[Game Thread] Chapter 2 [Empire]: On the Hunt

[Melchior]

Imperial Star Destroyer Serpent
Corellia System

Captain Palomer's body fell the the floor with a heavy thump. One hand clutched feebly at his throat, as his eyes stared open and unblinking up at the the ceiling.

"Apology accepted, Captain."

To the man's credit, the captain hadn't tried to make excuse or shift the blame onto one of his subordinates for allowing the Jedi to escape from them. He had been waiting in the docking bay with his hand clasped firmly behind his back and head held high. It hadn't saved him.

Several other officers stood at attention behind the captain. All of them studiously kept their eyes looking straight ahead to avoid looking down at the cooling form of their captain's corpse. None of them moved to help the man, and while some of their expression betrayed their discomfort, Vullze couldn't help but noticed that none of them looked surprised, either. The Stormtroopers that had followed Vader and him out of the ship stood similarly emotionless and at attention.

Clearly Palomer was not the first captain to meet this fate. If anything, the captain's execution had seemed remarkably restrained, considering the palpable waves of anger Vullze could still feel emanating from his master. The uneven sound of the dark lord's damaged respirator did little to diminish the intimidation factor as the towering black Sith Lord loomed over them all. His damaged and battleworn appearance only seemed to add to the effect, and Vullze watched more than one of the Imperial officers visibly flinch as his master's helmet turned towards them, only to nearly collapse in relief when his gaze continued past them to rest on the ship sitting in the hanger not far away.

The HWK-290 had followed their dropship into the Serpent's hangar surrounded by an escort of TIE fighters. With its garishly bright colour scheme - including flames painted along either side - and the stylized logo of some sort of predatory feline, the gang ship stuck out sharply amidst the sterile greys and black of the Imperial ships sharing the hangar. When it had landed beside the dropship it had caused more than a few looks of disbelief amongst the Imperials, and it was hard to say whether it was because of the paint scheme or the battledroid that had been proudly standing atop the ship as it settled down, like some sort of surreal hood ornament.

The two Sand Panthers stood behind the battle droid. The Gran looked like he would rather be anywhere in the galaxy except where he was right now, but the human seemed far less perturbed by his circumstances. Unlike almost everyone else in the hangar, Downes seemed almost amused. When he saw Vader looking over towards them, the gang leader even had the audacity to grin and raise his hand in a two-fingered mock-salute.

Before the dark lord could decide what to do about their unusual allies, another man in an officer's uniform stepped forward to address him.

"Lord Vader, forgive me for interrupting you, but we received a communication from the Capital while you were away. His Majesty requests your presence at your earliest convenience."

There was a brief moment of silence as Vader looked down at the sweating officer. "Then inform the Emperor that I am on my way."

The man bowed, obviously relieved. "At once, my lord."

The Officer turn and hurried away, barely keeping himself from breaking out into a full run towards to the exit. Silence fell over the hangar as Vader stood for a moment in silent consideration. The remaining Imperials remained at attention, standing up straighter whenever they felt the man's gaze upon them. Finally, his mask turned fully to look down at Vullze.

"It seems that I will be occupied for some time," Vader said to him. "But I do not want the trail to go cold. Consider this an extension to your original assignment."

"Return to Corellia; the Jedi had allies on the planet. Take Inquisitor Marquesh's droid with you. Inform her that she is to assist you in locating the Jedi's trail and finding where they have gone. Track these Jedi and bring them to me, and you will be well rewarded. Fail, and you will answer to me."

Captain Palomer's still warm body on the floor nearby left little doubt as to what Vader meant by that.

[stitchlipped]

Vullze looks on impassively as Palomer's corpse crashes to the black plates of the hangar floor.

He isn't surprised at Vader's reaction, though he privately wonders why any Imperial officer would even vie for promotion. He supposes they must be a little like himself, consumed by a gnawing hunger—in their case, ambition—that they will dare any dark fate to feed.

He glances toward the other assembled officers, scanning their rank insignia to see which among them is next in line. Before he gets very far one of them steps forward to address Vader and Vullze stops to pay attention to the unlucky man's words.

