Briar put her pistol back into its holster, looked at Porel then turned and addressed Venlana "We don't have a soft spot for traitors, it's just harder to extract information from a corpse." Briar processed what Venlana had said for a second "If you know where this Pirate Queen is, then can you tell us who she is and her location?"

Venlana stands still, and takes advantage of the relative peace to administer a stimpack to herself. "I cannot tell you who she is, but I have my assistant's datapad. I know she is planetside, and I know what she is after."

One week ago: Lieutenant Somar reads the transfer orders again, and feels even more certain that his wingmates are having a bit of fun at his expense: "Effective immediately, you are being reassigned to the Inquisitorius for an indefinite period, to serve the needs of the Empire. You will be escorting and providing close air support for the Fourth Brother. Report to hangar bay 17 at once for immediate deployment to the Suolriep Sector, where you will be rendezvousing with the IPD Intrepid and working with Task Force 75."

5 hours ago, Edgehawk said:

One week ago: Lieutenant Somar reads the transfer orders again, and feels even more certain that his wingmates are having a bit of fun at his expense: "Effective immediately, you are being reassigned to the Inquisitorius for an indefinite period, to serve the needs of the Empire. You will be escorting and providing close air support for the Fourth Brother. Report to hangar bay 17 at once for immediate deployment to the Suolriep Sector, where you will be rendezvousing with the IPD Intrepid and working with Task Force 75."

Somar studies the order again and again. "Where do they come up with this stuff? Suolriep? Task Forces? Those I get, but Inquisitorious, Fourth Brother? They're really stretching. Still, the codes check out, so I guess I'll play along. Duty and all. Who knows, could be interesting. At least I'll have a good story to tell." He gathers his gear and duffel, and makes his way to the docking bay. "A week's flight. Wonder if they'll let me take the stick for a little while..."

Duffel in hand, Lt. Somar arrives at the designated hangar bay and hesitates, seeing it is a secure area he would not normally have access to. He tries his code cylinder, and sure enough, the door cycles open.

Sitting in the small bay is a single starfighter unlike any the young pilot has ever seen before, much less flown. It is almost certainly some sort of TIE prototype, but the cockpit is elongated, with three equidistant fins- one rising straight up. Ral has heard of designs equipped with hyperdrives, but it does not look like a very comfortable choice for a journey to the Outer Rim. With a passenger.

" I assume you are my pilot?" A baritone voice would sound from behind Somar. Drogos, the Fourth Brother would walk into view of the Lieutenant, he was a tall Zabrak male with Tan skin and brown hair as could be discerned from his beard and eyebrows the rest of his head was covered by the standard Inquisitorial Helm. In fact the Fourth Brother was dressed in his full Inquisitors armored robe, he stood there looking the pilot up and down. " We have no time to waste. Can you leave at once?" The tone of Drogos' chosen words sounded like a question, but his serious expression and his posture gave off the air of an order. Either way it could be interpreted he gave of the faintest aura of menace as he stood waiting an answer.

Somar turns with a jerk to face the speaker. He has seen holos of Lord Vader before and wonders if this individual is related somehow. "No, time for that later," he reprimands himself.

"Sir! TI-4433, ready and at your disposal. May I ask how you are to be addressed?" Somar has been trained to follow and respect the chain of command, and even though this being does not wear standard issue, he recognizes the authority permeating throughout the hangar.

After introductions and order are given, Somar turns his attention to the fighter in the bay and begins his preflight walk through. This one, however, is completely different from any he has performed before.

"Stang, what do we have here?" , he wonders out loud as he runs his gloved hand over the contour of the unusual, yet still familiar, design. "Hhmmm, two seater, lots of armament. Life support and hyperdrive? And what is that attachment?"

“ You will call me Inquisitor. If my brothers or sisters are present I am to be called the Fourth Brother.” He says answering Somar. Seeing that the pilot immediately goes toward the ship to begin preparing it for flight he follows behind observing him as he works.

"Well, everything appears to be in order. We'll have just under a week to learn the fine details. Should be...fun." he adds with a smirk. "Shall we?"

Strapped in to their respective seats, Somar signals flight control and moves the fighter out. A few calculations, a pull of a lever, and the stars outside the cockpit stretch into bright streaks as the ship jumps into hyperspace.

