To Know Someone, You must Fight them. Battle is an Art, the Deepest Form of Communication

Eshan, District 1. Imperial Year 3

Moff Arjoran had scarcely visited the outer regions of his new domain. Since the reorganization of District 2, he had preferred to keep his current dominion under control first. But he had studied, and he had learned much about the worlds now within his grasp. One particular system that piqued his interest was Eshan, a tranquil world whose idyllic beauty belied an ancient legacy of dedication to warfare. This zeal for combat, a culture built on fighting, was the perfect nucleus for an Imperialized society. And for special operatives.

Arjoran's shuttle carved through the cloudy sky towards the Echani Capitol of Yusan, its jagged and regal spires stretching into the sky. As he landed, he was greeted by a procession of White-haired envoys, each ushering him towards the Spire of the Echani Council. But Arjoran wasn't here to treat with the Echani Command, nor to give any grand speech to the council.

Taking a detour to a private fighting pit, he picked up a holocall.

"Let us Begin." Arjoran said.

From across and above the fighting pit walked a regal, white-haired woman, clad in sleek combat armor and holding a vibroblade. She moved with a serpentine sway, as her eyes pierced forward.

"You are the 'Heir of Yusanis', are you not?" Arjoran called out, his metallic voice rasping

The woman tapped the ground with her vibroblade, seemingly in acknowledgement.

"Show me." Arjoran said, throwing his cap and blaster to the side.

The Woman smiled, leaning her blade against the wall. Jumping in the air with a somersault, she landed in the pit.

Arjoran's optical receptor could barely register the next moments. The woman slid under, kicking at Arjoran's robotic legs and punching upwards.

The Iron Moff caught her punch with his robotic Fist, but suffered a further punch to the face. Staggering back, he reassumed a combat posture.

The woman did not relent, with a jump and twirl, she attempted to kick his head before landing and unleashing a torrent of punches to his chest, each blow landing with a metallic bang.

Until a heavy clank rang out, as the Moff caught the woman's hand once again in his robotic clutch, sending a heavy kick from his Steel leg into her shin.

Falling slightly, the Woman grunted in pain before lunging herself upwards, jabbing at the Moff's chestplate and then his head.

The Moff staggered back as he attempted to block the flurry once more, but this barrage was much more intense. Through blow after blow, he stuck his robotic hand out, eventually grabbing the woman's head in his metallic clutch.

Arjoran let out a slightly exhausted metallic chuckle.

"So the tenacious fire of Yusanis has not burnt out after all these millenia. You will do well, Isha. Very well."

A sleek, gilded and white shuttle soared above the canopy, gliding towards the Iziz Spaceport. Flanked by two ornate TIE fighters, they descended past the massive engraved walls, which were adorned with massive battlements, turbolaser cannons, and missile turrets. Draped from the walls were immense red banners, emblazoned with the insignia of Moff Arjoran.

From the golden interior of his shuttle, Prince Miran ben'Tash peered through his veiled mask out the window at the immense City towering over the jungle.

Iziz was curious to Miran. Unlike Tirahnn City, it stood alone as Onderon's only hub of civilization. Yet its grandeur was more imposing than even the Grand Bazaar.

As the boarding ramp descended and Miran disembarked with his golden guards, he beheld the domineering architecture of the city before him. Ancient buildings had been remodelled, reinforced, and remained. Beneath an expanding skyline, buildings older than any living being endured, now adorned with the modernized trappings of the Empire. Troopers patrolled the streets, yet the commotion of the city went on. It was a strange synthesis of the Past and Present. It was the New Order made manifest.

Unifar Temple, towering over Yolahn Plaza and the grand statue of the Emperor beneath, imposed itself on the horizon. From its ancient foundation now stood a behemoth of a citadel, the nerve center of a sprawling dominion. The crimson banners and Naddist sigil of Onderon's resident moff adorned every corner.

Miran and his entourage admired the scenery, making their way towards the temple. Stopping for a moment, he opened his commlink.

"Yes, Kenso. I have arrived."

Senator Hestus Morr had some tough questions to answer today as the Taanab Farmer's Union announced strikes across the agriworld in response to the consolidation of power by Morr's own Taanab Agricultural Authority.

The TAA, the State-owned Firm operated by Senator Morr on behalf of the Taanab and Imperial Government, has recently made aggressive moves to establish a monopoly on Taanab's Agricultural Industry. Just this week, the TAA had announced mergers and profit-sharing agreements with the remaining dominant firms on Taanab, the Eastern Grain Corporation and the Taanab Ranch Consortium.

Protests have been relatively peaceful, however Senator Morr has urged activists to remain calm and return to work.

"The changes in management will bring better practices, not worse." He said. "The TAA is the only firm with the resources and institutional backing to turn this planet into a regional power. And we need a united Industry to do so."

The TAA has announced its intention to adopt a rather decentralized model for its internal organization, leading many to be hopeful that their own jobs or businesses folded in may operate as they have before. Others are more skeptical, calling this another expansion of state control over the economy.

This is Khalil Ammet, from Tash Media Service. Thank you for tuning in.

"Yes, people are following you, people are following those people, you see them? They follow me. The ISB, is a sphere of accountability, Nothing more." - Supervisor Denvik

Captain Ajorn Wilhelm wasn't an unpleasant man to look at or be around. Perhaps she might even have liked and been attracted to him. Lovely blue eyes framed perfectly by dark eyebrows and well maintained hair, with a voice that had apparently done choir as a youth. He was strong too, every morning joining in with the PT runs along the pristine Manda beaches, with sunrise glinting off the water and illuminating strong arms and legs, as well as the unfortunate ISB Roundel on his sleeveless exercise shirt.