The anzati's lips curl upward ever so slightly as he realises that not only has he been saved from making his own report, he's also being let off the leash. Of course, the freedom will be short term, and the price of failure is just as high as it had been for Captain Palomer. But nothing has changed there. Vullze has been playing a high stakes game ever since the imperials had spliced an explosive into his flesh.

"Yes, Lord Vader," he acknowledges the dark master's instruction, bowing slightly from the waist.

Turning smartly, Vullze strides across to the Sand Panthers' vessel, coming to a halt a short distance from HK-XJ Mark IIc and the two mercenaries standing just behind the droid. His red eyes sweep over the trio, lingering first on the unhappy Gran and then locking gaze with the swaggering man. Finally, they move on to "Tinman".

Since he's not yet had an opportunity to change, the anzati's appearance is bedraggled thanks to his battle in the sewers and narrow escape from a fiery death in the legislature explosion. He is also not a particularly impressive physical specimen, 1.7 meters tall and with a fairly average build. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary, Vullze carries himself with an easy confidence. Since HK model droid are not considerably taller than him, Vullze doesn't have to look too far upward to meet the construct's "eyes".

"Lord Vader commands that you accompany me back to Corellia where we will pick up the trail of the Jedi," Vullze informs the droid.

He looks back at Downes, the more confident of the two Sand Panthers, who he takes to be the ship's captain.

"I assume you have no objection to ferrying us back to the surface with you? While I would ideally like to change my clothes and use the refresher first, I advise we avoid delay for that or any other reason. Lord Vader intends for the Serpent to return to Coruscant and I don't imagine he's in the mood to be patient."

[Craigthulu]

The sound of the star destroyer docking bay came roaring into IIc's audio sensors. In space the only sound was communicated through radio transmissions. Entering the Serpent IIc could suddenly hear the crews giving commands, equipment landing and getting inspected, boots hitting the tiled floor, and the circle of almost complete silence as those around Lord Vader did their best not to make any noise at all.

Extended able lags and mag lock feet allowed IIc to step off the top of HWK-290 with little trouble. The battle droid was aware of the attention its entrance had caused. IIc kept his sensors acutely honed on Vader. After the failed capture attempt even the slightest sign of disrespect could result in termination.

Downes was taking care of issuing disrespect for them as group. The left hand on IIc changed from the five digit manipulator to the three fingered claw. If Vader initiated lethal action against Downes IIc was prepared to assist. Murdering Downes would quickly solidify IIc's loyalty to the Empire in Vaders glassy eyes. The cooling corpse on the floor was a testament to price of failure.

Vullze spoke to IIc in stream of giberish, at the mention of leaving IIc reviewed the previous conversation. "Confirmed: Departing the Serpent expediently is the most efficient way to continue the mission." IIc turned around and entered the HWK-290 cargo bay. "Porro most likely agrees with this course of action. Luck was on our side, it is a fickle ally at best." "Luck is a fickle ally at best." The reassuring voice played through IIc's audio files as the droid repeated the Mantra. The audio file didn't sound like the typical expressions issued by Storm Troopers. IIc paused in the HWK-290 trying to determine the source of the advice and the name of the speaker. The IIc traced the file back to the corrupted files locked behind the encryption.

[Melchior]

The exchange between Vullze and IIc draw an amused chortle out of Downes.

Now that he is face to face with the man, Vullze is able to get a closer look at him. Rough and dangerous looking, Downes looked every inch the gang leader Vullze knew him to be. He had a trimmed goatee and what looked to be several cybernetic modification covered his cheeks and neck. It looked like he might have had even further enhancements, but it was hard to tell under the modified trooper armour he wore - painted in the colors of his gang to match his ship. He wore a leather coat over the armour, and had obviously seen a lot of combat in his life if the marks and scars his armour bore was any indication.

"Heh. I'd wager yer right on tha' one," Downes nodded when Vullze pointed out that Vader likely would not in the mood to be patient for any delays. The man looked past Vullze at the dead body of Captain Palomer and grinned causing the skin around his scarred eye to grow taut. He looked back to Vullze and shrugged.

"Might's well," he tapped the Gran beside him and jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the ship. "Go ahead and start her up, Porro."

The Gran, looking immensely relieved that they were leaving, hustled aboard the ship, his feet sounding out quickly as he dashed towards the cockpit. Downes simply shook his head with a chuckle. He climbed up into the ship after Porro, gesturing for Vullze to follow. He maneuvered around IIc in the hall, giving the droid a comradely pat on the chassis as he shouted back over his shoulder to Vullze.

