The Mage's Touch

Lord Aequitas

Explorer 1st Class Helret Goort stood aboard one of the mighty ships that the Mages had at their disposal. He himself had been a Commander in the Navy before making the switch to the Mages when it was formed. As such, he was given command of one of the patrol ships. He secretly wished that he was given a higher position but knew he had to prove his worth. He sighed as he trotted down the steps to CO's chair in the center of the bridge. He sat and relaxed as he looked around the bridge. The Grand Mage had personally hand-picked the crew. Goort had full trust in them.

He had just returned from his office after his daily talk with the High Mage. The Director of Exploration was recently dismissed for attempted blackmail. So it was the High Mage who assumed the position for the time being. Goort wanted the job but, it looked to go to one of his same rank, and a woman to boot. A staunch conservative, he felt a woman's place was at home. He was just in this mindset, reminiscing about his meeting, when a beeping went off across the bridge. He jumped up with a start. "Fourt, what the hell is that?", he shouted at the Tatooine native who was standing behind a podium. "S-sir..we have an unidentified planet." Goort sighed with relief. He should have recognised the beeping. "A new panet? You sure? It could be a moon or an asteroid." He had his doubts, but then again, this was the Empire's first visit to the area. "No sir, definately a planet, and it has a breathable atmosphere." Goort smiled. He had just found a new planet, if there was a new species there too it would mean he'd have the promotion in the bag.

He walked calmly up to the podium and nodded as he saw the streams of data come through. "Right, hold the bridge while I'm gone. I'm contacting the Grand Mage himself." He walked quickly to his office and straightned his uniform. He pressed 1 on his computer.

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Aequitas was just standing up to go home when he his screen popped up from his desk. Oh for the love of Sidious, he thought to himself, what in his name am I needed for this time. He had just finished an intense session with a disgruntled Mage who pass bypassed for a promotion. As Aequitas tried to be fair, he allowed the Mage to present his case. The Mage in question was now a cleaner. He used the force to accept the call without bothering to walk over. "Yes?", he said simply, sliding into view of the screen, "ah, Mage Goort. What's new and important that forced you to call me and not Darth Serratus? You better have found an asteroid or something." There was some silence before the shaky voice of the Corellian could be heard. "My lord, we've found a planet. Breathable. Could be habitated." Aequitas smiled. Excellent, he thought to himself. "Mage Goort, I'll send Cataloguists immediately but until then, claim the planet in the name of the Eternal Empire."

Again silence before Aequitas heard alarms. "Goort, when you contact the leader of your Order, try at least to have silence." Again silence before static was heard quite loudly and one word quite clearly. MAYDAY. The call went dead. Aequitas leaned back in his chair. They're gone, he thought to himself, Pirates? Hopefully. I don't want to be the one to report to the Emperor there's a new threat out there with enough power to destroy an SD. He stood up and got ready to leave. The Emperor would have to know. He stopped and groaned. "Marix is going to go mad", he said. He'd have to get a new SD.
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Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Commander Fahr, a male duro, stood at the edge of the bridge of the Classic which belonged to the Restoration Project as it was being called at the moment. The group had managed to discover this planet with the help of intelligence groups in different places. Since the planet was undiscovered it was a prime location to settle and take as a home base. For a year now this had been home, returning back here and doing what was necessary for the project, the dream as it was called.

Things were normal, the fleet that guarded the planet, his fleet, was stationed away from it, a small jump away from the planet as to not be discovered upon entering the area. But for a year straight the procedure was still the same, scout ships would move around the planet in stealth while the planet remained as quiet as possible. It worked, things were done and the group had gotten quite far until today.

A message was hurried over to the Commander from the communications officer from the planet, the sith had finally discovered it. "All right everyone, seems like all our hiding ends today. We have a sith scout ship, you know the plan. We go in, take it out and reinforce the planet while everyone gets ready to leave."

