The Hapes Cluster

[Capt. Phillep]

With Macleod still in the Briefing Room, an overzealous Comm Officer rushed in to the room without knocking. Even as the young, recently commissioned Communications Seargent was about to open his lips and utter such interesting news as the arrival of an old 'friend,' if a man like Phillep could ever actually have any, Phillep blasted the Officer's face into molten flesh with one of his twin blaster pistols, resting comfortably on his left hip.

 

He turned to Macleod, "Colonel, I trust there are no more questions, you are dismissed, for the Glory of the Empire, and offered the man a salute."

 

Phillep walked over to the corpse and requested for Eva to send a Containment/Clean-up Crew, as he did so, he noticed a slightly charred note with specks of dried flesh from the blaster immolation, reading

 

A Mr. Lycus Thorpe is here to see you, sir. He claims to be an "Old Friend."

 

Phillep's eyes turned to his Office and he quickly closed any revealing information, "That dirty Rat Bastard! Send him in. Although heavily scrutinize him through security... send in the Regular Troopers, no Spliced Trandos."

[Lycus Thorpe]

The Canus One docked with the Star Destroyer in a very routine manner. Lycus rubbed his chin, and then tapped the comm. "Miss Ka, join me in disembarking would you?" Lycus said in a deep tone. Walking to the airlock he waited for Ka-rith, finally the two walked on board to greet Captain Phillep.

 

They were greeted by a few dozen storm troopers. Lycus laughed audibly, even though they had served together, Phillep would never truly trust Lycus. It simply wasn't in the mans nature. "Keep close Miss Ka, Storm Troopers aren't known for thier accuracy, but they are effective in these numbers...besides we don't want any sort of confrontation."

 

A young ensign stepped forward," Mr. Thorpe, I am to escort you...alone to see the Captain Phillep," the young man seemed slightly unnerved by Ka-Rith,"Very well, Miss Ka please wait for me here, I shall call for you if I need your services..." He left her by her lonesome as he followed the young officer to meet his old 'friend'. He could tell the fleet was preparing for yet another incursion, no doubt Phillep was planning ambuitiously as usual.

 

As they came to a small conference room, the ensign asked him to wait. He did so standing while staring out the large viewport of the conference room that looked out upon the impressive fleet. Several MC-90s' and various heavy assualt craft were most interesting, it was apparent that while Phillep was ever loyal to the Imperial cause, yet was wise enough to use a variety of vessel to fufill his needs.

[Ka-Rith]

Ka had stayed quiet the entire trip, not speaking a word and not leaving the side of the one she was now to protect. She had never taken any job lightly and would not begin to do such now. With the force as her guide she pushed back all of the thoughts that would prove distracting. It was a difficult task, but she had succeeded in it on the way over.

 

Even if one could not run from their problems, they could try, they could prolong the inevitable. Ka-rith silently followed her employer out of the ship. Each time he spoke to her she nodded her head in acknowledgement. She could not show her face, for it was shrouded in woe at her own plights. If the enemy knew that his bodyguard was distracted it could prove to be a disaster.

 

”œI will await you here, I am but a comm away”¦”

[Bad karma]

Dominique sat quietly, crossed legged in the transport ship as it plummeted towards the surface of the planet. A small group of the hybrid or half breeds what ever they were had been assigned to watch her and make sure she didn't do anything bad.

 

”

[Capt. Phillep]

OOC: I referenced Payne, he was Head of the Empire before I became Admiral the first time, it just seems sensible, cause Phillep was an Imperial Academy Cadet groomed for a higher-ranking Officer's Position, Star Destroyer Captain, to be specific, with some knowledge into Biomedical/Genetic Engineering. Secondly, the current fleet, is actually heavily of Imperial Design, just slightly more advanced designs.

 

IC:

 

Phillep was caught sitting on his desk, reading a datapad, in addition to the great view of the Imperial Fleet (currently consisting of Imperial IIs, while they were aboard a Super-class Star Destroyer, the lone MC90a was still in the process of being built) Lycus could not the rather large Holonet headline tracing above Phillep's head.

