Important links:

>Synopsis of Dark Empire (To quickly catch up)
https://pastebin.com/h7uFmbpt

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Dark+Empire

>Twitter feed I use to announce planned game times.
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

>This is the map system I use for planning
http://www.swgalaxymap.com/

>Official political map
https://imgur.com/bNUpg6e

I allow between ten and twenty minutes for voting depending on the importance of the issue and how divided the vote is. If the vote is tied up, I usually allow an extra five minutes for a tie breaker, and if no one votes, I roll for the tie breaker The will of the Dark Side.

I always try to incorporate (and encourage!) write ins if they don't violate the spirit of voted decisions, though I may edit or tweak them to fit better.

Your fleet is prepared to take the next step, advancing into the "wilds" between two hyperlanes. Areas of space like this are still perfectly able to be navigated by hyperspace jumps, but Hyperlanes provide long corridors of uninterrupted flight, making travel and logistics much simpler. In this case, your standing orders are tow clear out the worlds between hyperlanes and largely prevent any flanking action on either wing of the armada.

Of your original force of four divisions, one- Sesstrix's- has been left behind to reduce the fortifications at Mimban while another- Tierce's- took significant losses earlier. The other two, Valorum's and Lisson's, are both at full combat efficiency. Each Division possesses four star destroyers and their escorts.

A force of at least sixteen Star Destroyers belonging to your opponents, the renegade warlord faction calling itself "The Consortium" is on the loose. Toe-to-toe your own new Invictia-Class destroyers are more than a match for them, but in a head on battle of their sixteen versus your twelve, it looked much less certain.

Ahead of your fleet is a series of three unremarkable but inhabited worlds, Ulda Frav, Artesia, and Erai. The exact disposition of these worlds is unknown, to that end, the way the force is split to attack is up to your discretion. Attacking all three worlds at once is possible and will secure them the quickest but will leave you without any reserve should any element encounter problems.

You can also reduce the number of attacked worlds to increase your reserve force.

Lastly, you have the option of conducting careful recon first, but it brings with it the possibility of alerting the enemy to your coming attacks.


>Surprise attack on all three worlds at once with one division each
>Hit the first two worlds with a single division in reserve
>Hit the first world with two divisions and a single in reserve
>Recon the worlds before moving
>Write in

>>2776699
>Recon the worlds before moving

Always do a recon first also i kinda want to do what the rebels like to do and try to use our figthers to attack using a Thrawn pincer and their hyperspace capabilities.

>>2776699
>Recon the worlds before moving

>>2776699
>Recon the worlds before moving

Slow and steady this time around, don't want to get outnumbered and surrounded again like last time.

>>2776699
>Surprise attack on all three worlds at once with one division each

>recon first
>>2776724
>>2776739
>>2776741

>writing

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You reasoned that the enemy was already well aware of your presence, a few recon Ties or picket ships couldn't make much of a difference. Dedicated observation groups are detached and sent to each of the three worlds being considered for attack. Reports come back within a day that two appear entirely undefended, but the third, Erai, contains two enemy divisions on defensive deployment.

They are either unperturbed by the presence of your scouts or do not notice them because they don't leave their position in high orbit on the edge of Erai's gravity well. Eight Star Destroyers and their escorts, if you attacked with all three of your remaining divisions you could likely drive them away or destroy them, though it could be a costly fight. You might also simply try to demonstrate against them, feigning to be a larger force in the hopes of driving them away.

There is also some consideration of using the planet's gravity well as a sort of natural interdiction field to attempt to jump your fighters in close to attack their undefended capital ships, though it would mean your own capital ships would be lightly defended from fighter attack.


>Attack with all three divisions
>Try to appear numerically superior to drive them off
>Attempt Thrawn Pincer with fighters
>write in

>>2776774
>>Attempt Thrawn Pincer with fighters

>>2776774
>Attempt Thrawn Pincer with fighters

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>>2776774
>Attempt Thrawn Pincer with fighters

I have faith in Vells and in our badass Shadow Droids

>>2776777
>>2776802
>>2776819

>Attempt Fighter pincer

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Fortune favors the bold, or so you suppose.

You divide your three divisions into two task forces. One, containing all your Star Destroyers and most of your Escorts will jump into the Erai system and engage the enemy defenders, intending to draw off their fighter compliments. Once fully engaged, the second group, under Vells command and containing most of your Avengers and Shadow Droids as well as enough escorts to provide some hitting power, will jump in right on top of the enemy cruisers and wipe them out.

You outnumber the enemy slightly, as well as outgunning them, though there is a risk of their fighters doing serious damage to your capital ships before your own fighters arrive.

***

Roll 1d100. Best of 3.

DC is 45

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>2776855
Bomb em back to the pre-Hyperspace Age

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>2776855

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>2776855

>>2776868
Noice

>>2776868
>>2776878
>>2776883

>95

Bloody Baroness is back, boys

>>2776887
Vells is love, Vells is life

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>>2776887
Good to be back

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The Consortium forces at Erai fell for the bait.

