posted January 12, 2000 11:55 PM               

CEO Threeof4 and Technician Daishi filled out the numerous legal paperwork before entering the mines of Lorn V run by the Vast Empire Engeering Corps.
"Take this here canary," a greasy miner said handing a repulsed Threeof4 a rusty bird-cage with the latter bird contained within, "It will let ya know when your air is contaminated. The High Council cut our funds to throw an upcoming anniversary party and since then we cannot afford any gas masks."

The duo slowly descended into the vast mining tunnels of the frigid world as numerous convicts hacked away at the endless rock in which their entire lives would be spent.

As the hours of hiking passed, Threeof4 analyzed everything to be positive that all operations were being run as effeciently as possible.
"Will you quit your babbling, Daishi," Threeof4 barked at the technician behind him, "You are speaking so fast you are unintelligible and your pitch is hurting my ears."
"Er," Daishi stumbled momentarily then quickened his nervous pace to keep up with Threeof4, "That is not me, sir. That is the bird."
"Whatever, whatever," Threeof4 replied, waving his hand to indicate that the matter was closed.
Momentarily they paused as the mining tunnel they had been following split into two parts.
"I believe we should take the left tunnel," Threeof4 said, turning to face Daishi.
"Look at the size of that giant mole!" Daishi pronounced pointing in Threeof4's direction.
"Hey!" Threeof4 covered his nose reflexively with both hands, "It is not THAT big!"
"Er, no sir," Daishi vocalized, "Not that mole, the one behind you."
Threeof4 turned to gaze at a giant machine slowly drilling into the rock, "Oh..."
"Sir," Daishi tapped Threeof4 on the shoulder then lifted the bird-cage, "The canary just fell over dead..."
"Must have been old," Threeof4 stated, bobbing his head, "Come on. We have more the of mine to examine."
Daishi hesitated, "But if the canary dies doesn't that mean..."
"Bite your tongue and come along."
The duo pushed onward, but Daishi began feeling drowsy, his brain felt numb, and slowly he blacked out. Not realizing that Threeof4 had done the same a few moments before.
Three figures appeared, each donnned with gas masks, above the two unconscious bodies of the Imperial officers.
"I have been waiting years for this," one of the figures hissed in a sinister voice, "Finally, I have Threeof4 in my grasp! But my bloody revenge will not fall upon his head alone, but upon the head of the entire Vast Empire as well! Varo?"
At the sound of his name, another of the hooded individuals approached.
"Yes, my master?"
"Take them to our citadel in Vonsam," the leader commanded, a birdlike claw gesturing to the captives, "To the City of Skulls. Has Ras Larkas reported?"
"The armies in Vonsam are ready and await your command, my master."
The leader smiled a toothy grin, "Soon a jihad will be declared; its cry echoing throughout the galaxy and our hidden fleets will attack the insignificant Vast Empire."

====================================================================
Lorn IV
Lorn System
Rytorian City

Three Days Later . . .
The Commander of Security, Sithspawn, militarily walked down the dusty streets of Rytorian City, the capital of Lorn IV. He surveyed the busy city street: a horde of busy merchants and peasants seemed to move about him. Though many of the others on the street were being pushed and shoved, no one dared even meet the eyes of anyone dressed in the tunic of the Empire. Therefore, Sithspawn briskly walked without trouble to the main government building; passed the stormtrooper guards without being stopped and asked for identification. Due to his previous visit the guards recognized him by sight as did the majority of the Lorn IV populace and no one dared affront him. Ascending a flight of steps he came to two large doors made of Endorian wood. Beyond the doors lay the office of the Head of High Council and served as the temporary residence of Field Marshal Caramon Majere. Straightening his uniform, Sithspawn knocked and waited for the command to enter. The command was given a few moments later and Sithspawn stepped into Majere's lavish office.
The regal Field Marshal sat behind his polished desk glancing over a divisional report from the Fleet Commander. It was rumored that Majere was so regal that everyone was viewed from the tip of his nose.
"You sent for me, sir?"
"Yes," Majere replied, setting the divisional report aside, "You are undoubtedly wondering as to why I called you here. Three days ago, CEO Threeof4 of the Vast Empire Engineering Corps disappeared on the ice world of Lorn V."
Sithspawn sighed, "Are you saying he has been abducated again, sir?"
"Well, this time it appears that a technician of the Vast Empire Engineering Corps, Daishi, has disappeared with him. The worst part is Rire has returned."
"Rire, sir?" Sithspawn inquired, the name unfamilar to him.
Majere stood up from his desk and began to slowly pace, "Rire was a person whom Threeof4 knew a long time ago. Apparently they were rivals at an Imperial Academy. The original details of their rivalry in the academy is sketchy. I do know, however, is that Rire was expelled. Years later he turned up on the planet of Byss and was the leader of a rebel cell which attemped a coup against the Vast Empire. Prior to the coup, Threeof4 was commanding a stormtrooper regiment which was ordered to disperse a riotous crowd of protestors. In the process of dispersing, Rire's brother was killed. Rire vowed vengence on Threeof4, abducted him, and almost suceeded in executing him if not for a spectacular rescue by Ramses Viper and an elite group of Imperial Commandos. It was assumed Rire died when the headquarters of the rebel cell was shelled via orbiting Imperial Star Destroyers. This assumption, however, was erroneous and intelligence agents recently reported that Rire was spotted on Lorn V a few hours before Threeof4 arrived."
"Do you think Threeof4 is dead?" Sithspawn asked.
"Possibly," Majere mused, the thought of Threeof4 being dead not that displeasant to him, "However, I believe Rire has more use for him alive. I can almost sense a diabolical scheme being set in motion that will pose a great threat to the Vast Empire."
"What do you want me to do?" Sithspawn asked. Somehow he knew the answer already.
"Find Threeof4," Majere articulated, clasping his hands behind his back, "and stop this madman. As for Daishi: he is expendable. A mere technician. The Vast Empire has hundreds of them. Try to rescue him if you can."
"As you wish, sir," Sithspawn acknowledged.
"... and no blasting holes in innocent freighters carrying potatos this time."
"Yes, sir."
Sithspawn began to rise and was in the process of saluting when Majere interupted him.
"One last thing, you will be working with another intelligence operative on this one..."
Majere pressed a button on his desk which activated a comlink, "Send Antara Forge in."
Moments later, the exquisite doors of the office of the Field Marshal irised aside revealing a tall, slender and picturesque young woman.
Ou La La! Sithspawn thought.
"Syths," Majere began, "this is Antara Forge, a Byssian Intelligence Agent who will you assist you in this mission. Miss Forge, this is the Commander of Security."
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: Now, in a Hollywood flick, Syths would start saying, 'No, no! I ain't taken no dame along.' But he responds realistically in this story.]
"Neato! She can move in with me on my ship if you want," Sithspawn said expectantly.
"Pleased to meet you," Forge greeted.
"Alpha Squadron under Commander Athran, along with several other starfighter squadrons, will be your starfighter escort for your Frigate Treason, which will be the base of operations," Majere explained, "Through the personal request of Athran, Commander Jackal has been allowed to be apart of this operation. Vice Admiral Donitz will also be included in your fleet and will be in charge of all starfighters. He will be reporting to my office shortly. Anyway, I am straying from your mission briefing, you will depart immediately for Lorn V. If you are attacked the ISD Devastator II under Admiral Schnapps will hyper-in to assist you."
As the two saluted and exited, they passed Vice Admiral Donitz coming up the steps which led to Majere's office. The fighter ace paused in front of them; eyeing Miss Forge with intent fascination.
He made sure the numerous medals that were pinned on his chest were perfectly visible as he greeted her, "Vice Admiral Rivian von Donitz at your service and whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
Forge waited a moment before replying, "Tell me, little man, did they give you a tin whistle to go along with that sailor suit?"
Donitz recoiled as if struck, but then proceeded up the steps in sullen silence.

