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/bNUpg6e

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.

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Now that you have such a pawn at your disposal, it remains to be seen what to do with him. With his frail and sick body having been replaced, Hadrazel is healthy in all but mind, though he seems to retain a fierce loyalty to you in particular. Beside which, his often precarious mental state underlay a deep connection to the Force, and the Dark Side in particular. He hasn't show himself yet to be particularly adept in the use of the force for much beyond prophecy, but surely if the connection is there then training will be a simple matter.

In fact, Hadrazel might make a wonderful secret apprentice should your uses for your current one, Lord Cythera, falter. Of course, it would be bending the Rule of Two, but you so rarely held it sacred anyway.

Perhaps though, Hadrazel's talents leaned more toward divination than errand running. Your own Archmage, Sly Moore, while fiercely loyal to you, was, herself, quite weak in the force. She's always been more of an administrator or an organizer. A natural talent like this one could bring fresh blood to the Mages on Byss. Hadrazel could be trained to replace her ultimately.

That said, you may also simply prefer to keep a personal prophet in your pocket, having Hadrazel focus his efforts on divining the future.


>Secret Apprentice (If secret)
>Train to be new Archmage
>Continue your meditations on the force (Prophecies)
>Write in

>>2567777
>Continue your meditations on the force (Prophecies)
There are other potential replacements for Cythera and I don't want to betray Sly Moore.

>>2567777
>Continue your meditations on the force (Prophecies)

nice quads

>>2567777
>Continue your meditations on the force (Prophecies)
If it ain't broke don't backstab it

>>2567777
>>2567777
>>2567777
>>2567777

>>2567794
[MLG Airhorn]

>>2567791
>>2567794
>>2567796

>writing

"You have served admirably so far, I would like you to continue your meditations into the Dark Side," you say.

"So it shall be, Master. I see much in the ebb and flow of the Force."

You nod absently. What the man says is true though. You could likely use his innate gift as a sort of remote for of intelligence, something hopefully more actionable than a cryptic warning about a stone palace and burning fleets.

"I have, a specific target in mind for you, my friend," you say.

"Yes, Master. What do you will of me?" Hadrazel oozes satisfaction and yearning to please.


>Find the Jedi
>Seek out information about my enemies in the Consortium
>Seek out information about Thrawn
>Write in

>>2567836
>Seek out information about Thrawn

>>2567836
>Seek out information about Thrawn
The others are minor threats who don't have a real shot at defeating the New Empire anymore

>>2567866
>The others are minor threats
Zsinj + the Teradoc Twosome aren't that minor.

>Seek out information about Thrawn

>writing

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"Thrawn has been content to weave his own meager schemes. I desire to know exactly what those are," you say.

Hadrazel cocks his head, as if listening to a voice that is not your own. "I'm afraid, Master, that Lord Cythera bears bad news," Hadrazel says. "I fear the Amulet of Ommin has fallen to the Others."

"What?"

There is a soft tone over your throne room com system.

"Master," an Adept hisses from the speaker, "Lord Cythera is calling, a high priority message from Onderon."

"Connect her at once." As you sit in your throne, Hadrazel seems to naturally slink into the cover behind the high back of your chair just before Cythera's image appears in life-size holographic form.

She stands, rather than bows and looks flustered, her long red hair is unkempt, her black cloak is cut and singed.

"Master-" she begins.

"The Amulet?" you ask.

"Taken."

"By whom. Thrawn?"

"No. At least, I don’t think so. They were Dark Siders," she's breathing hard, winded

You raise an eyebrow. "Dark Siders?"

"Yes Master, they were . . . strong in the force. Well trained. They said they were Sith."

"Sith?" you ask.

(1/2)

"They fought like it, they were powerful."

"Did any use a lightwhip?" you ask, thinking of the destruction of most of your clone bodies.

She shakes her head, "No. There were three of them, they used light sabers. Master, Brakiss's blackguard were both lost, they were no match for Sith."

"They are not Sith." you spit the word.

"They may not have been true Sith," she counters, "But they have the training of Sith and they wield the power of Sith. I took care of one of them but the other two escaped with the amulet."

"A troubling development, Master," Hadrazel whispers from behind you, voice too low for the audio pickups on the holocom. "Sith, those claiming to be Sith won't be as limited in their training as your adepts are.

"Who do they serve?" you demand.

"The old disciple of the Seers," Hadrazel whispers.

"They said the name 'Vultyss'," Cythera replies, "Darth Vultyss."

"Vultyss," you repeat, the name alien to you.

"I was nearly killed just walking into the crypt," Cythera continues. "They called us 'heretics', they told me that we'd lost the true nature of the Dark Side."

"They fear us," you reply swiftly.

"But, I believe there are more, Master. I don't believe there were only three. If we are facing many more, it will be difficult to stand against them, especially with the power of the amulet at their side."

It was true, many of your Dark Siders, even your best, were hardly above the skill level of the most base members of the old Jedi Order. The Rule of Two allowed only for two powerful Sith and no more. Abandoning the Rule of Two would allow for legions of Sith Warriors to march at the head of your armies, but would also create than many more threats to your power.


>Then we too will have to abandon the Rule of Two to create a new class of Sith
>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training
>Return so we may discuss it further (Cythera has outlived her usefulness, replace her)
>Write in

>>2567944
>>Return so we may discuss it further (Cythera has outlived her usefulness, replace her)
new apprentice let's go

>>2567944
Not sure how feasible this is, but
>Bolster the Dark Adepts numbers and increase their training in the ways of the Force, but still hold them back from reaching the level of Sith

>>2567944
>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training

>>2567949
We don't have anyone strong enough to replace her. Maybe Brakiss, but he's best in his current job.

>>2567944
Wait, compared to Vader, how good is Cythera?

>>2567995
>compared to Vader
Bad.

But Vader was a gem. Cythera is competent if inexperienced. Among your Dark Siders, she and Brakiss are likely the most powerful.

Stand by guys, getting hammered with work stuff. I'm on call today. FUN

>>2567944
>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training

Well shit, might be a good idea to start investing in some specialised counters to fight force-users.

>>2568018
wew

>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training
She didn't really fail, we just weren't expecting what we got

>>2567995
Vader was once Anakin Skywalker, a one-time-only Force User, the only possible apprentice that would come close to Anakin would be Luke, and the only force users that would be close to Vader would be Luke or Kyp.

Besides them in terms of power I think the best we're looking at is a Maul, /maybe/ a Dooku, and there's no one that approaches their technical skill around anymore.

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>>2568035
I miss Vader Anakin

>>2567944

>Then we too will have to abandon the Rule of Two to create a new class of Sith
>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training

>Return so we may discuss it further (Cythera has outlived her usefulness, replace her)
>>2567949

>Bolster the Dark Adepts numbers and increase their training in the ways of the Force, but still hold them back from reaching the level of Sith
>>2567974

>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training
>>2567981
>>2568031
>>2568033


>>We will beat them as we have always done. Return to me for further training
>writing

Sorry for the long delay guys, my phone was on fire metaphorically speaking.

"Then we will beat them as we have always done," you say. "Return from your mission so that I may further your training. You have much to learn yet."

"Yes, Master," she replies.

"There is no shame in this loss, fighting Jedi and Sith was not something that was anticipated when you were trained," you say.

"Yes, Master." She sounds less than convinced, teeth grit in frustration.

"You think of Skywalker?" you venture. "Of your failure to kill him?"

"I'm getting tired of losing," she replies.

"And so am I," you give her a cold smile. "The only way to guard against defeat is to eliminate its possibility. We will continue your training and see if we can't find new ways to confound those who oppose us. Fret not, my friend, these usurpers are no threat. The yowling of dogs at our heels."

"Of course, my Master."

***

"Commander Tyrna?"

Amazing how fast ensigns learn after having the XO chew them out. "Yes?"

"Com for you, ma'am. It's the Hutt."

