Order in a Hive of Scum and Villainy; Imperial Dominion of the Tatooine Hex

[Sara Lee Jones]

3
hyperspace
Obj=formation
Starship-wicked queen
Allies= [member="Baron Morcus"] [member="Dominic Crowley"]

Sara looked to, dom as he yelled and couldn't help but laugh, she shook her head before glancing as he question another trooper...formations great

She tolled her eyes slipping her helmet over her head and securing it as she gave a sigh and started following them listening silently as she smirked and chuckled

She took her spot and made sure she was proper looking and stood straight, she watched the detail come out and her eyes widened a bit

 

[Alasdair Sitra]

INFERNO SQUAD
IV

The mission that had been tasked to them was an extraction and it would transpire at Chiall Station, a relatively small trading post located near the Pii Sector, where already Intelligence had gathered reports that people were talking about responsibility of the bombing. Located just a short jump from the Imperial home worlds it was about as small as the come for trading posts, but a large volume of traffic passed through it each and every day thanks to its position near several large mining corporations. There was a slight Imperial presence, a garrison of stormtroopers at best, however Imperial ships came and went frequently on their way towards far off campaigns allowing the Ravager to dock without incident under the guise of refuelling.

“We ready?” Requested Kayrce as she looked over the members of her team in the silent surrounds of the Ravager’s main hold. “We know what we are here to do and it should be a Blue Milk Run for those of our calibre. We know the schedules and we are prepared for anything that may go away from plan. Just remember that whatever happens, we’ll handle it, it is what we do.” Eyes fell on Trask and Briana, the two had been transferred from spit and shine Imperial officers into down and out civilian pilots thanks to the expertise of Briana. They both looked a farfetched image away from Kayrce and Beric whose flight suits had made way for the uniform grey of petty officers that were commonplace on these stations. “If there are no questions?” There were none. “Then let’s go.”

“Target is unconfirmed at this time,” Inferno-One’s voice came clear through the earpiece each member had implanted behind their left ear. “Good luck.”

“We make our own luck.” Trask roughly replied as Briana accompanied him, her attire slightly more up class, down what was Chiall stations urban centre.The majority of the business that came to the station passed through this central area, food stalls, merchants and transport dealers were all scattered among the junk traders and hauling offices. Yet it was none of these that they had come for, their target was a small and unassuming thift shop in-between two larger and sight controlling food stores. “Drassk’s Oddities?” Brian read from the simple sign overhanging the single door.

“Seems shady enough a place to me.” Rhun shot her a wry grin, his perfect teeth glistening in the artificial light. “Come on babe, lets get this over and done with.” He ignored the brief disgust on Briana’s face, the look that warned him to not lay it on too thick. They were playing a newly married couple straight out of the rim, down on their luck and looking for possible work, which if all went to plan would lead Drassk to slipping up a piece of information Imperial Command believed would get them closer to the party who bombed the capitol. It was just that at this point the only one seemingly enjoying the character was Trask himself.

The door slid open, on rails that could use a good oil, to allow the pair inside, a slight chime indicating their arrival to whoever was already in the store. Briana’s nose twitched at the smell of dust and old paper which lay heavy on the air drawing attention to the walls and shelves of simple junk. “Remember that Drassk is apparently heavily influential within the old Rebel circles.” This time the voice in their ear was that of Beric, pottering over them like a caring older brother, even with his age several years Trask’s minor.

“Greetings.” A Trandoshian appeared from behind a hard metal desk. His appearance was extravagant with bright red robes and a smile of even brighter teeth. Clearly trade looked after him rather well. “Weclome to my store, my friends. What can Drassk do for you on this fine day?” A waving arm indicated to a spot in front of the desk which Trask quickly moved to fill. “I’ve got this my love, you see if you can find that B20 recharger you’ve been looking for.” He gave a wink to Briana who shrugged with disinterest and turned to inspect the closest shelves. All four of the team had already seen the layout of the store, already witnessed the current inventory and naturally Briana had memorised it down to the last pin in the Trandoshan’s outfit. A B20 recharger would take her a while to find due to the size and it was unlikely Drassk would remember he only had one left on his inventory. She would have time alone while he was kept busy by Trask.

