Imperial Holding area - Drewwa


Onboard the Tomasta




“Order on deck!” Jug screeched as Trinity and her entourage entered the vessel.

Captain Schaeffer , (still chewing on a cigarra), bowed his head a little as he introduced himself, his eyes widened as he took in the sight of her, and he probably would have continued to stare dumbly at her if he hadn’t noticed the tall soldiers flanking either side of the Imperial.

His rather gruff exterior however did not betray his thoughts…

…I can see why they want her protected…

He hadn’t expected to meet such an attractive looking Imperial…



“…welcome aboard, Miss..er…” His voice trailed off as he realised he didn’t have a clue who she was.

...and instead, gestured rather awkwardly for the Imperial to lead the way, and as the entourage began to walk to the inner sanctum of the ship, Schaeffer tried a brave attempt at conversation…

“..would you like a drink or sumfin?…” (he asked breaking the nervous silence that had fallen onboard the ship), and as he handed Trinity the data-pad his crew had so meticulously compiled earlier, he saw a slight hint of vagueness appear in her eyes…

“…don’t have nuthin fancy or anything…” He followed up quickly…then as she glanced down at the data-pad before her, Schaeffer pointed at the pad in her possession…

“…oh, er..that’s the complete manifest of everyone and everything…” (he said proudly)

As her eyes skimmed its contents, he tried once again to attempt some form of civility in the proceedings...

“…cup of tea?…” He ventured, putting on his best gracious grin…

(it wasn’t the prettiest of sights)

Almanian System



The proximity alarm signaled the transition from hyperspace to real space as the Ressario arrived inside the Almanian System in response to their transports distress signals.

Scipio found the system a bit crowded with the Imperial fleet ringing the planet proper as well as the settlement on the moon.


However a good portion of the Imperial fleet was out of formation trying to destroy those fleeing craft that found themselves no desiring to wait the Imperial's pleasure and submitting to the search.


Many were destroyed but just as many did escape during the fleet maneuverings. The sight of the larger capital warships was a daunting sight and Scipio saw that those procrastinators who had only now decided to take their chances were obliterated as the blockade enclosure was completing.


The BTL (Ballistic, Tactical & Logistic) projection appeared before the Caprician leader and immediately the projected IFF signatures of the transports appeared in two groups, each a designated holding area as broadcasted repetitiously by the invading fleet. There was easily nearly a hundred vessels in each holding area.


Clearly the smart ones!


As it turned out, with the dispersal of the Imperial ships (both capital and fighters) to catch fleeing craft as well as the dispersal to effect their blockade spaced their anchor positions quite apart from each other.


The Ressario, leaving the confusion of the chase behind came up from the rear of one of these anchor positions around Drewwa.


"Ma'am, we are getting some signals from fleeing craft for aid?" the Comm Officer intoned.


Scipio turned to the man, her eyes hardening. As much as she hated killing, she had a leader's realistic expectation of what she was actually capable of. "They made their choice when they fled."


Her judgement was final. She walked over to the transmitting station and entered two commands for transmissions one directed at the planet regarding expediting issues so her transports can leave and the other to her transports to hold tight and that they'd be taken care of.

While there, "Ma'am we are receiving a signal from the Imperial warship ahead as well as from the Tolu."


Scipio pressed her lips together. "Put up the Tolu," she ordered. Her people came first.


The grey haird Captain appeared and he looked surprised slightly to be seeing the Caprician Ambassador aboard. "Ma'am!" he exclaimed.

"Report!" she barked out and the Captain nodded, shedding his surprise. "It's a Jedi hunt, Ma'am. We've had boarders come on and check our crew manifests and cargo logs as well as a visual tour. I might add that these soldier boys do not know their transports. I had to argue with one Captain not to open a port-side reactor door. Would have blown his arrogant ass and my humble ass out to space."


"Humble.." Scipio murmured, the man's confidence easing her worry but then her eyes narrowed. "Then what are you still doing here?"

The Captain grunted. "Have to make sure the convoy gets out of here or it'll be my ass in a sling."


Scipio nodded approvingly making a mental note to forward a commendation for the grizzly merchant Captain.

