Wonder of the Galaxy - TSE Dominion of Nespis VIII

[Taeli Raaf]

[SIZE=11pt]Nespis VIII - Objective I[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Auril Sector, a place that had known great catastrophes in the distant past. The Cron Supernova, and then later the destruction of the original Space City by Emperor Palpatine’s Galaxy Gun. The system was not unfamiliar with adversity.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]In the centuries since the destruction of the original space station, the people of the Aural Sector had rebuilt a new Space City, working as hard as they could to recreate it in the image of the station that had once been known as a Wonder of the Galaxy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Sith Empire has been invited to Space City II by the local government, both to become the protectors of the region, but also as a possible source of investment to help the station grow.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Cron Drift - Objective II[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Cron Drift, a massive asteroid field formed from when ten stars went supernova due to the machinations of an ancient Sith eliminating a treacherous ally, destroying worlds that once existed within the nebula. They had never been rebuilt, even before the Four Hundred Years of Darkness, left as a monument to the ancient catastrophe.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Drift had become a place for pirate and smugglers to hide, and a place of abundant resources for those who were allowed to mine the asteroids by the various criminals in system. Now the Sith Empire had turned its attention to the area, desiring the resources within to fuel their war machine even further. The pirates must be eliminated at all costs, but they would not go quietly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Reports suggest several squadrons of fighters, a mixture of uglies and older tech from the Republic, Silver Jedi, and Galactic Alliance has found its way into pirate hands. Worse of all, it would seem they have built a small fleet of corvettes and frigates, centered around an old battleship of unknown make and capabilities.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Epsilon 9 - Objective III[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Nestled within the Cron Drift, something had been rediscovered from the original Galactic Empire. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Dabida Yalilyr[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt], the Force Hunters, the group of Mandalorians that had broken away from all others to be a nuisance to the growing Sith Empire, had been attempting to regroup of the devastation of their cells within the Sith Empire. One cell had stumbled upon an old research base in the Cron Drift, one that had created new spy satellites for the Empire in the past.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Utilizing research left in the station, and using modern technologies, the Dabida Yalilyr had begun using and selling a brand new type of spy satellite. Completely undetectable by normal sensors, with the ability to pick up any communications or data packets being sent within several parsecs of their deployment.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]These satellites and the information the Force Hunters may have are a major concern to the Saaraishash and Imperial Intelligence. The base must be cleansed, the data retrieved, and the schematics for the satellites recovered for use by the Empire.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]BYOO - Objective IV[/SIZE]

 

[Vaylin]

Location: Cron Drift - Aboard The Crimson Valkyrie
Objective: 3 - Hunt the Hunters, Collect the Data
With: [member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

Vaylin was silent as she stood on the bridge of the Crimson Valkyrie, dressed in her armour with her various lightsabers hanging from the belt. She watched as the Star Destroyer finally exited hyperspace, some distance away from their target; Epsilon 9.

"We've successfully left hyperspace, should be out of range of their sensors."

"That is if they haven't deployed any of their satellites in the area."

The Valkyrie remained quiet as her crew talked amongst themselves, throwing hypertheticals around as they did their jobs.

"Be as that may, keep an open channel with the Vermillion Authority." Vaylin had opted to not bring the fleet's full might straight away. It felt both overkill and she was concerned that such a large signature would draw the attention of the nearby pirate haven. Although they would be plenty occupied soon enough. "And begin preparations to block any transmissions getting out of the station. We cannot allow that data to slip from our grasp."

For all intents and purposes, Elipson 9 looked like it was abandoned. It's outward appearance gave nothing away about its inhabitants. But Vaylin was confident the elusive 'Force Hunters' were hidden within.

"What are your thoughts, Darth Avacyn?" She turned to look at the Sith Lady, a small smile on her face. It had been far too long since they had fought at each other's side.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

Location: Cron Drift - Aboard the Lightbringer
Objective: 3 - Hunt the Hunters, Collect the Data
[member="Vaylin"], [member="Kaalia Pavanos"]


She stood upon a snow-covered mountain slope. From her lofty vantage point, she could look upon the land. As far as the naked eye could perceive, there was naught but snow, mountains and huge trees. Wolves howled, and birds chirped. The sweet scent of pine invaded her nostrils, while the cool breeze of the wind kissed her skin. Snowflakes descended from the heavens, touching her skin and nesting inside her dark brown mane...


