Three weeks before,
Dantooine System

"How many times will we do this?" Tornel asked, blearily looking down at the tactical display. They'd been stationed over Dantooine for weeks, almost since they'd taken Bastion, and almost ceaselessly had been rehearsing this same situation.

"Until we get it right," Theren replied, tapping the commlink. "Everybody, back to insertion point. Captain Tegen, please stop accelerating into the line of fire. If you do that in combat, we're probably just going to shoot you, and be done with it."

There was a slight chuckle across the comm channel, and an acknowledgement from Tegen. The ships went back to the arduous task of returning to the point on the edge of the system which would represent the position at which they would drop out of hyperspace, in their designated target system.

Where, exactly, that was, Tornel had no idea. He knew that Theren had been told by Imperial Command, and the commodore had caught him searching through Imperial records for systems which resembled Dantooine in structure.

Theren looked sideways at his aide, smirking slightly. "Alright. Again. Captain Sereguay, lead the way, mock fire when ready..."

Present day,
Kamino System

"Kamino is absolutely nothing like Dantooine," Tornel said, contemptuously.

Theren mocked confusion. "Why, Lieutenant, you weren't trying to undermine Imperial Command by researching into classified information, were you?"

"Fuck you."

Theren laughed, and the two stepped onto the bridge, immediately ceasing all conversation and maintaining the chain-of-command solemnity that was expected of them. The sensors officer, who looked no older than twenty, nodded to his commander in greeting. His face was illuminated by the shifting blue patterns of a hyperspace tunnel, as was most of the bridge. "Sir," the young man said, "We're about thirty seconds outside of the Kamino system."

"Good." Theren looked out the viewport, as if he could divine information about their path through space simply by looking at the swirling vortex of hyperspace. "Check our velocity. I don't want to come out a meter further than we've rehearsed."

The man nodded, busying himself with the task. "We're good, sir," he affirmed, turning back to his console to await the coming reversion. This had all been practiced and repracticed a thousand times; rehearsed down to the finest detail, exactly how they would approach the situation, no matter what occured.

The Zenith -- today, a Reign-class Star Destroyer, temporarily renamed after the actual ship bearing that moniker was placed in drydock for repair -- finally reached its destination, the twisting saphire mass outside the viewport reverting to starlines, and the starlines reverting to stars. They were once again left staring at the endless, inky blackness of space, punctuated only by the bright Kaminoan sun in front of them, and the planets surrounding it.

Though the crew scarcely needed to be told, Theren said, "Jam long-range communications. We don't need them calling friends."

"Vessel check in?"

"They're all here, sir."

"Good." Theren faced straight ahead, nodding one more time, as if to assure himself. "Open a channel to Kamino."

"This is Commodore Theren Gevel of the Galactic Empire to the rebel government of Kamino. Submit your complete and unconditional surrender immediately, or you will be forced to."

Waving a hand to cease the simple transmission, Theren issued a further directive; "Order the Constrainers to branch out and raise their interdiction fields, but to keep aback of the primary assault force. Deply the TIE Defender and Interceptors, and align the Carrack and Fire-Class cruisers to form up in the arrowhead formation, the Fire at the most defended position, as we'd planned."

<hr>
Kaminoan Strike Force Alpha
Commanded by Theren Gevel

1 Reign-Class Star Destroyer
1 Fire-Class Light Frigate
2 Carrack-Class Cruisers
3 Constrainer-Class Interdiction Pickets
1 Squadron: TIE Defenders
2 Squadrons: TIE Interceptors
2 Squadrons: Scimitar Assault Bombers

EDIT: Bump. Just so that you guys don't use some excuse like "o i didnt see it".

Line-Captain Grigmon-Rautha chewed layers of skin off his lower lip in seeming agitation, gloved-hands clasped naturally behind his back.

Such an Imperial cliché… Rautha remembered thinking, before at last receiving a command of his own. Now he felt uncomfortable standing any other way.