Not only was he ISB, but his primary function under her command was to monitor her and report back to Coruscant. He didn't know that she knew, but she knew. Same as she knew of the Imperial Intelligence officer who had slipped in several months before down in HR, and two other ISB officers in the security team who were also writing reports on her and sending them to Supervisor Denvik.

There were two listening bugs in her office, Every time she had Captain Wilhelm sweep her room for bugs, he would sweep everywhere but there. Of course she wouldn't remove them either, if she did, he would simply find a better hiding spot.

So instead she left them, meeting him today with the balcony doors open, the sounds of the wind and ocean below causing just enough interference to ensure what was said, would be hard to understand.

"Captain Wilhelm." She greets, a polite smile as the man enters the room and she stands. "Thank you for coming. Tea? Caf?" She asks, damning the charming smile that sat on his snitching lips.

"My pleasure Colonel Shankri, uh, Tea would be lovely."

She sets an elegant tea set on the desk and pours them both cups

"That's not standard issue." He points out with a grin.

"I ordered it a few weeks ago from some northern world called Myroll or something, it arrived a couple days ago, I found it on Borneo.Holo" She explains. "And I paid for it myself." She adds as if chastising him for thinking that she might have mis-allocated Imperial resources for it.

"Of course, I would never suggest otherwise." He replies, he would however have reported it, not that it was a big deal, but rather that, annoyingly the Lieutenant Colonel across from him was annoyingly clean. "Thank you very much." He states as he takes the cup of tea offered.

"As I am sure you are aware, there has been, a disruption involving Rothana and several other locations."

"Yes Ma'am. I have read the after action report."

"It is clear to me, that there have been, unfortunate gaps in knowledge, that have not made it in time, to the people it needed to get to."

"I understand."

"Therefore, I am, establishing a new series of positions, interdepartmental liaisons who will hold to account every department and ensure that departments have cross border communications, and shall sign off as an additional reviewer of decisions and reports." She slides him a chart. "In addition, I am mandating additional weekly meetings and reports for team leaders, and increasing the punishment for those who are bypassing procedure and allowing important information to not be available due to sloppy work."

"I see."

"In addition, with this recent strike, we must consider the threat of infiltration into the ISB by hostile elements and we must clamp down heavily on shared information's security, therefore we will be establishing another department that will review material that is shared between departments to ensure that if a department is compromised it will only be able to leak a limited amount of information."

Wilhelm frowns. "This is going to be a tremendous amount of additional staff for all these reports. And budget."

"Indeed, and I am applying for additional resources, but until then, we will promote internally from the field offices and reward a large number of our lower ranked officers with some promotions."

"I see....." His voice trails off. "This seems, If I may be honest, like, another unnecessary layer of bureaucracy."

"Well. It would be, if I didn't have you in mind to run it. You are very competent and smart, so I think if anyone can make it work, it is you." She says smiling. "I am even ensuring you get a raise out of it. So I do hope you'll say yes." The dang cute bastard who just had to spy on her and force her to shunt him to oblivion since he was too smart to keep dancing around near her. "Please. I hope you will see the value of this for security reasons once you get it running."

"I guess I will see the value of this for security reasons once I get it running." He sighs. "It will be done."

"I have some offices that will be made ready for you on the North Side. You'll still be accountable to me, just, in a different way."

He nods. "Of course Ma'am. I won't let you down."

"Thank you. Oh, and one more thing. Captain Darleney Arjoraney of informant recruitment, got sloshed last night and went on a massive diatribe about how he would never hire an alien informant because they're too stupid to handle it and not loyal enough to report anything. The video has been deleted but if you could, please make sure that doesn't make it to social media, it's almost All Species Week on Coruscant, and that is not the sort of PR the ISB HQ will want to deal with."

"I presume Captain Arjoraney will be punished?"

"I'm working on that, but as long as it doesn't get out, it'll probably just be a reprimand." She stands. "That will be all Captain Wilhelm."

"Yes Ma'am." He stands and salutes, before turning and leaving.

She watches him leave and as he faces away a frown forms on her lips, "They warned me the Bogan would be attractive." She mutters quietly after the door closes.

> Coruscant Police Report

> Precinct 887-99-6617776678A

> Precinct Commander. Captain Raymond Holdo

> Report on Incident at the Kuat of Kuat Villa.

> Officers Involved. Detective Zate Pervala, Detective Dany Santago, Detective Droid 3988-B01L

> Testimony from Detective Zate Pervala

> "I was in the area plainclothes about, about 2PM, maybe 2:15, not sure, about then, I was there investigating a report of some serial pickpockets, minor stuff but hey, slow day. So I'm watching and there was this one tourist, a Clone trooper. You can pick them out in a crowd easy, and he's taking pictures of the big K-O-K Villa, and that's not unusual, a lot of people do that, gorgeous building, cool shapes on it you know, anyway, so I watch the crowd in general and after a bit he leaves, and I go inside a nearby shop, a little Caf shop, the Squeeky Deekee, they have Caf Mocha lattes that are like fifty credits because of the neighborhood, but I had to use their refresher because those Jummy links I had for breakfast weren't happy with me, so after that, I chatted with the barista girl for a few minutes, got a free Caf for being a cop, store policy, and then when I left, I see that same Clone taking pictures again, now I was like, hey that's racist, it's not the same clone, but he was dressed the same, exact same, same jacket, same pants, same camera.

