Foy

[Cathair Breslin]

Impressive speech. I just hope I can manage to master those tactics when I go into combat.

 

Cathair watched as Captain Rustic walked off stage. Even without the speech, Breslin could tell that Rustic was a man who had seen more than his fair share of combat. The way he held himself was that of a man who was dangerous and knew it. While his stance and appearance made him seem loose, Cathair knew from his movements that Rustic was easily ready for anything that happened at any moment.

 

Cathair followed several of the troopers towards the barracks and found his own bunk. After donning a set of workout clothes, Cathair made his way to the gym. Laying a towel next to a weight bench, Cathair began lifting. It had been several weeks since he last had time lifted. It was his favorite time to think. As he lifted the weighted bar, he began to think back on the Captains speech.

[Deton]

The defenses of Foy:

Ground defenses, surface to air, surface to space defenses:

All stormtroopers were considered the most elite in the galaxy. Yet here would find a slightly higher caliber of stormtrooper.

 

 

There are three additional Bases stationed on world.

Handled by the respective major general. Given that each base housed 1,720 base personnel and 1,280 combat troops, divided as follows:

300 command personnel

500 support/services personnel

200 technical personnel

200 science personnel

100 medical personnel

100 gunners/weapons technicians

80 walker technicians

70 trade mission/diplomatic personnel

60 ground crew technicians

25 controllers

25 sensor technicians

10 speeder bike technicians

50 Imperial Intelligence officers

 

The At-Ats stationed here are a new variant of the AT-AT that is equipped with the most powerful Imperial turbolasers and the new X-80 power cells. With ten of those stationed at each garrison the capital alone had over 40 At-At's to call on and lend to forces in the galaxy.

 

Each base had its stormtroopers divided as a copy of

S-company: 120 soldiers

1 full platoon or 50 dark troopers phase II further subdivided into five squads

1 small platoon or 30 seatroopers

1 unit 40 imperial commandos.

 

Alpha company: 200 soldiers

Four full platoons or 200 elite stormtoopers

 

Fire company: 200 soldiers

2 full platoons or 100 incendiary stormtroopers

1 full platoon or 50 nova troopers

1 full platoon or 50 bomb troopers

 

Beta company : 200 soldiers

Two full platoons or 100 elite stormtroopers

Two full platoons or 100 imperal shock troopers

 

Platoon of 30 swamp troopers

Ten man squad of rocket troopers, the flying kind no the heavy kind

Another squad of hazard troopers also reaching ten men

20 black hole storm troopers

1 small platoon or 30 space troopers

 

With each garrison not being full under such a copy, the remaining space was taken up of course by more stormtroopers. The best in the galaxy.

 

The full number of combat forces devoted to each base. That was divided as follows: 50 walker crewers

40 TIE fighter pilots

800 stormtroopers

200 perimeter support troops

150 base security/detention troops

40 scout troopers

Predator-class replaces the tie fights and The Scimitar assault bomber replaced the TIE bombers that would normally be found in the hangers of each base. Though the bombers originally did not have hyper drives, each one deployed on world had been upgraded to have one in order to keep up with the idea of being the ultimate launch point to defend any part of Imperial space.

 

Ӣ Heavy ion cannons, effective deterrents against orbital siege activity, are placed at strategic points all over Foy.

Ӣ The heavy ion cannons are mounted on rotating bases, and are covered by a semi-circular energy shells, and are modular, meaning that in the event that one is destroyed, another can be erected in a short time.

Ӣ w-165 planetary turbolaser

Ӣ Anti-aircraft laser cannons have also been erected at strategic places around Foy's largest city. The former Imperial capital.

Ӣ Couple that with the fact that across the planet's landscape there are numerous surface-to-space missile silos.

Ӣ All on a secondary network, and routed through the garrison being set down in the north of the city behind the Former imperial tower. As well as through the Former Imperial tower.

 

Ӣ Former imperial tower to have more automated defenses.

Ӣ security cameras are installed, as instead of the force good ole fashion electronic equipment would be the method of surveillance.

Ӣ Turbolasers are installed to decorate the edges of the building. Following the same vein as the Spire, and axial laser is placed on top, challenging any opposing fleet.

Ӣ Ray shields are installed to dot the halls as an extra method of anti-personnel defense, and an undisclosed number of turret mounted stun blasters were placed, hidden within the very walls.

Ӣ The little chamber designed to hold force users, equipped with energy cages and few ysalamiri, strapped to nutrient frames, hanging in every corner of the little chamber.

Ӣ As well as a restraining area, of heavy irons and a cot was left relatively alone.

Ӣ The rest of the bowels however, is outfitted with a weapon's lab, and the underground supply generator for the Tower.

