"Understood, My Lord." Drogos would Rise as the communication ended and went immediately to find the Task Force.

“Fourth Brother, you think to make this mask your own, harness it to your will? You think a mask, can make you a monster?“

”The Grand Inquisitor is dead. The time of the Inquisitorius nearly at an end. The Empire needs monsters. Take it if you will.” Though the wording might imply choice, it is quite clearly both an order and a challenge.

”I am coming. You will wait for me. If the woman escapes before my arrival, you would do well to flee, yourselves.”

The holographic image of Lord Vader flickers out, to the relief of all, and is quickly replaced by that of Yularen. The Colonel knows there are very few signals capable of supplanting his own in such a fashion. “Would someone care to tell me what the bloody hel is going on here?”

Drogos takes the word of the Dark Lord very seriously and strides up to Hale who had stolen his helm. "Of course My Lord" He places a hand on the helm and grabs hold of it expecting fully for the Stormtrooper to not defy the command of Lord Vader.

When Yularen returns to the screen the Inquisitor looks to him "ISB Colonel, Lord Vader has need of us and is on his way here, that is all you will be told." The 4th Brother simply stares down the Colonel expecting the transmission to end.

As the Inquisitor grabs hold of the mask, Hale tilts his head slightly to the side, looking at him warningly. He holds tight to the mask for a moment before letting go, flicking it up slightly as he does so. He is not resistant to giving up the mask, but he wants Drogos to know that he will be keeping an eye on him.

“The task force is at Lord Vader’s disposal, of course.” Colonel Yularen’s face is a mask of military composure as he terminates the connection.

When the transmission cuts out, Hale turns to leave. "I'll guard the prisoner's cell personally. She won't get past me." He pulls his pistol out of its holster and checks it over - again - before reholstering it and continuing to the cell.

When he reaches the cell, he looks in, scanning for anything out of the ordinary. He notices that she has slipped her binders off, presumably aided by the lack of a hand. He resolves to keep a close eye on her in case she tries anything. Then, without a word to the prisoner, he leans back against the wall just outside the cell.

The inquisitor dons the mask as soon as the Stormtrooper relinquishes it from his grasp he lets Hale go to the Pirate Queen's Cell, "Doctor, Agent our line of inquiry into the exact Identity of miss Noira must come to an end, I also want the Stormtroopers on high alert, Lord Vader is coming and the Pirate Queen is not to escape us if we wish to see another day." He says knowing full well the wrath of the Dark Lord personally. "I will also be going to the prisoner's cell to ensure she does not escape." He leaves as the final word is spoken.

"Well, if no one needs me, I'll head down to the Phantom; see if I can't...do that...thing...I was doing. To the thing.", Somar quietly announces to anyone who might be listening.

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Edit: never mind, I'm not there...

Task Force 75 rightfully makes guarding the prisoner their utmost priority, for they know the price of failure. They miss the festivities on Saleucami below, and receive their awards in absentia, to the cheers of a surprisingly receptive crowd. The actors on stage stand rigidly at attention in their dress blacks and whites, as Lieutenant Governor Venlana Sipal makes her way down the line, pinning medals and lauding them for their bravery. Watching the holo, Gunnery Sergeant Luks is surprised to see that even he is being recognized, though it looks like they found a Rodian to stand in for him. Someone, somewhere, thought that was okay, apparently. Handsome fellow, at least.

A native Pantoran, Venlana seems a popular choice for the Empire’s proxy government, and she has wasted no time in consolidating its highest position for herself. The current governor has not been heard from in some days, but he has been summonsed in regard to a number of official improprieties.

Elsewhere planetside, the mood is decidedly less festive. The scouts have successfully taken out the renegade walker, but their own walker prototype has also been rendered inoperable; Lieutenant Commander Patral is less than pleased, and the two are not entirely sure they are being extracted with the walker. A call confirms they are not. “Lieutenant, TI-4433. Send me the footage of the walker exchange, and delete the backup. Then extract the two scouts, get them off my planet. I have no further use for them. The LAAT/c Houndstooth is en route to deal with the rest.”

The nuuno are keeping their distance, thanks to Q’ri’s noisemaker, but both have now descended upon the other ruined walker. The trapped occupants can be heard screaming and banging on the hull from the inside, as the machine is slowly consumed whole by the gargantuan native fauna.

Their dying screams herald the arrival of a J-type 327 Nubian Royal Starship in Saleucami space. It is a unique ship, but were there any doubt, the scorched chromium plating identifies it as one of the fastest ships in Lord Vader’s personal fleet. It nimbly eases its way into the berth previously occupied by Venlana’s yacht, despite taking up nearly the entire length of the Intrepid’s hangar bay. A tall dark figure emerges, starting down the ramp before it even touches the deck. It can only be Lord Vader.

The members of the task force line up to receive Lord Vader, because that is what you do.

“Khooooh Puuuhr.. Khooooh Puuuhr.. Lieutenant-Inspector Ostell. Congratulations on your promotion. And the success of your operation. Bring the prisoner to me.”

