Dominion The Past Reveals The Future | First Order Dominion of Isis

[Resurgent Narrative]

FIRST ORDER DOMINION OF ISIS

The efforts of the FOSB and High Command has paid off. A visit to the Anthan Prime resort, and a meeting with a mysterious information broker, has revealed another piece of the shadowy threat that works on the edges of First Order space. The Ante’s information has indicated a high degree of interest on a difficult-to-reach planet, Isis, which is a sprawling crystalline world known for mining back centuries ago. And, now, it may also hold the secret behind the disappearance of First Order patrol fleets.

On the pink-hued crystalline world, there exists a long-abandoned Rebel Base from the Galactic Empire era… but it shows evidence of more recent use, especially tachyon particle trails from Imperial-design vessels. It is inside this Rebel Base that small fluctuations in power readings have been discovered, and the First Order must infiltrate and recover that information source. The only obstacle in their way, is the monstrously large crystalized worms that burrow beneath the planets surface - grown to colossal sizes over generations - and which attack anything that lands or otherwise touches down onto the world.

Though, High Command has devised a plan: While the First Imperial Navy secures and defends from orbit, heavy artillery and walkers will be deployed on the nearby crystal plains to distract the monstrous worms, allowing a small team to infiltrate into the old Rebel Base to secure the information the First Order needs...
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There is information in the Rebel Base. We need it. Get in there, overcome any security measures, and download those datafiles - this is of vital importance, and others will be working hard to keep your path clear.​

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Tasked with distracting the giant crystal worms that range from dozens of meters to hundreds of meters, all the heavy equipment has been approved. Bring the largest planet-faring gear and equipment you can find - you'll need it, to hold out against the worms and to keep the attention off the rebel base!​

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The First Order doesn't know what to expect in the Isis System. You are tasked with maintaining security and defense of the planet and the surrounding space. Starfighters, Star Destroyers, emergency shuttle crews, all of you are needed to keep the way secure.​

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Bring your own objective.​

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[Calran Bard]

The pink-hued crystal planet below had been ominous from orbit, Bard had thought. He wasn't usually one to care too much about the location he was sent to fight at, but something about the eerily smooth and barren plains, of flat crystal, just... made him uneasy. Not to mention the supposed crystal worms that snaked throughout beneath the surface.

Those didn't sound fun.

In fact, those same worms were the reason that the 105th had been tasked differently for the mission. There were still ground squadrons, on various vehicles that the First Order had available for more difficult terrain or situations, but Bard had been assigned a surprising - albeit happy one - monster of his own: an AT-M6.

So, when the landing transport touched down, essentially plopping the hugely armored and armed walker onto the crystal planet, Bard could only exhale slowly as the excitement passed through him. It had been something of a dream for a while to get behind some of the bigger terrain vessels, he had done some commander training to be prepared just in case, and now it was finally time.

"This is Major Bard, we've successfully landed, beginning our walker start up protocols now," The Major reported over the comm, once the shaking and stability of the AT-M6 had been reestablished from the touchdown. "I want sensors active now, we do not want to be caught by surprise from those crystal worms. One-oh-five, report in with alternate vessel statuses."

A number of replies came through, as more and more terrain forces were landed, the transports working efficiently going back and forth from battlefield to warship overhead. Some of the legion were on speeders, others were in tanks, and even some had been assigned to other heavy walker variants. The lives of the troopers were important, despite what some thought, so High Command had ensured to give all ground forces what they needed to do as well as they could against the giant worms.

Bleh. Worms.

It was about to begin, though, as the crystal plains ahead showed some signs of movement and tremors from beneath the surface...

"And here we go."

