Open New Alderaan Departure: Imminent

Cassian Graves · May 17, 2022

OOC Note: Open to anyone that would like to help evacuate citizens off of New Alderaan. This thread is a sub-plot to this one.

Denon. Lothal. Kashyyyk. Now New Alderaan, the latest free world to fall victim to the Sith Empire's reign of terror. The Empire's need for vengeance, their blood lust— both were insatiable, and they would not rest until every free world had submitted to their rule or was crushed beneath the heel of their boot. The planet that had once served as a safe haven for refugees displaced by the Empire's destruction of Alderaan now needed to evacuate its citizens. It was ironic, in its own sad and twisted way.

For the time being, New Alderaan's planetary defenses kept the majority of the Sith fleet at bay, with nearby Free Worlds Alliance forces converging on the warzone, but several enemy ships had already managed to slip past the first wave of defense. The bombardment and the attack on the planet's surface had officially begun, and the Empire's main objective was clear— the Jedi Temple.

Transport ships stood ready, with shuttles allocated to ferry evacuating citizens to safety. The Sith had not made it their practice to fire on transport ships loaded with defenseless citizens before, and Cassian was relying on the hope that they would not alter their tactics today. If they did, all he could do was hope that the planet's protectors would rise to their defense.

Briefly, the Zeltron hovered near a shuttle, blue eyes wide as he watched plumes of dark, billowing smoke rise toward the green tinted skies of New Alderaan, where Sith destroyers loomed over the forested planet like harbingers of death.

"Will you help evacuate the Jedi temple?" Kiacro questioned, his voice small and almost afraid over the secure channel they shared. Cassian adjusted the small comlink in his ear, almost chuckling at the suggestion.

"Hardly," was his answer. "We're here to evacuate citizens." Kiacro was silent. "A Jedi presence would place unnecessary risk on our transports." There. That sounded better. @LouJoVi

Venthis Habrak · May 17, 2022

Imperial doctrine had changed in the years since the failed crusade. In those days violence had been spread for the purposes of ego and incoherent gains. The Imperial military was just a wild bruunok roaming the wastes and snapping wildly at anything it saw. Those days were now passed, and with reclaimed sanity, the Imperial War machine marched as it had millennia ago.

Imperial vessels had broken through to atmosphere, and were not monoliths in the sky to confirm to one and all that the might of the Sith was undeniable.

The Resurgence-Class Star Destroyer, Sorkorak, loomed within atmosphere, not partaking in the orbital battle. At the order of Commander Habrak they were supporting the landing forces with needed munitions, logistical, and medical support. They were a pillar in this invasion, and that role Commander Habrak took very seriously.

"Sir." a deck officer spoke to Commander Habrak. "A grouping of smaller vessels is staging nearby. It appears to be an evacuation effort. What are your orders?"

Habrak considered the options. Without proper classification they were within rights to obliterate the small fleet. But that would not serve anything at the moment. Nor would sending in a grand landing party.

"Open channel." Habrak ordered. The all call went out to the vessels on the ground.

"This is Venthis Habrak, Commander of the Destroyer Sorkorak. If you will submit to inspection to ensure you are not ferrying munitions or combatants, we will grant you safe passage and escort off world. Submit a positive response within four minutes and keep your drive fins extended to demonstrate compliance."

(Disclaimer - I am absolutely terrible at PVP, and don't wish to partake in it. I just like RPing the Imperial Officer perspective for people.)

Cassian Graves · May 17, 2022

Long blades of grass brushed against the Zeltron's pants as he stepped down from the shuttle that ferried him to the surface. The planet was vibrant and lush, just as he remembered, but war left nothing untouched for long. Not even nature was safe. Green lawns, botanical gardens, and forests would wither and burn, and New Aldera's grand architectural style that dated all the way back to Alderaan would be leveled. Already the wind carried acrid fumes of ruination through the air, the foul combination of sulfur mixed with smoke burning the Zeltron's nostrils.

"Spread out," he instructed his companions, a cluster of volunteers, Untamed mercenaries, and ISD agents. "Half of you search through the rubble for survivors—the rest of you begin evacuating citizens." The group dispersed immediately—knocking on doors, running into businesses, and digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings. A stray missile could kill any one of them at any moment, but that was the nature of their work. They were all here willingly, and each of them understood what they had signed up for.

