OOC: See post for details. TG me if you're interested in being an NPC RPer.
Further notes: historical references and system use for expansion was pre approved by OG and ND. Expansion on Zsinj’s dealings with the Christmas Wars to be developed later on between myself and ND.
IC:
"Neither innocence, nor vigilance may be enough protection against the howling heart of the warrior." - Huntarian proverb.
Huntaria, Capital of the Imperial Conclave
Empress Eclipse slowly got up from her throne and walked out of her chambers, leaving HK behind to guard her position and keep an eye on Seario while he negotiates various deals with the companies currently meeting on Kuat. The hallway is long and gaudy, filled with gold, weapons, conquest paintings and portraits of rulers long dead since the founding of the Huntarian people. Off to the side was one of Eve's many private chambers that was long preserved as a communication's station for the Emperor/Empress. Unlike the common chambers which Seario was using, this one was a simple empty cube.
The images of Captains Michael Nansen, Zsinj, Delak Krennel, Carmen Khal, Jayne Haren, Nyra Daraay and Nial Declann appeared before her. The only one she recognized by face was Nansen, as he was a naturally born citizen of Huntaria while the others she knew of only through Huntarian recruitment programs. Maybe it's also because he's a fatherly figure, one which she recognizes from her own father but obviously much more civil and less verbal. The only one besides Nansen who stood out was Zsinj due to his tactical success during the Christmas Wars and his rise to the Captaincy in the Huntarian Military.
"Greetings gentlemen and ladies. You have all been called here for the same reasons. Your profile's have stood out among all the thousands of captains we have within our military." She paces to Michael and looks at him, "from various acts of valor," then walks up to Zsinj, who immediately straightens himself up, "to various ingenious tactical inventions," she slowly made her way to Delak Krennel, "to acts of loyalty and enemy suppression," she looks over at Carmen Khal and skips mentioning why she was here and moves on over to Jayne Haren, "general competence," she took a look at Haren, taking in her feminine body as one of the few real prominent female military officials, "various methods of promotion and persuasion," then she finally made her way to Nial Declann, "and unnatural capabilities to inspire our troops." She walked back towards the center of all six figures and looked at all of them.
"Whatever the reasons, you've all been selected because Admiral Khal and Corrend feel that you represent some of the best we have in the fleet. As such, you've been selected for a test. You're no doubt well aware, we've recently had some openings in the Grand Admiral rankings. The instant promotion to such a position is out of the question. However, there is a very fast track. The lot of you are looking at four years at the earliest, eight at the outside assuming the Admirals Tigellinus and Pitta don't get there first. They've been hired from the Galactic Conclave as expert consultants and have proven themselves loyal. Some of you are native born or are born elsewhere but share our interests and our mutual goals. From your positions in Alderaan, Brentaal, Corellia and Fondor, you will launch your squadrons and begin the eventual conquest of several key planets if we are to secure our future."
Eve sighed and continued on with her plan, "my mother had the right idea, but she was weak. She created the likes of myself and my sister, the new cure to the disease known as The Force which spreads throughout our galaxy and causes so much destruction, chaos and death. The Jedi and Sith will say that the other side is the one which causes the most harm, but we all know they're all self deluded with their need for control and conquest despite the Jedi's lies about being peacekeepers. My mother was still clouded by their teachings, I have no such manipulations from either side.”
“Hera barely expanded our territory beyond Tapani space, negotiated more within the Jasco and Bormea sectors and Kamino. I believe we’re finally ready to realize our true destiny. We can and will reform the shape of what is to come to our vision, not just follow the narrow minded view of my mothers. We shall broaden our horizons beyond curing Huntaria. We shall cure the galaxy of these ailments. There are hundreds of billions of humans who need our aid and for the greater good of Humanity we shall give it to them. Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight our star rises in the heavens. Good luck and good hunting.”
Every hologram except for Carmen Khal stood at attention and saluted Empress Eclipse before they faded away from image.
_________________________________________
Brentaal IV
Captain Zsinj walked out of his comms room and walked onto the hard metallic floor of the new Calamity class destroyer, Sentient which he was given command of. It did not have the traditional feel which the majority of starships had. He was used to the various cylindrical and dagger shaped ships commonly found throughout the galaxy. Granted, while this ship was formed similar to a few Cruisers he has served on, it still felt different. There was an elegance to her rugged design. Unlike the Star Destroyer’s he served on in the Conclave, this ship didn’t feel like it was a mere brute’s weapon.
