Kuat

Qaela · October 3, 2019

Throughout the Black Scarab, a sense of dark power undulated in waves over all of the mortals tucked within its blackened belly. Qaela, while preferring to keep herself separate from the often violent court intrigue, was not immune to the sentiment and felt herself drawn in with the rest. Keeping watch over the training academy on Korriban had suited her as it kept her from the limelight: safe and as secure as one could be in the Sith Order. When summoned to war along with the rest of the Empire's forces, she had heeded the call without reservations. She had seen what had happened to those who refused to answer Dark Lord Exodus' commands and didn't wish that for herself. Unfortunately, there had been no need for large numbers of ground forces in this battle, so she had not been needed to fight, but she had been ready.

She, as well as a quartet of her more trusted acolytes, arrived in the banquet hall as it was entering its second life of fervent celebrations. There were crowds of half drunk individuals blissfully enjoying themselves mingling with hunters stalking the room like birds of prey waiting for weakness to show itself. She saw many familiar faces among the powerful elite, as well as some that she had known far longer. Ca'Aran was here, though she had heard he had been severely humbled at Dark Sun Station. She had not felt any joy at receiving that news and wished there was a way to help him despite how things had turned out, but she would not interfere unless he asked it of her. The dark and slightly confusing presence of her daughter was also here. She had heard some rather intriguing and disturbing things about Telperien's journey, but again, she wouldn't interfere unless her daughter came to her. Qaela would never follow her mother's controlling path, but would allow her daughter to walk the path that she choose.

Above all present, the Dark Lord Emperor was present, basking in the power of his darkness and of the empire he built. Qaela didn't begrudge him of that power nor did she desire it herself. One had to be supremely powerful to take that role or one wouldn't hold it for long. As of yet, the Spider had managed to play the game of power expertly, both keeping his rivals focused on each other while extruding power himself that made none wish to challenge his position. She was content to wait in the shadows now, biding her time while others jostled for influence, rising and falling at the whims of the Dark One and at the machinations of their peers.

As it was always with those in power, a small crowd had formed wishing to siphon some of the crumbs of power that fell from the plate of the ascended. Qaela was never a sycophant, but it would not be wise to ignore their leader and risk offense. When it was her turn to present herself before the Emperor, she did so bowing her head and displaying her genuine respect at his authority. "My Emperor, I pay homage to your victories and power. Command me and see your will done."

Qaela · October 4, 2019

"My respect is not a formality, it is something earned," she replied to his initial statement. Then, a small smile cracked her lips as she continued, "Still, this is your celebration and thus, it would be a pleasure to enjoy the fruits of your labor." She graciously accepted the offered drinks, but didn't recklessly consume them. Rather, she sipped the exquisite and likely costly alcohol, savoring the multiple layers of flavor from the initial burn of contact to the flowing tendrils of smoky aftertaste. She didn't drink much, but she knew quality like this was not to be hastily imbibed. Her body language did relax and she removed the thin leather gloves that shielded her bare hands from direct physical contact.

She listened to his instructions with a growing sense of excitement at the challenge ahead. Contacting the enemy would require a good bit of self control to both maintain a proper representation of the power she was speaking for all the while restraining herself and those with her from scaring their targets off. She didn't hold any illusions that their enemy would be exactly eager to talk after losing so many planets and battles, but desperation would drive them to it. They may also believe themselves equal to the Dark Lord and the Empire he created which could cause some problems as she faced their hollow pride. She didn't fear for her safety, though rumors had come that the Imperial Knights weren't quite like the weak and easily manipulated Jedi. Those, she had heard, just might attack her on sight rather than allowing her to toy with them as she had other Jedi.

As for what he wanted to ask or accomplish, that was not for her to say or know unless he wished her to know it. She understood what it meant to follow orders without knowing all the details and would not try to play outside the bounds of her role. Plus, what she didn't know was one less thing she could divulge either by accident or through torture. She would carry out her role as directed and allow the Emperor to do what he desired.

"Those who are weak always grasp at the chance to save themselves through words," she said before setting down the empty glass back on the tray that had been its previous home. "I do not believe it will be difficult to get into contact with them for they do not practice deception as an art, but rather see it as a vice. I have been among them many years ago, though this time I am not going as Qaela Darksong, but rather as a representative of the glory of the Sith Empire. Have your servants provide me with more details at an appropriate time and I will make haste to get you the answers you seek."

Now that the initial trepidation of coming to this place had faded, she found herself enjoying the show of force and of revelry. She had never been one to truly let loose and allow her guard to fall, but she could relax herself as much as was possible. She doubted anyone was going to attempt to cause trouble while she spoke with the Supremely Powerful One.

Qaela · October 5, 2019

A smile graced Qaela's lips at the mention of her daughter. She had been aware of Telperien's growing strength, but she was pleased that even the Emperor had acknowledged it. That bode well for the girl, though she was always worried that Telperien would try to gain too much too quickly and burn out as many Sith did. A slow and steady rise was best: make sure you had a solid foundation before climbing higher else you would topple and join the sea of bones of those who made the same mistake.

"All must grow older," she replied. "I only hope that with her strength comes the wisdom of how to use it. Before I attained that wisdom, I made a great many mistakes that cost me far more than I ever wish her to have to pay. I shall indeed receive her and show her the respect she deserves before the night is over."

She bowed once more and withdrew from the Imperial presence, not wishing to take further of his time than needed. She had her orders and tasks, she wouldn't simply linger in hopes of showing off the Emperor's attention or of hoping that he would shower her with some undeserved benefit. She had a few tasks to accomplish before leaving, some to speak to and some to observe.

Her eyes did not light upon her daughter, but her Force sense confirmed that the girl was here. She figured that Telperien's spirit had migrated to a new shell. If the girl was ready and willing, perhaps she would see about remedying some of the weakness that necessitates such transformation. Since she didn't have too much direct contact, Qaela wasn't entirely sure what went wrong in her daughter's connections with the Force. It would be an intriguing puzzle if the girl wished to have it solved.

As she began carefully stretching out her Force senses to locate her daughter, Qaela's purple eyes fell upon another. She knew that what had happened to Ca'Aran had to have cut him to the core. Losing Black Sun must have shaken him more than anything she had done to him because, while she had wounded his heart, Black Sun and the purpose it gave him was his soul. He was a man left without that purpose now, without anything to fill the void of his broken and shattered heart from what happened in decades past. She felt a bit of sorrow as she saw him sitting alone, but she would not approach to console him. He had made it clear he was no longer interested in her and she was no longer the possessive type. He might not even wish to have her near, and she would never press the issue.

Reluctantly turning her back on her love, Qaela began narrowing down the hunt for Telperien, quite intrigued to find what waited her at the end of this search.

Qaela · October 6, 2019

The body before her was unknown, but the spirit was part of her. Qaela knew there was a great deal of change in her daughter, but she was slightly surprised at the profoundness of that evolution. Qaela's violet eyes ran up and down, but they did not behold the shell her daughter possessed. Rather, they searched the soul and sought insight into the path that brought the girl to her. Telperien was no longer a naive girl struggling to learn the basics of how to protect herself and use the Force. She was not a master, but she was a power in her own right.

After many long moments, she said quietly, "You have changed, Telperien. Changed and grown strong."

Qaela gestured for her quartet of escorts to remain and pointed to a slightly more private area. The four acolytes took up positions around to ward off unwanted intruders and watch for any threats or spies. As soon as they were seated at a table still strewn with remnants of a feast, Qaela asked with genuine curiosity, "Tell me, what path have you taken since we left?"

Qaela · October 14, 2019

Qaela looked over the more basic, almost crude armor that her daughter was fidgeting with and considered more than the words that reached her ears. There was a lot of underlying history and struggles all but written in the younger girl-woman's voice and aura. It was interesting that Telperien had embraced the culture that had rejected her rather than the strength that the Sith under Exodus offered. She had heard of things happening on that cursed planet and wondered how accurate the rumors were. Still, it wasn't her place to dictate where her daughter's heart lay as long as that path didn't force them to be on opposite sides.

"Korriban is a wretched place," she answered, "but within that harshness is a purity that can be found in few other places. I choose to go into the rancor's den and molded it to my own needs for the better of the Order. There was plenty of blood shed, but now a very large portion of the new Sith share my views on the necessity of balance and the benefits of serving the Order rather than just the self. I have allies and power, though that is insignificant next to the possibilities that are open to me. The Galaxy is sick and needs a curing fire to sweep away the dead weight and replace it with strength. The Sith of old burned too brightly and greedily, destroying everything without leaving anything to regrow, but I believe that the Emperor understands the need for balance and restraint. Until he tips the scales away from that balance, I will serve his Order."

