Dominion Too Greedy, Too Deep | DE Dominion of Shu-Torun

[Antipater]

"I thought the atmosphere would have fried your circuits."

Antipater's head slowly rotated to face Ren. He stared silently at the Prophet for a long, uncomfortable moment. What inscrutable assessments took place within that maze of steel and circuitry encased by his cranial unit were better left undescribed. But at their conclusion, the droid flatly said: "Hm. A joke. How amusing."

Many droids had the necessary software to experience amusement, but it was doubtful Antipater was one of them. The droid-moff followed after Ren at his own clipped, mechanical pace.

"They are weary of your religion," Antipater rather helpfully, if unenthusiastically, informed the Master of Ren, "The Ruling Council would like me to advise you to either downplay or refrain from mentioning it."

In other words, they had sent him to observe these proceedings. Whether he would become damage control or a scapegoat remained to be seen. They reached the space before the throne where an elder human woman sat. Antipater was nonplussed by the unsettled air that descended on the room. It was eventually broken by a stoic retainer. A herald, perhaps.

"Your Majesty, may I present Master Detritus Ren and Moff Antipater of Jaemus, the Imperial emissaries."

It was customary to bow. Antipater affected a small one, inclining only his head and shoulders. The queen watched them with a stony expression, but her displeasure was still quite evident. She made a small gesture - one to signal for them to start their little sales pitch.

Detritus Ren​

 

[Detritus Ren]

Location: Shu-Torun, Royal Palace
With: Antipater


Detritus had hoped that the droid Warlord would appreciate some sense of humor. The only response reciprocated was the droid trying to process his words, before the cold and cruel tone reflected the joking nature to be simply as such. The Master of Ren had chuckled, for even he cannot understand why a droid would wish to serve the Empire? Not much thought was ever placed on these matters. What did matter was to convince the nobility to side with the Empire and provide the necessary materials the Empire so desperately needed.

The two would approach towards the great hall, the throne room right in front of them. They heard music, laughter, drinks being poured and consumed. The droid looked to the mysterious Master of Ren making a comment in regards to the unholy practices of the Ren. “Do not worry, metal man. I will keep the sermons and prayers to a minimum. There is a time and a place for my preaching, this however is not one of them.” Detritus was inclined to agree with Antipater. While he couldn’t hope to trust the machine, the logical thinking brought about from the droid brains had brought up valid points. The last thing he needed was to antagonize the royal family.

They entered inside and were greeted by the sight of the party before them. A clear path through the elegant floor showed the way to the old Queen. The two walked side to side, hardly missing a step as if both stood and human were in perfect synchronicity. The Queen looked up, her eyes seemed almost dead, bitter but the Master of Ren simply thought it was the result of power and old age.

The two would stand in front of the Queen, an announcement was made while Detritus gave a respectful bow. The old woman continued to remain silent, while her eyes had narrowed upon the two of them. She seemed to be mistrustful.

“May I present her majesty Queen Tepala Trois head of the ore families and ruler of Shu-Torun.”

Detritus would gaze into the bitter eyes of the Queen, though he was careful not to have his gaze linger too long. He couldn’t sense anything strange from the woman, all the while many eyes seemed to watch them both with suspicion.

“Greetings your majesty. We’ve come out of good faith in hopes of a partnership between your world, and all the Empire has to offer.” Detritus would open up the negotiations with a simple, yet respectful greeting.

Meanwhile, above them hidden eyes watched them. A man who was carefully assembling a blaster rifle, high above from the royal gathering. A hateful gaze narrowed on that of the Queen, unknown to either imperial ambassador that the situation would increasingly become more complicated.

 

[Antipater]

The Prophet did not bow. Antipater did not like that. Unfortunately, he was about to like what transpired next even less.

Queen Tepala opened her mouth to deliver what Antipater suspected would be a scathing opening remark. She was interrupted by a high-powered disruptor bolt which shattered one of the ornate stained glass windows lining the hall and lanced her directly through the heart. Whatever prepared insult became a rattling gasp. She sagged in her throne and the crown toppled off her head.

