Vykos Mission Reports

[Meatslopper]

The Warrior Branch
Collated Vykos Mission reports. 

[Classified - Warrior Personnel, Lord of War]

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The Battle for Vykos has served as a training ground to hone new Warriors. We have served as it's support, as the Republic's supply lines, lie within the Maelstrom Nebula and their ships dominate the skyline. The Empire has continued to hold the line, despite blunders and mishaps preventing it from reaching it's fullest war potential. Darth Isenthrope of the Sphere of War has been placed in charge of the system defence efforts, beneath his command in charge of the 134th "Barbican" Imperial Fleet. He hasn't been seen on the battlefield for quite sometime. In his stead, his current Apprentices, Lord Besmern helms all Naval action and Lord Evergan presides over all ground operations, over and on Vykos, respectively.

This is a collation of all reports gathered from our operations on Vykos and includes gathered dossier information on key players and supporting elements. All contained within is classified to Warrior Personnel only, as well as the Envoy of War and Darth Horuset. Though at the leisure of the Lord of War, War's Shatajir or Darth Horuset, access may be provided to individuals or groups, as well as a general declassification order if and when it is no longer necessary to withhold. 

Access Holders: Lord Vipion, Lord Kalkoran

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[Meatslopper]

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Key Personnel:

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Darth Isenthrope: Darth Isenthrope is an enigmatic figure in the Sphere of War. Despite overseeing several Imperial fleets, he rarely speaks, he is content to send orders through distant messaging or relay them through subordinates, the only ones to break his silence regularly are the Dark Council, whom he communicates with on occasion to request resources, even High Command only receive close subordinates or distant messages. Despite having reportedly served beneath Darth Malgus during the Treaty of Coruscant, little else is known about his history, someone probably him, has made a great effort to purge it. Despite all this, he has trained skilled Apprentices, and he has been a noted participator in many successful and tactful battleplans over the years, even if usually in the footnotes as either an advisory role or on occasion as its mastermind, yet is rarely if ever the one to enact it, those years seem long behind him if they ever existed whatsoever. 

Lord Venskal: Lord Venskal was the Apprentice of Darth Isenthrope, Sith Bloodied Human, he was originally born in Hutt Space, to an Imperial Ambassador. Upon discovering his force sensitivity he was taken to Korriban and swiftly rose through the ranks, as a politically skilled Inquisitor, his first naval command was on the VT-22 Class, ISS Eyeless Watcher, and eventually placed in command of it's battlegroup. It was a small element intent to protect Imperial Diplomatic Officers, on their journey into Hutt Space and keep a general oversight of Hutt operations, should they ever get out of hand. Eventually he was reassigned to Vykos when the former commander died under classified circumstances and Darth Isenthrope decided he pushed for Lord Venskal to be his replacement. He was a fan of what he called, "Mega-Weapons", and employed many scientific minds beneath him, intent to discover a war-winning design. On Vykos, Lord Venskal was responsible for the failed assault on the Republic and died during an attempt to evacuate from the ISS Blood Spear, his flagship. 

Lord Besmern:  Lord Besmern is the Apprentice of Darth Isenthrope, Sith Bloodied Human, he was born in the Empire on Kaas to a low-class Imperial family, with a standard military heritage. He attended the Kaasian Sith Academy when he came of age, and was notably patriotic, and considered incredibly scrappy, always outwitting his rivals with crude but effective means by the time he left the academy. He has been keen on the field of Naval Warfare since a child, he arose a Sith Apprentice beneath Lord Venskal towards the end of the Cold War. Since becoming Lord Venskals, Apprentice, not much is known about his time there, only that he would earn himself a battlegroup to command and eventually endear himself to Darth Isenthrope and once Lord Venskal died, be next in line to take his place as Lord. He is the current Commander of all Naval Operations over Vykos.

Lord Evergan: Lord Evergan is an old, Sith Lord. He was the first Apprentice of Darth Isenthrope, perhaps back when he was a Lord and it is said, he too served under Darth Malgus. Though certainly not in any direct capacity. He has gained his scars through years of service, and though notably clever as a defensive bulwark, most of his early offensive actions have been a total disaster. The Battle of the Scorched Grounds on Balmorra, being his greatest failure. It's little wonder Darth Isenthrope placed him as the Ground Commander of Vykos. It's been said by many Sith who served under him, that he lacked the aptitude for fighting with aggression and 'preferred retreat to a real engagement', that when he did attack it was in poor order and resembled a horde but he has shown on more than one occasion, that not only are his trenches some of the most robust in the Empire but no matter how hard the siege he has endured. His survival at Fort Undefiable, after it being almost completely destroyed by Republic bombardment, relying on bunkers and inset tunnels of his creation, stands a testament that he is not an easy Sith to crush. 

