Important links:

>Synopsis of Dark Empire (To quickly catch up)
https://pastebin.com/h7uFmbpt

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Dark+Empire

>Twitter feed I use to announce planned game times.
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

>This is the map system I use for planning
http://www.swgalaxymap.com/

>Official political map
https://imgur.com/eyC3kMP

I allow between ten and twenty minutes for voting depending on the importance of the issue and how divided the vote is. If the vote is tied up, I usually allow an extra five minutes for a tie breaker, and if no one votes, I roll for the tie breaker (The will of the Dark Side).

I always try to incorporate (and encourage!) write ins if they don't violate the spirit of voted decisions, though I may edit or tweak them to fit better.

>>2484187
FIRST

WB

File: IlW8Mkp.jpg (2.82 MB, 3072x2038)

2.82 MB JPG

https://youtu.be/9kPGmSIhPWA

In the murky darkness of space, the white wedge shape of an Imperial Star destroyer glides forward on its sublight engines. This ship, the Retribution is not a uniform, pristine white, but rather covered in burns and carbon scoring from battle, as well as a few off-color spots from previous patch jobs. This is a ship that has seen extensive action. One Star Destroyer alone is enough to subdue most resistance to the Empire, often without a shot fired. Fear alone is sometimes enough to drive its enemies to inaction and defeat.

Even so, this Star Destroyer does not travel alone, but is instead a part of a quartet of death. Retribution's sister ships following alongside her in a defensive spread, their own smaller escort ships spread among them like a school of deadly fish, clouds of fighters buzzing about, daring any enemy fighters to approach.

This military assembly is currently falling into orbit of the green-brown world of Tal Nami, a small trading hub and otherwise unremarkable world on the fringes of Hutt space as well as the current target of their focus.

Onboard Retribution's bridge, the graceful ballet of command and control is being executed. Sensors and spotters collect information, staff officers process and filter it where it's forwarded to the decision makers, primarily the chief decision maker onboard the ship, her captain and commanding officer.

(1/2)

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You are Commander Alana Tyrna, Imperial naval officer and a Lady of Byss, a baroness and child of a prominent Imperial minister and you are very annoyed.

You received word some months back the news of the New Republic's surrender, the cease fire, and the negotiations that happened, but all this was good news. No, what irked you was that you had transferred out from a posting in one of the fleets that had taken part in the climactic battle of Exodeen for personal reasons. The result was that instead of being on the sharp end of the Imperial victory, you were here in Hutt space acting as what amounted to hired muscle for a local crime lord.

"Commander, comscan readings are finished compiling, we have a readout of the enemy fleet." The man who spoke is your Executive Officer onboard the ship, Lieutenant Bastra. Your second-in-command and in many ways your voice aboard the ship, handling work considered "beneath" you and, given your role ad commander of not just Retribution but the whole task force, he handles much of the day-to-day operations as well.

You respond with a nod, turning away from staring at the planet ahead to follow Bastra back go the sensor suit at the rear of the bridge. You'd received Bastra during one of your many duty reassignments and you'd been pleased with him. He was a few decades your senior, with snow white hair and a frosty personality to match. Bastra was a veteran of Endor and the late Clone Wars. An old naval hand who was rock steady.

"Bring up the report, lad," he orders the sensor console operator who dutifully punches up the hologram of the latest scan.

"There, just like the Hutt said," Bastra points to a cluster of ship indicators in orbit of Tal Nami. "Three transports and an armed escort."

You study the readout, examining the small detail tags added to each ship. The transports were standard, quite large, old bulk freighters converted to handle passengers it seemed, their escorts were more interesting, mostly as curiosities. Old ships, non-standard ships, vessels even the Rebellion would have a hard time justifying.

"This is a load of rubbish, isn't it, Ma'am?" Bastra says beside you, his voice just above a whisper. "Knocking over Hutt Cartels. We shouldn't be dealing with their kind."


>Couldn't agree more, but we have our orders
>Every assignment for the Empire is worth while
>The sooner we get this done the better.
>Write in

>>2484195
>The sooner we get this done the better.

>>2484191
That was fast. Welcome yourself! It's good to be back. I HOPE YOU BROUGHT YOUR HYPE STICKS!

So you can beat me with them when I inevitably let you down.

>>2484202
You can't escape from my all seeing eyes TK.

>>2484195
>Couldn't agree more, but we have our orders

>>2484202
You already disappoint me when you like the new movies.

>>2484195
>>Every assignment for the Empire is worth while
Haven't forgot our loyalty or shilling of the empire

>>2484195
>Couldn't agree more, but we have our orders
Should be genociding planets instead of this shit.

>Couldn't agree more, but we have our orders
>>2484216
>>2484241

>The sooner we get this done the better.
>>2484200

>Every assignment for the Empire is worth while
>>2484224

>Couldn't agree more, but we have our orders
>Writing

>>2484221
Anon, mercy please.

File: Tal Nami 1.png (1.53 MB, 1476x1280)

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You allow yourself a half sneer. "Couldn't agree more, Lieutenant. But orders are orders."

"Maybe once we vape some of this Hutt scum we can get reposted in Imperial space," Bastra suggests.

You don't bother telling him that such things are outside of your realm of responsibility. You maintain a stony silence instead.

Your orders in this case came from higher echelons of command. Grand Admiral Zahn's office had forwarded your mission to you directly. Previously you'd been in command on an independent raiding force based out of the southern stretch of Imperial space under the command of a pirate-turned-Moff named Tavira. Instead, at the last minute, before you could even begin to do your work in earnest, you were shuffled off to Hutt Space with instructions to: Provide reasonable military assistance to Gorga and his cartel. The orders elaborated that this was a part of a goodwill and fact-finding mission to ingratiate the Hutts- some of them at least- to the Empire in exchange for information. The upside to these horribly vague directives is that you have a wide degree of freedom to interpret them

So far, your task force has done little more than act as a show of force for the Hutt, shuttling back and forth through Hutt Space, likely in a move intended to intimidate his enemies. Now was different, now you finally had instructions from the Hutt that would lead to combat.

"Three Dreadnaughts, a pair of War Yachts, some old Clone Wars frigates and maybe a few dozen escort ships, Ubrikkian make mostly, frigates and light cruisers," Bastra says, reading the display to you. "Child's play for our division."

"I'd say so," you echo, analyzing the scan of the Hutt fleet. It was a personal caravan of a Hutt called 'Chev'. Some kind of rival or enemy of Gorga, but you haven't managed to follow the intricacies of Hutt politics, nor have you really cared to. Your orders from the Hutt were simple. Attack Chev's forces here and secure the transport ships to return them to Gorga. The escorts are all expendable and likely to be hostile.

"I had been planning on advancing in standard 'two up, two back' formation and engaging their cruisers with our main guns once they come into effective range. Unless, you'd prefer we do something differently," Bastra says, a statement, not a question.

>Yes, let's give them a chance to surrender the freighters peacefully first. Hail them.
>Your plan will suffice, proceed with the attack
>(Write in)

>>2484316
>Your plan will suffice, proceed with the attack
Let's finish this quickly and get back soon.

>>2484316
>>Yes, let's give them a chance to surrender the freighters peacefully first. Hail them.
let's try and not waste good Imperial lives in the name of the Huts shall we?

>>2484316
>>(Write in)
I'd rather not let them focus their fire. Would it be possible to assemble the fleet in a bowl shape and let the Hutts fall into a sort of combined firing line

>>2484316
>Yes, let's give them a chance to surrender the freighters peacefully first. Hail them.

>>2484316
>Your plan will suffice, proceed with the attack

>>2484316
>Your plan will suffice, proceed with the attack
They'll probably just try and bluff and buy time otherwise.

If they surrender after getting bloodied then maybe we'll let them live.

Also that's really good battle art TK!

>Your plan will suffice, proceed with the attack
>>2484329
>>2484362
>>2484390

>Yes, let's give them a chance to surrender the freighters peacefully first. Hail them.
>>2484348
>>2484356

>Writing
>>2484390
>Art
Thanks, the cruddy pixel ships are mine, the stellar (Har har) background is the world of a friendly Anon.

You glance back toward the front of the bridge, Tal Nami's primary sun, a golden orb of fire is currently edging around the planet, casting long, harsh shadows across the bridge of Retribution.

"No, lieutenant. We won't keep the Hutt's waiting, I'm sure they're eager to get to their afterlife."

Bastra cracks a sly grin, "Yes, ma'am."

"Tactical?" You call, half looking over your shoulder until a female in officer's uniform appears beside you. Her slight build and diminutive manner disguise a technical genius.

"Ma'am?"

