The line begins to blur (Open)

[Ragsmire]

Rendili, Not quite has core world has the eclipsing Kuat construction yards it still provided valuable space resources for the empire in the form of Hyperdrives, Fighters, Frigates, Cruisers, and even space defense platforms, And was surely as vital a contributor has Kuat. Not only a source for space units Rendili was home to over six hundred billion beings, All allied in someway with the empire. Aiding their dark reign with every fighter constructed rather they put a direct hand into it's forger or unconscionably by simply allowing it to happen.

The Memento Mori, A Lucrehulk-Class Battleship fitted with additional upgrades to fit it's admirals madness those add ons taking the form of Eight more shield generators to produce a almost unstoppable vessel when all were activated but such a feat did cost the Memento Mori for she was unable to fire her weapons and an additional few minutes were needed before the extra shields could be utilized again. Dropped out of Hyperspace from its previous venture on Fonder where the Mori's sister ship the Audere Est Facere had been recovered

a few moments later she jumped out of Hyperspace. The Audere Est Facere was an imperial-two class destroyer suited with four long range super turbolaser, the reasoning behind his obsessive request to install the weaponry was not for the basis of entering Battles more often but instead, Has Tycen had put it.

"I want them so Tina will avoid combat situations aiding at a distance instead of being put in the line of fire." the statement seemed like an oxymoron to Raines and the officers on board the Mori has avoiding combat from a distance was...still combat. When Raines brought that fact up Malone answered it with additional shielding for the Audere Est Facere has well although its flaw lied with the vessels inability to power both the main guns and the additional shielding.

Tycen Malone had unofficial formed the Terrain navy centered around these two ships. He had funding for another two hundred plus fighters and six Military Variant Normandy-class Star Yachts. This would be, unofficially, the first mission of the navy. They arrived to rid the empire of one ship producing player. Although several suggestion not to follow through with this were offered from Both Raines and Tina, Tycen felt this operation was an absolute most to win the war ahead and has such ignored the advice.

The two ships came one after another and before doing anything reestablished systems. Tycen Malone had been informed five minutes before exiting hyperspace of the imminent arrival and has such made his way from his chambers to the bridge. Raines was already awaiting him chatting to Tina via holo feed.

"Tycen so nice of you to join us Admiral Sorel and i were having a wondrous converse over weather or not you actually were going to go through with this." The dark figure that was always Tycen lifted his hands to level with his head palms opened.

"Was there a hint of doubt when i commissioned the plan? of course i want to bomb Rendili, we wouldn't be here if i didn't." Raines had a look that said she knew he did not plan on reversing his orders but Tina cleared her throat releasing a slight but noticeable cough.

"Tycen you can't honestly intend to do this, billions of people live there." Tina spoke out in her small voice like one of those bothersome angles that appear when one was facing a moral decision, An aspect of his sister he disliked for has long has he could recall.

"They are all aiding the empire in some way, Tina, Surely you know this, Feel it as i do." Tycen asked utilizing the classic trick of turning a question around, He did this has a subconsciousness way to avoid the real answer. She crossed her arms looking very unconvinced.

"You know just like i that-" Tina was cut short has Tycen popped in a few last words before killing the feed.

"It seems we're breaking up, Talk to ya later." And with that he cut transmissions with the Audere Est Facere turning quickly on his heel to face Raines. the over bloated prince stepped slowly and deliberately across the deck in an effort to add both contempt and drama in each moment, Both very effect in leading he's found.

"Are you consorting behind my back, Trying to turn Tina against me Raines!" He demanded jabbing one accusing finger in her direction his voice soaring has the sentience trailed. The Woman managed to keep her cool seemingly completely unaffected by the actions but Tycen was sure he felt deferentially. Arms folded behind her back she began her answer tone unwavering.

"Absolutely not, Admiral, She contacted me requesting i ensure that you want and are fully aware of what effects taking this course of action will have." Tycen dropped the finger but left a cautions eye running her form suspecting every move. He stepped back in line with her looking toward the view screen. Not turning his gaze away he said low enough that only she would pick it up.

"You're an outsider, Raines, therefore i place very little faith in you and absolutely no trust. do not overstep or i will react; No more privet conversations with my sister." She picked up from leaning over one of the safety rails that divided one from the pits of different control throughout the bridge to her fullest which was very much below her fellow admiral.

"It's Admiral, Malone, And if your sister contacts me in privet how can i turn her away, She is still learning after all and perhaps I'm helping her along that learning path." Her response was meant to mock him and maybe even intended to evoke a his counter action, Tycen would not fall for this ruse.

"Admiral Raines issue the order to begin the bombardment this is the first step to winning this war." He said loud enough that the entire deck could hear his order but waited for Raines to relay the command to the forces amassed over the very tiny looking planet from where Tycen stood.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this What have these people done to aid the empire any more then the next?" She wasn't so much questioning his orders in this instance has reinforcing his resolve to the plan he created.

"Admiral this attack will serve two purposes, First the end of a major support for the empire, Second and quite possible more important we need something that says 'hey we're the good guys and are here to help' This is that message." The sense in it all apparently was logical only to Tycen has he stood proudly in the center of the deck awaiting the beginning of the fireworks show eagerly.

[Ragsmire]

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori Command Deck.

Tycen awaited the fireworks standing almost more calm now then ever has the order was relaid through the two main ships then the smaller support vessels and back like an electric circuit passing through the device it powered. However contrary to what Tycen thought no bang started this festival and after a moment he began to scoop the deck his eyes finding one of the weapons directors, the lead weapons director in fact, making a steady march toward him and Tycen could sense the bad news he came to deliver.