The Cyborg felt a strong jolt inside her skull, as she was pulled out of the illusion. She removed her hand from the enchanted crystal and the illusion dissipated. She was back inside her notoriously Spartan room. There was neither a bed or a chair. She'd made good use of the additional space by installing a weapons' closet and a sophisticated monitoring system that allowed her to watch every section of the ship. A message was beamed into her skull as she accessed her implants.


"Dearest sister, we have departed hyperspace and are approaching our destination. The cloaking field should leave any beskar-clad brutes blind to our presence," the smooth, posh, somewhat haughty voice of Valerian spoke over the comm. "The station appears to be deserted, but I sense embers of life."

If he expected praise, he was not getting it. "Ensure we remain undetected. Scan the area, get us in close enough for insertion, instruct the boarding party to assemble."

"Why, of course, sister. I take it you shall lead them in person. You may be interested in knowing that our scanners have picked up a Sith Star Destroyer."

"Acknowledged," Enyo responded tersely and cut the connection. Her electronic eyes looked upon the crystal. An unnecessary sigh escaped her throat. Sometimes she fell back into organic habits, though she no longer needed to breathe. Picking it up, she held it almost reverently, then put it inside a small box. The box vanished inside a safe. The alchemised device provided her with the illusion of feeling, for in reality these simple pleasures had long been robbed of her.


She could not help miss them sometimes. But the sacrifice had been worth it. She'd gained her power - her freedom, for without power one could not be free - through loss and suffering. Not through passion, not through peace and serenity or similar nonsense, but through sacrifice. Picking up a dart, she flung it towards the board that hung on the wall, hitting it in the inner bullseye. Her mechanical legs carried her out of the chamber.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Location: Cron Drift, aboard the Crimson Valkyrie
Objective: [III] Hunt the Hunters, Collect the Data
With: [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"]

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The Sith Empire never rested, and so neither did the Valkyries. With the seemingly endless expansion of its borders opposition was bound to rise, groups who would resist the merciless hand of progress. One of those groups, known as the Dabida Yalilyr, had been among the more elusive kind- pinning them down had been a difficult task. Although they had been brought to the brink of complete destruction in the past, the one who remained were not so willing to give up on their cause. In the effort to hunt the hunters, the Crimson Valkyie and its passengers now found itself approaching the space station named Epsilon 9. All signs pointed towards Force Hunters' presence there and with the enemy located, the next step was ensuring their downfall.

On the bridge of the vessel, two Valkyries stood. Vaylin, the one in command of that Star Destroyer, and Darth Avacyn, the elder of the Valkyries, wearing the armor that had been created for its founders off of which her twin lightsabers hung at her hips. Two powerful beings in their own right standing side to side against the empire's enemy. Although this had not been the first time they had done so, it had been a long time since the last. Avacyn was glad to see the zabrak had grown since then, even if that had not come as a surprise to her. Vaylin had always been a capable warrior and dependable ally, and that had created a strong sense of trust within the redhead. It was always good to have someone working with you who you could rely on.

With Epsilon 9 in their sights, Vaylin would give a number of orders before she turned towards Avacyn and asked for her own perspective. The modest smile was returned, it had indeed been far too long. "They are here, I can sense them." The Force never lied, not to the strong. It was the sense she had gained through it that allowed her know they had found their target. Her facial expression became serious once again, now focussed on the task at hand. "We are going to have to work quickly. If the intel we have gained is correct, the satellites they have may very well already given away the fact we are here. In addition, should we be seen as too large of a threat, they may very well destroy the schematics and any data they have collected before we can get our hands on it." After all, the elimination of the Force Hunters was only half of their objective and recovering the satellite's schematics and data was just as important.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

​

​

Deep Space

Powerful sublight engines propelled a small flotilla through the darkness, the distant light of a yellow star casting sickly illumination over the blackened hull of the lead ship. A monolithic vessel, just over six-point-two miles from stem to stern and designed to inspire dread in any combatant, the Behemoth was the crowning glory of the Sith Empire's vast armada. It was outfitted with all of the latest bleeding edge technologies and had yet to be outmatched in a battle against any of the Empire's now-defunct enemies. It and its escort had reverted out of hyperspace only a few minutes ago, mooring in the empty depths of space in preparation for another titanic vessel's arrival.

"They should be arriving momentarily, my lord. Shall I prepare your shuttle?"

The masculine voice broke the silence that had dominated the dreadnought's command bridge, which had previously only been interrupted by the dull hum of the starship's systems and the infrequent cough or hushed whisper. Every member of the crew now gave an abrupt glance towards the monstrous individual which towered over them from his seat of authority, a man for which only a vessel as grand as the Behemoth could satisfy.

