Dominion Us And Them | Occupation of Shili | NIO

[Trajan Fett]

S U P E R C O M M A N D O
THE OATHSWORN
SONS OF MANDALORE
HUNTER OR PREY
G R A
Caeos Prahl | OPEN

​

<"W- yeah. Of course we're working together. I'm just trying to put together the plan."> Volker replied defensively to his Prahl counterpart. To now they were still following along a correct enough line of thinking not to warrant Trajan's intervention. He watched closely to see Volker retreat back to the raised position they'd started from, unslinging his slugthrower sniper rifle from over his shoulder and deploying the mounted bipod of the rifle.

Laying down unto a prone position, he established a shot of where he could reasonably gauge the Akul to emerge from before standing back up and reaching down to take ahold of one of his flares. He opted not to draw his pistol, content with the vambrace loaded with missiles, a flamethrower and laser all itself on his wrist should the need arise, but ideally one HE round from his slugthrower would end the Akul rightly.

The blinding light sparked to life and he threw it with a casting motion from under his left arm and out and then the light and crackle illuminated the mouth of he den. While the plan might have been to resort to his rifle, he raised his right arm up instead, angling the vambrace toward the den.

Trajan narrowed his eyes, a seemingly unspoken adjustment to an established maneuver. But he understood immediately, he didn't want to leave her side.

They'd be driven apart moments later when the beast lurched from the shadows and toward Caeos. Volker responded quickly, a clear note of surprise flourishing from his helm before he angled the vambrace toward it, firing a five round pulse of the laser before eventually forcing the Akul away from Caeos with a blast from the wrist mounted flamer, a metallic hiss of his beskad at his hip sounded out that he was intent on killing the beast himself, in single combat.

Trajan established his own position, aiming down the sights of his disruptor carbine, ready at any moment to end it as Volker continued to battle the beast with fire and sword.

 

[Trajan Fett]

ope

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

LOCATION: Conference Room, Shili
OBJECTIVE: Us and Them
GA: Denzul Vosh-Sularen | Auteme | Dracken Pryce
NIO: Irveric Tavlar | Jaeger Harrsk | Robogeber | Halketh | Daros Karmann
KIT: Lesser Ring of the Protected Mind | Visions of Gold | Attire | Concealed blast vest
POST: II

Greetings and pleasantries were exchanged between the two parties, including what Tithe took to be a concerning level of admiration from a member of his cortège toward the New Imperial Order. Imperator Tavlar explained that NIO forces were on Shili to provide peacekeeping and quell unspecified terrorist threats - the implication left hanging being that the Republic of Shili, whom the GA favoured for control of the world, were the perpetrators of such heinous acts.

Senator Vosh-Sularen challenged Irveric’s assertion, announcing that Shili was a strategic world which would counter the expansion of the NIO through the region. High Admiral Pryce quickly stepped forward, seeking to avoid the situation becoming further inflamed.

Tithe maintained a neutral expression during the exchange and sought to offered little insight into the thoughts whirling through his head, a skill honed during years in the private sector and Sith-Imperial bureaucracy. While the Chancellor had come out in opposition to the threat of Imperialism, there was limited evidence to indict the NIO for their suspected actions at Yinchorr or Atrisia. Indeed, Tithe’s own Committee on Foreign Interference, which was being established to answer that very question, was yet to meet. As such, Aerarii just smiled pleasantly at the NIO contingent.

Grand Admiral Rausgeber argued that the NIO had made a great sacrifice in coming to the aid of the Togrutas, and queried why the Chancellor was herself not present for the talks.

He made a good point - why was the Imperator of the New Imperial Order, along with elements of his high command, so personally invested in a minor tribal conflict between a war beyond their borders? Any resulting terrorist activity or civil war would be confined to the world, and the likelihood of the NIO being adversely impacted was low. Unrest along major trade routes was never welcomed, but even if Shili imploded in on itself, it was far enough removed that the Hydian Way would surely remain opened.

With the planet not posing a threat to neither the security nor commerce of the NIO, it begged the question - why had the NIO committed forces in such greater strength to Shili?

“I’m certain the New Imperial Order has, a, ah, keen interest in ensuring security in the region,” Tithe observed. “As - I must say - does the Galactic Alliance. Indeed, the, umm, reports of terrorist activity you describe are of pronounced concern. To date, the Galactic Alliance was unaware that the Republic of Shili, so renowned and committed to peaceful harmony for the Togruta people, had taken up such vile, abhorrent practices.”

“Assuredly, given the Togrutas natural propensity toward unity, I find news of splinters factions most, most concerning. If you have evidence of these appalling actions being committed by the Republic of Shili, I would be amenable to raise the matter with their ambassador to the Galactic Alliance.”

“And I’ll say this - I fear, and I’m sure you agree - that the deployment of NIO forces may only exacerbate this already precarious situation. The local tribes need space for unity and discourse to flourish, so they can agreed on a path forward. I fear both sides risk advancing this disjunction through our involvements these matters.”