"Anywhere specific ye wanna go? I don' mind dropping ye fellas off, but after that me an' Porro are gonna head out. Gotta round up my boys, 'fore they get too out of hand."

[stitchlipped]

Vullze follows the battlescarred human onto his ship, glancing curiously around at its innards.

"I need to reach Inquisitor Marquesh," he replies loudly enough for Downes to hear, but clearly directing the words at IIc. "I have no doubt "Tinman" has the means to contact her directly and confirm her current location, if she is not still in the vicinity of the legislature."

Rather than ask if IIc can reach Marquesh, Vullze seems certain it must be possible. As far as the anzati is concerned either the droid has access to the correct communication channel or he'll find a way to slice into it. After all, an identical model droid hacked into his own communications just a few short hours ago.

[Craigthulu]

IIc watched the doors on the HWK-290 close. The rapidly cooling body of Captain Palomer's body lying on the floor doubled as a reminder of failure and a motivator to succeed. Had they arrived earlier or attempted evasive action there could be a pile of scrap metal in place of an officers body. The doors closed slowly as the mag locks sealed the internal atmosphere. of the HWK-290. IIc would have preferred to ride outside again but re-entry into the atmosphere would melt the droid, frame and circuits. There was business to attend to as well. IIc's memory files made it clear this kind of business was best done face to face, even if faces were merely an array for obtaining sensory information.

IIc turned to Vullze, the cold droids eyes surveyed this newly assigned partner. "Statement. Subject, command structure. To Quote downes "Bugger that". To clarify you have not been given official rank or command over me. There are no files that mention subject Vullze in my known command structures. I will follow Lord Vaders orders but you are not Lord Vader."

IIc's eyes flashed briefly as the information from the last hunt was studied and broken down for further optimization. "Condition 1: Do not attempt to rely orders or commands for actions I am currently taking. It is inefficient and illogical. Condition 2: This hunt will not be jeopardized by some emotion or other biological anomaly you decide to focus on. We are both tools of the Empire, if you are inefficient or defective you will be discarded. I will not become a pile of scrap because your emotions negate logical choices."

"Your feelings towards these conditions is irrelevant. The Empire is focused on results not methods." IIc's wrist opened, the rotating apparatus spun revealing a scomp drive before the wrist lock closed again. IIc walked over towards a computer port on the HWK-290 cabin wall. Placing the scomp drive in the port IIc turned towards Downes. "I am uploading confirmation of the assassinated Jedi from the earlier battle that clearly demonstrates your involvement in the kill. You may use this as evidence to claim any bounties on her, as per our previous arrangement."

Connecting to the ships broadcasting frequency IIc used the HWK-290 to increase is broad casting reach. Tuning to the Inquisitors frequency to begin communication with Inquisitor Marquesh. "This is HK-XJ IIC, requesting a rendezvous with Inquisitor Marquesh at her last known location. Repeat, this is HK-XJ IIC, requesting a rendevouz with Inquisitor Marquesh at her last known location." IIc used the equipment to broadcast a small message exclusively to the HWK-290s cock pit. " Porro, I you will have our coordinates soon, for the time being create distance between us and Lord Vader in case their is a sudden change in heart."

[stitchlipped]

Vullze is unsurprised by the droid's attempt to assert its independence. In fact the anzati is expecting such authority challenges to crop up with Imperial officials time and again until Vader sees fit to award him some actual credentials. Hopefully he'll do something about that soon. But even without any rank, Vullze wonders why the droid is failing to acknowledge what it has seen with its own visual sensors simply because its databanks don't match reality. Official record or not, authority over IIc or not, it should be obvious that Vullze is Vader's suboordinate. From there, it oughtn't take too much processing power to reach the conclusion that Vader's suboordinate will make reports to Vader and those reports could influence the droid's fate for better or for worse. Even if IIc doesn't want to acknowledge Vullze, it should at least realise that treating him with more respect than it has done so far might be wise.