"Yeah, Logan. Stand down already" Den would say as he takes another bat at the guards helmet, this time with the flat of his hand. It was a petty move to be sure, but Den really did not like these kind of mercenaries. To him half of them were amateurs, the other half only followed the credits. Taking a deep breath the trooper calms himself and takes a step back. Keeping his rifle lowered he resumes the role of security, his job for not complete (with questionable results).

Cani holsters her pistol shaking her head she thinks to herself

"Damned aliens, so uncivilised"

The Adz-class destroyer is designed for long-range patrol duty, utilizing slave-circuit systems to operate at peak efficiency with but a minimal crew. Its steeply-angled prow gives rise to a tall superstructure, which houses powerful soliton-wave antennae.

"Task Force 75, This is Lieutenant Commander Starra Hix, XO of Imperial Patrol Destroyer Intrepid. We have just arrived in Saleucami space. A progress report on the status of your regional anti-piracy efforts is requested, at your earliest convenience. We are sending down two more for the team."

"Sergeant Major Garand Hale is going to be assuming the role of Banshee Squad Leader. Sergeant Major Dyson, congratulations. You are being promoted and will be serving as Adjutant for the platoon stationed on-planet. Report to Lieutenant Shoal, garrisoned in Taleucema City, for orders."

"Also joining you will be Doctor Evon Taltron, who will be inspecting the beasts the Empire is requisitioning for its increased patrols on the surface."

"Be apprised that the Inquisitorius has taken an interest in this mission, and you should look forward to further company very soon."

In point of fact, the Phantom has arrived undetected, and has already effortlessly broken through the atmosphere of Saleucami. Below, barren wastelands stretch to the horizon, pocked with innumerable craters contrastingly teeming with verdant life. It is quite beautiful, really, if you go in for that sort of thing. The official view of the Inquisitorius is that it does not.

After a week of studying orders, familiarizing himself with his new ship, and getting to know very little about his travel partner, Somar takes the Phantom smoothly into Saleucami. Monitoring the transmission from the Intrepid, he comments over his shoulder, "That sounds like us. I suggest we do the same, and land at the garrison. I'm assuming that they have prepped their docks for this ship's unique needs."

V’s eyes widen ever so slightly at the mention of the Inquisitorius.

D*mn High Inquisitor...

she cursed silently to herself, as she then fingered a strand of her hair.

Did the Emperor send them...? If not, why would they be interested in this matter...? Does he not know I am here...?

Drogos snaps out of his deep week long meditation as soon as Somar said the word ‘Dock’.

“ Good, take the ship in. My hunt begins as soon as we hit the surface. ” He says this was the first time since getting in the ship that Somar had heard the Inquisitor speak. “ The Grand Inquisitor thinks the Pirate Queen has Force Sensitives in her Sorority, you my Pilot, and this Task Force will help me find her.” His voice is adamant he’s confidant Somar could tell.

While the shuttle is landing, Evon looked over the available personal files of his new group.

After Evon has arrived to the garrison, he intruduces himself to the present task force members.

/Salutes/ ,,I am Dr. Evon Taltron, medical officer and interrogator agent of the Intrepid. It's nice to meet you all! I hope my skills will be great use of the Task Force!"

,,I am eager to start the work, I would like to head out and asses the requisitioned beasts as soon as possible."

Hale heads over to the Stormcrow with his Z-6 slung over his shoulder: Howdy boys, doc. I'm Sergeant Major Garand Hale. The boys back at admin thought you could use a little extra firepower, so here I am. Where are the other team members? If I'm to provide security I'd like to know their whereabouts. After being apprised of the situation, he turns to the doc: Well, sounds like Luks has the situation with the other team members pretty well locked down, I'll provide escort for you. Can't have any sof... non-combat personnel wandering about unprotected. He then glances ruefully at his Z-6 and says: Griff, would you stow this for me? I'm sure the doc wants to leave right away, and I doubt the local authorities want me lugging this around.

Oh, and Backbeat, contact the others and let them know that I've arrived and am escorting the doc.