"You may proceed, ensign. I want my ship to be ready the moment they arrive, there can be no delays."

Darth Carnifex, the Emperor of the Sith, breathed out a contented sigh as his baleful eyes beheld the emptiness beyond the glasteel viewport, the rapidly growing domain of his Empire bringing something akin to joy to his otherwise stoic disposition.

Such was the mood of an unopposed conqueror.

[member="Cerbera"]​

 

[Mythos]

Objective III: Hunt the Hunters, collect the data. Meet the Valkyries.
With: [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] [member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Vaylin"]
Location: Misery, Epsilon9

Landing here was hard, remaining undetected until the arrival of allies was even harder especially when the enemy was designed and trained to hunt force users. It was not the first time that Mythos had to navigate a battlefield designed against him, the first was in Csilla house Chaf, flooded with Ysalamiri. He was wrapped around an terentatek leather light armor alchemized to suppress and hide his force signature to an extreme degree, Mythos was shut off from using the force in it's entirety. If one was to hunt force hunters then Mythos thought it appropriate to eliminate that which they hunted, even his weapons were not force user weapons.

Mythos was in the worst and most horrible place one would be in, it was common knowledge that this place was the place the enemy would never look. No one ever patrolled swamps, no one ever crawled in thorns, no one ever checks the mass graves, it was a horrible place to venture through and thus a perfect place to stalk the enemy. For three days Mythos had been pinned between rotting corpses, rotten meat and other unspeakable and undesirable things in the pit where the station of Epsilon9 dropped their wastes. The smell was absolutely gut wrenching and the progressive rotting of everything around him only made it worse and worse every passing seconds... That was the reason why he was able to hide there, that's how he remained undetected. It helped that other human corpses had been dropped here making him able to hide even under the scans of X-Ray and the heat of meat, even if rotten hid him well from thermal detectors. Misery if it every existed.

His gear was simple and lacking as much electronics as possible; A powergas bow with no energy attachments in his back along with a quiver of poisoned bolts, a Valkyr short sword and a specially designed slingshot prototype that worked only with ballistic power and was entirely plastic as to be immune to metal detectors. The only communication tool he had at his disposal was an incredibly primitive radio signal transmitter that he had hot-fixed for two simple tasks: Detect the friendly vessel once near the system and send the vessel an encoded message encrypted with old One Sith spy code. Mythos had no way of confirming if the vessel received the transmission, no way of detecting if it was intercepted and no way of receiving a message back from the vessel, it was the only way to ensure that he avoided interception from these satellites.

When deciphered the signal would play loop of his message for a few minutes then die off entirely, incredibly hard to trace back. It gave his location and with it the location of a main hub of the Force Hunter forces.

"Location. Lat. Six. Nine. Five. Seven. Long. Seven. Nine. Eight. One. G. L. Do. Not. Transmit. Repeat. Do. Not. Transmit."

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

Only moments after his last uttered word did the Behemoth's sensors suddenly pick something up.

A large mass-shadow moving rapidly towards their position.

Before the ensign could relay it? It was already there. Most ships, when they came out of hyperspace, it was a picture of... suddenness. From one moment to the next the empty space suddenly was occupied by mass. This was not so with Cerbera's creation. It.... swam out of Hyperspace. Lights of that peculiar under-dimension shimmering behind its form, as it slowly pierced the fabric of reality and entered real-space.

It was alive.

Carnifex didn't need any sensors or ensign's shouting confirmation. He'd feel that sudden presence bearing down all around him.

Much of it looked like an aquatic creature as it approached the small Sith flotilla, before arresting its momentum. Its tendrils shivered in anticipation. Other than that the gargantuan creature made by Cerbera simply rested.

Waiting for the Dark Lord to enter its dark depths.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Crestfallen II emerged out of the Behemoth's ventral hangar bay, bat-like wings extending outward as the shuttle achieved maximum forward velocity. Though the pilots were unnerved by something living that was as gargantuan as the Emperor's own flagship, they kept their comments internalized as they maneuvered the vessel into whatever serviced as the hangar bay with grim-faced determination and excellent precision earned through years of dedicated service and skill.

Hissing hydraulic steam spewed out as the shuttle came to a rest, a single boarding ramp extending out towards the deck to herald the emergence of a single individual, one cloaked in darkness and seething with ferocious might built upon an implacable bedrock of anger.

