Shall the Cherry Blossoms Burn? (First Order Dominion of Atrisia [P-29])

[Kou'ha Escala]

Captain
BYOO
Equipment | Uniform, Code Cylinder, Blaster Pistol
Location | Inside the Iris Empress, Atrisia
Allies | [member="Natasi Fortan"], First Order
In negotiations with | [member="Shoma Ike"], [member="Junko Ike"], [member="Garith Darkhold"]

[SIZE=11pt]Kou’ha kept his attention on the young prince as the other moved to pour him a cup of tea. His movements were graceful in the manner that bespoke of practice. As the hot liquid filled the second cup, the room became slowly engulfed in the gentle perfume of slightly bitter tea and sweet scent of an unfamiliar flower. A local breed perhaps? With a polite smile, the Epicanthix accepted the delicate cup from the Atrisian Prince, “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” Perhaps the nuances of one’s comportment were different on this particular planet, but to the scion of Escala Clan, the small gesture performed spoke volumes to him – that the young monarch before him was willing to do whatever he deemed necessary to save his people.

He took a sip of the fragrant white tea, allowing for the flavour to permeate his tongue before swallowing the drink. It was different from the teas he was used to on Dosuun, but it held a beautiful note to it all the same. He thanked the graceful Atrisian Princess sincerely when she moved to refill his cup before she returned to her seat by her ruler’s side. Kou’ha himself has decided to remain standing, in quiet companionship with the now introduced Shogun Togashi. His decision came partly as a preemptive effort to allay any sense of discomfort in the room, and partly from his own desire to ensure that if there were any assault on their delegation, Kou’ha would be in place to intercept any attacks on the Grand Moff.

When a servant robed in the colours of Xiaolang Palace entered the room with an apologetic air and carrying a holoprojector, the Epicanthix tilted his head questioningly. An emergency? His eyes became narrowed when it was evident that it was not an emergency, but instead an interruption from a Lady No. As he was not a native of Atrisia, the name meant nothing to him. But between the mild threat to the young prince and weak insult aimed towards the First Order, her words only brought about amusement in the young Captain. He hid his smirk by taking another sip of his tea, silently applauding the firm manner in which the Prince dealt with the interruption. It does seem like Atrisia is filled with a lot of infighting. Despite the threat issued by this unknown entity, Kou'ha remained calm and unconcerned as the talks continued.

There was a reason why the Captain required an hour before their own delegation made for planetside. The major part of his arrangements included forming a secure circumference around the coordinates they were provided. Using Atrisia's landscape and their own air superiority to advantage, travel around the Iris Empress were brutally suppressed the moment the Atrisian delegation entered its range. Anyone else who dared to enter the boundaries without explicit permission will be neutralised, be it friend or foe.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]While the negotiations continued within the Iris Empress, the turbolasers and cannons of the FIV Concordia came to live and began to shift, tracking the progress of the moving vehicle below with its extensive sensor suite. As per the instructions relayed by its Captain before he left for the surface with the Grand Moff, the communications officer contacted the security detail that accompanied the small contingent.[/SIZE]

 

[Suki Klev]

Posts: 2
Location: Roof of Xiaolang Palace, heading to the Palace Shield
Objective: BYOO
Allies: [member="Omari Vyken"]
Enemies: [member="Sayd-Jai"]
Nearby: [member="Shoma Ike"] [member="Junko Ike"] [member="Garith Darkhold"]
FO-X1 Infiltration Armour

Already diplomats, civil service and government officials were running like rats off of a sinking ship, find any crevice to slip into. A few were waving around credit chits in a desperate attempt at bribery. There was no doubt the Palace was a marvel of engineering and Suki only hoped it wouldn’t be damaged in the ensuing operation.

Suki canted her head and listened to Omari, the blank eyes of the Shadowtrooper helmet staring back at him as lifeless as a funeral mask. Nodding, she followed along and the two agents began making the long walk towards the Palace shield. A huge marble statue of some notable Atrisian jutted out from that part of the roof as though guarding the shield itself.

So focused on the task before her and at keeping up with Omari, the FOSB operative did not notice the kinetically armored assassin pulling him up onto the very same roof. Just being up so high and given the location of the shield, Suki was lucky her motion sickness phobia did not extend to heights. Unless the building started to sway, she concentrated on putting each foot squarely down upon the durasteel on which they walked, rather than how she would be little more than a splat on the sidewalk if she happened to fall off the side somehow.

