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/a/F3KmhF7


I allow between ten and fifteen 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 tiebreaker, and if no one votes, I roll for the tiebreaker 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.

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“The Others,” a voice from behind your throne whispers. Hadrazel, the Mad Monk seems to slide, oil-like from the darkness. “They make their move, Master.”

You turn your scowl to him now. “What are you babbling about?” You sense nothing.

The door to your chamber hisses open, surprising you. You weren’t expecting visitors and you still felt nothing.

Grand Admiral Oxtroe, resplendent in her white uniform strides in, flanked by two platoons of black-clad Deathtroopers, some of whom wear strange wooden frames on their backs that seem to be supporting furry, snake-like mammals.

“Grand Admiral, what is the meaning of this?” you demand, off balance from the strange lack of sensation you have regarding the Grand Admiral and her armed entourage.

Oxtroe, ever stone-faced, stares blankly back. Dully, she makes a casual wave with her hand and the Deathtroopers unlimber their weapons and open fire, cutting down the two Sentinels that stood guard by the door in a flurry of blaster fire, each taking enough hits to kill a dozen men.

In a flash, you’re on your feet, calling your lightsaber to your hand with the force, only . . . it doesn’t come to you.

Hadrazel scoops up the saber from its resting place near your throne, moving to bring it to you when he is struck with a half dozen blaster bolts, the shots piercing his body and smoldering his robes. Without a sound, the dark side prophet falls to the deck plating, eyes blank and unfocused, dead.

Ahead of you, Oxtroe is now smiling confidently, her troopers moving forward to secure the room, kicking the unactivated lightsaber away from Hadrazel’s body and similarly disarming the Sentinels. “No tricks this time,” she says, “No magic to save you. You’re a mere mortal again, sorcerer.”

You glance at the strange creatures the troopers carry, somehow, those creatures are blocking all your access to the force and without it . . . You look instead to the console on your throne.’

“Don’t bother,” Oxtroe says. “The ship is being secured as we speak, your followers are being . . . dealt with.”


>”I am your Emperor!”
>”Why are you doing this?”
>Make a run for it
>Write in

>Make a run for it

>>3283922
>”Why are you doing this?”

Fucking Thrawn.

Wait, how far away is the saber? Could we make a run for it and try grabbing it?

>>3283941
You could try, but you'd be fighting as a man with a lightsaber and no force powers which means deflecting blaster bolts is probably not happening.

>>3283922
>>”Why are you doing this?”
>no space magic

>>3283922
try to ascertain what is blocking our force powers. Stall them while doing so
>”Why are you doing this?”

>>3283922
>>”Why are you doing this?”
Buy time

>>3283987
>>3283922

Oh Nvm these are Ysalamir. We either need to kill them, or make a break for it until we are out of the antiforce bubble. Talk to them, play the old wizard act until we can get access to a weapon.

>”Why are you doing this?”
>>3283937
>>3283981
>>3283987
>>3283997


>writing

You narrow your eyes at Oxtroe, “After what I’ve granted you?” you glance at her uniform, “After the trust I placed in you, you betray me. Why?”

She snorts. “You played your cards badly. I never trusted you. The Emperor- the man you claim to be- died. He would not have put up with what you’ve imposed on our Empire.”

You don’t bother pointing out the irony.

“Truthfully?” She inhales deeply. “I detest your ilk. The Jedi, the Sith, wizards and mages who are lost in their own superiority.” She shakes her head. “But no, I could stomach it. I could stomach the Komissars and the inquisition. I could handle the brutes you gave lightsabers and shoved into the Navy.” She curls her lip in distaste “The Force is a cancer upon us. But no, this is more than that.”

“What more could there be?” you ask, humoring her.

“This war must end,” she said. “For decades we’ve fought and suffered the galaxy torn apart. The Empire is nearly whole again. With Grand Admiral Thrawn returned, we can build a coalition that can rule this empire. It’s time to begin rebuilding.”

Two Deathtroopers reach you and pat you down “Nothing, Grand Admiral,” One says, his voice almost mechanical.

“Binders,” Oxtroe says.

Your wrists are placed together, shackled by heavy metal binders

“Take him to his chambers,” Oxtroe says, “Keep him under watch, and make sure you have two Ysalamiri with him at any time.”

The only hope you have now that you’re in binders is to get away from these Ysalamiri, a dream that is dashed when the two Deathtrooper platoons form alongside you, caging you in.

>I can be useful to you
>What do you intend to do with the ship?
>You'll regret this
>Write in

>>3284049
>Must impressive, You say I have died but yet you still treat me as such. Is this Fear or something else?

>>3284049
>You'll regret this

>>3284049
Taking palpatine, one of the most paranoid, forward thinking, wily planning space wizards to his own personal chambers? You mad lads.

>>3284058
Supporting.

>>3284049
>Don't you think that I'm too dangerous to be left alive?

>>3284049
>*Most impressive. You say I have died, yet you still treat not as such. Is this Fear or something else?

