Star Wars OPEN Paradoxical Echoes: An Original Trilogy Game (Always Accepting New Players)

IC: Sergeant First Class Adrias Stark
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex

Adrias followed the officer’s example and sat down. His meal remained halfway eaten but couldn’t do anything as he was being addressed by a superior. Hopefully it will soon be over and he could resume eating. Adrias considered what was being asked and had the feeling that he was being tested. He stifled a sigh as he was sick and tired of these mind games. The captain unnerved him, but couldn’t tell why. It was something that he couldn’t put his finger on.

”Yes sir. May I ask a question?” he paused for a moment ”There was no time to be briefed in detail on the way here, will it be possible to read the reports of the situation as well the available data on the conflict? I want to better understand the situation and the enemy.”

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Jengleheimer Voss 'aka Jingle'
Darkest Night, Outside Kitchen

"He's dead," Sandy called out after the retreating back of Jingle from the ComBay, "And there's nothing more about it. I would know," the Commodore's now former undercover Aide-de-camp said, "He was my friend. A good friend. But now, its over. And we move on."

He and Pack stood there---as they always did---side by side. Sandy's voice was grave & deep, but carried with it a life time of experience and understanding.

"The Army," Sandy continued on just as gravely, hoping something would stick with the cook, "You a leg, me an arm. We both served. We both fought. We both lost something. But the Army taught us what to do. Now we put that training to use, once again. We move on," he repeated the phrase again.

If the man hadn't gotten personal with the whole arm and a leg bit he would of let it slide. Jingle wasn't about to get into a tit for tat over feelings with a commanding officer in the hallway, except he had gone there. Turning he used that Army granted leg to perform a one-legged hop of epic proportions, something he could never do with his organic to close the distance between them. He didn't want to talk loud, he wanted to talk quiet.

Coming down hard, clanging the deck plates he glared with heat in his eyes. "Army taught us how to take care of our own, how to avenge our own. We move on when they cannot. Dying in combat is one thing, he died within our own walls. Start to finish. And all we have is a patsy errand boy to pay for it and nothing changed or fixed." His words were low and hard, "Now, would either of you like to put in a request from the kitchens for the events or this evenings meal." he added stiffly as he took a half step back.

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Elena Shan
Army Quarters to Trooper Barracks, Darkest Night

Elena smiled to herself. I would say so. "Just a Political Position. He works closely with Darth Vader." She nodded at Animal firmly. "I don't ask what he does specifically, but I know it's for the good of the Empire. He's always been there for me and Erik since we were adopted."

Tag: @Bravo

 

IC: Stormtrooper Captain Kurt Stein
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex


”Yes sir. May I ask a question?”

Kurt nodded.

”There was no time to be briefed in detail on the way here, will it be possible to read the reports of the situation as well the available data on the conflict? I want to better understand the situation and the enemy.”

Kurt slipped a hand into his duty uniform and dug out a datacard, handing it to him. "I thought you'd ask," the captain said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice at a trooper who knew how to prepare, "However, I'm afraid it's already outdated. Lepsawn One dash Nine was yesterday's insurgents. The Darkest Night is headed here with Death's Whisper Legion, our new home. From there," Kurt shrugged, "Who knows. Lips are sealed from higher ups, so it must mean something big. But the fighting on Lepsawn One dash Nine was child's play by our standards. All twenty Stormtroopers in this transfer was all of their casualties and that's from deploying an entire legion to destroy an armed force and occupy a planet. All in less then twenty four hours. The whole mission seemed to be a distraction to get massive weapons off planet, from what after action reports tell us. Unfortunately, these terrorists were successful in their ruse. But fear not Sergeant," Kurt smiled as he stood up, "We're headed into new problems with new headaches. The joys of securing our Empire from those who wish it ill," Kurt looked at his watch, "You best finish up any eating. They should be here in less then two hours. If Joker Platoon's reputation precedes itself, then we'll have our work cut out for us to impress the vets in the units."


TAG @TheAdmiral

 

OOG:

Everyone aboard the Darkest Night--- @Mitth_Fisto , @Sith-I-5 ,@TheSilentInfluence , @Laine_Snowtrekker , @galactic-vagabond422 ---if you want to be involved in the funeral, please fast forward your characters to this post. Thank you!

@TheAdmiral , you're not aboard the Star Destroyer at the moment. So don't worry about a tag.


************************************************************************


IC: Master Sergeant DW-418121 (Animal)
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night


Vader.

The name sent shivers up his spine. But he also held the upmost respect for the man. It was Darth Vader who had awarded Animal with the Medal of Valor personally and double promoted him from Sergeant to Sergeant First Class (skipping Staff Sergeant) for his actions in Operation Foothold (9 BBY to 8 BBY) with a honor guard of elite Novatroopers overseeing the ceremony. Aside from the entire Dark Battalion receiving the Crimson Star for their actions during that operation, Lord Vader had signaled Animal out from an entire Battalion of already excellent Stormtroopers and given him the Medal of Valor.

Animal looked at his chest for the briefest of moments, the two medals hanging off his chest under the usual details. He was proud, as any Stormtrooper would be, to wear the Crimson Star. It was a mark of identification within the battalion on who had served during that fateful operation. But the other one, the Medal of Valor---the sounds of war, the cries of battle, and the horrific displays of courage came flooding back---it was one of sacrifice. Not of pride. He never forgot the troopers he lost or the things he did. It was forever laser burned into his memory.

