Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 8, 2022 7:19:35 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
The Master of the Ren was an imposing figure, his iconic armour instantly recognizable from the reports that Silas had read. He was... smaller than the Prophet had been expecting, though certainly still a giant in size. The Purge Troopers all stood around half to a full head shorter than the leader of the Ren. It was quite the physical show of force and would have certainly dissuaded most from any thoughts of trying to physically take Harnan on. Silas was much smarter than that. If he'd had any intent to fight the Master of the Ren, he would definitely not have gone one-on-one like this.
As the Master of the Ren came to a stop, Silas gave a bow in greeting. His face angling upwards ever so slightly to stare into the unreadable metallic visor. These negotiations were going to be slightly more difficult without being able to gauge the man's facial expressions. But even if he could see the man's face, there was like to be very little about his approach that would change. Harnan was a very straight forward kind of person, and nothing would be gained from trying to fool him or play mind games. His task here was too important to mess this up with such amateur thinking. He produced a datapad from his cloak and held it forward
The gift of knowledge... Ship designs that the Diarchy created and produced during its relatively short existence. Designs I am sure the Ren could benefit from using, if not adapting at the very least. As for services... I offer that of my own and my forces. I built a spy network across the galaxy with the aide of the Inquisitors, a network which has held together despite the Diarchy's downfall. Several Shipwrights from the Diarchy also took refuge with my fleet, and would happily provide ship designs for your Order... There are dark and uncertain times ahead, Lord Ren. I merely wish to help the right people lead us through and out of them...
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Harnan Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 601
Affiliation: Knights of Ren
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Post by Harnan Ren on Apr 18, 2022 21:15:46 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
Harnan accepted the datapad and swiped through the holoprojections of the ships while Silas continued to talk. His HUD marking several of them as existing in the Ren's knowledge-base for the Diarchy. He then shifted his gaze back to the Prophet as the man spoke of dark and dangerous times ahead. He had a fairly limited knowledge where Palpatine and his Empire was concerned. But what he did know, was that the Prophets that Silas had once belonged to did hold some power to pierce the veil into the future. Or so the legends claimed. It was also said Palpatine exiled them for stating that Yavin would be his downfall.
He turned the datapad to a standby mode and slid it into one of the pouches hanging from his belt. Assuming the Diarchy was indeed disbanded, then Silas had no allegiance to anyone which would threaten the Ren's future. But it was also possible the designs and potential spy network the man offered were going to turn out to be bogus. However, such a move did carry a great deal of risk.
Given his inexperience with the mystical Force, he could only trust that the Force would warn him enough if this was a trap. Something which so far it had not done. But it was also a possibility this guest of his had the ability to distort the Force to prevent that
A generous offer indeed Prophet... Something terrible must be hunting you for you to offer such boons. Be warned, Silas, that if we do take you in and accept your offers, you will be watched. Any hint of betrayal will lead to your death and you will not find another benefactor to hide behind. Understood?
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 20, 2022 18:14:43 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
Harnan was quite perceptive, it seemed. Indeed the one person he feared the most in this galaxy was likely out there hunting him down if she suspected he still lived. Though, truth be told, even if she had been dead he would still be making this deal. But it was not a point he felt worth correcting. His loyalty to the Ren was in the best interests of his life continuing. They would be less likely to second guess him, since betraying them would lead to death at their hands or of those that he was, for lack of a better term, on the run from
I would be much more concerned if that weren't the case.... As to something hunting me... well, I will be upfront: some of my former compatriots still live and are seeking refuge within the First Order. They will also be rather... displeased with me for what happened... So betraying you would very much not be in my best interests at all.
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Harnan Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 601
Affiliation: Knights of Ren
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Post by Harnan Ren on Apr 21, 2022 21:59:41 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
He crossed his arms over his chest and looked Silas up and down. It was an interesting admission to make. Such a fact could well blowback badly upon the Ren, or such information could be tactically used. What ever the case, the benefits here would provide the Ren advantages they had not had previously. And if Silas did turn out to be less trustworthy, he would quickly find his head removed from his body
Very well Prophet. You shall serve the Ren, and only us. You will run your operations from Byss. Any questions?
