Imperial Outpost

"Depends on your orders, Faina says somewhat distractedly, her eyes narrowing as she senses the light touch of another's mind as it passes over hers and, if she is not mistaken, those of the rest of the Imperial forces as well. We've been assigned to General Artemis' command," Faina explains, her nose crinkling in distaste as, within her mind, she senses the darkness of the mind that had briefly touched hers, and feels the things she has buried within the depths of her mind stirring in response to the lingering heat that even so gentle, benign, and brief glancing touch of so dark a mind has left eddying and bobbing in the ripples of her thoughts.

Turning to Arturo, a twenty-eight year old Lorrdian Imperial Knight that Faina has worked with many times in the past, Faina says, "Let the General know we're here, and that we're awaiting his orders," her eyes searching his for some hint as to whether she is alone in having been disturbed by the mind that she felt sweeping though those of the Imperial forces. Arturo nods, apparently un-phased by what had happened, and turns to find Artemis, leaving Faina with the disquieting feeling that she is the only one among her fellow Imperial Knights to have felt the touch of the mind, or to have been disturbed by the darkness she felt within it. Reaching up to rub her temple, Faina wonders if she was able to sense the darkness of the mind where Arturo apparently did not because she has been so tainted by allowing doubts and fears to fester within her about her purpose, the nature of the First Order and its mission now that it has allied with itself so intimately with those that serve the Darkside, or so changed by her willingness to surrender to the comparative simplicity of combat in order to avoid facing those doubts and fears that she has been left with a darkness within her that recognizes and responds to the darkness of the mind that had touched hers.

Clenching her fists at her sides as she turns to watch Arturo approaching the General and sees the Knight of Ren that is present and an unwelcome reminder of those that she now fights with given Nicademus' willingness to accept them for the power they can bring to his cause because he believes he can control them and their power, Faina, who wants to believe that Nicademus is right so much that she ignores everything in her that screams that she is failing her sworn duty to protect Nicademus from the Darkside, wills herself to focus on the mission she will soon have, and the respite from her doubts and fears it will offer, no matter how temporary it will assuredly be.



Arturo, reaching Artemis, salutes when an opportunity to address the General presents itself, and says, "General Artemis. I'm Imperial Knight Macari, he gestures towards where Faina is speaking with the Shadowtrooper commander, here with Knights Nikulin, Genchi, and Ehawee. What are our orders, General?"

*Derel Ren, the hooded Rodian standing by Soku's side, looked toward the approaching Imperial Knights beneath the rim of his hood, regarding them with a small sneer. Their distrust of the Knights of Ren was very visible, whether it be through their body language or the Force, and it amused him; they were like lapdogs, fearful some new pet would usurp their master's position as the new favorites.

But the Imperial Knights were only that: Pets. The Knights of Ren were much more.

Soku, however, paid them no mind; whatever their beliefs, whatever their feelings, all of them had chosen to cast their lots together for the sake of one cause. Truly, this alone was a testament to the resolve of the First Order in his mind, that all involved could set aside their personal feelings and work towards a better, stronger future for the galaxy. That was all he could ask.

Despite that, it would likely be for the better that the Imperial Knights and the Knights of Ren were separated during this invasion, striking at different targets, unable to get in each other's ways.

General Artemis awaited the reports from the bombing run, which came in promptly. As it would turn out, the Enclave had been shielded, requiring a more direct approach. Soku nodded.* "Very well. If that is how they have chosen their fate..." *He nodded to the stormtrooper captain beside him, the latter turning towards his men.*

"Thriesa Company!" *he called out.* "It is this day we have prepared for! The day we weed out dissidents in the garden of glory, the day we bring sweeping change to the galaxy! We've signed yourselves, all of us, to the will of order, and we will give our all to instill order, no matter to the cost! For the First Order!"

*His men gave a salute even as the two Knights of Ren marched to the forefront of the company, preparing to lead them toward the Enclave along with their captain, Soku smiling to himself under his hood. Order they would bring... and swiftly.*

Attention from the General was turned to Commander Foresi's division. He had known them less than his brother, the Supreme Commander. However, Artemis had been advised by his brother of their experience, discipline and being a worthy asset within the Imperial Army. It was the reason for their veterancy that they were attached to the Imperial Security Bureau to train the ISB's own corp of Stormtroopers.

Your division will be assigned to the Imperial forces attacking Garang. I just got word that the Jedi Enclave has been softened up with the shield suddenly dissipating. I will need your troops at Garang to help get rid of the shield protecting that settlement from our bombers.



Artemis turned his attention to the Imperial Knight, Faina Nikulin. He points in the direction of his personal forces.