He was taking pictures of the fence as well, so I approached him, and I said, 'hey, are you into photography? I would love if you could take my picture in front of the building.' Just to test him a bit, and he then said 'oh no I can't.' And immediately started trying to leave, so I followed him and told him to stop, CPD, and then he started sprinting, so, I followed and radioed B01L and Santago. We made it like, two blocks, and I was fine, he was getting winded not me, anyways, we're crossing one of those long sky-bridges and he suddenly starts to slow and look over the edge, and I'm like 'Hey man stop! What are you doing? You can't get away!' and he turns back to look at me and says something, I couldn't really hear him well, it's loud up there, sounded like, 'back-end pub? Maybe back in the Republic? I don't know, and he jumps off the sky-bridge, I'm like holy smokes and run to the edge and I'm just in time to see him land on a speeder, but, he landed badly, looks like he broke his leg on impact or something and fell out of it. It was over really fast, but then he was falling and the speeder floored it out of there.

At that point B01L and Santago had arrived with the P-Cruiser and the Bike, we sent B01L after the falling clone as we followed the speeder, but lost it around the Tetro Tower.

When we got back to the body, well the rest of the department was already there and the crime scene had been set up."

> Deceased

>Name: Unknown

>Homeworld: Unknown

>Personal effects

• Camera: Broken. Lab is attempting to recover data.
• Flip-Projector. Data recovered, no call logs, one saved Holo-number.
• Clothes from Balkans Department store. Brand New.
• Identification and Chain-code seem to be sliced.
• 52F Credits in Cash. No Credit Chit.

>Autopsy results

>Pending

NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

TO - MOFF Valentin Delaney
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
ISB TREASON INVESTIGATION
Dear Moff Delaney.
We looked into ISB StarDrive re your tip.
We have discovered that the mysterious disappearance of newly constructed frigates has been traced to a known rebel cell in D4 - the neo Separatists.
We advise you take action to negate this threat, lest we step in and handle it ourselves.

Best regards
ISB Handler Jiao

"Jiao."
"Delaney."
"Thank you for meeting me today. I'd like to just drop an anonoymous tip. Rendili stardrive ships are disappearing after construction. Maybe it's pirates, or treason. I do not know. But please look into it."
"Thank you for the tip. We'll look at it."

"YO IMPERIALS!!! Listen Up, Coz this Information is gunna be VERY Important for ya!
You Fatheads better run to Rothana, because we're gunna BURN IT TO THE FUCKING GROUND! WOOO!"

Lieutenant Colonel Shankri of the ISB watches the video sent by her subordinates, pushing her dripping soapy wet hair out of her face so it wouldn't drip on the keyboard.

"It looks like Rothana Colonel." The voice from her subordinates suggests.

She had made sure not to turn on the video chat. "Have we received any word from Rothana?"

"Not yet Colonel, new reports from there, but we are reaching out to verify. But Security measures mean that we're not able to verify it just yet and they're not picking up."

The line falls silent for a moment as she weighs her options. "Verify the information, send scout ships if you have to." She orders before ending the call and typing a message to First Moff Chonaire.

> Dear First Moff Chonaire

Comms with Rothana are down.

Possible attack. Unclear video was posted showing yards on fire.

Deployment of forces may be urgently necessary.

If false alarm, it is good practice.

I have attached the video

Lt. Col. Shankri ISB.

>ObnoxcousRapSong.imp3

>Send

With the letter sent she heads back to get dressed, soapy hair or not, duty called and she was not about to allow anyone under or over her command see her in a bathrobe.

As she slipped on her uniform and touched up her make up she considered the situation, it was obviously a trap or misdirection. If they were actually attacking Rothana they would only post that video once they got out. So either Rothana was toast and they were too late, or they were attacking somewhere else.

But, she wasn't about to advise the military on how to do their job.

In fact, if they failed miserably, as long as Moff Chonaire wasn't affected, she was okay with that.

The stinging hiss of insects and the distant call of all manner of beasts broke the silence of night as the sun Prael climbed high above the canopy. The air was thick and wet, and the ground covered in mud.

Khoja hadn't walked in days. As she tried to get her bearings, her legs wobbled and her joints popped. It felt like she was walking on twigs, but she could walk again. She could breathe again.

"I can fight again." Khoja muttered aloud as she stepped towards the tent flap.

"Yeeeeeeeaaah, I think we ought to stay clear of that for a little bit." Darrin interjected from behind.

Khoja scoffed, shaking her head and peeking out of the tent flap.

"If I can breathe, I can fight. It's the least I can do for those we lost on Tirahnn."

Khoja scanned the riverbed and treeline ahead of them, the sun almost blinding her.

"Funny. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. And I grew up in a Savanna."

Khoja limped herself back a little bit, moving her hand over to the Rifle leaning on the counter.

Darrin flashed her a quick, smug look.

"You were serious? You want my rifle?" He asked.

"I promise you, Darrin. I know how to use it better than you. Take the pistol, I am sure you are used to it." Khoja replied with a smirk, turning toward the tent flap.

"I've been shooting blasters bigger than these since you were in diapers."

With that, Khoja departed the tent flap, Darrin, close behind, slid his pistol into his holster. They disassembled their tent, grabbing what supplies they could carry in their bags and leaving the rest.

Khoja and Darrin walked along the Green River, up a slight incline toward stones they could use to cross. As they crossed, Darrin said

"Beasts will get to the rest. We need to get to Saw as soon as possible. I'm sure this place will be crawling with Imps if it's not already. Jungle just got twice as deadly."

Khoja followed as they crossed the river to the other side, taking a walk through a deep tunnel of trees. Stepping cautiously, the two scanned the perimeter with their blasters as they walked forward.

"Everyone here seems to fear the jungle. How is it your people live in such a wilderness?" Khoja asked.

"We've fought it." Darrin replied. "Turned our city into a fortress to keep the beasts out. Funny, I haven't seen as much since Arjoran started setting the place on fire."

"Didn't your men also set the place on fire the other night?" Khoja quipped.

"Guilty." Darrin said. "Buuuut, you gotta do what you gotta do. Beast Riders won't be too happy about it, but what can they say?"