"So they are checking the rest of the convoy?"

"Heck no!" the Captain grunted again. "They moved on to other transports, yacht and bulk freighters. There are some companies the Imperials do not want to piss off. I've been yelling to these Imps for half an hour!"


"I'll speak to them.." Scipio growled and disconnected the link. "Accept the Imperial's hail." she ordered, her mood fouled.


A rather young looking Captain's holographic features appeared before Scipio and before he could assert himself Scipio fired at him with questions.

"Why the hell are my transports not released? And I had better like the answer!"

The Imperial Captain's head jerked as if stung.


"A blockade order has been issued by Imperial High Command, restricting access to this planet as of the date of issue." The Imperial Captain spoke as if reading off a card.


Scipio's eyes narrowed and she looked pointedly at the image of the Captain.

"And when, dear sir, was the date of issue?"


The Captain flushed, "The date of issue was one week ago."


Scipio tapped a fingernail on a nearby consol at the response. "Then I would fire your transission agency as this is the first time it is being brought up, wouldn't you say?"

Before the Imperial could responde, she continued, "In any event, I am here to ensure that my interests are seen too, namely, the prompt response for our transports. We did not receive word that your military would strike an area outside Imperial space and in light of that fact, we are NOT obligated to comply. You deal with your own failure and do not project them onto us!

I want my freighters released! NOW!"


The Captain gulped slightly but responded again by rote, "Once the search is complete ships will be ordered to a holding area until allowed to leave."


Scipio raised an eyebrow. "Search for what?"


"Any and all Jedi that reside on Almania and its moons."


"Jedi?" Scipio responded with contempt. "Only an idiot searches for a fish on land? Go to Naboo and leave our transports alone!"



The Imperial Captain plowed on, "Once the search is complete for Jedi."


Scipio drummed her fingernails on a rail. "Very well, Captain." she said with finality. "We all know what you desire to do to them, so allow me to aid you in your search so I may get my transports back."


She cut off the connection and called up information from their scans of the moon as well as Almania proper. "Observers..." she murmured.


The Ressario had taken up a position behind the Imperial warship facing the moon though not directly behind it.


On the moon there were several separate settlements but they all tended to be on one side, the side that was facing the planet now.


So much the better.


"Tactical. Target these desolate areas here and here. Emphasize our point that we want to be expedited." Scipio indicated as the BTL suddenly changed images.


"Target locked, Ma'am."


"Fire."


And the main weapons on the Ressario opened up on the deserted section of the Drewwa moon tearing apart it's ecology.



"Ma'am. The Imperial Captain is hailing on an emergency channel."


Scipio raised another eyebrow. "Put him on." she said dryly.


"What the bloody devil are you doing!!" he screamed.


Scipio stared at the holoprojection, her face impassive. "Captain, you arbitrarily decide to cut off a trading route in which we lose money. And rather than, as a form of good protocol, inform those you indirectly hurt you again inflict harm on us montarily by holding our transports until your search parties are done. One item I cannot change. We've lost a trade route. But the other, I can change. The Empire may feel it has time to waste but my time and the time of my people are a little bit more valuable.

So..I am doing what I can to help reduce that time.


Please let me know when your search is complete."



And the channel switched off.



"Continue firing on the section, Lieutenant. Maintain sensor sweeps of the area and let me know when our ships are let go and signal the Poreon and transmit our up to the minute data since Elom. The Empire should be made aware of their neglegence."



The Ressario shot out another salvo into the same spot..

Admiral Pitta

"What are they doing?" Pitta asked. The ship's Captain nearly jumped out of his chair: he had not noticed the Admiral's approach. The other man was looking over his shoulder in obvious confusion at the visual display, which showed the Ressario's turbolaser firing in full force.

"They appear to be firing on the planet, Sir." The Captain replied.

"Thank you, Captain." Pitta said with a scowl. "Allow me to rephrease. Why are they firing on the planet?"

The Captain shrugged.

"I'm sure I have no idea, Sir."

"Guess." Pitta said, his voice smooth as silk. The Captain gulped: he knew full well that Admiral Pitta was not a man known for his mercy.

