Several Days Prior, Bothuwai

....So beware, Empire, for we are coming.

Amaer Kre Fey watched, the public announcment only confirming what Bothan Intellegence had already assumed was imiment. The Galactic Coalition's formation had finally congealed the diverse enemies of the Galactic Empire, and to prove their strength they had to deal the Empire a blow. The Empire would in turn be forced to respond- or face the consqeunces of appearing impotent and weak. A great conflict was coming, with great turmoil and great suffering to follow. Amaer noted this in passing, but was already looking beyond that fact. Amaer saw oppurtunity (though not directly for the CCB)-oppurtunity to use the coming conflict for his own advancement.

It would have to be discriet of course- the Bothans on their own were not ready to open up a slugfest with the Galactic Empire or Galactic Coalition (both of which were ruled by humans- another proof of how Humans dominated huge sections of the galaxy, even when those regions weren't all populated by humans.) however, if things went well the Bothans would have nothing to do with the huge conflict, at least in the arly stages. With their forces spread out and commited, both sides would be weakened, and the fledgling Diversity Alliance should be able to do the dirty work. All they would need do would be choose a target- and there were plenty of them.

He picked up the secure com-link on his desk and pressed connect...

It was a careful blend of stealth, technique and power blended and adapted from the tenedencies of the Bothans, and Twi'lecks, two of the most insidous and deveious species the galaxy had ever produced. To be sucessful, a variety of execution, luck and timing would be essential, and if orginal estimates were wrong then the whole plan could be a total failure. There was considerable risk associated with the attack, but if it was succesful, the gains would be greater, greater than it seemed at first glance.

To Cortex Sinar, the prize was worth the risk.

He was in his personal quarters on the pride of the Diversity Alliance's meager fleet, the Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II, Majority's Will . Purchased from Fondor using Falleen financial might, the vessel was likely to be one of the last Imperial vessels to be produced by Fondor for independent buyers. Bothan Spynet reports showed that the planet's valuable shipyards were being targeted by the Empire, and Fondor was sure to once again fall under the jurisdiction of the iron fist of the galaxies ruling power. Sullust on the other hand, was a planet whose time in the Empire was coming to an end, if all things went as planned that is. Cortex was sure things would go as planned, he wasn't about to think about the alternative.

Not that he could do a lot to influence the outcome, at least not in the begginning of the conflict, which alos happened to be the most dangerous. Pulling off a rouse against the Galactic Empire was difficult, but this was not the Empire at full alert, the Empire on its highest vigilance, at least not against the Diversity Alliance. The Empire had more important matters to think about, more pressing matters to attend to, and for a short window of time would be locked in conflict and vunerable, at least that was what the thinking was. As for the actual plan itself, it was simple enough, if slightly devious. The Diversity Alliance force, 6 Class 1000 cruisers and the Majority's Will had all been touched up to resemble offical Imperial Vessels, complete with falsified transpoder codes. The codes were really shadows of actual Imperial ships, such ships did exsist, but in the confusion and sudden shift of forces to meet other attacks it was hoped that those ships would be in action elsewhere, but not noted where. A risk, but the best possible way to deal with the situation. Groups of subhumans had been recruited to play Imperial crew members, touched up with excellent make up, including a former Imperial ship offcier (he had lied and claimed to be human, and served for several years in the outter rim before quiting duty out of distaste for anti- alien policies) who was playing captain of the Majority's Will which had been rechristened Despot , after an Imperial ISD II which had been trailed discreatly by Bothan Ships, until it had jumped into hyperspace on a path in the general direction of the Corellian sector.

A few other elements played into the plan, but they would come as the ships arrived in the system. Cortex sat, waiting, knowing all possible equations had been thought out, and reassured that if things went horribly bad extra forces were standing by only a few lightyears away, ready to join the fray if the plan failed miserably. A shipwide intercomm announced that the ships were preparing to revert to realspace, and he turned to a holo-screen which would allow him to watch the bridge, and get a better perspective of how things would play out.

------------------------------------------------------

The disguised forces exited hyperspace in a standard defensive position typical of cautious Imperial commanders in a state of war. The ISD II was in the center of the formation, while forward, to its right and left were 3 Class 1000 cruisers a peice. The Class 1000's were in a small, tight wedge, with 2 cruisers flanking the lead vessel. In between these 2 wedges was a screen of 36 TIE Defenders, a picket line designed to force enemy fighters out away from the front of the ISD, as well as gather information for the Imperial commander to anylalize. Another group of 74 TIE Defenders were flying around the ISD, a swarm of bees protecting their "nest"- protecting the large deadly capital from the the tiny pinpricks of enemy fghters.