>>3284058
>>3284068
>>3284065

>writing

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“Most impressive,” you say, facing Oxtroe, “You say I have died but yet you still treat me as though I were your Emperor, alive and in the flesh. Could that be . . . fear? Or something else?”

Oxtroe’s face blanches before she turns red. “You’re wrong. You’re not my Emperor.”

“Then who else would I be, Grand Admiral? You’ve seen me, before and after my demise, surely you believe.”

“I believe,” Oxtroe says, “That you’re mistaken.”

“I am surprised,” you say, fondly recalling an old memory, “Don’t you believe that I’m . . . ‘too dangerous to be left alive’?”

Oxtroe sneers at you, “I have my orders.”

“Orders? Who but I could order a Grand Admiral?”

She gets flustered again, “Enough of your questions. I might just rethink letting you live, you scum.”

Your jovial attitude evaporates in a flash and you feel only contempt. “You’re going to regret this.”

“We’ll see about that highness.” Her sarcasm is impossible to miss. “Take him away.”

***

“Thirty seconds to realspace,” Navigations says.

You flex your hands nervously behind your back, staring out of the bridge viewport of your command ship, Undying, standing very near where the body of your former XO had lain just hours ago.

“Relay message to Captain Vells and all fighter wings, prepare for combat dispersal,” you say.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

This was it, your fleet was screaming out of the void straight for Commenor. You hadn’t stopped once after relaying the plans to your division commanders, knowing you had to move swiftly, uncertain of how far the conspiracy had spread.

“Coming out of hyperspace on my count,” Navigation said, counting down slowly until the picture out of the viewport resolved to one of the planet Brentaal and its myriad of commercial shipping traffic ringing it.

You stare in disbelief a moment, stepping closer to the window as if it would make things clearer. “Where is it?” you ask. “Where is Tarkin?”

“Ah, checking ma’am!” Sensors calls.

“Commander Tyrna,” Communications calls, “Brentaal traffic control reports that the Emperor’s flagship and escorts left suddenly, no transit plans were filed.”

“Sithspawn,” you swear, trying to think. Someone had moved the Emperor’s ships, and that someone did so in a hurry. Was the Emperor reacting to the coup? It didn’t seem right. “Communications, I want a conference with my division commanders in five minutes in my ready room.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

(1/2)

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“It’s not a good position,” Commander Sesstrix continues, standing on your desk, twelve inches high in holographic form along with your other commanders. “It’s simply impossible to know the situation aboard Tarkin without the holonet functional.”

“And,” Valorum speaks, “Given the normal methods that planetary defense forces operate under, it’s unlikely they’ll act without specific and clear orders.”

Reading between the lines, you know he means that the Navy generally punishes initiative.

“It’s true,” Tierce says, “If the command structure is compromised, we might end up with the traitors issue orders to the navy unbeknownst to anyone.”

“I want options,” you say firmly. “We are not going to sit idly by while everything falls apart. I have a fleet damn it all, I want to have something to use it on!”
“Our best choice may be to make contact with a local defense force of some substance and see where things stand,” Lisson says, “It’s possible they are better informed of the situation.”

“Admiral,” Valorum says, ignoring Lisson’s proposal, “I’d suggest that we head at once for Imperial Center. Whoever controls the capital controls the Empire, I’d rather it were us instead of someone else.”

“Going there without a clear understanding of what’s happening might turn out to be a trap,” Tierce says. “With reinforcements, we’d have a better chance.”

“What garrisons are nearby?” you ask.

“Trier’s fleet is nearby at Kuat,” Tierce says.

Trier was a staunch rebel fighter, you’d met him before and were impressed by his professionalism. Was it possible he was a part of this coup?

“The Corellian Defense Force is also a possibility,” Tierce continues, “It’s smaller but less likely to be directly involved in these politics, we might very well scoop them up.”

“There is another option, ma’am,” Sesstrix says, almost reluctantly. “I don’t necessarily think it’s the best one, but it is on the table.”

“Go on.”

“Withdrawal.” She lets the word settle in, “We’re flying blind, and every jump we make, we risk landing on an enemy fleet. If we pull out to the rim, we might be able to bide our time and get a clearer understanding of what’s happening.”

“Fleeing the enemy?” Lisson says, expression disgusted.

“A tactical withdrawal,” Sesstrix corrects firmly. “As I said, it’s a possibility.”

You need to take the next step, whatever it may be. You can’t sit here and wait for something to happen, what will you do first?

>Proceed to Imperial center at once
>Travel to Trier at Kuat
>Travel to Corellia
>Withdraw to the periphery for now
>Write in

>>3284176
>Travel to Trier at Kuat
>Send out probes to find out where they could've take the emperor.

