SWRPF Archive The Shattered Galaxy: Main Game Thread

IC: Jaden Kevlin
Byss, The Ascension, Landing Craft

Once the landing craft was launched from the hangar of the Dreadnaught to join the flood of transports that were heading down to the planet, Jaden got his first look at how, exactly, the Empire was doing with the space battle. Very well apparently, from what he could see from the viewport. Though there was initial confusion when Jaden spotted Imperial ships - ships that the Ascension and the rest of the fleet were firing upon -, he was quick to realize what was going on. So, it was the Sith after all. Not the Rebels. The twitch of one of his fingers of his prosthetic was the only thing that betrayed Jaden's disappointment and reminded the trooper that he was going to have to learn to try and control this new prosthetic.

His disappointment he berated himself for. While he couldn't deny that there was a sense of revenge that sought to be satisfied by doing combat with the people who had taken so many of the Empire's worlds - and on Jaden's watch no less -, he couldn't let that cloud his judgment nor allow it to blind him to his responsibilities. The enemies of the Empire were his enemies, and it was the Empire that decided which of those enemies that currently needed to be neutralized. And he was to obey the call when it was given. This time, it was the Sith that required his attention and the muzzle of his blaster.

The landing shouldn't be too hectic. With the Sith's fleet having it's back broken and the fighters and bombers of the Imperial fleet now focusing their attention on the surface of Byss to soften up any resistance for the troop contained within the vast number of landing craft dropping to Byss, Jaden expected things to go smoothly. But while perhaps softened, there will be resistance in some form or another that would need the aim and firepower of the Empire's finest. And Jaden was going to be part of it.

He and the rest of the troopers stood straight with blasters at the ready as the landing craft broke through the atmosphere of the planet and dropped to the surface with the rest of the ground forces that were held in the bellies of the other landing craft. A siren blared, the doors to the landing craft opened, and Jaden went with the sea of white, armored bodies that poured forth and touched down on the surface of Byss, moving out to retake the planet and bring it back to the fold of their Empire.

TAG: Thok, The_Loyal_Imperial(?)

 

IC: Bik Grohen, Sith Lieutenant
Near Byss

---

Bik watched the Sith fleet get decimated with a look of absolute disgust. They were pathetic, absolutely pathetic. How were they supposed to win the war with that kind of attitude? He hadn't even gotten a confirmation code, so he'd just had to sit there and watch a decidedly disappointing development.

And now there were landers headed for Byss. Which left Bik with two options: Assume the planet lost, and head of for other parts, or fight and probably die. He sat there in contemplation for a moment before realizing the third route: Fight and escape if it got too dicey.

He punched some controls on his system and the ship darted towards the planet surface.
[hr]
Stepping out of the craft, Bik glanced skyward and observed, as expected, a large number of Imperial landers headed for the ground, loaded to bursting with storm troopers.

"I don't like these numbers," he muttered, pulling a sinister looking sphere from his coat pocket. "I'm sure the bigwigs won't mind if I even the odds a little, even if it's with this." He flicked a switch on the orb, an illegal thermal detonator to be more specific, and hurled it at the entrance of one of the landing craft which had just opened.

"For the Sith," Bik sneered. This was going to be entertaining.

[b]TAG:[/b] Sarge221

 

IC as Chief Inspector Lavos of Imperial Intelligence, forward hanger bay of the ISD Recusant, Beshqek system

Popping open his cockpit he allowed himself a moments respite as the cool air of the hanger deck flooded into the weak, heavily recycled crud he'd been rebreathing for who knows how long.

One of these days I'll push my luck in the name of 'duty' once too often, and I'll die drinking that soup.

Running a hand over his face and attempting to garner some more decorum, he put on his most imperious face, smoothed out his tunic and replaced his flight gloves with his usual pair.

As he emerged he noticed the usual gaggle of flight deck officers and technicians, who never quite knew how to handle one of the infamous sentients of Imperial Intelligence. He decided to play the soft touch: you never knew when the confidence of a lowly crew might come in handy.