Grigmon-Rautha, a large burly man, at least a good head taller than any of the others aboard the Star Destroyer’s bridge, stood haughtily on the control deck, waiting. Broad shoulders and a firm poise betrayed his extensive military training. He was dark haired, round of face, and his sullen eyes stared absently out the foreword viewport.

The Captain was indeed nervous. Certainly not because of the pathetic foe he would face here today. He was confident in his forces; his ships, his men. He was confident in his ability. He was competent in the task forces commander, one Theren Gevel. No… any faction that opposed the iron fist of the Empire was beyond foolish to think resistance was anything but useless.

Then Line-Captain Grigmon-Rautha must have had some other reason for his angst.

Perhaps it was the pressure of the assault on Kamino being one of the first moves by the Empire against another faction since the tragedy of the great virus.

The cause was irrelevant. Success was the only possible option. Glory for the Empire.

Before he knew it, Rautha’s task force had dropped out of hyperspace.

The signal for orders was sent to alpha group.

Victory awaited.


<font size="1">OOC:

Strike Force Beta
Commanded by Captain Grigmon-Rautha

Imperial-Class Star Destroyer
Carrack-Class Light Cruiser
Carrack-Class Light Cruiser
Constrainer-Class Interdiction Picket
Constrainer-Class Interdiction Picket
Constrainer-Class Interdiction Picket

1 Squad TIE Defenders (12)
2 Squads TIE Phantoms (24)
2 Squads Scimitar Assault Bombers (24)</font>

The craft reverted from Hyperspace with no notice from Kamino ground control. There were 8 ships in all, 4 of which barely classed as transports, the others barely acceptable size wise as capital class ships. Their jump took them as close to the planet as possible. On board on of the craft, Lupercus paced rapidly.

This was his first mission as a (semi) enlisted officer in the Imperial Navy, but that was not what troubled him. What troubled him was that he was now bound by rules of war and combat that limited his, skills.

Sure, the Imperial war machine was known for being ruthless, and genocide was an integral part of its policies, but even for Lupercus that was not enough. His thoughts were wild, counterbalancing his orders with the fun other Imperial orders had provided him, Naboo forming up as his most significant pro-Imperial arguement. Eventually he sat, sated that he would be able to accomplish his mission well within Imperial parameters as well as having a little fun of his own.

The ships sped towards the planet, but as they closed, the four larger ships pulled up, closing slowly still, but retaining a basic holding pattern. The other 4 craft, of which Lupercus was aboard, continued their drive, moving towards the planet with the intention of landing. All 8 craft had remained undetected the whole time, allowing Lupercus to grin slightly.

Perhaps there is one or two other benefits to working with these Imperials!

(OOC: Fleet Manifest

8 unidentified craft of unknown origin.)

A small amused chuckle escaped itself from someone else aboard Lupercus' craft.

There were not many who would dare to dream of cackling over Lupercus' work, not unless they intended to have their very breath drained from them.

There was one being aboard Lupercus' vessel that did not bother to give thought toward such consequences; perhaps it was because he felt that he did not need to.

He held primacy over Lupercus; he had for some time now, but not aboard this mission. No, on this mission, the tides had changed and the presence that had chuckled at Lupercus was nothing more than a waste of space aboard the craft; he'd merely come aboard to see how Lupercus faired as an Imperial Naval Officer.

"Not bad, Lupercus, not bad at all..."

The being that stood with Lupercus was no one unfamiliar, but perhaps easily forgotten. Time had been his technique for forgetfulness, and his method had gone perfectly according to plan.

Only once in a blue moon did he come out of hiding, always with a purpose or a goal in mind. Such was no different there with Lupercus, though his goal was not so obvious.

"This brings back memories of my brief trip to Endor, perhaps if you had been with me Lupercus.... I would have come back victorious."

He'd been far from victorious. He had no crew to aid his cause; just his swift ruling hand, that hand had cost him.

He looked forward to the day when Lupercus would be in charge of a much larger fleet, enjoying the grin quickly dissipate from the Prince's face. For now, the Sith Lord could only imagine such a day.