"Lieutenant Zepal, what's your estimation on firing solutions?" you ask.

Zepal considers the question in anxious silence a moment. She was one of your 'old hands' from your early days of command. She has a very technically-minded background, specifically with the art of gunnery and power management which has saved your ship at least once. Her skills are so pronounced that some call her a 'gunnery witch' and others imply she might be a force sensitive. You think she is just very much in tune with turbolasers.

"We're pretty far out of range for guns, ma'am. We might pound their shields down at this range, but we'd risk damage to the freighters as well, given their tight spread," Zepal says.

"Perhaps we could flush them with our fighters?" you suggest, already knowing how such actions would work, but wanting to probe the mind of your tactical officer. Zepal was wonderful with guns, but still learning the ropes of command.

"Fighters could work," Zepal allows, "They would be awfully vulnerable out there. Some of those are Ubrikkian frigates, murder for Ties."

"So, what's your suggestion?" You ask

"I concur with Lieutenant Bastra," she replies, "Close to range in formation and engage them. They don't have enough firepower to be a threat to our destroyers."

"And securing the freighters?" you press.

"If they don't heave to, we should be able to disable them with some ion cannon fire or preferably boarding teams if the fighter environment allows."

You nod, concurring. "We'll see how well the enemy cooperates with our plans." you don't add that the Hutts' days of military splendor seemed well behind them and should be no match for your hardened division.

>Initiate the attack
>Write in

>>2484420
>>Initiate the attack

>>2484420

>Initiate the attack

>>2484420
>>Initiate the attack

>>2484420
>>Initiate the attack

>>2484431
>>2484437
>>2484447
>>2484452


Roll 1D100, I'll take the best of 3

The Hutts are outnumbered and manning antique ships. This combat is expected to be easy.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>2484455

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>2484455

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>2484455

>>2484457
>>2484461
>>2484462
>87

>writing

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>>2484316
Ooh, the map art's been upgraded!

Deploy the Shadow Droids

The order to attack is relayed to the sub units of your force quickly and your ships fan out into an attack pattern, advancing with Imperial precision on the stunned Hutts, their haphazard formation sluggishly responding to the attack.

"Forward batteries commence fire," Bastra intones.

"Fire," Zepal relays the order to the tactical team, her eyes glazed over, her lip curled ever so slightly into what might have been a smile.

Emerald green turbolaser fire lances out into the night, smashing against shields. The Hutt return fire is paltry and scattered, their opening salvos going wide, an aging Banking clan frigate firing a barrage of torpedo fire that simply sails into the void with no clear target.

"Have Sorrow and Executrix keep pace with us and advance all fighter wings," you instruct. "I don't want to let those transports slip away."

Pinned against the gravity well of the world, the Hutt forces would likely have to scatter to salvage anything from what was stacking up to be a massacre, it meant the freighters would likely be abandoned.

You didn't pretend to be intimately familiar with preferred Hutt combat strategy, but -from what you could see- it seemed clear their primary concern was saving their own skins.

"Ma'am, Captain Valorum reports the War Yachts are fleeing," Communications reports

"I believe that's their leadership seeking to escape," you say. "Continue the attack."

A boiling hoard of Cloakshape fighters races forward in an irregular screen, trying to stave off your own advancing Ties. An old Separatist cruiser has its bow sheared away by concentrated fire and two Ubrikkian frigates detonate spectacularly.

As the two fighter screens clash, you note with satisfaction that yours have a clear advantage, but are still perturbed to see a few squadron marks of your disappear from the tactical display, a combination of the Ubrikkian guns and Hutt pilots.

The Hutt front is cracking, one good push through should be enough to get close enough to disable those freighters with ion canons.

(Roll 1D100, I'll take the best of 3)

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>2484529
ded

File: Tal Nami 2.png (1.54 MB, 1476x1280)

1.54 MB PNG

>>2484529
A picture may help

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>2484529
EZPZ

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>2484529

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>2484529
Those are gonna be some greasy ships.

>>2484530
>>2484534
>>2484536

>76

>writing

>>2484536
Nice save

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1.54 MB PNG

The Hutt formation is shattered. A Dreadnought spews escape pods as it rolls over in flames, your ties swarming around it, stringing its sides with laser fire. Now your lead picket ships are pressing into the Hutt ranks, guns blazing in virtually all directions as they target fleeing ships. Whatever ferocity the Hutts' thrall armies once possessed has been bled away. Now, lifeless cloakshapes tumble admits the wreckage of undermanned Ubrikkian frigates.

A threat to delinquent spice smugglers maybe, not to the might of the Empire.

"Ma'am. Captain Palvac reports he is moving to head off an escaping transport ship."

"Good," you tell coms. "Remind him that the transports are to be taken intact. The rest he can dispose of as he pleases."

Off Retribution's bow, a Carrack cruiser savages an old bulk freighter converted into a pirate sloop and dead ahead is your prize, one of the thee freighters that Gorga wants. It's attempting to wheel about in vain, a strafing run has damaged its maneuvering thrusters so it can only fire engines uselessly as you close to Ion canon range.

"General Duelis reports his boarding teams are ready and waiting," Zepal says, "Ion canons charged."

"Good. Let's collect our prize," you say "Focus on the freighters."

***

(Roll 1D100, I'll take the best of 3)

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>2484577
PEW PEW PEW

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>2484577

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>2484577

>>2484580
>>2484585
>>2484590

>95

>writing

A flight of Shadow Droids tears apart a handful of Cloakshapes that made a last ditch attempt to attack your bridge, their scattered debris bouncing off your Star Destroyer's armored hull.

Azure ion canon fire lashes the flanks of the two fleeing transports as tractor beams secure the third. You never cease to be amazed by the miracles that Zepal's old gunnery team can pull off. You were confident it would have required so risky preparatory fire on those ships to soften their shields first, but they managed to disable them with no untoward damage.

A Separatist Frigate is sacrificed to Sorrow's guns so that a War Yacht may escape, dragging its Hutt occupants to safety, flickering and jumping to Hyperspace at the edge of the battle.

"We'll begin boarding operations of that ship if it doesn't surrender first, ma'am." Zepal says, reading a readout of the battle. "Damage to Retribution and her associated compliment is minimal."

"Excellent." You weren't envying trying to get your starships repaired in orbit of somewhere like Nar Shaddaa.

"It seems Lieutenant Vells fighter teams performed above baseline again," Zepal says, a slight hint of derision in her voice. Was it possible the Gunnery Witch herself had fallen in the age-old rivalry between Fleet and Fighter Corps? Or perhaps it was a more personal objection to Vells acerbic personality.

"I'll have to give him my personal thanks," you say. "Secure the ships, clear the area of our survivors and prepare to jump out."

"Should we search the Hutt ships for survivors?" Bastra asks.

You shrug, "Let the Hutts take care of their own. I have better things to do. Lieutenant Bastra, you have the helm. I'll be on the flight deck. Inform me once we've cleared those freighters."

"Yes, ma'am!"

(1/2)

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The hangar, unlike the bridge, is hardly calm and sterile. Repair crews dash to and fro, medical teams assisting with wounded pilots who have been fished out of the void, and Shadow Droids are connected to tanks of amniotic fluid and their power cells recharged, and racks of Tie fighters are reloaded.

In the middle of it all, one Tie in particular is surrounded by ground crew and pilots who clamor excitedly as its own pilot emerges victoriously.

"Ten sorties!" They all begin chanting. No small feat for a disposable Tie fighter pilot.

You allow yourself a private smile, standing a short distance away, cloaked by the chaos around you, only subjected to the occasional salute as a startled crew member or two nearly run into you. After allowing Vells a moment to bask in the glory of victory you approach, the crowd parting for you as if by magic until you reach him.

Clad in the black flight suit and helmet of a Tie pilot, Vells senses the presence of an interloper and turns around to face you, perhaps in surprise. His emotions are a mystery since you are starting into the faceplate of his helmet. A once solid black faceplate that you now see has been at some point painted with a very non-regulation white skull motif that covers it.

"Uh. Ma'am." Vells salutes.

The sounds of celebration die down and you take a moment to study the skull mask.


>Get that ridiculous mask off, that is not regulation, Lieutenant
>Very frightening. I approve.
>[Ignore the mask] Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today.
>write in

>>2484645
>>[Ignore the mask] Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today.

>>2484645
>[Ignore the mask] Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today.

>>2484645
The way I see it, if you want to be unique in the Imperial Navy, you perform uniquely.

>>2484645
>Very frightening. I approve.

The Bloody Baroness and her spooky fleet

>>2484645
>>[Ignore the mask] Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today.

>[Ignore the mask] Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today.