"Sir i'm not sure what you've been led to believe but an orbital bombardment is not that easy first we have to prime weapons of the Mori and synchronize with the other vessels and-" Director Rogers was cut short by a swift cutting of the space in front of him Tycen snapping his hand through the air in his immediate area to silence him.

"How long will these preparations take, Director?" he asked leaving his gaze n the planet. His tone was one of impatience leaking out the hint of anger he now felt, this was no doubt the subtle work of Raines.

"Several hours, Sir." He replied unsure of how the prince would take it just like everyone else on board. Recently Tycen had begun to act rashly in many situations what exactly the cause of his eradicate behavior was no one know but there was some speculation amongst the crew behind his back. One such theory was that while away from the Mori he ran into a subconscious trigger that just essentially flipped a switch, This was drop has others question how it continued to effect him. Raines suggested once that he was just your special kind of lunatic, the kind that could blend in with society and there was nothing more about it that.

"Fine I'll be in my chambers until the time comes, Do not disturb me under any circumstance, ready a few wings of fighters in case someone is sent to investigate our presence. progress had better be made by my return or someone will pay the consequences." Taken better then the deck suspected he turned sharp on his heel snapping his dark clock while on the path out of the Command bridge. Tension eased has he left the deck. Tycen had in recent weeks become a bully in the eyes of the crew chewing out a greenhorn earlier that very day for getting his orders mixed around which resulted in a back flow of command. Has punishment he sentenced her to four days held in contempt without rations.

Raines turned to face Director Rogers granting him an approving smile and small gesture of gratitude. While delayed Raines hoped to convince Admiral Sorel to pay the Mori a Visit and attempt to have Malone reconsider his choice in targets.

Orbiting Rendili, Audere Est Facere Command Deck.

Tina Sorel-Malone stood clad in a uniform loosely reminisce of an Admirals light tan with sky blue trimming she didn't bark the fact she was commanding officer on the vessel. She had worried that Tycen really did intend to go through with this massacre, there was nothing to be gained from this no matter what he said. But has a delay was issued apparently steaming from an error Tina had been hopeful it was a recall has his senses returned, that idea was however shattered after Raines contacted her through holo-cam.

"Admiral Sorel you most come here to personally confront your brother, Otherwise he will not stop this attack." Tina fiddled with her glove while it was still on her right hand. Speaking out was something she was raised not to do has it brought unwanted attention to the person which could only mean trouble. She swallowed hard and shook her head refusing Raines request. She dropped her head disappointed in Tina's decision.

"Then I'm sure he will follow through, Are you sure you want that?" Raines cautioned in an final attempt to persuade Tina into speaking with Tycen.

"I cannot do it, Eclair, I just...can't." Tina killed the fed with that staying her ground in the command deck she bit at her finger nails in worry has the idea that Tycen would go through with this fluttered though her mind.

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori Admirals personal chambers.

Tycen stepped into his quarters heading directly for the dark nightstand aside his large and overly luxurious bed framed with gold and large lush bedding. Three rooms like this were on the Mori one was his and another two for guest Tycen had them added to stuff his pride more then anything. From within the stand the Titan prince pulled out a small shack contained within a few mementos from prior ventures included amongst them the lightsaber parts he'd collected over time.

Most things were now amassed ready for construction notably missing in the pile were both a crystal and the hilt. He took a spot in front of the triple reinforced observatory window to meditate spinning the parts around himself. Has of late the prince had been having visions of a world and Tycen was sure it had the next piece to his weapon and maybe in mediation he would find the answer however odds were has he approached the answer he'd be interrupted.

[Gamov]

Main command deck, Manticore: Rendili System

The Captain always felt like there should be a little lurch forward whenever she dropped out of hyperspace, instead there was always the nothingness of realspace that greeted her every time she returned to it. This was her first time in the Rendili System, arriving as part of a routine patrol stationed out of the Deep Core.

Rain's own fleet was starting to drop out of hyperspace all around her as she stood at the front of the observation deck aboard the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer, Manticore. Composed of at least four capital ships, the Manticore stood out as the flagship of the fleet, escorted by the Venator-class Star Destroyer, Centurion, the Taung-class Strike Carrier, Vanguard and the Majestic-class Heavy Cruiser, the Ezekiel Rage. The remainder of the fleet was rounded out by a pair of Lancer-class Light Cruisers, a pair of CR-90 Corvettes and a military grade Normandy-class Stealth Star Yacht, Sentinel.

Glancing over her shoulder, she could see several members of the bridge crew stir in activity as they tried to make contact with their comrades aboard the other warships. Ten starships made up the largest fleet Rain had ever commanded in any one place, and at the rank of Captain, it was also highly unprecedented. But Lord Malum had specifically requested that she be placed in charge of the flotilla, implicitly trusting in her skill, loyalty and efficiency to complete their assigned task.

And though she was in command of more ships now than she had ever been, her feelings were somewhat tempered by the realization at the fact that nobody would be promoting her yet again and after her mission was completed, she would be returning to her original duties. They don't hand out medals and commissions for completing errands for the Empire. She had served in the Republic Navy and then in the Imperial Navy for almost her entire life, and had only been a flag rank for the past year. Now though, with this many starships under her command, she was sure her performance on this latest mission would, at the very least, garner her some favor with the higher command in the Empire, eventually netting her a promotion to Vice Admiral, or Admiral at some point down the line.