Ӣ Other energy cage holding cells are constructed, as well as regular cells

”¢ two ”˜interrogation' chambers

 

Note: The former Imperial capital spire, has the number of men and supplies labeled as classified. However,

 

Several black-armored Imperial troopers move about in the shadows, weapons trained on all the newcomers. It was a standard procedure in a place like the former Emperor's tower.

A dozen heavily armed and armored Imperial troopers can appear from the shadows, equipped with high-powered blaster rifles and force pikes.

 

Note: this planet's population is fiercely loyal to the Empire. So they enjoyed many a special privilege as full and worthy Imperial citizens, which would now include combat training, for all of those interested on world. He was after all only adding to the already considerable force of elite men that had been stationed on world at the outset, which easily added up to three extra garrisons of men, which meant he was more or less doubling the fighting force of this world.

 

 

Note: the actually number of bases stationed on Foy is classified information. One can however easily assume that there is over a total of Five bases stationed on world, not including the forces stationed in and around the Spire.

 

Space defenses:

The Telgorn Corporation Repair Yard surrounded by

Buzz droid generators

Flak guns

Notably: four mass driver batteries, each comprising two bundles of three individual cannons. Unlike conventional beam weaponry, these heavy orange rounds were not affected by ray shields, allowing these frigates to bypass an enemy's shielding and destroy it

Two Large Gun Emplacements

Multiple New Laser Battery (L/B) and

New Ion Battery (I/B)

[Cathair Breslin]

Allowing the heavy metal to fall back to its rack, Cathair wiped several beads of sweat rom his forehead. It had been far too long since he last worked out. Grabbing the towel he had brought with him, he dabbed at the moisture clinging to his chiseled body. Draping the whote cloth around his neck, he made his way into the refresher. Allowing the warm water to wash away the sweat and grime from his body, Cathair thought back to the lecture he had witnessed. He had been on planet for only a few hours and he already witnessed athe birth of a new strategy to fight the Empires greatest foes: the Jedi Knights. The exercise and techniques that Captain Rustic spoke of could work if his information about the Jedis power was correct. Keeping a neutral face during combat and certain recreational games was a widespread tactic. But keeping your focused on one thing while your intention is to place a bolt between the eyes of a powerful being, was alot harder.

 

Shutting off the refresher Cathair made his way back to his quarters to rest. As he entered the door he saw that his armor and weapons had been delivered. Unlocking his chest, he removed his pure white armor and began to set it up. As he removed his helmet, his gaze became focused on the black lenses that made up the eye pieces, and his mind began to wander.

 

Bolts of crimson death were all around him. He watched as the polarization filter in his helmet adjusted for each scorching blast so his retinas would not confuse his vision. Taking a risky peek around the corner of his cover, he could see several enemy Stormtroopers firing wildly at his position. From the autonomous helmets staring back at him, he could not tell who was who. Had he known them, maybe he could have a better idea as to how to win this exercise.

 

Taking several looks around to see if any of his environment could be used to his advantage, Cathair noticed a small perch which would give him an advantage over his attackers. Having studied the schematics for standard Stormtrooper armor, the cadet knew that it would only take several seconds for the filters in the helmets to adjust to see through the blidning light he was about to produce. But those seconds would be just enough to make a dash for his new objective. Removing an ion flare from his belt, ignited it and tossed it over his cover. Without waiting a second, he rose from his position and let loose several cover shots and dashed towards the perch. Keeping time in his head, he knew he had a mere second before the blaster bolts slammed into his back.

 

Just as the first blast leapt from a blaster, he leapt over the wall and quickly pressed himself against a durasteel wall. Unholstering his pistol, he fired off several unaimed shots to give himself firing time. As he rose to his feet he aimed both blasters at a lone trooper and let loose several bolts. Without waiting to watch each bolt slam into the trooper chest, he was aiming at another. Instead of firing both weapons at a single man, Cathair used one of his talents and fired each gun at a seperate target. Each time he squeezed the trigger, he felt the power flow through the weapons before exiting the barrel as a crimson spear of energy.

 

Within seconds the battle was over and the Sergeant in charge had ended the holographic simulation. Standing at attention, he awaited his next orders. Instead of he was given an award for valor and merit and was told to head to the commanders office.

 

Coming back to the present, Cathair decided to head to the training area. He needed to migle with the men here, and learn how they fight. The quicker he meshed with their skills, the quicker they would become a real battle group. Sliding on his black body glove, he began placing each piece of armor on his body. With practiced ease and skill, he was fully armored within minutes. Holstering both pistol and E-11, Cathair left his room and made his way to the training rooms.

[Deton]

If a man between the ages of 18 and 30 scored in the top fifth percentile, an Imperial recruiting agent would contact him.Men who didn't score that high were still wanted as regular soldiers. Also, it was preferable if stormtrooper recruits met a certain standard in height and weight. He had of course entered the top percentile. Nor was he near the bottom on that particular curve.

