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/a/F3KmhF7


I allow between ten and fifteen 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 tiebreaker, and if no one votes, I roll for the tiebreaker 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.

File: star-wars-imperial-fleet.jpg (3.13 MB, 2560x2048)

3.13 MB JPG

From your throne room atop the bridge tower of your flagship Tarkin, you are faced with a holographic council of your top military advisors, naval and civilian.

“Grand Admiral, your proposal?”

“Yes, your highness,” Oxtroe says, her facial expression remaining blank. “I have drawn up plans to capitalize on Admiral Tyrna’s fortuitous success at Imperial Center where it will serve as a springboard. I would have two fleets, Yazz and Dalaa, drive forward against Thrawn’s territory, creating a vital buffer around the Core and the capital, as well as forcing Thrawn onto the defensive, allowing us to regroup and continue our assault.”

You nod as you listen, certainly a sound idea. You turn your attention to the rest of the council. “I have heard rumor there are other proposed solutions?”

“Yes, Highness.” If Oxtroe is reluctant to reveal this, she doesn’t show it.

“I should like to hear them.”

Oxtroe’s eyes flick to Admiral Daala.

“I have drafted a plan that I submitted to the Grand Admiral for review,” Daala says. “It was tabled for being too risky.”

You gesture for her to present anyway.

“It was a campaign of maneuver,” Daala explains, calling up a representation of the galaxy and highlighting a hyperplane near Onderon. “The idea being we would- through a series of engagements- drawn Thrawn’s main fleet in and corner him near Onderon where we could force him into a pitched battle and destroy him. It would minimize the time of campaigning as well as minimizing damage to his own territories.”

“But carries the risk of ourselves being boxed in,” Oxtroe interjects.

“I should also like to hear-” you say, “The opinion of Imperial Intelligence.” You look to Isard.

“Yes, Highness. Reports have indicated that Thrawn’s military activity seems heavily centered on Wayland, which as you no doubt know is the location of the Mount Tantiss storage facility.”

You knew it as the hidden location of some of the galaxies last remaining mass cloning cylinders. “Has the Grand Admiral retained use of the facility then?” you ask.

“We believe so, your Highness. Evidence suggests he is bolstering his armies with . . . the product of this world.”

A frightening prospect, but it explained how Thrawn could do away with conscription on worlds that joined him. “You believe attacking this world will destroy him?”

“At the least,” Isard says, “He would feel compelled to defend it. Daala could achieve her pitched battle without complicated maneuver.”

“It would also be a battle on the ground of Thrawn's choosing,” Oxtroe reminds. “And certainly a move he expects. Not to mention the world is well behind his lines and would leave us dangerously exposed.”
>General advance from the Core
>Force engagement at Onderon
>Strike at Wayland
>Additional questions (write-in)
>Write in

>>3241367
>General advance from the Core

Thrawn cheat's, and knows us as risky and insane. let's not be.

>>3241367
>General advance from the Core

>Write in
Have our darksiders find where Thrawn is keeping C'Baoth, and send in a strike team after him when we do find him.

He would also be a pain in the ass, but I wish Zsinj was still here to fight Thrawn.

>>3241367
>>Force engagement at Onderon
The Imperial city can be held, as we've seen before, and I would rather not be trapped behind lines with Thrawn, so having one battle that would either break the back of us or Thrawn seems best. Clausewitz didn't take space into account, so fuck what he said

I believe if we were to strike at Wayland, we would have to do so without damaging the cloning facilities. Would it be possible to try to launch a ground assault there?

>General advance from the Core

>>3241367
>General advance from the Core
When fighting Thrawn don't try risky gambits or maneuvers

>>3241367
>General advance from the Core

>>3241416
If you can clear orbit, certainly! It's a fortress though.

I kind of want to do a modified version of Daala's plan, but I don't think that Thrawn do what he would have to do for the plan to work out best.

>General advance from the Core
>>3241379
>>3241392
>>3241416
>>3241420
>>3241434


>Writing

Hey TK, do we know how many clones that facility can produce?

“I won’t risk any theatrics. I want Thrawn destroyed in the most conventional way possible. Grand Admiral, you may begin your attack.”

Oxtroe looks apprehensive but nods appreciation.

“I will be reorganizing the fleet,” she says “Rotating battered commands off the line.”

“Do what you must,” you say, unconcerned with the details.


“I will, your Highness.”

***

You are Admiral Lady Alana Tyrna, and you’ve barely had a moment to calm yourself after a holo-conference with the Emperor before your command is inundated with messages. The first of which is from Oxtroe’s command staff. Moff Volen’s defense forces are to take over the garrisoning of Imperial Center once more, and Admiral Trier will be shortly behind him. You have new marching orders as it were.

“Naboo?” you read the name with distaste. That was about as far from the front you could go and still be in Imperial Space.

“Afraid so, ma’am,” your Executive Officer replies. “Straight from the Grand Admiral.”

“Why in the name of the Emperor are we going out there?” you ask.

“Rest and recuperation,” the XO says.

You don’t argue that this could be done much closer to the front, you don’t see the point since you doubt he’d disagree. Furthermore, you know that nothing can be done. Naboo it was.

It was mere hours later that the next transmission came for you.

“Admiral Tyrna,” Communications calls. “Grand Inquisitor Amenge is hailing us.”

You consider the situation a moment before saying, “Send it to my ready room.”

A welcome face, the attractive features of the young Grand Inquisitor light your holo table. “Alana. My congratulations on your victory over the traitors.”

You smile back, “Thank you, Vende. I’m simply doing my part in this war.”

“A part much larger than most, I assure you.”


His smile falters. “I must admit, I am sad to see you go. I had hoped we might spend more time with one another. I must admit that my estate gets rather lonely without you around to brighten it up.”

Aw.


