Carida

[Omega73]

((I think you meant "we'll call off our dogs if you call off yours." You said "we'll call of your dogs"))

 

Crosa continued to stare codly right back at the man. Crosa did not like the man, not one bit, but the imperial seemed to be the only one who had a plan to get Crosa out of here. Crosa sighed and dropped his stare down to the floor.

 

"I don't like the idea of being your dopey little messenger boy.."

 

Crosa shifted his weight to make the arm hold he was in a little less un-comfortable

 

"But if it means I'll get my ship, items, and freedom back, I agree. But you and your empire need to note a few things. First off, Piccolo's actions do not exactly represent the actions of Black Sun. Keep that in mind next time you plan to inflict damage to Black Sun. Second of all, don't think just because you are letting me go, that I won't forget about this."

 

Crosa raised his arm that was now a stump.

 

"I'm not saying that I am going to do something stupid immediatly upon being released, but all is not totaly forgiven. Last of all, I may not like you, but I owe you a thank you for giving me a reason to get out of here."

 

"Now, if you would be kind enough to get me my ship and belongings, I would be most grateful..."

 

Then Crosa awaited release from the arm lock as well as the imperial prison.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust's smile widens, though it is still mirthless.

 

"I had no part in ordering the attack on Artus, nor would I have done so. Black Sun's past leaders placed a trust on me to ensure the organization's survival. If what Piccolo did is his own affair, then he may have to face the consequences for that on his own, though speaking for the Empress, it makes Black Sun look suspect when its leader starts attacking Imperial troops."

 

Faust continues, smiling in earnest now, his eyes glittering with cat-like satisfaction. "These men will be escort you to a medical bay where your arm can be reattached. Since rigor mortus set in, there's some new tissue we'll need to implant to revivify it. It worked when I ripped out the eyes of a certain Jedi Master, so your arm should be as good as new." Faust negligently tosses the arm to one of his troopers, knowing that the trooper would give the correct orders to the medical staff. "Consider it a means of paying off part of our debt to you, if you call it that. Afterwards, they will direct you to your ship, with your personal affects waiting inside. We've had our mechanics refuel it and everything, so it'll be in tip top shape. I know you're not happy being a messanger boy, but," he adds with a shrug, "I think this will allow you to accomplish your aims for Black Sun and get this mess resolved."

 

With that, Faust turns about and leaves, letting his troopers lift Corsa up to a standing position, his arm still behind his back in preparation for his trek to the medical bay. Faust's voice gives one last echoing call from down the hall before fading out of earshot.

 

"As for not liking me, I think I can live with it. You'll find that most of the civilized galaxy seems to want to kill me for some reason..."

[Vash Mammon]

Vash knew full well Dominique would not show him mercy. He had seen her kind thousands of times. In many ways, Vash was her kind, though he liked to think himself a bit more sophisticated in his techniques. Dominique was so vulgar, so human. Vash had a hard time controlling his facial expressions. Geki would not sneer at being in the presence of an equal, Vash would sneer at being in the presence of such an unevolved creature. Vash wasn't given much of an opportunity to consider Dominique's status in the hierarchy of organisms as blinding pain gripped his body. The Shi'ido struggled not to immediately lose consciousness.

 

Do not feel fear. She will sense it.

 

Vash almost physically forced himself not to feel any emotion. It was almost as exerting as the pain of having his life removed from him. His few organs were not damaged. They were malleable, and able to move with the shape of the blade. But there was no way to avoid the draining effect of her blade. He could feel his life draining from his body. Sweat gathered on his brow. Vash knew a demonstration would be the only thing to satisfy her. He hoped that the psychic abilities he exuded would be enough to convince Dominique he was using the Force as he made his next move. He hoped he had the strength to do what need to be done. Vash increased and decreased his bulk suddenly, pushing the blade out of his body. He allowed himself a verbal cry as it left him. The Shi'ido was not used to Force attacks. But he expected even Jidai Geki would give a verbal acknowledgement of a blade in his gullet. He wasn't sure if Geki would be as dizzy and sick to his stomach as Vash was.

