The Rebel Faction

Silent in the blackness between worlds, like stalkers from beyond, the Dark Shard and her escort moved concisely into position above the small planet below. On an impossible scale, the larger ships among the fleet open and spew forth a multitude of smaller shapes. From their bellies, ion trails burning blue, the smaller craft move into formation and surrounded the planetoid below. Pivotal to their formation, hangs the six kilometer outline of the Dark Shard, flagship of Vice Admiral Nox Anor-Sadow.

Central in formation, the Shard provided scale. A sleek black angular outline, she held steady while her craft of support moved into a defensive screen of protection. Among the larger shapes moved countless tiny craft, perhaps fighters or transports. Though their flight paths seemed erratic and random, accord quickly formed.

Slowly, the whole of the armada began to disperse, spreading across the planets pole. Hanging in silence the swarm moved out, blanketing the polar cap.

In precise formation, the Shard as apex, Harbinger Force brought the whole of her offensive potential upon the globe.

Silence across the vastness of oblivion.

In the vacuum of space, there is no sound to speak of.

An unheard rain of domination.

Coherent beams of red and green energy lanced from the weapons emplacements of the Fleet, falling silently towards the shape below.


Today, a planet dies.

Turbolaser fire, mixed with an array of concussion and proton torpedos, burned great gaping holes in the planets polar regions. Atmosphere ionized as great clouds of steam and smoke cascade from the resulting chaos.

Instantly, great lakes are born then promptly die as steam banished skyward. Massive bombardments of deadly gasses break down the layer of ozone holding the globe fertile. Within mere instants half of the planets polar reserve has vanished into the cold of space, dissipating across forever.

Like angry wasps clouds of smaller craft burn a path of stinging wrath around the equatorial ring of Yibikarar, viciously they raise great welts in the surface below. Their attack leaves a molten red line transecting the belly of the globe.

Nearly an hour passes, filled utterly bombarding the helpless orb.

Nearly an hour before the first signs of slowing...

Cannons falling silent, a moment spared for the collection of data, and the fleet begins to break formation.

Driven by unseen hands, they set their course for the lower polar region, leaving savage damage behind.

Again it begins.

Much as it had gone above, now happens below.

In precision flight and pummeling, Harbinger force again brings its full destructive prowess fore.

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Aboard the bridge of the Dark Shard, Nox Anor-Sadow, Vice Admiral of the Crimson Empire and maniac conqueror of worlds. A smile was pressed across his features, pleased by the sight of the floundering planet below and stirred by the resounding echo of cannons. This was his method of domination and combat, and it was clear why he held the post he did.

Commander of a grand fleet, his cold tactical mind worked best on this scale. Numbers, goals and barriers. Everything was broken down from up here, reduced to its most primal asset and utilized as such. From here, the loss of one or two ships meant nothing, simply because of the numbers. His way of thinking was the way of the Lords of old, and indeed, they had been his study.

"My Lord," the calm voice of his Comm officer, "we are receiving a transmission from the Homeland. It is coded A-5 urgent, and for your eyes only."

Nodding slightly, Sadow glanced briefly over his shoulder, "Clear the bridge."

As officers and crew hurried to clear the bridge, Sadow was given to thought.
Lesser commanders would retire to their ready-room, or recede elsewhere for such a cominque, but this was not the way of Vice-Admiral Sadow. The bridge was his ready-room, and indeed the whole fleet was his, personally.

The benefit of this was two fold. In one aspect, the advantage could be found in keeping the officers and crew in their place, always aware they are subordinate and in your personal space for which they should be fore ever grateful. Also, it served to keep staff and crew segregated by rank or class. No matter which view you took, it commanded respect.

Alone, Sadow turned to face the massive holoprojector that was central to the command area. With a simple gesture, he flipped a switch on a far panel, and a hologram shimmered to life before him.

"Vice Admiral Sadow," began the visage that formed before him.

The Dark Lord of the Sith, Maim was an impressive figure even over holo. Fully two feet taller then Sadow, due to the projector, he loomed massive and dark aboard the bridge of the Shard. Behind him a world burnt... Burnt in his name.

Swiftly, Sadow fell to one knee before the image, his pose humble and serving.

"My Lord Maim, it is a pleasure. How may I serve thee?"

The image of Maim smiled, thin lipped and cold.
* * * * "Well, Lord Sadow. You may serve me well."
Chuckling, Maim pressed on.
* * * * "Worlds fall before you, as I command, and it pleases me. I have seen fit to promote your rank, Fleet Admiral Sadow. I do hope your new command will continue to serve as well as it has..."

Stiffly, Sadow nodded his thanks to the image, but also knew the threat behind it. Gifts from the Dark Lord were earned through blood and trials, and Sadow was left to suspect the worst. There would be pain for this promotion.

"My Lord Maim, I am honored and will serve you as best among the Sith. I present you with a new prize. Below burns the world of Yibikarar, fit for domination as you see fit. Soon the world will be devoid and lifeless, perfect host for yards of construction or fleet."

The image of Maim grinned, but it was the sort of look no creature could read.

"Excellent, Lord Sadow. Complete your conquest of this world, and you may win another prize."

With a final, and final, chuckle, the image of Lord Maim, Dark Lord of the Sith faded, stealing light with it. Gone, Sadow was plunged into the darkness of his bridge.

Soon the galaxy would know him as High Admiral of the Crimson Fleet. For this was his goal and his drive.

Again smiling, the command crew was recalled to the bridge and the attention of Nox Anor-Sadow, Sith Executor, and Fleet Admiral of the Crimson Empire reset his attention to the task at hand. The further domination of the planet and space around it.





((11,102 wrds))

Swiftly and silently, Protector Silk burst forward on his Lords command. Stealth masked his signature through the force as the crimson cloaked Silk brought his glaive back. In a powerful swing, Silk brought the dull edge of his blade across the back of the knees of Zerxes.

In one fell motion, the chair upon which Zerxes sat and the man himself were dropped unceremoniously upon the floor before Lord Maim.

Yet, even before Zerxes could speak, Sovereign Protector Dioan Silk brought the razor humming edge of his blade to the back of the Sith's neck.

"You will speak when spoken to and address Lord Maim with reverence and respect, or you will die."

With that, Silk stepped back from the crumpled man and again vanished amongst his brethren of the Royal Guard.