“We are looking for work.” Track began, his pilot was to be casually intensive, straight to the point and borderline rude. Which if Kayrce had done her homework right was exactly the type of person that Drassk tended to employ. “Cargo’s dried up since Bothawui and we barely have the credits to run our ship. Damn Imperials eh?”
Drassk gave the rough face of Trask an interested look. “Indeed, I understand the situation.” He tapped his claw against the desk. “Unfortunatly I don’t have any work available right now, most routes have slowly dried up.” He gave a slight look past Trask in an attempt to capture sight of Briana, except she had disappeared behind one of the shelving units. “As you said yourself. Damn Imperials.”

“Nothing!” Rhun smacked his fist against the desk. “You sure you have nothing? I need a job, I was told you were the most reliable at getting steady credits. Damn.” He had to think of someway to pull this back around from just a flat out denial of business.
“Push the information. Go for the Rebels.” Kayrce’s voice demanded in his ear. Clearly she was doing nothing better then merely listening into his conversation from her nice comfortable position back at the ship’s docking bay.
“Come on babe, there’s no work here. We’ll have to try our luck in Anchorhead, maybe even get some runs from those running out of Bothawui.” He turned and went to leave, Briana appearing from behind the shelves when summoned. “I wish these Imperial’s would just disappear.”

They both moved towards the door and had got all the way to the chime before they heard the Tradoshan call them back. Both tried to hide a smile as they returned to the desk and heard the soft click of a door locking behind them. “Look I have little love for the Empire. My question is very simple, do you wish them truly to go away?” He gave Trask a deep look. “More then anything” answered Briana, pushing a heavy look of pain through that face of hers. “Excellent. Then I may indeed have a job for you. You’ll need to have your wits about you though, but I assure payment is good and the moral payback is just as fantastic. Interested?”

“Of course.” Trask said simply. Ignoring the “Well done,” slipping through the piece in his ear.

 

["Reaper"]

Location: Transport Shuttle (Enroute To Tantooine's Surface)
Objective: Scout A Suitable Location (Military Outpost)
Allies: The Galactic Empire
Enemies: N/A
Posts: 1.20



The shuttle rocked back and forth, forcing myself and my fellow stormtroopers to adjust their weight to accommodate the continuous shifting. There was little I knew of the others in the corps I had been assigned to after completing basic training, and that suited my needs beautifully. I could recall the drill instructor branding into our minds the ideology of 'camaraderie among soldiers', but I didn't believe that. Among those that I trained with were clones, and though I held no reservations of judgment against them; they were bred for one reason. Besides, why spend countless hours forming bonds of friendship when they could die on a whim.

As the shuttle shifted again, so did my thinking. Now, I began to play back the orders handed down to us from officers who earned the right to toss us into the proverbial fire. It was a simple mission, with little to no resistance from the dune's inhabitants; the Tusken Raiders. We were to scout and catalog favorable sites where the Empire could erect a military outpost. This, naturally, struck me as odd. Outside of sand and heat, what could Tantooine offering anyone but heatstroke and sand embedded in our armor. But orders where orders, and I would follow them until I found a reason to challenge them; which was were my next line of thinking was going.

"Twenty-five seconds!"

Involuntarily, or a matter of self-survival instincts, my hands gripped my personal SMG upon hearing the pilot's words echo through the speakers. Around me, the others began to shuffle feet and double-check their equipment.

"Five seconds!"

Switching off the safety function on the rifle, I took a step or two closer toward the ramp. I had been chosen, with a few others, to be the first to disembark the shuttle and set up a small perimeter; with orders to kill any opposition that prevented itself. The ramp began to descend a brief second after we touched down, and from the small crevice between the ramp and the shuttle I saw the first signs of light from the planet's twin suns.

 

[Alasdair Sitra]

INFERNO SQUAD​

V

“Nimbus.” Nimbus. It wasn’t a name any of them were familiar with to tell the truth, but for some reason Kayrce had sworn they had witnessed it in a report of some kind over the last few months. She just had to remember where. “It’s too risky to get back to command at this point, but good work on acquiring the opening.” She was sat, with Beric at a small bar near the spaceport, it was currently packed full of spacers and off-duty Imperial officers which allowed them, clad in nondescript Imperial naval uniforms to blend in nicely at their table near the corner of the establishment.