"Lets make the jump on my mark: 3-2-1, jump!" the fleet disappeared into hyperspace making its small jump back to the planet. The small jump was not long, the ships exited hyperspace quickly and the interdictor immediately went into work to prevent the ship from leaving. The next step was to cancel out communications, and the third was the complete assault by all the ships present on the one ship. The surprise entrance prevented it from getting its shield up in time before the shields had been targeted and destroyed. Eventually the ships overwhelmed what remained of the ship.

"Great job guys, that was nothing compared to what is coming though, we need to group around the planet in our defensive positions and prepare for the real fleet to arrive." the crew was calm, they had all known it was coming at some point and the Commander made sure to run simulations with them to keep them on their toes. So fortunately for him he was working with a great crew and because of that, they executed the first step perfectly. Now that the ships were moving back toward the planet he moved out of the bridge and to his private quarters where he would discuss the plan for the planet below.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

High Mage Serratus was on the bridge of the Shadowspear. He and most of the 24th Fleet were answering the Silent Fury's mayday. Serratus had fairly good knowledge of commanding a fleet, Aequitas had given him some knowledge of the art and he had read on it during his studies, especially after discovering his father had been a Vice Admiral. And if Serratus messed up, several of the Mages below him had good command abilities and could hopefully correct the mistake. Serratus would reach the mysterious new planet within a few hours and he would no doubt have to engage whatever had hit the Silent Fury. He turned to his crew.

"Tell An Lámh In Uachtar to stay in formation, they're drifting."

Serratus chewed his cheek. Whatever had hit the Silent Fury.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Down below on the planet the crew of the hidden base were analyzing data being retrieved about the fleet above, soon they would be in range to detect the life forms and by then they would be engaging the fleet. "Commander, the ships are deploying their recon fighters, they have remained in their defensive positions though." The Commander of the base stared at the information given before relaying the details of the plan to the fleet waiting to jump. They would win, there was no other option.

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Commander Fahr looked at the information closely, his ships were preparing for the jump and he was revising the battle plan that would be important to the planet below. Finally agreeing with what he had quickly written to himself he looked at the waiting officers, "Well, what are you waiting for? Make the jump" the men all smiled and began to issue the orders for the fleet to make the small micro-jump.

The jump was a success, the ships exited hyperspace right in front of the fleet positioning themselves to hold the fleet back. The ships began to move into their position, a crescent shape that threatened to engulf the enemy ships. The small turbolasers on the ships made quick work of the recon ships, disabling them and leaving them to hang.

The crew prepared a channel so that Fahr could address the Imperial fleet, with no hesitance he would declare this planet theirs before the Imperial officers. "Imperial Fleet, you are trespassing on our grounds. We ask that you leave immediately before we open fire."
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus's brow furrowed. Whoever was in charge of the surprisingly large fleet before them had clearly recognised the Mage fleet. But who on such a remote and previously unremarked planet would have knowledge of the Empire at all? Five answers immediately sprang to mind.

The Chiss, pirates, terrorists, traitors...or Jedi.

Serratus quickly discounted the first two based on the size and design of the fleet. The other three made little more sense. How could a terrorist cell, traitors to the Empire or any of the few surviving Jedi amass such a massive fleet? Something was going on here, and Serratus was going to find out what it was.

"What claim have you to this planet? Identify yourselves or we will open our own fire."
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"This planet was uninhabited until we arrived, so we have claimed it as our own. As for who we are, we are the Restorative Project, a group dedicated to the restoration of a democratic state in our galaxy. I repeat, we do not wish to fight you but we will if need be." Fahr and his crew knew one side wasn't going to leave today, he intended to make sure it wasn't them.

Down below the base was preparing for evacuation, several ships had landed to help with the process, things were being loaded into cargo bays while the fleet above bought them time. The computers were having all their information saved onto different devices of different kinds to insure that no one piece had all the information. The computers would then be destroyed if the fleet above was proving to be stronger than anticipated, though everyone below was hoping that they would win the fight so they could make it to the war.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus didn't recognise the name but it didn't narrow down who it was. Terrorists, traitors or Jedi could all have that goal.

