// OBJECTIVE: Operation Shatterpoint
// ENTRY NUMBER: 1
// LOCATION: Epitaph II - Repurposed Medical Bay
// CURRENT CONCERN: Unseal the Hushed Casket
// ATTN:
Irveric Tavlar
|
Wraith
| Logan
Darth Tumelos arrived like a blast of cold wind: quickly, and jolting the technicians to attention.
He was a red-skinned Neimoidian, cybernetically outfitted with data-goggles and a Vocabulator. He was difficult to look at, for reasons of both intimidation and squeamishness.
The technicians, a pair of Chiss twins, abandoned their work. Likely just making adjustments to the pod based on the occupant’s vitals. Adek and Evesh were not his primary concern. They were mere apprentices, and he had yet to meet a Chiss he found tolerable.
The Verpine they were being supervised by, Knight-Artificer Suskar. That was who he wanted.
“Welcome home, Master-Artificer,” Suskar said, failing to move from the wall he leaned against.
“The Epitaph has taken on hostile boarders,” Tumelos droned, either incapable of or disinterested in pleasantries. “The field test will be conducted now.”
Verpine were not, altogether, very expressive. But Tumelos sensed rising anxiety. Distrust.
“I’m not sure that’s–”
“This concern has been noted and will be reflected in the reports,” Tumelos continued, now looking to the technicians. “Open it.”
Adek and Evesh shared a discomforted look before moving to their stations.
- - -
Gas vented from the stasis pod in thick streams, clouding the vision of those assembled. A heavy clunk signaled the disengagement of the locking mechanism, and the door slowly peeled open.
The pod’s single occupant clutched the sides of his containment unit and heaved himself out. He hit the floor with a metal clank. This was the flagship specimen of a new generation of Dark Trooper.
Dull, grey power armor accented with red, modeled in the style of the classical Stormtroopers at specific request. And also a jetpack the size of a small child.
He stood a head taller than Tumelos, even without accounting for the Darth’s bad posture. And despite the Dark Trooper’s obvious physical presence and the energy that coursed through its armor, Tumelos sensed not a shred of the person inside.
The thing. This Dark Trooper was dead to the Force – completely and artificially severed from the Galaxy’s binding animus. An abomination to some, a scientific marvel to others.
“D-T-F forty-two oh six dash nine, reporting.” The Dark Trooper spoke in a synthetic baritone, doubtlessly filtered by helmet systems.
A string of text flitted across Tumelos’ field of vision. His brow rumpled. “Who assigned that serial number?”
Suskar clicked his mandibles. “He did. Just now.”
While DTF was technically under his direct command, Tumelos was not altogether keen on arguing with it. “Diagnostics?”
Edek and Avesh knew better than to call it out. They transmitted directly to Tumelos’ data-goggles, flooding the Neimoidian’s vision with information on DTF’s armor systems and vitals. It practically blotted out the Dark Trooper.
All optimal.
Then there was no reason to wait. “Friendly forces have been pinned down in Hangar 2B. You are to relieve them. All relevant data has been transmitted to your HUD.”
DTF’s initial response was to roll his shoulders; crack his knuckles. It sounded like buckling steel.
“I need a weapon.”
“Apprentice Adek. Give him your sidearm.”
Adek did his best to appear puzzled. “Master Tumelos, I'm not authorized to carry a-”
“You are not,” Tumelos intoned. “But you carry one anyway. Because you are prideful. And scared. And stupid. Like all aristocra brats. Give him your sidearm.”
Adek glowered, then wavered. He produced a charric pistol that had been hidden on his person, and surrendered it to the Dark Trooper with a miserable grimace. Evesh cupped a hand around her mouth and pretended not to have giggled ruthlessly.
Tumelos watched with growing impatience as DTF examined the pistol, acclimatizing himself to the sights and feel. “Are you satisfied?”
DTF holstered the pistol. “Yes.”
“Then proceed.”
DTF turned on his heel. With heavy, ominous footsteps, proceeded from the medical bay. The doors slammed shut and magnetized behind him, leaving the room in an eerie silence.
“He seems nice,” Suskar chittered.
“Remain at your stations, monitor his progress,” Tumelos said, skulking back the way he came. “I want usable metrics from this.”