"Good of the Empire?" Animal smiled ever so faintly as the memories of his Medal of Valor and the battle to get it slowly faded from mind, the explosions, blasters, and cries of warriors getting less and less, "That has quite the ironic meaning at---"

Suddenly Animal snapped to attention instinctively and barked out, "Captain on deck!"

The while corridor of waiting personnel did the same, getting along the walls, as Duke stepped off the turbolift with a Navy Trooper as personal escort.

"As you were," the Captain said; As the captain walked past with his escort----more so a necessarily considering how the good commodore died---Animal could feel the sense of duty and sense of loss coming off of the man. He, too, had done this one too many times. Quietly, people started to gather up and the group formed into a somewhat disciplined line and followed the commanding officer in.


************************************

Everyone was assembled. The coffins were lined up two deep along the edge of the magnetic field holding the coldness & vacuum of space in around the rectangular open hanger bay on the ventral side of the mighty Star Destroyer. Everyone else in attendance---which ended up being thousands of crew & troops---were packed into the hanger quietly behind. Some in the back were standing on starfighters, shuttles, or hanger equipment to get a better view or to simply make more room. For those who couldn't or wouldn't attend, several holo cam droids were hovering around, recording the event.

For those who chose to come, for the ones who were with the Commodore last on the planet and for those who were closet to him personally and professionally---lined the front row. By the caskets was a single podium with an honor guard of faceless, white armored stormtroopers forming an honor guard of 18 troopers. Whoever the commanding officer was, their armor was spotless. Considering Lepsawn 1-9 was just the other day, that was impressive.

Animal stood there, waiting. The podium was empty. And the hanger, aside from a cough or two, was dead silent. Finally, the man who was standing besides the last casket in line---the Commodore's---walked towards the podium. His dress officer shoes echoed throughout the cramped hanger as he came to the podium. He stopped there, paused for a few long moments, then cleared his throat over the microphone.

"Goodbyes are never easy," Captain Duke P. Totter began, "But they must be done..."


TAG Everyone

 

IC: Elena Shan
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night

Elena tried her best not to smile. Darth Vader was intimidating and formidable. Fear and Respect are both good things to have for the Sith. She snapped to attention when Animal called for it and relaxed again after, stepping in time with him and leaning over to speak with him as they went into the Auxiliary Hanger Bay. "I know it's early, but I think I need a drink after this. Would you care to join me? I don't like drinking alone. And then I want to inspect my soldiers and get to know them. I'm sure they would feel more comfortable with you there."

Tag; @Bravo

 

IC: Surgeon-Commander Debgate, Communications Chief Reen, Baille Harte, Alex Qipao19, Du'ra Cell, personal quarters to funeral (aft hangar bay)
Location: Hyperspace, to, not
Timeline: 03:30ish Ewok


The Chief Medical Officer started her morning, swearing into her comlink: "What the drokk are you doing down there?!"

"I live down here!" Communications Chief G'Spaugh had retorted.

"What do you mean, live down there? You're supposed to be up 'ere!"

"I'm a warrant officer, remember. Albeit Master or Chief, one of 'em."

Sitting up in bed, plate of sausages and beans balanced on her lap....well, maybe not right at the beginning; comlink swearing had been like the third or fourth thing after she had donned her green ankle boots and headed along to the crew lounge - still in her nightwear - to collect breakfast, two covered platters of already heated food (she was a growing lass), and take it back to her room to eat whilst checking the overnights, the overnight medical reports sent to both her datapad, and her own desk terminal in her bedroom.

One of the overnights had been that the Comms Chief had requested someone bring round strong painkillers so that she could attend the funeral ceremony, and the medics on duty had told that they would bring a dose around to her, along with a hoverchair for her to move around on. They had asked her where her quarters were, and she had identified Warrant Officer quarters, somewhere in the main body of the ship.

The CMO rolled her eyes and spoke with a little more harshness into her handheld C1 comlink. "You are the Chief of Communications aboard the Darkest Night, young lady, same tier as me." She remembered the subject of Baille's awe when she had visited. "Don't you want to have a bath?"

There was a pause from her ship-mate, then: "Are you offering to let me use your bath, or-"

"Your quarters up here, for Senior Staff Officers, has its own bath, Chief."

There was an indistinct sound over the comlink, a sort of heartfelt murmuring that could equally have been a groan of pleasure or of pain. Deb had a lightsabre-shaped item in the bedside drawer that could make her...but that was another story. "Are you alright? That sounded vaguely medical"

"I'm fine. Is this all because I signed up to your networking for femmes thing?"

This time, Deb paused, considering her answer. "Well, I will admit that the timing is suspect, but no, this is unrelated. I shall get onto the Quartermaster, or what do we have-?"

"Concierge?"

"The Darkest Night has a concierge?!"

"No, it's not a chuff-sucking hotel!" G'Spaugh's voice let go a smirk.

"Okay, har har. Now get your choob up h-, no wait, fractured ribs. You wait there, I'll send a medic down with a chair when it is time, and have them take you to the burial hangar. Debgate out."

She glanced at the chrono. She wanted to be overseeing the coffin preparations by 04:00, to have them ready in good time for the sending off ceremony. Although her immediate subordinate for the night shift had been making good progress during her four hours of sleep.