Your meager two division attack force was set upon with ferocity by the defenders, your 'weak' fighter screen easily penetrated and soon Ties were warming around your capital ships, lasers landing stinging hits across your hulls.

You stand stoically on the bridge, eyes fixed on the invisible point in space just behind the enemy force where you know Vells force is due to arrive.

***

Vells grits his teeth and flexes a gloved hand on the hyperdrive throttle for his Avenger. Hyperspace jumps always made him nervous, especially in a Tie with only a few inches of transparisteel between him and that azure vortex. Ties weren't made for hyperspace, and he wasn't either. Even so, it was a small price to pay for the ability to do this.

He draws back the throttle and drops into real space with a flash of motion, a dozen- a hundred other Tie fighters and Shadow Droids springing into reality. Vells jumps as a Strike Refit leaps into being just beneath him, a close call. The Empire was going to have to get better at these jumps in the future.

His fear vanishes though as he looks ahead into the sublight drives of the Consortium force.

"All wings, this is Lieutenant Vells, commence the attack, focus on the big boys first, lets knock out their guns and then go for their shields. Good hunting."

"Affirmative, lead."

***

A grim smile of satisfaction creeps across your lips as the enemy force turns in vain to try to ward off this sudden new threat.

"Don't give them a second to breathe," you say, "All ships advance."

Already their Ties were drawing off, racing- futilely- to return to their mother ships to defend them.

The Battle of Erai is short and vicious as nearly half a dozen ruined Star Destroyer hulks tumble into the planet's atmosphere, carried by inertia and gravity.

The remaining enemy force is soon jumping to hyperspace at less than 50% strength.

"What's their course?" you demand of navigation.

"It appears to be Dica, Admiral."

"Can we pursue them?"

Navigation hesitates. "Possible, but risky. It would be a standard pre-calculated jump, we would have to come in dispersed and we might miss the target."

Not to mention the possibility of a trap. Recon would take too long and give them a chance to make a second jump.


>Pursue at once
>Don't risk it
>Write in

>>2776926
>Pursue at once

>>2776926
>Pursue at once

>>2776926
>Pursue at once

>>2776926
>Pursue at once

Fug it, let's finish em off

>>2776936
>>2776943
>>2776967
>>2776971

>Pursue

>writing

With a few commands, you order your forces to rally up and pursue. It will be rough, and you'll be lucky to have your force arrive in one chunk given the haphazard nature of this jump, but if it pays off, you may just bag the remaining enemy ships.

***

Roll 1d100. Best of 3.

DC is 75

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>2777006
YOLO

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>2777006

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>2777006
Got this

>>2777018
>Got this
Witnessed.

>89
>Writing

>>2777018
Nice clutch!

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Once again Vells survives the white knuckle trip through hyperspace, bouncing back to realspace just in time to pull back on his steering yoke and avoid colliding with the hull of a Star Destroyer. "Kriffing lunatic!" he swears at an Admiral he knows can't hear him. He glances at the command tower of the lead ship that his targeting computer identifies as Undying, letting his gaze linger a moment before banking hard toward the enemy ships ahead as turbolaser fire was already starting to pick apart Consortium escorts.

***

With the forces at Erai destroyed, the path was clear for you to secure the other worlds in your corridor as Oxtroe, Trier, and Lobkin all steadily advance in their own.

Lobkin's hologram resolves in quarter height before you on the communications console. He gives you a humorless smirk, "Admiral. Congratulations on your successes so far, I hate to be a bother, but we've come into some difficulties of our own."

You try not to let your cold façade slip, but you're not sure how successful you are. "Is that so?"

"A few divisions of Consortium warships are playing havoc with our efforts to clear out this hyperlane around Nanth'ri." he sniffs and wipes his nose casually, "I'd like to continue our advance without delay, if you could lend one of your divisions to clean up a few hotbeds it would be advantageous."

"You can't clear them out yourself?"

"Not without significant pause," Lobkin shoots back, "I don't want us to become disconnected from one another. If I stay to fight these remaining enemies and you advance, it will leave you vulnerable to attack." he puffs on his cigarra, "And I won't dilute my force to stay behind and deal with them."

It was true that his fleet was meant to be a primary hitting arm, while yours was only a screening force. Even so, breaking off another division to handle these new threats would leave you at half-strength, and would basically make offensive action on any scale nearly impossible against any determined force.

It was of course possible to press on ahead and leave Lobkin to clean up his own problems while you press for the objective. You might also simply choose to hold the line on Lobkin's flank until he's finished mopping up. While not the boldest move, it would give Tierce time to recoop and replace losses to the division.


>Press on in the center, let Lobkin mop up alone
>Hold the line here and wait on Lobkin to clean up
>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin
>Write in

>>2777055
>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin
It's what a screening force is for.

>>2777055
>>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin
I assume that means holding position?

>>2777055
>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin

We'll just have to make do.