>You understand how it is. We’ll meet again when I next have the opportunity
>Why not join me? I’m sure you can smooth over any political issues that may cause
>I’ll comm you regularly so we can pass the time quickly
>Write in

>Why not join me? I’m sure you can smooth over any political issues that may cause.

>>3241454
Lots. Lots and lots. If Thrawn got the technology to work properly, hundreds of thousands. Easily.

Yeah in that case I think after this attack we should somehow try to besiege the cloning facility. Destroying it would be a blow to both us, and Thrawn, if we were able to use it for our own purposes, it'd be great.

>>3241508
>>I’ll comm you regularly so we can pass the time quickly
Was gonna invite him, but I can only imagine the awkwardness that would come between Vells and Amenge

>>3241508
>Why not join me? I’m sure you can smooth over any political issues that may cause

>>3241508
>You understand how it is. We’ll meet again when I next have the opportunity
He has an important job, probably shouldn't distract him.

>>3241508
>I’ll comm you regularly so we can pass the time quickly

Changing my vote

>I’ll comm you regularly so we can pass the time quickly

>I’ll comm you regularly
>>3241531
>>3241575
>>3241602

>Writing

You smile, “There’s no reason to fret. I’ll be back soon enough. I’m hopping off to my next stop but there will be plenty of chances for me to comm you to pass the time.”

You can't imagine any reason you should need to bring Vende along . . . aside from personal ones.

Vende returns your grin with a plastic smile. “Wonderful. I shall look forward to it.”

When you kill the transmission, you can’t help but wonder if your father would ever agree to a marriage between the two of you. It would-

The comm beeps again. Another high-level transmission.

You tap the accept key and a new image resolves. Instead of Vende’s smooth features, you see a young woman, dressed in a tight-fitting black gown and long opera gloves. She wears a stormy expression as well, which is what you actually notice first.

“Duchess,” you say, “I hadn’t expected to hear from you.”

“I can’t expect why not, Alana. Surely you’re aware of who it is that resides on Naboo?”

You hesitate, “Why would-”

“Don’t be coy, Alana. As if I don’t know about your transfer here. Were you planning on visiting?”

“I had, yes.” Truthfully it hadn’t crossed your mind.

“Well, I’m afraid it’s not all good news.” Her expression darkens further.

You tilt your head slightly, “What’s happened?”

“I’ve received orders from the Emperor himself. I’m going to be wed to marry.”

You’re stunned, Ederlathh seems a bit . . . young to be engaged to someone, especially by a family member she hardly knows. “Oh. um. Who to?”

Ederlathh waves you off, “A man called Isolder. He’s not bad looking, Alana. He’s actually quite attractive but . . . he’s so dull! Why should I have to be played like a Dejarik piece by some ancient politician?”

You assume she means the Emperor. You mull the name over in your head. Isolder. Ah. Prince Isolder of the Hapes Consortium. It made sense when put in that light, a powerful political alliance sealed in one of the most ancient ways imaginable.


>That seems quite unfair to you
>I’m afraid such things are necessary
>Write in

>>3241646
>I’m afraid such things are necessary
We must all make sacrifice for peace in the galaxy

>>3241646
>>That seems quite unfair to you
buuuuuuuuuut
>I’m afraid such things are necessary. This is wartime

To be honest, Palpy will probably just annex the territory anyway, and the Duchess can do whatever she wants

>>3241646
>I’m afraid such things are necessary

>>3241646
>That seems quite unfair to you
>Write in: But isn't the Hapes Consortium a society ruled mostly by women? Maybe the emperor is testing you for new things? Maybe that could be a new ground for you one bigger then Naboo. Besides wouldn't marry a prince turn you into a princess?

>>3241653
>>3241659
>>3241697
>>3241698

>writing

You nod hesitantly. “That does seem quite unfair . . but isn't the Hapes Consortium a society ruled mostly by women? Maybe the emperor is testing you for new things? Maybe that could be a new ground for you one bigger than Naboo. Besides wouldn't marry a prince turn you into a princess?”

Ederlathh ponders this. “Perhaps you’re right, Alana. I have spoken to the Queen and she seems very excited about this marriage. I think she likes me.” She beams proudly before shrugging. “I don’t have the illusion of thinking I have any choice in the matter yet. But I’ll make it work for me.”

She comes back from her fantasizing and fixes you with a hard stare, “And you’re deluded if you think the Emperor has any plans for me beside shuffling me off to my next out-of-the-way post.”

“I’m sure he has a plan,” you say, realizing you didn’t exactly rebut what she said.

“No matter. I am quite excited for your arrival. We have so much to discuss. Major plans are in motion!” she seems genuinely excited. “We’ll have so much to catch up on!”

“I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time for that,” you say.”

***

Along the frontier near the Core, your vast battlefleets stand arrayed, ready to roll out. The advance is beginning with Yazz at the helm.

Roll 1D100

Best of three.

DC is 60

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>3241738

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>3241738

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>3241738

>>3241742
>>3241753
>>3241756

>85

>writing

File: imperial_star_destroyers_(...).jpg (150 KB, 1024x679)

150 KB JPG

The drive into Thrawn’s holdings is proceeding much easier than expected, scattered resistance like picket fleets driven before Yazz and Daala’s forces. Perhaps Thrawn was nothing more than a paper tiger, one easily batted aside.

Perhaps this would be easier than you expected.

***

You’d never been to Naboo before, but you knew some of its strange history. It was seen by many as the birthplace of the Empire, both being the Emperor’s literal home, as well as an early supporter of the human-centric dogma that became prolific in the Empire.

Conversely, it was also seen as the birthplace of the Rebellion by some given the world’s history of resistance against the Empire. For now at least. It was a loyal Imperial holding, overseen carefully by Duchess Ederlathh and Moff Tavira.

Now, the mottled green world welcomed your weary battlefleet into orbit where you caught sight of Moff Tavira’s forces, much more substantial than you would have expected. Boasting half a dozen capital ships, mostly of older vintage.

