Dominion Pirate Hunt | EE Dominion of Empty Hex

[STRATCOM]

The last example of such an event was the last time where Loyalists and Eclipse Rebellion had to work together. Because of its recent events - the coup attempt - many thought the Eternal Empire might be a weak opponent at the moment. And this time was chosen to strike at the Empire. This was mainly in the form of a larger pirate fleet, which could also cause quite serious damage.

Not only were the ships attacked, endangering trade routes and smuggling routes, but they also attacked the ships and bases of the Rebels and Loyalists, not to mention the plundering of Black Sun’s interests. In addition, the pirates have greatly threatened the influence and emerging reputation of the Smugglers Alliance. In short, they managed to anger everyone with their presence.

If all that hadn’t been enough, they’ve even kidnapped large numbers of people in the last few weeks. Some of them, however, were soon to be seen on the slave market. Up to this point, they were only a small concern, however, after this move, STRATCOM launched a hunt after them and at the moment their hunt was in the first place, not the chase of the Eclipse Rebellion.

Two days earlier, the Pirate Fleet had struck again, in several places at once, and more people had been abducted on the order of thousands. These areas simultaneously affected the interests of the Loyalists, the Eclipse Rebellion, the Smugglers Alliance, and the Black Sun. The pirate fleet then retreated to neutral space to settle their ranks and distribute the loot among themselves. This act provided an opportunity for the Eternal Empire and its allies to strike down the pirate fleet to which STRATCOM had issued zero tolerance.

The counterattack then slammed into the neck of the pirate fleet…

Objectives​

Objective 1: Boarding Party

This is perhaps the simplest task of all, hunting down and eliminating pirates and causing the most damage to the ship, ships. You have to get on the fleet’s flagship - which is by far the largest in the fleet - and get rid of the pirates once and for all.

Objective 2: Saving Party

The volunteers who undertook this task, thanks to scanners, learned that the prisoners who had been abducted by the pirates two days earlier were on the flagship. They must board the ship and rescue the kidnapped persons.

Objective 3: Space Party

The task couldn’t be simpler, preventing the Fleet from escaping and then defeating them. And if it turns out that the entire fleet can be destroyed, then it is also feasible to do so.

Objective 4: BYOO

Bring your own objective, whatever you want.

Spoiler: tag list

Aaran Tafo || Adelle Bastiel || Alondra Lareina || @Alwine Lechner || Alyva Terrix || Anton Delane || Arturo Braga || @Azazel || Bachus || Carter Tymon || Centiro || Cero Pax || @Charlotte Knyte || Darth Aion || Ecthelion Aiglos || Eirene || Eryn || Fimrati Vailyippin || Formorta || Goonch Bagarius Yarrelli || Ilsa Visel || Ingrid L'lerim || Jardann Lancus || Juggernaut || Kainan Wolfe || Kalic Daws || Karma Jayne || Kerstan Blackmoore || Khorde Drago || @Lanebsa || Loreena Arenais-Valhoun || Lorelai Ventira || Lyla Quinn || Malicar || Mythos || Nekana Quane || Nerulic || RadioWhisper || Ranik Delmont || Rath Exigo || Shandria Navin || Taozi Fuyuan || Tela Uolmi || Tiberius Bayne || Vidalu Na'an || Viktor Goetz || @Vol Obaul Di || Vyra Silara || Will Westender || Wulf Orlock || Xiomar Ren || Mitth'rae'leios || Broka the Hutt || Karisa || @Servelus Zambrano || @Kai’el || Kaine Hamilton || @Sabella de Vreis || Race Tolsen || @Miles Morrow || Rumi Dag || Corran Conner || Saabossi || Gerhard Manndorf || Kyle Raymus || VanceCaydence || Edward Ashcard || Galdaart || Lord Malleus || @Rhaego Charon || Gortta Desilijic Tiure || @Roman Calypso || Lora Vekarr || @Tamacti Khan || @Neferisia || Krae || Shavara || @Kodomo || Innas Paurs || Salij-Nekt || Rothamir || Eliana Shan || Curtis Learchin || Sterling Kinslayer || @Saga Zinlaggen || 1st Lt. Garrek Kanos || Ben Serrano || @QEMD-15 || Farah || Lucas Harvey-White || Saga Linzino || Sentiri || Vexari Kahl || Fiona Graehl ||

Link: Empty Hex

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[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Pirate fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Eternal Empire's Assasin Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | Shield talisman | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink
Tag: Open

Problems, one after the other. As soon as she managed to settle and resolve a case, she immediately got another one instead. And in most cases, it not only replaced the previous one, but more problems showed up. She has finally managed to put in order relations with the Sith Empire and will even be the wife of AMCO - quite precisely, the man will be her husband, as the woman has asked for the hand of the Sith Lord. It was as if everything had gone great, except that the Emperor had still not been found, and now here was the pirate incursion.

