The Ruusan Pacification [Imperial/Public]

Finally.

She’d been waiting for this moment for a long time. Whispers of fame and glory beckoned all with Imperial blood in their veins to raise arms and crush this bastion of weakness and incompatible ideologies. The Sith have grown weak, stagnant, hopelessly clinging to their ancient religion and failing to submit to the new regime. A strong statement was the only language Sith understood, and so they would hear a powerful message from the Emperor; kneel and earn their right to live in the new, just order, or reject the gracious offer and cease to exist. With the nation’s stability at stake, no measure counted as too extreme or overly barbaric. Especially when Sith were concerned, and the fair-haired Inquisitor had long lusted to permanently shatter their spine and wipe the order from the annals of history, prematurely ending all plots and threats seeking to subtly dismantle the Empire.

The Sith had yet to meet the likes of her and uncover the true meaning of fear. Strong, highly trained trained killers familiar with the dark side enough to rival any Sith.

Charcoal black armour shrouded the blonde Inquisitor’s form head to toe, marking her a devotee of strength. Like a hammer designed to pound the galaxy into a shape the Emperor found pleasing, she preferred brutal, yet efficient tactics over subtle nudges and feeble attempts to pull the galactic strings of power. Still, the Inquisitor codenamed Zmej stood above average brutes – the cultivation of her image as an unstoppable, bloodthirsty monster that relentlessly hounded any and all who defied the Emperor was a very deliberate choice on her part. She did not fail to recognize the truth blatantly spelled out in every drop of Sith beliefs either. The strong devoured the weak and built empires upon the bones of the fallen – it’s always been so. Now, the time has come to prove the Sith ideology completely right and terminate anyone who posed a threat to mankind’s reign over the Galactic Empire, and through it, the galaxy; only through blood and strength could humanity secure its living space, a just position in the galaxy.

That, and Zmej desperately wished to carve her name into history books. Legacy meant everything - as the only descendant of a decorated war veteran, the fair-haired Inquisitor felt infinitely pressured into surpassing the old man.

Like so many others, the Inquisitor’s starfighter emerged from hyperspace, its occupant left to wallow in searing rage. Ruusan did not look particularly inviting from the cockpit of her TIE Avenger, but the sight did nothing to impair her expectation of battle. She lived for this – and after years of advocating a purge of the Sith order, her pleas would finally become reality. As the hunter of Force sensitive garbage coldly regarded Ruusan’s inevitable fate with her burning eyes of sulphur, she mentally braced for the devastating slaughter waiting on the surface. It would be bloody, glorious – and best of all, good for the nation, greatly contributing to the Empire’s soundness. Relishing the sensation and leaning back as much as she could in the cramped confines of her ship’s cockpit; the young Inquisitor drew deep breaths through the matte black mask shielding her appearance. Insufferable moments of infinity separated the Emperor's juggernaut from being unleashed upon whatever awaited on Ruusan, eliciting uncontrollable shaking of her body as the infernal rage cried for destruction.



Lucien E Irridius,Keter,

Ruusan was an old world.

Ruins old and new scarred the landscape. Sites of ancient starports lay sprawled out amongst dunes. Foundations of long lost cities lay at the bottom of the seas. Canyons formed from orbital bombardment decorated the hills. Factories squatted in the hearts of mountains.

So much history.

So much power.

The Sith had originally settled here for a reason after all. And it was a powerful symbol of power. Which was why it was being invaded, despite lacking anything resembling an organised infrastructure to exploit.

Hovering in space like all the other debris, the ancient satellites detected the incoming ships and sparked into life. Eyes and ears in orbit, relaying what little information they could to the surface before undoubtedly being destroyed. Information was power, after all.

Keter eyes the results of his early reconnaissance being projected into his sight. Star destroyers, a moderate sized fleet. More than enough to pacify a star system, let alone a single planet.

Far more resources than the scattered Sith had at their disposal, or so his sources had reported. Either they had been deceived (likely), or this wasn't a Sith incursion (also likely). Hmm, problematic.

If this invasion was Sith led, he could reasonably expect troop landings, a show of force by literally dethroning him. Force users loved their little displays after all. But if this wasn't the Sith, if this was someone pragmatic...well. They would just bombard the citadel and move on.

Time to see what their opening gambit would be.

Would they come down and challenge him, or just smite him from on high?

The blond's lips quirked. Either way, it was going to be an interesting day.