>writing

You make a point not to acknowledge the modifications to the mask any more than you have to. "Well done out there, Lieutenant. You've earned your pay today."

"Uh. Yes, ma'am. These new fighters have been a tremendous asset. A sight bit better than those kriffing things," he gestures to one of the nearby refueling Shadow Droids. It was no surprise to you that Vells hated them, he'd lost a friend to one after all. You had your own reservations about those mechanical nightmares, but it had to be said that their performance spoke for itself.

Vells wing mates and ground crew suddenly make themselves busy. It was no secret you and Vells had a close relationship, he'd been with you since you'd taken your first capital command, and, despite a rough beginning wherein he'd referred to you as a "that girl", he'd become one of your best assets. He'd even once offered to kill a personal enemy of yours. A bit coarse, but a good pilot and a good man.

"Lieutenant Zepal told me that you and your men performed above the baseline today. Getting praise from a gunnery officer is no mean feat for a fighter jock."

"Zepal said that?" he asks. "Uh, I mean Lieutenant Zepal. Well she must just be steaming right now."

"Personal vendetta?" you ask.

"Ah no. The lieutenant and I . . ." he thinks of the words, "We just rubbed one another the wrong way I think. Call it a professional rivalry with a personal edge."

"I see," you say, clasping your hands behind your back.

"Uhh," he looks uncomfortable again, "I mean, it's nothing inappropriate. Well . . . Nothing untoward . . . She's a sensitive lady, ma'am."

You raise an eyebrow, curious just how far Vells will dig his own grave. Instead, he pulls off his helmet and takes a breath of air, running a hand over his closely shaved head, his forehead covered in beaded sweat.

"So we whipped em huh? Does that mean we get to go back to the Core, ma'am?"

"That all depends on if Gorga honors the deal and turns over information on the Rebel base in the area."

Vells somehow manages to roll his eyes and look professional. "I won't hold my breath, ma'am."

Once again you marvel that somehow Vells survived the Imperial Academy with his attitude intact.

"Bu no matter how you cut it, it's quite a lot of work we've got cut out for us back home, wouldn't you say, ma'am?" Vells asks,

"Let's just say I'm glad I'm not the one who has to figure out how all the pieces go together," you say, grinning.

"Ma'am," a junior officer approaches, looking embarrassed for interrupting you. "Message from the bridge. Lieutenant Bastra says they've nearly finished the sweep of the first freighter and he'd like you on board."

"On board?"

"The freighter ma'am."

"Duty calls," Vells says.


>As you were, Lieutenant
>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.
>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well
>Write in

>>2484540
A>>2484724
>>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.
>>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well

>>2484724
>>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.
Just friends

>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well

>>2484724
>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well
>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.

>>2484724
>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.
>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well

>>2484741
>Just friends
Anon pleaded desperately.

>Next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink, Vells.
>Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well

>writing

>>2484772
With benefits

>>2484778
We're not a whore.

>>2484788
Being a whore makes you a whore. Having flings does not make you one.

>>2484799
ehhhhhhhh slut then

>>2484772
Welcome to back!!

You smirk, "Vells, the next time we have some leave, you and I are getting a drink."

The pilot raises his eyebrows, genuinely stunned. "Oh. Is that an order, ma'am?"

"Do I need to make it one?"

Vells returns your grin and salutes.

"Give my congratulations to your pilots. You've all done well."

"Yes, ma'am!"

***

The interior of the freighter had once been clean and likely up to Imperial standard. Now it was rust flecked and reeked of sewage. It seemed only one in every three or four glowpanels was functional casting the long, derelict halls of the ship in shadow.

"It was once a commercial passenger transport," Bastra explains, ducking under a loose bundle of power conduits hanging from an open service panel, held up by a Stormtrooper. "Who knows how old. The Hutts or someone have since converted it."

"To haul cargo?" you ask, stepping around a large dollop of . . . something on the floor.

"Something like that, ma'am," he says. "This way." Depressing a door switch, he ushers you and your storm trooper guard into a cargo hold, or what passed as a cargo hold.

Instead of mountains of crates you saw a cloister of metal cells, each holding a sentient being, nearly all of them where on their feet, hands on the bars, staring intently at their new occupiers.

"Prisoners?" You hazard. "What crimes have these people committed?"

"No crimes, ma'am," Bastra says, studying you carefully. "These are slaves." If he feels any irony explaining slavery to the daughter of the chief architect of the Empire's own forced labor program he doesn't show it.

You survey the "cargo" again and see a plethora of species from humans and near humans to Ithorians, Zeltrons, Twi'leks, Klatooinian, and Gamorreans and still more you didn't recognize or couldn't identify. They seem resigned to their ultimate fate, whatever it may be, and it's clear for their blank expressions that they don't seem to regard Imperial captivity as any better than service to the Hutts.

"Gorga is hijacking a shipment of slaves?" you ask.

"Sorrow and Executrix are reporting the same. It's a good thing we didn't punch any holes in these things, ma'am."

You nod.

"And," Bastra pauses, "Are we still going to be turning this . . . Cargo over to that Hutt?"


>Turn them over to Gorga
>Release the humans, Gorga can have the rest.
>Confiscate the slaves as Imperial property
>Release the slaves as freed people and give them the transports.
>write in

>>2484816
>Confiscate the slaves as Imperial property
Father will be pleased

>>2484816
>>Release the humans, Gorga can have the rest.

>>2484816
>Release the humans, Gorga can have the rest.

>>2484816
Release the humans, take the rest as Imperial property

>>2484816
How many slaves are we talking here?

>>2484839
Perhaps over a thousand, easily several hundred.

>>2484811
Missed this. Good to be back! Thanks!

>Confiscate the slaves as Imperial property
>>2484823

>Release the humans, Gorga can have the rest.
>>2484825
>>2484826

>Release the humans, take the rest as Imperial property
>>2484836


>Release the humans, Gorga can have the rest.

>writing

>>2484778
But what about the douchess?

>>2484870
2 for releasing the humans, Gorga can have the rest.

1 voted for release the humans and take the rest as property

>>2484844
Damn

I couldn't decide. A tough question, but I suppose Alana being the daughter of one of the biggest alien slavers in the galaxy, it would make sense for her to release the humans.

Although she did seem to treat that one alien back on Correllia pretty respectfully if I recall, this seems the most expedient

You look over the "cargo" again, your eyes lingering on a young human child, a girl, standing with a haggard woman in a cage. Their faces are gaunt, apprehensive.

"Release the humans," you say. "Secure a ship for them, either a captured Hutt frigate or one of our auxiliary transport barges. Give them enough supplies for a month and let them go."

"Ma'am?" Bastra asks.

You look at him, not bothering to repeat an order you know he'd heard.

"Yes, ma'am."

You turn to leave.

"What about the others, captain"?

You turn back to survey the group, locking eyes with a thin Ithorian. You think of the wheezing Mon Calamari that unloaded your bags on Byss.

"Gorga can have them. Imperial citizenship doesn't pertain to non-humans," You turn away again. You know very well that it doesn't pertain to humans living in Hutt Space either, but Gorga could complain to you if he really wanted. You'd be damned before you handed enslaved humans over to a Hutt.

The door to the slave hold slams shut behind you as Bastra is ordering your troopers to pull out the humans.

(1/2)

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You Are Sheev Palpatine, Sith Lord and Galactic Emperor. Only a few months previous you had been Emperor only in title, holding barely a small fraction of the galaxy nestled in the Deep Core of the galaxy. But now . . . now you've returned in earnest.

With the vast bulk of the Rebel war fleets annihilated at Exodeen and their shipyards at Dac destroyed much of their power to wage war has been crippled and, being pressed from the north by Thrawn and your Empire to the west and south, they are short on options.

Ultimately, after the Battle of Exodeen they'd sued for peace. A delegation from the malformed "New Republic" under the leadership of Councilor Borsk Fey'lya had arrived at Commenor with the intent of making peace. It was an intriguing proposition, one that involved higher levels of the Imperial Government than mere bureaucracy, Even Mas Amedda, the Grand Vizier himself, didn't have the authority to discuss such a deal. It would fall to you, the Galactic Emperor, to talk terms such as they were.

A peace talk of this caliber was no simple affair and most of the intervening months have been spent sorting out proper protocol, not to mention organizing a ceasefire with the hemorrhaging Rebel fleet across your vast borders.

Now, finally, you're prepared to receive the delegation. The meeting is taking place aboard an orbital battle station, high above the surface of Commenor. The titanic, matte black warship Tarkin - Your personal flagship - hangs nearby along with a fleet of smaller star destroyers, just a small token of the massive military might your Empire wields. During the preliminary talks you made it very clear to the Grand Vizier, this would not be treated as a talk between equals. The Rebels were coming to you seeking peace, not the other way around.

