The Pinnacle, Command Centre

Aliso

34 ABY

The large control room was infested with blinking lights and audio signals, the slaves working their stations answering the beckoned calls of the automated systems. Partial power had been restored to the complex as scores of technicians continued to unlock the intricate secrets of the large facility, under the watchful eye of various Plagueian acolytes. The Pantoran bounty hunter known as Laren stood with his hands clasped behind his back, observing the mundane work happening around him, and attempting to look focused and calm. But with each klaxon that emanated from the computers, his mood worsened considerably. He was not used to supervision on this scale, especially of such drab work. But his bosses had requested it, mainly Lady Rhode and Teylas, and so he answered. He was still being paid for his services, after all, even if said service was menacingly boring.

A unique noise he knew all too well emanated from his communicator. Taking the circular device off of his belt, he activated the holocommunicator in his left hand. A miniature version of Taranae Rhode appeared in a familiar blue hue, her arms crossed beneath her bosom, and her face a mask of -- was it frustration? All the Pantoran knew she wasn’t happy, and for what he did not know.

“What can I do for you this fine day?” Laren said dryly.

“You have yet to fulfill the responsibility with which I entrusted to you, bounty hunter,” Rhode responded with an icy tone. “You sit there in the command centre watching the sheep graze, and yet when your Quaestor commands that you find a suitable location for our House’s new base, you simply forget?”

“Well first off, my lady, I’m standing here. And second off, you expect me to have found a suitable location for hundreds upon hundreds of people and pounds of equipment in mere days? This is an entire planet we’re talking about.”

“I will not play games with you, Laren,” Taranae said, her voice low, though it was clear there was rage bubbling beneath her stone-faced expression. However, Laren knew her senses were honed in on Laren’s slight amusement, as well as his fear.

“I have narrowed our list down to three possible locations, Lady Rhode. The information should be available in our database as we speak. I will be taking a team of technicians and escort to finalize our decision later today.”

“Good.” Without another word the communication winked out of existence. Laren put the holocommunicator back on his belt and turned to look at the communications officer.

“Contact Commander Taasii at once. Tell him to relay his current location, as I will be joining him shortly,” Laren commanded the slave.

“At once, sir.”

What comes from the top always ends up at the bottom.

Laren turned to exit the command centre, his dark cloak flowing neatly behind him with the quickness of his stride. However, before he could reach the door, another slave came to an abrupt halt in front of the Pantoran. He folded his arms across his chest, looking at the slave huffing and puffing in front of him.

"I was told to give this to you, sir," spoke the man. His voice wasn't natural, and Laren could see an implant in his throat. That was the reason he could speak, and the vocal emulator made his voice mechanic in nature. Laren shivered slightly, trying not to imagine the circumstances that led to the 'enhancement'.

The messenger handed Laren a datapad and waited, clearly looking for orders of dismissal from the cerulean-coloured man in front of him. Laren paid him no mind and read the contents of the typed message. There are credits to be had in service to another. Keep an open mind. CL. The fact that whoever had wrote the message had the gall to send a slave running to find him was ridiculous, but Laren was keen enough in his boredom to keep the contents to himself. Credits weren't his true goal, but they were necessary, even among the likes of the supremely odd Force-wielding acolytes he now called his superiors and subordinates.

"You may leave. I'll keep this."

Nothing was ever how it seemed with the Plagueians. It did keep the bounty hunter on his toes, though.

---

Introduction

It seems like only yesterday that I graced your computer screens with Rick Astley. Talk of the Pro Bowl was our first priority, and every one of our members were focusing on contributing as much as they could to their individual teams. And before I begin this report, I just wanted to say how proud I was of the entire membership, whether Karness Muur or Ajunta Pall. You folks did an absolutely wonderful job. Bravo to you!

With that being said, it will be my pleasure to highlight those who received recognition for their efforts in this report, as well as letting you folks know about some interesting competitions and other events to keep you entertained as our leadership sets sail toward our next Clan-wide event (whenever that may be).

