The Wheel of Fortune (SSC Dominion of The Wheel Hex)

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 2:

Despite the bracelet she wore, Sorel was outfitted in an environment suit that protected her from the scorching heat and noxious atmosphere of the cave.

The droid with her scanned the area.

"Based on the data I am receiving," the droid intoned, "eighty-two percent of the ore is capable of being purified into weapons-grade cortosis shield."

Sorel gave a nod of satisfaction. She was no armour maker, but there was always a need for cortosis.

Strewn about the superheated tunnel were broken borer bits, expended gasifiers, and clogged filtration masks, all abandoned by an exploratory team that had sunk the shaft years before. Why they had abandoned it was a worry to Sorel, so she kept her wits about her. A find like this would not be given up without a good reason.

 

[Matsu Ike]

5/25
New Holstice Construction

There was much more happening and Matsu had a small look on her face. She could feel some of the other jedi in the system including her padawan as they all worked on the operations here. She'd have to ensure that Sorel had all of her things ready for review as she was one of the most promising servants of the lightside before the jedi master saw the transport arriving. They would be bringing in the nice and very useful supplies from the factory and colonization ship by the hospital while the teams here continued to raise up and work on the temple near the monument. It brought some of her interest around though working on parts of it as they were sending an operator to the wheel to aid there and get a nice storefront that the business could expand with and offer food or supplies to those who needed them and not just the super rich. "Continue the efforts and you are all doing very well."

 

[Kei Amadis]

New Holstace
Possible site for an outpost or construction, somewhere behind [member="Matsu Ike"]
1/25

Off at the back somewhere out of events. Combat camouflaged training slacks, undercover, no sign of a saber or blaster, sporting grizzle enough to call itself a small beard, one unfamiliar face was huddled around a group of traders sent from the wheel. Being Kei he wasn’t exactly showing off the better traits of being a Jedi Master, when push came to shove quite literally from within crowd. One devaronian lumbered through knocking one of the smaller workers off his feet and the Epicanthix’s group back a step. Kei had of course not pushed back on a reflex, but instead calmly used the force to slowly deter the individual from knocking any other unfortunate over, putting him straight into the nearest crated bundle of straw and other foodstuffs with a slight trip of the feet. Now decorated in passing vegetables and greeted by a laugh or two the Devaronian seemed to be reconsidering his pace, and joined in with a pointed comment, or three about the nature of the force, from his horizontal perspective.

“Be mindful of your steps, there is no rush.” Kei said not hiding his broad grin, and got something resembling a piece of green fruit thrown at him, everyone here had worked together for more years than he could count, they were family, even the Devaronians.

Kei being kei had as usual been doing something on the far reaches of the rim for force knows how long, force knows where. Though why he had been away for so long was a question best left to someone who had patience enough to ask, which isn’t this narrator, yet anyway. Most of the old crew had been away with him, and the wildcards had been more absent than ever, he looked a good deal older, not merely in years so much as weariness, was that a grey hair?

“Master Ike.” Amadis said with a small clearing of the throat, almost military in his address to her, but an informal grin ready to decide the course of his expression.

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Location: Centares - Aboard the Liberator
Objective: Freespace Rangers checking out rumors of slavers in the sector
Allies: SCC [member="Valiens Nantaris"]
Post: 2/25

Cambria stood off to the side of Jedi Master Valiens Nantaris with her lekku twitching thoughtfully as he pointed out the locations of the missing Centarians on the holomap before them; her golden gaze analyzing the information presented. It was a pattern the Twi'lek Guardian had seen time and time again dealing with slavers meaning there was most likely a base of operations on the planet to process those taken to become slaves.

"I concur, sir. We should definitely send teams down to flesh these incidents out more. I have a sneaking suspicion the unknown fleet the Coalition forces are engaging presently may be connected. I mean that is a lot of fire power just out for a Sunday drive through the sector. My guess is they have a base of operations here, which we should seek out and destroy forth with, and any citizens being held freed before the slavers can get them off planet and/or out of the system," the blue-skinned Jedi Knight offered to both Nantaris and his second in command, Raloph Scindia.