Lucien E Irridius, Asenath Parnell,

An Imperial shuttle waited in the hangar of the great Imperial flagship, waiting to be launched. A squad of storm commandos and their gear sat quietly. Some cleaned their guns, some checked their gear, and a couple actually appeared to be asleep. They had been in many battles now together, and the jitters of waiting for combat had long faded from their psyches. Now was the time each person did whatever ritual they had developed for before a battle.

The shortest of the commandos was running a sharpening stone across one of her vibroblades before pushing it down into its sheath by her boot. By itself, it was not terribly useful against a trained Sith, but her unit believed in leveling the playing field through overwhelming firepower. Against Force users, technology was the only thing meer humans had to level the playing field. 

Reaching down Hevana pulled another knife from the other boot and began sharpening it in silence. The sounds of stone against metal mixing with the other quiet noises in the shuttle.

A black cape billowed behind the masked Rebel as he moved through the underground halls of Ruusan. This was the place that the Empire would have to breach should they ever wish to rob the Sith of the world. It was also a place he had no place being in. Given the robes and masks so popular with the sith who ruled the planet though, the mere underlings gave him barely a second thought.

He walked with purpose until he suddenly stopped and moved into a side tunnel. There another Rebel crouched over a black box. There was a datapad in her hand that she was typing into before she looked up, a touch apprehensive. "This sector is ready Kamen. Are you sure this plan will work?"

"Whether it works or not, the Sith and Empire will throw themselves at each other until one is gone. Hopefully while going down taking as many of the other with them as possible. Should we succeed, that chaos will be only greater. Do not pity the men who think themselves gods fighting over this backwater planet. It is they who destroyed the Republic, and our home. Be ready for the signal."

The woman nodded with resolve, then covered the black box with a cloth that made it appear like a box of scrap from a distance. It would not hold up to scrutiny, but they had chosen this location for its lack of foot traffic. Satisfied, Kamen left to continue his walk among the populace.

"We would be honored," the platoon's lieutenant responded. While none of the commandos had fought alongside an Imperial Guard before, they were seasoned enough to recognize the red armor for what it was. Hevana was not sure, but she suspected if a stormtrooper tried painting his armor red to mimic them he would get himself executed. That red was a symbol of power that deserved all the respect it garnered.

The short squad leader looked him up and down as if trying to see through the armor. She did not doubt his abilities, the Emperor's guards were supposed to be the best of the best. However they were also a unit that specialized in hunting down Force users, and she had no idea if they were trained for that. Probably, but time would tell. 

With one last scrap against her knife, she returned it to its sheath and placed the sharpening stone to one of the pouches on her belt. "Awfully far from Imperial Center, aren't ya? Not that I mind having one of His Majesty's Royal Badasses along, just thought you guys were supposed to be protecting his royal a-...rear and not ours.  If you'll pardon my language."

The near slip earned her a "we'll talk later" from the lieutenant, but he said nothing.


Javis Kerr ,

As the last dredges of life were drained from the acolytes that were now no more than husks at Kruel’s feet, the Sith flexed. His message had been sent out, his call to the other Sith. To summon them together, he had heard tales that this was their home planet and here they were on the verge of losing it. There was an entire fleet between him and the world that he once knew. A smile touched Kruel’s lips as he looked down at Ruusan, he remembered it before the days of even the Brotherhood of Darkness, back before the planet was ravaged and brought to the brink of destruction in the war of Light and Dark. How the Bouncers once flew across the plains, how children wandered about playing, how the air was fresh, now it was a planet of twilight, one where the darkness and light intertwined to create a powerful nexus. Shaking his head Kruel’s eyes moved back through the visor landing upon the Star Destroyers and cruisers that accompanied the Imperials a scowl crossing his scarred visage. Kruel knew he was outnumbered and outgunned, he was no Admiral, had never been but what he was a Sith Lord. He would not back down from this challenge, no he had to buy time for what Sith were on world to either escape or have their lives extinguished. Those that failed to escape the planet most likely deserved their deaths.

Gently lowering himself to his lush throne, eyes never leaving the viewport Kruel’s eyes scanned the space between himself and the Imperials. Many battles had happened in the space surrounding Ruusan all that remained were ancient satellites, chunks of hull and other debris but that was more than enough for Kruel. The scowl slowly unfurling as a plan formed in his mind, thick fingers tapping on the arm of his chair. “Send the command to prep the fighters, all of them but not one is to launch until the command is given. Same for all six assault ships.” Kruel called down to the command pit, his children’s eyes were dutifully on their stations and despite knowing that they may face certain death they were ready to face it head on. Not only because of the power Kruel commanded but because in their eyes he was a messiah. They were his flock and he would lead them to similar power.

