View Full Version : Day of Reckoning - COMPLETE
Telan Desaria
Aug 10th, 2006, 09:26:52 PM
The arrival of a Super-class Star Destroyer was a rarity above most worlds in the vast sphere of influence which was the Empire. In some systems it had been known to happen, bringing to dread to those who had reason to fear and pride to those without it; in others their existence was speculation at best, never having seen one of the titanic vessels themselves. Some systems believed them a creation of a propaganda machine, whether Imperial boasting as to power or Rebel loathing of waste and intimidation no one dared say. On still more worlds, their number much smaller than any proportion of the above, regularly feasted on the splendor of a mighty twelve-thousand meter command vessel. For worlds such as Coruscant, Balmorra, Gyndine, Fondor, or Kuat, having a Super Star Destroyer in orbit was normal.
Above the latter seemed to float one of the more famous behemoths in the Imperial Navy, the Intimidator. Against the backdrop of the sprawling Kuat Drive Yards, the ship did not look out of place as it sometimes did keeping company with craft that it easily dwarfed. To one side lay a heavily industrial world covered in cities, factories and broad fields, punctuated by the occasional patch of trees or wide, roaring river. To another sat a plethora of ships, both war- and civilian-, carrying out the business of building and maintaining the Empire’s mighty fleets. For the veteran crew of the Intimidator, the views to port and starboard were breathtaking.
To the ship’s resident flag officer, the views were a distraction.
Alone he sat in a sea of people. The Intimidator sported a dozen so-called ‘war rooms’ where officers could call a wealth of data to being by the touch of a button or view entire sectors using the latest in holographic projection technology. It was there that Grand Admiral-Baron Desaria rested, transfixed at several two-dimensional maps of various systems in the Ple’eve Sector while the entire Sector itself revolved on an imaginary axis before him, the image almost twenty meters wide. Yeomen moved hither and thither, compiling reports for a thousand requests while other technicians monitored equipment, or, given the excellent operational rating of said equipment, played games to pass lengthy shifts.
“ Ensign,” called the Grand Admiral, not averting his eyes as a youthful officer came up the platform’s three steps. “ Bring me a full order of battle for the Ple’eve Sector Fleet.”
“ Aye sir,” the Ensign replied, clicking his heels and darting off into the dimmed light to do his master’s bidding. The Grand Admiral quickly returned to his thoughts, becoming lost in a mental whirr of status reports, tactical musings, and strategic considerations. The Ple’eve Sector possessed a hundred systems, only twenty of which were under Imperial control. That situation needed to be rectified if a stronger hold as to be taken of the Perlemian Trade Route, and so it would be.
Something caught the Grand Admiral’s eye as he scanned over the imagine in front of him and he stood. The Oszren Asteroid Field! It isolated a dozen systems from the rest of the sector - to take the accessing its rather constrained entry corridor would bring thirteen inhabited worlds to the Imperial Banner by assaulting only one. When cut off, the trapped systems would have little choice but to swear fealty. Desaria grinned and returned to his seat, looking intently at another map, this one of the asteroid field.
“ Ensign!” The Grand Admiral barked, slightly peeved that he was being kept waiting by a doubtless avoidable delay. No reply or answer was forthcoming. Angered, the two-meter officer stood and surveyed the room around him. From the expansive view port to the bulkhead doors, from the banks of monitors along the flanking walls, the room was empty, save what he could not see on the other side of the projection. Swearing, the Grand Admiral moved down the platform steps and looked past the holographic image.
There, opposite the projector, he saw a figure. A figure he could not possibly have expected to see…
Khendon Sevon
Aug 10th, 2006, 09:41:52 PM
A dark cloak blacker than night wrapped around the Executor and flowed like a living creature. The seal of his office clasped the band of thin material over his charcoal-color armor and even darker tunic of office. The Sith tattoos that marred most of Khendon’s arms were covered by his clothing to conceal his wicked origins. His family saber was tucked in a secret sheath and only a thin war-blade hung from the Executor’s shoulder in a scabbard that could only be called ebony.
Khendon’s flesh was lightly tanned from the field and his stormy gray eyes were tempests that seemed to carry the weight of a dooming gale. The demonic man’s hair was slightly curly and a ruddy brown. Underneath his garb muscles constricted like powerful, tight ropes of organic weave.
An evil smile crept onto the Executor’s face.
“Grand Admiral Desaria, I believe your Ensign has been whisked away into the Shadow Lands by agents of the Dark Lord. In fact,” he gestured to the empty room, “it would appear the mirages of darkness have bound and hauled off the entire staff that once occupied this room.
“No worry, they are safe.”
Telan Desaria
Aug 10th, 2006, 09:49:27 PM
The Executer. Khendon Sevon. Regent of the Empire. By default the most powerful man in the Empire. It was said that he ruled in the stead of the deceased Emperor.