>>3284176
>Proceed to Imperial center at once

>Write-in
>Send a small detachment to Trier to warn him

>>3284176
>Proceed to Imperial center at once

>>3284176
>>Travel to Trier at Kuat
>Proceed to Imperial center

>>3284190
also this, see if there's any way we can find out where Palpy went. He needs to give us grand admiral status

>>3284176
>Travel to Trier at Kuat
Trier should be loyal, although going to the outer Rim and being a pro imperial warlord is tempting as hell.

>>3284176
>Travel to Trier at Kuat

>>3284176
>Travel to Trier at Kuat
We're in serious danger of getting btfo if we run into the main fleet. Tarkin with a full fleet, backed up by dark siders who may have some form of battle meditation might just be too much. 2 fleets, though, could probably take almost any power the opposition could muster, and Trier almost definitely will have reliable contacts. If he's a traitor, we can probably find out with our commissar, and neutralize him ahead of time.

Man I know Oxtroe was a bitch, but I didn't think she was a traitor too. We oughta feed her to the Inquisitorius' hounds after this

>Travel to Trier at Kuat
>>3284190
>>3284204
>>3284205
>>3284209
>>3284211

>Probes
There's no way you could find him in any realistic length of time, it would take days of searching around.

>writing

>>3284212
Can't wait for the retribution we're gonna sow

I really hope Thrawn isn't behind this. Imagine facing him + his fleet + 2 traitor fleets and numerous darksiders.

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“We are exposed out here,” you agree with Sesstrix, “But I think time is of the essence. It means we’ll need to link up with some allies. Trier is a good man, I believe we can trust him. We’ll set a course right away.”

***

Kuat is every bit as impressive as you remember, a verdant, green world surrounded by an industrial ring of durasteel, the shipyards that produced the vast bulk of the Imperial fleet. It was an important world in many respects, among the most valuable in the Empire and- to that end- had been left in Trier’s capable hands.

His own fleet begins to deploy combat patrols as soon as yours emerges from hyperspace.

“Admiral, more fighters launching now, Admiral Trier is forming a picket,” Sensors says.

“Maybe we spooked him?” Zepal suggests.

It was true, you had dropped out of hyperspace unannounced in full combat deployment.

“We’re being hailed,” Communications says. “A direct message from Admiral Trier.”

“Put him on,” you instruct.

“This is Admiral Trier, to what do I owe this pleasure, Admiral Tyrna?”


>No pleasure, Admiral. There’s been a coup
>Routine patrol given the holonet outage
>Stand down your fleet until we can ascertain whose side you’re on
>Write in

>>3284262

>No pleasure, Admiral. There’s been a coup

>>3284262
>No pleasure, Admiral. There’s been a coup

>>3284262
>No pleasure, Admiral. There’s been a coup
>Stand down your fleet until we can ascertain whose side you’re on

>>3284262
>Stand down your fleet until we can ascertain whose side you’re on

>No pleasure, Admiral. There’s been a coup

>writing

You refrain from smiling. “I’m afraid there’s no pleasure today, Admiral. There’s been a coup.”

Trier’s eyes widen, “By the Emperor . . .” You see something change in his expression change subtly, his mind working. “And . . . you’re reporting this to me because . . .?”

“No worries, Admiral, I stand with the Emperor. I’ve come to warn you, and seek your help.”

Trier regards you a few moments, his fleet continuing to array itself to oppose any advance you might make on Kuat. He nods, “Yes, good. We’ve heard rumors here.”

“Rumors?”

“Yes, perhaps this would be better discussed in person?” Trier suggests.

You nearly refuse out of fear for your safety but . . . you have to start trusting somewhere. “I’ll prepare my shuttle at once.”

“No need,” Trier says, “I’ll be on my way over shortly.”

The two of your relax, it was a test you see. “Very good.”

(1/2)

After Trier arrives and you exchange formalities, you lead him to your ready room where you fill him in on what you know about the situation.

“The Duchess and a Dark Sider?” he repeats, stunned. “By the Emperor . . .”

“Yes, and now the Emperor himself is missing. I would like to advance on Imperial Center so we can at least secure the seat of government and the mouth of the Byss Run-”

“But Lobkin is there,” Trier supplies, “And sounds to be in league with the coup, yes, I understand your hesitance.”

“You said you’d heard rumors admiral?” you ask.

“Yes. I received instruction from Grand Admiral Oxtroe to hold the Kuat system at expense of all other concerns. I find that odd given the situation we’re in now.”

Oxtroe, that explained much about how Ederlathh was able to maneuver the fleets to her liking.

“I’ve also heard rumor of an alliance with the Hapans. It was mentioned they would be passing through a nearby system.”

“Hapans?” You recall Ederlathh’s pending marriage and feel your stomach drop. “Where is their final destination?”

Trier shrugs. “I wasn’t briefed on that.”

“Do you know when they’re moving?”

He shakes his head.

You’d heard a rumor that the Hapan navy was large and well equipped. If they were indeed in league with Ederlathh, their intervention could be catastrophic. At the same time, they might be as much bystanders as you or Trier.

“You think they're working with the traitors?” Trier asks.

“It’s possible,” you say, “I’m thinking that if they are, this is an ideal location to ambush them.”

