Dominion Run to the Hills | Dominion of Sharb | NIO

[Kazimir Tragovic]

C O M P N O R

Call Sign: Wardog

Objective: Eliminate threats

Tags: Jerec Yularen , Marlon Sularen , Nukth Kelga'an

Loadout: TSF-FBR Heavy Smartblaster Rifle, TSF-SBP/01 Heavy SmartBlaster Pistol, TXP SBG-01x Bodyglove, armorweave jacket, vibroknife

Kaz landed his Phantom near the rendezvous point, opting to go the rest on foot. Not knowing fully what the situation was, he wanted to err on the side of caution. As he approached the rendezvous point, he could begin to make out the figures of the other COMPFORCE operatives, as well as some others he wasn't as familiar with. He approached the others as they were prepping for breaching the facility, doubling checking his rifle as he walked up to Nukth Kelga'an .

"Good too see ya. Name's Kaz."

Kaz's demeanor wasn't typical of a COMPNOR agent. Sometimes it worked to his advantage, but sometimes others didn't take to it well. Then again, that's expected when you're a former criminal and mercenary trying to rub elbows with soldiers and government agents. In the end, it was his blaster that did the talking, and people tended to listen when it spoke.

He took a moment to take a look over their intel, checking for potential escape routes for their prey.

"Doesn't look like there's many ways out of here. That's gonna potentially make a breach more challenging, but it also means any high value targets won't have anywhere to go."

Though he had faith in the skills of his COMPNOR associates, their was always a chance for everything to go sideways. If such were to occur, numbers would help mitigate the chit hitting the fan. Luckily, the Todhusars were about as good of a group to have in a scrap as any. No matter what force they were facing, Kaz felt that the odds were in their favor.

He turned to Sergeant Orega, looking over the men he brought along.

"I'm gonna need two good men, preferably ones with slicing or explosives experience. These sorts of places tend to be locked down pretty tight, and if I need to be sure that I can move freely without having to look over my shoulder every two seconds."

Orega turned to his men, calling two of them over.

"This is Hex and Zandor. I think you'll find them up to the task."

Kaz gave the men a quick look, followed by a slight nod.

"Yeah, they'll do."

He turned back to Kelga'an, reaching for his datapad as he continued.

"Once the facility is breached, the three of us are going to be moving fast, and will likely break off from the rest of the unit. I'm providing you with a secure channel that will put your unit straight through to me. If we spot anything, we'll let you know. The rest of the COMPNOR boys will be doing what they do best alongside you and yours. Lets go get these bastards."

With those words, Kaz started for the breaching point, Hex and Zandor following close behind.

 

[Ker'azak'usha]

NIV Dissident Aggressor
Rurik Fel | Lord Letifer

Darkness is the absence of light. Fear is the absence of hope. Chaos is the absence of order.

Raza stepped into a hangar that had been turned into an abattoir, fellow Imperials lay dismembered by lightsaber, crushed through the force, and otherwise maimed and killed. She stepped slowly towards the sleek, black shuttle that sat in the middle of the bay. The lines looked almost Imperial, but darker. She took a moment as she walked closer to memorize the lines of the shuttle. She did not intend for this shuttle to leave the bay under the original owner, but in case it did she would remember it.

As she walked closer, the bay doors all closed and locked as Rurik Fel entered lockdown codes. This broke Raza out of the reverie of memorizing the shuttle, and she strode briskly to a far wall where a gray on gray embossed symbol of Imperial Intelligence subtly sat on a bulkhead panel. She knew that this was where they typically parked their own shuttle, which was down on the planet with most of the complement of this hangar. She lay her hand on the scanner hidden beside the symbol, and opened the panel to reveal various equipment an Imperial Agent might need.

Including slicing equipment.

Raza slipped on a vambrace that held a slicing ready pad and then a multi-adapter for plugging into various sockets. Many builders conformed to one of several standards to facilitate all manner of things from docking to secure information transfer. Once equipped, Raza returned to the sleek, black shuttle. She made an efficient circle of the shuttle to ensure there were no obvious countermeasure points, then she went to the open hatch of the shuttle and peered inside. She saw several energy cages, plus an additional space that looked like it might hold a speeder bike, she could tell by the long narrow brackets common for holding those in place on shuttles. She also found the deployment rack for the probe droids that had been scattered with the stormtroopers and other Imperial personnel that had been cut down.

'Well, looks like our side took something from them too...not yet equal though.' She thought to herself as she stepped onto the ramp and just inside. Continuing to be wary of any countermeasures, she was surprised to find none. It appeared the shuttle was designed for infiltration of a small number of people and that was it. Raza was lithe, but even she felt it was a bit "crowded". Once at the pilots seat, she found what she had been looking for, a data port. She knelt down and inspected it. She knew some of these had slicing protection built in, but as with the rest of the ship, this appeared to have no intrusion countermeasures.

In her mind, Raza was building a picture of the Maw. In it, she was beginning to see a pattern, but she would need more information before she felt secure in it, and anyway her current mission was to deprive them of this vessel and hopefully have their own engineers pick it apart for any new gadgets they may find.