"Presumably to get our attention, Sir. Though if they believe we don't know the capabilities of an Imperator Class Star Destroyer..." He trailed off. Pitta, though, smiled.

"Perhaps. But they almost certainly do not know the capabilities of this ship, Captain. Forward guns, target the same spot. Wait for a break in their firing and then fire all batteries.

"If it is a demonstration of firepower they want, that is what they shall receive."


Captain Trinity

The transport stank.

That was the first thing Ariel Trinity noticed as she followed the pilot (she refused to acknowledge him as a Captain, the same title she herself held!) into the depths of the vessel.

She refused the drink offered. This was not, in any sense of the word, a social call.

"I would like to know," she said, "what you have done with the Jedi." She glanced at the datapad and chose a name at random. "Amrar Telas. Sounds like a Jedi name to me." She frowned. "Hiding a Jedi is treason. And you are no doubt well versed in the penalties for treason."

She waited for an anwer.

Governer Jall Hemaad looks at current read outs and reports from the Almanian Guard. Democracy is replaced within the hour by what should be a brief time of military rule on the planet.

Twin eyes dart briefly to his reflection in a portion of his desk. Wrinkles and laugh lines, gray hair streaking through his bearded face and hair. Entering his forty-fifth year of life he never thought that he would have to see such a change come to pass. The Galactic Empire comes to Almania-- replacing everything that is made with every thing that once was.

A stream of communication flows through the comms channel. The response he was waiting for had arrived.

"Governor... I am Fleet Admiral Denetta Pitta of the Galactic Empire. Almania is now under Imperial blockade, pending occupation by the New Order. At this time, you are ordered to power down all defences and have your defence personal stand down.”

An Admiral Pitta, Jall had little information to go on to judge this man by. Only his instincts should prevail here.

"You are also hearby ordered to reveal any and all Jedi that reside on Almania and its moons. Failure to do so will result in disiplinary actions.”

The cat is out of the bag, the Empire only wanted the planet for the Jedi. All of the Observers were right to leave Almania when they did. They left right underneath the nose of the Almanian government. If they had left sooner much of this situation may have been avoided.

"Imperial Stormtroopers will be taking posession of your capitol distict and defensive installations shortly in order to ensure an orderly transfer of power.”

Jall laughed at the remark. Almanian Guard Storm troopers had already set up in the capitol. Transfer of power would be as easy as a word.

"I look... forward to meeting with you. You may meet me at your convience once our preliminary base has been established."

Jall keys in a response communiqué.

“This is Governor Hemaad of Almania.

Admiral Pitta of The New Order, I must apologize for the raising of the shields. Your ships were about to bombard the planet and, if your targeting vectors were correct, your ships would have destroyed several of Almania’s military resources that make the planet a military resource. As I speak all defenses are powered down.

I regret to inform you that there are no jedi residing on the planet that we can ascertain. From all appearances they have been gone from the planet for some time. Their temples have been replaced by non-force wielding individuals that acted as mediators in place of the real force users. If you have any force sensitives of your own I would recommend sending them on search to see if they can find any Jedi on the plant we cannot.
I am sending you data on all current military actions taking place on the planet. A military state of emergency has been declared and our Almanian Guard forces have taken charge of the planet. Your forces can quickly coordinate with our own for an orderly changing of hands.

Once things are in order to your liking sir I shall meet with you Admiral Pitta.”

The recording ended he returns to his monitors.




*****************


A single freighter comes out of hyperspace with a jolt.

Master Irman Nogar looks upon a sad sight. Almania was under siege. His visions warned him of some ill will on Almania. Sighting the Empire at the door step of his new home confirmed the vision.

Without giving word to the random crew he hired to take him back to this system he boards an escape pod carrying nothing but a walking stick.

He ejects from the ship telling his crew to leave him to his fate on a short wave communication only they heard. There were no jedi left on or near the planet. In the face of such adversity it was the duty of one force user to be here for them, even if only in spirit.

Irman sends one General Transmission and one coded into the void.

The General Transmission reads,

“I am an Observer. I am here.”