"Pray that you do not fail this mission Lupercus, or you will have more than just the leading Imperials' to deal with."

Zeta's amusement ceased to exist now, his own presence seeking to bring pressure toward the Sith Knight, something Lupercus had been without for some time...

(OOC: listen, guys? I'm the only active MCR member right now, Teebo is not capable of getting onto the internet right now. I'm getting swamped with battles and other RL responisbilities. I will try to get to you soon, but I'm afraid right now you'll just have to take a number.

Sorry for the delay)

OOC: Well, we're going to call that something like 168 hours. Even mercy has it's limits, and I see other CoLF members posting in the other Veneration. Say goodbye to Kamino.

IC:

"Ten-minute mark, sir," the officer said. "No change in sensor readings."

"Seventy-percent acceleration, dead ahead, towards Kamino, then. No point in beating around the bush if they aren't even going to come out and meet us."

"Strike Force Beta," Theren said, speaking quickly and clearly, "Move forward, on our left flank. Keep alert, Captain Grigmon-Rautha; even if the others have them distracted at Mon Calamari, our work here won't be a simple matter."

"Acknowledged, Commodore."

The massive steel beasts slid forward in space, the gap separating them from Kamino shrinking second by second. The other planets of the system were conveniently placed in other locations in their orbit, at the moment, leaving them a clear path to Kamino. In minutes, the blue-grey world hung beneath them like a great saphhire gem glittering in the rays of a distant sun.

"Full atmospheric scan," Theren said, though he had a good idea already of what he'd find. While whatever changes Mon Calamari occupation had exacted on the planet had to be taken into account, the unstable nature of the world's climate meant that whatever cities that appeared in Imperial records of the world would likely be the extent of Kamino's population.

The world appeared on one of the tactical displays of the Zenith's bridge, attracting Theren's instant attention. The globe spun before him, domed cities marked with red spots. Tornel approached behind him. "Anything different than we'd expected?"

"Not really," Theren replied, "Except for this, here. This city seems to have doubled in size; likely some sort of headquarters for the M.C.R. occupying forces." He knew he had to formulate a plan to take this into account quickly, and did so.

"Orders, sir?"

Theren nodded. "Alright. Deploy a squadron of Scimitar Bombers and a squadron of Interceptors to act as guards, and have them make a sweep across the planet, and strike these two cities, here, and here," the Commodore said, pointing to the red dots on the holographic map. "For both cities, the Interceptors fly one kilometer ahead, and fire on all aerial defences; gain air superiority. Then have the Scimitars bomb the cities: try to cause awe-inspiring effects.

"Establish a geocentric orbit around this large city here, the M.C.R. occupational center," Theren continued. "Have Strike Force Beta establish one around this city, here, to its east. Establish a fighter perimeter around us, for defense.

"And issue one squadron of TIE Defenders to begin a slow descent towards the occupational center."

"Yes, sir."

The fighters began zooming away in their respective directions almost instantly, the crew of the Zenith working feverishly to relay Theren's orders. The ship itself moved into its ordered orbit with a slow, monotonous whine.

On the map before Theren, one of the cities began blinking, a signal of being under assault. "Well?" He asked.

"Interceptors report that they have encountered moderate resistence from the ground defences, and neutralized it. The bombers have devastated the superstructure of the city; it's in ruins, sir."

Theren took a deep breath. It wasn't his first combat experience by any means -- not after his two experiences at Bastion -- but an assault on an inhabited world was somehow different. Even victory stung, but he pushed that from his mind. "Good. Go for the second target city. Have the Zenith target that MCR capital; bombardment fire when ready. Direct some fire into the water around the city."

From the bow of the craft came a great barrage of green turbolaser fire, pouring down onto the planet below. On the tactical display, the capital of sorts now began to blink, as well. "Begin to lower a Carrack towards that city. Order all vessels on standby for further orders."

