Taking Back What's Ours

[Radiwalker]

Parricid and his bang of vagabonds had gone too far when they dared attack and capture a sith ship, let alone a Skira-class Star Destroyer. As such the Empire would respond in kind. As the Empire always paid its debts, a fact the hutts and mandalorians were well aware of. The ship in question had been located and was being tracked, although it seemed to make no movements. Its location was in orbit of Ansion but the reason for its being there remained unknown. Suspicions of a possibly trap are high, but there is also the matter of not allowing the scoundrels to keep control over the imperial vessel for too long, for if word of such a thing got out across the galaxy it would undermine the Empire.

Hence a small team was assembled that would attack the ship. Part of the team would serve as a distraction, flying in Vindict's own beloved Shadow while the rest of the team would infiltrate the star destroyer, re-capture it, while annihilating all enemy forces and offering any prisoners found on board, the chance to join the Empire, or die.

Shadow and the infiltration shuttle were being prepared, while Vindict stood in his robes in front of the two ships, waiting for the team to assemble. Five stormtroopers had already reported for duty. All who remained were three sith acolytes - Grik Volic, Raslekx Kongure and Peritus Diatores, as well as the leader of the mission - major Rufus Scryer and his second in command corporal Roark Ondym. Vindict had not yet decided who to place on which team, so he expected the participants in the mission would voice their opinions upon arrival.

 

[Befallen]

Of late the Machine seemed keen on keeping the middle-aged Nautolan busy. It seemed to the man that they sent him from one trouble to the next without end. First, it was the Gala, which was an honor of sorts, but more trouble than the Corporal liked. Of course, it wasn’t trouble in the strictest of terms when defining the word, but nonetheless, for the Stormtrooper, he did deem it as so. Next, a mission to the frozen planet of Ziost followed by a duty assignment on Corellia. If he had thought the Army loved shipping him about before, the Corps was an entirely different beast. And yet, as he approached those gathered he found it also rewarding. This mission was like to be few he’d done before. Most of his experience came from ground operations. To do skunk work of this magnitude and significance, let alone in space would be something entirely new to him. He found himself grinning wildly as he approached, much like a kid in a candy shop with a few credits to his name.

He didn’t let it show though. That was a luxury he couldn’t afford. It was also a weakness he didn’t want to display. He was to be second-in-command of this operation, a task he didn’t think he was worthy of and yet it fell upon him all the same. He stepped before the five Stormtroopers and Sith Crusader, Vindict wearing his standard Assault Variant Stormtrooper armor. Today he would not be playing games. And while, he could have worn the EVA variant, he felt more comfortable in a skin he was familiar with. His armor had been recently cleaned, although, the various dents, scorch marks and pits remained unchanged. He didn’t want to be seen as some rookie, even, if in truth he was just that. His armor proudly displayed his rank as well as the coloring of his unit, but otherwise was unidentifiable from any other armor. Roark, had, as of yet to personalize it. He didn’t feel the need, let alone like he’d earned the right to.

Standing before the Stormtroopers and the Sith Crusader, he nodded to each before speaking. He made a mental note of the Stormtroopers gathered. They seemed grizzled, veteran and carried themselves like they had been through hell. They seemed, to the Corporal, like just the sort of men he wished to fight and die beside. To them, he said, “Ho, troopers. Prepared to die today?”

Each affirmed in one way or another and the Corporal smiled broadly from behind his helm. As he turned to the Sith Crusader, he decided it might be best if he removed his helm and show his face. If for nothing else, he wanted the Crusader to see who it was he was sending into battle. With his helm removed, he nodded grimly at the Crusader before speaking, “Sir, Corporal Ondym reporting for duty.” Idly, he adjusted his R4 as he waited for the Crusader’s response.

 

[Rector_Ras]

Raslekx had been looking forward to the mission today. He had fought Master Vindict, at least he had in a simulator and he had not yet become a Master but was only a Crusader. It was a good fight. Raslekx lost of course but that was expected of everyone. A decently new Acolyte against a Crusader was hardly a fight to be gambling on though that was only half the reason. The other half was he got to take another ship. He had done so once before with Master Xanthus and another acolyte. They had hijacked the ship and attempted to crash it into Korriban. This time was different of course. The ships crew wouldn't know the ship as well this time and there would be no shape shifting monster things around that needed killing. This one sounded so much easier.

Arriving at the two ships were the Master had been waiting with five storm troopers Raslekx bowed while saying "Master Vindict. An honor to meet you once again" He hadn't said his name as he was bound to know what each of the acolytes looked like from the mission details and they had met it seemed unnecessary. Standing back up he asked "If I might join the group infiltrating the ship instead of being the distraction I would much appreciate it Master." He would then wait for an answer and take a couple steps towards the ship he would be taking and turning towards the door whether that was the ship he wanted or not.