She normally had longer than four hours kip, but this obviously was a special event, so she had to make the sacrifice.

Debgate yawned, finished off her breakfast, put the condenser plate on the covers and slid along the mattress to get to her shower, then into a fresh uniform.

****
Timeline: 04:00 to 05:30 Ewok

Deb and her team had prepared the dead, the coffins; she and any religious officers and crew had said their prayers over the fallen before sealing the coffins, then they had been escorted along the vehicle transfer tubes to the Aft Hangar where they had been organised two deep along the edge of the magnetic field.

Engineers confirmed that the rocket engines were still set to carry the coffins clear of the Star Destroyer. Having the coffins simply go straight and smash into the magcon of the opposing hangar would probably get everyone executed.

Every detail counted when it came to honouring their dead, as well as Commodore Peter Englewood.

Satisfied, Debgate headed to the Command Medical Bay to get the girls up.

****
Auxilary Hangar (wherever that is)
Timeline: 07:15 Ewok

Debgate, with DUR-2207 as her escort, was striding alongside the two-deep line of silver coffins arranged in front of the lumi-bordered magnetic containment field, along with a technician hurrying to finish off the connections between each coffin's launch system, and the three-screen Console System that were so popular with naval security checkpoints.

In fact, she had visions of distressed and confused naval troopers at cellblock 2387 gesturing in incoherent, high-pitched distress at the patch of torn wiring outside their brig, where their console had been ripped out whilst they had been distracted by someone throwing a stick down a corridor, and shouting 'Fetch'.

"So, just for my sanity," She asked the grey-coveralled warrant officer crawling on his hands and knees, checking cabling, whilst to their left, were the backs of the at-attention stormtroopers guarding the central rostrum where Totter would be presiding over the ceremony. "where did we get the console."

"I pulled a spare from the stores, Chief."

"So we're not going to get any complaints from the brig at all then?"

"Can't see why we would."

Each coffin, its lid etched with the symbol of the Empire, was already polished up a treat, however the Chief Medical Officer gave each an experimental buff with a fuzzy cloth that she had brought along for just such a purpose.

Fleet scuttlebutt had it that a silver smuggling operation had been busted aboard the Immobiliser 418 Interdictor, Krayt's Fire, when one of their coffins had polished up to a slightly different sheen to the rest, and had turned out to be made of chromium, instead of silver.

At the entrance at the side of the hangar, Captain Duke Totter strode in and waited patiently at the rostrum whilst the attendees, many thousands of them...well, lots more than the minimum needed to form a proper burial detail, took up position. Either lining up in neat rows, or finding standing room further back, on the deck, or standing on ships.

Several starfighters had been tractored down from the rafters so that crew could stand on them without risk of dying. However, she had still requested the hangar chief dial down the artificial gravity a good twenty percent so that anyone who did fall, would not fall so heavily.

The Surgeon-Commander had already been up to Aft Hangar Control with an empty cereal bowl from one of the messes, pointedly taping it over the button that would drop the atmospheric element of the containment field, thus preventing anyone from accidentally pressing it.

The technician got up from his hands and knees and brushed himself down, stepping up to her side as she halted beside the semi-circular console, putting away her comlink and standing at ease, her hands clasped in front of her as she checked the forming group ahead of her for the neatly uniformed survivors of Operation Powder, as young Alex had coined their mission to the surface

She had chatted to the young man about Reen missing being a member of his TIE squadron, and needing something to belong to. They had done this whilst Baille had dressed in the duty uniform that he had brought up to the medbay for her.

For his after-action report, he had acronymed the team to Thesh Aurek Leth Cresh, or TALC, the initials twisted to mean Team Away - Lepsawn City. Hence, Operation Powder.

Debgate studied Alex, Baille, and the seated Reen in her medical hoverchair, all in their grey specialty officer uniforms, belted tunics, trousers for Alex and Reen, wrapskirt for Baille, polished kneeboots.

The dedicated CMO taken the hoverchair down to G'Spaugh's cramped quarters, personally, and buffed her with Levitate, so that if she did some stupid, like stand up from her chair when Totter called the crew to attention, she wouldn't fall on her face too badly, and perhaps her TALC-mates would have a chance to catch her whilst she was still mouthing 'Timber!'

"Chief?"

Called out of her reverie, Debgate glanced down at the tech. "Huh?"

"Console ready, and tuned into each of the coffins. We are Case Green."

Deb recognised the last two words as military speak for 'no resistance', or 'all is clear'. She took it to mean the latter, and nodded down to him. "Good job."

"I could have done this with a tympanic pulser, rather than this elaborate setup."

"Yeah, don't push it. Now, if you can get into position."

"Chief."

She watched over his shoulder as he stepped before the console and fired up the three near-horizontal square repeater screens, the things lighting up and filling with data, then glowing numbered and named rectangles filled up two screens like bricks in a wall, with each representing a coffin.

The third screen monitored anything that she needed to know to keep everyone safe, such as the status of the magnetic shield. She couldn't let it go. Not when she was standing within metres of the thing.

Satisfied that everything was at last ready, she nodded across at Totter to start when he was ready.

