.:[ UNEASY ALLIANCES: Arcona vs Plagueis vs Scholae Palatinae ]:.

Kapsina Bunker

Braecen was floored when the relay came in. Instead of coming to help, Phoenix runs off on a tangent? Just like him, I suppose. Quick to act, slow to think. The Consul paced back and forth in the bunker, unsure of his next move. This was a tenuous position for the Kaeth, not knowing what to do next. He had always fancied himself a strategist, knowing five to ten moves ahead of the competition, so the place he was in now was foreign to him. His inability to move forward against the Vong insurgents left him only angrier and more embroiled than he had been before. After ten minutes, he finally decided that something, anything had to be done. He simply could not wait around for Phoenix to come to his senses.

“Quaestor Nurok, please contact Yzarc and find out what the holdup is. He was supposed to be here two days ago and I have heard nothing.”

“Understood Consul. At once.”

Eye of the Abyss

The assembly of Elders on the Eye of the Abyss was astounding to say the least. The combined power of the Elders of Arcona had successfully drawn the Force in from the surrounding space around the fleet, leaving them in a void of sorts. If Mejas’ gambit played out the way it should, his counterpart in Scholae should be moving his way now to cut off the possibility of a Vong incursion. The ploy was ingenious, to say the least, and if it worked, it would provide Arcona with the best advantage that someone could have: surprise.

Phoenix would be expecting to see a fleet of Vong ships, not the mighty fleet of Arcona. Once his folly was revealed, it should give the Arconans the time and resource that they need in order to attempt a quick takeover of the Fleet of Scholae and in turn, grant them ownership over the Cocytus system through force.

The Force Drain was losing some of its power as the Elders tired. Holding the entirety of Force from around the Fleet caused at least one Elder to drop from exhaustion, leaving the shroud weaker. Too many more drop out and we’ll lost this thing altogether and then we’re all in a world of trouble. Mejas thought to himself. If Phoenix catches us with our pants down, we’re all screwed. Our only hope is the element of surprise, and I’ll be damned if I let him come in here and decimate us without so much as a fight.

Kapsina Bunker

Swoosh

In through the door walked the newest ProConsul of Plagueis, Yzarc Kaeth. New to the position and the Clan, he had taken the time to get to know some of the higher-ups within the Clan before setting out to meet Braecen. At least, that was the intent. As soon as he landed his Lambda shuttle on the surface of Kapsina, he was immediately ushered into the bunker.

“You needed me ASAP Consul?” The Templar inquired.

“I did! Where the hell have you been? Did Phoenix hold up your exodus from Judecca?”

“He did not. I had actually left just before the mobilization occurred; only heard about it on the secure channels. What is going on?”

“I have reports coming in from all over the system that the Vong are attacking or planning to attack. I have asked your former Consul for assistance, and he has agreed. Or so I thought. He has recently sent a message saying that they have had to divert course for Nimban.”

“I see. And what is it that you need me to do, milord?”

“I need Scholae here, now! Not later today, not next week, now! Try your contacts within Caliburnus. See if you can discern any information from them on their whereabouts and/or their intentions on following through on Phoenix’s promise.”

“Right away.”

Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II Warspite

Hangar Bay 2

“Make ready soldiers! Many of you will not make it through the day. For that, Scholae is indebted to you. Your actions today will determine the future of the very Clan that you serve so loyally. Sergeants, brief your troops on the impending threat.”

Brent “Archangel” Victae had barely finished his speech to the 1 st Expeditionary Division when his communications unit began to buzz on the utility belt that spartanly adorned the Surface Marshal’s battle armor. A quick glance at the display screen told him that this was a call that he needed to take. Stepping into a corridor, he pushed the receive button. His former bosses’ face sprang forth, washed in blue static.

“Arch, what news?” Yzarc queried.

“News of what? I only know of impending battle and glory for Caliburnus.”

“Consul Kaeth is under the impression that you aren’t coming. Do you have the ear of the Emperor? Could you persuade him to bring his focus towards Kapsina once again?”

“Hah! The Emperor thinks as much of me as the next Apprentice of the boat. I serve only to command his military forces. Though, I may be able to speak confidentially to the Grand Marshal. My counsel is one he has come to trust. I shall see what this new course means.”

Kapsina Bunker

Archangel ’s blatant obfuscation was not lost on the newly minted ProConsul of Plagueis. Yzarc knew that Brent had more than a passing clue on what was happening, yet he could understand the Quaestor’s reluctance to be forthcoming with intelligence, especially in these uncertain times. Yet, he could not go back to his Patriarch with no news. No news was worse than bringing bad news. At least with bad news, you can form a contingency plan. The case was not the same when there was simply questions to be answered and not action to be taken.

Yzarc decided to swallow his pride and bring the Consul a full platter of nothing, knowing full well that doing so might incur the rarely seen wrath of Braecen, and with the Dark Council’s decision to see fit to bestow the powers of the Elders upon him, Force Lightning was not something he was particularly looking forward to. Yet, he had accepted this inevitability when he agreed to become the second in command.