====================================================================
Bastion
Erewhon System
Army Headquarters

High General Sesswanna thought quietly to himself as he sat alone in his office as a pile of galactic maps lay stacked to one side, "The situation looks grim indeed. If we move here, the opposition will strike our flank leaving us vulnerable..."
Sesswanna moved a piece on the board in front of him, then pressed the comlink;
"Moving Knight: B-1 to D-2".
"Acknowledged," the comlink responded.
"Hehehe," Sesswanna gloated, rubbing his hands together, "I have Viper's queen now..."
Suddenly, a shadow fell across Sesswanna's board.
"Hey, I am trying to play a game here..."
Sesswanna suddenly gazed upon the omnious cloaked figure who clutched a stun weapon, "Rire brings you his greetings."
"How do you guys always get in here? We are on an asteroid for pete's sake! Don't you think I am going to escape if you abduct me? I always do! I get kidnapped every week for crying out loud!..."

* Z A P *

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

I wanted to write a story post that had a lot of people in it and enabled a lot of people to continue it

Do not forget to name Act II a different title.

Whether you are a private or a Field Marshal, feel free to continue in it

posted January 14, 2000 12:08 PM              

I had woken up in a strange cell. I immediatly began to test my surroundings to see wherewe were being held.
As I looked around I saw Threeof4 and suddenly remembered what had happened.
Memo to self: deck Threeof4 for this later.
I was both glad and angry that I wore my technicians uniform, it lead my enemy to underestimate me. I still wish I had my combat armor though.
I asertained that we were being held on a starship or possibly a shuttle in hyperspace enroute to an unkown destination. Due to our abductor's over-confedance they used minimal restraints on myself, but they used more substantial restraints on Threeof4. With some effort I managed to lossen my restraints.
*whoosh*
Someone was coming in through the door, I knew that if I did not take them out now and quitly my restraints would become more substantial as well. As I looked up to the door a man shorter and thinner than myself was coming through the door way and I could see no one covering him so as soon as the door closed behind him I struck.
I leaped to my feet and used my knowladge of unarmed combat to incapacitate my opponent with a snap heal kick.
*crack*
My opponent went down with a satisfying thud. Maybe this would not be so bad, my first time being captured. I got to work surveying the man for equipment and only found a ohhh crap, an open comlink, someone was listening to the sickening crack of my kick and the thud that the guy made when he hit the floor. Not even any keys, I guess they expected something from Threeof4 already then.
I quickly checked my boot for blood, findind none I braced myself and took one of Threeof4's boots off and made sure there was blood on his in just the right amounts and in the right places.
After putting the boot bacvk on it is now time for me to come up with a plan and act uncouscious and hope they didn't have a camera feed in here.
Act II to be continued!

posted January 14, 2000 01:30 PM               

====================================================================
Lorn V
Lorn System
In Orbit