But first, she needed to get a download of the ships computer.

She inserted the data probe and connected it to the slicing pad on her vambrace. She initiated a scan of the port, ever watchful for security measures. Finding nothing special there either, she split the screen on the pad and hooked into the Imperial Intelligence network on the ship. Once connected to a secure node that she set into isolation mode, to quarantine the data, she began to download the entire databank. Knowing that would take some time, Raza slipped off the vambrace, setting it down near the port, and then slipped into the pilots seat.

'Ugh, still warm...' She said in her mind, then began to review the controls.

 

[Marlon Sularen]

SHARB , CHISS SPACE
At the Abandoned and Incomplete N&Z Beta Site-ERF1...

---

"Hey, Lord Whatever your name is. I'm Captain Jerec Yularen. But I'm not the menace you're looking for. There are barbarians, Dark Side cultists dressed a bit like us scattered across the facility. They're trying to loot it and we're here to stop them. So, y'know, a bit of help would be appreciated. Trigger a lockdown, release droids, do something!"

"Do you take me for a fool Captain Yularen?" The Scarlet King said in response to the New Imperial. "I once served Credius Nargath , a Sith Lord who once led the Zweihander Union. Your New Imperial Order has been shown to have waged a brutal war against the Sith having gone as far as eliminating Sith Lords within your own ranks in your so-called 'Operation Kyber Dark'. If these are Sith Cultists as you claim then they are friends of the Zweihander Union and worthy of accessing the secrets of my former master. Afterall the enemy of my friend is my enemy and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I will do something about the matter Captain Yularen , but i will not be helping you today."

---

---

Meanwhile in the Hangars , Marlon Sularen and Colonel Rackham watched as a bunch of New Imperial Gunships suddenly arrived and opened fire on the 5 Shuttles parked in the Hangar's , fortunately Sularen and his men were already at a safe distance from the Shuttle itself but they were powerless to prevent their destruction as one by one the Shuttles were destroyed Then another Gunship showed up , quickly releasing a bunch of New Imperial Troopers which began immediately attacking Sularen and his Men.

While Sularen's Group was mostly exposed , they did have an advantage : Personal Shielding. As the New Imperials opened fire , Sularen's Guards activated their shields and positioned themselves infront of the rest of the Group shielding them from enemy fire. As the New Imperials continued their attack , Phantom quickly took charge of the situation. "Alright , i need two Guards to stay with Sularen at all times and keep him safe , the rest stay here and hold the line against these New Imperials. Raptors take out your grenades we're going to give these Imps a little surprise"

Quickly 2 Guards withdrew from the line of Crimson Guards actively shielding Sularen's Group with their Personal Shields and they quickly took the Lord-Imperator and Colonel Rackham leading them into a hallway leading away from the Hangars. Back in the hangars however Phantom , the Raptors and the Crimson Guards held their ground with the Raptors taking out their Plasma Detonators and throwing them at the New Imperials in order to force them to scatter and take cover.

Meanwhile , the rest of the Shadow Company had been alerted by the Scarlet King regarding Captain Yularen's position and some of them began converging on Yularen's men supported by dozens of Security Droids which had been activated by the AI. At the same time , a pair of secret doors revealed themselves near the large opening of the Facilities Hangars revealing more Security Droids which began attacking the flanks of the newly arrived New Imperials as they emerged from the secret entrances.

Now the tables had turned against the New Imperials and in a last act of defiance against them , the Scarlet King proceeded to close the blast doors of the Hangar cutting off the New Imperials from further support while also locking down the entire facility with large metal windows quickly covering the windows of the above-ground facilities and more blast-doors covering the above-ground entrances to the facility. In addition to this , the Scarlet King proceeded to jam the signals of all New Imperial personnel in order to prevent them from calling for reinforcements while also activating the external defensive emplacements to eliminate any New Imperial Craft within the perimeter of the abandoned ZU Facility.

As the Battle unfolded , Sularen , Rackham and the 2 Crimson Guards escorting them quickly headed towards one of the elevators passing by two dozen Security Droids who now had taken sides with Sularen and his Group who were on route to reinforce Phantom and her group. Fortunately for Sularen and trio of men with him , the elevators were still active as they were being utilized to transport Security Droid units from the lower levels upwards to confront the New Imperials. Sularen wasn't trapped with the New Imperials , they were trapped with him , and the sooner he gained access to Nargath's Secrets the better. While these New Imperials would be cut off from the outside world for sometime , more New Imperial Reinforcements would arrive eventually and it was critical that Sularen get out of here before that could ever happen.