______________________________

Rolf Amsel | Vakim Duval | Zsuzsa​

 

[K-0K0]

[SDr] VERSION_7;DAT. 235//K-0K0
DISPLAY.DATA//113M-e
sensors=active; data-uplink=;active; operation-status=active;
function=security; permissions=enforcement; combat-mode=allowed;
interaction-disposition="pleasant";

▶ LOCATION: ISIS
▶ OBJ: ASSIST WITH SECURITY​

The small number of transport shuttles sliced down through the atmosphere, as they cut across the sky amid the larger transports that brought down heavy artillery and walkers and other vessels for ground combat. There were reports of impressively large worms beneath the crystalline Isis surface, of which K-0K0 had had little time to assess and quantify as a security risk - needless to say, the droid was not happy, if it even could be, but were it possible then the KX-series droid was not.

"I estimate our odds of avoiding notice are actually quite high," K-0K0 said to no one in particular, as it stood in the rear of one of the infiltration team transports. Others were seated, but the superior strength afforded the droid enabled it to remain standing, with hand attachment grasping overhead railing. "So long as the heavy vehicles continue to maintain suitably obvious and seismic appropriate presences, this droid expects the base infiltration to go according to plan. Assuming native invertebrates, which do not possess nor have developed vertebral columns derived from the notochord, have not occupied the facility."

K-0K0 did some quick estimates, as the shuttle began to descend and touch down at the base of an ancient looking structure.

"As one of the designated security units for this mission, this unit would ask that flesh-based lifeforms take care, so as to avoid being crushed or injured by your factual frailty," The KX-series droid turned its blue optics to one side, as the transport touched down, and the doors opened to allow others exit. "Ah, good. Also avoid dying, if you could... it would most certainly make this unit's task easier."

With a hunch, K-0K0 stepped under the low (for it) exit doorway, then stood up to full height as sensors and scanners within its body began to take in the location. There would probably be need for some personnel to begin breaching procedure, as the old facility looked to be quite sturdy and the front entry sealed with crystal that had slowly crept up the doors.

"This unit will maintain guard, while others breach the crystal on the entry passage."

And with that, K-0K0 turned and then remained motionless, as it stared out for danger behind the group of infiltrators...

-​

 

[Aktur Seii]

"BLACK FIVE"​

TIE/vn Starfighter​

SHIELDS (100%)​	HULL (100%)​
██████████​	██████████​

STARFIGHTER SYSTEMS: ■■ Adv Sensor Array ■■ Stealth Generator MISSILES: ​

OBJECTIVE 3
Defend
​

Seated in the cockpit of the TIE/vn starfighter, Skash bopped his head and tapped his fingers on the flight seat, as he waited for his orders to come through. He was still in the hangar of FIV Courageous, and couldn't wait to get out into the fight. It wasn't so much that Skash had the compelling urge to explode giant crystal worms, so much as it was the compelling urge to explode things. But he couldn't deny the giant worms were up there, top five probably.

In his time with Black Squadron, the rookie pilot liked to think he had started to prove himself. Granted, he had been skipped for promotion, and his fellow pilot Jaida had been given that honor, but it didn't mean Skash was lacking. Or so he hoped. It was hard to tell, really, since the First Order tended to be really uptight and stiff-lipped, so few said what they meant and stuff - and the pilot had always had issues understanding the subtle or context of meanings.

Say what you think, easy!

Nonetheless, Skash's attention went back to his mission loadout. He had been given some seismic detonators, and some proton torpedoes, and some other fun explosive toys. The outline for his task had been to be on hand, for if the terrain group began to become overwhelmed by worm attacks. It sounded gross. The other task was to be prepared to reroute, and reinforce the fleet, should anything 'untoward eventuate and present itself as a viable threat to the warships'... or whatever some officer had mumbled.

Long story short: Blow up worms, and be ready to blaze for space if enemies showed up.

Simple.

Easy.

Just like Skash liked it.

"Black Five checking in, again," The rookie said into his helmet comm, as he sighed and slumped to one side, the plastoid casing bumping on the flight chair headrest. "All systems green. Confirmation of status: hurry up and wait."

Maybe if he was lucky, some of the other pilots in Black Squadron would be chatty. Skash liked to chat, it made him feel connected to his fellow pilots, and gave him an outlet to relieve his energy...

