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Post by Nicademus Delvardus IV on Jun 18, 2023 21:52:25 GMT -8
By the sounds of Myria's words, Baltasar could instantly assume that she had support, major support. If he said no, he'd certainly be locked up or worse. And they, in turn, may turn to propping up his daughter, Amaris, or even turning his nephew Remus or niece Yvaine into puppets for their cause. There had always been this view of Force users, and yet, his brother, Nicademus, saw their usage in enforcing and expanding the empire's boundaries. They had abilities that allowed them to do the impossible and perform great deeds. The late Emperor had been well known for utilizing individuals, despite any background, to their fullest because of their talents and merits.
History is written by the victors.
Would he be ultimately victorious, as Myria estimated, or would he forever be remembered as a traitor his own family? The Grand Marshal would rather these individuals not turn to another that could risk his brother's legacy, built brick by brick. It was doubtful that the Imperial had little choice in this matter.
Just remember something, Myria...
A click of a blaster pistol was heard as it was drawn and pointed directly at the Moff. The stern look of the Grand Marshal present upon his face.
If this goes south, I know exactly who to bring down with me.
The pistol was clicked again and sheathed as the Imperial motioned her to be dismissed. Ever reluctant, Baltasar agreed silently to the plot.
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Jun 19, 2023 1:46:44 GMT -8
Belle Époque Cabal
She could see the change in his expression and composure as he worked that if not him, then it would be someone else. The truth was, though, that he did indeed have little choice but to say yes. If he had said no now, then his daughter would have served as perfect leverage to prod him along, or even his niece that still remained upon Coruscant. But just in case, plans had already been made to keep them as leverage to keep the Grand Marshal compliant.
She smiled as he drew his blaster and made his threat, unphased by it in the slightest
Oh, if this goes down south, none of us will survive long enough for that to be a concern...
She pushed herself back off the desk and took her leave of the office when commanded to do so by the Soon-to-be-Emperor. As Baltasar had so thoughtfully pointed out, History was written by the Victors, and when they wrote the history of this conflict, there would be no doubt who the villains were. For now, messages were dispatched off to the other members of the Cabal to begin enacting their plans
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Post by Roland Ferrum on Jun 21, 2023 15:55:37 GMT -8
Coruscant Coup
*Several months after the former Emperor's death Colonel Roland Ferrum sat as his desk in the research wing of Imperial Army Central Command, unaware of the chaos that was about to ensue. While most of his forces had gone on ahead as part of the escort force for the new emperor Roland himself had stayed behind to oversee the finalization of his last project before transfering operations permanently to the Veers glad to finally get his engineers back into the field, even if there were still some decisions to be made about what role his soldiers would play moving forward. The office seemed pretty vacant, it's various desks mostly cleared off and the only living occupants were Roland himself, and his aide Captain Swain. The pair are getting ready to leave for the day, making unimportant small talk, when Roland notices a notification of a message on his console, for a moment he considers leaving it for the next day, but instead he decides to take a look, just in case it is important. For a moment Roland is confused, it was only a single word from an anonymous source, however that confusion turns to concern as he realizes it's importance.*
Heraxas *For a moment Roland is back at the Imperial Starfighter Academy. The Heraxas Scenario was one dreaded by every cadet. It was supposed to be above a fictional planet named Heraxas and it was framed as a straightforward raid on a supply depot however there was a catch. Before the scenario the trainers had selected a cadet to betray the others at the beginning of the raid. The first time it was run by a group of cadets it taught them how to adapt to an unexpected scenario. Unfortunately the first time it was run was never the worst. After that scenario was run for the first time the trainers would occasionally toss the same wrinkle into other scenarios, causing the cadets to grow suspicious of one another, instilling in them a natural suspicion of their fellow cadets that the theorists who came up with the scenario claimed would help weed out traitors in future assignments, but to Roland's mind trusting the people around you was a far better weapon than any sort of traitor finding Imperial Intelligence thought it was getting from such tactics. In fact Roland had almost gotten himself drummed out of the academy for refusing to play the part of the traitor when told the first time, and then allowing himself to be immediately shot down when ordered to do it the second time. It was a scenario any pilot would recognize, though it's meaning and source might not be obvious. For Roland however he suspected he knew the answer to both and immediately shot to his feet, Swain becoming immediately alert, turning his attention to the room, searching for threats.*