>>2777066
That is correct. Scout forces will be sent ahead and pickets deployed and that's it

>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin
>Wirting

>>2777055
>Send a division to mop up for Lobkin

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You nod, "I'll detach Valorum." He was the only divisional commander you could spare. You didn't trust Lisson on his own, and Tierce's Division needed time to recuperate.

Lobkin smiles, "Splendid! I look forward to it." He gives a half bow and the channel dissolves.

Holding position, you consolidate gains, dropping Stormtrooper garrisons on captured worlds and repairing what you can. While your main fleet idles, you send ahead a scout force to recon the area ahead.

***

The recon holographs of Ruusan are enough to freeze your blood.

The center advance had gone well enough for you with only a series of skirmish actions to slow you down, until Ruusan. What the Imperial Database had told you was an unimportant and backwater world seems to be host to the missing Consortium fleet, a division of Star Destroyers, their escorts, and, floating in the center, a black dagger, an Executor-Class Super Star Destroyer. It's plated in black instead of traditional white, and features strange red runes painted on its flanks.

"Sith," Lord Sallin, your Dark Side Komissar says upon observing the images. "It's the Sith Language."

You find yourself baffled, trying to recollect your history lessons from long ago. "Sith? On a Consortium Star Destroyer?"

Sallin fixes you with a blank look, "I can only tell you that is what that language is."

"What does it say?" you ask.

"I believe it is an old Sith spell, but I can't read it."

You look back at the image. Whoever on that ship fancied themselves a reborn Sith was also likely some kind of Consortium VIP, perhaps even the mysterious leader themselves.

(1/2)

"Why Ruusan?" you ask, feeling uneasy relying on Sallin's occult knowledge to guide your decision making.

"There is rumor of an ancient battle site here, one fought between the Jedi and a group claiming to be Sith. Perhaps Ruusan is the site of that battle. It may have archeological importance to the Consortium."

"If they want it then they should not have it," you reply, studying the images more carefully. "Lieutenant? Your assessment?" you look to Lieutenant Zepal, your tactical officer.

"Lord Sallin's speculation would fit, it seems there is cargo transport activity between the fleet and the planet's surface to a number of bases. I'm not certain if they are reinforcing the planet or evacuating it."

You nod, "And the fleet?"

"Substantial. We're a rough match for most of their ships, but that Super Star Destroyer really tilts the balance in their favor." she hesitates, "An attack is possible but I would not envy our position trying to slug it out with that ship. It may be possible to eliminate the Executor-Class as a threat with careful fighter attacks to bypass its shields. But our losses might be severe."

An attack would likely be bloody and there was no guarantee of success. Even so, if Zepal was right and you could pick off that warship the way Executor was picked off at Endor then you may be able to strike fear into your enemies and break up their fleet.

You might also stay and observe the enemy further, though it risked allowing their escape or reinforcement of the world.

It was also possible that assistance might be rendered from either Oxtroe or Lobkin's fleets. By the letter of the law you should contact Oxtroe, your superior, for instructions on how to proceed. That meant letting her tack charge, and possibly credit for this operation.

It was possible that Lobkin might supply aid to you without Oxtroe's knowledge, though you would have to share the glory with him.
>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
>Contact Lobkin for assistance
>Prepare to attack without delay
>Write in

So now that Shitty Girl Quest is done, will you be continuing War of the Roses?

>>2777145
>Prepare to attack without delay

>>2777145
>>Contact Lobkin for assistance
>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
This ship is not to be trifled with, and it was said that the ship could have some sort of spell on it

>>2777145
>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
>Contact Lobkin for assistance

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>>2777147
>Shitty Girl Quest
Not any more.

>>2777174
It's okay TK, you did well. We'll miss you, big guy

>>2777145
>>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
>>Contact Lobkin for assistance

>>2777181
TimeKiller
04/ 2017 - 08 2018
Good Night Sweet Prince

>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
>Contact Lobkin for assistance
>>2777150
>>2777166
>>2777182

>writing

>>2777145
>Contact Oxtroe for instructions
>Contact Lobkin for assistance

Fucking space wizards

"Kriffing space wizards," you mutter under your breath as you ensure these recon images are forwarded along an encrypted transmission to Lobkin's fleet. It would likely take a few more divisions at minimum to secure enough of an advantage to make victory guaranteed.

You didn't have time to worry about Lobkin's response before you were contacting Admiral Oxtroe.

"An Executor-Class?" She sounds both surprised and skeptical.

"Yes, ma'am. I believe we can knock it out if we drop enough ships on it at once, but it's risky."

Oxtroe nods, "Very. No, we can't risk being drawn into a fight at such a critical stage in the operation. I'd like you to hold position and observe, don’t risk starting a fight."

You try to keep your shock from showing, "Admiral Oxtroe. Respectfully I believe that now is the time to strike. It seems they're doing something on the planet's surface-"

"On Ruusan?" her amusement is unconcealed.