“It’s a veritable battle fleet,” your Executive Officer says beside you.

You nod. Tavira, as you knew. Was a resourceful woman and no doubt pulled quite a lot of strings to get this fleet.

“Admiral, we’re being hailed from the ground. Duchess Pallopides shuttle is en route. She’s asking to meet with you directly.”

You sigh, how like Ederlathh to seek forgiveness rather than permission.


>I’ll receive her
>Ask that she call another time
>Write in

>>3241783
>>I’ll receive her

>>3241783
>>I’ll receive her

>>3241783

>I’ll receive her

>>3241783
>I’ll receive her

>Isolder
Oh cool.

>>3241783
>I’ll receive her

>I’ll receive her

>Writing

>>3241783
>I’ll receive her

>Write in: "Hide the lightsaber we got from Ameage. Don't want anyone finding out about that..."

>>3241820
Dam i was to late.

>>3241824
>>3241828

>Witnessed

You make sure to stow your lightsaber, Amenge’s gift to you, away from prying eyes in your ready room before proceeding to receive the Duchess in the auxiliary flight deck.

Within minutes, a white Lambda-class shuttle coasts in, wings folding neatly above it, and settles on the deck plate. The ramp drops and a platoon of stormtroopers disgorges, surprising you. They don’t move threateningly, instead taking up honor guard positions as the duchess and her ever-present veiled hand maiden debark the craft.

Ederlathh smiles at you, drawing her attention away from her short, careful steps in the tight-fitting dress she wears.

“Alana. Oh, it’s wonderful to see you. It’s been too long.”

You nod, again wishing she would stick with your rank, or at least your title around others. “I’m always happy to have you aboard, Ederlathh.” you eye the stormtroopers. “It’s not like you to travel with a guard.”

She waves the concern off with a huff. “Leonia insists that I drag them along. Never can be too careful.”

By ‘Leonia’ you infer that she means Moff Leonia Tavira, governor of this sector.

“Yes,” you say. “Perhaps you’d like some lunch.”

“That sounds wonderful!”

***

The Stormtrooper guard does accompany her through the ship which has you feeling anxious, a feeling that soon melts away as the two of you enjoy a delicious meal in your personal quarters, reminiscing about the past and of the mundane occurrences in Ederlathh’s own life.

“It’s no accident,” she says at last, “You being here I mean.” She smiles like she knows a juicy secret.

You puzzle at her meaning. “What do you mean?”

“Oh please, Alana. You don’t think I have connections in the high command? I can’t make things happen? I wanted to make sure you were here. With me.”

“That’s thoughtful of you, Ederlathh but . . . why may I ask?”

“Because I think I can trust you. Can I trust you, Alana?”


>Yes, of course
> Why do you ask?
>It depends
>Write in

>>3241869
>Why do you ask?
Write in: My loyalty is to the empire, first and foremost.

>>3241869
>Yes, of course

>Write in: "We are friends after all."

So i take we will be part of the group escorting her to her fiancee? And from there launch a attack towards Thrawn's space?

>>3241881
She asked she can trust us. Not were our alligeance lies.

>>3241869

>Yes, of course

>>3241869
>It depends

>>3241869
>>Yes, of course
Like the other anon said, our allegiance is to the Empire, to autocracy

>>3241881
>>3241894
>3241894
>>3241897
>>3241907
>>3241918

>writing

Ederlathh’s handmaiden carefully lays another cup of tea before you while you consider your words.

“Yes, of course,” you say, “We’re friends after all.”

Ederlathh beams at you.

“So, I take we will be part of the group escorting you to your fiance? A grand show of force before we can join the attack into Thrawn’s space?”

Ederlathh shakes her head. “Nothing like that. I . . . wanted to talk with you about a few things. You’ve always been a close friend to me, Alana. I’ve relied on you in ways I haven’t relied on others and . . . truthfully I need you most of all now.”

“How so?”

Ederlathh closes her eyes for a moment. A long moment. “The galaxy is in peril, Alana. Corruption, strife, chaos. We live in an age of turmoil. Since I was a little girl until now, the Empire has hardly been that. We’ve faced warlords, rebels, usurpers, and pretenders to the throne. We have to end that.”

You thought that’s what you’ve been doing. “I’m eager to get back to fighting Thrawn as soon as my men are rested.”

“Thrawn is one of the few people making sense,” She says firmly, with maturity you didn’t know she possessed.

“What?”

“The Grand Admiral isn’t after glory or power, not in a self-serving sense. He aims to restore stability to the galaxy by any means. I find that admirable.”

“Yes . . . well . . .”

“You think he’s a traitor,” Ederlathh says, a statement, not a question, “That be betrayed his oath to the Emperor.”

“I do.”

“The Emperor.” Ederlathh smiles at you. “Alana, the Emperor is dead.”

The words hit you like a shock of cold water and you can’t find the words to speak for a moment.

“He died at Endor, Alana. You were there. You saw it happen. You mean to tell me that the man-forty years younger- has miraculously returned from the dead to lead his people?”

“I . . . well . . . the Force-”

“That’s not how the Force works,” she says firmly. “The man running the empire is a powerful force user, that much is obvious, but he is not our emperor. He’s a madman, and only clear-minded and rational people can stand and oppose him. The plan is already underway in fact. I would be honored, if you would join us, Alana.”
>What do you intend to do?
>Arrest her
>Ederlathh, this is nonsense. You have to stop this
>write in

File: 94B63132-F148-44B6-971C-9(...).jpg (28 KB, 517x452)

28 KB JPG

>>3241983
>Arrest her
Traitor scum

>>3241983
>Ederlathh, this is nonsense. You have to stop this

>>3241983
>Arrest her
IT'S TREASON THEN

Well now i regrets stowing away the lightsaber.

>>3241983
>>What do you intend to do?
I-I mean, it's the Duchess, and being Grand Admiral sounds pretty cool....