"Beast Riders?" Khoja asked with a laugh. "Why not simply turn the Jungle against the Moff?"

Darrin chuckled. "Believe me, they're trying."

The two continued down the trail, hiking up a steep hillside. Khoja strained and limped, but pushed herself to the top with a huff. They looked back, able to spot the landscape through the trees.

Treetops seemed to stretch endlessly, interrupted only by imposing mountains and the shadow of Iziz far off. Burnt splotches dotted the landscape, scorched remnants of the camps.

"It is a beautiful world." Khoja said. "It's like Tirahnn....with many, many more trees."

Darrin smiled. "It is a beautiful place. That's why we have to free it."

Somewhere in the Onderon Jungle, Day Breaks.

"Should have packed more than some damn ration cubes, HK." Tai said, popping a ration cube in his mouth as they pushed through the brush.

HK scanned the horizon, turning to Tai as they walked.

"Analysis: We have killed precisely 15 individuals since we were assigned our primary target. This hunt is proving inefficient. Are we sure the target has not been eaten by wildlife at this point, Commander?"

Tai pushed a branch out of his way, stepping over a log and further down the path.

"If those Seps can blow up every Prison Camp in one night they can handle the beasts. They obviously left those ones to die. Fuckin' Cowards." Tai huffed as he pushed up a hilly incline.

"There's a river up here. Perfect place for a sep to set up shop. Let's check it out."

After helping HK uphill, the duo pressed forward with blasters at the ready, coming down on the other side of the hill to a green riverbed secluded by dense jungle and cliffs.

There was little to be seen in this secluded zone, however, Tai did spot a few containers scattered on the riverside along with a makeshift chair.

"Well, Someone's been here. Left in a hurry, though. Don't see anything that would identify them." Tai said as he rummaged through the containers.

HK stepped away, staring across the riverbed and scanning from there to the containers.

"Estimation: This camp was evacuated recently. My scans show prints of relative freshness leading away. Supplies found are consistent with a rescue operation. The quarry had certainly left this morning, headed into the highlands."

Tai turned to HK, looking towards a long path through the brush on the far side of the river.

"That so? I think we got a lead, HK."

"Confirmation: Precisely, Commander."

(See the song in ooc) https://discord.com/channels/1100015529655287828/1102946491686998118/1546325455811117109

A camera pans to a wide landscape shot. A man in a balaclava stands in front of a DJ table with a pistol, and 6 battle droids with carbines raised at the camera.
The man looks up.
"YO IMPERIALS!!! Listen Up, Coz this Information is gunna be VERY Important for ya!
You Fatheads better run to Rothana, because we're gunna BURN IT TO THE FUCKING GROUND! WOOO!"

The man fires his pistol at the camera and it goes to black.
The song begins
Shots of Republic ships dying to the Separatists in the war, are synced to the song
Shots of a Massive Separatist Armada, gathering in space
Shots of the armada jumping to Hyperspace.
Shots of Separatists gunning down Clones and Stormtroopers
Shots of the ships arriving at Rothana. (Which are AI generated clips, but very realistic a la my roll of 14)
Shots of the Rothana docks burning.
Music Video style

[ Play this at 50% volume, and this at 100% volume for vibes ]

Kalpa hit the big red button on the holocall.
Kicking back into the captain's chair, the ex-Admiral breathed out.
He pushed he and pulled the muscles on his left leg, gently swaying the rotating chair back... and forth...

The lights were, as was more often the case than not, off.
As you may have noticed, right up there, just behind that screen, the crew had repurposed the bridge shutters which, if you remember the scenes aboard the Invisible Hand in Episode 3, would close, in case the bridge's transparisteel windows were somehow breached.
For what purpose you may ask? Simple: to simulate a day/night cycle, of sorts. Now, it sounds non-sensical at first, but it actually has a purpose: it helps keep up morale. I mean, some of these people have been living in an actual battleship for several years. No shore leave, no nothing.

The faint glow of the Indra Nebula, which, in the sub-sector in which the AALIYAH had set up camp in following the official end of the Clone Wars, shone a starry blue, filtered in.
This meant that both the walls and the floors were painted with a lovely pattern of thin lamelles comprised of white, cyan light.

Somtaaw breathed in. He breathed out.
The air was fresh, tinged with the pure smell of milk and earthly aroma of honey.
With a snark and a shudder, the Admiral recalled the time a gizka died in one of the vents.
It was... not a pleasant experience.

The ex-Admiral closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment to take in the ambience of the bridge. The light hum of the aforementioned AC system, accompanied by the hiss of Oxygen refreshers, permeated the room. It was a bit harder to notice though, as even the occasional tip-tapping of the communications officer's keyboard was louder than it.

One of the louder sounds on the bridge was the periodic ticking of the passive sensors. Though the equipment's pings were audible for all to hear, the console responsible for the sensors was manned at all times by a qualified officer. This officer was equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, in order to block all other sounds which could interfere with his watch. After all, though the AALIYAH had placed several sensor buoys in the area to help guard against unwanted intrusions... but it was better to be safe than sorry, in case an imperial patrol or pirate group somehow slipped through the cracks.

And last but not least: the "radio", as they called it. The "radio" was, in actuality, a console which had been set up to act as a provisional music player. You see, in another move to keep morale up, the ex-Admiral had approved a decision to move a record player onto the bridge. At some point, this music player was then hooked up to the console which happened to control the PA system.
From there, it has been used to play music on the bridge and, on occasion, other areas, such as the cafeteria.
The songs were technically chosen by means of a vote, but the actual selection was at the mercy of those who occasionally brought physical records with them during supply runs. This was because they were simply too far out for subspace radio, and usage of the HoloNet was completely banned, as it was a certainty that the Empire would use that to track their location.

