Faction The Enigma - Case Canopic

[Onrai]

Ord Mantell
Tags: Saltare Dothon Darth Moskvin @any former DE

COME TO ORD MANTELL.

That had been the message sent to every single Imperial warship, unit, and cargo ship within the former territory that had encompassed what the galaxy had called the Dark Empire. After the withdrawal from Tython, central authority of the Imperial leadership had collapsed catastrophically. The Empire was a ship, rudderless in stormy seas, and for the first time in decades, Onrai had been forced to seize the helm.

And they had come.

Warships had flooded into the Bright Jewel system, pouring into Alliance Station, into the Orbital Station - even the Jubilee Wheel was becoming excessively crowded with them. Onrai - in her present guise as Vanessa Vantai - estimated at present that perhaps anywhere from a quarter to a third of the Imperial fleet was accounted for presently in Bright Jewel. The rest, she hoped, would eventually trickle in, though she expected any day now to hear of some of her former comrades among the Imperial Council taking steps towards a position of warlordism. Or worse, holofootage of the shattered hulks of Imperial warships that had been caught by the Galactic Alliance, or paraded around like the trophies they had yet become. Perhaps what she was now was a warlord, but she had more important priorities for now than claiming territory - there were orderless soldiers and leaderless ship crews struggling to determine their next course of action.

Case Canopic was the next step in question. She had spent whatever time she had been able to afford seeking out the leaders of the various groups that had come to Ord Mantell, ordering them to meet with her at the 8th Sector Army's barracks to discuss the future of the motley arrangement of survivors. The plan was already formulated in her head as to the steps to make - she simply had to make it clear what came next. As she stood behind the podium in the barracks' main hall, Vanessa, for one of the very rare times in her public appearances, gave the slightest hint of worry before she finally began to speak.

"We all know why we're here. Imperial authority has been undermined to the point that our very territorial boundaries have been shattered." She looked out over the various mixtures of people - captains of warships, commanders of army groups, members of Imperial spec ops units - even a smattering of Sith and other darksiders. "I don't pretend to think this is somehow a good thing, to have power dropped in my lap this way, but I understand the next steps we need to make. We've gone from a preeminent galactic power, a threat to the decrepit and decaying Galactic Alliance, to a broken gang of vicious warriors, hunted, on the run. Others in the former Empire may try to bribe you with promises of luxurious riches or threaten you with powers you have no way to defeat, let alone control." She swallowed for a moment.

"I offer you a new way forward under a familiar banner. An answer to the Enigma that is the question you've been asking yourselves since you got here. I am neither an Empress to be feared, nor a Vizier to be executed." She looked at a number of the leaders, naval staff and darktrooper commanders who had served her for decades, from the first post-Gulag Sith Empire to the present. "I offer you a future with objective truth, with sincerity, and with, if nothing else, the bare trappings of honor. Some of these men and women have been in my service through multiple failures of Empires and Enclaves for decades, because I treated them the way they deserved to be treated, and they gave me their best in return. I put down my pride, my foolish belief of 'innate superiority,' and helped them when they needed it. They did the same for me, and would do the same for me today. I only ask that you and those under your command know that you have a leader who stands behind you and will support you as you support her."

Once more, she looked over the diversity of her audience. "We're not Sith. We're not Imperial. We're simply an Enigma now, a question the galaxy is trying desperately to answer. The answer is simple - there will be another Empire, another attempt by someone or anyone to bring forth power from among the void. Our job is not to force the issue and become that Empire - it is to be ready for that Empire to come, so that when they finally strike out against our enemy, they do so with full fuel tanks, loaded magazines, and the shock and awe we can offer them. This is why, starting upon the end of this meeting, we are commencing what I have termed as 'Case Canopic.'"

A hologram appeared before them, showcasing the Bright Jewel system as a whole. "Warships and equipment will be inventoried. We don't have the support base in Ord Mantell to keep every battlecruiser and gargantuan warship fueled for more than a few days - many of these ships will be hulked and taken to the Imperial Graveyard. They'll be kept in reserve, and when the time is right, they'll be refueled. The fuel and munitions stockpile from these ships will be enough to keep the remaining fleet assets running and in top shape for years to come." The hologram showcased this as she continued. "Most vehicles will be similarly stored away. There will be cannibalizing for parts of things we can't produce here, but this system will remain just as defensible as it was. Many of you will, at least for a time, find less military careers, but for those of you who want to prepare - we have plans."

Two soldiers in old Bloodtrooper armor stepped to the front, unsheathing and activating their lightsabers as they stood next to Vanessa. "Firstly - we will begin training several - nay, numerous new bloodtrooper units. Our enemies among the Galactic Alliance include Jedi who seek to use and abuse the power of the Force in the self-righteous name of justice. The bloodtroopers will be the counter to that - trained in lightsaber combat as any Force user would be - and able to fight against a Jedi in many unconventional ways on their own terms. The troopers of the Empire will retain their conventional armies as well. Military drills will be run weekly to maintain readiness and ensure that those of you they call the Enigma will be able to defend yourselves and what are now your people from any threat, Jedi, Sith, or neutral."

The hologram zoomed in on the Kessel sector. "To those of you who, even to this, wish that more could be done to fight back or prepare for the next time the prideful seek to hunt us down, I implore you to join me on my flagship, the Ablution. We will be making a trip to the Kessel Sector to begin a new project - one that is based strongly on the scientific studies of arcane knowledge and which, I hope, will succeed in bringing forth the perfect antonym to the Jedi. Where Jedi are peacemakers, they will be soldiers. Where Jedi rely on their powers, they will use whatever tools they can finagle. And where Jedi are nothing without the Force, these men and women will be everything without it."

