Vance listened to Park, noting the other man's seeming nervousness when it came to implications of the Force. None-the-less, the Sith Master found himself interested in the notion being presented, and decided that he would hear the Vice-Admiral out, if for no other reason than mild curiosity...

"You will be well rewarded for helping us to sieze the planet. Should you accept, we would offer full governership and control of the planet's neutral population."

Indeed.

Clearly, if the general populace were not the major reason for the Imperial's interest in the planet, it remained that it was another that Vance was not being made privy to... it would obviously be worth chasing the matter, and finding out the real target for the offensive, as Park continued changing the subject matter as he did so.

"There is, another matter, for which I need your permission, as de facto head of the Sith Order, to approve. Tell me, have you ever heard of the Dark Trooper project?"

"I cannot say I am overly familiar with the project, no," Vance admitted, taking a small mouthful of the water in the glass he had been offered. "I have heard rumours, certainly, but as for specifics I have no definitive knowledge... what do you propose by bringing up this issue, Vice-Admiral?"

The implications of what had been referred to as the Empire's super soldiers was attention-grabbing, indeed, and the Sith Master had cause to wonder as to the reasons behind his connections motives for mentioning it; perhaps Park was merely engrossed, and wanted to gain some information from another source, or perhaps he had plans concerning the dark troopers... either way, Vance decided to simply wait and find out.

There was no point in making assumptions.

Not where the New Order, and secret projects, were concerned.

The three assault shuttles dropped out of the clouds and quickly banked towards their designated targets. These targets were three of the ground openings from which those creatures had emerged. As they got closer, clusters of armored walkers and tanks could be seen at each of these locations, standing guard around the large openings.

All the shuttles rapidly decelerated and came in for a landing just outside each of the established perimeters. Their simultaneous landings were an indicator that these pilots were highly trained and experienced. The same went for the men they carried inside, for each one of those men belonged to a special operations unit.

In pairs the unit members ran from inside the shuttles and set up a quick perimeter guard as they have done many times before in training as well as real missions. Within seconds most of the soldiers, at each of the three target landing fields, were out of the shuttles with their rifles at the ready. When no threats manifested, a signal was given and from each shuttle came out two teams of two men each. Each of these teams carried a large military crates between them.

With these teams finally assembled, they all formed up and moved at one towards each of the ground openings. The guard of armored units that had been present before these teams arrival moved out of the way and let the men proceed on their mission. As they got closer it could seen that these openings looked like mine shafts leading deep down into the planet at a slope. Unlike mine shafts, however, these seemed to have been carved out by hand and not with machinery. This could be seen through the uneven way the holes had been made and from the visible fact that these tunnels weren't at all supported from collapse.

Before the large opening the special operations team paused for a moment and looked around. All the men turned on their flashlights and with ready acknowledgments started to slowly move into the darkness that awaited them beyond. Each of the men had seen holo footage of what had happened to the troopers before them, the ones that had been eaten whole by these creatures. Even with this knowledge, though, the men of the special operations unit moved on without much fear. They had all been through many combat missions and knew that death was possible each step they took. Their training and determination is what made them who they were and they were all men of honor with a job to do. Fear would conflict with their accomplishment of this mission and that was something none of them could tolerate. Failure was not an option.

For long minutes the teams all advanced deeper and deeper into the tunnels, always looking for the danger that lay beyond. It was not easy going, for the tunnels had not been made to walk in. The passage was uneven and at times tended to get so low that the men had to crotch down so that they could keep moving. They advanced nonetheless and finally arrived at a massive chamber.

This chamber had been located from orbital scans and designated as a primary target by Line Captain Zokolev. Similar chambers exsisted at the other two tunnels as well and those other teams were moving to them at the moment. The scans had also revealed that these massive chambers had other tunnels leading to them, making the place almost as sort of gathering area. Each of these tunnels was scanned and found to extended even further into the planet into countless smaller tunnels and chambers below. Thermal readings had been gathered and suggested hot pockets which could possibly be from living creatures.

Once inside the chamber the special operations units proceeded as planed. The crates were set down at the center and opened up. Two men from the teams went towards them and started to type in commands on a connected datapad. Everything was going well until one of the teams was attacked by the hostile creatures. They emerged from some of the tunnels and flew at the soldiers.