 

[Caeos Prahl]

Prahl // SoM // The Hunt

Trajan Fett

Trajan. ​

Caeos wanted to scream out for the man, ice raced through her veins. The teeth came first then the crashing weight of the Akul, sending her to the ground. The beast's speed was superior and Caeos felt the razor teeth scrape and sink into her flesh. It’s maw shredding her leathers as the great feline locked on to her shoulder. It’s jaw was hindered only by the beskar plate she carried. Where it’s had sunk into between the gap of armor burned and the pain spread like wildfire through her limb. Her first reaction was to jerk back-rendering more flesh. It brought her breath to stutter in her throat and Caeos screamed in sheer pain.

Fight. ​

Panic clouded her mind as the mounted blaster fired relentlessly into the behemoth of fur and muscle, red pulses of fire engulfed her vision. The noise dampeners spared her from the worst of the shrill fire as the small gun burned. Trapped beneath the animal, she felt each ripple of it’s body and the growl rumble-she had only agitated it. Her other hand scrambled, seeking her pistol lost in the ambush. Her gauntlet scraped at the earth in desperate search, grasping at air as she flailed underneath the massive animal. In her pain addled search she choked out a handful of words.

Don’t stop moving. ​

<”Voice override-”>

Weapon, get a weapon. ​

She was flattened against the ground trapped by the predator, her screen flickered as the command registered. Frustration fleeting as she found no weapon and she could not strain to reach her knife, her arm jerked and she gasped sharply as her shoulder was wreched further. The beast’s growls drowned her senses as it reared its head and brought her with it-shaking and she felt the rip of her own flesh. Her vision doubled as a crack sounded followed by a smaller snap, black spots dotted her vision as a greater pain engulfed her. The Akul slammed her back down refusing to release her and she was brought back to her senses if only for a minute. The very wind was knocked from her and her chest burned. Caeos faintly registered the hiss of a flamethrower, the fires had never scared her as she felt the lick of heat. Though where and who, evaded her. A strangled noise escaped her, the waves of pain ebbed and returned just as the beast released her. Her adrenaline surged and her eyes darted back and forth as she found purchase with one boot. Caeos scrambled away on her back, sputtering.

<”Whistling birds, fire-”>

Caeos thrusted her good arm up, the code cleared across the cracks of her screen as several small missiles lurched from the vambrace firing. It was only be shear luck she could remember to use them. The missiles sang through the air circling around Volker by tracker, though she did not witness the impact. She could hear the screech and caterwaul of the animal upon the explosion. She acted in self preservation, kicking her legs out as she slapped one hand down on her shoulder shaking, blood poured from the wound. Caeos couldn’t remember what to do then, shaking in fear.

 

[Horace Stolz]

Objective II
5th Stossgrenadier Brigade
N E W_O R D E R
Alliierte: Jorus Fel

Horace and his forces pushed their way through the soldiers, replacing those at the front. "We are here," Horace barked back to the Sergeant, "To prove our worth to you lot." The Stossjaeger officer snapped, "Apart of our obligations is to assist you lot." The Stossgrenadier barked, taking out the baton and letting it crackle, "And we're here to fulfil that." The officer made sure to stand at the frontline of the formation, "Alright folks, alright!" The Prefsbelt captain growled to the crowd, "Back away folk, back away. We're just here to help you lot."

The Stossjaeger now began to push against the dissidents, forcing them back as they pushed forward. Liberal use of the batons following. "Up and at 'em!" One of the Stossgrenadiers bellowed into the crowd, "Lets go, go, go!" The soldiers snapped, before something sailed through the air. "Take cover!" A bottle, with a burning rag. An improvised incendiary device. It landed, hitting Horace right on the side of the head.

The officer was knocked to the ground, his helm on fire. The HUD now flickering as flames lapped at his visor, "Someone!" Horace roared, "Someone find that lil prick and bring 'em back here!" Horace now rapidly smacked as his head, attempting to smother the flames.

 

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Salvor King | Gat Tambor | Alex Locke
​

So alive. A giddy laugh escaped her lips, matching the wide smile plastered on her face. The moment of silence, of hesitation after the hit -- it was everything. The crowd was surprised. King was surprised. But for Tay everything worked out. The tingle that the shockmitts sent through her arm after the hit was everything. Who would want to do any other sport? When you weren't a few volts from death it wasn't worth it.

She retreated, giving him a few moments to recover, only gesturing for him to come. Her stance reset and she raised her mitts. She might've hit him, and it might've hurt, but it was far from a killing blow. Shockmitts boosted their strength anyways and were reinforced against that level of force. She expected the King to have the best gear money could buy. And no one became a champion by going down after a single hit.

He advanced. She matched him, guard up. He aimed a body blow. She dropped her left to block. He jerked, spinning and bringing his foot up to her chin. She started to raise her left back up for the block but knew it'd come too late. The right came over just in time.