Lieutenant Somar takes the Phantom in to land at the garrison, and finds just enough room to park it, next to a hastily moved transport. A trooper hops out and provides a cursory salute. "Sorry, Lieutenant, not much room here in the garage. Ships usually put in at the spaceport at the northern rim." Then the trooper sees the Inquisitor. "But that's totally fine, sir," he continues hurriedly. "You're here for the task force, I take it? I understand they're at the Paradise Resort. Speaking of, how exactly does one become assigned to such a task force?" The Inquisitor's taciturn glare is devoid of any humor. "Right. This way, then."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Venlana continues, telling the imperials gathered in the conference room what she has learned: "It seems Porel was made a more lucrative offer. He would never reach a position of power in the Sorority, for obvious reasons- but then his long service with the Consortium has not been terribly successful either in that regard."

Shrugging her shoulder in a rotating motion, she pauses her story to apply another stimpack. "Blackwind Crater. Every fortune-seeker in the sector has searched for it at some point, to no avail. Even that fool of a governor." She glances around to see if any have heard this tale before. "The Blackwind was a pirate ship. Custom job from Ubrikkian Industries, big as any of the Hutt warships. The authorities caught up with it over Saleucami space, long ago. When it went down, it was never recovered. Presumably, it crashed into one of the countless craters on this pocked planet. Thing is, they had found the starmap that would get them to Ossus. Lost Jedi Library? Chamber of Antiquities? A priceless fortune there for the taking, if you believe in such fanciful things- but the map went down with the ship, lost ever since."

"In the past few years, a vast amount of greelwood has made its way into Taleucema City, at no small cost. Rumors have it that the crash site has been found, and the scavengers- the Veiled Sorority- they have been using it to fund their operations. Whatever else they are up to, this datapad confirms that they have nearly completed their operation here on Saleucami and intend to depart quite soon."

She hands the datapad to Briar. "Consider this.. and him , I suppose (indicating Porel), my gifts to you. I should have seen his betrayal sooner. Get him out of my sight."

Glancing at the others through his helmet at the others, Den's tone is one of surprise. "A ship, and a library? That's what this whole thing is about? Doesn't sound all that valuable to me". Beyond that he keeps his thoughts to himself. This is a mission on behalf of the empire afterall, and he is more than happy to do his part.

"Not surprising you don't value knowledge given your..... Status....."

Briar took the datapad and addressing Venlana "Thank you for your assistance." turning she said "Sergeant Luks, take the prisoner into custody, we can keep him with us until we meet up with the Intrepid, then we can find out what he knows." Finished Briar began to examine the datapad as they exited the room.

The two stormtroopers lead the detainee out of the conference room, and spy Dyson and Slowdive at a table nearby, apparently oblivious of the brief action inside. The sight of the troopers half-carrying the wretched-looking Twi-lek through the back of the resort causes a bit of a stir, but no one offers any sort of confrontation. Once outside, Dyson claps Den on the shoulder. "Gotta report to the ell-tee. Bigger an' better things. Don't get that big frekkin' head of yours shot off, eh?"

Briar still has her nose buried in the datapad. It seems Venlana has already unlocked some fairly incriminating circumstantial evidence of collaboration with the pirates- assuredly enough to satisfy their tribunal. The ISB agent knows that there is more to the device that she has not accessed yet, though. She has always been quite good at puzzling through these computational labyrinths, and her continued lack of success is disconcerting. Lieutenant Patral observes while Briar attempts to slice deeper into the tablet, calculating how she might go about it differently.

Arriving back at the Stormcrow , the T-3c delta-class shuttle assigned to the task force, the team sees some new faces. Sergeant Major Hale is getting acquainted with his squad, and the middle-aged man looming nearby must be the ISB interrogator.

As introductions are made, an unfamiliar imperial starfighter quietly arrives. Veitra almost senses the Fourth Brother's presence before he climbs out- as he most assuredly senses hers. The young Lieutenant piloting the strange looking TIE exits the cockpit and joins the rest.

As he exits the experimental stealth fighter the Fourth brother makes a B line straight for Veitra, the tall Zabrak's expression serious, he meant buisness. Ignoring all the other imperials between him and Veitra he stops just before her. " I was told there would be a Force Sensitive who served the Emperor with me on my hunt." He said to the Zeltron, " I assume you are in charge of this task force." He points to the non force sensitiv imperials around the two of them, " Brief me on your progress on finding this Pirate 'Queen', she has Force Sensitives in her fold that must be Dealt with." The Inquisitor's gaze was focused sharply on her.

Somar warns through his flight helmet any one who gets too close to the ship, "Look, but don't touch. Anyone not bio-synced to the ship will be vaproized!" . He can tell there is some concern in the bay regarding his statement.