"Very well," Sithspawn vocalized, acknowleding the comlink transmission.
He swivled his chair to face Antara Forge,
"Apparently, a ship, which supposedly is carrying Threeof4 and Daishi, had just blasted out of the system minutes before we exited hypersace. Its hyperspace fluctuations match those of a pirate vessel which one of our orbital sensors recently spotted near the planet of Wiztar in the Vonsam system."
"Rire must have a hidden outpost there and is planning to imprison Threeof4 there," the alluring Antara Forge conjectured, "It would be undetectable from orbit due to the atmospheric phenomenon that disturbs the majority of standard sensor scans. We would have to send a commando team onto the surface of Wiztar and have them plant a homing beacon in their hidden outpost on the planet. We could have a Star Destroyer use that homing beacon as the target for an orbital bombardment."
"I concur," Syths agreed, sucking all the liquid out of his drink via a straw until it made a piggish noise, "I will order the navigations officer to set course for the Vonsam system as soon as possible."
Forge nodded, then abruptly turned and began the brief trip to her quarters aboard the Frigate Treason.
Syths immediately followed her;
"May I walk you to your quarters?"
"No," she said icily, but Syths decided follow her regardless.
"May I help you with your luggage in your quarters?" he pleaded.
"No."
"May I visit you later?"
She shook her head, opening the chamber door of her quarters.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
The door slammed in his face. Instinctively, Syths made a quick search of his clothing, Stang it! I have misplaced my master key!
Suddenly a siren blared and red lights filled the corridor.
It signalled the ship had fallen under attack.
A squad of stormtroopers clanked off a nearby lift, Master Sargeant Trigit commanding them.
"Sir," Trigit saluted Syths, who was fumbling to unclip his comlink from his belt, "We have a hull breach in the stern part of the frigate. The bridge communicational systems to the rest of the ship have been knocked out. Orders are having to be issued via standard portable comlinks. Enemy boarders have been also been sited though we only came under attack half a minute ago. We have been ordered to esort you to the bridge where the captain wishes to fully brief you on the situation."
"Very well," Syths said, finally unclipping his comlink and speaking into it: "Attention all starfighter pilots... battle stations..."

====================================================================
Lorn IV
Lorn System
Office of the Executive Officer

A mountain of black rock, encircled by a thick eerie mist, seemed to rise out of the earth reminiscent to a dull spike having been thrust upward through the ground. Resting atop this grim alp lay an ancient walled city. A city whose primary entrance was that of a giant gate shaped in the grisly appearance of a deformed skull. The mysterious city, which had obviously once been a center of a depraved galactic superpower, now lay in partial decay and ruin. Its name having long been forgotten...
... the City of Skulls.

Kadann suddenly awoke, his visage drenched with adhesive prespiration. The enigmatic vision now fading from his mind. Where did this ruined city lay? On what world did it once exist? Why had it so inexplicably appeared to him in a vision? The sundry questions flooded his inquisitive brain. He resolved to find out and accessed the central library system of Lorn IV via his personal datapad on his glossy desk.

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

posted January 14, 2000 06:41 PM               

"Gosh I haven't done this in years," said Tiana to Kitti. "Not since you joined."

"Yep it has definately been a long time." She moved her knight out. Tiana countered with her pawn.

-----------
Elsewhere ...

"I'm sorry, but this is a restricted area. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Two guards stood outside a large building in the center of the capital city on Lorn IV.

"Please, you'll allow an old tired man to rest before sending him on his way won't you?" The voice came from the crippeled man hobbiling towards them. He walked ever so slowly, first moving his cane, then slowly following it up with two quick movements of his feet.

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to stop coming forward." The guard from his house on the right side of the gate started out and move towards the man. It was an especially dark night because of the newly instantiated curfews to protect the city from bombing runs made by pirates operating in the area.

"You wouldn't shoot an old man, would you?" asked the hunched old man coming towards the guard house.

"I guess I wouldn't," came the reply of the guard still walking towards the old man.

"Weak fool," said the old man as he stood upright and fired two shots catching the guard in the chest. The other guard watching the situation jumped up from his post only to be struck down by a shot coming across the field in fron of the building.

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

"Knight takes bishop," Tiana said as she removed Kitti's pawn from the board. "And stop thinking about Three's disaperance. You know Syth will bring him back." The whole chess game had been a way to take Kitti's mind of her missing boyfriend.

"Alright." Kitti said and sat back and contimplated her next move.

--------

"Guards are down, let's move in," said the old man into a com.

"Good job L, move in quickly so we don't alert too many more dopes along the way."

The squad of eight or nine people made their way slowly up to one of the many entrances along the side of their target. It was a finely built door with etched designs boardering the door and statues of mythical creatures standing outside.

"One three," said L to one guards before opening the door.

"Got that," he said hold several flash detonaters in his hand.

"One, two," he opened the door. "Three." Flash detonators in, and the door was closed. A bright light was seen flashing through the windows as well as an audible noise that was all but drowned out by the shuttle flying over head.

"Go, go go go go."

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

"Queen takes Rook." Kitti slamed the pieces down, excited that she finally took on of Tiana's pieces.

"Ahhh phooey," Tiana said reaching and picking up her knight. "I guess I'll have to just take your queen." She smiled. One of those big smiles that only come about when she finds something that irritates another.

"Stang." Kitti was losing, and losing bad. She had to figure out a way to get her head back in the game.

-----------

Only the sound of silenced blaster fire was heard as guards of the house were dropping left and right.

"Clear."

"Clear."

"Clear."

"Good he's coming in." From behind the six troopers actively scanning the room looking for more targets, a tall cloaked man walked in.

"Let's go upstairs," he said to one of the troopers.

"Yes my lord."

-----------

"This is just not your day, Kitti." Tiana said smiling at the new thought she just had.

"Tell me about it. If Threeof4 wasn't abducted yesterday, I could be playing chess against him and winning."

"Oh, don't tell your sad story to me little girl."

"Why's that?"

"Because....," she said picking up one of her pawns and taking one of Kitti's.

"Because?" Kitti said moving one pawn to take Tiana's before it cause the death of any more pawns.

"Because of this," she said picking up her queen and moving it into position. "Check, and ...," she looked around to make sure, "Mate!"

"I couldn't agree more," came a new voice.

"What the..."

*Flash*

*Flash*

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

"Targets located and captured."

"Excellent."

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

posted January 14, 2000 08:56 PM               

Sesswanna woke up inside of a cell that looked like it belonged in a small Imperial designed frigate. Carefully taking in all the little details of the cells security system, he decided that he must be in a maximum security cell.