 

[Cathbodua]

6/25
New Holstice

"How do the crystal chambers look?" She said it while they were working, for a great combination of the things they could work with. She had the crystals of fire that Sakura had developed for its jedi healers as the teams were moving. Their hospital ships a major part of it while they stacked a few of the cubes and were handing them out. The production of more medical crystals that went into the gloves was also a priotiry as just like in the lab on Zygerria and its medical center they could experiment and produce new medical technologies. "Have the agri station send down one of the modules and nysillin seeds. We'll be able to start those being planted and the water systems quickly." She was taking care with some of it as the field medics stayed alert and ready loading the field kits they were working on into the crates.

 

[Matsu Ike]

7/25
New Holstice construction
[member="Kei Amadis"]

There was a voice she had not heard in a long time as it came to her ears and her senses felt something... a presence she had not felt since. Matsu turned to see Kei and had a grin on her face as he was here and able to help with many of the things. All of the attention for the construction efforts were making this into a very nice thing. "It is good to see you master Amadis, welcome to what will hopefully be the first of many. We are constructing it with some of the things we learned from reconstructing Exis Station. Massive blocks and a cityscape designed to house millions instead of just a few. We can make it everything the order needs for living and training, an advanced and large medical area, research and development with ship cradles for construction of new model prototypes ships."

 

[Audren Sykes]

LOCATION: Bal’demnic
OBJECTIVE: Cortosis
POST: 1

Could he forge anything? No, not yet. That said, the mineral cortosis was always useful and it was available in abundance here on Bal'demnic. They didn't quite have rights to pursue this kind of thing yet. The Heavenshields were meeting with the natives though, which meant it was highly likely such rights would be granted. People had a tendency to agree with the highest-ranked Jedi in the Sanctum.

Audren didn't know the specifics of the planet's history. He was aware that the Sith had originally discovered it, or at least been informed of the discovery and prevented the Jedi of the time from learning about it. There had also been a major fight during the Clone Wars, but that had resulted in the natives repelling both factions. Nothing else. Well, nothing else other than the fact that there was plenty of cortosis still remaining in the crust. Theoretically, the Sephi would be able to grab enough for himself right now and potentially lay claim to a vein as well. A mine would be an interesting addition to Ceredir, but a full-fledged mining operation would likely have to wait for more income. You could only spend money you had, after all; doing anything else resulted in debt, something he personally wanted to avoid.

 

[Fyor Nayus]

2/25
New Holstice Construction
[member="Matsu Ike"]

“And you.” Kei replied to her, grin braced to reaffirm how good it was to see his old friend, as always it had been too long and his old sentimental self was happy to show the relief for making contact with the order and a friend, yep that was definitely a bit of silver coloring the front of his chin. Standing beside Matsu the grizzled veteran scratched his beginners beard and Kei nodded in his usual non burst of conversation, “sounds, big.” Taking it all in. A moment of awkwardness passed as the Epicanthix rolled up his sleeves and got to work with the force assisted fetching and carrying of good and materials. However, thankfully our Jedi Master was saved from his lack of engineering expertise as the first of the old crew stepped forth to bring his own zest for life to the project.

Fyor our resident savant engineer was suitably energetic at the site and scale of the construction and you might swear the girl he was flirting outrageously behind the pair was non other than little ms Kerrigan, though as she scurried off so we might never know, especially with the grand sweeping gesture he brought forward next to distract passing onlookers in an over exaggerated bow

“The architecture is most impressive Master Matsu! It looks second, no third generation Voss by in its influence, yet I do notice the subtle reinforcing of the foundations to carry the sheer volume of the cityscape you propose. Might I offer my own suggestions on the supporting footer for load bearing, I have intently been working on my own composite mix which may most assuredly come in handy.”