Pandemonium erupted instantaneously. Courtiers and spectators screamed and yelled and trampled themselves leaving the room. A heavyset man in decorated armor who had been near the throne started bellowing orders to the other royal guardsmen. "Assassins! Assassins in the palace! Secure the crown-prince! Secure the throne room!"

A few royal guards returned fire through the broken window in what Antipater determined to be a rather perfunctory manner. Another few were wading through the crowd to carry out those orders. But more than a few remained at his side. Everyone seemed rather stoic for all this.

Amidst the chaos, the heavyset man - likely the captain of the royal guard - trundled forward and picked the queen's crown up off the ground. Oh. There it is. Some people just couldn't help themselves. This was a coup.

The captain pointed a fat finger at the two emissaries. "And you... Stay right there..."

Antipater silently obliged, folding his hands in front of him. One of the benefits of being an administrative droid was that there was no expectation for him to do anything in these unfortunate circumstances. The room was quickly emptying out.

Detritus Ren​

 

[Detritus Ren]

Location: Shu-Torun, Royal Palace
Objective: 1
Tags: Antipater


Detritus would stand there with the droid, he suspected that negotiations would be short, if not fruitful but was unaware of the eyes already watching them. The two stood silent after being introduced to the old woman before them. Then it all began, just as the Queen finished speaking would she meet an unlikely fate. Her body had collapsed from the throne upon meeting a high powered disruptor bolt. Detritus stood back, almost shocked for he couldn’t sense it until the moment it had happened.

Immediately did the room burst out into chaos, many of the patrons and guests of the festivities, quickly tried to rush out of the room. Detritus looked all around him, while the calculating droid next to him remained a calm as ever. How could the droid simply be so calm, while for the dark side priest he felt every fiber burn with awareness, the parasites attached to his skin gnawed at him while he looked around frantically. Armed men started to pour out, while Detritus tried to focus on the attacker.

“He is still here.” He would say in a chilling whisper. His fingers quickly made their way to his lightsaber wrapping around the hilt. He was ready to meet any danger facing towards either of them. The room continued to empty out, while armed men would continue to fill in. Both of them were staring down the looks of an a high ranking man, a captain that simply instructed for the both of them to remain there.

Detritus tried to move, but found himself looking up towards the balconies, his force senses would reach out and try to locate the attacker, he couldn’t place his finger behind it. Was it a coup? An assassination? Could they simply be trying to frame the Imperial delegation? So many questions had flooded his mind. Part of him wanted to know the meaning of this, but knew that with the ore dukes nothing seemed that simple.

Both of them stood there, Ren’s fingers were itchy around the hilt of his saber. His yellowed eyes stared the Captain down, while he looked to the droid next to him. “I take it you might have some idea what’s happening here?” He guessed as he glanced towards Antipater and then looked to the Captain, his fingers slowly moving away from his saber the tensions still high.

 

[Antipater]

“I have not the slightest idea what is presently transpiring,” Antipater told Detritus, although he said it with such lifeless indifference that it became difficult to gauge his sincerity.

The captain came up to them in either case, spinning the crown lazily around on one finger. “Oh, I’ve never even seen that droid of yours before, Master Ren.” It sounded like a rather perfunctory lie - he smiled faintly when he said it.

They might have played at aristocracy here on Shu-Torun, but in their hearts they were still only a collection of ore miners. They had all the subtlety of the machinery they used to scour their planet.

“Maximilien Rubix, captain of the royal guard,” he said, by way of introduction. “I shall be frank with you both. Our Queen would have been a disloyal subject to your Emperor. Trois knew there was no point in military resistance, but she intended to undercut you from within. She wanted to gamble. Covert support to the Alliance, the Jedi…”

He trailed off for a moment, brow furrowed. “She liked her odds. I didn’t.”

“How very wise of you. Would you like to be king?”

“No,” Rubix scoffed, somewhat disarmed by Antipater’s bluntness. “I am a mere viscount. A distant relation. They would never accept it. Make me the Imperial governor, however, and I can keep this place in line. I wouldn't need their support.”

“A fascinating proposition. What would your crown-prince - your new king - think of that?”

“He perished in the attack.”

“You dispatched guards to secure him, did you not?”