Agave Class Picket

Soulfire Strike Team

Kodiak reviewed his elite forces as almost as formality. Soulfire knew the mission ahead and had been in this position before. Scholae had been their mighty prize before and this time would be no different. The stakes were far too high this time round to accept failure. Failure was simply “not an option” and was something foreign to the Strike Team.

His team readied their weapons and equipment, preparing to board the shuttle. The Drexl simply would not serve for this mission, but their duty was of the utmost importance. It was unfortunate, but a necessity. Giving one more look to his troops, the Sergeant motioned for them to board. The enemy would be within range soon, and if one thing went out of order, or against the plan, the entire mission and the fate of the entire Clan could crumble before their eyes.

Strapping into the seats, the Strike Team patiently awaited the greenlight from the Consul.

NSD Excidium II

Command Bridge

“Emperor, we are within sensor range of the anomaly. Bringing into view.”

Phoenix peered out the observation window into the nothingness of space. He saw nothing. There was nothing but stars and planets. No ships, no World Mind, nothing. Odd. Very odd indeed.

“Someone get me Natth. Immediately!” Phoenix bellowed.

Five minutes of eager piercing stares out the window seemed an eternity to the Firrerreon. If the Vong were here, they were doing a very good job of concealing themselves. Phoenix’s face was inches from the glass when Master Palpatine arrived on the bridge.

“Natth. Something seems off here. Where are they? Did they run?”

The Dark Master closed his eyes, drawing in the ambient Dark Side surrounding him. Tendrils of the Force reached through the glass partition and into the vastness of the galaxy, searching for something, anything. For ten minutes the Master stayed in this trance, oblivious to the outside world. Finally, Phoenix had enough of the waiting.

“What do you see, feel? Tell me dammit!”

“I feel nothing. The Force simply does not come through this section of galaxy. I wish I could tell you mor……..”

Natth’s sentence was cutoff by a huge thud hitting the starboard side of the capital ship. The ship shuddered from the contact, nearly knocking the Consul, Master Palpatine and everyone else on the bridge to the floor.

“Report!” Phoenix yelled.

“We’ve been shot at Emperor. I count 9 vessels off the starboard bow.”

“Identify!” The Consul yelled back.

“Attempting sir. Markings appear to be consistent with Clan Arcona, sir!”

“Return fire. Order all lines to follow suit. Those bastards will pay for their interference. Launch all squadrons. Once all squadrons have scrambled, batten this ship down. No openings, is that understood?”

“Roger that, sir!”

6 Man Shuttle

Space, outside Excidium II

Without a hitch. Kodiak mused to himself. That was easier than even I thought it would be. He had planted his team with a perfect opportunity to accomplish their mission, and no one was the wiser. Just a few more minutes and they would complete the most uncertain portion of the mission: infiltration.