With nothing more to say, she stayed silent for a moment, before looking the leaders over one last time. "If any of you have any more thoughts, ideas, or input, please see me on the way to the ship. Meeting dismissed." With the meeting concluded, there was the appropriate amount of applause as she stepped down from behind the podium, heading to the Ablution. Now was as good a time as any to mingle.

 

[Darth Moskvin]

Enigma

"Horrors, I believe, should be original--the use of common myths and legends being a weakening influence."
- H.P. Lovecraft -
​

​

O'Death​

Back against a wall, eyes scanning the gathering of people from all franchises, with my left foot propped against said wall, began tapping in rhythm to the tone of the speech. I hated speeches, boring and tedious but at times; necessary. I wasn't here to learn about this or that, who hated who, who loved whom, or the various problems that can, and will, arise from the reformation and combining of two entities to form one scarred version.

I was here because life is trite when you reach my aged existence in a galaxy that has yet to miraculously surprise me with something more entertaining than murder, but I do love a good gossip or hearsay, hence why this was another reason to be here; gossip can be manipulated for self-purposes, if done properly.

If you read between the lies.

"Look Archie," I said patting his feathered head, "Field trip."

I would be lying, as I always prideful do, that I found zero interest in this; I was like a fish....hooked and flayed, ready to be served with all the good garnishments. I was in. But I had less than zero interest to mingle with anyone, living or dead; well, the dead yes, not the living. But Archie told me I should learn to hone my people skills; killing them isn't the correct way to make friends. I hate friends too. So, I murder pridefully. So many pros to having dead friends.

Detaching myself from my friend, the wall, I gingerly motioned as a ghost flowing between walls moving myself into a position to be greeted by any passerby; angst beyond comprehension because I was listening to a bird on the topic of communicating with others. I needed better friends.

Onrai

 

[Saltare Dothon]

Saltare was no fleet admiral, nor did he have any experience maneuvering ships in the void of space, but he was still on the bridge as they jumped haphazardly through hyper-space, looking for a birthing point. It had happened quickly; one day, they were bringing the justice of the Empire to their enemies, and then the next, it was a full-scale breakdown of logistics, command, reinforcements, communications, and anything to do with a semblance of order.

How long the Empire had been propping itself up while rotting from within was beyond his knowledge; he had not dared to look too deeply into the politics of the Empire. Saltare had gone where ordered, dispensed the justice that was necessary, and then returned to rearm, refit, and redeploy where he was needed. That was no longer the case.

As they jumped back to what had been allied systems, the enemy was waiting for them. Mandalorians, Galactic Alliance, splinter groups from other Imperial units, pirates, vagabonds, mercenaries, and anyone with a grudge against the Empire. Saltare's ship, The Hand That Feeds was engaged more times than he could remember by now. Over the last week, it had been battered, bruised, and nearly blown apart by their enemies. It seemed every time they left hyper-space, someone was waiting for them. Torpedoes, turbolaser fire, fighters, other capital ships, and a myriad of other enemies engaged them the second they dropped back into real space.

They searched and searched for a friendly port, but it seemed they no longer had one. Until they received a message:

"COME TO ORD MANTELL"

The codes had checked out; it was an authentic communique from what had been a Dark Empire loyal subject, Vanessa Vantai. So they made great haste to the rendevous. From random jump to random jump, they lost what enemies had been following them before finally limping into the Ord Mantell system. As they re-entered real space, the might of the Empire lay before them.

Broken, lessened, but still mighty. Capital ships, medical frigates, blockade runners, shuttles, fighters, and a myriad of other ships hung in orbit, rearming and refueling. It wasn't long after a call was sent out, and a meeting was headed by Vanessa in front of the majority of the command in the sector.

Saltare listened as she spoke, giving her ideas to the floor, promising to start new units to combat their enemies and to be ready for when the Empire returned. Vanessa brought forward Bloodtroopers, who activated their lightsabers, showing that the Empire still had teeth to fight against the Jedi and the Galactic Alliance. She informed them of something new, promising more information on her flagship, the Ablution. She spoke of what would happen to the ships, the fleet, and the men from here on out, giving them an idea of the road yet to come before she finally ended the meeting.

"What do you think, Salt?" Logan asked him.

"I'm not sure, for once," Saltare replied before sighing. "We've had no contact from higher command about the rest of Inferno Squad. We're rudderless. I don't know what to think of all this, but at least we can keep busy and reconnect with some of our brothers."

"What about her offer on her flagship?" Beth asked.

"Let's figure out who's in command of NAV Spec-Ops and then go from there. I'm not jumping into anything just yet. Are we clear?"

"Affirm."

"Go get some rest," Saltare told both of them, "I'm gonna go meet our new boss and figure out our next steps."

Saltare stepped forward, making a line toward Onrai (Vanessa). He saw her walking with many adjutants before working his way through them and raising his voice, "Ma'am, Saltare Dothon. Inferno Squad. I've just arrived in system and caught the end of your speech. I appreciate your vision for moving forward, but I'm trying to find my station in all this."

Saltare looked around, a little helpless, "I've had no contact from anyone in my chain of command, and frankly, I don't know anyone here. Can you point me in the right direction?"

