Carida

[Guest]

The Claw pulled out of hyperspace just outside Cardia's atmosphere. Rolsat jerked and winced as his body jolted out of the human guise he used to leave the spaceport and had to contain until his jump. It was exhausting, keeping himself in a shapeshift state for that long depleted his body's resources. He needed water, now.

 

He pushed the old A9 through the atmosphere, it's weak hull groaning under the pull of the planet's strong gravity. Rolsat himself felt his wrinkled, metallic skin pulled down. He eased the yoke back, and switched on his comm.

 

"Rolsat Naviee, reporting for Imperial Service."

 

And some water...

[Deton]

Carida was a world long known for the beautiful vaunted Halls, of academia. It was in a way the high mark of Imperial learning, where officers off all sorts would be broken, down, molded and brought forth as powerful men. It was here that some of the best the Empire had to offer would be trained, as this was part of the elite triumvirate. Truly a high ground for any and all Imperial forces.

 

As a result there was no chanced passed up to explore and enacted upon lessons being taught at the academy. With the Galaxy's best and brightest attending it would come of no surprise, that shortly before they answered they knew mostly what they desired.

 

A young engines slated for the navy and there by apart of the navy program turned to his senor officer, his hands dancing over the controls.

 

”œSir it seems an A-9 Vigilance interceptor has just pulled out of hyperspace.”

[Guest]

Rolsat chuckled. "I should expect no less from the Imperial Navy." Came his raspy voice over the comm. "Coordinates confirmed, pilot. Landing now."

 

He pulled his A9 slowly onto the pad, landing it as if he had done it hundreds of times. Smiling a sharp-toothed grin, he disengaged the cockpit lock and the lid lifted quickly. Rolsat, hands raised in the air, jumped out of the ship with ease, landing with his back to the troopers. He looked like a man from behind, but as he turned he was sure he drew a curious stare from someone in the squad. He was a Clawdite, and he was used to it. His wrinkled metallic green skin twisted into what was his best smile and greeted the first trooper he came to.

 

"I'm here to join the Empire."

[Deton]

Though these men were green in the sense they were knew, they weren't apt to letting their emotions show, and even so their armor allowed them to hide the curious stares some were giving the creature. A few of them actually appreciated that the being was so upfront instead, of trying to masquerade as perhaps a human.

 

The recruitment officer put a hand to his ear, being told

 

A man steadily marched out however, his uniform prime, and proper, crisp and clean. Coming up to the Alien, he extended his hand.

 

”œWelcome to Cardia Rolsat Naviee. My name is Sgt Caesar Good to know that our information matches up. If you would accompany me to my office, I am sure we can find what you can do for the Empire, and what the Empire can do for you!”

[Guest]

Rolsat forced a smile and took the man's hand, giving it three shakes before letting go. He listened intently and began to follow the man. He turned once to wave to the troopers and the TIE pilots overhead. His smile faded and his face was returned to its normal, droopy frown as they entered the man's office.

 

Rolsat took a look around, taking in the office. He then stood, leaning slightly to the right, and crossed his organic arm with his mechanical arm. "The Empire can do much for me, sir; but I assure you that I can do much more for the Empire."

[Deton]

The man had escorted himself and the newcomer to his office, upon which he had left the newcomer's side and took his own rather spacious office desk seat. Clasping his hands together, he leaned forward over the table and cracked a grin.

 

”œNow this is what I like to hear son. So tell me, what do you think you can bring to the Empire?”

[Guest]

Rolsat smiled as his skin tone and shape changed dramatically. First human, then Rodian, then Weequay, then Omwati, then back to his own face. "I could be the best spy you've ever had."

 

He then looked hard at the man, furrowed his brow, and then his face slowly morphed into that of the officer. His face returned to its original position, regaining a smile.

 

"Also, sir, I'm a likeable person. For one, I can be whatever you want... or the enemy wants... me to be. I could be the best diplomat you've ever had." He smiled at his abnormal behavior. Normally, Rolsat wasn't this full of himself. Normally, Rolsat just kept quiet, his cold, calculating stare piercing any soul that entered his vision. But Rolsat was trying to get into the Empire, he had to sell himself.