>>3241983
>Arrest her
REBEL SCUM

>>3241996
>>3241998
>>3241993
You guys do realize that if she gets arrested there won't be a wedding right? Besides we can easily turn her mind and arresting someone after she asked if she vould trust us seems fishy.

Unless the tea is poisoned too.

>>3241983
Actually I want to add a write-in
>"Where would a force user with that much power have been hiding during the past thirty years then?"

>>3241983
>What do you intend to do?
>Set it up and then arrest her

Why are you arresting her right now? She has her guards right outside, not to mention the tea could be poisoned. Seriously guys, don't jump the gun

>>3241996
Is the lightsaber within reach though? I'd like to delay first until we can grab it.

>>3242026
Fine then.

>>3242031
It's pretty far away, but you have a sidearm in a holster. You're prepared.

>>3241983
>Ederlathh, this is nonsense. You have to stop this
I'd rather not try to pull a gun in front of like 20 stormtroopers

>>3242042
Apologies if I was unclear.

Right now, it's just you, Ederlathh, and her handmaiden.

The troopers are outside of the room on the other side of a door.

I bet Alana wished her inquisitor boyfriend is here right now.

>Arrest her
>>3241993
>>3241996
>>3241998
>>3242012

>writing

>>3242046
You better be sorry

File: Lumiya.jpg (195 KB, 659x893)

195 KB JPG

You feel your blood boil. You’re seething with anger. You’d tried to warn her off of this course in the past several times, but it seems she was hellbent on driving herself to destruction. So be it. At least you could end this now.

You feel the reassuring weight of your blaster in its holster, the holster you draw it from now as you rise to your feet.

The Duchess watches you placidly, eyes on your gun as you train it on her.

“Ederlathh, I’m sorry. I’ve heard enough.”

“Disappointing, Alana.”

“You’re under arrest for treason. Ederlathh . . . you’re a traitor to everything we’ve worked for.” You can barely choke the words out you’re so angry.

“The real traitor is the man sitting on the throne.” She narrows her eyes at you and they flash in the light. “I am the true heir to the Empire! Not that clone.”

“Enough,” you snap. “Where would a force user with that much power even have been hiding during the past thirty years?”

Your blaster flies from your grip and into the palm of the handmaiden standing beside the table.

The older woman reaches up and undoes her veil so it falls open, revealing a horrifically scarred face, something you’re shocked you’d never noticed until now. Her eyes burn a soft yellow color. “In plain sight.” She replies.

You gawk at her another moment before Ederlathh casually flicks her wrist and an invisible force shoves you back into your chair. “So disappointing, Alana. And I gave you so many chances.”

You’re still gawking. Ederlathh and this woman had use of the Force? Before you could think on it much more, you suddenly found your breath drawing short, your throat constricting as if in the grip of invisible hands. Clawing frantically at your neck and collar, you find no obvious cause for this.

Ederlathh stares at you a moment, puzzled before realization dawns on her. “Lumiya! Release her! Now!”

You can suddenly breathe again.

“A mistake,” the woman called Lumiya says. “To leave her alive.”

“But it’s mine to make, is it not?” Ederlathh counters. “I’m the Empress-to-be.”

“That you are,” Lumiya agrees.

“We’ll confine her to quarters. Have our man on the bridge take control of things here.” Ederlathh looks at you again. “I’m going to leave you here under guard. I’m going to give you a chance to think about this. I want you to think hard.”

You think of the lightsaber stashed in the safe by your bed, so close, but so far away. Besides which, you’re not sure how much of a threat you’d be to two force users.

>Say nothing
>I’ll never betray the Empire
>I’ll think on it
>Write in

>>3242101
>Lumiya
Oh shit. So the sabotage was Carnor Jax. She's pretty strong too, like, I'm not entirely confident Sith-Brakiss can beat her yet.

>>3242101
>Say nothing

>>3242101
>Say nothing

>>3242101
>Say nothing
VEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLSSSSS

>>3242101
>Say nothing

>>3242101
>Say nothing
Wasn’t expecting Lumiya

>>3242101
>Say nothing

>Say Nothing

>writing

You opt only for silence, your mind going a million places at once.

Ederlathh snaps her fingers at Lumiya. “Let’s go. We’re setting a course for the Core. Inform Admiral Lobkin we’ll be joining him shortly.” She looks to you again. “Maybe he can convince you of our cause.”

Lumiya wrenches your intercom from the wall with a hard tug, sending a spray of sparks skittering across the floor. “Stay put,” she says before the two of them step into the hall, sealing the door behind them, leaving you locked in your quarters, a prisoner now on your own flagship.

You realize then that what’s happening might be worse and more widespread than you feared. It was possible that no one would be able to stop them. But you’d be damned if you sat idly by and let it happen. You were going to take back the ship.

***

Out of time tonight. I’ve been waiting to deploy that Shyamalan-grade twist for months. Kudos to everyone who saw it coming. Next quest time is next Thursday, 7 EST, 11 UTC

Thanks for playing!


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

>>3242166
Thanks for running. The twist wasn't that bad, but Lumiya showing up was long overdue.

>>3242166
I demand a refund

>>3242166
Thanks for running TK

>>3242181
All sales final.

>>3242178
>>3242189
My pleasure!

>>3242166
Waiting for Vells to come to the rescue and repay the time he roofied us.

>>3242166
Damn It, of all the times to not have Vende here!

Now we we'll never get to see Vende go apeshit and still be able to view It In a positive light afterward.

This is what you get for thinking that the Amenge offer was only for personal reasons!~

>>3242166
I knew it! I knew it from the very moment the Duchess threw a hissy fit over us having stormtroopers search her bags back on Byss.

Goddamn I wish we brought our hunk of Sith BF, or at least had him train us a little in how to use that damn saber.


Oh well, this is far from over!

