Imperial Ascension: Dubrillion

[Admiral Lebron]

The stars sat in their regular spots, as usual. The space was cold and silent, as usual. The sun shone brightly, sending its heat to planets, as usual. The Imperial fleet popping out of hyperspace right next to the planet Dubruillion, was not.


Roughly thirty-five ships strong, including a gargantuan Executor Star destroyer, they enclosed onto the planet. Near the edges of the force though, broke off two Abolishers heading in different directions, with a escort of two pickets with them.

"Just incase the New Republic gets a wee-bit frisky." Vice Admiral Lei Lebron said to his tactical officer. Lebron had sent the Abolishers to set up traps for any inbound ship wouldout autherization. "The instant they fly through the huge bubble, the instant they burn up and are hurrled into real-space." He said reassuringly.

"Oh.. Okay sir." Replied the Leuiteniant. His face was still a little unsure of the whole situation, but Lebron figured he did not know much about the generally myseterious, Abolishers.

A few shuttles began outbound flights, but we're stopped by a flight of fighters each. Shuttles further out soon came to an abrupt halt as an Immoblizer 418 activated its notorious gravity well generators.

"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!" Shouted Lebron to the bridge, they all began to cheer long and hard, "Now get to work!" the Admiral interupted sharply and it went silent.


(OOC: Fleet Entails:
Division One
Flagship:
Super Star Destroyer Umaro
Command Group:
Scylla Cruiser Mark III Blaze
Y-Head Corvette- Lebron's Chariot


SD Group 1
Imperator Star Destroyer Mk III Ranji
Victory Star Destroyer Gore
Scylla Cruiser Mark III Bouncer
Corellian Gunship- John Ogonowski
Corellian Gunship- Thomas McGuinness
Durk Picket Ship -
Picket –
Picket –
Picket -

SD Group 2
Imperator Star Destroyer Mk II Farfalen
Victory Star Destroyer Hanyes
Scylla Cruiser Mark II Scylla
Corellian Gunship- Barbara Arestegui
Corellian Gunship- Jeffrey Collman
Durk Picket Ship –
Picket –
Picket –
Picket -

Reserve Deployment Group
Scylla Cruiser Mark III Endurance
Immobilizer 418(Interdictor) Yank
Abolisher Cruiser-Thrasher
Abolisher Cruiser-Thrasher II
Nebulan B Frigate Mary Dane
Nebulan B Frigate Red Heat
Lancer Frigate- Robin Kaplan
Lancer Frigate- Judy Larocque
Lancer Frigate- Natalie Larson
Lancer Frigate Two Shot
Carrack Cruiser Navahoe
Correllian Corvette Red hawk
Correllian Corvette Banshee
Corellian Gunship-Apollo
Corellian Gunship-Apollo's Arrow
Cleric Medical Ship- Healer
Durk Picket Ship –
Durk Picket Ship –
Durk Picket Ship -

[Admiral Lebron]

"Gentlemen," Lebron looked at nine other men, his Captains and Colonels. "We are to subdue Dubrillion. Now, I'm gonna send down...um... two comapnies!" He watched their reactions, "I will have two squadrons of Stingray bombers flying cover and a squad of hammerheads down their two." He faced a single man, "Then I'm going to send you down in an unadequetly defended shuttle which will most likely be blown up by supposedly inferior technology or be overrun by locals with pathetic weapons."

The man he was talking to was an Imperial negotiator, his face turned white. He was young, like most negotiators unsurprisingly. "Admiral... I've been feeling...sick lately! I don't think I will be able to go."

"Damnit... you're the third negotiator to become sick today! Might as well go myself." His face and emotion turned from disappointment to militaristic in instants, "Colonel send down two regiments to subdue the Capital. Prepare a shuttle with a squad of your finest men. Captain, I want fighters flying cover for my shuttle! Hop to!"

All the men got up and walked hastily to their stations to fufill the Admirals commands. Lei himself, went to the 'fresher to freshen himself then made his way to the hanger bays, where sat a Lambda shuttle with a dozen or so Stormtroopers.

[Taylor Millard]

Hyperspace erupted again and two Imperial Star Destroyers came out to greet the remainder of the fleet.

