NationStates Jolt Archive

Outside the Station, a single ship faded into Real Space, easily bypassing the gravity based FTLi. The ship was a standard Explorer Class vessel, a kilometer in length.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../Explorer3.jpg

The ship appeared a few kilometers away from the station and soon afterwards a single message was sent to the Thrashian Station


Quote:
“Greetings, I have arrangements to arrive and send over a shuttle. May I finish my duties?”

The ship appeared a few kilometers away from the station and soon afterwards a single message was sent to the Thrashian Station

“Greetings, I have arrangements to arrive and send over a shuttle. May I finish my duties?”

After getting the OK from the station a single unarmed shuttle was sent over.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../launchbay.jpg

The black shuttle took off from the launch bay and slowly approached the station. After getting landing clearance, the ship settled down without a bump. A single robed being left the shuttle with three large insectoid creatures. The black ebon guards were obviously made of metal from the sound their pointed legs made as they walked. The group approached the waiting guards.

“Take me to Treize. I am expected.”

After being led to where the Officer was, the figure and his entourage let the escort leave if they wished. Their business dealt with Treize, not them and their presence was no longer acknowledged.

“I have orders to pick up someone by the name of Rob. Here are my papers.”

A robe shrouded hand held out the papers for Treize to examine. The inhumane appearance of the appendage might have affected him but the stranger did not care. He was on carrier duty and that was all that mattered.

"Are there any others that wish to tag along?"


Emperor Treize took the profered pappers and examined them. They were stamped with the Imperial seal and seemed to have all the proper authorization. Treize looked up from the papers at the robed figure.

"Everything seems to be in good order...however I will have to see to it that he is properly taken to Coruscant. Grand Admiral Thrawn and his fleet will accompany your ship in transit. Also, a special guard will be with the prisoner at all times," said Treize. "I trust you have no problem with that?"

Two Shinigami and two Imperial Knights followed by a squad of troopers took the bound President Bastidas further into the back of the room to the rear hidden entrances. They slipped into the passage ways that were restricted only to Thrashian personnel. Within a few minutes they made their way through a series of check points and arrived at a small secluded hangar. Inside a platoon of stormtroopers stood at attention, each garbed in midnight black armor. Stormtroopers of the Blackhole organization. A knight turned to the President. "These find gentlemen are to be your escort."

While Treize spoke with the stranger from Balrogga, and others took the prisoner away, the head Imperial Knight addressed the gathered delegates.

"You are free to return to your ships. No one will stop you and an escort will take you to your respective shuttles. If you require transport it will be given," Master Janus said. He attached his lightsaber to his belt once again and motioned towards the now ruined door way. "If you please?"

Those that wished to take the Balroggan up on his offer stayed in their seats. The others were taken out of the room via the main entrance and taken to their ships.

Rear Admiral Karaih stayed in her seat. The Thrashian Emperor seemed nice enough and wasn't willing to hurt them. As long as she wasn't in trouble or was not going to be hurt, she would be fine. Relaxing, she watched as the TFU president was escorted out. The Imperial Knight spoke up and upon hearing the instructions, she paused. "What if we want to stay here?" She would admit the Thrashian Emperor had aroused her curiosity.

That and of course, she felt most sage right in the room with the armed guards, with his word that they would not be harmed.

OOC: reposted in the new thread. Edited for change of content.

Lord Karalim sneered at Chuculainn. "It seems none of us are dead yet. As for what we intend to do, if it were up to me, we would send you, oh wicked spirit back in to the abyss from whence you came. However, we are all guests of the Thrashian Emperor, and I believe it is his priviledge to decide that."

The rest of the delegation remained silent. Lord Kar didn't return the looks from Regent Costello. Kar started to consider options, especially if things started to turn sour with the Godulan and other ambassadors.

Prefect Molotov simply sat back down in his chair and continued his drink. He was positively beaming, the information his aide would send back would finally allow the Prefecture to realise a plan that had been in existence since the first discovery of the Cluster.

++++

2/850 walked calmly down the hall, she could hear the onrushing throngs of stormtroopers, the sound of their boots reverberating down the halls and walkways. She carefully moved in to a corner and attempted to reach the Aethernet. She was just far enough from the room to make contact, albeit at an incredibly slow transfer speed. Quickly she messaged several message posts along the net, each one owned and constantly monitored by important members of the Prefects council.

The message was simple. Robert Bastidas is a traitor, The Fedral Union was plotting treason against the Emperor, this was the reason for the meeting. She then sat and listened to the klaxons wail.

Emperor Treize took the profered pappers and examined them. They were stamped with the Imperial seal and seemed to have all the proper authorization. Treize looked up from the papers at the robed figure.