This ship felt as though it could both serve as a symbol of both hope and fear at the same time. This was good, for he could use the ideology to his advantage. Deception was key, and he knew how to play his hand. He reached down to his side holster and took out his pistol and checked it’s charge to make sure he could use it in case something went wrong. His target was Anaxes. While mostly a military school for Conclave cohorts, he knew the general human population had no love for their co-habitant alien partners.
He knew he could play this to his advantage. Sure, some of the teachers might ultimately align with the Conclave, but he knew the majority will willingly fall under Huntaria’s protection. If he could get the aliens to willingly join as well, bonus. If not… More cannon fodder for his men to shoot at. He cared not, for whatever happens will happen and he’ll just roll with it like he always has. The special promotion to Fleet Captain will be no difference, and he won’t allow the title to cloud him like many of his Huntarian counterparts.
The troops around him immediately stood at attention as he walked by, saluting him as he returned salutes. His very presence demanded respect as a Conclave Officer, his position in the Huntarian Fleet will be treated no different and he’ll see to that. He finally made his way to a bridge design which was unlike anything he’s familiar with. He hid his shock and awe at the elegantly rugged interior design which the Huntarians developed. It felt like it belonged in this galaxy yet somehow… Alien. There’s no lower level platform, no upper deck for him to walk around and peer on down over his subordinates like on a Venator or Victory Star Destroyer. No windows around the surrounding walls.
Instead all he saw was holographic monitors and keypads instead of the analog buttons he was familiar with on the majority of destroyers and corvettes. He could clearly see various stations ranging from communications, sensors, navigation, tracking systems, ship status reports, the whole works. Towards the center of the bridge he could see a small octagon shape with a giant hole in the center with a holographic image of Brentaal IV in the center along with various small blips which represented orbiting Colonial Ships, debris and other orbiting objects.
“Has the other three ships reported in yet?”
“Yes sir, they report all systems are normal.
“Excellent. Set a course for the Anaxes system. Best possible speed.”
The young Flight Officer nodded her head in acknowledgement, “aye sir. Sir…”
“Yes Lieutenant?”
“If I might suggest, I know you’re still getting used to the transition from using the standard technology found throughout the galaxy. We actually don’t need a “best possible speed” command except for when using sublight engines. We use the more superior Jump Drives over that of Hyperdrives. As a result, we actually don’t need to use any of the hyperspace lanes and can literally jump at any point, anywhere in the galaxy. Most commanders actually use the term “Jump” or a variant thereof.
Zsinj looked at the young female with cold glaring eyes, placing his hand on his pistol grip. She looked back up at him wide eyed, forgetting that he was a renowned psychopath. “You know what Lieutenant?” She gulped for a few seconds, anticipating these last few seconds to be her last, “you’re absolutely right. However, next time you wish to make such an observation, report it to the X.O. and not myself directly… Unless you wish to take a blast to your head. Am I clear?”
She sighed with relief, “yes sir.”
She hurriedly walked away from the Captain, who laughs inwardly at her reaction. He wasn’t about to waste a potentially good officer for making a simple observation. She was correct though, but he didn’t like being corrected. If she decides to do it again though, he might not be forgiving the next time. Zsinj glanced back towards the center piece on the bridge which immediately switched to the image of Anaxes.
“Jump complete sir. Sensors are picking up enemy traffic. We have a fleet line incoming.”
The Captain smiled deviously and relished the thought of the oncoming battle. However, he had orders to try to save as many resources as possible from the Fortress World. They weren’t strict orders though… “Open communications with the Fleet Commander.”
_________________________________________
Brentaal IV
Carmen Khal looked out from her bedroom at the distant stars just beyond the rocky planet of Brentaal IV. She already missed Aron’s presence, but she could deal with it for a few days. It’s not like he wouldn’t be rondevu with her at a later date. She could see half of her fleet surrounding her ship, while the other fleet commanded by Captain Zsinj destined for Anaxes jumped away. She could tell her other female counterpart was eager to get her job started. Anaxes is a known humanist society and would more than likely be glad to join the Huntarians and their ally’s goal of furthering humanity’s interests throughout the galaxy. Carmen however was expected to fail despite the obvious advantages of having Alsakan on Huntaria’s side. Eve doubted Carmen’s ability to persuade the Alsakan’s favor by force as she knew that they’d need a troop requirement of nearly the size of Brentaal IV’s population to hold nearly 1 trillion citizens.