Brevet Grand Admiral Taylor Millard stood, his face smiling (as much as he would let it) as he survayed the fleet before his eyes.

Lebron put together a massive fleet. He's expecting trouble though. Let's see what his decision is.

He nodded towards General Tomar.

"Vice Admiral Lei Lebron," the general spoke, "This is General Tomar in command of the Imperial Star Destroyer Superior. Permission to join the mission."

He closed the channel, with Millard smiling again.

Good job Tomar. Make the request a non-question. Let's see what the Vice Admiral has to say about it.

[Venom]

A year.

A full year wasted, being rebuilt. A year where he was turned into something inhuman, a steel and flesh cyborg monster. Unable to breathe without a machine, a mechanical heart, partially durasteel bones under flesh. It was hideous to look at. It was blood freezing and skin curling to look upon.

And as he looked in the full length mirror, at his 250cm frame, hugely muscled and defined, eyes that seemed to dance with fire with his anger and power in The dark Side, it was utterly magnificent to him.

"You have done well" he said to the two medical droids that had bought him to the former home planet of the Rogue Sith Order, the planet of his origins and done the work on him "I am well pleased. You may now leave me". The droids bowed and left the room.

On a desk was my new armour. Burning red in the form of a Imperial Guard, but made from heavy steels and plastics. It would turn him into a mobile tank. With his new cyborg limbs and vital organs, he would have no trouble with it's weight.

To the contrary, it would not bother him at all.

And now, it was time for him to reveal that he had not died after all and that he still lived. Once, he had a reign of terror as he ruled the RSO. Now, he was alone, but even more able to cast destruction to his foes. First, he would make this place his home, his base once again.

He would have revenge on the bitch that speared him and defeated him in combat.

He would allow his pets to eat what they wanted.

"Whhhaaaaatttt issssss thyyyyy bidddiinngggg?"

The huge lizard type being, up to now just quietly in the corner spoke.

"My bidding Fregge is to gather the other Vog'on that have come here over the last few months. Then we shall find out whom still supports us from the days when I ruled here. Then we shall find out .... yes, what is it?" he snapped as a comm frequency came alive.

"Master Venom! The TSE fleets have left! Much of the defences of the planet have been sabotaged!"

"Really? Very well. Monitor the situation". He slapped the channel closed, eyes thoughful. He reanimated, looking at the beast.

"It seems our time has come sooner that we expected.I was unwilling to move against TSE, but if they have gone for whatever reason...... then I will not stay my hand no longer. This planet will be mine again!"

[Admiral Lebron]

As the Vice Admiral Lebron stode through the walkways towards to the shuttle bay when he recieved a communique' from his comlink.

"Yes?" The Admiral said impatiently

"Sir, there is a uh... General Tomar on the line." It was Leuteniant Bailar on the line, "He wants to join the attack I guess."

"Understood... have him send a thousand troops to every major city with a starfighter cover group. I want to see him or his commanding officer on the surface in fifty minutes."

"Yes sir!" The Junior officer replied, as Lebron shut down his comlink as he turned into the hanger bays, making his way towards a stark white, Lambda shuttle.

[Taylor Millard]

General Tomar, as much of a professional as he was, still snickered silently. One look towards Millard and he closed his mouth.

"One thousand troops to each major city," the Grand Admiral mused as he sat in his command chair, "The Vice Admiral wants a show of force, in order to take over Dubrillion. A waste of time, there is no military presence here."

He paused, something...felt wrong. It was an odd-feeling, something he hadn't felt since his days with The Sith Order and The Black Hand. There was something down there...something, but Millard couldn't place it.

Tomar spoke, "Shall I prepare a response sir?"

"Yes, tell the Vice Admiral this," Millard let his voice trail off as he spoke quietly to his protege.

A minute later, Vice Admiral Lebron was hailed in his shuttle.

"Message for you sir."

It was General Tomar, "I am afraid, Admiral, I am unable to send the entire compliment down to the surface. My orders are prepared to observe and assist in any way possible. Tomar out."

[Admiral Lebron]

The Admiral recieved the response from the General Tomar as he was approaching the surface. Around him were dozens of shuttles and other landing craft. All heading towards the same course, the Capital city of Dubrillion. Rarely had the Admiral have the luxury of commanding ground troops, he would enjoy this experience.

