Campaign An Operation of Ice & Fire / NIO

[radioflare]

NELLOGANT​

The NEW IMPERIAL ORDER has begun to establish and reclaim mining operations within the Outer Rim. The Order has a multitude of resource rich worlds now at its disposal. With the increasing aggression from The Sith Empire, it is vital to maintain a steady flow of resources. Nellogant is one such world, an inhospitable tundra popular amongst hunters seeking impossible trophies. The Order must expand, but we cannot do so alone. Further negotiations with the Bral Clan have begun in the effort to expand existing mining operations. As Imperial forces arrive on Nellogant, talk emerges of the beasts that lurk in the frozen wastes. This talk has piqued the interest of New Imperial Intelligence.

Imperial craft have begun their descent into the Nellogant atmosphere. Shadows are scattered over Cin'ceri Cerar Morut. New Imperial vessels arrive with a collection of heavy container vessels carrying a multitude of newly commissioned resource extractors - complete with freshly painted NIO emblems.

Strike Force Captain Azumi is headed to the Bral Military Base, leading a new task force with instructions to survey the proposed expansion zones within the planet’s crystalline layer. The harsh climate makes the safe deployment of ground vehicles impossible. The expedition must be carried out on foot.

---​

OBJECTIVE I //
Rendezvous with Valdus Bral.
OBJECTIVE II //
Investigate the Nellogant crystal layer.

CLASSIFIED/// Access Granted…
Assess potential to retrieve [REDACTED] live specimens.

CAST: Valdus Bral , Zarr Gallus , OPEN/ANY NIO INFANTRY

 

[Zarr Gallus]

The mouth of the imperial landing craft hissed open and a rush of frigged cold air filled the cargo hold. Zarr’s eyes instantly teared up as he rose his forearm to block the wave of intense wind. He was sure that they had flash frozen and were now two globes of ice that sat in his skull. He blinked away the tears and quickly pulled up the hood on the grey mantle that hung across his shoulders and hung down his back as a cape. Zarr tapped on his armor to make sure that the heavy underlining that was added underneath his standard issue armor was still there. Some minor internal heating coils should start to warm his chest and feet adjusting to the temperature that he felt outside. Was this how the “Rebels” of old lived while trying to escape our predecessor’s empire? What was that planet called again?... He recalled his studies of Imperial history. Hoth. What a waste of gravitational pull that planet was. Yet, as he walked down the ramp of the shuttle, he remembered that he was on a planet not too different from what he had read about in the great “striking back of the Imperial Empire” in the year 3 ABY. But this frozen gem was a bit different. Rich in resources, Nellogant could prove to be quite an asset for the New Imperial Order and it’s mighty shipyards.

Captain Azumi, uniformed in an appropriately thick snow cloak, stalked forward flanked by two rows of Imperial snow troops. That usual imprint of a frown could be seen from 3 meters away as she approached Zarr.

Zarr didn’t know which was worse, the freezing air on the planet or the Captain's cold disposition towards him. The captain knew the role of the knights with the military but still was wary about Zarr.

Zarr bowed his head slightly to the officer and made his report about the trop detachment.
“The troops have their orders and have started to move the necessary equipment off the landing craft.”

The stormtroopers and technicians pulled off medium to large sized floating pallets packed full of necessary equipment for the search and recovery of the resources.

Zarr smirked with that sly curl of one side of his mouth. He wanted to get a lay of the land, what was out there that had the Captian a bit on edge? He closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall deeper into the force then was really necessary. His fists clenched. The snow and wind around the captain and Zarr started to whirl up and cause a small squall to form. The captain knew immediately that this wasn’t the result of the conditions of the weather, but a force “trick” by the knight. And that it was. Zarr wanted to add a bit a flair to his reaching out with the force. Like tendrils of a floating creature of some figurative ocean depths. There he felt… everything…

As Zarr opened his eyes again. The snow squall and wind died down around the Captain.

“There be dragons ma'am.”
Zarr said, almost surprising himself by his own answer.

“I’m sorry ma'am.”
Zarr rubbed his cheek from the cold and shook his head slightly.
“Seems the force just gave me some images. Maybe that’s just how my mind processed them.”
Zarr also regained his composure. Maybe he was pushing his luck with the Captain. Maybe he should tone it down a notch. The captain could easily write him up to one of his superiors.

“I think we should start moving the troops.” Zarr mentioned to the Captain as he glanced back to the Troop Corporal that was at the head to the flank lined up below the landing gear of his respective transport.
“I really think we should rendezvous with this Valdus Bral before the sun sets. If this is how cold it gets at mid-day I don’t want to imagine what the middle of the night will feel like.”

Zarr watched as the troops, land speeders, and small mechanized walkers started heading towards the rendezvous point that flashed on his wrist gauntlet. He closed his eyes for a moment and saw the burned superimposed image behind his eyelids again. Dragons…

 

[Redmond Geller]

Charge packs found their homes in their weapons, and in turn those blasters hummed to life. They'd done this a thousand times before, under what felt like half as many flags, though in truth it had only been two. Whatever anxiousness they might've once had was long gone, there was nothing beyond this. Life and death meant little, only the next mission, only the next fight. Redmond wasn't even concerned with that, as one hand rested on the rifle slung across his chest, his other held a datapad, mission info scrolling down the tablet, it's blue glow a contrast to the crimson of his visor. They'd be touching down soon, where things went from there mattered little.