Cortex watched as the orderly bridge crew began reporting their statuses as a well trained Imperial crew would do, matching the real thing quite well, if not exactly. The ship's captain spoke loudly and authoirtativly, but it almost appeared to be false bravdo, a trait he was hoping to convey to justify his well prepared hyperspace position. It was textbook standard to exited hyperspace like this, but few commanders did it when coming to a freindly world, even in a state of war.

Cortex heard as he said,

"Give me sensor readins on any Imperial ships in the region. Hail the planetary defense network, transmit the code after you have done so."

The code- it was one of the biggest essentials to the plan. Obtained once again by Bothan Spynet, it was an older, less complicated code by most, jazzed up by a computer algorithim designed to mimic Admiral Drayson's persona code. A simple computer scan would probably miss this fact, but anything above a routine check would easily spot the imposter- hopefully a lazy operator would be on duty when they transmitted the code. All they could do was wait and see.

OOC- DA Fleet Manifest

1 ISD Mk II
6 Class 1000 cruisers
100 TIE Defenders (on loan from GC)

OOC:
The TIE Defenders are on loan from ORS, not GC.

OOC- TNO, please reply, or I shall will RP attacking and taking this planet.

OOC:

1. It would be good to put "TNO* in the rp title. I didn't even see this thread.

2. List your R&D specs in the OOC forum. Use the name of this thread to reference the OOC info.


Once done, I will answer this weekend (if not sooner).

Imperial forces are on full alert and ready to stave off any attacks on their sovereignty, according to top IHC officials. One officer said that the Empire is "ready, and waiting only for the Coalition to show its ugly head so that we can cut it off."

-&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp INS Exclusive

The Imperial war machine was in full motion.



The holovid opened with two children playing outside.

The children, blond, a boy and a girl, were neatly dressed and were all smiles as the girl chased the boy around several fruit trees.

The camera pans to a mother looking out a window, a classical, traditional setting as she places a meal on a table. Her eyes glance at a time piece and the camera shoots to a man in an Imperial Uniform directing refugees in an orbiting space station. His eyes glance up at the time.

He was due home soon.

The camera view changes to the children again. Both children are laughing, the girl having caught the boy and they both fall down.

The view freezes and fades to white.

The Coalition’s Ambassador’s voice is heard over shouting masses against the white background:

“So BEWARE!, Empire,

for we ARE coming!”


A Mon Calamari Battleship appears in orbit of an Imperial planet.


The camera angles in on the mother as she drops a glass.


The alien vessel opens fire on the orbiting station and panic stricken voices are heard over the sounds of destruction. The ship begins to open fire on the planet and the yard the children are playing in is turned to ash.

The window explodes inward against the mother, knocking her back before fire begins to consume the house.

The picture fades.

KNOW WHERE THE CLOSEST SHELTER IS LOCATED.

REGISTER AND LOG ONTO THE ARLISS SECURITY NET FOR YOUR UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS AND EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES.

GOVERNMENT SPONSERED MILITIA BARRACKS AVAILABLE TO ALL WISHING TO SIGN UP.

BE A PATRIOT AND STOP THE ALIEN AGGRESSION!


- Paid Advertisement





Sullust - Yaga Minor Protectorate (The Ubiqtorate)



"Command has seen fit to send Moff Drayson where?" Grell asked incredulously.

"Carida." was the emotionless reply.

"I agree the Imperial Academy needs protecting but we need reinforcments here as well! The mines need to be protected.."

"It is my understanding that the environment of your planet is quite harsh. Any surface attack on the world would be met with quite a suprise. Are the caves garrisoned and ready?"

"Yes, Admiral. But I would still like something.."

"And you will get something, I assure you." the Admiral interupted. "You could recall all ships assigned out to patrol, Major." The Admiral then sighed, "We just are not sure where those alien @#%$ will show up so be prepared for seige tactics."

"We will be ready."

"Excellent, Major Grell. Please give my compliments to the Moff when you see her next. Jaeder out."


Major Grell looked back at his Exec officer and the other man shrugged. "Don't worry. We are the heart of the Ubiqtorate."


"I know.. I know... it's just all this damned waiting.."



*



"Sir! High Priority Message from the Grand Marshall!"

"Kaine? Message?"

"I need the encryption key, sir."

"Here..."

"Message is as follows: Holonet Communications Blackout Occurance."

"Location!" snapped Grell.

"Corellia!"

"That's Lupercus Darksword's Command yes? Damn, those boys have their work cut out for them."


