The Start

[UntimelyDemise]

OOC: Well, since nobody else is starting this...

 

 

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

 

Colonel Loor stares out the viewport of the bridge of the Dark Gnome into the vastness of space. During his days in the Academy, space seemed such an incredible adventure. Now it seems like a place of death. As a TIE Interceptor pilot, Loor saw many of his friends die, while he lived. Now, Loor was in command of an escort carrier...in charge of pilots whose life spans probably weren't as long as his Academy days. His only thought at the moment was the rendezvous with the Imperial shuttle which brought a most important guest. If he only knew the identity of the guest...

 

The transmission was short, coded, and very, very secret. It simply said:

 

"To: Commander-Dark Gnome From: Imperial Fleet Command-Adjutant General---A Shuttle, the Pride of Tarkin will be arriving at 1300 hours carrying an important Imperial officer with your new orders. See to it this officer is treated with the utmost of respect, in the grand tradition of Imperial etiquette. Message Ends"

 

What a strange communique...

[Markaine]

The sirens sounded as the shuttle eased its way toward the hangar. The sound broke Lord Markaine's concentration. For years he waited for this moment. After all these years, he would finaly be recognised as an Imperial. A smile was to hard to resist at the thought. His duty as a science officer and head of the Research and Development never granted him the respect he deserved. The officers in the cafeteria found him laughable. Even Bounty Hunters were treated better. But now his chance to be "Someone" is here. "We're here, follow me please." Markaine could almost see a smurk through the Stormtrooper's helmet. As he started down the ramp he was greeted by......

 

==============================

OOC by JI: Wow, since when are Corporals more important than Colonels? I really want to know... . Some other notes, if you could please not have your whole post in a whole paragraph, it would be easier on the eyes. Also.. so far I count enough Imperials, so until further notice we need only Rebels and neutrals

[UntimelyDemise]

Welcome aboard the Dark Gnome, the finest ship in the Imperial Navy. I am Colonel Carson Loor, Commanding Officer. I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me, but your arrival is a bit unexpected.

 

Perhaps you could introduce yourself and explain why you're here? I'm a bit unsure of why we were taken away from our duties...

[Guest JediIgor]

I was one of the few officers which greeted the newcoming Corporal. Although his rank was low, years of Research & Development led him to a rather prominent position within the Imperial Order.

 

I was here, the Supreme Warlord & Sith Warrior of the mighty Galactic Empire, and nobody even suspected anything. I traveled incognito as Samig Mabak, a lowly Lieutenant. The Emperor himself, the great Evaders, had sent me to oversee Markaine's transportation. As to why, I still wondered.

 

Climbing out of my thoughts, I noticed the Colonel, captain Loor, ask Lord Markaine why is it he arrived. I awaited the Lord to answer the question in quite a suspense.

[Zag Fel]

The Empire was not the only faction readying for the approaching hostilities: far across the galaxy the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic was holding a similar convention. Inside the conference room aboard the escort frigate Pride of Chandrila, the senior officers - some aboard the vessel and others present only in hologram - of the various Alliance branches assembled in silence. A projector flickered in the corner of the room, projecting a helmeted man dressed in the orange uniform of Starfighter Command. A line of text identified the standing figure as Commodore Zachary Fel, commander of Emerald Squadron and veteran of the escape from Outpost Bravo. A burst of static momentarily disolved the image, but the hologram quickly recomposed itself.

[ElvisMiggell]

Some of us, including myself, Commander Elvis Miggell, waited with baited breath to hear what the legendary Fel had to say. I had only recently been promoted, and not yet assigned a new squadron. The hologram fuzzed out and then re-coalesced. Then Fel began to speak...

[adam_diggins]

OOC: Here comes the neutrals! I got an OK from Evaders to post this, I'll change details after if they do not work good for stratus. Also I'm *not* bringing the tyrants in, no matter how much people beg This post is the background one explainign the current situation with UCOJ jujt so people don't get *too* confused because they haven't read the novels.

