Removing Resistance

[Visser Chernykh]

Anoat

The world of Anoat had a turbulent history. It had once been a metropolis spanning most of the surface. Then careless miners had unleashed an environmental catastrophe. Pollution ravaged the world and most settlers had fled.

Those who'd stayed lived in Anoat City. They faced nightmares-become-reality on a daily basis. Packs of wild akk dogs and mutated beings barely recognizable as human. Starvation had always been something very real.

Cannibalism and constant illness kept the population low. This had been during the reign of Palpatine and the early days of the New Republic. Help had eventually come but too late. Only so much could be done.

Efforts had been made to clean the soil and atmosphere. They were partly successful even allowing locals some sustenance farming. Things gradually improved though the Gulag Plague hadn't left the world unscathed.

The world was certainly far better in modern times than before. Enough that the population had increased gradually. Not to the same levels as centuries prior. Indeed things were never quite the same.

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The history of Anoat mattered little to Mael Ren. He was here to perform his duty to the Supreme Leader. Back again to remove resistance to progress. Back after less than two months.

It was his first assignment since his near death on Vortusa. The hilt hanging on his right hip gave testimony. It was battered underneath the rubble of a collapsed tunnel. The weapon had been in far better shape than him.

Much of the damage had been cosmetic. He'd been pleased to discovered only minor repairs had been needed. The durasteel alloy had lived up to it's reputation. The scarred black chrome would serve as a reminder.

With him were [member="Samka Derith"] and [member="Viktor DuSang"]. A pocket of resistance had been found here. This group was opposed to the progress of the First Order. It was their assignment to remove it.

Stormtroopers might've been assigned to deal with such trifling matters. But such resources were in short supply on Anoat. The Supreme Leader had need of them elsewhere. Thus the presence of the three.

He'd been first off the landing shuttle. Mael Ren awaited his comrades-in-arms at the base of the ramp.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

The young noble stepped off of the ship onto the wasteland of Anoat. He had read the planet's dark history, noting the potential hazards that could possibly interfere with their mission here. A pair of dark glasses covered his yellow eyes as his gaze danced around the landscape. His datapad fed various bits of information to him through the lens of his glasses.

His first mission within the Order, so he wanted to be sure he was thorough. The journey of a thousand miles was traveled one step at a time, and this was just another step. Each move would be calculated. Every step carefully planned with a few backup steps to rely on. A slight shiver of anticipation raced up his spine. Finally, he would be able to put his skills to work for the First Order.

He wore a black turtleneck sweater and a pair of grey pants. Grey athletic shoes adorned his feet, and a black scarf was wrapped around his neck and face. Even through the fabric, the polluted air flooded his nostrils. It was a putrid smell that caused his lip to curl in disgust. He brought a hand up to run through black hair as he felt the holster that held the lightdagger on his forearm tighten ever-so-slightly.

He stood behind his superior, not saying a word, simply awaiting orders.

[member="Skjold Alexeyev"]

 

[Samka Derith]

This is some sort of punishment. It has to be, were the first thoughts Sam had her senses absorbed the planet Anoat. She had been sent on clean up duty to some pollution drenched, freshly conquered world. The planet's stench alone was enough for her consider waiting this entire mission out on the ship but there would be consequences for such disobedience and she was not one to disgrace herself by failing to fulfil a duty assigned to her so she trotted down the landing ramp.

"I should have brought a breathing mask," she muttered to the two other Ren waiting for her at the base. She'd travelled light upon hearing the environment, a dark one-piece tracksuit and boots. Any cloak would get in the way and not to mention become disgustingly filthy. "Still it is good to the Resistance know where they belong," Sam smirked. Then tucked her hands behind her back began to pace to the side of both [member="Skjold Alexeyev"] and [member="Viktor DuSang"]. They were all relatively new to enforcing the Supreme Leader's will on the galactic stage as far as she could tell. Perhaps this was some kind of test after all.

 

[Visser Chernykh]

The masked man frowned at his companions. A toff and a teenage girl who complained. He turned without a word and strode towards the city. They'd follow because they had no choice.