"I believe you have your orders men, I need this ship in working order as soon as possible. I needn't remind professionals such as yourselves that - being a diamond-class security acquisition - this ship is classified and you are to keep no hard copies of any data or readings you may make in the refueling and maintenance of this vessel."

He looked into each pair of eyes and allowed the closest approximation of a smile. "I'm sure you'll do well; Men of the Empire can do no less. Now, Admiral Sythan is expecting me on the bridge. Will one of you troopers escort me?"

His gaze settled on an ensign who snapped rather smartly to attention. Clearly, this one was good at thinking on his feet. Gesturing for the trooper to lead the way, he schooled his thoughts. Pulling out his datapad, he steeled his most smug and officious expression and readied himself for the coming confrontation.

The turbolift doors opened on the bridge, and noticed the nervous glance of a Captain at the helm as he entered, mentally check-listing the reactions of each of the bridge crew members: which looked blatantly, those who stole a glance whilst continuing their duties, those who appeared nervous, those whose hands instinctively patted their imperial issue sidearms.

Finally, he focused on the Admiral, standing as the very image of Imperial might in the middle of the maelstrom.

"Admiral Sythan, I am Ubiqtorate. I apologise for the inconvenience on the eve of the battle, but I come on the business of the Empire."

He looked again at the Captain, who he noticed now had all his attention schooled on Lavos.

"Here in my hand Admiral, are your orders from Imperial Center: complete with the seal of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor no less. They specifically forbid operations in or near the Byss theatre, which of course brings into question why you and your ship are in the Beshqek system."

He smiled tightly, attempting a conciliatory tone whilst his gaze promised otherwise. "A simple misunderstanding I'm sure. However, one that must be investigated in an official capacity.

Admiral Sythan, you are hereby under arrest in the name of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. You are to be stood done pending an investigation and findings with respect to the charge I have laid before you." He looked to the Captain, and nodded toward the helm. "Captain, you have command until this matter is resolved. Set course for Imperial Center, if you please."

TAG: Senator Varanii

 

Byss | Surface
Imperial Regimental Command

The landing seemed to be going as planned. Both of the prefabricated bases had landed and already began to set up their operations and communications between stormtroopers and support craft in the air. However, just as things seemed to be going smoothly, reports flocked in of sith insurgents attacking the landing craft as their doors opened. Recordings had shown one paticular sith simpithizer to have landed right near the landing zone, and immediately engaged the landing craft with a some sort of large explosive, most probably a thermal detonator.

This small group, or even single member of the sith insurgency was deemed a potential threat to the landing sequence, and thus had to be dealt with. Looking at those in the immediate area, Regimental Command found a suitable number of stormtroopers to deal with this potential threat. Opening communications directly to the squad under SGT. Jayden Kelvin.

"SGT. Kelvin. Reports of a high level of sith insurgents have been located in your area. Damage estimates are placing the blame for 1 landing craft to have been destroyed by an unknown small group of sith sympathizers just near the wreck to your west. Take a squad of 10 men, and put this threat to and end. Capture them if preferable, questions will need to be answered by whomever is alive. Regimental Command out."

Tag: Sarge,

 

IC: Sergeant Jaden Kevlin
Byss, Surface

Apparently, the landing wasn't going to be as smooth as Jaden had thought. Almost as soon as the veteran trooper's boots dropped onto the surface, battle was suddenly heard throughout the landing zone. Explosions were suddenly heard from grenades and other explosive ordnance and blaster bolts were flying across the sky, to and from the landing zone to strike at stormtroopers or Sith insurgents that were now attacking the just landed troops and their transports. One explosion, much louder then a grenade or a detonator, caused Jaden to turn his head to find large amounts of flame and smoke being produced from a newly made wreck from one of the landing craft.

As if to confirm it, Jaden's comm within his helmet suddenly crackled to life. Orders from Regimental Command.

"SGT. Kelvin. Reports of a high level of sith insurgents have been located in your area. Damage estimates are placing the blame for 1 landing craft to have been destroyed by an unknown small group of sith sympathizers just near the wreck to your west. Take a squad of 10 men, and put this threat to and end. Capture them if preferable, questions will need to be answered by whomever is alive. Regimental Command out."

