Open Flashpoint Eriadu Burning Fields

[Altair Din]

The ISC fleets were driven back just an hour prior. The planet was left in chaos, fire and smoke pluming from all directions. Countless droids littered the field, along with thousands of soldiers from both sides. Altair flew to the surface in a shuttle, still reeling from everything that was happening. They had lost Bespin and Sluis Van, both extremely strategic planets to the Empire. He lost the planets he had influence on and he felt sick to his stomach. The Empire was in complete turmoil and there was chaos and confusion between Imperials and Sith.

The Sith had never been struck this hard before on multiple fronts, and this was just the horrifying beginning. Corellia had been a colossal failure and the ISC offense proved to be deadly as well. The only silver lining was that the New Republic and Free World Alliance were too stupid to partner with the Consortium to attack and force the Sith into a three way war.

Altair strode across the field towards a makeshift camp, dressed in his formal armor. He had lost countless men, but these days his emotions didn’t drive him as much. The tiefling found a command tent and immediately began to send a message out to any ISB operatives (@Malon ), “I want to know how the fuck they are able to predict all of our combat tactics,” He growled into his comlink, “They know our plays both in aerial and ground assault. Either their Spynet is really that good, or we have a turncoat feeding them combat details,” He racked his brain and couldn’t think of who could have gone over to the ISC.

Altair began to pace around, his tail swishing back and forth as he considered different possibilities. Perhaps it all came down to droid algorithms, but even then that needed origin data. Where was ISC getting that?

 

[Oxyotyl Quets'l'cotl]

He was devastated. His people were devastated. Oxyotyl had lost his shipyards, forced out into the cold and away from the home he knew for his whole life. The majority of the Sluissi were in an uproar, they cared not for the ISC puppet placed in power. They wanted Oxyotyl. The Consortium brought fire to their shipyards, bringing a blow to the heart and spine of the Sluissi economy. It would take months to repair the infrastructure alone, as well as to gather the manpower back, and maybe even years to resume full operational capacity. For All the ISC claimed to want to help corporations and buisness, it seems that they didn't care about Sluis Van's buisness.

His shuttle barley made it. Pieces sheered off as he entered the atmosphere, nearly lost a wing. If It was manufactured by any other shipyard it would have broken up and Oxyotyl would be dead, a burning corpse falling planetside, but because it was from Sluis Van Shipyards it had just enough life to land before it died. Out came the former governor, his retinue of bodyguards, and his medical droid. All of them looked worse for wear, one huard was even helped out by slinging their arm across anothers' shoulders. They landed close to the command tent while making sure to call in before they land. The Sluissi slithered up behind his men, his lively eyes seeming a bit glazed over and lost as he approached.

"They knew our exact planss, not jusst battle planss but right down to the blueprintss. Weak pointss, back doorss, the whole nine yardss." His somewhat raspy and growling voice was quiet and somber, he was obviously distraught about the whole event. "Your home sstill remainss atleasst, which meanss their assssault wass not flawlessss. Thiss showss it wass not just mechanical brainss making planss... thiss had to be an insside job."

The naga-like being gave a small bow to the Lieutenant General as he slithered into the command tent, his crippled arm held tight to his stomach. It was clear just from the way the serpent held himself he was defeated mentally, yet even physically by the cuts and bruises he had. After a moment his defeat was swallowed, all the pride he once had flushed out from his system. He needed to get his home back in one piece from these savages.

"My lord. I wish to make mysself avalible to you in any way I can. I may not have much, but you may have it all at your disspossal." He nodded his head again, his eyes closing as it hit the lowest part of the motion before returning to store back at the Demon Prince. He was no longer tired, or scared, or defeated. He wanted blood. He wanted his home. He wanted his people. For Sluis Van to be back to what it was before those ISC savages butchered their yards and work.

@Sreeya

 

[Nakoa Singh]

A battle-scarred Malleus, armor scorched black and weapons damaged, approached the war camp from orbit. Metal groaned as the gunship landed by the battlefield's outskirts. As the landing and cargo ramps lowered, the sounds of heated debate immediately echoed. "-is not fucking possible," insisted Nakoa to a wounded naval officer next to him while at the same time helping the stubborn woman down the ramp with her crutches. They were old friends and often debated like this, although with no ill will. It's just how they spoke.