Darth Moskvin

 

[Box Mattox]

​

Box Mattox looked over the assembled imperials as Onrai laid out her plan for the future.

He was here only by chance. He'd been hired to extract forces before the GA could swallow them up. That job had brought him to Ord Mantell. Perhaps because he had been wearing an Imperial-style uniform, and been carrying Imperial refugees, he'd been invited with the rest of those present.

He should probably just keep his mouth shut.

But he was an Arkanian Warbreed, and social etiquette had not been a major feature of his upbringing.

"I'm only a merc," he intoned, "but it seems to me you folks are half-right and half-wrong."

He nodded to Onrai, "Your idea to form a leaner fleet and stash whatever isn't immediately useful is good. The shape you guys are in, you need things that can be minimally crewed while being maximally impactful. No Star Destroyers, or very few of them. You don't have the forces left to field a thousand walkers.

Better yet, sell the excess materiel for critically needed funds so that you can operate the forces you do have professionally and well."

He paused, then went on.

"But this business about troopers with lightsabers? Look, I'll be the first one to admit lightsabers are scary. But you don't win battles with lightsabers. It's ordinary troops, not Sith or Jedi, that are going to be beating you out there.

You run into a Jedi or some Dark Force cultist, you don't want to get bogged down into a lightsaber duel. You want a flamethrower. Or a grenade. Kill them, move on, take objectives. War is about winning, not fighting."

Having said his piece, he quieted down.

This was probably when he'd be invited to leave. And he would leave. Once the check cleared.


Onrai Darth Moskvin Saltare Dothon

 

[Onrai]

Ord Mantell
Tags: Darth Moskvin Saltare Dothon Box Mattox

A mercenary spoke up, saying his piece. A number of the assembled leaders looked at Vanessa, expecting perhaps a more violent or antagonistic response to Box's comments. Vanessa, however, responded differently.

"These units are hardly intended for conventional operations. Most of the Enigma's forces will remain, for all intents and purposes, conventional. So far as the specific sort of Jedi I'm talking about, take it from someone who'd been having to deal with them for decades - a flamethrower or a grenade isn't enough to stop them." A succinct and simple rebuttal. "What was your name again? I sincerely appreciate your willingness to put forward an opinion." Eyes suggested he could join the rest of them on their sojourn to the Ablution, but whether he chose to or not was another question entirely.

"Ah, Moskvin." Vanessa said, observing the Sith lord lurking against the wall as she finally joined the few who were yet journeying with them to a place yet forbidden. "I'm surprised to see you here, in truth. I expected you'd be with Imperius. He came through the gate with me, so he should be somewhere on-world - unless he's already left for greener pastures." Another voice got her attention - this one more particular, more inquiring of Vanessa herself. A special operations commander, rudderless and in need of direction. Yes, he would definitely be beneficial to her longer term plans.

"From the sound of things, your station is with me. The chain of command has collapsed and we are currently in preservation mode while preparing for the future. I expect you and your squadmates will likely stay in the service under my command as part of the Enigma - with how limited our military action will be for the foreseeable future until the next effectual galactic power rises, units like yours are going to be critical." She said to Saltare, walking along with the others as they continued to talk. "I expect your men will likely take to bloodtrooper training well, though I have a more comprehensive program in mind than mere saber-waving that I think you'll fit in just fine."

 

[Darth Moskvin]

Enigma

"Horrors, I believe, should be original--the use of common myths and legends being a weakening influence."
- H.P. Lovecraft -
​

​

O'Death​

I found it comical, though brazen, that a simple merc would speak so freely; but it was his right to do so, even if it meant risking his tongue cut from his mouth. Onrai was far more patient, and far more pleasurable to deal with than me. If his tone had been directed toward me, I would have acted more differently; violently in fact, his severed fleshy bit floating majestically in a glass jar back home on Dathomir. But he was wise not to do so, directly, though I found many flaws in his words. I decided, I would address that, but not yet.

"Lord Imperius' directive doesn't currently align with mine," I responded, my eyes transfixed on the old man, "Though we are scheduled to meet within a few days. For now, I'm interested in what you are building for the Empire, as my curiosity is always piqued."

It was not by design that I intentionally ignored the other companion, but my words with urging me to spill them from my mouth to remind this old man, this brazen fool, where he stood among the food chain; more importantly, in my food chain.

"You would be well advised not to speak on such matters regarding our state, I don't recall seeing you in the trenches and I certainly do believe you are here seeking to make credits off the backs of what we are rebuilding now. Mercs are never loyal, except to credits. Thats one strike against you."

Clasping my hands behind my back, entwining them together tightly, I continued my berate. "Lightsabers are not scary, it's the beholder of such a beautiful killing machine that makes them scary. In fact, I'm far more dangerous and scarier when not holding my hilts. And you are wrong, Merc, that ordinary troopers will not be beating 'us' out there. I believe when you mentioned the word 'us'...you were referencing the Jedi only. Your apology for misspeaking is accepted.

"Ah, flamethrowers....grenades are simple technological weapons meant to slay one's foe. To time consuming as I shall demonstrate." Switching my focus from this merc to one of the soldiers, I ordered the trooper to retrieve a thermal grenade from his waist belt, activate it, and toss it at me. The moment the order was being followed, I reached out through the Force, gripping the soldier by his throat, raising him up off his feet, providing failure to the soldier's lack of success. Normally, I would have further demonstrated my point by killing our own trooper, but we were in rebuild mode.