 

In terms of hand to hand combat. His training mainly centered on Echani hand-to-hand combat. However, he had gone out of his way to understand the 'steel hand'. He had found that drawing upon his own internal power as well as the control and mastery of one's self was far better suited to a stormtrooper.

 

He had actually been his Academy's champion in the art. It was strange to have mastered both art forms but, of course he had, as his ever reachign goal was to one day be a guardsmember and he had ha,d had it on good info at the time that the Guard trained in the Echani art. SO he had learned both, as his only duty was to become to best he could for the Empire.

 

Fencing training was given to him when he became an officer. Thoughhe found that the more standard stormtrooper trainign always seemed more impressive. Such as the Breathing exercises. The fighting in low gravity vacuum locations (ie asteroids). It took quite a bit to be extensively trained in space combat. To the point that you could use blaster fire as means of controlling direction of movement. Since firing a blaster in zero-G propels the user in the opposite direction of the shot fired. Also trained to "kick off"of foe using the foe's body to launch movement from while at the same time changing the foe's direction of movement.

 

All storm troopers were trained to regroup and mount a surprise counterattack when being pursued. Can pilot Imperial shuttles. Capable of surviving on any livable planetary surface. Plus there was the Body Guard Training which consisted of more observation, marksmanship, tactics, additional instruction in security protocols and body language reading.

 

Stormtroopers are trained to operate equally well both in space and ground missions, and as a result they are far more flexible than regular Imperial Army troops. It cannot be understated that Stormtroopers are highly trained and motivated. It must also be noted that Stormtrooper boarding parties are systematic, quick and professional in taking charge of a captured ship.

 

He remembered back at the academy he had been a master at the game Quadrant, though he had never been able to best his partner before he died. Stormtroopers are known for their marksmenship and some are capable of hitting a scurrier's horn at 200 metres. It was somethign he an dhis buddy used to scoff at as they always pushed themselves above and beyond what the limits should be. To them 200 meters was on their bad day.

 

He leaned back in his chair. The time drew near. He woudl be greeting one graduate in particular out of the special twelve that had just arrived. He looked over the file of tk-900 one more time.

 

 

Meanwhile, two Imperial army men strode up to tk-900.

"Lieutenant Cathair you are to follows us."

 

Gesturing they began to lead him away toward Deton's office.

[Cathair Breslin]

TK-900, better known as Cathair Breslin, stopped in his tracks as the two Imperial Army officers came upon him. As he was told to follow them, he nodded and beganto slowly keep pace behind them. Beneath his pure white helmet, his eyes narrowed and his mind reeled. After only being here for several hours, he was being brought to Captain Rustics office. The man who had just seen tell them how to fight against the Jedi, the man who had instilled severe discipline in the troops on Foy was now ordering him to be brought forward.

 

What did I do? As far as I know I have followed all the regulations.

 

Within moments, he was before Rustics office. One of the Army soldiers knocked on the door and sidestepped to allow Lt. Breslin room to enter the office. Taking several strides into the office, TK-900 stopped two paces from the Captains desk and snapped to attention. Although behind the black lenses, his eyes could have stared down the Imperial Captain, he held his gaze straight, following pure military protocol. If he had broken any rules or regulation, he did not want to compound them.

 

"Imperial Stormtrooper TK-900 reporting sir."

[Deton]

He looked up from his desk at the solider.

 

”œAT ease solider.”

[Cathair Breslin]

During several of his classes at the Academy, Cathair had heard of this practice. Back when skill was highly prized in the Empires soldiers, the pairing of veterans and cadets was praised for the troopers it fielded in battle. But as the number of soldiers grew and sheer numbers became more important than individual skill, the practice fell out of use. Through its time, the Empire had considered, dismissed, reconsidered, and again dismissed the idea of fielding the practice again. But it seemed someone, specifically Captain Deton Rustic had decided the practice was useful and would begin implementing it.

 

"It would be my honor Captain. I am sure there is much I can learn from you."

[Deton]

”œExcellent, lets get underway then.”

[Cathair Breslin]

After holding a salute for the appropriate time, Cathair turned and made his way out of the office. Underneath his helmet, his eyes shimmered and his grin could not be contained. While he felt like a child grinning stupidly, he knew he was being given a great honor to study under Captain Rustic. It seemed he was destined for big things. He had been witness to the first step in an operation to make the Stormtrooper Corp. feared again. And now he was the junior officer of an entire planet, learning from one of the most experienced warriors in the Empire.

 

As he entered the firing range, activated a preset program that increased in difficulty as his continued. Within seconds, 12 holographic Rebellion soldiers appeared down range. Drawing his E-11, the Imperial Lt. let loose 12 crimson blasts and watched as each bolt struck true to its mark. A smile graced his lips as he watched each Rebel shimmer into nothingness. Within seconds, the program elevated its difficulty, and soon 6 Rebel troopers materialized and began to move. Through his blackened lenses he tracked their movements and raised his rifle to his shoulder and took aim at the soldiers.