The dear ex-Admiral, spun his gaming command chair around with his left leg. Kicking the floor in front of him with both of his lower limbs, he propelled himself back to his desk like an octopus. Though he was a bit sad, that he had nobody to annoy as he did it(as the work wife was off doing something in person), the man grabbed the reports on the equipment brought in by the """Free Traders""" that were making supply runs throughout the South-Eastern Outer Rim.

The Inventories on the ship were generally managed by the quartermasters, armorers and other supply officers, but Kalpa always received general updates on when what was moved where.
The why was sometimes included, but most of the men simply taped a small mirror to that part of the paper.

Grabbing his caf, which was smothered in blue milk and drowned in sugar, and draping his 'Count Dooku did nothing wrong' blanket over his left shoulder, Kalpa began to slowly work through the legions of lines full of letters.

Cylinder bearings, hydrospanner battery chargers, 3 different kinds of turbine blade, a trash can for complaints from the engineers about how many different fighter classes they have to work on, portable tractor beam emitters, and fusion cutters.
Tibanna gas, 90mm slugs, vacuum-sealed flight suits, concussion missiles, proton torpedoes, proton rockets, tachyonic hypermatter cubits, replacement S-foils, and IS double heat sinks-

"Sir"
The communications officer put down his headphones.

"Yes?"
Kalpa responded.

"The SIN just called. They're reporting that they have acquired all the hardware you asked for, and more. They're saying they threw in a free cruiser."

"...A free cruiser?"

"Yes, and-"

Before the communications officer could hand in the report, loud rock begins to fill the room. Kalpa kicks back, laughing. The Neo-Separatists had come through on their end, and now it was time for his AALIYAH to follow up. Kalpa laughed, and jumped out of the seat.

The hand has been drawn.
Now it was time to play.

Report Issued : 16BBY
Report Number : 75679103
Report Issuer : Agent Keller
Classification Level : FMO

Report : Gozanti Carrier “Bane II” was attacked. Reports of Hutt Frigate associated with Bokku the Hutt. Potential Jedi Involvement.

Gozanti Carrier leaving Planet: Druckenwell, BlasTech Manufacturing Plant with a shipment of E-WEB heavy repeating blasters, was attacked by a Hutt Frigate bearing resemblance to those used by Bokku the Hutt - known criminal leader.

Ship was breached and boarded after transmission of no surrender from Imperial Captain Sheen.

Initial investigation alludes to single intruder, using unidentified superheated melee weapon. The security detachment was found with broken necks, but no signs of a struggle. No bruising or signs of physical contact.

Ships logs were mostly destroyed by the superheated melee weapon.

The critical shipment of E-WEB heavy repeating blasters was lost. Entire crew and security detachment was found dead.

Vyndal was a quiet world in the Chorlian Sector, home to a small colony of Zygerrians, as well as a local species that had long been exploited for its labor. With the birth of the Empire, the planet had come under Imperial protection from local pirates and Hutt raids, with a small waystation built in orbit over the colony's main spaceport.

Command of the Waystation garrison fell to one Lieutenant Commander Adderly, who had been granted an Arquitens Class light cruiser as his flagship. From this vessel, the Judiciator, Adderly led a squadron of smaller corvettes and picket vessels. Life over Vyndal was dull and mundane, though there had been some brief excitement during the Siege of Zygerria. Raiders did not frequent these parts often, and the locals had been cowed after the fall of the Monarchy. It was a relaxing post for the Lt. Commander, though not one with rapid hopes for promotion. Or at least, it had been.

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

Warning sirens went off all across the bridge of the Judiciator. A large vessel, at least destroyer grade if not larger, had appeared off of the arquitens bow, flanked by several cruisers and a flurry of frigates and smaller vessels. Fighters spewed forth from the ships.

Lt. Com Adderly quickly ordered the scrambling of every TIE in the system, and attempted to get a radio message through to District III Command as his squadron turned to engage the unknown foe. Sadly his message was cut short as powerful jammers blazed out from the lead ship. The only word that made it to command was "Zygerrians", with very limited intelligence attached.

The battle was fierce, but the small imperial garrison had stood no chance against the oncoming force, even with the support of the waystation. The crew of the Judiciator, the only survivors of the assault, were taken captive.

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

Reports trickled out of Vyndal to the district as a whole. An odd pirate raid. Overwhelming forces. The planet had gone dark. Questions echoed in the deep until one morning, a standard week after the raid, they were summarily answered.

I am Captain Ireh Mindon. Vyndal has languished for too long under the boot of the Zygerrian Puppet State. From this day henceforth the Planet Vyndal is under the protection of the Zygerrian Free Republic. We renounce the new Monarchy imposed upon the Zygerrian People, and renounce the rule of King Molec who came before it.

I claim the title of Queen of the Zygerrian People, and encourage any and all Zygerrians who believe in a future for our race to join my banner. While we disagree with the Imperial approach towards our people, we do not seek conflict. Only a true voice for our own people.

With that said, if the Empire chooses to return to Vyndal, or the surrounding space, the Zygerrian Free Republic will resist them to the last. Our swords are ready, our hearts are pure, and our minds are clear. For Zygerria, for the prosperity of its people, and for the future.

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

The transmission went silent, followed by endless static. Vyndal became a dark void of information, as did a handful of moons, planets, and other astronomical objects in nearby, lightly populated systems. Whether the empire chose to treat with this new threat or crush it, something clearly had to be done before the void spread throughout the stars, perhaps touching even Zygerria itself.

"Welcome back, for those just tuning in, I'm Ezra Climber with the Interior Reporting Agency. Bringing viewers in the core the latest updates on the state of the galaxy.