 

But at least he wasn't stretching the truth.

 

Rolsat then stepped completely out of his norm. He did something that he probably will never do again. He lifted his sleeve, displaying his arm. He then pulled the syntheskin up, and revealed his mechanical arm. "It's strong, but it limits my shapeshifting ability. I can only be a humanoid, minus Wookies."

 

He then replaced the syntheskin, and stood straight. His legs shoulder width apart, his back straight, hands held behind his back.

 

"Best of all, sir, I'm a loyal soldier."

[Deton]

”œA loyal solider now that is what we need most of all.”

[Guest]

Rolsat smiled slightly. He had never been accepted anywhere. Not even on Coruscant. He'd always have to be disguised somehow. But now, with the Empire, he could be himself.

 

He straightened his posture and saluted. "Yes, sir. I can, and I will." He then relaxed, back into his former position. "You will always get the best out of me, sir."

 

And I looooove killing people. It'll be fun, assassination people right under their own noses. I'll do so much for the Empire! He smiled in his pride.

 

"Sir, am I dismissed?" He asked, turning to the door slightly. He was excited to head to the medical bay and get that sample taken. He wanted to get started as soon as possible.

 

Hell, he could hardly contain himself.

[Deton]

He opened up a drawer, and removed a single datapad. A few command keys later, he slid the datapad over to the new recruit.

 

"Yes son you are dismissed, and... between you and me. Word is coming down, the rebels are up to no good again. Fear not, as We have no shortage of men, and so you won't be rushed into battle before you are at least trained. So Work hard, and see you on the front lines son.

 

Dismissed!"

[Guest]

Rolsat smiled, causing the wrinkles on his cheeks to sag slightly over the folds caused by the movement. He saluted after taking the datapad. "Sir, yes sir!"

 

He turned and opened the door, rushing out of it. He walked as fast as he could without running, trying to make it to the medbay as if the floor under his feet was crumbling.

 

After reaching the door to the medbay, he knocked and opened it slightly. "New recruit," he identified himself, "here for a genetic sample."

[Deton]

Screened and tested, unknownst to the new recruit he had been marked, and his genetic profile loaded up on countless Imperial worlds, and sent to equally countless Imperial bases.

 

Perhaps the man would go places, perhaps not, but he had been marked all the same. With everything checked up and good to go, he was released, and sent off to begin his training.

 

((GO ahead and take it into your own hands for now. My comp is fritz, so i'll at least see what you are able to do on your own.))

[Nokrt]

The Grand Admiral had been within his chambers looking over a tactical overlay of the upcoming battle his men would soon be encountering. If they were as prepared for his way of handling a battle, they would easily perform a Crossing the T maneuver and effectively take care of anything the Carida Base had prepared. Though Nokrt was not looking to have his men do the typical expected maneuver nor had he expected the crew to agree with whatever he thought. Input was necessary to win battles and ingenuity was the best form of input a leader could hope for. The Grand Admiral would hope for something new, if he had the same grainy traditional response that he himself could have easily come up with without straining. He wanted new ingenious strategies to be formed by his battlegroup, not the same dull garbage pulled out and thrown in front of him to use in battle. This was his goal, and it would occur.

 

The Amaunator exited hyperspace a few hundred kilometers over the planet of Carida, and immediately a small red light flared on the control panel and even more so a small alarm ringing presumably to wake the Grand Admiral, and any other necessary crew so they may be present for battle in a few moments. Before he would contact the bridge to see what they have seen, Nokrt brought up appropriate view screens to see their position over the planet and the “enemy” the facility had prepared. It appeared that the base had some extra ships in store that had been taken from Rebel bases. A Mon Cal Star Cruiser as well as a few other notable Rebel ships were waiting for the Amaunator. Nokrt smiled glad a good show had been put on. The Grand Admiral touched his controls and had the ships internal comm connect him to the bridge.