"Everything seems to be in good order...however I will have to see to it that he is properly taken to Coruscant. Grand Admiral Thrawn and his fleet will accompany your ship in transit. Also, a special guard will be with the prisoner at all times," said Treize. "I trust you have no problem with that?"


“Of course not. That means I will have company on the trip. You are welcome to send whomever you wish to assure his safe arrival. I have a Battlegroup standing by to escort us there in case somebody tries to intervene. If you don’t mind, I wish to send my bodyguards along with the prisoner. I don’t doubt the efficiency of your guards but you can never be too secure, especially with traitors of the Empire are concerned.”

After getting the permission from Treize, Ba’El gestured with one of his wrapped hands to his bodyguards who immediately scurried after the retreating prisoner escort.

While Treize spoke with the stranger from Balrogga, and others took the prisoner away, the head Imperial Knight addressed the gathered delegates.

"You are free to return to your ships. No one will stop you and an escort will take you to your respective shuttles. If you require transport it will be given," Master Janus said. He attached his lightsaber to his belt once again and motioned towards the now ruined door way. "If you please?"

Those that wished to take the Balroggan up on his offer stayed in their seats. The others were taken out of the room via the main entrance and taken to their ships.

Ba’El turned to those that stayed behind, his face still concealed by the hood of his garb.

“My shuttle will leave from the main hanger as soon as the other passenger is safely aboard my ship. Shortly after we board, we will be off. I will see you there.”

“So as you can see Lord Vader, Trieve had set a most magnificent trap. The traitors have all been flushed out and the Fedral Union was leading the charge, a most fortuitous set of circumstances providing we were rather occupied within the other Galaxy at the time.” Vader sat reclined upon his throne of black Obsidian as he listened to Tarkin barely concerned.

“See to it personally Tarkin, do not trouble me with matters such as this again.” Vaders heavy respirator filled the throne room as his infamous patience had reached its limit.

“You need only but ask.” Tarkin smiled as he walked away from the throne, snide and convinced in the victory of his treason. So many things were now at his disposal, the construction of the Eclipse Super Star Destroyer had begun the very day the Executor had detonated above Asfaltum, the second Death Star was ready to be launched, the first already decommissioned. The Maw Cluster would be well guarded from here on out. And finally there was the future trial of President Robert Bastidas, a war criminal, tyrant, and traitor to the Empire, Galaxy and his people, in whose honour he so gallantly betrayed.

But how to deal with him, he would be arriving within a mater of hours at the hands of Grand Admiral Thrawn. A holding cell would have to be arranged, one within the very depth of the palace, hidden and concealed by layers of shielding and other devices that served the task. There had to be a trial, that much was clear, but who to judge it? Who will appear innocent and impartial enough to win the public's trust?

Tarkin frowned as he paused, and decided he would give it more thought, but first, he had a prisoner to joyously escort.

OOC: Tannelorn, you can cut the bit out about Cuchulainn, we retconned that bit and I'm gonna go for something different.

Cuchulainn sat, still somewhat annoyed by this turn of events, but not altogether angered. He had to admit that the Fedral President had been played rather expertly, and it really did not matter one bit whether Cuchulainn walked out alive. They did not fear death.

"Would we be permitted to come to the trial?" Cuchulainn asked. "Whether as a spectator or possibly a witness?"

When the doors burst open and the clones and knights poured in with weapons drawn, Master Kendo Zayne sat calmly in his chair watching the proceedings. Though he had not previously known the nature of the meeting, as time progressed he could sense something wrong. As always, his senses did not fail him and the myriad of soldiers quickly took the traitorous Federal leader into custody to presumably stand trial.

Though his orders from Lord Mistress Dani did not include anything past the initial contact at the Vespasian, Zayne decided to follow the future proceedings by journeying to Coruscant. First, however, he returned to his transport in the hangar and headed out. Once into the vacuum of space, his fighter escort once again flanked him and flew with him back to the Devastator Class Star Destroyers.

Once aboard they waited momentarily as Zayne sent a transmission back to the Empire reporting on the events of the meeting and his course of action.

"...And I'll be heading to Coruscant to watch how the traitor is dealt with. Will make contact when done. Over and out..."

When the long-range transmission had been sent, the Devastators roared and jumped into hyperspace...

'...And that's when the Troopers dragged him away.' finished Costello. 'And why didn't they take you?' responded the cool voice of Ladelle Tradisha, leader of Special Unit 2. 'I have no idea.' Costello's voice was shaky, he was scared shitless of Ladelle...she could be irrational at times.

