The Last Executor

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

***ABY 25***
***Kuat Drive Yards***

“She’s glorious is she not?”

Stretched out before the Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle was a vast super structure, it had been lain down early this cycle and commissioned as the first of its kind to be built post-Endor. To everyone’s knowledge the remainder were lost, gone to the far reaches of space as dead husks, scrap or owned by Warlords like Zsinj. None were currently remaining in Imperial Naval Service and it was a slight to the Imperial Navy that their most staunch symbol was not in their own service.

It was a symbol of might and the ultimate authority. Should even the presence of one enter a system it was told that the local governments would immediately fold their arms and seek parlay. These vessels of war held no peer and ruled over all as the most dominant vessels in the Galaxy. They were battlestations propelled by mighty engines powerful enough to give an entire Sector energy for more than a cycle. They were statues declaring the supremacy of the Galactic Empire. They were technological wonders to pronounce the advancement of human-kind and Imperialism.

They, like this one, were among the few warships of its kind. Few enough to count on two hands throughout history…

They were the Executor-class Super Star Destroyers…

Nineteen kilometers of hard Imperial steel to shovel out and dispense justice upon the unruly of the Galaxy and to represent that the Empire was still the dominant force it ever was. In a time where the Empire ruled the entirety of the Galaxy, a force defining order was needed. Death Stars had been tried and failed at extreme cost of resources and loss of loyal Imperial lives and thus they would never be attempted again. But to add to the glory and ferocity of the Navy… that was a worthy goal indeed.

To boost the strength of a mobile force to police and crack down on the unruly, this was the Imperial Doctrine in physical form.

Chief Engineer Webster stood next to Admiral Braxis Train as they stared out a viewport of their Lambda, surveying the keel as the finishing touches were conducted. At the moment she was but a frame of steel and wire, but this was the tedious measure of such a ship of vast proportions. Setting the frame was the base of which the rest of the vessel would be forged upon.

“Yes she is,” Braxis bluntly stated, emotion slaved away from his tone. The upcoming Admiral was ill satisfied with a duty such as overseeing a ship being built but he was taking to his task with the poise of the Admirality he’d been granted as well as the promise of a lofty position once the initial phases of the Executor was completed, “Waste no time Mr. Webster. By last report we were two weeks ahead of schedule. I’d very much like to keep it that way. Speaking of which, what is the status of the next shipment of components?”

Webster diligently produced a dataslate and shuffled through it, “Three rotations and the next convoy should arrive. They were delayed by dissidents along the Hydian Way, no losses thankfully.”

Braxis turned to the Chief Engineer, “Increase security to all convoys then. Any further delays will risk our prompt efforts here. I will not have common criminals prey upon my good name. Also, send a dispatch to the 2nd Fleet to crack down on any such dissidents. Involve the Security Bureau if you must to root them out and stamp the fools from existence.”

“Of course Admiral.” Webster swiftly made his notes just as a light on his dataslate appeared. He accepted the text packet, read it, then turned to his superior. “Sir, the Board is assembling.”

A long sigh erected from Braxis, “Very well.” Opening a channel to the cockpit he voiced his next delegation. “Pilot, return us to the Yard immediately.”

With that the Lambda Shuttle gently banked and oriented its nose back towards a massive Drydock Station that was set apart from the intricate construction ring around the world of Kuat…

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

Touching down, Admiral Train was already down the ramp by the time his attendants caught up to him; they handed him dataslate after dataslate in which he retroactively signed with his seal and signature and passed it back. Part orders, personnel transfers and other mundane things which he’d likely have passed on to a subordinate but Train was very much a hands on man and reluctant to let much slip through his fingers, some would say he was a micromanager.

A slurry of Engineers and Technicians fell in behind him, all with plans and blueprints of their own respective component in which they were assigned. This meeting was but another in a series of small near pointless tri-weekly meetings which Train preferred to hold in person rather than simply holocall or courier. His insistence however did manage to keep security channels tight for one could not hack a meeting as one would do a transmission.

They arrived within the conference room and Train moved immediately to his seat at the head of a large ovular table though he did not sit. He leaned forward and hit the holoprojector activation and the red image of the Executor popped up and slowly rotated in place.