 

IC: Mara Diggins paced back & forth across the floor to the bridge of the Hell Hammer II over & over. She always thought best when moving, much like her father Adam. The thought of her father sent a twinge of pain through her mind. The memory of his death was still strong in her mind.

 

It had been almost three months now since the attack...no make that slaughter of Kalanto. Those aliens called "The Tyrants" had destroyed her life.

 

The Defences at Kalanto had been given a massive overhaul after the "Rebellion Campaigns" (OOC: the last RPG), when the combined forces of the Empire & New Republic from Luminar (OOC: the reality this RPG is in, since UCOJ comes naturally from another one, Arjann, we are reality jumpers ) along with the Linestar Alignment tried to, & almost succeeded in taking over Kalanto.

 

Mara didn't know too much about this, since this was right before she was born, but from what she had heard from her father not only did they almost succeed, but UCOJ had suffered massive losses repelling them, which almsot included her mother. Mara had been able to access some classified records about it, & the part about her father made no sense. "How could he have died on the Hell Hammer if he was later found on Terra One ???" Mara mused

 

"Alot of good those upgrades did." Mara muttered. "The Tyrants were able to capture the planet in less then thirty minutes." Mara thought about the sheer scope of the defences. She didn't know what they had before they were born, but she knew the ones they had in the assualt. She could almost hear her father quoteing the numbers...8 defence grids; each containing 72 planetary ion cannons, 72 planetary turbolasers, 12 sensor stations, & 3 planetary shield generation stations, plus the grand cannon to the south, plus the orbital defence grids, plus the mines...

 

"Quit pacing!" Shadowfang stated. "Your pacing is driving me almost as insane as your dad's when he did it!" The Dekalo warrior turned diplomat was sitting in the corner as usual. Ever since Adam had died he had assumed the role of bodyguard to Mara, & although he would never admit it, everyone knew he had taken a liking to mara, being like an uncle. Most normal people would have been scared of a Dekalo, especially since Shadowfang use to be their enemy back in the past. Mara didn't know this, since ever since she was born shadowfang had been on their side & she had been raised around him. All she knew was her father trusted him with his life, & hers as well.

 

"Maybe You should not be so critical of her," Emily replied from beside him. "After all, she is only 13 & under alot of stress." Emily Groot was originally the Chief of State & lead diplomat for UCOJ. She was killed during the Rebellion Campaigns at the hands of Jim Stratus, but was one of the five selected to br brought back with the Advanced Cloning System.

 

"I know." Shadowfang answered back. "But I'm only stating the truth."

 

Emily simply nodded & walked over to where Mara was pacing. She stepped in the way & when mara almost walked into her she looked into Mara's eyes...& she could see the pain in them.

Emily felt sympathy for her, losing a loved one was hard, especially a father.

 

"You need a hug mara?" Emily asked

 

"No, it's ok." Mara answered back with as much believeability as Adam saying he was normal "I'm good."

 

"Holding your emotions in only hurts you in the end hun. Why do you think your father had such a hard time? He held all his emotions in & was consumed by his sorrow."

 

"I know, but I don't want to be weak."

 

"Showing your emotions is not weakness, it's what makes you stronger." Emily said "You sure you don't need a hug?"

 

Mara just looked at her & melted into her arms & started to cry. Emily couldn't really blame her after all she had been though. the planet she had lived on all her life was suddenly overrun by monsters, the flight to get to the docking bay, watchign her father get cut down delaying the Tyrant shock troops long enough for her & jacob to escape, & now all the stress of having to lead what was left of UCOJ. That was a pretty big strain on the mind of a thirteen year old. Emily held her until she was ok again, then put her down.

 

"You know at any time you get lonely you have the holocron." Emily pointed out.

 

"Yeah, but it's not the same." Mara said. "It's different..."

 

"That's because your dad made it for you with a thought matrix, so it still has part of him in it, & it is concious enough that it can think & sense things." Emily stated. "So in a sense it is him."

 

Mara nodded & took it out from her pocket. The holocron looked like a pyramid that was sculpted out of solid crystal. It was warm to the touch, & when she touched the holocron it activated instantly. A small hologram of her father appeared, only a foot high, but otherwise identicle.