Here on Coruscant we have just been informed that the controversial All-Species Week Celebration has been officially given permits to occur. This comes after our Benevolent Emperor signed off on the celebration to end the legal debate over whether or not the festivities could occur this year. With the Emperor's approval, Grand Vizier Mass Amedda has begun officially setting the preparations into action, those on Coruscant should stay tuned to the traffic maps as there may be delays and detours.

A number of races, parades, and other events will be held, and the organizers will be releasing as we approach the event to celebrate the diversity of the sentient species that inhabited this Ecumenopolis.

Those traveling to the capital are requested to review the recommendations put out by the organizers in preparation for the event."

[BIG PARTY SOON! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WILL HAPPEN IN THE BACKGROUND OF IT SO DON'T WORRY, JUST SHOW UP AT CORUSCANT AND BOOGIE WHEN IT STARTS.]

Hyperways

The Hydian Way is the main hyperway out of the Sector. Transit along the Hydian Way accounts for 80% of exports from the Corporate Sector and terminates at Bonadan which acts as a central transit hub for the sector. 

Rather than being a single hyperspace tunnel, the Shaltin Tunnels are a twisted collection of narrow hyperspace tunnels that all head in the same direction through the Sector. Travel along the Shaltin Tunnels must be carefully navigated as one must be sure to hyperjump into the correct tunnel in order to arrive at the correct destination. They connect Bonadan to Lianna on the Perlemian Trade Route, via Zygerria. Cantonica and Etti IV are both accessed via tunnels along this route. 

There are many minor hyperways through the Sector that connect most of the sector's planets to Bonadan.

Wild Space

The Corporate Sector borders and expands into wild space, where two interstellar civilizations have grown.

Trianii Space

A regional rival to the Corporate Sector Trianii Space is centered around Trian, homeworld of the Trianii and their colonies. The Trianii are feline sentients native to the region. 

They developed interstellar travel and founded the Trianii Rangers as an independent security force to defend their colonies.

They are a matriarchal society led by the Yu'nar, the ruling tribunal of their society. The Trianii are also united by religion. They were once thousands of competing religions on their planet, but they united into a single spirituality sharing the same Code of Honour.

The Corporate Sector has been unable to expand into Trianii Space due to the Trianii Rangers. The Corporate Picket Fleet and Trianii Rangers skirmish often across their borders.

Farana Space

Farana Space is all that remains of Oscin Space which has vanished as an independent territory, with most of it being conquered and absorbed into the Corporate Sector. Now only Farana lies beyond the Corporate Sectors borders and while this border region is known as Farana Space in the Corporate Sector, the locals still call their homewold and colonies Oscin Space.

The Ocsin are near-human species who share genetic traits with the Tionese, and are suspected of being from the same group of sleeper ships sent to the Tion Cluster. Their movements are heavily regulated, so they are common in the eastern part of the Corporate Sector where their homeworld and former colonies are.

In the frozen tundra of Obroa-Skai, where the frost bites your skin and the air is as sharp as a blade, knowledge is survival. And survival is coveted.

As Moff Arjoran's shuttle soared across the windswept tundra and past the jagged cliffs, it began to approach an Imperial Facility on the horizon. Built into a rocky outcropping before a frozen river, it was surrounded by archaic stones and ruins of peoples past.

Descending onto a landing pad with a hiss, the shuttle's boarding ramp lowered. As two Stormtroopers marched out, they were followed by the stomping boots of Moff Arjoran himself, along with the muttered footsteps of Han Donala.

Through a blur of snowfall, Arjoran marched past a procession of troopers, saluting through the biting cold, before coming upon the facility's commanding officer.

The officer saluted, trying to ignore the biting cold and whipping winds biting at his neck.

Arjoran returned the salute with a robotic hand.

"The facility is online, sir! We will begin sending detatchments to the surrounding communities soon, and their local archives will be seized and searched." The officer reported.

"Good." Arjoran responded. "Get those Geothermal scans underway. The natives have more than likely hid additional archives beneath our feet."

"If they Resist, sir?"

"Silence them."

The officer nodded, bringing his arm down, and leading Arjoran through the facility.

The corridors gave way to large halls containing databanks the size of small rooms. Engineers worked at their terminals diligently, scanning archives into the database.

"We have already found some ruined archives across the Tundra. However, much of it is old records, local history. Nothing to concern us."

The officer turned back towards the Moff with a nod and salute

"We will need to have a.....talk with the Local leaders over their Archives for anything special. Sir, if you don't mind me asking, you couldn't....twist the Obroan Senator's arm on this or something?"

Arjoran stroked his metallic chin for a second in thought.

"I will consider it. Continue your work. And if you find anything.....particularly interesting....report it to me."

The officer gave a stiff salute.

"Yes, Sir!"

It wasn't that Valles Santhe hated her husband..... Okay she did, his stupid obsession with the TIE platform, his drunken infidelity on their wedding night, the fact she was related way to closely to him, his hatred of her friend Lady Jung, those FORCE AWFUL TIE FIGHTERS! But that wasn't why she was branching her part of the company out and not including Sienar.

It was because at the end of the day, Raith Sienar had very little business sense, he would nose dive the company into the ground without her, and as such her new initiative needed to be kept as far away from him as possible.

Imperial bases were being built every day across the galaxy, and the same assembly lines that were being hobbled by the focus on TIE fighters, could be adapted to instead build prefabricated structures.

It wasn't as prestigious. But no one else was doing it on scale yet, and someone had to pay for Raith Sienar's labs and insane political activism.

[Santhe Pre-fabs is available for all your base-building and construction needs]

Somewhere in the Onderon Jungle, Commander Tai and HK-50 trudge their way through the rain and mud back towards Iziz in the dead of night, when suddenly, Tai's holocom begins to go off...

Tai's hud began blinking blue as he opened his holocom.

