Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jul 27, 2023 1:59:29 GMT -8
Crix glanced towards his comms crew as they hurriedly searched the Imperial Archives. A few moments passed in silence before the holo display before the Grand Admiral showed up a information panel relating to Lord Sinistra and what details the Imperial Archivists had deemed important or relevant. Well, this conversation was going to not be a joyful one
Copy that Tears of Kuat. Admiral Othin I regret to inform you that Lord Sinistra was listed as MIA, likely KIA, some... thirty odd years ago...
Thanks to the Grand Admiral's efforts, Fiora had time enough to pull herself out of bed and collected her helmet before making her way to the bridge with Harnan and her Guards in tow. Her long red hair was still something of a mess, but she'd managed to give her face a quick wash to seem presentable as she arrived to the bridge and stood next to the Grand Admiral. She'd been listening in to the conversation so far and didn't need to be brought up to speed as the video link was brought up
Admiral Othin, you have my condolences. I am Empress Fiora Ren, rightful Heir to the Empire. It would seem you have come from your own previously turbulent times into turbulent times of our own... As such, I will be blunt: do your loyalties still lay with the Empire?
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor 
Posts: 469 
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Jul 27, 2023 11:07:17 GMT -8
Terrh didn’t react to the news beyond remaining silent, his silver flecked eyes blinked several times during the silence, thoughts running almost uncontrolled through his mind. Finally he responded verbally.
::Thir...thirty years…::
Thirty years...that wasnt very long after he had been...assigned...thirty years...he had lost- He silenced that line of thought, now was not the time to delve through the implications of what might have, or could have been. Fate seemed to have taken into account his past, and chosen to take his present into the future, the life he could have had, tried to have, tried to create, the blood the loss, the time, his- He cut this line of thought as well, if he continued he might slip and he knew not where the bottom might be...to be sure it was far...so far.
He swallowed and ran through his immediate responsibilities...the responsibility to the living first, then he could release the armor, open that door and explore what might be there. For now, he mentally brushed the large, dusty lock on that mental door.
He shook his head and body slightly, forcefully physically bringing his mind and body back together in concentration as red headed woman with a guard just before she addressed him.
He inclined his head in thanks at her offer of condolences.
::Thank you Empress, your condolences are appreciated. My...oath to the Empire remains intact.::
It wasnt a lie, and he had no idea what he walked into. Empress Fiora’s phrasing brought the fleeting thought of a civil war to mind. That could explain why she was at Kuat, yet Kuat was no longer the throne world of the Empire...Sixth Empire...First Order. Clearly he had left behind a turbulent time, the peace that he had hoped to leave when he was last here had…not lasted. That was the only conclusion that he could come up with. War had continued, reemerged, waxed and waned again and again, pulling more and more beings, more worlds more people, more families, more… It was only a lifetime of experience and apparently… thirty years of new persona that kept his fists from clinching at the thoughts and possibilities that raced through his mind.
Thirty years meant that anyone who could contradict who he was, likely dead, by war, or old age. That thought comforted him momentarily, his thoughts reaching the conclusion that if that were true, then those that he cared about would not have been found out by those that had reason to… He let that thought that flickered through his mind in an eyeblink go. He was flirting with that lock again, it needed to remain locked. He mentally refocused and brought in the iron discipline required of him in moments such as these. The living, he reminded himself, not the dead or unknown.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jul 31, 2023 4:22:07 GMT -8
Given how much time had passed, it was unsurprising that he had been shaken by the news of Lord Sinistra's disappearance and presumed death. She allowed him all the time he needed to gather his thoughts and finally respond, affirming his loyalty to the Empire. Allies were hard things to come by and this was certainly one of the more interesting ways to meet one. But it was better to have another ally, than to have another enemy. Harnan was right, they couldn't just rush head first into Coruscant. They needed to know where Jin was being held before extracting her. In the mean time, they needed to secure the Empire and remove those working with her Uncle and determine her brother's involvement, or lack thereof, in all of this.
She gave a nod of her head in acknowledgement of his response
Very well Admiral... Gather your officers and come meet me aboard the Thanatos. If your ships need to dock in the Drive Yards for repairs or resupply, my comms officers will transmit locations for them. We have much to discuss in person...