 

Of course, due to Phillep's own ironic bad taste in humor, the headlines were those of the Galatic Enquirer, Imperials led by Paranoid Schizophreniac with Drug Problems, Emperor Yahn seen on Muunilinst basking in the Sun with the Mask of the once-great Darth Vader, and as a final touch, Imperial Commandos partially no longer Human!

 

Such is the glory of the Imperial Information/Misinformation Network... why rely on foolish sentient beings such as a military to conquer the Galaxy when one can tamper the mind, incite fear and panic across the galaxy and use the vital humanoid emotions, with subtle influences in capitalism and the economy, to change the face of the Galaxy... "Such is the power of politics," mumbled Phillep, somewhat incoherently, still consumed by the datapad even if Lycus had been standing there for several ages.

 

Finally, deeming it of his own accord, Phillep's eyes rose over the datapad falling on the countenance of Mr. Thorpe, "So, you aren't dead... I'm rather surprised, given the general audacity of our Commanding Officers, I assumed your entire Ground Batallion were slaughtered, I always assumed Admiral Payne had it for you. Guess I was wrong, so... my friend, what can I do for you?"

[Lycus Thorpe]

"You above all people should know that there is more then one way to survive ones original orders..."Lycus said as he took a few steps towards the Philleps' desk. Phillep was not the same eager cadet Lycus had known in his youth, he had hardened into impenatrable fortress of regimine, a regimine Lycus knew and remembered only too well. "You always said you would command your own fleet one day, and here you are, sitting on your power as I predicted you would, but I'm not here to flatter you..."

 

"Word has it that your making bold moves, counqering...excuse me, acquiring new systems, disrupting trade routes, I have not come to question your moves, only to ask a bit of a small favor. One that would serve both our interests." Lycus spoke carefully, he knew that Phillep was not a man for idle chat. When he had first met Phillep the man had nearly killed him for insulting his pride.

 

They had matched each other in strategic classes and were nearly grade for grade...until Phillep had orchastrated Lycus's downfall. He had arranged for several mishaps to make it appear as if Lycus's incomptence had caused lives. Loosing favor with Admiral Payne, Lycus was given command of a small squad of troopers sent on what was to be a suicide mission to a remote planet. Lycus had survived by faking his death, and ever since became a private citizen... He held no grudge with Phillep however, that was how the game was played, and Lycus respected the mans' abilities.

 

"I'll be frank...this is an oppurtunity for both of us. I want the pleasure of looking down on the Republic as it burns...and there are several large anonmyous companies who would love to have a rebuilding contract in the most expensive real estate in the galaxy, if we make the right moves...I believe your going to attack Coruscant soon, but there is only one man who can make that happen and it isn't me..."

 

He looked up at Phillep with a smile, "I ask that you give me input into the planning of your initial attack wave onto the planets surface, with surgical strikes I can make the conquest of the planet a simple manner. I also have a recent employ who will prove most useful in the destruction of the jedi temple making them a non-factor in the coming battle, but of course without me I'm sure you will find her much more disinclined to help your cause. If we do this right I can make you more wealth then you can imagine...and we both know more money is never a bad thing." Lycus stood tall and straight awaiting quietly, Philleps reply.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep set aside the Datapad, his eyes narrowing into mere slits as Lycus spoke, taking into full account what any man in his current position was capable of; despite Phillep's advanced training in the Biological systems of most humanoids, even an expert could not see the lies hidden behind the eyes of anyone trained by the Empire, only a well-trained Force Adept could manage that or significant truth serum, drugs. Bringing his fingers to his chin, in deep thought, he nodded.

 

"So... in short, you are asking for me to discuss all of my plans with a potential hostile, who I have no reason to trust, despite the fact that we were playing a game for the role of ruling an Empire?"

 

Phillep's hand came down to the table, "My far-reaching aims do not point Coruscant as a viable option for conquering in the near-future, however... if you're men and corporations can prove their loyalty by taking out a significant thorn in my side, I may see this alliance as more profitable than it appears in the current moment. I wonder, how far-reaching is your influence in destablization, if it is Assasination or Political Subversion and Intrigue or if you're goons will create something much less quiet. Tell me, Lycus... are you willing to act in the shadows or will this be loud, gun-toting insanity?"