“What about the Basilisk’s my lord?!” A pale blue Duros asked from his station.

A large hand reached up stroking Kruel’s protruding chin as he nodded in contemplation. “Yes, prep six of them but leave the seventh alone.”

“Yes, my lord” the Duros said his hands tapping away at the display before him.

Now it was Kruel’s turn to fall silent his fingers tapping away on the right armrest at a console as he input calculations along with orders for navigation. For now, there would be none given, the starboard side of Kruel’s vessel faced the Imperial Fleet as it coasted along just outside their range, first Kruel needed to see how the Imperials reacted and what actions they would take. It was the calm before the storm and the perfect time for Kruel to concentrate, breathing calmly Kruel opened his mind to the force reaching out to three large hunks of metal which had probably once been the hull of a starship, not overly large but enough for what he had planned. Each hunk was maybe a quarter the size of his ship and as he latched onto them Kruel’s eyes narrowed.


Javis Kerr ,Hevana Martin ,Solei Allaire ,Kamen Rei ,Asenath Parnell ,Lucien E Irridius ,Kruel Zing ,Amarthaer Saptheth ,Keter ,

Keter watched the developing situation in space, and he felt a headache forming. He let out a hiss of a sigh, resting a hand against his forehead as he slouched in the throne of trash he had erected.

Brilliant. Just...brilliant.

Just when the Empire was launching an assault did a challenger appear. And...oh...such...a...typical one.

Kruel Zing, Lucien E Irridius,

The voice of the other Sith thundered in his head with all the pomp and circumstance of a triumphant warlord proclaiming his victory. The blond gritted his teeth.

"Pretty words boy. If that is what it took to unite our kind, think I would still be here?" he snapped back through the tendril of Force power that had reached down from orbit.

The interloper had come with a curious ship indeed, but no single craft could challenge the might of an Imperial Fleet. Still, he would draw some of their fire. Keter sighed again, feeling a trickle of wetness slide down his cheek from his augmetics. It smelled faintly of blood. Alright, the newcomer would be useful either way for now. He reached out, seeing a hologrpahic display in his sight, and swept his fingers across several keys. "Units twelve through five, open fire on Imperial vessels. All forces, label IFF-" he checked the signals coming from the newcomer "-Fading Light as neutral." There. At least now his machines wouldn't do somehting daft like cripple their only support in orbit.

Meanwhile, around the city, in the dunes and mountians of scraps, intelligences sparked into consciousness. Generators growled into life, and the bulky forms of mobile turbolaser turrets shook off their dust and rust to take aim at the sky. The colossal shapes of the Star Destroyers above were only just visible, poised to rian down destruction. The units took a moment to calibrate their sights before opening fire.

A weak and pitiful volley, liable to do little but drain shields. Good.

"Warning: Imperial forces entering atmosphere. Designation: Probe Droids," advised a tactical droid, it's green paint having flaked away decades ago. Keter nodded to signify he had recieved the warning from his artifical assistant.

Imperial Protocol in action. Survey the terrain before deploying ground troops. The majority of his forces were hardly finding, so he saw no issue in letting the probes reach the surface. Obviously, the battle droids would eliminate any they came across, but Keter was happy to let the majority be. Let the Empire see the world was worthless. Let them realize the coming fight was nothing but a symbol.

And let them choose. Answer his challenge like in the Time of Legends, or consign him to igmony as a footnote. Imperial discipline versus personal ambition. Keter wondered which would win out.

Keter moved his fingers to wipe the moisture off his face. His gloved hand came away stained with bloody tears.

Hah. How dramatic.

Javis Kerr, Hevana Martin,

The blond sith grinned as small alerts popped up in his sight. Landing craft incoming.

"Alright. Flocks thirteen, fourteen, enact Point Rain Protocol," Keter ordered. A simple buzz of acknowledgement was all he got in return. Good enough. "Guardians, stand ready to repel invaders."

The fortress groaned as power surged through it's systems, hangar doors built into the surrounding plains opening up like sarlaac pits. Like hungry mynocks, vulture droids began shriek out, tearing into the sky to hunt and kill the landing craft. Most would arrive too late to intercept, but that was fine. Cutting off the Imperials lines of retreat was good enough.

-

A vulture droid is no match for a TIE fighter.