"Surely it speaks- thank you- to their naval competence?" "Nerfshit. I'm telling you, they maneuvered around Gamma like they'd practiced. When we switched method, they adapted slower." The officer, Captain Briana Brandt, was the officer in command of the I.S.S. Gunboat Diplomat. Nakoa'd been assigned to her battlegroup over Sluis Van for two primary reasons. One, he had notable experience and scoring in naval tactics and strategy. Two, a rare talent for Battle Meditation. As a bonus, having a Sith aboard made boarding a right pain in the ass.

The latter of which was why he looked exhausted and irritated, military losses aside. He couldn't affect anything close to a full battle, but he could observe it and help where he'd been placed, gather and collate data for the next fight. Nakoa didn't like how the data looked, not at all.

Their paired appearance as they approached the command tent couldn't be more different. Captain Brandt had her formerly-crisp uniform and insisted on standing upright with Imperial authority despite a bandaged leg and head. Nakoa, meanwhile, his armor, an auxiliary command badge clipped to the vest just above obvious blaster damage. Clearly, from that and other wrappings on his limbs, he'd been shot at with some success.

They'd enter the tent after a brief call-ahead. Captain Brandt snapped a flawless salute without even dropping her crutches. "Captain Briana Brandt reporting, Senior Moff Din, Governor Quets'l'cotl. My battlegroup has been reassigned to your section effective immediately." Nakoa offered the signed orders forward to whoever on Brandt's behalf since her hands were full, then copied salute. "Champion Nakoa Singh. Strategic auxiliary, acting lieutenant. Have a report for your eyes only."

The Governor wasn't addressed beyond the basic greeting for the moment since this was Altair's command tent and Brandt said they weren't supposed to do anything until the officer in charge- Altair- addressed things.

@Sreeya @Olwin

 

[Val Varthra]

Val's shuttle was on a rocky descent through Eriadu's upper atmosphere when Altair's call chimed her comlink. Only such a severe and sudden terrorist attack on Imperial territory could draw a lowly ISB agent like her out of her post in the Outer Rim, but she was more than eager to answer the summons, though she had little details on the situation on Eriadu's surface just yet.

"This is Lieutenant Val Varthra of the ISB Peacekeepers at your service, sir," she said into her comlink. "There is an ISB presence on almost every world in our Empire. A leak this large would have been detected, sir. The precision of the attacks, the anticipation of our secret military strategies, and even the locations struck suggests someone — or multiple someones — with familiarity to the internal workings of the Empire. A turncoat at worst, or a very well-placed informant."

Yet even as the words were leaving her lips she could not fully believe it. Sluis Van was the last system she would have expected to fail. The fighting there had been the worst the galaxy had seen in over a century. If her gut was right, and the perpetrator was a turncoat or an informant, the ISB was going to be busy weeding out every possible thread of dissension in Imperial ranks over the next few months. And while such an assignment would usually thrill her, she could not fully revel in the Empire's peril. If attacks of this nature continued, the Empire's holdings all over the galaxy were in very real danger.

"The ISB should at once begin an internal sweep of anyone with proximity to information on our national security, no matter how loyal they may outwardly appear."

A moment later, her shuttled touched down on the outskirts of Altair's camp and she scuttled out and made for his command tent with haste. There were two others present. An important-looking Sith and a serpentine alien she vaguely recognized as the governor of Sluis Van. She bowed to the two Sith in the room before taking her place in the tent.

@Sreeya @Olwin @Mr. Teatime

 

[Altair Din]

Altair listened to the Governor, though a diplomat was the last thing he needed right now. Nevertheless, he heard him out, knowing he was closest to what happened on Sluis Van, “What’s the final damage report on the shipyards? Are they salvageable?” He asked, the shipyards his primary concern. Reports were coming in that the factories were severely damaged, “You’ll need to lie low,” Altair said to the Governor, “The ISC will keep attacking if there is any Imperial presence whatsoever in the planets they’ve 'liberated'.”