“I think we should go for it.” Trask’s voice sounded in her ear, clear as day thanks to the small speaker that had been surgically inserted to each of the members of Inferno Squad the night of their formation. “Even if it isn’t the group responsible for the bombing, they are clearly up to something for such shady recruitment methods.”
He was right. It had only been after the apparent anti-imperial speech that the Nimbus had been revealed and to hear that they were hastily trying to make it off world only backed up the suspicion that they may be related somehow to the bombing at the capitol.

“It’s risky.” Beric made note from opposite Kayrce appearing as if he was just continuing casual conversation with his imperial counterpart. “We don’t know anything about them. To try and infiltrate a group that we have minimal intelligence about, for all we understand it could be a trap.”

“Our job by its very nature is risky.” This time the voice was the cool toned Briana, her input as calm as ever. “I did however manage to procure some evidence. While Trask was speaking to the store man I deployed a track in one of the less elaborate store shelves. Steaming the feed to your ear piece now.”

The was a moment of slight static before the ambient noise of the curiosity shop filled their ears. A clearly reptilian and male voice the centre of attention. “Yes, I will vouch for them. You should have seen the hunger in his eyes. Both of them.” There was no indication who he was talking too. “I know your trying to get out of the system and fast, however I think it would be smart to get these two aboard first.” A muffled noise could be heard in the background, unclear and impossible to understand. “I’ve given them the usual. They’ll be down at dock bay eighty six for you to take them aboard.” Again a muffled noise. “They will be there I swear.” With that the connection cut.

Kayrce gave a deep sigh. “Okay, we’ll do this. However we need a way to organise Beric and myself to get on the ship aswell, I’m not strongly aligned to leaving the two of you unsupported on a ship going who knows where.” She ignored the slight smile in the corner of Beric’s mouth. She thought to Trask and Briana, who were probably only several blocks away yet seemingly worlds apart thanks to the situation.

“I may have a plan for that.” Briana spoke again. “We’ll need to move fast however to make it seem believable.” She had piqued some form of interest from the rest of the team. “However if we pull of the early parts it will work.”

 

["Reaper"]

Location: Tantooine
Objective: Scout A Suitable Location (Military Outpost)
Allies: The Galactic Empire
Enemies: N/A
Posts: 2.20



The ramp dropped thudding hard into the sand, followed by myself and the first wave of Stormtroopers to step onto the hot sands of the planet. With my SMG propped against my shoulder plate, I looked through the scope swaying the rifle back and forth, whilst taking well measured steps, in search of any enemy. Outside of those Tusken Raiders, the planet possessed some of the most vile characters in the galaxy; most not thrilled to see our kind invading their home.

"Clear," I announced once my section had been approved safe. Through the helmet's inborn com-link, the chatter from the others flowed in, broadcasting that one single word; prompting the remaining bodies aboard the shuttle to disembark, including our uniformed commander.

"Form on my left, and in twos," he barked, moving us collectively in our traditional marching pattern. Taking my position, which was in the middle right, I let out a breath; knowing this march and mission was going to be gruesome. I've visited many planets while employed by the Empire, but no terrain was as hassling than moving through sand. With a gesture of his hand, we began to move east; with several locations predetermined to be possible sites set for investigation.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Location : Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective : Survive the Heat | Allies/Enemies : N/A | Post : 1



Makai had been at the Arceneau Compound for nearly a week. He had arrived to see if [member="Myra Elspeth"] was hiding out from him instead of being out at Arkuhn Farm. In all reality he hadn't expected to find her on Tatooine but he was technically in the neighborhood and 'stopped by'. 'Stopping by' had turned into an extended vacation. He had spent a great deal of his younger years in the Compound, often under the watchful gaze of Danger Arceneau. In some ways the massive compound was more home than any other structure in his life.


Not that the desert agreed with him but that was beside the point.

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Sunrise was coming up over the horizon as he moved across a ridge. In an hour or two he would be nothing more than a dried out piece of fish if he didn't hurry. No amount of layers, long sleeves or sunscreen would be able to beat out those twin suns. Binoculars emerged, iced azure searching for his desired destination. According to the internals in the binoculars, the cave he sought was still a good distance away. Letting the instrument hang around his neck, Makai stopped to take a picture of the sunrise. Message went out to one Ellie.


Wish you were here.


