The Imperial Military Protectorate (IMP)

[DECEASED Erskine Barran]

FO Notes​

From point B to C, it is fair to see that I made it in quicker time than I had from A to B, and in the hopes that I prepped properly, I feel like the momentum and the slow start were somewhat justified. But this one, for all it's action, could go a little quicker. Age of Strife is gonna be split into two parts, and in the hopes I manage to complete it before the end of this month, I honestly think this timeline could be done by March-time after all.

From being months behind schedule to being right on the cusp of my own deadlines, I give myself short breaks now for the sake of my hands because this much typing does have it's drawbacks. Pushing myself to the limit in this fashion is something I usually do at the most-important moments, just a shame for my hands that the importance won't end on this task until I finish it, gladdening me further that only two smaller timelines remain to be done from here. We're way beyond the halfway point now, and I'm happy I've considered the context for the sake of any and all writers who join from here.

So now, its,"Once more unto the breach, my dear friends.", and we'll get right to the task at hand.
-Lee-

-THE EMPIRE-
(TE)
Phase 2: THE BARRAN REGENCY
876-881 ABY

RULER

ERSKINE BARRAN
(LORD REGENT)

Homeworld: GALIDRAAN III

​

​

 

[DECEASED Erskine Barran]

STANDING AMID THE AFTERMATH OF AN AVERTED CALAMITY

THE SUPPOSED VICTORY WOULD NOT RESONATE AS SUCH IN ERSKINE'S MIND

ACT ONE
-THE AGE OF STRIFE: EARLY REIGN-
876-877 ABY

Spoiler

IMPORTANT EVENTS
Fate of the Realm | Look into the Future
Hollow Victory | Ascendancy of Defiance | Ad Imperium
Shadows of Treachery | Operation Scimitar

THE SWANSONG

PART ONE: A CRUMBLING TEMPLE​

As the light returned to Tython, returning to reveal the warmth of the setting sun, the light would die in the eyes of many heroes still struggling below. Continuing the fight, even in the demise of three high-profile leaders - and they were only trying to make it home.

Almost as if Fate herself decreed such a disgustingly poignant response to the return of reason, hope and reality that had hung by a thread until that moment, thus only the weaver of destiny could know what it meant to have death, anguish and destruction follow like quakes follow tremors. Even without the other entanglements considered, it seemed to many that the only clash that ended inconclusively was that which was fought between the forces of the resurrected Thomas Barran and the PMCs serving with Jas Katis, though it had not been for the lack of trying.

Tython had left all of the battle's combatants in a shaken, traumatised state, and to such an extreme that not even the bravest of souls would depart unmarked by the ordeal, for there had been no battles quite as intense as that which had been fought at the base of the Akar Kesh tower. The odds of survival were no better for those who were still able to depart, for many had made for the safety of their respective fleets with wounds untreated by medics by then, marking a recurring theme among soldiers across the Galaxy.

For many had shaken their mortal shells on the homeward journey, adding as further, late additions to the battle's death-toll.

Many of the Galaxy's warrior elite lay slain in the wake of the Mawsworn attack on Tython, some of the brightest of history's many great names, and with two factions bereft of leaders in one aftermath, every realm would know of it's unprecedented outcome. Yet fortunately for the Defiant and their Mawsworn adversaries, successors had been nominated in time to step up in their factions' hour of need, but if it were not for the fact the Galaxy's civilisations were fated to suffer, the effort to stave off decline would likely have suffered a lesser sting in the following years.

It could never be said that Fate was a kind mistress, especially for one so averse to ambitions of Imperial reign, and in the mind, body and soul of Lord Erskine Barran, it made no sense whatsoever to take up Fel's diadem and sceptre. Thus the decision of his place at the top was not taken lightly by the old Goidel, and for as long as his presence remained an alien thing on the throne, Lord Erskine would instead keep his sword laid upon it's surface in a lasting oath of regency, only breaking said-protocol in times when the blade would be needed to defend it.

For that same seat of power for which he had already bled to otherworldly extreme.

The Imperial Throne at Night
Fort Imperator, Bastion (876 ABY)​

An act of which, in the wake of the realm's darkest hour, had come as a great and appreciative surprise to the great Lucien Dooku in particular; for this would be all the humbling expression of loyalty the Serennoan King needed to see, and to assure the way was still open for the throne's best claimants, thus the matter of succession was still very likely to be decided on the merits of leadership aptitude. Marking the occasion when the Barrans finally earned the lasting respect of their Great House superiors, and with it, the very starting-point that solidified the reign of the Woadish Clan as the realm's Regents.

Doubtless the markation of a devastating turning-point, and for all as much as the realm itself, but for those who still hoped a hereafter existed for the Defiant - that cloud's one silver lining of which the Galaxy's civilisations sorely needed.

Dark days lay ahead for the Empire, but for all the adversity that awaited, the realm was, at least, glad a trusted loyalist stood at the helm; glad the realm was upholding it's obligation of elevating the strongest candidates of leadership, especially in the realm's great hours of need. Proven from inception, proven in the war against their former overlords, in the recovery from rebellious assassinations and in holding out against every sort of warfare and treachery, making it clear to the Lord Regent that the realm had twicefold chosen their leaders wisely.

A clear excellence of example in the years before the mantle of responsibility was inevitably placed into his hands, an example of which both Tavlar and Fel alike had set in good faith, though the old Woad could never doubt these were extremely tough tenures to match. Not all shoes were designed to be filled by the soldiering feet of lower-nobility, but doctrinally, and in the fervour of their loyalty to the realm, it was often argued that such zealotry matched (and even rivalled-) that of the Empire's most-powerful living heroes.

Having served with devoted distinction since the second half of the Third Imperial Civil War, (with ample military field-references before his Imperial oath was given) the old man who remained was already broken and rebuilt many times over, even sporting a cybernetic left arm in the years leading to the Battle of Akar Kesh. He could have been forgiven for retiring at any point beyond his homeward return, but beyond the reclamation lay the results of the renowned Goidelic Second Wind, a rare human phenomenon of existential rejuvenation that galvanised the right man, at the right time.