Through the bridge speakers, Vaseli Zokolev could hear ever transmission sent from Special Operations Unit 104. His jaw tightened as he heard the screaming commands and laser fire that now fill the bridge. Along with the sounds of his warriors, Vaseli could hear the screech of the creatures that attacked the men.

"Greg is down!" "Their coming from all sides!" "Hold Position, protect the crates!" "Their reforming!"

Came the voices from the speaker as the battle raged under the planet's surface. Men were dieing down there and Vaseli couldn't really do anything about it. It was upto those teams to finish their mission and get out.

Over long minutes reports came in from the other two teams that the objectives had been completed and the teams were now moving back out of the tunnels. The one that had been attacked took longer to report in, but they were moving back as well. Unlike the other teams, however, they had taken casualties, both in killed and injured. Only the quick thinking of the commanding officer had saved their lives. The man had ordered them to retreat into the tunnel they had come from and used some explosives to collapse the entrance. While the creatures struggled to break through, the special operations unit doubled back out of the tunnel.

Once they were out, Vaseli and the bridge crew received the update that all teams were away at a safe distance. With that acknowledgment, the Captain reach over and lifted his datapad up. He entered his clearance command and was presented with a big red touch button. After taking one look around the bridge he pushed down on it.

Within seconds the sensor boards lit up with bright flashes as massive heat blooms were registered under the planet's surface.

These blooms came from the crates within each the chambers. Each crate had contained a massive thermobaric warhead which within seconds of detonation consumed every molecule of oxygen. As it consumed the air within the chambers and attached tunnels the fires that were created expended out as well, devouring everything in their path. All the living creatures that had survived in these tunnels and caves were quickly killed by the fires. Those that did, were killed seconds later from the lack of oxygen as it was sucked out from everywhere to feed to fires. Last, but not least came the massive waves of overpressure which slammed into the surounding walls of the chambers that housed the crates and caused them to cave in. Within moments the whole chamber and come of the tunnels were collapsed and blocked off. Nothing would emerge from these centers in the near future.

The plan was completed perfected, but the lose of eight special operations soldiers was most regrettable.

Park considered the sith's words for a moment before deciding how best to proceed. He decided to get straight to the point and not dance about as he had previously considered doing. This materiel would be considered very sensitive, and was to be confined to this room alone.

"Well, the basic idea behind the dark trooper project was to create a super stormtrooper, a combat cyborg that was imbedded within the dark side of the force. My point in bringing this project, is to question whether or not the sith order would be interested in conducting experiements on a modified and restarted form of this project. This is completley unofficial and off the records, mention it outside this room and it will be considered blasphemey." stated Park. There, it was done, and he couldn't take back the words. But if the other Imperial leaders came to him, he could still deny it as nonsense, until there was actually a project underway to be discovered, that is.

"As for the planet in question," started Park after taking another sip of his ale, "If you accept, then at your convience you may proceed to the planet in question. Imperial forces currently are under the command of Vaseli Zokolev. He will be your liasion on this mission. The choice of words there is because we don't wish to burden you with the details of full commanding the assault fleet and ground forces, although they will be at your beck and call should you need them. Do you have any concerns you wish to state at this time?"

"Well, the basic idea behind the dark trooper project was to create a super stormtrooper, a combat cyborg that was imbedded within the dark side of the force. My point in bringing this project, is to question whether or not the sith order would be interested in conducting experiements on a modified and restarted form of this project. This is completley unofficial and off the records, mention it outside this room and it will be considered blasphemey."

Vance narrowed his eyes, sitting back slightly. "And you wish to have these dark troopers under Sith control? Or do you simply wish for one of us to be the conduct that infuses the cyborgs with the Force? Either way, I am sure we can work something out as time progresses..."

"As for the planet in question," started Park after taking another sip of his ale, "If you accept, then at your convience you may proceed to the planet in question. Imperial forces currently are under the command of Vaseli Zokolev. He will be your liasion on this mission. The choice of words there is because we don't wish to burden you with the details of full commanding the assault fleet and ground forces, although they will be at your beck and call should you need them. Do you have any concerns you wish to state at this time?"

Vance shook his head, standing. "I will handle the situation, Park," He said, looking toward the doorway of the office, adjusting his cloak about him. "You ensure that the rewards for my involvement in this mission are allocated, and given to the Sith, without trouble or question... I do not like to be pushed about like a puppet, and if the Sith are backstabbed I will find you and hold you personally responsible."