Despite the chaos that greeted their landing, being delivered orders caused Jaden to straighten and get to work with the usual calm that he possessed. Though not having gotten to really know the troops that he was to be fighting with, he knew the names of the squad members that he was assigned with and immediately brought them to mind. Mentally taking his pick on the ten that he needed, including a medic in case there were survivors from the destroyed landing craft, Jaden used his comlink to relay his orders and, once gathered, he and the squad immediately moved out to the wreck.

He had the squad stay close as they approached behind the wrecked landing craft, making sure to approach with the smoke covering their advance. The targeting and acquisition systems within their helmets would help them see through the smoke and look for targets, something that he figured that the opposition lacked. Once near the wreck, Jaden gave the order to spread out, with five of the troopers to move to the left of the wreck while he and four others moved to the right. Using the scattered debris around the wreck for cover, the veteran gave the troopers permission to open fire at any targets of opportunity.

Crouching down behind a large piece of debris of his own that was still hot enough for him to feel warmth that wasn't caused by his armor, Jaden brought up his rifle, pressing the stock against his shoulder and looking through the scope to help him find targets for him to take out. He didn't forget that Command preferred a prisoner or two and he said as much to his chosen squad members as they opened up.

TAG: Thok, darthramza

 

IC; Bik Grohen
Nearby foliage, Byss

---

"Stupid, stupid, stupid..." Bik muttered as he gazed from his position in the dense foliage. Judging by the noise there at [i]least[/i] eight troopers in there now, probably more. What's more, there was no way he was getting back to his ship without being noticed. Not to mention that had been the only detonator he could afford to use.

He pulled out his blaster rifle, keeping his gaze on the wreckage. He couldn't have gotten a clear shot if he wanted to, there was a multitude of large pieces of debris and far too much smoke to allow anything... Wait. Large pieces of debris? That was never a good sign. He checked the debris again, and sure enough, there was a faint glimmer through the smoke. Not enough of one, especially in this visibility, to justify any conclusions, but the shot would cause a stir if nothing else. Making a mental note of the spot, he brought his gun up a good foot above his head and fired wildly.

Rapidly lowering the weapon again, he glanced to see if he had managed anything. The storm troopers were more alert, that much was certain, but he hadn't hit anything. Or if he had, it had glanced enough for the 'trooper's armor to deflect it. Bik muttered a particularly foul one-word expression.

"Forget this, this isn't even my style," he finally decided, springing to his feet. "'llo folks, looking for me?" he taunted before making a sideways leap and firing in the troopers direction. He used the moment from the leap to twist into a forward roll that carried him into more foliage, whereupon he opened fire yet again. Strategically it had been a bad decision, but Bik wasn't too worried.

What he [i]was[/i] worried about was the fact that he was now farther from his ship then when he started.

[b]TAG:[/b] Sarge

 

IC: Sergeant Jaden Kevlin
Byss Surface, Landing Craft Wreck

Blaster fire leapt at Jaden's squad of troopers, but badly aimed. And to Jaden's ears, only from one rifle. The discovery only caused disbelief to course through the veteran at the idea of one landing craft having been destroyed by a single person. He turned his scope on the area where the blaster fire had came from, looking for a target and...

"'llo folks, looking for me?"

Surprise was the only thing that caused Jaden to hesitate when his scope was filled with a man that suddenly sprung up into his sights. Not just any man either as, just before he darted into nearby foliage and went out of sight, Jaden had noticed the uniform that the man was wearing. An officer. A prime target for possible capture to complete the objective that Regimental Command had issued out.

Jaden had followed the man with his scope as he leapt and rolled into the foliage. There was more blaster fire as the officer fired from his newfound cover and Jaden immediately swiveled his rifle to track the blaster bolts' trails and muzzle flashes of the officer's blaster before firing a couple of bolts of his own at where he presumed the man was hiding.