He removed his horned helmet and placed it on a table by the time the others arrived. The exhaustion was clear on his face, and he appeared as if he hadn’t slept in days. Nevertheless, he was as alert and calculating as ever, glancing up at Champion Singh. At the mention of a report for his eyes only, Altair gave a jut of his chin for the Governor to briefly leave the tent.

“Speak,” He stated curtly as he glanced at Singh.

Altair would have the full report by the time an ISB agent finally arrived. He glanced up at her, his jaw tightening at her suspicions. He couldn’t find himself disagreeing, “The ISC is being methodical about where they strike,” Altair explained, “We need to increase surveillance and trigger systems across our most critical assets. They will target our resource heavy planets, production lines and academies.”

He looked up at Val Vathra, “Get some of our best slicers to intercept and decrypt messages being sent back to the Bothan Spynet. Get your hands on one of them and torture them if you have to.”

@Malon @Olwin @Mr. Teatime

 

[Nakoa Singh]

Curt attitude, no pomp or pretentious posturing? Nakoa liked Altair of Many Titles already, although his expression remained mildly grumpy. Once the governor had left, the Wrean Sith pulled a datapad from his belt and offered it forward, meeting the Demon Prince's eyes with a sharp, focused gaze.

"Strategic overview." The datapad itself was a collection of battle map snapshots compiled from sensor data and Nakoa's usage of battle meditation, with different colors indicating which source. They revealed a clear pattern of pre-emptive outmaneuvering on the ISC's part, with opening formations designed to stifle the infamous Imperial blitz. Handing this sensitive stuff directly to Altair was meant to prevent further leaks.

"They know our tactics and defenses too well, too early. Slide 27: ISC bombing group maneuvers within battlestation blindspots. Slide 35: An ISC battlegroup baits and counters maneuver beta-five. Slide 61: Captain Brandt's battlegroup tries unusual tactics and takes the enemy force by surprise." Throughout, the report strongly suggested at least admiral-level information available to the enemy, supporting the ISB report and Altair's earlier statement. Overall, Sith naval forces had suffered an unprecedented outmaneuvering on most fronts around Sluis Van.

"They knew our airlock and boarding protocol, sir. Nearly took the bridge." Captain Brandt added, Nakoa nodding in agreement. That explained how she and Singh had been shot at. Singh stepped out of the way as Lieutenant Varthra arrived, sort of bow-nodding in return. Bowing wasn't a thing in Wrean culture, actually viewed as kind of disrespectful, but he was trying to be polite by returning the gesture.

@Sreeya @Olwin @Malon

 

[Val Varthra]

Torture.

Now, there was a word Val had come to enjoy over the course of her short career. And she would enjoy executing that order should it become necessary to capture one of the Bothans.

In the meantime, she carried out Altair's order immediately, pulling her government-issued dataphone from her uniform and issuing an encrypted command to the slicers to begin monitoring all communications in and out of the Bothan spynet. But her tactician mind would not be silent. An idea rose to the top of it. Normally one she would not have given voice to. She was the lowest ranking Imperial in the tent. However, given the circumstances, she knew better than to be quiet. All ideas were on the table in a crisis like this.

"Sir, if I may," Val said. "It might be pertinent to examine the strategies the enemy used in these separate attacks. The types of maneuvers used, the patterns of attack and defense, things of this nature." At the academy, she had been a student of Grand Admiral Thrawn's tactician methods. It is where she had picked up an admiration for the Imperial admiral and his love for art. Thrawn was an expert at deducing his enemies by examining their state-of-mind. The way they attacked could tell him as much as intercepting their comms. "We've established that they know our strategies. But if a defector or someone inside our Empire is informing the ISC, then their tactics should be familiar. Documented even. The sophistication of these attacks suggests someone with naval experience. If it is indeed someone inside responsible, studying their tactics might narrow down a list of perps."

She turned to face Champion Singh, who was holding a datapad of his own, presumably of sensitive information she didn't have the clearance to view. She also included the governor in her glance around the tent. "Did any holos of the attacks survive the battles? First hand reports will be helpful at deducing the enemy's strategies, but observing them firsthand will provide better results."