One of her Four approached and gently touched Qaela's shoulder. The former Nightsister paused a moment, then nodded with resignation. She reached within her black silky robes and pulled out a large coin made of bluish black metal. On it was engraved a series of runes on one side and the symbol of the Sith Empire on the other. Qaela placed the coin on the table and slowly slid it over to her daughter, wondering if the girl would recognize the ancient Dathomiri runes of black magic on its face. "Should you ever find yourself in trouble or needing an ally you can actually trust, show this to any Sith or soldier who has gone through the Korriban academy in the last two years. They will serve you and, should the situation warrant it, alert me of your need so I may come. If any present such a coin to you, trust them and do as they say."

Standing up, she said, "Duty calls. Know that I am proud of you, Telperien, blood of mine. Stay strong and true to the Dark Side, and do not cross the Dark Lord. Do not burn too brightly or you will draw unwanted attention. If you ever tire of the blood and new bodies, go to the Bastion of Pelko and seek out Master Strae."

With one last look down at the body that held her daughter's soul, Qaela turned and, followed by her Four, she left the grand hall and went about her duties.

Qaela · May 19, 2020

C̵̝͖̠̺͕͛̊̿̕ȯ̶̢̡̗̳͎̝͖̰͔̩̿̅̀̅̽̒̕͘ṃ̷̩̈́͌̌̂̽ę̶̰̳͇̩̜̝͍͖̙͂̌̓̈́ś̵̯̙̗̹̯̺̲̀͌͋̋̚͝͠ ̷̛͎̼̦̠̲̩̰͈̠̄̓̍F̷̧̛̤̯̺͇͚͇͖̀̒̌̃̃̈́̕o̸̡̺̹̦̹̺̙͆͛̄̈́͐̋r̷̛̼t̶̤̲̟́̅͗̾ͅh̶̡̧̟͎̹͍̜͔͈̫̓͋͛̈́͝ ̸͉͎͈̙̺̟̺͔̝̇͌̚̚͠F̶̢̲̜͚̔r̷͉̓͐̿ơ̵̝̒͗͐̽̈́͐̐̕m̴̨̲͚̘̗̈́̔̍͆ ̴̡͙̠̟̻̱͒͛͗̑̃D̴̩̫͕̺̱̪̳̳͛ͅa̴͙̲̞͇̅̒̈r̴͔̼͖̣̋ḳ̴͙̘͇̘̣̪̏̒̒̔͊̔̾̾͒͘ṋ̵̞̀̊̏̆ě̴̢̧͔̜͓͙̗͋̃͂s̴̤͕̣̟̦͙͈̫̒̈̎̅̽̋͜s̶̜̲͖̼͔̰̥͕͑̔́̔̏͗ͅ

Qaela's Fleet, edge of battle

Four large ships reverted from hyperspace in close formation, only to find themselves in the middle of a sensor jamming blanket. Qaela stood on board the Herløv and frowned in displeasure at this fact, even as her ships began attempting to scan the region and get an idea of what was going on. The tactical holos on the bridge remained a distorted static as their sensors were unable to properly identify the hundreds of ships, stations, shipyards, and other structures in their immediate vicinity. She could see small specs of light on her viewscreen, but not identify yet what they were and what it was she was here to destroy.

This jamming would partially explain why Governor Ornkala had given such a poor showing so far, but not entirely. His failure to have already rallied a defense or even to have allowed such an attack so close to the shipyards was unforgivable. Unless he proved himself in the next few minutes, it was likely that his time among the living was quite short. Perhaps, given the Spider's blessing, she would be able to rive his soul.

"Start working on punching through that jamming," she ordered. This wasn't exactly an Outer Rim planet, there were thousands of various comm and sensor satellites and relays in the area, so the jamming would only hold for so long before at least some communications could start punching through and she could begin rallying the Sith garrison to the defense. Until then, she would have to content herself on waiting until her ships could break through the jamming or at least get in close enough to visually identify and fire upon targets.

* * * * * *

Golan Defense Station

Major Hogorens was in the command center of the Golan Defense Station Echo-Two when everything went off at once. Alarms were blaring and klaxons were pounding into his skull like drums. To his complete and utter shock, ships began pouring into the space around his station and began launching scores upon scores of fighters. It didn't take a genius to figure out these were not Sith Imperial forces which meant they had to be Rebels.

Despite the surprise of the audacity and close range in which the Rebels had managed to jump in, he began barking orders out and summoning the crew to general quarters. Shields struggled to go up, but enemy shots hit their station and blasted holes into it including where the shield generators had been housed. With a grimace of frustration, Hogorens watched as the unprepared and partially staffed gunnery crews began opening fire at the incoming ships, but their efforts were hampered by the sudden jamming that was scattering their range finders. More gunners would start getting to position, but that would take some time as they struggled to get into their turrets. Until then, he could only stand by as he saw landing craft head towards him.

Running to the small weapons locker in the command center, he used his authorization code to open it and began distributing weapons and sidearms to the crew there. If the enemy wanted to come on board, he would do his best to make sure they had a hot welcome.

* * * * * * *

Shipyard Zone 24

The Sith, upon capturing Kuat, had immediately ordered massive production of war materiel and ships. The Kuati elite, more loyal to credits than politics, was generally more than eager to accept the Sith contracts and begin building mighty Star Destroyers and smaller supporting ships for the Empire's war effort. Even though some of the rank and file workers might have had some qualms about serving new masters, the Sith were providing jobs and money to put food on their family's table. There had been some early issues of sabotage of some of the Sith efforts, but those had been brutally punished and generally, the workers had shaped up and did their jobs as required.

That didn't mean that those workers had forgotten or changed their beliefs.

There were some among the population of Kuat who were still loyal to the Imperial Remnant and bitterly opposed the invading Sith. While the most vocal of opponents had quickly been identified and rounded up by the Inquisition, there were still many who were smart enough to keep their opinions very close to the chest. As with almost any occupied planet, underground resistance formed to oppose the Sith Empire and, after months and months of planning, had managed to get people into the right place at the right time to make a stand.

In Shipyard Zone 24, the Sith had been building up more of its Kyber class Star Destroyers. Three were now almost complete, waiting for its crews to embark. In addition to those three, there were also two Victory II Star Destroyers also all but ready to be christened, and another six Kyber Destroyers in various late stages of construction, but not yet ready for deployment.

Rebel sympathizers had altered schedules and falsified reports to where these ships were all but empty of any but Rebels and a handful of Sith loyalists. When the Rebels had arrived as planned, their allies within the shipyards were ready, but they still needed help overwhelming the small number of Sith troopers and crew that they had not been able to get removed from the schedule.

Seeing the Rebel attack, hundreds of Rebel resistance members went to action attacking and killing or detaining those that they could and beginning the process of detaching the five ships that were ready so they could depart. Even so, their risk was tremendous as it didn't take long for the rest of the Shipyard Security forces to realize what was going on and start sending dozens and hundreds of Sith troopers to these ships to attempt to quell the insurrection. Without reinforcements from the Rebel fleet, the resistance members would quickly be overrun and slaughtered without mercy.