As Lord Vader disembarked from his shuttle Briar Ostell wanted to sink into the deck plating, now she was just hoping that he turned his attention elsewhere. When he addressed her directly it took a moment for her mind to process it. "O--of course my lord, right away." she replied as she turned to head towards the prison cells. She left the area far faster than she intended, and it was everything she could do to stop herself from breaking into a run. Maybe he won't notice. she thought to herself, before realizing how unlikely that was. Maybe he won't care.

The fear evidenced by Briar is as nothing, when met with the panic in Noira’s eyes, her terror when she senses the dark lord’s presence. “No.. This cannot be my fate.. Destiny.. is a harsh mistress...”

Her stricken expression abruptly relaxes into a semblance of horrified resignation. The woman who had been the pirate queen, and hand to the emperor, goes limp in the arms of the troopers escorting her. Her eyes flutter, then struggling to refocus, she meets Briar’s gaze. “The girl.. He must not...”

That is all she manages, a trickle of white foam escaping her lips as she trails off. Her body is wracked with convulsions, as her systems begin to shut down.

“No!” Lord Vader’s voice has a volume and a violence to it, as a storm unleashed in his simple exclamation. Briar and the two troopers are sent flying across the hangar, leaving Noira suspended in place.

”Doctor. You Will save her. Or you will lose more than an eye.”

Evon knows that his best chance for keeping the woman alive is to move her to the Intrepid’s medbay, though finding a specific antivenin there is highly unlikely.

Den was glad for the time to recuperate after the mission. To him, guard duty was usually a dull experience, nothing but sitting around all day. However, after the close call with the axe-wielding pirate, he feels like putting his feet up next to a prison cell is just what he needs. On the plus side it's another scar he can parade about next time he is on leave. In his experience, women love scars.

"I wouldn't mind it if he were at least the same colour as me" Den would complain after watching the ceremony with a 'requisitioned' bottle of whisky (though he was sure to keep is stowed away when any officers were about). When he did eventually receive his medal, Den pinned it to the fur lined collar of his civilian jacket. Perhaps he could start a collection?

When Den is called to receive this Lord Vader, he rushes over as he straps on his newly polished armour while trying to finish of his meal. Stood to attention he very nearly chokes as he sees Vader, but just manages to keep the rigid composure expected of a stormtrooper. He'd never seen a figure quite this imposing. The air almost felt colder as he approached. The last thing Den wanted was more of this wizards in the mix, too dangerous and unpredictable for Dens taste. He winces underneath his bucket as he sees the troopers hurled backwards, but makes no move. Unless he is addressed directly, he has no plan of getting involved with this business.

Hale was pleased, if a bit surprised and confused, by the award. He couldn't think of anything he did that would warrant it. Backbeat suggested it was swinging from the AT-TE, but he wasn't convinced. If anything, a stunt like that probably should've gotten him reprimanded. He decided it was probably a political move, he just hoped he could really earn it in the future.

When Vader arrived, he pulled himself to attention, rigid and formal with as much discipline as he could muster. The dark lord was intimidating, but he was on their side. Hale felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead, but he kept it together, even when Vader threw the others across the room. It isn't good manners to throw subordinates around, but I'm not sure where Vader fit in the order. I know he's above the Inquisitors, and Inquisitors take plenty of liberties. Hopefully this will end fairly soon, and without too much incident or complication.

And hopefully the doc does good work on the crazy lady. he mentally concluded.

Nervously raising his hand, and desperately hoping Lord Vader does not need any more Force throw practice, Hawk steps out of line, indicating the stimpacks on his belt, and cautiously approaches the convulsing pirate.

Evon was deep in his thoughts. His hand clutching the crescent, he was thinking that politics is sometimes filled with more wretched scum than the cantinas of Mos Eisley.

He got the call for the arrival of Lord Vader and quickly dropped the medal on his bunk and got into uniform. ,,Oh boy, that's gonna be nasty."

Unfortunately, Vader paid him little attention on arrival. Evon felt the pressure, which suddenly skyrocketed, when the queen consumed his poison dose. ,,Blast is, standard field agent move! How did we miss it?!" Vaders deep, filtered voice cut the air just like his lightsaber.

"Doctor. You Will save her. Or you will lose more than an eye.”

,,Understood, Lord Vader!" - He turns to the wall of soldiers, looking for help. The new guy stepped out of line to help but he needs some muscle too. Hale seemed okay, Den was almost shaking, probably both wants a new assignment though.

,,Luks, Hale on me, ASAP! Bring the woman to the medbay. Hawk, come here and give me a syringe quickly!" He glances at Briar just for a moment, but he does not dare to ask help in the presence of the Dark Lord. ,,I hope it's not serious, i'm sorry agent!"

"Luks, onthedouble, MOVE IT!" Hale springs out of line, moving swiftly towards the pirate queen. Not even waiting for the Duros to catch up, he picks up the pirate queen into a fireman's carry and sprints down the hall as fast as he can, encumbered as he is. He enters the medbay right on the heels of Evon and Hawk, setting his cargo down unceremoniously where indicated by Evon.