Rear Admiral Korr: Rear Admiral Korr is in charge of Battle Group Iris, the Imperial Logistical Flotilla over Vykos. They've been supporting Imperial operations over Vykos since it was captured and he is one of it's longest standing veterans, older than even Lord Evergan, he has been serving since the Empire's arrival, from a Kaasian Military family of some nobility. He has been a supporting element during his entire career, from Officer School, to Captaining his own shuttle, all the way to Rear Admiral. He has outlasted many of his contemporaries.

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Enemy VIP's:

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Admiral Oberstein:  A cool headed Arkanian with monochromic eyes, with the white hair deformity, from the Republic. He has demonstrated a skilled tactical sense, and an expert at attrition warfare and sieges, never impatient, he has consistently won battles since the Treaty of Coruscant dissolved, including some brief skirmishes within it. He is an incredibly deft and skilled Admiral, and has not once, looked vulnerable during this whole campaign, his fleet have maintained perfectly coordinated discipline and he has exploited any opportunities given to him, yet beyond his introduction, he has been content to gradually allow his ground forces to gradually take territory and rarely taken risky manoeuvres. Despite being bolstered by the victory at Corellia, he took part in, with new, fresh ships and manpower, he has remained placid. 

General Eisenral:  Not much intelligence has been gathered on General Eisenral, he's Human, his favourite vehicle to employ is the Manka Class Walker, and has a general preference for heavier armoured divisions, but he seems relatively fresh in his current position, despite this, Vykos has been an important battlefield and one carefully plotted, so it is unlikely he is without accolades. Though as of now, he seems to be the hammer, who has with Oberstein's fire-support, broken through Lord Evergan's trench line gradually and isolated Fort Undefiable, with the rest of his main force, engaged gradually on other fronts, to slowly secure other parts of the planet. 

"Admiral" Gurloth: An Alien Harch Privateer, with a small Privateer fleet consisting of one Jehavey'ir Class Battleship [An old Relic from the Mandalorian Wars] and five unmarked frigates. They operate from the 'Neutral Space' and between Vykos and the rest of Imperial Space. They exist to harass our various supply lines, and have succeeded in the vanishing of the ISS Vanquish, a Gage Class enroute to Vykos. But were unable to destroy Rear Admiral Korr's Battle Group. They are equipped with at least one interdictor and prefer to harass smaller targets.

"The Curtain Call of Vykos": A mysterious Republic Ace, who sends out a call to his victims moments before their demise. It contains only a song and the smooth baritone humming of the pilot behind it. It's said he has managed to kill 30 in a single engagement and has come out of seemingly nowhere to be seen as one of the greatest threats to the air-space engagements of Vykos. 

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Important Locations:

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Vykos: Vykos is a rocky world, known for its immense and violent river rapids, that split the land. It has had a cycle of usefulness. Initially, beneath the original Emperor. It was a point of some importance, he not only put considerable resources into taking it but also into its defence. Upon his defeat at the hands of the "Hero of Tython" as the Republic has denoted him and the takeover of Darth Marr and ultimate ascension of Empress Acina in his place. It lost that particular focus, considered impenetrable by the Maelstrom Nebula, it was forgotten as one of the tips of Imperial territory. It was left to Darth Isenthrope a once great tactician of Malgus, who in recent years had been politically maligned for his loyalty to the traitorous Sith was assigned to its defence. It is currently the site for a great battle between the Republic and the Empire.

The Maelstrom Nebula: A difficult-to-navigate Nebula. That stands as the bulwark between the Republic and the Empire. Anyone who wishes to traverse it must do so at sublight speeds. This has made it the playground of Pirates and to properly navigate much of it, Gree Technology has been utilised by both factions. If properly defended by the Empire this might have once been a chokehold to strangle any Republic advance. Lord Venskal has been admonished for his unpreparedness for the invasion by his successor Lord Besmern. If the Republic lose the Battle of Vykos, the Nebula will most likely be their last battleground before being entirely pushed from the region, likely never to return.

Vykos Heartland Zones [VHZ]: It's particularly strategically valuable due to defensible rock formations and long stretches of unusually (for Vykos) flat ground that make for good staging grounds for a lot of ships and men. Fort Undefiable was set up as VHZ-1. It was entrenched behind a complex trenchwork with miles and miles of trenches. It was the centre of Lord Evergan's operations and it was too where he was isolated by three Republic FOBs, immediately engaging and trapping the bulk of his army and resources in one place. The battle has since flipped sides with the Republic seizing both the trench network and the ruins of Fort Undefiable and the Empire seizing the Republic's FOBs for their own. One of the central geographic centrepieces is the Aritorinin River, which runs up alongside the major trenches and is monitored and defended harshly by both sides after an Imperial incursion utilising it. It is considered the most important war front and both sides have staked immense resources into holding it, whoever wins this battlefield will be able to field a far larger amount of resources and most likely win the war.

