Faction |TIC| The Sundering Dawn: All Is Well

[Voice of the Empire]

The light was never supposed to speak. But we heard it anyway.
​

SIX DAYS AGO

​

The dropship thundered through the void, flanked by a pair of TIE escorts. Beyond its viewport, the derelict husk of Vorell Station hung in orbit like a grave marker above a quiet, grey moon. No transmissions. No docking clearance. Just the cold pulse of automated beacons, repeating the same phrase over and over:

"All is well. Do not approach."

Commander Hesk Ralven adjusted the straps of his chestplate, glancing toward the troopers and others seated around him.

"This is a lockdown-and-sweep," he growled. "Station's been off comms for three days, and the last inbound hauler never came back. We're here to find out why. Keep it tight. Don't trust civvies. Don't trust systems. Don't trust the quiet."

Across from him, Knight-Adjutant Veyla Jorn sat with her hands folded over her lap. Her lightsaber hung in plain view, but her posture was calm—almost reverent. She had not spoken since boarding.

She finally opened her eyes.

"There's something beneath the station," she said quietly. "A presence. I felt it the moment we entered the system. So did it."

Ralven frowned. "It?"

"The Beacon. That's what it calls itself. It's... singing to me."

The other troopers exchanged glances.

The dropship docked. The doors opened.

Vorell Station was intact. Lit. Powered. Its corridors pristine and pressurized. Civilians—miners, engineers, clerks—stood waiting in the docking bay, smiling as if nothing were amiss.

A woman stepped forward, hands clasped before her.

"Welcome, Imperial friends," she said. "We are well. The Watchers guide us now. You mustn't worry anymore."

Stormtroopers fanned out, securing corners, scanning for threats. One tapped his helmet, speaking to Command.

"No resistance. Civvies look normal. But there's… something in their eyes, sir. They're too calm."

Security logs found in the nearby control node confirmed the worst: no transmissions in ten days, well beyond official estimates. The logs ended abruptly—cut off mid-sentence—with the final footage showing a blinding humanoid shape drifting down a restricted corridor. No heat signature. No ID.

Jorn knelt near the data terminal, eyes distant.

"The visions I had... they match this. A starless void. Gears turning in the black. A whispering name—Calladene. This isn't natural."

Commander Ralven cursed under his breath. "ISS said this might be some kind of psychotropic exposure or cult activity. Stay sharp."

Then the order came, encrypted and clear:

BREACH DIRECTIVE: "Initiate Directive Omega-Seven. Civilian exposure classified as non-recoverable. Termination authorized. Artifact containment priority one."

Commander Ralven and his team were not heard from again.

You are now part of the second response team.

• Will you follow orders and purge the station to contain the spread?
• Will you defy Command and investigate the mysterious Beacon?
• Or will the Beacon claim you?

Enter Vorell Station. Make your choice.

 

[Hanna]

Location: Vorell Station
Objective: Contain the Artifact
Tag: Valmy Tomo │ Open

Hanna reviewed the briefing materials on her datapad in disciplined silence, her eyes poring over the abbreviated reports as the shuttle approached the docking point. Though registered with the Contractor Corps, the Qilin was experienced enough to know that for certain operations, she and others like her were little more than expendable assets. According to her judgement, this particular assignment fit the criteria for such a thing—a mission where casualties were not just expected, but pre-accounted for.

Nevertheless, Hanna was not wholly unfamiliar with dangerous missions. And perhaps to a greater extent than on previous occasions, she was quite extensively prepared.

“‘Civilian exposure classified as non-recoverable. Termination authorized.’” Hanna read word for word from the directive as the shuttle lurched with the force of deceleration. “It doesn’t read as an explicit order for a purge.” She added, gracefully arched brows knitted in contemplation. “Have we received any further clarification from Command regarding this part of the directive? It’s clear that our biggest priority is to contain the artifact, but the matter of the civilians seems up to interpretation.” The Qilin said.

She looked to the others for a response then, at which point the shuttle gave a sharp jolt, followed by the distinct whir of machinery as the docking mechanisms engaged.

