NationStates Jolt Archive

The continuous war between the Rebellion and Empire was one that took an immense toll on the planetary populations, and for that matter, the galactic population. War was an immense strain, and people can only take so much before they do what their instincts tell them to do: run away. Find some peace, get away from all the stress.

So it was that many moved to colonies away from the stress and horror of galactic war, and Rutan was that planet. A quiet place with few cities, plenty of towns, and a small military and naval garrison, the tribulations of war seemed far, far away. As such, the population had increased vastly in recent years, and it was just beginning to undergo the build up to an industrial society. But, for now, such things were opposed by a war-weary New Republic populace. The New Republic military garrison, just five thousand strong, with a small company of tanks and only two X-wing squadrons for air support, and a small detachment of five ships to protect the region, they couldn't agree more.

However, they had plenty of trouble coming. Thrawn had deemed the planet a good acquisiton in his campaign to defeat the Rebellion. In defeating the Rebellion push at Bilbringi, he had opened up many sectors to Imperial acquisition. If the Imperials could take Rutan, they'd have a staging area at Eriadu, Bespin, and other worlds. It'd also put pressure on the Rebellion, forcing it to spread itself to defend its desperate races, or begin to split apart from political pressures. So an Imperial strikeforce was being gathered to take the planet.

However, unbeknownst to both, another force had its eyes on the planet, very hungry eyes. A force which has been known to destroy entire worlds and annihilate entire species. A force known....as the Imitators.

Unaware of what was coming to this rather peacful world, a cloaked ship exited hyperspace, the ship bore the coming of age, it would bring unity to this world as everything would join in harmony..perfection through insurrection. As it began its descent into the Rutans atmosphere it changed as its holo systems turned it into what would seem a cloud to the normal person, on radar it would most likely look like a flock of birds. As it hovered within another cloud, its infector cell ordanance tanks began to deploy. The ship had stationed itself over a small ocean on the planet, seeing it as prime targeting to get the assimilation into the wildlife. Hissing could be heard as the spray came out of six parts of the tanks, three on each side, as there were two tanks. The mist looking substance formed up with the air and floated, while some of the infector cells had fell to the ocean, where it would infect through the fish taking in water. Now all one had to do is wait about three days for the beggining of assimilation to occur, this would no doubt start with life in the ocean then work its way to the streams and lakes and into the terra forms on the ground. Come into unity within us...

Over the next three days, the colony began to more and more realize something was amiss. People began to disappear, friends and family began to act really strange and become isolated or polar opposites of themselves. Even the military garrison was affected, with the base becoming sealed off and the military not talking to anyone except for shipments of food and water to the rest of the planet. Soon enough, entire towns began to be go silent and not report back. When the capital went silent for a week and then came out, saying they had experienced "power outages", when the generators had been working, they knew something was up.

But they couldn't imagine the force they faced, the utter subtlety and infection that was the Alliance of Imitated Worlds. After three days, the entire population of the planet had been infected and belonged to the AIW. All that remained was the fleet which had gathered over the planet when transmissions had been cut off two days earlier. They had sent transmissions down to the planet, and until now, hadn't gotten any response. Now, with the planet eagerly asking them to come down and help them with "hardware problems", they got nervous and called for orders from Command.

However, by now, it was far too late for them....

Over the next three days, the colony began to more and more realize something was amiss. People began to disappear, friends and family began to act really strange and become isolated or polar opposites of themselves. Even the military garrison was affected, with the base becoming sealed off and the military not talking to anyone except for shipments of food and water to the rest of the planet. Soon enough, entire towns began to be go silent and not report back. When the capital went silent for a week and then came out, saying they had experienced "power outages", when the generators had been working, they knew something was up.

But they couldn't imagine the force they faced, the utter subtlety and infection that was the Alliance of Imitated Worlds. After three days, the entire population of the planet had been infected and belonged to the AIW. All that remained was the fleet which had gathered over the planet when transmissions had been cut off two days earlier. They had sent transmissions down to the planet, and until now, hadn't gotten any response. Now, with the planet eagerly asking them to come down and help them with "hardware problems", they got nervous and called for orders from Command.

However, by now, it was far too late for them....

A X-wing squadron flew up towards the lead ship of the fleet, no doubt seeking entry into the fleet as assimilation could not be done as easily in space.

