Private Stone and Sigil

[Imperius Indomitus]

T I T A N
S T A R _ F O R T R E S S
Cato Au' Umbra​

The Overlord of the Eternal Empire was standing at a window of the mighty star fortress which throned over Kalidan. Recently finished by his fabricators and shipwrights it was a marvel and testament to military might, it was what he had intended it to be to replace the Antagonistes. Not only replacing an old ship but also an old path, finally marching down the road which he was destined to take. The Eternal Empire would rise again. Kalidan, Zakuul, Terraris would be hailed as the triumvirate from where the greatest endeavour of history would be led.

But Aurelian was new in office and aside from domestic issues and political consolidation, he had not much chance to expand on his agenda. It was his goal to rebuild Overwatch as military intelligence directly controlled by the military. Not as a competitor for Blackwatch, but as a focused partner. While he was more than welcoming to the idea of delegating tasks to those better suited of taking them, the Zakuulan was not excited to add a layer of bureaucracy to the work he was doing.

To meet with the Overseer of the Intelligence Committee was necessary to facilitate a growth mutually beneficial as well as coordinated to the ends Aurelian wanted to achieve. He requested the elder man to his headquarters aboard the mighty Star Fortress. A private meeting by all accounts, but official in its nature. Aurelian was wearing a black uniform, void of insignia and decorations apart from the rank displayed on his collar, above it he wore a red toga, gold trimmed. A fusion of fashion and fashionably civilian for the man who was rarely ever seen outside of his massive suit of gilded plate.

The room was clean and neat, it was of clear Zakuulan style but toned down to a more militaristic theme. It was pragmatic and elegant, leaning more towards the former. The room was big enough to host a staff meeting but not too big to waste space, even though the height of the ceiling was a testament to the transhuman requirements of the Overlord and his Legion. A desk was overseeing the room where a high back padded chair stood, technology was humming but well concealed until it was needed.

Two Praetorians stood guard outside the bulkhead, clad in their plates of gold, wielding massive staff weapons. They stood so still that one could mistake them for richly decorated statues. Inside Aurelian Sigismund waited for Cato Au' Umbra .

 

[Cato Au' Umbra]

Location: Titan
Equipment: Staff
Tag: Imperius Indomitus

Cato Au' Umbra shuffled quietly down the vast corridor of the Aurelian's large star fortress. His staff clicking against the floor with each step. It was accompanied by the soft clinking of the heavy metal chains that hung around his neck. Underneath his right arm Cato carried a data slate. The slate was completely blank, but if he needed to take notes during the meeting between the two it was there. As he strode down the corridor he noted the strange looks he got from many a soldier and pilot. He imagined he cut a strange figure in such an environment.

A hooded old man wrapped in old brown robes, that barely stood above 5'6. His appearance was fragile, old, weak, but most of all, deceitful. He did not need to radiate power. In fact the old man preferred not to. In his experience he found that individuals were far more likely to be deceitful themselves if they perceived some kind of threat. People were far more likely to tell the truth if they were comfortable around you. And what's more comforting that a kind old man? Cato was sure that if it wasn't for his subtle manipulation of their perception with the force they would have stopped him and asked what he was doing in such high clearance area of the fortress.

The star fortress was impressive to say the least, a masterful piece of engineering and Cato approved of the design. It was pragmatic and elegant at the same time. The large fortress exuded strength and power. The golden overlord was hardly subtle. Both in stature and in demeanor the golden giant was one to meet any challenge head on. Therefore, it did not come as a surprise to Cato when his fellow Overseer requested his presence aboard the large star fortress to discuss the rebuilding of the Overwatch as a military intelligence wing.

Cato finally found himself outside a large door that was flanked by two large golden giants on the uppermost level of the fortress. They stood there at attention unmoving. Anyone else would have mistaken the two golden men as large statues, but Cato knew better and had encountered the large giants once before. No words were uttered, they simply made eye contact with the old man, and then there was a loud hiss as the heavy doors opened. Cato nodded in gratitude to the golden giants and slowly shuffled in.

Cato found himself in a large room, with a large table ringed with chairs as the centre piece. He looked over to see Aurelian looking out the window into the darkness of space and onto the planet Kalidan below. The Overlord of the Empire was an impressive sight. Standing at over 9 feet tall he dwarfed Cato. The augmentations that the Overlord had clearly endured had turned him into a demigod that many would fall to their knees in front of. Cato couldn't help but note the fact that the two were almost complete polar opposites in looks and demeanor. They were fire and ice, light and dark.

Upon entering the door hissed shut behind him. Cato cleared his throat in an attempt to get Aurelian's attention however this back fired as it turned into a hacking cough. "Apologies, my old body can barely hold itself together these days." He said, as he pulled out one of the chairs and sat in it with a sigh. He then lightly placed his golden eagle headed staff against the table and set the data slate down. "I understand you were looking for some advice." He continued, his tone was one of chronic fatigue mixed with a kind playfulness that one could expect from their grandfather. However, the old man was a trickster and looking too deeply into such things as his tone and body language as a means to sus out his motives would be considered a waste of time.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

T I T A N
S T A R _ F O R T R E S S
Cato Au' Umbra​

Aurelian kept his gaze on the cold planet below. The mirror of his eyes saw it rushing a brief amusement through it after the Overseer uttered his first words in this meeting. So many agents perfected the art of acting, to conceal who their true self was. It was a necessity, a trait of their trade. To be many, to be different, to fit in, to not cause discomfort or remain in memory. A very handy craft in their occupation and if he would not have spent many lifetimes around people of all kinds, from all backgrounds, he would fall for this as well. For he was very skilled at it, exceptionally so.