 

[Omari Ngao]

Xiaolang Palace
ISD Shield Generator
Allies: [member="Suki Klev"], the Security Bureau.
Unknown: [member="Sayd-Jai"]
FO-X1 Infiltration Armour.

​

Omari's armour glistened in the sun as he entered the building, ascending the steps one at a time. People were beginning to notice them, but he ignored them nevertheless. If they weren't aiming at him, then they could live, he supposed. But the closer they got to their objective, he knew their should be some form of defense. Soldiers, perhaps. Atrisians were presumably loyal to their ruler, so it'd probably be a fight to the death.

Specialist Vyken was fine with that.

"You got thermal dets?"

He did, but for the original objective that was far below them on the ground. Looking over his shoulder to her, the corner of his visor focused in on something, alerting him to movement as the motion scanner took in the sight of the person climbing onto the roof nearby.

"I'm new to this Intel stuff... But that ain't one of our guys is it?"

It really did look like this guy was heading for them, and Omari waved Suki on past him. "Keep it pushing. I'll keep 'em here."

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Objective: BYOBO
Location: Xiaolong Palace
Equipment: Personal Nanban Dou, Nodachi, Lightsaber Yari, Pistol
Allies?: [member="Sayd-Jai"]
Opposition: [member="Omari Vyken"] [member="Suki Klev"]

Post: 2

Kurenai assuaged up to the main palace with haste, some strange reports on armored individuals who where not in anyway Atrisan associated. If past events where to go accordingly she would not be surprised if it was some First Order mission to either kill off a large amount of governmental personal and blame it on some rebels. Such creating a power vacuum for which the First Order would so mercifully replace with their own puppet officials, a means to take control of the planet and limit it's autonomy from the inside without open war. Either that or they were after something valuable or important, though that would not really make sense since the building was primarily used for governmental purposes these days, the Ike clan having personal residences and palaces elsewhere to live.

Regardless if the First Order was up to something sneaky she was not going to just stand by and let them have their way without some sort of resistance and if caught? Well that was why she had the face mask, would be problematic if the First Order saw who she was, though not famous in any way to be recognized on face value if the FOSB was as determined a they usually were they may connect the dots to the CIS. Entering the large structure she did not waste time feeling around in the froce, some panic from the people stationed here, such was to be expected, their leader going off to talk with the FO, but among them was a feeling of rage, up high, though not directed towards the other Atrisian.

Could it be someone fighting off what ever had attempted to infiltrate the capitol building? It was a good start in her mind, Kurenai quickly using the force to acceded to the upper levels. Getting closer her other senses took hold, herself able to smell the new arrivals, a woman and 2 men it seemed, on filled with anger, the other two calm and professional from what she could tell. "Well this will be interesting".

 

[Rexus Wenck]

The Iris Empress | Atrisia
Allies: [member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Kou'ha Escala"]
Atrisians: [member="Shoma Ike"] | [member="Junko Ike"]
Enemies of Peace: [member="Nine Lives"]

Rexus Wenck, and Dergan Twigg entered the room, with a surprising silence, given the ungraceful physical theatre of their movements. Both men, measured as giants over seven foot in their multi-billion credit combat armour, and struggling to enter the room. Both hunched themselves over, to avoid possibly destroying the low hanging rafters. Twigg struggled harder, sitting at seven foot, nine inches, before he and Rexus settled behind the Grand Moff, and the Captain. Rexus stood, arms behind his back, in a respectful pose, while Twigg retained the same, albeit, he was almost bowing. While the diplomats talked, a short, sharp, and quiet encrypted message was uttered. [Perimeter sweep finished. Hounds in position. Over.] To all ears, but those of the FIST, it was little more than static. A brief bark of it. But to those it was intended, the transmission alerted troopers that eyes were on the Moff.

Rexus and Twigg seemed to be statues as they looked out over the meeting place. Rexus tentatively watched the Grand Moff, before looking over the Atrisian princeling and his entourage with veiled disgust. This was no way to politic. The strong should crush the weak, and if it were up to Wenck, he'd have Twigg snap the little boy in half. Fortan's niceties and platitudes were hollow to Rexus. Wenck had served beneath Supreme Commander Graush, and was used to the Sith's more, hardline approaches in regards to land acquisition. Despite the hatred he reserved for the man, there was a respect which clung there, which muddied the waters. Wenck slowly scanned the room, over all the frequencies and spectrums offered by the power armour for any threats contained within the conference room.

