>>1560366
If we get forced to a ground battle due to planetary shields, who do we switch to? Remain as Palpatine or have Veers show his stuff?

A note about saber Combat:
The system works through rolling a number of D20s roughly equal to the skill/power of a combatant. Rolling over your opponent's number is a "hit". Rolling 20+ over their number is a critical and counts as 2 hits. As a general rule of thumb, any important or "named" combatant can suffer three hits before they are incapacitated, nameless Jedi/dark siders can take 2 hits or one critical at which point their opponent typically decides their fate. Usually to kill them or spare them. For the record, sparing them may be horribly maiming them, it doesn't necessarily equate to "You are beaten!"

Because I was still tweaking the rules, we'll begin this session saying that Cythera, Kyle, and Rayf have each suffered one hit, leaving them two more. Luke, Sedriss, and both Blackguards are fit to fight.

One last point: I'm trying to collect a little bit of information from my players because I am a huge nerd. If you could take a few minutes to fill out this five question thing, I'd really appreciate it.

4chan hates the link but its the survey monkey main website /r/RMDYHGZ

No spaces obviously.


Previously:

>>1525008

Darth Cythera arrived on Rhen Var, as part of her assignment to kill Luke Skywalker, and was met with a small, armed delegation of Jedi. Strife revealed itself in the Imperial forces as Cythera and Sedriss argued over the best course of action. Luke initially seemed willing to surrender himself to protect the other Jedi, but Cythera sensed his deception through the force, that Luke was buying time for the others to escape. A short and fierce lightsaber fight commenced with neither side gaining a clear advantage, though several received minor injuries including Cythera herself who had the back of her hand scorched by a close glance from Luke's blade.

With a wave of his palm, Luke shoved Sedriss away from Rayf with the force, allowing the Jedi to regain his footing, lifting the azure blade of his saber into guard position. The Jedi were quite obviously on the defensive, falling back into the narrow mouth of the tunnel they'd emerged from. A tunnel like that meant you would more or less only be able to fight one on one, and if your quick scuffle with Luke was any indicator, it wouldn't be easy.

You flex your burned hand again, grinding your teeth against the pain. Along with you, Sedriss and his two Blackguard warriors gave you disapproving glances. In the Dark Side Hierarchy, you were the predator, or you were the prey, and if the emotions coming off Sedriss were trusted, his measure of you had dropped considerably given your poor performance against the Jedi master.

You spare a glance behind you at your makeshift landing site. Two solid black Sienar Infiltrators are parked, their only marking a white Imperial emblem. Standing beside the Infiltrators was a platoon of black-clad Shadow Troopers. They served as Stormtroopers in all functions save that they were totally divested from the Imperial Navy and instead owed their loyalty directly to Dark Side Hierarchy and Palpatine himself. You had heard it rumored that its ranks were filled out partly by force sensitives picked up by the Inquisition but deemed too weak to make worthwhile dark siders themselves.

In a fight like this, they wouldn't be much use, though perhaps they could be used to find another way into this facility.

Another concern of yours was the significant Rebel task force in orbit, presumably in the process of evacuating the Jedi students and training personnel. Should Luke or anyone else in the Academy send a distress call up to them, it would only be a short while before Rebel soldiers were landing to reinforce the Jedi, or fighters were to begin strafing runs on you and your Infiltrators, you have to assume it's only a matter of time before help comes for the Jedi.

>Send most of the Shadow Troopers to look for another way into the Academy
>Keep the troopers here to guard the landing site in case you need to make a quick escape

>>1560395
Such matters are beneath the notice of the Emperor typically. You would delegate that task to whatever admiral/general is on station. Palpatine handles more "big picture" questions.

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>>1560415
Oh yeah catching this live!

>Send most of the Shadow Troopers to look for another way into the Academy

I don't think time is on our side at the moment. We need to swiftly close in and cut down Skywalker!

>>1560415
>>Send most of the Shadow Troopers to look for another way into the Academy

Just eliminate the spaces in this link
surveymonkey .Co . uk/r/RMDYHGZ

>>1560415
>>Send most of the Shadow Troopers to look for another way into the Academy
If we return empty-handed, Palpatine will make Cythera wish that Luke had struck her down. Victory or Death.

>>1560452
>Oh yeah catching this live!
Welcome!

>>1560456
>Just eliminate the spaces in this link
>surveymonkey .Co . uk/r/RMDYHGZ
You're a fucking hero! Thanks!

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"There has to be another way into this base!" You call down to your troopers, "Find it!"

"Yes, my Lord!" a trooper responds, marshalling a team together and making off through the snow at best possible speed, headed up the steep mountainside.

You watched them only for a second longer, knowing they were motivated at least partially by fear of failing you, at least as much as you were by fear of failing the Emperor. You could feel pressing urgency echoing through the force, terrified children and their wards loading a ship deep within the Rhen Var complex. You needed to get into this complex if you were to have any hope of stopping the escaping Jedi. Of course, Luke was your only official objective, and for your brief duel, it seemed he was head and shoulders above you in terms of his power in the force. Your anger and frustration gave you an edge, but not enough of one that you could be confident you'd be able to defeat him easily, you were still out of breath from the last short scuffle.

You had hoped to overcome this power difference with superior numbers, but with Luke's withdrawal into the tunnels, your numbers counted for nothing.

Of course, he was only human, and even Jedi masters could slip up, there was a chance you'd get lucky and take him out, but a tired combatant made that more likely.

You spared a glance at Sedriss, adjusting his grip on his own lightsaber, red light reflecting from his pupils. Sedriss might soften up Luke, though it was possible the Executor and his men would fall victim to Luke themselves, though that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Although there was also the risk that Sedriss would get lucky and would finish off the Jedi Master instead of you, and that certainly wouldn't do you any favors among the other Dark Side Adepts.


>Send Sedriss in to attack first
>Lead the attack myself
>Follow Luke and the Jedi into the complex but do not attack, wait for a better opportunity

>>1560532
>Lead the attack myself

>>1560532
>Follow Luke and the Jedi into the complex but do not attack, wait for a better opportunity

We are the predator. The Jedi are the prey. Let's use that assassin training and take it to the next level.

>>1560532
>Lead the attack myself

>>1560532
>Follow Luke and the Jedi into the complex but do not attack, wait for a better opportunity

>>1560551
we are not a assassin any longer we are a sith.

>>1560572
No reason not to use the skills we've honed over the years. The Sith mindset/approach will make it all the more deadly.

>>1560572
>The sith have never used assassination tactics before.

>>1560532
>Lead the attack myself

We cannot show weakness now, nor can we afford to waste time

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>>1560572
>>1560577
>>1560584

>>1560584
>>1560577
We need to show Sedriss and his goons we are not kidding here. Besides the dark side loves conflict.

>>1560598
does that mean it's time for Luke sacrifice himself just like old Ben did?

>>1560610
Im more worried about Skywalker carving us up than Sedriss' feewings

>Lead the attack myself
>Writing

>>1560619
Well now, we'll just have to see!

>>1560610
your worried about the guy we can kill compared to the actual issue here? Hokay.

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>>1560626

The people have spoken. Aggression is always a valid choice, especially for a Sith. At least let's show Sedriss the fuck up so we can shove his nose in it later.

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Rolled 18, 11, 17, 19, 8, 17, 19 = 109 (7d20)

You step ahead of Sedriss and the others, blade in guard position, following the Jedi into the icy passageway, your light sabers casting strange shadows on the walls, the blue-white of the ice tinted purple by the red of your sabers.

Sedriss follows close behind you, his two Blackguards flanking him. Across from you, the three Jedi stand ready, Luke in the center, his expression calm and placid inspire of the raging storm of emotions all around him. You push the pain in your hand out of mind, focusing on the Emperor's command to you. YOU WILL KILL LUKE SKYWALKER, the words burned into your mind even from the time of his death, seared permanently into your psyche it seemed, maddening you until you could blow them away by doing as your master commanded.

With a cry of rage you angle your blade at the Jedi master and attack.

***

Everyone roll 1d20. The total is 5D20. This is to strike down Luke in saber combat. You will be rolling against Luke's dice pool, so beat the number in this post.