"Commander, as soon as we land, secure a two mile radius of the area which we land. " The Admiral ordered.

"Yes sir, we shall be landing in three minutes" He replied.

"Ashame Tomar could not join us. His loss." Lebron ended as he glanced out the viewport at a duo of Hammerhead fighters. Let's hope they're in a negotiating mood.

[Taylor Millard]

"Tomar I want you to monitor all transmissions from the surface," Millard spoke as he stared at the viewscreen.

"I believe Vice Admiral Lebron is going to find the surface more dangerous than it appears..." The Grand Admiral suddenly became silent.

Tomar was at his side quickly, "Taylor...you okay?"

Millard's blue eyes sharply went to Tomar, "Yes...and no. I have...a feeling about Dubruillion. Something I haven't felt in a long time."

He cleared his throat, "We'll stay in orbit monitoring everything. If something happens, then we will send troops to the surface. And if that doesn't work...

"We destroy Dubrillion."

[Venom]

I stepped out of the underground bunker that had been my tomb virtually for a year. I had looked upon my armour and I had decided it was out of place with red. It was now roughly painted black. The Force Pike was now modified to become a mace, which in my hand would have fearful striking power. It felt... right. It was crude, but it would be the device that would strike fear.

I inhaled, feeling the Force flow. The sun was bright and the local area was peaceful. In my mind, I could see this would not last...

"Sir! Master Venom!" exclaimed one of the humans I had at my command

"Yes?"

"I just had word... there is an invasion force detected!"

"Is there. Very well.... I shall greet it"

With the way I was holding the mace, there was no doubt what I meant by greeting. I had not for the longest time tasted death done at my hands - today I would change that.

"Allow them to land without resistance. I will go find their leaders. Once they die.... attack. Do not stop. Destroy them utterly. This planet will once again.... BE MINE!!!" I ended with a bellowing roar.

[Darth Viscera]

He knelt, stalwart in his bearing, regal in his appearance. The final defeat of Itala and his rogues had left all involved to celebrate their victory at Frih’Tan V, and banners proclaiming loudly the names and renderings of the honored dead hung from high ceilings, adorned with crimson piping sewn from the remains of the vanquished foe.

At the head of the chamber sat Lord Venom atop a Ferrocrete throne, a menacing figure in his own right, his appearance matching the monolithic design of the rest of the pillared chamber. At seven feet in height, it was indeed difficult for one to divert one’s eyes away from the Dark Lord.

A few Sith had gathered together for the occasion, some bringing along their entourages, who murmured now. At this, two black-clad Sovereign Protectors slammed the blunt sides of their vibroblades against the durocrete floor in unison, filling the chamber with a high-pitched screech and signaling silence.

“Lord Viscera,” Venom began. “You are untrustworthy, a scum, a megomaniacal power hungry dictator. And those are your better qualities.”

He tensed, hearing these words. Had this audience been called solely to insult him, to turn him away in disgrace and humiliation? His mind, trained in statistical, analytical thought from his old days of managing the Interstellar Empire’s shipyards, called up a record of the casualties of Frih’Tan V. The Fleet casualties would perhaps never be finished tallying; a superlaser had the known side effect of not only destroying its target, but vaporizing it completely. Nonetheless, the Zealot was destroyed. The Rayonnez, destroyed. The Cavalier, destroyed. The Frederick, destroyed. The Supreme Being, destroyed. The Janissary, destroyed. The Retrevator, destroyed. The Reverberator, destroyed. The Purificator, destroyed. Each ship contained, on average, in excess of 60,000 crew. And then the ground forces- 562,307 Imperials wounded, 36,592 dead.

If it was indeed a grand joke, it was the cruelest one in the history of the known galaxy.

”You have been admitted into the Rogue Sith Order. Congratulations my friend, you have earned this through your actions - and not a small part due to Operation Long Knives. Well done.”

He withheld a sigh of relief, thankful for the decision that had been made final at last. He had been under observation by the group for nearly two years, and planning his entry far longer. Yet, he found it difficult to speak now, as though his lungs had liquified.