 

Phillep's eyes pierced the man, now, all of the man's argument would be confirmed or unraveled depending on his responses to these actions.

 

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

 

The Imperial Revolutionary Squads began their march towards the Capital, the main ranks of the Female Army had already collapsed and continually run in fear of the broad beam of the Dark Trooper Commandos, the Shock Troopers, the Spliced Trandoshan Commandos, and the constant tirade of the Tie-D invasion forces.

 

Several heavy artillery units, including AT-ATs, AT-PTs, and AT-STs began to tear down the walls now as the true power of the Imperial Ground Forces could be seen in action.

 

The whole of the militant crusade would come to an end in two days.

 

Meanwhile, another pair of Netbombs were reprogrammed for use by the Empire about Hapes.

[Lycus Thorpe]

Lycus rubbed his chin as he listened to Philleps' refusal, he should have guessed he would say no. Phillep owed Lycus nothing, as such he had no room to bargain. Lycus grabbed a chair and sat as Philleps' asked him what his methods were.

 

"Noisy confrontations are not my preferrable means, noise attracts attention, attention of the alliance, and attention of the jedi. I prefer quiet moves and bold decisive strikes, to brute open ended warfare. Yet when nessecary a loud boom can make the difference." The comment was as much as a statement of his strategy, as it was a critique of Philleps' plans. Lycus was careful however to make sure that the comment was not insulting, he didn't dare get on Philleps bad side, not after thier history together.

 

"My resources, such as they are, are at your disposal...do you have a request of me?" Lycus asked as he raised his eyebrow.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep noticed as the man sat, "I am amazed at how well this discussion has progressed, usually, I would have shot anyone to interrupt me. It's rather hard to find quality men for the Empire, these days. But in the end, your offer does intrigue me, and this discussion will continue."

 

Phillep opened a desk drawer and revealed a fine brandy and a pair of brandy glasses, Phillep began to pour into both glasses and offered one to Lycus, "Let us drink to this, before anything, I believe a touch of fine liquor makes men much more agreeable."

 

Phillep swirled the beverage, admiring it's color, all the while, Lycus' question swirled about his mind in much the same manner. He finally spoke upon the answer, his face contorting into a twisted smile beneath the thing profile nose, very thin and exposing his slightly tarnished teeth, either from blood, alcohol or several other biotoxins. As it opened, he let loose a cackle, "Assasinations... not quite, more of the soliciting of information. How secure is Coruscant? Perhaps, the strengths of the Alliance's hold on the world, its defenses, it's people. If you could incite disorder, I'd be very much obliged."

 

A report came from the front, "Admiral, we have reports that General Raiden has captured the Capital."

 

Phillep turned towards Lycus, "I trust we have settled matters here, I believe I have some interesting means of negotiations to complete on the surface."

 

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

 

The Imperial Armies pounded down the Palace Walls of the Hapan Queen's capital city and the entire political structure came crumbling down.

 

Holonet feeds, encrypted, as always, now showed Raiden leading the final assault upon the capitol. In the background are the Imperial heavy artillery weapons pounding against any remaining resistance movements.

[Bad karma]

Dominique's small figure slipped unnoticed through the rubble and buildings. If the Imperials caught a glance of her now, they would surely kill her. She did not bear any Imperial insignia's nor did she wear a uniform. Like a shadow on the wall she moved through the alleyways now, her movement was fluid in its appearance. With it came an extreme grace unknown to any of the troop's planet side.

 

In a few brief minutes she made it ahead of the soldiers on the ground, and into the palace. The building was being pounded with heavy artillery fire. Dominique moved as fast as her legs could carry her, setting her blaster to stun before moving into the main chambers. With her live blaster she dispersed of the guards, her blaster with the stun setting on took down their leader.