You scowl. The Hutt. Gorga the Hutt. Disgusting gangster and all around unpleasant creature, you'd been forced to cooperate with him in order to try to ascertain the location of a hidden Rebel base somewhere in Hutt Space. You and your task force had been offered to retrieve some 'cargo' for the Hutt in exchange for the location of the base. After discovering the 'cargo' was slaves, you'd freed the humans among them, giving them a barge and clearance codes to get to Imperial space. A move that Gorga discovered and delayed his acceptance of the rest of your 'payment'.

You'd been holding now in orbit of Nar Shaddaa for a day waiting to hear word from Gorga. Your combat compliment has been kept on high alert, guns charged and fighters ready to scramble, but so far the Hutts have made no move. Until now.

The view screen shows you the Hutt and his human interpreter who is look characteristically smug.

"Greetings exalted commander. My Master sends his warm regards," the interpreter ends the sentence with a smile, like punctuation.

"And what decision has your master come to?" you ask.

(1/2)

The smile doesn't waver, "Splendid Gorga has elected, of course, to uphold his part of the bargain, he will provide you with the coordinates of the Rebel base in exchange for his lost cargo."

"Wonderful," the first good news you'd heard. The Rebels throats were nearly under your blade. "We're standing by for the transmission of coordinates."

"My apologies, most noble on," he says, that smile frozen, "I beg your forgiveness for the misunderstanding I seem to have created. The deal will be upheld by my master, once you have returned his lost cargo."

You frown, "We've done that."

The Hutt speaks in a booming, alien tongue.

"Master Gorga says that some of his cargo has been returned, but a significant portion is missing. He believes that the rest of the cargo can be retrieved if information about their course, heading, and transponder is provided. If you have any of this information to provide, it should greatly accelerate his search."

The meaning is clear. Turn over the freed human slaves and the coordinates will be yours. This was the original bargain, though you altered it, or thought you had. It seems the Hutt won't settle for a partial prize. Surrendering the humans would get you the coordinates you need, but it would also be backpedaling your promise to them that they would be freed. Externally you remain unphased, but inwardly you curse the Hutt.

"Perhaps we could arrange an alternative payment for lost goods," you suggest.

"Magnificent Gorga will have to politely decline. Human slaves are cheap and common, he says that this is more about being thorough in ensuring our original deal remains intact. It's simply good business."

You allow a flash of anger across your face before reigning it in.


>Agree, turn over the freed slaves
>Refuse, the deal has changed, Gorga must accept this
>Write in

>>2568109
>Its a fucking shame that the Hutt is wrong then. If he doesn't wish to keep the deal, then I will be expecting to see ALL of the so called goods back.

>>2568109
>Write in
The Exalted Gorga the Hutt may have his cargo's weight in plasma then.

>>2568109
Hut scum, try to trace his location and send him a nice round of Turbolaser

>>2568112
>>2568132
>>2568138
>Fucking Rage

>writing

>>2568155
OHNO

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You count to three in your head.

"It's a pity the Exalted Gorga feels this way," you say, turning you Lieutenant Zepal, your Tactical officer. "Track them."

The Human interpreter makes a very human expression of bafflement.

"Y-yes, ma'am," Zepal salutes and strides off.

"It's a shame that your master is wrong," you continue. "If he doesn't wish to keep the deal then perhaps we can alter it further," you say. "How much do you think a gigajoule of energy is worth on Nar Shaddaa?"

"I do not follow your meaning," the translator says, casting a nervous look back at the Hutt.

"I suspect that you do," you say. "But I'll put it clearer. Ask your master if he's aware of how much firepower a single Imperial II Class Star Destroyer carries."

The translator looks uncertain, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his face. "Ah-"

"Ask him," you insist, squeezing your hands into fists.

The Translator relays your request, stammering at first.

The Hutt's eyes fly wide and it rears back from a reclined position, shouting something unintelligible.

"Mighty Gorga doesn't take your threats idly, commander."

"As well he shouldn't," you say.

"We have them ma'am. A palace complex on the surface of Nar Shaddaa," Zepal says.


>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.
>Perhaps another target to show we're serious. Commence fire on the commercial district.
>Things have gone too far, back down and find another option
>write in

>>2568186
>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.

>>2568186
>>Perhaps another target to show we're serious. Commence fire on the commercial district.
The next round will be for you exalted Hutt

>>2568186
>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.

>>2568186
>>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.
>Perhaps another target to show we're serious. Commence fire on the commercial district.


Give him the choice, his palace and potentially his life, his customers, or the rebel base.

And the Desiljics are one of the more reasonable Kajidics.

>>2568186
>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.

>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.
>>2568188
>>2568193
>>2568203
>>2568195


>Perhaps another target to show we're serious. Commence fire on the commercial district.
>>2568191
>>2568195


>Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of our task force, unless Gorga wants to bargain.
>Writing

"Feed those coordinates to the gunnery crews of every turbolaser battery in our task force," you say with a judicious wave of your hand to Zepal. You look back to the interpreter and smile, "Unless of course Gorga wants to bargain for his life."

The human translator stammers again, looking to Gorga and rattling off what you can only imagine is an apology or an explanation.

The Hutt doesn't hear the whole thing, scooping up a brass-plated bowl of amphibian delicacies and hurling it into his Translator. The dish bounces off the hapless man who tries to cower away from the blow, yelling himself hoarse to finish translating your threat.

A sense silence settles in, the word to fire hanging on your lips.

The Hutt makes a reply and sits back.

Now, translator, covered in unidentifiable muck straightens up, locking eyes with you. "A deal under gunpoint is no deal at all. But, what choice do we have in the face of the might of the Empire? We will pull the coordinates from our archives and translate them to you at once."

You allow your expression to smooth into a placid smile. "Splendid. Once we received those coordinates, we'll clear the targeting data from our gunnery computers."

The Hutts drag their feet for close to a standard hour before they finally supply the coordinates. It's fortunate for them since you were about to use some of Nar Shaddaa's orbital high ports for target practice.

The information given you points to a star system not on any Hutt star charts. Da Soocha, the fifth moon of the watery world. It's not far, your force can be there within the hour.

Now the question is what to do with this information. Time may be of the essence, and waiting for backup may give the Rebels enough time to realize that you've become savvy to their base location. However, jumping straight to them may leave you vulnerable to a trap.

A scouting party is an option, either remote probes or manned scout ships, but both have the option of likewise alerting the rebels. If an immediate attack is decided upon, more choices will be given about the details of that attack.


>Jump at once to their position
>Inform Zahn and request backup
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back
>Write in

>>2568243
>Inform Zahn and request backup

>>2568243
>Inform Zahn and request backup
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back

>Get ready to blast the hutts anyway.

>>2568243
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back
Why does Da Soocha V sound familiar?

>>2568243
>Jump at once to their position

>>2568243
>Inform Zahn and request backup
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back

>>2568256
this

>>2568243
>>Inform Zahn and request backup
>>Send a scout force and wait to hear back

>>2568243
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back
Also keep in mind the Hutt has very probably sent the wrong coordinates, or is planning to warn the rebels ahead of time, or other such shenanigans. We did threaten to blow him up after all

>Inform Zahn and request backup
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back
>>2568256
>>2568262
>>2568264
>>2568263


>Send a scout force and wait to hear back (Alone)
>>2568277
>>2568257

>Inform Zahn and request backup (alone)
>>2568250

>Inform Zahn and request backup
>Send a scout force and wait to hear back
>writing

Your ships are still combat ready.

>>2568257
If not sarcasm, Da Soocha V is the site of a hidden rebel base in the Dark Empire comics. TA DA!

I have a feeling the Hut might give the rebels a hint that we're coming

>>2568286
>Da Soocha V is the site of a hidden rebel base in the Dark Empire comics
Oh, Pinnacle Moon.

>>2568292
That would imply that the hutt did not do so anyway even if we were being polite and nonthreatening. It is a Hutt after all.

You remain on the bridge long enough to see the telltale hyperspace flicker of a pair of scout ships jumping to hyperspace toward the coordinates provided by the Hutts. You were mindful of treachery, and weren't discounting the Hutts to mislead you, or potentially give the Rebels advanced warning of your approach.