He issued quick orders through his helmet comlink and five troopers moved out from their cover and made their way up in the direction of the officer, moving slow and low while Jaden kept watch through his scope, ready to provide cover fire if that unknown officer decided to shoot if he hadn't been injured from the veteran's blaster bolts or if the officer had reinforcements waiting. Two of the five troopers moved away from the group, heading towards ship that Jaden had spotted not too far away from where that officer had appeared. By the look of the uniform, the man may be a naval officer and Jaden wondered if the craft nearby was his. If so, he wanted to make sure that that officer wouldn't be able to use it to run away.

TAG: darthramza

 

IC:Sythan
Bridge of ISD II Recusant, Byss

Admiral heard the orders, dispatched by His Majesty, the Emperor, yes a simple misunderstanding, one that would likely end his glittering naval career, but he did not flinch from Ubiqtorate.

"Understood, Inspector, Captain you have the bridge as I am now in custody of the Inspector, set course for Imperial Center."

He looked to Ubiqtorate,

"May I at least go to the brig without the irons, Sir?"

TAGrotoge of Thrawn

 

IC: Bik Grohen, Sith Lieutenant
Byss

---

Bik cursed his luck silently as he saw the troopers head towards his personal craft. And advance in his direction. And take extra precaution to avoid shooting him directly. Why would they go to all that trouble...?

He glanced down at himself and his eyes widened in self-inflicted shock. He was still wearing his officer's uniform. His little maneuver had not only driven him away from his ship, but now it seemed it had basically guaranteed that they were going to try their best to capture him.

Those troopers were getting too close to his transport for comfort, to boot. He fired a warning shot at their feet. It was time to try something absolutely insane. "Hey, don't go near my ship!" he called out, firing another warning at their feet. He'd given away his exact location, and acknowledged that he was, indeed, the owner of that fine vessel. The brass were going to have his head on a pike, but if he pulled this off right they would never have to know.

He pulled something out of his pocket, grasped it firmly in his hands, and, rather than waiting for an order to surrender, placed his hands behind his head and slowly got to his feet. "I surrender," he declared calmly, "On the condition that I speak to the person in charge of this squadron." He still had [i]it[/i] in his hands, but he had placed that hand below the other. From all angles he didn't appear to be holding anything.

[b]TAG:[/b] Sarge

 

IC: Sergeant Jaden Kevlin
Byss Surface, Landing Craft Wreck

Blaster bolts greeted the two troopers that were heading towards the craft and Jaden once again swiveled his blaster rifle to where the bolts weer coming from, trying to track the trails of the bolts to guess where the officer was like before. Another shot and Jaden stopped at a part of the foliage where he believed the officer was hiding. His finger on the trigger, he took a breath, steadied his aim, and -

"I surrender. On the condition that I speak to the person in charge of this squadron."

And exhaled, his finger removing itself from the trigger of his blaster rifle when the officer was suddenly up from his cover, his hands behind his head.

"Move up," he ordered the three troopers that had been approaching the foliage that the officer had been hiding within. Stepping out from behind his cover, Jaden looked back at the four other troopers that were still with him and transmitted orders to them as well. Two of the troopers - the medic included - moved out and began to look through the remains of the landing craft as they started their search for survivors. Jaden didn't know how the craft was destroyed, but there may be a chance that a few of the former passengers still lived.

The other two troopers remained where they were, keeping vigilant of the area around them while Jaden moved up to join the three troopers that were now checking the officer while the other two that he had sent to inspect the officer's craft, now no longer having to worry about being shot at, moved on and took positions around the ship. The three troopers with the surrendering man stopped in front of him, their blasters pointed at him. Despite the apparent surrender, Jaden was on edge. Just because the man surrendered it didn't mean that he was done fighting. During his long years of service, Jaden had read reports and seen it happen with his own eyes when enemies who had supposedly surrendered suddenly brought out a hidden blaster and fired at Stormtroopers or pulled out a detonator in a suicidal attempt to make sure they weren't going down alone. And having an officer of the Empire go down with them would probably be a bonus.