Qaela · May 25, 2020

S̶̀͆͠ͅî̵̡̖̫̣͖̝̬́̋͒́͝ͅt̵̥͈͎͚̃ȟ̴͖̣̮͇̺̻͙̰̱̈́̋͊̀̀̈́̈̀̓ ̵̧̦̤̣̃̓̈́̒̔̄̂͆͆̽F̴͚͙͚̿̉̾͐͘͝o̸̹͗̓͝r̵̼̰͔̰͓̤͊̈̀̔̽͊ç̸̛̻̫̰͙̯̠̰̂́͜͝è̴̡̧̡̛̛͇̟͔̳̪͇͐͒̄̊͛ş̷͕͔͈̤̃̂̓̓͌̌̌ͅ

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Spoiler

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (20/20)

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Lightsbane

Imperial II class Star Destroyer Lightsbane (20/20)

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (9/9)

Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (9/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Spoiler

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer |20/30|

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle |9/9|

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet |9/9|

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire |9/9|

Edited May 25, 2020 by Qaela

Qaela · May 29, 2020

Ö̸̠̖̳̘͈͙̹̖̬́͑p̶̡̪̺̲͕̖̘͎̣̏͒ȇ̸̲̪̭̳̜̟̦̖̭̈́̀̽͘ņ̸̲̺̹̭͈͍̪̭̌̒̎̉ͅi̴̛̺̭n̷̟̪̰͓̯̣̖̺̝̈́g̴͓̳̜̜̲͗̓̈́̀ ̸̠͇͕͊͋̐͋S̴͍̬̦̹̓͌͆̿͗̀̌̕͠h̴̩̱̩̑͌̚ọ̷̧͕̲̩͕̯̐̾̿ț̵̛͉̣̤̉͑̕s̷̺̬̣̠̱͕͚͙̽̌̋̍̈́

Qaela's Fleet, entering battle

Qaela's crew was quick to get into action now that they had been able to take in more of the situation around them. Still, it was frustrating how long it took to establish line of sight communications with infrared lasers, but it was better than nothing with the jamming going on. The Sith's engineers and comms specialists would soon be able to connect with an orbiting comms array to serve as a proxy hub for communications, but until then, this would have to work.

Qaela saw the fleet arrayed against them and was eager to fight. The enemy would certainly be going to attack the Shipyards, and that was something that she didn't want. It was crucial that the Sith fleet continue to grow. They needed to cut through the enemy fleet as quickly as possible and try to cut them off from their boarding parties attacking the Shipyards. At least there, they may be able to trap the enemy where the constantly increasing number of Sith reinforcements could wipe them out and save the Shipyards.

She saw the enemy fleets forming to attack the new arrivals and quickly selected her targets. Issuing a stream of orders, she began to mentally prepare for the battle ahead. Opening up to the Force, she prepared to feel the delicious taste of hundreds or thousands of deaths to stream over her like a savory waterfall. She also reached out and began searching for any particularly strong Force signatures indicating either fellow Sith or rival Light Side sycophants in the nearby area.

Shipyard Zone 24

[[For Vox]] Sith Shipyard forces, while initially overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of the Trandoshan led attack, were not entirely incompetent. Since they were not prepared for an attack, there were only a few troopers and a scattering of lightly armed Shipyard Security Forces (SSF) on hand to repel the initial attack. They did what they could, but it was clearly not sufficient. Instead of trying to completely drive off the attack, those in the area focused on slowing down the Rebel incursion. They weren't suicidal in making their stand, but they also weren't going to give up too much ground without a fight.

Quick, makeshift traps were laid in key corridors with laser tripwires attached to shape charges. Troopers or SSF officers positioned themselves in fire zones to ambush the advancing enemy as well. Finally, security continually monitored the enemy as they advanced in, guiding and coordinating the responding forces even if they were outnumbered and mostly focusing on harassing. Their ultimate goal was to wait until further reinforcements could continue to stream in and Sith troop transports from Kuat's surface could pour hundreds of heavily armed, battle hardened soldiers into the fray.

On board the various ships in Zone 24, Sith forces were still struggling against the insurgency. They took a lot of losses from the sudden revolt, but were quickly regrouping and preparing to sabotage the ships to prevent their escape. The Rebel insurgents had taken the engine rooms, reactor, and bridges of the Destroyers, but were constantly at risk of counterattack from the Sith loyalists.

Qaela · June 10, 2020

S̸̛̲͈̟̜͉̟̮̳̖̖̃̌̈́͑̉͝h̴̭͇̥̣̜̥̱͔̟͚̎̃̀̓̿̀̅̚é̴̙̙̳̭̪̼͖̥͉̊̏̎͊͌͒ͅe̸̛͓̥̒͊͒̒̊͜͝p̷̼̼̳͙̗̹̝̭̈́͛̄̍̿̒ͅ ̴̧͔̗̘̎̋̇̽͘B̴̞͉̿͌̓̕͜ȅ̵̥̱̫͖̠̼͙͐̈́̎̉͗ͅf̴̹̤̪͓̘̤̠͑̓̉̍͛̌͘͜͠͠o̵͍̓̈́̀̋r̷̨̨̢̢̲̩̟̤͎͖̀̓͋̈̋͑̊̚ȩ̷̺͚̘͎̌̈̂̈̄͆͑͘͠͝ͅ ̴̨̛͎̦͇̰̗͖͆̾̈́̔̌W̶̜̃̿͘͠ȍ̴͇̜́̏̑̏̀̉͝ļ̵͇̬̻̼͔͙͓̜̇̈́̚ͅv̶̗̘̗̲̋͑̍͋̓̋̑̍͒͆ͅẻ̵̡̪͓̗̹̮̫̖̻̓̍̐͗̏͗̐̿͝s̴̬̘͈̮̀̎̋̅̓

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (20/20)

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Lightsbane

Imperial II class Star Destroyer Lightsbane (14/20)

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (9/9)

Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (1/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer (20/30)

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle (9/9)

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet (9/9)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire (9/9)

* * * * *

Qaela's Fleet, In Battle

War was a glorious thing. It culled the weak and honed the strong. While war could sometimes be wasteful, in the right hands, it was the conflict necessary for life to continue and to account for nature's predator and prey mentality that being sentient had largely eliminated from the equation. Seeing the enemy corvettes explode before her as they tried to attack her flagship was a thing of beauty. Feeling the deaths of those scores upon scores of beings was but a trickle of the greater flood of carnage that was soon to come. She was pleased to see none of her own ships explode, though the Gleeful Glutton's shields took so much fire they were on the verge of collapse. The smaller destroyer had a purpose, and it was in shielding her own flagship from the focused enemy fire that lit up space between their two fleets. It might be callous, but she understood that even among the strong, the pawns had to fall so that the queen could continue to direct the larger fight.

News of enemy raiders landing among the shipyards was of concern to her, so she ordered the assault shuttles from her own fleet to launch with their compliments to aid in the defense of the Sith Empire's future fleet. The army that was planning on invading the Corellian System wasn't with them, but rather had remained in deep space safely out of the way. Attempting to call them would be difficult with the jamming, but she also didn't want them jumping to Kuat in the middle of a fight where they could take tremendous losses. Losing troops in ground combat against other enemy soldiers was honorable and glorious, but losing a defenseless ship full of troops in space was shameful and humiliating.

It was best to defeat this fleet and then deal with whatever the Rebels were planning on the Shipyards, so she gave further orders and her mighty ships adapted and continued the battle in earnest.

Qaela · June 17, 2020

Ḿ̷̛͇͎̣̔̈́͒̍̃̓̚͘o̴̙̥͚̖̖͋̏̇̓r̵͍͐̀̈́e̴̛̪̥̐̑̍́̇̇͜ͅ ̴̪̀̆̋̈́̅̈́̓̕̚t̵̖͈̦̑͒̑̂͐̑o̸͕̿ ̸̗̖̙̠̅t̴̡̢̡̛̖̂̏h̷̡̻̺͔̤̬̬͈̮́̉̄̚ę̸̛̛̛̭͍̮̈́̈́͛͗̓̇̕ ̷͙̣͆̾̄Ṣ̷̨̹̲̱̦̳̭̫̓͋͆͐l̴̡̧̲͍̰̮̩̝̆a̷̡̢̨̦̹̜͔̝̲͋̽͝u̵̢̖͇̹̎̓̓ġ̸̢͉̖͚̪̉͋̌̑͘͘͘͜͝h̵̬̞͍̦̣͋́͗̓̏̀͑̀̿͝t̸͚̣̯͔̬̩͕͓̭̫͛̓̍̅ě̸̢̤̫͙͖ṙ̷̮̦̼͙͇̎ͅ

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (20/20)

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Lightsbane

Imperial II class Star Destroyer Lightsbane (8/20)

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (8/9)

~~Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (0/0)~~

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer (20/30)

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle (9/9)

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet (9/9)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire (9/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Mordecai

Asset Denial Force: Surgical Strike

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Victory II Cruiser Wyvern (9/9)

Lancer Frigate Dark Hand (3/3)

Tartan Corvette TC-64523 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64524 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64525 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64526 (2/1)

Electronic Warfare Pod: Information Control

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Acclamator II Cruiser Shroud of Darkness (9/9)

Pelta Class Frigate Deceiver (3/3)

Thranta Corvette TH-78143 (2/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78144 (2/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78145 (2/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78146 (2/1)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Strike Class Cruiser Coalescent Fury (9/9)

A massive, brilliant explosion briefly lit up the holos in the bridge of the Herløv. Qaela frowned as the Gleeful Glutton took the brunt of heavy fire and erupted into a fireball of metal and shrapnel. Numerous of the pesky corvettes also perished in the exchange, but not enough and the loss of one of her ships greatly displeased her. It was battle, but those were here shield to protect her own forces. The losses didn't concern her so much as it showed that the enemy was capable of inflicting damage on larger ships.