Jaida Tess | Crix Helsing | Charlotte Reed​

 

[Zakar Vass]

Moff Vass stepped off gingerly walked down the ramp of one of the infiltration team's transport, making sure to wrap a cloth around his face as he surveyed the landscape of Isis. He studiously ignored the curious glances of the team as he surveyed the entrance, grown over with crystal. To be fair, his presence was more then...a surprise.

The Korun, at his core, was a scholar, a student of history. And when this mission came across his desk, he firmly and ferociously lobbied for inclusion on the strike force. An intact, pre-Gulag Plague structure was virtually unheard of. The unclassified information alone could shed a light on how their forebears lived, and fill in some gaps. Thus, he had tagged along to ensure the preservation of all historical artifacts within.

"As one of the designated security units for this mission, this unit would ask that flesh-based lifeforms take care, so as to avoid being crushed or injured by your factual frailty," The KX-series droid turned its blue optics to one side, as the transport touched down, and the doors opened to allow others exit. "Ah, good. Also avoid dying, if you could... it would most certainly make this unit's task easier."

Zakar snorted. These KX-series droids always had some interesting...quirks, to say the least. He turned his focus to the door again, stretching out with Force. Distantly, he could feel the hunger of the worms. Hopefully, they could avoid them. More immediately, he could probably do something to assist with the breaching efforts. Unclipping his saber, he made his way over the door.

Jaida Tess | Crix Helsing | Charlotte Reed | Aktur Seii | K-0K0 | Calran Bard

 

[Charlotte Reed]

FIV COURAGEOUS
CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS

The crystalline world of Isis hung low in the viewport of Charlotte's quarters, enigmatic and dangerous and remote. When worlds were enigmatic and dangerous, Charlotte preferred them to be remote. She took one of the toast 'soldiers' and dipped it into the boiled egg (held upright in a small porcelain cup) before taking a delicate bite. She was not yet on duty, but the time was rapidly approaching. She finished her toast and egg, then drained her coffee before standing from her small dining table.

The door chimed and she called out for whoever it was to enter. Her aide entered and snapped a salute as Charlotte was shrugging into her uniform jacket. "Good morning, ma'am," said Eloise Grant.

"Good morning," said Charlotte. She finished buttoning her jacket and glanced in the mirror before heading for the door. "Anything I need to know about the watch?"

"No, Captain," said Eloise. "Black Squadron is ready to dust off for their mission. "Commander Exiter wondered if you'd like to give the order."

"Not necessary, but since I'll be there anyway. Tell me, Lieutenant, and be honest. Is Exiter a little gunshy?"

Grant paused, pressing the tubrolift button as she thought about the question. "I don't know about gunshy," said Grant after a few moments of contemplation. "Perhaps a little concerned about overstepping his bounds."

"For heaven's sake," she said with exasperation. "He's the XO. Someone has to make decisions if I'm asleep. Or dead." She frowned and ran a finger along one eyebrow as the turbolift raced towards the bridge. A moment later, she emerged onto the bridge with Eloise Grant in tow.

"Captain on the bridge!" barked one of the officers on deck. The crew came to attention. "As you were," Charlotte said, the turned to Grant and nodded her off. The Lieutenant nodded and returned to her station. Charlotte approached the XO, Commander Exiter, and nodded. "Quiet watch?" she asked.

"So far," said Exiter. "Black Squadron is preparing for launch. Would you like to clear them?"

Charlotte opened the watch log at the command table and began scrolling through the records. "You can do that, Exiter. It's still your watch for three minutes more." She glanced up at Exiter briefly, who swallowed and nodded. The clearance to launch was transmitted; Black Squadron could approach when ready.

Captain Reed finished her examination of the logs and the turned to Exiter. "I have the watch, Commander Exiter. You are relieved." Exiter saluted and Reed returned it. A new entry generated in the log as the bridge's intercom announced: "Captain Reed has the deck. XO Exiter stands relieved." Reed clasped her hands behind her back and cleared her throat. "Right. Get me a system-wide sensor sweep and check in with our units on the ground to see if there's anything we can do to support."