Everyone knew this to be true.

So Keter had ensured that they didn't even bother engaging. The vultures had a simple mission. To terrorise. Air brakes installed on their wings enleashed piercing shrieks as they swooped throgh the air, a mockery of the iconic TIE howling. The machines would seek and kill gozanti's and lambdas, as well as any cargo shuttles and troop transports. Even if shot down, they had been programmed to crash into enemy craft or even Imperial ground units.

Droids were cheap, and quick to build.

And Keter had had a while to stockpile his arsenal.

-

A thousand footsteps echoed in the dark, as the Guardans - the robotic legion tasked by Keter to guard the citadel's great gates, took position. A horde of worthless B1 battledroids stood at attention, blasters aimed and ready to open massed colleys of fire at chest height at those who would break through. The hulking forms of ancient and scavenged tanks from all periods of history, slaved to simple droid minds, supported them.

Honestly, it was astounding what one could dig up or buy or steal if one took the time to look.

The Imperial forces were walking into a war with the past itself.

Hevana Martin,Kruel Zing,Javis Kerr,Solei Allaire,Kamen Rei,Asenath Parnell,Lucien E Irridius,Amarthaer Saptheth

The Royal Guard followed the midnight armoured Storm Commandos down the boarding ramp of the assault shuttle and onto the battlefield. Or rather, it would soon be a battlefield - so far the enemy were yet to make a move.

The Commando lieutenant split up his platoon and ordered them into position. Javis studied the mission plan in his helmet HUD for a moment, and elected to stick with Sergeant Martin. It would give the lieutenant breathing space to run his mission without feeling like he was being watched over. Javis also wanted to keep an eye on the sergeant - further outbursts against the Emperor could call for a battlefield execution.

He dropped to the ground next to Hevana, his red armour much less subtle than the black armour of the commandos, which unlike his, was designed for practically over symbolism. Hevana commented that the platoon was often given the hardest ops as she prepared her anti-armour rocket launcher.

"Wouldn’t have it any other way." Life expectancy for a Guardman wasn’t much better - literally half of them were killed by their training partners as part of their final test, and failure to stop a plot against the Emperor, even if he wasn’t harmed, was grounds for a slow and painful death.

Just as they took position the Sith fortress came to life. Mobile turbolaser batteries, previously camouflaged with dirt and rocks, rumbled into position and opened fire on the orbiting Imperial vessels. Huge hanger bays creaked open and spewed forth swarms of ancient Vulture droids, not seen since the Clone Wars.

"Here they come." The battle had begun.

Without a rocket launcher, there was little Javis could do against the Sith turbolasers. But there were others who could. He locked down into the corner of his HUD, and with a few blinks, activated a laser designator on his blaster carbine. Propping himself up on his elbows, he sighted down the weapon and targeted the invisible laser against the nearest turbolaser.

The Guardsmen opened a commlink channel to the combat systems officer in the combat information centre of the lead Star Destroyer. "Shadow of Regent, Crimson Zero, requesting fire mission. Grid 63075313. Enemy turbolaser emplacement, request three proton torpedoes, fire for effect."

< Tag Lucien E Irridius, Asenath Parnell, Hevana Martin, Keter, Kruel Zing, Kamen Rei, Solei Allaire & Amarthaer Saptheth >

The storm commandos took cover as the planet's defenses came alive, giving them time to reassess. Their mission planning had accounted for some kind of hidden defense network after all the Sith would not leave their capital completely unguarded. The actual defenses fell a bit outside their preparations though. They had not expected technology that had been decommissioned decades ago.

Seeing the fighters going after the troop transports Hevana lifted her missile launcher to the sky and fired a missile, blowing one out of the sky before it hit a Sentinel-class. There were far too many for her to handle along though, ultimately it was up to the TIEs to defend the transports.

"You... uh, do realize that we're down here as well?" Hevana asked as the Guardsman ordered the orbital strike. "Those cap torpedoes do not mess around when it comes to blowing shit up."

When the affirmative answer came from the Shadow, Hevana felt her eyes widen behind her helmet. "Incoming!" she heard over the coms as blue light filled the sky causing all the stormtroopers to dive for cover. The next few seconds were full of blue fire and endless earth-shaking as the weapon impacts came in. The proton torpedoes leaving small, relatively speaking anyway, mushroom clouds rising into the air. Peeking from behind her cover she found the main weapons blocking their route to the temple either slagged or straight up vaporized.

"So... looks like the route is cleared of hostiles."