Conquest of Paradise: Prelude

[Travis North]

An Imperial Shuttle and two TIE Defender escorts disembarked from a Star Destroyer in orbit above Thyferra. They flew neatly in formation down to the planet. Below was the busy Xucphra City, Capital of the planet and home to Imperial Sovereignty High Command. Travis sat in the passenger compartment he reviewed his plan which he would present to the brass. The shuttle buckled slightly as it entered the atmosphere. The TIE escorts broke off and headed back home to the Star Destroyer.

The shuttle glided down to the city below. It flew between buildings with ease to High Command. It was raining outside, the slight patter of rain sounded off the hull. The landing struts engaged and soon the shuttle was firmly on a platform. The shuttle’s boarding ramp lowered down. Two guards approached the shuttle from an entrance into the command building. Travis adorned a cloak so as not to get soaked. He greeted the two guards and they escorted him into the building. They walked down the hall towards a lift. It descended to one of the lower levels, the strategy room. Travis walked and noted the holo-generator projecting the galactic map. Zeltros being highlighted along with several other systems leading from Sovereignty space to the Zeltros system. Travis’ transmission had caught the attention of High Command now all he had to do was explain it.

Travis waited for the high ranking officers. He took a seat and started working at a computer station inputting details about the systems and what was to happen as the mission progressed on or what was predicted. The first officers started to arrive and Travis grabbed his datapad and walked into the small boardroom just across from the strategy center.

[Telan Desaria]

Imperial High Command
Xucphra City, Thyferra


Imperial High Command was a massive structure, sprawling as wide as a dozen blocks of the city that erupted around it. Spires jutted into the greying sky, reaching at long last for a destiny too long forgotten.


General der Artillerie Antonio Reviat looked at the spectre of the day's rain with a gloomy mindset - he missed Bespin. There could be no arguement that a transfer as Vice-Commandant of Thyferra was a promotion, he had simply grown used to the pristine clouds, the floating cities, the radiant and free beasts that once graced his office windows.


" General, a Colonel North is here to see you."


" Very well."


Moments later the doors opened, admitting the bustling drone of a command centre as well as one poster-child officer before shutting.


Reviat knew little of the officer, only that he had won command of a wing of the Guards, no small accomplishment in and of itself.


" Colonel, come in. Congratulations on your recent promotion are in order. To business though - "


Reviat plopped down behind his desk, flicking on a small glow-rod on the edge. Once he located a small pile of datacards, he handed them to North.


" Your orders. As per Joint Executive Order I, the Lord Chancellor's office has approved your plan of action. I have reviewed it as well and wish you luck. If I might ask, though: why Zeltros?"

[Travis North]

"Thank you General."

Travis sat down in one of the seat at the desk. He punched in a few commands on his datapad and a small projection of Zeltros appeared on the table.

"Well sir, as you probably know Zeltros is located in the inner rim. It's a prime tourist location known through out the Galaxy and has a very large and busy market." Travis said as he punched in another command on his datapad the planet shrunk and the entire system appeared. "I believe the Empire could make a large sum of money and resources by getting a hold on the system. We wouldn't actually conquer the system but establish a pressence in the system and on the planet. The people of Zeltros are quite peaceful and a battle would be highly unlikely. I'd go into more detail but you have revewed my plan and a General's time is not to be wasted. So I'll explain how I propose we secure the trust of the Zeltrons."

Travis paused amoment to gather his thoughts he also poured himself a glass of water. He took a few sips and sat it down.

"In exchange for establishing a garrison on the planet and a station in the system, we provide them access to our markets and sign a treaty saying that we provide security for the system and it's peoples as well as protecting them if ever another faction was to invade the planet and blockade the system."

[Telan Desaria]

" A worthy undertaking. Many officers have undertaken missions such as this. Initiative is highly valued in the Empire - as you no doubt are aware. We've gained many a world from such operations. I wish you luck. "

The General stood. " I am not sure what sort or resistance you will meet, but may your thrusters always fire."

The cue for the Colonel to commence had been given.

[Travis North]

"I think resistance will be at a minimum. Most of the journey will be done in hyperspace and stopping mostly in uninhabited systems." Travis replied, " Well sir. I think that is all. If you'll excuse me I have a meeting with my command staff. Good day and Glory for the Empire."

