SithLore

Rhoden Carbine walked down the bridge of the Hydra, his boots clacking with each step. He came to a stop directly in front of one of the holotables. Jorvan and Haly were standing around the table already, the rest of the squad mingled around the general area, but circled around the table as Rhoden stepped up to it.

The table flickered to life, the image of a single planet appearing and revolving slowly above it. “Sullust.” Rhoden said, looking around at the squad members. “One of the Old Empire’s primary production facilities, with its fair share of databanks and hidden stores.” Rhoden continued. “We’re heading there, immediately.” Jorvan stirred, “What’s the job, Commander?” he asked. “We have received information that a heretofore unknown stockpile of military hardware is hidden beneath the ruins of the Anyak Kor production facility, located here.” Rhoden responded, gesturing to a point on the planet which flashed red. “Also located within the hidden facility there is believed to be several databanks containing information of great value to the Empire. I suggest you begin preparations. We’ll be leaving the Hydra at a forward outpost on the Imperial Border, final approach will be aboard the YT.” Rhoden finished, in a tone of voice which made it clear no further information about the facility itself was forthcoming unless it was deemed mission critical.

There was a slight shudder as the Hydra entered hyperspace, Rhoden stood erect, staring out at the blue swirls. Turning he exited the bridge. Returning to his quarters he pulled a fine cup out and within a few minutes had a steaming cup of mint tea sitting in front of him. He sipped it slowly, letting the smell fill the room. Mint tea, he had decided long ago, sharpened his focus, gave him clarity. It opened his mind, allowing him to see the bigger picture. And so he sat, lost in thought, as the Hydra hurtled toward the Imperial border.


Rhoden felt the shudder as the Hydra dropped out of hyperspace and, standing up, he put his helmet on and headed for the hangar. The Hydra would be standing by to respond should Inferno Squad need assistance, but that would be only if an unforeseen circumstance called for such aid. For purposes of stealth, though, Inferno Squad would be landing in the YT-2000 freighter at one of Sullust’s cities.

The freighter set down in a landing bay. Rhoden stepped out, now in civilian clothes and light disguise. He paid the exorbitant landing fee and closed the doors to the bay, bathed in temporary darkness as the interior lights flickered on slowly. “Alright everyone, you have your reconnaissance routes. Let’s get started.” Rhoden said. They exited the hangar and went off in different directions, Rhoden and Jorvan heading directly to the bar.

“Rhoden, so good to see you again.” a quiet voice sounded from beside him, “Ah, Turan, it’s good to see you to.” Rhoden replied, as they sat inside a booth and the sound barrier went up. Rhoden didn’t know to what species Turan belonged, and the man wouldn’t say but that didn’t concern Rhoden, his information was reliable. “What do you know about Anyak Kor?” Rhoden asked. “Only that it is an old Imperial production facility, long abandoned. There’s been no activity by any parties there in many a cycle.” Turan’s voice, as usual, was little more than a whisper. Rhoden nodded, “That’s good. Anything we should watch out for in the city?” he asked, Turan bowed his head “The only typical concern is the patrollers, they are well trained and heavily armed. But no match for you, my friend.” A droid rolled up with their drinks and the rest of their time passed catching up on what the other had been doing since last they spoke, slowly being joined by the other members of Inferno Squad.

“You say the pirate Bareil has resurfaced?” Turan said, some of his fur bristling. “I feel sorry for him, you will be hunting him of course.” Rhoden smiled, “Yeah, no idea how he weaseled out of that one but I’ve got a mission lined up after this one, hopefully get a lead on where he’s operating from these days.” he was feeling slightly uncomfortable now with the rest of the squad sitting around, the booth fit them well enough but it was meant for smaller parties. “I will inform you should I hear anything.” Turan said, looking down as a device on his wrist gave a trilling beep. “I must go now, old friend. Good fortune to you.” Rhoden nodded, “And to you.”

Keas stepped off of the shuttle that brought him to Sullust. He looks around as he paid what was left of the trip fare he asked a local where to get a drink and the pointed in the direction of a bar and then walked off. Keas headed to the bar to get a drink and as he entered he looked around the place and then proceeded to walk to the end of the bar where he could keep an eye on the entire room.

Rhoden and the rest of Inferno Squad returned to the freighter for the night and fell in early, all except for Rhoden, who remained up reading their surveillance reports though he did, admittedly, go to bed earlier than was usual. He woke up the next morning and stood up, yawning as he stretched. He threw on his civilians clothes and headed to a small building which served as an information provider for any tourist brave enough to hazard Sullust.

