Shoring Up | First Order Dominion of Anoth and Faldos

[Progflaw99]

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Post 1​

Anoth. A shattered husk of a once contiguous planet now split into three parts. The largest of the two bodies were uninhabitable, a dangerous place to be whenever the two fragments collided in their shared orbit. A static discharge would consume the surface at each juncture, coursing over each fragment - wouldn't want to be caught by that. The third fragment however was one of interest, a breathable atmosphere had formed.

On its surface, there was a fortress, assumed ancient and forgotten but recent scans have shown activity - unregistered vessels. It appears a pirate warlord has set up shop and been using this fortress as a home base.

Unfortunately for them, the First Order doesn't indulge piracy.

Rolf Amsel scanned the datapad from his bed on Dosuun - since his injuries, he'd yet to return to full duty by any stretch of the imagination and so command had relegated him to following up on intel reports and paperwork, something he could do from his bed. He itched to get up and join the fray, to carry the hammer that the First Order was about to start swinging but no.. he was incapable. His features drawn taut, he grimaced as he adjusted his posture and continued reading the intelligence reports - if he was right, forces would be arriving in sector just about any time.

Spoiler

Faldos

Objective 1, Make'Em An Offer: The FOSB's Undercover Agents have been working on Faldos for months, six of them to be exact. They've been studying the smuggler's ring and the dirty rotten scoundrels that operate out of this dirty backwater planet. Now they're ready to make their move; Secure stolen weapons, armor and technology from the smugglers.

Objective 2, Say Hello: The more criminal lot from Bavva have arrived on Faldos in an effort to secure their own future. Taking out several rival crime organization's hubs here on Faldos. Even better these criminal's have obtained First Order uniforms and pose as custom agents or stormtroopers; Haul in the score for your criminal underworld - take out the other criminals.

Anoth

Objective 3. Contact and verify that the fortress on the habitable fragment of Anoth is in fact inhabited by pirates and eliminate them. If they attempt surrender - destroy them.

Objective 4, The Good Fellas: Bring Your Own Objective, just don't get dead.

 

[Darth Metus]

A tome rested in his grasp.

For months now, the Ma'alkerrite had struggled. His daily life had been rife with conflict, yet it was one invisible to the naked eye. His time with the Sacred Lotus, his tutelage under Darth Prazutis, and his allegiance to Mandalore were locked in battle. A three-way royale was being held for his soul, and with each passing day thoughts of the future plagued his mind. Would he be the next Destroyer? Would he settle on Monastery? Would he carry the banner of Mandalore?

Who was he?

Whilst seated in a shuttle, bound for the Auxiliary's next sortie, the Behemoth strove to find out.

 

[Ria Misrani]

Objective: Make’Em An Offer
Post: 1

Zethim took a rag and wiped the blood from his hands, “thank you kindly for the information, such a good chap.” He then ran a hand through his thick black hair. “Check his pockets, you’ve got the coordinates?”

Another agent handed him the datapad, and as the Chiss looked them over he smiled. “Oh good, Alliance technology, Omega Protectorate- well hello Fringe.” Fixing his tie as he put the rag into his pocket [SIZE=11pt]Zethim[/SIZE] perked up a smile. “Burn the place, kill anyone else you find.” He ordered as he crossed toward the main office of the warehouse. He’d been on Faldos for six months now and as his agents took finishing off the rest of the criminal scum here. He decided to look for some more information, “now then what books were you keeping, I wonder.” He said to no one in particular as he slid into the office. Sliding in a datastick he started downloading the information while his eyes and fingers took to grabbing some information about the warehouse. The blue-skinned agent already knew that Sotta the Hutt ran this outfit which was only going to prove for some more interesting conversations when he got back to Tamenen.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y22tIJ6toPY[/media]​

 

[Darth Metus]

There was quite some time before the Shuttle was due to arrive. More than enough for the simian to access the secrets of the tome clutched within his hands. For months he had held onto the ancient literature - pilfered from the ruins of Tund. Malok hoped that this book would offer some insight...Maybe the writings of the past would help shape the present. The future. After drawing a deep breath did the Ma'alkerrite part the pages of the book, flipping through its dusty form. His amber gaze swept over the passages...Some had been translated by his own hand, with scribbles of meaning in the margins. Others had been completely translated during his travels and now had fresh, folded pages stuck in front of the cover.