The assassin was not imperceptible to the Master of Ren, but he was moving at a purposeful stride through the rest of the palace complex now. Straight to the quarters of the crown-prince and his immediate family. They could be sensed as individuals amidst the miasma of fear, confusion, and hatred.

In the next few moments, those presences would be rather abruptly snuffed. One at a time. Quickly. Methodically. A professional was at work or soon would be.

“Oh. Yes. I did say that, didn’t I?” Rubix smiled faintly again, “In front of everyone.”

Detritus Ren​

 

[Detritus Ren]

Location: Shu-Torun, Royal Palace
Objective: 1
Tags: Antipater

Detritus stood there confused, his gaze shifted back and forth between the droid warlord, and what looked to be Captain of the Royal Guard. His fingers were still itching for his lightsaber the rage slowly boiling from within, but the religious zealot knew better than to unleash his anger as part of an imperial delegation. He first suspected the droid and his immaculate programming was at work, but listening closer to the man who introduced himself as ‘Rubix’ it appeared that Ren was wrong in his assumptions.

His stance shifted, one that looked geared for the offensive turned into neutrality. His fingers inched away from the weathered hilt and focused to his sides. The Captain kindly explained how the monarchy would have been opposed to a partnership with the Empire. Detritus would calm himself, his senses still on high alert but the zealot seemed more inclined to listen to what the Captain had to say. “Good to know our time hasn’t been wasted.”

In moments everything continued to spiral. The Master of Ren shifted his focus on the fear, the hatred, the terror all feeding into a crescendo. It wasn’t before long until he walked closer to the source, one by one the royal family seemed to be snuffed out. Candles consumed by the darkness. The Master of Ren only reveled in this atrocity, for he sensed many fell to this conspiracy.

“You certainly have been a bold one… So what’s the endgame Rubix? By the shadow, what do you hope to achieve? I can feel it… The cries… The echo of the void…” Detritus said suddenly his tone turned cryptic. He reached out with his feelings towards the man, but felt burning ambition and hidden intentions. Through the busy work of this Captain, he could only hope along with his mechanical counterpart that a productive and fruitful relationship with the Empire could start now.

 

[Antipater]

Rubix looked a touch uncertain when the Master of Ren's words took an esoteric bend. He gave Antipater a nervous glance.

"Don't be alarmed," Antipater spoke without looking away from Rubix. "The Master of Ren is merely... Sensitive. To the death and treachery you have unleashed here. You may answer his question."

For his part, Rubix did not initially look any more or less alarmed. He cleared his throat. "Of course... I do this on behalf of my home world, you must understand. The Empire is to be the law of this land now. Whether or not they know it yet, my people need someone who will... Negotiate with the Empire - collaborate - rather than antagonize, as the departed Queen surely intended to do. They will thereby be far safer in the long run. Moreover, as I have long sympathized with Imperial ideology..."

Maximilien Rubix, Viscount and Commander of the Royal Guard, kept talking at some length. He seemed to relax. Like any proper aristocrat, he was much comforted by the sound of his own voice. His speech was pretty and well-reasoned, with all the expected ornamentation for one of his lineage.

But a master of the Force could sense more and would know better. There was a lust for power, prestige, and recognition at the heart of him.

Several generations of poor fortune had reduced the standing of the Rubix family greatly. Maximilien had clawed his way to his current position through sheer willpower and animal cunning. He had been a great warrior once before coming to rest on his laurels here. This post was as far as he could aspire, but his descendants would have been greatly promoted. There was little doubt his immediate offspring would have been awarded lands (and a proper place in the peerage with them) in commemoration for his faithful service.

But he did not want success for his sons. He wanted it for himself. Killing the Queen would get him that. What good was faithful service if it was to the losing side, anyway?

The Empire was the path forward for him. Gradually Rubix would trail off, anticipating some reply from Detritus.

Detritus Ren​

 

[Detritus Ren]

Location: Royal Palace, Shu-Torun
Tags: Antipater



Detritus seemed almost surprised by the man’s intentions, though what was not surprising was the man’s ambition. He would listen closely to the words Rubix said. He could still feel the death that had clung to the palace walls, his gaze remained on the royal guard Captain trying to probe him for any signs of deception, but sensed that what he said was of the utmost importance. Was this man so interested in gaining Imperial favor? It seemed there was nothing that this man wouldn’t do to achieve his own ends. Ren would still remain on his guard, glancing across the entirety of the room wondering if they would become targets next.