Fyor of course, took no breath as he spoke, afterwards remembering to inhale, something an astute eye may or may not catch, as he stood from his elongated bow his own beard was twice the length of Kei’s, did nobody aboard shave these days? He was as always covered in technological wizardry, and quite a few gadgets that probably did nothing whatsoever to anyone but the most devout technocrat-like decision making in his day to day work.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 3:

Sorel studied the screen affixed to the droid's flat head. It displayed a map of the probe's movements and a graphic analysis of its penetrating scans, which reached clear to the upper limits of the magma chamber.

"The probe is running an analysis," the droid updated.

With the reciprocating sounds of the probe's hydraulic jacks echoing in the crystal cave, Sorel began to circle the shaft, only to come to a sudden halt when the drilling ceased.

"Why has it stopped?" she asked.

The droid's reply was immediate. "The probe informs me that it has discovered a pocket of gas directly beneath the borehole." The droid paused, then added: "I'm sorry to report, ma’am, that the gas is a highly combustible variant of lethane. The probe unit predicts that the heat generated by its hydraulic jacks will ignite an explosion of significant magnitude. My own programming corroborates the fact that it is not unusual to find pockets of lethane in close proximity to cortosis ore."

"Query the probe about excavating around the lethane pocket," Sorel said.

"The probe unit recommends employing that very strategy, ma’am. Shall I order it to proceed?"

"Task the probe to proceed," Sorel said. When the hammering recommenced, she fixed her gaze on the display screen to monitor the probe's progress. "Tell the probe to stop," she said after only a moment had elapsed.

Sorel shook her head. "The map indicates a more massive concentration of lethane in the area where it was drilling."

"You're correct, ma’am,” the droid said in what amounted to dismay. "I will order the unit to halt all activity."

And yet the hammering continued.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Diplomatic Mission
Post: 2

The Oathkeeper approached Kon'meas Spaceport as the two stood watching by the viewport, his arms still around his beloved. Thurion placed kiss behind her ear. "He knows we love him. He knows Nina and Mysa adore him. He won't do anything to jeopardise that," he whispered just as the ship's landing gears extended and touched ground, letting them know it was time to go. Before releasing Coci from his embrace of her, Thurion turned her around and kissed her softly on the lips. "Come on," he told her. "Let's go do what we came here to do." Taking her by the hand, the two made for the exit, leaving Teetoo to tend for the ship in their absence. As they passed the astromech droid, Thurion gave it a pat on the head. "Take care of our ride home, won't you, buddy?" Teetoo let fly a couple of cheerful beeps and boops moments before the two stepped outside.

As they did, they were greeted by a proud member of the Kon'me species. Thurion smiled and bowed respectfully as is the Jedi way. "We thank you, Slarsh, on behalf of the Silver Sanctum Coalition. We hope these talks will prove fruitful for all parties involved." Taking Coci's hand once more, the two followed the reptilian to where the leaders had all gathered. His senses remained perked for any anomalies as they left the spaceport; meetings of this calibre had a nasty habit of attracting bad people with bad intentions.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Shmi Labooda"]​

 

[Kaile Vera]

The Wheel
Docking Station Xesh Nine

---

“Ms Kai! Welcome to the Wheel! Allow me to personally introduce you to this haven away from the galaxy,” he said, smiling broadly. Several other folks of a similarly jovial disposition had appeared to loaf around in the background.

'Viseu Kai', as she was dubbed, panned her blue eyes over towards the rather jovial newcommer. A smile rose to her face, but at the same time, the Lorrdian would let her keen senses read their body language and intent. That was one of the good things about being a Lorrdian, she'd be able to tell whether or not anyone had any good intentions.

"'allo," she greeted the man, her eyes flicking over to the other members that joined him. 'Mighty grateful for the welcome." she shot a thumb point over to the Messa.

"Just grabbin' some fuel and all.. but a bit hungry. Any places ya'll recommend to eat?" nice and easy conversation.

Who didn't enjoy talking about food?