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Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>1560670
>that dice pool
deargodwhy.jpg

Here's hoping we utilize the Art of Cutting effectively (and roll a crit)

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1560670
wtf luke.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1560670
Luke staph.

>>1560678
Luke to OP please nerf.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1560670
BY THE FORCE GIB NAT 20 PLS

Rolled 6, 15, 1, 13, 7 = 42 (5d20)

>>1560670
Oh fug. Luke is as beast as he was in the Comics.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1560722
Whoops.

>49/100
>yikes
>Writing

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>>1560734
well at least it's statistically average?

>>1560722
Guess the farmer boy got some moves. By the force Luke is a monster.

A flash of green and Luke's saber bats your attack aside, your blade gouging a chunk of ice from the wall in a flash of steam. You swing back with a low growl, angling for his neck but he's no longer there. The Jedi master leans away from your counter attack before it even begins.

Your eyes widen as your saber passes through empty air where he was a moment ago.

You don't scream as his own blade cuts upward through both your arms just past the elbow. Your vision fades to reveal a shadow world as blinding pain flashes through your body. You watch your forearms fall away and you fall to your knees.

You can see your breath in the frigid, still air of the passageway, you struggle to breath as you feel the onset of shock, pain and numbness fight for control and icy cold courses through your veins. You star down at the deactivated hilt of your light saber.

"Lord Cythera . . . " one of the Blackguard says, kneeling beside you.

"Leave her!" Sedriss hisses, "We still have a job to do."

The Dark Siders don't look back as they follow Luke down the passage, hesitant to cross blades after witnessing their leader so handily defeated.

You fall to your side, barely feeling the ice of the floor through your clothes. What feels like an eternity must only be minutes.

"Lord Cythera," a Shadwotrooper speaks in your ear as two more help you regain your footing. "We have orders from Executor Sedriss to evacuate you to the cruiser."

You gather what strength you have, focusing your anger, willing your shock away, fighting for consciousness.

>No, I will stay to see this finished!
>Order Sedriss to withdraw as well
>Fine, take me to the med bay

>>1560799
>No, I will stay to see this finished!

Ya guys, lets totally chase him down. Its not like he hasn't been shown to be the dice gods favorite currently.

>>1560813
>>No, I will stay to see this finished!
For the record, this does NOT mean you will try to continue to personally fight Luke, only that you literally will stay on Rhen Var to see what happens

>>1560799
>No, I will stay to see this finished!

>>1560799
>No, I will stay to see this finished!
Victory is our only option.
Time to start channeling Anger like a motherfucker

>>1560799
>>1560823

>No, I will stay to see this finished!
Yeah, at the very least we may be able to capitalize on an opportunity.

>>1560823
Oh no we ain't leaving just yet. We will go after this fucker now!

>No, I will stay to see this finished!

Choice is clear

>Writing

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You turn to the trooper, glowering into his expressionless faceplate. "We are not leaving. Not until Luke is dead."

You sense a flicker of hesitation, a moment where he considers repeated Sedriss's orders. He thinks better of it and says nothing, simply helping you down the passage after Sedriss and the others.

You gather the force to yourself, not to dull your pain, but to focus it, to enhance its essence, its flavor. To give you focus and power. Your vision, which was swimming and hazy, clears a bit, though you are still unsteady on your legs. At your direction, one of the troopers retrieves your saber.

"My Lord, Aura Team reports they located the hangar entrance, but it will require they scale a near vertical precipice."

"Do it," you hiss through clenched teeth as the Trooper speaks into his comlink.

The hall, after passing through a deserted junction, widens into an open common area, a mess hall from the looks of it. You can't help but notice that this complex looks like the recon photos you saw of the Rebel base on Hoth after it fell to the Empire, rebel know-how obviously went in to building this place.

Ahead, the force-users face off. You can sense the desperation of the Jedi, you are very close to their hangar now, their escape.

"Finish him!" Sedriss orders his Blackguard, gesturing to Luke. With only slight hesitation they press forward only to be intercepted by the other two Jedi.

The first Blackguard opts for a wide swing at the Jedi called Kyle. A rookie mistake. He cocks the saber back to swing and is promptly run through by the Jedi, the blue blade of his saber piercing the Dark Sider's back. As quickly as he was killed the blade is withdrawn, the Blackguard falling to his knees then flat on the floor, his life force fading away in the force.

The fight against the Jedi called Rayf lasts longer, the two combatants trade blows before Rayf ducks around a swing and traces a burning line up the Blackguard's back, the Dark Sider grunting and slumping over a nearby duraplast table, near death but alive somehow.

The three Jedi regroup, panting, blades at the ready.

"I think you may have made a poor choice her, pal," Kyle says to Sedriss between breaths.

Sedriss looks backward at you, his face twisted with disdain, before turning back to the Jedi. "And every second you delay our fleet closes in. Please-" he spreads his arms in invitation, "Let's not end this on my account."

A comlink on Luke's belt pipes up, "Luke! We've got stormtroopers trying to get into the hangar, Falcon's loaded and ready, but we have to go. Now."

You see Luke's eyes flicker between you and Sedriss. "We're leaving. Follow us and we'll have no choice but to kill you."

Sedriss spits on the floor, fear keeping him in place.

The Jedi turn and flee.

>You're a coward Sedriss, go after them!
>We need to get back to our Infiltrators, we can try to stop their ship!
>Let's get back to the Korriban, we can try to tail them to their new destination.

>>1560926
>We need to get back to our Infiltrators, we can try to stop their ship!

Shoot them down!

>>1560926
>We need to get back to our Infiltrators, we can try to stop their ship!

>>1560926
>Let's get back to the Korriban, we can try to tail them to their new destination.

>>1560926
>Other

Focus in our pain anf anger and strench out our cuted arm try to pull luke or throw something at him.

>We need to get back to our Infiltrators, we can try to stop their ship!

>writing

"We need to get back to the Infiltrators," you say, "We're going to shoot them down, have your men stall their ship as much as they can." As you say it, you know you're essentially passing a death sentence on to those troopers.

"Yes, my Lord."

"And grab him," you point with your chin at the fallen Blackguard who isn't quite dead.
Sedriss joins you on your way out of the complex, saying nothing and not looking at you, though he does press past you and your Shadow troopers, leading the way out, his thoughts are hidden from you.

Again you leave the relative warmth of the base, trading it for the relentless wind and cold of Rhen Var. Your Infiltrators are sitting only a short walk away.

"Lord Cythera, sensors are detecting a detachment of rebel fighters has left from the task force in orbit headed here," your trooper informs you.

>Reveal our cruiser, have Korriban launch fighters to delay them
>We can't risk getting shot down and captured, cancel the attack, we'll follow them on board Korriban
>Our Infiltrator will return us to Korriban, the other will make an effort to shoot down the Jedi
>Then we'll have to be quick, we'll attack with both Infiltrators

>>1561098
>We can't risk getting shot down and captured, cancel the attack, we'll follow them on board Korriban

>>1561098
>>Reveal our cruiser, have Korriban launch fighters to delay them

>>1561098
>>Reveal our cruiser, have Korriban launch fighters to delay them

Star Dark Empire Wars?

>>1561098
>>Reveal our cruiser, have Korriban launch fighters to delay them

>>Reveal our cruiser, have Korriban launch fighters to delay them

>writing

You step up the ramp of the Infiltrator, speaking with the pilot, "Order Korriban to launch fighters, we've got to buy more time."

"But, my Lord, if we launch the fighters-"

You narrow your eyes and seize the pilots vocal chords through the force, willing them still.

The pilot shakes his head and clutches at his throat in panic.

Your vision is starting to swim again and you need to sit but first you need to make your orders clear. "I. Don't. Care. Tell them to launch."

You release him and with a silent intake of breath, slump heavily into one of the crash couches in the passenger area, Sedriss sitting across from you. The Exectutor gives you pitiful look, shaking his head as the Infiltrator takes off.

>Say nothing
>Challenge Sedriss

>>1561257
>Say nothing


>Andthisishowyoufailassith

>>1561257
>Say nothing

We couldn't win an arm wrestling competition now much less a duel.