 

Show her just a bit more.

 

Before Dominique, could thrust the blade back, Vash's white chest plate fell to the ground. His skin rippled beneath the black shirt he wore. Several whirring blades burst from their hidden cavities within his body. Two struck her in the shoulder, and one in her knee. Vash had broken her concentration in what he hoped looked like a Sithly display. Given the rarity of Shi'idos it was certainly something Dominique had never witness. If she wasn't convinced, at least he'd drawn some of her blood. The face of Jidai Geki grimaced as he stretched his skin to block the wound. It was a temporary fix though. The pain continued to stretch through his body.

 

"Are you satisfied woman? Instead of stabbing people, it might be more prudent for someone masquerading at my old position to ask for further explanations. I am on your side, after all and I am Jidai Geki."

 

The motorized spinning blades hovered, waiting for Dominique to make her next move.

[Omega73]

Crosa was escorted to the medical bay where his arm was to be reattached. He had never heard of putting an arm back on its stub, but hopefully these imperials would know what they were doing..

 

 

--------------------------

 

After the meds had re-attached Crosa's arm, they led him to the hangar where his ship had been staying in Crosa's short imprisonment. Crosa nodded towards the troopers before jumping into the cockpit of his ship, where he found all of his belongings.

 

 

Crosa fired up his engines and took off. Thankfully, there was no tractor beam... Crosa Hoverich had learned a valuable lesson. Never try to bluff your way past an imperial officer. If you do, they will blast your arm off and put you in an imperial prison, where it's not too pretty. Crosa breathed out a sigh of relief before taking off into hyperspace. He was free.

[Bad karma]

Dominique reacted instantly to the blades as they came at her. Her eyes narrowed further as she concentrated on them, splitting her focus and keeping from doing anything more then superficial damage. Her lip curled as she forced them to drop down to the ground with a fresh coat of crimson on them. He had dared to attack her; he was even more foolish then she believed him to be after first inspection.

 

”

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust goes back to a small room appropriated for his personal use aboard the flagship, sending out a report for the Empress.

 

Agent Crosa of Black Sun has been released under the conditions of acting as our messanger to the Vigo Council. I've set up an impromptu supervision program using the biotech that allowed us to spy on the Jedi Council with the Jedi Master Ara and in his ship as an added precaution Agent Crosa has honor, and in that he can be trusted to deliver our message- No more, no less. It will fall unto Silas and the rest to make the final decision on the terms presented: A ceasefire and Piccolo's personal apperance here to make amends for his attack.

 

I believe something can be worked out and that Black Sun is better served working for us, opposed to our bathing in their blood. We should be on the alert and if needed, assert ourselves, but I foresee a smoothing of hostilities and one that may enable us to crush the Alliance once and for all.

 

The report sent, he reclines in his chair, still wearing the faint smirk he had when he left the cell. Though a small part of him still grated at being an Imperial lapdog, waiting hand and foot around a base and giving orders as opposed to just running around the galaxy and mercilessly hunting his foes and targets, Faust knew that his own aims would be accomplished that much quicker because of it.

 

The satisfaction of crushing those who revered the light, and hoped for the best in humanity and the galaxy by and letting them experience true reality and slowly breaking their spirits still delighted Faust's twisted hearts to no end. Their petty resistance in the mean time would provide some ample hunting. Unless a foe was enlightened, killing them served no real end other than as a simple demonstration of power or as a delightful diversion.

 

Smiling, he sends out another set of reports, determined to find the Alliance's latest, and probably their last hiding hole in the galaxy.

[Bad karma]

Dominique received Faust's message just as she came to a halt in the center of her chambers. She listened to it, committing what was said in it to memory then tossed her comm aside. She had no use for it at the moment. It was time for her to test out the new, specially designed meditation chamber. Her weapons and a few other items were stored away as she moved towards the center of the room again. The floor was quite solid and pitch black. Though she was unsure of just what it was made of, she knew that it didn't truly matter anyway.