“Thank you for...” he stammered the last word, as he lifted his head to face Venom. In an instant, the room had gone dark, the air stale and lacking in the various smells he had identified with the audience. The banners which had hung from the ceilings in such a pristine manner now appeared as nothing more than tattered rags upon their hooked suspenders, aged perhaps ten years, perhaps ten thousand.

The audience which is no longer present.

He could find none of the Sith who had attended the function. No..that wasn’t true. At the head of the chamber there was an object that appeared as a linocrete sculpture, formed in the likeness of Lord Venom.

He took greater notice of his surroundings now, and realized he had been squinting all along. The Sith chamber was still darkened and mystifying, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a bright light which seemed to sink in past the entranceway of the chamber, as though the star Destrill itself were seeking admittance. He walked through the entranceway...

....and unto a sea of light. Shading his eyes with a piece of his cloak, he attempted to take in the great sight before him. The sky was brighter than anything he could have imagined, as though a thousand stars had been placed in orbit around the planet, reducing it to its desertly state. The sand shimmered with the reflection of the light, so much so that he was unsure as to whether or not he was stepping foot on solid ground. The purity and radiance of it all was broken by a dark vortex-reminiscent of holos he had seen of the Maw cluster-which hung suspended, consuming the light.

The realization came as a powerful blow to him, that he was indeed viewing something far more abstract and powerful than any worldly object or stellar phenomena. What he stared at currently was, simply put, the force. He could think of no adjective worthy of it, not for lack of trying.

A gust of wind blew at him, and he turned about and headed back to the Sith chamber, to its comforting darkness, to the cool shade which perhaps had been present since the beginning of time. He stared again at the linocrete sculpture, and all at once he was almost up against it, examining it. With remarkable speed and violent intensity, the linocrete around the Sith Lord’s eyes shattered and fell away, and a rapidly moving retina was visible.



The Imperial Diktat nearly shot out of his bed, his body wet with perspiration. He would have let out a yell, but his throat felt as coarse as a fine-grained plasteel rag. Perhaps he had nearly perspired himself out of water. He walked to a nearby refresher unit, one hand gliding somewhat along his desk for support, and drained several fresh glasses of water in a relatively short time.

Ten minutes later, he was bathed in a remarkably efficient sonic shower, and clothed in attire suiting a Sith. He stood in the holochamber, a small section built into his throne room for communications.

“I wish to speak with Grand Admiral Millard.” He spoke in an indifferent monotone to the implacable-looking fellow on the other end.

“I’m afraid he’s on-mission at the moment, My Lord. May I take a message down for you?”

“The urgency of my message supercedes proper timing of the mission, in this case.”

“Understood, my lord. I am patching him through to you now.”

[Taylor Millard]

"Sir," General Tomar spoke as a young officer handed him a comminique, "Lord Viscera wishes to speak with you.

The Grand Admiral raised an eyeborw as he looked towards his protege.

"Very well, General, put him on.

"Lord Viscera, what can I help you with sir?" he asked as he nodded towards Tomar to keep tabs on Dubrillion.

[Darth Viscera]

"You must suspend all hostile acts against the planet. I cannot properly explain why, but I believe I have experienced a vision. I will join you at Dubrillion shortly, and there we will discuss what actions to take."

[Taylor Millard]

"Very well Lord Viscera, Millard out." the Imperial Grand Admiral turned to Tomar.

"Tell Lebron to suspend all action, against Dubrillion. Lord Viscera will be joining up...shortly."

A vision? I would call it, the same odd feeling I have about this planet.

Millard walked to his study, pouring a cup of tea as he entered. He sat, then waited. If Lebron was smart, he would suspend all action without Millard having to take over. If not...then there would be trouble.

[Daren Trevelan]

“And what starships are available?” the Imperial Diktat asked impatiently as he strode through the halls of the spaceport. A tall man dressed in the khaki cut of the Imperial Adjutant Corps was the target of his questions this morning.

“Dominator-class Star Destroyer GFD22 is parked in orbit, undergoing final fitting,” Major Delan Vessahn replied. “The Odysseus is also available from detached duty in Guild Sector.”

Had he been a lesser man, his eyes might have lit up. “The same Odysseus..?”