 

“Captain Il’kal, what is the situation,” commanded Nokrt.

 

“A small contingent of Rebel ships sir, one Mon Cal Star Cruiser though it’s shields seem deactivated, a few Corellian Corvettes and a half dozen squadrons of X-Wing Fighters. TIE Pilots have been rushed to the hangar, and Turbolaser cannons have been firing shots across the bow of the Star Cruiser. They are returning fire. I am going to have the Starfighters perform a Marg Sabl in combination and a Horizon approach simultaneously to wipe out all their Starfighters.”

 

Nokrt was impressed with his commander’s quick wit. Thought it did not solve the entire battle, it would surely destroy all the starfighters the “Rebels” had, unless of course the Corellian Corvettes came into range to protect the starfighters. Their rapid-fire laser cannons would do hellish damage to the TIE’s and cause losses that should not be allowed.

 

“Perform Alpha Strike’s on each of the three Corellian Corvettes, I would rather risk damage to the shields from a Mon Cal Star Cruiser than have our men obliterated by the lasers of a Rebel Blockade Runner,” Nokrt directed.

 

“Yes, Grand Admiral. After that would you like us to perform a basic raking of the Mon Cal Star Cruiser with Alpha Strikes on subsystems?”

 

There was the gold Nokrt had been looking for, with one suggestion of a tactic the Captain applied it in other scenarios where it would be most useful. This was a good crew.

 

“With pleasure Captain, the bridge is yours.”

 

Within the next half hour the battle was over, the ships of the “Rebels” had been turned to junk and the ship was able to celebrate its first victory, though the crew celebrated not being on alert more than anything. Nokrt stood from his command seat and made his way up to the bridge where eyes followed him as he made his way to the Captain.

 

“You did well Captain, you made an old method new with far greater tactics. Exactly what I want in my men,” at this point Nokrt turned and faced the whole crew, looking at them at ease. No sternness as was shown in most of the Empire, his face was something cooler, more at ease, easier to approach even with his darker nature.

 

“This was a training exercise given by the good people of the planet below. All those ships we destroyed were unmanned, controlled by droids that were going to be turned into scrap anyhow. You all performed gloriously not letting one of those soulless machines take a single Imperial life. This crew has shown the utmost amount of excellence. I welcome you all to the Amaunator. With this battlegroup the Empire will prosper.”

 

The men nodded and Nokrt saluted the Captain before going back to his chambers, awaiting any orders from the Moffs or Deton himself.

[Doran Krote]

Doran stood up as he exited hyperspace and entered Cardia's orbit, he looked for the ship he was supposed to board. His mind was tired, he hadn't slept during the hyperspace jump out of fear of being attacked by pirates and the like, he knew he needed to rest though or he wouldn't be as much use in battle. He saw it and piloted his ship towards it, he started a com with it to request entrance. "This is Doran Krote of the Empire, I am requesting permission to board the Amaunator to discuss business." Doran then sat and waited for a response, he adjusted his armor as he waited out of irritation.

[Nokrt]

The Captain went to his comm on the bridge and made a qucik reply.

 

"Your security code checks out Lt. Krote, you are to board the Amaunator at once, report to the Grand Admiral chambers immediately."

[Doran Krote]

Doran did as he was instructed, he landed his ship in the hangar and got out. He walked around until he found a lone trooper walking about, he approached him and asked where the Grand Admiral chambers were. He went to where he was told and entered the chamber. He walked down the bridge and saw Nokrt, he saluted and addressed him.

 

"Sir. Doran Krote reporting for duty."

[Nokrt]

((My cambers are not on the bridge so I shall fix your mistake there ))

 

The Grand Admiral looked to the new person in the room, one who very much was out of place in this ship. Chaos to his order. The red armor standing very much out against the black and whites aboard the ship. No, this would not do, something had to be done about this scoundrel who had the tenacity to desecrate this place with his dirty and grimy armor. No respect for the Imperial way. Whoever his commander was in the past deserved reprimand, as Lieutenant Krote was going to have soon. Though upon thought, Nokrt decided it was not the Lieutenant's fault. He had been allowed this behavior and did not know it wrong. He was not at fault, though he must be corrected.