Tag: @Bravo , anyone else present

 

IC: Jengleheimer Voss 'aka Jingle'
Darkest Night, Auxiliary Hanger

Jingle stood there in the front, keeping an at ease pose as he stood in his Chef's best with added medals dangling along with rank cylinders and markers added. Showing his history up to his present position. He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there, staring at gleaming coffins as techs finished their last minute preparations. Soon enough everyone was assembled. The coffins were lined up two deep along the edge of the magnetic field holding the coldness & vacuum of space in around the rectangular open hanger bay on the ventral side of the mighty Star Destroyer. Everyone else in attendance---which ended up being thousands of crew & troops---were packed into the hanger quietly behind. Some in the back were standing on starfighters, shuttles, or hanger equipment to get a better view or to simply make more room. It was distasteful, but he didn't pay them any mind. For those who couldn't or more properly in this over crowded situation wouldn't attend, several holo cam droids were hovering around, recording the event. He was sure the Kitchens were packed with any off duty that wanted to watch and have comradery.

For those who chose to come, for the ones who were with the Commodore last on the planet and for those who were closet to him personally and professionally---lined the front row. Jingle was honored to have that position, as he hoped that those closest to the other fallen filled the rows directly behind them. By the caskets was a single podium with an honor guard of faceless, white armored stormtroopers forming an honor guard of 18 troopers. Whoever the commanding officer was, their armor was spotless. Considering Lepsawn 1-9 was just the other day, that was impressive, and considering how the Commodore had died he felt it was fitting if unsettling. He would have rather a Navy Trooper send off instead of these ground pounder bucket heads.

Animal stood there, waiting. The podium was empty. And the hanger, aside from a cough or two, was dead silent. Finally, the man who was standing besides the last casket in line---the Commodore's---walked towards the podium. His dress officer shoes echoed throughout the cramped hanger as he came to the podium. He stopped there, paused for a few long moments, then cleared his throat over the microphone.

"Goodbyes are never easy," Captain Duke P. Totter began, "But they must be done..."

Silently Jingle barely nodded as he had snapped to attention at the Captain's taking of the podium. Old habits.


TAG Everyone at the Funeral

 

IC: Master Sergeant DW-418121 (Animal)
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night


The remainder of the funeral seemed like a dream to Animal. Various crew & officers came up, said a thing or two about the departed, then returned to the gathering in the hanger. It was 30 minutes later---still Animal felt like he was drifting through all this---when someone off to the side yelled to attention. Dream state or not, Animal's mind & body were trained to obey, whether he was consciously aware or not.

"And we," Duke P. Totter said aloud, "hereby commit these souls to the deep. *** May the stars remind us of your memory. May we meet again, we pray, in better times. In happier places. Where pain and suffering is no more. And we may all rejoice in each other's presence."

That someone off to the side barked again, "Salute!"

Again, unconsciously, Animal brought his hand up in a salute.

"May the Force be with you. Always." Duke finished as he spoke to the caskets and then one by one the caskets were shot off into space, their mini rockets propelling them the extra way towards that distant sun. The commodore's casket was the last one, the flag being pulled off by two technicians as the casket was shot into space.

"At ease!" the person off to the side ordered again, then looked to the captain and nodded.

Duke gave his focus to the attendees, "You're dismissed. Return to your duties. We'll be resuming our journey through hyperspace soon. Thank you for coming."

As the gathering started to breakup, people sharing their thoughts with one another or starting to formulate the rest of the morning's plans, Animal turned to Elena as they followed a group towards the exit. The hanger was packed, so it would take them a bit to get to the exit. He remembered her earlier comment and decided now was the best time to answer, "If drinking is water, juice, coffee, or soda, I'm there. If the Sergeant Major catches you with a drink while on duty, he's crucify you against the hull of the Star Destroyer. And its no joke. Rumor has it he spaced a trooper one time for an infraction much lesser then drunkenness. When you have his respect within the Corps, Stormtrooper Command tends to turn a blind eye to a few training accidents here and there for the sake of the Corps. Better to weed out the weak and keep the strong. It makes the Corps overall healthier and battle ready."

They walked a few more steps, then Animal decided it was probably best to end on a good note, "But, lets get out of these dress uniforms and into regular duty garb. The Sergeant Major won't let you touch one of his troopers until I give him the go ahead you're ready. So we'll head to him next. Or do you really want to throw down some soda in shot glasses?"


TAG Everyone


************************************************

Some time later...

Captain Duke P. Totter was coming out of his personal quarters, buttoning the last button on his uniform when his comm buzzed. It was Flight Control, in specific Flight Captain Ezzeren Tat'ka; the Rodian was notoriously prompt and direct.

"Captain Totter," came the Rodian's bland voice.

Totter signed before answering, "Totter here."

"Captain, the TIEs have returned---"

Ops, Totter thought, I forgot all about them!

"---and have found nothing of note. A small smuggler operation, probably spice, bootleggers, or weapons from what the pilots could tell from the three light freighters and various containers they could spot on fly-by. Half a dozen people maybe in total. What remains of the heat shield around the complex blocks most intrusive sensor scans. Only a ground op could discover what really lies inside."

Totter shook his head to himself as he neared the turbolift, where a lone Imperial Navy Trooper stood guard around the clock in an otherwise deserted corridor, "I'm not risking a ground op that close to a star. Not worth it. This is something we can forward to Imperial Customs and let them do their jobs. We have bigger fish to fry." Totter replied.

"My thoughts exactly, sir. I'll forward the request to communications to send out the appropriate request. Tat'ka out."

Totter stopped at the turbolift, waiting for the lift. He turned to the familiar faced Navy Trooper. "George," Totter said, nodding with respect.

