Scouring the Galaxy

[TSO Naval Officer]

<center><font size=10>Somewhere in the vast reaches of space...</font></center>

The Imperial Star Destroyer Bulwark dropped out of hyperspace, its massive grey dagger hull plying through the ether inexorably, stabbing into the heart of the unknown as it searched for signs of positive confirmation.

On the bridge, Captain Aind clasped his hands behind his back, as a lieutenant at the Commscan station briefed him on the readouts of the star system they had just entered.

Lieutenant: Captain, the system contains seven planets and 39 satellites, two asteroid fields, and a class two star.

Captain Aind: Life signs?

Lieutenant: We are too far away for conclusive results, although we could get an improved scan if we entered...

Captain Aind: No, Lieutenant, that is not an option. If our results are positive, we mustn't alert our target until we are ready to strike. Prepare a salvo of probe droids for system recon.

From the main hangar bay of the Bulwark, several pods began to launch, darting toward the nearby star system and branching off onto seperate vectors, each heading to a different satellite or planet. After a few minutes, the payload was delivered. Captain Aind turned curtly, turning to helm control in the crew pit.

Captain Aind: Helm, prepare to make the jump to hyperspace. Transmit Holonet signal to the command ship, and inform Lord Vader that we are progressing to the next waypoint.

Aind nodded, turning and walking down the command deck to the aft stations.

Captain Aind: Carry on.

Within moments, the massive star destroyer accelerated to light speed, leaving the star system to the Arakyd Probots, who would relentlessly scour every world for even the slightest trace of the Jedi.

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[Probe Droid]

In the Bulwark's wake, dozens of pods streaked to various planets or moons, accelerating through their atmospheres until they impacted on the surface. From the impact craters, imperial probe droids emerged, meticulously combing the planets for any reconaissance data that the Sith Order might find useful, beaming it back to their fleet using ultra-coded frequencies.

[TSO Naval Officer]

Nearly a parsec away, the intimidating form of the Super Star Destroyer Stormcloud prowled the ether relentlessly, its dark hull casting a pall in the midst of the stars. On the warship's expansive bridge, Admiral Jevett prepared for the initial reconaissance reports to come in from his battle group, which had spread throughout the sector. Given estimated times to arrival, they should report in soon.

Admiral Jevet: Status report, Captain?

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[TSO Naval Officer]

Captain Sondt finished screening a report from the battlegroup coordination officer, regarding the recent status of various warships throughout the sector. Returning a datapad to a subordinate, he walked across the command deck, to the foredecks, where Admiral Jeyet anticipated news of the mission's progress.

Captain Sondt: Admiral, the Bulwark has reported full payload delivery, and reports that all probe droid modules are responding positively. They are currently en route to our coordinates, as is the rest of the battle fleet. We can prepare for advance within the hour.

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[TSO Naval Officer]

Jeyet frowned somewhat, straightening his uniform in a telltale sign of frustration.

Admiral Jeyet: Captain, ensure that our timetable is stepped up. Lord Vader has already expressed his displeasure in delays.

The Admiral began to pace down the command deck catwalk, toward the aft doorways of the bridge. He paused, turning to the Captain.

Admiral Jeyet: Have all commands set rally points for the Joluuvar system. We will forego assembling the fleet until then. Prepare for our immediate departure, and...with haste. We have 10 more sectors ahead of us before we report back to Corellia.

With that, Captain Jeyet exited the bridge.

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[Darth Vader]

:: The double doors slid open, and a dark figure stepped onto the bridge. The crewers seemed to stop what they were doing in the presence of the obsidian warlord with the mechanical breathing. ::

<font size=-1><font color=990000>hohhhh.....pahhhh.....</font></font>

:: The Dark Lord approached Captain Sondt ::

Captain, why has the fleet not assembled yet?

[TSO Naval Officer]

Sondt curtly bowed to the Dark Lord, clasping his hands together to hide his nevous feelings.

Captain Sondt: My Lord, Admiral Jeyet has assigned a new forward waypoint for the fleet. We are preparing to assemble at the Joluuvar star system, at your command. My apologies for the slight delay.

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[Darth Vader]

Captain...ensure that we have no such delays in the future.

[TSO Naval Officer]

Captain Sondt: Yes, Lord Vader. The Admiral and I shall expedite our efforts.

Nodding to the helm stations, Sondt gave immediate orders.

Captain Sondt: Helm, proceed on immediate trajectory. Light speed.

The enormous warship accelerated quickly, preparing to regroup with the rest of the star destroyer battlegroup.

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