Tags | Jerec Yularen | Nukth Kelga'an | Kazimir Tragovic
​

Spoiler: Sularen's Forces

• Crimson Guard [10/10]​
• Raptor Commandos [12/12]​
• Shadow Troopers [60/86]​
• ZMD-C "Mercury" Battle Droids [110/120]​
• ZMD-C2 "Jupiter" Security Droids [110/120]​

Spoiler: TL;DR

• The Scarlet King turns on the New Imperials , locking down the Facility in the Process
• A Contigent of Shadow Troopers , Battle Droids and Security Droids begin approaching Jerec Yularen 's Position
• The Crimson Guard and Raptor Commandos begin engaging the Banshee Company with the former shielding the latter with their Personal Energy Shields and the Latter throwing grenades towards the Banshees.
• A Second Group of Battle Droids and Security Droids emerge from secret hidden doorways at the edge of the hangars right beside the blast doors moving forth to engage Nukth Kelga'an and the Banshee Company
• The External Defenses are activated and open fire on any aerial craft within the perimeter of the Facility
• Sularen and Rackham are escorted by 2 Crimson Guardians to begin their descent into the Lower Levels of the Facility
• [This will be included in my next post] | A Second Contingent of around 2 dozen Shadow Troopers has accessed the Lower Levels and have begun collecting intel and storing important items (Such as the Natural and Artificial Kyber Crystals stored within the Facility) in crates made out of Phrik Metal.

 

[Tranquility]

Marlon Sularen | Jerec Yularen | Nukth Kelga'an | Kazimir Tragovic

Tranquility had been pinged by a site she had thought dead. The advantage to being tied in with N and Z was that in cases such as this she would be notified. She was subtle at first though, and had began sending and deleting all the data in the system that needed to be classified. However that was just the background. Then she reached out to the Scarlet King, "Assist the NIO, Destroy the Cultists" After all one of these parties was a known threat, the other was not. She then started a COMM to the helpful Jerec Yularen . "Greetings Captain, This is Tranquility, the former Secretary of Intelligence for the ZU and current Head of the ZU Corporate Defense Force. I understand you seek to help us defend against the invaders in our facility. I am glad. I have instructed the Scarlet King to help you and thwart the others. Glad to see the NIO respect corporate property. Please let it be known that Marlon Sularen has been detected and is a known hostile to all ZU and N and Z facilities. He should be apprehended or destroyed if possible due to crimes committed against both entities."

Now however came the time to counter their real enemy. The lockdown only affected non NIO forces, as such doors shut and opened depending who was trying to go through them. All droids were instructed to assist the NIO forces and slaughter or subdue the invading cultists. Which ever was easiest to do. The Battle and Security Droids engaging Nukth would instead of fire upon them start helping them get rid of the cultists. Firing at the Crimson Guardians and Raptor Commandos. The Battle and Security Droids approaching Captain Yularen would instead turn against the Shadow Troopers. The external defenses instead only target Hostile threats belonging to Sularen and the cultists.

The building turned against Sularen almost as quickly as it was instructed to help him. Tranquility started a COMM to say hi. "It seems you don't know when to quit. Thanks for turning on this site, I had thought it lost to the chaos that was the Zweihander Union Civil War. In thanks, if you surrender, I can at least let you live. This is Tranquility, I don't know if you remember me. I do hope you choose the easy way, would be a shame have to coat these halls with all the organic matter of you and your men."

 

[Halketh]

F O R G I V E N
T H E D I V I N E
C A E L I T U S
Rexus Wenck | Kolson Vrask | @IMNOVA

​

From his vantage point, he oversaw the carnage Vandal Squad stumbled into, focusing his Sight through the eyes of the countless dead he pulled the strings of, each fragment a flash that fell into place to form a greater mosaic. It was the newly risen rank and file, those civilians that had fallen during the uprising that faced the sawblade of gunfire. He felt nothing for their loss, no kindness remained in his heart for them. No mercy. No pity. Their second death was as simple as breathing for him, predictable, rhythmic in its ebb and flow. Gloved fingers glided over themselves, folding to rest against his plated chin with his gentle pitch forward, squaring himself toward the conflict with greater interest.

The senses of those he gazed through were muddied and failed to understand the orders and commands of the squad as they were issued, though he could predict their plan through their movements personally. A hot, humid breath pressed from his nose, pushing through the slots of his mask. He dared not face the commandos on his own, nor make an appearance close, but he was more than content to sow the seeds of discord from where he was. Thoughts arranged and focused themselves in his mind, pressing his will upon the puppets whose strings he pulled. Orders issued in silence caused a rippling change in the sea of undead facing the New Imperial task force.

The armored soldiers shoved through the unarmed civilians, pushing them aside to take formation. Donned in the black plate of The Sith Empire, marked by a red flag on his shoulder, a commander emerged. A half-rotten arm jerked forward, flexing a digit towards the compressed form of the living squadron.

"Mociji savimi!" "Slaughter them!" his rasped, vocoded voice shrilled over the carnage.

The five troopers who joined him dropped in a stack of two rows, the two at point taking a knee while the three behind stood tall, leveling their repeaters straight for the Vandals. Dead, stiffened fingers pulled triggers back without a shred of hesitation.​

And Hell opened its mouth, spewing plasmic fire upon the New Imperials.

UNDEAD REMAINING | 280/313​

 

[Cromwell]

OBJECTIVE II | RUN TO THE HILLS | BYOO
// TARGET >> WARLIP //
>> DEAD or ALIVE <<
​

The bout of shakes was coming again, he could feel them crawling under his skin seeking to escape to the surface and bind him to the dark corner of the room. That's all he'd known his whole life - darkness; or rather all he remembered before the Brotherhood. Then upon the walls enveloped in shadows the letters of the Scripture blazed in an inferno forever brandishing him as one of the Brotherhood leaving him with the mark of the Maw scorched on his back.