 

Moments later she was submerged in a spherical chamber which appeared to have no mundane entrance at all, only a tiny section that was used to fill it up. The water was set at forty five degrees Fahrenheit and sent a chill down her spine. She had been in many cold environments before and even experienced cold water, but never being completely submerged in it. There was no light in the moderately sized room, but if one could see inside of it they would see her in the direct center of the room with her hair floating all around her head.

 

She opened herself to deeper currents of the force and began meditating as she let her body adapt to the cold and begin to build up immunity to such temperatures. Once that was done, the temperature would be dropped even lower.

[Malicious Intent]

A lone shuttle docked. Atia waisted no time lingering with docking protocol. Straight to the bridge. Straight to her. A small turbolift ride and a long, wide hallway later she was upon her destination.

 

"Where is master Dominique? I need to talk to her. Now"

[Vash Mammon]

Vash languished in his prison. He amused himself by taunting the guards.

[Deton]

The shuttles tore out of hyperspace, each one considerably lighter than when they had first gone into battle. Upon landing, Deton removed himself from his stretcher and made sure as much of his armor was on that was still functional. There was no reason to not look presentable, no matter how hard the battle may have been.

 

He secretly wished he still had a helmet to hide the since of failure with in him, however, he would bear his failure, hold his head up high and file his report.

 

Marching with some difficulty off the shuttle, his two stormtrooper escorts followed in tow as the shuttles left for fueling and things of that nature.

 

Between medical treatments, he finished and submitted his report on the action seen at Artus, as well as the causality list. After submitting it however, he simply let himself be submerged in bacta.

 

No matter what happened, food and bacta would always be a soldier's best friend.

[Piccolo]

A heavily encrypted and untraceable message arrives from deep space. It is set on a delay, and the ship it originated from had long since left the area after making several jumps and disguising its route.

 

"This is Piccolo, leader of the Black Sun. Sole leader. I have heard the message sent by Vladimir Faust. I am surprised that he does not know me better. I have no intention of making amends. I have no fear of the Sith. You will soon learn what happens when the brutality of the Sith is reversed upon them. There can be no peace. This will be a war like nothing you have ever faced. You do not fight the Jedi or the Alliance. You fight the Black Sun. There will be no mercy, no trials, no public pleas for lenience. We fight in the shadows, and kill without conscious. The Black Sun have no foolish code to prevent us from administering the same sort of painful death you administer on others. I make no amends for what I am about to do, and I never will. Perhaps after I have resurrected the old Doshan practice in combat, and consumed the flesh of your Dark Lord, I will consider an apology. But until then, do not send my operatives back to me with messages of surrender, because I promise I will not do the same with my prisoners. You'll get them back as carcasses. And if Vladimir Fausts ever wishes to ally himself with someone worthy of his skill, instead of a Dark Lord too frightened to do their fighting personally, the door is always open."

[Bad karma]

Dominique emerged from the floor, her body chilled to the bone and her hair sticking to her back. It took all of five minutes for her to be dressed and perfectly dry once more, her weapons placed back into their proper positions. A lot had happened during the four hour period when she had been submerged, but she hadn't let any of it penetrate her thoughts. It could all wait; everything could wait for her.

 

Weary men from the Artus campaign were now returning and among them were her, former, apprentice Atia. Along the way several men approached her, giving her the reports of the Imperial Soldier that had led up the operation. Casualties were high, but it appeared that Black Sun was retreating from their planet. A fresh batch of soldiers would be sent out to head up the taking over and fortification of the planet. A communiqué was sent out to Viktor at Coruscant, informing him of the action he was to take.

