Ask Maintaining Discipline

[Cyrian Vrax]

​

Raxus Secundus
Velador City
200 Hours



The dropships loomed through the sky traffic in the skies over Raxus in the early morning. They were not an unfamiliar visual to see at any corner of the Empire, and certainly not in urban areas. These places, while great for the economy, bred all manner of poisons to the Empire. They attracted syndicate spice, smuggling, and serious violations of the law that needed to be ground down before it was allowed to spread. But all of these horrid things also had a terrible habit of breeding ideas that were even more dangerous. Ideas that the society they worked towards was oppressive beyond measure. Ideas that there was a better way forward. Ideas that a few ideologues could change the world.

Those vengu weeds needed to be ripped out at the root, before they could spread and overtake the city. Because as a housing district fell, so would fall a district, so could fall the city, so then would fall the world, and finally the sector. This was unacceptable. This would be stopped right away.

These dropships, four in number, were carrying an entire company of Imperial Assault Troopers. This was a targeted attack to end a cell of terrorists that had already started plans to funnel Imperial war material offworld.

Mission: Eliminate hostile elements and secure locations
Target: Insurgent Cell of Ja'ril Raiders
Location: Talran Industrial District attached to Residential Zone
Time: Immediate
Threat: Extreme
Purpose: Ensure safety and security of Raxis industrial and residential zone. Securing leadership to hand to Imperial intelligence.

Sergeant Cyrian Vrax went over the mission details with his soldiers. He was in charge of a platoon that was assigned to their mission leader... a Sith Champion in the flesh. This would be a supreme treat to watch one of them in action again. It was like watching an artist paint when they got into combat. They were fully expecting combat on this one. These dissidents had been carrying serious war material from a nearby weapons manufacturer, who would probably be the next target Cyrian suspected.

"One minute to drop, my lord." Cyrian said. "We'll disperse and secure the area. Do you want any prisoners brought to you directly?"

The dropship swung low then over the industrial district and came in very hard. As soon as they landed the doors of the dropships opened and a company of Assault Troopers dispersed into a silent industrial zone... knowing the enemy was out there...

But the question was where?

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse had snatched the chance to lead this mission, small and unimportant as it was in the grand scheme of things. No matter how small, if the issue was left to fester, it would not take long to spread. This was why she was here, walking the bridge of the lead dropship. She felt almost like a Sith master, and had to remind herself there was someone of higher power overseeing her.

She stepped down into the midst of soldiers preparing, watching with a mixture of fascination and amusement as these dutiful soldiers prepared for combat. She figured most of them naive, but who was she to judge? It was highly likely at least one of these 'dutiful' soldiers was planning either her demise or someone else's, doing anything to work their way up to the top.

She turned when one of the soldiers addressed her as "my lord" which Verse found amusing considering she was neither a Sith lord nor a lady, and she belonged to no one.

Her silvery-white hair was braided and pinned close to her skull in the military style, and her black robes offset her pale skin. "What do you think, soldier?" she replied coolly, turning around to face the soldier that had addressed her. She didn't wait for him to reply; neither did time. "Anyone involved in the uprising that will be useful, take prisoner. Make an example out of the disobedient ones, but leave the innocents unharmed. No reason to prove our enemies right," she said. Another soldier started the countdown from ten.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

The Sith Champion was young, but she looked fierce. Cyrian had seen Marauders on a battlefield in full armor ripping enemy forces apart. He had also seen elegantly dressed ones from afar giving rousing speeches for a campaign or depicted on the HoloNet. This one was right in front of him however. Her hair was dignified in a military style and her armor was like nothing he'd ever seen before.

Cyrian guessed that she was of a warriors spirit, much like his own. And the seriousness of the order gave him an exact understanding of what was expected. He liked that. But he was still cautious of defying the wishes of a warrior of her caliber.

"The only thing that matters on this field, Champion, is your will and it's swift execution." Cyrian responded with an unseen smile behind helmet. Cyrian was a good Soldier, but she was in charge and he'd make sure that her Soldiers did what she needed them to do "We'll stun the leadership, and take prisoner anyone who surrenders." He agreed.

At the end of the ten second count down the assault troopers were making their way off the transports, blaster rifles at the ready, checking the entire scene. It was quiet, it was dark, and it was still.

While that was expected for a normal operation... this was a rebel cell operating in Imperial space.

"Landing zone appears secure. Fan out by squad and secure walk ways. Then kick in the doors."

The squads moved out on Cyrian's order, but he'd played this game before and had a very bad feeling.

"Champion..." Cyrian spoke, remaining nearby. "It's too quiet out here."