His heel slammed into her palm, pushing her hand into her face and sending her stumbling back. Her palm stung, but it was better than being knocked out in a single hit. She retreated and reset, raising her guard, but she was a little slower and they both knew it. The jaw was the fastest way to win a fight. At least without killing the other person.

She grunted and shook the daze out of her system. "COME ON! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!"

Tay rushed forward, her steps lighter and quicker than her initial haymaker. She moved to get in close and aimed to keep him on the back foot with an endless barrage of quick jabs. Nothing meant to really win the fight, but just enough to keep his focus on blocking. She stayed as close as possible knowing that he had the reach advantage -- all the while looking for an opening to the head.

 

[Trajan Fett]

S U P E R C O M M A N D O
THE OATHSWORN
SONS OF MANDALORE
HUNTER OR PREY
G R A
Caeos Prahl | OPEN

​

It was a brutalist sight, but Trajan managed restraint in his observation of the pitched battle between sentient and beast. Caeos was viciously mauled by the Akul and it paid off in what seemed to be a wretchedly effective attack. Left to think on his feet, Volker was evidently rattled. He didn't want to fail them by letting them be slain so easily by this monster...all the same, he didn't want to fail them by portraying that he wasn't confident in their ability to down the beast.

In the end, the chance was likely he'd lose out either way. Just as he pressed the disruptor carbine into his shoulder, aimed down the sights and pressed his fingers only slightly down over the trigger to take the shot, he reared his head up to take into view the whisps of destruction willed from Caeo's vambrace in the form of the whistling birds, the harsh and shrieking projectiles pulsing through the air before making purchase into the Akul well enough to send it back and off of Prahl, the evident burns and scorch marks in the beast's pelt meaning Volker now had the advantage to make the coup de grace.

He reared his own vambrace up, his HUD linking with the trajectory of the wrist mounted missile launcher before he willed it bear down unto the Akul, another missile slamming into collar to send it rearing down to its death throes before he charged it with a gutteral scream, planting the length of the beskad's blade into the side of the Akul's neck, screwing his eyes shut as if he expected the end of one or the other all at once.

In the end, by their combined effort, the Akul lay dead and with it, Trajan was quick to crest the hill again, veering toward Caeos to assess the damage done unto her.

 

[Jorus Fel]

8 T H _ A I R B O R N E
Objective II
F I R S T _ T O G R U T A _ W A R
B A N D I T _ F I G H T I N G

New Order​

The tussle intensified and before Sarge could give the Strossgrenadier captain an answer, a molotov cocktail crashed with a blast in our lines. Some of COMPNOR's operatives hurled themselves backwards sowing chaos while the rioters also instinctively took a few steps backwards from the spreading flames.

"Fire extinguisher!"

"Bring the damn.."

"Where the hell..."

"Come on!!"

Calls for extinguishers roared all across us. In the midst of them a dozen or so of the red cannisters appeared and started dowsing the flames. COMPNOR's anti-riot vehicle looming behind immediately blasted the mob with jets of ice cold water effectively dispersing the lot. Some of the strossgrenadiers took the opportunity to charge at the mob and snatch the culprit. Eyewitness in such a mess were dubious at best.

But they were Imperials.

Would there be justice or admonition?

The anarchist was dragged on his knees infront of the Captain. He was a young Togrutan with a scarf across his mouth and a backpack. A student?

I looked up at Sarge, who turned to the Strossgrenadier:

"We're gonna deal with this one, Captain." he said with his typically grizzly and commanding voice.

COMPNOR officers around erupted in protest. A hierarchical and jurisdictional mess.

Horace Stolz

 

[Sinestra]

O B J E C T I V E _ I I
downtime, banditfighting, downtime
g o _ t o _ c h u r c h
​

While the head honchoes of the New Imperials were claiming they were putting an end to the divide among the Togrutans, Tavius and Arno were cracking skulls of what they saw as dissidents. There was no measured strength behind the swing of their batons, punches and kicks.

They left behind them a trail of soy tears and blood. Two men dispersed the mob rule of the street and with an affirming node turned to go back to the Come Right Inn for another break.

He picked up his cigarette from the ground. It had gone only halfway.

Tavius Muuaji

 

[Jaeger Harrsk]

C O M P N O R
Objective I
O P E R A T I O N _ П Е Р Е С Т Р О Й К А
​

"Daros." he whispered to the COMPNOR special agent looming over him. His seat slightly shifted to the left so his voice couldn't be heard. "That girl over there - make sure you drag out what file we have on her."

Jaeger remained silent to the meeting's discussion, seemingly detached from it, as the two delegations engaged in the discussions. Would the Alliance dare another strike as they did on Yinchorr? If yes, then the Imperials would be necessitated to strike even deeper within the Starbird.

"There's something more to her than the eye sees." he said to Daros with his eyes slightly shifting and f to Auteme.