 

The officer in charge of communications informed her of a message from Piccolo that had arrived roughly half an hour ago. She quietly listened to it, picking apart each of his sentences and over all finding the entire thing amusing. It appeared that he had gone against Dagon's wishes, taking on complete control of Black Sun and then following it up by threatening, arguably, the strongest Military presence in the Galaxy. If she was to look at his past record to see the success Black Sun had under him, she would only be able to find that much more humor in his words.

 

Dominique would deal with him when the time arrived though, perhaps sooner if she grew board of this game of cat and mouse that the Alliance seemed to be playing. She was a Krath, but that didn't mean that she wasn't a fan of upfront tactics. Assassins dealt in subtly, she dealt in pain and dominance. Rather then addressing Atia, she sent out a few more communiqués and gave a message to two soldiers to pass on to Captain Rustic once he was in ”˜working order' again.

 

Now that she was done, she turned her attention towards the young warrior before her and noted that she had neglected to clean up before arriving; pity.

 

”œYes, Atia”¦What have you to say?”

[Malicious Intent]

Atia could feel her old master's eyes look her over before speaking. She was bloodied and bruised. The exposed wound on her ribs had just been cauterized and the bullet freshly removed before that. She looked a mess. Now was not the time for trivial thoughts of appearance.

 

"Master Dominique, I have returned from Artus. We were met with more resistance than anticipated, however Lord Torin followed through with your orders and decapitated his mark. I also fought and defeated a few agents myself, along with one in particular that seemed to have some rank. When I sensed them planting the explosives I mentioned we should leave. It was then I was surrounded by Destroyer Droids and a hunter with a strong presence. Lord Torin took care of the droids and ordered me to take this to you." She outstretched her hand to give the small parcel to Dominique.

 

"Master, I must find him. I cannot leave him behind." Her mind lingered on memories of Viktor for a moment before returning to the subject at hand. She hoped Dominique hadn't been observing her thoughts for those precious seconds. "I request another battalion of troops and two accompanying lords. I do not presume an apprentice such as myself could command such a force, but I believe we cannot afford Lord Torin's skills to be lost from our order. Especially as our war grows."

[Bad karma]

Dominique took the chip, concealing it for later viewing.

 

”œYou've risen past the point of being an apprentice, Atia. Do not doubt your abilities; you are a Sith Lord now.”

[Malicious Intent]

"Thank you Master, for your confidence." The promotion was indeed deserved, but other's admission of her skills was far from her mind at the moment. "What is it that you wish me to do next? Obviously we must move on Black Sun before they regroup. Any idea where they would have fled to?"

[Bad karma]

”œIf you are really so eager to do something, I suggest you visit Mechis III and help your meager flesh and bones along with some cybernetics. Otherwise, you can find something to do on your own until I call upon you again.”

[Malicious Intent]

Atia only nodded and walked back to her shuttle. There would be no assistance here. She would have to look elsewhere for aid.

[Deton]

Deton admired his custom fit boots as he streched inside of his black uniform. The rank squares shone brightly reminding all that he was a captain.

 

He sighed, before grabbing his cap and placing it on his head. He always felt he looked odd in the black unifrom. He knew that there were three branches to the Empire's military might, that being the army, the navy, and of course the imperial stormtroopers.

 

Compared to the imperial officers runing about in their grey uniforms, he clearly stood out amongst them. It was of no matter. Perhaps if he got some R and R time he would pay a visit to his family on the world, or perhaps take a trip to the imperial academy.

[Bad karma]

A uniformed officer approached Captain Rustic and got the custom pleasantries out of the way before addressing him. The two storm troopers that seemed to be his person guard stood at attention behind him.

 

”œCaptain Rustic, the Empress herself has left me with orders to commend you on your perform at Artus. Most of the men in white would have fallen to the leader of Black Sun much quicker and without any sort of grace, but you showed bravery and skill that surpasses the norm. She wishes you to have another promotion. Congratulations, Commander.”

Edited August 30, 2007 by Guest

[Deton]

Deton beamed with pride as he accepted his new rank. If he had, had the ability to stand straighter, he no doubt would have done so.