Darth Carnifex, Emperor of the Sith Empire and Dark Lord of the Sith Brotherhood, walked out into the living ship flanked by no guard or attaches. He required neither, he as totally assured in his own personal strength and he held no trepidation towards the woman, nay the being, he was destined to meet with. Only his lightsaber hung from his hip, and only in service as a hallmark of his chosen fate as a warrior of the Dark Side. The rest of his body was cloaked by a shroud of deep maroon fabric, an unceremonial set of black duraplast armor over an equally black armorweave bodysuit hidden underneath.

He would stride up to whatever envoy the lady [member="Cerbera"] had set out for him, or perhaps even the lady herself, and allow himself to be whisked away to the chamber of her choosing.

 

[Vaylin]

Location: Cron Drift - Aboard the Crimson Valkyrie
Objective: 3 - Hunt the Hunters, Collect the Data
With: [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Enyo Typhos"] | [member="Mythos"] | [member="Anden Fancelo"]

She nodded, her gaze turning from Kaalia and back to the expansive viewport before them.

"Agreed. There's a high chance they're expecting something from us. We know they have a habit of laying low near our borders, scampering away as the Empire arrives. But this time though, they haven't immediately ran away." Vaylin's hand slipped to her belt, fingers dancing over a lightsaber. "Our first priority is securing the data, then the elimination of the Dabida Yalilyr cell."

Before anything else could happen though, a nearby console beeped.

"Uh, we just received an encrypted message, originating from Epsilon Nine."

"Can you trace it?" The comm officer shook her head. "Decrypt it?"

"Yes, but...it doesn't seem to be using anything current. It will take a bit longer."

"Then you best get to work on it." It was time to get moving, and Vaylin turned to Kaalia and gave her a nod. The Valkyrie duo departed from the bridge, but not before she gave one last order. "And I want a squad formed in Hangar Two, immediately."

As the pair made their way through the interior of Crimson Valkyrie, numerous call signs were called out; informing the individuals to get their gear prepared and themselves to the hangar. Some Vaylin recognized as her former teammates, from the squad she had been part of early on in her career. A number of them had perished in service to the Empire, meaning now a good portion of those names were newcomers to her.

She was curious to see how they would fare today.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

Location: Cron Drift - Aboard the Lightbringer
Objective: 3 - Hunt the Hunters, Collect the Data
[member="Vaylin"], [member="Kaalia Pavanos"], [member="Mythos"]


Stygium cloaking field? Check. Thrust Trace Dampeners? Check. Gravitic Modulators? Check. Technobabble? Triple check. Suffice to say, the Lightbringer was to all intents and purposes invisible and remained undetected by the sensors of the Epsilon nine space station. Or the Sith warship, for that matter.


On the aforementioned Lightbringer, the turbolift doors opened, and Enyo stepped out. Awaiting her was a team of Malediction HRDs, along with two of her siblings. One was a tall, dark-skinned woman with long dark hair tied back into a ponytail, who looked awkward in a space suit. The other looked a good deal more like a soldier. Short cropped blonde hair, disciplined stance, lightsabre at her side. She wore the spacesuit with a good deal less discomfort.


It was the blonde who spoke first. "Team assembled and ready, Boss." Clipped, formal, precise.

"Thuella, Alexia," Enyo greeted them laconically. "Let's move. Thuella, you're tech support. Alexia, you'll take point. It appears Sith have shown up. If you encounter them, hold your fire. But don't let them think you're flunkies either." Enyo was fine with working with Sith, but was not awed by them. They were, after all, organics and the empires they built succumbed to entropy like everything else.

"Sure. I can slice any system you need," Thuella said, sounding a little nervous. It was her first combat mission. "We're up against Mandalorians who despise Force-users, so it's likely we'll run into ysalamiri, right? If possible...I'd like to take one or two back home. For study. There are some theories I would like to test out," she clarified, her demeanour radiating nervous tension and excitement.

"Yes. If possible. If a Mandalorian uses one against you, drop a concussion grenade on him," Enyo said gruffly. "Now get ahold of yourself." Her tone was not unkind. Just stern and authoritative.

"Yes, sister. Just nerves. Don't worry. I won't let you down," Thuella promised, steeling herself as she stared out into space.

"You won't. You're a Typhos. If a beskar can engages you closeup, shoot him with a disruptor or an ion beamer."

She's a scared kitten. You sure she's cut out for this? And you're leaving the ship with Valerian? Alexia broadcast to Enyo through telepathy.