"I would like to know," she said, "what you have done with the Jedi." She glanced at the datapad and chose a name at random. "Amrar Telas. Sounds like a Jedi name to me." She frowned. "Hiding a Jedi is treason. And you are no doubt well versed in the penalties for treason."

She waited for an answer.


Captain Schaeffer bit down on his cigarra hard, almost as if it were a substitute for his own tongue.

Never in all his years as a respectable Merchant frieghter Captain had he been so insulted, and by this girl?

In the space of thirty seconds she had insinuated he was a liar, and threatened him with Treason!

The barefaced cheek!

Schaeffer eyes met hers firmly, as she looked up at him...
The freighter wasn't the prettiest of places, granted. But Schaeffer prided himself on running a tight ship and hadn't , (as far as he was aware of) done anything illegal in any system he had worked in.

There may well be a fine line between smuggler and freighter pilot, but he knew it well, and made damn sure he didn't cross it.

More importantly , anyone found crossing it, were off his crew in a heartbeat, and as a result Schaeffer had earned a reputation as being something of a hardass.

His experience as a Freighter Captain was considerable, (thus the reason why he had been employed by Vinda-Corp) and had included many trips into Imperial space.

Even with this in mind, never before had he encountered such, arrogance, ignorance, and sheer stupidity.

He looked at the girl before him in a kind of disbelief.

Why on Bonadan would he risk his entire ship, his livelyhood for a Jedi...

It made little sense to him, and he couldn't fathom why it seemed to make sense to her...

Amrar Telas?

...A Jedi name?...

Eventually Schaeffer replied not giving her the satisfaction of showing her that she'd offended him.

He glanced over at the pad as he did so...

"...This list was compiled to ensure no Jedi were to come onboard, everyone on that list are either innocent families or just straightforward Almanians looking to safety. As for ..." (he looked over at the pad again)

"Amrar...Telas, she came on board with two of her children, if I remember rightly..."
(He pointed to the pad again) , which showed the age, sex, next akin, and previous occupation, all next to the name for each person listed. All had to be given in order to even set foot onboard the freighter in the first place.

He continued, his tone sincere.

" ...and as for sounding like a Jedi name, well , the origins of names I must confess is something I have not been educated in. So, I must bow down to someone of your obvious experience and therefore vast knowledge of course, as its obvious you appear to know more about this subject than I..."

(He gestured for Trinity to enter the hold where, at this moment, the refugees had remained anxiously quiet...all watching the proceedings)

"... but you are most welcome to ask her yourself"

"Perhaps. But they almost certainly do not know the capabilities of this ship, Captain. Forward guns, target the same spot. Wait for a break in their firing and then fire all batteries.

"If it is a demonstration of firepower they want, that is what they shall receive."

Admiral Pitta never heard the clearing of a voice and the admonished, "Sir."


The battlegroup of Admiral Pitta had been relaying ground soldiers to Almania and therefore had to be close enough for those soldiers to land planetside sometime during the same day, if not the same hour. The RSD Ravager II would have changed positions to accomodate this.

To be in proximity of seeing the Ressario's act, would have to put the moon Drewwa pretty close to the warship as well which mean't the command ship of Admiral Pitta was between the moon and the planet.

The Ressario was on the outside looking in and so was on the opposite side of the moon. On an exit vector were the Vinda Corp fleet and others in a massive holding patter awaiting the Imperial's pleasure. They saw to their amazement the weapons of the more powerful Imperial command ship target the same spot as the Ressario. While nothing hampered the Ressario's line of fire, the entire moon was in the way of Admiral Pitta's.

The computer sensors of the command ship detected a lull in the firing and therefore the electronic command went out and the RSD's weapon systems fired.

A Reign Class Star Destroyer was rougly the same size as an Imperator, if not a little longer. The weapon ports glowed and a swath of destruction was cut into the moon Drewwa leveling part of the starport in the process.

Clearly, the effect was impressive.

The rest of the warships in the area also were itching to show off their firepower but waited for the orders from above.




"Cease fire." Scipio ordered as the RSD Ravager II's guns also fell silent. Turning to the Imperial Captain's holographic projection (the Imperial's ship in clear view off her starboard), "Captain, I believe your Fleet Commander has undoubtedly established your clear authority in the area and seems satisfied that the search for Jedi on Drewwa is all but over."

