Ask Flashpoint [Arda I] And They All Came Tumbling Down

[Verse Tillo]

Verse watched with mild interest as Zactar demonstrated surprising prowess with technology. Verse did not compliment him because it was unnecessary and he already knew. Besides, the way to show her appreciation that he would care about was putting in a good word for him.

When Celeste spoke, she turned to her. "I was thinking more along the lines of put out a broadcast to the other planets in the system," she clarified, since Celeste seemed to think she was going to send a broadcast to the Empire. "You tell the other planets to surrender. We play the footage of us showing diplomacy. We offer surrender to them, and warn them of what will happen if they fight back," she said, keeping it simple. "And if they do decide to fight back..." Verse continued. "We call in more Sith and give them what they asked for,"

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[Zactar Hakka]

"Thank you, thank you." Zack said with a smile and polite bow at the compliment. He was pleasantly surprised himself with how well the system worked for being a rush job with mixed and matched parts. Hearing Celeste's ideas for a broadcast, he looked over the system he'd rigged together once more. With the state of the equipment, they'd be able to get their message sent to Spintir due to its relative proximity, but he might be able to stretch the signal enough to get to Korriban or Felucia. She was definitely right to collect footage of the alive and well rebels either way.

As Verse clarified her intentions, relief swept over Zactar's face, knowing the rig-job would be more than enough to handle an in-system broadcast with ease. It was a solid plan. Offer the rest of the system the diplomatic approach as they had done these rebels, and if they chose to resist, the blood would be on their own hands. "Good idea. Perhaps we offer footage of both examples: rebels being safely escorted away in the case of surrender, or the bodies of the stubborn fools who chose the alternative. I think they'll find two lives a reasonable cost for preventative of further loss of life."

That said, Zack went ahead and made the minor adjustments needed to close their broadcast radius to the Arda system with a few quick turns of a wrench. When the system was prepared for broadcast, he gestured to the recorder and held out a small button on a cord, used to initiate the broadcasting system.

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[Celeste Stythani]

Relief swept over Celeste as Verse clarified he'd intentions. Claiming the whole Arda system was still very ambitious, but she was relieved that the broadcast should be kept short and only directed at the remaining planets.

"That sounds like a plan. I agree with Zactar, we can use footage of both, the rebels that are all alive and well due to their obedience, but if the others planets don't respond accordingly, we can still prove that we are serious in our pursuit. I wouldn't send the latter right away though, only if we meet resistance" she explained, as they were still reclaiming a whole system for the Empire.

Zactar started the adjustments of the broadcast and Celeste was starting to draft ideas in her head. However, one question remained. " May I ask you, Verse, why you chose the Arda system? I'm just curious about it. Is it just the strategic advantage or is there more to it? Also, it seems like your sources are very trustworthy. Fortunately, we didn't encounter lots of resistance and if Adra II and III followed, we'll be done in a bit". Celeste was indeed quite confident and optimistic that they wouldn't even need reinforcement right away, but this had to wait. They broadcast came first.


She approached Zactar, grabbed the button and pressed it when she was ready. "This is Celeste Stythani from the Sith Empire speaking. We are here on Arda I and we have just taken over the station. We will transmit footage, proving that we accept surrender. No harm will come to those that lay down their arms and we don't need to cause unnecessary bloodshed" she started in a polite, but authoritarian tone, before she started to elaborate the set terms. They would have 24 hours to surrender, then the negotiations would become more aggressive...



@Reylo4evr @Burpee

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse figure the questions would come eventually. As Zactar prepared for the broadcast, Verse replied. "It is strategic for two reasons. The Arda system is on the edge of Sith space, near Korriban and Moraband. It would be smart to expand outwards, like a hand reaching out. The Arda system also has a history of rebels who allied with the Order. The Sith have taken control once, and it would teach rebels a lesson for thinking they can keep the Sith out."

She took a step back and listened as Celeste spoke. She pressed a finger to her, turning on the comm that connected her to Sola. "Power on the ship and alert our superiors that Arda I is under our control. Sending out a warning broadcast to the other planets now."