“Assuming they come through soon,” Trier says.

“Yes.”

You wanted to execute a rapid strike on Imperial Center with both fleets, but now you see it may be beneficial to split your forces, leaving Trier here to ambush the Hapans, or at least query them and hold them here.


You might also remain here with him to ensure the total destruction of their navy if it came to that. Otherwise, you might gamble on speed and continue directly to Imperial Center or chance that the Hapans are harmless and proceed to Corellia to try to rally more allies.

Once you decide what to do with Trier, you can decide on your stance to take on the Hapans and what you will do next.

>Leave Trier here to deal with the Hapans
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans
>Take Tier with you
>write in

More choices to follow all. One step at a time lads, let's not blow up the write-in option

>>3284364
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans
Defeat in detail

>>3284364
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans

Splitting our forces now doesn’t seem wise. The Hapans have SOMETHING to do with this, so let’s annhilste them first

>>3284364
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans

>>3284364
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans
Ederlathh is too ambitious to not get the Hapan's help with the coup attempt. If we stay there's also the plausible cover story of Trier just following orders™ and us seeking information with the Holonet down. Depending on how well the traitors have spread information, the Hapans might even buy it.

It's interesting that two darksiders ambushed Alana as part of the coup attempt given Oxtroe's expressed dislike of force users.

>>3284364
>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans

>>3284364
>Take Trier with you

>Remain with Trier to deal with the Hapans

>writing

“We’ll stay here,” you say, “Defeat them in detail. If they are in league with the Duchess, we can’t risk letting them escape.”

“Very well,” Trier says. “Routes through the Kuat system are very well marked out which will make an ambush child’s play. We could set up precise firing lanes and overlapping defense, not to mention what we could do with mines.” He stops and looks at you, “I assume we’re going to attack outright.”

Damn, you hadn’t considered that. It is possible that the Hapans are innocent in this affair, in which case blowing their entire navy out of the sky might not be conducive to good future relations with them. That said, if you grant them a chance to surrender or even try to ascertain their loyalty, it’s likely they would either manage to slip away or put up a fierce resistance since all surprise would be lost. It’s also possible that if you halt them to query them, they may react violently out of instinct anyway.


>When they arrive we won’t give them a chance, we’ll destroy them
>We have to try to handle things peacefully if we can, give them a chance to surrender
>Write in

>>3284449
>We have to try to handle things peacefully if we can, give them a chance to surrender

>>3284449
>When they arrive we won’t give them a chance, we’ll destroy them

>>3284449
So this is a judgement call then. What we know is that the Duchess was married off, and she didn't want to, but she couldn't turn down potential allies, in this coup, but did she need allies? She has thrawn and half the imperial navy, so it doesnt make sense to have the hapans

I say they're friendly

>We have to try to handle things peacefully if we can, give them a chance to surrender

>>3284449
Can we offer Alana's hand in marriage instead of edy lol

>>3284459
That does make sense, although I also feel that if on the off-chance that they are aligned with the Duchess it may be better to simply kill them out of hand. If they aren't in league with her, then I fear that they still won't be our allies.

It is ruthless, but I don't want to take any chances.

>>3284449
>When they arrive we won’t give them a chance, we’ll destroy them

You know, Alana being kween of the Hapes isn't a bad idea

>>3284449
>We have to try to handle things peacefully if we can, give them a chance to surrender
Still prepare the battlefield though.

>>3284449
>We have to try to handle things peacefully if we can, give them a chance to surrender
Attacking flat-out, while advantageous, could undermine our political power, make it easier for the traitors to paint us as unhinged.

>handle things peacefully
>>3284457
>>3284459
>>3284494
>>3284511

>Destroy them
>>3284458
>>3284479


>Peaceful
>writing

>>3284525
Fingers crossed, we're not about to get fucking shanked. Thrawn would've expected us to kill them as its the best bet here.

You sigh, “We can’t destroy them outright, not without clear evidence they are working for the Duchess. We’ll surround them, query them, and if need be, blast them.”

Trier nods, “I’m familiar with the hyperlanes here, I can draw up ambush plans. I even have a few interdictors for the job.”

“Excellent.”

There’s also the matter of reinforcement, as was suggested before, Corellia has a large garrison that may be separate from the coup. It would be possible to send a courier ship to them to explain the situation and rally them to your banner, that is if they are loyal to the Emperor. It might also risk alerting the traitors to your plans.

That said, a few extra combat vessels would be helpful.

>We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians
>It’s not worth the danger
>Write in

>>3284548
>We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians
>Write-in

Ask for a volunteer who knows the danger involved, stress how being captured "is not an option."

>>3284548
>We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians

>>3284548
>>We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians

>>3284548
We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians

>>3284557
>>3284559
>>3284572
>>3284573

>We’ll risk trying to rally the Corellians
I'm going to stop here for the night since I need some sleep. Thanks so much for playing guys and I'll see you next Thursday!

