NationStates Jolt Archive

The Imperial-class II Star Destroyer Warrick maneuvered through a small dust cloud that surrounded the planetary moon of Tettrea Prime; it’s majestic form shadowing the group of smaller vessels that accompanied the warship, two Dreadnoughts and a several smaller Guild transports.

Coming around the far side of the moon the group of starships came into view of the planet itself. Tettrea Prime. Thrashian territory conquered more than thirty years before. Since then the Thrashian occupation had seen major changes in the simple system. The planet Tettrea Prime itself the focus of most change.

A large Imperial Fleet docking station was in orbit around the planet. Two other Imperial-class Star Destroyers, a Victory Star Destroyer and a few Acclamator assault ships were already in dock spaces. The Warrick and its charges maneuvered towards the docking station.

A deck officer, his gray olive uniform neatly worn and perfected by shining black boots, marched smartly up to the tall lieutenant standing by the Helm. He came to a smart snap-salute.

“Lieutenant, we’ve reached Docking Station Protegra; Dock station command wishes to know our code clearances,” said the deck officer. The lieutenant turned as the man spoke.

“Very well, give them our clearance and tell Commander Philips that Admiral Daala will be arriving shortly. He is to prepare for her arrival,” the lieutenant said. The deck officer saluted again, turned and walked away.

Lieutenant Brennen walked forwards down the middle isle of the bridge to where Captain Tyler stood with his hands held behind his back. He came to a halt and saluted. “Captain, we’re entering the dock station now sir. I’ve informed Commander Philips that he should prepare for the Admiral’s arrival.”

Captain Tyler nodded without turning to look at Lieutenant Brennen.

“Very well Lieutenant. I will inform the Admiral. Take care of docking procedures and that our escorts are sent to their required location. I didn’t drag those slow merchants half-way across the galaxy to see them fumble up on something as simple as docking,” Captain Tyler said. He turned and walked to the rear of the bridge, disappearing out its exit doors.

Lieutenant Brennen grimaced. Captain Tyler had no love for civilians, even if they were merchants who traveled the space lanes longer than most Fleet officers lived. Forgetting about it Lieutenant Brennen turned to the crew pits and the Helm.

“Prepare for docking. Inform the merchants of their docking hangers.”

“Yes Lieutenant.”

=-=-=-=

Captain Tyler exited the main corridor several decks below the bridge. He entered a small room, an entry hall of sorts that led to the Admiral’s private chambers. Tyler could have used the ships comm system to contact Admiral Daala, but he had been a long career fleet officer. When one wished to inform an Admiral of something, one did it in person or not at all.

Two stormtroopers stood on either side of a broad metal door on the far end. Captain Tyler stepped forward and waited as the two soldiers snapped to a perfect attention. One of them turned his head and looked at the captain.

“Purpose Captain?”

“I am here to inform Admiral Daala of our arrival,” responded Captain Tyler.

“You may enter sir.” The stormtrooper pressed a side control panel and the door slid open. Captain Tyler adjusted his tunic and then stepped past the threshold.

The inside of these chambers bore the distinct feel of a cold tomb. Admiral Daala had had the room outfitted to fit her Spartan ways of living. It was bear of anything except for a few things which hung from the walls behind her metallic desk; and the Admiral herself sat behind it looking up as Captain Tyler entered.

Daala’s long glittering red hair flashed as she sat up. “What is it captain?”

Captain Tyler snapped to attention and saluted. “We’ve reached our orbital docking station above Tettrea Prime Admiral. We’re docking as we speak. Our Merchant Guild escorts are also docking in their respective hangers. All preparations are being prepared for your arrival by Commander Philips.”

Daala nodded. She turned in her wheeled chair to look at the rear wall. There was a large portrait of Grand Moff Tarkin when he had just attained the position of commander over the Emperor’s first Death Star. Captain Tyler had never asked why Admiral Daala kept the painting, but assumed it was for sentimental value; it was no secret that Admiral Daala had been a protégé and student of Grand Moff Tarkin.

Captain Tyler was brought out of his revelry as Daala began speaking again.

“Thank you for informing me Captain. See to it that my flagship is docked and see if you cannot find Moff Vilnius and Vice Admiral Shreider. Inform them that after my arrival I wish to have a private session with them concerning the orders from his Excellency,” Admiral Daala said.

Captain Tyler saluted. “Yes Admiral. I will do so. With your permission?”

“You are dismissed.”

Captain Tyler curtly nodded and turned in smart military fashion. He walked out of the Admiral’s quarters and into the entry way. He ignored the salutes of the stormtroopers and headed out into the corridor beyond, his thoughts troubled.