They had arrived. And the breach was just moments away.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Sparkle Velocity
  
  • Gauntlets and Vambraces
    
    • Modular Weapon Mount (3) - R
      
      • PC-05V Plasma Caster
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • Medium Plasma Gas Canister
      • NML-02VTB Nano Missile Launcher
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • Depleted Baradium-tipped Baradium Nano Missiles (12)
    • Modular Weapon Mount (3) - L
      
      • IceJet Miniaturized CryoBan Projector
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • CryoBan Canister
      • Repulsor Projector
• Hanna’s HB-42 Disruptor Pistols (2)
  
  • Ammunition
    
    • FAE/AM-01-S2 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium X Gas and CryoBan Coolant (4)
    • FAE/AM-01-S2 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium Gas and CryoBan Coolant (4)
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
• Glitter Roses (2)
  
  • Ammunition
    
    • Standard Magazine - Controlled Penetration (4)
    • Standard Magazine - Standard Penetrator (2)
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
• FAE/MDE-01-S2 Semiautonomous Seeker Concussion Explosive (2)
• Infrared Smoke Grenade (2)

 

[Valmy Tomo]

Objective: Contain the Artifact
Location: Vorell Station
Tags: Hanna

Another mission lacking in finite details. Valmy really didn’t care that was the case. As long as she got to fight and there was a payout at the end that was all that mattered. She was in desperate need of credits since the Imperial stockpile she had formed was useless and her place on Voss was no longer her place. Valmy wasn’t sure where the Imperial Confederation was getting their credits, but that didn’t matter either. They had hired enough contractors that to default on payment would lead to very bad things.

At the time that Valmy and the other contractors boarded the shuttle the mission directive was simple: Keep the “artifact” from doing any more damage that had already taken place. Additional data: civilians were expendable at best.

Once aboard the shuttle and seated across from Hanna, thoughts instantly drifted away from the mission. Valmy had never seen a Quilin in person before. And she loved meeting new cultures. Even if it weren’t for the horn sticking up from Hanna’s forehead, Valmy would have been entranced. Hanna was the most delicious contractor Valmy had seen in quite some time. After Hanna spoke however Valmy cleared her throat and concentrated on Hanna’s words.

”Doesn’t sound like we are to go out of the way to eliminate the non-recoverable. Same time shouldn’t give second thought to capping one if they get in your way,” Valmy responded with a smirk.

”These missions are always chit shows. Expect things to change on the fly. Move towards the target and have a good time. Collect you cress at the end of it. Then have a really good time. You’re capable of that right? Seriousness is just for the mission I hope. I would love to see you let that pretty purple hair down,” Valmy offered a wink and then readied her rifle as the shuttle came to a stop.

”Looks like we arrived. All ashore who are going ashore,” Valmy called out in glee. ”Take lead. I’ll make sure your back is covered,” Valmy purred to Hanna.

Spoiler: Loadout

• HIMAR-1 Heavy Imperial Multipurpose Assault Rifle
• HB-42 Blaster Pistol
• Customized MM-100 Medium Mercenary Armor
• Vibroblade

 

[PT-45 "COWL"]

OBJECTIVE: CLEAR THE STATION
LOCATION: DOCKING

​

At the back of the shuttle stood a figure that was clearly not a contractor. Unlike the other two present, he wore dark, Imperial style armor and had a glowing, red visor that stared at the other occupants of the shuttle without a sound. He held in his hands a red and black blaster rifle that matched the armor he wore, and while others sat or held on to remain upright, he merely swayed with the motion of the vessel to remain standing. The cape attacked to his armor didn't even move from the motion.

The two women talked. A lot. Some of it did pertain to their mission and he considered pointing out that the objective was containment of the situation, and that they were following up behind a squad that was previously sent in and contact was lost with. That squad having included Knights and some good troopers as well. The Knights he didn't care for. As a purge trooper, they all should be eliminated, but since they served the Empress the same as him, and willingly, he had no qualms about letting them exist. Inquisitors he'd much rather just kill.