The older trooper smiled and nodded back, "Captain."

"How's the family?"

The trooper known as Staff Sergeant George Ito shrugged, "Oh, Julie is getting ready to graduate high school this year. Robert is finishing up middle school. And Sophie, well, the old lady is ready for both the kids to get out of the house!"

Both men laughed. Totter smiled, "Well, aren't you getting ready to retire?"

George smiled with pride, "Yes, sir! The Empire decided to accept my four years of my ten years with the Judicials and considered my Clone Wars service with the Old Republic to my favor. So, tack on seventeen with the Empire and that gives me twenty-one years. After we're done with this new mission business over at Javin, I'm a free man in exactly three months, four days, 2 hours, thirty-seven minutes, and," George looked at his watch, "Twenty-one seconds."

"Not like your keeping count, huh?" Both men laughed again.

"No, Captain! Although I may reenlist soon after. Sophie, she has all these grand plans for retirement. Traveling the galaxy. I don't think she's ever seen a small military retirement before!"

"Well," Totter finished up as the turbolift came to a stop and the doors opened, "I'll keep a spot open for you! I'll make sure it's a two year assignment out of comm range!"

George laughed, "Thank you, sir! And don't worry sir, I'll keep your corridor here safe and sound! Been so for five years!"

"Thanks George!" Totter called out as the doors shut and the turbolift went the short distant up to the bridge level. Once there, he strode across the deck and towards the bridge's doors. Once on the bridge, he called out, "Navigational Captain Markova, are we ready to move out?"


TAG @galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Sergeant First Class Adrias Stark
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex

Adrias was a bit disappointed that they wouldn’t be heading to Lespawn. He wanted to prove himself quickly. He hoped that he will be able to move up the chain and to get on the fastrack for Death Trooper or Shocktrooper training. The good news was that he was being assigned to an elite unit. Maybe his luck was improving? Though that also meant that the requirements placed on him will be stricter and he will be observed.

”I understand sir. At least I can study the reports to learn more about our enemies, so that I can be better prepared to lead our men into battle.” Adrias tried to put a positive spin to this development. ”Anyway I will be ready when the Darkest Night arrives.”

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Elena Shan
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night

Elena gave the Captain an odd look at his mention of the force. She could always ask Animal about him later. Elena fell into step with him again, and smiled at his lecture about drinking. "Understood. We do things differently on Courscant." Elena frowned to herself and added, "Let's get changed. I need to speak to you about something before we go see the Sargent Major."

Perhaps I'll have heard from grandfather by then.

Tag: @Bravo

 

IC: Stormtrooper Captain Kurt Stein
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex


Kurt saw the disappointment in the man's eyes and tone. It was like someone had popped his balloon. Stein felt for the trooper, but also knew that all things---like this disappointment---would pass with experience. Soon, all the blaster fights started looking the same, all the insurgents shared the same twisted ideals, and all the officers giving the orders seemed to copy one another.

It all too soon became a mindless, boring game of repeat. And the young Sergeant better get his fun in---

Kurt's comlink went off and he checked it with more urgency then maybe the moment demanded. But the alert sound and vibrate pattern was of a unique nature that had programmed in only for one person. And that person demanded quick results and failure was not an option.

Unlike most comlink's Kurt's was special issued by the person demanding quick results and was furthermore equipped with not only long range & encryption, but also had the ability to tap into any Imperial or civilian network automatically and, using cutting edge technology, could stealthily broadcast its location & receive/send communications to that one particular individual demanding results. The system had, so far, been solid and hadn't been cracked. Considering the best slicers credits could buy developed it, Kurt knew it was not only top of the line, he also knew those who built it did so with fearing their very lives if they failed.

The other feature was the miniature text screen that sent over coded messages in words that only Kurt and his very impatient superior would know.

The Captain grimaced as he put the comlink away. He hated this, but local ISB agents were tied up off planet in the sector and were a solid three hours away. They didn't have three hours, they had maybe an hour and that was pushing it. Frankly, Kurt was the only one in the area with enough clearance to act quickly without drawing undue attention or resources and tipping the target off. That's why his comlink had buzzed and not the whole complex's security network put on alert, even if that alert was muted to a few key individuals.

Kurt looked up to the young Sergeant. This place was too big to go unnoticed alone. But together? That provided the perfect coverage, as well as the perfect fall guy if things went South. The captain had no particular attachment to Adrias yet, so his framing for something he didn't do (if needed) would mean nothing to Kurt. But, if Adrias proved himself. Now that was the winning ticket. Adrias wanted in on spec ops. Kurt had the key---and the contacts---to do it now if he wanted to. But it would be amiss of him if he hadn't tested the young fellow when he got the first chance. And this wouldn't be the first test, a course. Many would follow. But it would be a necessary first test as well. Adrias would get his chance to prove his worth to the Empire. Or die by Kurt's hands if he failed.

Kurt came up with one of his dozen cover stories he had used multiple times throughout the years, "I got a urgent errand to run. Stormtrooper Command nerfed our orders up. I gotta fix it. You care to tag along? Or do you want to stay in this crowded place?"


TAG @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Natalia Markova
Bridge, Darkest Night

Natalia remained at her post letting the captain go and make his preparations. There was something calming peaceful about staring off into the void of space. She was still a little worried about the gravity well that pulled them out of position when they entered the system. She didn't make a mistake. The Sensor officer passed by her station on his way towards Captain Mason. She looked up as the pair talked.