 

"Hello darling." The holocron said. "Listen to Emily hun, she is right, I may just be a holocron, but I can still help."

 

"You heard that?" Mara said in astonishment

 

"Yeah, I can still sense things when deactivated. I may only be a machine, but I have a part of your father's essence in me, & I have been programmed to think I am him."

 

Emily let out a small chuckle at that, mara looked like she was about to cry again.

 

"Angel, don't worry about me." The holocron said. "I'm still with you in your heart & spirit."

 

"I know dad, but I miss you soooo much!" Mara said. "I love you & want you back."

 

"But I'm truely at peace now hun. You don't need me here anymore, you are a strong girl, & I love you. I died to protect you."

 

"He is right." Emily said.

 

"How is your mother doing?" the holocron asked, abrubtly changing the subject.

 

"She is doing about as good as she could I guess..."

 

"She isn't taking your death too well Adam." Emily said. "It's hurting her bad."

 

"She will eventually be ok, as will Mara."

 

"Yeah, or at least until she sees Stratus," shadowfang muttered in the corner.

 

"What?" The holocrom asked in surprise "I swear you said Stratus."

 

"I am Dad." Mara said. "I'm going to meet him & Lee on the Prince's Pride II for another diplomatic meeting.

 

"How come no one told me about Stratus or the Prince's Pride II?" the holocron asked. "I thought I killed them both..."

 

It was Emily who answered. "Jim was one of the five people brought back with the ACS. We also sold both the New Rebublic & Empire each one of our last SSDs. Jim named it the PPII."

 

"How fitting for him to name it that, although I think Prince's Revenge sounds better...just watch yourselves." Adam said. "I wouldn't trust them."

 

"We will." Mara replied "Most of the meeting will be with Lee & he gave his word nothing would happen, plus both Emily & Shadowfang willl be with me."

 

"Good. I trust Lee to keep his word, remember you call him "Evaders" though, not Lee."

 

"Why?" Mara asked.

 

"That's his callsign." The hologram said. "He dislikes being called by his real name. I'm also not sure bringing shadowfang would have a positive effect on some of the Imperials..."

 

"You saying I'm a bad influence?" Shadowfang growled.

 

"No, I'm saying that you gutted a few Imperials during our escape, & I'm sure they don't like you..."

 

"I'm not too pleased to see Stratus again either." Emily said. "But we will all get along, because we must."

 

"I'm being escorted to him by some people by the names of Titan & Det'aan, or something like that." Mara said.

 

"Rawius Titan & Siather Det'aan?" The hologram let out a chuckle. "I'm glad they are still ok."

 

"Who are they?" Emily asked. "& can we trust them?"

 

"Rawius was my CO for the line I was in back when I was in the Empire years ago...& Siather flew on my wing & bailed me out of situations between me & Director Voor..."

 

"By situations he must mean fights." Shadowfang said overloudly.

 

"So can we trust them?" Emily asked.

 

"I would trust them both with my life, I did before."

 

"Thank you dad." Mara said.

 

"No problem, if you need me for anything I'm here."

 

Mara nodded & turned off the holocron. She stuffed it in her pocket.

 

"We are leaving for the PPII in an hour, so get ready Mara." Emily said. "I'll be in my quarters when you are ready. We will be going over in Dark Horizon."

 

Mara nodded & walked off the bridge towards her quarters. "This is gonna be an interesting day..." She said outloud, although no one was around to hear her...

 

* * *

 

OOC: Sorry for this beign so long, but I wanted to explain the background good. This has been edited to rflect a few changes...

Edited December 5, 2002 by adam_diggins

[ricepr2001]

Seargeant Yaou with his entrance on the Dark Gnome a lot less prestegous than Lord Markaine getting greeted instead by two stormtroopers was now walking to his quarters. He has extensively testing the EX4 starfighter, now codenamed the TIE Defender, it is ready for a field test aboard this ship. Not totally sure of the reason he was sent here, he was told it was for training of the pilots but a droid could do that. They arrived at his quarters.