There were none identifiable. But Wenck didn't quite the look of the Prince's consort. She personally put the ex-stormtrooper at a sense of unease with her presence. But, given the dialogue between the two, he had no doubt in his mind the kid would kowtow to the adults in the room. He stood with a sense of almost satisfied smugness until his comm unit buzzed. No one would have heard it, except for Rexus and Twigg. [Guardian Team, this is Concordia. Over.] The voice began [We are receiving intel from Buzzard squadron of unauthorised troop movement from the East toward your position.] Twigg visibly tensed up. [Appears to be one of ours. We can't reach them. Possible Comms failure.] Concordia conceded, [But their ETA is in five minutes, be advised. Over.]

Another voice came over the comms, it was FIST team Guardian's leader, Captain Kaylin Frest. [This is Paladin Guardian, we read you Concordia. Thanks for the update.] She then paused, [Hound One, can we have you move out and help ascertain what the kark is happening? Over.] Rexus then turned to Twigg. Twigg, despite his head craning over, gave a thumbs up, and Rexus eyed the Grand Moff, before then watching the Prince. He looked into the boys eyes, and then bowed, before performing a swift, and silent one eighty turn, and making his exit.

[Paladin Guardian, this is Hound One, moving to coordinate.]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Location: Xiwangmu Temple, Atrisia
Equipment: Raiment of the Vigilent, Vader's Bane Lightsaber
Allies: [member="Doran Ren"], [member="Primat Ren"], [member="Seto Du Couteau"]
Objective:A

Kyrel could feel the two Disciples bickering, especially towards the former Inquisitor. He couldn't help but notice that, but knew the former Imperial Inquisitors. Even though slightly weaker than the Knights of Ren, He still held some measure of respect. Even so, he didn't bother in interrupting the two of them, Doran he could respect as he was after the same goal as Kyrel was. Order and stability amongst the Ren. As for Primat he still had the matter to deal with him, regarding his open challenge towards him. He didn't reprimand him, and so far had no plans to. There were too many things to do, too much to be done. And so for the moment, all he was concentrated on was reaching the depths of the Temple.

The only defender from whom he could sense, vanished shortly after his words were heard. It seems the man was smart and didn't wish for there to be conflict as well. Having no choice but to accept the Ren gaining control of the Temple. The inhabitants from what he could tell had fled as he walked the stairs. Within the Force, he found that no one was here. It was as if they knew the Ren was coming. A part of him was a bit disappointed there was no fight, but the rest of him couldn't help but feel pleased. Pleased at how the situation turned out.

Upon reaching the Temple, scanning where the various paths led, The Inquisitor spoke, asking to head into the sanctum. To which Kyrel coldly responded. "I believe I am heading down that path Disciple. Yes, you may come, the secrets of the Temple shall be ours. In the name of the Supreme Leader this temple now belongs to the Ren."

 

[Sayd-Jai]

Location: Palace Roof, Xam'chi, Atrisia
Objective: Kill FO Forces
Enemies: [member="Omari Vyken"] and [member="Suki Klev"], [member="Kurenai Yumi"]
Gear: SPECTRE Armor, SODD, Teki no Sairensā, Dissuader

They were there. Or, at least, someone was. He knew it but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where. Ithad to be Imperials, though. Who else would be hiding on top of the palace? Atrisians would have no reason to hide. It was, after all, their palace. Whatever they were doing to cloak themselves it was working, and while they weren't specifically hidden in the Force, their presence was muddled by all the other presences around them,making it hard for him to ascertain where was best to swing his blade. Unfortunate, but he could deal.

At least he could have until someone else appeared.

Leave. Now, he sent through the Force to the darkside influenced individual that had joined him on the roof.

A quick glance, as he drew the power of the Force to him, was enough to tell him that this person was most likely a local. Well, it didn't much matter to him. He wasn't there to protect the locals from the Empire. He was there to stop the Empire by killing its operatives. The protection of the Atrisians was just a by product and he didn't care if some of them got hurt in the process of doing whst needed to be done. That was the nature of war. If you wanted to win it, you had to break the rules sometimes. Especially when the enemy did.