[Deton]

Deton had slipped quietly behind the Junior officer, and had watched with mild surprise upon the man's almost unerring accuracy.

 

Who knows a few years sooner, and perhaps he could have been some major competition back at the academy. He is quite slightly above par in terms of an elite solider.

 

His own rifle was slung about his back, and the pistol he would son be replacing, strapped to his hip. It wasn't that his pistol wasn't faithful. It was that he felt he had found a better one to suit his needs. Therefore, he would be practicing with it today, at a later point, and if all went well, adopt it into his over all gear.

 

As the man seemed to be wrapping up, he slipped into a firing station next to him.

”œEver wonder about the TK designation? Back at the academy, they gave it to me a bit early as a nick name. Called it short for "telekinesis," because of my ability to invisibly "touch" their target from great distances.”

[Doran Krote]

Doran listened as Deton spoke and took in as much as he could as he knew it was invaluable to protect yourself from your enemies especially when they have a so called "Force" in their arsenal. When the speech was over Doran went back to his ship he picked up his jetpack and put it on, he loaded up with his weapons and went back to the Spire. He walked around for a bit getting a sense for the Spire. When he was done he walked up to Deton's office, he approached the man.

 

"Sir, do you have anything you want me to do?"

Edited April 4, 2009 by Guest

[Deton]

((A small back track of course))

 

Deton had smiled when the bounty had come in. At least he could handle this business that had been broadcasted over the Holonet, with out actually, having offical Imperial involvement.

 

He slid a Datapad over to the bounty hunter, as well as a credit chip.

 

"Consider that your allocated budget for now. You'll get paid if all goes well."

 

Then he had dismissed the bounty hunter, on his way out, toward the training range.

[Doran Krote]

Doran took the datapad in hand and saluted Deton.

 

"Yes sir."

 

Doran made his way to his ship and after a small quarrel with his R5 unit he was off the planet. He looked at the datapad and studied it and made sure he knew what he was going to do. Doran set course for Nar Shaddaa.

 

((Yay! Short post.))

[Cathair Breslin]

As each target fell, Cathairs eyes widened. It seemed the second target was dead before the first was struck. Within minutes, all the targets had vanished and Captain Rustic had holstered his weapon.

 

"Yes sir, you are fast. But then I guess that is why I am here. To learn from the best."

 

Holstering his own rifle, Cathair awaited his new orders.

[Deton]

"I suppose we should continue in the vein. There are these new custom pistols I want to try out. As you are an officer, you need a rather reliable combat pistol."

 

He gestured toward a far away door.

 

"So I was plannign to debut the Service special pistol, but figured we should have a field test first."

 

Tearing away from the shooting range, he could feel himself getting under control once more. Though a calm demenor excluded itself from hsi person, pour out of his shiny white armor, inside was a turmoilous state, due to the after math of destructive power he had unleashed.

 

Exiting the room, he saw the pistols sitting on a table, picking up one, he tested the feel of it in his hand. Likign the weight, he leveled, it and fired straight forward at a target in the distance. As it was an ordinary target, it produced devastating results.

 

"Hello new door breacher."

[Doran Krote]

The Black Avenger landed in a docking bay. R5 was rolling around the ship beeping and buzzing nonsense as Remote was floating about in the common area. It had specific orders to stay where it was and not open to anybody without proper authorization and a password.

[Doran Krote]

Doran woke up with a burning headache, he sat up from ground.

Where am I?

 

He heard beeping coming from another room, he recognized it but couldn't put his finger on it. When a remote started to hover over to him and an R5 unit rolled towards him he knew that he was in his ship but still confused on how he got there.

 

"Hey Remote, R5. Prepare for takeoff, we've got to get straight to business." He didn't really know what he had to do but he knew he had to get to Coruscant and fast. He stood up, gathered his weapons up and found his way to the cockpit, he watched as his droids prepared the ship. He set up the navi-computer and sat down.

 

"This is going to be fun" He stated sarcastically.

[Fulmin Grestic]

Realspace emerged from the mentally damaging expanse of hyperspace. The ship slowed and came to a stop, at last reaching its journey after a large number of hyperspace jumps to shake a tail. Here in this location sat a lone crown jewel of interest. Fulmin eased the ship to a full stop and waited.

 

Here he was in the contingency plan. It was for all intents and purposes set up by the former Emperor in case things went sour. It was a fully functional as a back up Imperial capital as courscant had ever been as an imperial capital. Perhaps it was even better suited to the task. Unknown to all outside of the Empire, this place is the sole planet of a small star system situated deep within the heart of Imperial space. With a quickness, a wave of both power and yet fear seemed to crawl up his body only to settle in his gut.

 

This place”¦. It feels like home, yet at the same time, I can't help but want nothing to do with it.