Yes, was Enyo's reply. It was predictably laconic. Trial by fire was the only way to learn in her book. "Focus. Let the suit do its thing," she told Thuella, noticing the intent way the Dahomian clone was staring at the void outside.

And so, as the Lightbringer got close, the small group exited the airlock, and then using micro boosters they travelled through the cold void towards the slab side of the massive station. Individual field disruptors got them past the shields. Soon they were close to reach the outer airlock control platform. Using a mix of conventional slicing and mechu-deru, Thuella overrode the security system to open the airlock.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

All around him members of the Kilva Collective were working.

Bugs.

A mesh of organic and metal tinkering away at the organic tissue of the ship. That is what Kaine stepped onto, fleshy membrane. The sort where his boots sunk into it just a bit, because of the weight. Some of them detached themselves from the collective. They chittered, tittering against one another, before approaching Carnifex. Nothing was said. Instead... they simply walked off into one of the corridors. Their mandibles twitching a bit, signifying for Kaine to follow along.

He shouldn't have been surprised.

If Cerbera was anything, it was unconventional.

Hallway upon hallway, lifts that were more akin to veins with blood vessels inside serving as elevators, until eventually Kaine and his entourage of cyborg bugs ended up at the bridge. The viewport was dozens of eyes, different sizes, dilating at external stimuli.

"Kaine, darling." Cerbera was stained with crimson. She looked over her shoulder, the green of her face slowly appearing as the red melted away. "Join me? We have much to talk about.... and what better way to do it, than by watching my baby eat." There was something of pride in her voice. Almost like a purr. Her attention shifted back again towards the 'viewports'. Sometimes... they twitched. That was when the large beast blinked and everything turned dark for a second.

"We have been tracking this Duinuogwuin for quite some time now."

She patted the console, it purred back to her.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

It was magnificent.

The Force was like a rapturous choir as the living ship pulsated around him, the fleshy deck undulating with every beat of its mighty heart. A far cry from the cold lifeless durasteel of his own flagship, Cerbera's dreadnought was a marvel to be witnessed. He appreciated this blending of dark Sith science and organic biology, though the lady Cerbera had taken such art in a vastly different direction than he had. The Emperor had focused more on cybernetic technologies that enhanced his most loyal soldiers, turning them into beautiful amalgamations of technological prowess and the ancient potency of the darkest magics pioneered by the Red Sith of old.

As he emerged onto the bridge, his dark eyes beheld Lady Cerbera in her full glory. Though no smile touched his features, he was undoubtedly pleased to see her. "My lady Cerbera, you look ravishing as ever. Your ship is a marvel, I must say. A beauty. I am deeply privileged to have been granted access." He crossed one arm over his chest, clenched fist over his heart, and bent ever so slightly in a respectful gesture of greetings.

Then she spoke of her baby eating, and the prospect of witnessing such an act filled him with an insatiable curiosity. "It would give me no greater pleasure than to accompany you in this task, my dear. A Duinuogwuin, you say? Quite the exotic meal."

[member="Cerbera"]​

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Cron Drift​

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Objective II​

HIMS Elidibus​

[member="Taeli Raaf"]​

Fiolette stood there between their latrine and their quarters her back to the mirror where lights fixed above them shined. Her shadow cast along the durasteel floor, "we're not naming it that." She said with regard to the name choice for the battlegroup. Taeli's battlegroup that was, the Elidibus hummed through hyperspace the notice for revision had already been set ten minutes until they would arrive to deal with pirates. Fiolette stood with one hand atop her belt and waistband, a thumb tucked inside. White shirt tucked into her trousers, she jabbed her toothbrush in the air. "We can discuss this later darling, it's all semantics to be honest." It wasn't all semantics and she knew it. Still, Fiolette did not want to call the group whatever it was Taeli had mentioned. It did not seem, in her mind at least, to fit a naval group of this stature or any naval group. The Galidraani woman turned and walked into the latrine to finish her morning routines.

Toothbrush placed next to Taeli's, Fiolette turned and grabbed a towel from the hook. "What?" She seemed to question, the redhead could see the Sith Lady in the mirror's reflection. Towel back on the hook she turned to face her beloved whilst taking her jacket from the hook beside Taeli. "I love you." Fiolette responded, "but no I just... it doesn't - it just does not sit well with me." She did her best to just explain why and while the reasons would not be - well - they were not kind. The Rear Admiral headed for the full-length mirror in their quarters and turned to vanity adjacent to it. One by one she took her pips and ribbons and began to fix them onto her uniform.