The city did indeed stink. It brought to mind the smells of Ord Mantell from boyhood. Except the air scrubbers had mostly done their job. But the greatest effect had been away from his home in the housing projects.

Greens and browns streaked the clouds from industrial pollutants. Perhaps the First Order would further assist in cleanup efforts. Mael Ren doubted that as the world was at least livable. The population died a decade sooner than galactic average but it was of no concern.

As long as they continued to provide valuable minerals. Their sacrifices would now be for the greater good. It was just as well for them. They'd shed their mortal suffering on this hellhole that much sooner.

His gaze swept across the street as they came into the city proper. Being scattered before them to make way. It was obvious to whom they belonged. The fear came off of them in waves.

It brought a tight smile underneath his mask. Some of the 'noble' families here had thought to resist. He'd felt the same fear from them as he brought one to heel. Most satisfying.

The duracrete buildings were stained from the pollution. Windows were dirty too and one could barely see through them. This was supposed to be the more prosperous part of the city. Where they were headed was worse.

[member="Viktor DuSang"] [member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"Not much of a talker is he?" Samka snarked to [member="Viktor DuSang"] as [member="Skjold Alexeyev"] walked off towards the town.

The town was just as miserable as she'd expected. Several times she'd had to catch herself before stepping in something she'd rather not dwell on but at least she was getting used to the stench. She eyed the crowds, a ghost of a smile on her lips as she could feel their fear and awe of her. It was a good feeling. Most of her recent work had be done with discretion so she relished the opportunity to flaunt herself in front of the fearful masses like this. Fear meant respect after all.

If there was truly a sizeable, dangerous resistance group here it didn't seem as though many of the locals would follow it. Much too afraid at the mere appearance of Knights of Ren. Just what threat this supposed group posed Sam wasn't sure. It seemed Mael Ren had been given more information than the other two as he had an idea of where he was leading them but Sam would be damned if she'd just let him take charge. She had had more experience in the field than either of her companions so there was no reason for her to step aside this time.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

[member="Samka Derith"]'s words caused a momentary lapse on his concentration. "Sometimes, silence is the preferred response. Words are meaningless, and forgettable." He followed suit behind [member="Skjold Alexeyev"], keeping his breathing to a slow rhythm. The stain of pollution found on the buildings would be something he would have to add to his report. Perhaps it would bring notice to the hardships the people on this planet were facing. Even if they were used solely for mining, these were First Order citizens.

It was their duty to keep them safe from the hostilities the galaxy put forth. Enemies lurked within and without the borders of the First Order's territory, threatening their very way of existence. It was simply a matter of twisting the realities of those fears into unspeakable levels that eventually lead to the complete subjugation of a population. They would give up all liberties and freedoms for that feeling of safety.

But this was simply obscene apathy. A government that ignored the suffering of its people was a nation to rise up against. This very environment they were occupying was the perfect environment for breeding rebellion. He wondered if Grand Moff [member="Natasi Fortan"] would agree with him. He would forward his report to her office as well.

Yellow eyes fixated on the fleeing masses as he scowled.

 

[Visser Chernykh]

Their banter was overheard but ignored. He was focused on the surroundings because you died when your attention lapsed. He pulled up some minutes later. He raised a hand for the others to stop.

The old habits of the stormtrooper died hard.

There was no true demarcation to show they were entering the slums. Yet there were subtle differences even here. Windows were smashed in and doors boarded up. Bits of corrugated metal seemed to patch roofs.

Refuse was piled up in alleyways. It grew worse the further one glanced down the streets. He turned to face [member="Viktor DuSang"] and [member="Samka Derith"]. "You've both read the briefing," came his artificial voice though the vocabulator.

"You know we're here to eradicate a rebel cell. Our agents have located them within the slums of Anoat City. Ostensibly the location is a junk shop."

"It's run by an old human male with two assistants. They appear harmless but their location gives off frequencies that are known to broadcast illegal programming. It's possible that we may encounter violence. Beings here are known to especially resent our intervention."

"Do you have questions before we proceed?"