Once satisfied they were en route, you march to the communications suite and send a high priority message to Grand Admiral Zahn.

It takes minutes to connect the call.

"Commander Tyrna, word from the Hutts?" he asks.

"Admiral, I believe we've found them. The Hutt has provided the coordinates we were promised and I've sent a scout ship to verify the existence of a Rebel base."

"Wonderful," Zahn says, cracking a small, but noticeable smile.

"I'd like to request, sir, that a more substantial force be sent to ensure we crush the Rebels here and now."

Zahn tightens his face. "You're somewhat out of range, Commander. We have some sector assets nearby, but they're dispersed on peace keeping assignment." He pauses, thinking. "Admiral Oxtroe and her fleet are stationed in the Bothawui Protectorate," Zahn muses, "I'll order her to make best possible speed to the coordinates you've provided. Ensure they're not jumping into a trap."

"Yes, sir."

"You'll have a few hours before any of them arrive. Ensure the Rebels, if they are there, do not escape."

"Yes, Admiral."

Zahn ends the transmission and you swallow. Almost a decade ago, you'd lamented missing Hoth, the great victory the Empire so desperately needed over the Rebellion, now you were finding yourself in the pilot's seat of what was shaping up to be another large victory. Provided you could hold your advantage. The scout ships were on the spot now.

(1/2)

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Beside the steady clatter of terminals in the command compartment of the scout ship, the only sound was the whine of the engines. Here in the dead of space, Da Soocha was a blue orb and its moons a barely visible necklace.

"By the Emperor," Tusken 4's sensor operated mutters. "That's a lot of ships."

"It's the Rebel Fleet," Tusken 4 responds, adjusting his grip on the control stick. "What's left of it anyway."

"Well, it's a safe bet they got word we're coming. I'm seeing a few dozen transport ships lifting from the planet's surface. It looks like they're evacuating."

"Kirff," Tusken 4 says, "Bantha Kriff. That's not good. Send tight beam holonet transmission back to Retribution-"

***

Your face blanches as your com officer reads the message.

"Rebel fleet sighted. Five Mon Calamari cruisers, a stolen Imperial II Class, and associated escorts and fighters." The Com officer pauses before continuing, "Transports in process of evacuating from surface. Rebels seem to be alerted to our presence. Request instruction."

"Have them hold and monitor," you bark, knowing that a lone scout ship wouldn't be a single drop against the kind of forces the Rebels have arrayed. It's nothing compared to the might of the Empire, but it's more than a match for your task force. Waiting for reinforcement is possible, but with the evacuation well under way, they may escape before Oxtroe even arrives.

You stare pointedly at the recon images as if they hold the answers you seek.

It's not clear if the Hutts betrayed you or not, the Rebels may have simply grown anxious about your prolonged presence, either way, they could be dealt with later. The Rebels were primed to escape. Your sudden arrival may catch some of them unaware, but it may also be pitching your task force into the furnace. Beside which, if their transports are already fully loaded, they can begin fleeing at any time.


>Make plans to attack
>Hold here, don't spook them
>Write in

>>2568338
>Make plans to attack

>>2568338
>Make plans to attack
Does Oxtroe have any kind of interdiction ships?

>>2568338
>>Make plans to attack
Maybe we can catch them before they are ready

>>2568338
>Make plans to attack
Only attack when we can be sure that Oxtroe would arrive in time to finish off the reb fleet. Main target should be the transports.

>>2568348
>>2568351

A few, but they're several hours out, of course.

What is this a vote for?

>>2568338
>Hold here, don't spook them

>>2568338
>>Make plans to attack

Every little bit we can bleed them makes the Rebels that much weaker for the future. They wouldn't be evacuating and then sitting up there waiting on the chance that we don't find them.

>Write in
Inform Zahn of the situation and the Rebel strength.
Hell ask for advice too, this shit just got bumped up a paygrade.

>Other Write in
Gorga warned them, there's no reason it'd take an hour to supply coordinates, lightly bomb his palace and demand any further information he knows about where they are going or what he told them. Failure to satisfy us would be unwise.

>>2568360
The one that wasn't deleted, sorry.

As long as we can buy time, it'll be fine I guess

>Make plans to attack
>>2568344
>>2568351
>>2568354
>>2568359
>>2568364
>Hold here, don't spook them
>>2568348
>>2568362

>writing

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You look to Lieutenant Bastra, your Executive Officer. "Make ready all hands to attack. The Hutts sold us out, we'll deal with them in time. Recall all patrol ships and set course for Da Soocha V at once."

A general alert klaxon sounds on the bridge as the ships realign themselves to prepare to make the jump.

The Rebels knew you were coming, so your impact would likely be reduced, but even so, every little bit you can bleed them now is that much less you'll need to do in the future. If you're lucky, you can buy some time for Oxtroe and her forces to arrive and finish them off.

You grab the sleeve of the com officer, "Relay a message to the Grand Admiral. 'Have confirmed presence of Rebel Fleet. Six capital ships plus escorts. They are in process of evacuating the planet already. I am attacking to buy Admiral Oxtroe time.'"

"Yes, ma'am!" His salute is rushed, but you get one before he scampers back to his terminal.

One way or another, this would be one for the Academy.

With no more reason to attempt a quiet approach to the planet you plot a trajectory to come out as close to the moon as possible.

***

Within five minutes, your ships are ready and execute the jump. A painfully long transit period later, you're on the bridge as the four white daggers of your Star Destroyers scream out of the void and into realspace.

"The transports are our primary concern," you state aloud. "They'll likely try to buy some time for them with their fleet."

"Ma'am, enemy fighters are launching," Sensors says. "I'm also detecting activity on the planet surface, I don't think they've complete the evacuation. But they're raising defensive shields on the planet.

"Thank the Emperor," you say, quiet enough that only Bastra hears you.

You know the real danger here are the swarms of rebel fighters. While your Avengers even the playing field, a squadron of X-wings could still cripple or kill an unprotected Star Destroyer if they get in under your shields. Still, the Rebel Transports are in a prime position to escape, perhaps before your capital ships can close on them.


>Send our fighters out to attack the transports, leaving just enough to defend our capital ships
>Keep our task force together and advance on the transports
>Attack the main fleet, let the transports run
>write in

>>2568416
>Keep our task force together and advance on the transports

They'll be forward towards us then to stop us from crushing the transports, thus ensuring we can wear them down quicker.

>>2568416
>>Keep our task force together and advance on the transports
We can leave one two our groups to hold off the ships while we make short work of the transports

>>2568416
>Keep our task force together and advance on the transports

>>2568416
>Send our fighters out to attack the transports, leaving just enough to defend our capital ships

>Keep our task force together and advance on the transports
>Writing

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You wouldn't send your fighters out piecemeal to be torn apart by the enemy, instead you hold them close to your destroyers and advance on the transports. Predictably, the Rebels react the only way they can, by gathering their fleet and advancing. You try not to think about the numbers disparity between your two forces.

Before long, your two fleets are in turbolaser range and long range fire commences, the Rebel fighters likewise hugging their mother ships closely. Your picket ships fan out to screen your destroyers and maintain facing on the rebel fleet. The transports are burning for safety and it looks like they may just skirt the edge of the battle. All save one of your Star Destroyers.

"Ma'am, Captain Valorum requests permission to break from the task force and rush the Rebel transports," communications calls to you.

You set your jaw. It was looking likely the transports would mostly slip away without a shot fired, if Valorum broke formation he may be able to lunch and at least take some of them out. It would also weaken your main force moments before battle is joined.

>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward
>Denied, maintain formation and close on the Rebel fleet
>Write in

>>2568467
>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward
We're not getting another sweet opportunity like this.

>>2568467
>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward

>>2568467
>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward

We should attempt to move the bulk of the fleet between the transports and the enemy fleet so he has time to kill the transports.

>>2568467
>>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward

>>2568474
This

>>2568467
>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward

Blast them into dust

>>2568467
>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward

>Approved, send Valorum and Executrix forward
>Writing

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"Yes. He has my approval, now tell him to advanced, post-haste." you turn to Zepal, "Have the fleet move to cover his advance, increase barrage fire and shift Sorrow to support."