"Even someone such as you that holds old eyes in their sockets can see how easily technology can be thwarted by one motion of the mind," I said releasing the soldier. "And again, I will disagree with you, war isn't all about just winning, it's just foolishly and poorly played, there are never winners, only losers. War is the offspring of failed political parents, and that is where winning really matters; slay one of the parents, install fear, and by doing so, you have taught the little mice where they stand in the food chain, war is moot.

"But I wouldn't expect a person of your position whose only loyalty and supportive causes that come with materialistic credibility's to fully understand this concept. And again, I accept your apology for foolishly not understanding."

Saltare Dothon / Box Mattox

 

[The Lord of Hunger]

LOCATION: Ord Mantell
OBJECTIVE: To oversee the creation of The Enigma
IMPORTANT LINKS: Sword | Armor | Jewel | Ring | Necklace | DIII Gluttoneria | The guards | The Enforcer
TAG: Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Darth Callidus | Darth Imperius | Marlon Sularen | Box Mattox | Saltare Dothon

While the avatar of Onrai was crying out, showing her oratory skills in an attempt to not just unify her own followers, but to establish herself as a warlord continuing the legacy of the Dark Empire, the images, the feed of this grand, propagandic speech were picked up by the Gluttoneria, which was on route to combine with the rest of the scattered Armada Gluttoneria. Despite having attempted to stall the collapse of the Dark Empire through joint operations on Ithor and Tython, it was all in vain.

Yet, the Lord of Hunger, with his large network of informants and agents, not to mention his connection to the Sith Ascendant Order stood in a prime position to oversee the gathering of all these likeminded people, these remnants, warlords and fugitives. While the Dark Empire itself may have collapsed, it still had a terrifyingly large military apparatus in the form of the warlords and remnants, bolstered by the Sith Ascendant Order, these remnants and warlords could easily reinstate a new faction if they were to be united on a common line.

Responding to the warcry, the invitation of "Come to Ord Mantell", The Lord of Hunger quickly designated a few of his ships to head back to the Redoubt or former Empire of the Lost space in order to get repairs done, while the sizeable combined fleet of the Armada Gluttoneria plotted a course towards the aforementioned Ord Mantell.

It was thus, that with the thunderous boom of ships entering realspace, the Armada Gluttoneria arrived near Ord Mantell, a couple of Barragan-class vessels, a number of SAO Tyrant-class cruisers and two Claymore-class carriers arrived first, alongside a slew of much smaller frigattes and Corvettes, but eventually it was the massive Gluttoneria itself which like an imposing shadow began to loom over the Ablution as it deactivated its cloaking systems, making it appear as if it manifested itself from thin air.

Standing up from the obsidian throne with electrum detailing and alchemized songsteel etchings, the Lord of Hunger, this time wearing his red cloak and hood, his golden mask and the envirosuit underneath walked over to the center of the bridge, where he activated the massive solid state holowall projectors, opening a channel to the Ablution and in effect attempting to get a communication going with Vanessa Vantai.​

 

[Marlon Sularen]

C A S E_C A N O P I C

EMPIRE REBORN
ORD MANTELL, DEEP CORE

Come to Ord Mantell. It was a message that both intrigued and infuriated Marlon Sularen. In the wake of the Dark Empire's collapse, he had witnessed first had the Galactic Alliance's swarming of the Deep Core, as they raced to retake worlds such as Empress Teta, Prakith and Tython while further engaging in a campaign of de-Imperialization in a bid to erase all traces of the Dark Empire's occupation. Hoping to undermine the transition period and plant the seeds of a potential Imperial resurgence in the Deep Core, the Lord-Regent had sent a call to all active Imperial units across the Deep Core hoping to coordinate with them in order to ensure the survival of the Empire's Legacy there.

However, his call went unanswered and instead was supplanted by another call made by Onrai to go to Ord Mantell and join forces with her. While Sularen and Onrai were on amicable terms and had a working relationship that went all the way back to the Second Great Hyperspace War, the Lord-Regent was somewhat infuriated by this gross overreach of her authority as reports came in of Imperial Military Units heading to Ord Mantell instead of linking up with Sularen. Not to mention it compromised Sularen's own plans to assume control and leadership of all Imperial elements now that both the Dark Empire and Empire of the Lost had fallen apart.

Nevertheless the Lord-Regent decided to put his plans for the Deep Core on pause and head to Ord Mantell, to see what Onrai had in store and set the record straight about the future of the Empire. Long gone were the days were he was considered an outcast within the Imperial community, now he would take command and ensure that all adherents of Imperialism would be subject to his will, just as Talvar had accomplished decades before him.

The INV Sularen's Revenge emerged from hyperspace arriving in orbit of Ord Mantell, followed by the rest of Sularen's Personal Fleet. As Sularen's Fleet arrived, it quickly encountered a large amount of Imperial Naval Warships anchored in orbit of Ord Mantell, which only made the Lord-Regent's blood even boil even more. Even with the collapse of the Dark Empire, Sularen was still the highest-ranking member of the Imperial Military as the Warlord of the Empire and Grand Admiral, with a considerable sway over the Imperial Navy. For a large amount of Imperial Military Assets to ignore his orders and follow Onrai's was outright insubordination.

Within minutes, Sularen had bordered his shuttle and was already on his way towards the 8th Sector Army Barracks were Onrai and other Imperials were currently gathering. He intended to find out what exactly Onrai had planned and ensure that it would not further compromise his own plans for the future. Once his shuttle made landfall right outside the Barracks, the Lord-Regent quickly emerged flanked by his SpecNav Commandos as always, making his way inside the Barracks in search for Onrai.