 

[Saul Perth]

Sith Acolyte Peritus Diatores walked through the polished durasteel walls with both purpose and haste. He was eager to start this mission, but he was more eager to return. The honor of retaking a Star Destroyer should give him enough prestige to advance to the rank of Crusader, he had been wearing the title of Acolyte for far too long for someone of his self-perceived skill. He soon found the correct hangar and quickly made his way to the assembled crew. He offered a small bow to the Crusader present before speaking.

"Peritus Diatores, present for duty, my Lord. The mission briefing stated that there would be two teams, as my blades would be no use in the void, I humbly request to accompany the strike team on board the Star Destroyer."

Also, he didn't much fancy being target practice, but he kept that to himself.

 

[Silverface]

"Officer on deck!" a stormtrooper called out, the five troopers snapping to attention as Major Scryer walked into the bay, armoured boot hells clacking against the decking as he moved to stand in front of everyone, standing to Master Vindict's left. Then, taking two steps forward, a snap turn to the left, another step forward and one final snap turn, he came to a stop before Vindict and threw a sharp salute. "Sir" the Major said, lowering his arm and turning to the group. He was clad in the stark white of the Corps, his Centurion armour while not gleaming it had certainly been cleaned and prepared for the mission, the Major holding his helmet in one hand. The Corpsmen's weapons were set in a neat, ordered pile behind the line of six white armoured soldiers, everything they needed for the mission.

Casting a critical eye over the mixed Sith and Stormtroopers, he noted and nodded to his second in command, Corporal Ondym. Although the officer frowned at the Nautolan's lack of EVA proofing on his rig. The Sith, however, he disguised his disapproval although the Force would betray it to those suitably skilled in reading auras. The mission was a boarding action and the Sith seemed to be completely lacking in the equipment such an action needed, especially EVA proofing....

He strode closer to the line of Corpsmen, giving them one final inspection up close, checking their expressions for anything that he might find to be a detriment to the mission. Habit, really, the veteran officer never found anything when he inspected other Stormtroopers, other than the determination and grit instilled in them by their time on Bastion's training grounds. He ignored the Sith, they weren't within his remit as an officer. As long as they followed orders when they were given, there wouldn't be a problem.

Satisfied, he turned back to Master Vindict and saluted once again. "Inspection complete. Should I begin the begin the briefing or would you like that pleasure sir?"

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik stood to himself apart from the group and the other Sith, preparing his rifles and various weapons the he had with him for the mission. His scimitar lay across his back, along with his blaster rifle which rest on its sling below the sword. His heavy boarding slugthrower was in a holster on his chest, with the stock folded to the front facing position out of the way, and his primary side arm was on his left hip, opposite his lightsaber. His armor, made of Durgolosk hide, had large portions of white that was mostly flush, being appropriate around Stormtroopers as their armor was also white. After he heard a trooper announce the presence of an officer he stood among the others.

 

[Radiwalker]

Vindict nodded as everyone had made their entrance. There was only one familiar face, the others were strangers to the master, but he had done his research and donned the worthy of taking on this mission. He held out some commlinks allowing each of the sith to take one, as the stormtroopers had their in their helmets. Afterwards he looked over to the five stormtroopers who had been first to arrive. "Private Mako and private Kolbin," he said pointing at the two stormtroopers to the farthest right, one of who was a female. The stood in front of the line and saluted. "You two will be piloting my ship and serving as a distraction, while the others board the Star Destroyer and re-capture it." The privates did not hesitate, they screamed out a yes sir and headed towards the ship, knowing they would have to be the first ones to reach the Star Destroyer so the others could sneak up on it.

"If you get a scratch on the ship, I will kill you," Vindict said, without even turning to see the privates off. They swallowed silently after which they boarded the ship and took off in a very short notice. "The rest of you will serve as a strike team. The shuttle that has been prepared for you has a cloaking device that hides it from scanners, but that does not mean you will be invisible. It will just give you a short advantage that will be lost as soon as you are spotted. I advise you to be quick and ruthless, otherwise you will die. Major Scryer, I believe you can take over from here, but I would advise you to continue any discussions you may have en route to your target."

With that the master took his leave, allowing the team to get down to business and he himself returning to other matters that required his attention.

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

Shadow came out of hyperspace not too far from the star destroyer, but not too close either. "Ready," Mako asked turning to her counterpart. "Lets see what this bird can do," Kolbin replied as he navigated the ship towards the star destroyer, waiting for the array of fighters to launch back at them, led by the laser beams of the battery cannons of the star destroyer.

OOC: As nobody volunteered to serve as a distraction - I'll be NPCing it :P