She leaned forward. "Now please request that our transports leave. We are losing money sitting here at what amounts to your whim. The system is yours."

She motioned for the Ressario's guns to cycle up once more. "Or is the search for the Jedi still continuing on Drewwa? We stand ready to assist in eliminating this danger to your Empire if you like."

Leaning back, "Please forward our request to your superiors."


"Ma'am!" a comm officer shouted and Scipio turned in irritation at the interuption.

Then a transmission broke over the overhead monitors reading, "I am an Observer. I am here."


Scipio shook her head drumming her fingernails on her command chair thinking furiously.


"Imperial Captain, it appears your enemy has surfaced. Do you require aid?"

Captain Trinity

The pilot of the merchant ship did his best not to appear indignant. Clearly he did not appreciate being called a liar - and no doubt he felt himself to be the bigger man here, given that Trinity was in fact a woman.

More than once, it had been exactly that feeling by the other party that had allowed Trinity to turn the situation to her favour. Not that, with two ominious Spartan-IIs standing behind her and the rest waiting for her call near the airlock, she did not have the upper hand already.

She hoped (for his sake) that Schaeffer understood this.

"...This list was compiled to ensure no Jedi were to come onboard, everyone on that list are either innocent families or just straightforward Almanians looking to safety. As for ..." (he looked over at the pad again)

"Amrar...Telas, she came on board with two of her children, if I remember rightly..."
(He pointed to the pad again) , which showed the age, sex, next akin, and previous occupation, all next to the name for each person listed. All had to be given in order to even set foot onboard the freighter in the first place.

He continued, his tone sincere.

" ...and as for sounding like a Jedi name, well , the origins of names I must confess is something I have not been educated in. So, I must bow down to someone of your obvious experience and therefore vast knowledge of course, as its obvious you appear to know more about this subject than I..."

(He gestured for Trinity to enter the hold where, at this moment, the refugees had remained anxiously quiet...all watching the proceedings)

"... but you are most welcome to ask her yourself"

"And are your men trained to resist the mind tricks the Jedi are so famous for?" She asked, with a knowing smirk. "Any one of these so-called refugees could be a Jedi Knight.

"You can guarantee that there are no Jedi aboard this ship to your knowledge...

"But can you guarantee none managed to get aboard in spite of your efforts?"

She passed the datapad to one of the soldiers, who hid it away in a pocket immediatly.

"How do I know that you were not deceived?"

She turned away, drawing her blaster and placing it against the temple of the nearest refugee.

"How do you know he is not a Jedi?"

She clicked off the safety, and waited for the Captain's response.


Admiral Pitta

The audacity! Pitta thouhgt, watching the exchange between the newly arrived Star Destroyer and the Ravager's Captain. I ought to confiscate her ship for this!

The idea of returning the Empire not only with Almania's charter in hand but also an Imperator Star Destroyer in tow appealed to him, and he was greatly tempted for a moment to order his fleet to disable the ship and haul its crew to the brig.

But there were more important things here today - Arien could wait.

The Ravager's show of power had quieted the other ship for the moment, though a quick glance at the sensor focus on that ship showed her guns cycling up again.

Then, the most unexpected thing happened. In one moment a freighter appeared on sensors, emerging from hyperspace and immedialty launching an escape pod. The pod's emergency transponder sprang to life, alerting the entire system of its presence, and on the same frequency came a message of the most unexpected type.

"I am an Observer. I am here."

And another audacious comment from the other commander about 'help' with destroying the Jedi.

Pitta thought for a moment, a smile coming to his face.

"Let the bitch have her bone." He said with a smile, knowing he would not be picked up by the com system.

"Captain, have Miss Arien intercept the escape pod launched from that freighter and take whoever is aboard into custody. Once they have been transferred to an Imperial prison ship, her freighters will be free to go.

"Have one of our ships take the freighter."

"Ma'am, general transmission from the Imperial Flagship!"