He just hoped he got to use the damn rifle, that would keep his mind off the cold.

Clad in their arctic gear, the troopers filed out on foot behind Zarr Gallus , and all at once each of them stared daggers into those fortunate enough to be on a speeder. They were insulated, even temperature controlled within their armor, and they all felt the sting. Redmond hated the damn snow, he only hoped it wouldn't seep into his boots.

"On me, stay tight." The men gave him a nod, and that was all there was, Oscar Six-Six ventured on.

 

[Vitani Azumi]

Spoiler: Task Force Complement

RDAGx Rapid Deployment Assault Ship (x1)
CK-6 Swoop Bike (x2)
Storm Recon Armor Mk. II (Snow Variant)
Storm Armor Mk. IV (Snow Variant)
Imperial Mk.1 Dooku-Pattern Jedi Armor

LOCATION: Cin'ceri Cerar Morut (Hangar Bay)

Azumi stepped off the gunship into the hangar bay, escorted by a pair of recon scouts. She wasn't fully armoured herself, instead she wore a thick military coat. Behind her, a small handful of infantry began to disembark also. She nodded to acknowledge Zarr Gallus .
The climate outside was lethal and dusty snow started to settle on the Captain's shoulders.

"The troops have their orders and have started to move the necessary equipment off the landing craft.” he had said.

The snow scattered on the ground began to swell around Azumi. She stared at Gallus, the concentration on the Knight's face said enough. He was playing a trick on the new Captain. She wondered what exactly the boy's intentions were. Azumi did not trust force users, this was yet another mark against them. The younger ones always seemd so obnoxious about it.
The miniature storm disappeared almost as fast as it had risen. Azumi barely had a chance to assess what had even happened. She clenched her jaw and approached the Knight, leaving barely any space between them.

"What the fark is wrong with you, boy?" she hissed.

His tall tales of 'dragons' and 'visions' only infuriated Azumi further. The idea that any element of her fate was already written was an unacceptable concept as far as Azumi was concerned. She had no idea what to say, she just glared.
Azumi stepped back and scanned the hangar for Valdus Bral amongst droids and dockworkers.

“I really think we should rendezvous with this Valdus Bral before the sun sets. If this is how cold it gets at mid-day I don’t want to imagine what the middle of the night will feel like.” Zarr suggested.

Azumi looked again to Zarr, "Lets see how the resident Mando'a respond to your little magic tricks."

 

[FN-999]

TAGS: Vitani Azumi | Zarr Gallus
IN VICINITY: Redmond Geller

The blistering cold had little effect on FN-999, wrapped snugly in his snowtrooper armor.
​

The ten troopers of the 19th who had come with him stared jealously. FN-999 had been lucky enough to be one of one hundred lottery winners among the Stormtrooper Corps to get the first batch of New Imperial Snowtrooper Armor, freshly produced mere days prior. Soon, major production facilities would make the armor available to almost any trooper in a frigid battlefield. But for now, the captain treasured his snowtrooper armor. Still, the atmosphere was barely breathable. Hopefully, the unit would reach their destination soon.

"Forwards, let's join the others." called out FN-999 to the representatives of the 19th behind him.

The eleven stormtroopers disembarked from the shuttle, soon catching up with the detachment ahead of them. Some of the men took to speeder bikes or walkers, but the others had to walk. Even in his snowtrooper armor, FN-999 knew that the trek would be long and boring. If he wanted to keep his division moving, he would have to engage in small talk. But before he could do so, his formation began to walk parallel to another group of troopers.

They had much darker armor than any of the 19th, and crimson visors unlike the gray coloring in each of theirs. Special forces? Maybe. Regardless of their position, they seemed to have a similar task. He scanned their pauldrons, finding the highest ranking trooper in their formation to be a sergeant. It seemed as if FN-999's command position would grant him jurisdiction over both forces if necessary. However, he hoped that Captain Azumi, who he had met days earlier, would prevent such a drastic establishment of command from occurring. While the two were of equal rank, it seemed as if she had a greater understanding of the logistics of this mission.

"Hello, I'm Captain Nines of the 19th Assault Company." called out FN-999 to the black-helmeted troopers.

 

[Valdus Bral]

Tags: FN-999 | Vitani Azumi

​

As the party of NIO guests disembarked their starship they were met with the sight of dozens of Mandalorians clad in their traditional armor while others wore layers of thick clothing, both archetypes seemed to be busy at work within the hangar unloading cargo shuttles that had recently flown down to the stronghold from the Keldabe-class heavy cruiser, Ver’gebuir whose vigil over the planet was its permanent mission.