Entertaining the private fantasy, she recited the name to herself. “Admiral Shelvey.” It had a good ring to her ears, eliciting a feint smile in her expression as the very thought of being addressed as such ran through her mind. Her private thoughts were soon interrupted however, as reports from her crew began to trickle in.

"All starships have dropped out of hyperspace along their assigned vectors, Ma'am." A sensor technician reported.

"Captain, all transponder codes have come on line and the ships are reporting in as we speak." The deck officer stated while he stood over the communications station of the bridge, listening to the two technicians there as they signaled their counterparts aboard the remainder of the fleet.

"Very good, report when they've all checked in."

"Aye aye Ma'am, we will have it momentarily."

There was a brief lull in activity on the bridge before Rain was delivered another, unexpected report from the crew at the long range scanners.

"Captain, we have other ships in system." The sensor technician reported.

Rain furrowed her brow as she turned to regard the technician. "We were the only scheduled patrol in this sector today, weren't we, Lieutenant?" She asked, stepping towards the crewman's post.

"Yes, Ma'am." Liuetenant Harnkess replied from his own position with the sensor tech in the crew pit, taking his eyes off of the scanner for only a second to glance up and return his Captain's uncertain gaze.

"Send Sentinel ahead of the fleet, open up comms with them. Have them transmit their transponder and identification codes and identify themselves." Rain stepped quickly back towards the command deck, adding one final order as she did so. "Use standard protocol. In case this is just another Imperial patrol, I don't want to start a panic that will result in friendly fire."

"Understood, Captain." Harkness replied.

Main command deck, Normandy-class Star Yacht, Sentinel

A message beeped across the instruments in the cockpit aboard the Sentinel, alerting its pilot to an incoming transmission from the fleet. In short order, the communication was sent directly to the Captain's quarters, alerting him to the situation. A short time later, Captain Marcus Tion was present on the main command deck of his ship, relaying the orders he had received from fleet only moments ago.

"Alright, you heard the lady. Let's get out there. Take it nice and easy, use standard protocol. We don't want to get shot at out there."

The Captain's order was met with a mixture of "yes, sirs" and "aye aye, Captains" before the Sentinel pressed on ahead of the main fleet, which was still moving, albeit slowly, towards their intended destination.

Once clear of the fleet, more signatures came on the Sentinel's scanners, which were reported in quick order as being a single Lucrehulk-class Battleship and its escort, an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer. Moving quickly to complete his orders, Captain Tion opened up a long range communication with the vessels.

"Unidentified craft, this is the Normandy-class Star Yacht, Sentinel reporting. Requesting your identification and transponder codes to verify Imperial status. How do you copy?"

[Ragsmire]

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori Command Deck.

Raines stood as the central figure on the Deck both her powerful presence not only has a space tactician and strategist but also formidable negotiations expert in several languages has well has something close to an ambassador. She bore top rank on deck when Malone signed out, Something he did often during active duty, and had a mind light years ahead of her age. Even without her expertise and training however anyone could see that bombing an entire planet for the shake of a victory was madness. Still trying to contemplate a strategy to prevent this attack short of contempt Raines turned to face the second Director.

"How much time do we have until Malone grows tired of waiting?" she asked him keeping a steady tone. Raines knew the man couldn't tell when Tycen would have one of his mood swings and decide they were ready but he had served with him longer then she.

"Knowing the admiral I'd say it could range from twenty seconds after he left to twenty hours after he issued the order." The man replied seriously but his commit sparked a few laughs from the pits. Raines waited for them to die down before excusing the Director. Her plea for Tina to try and talk some sense into him failed the woman terribly lacking in bravado. Malone had promised punishment if they had not progressed which meant a total halt could not be attempted.

"Admiral we have an incoming transmission from the Sentinel Requesting Identification and Transponder codes." Piped up the Comms' directer cutting through her silent musing. Raines only thought was that a bad situation has only managed grown worse. Ether these Imperials would accept the Terrain codes the vessels were equipped with and go on their marry way, Or the more likely reaction which would be to board talk with the Admiral, Tycen, And discover what they were doing in the system. Two capital ships flanked by four Normandy-class Star Yachts and carrying the other two on board the Audere Est Facere in the hanger made this party look exactly like it was, An attacking fleet.

To bring Malone into the decision would be a true and unfaltering bad choice he would insist on shooting them right now and that would not work, Unless it was only one vessel. instead though Raines decided she would play their game. Arms crossed she turned slightly to regard the comms director.

""Send them the requested information, nothing else. Disarm weapons if they request to board then grant permission." Raines hope was she could learn if they came with an additional company of ships, odds were yes that was how the empire worked. Once finding out what however she would get a better idea of what the situation was.

The codes would ID the Memento Mori has the personal vessel of Tycen Malone, Who may or may not come up has a former member of the union. The ship was commissioned out of Fonder drive yards along with the majority of vessels under Terrain navy. The Audere Est Facere would be registered to Trinity Sorel-Malone little of her record would be shown has, For the most part, She was a ghost. Raines greatest concern with this plan was that after they came aboard, Assuming they cared enough to even do that, They would want to speak with Malone.

[Sir Lord Ash]

Spirit of Fire Entering Rendili system

Some call it ugly, others say it is one of the best ships avaliable, but what everyone could agree on is that when a Leonidas-class ground assault carrier enters a system, everyone is in awe of it. Blistering with weaponry, even if it was inactive, the Spirit of fire was a ship to fear. At two kilometers in length, it dwarfed even the star destroyers in the system.