“Ahead of schedule is only a turn of phrase people. We have to get our component to installation phase moving upwards in the margin line by fifteen percent or else we’ll find ourselves buried once the next convoy arrives,” he stood up straight and glared a moment, “which I will remind you all, is three rotations late as of this morning.”

He turned to his Chief Engineer, “Mr. Webster, proceed if you please.”

Immediately the Chief Engineer burst into a wide berth of data. Primarily informing and keeping the other many heads of every operational branch up to speed with all other progress. Much focus though was set upon the Executor-50.x Engine Systems. Thirteen of these massive powered drives would be installed within the Executor Dreadnought and they would be the basis in which the frame could be completed. Once each engine was secured within the housing then much of the other tasks would begin. But they all revolved around the Executor-50.x’s.

These engines weren’t just daunting in number but the sheer size dwarfed any conventional drive system even to the point of a size capable of swallowing a full size Imperial-class Star Destroyer in it. Their scale was literally improbable. But the reality was that they were very real indeed and the tech involved in their construction and fitting was top of the line Imperial Military grade excellence.

“We’ve scheduled the arrival of the first three Executor-50.x Drives within thirty hours. Once they arrive the fitting process will begin immediately. Tugs will be on standby to set the first drive by 0100 hours and I expect the drive will be secured within the housing by 0400 hours. Crews will continue to set the engine units until all three are set, then the remainder of the work day will be utilized in ensuring that each drive is in place and is installed properly.” He flipped through several pages on his dataslate, “By 1330 hours of the next rotation I’ve scheduled system checks on the drives and by 1900 hours they should be rounded and complete. We’ll then see to a unit test at 2100 hours GST. Expect all hands present and accounted for during the test to cover any unexpected factors.”

Webster turned back to Braxis who nodded and took the meeting back over. “Thank you Chief Engineer. Send the specifics to my desk and I’ll review them once we adjourn here.” Braxis was very methodical in how he ran things, a testament to the quality of his station but it should be well known though that the only true thing on Braxis Train's mind was Braxis Train. While he hated the toils of such a tedious task as overseeing the construction of a starship, he'd actually lobbied for the position within the admiralty and through a string of favors he'd landed the position as OIC of the operation. Overall it would grant Braxis incredible clout and position if he successfully oversaw and ensured the timely completion of very literally the most mighty ship in the Imperial Starfleet. Indeed, he was likely looking at a minimum command of one of the Imperial Fleets as a High Admiral. Perhaps even something loftier as either the Admin Grand Admiral of the Navy or even the actual Grand Admiral of the Navy itself?

After a following hour of posturing and pointing through the vines of politics, even in this instance, Braxis made to close out the meeting. "Mr. Nurheim." Braxis addressed the Master Electrician contracted to oversee the complete stern to keel wiring of the Executor, "Before we close out, what is the status on the Executor-50.x Engine mounts? Surely you are to undertake the final inspections today?"

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

Meanwhile, off in the distance towards the rear of the gigantic frame sat in the grip of the vacuum an absolutely massive engine. It was to be the first of the Executor-50.x drives to be installed into the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer. A hundred tugs surrounded the beastly metal monstrosity, guiding it forward on the propellant of their tractor beams and repulsor coils. They were moving agonizingly slow towards the dormant monolithic titanium-durasteel frame but for good reason.

One wrong move and the sheer size and weight of the Executor-50.x could crush, quite literally, anything that made to stand against it. It could crumple the thickest steel like paper and shatter the sturdiest ferrocrete like stained glass. Momentum alone when concerning this mighty engine drive was a deadly factor of its own.

Imperial professionalism though held firm here as the tug crews slowly and methodically guided the first of three engines towards the housing in which they would be set within and secured in a permanent fashion. Ten more would follow, but the first three… no, the first engine was the most crucial as it would put to the test the Imperial Craftsmanship put into the vessel thus far. While Braxis Train had no doubt that such an endeavor would succeed, he was obtaining moment by moment updates to his personal dataslate.