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Diplomatic talks

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Shmi Labooda"]

(3)


The touch of his soft gentle kiss lingered on her lips, a memory of it remaining there for many moments afterward. His kiss never fails to demonstrate his love for her, and it is a kiss never denied. As he took her hand to lead her away, Coci was but seconds away from pulling him back wishing to stay on the ship and to find their private quarters for a few hours. But alas, the good people of this planet are waiting for them, and so she followed her husband down the ramp into the star port.

It did not take long for her to find Master Labooda's ship docked and Coci knew the master would find them soon. There was much to do today, what with talks with the Kon'me and the creation of the document. A document that would hopefully see to an understanding between all Jedi. But first to business.

She stood beside Thurion, and bowed in respect to the leader of his amazing race, "It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Slarsh. The Silver Sanctum will do it's best to ensure security in this system and beyond".

 

[Connor Harrison]

The Wheel
The Parlemian Trade Route​

Post #: 1

"Its size makes it appear closer than it is. But the Wheel's reputation does not rest on its size.”

Connor Harrison sat and looked on as the shuttle from Voss approached The Wheel – a space station that was wonderfully eerie, hanging in space, on the edges away from Sanctum territory and right on the Parlemian Trade Route.

To solidify the Western reaches, the SSC had branched out to negotiate territory and strengthen their allies.

"There are other constructions in the galaxy larger, more awesome. The Wheel is a monument.”

It was a magnificent structure, which was smaller than expected as they arrived, but looked alive; due to the ships incoming and outgoing, the flashing lights and strips of units that ran all around.

Connor had decided to see if a more diplomatic route could be taken this time, rather than charging into battle, leading Rangers through canyons or across icy plains or through caverns. He took himself away from that choice of action this time and decided to suss out The Wheel and all it had to offer; who oversaw it, who passed through it, what it could offer.

"A monument to pleasure, to risk, to greed. And, to those with the need or the desperation.”

It seemed the Ranger pilot knew where to take Connor and the accompanying few who would take a look around and see who was in charge and the best approach to take. Stepping down in his navy tunic and crimson cowl, he skimmed his fingers over his beard and looked around off the hangar bay where he was.

The sector certainly was alive.

Small transports going back and forward, lights illuminating the way around, units and shops and small buildings. Sentient beings from all corners of the galaxy and droids were milling around, passing from one side of the walkways to the other.

"It is also a monument to life and death.”

He could see through the large viewports the rest of the circular city that gave the station it’s name, and also the structure up above.

For a moment, it seemed that everyone was here amicably, but he didn’t feel there was a sense of authority, and law. It seemed a mutual understanding that nobody was above anyone else, but there were places here that eyes probably didn’t see, and weren’t allowed to see. Places like this always had a price to pay if you wanted the benefits.

Connor just had to watch his step and see what he could find on behalf of the Silvers.

[member="Kaileann Vera"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 4:

"Droid," Sorel questioned, "did the probe acknowledge your order?"

"No, ma’am. The probe is not responding."

Sorel stiffened, narrowly avoiding slamming her head into one of the cave's massive crystals. "Is it still within range?"

"Yes, ma’am.”

"Then please run a communications diagnostic."

"I have, ma’am, and all systems are nominal. The unit's inability to respond…” It fell briefly silent and began again. "The unit's refusal to respond appears to be deliberate."

"Deactivate it," Sorel said. "At once."

The hammering slowed and eventually ceased, but not for long.

"The probe unit has overridden my command."

“How?” Sorel said.

“It is highly probable that the unit is executing a deep-seated subroutine that escaped earlier notice."

Hastening to the rim of the circular shaft, the Jedi removed her gloves and aimed her unprotected hands into the inky darkness. Instantly tangles of purple ionic energy discharged from her fingertips, raining into the borehole. Strobing and clawing for the bottom, the vigorous bolts coruscated into the lateral corridor the probe had excavated. Crackling sounds spewed from the opening. But the drilling had stopped.