"Yes, and my Komissar believes that it may be related to-" even as you speak you realize how insane it sounds, "An ancient Jedi battleground."

"Is that so?" she smiles.

"Ma'am-"

"You have your orders, Admiral. Observe. Avoid engagement. We'll let them finish collecting . . . Pottery shards and rusted swords before we turn back to deal with them."

The channel closes leaving you staring at a dead console.

"Ma'am, Admiral Lobkin calling."

You sigh, "Put him through."

He appears again before you. "That's quite a prize you've discovered. I assume you want my help in taking it out?"

"Admiral Oxtroe put that idea down rather hard."

Lobkin stares blankly and takes a drag on his cigarra. "I can send some of my ships back to free up your division so you can strike, and I can supply a few other odd vessels, even and interdictor if it helps."

You chew your lip. "The admiral-"

"Won't have the power to slap you down if you ride the glory of killing another super star destroyer."

"But my reputation won't save me if I fail either," you counter.

He shrugs and smiles, "The choice is yours. That's the burden of command."


>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer
>Refuse and follow your orders
>write in

>>2777245
>>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer
Those who dare, win. Can we atleast make up an excuse why we attacked? Maybe we observed something that wasn't okay

>>2777255
>Excuse
You can, but (Unless you guys have something genius) I can't think of anything that isn't transparently an excuse. Oxtroe gave Alana specific orders. If you violate those, only success can save you.

>>2777245
It would be dishonorable to disobey a direct order
But fuck that bitch. Palpatine wipes out a whole fucking fleet with lightning and Oxtroe has the gall to smile and laugh at shit like this?
>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer

>>2777264
Yeah, fuck Oxtroe

>>2777245
>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer

>>2777245
>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer
Just don't try to claim this one was yours again this time.

>Fuck Oxtroe
>>2777255
>>2777264
>>2777273
>>2777279


>writing

>>2777245
Wait, can we just jump a ship right next to the executor boy and activate it's engines and blow it up?

>>2777281
No
because that's cheating.

>>2777245
>Accept Lobkin's help and attack the Super Star Destroyer

>The interdictor would be very usefull to protect us from enemy figther bombers and if we leave a open wing we can position the interductor to jump the remaining forces right above the executor and drop our figthers on then.

>>2777281
Figthers would be better since they will have a bigger advantage in by passing the executor shields.

>>2777291
This is a possibility. Super Star Destroyers are vulnerable to coordinated fighter attack under the right conditions.

"Send your ships," you say. "I'll draw up plans for the attack."

"As you say," Lobkin replies, "I'll have the order sent. I'll send one of my divisions and free up your man Valorum."

"Four divisions," you say, "Sixteen Star Destroyers."

"Those are as good as we can get the odds without Oxtroe getting involved."

"Fine. Just don't try to swindle this one from me like last time," you say, eyes cold.

Lobkin feigns injury, "You wound me, madam. I'll let you have your moment, just don't forget that I made it possible for you. Till then." He closes the channel.

You exhale slowly and exit your ready room back onto the bridge. "Prepare the fleet. We're attacking."

***

On your throne in the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, you can reach out through the force to any place, and any time. From the sanguinary conflicts of today to the blood-dimmed tide of the past. You feel life snuffed out of the galaxy as warships explode and see warriors cut down with ruthless efficiency.

It's only a matter of time now until your Empire is fully secured. Upstart Sith and rogue Grand Admirals notwithstanding.

Movement in your throne room catches your attention.

You open your eyes and see the hunched, robed form of Hadrazel, your insane mystic and prophet. He enters silently through a hidden door and catches your eye, smiling madly. You see the skin on his face is becoming loose, seeming to slough away from his skull, he teeth and eyes yellowing. The corrosive effects of the Dark Side are telling even on this new body. Your own has held up remarkably well, but you know ultimately will will again have to jump bodies.

"What news do you bring my friend?" you ask.

"Skywalker," he says, his eyes glittering.

The word sends a chill through you. The name that had once been a blessing but instead become a curse.

"He is coming. He brings the Jedi." Hadrezel spits the last word. "They come for the boy."

Your captive, the young Jacen Solo, safely tucked away in the bowels of your palace under the watchful tutelage of Lord Brakiss.

"Now?"

"Soon." Hadrazel, "They will try to destroy you."

You smile, "Let him try. His arrogance will be his undoing."

***

And I'm out of time guys, have IRL bullshit to attend to. Thanks for playing! I'll be running again Next Wednesday at 7 EST (11 UTC) I hope to see all of you there!

>>2777303
Really though, when is War of the Roses coming back?

>>2777304
Thanks for the run boss.

>>2777304
Thanks TK

>>2777312
>>2777331
My pleasure! Thanks!

>>2777305
Dunno. Sometime after Dark Empire is finished.

>>2777337
So is Jerec aboard the destroyer? And if he is there, where is Kyle Katarn.