Carmen scoffed inwardly at Eve for her naive behavior, expecting all Huntarians to want to achieve victory through means of conquest. True, the majority of the simpleminded violent commoner would attempt such a feat but she knew better and she had her husband to thank for it. Alsakan was going to be a diplomatic situation if she wanted to have every last known resource still existing on the planet. The people are invaluable, as they are the last known resistors to Coruscant’s rule as Galactic Center and have several times themselves to usurp the title from the dead city planet.
Carmen was a born diplomat more than she was a mercenary, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made a few personal kills in her time. But she was no expert tactician. It has long been suspected she got her captaincy rank through her husband who was the Grand Admiral of the Huntarian Fleet. She knew how to get the Alsakan’s on their side in an instant. She’ll give them the deal they’ve always wanted since the founding of the Old Republic. She watched outside of her small as the stars and planet of Alderaan disappeared from sight and were replaced by the city planet of Alsakan. The intercom in her room beeped loudly, “yes, what is it?”
“Ma’am, we have arrived at the designated coordinates.”
“Thank you Petty Officer. Open up communications with the Alsakan representative in my private chambers please.”
“Aye.”
She yawned loudly as she hopped out of bed and buttoned up her greyish red uniform and approached her desktop, activating holographic communications. The standard blue holographic image appeared before her, revealing a young man in his mid 40’s.
“Yes Captain, how can I help you?”
“I think you know why I’m here.”
“Yes I do and our answer is still no. We will not respond to threats of violence and retaliations.”
She waved her hand in dismissal, “never mind what the previous diplomats told you. I’m here to make you an offer you won’t refuse. One which will benefit both our peoples.”
“I’m listening.”
“We want to make you the new Galactic Center for Humanity. A world which humans may travel to for diplomatic means when we need to sign treaties and various alliances. We wish to make Alsakan the new Head Quarters for spearheading Humanity’s interests throughout the galaxy. Look, we already know your planet is already heavily overpopulated and we are willing to help transport people to new planets to be colonized throughout the galaxy. Set up a better life for the less fortunate, people no one around here will notice are gone or missing. What do you say Senator?”
The man slowly nodded his head thinking about Carmen’s new proposal, “if this is true, then why weren’t we told in the first place? If your goals are the same as ours, we would’ve stepped right up and offered our assistance.”
Carmen sighed, “some people… Well, most of my people are more warriors and aggressors more than they are diplomats. Rest assured, the previous Captain you dealt with was disciplined accordingly to their actions.”
Alsakan, Diplomatic chambers
The Senator paused in thought as the image of Captain Khal sat paciently, waiting for his answer. He heard the nearby door slide open automatically and an assistant bent over and whispered into his ear. “Sir, there’s a man standing outside of your office. He says he has an appointment with you but there’s no one scheduled today.”
He sighs and gets up from his seat, “I’ll have to get back to you later on this evening Captain. I apparently have an unscheduled appointment at this time.”
The image of Carmen Khal got up from her desk and bowed, “of course Senator, I understand you’re a busy man. We’ll be up here in orbit around your planet until we have your answer. Captain Khal out.”
The blue image of the Captain slowly faded away. The senator sighed, damn Huntarians think they can grab whatever they want. He grabbed a cold glass of water, feeling extraordinarily thirsty and took a sip feeling more relaxed. He quickly turned to open his door and walked out into his waiting room.
“Now what is this about an unscheduled meet---“ his hands immediately went limp as he saw the person of interest standing before him in the far corner of the room, the glass of water shattered onto the ground. The figure was tall and thin, draped in long dark leather suit and robes. The figure turned around, it’s gloved hand gripped a long black walking stick while the other gripped it’s belt. The hood obscured it’s face, if it even had one from view. “L--- Lord Vorman, I wasn’t expecting you to here. Where’s the Apprentice I’ve been dealing with?”
“Dispatched on other errands. Apparently he didn’t make himself clear, so I’m here to deal with you in person.”
“Forgive me, I had no idea he was really serious…” He bent down onto the ground and attempted to appear to huddle in fear, reaching inside his jacket for a hidden holdout pistol. The door leading into the waiting room buzzed as it attempted to be open.