Sufficient time passed for the person to leave, but that would also allow the enemy to prepare and strike at him if they wished. The power welled within him, though, and he chose to retain it no longer, unleashing a powerful blast of the Force in a three hundred and sixty degree wave around himself. Since he didn't know exactly where his enemy was, he had to rely on an area of effect skill to at least expose them in their hiding place. It had to be done so he could move forward in discovering and dealing with the enemy.

He just wished he was able to do it without the interference of someone else. If he had wanted help he would have called in one of the others. All he wanted, though, was to see who he was going to fight. A slightly more level playing field since he couldn't hear them.

 

[Nagisa Yamamoto]

[SIZE=9pt]Locaiton: Jar'kai[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Allies: First Order (On sight), Civilians of Atrisia[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Neutral: Administration of Atrisia.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Enemies: Anyone classified as a combatants.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Objective: Unclear.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]To head back to Jar’kai was as if she was returning home after years of service, even though this was not her first time doing so.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In her youth, Jar'Kai was a different place. When she was growing up, she remembered visiting the many districts of the city, mostly one district known as the "Akago District", which was named after a famous Super Starship that was active during the Old Republic, and was in use in the Republic Military during their fight against the Sith Empire. It was famous for their collection of Animated Arts, which attracts many Inner Corers to this day to visit, but was also infamous for having it's rather... unusual prostitution. Especially when it came to even seeing a few underaged girls whom were still attending school there. It was disturbing to say the least, but, it was how it was. Atleast back then. When the Empire came around however, that changed, and it was enforced far more, which was actually a relief to Yamamoto, since she wasn't a fan of this form of prostitution, or in general, any form of it. During the Emperor's reign, Jar'Kai was a safe city, and was the biggest supporter of the Emperor, by default of course, since it was the administrative center. Many rallied and cheered for him and his efforts to fight off the rebel terrorists.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In the present however, Nagisa wae unaware of the fate of her home city, and what it's ultimate was for the past eight hundred years. It already was eeiry on the way to Jar’kai. Usually, she’d see hovercars overhead or ships approaching the city, but she saw nothing up ahead, nor in the skies. In a transporter with her troopers, she took a good look and yet, nothing… no people, no farmers, no anything. It was dead silent.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As she and her Stormtroopers were about a hundred miles away from the city, her comlink went off and picked up. Vice Admiral Gaius was on it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sir, we have gotten reports of a strange nexus located in Jar’kai. I suggest staying back from it.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Nagisa glanced around shocked and in disbelief. “What? What happened there?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I do not know, sir. But you should turn back. From what I learned, a Dark Side Nexus is not an ideal place for a person who is-”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Nagisa gave a shake of her head. "That's complete Jedi nonsense, Gaius. There is on way such a thing can happen. I'm heading there anyways."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]"But sir-"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]"Admiral Yamamoto out."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With a last reply, she turned off her comlink and glanced down. "Land here." she said, as the transport begun to land down onto the ground. It opened, and with her stormtrooper guards, she walked out and glanced ahead of what she saw... her eyes opened in absolute horror of. "What... what happened..." The troopers glanced on as well and couldn't believe their eyes either. The very thing that was Nagisa's home... She balled her fists. "My home... Destroyed..." soft breaths escaped her. Everything that she once cared so deeply, once saw and went to as a child, it's all gone... Who... who could of done this?! Nagisa's fury was building internally, but nonetheless, did not let it get in the way of her duties. She soldiered on and proceeded to approach the once proud metropolis of Jar'Kai.[/SIZE]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

If the Grand Moff was perturbed by the display, she did not show it; in fact, she behaved as if nothing had happened. Her face remained a mask of serenity and grace as she sipped her tea, and only broke into a smile when the Atrisian Prince agreed to her terms. "Both, I gather?" Natasi responded. "There are one or two things I feel we should settle and get in writing in the form of the Articles of Membership for the Atrisia system. The rest -- the formal ceremony and a formal celebration of our nations' union can be arranged once our diplomatic teams have hammered out all the fine details."