 

Commander Rustic he mused to himself, as he added the rank squares to his insgina and saluted.

 

Stopping off at the quarterhouse, he placed a request for new armor and gear, since his helmet had been utterly destroyed in his last battle. While waiting around for the gear he recieved orders for his next mission. Oddly enough, they came in around the time his gear was signed over to him.

 

Taking his gear, he gave the order to move out, and shortly after eight hundread and twenty Stormtrooper,s marched out, boarded imperial transports, he along with them, and reached out into the stars.

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

A special set of two ships arrives over Cardia, taking with them a specially fitted vessel from the KVC Enterprises hidden shipyards.

 

Name: NEO-DUVUCUS (Dreadfully Unpleasant and Very Unholy Chariot of Unwarranted Suffering)

Model: CC-DUVUCUS 1.5

Class: Corvette

Length: 70 meters

 

Manufacturer: Corellian Engineering Corporation

Designer: Kheldar vos Correlli

Owner: Dominique

 

Armaments: armaments: 2 Concussion Missile Launchers configured for diamond boron missiles, 2 quad laser cannons, 2 twin ion cannons, 1 turbo laser, 1 tractor beam with barbed grappling claws and corusca drill, 100 skull lasers, 1 chain gun.

 

Defenses: Military grade enhanced durasteel hull, enhanced energy and ion shields.

 

Appearance: Befitting an evil overlord, this ship is grotesque in appearance. The DUVUCUS looks as if it was a living catacomb on the outside, with skulls mounted into niches along the hulls (some of which contain hidden laser guns). It has a sleek, though foreboding appearance, covered in sable and crimson, the overall design loosely resembling a Corellian Corvette.

 

The interior has a similar look with crimson floors, black walls, and decorative, yet macabre mountings. The bridge is shaped like a throne room and suitably ornamented.

 

Anti Personnel Defenses: The ship has custom built droids embedded into the fixtures- furniture, hallways, etc., designed to unleash what can be best described as a cross between a vibroblade and barbed wire. These phrik coated barbs can tentacle out and easily restrain, or rend, intruders picked up by internal sensors. A larger variation of this was mounted on the front of the ship by the tractor beam, capable of putting dents in or puncturing the cockpits of smaller ships, this barbed arm carrying a drill with a corusca gem head.

 

Furthermore, the ship is decorated with real skulls, coated with special liquids to enhance durability and in several cases the eye sockets are mounted with hidden lasers on par with a high end blaster pistol. Said skulls are used to line corridors along decorative ones, and 100 of them are placed on the outside of the ship to deal with targets on the ground, along with a concealed chain gun. There are also gravity traps in the audience chamber and bridge to compliment the barbed impaler droids.

 

Designer's Notes: This top of the line ship was an interesting challenge for Kheldar to build, given what he knew of his client's tastes. That being said it was an exercise of the outer limits of grisliness. It has two large cargo bays capable of holding smaller ships or running training modules, and 4 hyperdrive ready escape pods. There is a special hangar built for a special hover cycle which has the following capabilities:

 

Name: The Agathys Altma

Model: CC-CC 1 (Correlli Custom Combat Cycle)

Class: Combat Cycle

Length 1.5 meters

 

Manufacturer: Corellian Engineering Corporation

Designer: Kheldar vos Correlli

Owner: Dominique

 

Weapons: Carbonite pellet gun, liquid nitrogen spray gun, miniature chain gun.

 

Defenses: Light shielding, military armor.

 

Designers Note: This special combat cycle is enclosed, ensuring the maximum ration of protection for speed. The wheels are specially outfitted with tiny molecularly bonded studs as to give maximum traction and enable the cycle to climb sheer surfaces. The cycle also includes a rocket booster and as needed, a repulsor pack. The design of the engines give it an unusually strong output and speeds matched only by the fastest racing pods, so knowing the owner's affinity for cold, the weapons systems- which include liquid nitrogen and fast freezing carbonite pellets, are incorporated into the engines systems as a means of maintaining stability. The interior is sealed and can survive even in deep space with an air supply lasting 2 hours (or a much longer period if Force aided meditative/trance techniques are employed).