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 26, 2022 19:44:13 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
Things were, thankfully, going smoothly. Just as he had expected them to. The Master of the Ren was not some duplicitous politician trying to angle Silas into a corner. He was a battle field commander who thought tactfully and practically. Things that Silas respected in someone he was going to serve under. He gave a bow of his head in response to Harnan's statement
None at this time my Lord... I will send word to my forces so they may arrive here and we can begin setting up operations. I am at your service, should you need me for anything...
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Harnan Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 601
Affiliation: Knights of Ren
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Post by Harnan Ren on Apr 26, 2022 19:54:22 GMT -8
Birth of the Skin Changer - Interlude
That will be all for now Prophet... I have matters to attend to on the surface. Details for where you can setup planetside will be transmitted to you shortly. For now, you can wait here for your forces to arrive...
Without awaiting acknowledgement, Harnan turned and made his way out of the hangar bay. Most of the Purge Troopers also departed the space, leaving behind a company's worth of Troops as guards. Harnan meanwhile boarded his shuttle and headed down to the surface of Byss
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036 
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on May 31, 2022 3:01:49 GMT -8
A modified Imperial Probe Droid pops out of hyperspace in the Deep Core. Moving in system under its own power it begins scanning the system, before establishing a HoloNET link back to the Inner Rim. Once the scans have identified the major military and civilian broadcast and communications frequencies, the droid locks in and begins transmitting across all available frequencies. The broadcasts are looped and can continue as long as the droid is on station, attempting to jam its broadcast across as much of the radio and electromagnetic spectrum as possible, directed at major population centers and military facilities.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Jun 5, 2022 8:08:50 GMT -8
Under cover of the jamming, several more Imperial-era probe droids exit hyperspace in the Byss system. The droids, nine in all, are equipped with powerful passive sensors, and give off very little emissions themselves. They are there to make extensive surveys of the hyperlanes giving access to the system, building a clear and detailed map of current conditions. They will also make surveys of the system's inhabited areas, utilizing long range spectroscopes and holocams to gather intelligence. The first of the ten probe droids to enter the system, the one outfitted with heavy jamming equipment, changed its programming to broadcast a second signal.
The broadcasts were just as powerful and directed as the first, focusing on denying communications and overwhelming sensor systems with noise. While the original probe droid continued its jamming attempts, the rest continued to build a real-time sensor map of the Byss system and its approaches.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jun 5, 2022 14:37:07 GMT -8
Given the unique ways in which the First Order and Ren frequencies and ranges worked for communication, all but a few civilian broadcast radio stations were affected. Thus the shipyards above Byss received a clear order to begin work upon a new Rastreador-class Pursuit Frigate. A new design provided for use by the Ren thanks to Silas Darkstar. Accompanying starfighters were also order, with their construction beginning at the same time as that of the capital ship. The new vessel destined for Fiora Ren would be the first of the new ships produced from the Diarchy's designs. Assuming all went well, further designs would be produced and constructed for the Ren
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jun 13, 2022 19:13:39 GMT -8
Construction continued on the Rastreador-class Pursuit Frigate and its complement of starfighter. The bulk of her forces would be hard hitting bombers with a handful of nimble fighters. As it was destined to be Fiora's first command, it would be a small, precise strike force. Eventually her fleet would be expanded to include other ships similar to that commanded by Harnan Ren
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Jun 15, 2022 16:12:44 GMT -8
Elmothil sat on the bridge of the Eye of Providence, overseeing the fleets operation on the far side of the planet from the single hyperspace entry point. Transports were travelling to and from the surface, going down full of supplies and workers and returning empty from their deliveries to the Cathedral. Although the Diarchy was gone, Elmothil was still technically the commander of the fleet, and she intended to retain that title and position. What Silas had done had been risky, but the man had earned her trust and respect, which is what had stayed her blade and allowed him to keep breathing.