Upon spotting Onrai, the Lord-Regent promptly rushed forth to approach her before addressing her. "Onrai. It's about time we met" Sularen said, speaking in his usual formal and professional tone although with a hint of frustration considering how her call had delayed his plans to disrupt the transition period that came with the Alliance's takeover of the Imperial Deep Core. "Quite the gathering you have here, although i can't help but noticed you've taken certain liberties with some of my military assets" Sularen said as he briefly took a glance at Saltare Dothon.

Tags | Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Saltare Dothon | Box Mattox | The Lord of Hunger ​

 

[Saltare Dothon]

Saltare listened as Vanessa told him his place was now with her after the Chain of Command had collapsed. His initial thought was to deny that outright and wait for NAV Spec-Ops command to get in touch with him. But would they? As far as he knew, they no longer existed or were destroyed by the GA, Mandalorians, or some other faction during this withdrawal.

"So it would seem," Saltare replied. He sighed before saying, "I'm not sure about that just yet, Ma'am. My troopers serve the Empire, not just a singular being, and I don't know their mindset on abandoning Inferno for another unit. I'll push forward your recommendation, though, and I'll think about it myself. If these new units can help the Empire, that may be our path."

As Saltare finished his speech, the doors to the chamber slid open, and a sharp staccato of boots impacting the floor made a noise all too familiar to Saltare. Marlon Sularen walked into the audience hall flanked by his SpecNav Commandos, searching for something until he landed on Vanessa's face and promptly approached her and Saltare.

Saltare waited for Marlon to finish his initial statement before snapping a crisp salute, "The blame is mine, Lord Regent," Saltare stated to Marlon. "I could get no contact with Command. We've been hounded for days by enemy forces; this was the first bastion of strength we could find to regroup; we await your command."

Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Box Mattox | The Lord of Hunger

 

[Box Mattox]

The Gathering...
____________________________
​

"Box Mattox. Battleborn Company," Box replied when asked who he was. Fair enough question. But the fact that this person didn't know suggested they weren't the one paying the bills.

Box wondered who was. He also wondered if they were still alive, whoever they were.

That was the problem with taking an Imperial contract when the Empire was falling apart. It had been a risk. If he didn't get paid for the evac, he only had himself to blame.

One of the Darths gave a grand speech, picking up a soldier to demonstrate the superiority of the Force. Or maybe the superiority of the Sith. Or maybe just their own personal superiority. Something like that. They were dark and menacing, and manifested all the things which Box had come to associate with Dark Side users.

"You could have just shot him," Box opined, "takes less training. While you're picking him up, what do you suppose his twenty buddies are doing?"

He shrugged, "But you're right about one thing. It's not my place to voice opinions. I evacuated some Imperials from the collapse of the Empire, following that War you were fighting. A War that was not for Winning, I guess, which means you were living up to your convictions.

I'm sure you and your ilk are very scary and wholly intimidating and motivated by far higher ideals than mine. I'll go just as soon as I'm settled up."

New figures came onto the scene. Box looked their way, wondering if one of them was the paymaster.

​

Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Box Mattox | The Lord of Hunger | Saltare Dothon

 

[Onrai]

Ord Mantell
Tags: Box Mattox Darth Moskvin The Lord of Hunger Saltare Dothon Marlon Sularen

"Calm yourself, Moskvin, there's no reason to start an argument with someone when Case Canopic's just been put into effect." Vanessa said, somewhat frustrated to see the strains already beginning to form within her budding coterie of former Imperials. "You're wanting pay for your services. Here's your pay." Vanessa handed him a datapad which requested his signature to confirm the transaction for his service in question.

As she waited for Box to sign it and confirm the deal, she responded to Saltare. "Unfortunately, there is no Empire left to serve. Not yet. The Enigma is the question that will help prepare for the rebirth of the Empire as it should be - It will be the answer. If you desire to keep your unit intact while being provided with the appropriate training and resources we need to provide, I can ensure that happens. Not like we have that many spec ops survivors now, and I wouldn't be surprised if some either go merc or start pursuing their own agendas."

-

Through the holographic display of Credius's warship, the familiar shadowed form of Onrai manifested, a momentary curiosity visible within her obsidian features. "It seems more Imperials are seeking to answer the question of the Enigma every day." She said to him. "The planetary governor is currently on her way, along with other leaders, to the Ablution in preparation for a sojourn to the voids of unclaimed space as part of the next step. I would recommend you join them while your larger warships are appropriately hulked and prepared for storage per Case Canopic. Vanessa is the instrument of my will on Ord Mantell - consider her every bit equivalent to me."

She remained on the call, willing to continue dialogue if he felt it was otherwise necessary.

-

Vanessa eyed Sularen with a soft smile that seemed to return to a level of indifference. "I can agree with that, Admiral, given the last time we met in person was our little sit-down with the leadership of the Diarchy. Fortunately, I doubt they'll be a concern of ours anymore." The two Diarchs were going to require a careful hand, and Onrai fully intended to ensure they were best used to the benefit of the greater anti-Alliance cause as issues arose. She stared at him as he poignantly pointed out that the military units were under his de jure control were now under her direct influence - and as Saltare responded putting the blame on himself.