He then eyed the first page.

The phrasing was weird. Difficult to pronounce, more so than even Mando'a. Yet, on a whim, the Behemoth gave it a try. The words formed and fell from his lips, dripping with a power he did not intend. He did not know what he had uttered, but the result was...blue. The gray tome and its browned pages suddenly began to glow.

"Oh...chit.."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Objective 4
Post 2

Mishel listened to the new music from Bavva, well it wasn't necessarily new but she had in her hand [member="Ara Ren"]'s music player. "Sister Sam, what is this shake, shake, shake song on sister Ara's music box?" She asked of @Samka Derith as she tried to dance much like sister Ara, or maybe @Kaalia Voldaren, when she thinks no one is looking. Her hands went up into the air as she did her best to dance, but it was safe to say that without Samka's guidance that Mishel should not be allowed to dance by herself. As it stood, Mishel was cramped up with others on a shuttle bound for Faldos. Even with her lackluster dancing skills, the teenage Ren continued to dance her robe billowing out this way and that. "Faldos is smuggler place, yes? Perhaps I can find something I have been looking for." And what she was looking for, was a way to get blades to come out of her cybernetic hand much like the knuckle plated gauntlets that she wore. Except just straight out of her hand, "blades for this hand." She then unscrewed her cybernetic hand. "What do you think sister? [member="Zmej Ren"]."

 

[Darth Metus]

Ascension gripped the tome.

By a will not the Behemoth's, the ancient text tore itself free of his grasp. It lazily lofted into the air, coming to a half at eye level with the Ma'alkerrite. Having never experienced a holocron, let alone a floating book, Malok's eyes widened. He was not afraid, however, but felt his muscles tense. He was suddenly aware of the lightsaber which rested upon his utility belt as well. If need be, he would be ready to defend himself...should the book decide to spew fireballs or some other infernal thing.

Something guttural shrieked across the cargo hold.

It came from the book. It set Malok's ears ringing. The Behemoth stepped back, now clutching his saber in hand. He did not ignite the weapon yet, but stared at the tome intently. "The hell did I get into..." he growled, now regretting not bringing the book to someone with a hair more experience. Bethany would have known what to do. Hell, his Master would have known. But, this was his bed. He would have to lay in it. Another shriek. This one less...aggressive. It still caused the Behemoth to slink back another step. Then, the tome caused a noise that Malok was not expecting.

It was Basic.

The accent was thick.

"What year is it?"

 

[Eye of Solomon]

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Panathan Starfleet
Strikeforce Hammer

Reality blurred around the multiple triangular vessels as they ploughed through time and space, the distant light of thousands of stars becoming a slurry of stretched lines of incandescent brilliance. Admiral Croscal momentarily removed his cap and rubbed the bridge of his nose with the index finger and thumb of his right hand, prolonged hyperspace jumps always managed to give him a knackering headache right behind the eyes. That wasn't the only factor contributing to his pain, he'd become addicted to the presence of the Dark Side and in its absence he found himself hungering for a mere scrap of darkness as the symptoms of withdrawals began to grind down his psyche.

Still, his power of will was impressive and he managed to exude an aura of professionalism and authority despite the nagging hunger that thundered like a herd of Reeks through his brain. Besides, if the reports were accurate he could alleviate his frustration by venting his anger out on some worthless pirates and brigands who had invested planets near the Order's southern border. "We're nearing the rendezvous point, Admiral." Croscal took a moment to register that he had been addressed, the blank glaze that have descended over his eyes marginally dissipating as his gaze found that of the officer who had spoken to him. "Very good, prepare to take us out of hyperspace."