At this point, she didn't have much choice but to stick with Silas. If Zariel still lived, then Elmothil was going to very quickly make it to the High Inquisitors kill list
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Jun 21, 2022 9:08:41 GMT -8
With the First Order and Ren now having been given time to become accustomed to the errant noise and jamming from the droids who were conducting a reconaissance mission to the Deep Core system of Byss, the mission could continue to its next phase. Eight of the droids continued real-time mapping preparation work, while two switched over to relay nodes for the Clan's AI; BOO. The AI created dozens of identities to access the planet's computer networks, posing as various existing people. Covertly, the AI dispatched searchbots into the databases, acquiring ever higher clearances, though cautious not to trip any intrusion detection systems. The download began transmitting copies of various schematics, of both military vehicles, starfighters, and starships, as well as layouts of ground facilities on Byss. Any useful data was collected and transmitted offworld by the AI utilizing local infrastructure, piggybacking itself onto everyday systems such as power distribution, so as not to alert the locals to any foul play. Only once the AI had secured its primary goal, would it turn itself to the riskier secondary task of accessing secure information, such as command codes, security layouts, comm frequencies, and strategic data. These areas were generally better protected against hostile intrusion, so it only began attempting to access them after it had already mined the civilian and low-priority systems. This way, the AI could utilize the already penetrated networks to make its attempt on the secure network. Though all the work was being done in cyberspace, slicing into the system remotely had allowed Clan Australis to infiltrate Byss covertly, without a single ship or soldier yet entering the system.x
Slowly but surely, the Clan was building up a solid database of the current status of the system, from the spacelanes to the ground. They had a good picture of what might await any assault in force into the system. Efforts continued to thoroughly penetrate local military systems, and in time, the AI would have gained nominal access to all it required.
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Jenia Kasalle
Databank Operations
Posts: 512
Affiliation: First Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Jenia Kasalle on Jun 21, 2022 13:38:45 GMT -8
A nearby space patrol of a single Vindicator-class cruiser by-passed the planet's orbit back on it's way to the harbor, realizing eventually the disturbance of various attempts to jam bypassing mining and civil ships within the local area. Given that there was probably a purpose behind these things, the captain of the ship gave swift orders, up to the protocol, to one of the TIE patrols to deal with this problem at hand. This seemed like a regular routine for the ISB to handle.
Only minutes later a squadron of TIE Signals would patrol the area and eventually get the droids on target. Given the TIE's own capabilities as a more recently utilized recoinassance vessel for the First Order after it's various successes in the past, there wasn't much that had to be done here.
Jamming a small droid as a task for a ship, that was purposefully built to distract the interferences of starfighters and potentially slightly bigger support crafts was laughable at best, making this one an easy job for the pilots. One by one the droids would be then picked of by the Vindicator's tractor beams and eventually brought aboard to dismantle them with technician teams present in order to ensure that any potential bomb threats would get eliminated even before an ISB officer could take a look on these things.
At the same time the disturbance within the system by unknown satellites was reported after the squadron's success towards the Byss orbital station and towards other channels among the Imperial admirality. Potentially something to take note of, yet something that still has to be investigated whether it was the work of a foreign gouvernment or just the daily dosis of terrorist work by factions like the Resistance or any other rebellions against the First Order.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Jun 22, 2022 4:53:28 GMT -8
Foiled!
The detection and interception of the probe droids by the local forces was done with in a short time. The probes had no weapons or defences, and were helpless as the squadron of TIE Signals patrolled Byss space and discovered them. Upon detection, the AI cut all realtime connections, and the jamming broadcast changed yet again.
