The Battle Awaits

[Darth Vrael]

​

Vrael frowned as looked down on the newly conquered jungle world. The viewport of the bridge ensured that the world was well in view below him, green as could be. When he'd first acquired it, he'd considered it a waste of effort almost. Not only had one of his more...unique acolytes fallen in the effort, but another had been captured as well. That didn't even begin to cover the lost assets in the other efforts, just the final elimination of the world leader. And it was only a single ball of dirt on the edge of the Republica, a world of no particular importance or tactical value. Yet, here he was basing an entire attack on it being under his control. How times had changed, that he would base such an operation on a no name world like Null. What a shame he would never be able to reward the ambitious Ewok for its acquisition. @Lucid

A beeping alert sounded behind him, and he turned to peruse the bustling bridge crew. He directed his gaze to one of the tactical displays and looked over the new readouts. Ah, another of the fleet vessels had just arrived, an Asperse Class Cruiser this time. Right on cue, a holographic feed popped up, one of his Lords appearing into view to check in. Vrael nodded and waved his way through the brief conversation, his focus simply directed elsewhere at the moment. Eventually he was done, and Vrael was free to return himself to the viewport, watching idly as the new vessel drifted into position with the others. It wasn't the first and it wouldn't be the last, a small squad of starfighters suddenly dropping into view as well.

He himself was at the center of the assembling fleet, standing tall in a Panopticon-class Command Frigate. He was also at the center of a nexus of pure power, the force presences from the congregating Sith constantly washing over him. It was no substitute for the sweet darkness of Korriban, but it was good enough to relieve the tension in his limbs. This was very crucial time. The missions within Republica space were all underway, the literal backbone of this operation. At the same time Varyn Rask up to his own schemes, trying to live up to his probationary ranking lest it killed him first.

Vrael just shook his head and returned to the commanders chair, glaring a hole through the control panels as he waited. He wished he could have more confidence in his Sith, he really did. The teams he'd sent had been well prepared and more than ready for their tasks, but nothing was clear cut or easy anymore. He would just have to trust in the force, and in the will of the dark side, to see things through. He cast an idle glance towards the monitoring equipment, the displays showing the multitudes of soldiers walking the halls. Sith had been positively pouring in for some time now, to his command ship and others. How were they taking this gathering?

Spoiler: OOC

Open to all OE Sith, provided you aren't participating in missions 2,3,4. Feel free to treat this as a social thread of sorts for the moment and mingle with other Sith! Also, while your more than welcome to dictate your arrival, keep your ship choices within reason please. No acolytes commandeering corvettes or frigates.

 

[Doz Noth]

Doz was in her element upon the massive medical cruiser to which she had been assigned. It was a telling move, bring along such a large medical force. It meant they were anticipating a long engagement, that they were here to stay and the thought filled her with an excitement she hadn’t anticipated to be experiencing. Naturally the cruiser would also double for the interrogation and subjugation of any prisoners they happened to take alive. The Zabrak was well versed in the application of her medical knowledge to keep a person alive during such procedures. As auxiliary staff to the intelligence division, her medical lore had put to good use more than a few times since leaving the Academy.

Relatively new to such uses for her skills, she was more than qualified to play field medic during this bid to remind the Republica just how the Galaxy was now to be ordered. In her mind it was long overdue, this reclamation of the Empire and fortunately she lived in an age that produced a man with vision to put reunification into action. Certainly there were numerous Sith within the Republica that would resist the logic and rightness of this bold move. It sounded like a persona problem to which she was glad not to be afflicted.

The Cruiser finally came out of hyperspace over the planet Null, and until this mission she had never been this far out of the Empire’s domain. Perhaps she would get a chance to explore later, but duties came first. Rushing from the supply room with a cargo floater loaded to max capacity, she maneuvered to the docking bay where her med runner was housed. Pausing before the vessel she grinned to see the brand new Ghost-class Rescue Craft with its shiny coat of red paint. A state of the art med runner, it had the speed and sensor capabilities of a deep space scouting vessel but with enough trauma suites to see to the treatment of up to forty patients. She and four medics had been assigned to the craft, as well as a three man crew to pilot the vessel throughout this engagement. As a physician, even one in her last year of residency, she had command of the craft and would oversee the medical team assembled on board.

Leaving the cargo for the crew to load, she entered the craft for the first time wondering what she should name the ship. Certain that something would come to her, she turned her thoughts to business taking reports from the medics, inspecting the trauma suites and checking to make sure they had everything loaded and secured in place. She had no doubt the battle would be bloody, no one fought like family did. Hopefully her stubborn cousins would come to realize they had larger concerns to tend to than continuing this schism of the Empire.

 

[Darth Vrael]

The ships had arrived now, all the large vessels at least. No doubt smaller squadrons and starfighters would continue to pour in for some time. Technically there WAS no late arrival time, not for the more independent units of the Empire. Just as long as they kept their communications open so as to avoid any potential unpleasantness once the order came through. Vrael turned away from the large viewport and the great gathering of ships, stalking over to peruse the consoles once more. The first report had come in from the first checkpoint, a success apparently and they had even captured the target frigate. It was a good start, but ultimately only a single step in a grander scheme. He needed yet more confirmation before they could embark.