Since they were not special at first, they were just average pirates, they were not very much dealt with - just as much as the situation required - but then the situation deteriorated. The Empress Regent then issued zero tolerance for pirates with the STRATCOM. Plus, after the last attack, she decided to take matters into her own hands. The red-hair woman wasn’t the kind of person to control from the background and withdraw from events. She may control others from the background, but she is always involved in the actions.

She didn't know when she last wore her current armor. That wasn’t true, Ingrid knew, at the PL when she rescued Adrian and “joined” the TSE because of her secret mission. She hasn't needed it since, so far, now again. It felt good to put on this armour again. And now they were here, she was also on one of the dropships heading in the direction of the pirate ship, they were under fierce fire. A few minutes later their ship landed in the hangar with a loud click. The doors immediately opened and the Ultranauts began to get out.

<”Here the Overlord speaks, the first groups got on the ship. We will start the cleansing, those who come for the prisoners can come too!”>

The woman sent a message through the communication channel to each of their own ships. As for the rank, she now used her official STRATCOM rank. In the absence of the Emperor, she did not find the Emperor's Hand appropriate, and was too restrained to say Empress Regent. The Overlord was military enough, perfect for what she needed.

​

 

[Taozi Fuyuan]

Objective: Rescue the prisoners
Equipment: Beskar'gam, Trayc'kad
Accompanied by: 30 Clan Tal members, 10 staying in the hanger to guard the ships
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim
​

If there was one thing Mandalorians (almost) universally hated, it was slavers.

The scum of the galaxy, not even worthy of any kind of respect in Taozi's opinion. Worms suited only to be crushed under her boot. Unfortunately, she had bigger priorities: rescuing the prisoners. Her skill set was suited for this more than the absolute destruction of this fleet.

Standing in the dock of the Fuyuan, Taozi looked over those gathered for the rescue party.

"All right, listen well everyone. Our first priority is the rescue of the kidnapped civilians, we will let the boarding party of the Empire handle taking over the ship. However, if we encounter any of these pirates on our way to them, show no mercy. They will not give us a chance to demand they surrender and be taken into custody, so we will shoot first and live longer for it. Is this clear?"

Those in Clan Tal nodded, which was the only response Taozi cared for. She had invited those who wished to rescue the prisoners to her flagship beforehand, and if the aruettise didn't agree with her plan? Well. That was their problem.

"Board the ships, and let's go. Oya!"

"Oya!"

Once those gathered boarded the multiple smaller evac ships, they set off for the pirates' flagship. Landing in the ship's hangar shortly after the boarding party, Taozi hurried up to Ingrid.

"I've brought those who will be focused on the rescue. Ten of my Clansmen will be staying here to guard the ships, while the rest of us do our job. Show these pirates no mercy."

As Taozi turned away from the other woman, she sighed and spoke in Mando'a.

"<It's one of the few things your people are good at.> All right. Those of you in the rescue party, follow me!"

Taking point, Taozi led the rescue party further into the ship.

 

[Vexari Kahl]

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Post: 1
Objective 3: Space Party

​

The pirate fleet that had been a menace to the Eternal Imperials had also proven a recent thorn in the side of the Smuggler's Alliance on Batuu. They'd daringly attacked the Smuggler Queen's operations, attacking her smugglers vessels, plundering their cargo and mercilessly executing their crews. Vexari refused to let the deaths of her friends go unpunished.

Batuu's Pride, a large Lucrehulk-class Battleship and the flagship of Vexari's impressive fleet of dashing smugglers and honorable pirates, emerged from hyperspace, accompanied by hundreds of smaller vessels. All manner of varied starfighters outfitted with hyperdrives, ugly or otherwise, as well as armed freighters and blockade runners and other varied ships had arrived to fight the large pirate fleet and get revenge for their fallen brothers and sisters.

Vexari gazed out at the enemy fleet from the bridge of the Batuu's Pride, before giving the command over comms. "All ships, commence attack! Fire at will! Lets show these pirates they should've stayed out of my space and away from our people!", she said with a hint of anger in her tone of voice. The fleet engaged, the varied starfighters and smaller freighters entering a dogfight with those of the enemy pirate fleet. Battle was joined.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Objective: 1 & 2

"Stay with them, Arla."

"Yes Lori, I am. But you still haven't given me a good enough reason as to why we're here."

"We're fighting the good fight. Can't let these pirates grow in power."

"You've got enough people tailing you. Now you want to add pirates to the mix?"

Lori just gave her a goofy yet cocky smirk while she loaded up a pack full of pouches of feathers, as well as detonators, wire and tubes of slime. "Go big or go home, right? And besides, with the Empire fighting the pirates too, maybe they'll quick calling me a terrorist."