>>3284597
Thanks for running!

Alright so, assuming we manage to get through this with Sheev still alive we're going to have two things done

1. We're going to be personally mindscanning high ranking Individuals going forward. No way to plot a coup If palpy Is just going to regularly probe anyone with any notable pull, particularly the military.

2. We're organizing a complete genocide of these little creatures. Anyone who harbors any for any reason and does not immediately relinquish them to the authorities Is executed, no exceptions. Anyone who gives gives information on anyone involved In sustaining them will be rewarded handsomely.

Also I'd like to note that even If things go 'well' here, our military Is going to be battered form the in-fighting and the Rebels are gonna make a hard push as soon as they catch on. It's endgame time son.

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We'll make Balmorra and Daca look like a fucking joke by the time this is over.

>>3284858

>Also I'd like to note that even If things go 'well' here, our military Is going to be battered form the in-fighting and the Rebels are gonna make a hard push as soon as they catch on. It's endgame time son.

I do have to wonder where Luke and Leia are in all of this.

Am I the only one who thinks that even if the Hapes aren't involved in the coup they still won't be pleased to know the marriage they were promised to is getting called off. They will demand something in compensation or a replacement else they will just join Ederlathh

>>3285204
We'll promise them sovereignty

>>3284756
My pleasure! Thanks for playing!

>>3284858
>2
Sorry, which creatures are you genociding?

>>3285276
They already have sovereignty. They are completely autonomous.

Where the hell is our apprentice and why isn't he at the emperor's side?

>>3285288
>>3285288
The Ysalamir, these anti-force things. If I'd known these had existed I would have suggested It sooner.

>>3286781
There Is a damn good chance he's In on It, he's a Sith after all he has no loyalty but to himself and the pursuit of power. Makes me miss Cytheria, she was good and loyal. We really have played this game fairly ignorant of betrayal haven't we? I guess Sheev needs to learn his lesson about assuming himself untouchable a second time.

>>3285276
If I remember it right in EU they lacked proper technology for rapidly shooting turbolaser fire, they only got that by the time of the vong wars thanks to dealing with the NR again. There's a bargaining chip. The hapans are bugs that can be stomped out at our leisure later. They are only dangerous in the short term.
Hey, you know I just realized, what do you guys think Borsk Fe'yla/our bothan protectorate is up to? I would guess the conspirators wouldn't have dared approach him, ironicly we might be able to get some use out of the bothan network.

>wanting to rally corellian vessels

Well is ure hope that Senator Solo won't reveal to be a traitor scum.

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“Every extra ship we can muster is Emperor-sent,” you say.

Trier nods. “We can send a delegation, some men I trust.”

“Actually,” you counter. “I’d prefer we use my people.”

The admiral raises an eyebrow at you.

You give him a placating smile, “A good number of my crew are Corellians,” you explain. “My former XO, I would trust him with my life.”

Trier accepts this, “Ah yes. Of course. If the message is carried personally it would bear more weight. Send your man and- with your permission- I will deploy the fleet to intercept the Hapans.”

“Carry on Admiral.” You exchange salutes before leaving for the shuttle bay and your fleet. Instead of a course to your flagship, you navigate to that of Commander Tierce, Retribution II.

Shortly after boarding the cruiser, an Invicta Class Star Destroyer, you’re escorted to Commander Tierce’s ready room where your old friend rises to greet you, shaking your hand firmly as the door to the cabin closes. “Admi- Alana, so good to see you again.” He smiles nervously. “Glad to know there’s someone I can trust aboard the ship.”
>We go back a long way, you can always trust me
>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do
>Save your trust until the Emperor is on the throne again
>Write in

>>3305607
>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do

>>3305607
>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do
You are a good old friend tierce, but friendships are uncertain right now.

>>3305607
>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do

>>3305607
>>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do
Man, glad best boy is back in the spotlight

>Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do

>writing

>>3305700
Will Tierce get to nut inside Alana too?

You give Tierce a half smile. “Tell me how much you trust me after I tell you what I want you to do.”

Tierce’s own boyish grin falters. “What’s that?”

“You are a good old friend, Tierce,” you sit across from him and cross your legs, hands resting on a knee, “But friendships are uncertain right now.”

“I’m one you can trust,” Tierce says, his voice firm. “We had our rough patch and we persevered. Now, what do you need from me?”

“You know how precarious things are with this coup.”

Tierce nods.

“And Trier’s fleet is a step forward but . . . “

“You want me to talk to my uncle.”

You give him a sympathetic look. High Colonel Reynauld Tierce is a bastard of a man, the epitome of the fetid Imperial upper-crust, but he was a man with some sway on Corellia. “And Moff Sal-Solo. We need the Corellian defense forces, and I think you’re just the man to deliver them.”

Tierce nods, “My division?”

You shake your head and he laughs.

“You mean just me.”

You nod. “It’s risky but-”

“I’ve been through worse,” he says, puffing up with bravado. “This is nothing. Sure, give me a courier and I’m on my way.”