>>1561257
>>Say nothing

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>>1561298
>arm wrestling

>>1561257
>Say Nothing

We have a weakened position. Attacking now would be a great opportunity for him to hurt us badly.

>Say Nothing

Choice is clear

>Writing

Rolled 15, 2, 12, 5, 14, 7 = 55 (6d20)

You turn away from Sedriss, knowing that this terrible imbalance of power did not bode well for you. The Infiltrator banks and turns, angling toward the mountainside where your Shadow Trooper team identified the hangar entrance. You're just in time to see a dilapidated Corellian transport burst from the open hangar, sublight drives flaring, first pulling up hard for the open sky, but then suddenly diving down into the stony, snow-swept valley, likely seeking cover from your guns.

"Engaging," your pilot says, his voice detached. Both Infiltrators falling into position, weapons systems coming online.

***

To keep things interesting, I'll just apply the dueling rules to this engagement. The Infiltrators are working together, but are going up against the legendary Millennium Falcon. I'll say your relative power is about the same. Time is limited since the Tie Avengers you launched won't be able to stop the Rebel fighters, just slow them down.

Everyone roll 1d20. The total is 6D20. This is to shoot down the Millennium Falcon. You will be rolling against the Falcon's dice pool, so beat the number in this post.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1561370
WOMBO COMBO

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Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1561370
REDEMPTION IS NOW

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>1561370

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>>1561404
>>1561392
>>1561383

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>>1561383
>>1561392
>>1561404

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1561370
F

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>>1561383
>>1561392
>>1561404
>>1561412
>>1561428
>>1561448
>MFW these reactions

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1561370
FIND ME IN THE ALPS

>>1561482
Sh-
should i roll again?

>>1561512
it just gets worse

>Rolling for the difference and writing

Rolled 19 (1d20)

Not sure why that didn't roll . . .

>>1561535
And then my Trips disappeared . . . anyway.
. .
>writing
You guys owe me so hard

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>>1561535
>we literally made the threshold by 1

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>>1561535
>>1561540
>>1561545

As you close on the ship, a pair of quad-laser batteries on board open fire, red laser fire stitching across the sky. The fire is haphazard and unfocused and does little to dissuade your attack. Both Infiltrators return fire with on board laser cannons, the beams splashing across the ship's shields as it jukes and dives, trying to avoid the deadly bolts. One lucky shot breaks through the shields and detonates on the hull of the transport itself in a shower of sparks.

"That was their Hyperdrive motivator," your pilot says, triumph edging into his voice. "They can't take much more of this."

Over the comlink, you hear the chatter of your fighters as they drive off the first wave of Rebels, only to have the Rebels regroup and pursue.

"My Lord, they're heading for that canyon-" your pilot beings.

"I don't care if they lead us straight into the sun, you stay on them!" you bark back, shouting over a Shadow Trooper hastily giving you medical treatment, painkillers and Bacta salve.

The YT-1300 does indeed take a hard turn into a valley that quickly becomes a canyon, and while it serves to box you in, it also does the same to their ship, which is less maneuverable. This may be your last shot to take out this freighter before you have to worry about the interference of rebel fighters.

***

Everyone roll 1d20. The total is 6D20. This is to hopefully finish off the Falcon. It's taken 1 of 3 hits, if you score a critical on it, it's shot down, otherwise it needs two more hits.

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Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>1561586
May the Dark Side guide my dice!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>1561586

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Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>1561586
'ere we go

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>1561586

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>1561586

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>>1561607
>>1561605
>>1561598
>>1561595
>>1561617
it's not even funny anymore

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>>1561605
>Hold on to your Butts
>2

Rolled 1, 9, 8, 3, 5, 15 = 41 (6d20)

>>1561586
Forgot to roll kek

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>>1561595
>>1561598
>>1561605
>>1561607
>>1561617

I guess I'm just glad we're not playing The Bloody Baroness.

So far we're 27/41

waiting on one more roll. It's still winnable at this point, but difficult.

>>1561645
>ywn have a hot and heavy lesbian relationship between Alana and Mara

Why are we here, just to suffer

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1561586

>>1561686
40/41
I guess that makes you even for the last narrow win?

>writing

Your next volley of fire from your Infiltrators goes wide, blasting chunks of rock from the canyon walls, obscuring the view and interfering with sensors. The Infiltrator pilots back off to avoid being struck by falling rocks and ahead, the Jedi ship pulls up, rocketing upward, racing for the perceived safety of space, stitching fire across the second Infiltrator, though its shields absorb most of the damage.

"Avenger squadron reports heavy losses, a flight of Rebel fighters is on the way to the planet surface," the pilot reports, listening to the inaudible commlink chatter in his own helmet. "Should we pursue?" he asks you.

The entire question is left unsaid, continuing to chase the Jedi would bring you under the guns of the Rebel fighters, risking your life in a situation you have little direct control over.

Even returning to Korriban may be difficult at this point if the Rebels are aware of its existence and launching fighters. Likely if you're to have any chance of escaping somewhat intact, this is the moment to do so.

>Pursue that ship, no matter the cost
>If we die here, so dies our best chance of catching them, we'll withdraw to Korriban

>>1561719
>Pursue that ship, no matter the cost

>>1561719
>>Pursue that ship, no matter the cost
We're dead if we return to Palpatine empty handed. better to die and leave a legacy

>>1561719
>Pursue that ship, no matter the cost

There is no going back. If we die here then let's take the Jedi with us!

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1561586
guess i will roll.

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>>1561719
>Pursue that ship, no matter the cost
Killing Skywalker is the only thing that matters

>>1561719
>If we die here, so dies our best chance of catching them, we'll withdraw to Korriban
Sith are powered by emotion, but should not be controlled by it. If we continue to pursue we play into their hands. We should not shrink to predictability in anger. If the Emperor had charged the Jedi temple alone he would have been slain. If we too must play the long game to eliminate the Jedi so be it.

>>1561719
>If we die here, so dies our best chance of catching them, we'll withdraw to Korriban

Just because it's the best doesn't mean it will be the only one. We now know exactly what we're up against. We should withdraw.

>>1561719
>If we die here, so dies our best chance of catching them, we'll withdraw to Korriban

>>1561719

Escape.

also geez what a huge cluster fuck. we lost man a dark sider we got our asses kicked. Time to back out. And install a new shinny arm.

>>1561825
>>1561820
>>1561802
>>1561774
>wanting to get killed by Palpatine

>>1561825
is this a vote to get back to the Korriban?

>>1561829
we don't need to return to Palpy imediatly we just need to get a new arm on the korriban then we can continue to persue then.

i don't understand anons did you fucker had forgotten we had a ship in orbit waiting to follow the rebel fleet? Fuck sake dudes. But well no need to complain, shit already hit the fan.

>>1561834
With the limited resources we have? Not to mention the recuperation time it takes to get used to our new arms

>>1561829

Perhaps, but it isn't absolutely sealed deal.
Palpatine knows that Luke skywalker is no joke and lets be honest, we aren't only ones to fail at killing him.

We defninately get presitge hit and most likely lose our status as appreantis, but perhaps Palpatine keeps Mara as opponent for future appearintese.

After all power of sith grows from conflict and anger.

>>1561831
yes.

>>1561846
The thing with Vader though, was that he was atleast competent. Our first mission and it was a complete failure. If palpatine needs a reason to kill someone, this is a great one.

Giving a few more minutes for debate. Plus the vote is all tied up.

>>1561844
So? He told us to kill Luke we can't kill him if we die here. If anything Mara failex her test to become a sith so she won't get a real trainning until then people will continue to focus on her and not on us so let her live with a new cyberarm.

>>1561861
But if we give our life to kill Luke, then we die killing one of the most powerful Jedi in history. If we return to Palpatine having failed our test, he will kill us.

>>1561861
>>1561860
Alright I'll change my vote.

>Withdraw to Korriban

>>1561858
This is Mara's test we don't have a time limit for it. If we wanrt to become true sith and get trainned by Palpy we need to kill Luke. So what Mara needs to do is just back off and then try again. We have the resources with us and we will get used to our arm. Going now is idiotic move.

>>1561873
This was the mission. Unless we get a chance in the next few days, we have failed the mission to kill Luke. Is there a chance of another attempt, sure, but she will be dead at this point.