“Senator? Is everything all right in there?”
Vorman kicked his foot into the Senator’s chest, sending him backwards onto the ground, revealing his hidden pistol, “I’ve had enough of you. You think me to be nonexistent, yet when I appear you think me a fool to fall for such an obvious trickery,” He gripped his walking stick with both of his hands and pressed a button, a bright red laser blade erupted from the top and softly hummed.
The Senator attempted to scramble towards his office door, shouting as the blade came crashing down on him “NO!” His body fell down, deprived of life.
“If you will not willingly cooperate with my plans to help save our people, then perhaps your successor won’t be so foolish.”
_________________________________________
Alderaan
Captain Nyra Daraay sat up in her bed, attempting to finish putting on her uniform. She got off to a lousy start this morning, eyes still groggy and feeling miserable. She glanced out the viewport of her small cruiser from her personal quarters. The Mars class Carrier was similar in design to the Corellian CR-90 Corvette Freedom’s Messenger, however the ship was easily twice as big and carried much better equipment and systems than her older Corellian counterpart. However, instead of one side hangar bay it sported two, closer in design to the classic Colonial Battlestars. Otherwise, the ship was a very similar configuration.
Unlike most Huntarian commanders, she was typically a more relaxed and personable touch to her crew, much like Nansen did when she served under him. They still maintained discipline and dress codes, but at the same time it was a relaxed atmosphere. Nyra liked to have a more interactive approach to commanding her crew, she knew them all by name by playing word games that associated person’s jobs with their name inside her head. “Geoffrey brings me coffee” for her yeoman, “Lew holds the glue” for her Chief Engineer and so on.
She thought to herself as she zipped up her back piece, about why she was given the Raithal assignment, considering she wasn’t a teacher. Hell, she hasn’t been a RDC for a century. All she ever wanted was a command of her own and Nansen helped her get that. So why Raithal, she wondered to herself. Maybe they thought she couldn’t handle one of the tougher conquest paths that her male counterparts were given, or the diplomatic overtures of Carmen Khal. Yes, she was in fact a Dirt Slut, borne and raised on Tauron, but that didn’t stop her from making her way to the top and showing a diplomatic structure.
At any rate, it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. She walked up to the nearby replicator in her room and ordered a strong black coffee with double shots of expresso. She’s the master of her faculties, both ship-wise and personal and wasn’t about to let a lousy nights sleep interfere with her duties. Her first instinct in dealing with getting Raithal wasn’t to blow the living hell out of the place like her testosterone driven counterparts would. These were students after all and didn’t needlessly die a horrible death. They are still manipulatable, open to suggestion, thus she might only have to execute the current standing teachers which would be better given alternative circumstances.
She walked out into the corridors. They were sleek white and crimson littered with holographic interfaces, interactive displays and other advanced technologies which came with serving onboard Huntarian ships unlike the analog buttons and keypads which possess much of the galaxy. She still had a modern feel, probably because Huntaria’s Corellian counterparts designed the ship to be blended in with the rest of the galaxy so that when taking a first glance at the exterior and interior of the hull you wouldn’t think much of the difference.
She liked the ships, they were great dedicated carriers unlike the poorly designed and overcompensating Imperial Star Destroyers found in Chiss and Kuat space. Calamity was good, hell she could pound the hell out of a Mandator class, a ship more than five times her size if faced one on one. Unlike the rest of the fleet, she knew that Nansen was in for a surprise when his fleet arrives at Foreost.
The deep voice of her X.O. rang through her chambers, forcing her to grumble to herself, “captain Daraay, CIC. Captain Daraay, come in ma’am.”
She got up from her bed and pressed the coms button near her headpiece. “yeah, go.” She walked up to the replicator, forgetting that she had ordered the cup of coffee earlier. At least it’s colder and easier to chug.
“Ma’am, the fleet’s all reported in. You ready to jump?”
“Have them scout out the planet first. Reports have shown the students and teachers to be massing a rag-tag fleet of sorts. Then we’ll jump our ship.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She sighed and flopped back down onto her bed, knowing that she just spared herself a few minutes of rest. However, as she attempted to lay back down and take a quick cat nap, she spilt her coffee all over the sheets. She swore loudly to herself as she gathered up her supply of towels to clean up the mess. The ships the students were using were probably old and outdated, given the fact they were a school and not an actual military installation. Still, the teachers weren’t assigned there out of incompetence. That’d be stupid. About as stupid as attempting to go back to bed with your coffee still in your hands.