Sesswanna reached out with the Force, trying to get some clue as to where he was (or what he was doing). Sensing nothing that would be of much use - except for a large number of sentient beings on the ship, enough to crew a frigate.

Knowing quite a bit about starship layouts - he reached out with the Force, trying to locate the main computer. Finding it just where he thought it was - he used a small technique that he had learned, nearly at the cost of life, while trying to speed up an upload into the ISD-II Devastator's computer.

Using the Force - Sesswanna sped up the main computer by more than 50 fold, way more than the heat sinks and cooling systems had been designed to handle.

The ships main computer overheated, and soon shutdown. As a result, main power went offline, auxillary power had to be brought online, and the security system shut down for just enough time for Sesswanna to make his escape out of the cell.

Outside his cell, he found a startled guard, with his back facing towards him - that was apparently interested in a noise down the hallway.

Using the distraction fully to his advantage, Sesswanna quickly snapped the mans neck and removed his blaster and keycard, dragging him into his cell and locking it back up.

After securing the dead guard's body, Sesswanna checked the security desk in the corrider he was in. The screen showed alerts all over the ship - and he knew it would be easy enough to make it to the frigates hangar bay and steal a ship.

Not one to pass up any opportunity - Sesswanna snuck out of the brig, and made it to a turbolift that would take him to deck 7 - docking bay 2 - but the doors openned, and 4 men in rag-tag uniforms saw him, and quickly drew their blasters.

Sesswanna acted with quick reflexes, however, and popped two of them and jumped quickly around a corner, ran down a short hall, and took a right, and then entered a room that was just what he knew it was - the security storage rooms.

Sealing the door behind him with his keycard, Sesswanna took a look around.

The Force was truly with him, for right in the locker room was his lightsaber. Lifting it up and quickly admiring it - he snapped it on and cut a hole into the wall - allowing him to quickly get out of the room before the troopers could blow down the door and trap him.

Knowing well enough not to go back towards that turbolift - he decided to go to the small docking bay on this deck, deck 8.

Sneaking past the three guards searching room by room for him - Sesswanna then snuck through the medical ward, until he walked into a room where a beautiful doctor was checking up on a patient.

She looked up, and stared it him with eyes full of fear - her patient was unconscious.
Sesswanna, a women's man at heart, blew her a kiss to try to relax her and then walked past her, right into the control room for Docking Bay 1.

Seeing a Suwantek Systems TL-1800 Transport in the Docking Bay, Sesswanna hurried on board it.

Slightly familiar with the design, he ran to the cockpit and sat down in the pilots seat.
Engaging the engine, he hit the throttle to full and entered a quick microjump into the nav computer, which would get him far enough away from the Nebulon-B Frigate Despot, which he just left, to not be in any immenent danger.

Right before he engaged the hyperdrive, he saw that 4 Z-95 Headhunters had been launched to intercept him - laughing, Sesswanna engaged the hyperdrive and microjumped away from the Despot.

Now having enough time to calculate his location - the Amasar System, near Aold - he entered a hyperjump to Lorn IV and was about to engage the hyperdrive - when he sensed a disturbance in the Force.

"Oh no! Christiana and Kittilix have been kidnapped! And they haven't even had enough time to enjoy the StarWind-class Pleasure Yachts I bought them!" Sesswanna said angrily, "I swear on my life that I shall save them."

Sesswanna engaged the hyperdrive - and began his plan on how to find and save the two lovely women.

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

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

High General Sesswanna
Prefect of the Vast Empire Army
Dark Jedi Knight in the Vast Empire Dark Jedi Order
PRF/High General Sesswanna/HCA-1/Erewhon/VEA [EW]
DJK Sesswanna/Krath/VEDJ

posted January 14, 2000 10:03 PM               

[This message has been edited by Spartacus (edited 14 January 2000).]

IP: 24.237.11.25

posted January 14, 2000 10:22 PM               

And when they do....

Be sure to sketch this damsell as angelically sweet with long blonde tresses and crystal blue eyes heh =)

posted January 15, 2000 08:07 AM               

Schnapps reclined in the armchair she'd had specially installed on the front of the top deck of the bridge of the ISD2 Devastator, her baby. She was slumoed low in the chair, with her legs stretched out far in front of her and crossed at the ankle. She was nto having a good day.

First of all, people were being kidnapped again. She sighed, and began mumbling to herself. "Every time . . . all I ask for is a bit of peace and quiet, and that idiot Trois gets kidnapped . . ." She ignored the worried glances of the newer crewmen. Devastator veterans were long used to her talking to herself by now, and got on with their work. "And what Sess will be doing I have no idea," she continued under her breath. "Probably zapping some computers while he plays with the Force. Calls himself a Krath, hmmph."

Added to that, she wasn't even allowed to take the Devastator in and shoot people. She was under direct orders from Field Marshal Majere to sit tight and do nothing until Sithspawn called for her help. Sithspawn and that intel agent . . . she started muttering again. "Forbes, the lovely Miss Forbes. I could been in Intel, you know." She reached out and Force pulled the nearest crewman towards her, then grabbed him by the collar. Too terrified even to squirm in her grip, he just stared boggle eyed at her. "I coulda been in Intel, you know that? But they never let you get away with anything, you have one little drink on the job, you have a friendly glass of schnapps with one little pirate, and next thing you know the won't even look at you." She let go of the young conscript's collar, and he staggered away, trying not to fall over the edge into the lower level of the bridge.

Schnapps glared at her boots. This was not a good day at all. She had connections, lines of communication - people told her things (not least because she was the foremost supplier of high-grade bootleg spirits in the whole empire). She was hearing bad stories about this Miss Forbes, this evil Intel agent who was having all the fun hunting down kidnappers while she sat on the Devastator waiting to babysit her. She had heard that the Forbes Woman had insulted no less than Vice Admiral Donitz, finest pilot in the empire, and, worse than that, that Donitz had actually tried to flirt with her. At that thought, Schnapps retrieved a small bottle of absinthe from her tunic. It was disgusting, but it was all she had. Her supplies of schnapps and gin had been used up in creating another batch of Purple Haze, which had exploded all over her quarters, but she felt she had to make do with what she had.