"Don't forget this," a Twi'lek called out, emerging from the shuttle with a blast vest in hand. She tossed the light armor in his direction. A faint smile tugged at the corners of the Zeltron's lips. It was always nice to know that there were those few select people scattered across the galaxy that didn't want to see your body battered with shrapnel.

Kiacro spoke up again. "We're receiving a transmission from a Commander Venthis Habrak."

"What does he want?" Cassian asked, slipping the blast vest on over his clothing. He was no longer in the running for most fashionably dressed, but at least he stood a better chance of surviving. "Never mind. Patch this Commander Habquack through."

"...yes, sir."

Once the transmission had concluded, Cassian would reply. The Zeltron would have liked nothing more than to call in reinforcements to fire upon the Sorkorak, but he had enough common sense to abate his anger before it got anyone killed. The last thing they needed was for the Sith to open fire on a transport ship full of unarmed civilians.

"Commander, you have my personal guarantee that we transport no ammunition or combatants. We are here to evacuate civilians, not to engage in the conflict." No Imperial Commander would accept the word of the enemy, so Cassian clenched his teeth and swallowed his pride. The sooner they got rid of this commander, the sooner they could get back to work. "But we submit to your inspection." @Morse

Tristodd Brentioch · May 18, 2022

While his shuttle landed on the surface of New Alderaan, Tristodd thought if the monstrosity of the Sith Empire would end someday. First had been Kashyyk and now they were attacking the New Alderaanians. The young Brentioch never went to a rescue operation during an invasion, only after it had ended. He wondered what horror he was going to see down here.

However, even his fear of what was happening wasn’t going to stop him from helping the people. It had been a surprise when the Senator of New Alderaan invited the ISCRA to help in evacuating his people. Given how the planets of the FWA seemed to distrust or even hate the ISC, the Brentaalan considered such a decision by the Senator wise. The citizens of his homeworld couldn’t suffer because of stupid prejudices.

Once his ship landed, Tristodd started to organize the teams that were going to help the people that wanted to leave the planet. “Sir, or sensors identified an Imperial ship abording FWA relief shuttles.” one of the ISCRA agents that had come to him to the planet had said. The Mon Calamari was visibly afraid of what could happen. The Brentaalan wasn’t going to reprimand him, he was afraid too. “What should we do?”

After some seconds thinking, Tristodd came to a decision. “Send a message to the Imperials and the FWA, tell them that the ISCRA is here as a neutral group to help with the relief efforts.” the Mon Calamari nodded and went to send this message. Hopefully they would not be affected by the Sith.

@llamallove @Morse

Venthis Habrak · May 18, 2022

Though he was very confident that these transports were likely smugglers or pirates that were paid in some way by the Free World Alliance, Habrak knew they posed little threat to the operation at hand. The virtue of having a single minded and disciplined society was having everyone work for the goal at hand.

The FWA was not such a place. The chosen destiny of many in these places was such that chaos like this evacuation were necessary for them, rather than an orderly retreat or shoring of defenses. In a way Habrak pittied them for their cowardice, rather than fighting for the greater good where they stood.

The landing ships of troopers were dispatched, with fighters launched to provide some air cover.

It was then that communication of the new arrival came. ISC? The altruistic motives were suspicious to Habrak. And it was for this he wanted to change his visual.

"I will accompany the next landing party." Habrak said. "I wish to see this evacuation effort first hand."

He then spoke over the open channel. "I will see you on the ground then. Your status as noncombatants will be guaranteed in turn."

Habrak took the journey aboard the destroyer to a waiting transport. An attack on him would surely result in the entire evacuation fleet being obliterated, but his appearance in person would display the guarantee of safety as the vessel would not dare risk striking its commanding officer.

Meanwhile the troopers, who stood out starkly in their duraplast armor, professionally carried out their inspections with restraint, not finding anything but a fearful crowd of refugees.

Cassian Graves · May 20, 2022

The transmission cut, and the Zeltron was left standing in an open field on the outskirts of New Aldera. It was not Cassian's intention to remain standing there like a Porg waiting to be shish kabobbed and roasted over an open flame while the Imperial Navy boarded and searched each and every transport. He turned and marched away.

"ISCRA has arrived," Kiacro announced, once more through the secure channel they shared.