A hole formed in real space as the large craft exited hyperspace, along with four Olympian-class Escort Ships and a flight twintail starfighters, otherwise known as Eagle Squadron.

Being so large, and with added armor, weapons, and a shield generator, it wasn't the fastest ship ever, but with her sensors and targeting computer, she could cook a speeder on the ground from orbit with one of her turbolasers. That was saying something right there about a stock ship. At least the Captain had no plans of having a fight here.

Captain, we exited hyperspace right on course. Spinning FTL drive down and powering up sublight engines. Setting course for the shipyards now, sir.
Good, Lieutenant. Get us there quickly. I want our gear on this ship within the hour.
Captain, initial sensor scans show multiple military-grade capital ships.
Holds your scans, Ensign. There bound to be some here. For now, everyone stick to your usual tasks.

The aging Captain didn't seem to be worried about the other ships in the system. Scan's on the Spirit of Fire Would show it under the ownership of James Cutter, the Captain of the ship, and also the leader of the Black Knights with the absense of Zero.

Over the course of 40 years, Cutter made a name for himself as a brilliant tactition. He won many battles with the Republic, loosing hardly ever. He also turned down many promotions to fleet admiral so he could stay in command of battleships and cruisers rather than fleets, but he always found himself commanding a fleet when the admirals contuned to ask for his assistance. His last mission was deep into unknown space, unfortunatly, and now it showed him fully retired with part time ownership to a retired Sargent Zero.

This was a hoax, of course, put together by Black Knight hackers. They were also the key to getting what was on the shipyards. Records show that several gutted Spyglass corvette's were sold to Cutter, when their armor proved not up to standard. There was a good price for them too. This was sliced into their systems, as the armor had yet to show up, so it was just parts taking up space.

For the time being, the Spirit of Fire cruised towards the shipyards and opposing flotilla's. Cutter smiled as he waited for the simple "State your name and business" call that would ost likely come from the Imperial side. Deduction would prove the other side would be rogue, or perhaps part of a different organization.

[Gamov]

Rendili orbit: Momento Mori docking bay

Rain watched as a pair of soldiers patted down her escorts outside of the entrance to the main hangar. Why they needed to be searched again on their way out she was uncertain, but she had been through her fair share of security forces put in place by those who might be slightly more paranoid than what was required. Once her aids had been cleared, the First Sergeant motioned for the Captain to come forward and undergo her own search.

Rain set her jaw and tried to stare down the man, but the senior NCO only paused for a minute and waved another trooper forward to search the Captain. Satisfied after a brief search, the trooper nodded his all clear to the Sergeant, who waved Rain and her lieutenants through to their ship.

Wasting little extra time aboard the Lucrehulk, Rain boarded the Sentinel, her escorts close behind her as the ship was sealed and prepared for a return to the main fleet.

Inside, Rain was forced to wave off several menial reports from Ensigns and crewmen that weren't of the utmost importance at the moment. She had only been in the Rendili system for about two hours and she already felt exhausted. Her mind was focused on two things at the moment; her previous meeting with the Captain of the opposing vessel, and Lord Malum's recent disappearance.

The former subject had, thankfully, been resolved with only minimal displeasure amid the involved parties, and it appeared that an armed confrontation had been avoided for the moment. Though this thought brought her a modicum of relief, it was quickly dashed by the next thought in her mind as she could not help but ponder what had happened to Janus. He had taken the Crusader nearly a week ago and vanished into Wild Space without a word.

At first, Rain thought it may have been a secret mission from the Emperor. But as time went by and she heard nothing from him, she began to suspect that something may have gone wrong, or that he was remaining silent for a reason. The latter idea seemed to make more sense to her, though. Janus had become something she couldn't quite describe since their separation years prior to current events. Whatever the Emperor had done to him had altered him and made him a much more cold, unforgiving man.

"Are you certain that was such a wise choice, Captain?" One of her aids asked, following close by her as she made her way towards the CIC of the ship.

Rain welcomed the interruption from her private thoughts and engaged the officer in conversation. "Our resources are thin at the moment. If we can avoid armed conflict, it logically follows that we should."

"Yes, but, the Emperor...."

The voice of a radio operator chimed in, halting the aid mid sentence. "Captain, call for you on the long range comms. Its Lieutenant Harkness."

The Captain addressed the Ensign at his post, nodding to him. "Patch it through to the conference room."

"Aye aye, Ma'am."

Turning her attention back to her aid, Rain offered him further assurances. "Everything will be fine. We've squared away things here for the time being, so there is nothing to report to the Emperor about."

The aid only offered her a reluctant nod in return before Rain dismissed herself to the conference room of the ship.

Main command deck, Manticore: Rendili shipyards

"Go ahead, Lieutenant." Rain said, her holographic form flickering on a projection pad in the command salon of the ship's bridge.

"We've received confirmation that at least five other vessels have entered the system. Four Olympian-class Escort Ships and a single capital vessel, the Spirit of Fire under Captain James Cutter, representative of the Black Knights."

"Have you checked their clearances?"

Harkness nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. They appear to have arrived in system to recover several Spyglass-class Corvettes purchased by Captain Cutter. We've checked the credentials of the exchange with the shipyards and everything seems to be in order."

"Allow them to proceed forward then, Lieutenant. I will be arriving aboard the Manticore shortly."

"Understood, Captain." The Lieutenant said as Rain's form vanished from the podium. Turning his attention back to the crew at the long range communications, Harkness relayed the order.

"In form the Spirit of Fire that she may pass."

