First Reply Echoes of the Empire

[Durin Vexis]

Outpost Epsilon,
Zeta-Zero-Nine
The Wastes

On the fringes of Imperial space an eerie silence haunts the secretive Outpost Epsilon, a research facility on the edge of Wild Space. The icy planet of Zeta-Zero-Nine suffers yearlong electromagnetic storms making off-world communication difficult, but it has been years since the station has heard from Imperial command. Scientific reports and requests for resupply go unanswered.

Unbeknownst to Epsilon the Empire is but a fading memory, its collapse sudden and catastrophic. There was no warning. The research team and understaffed garrison of stormtroopers and officers face starvation with dwindling rations, equipment falling into disrepair and their station a crumbling testament to an era quickly passing them by.

-

Durin Vexis strode down the corridors of Epsilon, his crimson cloak a bloody smear against the sanitized laboratory. The clack of his staff a warning to all of his approach. Gaunt faces of technicians and scientists passed him by, a grim silence dawned over every inhabitant of the forsaken facility. Repeated attempts to contact Imperial High Command had gone unanswered for two years, quartermaster Lenkart believed rations would run out in three days, and the heat generators would fail any moment now.

Vexis took a glance out a passing window and saw nothing beyond a wall of snow. The heat generators had not yet failed but he felt the chill to his bones. Epsilon was a tomb, they all knew it, and time was fleeting.

Hydraulic doors slid aside with a hiss at his welcome. Within the command station was abuzz with beleaguered officers. "Commander Vexis," an officer chirped, Vexis turned his crimson helm and saw the plaque on the officers chest, two red bars and one blue, a junior lieutenant. "The storm has eased, if we are to proceed with the distress signal it must be done immediately," the officer explained.

The distress signal was their last hope. Without Imperial resupply ships they had no way to sustain themselves, and Zeta-Zero-Nines inhospitable climate made foraging and hunting impossible. One last shout into the void. "Broadcast the signal across all bands, and pray someone finds us," Vexis commanded.

 

[Laertia Io]

Arrived at Epsilon in: Grasp of Elaine

A ship would come out of hyperspace, scrounging around in the remains of imperial space.

On this particular occasion, it was commanded by The Parliament, bored on Khemost and wanting to stretch her legs. No identifying colors.

The Parliament, who had a chair installed on the bridge, played idly with a yo-yo as one of the House B1 Merc Droids informed her of a sudden burst transmission from a planet ravaged by storms. The Sith Lady, clad in a skintight white catsuit, raised an eyebrow.

"Send a return transmission, bring us closer to the planet.." The Parliament ordered, curious. Who would be out here?

"Attention, this is the mercenary vessel Grasp of Elaine, is anyone alive down there?" the comms officer transmitted to the planet...


Durin Vexis

 

[Durin Vexis]

Hours passed and morale waned, the comm technicians who sent the signal burst couldn't verify whether the distress beacon had been scrambled by the planets intense storms. Vexis stood in the corner of the control station silent, the butt of his staff firmly planted on the cold durasteel floor, his grip occasionally flexed with anxiety.

Suddenly the grim tranquillity was cut by ear-splitting static, the room collectively grimaced at the noise, the comm technicians raced to their stations, hands dancing across dials and keypads as they tuned Epsilons signal dish. The message played out on a broken loop, "Atten-chht!-is the mercen--chht!--Grasp of Ela--chht!--is any--chht!--down there?"

The room began to erupt but the elated cheer was quickly stifled by the barking of Captain Elara Thorn, "We aren't out of the woods yet," she cautioned, closing the distance to the comm technicians. Vexis' gaze following her, she was uncomfortably right. Thorn carved an imposing figure, tall and weathered by her years as a stormtrooper, piercing blue eyes that with her gritty voice commanded attention. Vexis had only known her for the length of his time on Epsilon but felt she would have been a finer Royal Guard than many others among his fellows.

"Send back a hail, but warn them of the storm. We don't want our only help losing power if they plan to enter atmosphere," Thorn beckoned to the junior lieutenant and his comm techs. "Vexis," she snapped her heels and turned, facing him, "I'll prepare my squad and meet you by the hanger, we'll form the welcome."

Vexis tilted his head forward in silent acknowledgement, clacked his staff, turned and left the control station. Once the doors had shut behind him with a familiar hiss both he and Thorn heard the muffled eruption of cheering. They shared a moments glance at one another, Thorn offering a brief smile, but Vexis was not so relieved. "I will handle the negotiations with our guest," Vexis spoke coolly, Thorn was level-headed enough that he need not pull rank on her. She accepted his command and left him to walk to the hanger alone while she gathered the small garrison of stormtroopers.

Laertia Io

 

[Laertia Io]

"Matriarch, powerful storms are being reported back to us." a Comms officer reported.

"Dispatch a shuttle. I'll head down there..." The Parliament ordered, getting up from her seat.

The Dark Witch smiled as she passed by her beloved Citizens, each tending to various duties. Cruisers like this formed the basis for House life.