 

The chain gun is designed with special armor piercing rounds, designed with shattering surfaces or objects by the bike's other weapons in mind.

 

With the DUVUCUS itself, there are two force meditation chambers, one for private mediation and one hooked up as part of the bridge which is a specially sealed chamber that can be flooded with fresh water or other additives as needed, complete with its own filtration and purification systems. It includes luxury bedrooms, and also in line with the ship's owner, an assortment of holding cells radiating off of a central torture chamber. The ship contains an audience chamber equipped with holographic projectors and a garish throne. Mounted for design in the audience chamber is portraits of the ship's owner, showing a firm, yet chilly countenance. One portrait of the ship's first owner remains still in a side chamber, showing the dreaded Sith Lord at his fortress of Midsengard on Merkava. The ship includes several other rooms that are easily convertible per the wishes of its owner.

 

The ship includes KVC's top of the line sub-light and hyperdrive engines for speed with maneuverability, as well as the HIMS anti grav well system. The ship was refitted as its previous owner, Lord Ar-Pharazon, never claimed it before disappearing from the Galactic scene. The costs for the ship, besides sheer profits, went towards hiring several artists, famed around the galaxy, to paint the new Empress.

 

The DUVUCUS set in orbit around Cardia, the two KVC Enterprises ships take off back into the ether of hyperspace. Ironically, another CC Class ship, complete with its owner, disappears elsewhere into hyperspace at this time: the CC-BT 2- the Bhelliom, piloted by Vladimir Faust.

[Bad karma]

”œWhat do you think we should do with it?”

[Faick Ond]

Facik Ond sat in the prep room looking at the diagram of the building. There were two entrances to the north, facing away from the Imperial base, on to the east, and one to the west. Unfortunatley there were none that were directly facing the direction they would be approaching from, but that could be easily overcome. Faick started by assigning each member of the squad a number of 1 through 12, one for each trooper, with himself being one.

 

"Alright, we'll be dividing into four groups. 1-3, will be silver group, 4-6 will be blue group, 7-9 will be white group, and 10-12 will be green group. Silver group, we'll be entereing the target through the east door. Blue group, you will take west door. White group will take the North East Door, and Green group will take the North West Door. As soon as the patrol is past your door and around the building get in by using a code descrambler that will be provided to you. As soon as your in make your way to the command center, which will be in the middle of the building.

 

Once you reach the command center, tag the commander there and the drill will be over. Be at your assigned stations in fifteen minutes. Good luck."

 

As he finished speaking, Faick fitted actions to words and led his suited up team out the door towards their assigned zone. They set up behind some shrubbery just as the patrol was passing their door.

 

"Start timer," he instructed the third member of his team. They would wait for the patrol to complete their round, then relay the time to the other groups to alert them of how much time they had.

 

After waiting about five minutes they spotted the patrol rounding the corner. That would give each team just over a minute to get into the building undetected. No problem. He relayed this new information to the other squads then began his approach. He spotted the key pad and attached the descrambler to it and watched as the 9 digit code appeared on his display. He entered the code and the door hissed open. The other two members of his team sprinted over and they stepped inside as the door hissed shut. They were inside, now onto the command center.

 

((I'm guessing you're going to make this interactive?))

[Lord MacLeod]

Luke moved from his office and headed to the cleaned up main hanger bay. There were twenty-seven Scimitar assault bombers sitting in a perfect formation ready to leave. Each ship had been stripped of any Imperial insignia and looked as if they from a rogue force. The twenty-seven pilot and twenty-seven bombers stood beside each of their respective ships, their uniforms a mixture of mismatched gear such as pirates would wear. The ships had been battered and shot several times to give them an older look. Each of the ships had also been equipped with hyperspace drives so that they would be able to travel without a larger ship.