Ladelle stood up from her seat and turned off the recorder, the only feature on the unimpressive metal table of the interrogation chamber. She went silent for a moment. Staring at the brick wall, unmoving like a statue. 'I don't know if I should kill you.' she said. 'My advice, if you'd like it, Ladelle? Don't.' returned Costello. 'And why shouldn't I? You're worthless to me now. You may have compromised the whole thing by coming back here...You can't go back to the Federal Union.' Ladelle looked Costello in the eyes, he fought his male instincts...her beauty was enough to make the strongest of men, the greatest of chauvanists bow before her, except for one and unfortunately it wasn't him.

'I...I could stay here at the base. It doesn't matter if I go back anyway. The Union is riddled with spies.' said Costello, his voice faltering under Ladelle's gaze.

Ladelle removed her pistol from its holster and flipped the safety off. Costello stared franticly at the weapon, trying and failing to swallow the fear that was welling up in the back of his throat. Tradisha admired the handgun for a moment, obviously thinking about what she should do with it. She leveled the weapon at Costello. His eyes were bulging. Her face tightened.

'You've always been a good pilot. Almost as good as myself.' said Ladelle, flipping the safety catch to a neutral position. Costello let out a deep sigh of relief and slouched in his chair. Ladelle replaced the pistol in its holster. 'Rejoin your squadron. Pick up your bars from the quarter master...Lieutenant Major.' said Ladelle with a sick smile which Costello did not appreciate.

Costello could care less about the promotion. Getting out of that room alive was the real accomplishment.

Ba’El handed Emperor Treize another data pad detailing the arrangements of the prisoner transfer and how he proposed to deal with the security issues present. After the process was agreed upon, the data was erased by a command delivered by Ba’El.

Some time later the shuttle containing the prisoner and his guard left the station and landed in the main hanger aboard the Explorer holding position a short distance away from the station. Within the ship, the prisoner, his escort, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and finally Ba’El was transferred from the Thrashian shuttle to a large cargo bay occupied by an equally large occupant. The parade of important guests entered the object within.

About this time a signal was sent to Ba’El’s shuttle containing those who wished to ride along to Coruscant and the passenger list was immediately forwarded by the shuttle. While the shuttle was in transit, the engines of the Explorer were detected powering up. In reality, the transport in the cargo bay was powering up and Uplifting. The actual Explorer’s engines would be timed to power up in synch with the transport.

In T-Space, the Transport was taken aboard the Deity Carrier awaiting its arrival. The passengers were escorted to a specially prepared suite of rooms that only had a single entrance/exit. In the center of this was a single cell upon a levitating platform. The walls were constructed of force fields so there was no way for the prisoner to escape. There was no connection to the floor or ceiling other than chains that held the Cell in place. The power source was separate from the rest of the carrier and the cell was visible at all times by the large number of personal the Grand Admiral brought along for the job. Rob would be safely contained for the duration of the trip.

The shuttle bearing those who wished to ride would be approaching the Explorer as its real engines are starting. The shuttle landed using the main bay of the vessel and the results of the passenger list would be returning from Coruscant. Any passengers on the “Not Allowed List” would be returned to the station in Thrawn’s shuttle.

The Explorer will then speed off toward Coruscant while the Battlegroup in T-Space would jump to a random nearby uninhabited system. En route they would put in a request for Wormhole transport and a wormhole would appear as they Emerged into Real Space. The Battlegroup would immediately enter the wormhole and in ten minutes they would arrive at the predetermined location and jump to Coruscant. Total flight time is 20 minutes (5 minute jump, ten minute wormhole transference, 5 minute jump) and the prisoner would arrive some time before the Explorer was even in the same Galaxy.

Thirty minutes later the Explorer would arrive at Coruscant to deliver the passengers so they can wait for the Emperor to make the announcement of when and Where the trial would actually occur.

Anyone attempting to free Rob would not know of the switch of ships done secretly. They would most likely either think he was still aboard the Thrashian station or aboard the Explorer. Any escape attempts would be centered upon those two vessels.

Grand Admiral Thrawn stood on the command bridge of the Ba'El's ship, feet spread apart in a steady position and his white gloved hands held firmly behind his back. His uniform was impeccable as usual in its snow-white color, gold epaulettes hung smartly, and his rank insignia shone just as if it'd had a fine polish.

Thrawn was impressed with the efficiency of the Balroggan crew and with the performance of the ship, though he still found small insignificant things that might have been cause for notice were he on his own ship. Thrawn took out his comlink and opened up a secure channel to Commander Abdiel, commander of the Expedition Fleet. Thrawn spoke in the Thrashian Battle Language for extra safeties sake.

"Admiral! What can I do for you sir?" Abdiel's voice came over the link, also using the Battle Language.

"You've coordinated properly with your Balroggan opposite commander? You've been made aware of the plan," Thrawn said.