Jaden was still a few meters away before he keyed his comlink again and gave the troopers another order. "Stun him."

The three troopers complied and each fired a stun bolt at the officer.

TAG: darthramza

 

IC as Kane Lavos, on the bridge of the ISD Recusant, exiting the Beshqek system

Lavos nodded approvingly, internally reappraising the man before him. Men of honour and dignity were rare amongst the fleet: and with the New Order so imperiled by those who frothed rabidly at Her Gates, such Men would be all the more significant. Deep in a part of his being he had rarely explored but learnt to trust, the Chief Inspector suddenly felt another piece of the puzzle click into place.

The dejarik board may be long, the pieces many, the opponent not yet clear...however, Lavos could feel it around him, the slow coalescing of fate and circumstance that heralded the coming of truly profound moments: soon, the battle would begin in earnest, and the fight for the disparate pieces of this shattered galaxy would call her greatest of warriors to the front.

People like Admiral Sythan were a commodity that could not be wasted, despite any infractions. However, Lavos had a duty, and he would see it through: such decisions were not in his hands, but in those who not only served the New Order but were its very embodiment. The power vested in Palpatine's throne had a new wielder, and on Imperial Center His judgement would be rendered.

He smiled softly, regarding the Admiral in what he hoped was an accommodating expression. "There will be no need for such things Admiral. You are not yet found guilty, and I will not be your Judge nor executioner."

He took a moment to cast his gaze over the others on the bridge, taking care to exude pheremones of trust, confidence: soothing chemical feelers that were the built-in insurance policy handed down from his mixed parentage.

"You may remain up on the bridge with me as an observer Admiral, to demonstrate to your crew that no harm is to come to you and that Imperial Justice is fair and equitable to all the citizens of the New Order. The Emperor will decide your fate."

He gazed out the bridge again and into the distance, as the stars elongated out of the bridge and the murmur of conversation in the bridge bubbled on behind.

Secretly, he wondered if the Emperor would be as just as the New Order demanded.

---

As the Star Destroyer came to bear on Imperial Centre, Lavos was again struck by the beauty of a planet completely entrenched with [i]civilisation[/i], an eternal monument to the majesty of the Empire and the promise of the Core.

The world formerly known as Coruscant was more than merely a symbol of power. It [i]was[/i] power.

He turned to the Captain and gestured for the Admiral to come by his side.

"Captain, I'll be escorting the Admiral down to the surface to answer the charges against him. You are to remain here for further orders from the fleet." He then looked to Sythan, and held out an arm toward the turbolift. "Admiral, if you please, to the hanger deck."

[b]TAG: Senator_Varanii[/b]

[b]OOC:[/b] I jumped us ahead to arriving at Imperial Center to keep this moving. If you wanted to chuck anything in prior to our reversion, feel free to put it in retrospectively and I can annex the end of this post.
Otherwise, feel free to post our leaving the ship and the journey to the surface. We'll be meeting the Emperor shortly. :)

 

IC: Vincent Mikaru

"What did I do?" Vincent asked almost mockingly, He did have a small attitude that arises in times like this, must be Echani Pride. "Why I left you a present. Something to Replace this Amulet. I hope you like it." There was a hiss, as the Sentinel Landing Craft's Ramp raised up and locked itself in position. The ships shields came online letting Vincent know it was time to run.

"Have fun!" Vincent shifted his weight onto his right foot and started bounding towards the tree line. He was sure one or two of them would persue him. But it wouldn't matter, he was sure he could outrun them having memorized the path through the woods. And once he got to his ship, he would be safe. And he could leave this forsaken darkside planet and get somewhere safe. Even know his mind was partly thinking on planets to go to to be safe.

Tag: Sinrebirth

IC: Marcus

Marcus bowed his head, "Yes M'lord, we shall not disappoint." He rose, and placed his helmet atop his head as he did so, its pressure seal hissing into place. With a second respectful bow he turned and left, much of what he needed for this mission was already on the shuttle he used, but he would need Explosives. A smile crept onto Marcus face under his helmet. "Finally, I get to kill something in a very glorious fashion."