"You have no blame to share, Saltare." She replied. "You did the right thing by acknowledging the changed circumstances and coming here to be a part of the next step." Turning back to the Admiral, she responded. "There were no liberties taken - the former Imperial military are no one's assets, not yours, nor mine. There's no central authority to acknowledge, nothing we inimically possess to justify our claim over the units in question aside from what benefits we can offer them." She stepped closer to Sully, her voice growing softer. "We're not a civilization anymore. We're a gang, we're on the run, and we have to fight to survive. The Enigma is the first step towards answering the question: 'How does the Alliance fall?' To pretend things are as they were, that we're councilors in an Empire that doesn't exist anymore, is not that answer."

She sighed. "It's like the Maw all over again. Only this time, instead of taking the strappings of my former forces and heading to Otherspace to wait for someone like Solipsis to make a move, I intend to prepare so that when the next Empire rises, it will have the tools at its disposal to accomplish its goals swiftly and without the problems we've suffered before." The human-esque form of the chthonic abomination eyed Sully. "I followed you and the Final Dawn after the Maw collapsed. I followed you as regent of the Empire. As it stands, we need a new approach to prepare for whatever the next step may be - and the Enigma is that. I would certainly be appreciative to continue working with you, but we can't rely on old tricks. Not this time." Without saying it, she was indicating that within the Enigma, were Sularen to join, the power dynamic of who was the leader and who was cooperating would be different. There was no antagonism, explicit or implicit, from Vanessa towards Sully.

She hoped that would hold.

 

[Marlon Sularen]

C A S E_C A N O P I C

EMPIRE REBORN
ORD MANTELL, DEEP CORE

Sularen looked at Saltare Dothon as he spoke to him. It appeared that a lack of communication between High Command and Inferno Squad had led them here. A simple misunderstanding and a reasonable one at that. As such Sularen simply waved away Dothon's apology before speaking. "No apology is required, Dothon. You were only acting based on your current circumstances. For now you should rest and take some time off as we regroup and consolidate more assets for the next operation. There is no need to further exhaust yourself after such heavy fighting" Sularen stated.

Then Onrai proceeded to speak , talking about how he no longer held a claim over the remnants of the Imperial Military now that all Central Authority had evaporated, about how her "Enigma" was the first step towards answering the ultimate question of how the Alliance would fall and proclaiming that she was open to collaboration but that the old methods would no longer work. While she spoke with little hint of antagonism, Sularen knew well what this was : A Soft Coup. And while Sularen might be still oblivious to her plans in the long-term, he now knew what Onrai's immediate intentions : to consolidate as much as she could from the former Dark Empire and take the helm, from him no less.

Setting his frustration concerning Onrai's actions aside, the Lord-Regent was also intrigued by what Onrai's approach would be, especially compared to his own plans for the future of the Empire and his ambitions to establish himself as the sole "Heir to the Empire". So with his hands crossed and an unamused look and indifferent tone the Lord-Regent moved to probe Onrai. "And this approach of yours what is it exactly, Onrai?"

Tags | Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Saltare Dothon | Box Mattox | The Lord of Hunger ​

 

[The Lord of Hunger]

LOCATION: Ord Mantell
OBJECTIVE: To oversee the creation of The Enigma
IMPORTANT LINKS: Sword | Armor | Jewel | Ring | Necklace | DIII Gluttoneria | The guards | The Enforcer
TAG: Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Darth Callidus | Darth Imperius | Marlon Sularen | Box Mattox | Saltare Dothon

I would recommend you join them while your larger warships are appropriately hulked and prepared for storage per Case Canopic. Vanessa is the instrument of my will on Ord Mantell - consider her every bit equivalent to me."

The Lord of Hunger's head tilted ever so slightly, his crimson and golden eyes squinting slightly as his slit pupils narrowed to narry the width of a hair's edge. He felt a pang of disdain within himself, this entity, this 'thing' truly thought he was here to bow down to a mere manifestation of them... such a prepostrous idea.

"You do not seem to grasp the situation at hand, my dear... your actions and those of your manifestation, while useful...do not concern me in the slightest," Taking a step closer to the holographic image of the entity, the monstrous man let out a soft chuckle, eerily cold and certainly not one out of amusement. "While you may be trying to consolidate your power with haste, your efforts in the end will only sow discord and chaos where there should be order. I will support the basic strategic plans you seem to have come up with, but do not in any way think me being here is to bow down and follow your lead."

Another step was made by the Lord of Hunger, while he was somewhat intrigued as to the nature of Onrai 's existence, he did not deem it necessary to kneel or bow to her, nor to acknowledge her as anything above his own power or station. "Timing may be crucial, but you do not possess the necessary pawns to leverage what you are trying to accomplish. A warlord you may become, but an empress...you shall not."

 

[Onrai]

Ord Mantell
Tags: Box Mattox Darth Moskvin The Lord of Hunger Saltare Dothon Marlon Sularen

"Consolidation and stockpiling for one." Onrai replied. "We don't have the resources to sustain an offensive for more than a few weeks - not if the entire Imperial military is to remain active. I'm hulking and storing most of the larger assets so we can build up a fuel and munitions supply for a more modest and manageable flotilla. My intent is to push further towards Wild Space, away from the major powers, so we can build up sustainable infrastructure in the region, perhaps doing to certain systems what I've done to Ord Mantell and the greater Bright Jewel system. From there it's a matter of waiting for a time to see who chooses to step up and try to recreate the Empire - and taking the step myself with the accrued resources at my disposal should no one else truly decide to step forward."