 

”œSurely this little present will get me off of this place and back towards my goal”¦”

[Capt. Phillep]

Dom's comm comes in and is relayed to the Chief Comm Officer of the SSD Moaning Hapan, being rechristened, fittingly, by Phillep's second in command. The armed battalion awaited Dominique's vessel in the hangar bay, even Phillep walked to see what "Guest" the free-lance mercenary had brought them. Phillep's restructured Empire seemed to rely more on less-than-reputable business practices by the day, but that didn't matter in the end, did it? So long as things were accomplished and worlds were conquered.

 

Phillep assumed that Lycus had followed and turning to make sure he had, Phillep spoke, audibly, despite the rumbling of the ship's engines as they disengaged.

 

"This is how things must be done, they must be accomplished. I trust your personnel will assure me results, that is all I care about. Today, the Hapes Cluster... perhaps, in time, Coruscant itself will be under the heel of the Empire. For now, I only ask that you work on destabilizing the Republic and the Jedi's credibility, using whatever means you must. Even if it means bringing down the rest of the Galaxy."

 

Then, Phillep's eyes set themselves on the female mercenary, the irony of the entire situation, while the men of the Empire battered the planet into submission, it was a woman that ensured feminine slavery.

She must be written about as Raiden will be... The Man that Launched Revolution and the Woman that Saved the Hapan Race, yes, that seems adequate for a political spin.

 

Now, with the Hapan Realm, under complete chaos, Phillep's hand at molding a government will take form... similar to the Imperial Loyalist Council headed by the Warrior Chieftains, actually Imperial Commanders, and ruled over by a man, a... Grand Chancellor.

[Lycus Thorpe]

Lycus watched as Phillep introduced his young mercenary. The girl was young, younger then Ka-Rith perhaps. Lycus marvelled at the symmetry he and Phillep had. His employ reminded him of this woman, young, brash...yet Ka-Rith was at least a former jedi if not something else entirely. Then Lycus remembered the womans' face, the Holonet had repeated alerts searching for a young girl matching her description, and from the looks of things, Phillep was using her to the most of her abilities.

 

As Lycus approached his ship he saw Ka-Rith standing quietly watching him approach. Phillep was close still so Lycus decided to make a moment of it. "This is Miss Ka...my newest employ, she is a sample of the best talent at my disposal. She will be 'assisting' me. She can deal with any jedi that get in my way I can assure you." Lycus smiled at Miss Ka, and turned back to Phillep, "If this new one turns on you, I'm sure Miss Ka will be most happy to relieve her of her duties..."

[John Skywalker]

OOC: And... this is why you have to log into proper aliases. Meant to be as Phillep...

 

IC:

Phillep, nodded, accordingly and with a conniving smile, extended his hand eyeing over Ms. Ka. "Most interesting, Mr. Thorpe, most interesting, indeed."

 

Phillep felt it was rather not profitable to explain much of the Mercenary, in actuality, he was informed of her rather shortly, but enough to know what was important. The overlord of an Empire could not afford to handle everything within his dominion, thus his employ of middlemen, opportunistic merchants, free-lance mercenaries and his thousands of underlings all micro-managed their departments... willingly or involuntarily forwarding his master agenda; such was the nature of his leadership.

 

"As for the mercenary, our business arrangement is... adequate, for the moment, both for her and for the Imperium." Choosing to avoid introducing Dominique to Lycus, if only because he felt he could strike at that egotistical difference, or because by nature of her actions across several other Alliance worlds she needed no introduction.

Edited October 6, 2005 by Guest

[Lycus Thorpe]

"Women doing our bidding...the old admirals would not have approved Phillep, but we live in a different time now don't we." Lycus said as he studied the young womnan. "I will return to Coruscant in due time, right now I have some buisness on Corellia, the local merchants are getting restless, and are forgeting to send me security fees. I will do what I can, if you need anything done that your resources cannot 'provide', contact me through this private channel." He handed Phillep a small grey holo card with a listing of a personal comm channel on Coruscant.

 

"The time is coming, when you will need me Phillep, and I shall be there to answer you. For the glory of the Galactic Empirium." With that Lycus bowed and saluted in the old imperial style, and turned to enter his vessel, he was followed by Ka-Rith, and the hatch to thier Corellian Gunboat closed as the ship lifted off.