NIO: Lucien Dooku | Irveric Tavlar | Robogeber | Halketh | Tyrell Paxxus | Sovereign Alignment
GA: Auteme | Aerarii Tithe | Donavon Arturo | Denzul Vosh-Sularen | Republic of Shili

 

[Salvor King]

Shili, Corvala
THE TOGRUTADOME
B E A T D O W N _ M A D N E S S _ C H A O S _ I N _ T H E _ B R A I N
Taysonyl Callenid

---

---

​

"That's one!" The official warned. The imaginary box was ticked; his first offense. "Keep those feet low," he instructed. He still had two left before disqualification was on the table. Two more to choose from the hundreds up his sleeve.

Electricity arced as he clapped his knuckles together in anticipation.

"COME ON! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!" ​

Oh, he certainly could. What a waste of ticket money that would be. This wasn't just any exhibition. Gat Tambor himself put it together, and as expected the ticket premiums weren't something the average tibanna miner saved a few weeks for. Oh no, this was the be all end all as far as main events went. King was nothing if not a showman.

When it mattered, at least.

The woman rushed forward. All at once, his strategy adjusted on the fly. She was strong, stronger than she looked. No reason to take one of those again. The force panged his mind with every strike she threw his way, forwarning him of the speed and direction of each. King weaved, ducked, and leaned. The best of her shots; mere glances. He threw jabs here and there, feeling out her offense a little at a time. The top priority was not getting hit.

What a shitshow that would be. Salvor King knocked out by some kid from the Coruscanti street rings.

King sidestepped a strike, bringing his arms around to wrap around his opponent. A clinch. Bold move, given that clinches were punch-out only and she hit like a roided up Wookie. "You really don't want this, Kid," King whispered before throwing his knee upwards with all the force he could manage.

 

[Lucien Dooku]

[MANY MEN]
IMPERIAL ASSEMBLY

---

---

"Say something. Please. You can't let this happen. Because I'll speak if you don't. And it won't be pretty."

Truth be told, Luc didn't know what to say. He'd defended his positions plenty of times before within the confines of the assembly, but never had the pressure felt so stifling as it did on that day in question. It wasn't even Auteme's words driving him into that direction- on the contrary, those few words she said were the catalyst to awaken him back in the real, and outside of his head where he'd comfortably sat before.

Things were beginning to heat up. He could feel it within his gut that the Assembly was continuously shifting, growing ever hostile and further moving away from being the main battleground in his personal crusade for the liberties and freedoms that the citizens of their Empire were owed. The time for words seemed as if the were coming to an end, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the Prince of Nirauan was starting to feel alive.

And it scared him.

The thought of a war made his blood rush more than he was comfortable with, and not since the Civil War had reached its prime had this feeling of not just existing in a sea of wolves been evident to himself. His advisors pushed him to be more discreet, to let the nuance of their situation continue to grow until both leverage and influence began shifting into their direction. But for a person like himself, attempting to drag destiny into one's hands had only been achievable through direction action and that alone.

So when Auteme spoke up, dragging the exiled Prince out of his head and back into the real, the light within his eyes began burning with a fire that was similar to the recent years that passed. Those emboldened eyes looked her direction, yet no words would come as a reply. Just an thankless expression that followed him raising from to seat and calling for those gathered to allow him the floor. He probably had Tavlar to thank as well, but from where he was seated the best he could do was to push forwards with the plan he had in mind.

"We've gathered here to discuss the fate of the people of Shili, but as I look around this room, i'm reminded that the people of Shili seemingly do not have that same right as we do right now. I don't think the fate of the planet itself has ever been a matter of who would hold sovereignity over it in the end. As idealistic as I may be at times, it would take a fool to assume that the tide of Imperialism would not sweep over the planet eventually. Our borders have long since reached their own, and the nascent external influence that our Empire has pressed onto our border regions is either too enticing to pass by, or far too powerful to ignore. In my opinion, the nation which controls the planet on the grand scale does not matter. The same goes for any world within our space or outside, for that matter. It's what's done with this planet that matters. How the people themselves benefit, prosper, and see the light at the end of the tunnel which guarantees them a better future than the one they held on their own."

A brief pause brought his speech momentarily to a halt, eyes glazing across the room to make catch the eyes of as many of his peers as possible. They stopped upon Auteme once more before settling forwards, his speech resuming once again. "...So what I suggest right now is a compromise. One that I hope bridges the gap between the propositions put forth by the parties representing the New Imperial Order and the Galactic Alliance. If the tide of Imperialism which seemingly threatens our relationship with our ally to the south can't be stopped, then how about we show the Alliance that, Imperialism or not, we are an Empire that seeks to benefit the people- to encourage the self-rule of those within our borders when the situation allows for it."

Sometimes a hail mary was needed to achieve what you wished.