"Yes Admiral. When we do the exchange the majority of the fleet will split off with the fake transport. The rest will remain either with you or jump directly to Coruscant."

"Very good Commander. Just remember, do not fail me in this," said Thrawn. It didn't require a hint for Abdiel to hear the iron threat beneath Thrawn's velvet reminder.

"Of course Admiral. Abdiel out." The link went dead and Thrawn replaced the comlink to his pocket.

He spotted Ba'El and walked over to him with measured steps. A single black armored stormtrooper who remained at his shoulder at all times locked step and followed. Thrawn nodded to Ba'El when the fellow spotted Thrawn.

"I trust everything is going forward as planned?" Thrawn asked politely.

“Yes, as soon as we arrive, Lord Vader will take custody of the prisoner. Rob will disappear until his trial starts, whenever that will be. I trust the Emperor will announce that when he is ready.”

Ba’El watched the Grand Admiral as he observed the crew and the Deity Carrier itself. They were on the Fleet Command Bridge, located deep within the vessel. From this nerve center, the Admiral was able to link up with all the command carriers in his fleet. Every carrier had two bridges but the Deity was equipped with three. The standard bridge that controlled the workings of the ship was overseen by the Captain of the vessel. The Battlegroup Command Bridge was set up to link the captains of the entire Battlegroup so the Commander in charge could relay orders effectively to the Battlegroup. The Deity carriers were the command ship for the entire fleet so they would have an appropriate bridge to allow the Admiral and his staff access to the Commanders. Of course he could bypass the chain if the situation demanded but that is rarely done.

“I know I am probably being over cautious with my preparations but I do not want to take the chance at loosing this prisoner. All hell will break loose if they managed to intercept the transfer. I wish for that to not happen.”

Seen on the holo-screen, the Battlegroup Emerged and the ships entered the newly formed wormhole which closed behind the last ship.

“What is the condition of the Explorer?”

“The ship is leaving Thrashian space and continuing on her separate course toward the Hypergate. If anyone will try to intercept, it will be between now and when it arrives at the Gate. The military presence at the Hypergate would make them hesitate hitting the ship there.”

A few hours after making the jump from deep space, the trio of Devastator Class Star Destroyers reentered real space at sublight levels. They had entered the galaxy's core where planets like Coruscant resided, populated by hundreds of billions and envied by those with power as their throne. No doubt the space surrounding this area would be blanketed in orbital defense guns and FTLi fields. In a time like this all defenses would most likely be on high alert, thus it was best to be safe then to get shot at by high energy cannons.

As they entered the defended space, it was only a matter of seconds the before trio of star destroyers was hailed by Coruscant. The captain of the primary ship responded with the Grey Order's name and their callsigns as well as their Imperial callsigns that identified them as friendlies in the Galactic Empire.

"We have Master Kendo Zayne of the Grey Order aboard. He wishes to land in order to be witness to the traitor's trial."

Upon receiving confirmation and permission, the Devastators gently made their way closer to the planet as Zayne boarded the same transport he had taken to the Vespasian space-station. The destroyers altered their path until they had been caught by the planet's gravity and began orbiting slowly.

From the primary ship the Lambda Class transport shuttle launched with its compliment of twenty-two beings. Passing through the atmospheric shield of the planet, it descended until reaching a landing platform upon a large plaza near the Imperial Palace. As had happened before at the space-station, the ramp came down and the twenty distinctly grey-armored clone troopers walked down and in perfect symmetry formed a pair of columns through witch the Jedi was to step.

"Ah... Coruscant. I have not seen it since I was a boy..." Zayne commented to himself as he stepped out of the transport and looked upon the great city-planet...

[ooc: Hey Sith, hope you don't mind me saying my guy got to Coruscant. Figured it wasn't a big deal and would only slow things down.]

“Sir, we are approaching Coruscant on schedule.”

“Good, contact Control and inform them of our arrival.”

“Yes Sir. Initiating contact. Sir, I have a message for you. Forwarding it to your counsel now.”

Ba’El stepped over to his workstation and sent the encryption code to the computer. The message unraveled and allowed him access. He read through the message.

“It seems we have a change in orders. Admiral Thrawn, would you care to take a look to confirm?”

Ba’El stepped aside and allowed the Grand Admiral the chance to view the message. He wanted to be sure the course deviation would not be taken as a surprise. He punched a few coordinates into the workstation and sent a request for another wormhole.

Moments later space tore itself apart in front of the Battlegroup and the ships quickly entered. Ten minutes they emerged over Terra Prime. Between them and the planet was a huge artificial moon, the Death Star.

“Let’s try this again, open a channel to the Death Star. Inform them we have a prisoner to transfer.”





EDIT:

The events will continue in this Thread:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12814617#post12814617