 

"Make for Corellia," Lycus said to the captain of the vessel. The "Canus One" angled away from the fleet, and its powerful sublight engines ignited. Seconds later the ship vanished into hyperspace.

[Lieutenant Macleod]

OOC: Sorry

 

IC: Macleod saluted and excused himself from the briefing room. He did not hesitate to head straight for the launch areas. Excitement he hadn't felt in years took him. The Colonel piloted himself to a position in space. Linking up with a capital ship, Macleod was greeted with squadron locations and galactic maps.

 

A Colonel is not supposed to fly with the missions, or so Phillep once told me. That's fine for basic missions like this, but when the real combat starts I may have to break that rule.

 

Macleod was struck suddenly with the strange realization that not a single pilot from the old days was present on his roster.

 

Dead or missing. Too bad.

 

Macleod liked the pilots he'd personally trained, but that was life in the Empire. In reality, the makeup of his squadrons didn't matter, as long as they were skilled and the ships were up to par.

 

At least the Empire is consistent in that, even if the leadership of the higher ups is lacking.

 

Macleod reviewed his orders once more, and commanded the squadrons of Interceptors and Defenders to form up and head for the nearest of the Generators. There was no dramatic pep talk here. Macleod had seen so many battles of overwhelming odds, this was a cake walk. Following their new commander, the squadrons began securing the locations.

[Bad karma]

Dominique stood by, eyeing the other female in the cloak. Her lip curled in disgust at the mention of Jedi, such fools. The spit in her mouth was over turned again and again as she waited quietly for the two men to finish speaking to each other. She paid them no mind, not particularly caring what they spoke of.

 

She was in a rather annoying spot; she had completed the mission set before her. But what was she to do now? Just sit and wait”¦surely her talents would not go to waste like that, but when dealing with the empire one could never fully use their talents”¦unless it fully benefited the empire itself or at least a higher up.

 

She did not move from her position, if she was not giving orders she would take that as a sign that she was now free to leave at her own whim.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep returned the salute and turned to face Dominique, "Your services are complete, tell me, do you have the Queen aboard your vessel?"

 

He clasped his hands behind his back, not bothering to take offense at her refusal to shake his, he had more important things to do, in particular, the installation of a new government, the re-enslavement of the warrior women, and the complete subjugation of the Queen, both in a humiliating and very degrading way.

[Guest]

The furious crowds stood on the doors of the planet's grand palace and government center, an E-11 for every two hands, and an imperial walker for every six hundred. Imperial laser fire rocked the battlements of the once peaceful kingdom, and soon holes were broken in the walls large enough to facilitate the enormous flow of rioters. Castle guards were mowed down before they could stop painting their nails, and it was not long before there were AT-ST's marauding in the grand halls. The Queen was overwhelmed by a crowd, led by Raiden himself, which quickly removed her clothes and redressed her in a golden Bikini, in between which some dastardly war crimes were commited. All of the queens highest ranking councilors (except for the old ones) met similar fates, eventally shackled and confined to the castle Kitchen--where they belonged.

 

Patriachy prevailed, and it was not long before the dainty ornate throne room was rocked in a sea of half naked dancing women and expended Correlian Ale kegs, around which men flocked. Raiden sat on the throne, smoking his cigar and drinking a beer as some of his favorite followers painted over all the ugly decorum.

 

"Revolution kicks ass..."

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep offered Dominique a datapad with her payment, "The nanites in your blood will die within a standard weak, either suffer excruciating pain as the exit your body or return to the Selvaris Space Station to be re-powered, one option is quite painless though likened to servitude, the other... while quite painful, does insure your freedom. Good day, love."

 

With that, the Imperial Battallions encircled Dominique, already having relieved her of her prisoner, "And yes, you can say it, I'm a rotten bastard."

 

While proper identification would determine which of the two women was in fact the former Queen of the Hapes Cluster, either the unconscious woman Phillep was about to sexually abuse in his quarters or the women already being degraded on the planet's surface. It didn't really matter for Phillep, either way, he had achieved what he came to do...