 

[Viktor DuSang]

The signal was given for them to stop. Viktor crouched down, pulling a case out of his backpack. He opened it up, running his fingers over the small drones as they came to life, levitating up above the case. Viktor closed it, pushing a few buttons on his glasses. "Let's do an infrared scan. See if we can get a better map of the area." he said quietly, the drones flew off, scanning the surrounding area as they fed information to his glasses.

As Mael Ren spoke, he opened the case back up, the drones flying back inside. He closed the case, putting it back into his backpack. Standing up, he cracked his neck. "Not so much a question, but an observation. There's a high rise building down this alley that'll give us a vantage point on the target area.

"Might be a good idea to scope it out before we strolled onto the scene."

[member="Skjold Alexeyev"] [member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Visser Chernykh]

[member="Viktor DuSang"] [member="Samka Derith"]

Mael nodded to the other man after a moment. It made sense though he hadn't thought of that approach.

"Yes. i assume you can do this."

He pulled up a holo image of the vicinity on his comm link. Zooming in brought an innocuous shop into focus.

"This is the building in question." he said "Scout ahead and inform us of any problems you spot."

He'd grown too used to the frontal approach. It'd been all too easy with his abilities in the Dark Side. He made a mental note to remember more of his training as a soldier. They were not fools despite what people said of them.

Much thought and preparation went into each operation. Adaptability was something that was highly prized. It was a reminder he was happy to have had. Better here and now rather than later.

 

[Samka Derith]

Samka nodded approvingly of [member="Viktor DuSang"]'s suggestion. "Just make sure the drones don't alert our prey. The last thing we need is them catching wind and fleeing." She couldn't sense much life within the junk shop meaning it was likely there were only the handful of life forms the eldest Ren had mentioned however that didn't account for any droids, turrets or other security systems that could be in place.

Then she turned towards [member="Skjold Alexeyev"]. "I have a question, how much pain can we inflict? I presume this is to be more of an interrogation than an assault after all." Sam may have sounded a little too eager there but it was so rare that she was allowed to act as herself lately that she was struggling to hold back. She made a mental note to act more like the dignified young lady she was.

 

[Visser Chernykh]

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"]

He regarded the girl in a different way. Not horror nor respect exactly. A kind of new awareness of her. The girl was a sadist and this was very clear.

Mael knew she'd enjoy their coming mission. It would involve hurting people. Her pleasure would likely be almost visceral when it came to it. That didn't bother him for the usual reasons.

He only worried her sadism might interfere with their goal. The disciple enjoyed the fear and submission of others. But his ultimate goal took precedence over anything else. The First Order was always the penultimate.

"We will be interrogating them. We can hurt them but they need to be alive to confess," he answered "Once they confess, we may execute them for their crimes."

 

[Viktor DuSang]

"Don't worry. I won't need the drones again."

He paused for a moment. "Well, I shouldn't." Hiking up his backpack, he nodded. "I'll be on the radio." With that, the young Earl was off. Running up a nearby dumpster, he hopped up and was able to grab the ledge of a short building, pulling himself up on the roof. Viktor leaped from building to building, making a short trip of the journey.

Finding the target structure, he leaned up against one of its walls, taking a deep breath. He was starting to get acclimated to the pollution. It almost didn't register as he caught his breath. Finding a ladder, he started climbing up until he reached the top. Sitting down, he pulled his backpack off, fumbling through until he found a pair of electrobinoculars. He set the setting to infrared and peered at the junk yard.

"Alright. I'm seeing three targets. Lightly armed. Looks like civilian grade blaster pistols. But it's hard to tell from this distance. I'll rendezvous with you two at the location. Over." Putting the binoculars back into his backpack, he zipped it back up, putting the sack back on his back. Finding the ladder, he started making his way down it. Once off the ladder, he made short work on getting back down to the ground, proceeding to the junkyard.

 

[Samka Derith]

"Well this sounds ridiculously simple," Sam rolled her eyes at the information given by [member="Viktor DuSang"]. "Which means we should be very cautious indeed. Traps are all too common in a situation like this."

"I'll sneak around the back and check the junkyard," she addressed [member="Skjold Alexeyev"]. "I trust you're capable of walking through the front door?" Without waiting for a reply, Samka turned on her heels and sought a back entrance.

