Théodoro
Blood On The Crown
Eshan System
Primeday, 1800 hours Eshan Meridian Standard Time
TTH/SQE-002 "Bellepherontes"-Class Quinquireme "Sideron"
No one had ever accused Commodore Kiro Torne of being self-congratulatory. He was intelligent, diligent, hardworking as any true-blooded Thyrsian. His rise through the ranks of the Thyrsian Armed Forces was due to his accomplishments and experience -- serving under the great Khonsu Amon as part of the Golden Company's armada was no doubt a prestigious and challenging role. With Thyrsus restored he'd entered service of his planet's military, working hard to ensure his command was among the best it could be. He'd fought through many difficult battles and campaigns, but even in victory he was first to say the work was not done. There was always another fight. There was always something to be improved. Complacency and self-satisfaction were routes to weakness and failure. Primeday, 1800 hours Eshan Meridian Standard Time
TTH/SQE-002 "Bellepherontes"-Class Quinquireme "Sideron"
And yet, as the "Sideron" dropped out of hyperspace only a few hundred megalights from Eshan's moon, the commodore found a smug smile on his face. He wasn't sure how long it'd been there. Curious -- he had accomplished nothing today, and yet there was a creeping feeling of ecstasy in his heart. A sense that they had already won. No, there was no battle in the Eshan system, no glory to bring to Thyrsus. But it brought him pride to see the strength of Thyrsus above the homeworld of their former oppressors.
With the arrival of the "Sideron" and its support flotilla, the Thyrsian naval forces in the system approached the strength of the Echani planetary defense fleet. Not as many ships; but any conflict would be hard fought on both sides. Many would perish. Many on the surface would suffer as debris and scattered laser fire came falling from the sky. The Echani were not so foolish as to fail to understand their situation. Eons of conflict had made the two warrior cultures equals, but today it was the Echani who were disadvantaged.
After the Supreme Sun Guardian had slew the majority of the Compact's leadership on Thyrsus, there was a moment of respite. A few of the Compact's remaining leaders had fled back to their homeworld but by then the Echani had tired of their battle against Thyrsus. For a time, there was a ceasing of hostilities; but this gave rise to more nefarious plots as Thyrsus began to exert its influence again. For nearly a month, the peace had allowed Thyrsus to quietly acquire lands in the Eshan system; whether through companies, shell corporations, or through the government directly.
Less than two weeks ago, the Sun Guard had begun to filter into the collected territory -- six days ago, they had completed an outpost on Eshan's moon. By then nearly a dozen smaller ships of the Thyrsian navy had found their way into the system. The demands from the Compact to leave the system started coming in just the day before the arrival of the "Sideron", but they soon realized their hands had been tied by the legitimate acquisitions and contracts of the Thyrsians. Ever since, the Thyrsian presence in the system had only increased, crowned by the commodore's arrival.
There was the usual chatter as the Thyrsian forces coordinated themselves and the Quinquireme sailed to the center of the flotilla assembled by Eshan's moon. As expected, the communique from the Echani came through only minutes later.
"Sir," the comms officer said, "They have requested that we leave the system."
The smug smile on Torne's face grew. Yes, this was the truest victory. They were there.
"You know our response."
Eshan, Eshan City
Taungsday, 0700 hours Local Time
Outside the Capitol Building
The Echani were not a people to sit idle. Just as their Thyrsian cousins, they were a people of war. With the arrival of the Thyrsian vessels, many citizens took to the streets to call for war. There had been a cease-fire but this incursion could not stand. Taungsday, 0700 hours Local Time
Outside the Capitol Building
It was the second day of mass protests outside the capitol building. There was a hum in the air; a quiet question in search of an answer: why had the fighting not started? These Thyrsians could not be allowed to stay. Still, the Echani Compact had said nothing, done nothing. Eshan had been devastated so many times in recent years but never by such a blatant breach of sovereign space by another planet. The Compact was the reason for the occupation of Thyrsus -- why were they now afraid to face them?
Piw stirred the now cold soup in his hands. "I heard the leaders have been sparring nonstop since yesterday."
"They shouldn't be wasting time doing that. There's an enemy. We've got to chase them out," said the older man sitting next to him. "One loss at Thyrsus and they run away? Far from true warriors. Eshan is sullied by this conduct."
Piw stared at his cold breakfast. "You can't blame them, Hyro. I mean, the Thyrsians bought the land, didn't they? We might want to fight, but I doubt the SJC is gonna like that."
"The Concord is full of cowards. They'll probably try to moderate the conflict and make peace. The Jedi are fools. For all the wars they start, they don't understand the first thing about it."
He sighed. Eshan was an incredible place and the Echani were a durable people. "Yeah, you're right."
"Look." Hyro pointed. A woman in Echani battle armor walked down the center of the road, through the slow-rising protesters towards the capitol building. She stopped at the police barricade; the officers kept a close eye on her. She brought her arm up and pointed to the doors of the capitol.
"Are we to accept this weakness?" Her voice echoed down the road, amplified by a device wrapped around her neck. "Our leaders wait for this threat to pass instead of facing it head on. The Thyrsians insult us, goad us!"