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse was quiet as she followed the soldiers out. She was the only champion here, and the soldiers would be looking to her to lead them successfully and bring them home safely. As the soldier she had talked gave his platoon orders. She paused, looking around. When he turned to her, she nodded slowly. "What's your name, soldier?" she asked. Her unignited saber rested in her right hand, her thumb over the switch that would turn it on in an instance.

The platoon leader appeared to be older than her, based on the way he carried himself and the way the other soldiers held a certain amount of respect for him. "We need to stay on alert," she continued.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

"Sergeant Cyrian Vrax."

He could not readily think of a time when someone of that high a status had asked his name. They typically just wanted rank or a line number. Seldom were the times when any semblance of personal information was requested. Cyrian thought the change of pace was nice.

Unlike with his own troopers he doubted that the champion of the sith would be injured, that only happened in extreme cases, and seemed to involve an exploding ship or a jedi of the alliance. And Cyrian had only seen one of those in his life on the battlefield. It was terrifying but ultimately the jedi was captured and executed on the spot.

With rifle in hand Cyrian kept a sharp eye on the buildings around them. There was a strong chance his suspicion was correct. Squads were moving through the complex, but there was no sign of anything.

That was when the silence was broken.

A blaster shot rang out from a building, striking a trooper in the chest. The trooper went down and an eruption of blaster fire was returned.

But then more blaster bolts came from behind.

It was an ambush.


Battle was loud, and as chaotic as it seemed, this was so far a by the book engagement that was well in hand.

Cyrian looked at the Champion. "Champion!" Cyrian yelled out over the eruption of fire around them. "Do you want to stay here or get in those buildings?"

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse felt his surprise when he said his name. She gave a curt nod. She was about to say something else when suddenly they were ambushed with blaster fire. Verse, on instinct, swung up her saber and ignited it, blocking any fire that got near her, and consequently, Vrax, since he was standing near her.

She didn't glance back at Vrax as she spoke. "They attacked us first, you have full permission to give them hell. In this case, we don't take prisoners." she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

She moved forward, taking slow and methodical steps as she searched with the Force for the source of the fire. She saw a figure that happened to be illuminated by a nearby explosion. They were hiding on the rooftop, and were preparing to take aim at another soldier. Verse reached out a hand and stopped the laser in mid-air, redirecting towards the rebel. There was a shout and he fell from the rooftop, his body still smoking.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

The blaster bolt was racing down at the two and the Champion deflected it in mid air. The display was utterly amazing. He had hardly seen such a thing up close and personal in years. But the shot that had been deflected may well have carved into his neck and left him dead on the ground awaiting a funeral detail to send him off.

But the Champion without even seeming to think on it had saved his life and killed one of the insurgents just as quickly.

Cyrian did not bother to thank her. The order of no quarter was given, and that was more than enough for him to understand that she was not looking for gratitude at the moment. She needed troopers that would do their job.

"Second squad, continue recon by fire!" Cyrian ordered. "First squad on me."

The directive pushed a squad of Troopers forward, blasting the rooftops and windows that held more of the rebel fighters. But that was the distraction. First squad would push into the building and clear it out within.

"Champion, first squad will push in and clear out the scum. We'll keep you covered." He assured the Champion.

... she may not need the help... but it was all Cyrian could do in the moment to make sure the already mounting life debt was repaid.

WHAM

A trooper smashed in the door, and the troopers poured in. Lights were dim, but the room was illuminated from the helmet and weapon lights of the Imperial troopers, which illuminated the shocked rebels that filled the room with a haze of blue, purple, and red blaster bolts.

Cyrian slammed into a covered position and returned fire on the rebels as he immediately realized that within the room they were seriously outnumbered.

Ten troopers had come in, and there were at least thirty of the rebels armed with pistols and rifles raining fire back.

All the Troopers had on their side was training and surprise.

And a Champion of the Sith.

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse nodded and followed Vrax and his squad into the building. When blaster fire lit up the dim room, she did not duck behind cover like the other troopers did. She brought her saber up and blocked every shot they fired at her. The troopers, like Vrax had promised, had her back as she pushed forwards, closer to the side of the room the rebels were on.

She paused her defense to take offense. She picked out the leader of this group of rebels. It was not hard; the others would glance to him for encouragement and direction. She reached out her left hand and squeezed the air as she was squeezing a neck. Likewise, the man dropped his blaster and gasped, hands flying to his throat. Most of the other rebels were occupied but a few noticed what was happening to their leader and made the stupid decision to leap forward and try to protect him. Verse turned her head slightly and swung her saber in an arc to her right, cutting them down.