But being a prosecutor, an enforcer and executioner demanded to know who you were dealing with. Aurelian's rise, now lost to a different era and Empire, was based on his skill of bringing justice. Justice to those who sought to escape it, to evade it. He did not need to see through facades to enforce it, but doing so and pulling the veil off their frightened bodies was far more satisfying. One of the fundamental lessons of war as well. Search for cover, not camouflage for the latter will not protect you against a strike aimed at you.

"Your apology is as unnecessary as your cough, Overseer. We are here to perform a duty to the Empire and shall not delay it by acts reserved for those who deserve them."

His voice was a lightning bolt, cast calmly but with an unbreakable, unyielding conviction as the large figured turned around to face Cato. It was neither anger nor disappointment echoing in the tone, but pure matter of fact tone. There was no insult nor was there any notion of an alternative or opposition. The Overlord also did not offer the time for one to be formulated.

"War is on our doorstep. An incursion is already ongoing against one of our newly established outposts. Your duty is to provide intelligence and security, from the inside and outside. To wage war, we need an effective machine between us, to coordinate, share and with as little bureaucracy as possible.

I do not claim the same proficiency in this subtle work as you do and I require an instrument which can act between our crafts. To establish a dedicated military intelligence is necessary and to integrate it seamlessly into our working bodies has to be the foundation. Working in harmony, not competition."

 

[Cato Au' Umbra]

Location: Titan
Equipment: Staff
Theme: Sorrow
Tag: Imperius Indomitus

Cato chuckled as his fellow Overseer called him out on his acting. Truth was that he wasn't trying to intentionally deceive the giant man in his presence. However, such an act had become almost second nature since he had assumed the role of Overseer of the Blackwatch. It was intended to disarm and to make those around him more comfortable and when people were comfortable they were more likely to make mistakes.

The old man was slightly surprised that Aurelian had not taken offense to the attempted deception. Truthfully he had almost forgotten what it was like to speak candidly and without reservation. His expression changed visibly. The body language of a weak old bumbling fool was now replaced by a cold calculating stare and a presence that seemed to fill the room with electricity. The old man had long ago learned to hide his presence in the Force. As an agent of the Blackwatch that specifically specialized in hunting force users it was an invaluable ability. However, as he became more powerful Cato found that doing this became more taxing and difficult. Much like a dam trying to keep back the immense pressure of a river. Hiding his capabilities took it's toll on his old body and his health. It felt good to release the river so to speak. He knew that any force sensitive being on this massive base would certainly now feel his presence.

"I did not mean to offend Overseer. It is something of a habit, and when you deal with the individuals I deal with day to day I prefer to have the element of surprise on my side."

In contrast to Aurelian, Cato's voice was soft, disarming and grandfatherly. It was almost sounded as if he had been caught playing a fun game with his fellow Overseer. An inside joke so to speak. He took a breath before continuing.

I do not claim the same proficiency in this subtle work as you do and I require an instrument which can act between our crafts. To establish a dedicated military intelligence is necessary and to integrate it seamlessly into our working bodies has to be the foundation. Working in harmony, not competition."

"A branch of military intelligence you say? This is the first I am hearing of such a proposal. If I am honest I was going to propose something of the sort to you. So you will be glad to know I have a few ideas."

This was not the first Cato had heard of such a proposal. The old man had eyes and ears everywhere, and with Aurelian gearing up for conflict and revamping the military it didn't take much intelligence gathering for Cato to put two and two together.

"First things first is they will need to be combat oriented and I would suggest you train them to work in two to four man teams. As military intelligence they will need to be effective working in small groups and occasionally alone as they will be deployed to military theaters to carry out operations. They need to be comfortable in multiple different kinds of deployment from orbit, as well as have the capability to perform espionage, search and rescue, assassination and battlefield intelligence. I would advise that they are trained by both the Blackwatch and military before they have their own operatives to conduct training exercises.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

T I T A N
S T A R _ F O R T R E S S
Cato Au' Umbra​

The massive figure observed the Overseer, briefly considering the act he was putting on day to day to maintain that element of surprise. A curious decision and one which was understandable, to a degree, given the man's fragile exterior, it made for the perfect cover. And a perfectly covered spy was usually the best. But such cover was a glaring weakness if uncovered, when the veil was lifted, it was just a fragile subject again, just more formidable and cunning.

Aurelian never cared much for it. He had his time in the darkness and shadows, scheming, plotting and concealing. It had been necessary but it was an exercise in patience nevertheless. Now he saw himself freed of such. Except for two secrets, he held none. And those two were so absurdly impossible to guess and so far from day to day business and thoughts, that concealment was quite easy. Even though he had taken measures as well. Nevertheless since some time he carried his will and thoughts on his tongue and let actions follow swiftly. Truth was a weapon that only few could handle.

"A sound approach for operatives. I would ask you to put together a team from all areas of Blackwatch which could suit this training and instruction task. Do not weaken our active service too much though, I would prefer if the absence of these instructors did not cause any issues for ongoing operations. I will call upon similar from the Army and Navy. We should also consider retired personnel to be reactivated."

"While combat readiness is fundamental trait and operatives being key to provide information and execute more clandestine operations, there is the demand for analysts, tacticians and non-combat agents such as slicers, informants etc. From the ranks of the military of course."

"With integrating such staffs into specific military campaigns and headquarters, they have a level of self-sustenance for campaigns and operations that will improve performance. Especially if this unit is specialised towards tactical and operational intelligence. In that way our strategic intelligence is still separate and mutual dependency necessary but lower level decision making improved and accelerated by shorters ways of communication."