(OOC: I'm very sorry for the delay. I have been running around like a loony trying to organize RL. I will now deal with this)

The remaining defences powered down. those who could fled by boat or deep into the cities. Finally, a message from the survivors of the first bombing was sent to the invaders.

In a burnt room, a wounded Mon Calamari sat behind a ragged desk. He holds a rag to a shrapnel cut on his arm. He looks old and tired, but speaks with a long standing strength.

"We surrender. Our homeworld is under attack and incapable of coming to our aid. You are cunning, yes definetly cunning. Striking us while our people fight overwhelming odds. We have decided to allow the occupation of TNO forces into our cities and this world, provided you accept one condition:

"TNO shall allow the innocent people of this world to go about their buisness unmolested. It will not single out people because of their race for persecution. You will let the people live as they have always done, just under a different banner. If you cannot accept this, or you cannot speak for your government then I beg you allow us to ferry our civilians offworld to safety.

"This is all we ask, alittle safety. If you accept then we will stand down. If not then wel will fight with whatever we have, down to the last half-brick. Then we will destroy the cities."

The light in his eye made it clear that this was no idle threat.

"Let us see how your mighty empire would enjoy ruling a world with no people or land, just tracks of ocean and storms"

Theren Gevel smiled slowly, looking down at the turbulent blue world. He looked sideways at his aide, who stared sternly ahead. The transmission ended with the threat of the Mon Calamari, "Let us see how your mighty empire would enjoy ruling a world with no people or land, just tracks of ocean and storms."

"They're certainly ferocious. Well, recall the fighters and bombers, and deploy the shuttles from the Zenith, and land troops on the capital, and on the half-finished shipyards. Open a channel."

"Done, sir."

"The Empire accepts the offer of surrender by the Mon Calamari, and agrees barring intervention by the Regent to the terms offered." Theren nodded once, and continued, "I hereby install myself as temporary governor of Kamino, and order the construction facilities around this planet handed over to The New Order immediately. Furthermore, all foreign military forces -- all Mon Calamari Republic military forces -- off of Kamino immediately. We will provide transport if you cannot." He thought a moment more, and decided to echo the threatening tone of the Mon Calamari official, adding, "This will be done within the hour, or the surrender will be voided."

Theren nodded once more to cut the transmission, and took a sidelong glance at Tornel, who was eying him warily. "That's the hard part over."

"Not hardly. Taking territory is the easy part."

A Handful of fighters that had hidden when the attack had came, afew vehicals, and the foot troops, were loaded onto large civilian liners, which were promised return with a large credit recompense to their owners.

The Mon Calamari Troops and ships left Kamino, secure in the knowledge that although it had been lost, its' people would be alright.

(OOC: I am sorry we did not offer up a more sporting defence. But as you know we're very busy, and MCR would like to deal with situations rapidly.)

"We're in range, sir. Open channel?"

"Yeah."

The Carrack's communication officer carried out the order, immediately beginning to prepare a broadcast frequency. The Imperial vessels had established a perimeter about the world, preparing to garrison it. "Open, sir."

"Good." Theren cleared his throat and clutched both hands behind his back, reverting for a moment back to his training. "Attention, all residents of Kamino. This is Commodore Theren Gevel of the Galactic Empire. Kamino is now under the rule of the New Order. Prepare for occupation by military forces; landing craft have been deployed. Resistence will be met with force."

The Carrack broke through the clouds, down towards the misty blue waters below. Barely visible at their altitude, Theren could make out the city they'd shelled from their orbital position earlier. No smoke rose from the city; that was a good sign. The assault itself over, Theren wished for the most operable planet possible.

The Carrack itself was a clumsy vessel, good for very little in the modern galaxy. However, they'd found a niche in Theren's mind as troop deployment craft; considering their capability for atmospheric flight and relatively small size, they could ferry a huge number of troops into battle. Or, in this case, into occupation.

The captain of the craft broke Theren's silent contemplation with an update. "They've cleared us for landing. Similar reports have come from all over the planet."

"Good. Keep up the communication scrambling."