Despite the grief of loss that beset the Lord Regent at every turn of the seasons, despite the horror and traumas that went with the self-amputation of his left arm, and all the wounds, injuries and near-death experiences, the old man was still in the midst of that same second wind. Still standing in sheer defiance against his own fate, Barran was in no mood to rest on his newfound laurels, not even when it seemed as if his entire life was crumbling to ashes around him, not even if it meant facing more of the Galaxy's worst horrors for the rest of his life.

The great Mawsworn menace still remained, and for as long as old Erskine could still take up his Silken Lion for combat - it would be his obligation to oversee the Empire's part in Brotherhood's final defeat.

There were no doubts that threats awaited in other corners, as even in the grief and the loss of many vital heroes to make it that far, the Lord Regent was acutely aware there was more to tell from the intel COMPNOR had sent through on the matter, conflicted though they were with the reports of the Dark Lord's demise. Even the Serennoan King was wise to these threats, and in acceptance of terms offered by the old Woad, there would be small, but important morsels of insight on a few of the worst of those Barran would consider as threats in the near-future.

Fitting for the promise of which Dooku himself would keep in the following years

Though Barran would get to all his own changes in due course
Executive and off-record alike

THE DEFIANT WOULD BE CONVENED AGAIN
GATHERED FOR A FLEDGLING HYBRID ASSEMBLY

OBLIGATING MOFFS AND PLANETARY GOVERNORS ALIKE

THE SWANSONG

PART TWO: A SECOND WIND​

Dark days had passed, though the Empire had been acutely aware that more awaited beyond the horizon, and none more than the Blue-Lion himself. But roar he would, and roar he did - for none could stop Erskine whenever his feet found traction on the ground.

Wild were the winds of change, and by the time the old Woad convened for his first political outing as Lord Regent, those gusts were blowing with biting-cold, frosty intent. Thus the sorts of minds required would be needed to be every part as sharp as the unavoidable tides of war, and in consideration of the shrewdest strategists he ever worked with, the old Woad's establishment of a Triumvirate command-structure had two particular individuals in mind, masters of surface and stellar battlefronts alike.

On one side of the Regent's presiding seat would be Willan Tal , still reigning over Galidraan as the system's Lord Protector at the time, and even then, still a mentoring influence on the old Woad. A no-brainer of a choice, and in the mind of a man who still held the distinct memory of instructing Lord Willan to keep climbing, (the same meeting in Calavar when Lord Erskine accepted the Lord General's baton) it made perfect and honourable sense to consider an old friend of Tal's qualified sort for candidacy.

On the other hand, and in no way lesser to his Northern-Galidraani contemporary, would be none other than Caarlyle Rausgeber , pride of the New-Imperial fleet. Formerly a First Order powerhouse, the Grand Admiral had been expressing near-unmatched dominance in the air for decades when Barran met him for the first time; and judging by the political setting where acquaintances were made, stating his case from a Tarkinist perspective during the Imperial Assembly's,"Murderers Row" years, Lord Caarlyle would retain much (and more-) in the way of political authority to bring to the table.

Both had agreed to aid the Regency until the end of the Second Great Hyperspace War, as the men brought on to aid Barran had served beyond retirement years already, and neither could boast the same inherent Second Wind by the turn of 876 ABY. But there was one with energy enough to match and exceed the expectations of the anomalous old Goidel, one with whom Lord Erskine had conversed before he established the wartime Triumvirate, and with the young Serennoan already agreeing to support Barran's cause, it only made sense to ascend Lucien Dooku to the rank of Lord-Warden after that.

The accord between them would have permitted no alternative, though this had all but assured the Pellaeonist presence in all subsequent Imperial Assembly debates.

Still a powerful presence among the Defiant, still embodying wills of Iron and Defiance alike, the Order of Imperial Knights would require a powerful leader in the realm's darkest days, and the King of Serenno was the best-surviving warrior the Empire could call upon. A hero of the era, and a supremely-adept duellist with an entire array of Makashi-derived techniques, perfect for the mentorship of an entire Force Order, and all the other Chapters therein.

Thus a new Grand Admiral, Lord General, Lord Executor and Grand Moff would be needed, though the ISB and COMPNOR (in true Tarkinist fashion) would choose the next generation of clandestine masters, and without Regency oversight. Though as for those of whom the realm had elevated, the next natural choice to lead the Imperial fleet would be Julius Haskler , proven through many of the Galaxy's grandest, most-recent engagements in the air; and to every Imperial soldier's amazement, DECEASED Aron Gowrie would handle matters on the ground, and all to the great acclaim of every legion in the realm.

Overseeing Battle-Readiness Trials
Shipwright Auditors' Perspective
Ravelin City Shipyard, Bastion (876 ABY)​

In the following hours, Erin-141 would be chosen to ascend to the rank of Lord Executor, Ignacious Korvan to the rank of Grand Moff, and FN-999 (restored) to the title of Baron of the Empire. Living up to the unofficial epithet of,"Imperial Custodian", natural fare for a man all knew was happier in the quieter corners of the Grand Imperial Library, it was clear to the old Woad that power could still be found in effective statecraft, and before long the Defiant would appreciate the overall effectiveness of the Lord Regent's executive orders.

Though the realm never once lacked leaders of fair earnest, regardless of whether it was Irveric Tavlar or Rurik Fel, fairness was fortunately an ideal which resided in the heart of Erskine Barran, much to the great relief of the realm's great idealists. The cleric-at-heart would mentor Imperium's next generations, and for as long as it would be possible to draw breath in the attempt to manifest the will of his predecessors, the realm knew their Regent would put his heart, mind and soul into the effort.

It would not be a moment later than the last promotion until the Lord Regent could allow himself any reprieve, using his sojourn to Kestri as an excuse to improve diplomatic ties with the Mandalorian Enclave, and still making the most of his short time away from the familiar Ravelin backdrop. Yet even after achieving the goals of cooperation between both realms, and after purchasing a left-arm replacement for the cybernetics he had used throughout the war's roughest phases, the warrior Regent was well aware of the perilous chance he was taking on his newfound allies.