 

It was very similar to how he first felt when he visited this world. He had heard rumors, that this placed seemed to almost pulsate with the dark side of the Force. Yet matters such as those concerned him even less now then they had when he had heard them. Here he was again in the imperial strong hold. Although being fiercely loyal to the Empire and to the Sith, most of the beings are uninterested in the happenings that go on beyond their borders. It had been the perfect set up when constructed, and had been the perfect staging ground for a contingency plan. After all the empire was always ready and always resourceful.

 

Fulmin stared out into space. In particular he was starring at the massive array of defense currently targeting his ship. This was the first time this ship had broken Foy air space, and so they were naturally suspicious of such a vessel. He transmitted his clearance code, and quickly, very quickly the way was practically paved for him to descend.

 

As the ship began to make its way to the landing pad, he was reminded of brothers lost and fallen, their bodies mangled and arms reaching to the sky, as if pointing at him. Accusing him of their failure. He shook his head to clear the mental image that the buildings had conjured up inside of his mind. In the distance a volcano that seemed larger than any of the others stood out tall and proud. Like a huge watch guard over all that could view it. Though it could have been described as giving off the feeling of a dark and vengeful God staring down at his minions.

 

That if I remember is the famed mount Vader.

 

The ship touched down gracefully on the landing pad and with in moments the walk way was lined with glistening white armor. Fulmin smiled, it was good to see the rows of white again. It had been far to long. He flashed his access codes. Tk-0117 was his handle and the men responded accordingly. He immediately assumed command of the entire planet upon landing, with just a flash of his rank cylinder. Most if not all of this went unnoticed by his guest who had this point was in the back of Fulmin's mind.

 

He was home again.

[Vayne]

(Disregard for the time being)

[Ary the Grey]

Malus noticed. He wasn't completely uneducated when it came to Imperial customs and courtesies, he had made it a point to study his enemy closely back when he had served Mandalore. He took a position on Fulmin's right flank, the proper position for a subordinate. Though Malus didn't know whether or not he'd actually be Fulmin's superior in the future, he wasn't wearing any type of uniform, and it was best to just stay out of the limelight for the time being.

 

So for now, he simply followed and watched. They'd be his soon enough. They'd be real men soon enough. Warriors worth commanding.

[Fulmin Grestic]

Fulmin took in the imperial protocol that his guest had imposed upon himself. Clearly a right choice had been made when they had singled the merc out for service. He allowed himself a small smile as he strode confidently towards his destination.

'Service. Fealty. Fidelity The Empire is the greatest Glory! We seek to protect the Empire. Unshakable is our devotion to the Empire. To die for the Empire is the highest of honors.

 

Fulmin looked up it seemed that message was inscribed on every major doorway in the place. It brought a smile to his lips and old memories surfaced that he allowed to play out as he walked. Granted he was a man with purpose and his every step reflected as such. Yet an old solider like him found himself slipping into old memories far more often than a green solider. It was perhaps a reflection of not having a well defined front line to be on at all times.

 

He entered a room that was outfitted basically for his personal use given that he was the already established commander. He looked up Looking up at the ceiling for the beautiful map of the galaxy that was painted up there. Swinging around to a massive desk, the guards took their position, the honor detail left, and Fulmin sat in the big chair, still in hull combat stormtrooper armor. It was perhaps the last place his guest would expect him to be, or see him in.

 

He wasted little time with preamble or pretense. He simply started talking.

 

"First do you have any questions or shall we get down to business?"

[Vayne]

Gamble wasn't overly fond of Foy, having stopped by Dubrillion and The Black Sun before making his way here. Before entering the planet's atmosphere, Billy entered the code tk-0117 for access to landing platform 102b. It passed and he was granted permission, even a professional welcoming. How decent of them!! Of course, the former Imperial Commando expected nothing less.

 

Dark skies hovered above a surface of rock, fire, and iron. Certainly not the poster planet for the Imperials. Though Billy was an Imperialist through and through, there were still sides of it that he preferred not to see or experience. This place was one of those. Krath, there even seemed to be an aura of evil about it, like a steady emanation of wickedness just barely audible between the nightmarish explosions coming from the numerous volcanoes that violated the planet's surface.

 

As if on cue, Mount Vader erupted rather gloriously as the Aces 'n Eights touched down, as if sending off its own firework display in celebration for the return of another Imperial, the initial boom of such resonating through the intestines of all present (and even those on-board) as the rock and metal of the landing pad actually quaked in response. Not one for superstitions, Billy still couldn't help but wonder if that was a good omen. Sure seemed like it.

 

Unfortunately, Foy was not heavily-populated by Humans. A grim-looking race of aliens, also named the Foy, were native to the planet, having erected the monstrous dark-iron cities that only added to the planet's overall malevolent feel. Billy assumed this place was chosen simply because nobody else would actually want to habitate the crusted dunghole. More than likely, he was right. Regardless though, he had taken great precaution in coming here, having made multiple hyperjumps and covering his tracks. The Aces 'n Eights was good for that.