" Command, this is Delta sqaudron, seeking entry, we got some things to discuss, appeartly there was a solar flash from the sun and the emp created by it knocked out a lot of our systems, may we come aboard?" Of course this was a set up from the start, to get into the high command of the fleet you needed to get close, close meaning direct contact could either be violent or intimate means. Lucky for them, there had been a female pilot, and she would be considered a work of art for some, although this work of art was now sculpted for a different purpose.

"Delta Squadron, this is Command. I have this system on quarantine since we have lost contact over the last two days. I don't detect any traces of ion particles or anything like an ion storm. I have standing orders not to allow anyone in or out until I received orders from High Command, or the Captain. Can I link you to the Captain instead?"

The Rebel ships had been very antsy and the Captain was of a paranoid sort. The bit with the Krytos virus had been vivid, and he didn't want a repeat. So, he had ordered a lockdown. Unless they could convince the fleet of some sure reason why they had been so quiet, they would have a hard time getting aboard the ships.....

"Delta Squadron, this is Command. I have this system on quarantine since we have lost contact over the last two days. I don't detect any traces of ion particles or anything like an ion storm. I have standing orders not to allow anyone in or out until I received orders from High Command, or the Captain. Can I link you to the Captain instead?"

The Rebel ships had been very antsy and the Captain was of a paranoid sort. The bit with the Krytos virus had been vivid, and he didn't want a repeat. So, he had ordered a lockdown. Unless they could convince the fleet of some sure reason why they had been so quiet, they would have a hard time getting aboard the ships.....

The female continued in her mental crusade to take this fleet.

" Sir it was probably the routine lockdown in case Imperial forces invade sir, you know how real they want it to seem, my parents always get nervous when that happens, and appearantly you do, I cant blame you for that, especially since we dont want another Krytos outbreak." she adjusted her helmet as the squadron cirlcled the fleet slowly.

"Uhhh....well, I'll run this by the Captain. Hold on."

The channel went quiet for several minutes, as the officer informed the captain and there was a huge discussion over it. Eventually the officer returned, the Captain deciding to allow something to appease the crew, who were afraid for the friends they had on the surface. "Alright, the Captain will allow one of you to come on board, but only one. You will be escorted by a fire team to meet with him."

The hangar bay opened, and a squadron of their own X-wings flew out and waited for one of them to come and enter the ship, so they could escort it in. The Rebels were taking no chances, and it was only by pressure of the crew that the Captain had even budged this far. He had a bad feeling about what was going on, about the suddeness of all these events, of the strangeness about this blackout. He paced the interrogation room, guarded by a squad of Rebel troopers. He could only hope his fears and doubts were unfounded....

"Uhhh....well, I'll run this by the Captain. Hold on."

The channel went quiet for several minutes, as the officer informed the captain and there was a huge discussion over it. Eventually the officer returned, the Captain deciding to allow something to appease the crew, who were afraid for the friends they had on the surface. "Alright, the Captain will allow one of you to come on board, but only one. You will be escorted by a fire team to meet with him."

The hangar bay opened, and a squadron of their own X-wings flew out and waited for one of them to come and enter the ship, so they could escort it in. The Rebels were taking no chances, and it was only by pressure of the crew that the Captain had even budged this far. He had a bad feeling about what was going on, about the suddeness of all these events, of the strangeness about this blackout. He paced the interrogation room, guarded by a squad of Rebel troopers. He could only hope his fears and doubts were unfounded....

The female fighter pilot came into the hangar, her name was Nirti(near-tee), a women of beauty, and of duty she made her way to the captain, she eyes all the people on the ship as she was escorted, she showed no emotion as she made her way to the captain. " survival...infiltration....survival...infiltration" is all that repeated in her mind, as in every Imitators, speech was not really done by understanding but by imitated other words and how they reacted with eachother, like a blind vocabulary, but still effective enough. Nirti would either mate with the captain or engage him in a more physical manner.

Nirti was escorted into the hangar by the X-wings, who returned to patrol duty outside the ship, and was met with a squad of marines. They quickly escorted her through the ship, where the crew watched her as she passed by, some men looking at her admiringly, until she reached the interrogation room. The Captain gazed at her with neutral eyes as she sat down in the chair and the Captain stood some distance away. The door was guarded by another squad of marines, as the other group filed out.

"So, Nirti, what in the Force is going on? We lost contact with the planet two days ago, and it wasn't till now that you reestablished contact. We looked for any evidence of EMP, but there hasn't been any. And what is this about a lockdown I hear?"