Each probe droid did not make any attempts to avoid capture or evade the enemy. Instead, each burned out its own transmission systems and comm and nav logs. This process was intended so that they would appear to be what they had originally been, probe droids of a generic type available anywhere in the galaxy. What data the AI had been able to collect had already been transmitted out of the system, and so the ten droids had served their purpose.
The droids were each captured by the Vindicator's tractor beam, and taken into enemy custody, for the First Order to glean whatever information they could from the probes. Information on the probes' missions of jamming and mapping would be available given competent deconstruction of their systems, but all navigational and communication logs were burnt out, and would be very difficult to reconstruct...
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Jenia Kasalle
Databank Operations
Posts: 512
Affiliation: First Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Jenia Kasalle on Jun 22, 2022 12:19:40 GMT -8
A report file was quickly made as the engineers of the First Order could safely confirm that no further danger came from these drones after they were brought on board. For the ISB agent, that was eventually appearing on board it was hardly a surprise to see that most valuable data regarding the origins of the probes had been destroyed. Tactics like these are usual, pretty much confirming that someone had probably an interest within the Deep Core and the systems within Byss' range.
The officer wrote his report quickly, as everything else regarding the drones could still be analyzed on the surface within the local headquarters. Given the time stamps of when the map recordings started was the only remaining thing that was of potential interest, yet minor when it came to the actual conclusion.
Probe droids like these were nowadays common among various factions since the fall of the Galactic Empire, similiar to how various stashes of Separatist droids had either survived the Clone Wars or those that got their hands on restarting the old droid factories.
Wheras Byss was also known to some of the First Order's adversaries, making it likely that a larger faction was behind the intrusion.
The Sith in general could be primary suspects in terms of espionage of the old imperial homeworld, now that the First Order and the Blackguard Reborn were unallied and previous skirmishes over Iridonia might be a factor in it.
Other dubious factions like the Quarren Dominion were as well on the list of potential suspects, given that various ships of them were sighted by imperial intelligence in the past along the Corellian borders and beyond. While there is de jure no conflict between the officially Quarren tributary gouvernment and the reborn Galactic Empire under Emperor Delvardus, various ships from Dominion space had already reached the borders of the new Empire. While most of them were scum, that either gets sent back or terminated before they could do any harm towards the civilians, the ISB suspects, that the leadership of the Dominion and especially this mysterious cult, that is supposedly controlling elements of their gouvernment, might have already infiltrated some of their installations.
Not to mention any pirate or crime lord that could simply utilize the probes as a distraction, while selling eventually the gathered data in Hutt Space to the most bidding, if they don't necessarily do it for themselves.
In the end though it hardly mattered, as Director Merrik Piett and the Emperor himself would be informed of the situation.
Patience and preparations had always brought down any culprit behind schemes like these and no matter what was to come next, the Empire would prevail.
Within minutes the matter was done, while the agent would leave the ship with the samples after having docked at the nearby space port, leaving the Vindicator cruiser once more on regular patrol duty.
The countless eyes of the First Order were now drawn to Byss once more, as few among the countless numbers of imperial subjects would begin their researches through the archives, checking their own spy reports with the activities beyond the First Order's borders.