Tag: LI, Rilwen

 

IC:Sythan
Coruscant, ISD II Recusant

The Admiral had remained quiet and composed all the way on the trip, the crew had expressed worry, not in words but in expression, he was well liked, he was dear to them in many ways.

But his infraction, whatever it was, was what it was, an infraction. Whatever came he would see it through, even if it came to his death, they saw that to, it was their Empire, the Emperor was just, and they were to serve him dutifully and with honor.

The Admiral followed the Inspector to the hangar bay and left with him with a final salute to his men, left to Coruscant and his fate.

TAG: Protege of Thrawn

 

Mandator-II Class Star Dreadnaught ? Ascension | Byss
Grand Admiral Randal Duflin

Things were progressing fairly smoothly with the planetary bombardment and invasion of Byss. Captain Leeds was just approaching the Admiral with a set of reports when an alarm clacked on. ?Sir, it appears another unidentified Star Destroyer is entering the system. It appears to match no known imperial identification.? Randal sat back in his chair, pondering the entrance of yet another unexpected Star Destroyer within the past hour. However, this time there was no sign of Inspector Lavos to deal with them. Before he could think more about this mystery ship, his communication officer informed him of an incoming transmission.

"Grand Admiral Duflin, please. At last. I was worried I would have to make my way to Coruscant before I found an Imperial aligned vessel. I am glad that I have found you. I require an escort to Coruscant, if at all possible."

The familiarity this unknown woman had with the name of the Admiral caught Randal off guard. At first, he had no recollection of who this mystery woman was?but then again something struck him as very familiar as he looked at her image on the view screen.

?This is Grand Admiral Duflin. Stand down and identify yourself. If you fail to comply I will be forced to open fire. By what right do you deserve access to Imperial Centre, let alone an escort to the center of the Empire? What kind of business would you need to take care of there??

Tag: Sinre

 

IC as Kane Lavos, Palace District, Imperial City, Imperial Center

He looked over to the good Admiral, who had remained quite, reflective and thoroughly dignified throughout their trip.

They were now in an ISB hovertank which was escorting them from the spaceport to the Imperial Palace itself. Lavos felt a twinge of disappointment that they would be unable to view the sprawling Palace district directly: the hovertank was built for conflict, and the weaponmasters had unimaginatively neglected to include 'tourist viewing ports' in the schematics.

A pity. He suspected that a fellow such as Sythan who spent so much time on the bridge of the fleet, with no company save the stars and vacuum of space, would appreciate a moment amongst the very civilisation he was fighting for.

Chief Inspector Lavos had never held court with anyone in the Palace in an official capacity, much less the Emperor Himself, but he was familar with the layout of the monolith from other experiences in his resume.

The hovertank finally clanked into position with the docking magclamps in the sub-level hanger of the Palace. Faceless, helmeted drones stood up in unison and opened the aft hatch, ushering the Admiral out. They'd affixed stuncuffs despite Lavos' insistence that such measures were unnecessary. The ISB traditionally treated Imperial Intelligence with grudging disdain: ignoring his commands was only a short step from such an attitude.

Lesser men would make an issue of such conduct. I'll just ensure the New Order flourishes to the extent that one day we don't need such unsubtle thugs to patrol our Empire.

The agents formed up in a cordon and escorted both men to the Palace interior, where they stopped and pivoted away in time for the Palace Guards to take up the position of escorts.

The royal regalia become thicker, the pomp more evident, and one could not help but feel the echo of majesty as they neared the audience chamber.

Gone were the days of dark forboding that were the hallmark of Palpatine. Rather than naked fear or terror, this new Emperor sought a different type of awe. That of impression. That of raw power.

Standing at the precipice, a guard turned and waited, having activated the hand-cranked doors, leaving the audience chamber ahead. Drawing himself up, and nodding in silent acknowledgement to Sythan, he put a hand to the small of the Admiral's back and escorted him into the Emperor's presence.