That was the first good news Cassian had heard all day. They could use all the help they could get. Unless Commander Habrak was a fool, he would not open fire upon the transports lest he spur open war with the ISC, and the commander did not strike Cassian as a fool.

"Good. Prepare to be boarded," he warned the Bivall. "And please try to keep their greasy fingers from staining the seats." Those poor transports were probably still recovering from the desecration they had undoubtedly faced back on Fondor under the administration of Vaisra.

As Cassian drew closer to the capital, the hellacious raucous of war raged all around him. People were screaming—mothers for their lost children, husbands over the bodies of their dead wives, and children abandoned in the streets. Animals scampered through alleyways and open windows, fleeing for the countryside as if that would save them. Buildings groaned beneath fires that spread along rooftops, structures collapsing entirely or falling apart in sections.

These were the consequences of war, and he hoped that Onderon would never have to face such a day. @LouJoVi @Morse

Tristodd Brentioch · May 22, 2022

The answer of the Sith Agent was received with mixed feelings by the members of the ISCRA. While some were afraid of the possibility of being boarded or watched by the Imperials, others felt disgusted with the idea of being subjected to such scrutiny as if they were simple smugglers.

Tristodd was divided between these two groups. He feared what these Imperials could do with him and the agents, while also hating the idea of needing to be boarded by these monsters. They weren’t at war with the Empire and only came here to help the people that wanted to escape the war.

Taking a deep breath, Tristodd turned to look at the ISCRA agents. “Don’t fear, we aren’t at war with the Empire. They would be stupid to do anything against us when we only want to help with relief efforts.” his words seemed to calm down some of them, while others were still uncertain if the Sith would try to attack them. After all, the Galaxy knew how they shouldn’t be trusted.

“Be prepared to receive them.” the Brentaalan said, before waiting to meet the Imperials. He only wanted to end this stupid boarding and start to help the people of New Alderaan. Who knows what else the Sith would be doing against these poor souls.

@llamallove @Morse

Venthis Habrak · May 23, 2022

The first wave of dropships landed, each bringing to the fore a squad of Imperial Troopers. They were armed and ready for combat, and were led by an officer who was unarmored and in a duty uniform. They came with a detecting kit and datapads to log cargo. They dispersed to individual ships, attempting to come off as unthreateningly as possible.

It was not likely they were succeeding. They very virtue of their armor was designed to strike fear and deference for the Imperial authority. Combined with the looming image of the Destroyer far away on the horizon from which they had come from. It was a striking and all too common image that many of these refugees were likely familiar with in their worst nightmares.

Perhaps that was not the intention of the current mission, but it was the reality of the situation. The faceless troopers were somewhat more aggressive than what may have been needed, but they were trained to expect blasters or bombs being trained on them in a moments notice.

The situation was extremely tense to say nothing of it.

The dropship carrying Venthis landed shortly after, a pair of fighters traversing the skies above as escort. He disembarked and took in the scene. He had been apart of a number of retreats, withdrawals, and mass movements. Nothing quite to this magnitude or for it's purpose.

He walked across the field, recognizing that many of the refugees were keeping their distance. He maintained a professional posture and stayed rigid in the face of the chaos.

When he saw the markings of the ISC he was quite surprised, he made his way over there to speak to a finely dressed young man that stood out from the others. Venthis approached with a single attendant and a pair of troopers. This was not for intimidation, but it was more of a formality given the circumstances.

"I had not thought to see the Consortium here." Venthis remarked to the finely dressed man who appeared to be in charge. "Your prompt response is quite impressive." He looked on as they went about their efforts, knowing that their response said something more about intelligence sharing and them expecting the invasion than it did their rapidly reacting altruism.

"I am seeking who may be in charge of these independent vessels. Would that be someone here?"

@LouJoVi @llamallove

Voren Dhur · May 23, 2022

"Pretty commonplace apparently," the journalist remarked to his cameraman as he waved his press credentials under the nose of an ISCRA member and ducked past them. "- yep, you can go for about a week before the Imperials decide to firebomb somewhere else it seems." he added, sauntering up to the landing dropship and spotting the approaching Imperial Officer, who looked about as compassionate as a hungry vulture.

"You rolling?" he asked, the cameraman nodding back.