The fleet continues to spread into action, the first glancing turbolaser hits from the rebel fleet glancing off Retribution's forward deflector shields. This is it.


***

And that's my last post for the night guys. Thursday at 7 EST, 11 UTC, the Battle of Da Soocha V unfolds in earnest. There will be dice rolling.

As always I had fun and hope you all did as well! I'll see you at the next session and, as always, I am open for complaints, questions, comments, suggestions, and planning. If you pitch clever ideas I'm always happy to include them, or at least include them as vote options

Be sure to follow the Twitter or come hang in my discord if you want to fuck around.

https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest
https://discord.gg/WMEDDgX

>>2568509
Boo. Leaving us at a cliffhanger is worse than liking TLJ

>>2568519
I like to up the ante. Also, it's only just beginning.

>>2568467
Oh man I wish I had been here for this vote, because splitting is gonna hand us our ass.

We're outnumbered and we want to shoot at unarmed ships while we split fire and get gunned at by six capital's and their escort groups.

Man you guys, we better roll damn good, or this greed is going to gut our men and our ships.

>>2568573
The transports must be destroyed at all costs, even if the cost is our life

>>2568956
No they don’t. Major losses of spaceborn assets are unacceptable trade-off for a bunch of transports.

>>2568573
I think it was worth the risk. Letting those transports escape opens up an opportunity for the Rebellion to bounce back from this battle. I say we do everything we can to finish them off here.

We can afford the casualties as long as we hold on long enough for Oxtroe to arrive and help us finish them off

Why do i sense a incoming ion-canon...

>>2569069
You must not understand whats on those transports

>>2570167
The last porn in the galaxy?

>>2570182
Leia and the Twins. I also bet Han is the one commanding the star destroyer.

>>2570182
Precisely.

>>2568573
I was thinking the same thing but if what >>2570058 and >>2570195 assume is true then the rebel fleet will get out of its way to protects the transports and put itself at a disadvantage.

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Executrix wades into the meager skirmish force defend the transports, cutting down frigates that rise to stop it, its own escort ships trading crippling point-blank salvos and falling to pieces. The prize in sight, her fighter screen races forward to deliver strafing runs and torpedo bombardments.

The bulbous form of a rebel transport ship cracks open like an egg, dumping its cargo into space. Executrix's guns are too far out of range to be decisive, but you count three transports slain so far, the rest burning hard for the hyperlimit, the edge of Da Soocha V's small hyperspace shadow, the closest point they can safely jump away. There isn't enough time to get them all, or even most of them, but Captain Vallorum's run is costing them dearly.

You don't have time to revel in your small victory, the main body of the Rebel Fleet is closing on you, their fighter screen advancing slowly and deliberately into contact with yours. Battle is joined and your force is grossly outmatched. Five rebel capital ships and their escorts and fighter wings are bearing down on your three remaining Star Destroyers, Vallorum's Executrix having separated to pursue the Rebel transports.

If your task force can hold up against the enemy then you may have a chance to hit back.

***

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

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>2572289
Pssh, nothing personnel kid. I know I'm going to fuck it up...

>>2572297
You fucker.

>>2572297
>99

I guess no one is going to try for a hundred.

>Writing

>>2572313
Why risk it? Also it seems the Bloody Baroness strikes again!

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>2572289
DIE REBEL SCUM

>>2572317
Cause I do "best of" so there's no risk. Give in to your A N G E R

>>2572289
Look at that...the rebels are actually splitting their forces to protect the transporters

>>2572318
Uh, on second thought I think he's>>2572297
got this one

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>2572289
>>2572322
Just cause you asked for it. Also i guess Luke is on Planet. lol

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>>2572327
>Luke is on Planet

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The combat reports come in around you, calm, cool collected. The Rebels are coming on hard, but being driven back harder. You watch a flight of B-Wings torn apart by your Avengers before they can close, the Rebel fighters, so used to their domination of the "skies" are now finding themselves against near equal opponents, and their arrogance is costly. Whole X-wing squadrons are shredded by laser fire from your Lancers and your Carracks keep the Rebel escorts beaten back, allowing your Star Destroyers breathing room to pour bombardment fire on the Rebel fleet as it advances.

You watch, satisfied as Vallorum tears apart another trio of Rebel transports, including a large bulk freighter and comes apart as it tries to jump to the safety of hyperspace, scattering a long trail of cargo pods across the system. Even so, it is the beginning of the escape as the reminder of the transports and a paltry handful of escorts jump away, just at over half their original strength. Losses the Rebels would be hard pressed to replace.

Still, even as you watch you see one of your Carracks get picked apart by a Mon Cal frigate. The Rebel capital ships were untouched, and outnumbered you, though their escort is dramatically weakened.

Behind them, your sensors spot the occasional light transport climbing Da Soocha's gravity well for safety, scattering out from behind the umbrella of the fleet. The evacuation isn't yet complete.

Your luck has held firm, the bulk of your fleet is intact, but Vallorum is out of position and about to be hit with a stinting counter attack. With the Rebel escorts and fighters thinned, a sudden fighter rush may be able to pick off some of their capital ships and even the odds here, but doing so will also leave your vulnerable to fighter attack. It's a risky maneuver, but one that may pay off.

There is also the possibility of easing back, the Rebel transports have escaped, and now you only face their warships and a handful of stragglers escaping the surface piecemeal. Exactly what remains to be evacuated is impossible to say with certainty.


>Send our fighters into the Rebel fleet to attack their capital ships
>Keep our fighters close, rely on our guns
>Withdraw to observational distance, no sense risking the task force
>Write in

>>2572341
>Keep our fighters close, rely on our guns

Don't think the Rebels are out of tricks yet.

>>2572341
>Keep our fighters close, rely on our guns

Don't give then time to breath. Thin then out using our guns.Besides we have the gunnery witch in our ship we can easily eat their shields

TK quick question could we use the tractor beams to pull the escort ships close to us and so try to break their formation?

>>2572341
>Keep our fighters close, rely on our guns
We're not rebs, our advantage lies in superior gunnery.

>>2572374
Certainly! The success of that maneuver will be tied in with your inevitable dice roll

>>2572379
Okay guess if we need to open a way for our figthers we can try do that.

>Keep our fighters close, rely on our guns

>writing

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>>2572382
TK!!! I want my TIE Punishers!! I want to fuck rebels with heavy payload.

"Lieutenant Zepal, relay firing solutions to the other ships in our command. We're going to concentrate on those Mon Cals."

Zepal nods, "Clear firing lanes will be tough, with Rebel escort ships screening them."

"Clear them out with tractor beams then. Whatever it takes," you say, eternally frustrated at the lack of creative use of the tractor beam by Imperial officers in combat situations.

"Right away ma'am!"

"It's two ships per Destroyer, ma'am," Bastra reminds you.

"Then we'll do our duty or die with honor, won't we?" You fix him with a cold stare that he meets.

"Yes, ma'am."
Zepal leans close to the microphone pickup on the tactical station. "All batteries . . . Commence fire."

***

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

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>2572389
ITS AN EVEN FIGHT THEN

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>2572389
Don't get cocky now...

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>2572389
Open fire!

>>2572398
SURROUNDED IS JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR MUTIPLE TARGETS!!

>>2572398
>>2572399
>>2572401
>>2572389

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXNk6Zgs9bI

>>2572398
>>2572399
I try to make this game a challenge, I try to give high DCs and what the fuck do I get.

>91

>writing

>>2572407
I guess it will be hard to deny a promotion to Alana after this. But then again some of the rebels transports managed to run away...

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A flurry of emerald turbolaser fire arcs from your ships, scattering across the overlapping shields of the oncoming rebel escorts, drawing ever nearer.

"Left wing is folding, Commander," Zepal reports. "Desecrater's fighter wings are being pulverized."

"Refuse the flank, have him draw up, we're not getting driven back," you return.