@Sreeya @Olwin @Mr. Teatime

 

[Altair Din]

The reports only confirmed Altair’s suspicions. As one of the highest ranking Imperials, he was closer to actual warfare and combat tactics than most. He didn’t simply wave around a saber on a field having fun like most Sith. He knew their strategies and simulation plays like the back of his hand, and for the ISC to have predicted them or adapted accordingly was extremely problematic.

Varthra was proving herself useful, and Altair made a mental note to work with her again in the future, “Excellent suggestion,” He said to her with a nod, “Corellia was defensive, but their offensive tactics are what will give us any unique identifiers. We also need to shuffle up our patrol structures and locations. Their attacks have allowed them to take us by surprise far too often.”

Altair thought for a moment, looking at the group, “We need to invest in wider range EMP devices to neutralize the bulk of their forces,” He was appalled at how unprepared the Empress had been before she chose to strike ISC. A part of him wished she would simply disappear or get assassinated and ISC could call it a victory and stop the war.

"I want some covert missions led to destroy their droid facilities and drastically halt their military production."

@Malon @Mr. Teatime @Olwin

 

[Celeste Stythani]

To say that wasn't pleased was an overstatement. Bespin, Sluis Van and Eriadu. The South had been under attack, planets had been lost and Altair had lost almost everything but Eiattu. The ISC was turning to more aggressive methods and Altair specifically had been the one to suffer such substantial losses. Strategically important planets - gone. Destroyed warzones, contested territories and why? Well that was a great question.

Following the attacks, plenty of questions lingered in the air. How had the ISC managed to target the Imperial planets with such a precision and effectiveness? What could have been done to intercept before all of the damage had been dealt? But another matter laid at hand: Reconquering and securing the territories, rebuilding what had been destroyed and investigating what, or maybe even who had made this possible.

Celeste was clad in her official uniform and as her shuttle approached, she already saw that Altair wasn't alone. She could make out the former Governor of Sluis Van, Champion Singh whom she had seen at the coronation and a whole bunch of Imperials. She descended the ramp of her ship with her expressions rather neutral, yet there was a lot going on inside her. She approached Altair and greeted him and the others with a curt, respectful incline of the head before her gaze flicked to the Tiefling. "Lieutenant General Din, I'm at your service". It felt a little odd to adress him that formally while she was actually so...emotionally charged, but this was neither the place nor the time to let it out.

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Olwin @Malon

 

[Nakoa Singh]

Amber-gold eyes slid lazily between the Peacekeeper and Altair, observing their exchange. Brandt meanwhile kept up her ramrod-straight At Attention pose given she hadn't been told to do otherwise yet. Despite his comparatively more relaxed demeanor, the Wrean's tired gaze was calculating. They took in little details to paint a broader picture.

The Lieutenant-General was understandably rattled, lacking sleep, tail agitated like an irate cat's, but still focused on the next course of action. Dressed in formal armor without a scratch on it, presented as a point of order and command amongst the chaos. He needed to do what was expected of him and assert control. And he'd repeatedly known to have the instincts to do so.

Vartha was eager, even ambitious, with flawless hair and uniform. No matter how clever, your average agent wouldn't offer solutions. But she was clever; her ideas agreed with Nakoa's own to the point he believed it wasn't a traditional Imperial academy she'd learned from. Imperial tactics tended more toward hammer than scalpel. "Gunboat Diplomat has some," he answered her. The most useful information was in Altair's hand, but Nakoa wasn't supposed to say that.

In a military poisoned by glory-brained nepotists, a farmboy-turned-King and a cunning agent were just the sort of thing Singh wanted to see. He straightened slightly before speaking up. "Dromund Kalakar's shipbuilders can make anti-droid weapons. They designed the new ion engines." They were also known for having a progressive tech firm focused on modernization, unburdened by traditional designs.

"Suggestion; feint using patrols. The ISC has skirmish experience from their Syndicate war, but they lack the Empire's grand-scale fleet expertise. They're following our battle plan, which makes their own plans more predictable. If they have high-level spies, they'll know the new routes anyway and work around them. If they don't, we still get advance notice." Another pause, during which he coughed softly behind his mask.

"Leave gaps intentionally, lure their fleet into a trap." Something the Empire would never normally think to do, not with all their pride in sheer firepower. But a Sith might. At the mention of droids, his face twisted into a sneer, not at all fond of the soulless war machines. "I can do covert."