Palpatine was a fool. By naming aliens as inferior beings he closed off a manpower base and drove countless billions into waiting Rebel arms. His death aided the Empire more than his life. But what of our options now? Is this man better?
The Grand Admiral came to attention instinctively, the clicking of his jackbooted heels together resounding through the cavernous chamber. The man standing before him did not seem to come from the shadows, he was shadow himself.
Questioning the reason and rhyme of an order that may needlessly risk the lives of loyal soldiers is the duty of every officer or he is not fit to command. But this man has not endangered my men, or, to my knowledge, the cause of the Empire. My doubts are meaningless. I serve the Empire, regardless of who leads it.
Baron Desaria wanted to swallow against whatever doubt was in his throat but he found the gesture impossible. He did not like being suprised on his own flagship - but he would live.
" Executor, I am honoured by your presence. How may I be of service?"
Khendon Sevon
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:00:32 PM
Khendon began slowly walking the perimeter of the room, eyes scanning the countless screens and displays. “Grand Admiral, the Empire has long housed a cancer in its very heart. A disease so potent that it has threatened to kill the entire organism maliciously. A strong leader proved the medicine to prevent the complete corruption of the body. Yet, alone it was not enough to inhibit the spread of the fanatic, the heretic to the vital systems of said living, breathing being.
“The rust has worked its way into the joints that move the machine and corroded laws and traditions. Soon enough, my dear Grand Admiral, the enemy will have its way and all will fall to chaos. A great cloud of confusion, death, and mayhem will rise from the once glorious bricks of the Empire.
“This new collection of fools will sell their souls for every inch of power. Freedom, as we know it, will no longer exist. There will be a break down of order and all will feel the sting of the dagger of dread.
“I have seen these things, Desaria, I have peered through the misty veil of the future and touched the nightmare to come. I have witnessed the fall of the Empire. What is your mind of these matters?”
Telan Desaria
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:10:59 PM
" The Empire will not fall!"
The words rushed from the Grand Admiral's mouth before he knew he had said them, as if he had no control over their saying. It was a burst of energy, of devotion, a snap in the composure Desaria and his peers so prided themselves on.
At least it had been a loyal one.
" Executor, I have served in the Imperial Navy all my life. Twenty years since my sixteenth birthday I have worn this uniform. I have served with great men who have died defending the ideal of Empire, the rule of Law and Order. I will one day die for the Empire. My men will die stemming the tide of Chaos the Rebels bring with them. But we will not die in vein. There will always be adherents to our way of life, and Order shall survive. The Empire shall survive."
The time for honesty had come. Desaria did not need to raised a black-gloved hand to his neck to feel the weight of the Imperial Cross hanging there and decided a lack of bravery now would be a disservice to the award. He spoke only the truth.
" The Rebels have a great deal of resources with which to work, and I mean not only raw material. Mistakes of judgement and of policy have driven people from our camp to theirs. They shall perish all the same but some our precariousness is our own doing. But we have the chance to right the wrongs of the past and we shall - and we shall destroy the...cancer...that festers inside us. We shall wipe the pague from the face of the universe with a fire history has never known.
" The collection of fools, Executor, will meet their doom. And if the Empire is to fall, then I am glad I will not live to see it for I have died in its waning defense."
Khendon Sevon
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:20:45 PM
“Ease yourself, Grand Admiral.” He stopped his tour and allowed his silvery eyes to shoot a powerful glance Desaria’s way. The Executor suddenly closed the distance between the two in a heartbeat and brought a lopsided grin to his face.
“There will be no failure. We will stem the tide of chaos, Grand Admiral. The future I have foreseen may be changed. Each event casts a ripple in time like the striking of a stone upon a placid pond. All will change, all will change.
“But, not with a weak leader at the helm of our ship, my Grand Admiral. The politician,” he nearly spit, “wants to command our vast galaxy. They are weak. Weak and easily corrupted. Their souls must be guided by the iron of our majestic military. By Imperial patriots.
“Dear Grand Admiral, I have followed your career and know a simple truth. You, Desaria, are a true Imperial. Tell me, though I needn’t ask… would you die for your Empire? Would you give up all you have, all you’ve been. Everything! If it would but save the glory that was and could be anew?”
Telan Desaria
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:23:38 PM
The action that had been impossible now found itself accomplished with ease.
Grand Admiral Desaria swallowed hard.
" I would die for the Empire. I would die for Order. If I knew it to be the best contribution I could make to lasting victory, I would forsake all that I have, all that I know."
Desaria almost grinned but bit down and regained his military compose. " What true Imperial would not?"
Khendon Sevon
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:31:47 PM
Khendon nodded once, slowly. His eyes seemed to peer through Desaria. The Force worked its tendrils delicately into the Imperial’s mind and read the explosion of neurons. The Grand Admiral believed every word he said.
