Dominion Unnatural Selection | THR Dominion of Setron

[Pillar of Freedom]

As part of the new mandate to bring Alderaan within Republic borders, Republic scouts have flagged a decommissioned Imperial science facility on Setron that - despite being officially "abandoned" - is showing irregular power spikes and high-frequency transmissions. What was intended to be a routine sweep for intelligence has turned into a race against time.

The Scenario:
The facility was once a black-site dedicated to anti-Force research, attempting to weaponize biological agents and technology to nullify or twist Force sensitivity. The mountain top facility burrows deep into the heart of Setron, following natural and unnatural cavern systems. Upon arrival, the Republic team finds the site in disarray. This isn't just Imperial remnants, there are clear signs of involvement by the fracturing terrorist group known as The Unblessed.

Someone has been here recently. The memory cores have been systematically drained, and the data trail suggests a terrifying synergy. Imperial Warlords are providing the hardware and "specimens" to fuel the Unblessed's second attempt at militarization.

The Hook:
The data theft triggered a total containment failure. The "Anti-Force" experiments - twisted, horrific creatures bred to hunt those sensitive to the Force - have escaped their vats. The facility is now a pitch-black labyrinth of dead ends, and predators that you cannot feel coming through the Force.

Mission 1: Containment (Cave System)
A team of Republic and Jedi Force will undergo a perilous mission to trap the bulk of the Serracan behind a large vault door, deep in the heart of the artificial cave system. While not a permanent solution, it will prevent them from overrunning Setron. The clean up crew can be dispatched at a later date to insure the matter is resolved once and for all.

Mission 2: Extraction (Laboratory Facility)
Scour the facility for survivors, but expect a slaughterhouse. Extract any living scientists for questioning and purge the roaming Serracan threat. While you investigate the depth of the data breach, maintain extreme vigilance. The Unblessed carry a viral pathogen capable of rendering the Force inert, stripping Jedi of their greatest defense. Furthermore, be advised that enemy agents may host the Soulblade, a sentient weapon of immense lethality. Do not underestimate these hostiles. Engage with caution or not at all.

 

[Joren Kayde]

TITLE: Unnatural Selection.
OBJECTIVE: Preliminary Insert & Reconnaissance.
INVENTORY: NDH Armour | PHC-55 | VF-23.
SQUAD: Task-Force Sentinel Dawn.
LOCATION: Decommissioned Imperial science facility on Setron.
TAGS: The High Republic / The Jedi Order.

​

Boots hit the ground, the High Republic Transport departing as quickly and efficiently as soon as Sentinel Dawn had disembarked. This was to be the Squad's maiden assignment, formerly Task-Force Rebel Dawn under the leadership of Balun Dashiell. Concern had been raised by the Senate and High Military Command about the ethical boundaries that were being crossed with a Jedi Apprentice assuming command long after the Troops had relinquished their contract to the Tingle Arm Coalition.

Since then, the decision had been made, seemingly without too much of a fight between the three sects of leadership. The special forces squad had instead been enveloped into the growing army of the High Republic, and Joren Kayde had been given field command under the soldiers' revised code name, Sentinel Dawn.

Today was to be a good day to test the Squads' resilience and resolve. Their objective from High Command was to assist in the eradication of any and all threats present within the Decommisioned Imperial Facility. Intelligence suggested that there were yet signs of life within the vast compound, and initial geographic scans showed multiple levels below the surface structure, which appeared significantly large and defensible in its own right.

They had landed a short distance from the compound and had to hoof it a klick or so before reaching the perimeter. The facility appeared to be fenced in several layers, ranging from duracrete to electrical-wired pylons, keeping everything out. There alongside him for the infiltration were members of the Task-Force: La'das Beiran, Ewan Whitley, Reuben Fletcher, Isabella Johnson, and Oscar Buckley.

Captain Beiran spared a brief look at his CO, Joren Kayde, who remained silent and gave a firm single nod in approval. The Captain soon signalled to Pvt. Isabella Johnson, directing her to find a tech unit and slice the electronics to confirm the status of the perimeter defences and, if required, try to gain access and override the facility's internal structures. Thus far, despite reportedly being decommissioned by the Imperials, the active voltage running the fence line confirmed the same red flags intelligence had reported in their mission briefing.

Remaining crouched low to the ground, Kayde turned back to the Captain; "Full reports back to the Fleet, have Johnson maintain consistent communication. Make sure reinforcements are made aware of the outer defences before landing". The squad had taken the first step, making landfall in a bid to test the Fleet's reception. Whoever or whatever lay in wait for them, Command needed to know so as to limit fatalities.

"Prep a Semtex pack on the inner wall. Once we clear the duracrete, weapons raised and move in ready to immobilise all hostiles. We're taking hostages on this one. Command needs further intel on what's going on here. Let's pack it up tight and get it done by the letter," he looked past the captain and raised his right hand, waving a closed fist in a circular motion before gesturing forward towards the perimeter wall.

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

The Republic’s arrival over Setron had been quiet, a series of High Republic silver crafts appearing in orbit above the planet with purpose and direction. Onboard the usual mix of diplomats and dignitaries had been swapped out for the cold white armour of their clones, mixed amongst the otherwise independent purpose of the Jedi. Their intent was set, and without delay planet landing had taken place towards the mountains that obviously did not usually welcome visitors.

Even before Bastila stepped from the Republic shuttle, she could feel the cold pushing down from the ridge line in long, slow breaths of wind that rolled across the landing platform like the exhale of something currently hidden beneath the stone at her feet. Setron had a reputation of being a world people did not stay on long enough to learn the character of, it was a place you passed through. A forgotten point on old Imperial maps that had never justified its existence to the wider galaxy.

Yet someone had bothered to return.

Bastila lingered at the top of the ramp longer than necessary, studying the entrance carved into the mountainside. Beside her several clones were walking down to the stone floor, their dark eye lenses observing like her the durasteel blast door that stood open now, its mechanisms frozen half-cycled as if whoever last left had done so quickly…or violently.

This had not originally been her mission. That fact alone was enough to make her thoughtful.

Her brother; Brandyn did not often intervene in operational assignments. He trusted the Order to place his sister where she was needed. When he did step in, when a quiet message appeared asking her to investigate something personally, it was never done lightly.

The request had been brief.

Setron.
Imperial facility.
Make sure you’re on the investigation team.

And then, almost as an afterthought:

There are whispers it may involve the New Way.

That had been enough.

The Sal-Soren family had learned the hard way that the New Way rarely appeared openly. Even now when the Republic believed they were destroyed, there were still whispers and rumours. They moved through the galaxy the way fractures move through glass; subtle at first, almost invisible, until the structure suddenly collapsed around you.

Bastila folded her arms loosely as she continued to watch the dark entrance.

If Brandyn believed the New Way might be involved, then this was no longer simply a Republic reconnaissance operation. It was a question. One that had been placed quietly in her hands.

She found herself wondering if he had chosen her because she was the most capable… or because she was the most likely to notice something others might miss.

“Lady Sal-Soren, we are ready to move into the facility.” Loken interrupted her quiet vantage. The Clone slid into position next to her, a place that was becoming more and more common in the recent months. “As is the rest of the force.”

She remained quiet, merely offering him a look and a nod, before after a moment had passed, she stepped down onto the platform. The wind carried the smell of chemicals and burnt metal from the facility interior. So much for abandoned...

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: EQUIPMENT:

​