These two were just contractors. Hired guns. Mercenaries. Their loyalty went to whomever had the highest credits on any given day. If they hadn't signed on, he'd make a point of killing them himself. Their kind were little different from pirates and other scum. They'd turn on you if offered the right amount of money. The Empress demanded loyalty. Why she allowed these people to work for them, he didn't know.

"I suggest you focus on staying alive considering a highly trained unit and several Knights went in ahead of us and haven't been heard from since," he said as the transport docked with the station.

It was the only thing he said as he watched them from behind the visor. Everyone was there because they were meant to eliminate whatever threat there was present to the Empire and its citizens. Clearly something had happened in the station at the same time they'd lost contact with several vessels and numerous worlds. It was their job to figure out why that was, what it was, eliminate and contain. He didn't ask questions. He was a hammer. To him, everything else was just a nail waiting to be hit.

OUTFIT: LINK | GEAR: STAFF, Rifle
TAGS: Hanna | Valmy Tomo ​

 

[TK-1313 "Lotus"]

OBJECTIVE: Purge
LOCATION: Vorell Station

Quietly we docked on Vorell Station, and no words were needed by me; my squad knew what was expected of us; our objective clear. Search and destroy, the latter was a responsive to any resistance we encountered. Hissing loudly, more so due to the silence of the station's hallway, the doors parted, and I stepped inside first; my blaster rifle griped firmly in my hands, my cybernetic eyes staring down the rifle's scope through my helmet's visor. Looking around, I proceeded further into the dock, my squad mates close behind.

Following our training protocols, we crept down the deserted hallway, visible seeing the lack of signs of life or any evidence there was life upon this station. Most of the doors we passed had been sealed, either magnetically or some other method, regardless, we couldn't inspect them feverishly; so, we pushed further down the hallway until we reached a semi-opened blaster door.

All we could see was utter darkness, with brief flashes we discovered where sparks from some of the runed computer terminals when we passed inside some sort of custom's section of the dock.

"Stay sharp, eyes open," I ordered to them. Something didn't feel right, and there was a tugging at the back of mind practically screaming to me that I, along with my crew, simply abandon this mission. But we couldn't.

We were the Special Ops Forces; it is our duty to go into situations where no others dared tread. And we were damn good at what we did. We are the Shadow Wolves. With a twirling of a finger, my team moved about the area searching for any clues, living or dead; only to come up empty.

"Tag this area secure and let's move out."



​

OUTFIT: Standardized Special Ops Armor | GEAR: Blaster Riffe - Blaster Pistol - Thermal Grenades - Med Kit | TAGS: Open​

 

[Hanna]

Location: Vorell Station
Objective: Contain the Artifact and Investigate the Phenomena
Tag: Valmy Tomo PT-45 "COWL" TK-1313 "Lotus" │ Open

Hanna spared a glance towards the woman next to her, delicate features manifesting a hint of a coyness as her cheeks flushed crimson. Valmy’s hair was not wholly dissimilar to Hanna’s, styled in a way that was wild, but not gross or outright messy. In turn, the Qilin had her hair done up to better fit inside her helmet, which she had turned transparent to facilitate communication. Still, although the ex-Wild Huntress suspected that the oher mercenary’s hair was dyed, she had not restrained her pleasure in meeting another pinkette prior to embarking on the mission.

Perhaps after the mission, they could exchange hair advice.

However, with the imposing, dark-armored Purge Trooper standing behind them, Hanna felt that now was not the time for idle conversation.

"I suggest you focus on staying alive considering a highly trained unit and several Knights went in ahead of us and haven't been heard from since," he said as the transport docked with the station.

Staying alive was important, but Hanna sensed that many of the away team were expected to perish. If living were the only objective, then the Imperials would have never let them aboard the shuttle, much less deployed forces to investigate.

The reason that they were here and not on patrol or sleeping in the barracks was because there were important tasks that needed to be completed. An artifact contained. A phenomena investigated. And possibly, a stationed purged. All perilous, demanding assignments that would likely come with extreme risk.

Especially when there were potential metaphysical anomalies and psychotropic threats active in the field.