Salvation had finally come for Warlip.

When she, pink of skin and light of eyes, materialized before him, blurred memories of a life before the Mark, before the flagellant rupture of his lips, flashed across his debased mind. A cardinal figure, was it a mother, was it a wife, was it a friend, he was unsure; his recollections were enveloped in an impenetrable fog and all that remained discernible was his unhinged need to deliver harm.

Meanwhile, Varian was still shaking off the lingering afterimage of Nighthawk's opened up collar as he snuck into the facility. The commotion had already started - shouts in panic and wails for help; Warlip had made his move. The spectre's eyes caught the center of the chaos and saw Warlip's arms around Nighthawk's throat. He was babbling something, words indiscernible from the miasma of hysteria. Varian's heart skipped a beat at the sight, atypical for the usually stoic, calm, and composed operative. For a moment he wondered if it was the pheromones, he reckoned they were the sole reason Warlip hadn't exploded yet but their effect on Varian would've been almost void given his rigorous training against similar methods of manipulation.

And that's exactly what concerned him.

It wasn't manipulation.

Avenger shoved the thoughts away and narrowed his focus onto the menace ahead of him. The ion paddler in his hand was drawn level to the cultist's back and a moment later cyan plasma streaked out at Warlip. He dropped unceremoniously on his back with a thud; the scanners on his HUD indicating the microexplosives had been disabled and Varian allowed himself an inaudible exhale of tension before stepping forward to the Zeltron agent. His hand dove at the back of his utility belt and tossed a pair of cufflinks at her.

"You can do the honors." Varian said. His eyes lingered over her for a moment too long trying in vain to find a trail of pheromones leading up to him. To no avail.

Stormtroopers burst into the facility next and Avenger was quick to flash his credentials, "Spectre business, move along." the dark armored man tilted to face Nighthawk once more and with a curt nod offered her his gratitude, "Good job here."

An unusual smirk found its way on his face, "Still too early to be at each other's throats?"

Chelenne Akaris​

 

[Chelenne Akaris]

H E R
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
N I G H T H A W K
ELIMINATE HOSTILE TARGET | WARLIP

With the iron grip locked around her throat, the zeltron had dropped the box of assorted rations she had claimed as her own, a prop for her show, and tilted her head back. She listened to the words the man spoke feverishly, his manifesto, a revelation he preached to the terrified peoples he intended to immolate. Yet, where they panicked, she shut it out, sealing herself behind her wall of calm and collectedness, having fully expected herself to be the proper bait to spring the trap. What fanatic could resist the urge to manipulate already downtrodden peoples with the killing of their caretaker? Warlip had presumed she was a relief volunteer- an assumption that would ultimately lead to his downfall.

She was no helpless woman, nor was she here for the benefit of anyone but her faction.

It was the perfect snare, a nasty little trap designed to expose both the refugees to the horror and to expose the plot being cooked underneath the rather complacent soldiers' noses. They weren't doing their jobs adequately enough to filter the terrorists out from the greater crowd, such is why her presence was necessary here. Sapphire eyes fixed in their lined corners, fluttering beneath styled lashes to keep eyes on the man who held her hostage. And without a warning, the insidious chemicals beneath her skin bled through, soothing his nerves and slowing his heart rate down with an unnatural calm. His words stumbled over themselves, his tongue tripping over itself in his mouth as he tried to continue his sermon.

Specific worry, the kind that penetrated her defenses, piqued her interest, catching her gaze and she looked for him, knowing full well who it belonged to.

Nighthawk flashed the faintest smile of reassurance to Varian, though it likely went unnoticed as the Spectre went to work, disabling the man and subduing his explosives before he could react and detonate them prematurely. She stepped away as the insanity settled down, turning to face the man who had caught her as she snagged the cuffs from the air, spinning them about a finger. There was a darkening line beneath her chin, curled around her throat from the violent grasp forced there- the murmurings of a bruise. Beyond that, however, she was unharmed almost entirely.

One foot planted itself into Warlip's back and she pinned him down, roughly grabbing his wrists to clap them in iron, securing them behind his back.​

"Good job here."

His praise was received with a small nod, one offered as she straightened herself upright and dusted her hands off for good measure. "You as well, as usual." Behind the violet veil, she smiled, one of warmth and sincerity, rather than devious thought. The words he offered with a smirk of his own made her chuckle and drew her attention to her throat, where she soothed the ache of bruise with a curl of her fingers. "I believe mine could use a little tenderness after that, don't you think?" ​

Varian Dyre​

 

[Rurik Fel]

M A N _ O F _ I R O N
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
LORD EXECUTOR
KNIGHTS OF THE EMPIRE
NIV DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR
Iron Skin | Lightsaber
Lord Letifer

WITCHFINDER
​

It was never so easy. Not with them. The Sith. His attempt at a instant coup de grace was thwarted immediately. Not that he was shook by the maneuver regardless. To think in absolutes of a solitary action would've put him on the same level as the Dark disciples. He did not think in these terms. He adjusted almost immediately as Letifer took his respite, willing a piece of heavy steel paneling toward Rurik's head.