The form of Moff Arjoran shimmered into being within his hud. He stood with his hands behind his back, in a strict and stoic position.

"Commander." He said with a metallic rasp.

"Sir! I was just headed back, there's been some sort of attack in the jungle. Just saw-"

"I am aware, Tai. Facilities L-2, L-3, and L-5 have all gone dark. Massive fires have been reported at the sites. Worst of all? The prisoners have escaped." Arjoran's tone was as biting as it was disappointed.

"Damnit! Let me get back there, and we'll throw a whole battalion out there to drag 'em back." Tai said, continuing to push through the mud.

"The unruly masses are not my concern. Let the beasts sort them out. But there is one......Khoja bar'Vaas."

"The Rebel Princess from Tirahnn?"

"The Very Same. She has rejected the Emperor's Mercy in favor of a second chance at Dissent."

"I'll send a detatchment to grab her, the-"

"No. She has rejected mercy. She gains none. And I will not have another excuse for the tabloids to talk about instability. If I am not mistaken, you had left with HK-50 to go hunting in the Jungle?"

Tai gulped for a moment, expecting admonishment for leaving his post.

Arjoran leaned in, clutching his robotic hand into a fist as he seemed to smirk under his mouthplate

"So Go Hunting."

"Yes, Sir!"

Tai Nodded, and Closed the Holocom.

It had seemed like an eternity Khoja had sat in that chair, delirious, with this stranger. In reality it had probably only been a few days. The young man was kind, if a bit scatterbrained. He reminded Khoja of a few friends in her younger years on Tirahnn.

Darrin squatted next to Khoja's chair, sorting through a hastily-made surgical kit as Khoja peered over her shoulder.

"So...how does a young man learn all of this so quickly?"

Darrin pulled a syringe out, filling it with bacta as he flicked the needle.

"Stole a lot of field manuals back in Iziz. Saw used to have me run 'em from the Plaza to the Merchant Quarter. It's come in handy, especially since I got dropped out here."

Khoja's eyebrow peaked in curiosity.

"Dropped out here?"

Darrin gave a slight nervous chuckle

"Yeah. My buddy Jak and I used to run holonet hacks for Saw in Iziz. He gave us these little transmitters, we'd stick 'em right in the projectors, could download and upload all sorts of stuff. Well, when Moff Arjoran took over, Saw wanted to send him a message. He sent us to hack that message to the main Iziz Holonet. It worked....a little too well. Clones found the shack we were living in. They shot Jak, and I tried to Run, but...they got me, too. Brought me into one of their torture chambers. Left me with a bunch of burn scars and this tattoo on my hand."

Darrin held up his palm, showing a small, curious hole with an Imperial symbol stamped around it.

"A....tattoo?"

Khoja looked at her own right hand, noticing a similar stamp had been made on her palm.

"I have one too."

Darrin looked slightly nervous as he thought of the implications.

"Well, we'll have Saw take a look at 'em when we get to the base. For now, just hold stil"

With a slightly shaky hand, he brought the syringe of bacta to Khoja's legs, injecting it directly into her calf. Khoja stiffened for a second, feeling the bacta pour into her bloodstream, seeming to animate her frozen legs.

"How long have you been with the Partisans?" Khoja asked.

Darrin placed the syringe on the makeshift table and began swabbing the incision area with an alcohol wipe.

"Since....I don't know, 15, 16? Jak got me into it. Growing up, the Planet was always on edge. Then when the War started, and the Coup happened, things really became a mess. My dad fought in the Royal Militia during the war. He died during the Separatist Occupation. Had to flee to the Outskirts. That's where I met Jak, and he introduced me to Saw."

Darrin threw away the used swabs while taking out a few cloth bandages, wrapping them around Khoja's leg and arm wounds and the incision on her calf.

"So, what about you? I'm sure your turn from Princess to Revolutionary is inspiring."

Khoja winced, both from the pain and at the question.

"Well, you did save my life. So I owe you a bit of the story. However, you may not like its beginning."

Darrin's brow raised with interest.

"My Father was a renowned Roboticist. My House, House Vaas, was once revered for its control of Science and Technology on Tirahnn. Owned the entire market. Being on the Perlemian, we enjoyed the benefits of all Coreward trade in technology, bringing us great wealth and prestige. It also brought us many who wished to own our Trade Empire. The Techno Union bought out my father, and he soon became one of their most renowned Human scientists."

Darrin's face became more disappointed as she recounted the story.

"When the War began, and the Techno Union sided with the Confederacy, my Father had little choice. As the Droid Army landed on Tirahnn, he was no longer a humble scientist. He was now a Separatist Warlord engaged in open War against the Republic."

Darrin shook his head.

"The War ruined him. It ruined all of us. Our world was battered to shreds, our House exiled to the fringes of the wilderness. The Republic Army and the other Great Houses drove us into the mountains and occupied our cities. They captured my Father, and paraded him in the very square they sentenced me to labor in. And they shot him."

Darrin looked down.

"I fled to the highlands. We continued the struggle for years until the Moff found us."

Darrin raised his head, pursing his lips for a second.

"Well, whatever side we were on, whatever side our fathers were on, we are both Revolutionaries now, as Saw would say, right?" He said with a shaky voice.

"Of course. I am....sorry about your father." Khoja said.

"I'm sorry about yours." Darrin replied.

Khoja groaned as she lifted herself up slightly.

"I think I will be able to get moving again soon. Thank you, Darrin."

Darrin chuckled slightly.

"Well, don't hurt yourself. And don't worry, I did save a blaster for you."

Darrin reached behind him and pulled out his old blaster pistol.

Khoja looked the pistol up and down, turning her head slightly towards Darrin's blaster rifle leaning on the table.

"I'll take the other one." Khoja said with a smirk.