There were no more signals yet, he confirmed that with a simple glance, a frustrated one. Patience, he needed patience now more than ever. Still though, it wasn't that easy, it never was. Even for Vrael, whom prided himself for his control and focus, patience was a precious commodity that had begun to wear thin. Still, he kept an iron hold on his expressions and movements, giving no indicator of internal strife. He was the Emperor, and it would be ill advised to show such things to other Sith. At least there had been the single confirmation, a small boost in these anxious times. Perhaps he would consider one of their number for a promotion, they had certainly won a point in their favor today. Acolyte Kotass, he had heard numerous good things lately from several sources, an excellent candidate.

Eventually, Vrael sat himself down at one of the desks. He could at least busy himself he supposed. An Emperor's work was never done, and it would be time better spent than if he just stared off at distant stars. Fact was, the mission operations were no longer in his control. He would just have to trust in the dark side to see them through, whilst he parsed through a thousand words for that one little line he would need to address personally.
@Kayenta Moenkopi

 

[Qsan Torobah]

Q'san walked onto the bridge, with the rest of his platoon, having returned from a small recon mission on the planet below. Nothing of importance occurred, save a brief firefight with a few angered natives. Q'san was more exhausted from coming and going through the atmosphere so quickly, over the span of what amounted to a full day of trudging through swampy jungles.

Upon approaching the Emperor, Q'san snapped to attention, and saluted to his superior. "My Lord, our team has determined the planet is ready for annexation. We were met with light resistance, but it's nothing myself and Riot Control can't handle. We now have the planet's worth of lumber, and an unknown amount of other flora at our disposal. Null might not look like nothing, but I'd be willing to be there's more than wood down there that's useful to our cause. Be it medicine, poisons, or food for our soldiers. My boys have dropped off a few notable specimens in the labs, so we should know more about what we have soon, sir," he spoke, bowing his head to the Emperor.

@Narsi

 

[Darth Vrael]

Vrael turned as someone else stepped onto the bridge, a welcome distraction from the tedium at this point. He found an Imperial Agent standing before him and the other officers. Vrael recognized him as Agent Torobah after a few moments, a soldier who'd assisted in his palace sacking on Pyke. That was all it took for him to recall the man's task as well, a recon mission he'd launched to better inform them of Null. The planet was already theirs of course, but it was always important to go beyond the surface. Mining opportunities, ancient temples, rebels, you could never fall short in checking the loose ends.

Nodding for the man to begin after his salute, Vrael paid careful attention as Qsan gave his report. Overall, there wasn't much to be said about the world. It was slightly disappointing, he'd expected better from the agent who'd performed so admirably on Pyke. However, it had only been a brief recon into the deeper forests, there was a limit to what could be feasibly investigated. Vrael had been just about to voice his thoughts on the matter...when a bridge technician came scurrying over to interject. It wasn't often Vrael was interrupted, mostly because people would never ever dare to do so. Not that he had ever killed someone for the crime of rudeness, or indeed ever intended to do so. It just wasn't something done when the person speaking was the Emperor of the Sith.

In this instance however, Vrael had left explicit orders to inform him when the next signals came through. Even if he was currently relieving himself in the facilities he'd told them. Immediately the bridge tech had his complete focus, as the man reported in a somewhat nervous tone. "Lord Vrael, We have received word on the other two missions. The next in line after the first is a confirmed success, while the third is being reported as a failure with the team being wiped out." An scowl broke out on his face immediately, as Vrael turned to glare out the viewport? How best to handle this development?

He came to a decision relatively quickly, turning to shout orders accorss the bridge. "Ready the fleet for hyperspace, we're going anyway. Tell the crews to be ready for combat when we reach the third checkpoint, we'll force our way through and onto Coruscant." Instantly, the bridge burst into action, people scurrying here and there whilst some broadcasted the order to the fleet. Vrael next turned back to the Agent, eyeing the man for a moment before speaking. "Thank you for your report Agent, your dismissed. I would advise preparing yourself for the coming battles."
@Gian Greydragon

 

[Qsan Torobah]

Q'san saluted his Emperor again. "My team is ready to fight and defend in your name, my Lord. Long live the Vrael dynasty," he said, before stepping back and about-facing and walking away from the emperor he revered for his warrior spirit. The Echani in him had some respect for this.

@Narsi

End thread

 

[Darth Vrael]

Vrael hardly even noticed the Agents final salute and sentence, only the last two words really registering. He couldn't help but snort in brief derision. Vrael Dynasty? He certainly hoped not. It had been a rule of blood that had first started this whole mess, the one they were only now trying to fix. No, a dynasty of strength was all he hoped for from here on, even if that should mean his end. This was hardly the time for lectures however, and Vrael merely turned away with a gentle shake of his head.

The powerful ship hummed beneath his feet, the hyperdrive steadily powering up as coordinates were entered. Slowly, they began to turn and shift in space, gradually moving into position. Outside, Vrael could see the rest of the fleet following suite, ships arranging themselves around his flagship. He turned to back to the monitor screen, watching as the ready signals gradually popped up from each ship. The smaller ships were quickly getting out of the way, as well, some retreating inside larger vessel whilst others simply moved out of range. It made for an interesting light show, one Vrael had no interest watching as he returned to glaring at the monitors.

Finally, the last ship chimed in with its go signal and Vrael turned to the anxious looking bridge officers. "Launch," He said, nodding to them, looking to the viewport as the blackness of space dissolved into a whirl of lights and color. They were on there way, for better or for worse. Vrael was feeling confident however, the force seemed to be whispering reassurance into his ears. This was the right move, he was sure of it.

/endthread