"Sir, the initial scans failed to pick it up the first time but, an active scan revealed a planetoid, a dwarf planet if you will." The lieutenant explained to the senior officer. Natalia furrowed her brow, that wasn't on the star map for this sector, she checked and this specific sector hadn't been surveyed since before she was born. That wasn't enough time for a new planet to form besides this wasn't the right system for it. Then where did it come from? Without asking she pulled up the sensor data on her own screen and started running calculations. It was moving at speed unlike the other objects in the system. It's orbit was faster than it should be given its location in the system and distance from the star. It shouldn't be moving that fast. She extrapolated the ellipsis of the object and it wasn't a standard planetary orbit, it looked more akin to a comet. A very large comet but, it looked like it might have come from outside the system. And just gotten caught in the gravitational pull of the star. A rogue planetoid, hurtling through space and just happened to get caught in the pull of a star just in time for a Star Destroyer to feel its wake. An odd series of counicdenses that could have ended poorly if not for blind luck.

Or maybe it wasn't.

"We were lucky to have avoided it," the sensor officer continued, "If we'd been a few more AUs closer we might have been pulled along behind it, or worse collided with it."

Natalia's face soured a little, she'd rather it wasn't luck. With a few more calculations she worked out by how much they had avoided disaster. Much to her surprise, it was well within an acceptable amount of drift. Had her figures been off, even within acceptable amounts this simple funeral would have been for more than just the Commodore and others. It would have been for the whole crew.

Natalia said nothing, did not speak up to point out her contribution to the survival of the ship. She was just more annoyed that she could have missed it. That she could have jumped the ship into danger. She would have to be more careful next time. There was a long way to go before they reached their destination. She double checked her charts, double checked her calculations, and double checked her routes. There would be not more surprises, they couldn't afford them...they were already behind schedule.

"Navigational Captain Markova," Captain Trotter called out taking his place on the bridge, "are we ready to move out?"

"Yes sir," she replied her voice quiet and soft. On his order she would jump them to the next system, hopefully without any more stops.

Her datapad shined, she had it on silent given that she was on duty. It was from Keizar.

Missed you at the funeral,

Natalia didn't reply.

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Surgeon-Commander Debgate, Alex Qipao19, Reen G'Spaugh, Baille Harte, Auxilary Hangar, Darkest Night
Location: unknown star system


Debgate remained at attention close to the first pair of the silver coffins, level with the line of stormtroopers, facing the burial detail, and the massed observers behind them.

Thanks to her role since entering Imperial service, she had been involved with many such sad events, and presided over several.

"And we," Duke P. Totter said aloud, "hereby commit these souls to the deep. May the stars remind us of your memory. May we meet again, we pray, in better times. In happier places. Where pain and suffering is no more. And we may all rejoice in each other's presence."

It was a good speech. She had heard better and worse.

Someone hidden beyond the sea of beings, barked, "Salute!"

Eyes straight ahead, she did so.

"May the Force be with you. Always." Duke finished.

Deb's blue eyes flicked aside to regard the man.

Interesting... She thought. In an environment where she had to be careful with her Shaman powers, it was definitely notable should a fellow officer make open reference to the Force. An ally, perhaps?

One by one the caskets pushed through the magnetic containment field, nosed down enough to clear the Darkest Night's ventral aperture, then shot out of sight, their mini rockets propelling them the extra way towards that distant sun. The commodore's casket was the last one, the flag being pulled off by two technicians as the casket was shot into space.

She nodded with approval at that last bit, self-satisfied that she had stopped to check that out. It was an easy to forget step in the duties of a senior medic at such an event. All too easy to snag a flag on a coffin, or for a new crewmember to think it necessary to tie it down to stop it slipping off early. You could lose the flag, and the crew intending to pull the thing off as it flew through the shield.

"At ease!"

Everyone relaxed and waited for Totter to dismiss them.

"You're dismissed. Return to your duties. We'll be resuming our journey through hyperspace soon. Thank you for coming."

She looked over to her assistant, who was already shutting down the appropriated security console. "Good job there, Warrant Officer."

"Thank you, Chief." He dropped into a squat to start unplugging thick black cables from the console's base. "I'll call Technical Services to get this back to the stores."

She looked across to the kids, watching Alex turning to look behind him.

****

Alex did a one-eighty, carefully checking faces, and shadows, for that righteous-sounding Special Intelligence dude who had come up from Lepsawn 1-9 with them.

Not seeing any sign of him, he thought about getting the TALC team together to share his suspicions with.

Looking down at Reen in her hoverchair, he said to her and Baille. "The Lepsawn mission seems to have gotten us bumped from the schedules, for Baille and I are free for the time being. How about you, Reen?"

"Medical signed me off, at least for today. It would hurt, but I'm sure I could get to my shift on the bridge if she let me, but what can you do?"

"You're coming with us, then." He told her with a smile, then turned to the cat-eyed Jengleheimer. "Hey, uh, Master Chef? You want to join us in our pilot's lounge? We can toast Englewood, and discuss..., uh, related matters."