"As such, I will speak as if the decision as to if Shili will be incorporated has already been made. Henceforth I would like to nominate one of the Empire's finest to join our ranks within the Imperial Assembly as not just a representative of the Order, but also as a candidate I believe that most of those gathered here today would accept. Captain Ravraa Vyshraal of the 501st. Legion, a native of Shili, and a war hero whose merits within the Third-Imperial Civil War are greater than even some of my fellow Warlords gathered here today. He's shown himself to be respected among his peers, and fearless in the war against the existential enemy to our east. Captain Vyshraal has long since earned my respect, and it would be my greatest pleasure to see him join the Assembly as someone who would have the people of Shili's interest wholly in mind."

"I assume there will be doubts and prejudices to raising someone of his station to a status of equal rank as many of you here, therefore I'll pose my stance directly to the Sovereign Imperator as well. I feel it is within the interest of the Order to appoint Captain Vyshraal as the Moff of Shili- not just to reach a compromise with the Alliance, but as a means of showing the people that we have their interests in mind. Of what I know of his character, he does not align himself with the extremists and staunch hardliners who seek only to spread Imperialism by the will of the sword. He's a loyalist to the Empire, yet still a man who I personally respect, and would unconditionally support as the Moff of Shili system.

I would also like to point out that similar circumstances have risen where the appointed Moff or Warlord has no experience whatsoever in their station. Perhaps I'm the shining example of this- and perhaps that's why I can't find a reason to object either. To further alleviate any doubts, I'm willing to double down on my commitment once more. I serve not just as the Warlord of Nirauan, but also as the Guardian of Erebos, and so too shall I put my head on the line to support Moff Vyshraal until he either succeeds in his duties, or fails to meet our standards. If the latter becomes an option, do with my head as you must, but he would have the full support of what Nirauan can offer to assist him in administrating his world until the time comes where he can do it himself."

One step closer to the river.
​

 

[Denzul Vosh-Sularen]

​

Location | Corvala Conference
Objective | Us and Them
Tags [GA] | Aerarii Tithe | Auteme | Donavon Arturo
Tags [NIO] | Lucien Dooku | Robogeber | Tyrell Paxxus | Irveric Tavlar | Halketh

Denzul Vosh watched as Grand Admiral Robogeber was quick to reply with High Admiral Pryce putting his hands of his shoulder to signal him to stop. The Alliance Navy is overstretched he said , but to Denzul that was a lie. Given at how the Alliance possessed a superior manufacturing output then the New Imperials they could churn out a Combat-Ready Fleet in just a few weeks if they wanted. Off-Course this was due to perhaps cowardness , Denzul thought. The Alliance had turned away from the Confederates to confront the New Imperials and now here they were making concessions here on Shili.

Then Came Lucien Dooku who suggested to appoint one of the New Imperials Finest Soldiers as the Moff of Shili , something in which angered him in his mind. They recognized Captain Vyshraal's effort in the Third Imperial Civil War while completely ignoring the Contributions of his Cousin who had been forgotten when the New Imperials gave awards to some participants including Vyshraal. Thinking of this , Senator Vosh understood his Cousin's Motivations especially when being thrown under the Bus and Quickly Forgotten by others. While this deal was acceptable , it did only remind Vosh why he was here and what his ultimate goals were.

Denzul was quick to reply again this time addressing to Dooku's Proposal. "While this Compromise is reasonable and would benefit the people of Shili , appointing Vyshraal as Moff would mean overshadowing the leaders of the Warring Factions that have already established themselves on Shili. Like you said Vyshraal isn't a Hardliner or Extremist who wishes to rule by force therefore theoretically even if you appoint him as a Moff there is a possibility that both factions might decided to not acknowledge him as the Sovereign of Shili. So exactly how do you intend to end the War between the Republicans and the Alignment?"

 

[Caeos Prahl]

Prahl // SoM // The Hunt

Trajan Fett

​

It was a growing but..distant feeling Caeos experienced, it crept over her consciousness like a fog. A pained cry half mustered sounded from her, only for a horrible sob to take over. The girl was crying, her chest heaved erratically. She should have paid more attention, Caeos screamed silently in her mind.. An old guilt she had held over her own head weighed upon her. She couldn't move the greater half of her body, every muscle resigned itself to the dirt. She didn’t dare turn to her helm to look at the..remains of her arm. The bone was shattered, flesh shredded like a ribbon

Her thoughts drifted to her Buir, her mother and she despaired. There was a hot gush of blood, and Caeos clamped her hand tighter on the mauled limb. It did little to staunch the bleeding but she had nothing else to hold on to. Each breath she dragged in pained her, her lungs begging for more air but she lost in her panic. The screen of her helmet flickered and she tilted her head, faintly recalling the man who stood over her. Another sob wracked her body, she wasn’t alone but she didn’t want to die.