"Hello, what might I do for you, sir." a rather ill maintained protocol droid asked as Rhoden entered, the bored looking Sullustan sitting behind the counter said nothing. "Just wonderi' if there's any interesting locations 'round here that I could take a look at, stuck here for a few weeks and I've got nothin' better to do." Rhoden said. "Of course, good sir, there are several notable locations including..." Rhoden listened with only half an ear as the droid rattled on, "...and of course the old mining facility Anyak Kor, which was owned and operated by the Empire. It has long since been out of service and is off limits, but it can be easily seen from the edge of the city." the droid finished. "Thanks." Rhoden said noncommittally grabbing several brochures at random and walking out.

Rhoden walked into the same bar once more later in the day, accompanied by Jorvan, Pyrs, and Haly. "From what I've seen the patrollers don't pose much of a threat, they're complacent, not well trained, and even if they noticed us heading out to the facility I doubt they'd care." Pyrs said. Rhoden nodded, "There's a minimal military presence, just a small base on the far side of the city, they'd be slow to respond to any move we make on the facility, again, that's only if they notice or care." Haly put in. "If thing's turn sour I've located several areas we can rig, keep 'em busy here." Jorvan added, "Major sewer system runs under the major patrol station, we rig it to blow and half the building drops into the tunnels. We can disrupt power supply to several smaller patrol stations and the defense grid on the military base--they'll probably have their own generators but it'll distract 'em."

Rhoden smiled, "Very good, we'll disrupt the power supply to the patrol stations and military base, have the other plan as a backup." Jorvan nodded and sat back. Rhoden reached for his drink but paused, he saw a very familiar person on the other side of the bar. The bounty hunter, Rhoden hadn't gone with a particularly heavy disguise--nothing that would necessarily fool anyone who knew him. He wondered if the bounty hunter would notice him, and whether or not that would be good or bad.

As Keas looked around the bar and noticed the Commander sitting down with some other people and wondered what they were doing here at a place like this. He walked over with his drink in hand and sat down nodding to the Commander.

"Looks like you all just came off the transports. You looking for something to do here?"

Rhoden looked the bounty hunter over. While he certainly wasn't going to tell him what they were there for he could be useful. "We've already got something planned. You, however, could prove useful." Rhoden said. "Just go about whatever business you have here, skulk around, keep an eye out and tell us anything of note." Rhoden said.

"The Empire will of course compensate you for your efforts--and if you're still around when things go down we could use you as a distraction." Rhoden added, as if it was an afterthought.

He rolls the glass in his hands while looking thoughtful. "What sort of distraction are you looking for? Authories on a wild goose chase type distraction or something not so grand as that?" He looks at the Commander meanfully knowing full well that any distraction requested by him was going to involved danger. "Also just so happens that I'm looking for something myself. Maybe you can help with getting it while I cause your distraction?"

"Just make sure that the Rebels and the patrollers are preoccupied at the given time. And, should things take a turn, ensure that they be incapable of reacting in an efficient manner." Rhoden said, "As for your own business, I'm afraid our own job is unlikely to take us within reach of whatever it is you're here for."

Rhoden took a swig from his drink, grimaced, and spit it back into the cup. "Disgusting."

Keas grinned. "And what would be the given timeframe that I'm having to keep them occupied and away from you all?"

Keas smiled because he knew that what the Commander was looking for was most likely Imperial in origin. Keas thinks about what he was assigned and decides that maybe the Commander could help out somehow. "So I've been tasked with retrieving someone from here for the Imperial Higher-ups. The only thing is he never showed up but I got an encrypted message from them about where they were, considering I don't have access to the Imperial codings yet. Maybe you could go out of your way to retrieve them and get them out of wherever they happen to be." He slides a data chip over to the Commander under a drink glass. "Try this one its a lot better tasting that their everyday drink."

"Oh, that would depend on several variables. At any rate we'll be heading out on our little mission in three days' time." Rhoden said, picking up the glass and examinging the liquid inside as he slid the datachip down into his lap and pocketed it. He set the glass aside.

"I'll see what I can do." Rhoden said.

Keas nodded and ordered another drink. "So three days time then? Sounds about right. The contact said he was in some imperial ruins but sent the exact location via imperial coding. I figure you'll know where he will be then. I was asked to bring him back by some of the Imperial High Command, something about it being my first orders for becoming part of the Empire." He picks up his glass and took a drink of it then slowly set it back down rolling the glass between his hands. He looked at the Commander. "Think you'll be able to help?"