Many were those, that defied the First Order, but only few were in the end known that would have an interest within Byss and it's surrounding systems.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jul 12, 2022 23:54:43 GMT -8
Once construction was finished upon the Rastreador-class Pursuit Frigate and its accompanying starfighters, a skeleton crew was brought in from Prakith to crew the vessel enough to guide it out of the shipyards and make the hyperspace jump to the Ren home world
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Jul 13, 2022 9:22:10 GMT -8
The Deep Core...how long had it been? Hmmm, a decade at least since elements of the Praetorite 1st fleet had traversed these treacherous waters. It seemed like a lifetime ago. After the war that saw his people devastated, he had sought allies of like mind, principled beings with a genuine desire for peace. It would never last, not in a galaxy sickened by an invisible disease that infected and inevitably destroyed everything it came into contact with. He was of course referring to the Force. An astute student of history, he had researched every available database, going back countless centuries, further still to the span of millennia. Every major conflict, well, every major conflict not brought on by his own people that is, had been the result of a bloody contest between factions of the Jedi and the Sith. A steward of his people, he feared their place in a post-war galaxy with those two rival religions still at each others throats. It had led him to the Deep Core Imperial Remnant, and to an unlikely infidel he would eventually come to call 'friend'.In those days Nem had bartered for access to the deep core, trading information his intelligence network had gathered in exchange for maps and a safe harbour for an ambitious Vong Reaver. The Imperial Knight Xeonon Solomon had been all too willing, and together they had conspired to work together to bring about an end to the Sith Empire that threatened all life in the known galaxy, Yuuzhan Vong or not. Unfortunately not every mission had ended well. The Executor still felt the pangs of loss over the fate that had befallen Uzas Yin, his domain mate and closest confidant. He had swore revenge for his fallen comrade; perhaps he would have achieved it even were it not for the burden of leadership thrust upon him, and the responsibilities associated with that crown.Still, fate had brought him back here. Fate and oaths sworn, to an infidel of all things, but one he respected.Darkspace parted, giving way to the real space as a predator of the void arrived in the system. Though the road had been dangerous and full of peril, their human-centric beneficiaries had been true to their word when providing access and a safe route to follow. Standing against a yorik coral railing overlooking the bridge of the Miid Ro'ik warship, 'Praetorite Command', once more the Executor felt confident that his decision to join the First Order had been the right one. His multi-hued mqaaq'it ocular implants shifted through the colours of the rainbow, eventually settling in to their usual emerald green, luminous and intense. They cast an eerie glow with the hood of his jet black cloaker body suit pulled up and over his bald scalp, concealing corpse pallor skin ritually scarred. Smoke coalesced in swirling grey contrails about his hooded head, puffed with the exhalation of his breath after he took another deep draw on the pipe biot held in his hand. The Sekotan Green filled his head with obscure visions, and he was forced to blink several times to clear the fug settling in over his mind. Dark purple eye sacs pulsed with the rhythm of his heart, beating faster as the planet came in to view."This is Byss?" He hissed through rows of crooked teeth. "It's...nice." A harsh bark from across the bridge drew his attention. Nem turned his head to regard another member of his domain, a young Yuuzhan Vong full of confidence and no small degree of ego. Alith Yin crossed the deck and slapped his hand down hard on the Executor's shoulder, eliciting a sharp crack and sending rivulets of delightful pleasure through the Intendant's nervous system. The segmented legs of his vonduun skerr kyrric bracers caught on Nem's skin tight body suit and scraped him as the Commander of the ship drew back his arm.Harshly accented Yuuzhan Vong. "What did you expect, Yu'shaa? A boiling ball of fire and glassed rock?"Nem stroked the bone ridges of his chin thoughtfully, considering the chiding words of his domain mate and friend as he continued to peer through the hazy narcotic smoke wafting from the bowl end of the crustacean at the corner of his lip, a biot of his own creation. Eventually he nodded, then shrugged his shoulders, a gesture he had learned from his time amongst the members of the Bloodrage Pirates."Aye. I suppose I did, but as usual this galaxy has surprised me with its splendor. Even here, amongst gravitational anomalies and the heart of star clusters, there is beauty. I think I may even enjoy these war games, though I fear it is the Emperor's intent to have us fill the role of the villain."When the Emperor had broached the subject on Coruscant, Nem had initially been intrigued, considering it a good opportunity to display the unity of their people. If stormtroopers and the warrior caste could