He supposes there are three alternative conclusions that he might draw from this. One: that IIc has failed to consider Vullze's ability to influence its future, which wouldn't be a wonderful advertisement for the droid's reasoning capacity. Alternatively two: IIc has realised, and doesn't care. This seems unlikely, given its clear preference to not be made into scrap metal. Finally, three: the droid is testing boundaries to see what it can get away with. Vullze suspects it's probably option three.

The anazti doesn't really care about the droid, nor its insubordinate behaviour. While he has been ordered to take the droid, it's not like he actually wants the thing's assistance. As far as he's concerned should IIc makes good on its promise to abandon him it'll work out just fine for both of them. Nevertheless, Vullze supposes he should make an effort to utilise the tools at hand, even if the tool in question is as unpleasant as IIc. For that the parameters of their relationship need to be redefined, because he'll be damned if he allows a machine to dictate the terms of their working arrangement.

"I may not appear in your known command structures but your own recent experience should have provided ample evidence that I am genuinely Lord Vader's apprentice, " he points out. "Lord Vader has entrusted me with a task, and it's his desire that you assist with that task. You may certainly choose to ignore that reality, and ignore me. You may even "discard" me—feel free, in fact. Truthfully, I have no personal interest in your assistance, and am quite content if you choose to take your own path when we reach Corellia. But consider this: Lord Vader will likely be displeased. On the bright side, you'll not need to worry about my emotions leading you to the scrap heap if your own faulty logic brings about your demise first."

"Well, think on it and adapt your conduct accordingly or not as you prefer," Vullze adds as he walks past the droid to follow Downes deeper into the ship. "I have to talk to a man about a refresher unit."

[Melchior]

Corellian Legislature
Coronet City, Corellia

It had been a very long day for Corporal Pasam Molta, and it was still the middle of the afternoon local time.

Things had already been bad enough when the 231st legion had been commandeered into the service of one of the Empire's new Inquisitors several weeks back. General Toshan hadn't been happy about his men being taken away from more important assignments to 'play lackey for one the Emperor's pet sorcerers', but there hadn't been a whole lot he could do about it. So the general had been forced to sign off on the orders, and Molta and the rest of his legion had been reassigned.

At first, Molta's life hadn't actually changed much. His days were still dominated by routine. He went where the orders said and did his duty, same as always. For weeks, Inquisitor Marquesh had left them on stand-by. He had heard the rrumours that she was involved with some sort of top-secret weapons development project, but it wasn't for the the stormtroopers to know.

But then Jedi had been spotted on Corellia. The empire had moved its ships into the system and established a presence in the local seat of government to facilitate operations in the system. Then all hell had broken loose. The Jedi had attacked the Correlian Legislature Building, clashing with Lord Vader himself before setting off bombs that had been planted all over the complex to cover their escape.

Now, even more stormtroopers had been brought in to maintain order in the wake of such a brazen act of terrorism. Molta's platoon had been amongst this second wave, but he had barely even set foot onto the planet before he'd bee grabbed by an overworked-looking lieutenant and told to go to the landing pad. A ship was coming down from the Serpent, Lord Vader's flagship. Molta had been told to meet whoever was coming on it and escort them directly to Inquisitor Marquesh.

So it was that Corporal Pasam Molta found himself standing at the Legislature's back-up landing pad watching in bemusement as a garishly painted ship fragrantly displaying what was clearly a gang symbol swooped down out of the sky to land roughly on the tarmac.

The ship's engines remained on as the door snapped open, allowing Vullze and IIc to step down off the craft. Downes followed them to the back of the ship, though he did not join them in fully disembarking. He remained at the top of the ramp, leaning against the frame of the door. As soon as the two of them were off the ship, he gave a chuckled and raised his hand in a wave.

"Alright, back to the surface safe and sound!" he said with a grin. "S' been fun working with you boys. 'Specially you Tinman! But me an' Porro are gonna jet! Good luck with your business!"

With that the HWK-290 began to lift off again, leaving Vullze and IIc alone with the lone Stormtrooper that was standing there waiting for them.

[grenadierman]

Everyone in the Legion was furious when they heard about the bombings in Corellia! Molta never heard any good about Jedi, and the recent news confirmed his suspicions about them. There was talk and hearsay of rewards for whoever captures a jedi, dead or alive. If he was going to be in the 501st, that reward would come in handy. He looked forward to his next assignment.