Return Rebel fire crashes on your own ship's shields But you're watching to port as Captain Rence's ship, Desecrater concentrate's fire on the Liberty-type Mon Cal Cruiser just off its bow, a Rebel CR-90 being tossed aside like an unloved toy by the larger ship's tractor beams.

"Put fire on that ship," you say, pointing to the same cruiser. "I want to hit them from behind."

"Ma'am!"

The massive gun batteries of Retribution swivel and give fire, pounding the Mon Cal's shields until they falter and die, combined fire chewing up her bow and leaving it a stricken wreck.

Your own ship is now being hit by a withering fire from the two approaching Mon Cals, both of which your escorts have roughed up, but failed to stop. Executrix is similarly holding her own, barely standing against two Rebel capital ships. Even so, Sorrow is still fresh to the rear of your formation and ready to be thrown into the fray.

The relentless barrage goes on for a few more minutes before you notice the subtly shifting battlefield "topography."

"Are we shifting?" you ask navigation.

"Uh, yes ma'am. Slightly, the Rebels are turning away from the planet, I believe they intend to make for the hyper limit."

It was a maneuver that would draw you further away from the planet itself, either because they had nothing left to protect there, or because they were trying to allow room for the rest to escape unfettered. You could break off Sorrow to try to stop the continued escape of rebel ships, but it was a broad net to cast with only a few ships, beside which, if Desecrater ran into trouble, you would need your reserve. You might also let the battered remnants of the rebel fleet escape in order to focus on the planet if-

(1/2)

Your thoughts are interrupted as Lord Sallin comes to stand beside you.

"M-my Lord, we are currently at combat alert," you protest, trying to hide your surprise.

"There are Jedi on that planet," he says, tone neutral. "I believe Leia Organa is among them."

"Jedi?" you blink. "Nonsense. The Rebels certainly-"

"There are Jedi, commander. I can feel them in the force, I have for some time now. They are trying to escape this world."

You look back to the mottled brown world, perplexed. Jedi? Here? Perhaps the evacuation was less complete than you thought.

"I've spoken with Lord Brakiss and Grand Inquisitor Amenge about this issue," he continues. "The Grand Inquisitor is on his way here. I've been tasked with retrieving them at once."

"Retrieving?" You fail to hide your incredulity. "In the middle of this?"

"It's imperative you break with this fleet so we may secure them at once." Sallin says.

"I will not let the Rebel star fleet go for a handful of Jedi," you scoff, giving a nervous look to Lieutenant Bastra. "Sorrow could be tasked with landing troops and-"

Sallin shakes his head. "I fear that one ships compliment will not be enough to occupy the rebel defenders. It is Imperative they are secured. You may do as you wish, I am not your commanding officer, but it is the firm recommendation of the Kommisari, that you focus your efforts on capturing those Jedi."

You take a deep breath, "If we destroy their fleet first-"

"Then they will have enough time to load their remaining transports and slip away."

You hold your tongue another moment, not sure exactly how competent your Komissar's tactics were, but he was insistent.
>Send Sorrow to deal with the Rebel base
>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base
>I will not allow Dark Siders to dictate my tactics
>Write in

>>2572451
>Write in
Swap the Star Destroyer that's had it the worst with the one that destroyed the transports, send the one that's been swapped out at the escaping transports.

>>2572451
>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base

>>2572457
The one that's had it the worst is on the opposite side of the formation from the Executrix (Transport destroyer) which is also on the opposite side of the fleet from the rebel base. Just as an FYI

>>2572451
>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base

Let's not die today. Also rebels and their ships can be replaced, Jedi are far harder to find.

>>2572451
>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base

It pains me to let the rebel fleet break away now, but a chance at capturing Leia Organa and dealing with the Jedi seems very important.

Also, if its true that the Rebel Fleet is attempting to lure us away from the planet so they can escape then there's a chance they may reengage us were we to focus our attention on the planet instead

>>2572451
>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base

In the end the rebels will need to replace ships but Jedi are the real threat to the empire AND the emperor.

>>2572467
This anon gets it. The fleet is important but we cripple then enough for now. We can always look more into searching for the rest of the fleet another time.

>Allow the rebel fleet to break away and focus on the base

>writing

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Even you are not one to underestimate the threat the Jedi pose, or Leia Organa herself for that matter. Not to mention, you weren't likely to underestimate a "suggestion" of the Kommisari.

"Bring us about, make for orbit," you say to Bastra.

"Ma'am."

"Thank you, Commander," Sallin says with a thin smile that showed no teeth. "I will gather the other Komissars from the other ships in this group to attempt to apprehend the Jedi."

Now there was a thought. You glance at the rapidly retreating rebel fleet. You'd hurt them today, badly, but it had been less than complete. No matter, you had other fish to fry. The Jedi.

The final orbital maneuver is finished within moments, bringing the Rebel base under your guns. Despite this, it's protected by shield generators, as well as the presence of Jedi. You wouldn't risk killing them as long as Sallin intended to take them alive.

You call up your ground forces commander, General Duelis on holocom as he prepares to deploy.

"Commander Tyrna, I'll be taking a few regiments to the surface to surround and reduce the Rebel base. The terrain of this planet is dominated by rocky spires Some a kilometer high. The Rebels are using them for their base. To that end, I'll be bringing along a few platoons of MT-Ats to try to scale them. I intend to take the Rebel docking bays and landing platforms quickly, to prevent their use. I also intent to secure control of the air with a few flights of Tie Avengers." You feel bolstered by Duelis's casual competence. Behind him, you see the passenger bay of an MT-AT being loaded with storm troopers as Duelis himself pulls on a gray field helmet.

"Good hunting, General," you say.

***

Duelis watches Commander Tyrna dissolve from the com console of the walker. Hmph. Navy types. As if Duelis was really enough of a dullard to assume that all he had to do on the planet was walk in, blasters blazing. Just as much precision had to go into details like troops dispersal, bombardment targets, and landing sites. Ah well. He'd let his work speak for itself.

Still, he wished he had more time to reduce the base's static defenses before landing. With luck, it would be a cake walk.

***

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

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>2572506
Speaking of ground operations, where's Veers?

>>2572508
Likely stationed aboard another fleet. Probably 1st Fleet with Yazz.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>2572506
OHNO

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>2572506
Go get em

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>2572506
Oh boy time for another Hoth scenario?

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>>2572508
>>2572511
>>2572514
>39

>writing

>With luck, it would be a cake walk.

*sigh* he just HAD to say that didn't he?

>>2572517
As always the Empire sucks at ground battles. At least this isn't Alana's fault

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>>2572519
Should've probably just orbitally bombarded the planet like we did Balmora

>>2572523
Alana is Imperial Lemay.
Discuss

>>2572521
Empire dominated the Hoth ground battle, they shit the bed in orbit by letting the transports through, Admiral Ozzel etc.

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>>2572526
Being the Empire's Lemy only makes her more waifuable of a hero

"We'll bomb them back to the Pre-Hyperspace Age"

>>2572523
Yeah but the fucking Komissar just had to want to get then alive...make things harder for us why don't you?

>>2572526
I like to believe we are better then just orbital bombardment. But then again Alana is a navy officer.

>>2572534
>"But Commander there is to many assets in..."

>"I didn't asked about assets. If they are being holded by the ensmy they are enemy assest which makes then targets. Now start the bombardment."

Also if Alana's going to be the Imperial Lemay we need to get our hands at a TIE Punisher.

The Rebel laser batteries embedded in the tops and sides of the surrounding spires open fire on the descending MT-AT landing pods, shattering their heat resistant hulls and causing them to tumble into oblivion. These batteries had been well concealed, nothing that orbital recon could have ever spotted.

Once the surviving MT-ATs are landed and their infantry contingent, frantically offloading from barges, they begin a slow advance on the landing sites around the Rebel base, still taking fire from heavy, emplaced guns. These same guns also are used to ward off Tie Avenger and Scimitar Bomber attack runs.

The collective result is heavy casualties among the landing forces, and delay in reaching the remaining transports, now loaded and refueled which begin taking off, scattering and racing for the skies.