*Rather than explaining himself to his aide Roland instead opened up the the voice link to the research wing's primary computer, speaking out loud to the mostly empty room.* "Iris begin startup procedures on project Nighthammer. Transfer all remaining files to the evacuation core and initiate destruct sequence on primary data systems. Authorization Ferrum Alpha Zero Zero Seven Delta" *A disembodied, computerized, feminine voice responded.* Project Nighthammer startup initiated. Two-code authorization required for any destruct sequence and main data transfer orders. *Roland Nodded to his aide who without question or hesitation spoke up.* "Secondary authorization Swain Gamma One Seven Nine Beta." *Roland was unsure of how much time they'd have before whatever was about to happen however he didn't intend to waste any of it. The pair of officers head to one of the room's storage lockers and begin donning their armor*
*Only a few minutes later there was a single large explosion at the doors outside the 3rd Engineer's complex. The sounds of blaster fire followed, a few different pitches and impacts clattering through the halls for a only a few moments. There is a single moment of silence just before the sounds of mechanical feet echo down the nearest stairwell, heading deeper, downwards from the Central Command building and into the undercity below.*
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Jan 14, 2024 13:48:36 GMT -8
Belle Époque Cabal
Gar Killian had much enjoyed the privileges brought about by his promotion to Grand Marshal within Baltasar's Empire. He'd spent years toiling away, forever trapped within his previous position, being passed over time and again. But finally his moment had arrived. With Baltasar now living in the Palace, Gar had taken over and renovated the man's old office. Creating a space for himself, he'd outfitted the office with a sense of luxury. A massive wooden desk behind which a large padded command chair sat. A couple of couches flanked the doors and the walls were covered in shelving space. Medals and books littered the walls, showing off a career of commendations and study. But behind one of the bookshelves, sat an additional space. Gar's personal vault within which was set some of his most prized possessions: The Imperial Knight Armour belonging to Brock Ferrum, and the Lightsaber hilts of several dozen Imperial Knights whose names would be discarded from the History Books. Those were the items he kept close and ready to display to those whom he trusted.
However, he also maintained a storage unit upon Coruscant away from prying eyes, where the rest of his collection was held. Trophies of Conquest from the purge of the Palace and Fel Tower. There was quite the stockpile of Imperial Knight armour suits belonging to the rank and file of the Imperial Knights whom had died that day. They no longer needed them, so Gar had merely liberated them and ensured they were put to a good use. A decision he was grateful for when the attacks upon the 999th and 666th Legions had begun. Thanks to the work of dedicated metal smiths, the Phrik had been reworked into his own Imperial Officer armour. If and when the barbarians came for him, he would not go down easily.
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Post by Roland Ferrum on Apr 18, 2024 16:49:00 GMT -8
*The chaos that the Emperor's return to Coruscant caused had turned into a flurry of dedicated work as Army Central Command became a flurry of motion as soldiers were mobilized and messengers began moving about the complex with haste. Into this chaos flowed Captain Nile Hastik a young man with a promising career ahead of him, but only if he wasn't delayed in getting his commander's message to headquarters. He presented his ID at each checkpoint, impatiently accepting the security precautions as necessary to weed out anyone who would take advantage of such a situation. The captain had served the FO with distinction since his graduation in the top third of his class at the academy, where he excelled mostly logistics and data analysis and as such had been given a posting in the quartermaster's corps where he'd served keeping the soldiers of the FO supplied with whatever they needed. Who was Emperor didn't matter to him, he simply wanted to do his job to the best of his abilities and be acknowledged as the best by his superiors. Despite his service record to the contrary, Captain Hastik hadn't existed until today. Though a full datafile with proper date metadata existed and all of his credentials were legitimate, they hadn't until the identity had been activated in the imperial system mere hours ago.