During the transit from the Imperial Drydock, where the Executor-50.x was built, to the engine housing within the Executor itself, dozens of technicians in Utility-class Zero-G Suits maneuvered all over the drive itself as they enacted the finishing touches on the engine coupling itself. Ensuring that everything was precise and ready to go was of absolute importance during this phase of the operation. Of all the systems, the drive units were probably the most crucial to the construction phase. Many droids were also buzzing around the Executor-50.x, making scans, recording the process and tending to the workmen to ensure they needed for nothing.

The Utility Suits would be out in the vacuum for approximately three hours during transit from A to B. Should any incidents occur it would be the droids who were the first responders and they were equipped with most of the gear they needed to handle the mundane occurrences. Small suit breaches, extra oxygen, spare tools, energy packs and so on.

As the tediously slow procession moved directly behind the Executor, the thrust velocity changed course and the Executor-50.x was oriented into the correct angle and elevation. Approximately after ten minutes of maneuvering, the tugs began the final leg of the operation as they just began to pass under the rear frame work of the Executor’s stern section. From a great distance it did not appear that they were very far but in reality they were in fact several kilometers away from the target engine housing section where they’d install the first engine drive unit and in turn their first milestone in the construction process.

Ten technicians, if not more, floated around the connection tubes as they prepared the fuel lines, power cables, conduits, emergency shut offs, fuses and failsafe measures, the connections points and just in general they prepped the engine for its’ installation. This seemed to be a defining moment… all eyes were focused hard on the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer as her first engine unit inched closer and closer to the housing.

It would soon be a symbol that this vessel was really being built and progress was definitely being made…

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Silas Karn...

Not a single individual was more nervous than the master electrician Tarash Nurheim as the first of the engines neared its intended mount. A lengthy and quite weighted conversation held his full attention as the brusque admiral hammered him with inquiries. The last of which was by far the most impactful, "Surely you are to undertake final inspections today?" Nurheim knew that Braxis wasn't asking this time; he was demanding action. Looking the pious naval officer in the eye Tarash quickly responded, "The technicians have already been notified to wait until I grant final clearance to install the Executor-50.x drive. Of course that means we must now Part Company as it seems the schedule is still being surpassed."

Seeing that Braxis was not yet appeased Nurheim quickly added, “If you will excuse me admiral." Swiftly, the master electrician took his leave of the admiral and departed for the nearest airlock. Though immensely knowledgeable in regards to his field, Nurheim had in large part deferred field work to those that worked under him. After such a tense meeting with Braxis however, it seemed that disparity would soon be amended. In minutes the scholar had secured a utility class Zero-G of his own and began the long venture down to the primary hangar of the imperial Drydock. A plethora of turbolifts and security doors later Nurheim reached his destination and approached the Hangar Chief.

“Admiral Train has authorized my departure to the build site. I am formally requesting escort to the build site.” The young lieutenant looked the master electrician over with a hint of suspicion seeping through his stoic countenance. Motioning to Nurheim the hangar chief followed protocol and scanned the electrician’s credentials and verified the man’s identity before proceeding further. “Everything checks out. Follow me to platform 4 and I will allocate a transport and two technicians to accompany you.” Nurheim complied and the pair walked out into the vast expanse of the hangar to an awaiting DX-9 shuttle. In minutes they were met with two workers who had just finished their allotted downtime and were preparing to start another shift.

“Master Nurheim, these men will be acting as your escorts and aiding you in the completion of your assigned duty. I took the liberty of ensuring that both of them carry licenses as pilots should there be any accidents.” The lieutenant paused a moment before adding, “There will BE no such incidents!” Both men then nodded in acknowledgement before showing Nurheim to his seat. After mandatory systems checks the three departed the magcon field of the hangar en route to the build site.

Upon their arrival, minutes ahead of the slowly toted Executor-50.x drive, the pair of technicians aided Nurheim into his Zero-G suit. One then elected to remain behind as the other was also suited up before leading the master electrician out of the transport’s air-lock. After clearing the vessel Nurheim opened a channel back to Braxis. “Admiral Train this is Nurheim, I am inbound to the #1 engine mount.” Everything was going smoothly, perhaps too smoothly.

