OOC: The number and type of defending ships seems to be fluctuating quite a bit. Interesting.

IC: <font color=808080>

“Attention gutless defenders,” Talus hissed, broadcasting over all frequencies from his command on the Carrion. If it could have been, his voice would have been sarcastic. “If you surrender peacefully now, I shall skin you alive and take all the gems that I please. If you fight, at least die an honourable death on the battlefront, and then watch on from the afterlife as I pillage your gems, rape your loved ones and desecrate the graves of your ancestors!”

The Sith smiled, and cut the transmission.

He turned to the right, nodding to one of his clones and ordering the Carrion forward, blasting toward the void with the Galactic Defence Initiative ships in tow.

Galactic Defence Initiative? Bah, they are nothing but a crowd of spineless cowards. No one of them should be allowed to live under that name. Lending their ships to an attack, when what they stand for is defence? No, they are being manipulated by a higher power, it is so obvious. I will kill them all for their fear, one day...

Talus made a mental note to kill some of the crew on a few of the borrowed ships before he left, but not before he had claimed whatever prize he could from the ‘employers’. It wouldn’t be too hard to fire a few missiles off, and then jump to lightspeed before any retaliation could be offered. Those serving the GDI deserved to die just as much as those Hapans occupying Gallinore, and Talus would see to it that they got what was coming to them

The Carrion, at the head of the several other ships Talus had chosen, was now fast closing on the defending ships at Gallinore. Darksword’s fleet was scattered, halved down the middle and moving in opposite directions to itself. The defending Hapan Battledragons had somehow managed to escape the initial barrage of turbolaser fire from the attackers, and had then both peeled off, fleeing against impossible odds to wherever looked to be safe. Darksword’s pirates were chasing one of the escaping ships, while the second and last went speeding off away, abandoning the planet it called ‘home’.

Talus watched the display for just a second, before taking action, and invading the minds of those on four of the Carracks that had been relinquished to his command. He could feel the fear and surprise coming fresh from the crews, and let it seep through him, fuelling his power. Some panicked when the sensation didn’t stop after a few seconds, but most just went with it. They had been told that they would be serving under Sith, and all had heard rumours of how Grand Admiral Thrawn had used a Dark Jedi all those years ago to unite his fleet, thus winning most battles. They were prepared, and that was all that saved them.

[[Go, go now! Cut off the Dragon’s escape route, force it here, now! Go!]] The command was obeyed, although by will of the crew only. Strong as Talus was, he did not have the power to persuade so many to his will. Even when he had sent the Force-message to the ships, it had only been the bridge crewers, as he could not summon the energy to spread it around the fleet.

With his own clones, his own forces, Talus had supreme control. He could see what they saw, hear what they heard. They were his eyes and his ears, his greatest assets in the material world. They shared a link like no other, and each one of them would die willingly for their Lord’s entertainment.

The Carracks had now come about, and were chasing the fleeing Battledragon right towards Talus’ waiting fleet.

Again, the Sith smiled.</font>

(OOC:Hehe, yup. Nice to see chadd adds to the stakes without adding any help! I wonder whats going to happen with those PeFauna! Maybe we can kill some! :evil )


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> As the GDI ships still under his command swung around to assault the newly arrived Corellian ships, it appeared they were as surprised as he was. Lupercus sensed confusion in the minds of the captain and crew at once. Suddenly a thought came to him. He reached for the comm.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"All Alpha detachment ships and fighters, fire all your torpedos at those new ships! They don't have their shields up!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Instantly the torpedos were launched, and just seconds later the Siths mind quivered with excitement as fear ran through the collective crews of Gallinore <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> reinforcements<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. Panic surrounded the minds of most of the crews, but one mind, obviously the detachment commander, seemed calm.

Well, as calm as one could be when facing certain death.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Raise the Sheilds!!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> A young ensign, perhaps on his first tour of duty screamed a reply, the panic evident in his voice.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Your Majesty, we have no time! We had no power after leaving Hyperspace!"

"Do it anyway! Its our only hope!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Lupercus watched with glee as he realised he was about to kill some former member of Hapan royalty. The sheild percentages clicked up slowly on his moniters as the missles approached rapidly. A bloodthirsty grin crossed his face as he watched the missles impact. One, perhaps two missles were destroyed by the sheilding, but the rest plowed on through, the 7 ships buckleing and exploding, not a single soul escaping. The Hapan Princes vision tinged red as the explosion reached his eyes, his bloodlust taking over.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Hurry up! Get to those Hapan @#%$!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Siths ships pushed ever closer to the other ships, and thus to Gallinore, and all the booty that awaited them...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

OOC

Uh...lol the PeFauna are here to help you, they are striking at the enemy troops inside Gallinore, that's all.

(OOC:Chadd, thats bad. FIrstly, i doubt GDI is gonnna let you have this planet, second it means less for me to kill...)