 

"Leiutenant Krote, thank you for arriving so promptly," started the Grand Admiral, not rising from his command chair, just sitting, hand in hand as if pondering the next strategy to take on the Rebellion, "I have read up on your file Lieutenant and I must say you meet all the specifications required to join a new unit, one that I have been commissioned to begin."

 

At this point Nokrt stood and breathed in slowly and kept a stern face as he felt the Force waiting for not only his commmands but those of Krote as well. Rare was it that a Mandalorian has an affinity with the force, they did not have a species, but it seems the Force itself would not gift them in most cases, be it that the Force felt they could handle themselves, or that it shunned them for their past crimes, Nokrt only knew of one before who had the gift of the Force, and he used it like a damn fool.

 

"When you were in the Lone Wolf squadron it appears they let you dress however you wished. In my new squadron, you will not be allowed to wear traditional Mandalorian armor, useful as it may be. Conformity is required in this unit, so we will have to trade out for this."

 

Nokrt pressed a button on his control panel, and a panel on the floor slid open in which a small closet looking container came up in which a pure black armored, grey underarmor and cloak with a white Imperial insignia decorating the shoulders and chest. The armor looked derived from Mandalorian concepts, and refined with Imperial technology to make it the most powerful suit of armor available without heavy customization.

 

"You are to wear this from now on Lieutenant Krote, and with it you shall become part of the first unit of Imperial Knights. Force users dedicated to the ideals of the Empire not the pesky Jedi or the Sith like myself. The Imperial Knights will be the ultimate authority in the galaxy, keeping order in the empire much like the Jedi Knights in the Old Republic with one giant difference. The Imperial Knights answer to the Empire."

 

Nokrt walked up to the case where the unifrom stood petrified awaiting a human to occupy it.

 

"Will you accept this role Lieutenant Krote? Or should I send you on another pointless infiltration mission?"

[Doran Krote]

Doran listened to the blue skinned man, the most distinctive characteristic about the Grand Admiral other than his skin was his ruby red eyes that caught his attention. He had encountered Chiss before on his travels but he had never been in a conversation with them and never noticed such features in them.

 

He listened with interest, when he mentioned that he had to change armor he almost left right then and thee as he had grown attached to his armor, it was apart of him almost like an arm or a leg. The memory of creating his armor entered his mind, the hours of intense work to create something that would symbolize him as a man. He then looked at the armor which had emerged from the ground, he studied it for awhile noticing it's resemblance to his own armor but a different color and obviously designed differently. He nodded to the man with approval of the armor, it looked like it could protect him and it wouldn't compromise his beliefs either.

 

He turned to face the man, his posture was straightened giving him an intimidating look even more so than his armor usually instills into people.

 

"I would like to become an Imperial Knight but I have not been trained in the ways of the Force or have any reason to belief that I can."

[Nokrt]

Nokrt could feel the tension within the man in front of him. But he did not focus on that as his actions spoke louder than what the force was telling him at this moment. He focused on the last statement wondering how he had not known by now of his special gift present within him. Nokrt himself could see it easily without trying at all. The man must be truly blind to the Force. This would have to be rectified.

 

"The Force awaits your commands Lieutenant, even if you cannot see it. That is my purpose. I will show you the way of the Force, how to use it for offense and defense. Then you will be able to use it to maintain order within the Empire."

 

The Grand Admiral placed his hand on the side of the box and the transperisteelwept downwards, allowing the suit of armor to be touched, taken, and eventually worn.

 

"The Imperial Knight uniform is yours Doran Krote. Meet back here as soon as you are prepared to take the next step in Imperial Service."

 

With that the Grand Admiral returned to his seat and looked at his viewscreens awaiting the rest of his fleet to group.