Just as she was taking another gulp of the foul, yet strangely addictive, green liquid, she heard a cough from her left. She turned her head round and glared at the officer standing beside her, holding a computer print out in his hand. She narrowed her eyes. "Yes?"

The man coughed nervously again, aware that the Admiral could probably read his mind and would not be best pleased if she knew he was trying not to think of any Imperial regulations mentioning drinking on duty. Pulling himself together, he handed the printout to Schnapps. "Ma'am, we have just recieved an emergency distress call from the Frigate Treason. Apparantly hostiles have boarded, and-"

"BAH!" Schnapps cut him off. "That Forbes Woman can take care of herself."

The officer slowly licked his lips and tried to continue. "Commander of Security Sithspawn was able to repair a comm unit, he said something about using some army type as a conductor . . ." Schnapps made as if to stand up, but felt her legs go slightly wobbly and stayed seated. The terrified officer desperately finished his report. "He said that fighters have been launched, and he urgently requests help . . ."

At that, Schnapps eyes lit up, though her pupils were still dilated and misty from the absinthe. "Fighters? Launched?" The officer nodded carefully. Schnapps shot her hand forward to point at the front window, apparantly unaware that she hadn't screwed the top back onto her absinthe, thus covering the front of the bridge in a spray of 70% ethanol solution. "What are you waiting for, man? Set course for the Treason!" The comm officer nodded and backed away.

Schnapps didn't seem to notice the short scream the officer gave as he fell from the top level of the bridge and into the pit below. Only one thing was on her mind. People were firing at Donitz. She could tolerate Sesswanna vanishing, she could tolerate Threeof4 making so many enemies at school that they were still after him - she could even tolerate sitting on the brige of her ship getting no information while everyone else got to go and hunt down Rebels.

The one thing she could not tolerate was people messing with Donitz. Even if he had tried to flirt with that Forbes Woman.

Like a gigantic bird of prey, the Devastator accelerated into hyperspace.

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

Note: this is what happens if you try to write VE fic thirty minutes after a three hour Oxford exam, heh.

------------------
Admiral/Krath Magician Schnapps
Captain of the Dev

Official Hanger-On

I am Lion, hear me ROAR!

-=IM:AHH XIV=-

posted January 15, 2000 03:20 PM              

Donitz mumbled to himself. "Cocky Navy Captains, always think their little ships can take care of themselves." He looked side to side quickly, hoping Schnapps hadn't heard that - and reassured himself she couldn't; she was light years away, after all. Donitz took a glance at his flight helmet - imperial symbols on the forehead covered up neatly by yellow smiley face stickers. The deck shook slightly under him, and the lights of the hangar dimmed. Seemed he was the only one standing still, everyone else was running around yelling stuff. "Obviously paranoid..." he mumbled.

That is, until a deck officer ran up to him, waving his arms frantically. "The order's been given to launch sir!" Donitz looked the man over, as if not believing him, before turning towards his TIE Defender with another mumble. "Yeah, I bet it has..."

Securing his helmet on the way, Donitz passed a pair of other pilots conversing with themselves. Besides the random combat-talk, he picked up something of interest that made him stop in his tracks. Turning, he jogged back to the pair - eyes wide, but of course, with his helmet on, they couldn't see that.

"Did you say... the Devastator was coming?" Donitz quietly said through his helmet mic.

One of the pilots nodded. "Yessah. Reinforcements from the Devastator, including the ship herself, will be here in minutes."

Donitz backed away from them. If the Devastator was coming, that meant only one thing - Schnapps was coming. She'd find out. As he backed towards his TIE Defender, his mind ran through the options of excuses - drunkenness, hormonal imbalance, mind control. He settled on mind control. Turning, he ran the rest of the way to his fighter. Maybe if he got a disproportionate number of kills, that'd go over well...

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

With a lurch, the Treason's hangar claw unceremoniously tossed Donitz's TIE Defender into space. The nearest batch of fighters - some R-41's - broke formation and sped away in surprise. Pulling his fighter up, Donitz looked through the viewports of the ingress/egress hatch, catching a glimpse of the Treason, which was not a good one. An assault shuttle was docked to the aft end, and there were minor hull breaches near the stern section. Shrugging mentally, Donitz targeted the nearest fighter.

Kas Beorty laughed darkly and switched his weapons mode to missiles. His Preybird fighter bore down on the slowly arcing TIE Defender, accompanied by two of his wingmates. He turned his head aside and spoke into his comm.

"Two, three, lay down some laser fire on that guy, I'm gonna get me a high-class kill."

A pair of "roger's" came through his helmet in response, and laser fire from his sides began tracking towards the TIE Defender as he worked for a missile lock.

Not missed by Donitz was Kas's approaching formation, high over the Frigate's connecting spine. He gunned his throttle, opposing laser fire passing wide as the TIE Defender's engines screamed to maximum potential. Soon, the lasers stopped firing, and the missile lock-on was gone.

Kas looked up as his target soared overhead at incredible speed. Things seemed to slow down as he screamed into his helmet. "Break!"

The other two fighters of Kas's element didn't move. As Kas rolled his fighter ninety degrees, and pulled up hard on the stick, he noticed the limp form of one of his wingmen in the cockpit.

