"All right line up. This will be your last formal meeting before setting out. Let's hear your plans. How do you plan to take down the pact worlds? Which planet will you hit first and why."
A younger man with a pack steps up but remains silent.
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A man dressed in the finery of the noble elite and carrying himself with an aura of formality and foreboding steps up and addresses the Praetor as if he was called here at Lord Borak's summons. "Yeeeees," he drawls in the pretense of those that feel entitled to power. "We are here," he begins, though whether he's using the royal 'we' or simply speaking for the group is hard to tell. "We shall begin with the outlying planets, usurping them and taking their resources for our own.
As the upstart children grow agitated and send their forces out in a vain effort to engage us, we shall spiral in lower, hitting the soft targets closer to the center, our power growing and their rot bringing down their false empire.
When they are exhausted utterly from trying to hit a target they can not find, their virility sapped and our position now invulnerable, we shall strike at their HEART, nabbing the last of their primitive collective in a great, final stroke.
For the Imperator," he finishes.
The younger man, dressed in what looks like a flight suit made for a mechanic, bends down and puts his face in a hand. His body then begins to shake rhythmically for several moments. After the shaking stops he rights himself to stand straight looking no different save a slightly red face and a smile on his lips.
A tall man dressed in the green and gold robes of a Lisallan priest strides into the room. His violet eyes cut like daggers and a feeling of authority surrounds him. He says in a stern voice, "My apologies. The sermon ran longer than expected. I am Ashmerain, follower of the Way of Pride, and servant of Lisalla."
The Praetor looks at Lord Borak and then the others. "Well at least one of you has an idea, but you will need specifics. Personally I came up with three potential targets to start out your operations. The first is the Diaspora. There is a group of smugglers that operate within the Asteroids that have a great knowledge of getting around the pact worlds undetected. They could be a great asset if turned to our cause. The second is Absalom Station. There is an armada made up of random ships that floats around the station that would be easy enough to hide among. The station itself is home also home to the most diversity making it a easy enough place to get around undetected. The third is Akiton. The good thing about Akiton is your work is already halfway done there, my financial advisors tell me it is on the verge of total economic collapse. The population is also diverse enough to blend in. If you have another viable target tell me where and why. "
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Lord Borak was silent as he contemplated the suggested angles, and finally said, "I would say that Akiton is the most desirable target. Economic collapse the mother of chaos, and chaos the mother of change. And change is what we seek to foment. The mass of sheep there will play to type, and for the promise of government cheese, give unlimited power to any faction that presents strength, promises stability, and states to speak for the commoner.
Absalom I would say should be the last goal on that list. The lack of structure, and the loyalty they show to their forgotten world might make such a place difficult to subvert without considerable resources to hand.
Yes, the ships around the station will make fine additions to our fleet, but even to man and support them, under ideal conditions, will take significant backing and labor, even if we had the station under thumb.
Although the smugglers of Diaspora also have merit. Perhaps we should see them first, and convince them to join us at Akiton?"
"We Must Attack The Pact."
The electronic voice sounds from the corner of the room. The large shape might have been ignored as a statue for how still it stood during discussions. Now, however, the kasatha lifts one of its heavily-armored arms to type into some sort of keypad on another arm.
"Sow Distrust. Dissolve Ties. The Pact Is Built Upon Sand. Smugglers Good - Already Outlaws. Who Else? Which Planets Among Them Would Turn If Given The Chance?"
Ashmerain clears his throat before saying, Let us first speak with these smugglers. If we are to infiltrate, our primary goal should be to stealthily traverse the Pact Worlds. Once we have gained the loyalty of criminal groups, Akiton seems like an ideal target as Lord Borak suggests. The desperate souls there shall make excellent pawns for the Empire. Once those elements are secured we can move on Absalom Station.Akiton can provide the raw power at the smugglers can keep us supplied should a siege be necessary."
The young engineer chuckles again silently to himself.
"Agreed." The kasatha snaps it's comm keyboard shut, as though to signal an end to it's contributions. It resumes standing like a statue in the corner, awaiting further orders.
"So you have the where, now the how. Posing as smugglers yourselves? Or perhaps mercenaries? Maybe you require smuggling services? " As the Praetor poses his questions he brings up a holographic map of Diaspora. [b]"We know of several bases of smugglers, but no unifying leader.
The young, clearly half-Azlanti, stays silent waiting with a bored expression.
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"Hmmmmm. Ideally we would want all 3 of them to cleave to our cause.