Major Vessahn caught his train of thought, and leapt aboard. “Yes, my Lord. The very same.”

Guild-class Star Destroyer Odysseus had been gallivanting about its patrol routes, mispronouncing the names of Moffs and important dignitaries.

“They have had a titular journey, to be sure.” The Diktat replied after a moment of thought. Vessahn merely nodded, unsure of anything to add to that.

“Very well. Have the Exeter transfer a skeleton crew to GFD22, as well as an Engineering detail to finalize the ship while we are en route.” He added.

The shuttle journey towards the Odysseus lasted fifteen minutes, during which time the Diktat was able to enjoy a fine view of Imperial Center-the jewel of the Empire. Afterwords, the craft’s wings retracted from the Lambda position, and soon the shuttle had landed in the Odysseus’ main hangar bay. With a hiss, the boarding ramp extended and the Diktat went forward, followed by his entourage of aids and black-clad Imperial guardsmen. Below, in the hangar, a company of Stormtroopers had gathered on white-scored parade markers, as well as a few officers, one of whom stepped forward to greet him. A guardsman moved to shove him to the floor, but the Diktat held his hand high, signaling him to continue and the guardsman to allow the destruction of protocol.

“My Lord, we are honored by your presence,” the officer spoke, apparently oblivious as to what had just transpired.

“I’m certain that you are, Captain Daknere. Certainly this ship, in all its infamy, could use a bit of honor. Forego the idiocy on this voyage, Captain, and you shall have honored me.” He continued past the Captain, who stood dumbfounded at the position where he had greeted the Diktat, and caught the eye of another officer.

“What is your name, Commander?”

“Daren Trevelan, sir!” the young man replied with a great sense of triumph, fingering his rank insignia.

“Commander Trevelan, escort me to my throne room. I sense a bit of force potential in you, Commander. Perhaps you will someday be a person of great consequence in the New Order.”




His hands caressed the smoothe durasteel plates of the bridge of his own Guild-Class Star Destroyer. The incredible sixteen hundred meter wedge shaped ferocious ship endeavored its way out of the seering cerulean hyperspace tunnel toward Dubrillion. Commander Trevelan's CO, Captain Daknere, strode toward him, breaking the apparent silence beyond that of the echoing shrieks of a button on a console being struck or a radar bleeping off some form of information.

"Your report Trevelan?" he demanded.

"Sir, we will be exitting hyperspace in three minutes, stat," Daren reported with a hushed respective tone, obviously this was one of his more lazy days. It did not matter to Daknere, they were off on a non-combat mission so complete attention spans or absolute focus, though a good measure of it was required.

Trevelan was always focused however, never relenting in his service to the Empire, ever since his graduation from the Caridan Academy five years ago. Ever since then he'd been excelling through the ranks, already he'd been promoted to the staff of the great ship...the Odysseous.

It was a fine ship, and he would be proud to call it his own. His ebony leather gloved fingers stroked the red squared bar on his breast, stopping off at the cerulean one, smiling at the rank it proved. Commander, at the prime age of twenty seven. It had taken so many noble figures years to attain such a rank, and he was merely twenty seven and had it.

Daknere seemed to be growing impatient at the commander's lack of interest in his report, and so Trevelan felt he could wait a few minutes more. His three crimson squares and one blue let off a small gleam of light raying off toward the durasteel around him, he had spent a long time polishing his awards, and it was an honor to be allowed to call it his, as was it to claim the vice of the Odysseous.

"That is all sir, if you have nothing else for me?" he finally said, looking up at him with a cheerful smile. Daren clicked his heels and saluted when the captain nodded his head, then sped and began leaving down the bridge.

Daren's eyes trailed up to the chronometer above him to see it countdown from ten to zero, and his ship tore from hyperspace in the Dubrillion system. A grin curved his lips back and he knew it was time to work.

Daknere turned from his post back to his commander and said, "Our TIEs are ready to launch on your mark."

"Launch?" Daren asked with an inquisitve quirk of an eyebrow. "Why, we're here to negotiate, keep the TIEs at bay, I doubt anyone will try anything."