The worst part of it was the sudden influx of enemy ships joining the fray. While reinforcements of their own began to stream in, looking at the makeup, Qaela realized they were in some potential trouble with the enemy firepower now displayed against them. Before, they had the advantage in terms of destructive potential, now, that had shifted slightly to the Rebels.

At least one of the enemy's cruisers was belching flame and so full of holes, it amazed her the ship hadn't broken up yet. One thing she did like was that it seemed these Rebels were focused heavily on simply unleashing damage, not in protecting themselves. That meant more damage output, true, but it also meant less protection for their own ships. It was a curious move from a group of people that claimed to value their own lives, but perhaps these were the old Imperials still in command.

Qaela · June 23, 2020

Sith Results, End Round 3

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (16/17)

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Lightsbane

Imperial II class Star Destroyer Lightsbane (8/20)

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (8/9)

~~Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (0/0)~~

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer (8/30)

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle (9/9)

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet (9/9)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire (9/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Mordecai

Asset Denial Force: Surgical Strike

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Victory II Cruiser Wyvern (9/9)

Lancer Frigate Dark Hand (3/3)

Tartan Corvette TC-64523 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64524 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64525 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64526 (2/1)

Electronic Warfare Pod: Information Control

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Acclamator II Cruiser Shroud of Darkness (9/9)

~~Pelta Class Frigate Deceiver (0/0)~~

Thranta Corvette TH-78143 (0/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78144 (2/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78145 (2/1)

Thranta Corvette TH-78146 (2/1)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Strike Class Cruiser Coalescent Fury (9/9)

Edited June 25, 2020 by Qaela
Updating corrected ship damage stats

Qaela · June 25, 2020

Ğ̴̺̻̠͎͊͛̀̃̅̊͘͘̕ͅḻ̶̡̳̞͉̣͔̹̯͐̿̒̏́͘ͅǫ̶̣͎̤͎̈̉̃̄͌̕̕͠r̷͔͙̩̱̝̦̓̑ͅͅi̶̳͍̍̓̌͛̑̃o̴̧͈͕͎̦͈͔͕̰̐ų̴͌̽̋̀ṣ̴̢͕̲̼̞͊̚ ̷̧̡̘̤̭͍̟̞͕̘͊̍̓́̈͊͘͝Ċ̷͖̰͙̖̝̝̟̘̯̙͌̿â̴̡͈̹͔̖̥͔̤̣͋́̄͒͋͛̔̓̐ṙ̴̻͎̬̥̖͇̭̦̈́̒̊͗̇ͅn̶͈̠͍͎̘̂̎͝a̵̱̹̪̘̲͖͚̪̯̙̓͛͗ǧ̸̨̨̛͓̣̩̝̳̍̎̊̔͋͘ě̶̛̹̜̖͇̤͓̟̓̌̔͂ͅ

The impact of precision fire against the hull of her Herløv caused the deck plates to tremble slightly, but Qaela paid them no mind. Damage was fairly minor, but they had managed to destroy the last of the pesky corvettes. She smiled slightly as she saw one of the enemy cruisers erupt in flames and begin breaking apart, but the enemy reinforcements brought with them some significant firepower that needed to be dealt with. There would be a great deal of hard questions asked in the next few days as to how such a large Rebel force could ambush a Sith stronghold such as Kuat and pose such a significant threat.

She noticed the heavy fire that the Black Bracer was experiencing and wanted to get them some relief. Even then, it would be difficult with so many enemy ships firing on them, but they would have to do so. The constant threat of determined focused fire against their ranks could quickly turn one of their heavy destroyers into nothing but a brilliant beacon of death and carnage.

Giving more orders and redirecting the fleet's firepower, she waited with carefully restrained enthusiasm as the battle continued to unfold.

Qaela · June 29, 2020

Sith Results, End Round 4

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (16/17)

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Lightsbane

Imperial II class Star Destroyer Lightsbane (0/13)

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (8/9)

~~Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (0/0)~~

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer (8/30)

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle (9/9)

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet (9/9)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire (9/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Mordecai

Asset Denial Force: Surgical Strike

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Victory II Cruiser Wyvern (9/9)

Lancer Frigate Dark Hand (3/3)

Tartan Corvette TC-64523 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64524 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64525 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64526 (2/1)

Electronic Warfare Pod: Information Control

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Acclamator II Cruiser Shroud of Darkness (7/9)

~~Pelta Class Frigate Deceiver (0/0)~~

~~Thranta Corvettes 1-4 (0/0)~~

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Strike Class Cruiser Coalescent Fury (9/9)

Qaela · June 30, 2020

W̵̢̧̨̦̣̪̺̙̭̬͆͛͒â̵̻̰̺͕̼̣͚̪͓̹̽̽͆̈̎́͝r̴̡̯͕̺̲̟̹͆͗̈́͑̑̇̎̈̚͝ ̶͕́̋̕̕͝͠į̶͖̝̺͍͖̼͔̄͆̊̋̂̉͋̚̕ͅs̷̛͍͊͑̍̇͌̌̐͛͠ ̷͍͉͖͙̱̓̋͊͝G̶̜̙̻̘̙̰̣̳̳̃̎̈́̌̚l̷̨̺͙͖͉̹̮̹̀͂ǫ̸̼̪̰͉̻̦͒̒̃̉́́̑̐͗͝ͅr̶̗̘̐̀͑͊̊̉̋͋̕̕ͅy̶̡̢͍̼̟̯̥̣͉̭̐͑͘

War was glory, at least when it was going their way. Qaela realized the heavy losses she had risked, but she had stayed the course and it seemed that the aggression and close defensive tactics of their escorting fleets had paid off. The enemy was losing multiple ships with even more of them venting flame and atmosphere. The Lightsbane was heavily damaged and taking casualties, but for the moment, the rest of their surviving ships seemed to be doing moderately well.

The enemy appeared to begin maneuvering to new formations, possibly to withdraw or perhaps to make one last ditch attack run. Not knowing what else the enemy had planned or if they were bringing additional forces, she needed to be careful. While the Emperor seemed to love a glorious battle, he had demonstrated in the past an abnormal (for a Sith) proclivity to defense and protecting what he had. He did that at Dark Sun Station and elsewhere, so she believed that protecting the shipyards would be the priority over destroying enemy ships.

Until it was known what the Rebels' plan was, she would fight and protect the shipyards.

Qaela · July 6, 2020

Sith Results, End Round 5

Sith Fleet under Command of Qaela

Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Turbolasers]: Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 2XP

Assigned Callsign: Herløv

Kyber class Star Destroyer Herløv (16/17)

~~Sith Empire Destroyer Group [Missiles]: Focus Fire~~

Assigned PC: Qaela

Sith Empire Rapid Intervention Escort: Deadly Response

Assigned PC: Qaela

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Assigned Callsign: Glutton's Shadow

Neutron Star-Class Bulk Cruiser Shadow's Sleight (5/9)

~~Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer Gleeful Glutton (0/0)~~

Sith Fleet under Command of Nok

Heavy Brawler Escort: Hammer and Anvil

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Bulwark Mark II Black Bracer (8/30)

Destroyer Group (Missiles): Focus Fire

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser Moon Beetle (9/9)

Captor-class Heavy Munitions Cruiser The Broken Bullet (9/9)

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Nok Morliss (commanded by NPC Jaden Jorus)

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Nova-class Battle Cruiser Our Velvet Ire (9/9)

Sith Fleet under Command of Mordecai

Asset Denial Force: Surgical Strike

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Victory II Cruiser Wyvern (9/9)

Lancer Frigate Dark Hand (3/3)

Tartan Corvette TC-64523 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64524 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64525 (2/1)
Tartan Corvette TC-64526 (2/1)

Electronic Warfare Pod: Information Control

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Acclamator II Cruiser Shroud of Darkness (7/9)