Nakoa returned Celeste's greeting nod when she arrived and moved again to make room in the increasingly crowded tent.

@Sreeya @Olwin @Malon @LadyRen

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn had been starting to build up in the Southern Kingdom as well, taking Vandelhelm and planning other alliances and operations as well when this had all started. Now, like everyone else, he was reeling from attacks that seemed to be taking the Sith completely off guard at every turn. Perhaps most frustrating to him was that he didn't know why.

His work with the ISB meant that in addition to the other agents sent, Varyn had been deployed as well, but they were still entirely on the back foot. When Altair had summoned ISB resources, Varyn had been among those sent, and truthfully, he was glad that of all the people he could be out here taking orders from it was the Tiefling.

Dressed in his full armor, he arrived in the tent and slid in as several of the reports were being given but saying nothing for the moment. As far as he was concerned, figuring out where everything stood was wise than opening his mouth and blurting out the first thought that came to his mind.

We should shuffle our encryptions. If we have a traitor, a live tap on our comms is probably the reason they have such in depth knowledge of our moves. Shuffle the codes and, if we do get into the Bothan network... he said, playing off of what had already been ordered ...then when whoever the mole is tries to send the new encryptions codes, we'll have our mole, he suggested. Of course, slicing into the Bothan network was no small task, but he had a suggestion for that, too.

Even if we can't slice into the Bothan network directly, we can monitor outgoing and incoming comm signals for point of origin and point of receipt. That'll narrow our traitor down to at worst a single ship or barracks or wherever it's sent from, he said. Then it was just a matter of good old fashioned investigating.

 

[Oxyotyl Quets'l'cotl]

The serpents leaned back and looked around as his brain was trying to roll app the words he needed to say together in a way thinks would please Altair. But it seems like the tent was getting crowded. He slowly used his right arm to squeeze his left arm tighter to his side, putting the thumb of the hand in his right pocket so he would be a smaller profile. He was not used to such large crowds in such small places, it was not very usual for the Slussi to have such cramped areas. He slowly swallowed his feelings and finally began to speak up, allowing everyone to enter and fill in their sides of the situation. Though not many brought new information to the table.

"The ssavagess brutalized the dockyardss, but it sstill can be ssalvaged. Within the next three to five yearss we could return to full operational capacity." Oxyotly softly spoke, his frame slithering to the dar side of the tent and circling around Altair. This way his tail was not right in the way of the door. "If I sstill have any ssupportess back home I believe I can get ssecurity codess whenever we need it. But yess, my lord, I shall sstay low. I can sstay on my ship if need be. Jusst as long as my guardss and crew get proper medical attention. Then we shall leave to wherever you wish us, till you call for me." His stomach was already as low as it could be, and he was afraid to see how bad off his ship was. He had sent his primary ship away, and now he was regretting it. Did it survive? He did not know yet. But he was dreading finding out.

"I will ssay, my lord, that I do have the dock plans memorized. Any good ssupervissor should understand where hiss or her posst more than their own hand. I can offer all of my knowledge of the defencess during my time as Govener, as well as any other important information about the dockyard and the planet." He knew he didn't offer much more than what the with had, but he still felt like he was somewhat responsible to get his planet back. He knew his people missed him, atleast a decent amount of them. He just wanted to get back to work.

@Sreeya @Malon @LadyRen @Phoenix @Mr. Teatime

 

[Val Varthra]

Val was quiet a moment while the men in the room gave their reports and suggestions. Something wasn't sitting right with her, but as of now, it was just a gut instinct. Or a premonition. So, she used the reprieve to gather her thoughts and listen to the considerations of the others. One plan in particular drew her attention and gave her an idea for another.

"Champion Singh has the right of it," she chimed in, rejoining the conversation. "These attacks came as a surprise and we were able to glean valuable information from them. Moreso once the ISB can review those holos and cross reference it with Imperial naval leadership tactics. But if we could lure the ISC into an opening of our making and study them on more even grounds, I daresay more information will come to light." She paced around the tent amount, eyes on the ceiling, her mind deep in concentration. "But leaving intentional gaps is not enough. It's too obvious a trap. So, we combine Champion Singh's plan with another."