>>1561865
Why? Her test is to kill Luke if you hunt something and don't find or get it the first time you back away recount your losts and then go bacl into hunting.

If you guys hadn't revealed our ship we could at least know were the Jedi were transferred go back to the blood oath and bombard the jedi with it.

>>1561858

I think that this mission shows how much Palpatine understimated Luke skywalker rather than incompetence of Mara Jade.

Palpatine trained Mara and she does have her past as empire hand to prove her competence...At laest competent enought to spare her life. Palpatine can't excactly throw away resourceful people away right now.

I do think that Maras spotlight as appreantis is over thought. This was too much of clusterfuck to not negatively impact Mara

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>>1561865
I'd rather set us up for a whole Zuko plotline.
>fail to kill luke
>palps punishes us
>tells us not to come back until Skywalker is ded
>we meet a zany crew and go on adventures

>>1561879
Well that was fucking way we left the Korriban out of range so we could follow the fleet and givwe us a second chance. But apperantly you guys forgot about it.

>>1561888
But Sidriss is a prime candidate to replace us. This situation plays right into his hands on why he deserves to be the apprentice.

>>1561901
You don't think the fleet is going to be on the constant look out now? Our ship is great at stealth, but has it's shortcomings.

>>1561890
i can get behind that. I knew i shouldn't have gone out to socialize. But i am partialy to blame since i dod wanted to keep facing Luke but TK has the devils luck.

>If we die here, so dies our best chance of catching them, we'll withdraw to Korriban

After a very contentious vote

>writing

>>1561918
Now our ship had a nice metal that made it able to not be detected. So yes even if they were tryi g to find something following then if the thing doesn't show on their scanners then they wouldn't have noticed it. But now the cat is out of the bag.

>>1561918
Sedriss dodn't killed Luke either. So why would he deserve to be Palpys apprentice?

>>1561936
Wasn't his mission. Palps won't kill him, and he doesn't deserve to be promoted either. He did his job and that's it. It's not his fault that WE failed.

>>1561936
Sedriss could easily say he couldn't kill Luke because he was denied the ability because he was under our control. Making the argument that Sedriss could have done it if he wasn't held back by us is incredibly easy

>>1561928
Tk said that even though we had this great plates, it is still visible by the naked eye and can be detected if it gets close enough

>>1561944
It doesn't my point is that anon is afraid Sedriss might replace Mara. The only way he could do that is either killing Luke or Mara. Guess that after what Luke did to him he will try the former.

>>1561952
Yes that's way we be following then out of naked eye view anon. Our ship was waiting out of the rebels naked eye view and monitoring then. I don't understand what is so difficult to understand here...

>>1561961
Because first of all, how are we going to know where they are going? Unless I missed it, we didn't put a tracking device on. Also, the rebel fleet does send out fighter scouts to keep their perimeter secure. How far out are we supposed to be exactly?

>>1561952
He could say it. And then we could sai that he wasn't able to even defeat one of the Jedi and that his blackguard died under his command and Palpy should maybe start to think in someone better to train the darksiders in martial arts.

You fight through the gauzy feeling the painkillers left you in, your mind working. The Rebel ship's hyperdrive was out of action, but it was irrelevant with capital ships capable of "towing" it in orbit. Those fighters would tear your Infiltrators up, even if you took a few of them, they would be unstoppable. To die here, to die now, would be a waste, wouldn't it?

You purposefully do not look at Sedriss as you think, knowing whatever you choose he will label as the wrong decision.

"No," you reply, "Return to Korriban."

"Yes, my Lord," the pilot responds, signaling the other Infiltrator, the two of them turning away from the fleeing YT-1300, and following their own course to orbit.

Korriban had been hidden at one point, but now her location, or approximate location, was known to the Rebel fleet. This would make tailing them rather difficult, if not impossible. You would have to reanalyze the situation from the bridge, provided you could stay on your feet long enough, you were feeling weak and dizzy again.

You catch a sudden flash of insight, a snatched image from Sedriss's head.

Murder.

You can't help but look at him, his eyes fixed on you. He looks away once you notice him, turning his attention to the dying Blackguard warrior. But there was no mistaking what he was thinking. He was thinking that maybe, just maybe, you might not survive the wounds you sustained at Luke's hands.

>Call out Sedriss on his plans
>Feign ignorance

>>1561972
>How far out are we supposed to be exactly?
It wasn't especified. But when we arived they weren't able to detect us. Also monitoring their jump point of trying to hear their com channel could be made.

>>1561974
>Call out Sedriss on his plans

>>1561985
Out of visual range, which in space terms isn't that far, but in star wars terms is farther than usual. A flight of fighters launched would take good while to reach a target from that range, maybe 15 mins +

>>1561973
But the fact of the matter is that Sedriss was under OUR control, and therefore the fault comes on us. If Sedirss fails a mission that was under his control, it was his fault.

No matter how you twist it, this mission was under our control, and we failed. Sedriss is the gud boi today

>>1561985
This is a lot of "if's" and luck going into it. If QM says this is possible, then absolutely, but we are in the dark about the specifics


>>1561991
Don't the rebels send out figther squads to secure the large perimeter of the fleet? That was my understanding

>>1561974
>Feign ignorance

Well i suspected as much Sedriss.

To be clear about tailing the Rebels:

It's possible, but now they KNOW that you can hide from their sensors, so they'll be extra vigilant. Realistically, it means you cannot follow them very closely, which means you iwll have to do some guess work to figure out their jumps, which means you might make a wrong turn.

This is getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but it's not impossible, unless the rebel fleet scatters or something.

>>1561987
let us at least have a hand before go doing duels please? Geez it's getting late and anon's are already going balls to the wall.

>>1561974
>Call out Sedriss on his plans

If it comes to a fight we have the edge in Force power, and if we're clever we'll find a way to exploit that.

>>1562009
Thank you TK

>>1561974
>>Call out Sedriss on his plans

Ah fuck it i will go to sleep. I'm way to salty and tired to think and keep going.

>>1562043
You gotta do what you gotta do man. Either way, thanks for playing!

>>Call out Sedriss on his plans

>writing

>>1561974

Call out Sedriss on his plan

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>>1562081
YOUR THOUGHTS BETRAY YOU BITCH

You give a weak laugh, not looking away from Sedriss. "The mighty Executor," you say, "The brave Executor. The loyal Executor." you shake your head, "Doesn't amount for much when you can stick a blade in someone's back, does it?"

Sedriss visibly pales, "What in the name of the Emperor are you implying? I don't think you're in any shape to-"

"No, I'm not in any shape," you retort, "But I can crush your head like an empty can with the force if I wanted to. Don't forget that."

Sedriss glowers at you, "I have no intention of harming you, my Lord." you smile as he lies to your face, "But let's be clear, at this point, I am taking control over this expedition before you do something stupid and get us all killed. It's clear you have no plan and no ability to handle Skywalker, or any Jedi, on your own."

"Running away?" you ask Sedriss, "Insubordination? I don't think these are qualities the Emperor wants in a military Executor."

Sedriss clenches a fist, "And my Master doesn't want an apprentice who can't carry out simple tasks."


>Very well, if you want to take command and take us home, be my guest.
>As always, you are beneath me Sedriss, kill me, or shut up and let me run my mission
>Kill Sedriss with the force
>Write in

>>1562109
>>Write in
I'm interested in hearing your plan though, Sedriss. I am not stubborn like an admiral, and I can listen to reason, unlike Vader. Explain

>>1562109
>>1562117
That's way too nice, but I agree with you.
>Write in
>"And how what would YOU do next then? Run away to the Emperor?"

>>1562109
>Kill Sedriss with the force

>>1562109

Backing this>>1562117

>>1562109
>As always, you are beneath me Sedriss, kill me, or shut up and let me run my mission

"Killing Skywalker isn't a simple task, Sedriss. If it were, my Master would have trusted it to his favorite yes man. Killing a Jedi Master takes more than strength of arms. You don't have what it takes. I do. Don't interfere."