Nirti was escorted into the hangar by the X-wings, who returned to patrol duty outside the ship, and was met with a squad of marines. They quickly escorted her through the ship, where the crew watched her as she passed by, some men looking at her admiringly, until she reached the interrogation room. The Captain gazed at her with neutral eyes as she sat down in the chair and the Captain stood some distance away. The door was guarded by another squad of marines, as the other group filed out.

"So, Nirti, what in the Force is going on? We lost contact with the planet two days ago, and it wasn't till now that you reestablished contact. We looked for any evidence of EMP, but there hasn't been any. And what is this about a lockdown I hear?"


Nirti saluted the captain " Sir, we are having lockdown simulations on the colony in case of Imperial conquest sir. Sir, the governor is sorry for not telling you earlier, as a matter of a fact, he wants to invite you down to the captial for a party for your crews sir. I quote him as he said " The captain and his men must be dead tired and bored to stay in space such a long time, for an invasion which is so far away at the moment." Those are his exact words sir." She held both her hands behind her back and she stood straight, back straight, no emotion, proffesional.

The Captain eyed her extensively as he listened to her speech about what had happened. It was true that they occasionally had lockdown drills in order to prepare for the Empire, as was standard procedure. But the military was usually involved, especially the Fleet. This lack of oversight still bugged the Captain....but there wasn't much he could do. The crew desperately wanted to get some fresh air and the rumbles of discontent were loud in his crew.

"I see. Very well. You can leave now, Nirti. The marines will escort you out and back to your fighter. The quarantine is ended, and the crew can go down to the planet." He walked out after that, looking for a place to sit down and think. After announcing the good news, the crew began to get on the shuttles and head down for the capital city, for a day of celebration and wonder, for some time off....not knowing the horrors which awaited them.

The Captain eyed her extensively as he listened to her speech about what had happened. It was true that they occasionally had lockdown drills in order to prepare for the Empire, as was standard procedure. But the military was usually involved, especially the Fleet. This lack of oversight still bugged the Captain....but there wasn't much he could do. The crew desperately wanted to get some fresh air and the rumbles of discontent were loud in his crew.

"I see. Very well. You can leave now, Nirti. The marines will escort you out and back to your fighter. The quarantine is ended, and the crew can go down to the planet." He walked out after that, looking for a place to sit down and think. After announcing the good news, the crew began to get on the shuttles and head down for the capital city, for a day of celebration and wonder, for some time off....not knowing the horrors which awaited them.


Nirti had returned to the planet in her X-wing, she stepped out of the fighter and met the colonle of the armed forces, he was not human anymore, but something more, a unified individual. " Sir, fleet crew is coming, is the party ready?" " Yes, get back to your squadron." " Yes sir, right away sir." she replyed and ran away. In an open area there was partying as people drank and had a good time, as the whole population waited for the right time to strike, which was when as many of them had landed. Everything on the planet would seem normal on there arrival, but everything was just a trap, a trap of natural instinct to survive and spread by any means neccesary be it passive or aggressive....survival of the fittest.

About half of the crews of the orbiting fleet, including all of the marines, came down to the planet on shuttles and began to filter out. The starport the capital sported was filled to the max and the influx of people caused the city to become loud and full of merriment. The males went to the bars, where they got drinks and began to swap stories as they waited, and the women began to go out to parties, and shop, while some of the hardier ones joined the men at the bars. They had no idea that the population were no longer what they had thought them to be, and they had walked into a trap of epic proportions.

The Captain, unnerved by what as going on, had the fleet be prepared for anything, just in case. He didn't like what was going on, and he wasn't taking any chances. He turned and looked at his files, and he saw a message had arrived. From Republic High Command.

All the while, the Imperials were preparing to strike, and enter into the hell that was about to be unleashed.

About half of the crews of the orbiting fleet, including all of the marines, came down to the planet on shuttles and began to filter out. The starport the capital sported was filled to the max and the influx of people caused the city to become loud and full of merriment. The males went to the bars, where they got drinks and began to swap stories as they waited, and the women began to go out to parties, and shop, while some of the hardier ones joined the men at the bars. They had no idea that the population were no longer what they had thought them to be, and they had walked into a trap of epic proportions. The Captain, unnerved by what as going on, had the fleet be prepared for anything, just in case. He didn't like what was going on, and he wasn't taking any chances. He turned and looked at his files, and he saw a message had arrived. From Republic High Command.All the while, the Imperials were preparing to strike, and enter into the hell that was about to be unleashed.* The men drank infected water, resulting in contamination, when they returned to there ships, they would easily be able to over power there superiors and take the fleet with light casualties.* So the party continued, fireworks shot out here and there making a beutifal display of lights.* Although the drinks had no real alchohal in them, since poison was extremely lethal to the infected, instead they were replaced with drugs, a little noticeable, but they shouldnt care to much. The insurgency had just begun....

