Rear Admiral
This thread is a flashback thread to the early years of the Stygian Campaign, the branch-off conflict of the previous Great Hyperspace War between the Galactic Alliance & Eternal Empire. This thread is meant to establish backstory between the characters of
Aximand Sicarus
&
Liedran Kathause
, to cover events in history. This thread should not be considered as a new conflict, or the fresh outbreak of hostilities between factions.
Aximand Sicarus
&
Liedran Kathause
, to cover events in history. This thread should not be considered as a new conflict, or the fresh outbreak of hostilities between factions.TAG:
Kathryn Foster
Liedran Kathause
Corin Autem
Bella
The drums of war could be heard across the galaxy over the past few years. Minus a few scattered skirmishes, the war machines of both the Galactic Alliance & Eternal Empire began ramping up to prepare for the devastation the greater conflict would be known for. Away from the main theaters of war which comprised this historical conflict, and quite unknown to the specific individuals who were yet to converge upon the neutral system of Iskadrell, two specific naval officers would embark on their own fateful excursions to meet each other in one of the most savage of engagements during this period of the war (yet, would be relegated to the footnotes of history compared to the more extravagant invasions and battles the war would contain). One party to said destined meeting within the fringe system was the crewmen aboard the ships comprising Commodore Aximand Sicarus' patrol force. Derived from the 20th Heavy Assault Line of Battlegroup Molloch, Commodore Sicarus' orders were simple. He was to reconnoiter the neutral zone between Alliance & Imperial territory so as to root out hidden advance stations for a surprise GA attack, as well as to discover likely locations for the Empire to establish footholds of its own. The Commodore's flotilla was comprised of his own flagship, the Callides-class Heavy Carrier dubbed The Retribution, with a sizeable escort in the form of a pair of Adjudicator-II Star Destroyers, two Demeton-class Cruisers, four newly christened Ashkelon-class Escort Frigates and eight Retribution-class corvettes.
One could be forgiven for believing such a force slightly oversized for a patrol mission, but given the Empire's war footing alongside the flotilla's mission to enter the neutral zone, it was the prevailing sentiment among Aximand's superiors that the force be prepared for potential entanglements. This was among the Commodore's first assignments after the business which transpired on Orellon II, which had shortly thereafter born 'The Axe' a reputation of sorts; built from a mixture of both fear and respect among his peers and subordinates. It was important for him to ensure his crew didn't believe him a monster, however; despite the fact that Aximand very much had the capacity to be so. It would be good to take on a mission like this - a break from the brutal business that often accompanied bringing an errant world into compliance. With said goal in mind, Aximand felt it prudent to start with his new executive officer - a Kalidan-born man of Nelvaan descent who went by the name of 'Varys Praxxis'. Varys had received his promotion to Commander from Aximand's predecessor, a fact which he felt had chagrined his executive officer slightly. What few rumors the Commodore had gleaned over the situation lent itself to the notion the Commander held the understanding he would rise to command his own vessel, rather than serving as executive officer to another officer - "a 'half breed' at that" were the words Aximand recalled overhearing from a lieutenant who hardly suspected that he was eavesdropping. Aximand had long ago decided to refrain from allowing even slight references to his Arkanian/Nelvaan mixed heritage to bother him. Had he done so, he would have washed out from the academy after week one, much less year one.
It hardly bothered him how his officers viewed him now - he knew what he brought to the table, and he would either earn the respect of these men, or make sure they died in the process. It was rather convenient that the Lieutenant in question was in the emergency response teams - Aximand would be sure to specifically call for his team when hull breaches decided to inevitably present themselves. For now, however, Commodore Sicarus contented himself with his duties aboard the bridge. He strode up to his first officer, and said coolly: "ETA to Iskadrell?"
With a small flash of annoyance, the Commander craned his head over to the display at his console, and responded back in a short, monotonous tone: "We should be exiting lightspeed within the hour, sir."
Aximand nodded his head curtly, and allowed his stare to linger a few moments longer before he turned to his own station - the "Captain's Chair", wherein he soon setteled within and grasped his comm unit. His voice would soon bleed through the speakers placed throughout the ship: "All hands, Commodore Sicarus speaking. The flotilla shall adopt 'code yellow' posture upon exiting lightspeed. Science teams shall proceed in scanning for anomalies within the system - identifying potential hiding spots for advanced GA parties. Everyone remember your duty, and we will be back in friendly space very soon. Over & out."