The Lord Executor reached out with his lone organic hand to battle for control of the object, willing himself to throw it unto the floor before sliding it from their section of the corridor with a loud bang and clatter of metal against metal.

The Sith sprung toward him immediately, discarding whatever counter Rurik could've mustered before soon enough silver clashed crimson, a swipe of two blades that had become as ingrained into the subliminal consciousness as cobalt against ruby had for generations. Rurik's cold eyes narrowed in a gaze locked with Letifer's own. At this distance, with the combined illumination of their weapons, the tortured skin surrounding Rurik could be seen, offering a vague glimpse into the horrid body that lay beneath the iron skin.

He held his blade in one hand, the cybrnetic able to battle with Letifer's own force projected unto his weapon as Rurik stared placidly past the grinding clash of lightsabers.

"Something called you here...but what?" Rurik asked outright.

"I will get my answer." He said before leaning his body weight into the arm holding the saber, utilizing the momentum to swing the Sith's blade away from the core of his body before he brought his other hand up to project an arc of punishing argent lightning in the direction of the Sith.

"A

 

[Kolson Vrask]

G R U N G E
TASK UNIT ALPHA | VANDAL SQUAD
ASHES TO ASHES
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
Storm Recon UCP | TL-60x Heavy Repeater | DSP-61x Hybrid Pistol | Grenades
Sephi Karneh

STREETS ON FIRE​

Those few moments following her order to ascend were as tense as any combat situation could be. His main team mate, so to speak- out of sight. He could only hope each thundering pass of his heavy repeater into the flesh of these Chiss shamblers would spare enough time to get her into position. Luckily, it seemed they had the advantage of range in their favor. So long as they could reach out and touch them with blaster fire- the rest didn't matter.

But that wasn't more than a few seconds of a reprieve before Sephi let him know...that was in fact, not, the case here. That notification that she'd taken fire drove him unto both feet with urgency, his eyes scanning above the heads of the Chiss for any muzzle flash or blaster fire deeper into the city before soon enough his focus shifted back to the Chiss horde across from him, unleashing another heavy spray of the repeater as he slowly paced himself back.

<"Cover me and Nova! Get suppressing fire in the direction of where she's been hit from! Go!"> Vandal said before looking up to the anchor line of ascention, throwing the heavy repeater over his shoulder before he began to climb the line, his gaze glancing back down toward the zombified Chiss in confused horror.

Where and how did they get here? Were they...taken, from Csilla? None of this spelled anything but abject doom.

He barely managed to swing himself unto the roof of the building.

<"This isn't right- none of this is right. Gah-....sh*t..."> Vandal muttered the way of Nova.

 

[Nukth Kelga'an]

SHARB

OBJECTIVE I | ASHES TO ASHES
OPPOSING | BROTHERHOOD OF THE MAX, KILLIK UPRISING
Jerec Yularen | Marlon Sularen | Kazimir Tragovic
​

WARDOG'S ON THE WAY.
The Captain turned to the COMPNOR's agent, while he was reloading his SFR-58.

"Ha, glad to see you too, Kaz. You can call me Nukth, but I prefer Cap'." he confessed.

He got a look to the shuttles now destroyed by his men and answered Tragovic after his little speech.

"Stang, I let you do as you want -- even if I didn't know you five minutes ago. Please keep your comlink on Banshee's channel, it's the only thing I want. I take the sarge with me, don't worry about him. Me and my men are keeping the hangars while you're doing what you have to do, understood ?"

Before he could finish to talk, Tagovic was no longer there. Again a special guy to command... Nutkh no longer thought about him, because he knew that he could not influence his choices. He preferred to concentrate himself on the current battle. The Crimson Guard's guys activated their shields and reorganized them to protect Sularen, the target of the Banshees. Nukth smiled, even when he saw the plasma grenades because he knew that his men would redirect the energy of their armor to the external plates, to protect them for the danger. He formed them one by one and knew that they were the bests. A entire section jumped above a cover and ran to the position of the first Sularen's guards to destroy them. Nukth talked to Orega.

"Ha, Sarge, can you go with them?"
"Sorry sir, but it's too dangerous for us..."
"Don't worry, Squad 42 will cover you. You can be sure that you won't be killed."
"Ho...right, that's OK." answered the Sergeant, tired.

He ran also to the position of the first guards who seemed to strangely not protect themselves and just to launch some grenades. A fight ensued, covered by the Banshees behind Orega. But Kelga'an saw something: Sularen running away in an elevator. Stang, it wasn't good for his business. He immediately contacted Tragovic to inform him.