<”Tra-”> Caeos stuttered out, begging, wailing. <”Traj-..Trajan!”>

 

[Daros Karmann]

US AND THEM
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
SILENCE_OF_THE_MEEK
NIO | Robogeber | Jaeger Harrsk | Lucien Dooku | Halketh | Tyrell Paxxus | Irveric Tavlar
GA | Aerarii Tithe | Denzul Vosh-Sularen | Auteme | OPEN

Daros had to stifle a yawn in the dark, something that nearly turned into a coughing fit as barbed words were thrown back and forth between the occupants of the room. His head was reeling with the sight before him- was this truly a table dedicated to peace, or simply an excuse to throw accusations and thinly veiled insults? He swallowed air and leaned in at Jaeger's beckon- his was not a duty to contemplate character, but to act the quiet puppet.

Yet as it turned out, it was his duty to contemplate character, specifically at the petite woman that Jaeger had discreetly eyed. He reeled back a little, uncomfortable with the hidden wordplay here. He shook his head and whispered an excuse to leave the room briefly, eyeing his mark as he walked through the doors.

Though the windows remained closed, the waiting lobby was nowhere near as stifling as the diplomatic table. "Fuck." he cursed quietly to himself as he walked nonchalantly down a hallway, looking for a private room. Ever since Yinchor, his hackles raised at the sight of long, empty corridors. Sometimes he saw flashes of blood streak the walls, smelled non-existent corpses and the flash of ions in the air. There was already a little bit of regret in his mind as he entered an empty conference room.

He flipped open his personal communicator and dialed the digits. He lit another cigarette, spent it, and then lit another one to calm his nerves. He waited patiently as he listened through the waiting music, musing if he could be doing anything else more productive.

Anything was better than having that specific person pick up their communicator.

The music was cut off abruptly, and a monotone female voice answered. "Bloodhound Acquisitions Service, where your desire is our mandate. This is Clerical Worker No. 567, how may I take your call?"

"This is Karmann." he paused, wondering if Jaeger's request warranted a further elaboration. He decided it did, simply to be thorough about the job. It usually paid off in the end. "I'd like to make a direct transfer to a Petrov Karasov, a total sum of 15, 000 credits. Connect me to Tracker 010, please, on a hot line."

There was a pregnant pause. Petrov Karasov was merely a fake alias for an otherwise unmarked banking account used to transfer credits between client and company, but more importantly Karmann's request had specifically called in a very senior member of the organization. 15, 000 was absurdly cheap to call Number 10, but Karmann knew the person specifically.

Unfortunately.

"Understood sir. Your credits have been transferred and your call will be connected to Tracker 010-" her voice was immediately cut off from the line as a gruff voice spoke up. "I assume this is important."

Daros sucked in that thick acrid smoke, the choking smell of menthol sticking to his garments. "I need a favour from you." he replied succinctly, pacing around the room.

There was a noncommittal grunt from the other end of the call. "You're lucky I'm not busy, or-"

"-you'll hang up on me."

"Not since the last time you called. I've had to change my policy around friends now."

"Is that what we still are, then? Friends?" Daros caught his words too late. Even several lightyears apart from each other, he could feel the other person's grip tighten around the communicator.

In the end, the person finally replied in a flat tone that brooked no argument. "What's this about then."

"I need a tag and break down on someone I'm currently in a meeting with-"

The voice cut him off again. "It wouldn't have anything to do with the private talks on Shili, would it?" Daros had to cough to hide his shock.

"So you are on Shili. You should probably stop smoking then, your cigarettes might put off the table."

"Stop that." Daros replied irritably. "I'm just private security here, but my employer's taken interest on one of the Alliance diplomats sent over."

"Describe her then."

"I didn't say it was a woman."

The voice on the other end made an insincere noise. "I'm sorry, it's just that after the last five or so times you've asked, it's always been after a woman. Glad you've diversified in your interest then. What's his description?"

Daros pondered briefly if suicide was an easier option than to have to have to correct Number 10. After another spent cigarette joined the other two on the floor, he finally spoke up. "It's a human woman. Brown hair, 5 foot 5, maybe 6- I can't tell. And green eyes."

"Say it first. Go on. Or I'll hang up on you."

He clenched his jaw. "You're really being unprofessional right now-"

"Bloodhound Acquisitions Agents have the undisputed right to terminate contact with a potential client who has not paid their finder's fee prior to the assignment, Mr. Karmann. 15, 000 credits is barely touching the tip of my current prices. If anything, Daros, you're being very unprofessional right now. So go on."

There was glee in the next words to be said. "Say it."

"I. . ." Daros closed his eyes. "I told you so."

"You see? Nothing so hard about slicing up that massive ego of yours, Karmann. I've got a name here, managed to download a list."

"I assume. . .illegally."

"Part of the fee you pay is for our discretion regarding our sources. So I'd rather not explain the process, or where specifically I got the name list. Auteme Denko-Durren. Barely legal in certain planets- my, Karmann, getting younger with our tastes?"

"I- no! Look, I'm not the one after her, just my employer. What else can you tell me about Auteme, before I blow a fucking vessel?"