 

The comm announced that the General was waiting. Fulmin Grestic. Huh. Billy had heard of him. In dark corners and quieted circles, the General had been nicknamed Highborn, due to his unlikely acceleration through the ranks. While those who were (unofficially) labeled Highborn were technically trained in many aspects essential to those that served beneath them, they didn't have the practical knowledge, wisdom, or experience of those who actually earned their way up the ladder.

 

Still, if this man sought to raise up the Imperials to where they rightfully should be, Gamble would throw in his lot with him. There was no such thing as a perfect leader, though it did help that he was at least human. Billy made his way past the other Stormtroopers, though he himself was in a modified outfit. Being so dressed, the former Imperial Commando did not fit in with the rank and file troopers who were clad in white, he made his way towards the facilities where the General was, having brought only one of the bodyguards with him. The other three he left on-board his ship.

 

Noting the Horizon-class Star Yacht that sat on an adjacent landing pad, Gamble found himself appreciating the fact that at least the Highborn General did in fact travel in style. Presentation and showmanship was half the game in his mind, and thus far, this Grestic fellow seemed to have at least part of it down. Shoot, the thing probably had room enough to spare for it's on small team of fighters!! Very impressive.

 

A guide introduced himself and escorted both Billy and his companion through the facilities, towards the room where the 'General' awaited. The man depressed a comm button and announced to the General that Billy Ray Gamble was present and waiting outside. With a quick response, Billy was shown in as his bodyguard awaited professionally outside by the door. His services wouldn't be needed within.

 

Dipping his head as he raised a clenched fist over his heart, Gamble showed deference towards the Highborn General as he greeted him, reporting that he had returned and was ready for duty. This would be a long, long climb up, but the end result would be more than worth the struggle. More than worth it. Of that he had no doubt...

[Fulmin Grestic]

Fulmin raised an eyebrow as the second man was ushered into the room. That was fine, he could make do with having them both here. IF anything it would help them out getting to see each other now. He was of course waiting for a few others before this particular party started. Yet they were all out of system and so to wait for them to actually arrive would be fool hardy. After all he could always call people into a meeting again.

 

His eyes glanced over the new comer, the one he had personally made sure was to arrive, using his own credentials to ensure a safe and welcoming journey. He could almost feel the 'sense of dislike emanating from him, but the solider knew his place. Mentally he shook his head though he gave no outward indication of doing such.

 

Ah and here I thought with this new second chance, that I would find more ground with the common man. I would be able to fit in as just another solider. Yet still it seems a divide is present. Shall I never truly know the close sense of camaraderie again. Has the the trials and tribulations I have gone through in my service to the Empire so far removed me from my brothers? Has the incredible pressure to have trillions of beings depending on me for guidance removed me from the common demeanor of a normal soldier? I suppose only time will tell.

 

There was a since of sadness in his eyes as he came to these thoughts. His seemingly scarred face appearing even darker than one belonging to a man staring into the fiery depths of Hell. Then just like everything else he pushed it all aside and began to focus on the matter at hand.

 

"Excellent for you to join us. You have come at quite an opportune time, as this man before you will be among your superiors in this new direction that we are moving. Take the time to get acquainted before we move on to more pressing matters."

 

It was a move so unlike an officer, that it was far outside of any norm the men would have experienced. Would they suspect a test out of it, he knew not nor cared. He took the time for their introductions to send out a text only communication, and handle two other business related matters.

[darth shadowlord]

A day later, a ship exited hyperspace over Foy. After a few minutes, the ship broadcast a command level code to the planet and shortly there after landed his ship on the planet near the spire. Disembarking from his ship, Draken took a moment and looked around at the planet before proceeding into the spire.

 

He walked through the corridors of the spire slowly, things were beginning to take shape. But as always there was more work to be done, so much more work. But in order to continue his work, he first needed to prepare for the next step. With that thought in the forefront of his mind, Draken headed to where a good portion of the training was taking place.

 

When he reached the centralized training area, he stood over one of the upper viewing area's to observe the training for about ten minutes before he walked down to where General Grestic stood.

 

"General."

[Vayne]

Standing over six feet tall and probably weighing around two fifty, the man (Malus) to whom the Highborn General at least had the look of a warrior. Quirking an eyebrow, Gamble tried to place his face, trying to see if he could remember him at all..... He could not. Didn't seem familiar. Not surprising though, it wasn't like Gamble was one to often rub shoulders with the higher ups, and if this man was to be his superior, well...

 

Giving a light, upwards nod, Billy inquired, "So... Sir, what unit were you with prior to the whole... abomination?" By abomination, Billy simply implied the merger between the Empire and the Galactic Nerf-herders. He simply did not understand just how or why the previous idiot of an Emperor could have agreed to such a merger. Struck him as either incredibly stupid, or somehow coerced. Yeah... coerced. Had to be coerced. Hadn't it?