"Kaz, I think Sularen is going to escape this place. Ho, you're right: he just entered an elevator with two guards!"​

 

[Jerec Yularen]

X E N O C I D E

S H A R B

OBJECTIVE I | ASHES TO ASHES
OPPOSING | BROTHERHOOD OF THE MAW, KILLIK UPRISING
TAGS | Nukth Kelga'an | Marlon Sularen | Kazimir Tragovic | Tranquility

Jerec froze in terror as the Scarlet King replied to his request. The gamble. He had lost. Not only were they slowly outnumbered, but h head now fully awaken a monster he was yet to understand. As the slicer got back on his knees, Jerec saw waves upon waves of droids and Shadow Troopers arrive. They were flocking onto their position and trying to overrun them. But the Berserker would not let go without a fight.

As the HUD had identified, the droids and the enemy Troopers were unsuited for close combat: they had no weapon able to parry a sword or a knife. He would take advantage of this, propelling himself towards the closest Shadow Trooper and slicing through with his sword. Though the enemy's skills were honed, a rifle was no use against an energy sword. The first strike saw the blaster be cut into pieces and the second saw the groin guard pierced by the sword.

Jerec and his man fought their way through, out of the console and further into the facility. If they were trapped, they would at least inflict maximum damage to it and spit one last time in their foe's eyes. Outside, turrets began turning onto the gunships. Their only way out was being compromised, but as the Captain tried to warn his comrades and ask the air support to pull out, he realised the comms were jammed. Of course.

Regrouping with other TodHusars, Jerec started the chase. It might be his last action, but he wanted to bring the man, the pillager to his knees before dying. Of this, he would not deviate. Marlon Sularen had made an enemy of Jerec Yularen, and he intended to make this known. The paratroopers began following his path, swarming the enemy positions and pushing forward as they tried to reach him.

Greetings Captain, This is Tranquility, the former Secretary of Intelligence for the Zweihander Union and current Head of the Zweihander Union Corporate Defense Force. I understand you seek to help us defend against the invaders in our facility. I am glad. I have instructed the Scarlet King to help you and thwart the others. Glad to see the New Imperial Order respect corporate property. Please let it be known that Marlon Sularen has been detected and is a known hostile to all Zweihander Union and N&Z facilities. He should be apprehended or destroyed if possible due to crimes committed against both entities.

As the calm and distant voice began to fill his helmet, the Captain noticed the droids turning on Shadow Company. This was excellent news. Maybe the gamble had paid, after all. And if the Zweihander Union was ready to seek and destroy Sularen with them, there was no doubt victory was at hand. Nodding as the last sentence reached him, the Berserker replied shortly before dispatching his men.

"Tranquility, it is a relief to hear your voice. We are few steps away from capturing the Warlord and we will ensure the property of the Union remains intact. For further discussion regarding access to this facility, I suggest you reach Moff Haskler, residing at Yinchorr. He will be happy to arrange a meeting. Anyway, we are following the Warlord. Would you have some sort of access to the security recordings that would allow us to track him? And, if you would be so kind, could you ensure all issues are guarded to prevent him from escaping? I think we can capture him now, with your help."

While their officer spoke, the TodHusars made sure no Shadow Trooper was left behind. They would try to capture them if they were unconscious, or shoot them down whenever they were still active, fleeing or fighting back. The onslaught and the sudden change of allegiance of the droids had seemingly proved crucial in the battle, and Jerec saw no reason to believe many survivors were left. He knew Kelga'an was locked in the hangar, battling to the death with Crimson Guards, but he was supported by talented COMPNOR agents that would surely be pivotal in this encounter. Now, it was left to him to capture the self-titled "Lord-Imperator of the Core" and bring him to justice. Or a fate even worse, depending on his humour.

Spoiler: TodHusars Equipment

Captain Jerec Yularen:

• HK-01 "Steelfist" Jumpsuit
• ZXR-1 "Precision" Energy Sword
• BH-Specter Slicer Vibroknife
• DM&S-AC01 Assault Cannon (Pistol configuration)
• Verpine shatter gun
• Thermal detonator (5/5)
• IL-62G Smart Grenade (5/5)

TodHusars Company (97/150)

• HK-01 "Steelfist" Jumpsuit
• BH-Specter Slicer Vibroknife
• DM&S-AC01 Assault Cannon (Rifle and Assault Cannon configurations)
• DM&S SR-MAS Sonic Rifle
• DM&S-125 Flamethrower
• Thermal detonators
• IL-62g Null Grenades
• IL-62G Smart Grenade
• Thermal detonator
• Rhypalm (Grenade delivery method)

 

[Julius Haskler]

S H A R B

OBJECTIVE II | RUN TO THE HILLS
TAG | Mithrad | Maiven

It was truly disturbing to hear the Chiss did not wish to reconquer their territory. The fighting spirit of the whole species was beginning to be worn off, and Julius wanted to remind the two high-ranking officials that they had to fight back. That, and the fact that the Chiss would have to prove their worth if they wanted to rule a planet. But there was no doubt the Chiss would bring forth the idea of revenge and enact a campaign deep into the Maw's territory. Or at least just push it back from Chiss space.