He was here under direct order of Darth Viscera to monitor the "negotiations" between he and someone known as Venom. It would be an enticing meeting according to the news reports, but he was not here to question orders or wonder what was going on. He was here to follow orders.

[Taylor Millard]

"Sir," General Tomar spoke, "A Guild-class Star Destroyer has just come out of hyperspance. It's identified as the Odysseus."

"Who's the commander?" Millard asked as he viewed the ISD through the viewscreen. It hung there, like a predator waiting to strike. It was truly a marvelous sight.

Millard's blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the Imperial Star Destroyer. First Lord Viscera is on his way, and now this. Still no word from Lebron on the surface either.

Tomar walked up to Millard, "It's a Captain Trevelan who's commanding the Odysseus."

Millard rose from his seat, marching the length of the Superior's bridge. The white of his uniform clashed with the dark of the bridge. Millard let a tight smile come from his lips, then said two words.

"Hail them."

"Comm channel open," the comm officer reported.

"Captain Trevelan, this is Grand Admiral Taylor Millard. What can I do for you today sir?"

[Daren Trevelan]

A grand admiral? How prestigeous Trevelan thought as the grand admiral sent through the hailing channel. He rose from his command chair, similar to how Thrawn would whenever he was signaled to a new break through. His eyes gazed over to the comms uplink.

"I see, well, I shall have to hail them right back," he said with a resounding grin.

"Hailing channel open sir," his comms officer reported with a blank face, simply going back to work.

"Thank you," he turned his attention to the channeler. "Attention Grand Admiral Millar,d it is an honor to have such a prestigeous figure hailing me, truly it is. My name is Commander Daren Trevelan, newly given the XO slot on the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer Odyesseus, I am here under direct orders of Darth Viscera to escort him to the negotiations with this Venom fellow." He smiled and broke the connection, then indeed slowly made his way off the bridge, and toward the refreshing center.

[Taylor Millard]

Millard listened to Commander Trevelan's message.

"Very well Commander proceed."

So Lord Viscera knows who is on the planet? Perhaps it came to him in his vision.

Millard had never heard of Venom, nor what he did. But suddenly his 'bad feeling' began to turn into an even worse feeling. His cold blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the planet.

"Signal Lebron. Tell him to get off the surface! Now."

[Darth Viscera]

His contemplation was interrupted, as it so often was, by a jolt back to the galaxy, in the form of the beeping of an intercom unit. Disgruntled, he jarred his eyes open, and squinted, struggling to take in what little light there was in this pitch-black throne room.
“Receive, Audio Only,” he grunted.
“My Lord, we have rendezvoused with Grand Admiral Millard. CommScan reports Imperial forces are of condition yellow in the Destrill system, but no contact has yet been made with any opposition forces planet side on Dubrillion.”
“Good. I thank you, Major Vessahn,” he replied with no degree of insincerity, then shut the intercom off. As of yet, his primary adjutants had never failed him.
He turned up the lights a bit, and squinted again as his withered eyes struggled to adapt. The cause was a mystery to him, but his life span seemed to decrease marginally with every new cycle, and so much of the time he was left in this state, a decrepit man.

He turned to a holographic transmitter device, and keyed it on, setting the recipient to the Star Destroyer Superior. A moment later, the light bluish hue of a young communications officer sprung into being. He made a cordial inquiry as to what the Diktat required.
“Allow me to speak to Admiral Millard in private,” he responded.

[Taylor Millard]

Millard's chime sounded as he sat in his study, going over a planetary map of Dubrillion.

"This is Millard. Go ahead Tomar," he spoke as he keyed the communication display.

"Sir, Lord Viscera is on for you. He wished to speak to you in private."

Nothing more private than here, Millard thought as he began pressing buttons on the display, "Patch him through here."

As the blueish glow of Lord Viscera's body showed, the Imperial Grand Admiral greeted him, "Yes Lord Viscera. It is an honor to speak with you. I am still awaiting response from Vice Admiral Lebron on Dubrillion. What are your plans regarding the planet?"

[Darth Viscera]

He held up his hand, signaling the Admiral to hold a moment.

"First, I will explain to you how I know of Lord Venom, and his significance.