Natasi set her tea down, near enough to enjoy the scent of it as she spoke with [member="Shoma Ike"]. "Your administration would fit into the First Order as that of a regional Governor. The Atrisia System would fall under your dominion. A Prefect or Moff would serve to administrate a larger swath of space under which Atrisia will fall, but they typically coordinate individual planetary and system efforts, rather than micromanage them." The Grand Moff Paused and lifted her cup for another sip of the tea. "The only other matter that I feel we should discuss now is the defense of the planet. As you know, Atrisia has historically suffered in invasions and actions against it. The First Order has tried to prevent such damage by pursuing a diplomatic solution, but it is important to me -- I view it as a very solemn responsibility -- to protect our new citizens just as we would longstanding worlds. That would mean defensive measures and a defensive garrison in the system."

She paused and set the cup down. "The location and terms would, of course, be worked out between the governor -- you -- and the Defense and Security Ministries. My office could mediate if you feel it would be helpful. What are your thoughts, Shoma?"

[member="Shoma Ike"] | [member="Garith Darkhold"] | [member="Junko Ike"] | [member="Kou'ha Escala"] | [member="Mythos"]​

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Masks.

Diplomacy was all about the mask. Shoma kept his maintained on Natasi, as though the two of them were the only ones inside of the teahouse. He could not afford to be distracted by some slight, real or imagined.

"Very well stated," the boy answered, replying in turn to the woman across from him. "The presence of the First Order, while a bastion of economic and military security, also presents a very real threat that the enemies of the First Order may bring their dispute with you here."

That's all he needed. Things were bad enough as it was without the Alliance in Exile, the Rebel Alliance, or any number of like-minded n'er-do-wells turning Atrisia into the next battleground. So, as much as he didn't like the idea of a First Order garrison on the planet, it also wasn't an offer he would refuse even if given the option. "I have no doubt that we can work an amenable agreement between us that will ensure mutual security and cooperation," he said finally.

Sadly, he already had a location in mind.

Jar'Kai. It needed the work, and this way they might even get the First Order to pay for it all.

[member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Kou'ha Escala"] | [member="Garith Darkhold"] | [member="Junko Ike"]​

 

[Nine Lives]

A First Order assault shuttle, flying close to the water, and under as much cloud cover as possible, landed quietly on the close end of the piece of land the Prince had gone to meet with the First Order. It wasn't occupied by First Order troops, but people wearing copies of their armor. It would not hold up under intense scrutiny. Not for long. Plus, they knew it was already suspicious, them flying over the water. They'd be alert. Timing would have to be perfect to get past initial security.

The Knights were an elite recon/security detail. Today, the "Recon" part of their job was getting a work out.

Coded transmissions in a self-developed Dot-Dash system whose cipher was changed regularly had fought to make it through the transmission jamming from the fleet. And a half hour after that, an entire squad of First Order troops were dead, their throats slit, all relevant documents seized and their bodies hidden away for burning or dissolving in acid at a more convenient time. Only one had been kept alive and taken with them, albeit unconscious. The Knights had mixed feelings about going to possibly kill [member="Shoma Ike"] and stain their hands with royal blood.

If one knew anything of the Li-Ves, anything at all, it was how drastically out of character this was.

The Li-Ves, historically, had a reputation of loyalty. Only one instance of defiance and disloyalty had come from them. It had led to the deaths of hundreds. Nine, back when she had been known as Ni-Ne, had been directly involved. The direct cause, by some accounts. She had been between a rock and a hard place.

What Nine was experiencing now, that had made her so desperate as to possibly order a hit on the Heir to The Empire, was something a particularly self aware droid, such as her own lawyer, would have described as a programming conflict.

Ni-Ne Li-Ves had given everything to save Atrisia once. Everything. Her clan and status to stop The Sacred Ancestor from destroying Atrisia, and then her own humanity to stop the Energy Vampire Virus from turning her home into a den of bloodsuckers.

Watching this, the Knights knew, having traveled so far into the future to find their destiny and opportunity on a free and safe Atrisia, only to see these thieves snatch it and murder their people, was like daggers to their Mother's eyes.

Nine Lives, the husk of Ni-Ne Li-Ves, could not bear seeing her home surrendered without a fight, not when she had paid prices that had crushed her human self's very soul, and weighed heavily on her own. Ni-Ne was twisting in the grave of the Thought-Vampire's heart, screaming at the abomination that all true Blood Tigers scorned:

Surrender.