"Yes, sir." A radio tech quickly set to his task, hailing the ship and transmitting the order. "Spirit of Fire, you are cleared to proceed. Maintain your present course heading."

[Ragsmire]

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori, In transit from the captains personal chamber to command deck.

Raines and Trinity stood patiently as they waited for Tycen to emerge from his privet chambers where his meeting had concluded several moments ago, He had insisted it be there. The momentary glance they had caught of him when the Women had exited detailed him sitting quite comfortably in one of the two chairs positioned around a small caf table, He held a clear glass with a blood red crystalline clear liquid inside, It was old mans beard his favorite alcoholic beverage. The stuff was difficult to come by commonly brewed on Terra he had not made a trip home in over a year resulting in his personal supply quickly running thin.

As the boarding party made it back to the hanger Tycen emerged from within the dimly lit cabin carrying the glass from before, Generally when Tycen drunk he did it in a large portions. Tina immediately rushed him and to his surprise it was not with the expected bombardment of questions concerning his affairs. Instead she pleaded for him to rethink this attack while moving toward the command deck.

”Tycen I have to insist that you not do this, You’ve no idea what it will do to you.” She took a spot to his right maintaining her dignity by not pulling on his arm or falling to her knees and that pleased Tycen to some extend.

Coming to an expected halt at the center of the command deck he threw his right arm out preventing Tina from progressing ahead of him, if she did it would prove another subtle note to the crew that he could be disrespected, a note he would not allow to be played. Turning to face his sister Tycen first welcomed Raines with a nod and a gesture of his glass just for show.

”Put your concerns aside, Tina I have considered what you have said and decided I will spare this pitiful world.” He told her with a semi joking attitude directing a finger toward the pit director in charge of weapons to follow the order. The relieved look Tycen had anticipated flooded Tina’s features he simply gave her the same nod hehad granted Raines.

”Now Tina it would be best for you to return to the Audere Est Facere, Torlow is too stupid to handle it for too long.” Tina looked as if she was about to defend the man, which was about the time two guards started her along the way. He took a sip of the old man’s beard contend on the knowledge that one annoyance was gone for the time being.

“How was the meeting, Admiral?” Came the bothersome tone of his second greatest annoyance who was quickly proving to beat his first, Raines had a gifted mind but was her butting in really worth it?

Why how kind of you to ask, Raines, I found my female company was much less of a aggravation then you, I had considered trading but ultimately she didn’t do.” He answered before taking yet another swag of the old man’s beard emptying his glass. He stared it down momentarily as if questioning the facto that it would actually dare be consumed completely. The answer come as a shrug from Malone who stalked back across the deck to start toward his cabin.

He was stopped by the Director of Sensors and comm who spoke up above the roar of the other pits busy with their individual duties. “Sir, more vessels have entered the system what would you do about there presence?” He asked straight forward with no hesitation or cracks in his sentence.

”For the time being leave them to the imperials and put a course in for Tishi, don’t leave until I give the go ahead. If shoots are exchanged inform me. Raines kept close pace as Tycen moved down the hall taking the two lefts and one right until they faced the blast door that only moments earlier he had come from. Imputing the ten digit litter-number combination that only three others were aware of he stepped in moving toward the stand where he kept his most beloved beverages and began to pour himself another glass of old man’s beard while in the process Raines continued her interrogation.

“What were you two discussing?” He waved a gloved hand at the question batting it asunder and would have stepped on the pieces except he didn’t want to look the pard of a madman. Tycen put down the pitcher and inching closer to Raines he took a sallow of the drink.

”Lets just say it was a interesting peace negotiation, alright?” She didn’t look the least bit happy with his answer; Tycen seemed to have a terrible time with the women in his life.

“Negotiations took that long, are you sure they were done correctly?” She pressed not shunning from his deadly approach. Tycen learned forward and with a strange look in his eyes responded to her.

”You know what, Raines…As time passes you only seem to get better looking.” He said flashing a fake smile before attempting to steal a kiss only to be met with a swift slap as Raines left. Rubbing his reddened cheek Tycen shrugged off the rejection it served its purpose.

[Sir Lord Ash]

In route to Rendili Shipyards, Observation Deck, Spirit of Fire.

The ships of the opposing Flotilla's showed on a couple different view-screens. Cutter read all the information about them, at least what their sensors told him, which was damn near everything except for the date the ship was due to be destroyed. After a few moments, the screens would shift to a different one. He made a assumption that the larger flotilla was the Imperials, leaving the duo capital flotilla the other side. A holographic woman appeared on the small holographic podium besides Cutter, looking at him, arms at her sides.

Captain, Imperial flagship Manticore gives us permission to continue on course heading. Its not as if they could stop us if they tried.
Alright. Give them our affirmation, and try to figure out whats going on here. I would rather not be in a fight today. Are you sure there are no ties between us and the Federation?
Yes sir. We are a clean ship. Continuing with assignment.

En-route to Rendili Shipyards. Spirit of Fire

Yes sir. We are a clean ship. Continuing with assignment.

Serena deactivated the pad connecting her to Cutter. Advance AI should have been treated better than this: Controlling a massive battleship blistering with weaponry and and an extensive shield array. Serena sighed at the order given to her. Almost instantly after shutting down her link with Cutter on the observation deck, easily viewing the planet and her shipyards, made contact with Manticore.

Roger that, Manticore. May I inquire the reason for a Imperial Flotilla to be here opposing two other capital ships?

[/color]

Serena left a little bug in the system as she communicated with the Impstar deuce. It was so she could monitor closed communication networks and their battlenet. It was much more effective and easier than hacking their systems. The only sign would be like that of a solar flair interference, which was entirely common in any system.