He looked over to the droid, wondering if he had any insights to what was taking place. The droid permitted the man to speak, making what Detritus thought was a joke towards the Ren, before Rubix would speak in earnest of the situation at hand. Detritus didn’t dare to make any sudden movements, but preferred to remain silent. Rubix clearly wanted power and control, who’s to say that the Empire would deny him for such daring moves made, especially against the royal family.

“I see! I must say the ambition is to be commended. You have gone out of your way to attract our attention, now you have it. The Empire is slowly rising over the most lawless systems, but Shu-Torun will prosper under the rule of the Empire. To have gone so far, surely that earns you a place within the imperial system. Perhaps we can make a deal more fruitful than that of the dearly departed Queen.” Detritus would say, for the superstitious and zealotry man was often cautious, skeptic about many things. From what Rubix had explained that he desired an edge over the others. Taking out the royal family was a clear sign that Rubix desired a new power to govern his planet.

With the vast metal and ore that Shu-Torun offered, the Empire saw to it to claim whatever they could get to further fuel the imperial war machine in the wars yet to come. Detritus would look back to his droid companion, then he looked back to Rubix, a slight smirk was apparent on the Ren as he seemed to be impressed with how far the man went.

“Then Rubix, if you so desire it the Empire will offer anything you require. In exchange for the complete support of Shu-Torun and acceptance into the ranks of the Empire. No doubt you know the ore is of great importance to us.” Detritus would say, hinting at what the Empire required, while dangling control of the system under Imperial rule to him. Surely he now thought a more prosperous outcome would come from all this.

 

[IMPERA]

Objective 3 : 28 Days Later

In the past month, things on Shu-Torun have not developed as the Empire first anticipated. While managing to secure a solid foothold on the planet thanks to Maximilien Rubix’s Coup against the Monarchy, the rebellious Ore-Dukes have persisted entrenching themselves within their Spires as the Empire tightens its grip over Shu-Torun.

Having initiated the first steps of his Jaemus Initiative, the newly appointed Lord-Regent Marlon Sularen turns his sights on Shu-Torun seeking to put an end to the rebellious Ore-Duke’s resistance so that the Empire can focus its full attention on containing the Diarchy. As such the Imperial Military has launched one final assault against the rebel Ore-Dukes, striking directly at their headquarters with the goal of cutting the head of the snake and ending the rebellion once and for all.

Long live the Empire!

​

 

[Marlon Sularen]

T O O_G R E E D Y_T O O_D E E P
Objective 3 : 28 Days Later

DARK EMPIRE
SHU-TORUN, MID RIM

Sularen's Fleet of Star Destroyers spearheaded by his Flagship emerged from hyperspace above Shu-Torun marking the Lord-Regent's arrival to Shu-Torun as the Empire launched it's final offensive against the entrenched rebel Ore-Dukes. Prior to this, the Lord-Regent had been busy overseeing operations within the Jaemus Sector and had made the tough decision to delay his planned Invasion of Scipio and Convening of the Imperial Ruling Council in order to deal with the remaining resistance on Shu-Torun which was vital if the Empire was to gain unrestricted access to the planet's vital resources.

As the Imperial Fleet closed in towards Shu-Torun, Sularen remain seated on his command chair at the front of the Bridge with two of his subordinates Colonel Rackham and Captain Torson standing beside him. In order to ensure the swiftness of today's operation, the Lord-Regent had brought in some of his best assets in the form of the Red Right Hand and Inferno Squad which consisted of some of the Empire's most elite soldiers, the best of the best, whom the resistance would be no match for.

With the addition of skilled commanders such as Allegiant-General Domaric Mordane leading the regular Stormtroopers of the Empire, it would only be a matter of time before the remaining forces of the resistance would collapse and their leaders made an example of, with the Imperial flag flying over the Rebel headquarters to symbolize the ultimate supremacy of the Empire on Shu-Torun. Thus with the odds stacked in his favor, Sularen would immediately move forth to put his best cards into play.