If the record was right, the Maw was more onto conquering swathes south and east of their territory rather than embarking on a Dark Crusade to shatter the Chiss society and conquer it in the name of its unholy divine figures. If this was true, the military effort would be limited to culling raiding parties and protecting the civilian populace. But the annihilation of Csilla had resulted in a massive influx of refugees and political dissent. Though order remained proponent on some worlds, word spread that House Mitth had engaged a campaign of their own to destroy the Maw once and for all. Other figures worked their best to protect the civilian whilst not having the means or will to counter-attack.

"I am sure the Chiss will thrive under the imperial banner and we will find a planet suited for your needs and desires. I have several options you might want to consider, but the first that comes into mind is Ord Trasi. An arid, cool planet housing a major shipyard and that has recently fallen into our hands. We might as well allocate Task Force Lescah there if this is the planet of your choosing.

But your lack of fighting spirit surprises me, Sir Mithrad. I thought you wanted to spill blood as much as the Imperials are ready to do for you. The Iron Dawn is ready to bring more Chiss worlds under its protection, and already have imperial fleets gone out of their way to protect the Chiss. I have to remind you that not all is lost in our struggle to make the Chiss culture live.

Powerful allies are ready to stand up by us and crush the Maw under our boots. The remnants of the Iron Empire, the Zweihander Union, and so many people that ruled the Chiss or helped them one way or another can gather around you and heed your call. Lady Maiven, in what state is the world of Naporar? It may be the perfect starting point for a campaign in the former Chiss Ascendancy since it is the seat of power of a powerful House and a chokepoint on the way out of Chiss Space. The best way to protect Sharb and its population would be to heavily fortify Naporar or even launch a preemptive campaign from there."

That was it for the military matters. With the Chiss' help or not, the New Imperial Order would claim the Chiss Space in the name of order and security. But work had to be done if they wanted to rebuild a political structure upon which the Chiss could rest. The idea of a Protectorate, some time ago unfeasible, was a likely issue now. With Thale out of the way, the pride of the Chiss had faded away, and their leader was now an administrator, some unknown paper-scratcher from the Ministry of Defence. Truly, it was pitiful. And Julius pitied the Chiss.

But if political reorganisation could be set forth, it would imply giving power to Chiss both in Imperial space and in Chiss space. Mithrad would likely run a governorate somewhere in the Vjun-Vaal salient, while other Houses, or even the CEDF, could take the mantle of Chiss Space administrator. But the diplomat wanted the subject to be settled clearly once and for all.

"Sir Mithrad. Let's assume you become Moff of Ord Trasi or any other icy planet of your choice. You would represent a faction of exiled Chiss among the Imperial ranks, expected to uphold as much as any other Imperial would be expected to. But in the meantime, the New Imperial forces would continue to free Chiss worlds. How these would be managed until you decide to take the diaspora back to its rightful possession? I can sure imagine the CEDF running the day-to-day administration for a few months, but I don't think it is to become a police force. What are your thoughts on the matter? It is an unprecedented event in Imperial history, but I'm sure we can find a way to work this."

 

[Maiven]

OBJECTIVE II
Mithrad | Julius Haskler

Maiven was equally as disheartened as Haskler at Mithrad's apparent defeatism, but it was not her place to say anything. She was simply the middle link between the New Order and her Family, and she had a long way to go if she was ever to hold true power in the halls of Naporar again.

Powerful allies are ready to stand up by us and crush the Maw under our boots. The remnants of the Iron Empire, the Zweihander Union, and so many people that ruled the Chiss or helped them one way or another can gather around you and heed your call. Lady Maiven, in what state is the world of Naporar? It may be the perfect starting point for a campaign in the former Chiss Ascendancy since it is the seat of power of a powerful House and a chokepoint on the way out of Chiss Space. The best way to protect Sharb and its population would be to heavily fortify Naporar or even launch a preemptive campaign from there."

"Naporar is and has always been the seat of Chiss military power. The planet is the most fortified in Chiss Space. If the Empire is willing to take refugees the planet, then I assure you we can rebuild our forces and dominate the Path of Houses again. Like I said before, my family is willing to help, but I can't say how much they'll give."

Haskler turned back to Mithrad, and Maiven held her tongue as the Imperial brought forth the idea of what she saw as no less than a government-in-exile. She, and many others, welcomed the help and security of the Empire, but the Chiss were not so defeated yet to give in. The Aristocrae were too proud to serve any master...

 

[Lord Letifer]

LETIFER | NEW SITH ORDER
On Board NIV Dissident Aggressor
Rurik Fel

​

The scalpel of conflict, the epoch of violence.

Silver plasma pressed and flickered against crimson, burning embers fluttered around them as the twirling lights ignited in a clash of not just blades but ideologies. The Lord Executor was well known, and well feared among the Sith. For good reason too, he had lead the Imperial Knights on dozens of campaigns across the Braxant Run and into the very depths of the Stygian Caldera. His accomplishments were legendary, his power undeniable. Letifer understood why the Sith feared him... but he was no ordinary Sith, they were dead or dying.

No.

He was of the New Sith.

The iron skinned tyrant stared into the abyss that was Letifer's own glare, boiling contempt for the man and borderline thrill from the ecstasy of battle lurked just beneath the surface. His eyes scanned over the face of his enemy from behind his very own mask as he pressed against the wielded blade of his foe with his own.

