Thrashia
30-09-2006, 21:16
(ooc: this new thread corresponds to this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=500908))
Slowly, silently, its lights a faint glitter of life amid the darkness, the Venator II Star Destroyer Relentless glided through space. Empty space. Oppressively dark space. Long, lonely light-years from the nearest of the tiny islands that were the star systems of the civilized galaxy, drifting at the edge of the boundary between the fringe and the vast regions of Unknown Space. At the edge of known Imperial space.
Standing beside on of the Relentless’s side viewports, Captain Brandei, adjutant to Grand Admiral Thrawn in his exile, gazed out at the emptiness, the weight of his responsibility pressing heavily across his shoulders. He was still working out in his mind what it was that they were doing here.
“Have no worries Captain,” said a voice behind Brandei. “The first group of our task force will be arriving soon and then we can begin our operations.” Admiral Thrawn sat in his command chair looking at Brandei as he turned. It was almost as if Thrawn could read his mind.
“Sir, just how exactly are we to sustain ourselves? This mission is top secret, so it’s not as if High Command can write out the orders and send us reinforcements when we call,” Brandei observed.
“Indeed,” nodded Thrawn. “For that reason we are being given not only several more groups of forces, but also a large contingent of Harl-Reese Builder Ships, from the Merchant and Industry Guilds. All off the charts and the record of course. We’ll also have at least a thousand Spaarti Cylinders for troops, and the Builder ships will be used for exploiting resources and creating industry.”
Brandei nodded. “Seems as if we have everything planned out,” he said rather sardonically. Thrawn’s eyes flashed slightly.
“Do not worry about your record or career in this Captain, even if the ‘exile’ mission was for public record, once we reap the fruits of this harvest you will have no more doubts. Is that understood?” Thrawn asked. Captain Brandei was momentarily taken aback, but nodded at last in agreement.
“Yes I understand Admiral.”
“Good. We’ve plenty of time to rebuild our public appearances for later.”
The ComScan officer suddenly looked up from his control sensors. “Sir, we have ships coming out of hyperspace in sector 4.”
“Prepare for possible enemy engagement,” ordered Captain Brandei, “All fighters to their ships and bring all forward shields online.” Thrawn remained silent as Brandei quickly brought the Relentless up to fighting status.
Out of hyperspace appeared three large unmarked Venator Star Destroyers, the older version of the Mk II which Captain Brandei commanded. They each launched interceptors upon fully coming back to sub-light engines and followed standard fleet procedure. Captain Brandei had to say that they were impressive, the commander obviously being a quick man.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Star%20Wars/800px-Imperial_Venator.jpg
“Downgrade alert status. Shields back down and fighters to be relieved,” ordered Thrawn before Brandei could. “Comms send out the greeting sign.”
“Yes sir,” said the comm officer. He worked his controls for a few moments and started sending the transponder signal. “Signal sent.”
After only a short amount of time later the lead Venator sent a reply message. Thrawn turned to the aft-side hologram table where a 1/4th sized image of an imperial captain stood. He saluted smartly and came to attention.
“Captain Nime reporting for the Venator Star Destroyers Judicator, Dark Sword, and Lancaster; present and ready for duty Grand Admiral Thrawn,” said the man.
“Captain Nime, you made good time. When is the Karl-Reese group to arrive?” questioned Thrawn. Thrawn stood before the projector and observed the man that Treize had hand-picked to join Thrawn in his mission.
Captain Brandei stood slightly behind Thrawn and was looking out the viewport at the Venators far off in the distance. I can’t believe we received these only hunks of junk, he thought. I was hoping for an Imperial Star Destroyer squadron, or Victories at least. He brought his attention back to the hologram of Captain Nime, shaking such thoughts away.
“Commissioner Braddock, representative of the Guilds, was supposed to arrive right after we did,” said Captain Nime. “I however have doubts on civilian efforts.”
“We’ll need his cooperation Captain Nime, so make sure to be cordial to him,” warned Thrawn. “I’ll do not want to have Emperor Treize intervening on our behalf just because one of my ship captains insulted the Guild.”
Captain Nime looked suitably subdued after than. Brandei had observed that Thrawn was very good at doing that, including on himself from time to time.
“Yes Admiral, I understand.”