Turning to Captain Torson, Sularen proceeded to give him his instructions. "Captain Torson, prepare the Red Right Hand for deployment. Your men will be the tip of the spear for our offensive against those rebel Ore-Dukes. I trust you will put the skills of yourself and your men to good use." Sularen ordered. He then turned to Colonel Rackham. "Colonel, activate Inferno Squad and Tibera Jessen. They will be the hidden dagger we will use to strike at the heart of the enemy." he ordered again.

Hopefully, today's operation could be completed as soon as possible as time was of the essence for the Empire. The longer they took to crush the rebellion here on Shu-Torun, the chance of the Lord-Regent's Jaemus Initiative being compromised only increased, and during these uncertain times the Empire could no longer suffer any further delay or setbacks. Shu-Torun needed to be secured with haste or the the consequences for the Empire would be severe and today would serve as the ultimate test to determine how effectively the Empire could put down local rebellions as swiftly as possible, which may further determine how it would perform in future encounters.

Thus the Lord-Regent would remain seated within his command chair, anxiously waiting to see how things would develop as the Empire moved forward with it's pacification campaign on Shu-Torun.

Tags | Domaric Mordane | Sid Berik | Zaven Trask | Ashel de Stilico | OPEN​

 

[Rackham]

​

-

|| OPERATION TRIOS ||
ATTN : Abraxas Colt | Kazimir Tragovic | Saltare Dothon | Tibera Jessen
LOCATION : Shu-Torun | Rebel Ore-Dukes Headquarters

OBJECTIVES :
1. ELIMINATE ALL ROGUE SECESSIONIST ORE-DUKES
2. LOCATE AND APPREHEND THE RELATIVES OF THE ROGUE ORE-DUKES

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : Inferno Squad is authorized to use any means necessary to accomplish the objective but the Relatives must be brought in alive.

LICENSE TO KILL : Granted to all Personnel aligned with the Rebel Ore-Dukes
​

​

 

[Saltare Dothon]

Objective 3 : 28 Days Later

DARK EMPIRE
SHU-TORUN, MID RIM

Twenty-eight days of near constant fighting and still the Empire had not broken through the rebel ore-dukes lines. Reinforcements had been requested, and Inferno Squadron was pulled from other reaches of the Empire to deploy to Shu-Torun.

There was no trickery or fancy deployments for Inferno this time. They were attached to the 71st Armored Division and hot-dropped in the middle of a protracted engagement in which the Imperials were within reach of a nearby Spire. This particular Spire had multiple Rebel Ore-Dukes barricaded inside, along with their families. Imperial Forces intercepted communications from this particular Spire, and it appeared the Ore-dukes had a benefactor off-world that would brave the combat to extract them. Losing the Ore-dukes would be a grievous loss for the Empire and show the galaxy at large they did not have the necessary forces to take a singular world and the rebels hiding within it. Therefore, Inferno was deployed along with the 71st to bring these rebels to heel.

The 71st was decimated breaking through the lines of the rebel Ore-Dukes. Once the 71st had destroyed the initial front lines, multiple fighter wings and squadrons of Storm troopers breached the gap and sowed havoc. Imperial landing craft deployed from reinforcements brought by Marlon Sularen , peppering the area with allied infantry forces and armor. Although the 71st had been brought to its knees by the initial combat, the new reinforcements provided the necessary numbers to continue the push to the Spire.

The goal was simple: cause havoc for the reinforcements that were no doubt en route from the rebel ore-dukes and deploy special forces under cover of that chaos. A secondary bonus to their initial objective was that the more reinforcements directed from the base of the Spire to the frontlines, the less Inferno and the other squads would have to deal with.

If the Empire could continue controlling the area after the initial push and deployment of Special Forces, it was a plus, but they weren't counting on it. While they were marginally successful in establishing a new forward line, it gave Inferno and other units the cover they needed to penetrate behind the enemy lines to the Spire.

Inferno pushed forward into empty trenches and abandoned vehicle dugouts. The fighting was occurring all around them, but they used their HUD to chart as clear of a path as they could to the base of the Spire. As they closed in on the base of the Spire, Saltare and Inferno squad entered into a nearby abandoned trench, hunkering down.