Now, in a dimly lit, austere conference room, you see the Rebel delegation enter under storm trooper guard. A diplomatic ballet begins, executed with mechanical precision as the various ambassadors of both sides do their dance of diplomacy. You are fortunate enough to see through the charade. There is much fear and tension in this room, hate, mistrust, from both sides. But underneath it all you sense something different. It's akin to hope, but it's something more, a greed, a lust for power.

"Councilor Fey'lya," Mas Amedda says in introduction, featuring the Bothan who stands by a seat opposite yours.

"Highness," Fey'lya says, subtle ripples traveling across his fur.

You sense a hint of annoyance, shame perhaps?


>It's ironic to be so-addressed by someone who had been so dedicated to taking that title from me.
>Councilor, please be seated. These are not pleasant circumstances to be meeting under.
>I have no patience for false displays of courtesy.
>Write in

>>2484912
>I have no patience for false displays of courtesy.

>>2484912
>I have no patience for false displays of courtesy

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>>2484912

>It's ironic to be so-addressed by someone who had been so dedicated to taking that title from me.

>>2484912
>>It's ironic to be so-addressed by someone who had been so dedicated to taking that title from me.
IRONIC

>>2484889
Enjoy your moral dilemma.

>>2484926
>>2484929
I R O N Y

Holding just a few mins for tie break.

>>2484953
Will switch to irony for the lulz

>>2484959
Dunno which vote is yours, but either way it tips the scale.

>IRONIC

>Writng

>>2484959
My id keeps resetting for a reason but I'm this guy>>2484925

>>2484964
Thanks bruh!

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You let a smile slowly spread across your face.

"It is ironic to be so-addressed by someone who had once been so dedicated to taking that title form me."

Fey'lya's own cool features don't falter, but his fur ripples in a fresh storm of irritation which you sense rolling off of him.

"I exist in a galaxy of shifting realities," the Bothan says, "What is true today may not be true tomorrow. I can only respond to what I feel is true in the moment, and it's clear to me that an Emperor is what you are."

You'd heard rumor that Fey'lya was something of a master craft politician, a dying breed in your Empire. You found it personally objectionable, despite your background, but were pleased to see him at work all the same.

"I'd hoped we could talk of peace today, of the future. Putting the past behind us."

"You speak of the surrender?" you prompt.

Fey'lya ruffles his fur again, "In effect. I've come to propose terms to you, terms that will end this destructive conflict."

"Proceed, Councilor."

"Nearly all the centers of Rebellion have fallen. Alderaan, Chandrilla, Dac." The last one he says with malice. "Only Bothawui remains, and the Bothans have had enough of this conflict and we have no desire to see our worlds as the next casualty in a hopeless war. To that end, I have drafted plans for a surrender and the creation of semi-autonomous region."

In coordination with his other representatives, mostly other Bothans, Fey'lya details the current Rebel fleet strength, going on to explain how the surviving ships will be primarily scuttled at pre-arranged locations under Imperial supervision. Those ships which can be identified has Imperial in origin will be returned to Imperial control, likely amount of a paltry handful of escort ships and perhaps a Star Destroyer or two.

This is all standard. What is different is the small core of ships Fey'lya proposes keeping intact to form the basis of a new Sector defense fleet centered on Bothawui. In fact, as the presentation develops, the situation becomes more and more clear to you. Fey'lya is proposing a Bothan puppet state to operate from within the core of what is now rebel territory.

This "Bothan Space" will pay Imperial tax, and allow military access to the Empire but also would enjoy some small perks. Namely, exemption from the draft, electing their own internal officials, and granting Bothans equal rights with humans within Bothan Space, essentially being "First among equals." within their own territory. Additionally, this state would have a sector Moff appointed as well as be given representation in the Imperial Senate.

It's a bold plan that seeks to preserve a small core of Bothan independence at the cost of becoming an Imperial client state. Such a puppet could be useful for occupying the vast swaths of what had been Republic territory.

(1/2)

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"This is a solution," Fey'lya finishes, "which can create a lasting peace in which those who object to some elements of your rule can have the liberties they desire. The Bothawui Protectorate will help solidify this peace."

In essence, Feylya is offering to reign in this area of space, in exchange for integration into the Empire, amnesty for surrendering leadership, and favorable status for Bothans.

Once the presentation is finished, you fire back some follow up questions. "And what does the rest of the Rebel leadership think of this plan?"

Fey'lya stiffens. "I am the official representative of the New Republic. Any other leadership that may have existed has abandoned us."

"And the Jedi?"

"Renegades," The Bothan says, "Criminals as far as I am concerned. They have no bearing on our decision here."

You know that such a creation within the borders of the Empire would be objectionable to some of your more fervent followers, but this still may be the best way to pacify the area quickly.


>Terms are acceptable (Create the Bothan State)
>Surrendering Rebels will be required to swear an oath of allegiance and petition to be pardoned by a tribunal
>No negotiated surrender without the full Rebel leadership can be honored. Your surrender will be unconditional.
>There will be no negotiations. (Imprison Fey'lya and his followers)
>Write in

***

This is a big peace deal so I am sure I've poorly explained or forgotten something. Please feel free to bombard me with questions or suggestions and the like.

>>2485031
>>Terms are acceptable (Create the Bothan State)
>>Surrendering Rebels will be required to swear an oath of allegiance and petition to be pardoned by a tribunal
>Imperial agents must have a free hand to detain traitors and roam freely in the Bothan state

>>2485031
>No negotiated surrender without the full Rebel leadership can be honored. Your surrender will be unconditional.

>>2485031
>Terms are acceptable (Create the Bothan State)

>Write-In
We will currently accept this proposal, but as part of your people's re-integration with the Empire we expect your Sector Defense Fleet to contribute to the war effort and assist in eliminating the rest of the Rebel Alliance.

Furthermore, if the Jedi are criminals in your eyes then we expect you to lend your people's aid in hunting the rest of them down. Imperial Intelligence would no doubt appreciate the aid from your people's famous espionage agents.

>>2485041
Should also build a large planetary fortress on their home world for "protection".

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>>2485041
>>2485055

>Terms are acceptable + Write ins


It's gotten late here so I'm going to call the game there. Next session is Thursday at 7 EST (11UTC) so I will be picking up where we left off there.

Be sure to follow the twitter for updates.
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

Also, I have a QM discord if anyone just wants to come and hang, it's not tied to this quest specifically though. Just for goofing around or whatever.

https://discord.gg/WMEDDgX

And I am open to questions/comments/concerns if anyone has any.

It's good to be back, yall.

>>2485031
>No negotiated surrender without the full Rebel leadership can be honored. Your surrender will be unconditional.

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>>2485087
Happy to have you back TK

>>2485100
It's good to be back man. I hate unfinished business. We have a galaxy to conquer in morally dubious ways.

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>I missed it
>We're agreeing to Fey'lya's proposal

>>2485087
yeah great to have you back!

>>2485626
Tomorrow, Anon.

>>2485674
Thanks! I'm stoked!

HAHA Where is your gods now, rebel scum!?

>>2485626
As far as we know he's hidding Leia under our thumbs or trying to infiltrate our ranks.

>>2485904
Fey'lya is a scumbag out only for himself and his interests, if it were Mon Mothma or another prominent rebel leader I would also be suspicious. But Fey'lya is a self-serving snake.

>>2485100
Same here!

Best quest is back

I stopped reading this after anon wanted to lewd the underage relative to palpatine. Have I missed anything important?

>>2487250
The Rebellion got bitch-slapped so hard in one battle that some of them are sueing for peace and the rest are going into hiding. In a short while pretty much all their former territory will be ours.

Our girl Alana had a falling out with her admiral BF and is now in charge of her own small fleet in Hutt space.

Darth Cythera slew Sedriss in a duel sponsored by Palpy to see who was worthy of being his apprentice.

I think that's everything

>>2487384
Man the battle over Dac was wonderfull.

>>2487572
>Boil Dac
More like boil muh dick desu

>>2484184
MY GOD
it's back
time to read up

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>>2487160
>Best
You're too kind, Anon.

>>2487250
Mistakes were made. Pic related.

>>2487384
Sounds accurate to me.

>>2487786
Hope you enjoy!


Reminder that the quest continues in just over 5 hours. Thanks for reading guys!

>>2487887
>that pic
Hue

>>2487887
I mean if we weren't a woman, It'd be fine.

>>2488136
Yes. This. I mean, half the time we aren't a woman...