>>2777390
I thought for sure that Kyle would be attacking Imperial Palace with Luke

>>2777405
I would to but if it's Jerec that means that he found the Valley of the Jedi and we can't allow him to take hold of that place. Specialy if Kyle is attacking the palace with Luke.

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>>2777421
We should hook up our boi Lord Sallin with some of that Valley Juice

>>2777304
I didn't like Vells at first but he's grown on me. Maybe he deserved the lewds after all.

>>2777390
>Jerec
In this timeline Jerec died about six years ago, so it's not him.

>>2777405
That seems a good guess.

>>2777618
>Vells
Dark Horse candidate for best boi. Fight me.

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>>2777736
>In this timeline Jerec died about six years ago, so it's not him.

No...it can be...is it?

>>2777449
You know it!

>>2777757
It is not

Could we disable the super star destroyer it would be a legendary prize in both fire power and intelligence

>>2778591
We could. But i doubt we could manage to take it from who ever is inside the ship. As much as it pains me we should sink it, after all destroying it will make the enemys run away.

>>2778591
>>2778625
Capture is a possibility, but the anon is right, a boarding action Even one without force users involved. would be exceptionally difficult. Akin to invading a dense city entirely populated by soldiers.

We could do it but it would be tricky. We would have to lure the super star destroyer out of planetary orbit which in its self is a double edge sword assuming we could bait it out of the pick up its doing (dark side relics). If it comes out to us from the planet it could escape since it would be out of the gravity well. If we attack it in orbit and execute the bridge take down the ship has a high likely "sinking" into the planet. If we did the bridge strategy when it was out of orbit it would simply be crippled and commander less assuming the dark side adept is on the bridge or stuck on the planet the panic of the loss of command would lead to a mass abandon ship order issued from the next in command.

>>2778634
Could we just take the bridge and jettison the ship?

You mean space the crew. We could but idk how to cripple a supper star destroyer other than taking out its bridge.

>>2779097
You do realize that executors are carrier ships? With a minimun crew of 50,000 and 38,000 troops? And this is hoping the thing is working with minimal crew or some of then are planet side.

>>2779191
Only thing that comes to mind are ion torpedos. Maybe we have some aboard our destroyers?

We should still take out the bridge to cause a break in the chain of command. Anouther question is does the planet have ground based planetary weapons.

>>2779498
From the reading we got from the scouts, they were dropping troops in some bases planet side.

>>2779510
Yes their was movement of shuttles but their more than likely taking force artifacts and potentially scuttaling the site after its complet so the ship still might have a full garrison on it but the new question is could we execute a Thrawn pincer on that SSD

>>2779555
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be5_g9S0vMc

We should toss an escort ship at it like this

>>2779555
If we plan carefully, yes. Lobkin is also providing us with a interdictor we just need to position it and keep the thing safe so we can use a Thrawn pincer using our starfigthers.

>>2779569
No let’s not we’re not terrorists like the rebel’s if any thing we would use one of the droid fighters loaded with a war head to do that

Oh boys, are you seriously attacking the spooky Executor with sith runes above the valley of the jedi? You'll be lucky if one Force storm is all it dishes out on you.

"How many of them will they bring?" you ask your prophet.

"There will be many Jedi and their allies."

"And Skywalker?" you ask.

"The Jedi will come," Hadrazel replies. "He is among one of the groups."

"One?"

"They seek the Solo child, the grandson of Vader." Haadrazel's eyes seem to cloud over as he talks.

You know that Jacen Solo is safe, buried in a secure bunker deep beneath the cityscape of Imperial Center and guarded by an entire legion of your best troops, supplemented with many dozens of Blackguard and led by Lord Brakiss himself.

"They will also come for your flagship," the Mad Monk finishes.

"Flagship?" You cock an eyebrow, "Tarkin?"

Hadrazel nods. "They see it as one of the keys to your power. To destroy your flagship would be to destroy a symbol of you."

"We'll reposition it," you reply defiantly.

Hadrazel shakes his head, "They will find it. It is inevitable. The battle will be here."

You believe that your blackguard could slow Skywalker, but you have doubts about their ability to stop him completely. Even your Apprentice would not likely be a match. Skywalker is second perhaps only to you in the Force. A frightening prospect.

Perhaps the attack on Tarkin was merely a diversion, but even so, was it one you could risk being successful? You know their primary goal is to claim the Solo child, but Tarkin was a prize in itself as well. The real question is, how the Jedi would divide their resources for this coming attack and how could you best counter them. It's a question of where you and your Apprentice will go, whether you will focus your efforts for a decisive blow to the Jedi or if you will spread your forces to try to cover all bases. Of course, you will also have to anticipate if Luke will be a part of the effort to free Jacen or the strike on your throneship.