bond through their shared profession, perhaps it meant that other groups within the Praetorite Vong's collective banner could find a commonality with the infidel races that inhabited the galaxy. There was never a guarantee, but he had to hope for a better future, less the ennui of his long years finally drive him to end his existence.Harshly accented Yuuzhan Vong. "It won't matter to the warrior caste. A fight is a fight, no matter against who or for what reason." He leaned in to whisper in Nem's pointed ear. "They're insane, Yu'shaa. The whole caste of them."The Executor was forced to stifle a laugh building in his gut, shaking his head and putting another step between them as he placed both hands on the railing, focusing on the luminescent bluish green orb projected on the blaze-bug display. The corners of his lips rose, an approximation of an infidel grin that he developed out of habit. Though in truth when Alith rested his mqaaq'it on Nem, he swore the Executor looked sad."You are right of course. Still I hope for a day when the people of this galaxy see our approach and think not of us as the enemy, but as allies and friends." Enough sadness, Nem, there is work to be done. He turned from the display and nodded his head at the young Commander. "See to the preparations of offloading our ground forces, Alith. I will make my descent separately." He took one last puff from his pipe biot before turning it over and scattering the ashes on the deck, then returned it to its place in the robeskin satchel on his hip. "I need time to acclimatize myself to this world and I do that best on my own."THUD! Alith's crab bracer thudded against his vonduun skerr kyrric plate as he saluted the Executor in mocking fashion of the warrior caste.Harshly accented Yuuzhan Vong. "Executor." The hours that followed saw a stream of yorik-trema and other organic craft transfer an assorted collection of war beasts and personnel to the surface of the planet. There were thick plated rakamat, snarling bissop, stinger tongued umrachs, flame belching Fire Breathers, and more to name but a few. Not least of which was the warrior caste themselves, two thousand crab plated fanatics singing battle hymns to the slayer god, Yun-Yammka. As for the Executor, Nem of Domain Yin, part prophet and politician...he traveled in isolation, preferring the quiet as he collected his thoughts and studied his personal qahsa device, educating himself on the planet below and the planned agenda of events.
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Jul 26, 2022 13:38:28 GMT -8
In the austere command quarters of the Praetorite Command, Alith of Domain Yin sat in solitude, listening to the villip playback of the latest transmission from the surface. His rigid brow furrowed as he absorbed each and every detail, though if he were honest most of the information was not relevant to him. The only part that mattered was that he had been given permission to hunt. He leaned forwards, elbows resting on the coral surface of the table in front of him, kneading his meshed fingers together. Mqaaq'it usually a cool blue began to swelter in their sockets, reflecting the Commander's aggression as they transformed into two crimson motes. Teeth filed to points grit together and his amphistaff that had the temperament of a quednak seemed more agitated than normal, its serpent like head hissing as its body remained firmly coiled around the Yuuzhan Vong's crab plated chest.
This was the moment he had been waiting for. Ultimately he respected Nem's desire for peace and coexistence with the infidel races, even if it wasn't something he entirely agreed with; however, the result of which was a fairly boring command post. Things had been more exciting when the Praetorite was acting as an extension of the Executor's privateering activities, which was essentially what these latest instructions implied they were returning to, if only temporarily.
Suctioning spikes unlatched from gaps in his armour as he rose, the seat resisting in vain his attempt to stand. He turned away from his tactical villip and exited through a hatch-sphincter connected to the miid ro'ik's large bridge. A raised pulpit overlooking the cognition thrones most of the crew were plugged in to dominated the room. He took his place at its head and rested his hands on the coral railing, casting his sinister glowing red gaze across the deck, before settling his vision on the screen illuminated by a swarm of blaze bugs. When he spoke, cold and bitter in tone as was expected of the intendants from his notorious domain, all eyes whether organ grafts or natural turned in his direction.
"Break orbit." He commanded. "Make for the systems edge. I'm providing coordinates now."
Alith ran his fingers over the qahsa built into his station and input the coordinates Barabas Lah had given him, then made the information available in the warship's neural circuits. Anyone connected to the organic vessel through a tall-yor would have been able to access the information. The warriors in charge of the helm immediately began to plot a course for empty space. Thus the Praetorite Command broke from its orbital position above the planet Byss, and headed for open space, not in the direction they had arrived. The dovin basal array began to pull the ship towards the first detected anomaly.