In the blink of an eye several warships materialized from nothing, several Inflictor heavy cruisers, two Sondheimer interdictors, and a single Resurgent Star Destroyer proudly christened Vengeance for Empress Teta. The flotilla arranged itself within the Anoth system and activated the gravity wells on both interdictors so nothing could escape the system once the culling commenced.

 

[Ria Misrani]

Objective 1: Make'Em An Offer
Post 3

With the warehouse burning down to the ground and the embers splattering out onto darkened Faldos sky. Climbing into a speeder he and his team took off down the slums of the smuggler's planet, a dirty backwater place here in the Outer Rim made him wonder what it was about the Outer Rim that seemed to always bring the foul lot here. The Unknown Regions by a stark contrast were more civilized in his opinion but then again that was due to the efforts of the First Order. He had a contact here on Faldos by the name of Sarlow Zambrano, the kind of man that Orentho detested but he paid well and often came up with some rather interesting scores when the Chiss wasn't in service to the First Imperials as it were. "Mr. Zambrano, how delighted I am that you've called - did you receive the coordinates?"

On the other end of this holo call, a man with a rather bushy mustache, a smuggler's hat and a blaster vest that had seen better days brought up a glass of Avalonian brandy to his whiskers. "Yep, on m'way now blue. Don't you worry, ol' Sal Zambrano's got your back." The Epicanthix stood to his feet and put his drink down. "This truck only goes so fast, y'know."

"Well you know how I delight in your excuses, Mr. Zambrano, do try to hurry it up."

 

[LT-137]

Objective Two​

Post One​

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Taken from his era and thrust into a future of uncertainty and hypocrisy, the former Imperial Knight had found himself floundering amongst the stars, searching for a purpose lost amidst the relentless pace of time.

He wandered, blinded by the carbonite that had saved him from the darkness that stole the light of hope from an uncaring universe until the day had come where he had met a being of supreme darkness - and offered him something that he couldn’t refuse.

In the arms of a man who tested his faith in Ashla’s light at every turn, the Imperial Knight was broken upon the anvil of truth and reforged anew - the beacon of hope within an ever growing tide of darkness. From the ashes of his re-creation, Amit Nykoan was reborn.

Thus, in service to the Order that he had sworn a Knightly oath to protect, the Blind Rennite was tasked with cleansing the surface of Faldos; slaying those that sought to befoul the righteous flame of the First Order and scattering their lessers upon the solar winds. While he would permit his brethren to act by their wishes, Amit had elected to walk a different path.

One of redemption. For even souls ensnared by evil, maintain a bridgehead of good.

 

[Progflaw99]

Anoth Sector, Anoth​

Approaching the planetary body​

Status: Prep for Launch​

Post (2)​

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As usual, Nils had been the first of his squadron to nestle down in the cockpit of his TIE. He'd made it halfway through pre-flight before he began noticing the others trickling in. With a short shake of his head, Nils returned his attention to the control mechanism in front of him. He'd noticed a slight fray in one of the main cables connected to his energy distribution unit, nothing that should have really caused him worry - but it did. Arguably, the TIE's were designed with redundant circuits, so even if that line were to become cut, he should still theoretically be able to fly without a problem.

His fingers moving nimbly behind the panel, he applied a small portion of sealing tape to the cable, hopefully that would do the trick. That was the problem with some of these TIE's, they were old - years of service took their toll on not only the hulls but also the internal components, Nils was surprised that some of the parts were even still being made. With another cursory glance at the cabling behind the panel, Nils sighed and got to work replacing it. Only taking a moment, he positioned himself back in the pilot's chair and continued doing his pre-flight checks. Soon enough they'd be arriving near their objective.

[member="Daska Tess"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Sara Lee Jones"]​

 

[Darth Metus]

Malok blinked.