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

The tug unit that slowly pulled the gigantic Executor-50.x Drive was continuous in their task. Never once did they falter though they did swap out pilots. This was the eighth hour of their shift and Admiral Train had ensured that no mistakes would be had by rotating all personnel on a regular basis; this included the tug pilots.

During the transportation of the incredibly expensive engine from the Drydock to the Engine Mount, the course of sixteen hours had been delivered to the construction efforts and this would be the final shift change until the monumental task of inserting the first of the thirteen Executor-50.x Drives was completed to perfection as per the Imperial Navy standard of all their operational tasks. In fact, such perfection was demanded two or three fold here as this vessel would be the symbolic titan of the future. A symbol to strike eternal fear in the enemies set against it.

After a generous amount of time a Lamdba-class T-4a Shuttle cruised into view. Its running lights oscillated in continuous fashion as the sublight drives pressed the light starship forward until the eclipsing shadow of the Executor’s superstructure swallowed the light of Kuat’s star thus dropping the Lambda Shuttle into the ominous shade of this war machine.

“Pilots; seal your suits and prepare for the transfer.”

The call came from the pilot of the Lambda Shuttle over the internal intercom system and the twenty passengers immediately began getting ready. The Load Master of the Shuttle, once each Tug Pilot was prepared, would check each pilot thoroughly; to ensure a proper seal had been established, safety lines were connected and their integrity was firm, oxygen tanks were sufficiently filled and also that their integrity was solid, short range comm.-links were online to receive and transmit, magnetic boots were activated and finally that strobe lights were secured and in working order that should the safety line break and the individual become adrift the location of said personnel would be possible.

Once each and every man was accounted for and ready the Load Master sent the cockpit an update and thus the Lambda Shuttle pilot began the final approach while the co-pilot sealed off the cockpit. Within moments the cabin began to depressurize though the artificial gravity remained for now. The Load Master ushered them all to the exit ramp as the Pilot brought the Shuttle down within a reasonable distance to the first tug.

As the cabin finished depressurizing the ramp was opened and the Load Master moved to stand just on the lip of the ramp while motioning for the first fresh Tug Pilot to approach and he did so. After a confirmed sight picture on the target tug, the Load Master gave the signal and the Tug Pilot cut the power to his boot’s magnetization at which time the Load Master helped the Tug Pilot push himself to the tug.

The safety line was connected to a reel so there was no fear in losing this man.

Over the course of three full minutes the Tug Pilot finally arrived, capturing himself on the Tug’s fuselage and reengaging his boots. Once secure the hatch to the Tug cockpit opened and the fatigued pilot reached up and clasped himself to the safety line. He then climbed out and exchanged positions with the Tug Pilot and once he fresh man was set he detached his line and allowed the Load Master to reel in the fatigued Pilot.

Back at the Tug the new Pilot sealed the cockpit and pressurized it so that he could remove his survival suit’s seal and begin piloting the Tug as per his duty.

This process was to be repeated over the course of the next hour until all Tug Pilots had been exchanged for fresh men. And so the clock of construction continued to tick on without slowing and without pause. As the distance between the Executor-50.x Drive and the Engine Mount reduced more and more, the moment of truth was at hand.

Within the span of two more hours the Tugs would finally bring the massive engine into place and the Engineering Team would take over in securing the engine to its’ permanent setting…

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

The process was long and thorough but as the time ticked onwards the inspections of the engine mounts, connectors and the Executor-50.x Drive were completed ahead of their due schedule. Master Technician Nurheim presented his signature upon the final document which meant the ‘green light’ to install the Executor-50.x Drive into the engine mount and officially establish the classification of this superstructure and frame as a vessel. Once it had an engine it would then be classed as such. Until then though it was just a metal frame… 19 kilometers long.

With the command to proceed with the operation given, the fleet of tug boats surrounding the Executor-50.x Drive increased their throttle by 3% and poured more power into the tractor beam harnesses in which overall the Drive then sped along through the final approach. It still took another full hour but upon arriving within half a click of the engine mount, the tugs reversed thrust and pushed their throttles wide open.