The subversion of the crews and the marines went without a hitch, and the celebration continued, with the fleet being blissfully aware of the damage done to their crews and the thread they posed. If they had known what was going to happen, the fleet would have left then and there. Unfortunately, they couldn't know what was to happen, and the Captain was about to unwittingly unleash it. Tearing out of his quarters, he ran onto the bridge and opened the comms.

"All crews, back to the fleet. I repeat, all crews back to the ships. Playtime is over! The Imperials have just thrashed us at Bilbringi and are taking sectors left and right. This is an emergency; the Republic is calling a Code Red. Let's move it, people!" There were groans and complaints, like any good crew would do. The infectors learned well and the shuttles swiftly took the hidden invasion to the ships. The moment they got on the ships, they began to disperse and slowly subvert the fleet. The Captain began to prepare his ship for hyperspace when the comm flicked on.

"Sir! Sir! There's something down here! I can't reach Security and Engineering has gone silent! And-" A loud hissing noise was heard and there was a scream on the other side.

"No, no.....DEAR GOD NOOOOO-" The transmission cut out with the horrible sound of blood splattering. The Captain's face turned white and he heard pounding on the door. The comm went wild with screams and cries for help from the other ships, as one by one, the ships were taken over. When the door fell, what they saw made the command crew cringe with fear. They managed to take a few down with the first volley before they were swarmed. What few screams they gave were soon drowned out and the process was complete.

Rutan and its defense ships now belonged to the Imitators.

The subversion of the crews and the marines went without a hitch, and the celebration continued, with the fleet being blissfully aware of the damage done to their crews and the thread they posed. If they had known what was going to happen, the fleet would have left then and there. Unfortunately, they couldn't know what was to happen, and the Captain was about to unwittingly unleash it. Tearing out of his quarters, he ran onto the bridge and opened the comms."All crews, back to the fleet. I repeat, all crews back to the ships. Playtime is over! The Imperials have just thrashed us at Bilbringi and are taking sectors left and right. This is an emergency; the Republic is calling a Code Red. Let's move it, people!" There were groans and complaints, like any good crew would do. The infectors learned well and the shuttles swiftly took the hidden invasion to the ships. The moment they got on the ships, they began to disperse and slowly subvert the fleet. The Captain began to prepare his ship for hyperspace when the comm flicked on."Sir! Sir! There's something down here! I can't reach Security and Engineering has gone silent! And-" A loud hissing noise was heard and there was a scream on the other side. "No, no.....DEAR GOD NOOOOO-" The transmission cut out with the horrible sound of blood splattering. The Captain's face turned white and he heard pounding on the door. The comm went wild with screams and cries for help from the other ships, as one by one, the ships were taken over. When the door fell, what they saw made the command crew cringe with fear. They managed to take a few down with the first volley before they were swarmed. What few screams they gave were soon drowned out and the process was complete.* * No one could have seen the horror which had befell the fleet, the captain now sat on the bridge which looked normal along with the rest of the fleet.* "Rutan and its defense ships now belonged to the Imitators.* No one could have seen the horror which had befell the fleet, the captain now sat on the bridge which looked normal along with the rest of the fleet.** He sat without emotion as did the rest of his crew, the constant stream of voices of which a collective was formed...there Allliance.* " We are one, one of many." the voices echoed in there heads as they were connected. " Ships weapons at full, enginerring here...., squadron delta reci....patrol here we are searching for survivo....." each message almost uncomplete but complete at the same time...unity had come to the fleet and planet.

bump-

The subversion of the planet ensured control of this system by the Imitators, and they could hit any of the nearby planets, and the local garrisons would think them to be allies. That was the horror of the Imitators, they could slip into the bodies of allies, and use them to allow themselves to spread even further. So now the Republic was faced by a threat from without from the Empire, and a threat from within by the Imitators. They only had a small group of ships, but they could still grow if they continued with the success they had gained at Rutan.

The subversion of the planet ensured control of this system by the Imitators, and they could hit any of the nearby planets, and the local garrisons would think them to be allies. That was the horror of the Imitators, they could slip into the bodies of allies, and use them to allow themselves to spread even further. So now the Republic was faced by a threat from without from the Empire, and a threat from within by the Imitators. They only had a small group of ships, but they could still grow if they continued with the success they had gained at Rutan.