>>Write in
I'm interested in hearing your plan though, Sedriss. I am not stubborn like an admiral, and I can listen to reason, unlike Vader. Explain

wins narrowly

A lot of great write ins in general this go around!

>writing

"And what would you do, hmm?" you ask, "Despite your feelings, I am not so stubborn I won't listen to reason. I am not Vader."

Sedriss snorts, "No, not yet. Add a few more prosthetics though." He studies your face long enough to realize you're serious, "We're beaten. We're outnumbered, the Jedi have escaped. We failed." "You failed," he adds. "Compounding failure with failure isn't going to endear either of us to the Emperor. But if you return now, and admit your short coming before you throw away more lives and ships, he may be merciful."

>Agree with Sedriss
>Disagree and continue the mission

>>1562214
>Agree but state that we have been given a mission and unless his is lost to us we need to push forward.

>>1562136
>strength of arms
Heh

>>1562227
too soon

>>1562214
>Disagree and continue the mission
"I may lead this mission, but the Emperor is even less forgiving than Vader. Would you bet your life on his mercy?"

>>1562214
Disagree and continue the mission

>>1562214
>Sheev
>Merciful
>laughingventriss.jpg

Disagree and continue the mission. We start from square one.

>Disagree and continue the mission

>writing

You chuckle, "I may lead this mission, but the Emperor is even less forgiving than Vader. Would you bet your life on his mercy?"

Sedriss says nothing, though you can tell he plans to try to barter your life for his own.

Through the front viewport, Korriban looms larger, your Infiltrator coming around to enter the small ventral docking bay.

"We will continue our mission," you say "No matter the losses, no matter the cost. Even if we have to start from square one. Skywalker. Will. Die."

***

I'm going to stop the session there, It's late and I'm tired and this as good a stopping point as any. I have a weird disease where I hate stopping en media res, it needs to feel like an "episode" or a "chapter".

We'll continue with Cythera's mission/planning on Tuesday, and probably jump back to our girl Alana time permitting. Of course at some point we'll see what the Emperor thinks about all this.

As always, you guys are amazing, thanks so much for playing. Please be sure to do my survey if you haven’t already.

>surveymonkey .Co . uk/r/RMDYHGZ
Remove the spaces in that link

And if you haven't already, follow the game on Twitter so I can keep you appraised of the latest.

>https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

Thanks again guys!

>>1562317
Thanks for running TK!

>>1562321
Glad you finally got to drop in for a game! Hopefully you'll be there on Tuesday for the next one!

>>1562317

Thank you for running this Quest.
It has been excellent so far.

>>1562317
Good shit, cya later bossman.

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>>1562317
Thanks for running senpai!

Poor Mara

>>1561888
>I think that this mission shows how much Palpatine understimated Luke skywalker rather than incompetence of Mara Jade
The anons underestimated Skywalker. Who thought a Sith Apprentice vs a Jedi Master would be a fair match?

>>1562675
We went in too bloodthirsty - we should have used the dark siders and shaddow troopers to soften the Jedi up first.

Sith always love an unfair fight

Just gonna put this out there TK. Last two threads your dice system has sucked harder than any other I've encountered, if it's not the impossible DC like when you wanted us to beat a 109 with 5 d20, it's the fact you're willing to use random DC''s instead of relying on your own writing skill to decide where the story goes and it's disappointing. The first few threads before you started using dice were great, sure sometimes we fucked up but it was our own planning that made ua win or lose. Regardless I'll probably lurk the next thread to see how this mission goes but again maybe have more faith in your writing

>>1562317
Thank for the run TK.
>>1562977
The problem is not the dice system. Luke is just to good and i kinda liked. Luke shouldn't be someone easy to beat. And anon's did a VERY bad call if we had retreated to Korriban instead of telling it to launch the figthers it would have being better since we could have tailled the rebels. But when such late night votes are casted it isn't a surprise for anon's to go balls to the wall and do everything without caution.
If anything this just shows we should play smaryer from now on and not relay on the dice.

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>>1563135
>>1562321
>>1562409
>>1562465
>>1562476
>Thanks

Yeah, my pleasure guys!

>>1562476
Holy shit, I had never made this connection in my head, but yeah, pretty much that.

>>1562977
I was hoping for a few more people to chime in on this before I addressed it, I like to see how people feel before I weigh in.

I'll quickly say that I'd have liked to see this kind of feedback on the survey I put out.

>surveymonkey .Co . uk/r/RMDYHGZ
Remove the spaces in that link

Anyone who's played more than a few games in the past knows I agonized about finding a system that hit a few points that I'll enumerate here.

1: Allowed transparency of game play mechanics
2: Encouraged player interaction rather than watching me roll dozens of dice
3: Was simple enough that it prevented min-max style play or complicated systems
4: Had enough complexity to represent the scale of Force power.
5: Was not a system that skewed toward higher dice rolls (i.e. best of X rolls)

I hashed out something that I feel hits all those points.

I'm not gonna say "You're wrong", everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I will tell you why I disagree with you.

Apologies in advance for the text dump, I just want my thoughts on the subject to be clear.

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>impossible DC like when you wanted us to beat a 109 with 5 d20

Well obviously I didn't select an impossible DC, it was what was rolled, which I feel is appropriate given Luke's relative power. Sometimes there are battles you just can't win. As has been pointed out by others, the players chose Luke as their target knowing he would be difficult or maybe impossible.

>willing to use random DCs instead of relying on your own writing skill to decide where the story goes

I don’t think I've shied away from using my writing to dictate where the story goes. In fact, by giving Luke a large (but not impossible) dice pool, haven't I done just that (dictate where the story goes)? I don't see a problem with having you roll against an opposing dice pool, if anything that adds a bit of randomness which will prevent me from tainting your choices by giving easy or hard DCs based on my opinions or wishes. I'd rather you (the players) make a decision and fight the DC that is rolled, this can lead to unexpected (and interesting) results.

To that end, there have been traditional DCs, but not in competitive situations. I'm not really sure why rolling against a dice pool is bad to be honest.

>sometimes we fucked up but it was our own planning that made us win or lose

But that's the nature of dice rolls in general, my friend. You can roll well or roll poorly, and planning will only take you so far. I'll refer back to my last comment that the only ones who made you take on Skywalker was yourselves. I would consider that a "failure in planning" in so far that you ended up being forced to rely on the luck of a dice roll to beat him rather than winning the battle first and then fighting it.

If enough people share your sentiments though, I'll happily switch things up., I'm certainly not married to this system. But by the nature of the game I have to cater to the majority.

I want to also add that I am sorry you didn't enjoy that portion of the game, obviously that's not my goal. I will add that fortunately for you, we'll likely be shifting back to Alana primarily the next session. But as always, I do appreciate any feedback you (or any other players) have to offer!

I also wanted to add that in case it wasn't obvious, next game time will be Tuesday 7 EST (11 UTC) like always. I'm hoping to see as many of you as possible there! I am infinitely curious about where people live who play, I know of at least two from Australia and obvs there are bunch in the Eastern US, but I'm not averse to trying to run something at some obscene hour for people who can't make EST, if there's enough demand for it.

Maybe I'll make a location/time zone survey at some point . . .

>>1564723
I'd like to see you run 2-3 hours later and also longer

>>1562828
>Sith always love an unfair fight
On their side. We should've gone after Han and Leia to fill Luke with rage, diminishing his light side powers and making him easier to beat.

>>1565968
Completely agree.

As Sun Tzu said,
>"The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."

We we arrived in system to discover that our hand was tipped and that there was a very significant rebel presence, we should have just watched and waited. Luke knew that we were coming and could prepare appropriate.

The odds were very against us from the beginning.

We need to attack from a direction he isn't expecting and have him come to us.

>>1566010
>>1565968

Now that we know how he is we can do that. I'm just afraid that Leia will have the
Noghri with her.

>>1564723
>I am infinitely curious about where people live who play

I'm from Brazil.

>>1565961
Tough, but doable. I'd be curious how many people would be able to attend a "late" session say, 14 UTC?

Or maybe I'll run a marathon session for hours and hours one day because I'm. A massochist

>>1566075
Olá!
>>1566075
Olá!

>>1566138
Not many since most anon's work or study. in my case is work during the morning abd study during the night. But i always try to participate a little.