Travis got up and saluted the General. The mission was a go, the 'Conquest for Paradise' had begun. Travis pulled his comm out of his pocket and switched the channel over to the secretary droid "Please send my command staff and Mr. Gantar down to the strategy room."

Travis walked out of the Generals office and back to the computer terminal he was working at. He entered the order for the convoy that he would be using for the mission. They we're being loaded with the equipment and supplies in orbit. All that was left was to brief his command staff and they would be off.

[Transil Gantar]

By all technical means, this was looking to be his third mission as a member of Intelligence. Since the second one and his looking for leaders of an uprising, he had upgraded his armor to something more suited to his position. To complement that fact, he had also upgraded his arsenal of weapons. Blasters and thermal detonators were now a standard part of the armament he always carried with him. He still had his swords, but he was more suited to battle now.

His presence had been requested in the startegy room, so he was graciously complying with the request. Besides the fact that the order came from a superior, he really did not have much to do anyways. As he descended on the lift, he thought about what to ask and how to ask it. Being an intelligence officer meant he had to be secretive about his questions while still getting the answers he needed. Now was no exception.

Stepping off the lift as it reached its final destination, he walked forward down the hall and stepped into the room designated. The strategy room was decorated somewhat lavishly, which was a surprise to him. Ignoring the obvious taste of the man in charge, he took a seat and looked over at North for a few moments. Transil was still somewhat in the dark on this mission and had many questions to ask.

"Before we get started, I've been left in the dark. Where exactly are we headed, what is our objective, and what is our motive?"

[Travis North]

Travis looked at the armored man. He was surprised he was allowed to wear such a suit and carry such weapons. The thought stuck in his head until the man spoke, then he snapped to.

"Ah. Mister Gantar. Glad you could join us." Travis said in calm tone, "Your questions will be answered shortly. Please take a datapad."

Travis sat down at the head of the table. He looked around at his staff to make sure all were present before he started the briefing. They were. Major Dek I'Pellos sat on his immediate left. Beside him was Captain Omar Ind and then Commander Wek'kev Thile. On Travis' right Captain Jek, Lt. Commander Arleen Jac'Den, and finally Agent Gantar. They all picked up their assigned 'pads.

"Alright ladies and gentleman you'll see on each of your datapads a ship and quarters listing that is where you'll be stationed for this entire operation unless I order otherwise." He said in a brisk tone. Travis began punching in codes on the holo system terminal. The planet Gyndine appeared. "This will be our staging ground. We are going to start assembling some of the hardware there for a modified type 5 platform and mobile gun turret system. Captain Ind and Commanders Jac'Den and Thile this is your job since you and your crews are skilled in quick facility assembling. I want those parts ready to complete an entire star port when we get to our objective. Agent Gantar you and Captain Jek are to come with me to the objective location we are to secure the a treaty with the people of Zeltros." Travis punched in more codes and it appeared. "Agent you and Major I’Pellos are to gather intel on the Zeltros people. Do your best to persuade them to allow us to build a base to monitor trade routes through the sector. Captain Jek your crew is to provide system security throughout the meetings with the Zeltros people. When Mr. Gantar and the Major secure a meeting with the government of Zeltros to talk, I shall shuttle down and secure the treaty. Within two months or so the Sovereignty should have another planet." Travis shut down the holo system and got up. "Any further questions? Then we shall get to work."

[Transil Gantar]

"Makes sense to me, I assume."

Reading over the plans for a third time, he liked to be as thorough as possible when it came to reading plans and going over data, he planned out how exactly to persuade them to let the Sovereignty deploy a base one their planet. Sure, force would have been the number one option in the past, but that was out of the question now. If he wanted to do this, and do this right, he had to be willing to speak with them on the matter. Perhaps they've had pirate trouble or trouble with other types of space scum. He'd have to do a bit of research when they arrived.

"If you'll excuse me I will retire to my quarters to begin preparations. I also need to access the holonet for information. If you need me, that's where I'll be."

With a salute to the people who ranked higher than him after standing, though he was a member of Imperial Intelligence, he moved towards the door and exited the room. The datapad he'd been given was still in his hand as he entered the turbolift and moved towards the location of his assigned quarters. Missions like these, as he'd been told, were always tough. More mentally than physically, but there were still physical problems. All this could be solved with a little bit of preparation.