Molta shouldered his fieldpack and tightened his fist on his dufflebag's strap. He was still in his armor and helmet and was heading to the barracks when a lieutenant ran up with orders for him. Life in the Stormtrooper Corps was oddly unpredictable at times. One second you're just getting off the shuttle ready to unpack your bags, the next you're escorting someone from Lord Vader's flagship. Molta saluted the officer when dismissed, and then hauled ass to unpack his things.

A few minutes later, Corporal Pasam Molta stood at the landing pad staring up at a ganger's ship. Lord Vader aboard a ship like that? Perhaps he shouldn't question the circumstances.

The stormtrooper awaiting Vullze and IIc was decked in a reinforced variant of the Stormtrooper armor. Though the armor was polished to a mirror sheen, some of its edges have been worn out from wear and tear. The stormtrooper gave them a crisp salute with his right arm, whose armor was bulkier than usual in order to cover the prosthesis. The stormtrooper was six foot, large, and stood sharply. With his helmet on, the stormtrooper looked like all his other friends.

Beneath his helmet Molta made a few observations about the new guests. The man in dark clothing and robes screamed someone important, though he couldn't imagine what for. Was it to do with the Jedi? Corporal Molta made sure not to get on his bad side in any case.

The guest's droid, with its plethora of weapons attached to itself, did not look like it was there to interpret. It must be bodyguarding its owner, Molta assumes.

The stormtrooper's voice modulator is on when he introduces himself to Vullze and IIc. "Afternoon sir. My orders are to escort you *directly* to Inquisitor Marquesh." Corporal Molta stood at attention as he waits for the man's returning salute.

[Craigthulu]

The dust settled and IIc was standing in the HWK-290 bay door as the doors opened and the ramp lowered. Optic sensors scanned the area in infrared and ultraviolet. Auditory sensors scanned the area for sounds. There was unlikely to be a problematic situation but preparation was the best defense against the unknown.

Stepping onto the loading ramp IIc looked up towards Downes. "Statement: Our Partnership was most instructive. Your continued longevity and effectiveness of the Sand Panthers is considered a beneficial situation." IIc delivered the high praise to Downes, a truly impressive organic. Raising a metallic fist IIc completed the Sand Panther salute, smashing the alloyed fist into Downes cybernetic fist. "Clang!" "I increased the pressure based analysis of past strength measurements."

"Luck is not a factor in my business. Good hunting Sand Panthers." IIc walked down the ramp to the storm trooper who was waiting to escort them to Inquisitor Marquesh. "Statement: Instruction. Gender is not relevant to Droids trooper." IIc stepped forward, asserting itself as the leader over Vullze. "Inquisitor Marquesh will want a status update of this hunt."

Memory banks reviewed footage of storm troopers greeting each other. IIc replicated the salute to the trooper. "Request. Name and rank soldier."

[stitchlipped]

Corporal Molta doesn't receive the answering salute he's expecting from Vullze. Since he's not been formally placed in the Imperial command structure, the anzati sees no reason to obey its social protocols. The vermilion eyes instead dart up and down all six feet of Molta's physique, noting the armour—reinforced, gleaming yet slightly battered, clear signs of modification. The man's rank might be junior but he clearly belongs to an elite unit. If he's the person being used to run errands round here it speaks to the overall quality of the military assets being deployed on Corellia.

Unsurprisingly, IIc decides to play leader. Given the way their introduction went this behaviour is well within Vullze's expectations. He doesn't mind because the droid seems no threat to his own authority. It can act in this manner all it wants. It may even have genuine authority and clearance instated by its creators. But ultimately that's just it—a droid is a creation, a false semblance of life without true free will, programmed to serve. The Imperial officers they'll meet from now on will know that, and while they might obey IIc they'll never respect it.

Yet if it keeps the machine content, or whatever passes for contentment in the artificial being, why not let it act out its play? Vader's agent waits until Molta's helmeted head is turned in his direction then gives him a nod meant to signal without words that Vullze is satisfied with the droid acting as a mouthpiece. Whichever of the pair the corporal concludes is really in charge, he now has no reason not to respond to IIc's orders.