“Right. Yes sir.” Hanna replied, professional and disciplined. The Imperials might have looked down on them as little better than scum, but the Qilin hoped to prove herself better. Just as she had done in her tenure with the Imperial Auxilia in the Empire of the Lost, she would earn her pay and respect. And while it was frustrating to start over, she knew that the Imperials would always have a need for her, provided she proved herself worth the salary and benefits.

Unholstering her Verpine shatter pistols, Hanna surged ahead, repulsorlift skates pushing her through the aperture with violent acceleration. Simultaneously, the Qilin quickly scanned the area. Then, satisfied, she turned towards the others and opened her comm.

“Passageway clear!”

Spoiler: Loadout

• Sparkle Velocity
  
  • Gauntlets and Vambraces
    
    • Modular Weapon Mount (3) - R
      
      • PC-05V Plasma Caster
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • Medium Plasma Gas Canister
      • NML-02VTB Nano Missile Launcher
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • Depleted Baradium-tipped Baradium Nano Missiles (12)
    • Modular Weapon Mount (3) - L
      
      • IceJet Miniaturized CryoBan Projector
        
        • Ammunition
          
          • CryoBan Canister
      • Repulsor Projector
• Hanna’s HB-42 Disruptor Pistols (2)
  
  • Ammunition
    
    • FAE/AM-01-S2 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium X Gas and CryoBan Coolant (4)
    • FAE/AM-01-S2 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium Gas and CryoBan Coolant (4)
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
• Glitter Roses (2)
  
  • Ammunition
    
    • Standard Magazine - Controlled Penetration (4)
    • Standard Magazine - Standard Penetrator (2)
  • Attachments
    
    • 1-5x FAE/S-08 Electro-Sight
• FAE/MDE-01-S2 Semiautonomous Seeker Concussion Explosive (2)
• Infrared Smoke Grenade (2)

 

[Voice of the Empire]

​

VORELL STATION — LEVEL 01: DOCKING RING ALPHA
Environment: Dim lighting. Ambient hum. Temperature slightly colder than standard. Mild ozone tang in the air. No bodies. No blood. No movement.

As Hanna, Valmy, TK-1313, and PT-45 sweep the landing zone, their boots echo slightly on durasteel plating warped in strange places—as though bent by heat, but without scorch marks. The terminals lining the wall are shattered, not from blaster fire… but from within. Glass punched outward. Keypads melted.

PT-45's sensors pick up a faint but persistent resonance—something low-frequency, around 27 Hz, pulsing softly through the deck plating.

The team's comms flicker once. Then stabilize.

Just as TK-1313 finishes clearing the corridor toward the tramline hub, they spot it:

A single word scratched into the wall at chest height.

"TURNED."

Written in trooper-standard Aurebesh. Etched by hand—deeply. There's dried blood caught in the edges.

At the far end of the hallway, a maintenance door hisses open. No one is visible. No motion. Just cold, sterile light and the faint hiss of an atmospheric recycler cycling faster than it should.

TK-1313 hears a faint whisper from down the corridor. Helmet audio logs pick up nothing.

Valmy Tomo | Hanna | TK-1313 "Lotus" | PT-45 "COWL"​

 

[Valmy Tomo]

Objective: Contain the Artifact
Location: Vorell Station
Tags: Hanna | PT-45 "COWL" | TK-1313 "Lotus"

The blush that Valmy's words caused on Hanna was absolutely adorable, making Calmy want to pull the diminutive woman into her lap and give her a squeeze. Even if it wasn't for the "regular" soldiers' comments, Valmy was professional enough to let such intrusive thoughts go without following through. While the mission was ongoing.

The purge trooper's scolding brought a smirk to Valmy's lips. She shook her head and waved a finger at Cowl. "If you can't handle a little playful banter you may want to stay in the ship. Those kinda comments keep me sharp. Don't expect dynamite responses from the likes of you, but let us lowly mercenaries have our fun." Unlike Hanna, Valmy had no desire to be accepted by the regular soldiers. Valmy would do her part shoot her guns, make things go boom and make her credits. What the uptight regs thought of her mattered zero in the grand scheme. Plus, she bet this one was boring under his helmet.