Tag: @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Jingleheimer Voss "Jingle"
Auxiliary Hanger, Darkest Night

After saluting he wasn't sure how long he had stood there in a daze, watching after a fleet of caskets that were no longer there. He wasn't thinking. He wasn't that sort of man. He didn't philosophize nor ruminate on the man he had known. All he did was stare and to feel, to feel that pain, that poignant hole that even ached now as his eyes watered.

It wasn't until someone said his rank that snapped him out of it. "Hey, uh, Master Chef? You want to join us in our pilot's lounge? We can toast Englewood, and discuss..., uh, related matters."

Fash flushing green briefly at the shock of being zoned out so he nodded. "Sounds good. I doubt any others except the droids would have much to say." he nodded stiffly. Pilots supposedly kept a good stash of good stuff. Although pulling out a tablet he sent out a brief notification to the cafeteria's that he would be 'off duty' unless emergency for the rest of shift. That and to send a request to his private chef droid to bring the satin bagged bottle from the back of his special sauce cupboard.

TAG: @Sith-I-5

 

IC: Sergeant First Class Adrias Stark
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex

Adrias was not sure what to do while Captain was checking his commlink. It was a bit of an awkward moment, but he tried to study the officer. There was something unnerving about the man. ‘Where does the Empire find these guys? Do they make a casting for creeps?’ He tried not to look amused. He had a feeling that the man was more than he shows. Maybe someday will have to call dad to dig up some info about him. Better be prepared.

”Oh, it would be nice to get to know the base a bit better. Also will be happy to assist.”

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Master Sergeant DW-418121 (Animal)
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night


Animal nodded at Lieutenant Shan, keeping his face clear of any suspicions he had on what she wanted to talk about. As far as he remembered, he hadn't violated any official policy between NCO & Officer within the Corps, but yet again, the Stormtrooper Corps' policy handbook added an additional policy every other week it seemed like. He always smiled at the last one: Policy 2-A-Charlie: No Stormtrooper had have on-duty or off-duty relations with Wookiees. First, he wondered who; then second, he wondered why; and lastly, he wondered what the end result was?


*********************

Army Quarters, thirty minutes later

Animal was standing outside the quarters, waiting for Shan. A course, it didn't take long for the rest of Joker Platoon---let alone the rest of the Dark Battalion---to start to tease the Master Sergeant about his baby sitting duty. Or some likened it to prom night and waiting for his date. Even some went as far as teasing of a romance, linking the two together for most of the day. Animal shrugged them all of it, reminding all who cared to listen that she would be their officer sooner then later and watch the language. Also adding it what went around, came around.

Finally, he was alone, the come and go of groups of foot traffic from the funeral and likewise changing individuals gone or at the very least, down to a trickle. A mouse droid ran past Animal's feet in its hurry to somewhere and the Master Sergeant looked up, starting to whistle. What else was he going to do?


TAG @TheSilentInfluence

 

IC: Stormtrooper Captain Kurt Stein
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex


Kurt allowed a faint smile, "Good. Follow me."

Soon, the pair was clear of the mess hall. Stein kept his posture casual, his walk steady. He took a glance at his comlink and smirked, before stuffing it away---there he was.

"So," Kurt asked Stark as causally as he could, as he as subtly as possible moved through groups of people walking with more---if barely noticeable---urgency then before, "What's your favorite strategy game?" It would be a common question among any Stormtrooper, as troopers routinely played mini games with their helmets visual outputs on long sentry duties. If anything, Stormtrooper Command recommended it, as long as troopers could keep a sharp eye; it kept a trooper's mind sharp.

Refresher, Kurt thought to himself, seeing the "target" enter with the suitcase; guess the man needed to relieve himself before jumping station.


TAG @TheAdmiral

 

IC: SGIS Agents Mitch Nifesta, Yavscout, bridge of the Consular-class cruiser, the Darth Unlucky
Location: space, over Javin


Mitch Nifesta narrowed his eyes and shivered, his pale-white lekku rasping haltingly over the rough tan fabric of his monastic-style robes. At first he wondered about the reason, then realised that a ripple in the Force had washed over him.

The Force Vampire pushed back from the flight console and swivelled his chair round so that he could see down towards the elf sitting at Communications. "I just had a strange feeling-"

Yavscout glanced back at him, quipping with a smile, "Along the lines of, 'waaaiiit a second, this isn't Yavin?'"

"No. Now this'll sound odd."

Yav raised an eyebrow. "You self-identify as 'the God of Cops'; that boat has sailed, Mitch."

"I just had a feeling, like an Oyster calling across its' living room, 'Siri, what eats oysters?'"

"Well, you stepped up to that plate." He felt this deserved both eyebrows. "And what did this Siri say?"

"Whelks, fish, sea st-" The Twi'lek halted with an exasperated expression, wagging a finger at his friend. "-but that's not the point; there is a possibility that we could be in trouble."

"What sort of trouble?"

"I'm-" Mitch looked uncomfortable. "-I'm not sure. I'm not yet ready to call for my brown trousers, but something could be up."


Tag: no-one

 

OOG: @Sith-I-5 , please correct if I accidentally misplaced Reen G'Spaugh.


IC: Captain Duke P. (Patrick) Totter
Bridge, Darkest Night


Markova responded quickly.

Totter looked to Comms when he assumed his position by the bridge windows, "Communications?"

Communications Chief Reen G'Spaugh turned briskly from the consoles she oversaw, "Comms all clear, Captain. Crew has been notified of pending jump to hyperspace."

"Sensors?"