>Cythera will go to the palace, Palpatine to Tarkin
>Palpatine will go to the Palace, Cythera to Tarkin
>Both will go to the Palace
>Both will go to the Tarkin
>Write in

>>2792773
>Palpatine will go to the Palace, Cythera to Tarkin

>>2792773
>Palpatine will go to the Palace, Cythera to Tarkin
>Byss attack during Alana's date

>>2792780
>>2792810

>Writing

My (clone) body is ready

"I will ensure that the child is kept safe personally," you say. "Darth Cythera can handle the security of Tarkin."

Hadrazel grins wide enough to showcase the beginnings of tooth decay. "Excellent, Master. I look forward to it."

***

You are Admiral Alana Tyrna and you're preparing to undertake an unauthorized attack of an Executor-Class Super Star Destroyer, one likely helmed by some kind of Dark Sider no less. You have managed to marshal together a fleet of sixteen star destroyers and their associated compliments. Ahead of you is a division of four star destroyers and a single Executor-Class Star Destroyer, all in orbit of the desert world of Ruusan.

It wasn't clear if the ship was involved in an evacuation of the world or if it was shuttling cargo to the planet's surface. In either case, it may not remain long. Now is your chance to strike.

One potential plan is to attempt to lure the enemy fleet away with a hit and fade operation where you may be able to capture the Super Star destroyer if it can be disabled or otherwise neutralized. It's risky on multiple levels, but it all hinges on getting it away from Ruusan's gravitational pull.

You might also replicate your Thrawn Pincer and- using an Interdictor cruiser provided by Admiral Lobkin- jump the bulk of your fighter compliment on top of the Executor where it can't reasonably respond with its heavy fire power.

Lastly, a more conventional approach would be to attack with your fleet in standard formation and try to batter the ship down to nothing, using your interdictor to keep it from escaping.


>Try to draw the ship into an ambush away from Rusaan with hit and fade
>Repeat your Thrawn Pincer and try to jump your fighters on top of it
>All-out attack with your cruisers
>Write in

>>2792882
>Repeat your Thrawn Pincer and try to jump your fighters on top of it
Capturing it isn't worth the cost.

>>2792882

We need to go about this very carefully. SSD + Darksiders probably means a rough time ahead. I don't think capturing it is an option.

>jump fighters on top of it, disable its heavy weapons then follow through with an all out attack

They'll be suspecting a Thrawn Pincer

>>2792882
backing this >>2792909

>>2792882
>Repeat your Thrawn Pincer and try to jump your fighters on top of it

>>2792895
>>2792909
>>2792913
>>2792916


>Writing

With a jolt, Undying and the rest of your battle fleet drops from hyper space facing the tremendous dark hulk of the Consortium Executor-Class that was identifying itself as Nightfall.

"All ships present and accounted for," Lieutenant Zepal says crisply.

You nod, hands clenched tight behind you back, your eyes going to the small Interdictor cruiser toward the edge of your formation that has its gravity well generators realigning even now to cast a shadow over Nightfall and her escorts. Now it was dependent on the mobile task force under Tierce.

You exhale as the forward batteries open fire. "This had better work."

***

The hypserspace vortex collapses around Vells ash is Avenger is ripped to realspace by the gravity well being projected over the Consortium task force. Just ahead was the black hulk of Nightfall.

"All fighter wings proceed to attack," Tierce says.

"Affirmative, Commander." Vells flips off the general comm frequency and patches into fighter tactical which is mostly full of nervous chatter and the ominous background hum of Shadow Droids. "Okay boys, let's rip them a new one. Avengers get in close and clear out surface defenses, I want Scimitars and Defenders to his local shield generators, Shadow Droids Are on Turbolaser duty, let's take some pressure off the fleet. Clear?"

A chorus of affirmatives and Vells kills his mic and throttles up to attack speed, sparing a glance toward Undying in the distance, wreathed in fire as it trades blows with Nightfall. "I hope you know what you’re doing."

***

You only have a moment to enjoy the satisfaction of a near perfect jump before your smile fades. Nightfall re-concentrates its fire, briefly, on the lone interdictor, cutting through its escorts and pummeling it senseless.

The hapless cruiser drops its gravity wells and veers away from the withering barrage, belching flame from a dozen wounds.

"Admiral, enemy fighters incoming."

You see the swarms of Ties closing in, hundreds of them, splitting up now, half of them doubling back to face Vells and Tierce. You only had a skeleton defense to oppose them. You grit your teeth. This was going to be painful.

***

Roll 1d100

I'll take best of three.

DC is 80

File: 1497494836901.png (195 KB, 395x336)

195 KB PNG

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2792972

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>2792972

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>2792972

>>2792979

Nailed it! Nice one!

>>2792979
Thanks danny

>>2792979
Fuck you

>93

>Writing

>>2793000
Bloody Baroness is back baby.

Nightfall is a monster. Vells would not believe it if he had not experienced it first hand. Shots failed to connect with vital components they were intended for, torpedoes detonated too early or too late. An entire squadron of Shadow droids turned together just a little too sharply and collided with one another.

Nightfall, he figured, was cursed by the Sith.

Even so, he made it work, it might take ten shots instead of one, but by the Emperor they were going to sink this beast.