You are to join my forces with the rest of your fellow Knights in attacking Garang.

===================================

With more than forty thousand soldiers landed, the soldiers were attached to their new command structures as three army groups were formed as per orders. General Artemis took command of Army Group A, which was composed of some fifteen thousand soldiers and a number of armored divisions. Their objective was Garang. Army Group B, commanded by a notable Imperial general, took ten thousand soldiers and the Knights of Ren on planet to move towards the recently bombed Jedi Enclave and deal with the Jedi present on the world. Finally, Army Group C, comprised of five thousand soldiers, would hold the Imperial Outpost as a designated Reserve formation for the time being.

As they spoke, more bomber squadrons made for the Jedi Enclave while the designated squadrons for Garang held their position by bombing the area around the city, aiming to demoralize the enemy within the planetary shield's limits.

"Very good sir," Arturo says, bowing at the waist afterwards before turning to leave and inform his fellow Imperial Knights of the General's orders. Noticing the nod that another Imperial Knight he recognizes as Aeryn Morningstar from a previous mission briefing both were present for, Arturo grins and offers Morningstar a two-fingered salute before jogging off towards where Faina and the others are speaking with the Shadowtrooper's commading officer.


Nodding after Arturo has made his report, Faina looks over at Nicolina and says, "Looks like we're working together again. Think you can give us a lift?" While she looks just as stoic and serious as ever outwardly, Faina is more than a little relieved that they will not only be working with the Shadowtroopers rather than the Knights of Ren, but also that they will not be involved in the attack on the Jedi Enclave. The Jedi, in Faina's mind, while certainly guilty of often lacking the resolve to do all that they are able to do, or to intervene violently when necessary, are still aligned with the Light, and it would feel wrong to seek their deaths. Faina also knows, however, that she may have to fight Jedi all the same; for they will undoubtedly seek to defend Garang as well as their own enclave. In that instance, though she will not like it, Faina is resolved that she will not hesitate or falter; if the Jedi choose to stand in the way of Order, they invite Chaos, and as they would no longer be serving the Light, they would be Faina's enemy.

Or that is what she tells herself in order to continue serving the Order of Imperial Knights even though, deep down and in shadowed corners of her mind that she does not willingly venture into, she is no longer sure that it, or she, still serves the Light.

* An encrypted transmission is sent from Aeryn to Faina. Using Imperial Knight security codes, the message was sent just before Aeryn disabled his comlink*

:: Faina I am making way inside Garang, I will get those shields down for the assualt ::

* A lone TIE/Shuttle lands inside the Imperial outpost. The storm troopers the exits the craft are from Aeryn's scout unit, but the Imperial Knight is not seen disembarking the vessel with his men. Storm Trooper Captain Zorn sends his men to re-equip and get a few hours rest, turning on his heel he walks up to Imperial Knight Nikulin. The Captain gives a curt salute to the Imperial Knight then removes his helmet*

" Sorry to interrupt ma'am, Commander Morningstar instructed to me give you are field report once we landed "

* Captain Zorn hands Faina a data pad containing all the intel that they had acquired while on their recon mission to Garang *

" Against my judgement, Commander Morningstar has taken it upon himself to gain entry into Garang. He plans to turn off their defensive shields from the inside and as he put cause a bit of confusion for the rebels inside. From what we can tell most of the enemy defenses are fortified at the center of Garang, with few patrols outside their perimeter. Its going to be a close quarters building to building, door to door fight. But we have the resources and the numbers, we should be able to take Garang without to much trouble"

* The Captain again salutes then walks over to join his men *

* The Errant Fire lands at the Imperial Outpost. After a few moments the boarding ramp extends outwards and touches the ground below. Out of the Ship come Four black robed and figures who wait patiently at the end of the ramp. Then he emerges, His black robe billowing in the wind. Lowering his hood Thrakk looks at the Imperial Forces staged at the outpost. Walking forward, the four black robed figures follow him in silence.

Once a few meters from the ship a storm trooper captain approaches and salutes Thrakk*

"My Lord your arrival was not expected nor did we receive any notices of your arrival. My apologies for not having an escort prepared"

*Thrakk looks at the trooper *

"I have no need of an Escort Captain, but my presence alone should warrant your concern. Take me to General Delvardus at once"

* The Storm Trooper Captain ends his Salute and turns on his heel, Thrakk follows him to the Command Center where the General is seen going over various reports. Thrakk enters the Command Center with his four men standing outside the entrance stopping any others from entry*

"General....I cannot say that I am pleased with the progress of our campaign here on Dantooine"