“ComScan reports another ship signature coming out of hyperspace. It’s large!” called the deck officer, disregarding usual procedure. Thrawn however didn’t seem to mind this own time and gave Brandei a knowing look that he had come to know meant that he would have to deal with the situation after things had quieted down.
Bursting forth from the star lined pathways of hyperspace came two very large, gargantuan ships. Each was a Karl-Reese (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Star%20Wars/tradeship.jpg) class Guild Ship. They were most commonly used for the creation of shipyards, being able to complete such a job in either pairs or alone in only a short extended period of time.
“Another transmission coming through,” said the comm officer. Brandei sighed at the disregard civilians had for military orders and things. The fool hadn’t even sent the transponder signal before opening up a communications line. “Patching it through to you sir.”
The hologram fuzzed for a moment when finally a small figure appeared of a rather large man. He seemed to have decided to grow horizontal instead of vertical some time in the past. The man kept himself wrapped in a large robe which could not hide his size.
“Grand Admiral Thrawn, I am Guild Representative- .”
“Gordon,” interrupted Thrawn. “Representative Gordon, how nice of you to join us.” The man frowned slightly and seemed taken aback by the interruption. Brandei would have bet a hundred credits with anyone willing that the man wasn’t use to anyone interrupting him.
“Yes, I am Gordon. Thank you for having us along. I presume we will be starting our little expedition shortly?”
“All in good time Representative,” said Thrawn smoothly, “however at the moment I have military matters to entertain. I will contact you in a short while before we leave the system and I will brief you then. In the mean time, feel free to take up an orbital position at the planet at point 883A.”
Gordon seemed properly tamed and nodded. “Very well then admiral, I will speak with you shortly.” The image disappeared the man vanished.
“Never did like rich civs,” commented the holo image of Captain Nime. Brandei smiled behind Thrawn’s back at the man’s brashness.
“Indeed, but remember what I said,” warned Thrawn. “We will need him for a while to come.”
“Yes sir.” Captain Nime once again assumed an air of business.
“Very good. Now, I will want you Captain to have Captain Fuller and McNeal to come to the Relentless. I shall brief all of you on our first operation,” Thrawn said. “We will soon begin the greatest campaign in Thrashian Imperial fleet history.”
Slowly, silently, its lights a faint glitter of life amid the darkness, the Venator II Star Destroyer Relentless glided through space. Empty space. Oppressively dark space. Long, lonely light-years from the nearest of the tiny islands that were the star systems of the civilized galaxy, drifting at the edge of the boundary between the fringe and the vast regions of Unknown Space. At the edge of known Imperial space.
Standing beside on of the Relentless’s side viewports, Captain Brandei, adjutant to Grand Admiral Thrawn in his exile, gazed out at the emptiness, the weight of his responsibility pressing heavily across his shoulders. He was still working out in his mind what it was that they were doing here.
“Have no worries Captain,” said a voice behind Brandei. “The first group of our task force will be arriving soon and then we can begin our operations.” Admiral Thrawn sat in his command chair looking at Brandei as he turned. It was almost as if Thrawn could read his mind.
“Sir, just how exactly are we to sustain ourselves? This mission is top secret, so it’s not as if High Command can write out the orders and send us reinforcements when we call,” Brandei observed.
“Indeed,” nodded Thrawn. “For that reason we are being given not only several more groups of forces, but also a large contingent of Harl-Reese Builder Ships, from the Merchant and Industry Guilds. All off the charts and the record of course. We’ll also have at least a thousand Spaarti Cylinders for troops, and the Builder ships will be used for exploiting resources and creating industry.”
Brandei nodded. “Seems as if we have everything planned out,” he said rather sardonically. Thrawn’s eyes flashed slightly.
“Do not worry about your record or career in this Captain, even if the ‘exile’ mission was for public record, once we reap the fruits of this harvest you will have no more doubts. Is that understood?” Thrawn asked. Captain Brandei was momentarily taken aback, but nodded at last in agreement.
“Yes I understand Admiral.”
“Good. We’ve plenty of time to rebuild our public appearances for later.”
The ComScan officer suddenly looked up from his control sensors. “Sir, we have ships coming out of hyperspace in sector 4.”
“Prepare for possible enemy engagement,” ordered Captain Brandei, “All fighters to their ships and bring all forward shields online.” Thrawn remained silent as Brandei quickly brought the Relentless up to fighting status.