"These terms are acceptable," you say, "However I have additional stipulations."

Councilor Fey'lya gestures for you to continue.

"This Protectorate will be required to cooperate with Imperial military actions in the area, helping to pacify the rest of the former Rebellion."

"I would think of no alternatives," the Bothan replies, "The creation of this state is dependent on our neutralizing the rest of these hostile systems.

"I will also require that all Imperial agents have a free hand to detain traitors. No doors will be closed to them."

"Easily doable."

"Furthermore," you continue, "If the Jedi are criminals in your eyes then we expect you to lend your people's aid in hunting the rest of them down. Imperial Intelligence would no doubt appreciate the aid from your people's famous espionage agents."

Fey'lya radiates confidence. "Our intelligence operatives will coordinate with you to rally whatever Jedi presence we find within our borders."

"In that case, I can abide by these terms, Councillor. The Bothawui Protectore will have my blessing. For now."

Your closing words chill Fey'lya's heart, the smile freezing on his face. Good. Let him know that this is not a victory for him, this could very well be a temporary condition. He was not safe from you or your Empire.

You have your staff officers draw up a finalized treaty, knowing that words on paper were utterly useless in protecting the Bothans, but it would give them peace of mind for now. You also ensure that a significant Imperial enclave will be established within Protectorate Space. A naval base and fortress world that ostensibly will serve to protect, but in reality will ensure obedience at the end of a blaster.

Disarmament of the surviving New Republic forces will begin immediately, conducted by Protectorate forces and overseen by Imperial officers. They wanted a slice of pretend freedom? They could have it for the time being.

>End negotiations and sign the treaty
>There is another matter for the Councilor . . . (Write in)

>>2488430
>End negotiations and sign the treaty

I can't think of anything.

>>2488430
>End negotiations and sign the treaty
I doubt he'll know more about possible locations of the Jedi that we do.

>>2488430
>End negotiations and sign the treaty

>>2488430
>End negotiations and sign the treaty

I feel like there is more we should include or at least clarify but I can't think of any. This is fine for now.

>End negotiations and sign the treaty

>writing

>>2488465
The good news is you can always alter the deal.

>>2488476
And then he'll pray that we do not alter it further.

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After the negotiations are concluded on Commenor and the treaty signed, you reboard your flagship, Tarkin and plot a course for Imperial Center, as the name implies, the world -once called Coruscant- is the epicenter of the bureaucratic web that controls your vast empire.

You enter the throne room tower aboard your command ship and gesture to a nearby acolyte to open a com frequency.

After a flicker of static and a brief second of a suspended Imperial logo, a life-size holographic representation of your head of Intelligence appears.

Even before you can address her she bows her head. Her long, dark hair, which is streaked with white, hangs down, momentarily obscuring her mismatched eyes, one icy blue, the other a molten red.

"Madame Director," you say in greeting.

Ysanne Isard straightens up, the barest hint of a smile flits across her lips before it's overtaken by her usual severe, blank-faced scowl. During your prolonged absence after your death, Isard had very briefly served as defacto head of the Empire, a role she was ill-suited for, especially when compared to her usual proficiency as a spymaster. "Your Highness, I trust negotiations with the Bothans went well?" She remains stony faced, but her tone edges on amusement. Diplomacy is not Isard's strong suit.

"I believe I've given you a new playground Madame Director, I expect that your agents will permeate the new Bothan Protectorate and liaison with the Bothan spy network on tracking the Jedi."

Ysanne masks her surprise well, "I'll begin work at once."

"I'm much more interested in your report on the potential political merger in the north," you say.

Isard's face tightens slightly, "I'm afraid the rumors seem true, your Highness. Some of the Northern powers- Maldrood, Greater Tion, and Zsinj's Empire- are exhibiting an unprecedented degree of cooperation between one another. Some preliminary scouting by our naval assets and routine probes by intelligence freighters has discovered evidence of strong inter-military cooperation among those navies." Isard pauses, lip curling in contempt. "They're identifying themselves as 'the Consortium'."

"The Consortium," you spit the word, "Terrified Nerfs banding together against nightfall."

She nods in agreement. "In my estimation, significant internal political changes must have happened for such a dramatic shift."

"Zsinj and Teradoc seem disinclined to cooperate closely with one another," you agree, and what you saw of the Tion Cluster didn't seem much more capable of unifying those forces.

"Zsinj's defeat at Thrawn's hands at Dathomir may have served as a catalyst, but I believe a third party may have taken control." Isard hesitates before concluding, "More than that isn't clear at this time. I have been focusing my available resources on tracking down the hidden Rebel leadership."

>Good, continue your search for the Rebels
>No, I want more information on this Consortium
>No, I want more information on Thrawn
>Write in

>>2488507
Filename should be Director of Inteleg-ants. All this intelligence talk is making me sad that COMPNOR is gone.

>No, I want more information on this Consortium

>>2488507
>No, I want more information on Thrawn
Thrawn is the real threat now

>>2488507
>No, I want more information on this Consortium

>>2488520
>Intelig-ants
FUCK! God. That's so good.

>No, I want more information on this Consortium
Mystery box

>writing

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"And have you had any luck in your pursuits?" you ask.

A stormy look crosses Isard's face, her eyes hardening. "No. I've been primarily investigating the persistent rumors of a Rebel base in Hutt Space, but so far we've found nothing. I've conducted scans of every charted world and still found nothing unexpected."

You frown, "I already have a task force detached to get that information from the Hutts. Under the command of Minister Tyrna's daughter."

Isard's face hardens, "The Baroness?"

You shouldn't be surprised that the Director of Imperial Intelligence is aware of such a minor player in galactic politics. You can tell that the Director doesn't hold her in high regard.

"She is capable enough," you say, "She was involved in the Rock Crab Nebula battle. I expect she'll get what I want to know from the Hutts regarding the Rebels. I have other business for you."

Isard perks up.

"Find out all you can about this Consortium and who it is that has managed to unite them. I want details."

"It will be done, Highness."

You glance at a flashing light on the arm of your throne. A waiting transmission from the Super Star Destroyer Intimidator "You'll have to excuse me, Madame Director, I have a naval briefing to attend."

"I understand. I will contact you once I have more to report," Isard replies.

"See that you do." You toggle the switch with a flick of your wrist, dispelling Isard's image and replacing it instead with a hologram of a stiff-necked, bookish, and uneasy looking Imperial officer.

"Grand Admiral Zahn," you say, "I'm eager for your report."

Zahn, in the white uniform of a Grand Admiral, bows to you before speaking. "Highness, I hope your talks went well."

"Well enough," you reply, eager to proceed. "Your report?"

"Yes, of course." A second hologram appears beside Zahn as he speaks, illustrating his figures.

"Discounting an ad-hoc but growing auxiliary force for routine patrol activity, we have five combat fleets. In theory, each fleet is built of four divisions of four Imperial II class Star Destroyers each. Sixteen in total per fleet and their associated escort craft. In total, upwards of one hundred combat vessels per fleet, discounting fighters, shuttles and landing barges."

You struggle through the monotonous drone of trivial information. Zahn, unlike some of your previous Grand Admirals, has always been focused on logistics and protocol more than tactics and aggression. Hardly the most ambitious or dashing of styles, but it's served you well so far.

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"To the point, your Highness," Zahn says, perhaps noticing your boredom. "Many of our fleets, even after the recuperation of the last few months, are struggling to meet these numbers, and even then it's with second rate ships. Pre-Clone Wars cruisers serving in place of modern destroyers, escort ships that should be patrolling hyperlanes." Zahn stops and takes a breath, "In short, we are in need of refit and replacement."

Your fleet, at your command, had worked miracles in the restoration of your Empire, but more yet remains to be done.

"There is also the matter of Admiral Dala and her forces," Zahn says, "She's made it clear she would like her division refitted and turned into the nucleus of a fresh combat fleet. So far, we're struggling just to replace losses, but given time, we may be able to continue to round up a makeshift combat force suitable to be called a fleet."

You drum your fingers on the arm of your throne. "But expansion to six fleets would delay replacement of losses in our existing forces."

"Precisely. And there is also the matter of modernization. The Imperial II design is nearly a decade old, there is some discussion in the R&D departments of the navy to conducting a fresh wave of refits and redesigns. An Imperial III refit has been suggested along with a new iteration of a Strike Cruiser-"

"I see the point," you reply.

"But modernization-"

"Will slow construction of new warships. Yes, I see."


>Build out the sixth Fleet for Dala by any means
>Dala can wait, replace our losses
>Modernize the fleet, design new warships instead of building more
>Write in

>>2488597
>>Build out the sixth Fleet for Dala by any means

>>2488597
>Modernize the fleet, design new warships instead of building more
I was just thinking about Imperial IIIs.