 

However with the hyperspace drive equipped, the bomb bay had been made slightly smaller. Rather then being able to hold sixteen concussion missiles, it could only hold thirteen missiles. As one of the pilots saw the admiral, he quickly called it out and everything in the hanger bay came to a halt. ”œAt ease men, return to your duties.”

[Lord MacLeod]

((Legal Double Post))

 

As soon as word of the attack on Mechis III reached the Admiral on Cardia, the fleet was moved to high alert. Immediately opening a comm to two of the Star Destroyers, Luke began to issue orders. ”œCaptains Jonas and Moray, your orders are to take your ships and depart for Mechis III. When you arrive, you are to deploy Tie fighters open fire on them, decimate their ships and leave them breathing vacuum. Dismissed.”

[Yue]

Arriving on Cardia instead of heading into the temple the three people on the ship...Excusse me two people on the ship headed out of the space dock into the city on Cardia. While some what populated Yue while walking behind the pale Ichi the small group headed to a local hotel and checked in.

 

Lowering his odd Yue spoke to DT.

 

"You did well on Coursant. Quite well. We will instead work on some of the more interesting parts of your training. You did touch the force and use it well before Dominique destoryed the blaster you reformed. I want you to descrbie to me what you felt when you did this. In addition I know you have been researching the sith classes. Which path of the sith would you like to go into?"

 

Yue did not speak and now waited for DT to answer.

[Darth Terror]

DT listened to Ichi speak.

 

"When I repaired that blaster...I felt...powerful. I felt like I could control just about anything in the universe. As if I was all-powerful. Although I am surely nowhere near Yue's force mastery."

 

DT paused for a moment...he considered the classes for the last time,

 

"Yes, I have researched the classes, and I am most interested in becoming an Assassin. I am clay, mold me as you will."

[Yue]

"Well then let us start with one of the things any assassin worth his weight would know. The art of mind manipulation. While I may now be a Sorcer I have my past and that past has taught me the ways of what you seek. Now you will understand why I choose the city. There are many minds here and we will start some of the finer parts of your training here. Let us go into the local cantina. We will start with the easiest targets the drunks."

 

The group headed into the cantina taht was near the hotel and they took a table. Pointing to one at the counter Ichi spoke.

 

"Master had already found out why that man is here. He had done it by using the force to enter his mind and pushed though his state of drunkeness. It it is a simple task. Project and and treat his mind like a book. Open it and read it. Now."

 

Ichi lowered his hand and waited for DT to complete his task.

[Abaddon]

Abaddon opened a comm with the Empire. "This Blademaster and retired Dark Lord Abaddon, Darkwatch Vice President and Commander." Abaddons cool calculated voice came over the electronic highly encrypted communication.

 

"Im sure you are aware of the Galactic state of Emergency I request your presence at a nuetral zone for communication reguarding coordination against the threat. I have significant information to share with you reguarding the threat. Please meet at the Hutt Palace. Koplak has offered it as a nuetral meeting place. I suggest you mobolize all your resources and put ship production to maximum." Abaddon cut the comm. Hopefully everything would come into place soon.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust's landing at Cardia is received with some ceremony as he receives word from Mechis III of the Fox's success on his personal mission. The smile grows as he contemplates his glorious future for the galaxy. Oh it would be wonderful and he would squeeze the very li--

 

The Emperor is then brought up short by a massive shockwave, reeling him like the one he felt at ground zero on Coruscant when he leveled the planet. Though not nearly as strong by the distance and numbers, is resonnates with Faust's black heart and causes him to smile. He would need to find out what happened, and where. Besides, he thinks, doubts growing in the back of his mind, the galaxy was his and no one elses. Any destruction unleashed upon it would flow from his hands.