Then the repetitive strikes of the jackhammer began once more.

 

[Cathbodua]

8/25
New Holstice Construction

She could see some of the reports and the people were working harder on most of the things as they were not just constructing the large factory ship as it was working. They had supplies from the haulers bringing supplies for it. They were working on the defensive capabilities of the ship so the factory could be used in dangerous and hostile conditions. There was some more of the work on it while the ship was being fitted with an ablative armor and different systems. In terms of firepower she didn't see much coming from it just enough basic weapons but in terms of systems this ship was made for a purpose... COnstructing facilities on planets while spreading outwards across to bring what they can bring to the corners of the universe.

 

[Matsu Ike]

9/25
New Holstice Construction
[member="Fyor Nayus"]

"I would love to hear it." She was working and bringing up the design of it as the jedi researchers and workers were bringing up the designs as the hardlight displays showed everything. "We have learned a lot from the building of Exis for support and how best to work with it. THe sturdy materials will hold as will the massive megablocks for residents to live. Bridge connectors so they can all work or meet up as needed and landing bays for ships to come in. The temple is a massive thing as well as built with a full scale medical center and hospital staffed by Sakura doctors and staff. With the hard work they have been doing throughout the galaxy thanks to the medical fleet created by Phenex we've been able to expand their influence to nearly eighty seven systems for helping people. As well as expand their research division for creating new medical breakthroughs like nysillin products or synthetic cubes of fire so don't have to search for super rare artifacts. We have them able to be given out to anyone."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 5:

"It's the ore," Sorel mused. "There's too much resistance here." She swung to the droid. "Continue your attempts to deactivate the unit."

"I will, ma’am."

Retracing the inclined path she had taken from the grotto in which her starship waited, she fairly flew up the crystal-studded tunnel she had picked her way through earlier. She grasped that a powerful explosion was perhaps imminent.

The Jedi had ducked under a scabrous outcropping. Haste, however, brought her upright too quickly and her left shoulder glanced off the rough rock, leaving a portion of her suit shredded.

Closer to the surface the tunnels opened into caverns the size of cathedrals, smoothed and hollowed by rainwater that still surged in certain seasons of Bal'demnic's long year. In pools of standing water darted various species of blind fish. Overhead, hawk-bats took panicked flight from their roosting places in the stippled ceiling. Natural light in the far distance prompted her to race for the grotto; but - even so - she was a moment late.

 

[Cathbodua]

10/25
New Holstice

She could watch all of the things now, testing the ablative armor for it while it was experiencing some of the nice factory parts. Materials coming out to fill the needs for the large hospital and the jedi knight crossed her arms over her chest. She could see some of it now while they were working and the droids continued construction. The parts from the haulers being installed that they had bought. Hopefully with it all working on here they would be able to apply the rest to the others of the line as well as the finer details. Like the twin hyperdrives so this great beast had the ability few others did. It was lumbering, sustaining and able to move faster then most other starships in the galaxy. "Continue where we need it, I want the building materials to be the priority while the ships upgrades are being installed. if needed product more droids."

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Sabine Kurtass"] [member="Karen Roberts"]

5/25

(Map coming next post.)

Commodore Keller was not impressed by the rather disjointed mix of threats and half-explanations.
“They’re stalling,” he said to his XO, having cut audio briefly. “Scans?”
“Enemy ships are quite heavily armed, favouring offence over attack craft. They’ve drawn their fleet up in a fairly standard pattern.”
“Alright, prepare to engage.”

He reactivated the audio. “We are moving to the planet, and if you wish to make good that threat we will retaliate, otherwise, clear out.”

The Commodore cut the link. The enemy wasn’t going to move, so it was time for butcher’s work.
“Form attack column and move starboard,” he ordered.

The Coalition formation now changed. Leading was the pair of Vigilance frigates, then behind them the two Sentinel cruisers, stacked one on top of the other, making use of space’s Z axis. Behind them came the Guardian flak frigate, and to their starboard was the Argent carrier. The Frontier corvettes formed a picket to port and starboard.