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[Sola Zappal]

Sola was still standing guard, waiting, when her comm crackled to life and she heard Verse's voice. "10-4," she replied, walking into the cockpit where the console was. She sent a message to the people in charge on Korriban, letting them know to have assistance on standby if the rebels made the wrong decision. Sola noticed Verse had definitely been prepared for this.

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[Zactar Hakka]

Zack listened carefully to the conversation between the Sith women despite his attention being visibly on the broadcast system he'd set up. It was a valid question and an equally valid answer. With their proximity to the Sith's cultural home, it was natural for Arda to fall in line under their nearby overlords lest they crave death and destruction. He'd felt some comfort knowing there were no ulterior motives; just your average Sith conquest.

As Celeste began her broadcast, Zactar monitored the audio and video feeds throughout to ensure the stream quality didn't lack, and things went relatively smoothly. With the demands for surrender sent, they'd now have to wait for responses to come in from the other planets. Zack expected the other planets to fall in line after the footage the Sith provided. As Celeste said in her broadcast, it would save a lot of lives for them to accept their fate and place in the galaxy, both figuratively and literally.

With the rebels now freed and exiting the atmosphere for whatever their closest ally might be, the Sith had the evening to themselves on the abandoned planet. Having gathered up the remains of the rebels base, the only useful information they'd been able to find was the possible location of a refurbished rebel base still remaining on Vrogas Vas, somewhere on the other side of the galaxy. As they waited near the transceiver, Zack would try to make occasional chitchat to pass the time, as well as playing some of his favorite old Serennian ballads from the HoloNet, as much as it may or may not torture the younger Sith.

As dusk and boredom set in on the rocky planet, the transceiver chirped to grab the attention of the nearby Sith. With a short static buzz, an older human man with blue eyes and combed-over white hair and mustache stared into the camera with a stern expression before speaking up confidently. "Hail, Sith. We have received your transmission and, after careful consideration amongst our leadership, have agreed to your terms of surrender. Our people will welcome your Sith diplomats to further discuss our place within your Empire." With that, the senior turned to the side with a defeated expression and the transmission cut.

"Yes!" Zactar exclaimed, jumping to his feet and pumping his fist into the air. They'd done it, with minimal effort or bloodshed. They would be hailed as diplomats for their work here, hopefully opening more doors for them down the road. Within a few minutes of the first response, a brief pip of static introduced a video of some sort of council chamber, with five robed humans sitting in a semi-circle around the camera. The female in the center spoke up with hands held out in welcoming.

"Welcome to our humble system, Imperials. We have been expecting your arrival. Our planet, its people, and our resources are fervently yours. The council graciously awaits instruction on how we may further aid our new Empire." With the last statement, the council bowed deeply toward the camera and the transmission ended.

Zack was elated beyond words. How easily the entire system had fallen under their might. He already began contemplating vying for a representative position over the system, wondering if any of his comrades had similar desires. Grinning widely at his companions, he spoke up. "Incredibly well done, everyone! Drinks are on me; don't care which cantina or how far!"

@LadyRen @Reylo4evr

Spoiler: dice rolls

1d100 for each, 1-50 = Resist, 51-100 = Surrender
For Arda II = 80
For Arda III = 97

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste was not fully satisfied with her answer at first, but she had only nodded to signal her understanding. There had to be something else. Probably a more personal reason. But it didn't matter anyway. Arda I was under control and that was the most important matter and now they had to wait a little to determine whether the broadcast will be successful or not. If the rebels were stupid, the Sith would have more work ahead of them, but if they were smart, they would simply listen to what she was telling them.

Once they were all done, they literally had some time to kill. While Verse was definitely not the type for chit-chat, Zactar was at least fun to talk to. The older man was definitely quite talkative for a Sith, but she found the conversations with him rather pleasant and easy-going, which was a delightful distraction from the waiting. However, what wasn't so pleasant was the music he chose soon after. Serennian ballads. Enduring the music was even more exhausting than the actual battle, but she tried to take it with humor and sarcasm instead of ripping out the cord.