~~Pelta Class Frigate Deceiver (0/0)~~

~~Thranta Corvettes 1-4 (0/0)~~

Covert Strike Force: Silent Hunters

Assigned PC: Mordecai Valar

Task Force Experience: Green, 1XP

Strike Class Cruiser Coalescent Fury (9/9)

Qaela · July 7, 2020

Ḟ̶̡̆̀̏͜͝ĩ̴̤̪͕͊n̷̡̛̙̬̦̹̭̫̄̓̉͑̒ȧ̴̘͋̐͌̉͗͗̽̿l̶̻̥̯̯͆̇̈́ͅͅ ̴̧̬̮͕̤͇̖̼͗̚͜ͅB̴̠̜̽l̸̢̻̘̺͋̏̎͛ǫ̶̢̜̺͖̥̗̦̩͎̉̒̈́̽̽̃w̴̻̤̰̙͚͚̓ͅs̵̨̹̮̦͈̹̹̯̍

A brief, brilliant flash of light momentarily caused the cams projecting space around her ship to darken as the Lightsbane exploded into multiple fireballs of death and carnage. Though they were beings under her command, death was death and the wave of that destruction quickly followed by smaller waves as Rebel ships suffered the same fate washed over Qaela in a welcome flood. She was infuriated at the loss of one of the destroyers under her command, though the fiery death of so many enemy ships and their eventual retreat were something to cheer her up.

With the enemy cruisers vanishing into either hyperspace or miniature novas, that left only their largest ship, the Imperial II Star Destroyer that she had seen before over Borleias. She had not targeted that ship yet simply because she wanted to destroy the smaller ones and not waste so much firepower on it, but now there was nothing else for her to destroy. She began directing her mighty fleet's awesome firepower upon that singular target, but one of her officers cautiously interrupted her.

"My lady!" the officer said, cutting off Qaela's orders. To her credit, her voice was firm, but through the Force, Qaela could tell she was nervous about interrupting a Sith. "Scanners picked up something odd. We have an unexplained heat signature that is giving off muted sensor pings in Grid 13.5 by 3.9."

Rather than be angry, Qaela smiled. "Good work, Ensign. So they brought a stealth ship as well. Have Commander Jorus focus his attention on that region. We will move to engage the enemy's flagship."

Qaela · July 12, 2020

M̴͉̪̥̖̠͌̀̀̃̽͌͐͋͘ő̷̠̮̲̺̈́͐̌̐͠p̶͎̫̼̹̑̋̇͆̂̇̃̓̀p̵̙̝̎̀̊͑͗̀͆̾̊̉i̶͈̣̖̝̰̱̬̝̻̽͒̚ņ̵̳̰̗̱̤͕̩̗̉͒̄̀̇͒͝g̸̛̛͙͇̪̟̮̙͛̓̓̈͛ ̵̣̘̝͒̃͂̽̃Ų̵̗̟̩̖̲̤͋̓̉̿͑̑p̷̣͉͇̉̅̇͂͋͌

Even though they managed to get some parting shots off at their enemy, there were no more gratifying explosions as ships died. As she had expected, the Rebels withdrew from the onslaught and were now taking position farther out from the Shipyard rings. The space between the two fleets was now littered with the burning hulks of ruined ships with fighters having occasional dogfights of opportunity as stragglers encountered each other. For the most part, it seemed that the fleet combat was over, though it wouldn't last forever. Sith reinforcements were on their way and, if the Rebels stayed too long, they would find themselves sandwiched between two enemy fleets that would finish off what this first battle had started.

Qaela smiled at that though, but realized she had other things to focus on at this point because now, two of the Star Destroyers that had been the targets of the enemy raiders started violently decoupling from their berths and heading out for the Rebels. She didn't relish the idea of firing on Sith ships, but better to fire on them than let them be used against their true masters.

"All forces, let the Rebel cowards go!" she barked angrily. "Fire on the ships attempting to leave. I do not want them to escape unscathed!"

Qaela · July 16, 2020

Qaela stood on the bridge of the Herløv and stared silently at the viewscreen showing the formerly Sith Star Destroyers edge their way to the safety of hyperspace. They were taking fire, no doubt, but they were also hardy ships who could take a beating. It took her only a few moments to calculate that they would not be destroyed before they reached the edge of Kuat's gravity well and jumped into hyperspace. One of the curses of these Shipyards was that they were already in orbit, so closer to that edge than if ships were taking off from the planet's surface.

She remained silent as the ships slipped into hyperspace, joined shortly thereafter by the rest of the battered Rebel fleet. She stood there, considering, while her crew remained quietly waiting to see her response. Finally, half a minute after the last Rebel ships fled, she turned briskly and headed back towards her command chair. "Send recovery teams to comb the battlefield and find any survivors. Move in through the wrecked ships, Rebel and Sith, and see if anyone can be saved or anything salvaged. If you encounter Rebel escape pods or survivors, take them alive if possible. Tell the recovery crews that there will be a thousand credit bonus per Rebel prisoner they take."

She took in a deep breath to focus her building wrath. It would do neither her nor the Sith any good to explode against her crew or those who fought for they had done their duty. Instead, she centered herself and turned that wrath against a more appropriate target. "I want Governor Ornkala on his knees before me in the next two hours, and I don't care if you have to bomb his palace and storm its gates to get him here." The sharpness in her tone did not give room for disagreement, and her orders were quickly carried out. An entire squadron of TIE Defenders was deployed along with two entire platoons of her own Marines to carry out the task. The governor was responsible for the defenses of this system and its invaluable Shipyards, yet the Rebels had clearly managed to find gaps within those defenses and exploit them. She was confident that the Spider would wish to administer corrective measures upon him, though it was not her place to do that on her own. She didn't dare lash out against a governor without Imperial blessing.

Finally, after she had the recovery and damage control efforts well underway, sent a summons for Mordecai to return to the Herløv as soon as he was finished dealing with the situation on the Shipyards. Lastly, she left the bridge and went to the recently repaired comms and briefing room where she sent out a holo message with the highest encryptions she had. It was now time to face the punishment for her own decisions and failures.

Though she despised it, she went down on one knee and bowed her head when she sent the message, "My Exalted Emperor, I regret to inform you of a Rebel raid on your shipyards at Kuat. As I and my fleet were nearby when the alert went out, I took the initiative to abandon my campaign in Corellia to defend your war machine. We met a sizable fleet in pitched battle and inflicted some losses upon them, but they were able to destroy the Star Destroyer Lightsbane and some of the smaller ships you entrusted me with. They also captured and fled with two freshly completed Star Destroyers meant to supplement your mighty fleets. I have failed to prevent these losses and accept responsibility for the losses incurred and for being unable to prevent the enemy from fleeing with your ships, though I will not accept responsibility for the lax in security in the system itself and have summoned Governor Ornkala to account for himself and await your judgment. I have also received reports that the Rebels are amassing over Corellia to retake Centerpoint and undo the progress I made there. I await your Imperial judgment and will turn myself over to the Dark Council for any punishment you deem fit."

Qaela · July 23, 2020

Qaela remained on her knees while the transmission from the Spider was received, her mind running through every word pronounced upon her. She had learned things about their enemy, and in learning those things she was prepared for what was next. The Rebels might be scattered and weakened, but they were not dead yet. They were conniving and focused on survival. Just like any animal that is cornered, it was dangerous and could lash out in unpredictable ways. After the early initial successes of the Sith campaign, she had begun to believe that the Rebels were no major threat, only a bug to squash. That was no longer the case, and she would need to adapt her way of thinking just as she had in her early encounters with the Sith.

There was much for her to do, and that would take time of which she had precious little. She left the briefing room and returned to her bridge. She issued more summons, this time with the not so subtle hints of Imperial authority behind them. She also started getting repairs for her ships and replacements for the losses they incurred, namely the Lightsbane. She would need those ships to return to Corellia to continue what she had begun. There was some resistance from the Military Command, but she was a Master Sith and it was known that she had received the Imperial mandate to take Corellia. It frustrated her that there was any sort of resistance, but in due time, should she serve the Emperor well, she believed that her would would no longer be questioned.

Governor Ornkala was indeed brought before her, and to her pleasure the troops she had sent had not been required to do more than a flyover with TIE Defenders and threaten orbital bombardment to get him to appear. Even though he brought two of his own guards, they were of no consequence next to the smallest might of the Dark Side she commanded. She met them in the Officer's Mess which had been hastily set up with the most basic of refreshments, though nobody assembled was touching them. Captain Geratos of the Herløv, Shipmaster Vendant, the Kuati aristocrat who had been in charge of the Shipyards, and Major Hogorens who had been in command of the Golan station that was infiltrated and disabled were also present.