[Bad karma]

Dominique causally popped her neck not particularly caring of the fate of the queen aboard her vessel. The people of the area had a good run, but in the end they were taken down like everyone else had been”¦or would be soon enough.

 

She thought over her options quietly, not saying a word to the man in front of her. Eventually he would get his as well, of course not right now as she was surrounded by Imperial Storm Troopers. Making up her mind she slipped the datapad into her pocket. She would allow the things to pass out of her body, as for now she would seek out other opportunities. If ever she was in need of cash she would return here.

 

Turning on her heel she moved towards her ship. ”œOut of my way, I am taking my leave.”

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Colonel Macleod continued directing the squadrons from his position. Phillep had not been mistaken in his intelligence. There had been absolutely no resistance. Not even from remnant vessels Phillep suspected might be hiding there.

 

Though, that is probably my doing. I purposefully used overkill when flying the squadrons in formation. Normally this many wouldn't be used for such a job. If some enemies disengage out of fear, that is preferable to the risk of losing an Imperial pilot.

 

Phillep had not requested a specific quota, but they were moving so quickly Macleod was actually a little disappointed.

 

So much for a triumphant victory to mark my return.

[Capt. Phillep]

OOC: MATURE CONTENT

 

IC:

As the unconscious women began to stir, she found herself bound and naked, with her defiant staring up at the demented beast Phillep, he placed his cold fingers on her chin even as she attempted to bite his icy hand. Instead of flinching, he let her bite deep, a sickening cacophony of twisted laughter met her futile attempts, even as she brought her teeth to pierce the flesh. All the while, Phillep watched, letting his blood trickle into her mouth, he felt across his cybernetic nerve endings as she tore off the synth flesh revealing metallic bone structure in his hand.

 

The twisted man let his eyes pierce her, a confusing array of hazel and emerald in his orbs, glinting with the madness that was evil genius, he let his metallic fingers encircle her mouth and force her jaw wide open. The muscles, resisting if at first and then like her entire sex, succumbing to the willful demands of Phillep, she flinched, attempting to writhe her neck away but Phillep moved much faster. Already able and quite willing to release his twisted self into her...

 

The instants would burn in her memory as he forced his way into her mouth and then forced her lips around him, each time probing deeper into her throat, each time scraping further into her center. She choked on it, incapable of adjusting her mandible, as Phillep held it locked within his vice-grip of a robotic limb; the air being caught to her brain and forcing her eyes to roll back into her skull. He moved her now, unconscious mandible away from him and released his seed all over her face and hair.

 

He accomodated himself and replaced all of his clothing, and produced a small vibro-scalpel. As the naked, exhausted and humiliated woman lay sprawled on Phillep's bed, he spread her open and positioned the scalpel at the crux of her being and began to slice upwards, exposing her innards from the birth canal up into the organs of human development, along the bowels and into the lower sternum. Her insides releasing a foul odor, blood and various stomach acids into Phillep's silken sheets.

 

He set about, flawlessly and completely consumed by his work, as he continued to open more of her to the air, it was only by virtue of her brain-dead state that she could not fathom the excruciating pain she was in, as he carefully eviscerated her, observing the final moments of functioning innards. He then prodded into her lungs, absorbing the spongeous organs, cutting into the air sacks and watching them deflate as the pressure escaped. Her beating heart began to react erratically, as less of her blood flowed into it...

 

Her pigment began to falter to a ghostly, pale white, all the while, his grey uniform adopting the crimson of specks of blood flying from his canvas. He continued to thrust his vibro-scalpel focusing on the rib-cage, slicing into the bone matter and opening it to the marrow. His new implements were brought in from a silent, wordless Imperial "Doctor," including several empty needles, others filled with muscle relaxants and exciters, and finally, poisons.

 

He took the first of empty needles and began to extract bile, followed by one for blood, and another for blood plasma. Then, he injected the muscle relaxant into her heart, followed by the poison, allowing it to spread slowly across her dying body. He then took an adrenaline shot and planted the massive needle straight into her heart, 'jump-starting' her body.