>You’re a hero
>You’re a good friend
>You’re crazy
>Write in

>>3305722
Two's company. Three's a crowd.

>>3305734
>>You’re crazy
Must be why we get along so fine

>he was a good friend

>>3305734
>You’re crazy
>You’re a hero

>>3305734
>you’re a good friend

>>3305734
>You’re a very good friend and only you can do this
I'll let you nut inside too if you return

>>3305758
+1 lol

>>3305738
>>3305743
>>3305753
>>3305758
>Writing

>>3305758
Lewd

>>3305794
Tag me coward

>>3305777
>>3305802
Just as lewd

You can’t help but chuckle.

Tierce’s pride is wounded and he gives you a strange look, “Is that Alana laughing?”

“You’re crazy,” you reply, shaking your head, “But you’re a good friend.” You fix him with a serious look, “And only you can do this.”

He nods. “I know.”

You nod in return. “Right.” You rise to your feet, a move Tierce imitates. “I have to prepare an ambush. Return as soon as you can. Okay?”

“I promise,” he says.”

It’s time to face the Hapans.

***

“Contacts on ComScan!”

The Hapan battle fleet roars into existence, wreathed in blue fire from the hyperspace journey. Well over two hundred Hapan Battle Dragons, strange saucer-like craft bristling with ion cannons and turbolaser batteries. Backing them were dozens of Nova-class battleships. Individually, each of these ships were much smaller and an Imperial Star Destroyer and were no match, collectively, they made for an intimidating display of power.

“All sections on standby,” you say, the message relayed across your ship and fleet.

The Hapans, clearly started by the Imperial military presence, are scrambling into defensive positions, fighters launching and ships maneuvering to establish firing lanes.

“Admiral Trier reports interdiction field online and holding steady,” Communications says.

“Hapan forces holding position, ma’am,” Zepal says.

“We’re being hailed by the Hapan flagship,” Communications adds, looking to you.

Now was the moment. “Put him through.”

“Imperial Armada, this is Admiral Gschengis, What is the meaning of this attack!?” The voice was blustering, furious, but you could hear an edge of fear. For the moment you could squash him like a bug, though that chance was shrinking every second.


>All Hapan vessels will stand by to be boarded and searched
>Your fleet is to leave at once and return to Hapan space
>What is your business here?
>Write in

>>3305817
Order him to stand down immediately or we'll open fire. If he continues to get ready, tell Zepal to fire away

>>3305817
>Your fleet is to leave at once and return to Hapan space as of this moment we are dealing with some issues and have no need for external forces to challenge the Emperor as well.

>>3305833
I don't want to send them back. What's to stop them from returning within a day or two and moving against us?

>>3305817
>All Hapan vessels will stand by to be boarded and searched

With a little of>>3305831

>>3305839
And stripping and searching there ships is gonna cause a MAJOR problem

>>3305817
>All Hapan vessels will stand by to be boarded and searched

>>3305817
>>All Hapan vessels will stand by to be boarded and searched
What are we searching for? We just need to know if they're with the Jailbait or not

>All Hapan vessels will stand by to be boarded and searched
>>3305843
>>3305851
>>3305887

>writing

File: AmbushAtKuat.png (11 KB, 734x616)

11 KB PNG

You clear your throat, “Admiral Gschengis, this is Admiral Tyrna of the Galactic Empire. Your force is to stand down all actions and prepare to receive boarding parties.”

“Boarding parties!?” The admiral explodes. “Tyrna, we are guests of the Galactic Empire! On invitation from Duchess Ederlathh Pallopides herself! This an outrage!”

You try not to scowl but at the same time you sympathize, no naval officer worth his pay would willingly turn his ships over to another power.

“Admiral,” you being with strained patience, “I’m afraid that internal circumstances have left us no choice. Your ships must be boarded.”

You leave out the part where you are planning to impound them until after this conflict.

“No. We will do no such thing. Deactivate your interdictors at once and release us.”

Beside you, Komissar Sallin shifts. “He’s being evasive. I believe he’s a part of this coup somehow. You’d do well to destroy him, Admiral.”

You glance at him, “You’re sure?”

“No,” Sallin says. “But why take the risk?”

“Admiral, the Hapan fleet is coming about, they’re heading for the edge of the gravity well,” Sensors says.


Now might be your last chance to destroy them easily but at the same time, the diplomatic fallout would be immeasurable, mistaken or not, it would be an act of war against the Hapes Consortium.


“Destroy them here and you can cripple their military for the next decade,” Sallin says, eyes flashing. “They will pose no more threat until after this all blows over.”

It might all be a bluff however, perhaps a final warning could make that clear to them, you might also back down from all this and let them leave. This show of force may be enough to make them regret sticking their noses into your business.
>Open fire
>Order the Hapans to stand down, final warning
>Let them go
>Write in

>>3305923
>>Open fire
They had their chance

>>3305923
>Open fire

>>3305923
>Open fire

>>3305923
>>Open fire

>>3306001
>>3305959
>>3305931
>>3305935

>Writing

>>3306026
>Let them go... TO HELL

You watch the distant vessels for a moment before sighing. What a waste of men and material.