Comm slid back into his pocket, the half-Galan scurrying back to the speederbike, heading off towards a strand of rocky outcroppings.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Location : Tatooine, Arceneau Compound Outskirts | Objective : Survive the Heat | Allies/Enemies : N/A | Post : 2



Speederbike roared through the canyons, echoing off ancient stone walls as he approached his destination. He was growing a little nervous, if he remembered right he was approaching Tusken Raider territory. Or was it Jawa? Makai was pretty sure it was Raider territory. Speeder slowed down as he approached, eyes looking for his target.

A shadow against the rock. Overshooting the cave, Makai circled back around and found a decent place to conceal the bike. Just in case it was Jawa territory. He didn't feel like making the trip back on foot and quite frankly he probably wouldn't survive. Tossing over desert camo mesh panel and grabbing a rucksack, Makai headed up the rocky face of the hills.

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It didn't take long to hike to the cave entrance. He stopped to drink water, staring out at the rising sun. The cave already felt colder behind him.There was a snort of amusement as he thought of actually wanting to go into something colder. Didn't seem right. Water bottle back in his pack, he turned from the entrance and started off into the old abandoned flamegem mine. Feet stayed between the two rails that were once used to push up materials. He figured it would be a good way to explore without getting too lost.

 

[Aldrenek Valen]

A Raider-Class Corvette zoomed out of hyperspace over the jungle planet Scarif. The Imperial fleet surrounded the planet. The corvette made its way towards the fleet's capital ship, The Palleon, a Super-Star Destroyer. As the ship's pilot guided the vessel towards the monstrosity that was the pride of the Empire, a transmission came through.

"We have you on our screen, please identify?" A voice said statically.

" Command Station this is Corvette, The Conqueror, requesting permission to land."

The crewman aboard The Palleon looked to his commanding officer.

"The emperor is expecting that ship, ask for their clearance code and we can have them land in hangar 44." The captain remarked to the crewman.

"The Conqueror please transmit your clearance code."

"Transmission commencing," The corvette's pilot replied as he pressed a switch on his console.

The code appeared on the crewman's screen with a green light indicating all clear.

"Their code checks out sir."

"Have them land in hangar 44, I will go down to meet them myself."

"The Conqueror proceed to hangar 44."

The pilot directed the ship towards the hangar bay. He looked out into space. Dozens of Star Destroyers, Shuttles, and Tie Fighters wizzed by like a busy hive. The Conqueror made its final approach towards the hangar. Meanwhile Captain Titus descended an elevator to the hangar accompanied by two stormtroopers wearing black pauldrons armed with DLT-19s, his personal bodyguards. The corvetted slowly passed through the Super-Star Destroyer's hangar shields and slowly descended until finally settling down on the cold steel floor. Titus stood in front of the ship waiting patiently. The front ramp of corvette descended as pressured escaped emitting an echoing sound through the hangar. No other ship was in the hangar, only a squad of stormtroopers, a half dozen pilots, and the ship's captain accompanied by his entourage. Several figures emerged from The Conqueror, as they came closer into the view, Captain Titus could make out they were Imperial Security Bureau agents. The group stopped, and the clear leader stepped forward.

"Captain Titus, I am Agent Valen, and this is my team, we were ordered to come aboard from ISB headquarters."

Agent Aldrenek Valen stood at six feet. His features were typical of an ISB agent, tall, dark eyes, black hair, and well built; no doubt the product of constant drill, and endless missions across imperial space. He gave off a very inviting presence, a tool he utilized to gain the trust of various people on his missions. Long sideburns flanked either side of his face, accentuating his slender face. His space black hair was short, rising to a faux hawk at the very tip. A man in his late twenties, Agent Valen first entered the Stormtrooper Corps at the age of eighteen. He served as a Scout Trooper on various jungle planets until the age of twenty four. ISB recruited him as an agent for his exceptional skill as an assassin. As a Biker Scout he killed eighty targets with his DLT-20A blaster rifle gaining him a reputation as a marksman.

"So it appears, the Empire is in need of your services, our capital has been infiltrated." Titus replied

"I was briefed on the infiltration, ISB sent for us immediately and directed us to Scarif."