A floating, now-talking, book had just asked him what the year was. If not for the fact that he could sling lighting and pick up things with his mind, the Behemoth would have thought himself insane. Well, maybe he was insane. Maybe the stress was finally getting to him? But then the book repeated itself. This time its thick accent was more of a demanding growl. Gone was the light inquisitive nature of the question. Whatever the kark was floating before the Ma'alkerrite did not exactly have the patience of a Jedi. It was jarring enough that Malok simply stammered out the answer, still clutching his saber before him.

"Been gone that long, have I? Disappointing." It began. "And how did a monster like you come across this book? It was meant to be on Coruscant by now."

This time the Behemoth did not hesitate. Although his words were brief and cautious, he did explain how ApeX had been contracted to provide security during an excavation. He spared the details regarding the subterranean "hubbub" and concluded with the truth - that he had simply picked up the book on his way out. Apparently this answer was not what the tome was looking for, as evidenced by the guttural sigh that filled the hold. But at least Malok was honest...right?

"Regardless, I do believe introductions are in order, no?"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Objective 4
Post 1

Anoth was karking weird. Karking weird things tended to have research funding attached. Thus came the S.S. Shamballa, courtesy of a nice First Order grant and the academic research priorities of New Habat University. For this particular mission, the Shamballa's modular bays and specialized instrumentation points had been tailored for three broad priorities: gravitic, magnetic, and atmospheric analysis. Professor Adathon of the Faculty of Science, Planetary Physics Department, was in charge of anything that didn't involve the ship's core functions or safety. Ashin had worked with Adathon before, ferrying his research teams, and she'd generally found that he didn't acknowledge the caveat. He considered the Shamballa to be his ship while it was going about his business with his postdocs and students aboard.

Oddly, that turned out to be useful. There were times when they both wanted to take certain risks that she shouldn't. He was always willing to give impatient verbal orders to that effect, even sign waivers as she made the occasional surreptitious gesture. Thus came the S.S. Shamballa to a vector that would lead it straight between the two atmo-naked fragments of Anoth. As fast as possible.

 

[Hansen]

FN-888
Faldos Surface, Ironhound One "Malachor",
Objective 4: Raze Smuggler Bazaar and Detain Suspects.
Post: 1

Spoiler: Equipment

• 1x FO-02 Stormtrooper Armour (Red Officer-Pauldron)
• 1x T-7 Ion Disruptor
• 1x F-11D Blaster Rifle
• 1x SE-44C Blaster Pistol
• 1x Z6 Riot Control Baton
• 1x N-20 Baradium-core thermal detonator
• 2x M1-VX "Vee Ex" Grenades
• 3x M1-NR "Nerve" Autoinjector

Pulling down periscope down in front of her helmet's visage, pressing faceplate against the rubber partition and examining the terrain. Malachor's legs hiss and heave through the moist mud, flanked by three stormtrooper-loaded TX-130T Fighter Tanks on the port, starboard and rear. This formation was repeated by three other troop laden AT-AT Walkers along a one-kilometer single file walking ominously towards a distant bazaar. The First Order vehicles featuring a matte black painted hull their roundel; A planet with orange cracks ready to explode locked between Iron Jaws. This would be the most brutal pacification operation the Ironguard had ever been deployed on. But this is the price of civilisation to Joan, she'd seen all sorts of murderers and thieves across the unknown regions and the smuggler scum who inhabit this desolate rock were no different and to be certain if Helden discovered even a single Stormtrooper suit being sold amongst the market's product. The sheer level of wrath would become legend and even make some Sith recoil at the mercilessness of the Stormtrooper, while she could destroy the enemy without animosity there is a special place in her heart for criminals and unlawful combatants. "Verified Distance to Target; three-thousand meters! Gunner, high explosive!" Krayt makes some quick adjustment to the power output of their heavy laser cannons. A smirk spreads across Joan's lips, she listens to the Ironhounds singing enthusiastically within the walker's hull behind her through the open bulkhead door. Keying the comlink channel with the FIV Whisperer, a Victory X-Class Star Destroyer and her home captained by Dietrich Bexley. "Gundark-Alpha this is Ironguard-Alpha, standby to engage tractor beams and interdict targets. Out." Joan's hands push the periscope up and over her head, she inches forward and places one hand on each of the crew's seats for stability while her blue spheres look out over the monsoonal terrain. "Dismounted Infantry in the buildings two-thousand out, axis of advance. Engage." The twelve different repulsor tanks moves into attack positions beside the AT-AT walkers and with a roar and whine heavy laser cannons unleash an unrelenting volley upon the Bazaar's outskirts.