Using the Spirit's sensors and telescopes as eyes, she brought out a full reading of the Imperial flotilla, then the opposing flotilla, reading over their statistics and current status in a fraction of a second. Going through her mind, or rather supercomputer that she was connected to, were many battle-plans if things went south from here. If they did, she would be more than ready. With an entire power core to just weapons, she could have them up and firing in just under 6 seconds, and shields up in 2 seconds, with a second generator to them. But there was no battle right now, so she could only waste time in waiting for contact with the Manticore[/center]

[Gamov]

Main command deck, Manticore

"Sir, transmission from the Spirit of Fire."

The report caught Lieutenant Harkness' attention, who had been diligently attending to various matters since the Captain's departure, and he promptly made his way to the signalman's station where the communication was coming in.

"Roger that, Manticore. May I inquire the reason for a Imperial Flotilla to be here opposing two other capital ships?"

"Sir...."

The crewman's word lingered in the air as a half formed question before the Lieutenant quickly picked it up. "Leave it. Give them a standard reply."

"Yes, sir." The tech nodded before he began transmitting a response. "Spirit of Fire, we are unable to divulge that information. Maintain your present course heading." It was a simple message that conveyed the fact that Imperial business was Imperial business and that anyone who wanted to know other wise was strictly on a need to know basis.

No sooner had Harkness finished his own sentence and the communication had gone out to the Spirit of Fire, than the Lieutenant caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Shifting his gaze towards the entrance to the bridge, he glimpsed Captain Shelvey returning just moments after her arrival. Snapping to a quick salute, Harkness belted the order over the bridge.

"Captain on deck!"

Rain sighed heavily at the display that welcomed her back to the ship. Harkness was a good man and a competent XO, but he had trouble getting around the idea of breaking regulations. Despite that fact that she had made it abundantly clear to every officer on the Manticore that formalities were for politicians and not soldiers, Harkness persisted in towing the line as a model officer who followed the rule book to the letter. The result of too many years at the Academy most likely.

Countermanding the Lieutenant's order, Rain set her crew at ease. "As you were."

The bridge crew visibly relaxed and returned to their duties as Rain moved to the central command salon. "Any updates, Lieutenant?"

"None to report, Ma'am. Spirit of Fire just hailed us asking about our business here. I gave the order to roll out the standard response."

"Asked us about our business?" Rain repeated the Lieutenant rhetorically. "You'd think they owned the place with talk like that."

"Perhaps they do, Ma'am. Did you see their ship on the way in?"

Rain nodded as she made her way to the view ports on the command deck, Harkness close behind her. "It is an impressive vessel. But she isn't invincible, Lieutenant. Nothing is." Her last words seemed to speak of more than just the Black Knight ship.

Harkness gave her a thoughtful nod, joining the Captain's distant gaze as they watched the Spirit of Fire slip towards the shipyards, the Momento Mori and the Audere Est Facere equally in view from the position of Rain's own task force.

"So, I take it your meeting went well?"

Rain glanced to the Lieutenant. "We aren't heading for a fight at the moment. That's always a good sign I'd say."

"What did you discuss?" Harkness plied further, reluctant to press the issue, but curious all the same.

"That's need to know, Lieutenant." The Captain replied, slightly more defensive than she had been before, but still maintaining an aura of calm about herself in the process.

The Lieutenant, his curiosity piqued, but his drive to pursue the subject subdued, obediently bowed to the Captain and dismissed himself to other tasks, leaving Rain with her thoughts.

[Ragsmire]

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori, Captain's Cabin.

Dark lighting matched with a grim toned theme as Tycen slumped lazily in the chair he had just finished the meeting from glass in hand balancing the celebratory drink as he mused over the coming storm within the chain gate fortress that his twisted thought process had morphed into the powerful beat of some loud normally intolerable band pounding unusual theorizations pass him.

As he entertained these hard to find guest the drunk madman rose and fell, Paced to and fro, even resided some of the lines to himself while marching in this intoxicated stupor.

"Man's becoming more corrupt now, godless, wicked, and cruel The soulless man stands at the top? something must be done." He pondered the random thought in reference to the emperor and his policy's. before quickly turning the subject in another direction.

"I won't be the victim, but the first to cast a stone!" He answered one of the many unheard questions flying through the large space defending his actions against the accuser slamming a fist down in outright defiance.

"I tried to be someone else... But nothing seemed to change." He responded again taking a seat lamenting to one of his silent companions. As the whispered rebuttal caught Tycen's ear he looked up from the pool of red that was his old man's beard to grant the respect of eye contact to the invisible shrink.

"I know now, this is who I really am inside, Finally found myself." He told them before taking another swing of the dark red beverage.

"What am i fighting for? I'm fighting for a chance you should know that!" He again responded to unheard questions clearly getting angry with them now. He moved from the chair and started toward the steamer once inside a very specific whisper catching his attention like a siren pulling him toward the mirror.

"bury it?" He asked his silent reflection in the refresher mirror perching his glass on the side of the sink.

"I won't let you bury it." He answered jabbing a shaky finger at the mirror accusingly.

"I won't let you smother it!" His reflection answered turning the tables and sending the prince reeling back as the rebuke pierced a nerve. He splashed water in his face knocking the glass from the sink while in the act.

He dropped to one knee temporarily disappointed in the waste, He left the mess for a later time though. picking himself up with the aid of the sink he looked back into the mirror the sight sucking the air from his lungs.