Donitz tee-hee'd into his helmet, shortly after he had reached out with the force and gently snapped the spinal cords of the two wingmen. Rolling his fighter, he pushed the control stick aside, and was greeted with the sight of the remaining Preybird attempting to carve out a turn. Matching speed with his target, he squeezed his control yoke's triggers, and his laser cannons spoke emerald death. The Preybird's shields flickered momentarily, but quickly disappeared. A laser bolt slammed into the intricately painted wing, sending the target spinning, as well as creating a gashing hole in a fuel tank that sent supercooled - and extremely explosive - liquid hydrogen gas into space. Donitz pulled away as another of his laser bolts ignited the mixture, consuming the fighter - and Kas - in a bright fireball.

Donitz designated another target, and repeated the process. He was denied his excessive number of kills, in the end - he was joined by a number of other Treason pilots.

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

Donitz swallowed hard as he saw the form of the Devastator appear out of hyperspace on the Treason's stern. His TIE Defender hovered near the frigate's stern, supervising the "removal" (or, in other terms, spacing) of boarding troops. An anonymous Devastator flight officer's voice manifested itself in Donitz's helmet comm.

"Defender Kaph-1 to Devastator. You're relieved, pilot."

posted January 18, 2000 12:25 PM               

..........
Lorn 4 Palace Hospital
..........
Deputy Grand Master Spartacus stood outside of the bacta tank, looking at himself. Although he managed to lesson the damage the laser blast it still did a lot of damage and it required weeks of curing. "This will definately leave a mark," thought Spartacus' spirit. The amount of training that it took Spartacus to achieve the ability to leave his body is something that he just recently learned. Usually an experienced Jedi Master can do this with no problems but this new experience was leaving Spartacus very dilerous to the point of phasing in and out. Spartacus knew that if he didn't control himself that he would certainly die. Even if his body did fully recover.

"He is alive," stated Grand Master Kadann. "I know," nodded Field Marshal Majere. "But he is still in danger." "He must walk the path on his own," said Kadann agreeing with Majere. Majere and Kadann started to work on today's events. With the ISD2 Devastator dispatched, it left things at home in dissaray. Majere drew up his datapad and handed it to Kadann, "Here is what we will do. Since most of Lion Sect is already involved with the conflict I would like to dispatch Eagle Sect to find out who our traitor is and get rid of them. I am authorizing Taskforce Devastator to our current problem. Taskforce Crusader will start looking for any attacks against our home systems. I want you to take care of things at home and make sure that Eagle Sect keeps looking for those idiots attacking and kidnapping our people. I will be taking a VSD2 from the Lorn Defense Force and joining Taskforce Devastator. I should arrive there tomorrow if everything goes as planned."

Kadann nodded, "Will you be taking command from Admiral Schnapps?"

Majere immediately responded, "No, her orders to eliminate the problem remains. There is a reason why this is happening and the force tells me this is much more serious. If I am right, you will have your hands full here. I am positive that someone is out to destroy our Dark Jedi Division all-together."

Kadann immediately started looking confused, "It looks like they are going after the Engineering Corps. So far all of the facts point to disabling our supply lines."

"If they wanted to do that then it would have already been accomplished. Threeof4 and Daishi's kidnapping was only a front to draw our resources away from our key people. They have already accomplished kidnapping HG Sesswanna, disabling Spartacus, and keeping Schnapps and Donitz busy elsewhere. All they need to do now is......"

All of a sudden a huge explosion ruptured a wall. Immediately Kadann and Majere drew their lightsabers and deflected a number of blue laser bolts. After approximately 5 minutes of the constant laser attack it all stopped. Finally 6 new lightsabers were ignited of various color. Majere and Kadann were shaken, sweaty, and bloody, not to mention how tired they were feeling from the last attack. "Now we shall cripple the Vast Empire once and for all," said an unknown voice. Immediately Kadann's expression changed from being tired to a state of shock.

Immediately alarms started going off all over the capitol city of Lorn. Stormtroopers by the dozen were in the streets ordering everyone to enter a building immediatly.

The battle in Majere's damaged office was not going very well. The unknown Jedi master was battling Kadann who was wishing that he had kept his staff with him. Five other Jedi were battling Majere, also to a stand-still. After what seemed like hours a familiar voice spoke, "Our time has run out." Then the blue stun bolts knocked Majere and Kadann unconcious.

About an hour later a stormtrooper squad finally entered Majere's office. Although the squad fought bravely, and easily defeated the agressors. Grand Master Kadann and Field Marshal Majere was gone. All that remained was their lightsabers and a note that read...

All attacks against Clan Panther will stop immediately. If the attacks do not stop then I will kill all of them. Further demands and instructions will follow once our previous demand have been met.

The Squad commander immediately headed towards a shuttle to the SSD Mustang. He was going to take this note to the one person who has not yet been captured.

.....
Few hours later on an unknown ship
.....

"Well, I'm pretty confident that we can escape this sorry excuse of a prizon. However, let's remain dormant until we meet up with our kidnapped comrades," stated Kadann. Immediately Kadann and Majere entered a state of meditation to prepare them for the upcoming events.

posted January 19, 2000 03:22 AM              

Rising up from his terminal where he just read an email notice about the City of Skulls from GM Kadann, Fleet Admiral NiksaVel straightened his uniform and went to open the doors of his office.

"Yes, XO?"

"Sir, all the work you have assigned me is now finished, we may depart as soon as you are ready." Admiral Scarecrow, the Naval XO replied. We are no longer needed aboard the Abydos.

"Most exellent, let's go for the hangars... "

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

15 minutes later, aboard the bridge of the ISD2 Crusader

NiksaVel was sitting comfortably in the Command chair, with RA Atrus, the captain of the Crusader and Scarecrow standing at his sides.

"As you can see gentleman, it's up to us to same the day again... "

"Set a course at the following coordinates and open me a link to the Devastator."

"Yessah!" came from Atrus.

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

Aboard the ISD2 Devastator bridge

The younger crewmen grinned silently as they saw Admiral Schnapps froze and pretend to be sober when a holo of the Fleet Commander poped up into existance in front of her.