The old Woad had always been a gambler to grander extreme.
War had long since steeled Barran's nerves after all.

WITH THE SHINBONE AND TYTHON MATTERS FIRMLY CONCLUDED
A FRESH LOOK FORWARD WOULD BE REQUIRED SOON

THE SWANSONG

PART THREE: A THORNY FIRST STEP​

To the last detail, the Empire was ready to end the war swiftly, desiring more than ever to aid the Galaxy in the other realms' struggle against the Maw - but something dark had become of the stars since the clash on Tython's surface.

​

Of all the contingencies the realm had planned to counter, never once did the Defiant think the Chiss (of all collectives within the Imperial sphere of influence) would be the ones to turn on the Empire's frontier worlds, expressing nationalistic defiance akin to that of the hands who fed them. It was enough to infuriate the entirety of Barran's new-look IMPAF, even the loyalist Chiss among them, though the Lord Regent would soon find himself unable to deny that this distinct disconnect between Chiss had played out to the Empire's benefit in the eyes of history.

Then all of a sudden, the Redoubt went dark - a complete communications blackout.

At first, the Empire collectively believed it to be the result of a cosmic radiation storm, something of a norm for the Unknown Regions frontier at the time, and still remains so in the following decades. However, no such convenient coincidences ever lasted long under scrutiny, and especially not whilst under the watchful eyes of the Empire's low-trusting sort; even when the proven storms receded, the Triumvirate would be correct to mobilise pre-emptively, learning all too quickly that the comm-link arrays on the frontier had maintained the blackout since.

Giving high-command no choice but to dispatch a fitting response, agreeing it would be for the best to mobilise squadrons of the Imperial fleet with a complement of ISB investigators, both to further-investigate the Redoubt and ascertain the whereabouts of the Redoubt's garrison. But when the Holonet and Comm-Link arrays were repaired and reconnected, it would not take long for the last transmissions to follow, and in an immediate recognition of the background noise, there would be no illusions as to what had happened before the end.

The Garrison were not AWOL after all, they had been slaughtered, right down to the last trooper and supporting aide, and were likely buried in mass-graves somewhere on the surface. This would mark the beginning of the end for the investigators, with many even seeing the writing on the wall at the time, but before they could be pulled back from the approaching threat, so too would that contingent go dark. But not before the final distress signal was sent, followed by a harrowing last message that was cut off before it's end, though the following flash of light left no illusions as to what had transpired.

Whoever had shut the relays down before, had done so again - and had destroyed them for good measure.

​

All three Triumvirs were naturally enraged by this, but in their sudden realisation that valuable ISB assets had been lost in the blackout, the old Triumvirs would inhale sharply through their teeth, sensing that the reactive wrath of COMPNOR would be tenfold in contrast to their own. Compouding this concern would be the fact the realm's most-potent clandestine agency was still yet to reveal the name of their new Director, and in the wake of the latest losses, it would not be long before Saul Vandron revealed himself to the realm as it's new surreptitious dagger.

North Command Barracks
Garrison District Interior
the Redoubt (877 ABY)​

Potent enough that his subordinates were able to snatch up all the answers before the next step was taken, predicting what to expect, compiling topographical data to map out the next step, and learning the identity of their aderversaries. All this, and more, and days before the new foes finally announced their presence; revealing an unmatched insight, and through the benefit of letting the Empire's new leaders learn of their own accord, the fury would burn stronger after having seen the truth with their own eyes.

The Chiss Nationalists, much to the chagrin of their loyalist-leaning kin, had finally gone rogue to the furthest extreme - adding insult to injury as claimants to the legacy of the old Chiss Ascendancy.

​

This alone was proof enough of the realm's great misjudgement of the cloak-and-dagger element, and in the Triumvirate's (and more-acutely, the Regent's-) own dithering in the process of strategic reshuffling, there was plenty reason to believe that IMPAF were guilty of that which was alleged of their secretive Tarkinist compatriots. COMPNOR's sharpness had not dulled in their Post-Harsk era, and though the conventional arm of the realm were still extremely capable, the creeping doubts would still need to be dispelled in order to gain the respects of the organisation's new Director.

For that, the Lord Regent knew what (and who-) was needed for the task, and after holding back the new Lord General and Grand Admiral for preparations, Barran decided it was time to stem the Chiss expansion with the new-blood once and for all. But to assure success at the critical juncture, the planet for this stand would need to be chosen, for if the rearguard actions were to result in anything worthwhile, then that line in the sand was needed, and on ground they knew well.

Fortunately for the realm, it's current commander-in-chief still felt as though he needed to prove his growth from his years as the Lord General, thus chose Nirauan as his desired ground; desiring more than ever to properly avenge losses, to land ahead in scoring from that same backfoot the Regent knew all too well, wishing to prove to the Galaxy that former weak-spots had since become fortress-worlds. After all, if New Carannia's defenders had been enough to inflict costly losses on Mawsworn attackers, then surely the lessons learned would be enough to fortify against foes of every sort thereafter.

The former capital planet of the realm was more than enough for the task
To hold and counter against an Ascendancy of Defiance

A Defiance that seemed to mirror that of their own making

NONE DENIED THE ASCENDANCY HAD THE DROP ON THE EMPIRE
BUT THE REALM STILL RELISHED THE FIGHT

THE SWANSONG

PART FOUR: A HARSH RECOURSE​

As the stage was set for next phase of the Second Great Hyperspace War, the Empire found itself feeling refreshed by the presence of a new foe - another player in the great war for survival.

​

In the long run of rearguard actions and fighting retreats, it would not take long for the active intel-gathering collectives to get the measure of the foe they were facing, and in rapid, reactive succession, all that was found would be sent back to Ravelin with the utmost, urgent haste. To make it all the more important, and in their good fortune, was the successful effort to ascertain whether or not the Chiss had allies in the realm's second rebellion, but before long - these field-reports would yield more questions than answers.

