Private [THP Council] Stardust — The Final Hours

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

The Council Chamber on Odessen glowed with shifting maps of the galaxy, red markers pulsing where the Empire's grip was strongest. At the head of the circular table, Valery stood with her hands pressed flat against its surface, her gaze fixed on the largest projection. Reports had been pouring in for weeks, and now there was no doubt. Project Stardust was operational and it was coming

The doors opened, echoing through the chamber as the first of the Council entered. Valery acknowledged them with a nod, then returned her eyes to the map. One by one, the others joined, the hum of conversation fading as anticipation grew. When the final seats were filled, she raised her hand to the projector, enlarging the image of the Galaxy Map.

"It is time," Valery said.

"Project Stardust has been completed, and the Empire is preparing to unleash it. I've given orders to assemble the fleet and all the available manpower we've got. Now, we must decide how to strike before it is too late."

The Broker Thurion Heavenshield Thexann Pehnataur Everest Vale Csariden ​

 

[Thexann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL MEMO (Encrypted)

Author: Thexann Pehnataur
Subject: Council Called to order
Location: Odessen
Access Level: [Red-Alpha Priority - CEO and COO only]

---

The Council convenes, their eyes fixed on the map of the galaxy and the crimson nodes spreading across its breadth. "Stardust" is no longer a rumor—it is a reality, and its shadow looms over every world we still call free.

While they debate strategy, I move in silence. It is the only way.

I have tasked Fleet Captain Halpern with mobilizing the NC-1000 series, and the first dozen units are already staged. The corporate manifests list them as “test flights, prototype evaluation.” In truth, they are the opening stones of a wall we are going to need—squadrons trained, equipped, and ready to contest the Empire’s skies.

The logistics stream has begun shifting beneath the noise of public ledgers. Materials, fuel, replacement cores—all redirected under benign descriptors. The ships of Guardian Authority’s retired fleets are slowly re-awakening from storage. Some will fly again, others will be stripped for what we need most.

Safe points established:

• Rally Node A: Empress Teta (underground supply caches, accessible via ore hauler manifests).
• Rally Node B: Kashyyyk Shadow Temple (defensive grid under reconstruction; a perfect mask for offloading heavier gear).
• Rally Node C: Odessen Enterprise Station (primary fallback; already running SERAPHIM’s silent coordination). Connel Vanagor has said it is available if we need it.
  

Gym understands his part well. The squadron he forges will not be ceremonial—it will be sharp, fast, and merciless in the void. If the Council calls for fire, his pilots will already be positioned to answer.

Project Stardust seeks to terrify the galaxy into submission. I intend for our response to be quiet, methodical, and undeniable. When their light burns across the stars, we will already be in motion.

And no one—not even the Empire—will see the first strike coming.

Real Time Conversation:

While the others were talking amongst themselves, Thexann was in the middle of a conversation on my headset with Gym.

[How’s it going? 8 so far? How long? You have 12 hours… I get it and I don’t have better answers for you… you have 12 hours. Have you talked to Michael? His mother will not be happy, but I know he will want in. Good. Keep me updated. ]

Pulling the mic from his ear and pocketing it, he sat and listened.

The news was grim, to say the least.

Pulling out a datapad, Thexann began to “take notes” (what he was really doing was accessing the manifest and authorizing an increase in production of starfighters and capital ships.).

Valery Noble | The Broker | Thurion Heavenshield | Everest Vale

This is what he is saying to people, just like a cutaway

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

O D E S S E N
COUNCIL CHAMBERS​

The Lion entered with thunderous stride, already clad in full warplate with sword at his side and war crown under his arm. Behind him flowed a heavy cloak of shimmering blue, a golden lion emblazoned upon it. The other council members followed close behind.

"And so we march into the very bowels of hell; the blood-soaked fields of despair and destruction," he loudly proclaimed like a warrior poet of old, already fired up with the zeal of his people. He stepped around the round table to stand beside his Grandmaster, his every feature set in defiant stone as he placed his winged helmet in front of him.

"Still fresh from their conquest of the Deep Core and already they look to annihilate entire systems. Their arrogance and overreach shall be their undoing," he sneered at the holo-map, then turned to Valery and bowed his head.