Onrai looked at her current and potentially former associate. "I know what you're planning on doing. You want as much of the Imperial military as possible to continue raiding and assaulting the Alliance while you begin preparations for your own conflicts against them. It's not going to work - you'll start running out of fuel and munitions within weeks, and your position in the Deep Core is untenable given how many roving Alliance fleets are patrolling the area. As is, of the bulk freighters we launched from Tython, about 30% of them were either destroyed or captured by the Alliance, along with whatever was on them. We're lucky that the hypergate was usable and able to get what we were able to save off-planet, otherwise the losses would have been much higher."

She looked back towards the pathway leading to the Ablution. "I've done what I can to help the survivors heal and otherwise mend whatever wounds can be mended from the battles they've fought. With my help they'll be ready for the future. For their sake, don't try to waste them on a foolish act of petty vengeance that will inflict no lasting blows."

-

"If they did not concern you, you would not be here." Onrai said bluntly to the form of Credius. She understood the posturing he was trying to give with his fleet and his personage - he was a Sith after all - but she had little patience for such obvious politicking. "Discord and chaos are already rife within the former Empire, and I am giving that discord order through the most sensible means. I would certainly encourage you to do what you can to assist through cooperating, though I'm not the bowing sort."

Her visage continued to observe the maleficent man in question. "I possess the resources to accomplish preservation of Imperial assets. I would prefer being a warlord to being an empress of an Empire that no longer exists. I understand you have your own agendas - align with me, and perhaps I can help you find the answers to your own enigma."

 

[Box Mattox]

The Gathering...
____________________________
​

"Appreciated," Box said to Onrai as they performed the most critical function any leader could hope to perform: They paid the bills.

"The Battleborn Company will keep taking contracts from Imperials and Imperial remnants as long as the terms of those contracts are honored. So if you think you could use us, here's my Holonet code."

He transmitted the contact frequency and encryption code that would reach his ship, wherever they happened to be in the galaxy.

"I hope you all manage to get this sorted."

That was the honest truth. The Empires of the galaxy had been a reliable source of regular income. If the Empire was reduced to petty warlords, there would be no one left who could afford to contract a company like his.

With that, he turned and began to depart.




Box Mattox Darth Moskvin The Lord of Hunger Saltare Dothon Marlon Sularen Onrai

 

[Marlon Sularen]

C A S E_C A N O P I C

EMPIRE REBORN
ORD MANTELL, DEEP CORE

Sularen listened once more as Onrai spoke, about her plans and highlighting the flaws in Sularen's own plans, or at least the flaws of what she perceived to be Sularen's plans. While it was true he sought to continue the fight against the Galactic Alliance for the sake of preserving the legacy of the Empire and denying them a solid foothold on former Imperial worlds, his vision was far grander then mere raids and assaults against the Galactic Alliance. "You are only half-correct in your assumptions, Onrai. I desire to continue fighting, only because it is the only way to preserve the legacy of the Empire and defend the idea of the Empire from those who would seek to erase it." Sularen proclaimed.

"There are Millions if not Billions of individuals still loyal to the Dark Empire, even if it has collapsed, a considerable portion of them left now stranded in the Deep Core." Sularen explained. "Through them, the Empire will live on throughout the many worlds once controlled by the Dark Empire not by military force but through cultural, political and economic influence. Through them i can raise socio-political movements, and build an underground military-industrial complex that will fuel my Fleet and provide arms to those who might need to defend themselves against the violent retaliation of certain groups like the Galactic Alliance, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders and the Diarchy." Sularen added.

"While your idea of consolidation and stockpiling is sound, you are only giving the enemy more ground to grow stronger. No matter how much infrastructure you build, how much industry you develop you will never match the sheer industrial power of the Galactic Alliance and by electing to simply build a new military-industrial complex outside of former Imperial territory you are simply allowing the enemy to cannibalize what's left of the former Imperial War Machine to boost their own industry, further setting us back even more."

"As for the Alliance Fleet, they are hardly a problem. Space is vast and while their fleets are extremely huge they cannot cover all of their space, especially when they still have the Sith Order and the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders to contend with. A limited military campaign in the Deep Core is still feasible, and considering how the GADF has suffered successive defeats at the hands of Sith Forces, i doubt they could prove to be an effective force that can halt me in my tracks, considering they were never able to retake the Deep Core through military force to begin with."

Tags | Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Saltare Dothon | Box Mattox | The Lord of Hunger ​

 

[The Lord of Hunger]

LOCATION: Ord Mantell
OBJECTIVE: To oversee the creation of The Enigma
IMPORTANT LINKS: Sword | Armor | Jewel | Ring | Necklace | DIII Gluttoneria | The guards | The Enforcer
TAG: Onrai | Darth Moskvin | Darth Callidus | Darth Imperius | Marlon Sularen | Box Mattox | Saltare Dothon

"If they did not concern you, you would not be here."

"Hahahah," Hollow, cold and unnerving was the sound leaving the mask, but nonetheless the eyes behind the visors betrayed a certain degree of amusement after hearing the manifestation of Onrai give her response. "You do have me there...I will admit to that."

Still, his laughter quickly cooled down again, as he tilted his head a bit and started slowly moving around the holographic image of the being who was clearly gathering all the strength of the former Dark Empire she possibly could, completely trying to outmaneuver everyone at the cost of actually gaining a more substantial foothold.