***

The bridge of Undying is tense, you spend every second you're not watching the battle watching the tactical displays as every hit is tabulated and calculated. So far, you're winning. Nightfall's escorts are backing away from their mother ship, and your own Star Destroyers are holding, saving some racking up substantial damage. So far the Sith ship has only to contend itself with smashing some of your picket ships.

***

You suddenly look up from the display, feeling an intense pressure in the back of your mind. You find it hard to focus on anything I particular.

All ships are to retreat.

You shake your head. A ludicrous notion. Withdraw? In your moment of triumph?

All ships are to retreat.

Again, stronger, more insistent. The alien thought probes your mind.

Was it something you hadn't considered? Some course of action that-

The truth dawns on you suddenly. You swing to face the Black dagger of Nightfall. Someone was toying with your mind.

"A-Admiral?" Lieutenant Zepal asks.

You open your mouth to speak and then realize there is no sound. There is no sound because there is no air. You cough and loosen your collar but now feel the pressure that was in your mind around your throat instead.

"Admiral Tyrna?"

Tell them to withdraw!

The world around you edges black as consciousness starts to slip form your grasp before you take a desperate gasp, hauling in a lungful of fresh air before launching into a coughing fit.

"Admiral?"

"She will be fine," Lord Sallin says, appearing suddenly at your side, staring toward the enemy ship. "There is a Dark Sider on that ship . . . A powerful one . . . A desperate one." You see now sweat beading on his forehead.

So it was true, "Dark Sider?" you croak.

"Vultyss," Sallin says. "I can keep him at bay from you, but only for so long. Let us finish this."

You nod to Sallin and look to Communications, "Advance the fleet, close to point blank range. Let's destroy that thing."

***

Roll 1d100

I'll take best of three.

DC is 60

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469 KB JPG

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>2793044
FUCK VELLS

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>2793044
"This is not the admiral you are looking for"

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>2793044
BREAK THEIR FORMATION! They try to retreat we pull the fuckers using our tractor beams. We are sinking this fucker.

>>2793061
>>2793061
>>2793061

BLOODY. Teach this one at the academy, boys.

>>2793061
WEW

>>2793062
It seems Alana is has a very strong will.

>>2793061
>Emperor_Cackle.Mp3
>98

>writing

>>2793082
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LAf0QnLFS7Q

Long post, it's coming, I promise

>>2793152
Make it beautifull man, oh and make it bloody too.

Vells jukes tight around a blazing laser turret and grins as his wingman ventilates it with laser fire. "Nice shooting!"

Flying this close to Nightfall's surface was beginning to become a dangerous prospect as turbolaser fire from the fleet was starting to break through and punch gaping holes in its armor. It was too large to fall victim to once such shot, but it looked likely to die a death from a thousand pricks.

Even as he thought it, Vells saw a flight of Scimitar bombers lining up for an attack run on Nightfall's bridge tower.

"Or maybe it will come down to one dramatic blow."

"Missiles away!"

The scimitars unleash their deadly payload, a cluster of proton torpedoes and peel away. Or they start to before seeming to stop midair.

Vells can only gawk and listen to panicked cries on the radio as the torpedoes loop away from the bridge tower, circling back around to target the fighters that launched them. No one has any time to punch out as the bombers are annihilated by their own weapons.

Vells looks back at the bridge tower as he flashes by it, aghast. What kind of monster was on that ship?

***

Tierce grimaces as another squadron of bombers flickers off the tactical map.

"Enough of this foolishness. Helm! Bring us around, we're closing it. I want to reach out and touch them."

***

"Admiral!"

You see it. On the tactical display, Tierce's flagship drops from formation, descending on Nightfall.

The battle that follows is short, and sharp, the bridge tower sheared off in a flurry of turbolaser fire.

"Enemy flagship is breaking up, ma'am!" Sensors calls, "It's falling back onto the planet."

"Can we stop it?" you ask.

He shakes his head.

You look back on the grandiose beast as it starts to burn in Ruusan's atmosphere. A fitting tomb for a ship like that.

Lord Sallin gasps and falls to a knee. A storm trooper moves to assist him before he holds up a hand to stop him. "He is dead." Sallin looks at you. "You've killed the leader of the Consortium."

(1/2)

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On Imperial Palace you survey the after action reports from Ruusan with satisfaction. Admiral Tyrna has earned her placement you think. You'd also seen the protests of Admiral Oxtroe over Tyrna's violations of orders. Initiative wasn't a quality you usually liked to encourage in your military, but in Tyrna's case it was put to good use. She was a tool you could rely upon.

Even so, you needed to placate Oxtroe and had ordered Tyrna and her fleet to rotate out with Yazz's forces, joining the Core defense force. She had earned some time home at Bys as well. You'd felt Vultyss's death echo in the force, it would create a power vaccuum in the Consortium, one you hoped to exploit.

"Master," a robed acolyte greets you upon entering your chambers. "Madame Director Isard to see you."