Fiolette looked herself over in the mirror and then turned to search the vanity for her ruler. She wanted to be sure the rank and ribbons were situated according to standards, and then a page.

Rear Admiral to the Command Center.

"You are welcomed to watch the engagement as always my love," Fiolette said with a smile hoping that for the time being their discussion was on hold, to say the least.

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

OBJECTIVE: II​

​

Now this was the good stuff...that was the main thought that went to the recently promoted Lieutenant Keira Cerdulan, this was the first time she'd be the one leading Mastiff Squadron into the battle and the young Corellian had a fair lot to live up to if she was going to keep the respect and loyalty of what were now her pilots. All the scum and trash that had made up the ragtag force, but this? This must've been a gift from the Creator, this was her style of fight! She had been a pirate! She knew pirates like the back of her hand! It was amazing, and she thought just that as she locked herself nice and snug into that cockpit she had become all too familiar with: her trusty Interceptors?

"Alright Mastiffs, new management but that doesn't change anything: got it? This is a standard op, whole lot of the little pirate runts so stay close enough to support, ships are junk so save munitions wherever possible. And first to 15 kills, you get a whole round a' drinks on me."

Might as well try and be fun with it, that was what she thought. Make them like her so she wouldn't have to throwing fists with her fellow pilots just to make sure she got the respect she deserved. And with that the 7 Starfighters of Mastiff Squadron zoomed out into the void of space around the Cron Drift. A smile as wide as any across Cerdulan's lips as she fell right into her proper place in the Galaxy.

​

The asteroids rushed around her like little brown blurs, her Interceptor weaving and zooming along as the head of Mastiff squadrons approach along with another Interceptor pilot. A new-blood who had just recently been transferred in after Keria's ascension to leader, fine by her to have another nutjob like herself flying, reaching over she flicked a few switches as her engines kicked in with another burst of speed: dozens of red dots beginning to appear on one of the screens in her cockpit: they were getting danger-close to the nitty gritty stuff now, and they wanted to make sure it went right.

Pulling hard she zoomed up, twisting to the side to narrowly avoid another of the asteroids: but she had the high ground against the pirate trash now.

"Alright Mastiffs we're heading in! Give em' hell!"

With that her and the other pilot flicked down, their laser cannons flaring out with dozens of flashes of green raking across the formation of enemy fighters. With another flick she moved herself onto comms to report to Armada command for the forces making their way through the Cron Drift:

"Mastiff-1 reporting in! Me and my squadron have made hard-contact, approximately 20 ships are our location, wait!-"

It was impossible not to hear the sounds of all the carnage going on over in that side of the drift:

"-Scratch that command! Make that 17! Mastiff-1 out!"

More than pleased with her little quip, Keria made a rapid turn around and rushed back into the thicker asteroid clump where she had come from: 3 of the enemy fighters trailing after with with a bloodlust. Oh how she loved this job.

 

[Darth Athora]

Location: Nespis VIII - Aboard the Acherus, Heresiarch-class Command Battlecruiser
Objective: 1 - Provide security and structure to Space City
With: Admiral Jaggar the Impaler


Structure was an invaluable luxury that much of the galaxy had the pleasure and privilege of experiencing. It is what separates order from the chaos and kept empires strong. To those too naive and ignorant to form their own structure, better minds were needed in order to build this structure for them.

An Imperial Battlecruiser came into Nepsis VIII orbit and, on the bridge, was Admiral Zahori Denko of the Imperial Armada. Alongside her, was Admiral Jaggar the Impaler. Admiral Denko called upon Admiral Jaggar in order to bring the Imperial way of life to the system. More specifically, Space City.

"Admiral Jaggar. I appreciate you accompanying me on this operation, however, I don't believe your methods would really be necessary here. The Empire wishes to provide security and structure to the planet whereas you are much more effective in times of combat. Not saying I doubt your ability to act outside of battle situations."

"Oh, Miss Denko, I'm sure you're capable of handling this on your own, but, I wanted to see how your work firsthand. We haven't had the chance to work alongside one another before, so, I figured this would be a good time as any. I've heard of your many exploits as you have heard of mine certainly. I just needed to put a face to the legend."

"Very well then, Admiral. Shall we begin?"

"After you, Admiral."