Mass in space was easily moved but once momentum was built up it was difficult to control and in this case; to slow down. Each and every tug red lined their powerful repulsor drive engines in order to effectively slow this mighty piece of Imperial technology and prepare it for installation.

The speed fell slowly as the distance decreased at a violent clip. But no one was even close to panicking at this time. The men and women hired to pilot the tugs and the technicians and engineers hired to construct this behemoth of a ship were top of the line. Professionals in their trade and their trade was the craftsmanship of space fairing vessels. Granted this one was by far more massive than anything they’d ever come to build again but the overall experience was worth it.

The over sized Executor-50.x Drive now finally came within a quarter click to its destination and yet the tugs continued to slow it down. The meticulous methods in the care taken to install this engine drive were astronomical. Yet the engine came ever closer and the recipients of the Executor-50.x Drive were now getting into position. Literally hundreds of men in Utility-class Zero G Suits were buzzing around the engine mount of the first of thirteen engines, preparing and making last minute adjustments and overall just ensuring that every possible avenue of failure was being taken into account.

One sixteenth of a click now and finally the Zero-G Units began streaming out from their positions nestled within the large frame of the ship. They ‘attacked’ the Executor-50.x Drive and began attaching cables, safety lines, power conduits and hot energy lines, fuel lines… it was a complicated process all the while more men were back within the framed structure, reeling the mighty sublight drive in.

The tugs detached once they’d arrived to a hundred feet and from there they broke off and began heading out towards the Drydock where a pair of Executor-50.x Drives sat immobile within the Drydock’s tractor beams.

Meanwhile the first of the Executor-50.x Drives had been slowed to a literal crawl as the army of Zero-G Technicians and Engineers guided it in. First the bow of the engine entered the mount with little effort and over the course of the following hour the rest of the Drive was inserted until it was finally locked into place and sealed.

As per the schedule, the first tests of this Executor-50.x Drive would begin in just a few hours. All of which those hours would be used in welding the mount to the engine itself and officially establishing the engine as a permanent fixture.

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

Tests of the newly installed Executor-50.x Drive were well into the swing of their progress as the army of technical staff horded around the device like gnats to a bantha. Hardly noticed but they most certainly were there. Diligently they proceeded with their toils until they found the end and moved on to the next task.

Master Tech Nurheim was sitting in his Utility-class Zero-G Unit, unmoving and seemingly adrift as his armored unit began listing away from the Executor-50.x. In reality he was scrawling over masses of technical readouts and plans as well as reports from completed inspections. Thus far everything was looking great with only two inspections failed. Of those two the first was a simple power coupling that was already being replaced and the other was a failed sensor module that was kept on hand and had been replaced immediately.

Retests of those systems were being scheduled but he’d already got the green light from Admiral Train to proceed as the failed tests were insignificant to the overall operation of the Executor-50.x.

Complying with his well paying employer, Nurheim activated the broadband comm.. “All personnel. This is Tech Nurheim. Pre-tests are complete. Dry test will commence in thirty minutes. Please clear the area and return to your designated airlock. I say again, please vacate the Executor-50.x Drive’s vicinity.”

With that news, yellow caution and strobe lights kicked on and helped alert everyone that the area was to be removed of personnel that the first dry test be executed on the brand new engine. The personnel quickly vacated and head counts began as Nurheim himself flew in towards the engine housing where he connected his personal terminal and powered it up.

It took several long moments for the device to sync with the engine’s brain but once done the device began cycling through system’s checks. All of which flipped from yellow pending to green ready status. One after the other the systems made green. Over one hundred and fifty in fact and methodically Nurheim rechecked each one to physically confirm his findings. But as time ticked on he came to his thirty minute deadline faster than he’d have liked.

He was nervous. Knowing that failure here would likely have him thrown in some forgotten cell on some forgotten backwater prison world and his family assets seized by the state. Everything was riding on his success here. Indeed he was an Imperial Citizen and under private contract. That didn’t however mean that he wasn’t exempt from the Empire’s wrath should he fail.

But as he worked and completed his due diligence, the final streamlined tests gave him little doubt that the Executor-50.x would pass its final inspection and be activated.