The first can be Vic73R. As an idealist we need simply appeal to his ideals. Vague, and probably false, promises of full android rights and amnesty for all should persuade him to us.
Once we have him, the other two would be quicker to fall in line. Sophia sounds like the kind of person that can be bought, so large promises of significant portions of Akiton's wealth might be all she needs.
Sori sounds like he may be a problem, since he already does not love us, but if we already have the other two, he would be easier to convince...or conquer. Again, he might turn to us simply knowing that we will pay him well as our territory grows.
Of note, Sori might both covet and be valuable with regard to the flotsam orbiting Absalom. It seems the kind of thing he would want, and also be of use in making it our own. We should not be stingy in mentioning such."
Uzur snaps open his comm unit again. "Dis Agree. The Robot Is A Revolutionary And Idealist. His Goal Of Android Freedom Runs Counter To Azlanti Truths Of Subject Races. He Is Not To Be Trusted. His Tactics Should Be Studied, Then He Should Be Destroyed. Alliance Would Be Foolish."
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FOOL!" Lord Borak barks at the soldier. "Ever were the martial caste uninformed of the more subtle plans, and now it is evident why! We are NOT allying with him, we are NOT bringing him in to the fold. We are -using- him. For false promises of advancing his personal political agenda, he will place some of his resources at our disposal, in the HOPES that we will ally.
Of COURSE at the opportune moment he will be eliminated, and we will take leadership of his resources and organization. But! Until such time we must needs start somewhere.
Search you the datanet for "useful idiots" and then you may come to me orating and who should and should not be approached."
Being yelled at - now that's something Uzur is used to. He drops to a kneeling position, frantically typing his response. "My Apologies, Master. My Words Were Uninformed."
The young man crosses his arms and the bored expression turns impatient.
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Mollified, Lord Borak smiles and laughs, placing his hands on the soldier's shoulders. "Ah! Rise, my son. Rise and think naught of it. Upon the battlefield you are master and none may stand against you. I am simply known as to occasionally have a thoughtful word to speak in the planning rooms, and so I beg some small influence now. You are forgiven and let all be well between us!"
Borak grins once more as he claps Uzur on the shoulders.
His visage turns dark once more as he catches Shess look of vexation. "And do you have something to say, Shess of the worker's caste? Does laying out well-though plans and making sure we do not run about like cats without heads or bachelors without pants tire your head? We speak here and now so that we may strike out in the same direction with the same force later, and -when- misfortune strikes, we need not worry of unsaid worries that might rear up at inopportune moments.
If you have aught to speak, then say thy say now. Else do not burden us with impatient looks and bored sighs. Such things speak wishes for action.
And you know how they warn about wishing for things. All too soon, that may come to pass."
Ashmerain pales slightly at the mention of cats without heads, but quickly gets over it and says, "Indeed. It would be good to hear what the last of our team has to say."
Shess pulls out an odd contraption that has the look of a bulky datapad wearing a tool belt. It also features some cables and a double joystick of sorts. After pulling it out he looks down at the screen and then up to Lord Borak.
" 'Nay' Lord Borak!" he begins overflowing with sarcasm, "It is not the planning that 'tires my head'. It is the inane prattle of your foppish self. It is your seemingly tireless repetition of the Praetor's plan, as if it is new and somehow now your idea. It is the mind-numbing ignorance of a half-baked plan." Shess takes a long, steady breath before continuing. "Half-baked you ask?" Shess begins again sarcastically, "I refer to the glaring weakness of a lack of vital information. Information that seems to have been overlooked. When facing an enemy such as the Pact Worlds one must not only consider its weaknesses but also its strengths. What are its strengths? Do you know? Have you done any research?" his questions obviously directed at Lord Borak.
He then gestures to Uzur, "I wouldn't expect this walking, talking weapon to engage in such intellectual practices. He knows his place. And now, Lord Borak, I realize mine. For clearly you don't engage in intellectual practices either. Fear not, I will 'sacrifice' myself and do the thinking so that 'your excellence' doesn't have to strain himself. But-" Shess clears his throat, "i digress into your assumed intelligence. The strength to which I referred is that which defends the Pact Worlds. Which is both Eox and the Veskarium. Each force is individually formidable, together they are quite dangerous and would easily squelch any meager force of bandits we could raise. 'Nay' Lord Borak, we must cripple the legs that hold the Pact Worlds. We should begin by establishing our initial base of operations on Akiton in the city of Maro. Akiton is on the verge of economic collapse. It is the shame of the Pact Worlds and, as such, ignored. It will provide us the invisibility we need to begin the poisoning of the Pact."