"Admiral, I have observed the battle, most impressive. However now is not time to praise, we have some more important work to do, and it appears we'll have to set our Sith/Krath differences aside for the time being."

"Yessah," AD Schnapps replied "What do you wnat us to do?"

"We shall randezvous at the following coordinates..... (*data info incoming*). from there it appears we will have to investigate a possible unknon Sith cult on the moon of Wiztar in the Vonsam system. More info as we get there"

"Also, in case you didn't notice... I am in charge fo the Vast Empire now, as the only High Council member still serving."

"Yessah!" replied Schnapps as the holo bliped out of existance.

*AND FOR THRAWN'S SAKE, GET YOURSELF SOBER, WOMAN!!* NiksaVel additionally sent via the Force, not wanting to emberass Schnappsy in front of the crewmen.

------------------
[| |oooooooo| ||"| |]>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Fleet Admiral Nikola Ivan 'NiksaVel' Leder
Vast Empire Fleet Commander
FC/RG-2/FA NiksaVel/ISD-II Devastator/1ESF/VEN/NI =A=
LoH/SW NiksaVel/Sith/Eagle Sect/VEDJ
[NDM/LoM/MC 1st*5/CBV/VC-gold/MoT-rh/GRC(11 members)/LSM][T/D Azagthoth]

Email: [email protected]
ICQ UIN: 5356804

posted January 21, 2000 11:49 PM               

[This message has been edited by Spartacus (edited 22 January 2000).]

IP: 24.237.11.25

posted January 22, 2000 01:59 AM               

[This message has been edited by Crysus (edited 22 January 2000).]

IP: 24.237.11.25

posted January 22, 2000 02:02 AM              

------------------
Tech Daishi

[This message has been edited by da1sh1 (edited 22 January 2000).]

[This message has been edited by da1sh1 (edited 22 January 2000).]

posted January 25, 2000 03:39 AM              

"Over 300,000 credits worth of damage suffered to the Treason in the recapture of it! Last time I be nice and donate my personal ships to the good of the Empire."

Forge rolled her eyes and ignored his comments, taking the time to inhale deeply and savor the planet's atmosphere, Antare tossed his head back to remove the hair that had strayed out onto her forehead.

Sensing that the beautiful vixen had lost interest in his conversation, Sithspawn was quick to close his mouth, for fear of her noticing the casual glances at her he'd been sneaking since the first time he'd laid eyes on her in Majere's Office.

Glancing up at the starlit sky, Sithspawn quickly picked out the constellation nearest his birthplace, on Coruscant.

As Antara began to wonder why the bumbling officer had finally quit his rambling, she glanced over in his direction, and followed his gaze up to the sky.

"They are quite lovely, aren't they?" mumbled Antara.

Sithspawn sighed, shook his gaze from the mesmorizing stars, and turned towards Agent Forge.

"Aye.....that they are."

Gazing deeply into Antara's eyes, Sithspawn bit his lip and worked up the courage to move his lips again

"But their beauty is amplified tenfold upon reflection into your eyes, m'lady"

Bracing for the imminent slap he knew was coming, Sithspawn closed his eyes and awaited the stinging pain brought by flesh upon flesh.

After no slap came, Sithspawn began to wonder if Antara was working her blaster loose, and opened one eye out of curiosity.

Antara had her head turned partially to the side, her hair draped over the side of her face, in a vain attempt to hide the sudden flush of color to her cheeks.

Moving closer to the mysterious Agent who had seemingly invaded the sanctity of his
mind, Sithspawn slowly slipped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close for the briefest moment in time.

"Sir, your orders?" repeated Captain Azrael for the third time, wondering what had come over the Commander in the past few days.

Sithspawn, startled by Azrael's voice withdrew his arm from Antara's shoulder, and spun quickly on his heel to reply.
"Mobilize Beta Platoon, We're going in."

Azrael nodded, and froze in half-turn to voice another question
"I take it you and the Agent will be accompanying us?"

Sithspawn tossed Azrael one of his typical half-grins
"What, did you think we'd let you have ALL the fun Az?"

Azrael laughed, and reboarded the Corvette.

Sithspawn turned his head back, intending to remark about the uncanny timing to Forge, and was startled to see her nowhere in sight.

Spinning around twice, Sithspawn shook his head, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the small vial.

Upturning it, Sithspawn shook the single pill out onto his hand.

Reflecting on the intricate design on the face of the pill, Sithspawn brought his hand to his mouth, and swallowed the pill.
------------------------------
As Daishi felt the blaster rifle impact against his jaw, a large explosion caused him to lose his balance.

Stumbling to his knees, Daishi picked up the rifle and ran towards the door.

As the door slid open, Daishi felt the inevitable yank as the Jedi behind him regained his control of the Force.

Sighing as the Jedi flung him off course into the wall, Daishi knew that he was about to experience true pain.

Wincing in pain as he felt the bones in his lower leg begin to shatter under the wrath of the Dark Side.

As Azrael flew through the door, he took quick aim and dispatched the three targets in his line of site.
Identifying Technician Daishi lying in a heap in the corner, Azrael turned to make one final sweep of the room. Coming full about, Azrael's eyes widened beneath his viewplate as the glowing eyes of the Jedi came into contact with his.

As Azrael's will fought to regain control, he slowly felt his hands turn the rifle towards his helmet.

As Sithspawn stepped into the room, he immediately sensed who had control of the situation, and unfortunately, it was not in his favor.

Snapping up his rifle to fire a shot, Sithspawn found himself staring down the barrel of the rifle in direct alignment with the Jedi's lightsaber.

Sithspawn breathed a sigh of relief, knowing if he had fired, the bolt would have reflected directly back into him.

Pausing momentarily to consider the situation, Sithspawn felt the grim feeling of hope expire, as the rifle was ripped from his grasp.

