With a flicker of pseudomotion and almost a rocking wall of sound, the ship emerged from hyperspace with what was almost an audible whump. The first ship was quickly followed by three more and, as it moved forwards to clear the vector, another set of, this time, five moved in. Aboard the bridge of the command ship, the Immortal Crusade, Eidur Macello turned from his standing position at the bridge to dispatch orders to his crew on board. "Ensign Yenk." Macello indicated a young man with his hand, who looked up, eagerly, at the Supreme Admiral of the Onderonian Fleet. "Signal the other ships in the fleet here. Inform them to prime weapons and ready bombardment in case we should meet any resistance. Inform them to target the insignificant settlements and southern hemisphere of the planet first if needs be, and move towards the main areas and, indeed, capital as resistance increases. I'm confident they won't even allow initial attempts at making their planet burn." Macello's jacket moved as he swung around again, to face out of the main window.
"And we don't want to destroy that which will soon be ours."
The cooperation of the Trandoshan government wasn't vital, although the cooperation of the Trandoshan people would be obviously preferable for the Onderonian cause to develop further. Insurrectionists from within their own "allies" wasn't wanted. It wasn't wanted at all. Macello knew much of subjugating a population, and whilst he didn't believe in the complete dominating and oppressing of a population favoured by the Republic and, to an extent, the Alsakan Union, he recognised that an effort would have to be made to ensure reasonably cordial relations whilst also making sure the Trandoshans did as they were told. But, with Onderon being incredibly superior to them, Macello was pretty sure they weren't complete idiots. "The King will be following once pacification has been made, whilst the Paladin on the ship here will accompany the King and I down to the planet's surface. The protection unit and bodyguards of the newly established Pry'tor'rheeyan Guard will be accompanying us." Macello instructed his junior officer.
"For now, however, I have a message to send."
Macello leant over to the transmission board, and held himself in a straight, military position as he began the transmission. "Government of Trandosha", Macello's voice was authoritative, loud, military-esque, "This is Supreme Admiral of the Onderonian Fleet Eidur Macello. I come here with a great number of ships, and more to come. The Onderonian fleet will not leave Trandoshan space until we have that which we want. We have enough ships to level your planet and wreak such destruction that you won't be able to return to your current status for aeons. But that's not what we want. What we want is something that can benefit both us and you. Onderon has aims, aims which will soon be realised. And we will need allies. You, Trandosha, can provide and benefit from this. Our terms for immediate surrender are simple; any vehicle larger than a command speeder will be turned over into Onderonian hands, whilst your military forces will return to their bases. You may retain your weapons. The fleet will remain here; any duplicity, and your planet will be levelled. We will discuss further arrangements in person." Macello paused.
"What's your response to this?"
The Trandoshans had little option other than to accept; they wouldn't be able to see their planet die, Macello knew. The Trandoshan ethos of honour wouldn't allow them to do such a thing. Then again, the ethos of honour might not allow surrender, either... Yet Macello was sure any ideals they might have would change if they saw turbolaser fire. The Pry'tor'rheeyan Guard was ready, in the shuttle, and Macello still thought they cut an impressive sight; tall, garbed in thick, black armour covering their whole body, with horned helmets and weapons all over them... They were dangerous, and very powerful. They were the new secret police of Onderon, as agreed between Macello and the King in the last meeting. Ah yes; the King. He'd have to contact the King and tell him all was ready for him to arrive and board the shuttle with Macello and the Paladin, when the surrender came in. Yes, when it came in; not if. Macello was sure it would come in.
"So, Trandosha, what's your answer?"
"And we don't want to destroy that which will soon be ours."
The cooperation of the Trandoshan government wasn't vital, although the cooperation of the Trandoshan people would be obviously preferable for the Onderonian cause to develop further. Insurrectionists from within their own "allies" wasn't wanted. It wasn't wanted at all. Macello knew much of subjugating a population, and whilst he didn't believe in the complete dominating and oppressing of a population favoured by the Republic and, to an extent, the Alsakan Union, he recognised that an effort would have to be made to ensure reasonably cordial relations whilst also making sure the Trandoshans did as they were told. But, with Onderon being incredibly superior to them, Macello was pretty sure they weren't complete idiots. "The King will be following once pacification has been made, whilst the Paladin on the ship here will accompany the King and I down to the planet's surface. The protection unit and bodyguards of the newly established Pry'tor'rheeyan Guard will be accompanying us." Macello instructed his junior officer.
"For now, however, I have a message to send."
Macello leant over to the transmission board, and held himself in a straight, military position as he began the transmission. "Government of Trandosha", Macello's voice was authoritative, loud, military-esque, "This is Supreme Admiral of the Onderonian Fleet Eidur Macello. I come here with a great number of ships, and more to come. The Onderonian fleet will not leave Trandoshan space until we have that which we want. We have enough ships to level your planet and wreak such destruction that you won't be able to return to your current status for aeons. But that's not what we want. What we want is something that can benefit both us and you. Onderon has aims, aims which will soon be realised. And we will need allies. You, Trandosha, can provide and benefit from this. Our terms for immediate surrender are simple; any vehicle larger than a command speeder will be turned over into Onderonian hands, whilst your military forces will return to their bases. You may retain your weapons. The fleet will remain here; any duplicity, and your planet will be levelled. We will discuss further arrangements in person." Macello paused.
"What's your response to this?"
The Trandoshans had little option other than to accept; they wouldn't be able to see their planet die, Macello knew. The Trandoshan ethos of honour wouldn't allow them to do such a thing. Then again, the ethos of honour might not allow surrender, either... Yet Macello was sure any ideals they might have would change if they saw turbolaser fire. The Pry'tor'rheeyan Guard was ready, in the shuttle, and Macello still thought they cut an impressive sight; tall, garbed in thick, black armour covering their whole body, with horned helmets and weapons all over them... They were dangerous, and very powerful. They were the new secret police of Onderon, as agreed between Macello and the King in the last meeting. Ah yes; the King. He'd have to contact the King and tell him all was ready for him to arrive and board the shuttle with Macello and the Paladin, when the surrender came in. Yes, when it came in; not if. Macello was sure it would come in.
"So, Trandosha, what's your answer?"