"Let's hear it, Ensign." Scipio acknowleged the excited crewmember. Her lips pressed together in grim fashion wondering just what the commanding officer of the Imperial Fleet for this operation would have to say.

"To the Imperator Star Destroyer Ressario, the great and honourable Admiral Pitta has seen fit to acquiesce and grant leave to you and your transports provided you intercept the escape pod launched from that freighter and take whoever is aboard into custody. Once they have been transferred to an Imperial prison ship, you and your freighters will be free to go."

With a motion, she had the comms silenced and could hear a groan coming from one of the operations pits and she regally stood and began to pace.

In all honestly, the Imperials had her boxed. With the stipulation, there was not much she could do to expedite the release of her transports.

First things first. She would see to her people.

"Comm the Merchant Fleet," she ordered and the Captain of the Tolu appeared in holographic projection.

"Ma'am?"

"Prepare the Merchantile Fleet to depart the system within half an hour. We have an errand to carry out. The closest Imperial ships should be allowing you exit vectors."

She turned and looked down into another operations pit. "Helm, bring us about on an intercept course for the escape pod."

"Course plotted, Ma'am."

"Act."

And the Ressario lifted into a higher plane and gracefully swung over the ISD near her who remained in the blockade formation.

The tractor beam caught the escape pod as the ship moved away from the blockade. The transition and operations involved in bringing the pod safely aboard were carried out smoothly and without incident and as Scipio left the bridge to see to the person who would become an Imperial prisoner, she felt a sharp pain of sorrow.

The heavily armed and armoured CommGuard soldiers stood at attention (and at the ready) as the escape pod's hatch was opened. The Capricians aboard the Ressario, Scipio included, had never seen an Observer Jedi up close in and in person.

The man who exited the pod stood before her and her guards with a quiet dignity that whispered of formidability. Than carried a walking stick.

"My name is Scipio Arien, Ambassador at Large for the Commonwealth and I welcome you aboard the Ressario. I do apologize for the circumstances of our meeting but, unfortunately, as your comms may have picked up, I have been tasked with escorting you to the nearest Imperial prison ship." she winced slightly at saying the words.

The Observer said nothing at first allowing the Caprician woman to contact the bridge. "Have the Imperials designated which ship is to be their prison ship?"

"Not yet, Ma'am."

"Ask them to, please. When you find out, contact me in the ship's mess."

She looked to the Observer Jedi and motioned him to follow. "I am not in a position to rescue you at present but what I can do is make your transition from our company to the Empire's as comfortable as possible."

The two walked into the ship's mess where off duty personnel (personnel coming off three consecutive shifts) were eating and chatting away about the circumstances they were in.

With the rest of the ship on battle-alert, they could feel the tension in the air and when the doors to the mess opened, and upon seeing Scipio, everyone jumped up to attention.

"At ease," she called, slightly embarrassed but not showing it.

"Lieutenant," she called to a nearby officer, "see about getting myself and our friend here a descent meal and a fresh cup of caf."

"At once, Ma'am."

The Jedi and the Caprician sat down and the crewmembers went back to their eating and chatting though a little less subdued. There were curious glances at the Ambassador's companion.

"Are you alright?" she asked, flushing slightly at the embarrassment evident in her voice. Where she could handle her crew, this Jedi seemed unnerving.




"To the Imperial Flagship, please identify for us which vessel has been designated the prison ship for prisoner transport."

Executive Officer Venium constantly referred to the tactical display as if it was going to vanish the moment he glanced away.

"Sir, I have an encrypted message coming in from the Porion."

Venium nodded, his interest keeping with the reponse from the Imperials.

Bridge of the CSD Corellia.



He had had enough. Alberto had seemed to have forgotten his orders, Pitta had forgotten his place and this 'Arien' women seemed too upidy for the Hapans tastes.

Reminds me of the old days...

Lupercus's mysogynistic tendancies had been honed for 20 years of his life under female oppression. Now at the near apex of his power he refused to be put in even a remotely similiar situation.

His face returned to normal.

Ahead of him the bridge door slid open with a irreverrent hiss, and the bridge crew came to attention.

"Officer on deck!"

Lupercus's glare of acceptance quickly sent the crew back to their stations.