>>1564723
Stockholm. Gmt+1. Havnt managed to be in time for the actual stuff yet, still enjoy reading up.

You know, if this was a movie or a novel or something this would've been climatic af for the Good Guys.

Luke and his Jedi got a badass fight against Cytherra and her Dark Jedi, the Millenium Falcon just barely got away with a bunch of Younglings onboard. Pretty cinematic shit, and right after the Emperor just trounced 5 Rebel fleets.

>>1564723

Central time USA for me

>>1566403
That's kind of why i'm hoping the endgame is us as Palpatine getting killed by Luke in an appropriately epic manner at the height of our power/victory. Queu the crumbling of the empire once again, civil war, mad scramble for power...

And then we continue playing as Thrawn, scrambling to rebuild, consolidate and maintain control.

>>1566403
>>1566540
If I can get meta for a second and maybe tip my hand a bit, I have given serious consideration to letting you guys get to just a step away from conquering everyone, and then switching to play the beleaguered Rebellion. But I imagine that would be a pretty divisive choice

>>1566631
I'd say present it as an option at the end. Less appealing though because we're going to kill Luke.
Right?

>>1566631
I'd say it's a good potential option to offer. one of my favorite after action reports in hearts of iron 2 was about a campaign where they conquered all of eurasia and africa as germany, then switched to the US who were basicly underdogs at that point. good times.
Depends on some factors like if Luke is alive and so on. And I mean, we should give it a go at converting him, it's the villain thing to do.

Or if you want to go really crazy, introduce an OC hidden sith empire in the unknown regions and have them charge out into the fray and change things up.

Or for a third option, given how bloated quests can get over time, and how hard it can be for QM's to stay motivated, accept a victory as a decent ending and make a new star wars ques (or other).

>>1566662
>>1566719
>Potential option at the end
yeah, fortunately that's a long way off. I'm starting to think of this as the end of a sort of episodic arc.

>>1566719
>hearts of iron 2
Be still my heart! Love Hearts of Iron!

>>1566719
>Depends on some factors like if Luke is alive and so on. And I mean, we should give it a go at converting him, it's the villain thing to do.
>Or if you want to go really crazy, introduce an OC hidden sith empire in the unknown regions and have them charge out into the fray and change things up.
>Or for a third option, given how bloated quests can get over time, and how hard it can be for QM's to stay motivated, accept a victory as a decent ending and make a new star wars ques (or other).

Yeah, I've got a number of end conditions in mind. We'll see how it goes when we get there :D

>>1566838
How about the Emperor killed by Luke/rebellion/some hidden aliens in the end and becoming Alana becoming a warlord. I know I'd totally play that.

From Korea here, would love a marathon session

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Welcome back to Dark Empire.

Previously, Darth Cythera's mission to Rhen Var to kill the Jedi Master Luke Skywalker was a disaster, with one Blackguard killed, another maimed, and Cythera herself grievously wounded, only Sedriss escaped unharmed. Cythera and her team barely managed to escape the planet after failing to shoot down Skywalker's ship, and return to the Assault Ship Korriban which had revealed its presence and launched its Tie Squadron to buy Cythera some time.

As always follow Twitter for updates and game times.
>https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

***

You are Cythera, a Dark Lord of the Sith once known as Mara Jade, and your head is swimming from the cocktail of painkillers and anti-biotics you've been given after losing your arms to Skywalker's lightsaber. You're aboard your personal warship, a Korriban-Class Assault ship equipped with Sith alchemical stealth armor that prevents long-range detection with sensors, though now its stealth capabilities are of no use since the Rebels know you're there.

You're due to be outfitted with some rudimentary prosthetics until you can have more serious work done at one of the Emperor's medical facilities on Coruscant, however, your nominal second-in-command, Executor Sedriss, has already expressed a desire to leave Rhen Var behind and return to the Emperor, a decision you rebuked, opting to stay and continue the mission.

Now, a Rebel task force, faces you. Small, but more than a match for your single cruiser and depleted Tie squadron. It escorts a single transport that is carrying many of Luke's students, and personnel.

Before you can worry about the next moves for your assignment, you have to consider your own immediate health.

You condition is stabilized, but you're in no shape for much of anything, you can't even hold your kriffing light saber. You can be fitted for crude prosthetics fairly quickly in the med bay. The procedure would be painful, but what isn't in the Imperial medcorps?

However, the work would take time, and it would require leaving Sedriss in command, and you weren't confident he'll follow out your orders.

>No matter, I can't be this helpless. Get the prosthetics now
>I'm not giving Sedriss control, go to the bridge


Times like this I really wish I was a drawfag

>>1570907
>>I'm not giving Sedriss control, go to the bridge

>>I'm not giving Sedriss control, go to the bridge

>writing

Under no circumstances will you surrender control to Sedriss. He is clearly and obviously gunning for you and your position. What better way to undermine your authority than to seize control while you're otherwise incapacitated? No, you'll wait until Sedriss cant turn around without looking like a coward.

Instead, you make your way to the bridge of Korriban which is awash in the controlled chaos of warfare, a state of low-grade fear permeates the crew here. Fear for their lives, fear that the Rebel task force would come after them.

"Lord Cythera-" Korriban's captain begins, choking off when he sees your missing arms, "I- uh."

"Don't waste my time," you say, "What's the situation, captain?"

The captain inhales sharply, "The rebels outnumber us. One Nebulon-B Frigate and two corvettes plus fighter escort. Beside which-" he glances at a datapad in his hand, "A Quasar Fire-class carrier showed up shortly before we retrieved your Infiltrator."

The Quasar Fire-Class itself was no real threat, but the extra fighters it carried were bad news indeed.

"Our own fighter squadron has been fairly decimated by the rebels already," the captain continues as if reading your mind. He meets your eyes, "The pilots are lucky they have hyperdrive now, because they're liable to get left behind if we have to leave in a hurry."

"And what are the Rebels doing?" you ask.

The captain snorts, "To their credit? Leaving. They're making for the hyper limit, intended destination is likely Galidraan."

"Running away," you say to yourself.

"They don't know how many of us there are," the captain replies, "and I suggest we keep it that way.

>We'll attack, even if we only destroy that transport, it will be good enough
>We'll try to tail them then.

>>1570998
>>We'll try to tail them then.
We aren't on a suicide mission

>>1570998
>We will tail them

>We will tail them

>writing

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"Then we wait and we follow them when they leave," you say, lip curling.

It's a painfully long wait, watching the Rebels withdraw in good order, a protective fighter cordon around the transport. You feel piercing guilt with every flicker as they jump away. Failure burning in your gut. The wait to follow them was even longer.

"The difficulty is," the captain explains, "If we follow them too closely, they'll catch us. They've got to expect that we'll tail them, so we need to allow for a single jump gap, ideally longer, but at that point we won't just be relying on guess work, but a significant delay."

You don't argue with him.

Soon enough, Korriban follows, but of course, after entering the Galidraan system, there's no sign of the Rebels. Galidraan is a hyperspace junction with two main trunks that could be followed from this point.

Toward Mossak which led away from what passed as civilized space in the Outer Rim, a potential hiding place given the Rebel's preference for seclusion. Though it was secluded, it was also farther from Rebel-controlled space, practically in Zsinj's backyard.

Or, did they go toward Arcan, headed into the Tion Cluster. While the Tion Cluster was well developed and not overtly friendly to the Rebels, that way did lead back to Rebel space, including Dac, the Mon Calamari homeworld.

You try to reach out with the force, but your vision is clouded, the future uncertain. You feel blinded by pain, held back by weakness. If the Jedi are out there, either you are not strong enough to find them, or Luke is carefully masking their presence. It would require old fashioned guesswork.

>Head for Mossak and isolation
>Head for Arcan, the Tion Cluster and Rebel space

>>1571064
>>Head for Mossak and isolation

>>1571064
>Head for Mossak and isolation

>>1571064
>>Head for Mossak and isolation

>>Head for Mossak and isolation

>writing

"Set course for Mossak," you say with a sigh, "The Rebels will go to ground, they'll try to hide, and we'll find them."