Another addition to the meeting was Admiral Horlklat, a dour looking Nemoidian who, despite his race's penchant for cowardice, had a record for being a competent commander. He had been nominally in charge of the fleet around Kuat, though not the Shipyards themselves. She had spent the half hour after receiving orders and their arrival on board her ship going over the situation on Kuat prior to the Rebel raid, and evaluating the actions of those involved and had come to some decisions, though she would hold a court of her own today.

Though Captain Geratos was present, he stood apart from the other three men. His presence was more to observe the goings on. Qaela wanted a witness other than herself to spread the tale of what happened here on this day. Reputation was built by the words of others, therefore there needed to be someone else here.

"You are here because you failed the Empire in some way," she said flatly. Ornkala attempted to open his mouth to argue, but she quite literally closed it with a simple gesture of her hand and a trickle of the Force. "You all had a job to do and you all failed it. There is no disputing this fact. The only thing that remains in questions is how shall we deal with this."

Her violet eyes fell upon Major Hogorens. "You were entrusted with the protection of a Golan station, yet it was overrun and all but destroyed. Your actions, as ultimately failed as they were, showed you took action at least. The overall situation was beyond your own control, but losing your command is never good for your career. You are hereby demoted to captain and ordered to the Outer Rim to fight in the mud and trenches on the fringes of the Empire. Perhaps there you will prove your worth, regain your honor, and rise back through the ranks to a desirably easy posting in a Core World."

The officer, clearly not pleased with his fate, but grateful it wasn't more mortal, saluted sharply but said nothing. She dismissed him with a quick gesture. "Shipmaster Vendant, you were charged with the production and smooth operations of the Kuati Shipyards. The Emperor allowed you to retain your position after adding this planet to his realm because you were wise enough to bend the knee. I never question the wisdom of the Emperor, but perhaps he would now rather have made a different choice. Your complacency allowed those who are misguidedly loyal to the old weakness that once attempted to rule this system to plan an uprising. It is a shame that most of the leadership in Shipyard Zone 24 was killed in the uprising so that they may not be made an example of."

Vendant, with her precise, cultured Core Worlds Basic accent that had always grated on Qaela with her own, "uncultured" backwater speech patterns, attempted to protest. "My Lady, I was not aware of the situat—"

"And that is your failure," Qaela snapped back. "You were so concerned with your profits and looked down so much in disgust at the 'lower' classes that you never once saw the trouble your arrogance was brewing." The doomed Kuati looked like she wanted to say something, but the pure venom in Qaela's voice left him gasping for air. Though, perhaps that gasping might have been because Qaela had an invisible hand wrapped around her throat, slowly constricting and loosening to keep her on the edge of panic she so deserved to be on. "The Empire doesn't need blind fools. Your lust for wealth and influence among your high class peers on this class sickened world has been your undoing, and I am here to correct that. Your wealth is gone, lost to you and taken for the greater good of the Empire. You will no longer enjoy the privilege of class, but are here now to report to work as a common laborer constructing the very starships you once counted on bring you profit. If you do not comply, then you will be enslaved and sold as chattel to some Outer Rim hellhole. I am sure the grunts there would love a chance to have their way with a refined Kuati aristocrat."

Qaela simply applied a little additional pressure through the Force against Vendant's neck until the woman passed out from lack of oxygen to the brain. She didn't kill the hapless shipmaster, but let the woman remain unconscious on the floor. She would awaken to a whole new world of humility, a suitable punishment for one who allowed their luxury to blind them. The Kuati's wealth would be drained, her estates and assets either appropriated for the Empire or liquefied. Half of those funds would go straight to the Imperial Treasury Department, though the other half would go straight to her. Qaela didn't seek wealth like others might, but she knew the usefulness of having money and needed it herself. She had personal goals that needed funding, as well as her own network of agents and spies that needed payments. Acquisition of resources from the weak by the strong was a way of life, but it had to be handled carefully lest it grow to harm the Empire and gain the displeasure of the Emperor. She didn't try to hide this fact and, should the Emperor himself express displeasure, she would return the funds without complaint, but only he was strong enough to stop her.

Turning to the last two decidedly uncomfortable victims of her wrath, she smiled with lips devoid of warmth. "You two were responsible for the protection of this system. Admiral Horlklat, you were to use the might of the Imperial Navy to safeguard this world while you, Governor Ornkala, were to use the civil government to ensure proper funding, preparation, and supplies were given. Both of you failed miserably, and I truly do not care about the excuses." Ornkala was visibly sweating, dark stains were forming under his arms and his forehead was glistening. Horlklat, though, didn't seem to be reacting much, though Qaela wasn't familiar enough with Nemoidians to read his body language.

Her face softened again into a smile, this one of genuine pleasure. She held out her hand to Captain Geratos who promptly filled it with his sidearm. "The Empire has no place for failures, but the Sith do enjoy a bit of bloodshed. Both of you are guilty of dereliction of duty and there can be only one answer for that: death." Ornkala whimpered slightly at that.

"However, I am in a generous mood, so I am here to offer a choice. You can either accept your punishment and die, or, if you feel you are still worthy of serving the Empire and wish to continue living, you may take this blaster and execute the other. Your choice," she said as she tossed the blaster sidearm onto the ground in front of them and took a step back to watch the results.

Both men stared at the blaster briefly, then at each other. The tension remained in the air for only a few seconds before Ornkala dove for the blaster. He managed to grab hold of it and, after fumbling for a moment, pointed the weapon at Horlklat and pulled the trigger. When nothing happened, he frowned and pulled the trigger repeatedly while the Nemoidian remained at attention where he had been since Qaela had started speaking. The admiral's orange eyes regarded Ornkala coldly, though he made no move even when the human governor hit him weakly with the sidearm.

Qaela's smile vanished and she began gently, quietly humming. Even though he was confused and frantic, Ornkala had the sense to realize that whatever the Sith Nightsister was doing wouldn't bode well for him so he tried to flee, only to find the doors locked. Qaela took a few steps closer to her prey, then lifted one hand. Deliberately, and entirely for show, she snapped her fingers and unleashed the spell she had been casting. Ornkala's body twitched a few times, then his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed, his soul no longer fully part of his body, but instead only partially severed. He wasn't dead, but would never be truly alive again unless somehow, someone who was extremely well versed in reaving souls could mend him. He would spend the rest of his days a simpleton, not able to care for himself simply because his soul was no longer connected to the physical realm and no longer felt any drive to do, well, anything. He was a practical zombie, a vegetable that could move and follow the most simple of orders, but would never have any sort of passion. His mind was fully functional, capable of understanding all that was going on, but unable to reconcile his mental desires with the complete lack of drive and will to accomplish them. She would have him taken back to Kuat and paraded around the street so that all would know what happened to those who failed. Let the public see him drooling over himself, stumbling, a shell of a man, and one who could not even find the desire to feed himself.

Qaela turned to the admiral. "I applaud you for accepting your punishment with dignity and accept that you were unworthy of continual service to the Empire instead of vainly trying to fight against it. That, or you were insightful enough to realize the game. Either way, you have earned yourself a reprieve. Continue to command your forces here, though be better. I go to Corellia to continue my Imperial ordained campaign to bring that system into the Empire and when I return, I expect the situation to be vastly different than I found it. Fail to do that and there is nothing in this Galaxy that will save you."

She turned and left the room, followed by Captain Geratos. As soon as she was back on the bridge of the Herløv, she sent another message, this one to Korriban. While overseeing the Bastion of Pelko, Qaela had culled those within it leaving her with only beings who were both competent, but also genuinely wished to serve the Empire rather than simply personal glory. Among them was a man she had come to rely upon to take care of administrative details and the non-Force using staff and guards that kept the place running. Though she hated to see him leave the Academy there, she felt that he would better serve the Empire as the new governor of Kuat. Grobel Elsten was a solid man who was sharp and pragmatic. He held his ambition in check, but he still had it there guiding his paths to excellence and greater things. He was loyal to the Empire and the Emperor above all, but his secondary loyalties were to Qaela herself. She trusted him as governor of this vital planet, but would also make sure he lived up to the faith she had in him or she would remove him just as she had Ornkala.