You turn away from the viewport and look to Lieutenant Zepal. “Open fire.”

She maintains her composure, but you still see the hint of a smile, that old trace of your gunner witch. “Yes, Admiral.”

Undying shudders as she fires, the other vessels in your armada adding their firepower into a deadly crossfire, catching the Hapans by surprise. Battle Dragons explode, their saucer-forms shattered while Nova Class battleships have their spines broken and drift into one another.

Vells fighters mop up the survivors and soon all that’s left is an expanding debris field, fodder for Kuat’s scavengers. It won’t be long till word of this massacre gets out of the system and ultimately to the traitors (and the Hapans).

“Have Lisson’s division move in and mop up anything they find.”

“What should we do with the survivors we locate?” Zepal asks.

You look at her, “There won’t be any survivors, Lieutenant.”

“Y-yes, admiral.”

***

It isn’t much later that realspace is again torn open by hyperspace bursts. Sensors list off the vessel count as they arrive. Imperial-Class Star Destroyers, Dreadnought cruisers, Nebulon-Bs and quasar carriers laden with Tie /LNs and Tie /INs.

Anxiously, you watch their mounting numbers until nearly an entire battle fleet of older ships is present.

“Ma’am, incoming signal.”

“On screen.”

The holographic display flickers to life and the Tierce’s stand before you, your commander and his uncle, the High Colonel.

The High Colonel speaks first. “Admiral Tyrna.” After an apparent pause, he salutes.

You return it. “High Colonel. I’m glad to see you’ve joined us.”

“‘Us’? Hardly. I stand for the Empire, Admiral. Where he goes, I follow. I didn’t sign up to be led by some whelp of a girl.”

You think he means Ederlathh, but you’re not sure. “The Empire needs men like you,” you admit reluctantly. You have your reasons for animosity with the High Colonel, reasons which are numerous, but you do both serve the same emperor.

“Indeed it does. What plan have you hatched?”

The thought had occurred to you to rally the Bothan Auxiliary to your banner as well. Like the Corellians, they weren’t well equipped, but every ship counted. Ostensibly they were loyal citizens, despite being Xenos. That said, it was also possible that they would unveil their true colors if you announced to them directly the weakness of the Empire.

>We’ll rally the Bothans
>We don’t need their scum
>Write in

>>3306071
>We don’t need their scum
In fact, we should pre emptively strike them to ensure the rebs or traitors cannot use their fleet against us.

>>3306071
>>We don’t need their scum
They're gonna want independence, something we can't give them, but I can't lie, the idea of gathering up a group of ragtag forces and rescuing the empire does sound hot.....

>>3306078
I'm willing to allow pre-emptive strike if everyone wants that. It requires explicit votes tho.

>>3306078
Supporting then

>>3306127
>>3306078
Another war crime? Alana is really going full imperial, huh

>>3306147
One thread won't be enough to list all of Alana's war crimes from the beginning.

>>3306078
>>3306088
>>3306127

>We don't need their scum
>Pre-emptive strike

>Writing

>>3306071
>We don’t need their scum
Hmm, are there any other commissars aboard any of our ships or our underlings ships? Maybe Tierce has one? If so, we should consider employing one or two to try to assassinate opponents or nip problems like the bothans in the bud.

>>3306196
There are others, but you have to remember that Sallin is exceptionally powerful. Most dark siders count only as "force sensitive." and are not fully trained.

“We have to secure our rear areas before proceeding,” you say. “I’d like you and your forces to proceed into the Bothan Zone and seize or scuttle as many ships as you can.”

Colonel Tierce raises an eyebrow. “The Bothans are Imperial assets, Admiral.”

“Their loyalty is suspect,” you reply. “The last thing we need is a Bothan uprising during the coup.”

“Very well,” Consider it done.”

You nod approval. “Excellent.”

The task doesn’t take long, a day all told before the Bothan Auxillary is reduced to nothing.

It’s during this time you get your first taste of the outside world.

“Admiral!” Communications calls. “Admiral! We have holonet traffic!”

You stride swiftly to his console, Lieutenant Zepal following behind. “Go on.”

He reads over the display, his expression falling. “It . . . it-”

You move him aside and read yourself.

It’s a communique from Imperial Center. The Emperor is dead. Assassinated by force users.

You feel your stomach sink as you read on, Zepal reading aloud.

“This tragic news is offset by a glimmer of hope, the young Ederlathh Pallipodes, the heir apparent, has ascended to the throne and taken the title of Empress.”

You feel sick.