The Chiss Ascendancy were, infact, relying on elements from outside their own sphere of influence, supported after all, but by Irredentists from both sides of the border the Empire shared with the Galactic Alliance. Both alarming and clear in the complications presented in this most-unwelcome of revelations, and with it, an infuriation resulted in the hearts of the Imperial-Loyalist Chiss, feeling a betrayal that seemed to dig deeper than the Regency anticipated.

Welcomed though this development within the Loyalist cadre was, as it meant no qualms with gracing the battlefield against their kinfolk, it still represented the markings of a deep rift between peoples of the protected Chiss demographic, a chasm so wide that not even the Lord Regent could abridge it. A truth of which, however, would prove difficult for old Erskine to stomach in the long-run, though this would, in no way, impede the Woad's pursuit of victory against the rebels.

The Ascendancy's battlegroups were gaining vital, fresh combat experience, thriving as treasonous elements weakened the Imperial response at every strategic level, but for all the hampering efforts made against the realm by then, it would ultimately amount to little of effect in the following weeks. But for all that the Barran Triumvirate was preparing on Nirauan at the time, the old Woad in particular would have nagging suspicions calling out from recent military experience, a need for decisiveness would soon present itself on grand-strategic grounds.

This attentiveness would be welcomed, and by all with a stake in the outcome of the fight for Chiss frontier - freeing up all red-tape pertaining to budgets for defence spending.

Both the 1st and 2nd Chiss Expansionary Armies were converging on Sector V, led by a legend with a service-record dating back to campaigns with the Empire of the Hand, more than adversary enough for the Empire, granting IMPAF, COMPNOR and the Imperial Fleet with more than enough funds for their collective endeavour. The Chiss' chosen name-abbreviation for their great General was,"Faraak", a name that still held weight on the minds of IMPAF's oldest soldiers, especially those with military services of their own that dated back to the realms of the era, especially the former mercenaries like the Lords Regent and General alike.

A name with weight enough that even the Woads had learned to give the name it's due fearful respect, thus the first of three combative responses would be focused on on thee old legend specifically, though the others were, by no perceivable means, lesser threats to the Empire. Both Dac and Zodt had proven their complicity in their Expansionist approach to the realm's former capital, and in Vandron's diligent gathering of vital intel on the Chiss' very own spymaster, their nationalistic Warden had made little effort to escape the Director's notice.

For the great Faraak, the plan would be simple, as would some of the hidden directives within the original plan, though as for the others, such simplicity of doctrine was a luxury the realm could ill-afford if they were hoping for success. The Lord Regent had eyes fixed firmly on the Redoubt, and not only in the spirit of spite, but also in application of suspicions that the overrun planetoid's security would be lacking, though the orbiting Brask Oto Command Station was already confirmed to be the tougher nut to crack.

Thus necessitating the drafting of three separate operations, three chances to strike back at the Ascendancy, to hit their assailants on familiar ground, on the Chiss' front footing - and within the midst of Expeditionary territory.

First for Nirauan would be Operation Phalanx; a vanguard counteroffensive, designed purely to catch Faraak's forces off-balance, with a desired effect of which they expected would halt any attempts to reach New Carannia's outskirts. But the true brilliance would show in the results of gifting operational autonomy to the 501st Legion on the ground, expected to implement their own plan in the event the Chiss veered en masse toward Fort Yularen, though the particulars of this plan were rightly being held in guarded secrecy.

North Side view from the New Carannian Interior
Nirauan (877 ABY)​

Second, for the Brask Oto Command Station, would be Operation Knightfall; drafted personally by King Lucien, the main target would leave no illusions of avoidance, as Zodt had been on the minds of all the Imperial Knights serving subordinate to Dooku's leadership. Having seen Holographic recordings of his handiwork, with all his actions bearing the hallmarks of training under the infamous Zovesa's mentorship, it was clear to every Imperial Knight that Zodt's cadre were more than just powerful Force wielders, marking them as clear and present dangers to the safety of the realm.

Last, for the Redoubt, would be Operation Damocles; and though the ISB were officially tasked with the endeavour of infiltrating ground-zero, Triumvirate oversight would never be permitted over the realm's cloak-and-dagger elements, paving the way for the ISB to assert COMPNOR's authority as their one-eyed spymaster saw fit. Unsurprising, as the chosen target was still thought to have friends spying within the Imperial fold, and Director Vandron had since learned why; Dac'zom'ina was a defector from the Empire, and for as long as Dac's defection remained a known factor to his former compatriots, Zovesa's chosen puppeteer would be approached all the more carefully.

This impending fight was known by both sides to be a great gamble
But a great gamble for Chiss and Imperial alike

The highest possible stakes for all involved.

IN DOMINO-EFFECT SUCCESSION
ALL THREE TRIUMVIRATE ACTIONS WERE IMPLEMENTED

THE SWANSONG

PART FIVE: A REGENT'S JUSTICE​

Zovesa's prodigal students would be put to the test, this the Empire's remaining heroes had vowed already, and this time - it would be the Empire's turn to march forward.

​

As both Chiss Expansionary contingents marched on the Tansen Plains, the order was given to commence Operation Phalanx, and with the Lord General working in concert with the Baron of the Empire, there was a tentative hope that this would be enough to force Faraak's hand. After all, if Wildcat Division and the 908th Legion could force a wide, southward-advancing line to curve in on itself, then perhaps the Imperial plan's hidden nuances could be implemented, as there were elements of the 501st embedded with poise in the mountains nearby.

If timed correctly, the implementation of Hal Vaiken 's SCAR Squadron would serve to shatter the morale of the Chiss' left flank, but until that moment, the 501st would be plenty busy in the effort to infiltrate and overrun the command-post within the Tansen Dam. Great trust had been placed in this most-ancient of taskforces, but high-command collectively agreed that the autonomy was not misplaced, thus full clearance for Operation Trident was granted without reservation.