"The Emperor will be here shortly, he will give you your orders agent."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

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Location: Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective: Survive the Heat | Allies~ [member="Makai Dashiell"] |​

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The Twin Suns were well on their way high across the sky, baking a heat that would make any outworlder unfamiliar with these parts nearly faint in exhaustion and dehydration. However, for those who were born and raised among this sand dusted world, it was just as ordinary as any other day. Out in the Jundland Wastes, colloquially known as No Man's Land, the Queen of Trade was unaware of the Galactic Empire's troubles with terrorists and internal commotion. Instead, the titan maned woman slowly went ambling up the gentle slope of a golden dune, feet sinking into the hot sand and the wind blowing briskly to and fro, sending loose tendrils of auburn silver streaked hair up from under the tether of her head scarf.

Makai Dashiell had took it upon himself to go wandering out into the desert and knowing how the teenager took to heat as he did to water, concern glinted across the woman's visage as she panned those green eyes across the landscape. Tatooine was a dangerous place for anyone not familiar with the terrain or with the local wildlife. It wasn't just the Tusken Raiders one had to worry about.

A cluck of her tongue and the woman took a deep breath. That Makai took to coming here for some time off said more than enough on just what the state of mental affairs were for the lad. Considering his pa had relayed just what was at the root of it made Danger grow all the more worried over the lad. Two shadows stood just behind Danger, keeping their distance but also keeping watch. Noghri guards who had made Danger's stronghold as much of their home as Danger once had prior to her marriage.

"Keep a look out." she murmured, ambling down towards the cavern system. "He might poke his head out from one of the other entrances."

A soft grunt and growl of understanding was their reply, the two Noghri moving to take their spots to patrol. Slowly heading in, Danger took out a small headlamp from her utility belt.

"Makai!?" she called out, her voice slightly echoing throughout the dim lit chamber.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Location : Arceneau Compound, Tatooine | Objective : Survive the Heat | Allies : [member="Danger Arceneau"]​

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Following the old worn tracks from the mouth of the cave, his headlamp on and a flashlight in his hand. Makai walked slowly. He had no care in the world but to explore the cavern today. His thought was that he would be stuck inside til dusk to begin with, why not do a little exploring?Part of him hoped to actually find a real firegem but that was just a secondary bonus of the day.


It didn't take long to find a massive open space along his exploration, the tracks had led straight to it. Probably the main mining point. Back in the day they had hit a streak of firegem and kept going? Probably. Feet slowed and his head craned upwards, looking in awe. The space was large, larger than he could even fathom in the beginning. Flashlight in his spare hand was planted upright in a pile of rocks, the light bouncing off the ceiling.


Water was drug out of his rucksack and he drank nearly half the bottle one gulp. The remaining went straight down his shirt, the fabric cooling warm skin. Finding a seat, Makai thought it best to rest and take in the space. He would set about exploring it further in a couple of minutes.


Makai.


Every muscle froze. Ears strained to listen but there was nothing, perhaps a bit of wind blowing through the cave. Headlamp danced around, looking for something that wasn't that supposed to be there. Nothing.


"Great. I really am going crazy."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Location: Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective: Survive the Heat | Allies~ [member="Makai Dashiell"]|

The one thing about Tatooine caverns is that if you were expecting to see dripping water from stalagmites or underground lakes; this wasn't the planet you would find them. No, there was little moisture to be found here; save during dawn and dusk when the mysterious mist of water rose from deep underground and shrouded the landscape with a thick mist. The Sand People held various tales about what this meant, all revolving on oral tales of deities past and how it was here to provide life. It was, to a degree. Were it not for these moisture vapors, there wouldn't be moisture farmers collecting the water.

Moving in deeper into the cavern, it would likely be another hour or so before scouts from the Arceneau Stronghold would come in search for her to bring her the news of the movement of the Galactic Empire. Not that it was much of a problem; Danger had survived here on Tatooine along with Arceneau Trade through several government who had oversight to the planet she called home. The Galactic Trade Guild, The Confederacy of Independent Systems, The Abrion Systems Alliance, The Techno Union. All she had managed to come to an understanding with the powerful government entities, ensuring a neutral stance as well as a tit for a tat exchange of reciprocity. Whatever would come, Danger wasn't looking for a fight; but she would ensure she would protect her own. If it could be done with business exchanges and a tax, that was fine.

Being down here allowed the echo of Makai's voice to float forward. She wouldn't quite be able to discern where he was, but she'd locate his origin point just fine.

"Makai Dashiell?!" her voice sang into the dark and went echoing across the din.