Arla merely laughed as she piloted the Jaster's Sparrow, moving it towards the pirate flagship. "Just don't trust them. And be careful, alright?"

"Hey, it's me! I'm always careful." Lori shifted over her braid and then shouldered her pack as she left the cockpit and headed down to the cargobay door. "On your signal, Arla."

"Yes, Captain. Just a few more minutes."

 

[Formorta]

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Location: Pirate fleet
Gear: APAR, OPCA, OL-2
Tag: Ingrid L'lerim Taozi Fuyuan

Formorta had been aloof as of recent days which in fair wasn't anything out of the odd for her, she was a master of stealth and would often vanish for months on end without taking a job. Still she had to come back sooner or later and keep her reputation afloat and pirate hunting was always an easy way to get that done.

As per her specialty Formorta had already been on the pirate flag ship before the others hand arrived, staying cloaked and camouflaged, doing her usual advanced scouting and sabotage here and their. Minor things like a blast door locking when it shouldn't have, the odd cut line filling a room with smoke. Nothing to raise immediate alarm but enough to slow them down and prevent an imitate counterattack on the docking bay where the others were landing.

With the deeds done the shroud slipped back towards the mustering point for the boarding party, her cloak vanishing as she strode back towards the others already present. "I hope you have enough fire power with you, for pirates slaves are as good as gold, don't expect them to give up easily". That and pirates were unpredictable, when backed into a corner these types of people could do all sorts of crazy things to get out alive and with enough loot in tow.

 

[Kalic Daws]

Equipment: T-21
Companion: "Jee"
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim Loreena Arenais-Valhoun Taozi Fuyuan Formorta

Kalic was on edge as he sat in the ship used by Clan Tal. He didn't quite trust them right now, but he also didn't not trust them. It was weird for anyone who hadn't been in his line of work before, and he'd volunteered to ride along to watch them a bit. They helped people, but that included the ones he was trying to fight. Then Taozi explained the plan. Shoot first ask questions later? He chuckled a little, grabbing his rifle as he spoke. "Sounds a bit Outer Rims for a humanitarian, but I can't complain about shooting these guys."

Once the Mando's had their chant, the Miraluka would run down to one of the ships, followed by his droid, Jee. The droid whistled before Kalic answered in Huttese. "I trust them more than the Empire. We're hear for the prisoners though, just remember that." He held tight as the ships aunched, and was quick to disembark and level his repeating blaster, just in case. He looked at the cloaked figure before simply nodding and following the rescue team. The pilot's head was on a swivel right now, not wanting to be jumped.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Pirate fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Eternal Empire's Assasin Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | Shield talisman | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink
Ground forces: 10/10 Infinite Droids | 30/30 Ultranauts | 2/2 Wolfguards
Tag: Taozi Fuyuan | Formorta | Kalic Daws | Open

Watching the reports, not to mention who arrived at the pirate ship’s hangar, it seemed that the Smugglers and Rebels also appeared on call. She didn't even remember if, with the exception of Bursoll II, they were working together. Tacitus certainly wouldn't have allowed that, but Ingrid wasn't him. The woman was more human than the emperor. This, of course, did not mean that the rebels would receive an amnesty, but it did mean that they were free to leave today. She nodded to Mandalorian woman Taozi Fuyuan .

”Thanks for your help Alor!” Ingrid said in fluent mando’a. ”If you need a back up, just let me know and I will regroup some Ultranauts for you.“

She offered the opportunity to the other. Since she was L’lerim, it came as no surprise that when the droids of her Noble House, the Infinites, also showed up and they joined the Ultranauts. Ingrid didn’t come alone; she was accompanied by two Wolfsguards. Meanwhile, she also received a message that the Pirate Queen, Vexari Kahl, had also arrived. She opened a comm. channel to her ship.

” Vexari Kahl, welcome and thank you for your help on behalf of the Empire. Would you do me the favor of firing the flagship engines so they can’t escape?”

After that, one of the agents appeared, presumably already here before the landing. Did she seriously look like she was dealing with pirates for the first time? It was nothing a person who never fought. She turned to Formorta and nodded at her words.

”These are not the first pirates for the team. But thank you for the warning. What is your rank and name?”

The Overlord asked the woman — that is, presumably a woman. Meanwhile, the droids and Ultranauts set out in advance to begin clearing the terrain and joined Taozi's men. Ingrid could even hear the man's voice, but she didn't understand what he was saying.

”Then let's go!”

She gave the order. The next moment, she reached out to the Force and then disappeared from everyone’s eyes, as well as from the technology sensors, thanks to the Force abilities she knew and used. Moments later, droids and pirates arrived at the hangar to prevent intrusion. A fire fight broke out between the parties. A few seconds later, Ingrid arrived at the opponents and, using the two vibroswords, killed the two closest pirates completely invisibly, cut their head off, then moved on to the other opponents.