 

[The Amalgam]

Objective: 3

Post: 1

Armed with: Skin Shears (Purple Double Bladed Lightsaber)

Dashade Sonic Blaster(http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Dashade_sonic_blaster)

Imperial Sonic Blaster(http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_sonic_blaster)

DC-19 Stealth Blaster(http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/DC-19_%22Stealth%22_carbine)

Wearing: Resistance Epidermis.


Aboard the Lightbringer.


The Amalgam meditated on her knees in the confines of her quarters, which were especially sparse. She was clad in her off white ultra-light segmented combat suit assembling her double bladed lightsaber.

She had never used synthetics. Hers were purple adegan crystals, found growing long ago in a Dark Nexus on Ilum. They were naturally attuned to the darkness--no need to bleed 'em.

The staff assembled into her waiting hand, its dark jewels glistening in the low light. She held it with both hands in front of her, focusing on the Darkness, on the guidance of The Unholy Spirit.

Her meditation was mostly undisturbed, but the flash of Uri Udinia's hated green eyes snapped her out of its effects, caused her to hyperventilate for a minute or so as she sprang up, trying to blink the eyes back into her subconscious. She could not wait for this damn mission to get started. She hadn't brought her usual weapons save for her lightsaber. Today she had brought a DC-19 (Acquired at GREAT expense. Even hundreds of years after its introduction, the blaster gas for that stuff was NOT cheap) but its effectiveness, weight, and carbine length mattered a great deal, in spite of newer models being present. She had brought not one, but two different types of sonic pistol. One was the infamous imperial sonic blaster, its tech a millenia old by this point, the other was one whose model was considerably older.

There were still some Dashade in the galaxy, and they still knew how to make this little nightmare now resting on her bed.

A Dashade Sonic Blaster combined quite possibly her two favorite things about ranged weapons. While the imperial model was dangerous for the sheer raw strength of its bolt as well as the range, the Dashade version had three settings, which made it excellent for torture. She'd used it on a Jedi just last week. Took him over thirty minutes to die. He'd soiled himself too. The Amalgam had quickly left the corpse afterward because of the smell. She'd already forgotten where the corpse itself was.

There was not much she enjoyed from life. She was, in many ways, married to the job, and it showed.

Once she had dreamed of riches. Of owning fantastic palaces and castles. Of having pools filled with credits to swim in. Once her harsh living conditions, influenced by nearly a half century killing and stealing in the Underworks to stay alive, had not been by choice. She had lived out of cardboard boxes, clad in torn and dirty clothing, a simple knife her only friend. She had hated the Underworks, and everything about it. But it had been useful to instill discipline through suffering. Through lonliness...and to realize one needed neither friends nor wealth for strength. She had learned to make do with less.

Her only real ally was the darkness, and where she could hide in it.

The signal came out from [member="Vaylin"] and the Shi'ido sighed in relief, at last forcing the image of Udinia's eyes aside. The missions helped distract from the gnawing obsession with the Ex-Shadow, and the urge to torment her in any way possible.

At least, until the missions ended and she could go after her freely. But she was biding her time, setting everything up. When she struck, really struck at Uri, it would be perfect.

Heading to Hanger Two with her weapons either holstered or slung over her shoulder, staff clipped to her belt, her rotting presence in the Force following her like a hideous shadow that left its mark on everything and everyone she passed by, her stunning figure and empty, mirthless purple eyes scanning everything with the interest of a shark as she entered the Hanger and stood at attention, waiting for Vaylin and [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] and whoever else might show. Her first time really working alongside others since joining the Empire. She was curious about her commanders.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

"Ophidia mentioned you could be quite a charmer, I did not realize the extent of that, dear Kaine." Cerbera murmured without taking her eyes off the controls. In this moment she was completely and utterly focused on the magnificence of her creation.

The way the subtle lines slowly flowed through space.

How it glided and almost swam through it.

It had been everything the Sith Lord had wanted. More than she had expected. The assistance of the good Doctor Vain and [member="Cassandra Paige"] had been a welcome addition. Their assistance... surprisingly efficient to do what they needed to do. By the time that Carnifex stepped in next to her, she inclined her head slightly. "It is good seeing you in the flesh for once, Dark Lord." The amused remark linking back towards the first time they had... somewhat met. Dromund Kaas. His daughter had been quite helpful. "Mmhmm, the Star Dragons of the Galaxy. They are quite elegant in their own way. It saddens me to feed this one to my dear." Only a little bit, if she was honest.

Today was an excellence day.

Her empathy could presumably not get any lower right now.