"In three..." he counted down with his spare hand "...two..." he stuck his thumb in the air. "This is Voren Dhur with the Hyperland Herald reporting live from the evacuation of New Alderaan. In a shocking turn of events, senior Imperial personnel have staged an inspection of vessels fleeing a seemingly-unprovoked invasion." he spotted Venthis, who was in the microphone-thrusting range "Officer? Officer!" he tried to catch the Officers attention "Voren Dhur, Hyperland Herald. Is it standard procedure for Imperial Officers to personally block refugee ships?"

Tristodd Brentioch · May 25, 2022

Tristodd and the other agents of the ISCRA watched the Sith dropship land close to where they had settled to start helping with the relief efforts. Next to him, the Brentaalan could see how Ghoral, the Mon Calamari from early, was afraid of the approaching Imperials. Many others shared his reaction, while some also felt disgust with their presence.

He saw a man walk toward them flanked by stormtroopers. By the clothes that he was wearing, it was obvious that he was the one in command. Tristodd felt a bit intimidated, it was the first time that he was going to be face to face with an Imperial. He feared doing something stupid. The young man felt the necessity to reach for his baoding balls in his pocket.

However, he remembered that he was a Brentioch, a direct descendant of Freia Kallea and Sival Brentioch. His ancestor mapped the Hydian Way in a time when the Core Worlds were afraid of what lay beyond the Colonies. It wasn’t going to be a simple SIth crony that was going to make him enter in panic.

“We came as soon as we received an invitation from the planet’s government. Some of its inhabitants showed the desire to leave before this place. I believe that you don’t want to block a simple relief mission, am I wrong?” he answered the man in uniform with a professional coldness that would make Sibyl proud. Then he turned to the independent ships. “I don’t know who is in charge of them. Perhaps people that are trying to leave the planet on their own. Are you going to stop them?”

Before anything more could be said, a journalist appeared from nowhere and started to interview the Imperial officer. Tristodd hoped that it would distract him enough to allow the ISCRA to start working. The number of refugees was increasing and there was too much to do in a short period of time.

@llamallove @Morse @Nor'baal

Venthis Habrak · May 26, 2022

Spies. Spies. Spies. How to keep safe an Empire from prying eyes?

Venthis had the old rhyme enter his mind swiftly. He knew the rest of it, verses about cunning and strong deeds that were needed in order to keep the public in line and safe. This moment was testing that to the fullest. The young ISCRA representative spoke with a series of plying negative statements and inferences. That he did not want to stop or block the activity. That was an interesting inference that they had the right to do what they were doing at all. Spies told them to come here. And Venthis was of the mind to root out who they were to stop that threat.

And then there was the strange looking man with a camera. Some sort of reporter, daring to approach an Imperial officer and speak to him in such a tone.

The Empire did not have freedom of the press, and for good reason. They were little more than propagandist rabble and insurgents that played with the minds of an orderly society for fame and glory. And they did not even have the courage to wear a uniform to fight for their beliefs. Just a spy camera and the promise of law.

The unflinching stare of Venthis at the bald man spoke the personal thoughts that would never speak publicly.

"The Imperial Armed Forces are ensuring a safe and orderly transition of non-combatants from a zone of conflict" Venthis spoke to both men, almost ignoring the camera and retaining his bearing. The two troopers with him appeared eager behind their helmets, but only the military trained eye would recognize that subtle sign of their fingers moving to rest a thumb on the blaster safeties. "New Alderaan is now classified a military district and subject to the right and rule of the Empire, and marshal law therein."

Venthis looked then to the ISCRA representative. "You are granted leave to assist in this evacuation effort, but understand that you and your cohort are subject to Imperial law for the safety of all people."

Many things could be inferred, but Venthis was as concerned first for the safety of his troopers, second for those that could get hurt by any contraband that was smuggled out, and finally for those that would not stand with their world through it's difficult time of strife.

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi @llamallove

Open New Alderaan Departure: Imminent

Cassian Graves

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Venthis Habrak

Character

Cassian Graves

Character

Tristodd Brentioch

Character

Venthis Habrak

Character

Cassian Graves

Character

Tristodd Brentioch

Character

Venthis Habrak

Character

Voren Dhur

Character

Tristodd Brentioch

Character

Venthis Habrak

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