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[Sterling Kinslayer]

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Objective: Kill Pirates, Protect Taozi, Protect Prisoners
Equipment: Armor :|: Scattergun :|: AI :|: Entry Alarms x 5 :|: Defense Turrets x2 :|: Passive Echo Devices x10 :|: Portable Cameras x10 (1 deployed)
Tags: Taozi Fuyuan :|: Kalic Daws :|: Ingrid L'lerim :|: Formorta :|: Loreena Arenais-Valhoun :|: OPEN

Sterling was the exception, in a strange way, to Taozi Fuyuan and the others. Sterling didn't hate slavers, he loved them. So rare a breed of pirate for him to fight, it was a joy to experience each and every time. Like drinking a fine wine, only to find your next taste is years away, it never got old, and he only longed for it more. For that reason, he came more than adequately prepared, toting enough of his equipment to hold the hangar on his own if he really had felt like it. Were it not for knowing how Taozi and the Clan would handle it ahead of time, he would've prepared to do that himself.

Instead, today was a day of glorious protection and violent retribution. His favorite kind.

"Life support systems stable, systems all green. Body temperature within acceptable parameters. Shouldn't have a problem with a ship's interior but better safe than sorry, right partner?" Peach's voice was audible only to Sterling within his helmet, as was her projected AR form of an unarmored Taozi in her usual white coat, and scrubs with assorted cute animals printed on it. Considering Peach was working as a doctor today, she was choosing to act the part, rather than pamper her coded personality for vanity reasons. "Just be careful, we don't want another incident like last week."

Sterling chuckled at the conversation for him alone, eliciting a few looks as they finally landed. The massive lizard man stepped out onto the slaver's ship without responding to the looks, cracking his knuckles under his 'gam, making a beeline for Taozi to synch his systems with her in-helmet camera. He managed to catch the comment from Taozi, which elicited an even louder snort-chuckle in response. Truth was never so blunt as when it was wielded by Taozi. To Ingrid L'lerim though, he dismissively waved his hand, partly as a distraction to keep Taozi focused not on the strange imperial speaking their tongue. "Ul-Tra-Nots, no need. Will be fine." He finished letting Taozi and Peach synch up, allowing the AI to keep track of what Taozi saw, and Ingrid take in his not-too-subtle diss of the Ultranauts.

Sterling then didn't wait for anyone else, moving up ahead into the halls of the ship ahead of them. HE loaded a camera into his wrist launcher and deployed it at a corner, where he could observe discretely a feed watching over the hall by the hanger bay, for later. His path was slightly different than the rest, essentially a wide berth to cut off pirates enroute. Speaking of...

Sterling let out a beastial roar, like his beloved dragons, charging straight into a small group of pirates that had been making their way to the hanger. The three or so pirates opened fire on him, but thanks to his shielded armor he was able to handle their blasters, until he was within melee range. He lifted a hand up and, with beskar claws, brought his hand down claw first into the first of the trio. He fell down, crying out, where Sterling grabbed them by the leg and lifted them up. A small wind up later, he used them as a club to slam the second into the wall, dazing the second and finishing off the first as something snapped.

The third was ended by a blast from his scattergun, as he drew the weapon and fired a solid slug at point blank, then used a second to finish off the trio. Calmly, he opened the break action, and loaded two new shells into the weapon, while Peach activated the comms to the others, though of course Peach's voice was that of Taozi's. "Contact, three down. Watch your left side Alor Fuyuyan."

 

[Formorta]

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Location: Pirate fleet
Gear: APAR, OPCA, OL-2
Tag: Ingrid L'lerim Sterling Kinslayer Taozi Fuyuan

Her eyes glanced towards the other two present , Taozi she knew of already from her past work with the Eternal Empire, even if she was no longer a proper ranking member her prior rank as a Shroud meat access to privileged information. Lizard beast on the other hand was certainly a new face, though before any chance for interaction could take place they were down hallway, that and Ingrid had addressed her directly.

A few seconds past before her somewhat raspy and heavily accent voiced came through the mask. "I do not think we have had the pleasure to meet, my name is Formorta, long time 'friend' of Darth Tacitus". She still remembered when the dominion fell the man organized a fleet of ex military and civilians, back when the now powerful emperor was simply called Kainan. "I am, always been mercenary , served as a leading member of the Shrouded Republic PAC Ops".