"Lt. Holden, this is Inferno. We're at the base of the Spire; begin Phase II," Saltare said into his comm unit.

He could hear the distant thumps of artillery, and Saltare waited for the inevitable rain of death.

"Here comes the rain," Beth said next to him.

"Yep. Get ready to move," Saltare responded.

This was the only hiccup in their plan. The rebels would see any group of soldiers attempt to make the climb up the Spire, no matter how good or stealthy. There were too many sensors, eyes, and unknowns watching the base of the Spire's for anyone to walk up and begin to climb.

That's where Phase II came in. Artillery first to keep the rebel's heads down, and then...

As if on cue, fighters streaked toward the Spire, spitting blaster fire and causing havoc on the rear lines of the rebels. AA counter-fire took a heavy toll on the fighters, but it was a necessary cost. Next came the drop pods from orbit.

Drop pods have minimal steering and thrust, but if a beacon is placed by ground units, the orbiting ship can position itself in the ideal position to put those pods where they're needed. The rebels had jamming equipment all over the base of the Spire, so drop pods had to be sent farther out, and the soldiers within them had to fight their way in.

With the advancement of the 71st and fresh Imperial reinforcements, those jamming towers had come down, and now shock-troopers were landing in a cascade around the Spire.

Saltare watched as the rebels near the Spire lost coordination as Imperial troops surrounded them.

"Up we go," Saltare barked to his squad, igniting his jet pack and launching himself towards the nearest Spire. Immediately, the Spire's defensive turrets locked onto the heat source from his jet pack and began to lob blaster bolts and ion shots in his direction.

Saltare rolled and maneuvered as best he could until he collided with the Spire. Using the FrictionGrip from his boots, and the magnetic assisting climb gloves that he had requisitioned for this mission, he began to climb the Spire.

TAGS | OPEN

​

​

​

​

 

[Sid Berik]

​

The world around him exploded in a symphony light, sound, death, fire, and blood. Their initial assault, their foray against the enemy, had pushed a fair amount of ground- and had encircled the Vanguard, his troops, in a horseshoe shape. A defensive posture on the hillside had allowed them to not take any casualties, however- they were close to it, and the enemy's numbers were far beyond what their initial beliefs were.

Things looked bleak-

Until Sid and his men looked up, and there was a lull in the fight.

From the heavens, descended demons.

Screaming pods of fire carrying soldiers, the finest in the Empire, answered Sid's call for aid. The comms towers were down, jammers destroyed in instances. Sid's HUD lit up with information, messages trying to be sent to the ground team about the enemy's true size. Sid rallied his troops, gritting his teeth as he pushed upwards, emerging from cover first, taking the fight to the enemy. He waved his hand horizontally, then flashed his right hand three times. Grenades, grenades, grenades, all front. He threw his own, and so did the squad-

A peppering series of expertly-tossed throws to the advancing rebels, who were now surrounded by Stormtroopers and their incoming allies, armor, and other reinforcements, sent them into chaos, inflicting heavy casualties. Sid charged forward, into their opposite lines, vaulting over the rocky formation that the rebel was using for cover, his feet colliding with his face. The rebel dropped his weapon, groaning in pain, his hands placed on the back of his head.

"Smart move."

He stepped on his rifle, breaking it. Other rebels quickly surrendered at their position, and Sid looked upwards, as the Spire was equally set upon by his compatriots. Cheers and jeers echoed out, as the Empire's might descended upon the would-be dissenters.

 

[Darth Moskvin]

Too Greedy, Too Deep

Location: Base of the Spire (Behind Enemy Lines)
Objective: Twenty-Eight Days Later
Gear: Outfit I Lightsabers I Talisman I Ring
Tags: Open​

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




​

There seemed to be a failure in communication on the side of the Ore-Dukes, the greedy little slugs refused to acknowledge defeat; and quietly slither away into oblivion. I've always despised repeating myself, one of the reasons I appall deep and intellectual conversations, or any conversations really, and yet, here I was repeating myself; violently over verbally now. To say my ire was elevated is a miscalculation of the diagnosis, I was furious; and when I became furious, very twisted and sadistic things happen around me.