After some time, the first response was being transmitted and so they've received very pleasant news. "Oh, at least those other rebels are clever" she replied with a satisfied smile. It didn't take long and the other response came in and Celeste couldn't quite believe that this had all been so simple. "Well isn't that a pleasant surprise" she then added, slightly shaking her head in disbelief while Zactar's comment made her chuckle. "That's a great idea. I guess we deserve those". This time, a honest smile was on her lips because with their surrender, hundreds if not even thousands of lives could be easily spared.

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[Verse Tillo]

Verse could tell Celeste wasn't totally satisfied with her answer, but Zactar seemed to be. He was relatively upbeat, considering everything, which Verse found amusing. Celeste's speech was good, and it worked exactly like it needed too; with both the other two planets surrendering. She let herself smile at her comrades. "Good work," she said to Celeste and Zactar. She sent a relay of what happened to Sola, who was flying with the rebels towards Korriban right now. Their superiors would deal with the terms of agreement between the other planets. She figured some sort of Sith presence would be established here.

She wasn't one for chitchat or friendly conversation or even thanking people, but she could offer them what they wanted. "There are three Arda planets and three of us. When we return, I could pit in a good word for you, and perhaps we may receive delegation over one of these planets,"

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[Zactar Hakka]

Zactar was pleasantly surprised to have Celeste as a conversation partner, as most Sith were too edgy or angry to partake in such pleasantries. He thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with Celeste, hearing tales of Rattatak and sharing stories of business ventures. He wasn't at all surprised to see Verse silently waiting and keeping away from the chitchat. He had only just met her for this mission, but Zack's impression of Verse was that she was severe and intensely goal-driven. Not that that was a fault, of course; actions spoke louder than words.

The tone changed a bit when Zack put on the Serennian ballads and started singing along. Celeste took it in stride but he could tell it was grating on her nerves. Her restraint demonstrated how diplomatic she could be. Zack was surprised Verse tolerated it at all, but she had probably tuned them out by now. He was a little disappointed he didn't get the opportunity to get Sola to talk anymore, but perhaps there would be time for that in the future.

When Verse mentioned the political positioning of the Arda system, Zack couldn't help but smile. She'd read him like an open book; he didn't try to hide his motivations, but she'd picked up a lot in her observations. "That would be nice," he offered with a polite bow of his head. He didn't care which planet he might have charge over. The system had little in the way of valuable resources, and like any Sith with higher aspirations, overseeing a planet would serve as a decent base for power growth.

With their mission complete, Zack would turn off the transceiver he'd rigged up and make his way back towards the shuttle they'd taken here. It would be a short flight back to Korriban to inform leadership of their victory in person. With the Sith borders ever-expanding, Zactar began pondering the possibility of performing similar work in the Vrogas Vas system. Where there were more rebel bases, there would be more sheep to herd.

/Exit Thread

@LadyRen @Reylo4evr

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Satisfied with how quick and easy this whole mission was, Celeste couldn't lose her smile while they waited for Sola to return with the ship. Even though time was passing rather fast through all the talking with Zactar, there was still not much to do here on this base, so that she was indeed a little relieved when the acolyte returned.

She hadn't yet answered Verse, so she turned around to face her with a warm, polite smile on her lips. " That sounds interesting...and definitely promising. The Arda system surely offers more mineral resources than Rattatak, so I'm always happy with a deal" she then replied before they were already boarding the ship headed to Korriban.

//Exit thread

@Burpee @Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse straightened when Sola sent a confirmation message over the comm. “We are free to leave,” she said, allowing herself a smile. She turned to look at the rebel base. She and her team had successfully brought a planet system under Sith rule. This would definitely help with her rank up.

“And I wouldn’t say no to a drink,” she said, her response likely surprising her comrades. She walked out of the tunnel with the others and they got on the ship and left.

//END THREAD//

@LadyRen @Burpee