 

He shook the thought from his mind as he awaited a response from the larger, more stocky human.

[Ary the Grey]

Malus was about to reply to the man who had brought him here when another barged in, obviously a lesser ranking Imperial, but one who held rank nonetheless. By now Malus had pieced together that Fulmin was a General, though whether or not he was deserving of his rank had yet to be seen, and Malus was a man who judged a person based on actions, not by here say and talk. Calmly he replied to the question, addressing them both as he still silently took everything in.

 

"Nobody said I was with the Empire before the fall. Look, no offense to those present, but I'm really not one for small talk. You'll get to know me better in the training pits. I've seen enough to know you could use my talents, and have the resources necessary for me to do my job well. I'm not an idealist and I'm not doing this for the glory of the Empire, I'm doing it because the pay is good and I'm finally going to get back in the action. But make no mistake, I'm not some two-bit merc whose loyalty changes on the flip of a cred chit either. I'll see whatever plans you have for this war machine through to the end. If there aren't any objections, I'll just take one of the spare rooms in the barracks for the night, and tomorrow I'll join the men in their exercises. I'm still getting a feel for what all they know and don't know."

 

He stood, looking at the two, waiting for any objection. He didn't wait long though, after a moment he simply nodded at Fulmin, with a customary 'sir', then turned and walked out, headed for the areas they had passed on the way to the General's office.

 

((I'm assuming this all happens before Draken shows up))

[Vayne]

Before anyone could even say anything back to the large mercenary, he had walked out of the room, quite rudely save for giving the General a brief 'Sir' and turning his back on them all. So he wasn't even Imperial? The Krath was this? And now he was going to be Gamble's superior? The former Commando shook his head lightly as the mercenary disappeared from sight.

 

Turning back towards the Highborn General, Gamble stated simply, "With all due respect General, if that (he tilted his head back towards where Malus had departed) is my superior, some cred-grubbing, loyal to none ass-wipe, then it was a waste of time for me to even come here." Pointing two fingers to his chest, he went on, "Soldiers don't watch each others' backs for credits General. They watch each others' backs out of brotherhood."

 

He turned and pointed down the hallway whose door had long since closed behind the departed Malus, "And some arrogant, backwater hired gun ain't someone the -real- troopers will look up to." Lowering his hand as he faced the General fully, Gamble continued, "Now if you want to use him as a consultant... or have him as a trainer for the rank and file troopers, tha's yer business Sir," he paused a moment as he laid a hand over his chest, "But as for m'self, I ain't havin' none of it."

 

Taking a moment to calm himself, Gamble drew in a deep breath before exhaling sharply. "I work better with a small team anyway, so let's just work me out a mission and send me on my way, but I swear to Krath, if you put me under that piece of bantha crap, I'll just as quickly walk right back out tha' door." Not that it probably mattered to the General, what with all the other Troopers he had on planet, but Gamble had a point to be made and the General would need to make a decision.

 

With a steady gaze and unwavering conviction, Billy awaited the Highborn's response. Krath, he hoped he would make the right one...

[Fulmin Grestic]

Indignant, self serving, arrogant piece of...

 

He stopped himself short at least mentally. He was not used to having a solider, especially an unproven man of lower rank question any decision he had made. He had once held the galaxy in his grip, worlds had fallen at his command. Who did this arrogant child think he was speaking to? It took much to restrain the fuse he was known for. His time in politics had shown him that exploding on a perceived enemy was not always the best way to resolve a matter.

 

Fulmin placed down the datapad and stared the soldier in the eye. His gaze was one as hard a durasteel and as cool as hoth. A murderous intention rested behind his eyes, a man who had seen more death,, more destruction and had survived more battles than this kid had years. It was the cold deathly stare of a man preparing to kill another human being. Seeing the object of his wraith as less than a man, less of an animal but instead o a stubborn obstacle that needed to be moved, or a rabid animal that needed to be put down.

 

This man was perhaps older than Fulmin was. Yet this man had never commanded a fleet where thousands of lives hung on his words. Had never seen the results that a misspoken word could leave on a world. Had never tasted battle beyond the rank and file grunt that he seemed destined to be. He began to wonder if he had made a mistake in allowing this man to par take in the great under taking. The man had resolve but, his heart was in the wrong place.

 

If he was any other man I would kill him where he stood. Yet I must temper such justifiable wraith

 

Eyes tempered with fury and a scarred face looked upon the commando that had spoken so foolishly to him. A man who had lost his sense of place, had lost all military bearing. It was sad but, understandable. He supposed on some level he understood why the kid was so upset. Back when he had been in his position, he perhaps would have thought the same way.