As the repairs to her own forces were being completed, she continued to monitor the situation on both Kuat and on Corellia. It seemed, to her amusement, the Rebels there had decided to rally and launch another attack on Centerpoint Station. She would use that to the advantage of the Sith, especially since word came that the Emperor himself was joining the fray with his own fleets. This would be a glorious battle indeed, and when the Sith won, it would be yet another world under their command. She made her preparations, then when the time was right, departed with her fleet to complete the last task given to her by the Dark Lord.

Edited July 23, 2020 by Qaela

Qaela · March 15, 2021

𝕷𝖎𝖋𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖆 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖌𝖌𝖑𝖊,

𝕾𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖌𝖌𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖈𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖘 𝖕𝖆𝖎𝖓,

ᕿ𝖆𝖎𝖓 𝖇𝖚𝖎𝖑𝖉𝖘 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖌𝖙𝖍,

𝕾𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖌𝖙𝖍 𝖌𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖘 𝖑𝖎𝖋𝖊.

Time incalculable passed in eternal struggle. Life was supposed to be the source of struggling and pain, but for some, death was no escape. Jedi spoke of "becoming one with the Force" and entering some sort of nirvana of peaceful bliss, but that was not the path of the Sith and all who embraced the Darkness. Struggle guided them, pain encompassed their life, and through that all, they were hardened and made strong or discarded and left to suffer pointlessly. There was no middle road for those who wanted to reach the pinnacle.

She had no recollection of the act of dying, but she had a sense of what surrounded it. There was a point, a struggle, and a battle for supremacy that encompassed her death. But that struggle didn't cease just because her heart was turned into jelly and her body crushed into a mass of organic fluid on a battlefield in Corellia. Death was but the start of her struggle.

She had enemies, a great deal of them, and many of those had not survived her. Though she thought herself rid of them, they still waited for her, patiently biding their time for her to join them in what she recognized as the Spirit Realm. Once her spirit joined them, the struggle she fought throughout her living life resumed with no less vigor and strain.

Many of her fallen former Sisters whom she slayed had not forgotten the flesh they had lost. Chief among them was her cursed mother, and though she had learned a great number of things and surpassed any of them in life, in death, things were different. She was more than a match for any two of them, but against dozens, there was no escape. Torment, pain, suffering, and even fear consumed her for an eternity.

Yet, even eternity has an end.

Through her solitary struggle, after so long alone and outmatched, help came. She didn't know who or what, but she was no longer alone. Others joined her in the unending battle and lent their strength to her. Their numbers grew as the souls of those whose master saw further use for her joined in the struggle so that she could return to service. With these new reinforcements, these new Sith allies, she was able to drive back her foes and instill fear in them for once.

When there was finally room to ponder something other than pain and struggle, there was a sense that she was still needed. Words were for the living, but she knew nonetheless why help had come. Her time among the living was not yet completed, there was still a purpose for her and she would answer it. There was a calling, a summoning that beckoned her spirit back into the realm of the living. Following that calling was not easy, but it was possible now that she was no longer beset by foes.

Life finds a way.

Because there is pain at birth, it is only fitting that there would also be pain at rebirth. At first, everything was blindingly white, but soon, when her as yet unused eyes began to adjust, she saw hazy shapes and movement. Vibrations assaulted her being, only barely recognizable to her as sound being picked up and by her eardrums and translated by her scrambled brain. Time passed and her neurons began firing while her brain began to register the sudden arrival of a spirit to inhabit it and give it true life. Another eternity or another hour and she felt the first prickling of sensation on her skin: the first understandings of pressure and heat and cold. The hazy, blurred movements resolved themselves into figures that were hastily working to ensure her tenuous connection to life didn't fade back into death.

At last, through the assistance of both the Force and technology, she became more aware of the mortal sensations of flesh and blood. Gone was the purely spiritual existence, replaced by the mortal coils and trappings of a living body once more. A swirling sensation accompanied by falling down disoriented her and caused her to gasp-the first air her new lungs had ever drawn into themselves-as the body temperature fluid that kept her suspected was drained out of her new universe.

What happened next was a blur of motion, sensations, and an indeterminate series of experiences that faded into one, but when it was done, droids and machines tended to her bodily needs clearing out her nose and ears from fluid, making sure her lungs and heart were working, and testing her brain and motor functions. Pure water flowed over her washing away the thick fluid of the cloning tank and sheets brought to keep her warm.

Time passed further as she adjusted to her body. Words were formed, questions asked, and tests run. Little information was given, but she knew she had a purpose otherwise, she never would have been sent aid or summoned. Memories of the living world flooded back to her as memories of the Spirit Realm began to fade and blend together to generalities: the mortal mind was never meant to comprehend both at once.

Tests were run, food was given, and physical activity was tried. Though her body was an exact genetic match to her natural one, it was younger, stronger, healthier, and lacked the marks of violence that her previous one did. The doctors told her she had the most optimal body she would have had when she was in the middle of her twenties, with extra immunities, vaccinations, and boosts that she had not received before. The Empire did not spare expenses with the chosen few it's master choose to bring back. It also did not tolerate weakness and her physical fitness level reflected that. She was not unnaturally strong, but she had the lean body of one who spent a great deal of time improving it.

Her connection to the Force, however, was another concern. Naturally, she had been born with less of a connection to the Force than most Sith. It had taken great pains and sacrifices to increase that strength and she had no desire to go through that again even were it possible. The doctors blinked at her questions, but had no answers: they dealt in the physical, not the Force. Those Nightbrothers who provided the guidance that brought her back probed her and assured her that she was as strong as ever, but she would need a true test to know for sure.

At last, those who tended her pronounced her rebirth complete and decreed there was nothing further for them to do. The rest was now up to her to get used to her new body and to serve the Emperor as he saw fit. With no orders and nowhere to go, Qaela waited, knowing that those orders would come.

Qaela · March 21, 2021

𝕾𝖚𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝖇𝖊𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖗𝖐

After an indeterminate amount of time recovering and regaining her strength and awareness, something stirred in the Darkness of the Force. Even before the massive, hulking Sentinels partially crouched through the doorway of the room she had been held in, Qaela knew she had been summoned. The pureness of the Darkness that had come near could not be missed by any that had a sense of the Force.

She readied herself, though there was little that needed to be done. She wore simple robes of the darkest grey that could approach blackness without actually arriving and matching boots of hardened leather. She had no weapons or any other equipment to grab, either. She would face whatever was presented, though she doubted all of the effort to bring her back had been made simply so she could be executed. The Dark Lord seemed wise and prudent enough to leave those who had failed him to their own fate when death was their reward.

The Sentinels needn't even pause for more than a moment in her room before she exited. One led while one followed as they took her from the facility and to her awaited fate. She kept herself under tight control, her emotions level and her body strictly devoid of any signs of fright or trepidation. When she was before the Spider, she bowed deeply with a genuine respect that could not be falsified before one as attuned to the Force as he, yet she did not abase herself like one of those destined to grovel and die as a slave. Regardless to what failures she may have made, she was still a Master of the Sith and would not demean that title by becoming naught but a sycophant, even to the Emperor himself.

Qaela · March 23, 2021

𝕰𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕷𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝕯𝖆𝖗𝖐𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖘

Keeping herself in tight check, Qaela knew better than to lie or deceive the being before her. "I now feel deserving, and yet, also undeserving," she said evenly. "I went forth to oppose a worthy foe and gambled that I could turn that foe into another servant for your mighty campaigns. That gamble did not pay out as I had desired and I deserved to be crushed by failure and severed by death. My abandonment in the Spirit Realm was my own reward for the actions I have taken in this life, though you did not leave me to it."

She bowed again, "None but you could have ordered the aid that I received though I failed you on Corellia. I am undeserving of your effort, though I may not know exactly what caused it. I would not be fool enough to attribute it to your mercy for you have no mercy and nor should you. You have tools that are useful to your cause or you have obstructions to be crushed. Because you took the effort to rescue my spirit and bring it back into this body, I must conclude therefore that you have further use of me, so I shall serve once again."

Qaela · March 28, 2021

𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖉 𝕰𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖚𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

Qaela stood resolute as the Emperor approached, showing no fear for fear did not exist within her. After what she had faced, she no longer possessed any room for fear, only resolve to do what was needed and an acceptance of her fate regardless to what it may be. She was curious, though, and observed the peculiar behavior by the Dark One. She could not judge because a being in her position was not worthy of judging any more than a new adept could judge her.