Hanna gave in to Cowl's demand for seriousness. But when the small woman rushed into the station on repulsor skates, Valmy couldn't stop a whistle coming from her lips. "Damn. That looks fun. I gotta get me a pair. Maybe she'll show me how to use 'em."

Valmy looked to the troopers before following behind Hanna. Though the area was clear of opposition the destruction that had occurred was evident. When her eyes noticed the etching there was a frown on Valmy's lips. She didn't even get out a word before a door opened. She whirled around rifle raised and ready to fire, but nothing was there. "This is like a horror holo. How very intriguing. I say we go through the door. Faster we find something to shoot the more this mission will seem normal."

Spoiler: Loadout

• HIMAR-1 Heavy Imperial Multipurpose Assault Rifle
• HB-42 Blaster Pistol
• Customized MM-100 Medium Mercenary Armor
• Vibroblade

 

[PT-45 "COWL"]

OBJECTIVE: Clear and Secure
LOCATION: Docking Ring Alpha​

From others her response might have gotten a rise, but it did nothing for him. He didn't care. The mission was priority and the mission was the only thing he cared about. PT-45 believed only in doing what he was ordered to do, what he was made to do, and didn't care for the frivolities of other things. Though he knew the standing order among the Risen Empire was that they all procreate, he had yet to do so. Too busy. Perhaps he would find someone at some point, but now was not the time. He didn't know when would be.

They exited the ship and found an empty dock, though there was considerable destruction. Strange that everything seemed to have exploded from within.

"There's a low hum passing through the floor of the station," he said to the others, just before the comms crackled and then settled. "Only perceptible by sensor."

He didn't know what that meant, but it was there. Worth sharing. Even though he generally preferred to work alone, he wasn't. Since he wasn't, it was imperative he share any information he gleaned so that someone else might determine something from it. Mercenaries might just be guns for hire, but that didn't mean they lacked knowledge in other areas. It was possible one of them was some sort of scientist.

The TK moved forward to clear the corridor, and he followed, his rifle ready, safety off. The word on the wall was noted, turned, it said, but he didn't know what it was indicating. Did it mean that someone had turned at that intersection? Or did it mean something had happened to them? He didn't really get a chance to look further as a door in front of them suddenly opened. Like the mercenary, he brought his weapon to bear, even though no one stepped out. Unlike the mercenary, he didn't wait around.

He moved towards the door to clear it, and step through.

OUTFIT: LINK | GEAR: STAFF, Rifle
TAGS: Hanna | Valmy Tomo | TK-1313 "Lotus" ​

 

[TK-1313 "Lotus"]

OBJECTIVE: Purge
LOCATION: Vorell Station

Collectively we saw the single, crimson word gouged into the wall, but before we could address it, a door automatically opened without any input from anyone, or anything visible. At that exact moment, we swung our weapons toward the door; preparing for what, we had no idea. I thought it best to leave my squad behind, using this hub as a fallback zone, our lifeline to the docked transport shuttle. The others, those not in my usual squad had several varying inputs and theories as how we should proceed.

"I would advise rushing so blatantly into the unknown," my voice materializing behind my helmet, as I looked at Valmy Tomo . I accepted her eagerness for adventure, and had I not been on duty, I would have howled through the door; guns blazing. But I had orders, and I was on duty. "And I have seen enough of those horror holos to know better to run directly into the butcher's ax. I believe there are rules in place for horror holos." That was my stab at humor, something I knew was a weak character flaw of mine.

"But standing here does us no service either," I said to the others, moving toward the door with my rifle pointed ahead following PT-45 "COWL" through the door. The hallway was eerily dark, yet with splashes of illumination further down; and I could almost testify that I could feel a coldness creeping into my armor from the hallway itself. Also, my cyber implants began to function awkwardly briefly when I entered this mysterious hallway, only to correct themselves three or four steps in. I did not like this unsettling scenario being performed before our very eyes.

I had to address the white rancor in the room when the last of the group had gathered in the hallway. "What does everyone think about that singular word etched into the wall?"
​

OUTFIT: Standardized Special Ops Armor | GEAR: Blaster Riffe - Blaster Pistol - Thermal Grenades - Med Kit | TAGS: Hanna
​