A masterstroke in the making, though none could pretend to be surprised, knowing the benefits of having a lifelong student of war as their leader.

Meanwhile, Nines and Gowrie would spring their northward counteroffensive from the outskirts of New Carannia in the south, with assistance from Matma Bernu 's 407th Legion providing support, a strong collective of Imperial-Loyalist Chiss with axes of their own to grind with their former compatriots. Further-adding to internal Chiss contention by the fact Bernu's Hellions were expected to advance from the warehouses due-west of the city's powerplant, marking an untested element as the vanguard contingent for the first time in years, and a clear statement of intent for all the rebels of the Chiss Ascendancy.

But when lines eventually engaged, any and all underlying concerns would be put to rest from the first shot, giving the flanks every justification for following the sudden jump in momentum, thus a two-pronged followup was prompted in rapid, willing succession. From Fort Yularen in the West, the 908th would work their hard-oblique advantage in numbers to pin the 1st Chiss Expansionary Army in place, and with the vanguard and left-flank's obligations fulfilled, the task of hitting the 2nd Chiss Expansionary Army fell to the battle-tanks of Gowrie's Wildcat Division.

From there, all would fall into place, enabling the second phases of Operations Phalanx and Trident in perfect unison, a collective flash of brilliance that assured victory on Nirauan. It was enough to force a full Expansionist rout across the entire line of contact, and though there was no telling as to what would happen after the Chiss' commander surrendered, the realm's defenders could finally sigh with well-earned relief, happily leaving the other operations to COMPNOR and the Imperial Knights for the rest of the Imperial offensive.

Two grand-strategic operations were still underway, two reasons to pause for thought still yet to dawn on this budding, troublesome Ascendancy.

The Order of Imperial Knights would rise to the occasion for Operation Knightfall with the Angels of Defiance in attendance, doubly so for the fact they were standing as their commanding chapter, as this meant that yet-another Lord Warden was leading from the front. King Lucien's assault on the Brask Oto Command Station was already assumed to be a shock-and-awe endeavour, and rightly so, as Dooku would also be bringing a complement of handpicked elites from the 173rd Legion, additions of whom the Force-Wielders knew were perfect for adding to the impact of strikegroup objectives.

As their intel had already suggested, the situation had warranted no lesser response than fully-mobilised force of arms, as their opposition had already established the Chiss Force Corps to face them; and with Zodt firmly in play, Dooku would suffer neither slight nor propaganda in the effort to fight Zovesa's apprentice personally, a decision of which the Imperial Knights could not help but respect. Felt especially in the ferocity of the first phase, as it had proven infectious enough that knights like Sahar were able to find a similar intensity of momentum, officially turning the tide of rebellion against the Chiss with every inch of ground they gained.

Imperial high-command would soon know when the Command Station was liberated, tracking the exact moment of the CFC's rout when the warrior Tris perished in her fight against Rakaan Horne, though as for the outcome of Operation Damocles, the overall results of their mission's completion would mostly remain shrouded in mystery until well into the early decades of the 10th Century. However, classified and redacted though most of Vandron's efforts were for the most part, enough had been learned of the successful reconquest of the Redoubt to know that the realm's clandestine elements were still in the shrewdest, most-surreptitious hands.

Besides the new garrison's hearsay and rumours that followed, reports also indicated that four unidentified operatives succeeded in their attempts to infiltrate and disable the station's defences, opening the way for a hastily-gathered response from elements of the Imperial Fleet, still making it's way to the far-flung sector at the time. Meanwhile, the Order of Imperial Knights would need to leave a few battalions of the 173rd Legion behind as an able-bodied garrison, doubling back to Nirauan in their need to mobilise an entire strike-group for the next phase of operations.

The hodgepodge of smaller flotillas, despite the firepower arrayed against the Ascendancy's response, still needed to retain enough ships for the imopending actions; taking to a long run of fighting-retreats and rearguard surprises, testing their own resolve from Redoubt to Ravelin, and foiling any chance of a simple engagement for the Chiss Expansionary Fleet. Korvan's small fleet would eventually shake their blue tails, and before the Imperials could even think drag them into the range of the realm's best planetary=defence arrays, all traces of the Chiss' fleet would vanish from the Holographic scanners.

And so ended the first phase of the Rebellion
Not with a raucous boom

But with a vanishment - disappearing into the shadow of cosmic night

THE GALAXY STILL RAGED BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE REALM

YET THERE WOULD BE LITTLE TO HELP THE EMPIRE SEE IT

THE SWANSONG

PART SIX: AN UNWELCOME DEVELOPMENT​

Victorious though they were, Imperium's heroes wished more to stay on the frontier than answer the Lord Regent's summons. Understandable, but they answered still, but to what end and on what issue - only the presiding Triumvirs knew.

​

With Triumvirs Rausgeber and Barran attending to convene the Council, reports on operational progress would be required of it's most-active commanders, with promises of supply and rearmament given in appreciative response, knowing there was always the chance of attempted resurgence beyond that point. Certainly a tense, irritating time to discuss such matters, especially with many Moffs still carrying apprehension toward the Lord Regent's most-recent promotion, but knowing that advantages would be near-limitless with everyone on the same page, such a meeting's necessity would always override potential damage to Barran's reputation.

The creeping threat of the Maw still persisted beyond Sector V, and with no desire expressed to answer invitations to diplomatic talks, the Galactic Senate on Coruscant were showing no desire to reconcile after the death of Rurik Fel, presenting the Galactic Alliance as another addition to the growing number of potential threats to Imperium. Marked a lesser threat, however, as according to the recent news, the Brotherhood of the Maw were launching another offensive on the Galactic Core, and once again, had reached as far as Empress Teta.

Making all matters on the Chiss' rebellion just the tip of the iceberg, though the subject of the rebellion alone was volatile enough that Grand Moff Korvan had taken verbal flak as Sector V's appointed supervisor, yet fortunately for Lord Ignacious, these verbal jabs were easy enough to shrug off for all his work to stem the tide of renewed Chiss offensives. Barran's command-apprentice was also aided further by the persistant ponderings on the other complications pertaining to the Chiss, and the Conference would soon conclude on the issues of the hereafter.