 

Her face contorted into painful alertness and Phillep only looked at her corpse as she collapsed due to blood loss and died before his eyes. He turned, without words, exiting his room and motioning for a Imperial Janitorial Staffworker to clean this up...

 

The blood-specked uniform startled the entire bridge crew as he walked on Deck, a sickening smile permanent etched across his face. Her blood was put on storage for Phillep's doctors to find interesting rearrangements of the genetic structures.

 

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

 

A Comm is sent General Raiden's forces:

 

Assign a suitable man as the Governor of the Hapes Cluster, he must be loyal to me and the Imperium, then report back aboard the Phillepes.

 

A team of Imperial Engineers are sent down to the surface to rebuild and revamp security of the now-secured Imperial colony, in addition to check the blood of the 'captured Hapan queen'.

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod knew their work was almost completed. As the last of the net bombs he'd marked on the star chart were taken, Macleod was shocked to see four non-Imperial starships burst from nowhere onto the radar screen. He barked orders to one of the nearest squadron leaders.

 

"Get a visual of those ships."

 

The comm unit spoke back in response.

 

"They look like Hutt Headhunters. Must have been hiding planet side or some place else around here, no way Headhunters could survive way out here on their own."

 

Macleod didn't much care aside from their numbers and fire power, but the squadron leader went on to indicate the ships looked to be battered and in need of repair.

 

"Take three ships out of formation and deal with them."

 

It was a regrettable order. The Imperial ships were swift and deadly. The Headhunters were no match, but Macleod knew Phillep would find it unacceptable if the Colonel let them escape. The net bombs finally secured, Piccolo sent a communication back to Imperial command.

 

"We have removed resistance, and moved in ships to protect the engineers. We await their arrival."

[Capt. Phillep]

The Comm reached Phillep's heightened ears and he smiled, much to the dismay of the Galaxy, this could mean that Phillep's pawns were falling into place, his now fully assembled fleet, spread across the galaxy on Kuat, Selvaris and here was ready to pounce on the next unsuspecting rim of the galaxy, his Engineers were ready to begin the restructuring of the net-bombs, and his mercantilists were ready to begin enslaving the young women of the Hapes Cluster for the needs of men everywhere, cooking, cleaning and other such minutiae that the stronger sex was not sufficiently low enough to do.

 

He ordered several detachments of Imperial Engineers to the scene and now stood proud on the veranda that overlooked his might, growing by the minute.

 

"I am much pleased, much, much pleased... Eva?"

 

The upstart Political Officer, hearing her name, cringed, "Yes, Admiral?"

 

He paused for a second before speaking, "Hmm... have you received word from our Rehabilitation Corps on Selvaris?"

 

"Yes, Admiral, I believe your protege, Commander Blueballs is currently retrieving several comfort women to keep the base in tip-top shape." She said, sarcastically, her eyes demeaning the higher-ranked man before her. He's abused another one... I can tell.

 

Phillep's eyes brought the sick smile to his face, "Most spectacular, we shall have to return there soon to 'regroup,' if you catch my drift." He said winking at her, "Yes, of course sir," then muttering, "I hope you catch an STD and burn in hell."

 

"What was that, dear?" Her eyes shot up at his, "Oh nothing, Admiral, I hope your visit goes quite well."

 

He nodded, "Yes, I do as well."

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod ordered some of his squadrons to keep up patrols as they awaited the work of the Engineers. With no further signs of resistance, most of the starships were sent back to their hangars. Seeing the large compliment of fighters fly in formation was one of the most beautiful sights Macleod had laid eyes on.

 

Thus far, the Empire seems to be running much more smoothly than my last go around.

 

It was odd, given Phillep's apparent loss of mental faculties. Phillep wasn't as bad as Macleod liked to pretend of course. It was really his blatant nonmilitary attitude that ate away at the Colonel. A commander of any position was doing himself a disservice to engage in the frivolities Macleod had witnessed.

 

But that's not my problem. Just do your job Colonel.