"Midvinter stands with you, Lady Noble. We will not underestimate our enemy this time."

Valery Noble Thexann Pehnataur The Broker Everest Vale Csariden ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Personal Armour
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Seer Stone, Wayfinder's Flare, Atrisian Dancer, Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Valery Noble Thexann Pehnataur Thurion Heavenshield The Broker Csariden

Eve sat in her place at the council table, her hands folded lightly in her lap. At her heel, Isari rested with her silver fur curled in the faint glow of the holoprojectors, ears flicking at every shift in tone or voice. To anyone else, the fox might have seemed calm, but Eve felt her companion’s watchfulness, the way she was attuned to the air in the chamber. It mirrored her own unease.

She had not expected to be here so soon. Knighted so recently, thrust into the role of overseer for Snowpeak Sanctuary, and now a council member among names that carried histories far older and heavier than her own. The titles had come suddenly, and though she had accepted them, they weighed on her shoulders like stones. She carried them because she must, but not without fear.

Now the Empire pressed further into the galaxy, and the words Project Stardust burned through every mind present. A weapon vast enough to unmake whole worlds. Eve’s stomach knotted as the council began its work. She listened, breathing slow and deep, anchoring herself as her silver eye traced each speaker in turn. Faces grim, voices sharpened by experience, by battle, by loss.

At last her gaze settled on Thurion. His presence was different. It wasn't lighter, but it was grounding for her. He had recently called her his granddaughter, given her a further sense of family she had not known she was missing. That memory steadied her. It softened the fear, gave shape to something she could hold.

She leaned forward, palms brushing the cool edge of the table. Her throat felt tight, but she cleared it and spoke.

"I will rally the enclave. But there are only maybe... twenty-five of us battle-able... I'll do everything in my power to petition the Eshan government to offer their aid too, they should have more Jedi and soldiers at their disposal," she said, her voice quiet but firm enough to be heard.

The words were simple, but they were hers, drawn from the same strength she had heard in Thurion’s pledge. She desperately wished she could offer more, but Valery knew her former student would do anything and everything in her power to help. As she sat back slightly, Isari’s tail brushed her boot, and Eve let the contact remind her she was not alone. She let go of a breath she didn't realise she was holding, and prayed for all the strength in the galaxy.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery let the room settle as names and plans echoed around the table. She met each gaze in turn, and offered them all a gratefu; smile, "Thank you," she said, "For your ships, your hands, and your courage. None of this moves without all of you."

She tapped the map, the projection flaring as vectors shifted beneath her palm. "I have ordered the Hidden Path fleets to stand ready. Engines warm, squadrons briefed, and supply lines reallocated. We will not squander the advantage we have. The Empire expects the major powers to respond. They do not yet know how large the Path has become, nor how quickly we can strike together. That must remain our edge."

Her voice sharpened a fraction as she outlined the near plan. "Use the nodes you have prepared. Keep manifests clean and movements quiet. Position your pilots where they can answer the first flare of contact and then disappear."

Valery folded her hands on the table and looked up, orange eyes steady. "We will move swiftly and hit hard. Surprise will be the first blade we draw. After that, we make every action count." She paused again, waiting to see if anybody else had something important to add.

The Broker Thurion Heavenshield Thexann Pehnataur Everest Vale
​

 

[Thexann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL MEMO (Encrypted)

Author: Thexann Pehnataur
Subject: Council Called to order
Location: Odessen
Access Level: [Red-Alpha Priority - CEO and COO only]

---

It’s coming.

It’s real.

War.

Are we ready? Apparently. That is both good and bad, but it is necessary. I am working on contacting at least the Enclaves and safehouses I have control over to be ready if we need them.

We will be ready.

It isn’t open warfare. We’re not strong enough for that yet.

… but we will be.

Real Time Conversation:

Working on the manifests, he spoke up.

The next line of ships are incoming, they just need command crews. I have authorized our expanded on more dedicated capitals and weaponry. With your permission, I am looking at sectors here on the planet to build facilities for ground operational vehicles.

They were well on their way to having a comparable fleet, but should they need combat operations on the ground, what is in the manifest will not work.

Valery Noble | The Broker | Thurion Heavenshield | Everest Vale

This is what he is saying to people, just like a cutaway