As promised, data packets were sent detailing undamaged dry docks for the Admirals ships to dock with. Coordinates were also transmitted for a docking bay on the Thanatos where Admiral Othin could land a shuttle. Purge Troopers were already being mustered to the hangar bay to stand an honour guard. Elsewhere a conference room was being prepared for the meeting. She would wait for any further questions or comments the Admiral might have. If there was nothing further, she would close up the comm line and make her way down to the Hangar Bay with her retinue to meet their guests
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Jul 31, 2023 8:49:23 GMT -8
Terrh came to attention and gave an abbreviated formal bow.
“Yes Empress.”
The channel closed and Terrh gave a string of orders.
The ships engines accelerated the ship towards the planet, coming in at standard approach speeds, angling towards an orbital anchorage position in geosynchronous orbit inside the defensive perimeter. The weapons powered down and battle stations were canceled. Power to the shields in front was drained away back to the reserve and shifted to the rear until the ship was deep inside the planets defensive perimeter.
Terrh and the captain of the Tears of Kuat made their way to the hanger bay, a short trip away, and were met there by the general of the ground contingent. Together they took a shuttle with two pilots and dropped out into the stars.
Terrh stared out the viewport, lost in memories as the familiar scene played out in front of his eyes, enhanced by his memories. Laser fire and burning ships. Shattered defensive stations falling from orbit, ships detonating and debris spinning into new orbits, some terminal, some extra orbital. In between them all, bodies and blood, escaped gases vaporizing and freezing in the vacuum, beautiful from a distance, until one got close. He shook off his reminiscing as the compact shuttle approached the Thanatos, transmitting the clearance codes that had been supplied.
The space worthy LAAT/i disappeared into the maw of the yawning hanger bay as the Tears of Kuat still made its way to its designated anchorage some ways off.
The gunship came in and turned sideways, the pilots following the directions of the hanger boss and landing crews, setting down in the proper location to align the side doors with the honor guard. The bubble turrets were empty and the pilot and copilot started shutting the ship down as the side doors unsealed and slid back.
Terrh, wearing an Imperial Admirals uniform, outdated at this point, along with a captain and a general, flanking him a pace behind, exited the ship and walked in a measured march towards the empress, noting the honor guard of black clad soldiers. Terrh and his officers stopped at the required distance in front of the Empress and her retinue and saluted.
“Empress Ren, may I present Captain Sig, and General Savage. Thank you for welcoming us, it is a great honor to be received by your highness.”
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Jul 31, 2023 20:11:56 GMT -8
The Pruge Troopers had remained passive as the LAAT/i gunship had flown in and landed and its occupants had disembarked. As the Admiral, Captain, and General came to a stop a short distance from her, Fiora returned the salute. Harnan stood off to her right side, while Hestia was at her left hand side holding her helmet. The Tribune Guard were arrayed behind her, with the rest of her Squires behind them. Fiora offered a welcoming smile
I'm pleased you are all here. My Father, Nicademus Delvardus, served as steward of the Empire under Lord Sinistra after her disappearance. He spoke highly of the Imperials that followed him out to form the First Order. So no pressure Gentlemen...
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 1, 2023 8:09:42 GMT -8
Lord Sinistra disappeared, he thought, so she could still be out there…it wasn’t out of loyalty that this thought flitted briefly through his mind.
“Thank you Empress, I have no worries for myself. Your late father no doubt was quite aware of some of the operations in which I had a hand. I apologize for the appearance of hostility, I was not expecting to see recent battle debris in orbit. You said there was much to discuss.”
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Aug 3, 2023 15:12:55 GMT -8
I'm sure he did.. And apologies are unnecessary. My own forces would have done the same. Come, this way...
She motioned for the group to follow as she lead the way from the hangar bay and through the Thanatos toward the board room
After the Empire under Lord Sinistra fell, Nicademus took his loyal forces out to Muunilinst where he founded the First Order with the aid of the Knights of Ren, whom Harnan is the current Master of... She motioned her hand to the armour clad man, whom replied with little more than a grunt and nod of his head A plot by the Banking Clan had seen an assassination plot play out, you see. But Nicademus' life was saved. With A new capital secured, the First Order began to grow and took into its ranks the Imperial Knights... Something of a shadow seemed to cross her face briefly at the mention, but was gone just as quickly The First Order controlled a significant portion of the Eastern Outer Rim by the time the First Order declared itself the new Empire. The fight for unity and peace went on until we finally took Coruscant and became the Sixth Galactic Empire...