“Good. Then you will understand. Grand Admiral, for the betterment of the Empire, I soon shall be taking the throne.” The Executor had decided to be blunt. “I will be assuming the title of Imperator as per ancient tradition. I need someone I can trust to direct the military. Someone who will have no pity for those that would betray the Empire and its citizens.
“Dear Grand Admiral, I believe you are that man. That is why I ask you this: would you have me as your Imperator?”
Telan Desaria
Aug 10th, 2006, 10:44:05 PM
The moment of truth had come.
Grand Admiral Desaria was not a stupid man. The death of the Emperor left a vacuum of power far too many people wanted to fill with themselves. Some had fought for it and a few had taken power for themselves. They were being dealt with expeditiously and he, for one, could feel nothing but pity for the junior officers and soldiers only following orders.
For somet ime, Executor Sevon had held things together from a more....secretive...position of authority than the Palace on Coruscant. A proclamation of his becoming Imperator, then he would probably move to the seat of power. There he would rule. But how?
Would he rule wisely?
I almost wish I had some of that Sith magic they speak of so I could see if this man is true. What I would not give to see if he would not bastardize the throne as those who have preceded him.
Seconds stretched into hours as thoughts flooded the aristocrat's mind. His eyes wandered towards the viewport and his homeworld below. How would Kuat fare if the Empire grew weaker through a procession of mental invalids?
Not well. The answer was obvious.
Perhaps not the best man for the position, but he is a competent man. I am no politician, no ruler. He has a drive I recognize, though. He has the fire to take what is needed, to do what is neccessary over what is wanted. Desperate times...
" Executor, I would follow the leader of the Empire. You have lead it thus, so it is logical that you lead it hence. I would only affix one caveat, one demand. You promise me, you vow to the citizens of the Empire, that you will do what is best for them. And you crush the Rebellion. Do that and I will follow you into hell. And so will my men."
Khendon Sevon
Aug 15th, 2006, 09:06:24 PM
Khendon’s eyes intensified. “I would never think of harming our people. It is for them that I take this position. I would see them bettered. As for the rebellion,” he cringed, “they will die like the vermin they are. We will set traps and snap,” he made a motion with his hand, “their necks. Each and every one of them shall perish choking on his or her own bloody pestilence.”
The Executor revealed a black datapad from within his garb. “This will link you to my shrouded network of allies. There are plans for military actions that I would like notes on. Ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands.”
Telan Desaria
Aug 15th, 2006, 10:25:59 PM
" I shall guard it with my life, Executor."
The Grand Admiral took the pad and activated it, reviewing posible fleet deployments. There sat a list of officers and high ranking enlisted men that could be trusted, counted on, and relied upon in a time of crisis. That did not concern the emerald-eyed aristocrat who greedily drank in the information scrolling before him.
Desaria looked up and, as his words hung in the air, he corrected himself.
" Imperator."
Khendon Sevon
Aug 15th, 2006, 10:49:01 PM
“Excellent, Grand Admiral. I am pleased to have you amongst the folds. I have one request of you. There is a certain sector occupied by a certain Moff that is having difficulties with rebels. It would be beneficial to our military efforts to ensure stability in the region. You will find additional details on your datapad in a mission critical folder. There are profiles of suspected rebel sympathizers, possible hostile forces, etc. The best information I can provide.
“The moff’s name is Miranda Tarkin, I’m sure you’ve heard of her. It’s important that you take a personal hand in the operation. One of my star destroyers is already in the area. It will observe and remain at your command should you need it.
“Should you need an audience with me you will find contact instructions within the datamine of the ‘pad.
“Glory to the Empire.”
Telan Desaria
Aug 16th, 2006, 08:18:37 AM
Once more the Grand Admiral cast his eyes down towards the pad, this time thumbing threw the reems of details to find a folder marked DOLDUR. Opening it, he saw what Executor Sevon spoke of. Doldur, the sector capital, was under siege by the Alliance. A full-scale military operation was underway!
Desaria looked up at the Executor, curious as to why he was finding out only now. Curiosity got the better of him and he forgot the question. He returned to the information and reviewed it conce more. The sector fleet, to date, was a rather low priority area and was composed mostly of cruisers and frigates with two older Victory-class Star Destroyers, one of which it appeared had been destroyed by the Alliance in their first assault. The remnants of the sector fleet were battering the siege lines, but to almost no effect. Six days the capital had been invested and three separate landings of ground troops had been successful which mean the world's garrison as well as the sector's Naval forces were locked in a struggle for their very survival.
" Gloria Imperium, Executor. I will deal with this immediately. I shall send Moff Tarkin your compliments after I have cleared her sector of the Rebel vermin."
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