"Nothing in our flight path, sir. All vectors incoming and outbound clear," came the response from Chief Sensors Officer Erik Vickers.

"Weaponry?"

"All stored and accounted for, Captain," Master Gunnery Chief Xavier Thunderstrike replied.

Totter turned back to Markova, "Navigation, on your count to hyperspace."


TAG @galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Natalia Markova
Bridge, Darkest Night

"Navigation, on your count to hyperspace." The captain checked with her after running down the other stations. She gave a nod of her head throwing up a holographic countdown to their next jump. It was easier than trying to be heard over the whole bridge. Everyone could just look to the large countdown. In the last few seconds she took some time to note some changes to the next few jumps in the sequence. Trying to find those last few seconds she could safely save. The funeral had slowed them down and her course should get them to Javin on time but, there was never a problem with arriving early to pick up one's new commanding officer. Things were finally returning to normal. Though in the back of her mind she still wondered, who killed the Commodre. He was clearly poisoned by an Imperial Subject with access to poisons only really available to intelligence services. There was only one person that could have access but, finding opportunity and motive was proving to be difficult even for Natalia. She had the video broken down knew when he was in contact with the Commodore when he would of had access but, that wasn't enough. But, she could review it all later when she wasn't on shift. When Keizar was on duty.

Hopefully soon everything would truly get back to normal.

The countdown hit zero, and the Star Destroyer lept to hyperspace leaving behind only the memory of those lost.

TAG: @Bravo

 

IC: Elena Shan
Auxiliary Hanger Bay, Darkest Night

Elena almost laughed when she heard Animal whistling to himself. I hope I can get information out of him. Grandfather expects me to report in again soon. Though I doubt he would want this by holo-mail. I hope I can at least find out what I'm doing next. Elena whistled back sharply and smiled at Animal as she approached and stood next to him. She looked around and satisfied that there was no one else around, she leaned against the wall next to him.

"Did Captain Totter fight in the Clone Wars? I feel like I've heard his name before; and I know some veterans still use the force saying." Elena asked casually. "The only Veterans I've met were mostly Clones that taught at the Academy. " She leaned her head back and looked at Animal curiously. "Even Darth Vader fought in the Clone Wars..."

Tag: @Bravo

 

OOG: Computer issues on my end (operating system is toast). Check Galaxy's Dump for updates. Replies, on my end, will be pushed back until next week.

If you're itching for a reply, @Sith-I-5 has my permission to post for my characters & stories. In my absence, Sith will also be temporarily assuming my Game Master duties (pleased forward questions & concerns to him). Please assume what he says is what I would say. If its an emergency and the world is falling apart, Sith can contact me on Facebook (which I will have access to).

 

IC: Sergeant First Class Adrias Stark
One of many Mess Halls, Javin Oversector Command & Administrative Complex

The base was very Imperial in design. Though there were certainly some differences of course. There were always ones. Probably the architects on different planets decided to add something minute. Architectural pride of sorts. Maybe a form of defiance? Adrias frowned slightly and chased that thought. Probably seeing things that were not there. That was something he needed to bury deeply as the wrong people might take it the wrong way and then it will be impossible to advance.

That was when Captain Stein asked him about favorite strategy game. That must be a trick question so he thought for a second, but not too long so that the Captain won’t notice it ”Well my father taught me chess and dejarik which I enjoy, but the 2D version on my helmet makes it uninteresting. I enjoy the HoloNet game series like Command & Conquer, EndWar, World in Conflict...”

He noticed that the Captain was observing a man going to the ‘fresher. What was going on? ”Um, sir, I hope you won’t mind me asking, but what is our task?”

TAG: @Bravo / @Sith-I-5

 

IC: Stormtrooper Captain Kurt Stein, Javin Oversector Command
Location: Javin


Sunlight through the windows along the wall behind them, bathed the corridor, giving the personnel going back and forth, and the back of Kurt's neck, some vital Vitamin D, as he looked through the morass of heads at the person entering the fresher.

"Well my father taught me chess and dejarik which I enjoy, but the 2D version on my helmet makes it uninteresting. I enjoy the HoloNet game series like Command & Conquer, EndWar, World in Conflict..."

Even though they had already stopped, Kurt raised his left hand in a fist, in the military signal for 'stop here', and backed it up with the softly spoken, "New rally point established," which was a vocalised report from the Command & Conquer game, whenever a moving unit, for example a ground vehicle, stopped somewhere.

"Um, sir, I hope you won’t mind me asking, but what is our task?"

Stein wasn't sure what to tell him. The being to whom he reported, his Dark Master, had not given a whole lot of details. For the captain, being sent to interdict someone carrying a case, so soon after getting briefed on the Red Rocks, put him in mind of perhaps some being in the luggage. He wasn't sure what he was going to do if it was Rodian porn.

"Uh, Customs and Excise. We want to see what is in that guy's case." He nodded across the hallway. "Come on."

Steely-eyed now, he extended an arm forward and used it to push through the traffic, arriving at the fresher door with the silhouette of a biped on the door, and pushing his way through it and the inner door, facing the sterile white box of cubicles and urinals along the left, and a full length mirror on the right, over several sinks.

There was no immediate sign of their quarry.

He looked back at Adrias, whispering, "Okay, you're up. What's your first move? And we're looking for actions here, not words."


Tag: @TheAdmiral / @Bravo