"Something called you here...but what?" Rurik asked outright.

The New Sith tilted his head slightly, he spoke nothing to the Sith Slayer.

"I will get my answer."

Rurik said before leaning his body weight into the arm holding the saber, utilizing the momentum to swing the Sith's blade away from the core of his body before he brought his other hand up to project an arc of punishing argent lightning in the direction of the Sith. Letifer felt his body spirit away from the force of the blow, a sudden surge of lightning striking him in the chest with the power to sweep him off his feet into the adjacent wall. He could feel his flesh burn underneath his robe as it singed and smoldered, he barely managed to raise his weapon to his defense before any further assault could be made against him.

"You cannot stop what is to come.. your efforts have only given rise to something.. more."

He reached out with gloved hands, his pain fueling his unholy grasp as he seized the void. Touching upon the empyrean wind that was the Force he tugged with all his anger and pain, pulling on the ceiling to collapse from above the Lord Executor.

Immediately as the metal groaned and gave way, he rose up and charged on the offensive. His body reacting poorly to the pain but his mind sharper than a surgeon's scalpel. He suppressed that which held him back the best he could and focused on his training, on his torturous, painful training that got him here. It was all or nothing.

 

[Mithrad]

SOVEREIGN-CLASS STAR DREADNOUGHT, 'NIV DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR'
CHISS SPACE
ORBIT OF PLANET SHARB
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER

Julius Haskler | Maiven
OBJECTIVE II | RUN TO THE HILLS
​

Mithrad placidly and silently listened to the words spoken by both of his interlocutors. For a time, the Chiss administrator tilted his head rightwards slightly, his visage remaining largely emotionless as assumptions were made and conclusions were reached. His arms, clad in the sharply-angled coat that shrouded his form, reached to his back, hands clasping together as his crimson, ember-hued eyes peered above the rim of the holo-glasses he wore and towards the Haskler senior.

Slightly less stately, yet no less well-worded, the few next sentences were spoken by a considerably more serious Mithrad, whose words seemed clad in an emboldened certainty.
"I would advise not to mistake reason and patience for defeatism, Lord Moff. I am a methodical man. The Empire is indeed powerful, its armies vast and no doubt superior, yet it is not the place of the Chiss to, for lack of a better term, depend solely on the strength of the Imperial Order to reconquer our homeland and set things right. No, it must be a sword brought upon our enemies primarily held aloft by our own hand. Any other victory will be hollow, as hollow as was the last regime's defense of our Homeworld- of my Homeworld. Any other victory will only cause this cataclysm to happen again, in the future. Dependence is no true victory- particularly when it is dependence upon one's own original invaders."
Mithrad pointed out rather boldly, yet did not seem to bear any spite in such words.

"The failure of the Ascendancy and it's armies to protect our very capital homeworld, or at the very least prevent or foresee such a world-shattering weapon's use speaks volumes to the inaction of the ancient Houses. I am an adherent of the traditional Chiss doctrines of autarky, self-empowerment and survival, and this failure is an insult to such ancestral values. The untold billions who suffered and died at the hands of those barbarians will only be avenged once primarily Chiss battleships, built by Chiss hands and commanded by Chiss reclaim our space and the chaotic path of death that scours through it. That is why I do support the Naporar fortification."

He turned towards Lady Maiven then, maintaining a voice and posture of respect, even though his words were nothing but jagged teeth.
"I have seen with my own eyes thousands executed in the streets, as noblemen and those of common blood alike scattered resources to protect estates, possessions and trampled over one another to reach starships to flee upon, like rodents on a sinking vessel. The New Imperial Order may have struck first against the Ascendancy at the Redoubt, no doubt opening the door for the cultist rabble, but what happened at Csilla should have never been allowed. There will be retribution brought upon both those who perpetrated the Cataclysm, but also those who allowed the social stagnation and arrogant isolation that are as responsible for the chain of events that led to this day."

"The Galaxy is entering a stage of great nations and federations. I will not have the remnants of our brothers and sisters be swept away as a side casualty or absorbed into the fold of others at the barrel of a gun, to be written as a footnote in history. I am not Mitth'raw'nuruodo. I hail from a common bloodline, bear little of the charisma of some of our greatest heroes, and spent many years in the dark studying ancient reports and databases. We will rebuild and prosper once again, and if we must do so under a different, new form and system, then so be it. With such resources, we then counterattack. That is what I am currently organizing."

The soon-to-be named Imperial Secretary turned his austere gaze back towards the displayed holograph. He had spoken his mind as truthfully as he could. There was something to be said about the mental schism that one could grow through from seeing their very home obliterated, with no possibility of ever going back. If a pencil pusher like himself had to become a warrior of fortune, then so be it- yet he would do it beginning on his own terms. Whether the Maw was or wasn't going to come after the rest of Chiss Space wasn't certainty, but mere speculation. They had more then proven their capacities by destroying Csilla itself, and if Mithrad were to play a game of chess amidst opposing conquerors, then he couldn't afford to make decisions based on his emotions just yet.