Turning, the Sith Master stalked from the room, passing through the automated doorway, before heading back along the passageway that led out into the training grounds; from there Vance would simply return to his craft, use the coordinates he was sure to be given, and make a jump to the planet in question... to which he would seek out one Vaseli Zokolev.

It seemed quite simple, in theory; however the fact Park needed Sith involvement indicated that there was something more sinister not being said...

None-the-less, Vance would do his part.

Holding his cloak around his form, Vance walked out of the administration building and began to start his trek back toward his Sith Infiltrator; the wind had picked up some, and the soldiers in training were facing the elements like professionals.

If only my own Apprentices were as disciplined, Vance thought pensively, smirking to himself, continuing on his way...

Sometime Later; above the planet Mendrosia

The Sith Infiltrator burst into real space, reverting to sublight speed, as the Sith Master behind the controls brought it around to head toward the planet. Opening a communications channel, Vance flicked at the required controls of his pilots console.

"This is Sith Master Vance Jas," He said, looking at the Imperial presence above planet. "I seek a meeting with Commander Zokolev..."

Angling the craft toward the Obliterator, Vance slowed the sublight drives until he was coasting through the void of space. He would await acknowledgement, before he approached, in order to save any unnecessary alerts or confrontations…

"Sir, receiving transmission from someone claiming to be the Sith Master Vance Jas. Voice recognition confirms that identity."

Vaseli turned in his command seat towards the communication station. A Sith Master? Here? He wondered what this was about. He had never seen a sith before, but like many he had heard rumors of what they were capable of. What could the Master possible want on this world? Maybe this was a trick of some sort?

Captain Zokolev stood up slowly and thought for a moment. "Alright, arrange for him to land in the main hanger and get a proper guard detail down there as precaution."

He walked towards the end of the bridge. "XO you have the bridge. I'll head down to hanger and meet this Sith Master."

As he stepped into the turbolift that would take him down, Vaseli straightened his uniform and hopped he looked alright. He hadn't had much sleep since the last operation. While it had been successful, small packs of bugs had still tried to attack his men. There had been some casualties, but fairly few. However, large groups of activity had been detected underground in certain areas, which made Vaseli wonderful how many large nests of these bugs were there all over the planet.

Still thinking, Captain Zokolev now stood on the hanger deck and awaited the other ship to land. A small detail of troopers stood straight in two lines stretching towards the landing area.

The Sith Infiltrator came into the docking bay, touching down with a gentle thud of landing struts. After a moment, the engine whine began to slow, as the flight systems were shut down; while at the same time the rear ramp way began to lower, touching down on the metallic decking of the bay. Another moment passed before a cloaked figure walked down the ramp, before turning and facing the Imperials who were in standard greeting formation...

Vance looked at the Stormtroopers, his guard coming up as he recognized their ready stances; while the soldiers appeared at ease, it remained that more than two of them were shaking with the effort of coiling muscles for being ready to react in a seconds notice.

None-the-less, the Sith Master's attention shifted to the more important portion of the arrival. Looking at the young officer, who appeared to be somewhat physically drained, Vance could only assume that it was either the one Vaseli Zokolev he was met to meet, or a subordinate sent to greet and take Vance to the former.

Vance didn't want to make assumptions.

"I am Sith Master Vance Jas," He said, coming to a stop in front of the other man, looking at him from within the darkness of his hood. "I have been sent to speak with Captain Zokolev, under the request of Vice-Admiral Kraken... I trust that you either know this man, or have otherwise been informed of desire to speak with the Captain?"

The Sith Master glanced to the closest Stormtrooper, having seen a slight visible relaxation. Perhaps Vance's words were what was needed to bring the tension in the docking bay down an amount. None-the-less, the Sith Master waited for the reply from the officer before him; Vance noticed that the other man had a badge of position on his chest, but the Sith had to admit he could not identify it from heads or tails...

The rank bar that existed on the left side of Vaseli's chest indicated the six yellow blocks of a Captain of the Line. As the figure looked at this bar, Vaseli straightened and looked at the man's face. He had never expected a one day meet an actual Sith Master and instantly began to wonder why this man was here.