As they arrived to the conference room, she filed in first with her retinue whom took up mainly guard positions around the room. Fiora seated herself at the head of the table, whilst Harnan took a seat to her right
However, our time of peace and prosperity was to be short lived. Nicademus passed away several months ago and left my twin brother as his successor. Some elements have deemed it their time to try and claim power for themselves and try remove the Ren. Which is the troubling times you find us within. I am unsure of my brother's involvement in all this, but what was clear, was that my Uncle's sought to conspire against me and my brother did nothing to stop them. Whether he is unaware or is complicit, he is unfit to rule the Empire our Father built...
Keying some controls near her chair, the holo-display activated and showed a map of Imperial territory and where various spheres influence existed
We are setting out to correct this mistake and bring to justice those responsible. Peace will be restored. For this task I need all off the allies that I can muster. I was hoping you might be counted amongst that number?
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 3, 2023 16:19:30 GMT -8
Terrh took in the brief history lesson, which was appreciated. Who could have guessed that after the ashes of the Battle of Kuat had settled, the whole empire simply crumbled. The galaxy had not descended into complete madness, but it seemed that a lasting peace...at least until this current course of events, had managed to take hold for some time. He and his men listened to the situation.
He was certain that his men were unsettled. Civil war was not unheard of in long lasting empires, nor was sibling rivalry or branches of various families trying to seize power illegitimately unheard of.
He sat quietly for a moment mulling the issue around in his mind. He had encountered enough Force users in his time to keep his mind disciplined and his thoughts locked away, his face the slight frown of not liking a situation common to soldiers of senior rank when presented with an unpleasant reality of having to make grim decisions over and over again. His answer was fore ordained in this situation. The answer was of course he would join her. It was the only answer that could get him off this ship. He had no doubt that she would not allow him to run off and join her uncle, and perhaps her brother the...Emperor? A task force or ships and legions of elite shock troops were nothing to hand an enemy and be happy about.
There was however much more in an answer than simply saving one’s skin. The question was of legitimacy. In short he had no idea what had caused this coup, whether real or imagined. The battle lines were of course real, so was the blood and treasure expended in this disagreement about succession. Emperor Nicademus had died just a short time ago, and had left the First Order in the hands of his son. He didn’t particularly care one way or the other, it wasnt his place, he didn’t know about any of them. An officers duty was to follow the wishes of the throne, whether that be an Emperor or an Empress. While he was aware that many rulers preferred to name a successor from their own line, that was not a requirement of an empire. The strongest, or smartest, the most political savvy could rule, even if they weren’t related at all. An empire was run on meritocracy, the best rose to the top...which ironically enough was likely why there were often small but sharp civil wars and coups during the changing of power. Fiora’s claim may be illegal according to Imperial Law. The actions of her uncle on her brothers behalf or not, might be just as illegal.
A difficult puzzle. The brother may be incompetent or weak, easily controlled, which could be why Fiora’s uncle had acted against her, perhaps on his own, perhaps under implied or coerced direction. Perhaps the danger was real and Fiora had indeed tried to overthrow her brother. Perhaps her brother was simply jealous. He doubted that it was jealousy alone, it was too petty and if it were only jealously he doubted enough forces would have actually followed Fiora, not enough to take or hold Kuat.
Too many questions to answer without becoming immersed in the situation. If he betrayed her and she was in the right, it would be a shameful act, a treasonous act...a despicable act. If he fought for her claim and she was wrong, well that was a much more branching future of possibilities. As his eyes traced the edges of the map and then delved into the territories of influence, his mind running down the hyperlanes from one planet to the next, his mind recalling information on the various planets he found himself settling, but not settled. A difficult choice. In the long moments of silence as he mulled over the tangle of options he came to his decision. At the very least she had a legitimate claim to the throne, to the victors went the spoils. If she did intend true justice and peace as she said then he may as well try.
With a sigh of decision, the heavy burden of thought lifting as the decision was made, he nodded.
“Yes Empress. You can count on me and my men to help bring justice and peace to the Empire. Our loyalty is to the Empire. Most of my fleet is still some days away, but I can gather them here if you wish.”