TAG: Jello, Varanii

 

IC: Bik Grohen
Byss

---

Bik smiled slightly, glad to see he had pulled off his little ploy. He glanced skyward for a moment, frowning at the devastation that had befallen the Sith fleet. Which was when there was an order given to stun him.

As the blue circles collided with his frame, he couldn't help but lament the current state of affairs. The Sith fleet had gotten pounded mercilessly by the Imperials, his ship was going to be captured, and worst of all, [i]he[/i] was going to be captured. He almost grinned as he hurtled towards the ground. It had been fun while it had lasted, hadn't it? Once they figured out who his brother was, he was almost certainly destined for a rehabilitation clinic after a painful reunion with the family that thought him dead.

He felt the object in his grasp. He hadn't even gotten to pull off his daring maneuver, and now his fingers weren't even responding enough to flip the trigger.

[i]Game Over[/i], he thought to himself, as he hit the ground and faded from consciousness. The object fell out of his hands, a pressure-release detonator. It wasn't on.

[b]TAG:[/b] Sarge

 

IC: Sergeant Jaden Kevlin
Byss Surface

The man was down, mission accomplished.

Jaden once again keyed his comlink again once the man dropped to the ground and he went over with the other three troopers to examine him. "Regimental Command, this is Sergeant Kevlin, one prisoner taken." He paused, having upon reaching the man found the detonator that the officer dropped, having not been given the chance to activate it. Jaden bent down and took the detonator and clipped it to his own belt with the immense satisfaction that he had done right.

"An officer from the way he's dressed," the veteran continued with his report and motioned for the other troopers to pat down the man for any more weapons and to cuff his hands with binders. While they did so, Jaden took a look at the officer, noting the rank pinned to his uniform. "A Lieutenant, Navy I believe with what I believe could only be his ship here as well."

He looked back down at the wrecked landing craft where the other troopers were stationed. With silent hand signals, he motioned for them to form a perimeter while they continued to look for survivors. "Securing the area now. Orders?"

TAG: Thok, darthramza

 

Byss | Surface
Imperial Regimental Command

Within a few short seconds, the comlink to SGT. Kevlin came to life. "Good work Sergeant. Reinforcements should be enroute to your position to secure the Sith craft. Stay in your location untill the other squads arrive. You are then to proceed back to Regimental command with your prisoner. As soon as you arrive, take him to the holding cells. He will be placed there untill his transport has arrived to bring him to the fleet. He is to be interrogated at once."

Tag: Sarge

 

IC as Kane Lavos, Emperor's Audience Chamber, Imperial Palace - Imperial Centre

Lavos tried to dispel the images that flung up into his mind of the Royal Crypt of Cancoon; a mythic ruin covered in the ashes of decadence and the decay of long-forgotten importance. In the gold-girdled escarpment had ruled a truly majestic dynasty, for thousands of years. Yet when Lavos had been brought there on a mission he'd almost forgotten, all that remained was the dust, the ruins, the hypocrisy of riches and livery in a room surrounded by the dying, rotten flesh of a realm forgotten.

The skeletons were still dressed in the half-disintegrated robes and drapery of office as they had sat down to feast when some unknown cataclysm had epoxied the revelers where they had sat.

The Emperor had finished his short but terse mollification of the Admiral and had bade them rise.

This gave Lavos his first good look at the man who held the galaxy in his fist. At first instance it was easy to feel the waves of awe sweep across you. The majesty, the poise, the stance, the demenour: his clothing and the lighting conspired to make him appear as a tower of HuManity, looking down at whomsoever he had granted an audience.

Lavos was such a one as however, could see the world differently. His training averted his gaze just so, analysed the image and drank in the more subtle details and saw something else. The Emperor was - save anything else, well - rather short. He'd not give much away to an R2 unit if plainclothed and scampering around as would any one of the denziens of Invisec in their unique, hunched shouldered manner.

Not to mention all the pomp; the royally-worded soliloquy...it was enough to draw such ill-fitting comparisions as to a Palace courtier or inner-rim aristocrat. The sort of faux-importance imbued around the Kuati noble class; the meek genuflections of an Eriadu Governor as before a trans-sector CEO...