 

He put his small amount of belongings in the small space they had, and downloaded a map of the ship onto his datapad. Shortly after he leaft to get a snack and wait for an update on his meaning here.

[UntimelyDemise]

"Lord Markaine, please accompany me to the briefing room. This is one of my officers, Lieutenant Samig Mabak. Imperial Fleet Command specifically asked for him to be included in this meeting."

 

"Please, follow me."

 

The party turned and started for the lift. A pilot who had accompanied Lord Markaine left for his quarters.

 

Colonel Loor wondered about this silent guest. It was an enigma that Command would send such a quiet stranger to an escort carrier, along with a test pilot. There were several capable test pilots onboard the Dark Gnome, so why did we need another? Perhaps this Sergeant had something special about him...or sinister.

 

The pilot had been sent to his quarters with instructions to meet the rest of the party in briefing room 7A. Perhaps now, this mystery could be revealed.

[Markaine]

Finally Lord Markaine snapped out of what seemed to be an eternity. While in the briefing room he had explained about the current situation regarding financial support for the TIE Defender Project. All was going well until a new guy entered the room. The interuption caught everyone's attention. It was him, the one who was givin the better treatment while on the shuttle....

[Markaine]

He didn't bother to pay any respect to the man as he continued, " We have been working on a new TIE prototype. The fighter would be euiped with a cloaking device and a new laser cannon. However, we do not have the reguired funding to finance the parts. We are also working on a new sniper rifle, check the document labeled Project Nightslinger. This weapon fires an invisble laser with great accuracy. That is all. I will be awaiting further assignments and Davnar. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be off.

For the Empire...." Markaine attempts to leave the briefing room without awaiting any instructions, but just before he reaches the door.....

[ricepr2001]

Seargent Yaou sat through the meeting listening to the details of the project and the funding shortage wondering yet why he was sent here for an issue of that sort.

[Guest JediIgor]

.. just before he reached the door, I stopped to greet him.

 

"Hello sir, it's an honor to meet you! I'm Samig, Samig Mabak, and I've been anticipating your arrival for some time," said I.

 

"Well, it's nice to meet you, and since you already know my name.. is there anything else?" said a tired Lord Markaine.

 

"Now that I think of it, could you tell me some more about the TIE... TIE Phantom was it?" I asked, pausin;, and after Markaine nodded, I resumed, "You said it can cloak? But when cloaked, as far as I understand, neither the shields nor weapons are online. You could do as well with a portable sensor jammer," I inquired.

 

"That's true, you might have heard about the TIE Phantom project before; it was discontinued for a few years, until I picked up the remains. We are currently trying to allow the pilot to be able to fire his weapons while cloaked," Markaine paused, then added, "Tests so far are promising and that is the reason I am here.. to test the TIE Phantom in action. As long as none of these Rebels find out about it, we'll be set. Yes... once this project is complete, the Imperial Order shall rise again!" loudly ended Markaine; many of the people turned towards him for a short while, and after a short while started resuming their activities.

 

"I see... once again, it's been an honor to meet you, and I hope your tests go well," finished I.

 

"Nice to meet you too, Samig. I will be going now," replied Markaine.

 

As Markaine was leaving, I pondered. I now knew the true reason I was here. To oversee the TIE Phantom project... and catch any agents who might get underway. Or was it..?

[ricepr2001]

"Lord Markaine"

 

"Seargeant"

 

"Lord I Was wondering the real reason i am here, it doesnt seem right that i was brought here for a funding issue?"

 

"I was going to catch up to you anyways, we will be sending 12 Defenders to this ship, you will be with that squad and final changes will be made on ship before the plans are finalized. This wing may be completely replaced with defenders by the time this is over."

 

"But lord, Im not a combat pilot."