Why did his Excellency send us here?

ooc: sry about the 'CT' in the thread heading. I meant it to be HT, for Hyperspatial Travel. Sry.

With great ceremony a legion of stormtroopers stood at attention inside the main shuttle hanger of the Orbital Docking Station Protegra, companies of scouts, heavy infantry, assault marines, and black clad stormtrooper officers stood; their proud stance a testament to the military that had trained them.

Through the entry way of the hanger glided a lamba-class shuttle. Four Tie Interceptors which had escorted the shuttle banked and flew back to the Warrick. The shuttle shifted down to its landing position, its great flaps folding above it.

With a sharp hiss and release of exhaust the shuttle ramp lowered. Down it came four stormtroopers with red markings on their shoulders, identifying them as personnel guards of a highly placed official or fleet officer. After them came a tall red haired beautiful woman, wearing the uniform of a Fleet Admiral.

Without seeming to notice the assembly of troops in her honor Admiral Daala marched forward down the walk isle created by them to the small group of officers at the end.

There standing was Commander Philips, wearing a green uniform signifying his placement in the Army. Beside Philips was a short stocky man dressed in the uniform of a Fleet Vice Admiral, this was Shreider who commanded the 5th Imperial Star Destroyer Squadron of Fleet Battle Group One. Beside the vice admiral stood a tall lanky man, his stark-brown Moff uniform seemed to hardly contain anything more than the scarecrow of a man, this was obviously Tettrea’s system governor, Moff Vilnius.

The two officers saluted as Daala finally came up to them, Moff Vilnius simply bowed his oily black hair slipping over his widow peak.

“Admiral Daala, welcome aboard the Protegra,” said Commander Philips. “If you will…”he trailed off and turned halfway to the wall and indicated a doorway.

“Of course Commander, dispense with pleasantries for now. I am in no mood for them anyway,” said Admiral Daala. She walked passed the men and they quickly turned and followed. Several other officers began dismissing the stormtroopers back to their posts.

Daala stepped through the door into a lift. The three other men squeezed in likewise. Daala only had to suffer their close proximity for a short time however when the lift halted its quick rise and opened its doors. They entered a large conference room, a black round table at the center. Behind a chair with a larger back than the others around it, was a view of space.

Daala stepped around the chairs and table and looked out. She could see her flagship the Warrick finishing up its docking procedure, her Dreadnoughts also were docking nearby at another station for smaller craft. When she turned, she saw that all three men had seated themselves and were waiting patiently. Deciding not to delay the moment she sat down.

“As you know gentlemen, his Excellency Treize made a recent announcement to the galaxy,” started Daala. All three men nodded, it had been quite the stirring announcement. Daala forged on.

“It is that announcement which has sprung the current movement of military personnel and ships. As of this moment Grand Admiral Ver’ack is marshalling the majority of vessels and Fleet Groups to the Julian System. An attack on us there is most likely to come. As for-”

“What about the outer systems?” asked Moff Vilnius, his voice as oily as his hair. “Sorry to interrupt you Admiral Daala, but I have only a small sector fleet here to defend Tettrea, as well as only my orbital defenses. I depend upon the Imperial Fleet for heavier protection.”

Daala nodded. “Indeed my dear Moff. As of right now you will no longer have to worry; your system has been declared by high command to be a rally point for our nation’s allies to send their fleets. As well as for a gathering point for our own attack group,” Daala said. She noted the new looked of interest that entered Vice Admiral Shreider’s eyes. He too had been ordered here by the Grand Admiral, but without knowledge as to why.

“As I speak a dozen different splinters of our Fleet are converging at this point. They will be arriving in small groups at unannounced times; this is a secret operation,” continued Daala.

“How many can we expect?” asked Vice Admiral in a deep but quiet voice. “I know my squadron is here along with your own flagship…that seems enough for one system to be conquered at the very least.’

“I have been given Grand Admiral Ver’acks word that as many as ten Imperial Star Destroyers, several new model Venator IIs, and as many as half a hundred frigates and smaller cruisers will be arriving besides those assets already here,” Daala said simply. “We’re expected to be a lightning quick hammer to strike our enemies, a ‘rising storm’ as Grand Admiral Ver’ack put it.”

“What of my command?” asked Commander Philips. He controlled a large force of Tie fighters and small frigates and patrol vessels that were based in the Tettrea System to defend it.

“You are to be handling Tettrea’s defense should an attack come. Any further questions gentlemen?” asked Daala.

They all shook their heads. It was quite clear that a new page in Thrashian history was being written, and they would do their duty to fulfill it.

“Then let us begin planning for ‘Operation Tempest’.”