"Personal communication band, full encryption. Alberto. Pitta."

A small flourish of activity produced an 'ay sir'.

Lupercus's moved further onto the bridge, finally settling himself down on his command chair. On the end of each arm of the structure sat holocom projectors, which promptly sprung to life with the respective CO's glowing in a dull blue haze.

The look on the Hapans face screamed blue murder.

"Pitta!"

Danetta blanched visiably. When the Diktator failed to use your title, you had fucked up and he knew it.

"Thank you for letting the cat out of the bag. Had your face not been necessary as the leader of this conquest, you would now be dead."

Lupercus was seen to blink very overtly. Suddenly screaming could be heard over the holocom, Pittas image looking off into the distance in momentary horror before his composure returned.

His disciple had done well.

"Captain Alberto, thanks to your superiors failings, we will drop all pretense of the search. All Almanians must be returned to the planet for the standard planetary census following the occupation."

Carlos smiled knowingly, such an action was not standard in any way.

"And if they complain that it's not standard?"

Lupercus's smile matched that of his Captain, happy that Alberto had learnt that no matter his improv skills, his Masters were greater.

"Newly enacted under the 'Racial Purity Act'."

A murmor from the pit held the Siths attention.

"Hyperspace reversion detected...

Its the Azgoghk."

He nodded, before turning back to the Officers.

"Captain Alberto, relay the new orders to Captain Trinity."

A curt nod saw the Captain disappear.

"Pitta."

The word was almost spat.

"Order the landings for occupation begin. Also, have the engineers join them. Have them install their PGBs on the surface once their LZ is secure.

Do you understand?"

It was the first time the Sith had asked his highest ranking officer whether he had understood an order. Pitta understood both the order and the implication.

With a nod he too disappeared.

A massive breath pressed his rage under once again and the Hapan was deceptively composed.

"Send a transmission to this 'woman' and have the Destructor bring itself to bear on her. Load torpedos."

This time the sith had to wipe the spit from his lip. On the holocom a Torpedo Sphere began to change its position.

"And occilate the signal so its P.O.O cannot be determined."

"Ay, its ready sir."

Another breath, this time not so deep.

"This is Lupercus Darksword."

He saw no need to add senseless honorifics.

"While your little display of immaturity may have garnered you respect from my officers, i assure you it had little impact where it counts."

Unusually, his voice was not poisoned by vindictiveness, instead he was the epitomy of tone-neutral.

"In fact i'm personally surprised to see someone of the 'fairer sex' engaged in such proverbial pissing contests. Especially one of your standing."

To his left an aide nodded. It was returned immediately.

Onboard the Ressario Lupercus had no doubt the bridge crew were screaming at their captain that over 500 targetting computers acquired their ship. Lupercus's tone changed now, arrogence bourne of authority readily apparent.

"You are not in control of this situation. You have no leverage in this situation. You never did."

He paused for effect.

"You put my finger on the trigger Ms Arien. You are the mistress of your own destiny."

The transmission was cut and the implication was once again clear.

That having been said the move was a bluff. Had Lupercus serious intent on the destruction of the Capricians he would have tasked a TORPS to the Poreon also. Even so, the threat would be carried out, it just meant if Arien pushed him he'd have to actually engage the remaining SD.

Perhaps then at least Pitta could do something he's good at...



Bridge of the RSD Ravager II.



The steaming body of his adjutant was gone now, but the smell of seared flesh would remain on the bridge for days at least. And the threats of his superior remained pointed, as the Sith disciple with a penchant for lightning remained on the bridge.

"Increase air scrubbers on the bridge to maximum power."

The bridge crew were only happy to oblige in that respect.

"Additionally, inform Captain Arien that his prisoner is to be detained aboard the Azgoghk."

Pitta breathed deep as he pondered his next move, taking all his composure not to retch at the stench.

"Finally, inform the governor that the first elements of the occupation force will be landing soon."

Colonel Rikard, the commander of the ships troop contingent, spoke first.

"Are we retasking from the searches, or engaging in both?"

"Both. The troops not necessary for shipbourne defence or the search are to begin landings with the Engineers and begin the installation of the PGBs."