Some make it, running the gauntlet of fire and Tie attacks. Others don't picked off by turbolaser fire or shredded by Tie fighters as they try to escape.

Duelis and his surviving forces close in on the base, finding many of the weapons emplacements they capture to be automated or manned by skeleton crews. It's a bloody slog, but the Rebels can't hop to stem the flood of Imperial troops that close in on them.

At the tip of the spearhead are four , dark robed figures, batting aside blaster fire with crimson light saber blades. The Komissars enter the base, following the trail of Leia with a platoon of Deathtroopers in tow.

Onboard Retirbution you review these combat figures dispassionately, reviewing also the losses to your task force. Substantial, but not insurmountable. The Task force has also had to spread out much further in an attempt to swat all the fleeing transport ships, so no bigger than light stock freighters.

"Commander Tyrna! Message from Lord Sallin!"

You pace to the com station. "Yes?"

Sallin's visage greets you, a jagged, cauterized scar across his cheek. "Commander, I have done my task! One of the Jedi is slain, and Leia Organa's son is in our hands. She has managed to escape," he is breathing hard, "With her other child, aboard a tramp freighter. I want them, Commander. You must stop that ship."

"Commander Tyrna, A YT-1300 class transport is entering our sector, coming up from the planet," sensors calls.

"It's coming at an oblique angle," Zepal says, reading over his shoulder, "Capture will be difficult, but I have gun batteries tracking them. We can vaporize that ship and the Jedi it carries."


>Destroy them, we can't risk them escaping
>Attempt to take them alive.
>write in

***

Just for the record and "Try to capture but shoot them if we have to" is taken as an effort to take them alive.

>>2572551
>Destroy them, we can't risk them escaping

We can't risk them escaping.

>>2572551
>Attempt to take them alive.
>Send Vells to personally lead the capture

>>2572551
>Attempt to take them alive
Shoot at it really hard first

>>2572551
>>Attempt to take them alive.

>>2572551
>Attempt to take them alive.

This is a terrible move but i'm greedy

>Attempt to take them alive.

>writing

>>2572551
Good on Sallin for killing a Jedi. I think, out of all the Blackguards and Dark Adepts, he might be the first to finally score a kill since Palpatine came back from the dead.

>>2572567
I think Sedriss had a lot of Jedi kills. But then again Cythera and him were fascing Luke and his top students.

You chew your lip, staring at the steadily growing marker on your sensor display.

"Commander?"

You take a breath. "Get me Lieutenant Vells."


***

"Is this some kind of Kriffing joke?" Vells asks after ending the transmission with Alana. "Take down a transport without killing the passengers? "

"Orders are orders, sir," a wingman reminds him.

"Don't have to kriffing tell me twice. Throttle up, we've got to head off a fast mover." Through his viewport, Vells sees the star destroyer likewise angling to try to make a passing grab at the ship his transponder identified as the Millennium Falcon.

***

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

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>2572574
Give em Hell Vells

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>2572574

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>2572574

>>2572577
>>2572579
>>2572580

>87

>writing

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>2572551
>Leia Organa's son
Oh shit.

>>2572574
Do we need to roll middling to not kill them or high to not kill them?

>>2572582
I guess I should start including the DC huh? It's very high to take them alive, it wouldn't do much good for me to tell you now.

>We about to scraffle with THE Falcon.

Ih god i doubt a 87 was enough. It's the Falcon being piloted by a jedi.

>>2572595
At least it would be destroyed.

>>2572582
I guess Jacen can never escape his destiny of being corrupted by the dark side.

>>2572596
Well hopefully we can gather sime intel from the base and the debriss to figure out were the rebels are going to.

>>2572607
How do you know it's Jacen?

>>2572612
They had three kids? I though that Leia only had the twins so far.

"Fan out, try to corral them toward the Destroyer," Vells says, catching his skull-painted visage in the reflection of his viewscreen momentarily. The Avengers in his unit spread out and scream toward the Falcon at attack speed.

A blast of quad laser fire spits from the top of the ship and strikes one of his wingmen square on., blowing the center ball to pieces and scattering the two wing foils.

"Fire, topside!" Vells calls, corkscrewing aside to avoid another blast from the gun. "Kirff!"

He comes around, under similar fire from the ventral canon, crossing in front of the ship and looping back around, dropping his crosshairs onto the protruding cockpit of the ship. "Gotcha." At the last second he lets off the triggers and flashes by the ship. That was a close one, he'd nearly vented them. Alive, dammit, take them alive"

Another pass, Vells circles around, narrowly avoiding another fusillade of fire that catches a second Tie. With some quick pedal work, he swings his ship over to line up on the Falcon, coming up from behind them quickly. Just ahead, open space and safety. This might be his only chance. Saying a quick, silent apology to Alana, he squeezes his triggers and dances fire across the rear of the ship, one bold going wild and striking the dorsal gunners position which detonates with a flash. Vells swears and pulls away.

"Retribution," he calls, flipping com to his mother ship, "Kriff, I hit them pretty good. I'm not sure if there were casualties or-"

"Belay that, Vells. Destroy that ship!" Alana orders.

It meant the tractor beams had failed to lock on.

"Right!" Vells kills the com again. "By the Emperor's smoking bones, woman, why didn't you say so in the first place." He comes about, his surviving wingmate forming beside him as they close in. Vells flips his weapon selector to concussion missiles and locks onto the ship. He recalls a Huttesse phrase from his past, something gangsters used to say before finishing someone off. "Tee-tocky nee choo!" he fires.

The missiles streak forward and find only empty space as the Falcon leaps into hypserspace.

Vells leans back in his restraints with a sigh, spending a second to verify the ship really is gone. "Retribution. They got away. I think that maybe I killed one of them though."

Shortly afterward, you witness the return of the Komissars to your ship, now one fewer in number. Sallin is dirty and bloody, his face brutally scarred. They have with them a small boy, merely a few years old and looking terrified. Is that their prize? Is he a Jedi?

The boy is placed under heavy guard in Retribution's detention bay while mopping up operations re overseen on Da Soocha. Before long, word comes that a Korriban-Class cruiser has arrived in the system, around the same time that the lead elements of Admiral Oxtroe's forces begin arriving.

"Commander, Grand Inquisitor Amenge is requesting to meet with you," Communications says.


>meet him on the bridge
>Meet him in my ready room
>write in

>>2572617
Uh...oh god did we just killed chewie?

>>2572619
>Meet him in my ready room

>>2572616
They should have Anakin at this point.

>merely a few years old
Ah, it is Jacen.

>>2572619
>Meet him in my ready room

>>2572619
>Meet him in my ready room

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>>2572621
>Feeling remorse
>MRW

>>2572626
Yup..guess i was right Jacen just can't escape his fate. Doesn't matter in which timeline.

>>2572619
>>Meet him in my ready room

>>2572629
Hey!! I liked the fur ball!!

>>2572619
>Meet him in my ready room

>Meet him in my ready room

>writing

>>2572634
Better we kill him than the Vong

>>2572642
That was a cool scene. But if he dies now then Anakin won't be compelled to throw safety to the wind.

>>2572643
Man some how i feel like we got punked of our victory...but then again if we had rolled as bad as we rolled in the ground battle against the rebel fleet our task force would be heavily damaged to continue the pursuit.

The Grand Inquisitor is strange to you on many levels. To begin with, unlike Sallin, he is attractive, with soft features and sensitive eyes. But in those eyes is something you're quite acquainted with. A lust for power and a greed for more.

He wears a long, crimson cape that trails the floor behind him and reminds you of the one Brakiss wore. While both men have light hair, The Grand Inquisitor wears his long and swept back.

The other strange thing, is that he looks familiar to you, though you don't remember ever meeting him before.

"Grand Inquisitor, welcome," you say. "I must say, I wasn't expecting your visit."