 

"You will be"

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

ooc by JI: they're testing tie phantoms, not tie defenders.. just for future references; and T/Ds don't have cloaking devices either

[adam_diggins]

OOC: Not that it is rellevent, but the UCOJ TIE Defender Mk. IIIc had a cloaking device...but all of them were destroyed 5 years before the Rebellion Campaigns (the last RPG). That use to be on this site's encyclopedia before it was moved

[ElvisMiggell]

Meanwhile on the Pride of Chandrila, Commodore Fel's briefing was getting underway.

 

"As many of you know we have been continuing tests on the new E-wing A variant. The upgraded lasers now appear to be fully functional and will not stutter out as they have in the past.

 

We have also upgraded the engines, whilst there has been little in the way of a significant increase in speed, we did meet out primary objective of increasing maneuverability by approximately 36%.

 

The E-wing A is now a formidable combat fighter, we aim to have several new wings equipped shortly. However, in the meantime we will be equipping two wings for a mission of great importance...."

[UntimelyDemise]

The meeting was over. Colonel Loor plodded toward the bridge lost in his thoughts. He didn't trust these newcomers, but then, he didn't trust anyone. That's probably why he'd lived so long. Imperial ships weren't known for their friendships.

 

For some reason, though, he felt comfortable around this new Lieutenant assigned to the ship only three weeks ago. It was almost as if it wasn't his decision to trust him...

 

"I must be getting old." thought Loor.

 

As he stepped off the lift onto the bridge, his Comm officer alerted him to a new message from Imperial Fleet Command.

 

"What now?" muttered Loor. These endless messages concerning promotions and transfers were getting tiring.

 

"Sir, this is a holo...shall I begin transmission?" asked the timid Comm officer.

 

A holo? Well, this was certainly different.

 

"No, I'll take it at Tactical." The Tactical station was relatively unmanned at the time, and privacy seemed to be called for.

 

The holo coalesced into a stern looking Admiral. He began...

 

"Colonel Loor, you have no doubt been briefed on the project by now. I am sending the Imperial Star Destroyer Proud Order to assist you and provide protection. See to it this project is successfully completed, and you may be transferred to a...more comfortable position. I will not remind you of the consequences of failure."

 

This was getting more and more bizarre by the moment...

[Markaine]

Trasmission: Colonel Loor, Lord Markaine here, we have a progress report on our TIE project. We are working on a mechanized torpedo launch system. Since any electrical charge would disable the claoking shields, we feel as though this might prove usefull. The torpedo will not be guided by the ship, due to the fact that it will give away our position. It would be "blind" shot. However, if we recieve the reguired resources from Gargon, we would be able to insert a Self guidance com system. We here a Davnar, have no access to Chanlon or Phobium. We have a sufficient supply of Mytag Crystals to equip the TIEs with a long range sensory array, but to shade the torpedo's initial launch, we need a phobium based extended torpedo engine exaust and launcher. We have reason to believe that Gargon is now under the Rebels' protection, without these resources we will have to use less reliable elements. Perhapts you could send someone to "ask" for support.

 

Markaine out.

 

Transmission ends...

[ricepr2001]

OOC: I Was not aware of what happened on the previous board so correct me if i need be corrected and it was originally the defender project and igor used phantom but since phantom is more fitting we should use it, all good with that

 

IC: Watching Lord Markains transmission Seargant Yaou was wandering about Gargon, last data we have on it shows it has a shield inpenitrable by our lasers. Having an idea he briefly took his datapad too see Markaine and discuss a little history.

 

"Lord"

 

"Yes"

 

"I have been reviewing tactics of capitol and fighter class ships since our last discussion, and got interested in a Grand Admiral Thrawn, Gargon has a shield we cannot penetrate, and Thrawn used a similar tactic, if we could get a few support ships to attack a neighboring system to get their heavy patrols out of system we could come in and take the cloaks off a few fighters and sneek in a few heavy patrols when the shields are down we could take out there shield generators from the inside."

 

"Hmm.."