Aktur Seii | Jaida Tess | Crix Helsing | Calran Bard | K-0K0 | Zakar Vass​

 

[Delilah Graham]

FIV AUDACIOUS
ISIS ORBIT - PART OF THE 7TH FLEET

God, that's good, Delilah thought as she set down her coffee. There was something about the coffee served by the Navy stewards that almost made traveling aboard the FIV Audacious worth the time and trouble -- almost. Perhaps it was cosmic radiation or solar winds or vacuum-packing, but the coffee aboard ship was something to look forward to. The only trouble was that they refused to share their sources and as Home Secretary, Delilah had little position to pull rank on a ship that was funded by the Ministry of Defense, reporting up to the Allegiant General himself.

She supposed she could send one of her spies to find out, but -- it seemed rather underhand to spy on one's own teammates.

Still, Delilah didn't take it off the table. Instead, she poured herself another cup and activated her holocommunicator, opening a channel to two of her agents on the ground.

>> HOLO.ENCRYPT//113M-ejj--; data=ghosted; data-uplink=secure; masking-status=active; function=security; permissions=limited;]​

Agent Frost. Agent Queen. Welcome to Isis. As you are no doubt aware by now, Isis is a crystalline world hidden away from the galactic mainstream here in the fringes of the Ivax Nebula. The surface consists mainly of crystalline mountains and spires, which in addition to being beautiful, are also known to cause refractions of sunlight that result in many rainbows across the sky. My advice would to wear light-reflecting, U/V protective glasses while outdoors.

While the planet is not as well-hidden as historical information suggests it once was, it is certainly off the beaten path. Be aware that outside the cities, a species of worm is known to ravage anything that lands on the planet. For that reason, please do not leave the city by foot, landspeeder, or other ground-based vehicle without authorization. The city of Neskroff is the only location we know to be reasonably safe from crystal worm attacks.

We have traced certain signatures to the planet, but we need more information to assist with the identification and location of the vessels and their crews. Your assignment is to liaise with the locals in Neskroff and determine what, if anything, they know about recent comings and goings to the planet and find out if anyone out of the ordinary has been through the city recently. You will be undercover and will not identify yourself as agents of the First Order. You have your false identities available, but the strategy you use to investigate is up to you.

If you have no questions, I'll leave you to prepare. Graham, out.

Adrian Cassidy | Virginia Schnapp​

 

[Crix Helsing]

Hangar, FIV Courageous | Cockpit
Status: Pre-Flight
-
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The seat of his newly assigned TIE was stiff, yet to be worn in no doubt. In fact, he noted, it must have been right off the production line. With an incredulous smirk he peeled back a plastic covering protecting one of the display panels in front of him. "Nothing like new ship smell." he spoke quietly to himself. The rookie pilot had just finished his pre-flight check and aside from a pesky variable attenuation in the port side solenoid, everything appeared in working order. He'd have to get in there with a spanner if he wanted to lock that down any further and now was not the time. Double checking a few hoses and cables he reached up to his helmet, slipping it down over his head and pressing a button on the panel to his left. A hydraulic whoosh was audible as he breathed in the first of his on-board air supply. Backup Air Supply, check. he noted.

"Black Five checking in, again," ~ "All systems green. Confirmation of status: hurry up and wait."

"Looks like I'm not the only one who's eager to get out there." he mumbled again to himself.

:: Black Three, Comm Check. Systems are go. ::

Jaida Tess | Aktur Seii | Charlotte Reed ​

 

[Jaida Tess]

"BLACK LEADER/ONE"​

TIE/vn Starfighter​

SHIELDS (100%)​	HULL (100%)​
██████████​	██████████​

STARFIGHTER SYSTEMS: ■■ Adv Sensor Array ■■ Stealth Generator MISSILES: ​

OBJECTIVE 3
Defend
Launching from the FIV Courageous
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The First Order's elite TIE fighter unit known as Black Squadron was in flux as changes in personnel had occurred recently. Pilots came and went all the time for various reasons: death, discipline, transfer, promotion. It was just the way of things in the Starfighter Corps, not unlike the other branches of the military. Long timers in this game were the rarity as the career of an aviator was hard and most often cut short. But if one's skill kept them alive long enough, they would be rewarded for their dedication. For some though, it was just plain luck they survived at all. The daughter of the infamous Daska Tess known as the "Ice Princess" was a little of both camps.