>>3242706
Can we leave personal combat to proper fighters and or bodyguards? (I hope she gets a guard after this situation is resolved. Perhaps an inquisitor loyal to Amenge?)

What a woman with months of 'training' and a glowing stick going to do against force users or plain seasoned warriors with a lifetime of combat experience? Let Alana stick to her strong points. She had her firearms training at the academy.

>tfw we'll never see Vende go murder rage on the traitors
I regret my vote

Sheev wuz here

I'vef found this rare holo-vid footage of Sheev killing Kyle Katarn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A--BbNlCrVs

>tfw rooting for based shhev
fucking traitors i swear

Reminder that traitors are worse than the rebels.

You feel the slight vibration of Undying’s hyperdrives engaged and see the stars outside your viewport streak away into a chaotic blue smear. It seemed Ederlathh and her companion, the force user calling herself Lumiya had made good on their threat to go to lightspeed, presumably for the COre to link up with . . . Lobkin?

If true, it meant things were bad. Very bad for the Empire. You weren’t sure how far their traitorous corruption had spread but Ederlathh had seemed confident in her ability to arrange your deployment to Naboo. You couldn’t be sure, but if your flagship was going to hyperspace, it seemed a safe bet the rest of your fleet was en tow. You’d only just secured Imperial Center, it would be the height of tragedy to have your own battle fleet be used to subdue it.

It stood to reason that somehow Ederlathh or her handler had some kind of sway over your forces. You couldn’t be sure what command authority they operated with, obviously, it wasn’t standard protocol to take orders from a duchess with no official military rank, but then again the citizens of the Empire were generally raised to obey without question.

You clench a furious fist. You had always known Ederlath held . . . unorthodox views about the Empire and her uncle, the Emperor but you’d chalked it up to adolescent rebelliousness. If only you’d acted decisively then, perhaps you could have saved yourself and your fleet.

No.

You set your jaw defiantly.

No, you weren’t going to stand idly by and let a teenage girl hopped up on the currents of the Force topple the empire you’d fought to rebuild.

Lumiya had disarmed you but you weren’t without weapons.

A quick trip to your private save produced your antique saber. A flick of your thumb activates it and a jittery crimson blade springs to life with a snap-hiss.

You were a clumsy swordsmen even at the best of times and this lightsaber was awkward to wield, but it was better than nothing.

You deactivate the blade and survey your room.

It was probable that they’d left a sentry to guard your door, you weren’t sure what could have happened to the troopers you usually used, or even if you could trust them.

One worry at a time. You have to get out of this room and there are three ways you can go, using the cutting power of the saber.

>Cut through the door and into the hall
>Cut into a neighboring room, your stewards quarters
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you
>Write in

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you
Gotta find Vells and Zepal and steal a transport.

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you

Heads are going to roll for this, I can't wait for the aftermath

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you
We have a steward? What do they do?

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you

>>3262638
Steward is like a personal assistant. They prepare Alana's uniforms and prepare meals and the like.

>>3262600
>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you

>Other: Grab any other personnel stuff you can find in your safe, such as a commlink and you dataslide which every imperial officer has with him.

>Cut down into the officer’s quarters beneath you

+

>Write ins

>Writing

Your steward was useful for making sure your blouses and trousers are well pressed and folded, in a firefight . . . not so much. You also made sure you secure your personal comlink and datapad, you never knew, it may just come in handy.

Down, it would be then. Vells was somewhere down there, as was Zepal, people you knew you could trust. You thanked the Emperor you made sure to bring them along as you were promoted and transferred throughout your career.


You thump around on the floorplates of your quarters until you find somewhere that- you think doesn’t conceal anything dangerous or vital- like a plasma duct- beneath it. Time to cut.

You snap the blade on and angle it down. If you severed an important cable or pipeline, at best it would trigger a damage report on the bridge, and at worst . . . might cook you alive.

No time to worry about it. You lower the blade to the floor and start cutting.

***
Roll 1D100

Best of three

DC is 50

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>3262687
f

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>3262687

>>3262687
welp>>3262693

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>3262687

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>3262687
To cut through the floor with a lightsaber, you have to make a circle around yourself and fall with the circle to the next floor. It's in the contract.

>>3262690
>>3262693
>>3262696
>13
>42
>20


Listen . . . I like you guys.

>>3262705
>98
>Writing

Don't say I never did nothing for you.

>>3262708
Open end towards mouth yes?

The floorplate gives way like soft butter, spattering liquid metal in a small circle around your cut. You feel a rush of power as you circle the blade and produce a hole you can fit through without touching the molten edges.

The plate falls into the abyss beneath it, crashing into the floor below. You don’t wait to see if anyone reacts, instead, dropping down and landing in a defensive crouch, saber at the ready. The room is empty, dark, and small. A storage closet or maintenance area of some kind. You stow the same on your belt and open the door, checking both ways. You see a stretch of door-lined halls going in either direction, you’re definitely on the officer’s living quarters deck.

You take out your comlink and stop. All com traffic on the ship is routed through the communications department, anyone could listen in or even- perhaps- track you. You knew it was possible to configure a comlink to act ‘point to point’ but you’re not quite sure how. You decide not to risk it and stow it again. You’ll need to find help before you can figure out how to act next.

Vells was an obvious choice, trustworthy, capable in a fight and no stranger to intrigue.

Zepal carried more rank and would likely be more useful in rallying the crew if it came to it, she might even be able to access the bridge.

Your XO should live here also, he might be a good source for information and to help you take back the ship . . . if you could trust him. You find yourself doubting everyone.

Lastly, Lord Sallin, your personal Dark Side Komissar was another obvious choice, he would be of use against another Dark Sider, but . . . his chambers weren’t in this area and would require you doubling back a significant distance.