 

[Darth Metus]

The Behemoth parted his lips as if to answer the tome's inquiry...but was cut off by yet another noise. If this continued, Malok's apprehension would be overcome by sheer frustration and the book would find itself rent in two. However, for the moment, "shock and awe" was still in affect. "I already know who you are." Came the book's verbal response, following the noise. Now this took the Behemoth by surprise. He did not remember divulging his identity or life story to the book previously. He had kept it in his personal lock up for months. That fact alone sent a chill racing down the Behemoth's spine.

"The lost prince of Mal'kerr. The Rebel. ApeX Commander. La-Dee-Dah."

It prattled off his "titles" in rapid succession, and its tone was the furthest thing from impressed. Malok's nostrils flared momentarily, but the tome spoke again. "You may call me Senda, First Apprentice of the Sorcerer Gand." He spoke the name of his mentor as if it was supposed to mean something in the present. But Senda got the response that anyone from 835 ABY would give - silence. A half-nod. Rapid blinking. He audibly groaned. "My apologies for disappointing you." Came Malok's response...the snark was strong in this one.

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Anoth
Post 4

Fiends, her fiends began to climb into their fighters taking a deep breath Ishana closed her eyes and exhaled before opening her eyes again. Her mask still hung from its hinges as she began her pre-flight check, her canopy was still open. The deck chief could be seen issuing out orders to his mechanics working their way up to the cockpits to speak with the pilots and then going back down as they all prepped for launch. Ishana cleared her throat as she secured her mask and pressed a button to lower the canopy. Everything was looking good, it was another flight another fight nothing new she figured just the same as it had always been only this time they were taking out pirates in proper fighters. "Beats taking those buses, doesn't it?" She said to [member="Nils Brenner"] over communications a reminder of their time over Kaeshana where pirates emerged while they were piloting shuttles. Switching channels, "alright, alright, alright boyes and ghouls give me your numbers."

As her squadron began to report in she took in another breath, and exhaled licking her lips she pulled her safety buckles over her lap and shoulders, securing the five point harness. Looking around her cockpit she watched the lights change down to a darkened red hue, and as her eyes adjusted, "hey Savage, think it's too late to ask for a pay advance? I mean there's this place down on Bavva, you been there? Tamenen?" Ishana got the numbers back from her fiends and switched channels again. "Okay let's rock and roll boyles and ghouls."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Objective 4
Post 2

Gravitic shear made the science frigate tremble; Ashin found her fingers tightening on the arm of her command chair for stability. "All stations, report."

The bridge stations checked in: all systems normal. A stray bolt of discharge brought the shields down to eighty percent. Acceptable, for now.

"Helm, full thrust along the plotted course. Ops, reinforce shields." That was a bit of a gamble - shield reinforcement could strain the frigate's systems, making it a bit more vulnerable to the planetary fragments' static discharges, but only if shields were compromised. The Santhe components they'd installed at Sor Yusan had given the Shamballa more resistance to system strain, so it should all balance out. She touched a comm control on her chair's holopanel. "Professor Adathon, I'm beginning excess power diversion to your instrument packages as requested."

"Thank you, Captain. You may proceed."

 

[Darth Metus]

"I'm more disappointed in the Galaxy itself. Why is this book not on Coruscant? There was a plan. A plan so easy a monkey could do it!"