"For years, I attempted to gain entry into the elite Rogue Sith Order, of which Lord Venom was the leader, to continue my training in the Sith arts. It was not until I led the war which vanquished their foe Itala, that they allowed me entry. Soon afterwords, the Rogue Sith Order became no more for reasons that elude me to this day, and they merged with the so-called Sith Empire in an event that was later greatly publicized. I have not heard from or of Lord Venom since the merger I refer to.

"If it truly is Lord Venom on the planet, then taking a Sith Master of his caliber as our enemy would be unwise. So, I intend to draw him out, and in exchange for his agreeing to complete my Sith training, I will agree not to seize his planet in the name of our Emperor, and even supply him with a Dominator-class Star Destroyer to do with as he would."

[Taylor Millard]

Millard kept his face unreadable, as he listened to what the Diktat had to say. He stared back at Darth Viscera, his right hand stroking his chin as the Admiral pondered the words.

But something still felt...wrong.

The Grand Admiral kept silent for the moment. Finally he spoke, "With all due respect, Lord Viscera, I believe it would be an error to seek out this Lord Venom. While I agree it would be unwise for him to be our enemy, it would be even more unwise for him as an ally.

"If all Sith seek power for their own personal gain, you cannot say Lord Venom will not attempt to take over the entire Empire. And while I do not want to interupt your training in the Sith, Lord Venom might be too much for you to handle. With all due respect."

[Darth Viscera]

The Diktat noticed Taylor's reluctance, and waved his hand slightly.

"You may speak frankly in this matter, Admiral. I share your concerns, and I cannot say that I do not rest upon the fence myself. We would not have him as our ally per se, and he would be restricted much as my previous masters were.

The Empire requires a strong force user as its leader in order to be sustained, and so such a thing must be done. I have never trivialized my dedication to the restoration of the Empire, and no Sith Master has managed to change that."

[Venom]

Something was going on here. Something that was puzzling me greatly. It was appearing to the technicians on the scopes that the invasion was breaking off.

This wasn't right. I had not revealed myself. I was waiting until te ground forces were landed before hitting out and enveloping them in a mire that would drown them all.

I had to admit, that made me furious. I was looking forward to a great deal of fighting and death at my hand. So what had stayed the hand of the invasion?

I would wait for now and observe this most strange of developments

[Taylor Millard]

But if betrays you... Millard kept his mouth shut. Lord Viscera had allready made his decision, and there was no point in going against it.

"Very well Lord Viscera," he spoke clearly, a sigh coming from his mouth, "If you wish to proceed to the planet you may. I lodge a formal complaint against this mission, Lord Viscera, I believe it is foolish and not beneficial to the Empire. I will provide support if you need it, but I am against this mission."

[Darth Viscera]

"Your complaint is noted, Admiral. Prepare a landing party of sufficient strength, and have your tactical officers stand by to fire on the planet, given coordinates from said landing party."

He deactivated the holo-transmitter and paced about the throne room. The force spoke to him frequently, yet he was mainly impaired with regards to its ways, as many were. The dark side flowed strongly within him, yet he was as an untamed beast, lacking the ability to refine and manipulate it at will. He felt as though he were a capacitor for the dark side, and it angered him.

You must learn prudence.

The words of his former master echoed through him. Perhaps, had Anbira Hicchoru not suceeded in taking his life...not died so unworthy a death in the bed of his dacha, he might have completed his training. The curse, then.

I have learned prudence. Why could you not have stayed to complete my training? Do you realize the burden I bear? Do you see how it withers at my essence as I lack the capability to discharge that which I gather through your vaunted prudence? It was your task to give me that capability. Even as you rest in your tomb, you are killing me, Anbira. Slowly and surely.

He clenched his fists and exited the room. Yet again, prudence would have its day.

<center>***</center>

"Pilot, I sense the contact just a few clicks north. Set down, and we will proceed on foot," he commanded, peering out the transparisteel of the shuttle at the ground below.

Above, an assault transport lumbered along, awaiting the signal to land. Immediately escorting the two ships, four TIE Devils flew in a ten degree downward-sloping box formation. Eight more TIE Devils flew along in the stratosphere, scanning for hostility.

"The foliage is impeding us, my Lord. We cannot land," replied the shuttle's pilot.