Rikard raised an eyebrow.

"But that won't be enough to ensure victory if a fight starts, and you know it."

Now it was Pitta's turn to smile.

"Thats what the bombardment group is for..."

His reference was to the considerable numbers of IFACs and VSDs that had taken close orbit of the planet. The Colonel saluted and promptly about-faced, eager to comply.

"Finally, task a few more Fire-Class to the holding areas. They may not like the new announcement. Oh, and the other Reigns?"

His (newly promoted and extremely nervous) adjutant acknowledged. Moments later the other Reigns reported their gravity wells too were up.

The activity had by now returned to normal and Pitta sat back slowly as the landing barges started disappearing towards the planetary bodies.

"Oh, and will someone actually fucking block all those non-friendly transmissions going through? I thought i made a fucking order?"

It had taken minutes, but his frustration finally boiled over. But it was quickly dispelled as he saw the haste at which the crew moved to follow his orders. As his former adjutant was inhaled once again Pitta stiffled a laugh.

Perhaps there's something to this 'you fail, you die' thing...



Hangar bay, CSD Corellia.

"Your squadron is prepared sir."

The statement was ignored, the Hapan had eyes of his own. 15 of the highest trained Imperial commandos stood in parade perfect dress in front of their machines. At the end sat another one, without a 'mascot' as it were.

Without a word the Sith made his way towards the final TIE/co, his team immediately following his lead and boarding their own craft. It would usually have been odd to have seen pilots with full combat armour and equipment boarding a ship, but then again, this was an odd squadron.

Moments later the squadron was out, the space between them and the Azgoghk diminishing rapidly as the unit went to prepare a welcome for their prisoner.

The Ressario had stopped it's approach as Exec Officer Venium noted the display as most of the Imperial suddenly maneuvered out of their locations in order to bring their many weapons to bear on the Caprician warship.

He be damned if he would flinch under the pressure despite the evident fear growing within him. The comm was chattering as if someone was speaking to Lady Arien but she was down in the mess.

As the rant continued, Venium blanched even further finding it hard to swallow. While most Imperial news arrived late to Capricia, alot of it contained the name Lupercus Darksword.

Then the comm went dead and Venium called down to the mess. He was sweating heavily.

By the time Scipio made her way back to the bridge (saving her Exec from slitting his wrists) her eyes narrowed at the tactical display seeing how the Imperial Fleet was in some sort of hodge podge formation. Some ships having been ordered out of their blockade formation to throw 500 weapons locks on the Ressario, Scipio wondered if they were giving up their search as some guarding IFACs were pulled from their duty.

Enlightenment came quickly.

"Captain Alberto, thanks to your superiors failings, we will drop all pretense of the search. All Almanians must be returned to the planet for the standard planetary census following the occupation.

The search had been called off and ships of Almanian registry were to be escorted back to the planet. The Vinda Corp Transports began to move slowly out of the way as some of the Imperial Fleet was returning to ensure that the Almanian registered ships made their way to the surface.

"Ma'am, we are being directed to offload the prisoner on a newly arriving vessel, the Azgoghk."

Scipio's head turned to the officer who had spoken as she read the transcript of Lord Lupercus' message. It seemed no comment or response was warranted.

"Back us up from this position to meet it." Scipio ordered and the Ressario turned away from the planet's moon moving outside the gravity wells of Reign Class Star Destroyers on a direct coarse for the Azgoghk, the transports from Drewwa slowly separating from the Almanian ships taking care not to offend the Imperial's lockdown of the planet and it's moon.

"Slow down and have our guest escorted back to the hanger." Scipio said with no little regret. But whatever the Observer Order had done to anger the Empire, it was enough to warrant this overkill of shipping.

"Hail the Azgoghk and ask them to prepare for prisoner transfer... and relay our position to the Porion, they'll be worried." She drummed her fingers in slight nervousness and then as an afterthought, "Inform the Captain of the Tolu that their wait is almost over."

All the while she was wondering, What in the name of the Clans was the Racial Purity Act?

Some sort of jamming began to affect the nearby area of the planet.