As Vas spoke of being sent here by the Vice Admiral, he did not know whether it was or bad. Perhaps Vaseli had done a poor job, but he did not think so himself. If that was the case then he would have been contacted directly and replaced without a second thought. It had to be more than that. Maybe this Sith had a mission here? A mission just like himself. A mission they would help each other with.

"Sith Master Vas, I am Line Captain Vaseli Zokolev. I would like to welcome you aboard the Obliterator. If you like we have a private meeting room set up." The Captain replied and stood at attention before the Master.

While he stood still, internally his mind was turning slowly with different questions. Questions that he hoped would soon be revealed.

Rachuk military headquarters, later that day

"Sir, we've intercept a tranmission over a galatic coalition news network service. INS has stopped the signal from reaching any of our worlds in it's original form, but I think you should take a look at this." said an aide who handed him a datapad.

Kraken milled over the contents before looking up sharply at the aide.

"I presume this intelligence was provided to them by that rogue vessel that we had spotted earlier?" asked the governer in a inquring stare.

"It would seem so. The people aboard the craft were seen to land on the surface of the planet. When we sent an inquiry, they responded about some free press bullshit. Not really caring about their fates, we just watched while they roamed about the various battlefields before departing. Oh, and some the insects that we have identified as the breeders stung them while they were going about their buisness." reported the aide.

"Those fools. Any time now they'll start collapsing and spreading the offspring of the insects. We'll be doing them a huge favour once we destroy the hive mind, for should the insects that have breeded inside these fools come of age, they'll be able to hear long distance communications signals from the hive mind and from there, well, base delta zero is about the only effective way to kill these buggers." said Kraken with a somewhat pitying expression on his face.

"That reminds me sir. Are you sure that we shouldn't capture any of these insects alive and bring them back to the labs. Who knows what we could learn from these things?" asked the aide.

"No, we won't. I'm aware of the potential rewards that study of these things could bring, but they are just too much of a risk threat. It seems that we have already captured these things in the past, in their breeding form, and we've had problems in our labs already. No, specieide is the only means of dealing with this." answered the governer.

At that moment the aide looked down into his personal datapad as another message was recieved from his sources. He looked up at the governer with a somewhat forlorn expression on his face.

"Sir, intelligence is reporting a mass panic going on at the holonews station. Apparently a quarantine is underway for the local area." reported the official.

"Oops, better call the exterminators." said Kraken with a smile on his expression now.

"Sith Master Vas, I am Line Captain Vaseli Zokolev. I would like to welcome you aboard the Obliterator. If you like we have a private meeting room set up."

Vance narrowed his eyes as he listened to the good Captain. The Sith Master heard the clear mispronunciation of his name, and felt a surge of annoyance flowing through him. While it could be assumed that the young man before him could have been intimidated, Vance also assumed that an officer of rank within the Imperial forces would have enough diplomatic understanding as to get a name correct...

Surely such a small oversight was not indication of much larger ones?

"Very well, Captain," Vance said, watching as the Stormtroopers began to prepare to escort the two. "But in future, I suggest you refer to me by my correct name, instead of allowing yourself to stumble out a title. Some may find the lack of respect in remembering something as, seemingly, trivial as a name to be insulting... however, as I am feeling inclined to niceties, being as how I was asked to take part in the mission here, I will simply give you a warning: Address me incorrectly again, and you will find your ability to speak ceased."

Clearing his throat, Vance motioned for the Captain to lead the way.

"None-the-less, we have important matters to attend," The Sith Master said, smiling faintly. "Lead the way, Captain Zokolev..."

Vaseli could not help but feel embarrassed about getting the Master's name wrong. That never happened to him before and he did not know how it did now. All he could do was bow his head and say, "I'm awfully sorry for that Master Jas, the blame rests completely with me. It will never happen again, I assure you."

He stood back up straight and looked at the Sith Master in front of him. "Please come this way."

Captain Zokolev turned and lead Jas towards the rear of the hanger and through the thick blast doors that separated the hanger from the rest of the vessel. They both walked down a long corridor and made different turns before coming to a set of doors. These parted after Vaseli scanned his rank cylinder.

Finally they were inside a one of the Star Destroyer's conference rooms and the door sealed behind them. Vaseli motioned Jas to a seat before himself sitting down.

"Would you care for something to drink Master Jas?" Vaseli asked and watched the man.

When everything was ready, Vaseli asked the question burning in his mind. "Can you inform me on what your mission here at Mendrosia is Master Jas?"