 

News comes shortly of the devistation in Corellia, some of the news from Imperial operatives who made one last transmission shortly before the five planets died in a fiery explosion. Inspecting troops and battle plans, Faust takes the news with no seeming effect, simply ordering a word to put the Empire on high alert and step up production of the Empire's resources. He has the Holonet cast detailing the end of the star system replayed, watching impassively, then orders all officers ((NPC and PC alike)) before him.

 

Faust's speech is brief, calm, and firm.

 

"I have access to Imperial data on the attackers. Spies and other reports have confirmed an old presence in the galaxy known as the Arach'tar, back it seems for another round." Faust's smile is short and vicious. "We will meet them and we will crush them. Have no mistake about that. Until then, we will be on the alert and start production on a new toy I've been wanting to play with- something I kept in the works until the rebels were on their knees and was hoping to surprise them with."

 

Above Faust a spherical orb manifests- silent and deadly with a wide trench over the hemisphere, and a singluar, eye like depression near the upper sides.

 

"It will be ready in three weeks. Until that time," he muses, "we may be vulnerable. I want men at every Imperial outpost, our fleet in constant motion, and production doubled by what ever means necessary." Faust's cold eyes gaze over the assembled officers, resting on one Faick Ond. "You," he reports, raising one guantletted hand at the officer. "We do not need the Hutts warnings to be on our guard, but we should know what they have in mind. We need to know how the Hutts and the other powers will be attempting to exploit this situation. You have my authority to make what ever agreements may be necessary to keep the rebels and the others focused on dealing with this new threat. We will of course, honor them as needed for our own survival."

 

Faust's gaze lifts and turns to the rest of his assembled officers. "We have fought a long and bloody war to unite and control this galaxy, and with victory in our grasp, I do not intend to lose it. We will crush this outside threat, and then crush the rebels. What we saw on Corellia was an impressive show of fire power, but we can match it in time and with strategy." Faust's eyes close for a second, a slow smile on his face. "We should avoid engaging the enemy head on with what we have right now and try to get our friends in the rebellion to soak up the initial losses. Until then, we play defensively and move safely. That will be all."

 

*****

 

With the troops dismissed and orders given, Faust quietly contemplates this news. He was confident in the Empire and Sith's power to turn back the tide, though it would be all the better if he was gracious enough to give Onderin and company the first go. Even at that wonderful thought, he cannot laugh, instead sinking into a moody, dark depression, comforted by a half filled glass of wine.

 

Corellia was gone, destroyed... The Empire needed a strong, brave face, and Faust was willing to do what needed to be done. Survival was his speciality after all. Still, Corellia was lost...

 

Reagan...

 

Faust quietly put her aside, trying to do what he could to keep her out of the spotlight and public notice. Even after Misal Draygo's remarks, Faust chose not to respond. As Vladimir Faust, he had enemies. As Emperor Faust, Dark Lord of the Sith, he had more enemies still. He wanted her out of the picture for her safety. She'd been used to get to him once before, and if it happened again... Love was a weakness and a liability, and he would not have anything happen to her.

 

But if Corellia was caught off guard... then what if?

 

Possibly she could have been offworld. As a smuggler and businesswoman, then she would travel a lot. The children? The same. Still...

 

A crystal goblet explodes as it is hurled at the floor with speed enough to dent the steel paneling on it. A slow grinding sound is heard as Faust grinds the remains to dust beneath his heel.

 

But what if she actually did...?

 

Swallowing his fear and anger, Faust's eyes close. His heart, small and black as it was, bled. Reagan's death, uncertain, but likely, cauterized that aching wound. Never again... The Arach'tar would pay.

 

When they opened again, they are a cold, icy blue- far colder and bluer than ever. That ice came from his soul. No mercy, no quarter would be given to his enemies this time- not even for his own amusement. They would be destroyed utterly. The Arach'tar would pay for this. He swore it. If he still had a soul of his own, he would have given it up for the power necessary to do this then and there.

 

Snarling, the Beast strode from his private chambers. He had an Empire to command and the thought of committing genocide on this new enemy did not make him smile or feel rapture, but fed a cold, burning fire in his soul.