It wasn't too difficult to gain access. The junkyard was surrounded by an electrified fence but it wasn't enough to stop an athletic Force user such as Sam from simply jumping over it. Sam made a disgusted grunt as she landed in a puddle of some sort of green fluid, this world never ceased reminding her of its pollution. Next she took a quick scan of the yard. Everything still seemed unremarkable. Piles of metal lay everywhere. Parts of droids, ships, speeders, weapons, plumbing, purification systems and so on, there was even an intact escape pod. Nothing too out of place. Having spotted nothing of note back here she headed towards the shop's back entrance where the individuals running this apparent resistance hide away were.

 

[Visser Chernykh]

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"]

It was indeed a simple mission in concept. The actual implementation would prove to be more difficult....

Residents of the slums scattered before Mael Ren. He could feel their resentment as he approached the junk shop proper. Doors slammed shut and beings peered through windows. They could hate him so long as they feared him.

Fear was an effective form of control. It'd been proven time and again. It was so much easier to lead beings cowed by fear. But really it was their fault that it had to happen.

If these sewer rats could only accept the future. Their lives were the lowest on a world just removed from a wasteland. The First Order would give purposes to these nothings. Yet they held to notions such as 'freedom' and 'democracy'.

Democracy and freedom had led them to nothing. They were too stupid to see. It filled him with disgust as he opened the door. An old human looked up in surprise from behind a counter.

"Judah Fairwind, you are hereby charged with treason against the First Order," he said through his vocabulator "You will submit to questioning or face summary execution."

The man's mouth worked. He could feel the fear roll off of the old man.

"What...no...what are you talking about, I...."

Mael dropped his hand to his weapon's hilt before he spoke. His voice resonated with menace.

"Anti-First Order broadcasts have been found to be transmitted from this location. Don't attempt to deny it or to deceive us. We know."

Guilty knowledge was obvious on his bearded face. He heard sounds from the back of the shop. The voice of a teenage girl emerged from the back. "Grandpa, do you need help, I heard...."

She emerged an innocent girl of fifteen years. Her blue eyes widened as she took in the masked man. 'Grandpa, what's going on..."

"Mia, you need to go to the back,,,,"

"Grandpa, I...."

"Mia, go now..."

"No," the disciple said with finality "She stays. She'll be questioned too."

The bearded man's aura changed from purely fear. Fury was there too and his hand dropped behind the counter....

 

[Wolf]

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"] | [member="Skjold Alexeyev"]

"An old man and a child, what worthy opponents of a Disciple of Ren."

The Imperial voice was laden with sarcasm, and would come from behind Mael Ren, a bearded man standing at 6'4" who now entered the junk shop. He wore a buttoned black outfit, and would come to stand next to Mael.

"I was delayed in my arrival here, though it seems to not have mattered. I was not aware that four Disciples of Ren were required to handle old men and little girls."

The man was Wolfgang Krieger, and Mael would know from the mission briefing that he was another Disciple of Ren, and one who was also expected to join the mission. Wolf's transport had taken an unexpected detour on the way to the location, running into some trouble with some local criminal filth, but Wolf had managed the situation and had now caught up. This planet certainly was foul, and Wolf had hoped the First Order would do more to transform it into a civilised world. They knew what they were doing however, and Wolf was not one to question the Supreme Leader's judgment.

Wolf's arrival had stopped the old man in his tracks from behind the counter, but now that it seemed evident to the old man that Wolf and Mael were colleagues, the old man continued to reach to the back of the counter. Wolf did not know what to expect, but his hand moved immediately to his vibrosword, resting his hand on the hilt and ready to draw it in a moment's notice. Unlike skilled users of the lightsaber, Wolf was not able to deflect blaster bolts, at least not yet, though was not entirely convinced this old man would be a major threat. Nevertheless, he was ready to strike if he had to.

 

[Visser Chernykh]

The latecomer distracted Mael just enough. The shopkeeper managed to grab his blaster. His attention snapped back as the pistol lined up with him. He just managed to knock the firearm off course with an outstretched left palm.

The plasma discharge was sent astray. It was terribly loud. The rage filled him. Rage towards the old man and the fool who'd distracted him.