Vitani Azumi and those around her were then approached by a group of seven warriors adorned in armor that was of visually much higher quality than the beat-up armor worn by the random Mandalorians providing security over the hangar.


“The Alor sends his regards to the New Imperial Order’s representatives.” The lead Verde directed towards Vitani. “We will see you and your equipment to the mining facility…the Alor awaits you there.” The Verde waved forward and three more of the seven strode past Vitani to escort those who came with the equipment. “This way to the repulsorlift room.”


The four remaining Verde formed a wedge shape with the leader at the front, leading the NIO members through the back of the hangar. The moment they left the hangar they would see a city built upon walls, Basilisk Ward Droids as well as courier droids hovering between apartments either on patrol or a mission, and blast-doors littering the ground levels. Cin’ceri Cerar Morut was built as a fortress first and home second, it was easy to get lost and there was very little to take cover from the vertical city structure when exiting the hangar.


After several minutes of walking the formation of Verde turned towards a large blastdoor. The leader typed in a passcode and the door opened with a SHHWWWP. The room held dozens of repulsorlift tubes of varying sizes. “Equipment on the large lifts and personnel on the smaller lifts. You will be met with an escort upon your arrival to the mining facility level. We will ensure the security of your vessels within the hangar.


Those who did as they were told would travel downwards at great speed upon the repulsorlifts. The lifts were not transparent and provided no hint for where they were, though the single interior red light on each of the lifts provided them with some idea of just how small the lifts really were. Their red tinted trip took several minutes; they must have descended several kilometers that was for certain.

The lifts then slowed and opened. As promised the group was met with another escort of similar size.


“Those who are here for discussions with the Alor will follow me. Those who are here for mining will follow my vod. Those who wish to exit the facility for hunting, head towards that door over there -” The lead Verde pointed towards a massive blastdoor that could easily fit large equipment through it that stood stalwart at the far end of the facility in relation to the repulsorlifts.


The Mandalorians of the Bral clan didn’t seem to waste much time on formalities or responses. Everyone had their role and they were expected to do so as efficiently as possible, that mindset would keep this refugee colony a symbol of strength and unity instead of desperation.


Those who followed the lone Verde leader would be towards yet another lift, though large enough for a whole squad of infantry. The lead Verd nodded towards the lift guards causing the lift to ascend once all were aboard. At the top of the cliffside dwelling they were met with two more lift guards of the same ornate armor as all the other Verde have been wearing.


Long golden and black banners with the Bral clan Mythosaur upon it hung on the flanks of large door with Mandoa markings on around the frame that read as follows:

”For honor. For those who have gone. For those that will go. For Glory Eternal.”​

Their Verd escort stood to the side and motioned with his hand towards the dwelling's great door, “The Hall of the Bral Alor, Valdus, Lord of Nellogant.”

 

[Vitani Azumi]

Azumi and led the way towards the elevator. She was silent in the journey down - as was her security detail. The Captain was considerably impressed by the fortification of the outpost. When the doors came apart again, she and her squad came out of the repulsorlift in single file. She patiently awaited Bral's instruction.

“Those who are here for discussions with the Alor will follow me. Those who are here for mining will follow my vod. Those who wish to exit the facility for hunting, head towards that door over there -”

Azumi looked at the blast door curiously, before reviewing the briefing on her datapad. Behind them, another group of infantry with hovering pallets and equipment arrived.

"Our instructions are clear," she began "the glorious New Imperial Order wishes to expand on your...already impressive mining operations. We understand there is a sizeable risk due to the native wildlife."

Looking to the second group of infantry, Azumi motioned towards the vod for them to follow. Her own group began to follow Bral. Azumi reviewed the area on her datapad, pointing to the edges of the mining operation as she walked.

"As you can see, there is much room for improvement," she said bluntly, "we will scout the perimeter and make preparations to control the unwanted wildlife populations. Perhaps in future, your designated hunting grounds will make a fine addition to the expansion efforts also."

The Captain spoke of the wildlife with naivety. It was clear she wasn't fully aware of what lurked within Nellogant's layers, nontheless, she was keen to find out one way or another.

 

[FN-999]

TAGS: Valdus Bral | Vitani Azumi | Zarr Gallus
IN VICINITY: TBD

“Those who are here for discussions with the Alor will follow me. Those who are here for mining will follow my vod. Those who wish to exit the facility for hunting, head towards that door over there -” The lead Verde pointed towards a massive blastdoor that could easily fit large equipment through it that stood stalwart at the far end of the facility in relation to the repulsorlifts.

A large group of Mandalorians had arrived to assist with the unloading, so it seemed as if FN-999 and the eleven troopers with him did not have much to handle. However, the idea of hunting something on this planet sounded highly appealing. He knew that the New Imperial Order had plans to invade Bastion soon, and a hunt would help give the troopers with him an opportunity to improve their marksmanship and stealth. With that in mind, FN-999 did not have much difficulty making his choice.

"I would like to go with my squad on a hunt." called out FN-999 to their Mandalorian guide. "That way, we can polish our skills in combat. What are the types of fauna native to here, and how should we handle them?"

​