She turned to the protesters, who started to advance. "Do not lay silent! A true leader of our people would never accept such a transgression! We must abandon this failing state for something better. Bring us the Compact! Give us the ritual combat that will show them to be unworthy of leading us."
"I can get behind that." Hyro grunted and stood. "Come on, kid, let's break through that barricade."
The low hum turned to a deafening roar as the people of Eshan began their calls for change with new vigor. It was only a matter of time before the protests turned violent; for a warrior people it was a miracle that there hadn't already been more clashes between police and protesters. Still, Piw couldn't help but wonder if this was playing into the hands of the Thyrsians.
Eshan's Moon
Taungsday, 1500 hours Local Time
Outskirts of Thyrsian Hierarchy Outpost
"Come on, we're almost there." Taungsday, 1500 hours Local Time
Outskirts of Thyrsian Hierarchy Outpost
"Where the hell did you get an A280 anyways?"
"My uncle used to be in the military. Told me we could ping a few Thyrsians for him."
"This is a bad idea. We shouldn't be here."
"Fuck them, bro. Fuckin' sand people. We shoulda' wiped them out, like, a thousand years ago."
"Dumbass. Thyrsus rebelled, like, 1k BBY."
"Yeah well fuck your nerd ass, Tunny. Bring a fuckin' blaster next time."
"Whatever, Gunch."
"They can't be that tough, can they?"
"Well, Thyrsus liberated itself less than a year ago, so they're definitely pretty strong-"
"Shut the fuck up, Tunny."
Tunny shut the fuck up. At least, until he heard something in the trees nearby.
"Guys. Guys, stop," he hissed. "There's someone here."
The guys stopped and glanced around.
"I don't see anything."
Gunch rolled his eyes and continued walking. "Tunny's just tryna fuckin spook us. I ain't scared of-"
"Perhaps you should be scared."
An armored Thyrsian, camouflaged in the forest, took a step forward into the light. "But more importantly, you shouldn't be here."
Gunch brought his blaster to bear, but there was a clear difference between a trained warrior and a teenager -- even an Echani teenager. In the blink of an eye the rifle was slapped away and the Thyrsian slammed his elbow into Gunch's gut, sending him sprawling into the dirt. The man straightened, towering over the group of boys. "Come back when you are warriors. Go, tell your friends that the Sun Guard are not to be trifled with."
The boys hesitated. One of them was going to do something stupid. It was Theo's job to discourage such things. He could see their frustration, their lust for conflict. He knew that feeling. But they were not ready. Anger drawn from fear was a quick path to foolishness.
"Leave. Now."
Rundown: Thyrsus is making a power move into the Eshan system. After years of subjugation under the Echani Compact, they recently liberated their home and now look to secure themselves against future invaders. To do so they've established a foothold in the Eshan system and moved a not insignificant military force there to project strength and keep an eye on the remnants of the Compact. Obviously, the Echani have not taken kindly to this incursion, but due to the technical legality of the action, the defeat at Thyrsus, and the proximity to Eshan itself, the Compact is hesitant to make any aggressive moves. Thus far they have stayed their hand, allowing the Thyrsians to consolidate their position.
Angles:
1. The Thyrsian naval presence in the system rivals the Echani defense fleet. For the moment, the two forces face off; the Thyrsians waiting for the Echani to make the first move.
2. On Eshan, the Echani people protest the incursion. Many demand war. Protests may soon turn to riots if action is not taken. The Compact's leaders spend their days in discussion on a course of action.
3. On Eshan's moon, some of the more radical Echani attempt to retaliate against the Thyrsians stationed in the outpost there. While there has been no open conflict yet, it is near certain that something will happen soon.
Notes:
Made up Eshan's moon, as the Wookieepedia article on Eshan is very short. (If there is a planet sub, please link it to me.)
I won't be GMing per se, but rather writing from a more societal perspective. Join in how you see fit -- if there's something I can respond to, I will.
This is more of an anthology thread based around the rivalry between Thyrsus and Eshan. Write your own stories, find a partner, do what you like. Everything's game.
Most of all, have fun.
Angles:
1. The Thyrsian naval presence in the system rivals the Echani defense fleet. For the moment, the two forces face off; the Thyrsians waiting for the Echani to make the first move.
2. On Eshan, the Echani people protest the incursion. Many demand war. Protests may soon turn to riots if action is not taken. The Compact's leaders spend their days in discussion on a course of action.
3. On Eshan's moon, some of the more radical Echani attempt to retaliate against the Thyrsians stationed in the outpost there. While there has been no open conflict yet, it is near certain that something will happen soon.
Notes:
Made up Eshan's moon, as the Wookieepedia article on Eshan is very short. (If there is a planet sub, please link it to me.)
I won't be GMing per se, but rather writing from a more societal perspective. Join in how you see fit -- if there's something I can respond to, I will.
This is more of an anthology thread based around the rivalry between Thyrsus and Eshan. Write your own stories, find a partner, do what you like. Everything's game.
Most of all, have fun.
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