"Me be here, sort of a personal favor as much as it is work", other wise her serves would have cost a pretty penny, but for the Eternal Empire she was more then willing to give a discount.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Pirate fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Eternal Empire's Assasin Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | Shield talisman | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink
Ground forces: 10/10 Infinite Droids | 30/30 Ultranauts | 2/2 Wolfguards
Tag: Taozi Fuyuan | Formorta | Kalic Daws | Sterling Kinslayer | Open

Ingrid nodded when one of the men said they didn't need the Ultranauts for help. Then they will go about their own business. If the mercenaries don’t need help, the woman won’t force them. She offered to help, if they don’t live with it, it will be their trouble. Meanwhile, the other mercenary also answered her. Now she knew that she was not an agent but a mercenary and, on what she heard, had something to do with the Emperor. Which isn’t necessarily good because it didn’t seem like to her it could have been a pleasant relationship.

”Thanks for the information. Ingrid L’lerim, the Emperor’s Hand and regent until he returns to the throne.”

She introduced herself if the other didn't know who the woman was. What she said was interesting, that organization was perhaps so old that not even the Eternal Empire existed when they were. Back then, this mercenary had known the Emperor much longer than Ingrid. And the man who spoke earlier was very interesting as he arrived transformed into the enemy.

But Ingrid didn't stay idle either. The Ultranauts fired at the enemy from a distance, as did the droids, approaching the enemy and trying to oust them from the hangar so that the other ships would arrive safely. At the mercenary's words, she began to shake her head as she had just cut a droid in half with the vibrosword and beheaded a pirate with the next move.

”Don't worry, you will be paid for your services!”

Meanwhile, she continued to fight with the vibroswords in her hand, in close combat, melee combat. For now, they seemed to be able to move forward, and after a few minutes of fighting - and many, many dead pirates later - they finally reached the hangar door, from where they could already reach the interior of the ship and the corridors leading there.

”Secure the exits, the others head forward!”

​

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Pirate fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Eternal Empire's Assasin Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | Shield talisman | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink
Ground forces: 10/10 Infinite Droids | 30/30 Ultranauts | 2/2 Wolfguards
Tag: Taozi Fuyuan | Formorta | Kalic Daws | Sterling Kinslayer | Open

After her order, the Ultranauts set off immediately to secure the corridor that was in front of them. Ingrid wasn't worried about anyone wanting to attack them from the inside now, so she looked closely at the hallway that was in front of them. There was only a short corridor here, at the end of which, on the right and on the left, there was an elevator. The Ultranauts ensured this so that no one could come to this level through these now.

The Overlord closed her eyes and reached out to the Force to use it to map the ship and who was on it. That is, she really hoped to feel the fear of the hostages through the Force. She won’t be able to tell who is who, but maybe enough so the rebels and mercenaries don’t have to search the entire ship to find who they're looking for. And neither for her.

She sensed two larger gatherings, groupings, one was just nervous and the other was dreaded and startled. In the Force, both groups caused strong disturbance. She opened her eyes, not sure who-who, but the fear of a pirate gang leader did not match, nor did the panic. Not to mention that the nervousness came from the direction of the bridge and the fear and dread from the stern of the ship.

<”My lord, the elevators are under our control.”> she received the report.

She turned back to the soldiers, mercenaries, and other people still here. It was more appropriate for everyone to go in the right direction right away. They are more efficient and can save a lot of time with it, especially if they can hit it on their opponent without having time to prepare.

”The prisoners are in the stern of the ship, the leadership on the bridge at the front of the ship. That’s why we separate and everyone goes where they have their own goal.”

​

 

[Lorne Kantera]

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Location: Pirate Fleet, Neutral Space
Tags: Vexari Kahl

As the motley fleet dropped out of hyperspace, the Wayward Wyrm purred under Lorne Kantera's firm but gentle hand. Well, except for the occasional teeth-rattling, hull-shaking misfire from the port engine. And the persistent clang of the deck plating in the aft cabin where it'd partially broken free of the rusted bolts. And the background hiss of escaping coolant from a leak somewhere in the concussion missile tubes' temperature regulation system, which Lorne still hadn't been able to find after three hours of looking.

So maybe she didn't purr, exactly, but there was an eagerness in the hum that signified her laser cannons charging.

In any other situation, on any other day, Lorne wouldn't have been there. When opportunities to participate in something as dangerous as this came up in his life, he sorted those opportunities into two categories: "potentially profitable", and "not my problem". He only had a few rules to stick to, all of them simple, and one of them was "no getting involved in sob stories, revenge plots, or jobs where emotions get in the way of profits". He was good at breaking all kids of rules, though, and sometimes he even managed to bend his own.

It wasn't that he'd known a couple of the smugglers these pirates had slagged or enslaved, Lorne told himself; that would make this personal, and he didn't mix personal feelings with business. No, there were two simple reasons for him to join the Smugglers' Alliance fleet that had massed over Batuu, determined to wipe these scum from the spacelanes. The first was that he wanted them out of the way of his own smuggling runs. The second was that it was a chance to impress Vexari Kahl, the so-called Smuggler Queen.