[grenadierman]

Corporal Molta received a stare down from the alien and not the salute he was expecting. The soldier began doubting if the man was part of the military, or even spoke Basic. What was clear was the alien was part of Lord Vader's retinue, and Lord Vader's retribution is merciless if the rumors were correct. Thus, the stormtrooper erred on the side of caution when it came to etiquette.

The droid stepped forward and answered his salute, which only raised more questions. Still, he went along with the flow and dropped the salute as protocol dictates.

Corporal Molta answers the droid's query, underneath his helmet his eyebrow was arced in slight bewilderment. Perhaps the droid also served as an interpreter.

"TK-99262. Corporal Molta of the 231st Legion, 1st Regiment."

The soldier thought about asking the droid if the alien could speak Basic, but he is here only to do his duty, not ask questions. As a junior enlisted, Pasam Molta realized early in his career that he was just a small fish in a vast ocean.

Molta also recognized an air of terseness among the two new guests, and obliged it. "Right this way then." His stance relaxed after the brief exchange, turned on his heel, and adapted a soldier's brisk march towards Inquisitor Marquesh's office.

[Craigthulu]

"Statement. Greetings Corporal Molta. You may refer to me as HK-XJ IIc, code name Tinman, working directly for Inquisitor Marquesh." Clung, clung, clung. IIc's alloyed legs rhythmically pounded off the pavement like dulcimer drums as the droid followed to Marquesh's office. Unlike this Vullze, Marquesh had give him direct orders. Based on interactions with Dr Yurishima, IIc had every reason to follow her edicts and commands.

The damage to the legaslative building was clearly visible in the area. Work crews were still assessing the damage. It was incredible that there was an office for the Inquisitor to commander.

[Melchior]

With introductions out of the way and the chain of command - or at least a serviceable facsimile thereof - established, Molta wasted little time in escorting Vullze and IIc away from the landing pad. As the stormtrooper led them towards their destination, it allowed them a chance to get a better look at the damage which had done by the Jedi's terrorist attack. Vullze of course was already intimately familiar, but IIc had only witnessed the carnage from above, it was the droid's first look from the ground.

The damage was extensive; large plumes of smoke trailed off into the sky still and the area around the building was covered with dust and debris. Emergency response personnel worked frantically to put out the smoke and save would could be while CorSec officers could be seen working tirelessly to sweep the entire building, both to to make sure that there were no more bombs and to search for anyone still trapped inside. But much of the damage was already done. Large sections of the structure had been collapsed by the bombs, mostly concentrated around the western wing where many of the higher governmental offices were located. It would be months until the Legislature was safe to work in again.

The entire building had been evacuated and large crowds of government workers and civilians could be spotted here and there, cordoned off and told that they would not be allowed to leave until it was safe to do so and everyone had been accounted for. Vullze suspected the Imperial authorities on sight also wanted to keep anyone who might be involved in the incident from leaving until they could be properly questioned.

Because of the evacuation, and the fact that the building was still undergoing sweeps by bomb crews, Molta did not take them towards the main Legislature buildings, but towards a smaller building on the periphery of the larger complex. When they'd first moved into the system, the Corellian government had given the Imperials the use of this building for their operations. In a quirk of fate, it had escaped largely unscathed from the attack, and with the Empire doubling its efforts to bring troops down en masse to establish control over the planet, it had become the de facto command center for the Imperial forces on Corellia at the moment. White armoured stormtroopers surrounding the building, watching dutifully over the constant stream of officials heading in and out. They allowed Molta to lead the group inside without fuss, snapping crisp salutes to Vullze as he passed.

The corporal lead them inside the Imperial Command Center, taking them through the halls towards the inquisitor's makeshift office. From the sounds of conversation coming from inside the room as they drew close, it seemed she was inside.

"Of course, my lord," they heard as the door hissed open. Vullze and IIc caught sight of a woman bowed before the large blue shape of Darth Vader looming before the holographic display winked out as they entered and the woman rose to turn around and face them.

Inquisitor Marquesh was a rather short human woman, slight of build with long dark hair which hung loose down past her shoulders. She had a small scar on her cheek, but it did not detract much from her features and she might have been considered quite attractive were it not for the hard expression which seemed engraved onto her face. Her cold blue eyes seemed to pierced straight through them as she glanced over them. Next to all the stormtroopers they had passed by getting to her office, the Inquisitor was probably the least physically imposing person in the building, but all of them could tell right away that she was far and away the most dangerous, and not just because of the lightsaber hanging openly at her belt.