Ideally, you would round up all of the above and another few platoons of Stormtroopers, but you have to start somewhere.
>Vells
>Zepal
>XO
>Sallin
>Write in

>>3262752
>Sallin

The others are bound to have guards and this one is on a ticking timer, as they would know his here.

>>3262760
support.

>>3262752
>>Vells
He can fight and can pilot a shuttle out if shit goes badly.

>>3262752
>Vells

>>3262752
>>Sallin

>>3262752
>Vells

>>3262752
>Vells
Rally the squadron pilots to help out delivering nessages to the rest of the crew and the stormtrooper compliment, prep a full t, the komissar is powerful but he is only one

>Sallin
>>3262760
>>3262773
>>3262791


>Vells
>>3262775
>>3262787
>>3262792
>>3262793


>Vells
>Writing

There was no one on this ship you knew more intimately than Vells, if you couldn’t trust him with this then there was no one you could trust. Plus, he’d apparently caved people’s heads in for drugs in the past.

You move silently through the halls, trying your utmost not to be noticed, but still receiving at least one panicked salute from a confused ensign.

After a few turns, you find yourself at Vells door which you rap on with a knuckle.

It slides open revealing a half-dressed and very cranky looking Vells. “What the kri-” he stops when he sees you. “Oh. Ala- uh. Admiral. What are you-”

You push past him, into the room and motion for him to seal the door.

“Um. I don’t think whatever you have in mind is-”

“The ship is being hijacked,” you blurt.

He stares. “What.”

“Ederlathh, the Duchess, and that woman with her are taking the ship. They’re darksiders, Vells!”

“Kriff . . . “ he mutters.

You quickly relay the details of your capture and what Ederlathh had said.

“We are under orders to head for the core,” Vells says, “The XO informed the crew you were confined with illness.”

“Sithspawn!” you stomp your foot. “We’ve got to do something.”

No sooner than you say it, you feel the distant rumble of the hyperdrives stop. The ship had reverted to realspace.

“What do you have in mind?” Vells asks.


>We’ll go to Sallin and enlist his help
>We’ll proceed to the barracks and rally some Stormtroopers
>You go to the bridge and try to gather information on what’s happening
>We have to get off this ship
>Write in

>>3262838
>>We’ll proceed to the barracks and rally some Stormtroopers

>>3262838
>We’ll go to Sallin and enlist his help

>>3262838
>>We’ll go to Sallin and enlist his help
Sallin is a commissar. Isn't he trained for this scenario?
Shit, arent we trained for this scenario?

>>3262838
>We’ll proceed to the barracks and rally some Stormtroopers

We can go try to get Sallin after we have a guard, if there's time.

>>3262838
>We’ll proceed to the barracks and rally some Stormtroopers
Have em covertly spread word along their patrols of the ship

>>3262838
>We’ll go to Sallin and enlist his help
Stormtroopers won't do against dark siders.
+tell Vells to order someone in the hangar to prepare a shuttle in case we need a quick getaway.

>>3262862
Sallin's specialty is moral and to a degree, treason, yes. But you have to remember that you weren't assigned a "Real" Komissar. You were given a loyal Komissar, one that responds to you.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>We’ll proceed to the barracks and rally some Stormtroopers 1
>>3262844
>>3262863
>>3262866

>We’ll go to Sallin and enlist his help 2
>>3262856
>>3262862
>>3262869

>>3262916
>Stormtroopers

>Writing

“We’re going to retake the ship,” you say. “We need troopers we can trust.”

Vells nods, “I know a few LTs we can rely on, old hands from Splinter.”

You nod back. “Splendid. Let’s get a move on.”

“Like that?” Vells gives you a curious look. "Respect ma'am, but you stick out.”

“There’s not kriffing much I can do about that now is there?” you blurt, your frustration getting the better of you.

Vells smirks, just the hint of a smile really. “Hmm.” He muses a moment, looking your body over. “No, I don’t expect you’d fit into one of my flight suits. Here-” he rummages in a locker and produces the rank code of a Lieutenant, as well as a field cap.

“Lieutenant/.” He tries not to laugh as he removes your admiral boards and replaces the rank, tucking a cap on your head and helping you to tuck back most of your hair.

A glance in the mirror shows you that you are no longer instantly recognizable as the admiral.

“Ah! And this.”

A Dl-44 plaster appears in his hand, you’re not sure from where.

“And what is that?” you exclaim.

“Contraband, ma’am. A keepsake from an older life.” He shoves it into your holster, though it doesn’t quite fit right, and holsters his own sidearm. “Let’s go.”


The trip through Undying’s turbolift system is tense, every stormtrooper you feel is staring at you, every officer regarding you like an insect. You wish you had the extra senses of a Sith to be able to sort out the traitors from the loyalists. Before long, you reach the barracks, the two of you getting past the duty sentries with Vells security.

“Hijacked?” the Lieutenant asks after you and Vells finish explaining the situation to him.

“Yes, Lieutenant, that’s correct, and you’re among the few we can trust. You and your men.”

“Reims, you’re one of the old hands. Now is your moment,” Vells said.

Lieutenant Reims nods. “Admiral, we won’t let you down. I’ll get my platoon suited and rally a few others guys I know we can trust.”

You have a strike team assembled now. Not much, but perhaps enough to take the bridge though you weren’t sure how well stormtroopers would fare against Darksiders . . . you’d heard stories.


>Go to Sallin
>Go to the bridge
>Secure a shuttle to escape.
>Write in

>>3262949
>Go to Sallin

>>3262949
>>Go to Sallin

>>3262949
>Go to Sallin

>>3262949
>Go to Sallin
I really love this. This might be one of my favorite events to happen in the quest.

>>3262949
>>Go to Sallin

>>3262949
>>3262976
Seconded, this is gold TK, definitely bringing some new life and excitement to the quest. inb4 Sallin is dead.

>>3262949
>Go to Sallin

We should have secured him first. But hopefully he is still alive.