"I'm afraid that I can't do that. You attacked and destroyed an Imperial vessel and I can offer you only two choices. Surrender and be treated as prisoners of war or do not back down and be obliterated."

As Serratus awaited his counterpart's reply, he sat down on the floor and crossed his legs. He was not the best wielder of battle meditation in the Empire but if he could tip the scales in the Mages' favour in any way, he would do so.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"The ship entered our air space, violating it. We took the necessary precautions to keep ourselves save. Just as any Imperial planet would with an unidentified ship entering its air space." The people aboard the ships were very responsive, they knew they only had one chance to do things right and there was no one to come bail them out if things got sloppy. Commander Fahr had expected nothing but the best and had gotten them to respond quickly and accurately as best as they could. But because this was their first actual encounter, it would be interesting to him to see how well they did.

"So my response is very blunt, we are not surrendering but we do not wish to fight you but will if necessary." Fighters were already preparing to launch, weapons were being prepared, and shields were close to being activated. It was just waiting for the Fahr's opposite to make the move.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus's frown was starting to invade his nose's personal space.

"If an unidentified ship entered Imperial space then we would first ask for identification before opening fire. I can confirm that you did no such thing and that your attack on the Silent Fury was unprovoked. As such I have only one course of action. I am giving you a final chance to surrender before my fleet opens fire on yours. Make your choice wisely. And bare in mind that in the grand scheme of the Empire, I am dispensable. What say you?"

Serratus started reaching out with the Force, connecting with all the minds on the 24th Fleet, mentally preparing them and bracing himself for the answer that was sure to come.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Fahr sighed, "You will do what you must and I shall do what I must. But before we continue, may I ask your name?" The unexpected question had taken the officers around the deck by surprise, they stared at Fahr questioning his display. Fahr did not move though, he stood his ground firmly as he awaited the response to his question.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus's frown flipped completely upward.

"I am High Mage Serratus of the Order of Sith Mages. Might I be so bold as to ask you yours, unattached voice?"

Serratus was almost ready for battle meditation. Conflict seemed inevitable even now.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"I am Commander Fahr, it is a pleasure to meet you High Mage Serratus, even in such a dark circumstance." The officers on the deck were uneased by the casual talk Fahr was presenting, but they did not dare rise and question their Commander as his composure revealed no weakness in his plan.

"I am ashamed to say I am not familiar with you or even your title, I assume it is a part of a new campaign of the Empire?" Fahr had stayed in the same spot, Serratus would either engage him or would honor him with their last discussion.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas sighed as he sat in his chair aboard the bridge on the Winter's Throne. He had not brought the whole 8th Fleet but a sizeable portion nonetheless. He looked at the unfamillar sight of hyperspace. While in the Navy, yes, he was often in hyperspace but upon taking command of the Sith Mages he was always busy, even when travelling. The ring of the Grand Mage, a symbol of the office, given to the Grand Mage by the Emperor upon him assuming the office, glimmered slightly on his right hand. "Captain, where are we in regards to the last known co-ordinates of the ship that was...well, attacked." The captain pressed a few buttons before answering. "My Lord, we are still some distance away." Aequitas grimaced. He knew Serratus was nearer than he. He hoped he had answered the Mayday.

He hoped that the skirmish would be over quickly. He had other duties and had no hesitation in contacting the Supreme Commander. He smiled slightly. He knew Marix was itching to have a good proper space battle.
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High Mage Serratus

"The Order of Sith Mages was created to amass knowledge about the galaxy, through exploration and cataloguing of all known and unknown planets. Which is how we stumbled upon...may I ask what you have christened the planet?"

Serratus was ready. But a bit of conversation would help clear his mind before the impending battle.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"The planet is known to us as Home but officially it is Ba'shay, according to our own research we discovered a lot of what might be a very old civilization having existed here before dying out. We have yet to uncover that truth but we are in the midst of breakthrough."