"Well, other than being a polymath and a linguist, she's also a New Jedi Order representative and a medical student on Coruscant. So chalk up the potential of calling her 'Dr. Jedi Denko-Durren' in the near future." Daros looked towards the door, frowning. A very young medical student serving as a representative for a group of philosophical warrior-monks. His leg ached, where the doctors had to amputate the shrapnel-ridden half. It wasn't the Jedi he had fought when he lost his legs, but the lines blurred between the two philosophical orders, regardless of how loudly they proclaimed otherwise.

"Anything else?"

"Born from Nar Shaddaa, so you have that connection there."

"It's a big planet." he responded. "But a small galaxy," came the quick reply. "Anyway, other than that, the two of you have literally nothing else in common with one another."

"Go on."

"Well for one, you're a moral vacuum and a war profiteer with enough blood on your hands to warrant a kill-on-sight bounty. She's a rather vocal pacifist, even among her fellow Jedi. The only intellectual training you had was high school level, before you joined the army and re-entered the underworld. She's- well, you already know she's a medical student, so expect her to run circles around you when it comes to words."

"I doubt she knows how many grams of cordite it takes to bring down a building, or how to run a check-book above the red line across several systems."

"Oh I don't doubt you have your own areas of proficiency. I'm just saying she's got a fancy pedigree when it comes to it, so y'know. Socially speaking, she's a lot better than you in almost every regard. She's compassionate, you're ruthless. She's cute, you're old-"

"-I'm only 28."

"And in some cultures, that makes you old enough to have two whole generations beneath your loins, but after 2 failed marriages, look at yourself, will you?"

Daros nearly threw his communicator threw the window. Only through great willpower did he only restrain himself to shattering the plexiglass. "You've made your point." His words came out more angrier than he wanted, and Number 10 took notice of it. "I think I did.", they voice back.

"I think our time is up."

He cursed silently. "Hold on, what about relatives? Any living ones?" The silence resumed, long enough that Daros thought that they had hung up on him. There was a long, exasperated sigh on the other end of the communicator. "Yeah, both parents- Josiah and Mara Denko- alive. . . .and an aunt. Zahori Denko, otherwise known as Darth Athora. That's all you're getting out of me."

"It's been helpful enough, Olga. Thank you."

His second ex-wife laughed, probably a cigarette in between her lips. "The next time you try to call me while I'm at work, I'll send someone to cut your balls off."

"I'll take note of that." With that dreadful conversation over, Daros ended the call and walked out of the room. He threw the communicator away in the trash, thoroughly smashed to pieces. By the time he returned to the diplomatic table, his initial frustrations had all but been fully vented out in the washroom. Taking advantage of the conversation in the room, he leaned down to Jaeger Harrsk 's ear and whispered what information he knew. His eyes briefly flitted towards Aerarii Tithe , and then towards Auteme , and then to the rest of the delegation, spreading the suspicions around the entire Alliance table.

"If I may," he added towards the end of his report. "If all goes against our policies, it might be prudent to target her filial relations but avoid questioning the nature of her character too much. She's young, sir. Inexperienced." Satisfied that he got the message through, he leaned back into the shadows.

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

LOCATION: Conference Room, Shili
OBJECTIVE: Us and Them
GA: Denzul Vosh-Sularen
NIO: Jaeger Harrsk | Lucien Dooku | Daros Karmann
KIT: Lesser Ring of the Protected Mind | Visions of Gold | Attire | Concealed blast vest
POST: III

The New Imperial Order representatives put forward a counter-proposal - appoint Captain Ravraa Vyshraal , a distinguished war hero in service with the 501st Legion who had weathered the Sith-Imperial Civil War, as the planet's Moff. As a native of Shili, the NIO delegation was positioning Vyshraal as having the best interests of his planet in mind. The logic tracked, but only to a point.

“Gentlemen, if you'll be so kind as to indulge me for a moment. I don’t for a moment question Captain Vyshraal’s, ah, honour or loyalty to his people. No, it’s his other loyalties which cause great solicitude for the Galactic Alliance.” As an NIO officer first and foremost, Vyshraal was bound by the orders to his superiors, be they in the best or worst interest of him or his people. An appointment to Moff or Warlord would not lessen that loyalty - if anything, as the member of the Imperial Assessemby the Togruta may find a deeper lover of Imperialism.

“Certainly, if Captain Vyshraal was willing to renege his fealty to the Sovereign Imperator, and gain the backing of the population as an independent elected representative, the Senate would be much more copacetic.” Tithe had no doubt in his mind that Vyshraal would act as an NIO Moff in all but name only, but when the fate's of entire planets hung in the balance, semantics made all the difference. An independent ruler of Shili opened the door for a Galactic Alliance embassy, from which intelligence and influence operations could be based.

“Appointing a serving NIO officer to lord over a neutral planet seems an awful lot like an, ah, occupation rather than simple peacekeeping operations.”