"I won't let you murder it!" His mirror form shouted with dark solid red iris's in place of his usual green. Malone psychically shook at the sight before blasting that future away along with the mirror his palm resting blood lines to match the eyes he'd just seen streaking down in place of what might be.

He turned away from the bathroom leaving his hand untended as he fell on the over sized bed covering his eyes in a failed attempted to purge the image.

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori, Command Deck.

"What's the situation with the vessels you mentioned had arrived" Raines asked bustling onto the deck with little more then a second thought directed toward Malone's foolish behavior. Quickly the desired response made its way across the deck.

"Ma'am, the imperials seem to have granted them clearance to the shipyards, other then that things are quiet." Raines gave the man an appreciative gesture in form of a simple smile and nod.

"We'll linger a moment longer and see if the Captain, or admiral, or whatever he wants to be called joins us, if not, Probably not, then we'll proceed with the charted course."

[Sir Lord Ash]

Rendili Shipyards. Spirt of Fire Computer Core.

Roger that, Manticore. Spirit of Fire out. Radio if you need something.

[/i][/color]

The tone that Serena spoke in was bored and slightly sarcastic. Her voice also didn't have the human sound that was heard when a life form spoke into a micraphone. That would be about the only thing they could say, is that they were talking to a computer rather than a life form.

Silently, Spirit of Fire drifted near the two flotillas, partly showing off its size compaired to the other ships. It took but a few minutes longer for the two kilometer ship of pure distruction to turn around and dock with the shipyards, its lower side partly facing the two flotillas. A transfer of codes and the main systems of the several Spyglass Corvettes began the process of being loaded into one of the massive cargo bays.

End to end, the systems wouldn't even measure 50 meters in length, but these systems, which made up a spyglass, would be the perfect addition to the Black Knights, and gain espionage, which a Leonidas Lacked. Serena, if her avatar could be seen, smiled as she prepped for the cargo transfer.

Rendili shipyards. Spirit of Fire. Command Deck.

Cutter walking into the bridge always made things run more efficiently. He walked to the holo-table, where, in real time, showed the position of the opposing flotillas and ships surounding them. Serena's avatar apeared on the small holo-pad next to Cutter.

Captain, cargo is being loaded up as we, well, I, speak. The Imperial communication systems have been hacked, so I can listen in to them so long as we or them are in the system. So far it seems like their flotilla's are at a standstill.
Good. Serena, keep me updated on their movements and any communications between them. I will be on the observation deck. Estimated time for cargo transfer?
Half an hour, sir. Faster if we help out.
Do that then. I want to be in and out if the shooting starts. We need to meet up with the fleetmaster.
Yes, your highness. Would you like a cherry on top of your order?
Serena, do as your told. You know where I am.

With that, the gray haired captain turned on his heel and left the bridge. Serena sighed and transfered herself to a holo-pad near the plexi-glass so her avatar could gaze out at the flotlla's. What she was really doing was speeding up the loading process.[/center]

[Gamov]

Captain's private quarters: Manticore

"Security is at its top level. The only perceived weakness can come from you after we make the commitment." The blurry image of an alien figure reported as it communicated with Captain Shelvey.

She stood at her private comms terminal in front of a secure HoloNet transceiver that was projecting the holographic torso of an alien creature. As much as she did not enjoy the being's tone, finding it too condescending for her own tastes, Rain did find his professionalism and way of reporting to be very refreshing and somewhat unexpected in its articulation and presentation.

"Is there any way to ensure that we don't have to take that gamble when the time comes?" Rain asked.

"Not on our end. If your leaders act as you predict they will, it will be upon you to ensure ultimate success."

"If Janus follows procedure, we are to launch a packet ship no less than a week after our arrival in the system. I think he also wants to hear the Emperor's reaction. I'm starting to get the impression that he doesn't know about this little meeting he's arranged."

"Then it is up to you to maintain the visage, Captain." The alien replied, "the only issue I foresee from our end is the Council. But they are light years removed from this decision and have entrusted me to lead our people in your world. We need to be vigilant right up till the moment we engage the slave mechanism. Any potential fault on your end will spell disaster as we cannot complete the task without your assistance."

"I understand your concerns, Adjutant. But I assure you that I have hand picked and assigned some of our top naval personnel to aid in the process. We'll keep on top of it." Rain assured her "visitor".

"Yes, that brings me to a curiosity on my part.... Is the presence of your people within my fleet really necessary?"

"Most of the flag officers that have been gathered are a little nervous about the concept of a slave rig." Rain answered truthfully, reluctant at first for fear of dissolving the frail alliance before it could amount to anything more than a simple meeting.

"But, Janus has done an.... "Exceptional" job at assuaging their fears and instilling their complete loyalty. Still, the pucker factor is pretty high and we just want to ensure that everything goes to plan. In the event that the unseen happens, it will benefit both of us to have men familiar with the systems on hand to fix any glitches or bugs."

"Your leader, this Janus.... I look forward to meeting him in person." The alien added with a slight nod of his head, changing the topic of discussion. Physical connotations of emotional display were not common amongst his people, but he was learning to slowly integrate them into his own actions for the sake of smoothing out communications between the vastly different societies.

Rain was a bit surprised by the apparent interest, raising an eyebrow to the comment. "Why is that, Adjutant?"

If the Adjutant had a mouth, he would have been smiling lightly at the Captain's inquiry. "His name in our native language means "Demon".... I have never met a demon myself. I am quite interested in seeing how he thinks."

