First RP

I believe it is time we prepared our first site-wide mission. However, since we still do not have many members – especially those who play as Jedi\ Republic soldiers – I am somewhat hesitant to start a long storyline with several connected RPs, even though I already have a general idea of what it will look like. But we still can have a relatively small ‘unimportant’ mission to pass the time. Thoughts, suggestions?

I have one, though it could easily turn into something that has a rather large impact on galactic events.

Irina would hire a Republic-friendly mercenary who would accompany her and a couple other commandos from Juno Squad on a secret mission into Imperial space (for what point and purpose, I actually have yet to determine). The entire incursion could explode into a small scale battle and the entire incident itself would likely be swept up under the rug by the Senate and Dark Council to avoid public cries for war. Of course, an incident of this magnitude would likely not go unpunished by the Empire....

And that was the general layout I had figured, including the cliffhanger for a "sequel". Are there any comments / questions / concerns / other suggestions?

Funny, I have planned pretty much the same thing except that roles in this conflict would be opposite: one of the Sith was to hire freelancers to do some dirty work in Republic space. And I even came up with a reason for that.

But I have nothing against your suggestion and will be go with either option.

I could work with it either way. But for the Empire hiring a freelancer, are there any actual Empire-friendly mercenaries? I kinda assumed Mason was pro-Republic and Kolban has told me before that he is "completely neutral, loyal only to the Hutts". Plus I'd like to hire a merc from the POV of a soldier.

I have always thought that 'neutrality' means Kolban and his goons will work for anyone, who pays them enough creds Anyway, I want to hear what kinds of mission you had in mind first, maybe I will like your idea better than mine.

That's exactly what it means. I did say that I was loyal only to the Hutts, but that just means that I don't favor either side and don't ultimately care who controls the galaxy. I'd be glad to do anything for either faction if they were willing to pay me enough for it. As for my idea of why the Republic would make an incursion, I'll have to post later since I must leave now. You may as well tell us what the Empire would want to go into Republic space for.

But of course! That is exactly what I was hinting at

The Empire may have a whole number of reasons for sending a strike teem behind the enemy lines, none of them truly original though, at least not yet. We could: 1) Ambush a Republic convoy that carries some sensible cargo (be it intelligence data, some artifact, weapons\armour the Empire wishes to seize and study); 2) Attempt to kidnap a prominent scientist (or maybe a couple of those), who works for the Republic; 3) Raid one of the Republic's outpost for any of the said reasons... 4)Sabotage a research facility that is about to create some sort of super-fuel that makes Republic's ships invulnerable

Well I'm happy with either option so long as Lucifer has a chance if the republic do incur upon our territory to hunt down said individual and make them suffer for the transgression.

I might be willing to work for the Sith if the pay was good enough.

I'll probably sit out this mission if we go with Kolban's idea. Or maybe not, if there is some way a spy could get involved

Everyone, I deeply apologize for my absence over the weekend. My internet router crashed out due to a power failure / surge / whatever throughout my neighborhood and I only just got it working now.

Anyway, as for what Corvus said, I didn't have any other reasons for the Republic incursion than what you already listed. If everyone desires to have the Empire initiate this one then that's certainly alright with me. We ought to finalize whatever details there may be and get this one rolling.

Idea 1) The Empire intercepts Republic transmissions and decodes enough to see that Juno Squad is being mobilized for another "border patrol" mission. Knowing Juno's reputation and history as a group of black ops soldiers, the Empire hires a nearby mercenary and heads into Republic space to cut off the transport convoy and hopefully eliminate Juno Squad in a preemptive strike.

...And I don't really have an Idea 2, at least not yet. Any comments or concerns about my Idea 1?

Yep that sounds alright with me and I like the idea although I would add perhaps a few sith can join this mercenary I would volunteer Lucifer to go in as a kind of backup and to add a litle extra firepower to the mixture

In fact I would be very willing to lead such an expedition into republic space in a collaborative effort with this merc.

Sounds good enough. Second option: Juno Squad may be tasked with escorting some sensitive materials or VIP that will become a target for the Empire and their mercs. As said before, I will be fine with either of these scenarios.

Seeing how it will be the Empire that is mobilizing and hiring, it's up to you as to what occurs.

Of course. I presume you will be participating as well, at least indirectly?

I could hire some mercenaries and try to get whatever Irina and her men are going to protect (assuming they will be protecting something) for myself as personal initiative while the other Sith would be acting on Dark Council's orders. This could make things a bit more interesting I think.

Perhaps a defector? We could have made a quick incursion to pick up an Imperial officer or something who wished to defect to the Republic. That would make for a good solution, but would Corvus be ok with allowing someone to defect?

An interesting idea. Maybe not a defector, but a Republic spy who suspects - and rightfully so - that he has been uncovered? It would be possible that he has some sensitive intel and managed to avoid capture so far but has no means of escaping back to the Republic.

Aww... I like the idea of Imperial officers joining the good side. He could be the next first Crix Madine! lol

I am sure you did Trouble is, from what we know of the Sith Empire, its citizens and of course members of the military - and our officer would have to hold a position of importance if both sides are so bent on saving\eliminating him - are extremely devoted to their government. A spy would be a better option, I think. Plus I already know what intel this spy would have and how to develop the storyline later

I don't really recall any fanatic devotion in the Empire, while there are numerous accounts of Republic soldiers fighting impossible battles for their government. But whatever, that's not my point. I actually think that by using a Republic spy, it changes the original mission. This is not longer a Sith incursion into Republic space like we had originally planned, its a Republic exfiltration assignment. The Empire won't be initiating a preemptive strike on Juno Squad but rather reacting to their sudden presence. In light of those circumstances, it should be the Republic - not the Empire - who hires a mercenary since they are the ones who were planning the operation. Such a story would also require the Republic to be the ones... essentially "running the show" since they'd need to make the first post (and all that implies), come up with the background, etc.

I know you wouldn't want it to seem like Imperial officers are deserting, but a defector makes this a lot more simple and closer to what we had planned. Perhaps it would not be an officer but rather a foot soldier who was disheartened with what he saw on the battlefield and wished to defect? It makes for a good plot both IC and OOC. IC: the Republic wants him/her for the symbolic victory of obtaining a defector and the Empire wants him/her dead to deny the Republic that win while OOC: it's just a foot soldier. What damaging information or great experience could he/she possibly hold? No matter who wins, neither side misses much. With this scenario, the Sith would be the ones hiring mercenaries and making introduction posts if they lie in wait for Juno Squad. Heck, you may have already executed him and are just waiting for the unaware Republic to walk into your trap. It seems to me that there are a lot more options this way.

Don't let my long post fool you though. I don't feel all that strongly either way and will happily accept the Republic spy scenario if Corvus and Irina both agree to it.

There are also numerous accounts of Republic citizens rioting against their governments and entire systems turning on their former allies, while according to the 'Timeline' trailers Imperial citizens show surprising loyalty to the Sith.

Regardless, a simple grunt barely holds any symbolic meaning if he deserts, while higher-ranking officers are far more likely to remain loyal. I am perfectly fine with letting the Republic run this mission and, as stated before, I know how the 'spy scenario' would be connected to a larger storyline. I will elaborate - or rather elaborate now instead of later - the idea via PM if needed.

I'm good with anything. Should the Republic start this one off then?

Indeed you should

I'll start by hiring Mason on Corellia, but I'll probably also make a post in the actual mission as if he's already with me. Hopefully, Mason, we don't come to too much of a disagreement in the bar.