"Good."

Isard enters with casual familiarity born of years of close cooperating between the two of you.

"Highness. I've spoken with Lady Santhe," she says, wasting no time.

"Santhe?" You'd breifly met Lady Santhe as a power player in the Tion Cluster, now a member of the Consortium.

"Yes. She confirms that Vultyss is dead. The Consortium has been effectively decapitated and stands at the edge of a precipice. A swift strike now will topple it, and with Lady Santhe's help, perhaps even bring it back into the fold of the Empire proper."

"Then we will make it so," you declare happily.

"There is something else however. Thrawn."

You scowl at the name.

"I believe he's preparing for military action."

"His target?" You ask.

"I can't be certain, but a fair guess that it's aimed at us. We're starting to lose his fleets, Highness. They're slipping their intelligence tails and leaving port. It's a mobilization certainly. I advocate a preemptive strike along the border rather than pressing into Tion space."

"An attack on Thrawn? That risks drawing him in if attack is not his plan."

"I'm aware. We've finished Dala's fleet and are working on another. I advocate that we have Tyrna, Lennox, and Dala attack from the Core into Thrawn's space before he can attack us."

You hold up a finger willing silence and press some keys on your throne until the two of your joined by Grand Admiral Zahn. You fill the Grand Admiral in on Isard's propose, taking some minor satisfaction in her annoyance.

"Attack? Highness I'm afraid I would not agree with the Director's assessment. The Consortium is weak, we should strike now and finish them off without worrying about Thrawn. If you have concerns, you can reinforce the border by holding Yazz's fleet in the Core." He gives a derisive smile to Isard. "There's no reason to over react."


>Send Yazz to reinforce the attack on Consortium space
>Hold Yazz on the border to guard against attack by Thrawn
>Launch a pre-emptive strike against Thrawn
>Write in

>>2793194
>Hold Yazz in a position outside of traveled hyperspace lanes, With 'apperant' orders to reinforce the attack on consortium space. While they actually wait near the border with thrawn encase he DOES attack, we can suprise him.

>>2793194
>Hold Yazz on the border to guard against attack by Thrawn

We are also expecting Luke's attack soon having mutiple openings befor3 securing ourselfs seems unwise. Also the seems to obvious to be Thraws manuever.

>>2793212
Seconded

>>2793212
Sure. Maybe we should call Thrawn too

>>2793212
>>2793227
>>2793252
>>2793255

>Writing

"Grand Admiral, reposition Admiral Yazz's fleet into position to be called up as a reserve in the event of an attack by Thrawn. I won't risk antagonizing him at such a crucial juncture."

Zahn bows, "As you wish, your Highness."

Isard hesitates but likewise bows.

The conquest of the Consortium will continue under Oxtroe and Trier while Yazz is held as a secret reserve against treachery. And of course, Skywalker grows nearer, you can feel him in the force. Soon the moment of his destruction will be at hand.

***

Some things have come up IRL guys and I need to stop here. Sorry for the short session but we'll get back to it next Wednesday.

We'll likely see:
>Wtf Thrawn is up to
>Fate of Consortium
>Alana's date with Vende
>Skywalker Battle

Thanks for playing guys and I'll hope ot see you next session, Wednesday at 7 EST (11 UTC)

>>2793340
You better make that date with Vende good TK

Or else

>>2793340
Nice one TK. Wasnt expecting those killer rolls eh?

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>>2793340
This is some deliciously sweet revenge.

Fucking nice work boys, and thanks for running TK

>>2793479
Also, someone get Tierce and Sallin some mothafuckin Medals. They deserve it.

>>2793340
Prepare the lewd bin!
Vells next date when

>>2793420
I always do my best!

>>2793462
No. I wasnt, god dammit.

>>2793479
>>2793485
My pleasure! Sallin will probably get a headpat from Palpatine. Tierce can get a "Good Boy of the Empire" medal.

>>2793852
>lewd bin
I'm not that kind of QM!

Also, let's have a hypothetical vote.

After the date with Amenge, Alana should:

>Have a second date with Amenge
>Have a second date with Vells
>Too soon to say
>Continue to remained chaste
>Write in

>>2794088
>Have a second date with Amenge

>>2794088
Both

>>2794088
>>Continue to remained chaste

>>2794088
Either date would be fine. Maybe both.

>>2794088
>Continue to remained chaste
You already know what it is TK

>>2794088
>Have a second date with Amenge

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>>2794088

>Have a second date with Amenge
>Have a second date with Vells

>>2794088
Should
Have a second date with Amenge
Have a second date with Vells

STOP BAD. THE ONLY CORRECT ANSWER

>Continue to remained chaste

>>2794088
>>Have a second date with Amenge
>>Have a second date with Vells
>Find another imperial to date with
THE MORE THE MERRIER

>>2794088
>Have a second date with Amenge
>Have a second date with Vells
W E W

>>2794088
>Remain chaste
We’re in a committed relationship with our work