"You see High Mage, it seems that we're not so different afterall. What we've come to do and what we hope to achieve are the same to some affect. Strip away the details and our ideals are shared, and our goals related. It is only affiliations that put us on separate sides." Fahr scribbled some things down on a piece of paper and handed it to one of the officers. Perhaps the galaxy misunderstood one another, and that was what made the Empire.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

"Oh really? Explain how a group that wishes to create a democratic government and a group who wish to expand the domains of a monarchy are similar."
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Fahr smiled, "You wish to see the glory of your Empire and I wish to see the rise of democracy. We both fight to save what we see is the only way, we have both come here for different reasons and I anticipate that destiny did not mislead either of us from this day."

"As a Mage, you must be curious about this planet and we are curious to know more about our discoveries. Perhaps before this all ends as it inevitably will, you would like to see the planet? No matter how it ends either in our favor or yours, we should not deny either the opportunity to learn and discover something new. I would not like to deny you this opportunity and I would hope you'd at least satisfy my curious mind."
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus was getting curious as to Fahr's motives. In the increasingly inevitable battle, the planet would surely be badly damaged...

"In the interest of the Mages, I would be glad to visit the planet. But I must warn that if anything happens to me, my fleet will open fire straight away."
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"Well then High Mage Serratus, if you would like to meet below then say the word and I will let them know that we will be coming." Fahr waited for the Mage's response.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus mulled Fahr's offer. It would be most important to see what the planet had to offer before it was seriously damaged.

"I accept. How and when will we descend?"
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"If you wish we can both descent on different ships, you may bring your personal selection of guards of course and your ship cannot be any larger than a freighter." There had to be limitations, a large ship descending from the sky would mean the end of the base below.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus inclined his head.

"That is reasonable. I will be departing from my ship momentarily in a Sith Infiltrator with two accompanying guards, Darths Dorian and Tao."

Serratus arose and Tao and Dorian emerged from the wings, following him to the hangar bay. As they descended, they got many looks of distrust and confusion but Serratus ignored them completely and together the three Sith Masters entered the designated Infiltrator. Serratus assumed the pilot's seat and the other two started arming themselves. Together they left the Shadowspear and started flying towards Ba'shay.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Fahr had never left the bridge, he had scribbled a note down to the officers on his bridge telling them what he was planning. To keep Serratus with the plan he had a shuttle launched from the ship, Serratus would have to pass near the capital ships on his descent to the planet below. It pained him to have to be so deceiving but victory had to be achieved at any cost.

When Serratus' ship was too close to the shuttle launched as a decoy, Fahr ordered his capital ship to open fire. With no delay or hesitation the guns on the ship roared to life and every gun that would reach him began to fire volleys of lasers and missiles. The shuttle that was used as a decoy veared quickly away from the path of fire.

"Begin assault on those capital ship, let these crucial moments be our reason for victory!" Fahr's command was echoed throughout the fleet, each ship's engines lighting up with power and pushed them through space. The ships then began to unleash heavy volleys on the main ship as fighters had been quickly deployed and were already closing the gap between them and their targets.
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A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus smirked as he saw the lasers fly from Fahr's fleet. He had prepared for such subterfuge. He sent a quick transmission to Explorer 1st Class Amadeus who was now in charge of the Shadowspear.

"Return fire, we're going to hit Fahr where it hurts."

Serratus changed course and started heading towards Fahr's flagship, dodging laserfire all the while.

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Darth Amadeus nodded solemnly in response to Serratu's transmission. He sent out the orders to all ships, though most of them were already firing anyway.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Fahr was happy, the ships were moving in fast behind the fighters looking to remove the possibly of letting them get through, the formation that Fahr had his ships was still holding. The crescent shape allowed the ships to focus fire upon the fleet in the center without sacrificing space and mobility. The fighters were preparing to engage their counterparts while the bombers were preparing to do their bombing runs upon the main command ship.

"Send a message to the planet below to continue preparing to evacuate, I don't want any last minute changes to be the end of us." the communications officer nodded and walked off to complete the task.

_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.