>>2488597
>Modernize the fleet, design new warships instead of building more

>>2488597
>Build out the sixth Fleet for Dala by any means

>>2488597
>modernize the navy

We need a modern navy at this point. We don't need to keep using tie logic

>modernize the navy
>>2488613
>>2488633
>>2488641

>Build out the sixth Fleet for Dala by any means
>>2488599
>>2488638
>modernize the navy
>Writing

>>2488597
Priority
>Dala can wait, replace our losses
Then with any available production
>Modernize the fleet
We can form new fleets out of the best shiny new ships. That can also help to placate Dala, she should be focusing on creating better ships anyways.

TK did we promise her a fleet or something? What's the rush for her?

>>2488668
Think we did promised a fleet

>>2488668
>TK did we promise her a fleet or something? What's the rush for her?
No, it would just be considered the next phase in the expansion of the navy. Dala is the one pushing for a fleet.

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"The doctrine of quantity over quality is a contributing factor to the catastrophe we've found ourselves embroiled in," you say. "We'll need to modernize our navy to keep pace with the future. I eagerly anticipate the next wave of designs."

"Yes, Highness. I'll have the shipyards begin retooling immediately."

"Now, Grand Admiral, tell me, how do you plan to use this navy?"

Zahn puffs his chest slightly. "We have three major concerns at present. The remaining warlord states are one, the Eriadu Authority is a known quantity, severely weakened by infighting, they would be a simple matter to subdue. The Consortium is more interesting but our intelligence on them is ... limited-" Zahn's tone tells you exactly how he feels about Imperial Intelligence.

"I have Director Isard working to correct this oversight. I expect that no detail will remain hidden from her for too long."

Zahn doesn't dare disagree with you, but also does not agree he instead busies himself with the minutiae of command. "We do have some rough numbers on Consortium strength achieved by extrapolating from what we know of their associative parts.

"And?"

"Their strength is estimated at around sixty capital ships collectively. Rumors of superdreadnought type command ships circulate but are unsubstantiated."

"We outnumber them, then?" You ask.

"Slightly, but our territory is more diffuse, they have a strong positional advantage," Zahn replies. "Though if they follow Imperial order of battle they should have three or four combat fleets of approximately equal strength to our own.

With Zsinj, Teradoc, and the Tionese working together it meant for a more dangerous opponent, though it was a threat Thrawn would face as well which perhaps took some of the heat off of you.

"Continue," you say.

"There is also the matter of Thrawn's holdings on the Outer Rim. He's been expanding aggressively into shrinking Rebel territory and securing key hyperspace junctions. Our estimates of his fleet size are very rudimentary, Thrawn avoids static deployment with his battleships making them difficult to count. Somewhere between twenty-four Star Destroyers and seventy."

You notice that Zahn does not use Thrawn's title of Grand Admiral. "That's a sizeable discrepancy," you say, lip curled in a mocking sneer.

"A quirk of his unorthodox deployment. The Pentastar Alignment and Thrawn's forces are integrated in strange ways. In either case, against the Consortium or Thrawn we could have military pressure applied. Thrawn is perhaps the largest conventional threat to the Empire. Something not to be taken lightly," Zahn finishes.

(1/2)

"You believe there are 'unconventional threats'?" You ask.

Zahn's hologram flickers a moment as some cosmic particles interfere with the holonet for a moment. "The New Republic has been crushed, your Highness, but not the Rebellion or the spark of dissatisfaction that spawned it." Zahn sees your scowl and forges ahead before you can object to his phrasing. "The territory we've inherited from them must be secured and governed. The entirety of the Corellian Run is open and ripe for claiming. I'm concerned about the possibility of renewed resistance in these areas."

It was a possibility you'd considered yourself, despite its weakened state, you remind yourself that it had been the Rebellion that had killed you, not the New Republic.

"We don't have the forces available for such a broad occupation yet, but if we redeploy a sizeable chunk of our navy, we can at least secure the Corellian Run. Every ship on peacekeeping duty though is one less available for combat deployment."

The involvement of the Bothawui Protectorate would make securing the Corellian Run that much easier, but it was an impossible task for such a small force.


>Make plans for the Eraidu Authority in the south
>Make plans for the Consortium in the north
>Secure the Corellian Run
>Make plans for Thrawn on the Outer Rim
>Write in

>>2488746
>Secure the Corellian Run

>>2488746
>Secure the Corellian Run
Would love to go after the Eriadu but that can wait.

>>2488746
>Secure the Corellian Run
We can wait to deal with Eriadu.

I would like to send a delegation to Hapes, they have a decent navy for their size.

>>2488746
>Secure the Corellian Run
>>2488757
We don't need man haters on our side better enslave them

>>2488781
>Man haters
I know what to do with Alana when she gets back!

Also Battle Dragons are comparable to MC80s and they can pump them out at a decent rate.

>>2488781
Man haters?

>>2488678
I can't recall specifically, but it's totally possible I forgot. I didn't note it down, that's for sure.

>Secure the Corellian Run

>writing

>>2488757
>Delegation to Hapes
The Hapans have a treaty with the Empire to basically leave one another alone. They're extremely isolationist. It would take a lot ot get them out of that, but possible to attempt if there is enough demand to try.

>>2488746
>>Secure the Corellian Run

It's to keep leaving Thrawn alone but I have a feeling once we break the truce it's war until one or the other is dead.

Also we need to keep the Rebels on the run.

"We're not in position to do much more than consolidate our gains," you say. "Secure the Corellian Run and ensure the Bothans are upholding their end of the bargain."

"Yes, your Highness."

"I'd like to attempt to secure Eriadu next," you add, "Have some plans drawn up for their liberation."

"Yes," Zahn says. "I have Admiral Yazz and 1st Fleet positioned to reclaim neutral space in the vicinity of Telti up to the boarder with Thrawn as well, I'll execute that plan at once."

"You may do so."

"I will give you word once the first of our new warship designs go into production, then we can begin refitting the fleet."

"Splendid. What of our other operations, the forces around Naboo and those in Hutt Space," you prompt.

"Of course," Zahn looks flustered a moment, having forgotten such a crucial detail. "Moff Tavira has done well to secure the space around her enclave. But, since the raiding group was re-tasked, the front has been mostly static. Forming a permanent corridor to them is among my first goals."

"And how is our mission to the Hutts going?"

"I've received a report from Commander Tyrna," Zahn says, "Her forces were engaged against those of a rival Hutt clan and scored a victory. Hardly surprising given their opponents, but we still have not yet had confirmation of receipt of the coordinates of the Rebel stronghold."

"If the young baroness is anything like her father," you say with a coy grin, "Then I have no doubts she will get what I desire from those pitiable creatures."

"Shall I relay her any further orders? I believe her task force is en route to the Smuggler's Moon of the Hutt homeworld to meet with Gorga."

"No," you say, "There is no need to crowd her with orders. She will bring me what I desire," you say with a toothy smile, "For her own sake if no other."

(1/3)

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After an uneventful trip first to the Core, and then into the volatile heart of the galaxy, through a twisting Hyperspace made to Byss, you take a shuttle down to your private Citadel tower followed by a turbolift trip deep into the hidden subterranean recesses of the facility. Here, deep beneath the surface of your hidden throneworld is the instrument of your rebirth, the cloning chamber that had once housed the very body you inhabit, as well as nearly a dozen backups.

Now, after a mysterious attack that left all of your clone bodies dead, the tubes stand empty, their morbid contents vacated.

Instead, you are alone, an isolation only broken with the arrival of a fresh soul. You feel the icy presence of your apprentice before you see her enter through the double doors.

Her long, impatient strides reveal a hidden fire within her. She had once been a capable agent, an Emperor's Hand who operated from the shadows, now she is a Sith Lord in her own right.

"Darth Cythera. How are you my friend?" you say.

"Master," she takes a knee a respectful distance away, her long reddish hair hanging down almost to the floor. If your familiar greeting gave her pause, she doesn't let it show. "I've come to go over the findings of my investigation."

"I trust that the Archmage was cooperative with you," you return, sparing a glance at the empty cloning cylinder closest to you.

"Yes, Master. She was very open with me."

"And? Have you located the perpetrator?" You keep your voice level when you really want to scream. Controlling your anger is something you learned to do long ago.

"I found more information," she replies, standing and stepping in line beside you to follow your slow pace through the cloning chamber. "The sentries- Nefta and Sa-Di have been found-" she looks to you, "Both have were cut up. Dismembered."