 

[Tanomas Graf]

T H E I M P E R I A L C I T A D E L , K A M I N O​

8 5 0 A B Y , F I V E M I N U T E S B E F O R E T H E A T T A C K​

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[THEME]​

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The Imperial Grand Moff strode into the council room, a datapad clutched in his uniformed arms as he sat down at the head of the table. Unlocking his pad, he began to read compiled reports on just about anything that had been sent his way, only looking up when one of his fellow moffs entered the room to take a seat at the table. Four minutes later, and Tanomas stood up, ready to begin the council session.

"Thank you for joining me on such short notice, an enemy moves against the Empire once more. Remnants of the Rebellion have merged with more criminal factions and we believe that they might be ready to launch an attack." He began, taking a moment to look at the faces of the assembled governors before him. "The Imperial Security Bureau already believes that a member of the Moff Council is aiding them insurgents...One of you."

The atmosphere in the room turned chilly as the occupant's faces twisted in shock at this revelation, behind them all; Graf's Sovereign Protectors moved to bar the blast door, signaling that they were trapped in the room.

"One of you, has conspired to send resources to the Rebellion."

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[Makai Dashiell]

Location: Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective: Survive the Heat | Allies : [member="Danger Arceneau"]​

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Legs stretched out before him, Makai was getting ready to prop a second light against another rock so he could set out to explore the massive space. Headlamp was now fixed on a little patch of sand bats sitting undisturbed. They were hideous creatures, clustered up together and turning away from the light. Headlamp moved, no wanting to disturb them. He doubted the creatures would attack but better safe than sorry.


Makai Dashiell?!


He froze again. The voice calling him by his full name. There was only one person who called him by his full name on a regular basis - Myra Elspeth. Makai got his feet underneath him and moved towards the tunnel that lead to the massive opening. What was she doing out here?


"Ellie?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Location: Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective: Survive the Heat | Allies : [member="Makai Dashiell"]

Well, needless tosay, perhaps the youngest Dashiell would be a bit disappointed to see that it wasn’t Ellie at all. Or maybe he wouldn’t be disappointed? It was hard to say.

From up above, the curvy silhouette would for sure be the first indication that it wasn’t Myra. Danger’s height along with her drawl of, “Sorry to say, ain’t Myra.” there was a bit of mirth to Danger’s voice, but also a note of concern. Upon closer inspection as the trade matron drew nearer, Makai would be able to see the woman lightly tug down the scarf covering her mouth and the soft smile that followed.

“Never thought I’d see you down here.” an auburn brow gave an arch, the woman peering down curiously at the half Galan.

“Whatcha doing out here all alone for.” it was a soft chide, but boys would be boys and go wandering off on their own.

Out by the stronghold, word would arrive about the Galactic Empire, two more scouts dispatching to reach Danger to tell her the news.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Location : Tatooine, Arceneau Compound | Objective : Survive the Heat | Allies : [member="Danger Arceneau"]


Peering up, Makai quickly caught sight of the female voice. It wasn't Ellie as he suspected but her Ma instead, one Mrs. Danger Arceneau-Kuhn. There was amusement and curiosity in her voice, giving a small comment about him being all the way down in the cavern system. A small shrug of his shoulders in response as he reached up to turn off his headlamp.


There was scurrying on loose rock and gravel as Makai climbed up further to meet her. It took a moment to reach Miss Arceneau but once he did there was no bothering to answer her questions. His arms went around her in a fierce hug, forgetting for a moment to not squeeze the older woman too tight. The teenage half-Galan lingered a little longer than normal before finally releasing the Trade Queen.


"Miss Ar-cen-now." Boyish grin crossed his face, using the pronunciation of her name as he did as a young boy. "I've missed you, more than you know."


Miss Arceneau was the closest he had to a real mother figure during the formative years of his childhood. Known or unknown to her, Makai often looked to her for guidance.Almost instantly the presence of the Trade Queen brought him out of his shell and more like the young Makai that had been overly talkative and naturally inquisitive.


"Never? I've seen a whole bunch underwater caves so I thought I'd see what the desert ones were like." A half-lie but it rolled smoothly enough for his liking. "I'm just...I'm just exploring.I heard this one was an old firegem mine so I thought it would be cool to find one, maybe. Since I can't be out in the heat.... I spent some time helping Mrs.Gunn with a project and was kinda in the neighborhood so I stopped by. Then I decided to stay a little bit,almost a week or so now."