Roland was able to use a combination of his "legitimate" identity and the chaos of what was going on to slip into the familiar command center, even if the final leg of his journey did require a bit of a slide through an undersized maintenance shaft. Finally arriving behind a far too ornate desk Roland casually drew one of the DE-10 Blasters from it's holster, and put his feet up, knowing that it would not be long before his quarry came to him.*
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 18, 2024 18:15:20 GMT -8
Belle Époque Cabal
Octavian's invasion attempt of Coruscant was well underway. His fleets were showing up in orbit and engaging the defences, whilst his forces had also rushed through the line and landed ground troops. The biggest fire was the Yuuzhan Vong that had pushed the defensive line and were now bombarding some random section of the city. Gar knew it was where Myria had last been headed through, but it was not information he was going to share with the others. Instead he let the others gathered around the command center wonder just what the objective was.
If Myria wasn't dead already, she absolutely would be soon, then it would come down to just how good those serving in the Navy were without her leadership. Undoubtedly they would begin to surrender the cause once they found out. But so long as new orders were not needed, they could maintain their current tactics for quite some time.
That just left him and the army to deal with the forces that had just landed and the rebels that had been harassing them for weeks now. Their guerrilla tactics had put the Stromtroopers under pressure, but now this fight was out in the open where his men could operate their best, the rebels should not last much longer. That then left the main opponent as the forces that had landed. Forces that a betting man would guess were under the command of Grand Marshal Zahn, a man whose reputation much preceded him.
But before Gar could consider this prospect much longer, a small buzzer went off to alert him to an intruder in his office. Something which should have been impossible, but was why he had installed the alarm system. There were plenty within the First Order that could accomplish the Impossible. He quietly excused himself and made his way through the Central Command hallways to his office. Thankfully the prospect of battle had meant he was already armed and armoured as he approached the door.
His right hand pulled free the blaster pistol whilst he worked the controls with his left. The door opened up just at the same time as the office lights all blazed on, allowing Gar a moment to step inward and press forward to see who was in here
I wouldn't resist if I were you...
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Post by Roland Ferrum on Apr 23, 2024 16:24:55 GMT -8
*Roland could feel his quarry approaching, his impatience flaring as they day he'd been waiting for for what seemed like forever was finally approaching.* <<"This must be approached with calmness and patience, there is a thin line between justice and revenge.">> *His father's voice once again permeated his thoughts as it had ever since his father had died. He was still unsure if it was grief and memory or a real echo in the force of the man who had raised and loved him. In either case he was thankful for the advice and with difficulty the soldier slowly began to breath, returning to some of his father's first lessons in control to let go of the swirl of emotions the day had brought on and began to pull clarity back into his mind as his enemy made his way closer.*
*Thankfully Roland didn't have to wait long for the traitor to arrive in dramatic fashion. A part of him wanted to smile and shake his head at the arrogance of the man's entrance, but he kept his emotion to the side as he addressed the traitor, his blaster already leveled at the other man* "I believe it's too late for that, sir." *The honorific was spoken with complete scorn. He allowed every once of contempt he had for the traitor and his false rank into that one word as he half spat it toward the man who'd caused death and destruction on Roland's family and home. With his left hand under the table he activated the control there. Though initially a security precaution for Gar himself the Imperial Engineer had done some quick rewiring to turn it into a trap for the man who it'd been intended to protect.*
*The door which had so dramatically opened just moments before closed with equal speed, latching into lockdown position and communication jamming equipment spun up and activated. It was not a perfect bunker, but it should last long enough for Roland's purposes*
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 23, 2024 19:19:35 GMT -8
Belle Époque Cabal
Gar didn't flinch even as the intruder had a pistol raised at him already. The armour he wore would serve as more than enough protection against a blaster round. He even remained stoic even as the door crashed down behind him, sealing them both within this room together until one of them eventually bested and killed the other. It didn't take Gar long to place the face of the man seated behind his desk
Impressive boy...