He unclasped the wired connection and established the wireless one. This done he drifted away on navigational thrusters until he was at a reasonable safe distance at which point he turned around and faced the massive engine. With great trepidation his finger hovered over the activation stud and he sat there for a long time until finally his finger fell upon it.

A signal shot through the distance and into the brain of the engine. Power was kicked on and all throughout the Executor-50.x Drive the systems came alive. Most notably the fuel pumps which began siphoning fuel from the belly of the ship and into the filters to be brought finally to the firing turbines. Then the first spark was engaged and the power core of the Executor was brought online in which it thrust power into the Drives and gave mechanical life to the engine. With a loud spool the Executor-50.x Drive powered up and deep from within the center of the engine came a bright pin of light that rose and became expansive until it dominated the thruster housing.

Raw power exhumed itself from the Drive and displayed its awesome potential and Nurheim breathed a heavy sigh of relief as cheers broke through the comms of their successes here today.

With the first fire of the engine complete. The dominos would begin to fall much faster now. Even at this moment the tugs were returning to the Drydocks to retrieve the next two Executor-50.x Drives for their installment. All in the meantime other convoy vessels were arriving in the multitudes to deliver their wares and further the progress of the last Executor-class Super Star Destroyer…

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Titus M. Drake...

+++++ Kuat - Planetside +++++
Kuat had long been a stronghold of the Empire. It's drive yards had produced countless Star Destroyer class star ships and the many variants. Partly out of pride and partly out of the sheer monetary value, Kuat was tied to the Empire just as the Empire was tied to it. While the vast interstellar ships were the most obvious products of the Kuat system there were countless other weapons of war produced in system. But the one thing that Kuat lacked in that had to be brought in from the outside was certain types of man power. As much as they hated to admit it the Kuat system could not match certain other systems in regards to martial power, raw martial power. The kind of power that it takes to conquer a galaxy. Or in this case, retake a home world. Security within the system had doubled easily over night when the keel of the giant vessel had been laid. Biometric scanning, recognition programs, nothing was left to chance and many millions of credits alone had been dropped onto surveillance and security measures. No second chances were given, those found in violation, no matter the standing, were hauled off. Those that returned never spoke of what happened and those that didn't, well new stories were made up. Most whispered about new mines being dug on planets near the outer core while others simply stated far darker and more gruesome ends. The truth was somewhere in between.
While a vast majority of the work was focused on the rings that orbited the planet, the greater significant portion of the vast monitoring arrays and such were handled by heavily guarded bases on the planet itself. These reinforced fortresses were independent in form and function, limiting the chance of a single strike taking out the vast network. Security measures were doubled, checked and doubled again. Redundancy procedures were increased tenfold and were on a constantly rotating and changing timeline so that the true main power source was never known. Even if one were to take out multiple aspects of the great networking system there were hidden caches all over the planet and in orbit to pick up the slack. The Empire had never let its guard down with Kuat, it was far to valuable and with the fall of Coruscant it brought that to almost paranoia levels. It was on the landing pad of one such garrison that Titus Drake stepped off the shuttles boarding ramp and onto the well worn surface of Kuat itself. This was his first visit to the planet and the scale of the operations had taken him with awe. Such large scale operations were unseen in many other parts of the galaxy and for someone who until recently was out on the outer reaches of the Empire's realm this was a bit of a culture shock. Planetside however revealed a beautiful world, one of militaristic design but also allowing civilians to live a comfortable and meaningful life. Titus was amazed at the melding of the two extreme sides of the coin and found that his earlier reservations of working on Operation Stormshield were slowly evaporating.
Lieutenant General Drake cut an impressive figure as he surveyed the landing field set within the garrison complex of Mittels Point. He wore his standard armored unit officers uniform with his heavy blaster pistol strapped to his waist and his cap was low on his forehead, a trait he adopted from the Stormtrooper officers from his time spent on Carida. While he was working on Operation Stormshield his duties at the academy world would be taken over by the newest academy in training master. However Titus would hold the overall authority even if he was a number of sectors away. Constantly updating files were being sent to his dataslate to keep him appraised of the situation. He was however not entirely worried about Carida, the latest academy in training master was proving to be efficient and self sustaining. Titus held high hopes for him but he wasn't about to give away that command so easily. It had only been a number of months since he had sacked the previous academy master for his dereliction of duties and he would not allow that to happen again. He contemplating establishing his command on Carida but that had changed when he was issued with new orders. Operation Stormshield. The exact details of the Operation were omitted from his orders but upon arriving in Kuat and seeing the massive keel set within the dry docks it became self explanatory. Operation Stormshield wasn't so much a deterrent as it was another safety aspect. Just another backup should the inevitable happen, something the Empire was putting into place after learning hard lessons with the destruction of the last Executor and the Deathstars.
Across the landing field a number of aides and officers stood to attention as Titus walked towards them, taking in all of the details at once and making notes as he always did that he would bring up at a later date. As one the officers and aides saluted and Titus returned it in his typical crisp manner. Minor pleasantries over the commanding officer of the garrison, Major Andrew Belvate, fell into step with Titus as they continued walking towards the command center. "Lieutenant General Drake, a pleasure to have you here at Mittel's Point Garrison. I hope you are pleased with what you see so far?" Titus nodded though he kept the criticism from his voice for now. Failings as such that he was bringing forward would be better put to private ears and not a dress down in front of subordinates. "It was, thank you Major. I trust that you are aware of what we are doing here?" The major nodded and pointed to various large shipping crates stationed around the landing field, slowly being taken inside to an underground facility. "I am sir. They arrived just this morning and another shipment is due within the hour. That is the last of them now that are being prepared to be taken bellow." Large lifter droids were slowly carrying the large containers down a large ramp into the darkness bellow, the shuffling of their large feet giving a distinctive sound down the tight passageway. "Excellent. Then we should be able to start once the volunteers arrive." The major nodded once more. "Everything has been prepared as per your instructions sir." They reached the doors to the command center and Titus allowed the major to key in the correct codes and the thickly armored doors slowly opened before them, the major of course offering Titus to step inside first which Titus of course took. The major turned and dismissed the entourage that had been assembled on the landing pad before following after Titus.