True Li-Ves hate surrender, just as their founder, Kain Li had hated it. A Li-Ves would sooner cut their own head off (And many had, it was a spectacular looking thing called The Unusually Fast And Airborn Handheld Razor. It involved angry bears.) than surrender.

Nine, who had found herself having a lot in common with her father in this horrid, crushing moment, had become desperate. She couldn't not fight for Atrisia. She wanted to butcher the First Order. And so, she had sent them, her ever faithful knights to do her a favor, exchange style.

Twenty Morpheus Knights, here to put a Prince to his final slumber should their Mother order it departed from the shuttle, in full view of other First Order troops in their fake Special Forces armor, faces hidden by helmets as they calmly departed, meeting with what looked to be a Captain in black armor, hefting a light repeater. His face was hidden by a helmet also. The land around them was covered in snow.

"Who sent you guys? State your business!" The Captain asked, noticing right away a few odd things about their armor.

The Morpheus Knight handed him their identification. It had taken weeks to find an expert in forging First Order documents, particularly military orders. Vera had ordered documents, both material and electronic be created to serve for any number of intrusion scenarios, based on her own assassination programming. The captain examined the documents.

"Atrisian Radicals?! We haven't gotten any reports. What squad are you with?" The Captain asked suspiciously, staring at all the features of their armor.

"Rathtar One, Sir. Command just learned about it themselves. Sent us to arrest them before they send a broadcast that's Anti-First Order. They have an underground network here." The Knight answered, mimicking with perfection the Dromund Kaas accented voice of the corporal he had killed for his shuttle.

"Why didn't Command tell me you were coming ahead of time?!"

"The radicals have very sensitive and sophisticated monitoring equipment. They'd have intercepted the transmissions and tried to clear out."

"I see. What kind of Armor is that? It...looks weird..."

"Now you're going on about our armor?"

"I'm not 'going' on about anything. That armor doesn't look right. What's your division, Soldier?"

"We were diverted from the Three-Oh-First to come here." The Knights Leader answered.

The Captain was silent as he stared. "I didn't even know the Three-Oh-First was operating on Atrisia today." he said finally.

"Diplomatic merger has Command all kinds of squirrelly. You can take it up with them while confirming our orders. They'll tell you the same thing we're telling you. Our route won't even take us near the place negotiations are going down in.

"We are currently screening the area ahead for threats, so if you're legit, you'll forgive my initial suspicion. Why'd you come in so low over the water?" The Captain asked, momentarily thrown off by how unworried his guests seemed, even if they were sudden, last minute arrivals.

"The Radicals have sensitive active and passive scanners, but they can't see anything too close to the water."

"How come we didn't detect them?"

"Part of the reason we're here. Prototype stuff command wants a look at. Not important enough to make it top secret, certainly nothing we haven't seen before, but still worth acquiring. You learn something new every time."

The Captain was silent again for about ten seconds. The explanation sounded genuine...but...still...

"I'll have to call it in. We have orders to make sure nothing threatens the 'Negotiation.' Honestly, why we even bother with pretense sometimes I have no Idea. Follow me to the comms tent. We'll get your story and your holotags sorted."

"Sure, Captain," The Morpheus Knight said, smoothly, knowing those would give them away like a red flag when checked.

The captain was looking at their armor funny. It may have looked like First Order gear at a distance, but they could tell that the illusion was already starting to fail. "Your gear still looks...strange." It clearly would not fool him for much longer.

"We have an hour before they broadcast their treasonous slander. We'll barely catch them as it is. Is this truly necessary?" The Morphus Knight asked irritably, changing the subject.

"Command finds out I let people through a diplomatic zone without checking, it'll be your ass AND mine." The Captain replied.

"Very well then."

The group of disguised Morpheus Knights followed the Captain past other stormtroopers and spec ops personnel through ankle deep snow, all of them getting funny looks because of their armor, three of the Morpheus Knights carrying large, extendable duffle bags. The tent had a number of comms equipment and scanners. It was staffed by three other comms officers. The dart launchers in their fake armor's gauntlets were loaded with tranquilizer. Discrete hand signals and a tap on the armor gave the order when they entered the large tent, and the three unarmored comms officers were hit by tranq rounds, while the captain was stunned by a taser jammed into his spine and the tents were quickly shut before anyone had noticed. They didn't have long.