"My Lord," The captain gives a shallow bow and gets to work plotting the jump. "Well," he says once the jump coordinates are plugged in and Korriban leaps into hyperspace. "Now you've got time to get your . . . wounds looked at."

"Fine," you say, "Whatever happens, do not let Sedriss take command."

The captain snorts, "I'll work for whoever will keep me alive at this point. If the Executor gives me an order and you're not around to countermand it, I'm not losing my head on principal."

You consider rebuking the officer but realize it's a waste of your breath. At this point, Sedriss will know better than to turn tail and run. If you were lucky, you had one more chance to prove yourself to your master.

(1/2)

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Countless light years away, in orbit of Kuat, Commander Alana Tyrna, a Lady of Byss and colloquially known as the "Bloody Baroness" is glad to again be her ship, the Victory II-Class Star Destroyer Splinter after a particularly tiring celebratory ball.

You has given Tierce a bit of cold treatment, your way of subtly punishing him for leaving you to go to the ball alone. You couldn't be sure if he minded or not, since he was capable of falling back on still military professionalism in any tense or uncomfortable situation.

Lieutenant Vells and the other surviving Tie pilots had likely been saved from becoming "components" for Shadow Droids by your disregard for standing policy and authorizing the use of prosthetics and light cybernetics to return them to health. Only through the fabrication of paperwork between you and your chief medical officer were you able to arrange this. You'd received word from him that Vells and the others were recovering well and beginning basic physical therapy, but should be back in the cockpit within a matter of days.

And while it was nice to "step out of" the military for a time, you're glad to leave the gown behind and put on your familiar uniform. Your socializing was fruitful after all, you'd made a contact with the politically powerful, if temperamental, Duchess Palopides and made a useful ally with Bin Luar, a Kuati industrialist who has recently fulfilled a promise to outfit your task force with some advanced fighters. Two squadrons of Tie Avengers and one Squadron of Shadow Droids. It's a good thing you ensured that happened, because Admiral Yazz and the powers-that-be seemed to have little interest, or ability, to keep your task force outfitted.

The lost Carrack-class Thrasher, stolen by Rebel mutineers, has yet to be replaced, though you'd heard a rumor for Tierce that they may offer you an aging Gozanti-Class as a stand in, though you expected an rickety patrol-ship like that would be little more than Bantha fodder in an actual battle.

Of course, such a ship would work perfectly in your current role. Rear area security.

Just as there was no urgency to outfit your forces, there was no indication they would be included in the lightning strike on Foundry gathering now. Your father, who must have access to some kind of insider information, insinuated that Yazz had personal reason to keep you "waiting in the wings". You'd tried speaking to Yazz directly and he'd dismissed you out of hand, leaving only the vague suggestion to "focus less on the social, and more on the military." Whatever that meant.

As someone with over half a dozen successful battles under your belt and many combat accolades to boot, you wouldn't describe yourself as not focusing on the military.

But, as it stands, you looked to be on the fast track to obscurity under Yazz, not a position you were keen to remain in.

(2/3) I lied

>I trust Admiral Yazz, if he feels I need to "focus on the military" I'll accept that and remain posted at Kuat for now.

>I won't let an Admiral's opinion derail my career, there must be a way around this (Consider other options)

>>1571134
>I trust Admiral Yazz, if he feels I need to "focus on the military" I'll accept that and remain posted at Kuat for now.

>>1571132
>>I won't let an Admiral's opinion derail my career, there must be a way around this (Consider other options)
We'll have to impress the duchess (or whatever) of Naboo and see if we can't get our position shuffled. That or we can either talk to our dad or look outside the box

>>1571132
>I trust Admiral Yazz, if he feels I need to "focus on the military" I'll accept that and remain posted at Kuat for now.
The last thing we need now is an Admiral as an enemy. Missing a single battle does not condemn us to obscurity, and if needed we can petition for transfer for the next campaign. For the time being let's not give Yazz any ammunition to use against us like employing political connections to get out of an assignment.

>>1571134
>I trust Admiral Yazz, if he feels I need to "focus on the military" I'll accept that and remain posted at Kuat for now.

We will bind our time.

>>1571132
>>I won't let an Admiral's opinion derail my career, there must be a way around this (Consider other options)
At least we must know why he's acting like this

>Trust Admiral Yazz

>writing

>>1571187
it's more "trust" then real trust

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Two days later, you'd found time to finish the first novel in the Tie Fighter series (A poor escapism from the combat you know was likely taking place around Foundry) and were in the process of reading the second on your personal datapad when the intercom in your quarters chimed.

With a heavy sigh, you laid the datapad down, leaving behind the valiant pilots of the 181st and depressed the "talk" button on the console. "Yes?"

"Ma'am, we've just given landing clearance to a shuttle sent over from Ziost," an officer replies.

"Ziost?" you repeat, the name unfamiliar to you, wondering why you weren't informed before approval was given to receive company.

"Yes, ma'am. Inquisitor Brakiss informed us he had pressing business with you."

Your blood froze.

Brakiss.

You remembered him as one of the Dark Siders who accompanied Ap Llewff as part of the Shadow Droid Program. The one with the baleful eyes and rough demeanor. An Inquisitor? Here? But the mutiny had been dealt with, the official naval inquest found nothing amiss, why would he-

The Shadow Droids.

You remember the shipment you'd received from Bin Luar and wondered what sort of strings he might have had to pull. But beyond that, you had your own compliment of would-be Shadow Droids on board. Vells and his men, slated for "reclamation evaluation", had been saved from the chopping block by your disregard of protocol and flagrant disregard for procedure. In fact, you knew of some forged logs and forms in your ships databanks that would be pretty damning if dug up.

"Yes," you say, keeping your voice calm, "Assemble an honor guard, I'll meet Inquisitor Brakiss myself."

The communications officer confirms and ends the com.

Could Dark Siders read minds? Would he know? Why was he here? There were too many unanswered questions swirling through your mind as you hastily readied yourself. You had perhaps only minutes before Lord Brakiss arrived on board, maybe you could try to mitigate some of those questions by acting.

You could purge portions of the logs. It would be sloppy and any slicer worth their weight would see it had been done, but it wouldn't be found with casual search. The logs would just show corrupted data, sometimes an unavoidable reality given the volume of information stored in a ships databanks.

Of course, if that was the data Brakiss was looking for, it would be little more than a clear sign of your own guilt.

>Purge the data from the logs
>No reason to arise more suspicion
>write in

>>1571249
>No reason to arise more suspicion

>>1571249
>Purge the data from the logs

>>1571249
What does the data say?

>>1571258
>What does the data say?

The data is related is the logs you and your chief medical officer forged to keep Vells and friends out of the Reclamation labs.

It's essentially a data trail that indicates you did something bad

>>1571263
Could we just fake that we got some "virus" and purge random sections of data, not just the medical information? Like say, the food counts, some data over the crew and the such?

>>1571275
You can certainly try. But you're no slicer, and you are very very low on time

>>1571280
Alright then I vote to just delete the medical data and as much random junk as we can, and we can just blame it on a glitch, or some sort of virus

>>1571285
Nah the dark side will see it. Instead we create a document saying we used our on finnances so it wouldn't diverge from the empire warmachine to save our most veteran pilots.

It's a half true but half truths are always better then lies.

>>1571287
But that's not the issue, the issue is that we went against direct orders to hand over the pilots

>>1571287
Just to add or he will read our minds the better way is for us to create a document requesting the liberation of our troops. And since we were in the middle of the battle we replaced the used resources from our on pocket and couldn't wait for clearance.

>>1571287
There's not enough time to create a convincing financial document sadly.

>>1571287
He's a low level force user. Not something to be feared that much

Beside the fact he was with Ap Llewff do we know anything about Brakiss?

>>1571294
I'm questioning if Alana has that information/knowledge in character or i this is some kind of metagame knowledge

>>1571298
Alana knows virtually nothing about Brakiss. She only knows what she does because she met him once.

>>1571294
To a "normie" like Alana, any force user is powerful.

>>1571302

Then we make sure he doesn't find any physical evidence.