For example, arrayed around our little encampment stuck tightly to rustic poles or ragged, sharp metal stanchions were the severed heads of the first troops we came across, the first wave sent by their masters. The artistic design was not to institute fear in our enemy, it was a simple display of my fuming anger. Meant to showcase one viable concept, forgiveness is extinct; I came with genocide, dancing like a ballerina under a full moon, on my mind.

In the last twenty-eight days since I been here, the enemy failed to adjust; accordingly, utilizing the same failed techniques as before, but now with more toys to play and break. It was going to be a glorious afternoon filled with murder and violence, my appetizer before the main course.

 

[Aemicia Vaiken]

Shu-Torun | Spire
Colonel 1st Regiment, 18th Stormtrooper Legion
Marlon Sularen | Sid Berik | Saltare Dothon | Darth Moskvin

​

For the past years Aemicia had served in the Dark Empire military, building a reputation of reliability and discipline, easily joining and rising in the Stormtrooper Corps to a position of command where she would be able to show her skills. She had been educated, trained and drilled by the same instructors the Eternal Legion had received, giving her unaugmented mind not only challenge, but near impossible odds. Yet her natural understanding of battlefields and organic comprehension of combat, made her keep up with those that were physically vastly superior. And it showed.

She was part of the reinforcements that arrived on the rebel-torn world of Shu-Torun, she herself leading the regiment from the dropships, her white armor offering the stylised symbol of herself, the bloodied hand. It was not a savage totem, but a reminder of her craft. A steady companion that would outlast every other soldiers she would work with and eventually be the one that took her as well.

The 18th came as part of a large pool of reinforcements, poured into the war by the Lord Regent Marlon Sularen himself. While Inferno Squad and Saltare Dothon took on the decapitate the enemy along with more of the elite troops, the 18th and especially its 1st Regiment under Aemicia, launched the full scale offensive to occupy and overwhelm the defences of the defiant Ore-Dukes. Helping to relieve Sid Berik and to support the dark Darth Moskvin in her cruel show of dominance. The Colonel turned as she pointed forward with her unique sword.

The horizon trembled as the newly arrived Imperial forces descended upon the besieged Spire, a towering citadel defiantly held by the rebel Ore-Dukes and their loyalists. The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and the distant echoes of blaster fire. Stormtroopers, clad in pristine white armor, moved with precision and discipline, their formation a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield.

The advance began with a thunderous barrage from Imperial artillery, raining destruction upon the outer defenses of the Spire. As the dust settled, squads of Stormtroopers emerged from the haze, their movements synchronized and deliberate. Covering fire erupted from their ranks, precise and relentless, forcing the rebel defenders to duck behind crumbling barricades. The rhythmic crack-hiss of blaster rifles filled the air as the Stormtroopers advanced in alternating waves, each squad providing cover for the next.

Imperial tanks, their heavy treads grinding against the rocky terrain, rolled forward in support. Turbolaser cannons roared, obliterating rebel emplacements and scattering their forces. AT-ST walkers, towering and menacing, flanked the infantry, their articulated legs carrying them over uneven ground with surprising agility. The walkers' chin-mounted blasters spat streams of crimson energy, cutting down rebels who dared to peek from cover. Their heads swiveled, scanning for threats, before unleashing devastating volleys into the Spire's lower defenses.

The rebels, though defiant, were steadily overwhelmed. Their hastily constructed barricades were no match for the Imperial war machines, and their ranks thinned under the relentless assault. The Ore-Dukes, watching from the Spire's upper levels, barked orders to their remaining forces, but their voices were drowned out by the cacophony of battle. Desperate rebels attempted to rally, launching sporadic counterattacks, but they were swiftly cut down by the disciplined fire of the Stormtroopers.

As the Imperial forces closed in, the Spire's outer walls began to crumble under the combined might of tanks, walkers, and infantry. Explosions rocked the citadel's base, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the air. Stormtroopers breached the perimeter, their blasters sweeping through the remaining defenders with ruthless efficiency. The rebels, now trapped and outmatched, fought with dwindling hope, their defiance faltering under the Empire's overwhelming firepower.