He hadn't quite been in the neighborhood and he silently hoped Miss Arceneau had no idea where the Silent Temple was located.


"Why are you here?Especially out in these caves. I mean...I know you own all this. Just you never come here anymore." A tone of sadness entered his voice for a moment.As soon as the words left his mouth there was a twinge of regret. Realistically he knew all about Arkuhn Farm and how it was home for Ellie. "Sorry. I mean, I know the Farm is where you live now."

 

[Tanomas Graf]

T H E I M P E R I A L C I T A D E L , K A M I N O​

8 5 0 A B Y , O N E M I N U T E B E F O R E T H E A T T A C K​

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[THEME]​

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"One of you has betrayed the Empire. Betrayed your family and your way of life."

Graf strutted around the table, the anger on his face boring holes in the shellshocked Moff Council. "Until the traitor rears their face, all of you will be imprisoned in this room. And then you will die." He continued until a single feature escaped his comprehension.

A single seat at the table was empty.

"Where is High Moff [member="Thurman"]?" Graf queried, the alarms beginning to ring in his head.

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A novatrooper standing in the hallway outside of the Council room watched vigilantly, holding his blaster in towards his torso. That was until a noise drove him from his duties, causing his head to snap towards the source. He crept near the corner that it had radiated from, his blaster now raised ready to fire.

He rushed past and saw a glimpse of someone running down the stairs, turning into a room. He himself jogged up to the blast door, a plaque on the side read 'maintenance'.

The trooper opened the door to reveal darkness, therefore he activated the lights integrated into his helmet while he invested. Immediately afterwards a vibroknife found its way into his lower back, crippling him and causing him to collapse. The attacker, a disguised mercenary, bent down and grabbed his gun before leaving the room.

The trooper turned his head, looking down a maintenance tunnel to see a dim light, and under it.

A bomb.

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"It's a trap! We need to get out of here now. Evacuate the building!" Graf roared, moving on the spot towards the blast door.

His sovereign protectors moved and tried to open it, only to find that it wouldn't. Outside a team of mercenaries finished welding it shut. The old man turned his head slowly, accepting his fate as he did so, directing his gaze at the rest of the council.

The bomb ignited, and fire filled the Imperial Citadel, destroying the building.

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[Danger Arceneau]

Location: Tatooine. [member="Makai Dashiell"]

Danger took to enveloping Makai in a warm, strong hug. Her arms went slipping around his lanky shoulders, drawing him close, taking in the scent of sweat and desert that clung to his mop of dark curls. He may well be a man almost grown, but to Danger, he would always be that little, blue speckled child she'd manage to grow in affection for as if he were her own. The years had seen Danger become a sort of surrogate mother to the young Dashiell, and the fiery woman had been known to be just as equally protective over Makai as if he were her own blood. Judah was no exception.

“So decided to go diving into these caves?” There was notable concern drifting over her face. While it did warm her to see him taking to exploring her home world, she knew that he didn't do well in the heat.

Him being here likely meant that he was well on his way to having things on his mind. Having had a talk with his father… there was plenty in Makai’s mind.

“Why? Well heard you were poking your head round here.” She ruffled his hair, taking a step back to look aroumd. Her childhood was spent doing much the same. “Checking on a few things. Farm might be where I spend the bulk of my time but I've an itch to come back now and again.”

Green eyes turned to him, “ reckon like you get after doing all them travels and get back to Dac.”

Hands on her hips she surveyed the teen. Her keen eyes picked up on a few tells. Perhaps talking a bit could help.

“What's your plan here?”

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"] | Tatooine



[SIZE=11pt]“Of course someone told you I was poking around here.”[/SIZE]