[Doran Krote]

Doran was slightly put off, he had never known that he could 'command' the Force as he put it. The Mandolorian took the black armor from the container and went back to his ship. Once there he took off his Mandolorian armor which had protected him from harm numerous times before and placed it in a chest that was designed for it, he then took the armor that he was given and put it on. He left all of his weapons behind except for his blaster rifle which he only decided to bring in case there was an attack of some sort.

 

He entered the Chiss' chambers once again, this time though he was a little bit more anxious, he didn't know ho they were going to go about his training. After adjusting his armor a bit to fit more comfortably he addressed the Admirable.

 

"I'm ready, sir."

[Nokrt]

The Chiss looked with an eyebrow raised at the Mandalorian who entered the room. He was crass, disorganized, sloppy. He needed a ton of refinement, and the Grand Admiral was the perfect amount of order to bring him into a stable Imperial Soldier. Nokrt stood up from his seat and walked over to him slowly. His hand behind his back and his eyes focused on Doran Krote.

 

Within a few moments the Chiss had commanded the Force to Doran's neck and clenched it tightly. The man should surely be suffocating under the Force's grip.

 

"You are to address your commanding officer and ask for permission to speak. If you want the informal greetings you have thrown at me, join the Rebel Scum."

 

Nokrt released the man from his grip and allowed him to gain his breath before speaking again.

 

"I want you to go to the hangar, grab a TIE Interceptor and take off. Turn off all Navi computers and HUD's. You will fly blind. I will instruct you on what to do from then on."

[Doran Krote]

Doran stood there as Nokrt approached him, as he "choked" him Doran stood there, he accepted what the man was doing as what it was; punishment. He didn't struggle, it didn't really hurt and if it came to the point where he was going to die he would fight his way out of it but it was at most an inconvenience to him as he had been deprived of oxygen before and he knew how it felt. After begin released he went to the hangar and jumped into a TIE Interceptor as he was instructed. He hit a few switches and buttons to shut off the navi-computers and HUD, he took off and flew pointlessly so as not to stray away from the ship as he waited for Norkt to contact him and instruct him on what to do next.

[Cathair Breslin]

A small shuttle burst from hyperspace above the Imperial planet of Cardia. Since before anyone could remember, Cardia had been a planet renowned for its Imperial Academy being the best. This is where the best of the best Stormtroopers came from. The soldiers sent here were even thrown into the wild to defend themselves against the wild Rancors who had been transported from Dathomir. Only the best would be allowed to survive and become true Imperial Stormtroopers. If any died during their training, well, they did not deserve to wear the uniform in service to the Empire.

 

The small shuttle sped towards the Imperial Star Destroyer on a final approach course. It had received instructions to land in a private hangar where only important personnel were permitted. One of the individuals onboard did not believe he was any more important than the thousands of Stormtroopers and crew on board the vessel. Each of them was worthy of importance in the Empire. The other was a new recruit. In the Empires eyes he was unproven, raw, unworthy of the armor that Lt. Breslin wore. But he would prove himself. After awhile, he would be worthy of the shimmering white armor, the soulless black eyes, and the resources of the Empire.

 

As the boarding ramp lowered, both men made their way down into the hangar. A lone officer was waiting with instructions to report to the Grand Admirals quarters. Nodding to the officer and saluting, Cathair turned to Kento and spoke softly through the electronic system in his helmet.

 

"I am going to report to the Grand Admiral. If I know anything of Imperial brass, you will need to change clothes. There is a barracks in the lower levels. You should find a spare flight officers uniform. Put it on and report to the Grand Admiral."

 

Turning away from Kento, the Imperial Stormtrooper made his way through the Star Destroyers decks. As he walked, he wondered what his new training would be. What could be a more important use of his service to the Empire than training a new commando unit to be deployed behind enemy lines. Within moments, he arrived at the door to the Grand Admirals quarters. Accessing the door, he watched it slide open with a hiss. As the Grand Admiral came into view, shock passed over Cathairs face. Never in his life had he seen a Chiss up close. He had seen their likeness on the Holonet, and had even heard of Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the most prestigious men in Imperial history. But now here stood one. A Chiss once again wearing the uniform of a Grand Admiral in the Imperial Navy. Standing at attention still outside the Admirals door, Cathair spoke a single word.