_________________________________________
Corulag
Captain Nansen stood down from his perfect posture and immediately relaxed as soon as Eve’s image disappeared. He was grateful that she gave him the first Calamity prototype, however he was slowly beginning to question if she really was the right side to choose when it came to securing the future in Huntaria. Not to say he has any love for the aliens they were seeking to remove from the galaxy, but he wasn’t sure if it was the right course of action. Certainly humanity deserved to be at the top of the high-end of culture of the galaxy, but what Eve is proposing seems to be a little extreme even for his tastes.
Maybe it’s because he was a family man, or maybe because he cared about the long-term effect these sort of actions have on the galaxy in terms of historical references. These things might seem like a good idea in the immediate present, but in the future end up being revealed as being war crimes. He didn’t want his children to be mixed up in that sort of a mess, not if he can help it. This next assignment though, he had no questions on. The Imperial Conclave needed those ship yards if they were to expand, even if they have their own ship yards. They will need more, much more if they plan on spreading their influence throughout the galaxy and hold the planets they plan on taking.
Corulag was the first great step in securing Humanity’s future. Installing new Human teachers who share their vision of the future was just the first stage, however the Imperial Conclave will need more schools, which was to be Daraay’s job in securing Raithal. Within a decade or two, there will be hundreds of new captains swearing loyalty to Humanity and their practices. Now, Corulag and Raithal will need some ships to give to those future students.
Foerost was nearby and possessed massive ship yards nearing the size of Corellia or Fondor, but were much older. Due to their proximity to other target planets, Foerost was designated a prime target for acquiring. This Nansen had no problem in supporting, though he’d prefer to retire while he was ahead and relocate his family to Corulag so that he can teach tactics to the future minds. This would be a mission that will make his wife and children proud if he manages to succeed.
The fleet he was given to support the Calamity was small, but highly effective. Alongside with the HMS Calamity, there were two Horus Class Corvettes meant for fleet escort and two Menhit class Corvettes, dedicated anti-capital corvettes. Ships of similar designs and make also made up the fleets given to the commanding officers heading out to Anaxes, Alsakan and Raithal. However, this squadron was geared towards fleet confrontations.
He made his way up to the bridge, which had the exact same layout as Zsinj’s except for the fact it looks old, containing and looks like something someone from outside of Huntarian Space created. The scenery around here would make the rest of the Humans in the galaxy feel at home. Unlike most Huntarians, he doesn’t care for the next shinny new technology. He likes what he sees and simply sticks with it up until the end.
He looked up at the Command Center of the bridge and noted the holographic representation of Corulag. The holograms in the center of the console was as every bit detailed as the real thing, at least that’s how he thought it appeared. His X.O., Nathaniel Kozlowski, stood at attention as the Captain approached him. “Board is green sir. The fleet is on stand by and ready to approach Foerost on your command.”
Captain Nansen took out his gun from his side holster and checked the chambers. “Your men standing by for boarding actions Commander?”
“Yes sir. We’re expecting heavy resistance, but nothing we can’t handle. Space and Colonial Marines are standing by ready for boarding action.”
The ships’s Second walked up and handed in the final reports. She looked concerned about the mission, “I don’t like the looks of these reports sir. It shows that we’re easily outnumbered.”
Nansen grinned maniacally, “don’t tell me the odds. You forget Lieutenant Commander, that while we’re out gunned we still have superior technological and tactical advantages over the enemy and I intend on putting those to use.” He picks up a nearby wireless headset, “hangar bay.”
“Go sir.”
“Are my birds ready to launch?”
“Yes sir. All Two Hundred Wraith Vipers are prepped and ready for combat.”
“Lets make the jump.” Michael looked out at the holographic image and held his breath as the image switched over to Foerost and waited for the confirmation.
The Navigator read out the coordinates she got from her computer, “jump complete. Getting initial scans. Oh my god...”
Nansen’s face grew pale as he saw the images of ships appear on the holographic readouts. “Those aren’t Providence ships, those are Dreadnaughts!”
Kozlowski bent over the command center and enhanced the holographic image, enlarging the picture with his hands as though he was stretching an image, watching the images of the massive ships loom closer towards them, “looks like there’s two Bulwark Mk III’s in the bunch. I got a bad feeling about this...”