Your face doesn't register the surprise you feel. You'd suspected the two of them had been behind this destruction somehow.

(2/3)

"Their bodies were dumped nearby in a garbage compactor. Their wounds are cauterized, consistent with damage from a lightsaber but the cuts aren't correct."

"Not correct?" you pry.

"I've had some of Moore's mages look at the wound patterns and they speculate they were caused by a lightwhip."

Now you couldn't conceal your surprise. "A Lightwhip?"

Cythera nods.

"Not the usual weapon of a Jedi," you muse.

"No," she agrees, "But I can't be sure. I feel nothing in the Force here."

The entire world of Byss was shrouded in Dark Side energies, so it was possible that your Apprentice was simply unable to sense any residual presence of whatever force user came here. Reaching out on your own, you too feel nothing.

"Perhaps they are simply hiding their presence," you say. "There are many who are unaccounted for who may be capable of such a feat. It seems my previous apprentice's efforts to wipe out the Jedi weren't as successful as I first anticipated, and many of my former pupils rejected my call to return."

"That may be the case," She agrees, "I've scoured eh entire world. Planetary security has found nothing and Isard's search hasn't found any useful leads. Speaking honestly, Master, with no clear goal of who or what we're looking for, we won't have many leads."


>Those are your problems not mine, continue your search
>You've done all you can, conclude the investigations
>Write in

>>2488861
Taylor Swift is a sith Lord now? Lol

>>2488864
>Those are your problems not mine, continue your search

>>2488864
>Those are your problems not mine, continue your search
We should go through Acolytes, Inquisitors, and Hands that haven't been confirmed dead.

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>>2488877
fuk

>>2488864
>You've done all you can, conclude the investigations
There are more urgent things to take care of instead of a wild goose chase.

>>2488864
>Those are your problems not mine, continue your search
Focus your efforts on my tracking down wayward followers. It would be a good time to account for their absence and perhaps their return. One way or another.

>>2488864
>>You've done all you can, conclude the investigations

>You've done all you can, conclude the investigations
>>2488885
>>2488890

>Those are your problems not mine, continue your search
>>2488880
>>2488882
>>2488889

>writing

"Those are your problems, not mine." you hiss. "You will find the coward that has done this and they will be made to pay for their arrogance."

Cythera jolts as if shocked, "Yes, Master."

"You say that you have no leads and nowhere to start? Perhaps you would do well to start with all those who used to follow my banner. Acolytes, inquisitors, adepts, even the other Hands."

Cythera narrows her gaze, face unreadable. Through the force you feel her draw her emotions in tightly, like the tide going out. Before she began her training as your Apprentice she'd lived with the delusion that she was your Hand, your only hand. When you broke the news to her that she hadn't been special, it had helped serve to break down who she had been so she could become something more. "Yes, Master," she repeats, eyes cold.

"Surely you've felt the Others in the force," you say.

"Other Dark Siders," Cythera supplies.

"It's obvious not all who served me heeded the call to return. I want to know who they are. Who survived the fall of the Empire and who should want to see me dead."

"Consider it done."

You pause a moment, reaching out to read her mind. You feel nothing from her. "Then go."

In a swirl of her cape, Cythera turns on her heel and marches from the cloning chamber leaving you alone once more.

(1/3)

"Master . . ." A dead voice croaks, rough lips peeling back to expose a jagged, yellowed smile.

You are staring into a hooded face, aged well beyond its years in ways you recognize as having been caused by an intimate and prolonged connection to the Dark Side of the Force. You don't recognize the face immediately, but your decades of experience have taught you well enough to recognize that this encounter is nothing more than a vision in the force.

"Who are you?" You demand, studying the figure closer.

He wears a crimson robe that does little to hide the corpse-like pallor of his skin. The smile fades to a frown, though his eyes still twinkle. "Surely you recognize your faithful servant." When it is clear you do not, the Dark Sider closes his eyes and speaks in a voice that is not his own.

"A vast host of starships locked in battle above a watery world. A fleet in flames, and the Jedi victorious. A Force-wielder of great power who will rise to betray you when their power is sufficient. This betrayal will bring great pain to many. A stone palace on a world choked with monsters and a great power hidden within a corpse's clutches in a tomb beneath the stone palace."

The prophecy that had been given to you through your Archmage Sly Moore, the one that seemed to refer to the Battle of Mintooine or Dac.

"You're the mage who gave the prophecy," you say, "That Mad Monk. What is it you want with me?"

The monk smiles. "My name is Hadrazel, Master. I'm pleased that my technique to cling to life has worked in part, but I am still ebbing away into the Force." As he speaks, it as if some unseen tidal forces are eroding his body, his extremities losing clarity.

"Then speak your mind quickly," you say, you have no patience for the whims of the dead.

Hadrazel smiles faintly. "My prophecy is continuing to unfold."

"Your prophecy is incomplete," you say mockingly. "You foresaw Jedi victory at Dac, not their destruction."

Hadrazel only grins wider, revealing a gap from a missing tooth.

(2/3)

"Do you know of King Ommin?" He asks.

"Of Onderon?" You reply, already tired of this trivial game. "One of the last Sith of Freedon Nadd's lineage."

"Yes. The same," as Hadrazel speaks he grows more and more indistinct, fading to nothing, only his voice remaining. "The old king is dead and gone, but his legacy yet survives."

His words suddenly click in your mind. "A stone palace," you say, "on a world choked with monsters. You speak of the palace of Iziz." As you speak the words, you see it, a monolithic granite building constructed from vast blocks of stone.

The words of the mad monk's prophecy continues to echo as you survey the structure, moving through the thick stone walls and into the catacombs beneath.

"In a hidden tomb under the great walled city on Onderon is a lost Artefact of Ommin's design."

The Mad Monk continues, "An amulet of power that draws in the weak minded, and brings credibility to he who wields it."

"Credibility?" you say "Legitimacy?"

"It can make a pauper appear as a prince. This amulet would allow you to solidify control over your empire," Hadrazel says.

"As if I should need a magic trinket to do that," you scoff.

"You might not, but your enemies would find it useful I think."

The structure of the dream is starting to melt away around you.

"The Dark Side is growing stronger," he continues, "With each passing moment it draws fresh breath. The Light is fading from the galaxy and it falls to you to secure the primacy of the True Sith."

"I have questions for you," you snap. "You served my will in life, do not think yourself beyond me, even in death."

Hadrazel smiles faintly, "My time with you grows short, Master. Ask your question."


>What about the force wielder who will betray me. Who is it?
>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?

>>2488970
There's a write in option for that too that got cut off.

>>2488970
>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?

>>2488970
>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?
>Offer him a new body, certainly one is on hand, Lemalisk was revived, it should be even easier for a Force User.

>>2488970
>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?

Man this would be a good time for an anon more clever than me to come up with something.

>>2488970
Changing this >>2488980 too >>2488981

>>2488981
Worth a try

>>2488970
>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?

>Who else seeks the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?
+
>Resurrection
>>2488981
>>2488996
>>2489004

>Writiing

"Speak quickly, who else seems the Amulet? Who are the other Dark Siders?"

The spirit flickers back into being quickly. "I have seen three," he says in a breathless voice, eyes unfocused. "Something that was once human that now lives among the shadows. A man you once trusted to guard your closest secrets, now mad with power, and a disciple of your old seers grown strong in the force."

You frown, it's hardly damning testimony, though you recognize a distinct reference to your lost Prophets of the Dark Side, the followers of a heretical sect of the Force, the Cult of Darth Millennial. When you had found them they had been led by cowards, scholars who were weak at heart and content to merely study the force rather than shape it. Perhaps they finally had a leader worthy of your time.

The others, you weren't sure, though the one you "trusted to guard your closest secrets" you had some suspicions about, but surely that old man would have perished long ago . . .

"It is you who can save the true nature of the Dark Side. The Rule of Two will be obeyed, the lineage respected," Hadrazel mutters, his body beginning to dissolve again.

With a great concentration of effort, your reach out and pin it in place, staving off the consuming maw of the Force. "You have not conquered death, Hadrazel," you say, teeth gritted with effort, "Not yet. But perhaps we still have things we can teach one another."

"Master, the Force demands my death, it-"

"The Force," you spit, "Demands nothing. It serves my will. And I demand that you live again."

Something lights up in the Monk's eyes. A sort of sickness, a madness, a lust for life and power. One you've seen in the eyes of many of your acolytes over the years. You've decided that this mage, despite his madness, will live once more, perhaps this time he can avoid the siren song of the promises of unlimited power contained in the deepest recesses of the Dark Side.