How dare the desiccated rat shoot at him! The man quickly opened up and Mael was forced to dive for cover. The hail of bolts continued from the panicked man. The disciple unhooked his lightsaber and activated the blade.

He rose in time to angle another shot away. Then came another shot but it wasn't just batted away. It was instead redirected at the shooter. A smoking hole appeared in the old man's chest in a split-second.

The girl screamed as her grandfather sagged to the ground. She raced to his side heedless of danger. Mael whirled to face the doorway. He heard voices coming closer.

Other gutter trash had heard the blaster firing. They'd seen the hated members of the First Order enter. Now the descended upon them in their droves. He could feel their anger rise even greater than their fear.

"Idiot," he hissed at the taller man in his artificial voice "They heard and they know!"

He ground his teeth in impotent fury. If the fool hadn't distracted him, the old man would've never gotten off the first shot! Now they'd be quickly swarmed by an enraged mob. The Force was power beyond any other but it couldn't stop hundreds of them!

"Summon the garrison!," he snapped though he knew it could be too late by the time the stormtroopers arrived....

[member="Wolf"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"]

 

[Samka Derith]

Blaster fire had erupted from the shop just as Sam had been about to enter. Drawing her blade, the young Ren entered just as the shopkeeper collapsed in a smoking heap. I missed the action. How disappointing. she thought as she gazed at the man's corpse for a moment. It was now being cradled by a sobbing blonde girl slightly younger than herself but Sam had little time for sympathy.

[member="Skjold Alexeyev"] was attempting to call in support against the angry locals but they were far from any First Order garrisons, they'd have to act themselves but first...

"An old man got the drop on you?" She raised a single brow at Mael Ren as she holstered her lightsaber. She wasn't scolding exactly, she was more incredulous that such a thing had happened. "When I asked if you were capable of walking through the front door I didn't think there was a chance you actually weren't."

Next she turned to the newcomer who she recognised as [member="Wolf"], someone who was supposed have been there from the start. "Oh. Look who turned up. I don't know how the concept of time worked in Sith space but here punctuality is required for our missions." Her comment should make it clear to the newest figure that she had read his file.

Now it came for her to seize initiative, clearly her companions needed her superior guidance. Sam walked up to the sobbing girl on the floor and crouched besides her. If the girl was afraid, or even aware of the Ren's presence she didn't show it. "Dry those tears, little one. You'll always have the memories which is more than I ever did with my grandparents," she spoke softly but the girl still didn't acknowledge her in the slightest, instead staring blankly at her grandfather's corpse. "Besides," Sam added, "this is what he wanted. He clearly had a death wish." Now the girl turned her head upwards to glare at Samka, hatred blazing in puffy tear swollen eyes.

Sam stood up abruptly and violently snatched the girl's hair. "Now you've had more than enough time to mourn," she said leading the girl out the front entrance where the noises of an angry mob were becoming ever louder. Sam threw her hostage into the mud at her feet and ignited her lightsaber. "Unless you want blood on your hands. Stay. Back." She eyed the crowd gathering around the shop, trying to read the atmosphere. There was a lot of long time resentment boiling over here and the situation could easily escalate.

[member="Viktor DuSang"].

 

[Wolf]

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"] | [member="Skjold Alexeyev"]

"You should not blame others for your own incompetence." Wolf's response came as he climbed out from behind cover to answer Mael. "I was not informed in the mission briefing that I would be working with amateurs who get distracted so easily. And please, don't summon the garrison. Do you call your mother every time things get a little tough?"

Wolf had not intended to begin this relationship with his colleague with such frostiness, but now that Mael had made his angry response, blaming him for the mob that was coming, Wolf was not going to leave it without an answer. The immediate blame and distrust was a common problem among Sith factions, a problem Wolf thought would be less prevalent in a more purposeful and collectivist Imperial faction like the First Order. However, it was really the natural consequence of throwing a number of large egos into the same field, regardless of the faction, which could not really be helped.