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

I M P E R A T O R
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
US AND THEM
NIO | Robogeber | Jaeger Harrsk | Lucien Dooku | Halketh | Tyrell Paxxus
GA | Aerarii Tithe | Denzul Vosh-Sularen | OPEN

And so Dooku broke the deadlock. With Shili in a bloodied schism, the best bet of re-uniting the world was one of their own. Ravraa Vyshraal he'd been one of Tavlar's personal guard from the 501st since the Declaration of Defiance within the Hand of Thrawn. Even following it, Tithe had seen it fit to take the hand offered to him and use it as a means to wipe New Imperial influence from Shili at all, making the military actions here a waste of time and resources whilst sacrificing one of the heroes of the Third Imperial Civil War to be pawned by the Galactic Alliance.

"As Dooku and I have dicussed, Shili is no better hands than that of one of its own people. Ravraa Vyshraal will assume the position of planetary governor by my appointment and will go about ending this conflict by whatever means he sees fit. He will have the backing of the New Imperial Order, to simply request that we retract our assets from Shili when we have spent blood and resources to bring the conflict to an end would be a foolish play. Shili will be incorporated into the New Imperial Order and peace will be restored. Ravraa is a hero to our cause, the very man to raise our banner over the Imperial Palace in Ravelin, a battle in which the Galactic Alliance also spent lives to bring about the fall of darkness, you should know well of that, Senator." Tavlar suggests, speaking with a degree of finality in his sentiment.

"This is my command and it is final. The New Imperial Order is not going anywhere. Peace, security and order will win the day in Shili, for the Togruta. To leave this to the democratic process would only sow polarization and divisions all over again. It is only by the strong hand that the Togruta can be guided toward their new horizon and reclaim their future." Tavlar suggests.

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

LOCATION: Conference Room, Shili
OBJECTIVE: Us and Them
GA: Denzul Vosh-Sularen
NIO: Irveric Tavlar | Jaeger Harrsk | Lucien Dooku | Daros Karmann
KIT: Lesser Ring of the Protected Mind | Visions of Gold | Attire | Concealed blast vest
POST: IV

Tithe gave a slow, deep nod as the Imperator spoke.

The fate of Shili was settled. In the coming days, if not sooner, the Iron Sun would fly from the top of every building on the planet. The New Imperial Order’s march toward the core continued unhindered - for the time being. For all their posturing about peacekeeping, quelling terrorism and spilling their own blood for the good of the Togrutas, the NIO had only their own interests in mind. Their goal was conquest and subjugation, not the betterment of the local people. Talvar had confirmed as much.

Was the Galactic Alliance any better? Hardly. Tithe had watched the Starbird slowly encroach on neighbouring worlds, expanding their influence throughout the Core and bringing more planets into the fold. Like the NIO, these worlds had a voice through their elected or appointed representatives. But at what cost? Previously unchecked industries found themselves the target of overbearing regulation. Cultures and lifestyles deemed taboo but others were outlawed or pushed underground. Citizens went to bed at night on independent worlds and awoke the next day to find themselves committed to the GA cause.

Tithe was not an ideologue. The machinations of the GA or the NIO did not occupy much of his time. But the brewing Cold War between the two nations was rife with opportunity for a man such as himself. News of the NIO’s invasion of Shili would play well amid the growing fears of the continuing NIO threat. While he was leaving without a claim over Shili, the meeting had given him valuable XX to advance his own plans.

“In which case, I, ah, wish you all the best,” Tithe replied. “A representative from the diplomatic corp will correspond with you soon to discuss the establishment of a Galactic Alliance consulate so that we can both work in the interests of the Togrutas.” The Senator for Aargau rose to his feet and offered the Imperator and his entourage bow and flourish of the hand before turning and departing the room.

He needed to get back to Coruscant. There was much work to be done.

 

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Salvor King
​

Clinch. What? What kind of moron would clinch when it was punch-out? Didn't matter. He was there now, in range, not bobbing and weaving like some karking butterfly. She couldn't stand people like that. He was probably smarter than she was and knew that a slugfest wouldn't entirely go his way, but it was still annoying. But now? He was right there. She wound up her right, aiming for his jugular-

The force behind the blow dissipated as the air left her lungs. Knee to the gut. Big knee. That hurt. That hurt a lot.

She managed to stay standing, leaning on King to keep her legs from giving out. She grabbed him as if she was the one who'd started the clinch, like she'd been losing the fight and was looking for a reprieve. Probably should've expected another dirty shot like that. She gasped, trying to get the oxygen back into her system so she could start thinking. Not that that usually did her any good.

"Fuck you," she growled, almost clawing at him. "Fuck you."

Deep breath.

Oh, but the pain was so good.

When she'd recovered just enough she tried to push him away, to give herself enough breathing room. Still, she knew the fight was basically over. Her stance was off. Her breathing was off. But she'd gone the distance and surprised a few folks.

A grin spread across her face. She winced, but the smile grew a little more. She beckoned him forward.

If this was a big show, it'd better have one hell of a wrap-up.