The answer shocked her, but she could not deny the ultimate truth to it. There was something more "demonic" about Janus now than there had been in the years before. "Well, I assure you that he is just as much of a human being as I am."

"We shall see...." The Adjutant leaned slightly out of the picture as if his attention was drawn by an unseen force. "If you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to. We shall speak again very soon, Captain."

Rain gave the alien a polite bow of her head and disconnected the feed before she closed the terminal off and locked it.

Sinking into the chair behind her desk, Rain popped her datapad out of the arm of the chair and put her security code in it to activate the thing. She didn't have any urgent messages awaiting her attention, so she started looking over the fleet operations files. As she did so she thought of the men and women who would lead this little plan when they started their mission. An entire fleet of allied Imperial and foreign powers under the command of a Sith Lord was a recipe for disaster. She wondered what Janus had been drinking when he had come up with that part of the plan and presented it to her. More to the point, she wondered why she even agreed to be a part of it.

[Ragsmire]

Orbiting Rendili, Audere Est Facere, Command Deck.

Tina had just as soon stepped back on the deck as a set of coordinates been sent to the ship. Torlow, Who acted as command while she was off, called "Commander on deck!" Informing the bridge of her return. Tina waved a hand momentarily gesturing for them to return to work. She moved to investigate where they'd be headed next.

"Tishi?" She mused aloud hovering above the monitor display, Tycen had received the location of the world years ago Tina recalled the brief exchange she had with him not a week prior while en route to recover the vessel she stood on now.

Tycen told her that they would strike the empire and then move to continue a long delayed assignment of extreme importance, So much so he criticized himself for losing sight of it. When pressed to reveal more on the subject Tina learned that some object of power was Prophesied to lay in wait especially for him. Tina was unsure of it when he spoke of this but would follow his guidance.

"Okay...Ready the coordinates given for a hyperspace jump." She relayed sensing the acute mixture of frustration, concern, and disillusionment rolling from the crew, They like others of the company were growing sickened of Tycen's eradicate behavior. With Raines presence they had hoped maybe some choices not made out of madness would come to pass, The people of the Audere didn't know how much harder things were over on their sister ship.

Orbiting Rendili, Memento Mori, Command Deck.

"His status?" Raines demanded from the runner whom she dispatched before making the final call to leave the system. Raines gave him her data containing the codes to enter the room, not willing to tell him it out of a concern for his own safety if Malone discovered such an action, Raines had a security net in the form of Tina the young Woman taking a liking to her even looking up to her in many ways, Tycen would not risk losing his sister with Raines demise.

"He seems to be passed out, Admiral Malone appears to have badly cut his hand." The trooper added before resigning himself to his post on the deck. Raines turned to face the view port gazing absentmindedly at it for a moment before giving the order.

"Prep for the jump to Tishi." And with it the two vessels plus the Normandy class transports exited Rendili space in a blink.

[Sir Lord Ash]

Rendili Shipyards. Spirit of Fire Cargo Bay 1.

Loading was going quickly. Some Black Knight soldiers who were in the area were helping with the loading of the parts from the spyglass corvettes. Soon, they would be able to depart the shipyards and be on their merry way with what would essentially be several corvettes, if they were total.

Serena's avatar, which was in the cargo bay, smiled at the progress. Sargent John Forge stood near the podium, leaning against a pillar, arms crossed. Even if his men were working, Forge wasn't.

So Sargent, why don't you help out your men with the loading?
Cuz, I'm the leader of this pack of men. Besides, enough people are working right now. Why would I need to help them out?
You useless stack of armor. Your just lazy.
Thanks for the complement.

Serena caught Forge's laugh, but didn't 'see' it, as she transferred herself out of the area and to Cutter' who was now on the bridge.

Sir, loading is now finished and the cargo bay are closing up. We can leave at your convenience.
Good. Helm. Take us out. Serena, give word to the Imperial Fleet that we are leaving now.
Yes sir. Manticore, This is Spirit of Fire. We are on our way out of here. Try not to breath down our neck as we take off. We've been good, I promise.

[/i]

As soon as the entire ship was air tight, the Spirit of Fire Disconnected from the Shipyards and began to drift away before engines were brough onling to maneuver the massive ship around.[/center]

[Gamov]

Rendili orbit, 9,000km from shipyards

A small unidentified craft dropped out of the center of a swirling blue vortex that had just opened in space near Rendili. Scans of the vessel would reveal nothing about it. It would have no classification, no technical specifications and no energy readings as such a vessel had yet to be cataloged by the galactic community at large.

Even its cargo, unknown to all but a select few, was traveling incognito in the system as the small shuttle spun up its sub-light drives and began piloting itself towards the Manticore, the three blue engines of the craft burning brightly as it sped away on its course for the Imperial fleet.

A short time later, a small burst transmission was sent out from the ship to the flag ship of the Imperial formation. But the signal would be mostly unintelligible as an unknown alien dialect and may even be construed as an attempted communication through a damaged encoder array.

Main command deck, Manticore

Lieutenant Harkness milled purposefully about the command deck of the ship, overseeing details and crew duties as the Captain rested comfortably in her private quarters. Thus far, Rendili was a relatively quiet system, save for the gathering of ships that had managed to accumulate in the region. But even they were beginning to thin out as the twin Union vessels had since taken their leave and the Spirit of Fire was well on the way to completing its own task.

As the XO passed by a sensor tech in the crew pit of the ship on his way to the forward observation deck, the man spoke up from his station, catching the Lieutenant mid-stride and halting him in place with the report.

"Sir, incoming ship. Unknown class.... They are sending us a highly garbled message."