This column of ships now move to the left of Sabine’s fleet, moving into extreme range. The goal was to get onto the flank of the invader’s ships, then get between them and the planet. Sabine would be faced with the option of turning to face them, realigning to block their approach to the planet, or an all-out attack.

The first few ranging shots fired from the cruisers and frigates arced through the air, though at this range damage would be minimal.

On the bridge, Commodore Keller contacted a certain guest they had.
“Master Roberts, you may launch when ready. Hold back your attack though, I want to see the enemy’s first move.”

Spoiler

Battlegroup Valiant:

• 1 x Argent Class Carrier Attack 2/20. Flak 16/20. Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 13/14.
  Valiant – 800/800 3 SQ FT, 1 SQ IN, 2SQ BO

[*]2 x Sentinel Class Cruiser Attack 14/20. Flak 10/20. Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 12/12.

• Defender – 500/500 2 SQN FT, 1 SQ BO Firing on Scipio
• Preserver – 500/500 2 SQN FT, 1 SQ BO Firing on Scorpion

[*]2 x Vigilance Class Frigate Attack 16/20 Flak 6/20 Defence 14/20. SPD/MAN: 9/9

• Watchman – 300/300 Firing on Scorpion
• Righteous – 300/300 Firing on Scipio

[*]1 x Guardian Class Frigate Attack 6/20 Flak 16/20 Defence 8/20. SPD/MAN: 10/10

• Justice – 300/300

[*]2 x Frontier Class Corvette Attack 4/20 Flak 10/20 Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 7/8

• Pioneer – 150/150 1 SQN FT
• Adventure – 150/150 1 SQN FT

Total = 3000

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

6/25

[member="Cambria Zadira"]

“Good thinking. Scindia, give me a target.”
“I can do better than that, I can give you two,” the Jedi Knight said, bringing up a holo map of Centares’ northern hemisphere. “These two settlements, Andle and Fergan, have had the most disappearances.”

Nantaris looked to Cambria. “I’ll take Andle, you and Scindia investigate Fergan. Keep in touch and watch out for ambushes.”

The two settlements, though widely spaced, both butted up against a range of mountains. These mountains could hide any number of concealed locations.

“Myr, dispatch probes to sweep the mountains and report any findings to us,” he ordered, heading for the exit.

XXX

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Shmi Labooda"]

Inside the chamber within were a wide variety of the pinkish lizards. They were assembled for the council like it was a Senate.

Slarsh bowed and led them through the doors and offered the Jedi and their associates seats to the right of a grander chair.

“Hiss greatnesss High Archon Thrassh,” Slarsh introduced, stepping aside.
A venerable lizard, his skin closer to red than pink, took the large seat. “We welcome you Jedi…for what purposse do you come to our home?”

XXX

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

It was there, subtle but noticeable to the keen sight of the Lorrdian.
The way the man’s offsiders stood, hands resting inside their jackets or near belted holsters. The way the jovial man’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. The way they were forming a semi-circle around her.
There was definitely something wrong here.

“Why yes! I know of a very fine McYoda’s in level 8. If you’d like, I could show you,” he said, still all friendliness. “My name is Giz. It’s a pleasure, a real pleasure to meet you. Are you here on business?” he asked. Clearly he knew, otherwise he wouldn’t be here, but clearly there were niceties which had to be followed.

XXX

[member="Connor Harrison"]

As the Jedi’s ship touched down there seemed to be little fanfare, no one seemed to have notice his arrival.

Seemed to have.

Some of the locals shot the ship and the Jedi a cursory glance when he descended, but nothing noticeable. However, there would be the feeling, especially for a Jedi Master, that there were non-too friendly people watching.

A Rodian merchant, defying traditions where they always stood in the same place, came over and proffered…something…in a bowl. It was probably food, but it was unclear that it was edible to a human.
“Fresh Gartullan Soup, sir, only six credits!”

XXX