"It's not personal," he told himself again, but the faces of Teelo Arvand and Roxi Meeks swam in the back of his mind. He'd been drinking with them just a couple of standard weeks earlier, laughing and swapping stories. He'd given a toast at Teelo's fourth wedding, soon proven to be equally as short lived as the previous three. Roxi had taught him how to bypass a fried power converter; once, when they were both bored and drunk waiting for customs to clear them into Trevura, she'd taught him a few other things, no strings attached.

The Wyrm's missile tubes ka-chunked as Lorne cycled them into firing position. "Not at all."

It was surreal to watch an Eternal Empire military battlegroup assembling beside the Smugglers' Alliance "fleet", disciplined formations of cutting-edge craft lining up right next to the chaotic sprawl of Batuu's misbegotten children. Normally, Lorne would be flying in the opposite direction of those government ships as fast as the Wyrm could take him. These were strange bedfellows, but even a short-lived alliance of convenience like this, a brief interruption of the normal cat-and-mouse game between smugglers and authorities, had power.

These pirates had made the mistake of pissing everyone off, and they were about to have reason to regret it.

"Copy that, Batuu's Pride," Lorne transmitted back, his weapons systems fully charged. This was his chance to make a reputation for himself in front of all the influential n'er-do-wells and scallywags lurking around Eternal Empire space, the Smuggler Queen in particular. "All Alliance vessels, the ship with the most kills gets a week of drinks on me... so step it up, or I'll be buying my own." With that he punched the Wyrm into full sublight speed and streaked into the battle, laser cannons blazing.

 

[Formorta]

Location: Pirate fleet
Gear: APAR, OPCA, OL-2
Tag: Ingrid L'lerim Taozi Fuyuan

She had hear rumors about the emperors disappearance, it was a strange matter but overall nothing really worth her time. If there was once thing she knew about Kainan it was the man often did his own thing with explanation and she was wise enough to not question it, more so since she didn't have any 'official' ties to the Eternal Empire. "I look forward to working with you Miss L'lerim, I be on hand should you call".

Once again her cloaking field engaged, the ghostly looking figure becoming just as incorporeal as the real thing, slinking back into the main force as they advanced into the ship. Herself joining up with the ultranaughts, it was nice to see the unit still in service after their foundation so long ago.

"Miss L'lerim, I can scout ahead further into the ship and hamper the ring leaders communications, if word gets to them that we are closing in on their position the prisoners may be used as hostages, I can ensure that neither ends knows what is going on if I can reach the bridge and slice the controls".

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Pirate fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Eternal Empire's Assasin Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | Shield talisman | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink
Ground forces: 10/10 Infinite Droids | 30/30 Ultranauts | 2/2 Wolfguards
Tag: Taozi Fuyuan | Formorta | Kalic Daws | Sterling Kinslayer | Open

Miss L'lerim, again. Slowly, she felt the urge to put a note on her uniform or armor to see what her correct address was. Outsiders never knew that. Yet the woman believed it was pretty clear in a military society. If they hadn’t worked, the Miss title wouldn’t have been right either. On the one hand she was a baroness and at the moment the regent. In these cases, the Lady would have been more appropriate, or the Baroness.

But neither were they, she wore them only in civilians, for which there were very few cases. not to mention that Miss wasn’t right either because she was a married woman and even had a fiancé besides her husband. There were two people from whom “my Lady” didn’t bother her but thought it was cute. And this was her husband and her fiancé. Nobody else. The Ingrid address was accepted from the Emperor only in all circumstances. She expected the official from everyone else. Just because her husband called her when others saw and heard them.

”Me too, Commander, though my address is Overlord, or “my Lord”. I prefer these even in civilian circumstances. So I would be happy if you would call me on these like everyone else.”

She said not in an angry or instructive tone, but still militarily, though there was a hint of request in her voice. Ingrid didn't want to look rude and instructive. At the words of the commander, she almost said that it was not necessary, because she can handle this, since she is an agent and assassin, this is her job. But before she did, the Overlord realized that it was no longer her job, she had to coordinate people as effectively as possible. She hoped that she could return all the burdens of the reign to the Emperor as soon as possible and be who she was again.

”Do it, Commander! We'll be behind you. And if you need support, let me know and I'll go to help you.”

After that, she got into the elevator on her side with the soldiers, waited for Formorta to join them, and then the elevator started to the right level.

​

 

[Arturo Braga]

Location: Hangar Bay, Pirate Fleet
Gear: KC-47 Hybrid Strike Rifle, KC-77N Hybrid Pistol, Sk-AR Mk.1 Armor

Glancing out through the viewscreen, Arturo couldn't help but click his tongue at what he saw. "Damn! Looks like we're late," he said, more to himself than anyone. Grimacing, he watched as the pilots guided the ship closer in, the hangar growing from a small blip of light until it consumed the dropship whole. Turning, the co-pilot said, "ninety seconds, boss." Nodding, the mercenary turned to address the small gang of mercenaries, pirates and cutthroats he'd brought with him on this little picnic, noting as he did the icy calm that had settled over the group.