But after a few days, the Council's attendees would be met with reports of unwelcome complications - in the Tion Cluster.

The Imperial Ambassador to Tion had been assassinated, and judging by COMPNOR's reaction, the culprits (and their handlers) were no mystery to Vandron's subordinates, giving the realm no other option but to increase the threat status of the Galactic Alliance. Some individuals even suspected Director Vandron's hand in the death of the Ambassador, though this would serve to little effect against the overriding destabilisation narrative, and so the Tion Republic continued to present the most-prominent risks to the stability of the wide imperial border.

A concern of which many knew would not sit well with the realm's cloak-and-dagger collectives, but for as long as the Triumvirate approved perceptions of Vandron's due-diligence, the impending struggle would continue to receive operational support. Every little morsel would help in the struggle as it unfolded, as this would present difficulties for as long as Grand Moff Korvan's counteroffensive continued, made all the easier by the deployment of Lord General Gowrie to the war's latest flashpoint.

The Battle of New Alderaan
GADF Deployment Perspective
Tion Cluster (877 ABY)​

Lord Aron's Goidelic tank division had proven themselves to be resourceful already, perhaps even enough to be considered self-sufficient on a few occasions, and with such reserves of Tarkinist firepower ready and willing to fight, the ISB and COMPFORCE would be gladdened by the prospect of the Tuath's presence on the ground. They knew that someone was needed to reach and destroy New Alderaan's Orbital Defense Base, and if anyone could break through to destroy the guns, all agreed it was Gowrie.

Along with anyone and everyone the Lord General brought with him.

Yet despite COMPNOR's great reliance on the successes of Wildcat Division, their investment in Lord Aron's progress would pale in comparison to that of Lord Caarlyle, leading the nearest flotillas for the first time since his ascension to the rank of Triumvir, even more-so when reports of an approaching Galactic Alliance fleet filtered through to Rausgeber's comm-link. The Tion Republic had called on Coruscant for aid, and the GADF answered, (along with a contingent of warriors with the NJO) worsening the Tuath's odds on the New Alderan battlefront, though Rausgeber knew there was no reason to worry about the orbital breakthrough.

Lord Aron had always brought friends of his own to the party, and for Saul's big soirée, the Tion situation would be no exception whatsoever - even making a point of bringing two contingents from Galidraan's prime planet this time.

The first of which would be Major General Bex Tarring 's Bramber Brigade, another heavily-arrayed tank contingent to break apart the fortified position of the city's defenders, relishing another chance to prove their worth in the beating heart of War's crucible. The other, considered on grounds of their contingent's ferocity, would be led by Colonel Tyrell Lockhart , bringing the famed Dunwall Irregulars in force to augment the tanks as the urban landscape transformed around them. However, another contingent would crash the party, injecting the welcome presence of the 908th Legion, led by none other than FN-999, revered already as the Baron of the Empire.

Vandron's offensive would have the support his forces needed, thus the commencement order could be given without reservation, and for as long as the Director assumed that time was of the essence, the infiltration efforts would recognise the need for a conventional assault on the Orbital Defence Station from the outside. Whether it was to increase pressures on those who would be in the throes of hypervigilance already, or to assure an eventual relief of pressure on Vandron's infiltration action, it all seemed to matter little and less to relished the chance to grace a conventional battlefront again.

But alas, the first action of Operation Iron Storm was suggested to start with caution, to dig in and bait the New Alderaanian defence forces into making the first offensive move, but the one part of this suggestion that suprised everyone the most was the fact it was put forth by Lord General Gowrie of all people. Sensing traps on the horizon, and after hearing the defenders' SOS to the Senate on Coruscant, the tone was already set for an impending fight of much grander magnitude than most were anticipating in the calm before the storm.

The SOS automations were also intercepted beyond the planet's orbit, much to the great fortune of the outnumbered Imperials on the ground, though the Imperial Triumvir expected more company after the 75th Flotilla's sudden breakthrough, sensing something would go awry over New Alderaan as far back as the Ambassador's assassination. Necessitating the need to bring his own friends to the Tion Necessity, thus Lord Caarlyle made sure to depart with Julius Haskler's remaining fleet, and with one Velran Kilran bringing a large flotilla of his own, still in the early days of his own ascension to Galactic prominence.

The realm was poised for it's first all-out fight with the Galactic Alliance
To which - only a collective groan could be offered by kinder hearts

By the heroes who remembered the peace they once shared

AS HEARTS TURNED TO STONE
OLD FRIENDS BECAME ADVERSARIES

A TWIST OF FATE THAT WOULD TEST EVERYONE INVOLVED

THE SWANSONG

PART SEVEN: A CLASH OF HEROES​

The old Woad had seen what the Je'daii had endeavoured for Rurik Fel's sake, and for that of the Galaxy, as the realm itself had seen and appreciated on a soul-deep level - making this battle all the more unbearable for the veterans on New Alderaan that day.

​

Such enmities were never meant to be, and yet, for all that the Light would endeavour to defeat the Dark, the warmth of civilisation would fracture and freeze in the streets of New Aldera. But this time, the true test would be the effort to avoid incurring narratives of demonization, with most of it centered around an isolated GADF brigade of Wookies; though for some, it would be much more difficult to avoid the impending intensification of scrutiny, much more than those with a mind to delegate this issue amidst the bedlam.

Whilst Vandron's best operators infiltrated deep into the heart of the city's Orbital Defence Station, Lord General Gowrie would step out to parley at the very vanguard's epicenter, at Ground Zero for the most-destructive segment of the urban static-line. Shorurra Grozik had been thrown into the Tuath's natural habitat, like fodder in the path of an entire host of experienced Tank-Crews, and though Gowrie himself had never been one to pass up a free meal, only a fool would have fallen for propaganda bait so easily.

Such a language was not an alien syntax on the ears of the Kellas, though none ever stopped the Goidelic hero from disregarding it completely.