Malok huffed.

"No offense intended of course. I'm sure you would be disappointed if you were in my shoes. It took decades to carefully insert a portion of my psyche into these pages. It took just as long to arrange my passage to the heart of civilization. I was meant to outlive my predecessors - to thrive in the hands of others for eons. I was meant to influence the Galaxy itself!"

"Well, you at least accomplished a portion of that goal." Said Malok, now lowering his saber. It seemed as though the tome was having some issues of the personal sort...but for the moment it didn't seem like a threat. "You've outlived them by eons. The planet was a complete chithole when we arrived, not a Sorcerer in sight."

"I see. Well. Better late then never. You shall take me to Coruscant then."

Again, Malok blinked. Was he being bossed around by a floating book? Bethany would give a kick out of hearing this.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Objective 4
Post 3

The Shamballa accelerated between the two major fragments of Anoth, giving Ashin the uncomfortable perspective of a nut about to be cracked.

"Captain," said Trejane at Ops, "I'm detecting a power surge in the mission packages."

Experimental gravitic machinery, highly classified under the terms of the grant, was not the kind of thing that could be allowed to go haywire while in the middle of a gravitational anomaly. Ashin's jaw tightened. "Which ones?"

"Package Q-3, installed in the starboard nacelle wing."

Using a flicker of memory enhancement, a minor skill for which she'd always had a knack, she thought back to Adathon's secret files. She'd read them even before he got on the ship. Q-3 was an experimental gravitic modulator, the kind of thing that stealth ships used to evade detection by crystal gravfield traps. Under other faces and names, she'd flow and commanded many ships that had gravitic modulators installed. A power surge in the modulator could affect the ways in which the planet fragments' gravity tugged at the Shamballa's course.

"Helm, are we reading any course deviation?"

"Ah...yes, ma'am, we are. Point three degrees to port. Compensating."

 

[Darth Metus]

"We're not even remotely close to Coruscant right now." Malok began...Although why he did not outright say no to the book was beyond him.

"Where are we then? This is a ship, yes? Adjust your heading, we leave for Coruscant now."

A thunderous chuckle erupted from the Ma'alkerrite. He then, as gently as he could, explained to the dusty book the current situation. His vessel was headed towards a sortie - a mission handed down from the First Order. There was a handsome sum of credits in it for he and his men, and no floating book was going to turn him away from a good payout. "A soldier of fortune are you? Bah. Good help is so hard to find these days."

"You've been in 'these days' for all of thirty seconds." Malok said, bemused. "And soldiers of fortune are excellent help if the price is right. After the mission, I could theoretically give you a lift, even set you up at an auction if you wanted - the perfect opportunity to change hands. But, I don't work for free."

"I don't suppose asking nicely will get me anywhere?"

"Out the airlock."

7

 

[LT-137]

Objective Two​

Post Two​

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He could feel the vibrations of the shuttle, as it sailed along the etheric tides of Darkspace towards events unknown. The subtle hint of life, flickering beneath a mechanical veil. It was enticing, and the Disciple had wished that time would permit him to pursue the vibrating currents further.

However, as he ran his gloved fingers across the grated surface of the deck, Amit felt a directional shift in the energies surging through the plated conduits. The man had felt it before, in another age when the light of hope had not become cancerous with the plague, but never truly paid it any mind.

Now, deprived of the one thing that he had held so dear, the Disciple took heart in the simple things that he willingly ignored in the past. The shuttle was slowing it’s superluminal pace and readying itself to sail the etheric tides of reality once more. It filled his senses with elation, as he felt the change roll through every fiber of his being - and revive the spirit of adventure brewing within his belly.

Amit roused himself from the deck with an unsteady hand, gracelessly slapping at the wall to support his weight. He would need to prepare himself for the trials ahead, and with the smell of bloodlust teasing his nose - there would be much that would need to be done to keep himself upon the Path.