Awards and Promotions

• Silent - 1 Anteian Cross
• Va'nia Drellik - 1 Antenian Cross
• Kelly Mendes - 1 Anteian Cross, 4 Scrolls of Foundation
• Brimstone - 1 Anteian Cross
• Taranae Rhode - 1 Pendant of Blood
• Ra'gnar - 1 Anteian Cross
• Octavia Morgan Obrie - 1 Scroll of the Master
• Abadeer Taasii - 1 Steel Cross
• Tharess Crestar - 1 Dark Cross

And a special mention goes out to our newest member!

• Rexus - Promoted to Novice

Featured Competitions and Events

Sure, the Pro Bowl may be over, but there is always stuff to do! Below, I have yet another list of some super awesome things you can do, both within the Clan, and within the greater Brotherhood! All of the competitions listed are organized by members of our awesome little corner of the Brotherhood, so get out there, participate, and have a blast.

Clan-Wide

• Aliso Aftermath - Organized by Kelly Mendes, this is a container competition with some awesome stuff to do! It includes poetry, graphics, and a third unique competition. An awesome way to earn some crescents, folks!
• Catch the Moment - Organized by myself, this is a unique screenshot competition.
• The Choice is Yours - Plagueis Fiction Competition - Organized by myself once again, this is a fiction competition with two prompts. The choice is yours. I'll be excited to read what you guys come up with!

And for something special:

• Clan Run-On: Manifest Destiny - Under the watchful eye of our very own Overseer, Dracaryis Sunstrider, we have a new Run-On in the works. Don't forget to reserve your spot, and edit those beautiful posts!

Brotherhood-Wide

• Click the Circles - Organized by our very own Kryy Vitaan, you'll attempt to take a crack at a game called 'Osu'. If you're in for a unique gaming experience, give it a shot!

Wiki Goodies

As Slagar mentioned in his last Wiki Report, I have been doing some edits of the Clan Plagueis pages, mainly our history page.

First off, I wanted to thank Kul'tak, Arden and Tra'an for their assistance on this side project so far, in terms of both accomplishing the edits and hunting down old material way before my time began here in the Brotherhood. These three have been instrumental in assisting with the updates to the page, and as it stands now I think they're looking pretty good. It's important to highlight and remember all the cool stuff that this Clan (and at one point in the past, House) has done, and continue to document what we will be doing in the future.

For the Equites

Well folks, let's take this part of the report out for another spin. The Pro Bowl is continuously popping up in my reports, and for good reason. The Pro Bowl was an amazing example of various members of our Clan stepping up to the plate and making their contribution count, both for their own benefit, and the benefit of their respective teams during the event. But something that I really seemed to notice among the Equites is seemingly so simple, yet also an amazingly effective tool to help spur activity to ever higher and more efficient levels. So today, very briefly, I want to write about the importance of communication and engaging the greater community via the various means available to you.

During the Pro Bowl, I noticed a bunch of Equite-level members were active in advertising their own availability and participation. This harkens back to my last report, where I reminded you folks that we do, in fact, love to hear about what you're doing. The importance of you, the Equite, communicating regularly via e-mail and chat messengers such as Telegram is that you show other members both current and new, that there is a lot to enjoy, and there is a lot to do, and it's awesome to do it! And it really is. Every Clan, including ours, is filled with people creating some absolutely fantastic content in the form of writing and competitions to keep us entertained.

My point is, and this connects back to leading by example, is to always remember the importance of communication and engaging with the greater community. We're not just an organization with individual characters who love Star Wars. We're an amazing group of people, filled with folks who come from all walks of real life, who have agreed and actively engage in this community to enjoy its content, and perhaps experience new forms of gaming, expression, and dialogue with other folks around the world. When you engage the greater community, you're not only enriching your own experience, but collectively our experience is heightened as well. So keep in touch!

Conclusion

So there we have it. Another report in the works, hopefully another few pieces of wisdom bestowed, and generally just another great month lies ahead for us. Thank you for allowing me the honour to serve you, Karness Muur. If you ever need anything you can always feel free to reach out via Telegram or e-mail.

On that note, for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, remember to take some time to get some fresh air. We love having you around, but I find a good way for me to relax from the DJB, as well as find time to think of new ideas for various projects, playing a good round of soccer or relaxing with my friends on a patio (when it isn't bloody raining) can really keep the gears going. Enjoy what is hopefully a good summer, and remember we're always here when you log back on again.

Until next time...