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The personal ships of Lupercus Darksword charged forward at a frenetic rate, their hate driving them to push the ships to the limit. At the lead was the two Novas, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Razor<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> and <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Blade<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, their faster ships surrounding the defending Hapans. The laser blasts ravaged the uncoordinated troops, their ships already in bad repair, as most likely was their training.

The Battle Dragons closed together off to one side, the Miy'Tils onboard the Siths craft making the conflagaration a foregone conclusion.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

(OOC:So breif... Gotta run...)

OOC

hehe As it was originally employed for me, and the exchange is already agreed on, AND I have contributed to this...I seriously doubt it matters.


EDIT: Nothing here either, am I missing something?

(OOC: Unless pre-determined payment is transfered immediatly, Gallinore will remain in our hands)

OOC

There is no pre-determined payment you dumbass.


EDIT:

Hmm nothing here, I'll go check my other posts here too.

Galinore was a planet or earth and soil...more importantly, it was a planet that harvested gems in massive quantities.

And a planet the men of the New Empire had been paid to take.

The New Empire was some what of a misnomer, however. In actuality, it was several hundred men, all former Imperial soldiers and officers, who had become deluded with war and grew less sane than was typical. They were lead by a man of thirty, who, as a former Imperial Lieutenant Commander, had done things he should not have in the pursuit of victory.

Thus, he sought to remake the Empire in his own image.

The image of Vallus Arelius.

A man who demanded be addressed as Admiral.

* * *

The <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Merciless<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> reverted to realspace above and near Galinore, a battle raging around it. Seemingly over the din of battle could be heard the maniacal laughter of a genius gone mad, who had at his fingertips that could slaughter the defenseless, and cull the meek.

" Admiral" Arelius was perfectly content to have returned to the field. And the stage.

* * *

The recently-arrived Corellian Gunship could barely be recognized by the naked eye, for it had been painted in the same scheme as the glorious Super Star Destroyer <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Night Hammer<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, with its hull black and dotted with white blotches. It was dintinguishable, however, buy a same-schemed Sentinel-class Shuttle attached to the dorsal hull, to land soldiers where needed. It was a rigged modification, but one that had held true during very intense battle.

An Interdictor-class Cruiser, the only one on the field approached from its vantage point aft of the nimble craft.

Without any adieu, the shuttle detached and disappeared into the belly of the Imperial Star Destroyer-esque vessel.

It landed quietly, and out strode two quards donning Imperial Fleet trooper uniforms: coloured grey, with blue pipping. Their weapons were at ease, but their eyes were not. Their helmets did not obscure their faces, and several well-earned scars could be seen.

Behind them strode a man. Nay, marched a man, whose head was held high with the feigned arrogance bread by years of honourless battle. On his head was an Imperial officers cap, and on his legs Imperial Officer's breeches. Colliding with the deck were highly buffed, near new, Imperial-issue jackboots.

Not standard Imperial issue was the tunic donned by this man. It was standard colour, but was clasped at the center by five silver buttons, and cut in a third by a polished belt. The collar was high, and black. On them was white pipping, as was there along the central shirt end. On either side were no pockets, merely three medals, each raised badge-type, below the rank bar of an Imperial Admiral of the Fleet.

Such distinction worn by this man was never earned in the service to the Empire. Intimated deserved, but never brough to fruition, for reasons of clear and present insanity.

Waiting ahead of the small party of Imperial-looking 'gentlemen' were two officers of the Galactic Defense Initiatve: one commander of the vessel, the other its executive officer.

They looked on this out of place trio, and did nothing. No salutes were exchanged, but no hostilities either: these men had no allegiance to the Empire as it was now known.

" Captain, you are relieved."

The vessel's commander arched an eyebrow, aware that the 'group' he had been ordered to assist were in control of the situation, he did not expect his ship to be commandeered. After all, it was only an Interdictor.

" Mr. Arelius-"

The Captain got no futher before a gloved hand met his face with much force.

" You <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> will<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> address me as Admiral, or you will not address anyone every again."

The two GDI soldiers exchanged bemused glances, and the Captain spoke again. " Welcome to my ship, sir. The bridge is-"

There was no gloved hand this time. A blaster bolt caught him in the chest, downing him immediately. He did not die without pain.

" A refitted Imperial Blaster Pistol, using parts from an old ISB disruptor. Now, I was an officer of the Empire. I know these ships as you know your own body. If you doubt that again...or me, you will suffer his fate."

The "Admiral" walked off, his two guards flanking him, leaving the now-Commander of the Interdictor to stand over his dead ex-superior's body.

* * *

The bridge of an Interdictor was familiar: it resembled highly the Imperial Star Destroyers,' and could not be beaten for asthetics.

" Who is officer of the watch?"

" I am," replied a young, pasty faced ensign.

" Good. I will address the crew."

He nodded, having already heard word of their captain's demise.

" Attention, all personnnel. This ship is now under my command, and all orders will originate from me. If they do not, then do not follow them....or the next image you see will be this ship: from the outside. Bridge out."