Wolf turned to look at the corpse of the old man, and the girl that was now sobbing at his side. Wolf felt pity for her, she was the innocent victim of her grandfather's sick and anarchic ideology that had made him commit treason. It was never going to end well. Wolf watched as the one known as Samka was now in the room with them, her blade drawn. He said nothing, watching with amusement as he heard her question how Mael allowed an old man to get the better of him. She was a young girl, and by her looks Wolf wondered how she was capable of being on this mission, though he had read her file, as she had read his, and it stopped him from judging her too harshly.

Samka was now addressing Wolf, "Oh. Look who turned up. I don't know how the concept of time worked in Sith space but here punctuality is required for our missions." Wolf found the comment even more amusing, he found no need to explain himself, and simply flashed Samka a grin. He watched as she grabbed the girl and took her outside, throwing her in the mud. It was an unfortunate thing, but a good idea nonetheless. Wolf had not thought of it himself, and had to give credit where it was due. He would have been foolish to have dismissed the girl known as Samka based on her appearance. Those in the Order of Ren were not given their place carelessly and without thought, Wolf should know that.

It was Wolf's turn to take the initiative. It was a funny thing really, these lowly Disciples desperate to prove themselves, to take the iniative, to be the leader. Wolf was a hypocrite of course, his internal musings on the matter ran contrary to his own actions, but he did not mind. Samka's move was a good one, but it could not last forever, it had simply bought them time. They were at a standstill, for now, but the mob could in a moment decide that the death of the girl was worth it, just to take out their anger on the First Order.

Wolf walked out to the backyard, and was not disappointed as he found what he was looking for. A sewer grate. He crouched down, his fingers grasping around the grating as he pulled hard. The grating soon came loose, and was taken off and placed next to the large man-sized hole that was now exposed, leading directly to the sewers. Wolf took a few steps back to the shop,

"You know what is even more pleasant than the Anoati surface? The Anoati sewers."

He turned and walked back towards the sewer hole, expecting the others to follow, rather than face the mob. Through there, he was confident they could lose the tail of a following mob.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

Blaster bolts welcomed the young noble as he stepped into the room. One corpse. One crying child. An approaching mob that meant to shred the Ren to pieces. This was all definitely going into his report.

Wolf had the right idea, flee and live to fight another day. They were simply outnumbered. Retreat was the only viable option. Pulling a small case out of his backpack, he dropped down into the sewers behind Wolf. He opened up the case, running his fingers over the drones as they once more came to life, levitating out of the case. He put on his glasses, taking the scarf off of his face.

"I want a clean sweep. Map out the pipelines and find us an exit that isn't going to be swarming with hostile locals." The drones flew off in all directions, the information starting to feed into Viktor's glasses. He pulled out a Coruscanti clove, sparking it up. The smoke rolled out of his nostrils as he pondered the options.

"Looks like there's an access tunnel two kilometers south. It opens up in the slums of Anoat City." Drone footage caused him to pause, sighing to himself as he tossed his cigarette off to the side. "We've got a slight problem." His lightdagger hilts shot to his hands as he gripped the white hilts, cracking his neck.

"I'm picking up Lurker activity."

[member="Samka Derith"] [member="Wolf"] [member="Skjold Alexeyev"]

 

[Visser Chernykh]

[member="Wolf"] | [member="Viktor DuSang"] | [member="Samka Derith"]

"Professionals show up on time," came his acidic reply.

At least the teenage Ren was making herself useful. He saw the gathering mob halt as she presented the hostage. Still their number grew in the distance. He lost count of them well before Samka drew the girl inside and slammed door.

There had been over two hundred of them. Even four disciples would be overwhelmed against hundreds. The garrison would functional as an equalizer. Then the taller man did something completely crazy.

He'd gone out the back and was indicating the sewer. Mael grimaced but the alternative was certain death. Possible death in exchange for certain death. An excellent choice for anyone.

DuSang's voice came in over the comm. Perhaps Wolf had the right idea. Then came the reports on the Lurkers. It was too late to go back now.

"Bind and gag the girl," he told Samka "She will just get in the way. Leave her here."

It was true that he would. He looked from the sewers with a grimace to the door. He could hear the mob growing. Soon their growing anger would explode.

Even a hostage would only hold them for so long. It was time to move.