As the ship accelerated away from the planet, a priest of Yun-Yammka crossed the deck and bowed to the Commander, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so. His name was Jarkor, his birth domain discarded when he assumed his position. Wearing a mix of crab armour and ornate robes, he fit in with the majority warrior caste presence on the bridge. Alith regarded the priest coolly.
"High Priest Jarkor, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Alith's tone smacked with insincerity. Like most of his domain, he had no love of priests. Deceiving scum, the lot of them. But, some observances were still necessary in order to maintain a functional society.
Jarkor stood beside the Commander and looked ahead, studying the bridge. "I am told we are helping the Imperials inspect a few holes in an otherwise wide net." He always spoke in allegorical terms.
"Something of the sort. They detected some activity in the region outside the system. Apparently this world has been attacked before, by Mandalorians no less, and the First Order is concerned it could be the same force returned. The Executor believes our dovin basal technology may be useful in finding these holes and navigating a path back to their source."
The priest nodded, humming and hawing without adding much. Jarkor's dark eye sacs inflated as he looked thoughtful.
"A reasonable assertion. And you, Commander, what is it you believe?"
Alith snorted and crossed his arms.
"As long as I get to put this vessel through its paces, I don't much care what we find. It has been too long since we've had a chance to run out the yaret-kor." He cracked his knuckles. "I look forward to an opportunity for battle."
The priest nodded. "The spirit of Yun-Yammka resides in you, Alith. I can see His tendrils coiled around your destiny. I know my presence disturbs you and you've no interest in my sermons, but perhaps you would allow me the indulgence of a blessing?" He waved a hand out in front, indicating the rest of the bridge crew. "For their sake, if nothing else."
The only thing Alith truly wished was to stick the sharp end of his coufee through Jarkor's scarred throat. But, the priest was not out of line and his request was...reasonable, he supposed.
Alith grunted his approval, then pretended to ignore the priest from that point forwards, finding something on his qahsa device that otherwise absorbed his attention. Jarkor nodded, then bowed one last time before heading down to the lower portion of the bridge and walking amongst the crew. The warrior caste for the most part seemed receptive to his presence, even if their Commander could barely stand it.
Meanwhile, as sermons were delivered to more welcoming ears, the Praetorite Command found itself coasting along the system's edge. Gravitational anomalies made travel through this region of space almost impossible, with the main approach they had taken being primarily the only known safe way into the system. It didn't make it the only way, just the most stable. The miid ro'ik warship came to a stop near one potential pathway, its navibrain detected a possible hole in darkspace, though there was no telling how far it went or how safe it was.
He wasn't about to risk a Praetorite asset like his ship on a whim, but there were other means of exploration. Orders were sent the highest ranking shaper aboard to begin modifying a few of their complement of yorik-et with additional dovin basals. On their own, a coral skipper lacked the capacity for long void journeys and wasn't able to enter darkspace. With the attachment of a second dovin basal, however, it was possible. The Slayer Ships were an excellent example of this. A few teams of worker caste were assigned to the task assisting the shapers.
In the meantime, they waited.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Jul 31, 2022 0:33:42 GMT -8
Voided for editing as per Whill advice.
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Jenia Kasalle
Databank Operations
Posts: 512
Affiliation: First Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Jenia Kasalle on Jul 31, 2022 5:39:43 GMT -8
With their escort remaining in orbit, two Acclamator-class assault ships arrive within Byss' orbit, hailing from Adumar. Asking for permission by the local navy command with the code verifying their purpose and designated shipment that was requested by the Admirality towards the local harbour command, controlls didn't took a long time before both vessels descended onto the surface in order to deliver the reinforcements, that had been requested by the Grand Admiral herself.
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