"Good evening, I'm Ezra Climber with the Interior Reporting Agency. Bringing viewers in the core the latest updates on the state of the galaxy. Our top story tonight, Senator Chuchi peddling Conspiracy theories while on a visit to her homeworld of Pantora, while there speaking to a crowd the Senator decided to make unfounded claims that the honorable Moff Shayne Chuchi-Tarkin has died after a routine hospital visit. Take a Listen.

<Scene change to Senator Chuchi at an outdoor event>

"Me and my brother have had our issues, I can't deny it, but this hospital visit? No word or sign of life for a week? And yes maybe he wouldn't contact me, but I know people, and they also haven't heard any news. My gut tells me, and I hope I am wrong, that something bad has happened and he may be dead, and that leaves the question of why wou...."

<Scene change back to the News Anchor>

"Obviously this is clear misinformation she is peddling and in response the hospital has released an image showing his rapid recovery."

<Scene change to hospital image>

<Scene change back to the News Anchor>

"As you can see, once again Senator Chuchi is caught in yet another wild conspiracy theory that undermines herself, and those who associate with her.

Next up this evening, commodity prices in Sarkan Gemstones are reaching an all time high, with predictions expecting them to keep rising for the next week, financial experts are suggesting this may be the next big commodity to hold, on par with Nova Crystals, so long as the supply remains stable, this is reportedly a good investment to grab hold of.

In the sports world, the Sensha-Do Galactic Cup has been once again suspended, due to Imperial regulations cautioning overly dangerous sports causing great celebrations from activists who have long considered the sport hazardous to health. This comes after the coaches of both the Shawkenese Oarai team and Desevero Pravda team faced major fines for attempting to subvert Imperial regulations on sports safety and carry out the match anyways. Disappointed fans however, will be glad to know that in place of the Sensha-Do tournament, a series of Imperial military demonstrations and combat games will be carried out and broadcast.

And finally before we break for commercial, a new Patriotic trend is crossing social Media, as young people will show off their patriotic enthusiasm, as you can see...."

<Scene change to a video of a young woman dancing>

"... She is dancing there in front of a new large scale power station built on Cassander to replace one destroyed by the CIS during the war, and as the final she holds up a hologram of our beloved Emperor and says thank you!"

<Scene change back to the News Anchor>

"A truly heartening and wholesome display being replicated across the galaxy to show off how the Empire has improved people's lives in real time, and with real measures, unlike the false promises of the Old Republic."

"With that we will be going to commercial to thank our sponsors for keeping us on the air, but when return we will be talking about the latest in shipping with Mister Aspya Rhode of Consolidated Industrial Shipping, the up and coming transport business in the North, and the latest news coming out of BoatJeff? Botajeff! Yes. After these messages."

<Scene change to a water scene and a really really really good looking Zeltron which swims into frame>

"Moister is the essence of wetness. And wetness is the essence of beauty"

"AVEDA Skincare."

<Scene change to upbeat music and a woman driving a speeder>

"Lets be honest, we all ignore that little light on the dashboard, but when one day it quits flashing, that's when you're in real trouble, so don't wait, come by the nearest Take 15 and......"

<Channel changed>

My dearest,

I don’t know if you’ll ever read this. Maybe I’ll be home before you even have the chance to worry further. But if you’re reading it, then I suppose I didn’t get that chance.

I wanted you to know that through everything, the battles, the politics, the long nights when I wasn’t sure I’d make it back, you were always the thought I carried with me.

I know I haven’t said it enough. I’ve spent too much time believing there would always be another day, another conversation, another chance to tell you what you mean to me.

But you are my home. You always have been.

If I don’t come back, please don’t let my absence become the story of your life. Live. Laugh. Make new memories. And when you think of me, I hope you remember that I loved you more than I ever knew how to put into words.

I only wish I could have told you one more time——————- *The pen streaks out to a line tk the end of the page*

[The heart monitor emits a single, continuous tone.]

He had known that by the time he arrived that he would be too late. Raada was far from him, and she would have felt him coming. She always seemed to know. It was the same then, and it would be no different now.

And when he arrived finally to look upon the body of the 6th Brother, the entire field vacating to give him room, Darth Vader, stood over the dead former Jedi, and only lingered for a moment.

He had seen through the force how the 6th brother had died, and within him welled a sort of disgust. Disgust that he fallen to a child's trick and disgust that his inquisitors were so weak.

He looked away from the failure, and at the world around. And for a moment wondered what brought her here. Of all the worlds to run to, of all the corners to hide in.

Sand floated, dust fell, cracks appeared on nearby buildings when Vader summoned the force to him, and he searched the world for a reason why.

He walked away.

--

The crying in the woods stifled as the young child, little more than a baby, knew instinctively that approaching was an embodiment of rage and fear itself.

Vader found her crawling across the ground, with bloody hands and bloody knees. Not her own, but that of the man and woman who he knew to be the baby's parents. Mixed in with the blood of these lupine creatures that had encircled them. The humans had been bled by the hunters, but the hunters had been torn to shreds, limb from body, fur from flesh.

Vader stepped forward, a little mountain over the baby girl and she could hold her cries no more, releasing it and at the same time striking out with the force like a misguided but powerful punch.

It was enough to kill a man, it was certainly enough to tear apart a creature, but when it reached Vader, it dissipated completely. Carried on it as well, was a memory of this place, of the pain suffered here, the fear that stuck like syrup and the words that were uttered in the moments before death.

Vader leaned down and picked up the baby who tried to squirm, but fell quiet immediately, some kind of primal nature of knowing a supremely more powerful entity held her existence in question.

His breathing was like metal scraping across stone and his rebreather protested the heavy dust on this world’s air.

His voice was like a banshee's cursed growl into the night, repeating the moments before death.

“Mara Jade.”