Den does not like being shouted at, but rather than bicker about it with the others, he decides that he will wait until the force wielding monster wasn't in earshot. Turning on his heel he jogs behind the pair, trying to simultaneously look helpful while not actually doing anything to help. As soon as the doors to the hanger were shut he would let out a hefty sigh, glancing behind him for a moment. "Alright, who, or what is that guy? I know the empire has some weird stuff going on, but that?"

"You've met Drogos, haven't you? He's his boss, and the Emperor's right-hand man. From what I've heard, he could whip the Inquisitorious single-handed. Long story short, don't get on his bad side."

As Hale drops the woman on the medical bed, Evon is already searching the cabinet. ,,Tubby the patient is dosed by unknown neurotoxin. Put him on bacta infusion ASAP. Hawk, I need you to draw a blood sample, so we know what's this. I reckon this is not the standard issue poison for field agents." As he grabs the analyzer Hawk's coming to him with the sample. Evon inserts the sample to the machine and takes a good look at Hawk. He is trembling alright and his nervousness makes Evon nervous too. ,,Hawk I need you to focus! I know how these magicians effect you, but you can't lose it now!" Help Tubby stablize the PQ, while I make the antidote!"

A few painstaking minute later, the machine beeps and Evon sends the data to the synthetizer. It fills 3 syringes with an ugly yellowish liquid. ,,Hale, Luks give me some help, hold her down!" pointing at the Queen, who is vomiting at the moment. He sticks the needle to her neck. A few moment later the woman stops the violent convulsing. He is sighed in relief, then sends the data to the 2-1B before settling down on a chair.

,,Well done people! Tubby give him the rest of the dose, 1 at each hour." He already dreads the moment when he needs to get up and report to Lord Vader.

"Strewth" Den mutters to himself as he glances behind him again. "This must be a bit below his paygrade ain't it? I mean she's just a traitor this one. I'm surprised they even want her resuscitating. Just a bunch of bleeding pirates!" Obviously most of the pertinent information on the case had been ignored or not understood by the grunt. As Evon shouts Den leans forward and presses his weight down on the patient as he continues talking. "You know, we should really get hazard pay, dealing with his lot".

“You have done well, Doctor. I will take her from here.”

Lord Vader’s own troopers take possession of the unconscious woman and transfer her to their ship, where a medical droid receives any special medications or instructions Doctor Taltron might offer. Then, without fanfare, the Emperor’s most feared lieutenant departs. It is as though a weight has been lifted, from all those present.

When Task Force 75 reestablishes contact with Colonel Yularen, his only nod at the brush with Lord Vader is his satisfaction with seeing them well.

”I am glad to see you all.. never a sure thing.. To business.”

”Arrangements have been made for you all to spend a fortnight at the Cliffview Resort and Spa, on Reyniu. Doctor Jocinda Vos will construct and install a replacement for Doctor Taltron’s eye, at the premier medical suites located there. The rest of you are free to convalesce as needed, and avail yourselves of the local recreational opportunities. Funds have been added to the card issued on The Wheel.”

”You are also to mingle, gather intelligence, install surveillance. A rather alarming trend has emerged in their guest list. Nothing so barbaric as a pirate queen, mind you; but visiting operatives from nearby regions, ones with suspected seditious elements. The military elements of the task force are authorized to conduct training exercises outside the resort, with an eye for detail.”

”If this is actually a hub for a budding resistance movement, I would prefer not to tip our hand just yet, so discretion is called for. You are going in under official cover, so your activities are certain to be monitored. Find out what you can of the facility, its employees and guests, and report back.”

”Inquisitor Drogos, you have been seconded to the Task Force for the present. There is no force use linked to this endeavor, that I am currently aware of, but your constant vigilance in such matters is appreciated.”

“Welcome to Operation Watercrest, and good hunting.“

"That's more like it!" Den declares, ribbing his hands together gleefully. "I could use a holiday, sun, sand and-" he catches himself, remembering the company he was in. Clearing his throat he tries to recover, "responsible drinking?" At the mention of work he lets his hands drop to his side/ "Ah, a work holiday". Still, as he mulled it over it could be fun to be a spy. Being an alien he had an added bonus over others as well. "Is there any specific faces we should be looking for, sir?"

“Yes, Gunnery Sergeant, a working holiday. You’re a Stormtrooper. If you wanted fun in the sun, you should have joined the Army.”

”Speaking of, the Eight of Sabers, Nils Crispin, has been sighted there. Former Special Forces gone rogue. He is believed to be there still.” The task force had familiarized themselves with the “most wanted” sabacc decks during their inaugural journey to the outer rim. “Crispin is now a mercenary assassin. Our informant went dark shortly following the report. We expect the worst. The target killed one of ours, and now likely another asset. Feel free to return the favor.”

”Dossiers of other potential persons of interest will be sent, but our actual intel is thin- that’s why we’re sending you in.”

"What about equipment sir? I'm assuming I can't bring my dis-, my blaster rifle into a place like that. Do we have a way to smuggle out equipment into this resort, or is it just fists we'll be relying on?" Den may have been looking forward to a holiday, but now he had to put some thought into the practicality of their work. He wouldn't be much use as an investigator, but as muscle, that he could do.