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Krynn Karn...

The Executor....

...what a Vessel if not but the Largest and Grandest the Empire may afford. Dominant and equal to No other save for the super Dreadnaughts of an age long past. Efficient in her make to direct her compliment, fully, upon her quary. Yet for all that she stood for as a monument to the Empire's Force and treasury it was also its downfall. Should it fall in battle how many lives would fall with it? Worse over is the bleak possibility of losing her to the other side of war by way of a raid. In so doing the only sure fire methode to obtain a prize such as the Executor Class War ship would be to attack her internal systems then turn them against her crew. Suineg Liv'e was one man who could put a stop to that very tactic and thusly was commissioned to do so by his Majesty's Rule.

It started with a black box he had designed alone within his appartment.
In secret he salvaged parts and coded programs to creat the perfect cyber Lock but like most Ideas it was stolen for profit of another though the design was sold to the wrong buyer. The Imperial Navy became interested in the prospect of an 'Un-Hackable' fire wall program but when given the item in qustion the thief could not produce definition enough to recreate the divice and was promptly found out, by the ISB, to be indeed a thief. The original owner of the design was contacted promptly and given three times the amount offered to the step in Beneficiary that stole the plans originally. With his honor resurrected and the promise of a life lived as a King Suineg pushed forward to accomplish the task at hand; build it for a starship of the Imperium.

"No! No no and No and-" he stopped to think of something better to say. Something that reflected his status as an Imperial..."-and...more!"
Liv'e was an odd man to say the least but his brilliance wasn't questioned.

"Masta, by my calculations the formula you have given me will not equate to-" "Nonesense!" Bellowed Liv'e. It was his trusty proticol driud and only friend having found and repaired him over the years.
"The reason you cannot see my vision is because your processor isn't that of a Super Computer like the one on the Star Destroyer!!!" The druid reeled in confusion but relented to defeat at his master's word. "Very well sir. Shall I call the admiralty board and have thedevice prepared for departure?"
Liv'e stared at the sphere he simply dubbed 'the Black Box'.