She turned back to the leader and took a step forward, staring him dead in the eye. "You will order your company to stand down," she said, her voice laced with the Force. It was strong enough that nearby rebels paused in their fighting to look at Verse with a dazed look.

The man in her Force grip stopped struggling and nodded. "I will order my company to stand down. RED SQUAD STAND DOWN!" he said, giving the order in a louder voice. The rebels turned to him, confused, briefly ceasing fire.

Verse turned to the rest of the room and spread her control over the rebels in this room. She was very strong when it came to manipulation with the Force, but it was likely some of the weakest-minded troopers would fall under her spell. "All of you, put down your weapons. Put your hands on your head, and kneel outside the building," she ordered. The Force made her voice sound gentle and warm, almost like that of a mother telling her child to go to bed. Verse turned to the leader. "Tell all the groups to stand down," she said. She released her grip on his neck, allowing him to move again. She kept a close eye on him as he stumbled forward towards the door.

She turned to Vrax. "Watch the rebels," she said, following the leader out of the building. She shadowed him into another building and into a control room. He pushed a button on the com channel, and spoke. "All squads, stand down. Surrender to the Empire. I repeat, all squads, stand down. Surrender to the Empire." Despite the order he was giving, his voice still managed to sound strong. He must have been a good leader in the rebel's eyes, Verse considered as he looked back up at her, the dazed look still on his face.

Verse stepped forward and gripped the man's arm, and escorted him out of the building. "We are taking this man prisoner," she said to Vrax once she had returned.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

Cyrian witnessed a show unlike any in the galaxy. The view of a battle that was taken from a three to one advantage and brought to a crippling end with a red zipping saber and a magic that he knew nothing of. She slapped and struck blaster bolts right back at the enemy, taking methodical steps forward and as several of them were struck down by their own shots, Cyrian and the squad pushed forward putting the fire down that was required to keep them at bay for her to take hold of the throat of their squad leader.

As they ordered a stand down, Cyrian did not stop to take in the scene.

"Corporal! Take their weapons and put them against the wall." Cyrian gave a directive to one of the Troopers. "And secure these caches. Get ready for inventories and decommissioning!

Cyrian approached the leader that the Champion gave order to take prisoner. Once she had brought him outside, Cyrian kicked him down and subdued him with binders. A pair of troopers came up and took custody of him and began bringing him back to one of the dropships.

Cyrian looked at the Champion. "Impressive work, Champion." He then wanted to follow up on the order. "Shall I execute the prisoners?" Cyrian asked, prepared to continue with the previous command to take no prisoners but the leadership.

Suddenly there was a call over the communicators, and more blaster fire.

"This is Delta-5! We have combatants at the loading dock! They're boarding a freighter! Heavy casualties!"

The call was echoed by an accompanying sound of laser cannons blasting not far away. If it was a medium bulk freighter with shields it could be a serious threat to the dropships if it took off. Action was needed quickly.

"Squads 4-9. Converge on the hanger! Stop that ship!"

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse was about to reply to Vrax's question when she heard more blaster fire in the distance. A voice crackled over the communicators, announcing the rebels' attempt to flee. Verse gave a commanding gesture to execute the rebels quickly and efficiently.

She followed Vrax and the other squads towards the loading dock. Like suspected, rebels were running hither and thither, trying to escape. They cast the approaching squads nervous glances. When they noticed Verse, the panic and frenzy increased. Verse did not turn to Vrax as she gave him another order. "Get to the controls. Do whatever you have to do to keep that ship from leaving. In the meantime, prepare fighters," she continued. She hoped the troopers would not let them get away but it would be better to already be in the air if the rebels managed to get there too.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

The ships engines were winding up. That could be heard for some distance as they approached. The Rebels attempted to fire on the advancing Imperials and their Sith Champion, but with limited success to push them away. These were Imperial Assault Troops, and they were used to unleashing fire while on the advance. They cut through some of the rebels, but others seemed to be opting to sacrifice themselves to cover the escape.

The Imperial squads broke around to attempt to set up battle positions, but when the Champion gave the order to stop the ship at all costs, a new plan was going to be needed, and it was going to be far more aggressive.

"First squad on me!" Cyrian yelled out, having his squad form up with him as he burst onto the loading dock.

The rebels were scattered all around, some hardly even ready to fire, and they were easily cut down in those moments. Cyrian fired into unsuspecting rebels without hesitation, looking for advantage on the ship. The ship had some weapons, but its shield were not activated. Not yet. Not while passengers were still boarding.