Survival and infiltration...they had succeded this with the planet Rutan, but still, numbers needed to grow and armament must continue as well. The fleet had already hit hyperspace and was now headed towards the planet they had on there listing known as " Eriadu ", no doubt a nice planet to choose, but it was also the easiest to get access to. The fleet was under the banner of the Alliance of Imitated Worlds and it was closing in fast, they could even be picked up on sensors right now....but that wasnt a problem.

Eriadu was one of the larger worlds of the Empire, and now the New Republic. It was very industrialized and populated, but it was also very polluted. It had a large garrison, and a large defense force of ships, along with a few defense platforms to protect the vital planet. It was a trading hub, along with being a key exporter of goods and services to many of the planets around them. This planet was one of the key ones for the Republic, and it was kept as safe as possible; and with the threat of Thrawn increasing, the Republic had clamped down even further. There was a significant fleet here, as the assimilated Republic ships exited from hyperspace would see.

The ships were immediately hailed by the defense ships. "Republic strikeforce, identify yourselves. High Command never informed us of any additional ships coming our way, and you don't look battle-damaged at all. I better not have to listen to excuses of rookies, as that won't stop you from getting penalized by the local courts here. You had everyone one edge when you came in; don't you know there's a war on?"

Eriadu was one of the larger worlds of the Empire, and now the New Republic. It was very industrialized and populated, but it was also very polluted. It had a large garrison, and a large defense force of ships, along with a few defense platforms to protect the vital planet. It was a trading hub, along with being a key exporter of goods and services to many of the planets around them. This planet was one of the key ones for the Republic, and it was kept as safe as possible; and with the threat of Thrawn increasing, the Republic had clamped down even further. There was a significant fleet here, as the assimilated Republic ships exited from hyperspace would see.

The ships were immediately hailed by the defense ships. "Republic strikeforce, identify yourselves. High Command never informed us of any additional ships coming our way, and you don't look battle-damaged at all. I better not have to listen to excuses of rookies, as that won't stop you from getting penalized by the local courts here. You had everyone one edge when you came in; don't you know there's a war on?"

The had-been rebel captain replied to the hail. " We are well aware of the situation commander. Were starting to flow additional forces here, it seems Imperial forces could be on there way to this position, they assumed you needed as much help as possible, but of course these orders are 100% confirmed. It was just easier for high command to channel ships to this area, seing as it was more important than Ratu."

"I don't know if you banged your head or something, Captain, but High Command explicitly told me that every movement would be told beforehand. We are in a war, Captain, and one that just took a turn for the worse. If they were going to send us ships, they would have notified us. If you have confirmation, I'd like you to send it to me then. Besides, Chandrila is not even in any danger, unlike the border worlds to the sectors the Empire didn't take. Do you have any real excuses, or do I need to give you to the courts?"

The local forces were now very suspicious; the ships commander had either lied or didn't know what was going on; two things which were very strange and didn't make any sense. The crews anxiety began to rise and they each began to quietly begin preparations in case this was a fluke by Empire to trick them.

"I don't know if you banged your head or something, Captain, but High Command explicitly told me that every movement would be told beforehand. We are in a war, Captain, and one that just took a turn for the worse. If they were going to send us ships, they would have notified us. If you have confirmation, I'd like you to send it to me then. Besides, Chandrila is not even in any danger, unlike the border worlds to the sectors the Empire didn't take. Do you have any real excuses, or do I need to give you to the courts?"

The local forces were now very suspicious; the ships commander had either lied or didn't know what was going on; two things which were very strange and didn't make any sense. The crews anxiety began to rise and they each began to quietly begin preparations in case this was a fluke by Empire to trick them.

" I guess I must have hit my head, so sorry, we have been really stressed what with the war and such, we have all been on our heals. I guess we should return, im gonna get chewed for this one."

"Your disregard for proper protocol, along with illegal movement of ships, has been logged. I advise you return to your post and think long and hard about the regulations we all work under. I am sure High Command will have a lot to talk to you about soon. Dismissed." The ships all pointed at them, although the weapon systems did not activate, showing clearly what the commanding officer there felt. Leave or we will make you leave. This commander was apparently a by the book one, and he wasn't happy what he viewed as sacrilege to this book.

The fleet headed back towards there new home, but not in defeat, but in renewing there power. The planet was to be stripped of weapons and people and to be brought aboard the fleet to prepare a mixed army.