"Sir! Hyperspace Reversion!"

"What? Identify?"

"ISD's and full fighter compliments. Call sign: Despot."

"Sir, their configuration tends to reflect a defensive posture from the planet."

"They are hailing us. Sending carrier code.. Authorization.."

"What?" Major Grell interupted. "We have no scheduled reinforcements. Are they requesting to dock or what?"

Then the Major waved his hand changing his train of thought, "Never mind. Open a channel to the Despot."

"Channel open, sir."

"To Captain, ISD Despot and crew, Major Grell with compliments. We are a bit surprised at your reinforcements but you have come a moment none too soon. Admiral Jaeder must have sent the ships I requested so I am damn well going to make use of you, the Empire being in a state of war and all.

Please halt your advance and position yourselves outside the mass shadow of Sullust against the hyperlane area.

The enemy has already struck so we need everyone primed and ready because the enemy may present themselves here.

I aim to stop that.


Despot acknowledge."


He turned to the comm officer, "Ensign, encrypt microburst to the Admiral. Thank him for his timely supply of reinforcements. Inform him that the Despot and fighter compliments have arrived."


"Aye Sir. Transmitting now."

Illiah Lurinak, decked out in full Imperial regalia felt a twinge of nostalgia from years past, when he had stood aboard true Imperial warships (though none as large or powerful as this Star Destroyer) his power offical in the eyes of the New Order, his authority, his word was law on a several hundred meter vessel, similar to the Class 1000 Cruisers which were off to the ort and starboard of this tremendous vessel. Tremendous was quite the word to describe it- to a man (well not exactly a man, but close enough) who had never commanded a vessel larger than a Carrack Cruiser, the Majority's Will was a veritable giant. He relished th command, even if it was only for a short time- the duration of this operation.

He had been chosen because of his unique qualifications; in an operation that called for a completley alien group to fool a fully human organization, the most extreme measures had to be taken. He was of an obscure humanoid species, which while resembiling humans, had several distinct differences. Most of the time his species flouted these differences to ensure they were differantated from their gentic cousins who had a totally different mindset. However with a few cosmetic modifications, those differences could be corrected and covered up.

Now was one of those times.

"Sir, transmission incoming from the planet."

Illiah nodded.

"Lets here it."

He waited with baited breath to see if the deception had worked.

"To Captain, ISD Despot and crew, Major Grell with compliments. We are a bit surprised at your reinforcements but you have come a moment none too soon. Admiral Jaeder must have sent the ships I requested so I am damn well going to make use of you, the Empire being in a state of war and all.

Please halt your advance and position yourselves outside the mass shadow of Sullust against the hyperlane area.

The enemy has already struck so we need everyone primed and ready because the enemy may present themselves here.

I aim to stop that.

Despot acknowledge."

He exhaled slowly, and nodded. S far so good.

"Patch me through to the planet."

Another nearhuman officer gave him a nod, signifing he was on-line.

"Major Grell, this is Captain Hull of the Despot . I have army reinforcmenmts here on the Despot which need to be deployed to bolster your planetary garrison. I will order my patrol cruisers to block the Sullust hyperlane, but will have the Despot continue on course to deliver my troops."

He paused for second, then added a formality neccessary in this situation.

"Awaiting your approval, commander."

"Major Grell, this is Captain Hull of the Despot . I have army reinforcmenmts here on the Despot which need to be deployed to bolster your planetary garrison. I will order my patrol cruisers to block the Sullust hyperlane, but will have the Despot continue on course to deliver my troops.

Awaiting your approval, commander."


Major Grell turned to his communications officer and noticed the young man grinning. The Major grinned in return.


Admiral Jaeder had not forgotten them after all!


"Captain Hull. Let's kill two birds with one stone. It is unnecessary for you to advance to the planet. Hold position 3500 kilometers off the station. We will launch shuttles to retrieve your troop reinforcements from the Despot. We would hate for an attack by those damned Coalition forces to happen while unloading.

Besides, the harsh environment of the planet requires a certain craft certified for interatmosphere operation that we have in abundance."

The Major shrugged. "Imperial Procedures."

"Please keep your weapons ready to provide cover for our transports enroute.


Major Grell, out."


The Major turned to his Second. "Well, hop to it mister. We've got soldiers to load and unload."


The Imperial station's activity suddenly got more busy.

Illiah listened to the message, realizing that it was the first test to plan, an action that would begin to end the aura of surprise that he had enjoyed. However, he could hold on just a bit longer, buy the troops just a while more to prepare, and rob his opponents of that much more preparation time. Hopefully it will be enough.