"Commander Tyrna," he smiles at you. "That's a common sentiment, but I must say it's nice to be welcome for once. Very rarely is the Inquisition welcomed." His smile is cold but, you sense maybe a small ounce of humanity behind it. It's hard to be sure what is genuine and what is elaborate charade. He clasps his gloved hands behind his back and surveys your office. "I've looked over your record, Commander. You've done fine work. I can't say 'from humble beginnings' though." You see another hint of warmness in his eyes, a twitch of his lip.

"The Academy is just as tough on nobles as it is on commoners," you reply, returning his half smile and wondering still how much of a man could really be left in that attractive façade. Surely, if Amenge was anything like Brakiss, he was a shell of ice around a core of hate.

"I'm sure they are. I certainly felt that way at the Citadel. But . . . Here we are."

(1/2)

We.

You must let a bit of puzzlement slip through, or perhaps he senses it. "Oh, I'm not surprised that you don't recognize me. But I have seen you before. You weren't in the navy then."

The Grand Inquisitor was around your age, so he likely wasn't a friend of your parents. Then it clicks.

Amenge. Likely a relative of Baron Amenge, a Lord of Byss.

"Ah yes, you remember. I have never spoken with you, but I have seen you before at social functions on Byss, when we were younger. I'd have a hard time forgetting you." He picks up a metal model of a Strike cruiser from your desk, reading the etched label. Scylla.

You feel an equal mixture of flattery and unease. It was a strange combination and only added to your feeling of being off balance. "Thank you, my Lord."

He nods. "I heard about Leia and the other child escaping. Pity. But, I'm happy to be able to tell the Emperor that we have captured one of the Skywalker line. Thanks to you of course. Well done."

"Thank you, my Lord," you still feel a deep anger in your gut that the Rebel fleet escaped, and that you let Leia slip by you.

He waves off your thanks, "Service deserves reward. I will be sure to tell the Emperor exactly how helpful you were in this operation. Really, instrumental." He pauses and simply studies you a moment. "I will be returning to Byss and taking the child with me. We have much in store for him." Another long pause. "Perhaps . . . Commander, when you have some free time, you would like to join me on Byss. It might be nice to catch up. Talk about the past." His face is blank save a placid smile.


>It would be a pleasure
>I'm afraid I don't see myself having time at any point soon
>I'm flattered, but I prefer to maintain professional relationships
>Are you going to harm that boy?
>Write in

>>2572655
>It would be a pleasure
Can't say no to a dark sider

>>2572655

>It would be a pleasure

>>2572655
>>It would be a pleasure

>>2572655
>It would be a pleasure

>>2572655
>It would be a pleasure
Also offer our fleet to him for escort. Solo is a very high-value target.

>>2572655
>It would be a pleasure

Oh my...dark sider AND from noble birth? Yummy.~

"It would be a pleasure," you say, with a cordial smile, still trying to place his face to the sea of blandly attractive people from your childhood.

"Oh, wonderful." he smiles again. "Then I suppose I'll be leaving. It was nice catching up, Commander Tyrna.

"Perhaps would you like an escort back to Byss?" you blurt. "The Solo child seems to be very important to you. Perhaps it would be wise that we accompany you."

"No," he says, "Thank you, Commander. I don't think that will be necessary. You have work to do in Hutt Space still I believe." He stops in the door way, as if remembering more and looks back at you, "I must say, you look much the same as you did back then. It's . . . Pleasant. Reminds me of my youth." he returns to himself. "Safe travels, Commander."

The door hisses closed behind him and you're left with no better understanding of the Grand Inquisitor than when he entered.

***

You are Emperor Palpatine and you have just received word that Jacen Solo, the eldest son of Leia Organa has been captured. Jacen was not just a child though, he was the grandson of Darth Vader. It had often been said that talent skips a generation. You hope that's the case.

Your Grand Inquisitor was returning with the child at once to begin training. You had little doubt that young Jacen would soon be one of your most powerful adepts. Perhaps . . . Like a son to you.

The details of his capture, and the rough handling of the Rebel fleet had been relayed to you by Grand Admiral Zahn, along with his recommendation that the Commander in charge of the operation be rewarded for her quick thinking and skillful deployment. You recognize the name, Tyrna. The daughter of Aldon, your Minister of Alien Labor and a supporter of yours even during the dark days of the Clone Wars. You'd seen her fight at the Rock Crab Nebula where she'd carried herself well. Perhaps it was time she was rewarded.

It takes mere minutes to make the transmission to her ship and you relish the surprise and aw that registers with her as you find yourself looking at a life-size hologram of Commander Lady Alana Tyrna.

"Y-your Highness. This is an unexpected honor."

"Unexpected," you reply, "But not undeserved. I've heard that you were primarily responsible for the capture of the Solo boy, as well as the destruction of a Rebel base."

"Yes, Highness." She visibly swallows.

"My congratulations, Commander. Your superiors have put in kind words for you and your diligence has been noticed."

"Thank you, Highness. It's the highest honor for you to say so." She inclines her head slightly, in a half bow.

Now, for her reward


>Make her a Countess of Byss
>Promote her to Rear admiral
>Tell her father of what she's accomplished
>Write in


(Let's keep it reasonable, please.)

>Promote her to Rear Admiral.

She's a navy woman, and she's being rewarded for acts in the service of the navy, so she should be rewarded in the navy.

>>2572680
>Promote her to Rear admiral

>>2572680
>Promote her to Rear admiral
>Tell her father of what she's accomplished

>>2572680
>Promote her to Rear admiral
And give her a new command. I think one deal with a Hutt is enough for a lifetime.

>>2572692
This

>>2572680
>Promote her to Rear admiral
>Tell her father of what she's accomplished

>>2572680
>Promote her to Rear admiral
>Tell her father of what she's accomplished

>>2572685
>>2572686
>>2572690
>>2572692
>>2572694
>>2572698
>>2572702

>writing

"Something more than words might help show you why your father feels such loyalty to this Empire," you say. "I believe you've spent long enough as a commander. I would like you promote you to be rear admiral."

Her eyes light up though her face remains stone. "Thank you very much, Highness."

"Thank you, Admiral Tyrna. You do this Empire a great good through your service. We are safer today than we have been in a decade. Continue to do your work."

"Yes, Highness."

"Your father will hear of your accomplishments here. I believe he will be proud."

Tyrna nods, words failing her.

"Carry on, Admiral." You close the channel.

With Tyrna rewarded, you have now to deal with the matter of her report. This day was not a complete victory largely because of, according to Tyrna's report, duplicitous dealings with the Hutts. Even now, you were receiving complaints from the Hutt council about Oxtroe's uninvited fleet roaming across their territory. The words "Treaty Violation" are being thrown around a lot. You've lost track of which treaty is is exactly that protects Hutt Space from Imperial incursion, but it's currently being trampled.

Of course, Hutt Space is also the center of the search for the Rebel Fleet. With nowhere to go to ground, they are likely trying to put distance between themselves and you.
>The Fleet will stay until we have found the Rebels
>Execute a punitive attack on Gorga's assets during the hunt for the Rebels
>Hutt space has outlived its usefulness. Subjugate them.
>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna
>Write in

>>2572709
>Hutt space has outlived its usefulness. Subjugate them.

its clear they already worked with the hutts in the first place, Rebels are rebels. Stomp down on ALL the hutts besides those willing to work with us.

>>2572709
>>Hutt space has outlived its usefulness. Subjugate them.

>>2572709
>The Fleet will stay until we have found the Rebels
If the Hutts make the first move then we have a reason to subjugate them.

>>2572709
>Write in

While Hutt Space is beginning to outlive its usefulness, another front need not be opened before we've solidified what we already have. Withdraw Oxtroe but keep Tryna in theater searching for the rebels. Reinforce her assets to a level befitting her new rank.

>>2572709
>>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna
The Empire is overstretched as it is. We need time to build our fleets to its former size. The rebellion is all but dead, Hutts are nothing but a nuisance.

>>2572709
>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna
Consolidate before expanding. Our Empire is easy pickings for Thrawn rn.

>>2572709
>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna

We do need to solidify our holds first. And we can't let ourselfs open to Thraw or other force to come and kick our ass. Besides the rebels will most likely try to rescue the boy.