>>1571249
>Purge the data from the logs

>>1571291
>>1571280
>>1571263
>>1571249

>No reason to arise more suspicion

Honestly he's likely not even going to care about that shit at the end of the day. He's likely using it as an excuse to go after Skywalker and try to nab glory for himself/The Inquisition

>Purge the data from the logs

>writing

>>1571249
>>1571306
Well in favor to move on i will change my vote to:
>No reason to arise more suspicion

>>1571341
Wasn't a tie?

>>1571344
Too late!

Sorry, I was doing some quick house work.

>>1571339
Welcome Snarker, good to see you again!

>>1571350
No . . . unless I miscounted, I got
2 don't do it
3 Purge data

>>1571352
Meh it won't be my first bad call.

>>1571350
3-2 in favour of the purge

No reason
>>1571254
>>1571339


Purge the data
>>1571257
(My vote)>>1571306

>>1571249
>No reason to arise more suspicion

A purge could be detected. We haven't had great luck with rolls...

>>1571363
Oh i didn't see this one
>>1571285

>>1571364
To late, vote time limit already passed.

Although i could arque that vote to delete just some data is more a write in then the actual vote to delete all the data but i won't.

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>>1571352
I'm late but I'm here!
Let's all do our best for the Emperor!

>>1571388
Tell that to Cythera.

You will meet with Brakiss, right after you make a quick stop.

You get off the turbolift in an administrative wing, marching purposefully toward one of the many terminals in the data retrieval room. As the doors hiss open, you see it's mercifully empty, allowing you to work in peace.

You call up and delete the logs of your illicit activity, sweat beading on your forehead as you work. To make it look "Good" you ax a few personnel transfer records and some maintenance logs, then, most crucially, you intentionally corrupt the file access logs, that way no one can see who last accessed those files. It's ham-fisted, and a good slicer could easily pull up the delete data, but you don't have time or skill on your side.

Work done, you leave quickly, re-entering the turbolift and continuing down to the hangar deck, wishing that Tierce were at your side, though given his poor reaction to the Dark Siders the last time they were aboard, perhaps it was best he wasn't around.

Soon enough, you are marching into the sterile, wide-open hangar as Brakiss's shuttle is settling down.

You straighten your uniform and wipe your forehead, composing yourself quickly.

The Lambda's ramp lowers and admits two humanoid figures and a single squad of Shadow Troopers.

You recognize Brakiss at once, a blonde human with a cold stare, his crimson robes stand out starkly from the black and white surroundings of the ship. Accompanying him is a second figure, hooded and obviously non-human. Large black eyes reflect the lights of the hangar. If her eyes weren't indicative enough ,her olive skin and head tentacles are particularly alien to you. You try not to stare but do catch note of the geometric tattoos that line her forehead.

"Lord Brakiss," you greet, you aren't sure if you should salute, bow or kneel so opt for a shallow, courtly bow. "A pleasure."

"I doubt that very much Commander Tyrna," Brakiss replies as he approaches, you note the tone of irritation lurking beneath his mid-rim accent. "A visit from the Inquisition is not an honor."

Swallowing uneasily, you continue, "Never the less, I'm here to assist you however possible, my Lord." You cast a wary glance to his silent companion, who you know see is female. Her eyes fixed on you.

"And where is Lieutenant Tierce?" Brakiss asks with a predatory grin, "I miss his tenacity he wasn't afraid to voice his true opinions." Brakiss looks to you, "It made my job so much easier."

"Indeed?" you don't know what to say.

Now Brakiss is staring at you, his eyes half-lidded as if recalling a distant memory. A slow smile spreads across his face.

"Now, Commander Tyrna, where would you like our inquisition to be conducted?" from his tone he's joking.

"We can discuss any relevant information in my ready room," you say. "My Lord, if you'll follow me."

Brakiss signals his troopers to remain behind. "Please Commander, lead on."


(1/?) still writing!

>>1571399
Alien scum in the inquisition? What is this heresy?

>>1571409
The Sith Inquisition.

The trip to your ready room is conducted in painful silence, with Brakiss deflecting any attempt to engage him in conversation. That and he keeps looking at you. You've heard rumors, that the old Jedi could read your mind, make you say things, make you pull out your own eyes if they wanted you to. You weren't sure how much of that power, if any, the Emperor's Inquisitors wielded.

Entering the ready room is a relief, a small breath of normalcy. You sit behind your desk, offering the Inquisitors a drink which they both refuse.

Now, they sit across from you, the non-human staring unblinkingly in silence, Brakiss with the ghost of a smile on his face.

"Commander," he says finally, "Tell me. Do you believe the Empire is a meritocracy? That anyone can achieve anything if they set their mind to it?"

>Yes
>No

>>1571416
>Yes
I think your Xeno compatriot is proof enough of that.

>>1571416
>No

"No, Inquisitor. The Empire is for the Emperor. It is through his will that the fate of the galaxy is determined. If you do not act as an extension of his will, then you are to be discarded."

>>1571416
>Yes

>>1571416
I believe in the meritocratic ideals of the Empire. While it has not always lived up to this standard, I believe that under the firm guidance of the reborn Emperor it shall in time achieve this end.

>>1571416
>>Yes
To a certain point. The Emperor is on a plain no one could ever think to be on, except for himself.

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>>1571425
>I think your Xeno compatriot is proof enough of that.
You are a bold one!

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>>1571433
You'll find that I'm full of surprises

>>1571416
>It can be if the proper people are permitted to rise in the ranks and not be held back by family ties.

>>Yes
+ Write ins

Collating and writing

>>1571441
You made me smile. Kudos.

>>1571448
My pleasure senpai

"To a certain point," you reply, "I believe in the meritocratic ideals of the Empire. While it has not always lived up to this standard, I believe that under the firm guidance of the reborn Emperor it shall in time achieve this end. Particularly if the proper people are permitted to rise in the ranks and not be held back by family ties. "

Brakiss gives you what appears to be a genuine smile. "There's something deliciously ironic about a political appointee officer telling me about family ties holding people back." He shakes his head with a chuckle, "No, that's unfair to you. Commander, you've shown great promise. But isn't funny you should mention family ties holding people back." He stands up and begins pacing as he talks. "Because the empire is not a meritocracy. Not really. Could you do my job commander?"

You're taken aback, "Ah, well. No. I don't think so."

"Right," Brakiss gives you another smile, "cause you can't do this-" he raises his finger and the items on top of your desk are all swept to the floor by an invisible force, datapads, code cylinders, clattering down, startling you. "The force is not equal opportunity. Or my xeno companion your thoughts dwell on. She couldn't do her job were she not a force user. Some are born to it, others are not." he tilts his head, "Do you see?"

You try not to let your fear and surprise show, "Yes, I do."

"Just like you. You're Lady Tyrna. That's not a title you earned, but it gives you power. Well, that power doesn't exist with you alone. We've been made aware of . . . A potential problem within your chain of command by a powerful man. High Colonel Reynauld Tierce." Brakiss answers the question before you can voice it. "You know him?"

"I do," you reply. Reynauld Tierce you've been told is the Tierce family patriarch, a powerful military figure and the patron of not only your XO Roth, but your former Commanding Officer Denvis Tierce as well.

"Well, the Colonel is alleging that something may be amiss on your ship. An allegation I'm inclined to believe for a number of reasons. Prime among them that your XO is a Corellian, and they haven't been the happiest people coming back into the fold let's say. That, coupled with the fact that he was on board the Turmoil during the mutiny leaves me to suspect that Tierce may be involved with the Rebellion."

The words are shocking as they come, from his tone, you find it impossible to verify if Brakiss believes them, but you do catch a hint of something as he speaks. Is that . . . Irritation?

(1/2)

"I'm sorry, my Lord but . . . Do you have any proof of this? That Tierce is a rebel? It seems preposterous to me given his record."

"Served valiantly in all respects," Brakiss says dismissively, "But that's the way it begins. That's how they earn trust. Haven't you noticed the Rebels seem to have more information than they should?"

What's really happening here seems obvious to you. The Tierce family carries a strong grudge against you, one that likely has carried over to Roth. After all, you were instrumental in getting Denvis Tierce removed as captain of this very ship.


>Point out the conflict of interest to Brakiss
>Tierce is above reproach
>What will you have me do?