He looked at his communication officer, telling him to reopen the link.

"Sure Major, sounds great. To save us both time I'll meet you half way- we should be able to rendevous about 1700 kilomters out- I'll have my TIE defenders come in for escorts. Gloria Imperium!"

His signal had the link cut. The stakes were rising. The troops in the Majority's Will's were not Imperial Stormtroopers, nor Conclave Legionaires- they were the soldiers of the Diversity Alliance, the liberators of oppressed aliens across the galaxy. The core were the Advanced Gaurd, the paramilitary organization from which the Alliance had spawned, they were the crack troops of the DA, the fanatics whose ferocity and coruage supplement rigid training in the hars conditions of Ryloth. They were supported by Barrtokk collectvies, small groups of deadly rodents, whose animal instincts were quite impressive. These were the professional soldiers, equiped with new, effective equipment, and would carry on the bulk of the fighting.

There were others too, recruits from opressed worlds, yearning to become liberators. They were not nearly as effective as the Advanced Guard or the Barrtokk, but they had heart, and a ferverent beleif in their cause, which would help accomidate those shortcomings. Of course, quantity had a quality all its own. When it came to quantity, there was plenty on the Majority's Wiil. The ship was packed beyond normal capacity for this mission, with storerooms and auxilary armories converted to makeshift quarters for hundreds, thousands of extra soldiers, all eager to get off the cramped vessel, and into even more crowded troop transports, all ready to be ferried down to the surface. More troops were waiting on the Class 1000 cruisers, packed onto vessel not usually designed to carry troops. They would feed the second wave of troops, and bring weapons to arm the Sullistan population whose assitance was expected o through of the yoke of the Empire. The Sullustians, timid as they appeared, could be heroic fighters.

But for now, the deception continued.

"Have our fighters escort the enemy shuttles to within 3 kilometers of our vessels, then take them out. Have our long range jamming ready to go on line as soon as the shooting starts. Launch our transports immediatly after the commension of hostilities, and order the Defenders to break off and escort the troops after they've damaged these shuttles- if they're not all finsished we can handle this ourselves. All gunners to stations- run the orbital bombardments sims."

Still, it was unlikley such bombardment would be used, or if it was, effective. The caves of Sullust were wonderful natural defenses, much like the underground tunnels of Ryloth, where most of these troops had been trained. The individiual infantryman would decided this battle.

Lets just hope we really catch them by surprise.

The Imperial troop transports had launched, sheilds down, preparing themselves for what was supposed to be a routine docking mission- ready to take on auxillary troops to supplement the Sullust planetary garrison. The pilots and crew watched as groups of TIE Defenders swooped in, forming up in protective screens around each transport, ready in case of a sudden apperance of hostile forces. Their target was an Imperial Star Destroyer, recognizable to some more educated and technical crewmembers as a ISD mark II, the upgraded more powerful version of the ship which was the ultimante symbol of Imperial power. An aura of power seemed to eminate from the vessel, lending to the crews sense of security. Let those coalition fools try and attack us now!! We'd show those alien scum. The attitude was their, even if it was below the surface for the shuttles crews, their rigid and effective discipline keeping them focused on their upcoming task. Crews hustled around the shuttles, preparing landing gantries, opening storage holds while others kept the ship on path. Everything would be routine, simple, yet reassuring. More troops would secure Sullust and make it a bastion in the Imperial Ubitiquorate. The Star Destroyer began to grow larger in the viewport of the shuttles, and the communication crews prepped themselves to recieve docking transmissions.

Then with a ferocity the TIE Defenders struck.

The shuttles escorts suddenly broke their formation, and began unleashing a torrential stream of green lasers at the unsuspecting shuttles. They whipped across the bows of the shuttles, moving on to others in close vicinities, their lasers flashing, setting off explosions on the unsheilded hulls of the shuttles, not even requiring their missles and proton torpedos to finsish of the larger transports.

The shuttles never had a chance

Those that survived the first strike started to raise their shields and make evasive manuevers, but theyr were being simply overwhelmed by the mass of Defenders.
Meanwhile the rest of plan was swinging into action. The Majority's Will had engaged its long range communication jammers, and also launched its assualt vessels, packed with the first wave of elite forces, whose sucess would truely determine the success of the operation. These transports were being joined by the TIE Defenders as they finsihed off the last shuttles, forming up escorts as they had for the imperial vessels.

The deception was finsihed, and if things went well the Imperials would be caught off-gaurd and ill-prepared to respond.