Vykos Land Zones [VLZ]: This is the catch-all term for the majority of the planet. Many of Vykos Villages are centred around the waterfront, of either the Vykos Oceans or the various rivers, that streak across much of the surface. These are the sources of Vykos's Food Production. They are disparate in importance but both the Empire and Republic skirmish over these lands, securing defensible positions and ensuring continued food supply to their Soldiers on the frontline, the Republic is doing considerably better in much of this territory and are supported by a growing rebellion, who are striking against the Empire with most of the Imperial service personnel engaged elsewhere. Due to Vykos's rocky surface, it's difficult to deploy in mass across most of its territory. Oftentimes, the Republic and Empire employ smaller more surgical elements and utilise the ocean as a staging ground.

Vykos Sea Zones [VSZ]: Vykos's sea plays host to numerous hidden Republic and Imperial bases. The Republic are generally better equipped for this environment, having prepared for aquatic insertions, while the Empire despite having control of Vykos has focused its attention entirely on landbased bastions, with limited available landing space the Republic have by necessity prepared for the realities of ocean warfare better, helmed primarily by a diverse array of specially selected water warfighting experts, usually aquatic aliens with more familiarity with the region of war. The Empire by contrast rely by necessity on a comparatively small amount of aquaticly trained Vykos-born Naval Special Forces and veterans returning from a stint on Manaan, who are responsible for training Imperial units for operating in the region and their equipment was usually intended for Manaan being funneled to Vykos to compete. 

Vykos Polar Zones [VPZ]:  Is the Polar North battleground of Vykos. The powerful currents have made massive ice tunnels beneath its surface. It is not an ideal battleground, but it's a useful staging point for both the Republic and the Empire, with enough open land to be a powerful secondary staging point. The Republic are trying to get a foothold all their own here. They have dispatched several Hoth Veteran Elements here with many Zones dominated by Talz-supported and trained elements. Most Zones here are flexible and mobile, a contrast to the more deeply entrenched fighting of the Heartland. They employ ski's and operate primarily with light infantry, that flexibly move around the terrain. This is true for most Polar Zones but VPZ-4 and VPZ-5 which have seen the most fighting, with entrenched positions warring for the centre of the board, these more concentrated efforts are helmed primarily by the 142nd Agamarite Infantry Battalion beneath the emblem of a Boar-Wolf for the Republic.

[Ruins] Fort Undefiable: Once the Imperial Centrepiece that defined the VHZ and Lord Evergan's centre of power, sequestered behind layers of seemingly undefeatable trenches and concealed tunnels and bunkers carved deep beneath its surface. It was bombarded into bare remnants of what it once was, by the Republic, as the Imperials lost space-air superiority over the planet. That balance has once again equalised and the Republic have been unable to do it again, but their time-spent alone in orbit of this planet has been entirely disastrous for all of the ground engagements going forward. 

Aritorian River: The massive river rapids that runs alongside the major trench lines in the VHZ. Both sides defend it fiercely, what was once an exploitable natural feature not used because of the risk in traversing it, is now watched all the time to prevent its usage after an Imperial operation used it.

Grand Aderian Range: Canyons kilometres high, with one of the planet's well-known rivers the Tueinami River flowing through it. It's a major geographical feature and largely considered an important cultural landmark of the planet. There has been some skirmishing around it, mostly by prideful Imperials who've refused to let the Republic "defile" their planet and by symbolic revolutionaries. It is not considered strategically important but small-scale warfighting has taken place due to concerns over morale. 

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[Meatslopper]

"I was tasked with travelling to the frontlines where the cohesion of an a extensive Imperial defensive Trench Network had been broken down following an intense battle with Republic Forces. The position was deemed no longer defensible and the order was given to pull back to a nearby Imperial Artillery fortress as a second Republic assault lead by walkers threatened to overrun the position. A pocket of Imperial forces was surrounded at he first trench still cut off from communication and supply with Republic Commandos having ceased the second trench in the network and the third trench having been all but decimated in the following bombardments leaving them with no actual order of battle or command structure.