"From there we can enlist whatever fodder is possible to proceed and annoy the Pact enough that they send force to deal with it. From that we will figure out their problem solving techniques and also the line which causes them to intercede. After that information we have the bounds of which we can deal without attracting too much attention and can then whittle away at their pact agreement itself."
The Praetor looks at Shess."You bring up valid points, but the problem of the Veskarium is being addressed. The Corpse Fleet of Eox may be a potential ally, should you be able to discover them."
The Praetor looks at the group. "You must be united in this endeavor if it is to succeed. I can give you specifics we have gathered on Akiton. One person of note is a Contemplative that goes by the name of Ashu. Ashu has attempted contact with the Empire before wishing to ally with us in taking over the Pact Worlds. We had no interest then, and even if we did we weren't sure about these contemplatives. As it stands now, the Empire has reconsidered and believe the contemplatives to be a race worthy of subjugation. Ashu is believed to be living in Gyl, a mining city on the outskirts of Maro. His kind have minor telepathic abilities and will probably seek you out should you look for him."
The Praetor tells a slave to fetch him some water and tosses his goblet at him. "Their is also another way to approach Akiton. The miners of Akiton have had it the worst since the economic collapse. If you could harness their anger and incite them to riot, they could make for a worthy distraction and halt the already unsteady finances of the planet. A human by the name of Yuri Vistoblik is leading a union of the workers against the corporations. He is currently wanted for sedition."
"An lastly, my favorite. Infiltrate a corporation and use its infrastructure to your advantage. The Sons of Lau Shu Po have their fingers in many failing corporations. Some of their failing has to do with their mixing of religion with business. This group of Ysoki are desperate to keep a float for this very reason. A failure to produce is a failure to properly appease their god. They may seek outside investors in their desperation. This is just one example, you may come across others."
The Kasatha smiles, though none of the Azlanti can see it under his heavy helmet. "The Union Rioters Sound Fun. Simple Solutions."
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Lord Borak chuckles. "You see, Shess? Even as you speak of Eox and the Veskarium as obstacles, no sooner are the words out of your mouth, then you hear that they are not the barricades you had thought them to be.
Now, it will bother you, I imagine, as to how I already knew about these things, and how I lead you to state your obvious ignorance of them, only to be corrected by the good Praetor here. But try not to let this unfortunate loss of face bother you too much. Many have tried to attack me, only to find themselves lessened greatly. It is the way of things.
With that said, we ARE going to assimilate Akiton. That is what I said! But the advantages of having smugglers already in our ranks are legion! What of mobility? What of logistics? With the small and easily swayed companies of smuggles in our ranks, we can more easily transport crowds of yelling and disruptive rioters from one of our cities, to another city on the other side of the planet, for them to disrupt it there!
With foreigners not yet known to the planet's civil security, we can use their ignorance against them, subverting and moving among them with people they do not know, until it is too late and we have footholds established amongst their populace!
It seems to me, and, I could be wrong here, but it seems that a small group of smugglers would be easier, and quicker, to convince to our cause than an entire planet, however vulnerable it may be. You do not eat the apple all at once, but a bite at a time.
But, if we are at an impasse, then we must needs defer to the good Ashmerain. Ah! I see he has already counseled that we talk to the smugglers first. You are outnumbered, Shess.
One might wonder, that when one is in a room of the very wise, and one finds oneself alone in one's belief, one might wonder how wise oneself is to begin with?
But that is for later. Shall we prepare a ship to visit the good Vic73R?"
Ashmerain smiles slightly before clearing his throat and saying, "Lord Borak, you need not be so hasty in your judgment of my standing. Despite my position in the clergy, I am not required to side with nobility. I believe I have a plan that we all can agree to.
We first recruit Vic73R, as Lord Borak suggests. We then use his talent for rabble rousing and sowing civil unrest to provoke riots among the Akitonian miners. We recruit the union leader to direct them, and use the promise of easy minerals to recruit Sori. With Sori secured, we go to Varangot and secure her loyalty with the promise of a steady supply of ships.
Once we have them under our control, we can topple or conquer the Sons of Lao Shu Po and any other businesses, likely with pressure from the pirates. We then go to Contemplative and get his kind sympathetic to our cause. Once Akiton has come under our control, we move on Absalom station.
How does that plan sound?"
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"Excellent! A most excellent plan, Ashmerain, member of the clergy," Lord Borak smiles and says, clapping his hands together in a manner that assures you that this was your idea all along, of course. "You see what collaboration can bring?