"Right, lads and ladies, on your feet! Quickly now." Leaving the cockpit, Arturo strolled down the middle of the ship as his crew began to stand, their gear rattling. Nearly thirty in the all, the Suns -an assortment of humans and aliens from numerous different planets- watched him as he passed them by, the devices emblazoned on their armor similar to that on his own. He came to a halt by the ramp as a sudden force rocked the dropship, only to settle again a moment later. Looking about, Arturo gave them all a slight nod before continuing, "get your helmets on, and your blasters ready. We'll be aboard soon, so make sure your dance partners are ready." Grinning, Arturo watched as those around him patted their weapons fondly, a chorus of chuckles letting him know that his joke was appreciated.

"Once your boots are down, make for the muster point. And remember: Don't shoot our allies. They won't take kindly to you if you do." Waiting, Arturo steadied himself as the ship rocked for a second time. Then, as if on cue, the ramp descended, spilling light and sound into the close confines of the dropship. Wordlessly, the group began to disembark, their boots like thunder as they poured down the ramp. Arturo was one the last ones off. It didn't take him long to get the group organised and moving towards where the others waited.

Ultranauts. Mandalorians. Fellow mercenaries and contractors. Oh, and the Empire's Regent.

He couldn't quite get over that last part.

"Overlord L'lerim!" Arturo called as he pushed past the cordon of ultranauts to stand before the woman in question. A number of his own men fanned out towards the hangar's exits, intermingling with Empire loyalists and rebels alike as they did. "The Black Suns stand ready to assist you however we can, wherever you so wish." Flicking the safety off, the mercenary said, "speaking of, where do you want us?"

 

[Kelsen Ghastt]

​

Location: Pirate Fleet, Neutral Space
Tags: Vexari Kahl | Lorne Kantera

When Kelsen was nine, she had come home to find her mother in a heap on the floor, sobbing. A pack of massiffs had escaped from a trader's cargo hold and were terrorizing local farms by night, eating livestock and menacing farmers. They had killed and scarfed down the family felinx, Bobtail, raised by Kelsen's parents since he was a kitten; only a mess of bloody fur and regurgitated bones had been left behind. Two years after her father's death, with a failing farm and a mountain of debts, it was enough to break her mother's spirit.

It didn't break Kelsen. She had gone to their bedroom and quietly taken down the old blaster rifle her father had kept there.

That night she'd waited outside the nerf pen at a neighboring farm, concealed in the branches of a tree. Beneath it, she had drawn a wide half-circle with spilled tractor fuel. When the alien hounds came to hunt, she'd set the fuel aflame with a blaster bolt. Trapped by the ring of fire, the creatures had been easy targets. She'd picked them off one by one as they howled in terror, the first living things she'd ever killed. Then she carried them home one at a time, over a mile each way, dragging creatures much bigger than her.

For a week, she and her mother ate them instead.

As the Fourth Fleet dropped out of hyperspace, cutting off the pirates' retreat, Admiral Ghastt thought back fondly on that night. Lawless scum like these weren't so different from massiffs scrounging around the sleepy farms of Timora. They didn't belong there, they were cowards who only preyed on those much weaker than them, and when a real predator came along, all they could do was yelp and squeal and die. It would be Kelsen's pleasure to escort them to that fate. It was always pleasant when pleasure and duty were aligned.

"Corvettes, move forward and clear their fighter screen," the Admiral ordered, her hands flying over the command console as she updated the fleet's formation to counter enemy deployments. "Scramble all squadrons, two interceptor escorts to each bomber. Target their engines and shield generators. I want a heavy ion barrage on the larger ships; disabling weapons only until the boarding crews have done their work. You may destroy the smaller craft at will. I have no interest in taking prisoners."

On the other side of the now-trapped pirate flotilla, Kelsen could see the fleet of the Empress Regent moving to engage. But her lip curled in disgust when she saw what was beside them - a motley assortment of independent vessels, clustered around an ancient Trade Federation battleship. They could only represent the so-called Smugglers' Alliance, a filthy accumulation of criminals the Admiral considered little different from the pirates they were fighting. No doubt it was a territorial dispute, a squabble over underworld market share.

She had her orders, however, and they did not involve engaging the Alliance "fleet". Though she looked forward to the day when the Eternal Empire could impose order on benighted Batuu, driving out its petty crime lords and desperadoes, but it was not yet time. Still, she took the proper precautions for such a situation. "Keep an eye on those non-military vessels," she ordered her sensors officer. "I want to know the instant that any of them steps out of line. We'll tolerate no slavers or looters on an active battleground."