...and yet... Lavos was given pause to look deeper still. He'd been in the position of dealing with more than one Bothan, and he was more than familiar with their popular proverb "the double-gloved claw is most effectively hidden".

How much, Lavos wondered, of this Emperor consisted of carefully crafted layers of subterfuge and misdirection and how much of actual substance?

All this he appraised in an instant. His analysis could come later. The Emperor had turned his keen gaze on the Chief Inspector now, and his question - flowery as it was - asked for a professional opinion.

He could almost hear the words of his mentor, General Fhunur, ringing in his ears. Diplomacy first Lavos, even if it is to leave ash in your mouth. More is achieved by comforting the fool than confronting the truth.

Lavos almost laughed internal at the recollection. I'm certainly glad I had you killed, my dear General.

"My Emperor, by your leave." He bowed a shallow acknowledgement before continuing. "The laws of the New Order are clear and unequivocal: and their enforcement must be without exception. All from the highest Admiral to the lowest of citizens must know that the Law is as unyielding as it is fair; that Justice is met out regardless of rank. Admiral Sythan - through intent or otherwise - has prime facie breached your Orders."

He took a deep breath, measured himself, and allowed his gaze to move to Admiral Sythan, hoping that the Emperor would also turn to regard the man and perhaps take the same stock as Lavos had. "Such is the War that is fought out in the light, in the civilisation of Imperial Centre, as bright and clear as the light of this room."

He turned back to regard the Emperor, giving nothing away through his impassive - some might say with distaste, reptilian - visage. "This is however, not the only War the Empire wages. Against these Sith, who know no compassion, no civility, and no reason; much of our War calls for a battle in the shadows. A battle that must be fought by Men of distinction, of character. Men loyal to the New Order and capable of achieving the noble aims

 

IC: Sergeant Jaden Kevlin
Byss Surfance, enroute to Regimental Command

"We're on our way."

Jaden awaited for the promised reinforcement which soon came as squads of Stormtroopers were suddenly diverted to their location and started assisting with looking through the wrecked landing craft and taking a look at the officer's own craft. Selecting four of his squad of ten to go with him to bring the prisoner, Jaden commandeered a troop transport that helped bring the squads and dumped the stunned officer into the back before he and the other troopers filed in to guard him.

As Jaden had ordered, the man's hands had been cuffed behind his back with binders, his person patted down to search for weapons and items and removing them from his person when found, and then just tossed him within the troop transport. Now sitting with the rest of his troops as they rode towards one of the prefabricated bases that had to be used for Regimental Command, all Jaden had to worry about now was to keep his gaze on their prisoner. Though having been hit by multiple stun bolts, the prisoner could awake soon during this ride with the time that had passed during the wait for reinforcements, the transport, and the load up.

The veteran kept his blaster in hands and eyes on the prisoner in case he did awake and try to pull a fast one like he almost did with the detonator.

TAG: darthramza, Thok

 

IC: Sythan
Imperial Palace, Imperial Center

As the Admiral was led to the Emperor and came into his presence his eyes moved as to not look directly at the Emperor, to do such would be disrespectful, his bearing remained military, a son of Anaxes, a son of Admirals, Senators, and Nobles, to live to serve or to die as an example, it didnt matter, The Empire would live on.

He waited until he was given a chance to speak, risen from his kneeling position, he gives as deep a bow as he can without setting off the cuffs.


"Most Gracious Majesty,"

His voice was not its usually boisterous basso, more confident and regal but soft like silk.

"We had intercepted transmissions of an engagement within that area, in my need to serve your Majesty I felt it necessary to assist in this endeavour, I have erred greatly your Majesty, but have done so in your service, to the Oath we all took upon your Ascension, an Oath that even marks my flesh as well as my heart. I beg your allowance to continue my service unto your Majesty."

He does not waver, he is also heartened by the Chief Inspectors speech, though it calls for punishment, it also is respectful, and non-dreogatory.

TAG: Lavos, HIM