 

"Sir."

[Sanj-Misavj]

Delete wrong alias

[Kento Galen]

Kento let out a sigh, he was getting used to being pushed around, not that he liked it. He wasn't exactly sure where he was so he'd first need to figure that out. He then followed instructions and made his way down, He then found a sign, ”œSo I'm on Cardia hmm,”

[Nokrt]

The Grand Admiral had only just finished addressing Lieutenant Krote when another Imperial made his way into his chambers. This man was quite a bit more formal than the Mandalorian who had come before him, in fact he was the exact opposite. His momentary lapse of surprise was the first the Chiss had seen since his resumed role in the Galactic Empire. Though soon after that the soldier showed his true nature. He stood at attention in solid form, arms at his sides, his arm raised to his brow and his eyes fully on Nokrt. This man was a career man, not the normal conscripted soldier nor clone used to fight off the Rebels, this man truly stood for the Imperial way, and was willing to fight on the line every moment for it.

 

The Empire could use more men like this...

 

The Grand Admiral stood and saluted back to the Lieutenant allowing him to be at ease. Nokrt could sense an urgency about the man, he was quite good at hiding these feelings externally, but he was annoyed by the Chiss' summoning. The Grand Admiral decided to subdue this feeling and let him in on the plan.

 

"Lieutenant Breslin," the Chiss began, "Thank you for arriving so promptly. I am quite aware of your orders and know you would like to wish to return to your creation of a Commando unit, but there is a more important task the Empire needs from you. Something Emperor Deton has asked me to do personally."

 

The Chiss began to walk his right arm behind his back and his left on his chin as he paced the room to gain some momentum in his upcoming speech he had to deliver to give the Lieutenant that feeling of grandeur he deserved to feel at this time.

 

"Last time you were at base, our medics had you tested for Force-sensitivity. Not to begin some sort of witchhunt and destroy all in the Empire, but to prepare for a new unit within the Empire, one that would stand for the ideals of the Emperor and fight on the frontlines as Commanders and Generals with power greater than any other infantrymen, and command and pilot fleets and starfighters better than any other Imperial could hope to."

 

The Grand Admiral stopped his pacing and turned to face Breslin, now both hands behind his back, and he looked toward the man with a commanding stare.

 

"Lieutenant Breslin you are going to become a member of the squadron of Imperial Knights. The first in hopefully a battalion of Imperials, trained in the Force who have no dedication to the ideals of the Jedi nor the Sith. You will stand for what the Empire deems necessary, the ultimate commandos, in a way, you will become part of an even more elite force of soldiers than the commando unit you had been assigned to create before this mission. You have the perfect resume to fall back on Lieutenant, and your dedication to the Empire makes you ideal for this task the Emperor has asked of us."

 

The Chiss walked past his control panel and hit a few buttons allowing another tile to reveal another Imperial Knights suit of armor for the Lieutenant.

 

"Based on your skills and honors already shown and bestowed, I think you will fit in this group nicely. One of your soon to be comrades is already in space for the next step. He will wait for your arrival. Dismissed."

[Cathair Breslin]

As the Grand Admiral returned the salute, Breslin relaxed his body and took several steps into the room. As he found a comfortable position, not too deep in the room to appear invasive but not close enough to the door to seem afraid, he clasped both his wrists behind his back and allowed the Grand Admiral to speak. As the Chiss spoke of the important task given by the Emperor, he wondered what it could be. He knew his commando unit would be important to the Empire. Only an elite trained unit would be able to operate behind enemy lines, to assassinate targets chosen by the Emperor himself, to sabotage key military installations before the insertion of the main army. What could be more important than that?

 

Force-Sensitivity...How could I...