[Capt. Phillep]

With his business attended to and the bloodwork proving the Queen had in fact been enslaved planet-side, Dominique's prisoner had been nothing more than a Handmaiden, Phillep was content. The government had been successfully recreated and political order was being restructured and arranged via the business-end of a blaster rifle. Violence, oppression and a male's carnal pleasures would once more roam free and unhindered in the Cluster, as they were meant to be all across the galaxy, that was the nature of Phillep's intents... he was to bring the entire galaxy back to it's knees under the might of the cruel Imperium.

 

His frivolities, which he assumed were looked down on by his underlings, most notably Macleod, where in his nature. To rule a society one must be it's example and your will shall trickle through it. Never in the history of the Empire, had it's leaders followed through with such vice and corruption, yet everyone knew it existed... Phillep was a firm believer in exposing to the galaxy at large what should be exposed and to teach the galaxy to embrace their sins, they'd never have a chance to succumb to their temptations again.

 

Yet, Macleod was all business, he believed in his duty and that was it... and for Phillep, a man like Macleod, a soldier would always be a soldier and a soldier was a tool, and a tool for the Empire was a tool for Phillep's own advancement. That was the nature of his existence, to use those beneath him for his gain... and subconsciously, even Macleod understood this and that is why he continues to follow, or at least that would be Phillep's reasoning.

 

His fingers tapped the glass of his table where he looked upon the flotilla, "I'd like several wings to remain in the Cluster for planetary defense forces, all other vessels, enter hyperspace for Kuati space."

[Anastasia Faust]

Arriving out of hyperspace as touted, and not unexpected, Anastasia's shuttle takes a cautious orbit near the Cluster.

 

Stepping up to the comm, Anna sends out a broad band hailing frequency, calling up the Imperials stationed.

 

This is Anastasia Faust, here on a diplomatic mission for the women and men of the Hapes Cluster. I wish to speak to Admiral Phillep or the highest ranking officer of the fleet until a time that your leader may be contacted.

 

Anna waits while the comm goes out. Hoping that with everything else she had planned- her own goals, Reagans work, Vladimir's reputation and information, and Phillep's ambition to put a respectable face on his behavior- she could talk with him, get the Imperials to loosen their grip, and leave here alive and in one piece with her Alliance escort back to Reagan and Jarret.

 

No going back...

[Capt. Phillep]

A wise, old voice appears over the Comm, "Our esteemed Admiral is currently unavailable, if mi'lady would care to wait in the Cluster Proper, the newly-officiated Imperial Castle is most hospitable for one of your reputation and fame. The Admiral will return shortly."

 

OOC: Give me a day or two to wrap up the Nurgle backstory.

[Anastasia Faust]

Anna receives the comm, then looks over her shoulder towards the Alliance commander for some que. His face remains unreadable, as from here on out, its Anastasia's game.

 

"We... We will accept your hospitality," she stutters, allowing herself to be lead to the Cluster proper to await her meeting with the Admiral, and hopefully relax a bit before the big meeting, where all eyes in the galaxy would rest on her...

[Capt. Phillep]

An indescript Lambda-class shuttle descends into the thicket of the Imperial Castle's hangar, covered in a dark cloak the new presence of the Admiral experiencing a hacking cough and crumpled over creeps escorted by his five elite Spliced Commandos. They make their way onto the turbolift and are taken up to the central spire where the former Queen's quarters used to be.

 

Phillep lays down to rest the night in secrecy.

 

Ms. Faust's quarters had been situated seven floors below in the East Wing, a lavish locale and despite the instinct of murdering the Rebellion scum she brought as escorts, the Imperials acted with much restraint... even civility, politics, and they were offered a room almost as large as Anastasia's, though no where near as luxurious on the same level.

 

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

 

It is morning and Phillep stirs to life, blood has dried on his pillow and a few unknown wounds are split open along his torso.

 

"This may take-" *cough* "some getting used to."

 

He waves for a Guard and orders him to notify Ms. Faust of breakfast in the West Solarium.

 

A large table spanning thirty-three feet in length (approximately 10 meters) is displayed with several sliced meats, fruits and breads. There Phillep dressed in a silk dress shirt and slacks awaits Ms. Faust's arrival.