 

[Delila Castillon]

Allies : Xin Boa , Brak (NPC) | Enemies : Pirates , Locked Doors
Location : Aboard the Saegassum , approaching pirate flagship
Objective : Kill pirates, loot their wares
​

The Saegassum rocked with a violent force, the modified light freighter bouncing around with the explosion. This tossed her around in the small corridor, pushing her into the large Barabel known as Brak. Brak's tail had caught her feet and pushed her into the durasteel, the giant lizard's claws not able to keep a grip on the smooth surface.

Delila managed to get up from the stumble, glowering back towards the cockpit as she did so. Brak was already yelling - although it was doubtful that Xin would hear them, much less care.

"Are you flying through the explosions?! What happened to taking the long way around?!" Brak used a clawed hand to steady himself between the two durasteel walls. Voice dropped to speak to Delila. "You two fighting? Seems like he's trying to kill us both off."

Delila braced herself as well, feeling the Saegassum start to turn - sharply. The boat wasn't as speedy or well maneuvering as their last vessel as sometimes she wondered if Xin tended to forget this fact. Putting themselves in dicey situations didn't help either but how often was one able to raid a pirate vessel? Delila and Brak were counting on the chaos in order to slip in and loot some items for black market resale.

"No, we're not fighting. I think this is his way of being crafty. You should see some of our adventures before you came aboard. Doesn't help that Skreech is being a co-pilot right now. I'm hoping he doesn't bruise us up too much before the pirates have a chance to."

 

[Rath Nihro]

Objective 1: Boarding Party

Location: Pirate's Fleet, Neutral Space
Equipment: Sk-UL Armor, KC-95 Blaster Pistol, KC-47 Hybrid Strike Rifle
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim | Arturo Braga | Formorta |

With the sounds of cries and blaster fire erupted within the hanger. Rath's focused vision shifted from one pirate to another as he fired the slug rounds from his rifle at them. The orders were simple to follow, and that was to eliminate the pirates within the flagship. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Empire moved to crush this Pirate's Fleet with an iron fist. However, the sight of the Eclipse and Smuggler's Alliance spoke volumes of how much of a danger these pirates were to everyone.

Rath viewed this critical moment as a crucial reason not to be careless and made enemies of everyone. Even as they collectively eliminated the pirates that came to stop them, Rath kept his mouth shut and headed down to the elevators. Each step was heavy as the Sk-UL armor weighed the teen down, yet through the training and experience Rath wasn’t bothered by the weight. Everyone else was on the move with The Overlord leading the main force of the Empire. The way she disappeared from visual and Force, it reminded Rath of a similar ability he could do. Unfortunately this is simply to avoid detection from those who search the Force for him and not render him invisible. That’s one trick Rath wouldn’t mind learning.

The familiar sound of a magazine ejecting from his strike rifle as Rath reached to his belt and replaced the magazine with fresh slug rounds. That was all while the elevator was being secured as Rath kept his attention to the other entrances. Fortunately for them none of the pirates came out. The pair of orange glowing eyes of Rath’s helmet allowed him to see well even in low lighting areas, but Rath still kept his rifle ready with his finger lightly pressed on the trigger. The whole time Rath wasn’t saying much of anything, and whether that was a good thing or a bad thing Rath didn’t really know. He was never the type to speak unnecessary words anyways, especially on a job.

After the elevator was secured, Rath got into the elevator as well with the barrel of his rifle lowered down to the elevator's floor. As the elevator started to move to the right floor, Rath simply looked with his mind’s eye to the Force. There he found the focus to his surroundings, and it was in the Force that Rath found the balance between peace of the mind and control. Almost in a subconscious effort, Rath toggled the switch for his rifle to use the blaster bolts instead of the slugs since Rath had to use them sparingly.

 

[Taozi Fuyuan]

Objective: Rescue the prisoners
Equipment: Beskar'gam, Trayc'kad
Accompanied by: 30 Clan Tal members, 10 staying in the hanger to guard the ships
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim || Kalic Daws || Sterling Kinslayer || Loreena Arenais-Valhoun​

Taozi was annoyingly surprised when Ingrid spoke in Mando'a, though it was clearly "by the book" instead of the more natural dialect of those born and raised with the language. She didn't have time to focus on it, as her student finished syncing Peach to her gam's systems. Tilting her head, Taozi wondered how quickly people would confuse the little AI for her.

Maybe giving Peach an alternate voice module for this kind of thing would be beneficial.

"Contact, three down. Watch your left side Alor Fuyuyan."

"Copy. Remind me when we get back to Taanab to run maintenance on you. Mispronouncing names can be detrimental to missions, Peach."

Giving a hand signal, 2 of the more heavily armored Tal members took point, and readied their weapons as the rescue party came up on a hallway to their left.