>>2572709
>>Hutt space has outlived its usefulness. Subjugate them.

I know that stretching thin is bad, but think of the alternative.

They will aid the rebels regardless of what we do now, so let's weaken their ability to aid our enemies by taking this space for ourselves and making ourselves stronger.

>>2572730
That...just make us even more likely to be infiltrated anon...in a place we we try to control and solidofy as much terrain as we want streching is a terrible idea.

Besides the Hutts will help the rebels with information and not ships. And we can always count for the Hutts to backstab each other whe there isn't a common enemy uniting then.

>>2572709
>>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna

>Hutt space has outlived its usefulness. Subjugate them.
>>2572712
>>2572714
>>2572730


>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna
>>2572719
>>2572725
>>2572727
>>2572739
>>2572718 (including this vote since it's very similar)

>The Fleet will stay until we have found the Rebels
>>2572716


>There is no reason to antagonize the Hutts, withdraw Oxtroe and Tyrna
>writing

File: Deployment1.jpg (1.47 MB, 2568x3016)

1.47 MB JPG

The Rebels have escaped for now, there is no sense making more enemies. You will acquiesce to the Hutt's wishes and order Admiral Oxtroe's forces out of Hutt Space.

Currently, Admirals Lennox and Yazz are deployed on your northern border, guarding against any action by Thrawn. Oxtroe is in Hutt Space, Lobkin is on garrison duty across the southern reaches of your Empire, stretched thin due to Oxtroe being pulled out to reinforce Tyrna. Admiral Trier is garrisoning the southern end of your Empire. These combat fleets are being held in garrison until appropriate sector fleets can be built, though the modest forces of the Bothawui Protectorate are holding their own sector.

Oxtroe's strange deployment allows for an interesting opportunity however. Currently, a large chunk the Expansion Region in The Slice is unclaimed by any side. It stands between Oxtroe's forces and Lobkin's fleet and is ripe for the taking. IT will mean leaving large parts of your Empire minimally garrisoned, but it will also secure more territory for yourself, and block the potential expansion of rivals.


>Oxtroe and Lobkin will advance into The Slice
>Oxtroe will conquer it alone, Lobkin will stay in reserve
>Oxtroe will return to occupation duty to secure our territory
>Write in

>>2572755
Order Oxtroe and Tyrna to conquer it. It will be their way home.

>>2572755
>Oxtroe will conquer it alone, Lobkin will stay in reserve

>>2572755
>>Oxtroe will conquer it alone, Lobkin will stay in reserve

>>2572755
>a large chunk the Expansion Region
^of the
also agree with this anon >>2572757

>>2572755
>Oxtroe will return to occupation duty to secure our territory

I feel like we've been stretched thin for a while. I say we fortify ourselves for a while before making any more major conquests

>>2572755
backing this guy >>2572757

>>2572755
>Oxtroe will return to occupation duty to secure our territory

We need more ships and the force that tries to take the slice will be..well sliced if it does it. But i bet Thrawn won't try to force a conflict with us. Can't say the same from the other forces.

>Oxtroe will conquer it alone, Lobkin will stay in reserve
>>2572757
>>2572758
>>2572761
>>2572764
>>2572767


>Oxtroe will return to occupation duty to secure our territory
>>2572765
>>2572771


>>2572764
Yeah I suck

>Oxtroe will conquer it alone, Lobkin will stay in reserve (Alana too)
>Writing

We're gonna end up gorging ourselves on clay

>>2572755
>>Oxtroe will return to occupation duty to secure our territory

Maybe it's better to wait for our forces to grow in number rather than expansion.

Didn't we just planned to upgrade the whole fleet and tried to gave that pirate lady a fleet

Oxtroe might as well plant your flag on her way back home. You decide it will also give Tyrna some more valuable experience. She is now attached to Oxtroe's fleet as a senior commander. You expect that it will create an interesting dynamic.

The Hutts narrowly avoided destruction at your hands, the Rebels as well. And you secured a new potential apprentice for the future.

Soon you will revitalize your fleets and reclaim your lost prize.

***

Thanks for playing guys! I'm out of time but it was a good session. Hopefully you had as much fun playing as I did designing. I'm open for questions and discussion as well. Next session will be week after next, I'll post about it when the day gets closer.

Be sure to follow the Twitter or come hang in my discord if you want to fuck around.

https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest
https://discord.gg/WMEDDgX

>>2572780
Yes, but anons are being greedy.

>>2572781
So uh, do we get any special bonuses for recapturing Endor or Mustafa? or tatooine

>>2572781
Thanks for the run TK. Did we actually killed someone from the original crew?

>>2572784
>Greed
A founding principle for the Galactic Empire

>>2572785
The satisfaction of a job well done.

>>2572786
>Thanks
Thank you for playing!

Did we actually killed someone from the original crew?
Yes.

>>2572789
I hate satisfaction. It's course and rough and it gets everywhere.

File: Spoiler Image (148 KB, 500x611)

148 KB GIF

>>2572791

>>2572755
Instead of getting that entire area, why don't we just take the space from Manaan to a little past Ruusan so that the other powers cant get access into the interior? The huts certainly arent expanding

File: C3P-No.jpg (67 KB, 620x400)

67 KB JPG

>>2572789
Can we get a hint?
My bet is pic related

>>2572799
The problem is you need to control hyperlanes and things for supply reasons, and honestly, it'll be about the same amount of effort, I wont intentionally over reach Oxtroe like that.

>>2572801
>Spoiler
It was Chewie.

>>2572805
That spoiler Good.

Done in by a Tie pilot of all things, the outrage.

>>2572805
Can we conquer Hapes Cluster?

>>2572829
And how many ships did we capture from the Eriadu warlords?

>>2572828
Vells isnt just any old Tie pilot. It was an honor.

>>2572829
If there's enough interest, absolutely. Tho it would be quite difficult.

>>2572840
I forget the exact number, but smait's small. I think it was 4 ISDs and escorts, something around there.

>>2572972
>4 ISD's and escorts
>Small

Mate, we don't have the power house yet build up, that's a decent chunk.

>>2572655
>Noble
>Dark Sider
>Influential
>Emperor's confidant
You're not going to get a better one girl. Go get him.
>>2572755
At this rate we're gonna need another 4 fleets to defend the Empire properly and expand.

>>2572983
Didn't mean to sell it short! It's just not the 16 they started with.

>>2572991
>romance
These are vital qualities in a lover.

>Fleets
I probably have done a bad job showing this, but every system/sector has local assets too. The combat fleets are only being used as your sector fleets are built up. I'll try to find a better way to illustrate that.

>>2573107
I still don't think our empire is secure until we got a fleet stationed at every corner.
Tarkin Doctrine ftw

>>2573109
That's a sentiment I can understand. As I said, sector fleets *are* a thing and serve that function. Currently it's all older warships, Victory-Class, Dreadnaughts, frigates etc. But in your heyday it was built of Imperial-Class destroyers as well. Recent losses have simply pulled all those to front line duty.

You shouldn't need to use combat fleets for garrison. Like I said, I'll probably have to bite the bullet and enumerate them too. Maybe even assign fleet admirals. I'm sure Alana would love to be stationed on the backwater in garrison duty. Right? Right?

>>2572972
Just 4? Thought we would have gotten more from their "peaceful" surrender.
>>2573134
>I'm sure Alana would love to be stationed on the backwater in garrison duty.
I'll take garrison duty on the Core any day over Hutt scum.

>>2573156
Even backwater garrison duty might not be so bad. We get to be Moff and shit. Father will be proud of all the alien slaves we send him.

>>2573156
>Just 4
They originally had more, but the plan to split Eriadu from Fondor resulted in in-fighting that destroyed most over their fleet, including an SSD. 4 was all they had left in the end.

>>2573156
>>2573158
>Garrison
Moff could be interesting, but she'd have to make a small career shift.

>>2573183
>Moff could be interesting, but she'd have to make a small career shift.

could be fun to do some ruling for a change branch and acquire some different experience