"But... she refused to share her secrets with me and I am naturally curious."

She allowed a smile to pass and be shared with Kaine. "You might want to discuss Corbos with me, darling."

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective II
The Elidibus

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

"And we're certainly not calling it your suggestion," Taeli replied back, watching Fiolette get ready. "That is way too much of a mouthful to say. And don't even get me started on the suggestion you made before that."

Back and forth it had been going for them, all in good fun, but neither of them was happy with a name for Taeli's personal fleet yet that either had proposed. It had been a game for them, but eventually, they would need to settle on a name. Maybe she needed to play dirty to get Fiolette to agree to one. After the current operation, then she would make sure she got her way.

The asteroids of the Cron Drift had become a haven for criminals, and they had been building a fleet of sorts here. It would only be a matter of time before they started to prey upon Sith-Imperial hyperlanes or smuggling illicit goods into the Empire. That was completely unacceptable to Taeli and the rest of the Sith Lords. A lesson needed to be taught, plus it would open up the Empire to vast amount of raw materials the Cron Drift had to offer. Ten planets worth of asteroids... yes this could be a very good place for mining what they needed to fuel the Empire's war machine.

"Show me how it is done, love," she said, smiling.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Ophidia is too generous."

Though he had started his career as an Imperial Agent, even rising up to the position of Minister of Intelligence, the Emperor never truly considered himself exceptionally charming these days. He had strayed from the path of misdirection and intrigue and onto the path of power and hate, but there were brief moments when his silver tongue emerged to coat his words with poisoned honey. Then again, it was very possible that he was selling himself short, as he had proven to be quite the fiery orator since his ascension to the throne of Emperor. He'd given quite a few speeches that sent his audience into a wild frenzy of patriotism and fanatic violent fervor towards those he so thoroughly demonized.

Carnifex crossed both of his arms in front of his chest as he towered behind the smaller Vinithi, "My duties have made any meeting between the two of us exceptionally scarce, an unfortunate product of the vast apparatus I wield in forging the future of the galaxy in blood and steel. But I have heard nothing but excellence from those who have met you, my lady. I find myself overburdened with those who would sing of your many accolades."

Was it true? Probably.

The Emperor did know many individuals who have spoken well of the plant-like Sith Lady, and he held their word in good faith. "But yes, tell me about Corbos. The Empire currently utilizes it for extensive mining ever since we relocated the surviving Leviathans off-world. I imagine you have some interest in the world?"

[member="Cerbera"]​

 

[Anden Fancelo]

Anden Fancelo​

---

​

---

Cron Drift, Crimson Valkyrie, Hangar Two.​

Objective: (III) Collect data. Eliminate HVTs.​

With (or will be with): [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Mythos"] | [member="The Amalgam"]​

​

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0y0etmLhl4[/media]

The call was made, him and some others were requested for and he was the first to respond. Entering the hangar through one of the many doors it had, he'd be in his TICA with his pulse rifle slung to his side. Sitting onto a lone crate, he'd take out his datapad and looked over it. He had a jump start, considering he was putting his gear in the footlocker. He'd ponder as to why the General assigned Anden, and Anden only to this ship. Perhaps to a better means for the general? For Anden? For the Empire? It didn't matter. Orders are orders. A quick hiss was made as a door adjacent to him, opened. Out came a number of sith troopers, rifles out and already assuming formation. Straight to business. Anden slid his datapad into his satchel and hoisted his pack. Approaching the troopers.

Upon meeting the squad of sith troopers, names were about to be exchanged.

"Sergeant Lyja, good to have spec ops unit with us, sir." The squadleader saluted, as did the rest of the squad.

Anden took his helmet off, just to make it much more easier to hear the sergeant. He'd raise a brow. Giving a nod in return. "At ease, I am Lieutenant Anden Fancelo, 105th. Your squad got the brief?" Tugging his helmet under his arm.

The squad and it's leader lowered their arms at the command. The leader then nodded. "Aye sir, we're waiting on the sith."

The lieutenant nodded. "Very well, what's your short range freq'?"

"187's the command freq' of the squad. Tac 1 and Tac 2 for red and blue teams."

He'd raise his commlink, tapping in the numbers for the frequency. "Sounds fair, your squad seems big enough for two teams..." He then lowered his commlink and raised a hand, palm outward. "Stand by. Do a gear check and what not."

Like the squad behind him, he stood idly by. Awaiting to meet the sith, turning his head over to the side as he had already noticed a transport closeby.