As Antara stepped over the smoldering corpse, she raised her nose in disgust, detesting the pitiful waste of precious life.

As her ears perked up at the steady hum of a lightsaber, Antara reached to her side and began a sprint down the corrider.

Drawing her lightsaber out of the small pouch it usually rested in, Antara ignited the blade and felt her emotions give way to the Dark Side.

Pain coarsing through his body as the Dark Jedi proceeded to wreck havoc on the blood vessels of his brain, Sithspawn felt a slight release of the pressure.
Turning towards the door, Sithspawn felt his eyes bulge, as he caught site of Forge, a lightsaber planted firmly in her grasp, taking up an offensive stance.

As Wizard Vae Yel`Sa brought up his lightsaber, he smiled at the reflection of this.
Two Army Officers, and now a Dark Jedi...They shall make quite extravagent presents to the Grand Wizard.

Posing his Saber to strike, the Wizard gave a battle cry and charged towards Antara.

As the two Jedi began to duel and parry each others' blows, Sithspawn fumbled for the pistol he always kept at his side.

Noting the subsequent lack of his sidearm, Sithspawn cursed, and reached into his armor for the vibroblade he knew lay inside the pocket.

As Antara felt leg fall out from underneath her, she let out a shriek of pain as she landed on the floor.

Standing over her, the Wizard posed ready to strike.

As she awaited the final blow, the Jedi spoke in rasping tones.

You're control is rather nice, but you lack in finesse. You'd make a much better friend than foe.....and it would be somewhat of a pity to have to kill such a prety thing."

Antara smiled sweetly, as if to consider, and spat into the eye of the Jedi.

As the Jedi brought his Lightsaber down, Sithspawn lunged foreward, holding the vibroblade at his greatest length.

For the next 2 seconds of Sithspawn's life, time seemed to all but stop.

Whether the effects of the post-mission LSD he had dropped, or uncanny luck, Sithspawn flew through the air, twisting his arm in a spearlike jab.

As the blade plunged into the back of
the Wizard, his muscles tensed up in a spasm of agony, straightening up into a rigid dance of pain before he collapsed forward.

Sithspawn screamed with rage as he wrapped his arms beneath the corpse of the Jedi.
Flinging the corpse out of his way, Sithspawn dropped to his knee next to Antara.

Yanking his helmet over his head, Sithspawn drew an arm quickly across his face to wipe the hair and perspiration out of his eyes.

Antara gazed up at the young soldier standing over her. The agony of the wound inflicted upon her seemed strangely far away right now. Feeling the sudden drain of life from her core of being, Antara grimly realized that she was on the edge of death.

"So this is how it is to be then...." thought Forge as she turned her head sluggishly towards the handsome young man kneeling before her.

Sithspawn pulled Antara's hands up into his in a grasp, shouting over his shoulder for the Squad Medic.
Turning his head back towards her, their eyes met and locked in gaze. Sithspawn wrapped his arms around Antara, and pulled her close, feeling a tear begin to slide out of his eye as the hope drained out of him.

Antara began to choke out words, as the officer pulled her close to him.

"I'm.....sorry.....I......never......told.......you"

For once in his life, Sithspawn had no reply.
The shock had set into him, and all he could do was stare into Antara's eyes and watch the life slowly drain out of them.

Sithspawn held her tighter, and mouthed the words "It'll be alright.......the medics, they can-"
"Do...nothing...for...me," Forge cut off Sithspawn's reply.

Sithspawn leaned forward, placed his palm as gently as he could behind Antara's neck and lifted her head. Bending his head down, he locked his lips against hers.

As eternity seemed to pass before his soul, Sithspawn felt the cold shock of grief replaced by the more prominent sense of loss and regret.

Captain Azrael stood over the Commander of Security, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Siths, she's gone."

Sithspawn slowly drew back and paused once more to look down at the still form of Antara.

Her eyes were wide, perched upward as if gazing towards the ceiling.
Sithspawn slowly brought his eyes upwards, staring out the skylight overhead, looking upon the stars that Antara had died staring at.

=====================================
This is what happens when you stay up 'til 4 in the morning after drinking too much Mountain Dew.

------------------
Commander of Security, Detachment Commander
Brigadier General Sythspawn

posted January 26, 2000 08:43 PM               

" . . . having successfully planted the homing beacon; escaped from the city before the bombardment began; boarded the Imperial shuttle awaiting us, my team returned to Coruscant, sir, where we await further orders."
Crysus finished his sentenced with a slight physical nod towards Field Marshal Caramon Majere.
"Very good, Brigadier General," Majere stated then turned to face Kittilix and Christiana, "I trust both of you are fit for duty. Or has your gruesome experience on Wiztar require some extra time to recover?"
"No, sir. Not in the least." Kittilix replied partly in reflex. []
Majere nodded then shifted his attention to the other Imperial personnel gathered in his office: Kadann, Threeof4, Schnapps, Donitz, Sesswanna, Spartacus, Sithspawn ... and a mere technician named Daishi
"I would like to personally thank all those who were involved in rescuing Kadann and me and those who aided in anyway in the destruction of the Sith cult on Wiztar. Thanks to the efforts of all of you, the City of Skulls no longer exists, but is now merely the ruins of a precisely executed planetary bombardment. Unfortunately, Miss Antara Forge died while in combat against a member of the latter Sith Cult. I am sure that everyone in this room mourns her loss."
A smile crept across Schnapps' face.
"As for the enigmatic being known as Rire," Majere continued, "his body was not recovered. It may only be presumed that he perished in the orbital bombardment."
Or lived, Threeof4 thought silently. []
Majere position himself in front of the gathered officers and saluted, "You may now resume your previous duties, ladies and gentlemen. Dismissed."

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

posted January 27, 2000 09:40 AM               

Note: I need to somehow develop and post a manual someday for the High Council, lol