"Take the ship!" Cyrian ordered his squad, and they charged the ramp. Rebels began scrambling, taking cover, fleeing the loading dock, or diving to get onto the ship. More of the Imperials were covering converging on the dock.

Cyrian and his troopers had hurled a detonator in front of the vessel, which stunned many of the resisters, and as the mighty engines kicked with force, Cyrian and two others in the squad made it to the ships loading ramp.

The way was clear if the Champion had followed. Cyrian was not an expert in flying a space vessel, but if they could keep it from taking off the day would be theirs.

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse jogged forward towards the ship, following Vrax and his men. She cut down anyone that got in her way, until she reached the loading ramp. "Hold them off!" she shouted behind her as she charged for the cockpit. There was a group of rebels trying hurriedly to fly away. Without hesitation, she swung her saber in diagonal arcs, slicing the rebels in front of her. One fell in front of her onto her knees, shaking. Verse reached over the woman and pressed a series of buttons on the control panel, stopping the engines. The ship shook a little as it abruptly stopped trying to go into space.

Verse stepped back and didn't look at the woman as she killed her with an efficient, painless strike from her saber. It was a blessing. Other Sith would have had their fun, playing with their food. Verse exited the ship. Two spurts of adrenaline in less than 10 minutes had her heart racing but she didn't let it show. For any observer, she looked as if she had just gone for a brisk walk.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

Cyrian and the troopers realized that a large part of the reason they had made it to the ship so easily was the woman that guided them in. She deflected blaster bolts and covered their advance better than the troopers had. Once they entered the vessel the game was up for the rebels. They were cut down swiftly or eliminated just as quickly. There was a cargo bay full of war material and rebel agents that were attempting an escape, and now with the ship firmly in the control of the Empire there was no hope for them.

The remaining platoons converged on the dock, where the bulk of the force had attempted to escape. The fighting was over and now it was processing the detainees. Local law enforcement were called in as the area was now secure. With no way out and no where to go they begged, pleaded, spat, and cursed anything that would help their dignity or get them a reprieve.

The sounds of sirens came over head as police arrived to assist the Imperial troopers. The hundred troopers in the area were processing some of the more dangerous elements, and cataloguing the material.

Cyrian Vrax approached the Sith warrior. She seemed stunningly undaunted by anything that had happened. She was in pristine form, as though she was not shaken by any part of what had occurred.

"The ships log suggest that this is a mobile cell." Cyrian informed her. "They mobilize to new areas to find fresh recruits and sew dissent. We're not sure yet if they are Coalition, Syndicate, or Alliance backed. Could be all three."

Following his report he gave a pause, and cleared his throat a bit.

"I believe you saved my life, Champion." Cyrian spoke to the silver haired woman. "I'd typically say I owed that person a drink... though I'm not sure how repayment is conducted for those of your status."

It was daring for Cyrian to speak to her, but he was certainly perplexed by her existence. Adding to it she was not like other Sith he'd known of.

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse turned to Vrax when he approached her. "Let me know as soon as you find out; we need to make sure this never happens again."

She paused when he offered her a drink. She let a small, amused small tug the corners of her mouth. "A drink would be fine, Cyrian," she said, using his first name. She was happily surprised to see someone actually respecting the Force-using Sith. Most other soldiers she had come across were jealous of the preferential treatment Masters, Champions, and even Acolytes received.

"You did good work here also, I will make sure to put in a good word for you when we return," she said.

@Morse

 

[Cyrian Vrax]

Cyrian had not heard his first name spoken in a long time, and he could not think of a single time it was spoken by someone like this Sith before him. It was quite the honor, especially as she gave him praise for his ability to fight.

Young, fierce, and unique. This sith was a dangerous combination, and one that caught the whole of his attention.

"We'll be redeploying to Jayu Defense Station in a few hours. I know a bar tender there that gives generous pours. I could catch you there if you don't mind getting caught drinking with the lower ranks."

Cyrian shrugged, and smirked beneath his helmet. "Could be fun."

@Reylo4evr

 

[Verse Tillo]

Verse could feel his surprise when she used his first name. The smile that had been twitching at the corners of her mouth became more fully formed. "I don't care what anyone else thinks, I'll be there," she said honestly. Sometimes those of lower rank were more pleasant company than those of her same rank or even higher. And all this ranking; it clouded many minds, making that one's only goal- to move up in rank. Not that she didn't plan on ranking up, but she found it of less importance.

"Maybe don't wear that helmet," she said, pointing a pale finger at his helmet.
//END THREAD//

@Morse