 

'Service. Fealty. Fidelity The Empire is the greatest Glory! We seek to protect the Empire. Unshakable is our devotion to the Empire. To Die for the Empire is the highest of honors! ”œ

 

He calmed himself with those words. Words he had coined himself and drilled into his men. It gave him focus, and kept him from leaping over the table and beating the man into a bloody pulp. Something he had once did with a bounty hunter that he was breaking in to become an imperial.

 

"You forget yourself soldier."

 

He could feel the general sense that this man felt towards him. This man ignorant of so much. Yet Fulmin knew, this man had no idea the amount of bantha crap he had already stepped in. It was times like this when he missed Marcus, who oddly enough was probably a Jedi know in some strange twist of fate.

 

Fulmin met the gaze of the soldier, his steady gaze and unwavering conviction doing nothing to soften the murderous intention of Fulmin's. It was the gaze of a soldier who believe he was right, against the scowl of a man who was used to his word being law, and had worked his way up in blood to have it. Only to voluntarily give it up again. It was as he was reminded of this that he knew what his response had to be.

 

"You were chosen for your conviction to the Empire. The direction we are going in could use a man of your talents. I personally picked you out of a list of candidates to help the Empire in its current endeavors. If you question my judgment over who has been determined capable to lead, you doubt yourself. You will get your small team, and you will work as is your duty with any one I damn well please to put you with."

 

He paused for a moment, his voice as hard as steel and as cold a liquid nitrogen.

 

"If you feel unable to honor your duty to the Empire. Speak now. Otherwise you are dismissed and be at the centralized training area at 0600."

 

He held his gaze steady, and though the man did not notice, a hand drifted under the table. It was taking a lot of will power to keep from killing him where he stood.

[Ary the Grey]

Ten minutes before his alarm went off the next morning, Malus was already staring at the ceiling, his eyes sliding open like clockwork, groggy but fully ready to tackle anything that got in his way. That was how he was raised, who he was: a hardened killing machine forged in the bloody fires of war. That was how Mandalore had raised his kin. The true Mandalore, anyways. They were brothers. And now they were nothing. The pain always scratched at the back of his mind, though few men ever saw it. Those that did were hiding or dead.

 

He sat up, staring blankly for a few seconds before sliding his gaze to the timepiece, slowly reaching over to slide the alarm switch off as he usually did in his morning routine. This morning was a little different though, as he grabbed one of his death sticks from his pack and lit it, sucking in the smoke and silently exhaling it. It would have been an issue had he not disabled the smoke detection systems in the room earlier last night. The day was not going to be an easy one. He wasn't one of them, he really didn't belong among them, and few would accept him as a leader. But the way he saw it, they didn't belong around him, they weren't him, and if they didn't recognize his drive and passions they didn't deserve to serve under him. Not as if he'd change anything, though, when it came to training soldiers, Malus excelled at shoving a square peg into a round hole. Sooner or later, they'd come to respect him, as Malus was a man worth respecting, and he showed it through action.

 

He put on his issued aerobic uniform and shaved the stubble off his face, exiting his room and making his way to the training area. This was about to get interesting, especially since they were scheduled to do combative drills this morning, unarmed hand-to-hand combat. Mandalorians, even former ones and especially former generals, were no strangers to these games.

[Vayne]

How ironic was it that this Highborn General spoke of conviction to the Empire when he had hired a krath-dang mercenary to lead his troops?! Are you serious? It was -quite- apparent that he was. To shame... And how could he say that Gamble doubted himself if he doubted the Highborn General? Nooo... if someone doubted the General, then that's who they doubted. Not themselves. Was this some kind of inverted political speak?

 

Regardless, he found some wiggle-room in the words of the Highborn, and rather than escalating the situation any further, he would allow some time for the Highborn to relax and collect his thoughts, as well as Billy. So simply, he replied, "Roger tha' General," and he turned towards the door, opening it as his companion turned about to face him.

 

Billy turned about to face the General and pointed up at the words inscribed above the doorway. Service. Fealty. Fidelity The Empire is the greatest Glory! We seek to protect the Empire. Unshakable is our devotion to the Empire. To Die for the Empire is the highest of honors! "General, how do you expect your men to believe in such mantra when you intend to place some credit-grubbing mercenary to lead them?"

 

As he backed out of the doorway, he added, "Jus' somethin' t'think about General, tha's all." And with that he turned to leave, heading towards the Aces 'n Eights. Tonite, he had some contemplating to do. If -this- was the direction that this Highborn General wanted to take the Imperial troopers when it came to leadership and training, where would he take the Empire on its rise back to power? Another merger? Gamble wouldn't sit through that again.

 

It was such a shame that he had been so hopeful before regarding the direction that this Imperial Remnant would take. If this Highborn General was going to be leading it... Billy hoped that he wasn't going to be the HMFIC. Tomorrow morning at 0600, things would make themselves more clear. If that mercenary was leading training, that would be one thing; but if he was actually placed in charge to lead missions...