My task was to breakthrough to these forces and rally them back to the Imperial Fortress. Due to the Network's sheer size the journey to and from would take about two days. I succeeded.I restored Imperial Authority in the third Trench and rallied the men there to push forwards to stage a breakout of Trench one. I silenced the Commando Threat and successfully evacuated the first trench's occupants back to the rear line. At the cost of several injuries."

- Apprentice Krassus Horuset, regarding Warrior Trial

"I was sent to the world of Vykos in order to oppose Republic operations on the planet. I dropped alongside a squad of imperials far from the target - a platform in the oceans of Vykos commanded by a Mon Calamari Major.

Together we travelled across the oceans in diving gear for several hours, taking out a watch-post on the way, before arriving at the platform. We breached a bulkhead below the waterline and fought our way up - slaying several Republic personnel along the way. I killed the Major within the control room, though nearly perished in the attempt.

I was not strong enough to prevent the death of several valued subordinates. I will be next time."

- Apprentice Mathangi Ryam, regarding Warrior Trial

"I was aboard a VT-22 leading a small battlegroup alongside a Rear-Admiral delivering vital supplies to the conflict on Vykos in order to bolster Imperial forces, we were ambushed about a days journey from the system by Republic privateers, I had turned the battlegroup into a spear, first driving a wedge through the blockade before turning it into a shield and making for the egress point so we could jump into hyperspace. While we were on the last stretch the ship was boarded and they aimed to take out the hyperdrive to strand us, I together with an Ensign rallied the Engineering and security team to retake the deck which was done so. Unfortunately heavy losses were sustained and I myself was critically injured but the ship was retaken, I will not allow such losses again next time."

- Apprentice Sutamua Ronith, regarding Warrior Trial

[Lowlander]

I was assigned to assist a team to recover Project Nightbringer. The journey took me to the remains of the Bloodspear. The late Lord Venskals flagship. A Lord who let himself get lured into an ambush and destroyed. We scoured the ship and found the Lords private hangar.. we found the Republic lying in wait, they opened fire and killed some members of my team. We counter attacked with all we had, swiftly destroying the Republic troops.

We secured the weapon when the hangar bay door started to open. Revealing a BT-7 Thunderclap. I rev'ed up the Speedertruck that was left in the hangar and drove it out of the hangar bay and into the Thunderclap.. It was caught by its shield but soon after I jumped through the shield and latched on to the Thunderclap, with my lightsaber, I carved a path of destruction until I reached the cockpit.. I destroyed the glass and the BT-7 tumbled and crashed into the remains of the Harrower. I was gravely injured, to be later recovered by my team and brought to Lord Besmerns medical bay on his flagship.
He renewed his request for the support of the warriors. With our help, the system will return under Imperial control in no time.

Glory to the Empire, glory to the warriors.

Additional classified information
During the search for Project Nightbringer, we came across some extra information, the Captains log.
It was full of animosity between the Captain and Lord Venskal. The Captain sought to increase the systems defences, in particular inside the nebula he wished to plant more mines and setting up sensor relays.
Instead, according to the captains log, Lord Venskal was lax and deemed the increase in defences to be irrelevant, claiming the Republic was in a resource crisis and they would be conservative with their efforts.
The loss of the Blood Spear and the assault of the Republic through the Nebula proved the Captain right.
The final entry in the log is a hastily written note, time stamped at the time of the ambush itself. He spoke of the Lord ignoring all his warnings, that he, the captain, has a new master now. The Captain spied on the Lord and found his secret passage. Talked about how he figured the Lord wouldnt think him to spy on him, know everything about him and his business.
He wrote he knew everything and that in this final hour, he was letting the Republic do the Empire a favour, to ensure he would never command another vessel. Then he praises the new lord, Lord Besmern.
The Republic soldiers that ambushed us later, they knew the location of the Lords hangar, they knew where we would come from. They knew about the weapon and tried to reclaim it for themselves, they brought their ship up close and exposed it.
I would not have been able to take it down if it had stayed at range.
When I was retrieved and laying in Lord Besmerns medbay, he came to visit. Demanding discretion, threatening the lives of the ship and crew that had served me so well in recovering Project Nightbringer, if the truth came out about the Captain selling out Lord Venskal and leading him to his death because he lost sight of the bigger picture of the war. He took my datapad and destroyed it, the logs and recordings of the Captain were on it. All gone, he would not have rumours undermine his command he stated. 
Lord Vipion has purchased the ship, the ISS Vulture and arranged transfer of the crew. And she is willing to consider further support to the Warrior branch. The petitions for support are to be delivered to her in person, see the attached message.

Lord Vipions Message

Apprentice,

I want your report complied by tomorrow. I will ensure that it is given the appropriate privacy clearance in mission reports. The former commander potential dying to treachery is an important fact.