It was something inspired by the old radios that prevented listening by hoping frequencies. The fire walls were just the same...designed to change their pass keys that allowed users to exchange information through them. If a user was logged into the Black Box his access changed its keys in accordance to the same change the firewalls jumped. Only an SKI, Security Key Interface, could log into the black box and admit a new user key. Anything outside the SKI attempting to hack any terminal linked to the Black Box would find no access for when one key may be determined it would instantly change in accordance to the programming. As the keys chnged every 10 seconds. "Tests will have to be run..." "Masta?"

"Alert the Admiralty board that the device is ready for installment but not for comission...." "At once my Masta."

[Master Buggie]

Original post by Argus Kraiov...

The laborous hours strung on as the next two Executor.50x Drives were trolled from their holding center and across the expanse to be lined and coerced slowly into their engine drive mounts. The process was long and tedious. Enduring such a thing took many shifts hours and over two shift changes which were executed as efficiently as the previous ones had been.

Admiral Braxis Train prowled impatiently in the hangar of the Dry Dock where the next two Executor.50x Drives were being assembled and prepared for their trek across the yard for installation. The Dry Dock held the necessary materials for the assembly of the next two engines of the Executor but once these supplies ran dry the schedule will fall delinquent and Train was not known for his forgiveness. Heads would roll until the schedule was made correct once more. Likely the convoys at fault would be stripped of their contractual agreements and maybe even their public shipping licenses. If they couldn’t make the deliveries in a prompt manner then the Empire would find someone that could. Failing that then the Imperial Navy would step in and cancel all civilian contracts. It was a vicious cycle but it was a necessary evil when the public sector was involved.

Braxis was awaiting the arrival of his personal shuttle which was set to bring him over to the Executor where he’d make a tour of the internal construction and after a few hours he’d tour the bridge. But the shuttle was late much like the convoy; apparently some issue with the hydraulic lines overheating and needing replaced on his aging thirty cycle old shuttle. He cursed to himself and made a mental note to have a newer vessel requisitioned later.

He glanced out of the magnetic containment field and from a far distance there came the appearance of bright specks. Much like stars in fact but his trained eyes could recognize a distant starship against the backdrop of space with a nearby star’s light reflecting of the hull. More and more specks twinkled in the distance and soon the vein on his forehead began to pulse with his impatient anger.

Within seconds of that moment his personal communicator broke the silence, “Admiral Train, we have a…”

Train cut the dispatcher off, “Why did it take you more than forty-five seconds to update me?” His question was rhetorical and didn’t need an answer as he continued. “In my time of service I’ve commanded vessels from Frigates to Destroyers and each one was capable of observing reverting vessels in real time and identifying them. You are onboard a Golan Defense Platform. You have no excuse.”

The comm. crackled as the operator fought to find a defense but Train once more spoke. “You are relieved. Put someone on this line that has their head outside of their…” the comm. crackled as the operator was removed from his station and a new operator assigned, “…and competent enough to wipe themselves.”

“Thank you Admiral but I’ll take it from here. We have nineteen vessels reverting from hyperspace approximately twenty-eight thousand kilometers away from Dry Dock Station Two. We’re tracking damage to the convoy but it seems minor. They have not yet presented command codes. We’re intercepting now.”

In the distance four larger wedge shaped vessels ploughed into view and angled in towards the convoy. It was hard to believe that Imperial class Star Destroyers could move so swiftly but indeed, they were. Instantly to the show of force the convoy opened hailing frequencies and established secure connections. Command codes were promptly exchanged and the convoy was spared being turned to slag for their tardy report.

“Codes accepted Admiral. Convoy is enroute and will arrive within the hour. I also have your shuttle arriving in three minutes.”

Train nodded in acceptance, “Good, and have a new one ordered. I won’t have that old trash bucket any longer.”

“Already done Admiral. Is there anything else?”

Finally a smile approached Train’s face. “No, that will be all.” It was about time that some competence returned. If it was the last thing Braxis Train did, he would break the Engineer Echelons and discipline them well to become a fitting example of an off-branch of the Imperial Navy…