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The Ten
Member
Posts: 24
Affiliation: Themselves
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Post by The Ten on Aug 5, 2023 1:07:04 GMT -8
A small ship burst into the planet atmosphere and shot towards the planet
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Aug 6, 2023 18:03:26 GMT -8
With a sigh of decision, the heavy burden of thought lifting as the decision was made, he nodded.“Yes Empress. You can count on me and my men to help bring justice and peace to the Empire. Our loyalty is to the Empire. Most of my fleet is still some days away, but I can gather them here if you wish.” I'm glad to hear it... For now, yes gather your forces here. Once they arrive, we'll assign some of our own forces as backup to serve you in heading for Brentaal. My own forces will make for Ralltiir. We must try pacify and bring our fellow Imperials into the fold, however force can sometimes be necessary... And those loyal to my Uncle will not simply surrender. |
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 7, 2023 18:34:41 GMT -8
Terrh nodded, accepting the order.
“I would hope that they do surrender or join whole heartedly. I would hate to be forced to kill loyal, if misled, Imperial troops. I shall need whatever information that is to be had for Brentaal, its defenses, forces, known economics, populations, food imports and exports, normal traffic patterns, geography and anything else related to the planet. I will dispatch scouts to the planet and I will as soon as possible begin planning the campaign. When I have more information I will be able to give a better timetable to expect Brentaal to be under your control.”
Captain Sig brought out a datapad and quickly tapped in the basic orders and sent them to the Tears of Kuat from there orders further orders were quickly cut by the ship’s executive officer and sent off to the fleet where further detailed orders would be created, and the fleet would start responding to the orders.
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 10, 2023 11:37:03 GMT -8
Three Starbolt type Harrower class dreadnoughts and four shield type Leviathans most of Terrh’s fleet, dropped out of hyperspace, broadcasting their new updated IFFs and moved to their new assigned orbital anchorages, forming up with the Tears of Kuat, the Harrowers were Rain of Fire, Primary’s Fury, and Distant Thunder. The Shield type Leviathan interdictors were; Celestial Body, Well of Strength, Halting Progress, and Distortions Promise.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Aug 10, 2023 17:11:54 GMT -8
Terrh nodded, accepting the order.“I would hope that they do surrender or join whole heartedly. I would hate to be forced to kill loyal, if misled, Imperial troops. I shall need whatever information that is to be had for Brentaal, its defenses, forces, known economics, populations, food imports and exports, normal traffic patterns, geography and anything else related to the planet. I will dispatch scouts to the planet and I will as soon as possible begin planning the campaign. When I have more information I will be able to give a better timetable to expect Brentaal to be under your control.”
Captain Sig brought out a datapad and quickly tapped in the basic orders and sent them to the Tears of Kuat from there orders further orders were quickly cut by the ship’s executive officer and sent off to the fleet where further detailed orders would be created, and the fleet would start responding to the orders. It is a vexing situation, but I trust you to handle it to the best of your abilities Admiral... She pulled up a holo display and touched several controls which sent off all information on Brentaal IV from the Archives which was much more current than the information that had been available regarding the Admiral himselfThis should be everything you need. If there is anything else, contact Grand Admiral Harend and he will co-ordinate resourcing with you. The Purge Troopers will accompany you back to your ship. Dismissed... She rose from her seat and gave a quick salute, before leading her retinue from the conference room, leaving the Admiral and his commanders with the half dozen Purge Troopers that took up positions around the room. The Ren had quite the campaign to wage and opposition forces to deal with. But it was all for the greater good of the Empire, or so Fiora hoped |
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 14, 2023 9:56:37 GMT -8
The best of his abilities…yes...a measured response. This wasnt a war of annihilation or of survival. Padded synth silk gloves then...but first.
He and his officers stood respectfully when Fiora stood and as she left. Terrh turned and headed back through the hallways to the hanger bay, his officers right behind them, all aware of their Ren...honor guard… None were under the illusion that it was truly for honor. It was a tactic, a threat veiled in formality, a tradition that had developed from a time so long ago it wasnt even remembered, let alone written somewhere, even in the past. From the trappings and weapons Terrh had pegged them as users of the Force, he was not a fan of such beings, but he understood that they couldn’t just cease to exist, and if they couldn’t simply cease to exist…they may as well be put to good use.
Terrh and his officers boarded the LAAT/i and as the ship sealed itself he breathed a small sigh of relief at having left the Ren behind.
Back onboard the Tears of Kuat, Terrh sat in his office and started scrolling through the information that was displayed in a hologram with all the layers of information that he had requested and his subordinates could get their hands on through holonet newscasts that could be added to the layers of shifting information. He waved layers of information in and out of the planetary sphere, slowly moving in to the the cities themselves and their maps, which could reasonably be assumed to be accurate.