"A high profile target. A Governor, one of the leaders of President Thorne's administration, or even someone close to the president on a personal level. A friend, a loved one. If we can capture someone of import to the ISC government, we might be able to provoke a desperation response. Or one of pure angry impulse." It was a gamble, she knew. But even the most serious of people could be driven to irrationality when an important life was on the line. "We get them to act rash enough that they overlook the obviousness of these intentional gaps and bait them. With any luck, they might even slip up enough to reveal more than they intend."

She glanced around the room at the men assembled. It was not lost on her that she and the governor were the only beings in this tent that weren't Sith or Force-sensitive. She had little capital to spend and her plan was risky as hell. But, given the circumstances, it was go big or go home. "I confess, sir, the plan is a gamble and a risky one. But if there is a mole or a traitor, we need to find them fast. And if we are to find them quickly, we do not have the luxury of surgical probes. Not when an attack of this level could come again at any moment. I would of course volunteer to be part of whatever operation was put together to target such a figure—once they are identified—but that is for you to decide."

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Phoenix @Olwin @LadyRen

 

[Altair Din]

Altait calmly listened to the various ideas presented to him. They all had merits and gaps, but unfortunately several of them would have to work in parallel. He nodded at Varyn when he entered, his previous work as a Shadow carrying over nicely to his new ISB ties. He was a bit more surprised to see Celeste here, but he gave her a polite nod as well. She had proven extremely reliable since her return to Sith.

“All great ideas, but let’s not forget that ultimately we are acting on suspicions and guesswork,” He reminded them all, “There is a slim possibility that the ISC simply is just that good,” Altair was not stupid enough to believe that a government that had nothing to do but study repeated Sith warfare against other nations couldn’t learn a thing or two, “I will not exhaust all of our efforts on chasing down a mole as much as I want to be well equipped to fight them next time they attack. We know the kinds of targets they will go after, we know they do not plan on occupying, and their methods are blietzkrieg. Our strategies should also include inciting paranoia.”

He looked across all of them, “What motivated people to go ISC in the first place? The promise of peace. That’s been horrifically challenged and the ISC is actively pushing an offense. Media needs to portray Emryc Thorne and the ISC as war mongering and drive the people into leaving the ISC. It will take a multi pronged approach to dismantle the ISC.”

Altair looked at Val, “As for a person of importance, I would perhaps target Jayna Thorne. She may be more accessible than the First Gentleman.”

He paused before he addressed the ISB agents in the room again, “What gives me far more cause for concern than even the possibility of a mole are the potential actions of the Alliance or New Republic. If, by any chance, they are to breach their ceasefires and choose to attack us, we will be forced into a multiple front war that guarantees our extinction. No amount of fretting over an ISC mole will matter then. My number one priority is to find out whether or not the other governments also plan on mobilizing against us.”


@Phoenix @Malon @Mr. Teatime @LadyRen @Olwin

 

[Val Varthra]

There was a topic she felt more comfortable discussing. Politics. Of this arena she had studied much.

"Propaganda is the ISB's speciality, sir," she said brightening—as much as a woman like her could brighten. "The ISC has not just been magnetic because of its appearance of stability and neutrality. President Thorne has long been viewed as its pillar. He has been virtually scandal free and has presented himself as a sane option in comparison to the New Republic or the squabbling madness of the Free Worlds. Much of that image is owed to the fact that the insanity of his counterparts, and his relative stability, has invited less scrutiny into his political dealings. But no politician is spotless." She actually smiled now. Because the idea of smearing a beloved politician was like opening a gift on Life Day as a girl. The thrill never quite wore off.

"Thorne's image and trustworthiness is also a fount of power his ministers and governors use to derive their own," Val continued. "If we were to expose... uncomfortable truths about the president to the public, truths that shatter his image, or at least tarnish it, the result would be absolutely exquisite. The public would panic. Their pillar of security crumbled by the weight of its laundry; and the officials who suck at his teat for their power would would simultaneously tainted. It would be political chaos. All we would need to do is dedicate agents to gathering information on Thorne. A much easier task, but one that must be carried out with care, lest we make him a martyr."