As I am impressed with your recent successes, I have purchased both the crew and the ship, the ISS vulture, that you took on this mission and I imagine that you will want to speak with Apprentice Roi regarding how to best use these resources. The crew are in need of more repairs than the ship but that is something I can handle.

I am willing to consider providing support to the warriors in this and future endeavours, but I prefer that petitions for said support be brought to me by those who have a vested interest in this matter (the Warrior branch) rather than something I spearhead on my own.

You are to attach this message to the report.

-TKV

[Meatslopper]

Operation Saviour.

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(A brief overview by Apprentice Venessa)

The Republic have seized our trenchline and now hold down the remnants of Lord Evergan’s force within the ruins of the Fort Undefiable, we have reason to believe they have survived bombardment due to the tunnels and bunkers that were inset into the fortresses design by Lord Evergan. We do not however know the state of what remains, but it is presumed at least a considerable amount of Lord Evergan’s apprentices remain. The commander himself is MIA from projections and their state is dire. With their backs to the river, without aid, they will eventually be annihilated.

After the breaking through the Pirate assaults on our supply line, by Rear Admiral Korr and his advisor Apprentice Ronith the Amphibious Air Assault Gunship or AAAG were delivered to the frontlines successful and the capture of the Republic Sea Logistical base, by Apprentice Venessa, Apprentice Ryam and Naval Special forces. We have set the stage for Operation Saviour.

The Battlefield as it stands sees the Republic having placed most of their resources into occupying the large trench-line and are pressing to seize the ground of Fort Undefiable. Having approached from the sea, the Republic however retain three individual FOBs in a triangle formation, with one ‘relatively’ vulnerable target that acted as a dock, and seaward bastion. It is still incredibly well defended, with heavy beachward bunkers and heavy repeater emplacements, yet considerably less so than our alternatives.

The River Rapids Aritorinin, runs alongside the trenchline and is a secondary security concern for both the Republic and Empire, it’s treacherous and rocky path often considered too dangerous to pass for normal pilots. It is defended but only lightly. Your objective is to take the secured AAAG, a vehicle capable of both diving to moderate depths and flight, through the Aritorinin Rapids, to the ruins of Fort Undefiable and to redistribute whatever force remains to our beach assault against the Republic FOB.

We are requesting Viper Squad and House Horuset’s “Warrior Program” to assist us in this most vital of efforts. This is a necessary step to once again even our standing with the Republic on Vykos. 

-Venassa Tarel, Apprentice of Lord Besmern

[Caltrys Haile]

“My task was to join a frontline attack force in disabling a set of artillery batteries. Our small team of operatives was kept to a minimal amount of people to avoid detection and quietly move over the battlefield. Larger scale attacks were impossible to do as long as the enemy artillery was still at full capacity. We were one of three attacking groups to perform the same task, that being to approach undetected, disable enemy artillery placements and to then deploy mortars as a means to disable any enemy infrastructure in the area.

In this task we were successful. We slipped through no man’s land, running into an enemy patrol unit once and taking it out silently, then reaching the artillery placement. We successfully destroyed it, allowing a larger force of ground troops to cover the distance and resume their advance.

After the artillery was taken out we joined the larger ground force in seizing the enemy base. Many of the attacking force were sith engaging in a melee with the enemy. I myself joined this approach. We stormed the site, taking out every enemy we could find until the base was detonated. This detonation killed a large amount of our ground force. The ones who survived, myself included, we manned the remains of the base until we were relieved of duty.

This task took quite long due to the size of the area we had to cover. Stealth was the first priority this meant that weapons I was accustomed to were no option. The combat took a form I had not yet encountered, that being a more grounded and close-quarters brawl. At the cost of some injuries we took the artillery down. At the cost of a lot of troops we seized the base. The wait for the relief of duty was somehow more tortuous than the actual mission.”

- Caltrys Haile, apprentice to Lord Vipion

[Meatslopper]

Led a mission in Vykos' northern ice fields. An imperial counterintel agent had gone rogue - tracked him to a republic camp, destroyed the camp in totality and recovered the traitor alive for interrogation by Lord Besmern's forces.

-Mathangi Ryam, Apprentice of the Lord Saltaeon

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I deployed to Vykos earlier today, Master, and led a platoon in a battle to extract them from a heavily pressured region. Our fighting retreat was successful, with complete evacuation of Imperial assets and civilians, as well as the overwhelming majority of casualties being Republic in nature and taking down a small number of Republic fighter craft. I also ensured that none of the remaining Imperial assets left behind were intact for the Republic to talk hold of.

-Mathangi Ryam, Apprentice of the Lord Saltaeon