Soon the first reports from scout ships began feeding him near real time information as to what was going on on the planet. It seemed that Imperial Forces on the planet had already drawn battle lines, though he shouldn’t have been surprised. He wasnt willing to simply toss his men rushing headlong into battle however. Quickly he started laying some groundwork plans and plans and more plans, and then let the simulations begin, dozens, hundreds of simulations played out again and again. War games. Predictive models. Forecasts, call them what you will, digital soldiers died a million times so that real soldiers didn’t have to.
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Aug 14, 2023 11:27:20 GMT -8
Having made preparations Terrh's fleet moved out, moving out into open space before jumping in formation into hyperspace.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 352
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Aug 15, 2023 20:45:56 GMT -8
Once Admiral Othin and his naval forces had been dispatched off to Brentaal, Fiora and the Ren turned their focus to the next targets. Smaller task forces were split off from the main armada and sent off toward Balmorra, Rendili, Arkania, and Carida. They were minor targets, but important places to attend to as there would be forces loyal to Baltasar and Octavian which would both need to be attended to. The main forces itself, made for Ralltiir whilst a defence force was left behind to keep Kuat protected
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Feb 3, 2024 14:49:12 GMT -8
Terrh's fleet returned and formed up inside the defense perimeter.
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Taung H'rel
Retired High Councilor
Posts: 469
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
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Post by Taung H'rel on Mar 20, 2024 10:17:40 GMT -8
Terrh's fleet has long since refinished reloading and awaits orders.
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Vidarr Saren
The First Order
Posts: 110
Affiliation: First Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Vidarr Saren on Apr 6, 2024 22:52:20 GMT -8
Reya ValindraContinued from here----------------------- A couple weeks later, progress had been made down the Hydian Way into the recently devastated system of Kuat. Imperial Intelligence, finally recovering from the sabotage upon its systems, was able to put the pieces together. Thus recent intelligence was readily available to the Deputy Director as he ventured into the Core regions. Along the way, their vessel, the Indictor Corvette, Prowler, along with four Arquiten Command Cruiser escorts, would come across a number of recently liberated systems. The civil war had been pushed out of the Outer Rim and forced back into the Core areas. Vidarr noticed a massive buildup of forces within the Brentaal sector as they passed through towards Kuat. Chatter on loyalist channels indicated that the young Emperor was hitting Coruscant, aiming to liberate it and end his uncle's treacherous rebellion. It seemed this civil war woud be over soon.
Vidarr entered the Kuat system, with just the Indictor Corvette, whose cloak activated upon entering outside of the sensor range of the planet. The escorts departed and returned to a friendly system till further notice. From their preliminary checks, there was the presence of an Imperial fleet, not to mention debris and scrap left from the first engagement of this Third Imperial Civil War. Kuat had seen better days given that sections of the shipyards appeared to be brutally sacked and damaged. The Deputy Director sighs some, wondering if his friend was still alive after the carnage.
Leaving the men on the bridge, he ventured to one of the passenger compartments. He knocked upon the door to Zariel's daughter's room.Reya, we have arrived. Best get ready to depart.The curt remark made as Vidarr give it three more knocks before venturing to his own room to get prepared.
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Post by Reya Valindra on Apr 7, 2024 15:21:18 GMT -8
For most people in similar positions to Reya, someone like Vidarr would have been a close friend or confidant. A man who had worked for so long, and displayed such loyalty to her mother would have earned the status of "uncle" or maybe even a surrogate father figure. But not for Reya and Vidarr. Between his professional attitude and Zariel keeping Reya in a gilded cage all her life, she hadn't had much interaction with the man. In fact the words spoken from the other side of the door accounted for the longest conversation the two had had. After all, it had been Raynor who had told Reya about the mission. She had done her best to act surprised and ignorent of the whole thing. All that she officially knew was that they were searching for someone named Erik, and that he had information vital to her mother. But now they had arrived at Kuat, and so the daughter of Zariel put on her light and flexible but sturdy armor, grabbed her lightsaber and wristmounted data pad, and made her way to the bridge to meet Vidarr. She arrived first, and to avoid acknowledging the glances and stairs she got from the crew, she pretended to busy herself on the data pad mounted to the bottom of her left wrist.
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