As to the Republic and the Alliance, those were matters easier to deal with. "As to your other concerns, sir, if I might be frank, the Republic's current Chancellor is so pro-Imperial his own constituents think he is one of us. Yet his Senate is gridlocked and is unlikely to remove him or nominate someone with the gaul to attack us anytime soon." She rubbed her chin with a gloved hand. "And while there are proponents in the Alliance who would have no trouble going to war with us, they are disorganized and poorly armed. They are no help to themselves much less the Consortium. The ISB listening posts on the borders of our territory with them can monitor their communications in case of any surprises and perhaps we can reach out for clarifications through diplomatic channels; but we shouldn't stir the pot too hardly, lest they think we are panicked and vulnerable and make the mistake of attacking preemptively."

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Olwin @LadyRen @Phoenix

 

[Jasnah Atreides]

"I agree with your assessment of the Republic and the Free Worlds, but there might be something we can do to preempt any action against the Empire, however likely or unlikely it might be." Jasnah spoke up as she entered the tent, late to arrive but eager to participate. "There are planets within the Alliance without the resources, or the desire, to get involved in a protracted war with the Empire. They would crumble under the financial drain of such a course of action. I suggest sending emissaries to those planets, to convince them to join the Empire, either overtly, or in secret. They will fracture the Alliance further than it already is, and leave worlds like Kashyyk isolated, forcing them to reassess their desire to oppose the Empire. And if we target worlds along critical hyperspace lanes, those in the Alliance, Republic, or independent, we can also slow down any potential Republic offensive by cutting down the fastest routes available to them."

Her first thought on hearing of the attack on Corellia had been to question her future, but the more she had thought on the matter, the more she realized there were new opportunities that had been opened up for her. There was still much she could do for the Empire, and she was on Eriadu to prove that to Altair, as much as to prove it to herself.

"I know this stage, and there are worlds who still live under fear of war, and we can use that fear and the promise of peace to regain resources that we have lost. It is not just the media, but the leaders of such worlds who can be convinced that the ISC is at fault here, and the real threat they should be worried about."

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[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste was a little surprised to see Varyn pop in as she hadn't heard much about him recently, but it made sense, considering his ties to the ISB. Generally, she was impressed to see how crowded the rather confined space soon got as more and more Imperials, same as Sith allies of Altair kept piling in.

Altair absolutely had a point as he talked about the reputation the ISC President still held. Yes, his image would now absolutely get damaged by his aggressive counter-offense, especially because by attacking the former Sith planets, he was drawing more attention and rage towards himself and the ISC planets under him.

She pondered on his suggestion for a little moment, immediately thinking back to how Thorne's son had now joined the Jedi, which was definitely interesting news. Jayna Thorne though...better than the First Gentleman indeed, but what then? "I believe his daughter will be well protected as well, but she'd be a better choice than Jaikus, yes. I still question whether it would be necessary to target her though, as we've got other, more pressing matters to consider". Her gaze flicked from Altair to the ISB Lieutenant.

"With all the insights I have gained of the FWA, I can only agree with Lieutenant Varhtra. They are no threat, at least not right now. Still, I think that stirring up some trouble over there might help to maintain their chaotic, disorganized and poorly armed forces further at bay". After having lost Rattatak, the FWA had lost an export force of both weapons and ships, also it was about time that she would focus on the next steps regarding her sector. Gannaria would fall, so would Bunduki and none of them would be foolish enough to dare getting involved in the South. The Hapan Consortium was clearly a force that should be considered, but Celeste knew her good friend Charlotte and her secret little ties well.

"Champion Artreides is right, too. We could use their desperation to ensure some minor planets wouldn't strike, however, they are just drops in the ocean in my opinion". She briefly glanced over to the diplomat, before she looked back up to Varhtra. "It is true that Xerxes has always been known for having demonstrated rather Pro-Imperial tendencies, hence I was even considering him showing interest in regaining ISC planets within the Core when favourable opportunities would present themselves. He has announced to join the war, yet he hasn't announced on which side, only proclaimed how he would protect his NR worlds and thus stay on the defensive for now...". It was also foolish to assume that the Chancellor would turn aggressive, yet it was not unlikely that as clever as he was, he was seeing those options as well.