 

[Saltare Dothon]

SPIRE TOP
TAGS: Aemicia Vaiken Sid Berik Darth Moskvin

The climb had been brutal. While the defensive guns still targeted them when they could, for the most part, they could not rotate to shoot the Spire. Any guns that posed a potential danger were taken care of by the rest of the attacking troops.

When the Inferno squad finally reached the top, they were weary but ready. The dark armored figures climbed over the outer edges of the Spire like liquid, their outlines lit up by the distant flashes of explosions from below.

A small landing area was their target, and rebels currently occupied it. Several soldiers and droids were walking around the landing pad, bringing supplies into nearby shuttles and preparing for the Ore Dukes to leave the system.

Saltare tagged the soldiers and droids on the landing pad, feeding them to his team's HUDs and giving each squadron member a target.

"Take them down."

Blasters coughed, and the men and droids on the landing pad twisted and fell away with muffled cries or dropped silently to the deck dead.

"Up and over," Saltare said, "On me."

His movements were fast but measured, and he moved quickly to the entrance into the Spire. They were at the top of the Spire, and this entrance led directly into the Ore-Duke's private living quarters.

Saltare's team stacked up on the door, rifles ready for action.

"Pop it."

An Inferno squad member checked the door for apparent traps and placed a blast charge on the panel. He looked back at Saltare, who quickly nodded before pulling a cord away from the charge.

"Burning!"

Seconds later, the charge detonated, and the door slid back into its housing. Inferno flowed into the Spire's interior, which was hauntingly quiet.

"Fan out. Find the Dukes."

His team split up and began to search the immediate areas. This portion of the Spire appeared to be a hallway that led to many different rooms to their left and right. The hallway continued towards a larger door leading into what Saltare believed would be some communal area or audience chamber. Ulor, one of Inferno's newer members, was busy working that large door to see what was behind it.

So far, the rebels had not sounded any alarm about their presence. They were busy getting hammered on the field below, so the communication of a small squad of infantry climbing the Spire must have gotten lost or discarded as irrelevant. He wasn't sure which, but it would cost the rebels.

"Sir! Got 'em," Ulor said.

Saltare pushed up to Ulor's location to see what he had. Ulor had placed a small snake camera through a control panel in an adjoining room. The feed from that camera was now displaying on Saltare's HUD. Inside the room, the Ore-Dukes and several aides scrambled around, giving orders and receiving news. Saltare could see their hectic motions and knew they understood their plight. Their time on this world was done, and they were trying their best to think of what to do next in these final moments.

Saltare would not give them that time.

"Stack on Ulor. Targets spotted. When the door pops, hit your targets. Tap up."

Inferno stacked on the door, followed by a hard tap from the last squadron member, sending the signal forward. When it got to Saltare, he gave Ulor a hard double tap on his shoulder, signaling him to go.

The door slid open, and Inferno burst into the room.

The battle below had caused mayhem inside the Spire. The dukes and their aides were busy trying to redirect reinforcements and look at the overall bigger picture of the battle. They were doing their utmost to hold off the Imperial advance and save themselves in the process. They must have believed they were safe in the Spire as they had been dug in for some time now. Their hubris, or ineptness, would cost them.

Most of the Ore-Dukes and their aides had no idea what was happening, and by the time they could figure it out, their corpses lay smoking on the ground. Red blaster bolts lanced out from Inferno's weapons and dropped anyone in the immediate area. It only took a few seconds, and the leadership of the rebels became a smoking ruin.

"Buddy up, find the Ore-Dukes relatives in the living quarters. Once you do, bring them to the landing pad for evac. Beth and Logan, make sure everyone in this room stays dead. I'll meet you outside."

Saltare walked back through the large door they had come through, the sound of blaster fire following him down the hall toward the landing pad. He stepped outside onto the landing pad and observed the battle below him.

With the fresh reinforcements from the Empire, the rebels finally started to break. Saltare could see the gleaming armor of the Imperial units flooding through the rebel defenses. He continued to look down and nodded his head in appreciation as he opened a secure communication to Marlon Sularen in orbit.

"Sir, the Ore-Dukes are dead. The relatives are being rounded up, we'll need evac on my location."