Her eyes took in Vullze's rather unkempt form - Downes' ship had unfortunately been lacking much in the way of hygienic products and he was still dressed in his tattered imperial uniform - though it she was bothered by his appearance, she said nothing. Her own uniform looked a bit disheveled for her part, with own particular burn hole in the sleeve that could only have been made by a lightsaber. Vullze remembered that Marquesh had been fighting with one of the Jedi during the attack earlier. Given that she was standing here now, she must have emerged victorious.

"So," she began, meeting Vullze's eyes steadily. "You are Lord Vader's newest agent. I am Yulia Marquesh"

Her gaze glanced over to IIc, "I see you've already met HK-XJ IIc."

~~~~~~

The Lambda-class T-4a shuttle came out of hyperspace right on schedule. A beeping from the on-board communications stirred Viv from his meditations as his pilot's voice spoke up.

"Inquisitor Mukhalas sir, we've arrived at Corellia."

Viv felt the rumble through the ship as the sub-light engines flared to life, signifying the shuttle was beginning its descent down towards the planet. Through the view ports, the planet dominated the view, a large blue and green jewel that loomed ever larger as the ship drew closer. From such a distance it was hard to believe that anything could be amiss on the surface, but the twinkling lights of the Imperial ships which made up the blockade told another story.

Inquisitors tended to operate largely independently, permitted by their rank and Imperial procedure to undertake whatever actions were necessary to eliminate the remnants of the old Jedi order. It had been quite some time since he had had any success in that regard, and his superiors had started taking notice. If Viv didn't produce results soon, he feared they might start questioning whether or not he was a worthwhile member of the Inquisitorius.

To that end, Viv had come to Correlia following the rumours of Jedi in the system. Or rather they had just been rumours, but the most recent information, received while he was already en route to the planet, seemed to suggest that the situation had boiled over. It was much too early for reliable information but everything he heard seemed to agree that the Jedi had been involved in some capacity.

[grenadierman]

Unsure whether to adopt a formal or casual tone with the combat droid, Corporal Molta nodded his head and grunted in approval instead.

On their way to the Command Center, ground zero loomed into sight. The soldier kept his head straight ahead, but underneath his helmet his eyes were darting to the side to survey the devastation the Jedi caused. Seeing the burnt out husk of what was once a place of government, of law and order consumed by radical terrorists steeled his resolve to serve the Empire and do his duty.

Though the route they took was too far away for details, he could imagine the grief coming from the cordoned civilians. Corporal Renko's sister was in the Legislature when the bombing occured. He hadn't had a chance to talk with Renko yet, but Molta knew he'll be in a fiery bloodlust. He had hoped that wasn't the case, as rage tends to be uncontrollable. Uncontrollable turns a disciplined soldier into a mindless brute, and when orders aren't followed, friends get killed.

Molta was uncomfortably familiar with friends dying, either in his arms or having to learn about it in after action reports. The Imperial Army always gave peptalks and services, mostly along the message that the fallen should be honoured forever, and to keep on fighting for the Galactic Empire. He put his trust to that message.

The emotions the scarred veteran carried betrayed his thoughts to anyone who cared to listen.

The Jedi... they shouldn't have done this to you. You didn't take up arms against them. They'll pay. They'll definitely pay.

The office. The doors open and the air goes right out of Corporal Molta. It was Lord Vader himself, in all his might. Though he was only a hologram the menacing aura and imposing figure momentarily took away his composure nonetheless.

Molta snapped to attention, blaster held tight to his chestplate and staring straight ahead past the shorter Inquisitor Marquesh. He had received staredowns before by NCOs and officers, some with a soul crushing intensity. His helmet was usually on though, and the feeling of being part of a legion always gave him a sense of sanctuary. The veteran stormtrooper never received any such feeling with Inquisitor Marquesh, and truth be told, felt quite naked. He felt like he would suffer if he so much as breathed in the presence of these inquisitors. Corporal Molta kept his mouth shut, and let the parties talk it over. While it was curious he wasn't explicitly dismissed yet seeing as did his job and escorted the guests, he didn't want to ask.