>Go to Sallin
>>3262964
>>3262969
>>3262975
>>3262976
>>3262989
>>3262991
>>3263001

>writing


>>3262976
>>3262991

Thanks guys! Glad to shake things up a bit. I was quite looking forward to this myself.

>>3262991
Or worse. He is a traitor.

“We need the Komissar,” you say. “Alone we’re not going to stand much of a chance against those Darksiders.”

“We’ll give you an escort, ma’am,” Reim says.

You nod approval. “Very well. One squad, the others will remain on standby.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

You feel more confident in the passages of your ship in the company of a half dozen armored stormtroopers, heavy weapons at the ready.

Down another few decks, nearly to the flight decks, you reach the level of Sallin’s quarters. It’s quiet and dim down here, no others live on this section save maintenance droids. On the final stretch, a few dozen meters left to go, a shadow darts out, drawing the practiced aim of your guard’s blasters.

“Stop,” the figure says, pulling back a cowl to reveal Sallin’s stoic features. “Go no further.”

“L-Lord Sallin?” you choke out, fighting off your surprise at his sudden arrival. You see he holds his lightsaber, though it is deactivated.

“We must go back the way you came. There are traitors afoot.”


You breathe easy knowing the Komissar is aware. “How did-”

“I sensed them, as I sensed you coming,” he says. “What’s happening?”

You fill him in as quickly as you can as you lead your small team back toward the turbolifts.

“And so, Duchess Eder-” he stops and shoves you to the wall as a blaster bolt sails through the air where you were.

“Cover fire!” one of your stormtroopers calls, his voice electronic and modulated.

Before anyone of them can fire however, Sallin’s saber flashes to life and he swats aside another two shots. In the red of his saber you see his teeth clenched, jaw set, eyes alive with rage, more emotion than you’ve ever seen him show.

At the end of the hall, by the turbolift, a trio of Stormtroopers are laying down a steady stream of fire at you, though none of it gets past Sallin who is moving in a blur, deflecting or sidestepping shots.

(1/2)

The sergeant of your team drops to one knee and fires a salvo under Sallin’s protective umbrella with his long-barreled DLT-19, cutting out the legs of the enemy troopers.

In a moment the others in your squad fire back, striking down the traitorous troopers.

“Clear!”

“Alana?” Vells knees beside you and you accept his help back to your feet.

“There are others,” Sallin says, turning off his saber.

“Then we need to Kriffing get out of here,” Vells responds, blaster in hand, checking the passageway behind him.

“No. Darksiders, powerful ones,” Sallin clarifies.

“Ederlathh and Lumiya,” you reply, “We need your help to stop them.”

Sallin looks at you like you asked him to swim out an airlock. “They are quite powerful, Admiral. I will certainly try.”

“We’ll figure out a plan,” you say. “We need to take the bridge from them.”

Sallin shakes his head. “They have left the bridge.” Closing his eyes, he reaches out with a hand, a heavy gold bracelet hanging limply from his wrist. “They are . . . leaving. The flight deck, they intend to leave the ship.”

“They’re fleeing?”

Sallin shakes his head. “I sense no fear. They have business. Things are secure here.”

“We can take the bridge without worrying about the kriffing force users,” Vells responds enthusiastically.

“Or,” you counter, “We can intercept them in the flight deck. If we left them live they’ll continue this mad rebellion.”

“If we take the bridge we can call fighter support on their kriffing shuttle and swat them like an amber-moth.”

“No,” Sallin says, “There will not be time. Admiral, if we do not hurry they will slip from our grasp. If you intend to kill them, now is our chance.”


>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first
>We can’t let this opportunity pass, we’ll stop them in the flight deck.
>write in

>>3263045
>We can’t let this opportunity pass, we’ll stop them in the flight deck.

>>3263045
>>We can’t let this opportunity pass, we’ll stop them in the flight deck.
cant believe we're killing the jailbait

>>3263045
>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first
The emperor and his underlings are force chads. They're not in any real threat from these goons if they escape. Sellin will most likely get btfo if we try to have him fight them. Our navy, though, definitely needs our help. We need to take the bridge and put the word out. Check to make sure they haven't rigged this ship to blow behind them.

I don't like this. They want us to check the bridge for a reason. Maybe the ship is trapped or something. On the other hand Sallin does not stand a chance against 2 (or more!) dark siders alone.

>>3263045
>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first

>>3263069
That's why we have the storn troopers with us. Not that it will matter much and would probably end up with the inly troops loyal to us dead since even Sallin said they are to powerfull for him.

>>3263045
>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first

Secure the ship and send a message to the inquisitor.

>>3263045
>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first
Have the stormtrooper loyalist platoons engage at the hangar, we can take our squad and take the bridge ourself

>>3263045
>Let them go, we need to secure the ship first

>We can’t let this opportunity pass
>>3263054
>>3263055

>Let them go
>>3263060
>>3263083
>>3263084
>>3263088

>writing

“We can’t chance a confrontation with them,” you say. “We have more pressing matters.” You point to the Stormtrooper in charge of this squad. “Sergeant, com Lieutenant Reims and inform him that we’re going to secure the ship now. I want a platoon to accompany me to the bridge and I want others to secure gunnery, flight control, communications, and engineering.”

The Sergeant doesn’t respond in any audible way, but you know he’s likely using his helmet com to communicate with Reims.

You tap Vells, literally, “Rouse your pilots and head to the flight deck, I want you in the air as soon as Reim’s men have secured flight control and gunnery.”

“You got it.”

“Let’s move quickly.”

With Sallin in your party, the pair of Stormtroopers outside the bridge are no contest, they hardly have time to raise their blaster before he throws one into the other with the force and cuts their throats with his saber as you pass.

The large blast doors to the bridge rumble open and you enter, all heads turning to see the dozen or so heavily armed Stormtroopers fan out in combat dispersal, securing the bridge.

