering he was still breathing.

"What?" Mikhail asked, feigning surprise. "Me? Amused? I don't know what you're talking about. Remind me, who are you?"

 

[Zalen Zennoch Ziad]

Zalen interrupted the Dark Jedi Master as she was giving each team member their rolls for this mission. "I hope I am not late. If I may be so bold, I would like to deal with beasts along side Darren. My specialty force technique beast trick can even control a Rancor for a short period of time which makes me well suited for the task." Zalen glared at Ashin with a neutral look waiting for her response. He had no doubt in his mind that she would allow him to demonstrate his skills alongside Darren, but then again Dark Jedi were often unpredictable in their descision making. For all Zalen knew, she could put him up to another completely different task to test him on what he wasn't so good at. It was all a matter of perspective, Ashin's perspective.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Don't glare at me, boy. Use your strengths alongside Darron. I think, you, especially, will learn a great deal from the Amphi-Hydrus."

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya narrowed her eyes at Mikhail "Who am I?" she repeated the question. "I will be the end of you if you do not remember your place, apprentice." The message was telepathic, though she answered his question aloud. "I am Anaya Fen, Hand of the Emperor and your worst nightmare if you screw up today."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

The armed boats set off from the city docks, bearing a good-sized party of Sith and assorted others. The Mon Cala dockmasters watched them go with palpable uncertainty. Ashin sensed the aliens' emotions as the dock receded.

The boats containing the entire party rose up on hydrofoils and sped over the ocean.

After a long few hours, they reached the enemy staging point, a partially abandoned luxury resort on the edge of the jungle island. The boats came ashore, and Ashin disembarked. She stretched out with her mind to find a certain plantlike person...

 

[Sirella Valkner]

Sirella felt a present and smiled. "What do you want?" she asked aloud. Her species could communicate those with close to them over great distances, and Ashin, a former student, qualified. Is this part of your plan? she asked mentally. And who did you bring with you? Food for my babies perhaps? I taught you better, what is the scam?

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Simple enough...Master. The rancor-riding frogs who dominate this island are our prey, and we intend to lock down their village. Consider them your problem -- my apprentices are here to learn. If you can give them a little experience in the process, I'd be much obliged.

 

[Sirella Valkner]

Sirella smiled to herself. I believe I can bloody them, show you their worth. A little chuckle escaped her mouth, And help with your objective here. You want these toads gone? I want my precious plants on board the Botany Bay, and this island returned to its natural state. Audiably she let out a grumble. And you want this planet. To eliminate this dangerous elements and stabalize this government. I haven't felt the urge to meddle in such things for ahwile. I'll follow your lead my lovely little meatsack. We'll both get what we want.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Perfect. Add some variety to their trials...and whatever you can do against the Amphi-Hydrus militants will be rewarded. We'll move as many plants as we can to your herd ship.