"Though all see your power, most beings follow you for one of two reasons," she said evenly. Her eyes met the blackness of his with neither fear nor pride. "The majority fear you and do not wish to suffer your wrath, so they will do or say anything to keep your displeasure away from them. They will lie and cheat each other to accomplish what they think you want, and they would blindly take actions with no thought but to save themselves regardless to how foolish or pointless those actions may be. They are ruled by their fear and are useful only as fodder.

"A smaller number follow you because they want to one day be you. They bow and scrape before you, but behind your back, they look to gain their own power so they could one day topple you. They view others of your servants as rivals to that power which keeps them from fully uniting and working together towards the common good. In their greed, they do whatever they can to diminish your power to build their own. They are sycophants until they get the slightest taste of opportunity then they will become treacherous foes that perpetually undermine your authority."

She tilted her head sideways for a moment, then added. "The smallest number follow you for a third reason: because they see what you are: the best hope to maintain the Balance of Nature and build up the Sith Order that brings the true strength of Nature to the Galaxy. You have great power and use that to strengthen the Sith and bring about a better Galaxy instead of just amassing it for your own benefit. I serve you after ignoring all of your predecessors because of that fact and that fact alone."

A touch of defiant resolve entered her tone, and she knew how dangerous her next words were. "I serve and follow you because you are allowing the strong to rule while culling only the weak without becoming excessive. The Sith are the best hope to bring about the Balance of Nature and you are good for the Sith. You put an end to the excesses and infighting that plagued the Sith in the past, and you are still the strongest to rule. I will serve you faithfully and contribute to your strength until the day you no longer espouse those virtues or give into a self destructive urge. At that point, I will do what must be done and destroy you so that the Sith can remain on the course you charted.

"The difference between me and most others is that I don't want that power. I want you to succeed and will do whatever I can to make sure you do. If you do not like this answer, strike me down here and now. I have no more fear of death."

Qaela · March 31, 2021

𝖂𝖆𝖌𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕭𝖊𝖙𝖘 𝕳𝖊𝖑𝖉

Though it was truth that she no longer feared death, by no means did Qaela seek it. She had wagered that the Emperor had faced enough lies and deception that he would be able to sense the contrast when the truth was presented before him. She could always have falsely professed undying, unending loyalty no matter what actions he took, but that was a lie and she respected him too much to do so. She followed him because he was worthy, but should he ever become unworthy and fall back into that self destructive nature she despised in the Sith of old, she would do her best to destroy him to preserve his own work. It was a calculated boldness, but having come so recently from death, it would not be so great a loss if she returned. Better to go there quickly than drag it out if that was to be her fate at the edge of his delightfully Dark sword.

She didn't flinch when that blade was placed against her neck, but when it didn't slice into her flesh, she let out the air that had been drawn into her lungs. Turning to where the sword was now pointed, she smiled in the first bit of genuine pleasure she had experienced since waking up in the cloning tube. The sight of her old ship made her grateful. She hadn't commanded its crew for long, but it was her first true military command and she was very happy to have it back, even if it did look like it had taken some damage in the recent past.

While she was staring at the beauty of the Star Destroyer, she was startled to feel the Spider's hand briefly upon her shoulder. She couldn't recall him ever having actually touched her before and it was a startling feeling. She did not completely understand its full meaning, but she hoped it meant he accepted her. She wouldn't look too much into it.

As the Emperor and his escorts departed, she remained behind, for a moment wondering what was to be done next. It didn't take long for her question to be answered. In the skies above the swampy facility, a shuttle streaked down and landed where the Imperial Throne's chariot had once been. Eight Sith Troopers exited and took up flanking positions around the landing ramp before an officer emerged.

Qaela smiled at the sight of Captain Geratos' salute. "My Lady, it is a pleasure to serve you once more," he said. He had indeed been a good servant and able to maintain a proper respect for her place as a Master of the Sith even while she respected his own superior ability in military tactics. Unlike some among the Sith Order, she was smart and humble enough to accept advice from one who had grown up in warships and waging wars. They had had such a good working relationship that, had he been two decades younger, she might have taken him to her bed.

"I am glad to see you continue to serve the Empire," she responded. "You will have to tell me why you let the Herløv get so busted up." There was no heat in her voice and he merely smiled slightly before bowing and gesturing towards the shuttle's ramp.

"The Rebels attacked Fondor and we were part of the relief force," he replied as they got seated for the ascent back to the Herløv. "The Rebels were so intimidated by the Herløv's power they focused their efforts against her and we were ordered to retreat."

Qaela felt the momentum as the shuttle took off and began the short flight up to her waiting flagship. Geratos continued to update her on the damage and repairs that were taking place. They had lost many crewmen in the attack, but Kuat was the center of the Sith Navy's war machine, so replacements would be procured. The ship itself would need a good bit of work, though the worst of it was being taken care of here. He had been told by Central Command that they would have only a few days before needing to head out again, so preparations were being made to finish remaining repairs along the way.

It was not long before she stood back in her old quarters. While everything she had taken with her to Corellia was lost, she still had many things here that would help. It would take time she didn't have to rebuild a lightsaber, but she still had her Force imbued spear that would more than adequately serve her needs until then. Shucking her robes, she took her first true shower since decanting and savored the heat of the water. Being the master of a ship had its perks and access to a fully functioning shower despite being on a warship was definitely one of them. Once the shower was complete, she dressed in her favored deep charcoal grey robes and reequipped her belt with commlinks, datapads, and the other accruements she normally possessed that allowed her to both be reached by her crew and exert her command with all of the computer systems.

Leaving her spear behind, she made for the bridge. It was time to formally take command of the ship so she could get fully up to speed at the current situation and all that she had missed while in the Spirit Realm.

Qaela · April 7, 2021

𝕾𝖚𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝕬𝖓𝖘𝖜𝖊𝖗

With dark cloaks swirling behind her, Qaela marched rapidly to the bridge of the Herløv with new orders. She cursed beneath her breath at the suddenness of the orders, but when the Emperor spoke, it was best to heed. She would have preferred more time to repair the mighty destroyer, but would have to make due with what she had.

"Recall all crew and run final launch checks!" she barked once she entered the bridge. "Any crew who is not on this ship within an hour will be reported to the Imperial Ministry of War for disciplinary action. Take whatever supplies our people can grab from the shipyards and depots: I don't care if they were slated for us or not, if you can get them on board this ship within an hour, take them. Colonel Gorten, you make sure you have every fighter and bomber that will fit in the hanger along with qualified crews even if you steal them straight from the planetary defense garrison. Give anyone who questions you my clearance ID." Only the largest fool would question a Master of the Sith over something like supply requisitions. Anyone with enough power to dare would be easy to deal with when she informed them they could complain to the Dark Lord about her need for the supplies.

Thrusting her hand out at the viewscreens showing the hull outside, she added, "Lieutenant Commander Natolu, get those repair cranes off my ship! Anything not off it will be joining us until further notice and anything inhibiting our combat readiness will be blasted off." The ship was spaceworthy, so leaving at this point wasn't going to threaten her, but some of the replacement armor hadn't been attached yet. She didn't like that one bit, but the Empire called and she would answer. Hopefully, there would be some down time on Onderon for her to get further work done before they were deployed.

Her words elicited only a moment of hesitation as the crew waited to see if there was anything else before they bolted into action. She marked one hour on her chrono, then stood on the bridge watching the flurry of activity as shuttles zipped back and forth between the Herløv and the Kuati repair yards. Fighters were towed into the hangar and crew transports began disgorging their compliments as those who had been on shore leave returned. Larger supply, munitions, and equipment transports docked as well while the quartermaster oversaw their stowing.

A few people had the gumption to call her comms and demand an answer for why she was taking supplies and personnel meant for other ships. Those that she entertained were left fortunate that she didn't report them to the Imperial Council as inhibiting the nearly sacred word of the Emperor himself. She understood everything had a purpose and order was crucial, but she also despised when the bureaucracy got in the way of necessity.

Qaela hated working her crew like this, but the summons were made and would be answered. Discipline was good, but overworking the crew did nobody any good. She would find a way to make it up to the crew with some down time once they were in hyperspace, but for now, each being here would do their duty to the Empire.

After exactly one hour, she ordered the ship's engines to power up and the mighty warship began to move forward. A few last second shuttles docked or departed, but as soon as the ship was out of the defense rings and had clearance from Kuati Command, it jumped into hyperspace.

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