“What- A-Admiral!” Your XO blurts in surprise upon seeing you.”

You don’t miss the hand he drops to his blaster before catching sight of Sallin.

“Lieutenant, signal all aspects of the fleet to standby for a communication from me. What’s our current location?”

“Denon, ma’am,” Navigation replies promptly.

You glance at Sallin who is staring pointedly at your XO.

“Get me a-”

The XO draws his blaster and loses his hands at the wrist to Sallin’s blade, his scream fills the air and he falls to his knees before the Komissar lops his head from his shoulders.

The bridge crew stare in horror at this display, though none dare to leave their post or act. How many knew the XO was a traitor? How many know now what lies next?

“Fleet is standing by for your announcement, ma’am,” Communications says.

You have a thousand things to do, namely warning as many people as you can about Ederlathh’s treachery, but first, you have to secure your own backyard.

You point to Reims again, “Gather as many squads as you can and sweep the ship for any signs of sabotage. Leave two squads here.”

“Right away,” he responds.

You take the com from your communications officer. You have to secure the loyalty of as many people in your fleet as possible. You might only have one shot.
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander
>Appeal to their duty to the Empire and the Emperor
>Appeal to their pragmatism, this pitiful coup will fail
>Write in

>>3263129
>>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander
We do good work here, we win. What can the Duchess say? She didn't even confine us to our room correctly

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander
We may very well be the bloody baroness, but by the force, we aren't going to let those under our command get slaughtered or killed in a pointless battle, tricked by a treasonous princess and her entourage of rebels and cowards. They flee our fleet, us having already expended our use as transport to them. Now we must adjust course and save the empire, fellow comrades in arms.

>>3263129
Backing this >>3263136 followed up by the fact the rebellion has failed, Thrawn will fail and so shall the Duchess and her pet.

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander
I wish we could appeal to the idea of the empire, but I think this will work better

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander

>>3263129
>Appeal to personal loyalty to you as their beloved commander
+
>>3263147
write in

>>3263151
>>3263152
>>3263155
>>3263161
>>3263179

>Writing

Plus the ones I forgot. You're all witnessed.

“Pilots, soldiers, crew and officers of the Empire,” you being. “You know me. You may not have met me in person, but my work speaks for me. I am the first and last to stand for the Empire, I will not bow away from this. You may have heard that I was indisposed or otherwise unable to command. This information was spread by traitors.”

You let that sink in a moment. “You know my work, so you know me. I have always relied on you to do what you have relied on me to decide on. We need each other this way and I need you now. The Empire needs you, every last one of you. Even now, an insidious plot has been set in motion to dethrone our Emperor and topple all we’ve built. Every drop of blood we’ve spilled to secure our future will count for nothing.”

You pause. “Nothing unless we act now, and act together. We are going to have to fight our comrades, we are going to have to burn out the cancer in the military with fire and flame, but we will do it together. You may know me as the Bloody Baroness, but by the Emperor Himself, I am not going to let those under my command get slaughtered in a pointless battle, tricked by a treasonous princess and her entourage of rebels and cowards. The ringleaders of the traitors have fled for now, but we will bring justice to them, for now, we must adjust course and save the empire. Fellow comrades in arms, I ask that you stand with me. We may be the Empire’s only hope.”

You take a breath and end the com, handing the comlink back to your communications officer. Not waiting to hear the results of your speech you add “Have Lieutenant Zepal report to the bridge to assume her position as acting Executive Officer.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And I want to get a Priority transmission out to naval headquarters.” You think on it. “To Grand Admiral Oxtroe, all fleet admirals, and Byss.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Soon enough, you receive responses from each of your four division commanders, Valorum, Lisson, Sesstrix, and Tierce. All report full control of their commands and full confidence in your plans. Additionally, dozens of other independent captains submit their own oaths of allegiance to you. The fleet is yours.

“Admiral, uh . . . there’s some sort of problem.”

You look to your communications officer, not in the mood. “What.”

“H-holonet ma’am. It’s . . . all down. A total information blackout.”

You cross to his station and peer at the display which only reveals the imperial seal and simple aurabesh text. “Standby.”

“They’ve killed the holonet,” you say, impressed and horrified. Without it, only short-range communications would be possible, it meant that you would have to relay messages directly. The good news was that your fleet is in a good, central position to access most parts of the galaxy.


>Take the fleet to the Core to confront Lobkin
>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor
>Take the fleet to Byss and the Deep Core
>write in

>>3263233

>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor

>>3263233
>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor
Let's go to our real Daddy.

>>3263233
>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor

>>3263233
>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor

>killed the holonet
Damn, this coup goes deep. Good thing the current head of Imperial Intelligence is completely loyal and has no ambitions of their own, that could be worrying otherwise

>>3263233
>Take the fleet to Byss and the Deep Core
Is the emperor not in Byss?

>>3263260
is this sarcasm?

>>3263233
>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor

>>3263263
i think papa sheev is aboard the Tarkin.

>>3263263
>>3263275
>i think papa sheev is aboard the Tarkin.
Correct.

>Take the fleet to the Emperor’s command ship at Commenor

>writing

>>3263293
>papa sheev is aboard the Tarkin
I'll take "phrases that might be innuendo" for 400

You tap your fingernails on the polished metal of the communications station. You have at your disposal an entire Imperial battlefleet, all you need to know is where to employ it.

There’s probably only one man who can answer that question.

“Helm, plot a course to Commenor. Comm, inform the fleet to prepare to head out.”

“Ma’am?”

You smile though you feel no humor. “We’re going to the Emperor. Make best speed.”

“Yes, Admiral.”


***

Thanks again for playing guys! Next Thursday 7 EST (11 UTC) we will travel to the Emperor’s fleet and see what he’s got going on.

See you then!

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

>>3263320
Thanks for running

>>3263320
Thanks for running

>>3263362
>>3263449
My pleasure guys!