The Black Squadron roster was ever-changing and a continual work in progress as every good commanding officer knew it would be given all the variables. Running a well-oiled unit would now fall upon the shoulders of seasoned TIE pilot Jaida Tess. The newly minted Flight Captain, who had the callsign of Black Eleven during the last tour of duty, was appointed the coveted mantel of Black Leader by the brass. The former CO of Black Squadron, Captain Kim Dae-Hyun, had rotated out and was moving on to bigger and better things... Or so she was told by those in the know. For all Jaybird knew, he was on some beach relaxing with one of those umbrella drinks in his hand and a beautiful woman lounging next to him living the good life without a care in the world. If only, right? Hopefully, the young Tess' mentor would enjoy his time where ever he ended up. Kim deserved that at least. He earned some peace and to have a little fun. Life was just too damn short not to.

But unfortunately, after the annihilation of Csilla, that kind of scenario for the rest of them would be a far fleeting dream, though one could hope for better days ahead. Captain Tess had been read in and knew High Command was planning for a possible all-out war with the Brothers of the Maw. With that knowledge, It was good to have something to look forward to when this was all done so the Dosuunian kept a small holopic of her favorite vacation spot pinned to the side of the TIE/vn's flight console.

Someday...

Comm traffic echoed in her flight helmet and brought the blonde out of her wishful thinking and back to the current task of hand - the Isis Mission. Jaida listened to the squadron call in their individual statuses... and impatience at the delayed launch. Skash had to have a touch of ADD or ADHD. He was always antsy to get going or do things with an impish style. The Captain wondered idly what type of pilot Crix would turn out to be in the end. Being CO she would soon find out as this was her first mission leading the squadron. Hopefully, she'd not have another hotshot to worry about.

<"Black Leader is green to go as well... Listen up, Black Squadron. After we are airborne, split up into your wing pairs and escort the transports down. We will be giving close air support to our troops on the ground once they deploy unless we are recalled topside. Be mindful of the width and height of the canyons as well as those worms. They can propel themselves quite a ways upward from their burrows I understand. Also, reminder communication and sensor disruptions may be an issue due to the mineral and ore content in the crystal formations on Isis,"> Jay conveyed some parameters to her pilots, then there was more comm traffic. This time from the bridge. The order to launch had finally been given.

Wonder what took them so long to do so...

<"Roger that, Flight Control. Black Squadron is ready for launch sequence," she answered, then toggled back over to the squadron's frequency. <"Launch is a go, folks. Stay frosty. Good hunting.">

Gloved hands reached forward and grasped the dual-stick controls of the TIE fighter with nervous anticipation of what was to come next. This was the hardest part - the process to get released from the rack and flung out of the hangar bay into the void of space. Jaida took a deep breath and let it out slowly as Black One would be first out.

A few seconds later, the Captain was pressed back hard into her pilot seat when the tractor beam took hold of the Dosuun-born's ship and the fighter catapulted forward, to be a half-second later propelled even faster by an additional kick of the Interceptor's afterburner by her guidance. The hangar bay wall rushed past the blonde's forward, circular viewport with rapidly increasing speed, then there was that familiar crackle of the containment field and the noise of displaced air ceased as the blackness of space embraced her craft.

Easing back on the Vendetta's throttle, Jaybird leaned her TIE/vn space superiority fighter into a long, sloping turn with keen steel blue orbs checking the Combat Multiview Display to make sure she knew what was on the sensors before lining up in a portside escort position of one of the vessels transporting Walkers and Stormtroopers for the ground offensive on the old Rebel base.

Situational awareness was keen before engaging any further. So far, things were looking good.

Aktur Seii (Black Five)| Crix Helsing (Black Three) | Charlotte Reed (Ship Captain)​