Some smiled back. But it was a strained smile. Most ordinary citizens didn't want to get within ten feet of her due to sensing the innate crazy about her.

There was an ensign aboard the turbolift, The Parliament whistling happily, while the ensign buried her absolute terror being next to her, staring straight ahead. The Parliament observed a bead of sweat form on the ensign's forehead. The lift stopped at the hangar and the Parliament spotted a squad of House Stormtroopers waiting as her guard detail. She greeted them in Khemostian Sign Language and then boarded the dark blue Lambda Shuttle.

The Parliament had genuinely not come here for a fight. She considered herself an orderly butcher.

She piloted to the surface, the Darkness whispering to her in how to navigate before reaching the surface hangar.

She came out followed by the Troopers, armed with a purple lightsaber of a simplistic hilt design.

She saw the Imperial signs but ignored them. Business was business.


Durin Vexis

 

[Durin Vexis]

The hanger was vast and empty, the two fireteams of stormtroopers that comprised the entirety of Epsilons defence force stood spread around the bay. Blast doors sealed the only entrance from the hanger to the research facility. Vexis side by side with Captain Thorn, the grim faced stormtrooper now helmeted with a black trim around the jaw of the helm.

When the hanger bay opened to welcome the lambda shuttle those within were buffeted by winds and snow drift, Vexis grit his teeth, the chill like a knife to his lungs. It was over in a moment, the doors closed once more and the rooms temperature began to rise to standard habitable conditions. As the shuttles ramp descended Vexis strode over to greet their unknown guest, force pike clacking the metal tiles as he swept across the room.

"Welcome," Vexis offered briefly, "I am Durin Vexis, commander of this installation." His pale eyes studied her, but his helmet offered no such indication. He noted the lightsaber and the troopers that followed her, "Unfortunately you may not tread further into this facility, so we will talk here." In an act of submission Vexis reached for his helm with crimson gloves and slowly removed it, tucking it under his armpit.

The Umbaran royal guard was slender and tall, black pupils that some thought harsher to look upon with his white iris' and pale skin. His head was cleanly shaved and he watched her with an unwavering intensity. "This stations generators are failing, our rations are low. I am seeking passage off-world for supplies and a vessel to bring back. My garrison will remain behind to continue their duty until my return. I am willing to pay 10,000 credits for my passage." He left little room for negotiation.

Laertia Io

 

[Laertia Io]

The Parliament's gaze swept the hangar, rotting yellow eyes fixed on Durin Vexis . Imperial.

He introduced himself, and the deadly Witch studied, him. Since fighting at Tython, the Empire had declared a sort of pardon for any who had fought against the Maw, even former enemies of the Empire. House Io had taken advantage of it, troubling The Empire no further, partly out of sheer exhaustion of resources and manpower, and partly because whatever was left of Laertia Io within the creature standing before this warrior still respected DECEASED Erskine Barran .

Still, best to play it safe. These soldiers had been in obvious isolation. They thought the Empire was still a major force. This must be handled delicately.

"I am The Parliament. Commander of the Interdiction Vessel in Orbit." she said in reply.

"Sounds like quite the problem. Keep your money. I require no compensation." she continued, placing her lightsaber on the floor and kicking it over to him to show she wasn't hostile.

"I have enough on the vessel above to resupply you, as well as get your generators fixed. I can also provide you with the passage you requested. But there is something you should know. You all look like you were here a while. A lot changed outside. May we talk inside the shuttle? I would rather not give the full details so openly."

 

[Durin Vexis]

Vexis met her dead gaze when the stranger spoke, "I am The Parliament. Commander of the Interdiction Vessel in Orbit. Sounds like quite the problem. Keep your money. I require no compensation." she continued, placing her lightsaber on the floor and kicking it over to him to show she wasn't hostile.

The only sound that followed was the rolling clatter of the hilt. Vexis raised his force pike inches and pressed the butt back down, pinning the lightsaber in place. His head turned away from the stranger for a moment, a crimson glove emerging from his cloak and robes, motioning for a stormtrooper to come collect the weapon.

"I have enough on the vessel above to resupply you, as well as get your generators fixed. I can also provide you with the passage you requested. But there is something you should know. You all look like you were here a while. A lot changed outside. May we talk inside the shuttle? I would rather not give the full details so openly."

A ragged trooper rushed over and came to a kneel, scooping up the hilt and quickly offering it to Vexis when the royal guard motioned for it. The lightsaber was swiftly tucked into the folds of his robes, then his visor returned to face the stranger. "Generous," he offered, "But there's always a price for such acts of generosity. I will hear what you have to say, and speak openly on what you want from us."

His stomach roiled with trepidation, but his feet held firm, his resolve unwavering, Vexis approached the shuttle and made way to board it for the discussion. The clack of his pike against the hanger floor followed each step. The stormtroopers behind him remained at their positions, but tension visibly eased from their shoulders. Their slow death to cold and isolation would not come to pass.

Laertia Io