"I will dismiss any arrogance and shortsightedness from your part as long as you can remain blind to my own motives and machinations," Credius let out a rough chuckle, reaching for the massive holographic display of the sector, letting his eyes rest on Ord Mantell and looking over the data KRONOS had gathered and was still filtering through. The presence of the former Lord regent Marlon Sularen didn't seem to help all too much for this Onrai's plans, even if she had herself quite the good cover in the form of her manifestation. "Perhaps I have a more sensible proposal for your plans. Rather than stockpiling and retaining those surplus ships, start salvaging them, break them down into raw components and materials. Use what you can to upgrade and update that which remains. This would allow you to gain a sizeable hoard of spare parts and usable material to maintain your remaining vessels in a fully functional and operational state."

Waving towards the holographic starchart, the Lord of Hunger motioned the apperition to consider his advice carefully. "We can always have the N&Z put up some storage facilities in the region, protected under their status as a free trading company... my...Child may see to it that all this can be done without too much notice within the books of the N&Z. Should you be in the need of fuel...perhaps we could see to it that the dependancy on Rhodium and tibanna gas can be exchanged for Noxinium B, which is a fuel I can readily turn to in large quantities to fulfill your needs."

 

[Darth Moskvin]

Enigma

"Horrors, I believe, should be original--the use of common myths and legends being a weakening influence."
- H.P. Lovecraft -
​

​

O'Death​

I could only grin, attempting to hide my dark humor, and even dangerous playful nature after Onrai asked me to calm myself. I am always calm; that's the nature of my twisted being. But I gave a polite bow to the manifested female, saying, "You know me, I try to play well with others." And now I turned back to the merc, Box Mattox , after he spoke back to me, now opting to allow his words to melt away like the rotting flesh of the dead. But he wasn't quite off the hook; yet.

"Before you depart, with our credits, a question for you."

Moving with long strides, I intercepted him before he could go any further, standing over the man by a couple of feet, my phantom-like presence casting my evil shadow down upon him. "Perhaps you and I got off to a rather shaky start, and I forgive you for your part. Now to my question," I spoke with a creeping smile curling up along my lips. "I would like to know your stance on morality?" It was a simple, but extremely loaded question, I posed to the old man. There were certain, opportunities, for him if he answered the question to my liking. I learned a long time ago, why muddy your hands in the blood of others, when you can have another do the nasty work for you.

The Lord of Hunger / Darth Callidus / Marlon Sularen / Darth Imperius / Saltare Dothon

 

[Box Mattox]

The Gathering...
____________________________
​

Box was in the process of leaving when that slinky Darth stepped into his path.

She seemed to be the sort that liked to steep themselves in menace.

Our credits, she said. As though he hadn't earned them. As though the Battleborn hadn't bled for them. But he didn't retort. Part of doing business meant tolerating all sorts of behavior from your clients.

I forgive you for your part, she said, turning the screws a bit more.

Then she asked the question. "I would like to know your stance on morality?"

Box met her gaze and lingered there for a long moment.

"Morality is for philosophers. But if this is a business inquiry, you should know that the Battleborn charge extra for work outside of our remit. We shoot at people who can shoot back at us. If you want us to do something like slaughter civilians, you're better off keeping that in-house so you can afford it.

And we don't take slaves. Not at any price."

He waited to see if she had any follow-up inquiries.



The Lord of Hunger / Darth Callidus / Marlon Sularen / Darth Imperius / Saltare Dothon | Darth Moskvin

 

[Onrai]

Ord Mantell
Tags: Darth Moskvin Box Mattox The Lord of Hunger Darth Callidus Marlon Sularen Saltare Dothon Darth Imperius

"You can, certainly." Vanessa replied, addressing Sully's suggestion he could use the former Imperial citizenry now under Alliance control to foment insurrection. "But you'll need to undermine the authority of the Alliance, and with all due respect, that's easier said than done. The GA has the ability to effectively repair damage to its infrastructure from sabotage, and to counterbalance your fleet - which is, truthfully, not suited for guerrilla warfare. Add to that the fact that you have nothing better to offer the citizenry than Alliance rule, and the worlds will be good as lost - the majority of people are apathetic to causes like this as long as their bellies are full, their credits come in, and they can enjoy the pleasures of life."

"So far as the former Imperial military complex - I'm not intending on simply abandoning our worlds, though I hardly view the Neo-Crusaders or the Diarchy as a problem right now. That said, I don't intend to simply wait for them to get snatched up by some galactic power whose territory remains integrated. The infrastructure I develop will be put to use immediately and will be far outside the reach of the Alliance - albeit more practical than relying on access to Otherspace."

To the latter point, she laughed. "And yet here they are, with the Deep Core in their hands and nothing in ours. But suppose I want to fuel your ambitions - I certainly am in no position to stop you and whoever's still loyal to your cause from continuing to fight. I have a project in mind, and it will save you whenever the rope is tightened too harshly around your fleet's throat."

-

"I am only a pragmatic goddess, Credius." Onrai said. "It's what people deserve."

In response to his suggestion, she gave a barely visible smile. "We already have a stockpile of raw materials available to me courtesy of access to... certain sensitive locations, forgotten by some and others. Rest assured, the hulks will be processed as needed and whatever remains in service will be refitted as necessary. I would be supportive of these storage facilities being established within the region - Ord Mantell is an exporter of a variety of useful goods, including power cells, fuels, and alloys. I'm sure the particulars of the deal will be easy for you to hash out with Vanessa."