(1/2)

File: Choices.jpg (168 KB, 1121x924)

168 KB JPG

“Her first official act is to sign a truce with Grand Admiral Thrawn’s forces,” Zepal finishes, adding, “Emperor’s bones . . . “

You read Ederlathh’s official statement. “The Empire will not falter despite this setback, we will move forward as one, united body. We will end this schism and stop the ridiculous fighting with our own. The Grand Admiral will be welcomed graciously back to the fold.”

“What are we going to do?” Zepal asks, her eyes a window of despair. Was this the end of all that had been fought for? Had all the bloodshed been for nothing? No. You won’t let it go that easily. If there was a chance, you were going to fight for it and you’d be damned if you let Ederlathh rule the Empire.

It’s clear now the “Empress” is on Imperial Center, and you know that she likely has Lobkin and Oxtroe under her control. It would be a close match if you were to jump straight there and engage unless you could persuade one of the two to defect to your side. Even so, with a truce announced with Thrawn, it seemed likely his forces would swiftly be coming to bolster her.

That said, you might have potential allies in the forces that struggled against Thrawn. Yazz and Dalaa. It was risky, trying to track them down in the border regions, but you could use all the help you could get.

You might also try to return to Byss and secure the Throneworld. The Emperor’s inner council and Dark Side adepts were rife on that planet, it might do good to have official backing before you act.

Time is short now, and you are limited in the options you have.


>Proceed at once to Imperial Center to capture the capital
>Travel to the border regions to try to rally scattered Loyalist forces
>Withdraw to Byss and gather power from the Imperial Hierarchy
>write in

>>3306245
>>Travel to the border regions to try to rally scattered Loyalist forces
Fuck what Von Clausewitz said, this revolt will probably be ended with a giant battle over the Capital

>>3306245
This ends now. And if the Emperor’s death has truly happened, I say we glass Coruscant.

>Proceed at once to Imperial Center to capture the capital

>>3306245
TK, can I get a list of the known SSDs in the empire and the galaxy?

>>3306245
>Withdraw to Byss and gather power from the Imperial Hierarchy
We need Amenge, and dad's help.

>>3306245
Supporting
>>3306271

>>3306245
>Withdraw to Byss and gather power from the Imperial Hierarchy

>>3306245
>Withdraw to Byss and gather power from the Imperial Hierarchy

>>3306269
Tarkin
Lobkin has one
Oxtroe has one
Yazz has one
Thrawn has one (Reaper)

Those are all the surviving ones I can think of.

>>3306331
Ok, so if we strike now they'll have 2? And we can muster up at most one, while they can get three if Thrawn arrives at imperial center.

>>3306331
Do we have one?

>>3306343
You do not.

>>3306343
HA no

>Travel to the border regions to try to rally scattered Loyalist forces
>>3306259

>Proceed at once to Imperial Center to capture the capital
>>3306261

>Withdraw to Byss and gather power from the Imperial Hierarchy
>>3306271
>>3306290
>>3306330
>>3306286

>Byss

>writing

You hate the unseen possibilities and the fact that on paper, you are grossly outnumbered. You’ll need to withdraw to familiar ground, somewhere you can strike from. Byss, the Throneworld.

Transmitting the signal to all forces still loyal to the Emperor, you commence the jump for Byss.

***

As always, thanks for playing! Next Thursday 7 EST (11 UTC) we see what’s going on with Byss and what the Dark Siders are up to.

https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest
https://discord.gg/WMEDDgX

>>3306405
How big is our fleet now?

>>3306407
Approximately 40 star destroyers and escorts. Quite large.

damn I finally caught up, took me a few weeks.

>>3306429
thats a big fleet

>>3306405
>Next Thursday 7 EST (11 UTC)
Bah, late to the party and now a week more of wait. QM, you're killing me

Damn, I missed it

>>3306071
>“What should we do with the survivors we locate?” Zepal asks.
>You look at her, “There won’t be any survivors, Lieutenant.”
>“Y-yes, admiral.”
Somehow I think our reputation as the Bloody Baroness will be cemented by the end of this coup, one way or another

thanks for incorporating my idea with the bothans, despite me not being in the right timezone. Always appreciated off time zone ideas are taken into account and offered for the players.
Wonder how the rebels are reacting to all this. Their one shot at victory is always imperial division.
I must say this is all very exciting and a good way to provide some more longevity to the game. Nobody here actually believes palps is dead though, right?

>>3306493
Welcome to the party, pal.

>>3306494
Not big enough.

>>3306763
We suffer as one, Anon.

>>3306791
Someone once asked if ALana was known to the Rebels (back when they were a threat) and I said "not really."

The answer now is "Yes, very."

If these were actual Star Wars movies, Alana would no doubt be the main villain.

>>3307342
My pleasure! You guys always have fun ideas. I might write this trash, but at the end of the day we all contribute to the landfill! Thanks for the good ideas!

>Rebels
The Rebels now are basically where they were in the Empire Strikes back, but perhaps worse off.

The majority of the Jedi are dead or scattered, the fleet is dispersed and in hiding on the farthest reaches of the galaxy. The Rebel flame is all but extinguished. For now.