Out of hyperspace appeared three large unmarked Venator Star Destroyers, the older version of the Mk II which Captain Brandei commanded. They each launched interceptors upon fully coming back to sub-light engines and followed standard fleet procedure. Captain Brandei had to say that they were impressive, the commander obviously being a quick man.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Star%20Wars/800px-Imperial_Venator.jpg
“Downgrade alert status. Shields back down and fighters to be relieved,” ordered Thrawn before Brandei could. “Comms send out the greeting sign.”
“Yes sir,” said the comm officer. He worked his controls for a few moments and started sending the transponder signal. “Signal sent.”
After only a short amount of time later the lead Venator sent a reply message. Thrawn turned to the aft-side hologram table where a 1/4th sized image of an imperial captain stood. He saluted smartly and came to attention.
“Captain Nime reporting for the Venator Star Destroyers Judicator, Dark Sword, and Lancaster; present and ready for duty Grand Admiral Thrawn,” said the man.
“Captain Nime, you made good time. When is the Karl-Reese group to arrive?” questioned Thrawn. Thrawn stood before the projector and observed the man that Treize had hand-picked to join Thrawn in his mission.
Captain Brandei stood slightly behind Thrawn and was looking out the viewport at the Venators far off in the distance. I can’t believe we received these only hunks of junk, he thought. I was hoping for an Imperial Star Destroyer squadron, or Victories at least. He brought his attention back to the hologram of Captain Nime, shaking such thoughts away.
“Commissioner Braddock, representative of the Guilds, was supposed to arrive right after we did,” said Captain Nime. “I however have doubts on civilian efforts.”
“We’ll need his cooperation Captain Nime, so make sure to be cordial to him,” warned Thrawn. “I’ll do not want to have Emperor Treize intervening on our behalf just because one of my ship captains insulted the Guild.”
Captain Nime looked suitably subdued after than. Brandei had observed that Thrawn was very good at doing that, including on himself from time to time.
“Yes Admiral, I understand.”
“ComScan reports another ship signature coming out of hyperspace. It’s large!” called the deck officer, disregarding usual procedure. Thrawn however didn’t seem to mind this own time and gave Brandei a knowing look that he had come to know meant that he would have to deal with the situation after things had quieted down.
Bursting forth from the star lined pathways of hyperspace came two very large, gargantuan ships. Each was a Karl-Reese (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Star%20Wars/tradeship.jpg) class Guild Ship. They were most commonly used for the creation of shipyards, being able to complete such a job in either pairs or alone in only a short extended period of time.
“Another transmission coming through,” said the comm officer. Brandei sighed at the disregard civilians had for military orders and things. The fool hadn’t even sent the transponder signal before opening up a communications line. “Patching it through to you sir.”
The hologram fuzzed for a moment when finally a small figure appeared of a rather large man. He seemed to have decided to grow horizontal instead of vertical some time in the past. The man kept himself wrapped in a large robe which could not hide his size.
“Grand Admiral Thrawn, I am Guild Representative- .”
“Gordon,” interrupted Thrawn. “Representative Gordon, how nice of you to join us.” The man frowned slightly and seemed taken aback by the interruption. Brandei would have bet a hundred credits with anyone willing that the man wasn’t use to anyone interrupting him.
“Yes, I am Gordon. Thank you for having us along. I presume we will be starting our little expedition shortly?”
“All in good time Representative,” said Thrawn smoothly, “however at the moment I have military matters to entertain. I will contact you in a short while before we leave the system and I will brief you then. In the mean time, feel free to take up an orbital position at the planet at point 883A.”
Gordon seemed properly tamed and nodded. “Very well then admiral, I will speak with you shortly.” The image disappeared the man vanished.
“Never did like rich civs,” commented the holo image of Captain Nime. Brandei smiled behind Thrawn’s back at the man’s brashness.
“Indeed, but remember what I said,” warned Thrawn. “We will need him for a while to come.”
“Yes sir.” Captain Nime once again assumed an air of business.
“Very good. Now, I will want you Captain to have Captain Fuller and McNeal to come to the Relentless. I shall brief all of you on our first operation,” Thrawn said. “We will soon begin the greatest campaign in Thrashian Imperial fleet history.”