Beware the Parcae

[Progflaw99]

--​

Decima Cold Weather Training Facility​

Morta Cold Weather Research & Development​

Surface of Hoth​

--​

​

A biting wind howled across the ice plains just below the Ceyan Range.The muted rumble of cracking ice echoed deep below the uppermost layer of snow. It was almost musical, woodwinds playing a gentle melody, percussion a gentle thrum. If one paid close enough attention they might even see a snowmouse as it frolicked across the open plain, small bursts of snow erupting as its whiskered nose broke the surface only to dive back below. Tranquil. That was a good word to describe the world of Hoth. Now, months after the war against the Galactic Alliance, even the battleground had begun to be once again consumed by nature. Surrendered to the ice, the snow, the biting wind.

It wasn't the surface of Hoth that the Minister of Security was interested in however. The plight of the snowmouse and the eerie tones of the wind as they whistled through ice spires bored out by the iceworms was all but ignored - instead his focus had been on something alien to the planet, something man made. Dante was here to pay someone a visit.

​

​

Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don't find out til too late that he's been playing with two queens all along. - Terry Pratchett​

​

--​

​

Unannounced, Dante had arrived at the Decima Cold Weather Training Facility, the Deck Chief who'd greeted him upon his de-embarkation had been flustered. No doubt that he was concerned that finally his holonet gambling addiction had finally caught up with him. It was a rule that you weren't supposed to be conducting personal business on official terminals, but everyone did it right? The guys down at sanitation? He'd heard stories about what they liked to use terminals for in their free time. Alas, Specialist Voril was not the reason for Moff Calgar's visit, in fact it was highly unlikely that the Deck Chief even knew that where Dante was headed even existed.

Morta Cold Weather Research Facility was co-located with Decima Cold Weather Training Facility. While the latter trained the First Order's finest soldiers for the reality of harsh environment survival and advanced SERE techniques, Morta's purpose was a more devious one.

Nestled several hundred meters below the substructure of Decima lay Morta, a state of the art research and development facility. Dante himself had never been there but he'd heard of it during his time as a spook - in fact many of the recently developed technologies just now reaching the First Order's fighting force had been in development in the very facility. Technology wasn't why he was here though. After several uneventful minutes of travel via corridor, tram, and elevator, Dante had finally arrived. *So this is Morta* he thought to himself, eyes picking up every little detail. White polished floors reflected the overhead light, dark accents provided a clear contrast, and there were people everywhere. Lab coats, droids, even armed troopers made their way through the halls. Narrowing his eyes the Minister of Security set a course for his destination, indicated by a small blue arrow on the datapad recently recovered from his pocket. Raising his voice, he addressed the two uniformed FOSB operatives flanking him on either side.

"Gentlemen. With me. Time to see what our friend Caalgen is up to."​

​

[member="Travis Caalgen"] | [member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Madelyn Lowe"]​

@FOSB | @First Order Government | @Any First Order​

 

[Travis Caalgen]

Station Chief Travis Caalgen​

Equipment: Heavy Blaster Pistol - FOSB Uniform​

Location: Decima Training Facility - Morta R&D​

Status: Overseeing FOSB Projects​

Theme: When Has Become Now | Rogue One​

​

​

​

Things were going quite well before Travis Caalgen took over as the chief of the subterranean facility, but after things were better than ever. Efficiency had doubled following the man introducing several protocols that he used to great effect with the now-defunct Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire. Projects were started and finished within their timeframes, and Caalgen's previous designs were supplemented by the knowledge of the FOSB scientists and engineers and vice-versa.

"Cooldown cycle completed, all technicians advised to vacate firing tube."

This announcement radiated through that section of the facility as helmeted workers scrambled to leave a moderately-sized cylindrical hallway. Supervisory special agents and staff officers observed the project from the comfort and protection afforded by the firing control room, marking down variables and other miscellaneous items down on their datapads.

"Commence primary ignition; test firing in five...four...three...two...one...firing..."

An incandescent green beam projected down the firing tube, nodules of proton energy rippling through the laser and into an oscillating array of faceted kyber crystals. After several seconds, the beam deactivated, entering another period of cooldown as announced through the section's intercom. Caalgen watched this process unfold from above, mentally noting the intensity of the beam compared to that of which he developed years ago. "They've managed to surpass the power output of the tributary beams aboard a Mandator while reducing the material and spacial requirements by thirteen percent." The station chief's assistant reported, looking up at the man through her spectacles.

Travis nodded in acknowledgement, glancing at the woman. "What about Project 83295?" The chief queried, raising his arm to take a drag of his cigarette, "Have we heard back from Central Command and FOCIE?" The woman shook her head, receiving a disgruntled sigh from him, "Very well, I will be in my office, reroute any response to my personal terminal, Iota-level security clearance." Caalgen ordered, beginning to walk away until he remembered something and turned back, "Oh, and if anything comes of that damned armour, tell me."

The journey to his bureaucratic abode was a short and relaxing one, he preferred to be centred relative to the many projects under development in Morta. Though, despite his ambition to know everything going down in his assigned facility, he soon about to be caught unaware by the arrival of his new boss...

[member="Dante Calgar"]

 

[Progflaw99]

As Dante and his entourage confidently traversed down one of the many wide corridors, the Moff felt the hair of his neck stand up on end. Moments later he felt a deep vibration through the deck plating, a sudden rush of static electricity washing over him momentarily. *It seems the Director is up to something afterall.* The Minister of Security had half expected the place to be in shambles - or near to. A hint of First Order exceptionalism no doubt. He was pleasantly surprised. With practiced ease he made his way throughout the facility, eventually arriving at what was designated as Caalgen's office.

"Let's see if Director Caalgen is home." he said to the troopers behind him.​

​

Raising his hand, Calgar pressed the small panel beside the door.

"Moff Calgar for Director Caalgen."​

​

[member="Travis Caalgen"]​

 

[Travis Caalgen]

Caalgen sat down at his desk chair, sighing in relief of finally being able to take a break from his work. He opened a drawer in his desk and brought out a chilled bottle of scotch, twisting the cap off and pouring himself a healthy glass of the amber liquid before replacing the cap on the bottle and putting it back into its nook. The weapons director was just about to bring the tumbler to his lips when a quiet pip came from the door into his office, followed by the interloper over the intercom.

Once he digested this crucial bit of information, the colour drained from the mans face as he downed the entire glass of scotch in a second flat and stuffed the used container next to the bottle. Travis straightened his uniform and pressed down on the switch, uttering a determined "Come in." while his free hand swiftly placed several folders in front of him. Once his superior entered his office, he would rise out of the seat to greet him.

"Moff Calgar, a surprise to see you at this humble facility, but a welcome one."

[member="Dante Calgar"]