All that remained was finding this wayward ghost a vessel. There was no shortage of bodies in your Empire and you could easily deposit him into the young form of a Shadow Trooper, though you knew such a transfer would likely leave him blind to the Force, or at least terribly diminished.

A slightly rarer vessel, but more promising, was that of one of your stronger Dark Side Adepts, a Blackguard or Mage to give Hadrazel life and access to the force. It would be exhausting work to strip the current owner from the body, but it could be done.

>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts
>Write in

>>2489050
I got a weird feeling about this guy self fulfilling his own prophecy and gunking us. Is there a body we can put him in that can't kill us, like a old man or something?

>>2489050
>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts

He deserves to be rewarded

>>2489053
You certainly could. "Commoner" could be "The guy who buffs the floor" doesn't have to be a Storm Trooper or whatever.

>>2489050
>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
He should not be allowed to wield the force freely again.

>>2489050
>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
Someone fit, strong and healthy but not force adept.

>>2489050
Give him a wizard body

If the body is not force adept, what use will he be to us?

>>2489050
>>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
His reward is not dying.

>>2489074
We shall provide him the force only if he we need him.

>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
>>2489064
>>2489070
>>2489076

>>2489073
The last old wizard died on the first Death Star at Vader's hands, sorry.

>>2489074
Good question! Let's find out.

>>2489076
>His reward is not dying.
You are a benevolent god.

>writing

>>2489050

>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts

>>2489081
Rip wizard

>>2489081
Wait you didn't count me.

>>2489050
>>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts

>>2489089
I saw it, I didn't mark it down but it's not enough to turn the tide.

>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts
>>2489055
>>2489082
>>2489094


>Put his spirit in a commoner's body
>>2489064
>>2489070
>>2489076

Okay guys, because of this last minute rush and how close the vote is I am going to hold it for a few more minutes for tie breaker purposes. Please everyone don't go switching votes around unless you really mean it.

>>2489099
>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts

>>2489081
Oh damn, I missed it.

>>2489050
>Something that was once human that now lives among the shadows.
Either Lumiya, since she's a cyborg much like Vader, and subsists through subterfuge. Or A'Sharad Hett, though at this point he's not so far gone and he hasn't been made an abomination of by the Vong yet.
I'm heavily leaning towards Lumiya. It could also be Set Harth, but I really doubt it, it's not in his nature, and I don't see what he would have to gain opposing Palpatine, since he didn't even want to oppose Zannah. And he may or may not have been dead for four centuries.

>A man you once trusted to guard your closest secrets, now mad with power,
This is probably Cronal, a gross edgy old man and Prophet of the Dark Side. The less said about him, the better. Him and his buddies had rape trains on his daughter so that she would fall to the Dark Side. It could also be Kadann, but if he's still alive, which I doubt since Lumiya is active, he would be associated with the final person.

>a disciple of your old seers grown strong in the force
This could also be Cronal, but it's more likely that it's Azrakel. An abandoned project of Palpatine taken in by Kadann, a leader of the Prophets.

>>2489101
This is a tie breaker in favor of

>Put his spirit in the body of one of your Dark Side Adepts

>Writing

>1 post ids
Really makes your midi chlorians stimulate.

When you open your eyes, the spirit is gone, as is the soul of one of your Sith Mages in the Byss citadel. You would send a storm trooper detachment to retrieve the mad monk's new body. In time. For now he would just keep his dormitory mates awake with frenzies screaming. Rebirth was not a pleasant process.

For now, you had to determine how to proceed with the awakening of this amulet. As soon as the vision clears from your mind you call up your Grand Admiral to broach the idea of acting for this Amulet.

"Onderon?" Zhan repeats, looking blearily eyed. Since, unlike you, Zahn required regular sleep still it was entirely possible you'd roused him from bed.

"Yes. Onderon," you repeat. "Do you need me to call up an atlas for reference?"

"N-no, Highness. Onderon sits on the Lesser Lantillian Route, it's strategically insignificant," Zahn says.

"It's not insignificant to me. I would like to know what sort of options we have for a mission to Onderon," you reply, patience at a limit.

"Currently it sits behind our frontiers, Highness. Thrawn's forces control the world. I don't know the exact makeup of the garrison there, but surely he has some sort of military presence. A task force could be dispatched, but it may be interpreted as a hostile act."

This would complicate your plans to seize the amulet. If Thrawn were to resist your efforts to retrieve it, it could cause a diplomatic incident that will lead to open war. It may still be possible though to send your apprentice on a clandestine mission, or even simply to ask Thrawn for permission to retrieve the artifact. It should be of no value to him.


>Send an attack fleet, disregard Thrawn
>Ask Thrawn's permission
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission
>Write in

>>2489128
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

>>2489128
Do both? Ask out of niceties, but imply that were going to do it anyways. Would be a good challenge for Cythera.
>>Ask Thrawn's permission
>>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

>>2489128
>>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

>>2489128
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

>>2489128
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

>>2489128

>Ask Thrawn's permission

>>2489128
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission
But if she's found, she's to say she was on a Sith pilgrimage as part of her training.

>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

The sway is pretty clear

>Writing

>>2489128
>Dispatch Cythera on a secret mission

Cythera will be sent to the ancient Sith stronghold to retrieve the artifact from under Thrawn's nose. You'll leave the mission specifics up to her, but she'll likely bring a small team of Blackguard with her, and without Sedriss's poisonous influence on them it's possible they'll be more helpful to her.

It would be simple for Cythera to claim herself a simple pilgrim visiting a Sith site, not a part of any clandestine mission. Whether it would work was another matter. You intended for her to not be caught.

***

That's all the time I have for now! Thanks so much for playing/reading guys.

I currently can't commit to running pre-scheduled regular games yet, so I'm not promising next session time, but it's not months away, it's immediate future, this is not a hiatus. My goal is to run again week after next, but we'll see what happens. I need time to plan out the new arc.

Be sure to follow the Twitter for updates:
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest


I also wrote part #1 of a short Vignette series I was thinking about. If anyone cares I'll write the other two. Just let me know.

Dauf Vignette - Part 1 - Freedom
https://pastebin.com/sUnSsfPw


QM Discord for chilling purposes
https://discord.gg/WMEDDgX

As always, I am available for questions, comments, hate mail, etc. See you guys soon.

>>2489148
Thanks for running, I hope I was right about my first and third guesses but not my second, because Cronal is disgusting.

>>2489148
When will Alana return to imperial space? Is she aware that the rebs are toast and her ex got a promotion

>>2489148

Thanks for running.
That Vignette was interesting to read.

>>2489149
You were right about at least one of your guesses :D

I had a blast running as always. Hadrazel living was a curve ball. But that makes questing fun.

>>2489155
She'll return once her mission is complete and the Rebel base in Hutt Space is destroyed.

She knows about the Rebel defeat mostly. She's pretty pissed about it. As for Lobkin, he's still just an admiral. But regarded as a war hero now.

>>2489158
My pleasure! Thanks for reading it

>>2489168
Oh dammit I forgot about Hethrir and Desann.

>>2489201
Oh shit, what about Jerec?

>>2489208
The second one could also be Jerec, I kind of just assumed he died because Kyle was there when Luke disarmed Cythera, but if he's around the second one is either him or Hethrir.

>>2489201
There's numerous possibilities of course. As I said, at least one guess was correct but I feel like there are enough pieces to confirm one of them. I kind of surprised bout some of the candidate that have not been proposed to be honest. I guess we'll have to see

>>2489208
>>2489225
I can confirm that Jerec was killed by Kyle Katarn

Hey TK, just got done reading up. Good to have you back. Really enjoyed the scene with the mad monk, and ofcourse the negotiations with Fey'la. Honestly, he's exactly the kind of power hungry fool we could turn into a puppet to control his people. Moff Feyla would be a bit amusing, long term. Especially if you consider that Feyla's faction was primarily responsible for finding out about the death star 2. Which we allowed. It's always nice to turn your enemies against you. Regardless.
Quick question, since it's been quite some time, the sabotage of our clones and cylinders, that happened in a previous thread or was new for this one?

>>2490011
It's good to be back!

>Cylinder sabotage
This was done several sessions back and is not a new development.

Thanks for the feed back! The good news is there will be more Mad Monk in the future. And I honestly hadn't considered Palpatine's ties to Fey'lya and his people. Funny how a tool that's useful once is sometimes useful again.

Thread is dead but is there anyone still here who has a link to that thread not on suptg? Dark Empire II Episode 6 I believe. Archive binging atm

>>2508332
The thread was never archived cause I'm an idiot. I uploaded my own log as a pastebin here. Hope you're enjoying!

https://pastebin.com/PeAuVt18