"If you need me for a covert mission, I'll be there" she finally said to Altair, her gaze flicking back up to the Tiefling who was stuck in a tricky position. Nakoa's outlined plans made sense and they could weaken the enemy's forces from within.

@Sreeya @Malon @Wit @Phoenix @Mr.Teatime @Olwin

 

[Val Varthra]

Another Sith.

It was as though a spider's egg had hatched and the whole brood had somehow found itself under the same tent. Val sometimes wondered if there were any non-Sith specialists to handle these situation; but the answer always seemed to be a resounding 'no.'

Still, she maintained a professional smile and tone when she said. "Thank you for your mirroresque summation of everything that was just said." She didn't call the Sith by name (@LadyRen), because she wasn't familiar with this one, though she had the air of a Champion about her. "But I cannot help but notice you didn't enumerate the pressing matters that we should attend instead of Jayna Thorne. What are these other pressing matters? And what would you propose to distract the ISC from the traps Champion Singh intends to set if not the kidnapping of an important political target?"

It may ultimately not matter what the nameless Champion's answers were. Altair had been presented enough options and information to make proposals and give orders on his own. Still, Val was curious if the Sith woman had an original thought or was just parroting the various officials gathered under the tent before she arrived to curry some favor with the higher ranking Altair. She had sometimes seen Sith do this when they were looking for a promotion. There were dozens of them at ISB headquarters on Serenno.

The words were barely out of her mouth when her dataphone buzzed as news poured in from recent events on the outside. Two announcements from the ISC, one about Blackwell.

She stiffened. Her knees felt weak from the weight of the news, but she could not show that weakness here. She had to act and act fast. She began by messaging her team, giving them strict orders on what was to be done with the news. Then, she turned to Altair.

"My apologies for the interruption, sir," she said gravely. "There has been more news. I need everyone save for yourself (@Sreeya) and Champion Atrix (@Phoenix) to leave the vicinity of the tent until I am done relaying this information to you. It's strictly classified."

@Mr. Teatime @Wit @Olwin

 

[Darth Draugr]

Draugr had arrived late to Eriadu after making plans and dealing with Sith sides issues in the war. The First Blade was here to offer his knowledge and his help in the game plan, he was a leader and he came here to act like it. The Zabrak wasn't going to be like the Empress and sit on a throne from far away and bark orders. He'll be there on the frontlines with the backbone of the Empire.

Arriving to the tent, he was clad in his First Blade Armor looking to make this work. There was a rat amongst them, there had to be. There was no way that everywhere the Sith were making ties, that they were getting found out about by the ISC so easily. Someone who knew all the ins and outs was feeding information to the ISC.

"What have we gathered so far?" Draugr has missed the entirety of their conversation so far but he was here now and with what they have gathered and what he may have to offer, they could make a strong decision here tonight. There was powerful figures here with plenty of backing from the departments in the Empire. Now was the time to get shit done.

@everyone here

 

[Altair Din]

Altair bristled at the new information coming in from the ISC making moves. Emryc Thorne didn’t play fair, and it was something the Empress should have accounted for. He was silent for a long moment, considering the several bombs dropped on them. And then Draugr walked in as if he just woke up and felt the need to toss about his importance.

Exhausted, sleep deprived and ragged, Altair simply stared at the Zabrak for a few seconds before he looked back at Val again, ignoring the question entirely, “I need some analytics done on our fuel and resource reserves. I need to know if it’s going to be feasible to even mount an offense or if we need to drastically focus on defense,” He rubbed his temples for a moment, tail twitching erratically, "The only thing they haven't hit yet are food supplies, which I guarantee is next."

“Deploy agents for the Jayna Thorne play,” Altair said, making the final call there, “Our offense may be reduced to surgical strikes that aren’t enough to topple planets, but to hit supplies. Contact our Logistics and Supply Chain managers to see what our provisions look like with all these sanctions in place. I need a simulated model to inform how we’ll continue this campaign.”

He looked at Draugr at last, “What is the Empress’ play?” He hoped the Councilor would prove useful in having the Empress’ ear at least to give some logic behind the debacle they faced.

@Mr. Teatime @Malon @Scoobert @Phoenix