	Kapsina Bunker Braecen was floored when the relay came in. Instead of coming to help, Phoenix runs off on a tangent? Just like him, I suppose. Quick to act, slow to think. The Consul paced back and forth in the bunker, unsure of his next move. This was a tenuous position for the Kaeth, not knowing what to do next. He had always fancied himself a strategist, knowing five to ten moves ahead of the competition, so the place he was in now was foreign to him. His inability to move forward against the Vong insurgents left him only angrier and more embroiled than he had been before. After ten minutes, he finally decided that something, anything had to be done. He simply could not wait around for Phoenix to come to his senses. “Quaestor Nurok, please contact Yzarc and find out what the holdup is. He was supposed to be here two days ago and I have heard nothing.” “Understood Consul. At once.” Eye of the Abyss The assembly of Elders on the Eye of the Abyss was astounding to say the least. The combined power of the Elders of Arcona had successfully drawn the Force in from the surrounding space around the fleet, leaving them in a void of sorts. If Mejas’ gambit played out the way it should, his counterpart in Scholae should be moving his way now to cut off the possibility of a Vong incursion. The ploy was ingenious, to say the least, and if it worked, it would provide Arcona with the best advantage that someone could have: surprise. Phoenix would be expecting to see a fleet of Vong ships, not the mighty fleet of Arcona. Once his folly was revealed, it should give the Arconans the time and resource that they need in order to attempt a quick takeover of the Fleet of Scholae and in turn, grant them ownership over the Cocytus system through force. The Force Drain was losing some of its power as the Elders tired. Holding the entirety of Force from around the Fleet caused at least one Elder to drop from exhaustion, leaving the shroud weaker. Too many more drop out and we’ll lost this thing altogether and then we’re all in a world of trouble. Mejas thought to himself. If Phoenix catches us with our pants down, we’re all screwed. Our only hope is the element of surprise, and I’ll be damned if I let him come in here and decimate us without so much as a fight. Kapsina Bunker Swoosh In through the door walked the newest ProConsul of Plagueis, Yzarc Kaeth. New to the position and the Clan, he had taken the time to get to know some of the higher-ups within the Clan before setting out to meet Braecen. At least, that was the intent. As soon as he landed his Lambda shuttle on the surface of Kapsina, he was immediately ushered into the bunker. “You needed me ASAP Consul?” The Templar inquired. “I did! Where the hell have you been? Did Phoenix hold up your exodus from Judecca?” “He did not. I had actually left just before the mobilization occurred; only heard about it on the secure channels. What is going on?” “I have reports coming in from all over the system that the Vong are attacking or planning to attack. I have asked your former Consul for assistance, and he has agreed. Or so I thought. He has recently sent a message saying that they have had to divert course for Nimban.” “I see. And what is it that you need me to do, milord?” “I need Scholae here, now! Not later today, not next week, now! Try your contacts within Caliburnus. See if you can discern any information from them on their whereabouts and/or their intentions on following through on Phoenix’s promise.” “Right away.” Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II Warspite Hangar Bay 2 “Make ready soldiers! Many of you will not make it through the day. For that, Scholae is indebted to you. Your actions today will determine the future of the very Clan that you serve so loyally. Sergeants, brief your troops on the impending threat.” Brent “Archangel” Victae had barely finished his speech to the 1 st Expeditionary Division when his communications unit began to buzz on the utility belt that spartanly adorned the Surface Marshal’s battle armor. A quick glance at the display screen told him that this was a call that he needed to take. Stepping into a corridor, he pushed the receive button. His former bosses’ face sprang forth, washed in blue static. “Arch, what news?” Yzarc queried. “News of what? I only know of impending battle and glory for Caliburnus.” “Consul Kaeth is under the impression that you aren’t coming. Do you have the ear of the Emperor? Could you persuade him to bring his focus towards Kapsina once again?” “Hah! The Emperor thinks as much of me as the next Apprentice of the boat. I serve only to command his military forces. Though, I may be able to speak confidentially to the Grand Marshal. My counsel is one he has come to trust. I shall see what this new course means.” Kapsina Bunker Archangel ’s blatant obfuscation was not lost on the newly minted ProConsul of Plagueis. Yzarc knew that Brent had more than a passing clue on what was happening, yet he could understand the Quaestor’s reluctance to be forthcoming with intelligence, especially in these uncertain times. Yet, he could not go back to his Patriarch with no news. No news was worse than bringing bad news. At least with bad news, you can form a contingency plan. The case was not the same when there was simply questions to be answered and not action to be taken. Yzarc decided to swallow his pride and bring the Consul a full platter of nothing, knowing full well that doing so might incur the rarely seen wrath of Braecen, and with the Dark Council’s decision to see fit to bestow the powers of the Elders upon him, Force Lightning was not something he was particularly looking forward to. Yet, he had accepted this inevitability when he agreed to become the second in command. Agave Class Picket Soulfire Strike Team Kodiak reviewed his elite forces as almost as formality. Soulfire knew the mission ahead and had been in this position before. Scholae had been their mighty prize before and this time would be no different. The stakes were far too high this time round to accept failure. Failure was simply “not an option” and was something foreign to the Strike Team. His team readied their weapons and equipment, preparing to board the shuttle. The Drexl simply would not serve for this mission, but their duty was of the utmost importance. It was unfortunate, but a necessity. Giving one more look to his troops, the Sergeant motioned for them to board. The enemy would be within range soon, and if one thing went out of order, or against the plan, the entire mission and the fate of the entire Clan could crumble before their eyes. Strapping into the seats, the Strike Team patiently awaited the greenlight from the Consul. NSD Excidium II Command Bridge “Emperor, we are within sensor range of the anomaly. Bringing into view.” Phoenix peered out the observation window into the nothingness of space. He saw nothing. There was nothing but stars and planets. No ships, no World Mind, nothing. Odd. Very odd indeed. “Someone get me Natth. Immediately!” Phoenix bellowed. Five minutes of eager piercing stares out the window seemed an eternity to the Firrerreon. If the Vong were here, they were doing a very good job of concealing themselves. Phoenix’s face was inches from the glass when Master Palpatine arrived on the bridge. “Natth. Something seems off here. Where are they? Did they run?” The Dark Master closed his eyes, drawing in the ambient Dark Side surrounding him. Tendrils of the Force reached through the glass partition and into the vastness of the galaxy, searching for something, anything. For ten minutes the Master stayed in this trance, oblivious to the outside world. Finally, Phoenix had enough of the waiting. “What do you see, feel? Tell me dammit!” “I feel nothing. The Force simply does not come through this section of galaxy. I wish I could tell you mor……..” Natth’s sentence was cutoff by a huge thud hitting the starboard side of the capital ship. The ship shuddered from the contact, nearly knocking the Consul, Master Palpatine and everyone else on the bridge to the floor. “Report!” Phoenix yelled. “We’ve been shot at Emperor. I count 9 vessels off the starboard bow.” “Identify!” The Consul yelled back. “Attempting sir. Markings appear to be consistent with Clan Arcona, sir!” “Return fire. Order all lines to follow suit. Those bastards will pay for their interference. Launch all squadrons. Once all squadrons have scrambled, batten this ship down. No openings, is that understood?” “Roger that, sir!” 6 Man Shuttle Space, outside Excidium II Without a hitch. Kodiak mused to himself. That was easier than even I thought it would be. He had planted his team with a perfect opportunity to accomplish their mission, and no one was the wiser. Just a few more minutes and they would complete the most uncertain portion of the mission: infiltration.