 

For a split second, Cathair allowed his head to move, cocking to the side, pondering this new revelation. Until this moment, he had never even considered that he would be able to touch the Force. And until this moment it had never bothered him that he would not be able to use this mystical energy that many seemed to covet. It was just a tool that was beyond him. But now, in his head, he could already see himself wielding a lightsaber, moving things with his mind, doing things with his body that most men never thought possible. But the thought was quickly squashed and he returned his attention to the Grand Admiral who was now staring him down. Although the Chiss Grand Admiral could not see beneath the Stormtrooper helmet, the Imperial Lieutenant stared into his blood red eyes. He had never seen such eyes, and they burned with a passion that reflected a past filled with rage and chaos, but had been conquered and tamed in order to bring order and serenity to the man's soul. And the new attitude could be seen in the man's dress and quarters. His uniform was straight and each medal and rank bar was perfectly aligned.

As the Admiral finished explaining his mission and tasks, Breslin turned his attention to what would apparently be his new uniform. Before removing it from the case, he removed his helmet and began to inspect the armor. He slowly ran his fingertips across the black metallic armor section. It seemed to be durable enough to take a beating yet light enough to not impede his movement. Allowing a grin to appear on his face, he quickly glanced at the Imperial Admiral before returning his attention to the armor. Slowly removing each piece of armor with the respect he would give the most priceless of antiques, the Stormtrooper saluted once more before briskly exiting the Admirals quarters and making his way into the on-board barracks.

 

As he removed each piece of his Stormtrooper armor, he reflected back on when he was first required to remove his armor. He remembered regretting having to remove the white shell that time. His first armor set had seen him through many tough scrapes, and he was being forced to remove his armor and don a simple uniform. He would be donning a uniform simply to fit in with the brass of the Empire. While they did deserve his respect, he hated having to remove his true uniform simply just to blend in. But this time was different. He was simply removing a white shell to embrace his new uniform. As he pulled on the dark grey underarmor, he felt a warmth overcome him, something his body glove had never done. It almost seemed to mold to his skin, while still providing warmth. And it was not the warmth that simple layers provided, yet the under armor was layered, but it was the warmth that came from knowing it would protect you from nearly anything, yet not sure exactly why. Then he slid the armor pieces onto his body. As he slid the gauntlets along his forearms, he knew they would protect his arms from the roughest terrain, and probably from the worst attacks that could be thrown at him. As he allowed his torso armor to settle in place, he knew this new armor fitted him perfectly. As it srt him, he could almost feel it moving to adjust to his body by itself. The white Imperial emblem on the shoulder pad shone brightly, contrasting perfectly with the midnight armor. Picking up the dark grey cloak, he held it before himself and realized that this armor had to have been designed by the Grand Admiral himself. He was a walking contrast between the white and black. Only the Admiral, who paid such attention to detail and to order, could have designed something of this caliber. And then he noticed the design of the helmet. It appeared similar to that of the Mandalorians. The T-visor seemed to stare back at him with a life of its own. Grasping the helmet between both hands, the Stormtrooper dipped his head slightly and pulled the black helmet onto his head. As the headpiece settled into place, Cathair felt the pressure increase as a vacuum was created, and heard the hiss as air was forced out. He was now clad in the armor of the Imperial Knights. The only piece from his past he allowed himself was the Service pistol given to him former Captain-now Emperor Deton. Strapping the pistol to the belt of his new armor, Lieutenant Cathair Breslin made his way to the hangar.

 

Climbing into the cockpit of a TIE Interceptor, Cathair was awed by the difference between this helmet and that of the Stormtrooper Corps. The HUD was far more advanced; the targeting system allowed for more target acquisition, more detailed analysis of vehicles and weapons, and quicker connection to the Holonet. And those were just the ones he noticed immediately. As he activated the systems for the TIE Interceptor, he felt the craft shudder to life and the repulsorlifts began to move the craft towards the hangar bay doors. As the Interceptor made its way into space, Lt. Breslin activated the sub light drives and made his way toward what his sensors indicated would be fellow Knight Doran Krote. As he came closer he did what Admiral Nokrt asked, he shut down the HUD and the navigation systems. The former Stormtrooper was now flying blind.