Yet despite all the leeway that the Lord General had clawed back for the sake of the Wookie General, the time bought to encourage a reasonable decision, Gowrie's authority, his strategy and doctrinal policy would be overruled by the authority of COMPNOR's Director. A sad turning-point had become of both realms, and with COMPFORCE more eager than ever to relieve their clandestine peers, Vandron was finally taking the vanguard, marking the Tuath's failure with lasting finality.

Blood would be spilled either way, but with a force of grander conviction set against the small skirmishing contingent, all chances of quarter and surrender would vanish like drops in the sea, for neither of the opposing realms could pretend to offer that same level of patience shown by the old Tuath that day. Both sides were fully-embroiled in the midst of their anger, fully-invested in the axes they had to grind with each other, and though it was all boiling to an irrevocable clash of ideologies, none could (nor would-) blame Lord General Gowrie for trying to delay the war's darkest hour.

With the insult of an assassinated ambassador still leaving a bitter taste on the lips of all Imperials, nothing could stop the worst of fates from transpiring, and especially not for COMPNOR and the Order of Imperial Knights, the latter of whom even sensing the Midichlorian signatures of their Jedi adversaries already. Both Sahar and Simon Meinrad had been hungering for battle with the NJO for a while by then, sensing their treachery since the bygone scuffle on the Yinchorr matter, and with their opponents marked out, set out with the intent to commence the first clash of warring Lights.

Leading the Jedi in battle would be Valery Noble and Aaran Tafo , and as fate would have it, the human and her Miralukan subordinate would go on to become mainstays in the war against their former Imperial allies, though the Imperial Knights were certainly not the only ones clashing for control of the planet. Especially not with Vandron's COMPFORCE considered, as there was an impending first strike from the SIA, Coruscant's clandestine wing, the Senate's very own attempt to answer the Empire's advantage with operatives of their own.

The stakes were still being raised, seemingly in an overlap of powerplays - marking the makings of a recurring motif for the rest of the war.

Even after the Imperials pressed their advantage in orbit, they knew there was still a great chance that a relief-flotilla was likely approaching, and the attending Triumvir was acutely aware that the Coruscantine Senate had deployed support almost immediately after the SOS was reported, and with more ground troops with the GADF to relieve New Aldera's battlefront specifically. COMPNOR and IMPAF were playing an increasingly-dangerous game, and though there were gains made within the city, the results had been inconclusive enough that the unwelcome reality would need to be considered.

The Galactic Alliance had revealed a resourcefulness of an entirely-new magnitude, and to defy the odds with the Mawsworn menace still assailing the Deep Core planets at the time, the Galactic Alliance were on the verge of giving the Empire a reason to exfiltrate from their offensive. Such that would have incurred irrecoverable losses to complete the mission, a victory lacking it's intoxicating lustre, and with all the Galaxy's realms suffering the bite of the Second Great Hyperspace War, it seemed that Coruscant no longer wished to hide it's status as the best-adapted beligerent presence in the conflict thusfar.

Of every known armed response to the increasing threat of the Sith'ari's making, Coruscant had weathered it with every hope of surviving to thrive in the end, a collective mindset of which that sat on the mind of the exfiltrating Imperial forces on the ground that day; pondering on the basis for this hope, from where it stemmed, and from whom most of all. The words spoken, and with true resolve, (especially when the Mawsworn were on the verge of completely overrunning Coruscant's senate building) had not been uttered by any Jedi, Senator or planetary governor after all.

"Coruscant stands! CIVILISATION STANDS!!!!"
Barran's Rallying-Cry Against the Mawsworn Attack
Senate Building Roof, the Sacking of Coruscant (866 ABY)​

Words that would go on to ring in the ears of both sides of the struggle in the end, words spoken by none other than Erskine Barran himself, back in a not-too-distant time of unity between Imperials and Jedi alike, in a time when the Bastion Accords still had meaning in everyone's hearts. Consequently killing the dreams of reconciliation, and with them, any hope of standing together against the dark, leaving the most bitter of tastes in everyone's mouths by the time the smoke cleared.

However, the war within the realm was still raging, and as much as the Empire wished to lick at fresh scar-tissue, the resurgent Chiss Ascendancy would need to be defeated once and for all, knowing that defeat beyond the frontier could be shrugged off a little easier than that within Sector V. A blow of which the realm could not bear to incur at such a vulnerable moment for the realm, and all it's citizens would be correct to believe it's increasing likelihood, especially in the wake of the defeat on New Alderaan.

A bitter pill it was to swallow down

But the Lord Regent had already resolved to stand firm in the face of adversity

RETRIBUTION KNEW NONE MORE INTIMATELY THAN THE EMPIRE

GIFTING THE REALM WITH A RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE NO OTHER

THE SWANSONG

PART EIGHT: A CUTTING EXECUTION​

With the Lord Regent's blessing, Grand Moff Korvan would set the stage for the last confrontation with the Chiss, planning a final offensive to dash the Ascendancy's last hopes of ascending to prominence - duly naming this plan,"Operation Scimitar", with all the intent implied.

​

Delayed in the months following it's inception, Lord Ignacious' counteroffensive strategy was doubtlessly paused at the worst possible time, and though the troubles within the Tion Cluster were considered urgent enough to warrant such a halt to proceedings, the Grand Moff knew what it would mean for his need for momentum in the final hours of pre-deployment mobilisation. Korvan knew that such daring plans only ever seemed to work with plenty prior pre-deployment traction, but despite the hampering circumstances he was faced with, the final counteroffensive of the rebellion was fortunately poised within the timeframe of the new deadline.

With all periscopes set on their target planets, not even the sting of recent defeat could keep their grins from sneering wide for all to see, and by the time the next Chiss offensive had ground to a halt outside Nirauan, the Chiss Expansionary Fleet would soon learn that the forward-surging interception would be nigh on irresistible on contact. Amounting, as expected, to a sudden and thunderous burst of sallying aggression, one such counterattack that proved enough to force the opposing fleet to rout to relative, tenuous safety.