There, if we are all in accordance, I believe we have a ship waiting for us?"
"It seems a plan has been decided."
"A ship? I expect a schematic for maintenance purposes." Shess then bows formally, "I will see to it personally that Borak's lavatory is in working order so that the refuse that sprays out whenever he opens his mouth doesn't need to get all over the ship."
"That plan sounds acceptable. Once you leave Empire space your records will be wiped and you will not have any official link to the Azlanti people. This mission is your only concern until it is completed. I will contact you when I deem it appropriate, do not attempt to contact me. This silent take over has many cogs, this team is but one. Do your part and you will be rewarded. Any other questions?"
Shess will straighten to attention and fall silent.
Uzur clasps both of his right hands against his chest in a salute, standing to attention.
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"I have, ah, but one minor request. For so, ah, august a mission, might we have some resources laid in store? I speak of course of filthy lucre and the like.
Though gold is but dross, the sheep we will seek to influence tend to be swayed by it. If we show up with grandiose plans, but have pockets as empty as paupers, we might end before we begin.
You would not have that is rightfully ours be kept from us for the sake of a few thousands shekels, would you?"
"Once you are ready to depart I will give you the location of a contact. She will have more supplies for you that have been collected locally, including local currency. " Praetor answers Lord Borak's question and produces an image of an older female Elf.
"This is Velith Dresperax. One of our most effective agents in the Pact-Worlds. For the all intents and purposes in this mission she is my voice and my will. When I need to contact you it will be through her. "
You all board your ship without further instructions. Your ship will be one among many aboard a single Drift capable carrier that will take you to the a friendly near space system. This will take one week. There you will be able to initiate your own drift drive and finish the trip to the Diaspora.
Shess spends his time apart from the group taking up residence in the room closest to the engine room or workshop.
Uzur accepts Borak's invitation, though he never drinks the liquor and his moves in King-is-Dead are pedestrian at best, and just plain bad at worst. He doesn't seem to listen to any of Borak's stories, though it's hard to tell as he seems to wear the face-covering armor at all times.
He sets his room up in an unused storage bay, the smallest one he can find. The entire room consists of a cot and his armor's storage bay, and when he is not asleep in the bed or engaged in another task, he stands on the bridge, watching the viewscreens in a stoic pose.
Ashmerain takes up Borak's offer to play King-Is-Dead several times. He often utilises obscure strategies, his favourites being the Ammelon Gambit and the Seven Mighty Fists of Hrukka. However, he declines of offer of the liquor. While he can hold his own in discussions of history and warfare, he is able to soundly outmatch Lord Borak in discussions of theology.
Ashmerain sets up his room in one of the crew quarters. He assembles a small shrine to Lisalla in one corner. His prayers to Lisalla often keep whoever is in the cabin next to him awake late at night, and are often a rude awakening in the morning. Once or twice, the morning prayers are replaced by what seem to be meows coming from his telescreen along with Ashmerain talking in a somewhat adoring tone.
The week goes by uneventful. When you arrive at the near space system it is as pitiful as you imagined. A weak sub-species of goblinoids makes up the majority of the population, but they at least know their place and bow deep when ever an Azlanti walks by. There are three planets in the system, you are currently aboard a small Azlanti space station, small that is for an Azlanti Station. It easily dwarfs Abaslom Station in size and population.
Uzur takes the bridge to pilot the ship, though when he is behind the nav controls, he takes off the ubiquitous armor. He also locks everyone else out of the bridge while he is not in his armor and will only communicate by comms.
Uzur responds to Lord Borak's demands and is able to barley chart an acceptable course resulting in maximum travel time. You should arrive at your destination in a month. Perhaps more time to prepare, or...
About 10 days in hyperspace the ship's computer shows a collection of shapes heading toward the ship. They are not other ships.
[dice=Piloting for the "shapes"]1d20+5[/dice] These simple things seem to be mindlessly heading straight for the ship
Ashmerain focuses for a moment before saying, "Hm, those look like Drift Bats. They are incredibly manoeuvrable, but not especially fast. We could likely outrun them. Then again we could blast them into a fine dust as well. Always a good option."
Shess looks at the view screen and hears the comms chatter. He plugs in a long able to his special datapad and quickly rushes over to the power core. Fiddling between the controls on the pad and dials and levers at the core, Shess diverts power from the kitchen to the engines.
All around the ship the sound of the engines grows much louder than it has ever been thus far. The light hum has turned into a low roar.
Uzur gives a growl from the cockpit and steadily increases thrusters, trying to gain an edge on the flying shapes.