[Nokrt]

The Grand Admiral turned his attention to the newest addition to the brigade of new recruits storming the Amaunator. This one was also Mandalorian, though he had been a successful killer it seemed. The Grand Admiral had no record of Imperial service from the man, the only Mandalorian he had personally invited here was Doran Krote. This man, the Grand Admiral knew not. Thought the recruit was quick to note his name appropriately and give proper rank and detail. The Grand Admiral was impressed, it was clear why Breslin had chosen this one to accompany him. The Grand Admiral came toward Kento Galen and saluted in return allowing him to be at ease while he spoke.

 

"Cadet Galen, nice to see you have the mannerisms of the Imperial Military down so soon. I would have hated to have to dispense of such a useful thing as a raw recruit. You are not the same as your compatriot, Lieutenant Breslin, but you have potential to be a great asset in the Empire. Report to the bridge and accompany Captain Il'Kal, he will train you for Imperial Navy Protocal as well as Leadership. But first you need to look the part, the Barracks will have a nice grey uniform for you to wear. Welcome to the Empire. Dismissed."

 

The Grand Admiral awaited the man to leave and then he returned to his console pulling up the two Imperial Knights on one screen and a database on the other. With one hand he began to program the training facility here in orbit preparing his first test for the two members of the Empire's newest elite. On the other hand he was searching for records and indications of Kento Galen to see what kind of work he had done in the past and affiliations with such.

 

Within a manner of moments, the programming was completed and the gauntlet through which Imperial Knights Breslin and Krote would be soon entering. The Grand Admiral brought the force to him and force his voice to the two Knight's heads.

 

"This is Grand Admiral Nokttin'okr'tihnt speaking, I know I am in your head, this is not a comm, this is a power the Force can allow, absolute comm silence, no slicing, no encryption, pure secrecy of transmission. In time you will learn this power.

 

"For now though, you must learn to even be able to access the Force. I have had the Caridian Orbital Training Facility re-opened and a test has been prepared. You are to keep all targeting systems powered down. Use the force to navigate and destroy your enemies, or you will die. The test begins now. May the Force come to you before you are blown to bits. You may begin."

 

The Grand Admiral turned to his other display and looked at his findings on Kento Galen. He was impressed. A Black Sun Operative was hard to come by these days, and testing where his loyalties lied would be important in the future, though as of now his link to the Black Sun was more useful than it was dangerous. Nokrt sat back in his chair and stared at his tactical screen watching the Imperial Knights go through the Gauntlet.

 

 

((I sent you both PM's detailing the Gauntlet. Be creative and collaborative. Treat it as a 2 vs. 1 duel. Work together, 3 posts each, 500 words or more is mandatory.))

[Kento Galen]

Kento nodded as he left the Admirals quarters. That want better than expected, I thought I would have been chastised at least once. he thought to himself. He then walked through the station until he made his way back to the Barracks to get changed. He then put the bleak grey uniform on. He looked at himself again in the mirror ”œWow I really do need a haircut”

[Cathair Breslin]

As the Admirals words echoed in his head, he knew they were not coming through the com system. After spending 6 years inside of a mobile box, where the most often used mode of communication is a com, he knew the way a voice sounded when filtered through the system. These words were coming from within his mind. Where could they possibly be coming from? He couldn't be going crazy. The psychological evaluations given to him by Imperial psychiatrists said he could go through damn near anything the galaxy could put him through and emerge mentally unscarred. But who knew how reliable such an abstract science could be. As the Admiral explained the technique in the Force, Cathair desired to know this skill. To be able to communicate across great distances with no use of technology would be a very useful skill to utilize among his commandos. But that was for another time. Focusing his attention once more, Lt. Breslinbegan to maneuver his craft in the direction of the ”œGauntlet.”