 

"Sir"

 

"It has possabilities Seargeant now let me be alone awile and think on it"

 

At those words Yaou retreated for a snack with a few pilots

[adam_diggins]

OOC: I'm sorry I am not posting alot but I am very busy IRL, so much so i don't have time for the combine half the time, so if it takes awhile to make my posts ignore that, since they have no serious effect on the RPG anyway

 

Just remember the two SSDs I gave out

[Trejiuvanat]

An eager and yougn pilot raised his hand to interrupt Commodore Fel's briefieng.

"Sir, will these new E-Wings now accept somethign other than R7? Those droids may be better for astronavigation, but they are not as versatile."

"Yes Lieutenant, the systems of the E-Wings have been refitted for R2s."

Lieutenant S'Tor smiled happyly with a hint of unrestrained enthusiasm for the upcoming mission.

Commodere Fel tried to remember what he knew about the lieutenant, S'Tor was the most recent transfer to his squadron. fel had yet to see him in a dogfight but the simulator results were impressive indeed, certainly not on Skywalker's level or Antilles's, but impresive indeed.

Focusign on the briefing he wondered if the young pilots that now fille dmost of the briefing room were up to trials that they would face.

As the humming sound of the holoprojector came to life, Fel focused on explaining the mission...

[Zag Fel]

OOC: Wow! I love this! I can talk without moving my lips.

 

IC: "Intelligence reports - confirmed by a reconnisance flyby - cite abnormally high amounts of thermal activity in the reactors of twenty-six of the two-score warships defending the Braxtant Sector shipyards, indicating a massive mobilisation of forces. Subsequent runs on major fleet centers in the adjacent sectors of Imperial space have revealed similar trends. Futhermore, earlier today, the cruiser Dark Gnome, disappeared along with a disproportionate percentage of the Empire's commanding staff of officers, another sign of an approaching offensive. Our enemies our preparing for war, and we had best ready ourselves to meet them."

[ricepr2001]

Yaou "Colonel Loor"

 

Loor "Yes"

 

Yaou "How Current is the information we have on Gargon"

 

Loor "Approxamately seven standard months"

 

Yaou "So alot could have changed since than"

 

Loor "Of course"

 

Yaou "Shouldent you send a sensor probe or recon pilot out to check it out?"

 

Loor "Were already ahead of you we are sending out a ship that is refitted with sensor gear that can scan the planet from a safe distancce, We are not releasing any information on the type or capabilities of this craft."

 

Yaou "Can you send me the results when they come back."

 

Loor "I will try, but you may know before that"

 

Yaou saluted and left the room, that last comment by loor confused him a little but he would have to look into this project a little closer.

[UntimelyDemise]

As Yaou left, Loor once again received word on a transmission from Communications.

 

"Damn, will I ever get any work done with all this endless gibberish from Fleet Command?"

 

Loor was pleasantly surprised, however, to discover he had received a promotion to Commodore. Could this have anything to do with the Phantom project?

 

All was going well with the project, which worried Loor. When things are going well, it meant the bottom was about to fall out...pity Loor had become so pessimistic at so young an age...

[Trejiuvanat]

"The Braxant SEctor?" Iulan jumped out of his seat and once again interrupted his commander, for him as native Coruscantan the Braxant sEctor was as far as it could be.

"Excuse me, sir. But isn't the Braxant sector within distance of the Ubiqtorate of Yaga minor and their shipyards."

"Yes, Lieutenant," Fel replied. "Intel has been trying also to get somethign out of the ubiqtorate, but as you may know, Yaga Minor is in the Top Ten of the most heavily defended worlds. And teh ubiqtorate there also makes it a gathering place for Imperial Intelligence. While our mission is to fly and shoot anythign that is imperial we must be wary of imperial intelligence agents swarming all over."

"Yes, sir." Iulan replied and sat down.

"As I was saying there is much mobilisation in the sectors near Braxant, and undoubtely the shipyards art Yaga minor may be producing either big bad Impstars or little vermin TIEs. We cannot expect much from our side, much of our force are tryinig to get a stronger position on the Colonies, and we cannot mobilise that many forces. Though there could be some suprises."

The holoprojector zoomed on a planet.

"Today's mission will try to slow the imps down. This is the planet ..."