Admiral Vallus Arelius, a man of high intellectual calibre, but emotional value or common good desires, took his seat in command.

" Order my ship to come around to course zer-three-six and commence attack on the enemy's rear. Bring us within range of the nearest enemy ship and commence full forward firing: saturation on enemy weapon emplacements."

His tactics were sound: the end result horrid.

The previous orders from his somewhat superior, Lupercus Darksword, were to destroy all escape pods jettisoned from the enemy ships.

His gunship would do so, for everyman aboard cared little enough to not.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The smooth arrival of the Corellian Gun Ship and its not so conventional leader was pleasing to the bloodlusty Hapan Prince. But of all the ways of taking control of an allied ship, his was the most entertaining. The Captains death was felt by all the Sith through the force, a smile momentarily crossing the bloodthirsty face of the Hapan.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Another reason why i like this guy...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Hapan ships were slamming missles, lasers and ion beams into the defenders craft, their increased recharge rates and higher training level crushing any chance the defenders had of winning.

Oh, and they fact they were outnumbered didnt hurt either.

The Corellian Gun Ship moved quickly, sliding around the defending Nova Classes and Battle Dragon without notice, their full attention being held by their Renegade Hapan counterparts. As the sheilds dropped on the defending craft, and the hull levels dropped rapidly, a comm signal was sent out for the craft.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"We surrender, we are diverting all power to life support, weapons are powered down."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Hapan Prince paused before a machiavellian grin crossed his face.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Of course, prepare your ships for boarding."

<!--EZCODE UNDERLINE START-->Half an hour later, on the Defenders Flagship <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Gallinores Pride<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.<!--EZCODE UNDERLINE END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Hapan Prince stood before the surrendered Crew of the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Gallinores Pride<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. They had all been assembled in the Mess hall, just the same in the other Nova Classes, and were preparing to be addressed by the Sith and Lupercus. The Princes ships had moved into orbit of the planet, his slicers having seized control of the entire planets comlink so that they could all hear the announcement.

The Dark Prince, or his lackies on the Novas, stood up before addressing them all, the cameras the boarding crew had bought all focusing on him or the relevant Sith.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Well, they say that truly there is no valour in surrender. I tend to agree and as such, you are all prisoners of me, personally. But there is <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> one<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> slight problem.

I don't take prisoners."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> With a flourish, his two lightsabres appeared in his hands, and as one the other SIth on all crafts rose. Grinning evilly, they lept forward, their blades flashing with both light and blood as the crew were completely eviscerated. The Rodian guards howled with delight, and the planets populace reeled collectively in horrer. They would be luckjy to survive the landings. When the slaughter was over, a bloodied Lupercus rose to the cameras once more.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Let the surrender begin, and the slaughter that ensues be bloody and the spoils rich!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Suddenly, a group of crew who had hidden for fear before being rounded up, ran into an escape pod. With a snarl Lupercus lept after them, but it was too late, and the crew were away, planet bound.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"No matter...

Have our rampant imperial friend deal with that..."

Almost always found next to the Hapan aristocract was a human with only one real eye. The other was a synthetic implant, that had ceased to properly function many years before.

His name was Y'llner, an excellent soldier, who always made it a point to be on the same ship or mission as the Prince.

He was also an agent of the "Admiral's."

His eye was also a transmitter.

* * *

The orders came down twice, once through the agent with the Hapans and the other over the 'Net. The Prince knew of his existence, but allowed him to remain as he knew it gave the "Admiral" great joy to think he had gotten one over on a Sith Master.

" Eliminate the enemy shuttles. And Escape pods."

The "Admiral" grinned and murmured to himself. He placed the crystalsheet upon the arm of his chair and relayed the orders to his personal <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Merciless,<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> a ship that was soon to live up to its name.

From its vantage point behind the Hapan warships, it had been showering their aft drive engines with laser fire, preventing them from concetrating shields against the main threat ahead.

With their surrender, the ship had stopped.

The orders came, and it fired again.

* * *

Lieutenant Derryl commanded battery #six, a pair of twin laser cannon on the port side of the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Merciless.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Many years before, he had commanded a battery of heavy turbolasers from the gunwales of an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer. He had fired one shot too many after the cessation of hostilites against a captured convoy. The Empire walked away with four ships less than it wanted.

He had been unemployed several years after.

" Do your thing, Lieutenant," came the accetned and highly-arrogant vocal manerisms of the Admiral.

He began to laugh uncontrolably, issuing orders between outbursts. In a few moments, an escape pod shot from the nearest Nova-class cruiser. It was not there for many more moments.

Two neon lances shot out towards the shuttle, disappearng into the whitre hull of the small pod, the hull giving way to a small, yet brilliant explosion between the ships.

* * *

The laughter from the Interdictor's bridge resonated through its corridors. Another pod shot out from the Battle Dragon..

It's fate was identical.

" Fools."