Calmly, efficiently, and quietly, the knights got out of their armor....three of them anyway. The others kept a paranoid watch in the tent, fearful of a stormtrooper walking in at just the wrong moment. The Leader took out a fake copy of black armor that was sort of close to the Captain's and put it on.

Down came the duffle bags, extending thanks to the aluminum frame in them. The Psy-Pires bit each victim, eating the memory of both their arrival and the sudden stealth attack, applying bacta to the wounds to hide all evidence, hiding the now stripped and unconscious people, two lifting each up with great effort and storing them in one of the large bags apiece, along with their armor. The other knights, still disguised as First Order Spec Ops, turned to their leaders in his new Captain disguise. This took eight minutes, from the time it started. Two men took one duffle bag apiece out at a time, as normal Psy-Pires are not strong physically without assistance like the powered combat armor they normally wore. The armor they were wearing now felt too heavy and bulky, but they managed.

The Leader, now disguised as "A" Captain, signalled to one of his men, now disguised as a Comm officer, to immediately tune into the chatter. After a few minutes of trying to figure out how the tech even worked, the Knight finally, belatedly managed to start listening in on where the patrols were reporting from, using that to determine their best route to Shoma. There could be no room for error. One slip up now and every soldier and starfighter in the area would bear down on them. One genuine storm trooper walked into the tent at last, to deliver a set of reports. "Where's the other guys?" he asked when he noticed the comm officers looked different. He then stared at the Captain. "What happened to your armor?"

"Disciplined for infraction..." snapped the disguised leader in the fake captain's armor, mimicking the Captain's voice perfectly, and even that straight, ramrod walk. "And my other armor suffered a mechanical problem thanks to that infraction."

"The armor looks really funny. Is it some new model? Where's the--"

"Trooper..." the Leader said curtly, like he imagined the captain using his voice to instill obedience. "Are you here to question an obvious oversight by the manufactuers and exacerbate my temper when I have already sent three of your fellows to the stockade for incompetence?"

The Stormtrooper quickly shook his head.

"Than your reports, trooper."

The stormtrooper handed the Leader the data pad. The Leader read it. It was detailing the perimeter guard.

"Trooper, these soldiers are from a special detail assigned to the perimeter overlooking the teahouse where [member="Natasi Fortan"] is negotiating with. We are currently experiencing communications failure so you'll need to escort them to this hill on the map and explain in case you run into any difficulties from the other perimeter troops."

"Uh, okay sir." the stormtrooper nodded, bidding the others to follow.

The leader of the Knights sighed as his men followed the real First Order soldier out.

"Optimal mission execution parameter?" One of the knights, disguised as a comm officer asked.

"Either Shoma Ike dies in the next twenty minutes or he's leaving this place." the Leader hissed as quietly as he could.

"Sir, we're getting transmissions from something called FIST. They want to know about our unscheduled arrival."

"Don't reply." The Leader said. They'd have to shoot Shoma from over the water.

He directed one of the fake comms officers to get into the shutte and power it up. They'd be leaving. If they were lucky.

Minutes later...

The disguised Knights followed the trooper through wintry snow towards the mountain. They had been making good time in five minutes. The trooper had been curious when they directed him through an especially circuitous route, one that avoided many patrols and left them isolated. It wasn't long before they finally did run into a patrol. The knight in charge spotted eight, surrounding them, a diamond on their service emblem.

"Halt, identify yourselves!" One of the Diamond members ordered.

"Rathtar One, Sir..." one of the knights answered confidently, handing him some identification papers.

"Comm units are down at perimeter camp. Captain Zeen had me escort these guys to their position." The Stormtrooper explained.

The Diamond Unit members viewed the Knights fake armor with clear suspicion. A collective bead of sweat ran down their foreheads. They were all prepared to give the signal over comms for extract...

"What's your objective?"

"Back up, Sir. They were sent to cover a hill overlooking the teahouse..." The Stormtrooper that had been tricked into escorting them elaborated though by the tone of his voice even he sounded somewhat uncertain of the explanation.

"Hold position here. We'll get Hound One to sort this out..." one of the diamond members said. "Comms failure, you said?"

"Yes Sir. Comms failure..." The disguised Knight said, knowing they looked more suspicious by the second because of the armor. They'd have to act soon, and it would either be to bluff or fight their way to Shoma. Or flee...

[member="Junko Ike"], [member="Garith Darkhold"], [member="Rexus Wenck"]