"Omega Outbound to Superior, return," the Diktat called into a micro-transceiver clipped to the cuff of his jumpsuit, just below his cloak, lifting his right arm nearly to his ear in order to so.

"Superior here-go ahead," came the reply.

"We are impeded in our landing cycle. Set firing coordinates to surface minus one click, Xavier One-ten, Yü One-Fourty, Zed One. Give us a clearing."

Ten seconds later, an area 15,400m² had been reduced to a sunken, barren field, as though someone had simply tossed aside the top meter of that area, leaving everything else unscathed. The shuttle and assault transport landed there, and stormtroopers filed out, unloading various light vehicles.

The Diktat heard the whine of a speeder bike's repulsordrive and the static of a comm unit as he descended the shuttle's ramp, and began taking in the environment of the planet. Save for the patch they had vaporized, it appeared as though the planet were a derivative of Dantooine, or Endor. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought of that last moon.

Lord Venom, I come bearing a gift, he called out with the force.

A rather large one, at that.

[Taylor Millard]

Millard's blue eyes narrowed as he heard Viscera's orders. He rose from his chair, walking towards the door to the bridge.

As he entered the dark grey bridge, he paused, most of the crew attempting to not look at him. He motioned for Tomar to come to his side.

"Prepare three teams of two squads. Lord Viscera wants us to escort him to the surface."

Tomar spoke, "Understood."

As he began to walk away, Millard spoke again, "And prepare one of the missile boats. In case something goes wrong.

"Monitor all transmissions from the surface. Be prepared to destroy Dubrillion if necessary."

His feeling began increasing as the minutes drew past. Something was going to happen. Something Millard had a feeling, was a very, very bad thing.

[Admiral Lebron]

The Vice Admiral arrived back aboard the Umaro very curious and at the same time, infuriated, over why he had to pull back from the surface. Instants after the gang-plank connected with the floor of the Super Star destroyer the Imperial Admiral stormed out from the shuttle. Lebron moved to the side as other shuttles and dropships landed,containing his army.

"DECK OFFICER!" Lei boomed at the top of his lungs. "WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

"I don't know sir... th-the message came from Admiral Millard." The young Human kept his composure very well for his life being on the line.

"Okay then;" Admiral Lebron said calmly, almost casually. " Could you do me a favor?"

"Yes sir." The Deck officer responded as if the yelling hadn't taken place.

"FIND OUT!" The Admiral screamed and stormed off towards the bridge slightly annoyed.

[Taylor Millard]

"Admiral," Tomar spoke as Millard turned to face him. The expression on the General's face was one of slight bemusement.

"Vice Admiral Lebron is on the comm for you."

Millard nodded, then looked towards the viewscreen, "Vice Admiral Lebron. It is good to receive communications from you. Your orders are to send down a landing party down to the surface, and monitor Lord Viscera as he observes the planet.

"Is that understood?"

[Venom]

I had to admit, I was now puzzled. Just what in the Force was going on here?

Here I was, looking forward to a good fight and it would appear someone was getting cold feet. it wasn't possible that someone for some reason suspected they were about to bite off more than they could chew....? That in itself annoyed me, as I was looking forward to battle. To feel death dealt at my hands, to smell and to hear the doom I would bring down on their heads.

And if the low lifes on the scopes were of any skill, they mentioned what more appeared to be a parley party had landed, which made me wonder if someone had detected me. Surely not - I was thought to be dead?

Lord Venom, I come bearing a gift


A voice in the Force. A familiar one, but one I could not quite place.

The gift you speak of, it be better worth my time I replied in the Force. It better be. No one deprives me of battle unless they have much to appease me with

[Darth Viscera]

I believe it to be a grand gift indeed, the Diktat replied. Crew it with your finest warriors, and you may begin anew your conquest. Seek me out, and you shall discuss with this power-hungry dictator how best to meet your needs, and vice versa.

[Venom]

I do not seek people out Lord Viscera, you well know that. If they wish to deal with me, they come to me. As we were comrades in the RSO, I will allow you to come forth to my person so you may speak clearly. I suspect you want something from me. Approach the main landing pad, I will be alone to the south