He kept his blaster raised and pointed at Roland even as he edged around the room towards the bookshelf where he activated the hidden control panel. A section of the wall pulled back and disappeared into a pocket and providing access into his personal vault. Lights turned on, allowing the contents within to be on full view for his intruder. He reached in and grabbed out the Lightsaber on the display stand with the armour suit
Come to kill me? What is it they say? like father, like son... You too shall share his fate. You and your merry band have caused a lot of trouble, but that ends here boy...
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Post by Roland Ferrum on Apr 28, 2024 12:11:11 GMT -8
*The glimpse into the trophy vault of the monster in front of him spurred a spike of anger, though Roland's training kept the emotion off of his face and out of his voice as he responded to the traitor.* "As I recall you were the one who went to kill him, not the other way around." *Though said in a flat tone his words carried an edge to them that he couldn't completely keep out.* "You're right about one thing though, this does end here." *Roland didn't shift from his position, reclined behind the traitor's desk despite every fiber of his being calling him to reach out with the force and end this pitiful excuse for a man without further preamble, but he'd been taught better than that and he wouldn't dishonor his father's memory with something so callus.* "You may be a second rate general with delusions of grandeur, but your death isn't required. You have one chance right now to surrender to me and face the Emperor's Justice. Stand down and let this end before more blood has been spilled. Don't screw this up any more than you already have, you couldn't even manage to kill your targets when you had complete surprise on your side, there is no way you're withstanding the full might of the Imperial Army. *HIs own presence here and not dead on the floor of his lab way back when the coup began laid testament to his words, even if he had only survived by proper preparation and a friend's timely warning. In truth a part of him knew that the insults would make Gar's surrender even less likely, and he had to admit to himself that although he'd made the offer and would stand by it, the other man's surrender was the very last thing he really wanted.*
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Silas Darkstar
Knights of Ren
Posts: 198
Affiliation: Knights of Ren - The Magisterium
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Post by Silas Darkstar on Apr 28, 2024 23:49:13 GMT -8
Belle Époque Cabal
Gar kept his pistol trained on Roland whilst weighing up the saber hilt in his left hand. It came as little surprise the man tried to make an appeal for Gar to surrender and face the Emperor's justice. But such a move was suicide, there would be no walking away from this alive if he surrendered. At least he could fight his way to death instead of being paraded about like a sad and broken criminal
Couldn't manage... My boy, aside from a handful of survivors, the Imperial Knights on Coruscant, whose number included your daddy, were slain by my forces. Several of their weapons sit here on display as testament to that fact. I don't recall failing that day, blood was spilled but there is still yet more to be spilt. Yours will soon join it...
He thumbed the activator stud causing the silver blade to snap to life with that classic snap-hiss of a lightsaber
Maybe we won't withstand the full might of Octavians forces... maybe we will... But if we don't, I don't intend to go down quietly like a beaten dog. It will be costly for him, both upon his soldiers... and the people of Coruscant. Now let's have us this fight so I can send you back to your father...
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Post by Roland Ferrum on May 3, 2024 15:41:08 GMT -8
*Even deep in the calm discipline of his mind Roland could feel the sting of the traitor's words. Though the man claimed much more credit than he deserved. Roland had watched the last stand of the Steward with his own eyes and felt his last moments as he died. That hadn't been a man being slain, it had been a sacrifice so that those who had survived could escape and fight another day. That day was today. A small smile crosses Roland's face as he snorts slightly in derisive laughter.* "And yet for all your success, you've still failed at your goal, you overlooked one minor detail that will be your undoing..." *In the same moment that Roland utters his last word the Imperial Soldier becomes a sudden blur, drawing on a deep well of force energy to enhance his speed in one smoot motion, going from complete stillness to burying the long blade of his Coufee up under the traitor's helmet, through his mouth and deep into the pitiful excuse for grey matter the man though he could use to outwit and empire. The unnaturally sharp living blade delivered an unnecessary dose of poison to the already dead traitor as his lifeblood drained away onto his executioner's arm, the killing blow delivered with a lack of fanfare that hopefully would have infuriated the man* "...Me."
*As much as he wished it weren't true, this wouldn't be the last person who would need to die today. Despite the gaping wound in his heart as thoughts of his father swarmed over him Roland somehow managed to keep it together long enough to head toward the next name on his list.*
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