[SIZE=11pt]Amusement pulled his features into a small smile for a moment at the sight of Miss Arceneau with her hands on her hips. It mirrored the actions he saw from Ellie nearly every time they spent time together. The pair might not be biologically related but it was clear mother and daughter had rubbed off on one another. Hand came up to fix his sweat-dampened hair as he regarded the question. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]‘What’s your plan here?’ clearly didn’t mean what his plan for cave diving was. That was fairly simple : don’t get lost and die. It was deeper than that. Makai wasn’t sure what Miss Arceneau knew. He was smart enough to know the woman did her research and wasn’t going into a situation blind. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Dac really isn’t home.I get the point though.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Shoulders shrugged. He wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do. Makai had come to escape for a period but was starting to suspect it wasn’t helping. Perhaps he was wearing out his welcome. There were only so many times he could go down to maintenance and help fiddle around with something without getting underfoot. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I don’t know. I’ll leave in the morning, spent enough time tempting fate in the desert. I’m starting to feel like a fish that’s escaped its bowl, waiting to dry out on the floor.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A wry smile at his own joke. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“More important, how have you been?What have you been up to? Mr.Kuhn is good?” There was a long pause,some uncomfortable shuffling. “Is Ellie okay?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Little did both know the dispatched scouts would be arriving any minute. Giving news that would make Makai’s stomach drop ; the Galactic Empire was on Tatooine. It wasn’t the presence of military or warships that made him pause. It was the well documented fact non-humans weren’t exactly treated with open arms. [/SIZE]

 

[Imperial Storyteller]

The Emperor stepped up to a raised dais that had been hastily erected in the middle of the INV Pellaeon's massive hangar bay, his sovereign protectors taking their places next to the Imperial monarchy. He cleared his throat as a device amplified his voice so that it could be heard by all within the confines.

"Servicemen of the Empire! Today is an atrocious day for all of us, be you a stormtrooper or an admiral. Pirates! Have attacked the Imperial throneworld of Kamino, wiping out the Moff Council and injuring Grand Moff Tanomas Graf with a cowardly explosive device that leveled the Citadel!" He roared, anger prominent in his features.

"We will not stand by idly as these scum relish in their temporary victory! We will strike back! Director Caalgen has volunteered to lead a detachment of the Stormtrooper Corps to the desert planet of Tatooine, where the perpetrators of this attack remain vulnerable! Vice Admiral Cardan will be leading a fleet to the Iskalon system, where agents have discovered a pirate fleet amassing for an invasion of our territories!"

"You will FIGHT for the Empire! You may DIE for the Empire! But YOU will bring PEACE, JUSTICE, and SECURITY to the thousands of families that call the Empire their home!"

"GLORY TO THE ARMY! GLORY TO THE NAVY! GLORY TO THE THIRD GALACTIC EMPIRE!" Bellowed the Emperor, snapping his right hand over his chest in the Imperial salute.

Before him, thousands of loyal Imperials mirrored his actions, chanting "Glory to the Empire!". And with that, the men and women of the Empire got to work loading up to their transports.

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"Director, setting a course for Tatooine."​

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[member="Danger Arceneau"]​

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Makai Dashiell"] [member="Imperial Storyteller"]
Tatooine - Jundland Wastes near Arceneau Stronghold

The Dashiell men were a curious breed. Even with Danger's keen insight at reading men, Judah and Makai had their own version of body language and speaking that took a bit to get used to discern. Once she managed to somewhat crack it, well it was a bit easier to read. Even then, from time to time it was hard to read just went past the ocean blue of Judah's eyes. Hearing him say that he had been sweet on her in passing mention brought up mental images and what ifs. Had Alric not come back, had he kept to himself and had Silara not gone off and abandoned her family, where would Danger and Judah be.

Would Makai, the young child she'd almost raised as her own truly have been hers? A married woman likely shouldn't have such passing thoughts, but she was only human and with it came the thoughts of whatifs and maybes. Same as when Alric had gone on and married Silara. Granted, Danger had cut off relations with Alric then, the news that the had told her all a sharp, stinging betrayal.

With Makai asking about why she was here and how things were going, particularly with Ellie, or Myra as her adopted daughter was known ask, Danger took to studying the younger teen. Thinking back, her daughter had been acting rather odd, vacillating between being frustrated and upset and moody as can be. Danger took it to being due to her age, but now that Makai's voice seemed to crack at the mention of Ellie, the Trade Queen had a better idea on what exactly this could be.

"Well if you aint got no plan and you feel like you are baking out here, how bout we go back to the stronghold and have some dinner?" Then maybe they'd be able to chat a bit more.

"Tell you all about what Ive been doing and you can did the same." A small gentle nudge of encouragement nudged the lad towards the entrance of the came.

"Ellie? Well, doing as well as she could . Perhaps a bit more ornery than usual." A pause and a glance at the teen, "Why?;