An action so swift it granted the realm with the assured chance to bear down on the targeted planets beyond, and no longer just looking with longing for the chance to retake the lost planets of Sector V, and with worlds like Veroleem, Iridonia, and Shu Torun still awaiting Imperial liberation, all the realm's heroes were eager in their earnest to defend their compatriots from the rigors of the Chiss' uprising. The plan to intercept the siege-attempt itself was bold, even the common Troopers could see the daring of this idea, but the three-planet counteroffensive was something dauntless to behold, demanding much more of that same brazen courage from Korvan's subordinates.

On every perceivable level in the task-force's chain of command.

What was originally intended to be a methodical series of redeployments (mixed with attacking feints to push Chiss forces off balance and secure the world of Iridonia) would find a new precedent in the wake of the coolective orbital interception, as these reskinned projections would bear entirely different purposes than those previously attributed to mere search-and-capture boundaries. All considered in these urgent, yet easy issues to amend in all the latest of the plan's revisions, thus Veroleem and Shu Torun were more-quickly added to the list of targeted planets in the following weeks.

Shu Torun was a vital cog in the realm's many production-line factories, a rarity for a frontier-planet of it's sort, thus a series of precision raids would be required to disrupt the Ascendancy's chokehold over Sector V's main industrial lifeline, naturally falling under the 43rd Imperial Fleet's responsibility. Appointed to the task on account of the precision and power of their onboard-cannonry, and for the wide coverage their planetary blockades provided, the Grand Moff would personally lead with elements from Presfbelt Command and the Governate of Yinchorr, with the largest share of naval firepower comprised of ships from Korvan's own battlegroup.

The Trumvirs would be well-assured of Lord Ignacious' hold over the cordon, and rightly so, as unlike the fierceness of the fighting across the other two battlefronts, nothing was reported beyond the expected breakthrough attempts. Not at all like what was rumoured to have transpired on Veroleem in contrast, originally expected to be little more than the successful sabotage of a forward-operating base on the surface, only to devolve into a series of firefights and CQC engagements before the strike base could be neutralised completely.

But naturally, on account of COMPNOR's brutal love for redacting field-reports, the heroic efforts of these realm's nameless operatives would mostly remain unsung under the diligent guidance of Director Vandron.

​

With Shu Torun and Veroleem cut off completely, rendered incapable of sending relief forces to aid their weakened compatriots, the Expanionary Army would surely feel isolated by the time the 501st and 908th Legions landed on Iridonia's surface. However, the beleaguered Chiss were not quite alone in the streets of Malidris at the time, as reports had reached the Grand Moff of a Zabrak resistance movement operating in close proximity with their Chiss-born neighbours, and to add insult to injury - seen working in unabashed cooperation with the Ascendancy in it's darkest hour.

Leading the contingent from the 501st would be SCAR Squadron's very own Hal Vaiken this time, and with Katja Javik 's aid, the veterans would take the prodigal son Kriegan Tavlar into his first recorded combat-deployment as an officer, expected to witness the realm's finest holding out across the wider static-line from one flank to the other. The main bulk of which, as expected, would mainly ebb and flow with the changing tides of the battle until it's natural conclusion, leaving the difficult task of breaking through to the vanguard contingent.

The one task within Operation Scimitar's parameters that bore the highest risk of failure by far.

A quick, and violent assault was then endeavoured by the Baron's famed 908th Legion, and with the weighted saturation of firepower provided, a fitting springboard could be provided for the Lord Warden's small contingent of Imperial Knights. FN-999's vanguard efforts always advanced en-masse, but coordinated enough by then that supporting Yinchorri and Galidraani contingents were always considered a part of each shock-and-awe manoeuvre, making it easier for King Lucien's knights and Myrmidons to engage the well-organised Zabrak guerillas beyond.

Much alike the strategy deployed by the Galactic Alliance before, but replacing Wookies with another minority species, and without the Lord General there to respect a warrior culture, there were none attending of Gowrie's sort who saw the Chiss rebels (nor their particular flavor of honour-testing) through such lenses of warfighting respect. Nothing from this untold playbook would suffice to sway the hearts of the Defiant, not any longer, for no such trickery could work to cow or waylay the Will of Iron - no pretense of honour between enemies remained to uphold.

The proverbial gloves were well-and-truly slipped off, and by the time Sector V was well-and-truly reconquered, the realm's grudge with the Galaxy was all but assured, and all but certain to boil over into further hostilities between former allies. But the Lord Regent was always looking to bolster the firmstanding allies who remained, and already looking to the same mutual enemy, along with the Sith'ari's powerful successor with whom the Galaxy still struggled.

Just in time to fight another campaign
The last campaign of the Second Great Hyperspace War

 

[DECEASED Erskine Barran]

BREATHING ROOM WAS A RARE THING IN THE GALAXY THEN
EVERY PART AS MUCH AS IT IS NOW

BUT THE MAWSWORN THREAT REMAINED

ACT TWO
-THE AGE OF STRIFE: THE LAST CAMPAIGNS-
877-879 ABY

Spoiler

IMPORTANT EVENTS

THE STRUGGLE

PART ONE: TO THE CRUCIBLE​

As the Lord Regent looked out to all the Galaxy's active battlefronts, news would be broadcast from the Panatha system. A reminder of the Epicanthix, of the Sith who once tried to eradicate the New Imperial Order, only this time - the reminder would come from a newfound ally.

Not even two weeks after the fight for Tython, the old Woad had accepted offers for diplomatic interaction, the most prominent of which being sent by the Eternal Empire, setting into motion a reconciliation process that would bear fruit before the end of the Chiss Rebellion, especially when the news reached Ravelin telling of rebellion in the Panatha system. A deployment to consider seriously, even without the newfound ties of friendship there to add further weight for consideration, but like with all-things war in the Galaxy at the time, the Maw were always looking to the same places in ambitious curiosity.

 

[DECEASED Erskine Barran]

COMING SOON​